It has been a long, long time since I looked at or posted on my blog.  It seems some spammers have decided to advertise various and sundry things in the comments sections....none of them things that I would want on my blog.  I apologize and have deleted them all, I hope.   I am going to try to figure out how to minimize the chances of more being added.  Hopefully I will also start my blog up again soon as time permits.

2013 Aurifil Design Team

Check it out and sign up for their blog while you are there.....It is going to be a very creative year!!

http://auribuzz.wordpress.com/ 

Spending some time with Pat Sloan!! OMGosh!!!

So incredibly excited to be invited to join Pat Sloan on her radio show!!!  Here is a link to join in the fun.... http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/radio/index.html .   Hope you will join us!

Northern Hills Applique

Applique in the Northern Hills.....a class I'm teaching friday just needed a new design....it needed to be simple as they wanted a project they could finish in the day, so this is what I came up with... used fusible webbing from Pellon and various weights and types of Aurifil thread.  Had never used Aurifil 40 wt. for dcorative stitching around applique....probably will not try anything elsefor a good long while because I was so pleased with the result.  Also used their new 40 wt. polyester thread for background stitching....I NEVER use variegated thread....but since that is what they had sent to people to trial....I used it....guess I will be using it again...lol.....NEVER, NEVER, say NEVER!!

Hi Everyone.. I'm back!  This is my second attempt....first one disappeared into thin air.

First of all, thank you to those who have joined in during my absence with e-mails and wanting to sign up for the BOM.  YES, WE WILL DO IT.....YES!!!  I am so excited about it and am sorry that family matters have taken me away for a while....watch this spot for further details...

Received the following pics from McCalls Quick Quilts....my fall table set (table runner, placemats, and  hot pads are in the Oct/Nov issue....(photos courtesy of McCalls).
When I was a young girl making my first dresses from their patterns (5th grade), little did I ever, ever imagine that I would someday be in one of their magazines.....look for my Christmas table ensemble in the Dec. issue, too!!!   Yeah!!!

Another fun thing:

Recently Aurifil Threads put out a request for longarmers to volunteer to test their new polyester thread.  Luckily, I was able to do that and loved the thread!!  It is smooth, strong, and beautiful!!  Has a lovely light sheen to it.....will definitely use it again.   Used it on a baby quilt....two layers of batting for warmth, with loose quilting (to keep the quilt from being too stiff)....it was just wonderful to work with.  Ask your stores to stock it....you will love it!!

Sneak preview into what is coming down the pike......have been working on designs for hand embroidery since Spring Quilt Market, where I found someone to print my designs in iron on format...just like your grannies used to do it....how cool is that!  Found out today that Aurifil Thread is coming out with embroidery FLOSS!!!  Am I ever excited about that....just wish it was already in the stores....patience is NOT one of my virtues....but they say "good things come to those who wait"....


That is it for today....as soon as I get caught up and ready for Fall Quilt Market/Festival, we will start on that BOM.  Can't wait...it will be fun!

Hey, don't forget to tell your friends to sign up for my blog, join me on facebook, and well....just have a great time quilting!!!

Wow!  Things can and do change!  The reason for no blog posts lately is because of these changes....After the death of my 94 year old father in law, I spent two weeks with my mother in law....It was a very special time....and it was hard to leave her...alone after 66 years of marriage....fortunately, she is a strong and vibrant woman who will enjoy visiting her sons and their families....We are looking forward to a visit from her soon.  It was nice to spend time in NC again.... I forgot how hot and humid it can be there in the summer....met lots of nice people and ate some great food!!

It was wierd taking a two week "vacation" from quilting....often wanting to pick something up and work on it, but nice to just think about quilting without rushing in to actually create the piece....the outcome.....lots and lots of new ideas......can't wait to get started!!

One big change.... I have decided not to be a tour escort for the International Quilt Festival in Ireland next June.....may still go as I am sure it will be a wonderful experience for anyone who goes....

Still don't have the full 20 that I was hoping for  to start the BOM.....will give it another week or two and decide whether to do it or not.....

Finished!   

