Tuesday, August 21, 2012

First Look - Christmas Tree Skirt in Progress






I only have to match the backing, straight quilt (walking foot) from center to outside on all strips, cut center a little larger, and add the binding.  In other words, I'm not finished yet.

This is how it may stay for awhile, however, and I wanted ya'll to see my work so far.  I am preparing to go into somewhat of a hermit mode starting tomorrow...working on a special quilt which I may reveal sometime in November...

Also some other things are cropping up, as it does in Life sometimes...more on that later.

In the meantime, the skirt has turned out well.  I do have some of the same pieces that ended up next to each other, but I can explain.  See, when I laid it out to place all the strips, I laid the narrow strips the opposite of what they should have been.  By the time I realized it, I had already put together several strips and was too lazy and said, It will never be noticed, what with all the presents under the tree and such....

I am hoping to make another skirt...this time using one design for each strip instead of piecing them.  I should have long enough pieces of each fabric to do it. 

I am also playing with the idea of making a circle insert to lay in the middle of it in case I want it to be on my round table instead....


See you later.........

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Old-New Machine - Kenmore 158.1751

See what I bought from my neighbor?

I put the blue behind it to help it stand out.






After I bought it, I not only bought the manual for it, I also researched the web and found this review:  Thank you, stitchnerd, I appreciate your blog post.

Anyway, she (neighbor) had bought it for $15 from Goodwill.  It had a note on it saying, "No foot petal", and the legs of the cabinet were missing. It does fold down into the cabinet...


She got it home and found it had a knee lever on it.  She cleaned it and puttered around with it, and decided that she would sell it to me.  Works like a charm....I paid a tad  more for it because of the work she did, and I hope I can find/make legs for the cabinet so I can continue to use the knee lever.  I Love knee levers!  Maybe when DH has the time, with a little push I can have him work this out...

I have wanted another Singer, and since Singer used to make these Kenmore machines, I am comfortable with it....


 Right now, I am not using it because I don't have a good table at the right height to put it on.  And it is a HEAVY DUDE!  The machine by itself weighs about 35 pounds, and the cabinet adds to it.  I really don't want to move it until I have somewhere to put it permanently!

Anyway, this makes 3 sewing machines that I own....I haven't named any yet, but thought of the Three Bears Story.....Baby Bear being my Featherweight, Momma Bear -Janome 6260 and, because of its' weight, the Kenmore 158 is Papa Bear..... Might switch Momma Bear and Papa Bear, haven't decided yet.







Friday, August 17, 2012

Winner - MiniGiveaway #30

The winner of the stamped decorative pillow is

Janet!


Congratulations to her and thanks to the others who commented.   I'll be sending her an e-mail shortly.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Cutting Columns - Skirt



Just starting - 7 down, 21 to go.

Keeping each strip numbered.

I'll be using two of the strips on the tree skirt.  I will be making something else with the top strips.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Mini-Giveaway #30 - Cross Stitch Pillow

Welcome to my 30th Mini-Giveaway....

This one consists of a Stamped Cross Stitch kit.










  A 12" X 12"  Decorative Pillow with back, thread, and directions are included.  The kit has been opened from the top.  I have checked the stamped cross stitch and the back and they are in good condition.  It looks as if all the thread is there, although I have not taken it out to check.  There is a list of colors in the directions....

 The ruffle is an option, and as such can be made from whatever you wish.

The giveaway closes on Friday, August 17 at 10:00am and the winner will be  announced then. As usual, make sure I can contact you some way.

 

Monday, August 13, 2012

Another Project is in the House.....Temporarily....

I have completed my One Thing, One Week Challenge.....I finished the 5" blocks...


I have talked about it....Now it is officially, or assuredly, in view....

A new Christmas Tree Skirt is being made....

With this:


and these:


 140 five inch charm squares, all cut by moi....

Another new experience for me...An adventure in cutting and precise placement....I hope..

I have a little over a week to see how far I can get with this, as well as my HQing...

Because in 6 days I will be receiving fabric for a special quilt..... more on that later...Just let me say that everything will grind to a screeching halt while I concentrate mainly on that quilt....

For now, however, this prevails....See you tomorrow or so with another update hopefully....

Friday, August 10, 2012

Rainbow Top Done - D4P blocks.

I have been working...and have accomplished something!



I combined a package of charm blocks (Rainbow Charms, Keepsake Quilting, a few years old) with a Moda Smoky Grey (I think,,,it was a remnant) and a Stonehenge border.  Ended up with a 48" x 48" (approx.) table topper.  

The color placement was somewhat easy.  I wanted a kinda flow of color from one to the other, and I only had 3 finished blocks of each color, with one extra to work with.  

Still have to decide on the backing and binding...may go with just a simple non-color back, but not sure until I see what the LQS has to offer...

I am going to try and keep this for myself....but may end up giving it away at some point in time.