When in doubt…..follow the pattern!

I’d like to think I’m “on the ball” most of the time.  Had my “stuff” together, if you will.  But when I decided to make a Needlebook (Birthday gift) for my friend Jennifer, it was like I needed a refresher course in Sewing 101. I ran across a slew of free patterns and tutorials for Needle Books & Cases and thought this would be a perfect gift.  Not having made one before, it looked easy peasy – but not being able to decided on just one pattern, I thought I’d improvise and come up with my own version.  I mean, really…it’s just a little needle carrier thingy, how difficult could it be?  Eye roll.  I’ve never struggled so much in my life with a sewing project, I mis-measured, cut too short, sewed a right side with a wrong side, then sewed it all together without attaching the button loop…..argh!  What the heck was going on?  At times, I’m a little slow to figure things out – but it finally occurred to me.... had I made a sample Needlebook, or one for a family member I wouldn’t have felt the it’s-got-to-be-perfect pressure of a puny pin holder on my back.   I’m forever doing stuff like this, what should have taken me an evening to complete took me four evenings to finish!  Yeah, I know, it’s crazy.  Just wait until I’m invited over for dinner, I’ll have a bright idea to bring a new recipe, a dish I’ve never tried before – then work myself into a frenzy worrying if the dish will be edible or tossed to the dog!

While I think it turned out fairly well, it was a hair puller to be sure!

Opened to show the back....

A pocket on the inside, and monogrammed for that personal touch!

I used a Charm pack (Moda, maybe?) and coordinating felt for the Needlebook, then added a spool of thread and a pair of Stork Embroidery scissors.

The Jo  Morton Experience!

I’m not wortheeee!   Sue (one of my traditional quilty friends) and I were very fortunate  this past weekend to see Jo Morton at one of our local quilt shops (Prairie Point) – apparently it was one hot ticket to get!  Since it was “first come seating”, there was a line forming in front of the quilt shop when I drove into the parking lot….was Elvis in the building?  In hopes of getting a “up close and personal” seat, I hopped out of my car and joined the excitement.   Sue and I were thrilled to sit in the 3^rd row for our viewing enjoyment….and enjoyment it was!  Jo brought a trunk full of fabric wonderment to ooh and ahh over! 

One of my favs......

 2nd fav.....

Gotta make one these little tree skirts....!

The Dish....

To go along with my first blog, I thought I’d share my very first quilt!  About  10 years ago, my daughter and I signed up for a beginners’ quilting class – A Stack-n-Whack.  My grandmother had taught me to embroider and quilt a smidgen, but basically I didn’t know much about putting blocks together.  Oh, and clearly, I didn’t know much about color back then either!  The instructor said to bring fabrics that “speak to you” ….wha, what?  With nothing in the fabric store calling to me, I decided to go with a mix of florals.     I suspect I was talking or passing notes when the instructor told the class about fabric choice, color schemes, a mix of lights to darks – as most of my prints are on a light backgrounds with different colored flowers!  Blah and boring…..

My "less than" colorful quilt.....

My daughter's colorful creation....