Last Block Finished

I think I finished my last new block for the Above the Buffet quilt. I am calling this block Three Bottles. How's that for originality! I know I need to do a few more Wine Goblets, but that is it as far as new blocks go. Then I will lay them all out and see if I need to change any of the colors. Remember this BOM is going to be a surprise to me, also.
I changed this block a little. I added some little stripes on the bottles that kind of look like labels,
The next step is figuring out the lace edges on the shelves, or maybe some of the applique leaves. Many of the leaves will need to be appliqued after the blocks are assembled.
Today I will write the directions. They should be up on my website sometime this week.

Sewing For a Lifetime

I have a sewing addiction!
A zillion years ago, I started to sew. It started innocently. I sat on the floor next to my mother and her old Kenmore sewing machine. She gave me some scraps and a hand sewing needle. But that wasn't enough. I wanted to use the MACHINE! So my mother taught me how to sew on her old black monster. After all, back then it seemed very big and black! After awhile I learned how to follow a pattern. I guess I must have been able to read, but I was still pretty young since my first project was a doll dress.
My need to sew kept increasing, I couldn't get enough. When my mother was sewing, I wanted to sew. So much so, that I changed the thread everytime she got up to iron. Then I would sew a little, and change it back to her thread color when she was done ironing. I did this over and over and over! How I got anything done is beyond me. But it was worth it.
There was even a time that I burnt myself with the iron. I didn't think I would be allowed to iron if my mother knew, so I never told her. Not till dinner did she see my arm and back of my hand. I told her it was nothing, that it didn't hurt much. But believe me, I was putting cold water on it all day long. I still have scars from that burn! Imagine a little girl afraid that she might not get to use the iron!!!

Long Beach Has Come and Gone

Well. Long Beach Quilt Festival has come and gone. Thanks to everyone who came by to say hello. The three days were a lot of fun, but I sure was tired when I got back home. I received a lot of positive feedback about my quilt designs and that made me feel really good. I wish I had been able to see more of the quilt show, but that doesn't usually happen when you have to work a booth. The quilts that I did see, on exhibit, were nothing short of spectacular, and hats off to all of the creative quilters who obviously spend hours and hours perfecting their craft. I wish I could produce a quilt half as good as any one of those quilts.
My booth was just a half booth. So I was really cramped. The space didn't allow for all the quilts I would like to have had hanging. But it was a great first try and I can't wait for my next show!

My Bright Red Cabinet

As I have been packing for the Long Beach Quilt Festival, I am afraid my sewing room has suffered.
There are no longer any neat little piles of quilts started and stashed. No cleared off sewing table to enable inspiration to flow... The floor is covered with left over slivers from the rotary cutter. The mixed up, jumble of creativity is everywhere and nowhere.
Next week, I clean!
But in all the clutter, I still can see my wonderful red cabinet filled with my fabric stash. When I saw this at Ikea, I couldn't stop thinking about putting it in my sewing room. I don't have anything red anywhere else in my home. But it is a color full of energy and I just love it! When everything else is a mess, my red cabinet filled with all my little fabric playthings might be the only inspiration that I need!

My First Show

I am participating in the Long Beach Quilt Festival this month. This will be my first show.
Is that scary or what! I have been getting ready for a long time, making sample quilts, new patterns, writing long lists and gathering up everything I need to take with me. I have worked trade shows in the past when I managed the Quilt in a Day store,so this is not entirely new to me. But when everything rests on my shoulders, it is a little intimidating.
I have a small booth. It couldn't get any smaller! Trying to hang all my samples will be a challenge.
My good friend Luckie and my daughter Carol are willing to help me sell. Luckie worked forever for Quilt in a Day and has worked many Festivals and Trade Shows, so she will be a great help. And my daughter, Carol worked in a grocery store for many years. So she is comfortable working retail also. My other daughter, Jill, who is great with interior design, is going to help me set up along with my husband Dave. And my son Andy will help me dismantle everything. Let's hope there isn't much inventory left for him to haul out!

A Day at the Zoo

Yesterday, I took a day off from quilting, and went to the San Diego Zoo with my son Andy. It was hot and there was a lot of walking.....no tram ride for us! We both took cameras with heavy lenses (I know nothing about taking pictures, so I used one of his cameras). Unfortunately, the afternoon heat meant many of the animals were sleeping in the shade. But I did get some nice pictures of giraffes and flamingos. Tomorrow, it is back to quilting!

Half-Square Triangles Revisited

This last week, I have been making a ton of quarter-square triangles. It is such a useful block, but also one that I find hard to make accurately. Of course, this block starts with a half-square triangle. I am always trying to find better ways to make the half-square triangle.
This time around I cut the tissue paper strips about 2" wide and drew a line down the middle. Then I placed the strip on top of the two squares that are stacked right sides together, matching up the line with two opposite corners of the fabric squares. Then I just sewed 1/4" away from both sides of the line. The paper acts as a great stabilizer. The stitching lines do not shrink or stretch the fabric. And it is easy to tear away the tissue paper after the square has been pressed.
It is much easier to draw a line on the paper than it is to draw a line on the fabric.
Give it a try, You may just like this method.