A Monday Off

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in Canada!!! I know Smudge and Lester are enjoying some turkey bits today.
Well my three-day weekend is nearing an end (it's Columbus day and government workers have the day off). I didn't get as much done this weekend as I wanted to (weekends are never long enough...).

Halloween season officially started here at Chez Stella Bella with an annual viewing of one of my favorite movies Tim Burton's Sleepy Hallow.  We also watched Martha Stewart's Halloween special. I wish I had the time and supplies (and staff.....) to do everything on her Halloween Central website. 

Today, Edgar Poe and Stella went to the vet for their annual check up.  They were not happy but did check out all healthy.  For being good kitties, they did get treats and just to make it fair, Morpheus and Gomez got treats too.

I'm a little over halfway through sewing rows together for this year's Halloween quilt.  I had hoped to show a finished top today but here's Stella with a little look-see. 

Glory Bound is Bound and Gifted

Here is Glory Bound completely done and ready to send on it's happy way as a Hanukkah gift. It's for a family that doesn't have a quilt in their house yet. Isn't it exciting! Hope they like it...
The backing and binding was from my stash and the kit was from Silver Thimble Quilt club.
Pattern is "Glory Bound" by Bonnie Blue Quilts.

A Finish for April

Hooray a finished top for April! This is the Gypsy Rose quilt I worked on earlier in the month. The pattern called for a larger outer border but I decided not to put it on (1) because the fabric I bought just wasn't working for me and (2) sometimes I get tired of the small inner border/larger outer border look. I liked the quilt like this so this is what it is. I had enough of the fabric I bought for the outer border to use as a backing (it's a small quilt about 45 X 62) and now it's ready to go to my long-arm quilter Peggy (along with 50-11 other tops...). I think I will take three to her; the others being my Mardi Gras quilt (aka Bonnie Hunter's Orange Crush) and E's flannel quilt (now that it is 80 degrees out...). Melisa helped me pick out border fabric for my Mardi Gras quilt at Sweet Home Quilt Co. so hopefully I will have that done by the end of the month.

PS: Check out Becky's blog for her 150th post giveaway!

Pie and Applique (my parent's visit part 2)

While me and mom had fun shopping and talking about quilt projects and planning new quilt projects. Dad was busy with a list of projects and repairs on my house (it was only 7 items!). My dad can fix just about anything, which is great because my house needed some help. My dad's favorite dessert is chocolate pie so here is his "payment" (one homemade chocolate pie with homemade crust too).

For all the work he has done on my house, I owe him approximately 128,792 chocolate pies. Only 128,791 more to go....

Here is my mom's first applique quilt. I tease her about always starting with the hardest possible project--can you believe it, a Baltimore album!

I ended up taking the week off from Starbucks and then took off last Thursday and Friday from day job too. We sewed all day on Thursday and mom sewed her applique blocks and sashing together. I think the quilt turned out great!

Is it really Sunday evening???

Where did my weekend go? Not much happened around here this week and I was so looking forward to getting a lot done this weekend. Of course weekend days somehow are much shorter than week days (I think week days seem to be about 34 hours long and weekend days about 14 hours long don't you?)

I did get some sewing time in and finished the top and backing for E.'s flannel quilt. It is a BIG quilt (for me--about 72 X 93") and I have no where in the house to lay it out flat so here it is folded up. It is all ready to go to my long arm quilter once she gets back from Florida.

I also worked on Bonnie Hunter's Orange Crush (aka my Mardi Gras quilt). I was farther along than I remembered and finished up the 30 spinning star blocks. I have to square up the pieced part of the album blocks and get those sewed together. Maybe I will finish it up by the end of the month.

This quilt is a lot of fun to make and I'm using all stash except for the main yellow.

The new "Irish Quilting" magazine I ordered from Pat Sloan's website came in the mail. It's a really great magazine with lots of projects I would like to make someday. Although I need another magazine subscription like I need a hole in my head, I may check out the subscription price....

It's a Beautiful Day!!!

Today has been an incredible, momentous day. I took a personal day to stay home and watch the Inauguration with S. (and the cats--who napped through most of it). What an amazing day!

