Dresses

I think I've mentioned once or twice that I love all things Disney.  :)  A few years ago we went to Disney World for the first time and I went CRAZY making dresses for my three daughters.  In case you missed it - here are a few of the dresses/shirts I made...

Well - we are planning another trip back to the World and I'm at it again!  This year I'm making another Belle dress, another Cinderella dress, Anna from Frozen, Elsa from Frozen, Mary Poppins...OH - and I almost forgot, Anastasia and Drezella from Cinderella and if I have time leftover...the Mouse Made Dress from Cinerella.  LOL  I seriously could make these things all day long...I love making them!

Today I'm finishing up Pat's quilt - I sewed late into the night last night but still have a little bit left to finish up today - and after dinner I took a break to start on one of the dresses for our next trip to Disney.  Here is the start of our Anna dress...

Oh I love it!  This dress has become soo hard to find ready made too that I'm thrilled I can sew it up for my daughter.  I watched yesterday as one sold for nearly $100 before shipping last night on Ebay.  CRAZY!  Princess dresses with lots of embelishments are pricey store bought any way - and I can usually get away with making one for under $20.  Oh exciting!  Alright I'm headed back to the long arm...I'll post some finished photos of Pat/Chris's quilt next!  :)

Pat's Quilt in Progress and Juki TL 2010Q Overview Video

Good morning!

It is April 2nd and I can hardly believe it!  Spring has creeped up in Northeast Ohio and while this time last week we had several inches of snow on the ground, I woke up this morning to the sounds of birds chirping and sunshine.  Finally!  It is supposed to reach 60 degrees today - so long as the rain says away I might make time to work out in the garden.  Fingers crossed!

 

If you follow me on Facebook you have likely seen a few shots of this quilt - it was made by the mother of my highschool friend Chris for a Christmas gift this past year - he is an artist these days and works with fine art as well as collects it - so can you tell I might feel a little pressure to meet his super high and knowledgeable standards?!  LOL  Not to mention you always want to ooh and ahh your friends.  :)

The quilt is ultra modern but not so modern that it couldn't be appreciated by a traditional quilter.  I am actually really in love with it!  He liked the idea of straight line quilting with the lines going in different directions creating a lot of movement and textural interest.  So this is what we have come up with so far - I got to working late into the night last night, or I should probably say early into this morning!  I will spend the majority of today and tomorrow finishing it up and then it is on to Lara's quilt.  :)

I also wanted to toss in another quick video here today!  I took this video yesterday but didn't get around to finishing up the editing until this morning.  I receive a lot of questions about my Juki TL 2010Q - so here is a brief overview of the machine and its functions!  :)  I hope this is helpful to those of you out there who are curious about my domestic machine.  I do have several machines - but I did not want a full on sit down long arm so this was my choice.  I can use it for piecing, free motion quilting, garment sewing, or I can frame it and use it as a stand up machine.

Keep watch as next week I will be announcing a GIVE AWAY!  :)

Happy Quilting!

- Valerie :)

Pamela's Baby Quilt

I have sooo many exciting things to share, I'm going to have to space it all out within a few posts.  First, I want to share Pamela's baby quilt - she sent this to me recently for quilting and I just finished...I think it turned out so darn cute!

 

I am always very concerned with fusible applique - depending on the fusible you use and the method you use to secure it, quilting can damage it.  Fortunately Pamela's quilt was able to hold up to some additional detail.  Not something I can always do - but this time it worked out really well.  I think it added a lot of character to her already adorable quilt too.

 

I used my favorite Glide Thread in five or six different colors on this - and a single layer of Hobbs 80/20 batting.

Here is a closeup of the monkey with a little light manipulation so you can better see the quilting - I quilted that little belly button onto him and I just thought it turned out adorable!!  It was on a whim too as I hadn't included it into the mock up but I knew once I got into the quilt that it needed something else to secure that tummy down.  DETAILS are my absolute favorite part of quilting!

