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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Retreat Projects

The best part of retreats, are the projects that we work on.
(...well, besides the wine we consume)
hahahahahaha


I found this fun little zip bag on Pat Sloan's blog here before I left.

 
Planning the back is just about as fun as the front is. I was able to use 
the last bits of my "She Who Sews" fabrics on one of them.


The bag is Sherri McConnells, Simple Zipper Bag.
There is a step by step U-Tube video in Pats post. 
You can find more on this cutie-patooti 


I also stumbled on this fun one.
"Criss Cross Mini Quilt" by Nadra Ridgeway.
As soon as I saw it, I new it was perfect for all those hand dyes, 
I've been hoarding! 
:-)


You can find the pattern 


And how about this sweet little "Friendship Star Mini Quilt" block.
It finishes to an 8" 
I'm working on making a few more of these for a table runner.
You can find more on this...

I'm kicking myself for not taking photos of the other girls projects!
We were so busy stitching, that I don't think we ever thought about a camera. 
:-(
Each and every one was so different and so fun.

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Monday, May 29, 2017

Cabin Fever BOM


I finally got myself on track with my "Cabin Fever" BOM.
It took a quilt retreat to make it happen, and what a perfect time to do so!



Here's the Block 1


Block 2
(my favorite so far...)


Block 3
(quite the challenge piecing, I must say)


...and Block 4


They are looking marvelous all together, aren't they?

You can find more on this fabulous BOM
from  Rebecca Mae Designs

I've already got the log cabin blocks pieced for next month.
Just a few more days until the next one is released!
Happy Dance!
;-)

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Home Again...


I know I'm home when I see this sight...
Denver International Airport.
The tent tops do make for a spectacular sight against the mountains.

Where have I been???
A week long quilt retreat with my favorite NY girls.


They surprised me with this adorable wall hanging commemorating our time together! Now a moose...really? What could be better!
:-)
 A big thanks to Mary for stitching this up for little ole me.

There was lots of stitching going on, as well as some great side trips.



We went to Corning Glass and made necklaces.
There are many different things you can make. 
It was fun to watch what everyone was doing.


They take safety very seriously.
Are we a picture of beauty or what?
LOL!!


We traded in the safety glasses for dark safety glasses once we got near the fire!


Word must have got out, that we were an "out of control" group.
Only 2 of us at a time, could play!
Tee Hee!!!


All those pretty colors in the back are the glass rods we melted.



We melted our base color into a good size "blob"
(a very technical term)
Then melted different color rods for the dots.
You bring both rods into the fire and just "kiss" the dot color to your base.
It kind of reminded me of rubbing your tummy, while patting your head!
hahahahaha

One we have all the dots, we put our "blob" into a thing that pressed it flat.
Then we attached another rod and pulled and twisted.
It's amazing to see just how liquid glass moves.
After 12 hours of cooling in "vermiculite" we had our pendants.

My first question was what the heck did we put it in and why?
Vermiculite is an insulator and holds the heat. The slower the glass cools, the stronger it is!  Who knew?


Here's my pendant. Pretty cool looking if I say so myself.
They do different things for the holidays...
Eggs for Easter
Pumpkins for Halloween 
Christmas bulbs...
I want to go back for all of it!
:-)

It was fascinating to see all the gorgeous glass work...





These that are glass scenes under the glass, are just incredible.
I think it's going to take more than the 1 lesson I had, to manage something like this!
:-O


Here's some others that stuck my fancy!



Yep, a good time was had by all.
If your in the Corning New York area, this place is definitely worth visiting!

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Monday, May 22, 2017

Quilt Market

It was Quilt Market in St Louis...
but I wasn't there.
Although, I did send a couple of representatives!


Introducing "Ellie" the Elephant and
"Stu" the Sea Turtle.
Are these guys just the cutest?

These two are sporting the new lines of "Island Batik" fabric for spring.
Check them all out...

Patterns for these 2 are from the
"Funky Friends Factory".
is where you can find them and all their buddies.
They are all just "sew" darn cute!
Sign up for their newsletter and get a free Honey Bear pattern!

Why wasn't I at market you ask???
Well, it was my yearly quilt retreat in NY with my online buddies.
I can tell you a good time was had by all!
I'll have photos posted soon!

Till next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Friday, May 19, 2017

Santa's on His Way



It's just a little bit too early just yet...
but I'll have a fun new quilt done by the time he does arrive this year.
Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts, has made sure of that!

