What's "New"...

... really nothing is new, but let's just say what I'm working on has been rediscovered! I got the binding on the "Pumpkins Squared" table topper and basted down, it's awaiting the handwork now. This one was purchased as a kit by Riley Blake from my LQS several years ago. Everything was included in the kit, including the binding. I bought the October, November and December offerings; they were marketed as twelve different seasonal toppers. Stay tuned for the other two that I have, I won't even begin to suggest when that might happen but I'm on a roll. Hopefully they will make appearances in a timely fashion. 

Continuing with the pumpkin theme, a bit of nightly in-front-of-TV cross stitch taking shape. This is another of the monthly minis from "Prairie Year" by Prairie Schooler. I love them all. 

I posted a while ago about brewing cacao instead of coffee. It's been a fairly recent morning ritual. Janet O, the Rogue Quilter, commented that she and her family loved the flavored varieties. Remembering that, I decided to try the Pumpkin Spice variety when it was introduced; 'tis the season and all that. 

It surely didn't disappoint! I guess there is something "new" here after all.

Cheers!

Life is Good!

Hello, September!

I'm afraid that this post is yet, another, catch-up post which will be strangely reminiscent of that old beginning-of-school assignment we all remember: "How I Spent My Summer Vacation"! I do have lots of show and tell, bear with me. 

As the weather allowed, and it wasn't too hot, I spent many an afternoon stitching out on the porch where the light is perfect!

These are a sampling of the seasonal pin-keeps that I managed to get finished over the past months. I've been trying out a variety of edge finishes on these. I ordered a few different trims from Lady Dot. 

I did get Amarillo Skies quilted and bound; it has joined the growing stack of "to be finished up by hand". 

An outer border was added to last year's Lemoyne BOM, it was loaded onto Snowbird...

... and quilting commenced using the "Easy Peasy Baptist Fan panto and Glide thread.

Voila! I still need to name this one. I'm attaching the binding today. 

With space opening up on the design wall it was high time for the Be Attitudes blocks to reappear. 

Working from this book by Nancy Halvorsen, this one must've been pushed off the back burner years ago. In fact, I found this post, dated May of 2008, when I bought the book and the fabrics. 

Instant vintage!! 

No time like the present, right? 

Stay tuned... I'm on a roll. 

Life is Good!

It's Me...

This blog post is going to be more of a pictorial update of the past week than a word-filled one. I guess I have more time to snap pics than to compose. So, c'mon along while I fill you in on the happenings in and around Chez Goodneedle... and beyond!

Our oldest granddaughter represented North Carolina in the Southern Zone Championships in Orlando last week. 

We drove down to watch her compete; personally, she did incredibly well!  The thing that we're the most proud of is her sportsman-like character; she's such a great teammate and cheerleader for others, both in and out of the pool. 

What to do between events (back in the hotel room) and in the car to and fro? Hand finish bindings!

One of the sights from Orlando, near our parking deck. This INSANE ride (450' tower!) spins riders out and around as it ascends and descends; the number of similar attractions were mind-blowing. Thanks, but no thanks; not for me! 

Back home again: blueberries are abundant on the backyard bushes, we've enjoyed yummy, fruit-laden pancakes twice this week already. 

The Marathon Runner was quilted this week...

...under the watchful eye of my constant sewing room companion. 

Fruit Salad Quaker is fully stitched and awaiting assembly into a pinkeep. 

I tried this recipe for French Bread which is a winner; hands-down. I'll be making this again (and often)! 

Our youngest granddaughter came to spend the night before school begins again. We made this cute zipper pouch together yesterday afternoon. She loves to sew... and bake... and visit. 😊

 Dahlias are blooming like crazy right now!

This brings me back to the beginning... and the title of this post: "It's Me"~ do you remember the song: 

… It's me!
It's me oh, Lord, I'm standing in the need
I'm standin' in the need of prayer...

Right now I am asking for prayer for friends who are ill, friends who are hurting, friends who are facing health issues and uncertain futures as a result of recent diagnoses. Thank you, God knows their needs and your prayers on their behalf are deeply appreciated! 

Life is Good!

On the Straight and Narrow

I tried something a little different on this Kaleidoscope scrappy; straight-line, parallel quilting lines at one inch intervals. I love the effect. I was stymied by my pantographs on hand and couldn't seem to settle on anything that I liked. I slid on the base expander, grabbed a ruler and just settled in. I'm SEW glad that I did.  This is a testament to the fact that I can overthink! Simple can sometimes be just the ticket. 😉 Because of the color cacophony and movement of the design, I believe that the straight and narrow quilting lines calm this down and pull it together.

I found the black and white stripe for the binding; of course I had to cut it on the bias. Don't you love it?

Basted in place and all ready for hand finishing.

