Look what I did!

In a frantic effort to have several quilts and their patterns done by the New-Year I took drastic measures to improve my success.

This is the machine I use to quilt. It was my first sewing machine and it's been the best. I even sold it to a friend at one point in order to upgrade, only to realize that I missed it too much. So I bought her a new machine so I could get this one back! :o)


When I quilt I use a plexiglass extension table that fits around the base of the machine to give me a larger work surface. The only problem is that it make the surface just a few inches too tall and thus leaves me with aching sholders and back after I quilt for a while. I've tried to remedy the situation by sitting on a taller seat, but the base of the table then hits the top of my legs. I just learned to deal with it- until now!

My sewing table consists of an old console I got from a thrift store, a couple table legs, and a large piece of MDF. This sewing table measures almost 4 1/2 feet square. and I LOVE IT! Since I made it myself (sort-of) I didn't mine cutting into it! I set my machine on the table and traced around it. I also traced around my other machine (the one for piecing you can see in the bottom right of the pic) just to make sure my hole would be big enough. Then, using some of my 'other' favorite tools I drilled a pilot hole and used a jig saw to cut out the opening.

After a trip to several hardware stores trying to find the right parts I finally decided on "L" shaped brackets. They screw into the sides of the platform (the piece that I cut out) and then screw into the bottom of the table top. I measures and was lucky enough to find brackets that would put my machine almost flush with the table top.

Here is the finished project! It's not very pretty but it functions just right. Guess what? I've even quilted 3 quilts since I did this last week. With the large table surface the quilt has plenty of room to spread out and I don't get as much drag as I did before. Also, the strain on my shoulders and back is so little that I was able to quilt 2 quilts back-to-back without a problem.

CHOCOLATE!

I don't really need to explain what 'Chocolate' has to do with quilting, do I!?

For those followers who live in Utah County- this post is FOR YOU!!!

I recently stumbled upon an amazing place:

THE CHOCOLATE- a dessert bakery located at 212 S. State Street in Orem, UT

It's a quaint little house on State street among dozens of modern structures. If you blink, you could miss it. But if you know where Classic Skating or Pep Boys are, then you're close!

My husband brought me a treat a couple weeks ago- some DELICIOUS cupcakes- and we've been there half a dozen times since.

They have cakes, cookies, and cupcakes and the taste is DIVINE! Oh, and the prices aren't bad either. ;o)

Everytime I go in I think- "I'm going to take a picture of my treat and blog about it" But I always devour my treat before I have time to snap a pic. It's just THAT GOOD!

They didn't ask me to blog- I volunteered.

I don't want this place to be like so many other local businesses that fades away. So please, give yourself a well deserved break in-between last minute shopping and stop in for a goodie!

My fav's: THE HUSBAND: yellow cake with chocolate ganache!
The Lemon Curd cupcake: The perfect blend of sour and sweet! (In two sizes)
The Chocolate Cupcake: You can't go wrong with chocolate and this one is SO RIGHT!
Their SUGAR COOKIE: Oh my gosh! SO Delish!

Please stop in and tell them the 'Crazy Old Ladies' sent you! You won't get a discount, and they may not know who you're talking about, but it'll be SO WORTH IT!

~I PROMISE!~

my LQS!!!!

I was so very excited to pop on over to Moda's Bake Shop and see The Corn Wagon as a featured shop! Way to go Marsha, MaryAnn, and esp. SHANNON the Bake Shop gal!, and all of my other wonderful quilting friends at The Corn Wagon. I LOVE THAT STORE!!!!

Check it out!

Make sure you click on "View Recipe" at the bottom to see the WHOLE post and TONS of pictures!

Merry Monday!

Remember a while back when I decided to open my Etsy acocunt and I mentioned selling quilt kits along with some of my patterns? Well, I've been thinking about it again and wanted to take a poll.

Please leave me a comment and let me know if you think this is a good idea? I'm not asking if you specifically would buy one- I just want to know if it interests you even in the slightest.

It's a tough decision to make and I just need some encouragement so who better to ask that YOU!

Can't wait to hear what you think.

BTW- If you don't think it's a good idea, I want to hear that too. Just make sure you tell me why. ;o)

DOTS!

Does this make you smile!? :o)

I am a sucker for DOTS! So when I saw these prints from Mary Engelbreit's new line 'Attitude Girls' I knew I had to have them for my stash!

So much for my fabric diet! :o)

Happy Holidays!

Thanks so much for all of your comments. I noticed a common thread among comments although I am not surprised. So many of you wished for FABRIC. Oh how I wish I could send each and every one of you a package for Christmas. But even I don't think I have enough fabric for that. Besides, the shipping alone is enough to put me under. :o)
However, I have gone through my inventory and found a few more surprises which means a few more of you are going to get your Christmas wish.

I went to Random.org to generate the winners and will post the winners in the order of the number that was generated. I wanted to put their comments on here but Blogger was being stupid and wouldn't let me cut and paste and there was no way I was hand typing them all. But if you haven't already, take a minute and read through them- they're fantastic!

The first number will be the winner of the most sought after prize- the 'Authentic' fat quarters:
#42- TJ

Next, the 'Nature's Notebook' Layer Cake:
#62- Laura T.

Also, I found (2) 'Swanky' Charm Packs. They will go to:
#50- Kim

(3) 'Yuletide Blessings' Charm Packs go to:
#34- aka Dragonfly Photography

A 'Peace on Earth' Layer Cake will go to:
#9- Laura

And a stack of coordinating 3 1/2" squares (I can't remember the name of the line- but it's beautiful!):
#60- Pokey

Also, I thought I would do a little something extra fun-
For the first and last people that commented (since your numbers seem less likely to get picked than any others) you will each get (3) stacks from a "Moda Sampler Box". These are 2 1/2" squares, one of each fabric in the line, from fabric lines yet to be released. It's a total SNEAK PEAK! These go to:
#1- Water Lovers...
#71- Rapier Family

Remember to email me with your shipping info. so I can send them out ASAP!

This was so much fun! I'm not trying to be cheesy, but honestly, I do love giving the best!

Keep an eye out on Moda Bake Shop in the next few weeks- I have another 'Scrap Bag' project I'm finishing up! ;o)

Lost Treasures

CONTEST NOW CLOSED!

Before I decided to move my sewing room I'd been working on a few projects. Wanna see a sneak peak? I thought you might. It's a good thing I took these pictures before the move- I don't even know where this stuff is anymore! ;o)

A little while ago I got this crazy urge to applique. This is not a future COL pattern- y'all would kill me. But I do think it's going to turn out cool. If you happen to get a certain home decor magazine you may recognize the leafy shape a little. ;o) I show it off when I get it FINISHED!

I can't even stand it- this fabric is SO BEAUTIFUL! I mean, it's 3 Sister's, so why wouldn't it be. But just wait 'til you see 'Martinique' in the flesh/fabric. Oh, it melts me. ;o) I absolutely LOVE the project I'm making but haven't decided if it's another pattern or not. It's more traditional than COL patterns usually are- but I might throw this one in there just to mix it up a bit.

I've also been sewing with a little of this..

And a little of that!

But that's all I can show you for now.

So, how about a giveaway!?

While I was moving all of my STUFF down the hall I came across

14 Fat Quarters of 'Authentic' by Sweetwater for Moda

AND

A Layer Cake of 'Nature's Notebook' by April Cornell for Moda.

Do YOU want it!?

Well, leave me a comment telling me what you wish Santa would bring you for Christmas and on Monday morning sometime I'll pick the winner's.

So far I have 2 prizes shown- but if I find more 'treasures' then I'll pick more winners!

GOOD LUCK!