Stitchin with Peg

2006- It was a very good year

2012-02-08T15:26:00.003-05:00

2006 WAS a very good year...at least for me it was. I was making friends online with girls from all over and I was participating in a lot of block swaps online. I decided to hostess a centralized swap of red and white blocks, 9.5 inches unfinished. Between the 6 of us we picked our favorite blocks and did a different one each month. ALL the girls were excited to make the blocks but I guess our excitement didn't carry over into actually assembling the blocks....but then again, how many girls really make and assemble right away?

So, since 2012 is going to be one of those years where I am going to try and ASSEMBLE not BUY AND HOARD, I pulled out the bin of blocks, rounded up some loose fabric and voile! In less than a week I had 10 months worth of the blocks assembled into a quilt top !

It's all ready for quilting...once I get the backing.

On another note, our puppy has reached the running off with my slippers stage as well as chewing on everything in site stage. We made an appointment for Bark Busters to come out and evaluate the situation and set up some training for us.... They were here promptly at noon and after an hour and a half our Luna was sufficiently "tired" of being trained but that didn't stop us, we kept on going. After he left we found her peeking out from behind the couch kind of saying "is he gone yet?" To which I replied "yes he's gone, but he'll be back in 2 weeks-so don't even get comfy......" LOL

I hope what we learned will make for a happier home environment!!!

QSQA

2012-02-05T14:30:00.003-05:00

Month 2 of "Jo's Country Junction" Quilt Square Quilt Along" block, Bear Paw is finished.

Jo was not kidding when she said this block was "labor intensive". The gold half square triangles finished up 1-1/2 inches which tested my trimming patience! BUT, I continued along and assembled the block and am thrilled with how it looks.

Now to set it aside with January's block and move onto something else.

This has been a very productive weekend for me :)

Step 1

2012-02-04T21:47:00.004-05:00

I finished Step 1 of my Mystery Quilt. This picture doesn't do my fabrics justice but trust me, this is going to be a gorgeous quilt!

Now to set it aside for next month's clue.

It's a Mystery

2012-02-04T14:02:00.003-05:00

Do you like doing mystery quilts? For the most part I don't, but I couldn't help myself this time.

Michelle is doing a mystery with her guild and invited me to join in, and after NOT doing "Orca Bay" this winter with Bonnie Hunter, I decided I had to do it. Last Friday when Michelle and Robin came to town for a visit we went to Quilting Possibilities, Michelle and I bought the yardage for ours. Robin had a focus fabric at home and is buying her other 2 fabrics this weekend.

I carried the dark fabric around with me trying to find 2 others that I thought looked ok with it. I finally settled on the light one and Michelle found the bottom one which is a batik.

I have step 1 cut and with luck I can start sewing it up today.

I'll be back with an update later...........................

Quilt Square Quilt Along Reveal

2012-01-30T17:48:00.003-05:00

Have you been over to Jo's Country Junction http://www.joscountryjunction.com/

to link up and show your block picture? The girls have done a great job making their blocks and there is such a variety!!!

So, what are you waiting for? Get your linky on your blog and go show your picture for a chance to win some great prizes!!!

Oh, and while you're there, you can see which block is next!!!

Peggy

NYC Trip

2012-01-28T19:47:00.007-05:00

Today was Part II of hubbys and mine birthday/Christmas presents from our son. He got "Rock of Ages" tickets, which we went to back in late December and today we headed back into NYC for my show.

Before heading into NY you have to travel thru Union City NJ which happens to be touted as the "Embroidery Capital of the World since 1872".
There is a banner hanging above the highway that announces it!!! I tried to get a picture but it's impossible with a cell phone to zoom in close enough. There are plenty of pictures of it though on the internet....

Look at the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel!! Have you ever seen it this empty? I sure haven't!!!

After parking our car we started walking around to decide where we wanted to eat lunch.
Only in NYC will you see a life size frog playing a musical instrument and a gorilla!!! There was an entire store on 8th avenue that just sells these types of statues with luggage....go figure!

We didn't want any "fast food or chain food" so we picked the "Playwright Irish Pub" on 35th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. The menu looked good and after being invited inside by a nice "Irish" man holding a cup of steaming soup, we ventured in.... They did not disappoint with their food.

I had a burger with irish bacon, cheddar cheese and red onion that was out of this world!!! Hubby had a couple of beers and a chicken sandwich and fries. And when I tell you we cleaned our plates...I mean we ATE!!! I would recomend this pub very highly!

We did a little wandering around before heading over to the Ambassador Theatre to see "Chicago". That too was a great show. The music, dancing and story was so much fun!!!

We have been very lucky with our last 2 outings into the city.....the weather was clear and gorgeous so you didn't mind wandering around looking at the old architecture and just people watching.

Here's just a couple of pictures of the high buildings, an old apartment building (that I sooooo think I could live in. It's just gorgeous)

and the last picture is of a Yankee store. I thought hubby was looking in the window....I have NO idea what he's staring off looking at but he did enjoy all the goodies inside the store!

Binding, Binding, Binding

2012-01-27T16:18:00.003-05:00

Here's a picture of my 3 quilts that I need to bind......

Of course, I need to do the princess one on top but that binding isn't made LOL The middle one has the binding ready and the bottom one has the fabric picked and set aside but not made...

Guess while the girls are still traveling that I should get the princess fabric cut and on the quilt!

BFF Visit

2012-01-27T15:38:00.007-05:00

Today I was lucky enough to spend the day with 2 of my best friends Robin and Michelle. Robin was up at some ungodly hour like 4:30 to come to NJ and although I forgot to ask Michelle what time she got up, she was at my house at 9am so with a 3 hour drive, I'm sure she was up around the same time as Robin.....but as they will both attest, we'd get up at any time for a visit with the girls.

The day started with some Show N Tell. In November I'd brought 3 quilts down to Michelle's house so today she brought them back for me. She does an AWESOME job quilting!!! One is a baby quilt for a girl my niece goes to school with, one is a wedding present for whenever my son and his fiance set the date, and the other is a top I started at retreat in May of 2011 called "Chain of Faith" and really doesn't have a recipient in mind. I just liked the pattern, LOVED the fabric and wanted to make it :)

After I saw my tops, Michelle gave Robin her "My Blue Heaven" quilt that she'd done for her....again, another AWESOME job!

At that point it was almost 10:00 so off we went to my local quilt shop, "Quilting Possibilities".

We started off slow....each of us only carrying a few fat quarters around but we eventually picked up some steam and started piling a few things up.

I got some yardage to do a 3 month mystery quilt project with both girls that Michelle is hostessing with her guild.

By the time we piled fabric all over the store and then paid, it was lunch time. We went to a local place called "Via Napoli" for some penne ala vodka and cheesesteaks.....YUM!

I will take some pictures of my haul probably with a new post when we start the mystery.

We topped the day off with chocolate chip cookies that Michelle brought and some brownies that my daughter made for me to serve......

We had a great day and we're hoping that in March, or sooner, we'll be able to get together again....

Thanks for coming girls...........I miss you already!!!

Peggy

I'm Having Some Company

2012-01-26T20:39:00.006-05:00

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I'm having some company tomorrow and I'm so excited!! 2 of my BFF's are coming to NJ to have lunch, go to my local quilt shop, talk, laugh and shop :)

This is a picture of us last year at Michelle's house down in Delaware.

I'll try and get a newer picture of us tomorrow when we visit "Quilting Possibilities".

Blue Twister

2012-01-16T14:06:00.004-05:00

This is probably my 3rd or 4th project in less than 3 months using the "twister" template. I LOVED my red and white one made with Christmas fabrics but alas, that season is over and it was time for something new. It still amazes me that the layout to the right creates this twister top!

I found a perfect blue on blue paisley for that final border in a kit that has yet to be assembled so I'll have to replace that sometime but for now, it's on my topper.

Now to spend some time getting it quilted and bound and on the coffee table by Friday :)

Where did this week go?

2012-01-14T13:24:00.003-05:00

I don't know where this week went but I certainly was not in my sewing room!

I guess my daughter getting her puppy on Tuesday and then waking up in the middle of the night with a stomach bug that had her incapacitated for 2 days really put a crimp in my sewing time. With being home for the weekend and then again Monday for the holiday, I'm hoping to dedicate myself to a little bit of sewing.

