H - word

Its not too early for the "H" word is it? Halloween is a month and half away so I was getting itchy to make progress on my new seasonal quilt.

This is from made up from a layer cake of Haunted Mansion by Sanae from Moda using a pattern from the Moda Bake Shop.

The quilt was a little busy for me, so I added the black border and corners and I love how it turned out. I think that black makes the colors firm and that they would have tended to wash out a bit otherwise.

I have some cool ideas for the back and I can't wait to get it done, but, that will need to wait a day to two as I need to cut another batch of flags.

Ending with the obligatory tree and sky shot to show that yes, it is still summer in Texas. It was 92 with a heat index of 102 when I was out taking this picture.

Touch of Comfort

I completed this quilt a couple weeks ago, but it seemed to take a week to get pictures and another week to get them loaded.

Sad truth is that my blog is pretty down the list of priorities these days. I find time to look at other here and there, but actually sitting down and getting a post done seems like a formidable task.

This came as a kit with a patterns and all materials except the batting and the binding from Downy Touch of Comfort, Quilts for Kids. It is super sweet Micheal Miller fabrics and I was able to use some of my favorite MM clown stripes for the binding. I have another one in the works from fabrics from my stash. When it is done as well they will both be in the mail.

Twenty years

Today I have been married 20 years.

Chubby Stars

These lovelies are what I have started cutting for my new project! Best part.... I had everything I needed including backing and binding in my stash! Good ... I am using it.... Bad ... my collection is getting out of hand.

They are going to grow up to be Chubby stars with an Irish chain. Have you seen this quilt along that is going on? Check it out.

And this is another shot of the star centers with the two fabrics I am debating for the star points. My first choice was the brown, but I have been leaning towards the paprika of late, and I was thinking of sneaking in the teal for a star or two. I hope I still have a couple weeks to continue that debate in my head because I keep going back and forth.

And not to be forgotten, I have been working on my Hope Valley quilt along as well.

Flags!

This is what I have been working on the past week. More flags for the marching band show. These were done with a glue rather than pinning prior to sewing which at first I thought was just another step, but... wow, it made it super easy, worth the extra step.

Only two more flag designs to go! First official performance is this weekend at Half Time and the red/grey flags will be used. Looking forward to seeing them on the field.

In between flags, I have been working on other things too .... Not completing anything, just starting new things (any one else do that?)

This is a layer cake project for Halloween that I could not wait to get started on. Its Haunted Mansion by Sanae that I got from Green Fairy Quilts a couple of weeks ago. It goes great with something I have in my stash for a backing! Now that the kids have started back to school, I hope to knock out a couple completions with all these in progress items I have going on.

Fishies & a Chair!

Finally, something that is completed to share for Sew & Tell.

The fishies disappearing nine patch was stalled for awhile, but is now completed. You may recognize this fabric as the super duper buy that I got at a yard sale this spring. The top came together quickly, but then the project was stalled when my Bernina which is the only machine I have a darning foot for decided it needed a vacation at the repair shop.

Meanwhile, while stopping at a yard sale down the street I found this chair ... for $1 (about what it is worth, right).... There were two, and the guy was going to give them both to me for that price, but I only wanted one ... I know, what was I thinking. In the back of my mind was this..... the cute little chair that is in Cheryl's blog header.

I still have not done anything with the chair, but the quilt is done, and I think it matched pretty well and works as a nice staging prop to show off the completed project. Much better than the fence.

Stats for Fishies: measures 38 x46, Beach Party by Laurie Godin from Northcott fabric, misc from stash, binding is Michael Miller orange clown stripes.

My new baby!

Yes, I did it again. I visited the local thrift shop and came home with a new/old sewing machine.

And lookie! He came with a manual, all the original attachments, and a button hole kit!

All the gold leaf is in great condition, motor works, crank works, bobbin was there and it looks like it was just serviced!

It is a 201, which a little google research indicates is a jewel of a machine.

And I even love the table it came in!!! One leg is a little wobbly, but that can be fixed.

And this is what I am working on till more flags are ready to be assembled. I really need a design wall. My floor is not doing it for me for laying out and previewing :(