My new designer wall......!

I broke down and bought one of those portable designer wall. My sewing room is so limited in wall space that a fixed designer wall was not a functional option. Of course, once we build an addition to the addition, I'll be able to claim DH's work space and will have plenty of wall space, but until then........!

I bought Cheryl Ann's Design Wall, it's portable and a Free Standing designer wall. It comes in three (3) sized: Portable 36" x 36, Mid-size Portable 54" x 54" and Full size 72" x 72.

I purchased the largest one, the full size, which you now see pictured.

It comes in a black sack that reminds me of a tent pouch! As a matter of fact, putting it together is pretty much like putting a tent up! lol So, be prepared to have things fall on you if you're putting it up solo! LOL

It's certainly not portable in the sense that you can move it as a unit. It's stable enough to hold your block but if you try to move it, it's really not sturdy. You would need two (2) people to move it, otherwise be prepared to have it fall apart. Ask me how I know? lol

I've place some huge blocks on it. It's from my Women of Influence quilt. These blocks are 24" x 24" and the flannel is barely gripping the blocks. I had to hold the frame as I press the blocks unto the flannel. These blocks are huge and heavy as they include the sashing, however with normal size blocks, I would think it wouldn't be an issue.

To help stabilize the unit, I tied the two back poles together in the center. It really helped and kept it from falling apart as I placed the support bars.

I used selvage in this case. I keep strips in a ball and use in in our garden to stabilize tall plants. In this case, it worked for the wall! ;o)

Word of advise, wipe your bars with a rag before assembling the unit. They were filthy, probably some residue from the black paint/product used on the bars. I was thankful I noticed it before putting it together. I could just imagine how dirty the white flannel would look!

I'm pleased with this designer wall and would certainly recommend it to anyone who doesn't have wall space. However, I find the price a tad steep. I mean, I could buy a nice tent for five (5) people on Amazon for close to the same price! lol Perhaps, that's not a fair comparison!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Friken fraken $()%*)#(*#($*%#*( ........!

Remember Old Samity Sam?! Perhaps I'm dating myself but......

I have been patient, extremely patient but now it's just too much! What you might ask? Well.....

Did I ever mention that I have Sprites in my home? YES, I do!!!! Oh.... and they have been busy! Let me tell you.....

For the past couple of months, I have been unable to locate my favourite thimble. You know, the thimble I've had since I begin quilting, made of gold and silver. My special one! If that wasn't enough, pieces from my thread attachment are still missing. Seam rippers have disappeared..... Yes, it's been a nightmare in my home and now...... I cannot seem to find the yardage I washed for the Women of Influence BOM!

I'm at a loss! Perhaps Yulelads from Iceland have invaded my home. They found it more lucrative to take quilting items as opposed to sausages and candles! lol

If anyone knows where my special thimble is or anything else, please let me know!

On the quilting front, I have completed a wall hanging.

This is Liberty Eagle, a pattern from Jo Morton.

The Shoppe received the Bonnie Blue America line by Marcus Brothers and I just had to make this quilt!

Aside from pulling my hair and cleaning my sewing room in the hopes of finding my things, not much has been going on!

The weather in September has just been gorgeous, which is nice given that we really didn't have a summer. The leaves have started to turn their autumn shades! It's beautiful!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to let me know if you find my thimble and other things! Cheers!

Are you ready....?!?! I've been busy....!

Gosh, did I ever accomplish a lot this past week. Not only have I been productive on the quilting front, but I also took pictures.

You know, for a while there I had a glimpse of what it must feel like to be Darlene from Quilting Daze. LOL ;o) She is sooooo productive, it's amazing the quilts she accomplishes.

So.... are you ready.... here goes!

Block 2 - Attributed to Amelia Jenks Bloomer (1818-1894)



Block 3 - Mary Church Terrell (1863-1954)



Block 4 - Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910)



Block 5 - Jane Addams (1860- )



Block 6 - Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902)



Block 7 - Sojourner Truth (1797-1883)



Block 8 - Lucretia Mott (1793- )



Block 9 - Frances Perkins (1880 - )



Block 10 - Fanny Jackson Coppin (1837 - 1913)



Block 11 - Susan B. Anthony ((1820 - 1906)



I finished machine appliqueing the last one Wednesday evening.

As for block 12, I'm waiting to hear from Kansas City Star. Seems there are 2 (two) fabrics that are not used in the quilt and I'm wondering where they go. Perhaps they belong to block 12.

So, I put the blocks away! I do need a break, and am now working on another project. I have a need to do a quick project in between long ones, other wise I get bored with it. Do any of you feel the need to break in between large projects? I'm just curious!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Way too long....!

I just cannot believe that I haven't blogged in more than a month! Time just seems to fly by! It's not like I have nothing to blog about, its more that I forget about the lapse of time between posts.

