Happy November 4th

Last month I said I was going to be more diligent about updating my blog, and here it is a new month already.  Maybe I need to put a recurring reminder on my calendar! 
It's been a busy month, but not that busy that I couldn't post daily.  Like a diary, it would help me to remember what I did every day :-)
Several years ago, I bought a kit to make jewelry pouches using brocade fabric, and silvershield silvercloth for the lining.  I made one for my BFF Angie for Christmas that year, and one for me.  Since then, I've made them for my sons girlfriends for Christmas, and shower gifts for several friends.  I'm now making them to sell.  I'm posting a pic of the recent batch. 

I teach some classes at Sew Pieceful quilt shop, one of the classes that always has people signed up for is the striped tablerunner class, made with the 60 degree triangle ruler.  Last week I had 2 classes, 4 students in the morning, 5 in the evening!  What fun.  Here's a pic of the latest ones that I've made.  I think I can make these in my sleep now!

One of our guild members taught a class at a local shop to make fabric bowls, using 3/4" scraps of fabric and cotton clothes line.   Very addictive!  I came home and finished my first one and made 2 more.  I'm planning to make some for Christmas presents, as well as some hotpads.

I've been busy making tote bags for me.  One is my new fall bag, with my modified bow tucks pattern, as I wanted a smaller size, but didn't want to buy the mini bow tucks pattern.  Upon seeing the finish size of the mini version, I modified the original bow tucks pattern.  The other bag I recently finished is made from fabric I bought at MQX in April, with knitting sheep.  This is my knitting bag that I take to knitting.  Love this fabric!

The Corning Quiltes Guild had a summer challenge this past summer, to make a 9 x 11 quilt telling our story in fabric or as a quilter, including our story in 50 words or less.  Here's my story and picture of my quilt.

I Am A Quilter - "I enjoy trying new techniques and collecting different types of fabrics. My story quilt is made with squares of fabrics from quilts I’ve made. The “Infinity” symbol stands for Endless Possibilities. I quilted it with hearts, because my quilts are made with love, and I used leftover pieces of binding."

That's enough updates for today!  I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather we have had this week, and looks like will continue thru the weekend!

Where has the time gone?

Let's hope the 3rd time is the charm! My last two attempts to publish this post failed.
Where did the last year and a half go? I think it's time to renew my committment to update my blog on a regular basis!
What has happened since April 2010? ALOT!! Some highlights -
2 MQX shows at Providence RI, April 2010 and 2011!! Classes, great exhibits, lots of quilting stuff to buy!
The Corning Quilters Guild show in May 2010 - great show!
Summer 2010 flew by because we were preparing to move, and sell my house. Packing, moving, painting, more packing, moving, painting. Throw in a few garage sales too! We moved the third week in October.
In August 2010, we adopted a stray beagle and named her Abbey. I think she adopted us!
Fall quilt retreat was a fun time and welcome break from moving!
The holidays were upon us. We were alone for Thanksgiving. Kevin hurt his back so was unable to travel, so we went to NYC before Christmas. Adam and Beth came home for Christmas.
Happy New Year 2011!
I splurged and bought myself an embroidery only machine, a Janome 350e. Love it.
My stepdaughter, Lisa, had a beautiful baby girl in January, Chloe! Love her to pieces.
Quilt retreat, yarn and quilt shop hops with great friends (wheeeee), quilt guild yard sale to sell stuff and make money to buy more stuff!
May 1, 2011 - happy 60th birthday to me!! A fun trip to NYC, Jersey Boys, great dinner with the boys and their girlfriends.
Adam and Beth are engaged!! Wedding plans in the making, the date is May 12, 2012!
Fun times at Keuka Lake with family and friends for 2 weeks in August.
Bill's back operation September 28th, which he is recuperating from as I write this.

And .... lots of sewing, quilting, embroidering, knitting, yard work, etc........ needless to say, I'm never bored. Also, I go to the gym for Zumba and Step classes, and walk with my BFF Angie as much as possible.

I'll post pictures later of some of last years highlights, and be diligent of keeping my blog updated.

The sun is shining in Gang Mills this morning. Happy day to all!

Getting ready to go to MQX

Tomorrow I leave for Providence, RI with 2 friends to go to MQX, Machine Quilters Exposition, and I am so excited!!! I signed up for 4 classes, and hope to come home all inspired and ready to quilt 2 quilts and a wall hanging for our guild's show in May.

Therefore, today I didn't do any sewing or knitting, but did laundry and errands instead. Plus step class, a walk with my BFF, shopping, and the Corning Guild board meeting tonight. Now I must go pack!!

No sewing today...

Well, I never did any sewing today, but I did get my small 4-patch posy quilt on the frame. Then I mowed and went to Zumba class, did the hot tub and ate. By then I was too tired to start quilting it, so I worked on knitting my scarf instead while watching DWTS. Busy day tomorrow, so I probably won't touch the 4-patch posy until I return from MQX. I am hoping I come back all inspired with lots of ideas and ready to go!

It's a bright, crisp morning in Corning. I'm thinking some sewing this morning will be good, then outside yard work in the afternoon. I also need to think about packing for MQX in Providence, RI.
Yesterday was a laid back day, Zumba class in the morning, ran some errands, bike ride to Wegman's, watched the Masters Golf Tournament, and knitted. Up to row 76 on the scarf I'm working on. I'll post a picture later, after I figure out how to do that!

I just joined Wooly Minded group in Ravelry

It seems like I'm spending more and more time on the computer these days. I just joined the Wooly Minded group in Ravelry, a knitting site. I'm going to have to seriously limit my online time so it does not interfere with my hobbies, but there is such a wealth of information available.

Time to get ready to go over to Wooly Minded at 9:00 for "Classic Elite KAL", and get my yarn and pattern. Wish I knew what size needles I need to take.

Oh, before I go, we recently returned from a tour of Italy! What a wonderful time. We took an educational tour (EF Tours), which meant alot of walking, but we saw alot of Italy in a short amount of time. Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Assisi, Vatican and Rome. I've been posting pictures on my Facebook site all week, another computer time consumer!

Starting a blog!

My boys have been telling me to start a website of things I make. So finally, today I thought I'd create a blog and see how often I can keep it updated.

More to come later, once I get the hang of this!!