It's the little things that get me

Last weekend Ray and I went to the Sewing Expo in Lakeland. Trying desperately to stay out of a depression that keeps following me around, I thought the sewing expo sounded like something fun.
The only problem was Ray thought he needed to go with me. I'm not sure why, as we had already discussed that he would go do "boy" stuff while I did my "girl" stuff. I was surprised when he didn't drop me off at the entrance, but paid for parking and walked inside with me.

The expo was pretty much fun. It was like a quilt show with garment fabrics and embellishments thrown in. I got to play on longarms machines. I would have played more if Ray had not been there but I played. Maybe that was why he went in with me, he was afraid I would come out with one. Ah ha! That might be it!
Back to the show. After the second row we saw this beautiful booth that drew us in. It was the Primitive Gatherings booth. Ray and I both were dumbstruck! It was beautiful! It had all the traditional quilts we both love. There was one problem; they were small. I mean really small. Did that stop Ray from asking if I would make one for him? Nope! Didn't even slow him down.  Look at the pattern he picked up.

22" X 28"

Did you happen to catch the size? Yes this is one of the patterns Ray grabbed. Yes, I am nuts, because if he asks me to make it for him I will. He pointed out a few other items that I will show later. I am still shaking my head over this.

A friend of mine, Karen, told me the last time I saw her that she thought I was nuts when I first started working in 1 1/2" strips and 3" finished sizes. Then she tried a Miss Rosie pattern called Cracked Pots. She now is a convert and loves them. I too love working small, but have never worked this small before. The pinwheel pieces are worked on HST paper and that measure 3/4" finished HST. Now that is small!
I am using the Triangulations papers that I print here at home so I don't have to worry about running out and needing to go to the quilt shop. Since I work late at night that is a good thing. Do you know about the Triangulations CD? I love it. I know how to make a HST without paper and I can make them pretty accurate with the need of only a hair trim to make it perfect. When I use the Triangulations is when I want to make tons of them. It really is faster to work with. I don't sell the CD, nor am I paid by Bear Paw Productions but I do love this CD. I have the 2.0, and now they are making the 3.0 and I read they have lots more to offer on it like a couple of quilt patterns. If you make HST and QST a lot and you are looking for a good way to make them try it, you'll like it.

Ok, now I am off to do some sewing.

Later,
Diane

I am back in my sewing room

I have been back in my sewing room for the past couple of days. What a relief! I was so afraid I had lost my quilting mojo. I have been playing around with a Texas theme in my head and been cutting and ironing fabric. I dug some strips from my strip drawer and sewed them together and tossed them since I had not quite got the method worked out. Cut a few strips and sewed and tossed them, still the method was wrong. Now I think I have it.

I have pulled every scrap and fat quarter out and washed, ironed, cut and sewed until I have stacks of pairs. Now I will pair up my pairs.

Years ago, about 15, I went to a swap class at my quilt guild. We all swapped strips of fabric and sewed them together and then cut them again and swapped those strips. What we ended up with was a really cute Texas flag.  It is just big enough for a wall hanging or a small pillow since it is only about 12" X 17".

My idea is to make a large Texas flag for my living room, one big enough to take a nap under if I want. Since we have decided to make the family room into a Texas themed room I think it will look great draped over the couch.

This was found on one of my last trips to Houston. I wanted it for my living room, but it may end up in my sewing room.

Beading fun

I've been working on a necklace pendant. I really like how it is turning out.

I haven't played too much at the sewing machine. Too busy with everything else. The original plan was to take the whole weekend and dare anyone to bother me. Dear husband stopped that. He surprised me with a weekend trip. I'm not complaining by any means, but sometimes too much is just too much. I will laugh and smile and enjoy our time together. There are so many I know who would give anything for a weekend with the one they love. I will sew next week.

Diane