Designing all week

Yep, I've been designing one quilt all week...or should I say all morning long for this past week. I worked on this quilt for 2-3 hours every morning. I've submitted this quilt to the magazine, I hope they accept it...it will be a hard one to piece! So, what do you think?
Would you tackle this one?

Today is my final class of "jazzy" valances over at Sew Many Things in Clinton Twp. I'm enjoying learning the correct way to sew valances! 
Happy Sewing y'all!

Again, no picture day

Sorry no pictures today, but I did find my camera. I was very busy this weekend. Friday I began piecing early in the morning and I pieced until 10pm! I was determined to finish and I just kept plugging away.  I was unable to piece the borders on but I did manage to get them cut. Saturday morning, bright and early, I went down to my sewing room and packaged all my supplies up for my valance class. I brought my quilt along with me so that I could piece the borders on to the quilt. I knew I would have time because there were two other students that would need Pam's attention, so I took advantage of waiting time.
As for getting anything done after class on Saturday....did not happen! I was soooo sick to my stomach I could not do anything, I was miserable and uncomfortable. All I managed to do was lay on the couch and channel surf...I found nothing on tv...wouldn't you know it!
Sunday came along and I felt much better. Went to church, came home, made salsa soup for dinner, watched Big Bang Theory (dvd) and then headed downstairs to begin cutting out applique pieces...I don't like applique....but I'm the one who said I would do this quilt so I'm committed....
I was able to get about 30% completed, that is just the cutting out part, not the actual sewing down part. I will have to go up to the Village Quilt shop today and buy the right threads for the job. Hopefully while I'm there Carroll will be able to let me know if he ordered Block Base for me. I hope he did!
I'm also hoping that today I will go work outside in my yard. It is an absolute mess!!! I have not worked on my flowerbeds in weeks again! And the weeds are so high and I can't seem to get control of them. I want to start all over with this flower bed, but who has time for that?
I have a couple of quilt submissions to take care of this week also. I hope everyone is enjoying the last bits of summer, I can't believe school has and is starting back....summer is just never long enough....
Happy Sewing!

Guild Meeting

Last night was Townhall Quilt Guild meeting. I love guild now. At first I did not because I was the "new kid in town" and knew no one. Now, I'm getting to know everyone.  The meeting was fun and our new guild president tried to talk us into a "chinese fire drill" activity...hahahaha no one was going for it! LOL Not a one of us was willing to get up and move around. She tried though and it was a good idea, but the ladies were just gonna move....I think it is funny.
At a recent visit to my one my favorite quilt shops, a student of a class I taught came in. She was not there to see me, but when she saw me she thought it was necessary to tell me that I need to use a different method of constructing triangles for my projects....I had to inform her that I don't care for that method that I like the one I used, and that I've been quilting for 15 years and I've seen that method....I choose to do another one...she was not impressed with me at all...sorry! 
So, when I see that a pattern calls for hst's where you draw a diagonal line on the back of the square and then sew 1/4" seam on either side of the line....I look to see the finished size and use my method...what is the big deal?  As long as your block/units are the right size you are fine! I can chain piece my hst faster with this method, so that is why I use this method.
Yesterday I stopped into the Village Quilt shoppe and asked Carroll (is it two l's or one?) if he could order Block Base for EQ7 for me. I checked EQ7's website and they are on back order. I checked a wholesale distributor's website and they had it....so hopefully he will be able to order it for me.
Today is an all day sewing day! I'm not leaving the house if I don't have to!! I pieced 28 blocks yesterday, and today I need to add the sashing and cornerstones. I also have to cut out my applique pieces. The applique is going on a different quilt, just need to get it moving too....phew....lots to do lots to do....Happy Sewing everyone!

