UFO night

Tonight, well actually last night, was our UFO night. What a hoot! These ladies know how to have fun and get things done. I think there were 14 of us sewing tonight. I had the honor of sharing a table with Little Judy and her broken wrist. To keep her in line, we had to put a piece of blue tape down between us - just couldn't trust her not to creep over to my side. Course, if she walked away I had fun moving the tape line. We were only threatened with seperation once. Frosty sat kitty corner from me. Frosty, aka Carol looks like a sweet lady but she can toss out those zingers with the best of them.
After pizza, we all got down to work. I finished sewing my compass point paper pieced block that I substitued for a block in the "My Secret Garden" quilt. A group of 5 ladies are making this quilt. Of course, I am the only one not done. But, this is my last block and I got the paper off when I got home. 16 sections to this 10" block, even with pressing open my seams, I have a lump in the middle. I think I need one of those wackers that I have seen in magazines. I believe you hit the center with steam and then, Bamb - wack it flat. Wonder if my hammer would do the job. I hope I can get this quilt top done before the end of the month.
It sure is fun seeing with these talented ladies and seeing what they like doing. There were hand and machine sewers. Diane and her daughter were up front working on the web site. Quilts were being bound and one lady was using a tweezer on her paper piecing foundation removal. Can't wait to see what everyone brings next month.

In Full Bloom

That’s what my yard is – in full bloom. Everything from roses to daisies to petunias (the Wave Petunias are awesome) to my blackberry bushes (thornless of course!). I also finished the Thimbleberries In Full Bloom table runner and three placemats. I’m getting better at using my BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) and doing some thread play with my quilting. I am learning to relax with it and just have fun. That’s so much better than holding my breath and tensing my shoulder muscles. The In Full Bloom is a panel of six 16-1/2" flowers. They are gorgeous. Diane has made the table square and it looks fabulous. She and I really think this fabric is stunning. Now that this project is completed, I’m going outside to pick some flowers from my garden. Don’t you just love this time of year???

day 2

Today was the second day of summer vacation, with a 15 year old daughter home we had to find something to do. What better way to spend the day besides stopping at the AW. Have you ever noticed how your car seems to turn into the quilt shop parking lot without you knowing you were going there? With a kid who has no interest in sewing, I get to go into the shop by myself! Inside I get harassed by my friend and coworker, Wilma. "Take your daughter to the back of the building and get her signed up for class." or words to that effect. Class being drivers ed. Now if that isn't a scary thought. To ensure that I did it, she took my keys out and locked the car up and brought in Michelle.
Then, Mom got to have more fun. Make the kid talk to "quilters", show off her Big Dog shirt, etc. As any mother knows, at this age our revenge on our kids is to embarrass our kids. And I do it so well. But, I did take her back and enroll her in drivers ed. Boy, my parents had it easy with the school providing the class. They only had to pay for my summer school class as I didn't want to wait till September to start.

Back to the store to tell Wilma that the deed was done. But, in the time I stepped out a fabric rep had stepped in. I don't know how anyone can choose and be practical about picking out fabric. I see Moda's Kansas Troubles fabric and I want to take it all home. Marilyn is admiring all the fabric that would work for the Civil War club. Diane is looking at fabric for what may become our new Block of the Month. She found a new pattern offering many options - can't wait to see what she decides to do.

Tomorrow night is our Girl's Night Out at the shop. It is a fun group of ladies who come on the second Wednesday of the month. We usually have a hands on project for a quick make and take, specials for the month to show, new products and as any self respecting quilter requires - treats! But the best thing is seeing Show and Tell. The work that these ladies consistantly create is amazing. As I am not working tomorrow I am hoping I can finish something for show and tell this month. Fingers crossed that I get up and create early tomorrow. The kid came in to say good-night and is already organizing part of my day to her benefit.

EQ 6 Club

Today was our second meeting of the new EQ Club. We had a good time playing with the program. Having gone from EQ4 to 5 and now 6, this is finally my chance to do more than play with blocks in a quilt. I have designed a few blocks over the years but always had problems trying to print them. I would play around and it would work, but never know what I did to be able to do it the next time.
This is fun, learning what it can do and actually doing something. I drew out a block that I saw a picture of earlier this year. Now, I want to design a block and try and put the two together and make a quilt. Actually, that is our assignment for this month. Design a quilt.
My round robin group is tossing around the idea of actually doing a round robin exchange project. Not sure when I would have time to do it, but quilting should be fun and I think that would be.

Strata Star Tablerunner

Is table runner one word or two? I can never remember. I also have trouble with eightteen, two t's or one? Any way I spent yesterday afternoon cutting and sewing strips and this afternoon constructing and quilting the Sew Easy Strata Star by Ruthann Eckersley. She stopped by the store with the fun pattern and even left us a sample that she had made until we got ours made. I used the Benartex City Blooms line by Kitty Yoshida. Isn't it great?

Ahhh, another checked off my list!