Odds and Ends from MQX

There were a lot of wonderful, interesting quilts on display at MQX in Providence, RI last week. I got a big kick out of this one. People were oohing and awing over this wonderful Baltimore Album quilt. Getting closer and closer and oops ... it is a beautifully printed cloth with nice quilting on it. With my warped sense of humor, I enjoyed standing by it and watching people respond to it. Several times as they got closer and closer I broke the spell by saying, you realize it is printed don't you. Uh, um, no... When I do my Baltimore Album it will most likely be done this way. Mimi Dietrich do you have another line out? I don't have the swags and border for the last line you did!

Then there was this lovely ensemble that was shown with the wearables. (No one said who got to wear it!) I forget the title but it was a lovely coat/dress? for a doggy. And, it earned a blue ribbon. If it were a different color I am sure Raggs would look stunning in it. Yea, right. But I did think it was cute. And, notice the shoes. What clever quilters there are in the world.

Last, I'll share this dog quilt. (Is there a theme going on here?) I took this picture specifically because I've got about 6 blocks of this quilt done. I need to haul it out and work on the machine applique again and finish the darn blocks. I think I only got 9 of the doggies instead of all 12. There were bone shapes quilted in the sashing and dog paws in the borders. Arf!
Tomorrow I'll be in Maryland as Jenny and Brian reveal the sex of the soon to be first grandchild. (Well, 4 and half more months soon.) Jen said something about making a cake and coloring it pink or blue on the inside to let us know. Hum, I wonder what they'll do if the baby is turned the wrong way? I'm 2 rows into that darling baby sweater and stopped because you knit the buttonholes on one side if female and the other for a boy. Rats. So, maybe I'll start up again on it if they are pretty sure about it. And, does the little tyke really care what side the buttons go up? I don't think so. When I get back to home I'll only have a few days to finish a top, sew some hanging sleeves on, organize stuff to sell at the peddlers table and finish a mini quilt. Yea, right. Something will have to give no doubt.

Happy Quilting All!

Recuperating

I've been back from Rhode Island for a day or so. I'm exhausted. But what a great time. Gail and I took a hands on class. We got someone to snap our picture.

Caught up with Debby Brown from Hired Hands She wanted to shoot me for taking the picture but I think she looks cute. Hi Deb ~~~~~ waving at you. (You do look tired here though... hope you've caught up on your sleep!)
Learned a lot of new things. I sure hope it is easy. It uses a melon shaped ruler. I need to get that asap. This was a class taught by Kim Brunner.

Bought some pretties. I was in the pastel mood for the most part. You know, new baby coming in the future. I have a quilt that the olive green solid or variegated will go with. I've already used up 2 mini cones of red so decided to go for a big cone.

Time to get some sewing done. I'm getting ready to go to Maryland next week to help out at Faithful Circle Quilters quilt show. More on that in the future.

Happy Quilting All!

Reports from MQX

Gail and I are having a blast. We are eating great food --

We've taken some interesting classes --

We saw some interesting displays -- this froggy was made with cans of food, spaghetti noodle boxes and bottled water. It's part of CAN-struction a design/build competition that eventually benefits the local food bank.

Here's another -- a surfer in a pipeline (is that the right term? I don't surf at all!) and the wave with the foam on it.

We hit the show preview tonight and did a bit of shopping. Not too bad so far, but wait until tomorrow when I buy some thread. OOOOHHHH. Look at all the pretty colors!

Tomorrow's a long day. Several classes, more shopping and viewing of quilts and an evening class that is hands on.

Happy Quilting All!

Finished Quilt

I was suppose to show these pictures last week but the next thing I know it's Sunday afternoon. Yikes, time flies when you are having fun. The is Heidi's quilt that I finished last week. I'm disappointed in this picture because you can't see the quilting but it certainly shows off this wonderful quilt.

Here's the back of it. And, you can't see the quilting on this photo either.
So how about this close up? You can see some of the freehand quilting and some of the "l"s and "e"s.
I've finished the blocks for the Small Quilt Talk yahoo group signature swap. Then I made 4 of 5 blocks for a challenge for the same group. I think this little quilt will be my donation quilt for the upcoming Faithful Circle Quilters' show. We always have a silent auction to raise funds for education. (Read that as guest speakers and teachers.)

