It's been a very busy week!

I flew home Friday from meeting Junior Miss so I could gather my sewing supplies to attend another quilt class on Saturday at the LQS.  Middle child wanted to make this Elanor Burns quilt so she signed us up for the class.  I don't know about you but sometimes it is more fun to spend the day sewing with ladies with the same likes as you than to read the instructions and sew by yourself!  Plus if we sign up for a class, we are more prone to finish the project than not.  Classes are only $10 and if I don't have to open the book while I am in class, I feel it was worth my time to attend!
Here's middle child posing for me.

Here are some of her blocks.  No wonder she is smiling!  Look at her points!

A pic of Bobbi (owner of LQS) and our instructor for the day, Lisa.  You can see the book we followed is one by Eleanor Burns called Day and Night.  The quilt reminded me of some patterns that use the X-Block.  After you make your original quilt, you have pieces left over that will make other things.

This is how far I got during class.  Now to find time to sew on my borders.

Saturday Run to SLC

I will admit that I still had that beautiful chair on my mind when my daughter asked me to head to SLC to shop for some fabric for our next quilt class.  Since I was driving and she didn't know where many fabric shops were, I decided to head back to Gardner's Village.  They have a quilt shop AND they had that chair!
Took some more pics of the witches that were on display.

Headed to the quilt shop and none of the fabric caught middle child's eye.  She was looking for batiks.
And sad to say.....my chair was in the back of the store all wrapped up and ready to go to someone else's home instead of mine!  At least it made the decision very easy---do I buy it or not????  The shop owner said she could order me another one but it would take 6-8 weeks to be made and shipped.  I'm not that patient and I figure that in another month or so I will have forgotten about this one and go find something else to love instead.  (And hopefully something cheaper!)


Here's a pic of middle child with her version of the purse we made this past week!  She did a great job!


My Sunflowers in the Rough is back from the quilters.  I now have to add the binding.  Hopefully it will be hanging in the house before Fall is over..........

Another purse class-"It's all about me"

Last night I took another purse class with my daughter.  It was a small class, which made it nice to get quicker one on one time with the instructors.
Here's my daughter telling me not to take her picture.  She also has on her "safety glasses".  I was happy I had on my own safety glasses after breaking a needle trying to sew through some bulkiness!

Bobbi and Char have a wonderful quilt shop!  This is the teaching room of the store.  Look closely and you can see the BOM for this year.  They are very generous with their blocks.  If you come every month and have your block sewn, you get the next month's block free.  That means you could actually make a quilt for only $6 because you only pay for the very first block.

Middle daughter and I were able to actually get most of the purse made while at class!  Yes!

I hate going to classes and bringing home unfinished projects so I got up this a.m. and topstitched the top of the purse and put on the flower.  I was going to use different fabric but was lucky enough to have my new Authentic from Sweetwater arrive yesterday in the mail!  Hence the red button on the flower...my other fabric was red and black.  I think it gives it a certain "pop".....or I am telling myself that until I can go check out some green buttons for the center.

Here's the pattern we used.  Geralyn is a local gal who is just starting her own pattern company with her sister.
One thing I learned last night was that Nancy's Notions has fusible piping.  I didn't know there was such a thing but it sure made it quick and easy to sew the piping into the purse!  

Did I tell you who I met?

Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup! Oh Yes! I was excited! Barbara came to our LQS to do a class and trunk show. I was able to make it to the trunk show and was so glad I did! Aren't these quilts fabulous?! Barbara makes quilts with big applique blocks so they are quick and easy. My quilt, "We Be Jammin" is a Quilt Soup pattern. It's hard to tell from a pattern picture how beautiful or cute a quilt can be so I loved seeing the trunk show. Sad to say that Barbara's newer quilts were traveling without her to other shops but what we saw were "WOW!". I enjoyed hearing the stories behind each quilt she held up. It really made the quilt come alive when you heard her talk about how each quilt came to be. She also has a blog, you may enjoy reading. You can find it here. Enjoy! (I just wished I hadn't been sitting on the 3rd row with heads in the way!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another purse class

A few weeks ago I took another purse class at the LQS. I finished the bag that night but never got around to sewing the strap together. But here it finally is!

This pattern is from Indygo Junction called Grids & Grommets. There are 2 sizes of bags you can make. Mine is the smaller one. Perfect for fun Spring/Summer days. The bigger bag would be wonderful to use as a beach bag (if you have a beach) or a diaper bag OR for those ladies that just love BIG bags! I thought I needed the bigger bag until I saw how large this small one opens up.

In taking classes like these, yes, you could always follow the directions but I love being able to go to a class and have the teacher tell us how to make the pattern instead of actually having to read it myself! It was a fun night being with a good friend and chatting with all the other ladies!

 

 

2009 BOM

Our LQS has an annual BOM program that is fantastic! In January, you attend the first meeting and pay $6 for the first block (you get the pattern and fabric at that price!). If you bring it back sewn the next month, then you get that next month's block FREE! Meaning you could very well make a whole quilt for only $6 if you don't miss any of the meetings. As in years past, you can either make a traditional quilt or make an applique one. If you want to make both, you just pay the extra $6 for the other kit. I talked my middle child and dil into joining me this year for the fun. Both have such talent!!! What's really fun is that they don't even realize how good they are at sewing! My middle child is making the traditional quilt. Her block is the upper top one. It's so perfect! My dil, who has never really sewn before is doing the Noah quilt. Her's is the pastel block. I worried about her trying to tackle a major project like this since she had never appliqued before and she tells me that she hadn't sewn much growning up but it is so beautful! Her stitches are gorgeous. I am so proud of both of them. It just goes to show that if you put your mind to doing something, you really can accomplish it. This upcoming Saturday is our next meeting. I'm eager to see what the next blocks are going to look like!

And I have to share the news.......I am making the other Noah block for my other dil. She has mentioned several times that she wants a jungle theme for a nursery if she ever got pregnant. Well, on Sunday we got the phone call!!!! I'm going to be a gramma again in October!!!!!!! Now if I could only convince them to move closer...

 

What do you think of our snow? This fell a couple of days ago. It's still winter wonderland around here.

Purse class

Last night I took a class at my LQS. They are going to be having a monthly purse class this year. January's class was to make "The Angel Bag". You can find the pattern on the sidebar here. My fabric was from Timeless Treasures "Daisy-C". I had never attempted making a bag before so I was glad I went to the class. Now I know how to put in magnetic snaps to close a purse. I also learned how to make a stiffer handle with webbing. All in all, I was quite pleased with the results. I just wished I would have brought my camera...each purse turned out so cute and different!

Here's the treat we got at class. A little purse with chocolate!

Inside of bag. I have to say, I love love LOVE this fabric!

The finished purse. Not sure if I want a fabric flower on it or not.

 

I don't think I showed anyone my Christmas present. The Honey outdid himself this year! I would have never guessed that he would buy this for me AND get me the embroidery module that goes with it too! I am frustrated with the embroidery software since my laptop has Vista and I am having trouble with my computer not recognizing everything is plugged in but I have used Honey's laptop to play with it and I have to admit, I can see this becoming a fun toy to have! I love that man!