A Happy Monday

Yesterday was a good day!  I got this fun bundle in the mail - my prize for being the social media winner for May by using #eq25 - three layer cakes from Moda!

Those will be lots of fun to play with!

I got to snuggle a 6 week old baby for a bit while his mama tried on her dress for me to alter, that was definitely a sweet spot in my day...haven't had a baby fix for a while.

I did get the top finished for my #ModernBatikChallenge.  I'm deciding how I want to back it, then will get started on the quilting.  The final border is on Allietare now and I prepped the backing for it so I can get it basted.

I had been having second thoughts about that gold stripe, but I really do love it now!  Adds a fun zing to the quilt.  And that backing was a red tag clearance fabric I got for $1.50 a yard years ago - so glad to finally put it to good use!  It will make a super fun backing for this quilt.

I got my fall Nine by Nine quilt basted and started quilting it, so will have something new to add to my Etsy shop soon!  I have so many projects going right now it's a little overwhelming, but I know I'll catch up to the pile someday.  I need to work on the alteration/customer projects today so a trip to JoAnn's for zippers, satin and a few other odds and ends is in the works for me today.

 Never a dull moment, plus I have to get the house ready for the girls this weekend!  I washed my Grand Illusions quilt and it looks wonderful.  We've been using it in it's crisp "new" state.  My husband loves the size of this one, so I'll definitely start making my bed quilts more on the large side.  

 I just love quilts after they are washed and have that lovely crinkle factor!  I should have washed it sooner, but for some reason haven't made the time to do that.   I'll put it away for a couple months, then get it out again for the end of summer.

I'd better get off the computer and get busy with the day's work now.  I hope you find something to make your day a happy one!

Weekly Targets

I have been trying to set a few goals every week for things that I want to make some progress on or maybe even finishc but it seems like most of the time it seems that I actually have deadlines that set my goals for me.  One of the things I have been working on that doesn't have a deadline is my rag quilt squares.  I have quite a pile going now!  I still have a lot of flannel to cut up, so I don't think I'll be making any quilts soon.  It is fun to see the pile of squares getting taller, though.

For this week, I plan on continuing that project.  I also have a pair of pillows to make, and a dress to do alterations on.  I want to finish the top for this months Island Batik challenge - Modern quilting!

I'm working with a layer cake in the Florida Oranges Line - very pretty and colorful!  Here is the center of my quilt so far:

I think it will be a lot of fun to quilt.  I'm collecting some ideas on pinterest!

I also have another quilt top I would love to finish into a quilt this week.  Not sure if I will have time, but I would love to be able to get it done.  I could add on, but I am trying to make my goals realistic so I will just leave it at this for now!  At least I don't have any pressing deadlines, which should make my life easier.  We are excited about going to see our youngest daughter graduate from college on the 13th, and will have some of the girls home the weekend before.

I got a nice bowl of strawberries out of my garden, so I think I will munch on those tonight.  I tried on my summer shorts and they are still a bit tight, so I'm trying to stay out of the chocolate!  Wish me luck on that one!

Is It Really June Already?

I can hardly believe that May is gone and it's already June!  It didn't help that I caught a head cold and it kind of kicked the snot out of me...literally!  (Sorry for the bad pun, I just could not contain myself)  I am totally behind on everything right now, so need to do some catching up.

First of all, it's time to draw the winner for my Miniature Quilts Magazine giveaway!  Maryellen McCauliffe is the lucky lady - I'll e-mail for your address and get this magazine in the mail first thing tomorrow.  Maryellen is not only a fellow Quiltsy Team member on Etsy, but she also is the one that encouraged me to sign up as an Island Batik Ambassador.  She has had a rough few months so I'm sure this will brighten her day a bit.

I spent last week working on quilting this quilt top - a real scrappy and bright project with lots of crazy prints.  I used purple thread and added a purple binding because it's my clients favorite color!

This one was a bit of a challenge because the top was not very flat.  It is all hand pieced, and the blocks are supposed to be 18 inches, but you could tell there was a lot of easing going on as they were sewn together!  I quilted it with hearts and loops and am very pleased with the results.

The best part is that this won't be a top sitting in a drawer or on a shelf anymore.  It's a finished quilt, ready to be snuggled under, wrapped up in and loved!

I got an exciting message on instagram yesterday!  I am the winner of the #eq25 social media prize this month.  Don't forget to use the hashtag if you post a picture of a project - you could be a winner, too.  I'll be blogging more about that on the 10th of the month - I learned more about using the custom set tool and am excited to share about that.

Today I am doing some random sewing and thinking about what I would like to get done this month, so I'll save that for another post.  I've been continuing to work on my rag quilt project and have a big pile of sewn blocks, but lots more flannel to cut up!  There is a new Ambassador Challenge for Island Batik this month - modern quilts, so that will be fun.  I know what I am making, just have to get sewing...so I think I will leave you there for now and continue on.  Have a wonderful day - go get some sewing done, too!