Summertime!

So, tomorrow is the kids' last day of school, no more getting up early, yay!  My classes ended a week ago, and I passed everything, including math, double yay!!! So, it being my summer vacation ( I do still have work, but now I have time for sewing and quilting, time I was spending studying), I have been getting myself into the groove. First up, I finally got the timing set on my Bailey.  I have been having issues with it- my own fault- and was getting ready to take it in to my repair guy, when I decided to try it again.  I finally realized the foot needed to be adjusted, the needle shaft was correct, and doing what it needed to do.  So, a little tweaking, and it works!

Bette Bailey all ready for action!

Finally got my stitches to look great on the top and the bottom! I only have all of these waiting:

22 quilt tops hanging and waiting for their turn.  I also just finished piecing this yesterday:

So, that makes 23 tops.  I think I need to get busy. 
I hope everybody has a great day.  I have been watching the news about Oklahoma, and my prayers go out to those affected. 
Marianne

Where has the time gone?

Seriously, it's been over a month since I last posted! I keep wondering how time flew by this fast?! Yikes.  I have been very busy, with family, school (one more test- the final exam), and work, that even though I have been doing some sewing, I just haven't had time to blog about it. But, I actually have a couple of days to play hookey, and did a lot of sewing today.  I finished these:

Flying Geese, ala Bonnie Hunter's method. All of these flying geese units measure 2-1/2 inches by 4-1/2 inches, and are paper pieced.
They started from here:

                            To here:

                            To here:

 And finally, to here, a finished flying geese block!

You can tell, I really, really like to use scraps.  I could not buy any more fabric, ever , (not gonna happen!) and still have plenty of fabric to last me for the rest of my life.  My son's fiance (yep, he got engaged this last month) jokes and says I have plenty, and don't need anymore.  But, I have her hooked, before she met me she didn't really sew at all, now she has her own stash! Passing it on for sure.  Ha, ha, ha.

Other than that, not a lot going on.  I found these blocks when I was cleaning up the sewing room:

I have no idea what I am going to do with these blocks.  They are all machine appliqued and I am at a loss at how to put them together, but I am sure I will come up with something.  I am pondering a pale pink sashing maybe, with a light yellow setting block. Oh, now I have some ideas. :)
Housing news: someone has made an offer on our house, but it's a short sale, so the bank has to accept, etc. So, no clue how long we will be here.  Banks work on their own timetable.
So, in a nutshell, that's what has been going on here.  Tomorrow, I have the entire day ( I have no work, or school) so I am going to attempt to finish the baby quilt I have on the frame.  Wish me luck, I have had more issues with tension than ever before.  Once that quilt is done, there are more than 20 waiting their turn.  Guess what I'll be doing all summer (if not moving)?
Happy quilting,
Marianne

Lost the quilting mojo, but now it's back!

The last month, I just have not felt like doing any sewing or quilting.  Anybody else feel like that sometimes?  But, as of last week, it came back with a vengeance! Three coworkers are pregnant ( something in the water, for sure) and one just had a baby in December, so I am getting busy with baby quilts:

 This one is for a baby girl, born in December.  I did a raw edge applique for the edges of the hearts, and lots of scraps.

 Close up of the hearts.  I took pictures as I was making the top, so I will hopefully put a tutorial up later this weekend.

This was a very simple top to put together, which I really needed at the time.  I am so looking forward to quilting this, I see lots of unique design areas. 

I found a stack of these in a bin, and decided to go ahead and get them ready to applique.

I like to use the glue stick method to do my edges on applique.

Some of the points turned out better than I thought they would.  Most of these stars were made by hand.  I got them in some fabric bins someone gave me when their mother passed away a few years ago.

Finished and pressed.

My finished Chicago Pavement quilt top.

Close up of the blocks and border.  I used fabrics that resemble 1800's fabric.









Well, that's what I have been up to lately.  Next week, I am hoping to get at least one quilt on the frame and quilted.  I haven't finished one quilt so far this year-yikes! Time to get busy.
I hope everyone has a great day quilting.  I will be joining the TheQuiltShow.com, they are running a special due to it being National Quilting Day, so I am biting the bullet and doing it.
Happy quilting,
Marianne

Another show- lots of pictures!

So, this past weekend was the other local quilt show, in Titusville.  I couldn't believe how busy it was only a few minutes after they opened!  Apparently, people were lined up when they opened. Wow.
So, I have a few pictures to share:

 This embroidered quilt was done way hand.

 Tiny pieces of fabric make up these drunkard's path blocks.  See, another reason to save every little scrap!

 These roses were drawn by hand, and then pieced.  Wow!

 Umbrella ladies done by embroidery machine, just beautiful. 

Hopefully, my next post will have pictures of some of what I have been trying to work on.  School is getting to me, and I have been back this semester only a month and a half.  Oh well, it will be worth it.  Went and bought more fabric the other day (great sale), and my mom asked how much fabric am I going be buying once I am done with school, and working, hopefully making more money than I am now?  I had to laugh.  I told her probably a lot more!  LOL
Hope everyone has a great day!
Happy quilting,
Marianne

Quilt show 2013

Just got back from the quilt show at the Orlando, Fl fairgrounds.  It is going on today and tomorrow.  So, be forewarned, there are lots of pictures, with some comments.  I did get to try out a Handiquilter and a Gammill.  So, there will be a new machine in my future, just not yet.  Have to finish school and get moved first.  Maybe in a couple of years. 
Onto pictures.

Beautiful embroidery

One of Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilts.

Gorgeous embroidery and quilting.

This quilt had a story- it was made for a mother whose son had died- it was made from his shirts.

I feel like this most days. LOL

Phenomenal work- too big to get a full picture!

This was the quiltmaker's first try at paper piecing.  Wow!

My motto- every scrap counts!

I had a great time, and can't wait for the next quilt show in our area- Titusville Fla, the Brevard Community College campus the weekend of the 16th.  Weekend after next.  I usually see people from the guild, and just have a great time. 
Hope everyone has a great day
Happy Quilting,
Marianne