It's Sue Spargo Time!

To all my friends who have seen me (slowly!) working on my Sue Spargo 2011 BOM's, it's time to sign up for next year! If you are interested, go to suespargo.com now. I mean NOW! She offers a limited number of kits each year and she sells out quickly. So if you're interested in having some fun with wool, and cotton, and velvet, and embellishments, GO!

Another Georgia Quilt

Here is another one of my favorites from the quilt show a couple of weeks ago - a Sue Spargo beauty!
I adore the textures of wool, velvet, and cotton.

And embellishments galore!
Here's the info on the makers.

I've been quilting LIKE CRAZY this week. I'm trying to finish a quilt top for the book. It's been in progress for months, but I took a very long break to work on other projects and to work on the proposal. There is a lot of hand work involved - for me that mean sitting in my recliner, doxie in lap, TV turned on. I know - tough job!

My biggest challenge is making myself get up and move around occasionally. Yesterday I took a break mid-morning and took Mickey for a nice walk. I think I'll take Prince today.

Excuse Me While I ... BREATHE...

I'm catching up on EVERYTHING after a weekend in South Carolina. Actually, I'm not even close to being caught up on laundry, but maybe tomorrow???? Hubby and I spent the weekend in Greenville, SC, visiting with Daughter 2 at Furman University. We went to the football game Saturday, more for the half time show than for the game - typical band parents! Daughter 2 is on the far right in the above photo; you'll have to click on the photo a couple of times to get a glimpse. I asked Hubby to get closer to her, but he didn't want to be that "embarrassing Dad!" So I shot from afar.
Here is the entire band during the pre-game pep rally. They have the BIGGEST sound ever! Most of the members (though not Daughter 2) are music majors.

To see them in action performing their half-time show, go to this link. I know you'll enjoy it - they perform a version of "Forget You" that includes dancing - way fun! The interesting thing about Furman is their initials - FU. At little strange to hear cheers of FU, but it's all in fun. The school has now embraced that "Forget You" song. I do love that song - at least the "clean" Forget You version. After hearing the band play it this weekend, I've been singing it in my head for two days!

This is Daughter 2's last year in a marching band. She'll graduate in the Spring and move on to grad school, where she won't have time for this part of her life. I know she'll miss it.j

Correction: I originally said Daughter 2 was on the far left in the top photo. Whoops! She's on the far right! Playing clarinet.

Boy Scout Quilt

One of the quilts that caught my eye at the Georgia quilt show was this Boy Scout quilt, honoring an Eagle Scout. She could have just sewn those badges into a grid, but no! She was so utterly artistic and creative!
The background was a pineapple pattern using Boy Scout fabric.
A photo of the scout was at the top of the quilt.
And here's the description. Click on it a couple of time to see it bigger. What a fine tribute to years of hard work!

I'm enjoying a week with no commitments. That gives me lots of time to sew, of course, and I'm taking advantage of every minute. Plus I allow myself a bit of time to read. Harry Potter progress: I'm down to the last few pages of book 4. It's so much easier to keep up with the story line and characters when you read the series straight through. I never got past reading book 4, so the next book will be new to me.

Book Proposal Accepted!!!

Peggy and I were thrilled to find out on Friday that our book proposal has been accepted by the publisher!!! YAY!!! We had just gotten off a bus in Atlanta and we were walking into a quilt show when my phone rang with the good news. We were so glad to be together when we received the news! Lots of hugs and high fives all around!

When I got home from Atlanta that night, hubby had this ice cream cake waiting for me - is he not a sweetie? (And if you don't already know, most people call me "Judy.")

We are so excited about the book - I know it will be a fun one to write. But first, we have to make the quilts! Our deadline is in May, 2012. Wow - lots of quilts to make before then! But I always work better under a deadline.

I still don't feel I can give too much detail about the book here in internet-land until it's closer to being released. But as soon as I can, I'll divulge all the details.

Peggy and I were in the perfect place to celebrate - a hugh quilt show! I'll share some of my photos from that day later this week. Meanwhile, I'd better go work on a quilt!!!

Missoni Madness!

So I'd been seeing those fun Target commercials highlighting the Missoni collection; opening day was Tuesday. I figured I'd stop by and browse. I do love me a zig zag, and Missoni is all about the zig and the zag!

I got to Target at about 8:30 am, thinking I was early. Boy, was I wrong. By the time I walked in the store, there were tons of ladies (mostly young) in line at the cashiers with piles (PILES, I say!) of Missoni goodness in their carts. I made a loop through the store, only finding the Missoni dregs. There were very few garments left, though I did find a black and white zigzag top in my size. Even the housewares and decorative items had been picked clean.

However, I did score on a Missoni tie for hubby. I don't often buy him clothes - he has very good taste and knows what he likes. So I was taking a chance, but he loved it and wore it the next day to work, getting lots of compliments.
It is a nice pattern, isn't it?

I heard that the Target website was down all day Tuesday. I also heard that Missoni for Target items are now being sold on ebay, of course at elevated prices.

It's just as well I saved my money. I'm going on a bus trip with our quilt guild tomorrow - off to Atlanta! We're going to a quilt show in the morning and a quilt shop in the afternoon. Can't wait!

