Monday, July 30, 2012

Hand me a fan ... it's done!

Whew ... it's hotter than fried pies down here and I've been feeling the heat ... but I got lucky because I had me a studio full of "fans" ... with a peacock or two thrown in!


It's done it's done it's done!  I'm posting pictures but you need to know that this quilt is 96" x 96" and there is no way I can get a good picture of this big ol' bad boy ... so I'm just posting some shots of the different aspects of this quilt.    This is Robbie's quilt and she told me it's going on her bed.  It's going to be beautiful draped across her bed....
















If you click on the peacock picture you might be able to see where I used the light gold thread and outlined or enhanced the flowers, peacock feathers, etc.


The light blue 'sky' area has a floral motif, while the fans with the gold centers has a modified feather in each fan segment.  The smaller peacock squares has a feathered wreath in them.  






























Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Coming attractions! (Sneak peek ...)

It's been a while, but this is why ... 


Here's a sneak peek at a coming attraction ...


Oooohhhhh   ....


Remember you can click on the picture to get an up-close look ...



Monday, July 9, 2012

Happy Dance! Happy Dance!!

Oh, Happy Dance!  I just got word that Bernina University has announced its new 7-series line!  I have sooooooo been waiting for this word!  






I am an old-time Bernina fanatic.  I have the original 830 - totally mechanical - machine and I love it.  I will never trade this one in.  Several years ago I was ready to buy a Bernina that had embroidery functionality, and for reasons I won't go into, I bought the Babylock Ellegante2 which I also love.  I am not heavy into embroidery but I want that capability when I decide I want to embroider.  


So fast forward 2 years, and I realized that I'm still obsessing over a new Bernina.  I really want a SEWING machine without the embroidery stuff, but I want some new technology, like a touch screen.  And guess what!  (Hands to face!!)  The new 710 appears to be my next machine.  Ok Ok ... I'll calm down.  These new machines are expected in the stores in September so I'll actually wait until then and go drive one and see how we mesh.  


Oh, my ... 


http://news.investors.com/newsfeed/article/141345038/201207090930/bernina-introduces-its-new-7-series-line-with-patent-pending-bernina-9-hook-technology.aspx

Click on the above link and you'll read all about the new line!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Happy Belated Birthday ... and Happy Independence Day!

Belated Happy Independence Day!  I barely noticed as it's so hot here (how hot is it?  Hotter than fried pies!)  that I really stayed underground doing what I love.  We heard lots of fireworks but with all the trees around us we couldn't see a one.  


My sweet MIL turned 91 on the 3rd of July.  Sometime ago I met a customer who does wool work and we struck a barter-bargain.  I asked for a red/white/blue wool braided bowl that I could give to MIL on her birthday.  The bowl came and I took it to our local home decor store and had them work up a floral arrangement to fit the bowl.  Here's the result:


Isn't it pretty?  Happy Birthday, Lois!!


So the quilting world continues on and here are a few of the quilts that I've been working on.


This first one is Pam's baby quilt Spot's Favorite Colors and it turned out so sweet.  I used the panto Water World on it.  


The next two quilts are LARGE quilts and because they are so so so big I was unable to get a good overall picture.


Carrie's Blue and Brown Boy's quilt is huge!  And this picture does not come close to doing it justice.  It is a beautiful batik quilt.  I used the pantograph Fossil on it with a Deep Mint Magna-Glide thread and it came out beautifully.  No feathers or florals for these boys, you know...
Remember to click on the picture for a closer view.





This gorgeous Yellow and Blue sampler quilt went home with Susan.  Again, this one is very large.  I used a Feather Meander on it with a yellow Magna-Glide thread.  I absolutely love this thread!  It doesn't go with every single quilt, but for those that call for it - wow!  





Stay cool out there!  We are experiencing near-100 deg weather.  I just feel blessed that I have air conditioning and work that I enjoy doing INSIDE!   I'm real tempted to try that "fry an egg on the sidewalk" thingie ... 


I've got several projects on my design schedule right now so I'm busy busy busy.   There's a One Block Wonder that needs to be finished, a Snail's Trail that's ALMOST done, and two Lone Star projects.  Plus I've done two of those cutie-patootie Iron Caddy bags.  Christmas is coming, you know!