Here are the next three blocks that I have completed. They were really fun to put together, but I think my favorite is the Oriental Star.

This block is by far the hardest as it has "Y" seams and it is all bias. Thank heavens for a wonderful quilter who will make my sewing look great. So far I have a total of 5 blocks done. I'm on real time restraints to get this done, so I'm hoping the piecing will be done this week!!

Brittany's quilt

Follow along with me as I create 15 different stars (the 15th one is repeated 3 times for the cornerstones) for Brittany's wedding quilt. I get to mix and match these gorgeous fabrics from Marcus Brothers on this Civil War collection.

Here's just a bit of the quilt I just finished for the store. It is really lovely. The fabrics are too gorgeous. I've done a few quilts with this pattern but they were all sewn with different techniques. This one was by far the easiest.

Curtis and I spent a wonderful afternoon in town today. Our first stop was in an antique shop, where I found this great brooch for my bag. What fun it is to step back through time. Saw some treddle sewing machines. I think I might want one. Saw a lot of wooden spools with thread on them and a lot of old buttons.....a sewer's heaven to say the least. Can't wait until we go back....

Happy Belated Birthday to you Shari...Happy Belated Birthday to you. Happy Belated Birthday to youuuuuuuuuu, Happy Belated Birthday to you!! Here's hoping this year is the greatest. I thought all day of you on Monday. Hope it was a good day for you!!

April's quilt guild.....Patchwork Friends

The first 3 pictures are from our guest speaker, who is a fiber artist. She really is a talented lady. The trout was free motion embroidery on a standard sewing machine.

The following pictures are from the show and share.

Oops, this is one half of our auction quilt this year. It has little embroidered blocks of flower babies. It is really precious.

This quilt is made from left over friendship blocks from last year. It will be donated to Quilts of Valor for our armed forces soldiers injured in action.

This is the block jack for this month. Shabby Chic flowers....

The New and Improved

I took the mini quilt apart and put a red binding on it. I think it really helps to finish off the little quilt. I feel a little better about it now. Isn't it interesting how we finish something and it doesn't quite meet our expectations. This happens all too often with my sewing and forces me to get a little more inventive to solve the problem.

TUTORIAL FOR JOURNAL COVERS--FINALLY!!

I start with a composition notebook. You can purchase these at Wal-mart, the dollar store, where ever they sell paper supplies. They measure 7 1/2" x 9 3/4". To make the fabric cover, you need to either "build" fabric out of scraps, or you can make it out of "whole" fabric (not pieced). Approximate dimensions for the finished pieced fabric should be about 13 1/2" x 21-23".

When the outer layer fabric is pieced or cut to size, cut a piece of flannel the same size and edge finish all around the perimeter or serge the two layers together. (I serge mine).

Take the composition notebook and place on right side of flat fabric. Center it between top and bottom and side to side. Fold over the sides onto the journal and take a ruler and draw lines where the journal begins at the top and ends at the bottom like in the picture.

Sew on the lines starting and stopping with a backstitch. Trim down one side as shown on all 4 seams to eliminate bulk.

Press top and bottom areas through the center to be even with the seam area. Insert your journal to make sure you have a good fit. Make necessary adjustments. If you were careful when you drew lines to fit the journal, you should be just fine.



Now, you are ready to embellish. I really like to be able to tie the journal shut. You can make a belt, sash, run twill tape down the center, just sew tape or ribbon at the ends. Remember with ribbon and twill tape to fray check your ends prior to adding them.

I like to do different embellishments. Experiment and get creative. This one used felt, embroidery floss, a yo yo and a button. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and make it your own!!

My new project that I will be working on for the store is called "Iced Mocha" and it is a new line out by Henry Glass by Buggy Barn. Beautiful browns and soft aqua blues. The fabric is absolutely gorgeous!!