Earlier this week dh, his mom and I went to visit her brother. There's a quilt shop that has grown over the years and as it's grown it's moved closer to dh's uncle. Quilting Possibilities is now located in Forked River in a former bank building. This place is amazing. The layout has been designed for whomever is at the front desk to see through just about the whole shop or as I described it to a friend - for the vertically challenged like myself. The sale room is roughly 8 x 10 and stacked with bolts of fabric, patterns and notions. WOW!!! I picked up some pink fabric to finish two quilts for the Village Squares Quilters and some of Alex Anderson's Morning Garden Fabric which will be used to finish my NY Beauty quilt and maybe even back it? I don't know, it's really pretty fabric. For thread they have Madeira, YLI, Gutterman and Isacord. I purchased 5 spools of Isacord. The shop also has a room with batting and their long arm. I'm not sure if they have a person who long arms or if you can rent it. If you're ever in the area this is a shop that is well worth a visit.
DH and I also celebrated our anniversary this week. Oh did we have fun. Dh found Mass near our friend Mary's house that we were able to attend just prior to picking her up. The we drove out to pick up mums and visit a couple of local wineries. The place we picked up mums has 10" pots 4 for $10, we picked up 8. Our friend picked up 2 larger baskets. It's a good thing we have a station wagon. All 10 of those plants fit in the back without folding the seat down. For dinner we went to a place that serves buffalo. We'd both wanted to try buffalo for the longest time and just hadn't been anywhere that serves it. So dh ordered the buffalo, I ordered the duck, raised locally and had a great dinner. I tasted dh's buffalo meat, its sweet and rich.
Our Friday plans changed so dh decided to mow the lawn then we set about digging up the entire garden. We'd been talking about doing this sometime next month, but with the day being free. We dug up over 100 lily bulbs, about 30 hyacinths, 6 allium and a whole bunch of rocks and construction debris from when the house was built in the early 60's. Once we were sure we had everything (well as sure as we could be) we moved a few other plants then figured out how much to replant and got started. That and 9 pots of mums and wow! The garden looks terrific this morning. I'm glad we didn't wait either, yesterday was a perfect day for planting.
And at least the Yankees have the Wild Card.
Happy quilting!
Teri
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sometimes I wonder
just where on earth I found my sense of color. It's a bit unusual, putting colors together that makes other quilters say "what on earth is she thinking?!" Well, I say that too occasionally however, I admire the courage and tenacity of quilters who make unusual color choices and they seem to just work well.
I was reading someones blog this morning, which is what got me started thinking about color. As the pictures were loading the file names were showing and the first word was "mums". That sent me thinking about Thursday and how dh and I are going with a friend to pick up mums, visit a winery or two and have dinner. That's when I realized where my color sense comes from the amazing colors of nature. Oh my goodness, in the world of mums the variety of colors just shouts "quilt" to me. Vibrant and muted yellows, oranges, purples, reds, oh my! Then there are the Allium lovely lavender orbs on willowy sticks of green, not just any green mind you a green that really suits the lavender, makes the lavender just pop!
Purple and orange are two of my favorite colors and it's my goal someday to make a purple and orange quilt. Neat thing is, I've seen it work and work well. It works for one major reason - purple and orange are opposites on the color wheel, they compliment each other. How fun is that?! Lime green, chocolate brown, raspberry, avocado, teal just make me sigh deeply.
I do admire how fabric artists put color together when designing fabric. To anyone who designs fabric a heartfelt thank you for all of your effort and making the world just a bit brighter!
Happy quilting!
Teri
I was reading someones blog this morning, which is what got me started thinking about color. As the pictures were loading the file names were showing and the first word was "mums". That sent me thinking about Thursday and how dh and I are going with a friend to pick up mums, visit a winery or two and have dinner. That's when I realized where my color sense comes from the amazing colors of nature. Oh my goodness, in the world of mums the variety of colors just shouts "quilt" to me. Vibrant and muted yellows, oranges, purples, reds, oh my! Then there are the Allium lovely lavender orbs on willowy sticks of green, not just any green mind you a green that really suits the lavender, makes the lavender just pop!
