learning to sew - lesson three

Two of my three young friends returned for a third lesson yesterday. They decided they wanted to make pillowcases. They have become quite comfortable in my sewing space. Ironing...

 Pinning...

 And sewing of course. Today's lesson included a group trip to Hobby Lobby to pick out their own fabric. They made wonderful choices...

 Sometimes things get a little silly...

 We found ourselves with plenty of time left over, so the girls rummaged in my Christmas stash and each made a Christmas pillowcase too!

 Nice work girls!

fun swap!

Sally and I have been reading and commenting on each other's blogs for a long long time. A few weeks back, we decided to do a little swap. I had so much fun putting together a bundle of goodies for Sally! You can read more about it here on her blog .

And yesterday this happy jumble of goodness arrived in my mailbox...

 This beauty is actually a pillow cover, but Sally said I could hang it as a mini quilt if I want to. Oh such a big decision!!!! But I do think it will look awesome on my wall of minis. Planning to get the ladder out this weekend and add it to my collection.

 These awesome crocheted hot pads will be so useful and pretty too. And the little fabric basket is going to hold my earrings I think.

 I have been eyeing up these cathedral window pin cushions online for a long time but have not attempted to make one. Isn't this one fabulous? I love it very much.

Thanks Sally! That was so much fun.

it's about time!

Yesterday I was cleaning rummaging in my sewing room closet and I came across these blocks which I had forgotten all about. Go ahead and look, I'll wait. Cute huh? and did you notice the date on that post? Yup, it was TWO YEARS AGO! Oops. I probably should have put these together by now!

So, that's what I did. Quilt top ready to be quilted. Just in time for Halloween!

Do you ever find half finished projects that you've forgotten about? Please tell me I am not alone!

Hoping all of my bloggy friends who live back east are safe and dry. You are in my prayers....

happy birthday...

My handsome son turns 20 today! So proud of him and all that he has accomplished already. Happy Birthday Steve! Love you so much.

ticker tape parade

I can finally show you my finished ticker tape quilt! A whole year of work and I love it!

Today we had a "ticker tape parade" at The Quilt Asylum. All of us who had finished our quilts brought them to share. We looked at all of them and voted for our favorite. That was HARD! They are all so beautiful, and, once again, very different.....

 In the end, Lois won the vote with this gorgeous quilt!

Oh, there was another prize too. Every month, if you didn't finish your blocks, you paid money into a kitty (actually it was a tin with Joan Jetson on it. Do you remember the Jetsons?) If you DID finish your blocks, you got to put your name in the drawing. Well guess who won Joan Jetson? ME! I was shocked!

What a fun project. We've started on our next monthly challenge, a row quilt along. I'll share that with you as we go. Congrats to Lois, your quilt is so awesome!

Kaffe swap block show and tell

What a good time I had at The Quilt Asylum today, seeing everyone's Kaffe quilts. It's hard to believe we all started with the same stack of blocks (basically!). I love love love to see how everyone puts them together differently. Bonnie said this is the first time she's done a pieced back (top right) and I think it came out just beautiful. Amazing what different sashings, setting blocks and borders can do to create totally different quilts. So much inspiration!

We're taking a break from our block swaps until after the first of the year. I'm so glad I got involved in this group this year. It has pushed my creativity one step farther!

a new love...

Look what came to live at my house!

 It's a Janome Memory Craft 6600 that has been well loved and cared for by a friend of mine. She is getting a different machine so she put this one up for adoption (ok, she's selling it, but doesn't putting it up for adoption sound kinder? Maybe?). She was nice enough to let me take it home yesterday to take it for a test drive and I'm in love. I've decided to keep it! Aren't I lucky?

 Today I made another church ladies apron, my first project on my new machine.

 Look! I even tried out one of the fancy stitches on the pockets...

 This will be hopping in the box with the stockings I showed you the other day.

I'm feeling very very lucky right now! Happy weekend everyone!