O' Sunny Day

Today is a beautiful day!  It's about 65F outside, and the sun is shining.  I love my new sewing room, because it's a converted sun room - windows all around!

I have a finish today, though it's not really a quilt, just a quick fleece blanket for a baby shower gift.  The parents are LSU fans through and through, so that's what I went with, plus the invitation to the shower literally says that a "little tiger is on its (not sure that they know the sex - at least when the invitations were printed) way"

Anyway, I was surprised by how cute it came out, I did a sew version, with rounded edges. 

 

I have been working on a few things, like crocheting little leaves, flowers, etc.. for a wreath, or a collage of some kind.  I don't know yet!

I also decided to finally finish a quilt I've been working on since last year, the 2012 BOM from Craftsy, while I'm not using all the pieces, I think it's still a nice little lap sized quilt to throw on the couch or the chair in the guest room.  I took a break from this today to work on the LSU Blankie :)

Long time no see!

Happy New Year! 

It's been a while since I've had a minute to sit down and blog, much less work on anything other than Christmas gifts.  So, I'm going to catch you guys up on what's up around here...

First with the WIP(s).

I've been working on a few patterns.

Bow Tie Required - I actually downloaded her pattern and have been working from that.  My blocks were modified to be a bit smaller. :) I'm doing yellows, purples, and black for my blocks as well, rather than the teal and red. 

Here is my new baby.  My sweet husband picked her up for my Christmas present.  On top you can see the fabrics I chose for my next quilt..  I can't finish a project before I've started thinking of my next one!  I'm going to make the Bursting with Blooms quilt from the Feb 2014 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting (I might have already started cutting pieces for the appliques).  Again modified to be black instead of the cream print. That is such a beautiful quilt!

I LOVE my new Elna, the throat is so wide... I FMQ'd a queen sized quilt with NO PROBLEM over the holidays.. I can't wait to work on something for me. :)

Now I want to share some HUGE news with you: I'm going to Impfondo, Republic of Congo in March with Mercy Ships on Field Service (a missions outreach).  This is not my photo, so I take no credit.  But I will be sure to post plenty when I return. 

Last weekend I went to the opening reception for the first gallery showing that I have works in:  Light/Dark. I don't think there are any photos from the event, they don't like cameras inside the gallery, which I'm appreciative of.  The next exhibit is a fiber arts exhibit!!  I'm really excited about that.

Thanks for reading!
Cassie

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday - oh wait, I already linked to her =D

Farmer's Wife

I went to Barnes and Noble last weekend, and purchased the Farmer's Wife book.  After reading it, I've decided that I'm going to hand piece the quilt just as the author had done. 

Here is my progress so far.  :)






This one is actually my favorite so far, and as usual, none of the photos do the blocks justice. =/

Vintage Finds and an Update!

One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is go to garage sales and see what I can find. Usually I find stuff for around the house, or clothes; today I came across some fantastic vintage finds.  I went to an estate sale - there was a vintage quilt that was completely hand stitched, it was a steal at 50% off (around $100...), but I thought my husband would shoot me for paying $100 for a quilt, this close to closing on our house.  So I passed on that.  Wish I could have bought it..

Anyway, same house, had a box of notions from the lady who, I'm assuming, made the quilt.  I bought the box at a whopping $5.00. Here are a few pictures of my finds :)





These old needle packages are getting framed and hanging in my new sewing room. I would like to research more to find out just how old they really are. Anyone know??

The box also had a ton of wooden spools (which is what originally caught my eye)

I took my pictures after I had sorted through everything. There were also several vintage zippers in original packaging, and a bunch of buttons (I had already placed the buttons in the jar I have with my own buttons).

So, since I haven't written in a while - sorry! - I'll give a little update. My sister in law loved the baby quilt that I made for her. That stemmed a request for me to make a t-shirt quilt for a friend of my husband for Christmas. I won't say who, in case by some chance, he reads it. So, with the move, the new job, the hour commute, and the quilting, I haven't had time to blog. Hopefully I'll adjust to all the changes and be able to post more often.

Thanks for reading!
Cassie

Dead after this week, but still have a finish

I decided to take the Mercy Ships job, but I haven't started yet.  I've been busting butt in the frame shop all week (I think I'm at 40 hours already, and I'm about to go in for another 8-hour shift.)  Anyway, as a way to wind down after work, I've been working on my hand quilted QST table runner that has been a WIP FOREVER.

I finally finished it! Just in time to move into the new house and Thanksgiving.  This weekend I get to sew on Sunday, and I'm very thankful for that.  (I guess I should also squeeze a painting in there). 





In other news: I won a little giveaway a few weeks ago, and got my package in the mail from Alyssa at Pile O'Fabrics from participating in her weekly stash share.  The very same day I received my muffler mat from sending a photo of myself holding the most recent Fons and Porter to Arrow Sewing Cabinets.  Here are the things I got in the mail :)




Thanks for reading!
Cassie

Stash Share 11

Since I have the time today, I thought I'd make a stash share post, and give a shout-out to Alyssa at Pile 'O Fabrics for getting this weekly share going. I found this last week, and challenged myself to share each week.

Here is a link to this week's selection: Stash Share 11.

Here are my selections:

Thanks for reading!
Cassie

Finally had a chance...

To sew something.  I love my new job, but it's killing my studio time.  (Not to mention, I had to make a painting for a commission.) 

So, the good news is: I finished my first Mug Rug for the swap.  I'm going to share it on here, and hopefully whoever ends up being my partner doesn't see it - I want it to be a surprise! I made it from my own design and got a little crazy with my applique.. I probably wouldn't do that if I could do it over again. 



Here is a picture of the painting I made for the commission. . .

Thanks for reading!

Cassie