I won a $10 Gift Certificate from The Fab Shop Hop for a shop called Common Thread Quilting in Waxahachie, Texas. The shop has lovely reproduction fabrics, I thought a couple would be nice to supplement my scraps for my Farmer's Wife. I also bought a new pair of embroidery scissors.
I also purchased some Bella Solids from Thousands of Bolts to see if they would go with my fabrics that I have been putting aside for my swoon. I tried a couple of different greens, and blues, a pink, and yellow.
Now I try to keep track of what I purchase that way I know if I am missing a package.
The other day I received 2 packages.
These lovely fat quarters from Southern Fabrics. All lovely whites, blacks,and grays by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit the name of the line was True Colors. I was pretty sure that I had not purchased these and there was nothing on the packing slip.
The same day I received another package with these gorgeous Batiks from Emerald City Fabrics. I have purchased fabrics from them in the past, but not for several years. DH just kind of shook his head and said, honey you are getting closed to Critical Mass in your sewing room, you should use some of the fabric before enhancing anymore. I looked at the packing slip. It was a birthday gift from my Gorgeous SIL, my oh so fortunate Baby Brother who is married to this goddess, the winsome Pablo (the progeny), and Tractor the dog. What a cool gift, and I got a free pass...no esplainin for me!
Yesterday while I was at work I got a text message. I ignored it until I was finished for the day. The text was from DH and it was a pic of this beauty.
It is a singer 66K made in 1914, but what is the coolest part of it is the decal is a Lotus Flower. You see many of the Red Eye, and the Sphinx models but I don't see many of the Lotus Flower decals. DH found her in the garbage pit. At first he saw a cabinet that looked like it may have been for a white sewing machine. We need some parts for a couple of whites, so he jumped into the dumpster and started digging. Unfortunately the cabinet was destroyed completely, but laying there was this beauty. She looks like she was used quite a bit, her bed decals are really well worn, but the rest of the decals are so beautiful.
While many of us are doing block exchanged, Row round robins, QAL Kevin over at his blog Kevin the Quilter is doing a block drive. He would love to make a few more Quilts of Valor to be presented in July. He has a tutorial for the block on his blog and looks like oodles of fun. Kevin will be accepting blocks until 6/1/2014.
I have had several really long work days so not much sewing going on. I think I am having sewing withdrawals though so I plan on doing a bit today. I cannot believe that it is the 6th of March already.
March is supposed to come in like a Lion and go out like a lamb. Right now we are in a polar vortex again, and supposedly we are going to get snow. March is living up to its claim.
My goals for this month.
1. 8 Farmer's Wife blocks again.
2. Aurifil block of the month is already posted. This should be fun since I am doing white and red, and this one may be a challenge.
3. Work on my scrappy Chevrons.
4. Quilty Barns I have sashing yeah! Let's get this to a flimsy this month.
5. The quilting frame is done. I would love to get a quilt loaded on it and do a quilt on it!
What are your plans for March? Are you looking forward to nicer weather?
I listen to books on my Kindle while I sew and cut. I usually get free books via an e-mail newsletter called Kindle Daily Deals. While all of the books are not the best I have expanded what I read greatly.
Recently I wrote here about a book called A Wilder Rose. I thoroughly enjoyed it probably even more so since there have been several shows on PBS recently about some of the New Deal programs, and this book mentioned some of these programs and expanded a bit more. The next book I started was "The Ghosts of Varner Creek" and I am not too sure if I am becoming more introspective or what, but the story really caught my attention, and I found myself thinking about the story line while I am at work, and really wanting to get back to it. I finally finished it and was very impressed. Now to find a new book for today.
February was a busy month. Lots of snow! I learned to plow which I am pretty excited about.
1. I finished the Flimsy of the Lazy Sunday Mystery
2. Finished my 8 blocks for the Farmer's Wife 58 done over halfway there!
3. I neglected the Barns, but purchased fabrics for the next set of sashing.
4. Aurifil block of the month
And I started to work on my newest project. A scrappy chevron.
