Monday, July 29, 2013

Fun finds! Sew-in & July NewFO's

Since I'm headed out of town in the morning (have to drive youngest son's stuff back to college), I won't have time to write separate posts about all I've done.  Sorry.

Thursday was the regular sew-in day at the LQS.  I worked on my Harry Potter blocks, getting them ready to embroider.  Boy does it take a lot of time to transfer title names, and pick out thread colors for each book!

After sew-in, I stopped by a few thrift stores.  It was a very Harry Potter day!  Here are three of my big 'scores' for the day.

Harry Potter musical water globe from the 2nd movie
 My son wanted to take my Harry Potter tie I found a while back.  I told him that it was for my collection, but, that I'd keep my eye out for one for him.  Well.....
Gryffindor tye, with original tags
 I have a set of Dessert Rose dishes, that were 'salvaged' from the trash pile.  They had belonged to hubby's coworkers grandmother, and coworker didn't like them.  (set of 6, plus lots and lots of extras included).  Well, I do have 2 different platters, but, look what I found for $1.99.  Not a chip on it!
Dessert Rose platter
Friday evening, hubby and I went to the Oswego Antique Market.  After a supper of a yummy lobster roll, and a shrimp roll, I found a Singer oil can in great shape for only $5.  I've been wanting one for a few years now, but, I was unwilling to pay more than $5. 

my new (to me) Singer oil can
Saturday was the Pride of the Prairie sew-in.  I got lots of 'NewFO's' started.

some of the ladies at the sew-in

more ladies at the sew-in

7 preemie quilts cut out and pinned, ready to be stitched
The preemie quilts are due to be finished next Monday for my other guild.  Not sure if they will get done by then or not.  I forgot to take pictures of the 'outsides' of the quilts. 

I've also been asked by another of hubby's former coworkers if I can 'duplicate' the baby quilt I gave to her youngest daughter.  Now, I did NOT make this baby quilt, I cheated and bought it. 

baby quilt that has been 'loved' to death
Here is the stack of squares that I cut out so that I can duplicate the quilt.

squares to duplicate the 'loved to death' baby quilt
Yes, there are WAY more squares than I need.  I figured that while I was cutting, I could cut enough to make more than one quilt top. 

Here are some of the projects that some of the other ladies at the sew-in were working on.

trying to use up her patriotic fabrics

Maria's hexie quilt blocks
One lady brought these cute 'goodie' bags for everyone that came to the sew-in.

You Don't Have To Spend a 'MINT' To Have A Good Time!
I keep saying that I'm working on my Harry Potter blocks.  I have finally finished a few of them.  Here is proof.

embroidery finished

Magical Water Plants of the Mediterranean & Spiders & Their Habits

finished embroidery

Madcap Magic for Wacky Warlocks & Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches

Magical Drafts & Potions by Arsenius Jigger & Intermediate Transfiguration
embroidery finished

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find them by Newt Scamander &            Flesh-Eating Trees of the World by Hugh G. Forrest  

An Anthology of Eighteenth Century Charms
Trying to figure out what titles to use for each book (and fabric) can be difficult.  I am having fun, though.  Hopefully I'll get back to paper piecing new blocks soon. 

The only other thing I've been working on lately (other than machines) is my string quilt for Quilts of Valor.  I keep forgetting to take pictures of it.  If I get a lot done at the sew-in next week, I'll try to remember to take pictures of it. 

So, until next time.....

"So much time, so little to do!  Stop, switch that!"

(Willy Wonka)


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Fun Finds this past week!

Last week was a busy week, but, also a fun week.  A quilting friend is moving out of state, and had a garage sale.  I went to the sale 3 different times.  I found stuff each time that I didn't see the time before.  This is just some of what I found.

unfinished table topper and vintage flat iron

This T-shirt describes me to a 'T', don't you think!

not sure what machines this walking foot will work on, but, for the price, I couldn't resist getting it

not sure if I have any High Shank machines or not, but, I can always pass this on

cute recycled button thumbtacks

quilt top, I have the blue fabric in my stash, and will add borders to make it a lap quilt for the Veteran' home for my little quilt guilds philanthropy project in November
She also had this cool attachment set for straight line machine quilting (the only kind of machine quilting I've been able to do so far).

Quilt Wizard 'in the ditch' quilting feet and shank adjusters

extra feet in the box.  probably Bernina feet, but, I don't have a clue what the bottom, right thing is, or how it would attach to a machine.  Let me know if you have an idea
The Dream quilt book

back cover

an inside page of the book
This is a great book for middle school and above by Gyleen Fitzgerald

I also got a few patterns and books, but, I've loaned out all but one of them, so far.

Afternoon Tea pattern
Now that I'm learning the 'proper' way to embroider, I just may have to make this.  I think I still need to learn several different stitches.  YouTube is a great way to learn.

I purchased a few items at the Batavia quilt show, too. 

The Bunco Club book
When we lived in Tulsa, our neighbor invited me to join the neighborhood Bunco group.  I was a member until I moved to Illinois.  What a fun group it was.  After I read this book, I will gift it to my former neighbor, who is still a member of the same Bunco group (well over 25 years later). 

