I got mail!

Yesterday I was so lucky to get two squishies.  The first doorbell ring happened to be my order from Connecting Threads.  I ordered some blenders to go with the Central Park layer cake I ordered a while ago. 

The only one I am not thrilled about is the Daffodil.  It seems to be too bright.  I will have to see how is looks with the prints.  These are the fabrics that I will be using for the Quilt Class 101. 

The second doorbell was a total surprise, and really can't be called squishy.

Newell was going to buy me some flowers before he left but I told him I wanted them to be a surprise, and I certainly was surprised.

Today I had another squishy in the mail.  My swap partner over on the Quilters Message Board sent me this months Doll Quilt.  I really love it.  I told her I want to hang any I get from swaps on a wall, so she put a dowel in the back to make it easy to hang.

After seeing the label on the back, I am sure my Dragonfly Ticker Tape Doll Quilt will be a hit.

Working at last!

On Saturday, I dragged Newell to Brighton to a quilt store that I had not been to that also sold sewing machines.  It was really close to closing time and the lady manning the store was a gem.  She searched through all her screws in the back and when none of them would work she started on her floor model machines and found a needle clamp screw that would work.  I came close to hugging the lady.  I need to go back because she used one of her needles to make sure the screw would hold the needle in place, and she left the needle in the machine.  I want to go back and pay for the needle,  not only is it the right thing to do, I love the shop.  There was a very nice selection of bolts and samples all over the store.  I am going back again for sure!  Classes are also offered and a new schedule starts in May, I can't wait to see what they offer.

I couldn't get to sewing until Sunday.  I started on the ticker tape doll quilt, and worked on a mug rug.  The doll quilt will take longer then I thought it would, but I am liking how it looks.  This will need to be done by the end of the month.  Yesterday I worked on the second mug rug and I just need to do the binding on both and get them in the mail by Friday.  The other swap due this month is a 12-inch block.  I have the fabric and the block in mind, now I just need to get it done.  Pictures will be posted when they are each completed.

Tomorrow is QC 101 Week 2:  Design.  I am really looking forward to the lesson.  I do a little design myself but I want to see what a more experienced quilter does to work out her plan.  Rebecca had a sneak peak of some design materials:  grid paper and pencils.  So I picked me up some grid paper and will gather pencils and rulers so I am ready for class.

I am not doing very good with two of my goals I made:  not buying fabric or pattern books.  I picked up a copy of "The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt" book and of course had to have new material so the quilt will  not be scrappy.  I placed a second order with Connecting Threads this week with material for the FWSQ.  I am going to use the Canning Day fabric line which is repos of 1930's fabric.  The quilt is from the 1920's but I liked the lighter colors from the Canning Day line.  I am hoping to get one block done this week or weekend.  With a total of 111 6" blocks. 
 

Quilting 101 Week 1

Yesterday Chasing Cottons presented the first lesson:  Fabric.  Rebecca gave some great information that allowed me some freedoms that reminded me of Stacy Julian.  Stacy teaches a style in scrapbooking that is not the "norm", a freedom to scrapbook in a way that is not more relaxing.  That is what I felt Rebecca taught about choosing fabrics.  Choose fabrics that draw you to them.  Designers create a wide variety of fabrics in a single range, that help us choose a variety of patterns that work well together.  I for one always fear that the fabrics that I pick out won't blend together. 

A preview for week two, which is design, we will be learning how to design our own quilt.  I like to follow patterns but I also want to let my creativity flow and develop.  I am looking forward to the coming weeks. 

I am still waiting for a needle screw for my machine.  Each day I get more and more concerned that I won't get everything done this month. 

Don't panic

That is what I keep telling myself.  I drove around town again yesterday looking for a needle clamp screw, no luck.  I guess I am going to have to wait for the one I have on order.  If I had known it was going to be this hard to get one I would have ordered more then one.  I am trying not to panic with the thought of all I need to sew this month.
I need to start working on the basement.  I think I will try working for an hour after the kids finish homework.  I need to take advantage of any little bit of time I have. 
Last night I tried a recipe from Deanna.  The kids liked it and I think I will try it again.

Deanna's Mexican Chicken  (my name for the recipe)
4 chicken breasts
4 cups of salsa  (I used 1 24 oz.jar)
1 onion
1 can of black beans (drained)
1 can of corn or 2 cups of frozen

My chicken came right from the freezer, so I set the crockpot to high for about 6 hours.  In the last 30 min. I pulled out the chicken to take out the bones and skin (I didn't have breasts so I used 3 quarters).  The chicken came apart and was so tender.  We spooned this mixture over mexican rice.  This is a good food storage recipe.
 

Beware when changing your needle!

Late Friday night when I started to change my sewing machine needle, it dropped down inside.  I had to take a few more screws out to get to it but I finally got it out.  In my concern for my needle dropping down inside I must have flung the needle clamp screw.  I searched and searched but could not find it.  Saturday I drove to 3 different places to be given the screw, told I needle to order one then, the last location said yes they had it but I needed my machine to make sure it was the right one.   I wanted to cry, if only I had brought my machine!! I wanted to work on my April doll quilt today during General Conference but no such luck.  I dragged out the old Singer 533 to give it a try.  I need to play with it before I actually work on a project.  I really wish I had a manual for it, I may just need to order one on-line.  In the morning I am going to pack up my machine and take it back to the third location to see if we can find the correct screw.  I will buy the one on order to have as a backup.  I now know not to take the screw all the way out to change the needle. 

March doll quilt

  The theme was red and white.  The finished size is a little small but I had stitched the two center hearts and hand quilted on the border around the hearts.  I had a hard time letting it go.

April doll quilt

My partner to swap with is Dragonfly Nana and I have been wanting to make a ticker tape quilt for a long time so this was the result.  I just need to add the binding and stitch down the pieces of  "ticker tape".  This is going to be another quilt I have a hard time letting go.

Start of quilt

Sad to say this block was done a month ago and I have not gotten back to work on it some more.  Hubby picked out pattern and the fabric for his b-day quilt.  It has been almost two months since his b-day but it will get done.  Having my seams match up made my day.