Why we Quilt | Shabby Fabrics

This is something I just had to share.  I have been in my sewing room for just about every night and weekend for the past month.  It's peaceful there.  It's a perfect room with blue skies (walls) palm trees, my beach chair, a bottle of wine (all on the walls hehe).  I love it and am very blessed to have a husband that could build and create this world for me.

I just signed up for another class at Wilsons's and the kit is by Shabby Fabrics.  Well, the website is addicting.  There's a really special story about Jennifer - she was a commercial pilot that was furloughed after 9-11.  She decided to do what makes her happy and is very, VERY successful.

I made one quilt/blanket, six stockings, three pillows and one tree skirt as gifts this year.  I already have several things on my 'to-do' list as well.  Sewing is definitely one of my happy places and this explains a little bit of 'why'.  Enjoy....

Just a little taste -

So - a few weeks ago Mrs. Kathy called me from my favorite quilt shop.  She asked if I could come over Monday evening for an open house.  After making sure I already didn't have something, I committed.  I have to say I was just a little excited.  It had been a long time since I had visited.

As anticipated, I was greeted with open arms, coffee and cupcakes.  Wilsons is introducing their new "brother" =)

Oh my - it was SO fun to use.  Look at the big screen -

and scan in a picture -

adjust on the screen -

and embroider!  Oh my goodness.  It can even stipple.  Woohoo!  Definitely on my wish list.

And of course now I have the fever -  I'll start with an easy one....cut my squares

Cut the padding -

Pin together -

then sew the X -

Hoping for the finished product by midnight Wednesday - I might be burning the midnight oil =)

Santa's Helper

Santa's workshop was in full swing today! It was a perfect day to be inside working on that those special 'hand made' gifts. It's so much more fun when the elves are willing to help and today, Cierra was all about working with me... my grandma (we call her MA) is always cold and we haven't done much in the way of gifts for over the past few years so it was very fitting to make her a rag quilt. She loves green so I visited my my favorite quilt store and picked up some soft, woven flannels that make a perfect frayed quilt. So here's where we started...
Here's our stack of material -
Cierra marked the squares -
Next she sewed.....
Now they're all ready to line up!
Is there a pattern? Let's switch them around :)
Our first row -
We're getting there!
And finally, here it is!

But wait! There's still SEVERAL hours of snipping. Then wash and dry; repeat; repeat! (to get it to fray). We had a lot of fun today working on a special Christmas present.