Does he just make you smile?


Such a fun addition to all the other blocks.
Check out this free QAL
Thanks Lorna!!!!!

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'


Thursday, May 18, 2017

Cardinal in the Pines


I'm on a roll and getting these blocks done again.
They are just "sew" much fun!


This is another one of the fabulous blocks from 
Lorna's free QAL.
Cardinal in the Pines.


You can find more on the QAL

Be sure to check out the different options she has for using the blocks.
I love the cardinal table runner idea!

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Retreat Goodies

 You can't go to a quilt retreat empty handed!
So, I surfed thru Pinterest, and what did I find?


A lil' ole recipe, for "Quilters Moonshine"!
I don't know about your groups, but mine are all about a lil' moonshine!
...and not always the "fabric" kind, if you know what I mean.
LOL!!!


Giving credit where credit is due...
This came from "Everyone Deserves a Quilt" blog.
You can find it right 
I've got to tell you...I absolutely love this stuff and it's WAY cheaper than that other high $$$ ironing spray on the market.
I made my own label and recipe card.
They are nothing fancy, but your welcome to download it, if you like

NOTE:
I did change the recipe up a bit. Instead of essential oil, I added
about a cup of scented "Febreze"
I stock up on Cranberry and Frost, at the holidays when I can find it.
It's my favorite and it smells heavenly!


The Grim Ripper!
This fun little guy is from Fons and Porter.
You can download the pattern free right
He's not just for Halloween!
:-)


It made for a perfect combo...

May the "Moonshine" bright and the "Grim Ripper's" visits be few!

Have some fun at your next retreat!
;-)
til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'


Sunday, May 14, 2017

Art with Fabric Blog Hop...Hanging By a Thread



Nothing beats searching online for inspiration.  
With the Internet today, we can visit more museums and galleries
 in a few  hours, than most could in a life time.
As the fusible applique junkie that I am, 
 I've found that the world of artists that really speak to me, are the ones who's medium is "graphic art". One of my favorites is Janet Stever.
She is a life long artist and illustrator with a long list of credits. Her line of "Angels of Peace" art inspired something that I've wanted to tackle for quite some time now.


The piece I was about to embark on, revolved around this!
This little pin in a bag!
Now, that's got to have you wondering if I've lost my mind!
:-)
Last year I broke my wrist.
It was a dumb thing that I did, while loading ceramic tiles into the back of my car. Gravity beat me, when I managed to not clear the trunk with a heavy load in motion. That sent me flying one direction and the tiles another.
They shattered along with my wrist.
This little pin is what they put in, to stabilize things until it healed.
The day they removed it, I asked to keep it for a memorial quilt!
Crazy, I know!


A year later, and it's done. Thanks to this "Art with Fabric" hop.

The real angels, are the girls from the "Flying Quilters" quilt group. They kept me sane, when I was about to loose my mind. Yes, that's me...hanging by a thread at the bottom of the quilt.


The one who's hair looks afright!
You try doing your hair with the opposite hand.
I had the curling iron burns to prove, it was no easy task!
hahahahahaha

I've always loved, when the photos of a quilt, with one block hanging from the bottom, makes its way around Facebook.
I had to borrow that idea, for my "Hanging By a Thread"!


My guardian Angels...


Who thru "Love" and "Hope"...


...helped me "Believe" in myself again!
It might sound sappy, but these girls got me thru it all and I'm
forever grateful. They earned those halos.


I used some of my "cooked" cans for the flying heart.
I love, when I get a chance to add a little tin can art to things. 
These are soda and beer cans that are cooked over a BBQ grill.
(You can read more about that, under my TUTORIALS links
 on the right hand side of my blog)
It's easy enough to do and stitches down like a dream,
 with a regular needle and a sewing machine!


Lastly...my life size hand with the pin in place!
Forever to remember.



All finished off with "mini" quilts hanging...
cause, that's what we do!

A big thanks to Alida, for bringing us all together to share.
She pours her heart and soul into this hop,  for us!
Your going to find some incredibly talented artists, sharing their creations this week. I know your not going to want to miss, any of them!
Here's the schedule below.


Monday, May 15th, 2017

Tuesday, May 16th, 2017 

Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 

Thursday, May 18th, 2017 

Friday, May 19th, 2017 

"Sew" put on your thinking cap and "art" something.
Heck if I can do it,"sew" can you!
;-)
til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'