(photo courtesy of CNN.com) No matter who you voted for, you have got to be proud of our country seeing millions of people cheering and smiling. It was fun seeing all the places I visited just a couple of weeks ago. In honor of a day staying home, watching TV, and staying wrapped up in quilts (it's freezing here in the ATL), I brought out some special coffee.

Pike Place Special Reserve that you can only get at the original Starbucks in Pike Place in Seattle. This is some awesome coffee. A nice bold roast, great for celebrating.

I also enjoyed some time sewing while watching the Inaugural parade. I finished the top for my Valentine's Day table topper. The pattern is "Holiday Charm" by Bloom Creek. The fabric is Moda from a year (or two?) ago.

I hope I'll get this quilted and on the table before next month. I am now working on the borders for E.'s flannel quilt and hope to get that finished this week.

PS: check out the new White House website. Very cool! And with a blog too!

Three Day Weekend

I love three day weekends. I get to fit in quilting, working at Starbucks, a couple of naps, some shopping, some cooking, movie watching, and errands as well as the usual laundry, vacuuming etc.

Saturday was our first official Silver Thimble Quilt Club meeting (Karin and Pat both have photos on their blogs. I worked on a Valentine's Day table topper (which I hope to finish up and post tomorrow). Kristie worked on one of her (hundreds?) of BOMs (she does absolutely beautiful work!).

Sunday was Starbucks/Whole Foods/cooking/naptime/movie watching day. I made an herbed pork loin roast, steamed broccoli, and Parker House rolls (I buy a big roast to last for several dinners and just change the veggies each night). S., E., and I watched Appaloosa (a good Western but not as good as Unforgiven). I finished sewing the binding on my Vintage Charm quilt (fabric line is Roman Holiday by Moda).

Here is a detail of the backing fabric, which is just yummy and the fabulous job Peggy did on the longarm quilting.

Today, I took Gomez (aka Gomez Megabux) to the vet for his check up. He is A-OK and complained the whole time as usual. I dropped him off, grabbed my Bad Melisa bag and went to Sweet Home Quilt Co. to see what was left after Becky and Karin's recent visit. Lo and behold, Kristie was there with her own stack of goodies. I picked up a couple of goodies too.

A jelly roll (of course) to make yet another project from the book Jelly Roll Quilts (the fabric line is Flag Day Farm by Moda) and a Moda Honey Bun (40 - 1 1/2" strips) from the Hello Betty line (really neat 1940s colors) and pattern. I can't wait to get started on these projects! Just as soon as I finish a couple of UFOs.

Christmas at Starbucks

Hope everyone is having a great holiday! I worked an 8 hour shift today at SBux. Wow were we busy!!!! You would think no one had anywhere else to go or anything else to do--they all came to our store. This is my 7th (!) Christmas working at SBux. It's actually a lot of fun. Most people are in a good mood (today there were 3 unnecessarily rude people. Please! Just for once don't take your issues out on service workers!!!!!) and our regular customers bring us goodies. We all make the best of it (by having LOTS of espresso and candy and cookies). I even wore a Santa hat all day (my mom is gonna faint). I'm usually not so festive...

Here is the secret projects I was working on:

A reproduction pink & brown quilt for my mom.

And a flannel quilt with sled dogs and polar bears for dad & Shiloh (the Princess Alaskan Malamute).

Well I am off to relax with the cats and watch movies or perhaps take a nap.

Three Quilt Photos

Today is a state/fed. holiday (Columbus Day) and also Canada's Thanksgiving--Happy Thanksgiving Canada!! I have three--count them three-- quilt photos today. How did I spend my weekend? Finishing binding and borders. Here is my finished "Peace in the Valley" (pattern by Silver Thimble Quilt Co.)

And here are two quilts from my favorite quilt book "Jelly Roll Quilts"

the completed "Prairie Pailey Peer Pressure" quilt (pattern is "Garden Trellis" in the book and

the complete top for "Civil War Nine Patch" made from Moda's Heritage and some stash. For some reason these photos are kinda blurry--either my quilt-holder-upper or I have had too much coffee today, take your pick.

If you have been following this blog, you know that Karin and I are making just about every quilt in the "Jelly Roll Quilts" book and have convinced every quilter we know to buy the book and join us too. Well check out this blog for a sneak preview of their new book. Karin--we have until March to finish up this book so we can be ready for the next LOL!!!!

