A nice day...

Not only was today a nice day because the weather was beautiful (and I can actually see some grass!) but the Super Bowl Sunday event at the shop was a great success.  It seemed like all the participants had a wonderful time making their Valentine Cards and socializing!

I have to make a card for my grandson this week and mail it off to him!

Last week I spent time sewing everyday except Saturday.  I worked all day and then we had dinner plans.  My intent was to be home around 8:30 and sew the night away.  Well, we didn't get home until after 11pm and since I had to work today sewing was not an option.

I did get some sewing time in a work on Saturday so that counts...

I HAVE SEWED OR DONE SOMETHING SEWING/CRAFT RELATED EVERYDAY IN 2011!

Here is a class sample I made this week!



It started like this...and ended like this...

I have to admit...really do love doin' the twist!  It amazes me every time I make one!

I used a bunch of Thimbleberries Village Green scraps for this.  It will be a class at the shop in April.

Other than this I worked on some blocks and samples for the shop this past week and worked on a few designs I have planned for the future. 

Remember ~ Sew everyday!
Colleen

January is coming to an end...

Happy Monday! This one is a little long so grab a cuppa and sit a spell!

I can't believe that yesterday was the last Sunday in January...the month went by in the drop of a snowflake...and that's a good thing because there was a lot of snow this month!

The sooner winter is over this year the better. Generally I love all the seasons (with spring and fall being my favorites...especially fall) but this year...winter not!

Sunday I worked on Block 5 of Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilt Along...Kansas Troubles!

Here's the link...

http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

I am not terribly pleased with my color choices on this one but will leave it for now and wait to see how it works with the other blocks later on in the year.

Now, I bet you are wondering what it's sitting in...the owner of the LQS that I work in gave each employee this great box as a Christmas Gift and I think it is the perfect place to store my Civil War blocks...don't you! I adore this box and will be keeping it on display in my living room for all to see! (All is really just hubby and me but, oh well, it's still there!)

After completing this block I really needed to get to some "utility sewing". My poor ironing board cover was on it's last leg...see...

Isn't that just awful?!? I promise it was pretty at one time...it's a Laura Ashley! So I proceeded to make a new one...Laura Ashley watch out...here comes a Colleen Taylor!!!

Armed with some Kwik Trace (pattern tracing cloth) a sharpie, scissors, tape measure and 2 yards of really cute fabric FROM MY STASH...perfect for a sewing room...I proceeded to make this...

It came out great! Only one problem...when I took the old one off I discovered (whodda thunk) that it was reversible!

So, what is the outcome? Here are a few points to review:

• Look before you leap
• Laura Ashley is on top again
• Use the pretty Laura Ashley cover because it is so light and airy against the dark and dreary winter!
• Save the new one with the cute spool of thread fabric for later

I must admit that mine did come out really well for a "let's try this and see how you do project"!

Now I can make a new one whenever I want because "I know I can"!!!

And that folks was my day! A happy ending!

Remember...Sew Everyday!

Colleen

Another good day to sew!

With the weather so yucky...lots of snow...it was another good day to stay home and sew!

Sew that's what I did.  First I worked on this...

 This is for a class at the shop sometime at the end of March most likely.  It is from a pattern we will be selling also.

Then I worked on this.  The first pic is of a block I designed on EQ6 and the second is the block come to life in my sewing room.

The next step is to applique, back and quilt so I can hang it up for Valentine's Day!

But for now I am calling it a day...my eyes are tired and I feel like I am seeing double.  So much stitching today!

Remember, sew everyday!

Colleen

Civil War Quilt Along...Blocks 3 and 4

Fell a little behind with the Civil War Blocks last week.  I think going forward my plan will be to get this block done on Monday night!

The history stories that are published with the blocks are very interesting and I have enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed putting the blocks together.

Block 3 ~ Seven Sisters

This one was simple enough and gave me an opportunity to work on my machine applique!  I am really starting to like doing that!

Block 4 ~ Tears for Texas

The colors on this are really a little deeper than they appear!  This one was tricky but in the end it worked out well.

Both blocks were made using the fabric from my stash.

If you are interested in joining the quilt along visit this blog:

http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

Have a great day and remember...

Sew Everyday!

Colleen

Creating every day!

I can honestly say that I have stuck to my goal of sewing or doing something sewing/crafting related everyday!  This past week was tough but I did it.

On Wednesday we traveled to Baltimore to visit my daughter and grandson for the day so my creativity was to read 2 "trade" magazines.  I must say...the read was interesting and educational as well as stirring up some food for thought!

On Thursday I had dinner with a friend and, while I didn't sew anything I brought along the fabrics I have planned for my son's Wedding Quilt. 

Did I ever mention that my son is getting married in September?  Well he is!

So my plan is to make him a Japanese inspired quilt!

Alice, my friend and co-worker, was extremely helpful in helping me plan the quilt top.
Very excited to make this but I still need to sketch a few more drafts before I start cutting...:)

My sewing for the week included some samples for the shop for classes (photo of one item in my previous post) in addition to the afore mentioned reading and planning!
The two photos below are from a BOM we are doing called "Calendar Girls".  These are the sample blocks for January and February (we did these in our first meeting).

SEW...YES, I stuck to the goal!!!!!

DID I MASH THE STASH?

Again, not much because I worked on small projects and small applique pieces.

I would estimate...

STASH OUT = .25 yard

STASH IN = 0

Not a bad week afterall...I didn't buy anything!

Sew remember...SEW EVERYDAY!
Colleen