THE PUZZLE IS FINALLY DONE :)

This one started out "fast and furious" like so many quilts, but then it started taking a back seat to this and that and one thing or another. Then about two weeks ago I started to panic cuz I realized that it was now February, which meant the "Autism Walk" was just around the corner! There was no more "no need to worry cuz I've got months to finish it" floating around in my head cuz those "months" had ever so quickly changed to "weeks!" Sooooooo, I put the "metal to the peddle" ... or is that the "peddle to the metal????" Either way, it's now a done deal :)

My friend Diannia had suggested that I use "green" for the inside border ... I really loved the thoughts of that; but I have sooooo much "yellow" in my stash, so I decided to stick with the original plan. Well, Diannia was right, cuz it looked soooooooo bland, which is why I ended up using the "rick rack." I think it did the trick.

I did a bunch of small stippling in the puzzle pieces, some sort of "I don't know what you'd call it" on the inside border and then a bunch of free motion doodling in the outer border. Somehow or another during that whole process, my board that the machine sits on jumped the daggone track!!! That was a first for me and was quite worrisome for about 5 minutes, but it all ended well :)

I also had a bit of an issue with some "gathering" on the back, which was also a first for me! Shhhhhhhh though, cuz I've decided to keep quiet on that one :) My friend Eileen said "washing" would take care of it pretty well ... and she was right! A lot less noticeable when it came out of the dryer :)

My Sister-in-Law, Betsy, is now gonna take it and "raffle it off." I soooooo hope she does well with it :) I had lots of sweet thoughts of our Nephew, A.J., while I was making it ... sent up lots of prayers for him and all the other folks living with Autism during the whole process too.

"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the LORD." (Jeremiah 30:17)

WELCOME TO MY SEWING ROOM :)

Or would that be my studio??? Either way, it's truly my "little piece of Heaven here on Earth" and I am soooooooo thankful to have it! It used to be our "Florida Room" a/k/a "screened in porch;" and one day about 7 years ago my honey woke up and said "I'm gonna build you a Sewing Room!" I don't think I have to tell you how excited I was to hear that, especially considering the fact that up until that point I had been sewing in the closet!!!!!!! I remember clearly the night I moved in ... I cranked up the stereo and danced for hours as I was putting suff here and there :) I don't know how Gene and Micki stood it; but as I recall, they came in and danced with me several times :)

It's a fairly large room ... more so in length than in width. I should probably know the exact measurements, but I haven't a clue. One side houses my regular machines, cutting table and the majority of my stash (above); and the other side is home to my beloved HQ16 (below).

Just a few weeks after the room was ready to roll, I ordered the Koala Quiltmate table and I have really enjoyed it! The second machine you see is a small "embroidery" machine that I've had a lot of fun with. I must have been using it the day I took these pictures ... otherwise, it wouldn't have been sitting right there smack dab in the middle of the table.

Next to my sewing table, I've got this shorter table for some "little ironing" tasks.

And here's my terribly messy cutting table that's filled to the brim underneath! Heck, it looks like it's filled to the brim on the top too!

We knew we wanted a decent size closet in the room, which happens to be in the middle cuz w/all the windows, it's the only place it would fit.

Well, there you have it ... my favorite room in our little house :) Thanks so much for stopping by!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.: (James 1:17)

AND LET THERE BE LIGHT!

Have y'all seen those cute little lights that attach to your sewing machine??? They've been out for a while now ... at first, I was convinced I didn't need it cuz of the light on my sewing machine; but then I started realizing that the built in light wasn't that great after all, so after hearing so many great reviews, I decided to take the plunge and bought myself one at the Quilt Show in Port Saint Lucie last weekend, a day that is still rendering those "warm fuzzie feelings :)"

So here you have it ... BL (Before Light) ... well the light is actually there, but it's not turned on .....


And AF (After Light) .........

My review??? Awesome product and every sewing machine w/a driver whose well past 40 needs one :) Oh and do you see that red rick rack??? Well there was a sweet little 2-1/2 pound puppy behind me pulling with all her might on the other end (LOL). Don't let her "innocent looks" fool you!


And yes, we too are currently wondering whether she's gonna grow into those ears or not (LOL).

"And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light."

CRAZY QUILTERS!

Awwwwww, there's not too many things that bring such warm feelings as a "Girl's Day Out" does; and that's exactly what I was blessed with on Saturday :) It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to Barbara (left) and Mary (right):

If you're reading Polly, this is the quilt that we all thought had your name written all over it!

Mary drove down from Cocoa, Barbara drove over from Clearwater and I drove up from Davie; and we all met in Port Saint Lucie for some lunch, barbecue style; and then we headed over to a wonderful little quilt show put on by the "Crazy Quilter's" at the Civic Center.

Unfortunately, when I'm having soooooooo much fun, I kinda forget I even own a camera, so I didn't use it very much ... I did take a picture of the "Best of Show Quilt" though ...........

..... and one of my favorite Quilts in the Show:


..... and we found a nice young gal to take our picture on our way out the door, who snapped it rght when I closed my eyes ... perfect of Barbara and Mary though :)


An absolutely fabulous kinda day ... thanks so much girls! It was a real joy and I can't wait till next time :)

"Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

"QUILTS FOR KIDS :)"

"Quilts for Kids" is an Organization you may have heard of ... they provide quilts for kids in need both here and abroad. They now have a Corporate Sponsor ... Downey; and if you go on to their Website, you can request a "kit," which comes to you like this:

Everything except the "batting" and the "binding" is included ... even the label; and it comes all "cut" and ready to sew. It truly doesn't get any easier and that baggie filled with goodies turns into this in just a few short hours :)

It still needs to be quilted and bound but it is definitely a "piece of cake" as long as you don't sew one of the rows upside down like I did! Yeap, that swearing you heard last night was coming from Davie!

Anyway, when you order a kit, they challenge you to also make one from your own stash, which I will definitely do :)

I have several friends who donate sooooooooooo much of their time to wonderful causes such as "Quilts for Kids," like Janet, who has devoted countless hours to this particular cause. They are all to be commended and I'm sure they will each and everyone continue to inspire me to try to do more, so thanks girls!

"But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48)