Workshop 1: Applique techniques sampler (covers multiple techniques)

I am finally beginning to feel a little less overwhelmed.  Working with my BFF Anita, we are making real progress on the Easter banner and I estimate completion sometime early next week.  We have the top or front, completed except for a little free motion embroidery of grasses at the base of the lilies and the cross.  Then we will square it up and complete it with a very thin batting (Thermore…almost is like a thicker interfacing) and a facing back with a knife edge stitched around it, and add a gold fringe at the shaped bottom.  I will also do a little light quilting to keep it together nicely.  We have bells to tie on the banner’s hanger with long colorful ribbons on each side of the banner…very joyful!

This is the project for Fabric Arts Workshop II: Quilting with feed dogs up.

Also, I got all the kits ready (except for a few missing parts that are arriving on Monday) for Quilted Arts Workshop 1: Applique Techniques.  I did an inventory of my solid fabrics and made an order for making up the kits for Workshops 2 through 4, and today I worked out the quilting designs for Workshop 4 sampler (Ruler Work for Sit down Quilting). 

Quilting Template Letter

I found out that all my classes are filled and some I even allowed an additional student…so they are more than filled.  I can’t let any more in now.  How exciting! 

Additionally, I got my first video out.  This is a video stumbling my way through digitizing a wreath design with a lace background on Bernina V8 software.  It was my learning video…I had to learn the software and get all the settings to work right.  I have more learning to do, but it is kind of exciting to get a start on instructional short videos I have wanted to do for several years now. 

So with all that accomplished, I am feeling a lot less overwhelmed.  But I still have a lot to do…get the quilt sandwiches marked and sandwiched for the three quilting workshops, and I really want to make that Bob Ross challenge quilt for the Cherrywood fabric challenge this year.  It’s due in the summer, and I have the fabric, have worked out the design, and am excited about it.  Besides it is only 20″ x 20″, so I think I can get it done.

I also want to make my youngest son a shirt to wear to his next sci-fi writing conference due about the same time as the Bob Ross challenge.  And FINALLY, then I will go back to the train quilt which I hope to complete in time for entering into the early 2020 shows that have deadlines late this year (and I’d like to do another too). 

Besides, I lost ten pounds the past couple of months (I lose really slowly and have much more to go).  So I am feeling happy.

Sew happy everyone!  Spring and Summer are also for quilting just not as much maybe.  So go make a little quilted art.