Purple and orange are two of my favorite colors and it's my goal someday to make a purple and orange quilt. Neat thing is, I've seen it work and work well. It works for one major reason - purple and orange are opposites on the color wheel, they compliment each other. How fun is that?! Lime green, chocolate brown, raspberry, avocado, teal just make me sigh deeply.
I do admire how fabric artists put color together when designing fabric. To anyone who designs fabric a heartfelt thank you for all of your effort and making the world just a bit brighter!
Happy quilting!
Teri
Thursday, September 20, 2007
a bit of fun on a thursday evening
Yesterday was "Talk Like a Pirate Day"
Here's my Pirate name:
My pirate name is:
Captain Bess Read
Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Even through many pirates have a reputation for not being the brightest souls on earth, you defy the sterotypes. You've got taste and education. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network
Here's my Pirate name:
My pirate name is:
Captain Bess Read
Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Even through many pirates have a reputation for not being the brightest souls on earth, you defy the sterotypes. You've got taste and education. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network
Finally made it into the Sewing Room!
I really enjoyed playing in the sewing room yesterday. I wondered part way through if I should be in there as I made a couple of basic math error's twice. The blocks I'm making are for a swap I'm in and I really want to do well. I'm always more concerned that quilt blocks and quilts that I make for others are done well.
The block that I still need to finish is based on a technique for flying geese that Ricky Tims demonstrated on a recent episode of "The Quilt Show". The fun part about it is that the geese end up standing out and you have fun pockets as part of the quilt block or top, depending on how many you want to make. Once you get all of the cutting done and little flying geese sandwiches made the whole process goes rather quickly. The result can be rather stunning and can be a great way to use up all those bits and pieces of fabric that are lying around and you don't know what to do with.
Swaps and message boards are a great ways to get to know people all over the country and/or world. There are so many talented quilters out there who are willing to share their knowledge and love of quilting. I'm so grateful for all of their input and support over the years and have enjoyed the swaps I've participated in. Each quilter has so much to add and the fabric that comes from all over the country is amazing. Often it's from a line that I haven't seen before. How much fun is that!! Then I get to go looking all over the internet searching for fabric.
Happy quilting,
Teri
The block that I still need to finish is based on a technique for flying geese that Ricky Tims demonstrated on a recent episode of "The Quilt Show". The fun part about it is that the geese end up standing out and you have fun pockets as part of the quilt block or top, depending on how many you want to make. Once you get all of the cutting done and little flying geese sandwiches made the whole process goes rather quickly. The result can be rather stunning and can be a great way to use up all those bits and pieces of fabric that are lying around and you don't know what to do with.
Swaps and message boards are a great ways to get to know people all over the country and/or world. There are so many talented quilters out there who are willing to share their knowledge and love of quilting. I'm so grateful for all of their input and support over the years and have enjoyed the swaps I've participated in. Each quilter has so much to add and the fabric that comes from all over the country is amazing. Often it's from a line that I haven't seen before. How much fun is that!! Then I get to go looking all over the internet searching for fabric.
Happy quilting,
Teri
Monday, September 17, 2007
In just 10 more days
DH and I will celebrate our 15th anniversary! Woohoo! The time has flown by ever so quickly. We've moved twice in 15 years. Not bad for a kid whose average move was about 2 years (yes, I did spend the time to figure out one year.)
I'm looking forward to the day and all that it will bring. Each anniversary is a promise and a renewal. Marriage is amazing!
Teri
I'm looking forward to the day and all that it will bring. Each anniversary is a promise and a renewal. Marriage is amazing!
Teri
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Here's hoping
That I can get into my sewing room tomorrow. I miss the sewing machine. The familiar hum as I stitch along. The feel of the fabric under my fingers. The bits of batting and lint from the thread floating through the air.
I'm thinking that tomorrow I might go in and tidy up a bit. I don't know about you but a messy sewing space just drives me nutty. I can't quite think straight when the space is messy and in limited space moving around easily is nearly impossible. Whew!
