I Won!...Part 2

Yesterday I went to The Mountain Quiltworks and did a little shopping with my "winnings".
As promised I took a picture of all the blocks that were entered in the challenge.
These blocks are going to make a beautiful quilt!

And oh yes I saw this too....



A 1947 Singer Featherweight for sale.....NO, I didn't buy it :(
(I think I just heard my hubby sigh in relief)....but thought if any of you are interested in purchasing a Featherweight I would take this picture and post it here for you.

You can get in touch with Amy, the owner of quilt shop here for any details.
I did not sew with the machine but I do know Amy has an excellent reputation concerning her shop and selling sewing machines.

OK as far as shopping is concerned this is what I bought...

A triangular ruler rack....

the cutting area in the sewing room is better organized now and a little more spacious.....ahhh!
much better!! (No laughing Patty!)


And I bought fabric of course :)
Fabric for the Floral Delight Quilt.
The background fabric I bought online at thousandsofbolts.com at a VERY reasonable price.
I spent quite awhile at the quilt shop deciding on what I would like to choose as a color theme for the Floral Delight quilt.
Right away I went to my usual choice of the darker, warmer shades of red, green and blue and I must say I still do love these colors...but then I saw the Civil War Homefront fabric designed by Barbara Brackman and the Old Primrose Inn fabric by Blackbird Designs and thought "I really love these colors!" Browns, mauves, burgundies, mossy green, a warm teal blue and then some lovely rich gold...I'm also thinking of a nice plum color would be nice, but have yet to find the fabric.

I'm nervous about the color choices but I'm excited too and must say I am feeling more comfortable with the colors this morning and after having a few pieces of chocolate last night ;)

For the past several years my quilting life was involved charity quilting and teaching, so quilt production needed to be high....kids needed (need) quilts and quilt shop owners needed samples to fill classes. Classes, shop owners and bright colors for kids dictated my quilt choices.

I would like to start slowing down my quilt making process, more hand work, which I so enjoy, perhaps create something of heirloom quality and definitely step out of my box and try different color choices.
My goal for the next year is to find my true "quilter" self again in between getting some pesky UFO's finished.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I would like to be more creative and less productive, does that make sense?

Of course the Chix came by last Monday for some sewing :)
It was time again for some charity pillow cases!

Nuts decided to nap under the warm lights but couldn't seem to fit his tail in the basket!

Willow, once again, felt the lighting in the sewing room is far too bright for napping!

Those Chix when not sewing here are busy at home sewing away at Christmas gifts...

Dolly's Cathedral Window pillow foundation

...and some pretty placemats yet to be quilted.

I finished knitting a pair of socks for my Dad...hope Dad likes these colors as much as I do.

And speaking of Christmas, my dear quilting friend in Texas, Patty, stitched and sent me an early Christmas gift!

A quilted advent calendar along with the hanger!!
Patty and I love snowman and I just LOVE this wall-hanging!
Thank you again Patty, love and hugs to you Girlfriend :D

Best wishes and stitches everyone!!

I Won!!

Amy, quilt shop owner of The Mountain Quiltworks just called me and said "you're the winner of the challenge and a $50.00 gift certificate!"

YIPEEE!!!!

I entered a quilt block challenge at my local quilt shop, this was the first time I ever entered a quilting contest.
I have always been intimidated by these things and when Amy asked if I would like to join this year, I finally said "what the heck!"

Here's the challenge fabric



I was allowed to add 3 more fabrics to the challenge fabric, this is the block I made....

I added the background fabric, the green for the leaves and stems and the purple for the flowers.
The red flowers and butterfly were made from "fussy" cut challenge fabric.

Amy had 24 blocks entered in the challenge and now will sew the blocks into a quilt, the quilt will then be auctioned and the proceeds given to charity.

Thank you so much Amy and kudos to you for your charitable quilt work!

Best wishes and stitches everyone!

See Serena and I Sew

Serena from See Serena Sew...with Spirit and I are going to start stitching a quilt in 2010...

...this quilt!

A quilt designed by Lori Smith from "From My Heart to Your Hands". The pattern is called Floral Delight: A Celebration of Applique. (Click on the picture for a closer look)

I purchased this pattern a few years ago and just haven't taken the time to make it....I still love this quilt even after all these years and am excited to be finally stitching it and better yet with friends!
We will be starting this quilt on Jan. 20, 2010, (my birthday) and plan to hand stitch an applique block and a star block per month, until the quilt is completed.

Debbie, one of the Chix in Stix is going to join Serena and I in making this quilt and I would like to invite anyone else out there in blogland to join us.
It will be fun to share pictures of our blocks, share our stitching techniques (either hand or machine), our fabric choices and keep each other motivated through this quilt making process....maybe we can even swap some fabric :)

Please email me or leave a comment here or over on Serena's blog if you plan to make this quilt also. You don't need to have a blog to join in.

On Saturday, hubby and I went to a family birthday party but before arriving at the party we stopped at Where Victoria's Angels Stitch in Clifton, NJ.
WVAS is a cross-stitch shop and I shopped!
This shop is fantastic and has everything a stitcher could possibly want or need.
This is what I bought.....



This is my absolute favorite chart! A sheep in disguise!

I am so excited I found this frame at the shop....this is a "fanny frame"!
(available from the shop or Hardwicke Manor Hoops)

I usually like to "hold" my linen fabric or baste it to a scroll frame while stitching, but lately I am having pain in my hands, and am finding it difficult to stitch for any length of time.
This frame is placed on your seat and then under your leg or (ahem!) "seat" then the height of the frame is adjusted and you stitch away, without the need to hold fabric or a frame.
Awesome!
The hoop band on this frame is wide and hardly leaves a mark on the fabric...although the stitchery should still not be left in the frame while not stitching.

If you click on the picture you can also see the nifty, pretty little magnetic needle holder I like to use for stitching or hand quilting....I always know where my needle is with this little gadget :)


This is the latest progress I have made on the Grand ABC Sampler...one and a half sections to go!


Today was another Chix in the Stix fun day Monday :)
Dolly finally came to her senses and came home from Europe last night....at last she has her priorities back in order ;)
Seriously though, she had a great trip and we are very happy to have her back home!

Here's the Chix show and tell....

Debbie's version of "Pumpkins for Sale" (not yet quilted)

A table runner that Audrey made

A quilt that Debbie pieced and I quilted today, for her Grandson.

And this is Dolly who snatched and wrapped herself in the quilt as soon as it came off the frame....Dolly was suffering from just a "tad" bit of jet lag and just wanted to sleep!


This is another wall-hanging I just finished from Cottage Creek Quilts.

I hope you enjoyed the "Show and Tell" :)

I would like to wish everyone the Happiest of Thanksgivings.
I am so thankful for all of you who read my blog.
I am also so thankful for my family and friends.
God Bless you all!

And "The Boys" are thankful we don't like to eat wild turkey!


Best wishes and stitches everyone!