#66 Summer is Winding down (Part 1)

So I have been pretty quiet over the summer. Partly because the main project I am working on is secret till I post on the RJR Fabrics Blog Hop, What's Your Shade, October 10. Partly because its summer, and mainly because I have been very lazy!! lol!! It's allowed, right?

I have been sewing, just at a really leisurely pace! I hope everyone had  their version of a great summer too!! 

So here's my plan for the fall:

1. Continue with my BOMs

2. Continue with the Modern InstaBee (this has been a great bee, some hiccups, but great)

3. Finish my secret project for post Oct 10

4. Participate in a friends BOM, more info on that to come!! (excited)

5. Master the Long Arm (at least understand the computer!! lol) and quilt all waiting quilt tops!! (10       or 11, crazy)

6. Keep my hobby room tidy and organized (I work better that way, why don't I remember that??lol)

Now on to the fun stuff!!

What I've Been Up To:

BOMs

Sugar Block Club 2014

Classic Meets Modern

Aurifil Designer of the Month

Globe Trotting

Quilted my Craftsy BOM 2012 Finally!!! I learned so much and Amy Gibson of Stitchery Dickory Dock is a great instructor

And also quilted my Bloom Bloom Pow from Freshly Pieced. These were some of the first quilt projects I found online when I started quilting about 3yrs ago!! Now I just need to bind them.

I also quilted the Mystery BOM "That Chain Reaction"  from the Gourmet Quilter

More in the next post!!!

#65 50th Birthday Celebration

My husband turned 50 at the end of July. What better way to celebrate than with a quilt!! So I made him a fantastic quilt with batiks! I had been working on it for a while starting back in 2013, but since finishing the top I tucked it away (out of sight out of mind) and was able to get it quilted and bound while he was away for a few days!!
As some of you will know from following along on my quilting/long arm journey, I have not had a great experience with my long arm quilting machine. I have now connected with the right person, and quilting my husband's quilt has been the most fun, the best turn out, and fingers crossed the beginning of a great friendship with my machine!!! lol Thanks Greg!

Let me tell you I was doing a very excited happy dance right here!!! First quilt I have finished without any major quilting issues!!!! The first of many, fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 This quilt pattern is made from Jelly Roll strips and the video tutorial can be found here.

I had to share some of the celebration food too!! Especially the cake, that my friends sister made!!

Marinated Veggie Salad  Really good! I made it 2 days ahead, yum!!

 Couscous Salad

 Orzo and Spinach Salad from The Art of Home E-Magazine if you aren't getting this free magazine, you should check it out!!

 and some iced coffee steeping and simple syrups to sweeten it with.  I made regular, vanilla and cinnamon!!

 And there's my friend Kellie (miracle baby's mom!! lol) giving Dave his cake!! My husband owns a 1964 Suburban, thus the cake!! It was a homemade cherry chip cake, that tasted as good as it looked!! Thanks again Stephanie!!!!