Not a whole lot going on...

except I am busy catching up on a ton of computer work (think illustration, the member book for the magic valley modern quilt guild, and working on a few new tutorials) and my sewing as been a little bit on the slow side. I did manage to finish up the prom dress I was making and it turned out beautiful. Which made me completely happy.

Last weekend was the Desert Sage Quilt guild's quilt show. I didn't have any quilts in the show, but X was in his very first fashion show. He did a great job and was super cute (I can say that because I am his mommy!! hehe)! He modeled lounge pants and the oliver + s peacoat, I made for him. I think he may have caught the modeling bug since at the end all he could say was "That was awesome!"

Overall, the quilts in the show were a lot of fun! Some were more my style than others, but each to their own. I came away with a couple of good ideas for a few mini-quilts.

The biggest news of all is: I got a scooter!

 
Its totally cute and really helps me fulfill my desire to live in a foreign country (like italy or greece) and ride a vespa by the ocean on winding roads with flowers and yummy goodies like breads, cheeses, fruit etc. in a basket. I am in love with it and is the perfect mode of transport to get me to work and run little errands. I feel like I might need a whole new wardrobe to go with it!

Some sewing...

I finished up this skirt yesterday (pattern is the Study Hall Skirt by Anna Maria Horner; fabric is also by Anna Maria Horner): 

(the top photo is the front and the bottom photo is the back) 

This is a sample (size Large, I'm hoping to wear it in the Spring or before that with tights!!!) for a class I will be teaching at The Quilt Barn in October. More details soon on that. The skirt turned out really cute and it was worth it to spend the extra time matching the stripes. 

Last night was also the monthly meeting of the Desert Sage Quilt Guild, as always, it was interesting. This month I remembered to make a block for the Block of the Month part of the meeting. It was a really cute applique butterfly, here's mine:

The block ended up measuring 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" and I just used some scraps from my stash (it got a little crinkled right before taking the photo since my son was playing with it trying to make it fly). I used Wonder-Under for the fusing the applique in place, but it is a little stiff for a quilt (next time I think I will used steam-a-lite or steam-a-lite 2). Eventually this butterfly will probably end up in a wall hanging due to it being so stiff or maybe a table topper. 

This was also the first time I used the applique stitch on my sewing machine. The results turned out really for a first attempt. I can already see a variety of uses for this stitch in many of my sewing projects. 

In other news in the next couple of days a new weekly feature is going to start... just working on the last minute details and making sure it all comes together nicely. Plus, I am busy working on pattern instructions, handouts, illustrations, photographs, etc. for my upcoming classes and dealing with general everyday life. Well, now the the weekend is officially underway (last week was just a lot to handle in so many ways that the weekend just couldn't come fast enough for me), I am going to work on a few more things before I sit back and relax a little. Have a great rest of Friday night! 

Summer Adventures

Wow, Friday and Saturday just flew by... I spent Friday doing a little sewing (I will show you the results tomorrow, since I totally forgot to take photos of it yesterday) and catching up on a few other projects that have been laying around. On Saturday morning, I met up with a bunch of ladies (about 45 of us in all) from the Desert Sage Quilt Guild that I am part of and went on a fun all day adventure to the Boise Basin Quilt Show. The day turned out to be a ton of fun and I am so glad that I was able to attend. We took a comfy bus ride up there (since it is about a hour and forty-five minute drive or so):

I sat in the emergency section and ended up not having to share a seat with anyone so I ended up having some extra room which came in handy later in the day. We even played a few games while on the way up and I won a fun prize (it was a pattern with some fun little fabrics swatches, a picture is coming up later)

Our first stop was a fun little shop called:

I ended up with a couple of harder to find fabrics that I scored while I was there. After the shopping, we headed to a buffet for lunch. It was pretty yummy, but the best was the sundae bar as usual since it is my favorite thing in a buffet. 

Then we headed to the quilt show, but before we went in to check out all the quilts, we took a stroll through the farmers market. It was a lot larger than I had expected and the weather was just fabulous out. The vendors carried a range of things from jewelry to wine to crepes to clothing and tons more. It was great! The quilt show was awesome, inspiring and a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. They had door prizes, vendors, raffles and a gift shop. I did find a couple of fat quarters from one vendor that made it home with me. I also won another door prize in the last drawing of the day. (I think it was my lucky day yesterday since I rarely win at anything besides Bingo) At 5:00 was a lecture from Marianne Fons of Fons & Porter fame:

The lecture was actually really fascinating. Her personal story and lecture on Why people quilt? was entertaining, interesting and you really came away with a lot of interesting history of quilting. I found Marianne to be delightful, funny, and a great speaker. I was lucky enough to be the youngest quilter in attendance and won a free magazine subscription (how awesome is that!) there was also another raffle along with that which some of my friends won. After the lecture, we headed to a lovely restaurant, sat outside in the evening sun, and had a great dinner. 

A view from the tables of all the outside umbrellas. After such an exciting day we headed back to the bus and were on our way home. 

Here's a recap of some of the goodies I picked up:

Some Amy Butler Love fabric from The Quilt Crossing.

A couple of fat quarters (from the quilt show) and Plume by Tula Pink Charm Pack, my first tula pink fabric and I am in love with it (from The Quilt Crossing)

Then I picked up these freebies throughout the quilt show:

 

A free pattern, a pocket needle guide, a couple of Quilt show pins and some hexagons for paper piecing. 

