February FMQ Challenge

Well here it is almost the middle of the month, time to get at my challenge piece for the fmq challenge. I have a link on my side bar sew that you can see what it is all about and join in on the fun of learning.

This month was feathers taught be Diane Gaudynski,   I have admired her stitching for a few years now. I first saw her on Simply Quilts on HGTV with Alex Anderson. I could not get over the detail she can get in her quits with the stitching.... something to strive for.
Sew here is my attempt at this months challenge.

I will practice  feathers often I do like the look and how they fill a space. I do like to add curls and swrils to them.

I have been practicing my fm quilting on my challenge piece called Jewels of the night. I am about 2/3's done, depending on how much I quilt in each border. I have ideas of what I would like to quilt sew I will draw them out to see how I like it and how it will flow.
I have used a technique that I learned from Leah Day over at the Free Motion Quilting Project on using a self threading needle to bury thread tails. Check  her site she has a video to show you how she uses the needles. I have found that when using  rayon thread if you twist it with the cotton before you thread the needle it dose not shred on you.

I will be having my 1 yr anniversary  blogging this week. If you like check out the give away I am hosting.
Thanks for stopping by
in stitches
Annette

Anniversary Give Away

Ribbon embroidery Teddy

close up of stitches

Hard to believe that I have been blogging for a year on the 14th.
 I started on a date that I could remember.
 Trying something different and learning a lot along the way. During the year of blogging I have made many new friends and learned many skills blogging and quilting. I have also learned that the bloggers that I have come to know are very generous and always willing to help you out when in need.
 Sew to celebrate my one year anniversary I am putting together a give away.

It will include ribbon embroidery ribbon .... singles and a couple multi packs

A pattern or two

a bit of fabrics
 and a few other little goodies.

country charm pack

                 
To enter be ( or become ) a follower and leave a comment.
 Please leave contact info if you have a non reply message.

I will make the draw the on the 16 of Feb. Sew you can enter until midnight my time Valentines day...... let's make it midnight on the 15th  as you all might be out with your sweethearts on the 14th.

I will do a random number / name draw.

This is just to say thank you for sharing a little of your day with me.
Good luck to all who enter.
Sew here's to another great year of sharing.
In stitches and seams
Hugs
Annette

lack of stitching

Not much stitching going on here this week.
 A little fmq and extra hours at work.
Sew maybe this weekend I will get something done to share. Hope I do not go through withdrawal, I am used to a little stitching every day.
I do enjoy stopping in on other blogers to see what they are up to. There are some pretty amazing quilters/ stitchers out there.
Sew until next time
Stay in stitches
hugs
Annette

Dragonfly Summer

Progress on the weekend.
I did get a couple rounds of fmq done on Jewels of the Night.
And then when I took a break I worked up the samples from the D9P quilt class. I played with the setting and borders. I think I will add one more border to the little quilt, if I have the right color.  Green or plum?

Dragonfly summer ...58 inches sew far

 I did play with a couple pieces for the one border that I did put on. I only had sew much of each and my first thought was to do two borders that were 3 inches  wide and then I thought that this would work using 6 inch wide borders. I also had one block left sew I made this little runner, just the binding left on it.

.The fabric I used was a charm pack called dragonfly summer by moda.  The borders are another dragonfly fabric, The charms where a gift sew I guess this one is for me. Might just be my camper quilt, or one for the couch to curl up with.                                         

I have a question for you all out there. Have any of you used minky ( or minky like ..... super soft and silky knit type fabric) to back your quilts with.?? What problems did you encounter if any??

I have never tried it. I think it would be great on a baby quilt or even one for a cancer survivor.

Have a great evening.

In stitches

Annette

Spring in February

Another day of melting..... way to early for spring at least here. I do not mind the warmer temps but I do hope that when spring is supposed to come that we have those temps then too.

Another weekend that I hope to work on my challenge quilt and maybe start on a wall hanging.
 One for my sewing area with my blog title in. Sheila and I are each working on one.
 We'll see what happens, as we are also getting some company this afternoon. Hubby's niece is coming to check out some trucks at the dealerships out here. she totaled hers off a little while back, with the icy roads in the city.
I best get going and have some lunch and get ready for a nice visit.

in stitches
Annette

Labels and loose Threads

Well it's Wednesday once again and time for w.i.p's.

This weeks works in progress are a few quilt labels for some baby quilts. I like to use my Brother machine for  these. They get a little large but everyone seams to like them.I have a couple more to make to get caught up and then get the quilts off to the wee ones.

My other project is trimming any stray threads off the back of "Jewels of the Night " quilt ..... my challenge project. I do not want any stray black threads showing through in the light areas of the quilt. After I clean up the back a little I will get it ready to machine quilt.

Sorry to keep going on about this one with out any full pictures. I am very happy with how it is turning out and hope you all will like it when it is unveiled in April .

Well that weather outside is way too much like spring. We drove down to the beach (Manitou Beach) a 5 minute drive. and believe it or not there is a skunk out there, his perfume gave him away.

remeber to check out The Needle and Thread Network on my side bar to see what all the ladies have been up to

in stitches
Annette

Happy Dance ....... piecing done!

Jewels of the Night

I have the challenge quilt all pieced borders finished and now just the quilting to do. It sure takes time to decide what you want in different places on the quilt when you are designing. After changing my mind a couple times I went back to my  original thought and I am happy with it. It id different from any thing I had done before but I feel it works here.

Here is a peek at the border. I will revel the whole quilt in April after the deadline for enters and the quilting will be done then as well.

Sew now that I have met that challenge to myself to have the top pieced by the end of the month. I can do a couple other jobs that I have on the back burner . This is a quilt that I am fmq for a friend. The pattern is Yellow Brick Road. She wanted a meander stitch across the top, I should have it done some time today.

Then I will start to plan what I want to quilt on the Challenge quilt.
In stitches
Annette