November's End

So much has happened since my last post.  I'll do my best to sum up the fun parts.


The second annual Orlando MQG retreat took place the first weekend and that was such a blast. It was nice to get away for a few days and just hang out with some wonderful people. I didn't take many photos while I was there but did put a dent in my budget allotted for shopping.

Here are some highlights:

Our view for breakfast each day in Cocoa, FL

Couldn't resist more Cotton+Steel.

Periodic Table Symbols: I'll be making something
nerdy and fun.

Fantasy Forrest:
No plans yet but am so in love!

My continued addiction to Whites with Black prints.
(Love those mustaches the most!)

Coffee...yum!

Crazy great prices so I had to get both!

Some yellows and orange since I have so little in my stash.

Something intriguing in this retro design.

I've had my eye on this Effervescence print from Michael Miller
 for a while and took the plunge.
Those purple polka dots are fun, too.

Safety pins and a fun black on black print.
(I'm going to make a few projects that needed zippers this
Christmas so I bought one to practice.)

A gift from a fellow guildmate!
(She finished a project and gave me her leftovers!)

My absolute favorite!!!

 Finished some blocks:

Last set of StashBee Hive blocks were sent to their new home.

Worked on a few block from T.Pink's 100 Modern Quilt Blocks.
(Still have a long way to go!)

BOM for OMQG Block Lotto this week!
(They need to get trimmed but I was chain piecing
a bunch to better my odds of winning.)

I've just realized that I had many other good times but didn't take any pictures to share. I'll need to do better next month.

How was your November?

Christmas Party

On Friday the 13th, the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild celebrated the holidays with our last Friday Sew Day. (They return to our normal Saturdays in January! Thank Heavens because Friday traffic was no joke.)

I laughed a lot and had such a great time with everyone. I love to see the creativity of this group. Everyone was working on something fun and it always inspiring to see a new idea. I wish my phone didn't die so soon or I would have more pictures to share.

Here are some highlights:

We exchanged mug rugs!

The one I made went home with Judy!

This fancy one from Michelle came home with me.
I love the smiling faces on the houses.
It also brightens up my sewing room!

I spent a good portion of my time making these gift card holders.
It can be used as a mini wallet or
business card holder once the card is spent.

I modified the pattern from Watermelon Wishes because I could not get a card to fit using her measurements. I found that cutting the rectangles and batting to 6.5 by 4.5 was just the right size.

I also used her clever idea for making a template from my morning coffee cup holder to create a cozy that closes with Velcro.

Both photos are from of Michelle's iPhone!

I also started making a really expensive and lengthy Christmas/Birthday wishlist based on a few different projects. I saw the Juki sewing machine I've been researching and heard great comments about it's durability. I also want a Thermofax machine to start printing my own graphics for pieces I've sketched out. Don't even get me started on fabrics. Everyone always has such yummy collections that I want to run out and buy.

I've decided to make 2014 the year of making just art quilts, designing fabrics and sewing things for myself. This is the first time I've ever been selfish with my sewing/quilting but I have to start sometime, right? (Of course, I will make the charity quilts and projects with my guild but the rest of the work I create will be for me.) I want to expand my knowledge of textiles and explore designing my own patterns on EQ7. I might even venture into making clothes and bags more, too.

What are your plans for the New Year?

Monday Musings - Day 7

Who knew I could blog seven days in a row and still get my work done? I sure didn't think it was possible. I like that my OCD about posting something each day this month has kept me motivated. (I can't leave any gaps or I will be mad at the world, well mostly just myself for not seeing consecutive numbers in the blog archive.)

So today, is Photo Mosiac day and I thought I would share a few of my favorite things. Lucky for you, I am not into video blogging or you would have to suffer though a horrible rendition of Julie Andrews's song about raindrops, kittens and woolen mittens.

I love a good rainbow! There are few things in life that can make me smile larger than when I see a perfect ROY G BIV waiting for me to admire or cut up.

Images from left to right, top to bottom:

I enjoy doodling with Sharpies. My Sharpie art usually has abstract shapes and lots of color. This image is a bit blurry here but the original was used to create one of my earliest art quilts many years ago. It's the image I use as my photo on G+, Flickr, and other "Sewn With Curves" image icons.

The rainbow rose was recently posted on my FB page by a "guildmate" who saw it and thought of me. I took the original image which actually describes how to make this rainbow rose by cutting the stem and placing it in various food colors to achieve a gorgeous look. I cropped the image and made it a bit more bold so I can design a new fabric piece soon.

The new Kona Solids jelly roll and charm pack has been staring at me for a few months now and I think I've finally come up with a pattern worthy of it's rainbow glory. (Now I just need to somehow add extra hours in the day so I can quilt more. I've tried sleeping less but nobody wants to be around me when I get too cranky.)

Coffee is all that I really need as a pick me up. I don't always have (or need) a biscotti at hand but a dark roast coffee is a must. My French press never goes a day without making magic happen in the kitchen. I've even made a rainbow cozy to keep my French press all snug and warm so it can do its thing while keeping my coffee hot until I'm ready for my next dose.

The "lady sewing" was also a FB post from another friend who is an amazing seamstress. (Her Halloween costumes are stunning!) She posted this over the weekend to describe how she was spending her Saturday. I saved it and am still searching for the original artist. She just found it by accident on Google a while back and can't find it again. I want to remake this woman on canvas with a more curves and an afro. If you know where this from, please let me know!

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These are just some of the images and fabrics that have sparked creativity. Making this collage was a lot of fun and I plan on cataloging all of my quilts and canvas art later this year. I look forward to sharing works in progress and completed art/quilts with you when I'm done.