The summer sort of forgot to show up! I don't know how it's been in your neck of the woods, but here in Upstate New York, it's been a wet season! For a time there I thought Stephen would be building an ark! ;o)

The Shoppe keeps me out of trouble. ;o) I'm enjoying quilting samples for the Shoppe. I made a vow to myself that I would only make quilts for the Shoppe that I want to make. That's been my promise to myself, only buy fabrics that inspire me and make quilts that I would love to own myself. You'd think that would narrow down the pattern choices, but there are so many delicious quilt patterns out there. Let's just say, my heart keeps me busy! ;o)

So.... Yes, I've been a busy bee. I've completed many projects and neglect to blog about it. Sigh! My Coney Island is now a flimsy and I'm hoping to load it on Penelope and have it machine quilted before I show it to you. It really turned out gorgeous.

My newest project.... Women of Influence, designed by Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith.

It is a block of the month that the Shoppe will be offering in September. It's a gorgeous quilt!

This is the first block and it is in honour of Lucy Stone.

I had to rework the whole quilt on EQ6 as the rotary cutting instruction are rounded to the nearest 1/8 and technically, it really should be rounded to the nearest 1/16 for rotary cutting accuracy! I'm anal that way, what can I say?!?! lol

There are templates to use, but since I'm not much of a template user, I opted to re-work it. It is such a gorgeous quilt!

I've been keeping up on blog land, more as the invisible woman! lol Lot's of talented quilters! Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Happy belated 4th of July.....!

I do hope you have all had a wonderful July 4th celebration!

I really had every intention of writing a post for July 4th. But....... other things came in the way.

You know, it's not like I have no quitly projects to tell you about.... I really cannot figure out why I don't seem to write post as often as I used too. Sigh!

Well, for one thing, I keep forgetting to take a picture of the quilt tops I've completed. However, for this one, I especially made a trip back to the shop to take a picture. I just thought it was such a cute festive quilt.

Tah dah.....

This is a pattern by Briarwood Cottage and is part of their monthly Pocket pattern series. They have the cutest little patterns to make!

I'm sure you can guess which month this is! ;o)

This one was done in less than a day! I think it took me longer to machine quilt it then to piece it! I ended up machine quilting in the ditch!

I did finish Coney Island by Fig Tree, but I'll keep that for another post! ;o )

Thanks for stopping by!

It's going all too quickly.....!

Stop the World, I Want to Get Off.....

Busy, busy, busy is what it has been for me. Non stop, going and going..... I can hardly catch my breath!

Last Sunday was my convocation. I'm glad I went, it was absolutely a wonderful ceremony marking the closure of a chapter in my life! We were ushered in by a bag piper! I just love the sound of bag pipes. The ceremony lasted over 2 (two) hours. Afterwards, we went to my mums for a BBQ.

The following Tuesday we all left for Camp Overlook! Yep, both Stephen and I were chaperons for a school outing that lasted till Friday! We called it our family vacation at tax payers' expense! lol We all had a great time.

Saturday, it was back at work for me! I love my new job as a Shoppe owner, so it wasn't too painful! ;o)

Despite the busy schedule, I did manage to do a tad of quilting this weekend.

If your recall, back in September 2008, while on a bus tour with my guild, I bought a kit in Pennsylvania!

The kit consisted of these delicious fabrics.

Well......

Some of those fabrics have been cut into pieces and sewn back together to become......

Voila!

All 30 blocks are done for my Coney Island quilt, a pattern by Fig Tree Quilts.

What a tedious block that was! So many pieces...... 29 per block to be exact! ;~ o Reminds me of the Corn and Bean quilt I made many moons ago.

Nonetheless, they are done! I do want to point out that the fabric used on the top cone was a gift from Leigh, an Aussie, who sadly no longer blogs.

Gosh, I think she sent that to me almost 4 (four) years ago. I've been saving it for a special quilt! Looks great as a cone. I still have a small piece left to use in another project! Thanks again Leigh for the fun mail.

Thank you for stopping by!

Diet Monday ... Humbug...!

Not much to report on the diet front expect that I'm failing dramatically! It's a good thing that Sharon is busy! ;o)

I met my friend Judy for lunch today.

Meet Judy! Judy, meet my blogging friends!

My gosh, I think we've known each other for over 25 years! Is it possible?

We met at the Toronto Dominion Bank , Downtown Montreal. We've been friends every since.

Judy and I played catch-up with our lives today. Amazing how time flies. Judy has been busy as a working mom and now has 3 (three) beautiful girls. Hum..... which reminds me, I'm behind by 2 (two) quilts! Geeez, I've got to get busy here! She's presently on maternity leave!

When Judy was single, we'd take off for a weekend in Kennybunkport, Maine at least once a year. What a great time we had. We would always go to this restaurant, which served fresh lobster stuffed with fresh scallops. Yum, yum.... And guess what, we were talking about doing that this year?

It's been a long time since I've been away with Judy - more then 6 (six) years. We were discussing how it would be fun to get away for a weekend! I'm in!!!

