The Dreaded Dresden

A Dresden plate block, here we go.  One of my bee hive members requested this block this month and having never done one I wasn't sure about it.  Well, it's awesome!  Yes it takes a bit of time but the result is wonderful (and it was a bonus that she was using the Sugar Pop line from Liz Scott, that I adore).  I did it step by step with the tutorial and it is safely packaged and headed back to Australia by now. I'm not afraid of a Dresden plate block anymore and I look forward to more!

Finally Finished!

This is the first quilt I made after my initial quilt class.  I had it done last year, except for the binding, which I cut too short so I just stared at it in the sewing room while I did other things.  Well, it was an easy fix to mark off the list so one day I got tired of looking at it and just finished it, not to mention it is a Christmas quilt and well, it IS the season!
I used this tutorial from Moda Bake Shop by Karrie Lynne using a couple of jelly rolls.  Tell me what you think!

Love that Mug Rug

So last week we had our December meeting of the Fort Worth Modern Quilt Guild (FWMGQ) and we had a mug rug swap!  I was a bit apprehensive because mug rugs mean binding and that isn't my strong suit but it wasn't that bad. I found a tutorial that made it a bit easier for me - whew! I decided to make this a dual purpose mug rug, one side that would be Christmas-y (I know that isn't a word, but you know what I mean - right?)

And then for the other side I decided to do something, well modern and fresh and not Christmas-y at all. Now I am sorry for the photo on this one.  The chairs were upside down when I took the photo so I had to rotate it for display and it looks a little funky. 

My number was the first one drawn when we started so I had my hands on quite a few of them, fell in and out of love with a good many of them, but am super excited with the one I ended up with.  It was made by the talented (and recently published) Melanie of Texas Freckles. Isn't that hand quilting just adorable? Thank you Melanie!

Even More for the Stash

And yet some MORE fabric with no project attached to it.  I just liked it! The colors are bright and pretty and girly and that, is good enough for me.  Funny thing, when I put this away, I found I already purchased a yard of the pink one (4th down from the top) already. I must REALLY like it.

More for the Stash

When buying these, I had not a thing in mind, and I still don't but I like the fabric. That should be a good enough reason to purchase fabric right? I sure think so. Additionally, everyone seems to be talking about this Echo Fabric so I am just going to sit tight until the "perfect" project comes up and says "use me".

Stash Addition

Hello! I have been busy shopping. The "pre" Black Friday sales, the Black Friday sales and then of course the Cyber Monday sales. Now that they are arriving I have been checking orders received off of the list, making sure everything is included and putting the new fabrics away in the the respective bin (mostly sorted by color). Here are a few photos of some of the new arrivals!

Bento Boxes

Here is a little peek of the start of my Bento Box blocks for a swap due in January.  I love how you can be completely random with these but I must say, I really enjoy piecing.

I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Deal of a Lifetime

Have you ever had a deal of a lifetime? Well I believe that I just happened into one.  A woman had purchased this machine with the intent of retiring with it and making all kinds of wonderful goodness.

But alas, the Bernina 830 came out and her heart was set on the new one.  This machine is only a couple of years old and well maintained and I just couldn't pass it up.

 I have been trying out the buttons and features and was so excited to take one of the first owner's classes that I was ready to go to class on November 8.  The class isn't being held until December 8th. Whoops - good thing I have an understanding boss who let me change my vacation time.

There are so many features I have no idea I have but it will be such fun discovering them.  My most anticipated feature is the embroidery package. I can make monograms and do quilt labels and personalized tea towels and the list goes on.  Do you have an embroidery machine or a sewing machine with am embroidery feature? What project do you most enjoy?

November NuBees Blocks

These are my blocks for November NuBees.  I picked this block for the University of Illinois quilt. Andrea is making a surprise quilt for a big U of I fan and I wanted the fabric to really show up.  This block took longer than I expected to make but not bad for my first friendship star! Making those HST's took a while but I discovered the sew it all around and make 4 cuts method instead of draw the line, sew twice, cut and only get 2 HST's.

The Flannel Quilt

My niece lives in a cold climate and needs a warm quilt so I am almost done with this one for her.  I used lavender, gray, yellow and white.  Last week an evening was spent using applique to affix her name and make it personal.  Flannel is a different sort of material for me.  It seems to stretch a bunch.  Before embarking on my first ever flannel project, here are the popular tips I collected from various websites and I believe they served me well.

When working with flannel:

• pre-wash fabric in hot water (to minimize shrinking)
• use magic sizing, not starch
• press all seams open
• use a 1/2" seam allowance
• begin the project with a new needle