Dead lines....

I finally got to my FMQ challenge for July and thought I better get that posted as today is the dead line to do that. I found that I wanted to stitch a little wavy when stitching the straight lines. Sew I took a straight edge, mine happened to be a small cutting mat to use as a guide.

using a guide to sew a straight edge

my July sample



tyring a little writing

 It worked great I just kept my foot along the edge and my line was then nice and straight.I know with practice that I should be able to stitch with out a guide but until then I think I will use it.

 I love this method of FMQ it has a lot of possibilities and I will be using it again. Thanks Angela Walters for the July tutorial , I 'll be watching for your books to learn more.
I'll be linking up with SewCalGal's FMQ July Challenge. I do not think it is too late to join in on the lessons. Check it out if you would like to learn a little more about Free Motion Quilting.

My other deadline is also drawing near ... Sunday midnight is when I have to have my design posted with McCall's Quilting for the Quilt Design Star Challenge. I will be sewing every night this week to get my design to the point where I feel it is done. Different folks think it looks great as is but I  feel it needs a little more and I want to make sure that I have my 20% of the challenge fabric in plus a little extra cushion to be on the safe side.I also want to do a little hand stitching on it as well. I do hope you all will like what I have created.


another little peak

It has been a little more of a challenge this time. As I have not had the extra time to work on it. I usually work part time and this summer it has been full hours for me, we have had company for a week  as well. I would not change it . as it helps me to focus when I am down stairs quilting and working with the time element is just part of the challenge.And who would have thought that I would run out of thread....... well now I have a good stock of colors for this quilt after my thread run on the weekend.
Voting will start on the 7th of August. Be sure to check out what everyone has done with the Challenge Fabric I know I will.
In stitches
Annette

finial week .... of stitching

And I ran out of thread ..........
Sew it is off to the quilt shop to pick up a few spools of the one I ran out of and a few other that I will match up sew that I will not have this problem again this week.
My design is coming together I will be doing a lot of fussy cutting and building appliques to add to the design.
Sure wish we had a shop here in town still .... at one time we had two shops. Sure miss the Sewing Centre and the shop owner, I called her "mom" and she called the "kid". We confused a few folks as we are not related, just share the love of fabric and quilting.
Well I best get going this trip is cutting into sewing time.
take care out there and happy stitching
in stitches
Annette

WIP ...... for the rest of the month

The challenge begins......I've been working on McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star Challenge 2   Go to  McCalls' Quilting to see who is still in and what the fabrics look like in both challenges.

McCall's Quilt Design Star Challenge 2
 professional challenge fabric

I was off to a slow start as I awaited the arrival of the challenge fabric. I started playing with paper cutouts from a picture of the fabric which helped me to come up with a few ideas of what I would and could do with it.

just a peak

Now I would like to think I am about half done and should be able to complete my design before the deadline of August 5.
I have a sneak peak for you.

I will be linking up with Monika at The Needle and Thread Network

kitty approval

I hope to post a few more pics as I get more done ..... wish me luck
in stitches 
Annette

working it out

Right now I am just working on some design possibilities for the next challenge,as I await the arrival of the challenge fabric.
I have played with EQ7 a little and cut out the paper to get a feel for the design possibilities. I still like good old paper and a pencil to sketch out my ideas as well. Sew now that I have a few ideas going I will very soon decide which one I should go with and grab some fabrics and begin to play with that design to bring it to life.
Remember to check out www.mccallsquilting.com  to find out the latest happenings with the Quilt Design Star 2012 as well as the patterns they have for you to use in the block library.

I have a couple little observers this time around , we are kitty sitting for our daughter. Sew I have Nina and Shadow checking out what I am up to as well as holding down any fabric I have laying about. I have even caught Nina in my fabric shelves, she must find it nice and cozy.

I have a new link on my side bar..... I will be participating in Sew We Quilt -  Bowls with Borders Blog Hop next month. It should be a fun little hop to see what everyone has done with the pattern.

It looks like another hot day is on it's way again today .....ahhhhhh...... summer ...we best enjoy it while it lasts as we know fall will be right around the corner.

Off to play with some paper again before I head to work.
have a great day
In stitches
Annette

Happy Dance

My design made it!!!!!  I am now in the next round of designing with McCall's Quilt Design Star 2012.

Thank you to all who voted  this round
in stitches
Annette
I just wanted to add that my wip is........ waiting on the mail  for the fabric that is to be a part of the Challenge 2 of the McCall's Quilt Design Star 2012. It will be my focus for the next little while. I will have until the 5 th of August to complete the next quilt top.
Sew in the mean time I will try and work out a few ideas sew that when it arrives I can jump into it. I will pull other fabrics from my stash and then pick up a few more ( we always need just one more it seams)  Then the playing will begin.
I am linking with The Needle and Thread Network
Thanks for letting me share my news
in stitches again
Annette

the waiting has begun

My McCall's Quilt Design Star banner
hanging in my front yard

I will have to wait until the end of the business day tomorrow to find out who all goes on with the McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star 2012. As well as finding out what the next challenge will be.
Thank you to all who have taken the time to cast votes for my quilt.
It is with folks like you out there that make me think that I can do this or at least give it a good try.

This is what I have been up to while I wait for the results.

boxes of scraps waiting to become something

Hitting my scraps and making crazy blocks and filling the basket with stuffing for the puppies bed I make with them. Not much goes to waste here.

11 x 12 in blocks....
just a start I know that there are a
 lot more in those boxes

the scraps from the scraps = doggie bed stuffing

We had a great time at the camper this weekend a little fishing a little tubing and a boat ride up the lake to visit hubbies sister . A day and a half sure fly by fast.

I did get my first fish of the season last weekend I forgot to post it ( not the most attractive pic but here it is anyway) a good old Jack fish  (Northern Pike)
Off to get the laundry on the line to dry.
sew have a great day
in stitches
Annette

last weekend to vote

Yep this is the last weekend to vote in the McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star 2012 Challenge, challenge #1.
The link on the side bar will take you to the voting page. If you use the slide show or gallery you can view all the quilts in the storm at sea challenge. Please remember to cast your  votes this weekend.
On the 10th we find out who will go on to the next challenge.
Thank you to all who have supported me in this challenge ........ I can hardly wait for Tuesday to see if I will get to go forward with the challenges.

We will be off to the campsite after I am done work on Saturday ... boating fishing and tubing will be the order of the day with the 30c temps on the way.
Well I am off to get a few things done around the house sew that we can go this weekend
in stitches
 Annette