Oops, I did forget to mention that to Stephen. Good thing he reads my blog! lol So Sweetie, we're looking for around October. Just girls! ;o)

Aside from the quilting retreat, do you ever go away for a weekend of fun with your friends? Just curious!

Anyway, I had a great time. I did bring my camera, as you can see, but I forgot to take pictures of the food. Well, I did remember but by then it was all gone! Gosh Sharon, I don't know how you do it!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

It's been way toooooo lonnnnng.....!

Life continues to be busy. I must admit, I love my work schedule. Five (5) days on (with a 2 (two) day break in there) and seven (7) days off! Couldn't ask for a better work week!

What have I been up too you might ask? Lots of quilting that's for sure. I did play some more on Penelope, practicing my feathers. They're coming along nicely! Not ready to put them on a quilt yet... soon with more practice.

I did finish a top that's presently on Penelope. I used some reproduction fabrics! I want to have it machine quilted before I blog about it. I'm presently waiting for some thread! That order should get here in a couple of days!

I did finish block 9 (nine) of Hocuspocous Ville! I love that pattern.

Meg from Crabapple Hill did come out with a new Halloween pattern called Vintage Trick or Treat. That's another one on my list of to dos! I love her work!

So many patterns so little time! ;o)

A couple of weeks ago, Libby and I were corresponding regarding our Kitchenaid mixer. We both love our friend. ;o)

We were talking/writing about making pasta. I was telling her about the special adapter that attaches to the mixer. Anyway, by the end of our discussion, I knew what I wanted for dinner!

I had to make some pasta! LOL

I just love fresh pasta and this special gadget makes it so much easier. Both hands are free to play with the dough.

I make my pasta dough using semolina flour that I purchase in Montreal. Nothing like that around small town USA. You can make it with flour, but I prefer to use semolina.

I knead my dough using setting 1 and then 2.

After I feel it is properly kneaded, I go through the various numerical settings to thin it out.

Once the dough is thin enough for my liking, in this case number 5, I pass it through the fettuccine cutter.

(PS. the dough should be extended as it goes through the cutter - I needed to get my hand out of the way for the picture and quickly extend the dough before it passed through). We're talking action shot! lol

There's also a spaghetti noodle adapter that comes with the set.

That night, you guessed it, we were having Fettuccine Alfredo! Yummy!

That was dinner!

Fresh pasta, fresh artisan whole grain loaf and a glass of red wine!

Yes, I took the time to bake a loaf of bread. Libby gave me the bug! There was a time, prior to my going to graduate school, that I would often make bread. I fell out of the habit! Now, I'm back on the habit! lol

Cheers!

Thanks for stopping by!

What's going on.....!

What a busy week it's been! I haven't been home all week. Darn.... when will it slow down a bit?

Since school has been out, there were 2 things I wanted to work on, EQ6 and more play dates with Penelope. Well, tonight I did both!

I wanted to practice my feathers, you know, so I'm no longer a chicken! lol

They are not perfect but at least I'm getting some practice time.

In my MQX classes with Dawn Cavanaugh, we learned different ways to do a feather. So, I've been practicing all of them. For me, some techniques are much easier than others.

I would really like to be able to create those gorgeous feather designs that you see on quilts. Anyway, the more I practice, the better I'll get!

The weather here hasn't been that great, so my new bike has been sitting in the garage. I was going to take it to the shop today but the wind was unbelievable. Besides, I am so tired, just looking at the wind took any ounce of motivation I had.

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

That's just how it's been as of late....!

It hasn't been a very good week for me. I discovered these amazing sandwiches from a coffee shop down the street from Fibre called Lakeside Coffee shop.

Firstly, do not and I repeat DO NOT ever order a toasted bagel with their veggie cream cheese, you're sure to get addicted! Gosh is that ever good! That's been my breakfast! For lunch it's been a Caprese, fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomato and pesto grilled sandwich! Another one to stay away! Sigh! Add a latte with that and their amazing crumb cake for dessert and you have my diet for the past few days! Thank goodness it's my day off today! ;o) Time for me to get back on track.

Since I work only 5 (five) miles from home, I bought myself one of these:

I specifically took the picture angled so that you could look at my new wheels as if going up hill.... you know.... burn more calories. ;o)

Yep, I do live on a hill so it will be challenging going to work and coming back from work.

I've been wanting a new bike for a while and I thought yesterday was the perfect day to buy one! They sure don't make them like they used to when I was a kid. I've got shock absorbers on this baby! Oh and about a gazillion gears to make going up those hills easier.

I did take a spin on it yesterday to get used to those brakes. Yea, another improvement from when I was a kid. They're surely not ABS brakes! Better not brake quickly or I'll find myself over the handle bar, face first on the pavement. They work alright! Good thing I have a bike helmet!

So that's been my week on the new South Beach diet! In all fairness, I did well until Friday, the day the shop opened. But, today is a new day!

Keep well everyone!