My New Favorite Tool

Who'da-thunkit?

I'm a gadget girl. Gotta have! Gotta have! When I decided I had to finally focus on appliqué, I didn't have to go far for tools. I was able to shop in my own quilt room (some goodies still in packages - LOL).

After months of practice, I finally completed my first block (do I sound pleased with myself? Will share on a sunny day). And, with all my practice blocks and fancy gadgets, what was the most useful tool in my arsenal? A toothpick.

Wooden. Inexpensive and light.

Dull point. Nudges fabric back into place without poking holes.

Wet. Snags the loose threads for concealment.

Round. Rolls seam allowance under like a curling iron.

In celebration of my victorious first block, I may go out and buy another box of them!

Cheers!

Elisa

Happy New Year, All!

Wow! What a year! What a month! What we week!

Glad they're over.

Spending every waking hour working or with an ailing family member. 

Finally able to work on my Some Kind of Wonderful blocks. I've been practicing appliqué for 2 months, and just finished stitching the main section of my actual block! Looks great!

I may no longer refer to appliqué as "the A word"!

Here's to wishing you and yours a safe and healthy New Year!

Cheers!

Elisa

Not Forgotten

Haven't forgotten all my blog friends. We had one family member pass away and another rushed to the Emergency room during the holidays.  It's been an exhausting few days, waiting. 

No show-n-tell on the horizon. Luckily, like most of us, I did have a small kit to grab out the door and help pass the hours.

Only wish I had prepped my Some Kind of Wonderful blocks to work on. First blocks due by Saturday, and I'm going to miss that deadline.

Take care & have a safe, healthy New Year ❤

Elisa

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Late Edition

A little late.... Internet is down again <sigh>

But, to cheer myself up, thought I'd share my promised pics from the Wayne County Holiday Light Display!

They look small but each is minimum 10 feet tall.  Click to enlarge.

Thank you, WikidKriket & Rockin' Robyn, for laughter, cocoa, and tunes!

Cheers!

Elisa

Christmas Finish - Joyeux Noel!

Finished my little wallhanging! Can't wait to gift it tomorrow!

Can't go into details - though I don't think the recipient reads my blog.  She really appreciates quilting and has a French background. Wish the photo was truer (lot brighter, in life), but it's dark when I leave in the morning and when I get home. 

I didn't skimp on the back, either- appliquéd label and quilt sleeve. Now onto my snowmen!

Cheers,

Elisa

Basting Done!

It's times like this I value my blogging buddies!  Basting on TWO projects completed using Allie Oops technique!  Basting all these years was such a labor and yet I could never get the back smooth -voila!  I have the advantage of having a full-size table to use - it's the open pins that make all the difference.  Thanks, Allie!

Now, off to do a little quilting..... a little wrapping....

Hope to share some finished projects shortly!

Stop by on Wednesday - will share some pics from the Wayne Holiday Lights display.

Cheers!
Elisa

Santa's Elves

If you could ask Santa's elves to take care of one dreaded quilting chore, what would it be? It's been a week and my snowmen STILL aren't basted. <sigh>

Basting bites.

Ok, off I go. My goal is to show you my snowmen this week.

Good cheer!

Elisa