Good Thing About Winter in Michigan...

... It's too cold outside....

So I've been inside prepping my NEXT 5 SKOW BLOCKS! Woot! So excited!

Stay in, stay warm, stay happy!

Elisa

P.s. Like the pic? Took it on Belle Isle using my Hipstamatic app on my iPhone!

Whimsical Finishes

Thought I'd give you a sneak peak of another project I'm working on. These blocks are from the book Simple Pleasures by Anni Downs.

I have 9 more to complete over the next year. Can't wait!

Hope you have a fabulous Sunday!

Elisa

My Cup Of Tea

Not to get cocky, but I think I'm getting the hang of this appliqué thing!

This block went together quite easily, and it's my favorite so far. I realized afterwards I must've chosen this specific fabric because my favorite tea is green!

I did notice there's a marked difference in my stitching depending on the light. Unfortunately, my house isn't very well lit, winter in Michigan is overcast, and I have those new fluorescent (yellow) bulbs in. So I spent a bit of time yesterday pulling out my Ott light and rearranging my living room to accommodate it. Are you having the same issue?

One more block to go and I've caught up for December! <grin> I'm not too worried, though, as I have more free time on the near horizon.

 

Happy Stitching!

Elisa

 

P.s. LOVE Roxanne Glue Baste-it! World of difference! Thank you, everyone, for your advice!

Sorry... Too Busy To Chat...

Finally got back to my Some Kind of Wonderful. Must stitch while the fire is hot!

Anyone ever use Roxanne Glue Baste-it? Pros? Cons? Tips? Warnings?

Happy Stitching!

Elisa

 

Cutting! Cutting! Cutting!

OUCH! Back is a little sore. I try not to iron/cut for more than 45 minutes at a time, but I was so geeked about knocking out a few more projects.

So far, a butterfly quilt, a journal quilt, and the next blocks of my Some Kind of Wonderful quilt are on my cutting table.

Taking Bonnie Hunter's advice. I stopped adding water to my iron and am using a spray bottle instead. Hopefully, I can cut down on the annual replacement of the iron.

Because of work and family illness, I'm very behind on my SKOW quilt. I hope to have my December blocks done before March rolls around!

Did you get any quilting done this holiday weekend?

Cheers!
Elisa

Sometimes It's The Simplest Things....

As simple as..... One layer cake:

Equal 4 sets of charm squares:

I know. Obvious to everyone else. I'm making a butterfly quilt for my sister that requires 4 sets of charm squares. Brilliant me remembered at the last minute that equals a layer cake, which was cheaper (sometimes you can find good sales on them, especially on Etsy).

So, next time you begin one of those charm square projects, consider a layer cake instead.

Cheers!

Elisa

 

 

Small Finish - Easter

Last night I spent my 15 minutes of quilting time cleaning up my Quilt Room. I realized I had too many pieces of 'almost completed' projects floating around so I'm going to try to finish off some smaller ones.

Here's my Easter Egg for Nancy Halvorsen's 2011 Count On It book. It was supposed to be the April block, but Easter sometimes occurs in March so I changed it.

This quilt will fit in that 12" square free-standing Ackfeld wire frame.

It's not often I "birth" a quilt rather than bind it, but this was a kit from a local shop and the fabric was cut pretty exact. One trick I have learned over the years: When I have it layered, I don't sew 3 sides, flip it out, and then hand sew the 4th. That 4th side always looks wonky to me. Instead, I sew all 4 sides, make a slit in the center of the backing, flip it out, and then ladder stitch the cut close. The sight of the slit is where I add my label (on this little fellow, I fused one on over the slit).

I think I finished this one first because I'm ready to take my Winter wallhangings down and see a little Spring!

Cheers!

Elisa