Happy Thanksgiving - a few days late

Wow...this holiday has just flown by.  Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas right around the corner.  I just don't know where the days go.  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family blessings and lots of peace and relaxing.  I have enjoyed this time off work and managed to get some sewing done, decorations mostly are up for Christmas and have watched countless movies on the Hallmark Channel.  Life is good.

I began quilting on my Circus Stars quilt, and will share one of the blocks on front and the way the back is shaping up.  I am using the "big stitch" or utility stitch and had some trouble starting out - actually had to take out my quilting many times on the first block.  I am getting my stitches much straighter now, just need to work on getting them consistent in length.  I really do enjoy this method.   I think the back of the quilt is going to look neat - maybe not neat stitches, but I like the look and feel of it.

I also began putting together my supplies to make a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt. Took me several days to cut out all the flower fabrics as I wanted them all different.   Gathered up my supplies, cut out all my hexagon paper foundations and finished the first row.  I am enjoying this process and have not stitched one stitch my machine in quite awhile.  I think my sewing machine is feeling neglected.

So that is it for now.  Back to work tomorrow and into the routine.  At some point I have got to get some shopping done.  No way was I going to face the Black Friday mess.  I did go out some on Saturday, but just to go by a quilt shop and Hobby Lobby to get some decorations.  All in all, its been a great Thanksgiving, and I thank God for the many blessings in my life of family, friends and home.

Teresa

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And the winner is.....

Joyce, of One Loose Thread blog.    As soon as I receive the snail mail address it will be making its way to your home.  Joyce is a fellow South Carolinian, who I have not had the pleasure of meeting ...so maybe I will get to see this quilt finished and meet the quilter too!  What a prize that would be for me.

This has been a fun weekend, starting with a pajama party sponsored by the York County Quilters.  Thank you Linda for all the work you put into the party and it sure was fun. (I forgot my camera - no pictures.)  Mary put together a mystery quilt project for us, and while I didn't quite get it finished, I did end up with two stacks of really cute blocks.  These were to make a rail fence type quilt, but I have a different idea rumbling around in my head, so decided to set them aside until I make up my mind.

While at the party, I finished block 9 (the last one) of the Gifts of Grace exchange.   I have so enjoyed making these sweet blocks, thank you Val Laird for freely sharing your designs. I have visions of applique butterflies, flowers and birds winging around these pretty  blocks, inspired by Beth Ferrier.  If you check out her block, its the banner at the top of the blog. I purchased that pattern off her website and have been looking for the perfect quilt to use it on.  Of course, she designed a gorgeous quilt pattern using the applique, but for those of you that know me, I seldom follow other people's patterns, just have to modify them or use pieces of them.

But in this case, I did follow the pattern given to me by Cathi.  Cathi is in Stitchin Friends, a quilt club that I am a member in too. Cathi recently won a Go-cutter and demo'ed it for us at Saturday's meeting. She was so generous to cut us all a dresden plate block to take home with us, and then to also give us a pattern for making this cute wall hanging, or in my case it will be a table topper.  We all brought our own fabric and got to use her go-cutter (Cathi did all the cutting - we're a lazy bunch). I finished mine up early this morning and have it ready to use - and I do love it!  Check out Cathi's blog and see how nice hers turned out as well.

Hope you have all had a great weekend and relaxing Sunday.
Teresa   22788

"Let Freedom Ring" Give-a-way

I am home from Washington and still feeling that patriotic pride that I always get when we have elections in this country.  I don't approve of all the mudslinging campaigns, but you have to admit, the freedom to vote your conscience is something we should take pride in and never for granted.

I won this pattern at the Quilters of SC Retreat a few weeks ago.  As much as I like the pattern, I know I will never make it, so I thought, what better time of year to place it in the hands of someone that will make it.  So I am giving it away.  Just leave me a post that you would like to have it, and I will draw a name on Sunday, Nov.14.  (Please make sure I have a way to contact you - either via blog or email.)

I thought I would share with you the process I go through to thread baste a quilt for handquilting.  I am so happy to have this one finally at that stage.  Today I had to piece the backing and batting, and once done, I laid the quilt sandwich (backing-batting-top) on the floor - just to make sure I had the top somewhat centered in the sandwich. But no way am I going to try to baste this on the floor - I dont' think my knees or back to take it. 

