Another Tshirt Quilt Completed:)

I finally completed the T-shirt quilt I made for my daughter's dance teacher as a surprise. I'm finding I like darker fabrics with T-shirt quilts...probably because the shirts are often lighter in color and it gives more contrast. This quilt though has so much color anyway. She was surprised and pleased with it...it is fun to make something for people who will appreciate it:)

I have completed the laminate backed quilt...I will post pics after I get it bound. I do not like machine binding but with this I think I will have to. The thought of needling through that sticky laminate fabric is a recipe for major frustration.

Another pic of my kitties:) We have nearly 3000 square feet in this house (including the basement) and most of the time at least 3/4 cats can be found in my studio!

More Destashing

I listed a bunch of destash fabrics yesterday. I have so very much more to get through but it all takes time:) Something new coming...I am making scarves. Something I have wanted to do for a long time as once the cold hits I am never outside without one. These are patchwork on the front and minkee on the back. Here is a sneak peak:)

Aside from this I have been working on quilts for friends...a laminate backed quilt for soccer games for one and a tshirt quilt for my daughter's dance teacher as a surprise. The soccer quilt is taking me forever because I am on my 3rd one! Ok, this is your lesson to plan ahead...the first one I just picked up some fabrics and started cutting...realizing half way through I did not have enough of the focus fabric to make it as big as I wanted. The second one came along beautifully and I love it, but again I did not really plan as it was about 10 inches too long to fit the laminate backing I bought for it...heavy sigh. Now the third one is on the design wall and although I rather like it I am wondering if she is going to think it is too bold and obnoxious! At this point however I am thinking I will go ahead and make it anyway. If she does not care for it I will keep that one and make yet another as I bought 2 laminate designs. You see, I have good intentions of being timely!

Off to sew:)

For Me:)

I've been thinking ... scary, I know. My thought is I deserve to have my own king size quilt (or 2 or 3) and a few quilted doo dads around my house that are not for sale. So, although I do have a closet full of work, I am going to fit in some time each day to work on projects for myself. I think I deserve it:) And I so very much want to own some of these things! It is crazy the way we get when we are sellers, or trying to be. Everything we make is done with someone else in mind. We have to be careful to hold onto all that we love about our talents. I have lost that part where I actually have something beautiful to call mine in the end. So, hopefully very soon I can begin posting my new things:) I do have a king size quilt that is about 1/3 completed. I think I will start with that. Oh, the fabric I have!!! It is insane actually, but I do so very much love it.

Ok, enough for now...ooh, except for a couple of pics of our vacation to North Carolina...well, they won't load, so will try again in a while:(

T-shirt quilt Hot off the Press:)

I just finished another T-shirt quilt for a graduation gift. Thought you might want to see:) I put my heart into these quilts and then the disappear -- pics are all I have left:( But I so love that someone is going to be thrilled to receive it and snuggle up under it!

Ready for Action!

Well, I've been back from MQS now for a week and a half. I have neglected my yoga and running and am feeling the effects of that, however I have accomplished a major feat....my new studio space:) On the way home from Kansas City I was once again lost in thought about how to make my studio more work friendly. AND, where in the world was I going to put 30 bolts of new fabric??!! Truly there was not one single spot as it was. Soooo...I talked with my husband about this idea I have had to take over our living room for a studio to have everything close (my Gammill is in the adjacent room) as opposed to running up and down the stairs, into the sunporch and such and so. To accomplish this I had to move his computer desk away from his neighborhood watch locale (he's a bit nosey:)) and into the sunporch. Amazingly, he said YES! So, I was off and running and here is the result...now I have no excuse for poor productivity, all the space I can, reasonably, ask for, and everything related to quilting all together.

I have to share my pics even though there will be some tweaking, more decorating and such ... it's my favorite place in the world now:) The T-shirt quilt is the first project completed in my new space...accomplished in 2 very long days since I procrastinated by moving my studio instead of working...so worth it!

Now back to work. I have 5 more T-shirt quilts to make, much to quilt, and 30 new bolts of fabric to list on Etsy. That should keep me busy for a bit:) Then there is the issue of what I have done to the rest of my house...but it will wait and I plan to hide out in my studio anyway with a path to the coffee pot and kitties all around...

Etsian of Interest

I've run across a woman on Etsy with a daughter who has autism. She has changed and dedicated her life to providing a life for her child and sells Abby's artwork on Etsy to help pay for medical costs providing necessary therapies and such to keep her healthy and happy. Check out her site and help out if you can...Abby's use of color and design is fabulous and her prints will make beautiful framed artwork for your home:) Looking at these designs makes me want to have them in fabric. They remind me of the work of George Mendoza for Art of Possibilities studio as well as my favorite line from Troy corporation seen in my most recent table runners.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AidforAbby?ref=pr_shop

Off to Machine Quilters Showcase

Tomorrow morning I am headed out on my yearly trek to Machine Quilter's Showcase in Kansas City. I will be taking a short detour on the way to Country Expressions quilt shop in Stewartsville, the home of Tula Pink designs. I have never been to this shop so I'm excited to see what it is like:) I also plan to hit the Fabri-quilt warehouse on Wednesday morning to look for fabric to offer to Etsians. I have been there once and am very excited to go again equipt with my wholesale paperwork in place. You never know what wonderful things I may find:)

Wednesday afternoon and evening will be spent at the show. I did not sign up for classes this year so I'm just there to pick up supplies and see whats new. Gammill has made some major upgrades to their machines and although I am not willing to buy a new one just yet, I am curious to see how it runs and if I 'need' to think again..hehe...new and better, right?? $17,800 worth of new and better though so I'm thinking it can wait....maybe...

I'll peruse the quilts looking for ideas which is always fun although show entries are quilted within an inch of their lives and no one (okay, very few) wants to pay for that kind of detail. I am always amazed at the patience these people have...it takes hours and hours over weeks to complete. I'll post some pics upon my return to show you what I mean.

Back after the show with pics and new threads and new gadgets and I'm sure fabric and, and, and...I'm in my element here, can you tell:)