This is my Michael Miller Clubhouse quilt by Swirly Girls Design.  Just finished it today.  It's taken several months since we are only supposed to do a block a month, but I'd do several each month.  Now I need to make more throw pillows or pillow shams.  I've decided to remove the binding from the sides and add more quilted fabric for a longer drape down the sides.  This should keep me busy for a day or two.  ;)

Sandy Brown's b-day gift.....

Made this Florida Gators casserole tote with matching wine tote for my friend Sandy Brown's birthday on October 1st.  Hope she likes it.

September sewing projects.....

This is a doggy themed casserole tote I made for my sister-in-law, Mary Beth Lake, for her birthday yesterday.  I also made the matching wine tote with the extra fabric.  She works at Animal Control and owns several dogs and cats so I think it was appropriate for her.

This is a lunch tote I made today during the All About Me embroidery class at Bernina.  It was a fun easy project.  I think maybe I'll make a couple more for the twins.  Maybe embroider their names on them.  ;) 

This is my October table runner.  I used orange buttons in the eyes.  I even quilted it on my Tin Lizzie quilting machine which really made completing it quicker.  Did I say how much I love my Tin Lizzie LS18.  :)

Tin Lizzie 18LS.....

Finally got a quilting machine.  This is my Tin Lizzie 18LS which is a very nice basic quilting long arm machine.  The only place I had room for it is on our enclosed patio.  I really didn't want to put it out there, but since my mother is living with us right now and using our two extra bedrooms, the only spot to put this 10 foot long set up was on the patio.  At least I have a nice view of the back yard and lake when I'm quilting.  Who am I kidding, who has a chance to enjoy the view when concentrating on quilting. LOL The next step up is the Tin Lizzie 18 ESP which is computerized so you can program it to automatically quilt out many, many patterns for you.  The lady who sold me this just bought the ESP and was very happy to have her old (only 3 yrs old) machine coming to our home.  I'm having lots of fun with this fantastic machine.  It's still under warranty for two more years,  ya for me!!

 Click on pictures to enlarge......

Yep, that's John sitting out on the deck enjoying a little Southern Comfort and a nice cigar, with his best buddy, Icee, (one of our three Papillon dogs) sitting in his lap.

The handle bars can be easily moved to the back of the machine to operate it while using a laser pointer to follow the template which is place across the table along the back side.  You can see the template just past the left handle bar.  I actually find it easier to just do the patterns free hand.  Maybe with time and practice I will get used to using a template and the laser.  But for now I'm having fun with it.

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!

Christmas Favorites quilt.....

This quilt is called "Christmas Favorites" from the book of the same name by Nancy Halvorsen.  I wish the picture did it justice.  Many of the blocks are 3D with many embellishments added like buttons, ribbons, holly leaves, the Poinsettia inner peddles and decorations on the tree.  I used lots of colorful metallic thread throughout.  Now for the fun part of adding batting, backing, quilting and binding.  I just love all of the bright colors.

This is the poinsettia block before I added the buttons.  Just to show the raised petals......

This is the Joy block with a red button for the nose and silver metallic threads on the snow flakes, the Joy part and above the antlers.......

Iris Table Runner....

I just finished this Iris table runner today. I liked the Iris pattern because it matches my everyday dishes which also have an Iris pattern on them.  The flower portion was done with applique which was a long and involved process.  Don't think I'll be doing another one of this pattern any time soon.  I got this pattern from the book "Nature's Beauty in Applique" by Susan Taylor Propst.  I love the book, but the applique is quite detailed.  There is a swan wall hanging which I'd love to have, but it will take a while before I'm ready to attempt it in applique.  The colors in this fabric is actually purple, but shows up more blue in these pictures.

 

August Calendar Table Runner....

 

Just finished this table runner today.  This is one of my Calendar Quilt Table Runner patterns.  A fun and easy project.  Just four more and I'm finished with table runners for the year.  

Serger Basket.....

This sewing project was made almost entirely on my Bernina 1150 Serger. The handle was the only part sewn on using the sewing machine.  This was a fun easy project and I learned lots of new things about my serger.  Also learned that I need to add the Serger Piping foot to my collection of feet.  

Mystery Quilt....

