Studio Time is Fun!

I spent most of the day in my studio yesterday and I feel so much better for it. Before I show you what I made with the teal fabric I want to share my completed Stitchery Roll. The inspiration for the roll came from the latest Australian Country Threads Stitchery magazine that came out earlier this year. Here is what the roll looks like when it is closed.
I used coffee-themed fabric for the outside. A perfect choice for Coffee Time Stitches, right?
I lined the inside with brown flannel for holding projects in place. I added a row of pockets for holding thread, a small hoop, scissors and miscellaneous items. The original pattern called for wrapping the end of the roll around a PVC pipe. I wanted a roll that could lay flat and be squishie if I want to toss it in a suitcase.
And now for the teal fabric. I made a Flirty Skirty reversible apron for the Hot Drinks for Hot Mamas Swap at Yarni Gras. This is the reversible side.
And, without further ado, here is the front of the apron. I really like the way the apron turned out. I know my swap partner will like it, too. It's going out in the mail tomorrow morning along with some other goodies.
I have Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday off. That means I'll be able to get some more serious sewing time in. I can't wait!

Sweet P

Need to Sew Today

I have the day off today and need to get some sewing done. Here is what I'm going to play with today. What do you think it will be?
I have to get this project done today as it needs to be sent in the mail by Wednesday. Stay tuned to see if I make the deadline.

What's happening in your studio this week?
Sweet P

Yesterday's Goodies

I said I would be back with yesterday's goodies and here they are. First up is the welcome gift from Karen and Bron: an adorable tote bag, a Stitchery magazine, Mrs. Martins Quilt pattern and chocolate (already eaten and very yummy).
Our first stop of the morning was the New England Quilt Museum. The exhibition was Metrotextural: Art Quilts of the Manhattan Quilters Guild. The quilts were definitely art quilts and many were gorgeous. Some left us wondering, but I guess that happens often. In the sale section of the gift shop I found this book on Big Stitch Quilting for 40% off. Since I started big stitch quilting without directions I figured for $8 I would make sure I'm doing it right.
The two-hour drive to Keepsake Quilting was gorgeous. The trees were colorful and the skies were a brilliant blue. Karen and Bron were amazed by the gorgeous colors. We shopped at Keepsake for a little over an hour. As I always do when I visit a quilt shop I check out the sale area first. I found these stripe prints for $4 a yard - bought one yard of each.
This alphabet panel was marked down to $4. There are two full alphabets on the panel. I'm thinking of making an alphabet book for the new grandbaby with them.
I was born and raised in Minnesota and laughed out loud when I saw this Minnesota fabric on sale. I bought two yards of it. I will add it to some other MN fabric I purchased last year.
While waiting for Bron to finish shopping I noticed a stack of cupcake and candy print fabrics by the cutting counter. I asked if they had any medley packages of the prints and they didn't. So I chose these three cupcake fabrics and bought half-yard cuts of each. I also bought a package of 10-inch squares of Aunt Grace solids to use with all the Aunt Grace repros I got for my birthday.
I'm definitely done shopping for a while. In the last two weeks I have purchased close to 50 yards of fabric and received 20 FQs as a birthday present. All of those fabrics should keep me busy for a while, don't you think so?
Sweet P

Mrs. Martin and Bron Survived Keepsake Quilting!

I picked up Karen (AKA Mrs. Martin) and Bron at their hotel this morning. First stop was the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA. Then it was off to Keepsake Quilting.

Here's proof they are alive and well and survived Keepsake Quilting. Karen, on the right, managed to leave with one piece of fabric. On the other hand, we had to drag Bron out of the store as well her having to drag her purchases behind.
Karen and Bron say hi to all their readers. Karen is trying to figure out how to get on the internet to post a blog entry so you should be hearing from her soon.

I'll be back tomorrow to show you my purchases of the day. I'm too tired to take anymore photos.
Sweet P

Still Stitching and a New Book

Despite starting a new job at Jo-Ann's and coming home with tired legs every night I have been awake enough to work on another stitchery project. This is the stitchery piece of a stitchery roll pattern from the latest issue of Country Threads Stitchery magazine. I started it in June before vacation and decided it was time to finish it. I haven't chosen the fabric for the rest of the project.