Now I'm getting ready to go to MQX -- Machine Quilters Expo. Gail and I are meeting up there and are going together. We've got several classes planned, some hot shopping to do and lots of quilts to view. I'll try to send some reports from up in Providence also. I plan to leave early on Tuesday morning. (Early being sometime after 9 am...)

Time to get some hand applique organized to go with me. (And, watching an old Doris Day - Cary Grant movie -- A Touch of Mink.

Back to work now. Happy Sewing All! I know I'm going to miss actually sewing this week but I'm sure I'll be having a great time so it won't be too bad!

Coming Soon

This arrived in the mail late last week. It's my registration packet for the MQX show in April. It is suppose to be fabulous for long arm quilters. And, for those of you who aren't there are still lots of non-long arm classes available. Many teachers have classes geared to those who quilt with domestic sewing machines (dsm). I am looking forward to going. And, I'm making a list of things I want to buy. Top on the list is more thread. (Heck, I've got a whole rack full of thread but I never seem to have the color I want.) My plan is to replace colors I've used up like red and than add some colors I don't have. And, then there is the cotton versus poly thread question. I think I've finally gotten the tension balanced and apparently I am having as good of luck with cotton as with the poly. Hum, what to do, what to do!

I've been keeping at Heidi's quilt. Here are some little floral motifs I've done where the blocks come together. (Anything that screams orange is most likely red.)

Here are the arcs I am making over the red (yea, it's really red) sections. I am going to be turning the quilt 90 degrees and then go the other way on the reds and get the borders also. I was hoping to take it off Ruthie today so that I can repin it tonight. But, I'm finding myself pretty tired. We'll see how well my feet recover.

I am almost done with the binding and the sleeve for Plaza del Sol. I need to take a picture after it is finished. I am entering it and some other quilts in Faithful Circle's quilt show. The show is held in Columbia, Maryland on April 29, 30 and May 1. We usually hang 350 to 400 quilts if I remember correctly. Several vendors come and we have a great Peddler's Table. (another thing I am trying to do -- organize what I am putting up for sale.) We also have a great Silent Auction where members donate items to be sold for our education program. If you need more info leave me a comment or send me an email and I'll let you know the details.

Time to get back to Ruthie. Lots to do before the day is done... or to do tomorrow... Happy Quilting All!

Bricks and Stepping Stones -- Quilted

Bricks and Stepping Stones is quilted. I am harried. Evidently I picked up some needles that "looked" like they were the right ones for my machine but were in reality, a hair too long. That translated into broken needles while sewing -- at least four of them, maybe five. And, every time a needle broke it left a little hole in the quilt. URGH. Luckily this quilt is for me. I will be repairing the little holes and I doubt anyone will know except me. I have needles directly from the Nolting people coming in, hopefully soon.

Next up on Ruthie will be a twin size charity quilt. I don't know what I will quilt on it yet. Something free motion, that's for sure. But, I won't even consider starting until the new needles show up.

I signed up to take classes next April at MQX the big machine quilting show in the northeast. And, surprise, surprise, -- I got all the classes I wanted to. Hopefully I will learn lots during that week. Anyone else going to MQX in April. We'll have to plan a meeting!

Here are a couple I noticed in the lobby of the Shawnee Inn where Quilter's Day Out was held. It was

hard to get a decent picture but they were quite the couple!

Pam -- here are some of the blocks I sent

you . I just loved this little witchy. I don't think I have any more fabric with it on. I may not have had yardage -- I might have gotten it with a batch of 4 1/2" squares.

Have you tried this block yet? The

directions are here Twisted Happy Block. I have wanted to do some but just hadn't gotten around to it until Pam wanted some for her blocks for FCQ Equilters. I whipped out 10. I'll probably make others but I am trying to finish up enough regular Happy Blocks for a charity quilt. And, I have to get a few charity quilts packaged so I can mail them out. I think I have 6 hanging around in a closet upstairs.

Tomorrow I start another mystery quilt over at Mysteries for Relay. I'm jazzed because it uses 2 1/2" strips. My drawer of 2 1/2" strips was overflowing. While watching Antique Roadshow I sorted through and grabbed a goodly number of light and dark strips. My plan tomorrow is to be ready to go at 9 am for the first installment. I can sew until 3:15 or so when I have to leave to volunteer at the library. Should be a great day.

It is past time to get ready for my Wednesday quilt group. I still need to make my lunch and grab my project. I plan on working on a Tisket a Tasket applique from Bunny Hill Designs. I haven't done a thing on any of the blocks for a couple of months.

Happy quilting all!