To start today off I'm going to piece the back of this quilt. In my stash I found the cutest yellow flannel fabric. It has these fluffy whimsical clowns on it....LOVE IT! The selvage is still on it too and it's a Marcus Brothers and the designer is Dana Simson....and get this. The selvage has a printing date of 2002 on it!! Does anyone out there have any of her fabric?

I looked online and could not come up with anything so I'm guessing she didn't do a lot of fabric designing! Anyhoo, it's long enough for the longarm machine but not wide enough so I grabbed a bunch of coins and I'm going to cut the backing a little off center, pop the coins in and then attach the side. I think the backing with this little quilt will make some little one smile :)

If anyone out there reading this has any of Dana's fabric, I'd be willing to swap you something for it!!!

How's your Saturday? It's cold but sunny here in NJ!

Welcome Luna

2012-01-10T17:19:00.003-05:00

Let me preface this post by saying I have never been an "animal person". I don't dislike them, but I never really had that yearning for a puppy or a cat..... Sarah on the other hand has HOUNDED us for 20 years I think (and she's only 23) for a puppy. As luck would have it, our oldest daughter Jen knew that a client to her hair salon had quite a few that were born in November so when we started tossing the idea around we contacted the woman down in Baltimore, got pictures of them and voile! Luna was picked from the litter and today came home to Casa Aront to live. Here's Sarah holding her in the car right after we left the kennel. Of course we had to go to the salon to show Jen so here's a cute picture of Luna on Jen's lap.....
And finally, a picture of the two girls (sorry about the sun coming in the window) with the puppy.

Jen has a 9 year old pit bull named Romeo that has such a great personality and is so friendly so we're hoping that with Sarah's laid back personality that Luna will be just like her.

Here's hoping that the first pet we've ever had works out just like we hope!!!

And Yes, the name is from Sarah's favorite book HARRY POTTER....not that I'd know since I have never read any of the books...sorry all you HP Fans.

QSQA Block #1

2012-01-02T15:03:00.003-05:00

I am doing a Quilt Square Quilt Along with some of my BFF's and Jo's Country Junction.

Lori Smith is the designer of the blocks. I had originally thought I was going to make mine in greens with a goldish center pinwheel but as I started looking thru my fabrics I KNEW it would never end up being green...not with all the pretty reds I have so I spent an hour or so making it up.......

I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with each of the blocks yet. I originally thought I'd make mini's out of them and put them around the house but now I'm not sure, so for now I'll just make them and set them aside. I'm sure I'll get some inspiration after I start seeing what the others are doing.

Peggy

"Purple Coins Quilt"

2012-01-01T20:24:00.003-05:00

Once the house was in order and lunch was done today I decided it was sewing time. I came into my sewing room and did a little work trimming down some HST's for my Jamestown quilt but then I got a little bored so I decided it was a good time to start pulling some "coins" out and get a charity top assembled for a retreat I go to every May.

The coins went together super fast and I had the "perfect" purple marbelized fabric for the separator strips so as fate would have it I got the top assembled, the backing fabric pieced and voile! it's ready for quilting.

This isn't a big quilt, it finished up to be 37 x 44 but I still have lots of time to make another top to bring along with this one.... So, I get to add my first "finished project" to my blog list and I get to cross off my first project on my "Big 3 List" that I do every month with 2 of my BFF's.....

Isn't this Laurel Burch flannel perfect???

PS: That's Pierre the Sock Monkey up there inspecting the quilt....unlike a lot of quilters, I don't have a kitty inspector. I relied on Pierre today to make sure the quilt was sufficiently cute for some little girl :)

Happy New Year 2012

2011-12-30T09:16:00.002-05:00

It's almost that time of year again where we wish health and happiness to our friends, neighbors and others that we come in contact with. I'd like to say Happy New Year early to all my blogging friends out there and wish you all a great 2012.

I have a few personal goals this year, one of which is to get into better shape personally and on a sewing front, I'm going to continue making my "Big 3" list with Robin and Michelle. The list kind of keeps me accountable in the sewing room.

Last year I made those Art to Heart minis for my mom every month and it felt so good accomplishing that and getting them mailed to her in Florida. This year, I am hoping that every month or every 6 weeks at least I can assemble a charity quilt top. Heaven knows I have bags of blocks and charm squares/coins etc. cut up and all ready for assembly so I'd like to keep myself focused on charity for 2012.

NOW...I know I may fall off the wagon somewhere along the road but I'm really going to try...and with luck all my BFF's will keep me focused.

Here's to a Happy, Healthy New Year and all of 2012 to everyone!!!

New Project

2011-12-27T12:52:00.004-05:00

I'm going to start a new project today with the hopes of finishing it by the weekend.

My niece goes to"hair school" with a girl that is pregnant and a while back asked me if I could make a baby girl quilt using some fabric that has"hair products" on it like combs, hair dryers etc. I did do a search online, but didn't come up with anything so I just bought a white print focus fabric with flowers and lady bugs etc, on it and pulled fabrics that might go with it. Being as none have white in them it will work nicely for the separator strips.

I'm using a Moda "Jumbo Coins" http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/12/jumbo-coins-baby-quilt.html#more pattern that I found on their web site. Instead of using a solid white, I'm going to use the white print as the separator fabric.

I don't even have to buy a backing fabric because I have enough of these to piece the back AND I have a pink and a purple flannel up on the shelf that I can use! Can't beat getting an entire quilt almost for free from the stash now can you?

Peggy

Twister Finished

2011-12-26T22:33:00.003-05:00

I started this twister quilt at a retreat in Indiana back in mid November. Since then I've started 2 new projects, finishing one totally. I finally made the executive decision that NOTHING gets started until the 2 borders were sewn onto the twister. I sat down earlier today and finally got them on.

The finished quilt is much brighter in person but we have to settle for a cell phone picture because although I got a new camera, I haven't had the chance to read the instructions etc.

I will sometime this week....

Now to get to the quilt store with a few of my Christmas gift cards and get the backing for this one.....

Oh, and by the way, it was made with Fig Tree fabrics and finished up to 73-1/2 X 88! I used 2 layer cakes and a little yardage for the 2 borders!

What's on your New Years Eve agenda?

Jamestown Landing

2011-12-23T23:14:00.002-05:00

Have you seen this Bonnie Hunter quilt yet? I saw a sneak preview of it on a blog one day while I was hopping around so I tracked down the "Australian Homespun" magazine it was in and started to round up some neutrals and blues. Earlier this week I decided to start making the quilt so I got to cutting. Step #1 is 840 HST's !!!!

Here's 178 of the 840 all trimmed up.....

I'm thinking I have a lot of work ahead of me :)

2011-12-21T20:56:00.002-05:00

http://www.joscountryjunction.com/

Did I really just sign up for my first block of the month for 2012?
Absolutely! You should go to Jo's Country Junction and check it out...all it will cost you is the price of the pattern! The fabric comes from your stash and it's a 12.5 unfinished block that you can finish off to be a candle mat or table decoration.....click on the above link and head on over....

December???

2011-12-17T23:08:00.003-05:00

Where the heck did December go?

I haven't done much in the sewing room but I have been sewing. I did some binding on the red and white twister and got that on the coffee table and then I did some binding on a quilt I was giving as a retirement gift for my friend Helen.

Yesterday I thought I'd get some sewing done but when I sat down at the machine I just couldn't focus so I sewed a few 2 inch squares together to use as the center of a scrappy star block but then I lost my oomph and wandered out to the couch where I spent the night.

Today though, I was determined to do "something". I realized that I couldn't focus mainly because my "need to do" list is really non existent as opposed to my "want to do list" so it's hard to just pick one project and start it.....so instead, I pulled out some strips of fabric coins and started sewing them up....and this is what I ended up with tonight.
The colors are much brighter in person but I think you get the idea. I do have to admit that now that it's assembled and I see the picture I realize that I should have alternated the green separator strips but it's too late now!
I have some Laurel Burch flannel on the shelf to use for the backing...which by the way I bought for $5 a yard at my local shop, so it's going to make for a great charity top. OH....and by the way, everything for this quilt which finished up to 47-1/2 X 62 came from my stash! No credit cards were damaged in the making of this one!!!

I have a lot more fabrics cut for coins so I think I'll make another one!!

