Nat'l Quilting Day Fruit

Just thought I would show you a little 'fruit' of my labor on National Quilting Day -- a little wallhanging for Spring. You wouldn't think it would take that long to make. The piecing was very quick, but I did all the embroidery by hand while watching TV.

Embroidery Software

While spending a few days in Florida during Christmas, I went into a quilt shop "Keeps Me in Stitches" in Tampa, FL. It was a small shop; however, they were a Janome distributor. I was able to find a foot I had been looking for, a new Creative Grids ruler (size I didn't have) and a package of bobbins. That was it! All for this shop. BUT WAIT.....while at the checkout counter, I looked up and saw this software. I have heard a lot about the Designers Gallery Software and became intrigued. The clerk began to share with me the things it would do. She was quite the salesman! I walked out with Studio III and SizeWorks. Now I wish I would have also bought the LetterWorks.

Studio III is a platform program that allows me to organize all of my many designs as well as color management. It will allow me to sort the color changes so I don't have to change thread so many times, and much more!

The Size Works will allow me to change design sizes proportionately with the correct density adjustment. I can reduce designs by 50% or enlarge them by 200%.

LetterWorks will allow me to add lettering to designs, etc. I'm thinking I really need this component -- LOL! Time will tell as I can always order it online.

I am very excited to learn this software. If you use this software, please comment and let me know your thoughts.

Can Do the You Buttonhole Stitch?

My granddaughter spent the weekend with me. On Saturday night, I was working on my "A Tisket A Tasket" BOM #3 doing the buttonhole stitch. She was watching me and asked me to teach her how. As it was late, I told her it would be Sunday's project. Camryn decided she wanted to make a heart for her mom. She said "she does so much for us". Is that sweet or what???

She picks her fabric and we draw the heart and fuse it down on the background. I did a demo of the buttonhole stitch and she went to stitching -- a born natural! Here she is really concentrating.

She said "Mammy, do you ever stick your finger with the needle?" I told her "sure do and that is just part of handsewing -- it happens sometime".

She was really on top of her stitches. She said "this is really fun and now I know why my Mammy is always sewing". I was beaming with pride. She told me she was just about to cry she was so excited.

Check out those tuquoise fingernails! She and her Mom had a 'girl day' on Monday and they both went and had a pedicure and manicure. She loved it!!

After she completed the handstitching, I cut the borders and she sewed them on. I didn't get pictures of this because she was sitting in front of me at my Janome 10001. I wasn't about to turn her loose on that machine......hehehehehe. She then signed her work and I put the backing on and we have a finished product for Mom which measure 8 x 8 inches.

Camryn has done some sewing before on my featherweight, but I think she just got hooked on the handembroidery! Woo Hoo! A new sewing buddie!

Blessings -- Part II

I have completed the Blessings mini. I came in from work today went straight to the studio! I put on the borders, quilted it, made binding and I just got finished. Awwwww......quilting......the best therapy there can be!!!!!! A February finish! 2009 is off to a good start!

Blessings

Here is a little something that I did this weekend. I have really "gotten into" this embroidery. This block is going to be the center of a small wallhanging. I decided to combine some applique and embroidery together. All of it is stitched by hand. Now, I have to add the borders. Is this for someone you ask? Nope, just playing around. It is a bit out of my "comfort zone" with the bright colors, but it is a fun project. You see, my studio is a separate building from my house. My hubby is not feeling well and I'm trying to spend time with him since he is in "lock-down" (meaning it is very unusual for him to not have any energy to do anything) AND it keeps me busy while watching TV .

Stay tuned for the final product.