Houston or bust!

And we are off!!  finally the day arrived for my husband and I to travel to Houston for the International Quilt Festival.  I have been looking forward to this trip since May, when I found out my quilt would be in a special exhibit at the show. 

This is Monday morning, and we don't check into the Houston hotel until Wednesday, but we are taking the scenic route.....

A beautiful bridge in Alabama.  I am taking these though my car window, which really could have used a washing.  My camera is an ipad and I think it takes pretty good pictures.

We were to cross many high and beautiful bridges.

Our first night was spent in Mobile, Alabama.  We had a good start to our trip and were very ready for a night of rest.

On Tuesday we set out for New Orleans, but had to take Hwy 90 along the Gulf of Mexico.  I just love the Gulf and would love to spend a week or more sometime in this area. 

Here are two pictures taken at the Gulfport area. 









We were on vacation in this spot the summer before Katrina and it was so sad to see many of the beautiful homes  that we remembered from before were gone, all that was left was a "land for sale" sign.






We did eventually make it to the French Quarter in New Orleans and proceeded to get completely lost!  Roads were blocked and under repair, and we kept getting turned around. The streets were totally clogged with service vehicles, construction work and I was supposed to be navigating us through this narrow little maze.

At one point, I was using the car navigation system, my husband's Garmen GPS, the maps program on my ipad AND the paper map they gave us at the visitor's center - and I still did not know where the heck we were.  So we just headed towards I10W and for Houston.  I don't think I will be going back to New Orleans, unescorted, ever again.

By sundown, we were drawing near Houston and were treated to a beautiful sunset against the skyline.  Unfortunately this picture is not even close to the beautiful view. 

While taking this picture, I , the navigator, missed a very important turn and we ended up once again, a little lost (we call it taking the scenic route.)   But we got through and found a hotel west of Houston - as our journey continues on....

Tomorrow we skip on over to San Antonio to see a member of my husband's family and then back to Houston where we will settle in for a few days to enjoy the show.  Three days in one location without having to get back into the car sounds pretty good to me right now.

Teresa

IPAD Bag

 At the end of this month, I will be traveling to Houston for the International Quilt Festival.  I am very excited as I have never been before and I will actually have a quilt on display.  If you go, be sure to check out the special exhibit "In the American Tradition" and see my quilt Circus Stars!  You might even find me standing beside it, beaming with excitement.  

I wanted a special bag to carry my IPAD in so that I did not have to carry a pocketbook and would have my hands free for exploring the vendor booths. I found this bag in the McCall's Quilting magazine, May/June 2011.  I have modified it some to suit my purposes.

 

They had a patchwork front, but I have added fabric stars, using the Rebecca Wat method from the book Fantastic Fabric Folding.

This was so much fun and if you have a  chance, you should give this a try.  Each of those stars started out as a 6" square of fabric, and then you fold and stitch and embellish.  I can't wait to try a few of her other stars.

I also added a magnet to the flap to keep it closed.

I also added a back pocket for my phone. The velcro you see  one of those velcro wrap straps.  It was late, and I could not find my velcro and this was the best I could do.  But I really like it and will probably do the same in the future. The strip is more narrow than regular velcro, comes in fun colors, is not quite as rough and holds great.   

 

Another zipper pocket on the inside for cash/credit card/license/hotel key etc and I am set to go.

Thank you to my daughter for teaching me this technique.

I lenghtened the strap so that it fits from my right shoulder to my left side, which leaves my hand free to check out those goodies in the vendor sites.

 

The only thing I would do differently is I would make the bag 1" longer as my Ipad does not go all the way into the bag.  Its not a real big deal as it only sticks out a little over the top and the flap covers it, but it would be nice if it fit all the way in.

If you are going to be in Houston - look for me - you'll recognize me by my bag and my big smile of excitement! 

 

Teresa

 

 

 

Perle Cotton Thread - I want my DMC back!