OH, and just a warning to any readers. 2012 is going to be the year of "using what I have" so you're going to be seeing lots of scrap projects here....just saying.

Peggy

TWISTER

2011-11-28T20:10:00.003-05:00

Have you "twisted" yet? Michelle made a couple back in October while she was at a retreat so I thought I'd give it a try. WELL....I gathered up some charm packs as well as a layer cake with some yardage and while I was with Michelle at a retreat 2 weeks ago, I took my twister for a spin....I LOVE IT! I can't believe that you start off with all these 5 inch squares sewn together and after you start cutting, this is what you end up with!

This quilt is made with a Fig Tree layer cake.

I'm going to add a skinny border around it then also add a wide floral border which will make it full size!

As I look at the red and white one I realize that I should have moved some of the squares around but you live and learn...... I'm off to connect the blocks and get it on my coffee table by the end of the week.

I'm Back

2011-11-26T15:16:00.003-05:00

I'm home from retreat....actually, have been home since Sunday but I've been running like crazy with having to go right back to work on Monday and then Thanksgiving thrown in there.....

The retreat center had it all decorated for us with trees everywhere, one prettier than the next.

We were a small group this time but we had fun!

I got 2 full size quilts assembled and a table runner. I haven't unpacked the projects yet that I worked on but when I do I will post some pictures.

Can't wait to see these girls again in May!!!

Peggy

On the road again

2011-11-14T22:06:00.003-05:00

The car is all packed up with all the supplies and fabric I'll need for a fun 4 days at quilt retreat in Indiana. I'll be heading to Maryland Tuesday afternoon to get a hair cut and the grey's covered and then bright and early Wednesday morning Michelle will meet me at the Cracker Barrell parking lot and we'll head out to Indiana. It's a long drive but we'll have lots to talk about and so I'm sure we'll be in Indiana in no time at all!

We'll be gone until Sunday so next week I hope to have lots of pictures to show you of all the projects I completed.

Have a great week!

Peggy

December

2011-11-12T15:41:00.002-05:00

No, it's not December, but I did finish my December Art to Heart mini for next month....
I did all 12 minis this year and didn't have to buy hardly any fabric, used from my stash!
I don't keep these, as I've mentioned in month's past, I send them to Florida for my mom.
So, now this project will be done, as soon as I pop it in the mail this week! OH...and just to show you the same project done in a different colorway, below my green one is Michelle's...Isn't her's great ?

Chain of Faith

2011-11-11T22:58:00.003-05:00

This isn't a good picture of the finished quilt, but it's called "Chain of Faith" by Jo Kramer. I got it from the Moda Bake Shop probably back in March or April and after deciding on "BLISS" fabric I kitted it up and took it to a retreat back in May. I did the majority of the cutting and assembly there but then I hit a problem and didn't feel like tackling it then so I set it aside. Last week I decided I wanted to get an older project done and off my "to do" list so I pulled it out and got it done.
It's amazing how with a little focusing you can finish things up!

This is an upclose picture of the fabrics. I have both the red dot and the turquoise dot for the backing. I think it will end up being the red.......

Contest

2011-11-10T16:04:00.002-05:00

I entered my Liberty Ridge quilt into an online quilt contest and would appreciate some votes from you girls..............

http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/11/08/weekly-quilt-contest-remembering-veterans/?_jpg

Voting starts tomorrow-Friday 11/11/2011.....

Best Trip Ever

2011-11-06T10:31:00.004-05:00

I had the best trip ever to Delaware to visit with Robin and Michelle.

After a shopping excursion to the Delaware State Fairgrounds we had lunch at Chik Fil A-LOVE this place and don't get it here in NJ. Then back to Michelle's house for some fun time playing with her Longarm Machine!!!

I was able to quilt this blue star runner as well as this summery runner all by myself!

This was so much fun! I hope to be able to make and take a couple more projects down to Michelle's in the future.

Everyone enjoy that extra hour of sleep last night?

BFF's

2011-11-04T22:05:00.002-04:00

Yes, that's me in the center there hanging out a couple of years ago with my 2 BFF's.

Tomorrow morning (Saturday) Robin will be leaving Long Island at about 3am and heading here to NJ where we'll travel south to Delaware to meet up with Michelle and spend the day chatting, laughing, eating, shopping and plain old having fun. There is a craft show that we'll start the day at and then we'll have lunch and spend some time at Michelle's house inspecting her new longarm.

We might just have to get a new picture of us.....

Chain of Faith Update

2011-10-30T21:53:00.003-04:00

I didn't get to sew as much or as long as I would have liked today but I did make a little progress on my Chain of Faith quilt. It's an 84 x 84 quilt and this is 2 units connected with a sashing and cornerstone strip. You can't really see my red cornerstone "X" but I like how the quilt looks and the fabric is awesome so it's not a big deal.

It's back to work in the morning even though I'd rather be home sleeping in and sewing :)

Happy week everyone!

Peggy

Awesome

2011-10-30T16:38:00.004-04:00

Isn't this an awesome picture? I snagged it from the Monument site on facebook.

Lady Liberty is officially 125 years old this week and is undergoing major inside renovations so there have been a lot of pictures of her lately on their site. This picture was taken last night and I think it's supposed to be showing the swirling snow but it's kind of hard to see....

I don't know about you, but I'd LOVE to get a glimpse of her from this angle!

Peggy/Southern NJ

Chain of Faith

2011-10-30T00:08:00.003-04:00

You probably don't remember me mentioning this project way back in April or May but I had kitted it up with the free pattern from the Moda Bake Shop site.

I took it to Indiana where I worked on it at retreat and actually got quite a bit of the block assembly done while I was there but then I remember setting it aside to work on something else and then never got back to it.

I used "BLISS" which is by Bonnie and Camille. It's nice and bright and would make a nice girly girl quilt!

Did anyone out there make this quilt? I'd love to see it assembled in another colorway!!!

Here are the first two blocks I have assembled totally. They are 18 inchers so I think the rest will go together pretty quickly.

Lil Twisters

2011-10-29T19:59:00.004-04:00

Have you seen these templates? I've seen a lot of girls making tabletoppers and quilts from these templates so I thought I'd order myself a set. Well, I thought I was ordering a book and a set of templates but instead I ordered 2 sets of templates.

My stupidity could work to your advantage. I'd be willing to pay postage if you'd like to buy these from me....

Email me privately and we can talk $$$

paront1222@comcast.net

Peggy

Hunky Dory Pinwheels Finished!

2011-10-29T19:31:00.002-04:00

Remember this picture? Well, I finally finished my version of the "Scrap Basket Bounty". I liked the designer's version but I had a ton, and I mean a ton of "Hunky Dory" fabric that I needed to use up so my version is from the Hunky Dory and I added a top row of the piano key border where the designer did not. To me it just didn't look finished.

It looks great in the picture but it's even nicer in person.....Now to get a backing fabric.................

Is this for real?

2011-10-25T14:20:00.002-04:00

Is this for Real? If it is, it's unbelievable !!
My daughter LOVES Pinterest and is always finding interesting things so the other night when she called for me to come check it out, I thought I'd find sparkly shoes, a new cake/cookie recipe or even a picture of a vampire...but no, this is what she showed me.

I think if I was playing against this person I'd have a little self esteem issue about now LOL

Do you play Words with Friends? What was your highest one time score? I haven't played that long so I don't have anything up in the high double digits...maybe 50-56? I'm aiming high though :)

Hunky Dory Pinwheels

2011-10-23T10:07:00.005-04:00

Back in the January/February 2011 Mc Calls Quilting Magazine I came across this page of pinwheels and 9 patches and fell in love! So I kept it open on the side of my machine for inspiration. Each pinwheel point in the picture is a different fabric which is looks fabulous but I thought I'd do mine with each pinwheel from the same fabric.

I made a quilt for a girl in work from Hunky Dory fabric and had so much left over that I started making pinwheels using the Triangulations papers. I took all the cut up triangulations in the car with me as I was traveling to Indiana last May and trimmed them off and pressed them open at retreat. I didn't touch the ziploc bag again for weeks/months. Finally I gt all 80 pinwheels made and then had the task of amking all the 3 x 3 9 patch units. Got them done too in record time...then closed up the ziploc bag and moved onto holiday projects.

Well, the other day I decided to look at it all and started to assemble one row just to see how I liked it.

