Mariner's Compass Update

I have finished the top of the Mariner's Compass quilt!  My husband decided (with my encouragement) to use the colors in the compasses to make a sawtooth border (HST) and forego the black and white border representing the ones you may see on a navigational chart.  Here it is. It really came together nicely.

I also wanted to share some of the finds from the antique malls.  Some empty wooden spools, a needle holder and a large spool.  

And then we found this spool holder with old threads and wooden spools.  This was most likely handmade by someone's DH.  Each little spindle is carved round!

I also found an old coat and hat hook to use to hang one of my quilts.  This idea came from Rachel over at p.s. i quilt.  She showed a little tutorial about hanging quilts the Rachel way using plate holders.  So very clever!  However, I don't have very much empty wall space so it wouldn't work in my home yet the idea got me thinking.  So I adapted the idea for one quilt.  I LOVE IT! What do you think?

Back from my trip!

Well I promised to let you know what I found while with my husband on his business trip.  Oh, it was quite wonderful!  My first stop was Pine Needles Sewing Center.  This was a lovely bright shop with lots of beautiful fabrics.  Since it was my first, I had a hard time trying to decide what to buy.  I found a very cute bag but they didn't sell the pattern.  It was from Moda made with a line a fabric that they carried.  So I am in search of a bag similar...but I bought this fabric (words) for the lining.  I am also collecting soft pinks and I found a lovely one here.

Next up was the Cottage Rose.  This shop is much smaller but oh so quaint.  The first thing I noticed was Moda's Blush line of fabric.  I already purchased a charm pack of this line just to see it and feel it.  I needed more!  So here is what I got.

I also picked up 2 pieces for my Lincoln Logs stash from their sale room.  The owner also designs some of her own patterns that I really did like.  Need to keep them in mind for another time!

And on to Connie's Quilt Shop just a few blocks away in a little house that is packed with fabric in every room (even the bathtub)!  Too much eye candy to see and touch!  I added to my pinks, my Lincoln Logs stash, and some lovely turquoise, yellows and grays.  

I found a cute little coffee shop in town, so I took a little break (picture later).  That's when my husband called and said he was done.  Already?  SO....I took my husband back to Connie's because I found some backings that I thought he might like for the Mariner's Compass.  He chose one!  After that, we just browsed around some antique stores in Marion.  And treasures we found!  More pictures later!  

If you are ever in the Cedar Rapids area, stop by these lovely shops!  Everyone was so friendly!

And when I got home, a package was waiting for me!  My first ever win! From the March Friday Night Sew-In sponsored by Heidi and Bobbi.  

What's inside?  Some beautiful fabric and the cutest pin cushion handmade by Heidi.  Take a look!

Thanks Heidi!

Now I need to get busy in my sewing room!  

Progress Update!

Today I spotted a little birdie in my backyard.  Take a look...

A friend of mine gave me a little crochet project.  I haven't crocheted since I was a young girl.  So I picked through the instructions, not quite getting it right.  I remembered seeing this cute little birdie on another blog, Attic24, with a tutorial so I thought I should give it a try and practice a little crochet.  Not bad with a very good tutorial. Try it here!

Mariner's Compass Update:

I finished putting the the last background pieces on the compasses and sewed all the blocks together to 'finish' the top. It now needs borders. My husband doesn't really know what he wants except a small black and white narrow border to represent the border you would see on a navigational chart. I think it needs another border that will tie all the colors together. Looks kinda plain on the cream background. Just say'n. What do you think?

Thought I would share a little project I did for Easter last year...You can find the project here.

Give away!  Go on over  to AbbeyLaneQuilts for a great give away.  One of the prizes is the cutest  Abbey bag.  If you don't know what that is go on over and check it out! 

Leaving tomorrow with my DH for a business trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  While he is working, I'm checking out several quilt shops in the area.  Love doing this....I'll let you know what I find!

March Friday Night Sew-In results

Before I get to my progress... yesterday seemed like Spring was here (officially the last day of winter)!  The temperature was in the low 70's which is heaven this time of year in Chicagoland.  I was peeking around my gardens and look what I found.

Then this morning, the first official day of Spring, we woke up to this! And it is still snowing! Ugh!

For yesterday's Friday Night Sew-In, I finished sewing all the centers in my Mariner's Compass quilt and the background template is made and the pieces are all traced.  

I detoured to make a sweet little pincushion using the directions here.  A fast, easy and fun little project!

AND then I started another surprise stitchery.  I can only give a little peek!

To see more Friday Night Sew-In results go here!  Hope you had fun and made some progress on your projects!

Friday Night Sew-In

Tonight is the March Friday Night Sew In.  What are you going to work on?  Take pictures and post tomorrow.  What a great way to commit some time to finishing/working on projects!
Check back tomorrow!

Giddy with Excitement!

Well here it is (drum roll please).... I just finished the last compass rose in the Mariner's Compass quilt for my DH!  Yes, all 12 roses have been pieced and now it is time to complete the center circle.  When I went back to work full time I set a goal of one compass a week.  Let's see how I did.  I started back to work on Feb. 1st which was 6 weeks ago.  At that time I had completed 7 out of the 12 roses, leaving 5 left to do.  5 in 6 weeks....not quite my goal but not bad at all.  Especially since I did throw in a couple of other projects along the was such as my Hearts, Hearts, Hearts quilt, some knitting, and some progress on my red and white 2-color quilt.  What do you think?

The next step:Last weekend I made my DH decide what he wanted for the center since I knew I was getting close to finishing.  The choices were solid center or pieced.  He decided on a solid center (meaning one piece rather than a pieced star).  So we auditioned a couple of different fabrics for the centers (sorry I should have taken pictures).  He choose to go with the dominate fabric already in the star.  This week I will be cutting out the center circles and sewing them into place.

A little surprise: I have been working on a new project.  I'll give a little sneak peek.  

That is all for now...

Here's the scoop!

Just a quick note about a few give-aways and the March Friday Night Sew-In.

First, head on over to Amber's blog for her final give away celebrating her new business.  Secondly, a giveaway over at lavender ridge has a great give away. She is celebrating her one year blogoversary!  And finally, get ready for the March Friday Night Sew-In.  It is on March 19th!  A good time to work on WIF's and UFO's.  Why don't you join in on the fun!

Be back later to update my progress.

A Milestone!

Today I finished hand stitching the 48th white on red block for the Robbing Peter to Pay Paul quilt.  I first posted about this quilt a short while back.  It is a project that I have slowly working on.  I just seem to go in spurts getting this done.  There are a total of 96 blocks (48 white on red and 48 red on white).  The count for the red on white is at 25.  Take a look!

Progress: I also been slowly working on the Mariner's compass and the 2nd green compass is almost complete.  

Look what was in the mail yesterday!  

I order some 5" squares of Moda's BLUSH.  I really love the colors and patterns in this line.  I just had to have it.  It is like eye candy!

A true find: Look what I found at a local thrift store!  Love these homespun fabrics!

It has been a busy week at work and I'm looking forward to FRIDAY!  Yeah for weekends!  Looks like I'll have time for some sewing!  Later...