Tim's Christmas quilt

Hello again! I forgot to show you Tim's finished Tee Shirt quilt. He seems to think it's pretty special! Susan

Christmas is over...back to work!

Christmas is officially over and the New Year is almost here. I have been working feverishly on my show quilt so I can have a photo of it by the registration deadline of Dec. 31! All the branches and birds are appliqued down, and today I added the leaves to the mangroves. Now I need to do the thread work and then the trapunto before getting it ready to quilt. HA! I know I can do it if I really try!
Molly has been so pooped since Christmas that she is caught snoozing on the couch without even knowing it. Poor thing. Her new squeak toys are a hit and she runs herself ragged playing fetch with them. Skipper can't be bothered with such things and spends his time lounging or begging for food. Ah, the dog's life...
I hope everyone had a fun holiday and has a prosperous New Year. Susan

Almost Christmas!

Whew! I have finished the last of the quilts for our show and now I can focus on my own entries. Here are a couple of photos of Norma W's entry. It's a beauty! I made my husband a Tee shirt quilt since he is always commenting on the ones I do for customers. Thank you to Carole C for letting me in on the secret of Tee shirt quilts 101. I am busy getting small gifts made, too, so it's a buzz of activity in the studio.
I wish you all the Merriest Christmas! Susan

Christmas rush

It has been a busy week trying to get the orders done for Dec., some due early and some mid-month, but I have whittled it down to four. One beautiful quilt took a few days to do, but was worth the effort in the end. I hope you like it,too!
I thought I would include a photo of Molly, since she isn't getting the attention she is used to while I am working on quilts.
Have a happy day! Susan

One bird stitched, one ready...

I have been so busy with customer quilts, I barely have time to sleep! The first bird is all stitched and the second ready to be stitched. Now, I have to get the babies done and apply all of it to the background! Do you think I will have this quilt done by the Dec. 31st deadline? Stay tuned.
The little bird quilt is my Brown Bag challenge from our guild. Everybody participating puts 4 or 5 fat quarters in a bag and then they are mixed up and handed out. You have to make something from the fabrics you get. My focus fabric had birds on it, so I made a bird picture. I hope it isn't your brown bag, or I have just spoiled it for you! It is due Dec. 5th. All mine needs is the binding and a label.
Well, It is time to switch gears and make dinner! Keep on quilting, Susan

one bird ready to stitch

Well, The machine is fixed, I finished the backed up customer quilts, and had a bit of time to get the first spoonbill cut out and glued. I am now ready to do the invisible stitching to hold him together, and then get started on bird #2! There will be two big birds and a nest with two babies. Lots of work ahead, but fun work, indeed. Enjoy the progress photos! Susan

Sick Gammill

Oh dear! I completed a beautiful customer quilt and went on to the next one only to find my trusty Gammill had a bad problem. Every inch the thread breaks! I have tried every remedy and now am preparing for the trip to Datona to have the repairman look at it. Needless to say, the quilting has ground to a halt.
I began working on my Spoonbill quilt instead and have the pattern all ready and marked. I guess we all have to accept the fact that things go wrong...and we can make something good out of the disasters.Off to Ret Hat dinner theater show today, then more bird-work!

WAZOO! 9/08 Sebring Retreat

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My latest project

I have been working on this quilt top for a while and finally got it done! I wanted to make a quilt with only dotted fabric. There are over 200 different ones in the quilt. It is a Karen Stone pattern. Stay tuned, I hope to have it quilted before the next show and tell at guild in October. Susan

Our Guild's raffle quilt

On Saturday, the raffle quilt was displayed at Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda, FL where ladies from the guild sold tickets and note cards. I thought you might enjoy seeing our quilt, a pictoral representation of life in South Florida.

Working the Gammill

Well, It looks as though the hurricane is going to miss us this time...I have been busy working since I am not at the retreat this weekend. The oriental 9-patch was made by my friend Joan. It's really nice! The Irish chain quilt is one I did as a favor to a friend in Wisconsin who has cancer and is trying to make quilts for all the grandkids before leaving this world. There is one more quilt to go and I hope to do that one, too. Now, I'm going back to the studio to have some fun sewing one of my own quilts. I need to feed the soul as well as the pocketbook! Cheers, Susan

Peace River Guild bus trip

Some of us took a bus trip to a gigantic fabric store here in Florida called Sunshine Sewing Company. I thought you might like to see it. Susan

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Latest quilt project

I finally finished the quilt project from my last retreat,and I think it turned out nice! I had a ball trying out different quilting patterns just for fun. I'm working on a polka dot quilt now. I hope to have a photo of its progress soon. Until then...Enjoy! Susan

Another fun quilt

Well, what is one supposed to do when her retreat is postponed and the weather is crappy? Make a quilt, of course! Here is the retreat project, with a nod to" Mary Quilts" website for the pattern, 'Boxed Squares'. It is made with just one jelly roll. I added the borders to make it a bit bigger. Pretty, huh? Susan

Guild block exchange project

Here is what I did with my block exchange blocks. I only got 6 back, so I made 7 more and put them on point to give it some size. Big borders for loads of quilting or applique...haven't decided yet. I'm putting it away for awhile to think about it. Now it's upward and onward! Susan

19th Nervous Breakdown quilt

Here are some photos of my latest quilt. It is the mystery quilt from my guild for this year. I hope you like it! Susan

Home from Texas

We had a great time with family in Texas. I bought some fabric, of course, and can't wait to start something new. The mystery quilt is finished and I will post a photo tomorrow. Enjoy the album 'Texas family weekend'. Susan

Texas family weekend

Make a Smilebox photobook

Preparing for Texas trip

I've been quilting my little fingers off to get caught up before we go to Texas for my folks' 65th wedding anniversary surprise party. I finished an antique quilt for a customer as well as a wedding present quilt for another. I'm busy making my guild mystery quilt, and will post a photo when I get it done. I have the top all sewn and need to construct the back and get the quilting going. There are photos on the Webshot site, as well as my Mobile Me page, but here are a couple to give you an idea what I have been up to. Back to work!! Susan, the WAZOO! quilter.