Happy Village....let's visit!

 I spent most of the past two days working on my Happy Village quilt and it's finished. I enjoyed making it and am already planning the next one. Water....the next one is going to have water...

As I quilted around the shapes, I could definitely see places that could use more quilting, like roofs, trees, fill in areas. So I did some quilting on some of the roofs and other areas. I think it gives it even more dimension. (If you look back and forth between the two pictures, you can see the difference). It's hard to know where to stop on this one...when to stop making houses, when to stop quilting. I was afraid to quilt the sky on my machine because I wasn't sure if I could get the look I wanted. Plus I had added in a piece of white tulle for effect and wanted to make sure it wasn't going anywhere. So I hand quilted the sky using a very light blue thread. I wish I would've made the sky a bit bigger by starting the houses down farther, but I can try that on the next one, right? 

Before I went on retreat, I made these Boxy Pouches for my retreat friends. I used purchased quilted fabric so they were quick and easy to make.  I have a few left for other gift giving.

Can you sew too much?

Diana's Highlights Sampler

I've been back from retreat since Sunday evening, but it's been a busy week. I did a little catching up on Monday, then class Monday night, all day sewing Tuesday and class Tuesday night. A friend invited me to sew with the monthly sew-in at the local senior center Wednesday, so I sewed all day Wed. too. Now remember, I had sewn from Thursday about 10 until Sunday about 3:30. So that is a lot of sewing packed in to one week. I'm happy to report that I have 2 completed quilts, a third one with all the blocks made, just needs side setting triangles cut and then I can sew it together. Plus I made several red quilted pouches too.

 I had made a bunch of these for gifts a few weeks ago, and made 2 scrappy ones from the fabrics we use on retreat to play our games. It's easy and fun to do and easy to adjust the size if you want bigger or smaller bags. It's the Quilted Boxy Cornered Pouch.

Since the Highlights Sampler 20 class just ended recently, five of my retreat friends brought their quilts to work on. They are all so pretty and I loved watching them come together! As you can see, they all used their own color choices and they are all gorgeous!

Pat's Highlights Sampler

Rose's Highlights Sampler

Cindy's Highlights Sampler

Dianne's Highlights Sampler

Diana (top picture) left before we took this picture, but here are four of them all lined up. We had such a good time and I really need to catch  up a bit around the house today and then get back to sewing tomorrow.  I have already been out weeding and watering the garden and flowers, but there is a bathroom to tackle, so I'd better get to it. I took some pictures during classes this week, so more about them soon.

Giveaway winner and Quilters of the Corn, the sequel

Thanks to all who participated in the Red, White and True QAL Big Finish Giveaway of a Fat Quarter Shop $50 gift card...the winner is.....Kathy E! Have fun shopping, Kathy!

Rachel S. Red, White and True

As you finish those Red, White and True quilts, I would love to see them so send me  pictures, blog about it or add your pictures to the Flickr page. Let me know so I don't miss it! I found Rachel's picture of her finished top on the Flickr page this AM. Isn't it beautiful? You can still download all the free patterns from Craftsy, or if you prefer the tutorials, the links to everything are on the Red, White and True QAL page which you will find on the page bar above. The Craftsy patterns will remain free for the next month, then I will rewrite it as one pattern and sell it that way.

I'm just back from a quilt retreat at Stitchin' Tree Quilter's Cottage in Woodbine, IA. The cottage is attached to Stitchin' Tree Quilts, a unique quilt shop about a mile from Woodbine. It's a nice place to getaway and Teresa lets us shop round the clock if we want. So it's not unusual for someone to jump up from sewing and head out to the shop. We had a great time and got lots of sewing done. I will post more about it as the week goes on, so will just post the Quilters of the Corn, the Sequel picture for today. You might remember this Quilters of the Corn picture from last year's retreat there. This is our fifth retreat here and our 11th retreat together.

I have lots to do today to get caught up around here. I have a class tonight too. Happy Monday!