Monday, April 30, 2012

More California Fun Fabrics!

There are still more pictures of my recent trip to San Francisco.  On my last full day there Keegan & Amanda took me to 'Mendel's' on the corner of Haight & Ashbury.  We all know about the Haight/Ashbury district! 
Mendel's is a very different place.  When I first walked in I thought I was going to be disappointed, but Keegan pointed out the fabrics were in the back of the store.  Full steam ahead!
I was amazed at the very 'far out' fabrics they had, but I was impressed with the amount of Alexander Henry Fabrics.  Wow!  I know I would NEVER find some of them here in Ohio.  Needless to say, I helped the California economy.

When they made toile fabric, I don't think this is what they had in mind!

It was just too cool not to purchase some. 

The next fabric I found was just as interesting and had to have it too. 
This is part of the 'Day of the Dead' collection by Alexander Henry.

These next fabrics just crack me up.  I love the skeleton drinking beer!



I have no idea what I will ever make out of these fabrics, but I really enjoy laughing at them!

Once I found these fabrics, I was on the hunt for more unusual fabrics that I would not be able to find around here.

 Enter 'The Ghastlies'

I love the expression on the cat's face!

and...
The Knitty Biddy's!  Aren't they a hoot?  Once again, I have no idea what I will make out of them.  Just had to have them.

On a calmer note, I found some Art Deco type fabric by Alexander Henry and bought some of it too.  It's really tame compared to the previous pictures!

The fabric on the right is really a beautiful pink, then turquoise and white.

We all know that happy cows come from California.....

One last fabric photo.  I bought a different colorway of this fabric.

My trip was wonderful and I am still so happy to have had the opportunity to go.  I can hardly wait til next year!!!!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Acts of Kindness

My heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Dilly Dally for awarding me the Liebster Blog Award. 
My blog has been recognized for inspiring blogs with less than 200 followers. 
Please visit Mrs. Dilly Dally's blog (http://www.dilly-dallydays.blogspot.com/).  When I grow up I want to be just like her!
It is my duty to pass this award along.  Please thank the person who awarded it to you and pass it on to others who are deserving.
Blogs I follow (with less than 200 followers)

Quilting As Desired http://www.quiltingasdesired.blogspot.com/
Scrappy Piece http://www.scrappypiece.blogspot.com/
Sew Take A Hike http://www.sewtakeahike.typepad.com/
I Quilt Scarlet and Gray http://www.iquiltscarletandgray.blogspot.com/
Krista Quilts http://www.kristaquilts.blogspot.com/



Thursday, April 26, 2012

When Bloggers Meet!

What a wonderful surprise I had today!
GLADYS!!
This is Gladys from Glady's Gab (www.gladysgab.blogspot.com).  I was totally surprised she came to visit/sew today.  It was wonderful to see her and catch up on all the stuff that has been going on in our lives since our last visit.  We all tried to work on projects, but I think there was more talking than sewing today!
One project Gladys worked on was putting the binding on her grandson's quilt.  This is the quilt she quilted on her friends longarm.  She also got the back pieced for her Jelly Roll quilt. 

Gladys layed out her 'Quilt of Prayer' she is making for someone special.  She was able to get a few of the hearts attached to the background.  Once again, too much talking!!


Barb Richards attaching the binding to her Zippy Zippy Zig Zag quilt.  You can see I caught Gladys taking a picture of Barb!  Gladys and Barb grew up together and have been friends for a long, long time.  Barb comes every Thursday to sew and we have a wonderful time.  I affectionately refer to her as 'Momma Barb'.
Momma Barb also worked on piecing a back, making binding and pin basting a quilt together.

Barb Bond (who is Momma Barb's daughter) was able to take a personal day and she started working  a quilt for her son......


learned a new technique for cutting half square triangles......


