February - Part One

February began with me still trying to get the holiday stuff put away.  The only thing left was the pre-lit tree.  We have squished it back in the box before only to find lots of lights out the following year.  Last year it stood in our garage wrapped up in a sheet.  I knew I wanted to make a bag of some sort to store the tree in and here is what I came up with.

It seemed like, and actually is, the biggest canvas bag I have ever made.

It contains a zipper up the front and several handles for ease of transport to the garage.  I reinforced the bottom with duct tape circles to prevent the stand from breaking through.

All in all I am very happy with the results.

Making progress,

Mrs. Rice

Ta - done!!

     

   

 

Finished, wrapped, in Chicago, and probably being delivered as I write this!  Between the busy, bright prints of Dr. Seuss and chasing thunderstorms, it was really difficult to get a good picture!  The pattern, A Perfect Ten, can be found here.  I've used this pattern on several occasions, its a great way to showcase large prints.

Later, 

Vickie

Quick update...

Just a little sampling of what followed me home from the AQS Show in Paducah.  Mrs.Rice and I had a whirlwind trip!  We saw amazing and inspirational quilts, purchased many wonderful fabrics and patterns, and enjoyed the company of quilters.  I would love to show you more, but this is going to Chicago tomorrow and needs to have the binding finished...

Later,
Vickie

Two Machines

Hi, there!  It's not that I haven't been doing anything sewing related lately.  I just haven't been blogging about it.  I'll try to catch up.  In February I searched in the attic until I found my old sewing machine.

It is a Singer 15-91 from 1950 and has a beautiful bentwood case.  It used to be my mother's and I learned to sew on it.

 

I got it cleaned up, oiled and lubed.  Now I just have to get the nerve to try sewing on it.

Also in February I was gifted with another Singer sewing machine.  This one has its own cabinet.  It is a Singer 306K from 1954.

As you can see, it needs a bit of cleaning up

and is missing a few parts.

I'll let you know if and when I get it functioning.

Next time I'll share my sewing from February.

Mrs. Rice

handwork...

Waiting room sewing...

a good way to pass the time.

Vickie

Productive...

Rainy day sewing.  

Details to follow,

Vickie

Speechless...

Does this ever happen to you??
Vickie

Gifted...

This is a gift for my youngest son's girlfriend.  I had intended to have it finished before she went on Spring Break, however, my sewing machine had a different plan.  Better late than never! The pattern is from Quiltsmart, The Mondo Bag.  Mondo, huge, ginormous, gigunda, whatever you call it, it is LARGE!                            

My neighbor was kind enough to model it so you get an idea of the sheer size of this bag!!

Later,

Vickie

Just a little detour...

I don't want you to think that I am so focused on the Postage Stamp quilt that I haven't worked on anything else...

The weather has been so enjoyable that I have worked on this while sitting outside with the dogs.  The hexagons finish at  1 1/2 inches, Kaffe's with shot cotton centers, set with Kona Espresso.

Of course, this afternoon I finished up the last of the strip sets for the Postage Stamp. Only had to sew 82 sets.  Now to just to cut them!

Vickie

Current Obsession

Thought I would start a small project to become familiar with this.

A Postage Stamp seemed like a good idea.

Of course, I decided to go big!

I am making 64 patches that will finish at 8 inches, the quilt will finish at 72x72.  I figure I am a little over half way.  I have a self imposed deadline of April 30.  No problem!!

Vickie

I'm Back!!

I'm back...been awhile. New year, new computer, new resolve.  I had two finishes in January, yes, just binding, but finishes all the same!  The first was a Curved Log Cabin by Blue Underground Studios.

I am quite pleased with the outcome.  The solid is Kona Parsley and the prints came from my stash of Kaffe's.

 

My next finish had actually been waiting for binding for quite some time.  It is based on a pattern by Country Threads.  We have 2 Yellow Labs, Gus & Lucy.  We lost Max, a black Miniature Schnauzer, in January of 2011.  He was 17 years old and magnificent in every way!  Max did a nice job training Gus and Lucy!  I changed two of the dogs on the pattern to look more like our Labs, and added Max.  I think it is perfect...like my dogs!

See you soon...really.

Vickie

Hearts to you

Hi there.  Happy Valentine's Day.  Here's a little heart for you and a tiny bit of an antique block of mine.

I hope you are having a great day.

Wishing you progress,

Mrs. Rice

Belated

Well, I got busy yesterday and finished the project I was talking about.  Here is my ta-dah!  It is quite a belated Christmas gift for Vickie!

I sure hope she likes it.  Oh wait, I think she does.  She has seen it in progress.

It is made from a Heather Bailey pattern that can be found here.

I like it so much I think I will be making another...with a camera pocket.

Wishing you progress,

Mrs. Rice

Weekend shopping

Hey there!  It's been a couple weeks since the last post.  So as to not slip back into the two month cycle I've decided to post a quick one here.  I have been working on a project that is so close but not quite ready for the ta-dah moment.  In the mean time I thought I'd share what I picked up at a local quilt shop.

In honor of the Super Bowl they had a sale which included 75% off all fabric in the clearance room.  I can see these destined to become backgrounds, backings, sashings, and bindings in the near future.  Watch for them.

And I'll leave you with a peek at a recent non-quilting finish. 

I really did make two of these so I have a pair.  I wear them frequently and am working on a coordinating scarf.

Wishing you progress,

Mrs. Rice

New year, new word

Hi, I'm back.  It seems to be two months again since the last post.  Not good.  With the new year I have decided to reassess what I'd like to accomplish with this blog.  I don't really make resolutions but I have started selecting a word for the year each year.  Last year's word was FEARLESS.  I feel it was a successful one since I was able to start this blog with Vickie and was able to get back to the machine quilting I love with confidence and complete the house quilt.

This year's word is DILIGENCE.

I especially like the definition I have printed with my word.  It speaks to me for all aspects of my life.  So today I am applying my word to my blogging.  My goal this year is to have shorter, more frequent posts with lots of pictures to keep your interest.  Looking back on all the things that I accomplished last year I have discovered that lots of my projects seem to be gifts, knitting, crafting other than quilting, and of course, quilting.  Lots (most) of these did not come out of my number jars.  I have not shared most of them for this reason.  If you don't mind, in the future I will be posting all my projects.

Ok.  Enough words.  Let's get to some pictures.

My most recent finished project.

A hat for the new baby of the daughter of a friend.

You can find the pattern in this wonderful book.

And going way back to October I made this veil for CJ.

And now in the effort to remember my own goal, I will leave you with that and post more later, and by "later" I mean soon.

~Mrs. Rice