
Thanks for all the comments on my last post! My blogging schedule is off a little bit, but here I am nonetheless. On Saturday I had my sewing class on how to use my new machine. I feel a little more comfortable with it now and can’t wait to do some more sewing. I’ll go back next month for a class on how to use the embroidery part of my machine. That should be interesting! So, the first order of business with regard to sewing, is that I need to piece the backs for two quilts so that I can take them to be quilted. I’ve only ever done my own quilting, but I figure these have been sitting around long enough as just quilt tops, that I’d really like to get them finished! The first one is actually the second quilt top I ever made (the first one is halfway quilted, and I need to get back to it).

I took my very first quilting class back in 2002, I think. I had never really sewn before, and felt like I was way behind everyone else. So, in class we made a sampler quilt, and with each block learned a different technique. In order to really grasp what I was learning, I made two quilts – one in class, and one at home. My first quilt is the one from class (I’ll be showing you that one soon, hopefully), and my second quilt (above), is the one I made at home. I used the same blocks, sometimes with different layouts, and with completely different fabrics. So, this quilt top has been finished for about five years, and as soon as I piece the back, I can drop it off to be quilted.

The next quilt I started was a block of the month project as my quilt store where I was taking the classes. You paid $5 for the first block (the fabrics and the instructions), and if you brought in the finished block the next month, your next block was free. So this is my $5 quilt. You can’t beat that, can you?? This one needs a pieced back as well, and then it is off to be quilted too! I will be so glad to have these two quilts finished. Maybe it’s like second sock syndrome that knitters have, except that I get stalled after the top is finished, and never seem to get around to the quilting. So this is my third quilt top. And as you can see, my helper came in to inspect.

And next on my list after getting those two off to the quilter will be to work on fixing this one. This is a table topper, and it is partially quilted. I’m not happy with the quilting though, so I need to rip it out and start over. It shouldn’t take very long to quilt, I just need to do it. It would be nice to have it finally done for Valentine’s Day.
So those are the quilting/sewing plans for now. I would really really like to get some things out of my unfinished pile before the end of the year. I’m sure many of you can relate!
But, since I can never have too much stash, I bought a few little charts over the weekend when I went to my LNS for beads (you can’t just buy beads, right?!).

I bought two Stacy Nash charts (Hallow’s Eve and 3 Little Pumpkins), because I am loving them right now. I also bought a Notforgotten Farm chart called “Thomas”.

Also, my next block for Leanne’s House came yesterday. I think I have two more months to go on this one. Once I get some of these quilts in my pile finished, I can start on this one (oh and my wedding quilt too!!).
I should have some stitching things to show you by the end of the week…so stay tuned!! And thank you all for visiting, I appreciate it!
Thought I would leave you with some more Philadelphia photos…

This is the Edgar Allan Poe House. The Raven sculpture at the top of the post is outside the house. When our tour guide took us outside to see the sculpture, he wouldn’t let us back in until someone could give him the first line of the poem “The Raven” (see post title). I knew that would come in handy one day!