This morning I had to leave for work early to get our car inspected and the oil changed. The car was done by 8:45 and I didn't need to be to work until 10. I decided a stroll around Barnes & Noble was in order. While browsing through the quilting books, I found this book by Anna Marie Horner.

I browsed through the book before deciding I had to buy it. She has created some terrific patterns that look fun and exciting. It wasn't until I got home and did some internet browsing that I learned the book just came out as in the release date is October 20, yet B&N had several on the shelf.

Tomorrow I am picking up Mrs. Martin of Mrs. Martin's Quilt Shop and her friend, Bron in Boston. We will be going to the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA and then on to Keepsake Quilting in Center Harbor, NH. The weather is going to be lovely and the fall colors should be gorgeous.

Have a happy weekend!
Sweet P

And the Winner Is . . .

Terri from Terri's Bits and Pieces who left this comment:

• My favorite season is fall here in mid-Michigan. My favorite color is red. My least favorite part of making a quilt is the cutting.

Terri, please send me your snail mail address and I will create your custom package to help you enjoy cutting out your next quilt or two.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to leave comments. I hope you continue to visit Coffee Time once in a while in your journey through blogland!

Sweet P

Stitcher's Angel Package Arrived!

My Stitcher's Angel package arrived from Anna in Italy today. What an awesome collection of goodies she sent to me. There is a tote bog with a cross stitch panel, a photo album with my initial stitched on it (I'm going to save it for photos of the new grand baby), a matching card for holding ribbons, coffee cup candles and coffee fabric. Thank you, Anna, for a wonderful package. And thank you Helen for hosting a wonderful swap.
I though I'd share another fall photo with you. We got home from work just as the sun was setting and this tree was gorgeous. It is one of the trees behind our deck. It is also the tree I see out of the window in my quilting room. Don't you just love fall?
It's time for the Red Sox/Tampa Bay Rays series to start so I'm off to watch some baseball.

Thanks for the suggestions on the Christmas Quilt. I'm hoping to get it done in the next few days.
Sweet P

Mini Christmas Quilt

This is a mini Christmas quilt I made last year. It is the size of a fat quarter. I used my new yellow, red and maroon variegated Valdani thread to do big stitch hand quilting through the white blocks in the center. The lines were drawn with my new Sewline pencil.

Here's a close up of the quilting. The lines look little crooked in the photo,
but they are better looking in person.

I need some suggestions on what to do in the border. The Christmas print border is 3 inches wide. I don't want to cover too much of the print since it is the only Christmas print in the quilt. I'm thinking of stitching a straight line just outside the green border and then another line close to the outside of the Christmas print. Do you think that would work? Or do you have any other suggestions?

Have a great weekend!
Sweet P

Sneak Peak

I have finished my Stitcher's Angel projects. I wonder who they are going to????

Could it be you? Or you? Or . . . .

Now I need to move on to one of the other eight swaps I'm in right now. I didn't realize I had signed up for so many until I made the list yesterday. Not all of them involve sewing though. One is for kitchen items. A trip to The Kitchen Store is on my list for tomorrow.

Sweet P

Mini Shop Hop Finds

The last shop hop I went on was 52 weeks ago today. Since then I've bought small amounts of fabric here and there. Most of what I have bought has already been used.

Today I met three friends at Marden's Surplus. I've talked about this store, but for new readers if you live in New Hampshire or Maine it is the place to purchase quilt shop quality for 2.99 - 3.99 a yard. For example, the galoshes fabric I bought at my LQS for $8 a yard is only 2.99 at Marden's and they have 5 different colorways of the fabric.

Four FQs for blenders and five 1-yard cuts sold as a coordinating package. Don't have a plan for these right now, but will probably make some quilts from one of the books I received last week.

