WIP Wednesday

I have obviously been quilting more then sewing lately.  I love seeing how these patterns look on the quilts - but I love that my closet full of quilt tops is being done!

 

I'm on a business trip this week and brought a few to bind - so hopefully I can start showing some completed projects in the next few weeks!

 

 

 

This edge to edge pattern is pattern is called flight of fancy and has flowery feel to it.

 

 

 

The quilt pattern is Patchwork Chevron from the Moda Bake Shop.  My friend Ann and I made these quilts when we did our weekend sewing retreat in April.  I'm so excited to have it done!

 

I love looking at the back of the quilt now.  This is quilt line is Rouenneries Deux by French General.  The backing is a grey linen look which I love!

 

 

 



This is a fun and whimsical pattern.  Can't wait to get this bound and washed and folded over the couch! 

 

Email me at abby@latimerlane.com if you are interested in getting your quilt done.  I turn it around in less than a week!

 

 

Linking up to WIP this week.

 



Words of Wisdom

Source: wallsneedlove.com via Abby on Pinterest

Feathers

I have always liked feathers quilted on quilts - yet I have never been comfortable enough to quilt them until now.  (And I'm only comfortable now because the machine is in control not me!)

I LOVE how this quilt turned out.  The pattern is a Carpenter Star pattern and the fabrics are Portabella Market by 3 Sisters.  I have had this quilt top sewn together for probably 2 years or so.  I wanted to do a feathery pantograph but was never brave enough to start.

This pattern is by Designs by Deb and is called Simple Feathers.

I love the back!  Maybe better than the front.  I never thought I'd be like that, but look at how things change!  

I've thought about hanging this quilt up on my wall - with the backside up.  Would that be weird?

I'm sure having fun trying out these patterns and loving every minute!  If you need some last minute quilting done for the holidays - please keep me in mind!

Thankful

A few quick updates to remind me of a great weekend and how lucky my little family is.

- Afternoon spent with my siblings Nick and Whit.  They came over to help me while I worked on Tuesday and entertained my kids and each other all afternoon.  I wish every day could be spent chatting with these two.

- Spent Thanksgiving day at my parents house with my family.  It was nice and peaceful - except for Sam screaming for a hotdog and wanting to leave from the moment we sat down....after dinner we played a little Chinese Checkers which brought me back to my childhood and reminded me of my Grandma DeSpain.  I love watching Jake learn to play this old game.  

I stole this picture off my mom's blog - but I love it of my parents!  Such a cute picture and such a nice day.  

- Friday hit Thanksgiving Point for the Christmas Spectacular light show.  Sam is so excited for the lights and the tree and trains and all things Christmas this year.  Aren't the holidays so much more fun with little ones?   We also put up the Christmas decorations downstairs.  We have a small tree with action type ornaments that the kids love.  Last year we added the addition of a little Polar Express Train that chugs around the tree. 

I have no idea how to take a picture in the dark with the Christmas tree lights on - but I had to try.  This is where Sam sat most of the night.  Right in front of the tree, playing with the train.  Such a cute sight, and a cute little guy.  

We also decided to get into the spirit with a little Christmas show.  Arthur Christmas is such a cute Christmas movie.  If you haven't seen it, watch it.  It will touch your heart - no matter what age.

- Saturday we flipped on the Christmas carols, pulled out our singing Santa, and got started on the decorations for Christmas.  The house is a wreck, there is still a few things to be put out and a good cleaning left to be done - but we got the tree up which is all Jake cared about.  Watching the boys tonight decorate the tree was fun.  All the ornaments were clumped together in two spots - Jakes spot and Sam's spot.  We pulled out the Christmas books we put away each year and read Frosty the Snowman.  Always a favorite in our household.  

Tonight - as I get ready to jump into my warm bed I will be grateful for all that I have.  Healthy kids, loving supportive husband, families who love and help us so much.  Warm house, cozy beds, and Christmas trees to decorate.  Jobs (whether we like them or not - at least we have them).  I am grateful for leftovers and long weekends.  Days spent in our pjs.  Movie nights with popcorn and red vines.  Black Friday and Cyber Monday - and that really there is no longer a difference.  I can shop from my computer and not have to get dressed!  Gammill quilt machines that allow me to get a quilt done while playing air hockey with Jake.  Memories - of family times - of old, life long friends.  For fabric and hobby's that keep me sane.  But most importantly - I am thankful for my family - crazy as we are these days - I wouldn't want it any other way.  

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  

Gone Quilting

I've been MIA I know - But I haven't been laying around doing nothing - I have been quilting.  The machine was delivered on Thursday and I got straight to work.  Quilted 5 over the weekend.  When was the last time I quilted 5 in a weekend?  NEVER!!!

