Sewing with friends...

My good friend, Tami, came to visit this weekend.  A few times a year we get together and sew all weekend long while watching chic flicks and other movies we've seen a million times!  (I'm finding I have to watch movies I've already seen or I don't get much sewing done!!)

I finished my "Big Bang" quilt...started this project last summer in a class I took at my local quilt shop.  I've had most of it completed for a while...just had to sew the 4 big pieces together!  Can't wait to get this one quilted!

Finished the embroidery and piecing on this pillow (Pattern and fabric by Aneela Hoey "Little Apples" by Moda).  I got this cute pattern and tiny square pieces at quilt market.  The pattern is adorable and goes together so easy!

 And here is the back...

 It was such a nice weekend...cool and crisp with fabulous sunshine (and a little rain!!).   The Shedders were quite happy to perch in the open windows, one of their favorite things to do.   And there is still more time left in this weekend...so I'm off to go do some more sewing.  Hoping to get a few more started projects finished! :)

Exciting news...

I have a strong passion for photography.  I take photos of what seems like everything and always wish I'd taken more.  My favorite things to photograph are finished projects (of course!), people, bugs, flowers, the shedders, and things that remind me of places I go and things I did!

Recently my friend, Kristen (find her here),  was a pattern tester for Patty Young's new pattern "Kyoko" (as announced here)...and I was quite excited when she asked me to take photos for her.  

Unfortunately it started raining 5 minutes into our photo session... location change!  But we still had a blast! :)

Patty's pattern has been released!!!!!   I had my first look the other day and wooooohoooo - there are quite a few pictures from our shoot!  It's quite exciting to see my friends on printed pages!!!  And I am inspired to keep learning more about my camera and how to get better photos (I don't like to edit and rarely do!).

















And I even made my own shirt (see left!)...needs a few adjustments on the next one I make but so easy and very comfortable!!  And I'm not so afraid of sewing with knit anymore!!! :)  (Self portraits can be tricky!! lol!)

Find a Kyoko pattern ASAP and make your own!!  

And thanks Patty Young for another great design!

Quilt retreats are awesome!

This past weekend I went on a quilt retreat into the country to spend marvelous hours sewing! I LOVE travel and I LOVE sewing...how perfect! Here are a few pics from the weekend! (above photo: Quilt pattern called: Hercules from a book called "Big Print Quilts"

Relaxation...

Color...

Time getting to know others...

Getting out the old things...

and finishing them!

(photo below: Argyle quilt - made with French General fabrics)

Returned home from Quilt Market today!

Whew...380 photos later...

What an awesome time...I had such a blast and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go to market. It's quite an experience.

Met some of the bloggers I have been following for a while now...

Julie - Jaybird Quilts

Do you recognize these people?!!!

Inside market was a whole host of fun stuff. One highlight for me...trying on Kay Whitt's, Serendipity Studio, jacket! I put the jacket on and felt like it was pretty snug around my waist...then heard a terrible "riiiiipppppp"...eek! Luckily only found out it was just pinned to fit the super skinny manequin...felt much better knowing I did not tear her jacket! whew! And now I know my size for her patterns!

Quilts galore...I'll show you a few of my favorites...then it's time for bed!

Tula Pink's "LOVE"...gorgeous quilting...

And this was in the Kona Cotton booth....I love bright cheer colors...and also amazing quilting!!Ok...time for bed...maybe I'll post more tomorrow! :)