Here's what I have so far! It's much prettier in person, and very pastelly (sp), more so than what I'm used to working on. I have 6 more rows of pinwheels to assemble and then start more assembly. Then figure out a nice skinny border and then make the piano key border for the 3 sides. (yes, 3 sides. this pattern calls for only 3 sides) .

I'd like to finish the top assembly this week or by next weekend for sure.

I will most likely have a lot of Hunky Dory left over and although it's a nice fabric, I don't want to see it again for a good long time, so keep tuned in....I may have a scrap bag give away!

Hope everyone is having a nice sunny Sunday.

Peggy

This has been a banner week

2011-10-20T18:33:00.003-04:00

Yes, this has been a banner week for binding. Never, ever, never, have I started and finished binding 2 quilts in one week. Anyone that knows me knows that the binding is my least favorite part of the quilting process, but once in a blue moon I get on a roll and just "git er done".

First off, this black and white Yellow Brick Road quilt was assembled back in April or May and then just sat. The baby (Rylin) that it was made for was born the first week in August and still it sat. I sent it to Michelle for quilting and it came back finished and sat too. Finally I was embarrased at seeing Rylin and her mom in school one day last week and decided that enough was enough. I started it Sunday and finished it Tuesday. Got it washed and dried and took a picture today since the sun was back out.....

This next quilt....OMG, I assembled at retreat in May of 2010. It's all stash flannels!!! I had it quilted almost immediately upon coming home from Indiana...and then it SAT! We had a few chilly nights last week so I KNEW I had to get it bound and washed so we could snuggle up with it. That got done and it too got washed on Tuesday night.

I actually took it for a test drive on the couch this afternoon when the temps dropped and it did the trick! Put me right into la la land :)

I'm happy to say these 2 are done, 3 more to get binding tacked down, and 2 more quilts off to the quilter....I best get my butt moving!!!

Below is a fat quarter bundle of "Nine Dots" by Henry Glass.

Nice yellows, pinks and a spot of grey. I need to figure out a nice pattern to showcase the gorgeous fabrics......I'll keep you posted on the progress :)

November Mini

2011-10-10T18:47:00.002-04:00

I got the buttonhole stitching done on this mini this afternoon.

I've done 11 month's now for my Mom in Florida....one more to go and I've kept up all year :)

I will close up the bottom and put the hanging sleeve on during "Dancing" tonight, then it's ready to go in the mail.

Next year I'll have to make myself a set.

Columbus Day-Weekend Update

2011-10-10T14:03:00.006-04:00

GORGEOUS Columbus Day out there isn't it? Not only is it 79 here in NJ, it's a day off from school....double nice!

How can you tell you've been doing some catch up sewing?

Lots of empty bobbins! Spent some time this morning refilling them with my usuals...grey, cream and white.

Then onto photographing a charity top I made for retreat in November. This pattern is called "Glorious Geese". The cutting took about an hour if that, then the assembly maybe 2-3 hours.....It finished up to be 60 x 72 which will be perfect for a little boy. The black and white print is a town with multi colored cars, trucks, busses etc. all driving around. I picked a red, yellow and blue print to accent it. I think you can click on it to see better... I'm going to ship this one off to be quilted once I find a back for it.

Then I decided this week I needed to get some binding on some quilts. I can't just sit in front of the TV at night so when I'm not in the embroidery mood I do binding.... Here's the 3 that are in line now.....The flannel on the bottom may win out as the first one to get done since "someone" in my house has been fondling it and saying how much she likes "flannel". We won't name names though :)

I have some machine buttonholing to do on the November mini for my mom..... I'll report back on that once I finish.

Hope you're all having a nice holiday.

Punkin House

2011-10-08T11:20:00.002-04:00

I got the binding and hanging sleeve sewn onto this wallhanging Thursday night so since I had made the executive decision that I would NOT go to bed till it was finished, I pressed it and took down the other wall quilt and hung this one. I love how the kitchen wall looks with it there.

In case anyone was wondering, it's a Thimbleberries pattern that I got as a kit AGES ago. I can't even remember when. I have a mini kit of the same thing......that is sitting in a bin UNDONE!

Now, I need to get myself a winter kit to hang.......

This is a long weekend for me. School was closed yesterday for professional day for staff...I had a vacation day and went shopping with my girls :)

Monday we're off for Columbus Day. I'm planning on doing a little housework and changing out the clothes closet and putting up fall curtains and comforter in the bedroom but the rest of the time I'll be sewing. How about you girls?

Peggy

Best Woolie Friends

2011-10-08T09:23:00.002-04:00

Girls that I go to retreat with LOVE working with wool so we've been doing a wool round robin. The first one we swapped out at retreat in Indiana back in May. We started a new one I think in June or July and this gnome was my inspiration for mine..

Here is my finished woolie..........complete with a tree, a bird's nest, flowers, a butterfly, a snail and mushrooms. I didn't really give the girls anything to work with except the gnome so I am absolutely thrilled with what they came up with.

Binding, Binding, Binding-Part 2

2011-09-25T15:04:00.006-04:00

So, not only did I get the Melly and the Berry Pickin back from the quilters this week, i also got the Thimbleberries Punkin House back.

I had Sandi quilt it in an allover meander and I even got it trimmed down.

I NEED to get the binding on so I can hang it THIS Halloween in my kitchen! It's been sewn and done for 2 years now, I don't need it sitting around for a 3rd year undone!

I also got this Liberty Ridge Top back from Michelle yesterday! Michelle did loops and stars on it and it looks great!

I guess you can figure out that for a good long time, at night, in front of the TV, I will have projects to keep me busy!

Michelle has some nice pictures on her blog of my 2 quilts.....if you're interested in popping over!

Binding, Binding, Binding

2011-09-25T14:53:00.004-04:00

Here to the left is a quilt called "MELLY". It is a Rachel Griffith Design and the fabrics used are "Buttercup" by Fig Tree as well as some Moda Solids. GORGEOUS fabrics to work with and the result, especially with Michelle's quilting is WONDERFUL. It's a 65 x 65 square top that will be nice for a little girls' room.
You can click on the pictures to see a close up of the quilting Michelle did too!
Now to get the binding made and on the quilt!

This quilt is a "Crabapple Hill" embroidery BOM that I did 2 summers ago.

It's been finished and sitting around for a bit but I decided that too needed to be finished so this went out about 3 weeks or so ago to another friend Sandi and she quilted this one. The closeup is of the embroidery block with the quilting overtop of it.... Another great job AND another top that needs binding.

Shoppin with the girlies

2011-09-25T14:28:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was a long time coming but it came and I got some shopping, chatting and eating time with Michelle and Robin....YAY!
Robin and I have always lived on the east coast but only see one another once a year when we go to retreat since she lives 3 hours away but since Michelle has moved closer we're trying to get together at least 3-4 times a year...and yesterday was one of those days.

Poor Robin was up at 4 or 5 am and at my house by 8:30. We went for breakfast at a local bagel shop and then we got on the road to Olde City Quilts in Burlington NJ, where Michelle met us. We shopped for over 2 hours! But I have to admit, some of that time was spent talking to the owner about his long arm business. Michelle recently became the proud owner of a Gammill machine and is taking a class at Olde City on Friday so there was a lot of questions/answers/showing of the machines in their big classroom.
I did a little shopping....got 3 kits and 2 fat quarters and then by this point in time we were hungry so we went a few doors down and had a nice lunch together.
Then we had 2 options. Village Quilt Shop or J&O Fabrics. We drove to J&O and I found a few

fabrics. I will have to schedule another trip to Village because by the time we drove down to J&O and browsed, it was time to start back to my house so Robin could take her drive back to NY and still get back at a decent time.
No pictures in or around the shop and we totally didn't remember to ask anyone to get a shot of the 3 of us but we are getting together again on November 5th for a craft show down in Delaware so maybe we will get pictures then.

Service and Remembrance

2011-09-10T14:31:00.002-04:00

Not only on this date will I remember what happened on 9-11 but I tend to think about it most days. This morning while leaving my house to run errands I was reminded of how close I live to Ground Zero. There were NY/NJ Border helicopters flying so close over my house that I could read the words on the side!

I live less than a mile from the nuclear plant and about an half hour from Mc Guire AFB and less than an hour from Newark Airport....all places that required surveillance I guess today.

