Peaceful Enchantment Wall hanging

In November, I went out with a Red Wing Baseball buddy, Ann, and we caught up with one another at Ivy Thimble to check out their sidewalk sale. We both ended up buying the Peaceful Enchantment wall hanging. I just absolutely fell in love with the squirrel and cardinals which are my favorite.
Ann invited me over to her house which is near the quilt store and we had coffee and she showed me her sewing area. We talked quilt stuff and fabric and came up with doing these together. So we set a date for the Monday before Thanksgiving to sew these up and to have all the pieces cut out, ironed on and all ready to go.
Monday came and I ventured over to the eastside of Rochester to Ann's house next door to Casa Larga, a vineyard here in Rochester, with all my pieces ready.  I am so glad I went for she showed me how to do the star easily. It is amazing what a few little tricks can do. And how to square things off with your 2 1/2" square and 6" square. I have them just never had to use them yet. Very handy.
I also outlined each piece with my machine, a first, and then played with the FM on the machine. Figuring out threads that the machine likes and then how to move about, made it a true learning experience.
So whallah....
When Mom came for Thanksgiving she loved it so much that I broke down and gave it to her for Christmas. I was starting to worry whether she would love it as much as she did or less and well, when she opened her present she said "oh Shell, you are giving this to me...."

=) Shellie

Warm Thoughts

I finished the DNP (disappearing nine patch) for Grandma as planned for Christmas. I even did a "first" on my machine; free motion quilting. I was so happy it went well until I turned it over...  a few bobbin gauge oppses and a few fabric puckers of the backing but not horribly awful.

I plan on tempting FMQ again and I do hope for fewer oppsies...
I love the fabric. The DNP are "Charlotte" by Moda and the backing just enhances the reds and pinks as well as blends the other colors beautifully. I am so happy with it and I do hope Grandma is as well. She should be getting it any day. I was mailed on the 22nd so to Florida it was a stretch for Christmas Day.

Beautiful Calendar Give away!!!

What a fun Give away!!!  2010 calendar of Barn Quilts in New York.
I love calendars, photography and quilting to boot. Wow.... stop in and sign up by Dec. 22nd.



Barn Quilts 2010

New Adventure: Fancy Fondant Cake

For Madison's Sweet Sixteen I wanted to attempt a fancy fondant cake. I knew she would love it but I wasn't certain on the finished product; you never really know how things will end up. It took all day Friday to complete. I did the research days before, gathered all  the recipes, watched all the "you tube" video on how to and began at 7am.  I made up two batches of fondant and only needed one. I wasn't sure how far it would go. Then baked the cakes. I made two 9" round, an 7" square and a 6" round.  While they cooled, I made the Buttercream Frosting, cleaned the mess and dug out the cake plate.
I put the square on a separate plate to just do in chocolate frosting for a Madi have to have chocolate cake. I hid it away on the dining room table to be out of sight. Well, Mia (my yorkie pom/chocolate hound) could smell it a mile away and was trying every attempt possible to get up on that table. Saturday night she finally did and ate 1/4 of the square!!!  Madison caught her up on the table in the dark hounding down chocolate cake as fast as she could. Bad doggie.
I assembled the cake, frosted it and it was going quite smoothly.  I added the coloring and made blue and green circles which Madi loves; like in her room. They could have been a little thinner but I was pooping out.  Lastly I made the blue and green balls to go around the borders. Madison absolutely loved the cake. I think she was impressed. That says a lot. She thought I bought the charms that sprouted out from the cake and I made them...  Yep, for once it turned out very nice.
=)Shellie

Ghostly Bowl for Halloween

Once completed and put together I find this Ghostly bowl for Halloween rather cute!  I added the black with orange dot lining that really pulled it together. I would like to buy a plastic round liner for it but it doesn't need it as bad as I thought it would. The bowl holds more candy than I thought and it is not at all flimbsy.  The crochet candy corn is just an embelishment. A " I had to make it" thing.

Oh! here is my scarecrow! I need to brace the back better for hanging and maybe embelish a bit more but you can have a peak...

