It's June??

Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour passport and ribbons

Tour purchases: sweet florals, neutral tone on tones,
30's and civil war fabrics and a patriotic panel

Last weekend was the Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour - the tenth anniversary. It was my third year to tour. Because it was raining (pouring!) I left my camera in the car and dashed into shops. All I have to show is the evidence of the tour: my purchases, my stamped 'passport' and the ribbons given to each participant (a commemoration of your visit to the shop). The ribbons are sort of a badge to tie on your car antenna. One woman put them all on her glasses but I opted to tie them to a safety pin and wear it on my blouse. Those who visit every shop (evidenced by a completed passport) turn in the passport for a chance to win generous prizes. Folks come from quite a distance to participate. You should check it out in 2012!

Now I look forward to the Templeton Outdoor Quilt Show which is June 18 from 9:00am to 4:00pm in downtown Templeton, CA, USA. I just love that show, there is just something about all the quilts hung outside, swaying in the breeze. Some of the quilts are available for purchase. I will update you on that show...or you could go and see it in person!


Recently I made a little needlebook and small pinkeep for a dear friend. She loved it. Thought you might like to see it too! It's nice to have pretty little sewing notions, don't you think?

Lastly, I look forward to my trip to Quilt in a Day to attend the teacher's training certification seminar later this month. Sooo excited. I signed up last year and it's just amazing that it's time to go in just a couple of weeks. Darlene at Sew Cal Gal attended the training earlier this year and she blogged about it here. Sounds like a lot of fun to me!

Happy stitching,
~~Lisa

Cambria

10 Richmond

5 Kansas Troubles

11 London Square

In recent weeks I have worked on a few of the Civil War Quilts blocks. I am primarily using red, blue, shirtings, and brown with touches of cheddar and pink. I can't wait to photograph them all together so I am using that as incentive to get completely caught up.

3 Seven Sisters

My favorite block in this group is London Square. Perhaps I will make up more of those for a quilt of all London Square blocks. I'm thinking about that, I have a lot of irons in the fire. I will certainly keep you posted.

Lately I have made a few little pincushions. Always great for a quick finish and so useful. I like the tiny ones to keep with handwork so I have somewhere to put my needle in between stitching. Of course, it's always a good idea to know where you stuck it. With our curious little dogs around, it's extra important!

Instead of sewing Sunday I went on a road trip with the dogs and Mr. IQ to Cambria. We walked about, saw sweet little stores and enjoyed lovely weather. If you have never visited Cambria, California, USA I highly recommend it! I most of all hoped to go to a favorite shop, Birds of a Feather. I learned she has gone online only and will miss her dear little shop for sure. PKM even blogged about the shop. We were able to visit an antique shop and see a couple of well loved quilts. A grandmother's flower garden (hexagon) quilt above with fussy-cut split star fabrics (above) and a six point star with a little bunny, just in time for Spring!

Happy stitching!

~~Lisa

Favorite Thing: Pincushions

Pincushions are one of my favorite things. There is just something about a little scrap of fabric becoming something so useful that appeals to me. I like ‘em big and heavy.

Big so they have a lot of space for all my pins and needles. I don't want to be fussing looking for a place to stick the pin, you know? Heavy so they don’t spin, roll or wiggle away when I am tryin’ to stick ‘em. Gotta have a pincushion that stays put.




That said, my current fave pincushion is this one.

It was designed by the talented Anna Maria Horner and worked up in sunflower colors. It’s six inches in diameter. That’s a lot of pincushion! There is even a little ladybug sittin’ on top.

In order to have a chance at a kit to make your own sunflower pincushion (even the ladybug!) just leave a comment including a guess about how many strawberries are in the jar pictured below.

The person who guesses the closest without going over wins. If there is more than one person with the winning number I will draw one winner among them. The contest ends on Friday, August 20. Good luck!