Since luck was on my side yesterday, I won these:

A magazine subscription, a pattern, a rotary blade, computer inkjet fabric, some Best Press and 4 fat quarters. It was so exciting to win and I truly love all of my goodies and they will be put to good use for sure! Overall, I had a great experience and am hoping to do it again next year!

Wednesday...

I actually have been making quite a lot of progress on several of my to-do lists. (I have been keeping track of all of my to-dos for various things in spreadsheet form. I started doing this to so I can see what needs to be done for specific things like personal sewing, modern quilt guild, my portfolio, etc. I do need to get some clipboards so I can keep them up on the wall.) Anyways, I have fit in some sewing over the last weekend, not a ton but enough to feel like I am crossing a few things off the list. 

First, this is the block for the Block of the Month challenge. This was for the Desert Sage Quilt Guild that I belong, too. 

I added a little topstitching, even thought it isn't quilted, I might turn this into a pillow or something....

 its a spool block... I also picked up some new fabric and came up with a plan for storing/playing with Xavier's latest obession: Hot Wheels!!!

I also finished these up last week and gave to my cousin-- it was a really late, late Christmas gift...

Yesterday, I also finished a pair of shorts for Xavier, but since the weather is awful today (seriously, it was just snowing a little, I am really ready for spring and summer!) pictures of the shorts will have to wait. Today, I am going to try to work on some computer work I need to get done, maybe start some hexagon piecing to use up a bunch of scraps, hopefully get a basic t-shirt drafted for toddlers (Xavier really needs some more shirts and I have already bought all the fabric), and anything on top of all that is a bonus for today. Alright, time for me to get some breakfast and start the another mini murder, she wrote marathon...

Quilt Guild Tonight...

since I decided to start quilting as a relaxing sewing hobby unlike designing patterns and making clothing, I joined a quilt guild back in September or October. (yeah, if you know me, you know I never do anything with out going for it 110%) It was also an attempt to meet some people since 1) I am not super social 2) I find it hard to make new friends 3) since moving back to Idaho, I remembered just how clique-y it was when I left. I am really trying to get out of my little box and try putting myself out there (I am sure I am going to be having to do more of this in the future, so it is good to get a head start) I am probably the youngest member of the quilt guild and am slowly meeting people, but it is still pretty tough. Tonight is the monthly meeting and I actually did a few things this time...

Anyways, I finally made my little name badge:

 I made it pretty small, I was sick of wasting those labels...

Next, there are always some blocks that you can try out and I decided if I was going to be in a quilt guild, I better at least work on participating. (I have yet to finish a big quilt to take for show'n'tell but I have a goal of getting one done) 

Here is the first block I did for tonight:

(finished size: 10" x 10" fabric: prints from Moda solid from Jo-anns)

It is a paper pieced heart, this was my first attempt at paper piecing and I really enjoyed it for two reasons: it uses scraps up nicely and was really interesting to see it come together. 

This next one is probably my favorite of the two. I think I may turn this block into a pillow. 

(block size: 12" x 12" fabric: Print-Anna Maria Horner Solid- from Jo-anns)

I decided to make the heart more of an outline by making the center solid, but you could do it all prints. I found this one to be really relaxing and a lot of fun sort of like putting a puzzle together.

Now, my studio is undergoing an extensive clean out and getting super organized (I even broke out the labeler) I need to get it purged, cleaned and ready for all the projects that I am going to be working on over the next few months. Hav

Project #2- Here it is!

A travel game of tic-tac-toe!

Download the pdf: Project #2 Travel Tic-Tac-Toe

Yesterday, I consumed one of these:

while working on tutorials, needless to say I am taking a break from pop for quite awhile...
then xavier helped me get ready for the holiday party that my local quilt guild was having.
Here we are:

and here I am heading out to the party

The holiday party was lots of fun and the guest speaker was very interesting to listen to.
All in all a great night...

Okay, Xavier is finally taking his nap, I am going to try and get some more tutorials done before he wakes up.

Good Morning, I wish it was cloudy!

I really do, I love fall filled with cloudy days and falling leaves, but at least their is a chill in the air and leaves everywhere. Yesterday, was my 3rd wedding anniversary, it was low key and a ton of fun. I can't believe 3 years has gone by so fast!

In other fun news Xavier and I are starting the Halloween festivities today. A party and some pumpkin carving and maybe a little crafting are on the agenda. Last year, we didn't do anything so I am going all out this year with a couple things over the course of several days. Stay tuned for pictures.

I have been busy working on so many projects: redoing/creating a portfolio site (*you saw a little sneak, the illustrated girl with the candy cane scarf on the Holiday Projects 2009 logo is one of eight girls I have done for my site). I also have a few baby projects to sew up, plus design, sew, capture the tutorials for the Holiday Projects. I also joined my local quilt guild, so I have some sewing to get done for that. (*namely some stockings for charity and my name badge.) All the women seem so nice and friendly and very welcoming. I am so glad I joined.

Tomorrow or Saturday I am going to have a new fall tutorial up so stay tuned...

Have a great day everyone!

P.S. off to get ready to transform into winnie the pooh!

What is everyone else doing today? Do you have any Halloween tradtions with your family? (*I am hoping to start some around here)