Just an Update and a Smile

We are finally painting my sewing room. I posted about doing it early last year and it has taken me this long to get to it. As with many home projects this one is leading to another. We really need to replace the flooring. We plan to replace the vinyl tiles the inexpensive way – with more vinyl tiles. I plan to do some rearranging and organizing, too. I bought some baskets at Home Goods last month. I’ll post a photo when we are done and link to my post from last year.

Moving my fabric and quilting paraphernalia was a good exercise for me this week because I’m going to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival tomorrow. I really must limit my acquisitions- especially fabric. I made a list – thread and paper for paper piecing are among a few other items. I have a friend who moved to Hampton a couple years ago to live with her daughter so I’m going to pick her up and take her to the show. We talk on the phone everyone once in a while but it will be good to see her. This is the first time I’ve gone to this show and I’m excited. I’m also looking forward to going on the bus trip organized by my guild to the AQS show next month in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I’ve been to that show before, but it’s been years. My only regret is that I will be up there and won’t be going to Burkholder’s.

Lots to look forward to and lots I want to do. When we moved the furniture to the middle of the room to paint, I made sure I had access to everything; especially my sewing machine. I have a banner block for Mclean QU, a raffle block for Springfield QU and HSTs for the McLean auction to make. I’m making the HSTs out of batiks. I know quilters love batiks, but I’m one who doesn’t really care for them. I think it is their stiffness that turns me off. I have a small stash and it will all go to the auction. I’m making some HSTs with them because the challenge this year is to make a quilt using 250 HSTs. Just thought it would sweeten the pot and maybe someone will do the challenge that may not have otherwise. And then, of course, there are all the other projects I’ve posted about in recent months.

I’m keeping up with my hand quilting and here is a peak of the border quilting on the lone star. I had to get the binding on by last Tuesday so it could be photographed for the show layout committee. I still have to quilt the big triangular areas and inside the feathered wreaths before I can call it done.

Quiltmania has become my favorite quilt magazine. The only way I know of to get it delivered is through Amazon. I think I worked it out and it is a bit less expensive to buy it at a Barnes and Noble bookstore. The trick is actually finding it there. It has become a treasure hunt for me. When I know a new edition is out I stop in a Barnes and Noble when I’m near one. It usually takes a few stops before I hit gold. I love the quilts featured in this magazine and I get a kick out of their French to English translations. I must say I’m very thankful they do it because languages are not my strong point. If it wasn’t in English I wouldn’t buy it. In the Reader’s Corner they review recent publications. In the Jan/Feb 2012 edition they review The Quilters Hall of Fame and have this to say about it. “Each year this very reputable organisation nominates someone who has contributed in a remarkable way to the world of quilting. Quilters, authors, historians and collectors receive the quilty equivalent of an Oscar award, delivered by this organisation based in Marion, Indiana. This bulky book features all the recipients up to this day, and includes their masterworks.”  Bulky? It brought a smile to my face.

So did this-

“Prepare yourself mentally for sewing.

Think about what you are going to do.

Never approach sewing with a sigh or lackadaisically.

Good results are difficult when indifference predominates.

Never try to sew with a sink full of dirty dishes or beds unmade.

When there are urgent housekeeping chores, do these first so your mind is free to enjoy your sewing.

Put on a clean dress.

When you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible.

Keep a little bag full of French chalk near your sewing machine to dust your fingers at intervals.

Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick put on. If you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband will come home and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy your sewing as you should.”

From the 1949 Singer machine manual. It got a big laugh at the Springfield QU meeting last Tuesday.

Life is good!