Monday Morning

Design Wall?  What’s a design wall?  I haven’t even seen mine for a week but if I remember right, it is empty.  I did show my last finish in this post but then I hit the road for a great visit with my mother, also written about on my last post.
Then we went to the Arts Festival in Fairhope, AL.  It is an annual affair that we try to get to every year but had to miss last year. 
The first place we went was where I got these: 


The yellow and green ones are overalls (my 4th and 5th ones)  I had been buying one every year so I had to make up for being AWOL last year.  The lucky thing was that they were both last year’s models so they were on sale.  And, because I am a regular customer and “quite cute” they gave me the orange t-shirt.  Anyway, my overall wardrobe has been enhanced.



We also bought two of these chairs.  We bought a couple about 25 years ago and used them until they fell apart.  We were really excited when we ran into the people who make them so we could finally replace the old ones.  These are very comfortable and will be greatly appreciated this summer.



Lastly, I picked up these earrings.  I try to buy new earrings whenever we attend arts shows because I like having original and handmade items, if possible.  And, since I collect owls, these were just perfect.  They are brass coated with a copper finish: I am looking forward to them being my “go to” jewelry. 

Now, I must get off this computer and see if I can’t get something made so I can fill up my design wall for next Monday. 

Design Deck

Since this is the only thing on the Design wall, looking very lonely, I decided to photograph it outside.  This is the latest block for the LCQAL from Moose on the Porch.  I really like this block and may have to make a quilt using it.

However, this is what I worked on Sunday.  I am still trying to get all that 30s fabric used up so I sewed 2” strips together to begin making 16 patches for a comfort quilt. 

 

So I laid them out on the cutting mat and cut them in 2” segments.

And now they are piled up waiting for me to come back to the studio and sew them together.

 

 

One other thing I did was to start drawing the applique shapes for Esther’s BOM onto the fusible.  I think I have everything drawn for one Block #3 but I will have to do it again, twice so I have to figure out enough fabric for all three.

 

 

I did take a little break to read some of this new novel.  I have read everyone of her books so I feel I know this family well, both current and historical.

 

Friday DH and I were in Pensacola.  Our routine there is that I drop him at Barnes & Nobel and I head to the local fabric store.  I have a new project in mind and went to get fabric that I couldn’t find in my stash.  Here it almost looks like a Halloween quilt but, no, it isn’t.  More to come later.

And while I was in town I visited Martelli’s home store.  I have driven by there several times but had never stopped.  And I was not familiar with their products.  But as you can see from this picture, I am going to become familiar.  They were really very nice, took a lot of time showing me many of their products and invited me to come back Tuesday for their “National Quilting Day” celebration.  Can’t go but enjoyed my visit.

After all my spending, DH and I drove to Daphne, AL where we spent the night so we could be close by  Fairhope, AL and be early for their annual Arts Festival.  We usually drive down from home (140 miles) getting there around noon when it is hot and filled with LOTS of people.  This time it was still cool and not crowded.  And once again it was wonderful.  I love seeing other people’s creativity and all the diversity of mediums.  Later this week I will share a couple of the things we bought but mostly we just looked.

Now, if you made it down this far, be sure to go over to Judy’s blog to see what other quilters have on their design walls.

Still reorganizing and Design Wall Monday

Every day during this past week I have been working. I have moved everything in the studio, at least twice and frequently four times or more. The new quilt frame, the HQ Studio Frame, arrived late Wednesday, in three large boxes (40#, 75#, and 90#).

The UPS man brought them up on the deck but I had to slide, yes, slide, them into the studio. I did make sure I had the box that said it held the assembly instructions ready to be opened but decided I would wait until the next day.

Thursday I opened all the boxes and laid out all the parts and pieces.

I then left the room and allowed myself to do a little sewing. The sewing room in still upside down but I have cleared out sewing space so I don’t get too far behind and for a little relaxation.

Pressing area

Cutting area

Sewing area

On my new design, Monday update for Judy wall (not yet covered in flannel) is the newest comfort quilt I am doing. I bought these charm packs several months ago and they just seem perfect for some boy or girl. There are really three panels but I overlapped because I have other misc. things on the wall, too, so I ran out of usable space (story of my current life).

Friday DH and I went to the Greater Gulf Coast Art’s Festival in Pensacola. Oh, it was wonderful, again. I have been going for several years and find the work of the many juried artists very inspiring. I forgot to take my camera but lots of the artists don’t want pictures taken anyway. The day was beautiful, the art was great, and all the people were happy and friendly.

But, back at home Saturday was “build a quilt frame” day. We got all the major parts done and Sunday morning I finished the take-up poles and other misc. pieces. I have to say that DH was an excellent worker, good humored and stuck with it, even when there were football games going on elsewhere. I hope to get a quilt on the frame today and see how it works but I still need to so some leg leveling first.

On the car front, we took it to the shop this morning. My DD and SIL borrowed a car from his father so I will not be stranded in the country. However, looking at the weather map, I may just stay home while Ida passes by. LOL

One last thing, while bringing me the borrowed car tonight, my DD hit a deer (with her car). She sent me a picture of the car to put on the blog, as she wants people’s sympathy, too, however, I seem to have deleted it so it will have to wait for another day.