Quilt Along with Rachel @ PS I Quilt

This was the first time I've participated in a quilt-a-long, especially one online. I have been a follower and admirer of Rachel's work for about a year now. You can check her out at PS I Quilt. In January Rachel had her 2nd quiltalong, this time a postage stamp quilt. Seeing as I'd had the desire to make one but just didn't get around to it (like so many other things) I decided to jump in and make a little something just for the heck of it. Here is my progress, start to finish (the top anyway):

My initial Strip Sets (I used 2 jelly rolls, Fresh Flowers by Deb Strain for MODA, and MODA Bella Solids Snow)

My strip sets after sewing them together:

Planning the layout of my blocks:

My completed quilt top:


I have a few strips left over, which will go on the back and into a matching pillow for this. Isn't it just perfect for these drab, cold winter days?

Catching up

Things have been crazy (as usual) around here, with alot of things going on. Some good, some bad. I won't elaborate on the bad, but as with anything major that happens in life, sometimes it can keep you so occupied that you just lose your ability to focus on anything else.

On the positives, There has been time to get acquainted with my Designer I to an extent. Now, I love the machine, do not get me wrong, but man am I not in love with Viking's customer service. Apparently they do not realize that us normal people do not replace our sewing machines every other year, so for them to discontinue support for a machine a mere 4 years after it is manufactured is beyond poor customer service in my opinion. My machine, while I purchased it "used" is brand new for all intents and purposes. Half of the feet, hoops, accessories, etc that I got with it were still factory sealed in their original packaging. My machine, in searching for other information online, I discovered had been part of not one but 2 different recalls. I contacted Viking about getting the recalled parts replaced, only to be informed that the recall would not apply to me since I did not buy the machine new...nevermind that the recall notice does not state anything about it being invalid if the machine transferred ownership. A quote on paying for the parts to be replaced on my own came back to me at 800.00 from my local dealer. I think that's a pretty poor way to handle a recall if you ask me. Why should it matter who owns the machine, if you know that it was manufactured with a faulty part?

Anyway, I digress. Mom has been stitching up a storm, trying to put ideas to pen and paper as fast as she can. We have a few other projects lined up for later in the year, but we have had amazingly positive feedback and responses to our free patterns thus far, and I know neither of us could have imagined that we would go from getting a few dozen hits in a month to over 15K in January. WOW. We are humbled and appreciative!

February Freebie- Lara Lynn

February's free project is a pillow, however it can be adapted to a quilt block, wall hanging, or pretty much anything you might desire. We have done our sample as an applique, but embroidery enthusiasts could easily adapt it for that as well.






The pattern is for either embroidery or applique with embroidery. The applique Fabrics I choose match my couch. I embellished with embroidery on the applique version, my sample. I have listed my floss colors that are on the applique. For me this will be a pillow. I have a 20" pillow form, and the background fabric for either embroidery or the applique version is cut 21 " square. 2 strands of embroidery floss used.

The project is no longer available for free download but will be available soon for purchase.

We have a flickr group for sharing your versions of our patterns! Please join in HERE

February Freebie--on it's way.

Just a heads up that the free design will be up shortly. My apologies for the delay, as we have been battling illness galore the last several days. Today I am contending with rolling blackouts due to the fact that Texas doesn't know how to deal with subfreezing temperatures (especially when it was 70 just 48 hours ago).

It should be up within the hour, and it is stunning! Totally different look from last month's project but every bit as gorgeous! I'm leaving the January project up for a few more days since we had some issues with being able to download.