Thursday, October 5, 2017

Happy Fall!

Hello Friends

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
 

 
 

 
 











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