Sunday, April 13, 2014

Owls and Other Things

Last week I was having a great deal of trouble getting a post done.  However since my design wall hasn't changed I am happy share it now.

It was the week of the owls BOM.  I completed the April owl and this is all I have done so far.  These are on the wall in the order the designer planned.  I still need to put the borders on a couple of the little ones and then plan the sashing but we are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. 









I had a really good time picking the fabrics for this month's owl: the body fabric is really tree tops but it just looks fluffy on him. 

When he was ready to fuse to the background I discovered I couldn't find the background fabric.  So I had to take quite some time out to clean off my cutting table and, lo and behold it was buried deep under several projects. 




And here we finally have our owl, firmly fused to the background fabric.  I think he looks quite different from when he was resting on the wax paper.












Over this weekend I went to a quilt show in Pensacola and attended a workshop put on by my machine dealer.  The speaker was Diane Springer of Quilt in a Cup and since I had bought two of her cups more than 5 years ago, I was interested in seeing her in person and finding out what other items she had created.  Here is a picture of what I will be making for myself soon.  I also bought her book:  I will share a picture of it later this week.  Diane is a unique quilter, and former school art teacher, who sees color and excitement in almost everything.  Can you tell I had a great time?





And here is another reason I had a good time, my new machine.  I have wanted this machine for the last 2 years.  It has been upgraded twice since that time and I felt this was the right time to make the leap.  What you see here is me looking at some of the paperwork and disks that came with the machine.  Boy am I going to have a lot of work to do tomorrow to get this beauty registered and running but doesn't it sound like fun?

And I even have been doing some knitting (dishcloths) and bought yarn for two sweaters.  Of course I can't knit and sew at the same time so sewing and the new machine will be taking most of my time.  And I know everyone feels sorry for me.  ;-)

Have a great week,  Gari

10 comments:

Kate said...

Love all those owls, it's going to be such a cute quilt.

Congrats on the new machine. Hope you have it humming along soon.

Marly said...

Enjoy your new machine. May you spend many happy hours in its company.

Melinda said...

Congratulations on the new machine. Your owls are wonderful.

Bonnie said...

Wow! I knew I couldn't find you last week. And, I looked again last night. Hum, I probably should have checked my blog reader. What a great bunch of "stuff" you have going. Have fun with your new machine. It looks like a heavy weight. Does it do the dishes and the vacuuming too? My cutting table is also buried under a ton of stuff. The worst part is I have two cutting stations and I still have to move stuff to cut on either one of them. I'm really interested in your class and the book. It sounds like it might be a great tangent from regular quilting. (Or am I reading more into it?) Have a fun getting on going with the new machine.

Sue Daurio said...

Those owls are amazing. I love them all. What a great quilt that is going to make. And a shiny new machine, congrats! What's her name? Can't wait to see what wonderful creations the two of you come up with!!

Nann said...

Your flock of owls is growing! They are so cute. I hope you and your machine have a long and happy relationship. My retirement gift request is fat quarters or real quarters to help me buy a new machine. How did you decide on yours?

PeggyinNO said...

Your owls are lookin' good!! What a great project. I think I would hang up the knitting and play with the new machine! Congrats!

Laura said...

Your owls are cute! It is going to be a fun quilt.

Heidi said...

It is so fun watching your owls multiply and fitting for What a Hoot's linkup:-)
Congrats on the new machine!

Vicki W said...

I love your owl blocks and your new machine looks fabulous!