Wonderful Weekend

Things have been so crazy around here lately.  A bunch of construction-y things going on around the house being generally disruptive.  Trying to squeeze in some exercise time before the weather really gets nasty.  Also a TON of tie-dye lately.  If you haven't checked out Do Or Dye on Facebook, you should, you really should.  If you are really not in to Facebook, you can also see most of my dyes on my flickr stream, see link on right side bar.  However, with all the craziness, I managed to have an AWESOME weekend yesterday and today.  It was filled with family, fabric and fun!  On Saturday my mom and I hit some of our favorite fabric stores in the Naples and Penn Yan area.  We also visited the awesome Bernina dealer where we got our sewing machines.  I finally gave in and bought a FMQ foot for my Bernina.  More on that later.  We then met up with my boyfriend, dad, sister and her "friend" and went to an auction in Penn Yan.  It was my first time going to an auction and it was pretty cool.  My mom actually snagged some crafting supplies pretty cheap!  We all had a great time on a gloomy day!

Today I spent some quality time with my Bernina.  I planned on sewing ALL day but life got in the way as usual.  I worked on a few projects, but did not get to everything I wanted to.  However, it felt great to finally work on some projects I have been thinking about for a while but have had to move to the back burner.  I also had a visit from a great friend who was in need of some tie dye expertise and managed to get groceries today, whew!  

Here's my fabric haul from Saturday's adventures.  On the far left, 1 yard of Ticklish by My Sister and Me for Moda in flannel (for rice warmies).  1 yard each of some lovely Moda solids.  2 yards of Honey Honey by Kate Spain for Moda (I got it 40% off!).  The polka dot print is Riley Blake - 1/2 yard and the purple is also from the Ticklish line and also 1/2 yard.  The fat quarter was only $1.50 and I bought it as I am trying to get more purple in my stash (as you call probably tell).  Isn't it funny how I bought fabric in 3 different stores and it all co-ordinates so nicely?

And now some pictures of what I got to work on today.  First, I worked on this block of mini flying geese I am making for Kimberly's do.Good stitches quilt.  A few stitchers in her group had to drop out and I volunteered to be sort of a guest stitcher to help her get all the blocks she needs to put the quilt together and finish it.  I have to make another just like it, sooner rather than later.  The patter is from LieslMade and pretty simple considering how royally I fail at angles most of the time. 

Next up is a paper piece pattern I have been wanting to put together for a loooong time.  The pattern is called Wee Lil' Penguin and is one of several paper piece patterns I have won over at Sewhooked.  The original pattern is 5" but I blew this guy up to 10" and I have a GREAT idea what to use him for, but I don't want to ruin the surprise.  More on this in December, I promise.  Anyway, isn't he SO cute?!

Lastly, I have been working on my name tag for the next meeting of the Rochester Modern Quilt Guild.  Kimberly and I went to the October meeting and are going to try to make it to November's although it is a LONG drive for us.  In this piece I have married my two passions by first dying and discharging a piece of white Moda fabric and then quilting it up.  It still needs to be bound with some sort of neck strap or something added.  I'm still thinking that out as I don't want to just pin it to my shirt.  Other than a few practice scraps, this is my first FMQ on my Bernina.  My loops aren't perfectly circular, but it is a nice change from straight ling quilting, especially since this guy is WAY to small to load on the Innova.  All in all, I am pleased with how it is coming out, it's definitely as unique as me!  I hope you all had a great weekend too!

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                   _ _ _ _ _francesca_ _ _ _ _ _