 I thought I would share a few of the finished products.  What I love most about this machine is I'm getting quilts done that have been hanging in my closet for years!

This was the first quilt we attempt on Thursday night.  I wanted to do a flowery pattern, but Mike wanted to see the machine work and get a quilt done without staying up all night.  I was started this quilt at 10pm.  So we picked a stipple - and made it big.

 This quilt is a Crazy Old Ladies pattern and the fabric is Blush I think by Moda.  I made the quilt the December I had Sam so almost 3 years ago!

I even got some binding added while another one quilt was being worked on.

This quilt was a presewn fabric from the line Christmas Presence by April Cornell.  It might have been her first line for Moda and is still in my top 2 favorite Christmas lines.  There is a beautiful black in the line - which I have no idea why it wasn't included in the squares.  But I have loved this quilt for a long time.  Always wanted a good pattern on it, which is why I have never quilted it myself.

I used a holly berry pattern that came standard on the statler.  I LOVE how it turned out.  This was my 2nd quilt and I ran into a couple of situations that were great learning experiences for me.  I also finished this quilt up at 3am!  I felt like this machine was my brand new first born baby that I had to sit and watch the whole time it quilted.  I'm happy to report I can now walk out of the room without have a panic attack.  This quilt will be the next one I bind - I love it and can't wait to have it out for the season.


This next quilt pattern is a 5 and dime one I think - Its a fun quick pattern to throw together.  The fabric line is Peace On Earth by 3 Sisters.  I LOVED the border print and wanted to use it on something that would really stand out.  When I see this quilt - I just want a runner with just that border piece.  I love it!

The quilting pattern is a swirl - and it was simple.  

The thread blends a little too well in the pictures, but this map fabric was one of my favorite pieces in the line.

This quilt we threw on at about 9pm Saturday night and I was in bed by 11pm.  The quilt went together perfectly!  I was finally getting the hang of it.  I used a disappearing 9 patch pattern with a layer cake of Winter by Minnick and Simpson.  This is a great pattern for a quick quilt.

I used an edge to edge design called Jingle Bells and I love how it turned out.  This was a fun whimsical feel to it and felt it was perfect for the fabric.  I was really feeling good about quilting as I went to bed on Saturday - and dreamt of quilting....

Sunday morning I put this quilt on.  It is brick pattern off the ModaBakeShop.  Using Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree - a favorite line.  I love this quilt.  Thought it was such a fun summer picnic quilt.

Quilting it was another learning experience.  I used a block pattern and repeated it.  Altered the rows and had to connect patterns.

It is also a VERY LARGE ROSE - as in 22 inches!  When the first rose was quilted I laughed and thought about starting over using another pattern.  I love this pattern, but have decided I wish I had done a pattern with a little more quilting in it.  This will be a puffier quilt.  

All in all - it was a successful weekend!  I love this machine.  Happy to report that I have gotten 2 more done since taking the pictures, and have another being quilted as I type.  Who would have ever thought I could post a blog and quilt a quilt at the same time?  I feel like I'm still dreaming.  When I walk down there and see the machine I pinch myself a little.  

Today I had a client delivery 2 quilts!  I can't wait to put them on the machine and go for it.  During the month of December I will be running a special that ALL Edge to Edge QUILT PATTERNS will be $.01 an inch.  I will also offer a week or less turn around.  So if you have any last minute Christmas quilts to get done, gifts for others, think of me.  I will get them done quickly, done well, and done affordably!  Send me an email  to abby.latimer@msn.com if you are interested.  I am in the process of launching a website and getting pattern information out there, but didn't want to miss the opportunity to help folks this month.  I know it is hard to find a quilter in December!

I have several quilt patterns to choose from and will continue to show you the samples and post shots of the choices within the next week.  I would love to quilt for you!

Check back tomorrow as my favorite quilt so far will make an appearance.  Currently its hanging over my staircase and I smile every time I walk up the stairs and see it. Got it done late Sunday night and haven't had time to take pictures yet.  I never thought I'd be able to get the quilts in my closet completed and be worried about sewing so I have something to quilt!  This is so much fun!  

Linking up to WIP this week.  I've got a quilt in the works - 30 blocks, and have 23 done.  I'll get those up for next week.  

Run for my Money

This guy is giving me anxiety these days.  He is a bundle of trouble and is the most stubborn kid I've ever laid eyes on.  (I think my mom would say "just like his mom")

He does nothing he isn't up for - NOTHING.  He rules this house and I often think I'm going to change that, but he always has other ideas.  The hard part about this boy is that he is sooooooo cute, so funny, so full of life and personality, it makes it difficult to follow through with much - and frankly following through doesn't matter at all to this kid.