Michelle has reminded me that it's time to get busy on Christmas gifts so I also started that this weekend. Can't show photos of those!

Labor Day

Well it's nearing the end of a long holiday weekend. I am relieved that Hurricane Gustav didn't hit New Orleans and hopefully it won't do much damage in Louisiana. Now hurricanes Hannah and Ike are headed toward Florida and I expect we will get lots of rain here in Georgia from those later this week.

I didn't get as much done this long weekend as I thought I would. I did get lots of sleep though, which was the important thing. The cats got lots of sleep too...
Morpheus must have had a hard day being a kitty since he is deep in sleep. What exactly is so hard about being a kitty??? Eat, sleep, get attention, sleep, eat, sleep, get attention, play with toys, sleep, repeat.
Here is Morph looking irritated that I woke him up (hee hee).

I didn't get much done quilting-wise this weekend. I did a lot of housecleaning (yuck--but necessary). Saturday, I went to Sweet Home Quilt Co. to pick up the new "Quilt Sampler" magazine. Thanks to Melisa, I got one of the last 2 issues!
and a new ruler and a new jelly roll (Heritage by Moda).

Here is the current jelly roll quilt I am working on called "Sparkling Gemstones" in the book Jelly Roll Quilts. It is made from 2 20-strip Kaffe Fasset jelly rolls from Intown Quilters. I am about halfway done putting the rows together and will finish it next weekend.

Sewing Sunday

I am really enjoying my three day weekend off of Sbux--no getting up at 5:30AM on Sunday woo hoo! Yesterday's sewing group was tons of fun--I took my camera and then forgot to take photos. It was great catching up with everyone; I think I did more visiting than sewing. I started on another jelly roll quilt out of the book Jelly Roll Quilts. I hope Amanda lets her LQS (The Quilt Room) owners know that every quilter in metro ATL has this book or is getting this book LOL!

I also made this table runner yesterday--really quick and takes one charm pack.

The fabric is "Winter" by Moda.

I also made this bag last night while watching the Olympics.

Also used a Moda charm pack. I'm calling this my "Bad Melisa" bag and using it for Sweet Home Quilt Co. trips.

I reluctantly took a break from sewing today to do some house cleaning. The cats enjoying watching the whole sweep--Swifter--mop triathlon event but not the individual vacuuming finals.

(Note: using Olympic terminology for chores doesn't make it any more fun)

I mentioned on Friday's post that I was looking forward to reading the Sunday NY Times. Look who has a huge article in the Arts and Leisure section. It was so nice of those folks at the Times to have one of the cutest and funniest men in the world in today's paper.

I *heart* Jon Stewart. OK off to do more sewing!

Living it up in the ATL

Oooo I'm so excited, I'm doing a happy dance. I have all weekend off from Sbux so I am going to really live it up and sew all weekend. I also plan on leisurely reading the NY Times on Sunday and hang out with the cats. Ha ha--do I know how to party or what? Tomorrow is my sewing group so I get to find out how all my teacher friends are doing on their first week back to school (y'all have been quiet in blogland!!!), and find out how many more quilts Karin finished this week.

When I got home from work, I finished sewing the rows together on my "Firecracker" quilt and gathered stuff up for tomorrow. Here's the quilt without borders (I have to wait for the yardage to appear at Sweet Home Quilt Co).

The quilt is really not a trapezoid--it's twin size so hard to photograph well. And that's not a cat applique--that's Gomez (Mega-bux). I think he is making sure the points match...

Stella couldn't be left out. She is so cute you just can't stand it!

I love how this quilt is coming along. It's 2 charm packs (Moda's Civil War Crossing), a new Little Quilts shirting for the background, and 2 accent fabrics. S. noticed that it was 1800s repro fabric in a contemporary setting (scary--he's been around quilting too long!) Next up is another jelly roll quilt. I'll post progress later this weekend.

Edgar Poe says "a half-yard of fabric covered with cat hair coming right up". Gee thanks Edgar!

A Quilt and A Cat

Not much happening around here. I'm looking forward to another weekend of sewing. Hurry up Saturday!!! The three quilts I took to my long arm quilter are ready to pick up so I know I'll be sewing some miles and miles of binding.

Here's a quilt I made a number of years ago and it's one of my favorites. I love the cheery 1940s colors.

