The Bouncing Ball

So the last few days, I feel like I have been bouncing from one project to another.  I am loving how many fabrics I get to play with in a day, but it is starting to make my head spin just a bit. So I am thinking if I write it all down, maybe I can keep track of it ;)  Here is what I have been bouncing back and forth to.

First off, I got the Christmas Tree Quilt on the long arm frame and managed one row of quilting  (I know, a whole row :)  Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions on quilting.  There were lots of snowflakes and swirls so I tried to combine the two to make it look like swirling snow.   It isn't perfect, but not bad for a new design try ;)

 
I am using So Fine by Superior Threads in my new favorite color.  402 Pearl!!!   Kind of funny story here.   I had never thought to use this color on a white background because when I look at the spool it looks tan to me.   But the other day when I loaded the Starburst quilt, it was already on the machine so I decided to baste the top with it thinking I would change the tread after I had it all basted and good to go.   However, I quickly came to find that I loved it and there was for sure going to be no switching!!!!  It blends perfect, I can actually see what I am quilting, and it shows just enough on the white to make the quilting really feature the background.  Yippee!!  I think it will be my go to color for white backgrounds for some time ;)

I decided to change it up a bit in quilting when I got to between the trees.  I opted for pebbling to look like snow resting on the trees ;)  At least, that is what I am hoping it will give the effect of ;)  I know pebbling takes a while, but I got to tell you, it is so very relaxing for me.  I don't have to think at all, just pebble away :)

And after I got this first row done, it was time for a little cutting.  I am teaching my Wonky Irish Chain pattern next year and so I wanted to make another sample quilt of it but in the queen size.  I am using Persimmon by BasicGrey and I am so loving it!!  I got all of the prints cut out and now it is time to move to the background which will be grunge ;)  I so love grunge!!!

And, lest you think I have forgotten, I have been squeezing in a bit of work here and there on my Micheal Miller Modern Quilt Guild Challenge quilt.   I pressed these guys last night.   Some cute little pixelated daisies.  I have a plan, and hopefully the quilt will come out like I see it in my head ;)

And last, but not least, I added a new project to the pile yesterday.  Next week is the Small Town Quilt Show in a Big Town Way and I was fortunate enough to have a break in my teaching time to squeeze in a class as well.  I am taking the Quick Curve Ruler class by Jenny and Helen and I can no wait!!!  I have wanted to make one of these for so long!!  I am going to go with Metro Hoops and now I just need to decide on some fabric.  The only problem is, I just can't decide on an option ;)  Maybe I will snap some pictures today of some fabric pulls and see if you can help me out with deciding tomorrow ;)

And that's the ball coming to a rest ;)  So, I best be off, lots of quilting, cutting, and piecing ahead of me today :) So how about you, are you bouncing around projects this summer??

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Working It :)

I always get emails that no one ever gets to see me on the blog.  So today, I am putting myself out there.   (insert nervous giggling here).  And I am so working it in my new Fat Quarter Shop t-shirt!!    The lovely ladies at Fat Quarter Shop sent me this as a thank you for doing a sample for them.  Wasn't that so sweet!!  And I have to say, I am loving the pink!!!!

And speaking of my friends at the Fat Quarter Shop, they are celebrating the 11 Year Anniversary!!!  Isn't that just incredible!!!  Congratulations, that is awesome!!!  Check out their awesome Shipping Sale to celebrate :)

Oh, and just in case you are wondering, that sample I made uses 25th and Pine. (I would hate to have a post without fabric in it ;)   I Love this line by BasicGrey and even more, I  love getting to sew with Christmas Fabric!!!  Yippee, only half a year away ;)   

And now I am off to load my Christmas Tree quilt I posted about yesterday (wonto the long arm ;)  Yippee, Christmas all around ;)  

Forgotten Trees

So do you remember these Improv Paper Pieced Tree Blocks??  I asked the wonderful ladies of Bees Knees to make me these blocks for my month clear back in September.  Ya, as in like almost a year ago.    They all made it back home and then somehow got set on the bottom of the pile.   Le sigh.   But, my goal  this summer to catch up on some old WIP's that have been neglected.  I am finding that it is the perfect fit for summer as  I don't have near the "start from scratch" sew time that I have when some of the kids are in school :)

So, with that in mind, out came the blocks and before long . . . they were a quilt top!!!  Yippee!!!   Aren't they just so fun ;)   I so love how this turned out!!  I can never get enough Christmas quilts, I just love them!!!    Now it is time to start thinking how I want to quilt it.  And at the moment, I am drawing a total blank.   But I am sure it will come to me, maybe in time to finish it this week.  Suggestions on quilting are totally welcome :)  

Have a Happy and Merry Quilting Day!!!

Linking this Merry Quilt Top up to Quilt Story :)

Quilt Walk Classes

I had so much fun teaching last Thursday.  It really is one of my all time favorite parts of this whole quilting gig.  My students were amazing!!  They all worked so hard and had some beautiful finishes to show for it.  What an awesome group of ladies!!

From my Starburst class we had 5 gals finish 1 of their 4 blocks in class, and the other ladies were oh so close.  If Jenny Doan wasn't doing the trunk show, I am sure many would have stuck around a little longer and finished up.  But no way were any of us going to miss Jenny :)  Don't their blocks just look awesome!!! And I even had a Mother-Daughter set finish their blocks.  That just got me all excited for some three generation sewing retreats!!!

And all of the ladies did so great in the In Your Neighborhood class.   Everyone finished their first blocks (a few camera shy gals aren't included) and several made some serious progress on their second set as well.  Way to go ladies!!  It is always so fun to see what fabrics people choose and to see the pattern take on a new life with each new personal touch.  What fun!!

These ladies really were such a joy to quilt with!!  I can't wait to see pictures of all their quilts coming together.  What a great group of ladies!!  Thank you for making it such a great Quilt Walk for me!!  HOpe to see ya next year ;)

And in a side note, we had a wonderful camping trip, and now I am off to tackle the laundry from it ;)  The house smells like camp fire, and although I love that smell, I just don't particularly love it in my bedroom ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Quilt Walk

Yesterday I spent the day in Panguitch teaching at Quilt Walk.   You can check out the original story of where Quilt Walk came from here ;)   Seriously, makes me cry every time.

My classes were fantastic!!  All of the ladies did such an amazing job!!!  

I love, love, love teaching.   Especially when it affords me opportunities to meet the fabulous Jenny Doan!!!  She was absolutely amazing!!!  I loved, loved, loved her trunk show!!  I almost starting yelling "Amen Sister" from the back of the auditorium.  Absolutely a fantastic quilter and an incredibly kind person!!!

 I promise to share more soon of the entire day but I have to pack and get up the mountain for a weekend camping trip.  Should be fun :)

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!