Results of My Friday Night Sew-In

Let's see...what did I get done?  Not a lot.

I worked on cutting the pieces for Smokey River by Whirligig Designs. 

And I finished my Cathedral Windown pillow.

This pillow doesn't match anything in my house but I love it nonetheless.  I enjoyed making this one so much that I have a second planned using French General.  And then maybe a third one using a charm pack or two.  Ohhhh that's a good one.  I can see it in my head already!

Well off to sew...no resting on my laurels today.

Check it out!!!

Have I got something to show you?!!!  I had something that came in my mail today that is going to CHANGE your life.  It's the solution to make rotary blades go farther.

We all know how expensive it is to buy rotary blades...especially when you're a very active quilter like myself.  Again, like myself I'm sure many of you have tried different blade sharpeners.  They are labor intensive and unless you put a lot of muscle behind it, the sharpeners don't really work that well.

Well The Grace Company has changed all that because they have come out with this...

It's the True Sharp Power Rotary Blade Sharpener!!!

It sharpens 28mm, 45mm, and 60mm blades all with the push of a button.  It comes with both coarse and fine grit stones that sharpens even the dullest blade.  To use it you plug it in and follow a few simple directions. 

To use the machine all you have to do is put a drop of oil on each stone (the one on the machine and one on the lid).  Insert the blade into the right ring.  Here's a picture with a 45mm blade placed inside.

 

Next, close and latch the lid and then press and hold down the button for 30 seconds.  Open, flip the blade over and repeat.  The duller your blade, the more times you may have to rotate the blade and continue sharpening.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

I LOVE this little gizmo and yes I've already tried it out and it really DOES work.  So go throw away those old hand crank blade sharpeners and get thee to your local quilt shop and ask them to order you one or go directly to http://www.graceframe.com/.

You're welcome...LOL.

Playing Hooky is FUN

I love Cracked Pots but I need a break...especially after finishing the 20 house blocks required!

So the past couple days I've been playing hooky from it.  I've started making half-square triangle blocks...1200 to be exact...for my Ocean Waves quilt that I cut out months ago and haven't had a chance to work on.

And yesterday I started on this...

It will eventually become a 16" pillow.  My goal is to have to it completed today...fingers crossed.

What are you working on today?

What's next?

I don't really have anything clever or insightful to say today...but then again...do I ever? Hmmm....

Anyway...I wanted to share what I've been working on for the past few days.  As those that follow my blog know, I along with half of blogdom LOVE Miss Rosie patterns.  Carrie's patterns are interesting and creative.  I never get bored with her patterns. 

This week I started...

I don't usually talk about my fabric choices.  But the reason for these particular ones is I wanted to use Kansas Troubles but they can be so very dark and one note sometimes.  To lightening things up and give the quilt more character, I through in a little Arnold's Attic by Barbara Brackman, prints from Brannock & Patek, and a couple miscellaneous tone-on-tone fabrics.

And here's where I'm at as of today...



While I'm not completely done sewing the courthouse step rows together and the border on, you get the idea.  I am really happy so far with how it's turning out.

Now I am working on the houses.  Here is a sample of one of them.  I promise it's not as wonky as it looks in the picture.  I have 16 houses to go and then it's on to the final border. 

If you think you might be interested in making this quilt, I have a little advice.  This is not a complicated quilt to make.  But please take your time to really read the cutting instructions because is A LOT of cutting involved with this quilt.  And it's easy to make a mistake if you don't pay attention.

By coincidence there are two other bloggers working on this very same quilt right now.  So go check out Yvette's blog BOM Quilter as well as Ranette's blog Ranette's Daily Stitch to see their fabric selections...which are completely different from mine.

Till next time...

Little Finishes

Confession time...I've been slacking off.  Instead of working on what I should be, I've been making little charm quilts.  Sometimes I find it's nice to take a break from the big projects to work on something quick and easy.

First, I made Endless Summer by Heartspun Charms using Lily & Will...such a cute quilt.  I love how it turned out and it only took a couple afternoons to complete it.

