Busy Binding....with a little help!

My grand guys birthday quilts are almost done!

I'm busy sewing the binding...and Jackson seems to think these are for him?

Such a funny pup!

Who by the way just turned twelve!

Finished quilt pictures coming soon!

Hope this post finds all my quilty friends doing well.

Sending smiles your way! V:)

Winter Stitching

With Winter on our doorsteps and evenings starting earlier and earlier, I spent this morning inventorying my many hand stitching projects that are a WIP and those I'd like to finish by years end. For evening stitching, first up is to put the finishes stitches on my Anne Downs BOM:

This one has been so much fun to work on this past year. I'm admittedly beginning to look forward  to have it finished and hanging in our home.

Next up, is my Sunny Side of the Street wool applique:

I love the combination of cotton and wool. I want to finish getting the birdies and flowers stitched on and the patchy grass lawns sewn so this one is done and ready for some whimsical quilting over my upcoming Winter Break at the end of December.

And finally, some fireside binding on my Snowman Jelly Roll Finish:

Thank you for your patience with my slow blogging this Fall. I have truly enjoyed this time of transition as I took on a new position at work and found myself enjoying the process of change in my work life. Yet, now that I'm settled into some routines, I'm grateful to find my stitching as a peaceful comfort at the days end. Linking up and sharing with everyone else at Kathy's Quilts.

PS: Enjoying a good Holiday read too. (Thanks Mom!)

Let the binding begin.....

I had a productive week of quilting and getting binding sewn on.

Honestly, hand sewing binding is one of my very favorite parts of quilting. I don't mind seeing a pile begin. Our house will be filled with family in another week, followed by our Summer family vacation. These will provide the perfect stitching to enjoy during patio time and on the road traveling.

Hope you too have some happy stitching to keep you busy during these dog days of Summer. 

Create a post to join/rejoin us for this year's 

 Piggy Bank Challenge!

Note: This Linky is open until  August 1st. 
Please feel welcome to grab our "button" to help spread the work to all your readers.

You know what they say:  a penny saved is a penny earned.
Click HERE to join us.

Tuesday Archive #179: Machine Binding

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

. If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party. (You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is: Machine Binding

I have yet to master the "art" of machinge binding. Seriously, though I prefer the look of handing binding, machine binding is a bit more durable for all the toddler quilts I make. Yet,  I can never get that beautiful, straight finish on the reverse side. Anyhooo.... this is my "go to" tutorial, by Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew, that I use when I do finish a quilt using machine binding.

 I appreciate her step by step, illustrated directions.

 

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Honey why is this quilt all ragged on the edges??

Huh? OMG!! This quilt has been sitting on the couch in my studio for the past 2 1/2 years!! I never realized that the binding wasn't sewn down until I heard that question from my husband.

Seriously, the binding was on...just not sewn down. How does that happen? Anyhoooo....I packed it up and it provided the perfect hand sewing this past two weeks while I was at our daughter's and I had a homemade quilt to sleep under every night. Doesn't get better than that does it. And now to celebrate this long overdue finish, I pulled some dotty fabric remnants from my stash and paired them with this Mary E. magnetic notepad as a Happy Mail Give-away for one of you. 

(THIS GIVE-AWAY IS CLOSED)

Just comment to share what your favorite Christmas Cookie is?

And speaking of cookies...next week this Blog Hop begins:

On Dec. 7th I'll be sharing our simple but oh so yummy version of the Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookie.

I'll announce the winner of my Happy Mail Give-Away Monday, Dec. 11th.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

2017 Classroom Quilt: Finished!

I spent a good part of the morning on our deck stitching the binding on my classroom quilt...

...which led me to a Friday Finish!! Yipppeeee!!!! 

I found this fun crayon fabric in my stash and thought it was the perfect accent to the kids' colored panels. I even splurged and if you zoom in, you'll see I used a crayon pantograph!

