Fabulous package from my partner

Look at the fabulous package I got in the mail!! Thank you oneygirl!!

Two oven mitts and the prettiest Jane Market bag ever … then add even more goodies – extra fabrics (fishies!) and bag/pouch for buttons and pins!

The mitts are PERFECT – and such fun fabrics! Now I can finally throw away my set from college (yikes) and be styling. And the bag – oh my – such pretty fabric combos. I can’t wait for the farmer’s market to open up down the street so I can show it off – but I might just have to use it as my new summer bag because it’s just too pretty.

And all of this was a second effort – the first package she made got returned to her in a horrible shape and was missing the bag and one mitt! So a BIG thank you for doubling up on all the work. I really appreciate it and LOVE it all.

Stylish oven mitts

Potholder Pass Round 7 was a little different … not only did we make potholders, but also added a cute bag/tote as well! The potholders could be any shape but square and there were a few different bag patterns to pick from. My partner was very open to my imagination and really only requested oven mitts.

So that’s what I made.

Reversible wrap-up bag

One of my partner’s favorite colors is blue … or in my interpretation, aqua :) I had a few strips left over from a fabric square swap that I used to piece the oven mitt and matched that against the colors of the double-mitt-grabber-thing (does it have a name?) I had fun with these fabrics, so I hope my partner likes them just as much as I do!

Bag all wrapped up

Her bag pattern of choice was the “Wrap It Up” Bag by sewtakeahike. It’s such a fabulous pattern because 1) it’s an easy pattern to follow, 2) when you’re all done using it you can wrap it up into a small bundle for storage, and 3) you can make it reversible. So of course I wanted to give my partner very different bag choices depending on shopping mood!

*Update: 5/25 note from partner … “Thank you so much! I am super pleased with everything, and you were VERY generous! I am already using the bag (brought some stuff to work with me), and the ovenmitt and potholder is tucked away to be used ASAP!!”

Pasta Month 3

In the package was:

1a. Tomato & Beet Angel Hair
1b. Portobello with Syrah Wine Sauce

2a. Olive and Garlic Linguini
2b. Eggplant and Raisin Marinara

3. Recipes for each pasta/sauce pair

A rainbow of fabrics

I’ve already joined and picked AQUA as my color choice! Check out the details and join before it’s too late!

Pasta Month 2

In the package was:

1a. Mushroom Linguine
1b. Aribiatta Sauce

2a. Lemon Dill Fettuccine
2b. Asparagus and Parmesan Marinara

3. Recipes for each pasta/sauce pair

In progress work

I was back in and around the show arena after class. There were just too many interesting things to see that several hours were needed. I have plenty of “project idea” photos that I will be busy for years! I did pick up a few Asian fabrics and a lovely geisha pattern and also this fun fabric shrinking iron-on … there will most definitely be a post when I get to using that. Sensory overload.

My class creation

And in the middle of all that I made a HUGE decision, finally made the leap and purchased a long-arm quilting machine – HQ18 Avanté! That’s an 18″ throat which gives a lovely 15″ of quilting space. And because of the show, they were offering the demo machines at a big discount … so I have the machine boxed up in my car and the 12ft frame is being shipped on Monday. Yes, 12ft – the magic size to fit a king-size quilt. And once everything arrives in CT, my HQ rep comes out to help put it all together and give the first how-to lesson. I can’t express how excited I am in words … you will just have to wait and see it in my work!

A fancy meal at Gibraltar restaurant finished off the day in style. The menu was Mediterranean influenced with fabulous fish dinners – my choice was the Maine Lobster Fettuccine with local sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, crème fraiche, herbs and shaved reggiano. In one word – delicious.

And tomorrow I make my return drive back to Stamford and grumpy kitties :) Great mini vacation!

AQS Lancaster

Next was a break for fresh and creamy made-on-location ice cream at the cutest ice cream parlor – Carmen and David’s Creamery. They learned ice cream making from Penn State’s renowned Ice Cream school … we are!! Delicious. And follow that with a juicy steak and micro-brewed beer from Iron Hill Brewery.

And an early night as I have class tomorrow at 830am.

4 blocks in a medallion layout

I’m on a mini vacation to the American Quilter’s Society quilt show in Lancaster PA. The show is 4 days long and besides the main show also includes workshops, lectures and classes … and even a Ricky Tims concert. I’m here for 3 days (woo hoo!) and signed-up for two classes.

So this morning I got up at 4am and made the drive from CT to Lancaster … much less traffic at that time, but I’m still amazed at how many people are up early for long commutes to work. That really makes me appreciate my less-than-a-mile walk to work :)

Close-up on the block

On my arrival to the Lancaster County Convention Center, I went straight to my first class – Ocean Sunrise taught by Karen Kay Buckley. The class used a specific pattern to learn techniques for paper-piecing sharp skinny points and machine appliqué on curves. I’ve done both before, but there are so many different ways to do things and tips to learn along the way that I really enjoyed it.

And after a fun 6 hours on a fabulous Janome machine, I completed four full blocks and several more are almost there. Plus, my fabric was the highlight of the class so I felt even more excited with my color choices. The ‘Sea Life’ quilt fabric is from the Oceanica collection by In the Beginning and has mermaids, frogs, seahorses, fish & more … plus it’s a fabulous green color :)

I will post another photo when I get more blocks completed and sewn together.

For my Partner

The top image is a close-up on the table runner and fun quilting lines. Sadly, I didn’t realize the runner wasn’t exactly straight until it was too late – I hope my partner can roll with the punches and not hate my (lack of) sewing skills! The fabric is a selection from the Moda Sugar Pop line, which I think are very fun.

The bottom is an envelope-style pillowcase using the same fabrics. Since I don’t think one pillow is enough (I think a set of 2 is better) but I didn’t want to break any rules … so the Ziploc bag is a packet with all precut fabrics to make a 2nd pillowcase to match. I hope that’s not too goofy and my partner likes the idea. But now you can add your own style and imagination!

*3/17 Update … I got a note from my partner – apparently she loves it :)

“Thank you SO much! I love it! And the fabric is so stinkin cute and the runner is perfect. I love the quilting! It is awesome….I’m going to have to try that style sometime. it gives it depth. I absolutely LOVE that it isn’t “perfectly straight” because it’s homemade! I love it!! I love the extra Pillow fabric….I will definitely be making that second one. (once I get my machine back from servicing.) THANK YOU THANK YOU! LOVE IT!”

From my Partner

‘The Swanky Seahorse’ spoiled me with this fabulous pillow and bag holder!

The Neptune Pillow is very me and not only incorporates my fav color green – but also my favorite animal turtles! This looks really great on my red couch – offsets the green and blue perfectly while picking up highlights of the red in fabric.

The plastic bag holder tube (does it have an official name?) is PERFECT!! And you can see, already stuffed full :) This project has been on my list for a while now as I desperately needed one – Swanky Seahorse did some great stalking!!

I LOVE green!

These PP6 green potholders are FABULOUS and very much my style – thank you so much ‘Coisas da Laura’ ! The Dresden Plates design is great and the first time I’ve had the pleasure of having one made for me! It is such a great pattern, but I’ve always been intimidated by it – so much work! And I love the pieced funky angles of the other one. Also, the large size is great so I can get a really good grip on things and not have to worry about my hands! Well, that is if I ever get to use them – they are too beautiful! And the matching hand towel is awesome. I love the 2 rows of fabric – very unique as most you see are just 1 row. And I LOVE the fun stitching around the edge … which I didn’t capture in the photo :(

I got spoiled! Thank you Laura :)