Here's Edgar Poe looking so sweet and innocent (look fast he doesn't stay that way for long--he usually is either getting into trouble or thinking about getting into trouble....)

Keeping up with Karin

My good friend Karin is cruising through the quilts this year. Her goal is to finish 20 in 2008 and she is already up to 17!!! I am afraid she is going to run out of fabric if she keeps up this pace.

I got to spend a lot of time doing quilty things this weekend. Friday, I took my truck (her name is Xena) in for maintenance. Xena is very happy and is running great (and she better 'cause it was ex--pen--sive). I took at little (ahem) detour on the way home (20 miles) to go to Sweet Home Quilt Co. for a little look-see. I was good and only bought about a yard of fabric, my stitchery BOM, and the new "Quilters' Travel Companion" (not that anyone can afford gas to go shop hopping but it's fun to look through).

Yesterday, I finished up the top for "Peace in the Valley" except for the borders.

(yes it is straight and not wavy, my quilt holder-uper person is new to holding quilts). The quilt is kinda growing on me; it's really not my colors but it's for a gift and I hope it's OK. I need to consult with the "sisters" at my next sewing group meeting for advice on borders. I have 2 options and am undecided.

The cats were a tremendous help yesterday. Here is Stella showing you why I always lock the blade on rotary cutters.

Here is Morpheus helping to lay out and rearrange blocks.

Here is the finished quilt (didn't Morph do a good job arranging blocks?)

This log cabin is a kit from 2005 (!!! wow aged reproduction fabric) that I ordered from Homestead Hearth. Don't remember why I ordered it... I love Homestead's website!! This would be one dangerous shop if I ever went there in person. I am anxiously waiting for this stitchery BOM to come in the mail (not that I need another project but it was Halloween and I couldn't resist).

So I'm off to do some chores (quickly) and find another project.

Prairie Paisley Peer Pressure

After seeing the great quilts being made with Moda's Prairie Paisley line (on Michelle's blog not one but two projects, on Vicky's blog her nearly completed quilt with some gorgeous applique, and Kristie's Chippewa Nine Patch quilt [she doesn't have a photo on her blog but here is the pattern])

I decided that I *had* to start my project with this fab fabric. I finished the top this afternoon and pieced the back.

Here's a detail

The pattern is "Garden Trellis" from my new favorite quilt book "Jelly Roll Quilts" (if I ever get to England I'm definitely going by their shop and telling them thanks (????) for making me want to make 17 more quilts). Yea! Another quilt top finished. My new goal is to finish the projects stacked up on my sewing table so I can actually find the bottom of it. Wish me luck!

. Here's a photo of Gomez Mega-bux hard at work overseeing the quilt making this afternoon. Stella on the other hand....

well you can see for yourself what she was busy doing.

Another finished quilt

Here's the quilt top I finished yesterday. The pattern is "Vintage Charm" from "Quilts and More" (Summer 2007) magazine. I love this fabric line (Roman Holiday by Moda), especially the "spa" blue color that was so "in" last year along with chocolate brown.
This is one of the UFOs I forgot I had.


Here's Stella inspecting the quilt. She is always the first cat to jump on a quilt, quilt blocks, or a piece of fabric. She rarely holds still so the photo is kind of blurry.

This quilt is what I call a "Melisa Special" (which I'm sure Karin has 2 to 20 of....). A Melisa Special is when a quilter goes to Sweet Home Quilt Co. not intending to buy anything and then sees all the fabulous new Moda fabric there and just *has* to figure out a project for the fabric. Be especially careful of the charm squares, jelly rolls, and layer cakes there, they will get you everytime....Ask me how I know--I have a basket full of them. Better be safe and stock up on charm square patterns...lots and lots of charm square patterns.

I was reading all my favorite blogs today and loved the photos on Michelle's blog . Check it out for a great photo of Mt. Rainier, a weather report from a heat wave in Washington State (I think I'd still rather be there in 90 degree weather than here....), and a really great quilt (made with charm squares).

I have another super-busy week this week but will try to fit in a post every other day or so.

Back from Retreat

I have returned from fun and sewing for four days. The Wi-Fi out in the boondocks didn't work well with my laptop so I couldn't post. It was a great retreat! As Pat says we just "sewed our brains out." Very quiet and relaxing and we all just worked on UFOs. I got three, count them 3, quilt tops done. Woo Hoo! And I worked on Steps 2 & 3 of the OC mystery quilt (not quite done with that and Step 4 is ready already...)