This is a quilt I'm making for my Mom, using some of her favorite colors.  I need to add two more borders in order for it to fit her bed.  This was a Mystery Quilt Project done during a three day retreat at the Bernina Sewing Centre.  Lots of piecing was involved in this project, but I enjoyed the three days of bonding with some of my sewing buddies.  UPDATE.....Added two more borders so now it should fit Mom's bed just fine.  Still need to pick the backing material then add batting and quilting then the binding and it will be finished.  I'll add a picture of it on her bed soon.

Stitcher's Garden Quilt Blocks......

I've been working on quilt blocks for my Stitcher's Garden quilt.  They are block-of-the-month and feature uses for various sewing machine feet.  So far I've completed nine blocks.  
Month one used the Open Toe Foot and Quilting Guide along with decorative stitches.  Month two used the Edge Foot and various decorative stitches. 

Month Three used the Circular Attachment for making the corners which was actually a circle using decorative stitches then cut into quarters for the corners.  

 Month four was done using the Couching and Button Feet along with built in decorative stitches.  

 Month Five featured using the 1/4 inch Foot, free motion and Candlewick techniques

Month Six featured using the Cording Foot along with various built in decorative stitches.

 Month Seven featured using the Pintuck Foot.  The center insert of the flower was done using the Pintuck foot and the rest was done with various decorative stitches using the Open Toe foot.   I also added a little bling to the decorative stitches placed above the flower. ;)

Hosta pillow....

This Hosta Pillow was a detailed yet fun project.  The pattern called for a zipper on the back, but I used buttons instead.  I think I'll try using a zipper on my next pillow project.  The pattern came from Susan Taylor Propst's book Nature's Beauty in Applique.  I'm thinking of making the Iris table runner next since my every day plates have the Iris pattern on them.

This is a little triangle pin cushion I made using one inch strips of fabric.  I've made several using various colors and fabrics.  The pattern is a bonus project from my Michael Miller Block of the Month Quilt.  This was a fun and easy project.  You can even pinch the top point and put your thimble on it.  This one is a gift for a Florida Gator fan friend.

LIFE IS GOOD......

 

Paddle Boarders On The Lake....

Tymi Howard, Tom's girlfriend, brought her Yoga group out to the lake for some paddle board yoga.  There were around 23 people on the lake having a great time on their paddle boards.  Tom used our little boat "The Minnow" to take everyone some water to drink.  Everyone had a great day and Tymi has been doing a lot of the Yoga Paddle Board classes since then.  Tymi owns Guruv Yoga Studio in Lake Mary and has a huge following.  This encouraged us to want to paddle board, so I bought John his own paddle board for his birthday in May.

Tymi on the left paddle board.  This was her first time paddle boarding, much less doing Yoga on a board.

 Tymi is soooo limber.  She can get into positions that seem impossible to me.

Brand new paddle board, just out of the box and heading to the lake.  :)

I think Icee thought she was going to get to go fishing on the Minnow, not paddle boarding. She stayed low to help keep things balanced.  LOL  Of course, John had to take Icee with him on his maiden voyage.

Stones for dirt....

John spent a few days re-landscaping this area off of our deck.  We were having trouble growing grass there so we decided to just add river rock and stepping stones.  John did the stone design.  I did the plants with John's help planting them.  I'm happy now not having to look at dirt and dying grass.  This should also be easy to keep clear of leaves and twigs with just using the blower.  One more project out of the way and off the "to do" list.

 The plants in the pots have been planted since this picture was taken.

Looking from the shed toward the deck and yard.  John had previously put down the pavers so he just left them.  Just too much work to remove them for now.

 Looking from the deck toward John's shed.  We've been adding sod and border grass since taking this picture.

Gilly Suit and Halloween....

John got a new Gilly Suit for hunting, but it also makes a great Halloween costume.  He wore it when we went to Sherry and Keith's home to help give out candy on Halloween.  When small children arrived John just sat very still in a chair with his head down so as not to scare them.  One little girl, around 5 yrs. old, got her candy then when walking away turned to take a second look at John just as he raised his head.  She let out a blood curdling scream and ran to her mommy.  We all got a chuckle out of that one.  Lots of the older kids (teens) thought his costume was awesome.  Some of the father's wanted to know where he got his outfit.  Of course he told them it came from Gander Mountain store and was actually for hunting.  Keith wore his creepy clown mask.  That was a fun Halloween.