Table runner class this week!

This is the holiday table runner pieced from 3 fat quarters which is our project of the month at the store where I work. The pattern is free at www.quiltbug.com! I added the embroidered motif in the center, from our embroidery machines at the shop.

The perfect sentiment for this rainy morning!

Machine embroidery sample from the shop where I work. It is for sale in my store! Off to the world of sewing and embroidery machines now, after another cup of coffee!

I'll be enjoying the patriotic weekend by finishing a set of quilted "flag" placemats! I have a set myself which we use on the back porch and just love them! They look so festive and summery! [These will be for a co-worker!]

So, even though my place of employment is a "job", it has many creative moments which keeps me content! [and yes, I will be working there tomorrow, probably sewing up a birthday dress for my granddaughter, Lilia. She will be 10 on July 15th!]

This is a collage/paper quilt ( I will try free-motion quilting it with my old Singer 301) which I am making to hang in the bathroom at work. I work in a sewing center. This collage has antique sewing advertisements and other images of sewing and needle arts. [click on the image for a larger view] I think that people will enjoy seeing it once it is hung there!

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Later...I did finish doing free motion quilting on the paper collage above and used pinking shears on the edges.

I am also taking this old book cover which I framed.

Singer is not the wonderful company it once was. I love their antique machines, and sew on a couple myself.

Today I would recommend a Janome (formerly New Home) or Bernina. Brother and Baby Lock ( which is made by Brother) are just not quite as good. Of course, Viking or Huskvarna is also excellent.

DO NOT BUY cheap machines at discount stores....they are basically disposable models....needing adjustment and repairs frequently. Soon you have spent more on repairs than the cheap machine cost anyway, AND they are pieces of junk and can't really be fixed for long !!! Don't throw your money away!

What is Grandma Lila doing?

It's a soccer ball for the baby grandson. His first birthday is coming up, but this colorful cloth ball will be a Christmas gift. It will spend the next few weeks under a Christmas tree in the window of the sewing center where I now work. This is a project from the book, "Seams to Me" by Anna Maria Horner. I used the shop's embroidery machine to make embellished fabric for the ball....a dog, a porpoise, an angel fish, ducks in the rain, a "Nemo" type fish...it was a fun day at work!

After stuffing, as much as possible, the final seams have to be hand sewn. So (sew?) the fun continues at home to finish the project!

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I am enjoying the creativity of sewing. Today's young designers/mothers/bloggers inspire many of us. Heather Bailey has a wonderful photo which captures the feeling of creativity in art and sewing here. She even has a delightful PEAR pincushion!
I wanted so much to share the photo directly with you....but don't want to violate copyright...

Our digital camera is not working well indoors....I had to use photoshop to lighten and bring out the photos above. They are still not clear. This will not do!

Being a visual communicator, I can't blog without photos, mine or other folks! LOL!

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Afternoon note: I have been on the back porch starting a painting ...the digital camera works if there is plenty of light.

This young man, trying on his wedding suit, is my son, Andrew.

This Saturday is his 25th birthday.

.....and, we are very happy to be going to his wedding next week!!!!

In getting ready to go, I have looked through old albums, Mary, the bride wanted a few photos for a bit of entertainment at the wedding reception....looking back...

I found myself remembering a lot of good times!

Andrew's traits-

A wonderfully athletic and happy child! Easy to be with and dependable!

Not to mention curious and creative....he took his "air Jordan" tennis shoes apart just to see how they worked!

[I wasn't too happy about that one, considering how expensive they were!!!!] He loved to construct and devise things...one year Santa gave him duct tape in his stocking!

So for the moment, I am lost in Nostalgia. There are good and bad things about being here....and I cannot stay too long because the NOW moment is calling.

NOW, I need to pack for the trip, clean up my house, rest from that last weekend of doing overnight inventory shifts where I work and get ready to return to work (normal daytime shifts) through this weekend!

So I may not be blogging as much as usual....but I will be thinking of things to post once I return!