Seems Like Spring

Well - time sure flies. I always have good intentions to update this blog, and then life gets in the way. I'm 5 weeks off shoulder surgery and doing pretty well. I'm not making jewelry yet (you may notice the shop is empty), but hope to be back to it in just a few more weeks. Also, I'm sure two jobs in two different cities with two different houses probably has something to do with it my inability to keep up with my blog. Of course, when I get home, I like to spend my time sewing, quilting, cooking, jewelry-making and my new hobby - Pinterest. Seriously, I am hooked. Yesterday I was out scavenging for wood pallets for my next gardening project:

And yes, I'm also searching for just the right-sizes rocks. I mean, how cute is this? It will match my rock turtle.
And then there's all the quilting inspiration on Pinterest. Oh, and did I forget to mention the recipes? If you haven't got involved with Pinterest, proceed with caution. You may find yourself spending countless hours pinning images, and more hours scouring what your friends have pinned.

On an unrelated note, it sure seems like spring in Northern California. We hit a high of 76 degrees today. The trees are in full bloom and it smells soooooo good outside. I understand there may be a change in the weather tomorrow, but that's ok. I'm not going to let it spoil my spring time mood.

Sending you warm wishes until my next post,

Debbie

Mug Rugs for Your Sweetie

First, let me start out with saying please excuse my photography skills. I believe I've established from prior posts that photography isn't my thing. Regardless, I had to take pictures to share with you my latest mug rugs. In combination with the mugs I found, I think they are fabulous. I love them!

Mug rugs are fun to make, are a quick little project and the fun continues when you hunt for the perfect mug to go with the rug. I must admit, though, that I've often wondered what should come first - the mug or the rug. Anyway, if you are in the mood for a mug rug sew fest, you can find tutorials to mug rugs here, here and here. A quick Google search will lead you to many other mug rug tutorials as well.

Choosing the Right Quilting Design for Your Quilt

After finishing our quilt top, many of us, including me, struggle with how to choose a quilting design to finish up our quilt. If you are in the same camp as me, please check out the eclass called Quilt Whisperer. I've taken this eclass and it was a big help in determining the final quilting design. The class starts today, but the instructor says new students can usually add during the first week. Happy designing!!

Pics from the ASQG Quilt Show

Last time I posted, I mentioned that the Annie Star Quilt Guild was preparing for its biennial quilt show. Here are some pictures from some of my favorite quilts:

This quilt, pieced by Marilyn G., won Best of Show. Well deserved! The piecing on this quilt was amazing.
This quilt was also made by Marilyn G. How darling is this?
This is a kaleidoscope quilt. Very attractive. The black background really makes the designs pop.
This quilt was huge. Really, about the biggest quilt I've ever seen in a show. So big that I couldn't get a picture of the entire quilt. And the maker also machine quilted it.!
And since Halloween was just last week, I needed to include a picture of this cute wall hanging. Would love to have this hanging in my house around Halloween.

A Sneak Peak & Vacation Plans

I belong to the Annie Star Quilt Guild and we are holding our biennial quilt show this coming month, October. My friend Carol encouraged me to enter a few quilts, so I thought I'd give you a sneak peak at one of my entries.
This quilt is put together from blocks made by me and my friends to celebrate my 50th birthday, so it is very special to me.

With that, I'm off to the airport to spend some relaxation time in Cabo. Enjoy your week, I know I'll be enjoying mine!!

Where have I been?

Hi friends. Sorry it has been so long since I've blogged. I guess it's been a busy summer. My oldest son graduated from college and we just moved him down to Santa Barbara for grad school. My youngest is still in the Navy. I haven't seen him since Easter (I'm so glad I flew out to see him then), and won't see him until Christmas or New Years. My hubby and I got in a week vacation to Reno, a weekend get-away to San Francisco, and are now on the countdown for Cabo San Lucas.

Here's a picture of me from our San Francisco trip, performing indoor skydiving:



I haven't been doing much teaching lately and have been enjoying the break. I did have one class on the schedule in Paradise, but only had 1 sign-up so it was cancelled. On the plus side, I have a group of women who have me scheduled for a private class so that should be fun!

I'm trying to get up to speed with my Tin Lizzie and have just ordered a good selection of colors of Glide thread. I am also considering getting a Towa gauge. Does anyone have experience with them that would like to give me an opinion? As far as the Glide thread goes, I love it. It has a sheen like the Rainbow threads, and is very well priced.

Yesterday I got together with my small quilt group, Material Girls. I had a good day. I sewed handles on a bunch of little baskets, which was a pain because the baskets are little and it's hard to sew around the rim. I also got bindings sewed to three wall hangings (I still have to do the hand stitching), I laid out quilt blocks on the design wall and have them organized to piece together for a quilt called Pave the Way, I bought more fabric and got it cut for another Pave the Way, and pieced together three small mug runs. Not bad for a days work.

My big project now is to get the binding on the quilt I have entered into the local quilt show. The binding as been sewn on, so again - more handwork. It's pretty big, 92" x 96" so it's going to take awhile.

OK, that's it for now.

Mug Rug Fever

Well, I'm a little late coming to the party, but I've got the mug rug fever. This mug rug was truly a collaborative effort.

I made the rug, my friend (and partner-in-pounding) Pam found the coordinating mug and added the binding. I took this cutie to my office today and will be placing my mug on its rug tomorrow! I can hardly wait!
You can find the pattern for this mug rug here, but also, if you do a quick google search, you will find 100s of them!

So, now that I have the fever, I need to make more. If you know me, you know my philosophy: It's as easy to make one as it is a dozen! So, with that in mind, here's my work in process for the next 12 or 15 or so...
I will, of course, be adding black and white polka dots for the borders, and have found the cutest polka dot mugs at Pier One. I think they will make great Christmas gifts!!