Thursday, December 31, 2009

Neat Tip


On this cold, dreary day I have gone back and forth between sewing, packing for the show and surfing the web.

While on the surfing part, I can across a neat tip. I don't remember the site and I apologize for

copying their tip, but I thought it was worth passing on.

Every time you quilt you have scraps of batting left over. A good way to use them up is to cut them to fit your swiffer dust mop. They work great for dusting and if you dampen the cotton you could mop with them. Since the batting would probably be thrown away, this is a great way to get more use out of them.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Smoky Mountains




There is nothing like waking up in the Smoky Mountains to lift your spirits.



It is a beautiful crisp morning here. Our entire family along with Steve's girlfriend Denise and her mother and sister are here. It is new tradition that we are starting, making different memories at Christmas.




I only got to window shop on Christmas Day to get my quilting fix for the day. We went by Cherry Pit in Sevierville, just to look at the window displays. I will miss a visit as they are closed until Monday.



Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas

I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy on this Christmas Eve.
This year is very different for me than past years. It is the first time I will be without
my parents. I have missed them terribly today but we are starting new traditions and moving on. My family has been very agreeable to trying new ideas.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped me through this past year.
I never dreamed it would have been as difficult as it has been.
It has been wonderful to have so many quilting friends that have been there for me and my family. I think the quilting world has the most generous, kind people there are.
I know my closest friends are those I have met through quilting.

Enjoy your family and the holidays and be safe.
We have much more to do next year.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Snow and Embroidery Items.

We were blanketed yesterday and last night with 6-8 inches of snow.

It is wonderful to sew with everything so quiet outside. I have really enjoyed my sewing room at the shop.

This is a picture of my shop with all of the snow and beautiful Carolina blue sky






There are so many talented ladies in the area who have embroidery machines. I have debated buying one, but I don't feel that I have the time to devote to it at this time.


Janey James is a good friend and a very creative friend. She brought me a great gift of a
tote bag that she created. The embroidery is so nice. She uses her machine all the time for great projects such as this. This is going to be so nice to take to the quilt shows. It won't tip over and all my stuff fall out.




Another friend, Becky Henderson, gave me a great gift of kitchen towels. She was so clever and kind to make me a pair that matched my shop kitchen perfectly. I was thrilled to get them.

Becky is another one that makes good use of her machine. She is always adding embroidered elements to her quilts.















Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Wing Clipper

As most of you know when I get in a new product, and if I like it, I am like an evangelist.
I feel that everyone should know about it.

That is the case with the new Wing Clipper ruler that came in yesterday. You can trim flying geese and they will turn out perfect. It will trim up to 10 1/2 inch blocks.


The new block of the month has quite a few flying geese and I put them aside until I got the new ruler. I finished two blocks in short order after using the trimmer.
The rulers are $18.00 and I have a good stock of them at the shop
and they will be for sale on the website.







Saturday, December 5, 2009

Rainy Day... Four Patch Posie

Nothing to do but sew on this rainy day. My grandson who is nine, ran in a 2K this morning and he was the winner.



















Denise Schulz has got her Four Patch Posie together and she designed her own layout which is very unique. I like the way the edges are angled.


Friday, December 4, 2009

Welcome

I welcome you to my new blog. I have a lot of great ideas and products that come my way that I would like to share with the quilting world. This will be a better venue to keep quilters updated with what's going on in the shop and new ideas that I think you would enjoy.

It is getting close the end of our Block of the Month program and everyone is picking up their blocks getting prepared to put the quilt together.

I am starting the new Block of the Month, "Back to Nature". I get so excited with everyone of the blocks. I finished the first one yesterday and it is so rewarding to see the fabric come together to make such a colorful block.