Pretty Thread from Laura

Two weeks ago, I took a class with Laura Wasilowski.  Previously, I had made her pattern Pressing Matters.

Taking the class from her was a great way to really understand her Chicago School of Fusing techniques.  I ended up buying another pattern from this series.  I had so much fused fabric left over from the class, that I was able to make this, Pretty Thread.  It just needs its embellishments and finishing. 

The size is a little different since I had to play with left-overs.  Looking forward to finishing and hanging it in my sewing room.  There are more patterns in the series.  I would like to do them all.

Road Trip to the Gold Country

Today I went on a road trip to Sonora, CA with my quilt guild.  Along the way we stopped at Bearly Quilting before the quilt show.  Of course we had to help the local economy, so I came home with:

Fabrics and books and thread, oh my!

Several things were on sale including some pre-printed sashiko panels.  I am happy and ready to get creative.

Sewing Right Along

I've definitely been in the sewing mood the last few weeks.  Maybe that is because I have so many UFOs and partially begun "idea projects".  Today I finished a baby quilt for our community quilts group.  I just have to snip some loose threads and add a label.  

a little stylin' with Teddy

a funky pieced back to go with it.

Then I hauled out the purple/green community quilt that is totally not at all the colors I like to work with.  But I took the challenge and picked them out from the community quilt stash.  Hope it doesn't sit around as a top for too long.  I'd just as soon turn it in.  I have even already made and prepared the binding for it. 

A Little Back To School Giftie for the DGDs

I think I bought these composition books last year with the intent of making covers for them and presenting them to the Darling Grand-daughters before school.  They sat on a shelf and every once in awhile I would think about making those covers.  In the meantime, the year went by and the project never got started (or finished!).  So today, inspiration hit and I just set to and looked up an easy tutorial on the internet.  Ta Da!  Started and Finished! 

I even used the alphabet on my sewing machine to add their names.  I hope they enjoy them.  They sure weren't difficult to make. I didn't make them quite as fancy or add the button closure.  It is an idea with lots of possibilities.

Mug Rug for Margo

Lifetime good friends are the best.  My friend Margo has stood by me through childbirth and through the loss of a child.  We don't live close to each other any more but I know she is always there for me.  She shares her birthday with Stephen, the son we lost too soon.  I'll be sending her a little gift this year. 

The pattern is a paper-piecing pattern called Southern Star created by Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane.

Winnings! and Progress

I was very faithful and I viewed and left comments for all the Ho Ho Ho Blog hops.  Yipee!  I won at Ravelly1. Thank you Rhonda for the wonderful Santa wall-hanging.  It will join the other Santas that I put out at Christmas.  I will also find use for that pretty red Christmas fat-quarter. 

For the progress, I gleefully post a picture of the Asian Scrappy Road which is well on its' way to actually becoming a top.  I have already made the decision that I will send it out for quilting.  It is intended as a gift for my dear niece Cheryl.....shhhhh don't tell. 

My Own Little Corner of the World

When we lived in Maryland, I had a loft all to myself.  It was lovely and good size and unfortunately on the fourth level of our townhouse.  There was a TV and an accessible design wall area.  Plenty of room for creative mess. 

Then we moved back to California and down-sized to a three-bedroom one-story much smaller home.  I'm not complaining.  I am not missing all those stairs.  But I am missing my space.  My current space is my office/quilting/creating place.  At one time I thought it would share space with a bed for guests.  That didn't quite happen.  Not enough room after I moved my stuff in.  Sorry guests.  It's the sofa or a hotel. 

Small ..... but it is all mine

Many, many, many of these

Need to make this bigger someday

Ironing board turned into Big Board by hubby

Some of my stash....lots more in baskets and drawers

My faithful Bernina 440QE......my retirement present to myself.