I have taken on the attitude that I have to pick my battles, or he and I would be going at it all day every day.

This week we went to Target.  We had just gotten these pictures taken, he cried through the whole process (there is a tear below his left eye if you can see it).  He screamed the whole time we were in the car (Whit, maybe he was trying to be like Wren?) and hadn't taken a nap.  You could call him a nightmare - and I did.

Once inside Target he was running around the isles.  Screamed if he was in the cart, I mean - at a certain point I was offering him up to anyone who would have him (not really, but the thought crossed my mind).  He ran into an isle where I couldn't see him.  Jake went running after him and I hear Jake say "Sam, you can't just wander away from us.  You have to stay where we can see you - do you understand?"  At least I've raised a good mom in Jake!

We continued down another isle and I hear Sam quietly saying under his breath, "Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh" over and over again.  He ran to the end of the isle, hopped on a pink tricycle and was off and pedaling.  So excited to have found him a bike!  Jake yelling "Get off, thats a girls tricycle" running after him.

As he turned the corner, and again out of my eye sight I hear him saying again "Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh".  He found a Cars tricycle.  By the time I got around the corner he was speeding right past me and down the main isle at Target.

This kid is fast - and he was finally happy.  So I let him ride the tricycle the whole time we were in the store.  He went up and down about 10 isles.  Speeding, swerving to miss the carts.  Most people laughed as they saw him speed past them.  But I always wonder - are people wondering what kind of mom would let their child be this out of control?  And then I think - live with him for an hour and you'll understand our life choices.  And at this point in my life - Sam is king.

BTW - he so tried to shoplift the tricycle out of the store, and it would have been SO easy.  But I made him leave it between the 2 doors in the exit.  Yes he made it all the way past the first door!

CRAZY KID!  Give me some hope - will he grow out of his need for speed?  His need to cry?  His need to have everything his way?  Please say this is a 2 year old phase - and in 2 short weeks at the stroke of midnight on his 3rd birthday he'll chill out a bit?

All in all - He is crazy - but he's my crazy and I love this little bundle of trouble.

A Room Without a View

Funny how my favorite room in our house has 3 windows all with the same view of a rock wall.  Not much sun light hits the room, yet it holds most everything I need to be perfectly happy.  It is large, has a TV, a bathroom, room for my kids coloring table or love sac if they want to join me.  Open space for Mike to play around with the kids.  Most importantly it holds a sewing machine, quilting machine, and a couple hundred yards of fabric.  

You guessed it - my sewing room.  A room with no view - but I'll take whatever time I can get with my rock wall view.  

Tonight I spent some time in there cleaning things up - it needed it big time!

I started with this side of the room, because I had to take down this machine - because my Gammill is being delivered tomorrow!  So.Excited.I.Don't.Have.The.Words.

While it was semi clean (as that doesn't happen often, and doesn't stay clean very long) I thought it was time to give you all a little tour.

As you walk in the door and look right - this is what you see.  The open floor space is usually covered in a mess, a quilt, a coloring table, or a love sac.  Very rarely are you able to see the carpet in this room.  And seeing this picture makes me want to add color into this room - so BLAH.

Walk in and look left and this is where the quilting table in the picture above once was.  My Gammill will hopefully fill this spot tomorrow!

This is my sewing table

Sitting area - I try to use my fabric as decorations as much as possible.   I think I'm fooling Mike, but I'm sure he's on to me at this point. 

Cutting Table (2 Ikea bookshelves on their sides with 2 desk tops over the top - makes a big cutting table for under $100)

Closet across the cutting table is full of fabric - this is my Moda 3 Sisters row - yes the WHOLE row is 3 Sisters fabric.  I think I may be there #1 fan

I'm in the process of pulling out any fabric over 1 yard and rolling it onto a bolt.  This project is taking me much longer then expected to complete and not sure it is saving me space (which I thought it would) but I do love being able to see all the bolts of fabric.

A view into my bathroom - wish I had made this a huge walk in closet.  

Usually my cutting table is COVERED in fabric - so had to take a shot of an almost clean table.

Sadly - this is the other closet and my next project.  Patterns, my personal quilts to be quilted, batting, thread, crap.  Needs to be organized! 

Both of my grandma's sewed - but I have nothing to show for it.  These pictures are embroidered by Mike's Grandma and the sewing table is his other Grandmas.  I love that I have something of them in this room.

And there you have it - my sewing room in pictures.  Not great pictures, but like I said - there is no sun and these were taken at 10pm.  I love seeing pictures of peoples spaces so I wanted to share some of my own. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I'll be back next Wednesday with some projects.  I've been working on a fun one!

Linking up to WIP