No Sewing but having fun!

We're having fun wrapping up the end of summer with this little guy!

 (Can't believe he's 11 months old already!)

Great Grandma and I had fun buying toys for "Grammy and Grandpa's" house...

...for out favorite little Batman:

We went into the city last night and enjoyed  a nice dinner out 

and ended the evening at the Boise Balloon Festival. 

The rest of the weekend will be spent just enjoying time with family.

(Son-in-law had to stay home and work....and we miss him bunches!)

What are you up to this last weekend of summer? I'll  be spending "down time" getting my Fall sewing list together especially because September will find me with three baby quilts to create (Can't wait) and a few commission quilts to get on the long-arm. 

Until then, hope your weekend is great!

With smiles,

Val:)

Tuesday Archives #25: Flying Geese & Flowers

Welcome to the linky party that let's you rejuvenate your old quilting/sewing posts! 

(Check over in my right margin for the list of  upcoming September themes)

This week is all about skimming through those archives and finding quilts 
made of  Flying Geese& Flowers. 

FLYING GEESE: 

I like mine wonky as made in the borders of this quilt:

FLOWERS:

I like them a little wonky too:

August Happy Mail

My monthly fat quarters have arrived, giving me a bunch to smile about!

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

V:)

Mom's Chevron Quilt Finish

Well here it is, my last finish of the summer. I always love watching quilts evolve through

 fabric selection and design wall stages, to cuddling with them on your lap as you bind them to this final finish stage. It was also fun to read your previous comments left and to discover I'm in good company when it comes to enjoying hand binding. 

I used the Fabric line: Hot For Chocolate II by Betsy Chutchian with Blue Hill Fabrics to create this quilt and a dog pantograph upon my mom's request. (I think she wanted to match my dad's quilt.) I used a cream Kig Tut thread from Superior. (I almost went with a brown thread, but like how the cream showed the quilting a little bit more.)

This quilt measures a cozy 53" x 73".

My parents arrive this weekend for their final visit of the summer. I can't wait to gift it to her!

With Smiles,

Val:)

Tuesday Archives #24: Fat Quarter Quilts & Feathered Quilting

Welcome to the linky party that let's you rejuvenate your old quilting/sewing posts! 

(Check over in my right margin for the list of  upcoming August themes)

This week is all about skimming through those archives and finding quilts made from Fat Quarters and quilts that feature Feathered Quilting.

FAT QUARTERS:

 As a new quilter, I went crazy for awhile collecting fabric in Fat Quarters.  Now, I'm always on the hunt for new Fat Quarter Patterns. So to say the least, I'm really looking forward to today's linky party! 

Below is a picture of my very favorite fat quarter pattern to make. (I think I've made three or four so far...I'll check MY archives and link them up.) It's a quick and easy pattern that you can easily sew up in a weekend! Unfortunately, I don't have this pattern to share as I picked it up at a Quilt Retreat over two years ago, and it's copy-righted by the creator and no where on the pattern does it say where to buy it?!  But I can tell you, this lap size finishes at about 53"x70", uses 12 fat quarters, 1 yard of sashing cut into 2 1/2" strips, 1/2 yard of fabric cut into seven 2 1/2" strips for the binding and 4 yards for the back.    (Hope that helps a little)

 \
I made this Pinwheel Quilt in 2012 (preblogging). I'm kinda laughing at myself, as this is how I took my quilt pictures: on the floor of my studio. I'm so happy to share it today!

I made it as a Christmas gift for our oldest daughter...who is now married and the momma to that adorable grandson of ours! This quilt is well worn and soft now... no wonder as that bright pink and white polka dot backing is flannel!!

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FEATHERED QUILTING: 

Many of us know Connie from her Tuesday Linky:

Well, this week, Connie gets highlighted!! I am for some reason "chicken" to try FMQ Feathers until I found and read Connie's archived post from September of 2012. (Check it out here.) Connie's post is informative with FMQ resources and inspiration that makes me want to start carrying a notebook around with the intent to just start practicing!! (Thanks Connie!) 

This week's WIP

I'm binding myself towards another Friday Finish. 

