Monday, February 28, 2011

Mail Sack

This bag is BIG and wonderful!  I think it will be great when going shopping or taking classes.  It goes over your head, so your hands are free.   The pattern is by Pink Chalk Studio.   I made it to try using some new techniques and feet on my Bernina!


As you can see, the big yellow flower has been outlined with cording. I used the Free Motion Couching #43 foot on my Bernina. Really fun to do!


                 The Sashiko was also interesting to do.  I used a topstitch needle with Cordonnet thread, which is heavy and thick that shows up very nicely.  And having the Cordonnet foot #11 also helped feed the thread evenly.   If you can't or won't do the very impressive regular hand sewn Sashiko, you must try this!  It's a nice look.


Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!


Sweethearts in 1962!
 Yes, 1962, that is not a typo.  How could it be that long ago--it seems like yesterday.  We didn't get married until three years later.  Time enough for him to get his military service and my graduating and business college done.

We've had a very happy and wonderful life and I've never regretted marrying this fellow.

As for a romantic (as I am) he is NOT!

We were married in March and the following Valentine's Day, he asked me what I wanted.  I told him I didn't want anything and he didn't get me ANYTHING!!  Can you imagine?  What was he thinking!!   He took a lot of ribbing about that.  He still doesn't always get me things all the time.  He says he likes to surprise me and doesn't want me to expect things.  Ha!  Got to love that man.

He never complains about anything I do, let's me do what I want and supports my quilting habit, so after all these years I have realized that "things" are really not what a true love buys you, it's how every day is spent loving each other.

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day, but most of all, I hope you all have that kind of day EVERYDAY!  If you have a special Valentine, let me hear about him.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

More SNOW!

Okay, enough is enough.  Oklahomans are not used to getting this much snow so often.  This has been the third storm in less than a month.  How do people get used to this up North?  I guess that is why I love Oklahoma.  You know the old saying of ours,  "If you don't like the weather, just wait a day or so and it will change."  Our forecast includes temps in the 50's this weekend.  I'll be ready for that.

So here is the same shot as the last time from my back door.

As you can see we got more snow, about 10-12 inches.  The snow is lighter and a little easier to clean up.  There was no ice ahead of time which helps getting around now, not that I am going anywhere for a while. 

My husband is home today so getting into the sewing room may not be possible.  He wants to watch a movie this afternoon.  It's "Date Night" which my daughter, Stacey, says his hilarious.  Guess we'll stay in, away from the exceptionally cold weather outside, relax, and get the popcorn ready!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Line Art--a new project!

When I saw this pattern in "Quilts and More", Winter 2010, I knew I had to make it.  It uses 2 1/2" strips--perfect for a jelly roll.  Since I had one yelling  "USE ME, USE ME", I took the challenge.  I like the idea of using one color of fabrics for the pattern too.  Might try that later.

I've almost gotten all the strips sewn together, but I had to stop to go to a quilting store sale (40% off bolts if you took it all).  A great time to buy backings and also I found some small yardage of batiks.  Well, I also found a couple of other pieces too.....hey, I saved 40%, remember?!!!

Now it's ready to get ready for the Super Bowl party at my house.

My husband and I are not big football fans, but I love a reason to eat party snacks so my daughter and her family are coming over for the evening.  Should be fun!  This is a big game and I don't care who wins, but I am in a quilting "pool" where I signed five squares in hopes of winning 100 fat quarters.  The problem is they haven't filled the squares yet (the store is still open) so I don't know what scores I need to send  my "mojo" to.  You know I believe it doesn't hurt to think real hard on those scores.  LOL

So tomorrow I will finish the top of my Line Art quilt top.  Oklahoma is suppose to have ANOTHER snowstorm on Wednesday so that will definitely be a good day for sewing if I can't get it done before then.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Fun and Done Runner DONE!

Since Oklahoma is having a blizzard today, it's great for sewing!

I finished my table runner.  The colors remind of a winter day--with little icicles in the fabric.  Really I think they're suppose to be tree branches, but today they're icy tree branches.

Nita and Linda have finished theirs too.  I need to get some pics of theirs.  We had a great time when we sewed together.  The great thing about this pattern is that the quilting is done as you go--FUN and DONE!

Back to the weather situation.  This may end up being a record breaking snowfall.  What is really making it bad is that the wind is blowing so ferociously.  Everyone knew this was coming.  Our Governor declared a state of emergency yesterday.  Most all Oklahoma schools are closed and many small businesses are shut down too.  Everyone is encouraged to stay home and off the roads.

This is our backyard.  You can see the drifts are probably four feet high in some places.  The rain gauge and bird bath are almost covered up with snow.  Brrrrr......

The department of transportation cannot keep up with the cleaning of the roads, as the wind comes right behind them and blows it back.  People cannot get on or off the exits as they are being blocked.  Thank goodness the snow is just about over, but they say the winds will continue and the temperatures are suppose to be brutal for the next few days.

I'll be staying in.  And the best thing, I am ready to start a new project.  Which one??