Sorry for the delay. Blogging has not been a priority this summer. My son was home and working a lot and I was running for family. I did manage to sew a few things though.
First I have to introduce you to my puppy niece. Her name is Ruby and my sister and brother-in-law got her in April. She is the sweetest puppy ever! She just turned 1 in July. She loves her Auntie too!
I like to make gifts for my coworkers for their birthdays. We have a big Badger fan in our group so I thought this mug rug would be appropriate. I added vinyl to the front because I was afraid the red would bleed if it got wet.
I also made this fox mug rug for a friend. I usually don't make commission pieces but this was fun to figure out. I did not use a pattern but I have since bought the pattern Fancy Fox by Elizabeth Hartman. I will be posting more foxes soon. I just think they are so cute!
The first Thursday-Saturday in September is the Wisconsin Quilt Expo. I tried to enter a quilt this year but was rejected. And, I am ok with that. I will try again if I have another quilt to enter next year. This year I wore a t-shirt and was free advertising for my friends shop, Blue Bar Quilts. I ran errands for them and brought people to the booth who stopped me when they saw my shirt. I only went on Friday because I discovered that Tula Pink was coming to give a talk. I usually don't buy fabric based solely on the designer, but during one of the big Quilt Markets, I heart Tula had a sale on her fabric. They had a kit for hexies and you received a sampling of her new line Spirit Animal. I like to make hexies so I ordered the kit. Then it sat for a few months. When I found out she was coming to Madison I had to do something with that fabric.
Many years ago when my son was very young, he bought me a white denim jacket. I wore it a few times but hanging in the closet caused it to get dingy. I decided to make a bunch of the hexies and add them to my jacket. But first I thought I needed to dye it. I have never done that before and I usually don't work with clothing at all. This was actually fun. Changing the color to the right shade made me a little nervous. But I think it came out great!
When the doors opened to the event, Tula was front and center and graciously signed autographs and took pictures. She talked for the whole 2 hours and then took more pictures. She is very funny and I suggest you all go and see her if you get the chance.
September is also Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. My friend Trish is a survivor and talks about the Teal Mini Swap each year at our guild meetings. This year I decided to join. It was $15. $10 of that was donated and the other $5 went to admin costs. This wonderful woman Beth is in charge of it all. You are given a swap partner from somewhere in the country and you either make a mug rug or mini quilt. My partner was Jeanne and she was from Virginia. We agreed on a mini no larger than 20x20. This is what I sent her.
We are sent a swatch of teal fabric and need to include at least a small piece of it in the quilt. I tried to do a lighthouse paper pieced pattern but it was in Dutch and I could not figure it out. Then I found my No Scrap Left Behind book from Amanda Jean Nyberg and knew I had found my pattern.
I had loaned my Pfaff machine to a friend who was trying to finish a birthday gift so I had to bring out my old Singer. She did an okay job. I did discover that she needs a good cleaning and oiling. But the tension was easier to fix on her than on the Pfaff.
This is the quilt I was sent. She did such an amazing job. I just love it!!
Very modern and just the perfect addition to my collection.
Not much else going on right now in my sewing world. I am going to Denver this month to see my Bestie who moved there in March. I can't wait to see her. I haven't flown in over 10 years or had a vacation either. Looking forward to seeing some family and old friends while I am there too.
My current goal is trying to finish things before I start anything new. I am doing pretty good so far. Just sent two quilts to the longarmer and should have them back this week. Trying to get tops quilted so I have bindings to do this winter. Stay tuned for pictures of the finished quilts. :)
Blessings
Amy
