We ALL love going to retreats...right?

Well, I have a retreat coming at the end of October, and I am super jazzed!  I have a wonderful friend that will be going with me, or me with her, and I like making small gifts for my retreat buddies.
I found these panels in amongst the donated fabrics that I get periodically.  These 4 little masterpieces made me actually laugh out loud, so I knew that I just had to make a little wall hanging for Dotty.

I know that this is a little late, but I just found it!  I hope you enjoy this post and have a fantastic HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 First off, look at these delicious colors!

 All I did was add 2 outside 1 1/2in borders.

 I outlined each scene, FMQ around each scene, straight lined around each block, loop-t-loop in the black borders, and finally just straight line quilted in the middle of the purple and green outside borders.  I did machine binding.

The size is 17 1/2 x 25 1/2.

 This square represents me!

 The gal in the purple represents my friend Deborah.

 This cheery redhead represents Cindy from Live A Colorful Life !

This is just like my friend Jennifer!

And here is Dotty!

 

I'm excited, and have already started getting projects together.

 

 

Linking to:  Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!!

 

A raw edge mini!

These little Noah squares were donated to us as is pinned to this white fabric.  I had to take them off to straighten and then repined them back to the same white fabric. 

They are all pinked around the edges and then raw edge appliqued on.  Easy peasy!

I then did a very simple FMQ and just like that....I was done!

Sometimes it is just wonderful to have simple projects!

Linking to:  TGIFF! at Sew Fresh Quilts!  Can I Get A Whoop Whoop! at Confessions of a Fabric Addict!

Star of Wonder!

I love Christmas and all it symbolizes.  It was such an honor to be asked to make a wall hanging for inside our church foyer art gallery for the Advent season!  I jumped right on this task and chose some great fabric and a block from the book (which I love) "another BITE of SCHNIBBLES"  I chose the block called "Two Percent" and made a single large block...24x24.

This wall hanging ended up at 30 1/2 x 30 1/2. 

Linking to:  Tuesday Archives at Val's Quilting Studio!  Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!

Two purses for Christa!

I got an email from Christa of Christa Quilts not long ago.  She was wondering if she could commission me to make her a couple of purses for Market.  I quickly said yes, and I was off.  She wanted a 3 zipper cross body bag similar to the one from Dog Under My Desk, and a large tote similar to an Amy Butler tote she had seen and liked.  Most of you know that I don't use patterns, so I went right to my graph paper to design said bags.

Christa requested white, gray and black with white zippers.

 

This little cross body bag ended up approximately 8 x 10.

I found these bold graphic prints at 'Home Fabrics'.  I do not know the maker or designer, but Christa wanted graphic....and here it is!

 You can see how it was quilted here.  Yay for Wonder Clips!!

The dark strip in the lining is a pocket for sunglasses.  A total of 5 pockets.

One zip pocket on the outside.  These are all the specifications that were requested...except the sunglasses pocket!

This large tote measures approximately 15 x 18.

Linking to:  Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!  NTT at My Quilt Infatuation!

A new sewing machine cozy!

My machine seldom goes unused for more then just over night. But, every once in a while it sits for a few days at a time.  I decided that Miss Ellie needed a pretty cozy for just those occasions.

I dug into my scraps and found just the ones I wanted to use.  I also decided to do something I had never done before.....keep reading.

I used every decorative stitch (that I liked) on my sewing machine!  I have never used decorative stitches for anything before.  It was fun.  Some I will use again and others not so much.  This cozy fits best with the table off.  More fun color and brightness added to my sewing cave!

Linking to: Anything Goes Monday at Babco Unlimited!

Hog heaven!

No, I'm not talking about little piggies!  I'm talking about the Harley Davidson kind of hog.  I don't ride or drive one, I don't even own one.....but I know several people who do, and they are part of the Christian Motorcycle Association.  My daughter/SIL and my sister/BIL are all involved in this worthy organization.  They have several fundraisers each year and I love their cause.  Transportation for missionaries in their every day lives.  That could mean a bicycle, camel, jeep - whatever will get them from here to there.  I have decided to take on several projects to help them along this year.  I have already told you about the 25 pouches (out of lipstick fabric) that my sister is selling to raise money.  I decided to make a quilt for their big fundraiser in February.

First off, I had to go on line to find 'Harley Davidson' fabric.  Then I shopped for coordinating fabrics in the Harley colors.

I found a FQ of Harley logo fabric on line!  I raw edge appliqued them onto 6 1/2" squares of Kona Cole.

Lots of HST for this pattern.  It is from the Autumn 2014 issue of Quilter's World. "Halloween Dash"

 

The back was fun to piece.  I used a leftover 'Harley' block as my label.



I love the way it came out.  Thank you Mr. Wonderful, for helping with this last shot!

Stats:  was - 59 1/2 x 68
    ended at - 56 x 66 (after washing and drying)

Linking to:  Anything Goes Monday at Stitch by Stitch!  Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts!  Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!

My new (old) sewing chair!

Several months back, I was looking for a new sewing chair.  My old one had given up the ghost and I needed something more comfortable.  I was sooooo fortunate to find a wonderful chair at a thrift (op) store for only $7.00.  It wasn't much to look at, but it was super comfy.

I remembered that I had this sewing notions fabric set aside for a tote and decided that it would be better served as my new sewing chair!

Then I realized that I had cut it out upside down and had to add the black.

I did an all over meander.  I used batting and a canvas backing.

I found this coordinating stripe in my stash and it quickly became the back of the chair.  I made the back cover like a slip cover.  I used batting and canvas for the back of this piece also.

My wonderful husband helped me out by taking the seat and pedestal apart for me.  Then he proceeded with the stapling!  He's so wonderful.

She's all secure and duck taped.

Here is what she looks like from the front.  Now that is my kind of sewing chair.

Just a little peek at her backside.  My room gets better with each little colorful addition.  I enjoy being in my sewing cave!!!

Linking to: Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!   Can I get a Whoop Whoop! at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.