January retreat fast approaching

The WAZOO! retreat is next Sunday, so I had to hustle and get the project made to show everyone. It's called Tumbling Stars, and was surprisingly simple and fun to make. I have another pattern for the attendees that is more complex, but I haven't made that one yet. Too little time these days with the business and the quilt show competing for my days. Anyway, I got it done! Off to work, Susan

Show quilt

I have finished the quilting on the second show quilt and last night, I hand sewed the binding and sleeve. Today I will be working customer quilts and getting caught up there. I am getting excited about the show. We have 267 guild entries and two special exhibits, so it should be quite a sight! I'll be sure to post photos when it happens! Until then, you are limited to my own humble entries! Enjoy, Susan

Happy New Year!

Our holiday is officially over and it is time to get back to work. My three entries for the quilt show are registered, and now I need to finish the big two! The top to the spoonbill quilt is ready for quilting, as is the paper pieced one, so it's a mater of finding the time to do them, now. My daughter, Carolyn, left yesterday, so we are getting back to the regular pace of life here. I hope everyone had a swell time with family and friends and is now looking forward to a happy and healthy 2009. See you on the flipside! Susan

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!