Fabric Happy Mail!

It's hard to resist when fellow blogging buddies have WONDERFUL sales!! I couldn't resist this batch of fabric from Jane's Fabrics and Quilts Sale and ordered enough of that ABC panel to use as the backing for a future Classroom Quilt:

Stop by Jane's "Going Out Of Business Sale" and pick up some happy mail for yourself:

(Just click the picture to start shopping.)

Thanks Jane!

V:)

Tuesday Archives #31: HST & Hanging Sleeve Tips

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  our October themes)

This week is all about skimming through those archives and finding quilts 

that showcase your Half Square Triangles and How you Hang your Quilts. I found a wonderful archive to highlight today...it's our blogging buddy Deana, from Dreamworthy Quilts! Be sure to grab yourselves a highlighted button today as you've earned it after finding those "gazillion HST's" you  shared today! 

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HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLES: 

Wowsa! Check out Deana's post here at Dreamworthy Quilts:
(Beautiful quilts that were certainly a labor of love!)

HANGING SLEEVES & TIPS:

Okay, I have to admit, I've never made a hanging sleeve in my life! With that said, I have a lot to benefit from today's linky party don't I! LOL! I've just always done this:

Little Letters QAL: H, I

My alphabet is growing and has made it's way to the design wall:

H and I were quick to make this morning and I'm loving the solid letters with 30's fabric! I'm off to treat myself to a pumpkin latte' then it's back to working on my grandson's birthday quilt. Hope ya get in a little sewing yourself today.

With smiles,

Val:)

ALYofF Oct.Goal/Sock Monkey Quilt

Our grandson is turning one next week and I'm creating him a crib size quilt to celebrate!

I have my fabric collected, the quilt sketch is made and our monkey is enlarged.

I'm linking up with everyone at ALYofF and looking forward to getting started on this.
Our weather is beautiful and I plan to work on the applique outside on the patio today.
How about you? What are you up to this weekend??

Happy Saturday!
V:)

Baby Charm Pack Quilt Finish

This quilt was made as a donation to our local Children's Relief Nursery for an upcoming fundraiser. It measures 36"x36" square. I especially love it's bright colors along with the rik-rac and yellow polka-dot borders.

Yet, what started as a simple charm pack quilt, actually ended up teaching me some very valuable lessons as a quilter. See, I am still a very notice, long-arm quilter and I still find myself  actually intimidated by the machine. I had every intention this past summer to really build my confidence and experience. But as life happens, other events distracted me and I have not done a lot of practice using my long-arm machine and all it's components.

 Earlier this week, it was actually during an afternoon spent frustrated with first, the encoder sensors, then, the next day, thread issues. (Which I think ended up just being a bad spool of thread...who would have thought!) that I found myself gaining confidence and the intimation dissolving! Yep! I mean, you guys, I was unplugging, moving things, and even lifting that machine around! I felt like I was tackled the beast! LOL!
And look what I got done today:

I used my Quilt Magic and quilted these cute daisies in the center of the quilt:

I was going to free-motion a design along the borders, but chose to continue working with my Quilt Magic, and I chose this border of little birds to quilt along the borders:

Here's a look at the quilting from the back:

Whew! I think I beat the beast don't you! I learned that I am ready and need to take a TinLizzi Quilting Class. I have a lot to learn about my machine and I'm excited about that! Our greatest lessons always come with a little struggle and that's okay...thank goodness I have a husband who reminds me of that when I'm frustrated! LOL! And, quite honestly, all your comments earlier this week on this post: My WIP/Wordless Wed.helped too! It's easy to get overwhelmed and lost in comparing ourselves to all the wonderful work out there. But we also need be gentle with ourselves  during the process of learning something new. I'll work on the binding during the evenings, but can confidently say, I don't feel so intimidated anymore. I'm so glad you stopped by and thanks again for your quilty support!
With smiles,
Val:)