120 tops and counting

January dreams
First thing Monday morning, January 4th I sent the quilts and manuscript to the publisher. The feeling of relief lasted several days till it switched to burnout. I did practically no sewing. I did clean my sewing room and closet pretty well though and it felt good to get most of it organized again. At one point I counted my quilt tops. I don't virtually count them all as they are scattered about the house. I usually go though my photo album and count. Yikes! Was I shocked to see it was up to 120. Last time I counted it was at 88 and I thought I was keeping it pretty steady since I got the longarm. I think I need to track them in some other way. That should help inspire me. I see some gals post on their blogs all the fabric used/bought, quilts finished etc. So I am going to think about that. Watch the sidebar for that. I also gathered, organized and counted all my PHD's and came up with around 20. Again that is higher than ever for me. Typically after a manuscript is done I work on finishing up some of the phd's so that is a small goal for the next month. I wanted to post that theme, but again I had issues with the new computer and now want to redo it. So watch for that too.

I found one of the pictures of the comfort quilts that I couldn't find yesterday. It was just an uneven width log cabin. I'd made the blocks long ago and turned them in for someone else to finish the quilt and this is what was done with them. Of course, I turned the blocks in to me. But I bagged them and labeled them a kit and put them in the kit bin at church. And then some little quilt fairy took them home and made them into a quilt. I am not sure if I'd like those fairies visiting my quilt closet. They'd take the fun out of quilting for me. I know a few quilters that wished there were basting fairies. If you know of any, let me know.


I quilt with Shaggy a few times a month and she finished her top with a hunting theme for a friends son. She used one of my Thirtysomething patterns. It turned out great.
So what are you working on? A quilt I hope. Sew long,

Still on November

I got a real dose of inspiration over the weekend when I visited Judy at her studio. It was exciting to see all her show and tell. By the time I was ready to leave I told her that I was jumping up and down inside with excitement. By the time I got home I realized that it was the caffeine from her coffee. I am not used to 4 cups in 2 hours. Actually, in all fairness it was great to see her and very stimulating. I have been sewing bunches since then. Thanks Judy.

Before I cover what I have been working on, I'm going to catch up with my quilty news from the last few months. I did a bit more than just finish work on book 8. I will be brief.

In November, the church basement ladies sorted their quilts and decided how to distribute them. This year we made almost 60 again and always take them to the same places 2 or 3 times through the year. We are starting to make them bigger as requested. It helps that I and another gal have longarms to finish these bigger quilts easily. Seems I misplaced the photos I wanted to show. New software and computer, ya know.


Also in November is the Quilter's Rule annual warehouse sale. They invite a few other vendors and I always participate. Quilter's Rule manufactures my Thirtysomething Square Up so I usually demonstrate that and end up booking a workshop or lecture or two.
It is also fun to see everyone. They are local to me so lots of familiar faces show up. Quilter's Rule makes lots of tools especially for longarms and quilters come from all over for the sale. This picture shows part of my booth. In half the booth I hang class samples and in the other half I show old quilt tops for sale. (not shown)
Nothing in December besides Christmas and finishing up the book. That brings us up to January, but I will save that for later and see if I can't figure out these photos. Wish me luck and good luck to all of you with your quilting. Sew long,

Quilting - What's that?

Surprise, Happy New Year?!
I can't believe it has taken me this long to get back to blogging.

I was beginning to feel the pangs of withdrawal from quilting when I attended a meeting at church the other day. I was the first there and determined to get something done. All but one star block remains to be completed for our next raffle quilt. Everyone was pleased with how it is coming along. I will be able to show it before long.

As you can imagine, I was busy with Christmas, until New Years anyways. I also finished the manuscript and 18 quilts for book 8. I had to send it January 4th. I was relieved to be done, but all that quilting and computing and I was suffering a bit from burnout.

This quilt top was included in the proposal, but it wasn't included in the book so I didn't quilt it. I think I am going to take the edges apart and add half-blocks before the border. What do you think? Then of course it would sit on the to-do pile for years.

The Christmas tree is down, but the rest of the decorations still needs to be put away. I didn't want to do that till I did a thorough cleaning of the shelves in that corner of the basement. Then I got carried away and cleaned a few closets I haven't cleaned in YEARS. I only found 6 BIG boxes of junk I didn't want anymore. That is all finished and I am again anxious to get back to my sewing and blogging. Well, this felt good!