We had such a wonderful day!  Barb brought lunch of Tuscan Chicken Stew, salad and homemade angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream.  *Note to Amanda---I did not eat the cake! 
Gladys brought some of her homemade salsa and chips and refreshments.
I just love the time I get to spend with people who are as special to me as these ladies.  I can hardly wait until we are all together again.  It won't be soon enough.  Thank you all for a memorable day :)

Be sure to check out Gladys' blog for she will have more pictures of our day! 

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Stone Mountain & Daughter in Berkley, CA

Amanda and I traveled to Berkley, CA via the BART system.  Another 'first' on this trip.  While having breakfast that morning I asked if the BART went under San Francisco Bay.  Of course it does!!  It is better NOT to think about that.  We were met at the BART station by Amanda's friend Melissa who generously was our personal taxi for the day.  We started off with lunch at Vic's, an Indian Restaurant and grocery store.  I had a wonderful dish that I can't remember the name or really what was in it.  It was just good. 

Our purpose of going to Stone Mountain & Daughter was to have Amanda pick out fabric for a project I am making for her.  Of course, I would have to buy some fabric for my stash as well.  Melissa was just looking and did find a few pieces for her current project and a future project. 
We were looking mostly for batik fabrics for Amanda's project and as soon as you walk in the door, there they were.  As this is a gift, I decided not to show our choices until later.

Here is what I bought!
More fabric for market bags.  Left to right:  Limes, red raspberries, celery, eggs, potatoes, jalapeno peppers, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, peas, blueberries and green grapes.
I just love the detail of the celery fabric.

It looks good enough to eat.

I bought this fabric to make Amanda an apron.


These fabrics will be used to make a Mariner's Compass.


And I love cows and am collecting fabrics to make a quilt...someday.

Once again, the prices were about the same as what I pay here.  The staff was very nice and helpful and Stone Mountain & Daughter has been in business for 30 years.  This is a wonderful fabric shop and I am so glad we had the chance to visit it.  If you are ever in the Berkley, CA area look it up.  You won't be disappointed. 

We also wanted to visit Laci's , but they are closed on Sunday.  I guess that means another trip to California!!!!

Britex Fabrics of San Francisco

After working half a day, we just had to go to Britex Fabrics.  It was just one bus to Union Square and then trying to remember which way to turn!  Amanda got it on the first try! 
This store is really amazing.  There are 4, yes FOUR floors of every kind of fabric you could possible want.  Some of the fabric is VERY expensive, but I noticed most of the quiting fabric was around what I pay here. 
The 3rd floor was our favorite.  It was all NOTIONS.  You just gotta see it to believe it!!

I did find a few veggie fabrics to make farmer's market bags. 
Cucumbers, broccoli, red onions & mushrooms! 

I know I could have bought this next item at a quilt shop closer to me, but now every time I use these dish towels I will remember my trip to San Fran, Britex Fabrics and the wonderful time I had with my daughter.
They're hemmed and ready to go!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Mariners Compass

I had the opportunity to go to work with Amanda while in San Francisco.  I guess it was 'take your Mother to work week'.  They (Amanda & Richard-her boss) set up a sewing station for me to use.  I used the most wonderful Rowenta iron, got to stand on the new floor mats and even got a very cushy chair to rest in.
While everyone was doing what they do best, I decided to see if I could piece a Mariners Compass.  I tried using the company sewing machine, but it was to big.  It was built for speed and working with upholstery fabric.  We hauled Amanda's sewing machine to work and this in what I created.

I only completed the star, and yesterday I set/sewed it in background fabric.  I followed the instruction written by Judy Mathieson.  They worked perfectly, no puckers.
I am so proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone on this block.  I'm ready to do more!


Dinner With Friends

Sunday evening of my San Fran visit, we all met at Jim's for a small dinner party.  It was so nice to renew old acquaintances.  We dined on  Maple Glazed Chicken, Lamb Shank with potatoes & greens, Soup, Sweet Potato Risotto, Sugar Pie, Pecan Pie & Spirits! 
The winning dish of the evening was the Sweet Potato Risotto!  Clint, you're a genius!
Clint and Amanda preparing their contribution to dinner.

