Cleaned up my sewing room!

My sewing room is the largest bedroom in our house after the master. I have it set up pretty well but wish I had a bit more space. Cleaning it up basically means putting my fabric back in the cubbies that gets left out at the finish of a quilt or auditioning for a quilt. Pattern books that I bring back upstairs and pile up on the surfaces. Mostly I need to get back down to the surfaces of my sewing table etc. So, although it still has a ways to go, it is back in shape to use. I think I will try another mug rug. I liked the first one. I only have half a day to mess in there today so we'll see how far I get.

Mug Rug

Well, I finally made my first mug rug! It is so cute! I used some of my sample fabrics in a Halloween design. I'm hooked! The size is 6"x9" and I made it using traditional quilting method meaning backing, batting, and a pieced top. It seemed simpler to do it in a quilt as you go method so that is what I did. Next time I will probable use a little more narrow binding for aesthetics. Now I am itching to make some for the holidays, Christmas and maybe just general winter! It was fun!

Block two of Christmas bock of the month club.

Okay, I knew this block of the month club would help me stretch as a quilter. I usually, if left to my own devices, quilt pretty basic quilts. Not always the same pattern but not real challenging. Well with this second block I am already challenged. As I mentioned last time I sewed it incorrectly and has to tear it apart cut some new parts and sew it back together. I think the pattern author assumed a higher level of skill than I possess. I know, I know, it doesn't look tricky. Trust me, it was. The good news I was able to do it correctly the second time, yea me!!!! At this rate maybe I should buy a second oops pack of fabric for this quilt. I'm am looking forward to seeing this finished. The fabric is beautiful.

The other project I am working on is a mitten for knitting class tonight. Love the yarn color, hope the mitten turns out cute! I am using a knitting app called knitting help.com and it is great for the between class help I need. I need a couple more projects under my belt before I can call myself a knitter.

Flying geese

Well today I attempted to make the second block of my Christmas block of the month.  I say attempted because I messed it up!  The instructions include the dimensions of each piece but not sewing instructions. Apparently I didn't choose the correct way to sew it together, grrrrrr.  The parts that I messed up on we're the flying geese parts, all eight of them!  Good thing I purchased the oops package of extra fabric. Tomorrow I will recut and proceed!  Maybe I will blame it on my trip to VA for family time. Great trip!  If I manage to sew correctly I will post a picture. Sat is the day I take my completed block in to show the shop and receive the next one.  In the afternoon is the next day of sewing on my Hope of Hartford quilt at the same shop. It will be a fun day.

While I was in VA last week I went to a great yarn shop called Fibre Space in Alexandria.  I got some great yarn for mittens and some for a stripped scarf for my hubby Steve.  I started the mittens, they are so cute!  I have knitting on Thursday evening and can't wait to show them my new stuff!  Fingers crossed that I finish these projects before spring planting time;) Bye for now!  Michele

Hope of Hartford

Today I am starting a new quilt at my local quilt shop The Yankee Quilter!  The quilt is an Eleanor Burns pattern called Hope of Hartford. I fell in love with the store sample last year and bought the book in anticipation of making it this fall. Well the shop decided to do it as a class, yea!  The only thing better than quilting is quilting as a group!  I picked up some of the fabric while I was on a trip to PA earlier this summer.   I am not sure how many times we will get together but looking forward to it.
Tomorrow we are off to VA to see the kids. Well Steve is on business but the side benefit is time with the kids and Austin!  I will be going to a great yarn shop in Alexandria. It will be a great trip can't wait.
I will post some pictures later of my new quilt in progress!!!  Have a great day!

Happy Tuesday!

I have nothing pressing to work on today. This is the week of the Textile Sale for Monroe Historical Society. I volunteer with them and preparing for this sale is where I picked up all my cool fabric samples!  I will help them for a few days this week and get ready for our trip to VA next week.

I would like to finish my bright stars quilt but my quilt shop is out of the black fabric that I used on the points. If I still lived in VA I could probably find it in several places but my choices are limited here. Not all black is created equal and I really like this one. I understand it is Moda so I will wait to buy it from my quilt shop when they get it back in!

It is knitting week so I need to make progress on my second sock. We may be starting a new project this week. I am really enjoying knitting.   Maybe this afternoon I can work on it. Well I better start my day!  Have a great one!  Michele

Recession retreat today!

Once a month my local quilt shop "The Yankee Quilter" in Seymour, CT has a one day retreat!  We all bring what ever projects we are working on and have a nice social sewing day. Sometimes it is potluck but usually just bring your own lunch. I am glint to put together my batik charm squares with the two black corners that form a star quilt. I don't know the name of it because I just saw a picture of it but no more info on it. I have it all ready to piece the top together, can't wait!  The squares are beautiful!!!

Yesterday I tried to make my own yarn out of wool with a drop spindle. Much harder than it looks!  I will figure it out eventually!  I bought the supplies from a nice lady at our local farmers market. She will be there next Friday too so I may have to go back for another lesson!

Well, I better go put my supplies together for the retreat!  I use my second machine so it stays packed ready to go. Just need supplies. It helps that we are in their shop and additional supplies are available!  Have a great holiday weekend!  Michele