Where Did the Summer Go?

I can't believe how busy this summer has been for so many of us.  Between getting a quilt and kits ready for the Newport Quilt Show last weekend to the electrical work Kelly and I are doing on the house, to all the normal upkeep and everything else that seems to makes the days fly by, I cannot believe a 1/4 of August is already gone!!

I am getting a couple of posts ready with a show and tell of all the gorgeous quilts at the Newport show but until then, here is a peek at the quilt I made (with kits) specially for the Newport show.  It is called Newport Blues as the Oregon coast girls LOVE their batiks.  and it is made with the Mesmerize pattern from BasicGrey.

You can't see the quilting that I did on it but I used the Firefly pattern I got a a freebie online from Intelligent Quilting!!

The fireflies gave it just a hint of whimsy!!  I used Tuscany wool batting that is now not my favorite but it is so light you hardly know there is any batting in there at all.  But - LOL - while I sewing the binding on and my lap was under the quilt, I has to open the window I was so warm!!

See you tomorrow with a Newport Show show and tell!!

Saturday's Smile!!

Sunflower Farm Creamery

Saturday's Smile!!

Seen on Facebook

Saturday's Smile!!

Found on Facebook and created by Theresa Hall

Saturday's Smile!!

YAY!! HOO!! HOO!! YOUZA!!

Well, I DID it!! I have only had my longarm, Martha for about a month now and she scared me to death!! I was trying to learn to "nest" on the computer and could not, for the life of me, figure it out. I got a private lesson from the gentleman I bought Martha from and last night I finished my first quilt. Nothing fancy but it's done and ready for binding and gifting to a Forgotten Angel!!

 YAY, this is pretty exciting stuff!!

I did have some issues with the backside and the threads bunching up into a wad of thread.  I was able to fix a couple of them but one was so bad that I had to un-ravel some of the thread on the front ~

So now I need to figure out how to fix this.  Do I put it back on Martha?  Do I clean off the table on my sit-down Tiara and sew it there?  Or do I use my domestic and fix it there?  Luckily it's near the bottom so I could get it in my domestic.

Here are some of the small knotted thread problems on the back ~

Actually, on this one, the stitches are too long.

On this one there is that knotting area.  Now, I must say, Martha did not act weird on these small goofs, just the big ones where I had to unravel the mess and pull out some stitches.

I am amazed at the steep learning curve!!  Or could it be that since I am getting up there in age, that I am just a slow learner!!  Ha!!  Only time will tell!!

Saturday's Smile!!

BeColourful by Jacqueline de Jonge

July One Monthly Goal

Ok, I have been putting this project off because I am not liking it and I am not having fun sewing it!!  But I really need to finish it, so here is my July OMG!!

This way I will be forced to finish it!!

I am linking up with Patty over at the Elm Street Quilts July Link Up.  Lots of OMGs going on over there!!

Oh, and I was a day late to link into the June Finish Up but I did get my June OMG finished and sent off to the recipients!!  They loved it!!

Saturday's Smile!!

A Few Little Odds and Ends . . .

I got my June Swap POTC block completed and it will go in the mail to Maree down in Australia in the morning ~

Then, I also got all my fabrics cut out for the Mystery Quilt I am doing in a Facebook group (there are more than these but I have already started putting the other parts together) ~

And got some of the parts put together ~

I think it is going to be fun when it all gets done!!

And then finally, I have been working to try to figure out how to "nest" one row of pattern to the next row.  It is really hard but today I had a break through and at least have somewhat of a clue as to how to do it.

Now, it is just practice, practice, practice!!  Plus I am going up to Coos Bay the day after the 4th of July to take a class at the place where I purchased Martha (my longarm's name).

Never a dull moment!!

Saturday's Smile!!

I Made My Goal!!

I promised the Vietnam Vet that is getting this quilt top that I would have it done by June 18th and today is June 18th!!  Oh, it feels so good to have it done!!  It's going in the mail tomorrow morning!!

Slow Sunday Stitching . . .

Well, this is my last swap Patchwork of the Crosses block.  I have gotten all the pieces fussy cut and sewn onto the papers.  Now, I just need to sew the pieces together.

I'm hooking up with Kathy over at Kathy's Quilts.  Come see what everyone is playing with today!!

Saturday's Smile!!

It was Exciting the First Time . . .

I finally got to the first star row and it was just as much fun this second time.  Because now I know that I am making a flag!!  Plus, I know I only have 8 rows left to go!!

It's looking like I might make my goal of next Monday to have this top completed!!