I know I have been away for awhile, but been extremely busy with preparing for teaching and trying to finish up projects for our guild's quilt show.  Ok...enough excuses.  But I have not even had time to read blogs, and I miss that. I will catch up soon and see what all of you have been up to.

But today, I want to complain about how Hobby Lobby has switched from DMC Perle cotton to some off brand called Artiste.   I had to purchase some #5 Perle for kits I am preparing for a Make-It Take-It demo at our upcoming guild show.   I hurridly went into HL to get the floss I needed, and thought it seemed smaller than usual, but in my haste I just looked at color and made sure it was #5 Perle.  It was hanging with the DMC embroidery floss - so I thought that was what it was. It was not until I got home, and started preparing the kits did I realize the difference.

 The floss on the left is the Artiste brand and on the right is DMC that I purchased about a month ago at Hobby Lobby.  You can obviously see the difference. 

I have not workded with the Artiste thread yet, so it may stitch ok, but just from the feel of it I don't think it is of the same quality as the DMC.

 Next you have to consider the price.  Yes, the Artiste is "cheaper" selling for $1.29 and the DMC for $1.79; BUT the Artiste is only 15.3 yards where as the DMC is 27.3 yards.

I did the math, the Artiste is $.084 per yard and the DMC is $.065 per yard!

This is exactly what the grocery stores are doing in the packaging - making it appear to be a bargain, but when you read the lable, you discover it is actually costing you more.

I am really surprised at Hobby Lobby!  I intend to write their Customer Dis-service Department this afternoon, as I know it does no good to complain at the store - they just say, "Headquarters" makes all those decisions.

I guess I will be buying my thread at Michaels now, as the last time I checked they still carry DMC.  The closest quilt shop or Joannes is about 20 miles away - too far to drive to just pick up some thread.


OK - enough of my rant.  Hope to have a more fun topic to talk about soon. 
Teresa

Felicia's Block

Tonight I just did something entirely for fun and made this block in honor of my cat, Felicia.  Felicia had cancer and has gone on to kitty heaven, but I remember her and Topsy fondly.  She was always a pretty sassy kitty, so I had to give her some bling to show off her personality!

Daddy's Irises

I have not have much to blog about lately as I have been working on kits for various workshops and handquilting a quilt hopefully to have done in time for my guild's quilt show.  I did finish this one project though - a workshop by Aimee Griffin, of Overall Quilter. This was something new to me as it involved fusible applique and thread painting.  I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the project and have several other of her patterns I want to make in the future.....way into the future. 

I have been writing my Do-si-Do pattern for the twisted pinwheel  block.  I have to get this completed and ready for a work shop in October at the Quilters of South Carolina.  I had the pattern in pieces, a snippet here and there and have worked very diligently the last few days to get it completed, which I did this afternoon.  Now all I need is the cover picture, which is another challenge since it involves a Fall Table Runner, a Christmas Bed Runner and Queen size quilt (which is still under construction.)   I took advantage of the sunshine to see if I could get some nice pictures outside, but my skills with a camera leave much to be desired.  Maybe my photographer daughter will take pity on me???  (Are you reading this Ellen?)

And I close with this picture of a very lonely guinea.  She used to be part of a flock of around 10 or 12 which also included a wild turkey.  They "belonged" to my neighbor but made themselve at home in all our yards.  I loved seeing them and always got a smile at the turkey roaming with them  I think he/she was hiding from hunters.

Anyway, the flock has dwindled down to this one lonely guinea.  She has discovered the patio window at my parents home, and each morning goes down to visit her "friend" which is actually her reflection in the window. She just clucks and structs and carries on a sight.  I think we need to find her a companion!

That's it for now.  Hope you are all staying cool and getting a lot more done that I seem to be able to do these days.

Happy stitchin,
Teresa

Do you hand quilt?

I have been busily trying to finish this project in time for our guild's quilt show in October.  I have quilted all around the appliques, and the two borders and am now working on a grid over all the remaining "unquilted" parts of the quilt.

 For the first time I am trying the masking tape method for marking my lines and I really like this method.  I have 6 needles going across - now if I just had 12 hands I might get this done in time.  I have the lines in one direction about half done, I think - progress is slow, but steady.

