Slow Going

It's been a while since I've posted. No, I didn't revamp my blog. I can't seem to save a copy, and I don't have the patience to redo things at this time. I've been working on two projects that are both slow going. Hand quilting wreaths and outlining all the applique on this one.

All the threads are just my basting stitches, I cut them as I go along.

Stitching down yards of 1/4" bias for the borders of my Beyond the Cherry Tree.

I started stitching the cherries, thinking I had prepped all that I needed.

Not so much. I realized I'm about 60 short so out came the scraps of reds and the paper templates.

These go fast when one is sitting doing this. 

This has been my spot every evening since the weekend. I twisted my knee Friday night, and per Dr.'s orders, I'm resting and icing it. She says 7 - 10 days and I'm really trying hard to be a good patient. I'm itching to get back to machine quilting and yoga. I'm hoping for Monday.

My big project at work has peeked, that happened Tuesday afternoon.  What a relief to submit all my files and reports.  Now to wait and see what is accepted and what needs adjustments.  The biggest part is over though.  What a learning curve for me!

I'm teaching Hand Quilting this Saturday at Fabric Etc in Bellingham. There's room for one or two more, any takers?

Have a great weekend

 Sharon

This is Only a Test

I'd like to upgrade my blog, but I fear that I'll loose everything.  Maybe this "new" blogger will be easier to make a few changes.  Or I'll be starting from scratch......time will tell.
Sharon

Blogging Along

As a quilter and a blogger, I sometimes find myself talking about "my friends".  It's strange, I have only met a few of my fellow blogger/quilters, yet I talk about your adventures like I know you.  Does anyone else do that?

Anyways, my "friend" over at Library Gal Quilts just did a great post.  She's having a giveaway to celebrate her 250th post. Quilty items and a book.  Who wouldn't love a new book?

This post had me think a bit about my blog,  How many posts have I made? When did I start my blog? Who really stops by and what are they looking at?  Blogging is like taking photographs, it is a statement of your life and the people and events that shape your world. 

 If you go to the Stats tab on the Dashboard, you can see all kinds of fun things about your blog.My most popular post was this one.  Who knew, I blog about quilting and everyone wants to know my Shortbread cookie recipe.  Honestly, if you haven't gone to this post and written down this recipe, you should, it's the easiest cookie that generates the most compliments!

People from all over the world have checked in and taken a peek at my view of the world from the Pacific NW.I'm grateful for all my blogging buddies, you have entertained me, taught me a ton of things, expanded my world, encouraged me in ways you may never know, and for all this, I am very thankful.

I'll leave you with a picture of my kitty cat, Miss Molly.

Have a great Thursday!

Sharon

Lost and Found

I have this software, but I honestly have not given it the opportunity to work for me. Basicly that means I haven't taken the time to read the book and play with the program. Out of the blue last week, I decided to open up a pattern that has been done in EQ6 and I got error messages. Then I tried to open the program.

  No such luck, same error message.  No problem, I'll reload the software.............as soon as I find the cd.
After several searches of spots in my house that may have contained the cd, I came up empty handed.  While at Fabric Etc on Sat, I asked if I bought the upgrade, did they think that would work. Nope, they didn't.  Then Alicia came to the rescue.  She told me the cd would be with the book.  Oh right, there was a manual with this program.  And sure enough, I went home, looked on my bookshelf, and there was the book with the cd in the back pocket. I'm glad I asked the experts!
I'm looking for my yellow handled small scissors now, does anyone know where they are?
Sharon

Bloomin' Tree

Happy Easter. 

It's that time of year when this tree "blooms" for all the neighbours. I'm so glad people still make an effort!

Show and Tell from our guild meeting on Tuesday.  Jan H., our resident applique expert, showed her "Never Enough Cherries" quilt.  Pieced, appliqued and quilted by her.  No doubt she has ribbons for this piece.

JT2 met Sat morning.  Big shout out to Tracy for demo'ing her hand piecing techniques.  I think we all learned something from you.  It motivated me to start my Grandmas Compass block last night. 

With our JT2 group, I decided to have a drawing for those who had the quarter section together at the meeting following the instructions on how to put each quarter together, but I hadn't expected the degree of difficulty and time that the blocks would be.  But there's always a keener in the group *wink*
Beautiful!

And a close second, look at this one being done in pink and brown. 
Spectacular!

Close up of her hand embroidery.

I'm still working away on my Sisters Choice, here are 10 of the last 20 blocks.

I've been making the sashing stars with Bonnie Hunter's leaders/enders system and it has been amazing.  I'm on the home stretch, my last piles of pieces are ready to go. I just need to find some time to do some piecing on my Red and White JT2. Then these babies will be ready to sash the 9 patches and my 81 blocks will be finished.

Speaking of time, good things come to those who wait.  Carol at Fabric Etc ordered this 12 wt Aurifil for me and we were wondering if they were still picking the cotton for the thread.  It arrived, it's the PERFECT color, and soon it shall become the cherry stems on my BTCT.  Once that part is done, I can trim down and piece the center. Again, time factors into this statement!

Speaking of time, my buzzer just went off, which means it's time for me to step away from the computer and get in front of the longarm.  I've got about 2 more hours and I'll be finished a king quilt for my customer.  Thank goodness the strong, young man showed up and mowed and edged my yard yesterday while I was out playing with my quilting buddies!

I can see blue sky for the second day in a row, dare we think spring has arrived in the Pacific NW?  I'm sure all the Easter egg hunters are glad to see sunshine.
Have a fabulous day!
Sharon

Snow Quilts

Amazing

Wow, click here for the link to the article with more pictures.

Sharon

A Few More

Since I've been asked to share my blocks at our guild meeting this Tuesday, I got a few more blocks finished this weekend.

  I've got a few rows of flying geese to put together, and I still haven't printed the patterns from the 15th!  That one will be hand pieced, for sure.
I'm sure the patterns I looked at today were April Fools? Yes? No?  Good lord, the designers must think we have a lot of time to work on this one project.  I, for one, will not be staying up to date, but I shall continue the journey.  I think it's going to be a spectacular quilt when it's all together and a great memory quilt for me.
I had to chuckle at Nancy over at Tattered Garden  Take a peek, her block is worth seeing!
Hope you all got to work on your favorite projects this weekend.
Sharon