Saturday, May 11, 2013

A little one's birthday

We traveled to Hope Mills, NC this weekend to enjoy family and to celebrate our niece's 1st birthday. It has been a warm and wonderful day. Avery was not sure what to do with the presents but certainly enjoyed all the attention and food.
we have met so many wonderful people today, hope some of us will stay in touch.
When we arrived we had a great surprise, my FIL was already here. It is wonderful to see him, it's been to long. He is down sizing a bit and we were offered a treadle sewing machine! My husband learned to sew on it. It will soon have a new and loving home in NC. Can't wait to get the beauty. It belonged to my FIL's mother. What a great way to have a remembrance of her.
Till next time... happy sewing.
Jan

Sunday, May 5, 2013

It has been a cold, rainy weekend. You would think I would have hunkered down and spent the weekend in my quilting studio but noooooo. I have foolishly spent the weekend playing some new games on facebook (a real time waster) but have also spent quality time on Craftsy.com with classes I bought in the past or recently added. Yesterday I watched part of my class with Jane Dunnewold; The Art of Cloth Dyeing.  I haven't dyed any cloth in quite awhile and thought I would take a class from one of the giants in the field.
I originally learned from Marjie Mc Williams on Quilt University.com. That was a awesome series of classes and learned so much. Unfortunately, Quilt University will be shutting down at the end of the year after Carol Miller died earlier this year. Her husband reported to all of the followers that his heart just wasn't in it and so it would close.
I am now thinking about using my own dyed fabrics to get the colors I want when making quilts from my favorite designer Judy Niemeyer.
I just finished a free mini class by Steffani Lincecum; Sewing Machine Feet from A to Z. It was a great mini class, especially since it was free. It covered basic feet, some quilting feet and speciality feet like roller feet, how to make hems, including rolled hems, couching and gathering feet. Didn't take to long and got some good information.
I started the free mini class on making Pixelated quilts and I think I may try this. 
I have no stock in Craftsy but have found the classes excellent, enjoyable and so informative. You might take a look at what they have, and it's not just for quilting. Craftsy.com.
Jan