=) Shellie

Horses in the Night

The top is finished to Alyssa's quilt. It is a smaller version of Eric's quilt Turtles/Penguins. I just need to get more material that I am admiring for the back. I will use the small strip on quilt of blue hued fabric for the binding and whallah....
=) Shellie

Day 2 *Shoptoberfest*

My day began with picking up the house and getting ready for my interview for library clerk at a high school. With it down pouring out I was off with umbrella in hand and the best attitude I could muster with flat yucky hair. The interview went well.
I  gassed up the car, waited for Madi to decide on the pep rally (weather decided outdoor or indoor affair) and then it was off to my first stop; The Scarlet Thread in Webster.  It is a nice shop with very nice fabrics. I walked out with a turtle fat quarter.
Then I trekked southward to Caldonia to Chestnut Bay Quilting.  Small and quaint shop with a very nice back room for classes. The demo there was a yo yo kitty, very cute. Again I walked out with a few fat quarters. (dragon fly)
My last stop was Mt Pleasant Quilting Company. I was just there two weeks ago for their anniversary where I had bought plenty. So, I couldnt really find what I had to have. I did want a yo yo maker but they were out and I like some Christmas fabric but again they were out. So believe it or not; nada.

=) Shellie

Shoptoberfest Day 1

With maps in hand, routes fine tuned and plans made I made my way out the door at 8am. My first stop was Creekside Fabrics, Quilts & Yarns. What a great shop!!!  I was a half hour early so I passed it going into Arcade and said "Hmmm, It's open!" but I felt funny showing up that early so I continued driving and stopped at Mickey D's for a sausage biscuit and to slow down a bit.  I park out back and walk in and "ShopHop????"    and I said "Yeeessss......"   kinda unsure. "Well, You're our first arrival. Can I take your picture?"  Sure...
What a great shop Sandy has!!!  I love her fabrics, spirit and the goodybag is to die for; a pattern, seam ripper, needles, chocolate, crackers,and coupon. WOW...  no one of the other shops have topped that. 

goody bag

From there I traveled to University at Buffalo to see Eric and to take him to lunch at Walden Galaria Mall.  He looks bushed. Then it was a hike to Lockport (very Northside) to Heartland Quilt Shop. Also, a very nice shop. They demonstrated a tool called Triangulations it is a $30 cdrom where you print up in any size half square. You just sew along the dotted lines and presto your finished with tons of perfect triangle squares.

In Medina, The Whole Nine Yards, is a fabulous antique/country quilt store. Great ideas and samples were on display. I bought 10 fat quarters there and 1 free. I just couldnt decide so that is when I fat quarter it...

Onward to Home. In Spencerport is Betty's Quilting Store and I bought the fabric I have been eyeing for months. It was moved and I was frantic. I do not like it when they move fabric around. I just felt like I had to buy what I wanted for the "Phoebe" pattern in Easy Quilts magazine. So its a start anyway.  And I also bought fat quarters but I thought they were on sale but not so big mistake on my part. $15 more spent...yikes. Oh well, I really love this print. And now I am resting up for tomorrow.... (after job interview) and Saturday (whatever I do not accomplish) Whewwww!!!!
=)Shellie

Madi's quilt: Baby Honu

Backing

 I used a brown tone on tone binding and the fabric on the back is my favorite. It is the yardage bought at the Hobby Lobby adventure with Regina. It is green with a brown, blue, and green leaf swirl just the perfect color. Madi actually sleeps with this turtle quilt.  I love that!!

=)Shellie

Surprise Gift!!!

I went over to Regina's sister in law's house, Cathy, to give her the books I picked up for Lisa at a used bookstore and I was handed an unexpected gift from Regina. Sneaky sneaky....  This cute little journal book cover in turtle print... awww Love it!!!

As you may recall from Regina's blog, I joined her in sewing journal covers for her Lion's convention and moral support of Nathan's first day of preschool. We had a great time and the covers whipped up quick...once I didnt want to sew up the wrong end any longer. Lunch. And Nathan didnt look back!!!

Thanks so much!! It's these little things that mean so much. =)

=) Shellie

1000 Sales Give Away

 A new blog I found is posting a great give away. It is Sew Fantastic blog http://sew-fantastic.blogspot.com/2009/09/1000-etsy-sales-giveaway.html and her work is just wonderful. I have found quite a few new ideas. Stop by quick for it ends soon.

=) Shellie

Baby Honu 's top is done!!