So I carefully fold the top and bottom ends into the center and carry it to my cutting table.  Here is is on the table and I start with the center of the quilt first.     I use those big binder clips to first fasten one side to the table.  Once clipped in place, I fold back the top and batting layers and smooth out the backing, then I lay the batting down and make sure it is smooth, and then the top.  Next step is to clip the top to the table on all four sides.

In basting the three layers together, I use some cheap thread that I have had way too long to remember, double thread the needle.  I use a spoon to help with the basting, sticking the needle into the spoon which causes the needle to curve upwards and makes basting much easier.  (Looks like I should have gotten a manicure before this picture was taken.)

 Just to keep myself amused and hopefully from concentrating on the pain in my back from bending over the table for hours, I put a book on tape in the cd player.   I find this really does help and today I basted for three hours without even realizing how long it had been.  The book I am listening to is "The Heir" by Johanna Lindsey.  I have not read (or listened) to her books before and got this one because it was on sale at Books a Million for $5.97.  Its actually a pretty good book, so far.

So that is my process for thread basting a quilt.  Next step - hand quilting!

Teresa

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Jenny Beyer Studio

I have been wanting to visit this studio for years, and Saturday we left home early enough to get to Great Falls, Virginia so that I could visit before closing time.  Oh, how I wish I lived close enough to take classes here.

I have admired Jenny Beyer quilts for some time now.  Her use of color and design just continue to amaze me.  The shop was filled with her quilts, fabrics and patterns and I was just in awe. 

The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful - it was a wonderful experience to visit this shop and I highly recommend it to anyone in the area - just outside of Washington, DC.  They gave me permission to take pictures inside and I have a few to show, but my photographic skills, or maybe its my camera, are very lacking.  But here are a few shots anyway.

I tried to get a shot of the view from our hotel window here in Washington, so I held the lens right up to the glass and turned off the flash.  Its especially pretty at night when all the buildings are lit up and you can see the Washington Monument in the distance.  The trees are gorgeous here now and there is a brilliant orange and yellow one below my window.

Speaking of trees - the colors in Virginia on the trip up are simply amazing.  When we left Great Falls we came through McLean Va to get to DC - unbelievable mansions and all the colors of Fall - a very nice ride in.

And finally - someone asked if I had brought along some handwork, and well of course, what good quilter leaves home without some handwork?  I had it all neat and tidy in my little plastic box and was going to take a picture to show you - but, when I reached for it - I dumped it all out on the floor.  So here it is, crammed back into the box, somewhat in disarray. 

The conference has been wonderful, I have learned tons of compliance policies that I wish I did not know at this point as I have my work cut out for me when I get back to work.  Hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow and don't forget to VOTE.

Teresa
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What were YOU thinking?????

On my last post, I ended by saying I was running off to join the circus!  Out of 297 hits on my blog since that post, only ONE person commented on my running off to join the circus, and that was Thimbleanna who was intrigued by the idea.  One of my best friends did email me and ask what I was up to.  Now really......were you not even curious?  Did you think that was a perfectly normal thing for me to be doing?  Maybe you figured out what I was up to, or just thought - You go girl!

Well, I have some pictures to show you from my joining the circus....Circus Stars that is.

Know what this is?  Why its an empty project box - the operative word being EMPTY. 

And here is my quilt top spread out on our bed. This is a queen size bed and the top completely covers it with at east a 14 inch drop on each side. 

The next step will be to get it basted together so that I can start handquilting it.  I plan to use the big stitch quilting with these absolutely gorgeous threads from YLI.  Thank you Jane for helping me pick them out. These are Pearl Cotton #8 with wonderful names like Monet,  VanGogh, Renoir, etc.

In the spirit of the process pledge, I want to show you one hint I came up with in the later stages of joining these stars together.  Of course, I only had a few rows left when I came up with this, but it really helped these tired old eyes.  Many of the joining seams had to exactly cross a seam joint which on some seams was not a problem to see, but where the fabric was black and I was using black thread - I could not see where the "crosshairs" were to make sure I hit it just right.  I found that by taking a white chalk pencil and coloring the space where the "crosshairs" were, I could see with no problem where to sew across.

Well, that is it for now. In the morning I leave for the big circus - Washington, DC.  I will be at a conference all week. [I voted absentee ballot.] I hope to work in a visit to the Jenny Beyer Studio. I mean really - all work and no play is not being politically correct.