This is from the Rodin museum. These are The Gates of Hell. Really amazing, and HUGE! I had wanted to go to the museum just to see this piece in person. Well worth the parking ticket we got, I think! Whoops! But, really, the doors are so detailed and are just covered with figures in high relief.
I am grateful for getting those quilts out to work on.
Michelle! OMG! I love the first quilt. The colors are all of my favorites. Great job. The block of the month and table topper are also beautiful.
Michelle! OMG! I love the first quilt. The colors are all of my favorites. Great job. The block of the month and table topper are also beautiful.
Your $5 quilt is stunning! I hope you finish it soon ~ this coming from someone who has far too many unfinished projects laying around! 🙂 ~ Lynda ♥
Your $5 quilt is stunning! I hope you finish it soon ~ this coming from someone who has far too many unfinished projects laying around! 🙂 ~ Lynda ♥
Lovely quilts! I love the $5 one the best! And of course you can’t just buy beads at the LNS… that’s just not right 🙂
Lovely quilts! I love the $5 one the best! And of course you can’t just buy beads at the LNS… that’s just not right 🙂
Beautiful quilting – that 2nd one is definately my favorite. 🙂
And I love the Poe pics! WOW!!!
Beautiful quilting – that 2nd one is definately my favorite. 🙂
And I love the Poe pics! WOW!!!
Lovely quilts, I like the second one, very rustic and country like 🙂
Thanks for the pics 🙂
Lovely quilts, I like the second one, very rustic and country like 🙂
Thanks for the pics 🙂
Love the quilts!!! I think I have a pattern and fabric to do one like the third one, but I would rather stitch than piece quilts.
I alwasys say never go to a LNS to buy one skein of Weeks, Sampler Thread or beads. At least I cannot do that. LOL
Love the quilts!!! I think I have a pattern and fabric to do one like the third one, but I would rather stitch than piece quilts.
I alwasys say never go to a LNS to buy one skein of Weeks, Sampler Thread or beads. At least I cannot do that. LOL
LOVE LOVE LOVE the quilts!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures of them!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the quilts!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures of them!
Great quilts! I have several tops finished….and unbottomed as yet. Is there a name for that syndrome?
And my Leanne’s House is stalled too. I think that will be a new year’s project.
Great quilts! I have several tops finished….and unbottomed as yet. Is there a name for that syndrome?
And my Leanne’s House is stalled too. I think that will be a new year’s project.
All of your quilts are wonderful! I think I like the table topper best. Nice stash haul, too!
When you get a minute please drop me an email with your snail mail address. The Acorn kit is coming to your house. :o)
All of your quilts are wonderful! I think I like the table topper best. Nice stash haul, too!
When you get a minute please drop me an email with your snail mail address. The Acorn kit is coming to your house. :o)
Once again, lovely photos! And I love those quilts! You ladies and your quilting are inspiring me to bring out my fabric bins from the last century. Great additions to your stash, as well.
Once again, lovely photos! And I love those quilts! You ladies and your quilting are inspiring me to bring out my fabric bins from the last century. Great additions to your stash, as well.
Quilting is a dream of mine that probably won’t be realized until after retirement. Yours are beautiful.
Quilting is a dream of mine that probably won’t be realized until after retirement. Yours are beautiful.
Wow, Michelle, your quilts are gorgeous! I love the first one!
No you can’t just buy beads at your LNS, that just wouldn’t be right LOL!
Wow, Michelle, your quilts are gorgeous! I love the first one!
No you can’t just buy beads at your LNS, that just wouldn’t be right LOL!
Gorgeous quilts.
I saw another version of the gates of hell zt the Musée d’Orsay (Paris) a few years ago and I agree this “door” is amazing!
Gorgeous quilts.
I saw another version of the gates of hell zt the Musée d’Orsay (Paris) a few years ago and I agree this “door” is amazing!
wow, your quilt tops are lovely! they are all so different and wonderful .. I can see why you want them finished 🙂
Love the new stash .. especially Thomas! lol
wow, your quilt tops are lovely! they are all so different and wonderful .. I can see why you want them finished 🙂
Love the new stash .. especially Thomas! lol
Michelle, Awesome work, the solors are to die for and look at all your stash, boy are you going to have fun! Marvelously done, my dear
Michelle, Awesome work, the solors are to die for and look at all your stash, boy are you going to have fun! Marvelously done, my dear
Michelle, do you still knit? Have you been to Jenningstreet yarns in Ft. Worth? http://www.jsyarns.com My DH and I stumbld on it yesterday. Beautiful selection and great patterns. Gayle in Waco
Michelle, do you still knit? Have you been to Jenningstreet yarns in Ft. Worth? http://www.jsyarns.com My DH and I stumbld on it yesterday. Beautiful selection and great patterns. Gayle in Waco
Love the quilts – good on you for getting these finish-finished … you might even motivate me to get more done when I get settled too 😉 Love the PA photos too – wonderful! 😀
Love the quilts – good on you for getting these finish-finished … you might even motivate me to get more done when I get settled too 😉 Love the PA photos too – wonderful! 😀
Isn’t it great to actually finish a project? Thinking about what you have to do is always so much harder than actually doing it…Love the Gates of Hell pic…always wondered what it looked like!!!
Teresa@PlumWater Cottage
Isn’t it great to actually finish a project? Thinking about what you have to do is always so much harder than actually doing it…Love the Gates of Hell pic…always wondered what it looked like!!!
Teresa@PlumWater Cottage
Those quilts are stunning and I can’t believe they were your first attemps at quilts. You must have the gift. xx
Those quilts are stunning and I can’t believe they were your first attemps at quilts. You must have the gift. xx
Great job Michelle – those are beautiful quilts. I am so proud of you 🙂
Great job Michelle – those are beautiful quilts. I am so proud of you 🙂
Beautiful quilts, Michelle!
Beautiful quilts, Michelle!
Gorgeous quilts! I love the first one.
Gorgeous quilts! I love the first one.