I have finally finished Baby Honu!  It has decreased in size by a few inches. My snail trail blocks were 7 1/2 " as told to do in pattern and the turtle block is cut at 8"; you do the math...  It didn't seem like it was going to add up to me and it didn't but I love it anyway.  The colors are just how I imagined them. Now on to sandwiching them together. The backing I bought when Regina and I went to Hobby Lobby in Webster. It works wonderfully with the top and now to configure binding. I will have to get a picture of the backing to show you. 

Regina and I each have this little turtle. We picked him up at Hobby Lobby also. I made mine into a magnet for the frig. He is saying "Hi Regina".  I shall name him Scatter.... does anyone remember the story from our HL venture? It is what we had to do to get away from the Sea gulls dive bombing us. Mainly me...  How I got out of there unscathed is news to me.

I also completed my charm tote.  This is a Northern Solitude tote to match my quilt (that I need to finish up). I am pondering what to enhance the heart with... dragonfly, turtle, buttons...

=) Shellie

Give Away!!

Gina gave me a great link to an excellent give away at The Contented Quilter!  The idea is unique and fun. You have two options to chose from and they are great gifts. You must go see!!!

Girls Night!!!

I can always count on Regina for a girls night!!! I needed some me time so I call for a quilting night. Ever since Eric left for college I've been a little lost. This is my idea of true fun, being creative and laughter.
Regina asks me "have you ever made a Wonder Wallet"
and I say "no but sounds like fun, I'm in". 
" I just got this new phone so it needs a holder", Regina says.
So off we go!!  Pick out fabric, cut fabric, iron fabric, sew it, press it, and top stitch and turn it out... whallah!! 
Of course we chose TURTLE fabric....LOL!! 

Good times!! Thanks Regina!!  Ahhhhh!!!!

=) Shellie

Fat Quarter Give away!!!

Maggie picked out some awsome fabrics for a give away on "The Quilting Cat" blog http://piwacketquilts.blogspot.com/. Go check it out and enter to win!!!!

Organizer Giveaway!!!

I am finding very interesting blogs just through everyone elses blog...  such fun. Along my journeys I have come across "Twittletails" by Anina.  She is giving away a very handy dandy organizer that puts all organizers to shame, you must take a look.  Venture to http://twiddletails.blogspot.com/2009/08/little-organizer-giveaway.html to enter.  Even if you do not win you will be hooked on twittletails... I know I am.

Baby Honu snail trail block

Here is the Baby Honu snail trail block...

Happy Place

After we ventured to UB and unpacked Eric's room, I needed to wander in a "Happy Place"; a quilt store off Transit in Williamsville called Sew What? I found this store on a Shop Hop in June and remembered it was just off 90/Thruway. I found these treasures of dragonfly orientals, golf, hockey, turtles, and blue/purple print for Alyssa's quilt. Very rewarding and I was able to gab about Eric going to UB. I was loosing wind and putting out and it was 50min. home.  I left the area, traffic was looking scary, but next time there are a few more "happy places" to scope out....

Finished Product

Here it is: Eric's turtle/penguin quilt.  I finished it before he leaves for UB on Thursday. Couldn't have planned it better...

Baby Honu turtles!

I love these turtles. Oh, Madi claimed this quilt. Boo hoo. At least she likes something I make.

My To Do List...

Since I have been home from Maryland I have been crazy crazy! Today I am taking Mia, my yorkie pom, to the vet for her check up. She is 5yrs old.

Lately I have been school shopping and running the roads with a ton of errands. I am trying to gather everything Eric needs for college and while he is a #1 procrastinator; it's rough. He did download his Adobe software into his laptop and made certain it worked and he knew how to use it before I rushed to the post office to send it to Grandaddy. (who paid for it- yippie! he wants it too...) Madi on the other hand, is right on top top top of things. "Mom, I need school supplies. Mom, I need tops, jeans, boots, and skirts.." ... the list is endlist...

I am finished with the turtles bodies and shells and I am deciding on background fabric. I will sew them tonight. Now onto the snail trail blocks... no clue. I saw a tutitorial on yube tube and "I see" occurs but it is not the way the pattern decribes to do it. Baby Honu wants paper piecing and to use a reverse... REGINA!!! have you started this?

I need to tack down the penguin/turtle quilt. Hand quilt the "Among the Garden" yellow brick road quilt and get back to other stuff.

While in Maryland

Maryland was a trip...literally. Mom feeds the squirrels.

