Lost Weekend

This is all that is on the wall today.  I have decided to work on one BOM a week this month and since the fabrics for the owls was already out, this is the BOM for me.   At the top left is the block I completed this weekend.








I believe they are the last set of three in one block.  I am amazed at how much time it takes to draw the pieces and then cut them individually out, find just the right fabrics where I am not repeating fabric combinations, fuse the pattern pieces to the fabric, cut each piece out, place the pieces together so they look right, fuse the pieces together and then fuse the completed appliqué to the background.  And that, just in time to do it all over gain for the next month.




And on Saturday the March patterns came out.  So I printed all of them (except the one that doesn’t come out until the 15th, of course).  As I took them to the studio I found just looking at the patterns made me tired so I spent some time just sitting in the recliner, looking at what was ahead of me. 






Then I got busy drawing the pieces for March.  I was just beginning to cut them out when I realized that it was time for Sunday dinner so that has been put off until today.  I will cut the pieces as a break from laundry.












Part of the reason this weekend was lost to quilting was that DH and I went to a quilt show in Prattville, AL.  The quilts were great and there was a wonderful selection of vendors.  I didn’t take pictures of the quilts but I did of this jacket because I think it may be the inspiration for a blue one for me.  It is a sweatshirt jacket but the outer fabric looks like suede.  the back is also squares on point but they are larger squares.  I have made three sweatshirt jackets but really need a blue one to go with my many pair of jeans.






The other really interesting vendor was one who makes a stand-up quilter using featherweights.  All the wiring is in the base under the machine and it comes with a light and stitch regulator in the handle.  Very tiny throat space but cute as a button.






At the quilt show I attended a couple of weeks ago I bought this new iron.  It has a steam generator built into it and blows a strong steady stream of steam (try saying that three times).  It has a constant heat setting, does not scorch, and lets the steam do the work.  For pressing I really like it, my seams press very flat and I can let the iron sit on my fabric while I fuss with it and don’t have to worry about burning anything.  I even think my ironing board covers will last longer.  The only problem I have is that it doesn’t heat enough to fuse for applique: I don’t think steam will help the fusing process.  So I am using an old iron for fusing but the new one for everything else.  I’ll have to wait a while to see how long it lasts.






My  plan for this weekend was housework on Friday, Quilt show on Saturday and studio time on Sunday.  Well the first two were accomplished but on Sunday DH decided he wanted taco pizza and the closest place is almost 60 miles away so off we went.  And since it was 72F as we left we decided it was the perfect day to put the top down and let the wind blow through our hair …… well my hair.  The sun was out, it got up to 81, and was a great day to be on the road.  Needless to say, life and convertible weather does get in the way of the quilting experience.

Today is gray and rainy, the perfect day to stay inside and do laundry.  And, of course, occasionally draw, cut, and fuse owls.

Have a great week everybody and if it is snowing where you live, STAY OFF THE ROADS!!   Gari

Mostly on the Road

Starting on Thursday we were mostly on the road.  We drove to Atlanta Thursday afternoon and spent a great evening with our oldest son, his wife and his youngest son.  We had dinner at the Cracker Barrel and were there almost 2 hours, talking and laughing, until the sirens went off.  Seems that the storm, which we were not paying any attention to, was spawning tornados.  Fortunately for us none came where we were but there were others in the Atlanta area that were not so fortunate.

Then Friday morning we got up and went to the quilt show put on by the Cobb County Quilt Guild.  It was in the Civic Center and the quilt show was laid out on the lower floor.  Oh, my, what a wonderful display of quilting.  I didn’t take too many pictures because I plan to buy the DVD, but we did spend a lot of time looking.  And the guild had a lot of their members there to help with information and lifting up the quilts so we could see the backs and the quilting even better. 



This was one of my favorites: it was done from a photo.










And both DH and I liked this one because it reminded us of our great grandson when he was playing T-Ball this Spring.

In the area above the show itself (see top photo again) that runs around the whole room, were the vendors.  Well, DH sat down while I worked my way around all of them.  I had a great time and spent a little bit of money.  I will be getting pictures of my finds for Wednesday’s post.

By early afternoon we were tired and hungry so we left.  We were initially going to try to find an antique mall but after following one highway until it “dead ended” with no re-routing us to stay on the highway, we decided to get back on the interstate and head for home.  Of course we did find an antique mall (read $$) just inside Alabama so we had a good time traveling as well as the quilt show.
Saturday DH picked up our eye ailing puppy (she was boarded with the vet) and then we hit the road again.  One of the major stores in Pensacola was having a suit sale and since DH hasn’t had a new suit in over 20 years we decided it was about time.


While there we tried out a new, to us, place called Cheddars.  Well, this is their spinach ‘n cheese dip and it is wonderful.  The red stuff is salsa which DH loves and he said it is the best he has had.




Then came Shepherd's Pie.  He had never had it before and said it was great.











I had a grilled salmon steak, broccoli casserole, and an apple salad, all of which was delicious.
We did not try to have any dessert: way too full.




Then it was suit shopping.  I don’t pick out his clothes nor do I voice much of an opinion.  I feel he needs to like what he is wearing as well as feel comfortable.  He, on the other hand, feels I should be more involved.  Funny man.




We also picked up supplies for me to make new cushions for our porch swing.









And this is the fabric I bought for the cushions.  I do have to say that I have never made cushions before but that is on my project list for June/July.














But first things first.  Sunday I finally got into the studio and did some sewing.    On the Design Wall are the 5 barn blocks for the Funky Chicken top.  Only one is complete: the other four have most of the parts done.  I didn’t get through because I started to make sewing mistakes so I decided it was time to stop before I really screwed it up. 



I spent about 20 min. in the pool to de-stress and then DH and I went to DD’s house for a seafood dinner prepared by our DSIL.  He is a great cook so we love being invited over.

Today is laundry day but I hope to get the barn blocks finished so I can figure out what fabric will go with them to make a great back for my chickens.  Then I hope to figure out my thread breaking problem on the HQ and get the current quilt on the frame done.  Oh, and did I say I am also moving furniture on the deck?  Going to the quilt show has really inspired me in so many directions.  Whew, I’m tired already.

Fun Weekend, so far

Today I went to a quilt show in Robertsdale, AL.  It is held each year at the UMC and it is wonderful.  It is a combination new and old quilts.  I am always impressed with the workmanship I see.  Of course this picture is not of a quilt, it is what I bought at the quilt show.  I have wanted to make a black, white and yellow quilt and I couldn’t pass up the teal bundle.

And this week I got my Red Snappers.  I can’t tell you how excited I, and my arthritic hands were to get them.

Here is the backing laid out and I am putting the snap part on.  A plastic “dowel” has been inserted inside the leader and I am now snapping the “snap part” on.  They are really easy to put on and if it hadn’t been for my forgetting to put the backing behind the tension pole, it would have been a snap, pun intended.

All I had to do was align the backing on the leader and pop the snapper on.  And just think how easy it will be to take this off.  I am stoked. 

Tomorrow I will be starting to quilt this flannel quilt.  I really need it since it is going to be 28F tonight, way too cold for AL.

  See how ready I am.  Now all I have to do is decide which panto I am going to use. 

And when I get tired I will be trying to come up with something really cool to use my new 2 1/2” strips.  Isn’t quilting fun?