Once I get tidied up a bit I'll take pictures of the space and post them on line. I'm still working with a 35mm film camera. I like it, however getting stuff posted on line and for my totes a digital camera will work a bit better! DH and I were discussing this and within a month or so I'll have the camera. He's been doing the research (I love this guy!) and has a good idea of what will work for me. I'm really excited about the possibilities here!
Happy quilting!
Teri
I'm thinking that tomorrow I might go in and tidy up a bit. I don't know about you but a messy sewing space just drives me nutty. I can't quite think straight when the space is messy and in limited space moving around easily is nearly impossible. Whew!
Once I get tidied up a bit I'll take pictures of the space and post them on line. I'm still working with a 35mm film camera. I like it, however getting stuff posted on line and for my totes a digital camera will work a bit better! DH and I were discussing this and within a month or so I'll have the camera. He's been doing the research (I love this guy!) and has a good idea of what will work for me. I'm really excited about the possibilities here!
Happy quilting!
Teri
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
No sewing for this quilter
I'm hitting a point where I'd be going through withdrawal under normal circumstances. This isn't normal circumstances.
It all started innocently enough, I was just tired. Plain, old tired. Something just didn't feel right. Then the teeth started hurting. Hmmn, somethings brewing here. Then the face started aching. Oh, okay, I know what this is - a sinus infection. So I go to the ENT and it's not only the sinus infection, but throat all on one side mind you. I get medication, I take said medication faithfully according to the instructions. I'm starting to feel better, but not quite right and yesterday (Monday) I'm thinkin' this is moving into my chest.
So I toddle off to the regular doc. Nothing in the chest but the infection in the back of my throat is still there and quite infected. Gives me new antibiotic. Gives a sample to get me started. I have plenty of water with the pill.
Later on, I look at my legs and no, it can't be. I check some more and sure enough - HIVES. I'm allergic to the new antibiotic. I call pharmacy, he says take Benadryl so dh gets me some Benadryl. I talk to doc, he tells me how much to take and to come in for another visit this morning. So now I know I'm allergic to new antibiotic.
I do have sewing that I want to complete, I have two quilted tops that need to be trimmed and bound and one on the design wall not to mention the totes that need to be finished. I have fabric quilted to be cut out into new totes. Oh well, it will be there when I'm feeling better.
Happy quilting!
Teri
It all started innocently enough, I was just tired. Plain, old tired. Something just didn't feel right. Then the teeth started hurting. Hmmn, somethings brewing here. Then the face started aching. Oh, okay, I know what this is - a sinus infection. So I go to the ENT and it's not only the sinus infection, but throat all on one side mind you. I get medication, I take said medication faithfully according to the instructions. I'm starting to feel better, but not quite right and yesterday (Monday) I'm thinkin' this is moving into my chest.
So I toddle off to the regular doc. Nothing in the chest but the infection in the back of my throat is still there and quite infected. Gives me new antibiotic. Gives a sample to get me started. I have plenty of water with the pill.
Later on, I look at my legs and no, it can't be. I check some more and sure enough - HIVES. I'm allergic to the new antibiotic. I call pharmacy, he says take Benadryl so dh gets me some Benadryl. I talk to doc, he tells me how much to take and to come in for another visit this morning. So now I know I'm allergic to new antibiotic.
I do have sewing that I want to complete, I have two quilted tops that need to be trimmed and bound and one on the design wall not to mention the totes that need to be finished. I have fabric quilted to be cut out into new totes. Oh well, it will be there when I'm feeling better.
Happy quilting!
Teri
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Wonderful Compliment
Every once in a while I go through periods where I just wonder if pursuing a career in quilting is what I'm supposed to be doing. Things slow down, doors seem to close, you know, stuff happens.
Since September of 2004 I've been a member of the Quilts Your Way Message Board and post there. Sometimes members will post messages that they're stuck with something and need some help. I'll respond to the best of my ability. This week another member of the Board, Donna, posted this:
Erica and Teri gave you excellent information...Teri's teaching skills come out and I like to save her information for when I teach my classes!!! She makes them sound very straight forward and simple. Thank you Teri!!!
