More Tablerunners

We had a computer crash so I am limping along with a picture software I am not familiar with. But I finished a few things and wanted to get them posted. So I tried the software that came with my camera. It's not too bad just more time consuming than I'm used to. But I am always excited when I teach myself something new on the computer since I can be electronically challenged.
Pictures in the snow:

Another strip pieced Valentines Table runner...............





My favorite Laurel Birch fabric
A Christmas Stripe






I'm glad I found a use for it. I can enjoy it instead of looking at it on my shelf.

In keeping with my gift strategy here's the second one for the gift box.





With the left over 60 degree triangles...
FRONT

BACK


I read somewhere that the best pictures are in natural light outside so out side I went. I love the snow so what better place to photograph. This was so much fun.
Hope you enjoyed them.

Blessings
Rhonda

This is my Secret Sister and I at Breakfast on Sunday when we revealed who we were.
She was absolutely the best SS anyone could ask for. She gushed over all her gifts. She was so appreciative it was soooooooo worth all the planning and sewing.



I think she loved her pillowcase the best. When she arrived at her table Friday morning I had a bouquet of flowers for her. She kept telling everyone she was no longer a princess she had arrived to Queen.

We had so much fun!!!!!!

This is the view as you drive into camp. I feel myself relax as I pass this tree farm.



Isn't the sky gorgeous.

Leaving camp on Sunday. (sad face)


A few projects from my friends.





What an interesting tutorial this was. What a great use of scraps.





It was a productive weekend for all. I will post pics of my finished projects tomorrow. This post is picture heavy already

Blessings,
Rhonda

Secret Sister gifts

I have been working on secret sister gifts my quilting retreat this weekend. We have a $15.00 limit so I had to get creative. In my mind if I make it from stuff I have here that's 0 cost....right??

The first thing I made was a "snap" bag. It's made to snap closed. The snapping is from the metal measuring tape that you cut up and sew in the top opening. Of course I had to embroider her initial on it for that special touch.

I promptly filled it with hand sanitizer and tic tacs. So far free. Had everything here at home. The polka dot bag will match Emily's carry on bag I made previously.

Next I made my favorite wallet. Include a $5 Panera Card and we have gift #2.





Following my strategy to fill my gift box. I made 2.

Next I embroidered a pillowcase for her.
My secret sister is truly a special gal. I have known her for years and there isn't a sweeter person to quilt with. It was easy to create for her. The green I used for the body of the pillowcase reminded me of the forest where I will be staying. It's a camp. It's snowy here so I'm going to have lots of pictures from the weekend to share.

I had quilt notecards that were a fund raiser for a friend so I'm sharing some of those. I did purchase some hand dyed fabrics as a gift. She had those on her "likes" list. She is also A diabetic so I tried to stay away from candy and sweets. So upon arrival I have a bouquet all ready to go.


For the Sunday morning reveal yourself I made a sewing wallet combining a cross stitch wool and regular fabric. I'm putting the finishing touches on it there so I'll get a picture before I wrap it.

Have a great weekend. I know I will.
Blessings,
Rhonda

Table runners

I have a new best friend and it's fusible batting. Where's this stuff been and how come no one told ME about it. I bought a bolt of it before Christmas with my 40% off at JoAnns and will keep it as a staple in my studio. It's great for anything you don't want the back to shift while you're working on the top. I have been using it with my new favorite table runner pattern. It is such a basic pattern it can be adjusted for any fabric or size. I LOVE basic patterns I can add my own spin to.

I made several for Christmas presents and this is the only one left here. (I had to finish it after Christmas.) Sorry Cindy.



I made it long enough to fit her table with all the leaves in it. She loves snowmen. This way she can leave it out longer than just Christmas.

Detail of the end.


We didn't go out on New Years Eve. I spent my night sewing. I was in heaven. Not so much DH. He watched all his John Wayne movies on CD waiting for the call to pick up one of our girls.

I made a side table matt in snow man style.


Then I decided to start on Valentines Day. One of my goals for this year is to use up what I have and be more diligent about being ready for holidays instead of lagging behind........I'll let you know how that works out for me**sarcastic** because I'm really bad at that part. I'm the person putting a binding on something on the way to the house it's supposed to be a gift for. I finish and wrap in the car..(DH hates this about me.)

Pay no attention to that batting sticking out on the end. It's almost finished. hehehe.




Then I made a side table matt to replace the snow one in February.

Detail of runner



I found another pattern I wanted to try and that was the perfect night to try it out ....No MOM to be heard for hours..
This pattern uses fabric in a repeat stripe and a 60 degree triangle. You cut and place the stripe pattern in a mirror setting and add the triangles at the end. It is going on the basic pattern list also. I'll never look at a repeat stripe pattern the same way again.

Notice how the pattern completes (makes an oval) around the runner. Follow the checkerboard around. Remember all the photos can be clicked on to enlarge.

Blow up of the triangle end


My brain was in overload with possibilities.

My goal is to finish up projects and start a box of "gifts" so that when I need something for a special occasion I have some things already made. The birdhouses are not my style so I figured add some embroidered napkins and the set will be a great gift.

As I look back at the pictures I must add that I didn't have time to press these before pictures as I was trying to catch some natural light in my dining room. They look all wavy and bumpy but really aren't. Nothing a good steam press can't fix. Off to call my "quilter" she has a quilt ready for me to pick up. Like Christmas for me.

Blessings,
Rhonda

December

I took this week off to get something done for Christmas. It of course hasn't worked out as I had planned but I have managed to finish a few thing.

Here's the carry on bags for our trip. I finished mine (the one without the monogram) back in Sept for my trip to Texas. The other 3 are for my 2 girls and my niece. I am proud of myself thought that not only are they done in time but I mastered monograms on my embroidery machine. I bought the machine used and have had to teach myself to use it.






I am hoping to post my daily progress but we will see what happens. My favorite saying is "I make plans...God laughs." It sort of puts things in perspective for me. Keeps me from overwhelming myself. I am following some of my favorite blogs and wanting to try some of the wonderful projects I'm seeing.

Back to the sewing machine for me. I am working on table runners for my SILs.

Blessings,
Rhonda

Not bad for a Quarter

Yep paid 25 cents for the kit which included all the fabric to make the top. We have a "store" of gently used or cast offs at our quilting retreat. It was originally marked $9.25 and it's all Thimbleberries fabric. I had a small piece of batting and backing already here. Done!!!



Another Fall project finished.

Blessings,
Rhonda

Quilt Retreat

Last weekend I had the great fortune to be included in a quilter's retreat. My good fortune was unfortunately at the misfortune of another who could not attend. But I had a really great time. I find it amazing that you can enter a room with 11 other quilters (knowing only one of them) and leave knowing like you've been friends forever.

The setting was spectacular.


This is where we ate our meals. Which were prepared by a chef and were out of this world.


This is where we slept. For those of us who went to bed.


The sewing area was in a building next to the dorm. we each had a 6 foot table to ourselves ........Plenty of room to work.



This was a quilt that one of the girls brought for show and tell. These pictures don't do it justice.






This was a finished quilt from the weekend. All the blocks were already made and 2 of the rows were put together when she came but she had a finished top to go home.

That's what these weekends are for me. I finish up my projects. I made 2 backs so I could take the tops to my machine quilter. One was my Halloween quilt which she is basting for me and I will hand quilt. The other was Tori's Flip Flop quilt. So I can cross those off my list.


I will take pictures of my other finished project and post them tomorrow.

Blessings,
Rhonda