As I later busied myself with getting ready to run some errands, 

I came around the corner only to find somebody fast asleep: 

One of my errands was to the local library to pick up some summer reading...where what better place to take a final picture of this Classroom Quilt that illustrates all the various story "themes" we read throughout our past year in 2nd grade.

Summer is a great time to quilt with kids and this method is an easy way for them to do just that.

Click HERE for my detailed tutorial on how to make the colored panels.

Washing Note: I used two color catchers in the first wash. No color run. 

WIN quilt batting this summer. Click HERE to read how.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

WIN quilt batting this summer. Click HERE to read how.

Slow Stitching....

 A rainy, cold morning was the perfect excuse to start the day out sewing some binding down.

Jackson appreciated having somewhere cozy to rest too.

Just dropping in to wish everyone a nice day.

This week's theme: Teaching

Happily Binding this Week

I have not one, but two quilt finishes ahead: 

The quilt on the left was donated to my classroom from Sharon. I got it quilted during spring break and the brown polka dot binding on today. I also quilted my H2H Pirate quilt and don't ya just love the little skull/cross bone binding I found to finish it?! Today was one of those days I just got going in the studio. Hubby used the afternoon to go pick up our outdoor fire place and I decided to stay home and spend the afternoon sewing. It felt soooo good!

I'm definitely looking forward to this slow stitching during evening TV this upcoming week and I'm looking forward to sharing these two finishes with you very soon. Until then....happy stitching! 

This week's theme: TWIN Size quilts.

On the road stitching....

Binding is my favorite slow-stitching during our weekend travel to see that fun grand-guy of ours. Plus it's cozy during the cooler months as it keeps my lap and Jackson nice and warm!

Stop by tomorrow as I prepare to share birthday pics...

for as you guys guessed, his expression upon receiving his birthday quilt was priceless.

A Happy Mail Give-Away!

Binding my way through the week in anticipation of sharing this cute, cute finish with you! 

Can you guess which quilt I've almost finished?

The quilted snowflakes are a good hint!

Leave a comment with your guess to be entered into my winter "pick-me-up" happy mail give-away.

(I haven't decided the happy mail package yet...but who doesn't like fun mail?!).

This Give-Away is closed. The winner and quilt were revealed here.

PS: Still not too late to share your "book" themed archives at this week's linky.

Holiday Travel = Slow Stitching

The holidays are always a good time for some slow stitiching aren't they. We left Christmas Eve day and returned yesterday afternoon from our Christmas festivities at our with our daughter and son-in-law's. Though our time together was short, it was filled with all the joys of Christmas and family. 

Hubby and I were especially grateful for the safe (and beautiful) road conditions.

Seven hours (total) on the road created the perfect opportunity for me to bind my Christmas Quilt...all 128 inches of binding! And the added bonus: I was warm and cozy the entire trip and had a quilt to use on our bed when we got there!

It's always good to be home and today I plan to continue tackling  my Winter Sewing list.

But before I get too productive, I'm going to fix myself another cup of tea and see what all of you are have been working on as I link up at Kathy's Sunday Slow Stitiching.

Happy Sunday friends.

PS: After I visited all your posts, I noticed my comments may come up as a no-replyer. I fixed my status but please do check your "social" (or wherever your no-replies) go folder. UGH!

Fall Binding Ahead

I enjoy binding by hand.

With that said, lucky me, I have five quilts awaiting me. 

There's just something relaxing about this kind of slow stitching in the evenings after a long day of work. And now that the evenings are gradually getting darker earlier, I won't be as distracting by the temptations of being outside.  As you can see, I have plenty of stitching to keep me busy as Summer begins to turn into Fall and we find ourselves using lap quilts once again. It's hard to say which is my favorite slow-stitching, as I enjoy applique, my hexi's, wool and binding. Geuss it's safe to say I like the variety. Which leaves me to wonder....do you have a favorite slow stitching or like variety too??

Everytime you link and share here at Tuesday Archives you will be entered you into a monthly drawing for a $15.00 Gift Certificate to: (pretty cool huh!)

Winners will be announced the first Tuesday of every month! Thanks for stopping by!