I wasn't expecting this and quite frankly was a bit surprised and deeply honored. Thanks so much.
Teri
PS - Quilting is a beautiful way of life, everything fits together piece by piece
Since September of 2004 I've been a member of the Quilts Your Way Message Board and post there. Sometimes members will post messages that they're stuck with something and need some help. I'll respond to the best of my ability. This week another member of the Board, Donna, posted this:
Erica and Teri gave you excellent information...Teri's teaching skills come out and I like to save her information for when I teach my classes!!! She makes them sound very straight forward and simple. Thank you Teri!!!
I wasn't expecting this and quite frankly was a bit surprised and deeply honored. Thanks so much.
Teri
PS - Quilting is a beautiful way of life, everything fits together piece by piece
Monday, September 3, 2007
Binding please!
The quilts for the guild are quilted. I can set them aside until later this week for binding. Whew! One more thing checked off my ever expanding list of "things to do" - well sort of. One of the neat things about these quilts, and a few others I've accomplished over the last year is the sense that I can piece and quilt rather quickly when I'm in a time constraint.
On that note my desire is to give myself a shorter time limit on getting things accomplished. It seems if I do this I'm more likely to get pieces done and in a way that I'm pleased with.
I've been reflecting this year on being a quilter. I've learned a few things are you ready for this?
I've got to be patient, particularly when learning new techniques.
There is always a learning curve. What comes naturally to one quilter will boggle the mind of another quilter for ages.
Being a self-taught quilter has it's benefits and it's challenges.
I get to learn from my own mistakes (benefit?), and I learn my own bad habits (challenge) or perspectively speaking I don't learn other folks bad habits and develop my own skills as a quilter.
Taking a class is a good thing.
I took a class on machine quilting at the Quilters Heritage Celebration in April and wow, just a few changes and I'm off and running in a slightly different direction.
I can't be a good teacher unless I'm a good student.
Whether I'm teaching myself or teaching others I still need to be a good student.
I'm a quilter.
Oh how that little statement has given me the freedom to discover more about quilting and who I am as a quilter. I've come to the decision that it's just great for me to limit my "hobbies" to quilting and explore the dimensions of what that means and who I am in relation to that statement. There are so many wonderful things to get involved in, knitting, crocheting, needle punch and the list goes on. I want to be a quilter. That's it!
In that regard I'm happy that there have been so many people who have blazed amazing trails to where we are now in the quilting world. And to you, a heartfelt thanks for your generosity and may I add to the legacy you've left by being a quilter.
Happy Quilting!
Teri
On that note my desire is to give myself a shorter time limit on getting things accomplished. It seems if I do this I'm more likely to get pieces done and in a way that I'm pleased with.
I've been reflecting this year on being a quilter. I've learned a few things are you ready for this?
I've got to be patient, particularly when learning new techniques.
There is always a learning curve. What comes naturally to one quilter will boggle the mind of another quilter for ages.
Being a self-taught quilter has it's benefits and it's challenges.
I get to learn from my own mistakes (benefit?), and I learn my own bad habits (challenge) or perspectively speaking I don't learn other folks bad habits and develop my own skills as a quilter.
Taking a class is a good thing.
I took a class on machine quilting at the Quilters Heritage Celebration in April and wow, just a few changes and I'm off and running in a slightly different direction.
I can't be a good teacher unless I'm a good student.
Whether I'm teaching myself or teaching others I still need to be a good student.
I'm a quilter.
Oh how that little statement has given me the freedom to discover more about quilting and who I am as a quilter. I've come to the decision that it's just great for me to limit my "hobbies" to quilting and explore the dimensions of what that means and who I am in relation to that statement. There are so many wonderful things to get involved in, knitting, crocheting, needle punch and the list goes on. I want to be a quilter. That's it!
In that regard I'm happy that there have been so many people who have blazed amazing trails to where we are now in the quilting world. And to you, a heartfelt thanks for your generosity and may I add to the legacy you've left by being a quilter.
Happy Quilting!
Teri
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