I have about 26 blocks made so far. Well I have more than that made but I have a bunch of trimming to do. More on that on a later post.
In January I read 5 books, and I finished 5 books this month too. So for 2014 I have read 10 books so far.
I told you I was working on helping the economy. I finished my Barns from Lori Holt's Quilty Barn along last year, but had not done any of the sashing. I used lots of scraps and fat quarters which did not leave me a whole lot of fabric for the sashing.
Computer, me, sale bin online and I can get into some trouble!
I found these online, on sale! I am sew excited. I would love to finish up the barn quilt and get it off of my rack where I put my finished quilt squares.
Then I had to have Lori Holt's new book too. I love the colors in her quilts and they are always sew happy!
I want to make a Great Granny Square quilt! And a Swoon, and a Bento Box, double wedding ring, ......I need many more hours in my day!
(Disclaimer) I do have to voice my opinion about something I have been seeing lately that I find kind of disturbing.
Having a voice is why many people blog. It is a way to share what we love, and the craziness of our lives. There are times that people post to share whatever is going on be it a win, loss, learning experience, joy or sorrow. I have noticed lately that many people have a disclaimer on their blog that the opinions given are purely their own. Just that an "opinion".
My grammar, punctuation, and spelling are not always perfect, and not
many people are perfect. Some people blog throughout the day, creating
several posts. Others once a day, or a couple of times a week. As far as I know none of us have an Editor to review our posts. For
some coming up with anything they consider "interesting" is a struggle,
and for others it is free flowing. But the one thing we all have in
common is that we are putting ourselves out there. Everyone may not
have the perfect points, best matching seams, loveliest color choices
but we all take the time to share little parts of proudly.
Leaving a comment is a voice for those of us that follow other bloggers. Be it the "Rock Stars" of the quilting world, the "lesser known but extremely talented supporting actors" and some of us mere mortals (we are the expendable crew member from Star Trek) that hope to become better piecers, quilters, and designers. But having a voice does not give us (those that leave comments) permission to be mean,
critical or condescending.....or my ultra favorite---super whiney when
someone presents a free pattern.
While everyone has been more that sweet, lovely, and kind when leaving comments on my blog, I have seen others that are actually cringe worthy.
Example 1:
Lady (A) was commenting on a sewing machine that she rented at a retreat. She struggled with the machine and in her opinion it did not meet her expectations of what it said it could do (also she did state in the opening line of her post this was only her opinion based upon her experience). Can you believe that someone had the unmitigated nerve to tell her that it was her inexperience with the machine and that it was USER ERROR! Then the person went on to rant and rave how it was the best machine on the market and if she had been trained to use it she would have not had all the problems with it, and how wrong she was. Funny thing is that other people who owned that brand of machine in the comments had agreed with the lady (A) who had posted-- that the feature did not work as it was supposed to even on their machines after "training".
Example 2:
Someone misspelled the name of a city in their blog. Oh my the comment that was posted was scathing about using spell checker, learning their geography etc.
Mistakes are made people, spell check does not always work. Our oldest daughter who has a Master's degree in English posted a comment not too long ago-- I am thankful for my cooking jeans that I inherited from my mother. LOL Obviously Spell check FAIL!
I know these are just a couple of small examples and if you read blogs you may know exactly who I am talking about and their blogs.
Maybe I am wrong, and again this is only my opinion but just because we do not agree with someone's post, or that they made a mistake, does not give us the right to be mean, or cruel. If you do not not like someone's writing style--maybe that is not the blog for you to be reading. If someone makes a mistake instead of blasting them in the comments, maybe you should "take it offline" meaning send them a short e-mail explaining their error but do not deride them for it. Or better yet, shrug your shoulders and giggle- chalk it up to an off day.
When bloggers want your opinion on a color choice, layout, fabric choice they will ask for it and believe me the readers will give it! Which is what is so great about blogging and sharing.
