Catch up Sunday

It has been a busy week of getting something finished, so I can get something else accomplished! Ever have a week like that, where the list is so long that you feel like you won't ever get caught up? The last few weeks have been like that for me, so I have been hunkered down over the sewing machine sewing and the computer writing patterns.

I make notes as I figure out a quilt design, so I like to write the patterns fairly soon after I make it, just so it is fresh in my mind. Plus there are a certain amount of graphics to make for the pattern as well. So it can be pretty time consuming. Last summer as I was making projects for my fall classes, I wrote most of the patterns as I made the quilts, except for one. I had the pictures ready for it, but hadn't ever written it. It seemed like things just kept coming up, a new project for a demo I did, a new Sampler with a deadline, a special project with a deadline, a very busy Sept. class schedule....you get the idea.  I got the demo project made and pattern written, I got the Sampler made, the patterns partly finished. Last weekend I started work on the special project...

 And worked on rewriting the pattern for it all week.  It is finished now. I had a day off Friday, and that really helped! I finally got the pattern written for the class that I have been putting off to work on other things...good thing, since the class is next weekend!  I also got the special project (no pictures yet!) on the quilt machine and partially quilted. I hope to finish it today. So I feel like I can see the end of the tunnel now and might be able to get back to a normal life. I am even thinking about cleaning...

Thursday night the Four Patch Petunia Minicourse class worked on block 3, Four Plus Four. As you can see from the photo at the beginning of my post, our little Miss Photogenic Kelsey is doing a great job on her blocks, with her grandma Patty taking the class and working on matching blocks as well. They are going to use the blue as a sashing in between the blocks to make a quilt for her bed.

I love the bright colors Bunny is using for her quilt....We turned her red block on point just to see how it would look.

Here are her blocks so far. Some little person is going to have one pretty quilt!

Kellie's blocks have lots of movement and many shades of browns. It is so much fun working with this group of ladies on this project...I really enjoy teaching beginners!

Christie had a conflict, so couldn't be here for class, but she will be on Thursday. One more class in this four patch minicourse series left.

I taught the Circle and Spin class yesterday at Cut Up and Quilt, more about that tomorrow! Off to quilt!

Busy weekend!

 Saturday's Potato Chip quilt class was great! Ladies used fabrics ranging from batiks to fall to reproduction....

 All were looking great as they came together.

 I hope I get to see them as they finish them!

 One lady decided to use narrower strips to use up some of her stash....I think it will be interesting too.

I cut out a new version of the Peas in a Pod quilt Saturday night and spent all day Sunday working on it. It is close to completion....then to quilt!                                                                                                  

Four Patch Petunia MInicourse, #2

 Last night's class went very well, with everyone making the Double Four Patch block. You might remember Christie's  Bowties from last week!

 Kelsey and Patty are using the same fabrics as they are going to make one quilt. Not only does she like to quilt, she loves to iron too!

 Kellie's earthtones have lots of movement.

Bunny's using this circus print...it will make a young someone a very cute quilt!

I plan to stop out at Cut Up and Quilt after work as I need some bright prints for a project and they are having a 2 day sale to celebrate Kim's birthday. That's a good enough reason to stop, right? I mean it would be crazy NOT to stop!
Happy Friday!

Busy, busy, busy....

`I have been pretty busy with classes lately, so haven't had as much time to sew. Tuesday night was Sampler 15....great group of ladies and fun to have in class! Tonight I am teaching the second session of the Four Patch Petunia Minicourses and Saturday is the Potato Chip quilt class. I love this version of the Potato Chip quilt that I made last summer. So refreshing and summery!

I teach a lot of classes in the fall/winter since it seems most people get a renewed interest in quilting with the cooler weather. Gardens are finishing up, and kids are back to school so maybe most quilters have a bit more quilting time. I sew year round, but probably have the most time to sew in the summer when I am on summer break from my full time job.

How about you? Do you sew more as the weather gets cooler? 

I love the mailman.....

because he brought me this wonderful prize the other day! I won Bagso Charm's giveaway during the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop a few weeks ago. I won this oh-so-pretty journal with hand embroidered cover. It is so pretty and I love it! She also sent me some bath and body lotions as well as 2 bookmarks, one with her kids on it! So cute!

Here is a close up of the embroidery on the journal cover. It's even prettier in person! 

Cathedral Windows

 One of the things I love about teaching classes is watching the students fabric choices come to life. Saturday's Modern Cathedral Windows Pillow class was no exception. We had quite a variety of ideas and color combos. Dianne's looked like stained glass!

 Charlotte chose soft calicos, so hers had an antique feel to them.

 So pretty!

 Kay and her mom Lisa worked together to learn this technique...they made a good team and really enjoyed the class. This one is Kay's, Lisa has plans to make hers to match her living room.

 Karen had a happy mistake (she forgot a window) and might use it in the center of her pillow.

 She used the same fabric behind, which shows up in the melons, as she used for the windows. I love this take on it!

 Using the black and white to frame her deeply hued windows will make this a stand out pillow! Lyn was already talking about her next project!

Evelyn had some cute fussy cut squares for some of her windows. I love the variety of colors she chose to shine through them.

Karen brought some traditional blocks with her that she purchased at a thrift store. I forgot to take pictures of all of them, but I do have one that she gifted me which I will photograph later and share tomorrow. We were all fascinated with the size and variety of fabrics that were used.

They seemed to enjoy my demo on making them the traditional way too, though we all agreed we preferred the more modern approach since it is much more time friendly. 

Beginning quilters

 I taught the first class of the Four Patch Petunia Minicourses Thursday night. Everyone made the Bowtie block. This young quilter has been sewing for 3 years already and now wants to learn to quilt. She came with her grandma and they each worked on their own blocks, but used the same fabrics.

Anyone want to try to guess her favorite colors? 

The other ladies did a great job on theirs as well, with a variety of fabrics.

 I can tell this is going to be a great group!
I'm teaching the Modern Cathedral Windows Pillow class today. Should be fun! I expect them to get quite a bit done, so I hope to have some good pix! I am going to do a demo on the traditional method during class as well. I think it's interesting to see this method, as it was completely done by hand.
Happy Saturday!