Workshop, yoyos and animals

Saturday I had fun with the Spirited Quilter's bunch and Pat Wys. Pat has a book out (pictured), and we worked on making the cover quilt.  I love it. Love, love, love it!

If you are a Silver Thimble Club (Pat Wys' club) member, you may have seen me working on un-sewing some yo-yos a friend of mine made.  I gave the fabric back to her, all ironed flat, along with a Clover yo-yo maker, and we had a little lesson. Now she makes perfect yo-yos every time and she made this lovely pillow (above).  Good work Sarah!

I had a doctor visit on Friday at which he pronounced my cowboy boots unfit apparel for my feet.  He wants me to wear only tennis shoes.  I bought "comfort shoes" to wear to work as I can't seem to wrap my mind around wearing tennis shoes all day unless I am on a tennis court. (but that's just me)

Joey is getting too big for my lap.  His cuddly baby kitty days are over.  He likes to explore and play out big adventures.

The boys (below) are getting old, so they just chill most of the time.

That's okay by Joey.

Friday Evening at Thimbles

Pat Wys is the heart of Silver Thimble Quilt Club.

This is not her quilt (though I'm sure she would run off with it if there were not so many witnesses in the room); we let her hold it because her shirt matched.  Pat's book, a Martingale publication, will be out soon.   Can't wait! Can't wait!  I feel like a kid with "are we there yet" anticipation.


Even though I got to Thimbles really late in evening, I got to see some amazing work by the other women.  Karin (Life in the Slow Lane) has been working on a quilt using Lilac Hill (Brannock & Patek).  I was blown away by how beautiful it is.  When he saw the picture my husband loved the quilt.  And I have to tell you, quilts are not his thing (tragic but true!). I can't wait for Mom to see it.  I'll call her as soon as I get this posted.

See? See what I mean?  Gorgeous.

I hate to post a picture when I don't have information to credit the quilt-maker, but I love the neutral colors in this pine tree quilt. The background fabric is delicious.

And this is one of Sarah's (previously wrongly credited-I am so sorry) works in progress.  Obviously she does amazing paper piecing! The pattern is by Karen K. Stone

Mom and I had just finished piecing another Stone pattern called "Rattlesnake."

I think it is time I participate in a Silver Thimble project.  This one (below), using that "Twister" tool or technique (what ever; it is "need to know" for me; I'll know when I need to know).

I may not do batiks.  The group is going to exchange fabrics, and I signed up for the traditional group.  If I find I have more batiks in my stash than I thought, I may add batik to my cutting task list.  The exchange calls for 40 ten inch squares (like a layer cake).

For today I have 3 more hexagons to sew together for my One Block Wonder (makes 110), so I may just start sewing strips together.  Who knows? 

Last Catch-Up Post

Silver Thimbles was a lot of fun Saturday. I worked on (Dad's) airplanes. I have more propellers to stitch down, but moving furniture and cleaning closets has gotten in the way of sewing today. But I have to show you what I saw on Saturday! Thimble member, Suzanne, had a wonderful Statue of Liberty print by Hoffman. More can be found at the City Quilter website. While looking at the Hoffman site, I saw many more amazing batiks I will have to add to my stash!

I was also delighted to see my favorite bloggers! Here are Becky (A Quilting Booklady) and Gretchen (Stella Bella Quilts). They both have mischievous sparkle in their eyes and sweet charm to go with it!

Of course the number one Thimble, Pat Wys (Silver Thimble Talk), was there along with Karin (Life in the Slow Lane). Yes, Pat is crazy. All you have to do is read her blog to know that, but getting to be with her in person is priceless. Karin's blog includes my favorite blogging kitty, Wild Willy.

All four women feature WIPs and fabrics on their blogs, so I visit them in the blog-o-sphere regularly, but I relish getting to know them and spend time creating quilts together.

One last thing about the Thimbles gathering: There were cookies! Oh my, what amazing cookies! Pat made sugar cookies from The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I have to check out what other amazing food may be in that book because the sugar cookies were the best I've ever tasted.

And that was my HO, HO, whole weekend! (Back to cleaning.)

New Group, More Fun!

Last night I attended my first Silver Thimbles group. The women were so nice, and I had a great time! I had Mercidene and Chris from Spirited Quilters, and Barbara (who knows one of my coworkers) as tablemates. We learned, from Mary Ellen-Little Quilts, about new tools and from Pat, about new projects. I had to abstain from new purchases, however, because I want to get caught up with the WIPs in my life. There were a couple of tools and one kit in particular that are on my "next month" wish list. Take a look at Pat's blog to see how much fun the "Thimbles" group has at their many activities: click here!

I ran home after work, and before the Thimbles meeting, to pick up my sewing machine (which I did not use), and saw that the Blackberry Lilies I'd started from seeds last year were in full display. I grabbed my camera and photographed them so Mom could see how well they adapted to Georgia.