Have a great week!

Teresa

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Mid October - Hard to believe!

Yesterday, we had family pictures made and Fred and I did  a touch of Christmas shopping!  Can you believe Christmas is only about 9 weeks away!  Life is just flying past and I so wish I could slow it down a little.  

The month started out great, with the annual Quilters of SC retreat.  I am probably the last person to blog about the retreat, and I don't have any pictures to show, but I can show you something I finished there. 

Yeaaaaaaaaaaa...its my Be Attitudes quilt.   Well, its almost finished - the top is done anyway.

It is a beautiful day today, so I took some pictues outside, and we have lots of trees in our yard, so please just look beyond the shadows.

I have finished all the coloring and embroidery on my Acorn and Oak leaf Wreath - at least one of them.  I am making three which will eventually become a table runner.  I will be doing a demonstration on this technique at guild meeting tomorrow night and needed some in various stages for demonstration purposes.

Another project finished is the September Gifts of Grace block - Gentleness (see sidebar for link).  Just love the roses on thiss block!

Overseeing the photo shoot is Izzy - my daughter Ellen's  little pooch.

We took the kids to see Toy Story Disney on Ice. We rode the Monorail, saw the show and finished the outing at McDonalds  with chicken nuggets and icecream.  It was a fun day!

From Left to right are Ellen, Tess (5), Malachi (almost 4), Timothy (4) and the Leader-of-the-Pack, Levi (7)

Hope you are all enjoying some beautiful Fall weather. 

For me - I am running off to join the circus!!!  More on that later......

Teresa
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Rain - Glorious Rain!

Its been a nice Sunday afternoon, blessed by glorious rain!  Seems like  months since we saw a nice rain and according to the weatherman, more is on the way.  We can sure use it, so I hope our Weatherman is right this time!

This morning started early with fresh brewed coffee and a peaceful house, meaning I was the only one up at 5:00am.  I colored this fall wreath of oak leaves and acorns.  I adapted the pattern from a design offered Patti R. Anderson of  patchpieces, who so graciously offered it free for personal use or use with your guild.  I plan to use it in a demo to my guild next month and was so pleased to find something with a Fall theme.  I hope to eventually turn this into either a table runner (I had to make three for my demo) or use one of them to make a small wall hanging. 

After visiting with my Dad,  I played around with some English Paper Piecing, making Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks.  I know mine are just tiny flowers, but they have room to grow.  These are so much fun!  I have been working on my klosjes as well, and finished up 8 of them this weekend.    

Hope you have all had a lovely day,

Happy stitchin'
Teresa
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A question for all my smart quilting buddies

Today was a fun day of putting up the Spring decorations and getting out the Fall.  There was an issue with some missing pilgrims and indians, but we found them hiding in the closet - not where they were supposed to be!  Now how did that happen???

A quilt to hang in the dining room in fall colors was definitely needed, but the only one I have that fits is not quite quilted....I have about 1/3 done.  You see, I started quilting it, and then decided I did not like the quilting pattern I came up with so I just packed it away - lets see......at least 5 years ago.  So I got it out, pinned a sleeve on it and hung it up.  Think anyone will notice?

This is  a BOM I did that was originally published in McCall's Quilting magazine and is the one and only BOM kit I have bought.  I hand pieced many of the blocks and all the applique is hand turned, so naturally I decided to hand quilt it.

Here is a close up of the quilting - I was trying to accomplish a "brick" pattern but it really is a nuisance to quilt.  I took this picture at an angle hoping the pattern would show up better.

Now for the BIG question.  Will you quilt it for me??????   Just kidding, I'll finish it one of these days.  The real question involves the bottom right corner and this seems to happen on many of my quilts.  The corner turns up, like the quilt is curving back on itself.  I tried to get a picture of this and I hope you can see what I am talking about.  I have wondered if I am pulling the binding too tight and that is what makes it curve.  Yes, I did put the binding on this before I had it quilted, but I basted it really close and I did not want the raw edges getting more raw as I worked with it.  Maybe when it is fully quilted, or the basting threads out, or I steam it like crazy, it will lay flat.  But do you ladies know what I might be doing wrong?