This is the Chevron Quilt  that I've been making for my mom, but got set aside to finish my T-Shirt Quilt. I have to admit that binding is my very favorite slow stitching to do. (Applique is my second)

Do you have a favorite slow stitching project? If so, please do share.

With Smiles,

Val:)

ALYofF August T-Shirt Quilt Finish

For my August ALYofF goal, I wanted to end my summer break turning these...

...into a School T-Shirt Quilt that will be used as a raffle fundraiser to raise money 

for additional playground equipment.

I was a little sad when I went to take pictures yesterday, and noticed half of the primary playground is gone. To think, this is all our 125 Kindergartners and First Graders will have to play on when they return to school in another week:

I hoping the quilt will appeal to a wide range of kids, especially since we are a K-6 Elementary.  I quilted it with a really fun soccer kids pantograph, 

knowing many of our students play soccer and...

 ...I picked out some glittery sunglasses for the backing and

 finished it off with some fun checkered binding:  

And before I wrap up and click that little "publish" button, here's an extra big shout-out of thanks to all of YOU!  Your  previous comments  on what to charge for quilt raffle tickets really helped me gather a variety of options to present to my fellow colleagues next week. Sooooo:

With Smiles,

Val:)
Linked up with ALYofF and many others listed on my linky page. 
Do stop by and check out the wonderful work of so many.

Vintage meets Modern

Yesterday I dug out my ol' featherweight and was intrigued by this contrast of vintage meeting modern as I quietly sewed the binding onto my almost finished T-Shirt quilt.

 As I listened to it hum along, I found myself daydreaming about garments it might have sewn so many years before. It was relaxing. Looking forward to sewing on it more today.

With smiles,

Val:)

Tuesday Archives #23: Farm & Favorite Quilts

Welcome to the linky party that let's you rejuvenate your old quilting/sewing posts! 

(Check over in my right margin for the list of  upcoming August themes)

This week is all about skimming through those archives and finding anything and everything that has to do with Farms and you also get the opportunity to reshare one or two of your very Favorite quilts! 

FARM

Look at this adorable baby Farm quilt I found will researching for this week's post:
It was created by a new blogger, Angela I found at Quiltaholic.

  And then there's my favorite paper piecing gal I love to admire:
Janeen at Quilt Art Designs.

Grab yourselves a button ladies:

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FAVORITES:

One of my favorite quilts continues to be, ironically, one of my very first quilts. It's this Pinwheel Block pattern quilt, that was adapted from More Quilts for Babies by Ursula Reikes. This was made during my very first quilt class in the Fall of 2009. The prerequisites for the class where we needed to be able to thread our sewing machine and sew a straight line! Our teacher taught us everything form fabric selection and patiently guided us through each step of the quilt-making process. To have started at the beginning, with such an experienced and informative teacher was a blessing to say the least. 

Laughing at myself, as I haven't had my hair this long in like, three years! 

Jackson has picked a winner!

Thank you to everyone who commented and shared your pet's favorite treat on my Pets on Quilts post/give-away. With 80 entries in the blog hop this year and only a few more left to visit myself, I sure have enjoyed  meeting all your pets as well.

 ( Thanks again to Lily Pad Quilting for hosting such fun!! )

Jackson and I wanted to give a big "bark" out and congratulate the winner of our scrapbag of goodies: Nancy who blogs at Patchwork Breeze: You have such a sense of humor and Jackson vividly comes to life through your pics and words. I have to admit our dog's (14 yrs. old and thank goodness does a lot of walking, too) favorite treat is FOOD of any kind (I won't say more)!

 

You have some happy mail coming your way Nancy!

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by and joined the give-away. 

It really was fun to read about all your pets tasty favorites. 

With Smiles,

Val:)

An Awesome Request

I started the day with this text from my son-in-law
(note: he's a die-hard Seattle Sea Hawks fan!):

Son-in-Law: "So one of my friend's Grandma made this for her:

You could do something like that right?!"

My reply: "Absolutely! This is what I do....do I have a request coming my way??"

Son-In-Law: "I never doubted you! HAHAHA You  most definitely do have a request, maybe a surprise for Christmas...to add to our amazing quilt collection."