I really need to learn to take better pictures!

I have also been working on the cute little thimble pips from Willowberry Designs.  They are fun to make and hopefully I will get a few more done for the guild's boutique at the quilt show.

And then there is always these little distractions to keep a Granny away from her stitching. 

Happy Stitchin!

Teresa

Caddy Pad

So...I get a call wanting to know if would go with a friend to Gastonia - and while there, we could go by Mary Jo's and  Sew Much Fun,  hmmmm...lets see....YES!  We connect with a third friend and off we go for a fun day of shopping, lunch at Olive Garden and just some good girl time.   I found the pattern for this cute bag at Mary Jo's and the fabric at Sew Much Fun.  Can you guess what it is??????

An iron caddy of course!   I just love this, it is a pattern by Sisters' Common Thread and I had so much fun making it.    A word of caution to those of you that are like me and think you can just look at the pictures in a pattern and make it - you gotta read these instructions a couple of times and take it step by step!

The bag opens up flat to make an ironing surface.  Just right for taking the iron with you to workshops.  There is the layer of metallic like ironing board fabric on the reverse of the mat, and a Insul-Bright inside.  The pattern calls for two layers of Insul-Bright, or two layers of cotton batting, or 1 layer of Warm Tater, whatever that is.   I elected to use one layer of cotton batting and one layer of Insul-Bright, which worked out great.

Did you notice that cute covered button on the bag up above?  I thought that would be really cute and also cheaper than buying big buttons.  As soon as I buttoned it, this happened! Yep, the shank came right out of the button.    So I went to my button jars and found a couple of white buttons.  Guess that would be better than the covered button -- but I sure did like that covered button.

All in all, it was a fun project and I hope to make a few for my guild's boutique at the quilt show.  It really is a cute iron tote, and one you can put your iron in even if it is still a little warm.  Not sure I would put it in there if it was really hot, as I would think it would scorch the bag, just like a hot iron can scorch your ironing board cover...a lesson I know all too well.

Happy Stitchin,
Teresa

Grandkids

Happy Father's Day !

Who could resist these smiles.  These are my grandkids - from left to right - Taralyn, Tess, Tobias (Toby), Timothy, Malachi, Levi and Elijah (Eli).  

Twilling Class

I would like you to meet some of the most important people in my life - Darlene, Brenda, Vickie, Darlene, Cheryl, Brenda and Donna. These sweet ladies are all members of my club Stitchin Friends.  We were not all there Saturday and those who could not make it were greatly missed, but we had a fun time learning to twill".

 Cyndi, over at Bee Tree Designs, got me hooked on twilling, and now I have hooked my friends. 

They are all excited about doing one of Cyndi's table runner designs or some other patterns I provided from the internet but to get started I took them back to their childhood and we played with lace-cards.  Remember those?

I made some  punch cards on cardboard from a gift box and we practiced the stitch on that until we had it just right.  Its so much easier to see it when you do the stitch in "giant" thread.  From there we moved on to a little blue bird practice piece that I did not get a picture of for some reason, and by next month I expect they will all have their table runners or blocks well in process.

Cyndi was sweet to send us a pattern as a door prize and here is Donna, who was so excited to receive it.  That is Darlene peeking over her shoulder in the background. 

And talk about sweet people, I was honored to win a give-a-way from Cheryl over a Willowberry Designs .  The package arrived yesterday and what a great coming-home-from-a-long-day-at-work surprise.  Doesn't my thimble look cozy in its new thimble keeper?

Thank you Cheryl, I just love the fabric, scissor fob, buttons and the thimble keeper.

And I close with a picture of my newest flower bed endeavor.  My father would be so pleased at my gardening attempts and that my flowers are actually still alive.  I was never much good  at growing things, other than weeds, but so far so good. (knock, knock, knock on wood)  I think my Daddy must be watching over them for me.

Have a good day everyone, and thanks for stopping by,

Teresa

Home Sweet Home giveaway!

