BOM Progress and Give Away!

Here are the collection of blocks for my block of the month. I have 4 more to do before August when I need to pick up the next packet. I love the batiks in this quilt and stars are my favorite patterns, its a win-win for me!

This was an "epic fail". I practiced the quilt on the background when I first got the long arm. It has many problems. The yo yo's were made into pins with vintage buttons to sell at a craft sale when that type of pin was popular. None sold. I took all the elements and made this 3d Christmas tree and used a vintage pin and wool needle case for the trunk.

For those who are binding quilts during the Olympics I have 2 completed of the 5 I had prepped. I am also going to bind the pictured Tree quilt to make a goal of 6. I have a give away going on, sign up here.

Tomorrow I will have pictures of the finished quilts and  Linky Party. Come on and join in!!

Design Wall Monday and a Giveaway

I have two Blocks done from the block of the Month from my local quilt shop. I have two more in progress. I plan to start Mario in the Super Mario quilt along. Getting back to work after my stay cation has decreased my productivity, ha ha!

The Binding Marathon has begun. I have one quilt done. I have four more ready to achieve my goals. I am hand sewing these bindings while watching the Olympics. I have had so much fun watching already. I need to watch the Opening ceremony yet but I will! I love the volley ball and gymnastics. Link up here

I spent Saturday at our local Highland games and you can see pics in my previous post.

Now for the give away! In honor of the Binding marathon, I am giving away a prize. Three quilt patterns- Row Bots from Swirly Girls design, Lucky 21 from Swirly Girl designs and Double Iris from Quilters Treasure. There are a few pieces of fabric to get you started! All you have to do is let me know what your favorite Olympic event/moment. And don't forget to link up to the binding Marathon so we can encourage each other. I plan to have a linky Party on Friday to see every one's progress!

Highland games in my home town.

The highland games were 2 miles from my house. I had a shorter day while my husband had a long day competing. I almost felt like I was cheating. I was able to get chores done, watch some of the Olympics and do some quilting. A great weekend. Here are a few pics to share, my Dad took the close up shots.

I have one quilt bound already! More more ready to get done while watching the Olympic games. Stop by tomorrow to sign up for the give away!!

Binding Marathon Officially Begins!

Are you joining us over the Olympics in a binding marathon? Quilts are prepped. I have 5 quilts to hand stitch the binding on while watching one of my favorite sporting events. I may miss Opening Ceremonies live tonight but that is the beauty of having DVR!!!  The official site for the games is here.

Since  Olympic Soccer has started, I thought this little quilt would be an appropriate warm up for the binding marathon. I made this little 9x18 quilt last night for a friend who competes in the Highland games with my husband. This quilt is going to be used for a padding on his shoulder during the caber events.

There is a  Highland game in our town Saturday.  It will be nice that we don't have to travel far for this one!

A give away will be held by the end of the Olympics. I will get a picture of the prize soon. On Design Wall Monday there will be a sign up for the give away.

Simple Living

Simple living is a day where I post about how to keep things simple. Today I am posting about not overly complicating my long arm quilting. I have discovered a simple truth-less is more. I have applied this to my quilting style and piecing style and found that it really works.

 I made this simple star quilt in great bold, modern colors.

I also realized a very large simply shaped freehand feather would be nice. It has a modern feel. It is much larger than feathers I have done in the past and I think I have found a little to secret to making feathers. Keep it big and keep it wonky!

I am also applying this lesson of scaling back and not making it complicated to my work day and diet/exercise program. Let's see if it helps me!

Garden Happiness

The gardens on Mackinac Island are so pretty. They would make most people very happy.

They make me very happy to see the pictures and they are part of the overall wonderful experience when you visit the island.

I think that they are the perfect touch to the landscape.

I may need to stay at this B and B. Wonder if they have air conditioning? Just a tip, not all hotels and establishments on the island do!

How do they get so many colors all at once? I get one color at a time blooming in my garden!

Top of a steeple by the fort, love the multiple trinity reference,

the flowers were everywhere!

I don't plant any annuals for this riot of color nor do I water, that may be most of my garden's problem!

For my happiness project today, I am not going to the gym and I am going to the studio to finish a quilt. I have been working out 3-4 times a week. Day off to have a bit of fun!

I am hosting a Binding Marathon during the Olympics. Sew those bindings on your quilts and hand stitch them while watching a great sporting event. I love it and it makes me very happy to watch every year that they are on TV. I have a give away planned so watch for more. We will also be linking up to show each other our progress!!

By the way, we passed this property for sale on the island for those handy DIY folks that want to restore a historic building. You may be interested :) Click here.

Progress!

I am a bit behind on the block of the month I am participating in at the local quilt shop. I never have done one before. It has 2, 12 inch blocks each month and 2 5 inch blocks. I am having trouble with the 12 inch blocks this time. But the 5 inch block worked, go figure. I have one more month to do before I go the the shop and get help for any/all problems I may/have encountered.

I am hosting a Binding marathon during the Olympics, come back this week to get info about the giveaway and linky party!! I decided since I am watching TV anyways, I will hand stitch the bindings down. I have 5 quilts ready!!