Happy Easter

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter.

New Stitchchery Project

One of



 my favorite quilting magazines is American Patchwork and Quilting.  When I see it in mailbox, I know that I can have a nice relaxing evening going through it and picking out new projects.  The problem is that I don't need to  pick out new projects, I need to finish projects that I already have started.  However, in the latest issue there was a cute stitchery pattern that I wanted to do. 

The stitchery is Sweet Sachets and is a perfect spring time project.  There were three different versions shown, so of course I automatically traced two of each one, so that gave me six new pieces to work on.  I have finished two an almost have the others complete.  They are going to be backed with 30's fabric and there is white rick rack trim.  I even have home grown Lavender to fill them with.  I had wanted to get them finished for Administrative Professionals Day, but that isn't going to happen.  I will keep a couple and give the rest to friends. 

Early finish for April UFO

Finally a UFO finish before the end of the month.  I started this Turning 20 last summer from a fat quarter pack that I had in my stash for ages.  I always knew that I would probably give it to someone, just didn't know who.  When my principal announced earlier this year that she was retiring, I knew exactly who I would give it to.  She has always wanted one of  the quilts that I donate to Relay for Life each year.  I had always told her I would  make her one when she retired, not realizing just how soon that would be.  I can't wait to see the look on her face when she gets it.

Time to work on the wardrobe

 The first type of sewing I ever did was fashion sewing, and I still really enjoy it.  When I was growing up my mom made our clothes to save money, that really isn't the reason today.  As expensive as fabric is, you could probably buy most things for less than you could  make them.  I still prefer to make my pants, because I can get a much better fit, and can get what I want.  I just finished a pair of navy blue linen pants and have the blue textured linen fabric to the left to make a vest.  I am making the long  buttoned version.  It shouldn't take too long, it is a Vogue Very Easy pattern, but sometimes those can me misleading.

I just finished the black rayon dress to the right, I know the photo

is awful.  It looks like a black and white sack hanging there.  It was a new pattern from company that I have never used before and I was hesitant about making it.  I have to admit that it fits better than a lot of dresses I have made and was really easy to make.  Once I finish the vest, above, I have another pair of pants and a shirt to make.  That will probably be it for my summer wardrobe sewing. 

Look out Webster's

 This weekend was Thimbles weekend, and I needed it so much.  I had been looking forward to it all week, when I got there after school, Kristie was already there, and Becky had been there all day.  It took a while for the rest of the regulars to trickle in. I was trying to finish up my patches and pinwheels from Bonnie Hunter that I started last year, it is one UFO that I am determined will be finished before the end of the year.  While working on it, I had to take time out to visit with everyone and see what they were working on, plus all of the wonderful show and tell.  Here is Kristie with one of her finished quilts.  She is showing off her very own quilting.  Way to go Kristie.



Karen's quilt made with the twister ruler.



The back of Karen's quilt, with its very own Schnibbles backing.Who would have thought?

Sarah's paper piecing blocks, they are gorgeous.



Karen's beautiful jelly roll Lilac Hill, and of course she is making a Schnibble to go on the back of it. 

It is thanks to  Karen that we can be on the look out for a new word.  If you read Karen's blog, you will know all about her aversion to applique.  When our leader, Pat, was showing one of her new patterns (I can't show that) and Karen saw the applique she said she couldn't start it until she found the right stapler.  I quickly coined the new quilting method, staplaque. I think she might be on to something if she can just figure out what to do with those rough edges from the stapler. I am anxious to see her first finished piece. 

Surprise find

Last week while at home with my mom I was surprised to find a quilt top made by my great grandmother.  The blocks were hand stitched in the 1930's by my great grandmother and stitched together in the 50's on the machine by my mom.  I had no idea that my mom had this.  It was really neat to listen to her tell me about all of the fabrics that were used in the quilt.  Each block was made from fabric that originally had been used in clothing or was left over from making a piece of clothing.  After seeing this I asked my mom if there were any other quilts and she brought out a huge stack of blocks.  There were about 50 blocks, you can see the stacks below.  I asked my mom why she didn't sew them together, but she said she wasn't going to waste her time.  I then asked if I could have them and she said of course she wasn't going to do anything with them.  How lucky!!  I did leave them at her house, to pick up the next time I go home.  I made sure to wrap them in tissue and put them in a box with my name on it, just in case something happens. 



I love the plaid and floral fabric in the block on the right.  There were about 10 from that same fabric. 



Need a vacation, from my vacation

 Last week our spring break finally arrived, and not a day too soon.  We had not had any time off since our unexpected week off in January due to the snow.  I headed to Mississippi to see my mom on Saturday, DH drove over in his car to help do some odd jobs around my mom's house.  It turned out to be more than odd jobs, her deck needed rebuilding, along with work on a fence, a door, and numerous other odd jobs.  One thing my mom doesn't need help with is gardening, she has beautiful plants.  Her azaleas were in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous.  Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday were spent in manual labor.  I have the best DH in the world to drive all the way to Mississippi to do work for his mother in law.  He was well fed, my mom had made two pies, his favorites:  chocolate and coconut cream, plus lots of other goodies for him to eat.  Monday was stormy which meant we didn't work outside.  Hubby and I went to the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.  It opened about 5 years ago, and this was our second visit.  Corinth was the site of a  major battle during the war, and is only about 20 miles from where the Battle of Shiloh took place.  If you are ever in the area and enjoy Civil War sites this is a great one.

This is at the entrance to the museum.

This is the tranquility pool that features a marble block with the name of each major battle during the war.



Flags flying in front of the incoming storm clouds.

On Tuesday, DH headed home.  I kept busy doing some other odd jobs  for my mom. My original plan was to head back on Thursday, however  a cousin was killed on Thursday morning which changed all of my plans.  I didn't get back until Sunday, which  means that I didn't do anything that I had planned at my house.  Oh well, there is only seven more weeks of school, plenty of time this summer.

International Tatting Day

April 1st, in addition to being April Fool's Day, is also International Tatting Day.  Tatting is another one of my hobbies.  I have always admired tatting, and several years ago was presented with the opportunity to take lessons.  I will admit it was one of the most frustrating things I have ever learned how to do.  Once I go the hang of it, I really enjoyed it.  I have made lace for sheets, pillowcases, and tea towels.  It is very portable and inexpensive, compared to some of my other hobbies.  If you ever have the opportunity to take a tatting class I would highly recommend it.