I did not have anyone close to my life perish that day but my husband lost a high school friend and the wife of a co-worker who was almost 9 months pregnant.

We will pray and think about EVERYONE today, tomorrow and forever.

I want to thank all the military people out there that serve and protect us each and every day, especially our friend Michelle's husband Travis. All our police and firefighters will be in our thoughts as well.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Free Pattern

2011-09-10T12:22:00.003-04:00

I know a lot of quilt bloggers out there like wool also so when I received the link from one of my friend's, Laura, I knew I had to send you the link to the blog....

Free Stitchin' Patterns

freestitchingpatterns.blogspot.com

Peggy

Downy Charity Quilt

2011-09-04T14:49:00.001-04:00

Last post I did was the kit Downy sent me to assemble this quilt. I finally just sat down and did it so now off to Michaels for some batting.
I have a lot of pieces of batting but I want to do this in 1 piece.
I'm hoping to get it in the mail and back to Downy by the 15th. All I need is to stay on track and just get it quilted....think I can manage to do that?

Hope everyone is having a nice restful Labor Day weekend.

Quilts for Kids

2011-08-28T14:30:00.003-04:00

I remember last summer EVERYONE was doing these "Quilts for Kids" quilts thru Downy. I had been looking at old pictures of projects from last summer and came across the two I did and I'd wondered if Downy was still looking for quilts so I went to their site and yes....they still are, so I ordered a kit. Now, anyone who doesn't know this, the kit is free ! Yes, I said free..............It comes with a pattern, all the necessary fabric and a label for when you finish. All you have to do is pay the postage to send the quilt back to them. Easy peasy right?

Here is the kit I received from them on Friday. The fabric is so stinkin cute too!!!

If anyone is interested in helping all you need to do is go here

Downy.com/HelpingKids.com

There are nice stories about where your quilts go..

Irene and fabric

2011-08-28T13:49:00.003-04:00

Irene has passed by NJ and leaving some without power but for us here we have fared quite well. Thank you Irene for not damaging anything at Casa Aront.

On another note, on Friday I got this piece of fabric......

See where I have the sticky note with the arrow? Well, that's the town I live in....pretty cool huh?

Along with this fabric I got this red dot fabric which go with the small house pincushion pattern I already have....

The fabric is "Hometown" by Sweetwater for Moda. If you follow "makelifesweet" blog and wrote in and told them your town early this year (I think it was this year) then you too might be on this fabric.....

And as I've said before...who doesn't like some red and white polka?

Peggy

Evacuate

2011-08-25T20:11:00.002-04:00

Evacuate??? No siree Bob....I'm staying put! Unfortunately, Michelle does have to evacuate Dover, Delaware so she's heading out tomorrow morning to Harrisburg, PA.
It's scary all this hurricane talk but I guess it serves a purpose in getting people out and in a safer place while their area gets wracked with the storm. We shall see sometime Saturday what they say about the Jersey Shore....if need be we'll head to Harrisburg too.....cause ya know, Michelle will have a sewing machine and some projects with her :)

So, I guess in closing I can say this was a banner weather week. An earthquake on Tuesday and a hurricane named Irene on Sat/Sun.......

Stay safe folks.....

Peggy

Road Trip

2011-08-23T18:11:00.003-04:00

Yes, today I went on a road trip.....

Until I bought a GPS I would not go anywhere alone so this was a monumental day in more ways than one.

I started out meeting one of my BFF's Michelle at Needles and Pins Quilt and Fabric Shop in Swedesboro NJ. I bought that cute flower like pile of bright fabrics, the star hanger and the orange fabrics. Then off we went to Mullica Hill Quilt Shop. I bought the red, purple and black fabric there with the book and another pattern that I forgot to take a picture of.

While there Michelle asked the owner for a lunch suggestion so she sent us to a place called "Blueplate". The sandwiches were good and their homemade chips were DELISH!!!!!

Next we were off to THE LITTLE SHOP in Haddonfield NJ. I got some neutral fat quarters, some polka dot backing fabric and that purple polka dot, AND the shock of my life!!!

We were standing in the Little Shop when the earthquake hit! I'd never been in an earthquake but we were very lucky there was no damage!!!!

All in all a wonderful day with Michelle.....only thing missiing..................................................> Robin!

Michelle did have her cardboard cutout of Robin with her though :)

We missed ya girlie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Liberty Ridge

2011-08-21T16:10:00.003-04:00

FINALLY......I only started this project like 3 months ago.
It's called "Liberty Ridge" and it was designed by Little Quilts. It finished up to be 48 x 62 which will make a nice replacement wall hanging for the one I have in my kitchen throughout the year.

I didnt by the backing to match but I did get a good deal on this "Bar Harbor" fabric which goes nicely......
Now to get it quilted.....

2011-08-19T15:33:00.002-04:00

OK, this is the last project that I pulled out of the UFO bin.

And don't go thinking this is the last one LOL There are quite a few more....but this one I pulled out because Robin, Michelle and I were all looking at a "Summer Day Sampler" by The Rabbit Factory and I told them that I KNEW I had a row by row quilt SOMEWHERE that just needed the rows sewn together and a border put on it and it's ready to go.....

Maybe this is why I pulled that bin out......hmmmmm

My start row is the 5th from the top. The rabbit, flowers and carrots. This was a row by row exchange with some girls on the Pat Sloan site.

I would be curious to know if any of them did their rows?

I'm not sure this is the way I will lay them out in the end, but the bottom row is super cute...there are little ants crawling around on the watermelon slices and the green grass...... Anyone out there remember being a part of this row by row?

Peggy

Punkin House

2011-08-19T14:55:00.003-04:00

Here's another project that I found in the pile of UFO's. I really love this one and want to see it hanging on my quilt rack in the kitch THIS fall. YES...2011, not 2012 or whenever, OCTOBER 2011!!!!! I seriously think it's been completed now for at least 2 if not 3 years!
I was challenged by another girl in NJ to do it with her and see who got done first. I can't actually remember who won the challenge but in my book, if I finished then I won!
I can't find the backing fabric that came with the kit so I'm using something else and I'm telling you right here, right now, it's gonna be hanging this year!

UFO's.

2011-08-19T14:47:00.003-04:00

I don't know why I do this to myself but I do.................
I go in search of one item and come away with about 10 :)
I can't even remember now what I was looking for but I found these two runners. I really loved this summery looking one back when I assembled it about 4 years ago and the more I look at it today, the more it's growing on me again so I'm going to press it and get the backing ready for it. This blue star runner is another Thimbleberries that I did back at least a year if not longer ago and if you look close enough you can see it's even sandwiched......well, upon careful examination, I found WHY I stopped. It got bunched in one section and needed unsewing. SO...I took it all out the other night and am going to make a visit to a friend's house soon and she's going to let me put it on her long arm and quilt it :)

Another one bites the dust.....

2011-08-05T14:14:00.003-04:00

This was a quick one.....

Eyes and fangs will be sewn on when they arrive. Since I worked on all these projects from my stash I forget that some have buttons and such so when I was looking in the book at this one the light went on and I realized I never got the eyes and fangs so I had to place a quickie order with Ericas and true to form, she shipped the day I ordered....
they should be here tomorrow, Monday at the latest.

Now, to make some hanging sleeves.

Art to Heart Mini

2011-08-05T13:32:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it's that time again to do my Art to Heart mini for my mom.....I feel like I just did the July and August and here it is time to get the September and October ones made up.

I did the cutting and fusing yesterday and even got the majority of the machine buttonholing done last night but then there was the draw of the tv (Big Brother) and some embroidery, so here I am today finishing it up.

All I have to do is add a hanging sleeve and pop it in the mail. I will however, finish the October one too so I can save some postage....that's all fused and about 1/3 done with the buttonholing.

I have really enjoyed making these minis this year for my mother....and I know she's enjoying having them around her house.

Peggy

Snow Days Update

2011-07-31T16:21:00.002-04:00

Here's an update to today's earlier post......

I got May, June and July's blocks all made and attached and all the carry over embroidery traced onto the pieced blocks and the blocks above and below.

I still have about 4 or 5 pieced blocks to make that will make up the center of the quilt but the more time consuming part is done.

Snow Days

2011-07-31T14:50:00.002-04:00

Yes, I'm still plugging away on the Crabapple Hill "Snow Days" project.

