Drop-In Class is in Session

Hello Everyone,

I wish all of you could have been in the classroom at In Between Stitches yesterday for my monthly drop-in class.  Thirteen talented quilters set up sewing machines, opened up their project boxes and just look at what treasures spilled out and decorated the walls and the tables.  They have been very busy working on these projects for the past month.

Kay finished her beautiful house for Party in the Garden.

Janice worked on her birdhouse for Party in the Garden.

Party in the Garden by Paula.

Take a good look at these adorable little flowers that Paula made to fill her hanging basket.  They were tiny.  And you thought I was the queen of tiny pieces!

Party in the Garden hexie flowers by Kathy.

The House on Edgewood Lane by Cindy.  This is Cindy's second house applique block.  She made another one for a good friend.

Carlynn brought a new project and I failed to get the name....sorry.  The blocks were beautiful and I should have taken a picture of the whole grouping.

Madrigal by Ann.  This one is going to be done soon.  Ann finished all of her blocks, center applique, flanges, and is putting the whole thing together.

Barbara finished her first Minglewood block and I think she's ready to fearlessly start in on block #2.

Kaye is making two of these beauties called Sallie's Quilt by Bonnie Blue.  She is so determined to finish, that she stayed in the classroom long after the rest of us went home. She gets extra credit on her report card.

Hexie flowers by Carol for Summer's Blush.  So colorful and so pretty.

Gingerbreadmen by Marie for Holiday Treats Tablerunner.  Marie has all of her components finished and is ready to put this tablerunner together.

Glenda was working on Blossoms of Friendship.  All of her blocks are finished and she's working on the gorgeous border.

Janice gave us a great idea.  There was cotton batting secured to a paper towel  roll, and she rolled her applique block around it.  This is a wonderful idea to keep those blocks nice and neat.

Isabelle got her whole Party in the Garden quilt together and is now working on the borders.   Some customers wandered into the classroom and looked at her quilt in amazement.  Where's the picture?  What can I say, I'm an idiot and got so carried away that I forgot to take a picture. Next month you will get to see the finished quilt top....I promise.

I'm so proud of all of these women.  They are amazing!   All these wonderful creations make my head spin and I'm ready to work on a little quilting of my own today. How about you?

As always,

Lynn

Pandamania

Hello Everyone,

I spent my day making a panda for the Toyland quilt while watching the football playoffs.  This is one of those UFO's that has been stashed away for at least a year.  I guess that is what happens when I have "quilters block."  I found the black check in my stash and instantly saw a panda.  I know what you are thinking right about now....but really......I saw a panda bear come alive before my eyes.  I still have some futzing to do on it as it isn't exactly right just yet.

 

Here are the rest of the blocks that I've completed so far.  

The snowman is the only one with a face so far.  One of these days I'll work on faces so all of the blocks can see each other.  This snowman needs a pipe, but I'm anti-smoking so that isn't going to happen.

 

I do want to get this quilt finished in the next few months and get it out of the project box and up on the wall, at least in time for next Christmas! 

I never realized just how much money I had tied up in projects that are packed away in boxes or bags.  Those UFO's can really add up and need to be finished.  I have to start somewhere, and this is the one I'm going to be working on......along with several more......but who's counting??

As always,

Lynn

Eight Years Ago Today........

........we moved into the cabin through three feet of snow.  It started out as a weekend retreat, then turned into more of a semi-permanent home when we both retired.  If we aren't here, family and friends fill the cabin with activity.

The ice skates belonged to my mother.  She brought them with her when she moved from upstate New York to San Mateo, California in 1942.  My mother, my aunt and my grandmother, came across country on a troop train of all things, to join my grandfather who arrived earlier to start a business with his brother.  The skates haven't been used in over fifty years, but they certainly make a nice decoration.  The last time I went ice skating was at Squaw Valley in the late 1960's.  I fell, split my pants, and haven't put on another pair of skates since.  It was quite embarrassing when my date saw my pink, long underwear that I had borrowed from my grandmother!  Yes, that same grandmother from the troop train.

This is our main source of heat and it keeps us toasty when the power goes out.....and it goes out all of the time for days at a time.  It has been fun decorating each room with treasures from garage sales and junk shops.  If anything stands still, like this old sled, it will be draped with a quilt.

It is peaceful here and my creative juices flow when we escape city life and retreat to the mountains.  Time to sign off for now and start creating some magic in a magical setting.

As always,

Lynn

P.S. I posted a new recipe.  Go to the new RECIPE section at the top of the blog.  I'll try to post a new recipe a week for you to enjoy.