Work In Progress: Unquilting

Ugh.  I don't usually mind using my seam ripper, but when it comes to unpicking quilting, that just isn't true.

 I'm working on this quilt for my cute friend Julie, and figured that between last night and tonight, I should be able to get the quilting done.  Well, I rolled it for the second time to find this huge, nasty tuck in the flannel backing about a foot from the side.  YUCK!  I think I know what made it happen, and how to avoid it in the future, but this equals maybe 1 1/2 square feet of quilting to unpick.

Luckily I have my favorite "seam ripper" to help me--the Famore 4.5" EZ Stitch Snip with Hook.  I wouldn't use this as a regular seam ripper, but it's perfect for removing little quilting stitches.  The hook is small enough to fit into small stitches, but it doesn't have a blade on that part, so it's safe and won't cut the quilt.  The spring action is great.  I just love these snips.  I also just wish I didn't have to use them so much....

I think I've got about half of the offending area taken out now.  It is slowing down the process, but I'm glad I caught it when I did.  I can't send this darling quilt back to Julie with an ugly tuck like that.

Here's a little of the quilting on the front.  More pics to come!

On another note, I bought my first full 30-yard roll of batting this week.  Here's my daughter rolling around on it in the kitchen.  In the past I've purchased my batting 5, 10, or 15 yards at a time.  This is also 120" wide, so there is a lot of it!

Linking up to Work in Progress Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

A Sneaky Peak

Oh, Art Gallery, Where have you been all my life?  

These beauties came in the mail from Art Gallery Fabrics this week, and they are positively LOVELY.  I haven't used AGF before, so I was very excited to try them out.  I've heard great things about this company and the quality and great hand of the fabric, and it's all true!

 The colors I'm using are Pure Elements in Tile Blue, Cozumel Blue, Mirage Blue, Fresh Water, Moonstone, Ash, Mystic Grey, and Light Grey, along with Nature Elements in Charcoal.  I'm really excited for this project!  It's going to be a secret for a while, but I'm making a new pattern that looks pretty amazing in my head. With this gorgeous fabric, hopefully it will translate into a finished quilt the way I see it!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the US, and I am really looking forward to spending time with family and eating the peanut butter pie/cheesecake my husband is currently making.  Yum.  I'll be making 5 dozen rolls in the morning before we head to my sister-in-law's house.  Do we need that many rolls?  No, but we need enough for everyone to take leftovers home.

I've finished quilting several quilts that I really need to post pictures of.  Hopefully I will do that soon.

I'm linking up today to Work In Progress Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.  Thanks for visiting!

Want to help Hurricane Sandy Victims?

There are some great efforts going on right now to collect quilts for Hurricane Sandy victims.  Do you want to help donate quilts, but maybe have too much going on?  Well, you're in luck.  Phoenix Quilts has about 200 quilts left over from the 2012 fire season that are READY TO GO NOW.  Where could you help?  Shipping.  This is a lot of quilts.  Julie is asking for donations via PayPal to help pay for shipping these quilts so lovingly made to help give some warmth to families in need.  For what it's worth, I trust Julie 100% that any money donated actually will go to shipping quilts to those in need.  Every little bit helps.

See her post about this here:
http://phoenixquilts.blogspot.com/2012/11/hurricane-sandy-victims-need-our-help.html


Thanks for your consideration.  It feels good to help others, and this is one way that we can make a difference.

She likes it!

When I brought home this dress after the State Fair, my daughter said she didn't like it.  Whenever I put it on her she would immediately ask to take it off.  I was a bit crushed, and blogged about that, and thinking of selling it, here.  Well, I am happy to say that she has changed her mind, and I will not be selling this dress after all.  This was actually a couple of weeks ago, but I got busy and forgot to post these pictures then.

Front view:

Back:  I love the peek-a-boo bustle/ruffles in the back.  I LOVE ruffles, maybe more than she does.

It passes the twirling test!

I'm so glad she decided she likes it.  I may or may not temporarily shorten the underskirt until she grows a little (like next month) so it isn't quite so long.  I haven't really decided yet.

 
I just started a new quilting project that I should link up to WiP Wednesday, but I don't have any pictures yet.  I keep leaving my camera upstairs when I go work on it.