I do have all 12 months worth of embroidery blocks completed but as we've said from the beginning of this project, this is the project that keeps on giving......

For example.......You would think that this is done....NO!
I have to take this block, attach May's block to the bottom of it and then I have to continue the embroidery from May's block into the June block....THEN when that's done and I attach these to the left side of the center section there is more embroidery to do..... It's a one year project that will probably take 15 months to do.
I do love it though so I'm ok with all the extra work that goes into this project.

Where Have I Been?

2011-07-29T15:49:00.004-04:00

I can't believe I haven't blogged even once since I came back from vacation but the proof is right here....nothing!
Antigua was wonderful. A perfect place to relax and regroup. I did a lot of lounging, sipping ice tea, reading and swimming.
YES, I forgot my lotion the first day so by the end of the 5 days I was peeling like crazy. I did use lotion the remaining 4 days but the damage was already done :(
I don't have pictures yet because I have to find the CD to load the picture program on my new computer. Maybe by the end of this weekend.....Since back and returning to work I haven't gotten a lot done but I have been attempting to work on some yellow 9 patch blocks for my current project.
Here's a picture of some 9 patch blocks done but needing pressing. Some rows of squares that need to be assembled into 9 patch blocks, and also some squares cut up next to my machine that need assembling.

I think I showed you a couple of weeks ago what I was "attempting" to create.....here is 1 16 inch block that will hopefully be part of next summer's quilt for my bed.

The sun has been in and out all day here in NJ so it was a perfect day to stay in and work on this project.

PEGGY

Leaving on a jet plane...........

2011-07-16T18:54:00.003-04:00

Yes, we're leaving in the morning for 5 full days of sun and fun.

I like relaxing vacations where I can swim in the pool, sit in the shade of a cabana and read or do embroidery, eat good food and just plain old relax............The Sandal's Resorts offer just that so at 7am Sunday morning I will be sitting in Newark Airport awaiting my jet plane to Antigua....

Adios till next Saturday!!!!

I'VE BEEN INSPIRED

2011-07-16T13:48:00.003-04:00

To say I'm not a "YELLOW" girl is an understatement, but this yellow Irish Chain quilt that I found on the internet inspired me to purchase some yardage of assorted yellows yesterday and make this exact quilt for myself. Of course when I got to my local shop "Quilting Possibilities" and saw her yellow display I wanted to walk away, mostly because they had so many in such a variety of shades that I didn't know what to do..... I eventually picked 4 I think and the salesgirl Fern wandered around the shop and picked up more. In the end I bought 15 prints and then this morning I cut into them to see how I liked the look.....

Here is my first block.....

I'm doing them 6.5 inches and using a Kona White for the alternating block.

Farmer's Wife Update

2011-07-10T17:03:00.003-04:00

I didn't get a lot of sewing done this weekend but I did accomplish one thing, I did finish sheet # 2 from the Marti Michell conversion chart for the Farmers Wife blocks, AND I started #3. Here are my 4 blocks.

Saturday Sewing

2011-07-09T15:27:00.002-04:00

I did a little sewing today.

I wanted to catch up and do a few extra bowties so I don't fall too far behind especially since I'll be awa from the 17-23rd.

I have 35 and then cut about 20 more out to sew up someday when I get bored.

Did you do any sewing today?

I should have..........

2011-07-05T20:44:00.004-04:00

I DEFINITELY should have gotten more than just this one star block done tonight but I have been way too sidetracked and I'm

a little tired...

I have to make 4 for the top of the Liberty Ridge quilt and 4 for the bottom.....Guess I better pick up the pace a little you think? :)

I got my friend Conni's woolie pincusion today in the mail. She wants us to think "fall" but not halloween. What do you think, scarecrows, acorns, pumpkins, squirrels etc??

I have a month to look at it and come up with something then mail it on to the next girl.... Should be a lot of fun!

Little Flag

2011-07-04T16:21:00.003-04:00

While having my 2nd cup of tea this morning I did a little blog hopping and came across a free pattern for a cute little flag. http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/

Let me just say, I had no intention of making it today but I was itching to start and finish something small today so here it is......

It was a lot of fun to make and took MAYBE an hour to complete....

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!

Patriotic Sewing

2011-07-03T20:11:00.004-04:00

I do think about making myself a patriotic quilt throughout the year but when it's actually a holiday where I'd like to display it is when I remember "oh yeah, I never did get it made".

Last night I was making my July Big 3 list and remembered I had this pattern....so I pulled it out, grabbed the fabric and started cutting it out.

Here's how far I got before dinnertime tonight.....

It needs a neutral border on top and bottom of the ribbon border and then I can make some stars.........
With luck, I have this finished for Labor Day!

Peggy

July 3, 1985

2011-07-03T09:51:00.002-04:00

Yes, I have that date right.....July 3rd 1985 my one and only son was born. He was such a cute little guy. He had curly blonde hair, ate good, slept sooooo good and other than the occasional spitting up on his father's suits when he came in from work, he was a great baby....so it's not surprising he turned into a wonderful adult.

He's away on vacation with his new fiance this week so we won't see him to wish him happy birthday but with all of today's technology that certainly wasn't around in 1985, we were able to wish Dan a happy 26th birthday! See you Tuesday......

Love, Mom

Woolie Pincushion Round Robin-Part 2

2011-07-01T14:53:00.003-04:00

Remember the post I did earlier in the month about the woolie round robin I did this winter with some girls I go to retreat with? Well, we're doing round 2 and oops...today was mailing day :)

Have no fear....I got my act together this morning and got my base made.

The base was actually the easy part. I knew I wanted blue sky and green hills...My biggest fear in picking a gnome was making all his "parts". Little arms, a little face etc. BUT, I got him done and now he's ready for mailing.

I'm very happy with how cute he actually turned out!!!

A Visit

2011-07-01T10:52:00.003-04:00

It was that time again......yes, time for a hair cut and to get the old grey covered up. That usually means a trip to the local hair salon where my "favorite" hairdresser used to work but since she moved to "Posh Hair Salon" in Baltimore, I have to take a road trip when time allows. Since I had off from work, that's just what I did. Got myself all beautifuled up and then.....lunch at "Red Brick Station Restaurant and Brew Pub" in the "Avenue at White Marsh". We sat at the outdoor area and listened to music and coincidentally they were having a hamburger eating contest, so we could hear the DJ and all the folks cheering.
Here's a picture of my hairdressser Jen, my other daughter Sarah and their cousin Shannon.
The girls accompanied me on the trip and while I was getting beautified they dod a little themselves with "feathers" in their hair! It's all the rage right now with the young girls and it's so easy to do and change out whenever the mood strikes. After lunch we wandered around Ikea then t was time to hit the road back to NJ before the holiday traffic hit..... I had a great day with the girls...Hope to do it again soon.

Three Cheers for the Red White And Blue

2011-06-24T23:20:00.001-04:00

I'm getting ready for the 4th of July!!! I've had this pattern for Uncle Sam for quite a few years but a few weeks ago I was looking for a pattern for a friend and came across this one and KNEW I had to do it now....... He fits on a skinny wall in my kitchen between the pantry on the left and the doorway to the living room.

Farmer's Wife Blocks Update

2011-06-24T15:25:00.002-04:00

I'm caught up and I might even be ahead...who knows. These blocks really are addictive and I'm finding them to be a lot of fun!!! I started out doing them in numerical order but I'm finding that when you use the Marti Michell conversion chart instructions and do the blocks she suggests in her order, you only have to take a couple of templates out at a time and it really is much easier. #12 Broken Dishes

# 16 Calico Puzzle

# 20 Churn Dash

# 21 Contrary Wife

# 70 Prairie Queen

I'm Obsessed

2011-06-22T22:35:00.002-04:00

I'm obsessed!!! I thought to myself, "self, just make your one bowtie for today" but while I was cutting out the one I said "what de heck" and kept cutting until it was time to get ready for dinner. So, I'm good till the end of the month and thru the holiday weekend.

I'll have to do the same thing early in July too so I don't behind when I go on vacation.

