inspiration

As many of you know I recently traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  

I loved the sights of the city. I loved their architecture which had many italian and spanish influences.

 

I found quilting inspiration in many interesting places. 

 Tile floor through out the Recolta Cemetery 

floor inside the Teatro Colon, an amazing Opera house

Again in the Teatro Colon
Can't you see this as an appliqué?

Around the pool deck
Check out the corner stone

tile floor outside a huge cathedral 

rows are so straight

Where have you found quilting inspiration? 

WIP Wednesday

all free motion quilting, and no marking.  There are some wiggles but oh well. 

Still thinking about the large border

continuous curves make some interesting desgins.

Working on quilting my Postage Stamp Quilt. It's on my UFO list. (see left sidebar) I frequently call this Carey's Quilt because when I took it to show a friend the top it looked perfect on her husband Carey's comfy TV watching chair.  So now when she asks me what I am working on, I reply "Carey's Quilt".  

I am curious do you have a precise quilting plan when you start a quilt?  Or are you more like me and change your mind a hundred times before you start and again while your quilting?

Happy stitching

Lee

Linking up to Needle & Thread and Freshly Pieced WIP's

For Mom

I completed this table runner last week, but I had to wait until my mom received it in the mail before I could post about it.

When she was here at Christmas she played with my stash and came up with these fabrics for a table runner for her kitchen table.   

I have made her other table toppers.  You can see them here and here!

Do you make things for your mom?

Happy Stitching,

Lee

430 days!

 430 days is what it took to get this finished!

This was Bonnie K Hunter's mystery quilt from 2012.  I followed most of the instructions/clues, but like always put my own spin on parts. 

You can read more about it's progress and completion  here, here, here, here and here.  

I am so glad to have this one completed and off my UFO list. 

 (notice my progress on the left of my blog). 

Happy stitching

Lee

p.s. Yes there is still snow on the ground here in Calgary.  We got hit again this weekend with more snow and cold temperatures.

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it Up Friday!

And the Blog Hop giveaway winner is

And the winner is: 

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures. Her comment and guess:

I don't know where you are. I live in the USA and have been to Egypt. Thnx for the giveaway!

Congratulations Kathy.  I managed to get some new pouches made and will be contacting you for your mailing details.

Happy stitching!

Lee

FYI

Do you use these when washing your quilts?

I

I use them and look at the difference between a used on and a new one

 It caught all the colour from this quilt when it washed. 

Unfortunately, they are not being sold in Canada anymore. 

 So my fellow Canadians, if you are going south of the border or have a snowbird friend there, bring them back with you.   I even called SC Johnson and they couldn't give me an explanation as to why there weren't be sold in Canada anymore. 

linking up to Needles and Threads WIP Wednesday

Blog Hop Party with Giveaway

 

Its that time of the year again. Time for some fun hopping all over the world from the comfort of your own chair and computer.

Speaking of around the world. I was recently on a trip far away from home.  

Anyone recognize which city I was in?   

I will have a give away for two of my pouches 

(small and medium size, fabric to be chosen by me)

Leave a comment here telling me where you think I was and tell me how far away from home you have ever travelled. 

 This trip took me over 10,000km (6800mi) away from home!

If you so desire become a follower and you won't miss out on my ramblings

Good luck and have fun hopping! Don't forget to go to the Quilting Gallery late Friday afternoon to see all the other hoppers.

Lee

Thanks for stopping by
Give away now closed. 
off to make some pouches!

To fix or not to Fix.....

I have a bit of a debate on my hands. 

To fix or not to fix? 

I have had this machine since about 1990.

It came from my Grandfather in Ohio.

I was told it was a sample machine for a factory that he was running in Sandusky, Oh at the time. They were deciding to make them or something along that line. 

It is the machine I used to make my first quilt. see here. As well as numerous bags, placemats and childrens clothes.  But then in 1997 I purchased a more up to date machine with more bells and whistles and this one got put away.  IT has moved a couple of times and been pushed to the back of the storage area. Interesting article about these machines can be found on the blog

Finally at Christmas, as I was putting the decorations away, I pulled it out. 

First off this machine stinks. I think it is the case or could be the old oil that was in the tool box.  I plugged it to see if it worked at all.  Haven't tried in at least 10 years and could be longer.  I could hear the motor running, but the belt wasn't moving.  

So while I had my other machine (see here) in for servicing I took this one in too.  Well actually I had my son bring this up from the basement to the van. (Even he commented on how heavy and not so portable it is!)

front side

serial number

label

stinky carrying case

back of motor

back side

top side

 I got a call from the service guy at the LQS. Estimate for the machine to be fixed $189.  Needs new motor and foot petal apparently.  

Should I spend the money on it?  Or should I just put it back in the storage hole?  What would you do?

A Little makeover that was long over due.

 I'll let the pictures doing the talking in this post!

yucky

something bright

the tool

ah much better