You can check out some of the vendors from the Batavia quilt show at Karen DeWitt's blog, here.  You can also purchase her book in paperback & Kindle editions at Amazon.com. 

I purchased one piece of fabric at the quilt show, and another piece at a thrift store on Monday. 

notions fabric from the quilt show, 30's from a thrift store
I saved my most favorite purchase for last.  I got it, and a cute t-shirt from the Chix That Stitch booth. 

Golden Snitch watch necklace

Golden Snitch watch necklace, open
Judy, from the booth, said that if you want to order one of her watches (she has several really cute one, including a sewing machine and an owl, among many others) to email her about availability at ChixThatStitch@gmail.com.  She doesn't always have them in stock, but, she'll let you know when they come in.  My Golden Snitch watch necklace was only $15.  Let her know that I sent you. 

I have NOT gotten any sewing done this week.  I've been tired all week.  I guess I need to recover from the past several weeks.  We are having 30+ people over for a Sunday school party on Sunday afternoon (hamburgers, hot dogs and home made ice cream), then, I drive my son's dorm stuff back to Oklahoma on Tuesday. 


Monday, July 22, 2013

Batavia Quilt and Textile Show

I helped work the Quilts of Valor booth 2 of the 3 days of the Batavia Quilt and Textile show this past weekend.  I've done this almost every year since the show opened.  I always enjoy this show. 

Quilts of Valor booth with our Opportunity quilt
 Two Quilts of Valor quilts were finished and turned in at the show.  I thought you might want to see them.
Quilts of Valor quilt

Quilts of Valor quilt

Right across from the Quilts of Valor booth was the Mission Seams Impossible quilt challenge.  This years theme was 'Childhood Memories.'

by Sue Juns

by Karen Collins
 Check out the 1/2" squares she used and stitched to make up this quilt.
1/2" squares to make the picture

by Thelma Weeks

by Rasa Forsberg

by Becky Hall

by Betty Ivins
This quilt show has about 150 quilts each year.  Small, but nice.  I love that they have a nice mix of antique quilts (family heirlooms) along with quilts made by kids and also local quilters.  They do have a viewers choice for the challenge quilts and for the regular quilts, but, they aren't announced until Sunday, so, I missed who won each category.  I don't vote.  I'd rather enjoy each quilt on it's own, than to try to figure out which one is 'best'. 

Batavia Windmill Quilt by William Hohmann


Sisters Across the Miles by Elizabeth Geer and Julie Carey


made by Nancy Chaney Edwards, 1852


made by Amanda Parks Turpin, 1852


The Saxophone Player by Nancy Shiner


Tiles by Gwen McKee


Winter by Ann Miller


Hand pieced by Edna Papenmeier in the early 1940's, hand quilted by Pauline Vibbert in the late 1980's

There is always at least one quilt that catches your attention for an unusual reason.  This is the one that caught my eye.  I wonder if Zombie's use quilts?????

Zombie Sam by Cindy Harper, made with permission of the original artist, Billy Tackett (www.billytackett.com).  This took her 81 1/2 hours to make this quilt (about 2 months 'real' time)

Autumn's Splendor by Erica Barrett


Burgoyne Surrounded by Jean Smith


by Sandra Bils


50 Shades of Gray by Kathleen Herbach


Christmas Treasures by Leanne Hurley

I love the details that were quilted into each flower vase

by Linda LoBianco


OMA Sailboat by Thelma Weeks


When the Stars Come Out by Rob Thomas

Of course another quilt caught my eye.  This is a Harry Potter quilt.  It was made as part of a challenge by Joann Fabrics.  All the fabrics had to come from Joann's.  The lady who made this quilt also works with our local Quilts of Valor group.


Harry Potter's Castle by Brenda Duran

bottom center of quilt

center of quilt

upper center of quilt

lower right of quilt

upper right of quilt

lower left of quilt

upper left of quilt

left of quilt, love the floating candles

My Green Thumb is only in Cloth by Erica Barrett


Harmonia by Nancy Shiner


Arts and Crafts Sampler quilt by Barbara Burdette


Reaching New Heights by Sharlene M. Snellman

small blocks, looks like a 'Dear Jane' but, doesn't say that on the info sheet, 325 different fabrics, 5,344 pieces, mostly hand pieced and hand quilted


The next quilt reminded me of the colors that another blogging friend has been using lately.  Teresa of A Quilt and A Prayer.

Radiance by Joyce Kosman


Night Blooms by Joyce Kosman


by Betty Ivins


Bali Star Wedding Ring Quilt by Chris Wiseman


by Deanne Simpson

 There were 4 quilts at the show with Owls. 
Whooters by Colleen L. Stephens


Lincoln the Lion by Anne Cooper


by Laura Hays


I only purchased a few items at the quilt show this time, but, they, along with a few things I got at a quilters garage sale this week will go into a separate post later this week.

I did get my newest sewing machine cleaned up Sunday afternoon.  I'm having troubles getting the tension set properly.  The wood on the base and case is in terrible shape, but, it looks better than it did.  I'll show pictures in a later post.  I think this post has enough pictures.

I'm hoping to get some projects worked on this week.  For the first time in a while, I'm not 'overscheduled' this week.  Yipee!  Some rest for the weary!