enjoying the weekend

It's been a great weekend sew far.
 Just working around the yard. Cutting the grass getting the garden planted ( sewing seeds) as well as most of the planters. Starting to look like spring with summer right around the corner.
It has been nice and warm, mid 20's with  sunshine ,  no rain so far.  Not what most places can say , but we could use a nice light rain.
Next week end I will be off to stitches conference for a week. I am looking forward to it. A time with friends new and old, and sew many teachers sharing their ideas and talents with us.
I have worked with one of the rulers by V. Walton and have to work with the other sew that I can have a few more questions to  understand the rulers better. I like how the curve ruler works I worked up the pattern that came with the ruler and was featured in a magazine.I even worked up the  left overs into a table top quilt, sew there was almost nothing left when I was done(pics will come when I get the camera loaded to the laptop)
I also have sent s few of my patterns to Wendy at Haus of Stitches for give aways at the conference as well as possible sales in the store with the opportunity to teach there in the fall.
Sew this summer I hope to create a few more patterns using my laptop. That is when ever I can find a little down time.
Well I want to go downstairs and to try out the other ruler , it is the angle ruler by V Walton.
Stay in stitches
Annette

Well I'm back

Sort of that is
We have a different computer hooked up and have to install everything again. Sew it will take a bit of time to do this and a lot of patience.
I have been busy with work and a few alterations. I even got the pink and gray quilt finished ... just a label left to do.
I have been getting my class supplies together for the classes starting next weekend. I worked on a couple samples with the rulers that we will be learning , I just have to work with them sew I can have a few  questions for the teacher.
I will pop back tomorrow. I want to check out the lap top that our son and my hubby picked up for me today . If I can get it set up I might take it to the conference.
Keep in stitches
Annette

Computer Problems

Our computer stopped working.  I will be posting again once the computer is fixed or replaced.
In stiches,
Annette

Aprons and bibs

Well it seams that I did it again....... I got myself side tracked. I came across a bib pattern in, Better Homes and Gardens - Quilts and More Summer 2011. I thought gee I could make some out of my left over batting and fabric  (  9 bibs later and I have only just started ) just have to add the snaps and they are ready. This might be a good way to use up fabric from baby quilts to. Hmmmm...... the ideas keep coming.

aprons for young cooks

I also got 9 aprons made for our daughter , whom is a teacher and has a cooking club at school. When I asked if they had any aprons she said no. Sew I said that I would make some, well they are made and in the mail. hope the group like them.

It was a good way to use up some of the fabric that I have on hand, as I promised myself that I would reduce the amount that I have on hand. I should have started counting the fabric yardage leaving and coming in to see how I am doing with it. I bet if I sit and think a bit I might come up with a number. But how do you count up the fabric amounts that you consider scraps. They seam to multiply in the bins and boxes that they are tossed into. I did start to take out what looked like yardage, but I have a way to go there too. I guess I will be making a few more scrappy quilts this year. Wish me luck. 

I did manage to get the small quilt done and dropped it off with my friend who made it.  She is happy that it is in her hands now sew  she can now get the binding on it and then it will be off before the babe is even here.

It is a beautiful day outside the sun is shining with a bit of cloud cover every now and then. I hope that I was able to get some of that sunshine in the package as our daughter had another dumping of snow on the weekend, mixed with rain and ice.It even took out the power in different places for over a day.

I have started to get myself organized for the Stitches Conference that is the end of the month and first week of June. I will be taking 4 different  classes two technique classes  a class on blue printing with fabric and a quilt finishing class.

  Well it's time to get back to the list of  things to do this Monday .
Sew keep in stitches
Annette

brrr .... it's cold outside

About to go and work on a small quilt,machine quilting. Just have to decide what I would like to quilt on it. I have picked out the thread colors for the quilting. It will be a baby quilt that will get a lot of use so I am thinking that I will do a basic meander pattern.
I still have the pink and gray quilt borders to deiced on as well. After these two are done I have three more waiting in the wings , ready to quilt.
I will be making our daughter a quilt that she picked out for her b day she is 30 now. She like the one I made for Morgan sew that's the one I will make up for her. Now just to get the fabric and  caught up on the other projects .... I think I will be keeping busy.
This week we had new windows put in the house. They changed the look of the house and we have received many good comments on them. Sorry Shadow ( daughter's kitty cat ) they took away your window sill : (, we will have to open a door so you can look outside.

springs best dressed flowers... they come up with little fur coats

Cold day out there today, sure hope that the warmth returns soon. At least we have no snow this week only a light rain. The Iris's are poking their noises out, and there are pussy willows out as well and one our favorite spring flowers crocus picture by my brother.( I have to figure this one out, not sure how to copy from an e mail)
Sew that's it for now
I have to get a sweater , it's chilly down here too!
Annette

50 ... sew how did that happen ??

Well Sunday I hit the big 50. Pretty painless, and full of family. I had our children home to share my day and then we went to hubbies sister's for Easter dinner. When everyone realized that it was my birthday they all sang happy birthday to me... a nice touch. Sew  now that the day is past  I do not feel any older than I did before.It's not as old as what it seamed like when we where little kids. Funny how that works.
I sew do want to thank all of my family and friends that remembered me and showered me with all types of gifts even though I feel that their friendship is the greatest gift.
As for the sewing front not much has happened , I did make some curtains for my Daughter  and hem some pants I am looking forward to some quilting after I fix a couple dresses. I think I am going to be a little selfish and not take in more alterations until I get caught up with my own stuff. I always feel that I have to get the other stuff done first ( I do not like to keep people waiting )and with work there is not as much time or energy to get it all done and I do not want to loose the fun of sewing either.
your in stitches
Annette

sun and snow...... spring

Well the sun is shining off and on today and there are a few snow showers going through, but luckily the snow is melting and not amounting to anything at all .... at this time.  There are a few other signs of spring out there as well, the robins are back, a few flowers are poking there noises out of the ground, and the mosquitoes are looking for blood.  : (

 I have done a little quilting this weekend.   Just the borders left on the pink and gray quilt, making a few grab bags (found in American Patchwork and Quilting a  better homes and garden quilt mag. and on the  web site) Thought they might make nice gifts/gift bag for some of my friends.  I also was able to pin baste a couple smaller quilts this morning after church.   Then I went over to a friends to teach her how to bind a quilt after lunch.  Yesterday I went to the city with another friend to help her pick out fabric for a quilt for her granddaughters big bed. I think it will be very cute and can hardly wait to see it done up. It was a good and fun day for fabric shopping as the weather was cold and damp with rain and snow in the air.We had left our guys at home sew they where happy not to be waiting on us, sew we didn't have to rush. You just can't rush a good quilt.

 With sew many places with water troubles we can count our blessings as we are still dry here.We keep checking and hope that it will stay that way.

 stay in stitches
Annette