The quilt store there is absolutely awesome; Material Girls. It has every type of character fabric known to man and every fabric after that. I came home with nothing, if you can imagine that. I had my mom with me and we didn't have much time to look. I wanted to venture back later in the week but it didn't happen.

I was looking for a fabric for my niece to make a quilt like Eric's (one sided) and we ended up at Hancock's Fabric where she chose a fabric of blues/purples and horses running along a creek in the moonlight. I wanted to take her to Material Girls to look at the fairies but she liked what she chose.

My Grandma was visiting from Florida and ended up in the hospital with a kidney infection and dehydration. She was released on Wednesday and at my mom's house on Friday. We visited her while in the hospital but it was good to see her out and in good spirits. She felt much better but a bit weak. She painted me a painting of her and Madi back when we visited her in Florida and Madi was a baby. I will get a picture of it....

Madi and I visited the Baltimore Aquarium and saw a ton of turtles. This sea turtle here had a front foot amputated but she swims great. We also saw the dolphin show and a 4D movie which I did not care for; it was a 3D movie with enhancements: water spitting at you, lightning, shaking, something touching your feet and the worst- a poke in the back. This went on as you watched the movie, for instance, as the whale spouted water it splashed you in the face. We ate lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and at the end were in dire need of coffee so went to the HUGE Barnes and Nobles.

Friday, my dad, Eric, Madi, and I went to the Ford's Theater in Washington D.C. It was very interesting. It had been renovated and we all wanted to go. I am very interested in John Wilkes Booth's escape and route since it goes through Charles County, where I lived. My sister lives down the road from Dr. Mudd's house. Very interesting.

We also visited the Archives and ate lunch at the Hard Rock.

We ate crabs, swam with cousins and Stacey (my sister) and I went on our ritual of sushi night.... yum!

Turtle's Reverse Side

The reverse side to Eric's turtle quilt is penguins with one added row and a border. Now I am tacking down the rows by hand. It will have a black on black binding.

Earlier Quilts

Here are a few pictures of my first quilt, pink and green, and Brook's 6th Birthday quilt.

Pink and Green was for Madi and she loved it except for the fact that it was small and not filled yet... it was sandwiched with batting and a back but she thought it too flat.

6th Birthday quilt was in goudy colors and background... love to change it up!!

Little bites

Evidently I bit off more than I can chew for today's agenda. What's new? I cut out the templates for Baby Honu. Sewed two more sets of Cancer Survivor Celebration blocks. One for lymphoma and the other for melanoma.

I sewed the stack and whack.... those middle points are a bear.

Getting started on penguin back which got delayed because I needed to switch to black thread...

So the only thing I think I didnt do is the borders for turtles but I wanted to make sure I thought it out right again... lol. You would understand if you knew the dumb things Ive been doing lately!!!

Lots to do before our trip to Maryland on Sunday. I found a store in LaPlata to go to and Im sure I will find others. Since we are leaving Sunday there are no shops open. =(

Quilting Spree!!

Today I worked on whacking the Stack and whack which I will sew tomorrow.
I went and bought penguin fabric, grey, and a cool black print with sectioned panels for the reverse of Eric's turtle quilt for college. Sew tomorrow.
I finished turtle quilt top need to do borders. Cut and sew tomorrow.
Bought template plastic to make baby honu body template. Cut out tomorrow.
Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Plus dentist for Eric (I had to change due to trip to Maryland) and taking Madi to dance camp... whew.

My Favorite Things

Java Me! is one of my favorite things. I love coffee and this quilt screams "ME"! I found the pattern and loved it. As I gathered fabric on the many many many of hunts, I figured I wanted more color and shapes. It was patterned red and brown tones and I wanted it to POP. I found fabric at WalMart, JoAnn's, online, Patricia's Fabric House, Betty's Quilting Store, and shopped a ton of others which, believe it or not, I found nothing.

Mom and Madi did not like that I hung "Java Me!" in the den. They thought it too pretty but that was my intent. =)

Snowmen are another favorite! I have them everywhere in the winter. Snowmen and penguins are a must in our house for Christmas and wintertime. This quilt I had a great time compiling until I got stumped on the border. The pattern was a few years old in a magazine and the fabric was long gone. So I was on the hunt again and found the perfect fit at Patricia's. It came out nicely and I will use this one this winter!