Beginning Quilting Class

My last class for the Beginning Quilting group was Tuesday evening. They brought their quilts, all done! Look how wonderful! They were such good students, and I think they will all continue their quilting journey. How rewarding to bring the world of quilting to others! This is why I love my job.
Here's a close up of the one above. She going to add some hand quilting with brown perle cotton to the pink squares.
And Sue got very creative: she machine quilted tea cups in her border. Click on the picture a couple of times to see.
The quilt in front has such a warm, vintage feel. The rest of the students weren't able to come to our show-n-tell session, but I know their quilts are also wonderful.
As I drove away from class, I saw this beautiful sunset. I took this shot while stopped at a red light. Amazing! Then I stopped on the way home and gave my sample quilt to my sick friend. I hope it comforts her!

Did any of you brave the masses at Target yesterday for the Missoni collection? I did. More about that tomorrow.

Hand Quilting Done

I finished the hand quilting with perle cotton yesterday afternoon- just simple lines criss crossing the big blocks. In yellow. You may have to click the picture to see it better. I think my friend will like it.

It's always heart breaking to hear of someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer (or any terrible disease). But this woman has always been the picture of health. She has always eaten right, and she has always exercised. I mean REALLY exercised! She participates in triathlons, for goodness sake! I mean, who does that! But her mother had breast cancer, so I guess the genetics played a huge part in it. Prayers for her.....

Quilt guild was today. It was the first meeting of our year, so it was a busy and hectic time. 132 people were there! I'm co-chair of the national teachers and next month I'll be hosting Karen Kay Buckley here in Birmingham. She'll be lecturing at our guild meeting and teaching three workshops. I can't wait - should be a fun time for all!

Sewing Again

Hubby and I took a quick trip to Georgia yesterday. We took dear Daughter 1 to dinner and went with her to the Callaway High School football game. Our son-in-law is one of the coaches for the football team, so we were there to cheer him on. We only got to visit with him briefly after the game because a coach's workday isn't complete when the game is over. I don't think he made it home until well past midnight.
Here's a pic of Emily and Tommy.

Hubby and I didn't stay the night. We hit the road again, making it into bed at about 12:30. We were so TIRED on the way home, so we sang, and joked, and I kept slapping his arm to keep him awake. He's probably well bruised today, but he did stay awake to drive.

Do you like Daughter 1's necklace? She made it! She found the instructions through Pinterest (yes, I've gotten both daughters hooked on Pinterest, too!) and made it last week. Check out her blog to see the information.

Yes, though yawning all day, I've picked up the old needle and thread again. I'm doing some hand quilting on the sample quilt I made for the beginning quilting class. I wanted to add some big stitches with perle cotton to finish it. I found out last week that I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and I think this quilt needs to belong to her.

Beautiful Quilts from Beginners

Here are a few shots from my beginning quilting class this week.
Tuesday was the last official class, but since half of the students lost their electricity due to Lee's remnants, they weren't able to complete their homework.

We're going to meet next week, too, so that I can make sure they have no more questions. And also, I want to see the finished quilts! They all said that machine quilting wasn't as hard as they thought it would be. And they enjoyed learning how to bind their quilts. I will really miss these ladies, as we've all become friends in the process of their learning to quilt. Isn't that the greatest part of quilting - the friendships we build along the way?

I have had one of those weeks. Many tear filled conversations with my mother. Taking care of my father is taking its toll on her. Not sure what the next step is. For now she may hire someone to stay with him occasionally so she can get out a bit. Tough times.

But the good news: DRUMROLL......

My wonderful new partner (Peggy Rhodes) and I have finally (!) completed our book proposal and shipped it off to a publisher! We gave each other a virtual hug and high five this afternoon via cell phone. I do love having a partner! We have each given equally to the project, and we've both brought good ideas to the table. I love having someone to bounce ideas off.

Now maybe I'll clean the house? And take a shower?

Quilt Inspiration From Pinterest

Yes, I'm still harping on Pinterest! I you haven't joined in yet, go there NOW (as soon as you finish reading this post, that is). It's my new way to bookmark something interesting I see on the Internet. It keeps all those links in one place, store by the categories I select, with the link included automatically. Plus the best part, I see the pictures which makes it so easy to find what I want. And I can look through all the wonderful things other people have pinned - better than a magazine, I tell ya!

No, that egg was not my breakfast! Look closely. Click on it. It's embroidered on toast. Yes, found that on Pinterest. I'm not inspired to make a quilt from it, but boy, is it interesting! Or pinteresting?
And look at these lovely bowls I found on Pinterest. I'd love to own them, but the color combination would make a great quilt, don't you think?
Oh my, I'm drooling now.... love this "worn turquoise" color combo. Yes, these colors definitely need to be in a future quilt.
Okay, you're allowed to go now. Hurry to Pinterest RIGHT NOW! While you're there, do a search on quilts - there are some way cool ones there.

Kleenex Inspiration

Am I the only quilter who adores Kleenex boxes? I never grab the first box I see at the grocery store. I have to find the cutest, most adorable box. And I ALWAYS see quilt designs in them. I picked up this little gem this afternoon.
And I had to come home with this one, too, which is actually designed for car use. I can really see this one as a modern quilt.
I found this product last week at the grocery. Even though it says it's for water and tea, it was on the aisle with the marinades.
I spotted this recipe on the back of the box (click to see bigger) and thought it sounded yummy. It was! We had it for dinner along with brown rice and a green vegetable. Will definitely make this again.