Me: "I would love to!" (Of course!!)

Son-In-Law: "Yeah!!!! You're the best!!"

Isn't that just one of the most ultimate compliments we can get as a quilter!?!
I had to share with you guys, as his request made my day! I truly adore my son-in-law...so I'm happily off to shop for some Seattle Sea Hawk fabric...that's what I'm up to today.
With smiles,
Val:)

My Studio & Organizing Tips

This is our basement studio. My husband creates stain-glass and I quilt.

We have fun and feel lucky to share this space together.

But I'm thinking of doing some remodeling in here....as my newest adventure in the quilting world finds me enjoying the art of long-arm quilting on my Tin Lizzie 18. (Pictured below  and if you are looking for a long-arm quilter, please do click here to check out  my Long-Arm Quilting Services page.)

 But I want to utilize this space to better accommodate family and well, feel a little bit cozier and lot less industrial. So my mind is spinning with ideas...

Anyhoo...that's what I'm thinking about today. I've also included links to all my previous organizing posts in case you too are looking for ideas, as I may be coming up with new methods to soon share with you. Here ya go:

1. Fabric Scraps

2. Fat Quarters

3. Quilt Storage

4. Perle Cotton

5. Ribbon Storage

6. Mind, Schedule, Food & Finances

7. Rulers

8. Counter Tool Storage

9.  Thread Storage

10. Clipboards
11.Floor Cushion
12. Bobbins
13. WIP
14. Safety Pins
15. Pattern Books

Happy Organizing!

With smiles,
Val:)

Tuesday Archives #22 : Exhibits

Welcome to the linky party that let's you rejuvenate your old quilting/sewing posts! 

(Check over in my right margin for the list of  upcoming August themes)

This week is all about fair and quilt show:

EXHIBITS

I always enjoy walking through county fairs and admiring all the projects and am looking forward that you what quilt and/or fair exhibits you have to share today.

I'm excited to share that our Classroom Animal Quilt won a Blue Ribbon in the group quilt category and received a Judges Choice Special Award. The kids were rewarded $14.00 of which will be spent treating them to a yummy ice-cream party to celebrate! Our principal wants to hang the quilt in our school office for awhile. (Won't the kids be so proud!)

ALYofF August Goal/T-Shirt Quilt

This month I'm going to attempt my very first t-shirt quilt for my August ALYofF goal.

Before school was out for the summer, I did an "all call" for old school t-shirts and collected a nice array of colors. I plan to donate this finish to our school.  I'll use it to create a raffle fundraiser to help add to our school's "new playground fund" as ours is being removed due to the fact that it's so old that it has been deemed "unsafe". :(


What would you guys recommend for my raffle ticket  price? (I've never raffled a quilt before, so any advice is welcome.) Thanks ahead of time for your input.
Off to link up with everyone at:

With smiles!

Val:)

Pets on Quilts Show & Giveaway

I couldn't resist letting Jackson be the star of the blog today so he could participate in the Pets on Quilt Show. You've seen him hold down quilts for me:

You've seen him pose with quilts

and on quilts: (These are posted for to be included in the Dogs on Quilts Category)

That I finally had to make one just for him awhile back: 

(This is posted to be included in the Dog Themed Quilt Category)

I love the back as much as the front:

What a fun linky/blog hop Jacque came up with. 

To see more of our cuddly buddies with quilts click right here:

Anddddd....before ya go, Jackson and I want to give a quick shout out 

for Padsworth's Project:

Use your scraps to make a bed, pad or blankie to donate to your local animal shelter. All's ya have to do is make one, post it on your blog and link it up at Padworth's Pad within the next 10 days. But don't go yet...

 We also want to thank you for stopping by with a GIVE-AWAY. Just leave a comment telling us your pet's favorite treat (Jackson's is cheese!) and if you don't have a pet, feel welcome to just say hi. You don't have to be part of the show to be entered to win this scrap bag of leftover fabric from Jackson's dog themed quilt I made above. I'll email & announce the winner on August 11th.

(This Give-Away is closed) The winner was announced here.

With smiles,

Jackson and Val