Memorial Day 2011

To all that have served and continue to serve, thank you.  To the families of these men and women, thank you.

Just a little something I threw together

Last Sunday a few members of the Society of Sexy Sewing Sisters got together at Quilty Pam's house to work on our individual interpretation of a quilt shown on Fons & Porter.  QP has the DVD so I don't know how long ago this particular episode was filmed so I can't give real credit to F&P.  The quilt is based on an Ohio Star with a 6" center block and then doubling the size of the block on each successive piecing.  Each quilter created something entirely different in color, type of fabric, etc.  A couple of years ago when Fabric Mart bought out a quilt shop in Europe, I purchased crazy amounts of Moda fabric at $2 and then $1 a yard.  I picked up a toile, small print and large graphic print from a black and white collection by Sentimental Studios.  I had no idea what I was going to do with the fabric.  When I saw the big star quilt that QP made, I thought it would be perfect in those fabrics.  Others in our group were not as enthusiastic about using the prints with a red for my "neutral" but I bravely soldiered on.  This is the result

This is "use what ya got" photography...I threw the quilt top over the fence and just hoped it would not slide down before I took the photo!  Sure would have looked better if I had ironed it first and done a better job of draping on bottom!

Here's the center block

I fussy cut the center square but the points we just cut willy nilly.

I also cut the toile in the second round particularly and lined up my blocks so the there is a definite top and bottom to the quilt.  I wanted there to be some continuity in the toile so that you could see the pattern.

I love the red tonal.  It is from Bella Notte by Three Sisters for Moda.  I am a picky about points and I was really pleased that the points on this one are really very nice.  I was also amazed that it remained square in each round.  I have no idea how I am going to quilt it but do know it will be on the long arm.  It is a bit larger than I like to quilt on my Janome.  This was a very fast, very "no brainer" kind of quilt top.  It is one of those quilts you can throw together in a group and still manage to talk, eat and catch up on each other's lives.  Because my heart and soul are not sewn into this quilt top, it will be a Christmas gift.  If it turns out the recipient is not "quilt worthy" it won't hurt my feelings too badly!

Quilty sister, Julie, and I went back to Burkholder's yesterday.  I picked up the rest of the red tonal bolt because I love the color and also found some fabric to make a purse that all the women in our group are going to make.  I chose fabric that is very retro - think "1969 Haight-Ashbury hippie dippy love child".  I love the fabric.  It may lead to an entire upheaval of my wardrobe.  Next thing you know I will stop shaving my legs, make 10 or 12 maxi dresses, throw on a pair of flip flops and bake a batch of brownies...

FNSI results!

Not one darn thing! I didn't touch my machine and didn't even make it into the studio.  I stopped over at quilty Pam's house, had a glass of wine (or two) and didn't make it home until just after nine.

This morning I was up very early and started running as soon as my feet hit the ground.  I had an oil change at 7:30, stopped over at my parent's to help my mom with a couple of things (she had knee surgery on Thursday), went to pick up mulch, zipped over to the dreaded Walmart and then headed home.  When I arrived I sat down at the laptop just to see what I had missed this morning blog-wise.  I read Nancy's post and she wrote that she was on her way to Burkholder's Fabric with some of her quilty friends.  When I read that I knew where I had to go next.  I mean - a chance to meet Nancy up close and personal?  I had to do it!

When I got to Burkholder's I saw a car in the parking lot that I just had a feeling was Nancy's.  In the store I wandered around thinking that I would recognize her as soon as I saw her.  I didn't so I approached a group of women and asked if any of them was named "Nancy".  The ladies told me they were with Nancy and took me to meet her.  I felt like a groupie!  I was so excited and Nancy was as gracious as I knew she would be.  I met Honna, Judy No Blog and Helen No Blog (though she really does have one but it has nothing to do with quilting!)  Everyone was just so sweet and I was delighted to meet all of them.  Judy took a photo which may or may not appear on Nancy's blog in a few days.  You could not have slapped the grin off my face!

So...while I was at Burkholder's I had to shop.  25% discount on everything that wasn't already on special or sale.  Seriously, what would you have done?!  I bought this to make dresses for my great-nieces.  They have birthdays this month.

I am participating Karen's fabric swap so I picked up this beautiful red and white fabric

I saw this collection from PB Textiles and had to buy it.  I know it will make a couple of really beautiful bags.

Because precuts were also on sale, I decided that I need to make another big bag.  I purchased a charm pack and a couple yards of one of the coordinates.

When I got back from fabric shopping I started moving the mulch from the back of the car to the garden using my new yard cart. I dumped out each of the bags and decided to wait until the sun goes around to the front of the house before I spread the mulch.   The sun is so nice to see but it sure got warm in a big hurry!

Later this afternoon I will actually sit down at a sewing machine...or at least cut something out.  Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

What? Friday Night Sew In??!!

How can it be time for the Friday Night Sew In again?!  I have been absolutely useless in the studio for weeks.  I have been in one of my "poor, poor, pitiful Suzan" moods.  Time to snap out of it!  I am going to sew tonight.  I may not get a lot accomplished but, by golly, I will be up in the studio plugging away.  I owe Nancy, Near Philadelphia a cow block.  I owe my aunt a purse.  I still need to finish the runner and placemats for my mother.  I need to get off my fanny and do something!

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