And, speaking of finishing, "Chain Gang" has received a colorful, pieced binding (waste not, want not)

 and a trip through the washer and dryer to achieve maximum coziness. Fifteen years later~ done! ✔

Life is Good!

Tools of the Trade

I mentioned in the previous post about getting quilt tops bound and ready for finishing in front of the TV in the evenings. I thought I'd give you a little background on how I prep for that to make the task as easy as possible. First off, after attaching the binding by machine I roll the folded edge to the backside and hand baste(!) the binding into position (with a thread color that DOESN'T match for easier removal later). I know, you're rolling your eyes at the thought of hand basting. I did at first, too; when Quiltkeemosabe told me that was what she did. I've been doing it ever since, though; the benefit is no pins and it's perfectly portable and ready to go! The few extra minutes that this takes is worth it in the long run, believe me! I have a small box, shown here, with all the necessary items contained to sit down and stitch for hours. Sew, you ask, what's in the box? 

Everything that you need: first and foremost: #1- the Domed Threaded Needle Case. If you look closely you can see that it contains five pre-threaded needles. I do that in the bright light of the daytime, place them in the case, dial them into their own individual slot and twist the locking lid on top to wait until they’re needed. This is a brilliant tool! #2- the Quilting Needle Threader. I assure you that I don't work for Clover Needlecraft nor do I receive compensation for recommending their products, they just put out really great tools! This needle threader is weighty, feels good in your hand, is sturdy (I've had mine for years) and has a dark piece behind the wire threader loop to help make the needle eye visible. It will aid in threading even the tiniest of needles with no problem. I wouldn't sit down and sew without either of these items! #3- I use a Wonder Clip to mark my stopping place on the binding when I'm done for the evening. #4 is a small, flat rubber needle "puller", just in case the needle gets bogged down. Rounding out the contents are matching thread, extra needles, sharp, thread scissors, a tailor's thimble and a seam ripper~ just in case.

That's it!

What’s in your tool box? 

Life is Good!

Finishing Up...

I've been trying to wrap up some lingering projects-partially-done by getting them quilted, bound and ready for finishing. When I get on a roll it's really not that hard, I just need to keep focused and on track. 

This is "Fun~fetti" after trimming up. It's one from a couple of years ago where I tried my hand at the split-nine patch using low volume fabrics. I felt it was really much too blah, so set it with a colorful jelly roll that I had in the stash. The quilting design is "Plumage" by Jodi Beamish for Willow Leaf Studio, I quilted it using a darker tan thread that matched the backing fabric (same as the binding). I'm pleased with the results; it's a happy quilt. 

This scrappy hexie has been hanging around, half done, on the design wall for way too long! Last week I pulled the bin of already cut pieces and made quick work of adding the last six rows. I consulted with a few trusted quilter friends on whether or not to add a border and the consensus was "no", so, off the wall it came and in an hour is was loaded and ready for the Snowbird to give it some quilted texture. 

"Popcorn" is the chosen pantograph for this one (also Jodi Beamish for Willow Leaf): fun and lively. there are 280 4" hexagons from the scrap bin in this one.  I've decided to name it "Off the Wall", because it finally is. Hopefully it will be off the rails today too, and added to the stack for hand finishing.

After binding I hand baste the bindings down so that they're all ready when I am. 

The perennial garden just outside the door is putting on a colorful show right now. If the afternoons cool off just a bit I may carry that finishing handwork out to the side porch to fully enjoy this sight, not only do I delight in the blooms, but the birds and the butterflies too. How are you spending your summer days? It's such a good feeling to be finishing things. I'll dig around to see what else I can pull from the closet to put together, there are loads of nearly-completed things in there; and, luckily, I don't have to dig too deep!

 😉

Life is Good!

Quilt Camp, Day #5

Today was the last day for Quilt Camp, there was still plenty to do: getting the binding attached, and then, learning the fine art of finishing. She was an eager beaver this morning! Even though we were winding down the week, we still packed in a full complement of activities. After the binding was carefully sewn into position by machine, she designed a few quilt blocks that she might like to stitch up in the future using a wooden block puzzle that I keep in the studio.

Before lunch she settled down to begin the handwork; she likes hand-sewing, and carefully began folding the binding back to the "soft side" and catching it one stitch at a time. I was able to squeeze in reading one last quilt-related children's book while she stitched away.

And then, all of a sudden, it was time to go. She's still got three sides left to finish stitching down, but she left here today with thread and needles; a boxful of scraps and, most important of all, she's still smiling! I'd say that's a glowing testament to a week well spent. I couldn't be happier. 

'Bye!

And it's a wrap... 

💗

The quilting world is growing, 

one quilt camper at a time. 

💗

Life is Good!