This weekend I went on a trip to Ashville, NC to watch my daughter run her first half marathon  - WAY TO GO ELLEN!  The weather was fabulous, and she sure made me proud.  I will close with a few pictures from the race.  For those of you who are novices to Marathons like me, a half marathon is 13 miles and she ran it in 2 hours 35 minutes, or thereabouts.  Now this run was up some very steep and long hills, as Ashville is in the mountains.  I am so proud of her!

Before the race - and yes, we got there BEFORE the sun was up.  We wanted to be on time, lol.  The race began at 7:30am.

Here she is sprinting for the finish line.  (I would be crawling by now - oh who am I kidding - I would still be sitting drinking water at the first water station!)

And here she is with her medal.  Can you believe she is still smiling?   She could even still talk when it was over.              

Happy stitching,

Teresa

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Google Reader

I am so disappointed that Bloglines is shutting down.  I can't figure out google reader and how to get it to post only those blogs that have updates.  I read a post, but yet it is still there and now I have close to 1000 items on my google reader. 

Another problem...almost half of the blogs I like to read do not have the follower button that Google has to have.  So what then, do I just not get to read those?

When I read a blog in the reader, I have to open that specific post to comment - and when I have tried to do that, I get an error message when I hit the comment button,

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH - why can't they just leave things alone?  Bloglines worked really well for me.

What service do y'all use to track the blogs you follow and read.  There has to be a way to only see those that have updated since the last time you read them?

Faithfully stitching

While at the beach and after getting home, I was faithfully stitching on a couple of small projects -

My Gifts of Grace Faithfulness Block.  This one was fun to work on, except for one little problem - the heat and bond I use on the applique did not bond to my background fabric.  It has worked just fine on all the other blocks - same fabric, same heat and bond.  So I had to pin it in place until I could get it blanket stitched down.

Always fun to work on these Val Laird blocks and now I am all set for the September block to come out.  (See side bar for a link to the free block of the month.

And speaking of Val Laird, I recently purchased another one of her patterns (can you tell I am a big fan) called Roses Roses Sewing Set.  The pattern includes a needle case, carrying case, scissors case and pin cushion. 

I made five sets of the scissors case and pin cushion to donate to my guild to sell in the boutique at our quilt show next month,  These were fun to make and now I want to make one for myself - but the whole set!  Want to see the entire set - check out: http://home.exetel.com.au/val_laird/index_files/Page605.htm

I recently found a new embroider hoop that I just love using.  It is the Morgan Embroidery Hoop and it has an interlocking ridge in the middle of the ring that keeps the fabric from sliding out of the hoop.  I purchased mine at a LQS (Q-Bee Quilts) and its just the best!


And now a word from me, the proud mama of Ellen.  She is running a marathon in January to help raise funds for blood cancer research.  She has a website set up if you would like to read her story of why she is doing this. http://pages.teamintraining.org/nc/wdw11/ejustice .

Please read her story.  You don't have to pledge financial support - but please donate your prayer support as she trains for this marathon and seeks to meet her financial goal to help fight this deadly disease.

This is Ellen in the pink, with Cindy.  Cindy is my niece and the lovely daughter of my brother Michael who Ellen writes about.

Happy Stitchin,
Teresa

Oak Island Sunset

Tomorrow we go home.........sigh.  Its been a wonderful holiday.

Teresa

Oak Island

Oak Isand as seen from my porch.

My porch for the weekend, anyway.  We are here for the Labor Day weekend and this is just what the doctor ordered for me.  I am already stress free and relaxed and having a wonderful time.   

Here is where I spent much of yesterday afternoon...cat napping and reading, while the hubby, Ellen and Izzy took real naps inside.

This is Izzy's first road trip with the family and she was a real trooper on the way down, although the traveling did get a little wearisome on the way.

We did a little antique shopping, including a stop at one of our favorite spots in Supply, NC.  Its a shop in an old church and they are jammed packed full of the neatest items.  I wish we had brought the truck and they had some ladder back chairs I would have loved to buy.  All we could squeeze (and I do mean squeeze) into the van was a chest that Ellen bought to keep her tatting, knitting and sewing supplies in. (Remember the days when all the sewing supplies you owned would fit in a chest this size?)

I have done a little sewing, but mostly reading and looking at the waves. So I will leave you with a final picture from my porch.  This was taken early this morning and if you look real close in the distance you can see two lighthouses.

Hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day,

Teresa

 

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