Guild presentation

     For the next three years, my friend Elizabeth and I are program co-chairs for our guild, Kenmore Quilters. We have put a lot of time in beforehand, and we started our first program last Monday. We decided that people are not sure how to find something they are inspired by and draft a pattern to make it theirs and to figure the yardage. Elizabeth and I combed the internet looking for worksheets to record and help, but what we found, even to buy, was not real helpful. So, we designed a whole set of sheets and copied them for our members. The presentation started with an inspiration photo, then graph paper, then the same block done in three sizes to make 3 quilts. We will be following these up with more design exercises. 
   Next time up is half square triangles in February.

Time to make the cards and send 'em out!

     I always think I get will get caught up making cards. Wrong. Between birthdays and sympathy cards, my little pack was wiped out. So, with the fabric Mod Podge, I crafted some more...and mailed them out!

Friday Finishes

     I made myself put up the display stand and photo two quilt finishes- the butterfly top, the denim quilted. I decided on the butterfly borders and now need to find a backing and figure out how to quilt it.

     I love everything about denim. This pattern prevents bulky seams and it quilted like a dream. I want to make a larger version. The denim really shows off quilting, and consequently, all my wobbles.

Back

Details, love how denim shows the patterns

Details, back

Clean as a whistle

     Two machines came my way to give a spa treatment. The Singer 66 was a bit dirty, dusty, needed a new belt, but mostly polishing and oiling. Sews like a dream. My friend found it at Savers for $7.00. I showed it in its dirty state here. She has to find a home for it. The case was cleaned, given a coat of Minwax Antique Oil finish and buffed. Just lovely.

My favorite! No smell or harshness

    The other machine, a Universal SAMP, was the crudiest I ever have cleaned. It had oily dirt and a thick orangish brown crud was on every metal part and also on the paint in places. My favorite go to cleaner is Krud Kutter. It has no smell and dissolves it quick and completely. Many rags and wooden sticks later, the machine emerged. It had been totally frozen up. I got everything to move with copious oil and heat. However, I had to buy the manual online in order to figure out the straight stitching. I would have never figured it out. It was like, push this lever to the right, turn this dial here, push the lever back to the left, etc. Total madness. However it sews with a very strong motor. Not my favorite machine, although very soundly built. I was pining to sew on my simple 301 which I did today. 

I always take the bottom of a jean leg and turn it into a pouch for the cord and and foot controller so they don't scratch
the machine paint.

Framing the butterflies

     I was given a lovely embroidered butterfly panel. I cut off the edges and decided to add a series of borders. Adding the thin blue one was easy. Next, I puzzled out the green. Finally chose a hand dyed green and now am searching for something to be the last and widest one. The purple is just not doing it. I tried two different ones. Have to keep searching and digging. Hmm. Sewing takes no time compared to finding the right fabric.

Pushing through Chaos

     Although I always try to be organized, have set places, and put things away, the sheer amount of projects and all the attended steps make me feel like I am walking in hardening concrete. When I did my goals at the beginning of the year, I decide to cut out the yarn. I am going to concentrate on quilts and watercolor painting.
     I used to make funky scarves and necklaces with yarn and beads. I gave all the beads away to a friend who makes jewelry. I pulled all the yarn out of my cupboards and sorted them by types and put them on the counter in my room. I asked my daughter in law and a fiber artist friend to help themselves to what they liked. All I was left with was 4 baskets that I need to find homes for. I feel lighter after that even though it took all day.

All set out in the daylight

What is left, now it is dark. Gotta find someone for those last bins.

      When I was done with the yarn chaos, I turned my attention to finding/piecing backings for all my waiting quilt tops. I had to pull out all kinds of fabric and puzzle the choices and how to piece them together. Halfway through, I went and ordered some backing on sale at Connecting Threads so I did not have to piece everything. Here is some of last quilts searching for backing. More chaos. I need to get it all picked up so I can roll out batting and get it all cut for all the quilts I made the backings for. More walking in concrete.

Things just get stashier

    When visiting my daughter the week after Christmas, I made it to Fox's Sew and Vac in Meadville, PA and Needleworks in Saegertown, PA. Both stores had different and wonderful selections. I found the fabric for my new OBW and other goodies. Needleworks had a buy 1 yard and get one free. I had a great time and look forward to using them.

Animals for a grandson pillowcase, text for my text fabric collection (looking for an idea), teals for daughter's new king size quilt, and a funky water themed fabric

Funky nature scene, great border fabric and a gift of vintage machines some of which I own.

New OBW fabric, colors not great in photo- 
much more orange and brighter