Binding, Binding, Binding-Part 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.....

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

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.

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.....

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

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

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

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?

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...........

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

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

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

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..........

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

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

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

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

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

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.