Hurry on over to Hugs n Kisses and register for this wonderful give-away Helen Stubbins is having!  On the other hand..just go and look, but don't sign up cause I want to win!
http://www.hugsnkisses.net/index.php/shop/boms/home-sweet-home-bom

Going to Houston!

Circus Stars

I recieved word this week that my quilt, Circus Stars, had been accepted by the International Quilt Festival to be a part of the In the American Tradition 2012 special exhibit.  Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled, humbled, excited, teary and many other emotions all at the same time. 

I have never been to the Houston show, but I am going this year for sure!  It would be great to meet some of you there, but if not - at least maybe you can "meet" my quilt!

Teresa

Twilling

I have been in Port Huron, Michigan visiting a friend.  This is a view off her deck and we saw lots of these freighters passing by.  Far in the distance you can see Canada.  We had  a great visit, and while there visited the Sew Elegant quilt shop and got the supplies we needed for Twilling!

I have been seeing other sites talking about twilling and was anxious to try.  The three of us watched the YouTube videos, read the tutorials and finally came up with our version of the stitch.  I found this pattern on the internet and enlarged it to 8" square .  The center is backstitch  and I added the glass beads to give it some bling.
Here's a close up of my twilling.  Not sure I have it right, but I like the look.  I hope to teach this stitch to my quilt club in  June.


I also finished up the applique on my new grandson,Toby's quilt. My daughter and the kids came by this morning and I gave them the quilt.  He looks like he is sitting on the branch with the owl, don't you think?  Gotta love that t-shirt he is wearing - guess whoooooooooo bought it for him?  I have included a picture of the top half of the label and you can see the backing cloth too.  Some of the fabrics in this quilt are from my father's shirts - very special to me and will hopefully be special to Toby since he never got to meet his Great Grandpa.

And I close with one more picture from Port Huron.  We saw many beautiful homes like this one.

 Thanks for stopping by,
Teresa

My new "Bag"

Is it a pocketbook, purse or just a plain "bag" - I never know quite what to call these things that are all the craze to make these days. Since bag is the easiest to type, that is what I will use. I have a terrible time finding pocketbooks to meet my needs - either too many inside pockets that I lose things in, outside pockets that look like sadde bags or cigarette pockets, straps too short, too small to hold my stuff or so big I can't find anything.  Anyone else have this problem? 


So I have been looking for a new summer bag, and having no luck when the new Fons and Porter magazine arrived and I liked the look of this bag (pg 58,may-June 2012).  The only problem - it is too small at only 10" square and 1" wide.   So, I got out my paper and pen, and enlarged the dimensions to 12" square and 2" wide which I will be happy to share with anyone that wants them.

My daughter and I went fabric shopping, and of course she convinced me to go LOUD in my color selections, where I would normally go more plain jane quiet . Here are the pieces laid out on my cutting table (nothing sewn yet).  Notice the great Elephant button - had to have it!  At this point, I am having my doubts though, this is way outside of my comfort zone in color combinations.  The black and white check I had at the house and I thought it looked better than the yellow we picked out for the top band, straps and trim. 

My daughter, Ellen, is the expert on bag making and she told me to put fusible batting in the body of the bag.  I did this and really like the way it softens the bag while giving it body.  I only put the batting on the body - not in the band at the top of the bag. 

All the other pieces had fusible interfacing applied which gives the bag a nice body.

The pattern has open pockets on the inside of the bag, but I really wanted a zipper pocket to hide those things that I don't like floating around in  my pocketbook, and also a separate pocket for my calendar (yes, I still carry a paper calendar book) and checkbook.  So I changed the lining to include these.

I attached one of those magnet closures.  I had my doubts at first about this as it is kind of a rubber plastic kind of material and the instructions said to sew it on.  But it actually went on like a charm - easy peasy.    I also wanted a pocket on the back of the bag big enough to put my e-reader or a small stitchery project for those visits to the doctor's office, so I added that.

Tada....Here it is !    I am pleased, and now to fill it up.