I Caved

2011-06-22T21:08:00.004-04:00

Yes, I caved.....Anna Lena Land is doing a Summer Bowtie Challenge where you make 1 bowtie a day from the first day of summer till the first day of fall. I don't exactly know how many days that is but I love these guys...and after making these 2 I decided that I'd keep up with them.
Karen gave directions for 6 inch finished and 3 inch finished. I chose the 3 inchers and they are super cute!
Now.....I might not do 1 a day, I may do a week's worth at a sitting because there are days I don't get into the sewing room....so stay tuned as I post pictures of my cute bowties.

Woolie Pincushion Round Robin

2011-06-22T20:22:00.002-04:00

Over this winter the girls I go to retreat with decided that we'd do a woolie pincushion round robin and do the reveal at retreat in May. I don't normally work with wool so at first I thought it would be a HUGE challenge. I made my base and added the flower that's up in the left hand corner. Then I mailed it off. We did not show each other what we added so when I got to Indiana and saw what the other 3 girls added all I could say was "WOW". I love the sheep, bird, rabbit and beehive with the cute bumble bees flying around.
I haven't made it into a pincushion yet but I am planning on it very soon.
BUT.....while sitting around, we decided to do another round. The ideas that were flying around the room were soooo good. Circus, underwater, winter etc.
Below is my inspiration...................... Now to figure out exactly what to do so I can mail to the first girl on or around July 1st..... Any ideas???

Thanks Michelle

2011-06-20T16:25:00.002-04:00

Aw, lookie me, all Red, White & Blue!!! Thanks Michelle!!!

Since I got the new Red computer I've been having problems figuring out how to save downloads and such and got real frustrated last night trying to change my design.... All I did was email my favorite tech support gal and BOOM...I'm up and running and all holiday'd out!

Thanks Again Michelle......

Broken Dishes

2011-06-19T21:50:00.001-04:00

Block # 11 of the Farmer's Wife blocks is called Broken Dishes.

Sadly, it's the only block I got done this weekend but I'm happy to have gotten at least this one.

Back to work tomorrow...but happily, the kiddies are done and it will just be us secretaries.

Everyone have a good week.

Peggy

Father's Day

2011-06-19T14:15:00.004-04:00

First off I want to wish all father's out there a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! My father passed away too many years ago but I do think about him on this and every day. My children's father is a very busy man on his supposed day of rest :) Grocery shopping, lawn mowing, and now he's outside cleaning the pool so he can float for an hour or two, if the sun stays out.

I've been doing laundry, house cleaning and most recently, sewing....

Anyone that knows me KNOWS how obsessed I am with pincushions...primarily homemade ones. I don't care if they're simple squares or very detailed, I love them all.

This past May when I was at retreat I received a kit from Robin for a very CUTE carrot pincushion using wool, wool roving to stuff it and some super cute buttons and pins for decoration. I decided to pull it out and make it up today.....

You can see from the picture that it's not a big pincushion, probably about 5-1/2 inches long but is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen?

I just love it....and the nice thing about it is it took maybe 2 hours from start to finish.....

Do You?

2011-06-18T23:57:00.003-04:00

Do you make a"Top 3" list at the beginning of the month with sewing projects that you'd like to have done that month? I do....and it works out well for me. This month I had 3 things on the list and I finished almost all of them.

1) Assemble TB Churnie Top

2) Assemble black and white baby quilt

3) Catch up with the Starry Night Mystery BOM, cut out my next set of blocks for the Hometown Christmas quilt and catch up with my Aunt Grace 30's BOM...

Well, I got caught up on everything but the Aunt Grace BOM....

I spent the last 2 nights assembling my Starry Night blocks so I am up to date....The blocks are all Kaffee Fassett fabrics with Robert Kaufman black.

I can't wait to see how they get set, but I have an idea in my head how I will set them if I don't like how the designer has me do them......

Now to get moving on the Aunt Grace blocks.....

Peggy

Farmers Wife/The first three

2011-06-11T16:20:00.003-04:00

I figured I might as well look at the first couple of blocks while I waited for the templates to come and decided that I could do at least 1,2 and 4 without them so I pulled some fabrics and got them done.

I don't know if it will bust any 30's stash but who cares....these blocks are so stinkin cute it doesn't matter.

Peggy

Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt

2011-06-11T13:29:00.002-04:00

Well, I've had this book for a few weeks or so, I'm not really sure, but I did buy it after Marti Michell posted that she'd be helping out with the cutting of the blocks in this quilt by using her templates and cutting instructions. The instructions are free by email every 2 weeks.

I signed up and then the other night I pulled the book out and started reading some of the stories. I really hadn't thought I'd do this quilt NOW but maybe sometime in the future. I have 2 sets of Marti's templates and after reading the stories and seeing my 2 buds Robin and Michelle say they were going to start it I thought "what de heck". I have a lot of fabric and a nice variety to choose from. I could do Thimbleberries and keep in the colorway of the author or I could use just random scraps or I could do it in 30's.

I have a TON of 30's prints and solids and truthfully, some have been sitting in the drawer in my sewing room for a good 10 years now....so the choice was easy, 30's!

I did order 4 template sets and I'm just waiting for them to come so I can start.

Are you doing this one?

What size? What fabric?

I am going to go with Queen size. 6x6 blocks = 111 blocks set on pointe! I am going to make this easy on myself though....I'm not making anything that needs an inset seam or looks like it might try my patience. Sewing is supposed to be fun and at my age, that's exactly what I'm going to do...Have fun!!! I'm also going to start at the beginning with block #1 and work my way forward. I don't want to miss anything or get myself confused....

So, I'll be reporting back on my progress, and with luck I can keep up.

Another Finish

2011-06-06T21:34:00.002-04:00

Yes, another finish! This is a 44 x 56 baby quilt in all black and white stash fabrics that I made for one of the teachers in school for her baby that is coming in August. I made her first baby a black and white quilt but added bright pinks and blues and purples. This one she wanted only black and whites. I love how it turned out and I know she will too.
I was thinking I'd maybe get some minkee for the backing but my sensible side kicked in and I decided that I was going to use my stash to back it. Actually, when I thought about hubby seeing another quilt shop bag come into the house I cringed thinking "new fabric vs divorce court" LOL I came to my senses and decided to use a black with white polka dots for the back.....

6 more full days of school for the kids and 3 half days !!! I'm excited for the summer to be here and to have some quiet days at work!!!

Thimbleberries Churn Dash Quilt

2011-06-04T20:50:00.005-04:00

It's been AGES since I dipped into my Thimbleberries stash and even longer since I did one of the kits that I get monthly so when I was going to Indiana in May for retreat I pulled out a recent kit called "Churn Dash Delight" because of all the traditional blocks out there, the Churn Dash is my favorite. I got the kit cut out and 6 of the 12 churnies assembled the last day of retreat but that's as far as I went with it. The other day I decided to make my "BIG 3" project list for June and put this project at the top of the list....mainly because it's going to be a birthday present. The picture quality isn't the best because I took this with my cell phone because I can't find the hardware for my camera to load it on the new computer :(

The colors are not really "me" but hopefully the person they are for will like them. These are all medium and light greens with a BIG yellow and green print for the border and blocks.....

Now to get this quilted.

PS: It finishes up to 76 X 90 so it should be a nice wrap me up on a cool evening type of quilt!

Mama got a new toy

2011-06-04T10:00:00.002-04:00

Yes....mama got a new toy!

Seems my old Dell was acting up last weekend so hubby ordered this new red one :)

Well, needless to say, we found out that it wasn't really the computer, it was our internet server but it was too late "Rosie" was already on her way to me.

The other computer was 5+ years old so it was "almost" time anyway.... I'll keep the other one in my kitchen as a backup or maybe just for recipes etc...

Gotta love a RED computer!!!

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T08:58:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day - a time to remember those that have given their lives so we may be free.

Sewing, Maybe?

2011-05-26T10:54:00.005-04:00

I came home from retreat in Indiana all fired up to sew.....but reality hit when I came home and realized my sewing room was inhabitable. I'd woken up Mother's Day morning and 2 wall cabinets had crashed to the ground and were in pieces.

Hubby and I had to spend half the day buying and packing up rubbermaid bins with fabric. I did hear a few "you are outta controls" uttered from his mouth throughout the process but we plodded along and loaded up my dining room.

We'd decided that the 5 wall cabinets would all be replaced since they'd all gone up at the same time and who knows when the next one would fall and land "heaven

forbid" on

my sewing machine or computer.

esterday our builder friend Vic came with his wife and voile', I have new cabinets.

