Hello, I am Here!

I am back after a few setbacks.  I had to upgrade to Google Chrome which is fine other than so many things have moved/changed that it takes me longer to do things.  As I was going through this task, feeling annoyed, I remembered back when I was employed and our company introduced CHANGE.  Wow, what turmoil and unhappy employees and disgruntled employees we had.  What change was doing was making everyone more accountable for what they did.  It was not that hard, just took time to get used to, so as I was doing my updates, I thought why am I so upset over all of this?  I will and did get through it, and yes, I still have some issues to deal with but they will resolve themselves in time.  I am not going to let being a senior make me an unhappy blogger.

Back to business, do you ever make binding up ahead of time just to have available when you want some in a hurry?  I do, especially for scrappy quilts where  a scrappy binding is often the right choice.

Above you can see my assortment of blues that I sewed together and pressed ready for a quilt.  I usually sew 7 - 8  2 1/2" strips together.  This time I have some left over so they will get joined to some other set.  Below is my finished quilt with the binding attached.  It was a good fit for this quilt.  I regularly sew at night and how often have you finished a quilt and would just love to get that binding on but to start from fresh is just too much at 10 pm so this is when I go to my binding stash.  Try it, I am sure you will like it.

New Year

Happy New Year everyone.  Hope you all had a happy Christmas and are enjoying 2013.  I know we had the best Christmas ever, just being with family and at home during the holidays.  The weather was good with a little Christmas snow, so how could you wish for more.

My DD had some holiday time so we had a couple sewing days together.  Here is a picture of my finished bed topper that I made out of my stash of 2 1/2" squares.  Well sometimes funny things happen when you haven't posted for a while.  When I click on insert pictures, I can't browse my computer for pictures.  Wow, this is going to take me some time to figure out.  If anyone knows why I am having this blip, please let me know.

I put together a small quilt to donate to our Palliative Care Unit and it is ready for quilting.  I will post some pictures when I get this problem sorted out.  Until next time, best wishes to all.
 

Giveaway

Just wanted to let you all know about the wonderful giveaway of 12 FQ bundle of Cloud Nine Simpatico.  Be sure to enter here http://maureencracknellhandmade.blogspot.ca/2012/12/a-fabric-giveaway_14.html as the draw is Monday.

It's Starting to Feel Like Christmas Here

Hi Everyone, I have missed everyone so much.  Is Christmas coming together at your house?  I got out my treasured Santa I made many years ago. We put up the Christmas tree yesterday and our daughter came over with wrapped presents to put under it.   Her Golden Retriever, Hudson, was so cute, and I didn't take any pictures of him.  He loves all the fluffy Christmas stockings and handmade stuffed items.  He helped himself to a handmade reindeer ornament and claimed it as his.  Even growled if you got to close to his treasure.  He flipped a few hats around and bunted the the snowman door decoration to make the bells jingle.  He just seems to know when the tree and lights go up it means good times and lots of treats.

Here he is in his favorite spot in my sewing room catching a little nap or maybe his tummy just feels too full.  Do you like my quilt display rack?  I saw this on the Internet somewhere.  Rods were placed under the table top on 1 or 2 sides and you hang quilts or tops.  It also hides all the storage totes under the table.

Backtracking a bit, the Craft Show I went to in November was really great.  I sold quite a bit and one of my bigger quilts, actually, a sofa or bed topper done in blacks and taupes.  The day went by quickly but boy was I wiped by the time I got home.  It took a few days rest to get moving again.  Here is a snap of my booth at the end of the day.

I am feeling very much in the Christmas mood.  I started this little bed topper to keep toes warm.  I saw this in Connecting Threads and they used their rose manor prints but I didn't have time to order the kit.  Anyway, why do I need to buy new material for every project...just go check out those 6 or 700 2 1/2" squares we cut out of scraps.  The main part is together and I am working on the two borders consisting of holly and a nice bow.  I am happy with how it came together so well and a great practice session of sewing accurate 2 1/2" squares together!

The binding will be done in the blue striped print.  It's been quite some time since I have done any applique.

Well I am off to work some more on these holly leaves.   I am going to link this to Leah Days FMQuilting.  Have a great week.
 

Big Giveaway at Contemporary Cloth

Contemporary Cloth is having a big Sale for all day Monday and three giveaways.  Here's a link if you are interested. http://blog.contemporarycloth.com/giveaway-free-shipping-20-off-orders/

Moving Slowly Along

My new hip is just amazing and there is no longer any pain.  This hip feels like it has belonged to me forever, not just one month.

I am registered for a Home Base Business and Craft Fair November 24 here in Swift Current.  At last count there are 83 booths so it should be a wonderful show.  It is quite some time since there was a local Christmas Show of this size and I think the public will be pleasantly pleased with the different booths.  Please join us if you are in our area.  Location is the Stockade, in the Exhibition Grounds from 10-5.  A one day show only.

I am up to my eyeballs in sewing.  I will give you a sneak peek in a few more days.  My stamina is still a little low but things are starting to come together.  Sorry I am so slow getting pictures up but will have some new surprises soon.

Thank you to those of you who have been checking in on me and I hope you are enjoying some more sewing time.  My thoughts have also been with each and every one of you affected by Storm Sandy.  I hope each day brings better times.

Back In Gear

It has been a bit more than a week of recovery and I thank all of you that check in for new updates.  You are such an important part of my quilting ventures.  It is quite an amazing process of getting an artificial hip...3 weeks today....I have absolutely no pain of any kind and just have weakness in that leg.  I am already getting around in the house nicely with a cane.  I am faithful to my exercises as they say they help reduce the pain and strengthen the leg.

I haven't done very much sewing as I couldn't sit for very long and it takes time to get all those drugs out of your system.  I had the hardest time last week to make a pinwheel...just couldn't get the thought process right.  That is all cleared away now.  I do not do much  in seasonal themes but I did do a couple "Hint of Christmas" pot holders.  They still need a bit of quilting to finish them off.  I love the little sign "work for freezer space"! 

I am booked in for a Home Base Business Trade and Craft Show on November 24th.  I paid my fees but wasn't totally convinced I could be ready for this but I am doing really well so I am getting excited.  We have moved to a larger venue and it is only a 1 day event so I am anticipating a larger turnout.
I am putting together a child's quilt from a panel I had.  I am calling it tossed alphabet.  Here I am laying it out for a preview and I am pleased how well everything is fitting together.  I thought I would add squares of the pinwheel fabric set on point across the top and bottom of the banner.  I think I should expand that green outside border to maybe 3".  That striped will be the binding done on the bias.  Any thoughts you might have as to this layout are certainly welcomed.

The original panel was finished with a blue border...do any of you think I should go that route?
Please feel free to leave suggestions and comments that will help me improve on my project...I love to hear from you.

I am linking this post to Freemotion Quilting by the River.