On Thursday, I *had* to stop by Sweet Home Quilt Co. to visit Melisa and see what was new. I ended up buying (gasp) 8 yards of fabric. But in my (weak) defense, I used 15.75 yards of fabric in my 3 quilt tops so I think that's pretty good.


I know, I know, y'all just want photos so here are two of the tops finished:


This is from the book 40 Fabulous Quick Cut Quilts. I love love love this quilt. All the fabric came from my stash, no new fabric was purchased for this quilt. I can't believe how much 19th-century reproduction fabric I have.



This quilt was a kit from Sweet Home, except for the borders. I was hesitant about the addition of blue dots but I think it adds a little pizazz to the quilt. This quilt is kind of out of the box for me but I loved the lime green. Makes me think of margaritas.

I don't have a photo of the third quilt as I finished the last seams at the very end of the retreat today. Now it's back to working working working. I am so glad I got to spend some time with friends quilting. This is exactly what I needed after the past few months. More photos later...

Forbidden Jelly Roll

Well my Bernina came back from the shop working fine and whatever was wrong with it was covered under warranty so I just had to pay for the cleaning (yea!). I immediately cranked it up and put the pedal to the floor working on a UFO and then....

there it was...

sitting on my sewing table so innocently...

the new Moda jelly roll....

the beautiful cheery ZaZa line....

but I was resolved to work on my UFO (even though it was going badly and I had to unsew and I was getting frustrated)...

there it was so cute and new....

the forbidden New Project...

I felt like Homer Simpson in the Treehouse of Horror IV and his forbidden donut

it was the forbidden jelly roll...

my fingers itched to cut into new fabric.....

must resist...

Whew! now that I got that out of my system, I'm back to working only on UFOs. NO NEW PROJECTS!!!

P.S. This is a great quick quilt from the pattern "Strip Search" by G.E. Designs and none of the points match on purpose! I am naming my quilt "Sleep Deprivation" because it reminds me of all the great ideas I have when I'm really sleep deprived and they never quite connect LOL!

One UFO done

Yea! Finished a quilt top

The pattern is called "Road to Romance" by my friend and quilt designer Pat Wys (see the pattern and the quilt made in 1930s prints here: http://silverthimblequilt.com/ and check out her other designs too). I started this quilt in 2007 and the focus fabric is a special dogwood-patterned batik that was printed for the 2007 Atlanta Shop Hop. This quilt makes me think of Ireland since it's so bright and green. Here's a detail.

Worked on another UFO (from 2006) at our sewing group on Saturday. Great day sewing with Karin and Becky. My decision on which quilt to work on went like this: pick up nearest bag off the floor of the sewing room and take it with you LOL! I think I'm going to pick projects this way and maybe at some point it will work up to: pick any project from on(e of several big plastic bins (as soon as I get the ones off the floor done). How's that for a plan????

Also worked on step 1 of the Orange Crush mystery quilt. Karin is way ahead of me and has her 4-patches done. I have some 2-patches and am really glad we have more time for this step. I am jealous of Becky having Spring break and time for quilting and blogging this week. I expect grand things from her LOL!!!!

On Friday, I took 2 cats to the vet. Morpheus went for his annual shots and geriatric blood tests. He is doing good and lost a little weight (which we all need to do here at chez crazy cat lady....) Also took Morticia, who now has a large lump on the side of her nose near her eye. The vet is very concerned about it and I am taking her in on Wednesday for anesthesia, X-rays, and testing. Probably not good and that is what I am expecting. Will post an update when I know something.

Reviews of books and movies I finished over the weekend in another post. It's time to watch John Adams on HBO (yes I am a history geek!)

Stella's Quilt

It's been a really hectic and exhausting week so I'm behind on posting. I finally finished the binding on this quilt (and finally took photos to post). That's Morph enjoying the sunshine.

I made it as a sample for our sewing group at the LQS. The pattern is "Honeyberries" from 40 Fabulous Quick Cut Quilts. It was a really fun quilt to make. It is now Stella's quilt since it matches her fur. A big quilt for a little cat who has a BIG personality.