Today since I'm home, I'm going to empty the dining room of all the bins and reload the cabinets with my "stuff".

And just a side note..."YES, I know

I'm outta control" but I have some help getting there! My BFF's do help with "LOOKIE" emails etc....Here's a picture of some of the gals that help me shop :)

On the Road Again

2011-05-09T18:34:00.002-04:00

Yes folks.......on the road again!!! It's our annual quilting retreat in Camby, Indiana.

I haven't seen 90% of these girls in about a year but the minute we get there and give a big ole hug all around, it's like we just saw one another yesterday.

There will be a lotta sewing, a lotta laughing, eating, shopping and just good ole visiting going on...

So, i'll be back on the 15th late and hopefully Monday I'll have some pictures for you!

2011-05-07T21:54:00.001-04:00

For all the MOTHER'S out there but more importantly for my own mother "EILEEN FOX", Happy Mother's Day. I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing day!!!!!!!!!

10 days

2011-04-29T20:34:00.003-04:00

YES....10 more sleeps until I meet up with Robin and Michelle and we take our yearly trek to Indiana where we will meet up with a dozen other internet friends for 4 full days of laughing, sewing, shopping and eating. Robin is from NY and Michelle is from Delaware so we meet in the middle at my house in NJ and we take the 13 hour drive...which is totally worth it.

I spent last week while I was on spring break from school "kitting" up some projects to take with me.

Now, you don't have to kit them up but it sure gives you a lot more time to sew if you do!

have 2 Christmas projects that I'd like to start with...This "At Home for the Holidays" by Heather Mulder Peterson and "Rectangle Reverie" which was in a Quilts and More magazine back in October.

Recently this Moda Bakeshop pattern called Chain of Faith caught Michelle's eye so one of those dreaded "lookie" emails went out to Robin and I and before you know it I had it kitted up from my stash and in a ziploc bag all ready to take to retreat too.

I have to admit that these are only 4 of the maybe 7 projects I will probably take with me and these are only the "fabric" kits. I kitted up tablerunners from stash woolfelt for the girls as well as pincushion kits and table runners.

If you've never been to a quilting retreat with a dozen or more women, you MUST try and find one and go. Angela, who organizes ours is the hostess extroadinaire.... The food's not fancy and the accomodations are not 5 star, we actually stay at a christian campground...but the friendships and memories are 5 star!!!

As the time draws closer and closer i get more and more anxious to be leaving on that never ending drive.....I wouldn't miss this adventure for the world......and this year, I am doing it in May and again in November!

Thank You Martha

2011-04-25T10:22:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to thank Martha Stewart and my daughter Sarah for the cupcake recipe you see here. YES...hi hat cupcakes were served at my Easter Saturday dinner and some people didn't have 1 or 2...no, someone I think even had 3!!!!!!!!

That chocolate on top is hot melted Hersheys squares with the cold buttercream frosting dipped in and then immediately refridgerated. Talk about heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feel free to head on over to Martha http://www.marthastewart.com/337710/hi-hat-cupcakes and try some and you too can thank Martha for a few extra pounds :) Tell her Sarah sent you!

Peggy

Happy Easter Weekend

2011-04-23T09:13:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter Weekend everyone!!!! What do you have planned? Dyeing easter eggs? Family over to celebrate?

We are celebrating today with my sister and her husband. Tomorrow we are driving to Maryland to my oldest daughter's house and then going to the Yankees/Orioles game :) I know that's a strange thing to do but when you live with Yankee fans you go where they are playing....and since they won't be back in Baltimore at all we're celebrating Easter there....

Hope everyone has a happy day whatever you are doing.

Peggy

FINALLY!!!

2011-04-21T17:02:00.002-04:00

I am soooooo happy to report that I am FINALLY done with this quilt. Now, don't get me wrong, I love how it turned out and I totally enjoyed working on each and every embroidery block but seriously, I started this in July of 2009!

It was a 12 month Block of the Month that I did with a couple of online friends....it took me 21 months!!!

Below is a closeup of the first block we did....

I have the backing fabric and even made the binding already!!! I have to get a little money together so I can send it out for quilting, then I can cross it off my UFO List once and for all!!!

Peggy

Another Giveaway

2011-04-21T15:24:00.001-04:00

Lookie Lookie..........another giveaway: http://www.littlebluebell.com/2011/04/ds-quilts-collection-giveaway.html?showComment=1303413833579#c5346835141922235949

Treasures and Tidbits

2011-04-18T21:00:00.003-04:00

Don't go lookin at this blog http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/ . You will fall in love with the fabric and the pattern and it's mine, all mine!!!!

Julie, how about I just send you my address now?

Peggy

2011-04-18T20:06:00.002-04:00

I have had this magazine open to this page since at least November or December. I absolutely LOVE the "Bliss" fabric line and since I have some fat quarters I decided to start looking around for the border dots and also the first border. NOW, I do have a problem with the grey separator strips as I don't think the grey "goes" so I'm thinking a pink??? I will probably make the blocks up and then decide what color to use instead of the grey. Has anyone else done this project?

Strings

2011-04-16T22:48:00.002-04:00

This is what I did tonight because I just couldn't decide on a project to start.......

Have you been following out there in blogland the talk about the Denyse Schmidt fabric that is supposed to be in Joanns Fabrics starting tomorrow? Seems a lot of the people out there already have some. I was in a Joanns tonight after dinner looking for a template and asked the manager of the store if they were getting any and I got the "blank" stare. I thought she'd have looked in the computer but that wasn't offered. I wasn't sure I'd buy any but I wanted to see what the line looked like and how it felt.

What's the opinion of anyone that bought it? We don't have a local Joanns so I won't be rushing out to get it anytime soon, just curious.

Peggy

Saturday Goings On

2011-04-16T16:18:00.002-04:00

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!! Does it seem like it NEVER stops raining? I am sick to death of rain!!!!

Ok, got that outta my system so now to get onto the Saturday goings on.............

Set up the new wireless printer, made a traveling ironing surface for retreat (27 days!!!), did some laundry, and cut and ironed some scraps to make string blocks.....so while I had the fabric out, I did just that, made 7 string blocks! It was fun too to walk down memory lane and point out which fabrics went with what projects I've done this year. I did notice I did a lot of polka dot and bright stuff this year but it's what I was into....

In the picture, the top 7 are today's and the others are sadly from a year ago :) I've been so bad at keeping up but the way I look at it, there will always be scraps so what's the rush to empty this bin out!

2011-04-12T17:39:00.004-04:00

My friend Angela is participating in the Relay for Life in Indiana. She and her parents are all survivors and is looking to reach a $250 goal in donations. Please stop over to her blog http://thecountrycellar.blogspot.com/ and click and make a donation to fight this terrible disease.

I have lost friends, co-workers and my 26 year old niece to this terrible disease so anything you can do will help. If you go straight from Angela's blog she gets the credit!

Thank you in advance for anything you do....

Peggy

Conni

2011-04-12T17:05:00.001-04:00

Hey Conni........

You came the closest of the 3 guesses with 200!

I will email you privately.

Thank you girls for your guesses....

Peggy

Guess

2011-04-10T15:59:00.001-04:00

Guess how many pinwheels I get from that 1 gallon ziploc bag of triangulations and I'll send you a homemade woolfelt pincushion. I'm starting to assemble now (4:00 est) I will take guesses up to

8PM Monday April 11th!

Peggy

Sunday Afternoon

2011-04-10T12:42:00.004-04:00

Do you remember this pinwheel project? It's called Chocolate and Cream but I'm trying to clean out all my older Thimbleberries fabrics and make room in my cabinets so my Chocolate and Cream is going to be Scrappy and Cream.

I need 314 assorted pinwheels!!! That's a lotta pinwheels but it will also use up a ton of my stash...gotta love using up the stash.

I worked on this project a little bit in January I think, or it could have been February but then I had other projects that needed to be done.

I stopped at 126 blocks but then this morning I decided that I needed to do some more on it because I don't have a fabric color picked out for the setting fabric. The designer used brown obviously but I'm thinking I might like red......after all, it is my favorite color!

So, here are the 126 pinwheels all lined up..... and here's today's pile of triangulations waiting to be ripped and put with the others so I can figure out how many more I need to sew up and decide what color fabric would go the best with mine. Off to rip, rip, rip.....