Reboot!

Definitely time for a reboot....maybe actually putting some time into this blog!  Life has been busy, but my "maker" heart tells me it is time to get back into creating and posting about it!  I am currently working on a red, white, and black version of Pat Sloan's Solstice quilt.  Hoping to get caught up (yes--always a bit behind...) and be able to get it all pieced and then quilted soon!  Anyone else doing this sew along?  Pat's patterns are so simple to follow and the finished products are always so wonderful!

Camping and Stitching

The kids and I spent some time camping...well, admittedly, we did some cheater-camping...we rent a small, rustic cabin at a favorite campground each year and enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation amongst the trees.  We have a trailer and tents, etc, but it is just fine with me to resign myself to staying in the cabin.  It is enough work loading everything up with the kids and making sure everyone has their stuff--then cooking for everyone while we are there.  If I had to set up a tent and then take it down at the end of the trip in addition, well--I surely wouldn't go!

So, we went up for a few days and the only stitching I brought with me was my English paper piecing bag.    It was GREAT.  It felt so good to break out some diamonds and make a bit of progress while out in the woods.  I am hoping I can keep my enthusiasm for making the diamonds...it is so easy to just tote my little bag around with me and crank a few out at a time.

I also found a bit of time to read a little bit on the porch in the mornings, while everyone else slept in.  That was a treat!!

I hope that you are finding some time to stitch (and read, if that is something you love, like me) and enjoy what is left of the summer!!

Thanks for reading,
Michelle

July!

July is here and nearly gone already.  I can hardly believe it.  July is always a very busy month for me--trying to squeeze in camping, sewing, etc into one month!  I was able to work on a few things between travels....and I went to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, like I do every year.  It is just too good to miss!

 I made this bag as a gift for a friend who loves horses!  It is an Atkinson pattern--Lollipop bags....I think I purchased the pattern last year in Bend and just recently have delved into actually making the bags!!

Speaking of bags...I went nuts and made a Sew Together Bag....it was a two day project--I used the sew along pictures at QuiltBarn to help me along with the zippers (4!!!) and I survived.  I didn't even utter a curse word!  (that, right there....amazing!!)  It was a challenge at times, as I had never sewn in a zipper, but I did it and I love the results!!

And I had to continue to work on my blocks from my Lori Holt Quilt along...I am way behind, but enjoying working on it when I can!!

 Here is a street-shot from the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show....it was early and there were lots of people already out and about.  It was 93 degrees that day...too hot for me, but I had a wonderful time meandering amongst the 1,401 quilts on display.

Off to go sew something....hope you have a great day!!!
Michelle

Scrappy Happy Summer

Happy Sunday!  Happy Fathers Day!  I hope you are celebrating a bit today.

I am finally getting to enjoy the beginning of summer, which means I get to do a bit more sewing.  YAY!  I am joining in Lori Holt's Scrappy Happy Summer sew along--so I started auditioning fabrics for the first project, a tablerunner, and I got a bit carried away!!

The next thing I knew, I had fabrics cut out for the first block and used my Alphabitties to keep them in order!  (I love those things!!)

Then, I started putting some of the pieces together...

So, I was on a roll (well, with ONE block!!!) and couldn't stop!  I pieced the rest of it together and was happy with my choices.  I can't wait to get back in there and cut some more this afternoon.

This sew along uses Lori's new pattern Cut. Press. Sew. Quilt. and you can make this block in four different sizes, depending on your needs.  This is the beginning of a tablerunner, but I am thinking of making an 18" block for a pillow or two, also!  I am trying to use scraps from my barn quilt and another sew along quilt that I am not done with (ooops!!) so I have some cute coordinating pieces for my own home.  What do you think so far?

Until next time,
Michelle

Still here!

I am still here....still working on getting my Quilty Fun Sew Along blocks done!  I had a wee bit of time on the weekend and got the mittens done.  It was nice to do some stitching on that project and make even a bit of progress!  I am hoping to get a bit more time this coming weekend, too.

I got a package of Vintage Happy fat quarters in the mail just recently and have some decisions to make--what will I do with it???  So many choices!  I ordered a couple of Lori Holt's patterns....hoping to get them soon and possibly use them first with this line of fabrics--they are so cute!!!  Sometimes I like to "age" my fabric before cutting into it, but this time I am too excited and just want to make SOMETHING from it ASAP!!

Absent!!

I have been ignoring this blog.  So pathetic!!  Just barely begun and ignoring it.  My apologies...hehehe--even though I am the only one who reads it!!  :)

I have been trying to practice up on FMQ....I am bound and determined to actually quilt my own quilts on my home machine!!!   I am taking Leah Day's Free Motion class at Craftsy....so encouraging!!  I think I am getting it...now just to practice, practice, practice!

I have been practicing on some fat quarters that I had left over after a project.  I am hoping to get enough practice in and feel confident enough to actually do some stippling on a scrap quilt that has been hanging around for quite some time now.

Anyone else in the same boat?  I just have a Janome 6500P.....it has a large throat (HUGE compared to my old machine!!) but I am giving it a whirl and having fun.

M

Well, so much for "starting a blog"...hehehe--I did, indeed, start it, but I have not touched it since. So sad!  I HAVE been stitching, though.  Life just gets so busy.  It is difficult to find time to even  touch a project--no matter how much you long to do it.  I have recently been trying to MAKE time to even just do a little bit...making a date with my sewing machine or my sewing basket.  :)  I seem to do better that way--I look forward to that time and then I actually DO it!!  Progress seems to follow--imagine that!! 

 I have started making blocks for Lori Holt's Quilty Fun Sew Along...such a great project!  I love her designs--I just cannot resist them!!

And, I pulled out an OLD UFO from a few years ago and made an earnest start...then kept at it and will hopefully get this advent quilt done this season.  I figure even if we don't get to use it for the first week or so of the season, but it gets DONE, I am better off for it!! Plus, my UFO pile will be a bit smaller.  YAY!!