Roscoe's Ma

I bought these yummies from my LQS.

I am anxious to start using them.  Here is my inspiration from the December/January 2009 issue of Quilt Magazine:

Here are the pressed fronts, backs and bindings for Quilt #1 and Quilt #2. 


Now they need sandwiched and quilted.  I think I have a quilting plan, but I am waiting while I decide what to do about my machine.

I love my machine...a 25 year old Bernina 1230.  But it has started to act old lately (just like me!  LOL!)  I recently had it tuned up and it's still doing some funny things (again...just like me!)  Roscoe's Pa told me to look at new machines.  Yes, he really said that.  I am taking it seriously!!!  So I don't want to quilt these quilts until I make a decision about whether or not I am going to get a new machine.  I want to go look at the new Bernina 550QE, which has a moderately extended free arm to the right of the needle...more room for quilting.   I am now in my 60's.  If I get a new machine, it might be my last machine.  Lots of pressure here to a make a good decision!

My sewing for yesterday can be summed up with this picture:


On a cheerier note, I received this in the mail on Thursday from Hawthorne Threads:


It is for my next project which has a Christmas due date!

My good friend Sandy visited me recently from Arizona.  She brought me some little quilting gifts as she knows I am possessed by quilting!  The first item is:

I didn't think it would be possible to like Quilt #2 as much as I like Quilt #1.  But I do!  This is my first preview.  I already see a couple of places I need to tweak but I am really amazed that the orange version pleases me this much!

Alissa at Handmade by Alissa recently held her 2nd annual fundraiser recently for Action Kivu, a wonderful nonprofit that helps women who are victims of the conflict in Eastern Congo by teaching them to sew.  The fundraiser raised $15,135 this year!!!

I participated in the giveaway and was the winner of this:

 
And a signed copy of this:

I have sewn and pressed the blocks for Quilt #2.  Next step is to move them to the design wall.

The top, the backing, and the pieced border are finished for the quilt I have been working on and sharing with you these past two weeks.  I forgot to photograph them before I put them away.  I will sandwich, quilt, bind and show you Quilt #1 at a later date.

Now I have begun the second colorway for the fussy cut Aboriginal fabrics that I have shown you previously here.


Quilt #2 with orange Kangaroo Fan fabric will take on a different look from #1 with the Aboriginals framed in Kona Black. 

This will give you a better idea of where I am headed with this quilt.  I am ready to sew the blocks together.  I love how the black colorway makes the blocks seem to sparkle.  The next decision is...border or no border?

My daughter-in-law asked me what I wanted for my birthday.  I had recently seen this gadget in a Keepsake Quilting catalog.  Voila!   Thanks, Kelli (and the gang)!



Since my Bernina walking foot doesn't have a slot to attach a seam guide, I really wanted to give this a try.


I won't lie.  It's a bear to install this contraption on my walking foot.  But once it's on, it fits my machine quite nicely.  It's now awaiting a project to see how well it really works.

I chose black to outline as my first outline color choice.   It really sets off the colors in the prints.

Here are some photos of colors I am considering to add to the individual quilts.

Kangaroo Fan in Orange

Kona Ash

Kona Black

Here are the centers of the blocks for the two quilts. Doesn't look like much yet, does it?!?