Always Something New....

I am probably one of the most focused individuals you will ever meet.  I keep "to do" lists for everyday of the week so I can make sure I get everything done.  I've always been that way -- ever since I was in high school. 

I am focused.

At times, I am intensely focused

Exxccceeeppptttt when it comes to quilting.  Then I have the attention span of a two-year old. And believe me, I know two year-olds...I have a granddaughter that age.

If it's a pretty fabric, I buy it.  At least four yards of it.  I don't care if I don't have a plan for it.  At some point I will have a plan for it.  For right now, it simply needs to go home with me.  And if I have a stressful day, I will go into my sewing room and "pet" it.  That relieves tension. 

Trust me.

If it's a gadget or a ruler I don't have and feel like I need, it's in my cart (on line or at a brick-and-mortar store) faster than a New York minute.  It. Is. Mine.  I want it.  Do I need it?  I didn't ask that question.

And patterns.  Despite the fact that I have a handy-dandy-knock-your-socks-off-it's-so-impressive spreadsheet on my projects, I will not hesitate (not for a second) to add to that list and buy another pattern.  I admit, at 53, my list is ambitious, but I figure now is the time to make the purchases...

Before I get too old and my children take my debit card away before they put me in the home for old quilters.

So this week, I did my part to spur on the economy and support my local quilt shop and small quilting businesses. 

First I purchased these through a good friend at the quilt retreat.

They're patterns and stamps by Cindy Blackberg.  She's a big hand-piecer.  I've hand quilted but never hand pieced.  The patterns come with stamps.

You use the stamps to mark your fabric instead of templates.  According to my friend, Karen, all this stamping and cutting and hand piecing is very relaxing. 

I'm willing to give it a try.  I'm making the Star Garden first.   It's the pattern on the right.

Then I bought this pattern from Dragonfly Quilt Shop.

 

Patty Grubb has two versions of this quilt at her shop.  One is with a dark background, similar to the pattern, and the other is with a light yellow background.  Both quilts are stunning and the applique can easily and accurately be done via machine.  It's 74" x 74".  I will add a solid inside order and then use the rail border on the outside to enlarge it just a bit to go on a queen-size bed.  And I think I will go with a lighter background than the darker one. 

 

 

The best purchase I made this week is from Barnett Hoops.  Please visit their website and their Facebook page.  Their hoops are for handquilters, but they make so much more than hoops.  They have a terrific applique stand that I will purchase in the future and then they have several versions of caddies.  I purchased their small handquilting caddie.  Each one is hand made, so it may take several weeks to receive it once you place your order

 

What I absolutely love about these caddies are the details...like the little knobs to hold your thimbles....

And the small magnet to hold your needles and the square space to nest your Thread Heaven.

It's so easy to slide your thread through the Thread Heaven before you thread your needle.

Again, it is so important to support your local quilt shops and small quilt businesses and designers.  We do not quilt in isolation.  It's in these small shops and on-line businesses that we can ask questions and get help and even more than that, find a fellowship of like-minded, obsessed folks.  Don't take them for granted.

Next week is Thanksgiving and I'm not sure if I will have a blog up or not.  We did my family's Thanksgiving last night.  On Thanksgiving Day, my children will go to their respective in-laws.  So it will be Bill and me and Sam with some turkey and dressing.  I may take the week off....I haven't decided yet.  So if I'm not here next week, have a wonderful thankful Thanksgiving!

Love and Stitches!

Sherri