Home From PIQF

WOW!!! If you didn't make it to this year's show you missed out. I saw many great things and came home inspired to sew. I haven't downloaded my pictures yet, so hop on over to Liz's Blog for some great photos.

The wonderful quilter Rhonda Beyer took home 2 ribbons at this show. A first place for the quilt she did with Penelope Tucker. This picture is of the quilt at Road to California, where it also scored a first place.

Rhonda also got a second place on another quilt she appliqued and quilted. I am not sure if I took a picture of it yesterday, Sorry.

I also got to meet the Fabulous Gina Halladay of Quilters Buzz, Threaded Pear, AND Cranberry Quiltworks! I had the most wonderful time talking to her. I also got a Threaded Pear pattern and I can't wait to make it! Gina told me of some exciting things she has coming up. By the time I got to my car I wanted to drive to Orange County. Be on the look out for some GREAT things from Gina this next year.

I stopped by Quarter Inch Publishing and of course I had to buy something. So I got the new pattern Skully. I actually got the kit in a cute glow in the dark skull bag. Jane's sister was not with her this year, she was home helping their younger sister. I left the booth in tears, please keep their family in your prayers.

Lastly as I was leaving I stopped and talked to friends. MISTAKE!!! I got challenged, the good Lord knows I can't pass up a challenge. So here it is, I have to complete a quilt, photograph it (Heather that's your part), fill out an application and mail it in time for next years show. Wish me luck! I started on it today.

Iron Deficiency

I am having an Iron issue. I have never had a problem with Iron before. Then BAM!!! October hit and I have an Iron Deficiency. How did this happen you ask and all of the sudden. I will tell you.

I have blown the heating element in 3, yes that's right 3, Irons in less than 30 days. WOW!!! The first was me beloved Rowenta, made in Germany. I have had my dear Iron for 6 1/2 years. All of the sudden one night, poof no heat. Then I go to my closet and pull out one of the 2 back up class/retreat Irons. Not bad but a CHEAP Target Iron, not like my Rowenta. It lasted not even a week. So I pull out the last Iron, the not as cheap Target Iron. Last night the light was on but no body was home. Down went the third Iron.

Now of course I have been working on a Baby Puke set for a shower Friday night. And of course I am making cute pleats on the blanket, and I have NO Iron to set them with. So off to JoAnn's I went tonight. I bought a lower end Rowenta Iron and I filled out the warranty card before plugging it in.

Now some of you are thinking I have had my Iron for 20 years, how can she KEEP blowing them up? When I am sewing I can use my Iron 4-8 hours a day, everyday. That is more than most people do in a month. Which is why I now have an Iron Deficiency. Anyone got an Iron I can borrow?

Time on Your Hands...

Now I was just linking from Blog to Blog to Blog and you will NEVER EVER NEVER believe what I saw! Check this out! Go ahead click on this and look at the post. Did you do it? No? What are you waiting for? Do it NOW! Here it is again, this.

Okay now that you are back, I think did some amazing work. To explain to non sewer/quilters what you just looked at. She made a dress with the salvage edge of fabric. Now this is not just any dress. The top part is fitted, with buttons and placket, set in sleeves and collar with stand. Now if that wasn't enough work the skirt portion of the dress is a circle skirt! That is yards of fabric! Don't miss the matching belt.

The amazing part is not just the amount of work that went into this dress she made it out of the edge of the fabric that most sewer/quilters throw away! I read through some of her older post and she cuts a 1/4" into the fabric above her salvage edge.

I am thinking I might have to give this a try. What could I make?

Self Promotion

I am teaching a Hole In My Roll class at Ladybug's Quilt Shop on Friday October 24th at 5:30pm. The cost of the class is $35, that will include an original pattern by Dianah, ME!

This is a Jelly Roll/Bali Pop class. If you buy your "Roll" and pay for your class at the same time you get a 10% discount. Total cost is just under $60. The class is 4 hours and I think most people should get the top done in class.

Last I heard there are 6 people in the class and room for 4 more. Of course if the demand is HIGH, Jennifer will add another class. To sign up for the class you can call the shop at 209-824-0485 or swing by the shop on Main Street in Manteca.