I've been drawn to bold, geometric prints lately. The striped fabric on the right has light-colored circles on it. I'm tempted to cut it on the diagonal and make blocks out of it.

There are two yeards of each of these fabrics. They will look good in my kitchen. Maybe a table runner or some placemats. The yellow is a gingham and I'm thinking of making an apron with chicken scratch stitching on it.

There are four yards of this fabric.
It will become backing for one of the galoshes quilts.

This isn't a very good photo, but it is home decorating fabric and I bought four yards of it. I think it will be curtains in one of the rooms in the house.

In total I purchased 28 yards of fabric at Marden's for $75. At a minimum that same amount of fabric would cost $200 if purchased at quilt shops or from Joann's for the home decorating fabric. That's why I love shopping at Marden's (and also why I don't do it very often).

After Marden's we went to Kathie's Quilt Shop in Sanford, ME. This was a new shop to me, but not to the others. She has a room devoted to stitching supplies and needle arts. I found a jar full of Valdani variegated threads and choose these three spools. The gray felt will be used in needlecases. The Moda tin is empty, but since I'm a sucker for cute containers I'm sure I'll find a use for it. She carries the Sewline pencil line of products. I purchased mine with black lead. I've heard it's a great pencil for marking stitcheries. I can't wait to give it a try. I also bought Atkinson Design's Slide Show pattern. I recently received a stack of train fabrics from a friend and this design will be a great way to showcase the trains.
What did you do this weekend?

Thanks to everyone for entering my giveaway. I haven't responded to everyone yet. But be assured that if you've left a comment, you will be in the drawing.

Sweet P

It's October!

And I am so happy! Why? you ask. First, it's my birthday month (next Wednesday if you really want to know). Second. I love fall colors. Third, my Red Sox will start playing in the playoffs tonight. Finally , I joined the "Fall Into Fall Quilter's Blog Giveaway".

I had a hard time deciding what to give away for the drawing. Should I buy something? Should I make something? Should I include chocolate? What else could I do?

After a lot of thought and nibbling a few of these:

This is what I decided to do: Leave a comment for this entry. In your comments tell me what your favorite season is, your favorite colors and your least favorite part of making a quilt. You do not need a blog, but I must have a way to e-mail you if you win.

On October 15th I will put all the names in a bowl (not mixed with the pumpkins) and pick one. Based on the answers I will design a set of quilty items for you to use while you are working on your least favorite part of making a quilt. I want to help you enjoy the entire quilt process. After all, don't we quilt to have fun???

Since it is the first of the month here are the photos from my deck. The leaves on some of the trees are changing colors. There are still several trees that are green. I'm sure I'll be enjoying a close up view of the changing colors for several more days.

Look really, really hard . . . can you see the vibrant red leaves in the middle of the photo? These leaves have been peaking through the green for a few days. I hope all the trees look like that soon!
I'm still working on my Stitcher's Angel projects. I hope to have some photos soon!

Go Red Sox!
Sweet P

Galoshes Quilt and Book Review

I had a blissful Sunday afternoon. Like we did last weekend we had two TVs set up in the living room to watch baseball, football and golf. I did handwork on my Stitcher's Angel projects and worked on the binding of a quilt for DIL.

When I grew tired of sitting still I went into my studio and finished my first Galoshes quilt. Simple 9-patches with sashing and cornerstones. I still have enough 9-patches to make three more quilts. I'm trying to think of different settings for the blocks. I don't want to cut the blocks any smaller because I don't want to lose the galoshes. Any suggestions on settings or other colors to use?
I received this book in one of my swap packages on Friday. I absolutely love it! It's not often I find a book that makes me jump and down with excitement. If you don't have this book run and and buy it!!
Why? you ask. Here are my top 5 reasons for buying this book:

1. I love the concept. It’s how I’ve started to create my own quilts. Take a stack of fabrics and then make a quilt with them rather than find a pattern and then go find the fabric.
2. I love it because they give instructions on tying quilts or doing big stitch quilting! It’s the first quilting book I’ve seen that shows those methods. I feel like the Queen of Quilting (Alex, that is) has given me permission to tie quilts or to use big stitch quilting. Now I can stop feeling guilty about tying quilts.
3. The basic instructions in the beginning of the book have directions and photos for right- and left-handers. Being a lefty I often have problems with books that are teaching techniques because they are written for right-handers only.
   
