2011 in Projects

My year 2011 in Projects. There were too many to place and unfortunately with my purchase of a new computer YAY Macbook Air, I can't find some of my pictures. A year in Quilts and Projects. New Years Resolution to take and organize my pictures better! 

Going to Bed Angry

Last night I got into a huge spat....with my Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0. In the last year this is the third machine I've had. I started off with my mother's Husqvarna Viking (great machine, but not for quilting), a Janome ( a little better for quilting), and now my Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0. I loved him when I bought him, but recently he has become a fickle lover! He becomes difficult when I have a deadline and insists on  shredding thread. Finally after chugging along I got up and left him. I went to bed angry...I hate doing that.
       Before I went to bed though, I did a little "soul searching" and apparently lots of people have this lover's quarrel. I only need a little tweaking to get things back on track. Thank goodness because do you see how much more stippling I have to do?! I woke up in love again....but I'm not sure how long it's going to last.

Anniversary

I'm celebrating! During the week in the madness and joy of the holiday it was officially my one year anniversary of learning/teaching myself to quilt. Here is my very first quilt....oh boy the mistakes are numerous!

Here it is uneven squares and all. Boy have I learned the importance of a 1/4 inch seam.

What a Bright Time....

So while I haven't blogged in a few weeks, I have certainly been very busy. For starters with decking the halls. I got my tree as soon as I could. I love having everything up and being able to enjoy it for the whole Christmas season.

My greenery in the entryway.

I love my nativity, my mother bought it for me when I bought my home. I never put Jesus out until Christmas Day....that's the point right?!

My father has all sorts of tree decorating rules. When I bought my home six years ago I was happy to be rid of them. As you can see anything goes on my tree, painted shells,

felted santas,

crocheted cupcakes, and my favorite...

this little fellows gets the front and center spot on my tree. He's my favorite since I was a child I thought he looked like my grandfather. My grandpa has been gone for 16 years and I miss him. My mother gave me this ornament to take hime with me when I moved.

My Alpine Village

and last the whole tree, darn star wouldn't stay straight, but it's lovely just the same!

Something New from Something Old

Recently a friend asked me to take on a couple of new projects. Her daughters had a few things they just couldn't part with. When she gave me this...

with a little bit of work and overcoming the fear of cutting into her daughters cherished dress, I made this....

Not too bad for a beginning pillow maker!

Black Friday Sale

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jlft28

Check out my shop for Black Friday- Cyber Monday Sales. All items (except for upcycled custom pillows) are 20% off! Happy Black Friday from The Stitch Witch!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So Thankful for.....

and

and
and
and

FAMILY!

Stitch Witch Fine Quilting

My Etsy shop is finally up and running! I'm so excited I've already had a couple of sales. Yet, I'm also sad one of the sales was a quilt I just LOVED making! Here's the link to my shop....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jlft28

and here is the amazing banner my brother created for me....

Come and visit Stitch Witch Fine Quilting!

Merry Fall

Boy oh boy yesterday was CONFUSING! I didn't know what to watch Halloween movie or Christmas movie. All because it did this....

and this....

I usually make Christmas cookies on the first snow storm (WAY too early for that)I figured it was a good time to do this......

get some pinwheels ready for a Winter Wonderland table runner

pull out the Patchwork Christmas quilt I started for my mom last year (and never finished),

sandwich and quilt a disappearing 9 patch table runner,

and quilt and finish appliqueing a Christmas wall hanging!

Baby Bunting Quilt

I'm not a rainbowy type gal, but I loved the muted colors in these rainbow dot prints! I was waiting for a chance to make a bunting quilt and these were perfect. This one happens to be for a brand new baby boy and it is already sold!

Crayons, Buggies, and Fabric OH MY!

Every once in awhile it's fun to get away for a little sight seeing. Every once in awhile it's nice to get away to a place that has lots o' quilt shops! I love all the long weekends that happen in

September and October, as a kindergarten teacher I need them to reclaim my sanity. What better way to reclaim my sanity by taking my nephews to Crayola in PA and Kitchen KettleVillage?

Crayola, Easton PA

We played in the ball yard. This was so cool, the boys would feed a ball into this hole and it would travel on rails all around the ceiling and come out here.

The boys LOVED dancing and playing in front of this screen that multiplied their movements and changed colors as it mirrored them.

COLOR explosion...I know Jack doesn't seem so impressed...what a funny face!

Grandma and Jack painting with water colors.

Owen painting with water colors.

We wrote on walls with markers!

Me and the boys!

After leaving Crayola we headed to a cute little town called Intercourse. There we stayed in an

adorable little crafty village called Kitchen Kettle Village. This part of the trip was more for

grandma and Aunt Jill, but Jack and Owen still had fun.

We made new friends.

Heard some great music.

Saw some amazing scenery.

Loved seeing buggies on the road alongside the cars.

Oh and did I mention there is a playground at Kitchen Kettle Village?

These boys have way too much energy!

Sitting still for a moment in the wooden train.

Milking a cow...they really didn't.

These boys tried so hard to behave while Aunt Jill looked at fabric....it didn't happen so grandma saved me and took them back to the playground so I could buy...

Essence fat quarters by Sandy Gervais. Aren't the autumn colors beautiful? I'm thinking of a table topper.

3 honey buns! These were on sale for 11.50!!!! I bought two of Hello Betty for a quilt and one Flag Day Farm for a patriotic table runner! I can't wait to head back to PA to check out more quilting shops and buggies in Lancaster!

After a long break...

Finally after a long break I'm back to blogging. The beginning of the school year has serious slowed down my projects, but not stopped them completely. I have finally after a few weeks of piecing completed the quilt top for a beautiful baby girl. The crazy part of this project is that I have made this baby a quilt already and it turned out rather well. I attempted prairie points and several did not come out right and it completely escaped my notice until I had quilted it. No way could I give a quilt that had a few slightly detached prairie points.

I found myself changing my mind about the project in general and decided to make a quilt that was not as babyish. I decided on the pattern Ritzy Cracker Quilt (find it here http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/10/ritzy-cracker-quilt.html) I used City Weekend fabric by Oliver + S for Moda. I'm figuring out right now how to make a fun and different backing!

Ava's Quilt!