Vin & Dave on the right, Keegan in the background and another guest in the foreground.
My beautiful daughter, Amanda!  I love you and am so proud of you!

Around the dinner table.  Lots of conversations going on at one time.  It is sensory overload.  Jim, our host, is at the head of the table in the foreground.  Thank You Jim for entertaining us!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Home Again, Home Again...

I am back home after a wonderful time in San Francisco, CA.  I visited a whole week with my daughter, Amanda and son-in-law, Keegan. 
There were so many 'firsts' on this trip.....Thai, Japanese, German, Italian, Greek foods, my first taxi ride and of course, my first sailboat adventure. 
Here I am with Amanda as we are docked at Angel Island.  This is a beautiful island in San Francisco Bay.  It is a State Park with lots of history. It was known as "The Ellis Island of the West." 

It is just beautiful, but we didn't have time to hike any of the trails.  That is for another trip! 

I had been afraid to sail before, but bit the bullet and REALLY enjoyed myself.  I was amazed to watch Amanda handle those sails and she and Keegan just work so well as a team. 





Amanda is attaching the fenders as we get ready to dock.

Here is a photo of the sailboat we were on! 





As we were getting closer to Angel Island (coming from Richmond) I got another spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge.




I was so happy to spend the day enjoying something my children enjoy doing!!!  Sailor Girls Indeed!!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Another Vacation..??!!

YOU BET!!
I am off to jet set across the country to San Francisco to see my daughter, Amanda.  I am so excited to be able to take the time off and go visit. 
We have a full week planned, and it will include some quilt shops and other textile places. 
I have sailing on the agenda as well as a birthday dinner for Amanda. 
I also get to go to work with Amanda and they have a work station set up for me.  I'm sure I'll have photos later.  I will be working on my April UFO project.  Most pieces are done, just need to get it put together. 
We are having a dinner party on Sunday which is sure to be a blast.  I hope Jim found some fresh figs for me!

I hope you all have a wonderful week, as I know I will. 

See you next week.....my life is in pieces :)

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!

HAPPY EASTER !


This was taken this morning after sunrise service in Plainfield Cemetery.  Just beautiful.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Yesterday's Quilt

 I have always liked the Mariner's Compass and this one is stunning.  It was hand pieced by Linda Costanzo of Florida.  She is a super talented piecer.  She took a class from Cindy Blackberg to learn this technique. 
Just simple meandering with mother goose thread.
The finished quilt.  Oh, I want to make one!

OK, you are now up to date on what I've been doing.  I'll try to post more this week as I have quite a few to do before I go on vacation....again :)

March UFO with Patchwork Times

I don't know why I can't get these done on time, but I am a least getting them done!  This is the March UFO Challenge I do with Patchwork Times.  If you look closely at this photo, you will see I am missing a block.
How did that happen?
I know I counted and re-counted those blocks to have enough to do 12 blocks across, 13 blocks down.  Oh well, I'll just make another block.   Well......I found it is a very good idea to make sure you have all the blocks you need before you cut the remaining fabrics into leander & enders or strips.  Yep!  I had already sized the leftovers....AAAGHHH!  OK, don't panic.  I found a dark block for the center and found a piece of batik I thought was big enough.   I guess it wasn't, but I made it work!! 

It just makes me laugh!!  Now you can see the whole quilt.  I still need to sew the rows together and add the borders, but I will get it finished.  Thanks for the incentive Judy!!!

Slice & Dice Batik Quilt.  It is very modern and colorful.

Recent Customer Quilts

I have been busy quilting for my clients.  I am always amazed at the wonderful talented women I have the honor of quilting for. 

This quilt was done by Cindi.  It is such a sweet baby quilt.  I just meandered it with white thread.
This next quilt was done by Sharon White.  It was a pattern from the blog pink suede shoes and has these wonderful ruffles in the center of the quilt.  I quilted it with pink thread doing a freehand swirl/flower design.

Here's another photo.

This was very unusual  and I am so happy with the way it quilted up.   Great Job Sharon!