I also received some fun mail today!!!!  Four of the pantographs I have designed with Patricia Ritter over at Urban Elementz have arrived!!!!!  I will share them all next post...yay!

I hope everyone is getting some quilting done out there in blogland!!

Vickie's Sew Spooky Quilt

Here I am!  Things are getting C-R-A-Z-Y here!  This past week I have been avoiding the computer somewhat as Hubby came down with that yicky flu that the girls had, and we keep our computer in the bedroom.  All I could think was - GERMS!  It's been a full 7 days now since he's been sick so I'm feeling like I may have gotten a free pass on the flu this time.  *fingers crossed*  In any case - back to the computer as I have a lot of work to catch up on!

First I want to share Vickie's quilt - it is called Sew Spooky by The Quilt Company.  Visit Vickie's blog and send her some nice comments about her lovely quilt!  http://vickiequilts.blogspot.com

This quilt is so adorable and was so much fun to work on.  I really think the McTavishing with swirls was perfect for the pattern.  I tried to add sweet little details anywhere I could - this quilt is definitely a feast for the eyes...something everywhere to look at and interest you!  :)  Thank you again Vickie for allowing me to work on your adorable quilt!  It is headed home today!

I also wanted to share that new patterns are up now on Urban Elementz!  I am super excited to say - I have my own little Designer Page even!!!  I'm so excited and honored to be involved with them - it is a dream come true, truly! 

 

 

 

In other news - I turned 33 on Friday!!!  I don't know if I am excited about this or a little scared.  I'm that much closer to 40 - the age that my parents will forever be in my mind...even though now they are well into their 60's.  I had such a wonderful day though - my Husband spoiled me rotten, and I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed every moment of it.  He and my parents bought me gift cards so I could buy what I wanted at the craft store, and I bought a hoard of art supplies.  I have been scrapbooking and making time for paint and art.  :)  If you would like to see my artsy endeavors, I have decided to keep them seperate from this blog as I know many of my pals here are here for the quilts - you can visit my artsy/nonsense blog at http://valeriesmithartstudio.blogspot.com

 

 



Happy Quilting!! 

- Valerie :)

Just A Few More Shots of Vickie's Quilt

Just had to share a few more in progress shots of Vickie's quilt...having so much fun with this!  :)

 



Linking up with Nina's Off the Wall Friday and Amy's McTavishing Link Up.  :)

Vickie's Sew Spooky Quilt - In Progress

Oh my - I have really been slacking on my blogs lately!  It's been quite busy here.  Busy in a wonderful way for the most part - I love having quilts to work on.  Though, a few days ago, not one - not two - but all three of my daughters came down with the flu on the same day all within about an hour of each other!  In some ways I'm grateful it was all at once rather than each going down like flies throughout the week.  I had to forgo a few days of quilting, but I'm playing catch up over the weekend.

Here are a few shots of Vickie's quilt - it is called Sew Spooky by The Quilt Company.  Vickie did an amazing job piecing this quilt - it is all needle turned applique and the stitches are darn near invisible.  Everything is very square and accurate - which makes things that much easier when quilting.  :)

Planning on quilting through the weekend, barring that I don't catch the yicks from the girls.  *Fingers crossed!* 

If you can believe it, because I hardly can, my 33rd birthday is coming up in a week.  Where has this year gone?

Happy Quilting!

- Valerie :)

Linda's Masterpiece

I have been calling this quilt Linda's masterpiece quilt - because it truly is a stunner.  I am beyond honored that I had the good fortune to be selected to quilt it for her. 

I really loved working on this - and I'm thrilled with how it came out.  I learned some sneaky tricks to avoid backtracking as I go along too, especially in those pinstriped areas.  Wheew!  Loved quilting it, but I can't say that I am not relived to be done, this one was intense!  :)

Hope everyone out in quilt land is keeping warm - we had a high of 4 degrees today!  :)