Thursday, February 23, 2012

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!

17 comments:

  1. You have so much going on Maureen!
    Sounds like the sewing room will have a whole new look by the time you are finished! How fun!
    Have a great time at the MAQF tomorrow! Keep a cool head and stick to your list (ha ha)!
    Got such a laugh about the Singer manual instructions. What a hoot!
    Love the doggy friends photo!
    Thanks for putting a bright spot in my day! : )

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  2. I'm so glad you are getting your sewing room painted! And a new floor, to boot! Yay!

    Have fun at the M-AQF......you are very smart to take a list!

    And 1949 Singer forgot to say, "And don't forget to put on your pearls!" HA......it's June Cleaver sewing!

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  3. Had to laugh at the 1949 Singer advice, especially when I can be caught in my pjs with my hair on end all the time! Wow, the quilt show trips sound like fun. It is smart to have a shopping list...controls impulse buying.

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  4. uh, excuse me, i need to apply my lipsick real quick . . .

    ;-)
    libbyQ

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  5. Wow, does anyone really follow those rules for sewing!! LOL (I have to confess, though, I do try to have at least one household chore done before I sit down!!)But dressing up - REALLY!!!

    I want a FULL discourse of what you DIDN'T buy when you post next!!!

    Have fun - looking forward to pictures of your trips and the "new" sewing room!!

    Blessings

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  6. Painting my sewing room would be a major, major project. Too much stuff in there that would have to be moved out.

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  7. Yes, Life Is Good ;-)
    So much work to move the entire sewing room, but it will be worth it.
    Love the quotes. I had a Pfaff 1959 manual for a sewing machine that had simialr 'tips'
    FUN!
    Love your hand quilting.

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  8. Paint will make your room look so fresh. Have fun at the shows.

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  9. I can't imagine moving everything to paint my sewing room ... or wearing lipstick and powder to sew ... or EVER having my hair in order!

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  10. I have heard that quote before...it always brings a smile to my face. Times have really changed, haven't they?
    Love the last picture of the dogs - so cute! :)
    Judy

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  11. Yay for new paint! Your room will be nice when it's "refreshed". What a lot of work to move everything, but it's always good to be reminded of what we already have - 'specially right before the big quilt show! Have a fun trip to the show!
    Love the sewing "tips"! What a howl - yeah sure, that's how I always sew!

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  12. Thanks for all those tips. Now I know what I have been doing wrong lately. Might have to get a spare lipstick to put in my sewing kit! You will have to get a new lipstick to match the colour of your new room.
    Your hand quilting looks great.

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  13. Dress...Oh, I remember those! I used to wear them a lot...Small waist, big skirt, mmmm, looking good...Right up until the kids discovered they were awesome to use as a tent anywhere and everywhere while I was wearing them!!! Ooooh, yeah, them was the days!!! lol (don't worry, I usually had leggings on underneath in cold San Francisco!!)

    Hooray for freshly painted sewing rooms! Doesn't look like the process is slowing you down in the least! Nice work!

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  14. What a great post! I can totally relate to your sentiments about hitting gold when you visit B & N and the latest Quiltmania is there. Just found their #87 issue there last weekend, and felt like I hit the jackpot! Love, love the quotes from the Singer manual. I'm going to read them to my quilting group next Tuesday.

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  15. great post - I too love quilt mania and that looks really interesting.
    it must be wonderful to have a freshly painted sewing room!

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  16. What a lovely post Maureen, I especially love the tips! I certainly had a giggle about the clean dress, and lipstick LOL!!!!
    Your upcoming plans sound wonderful, how I would love to go to Lancaster!!! It would be a dream trip for me!!! I hope you have a lot of fun!!!

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  17. IMHO, there are very few 'urgent housekeeping chores'.

    What did you think about the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival? It seemed like everyone there was taking pictures, but I didn't take any. I only had 3 hours to see all the quilts, and taking pictures would have slowed me down.

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