Next, I did two of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. Schnibbles - Hat Trick and Bennington.  Hat Trick is made from Sunkissed by Sweetwater.  And Bennington is made from Perrenials by Kansas Troubles.

 

Next week I'll share what's on my plate next.  Have a great weekend y'all!

Goodies Galore!

Each time I walk into my quilt room, I wonder to myself where all this fabric etc came from and when am I going to find the time to.  Each I tell myself I'm not going to buy another thing.  And then add my husband who says if I buy any more fabric, the fire marshall is going to require us to install fire sprinklers...AS IF! 

But here's the reality.  I LOVE QUILTING!  And every time I go to a quilt show there's GOING to be goodies to buy...those must have items.  And here's my recent haul from the Dallas Quilt Show...

First up...WOOL!  I made a stop at The Rabbit's Lair from Rogers, AR (http://www.therabbitslair.com/).  I bought a small wool kit and two bags wool circles in all different sizes for only $10 each. 

More wool came from the Folk Art Studio in Allen, TX, and Country Gatherings in San Antonio, TX (http://www.countrygatheringsshop.com/).  I just LOVE these pieces and can't wait to find a project for them.

Next up...how about some Boy Scout of America fabrics?  I'm starting to collect B.S.A. fabrics to make a quilt for a very special former boy scout that I know.  If you see any around online, let me know.  I need a lot more for this quilt.

Shirtings from Cotton in the Cabin from Spencerville, IN (http://www.cottoninthecabin.com/).  I loved this booth and could have spent all my money there.  They specialize in reproduction fabrics and I settled on these fantastic shirtings.  I don't know what I'm going to use them in yet but it'll have to be something really special.

And now my very two favorite finds from Material Girl from Grand Island, NE (http://www.materialgirlfabrics.com/).  I'm not big into buying kits but whenever I see a Kaffe Fassett kit it's hard to resist.  And resist I did not.  Here's a kit I purchased to do Bordered Diamonds from "Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts" by Kaffee Fassett...LOVE IT!

And then at the same booth I found Kim McLean's Flower Basket Medallion pattern which I've been dying to get!!!   

I just love Kim's work and have been collecting these Kaffee Fassett and Philip Jacobs prints for this very pattern.  I'm so excited and can't wait to find some free time for this project!

Well that's my haul.  Yes I over indulged and the fire marshall is likely on his way to my house any day...but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Till next time...

Highlights from the Dallas Quilt Show

The time has come to share pics of my favorite quilts at the 2011 Dallas Quilt Show...and I even remembered to get names this time to give the quiltmaker credit.  Let's get to it...

3" Ohio Stars by Annie Rosser

I fell in love with this quilt the moment I saw all those tiny stars. 

I'd love to make one someday...maybe not as big though.

Come On-a My House by Janey Banks

This one has been on my "to do" list for a while.  I loved the blues and reds in this quilt.

Under the Stars by Barbara Kauffman

I've seen this design before and I just continue to love it.

Four Patch Elegance by the ladies of the Quilt Guild of East Texas

This is their raffle quilt for this year's show and it's their own original design.

Memories of Orlena by Angela Blahak

Check out the embroidery she added to each block...LOVE IT!

A Few of My Favorite Things by Serena S. Vrnak

Another great four patch quilt that orginated as a block exchange.

Dots by Sharon Chambers

Not my usual taste but I just love this quilt!  It's so fun and bright.

To Grandmother's House We Go by Arvana Goble

I love the way she used the embroideries from a Crabapple Hill pattern and

add her own flareto create her own one of a kind quilt...FANTASTIC!

Millefiori Revival by Rebecca Yarborough

Another quilt that is on my "to do" list.  I can't wait to hand piece this!

My That's A Lota Yella by Fay Pritts

This one was bananas!  The hand quilting on this quilt was AMAZING! 

I wanna be a quilter like this when I grow up.

Well that's all I have for now!  I hope you enjoyed the mini show.  Tomorrow I'll post pictures of my goodies.  See y'all then.