Getting the juices flowing again...

So it's been about a few weeks since I had to send my quilts for the animals we love contest sponsored by the Quilt Alliance.  Since then I have been in a remove, renew and refresh mode in my home.

Something just hit and I ended up with some major changes in my home.  It all began with the repairs to my kitchen and bath from the snow leak.  And then next thing I knew, I was replacing and refreshing.  It was much needed.  Twelve years in the making.

So as a result, I have not spent much time in my studio.  So I am now playing catchup... So here is what I have been working on.

I had to get started on my sizzix challenge quilt.  This challenge uses all of Victoria Findlay Wolfe's sizzix templates.  I chose the big DWR... And after drafting and trying out some ideas... I have just completed the top.

In addition to this.  I have been working on my NYSSQ blocks and added one.  I also found a number of others that I will ale to add to this quilt.  The ideas are percolating.

Above are blocks that were given to me.

I have also been working on my E quilt... And had to get some more blocks.. Thanks Helen and Deborah...Spin have to add a row or two

I also had to finish and send off my quilt for the New York Bar Foundations raffle basket.  I am a board member and we have 13 baskets for our fundraiser in Cooperstown as well as a ton of items in overflow.  We are excited about this endeavor.

Here is what I made to include.  It's called Rose Colored Glasses

So off I go... Happy Quilting.

Cut it up with Floppy on Toppy

Soo -  okay I wanted to share this...

My dear friend and Queeps Victoria has her new sizzix dies available and they are an absolute dream.  Now you also know she is Queen of cutting up things that many see as perfectly great tops. 

Well here is a bit of a peek at my project using her big melon DWR dies.

So yea her theme is cut it up, as seen in the last post, my shirt, tatoos and more.

And a special shout out to Lisa (the red headed mermaid for use of her humongous sizzix machine.)

And the floppy on Toppy is from Victoria's awesome sizzix video that shows you how to whip these babies together in a flash... 

So I dig this little diddy out and decided... To "Cut It Up".

I also had these vintage blocks. I guess originally (some years ago) I had a plan. 

Well a trip to Darien and a night of sipping, laughter and some stitching and cutting.  I now have this beauty... That I am putting together. And remembering "floppy on Toppy"...

Wherever does the time go...

Well since my last post I have set up the Frame, made the leaders for the pole and then had no time to keep going... Away every weekend... Beginning with Quilt Con and bought a new machine and oh so many more distractions.

I am hibernating this weekend... So I shall put the frame use on my list of must dos this weekend...

Here is a pictorial of the past month and change...

Victoria can be seen throughout, especially at the sizzix booth.

Yes I whipped up this little diddy while there with Karla's scrumptious Cherrywood fabrics.

Who says quilters don't have fun

Soo happy to have a chance to be in the presence of these amazing spirits (Gees bend quilters - China and Mary Ann Pettway)

This is really all we do when not creating lol... Creative faces hahaha

And then next week Hilton Head..

Had a blast.

And after that Maryland the next weekend..

And the week after that the NYC Half Marathon

I even found the Mario brothers...

My second half, almost a year after breaking my ankle a week after my first one.

And the next week off Visiting my beautiful grandma that was turning 88 years young.

And yes everytime I touch down in NOLA I must hit Katy's- 

And even got in some golf while in New Orleans...

And came back to finish Ms. eggplant Brown

Whew and many more weekends to add.  I need a rest lol..

Sooo excited to try this...

So I discovered that you could put your home machine on a quilt frame... And so the quest began.

I began researching all of the options, there are a number of frames available for a range of prices.  My focus was on space saving and ease of use and set up.  

I found one that I would hope to have at some point.  The major problem is that it is not easily storable and requires the consistent space.  It also takes over a days worth of set up. So the search continued.

So I saw a few other possible options, however the reviews and such pushed me away from it..

Then I saw a blog that features Kenneth Lund's DIY quilt frame. I viewed all of his videos, read the reviews and the price point was on point.  Most importantly, it can stow away easily... And with multiple poles to roll your quilts on, the poles can store multiple quilts that are in progress... Therefore score.

I sent him an email with some questions and he promptly responded.  BONUS... And the kit was currently on sale...SUPER BONUS...

And then it was put together and shipped promptly and arrived in 3 days... Sweet..

And when I got the package it even included a gift of fabric. Extra sweet...

So I look forward to putting this together.

Have to pick up a few items at Home Depot because it is cheaper than shipping.. All of a few dollars worth of items...

And stay tuned...

See the images below

Christmas quilt

Note:  this was from October... It never published...So what have I been up too... Lots.. Well this week my dear friend Victoria (Victoria Findlay Wolfe quilts- sorry can't link from my phone) was supposedly working and ended up making a lovely Christmas quilt... As I saw her post... I just had to see it... Because I have one completed Christmas quilt that had remained on my bed year round... Lol and I have another that was started two years ago that I never completed.. Yes smh.  I know.. Finish what I start...

So I had an idea..

 

And because I needed a bit if push to actually do it.. I called her via our usual FaceTime - 

Lol... Yes and I was able to get my inspiration and I viewed her studio.  She also said I could buy new Christmas fabric... (Enabler.  Hehehe)

So in Friday I went to the City Quilter and picked up some fabric.

And then Saturday I got started... Drafting and such...

And then voila...

Still working 

Auditioning fabric I had in my stash.. Yes didn't use all that I purchased.. Lol

 And now here is the top finished

I love how it finished... Now I have to piece the back, baste and quilt... Whew...

Wrappers, flowers and more

Wow, where does the time go... For more updates be sure to check out my Instagram... It is hard to believe that we are on the fourth round of the original NYC Metro mod Guild Bee...

Hmmm I guess I should finish the last few quilts lol.

So November was Rossanna's month as Queen Bee.  She had asked us to save  candy wrappers and such for our blocks.

I am not a big candy eater so I was saving my dark chocolate peanut butter cup foil wrappers.  I also ended up using tea wrappers and some chick-o-stick candy wrappers...

So this is what I came up with.  First, I had to figure how to protect the foil and allow for manipulation without it tearing. So I glued and modge podged it to magazine paper.

And while that was drying... I began working on the tea wrapper flower I got the idea from a DIY I saw on scrap-a-little.com blog... (See link below)

And this is what it looks like.

 Then I went ahead with the other block.  And see the pics below... I hope she likes it... It was cool to figure out how to make flowers with the wrappers and attach them to the fabric and maintain the shape... Can't wait to see the final.

http://www.scrap-a-little.com/2009/07/dahlia-flower-tutorial.html?m=1.  

Oh boy ... In the blink of an eye...

Sooo hi blogosphere... I guess this is why I am fortunate to have Instagram.... There is sooo much that has been created and even more ideas that have been brewing...

How does one find the time to cover all things... Health, fitness, running, golf, work, and the most important exercise... Creativity.

Luckily I was away for a while last month and got some stitching time in... And then finally, today was able to get some ideas flowing...

I had my scratchartfabric queen bee block that I have been working on... My mod bee folks are working on them as well... I love doing these, ever since last year...

Here is one that I just finished...

I also finished this one... Finally...

 The above is entitled Exhale.. And I believe I posted this almost 5 years ago, when I finished the top.

And in August I worked on a number of things... However, this is what I can share...

Now I need to get working on my two bee blocks that I owe... Since I am back on my machine...

Tomorrow after early morning golf and brunch...

Till then...