Design Wall Monday 6 - 15 - 2015

For the most part I spent last week recuperating from the week before when I was embroidering like mad and then went on the retreat.  I failed to take a picture of all the embroidered items but I did keep some for myself.  

First up are two cord wraps I made.  The one on the bottom is designed for small cords like a cell phone charger cord.  I made 24 of them in various colors of marine vinyl to give as gifts at the retreat.   Folks seemed to like them.  I only made one of the larger one and it is wrapping the power cord to my Elna sewing machine.  The smaller design is available here from Embroidery Garden.   Oh, did I mention it is free?  I see plenty more of these in my future. 

As I mentioned earlier we were given fabric to make a little gift to share.  I failed to take a picture of it but I did make a sample one to make sure it would work out ok.  I used a bright floral print.  This, too, came from Embroidery Garden although it wasn't free.  This whole little zippered bag was made in my hoop!  Amazing.  The inside is completely lined with no exposed seams. 

 I don't have a huge embroidery hoop so this is about 5" x 7".  These designs have fabulous instructions.  I just followed each instruction in order and pretty soon I had this cute little case.  There might be more of these in my future -- I haven't decided yet.  

I really enjoyed this embroidery work fun.  But now I am back to quilting although I thought I might set up the embroidery machine to run while I am quilting... 

So not a particularly good week for goals but on the other hand I got back to reading a bit and taking it easy. 

Week of June 8, 2015

Unpack from retreat√

Power up Ruthie and quilt wild dogs√

Quilt one more quilt nope, didn’t happen

Put borders on Galaxy ready to add 1^st border

I was surprised last week with folks bringing me quilts to quilt.  I've got three to do and someone else reserved time for mid July.  Nice.  None are needed immediately so I can easily intersperse my own sewing in between. 

Week of June 15, 2015

Finish quilting Wild Dogs

Get one donation quilt quilted

Load and begin customer quilt

Work on Galaxy

Cleanup cutting table

I'm linking up with Love, Laugh, Quilt and Patchwork Times.

Happy Quilting All! 

Settling Back In

I've taken several days to get back into the mood to sew after getting home from retreat.  Finally, I finished loading the Wild Dog quilt on Ruthie.  And, then I figured out what I wanted to do to quilt it.  Sometimes that is the holdup on a quilt. I knew a few things going into it.  I don't really like heavily quilted quilts so I knew this one wouldn't be.  I knew it would be custom quilted rather than an edge to edge computerized design.  Once I figured out the how to quilt it I got right down to work.  I used my little dog paws on the outside border.  Unfortunately that border is blue, yellow and blue.  I chose a lighter grey-blue in hopes it would be visible on the navy but not too visible on the yellow.  Nah, you can't really see it on the blue at all.  Oh well.  

The paws are actually computerized.  I'm having them "walking" around the quilt.  But to get the sides as one long quilt-out I'm turning the quilt on the frame.   Each dog block has stipple quilting in the background.  The sashing has zig zags quilted on them.  All that is left to do is the side borders and one background.  Yep, this one should be done soon.  No clue what color I'm binding it in. I do know I am going to do both sides of the binding by machine.  It will get done so much faster.  I have some more hand work to do -- all the dogs need eyes -- probably buttons. Here's Priss ready for her eyes. 

Here are a few more quilts from retreat.  First up, Nancy talking about her quilt during our Sunday morning show and tell session. 

MaryBeth was working on a t-shirt quilt.  Sad story as the t-shirts were owned by her son-in-law's brother who died way too early.  This quilt is for his son.  She will be making 2 more for family members.  This one turned out spectacularly.  I love the orange she used for the sashing and that the shirts are different sizes.  It looks great.  I'm sure the little boy getting this quilt will cherish it.  

Watch for more retreat pictures over the next week or so.  I think I have more but I'll have to figure out where they are.  

And here's Miss Natalie at the beach.  Her family spent the week at the beach house with some of their friends.  By the end of the week the girls looked exhausted.  I bet they slept well each night! 

That's it for me today.  

Happy Quilting All! 

Design Wall Monday 6 - 8 - 2015

I'm writing from Maryland before I head back to Virginia.  Sharon suggested I stay overnight Sunday as we were able to stay and sew at the retreat until 4 although we left around 2:00 or so.  I thought I took lots of pictures but I realized I really didn't.  Here's a little bit of what was taking place at retreat. 

Paula is our intrepid retreat planner and leader.  She does a fantastic job and this one was no exception. Earlier in the year she gave each of us a fat quarter of sewing related fabric.  We made a small gift, wrapped it and then did a gift exchange along with telling a little background on each of us.  (note to self -- take pictures before giving things away! Nope, no pictures of my little purse and cord wrap.)  One of the most popular items was this little chicken pin cushion.  Talk about personality!  I'm pretty sure Jane made it and I know Amy captured it.  Gifts could be stolen from the owner but after the 2nd steal the gift was no longer eligible.  Lots of fun and great gifts. 

A lot of consultations went on amidst the sewing.  What a wonderful place to get good advice. None of us are shy about giving advice, that's for sure. But the combined experience of 26 quilters is invaluable. 

There were many a finished top too. 

Pat finished this entire top at retreat.  (Well, she did have it cut out in advance!)  Although she did mention she probably wouldn't be cutting out a quilt on vacation late at night again. 

Several people were working on quilt designs by Bonnie Hunter.  Here's Stephanie's Turkey Track started at the class in early April.  

All good things come to an end.  Several of the gals have purchased these carts to make it easier to cart their supplies around.  The retreat house had several also. Linda loaded one up with her stuff including an interesting squid bag.  No those grommets weren't the eyes.  Those will hold the handles somehow. The fabrics have squid on it.  She also made great ginger cookies using Star Wars character cookie cutters.     

This was a fun-loving and generous group.  Without a doubt I can say a good time was had by all.  I'm ready to save the date for next year's retreat whether it is moved to May or stays in June. Next retreat for me is in October with my local guild. October seems way too long away.  

It's time for me to start the drive home.  But, I don't want to forget my goals for the week. Here's last week's goals. 

Week of June 1, 2015

Make retreat giftie√

Pack supplies for retreat√

Continue working on Galaxy√

Start working on Easy Street again no time!

Work on black and white log cabin oops! Nothing done it stayed in Virginia

Enjoy retreat in Maryland √√√√!

It's hard to figure out what I should be doing this coming week.  But I think this list is probably pretty accurate. 

Week of June 8, 2015

Unpack from retreat

Power up Ruthie and quilt wild dogs

Quilt one more quilt

Put borders on Galaxy

I'm linking up with Monday Making and Design Wall Monday.

Happy Quilting All!