1XMAS Project (x2)

I have trouble throwing things away - I love to RECYCLE! So . . . what to do with my small scraps of bitty bits of batting? Save them for a few months, cut them pretty small, take leftover fabrics from other projects, use the gusset technique again (love it) and make three pet beds! I actually started with 2 1/2 bags of bits! One of the beds is for our kitty Hermione, the fabric matches her coloring. This is her favorite hangout spot in my studio. I hope to get a pic of her on it someday! There is a cool side and a snuggle side for winter. The cream is a very warm and fuzzy material, (not quite minke, but close)

The other two are Christmas presents ! One is for Dexter who is a very cute tiny little Japanese Chin and I haven't decided who gets the other one. Lots of kitties and pups to choose from! My last finish for June is this little pillow that my daughter started at a class in Wisconsin. The teacher had her sew it together wrong, she had used a quilting foot and stitches were right on top of each other. It took forever to rip out. It also needed to be clipped and washed, I came across it while cleaning up my studio and asked her if she wanted to finish it. She said no, so I've finished it for her and will surprise her with it tonight. :) Off to Massachusetts for vacation on Monday, Happy Quilting!!

Wild WISP Wielded!

Ever read or say a word and suddenly it seems foreign and clumsy on your tongue? Or keep checking spellcheck because it just looks wrong? Wield is having that effect on me tonight and I haven't had any wine. Perhaps I should pour a glass? Anyway, I have successfully wielded one of my older WISPS, this one was started in January 2004. It is one of the first patterns I ever designed, and wow, what a pain that was! I had put aside quilting in 1997 in favor of scrap booking so that I could creatively document my precious 2 year old's life (DS). I would still do projects and start WISPS, but I had a horrible machine and the local quilt store (at the time) wasn't very helpful. I picked up quilting again after September 11 2001, I found it very comforting. I was caught up with my scrap booking and was at a loss as how to document the events of September 11th for both of my children's scrapbooks, so I simply didn't. We moved to Wisconsin and during the move I "found" fabric in my stash, and not having many books decided to make a pattern. HA! Anyway, it's called Butterflies in the Meadow, I would not piece it the way I did then, cause now I would do it in a much easier way (which would have been faster) but it was ALOT of fun to quilt! I have my purple butterflies with antennae on both ends because most days I don't know if I'm coming or going . . . so why should they?

Unbelievably - all I had to do to finish it was find the rest of the fabric for the border and finish the border on the last side. I had already purchased the backing while in Wisconsin, and the binding was part of the stash. I don't know how to begin to give myself credit for fabric usage - I didn't keep track of what I used on the front, some was yardage, the purple and yellow were fat quarters. I do know that had I finished this in Wisconsin I would not have been brave enough/experienced enough to attempt to quilt it as I have quilted it. I am so happy with the way it turned out, I'm glad I didn't finish it sooner! Happy Quilting!

June Finish

So busy with school finishing up, kids activities heating up! DS got job as a Lifeguard (YAY) which is nice, but since he doesn't have his drivers license I have to drive him and it's 45 minute round trip if traffic is good. DD has huge skating competition on Saturday, lots of practice involved. Got to the beach on Saturday, forgot the camera, but it was nice! Was happy to put this project in the mail today. Should get there in time for his Birthday party on Saturday!I don't know if you can tell, but it reads Happy Birthday Gus. I hope it works out o.k. It was a little slow going, the brown fabric was a nice thick fabric I bought at a quilt store, but once I put the heat n bond (lite) on it and started sewing it on the needle kept getting sticky and the tread shredded. Had never had that happen before, so I blame it on the thicker fabric. Was able to use rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip to clean the needle and then it went alot quicker. Perhaps I should have washed the fabric? Was also able to finish a pretty old WISP ! No picture today as my camera battery is recharging, tomorrow I'll take the pictures. Happy Quilting!