I have got to say a BIG THANK YOU to Heather of Moomp Photography for the wonderful quilt photo. She does a fabulous job. This is the same Heather of the Holiday Mini Sessions, got mine booked, do you? And another BIG THANK YOU to Ang, she is doing the illustrations for the pattern when she gets home from Georgia Monday! It is great to have talented friends to make you look good!

Quilting Q & A

Because of my age, 34, many people are shocked to hear that I can sew. Others in the quilting community find it hard to believe that I am a serious quilter. It does not bother me that people are surprised by this information. Today I am going to share with you a few questions that I get asked on a weekly biases.

1. So how long have you been sewing? 30 YEARS! I got my first machine the Christmas I was 4 years old. I still have it. It was a toy machine by Mattel.

2. How big of a stash can you really have? I have over 300 yards in my stash, that is fabric NOT committed to a project. I have MORE fabric (a few hundred yards of that too) that is committed to either an UFO, future project or a back for a finished top.

3. How many UFO's could you have? Some of you may remember that at the beginning of the year I stopped counting at 28 because that is where I ran out of lines on the paper. I refused to turn the paper over or add a sheet. So the answer is vague over 30 UFO's.

4. How many project do you have going on now? I never know the answer to this one. Off the top of my head I can count that I am working on 8 projects and I have finished 3 others already this week. I jump around a lot.

5. How many quilt tops do you have that need quilting? First let me say WOW! I didn't think that numbers were this high! I have 22 tops at my house that need quilting and 5 tops at Ladybug's Quilt Shop. Grand Total 27 finished quilt tops!

Ending of Vacation

We got home Thursday night so I still had 3 whole days left of my vacation. I got to SEW all 3 days! I made sure my work clothes were clean before we left. I got much done. Friday I finished piecing the blocks for my new Mod Quad and I cut out a pillow case and quilt top to take with me to P.M.S. Jennifer at Ladybug's Quilt Shop holds Pizza, Munchies and Sewing nights on selected Friday nights. It is opened up for 10 people to come and do a free sew. The cost is $5 to cover drinks and pizza. It starts in the afternoon and goes until around midnight.

I got the Cars pillow case done and twin size Cars quilt top pieced for my friends Dave and Liz's little boy. I finished the last two outside borders Saturday morning. I am still waiting for fabric from e-bay for the backing. I am hoping to quilt this month.



Saturday afternoon I spent working on the layout of my Mod Quad. I got 4 of the 5 rows set before going to coffee with my girlfriends. This one will be dropped off at Ladybug's Quilt Shop tomorrow morning. I will be teaching this as a class in November. I will also be picking up the Black and White one I did in May tomorrow.

I spent today finishing up Mod Quad, sewing a few blocks of my Christmas Presents quilt and sewing aprons. I got 1 apron finished, 1 apron I ran out of thread top stitching (I will get some tomorrow and finish it), and 2 more 50% done. I plan to finish the aprons on Monday.

Cultural Experience

My mom requested that the girls have a Cultural Experience while we were in San Diego. Mom we took them to Hooters, how much more culture do you need?

We have tried to pack a lot into our trip. Monday we had planned to go to the zoo, that didn't work out. It rained for 2 hours in the morning and then we had a few short burst of rain during the day. We ended up driving through the Gas Lamp District and then to Balboa Park. We spent about 2 hours at a very nice playground with the kids. We learned that all of the kid friendly museums are closed on Mondays. We also went to Old Town for dinner and walked around. The kids watched ladies make corn and flour tortillas.

Tuesday we made it to the Zoo. We became annual pass holders. Now some of you are trying to figure out why would we join a zoo 400 mile from home, it was cheaper than the 5 day 2 park pass. My friend Ryan suggested we look into the annual pace price and what it comes with. It saved us $26 just getting in. Then it came with some free stuff and discounts in the park. Our total saving yesterday alone was about $50! Also some zoos honer annual passes from other zoos, we will look into this when we get home. I went to Rosie's Calico Corner, fabric shopping 7 miles away, while the girls napped.

Today we are going to breakfast at Big Kitchen and then we are heading out to the Wild Animal Park. Maybe another trip to the Rack too.