Finally a question. If you were at a guild meeting, at a seminar, or met that blogger in person would you stand up/walk up to them and tell them they are stupid or ignorant because you did not agree with their opinion, or they made a grammatical/spelling error in front of other people? How do you think it makes them feel? Also how would you feel if someone did the same to you?
We are here to lift people up, cheer them on, and bend a knee and our head in prayer when they have sorrow and needs. Not to bring people down, and if I have ever left a comment which was not kind or encouraging I apologize profusely.
Have you ever seen a pattern or some fabric that you just loved but did not purchase? Then when you went to buy it you could no longer find it? Not even on Etsy, Ebay, or anywhere?
DH tells me if I want it to go an buy it, but I feel that at times it is not appropriate so I wait until I have worked some extra hours, or it is on sale.
I have been watching these patterns for a while and decided to take the jump and purchase them when they were on sale from Shabby Fabrics.
This super cute wool and embroidery pattern.
The Happy Trails applique pattern. I haven't done much applique' but I am sew looking forward to learning and have been picking up some applique' patterns here and there.
I also found this pattern while I was participating in the Fab Shop Hop which I think will put a dent in some of my batik strips.
I also finally broke down also and went and had my Farmer's Wife book spiral bound. I went to a local shop which was cheaper than the big "office supply stores", which I think is Fabulous with a capital F since I love to support local businesses. It will make it much easier to use the book, instead of propping it open with a jar, or something heavy, stuff sliding all over, you know what I am talking about. I am thinking that maybe I should consider taking other favorite quilt books and have them bound this way too.
I am still working on replenishing my fabric basics and I love the black type print on white.
I also bought some of there basics from Thousands of Bolts. I found this shop while I was doing a Fab Shop Hop and I will admit that after working in the computer industry maintaining websites it is not my favorite format for shopping. BUT! They have some wonderful prices and some lovely choices. I purchased a couple of more black on white, and some white tone on tone. Also I think that they have the least expensive price for Moda Bella Solids I have seen anywhere, unless you know somewhere less expensive then do share.
Finally I have been seeing these images for Charley Harper who was an American Modern Artists. I became enamored with his artistic style when I saw a pixellated looking quilt on Pinterest based on the Charley Harper Goldfinch. It was LOVE! I then found out that there was a company that had the rights to produce a line of fabrics based upon Charley Harper prints! Of course I am always the late comer to the party and most of what I could find was on Etsy or Ebay. I finally broke down and purchase a couple of yards of the Cardials and Squirrels which I find absolutely adorable.
Sew as you can see I am helping the economy.
Thank you everyone for the Birthday wishes. I have been working lots of hours so not much partying but DH told me I could have a birthday week! Oh and Finn...thanks for the gift of sharing your cold with me!
This weekend DH threw a birthday party for me. My birthday wasn't until today the 26th, and it was a milestone birthday! The MIL, Aunt Jennie, the oldest daughter and SIL and their 2 daughters, and the youngest daughter and her 4 children came to help celebrate!
DH was forbidden from black balloons, any types of signs mentioning my age. How did he handle this? The birthday cake he ordered said Happy 49th Birthday +1. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it before it was cut.
I received many lovely gifts including these two mug rugs/pot holders from my mother which she made. I know it is silly but I love home made gifts!
I also received a couple of gift certificates, a couple of quilting magazines, special cards made by the kids too.
I want to make a Swoon quilt very girly with pinks, roses, whites, aqua. I have been collecting bits and pieces. I think I need some solids to match, I already have my background which is my one of my favorites a white on white polka dot.
I ordered this yummy strawberry and gingham from an Etsy shop from Japan. Love!
I had to work a double today early morning, then an overnight. BLECH! No date out with DH for me. (Big sad face). I have a couple of more crazy schedule days which translates to late night or overnight. Before I get to have a dinner out with the love of my life which is not pizza!