Random thoughts

This past weekend, for some unknown reason, I ventured into my son Chris's room...he is a pretty tidy young man...I can't call him a kid any more...he is 6'2" and he is 19 yrs. old...he no longer fits the "my kid" category..hahaha....
Anyway, I went up to his room looking for something, probably my camera. He likes to use it to film his mini-videos. Oh, now I remember why I went into his room, his bathroom window was open and it was raining outside. So, I go to close his window and I noticed you could NOT see out of it! My thoughts, "Chris, clean off this screen!" I realized what was on the screen...cottonwood fuzz! IT has been there forever! The screen is sooo tiny, there is no reason why he can't do this job. I will tell him today.
Cottonwood: I never knew what cottonwood was until we moved to Michigan. In the spring when these trees bloom and the wind takes the little "fuzzies" away with the breeze, it looks like it is snowing. Yep, and the little fuzzies, seeds, line all up along our driveway, in all of our windows....and make me sneeze! they stick to your screens and you can't see out. Once the trees are done dropping their fuzzies, we can clean our screens...but I guess Chris managed to get away with not cleaning his.
On Friday, I went to Maybellena's quilt shop to meet Sharon to pick up two of her quilts. While I was in the shop I saw the prettiest and easiest blue green quilt to piece. I wanted to take it and wrap up in it. They had the kit for sale, but I did not want to spend the money for the kit, so I bought 2 yards of fabric there, and two yards of fabric at the Village quilt shop...and started piecing it last night. Actually, I'm not piecing it the way they did in Maybellena's...I'm doing my own pattern. I hope it works! And as soon as I can find my camera I will post pictures.
I have 3 quilt projects that are due to QW magazine on Sept. 2. Last night I dreamed all night long that I was teaching people to make these quilts. One particular student was a little boy, who did not listen to me and my instructions. He cut out all the fabric that I gave him in his own way! He ruined the quilt! In a nutshell I had this nightmare all night long!! I would wake up everytime this little boy would show me what he did, get frustrated, roll over and go back to sleep...all night long people, all night long...sigh!
Well, I'm going to go cut my fabric for Quilter's World magazine mystery that is listed on Facebook. I forgot to cut my blocks this weekend...so I better get busy!  Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Raspberry Chocolate!

I began playing with EQ7 this morning.  I was inspired by a new shop that has opened up in Clinton Twp "Sew Many Things". Their business card's colors are pink and brown. So I designed this quilt with their colors in mind:

Raspberry Chocolate

What do you think? It is the same layout as the quilt in the previous day's post, but I changed it up a bit. Not as many blocks to construct...and yes, I know there is a LOT of pink! but remember, you can use any color scheme/layout you desire! Be creative...if you are interested in this quilt. Give me some time to get the instructions together. It would be a nice "quilt along" don't you think? Think about your colors now....could you make with your scraps and have it a variety? Or do you need to control the colors?  I would love to hear your responses and ideas!!
Happy Sewing!

Fabirc is HERE!!

Scrumptous, Scrumptous, Scrumptous!! Love my fabric!! 
I've designed a medallion quilt this past weekend, I've been tweaking it too. There were some things that I forgot to do. Here are a couple of pictures for you to enjoy! I'm actually going to make this quilt from my stash...some how, some way...I'm gonna do this! Once I get everything together and all the instructions written, I will let you know.


Please don't copy this pattern and try to get published...I'm already working with a couple of editors and they are aware of this quilt...so please respect my design and my work. Thank you!! Now for some eye candy!



This is with a solid border
Little bits of Chocolate



Little Bits of Chocolate with blue border



This was the original design, I've changed a few things, such as baskets and colors in the blocks....this is my favorite border though!



This is with all the baskets going in the correct direction so that there is a definite top to the quilt..as you can hang it either way....and I recolored some of the corner blocks.

So tell me what you think?

Happy Sewing!!

Waiting on Fabric!!

Today I'm waiting on fabric to arrive. It should have arrived yesterday! I canceled my serger class that I was signed up for because I thought my fabric was going to be here....it never arrived...maybe it will arrive this morning and I can get busy cutting!  I have 3 projects due at the beginning of September and 1 at the end of September.
Anytime now, fabric can arrive...lol
Yesterday was a blast though, I had a wonderful day. Lots of birthday wishes, one of my best friends took me out to lunch, my boys bought us Jet's pizza for dinner!! and When I walked in to the quilt show board meeting, the ladies started clapping!! HA!! That totally surprised me! I was somewhat embarrassed....I should have broken out into a happy dance, but my mind does not work that fast! LOL I think I would have totally shocked them if I broke out into a dance!! oh I crack myself up sometimes!
I've got about "up-teen-million" quilt designs in my head and I can't seem to focus on one of them....How does one do this? I try to keep a notebook with drawings or printouts, but honestly, because my computer is upstairs and my sewing room is downstairs...I find it hard to stay organized...I leave a paper trail! Any suggestions!? Help please!
Last night our temps dropped down in the upper 50's, great sleeping weather! This morning I'm in my "comfy" warm pants and a light jacket....I'm a bit chilled not being under the covers. I love this kind of weather! The sun is shinning so brightly, the grass is green and the wind is blowing! I'm keeping my house open all day long!!
My youngest son, John, asked if he could sleep on the porch. We have a screened in side porch that my sister, Renee, dubbed as the "passion pit"...don't even ask!! Let me see if I can find a picture of it, bummer! Can't find one. We lost our computer over a year ago and I lost lots of pictures and files. Maybe I will retake a picture of the porch.
So, back to John sleeping on the porch. He went up in the attic and brought down the cot, set it up, sheets, blankets and all. Now sometime during the night, he must have decided it was either too cold or uncomfortable because when I got up at 6:15am he was not on the porch, but in his bed.
Today, I'm going to try to tackle several things....lets see how much I can accomplish. Normally these cool temps inspire me to work. I hope it does today!
Happy sewing everyone!

