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Monday, August 21, 2017

Wedding madness

Less than 10 weeks to go ...

10 cases of water have had checked flag tape attacked...

Plans are in place and the projects are in full swing...
We've been busy making treat boxes for the guests.
I've even learned a few things using the Cameo Silhouette. Shamefully, 
I've used it almost "never" since I bought it a couple of years ago.
 There really is so much you can do with them.


We are about 1/3rd of the way thru the boxes. 
Tomorrow we are heat setting more initials.
There was just no way we could decide on 1 photo,
so we used an assortment of engagement photos
These are centerpieces...
If you have no idea what your looking at... they are pistons from a car.
Trust me, if I didn't have car guys (and gal) around here, 
I would have no idea what I was looking at either!
LOL!!
Making them into centerpieces is a crazy idea I know but...
When you have 2 people who love racing,  each have their own race cars and met at the track,
it just seemed so appropriate.
So what better place to hold a wedding, right?
Yes, it's at the track, with
the track Chaplin officiating.
They will be married on the starting line after being dropped off 
at the aisle in their race cars.
Then drive off, down the track into the sunset, when it's over!
(I've had so much fun helping plan this crazy event)
This is a spark plug
(with a pin attached to it)
Any guesses what this will become?
This cool gas can will play a part too.
Thanks Eric for this great addition!

Pinterest has been a wealth of inspiration for us.
Oh the trouble I could get into!
LOL!!!!!
Til next time...











Sunday, August 13, 2017

Cats Meow


I just love when I find a pattern, that allows me to do lots of stash-busting.
The "Red Boot Quilt Company" has done it again.
(it's linked for you)
"Catnip"  is the name of this pattern.


Lots of kitties with "cattitude"!
LOL...


Even a mouse...


And a bird to keep the cats attention.


Seeing it come together, shows just how much of that "cattitude" it really has.


These guys found their way to Alaska for a very special little girl, 
who is "Koo-Koo for Kitties" you could say!
:-)
She turned into a teenager last week
Where does the time go?

I got word that it made her cry...
I used some of the fabrics I got from her "Nonnie", who passed away a few years ago.
She can now snuggle under her quilt and have sweet dreams of her.

As quilters, we all know just how special our creations can be, don't we?
Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Thursday, August 3, 2017

The ABC's of Quilt As You Go with Island Batik


Every month Island Batik challenges their ambassadors...
This month it's QAYG
(quilt as you go)
Where you layer the backing, batting and top and quilt each block one by one. 
As you can see, I've even stitched down my appliques using "QAYG".
There are many ways to combine your blocks with "QAYG". My preference is with sashings. There are numerous tutorials on the web. A quick "Google" search will have you on your way.
This "monstrously" fun quiltie is from
"Happy Quilts" by Antonie Alexander
You can check it out
The background fabrics are from "Olivera" a new line of Island Batik fabrics. My "Island Batik" scrap bin held the secrets to creating these fun creatures.
Oh, how I do love a good scrap bin!!!

It got me to thinking about all the other "QAYG" projects I've done.
Just why do I love it so much???
My first "QAYG" project was a scrap buster inspired by a member of the
"Quiting Board". Did I bust the scraps. Bins and bins of scraps went into this one.
This behemoth quilt is reversible and very heavy. Heavy enough that you will certainly not freeze if the furnace goes out in the winter!  LOL!!
 The 120"x 120" size just would not fit on my long arm, so breaking it down into individual blocks, was the perfect solution. 
"A" ...It allows me to easily combine 2 quilts into one making it reversible, all while controlling both sides, block by block.
This "International  Sun Bonnet Sue" Quilt was put together using the "QAYG" method. It's my most popular quilt on "Pinterest".
Being new to free motion quilting, it gave me a chance to play with a much more manageable size on my domestic machine.
"B"...I have more control with free motion quilting, working on a smaller size.
In my "Orca Bay" quilt, I've combined "QAYG" with long arming to make a quilt bigger than my frame can handle. The top and borders were pieced and quilted separately. I like to call it, stretching a quilt to fit my bed!  :-) 
I use this method a lot since I only have a 10' frame on my long arm.
It's just not quite big enough for the size quilts I like for my king size bed.
'"C"...I can combine quilt styles and I don't have to buy a new frame for my longarm???  Eureka!!!!!

"QAYG" gives me the flexibility to use up many fabric scraps as well as batting scraps. I'm all about getting a project out of leftovers from something else. I like to think if them as "freebie" projects!
We all love that,  don't we?
;-)
Now, does this guy remind you of a watermelon or what???
He just wants to remind you, no matter if it's applique, string piecing, traditional piecing...the sky is the limit when it comes to "QAYG"!
"Sew" think about your next project...Can you "QAYG" it? I bet you can!

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'




Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Sun Sand and Sea BOM


Are you feeling a little crabby?
Well this guy is sure to change your attitude!

Amy at Sew Incredibly Crazy has put together this delightfully "crabby" guy for us.
Now you know he just makes you smile!

You can find this block 
Get it before the month is over and it's free.

A big thanks goes out to
for sponsoring this project.
Don't you just "LOVE" it!

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'