It seemed to take forever, but it is done!  
This is my entry in the International Quilt Festival of Ireland for next June..... IQFoI....you will see that a lot more in the coming months!  Luckily, I get to be a tour escort next year....am soooo looking forward to it!  This was my soul-soothing project to complete this week while THIS YEARS' festival is happening...and I obviously didn't get to go.....it really helped...along with all the wonderful posts and photos from those that did get to go....Thanks everyone!   
NEXT YEAR!!!!!  Yes, next year!

NEXT ON THE AGENDA:


Am working up a pattern for a BOM to run here on my blog......to celebrate 200 followers!  Not bad for a brand new blog.... (It sure helped having the SewMamaSew giveaway)!!!!  Thank you to everyone who joined up!


The BOM will start once we get enough people to sign up....it will be a bit of work on this end, and want to make sure we have enough people to make it FUN!!!  I am thinking there should be at least 20 people.... think we can find that many?  


So..... if you are interested, please leave a comment below stating whether or not you want to participate....It is non-binding!  Ha!  (Get it)???


Asking for comments will tell me two things....
1.  How many people will participate.
2.  How many people read this blog post.


The general rules of engagement for our BOM: (Subject to slight modification, as I am sure I will forget something)..


1.  Every three to four weeks I will post a block with instructions.
2.  When you finish a block, you may post a photo to my facebook page (date for posting will be given).
3.  I will have my trusty (nonquilting) friend and my husband pick their favorite quilt block. (I will not participate in the choosing).  The winner of each block will also be posted on both this blog and my fb page....(with a picture of the winning block).  The winner will win a small prize.
4.  When the quilt tops are done, you will be able to enter a quilt top photo...to my fb page. (dates will be posted on the blog for this).
5.  My trusty friend and husband will pick their favorite and the prize will be that I will longarm quilt it for you.  You will also be a featured guest on my next blog with pictures of you and your winning quilt.


About the Mystery Quilt:  Yes it will be a mystery!!  But nothing outlandish...trust me! (I don't do outlandish)... it will be  five pieced blocks....with blank blocks between.....then sashing and border.........YOU will pick the colors..... More info to come after we see how many people sign up.... This will not be a hard pattern.....it will be for confident beginners to intermediate.....

So, Any takers???   I think it should be fun!  

Winner!!!!


Elizabeth from Florida won the prize for my blog!  Congratulations, Elizabeth....hope you have fun with it!   My husband mailed it this morning!!

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!!!!


This is just so much fun with the new followers just pouring in.....and all so very nice....
SO....... if you "Share" and someone signs up to follow, they will get a chance at the prize, too!  But, I am making another prize, (not sure what but trust me, it will be very, very good) that will go to the person who helps gather me the most new followers.....How do they do it?????  When you refer someone to my blog, and they sign up to follow....have them leave a note that YOU referred them.... the person who is the best recruiter at giveaway closing time will win the extra prize.....Wheww!!! Hope that is clear!  Watch for some more fun coming up, soon!
Also..... I am now opening it to people in Canada and Europe....found out the shipping isn't toooo terribly expensive!  :)   
I promise to have a giveaway soon just for all you down-under quilters!!!

On the QT - Giveaway!!!

My first blog giveaway!!!  Happy to be a part of this exciting event.  Giving away a Fairfield Crib sized batting, a fatquarter bundle of blues from RJR and a beige large spool of Aurifil Thread.  It is something I hope someone would love to have!   Please forgive me, but you do have to be a follower on my new blog....it is brand new!  Please  share this with your friends, I would love to watch those numbers grow!  I will e-mail the winner (USA only for my first giveaway) and will ship this by June 1st.  Use the following link for more giveaways:  http://sewmamasew.com.blog     Good luck everyone!!!!


If you clicked on # 261 of Sew Mama Sew and got to a page that was not my main page... you will not be able to sign up easily for my blog and the giveaway......something went wrong.....go back to sew mama sew and scroll down the page. You will see it again as # 62..... click on that photo and it will take you only to my main blog page....I am sorry for the inconvenience!!!