I made the cover!!!!

Oh my gosh!! I'm soooo excited that I made the cover of one of Fons and Porter's magazines!!! There is a scrap issue, editor told me that it is one of their largest issues, that will be on newstands Sept. 13!!! Dang I'm excited!! And my quilt made the cover!! Thank you Blank fabric for making that quilt shine!! And thank you to Diane at F&P for giving me such a great honor to be on the cover!!!

This is not the cover of the magazine, I don't have a picture of that yet....Maybe she will send me one? I have no idea! LOL But I'm so excited I just can't help myself!!! And to top things off, today is my birthday!!! How sweet is that?! Go buy the magazine when it comes out!! Check out the beautiful fabrics that were chosen!! 
So, for my b'day, I'm going to lunch with one of my best friends Carol. We are going to go to Culver's...my son Steve, just got a job there too. Tonight I get to go take serger lessons at Sew Many Things over in Clinton Township. I'm really looking forward to this. All of this month, August, I'm taking sewing lessons over at this shop. Not quilting lesson, but home dec. I can't wait!!
Well everyone, You have a wonderful day! I'm gonna go play with fabric!!
Happy Sewing!

August is here and we are heading towards mid month....

Sigh...I can't believe August is here and tomorrow is my birthday...that means that we are heading towards mid month...then we head towards September...that means school and fall/autumn temps....oh I don't even want to think about what comes after fall! Make it go away! LOL
I've been working on a quilt in EQ7 that I so want to piece right now! And I bet you if I could just sit down in my sewing room for the rest of this week, with no interuptions I could get it pieced!! I would love to get this quilt published, but I'm not certain where to get started...why? because it is big, lots of paper...paper as in instructions.....so it will not fit in a magazine.....I have not decided if I'm going to show this quilt on my blog yet, I don't want it shared with more people than it should be...just in case I do go through with trying to get it published.
Actually, If I could piece it in a different color pattern, I would at least see if my instructions/measurements are correct...hmmm, now there is a thought....


Another design I've been working on....opinions please?

I really like the looks of this quilt, I've been playing with eq7 for a while, just trying different things out. I came up with this quilt you see above. What do you think? It reminds me of bowling alley shirts??? I don't know why either. And it looks like it should be in the 1950's....So tell me what you think?
Happy sewing!

what to do what to do....

I have so much on my list to accomplish I don't know where to begin. I have a couple of fun things to work on and then I have some "must do"...but they are not fun....what should I do today? Fun or work? Logic says, get the work done so you can have fun! Ok fine, but I'm hungry! I think I will eat some breakfast first. While my bread is toasting I will type for a few moments....I'm posting some homeschool text books up for sale on the vegsource list. I've been wanting to sell these books for a while. Hopefully someone will jump on my prices and take it all!
Last night was wonderful! We had the acteen girls over. We are doing a study called "No Other Gods". With this study we are going to teach the girls how to cook. Most of them know how to do basic things but I was surprised that one did not know how to chop veggies. She knows how to now! She did a fantastic job! We made chopped all kinds of veggies, sauted them and added them to pasta which I showed the girls how to cook your pasta in chicken broth...tastes soooo much better. cooked up some chicken and a dessert and we were good to go! Last night was great!
Today, like I mentioned before I have lots to do. I need to put a customer's quilt on the machine, work on Quiltmaker magazine's project, do submissions..clean my house weed the flower beds ( it is too humid outside though), go to the quilt shop for some "sit and sew" time with friends.
Ahhhh breakfast was good! I love Italian bread toasted! Breakfast was toast, but with Italian bread...I love the texture and the "crunch". Time to get to work people......