Uppity-Mama

A Trip to "Oz" and Thank You

I had a charm pack of this sweet Oz fabric by Moda.  Individually, the fabrics really didn't blow me away...but I am really loving the way they look together.   

I sashed it with Kona Snow and the back is Snow, Peridot, and Coral.

The binding is a Shot Cotton and I'm really not sure what the color is though it may be "Nut."  It has hints of both coral and the green in it though, so it was perfect.

And now a shout out to everyone who has taken the time to fill out my survey.  You have really helped me out and I am so grateful!  Your answers were so thoughtful and honest and I am so lucky to have you to turn to.  I will keep you all posted on any forward movement!

Some Napkins and a Survey

Hi everyone.  I wonder if you'll do me a tremendous favor and fill out this survey I created.  You see, I'm still thinking about opening a shop and to gather information to help me with my decision, I'd like to ask you some questions.

There is a little link to click on in my left sidebar, just above the Modern Quilt Guild logo.

I really and truly appreciate all of you who take the time to do this for me...thank you!

And now some napkins...

...made with a spectrum bundle from Purl Soho.  I learned to do my napkin corners from this tutorial a long time ago. It's the same one I used to make these cocktail napkins.

 

Napkins are a great project for playing around with decorative stitches, don't you think?

 

Help Women, Win Fabric

Head on over to Alissa's blog today and dig deep.  She is hosting a fundraiser for the Kivu Sewing Workshop, a worthy cause if ever there was one.  Donate and be entered to win some AMAZING fabric prizes.

More Bee Blocks

These are for Emily who gave a LOT of gorgeous fabric choices and wanted each to have the floral and the kona coal in it.  She asked for various sized blocks, though not too small. And no log cabins. 

 

The "plaid" one is very poorly constructed but after numerous attempts at fixing it I finally just gave up. I was just spazzing out that day for some reason!  Emily can choose to use it or not.  I'm happy with the other two, though!

The BAD Plaid:

Quilt Blocks for Jane

More Bee Mod Madness!  These are for Jane.

 

Bee Mod Quilt Finished!

Yay!  It's finished!  And it's double sided.  This was made with the fabulous work of so many amazing quilters from the LAMQG for our Bee Mod Quilt Bee.  I posted more about it back here.

Many of the fabrics in here I got from Spoonflower.  I just love the Laurie Wisbrun fabrics.

Gone Camping and a Quilt

Heading to NY for a few days tomorrow to visit the family, just me and the kiddos.  Then off to PA with some good friends for a bit of camping.  I'm a bit nervous about not having any backup...I'll let you know how it goes!

I made this quilt as a gift for my wonderful friends, with a jelly roll of Happy Campers by American Jane and some Michael Miller Ta Dot for the binding.

I used the basting gun again and this time wasn't as happy with the results, mostly because twice I cut the fabric, yes, 2x, when I was cutting off the tags as I quilted.  So some extra stippling and fabric were employed while I cried and cursed myself.  I hope they won't notice.

Mostly Mingle Baby Quilt

I went back to wavy lines for the quilting, as I'd done on my Christmas quilt.  I used this great new thread I picked up at the quilt show by Wonderfil.  The color I chose is variegated and looks like a creamsicle! Most of the fabric is Mingle by Monaluna. 

The Long Beach Quilt Show

I had so much fun Thursday night which was the "preview night" for the show.  I went with Lisa and we grabbed some mexican food and margaritas before it opened at 5.  That may partially account for my spending there, but really what else was I gonna do?!  Of course I am decked out in my LAMQG t-shirt and large tote bag!

I have some bad pictures and some good links to share with you.  

I love this antique quilt...doesn't that design look incredibly modern and yet kind of art deco?  Just 2 colors.  Love it.

My main objective at the show was to try out some longarm quilting machines.  Awe-some. I am insanely considering acquiring one of these and squishing it into my studio somehow.  Oh, how the needle just glides over the surface of the quilt.  NO basting is required when you use one of these puppies, either, and most have a stitch regulator which means that when I speed up or slow down, which I do often, the stitches still look even.  But the frame you use is huge and they are cost more than a pretty penny.  My favorite lines were Innova and Nolting.

Pretty awesome hawaiian quilt, don't you think?

I bought a fantastic iron.  It was pricey, although supposedly I got the quilt show special price...and the mini travel iron came with it.   I have been using it for 2 days now and it is amazing. 
And to complement my iron I got a Miracle cover for the ironing board.  It has always annoyed me how the fabric will stick to the cotton cover and make it difficult to shift.  This solves that problem completely, as well as others.
The only thing missing from the evening was my friend Capril.  She and Lisa had gone together last year and so she may have felt Capril's absence even more deeply than I did.  We both agreed that Capril would have loved the quilt below...it's oranges and feeling of sunshine along with the beautiful quilting would have been right up her alley.

Mira's Party

Mira turned 7!  As you may have read, we made the potholders for favors.  I wrapped each one around a wooden spoon and tied them with ric rac...then forgot to take a photo of them all in a bunch. :-(

We also made this garland out of paper plates:

The girls decorated aprons and chef hats...

 

 

They made pizza and cupcakes...

 

   

 and most Hawley parties are not complete without a bit of karaoke!