Summertime Blues

So does anyone else get the summertime blues? It's over 90 degrees outside, humid (or raining now) and I just can't seem to get the urge to really do anything. Once I get home from work - no matter how hard or easy the day really was - I'm exhausted and just don't feel like moving, really. I've done a few things, but it's been small things done over a period of time. I got the border strips on two of the three quilt tops. That's awesome considering the third one doesn't need any borders :) I have my cathedral windows pillow top on hold because I just can't get up enough energy to really tackle it. I have the 'base' of the pillow cut and sewn together, but can't find the will to cut out the 'windows'. I cut a few out yesterday, but I still have quite a few to tackle.

Once it hits into September everything will be back to normal, and I just can't wait for this intense heat to disappear!

Exciting!

I'm on a buying kick! So the beginning of this month I decided to buy some fabric ahead of time to make my Christmas quilt! Natalia of Piece N Quilt was having a Fabulous sale for the 4th of July, so I put an order in for a jelly roll of Moda Basics White, and a jelly roll of 12 Days of Christmas. Unfortunately, the 12 Days had already been sold out, and I was totally bummed. Just to be safe, I waited until the other jelly roll was delivered to my front porch before ordering from another shop. (I've had accidents with buying twice, when I was told one was 'sold out') I received my gorgeous white jelly roll, and made my way over to Burgundy Buttons and bought myself that other jelly roll! And, I figured, while I was at it I may as well buy some new thread, right? I have 3 spools of King Tut, one Masterpiece M bobbin, and one spool of So Fine! headed to my door as well! I'm so PSYCHED! Especially since all I've ever sewn with has been the Wal-Mart 'quilting' thread. I believe it's Coats and Clark. I'm on my way to finding out myself the difference in thread :)

In other news, I guess in my long absence I forgot to take pictures of the fantastic fabric I won from FabricWorm in the Bloggers Quilt Festival! It's a bit dark for me to be taking pictures this time of night, so I believe you shall have some pictures headed your way soon!

Yikes

It's been forever since I updated. I'm sorry about that. I actually took a little hiatus from sewing a bit, and began reading new stories like my life depended on it.

However, my camera is willing to cooperate (somewhat) and I have pictures for you!!!

Here is quilt 1 of the 3-in-one I've been going on about. It's the largest, and is 4 blocks by 3 blocks. Our grass was wet at the time, so you only get a partial view ;)

This is the quilting of the pillow (below) that I tried my hand at. I believe I did alright, but it definitely could've been better. Sometimes my machine knows just when to man-handle me!

Here is the overall pillow. The sun is bright outside and really made the cream fabric pop!

This is the smallest quilt. It's fuzzy because I don't have the best camera in the world. If you notice, two of the squares aren't like the others!! This top isn't 'finished' because I have fabric on order to make a border for it. Other than that, this is what ya get :)

Here is the middle sized quilt. It was actually the easiest to make, no angled cutting or crazy corners to work with. I'm truly proud of my three!

I'm especially proud of this gem! It's the additional change purse to the actual purse I made for my best friend in the entire world. She saw the fabric and instantly fell in love. I figured she deserves something for putting up with crazy 'ole me. But this was the first time I'd ever used 1. zippers, and 2. ric rac! I found out what was making my machine not 'quilt' right - I was using horrible horrible batting! I bought some different batting for the purse and change purse, and man did it change my life! See those little curley-q's? IT'S A MIRACLE!

Purse and wallet-thingy. I'm so proud!

Already Ready

I'm already ready for Christmas!

Are you?

Feeling of Accomplishment

So tonight I got busy sewin', and finished two quilt tops. Granted they're small lap-quilts, but I do feel like I've done something today. I haven't been sewing much since I got back from North Carolina last weekend, and I guess all that pent up sewing just had to get out, eh?

Now, the 3-in-1 quilt set is finally pieced and ready for some basting! One small problem is that I need to go buy some fabric for the backing and binding. Whoops :) I just LOVE fabric shopping!

There are so many new projects that I'd love to start working on now that the Pride and Glory and trio are finished. I started an apron that I quickly lost interest in. I don't think I'll ever be making any dresses or shirts or anything. Making cuffs and seams just isn't worth it!

Unfortunately, I think I may have worn out my old Singer sewing machine. I not only broke a needle in the middle of the sashing, but it's starting to skip stitches, the feed dogs aren't pulling like they should, and my tension is all wonky. I'll take it to the doctor as soon as I can, really. After all, I can't even finish the tops I have now if my machine won't work, right?

Which also reminds me... I know that for one of my Christmas presents I'll be receiving a new sewing machine. I've been looking at the Brother PC-420. Does anyone recommend this machine? Also, what are some good sewing machines for quilting?

Sorry, Kiddos!

So I've been having a rough time this past week and, honestly, I can't really bring myself to blog. I've got so much in my head that trying to sort it out isn't something I care to do right now. There has been a death in my family that was very close to my heart, and I can't think of trying to write anything.

However, I am in blog-land reading each of your blogs. I want to read as much as you guys can put out, because it distracts me from the other stuff.

News to note:
Since winning the Fabricworm giveaway for the Bloggers Quilt Festival, I have chosen my fabrics and received them. I'll post pictures when my heart stops breaking. I also stopped in Fancy Gap, NC (on the way home) at their pottery and fabric outlet and bought a few things. Just 4 fat quarters and 2 embroidery hoops. (Yes, those darn hoops).

I'm out, and I hope you all are doing MUCH better than I am :)

AAHHH!!

So today I've been flopping around on the internet trying to find the blog that had the AWESOME Bible scripture as the header (I can't remember the scripture or I'd just look it up). I can't remember the blog or anything, so I've gone through my history, clicking anything that might be what I'm lookin for. So I come along Amy's Creative Side and click on it, knowing it isn't the right site, but I like the blog. Come to find out, I'M A WINNER! I've not won anything before really, and I won a 50 buck gift certificate to Fabric Worm because I entered the Bloggers Quilt Festival! Am I a lucky duck or what?!

This brightened my day even after I found out that Wally World doesn't sell Embroidery Hoops! Ah.

God Bless each and every one of you!