~ Gruber's Revisited ~

Last week, I pulled out my purchases from my retreat at Gruber's this past summer. As I tend to be very cheap frugal, I did not buy too much (big mistake).  I quite honestly didn't think about my purchases very much, just grabbed a Comfort of Psalms panel and some fat quarters I thought would look "nice."  I don't really have that "shopping gene," and I don't really have an eye for fabric.

Well...boy did I ever learn something about myself. I DO have that shopping gene...it's just been well hidden. When I pulled out the "nice" fabric I had purchased, I just about died!!! First of all, It.Is.Gorgeous!!!! Secondly, I needed wanted MORE!!! I went online searching desperately for the line...FloraLane by Laura Bellinger for Marcus Fabrics. (I can, and have, repeated this in my sleep, many, many times). Unfortunately, I could not find it anywhere. I even went to Gruber's online store...no luck.  I was almost literally sick!!!  I was telling my friend at the LQS about my tragedy, and she suggested that I call Gruber's, as they cannot possibly put everything in their store on their website. Thank goodness for her wisdom!!! I called, they had it, I ordered it (without a thought as to whether I really needed to be making a purchase right now), and it arrived yesterday...

Oh, my GOODNESS, how I love it!!!!! And, as I told my sister, I CAN be passionate about fabric (another gene I thought was missing, which is NOT good for a quilter)!!!!

I also purchased a Gruber's mug, which I had really wanted, but again, too cheap to buy...

...which was perfect timing as today is National Coffee Day :-)

Have a great day!!

~ Michelle ~

~ Three Firsts ~

~ First mini quilt ~

~ First "holiday quilt ~

~ First time quilting without a pattern ~

Not too bad for three firsts; however, I'm not happy at all with the outer squares. But that's okay...I am already looking forward to tomorrow night and trying another one :-)

~ Michelle ~

~ Oh, The Possibilities... ~

There was no quilting in my house this weekend. I received a package from my sister (yes, I know, further confirmation that she spoils me), and I spent most of my time oohing and ahhing over all the wonderful goodies she sent me and planning for new quilts.

LOVE these charm packs!!



6 inch squares, and...





...lots of 2 inch squares





THIS I have plans for...





Beautiful Christmas prints





What every quilter needs ;-)


I can't wait to get started!!!

Have a great week :)

~ Michelle ~

 

~ Autumn 121 ~

I finally finished my husband's birthday quilt. Never mind that his birthday was in July. I guess I have fallen behind in many things :)

I decided to continue developing my skills in FMQ. I have read in most blogs that one should chose a thread color to compliment or match the quilt backing. So, I first selected a dark brown thread. I wasn't too pleased with the results...



 Perhaps it showed too clearly my inexperience in stippling. So, I switched to a lighter thread, which I was much happier with...

During my quilting, Devlin (of course) was right in the middle of things...

Out of desperation, I pulled out a quilt just for him...yes, he is as spoiled as I am :)

I do think, however, that Devlin was quite pleased with my efforts...

...as was my husband :-)

Have a great day!!

~ Michelle ~

~ Decisions, Decisions ~

After completing my first week back at work, I was finally able to get back to working on my husband’s quilt. I have to admit, I have been totally and completely frustrated with how the quilt is coming along. Midweek, I decided to give up and start another quilt for my husband!! Fortunately, I wasn’t able to do much quilting this past week, but was able to do a lot of stewing thinking. After much reflection (I still hate the word, but find the process very useful), and a pep talk from my sister, I realized that, yes, I CAN do this!!  So, I got back to what I have the most difficulty with…squaring the blocks…all 121 of them. I’m about half way through with this and thinking about how I want to lay out the blocks for the quilt. The pattern gives 4 possible layouts. While my husband was outside grilling, I quickly laid out the blocks in the different patterns and snapped pictures…

I'm going to have so many colors to place just right. Before starting the quilt, I had chosen which layout I was going to use. But now, well I’m just not sure. I love all of them!!! At least I have a little more time to make a decision J

Have a great week!!

~ Michelle ~

~ On a different page ~

My "frustration" and I are on a different page this evening.

Devlin's plans ...working on Glen's quilt...

My plans...

~ Michelle ~

~ Manic Monday ~

Today I returned to work after my almost entire summer vacation. I seem to remember summer vacations being much longer as a kid!!! Anyway...being the prepared, slightly OCD SLP that I am, I arrived with my husband's hand truck ready to rearrange my therapy room (a skill that, as mentioned by my sister, runs in the family). 

It took a little longer than I expected, as I had to first remove furniture that was mistakenly placed in my room before I could get to my "stuff." But, no worries!!! The first day back is always exciting, bumps and all.

Having had a successful, if a little back breaking, day at work, I am looking forward to continuing working on my husband's quilt. Sunday I was able to finish making the blocks, save for setting and pressing the seams. As I am working on improving my techniques with quilting, I am trying really, really hard to press seams and not iron the crap out of them!!! But, I was not happy with how the material was laying. So, taking the advice of my sister, I pulled out my Best Press and got busy pressing. The blocks are really looking good!!!

I only got about 1/3 of the way through, but I plan on finishing tonight during the Braves' game.

Have a great week!
~ Michelle ~