Long Post

Sorry I haven't been posting lately.  I haven't really been in the mood to quilt or do anything for a while.  It's just gotten so hot here lately, all I want to do is sit in front of the AC and not move.  Between work and school and kids home for the summer, life has been busy.  But, my class ends this next week, and I have almost 3 weeks before I start full-time classes.  So, I have started doing a bit of organizing and such of fabric. 
I started by going through one of the tubs of fabric.  Just thrown in there, willy-nilly, badly needing ironing fabric. 

There are at least 8 tubs like this one.  

So, I started sorting, ironing, etc.  I threw away pieces I thought were too small.  Can there ever be a too small piece of fabric? 

The one on the left I kept, the one on the right I did throw away, but I had a hard time doing it! 

So, I sort, iron, and stack. 

This was when I had just started, but you get the picture. 

I kept finding fabrics where I wondered, "what was I thinking?"

This one is ok, it'll work good for civil war reproductions.

No clue what I had in mind for this, or even when I bought it!  Donation!

This is ok, it'll get cut up and used up!

I found these, but don't even remember making them!  I think my memory is going away...

So, I have maybe 1/4 of the bin sorted, it's a take my own sweet time project, because I am working on other things too.  I made this sample block using scraps:

I love this, used fusible webbing, machine buttonhole stitch, I'll do the embroidery by hand.

Hancock's here locally was clearing out fabric for $1.00 a yard, yes, $1.00 a yard!  I bought over 30 yards!

These go together, I'm thinking a baby quilt. 

With the addition of new fabrics, that's kind of what got me to start going through the old stuff.  But, I have also been working on the wedding quilt, wanna see?

Ruler work and background stippling.

This is the top of the feathered heart that is trapuntoed.

Here you can see the back rolled up on the take up roller.  I may actually get this quilt done before the big day!

When I am in the quilting process, about halfway done, I get tired of it, I just want it done, don't want to see it anymore, etc, etc, etc.  Does anybody else get that way? Now though, I am more than halfway done, and the end is in sight.  I find myself though thinking about the next quilt to go on the frame.  Does that mean I'm obsessed? 
Hope everyone has a good weekend, and keep on quilting,
Marianne

No Pics

I have been busily quilting and sewing, but no pictures until I can find my camera.  Also, have been doing things with the family, and school and work are all coming into play, so things have been busy lately.  I did do some fabric shopping (bad me) Hancock's here is having some really good clearance sales, and I just had to buy some (ok, 30 yards) fabric, and I'll try to post a pic of what I bought, just as soon as I find the camera.  Maybe if I cleaned I would find it- no, I believe someone hid it because HE doesn't want me to take any pictures of him.  My kids used to pose for me when younger, where did it go wrong?  ~sigh~ Ah, well, Happy Quilting, Marianne

Long arm envy

I have been working on a very intricate, special quilt.  Mike, if you're reading this, STOP NOW! Ok, so it's his wedding quilt, and it has lots of feathers, stuffed work, etc.  Working with a 9 inch machine it's a lot of rolling, and trimming of threads.  I really do have long arm envy now.  15-17 inches, not having to roll so much would be great.  But, at least I don't have to struggle with trying to quilt on my DSM.  I know several people who do wonderful work that way, it's just not for me. 
So, this is what I have been working on:

the feathered border

feathered heart

The feathers in both the border and the block are trapunto, so there is excess thread from the water soluble thread.  I can't show much more until it's done, so little bits here and there. 
I did actually finish something though, my Trail Mix quilt.  I still have to put on the binding, but it's done!  Cross that off my list.  

In other life news, I have a visitor for the month: 

This is my 17 year old who lives out of state with his dad.  He is visiting for the month, and it's so great to have my kids all together for probably on of  the last times in a long time, considering how fast they are growing and going in different directions, with college and all.  Makes me kind of sad and yet happy at the same time.  Sad because I miss them being little and needing me, and happy cause I'll have more me time for quilting, and going places. (Yeah right! ). 
Anyway, I came out one day and found something heard of but rarely seen:

A teenager doing dishes!  LOL!  I am usually the one doing the dishes, so this shocked me.  I haven't had to do them in almost a week!  I think I'll enjoy this month, and he's already asked about other things to do around the house...
Happy quilting, Marianne

Fourth of July!

Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone has a great holiday!  New quilty post later this week.  Til then, happy quilting, Marianne