March Friday Night Sew In

The next Friday Night Sew In is scheduled for March 19. If you are interested in participating (and it doesn't have to be a sewing project, can be knitting, crocheting, spinning, etc.) go over to Heidi's blog by clicking below to sign up.

Friday Night Sew In and a Completed Quilt Top

Last night's Sew In was successful as far as I'm concerned. I managed to finish this paper pieced stain glass quilt top after working on it for almost two years.


This paper pieced quilt was a block of the month project at Piecing with Grace, my local quilt store. The first time I visited this store, I was admiring the quilt hanging in the shop. A woman came up to me and asked if I liked it. I said I loved it and that I wished I had the skill to do that. She said to me I could have you paper piecing in 30 minutes. Of course I didn't believe that but she said when you are ready to learn come back to the shop and I'll teach you.

Well after a lot of thought a few weeks later I paid another visit to the shop and this wonderful lady taught me how to paper piece. It took a little longer than 30 minutes but by the time I finished my first block I was hooked and signed up for the block of the month which ran from July 2008 to June 2009. I originally had the dates posted March 2008 to March 2009, oops.

After I completed the 12th block I was able to purchase the finishing kit which consisted of the center piece and the borders. When I saw the million pieces in that centerpiece I said to myself you are never going to finish this project. But I did. I took my time and worked on it when I could. I had the center pieced together in about a month. Then I put the entire project away until last weekend when I picked brought it out to start assembling the top.

The picture below shows various stages of the making of this "paper pieced stain glass" quilt top.


I must say that I am extremely happy with this quilt top. Now I have to find a nice backing for it and then I can have it quilted. I am extremely grateful to the wonderful person who taught me this technique. BTW she's the one who made the quilt that was hanging in the shop and she's the mother of the 3 sisters who own the shop.

Looking forward to the March sew in. Maybe I can finish up another project.

Snowing, Sewing and Shopping

I've had a mini vacation going on due to the back to back Nor'easters here on the east coast. Is this a lot of snow or what???

Yes it is. Enough to shut down the area for two days. Last Wednesday and Thursday there was no work. As Friday was my regular day off and today (Monday) is a holiday I had a mini vacation going on. The first two days I stayed put, there was no choice. Luckily by Saturday I was able to get out. The Jersey Girl Quilters had a sewing and shopping day.

Here I am at Cathy's house working on a project which turned out to be a handbag.
Pattern used was the X-bag by Four Season Designs.

We took a break for lunch and a quick stop at Pastimes Quilt Shop.
This is what I walked out with:

Then earlier today my friend Gail stopped by and we ran over to Piecing with Grace.

They recently moved and Gail hadn't been to the new location.

My fabric stash is almost as bad as the yarn one.
But at least I've been able to work on some projects during my mini vacation.

Martini Madness Apron Swap Completed

The latest Flirty Apron Swap - Martini Madness - hosted by Shawnee has been completed. My partner for the swap was Chelsea who adores the color teal. I made her this reversible teal/purple apron. I was able to find matching painted martini glasses. If you go to her blog by clicking here you can see her wearing it.



Now I hit the jackpot. My swap package came from Amy K. This is one hot apron and she found a matching martini glass and cocktail napkins. I never had a martini. Once I'm off my diet I will use the mixer she sent with it to try one.


What really is cool about the apron is the martini glass charm Amy attached to it. How neat is that???


Another swap successfully completed. Swapping is a lot of fun. If you have never done one, try it!

Valentine Table Toppers

These are two table toppers I made using the Hexagon Star pattern by Kaye Wood. This pattern was in the Jan/Feb 06 edition of Fons & Porter Love of Quilting. I altered the pattern a bit - neither of these toppers have the star.





These are quick to do. The cutting takes longer than the sewing.

Embroidablock Block of the Month Done

I finally got my embroidablock project put together. This was the Crazy Compass block of the month offered by the Hoop Sisters last year. This BOM was available from a participating dealer. My LQS Piecing with Grace offered it.

This was an interesting project. You quilt as you go. If I were to do this again, I'd pay more attention to the thread changes.



Ironically the colors match those in my newly created sewing room. Guess where it is?

Ravelympics 2010

Bob, the Ravelry mascot.

Let the games begin. Ravelympics 2010 has begun. This is a fun time over at Ravelry, a site for knitters and crocheters. You are suppose to start a challenging project, casting on during the opening ceremonies and cast off by the closing ceremonies. Well it's a challenge for me just to finish a project.

I joined Team Woolbearers. Woolbearers is my local yarn store. Some of these gals are fast knitters. I know they will be a lot of projects completed.


I'm looking forward the Olympics. I was in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada a few years ago and they were gearing up then for the event. Here's a picture that was taken of me knitting on Whistler's Mountain. I thought at the time that the games are away off yet. But time was rolling and the games have begun!


What I'm casting on is a scarf with some Noro yarn. I'm going to use those Addi clicks I paid all that money for. I also have two projects that have been dragging, a scarf and a pair of socks. My goal is to have all three projects done by the closing ceremonies. Ready, set knit!!!!

Postage Stamp Quilt Along

If I can get those 3 BOM projects finish then I will participate in this along. Go join in on the fun. You know you have tons of scraps.