Mini Project of the Day

OK, so I know I haven't been blogging in a while, but I have good reason, really! I've been trying to finish unfinished projects and we all know about those notorious UFOs! So when I made that commitment months ago earlier this year, I was going to stick to it. A part of that includes going to my sewing group and quilt group. For those who don't have a group, I encourage you to participate. There you will find great advice, encouragement, a bunch of fun ladies and men in some cases, tons of ideas and more inspiration then you can possibly handle.



I was given this mini 16' quilt kit for x-mas last year and once I had it together I was like how do I quilt it? So because I love to do hand work, why not hand quilt it with a embroidery thread in utility style quilting. So here is the results about 75% complete. What next after it's complete? In a frame and onto the wall.



OK, so your asking what the heck does cows, a little colored man, mountains, a creek, and a pasture have to do with quilting? Welllll....since we are a camping family, we went camping this past weekend at a campground we have never been to before, so when we got there we literally had to go up the mountain, around very sharp bends, come down the mountain and landed in the middle of our hosts' 40 acre pasture! Mind you, this was just "his" 40 acres, his neighbors all had something like 200 acres, 15 acres, etc. Who would have known a camping area found here? A creek, a 13 foot dug out pond with a colored man, and a small fence was our protection against some well tamed herd of "healthy" I might add, registered cows! LOL They came out during the day to graze and went in at night to sleep. WOW! Didn't bother us one bit, except for those darn bull frogs that kept singing all night.

My plan was to mark my quilt pieces I had brought with me, but I was so caught up in the excitement of it all I just took pictures and just enjoyed the view the whole time. Lovely, simply loved it!!!

Look at this!

I was interested in when our local farmers market was going to be starting for gp and I was given the name of an organic farmer, check this out, right around the corner from me about 10 minutes away. So, I decide to go visit. Now, I by any means have nothing against organic, but just something intrigued me about going to this place. When I get there, by looking and driving by, who would have known this place was a type of farm? So I met the lady of the house, she opens these big containers....full of baby chickens! What the! WOW!! Then takes me on a tour of her place with all sorts of organic goodies right. Next, to the back yard....can you say three acres worth of raised beds of veggies and off to the side...you guessed it, more chickens! LOL Roasters and Ducks! Holy cow! I was tickled pink. Then she pointed to a black chicken, goes into the coop and brings out two eggs that were just laid and they were still warm and one was GREEN! Yes, green. That black chicken lays green eggs. The first thing I thought was green eggs and ham. LOL Well, I must admit this was an adventure for me and I loved it! To support the cause, I bought some fresh organic eggs and will be back for another visit!

The odd ball, is the pastel green egg!

With Sheer Determination...

anything is possible. I never did find my drill in this crazy house, bound and determined to finish this project before the rain came this morning I went to Waliworld and bought another one for $19 bucks with $3 off (courtesy of the asst. manager...thank you Mr. manager!)because something was missing out of the opened box. I got my boxes put together, lined, and filled with dirt. The herbs were planted and ready to go. The rain started this morning and rained pretty much most of the day and those herbs perked up like you wouldn't believe. So now I just sit back like a two year old and wait patiently for those darn things to grow just so I can pluck some limbs to cook with! LOL

Have a great evening! T

Don't you just love spring time?

(Provence Lavender, Sweet Basil, Common Sage, Potpourri Lavender)


(Purple Sage, French Lavender, Chives, Spearmint, Pineapple Sage)

After this crazy winter, I could use some spring time lovin' and I did just that, I went outside today and enjoyed the sunshine, dug some small flowers beds, transplanted some plants, and was in the process of making my above the ground herb bed until it came to a dead halt! I can't find my darn drill. For those who know what a pain it is to try manually screwing a nail into wood, well it just doesn't work well. You end up stripping the nail head and now what? LOL So until I find that, this project is at a stand still momentarily. While we wait til the drill finds me(LOL), I will have to keep watering them. Terrible, terrible me~


(This is what I ended up with and how far I got!)

I had the opportunity to visit the Sewing and Quilt Expo yesterday, I didn't take any classes but it just seems like over the years the vendor base is getting slimmer. There were several areas that had quilts displayed on the floor that were invitational only. No contests that I am aware, correct me if I am wrong. I ran into a guild member and sat in on a Sulky demonstration of the latest and greatest threads and trends from the company. It was very interesting. They are based here in Atlanta, Kennesaw to be more specific, but they only wholesale, no open retail to the public at this warehouse. Did you know they also have a 3-day certified teacher program to learn about their threads, stabilizers, other products, you have lunch, take a tour of the warehouse and take home nine projects? If this is something you are interested you may want to contact them.


(Wool floss, varigated Valdani threads, the coolest batiks, sulky transfer pens)

So back to the Expo...I picked up a few things not too much. Since these are returning vendors they seem to remember faces and welcome you with open arms! For the most part, if anything else I enjoyed seeing the vendors and running into friends along the way. I was pooped at the end of the day but had fun.

Dyeing on the horizon....

Just kidding around, been having fun again with my colors.

I am trying to decide on another entry on what I am going to make. I tell ya, these deadlines come up so fast and I've been behind the 8 ball on these tasks. There are two shows I am wanting to enter and the decision to use a previous quilt, my "Everything that Glitters Quilt" is debatable and still on the chopping block. I am curious to see what others think of the quilt at this show in the fall even though it's a small wall quilt. I have to read the guidelines for entering previous quilts.




The other quilt I have two ideas running in my head and not sure which one I am going to do. I take that back, I am going to do them both, it is which one will get entered accordingly. I will keep you posted.

Ok, it's that time again, I am so excited! The Sewing Expo is will be this weekend and I can't wait to give you results of what new items and gadgets I may have found. I will keep everyone posted on this as well.

I need to run, but as always....live your life, laugh out loud and of course, be creative everyday. Signing off T

What I've been up too....

well, dyeing of course! I have been having fun dyeing ribbon. I had fun dyeing these few here and have more in the bucket. I love dyeing stuff it is so wonderfully messy with unpredictable results, that's the beauty of it.

There are some beautiful hand-dyed fabrics out there but what makes them all so unique is that fact that they all have different results and you will never find any dyer with the same fabrics. Everyone has their own style and signature if you will. I love a mottle uneven look to my fabrics which gives the fabric character once it is cut up and I just love that look.

On another note, here are some runners I made with pennies on them ready to receive the ladder stitch.





Enjoy...now off to creating with you! T

Some Roses Just4u-Happy Pre-Valentine's Day!

I just thought I'd say Happy Valentines Day early to those who love flowers, roses to be more specific....these go out to you!


Now what's on the design wall...

A new sign for the studio inspired by techniques by Tonya Ricucci of Word Play Quilts waiting to be quilted and added to my wall.



Baby Quilt, Size 29"x37"


Baby Quilt Whole Cloth with applique flower, Size 35"x42"

Both up for sale. If you are interested please contact me via email at kailalondon@aol.com.

Have a very wonderful pre-Valentine's Day! T