Saturday at the Quilt Shop

I guess I am getting settled back into real life.  Saturday was my first regular day back at the quilt shop after my vacation.  You can’t really count Christmas in July as a regular day – special but not regular.  The shop is still decorated for Christmas and looks wonderful.  Here is just one photo today.  This is directly across from the register and is one of my favorite displays – Kona Cotton in many colors.  It is surprising how popular the solids are – especially with the modern quilters.

We used to have just a few bolts of solids, mostly white, cream and black.  What a change with the wonderful selection now available.  I am really enjoying working with solids.

On a sad note, we went to a memorial service for a special customer yesterday.  Joyce was a delight to be around and attended our Quilt Till  You Wilt sessions on most Fridays.  She will be missed.  Here is a link to the Marietta Daily Journal article about her.  Her family had a lovely display of her quilts and knitting projects on display at the service, along with wonderful photos of her.  It was a beautiful way to celebrate her life.

Life is short – be sure to let your friends and family know how much  you love them – every chance you get.

Melinda

Christmas in July

Here are a few photos from Tiny Stiches Christmas in July party that we have held for the past two days.

The shop looks great – if you live in the Atlanta area please stop by.

Melinda

Guild Today

Today was the monthly ECQG guild meeting.  We had signups for the Quilt Show Volunteers.  Although a lot of people volunteered today, we need a lot more.  White gloves people are especially needed but several other committees still need help.

Today was also the day for charity quilt turn in.  I took two quilts to donate but forgot to take photos of them.  The ECQG photographer took photos of most of them so hopefully I can get a copy of them.

Here is a pile of quilts ready to go to DFCS.  They are mostly given to foster children on their first day in care.  At least they have a small bright spot on that day.

 

There are also donated pillowcases and placemats. 

Melinda

Getting Ready for Christmas in July

Here is the Jovial quilt finished.  I love the 3D pinwheels and trees.  Of course I tried to quilt it to death and it worked.

Today is Christmas in July at Tiny Stitches!

Melinda

Mystery Quilt

I taught a mystery quilt last week but didn’t get mine done.  I finished the pieced blocks at Robin’s house and cut the alternate blocks today.  Here it is.

Next are the setting triangles.  They are pink!  You will have to wait to see what it looks like when they are added.

Melinda

Another Project

In Las Vegas, one of the women had an Iron Caddy.  She didn’t have the pattern with her but we looked at it and figured out how to make our version of it.

It will be great to take to guild and retreats with me.  The iron is padded in the carrier and when it is open, it can be used as an ironing surface.  When you are done, you don’t have to wait for the iron to cool, just wrap it up and take it with you.  By the way, Robin gave me a great hint to cool your iron quickly.  Put it face down on concrete.  Apparently the concrete sucks the heat out of the iron quickly.  I haven’t tried this but she swears it works.

Melinda

On The Way Home

I am leaving this afternoon heading back to Atlanta.  I have had a wonderful time but there truly is no place like home!

Melinda

Pedicures, Family and Projects

Yesterday afternoon, Shelly, Christina and I went to Happy Nails for pedicures.  I didn’t get photos of their toes but here are mine.

Purple – with flowers!

Christina and Emilio left this morning to go to her father’s house for a couple of days.  Here are a few photos I got before they left.

This afternoon we worked on some of the small projects left over from Las Vegas.  So far I have completed two of them.  First is an apron made from a kitchen towel.

We also made snack bags – very cute and practical.

Emilio

More later.

Melinda

Las Vegas–Day Four

I taught the mystery quilt yesterday and it was well received.  I will try to get a few photos of quilts in progress before we leave this morning.

After teaching, I was able to finish the day one project – Happenstance.

I made it from a FQ bundle that I got at Sample Spree.  The line is from Moda and is called Little Apples.  I only have some scraps and one FQ left so it was a great use of the bundle.

We are packing up this morning and heading back to Seal Beach.  My daughter and grandson will be there by the time we get home.  Can hardly wait!

Melinda

Las Vegas–Day Three

Lots more quilts on the design walls yesterday.  The class of the day was using the X-Block rulers but neither Robin or I took the class.  We both worked on the Day One project – Happenstance.  Robin decided to make a smaller version and finished her top last night.

I am still working on my circle blocks.  I have the first circle on all 17 of them but probably won’t have much time to work on them today since I will be teaching.  Stay tuned for versions of the mystery quilt.

Here are more Lattice Patch quilts that showed up on design walls yesterday.

After she made the above top, she decided she really wanted a table topper instead.  Look at what is happening now.

Stay cool!

Melinda

Las Vegas–Day 2

Yesterday was Robin’s time to teach.  The quilt pattern is Lattice Patch and most of the group worked on it.  Here are a few of the tops after turning them on point.

As part of the class, I made one of the small quilts.  Here it is before turning on point.

and here it is after turning on point and the first border added.

Today Ev is teaching an X-Block project and we have decided to skip this one so are going to work on Monday’s project – hopefully I will have photos later today.

Off to sew!

Melinda

Las Vegas–Day One

Monday was our first sewing day.  I forgot to take photos of my project but will do that today, along with today’s project.  We did get several gifts from other quilters.  First was a great tote bag, made by a family group that comes to the retreat.  There are five of them and they made these 25th anniversary tote bags for everyone.

Here is a new name tag – Barb made these for everyone.

Jan gave us each a little kit to make these table toppers.  She used fabric from her stash and almost each of them had some Mary Ellen Hopkins fabric in them.  Mine had the dogs.  I know have one finished project!

Jenny brought TimTams from Australia and gave a whole package to us.  She brought several other packages to share so we are hoarding/saving ours.

Next was a pin keep.  Very cute and simple but wonderful.

I did work on the quilt project most of the day but since I forgot to take photos, here is one of Robin’s project so far.

Robin is teaching today so hopefully I will have more to show later today or in the morning.

Melinda

Las Vegas

We got to Las Vegas yesterday afternoon and were able to set up our sewing space in the evening.  We are all ready for today’s project. 

On the trip to Las Vegas, I worked on my Winter Wonderland embroidery.  This is one of the largest blocks and I have had it in progress for a couple of years.  It is time to focus on getting it done.

Still a lot to do on the block but I am going to keep it close so I can work on it.  Wish me luck!

Melinda

Las Vegas Here We Come!

Packing up and getting ready to start the drive to Las Vegas.  Thought I would show a gift that my wonderful sister Robin bought for us.

She got them from this shop.

www.etsy.com/shop/kwdesigns2

When she bought them one had light letters and the other dark.  We mixed them up – moved the vowels.  So once again we have something that is exactly alike only different.

Melinda

In Seal Beach

I arrived safely in Southern California yesterday on Delta.  It was my favorite type of flight – uneventful.  At the airport I had a breakfast burrito with bacon, egg and cheese.  As soon as Robin picked me up, it was time for lunch so off we went to a Mexican restaurant. I had a carnitas taco. 

We had a lazy day at home and later had dinner – if you guessed Mexican food you would be right.  Carnitas tacos with beans and rice!  Robin and I have always said they eating Mexican food more than three times a day MIGHT be excessive.  Since I only had it for three meals yesterday it definitely was not excessive.

When I went into the dining room at Robin’s house I found these.

Many years ago she bought these needle point chair seats.  The actual design was done and all that was left was the background.  Of course there is a LOT of background.  We each did one of the chairs.  She had them blocked years ago but never got around to actually replacing the seat covers.  They are done now and really look great.  These two chairs sit in the corner of her dining room. 

Melinda