4. The quilts are adorable. I may have to make one of each of them!
5. The cover price makes this book a great value. When you consider a majority of quilt patterns start at $8 for one pattern generally for one quilt size, this book at $9.95 full price is awesome. Three basic quilt patterns with photos showing each quilt in three color palettes and for three sizes.
   

If I were to write a quilt book, this would be the one I would write!

I see there is a second volume of this book coming out in November. You can bet I will be first in line to buy one.

Well, it's time to clean the kitchen and head off to bed. We got lucky this weekend with the weather. What I thought was a Nor'Easter, wasn't. Hurricane Kyle only gave us light rain today. The weather should be nice for a few days.

I hope you had great weekend.

Sweet P

How Do You Open Presents?

When I was growing up I sat on the floor to open presents. Today I did the same thing. The weather here today is windy and rainy, a Nor'Easter is what it's called. I tramped out to the mailbox and found these two packages waiting for me. Oh, what fun! New goodies on a rainy day. The top package came all the way Sweden and I assumed it was my tote bag from Linda's Tote Bag Swap. The bottom package came from New York and I knew it was a Fall Swap package I did with a few friends.

I opened the package from Sweden first. Inside was this lovely wrapped package. Hmmmmm . . . I can't wait to see what's inside.

Voila! Here is the gorgeous back of the bag.

And just look at the spectacular front.
The flowers are a combination of embroidery and buttons.

But wait, there's more. Inside the bag there are pockets and a strap for hooking my keys on. And then there were these lovely additions: a tissue holder, a coin purse, two cute note pads and a cone of hard candy. And who sent me this lovely package? Marica in Sweden did this gorgeous work. Marica, I love the bag. I was going to make myself a fall colored bag and I'm so glad I waited. This bag is already being used. Thank you again!

And what is in the other package? A white chocolate Lindt bar (my absolutely favorite kind of chocolate), a plaque that will find a special place in my sewing room, a fall colored FQ, The New Year's Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini (I've never read any of her books), a magnetic pin grabber, two quilt books - More Quilts for the Baby and Super Simple Quilts, two green batik fabrics and matching thread, and a Benartex kit for a small teddy bear. My friend wanted to make sure I'll be ready for the new grandbaby in late April.

And this is what the floor looked like when I was all done.
Boy did I have a lot of fun!

Quilters are such wonderful friends. Thank you Marica and Maura for a wonderful Friday afternoon.

So tell us, how do you open your presents?
Sweet P

Memories

Tracy blogged about her old boyfriend chest yesterday. I thought it was funny because as I cleaning my studio yesterday I came across my high school year books. Here are some photos from my senior year. Before you ask I graduated high school in 1979.

This is how I looked as a senior. I'm the full photo on the left. I hate my high forehead in this photo. Since then I've always worn bangs. I was busy in high school: band, choir, American Field Service (foreign exchange student group), Spanish club and Declamation (speech competition).

Here I am in the middle photo - top left. The girl standing next to me was one of my best friends in high school. When I got married for the first time in 1982 she was one of my bridesmaids. Now she's a teacher in the school district we attended. One of my nieces had her as a teacher in elementary school.

And speaking of old boyfriends there are two of them in this photo. The one on the left in the light sweater was my boyfriend in 7th grade. After we broke up he dated another one of my best friends. Last I heard he was an architect and still lives in the area. The boy in dark sweater is old boyfriend's best friend. The 3 of us hung out a lot in high school. The boy tucked in the bottom of the photo is my ex-husband. He was a year behind me in high school.
That's all the memories I have tonight. Maybe more on another day.

What memories do you have of old boyfriends?

Sweet P

Studio Cleaning and Autumn Leaves

My studio was in desperate need of cleaning. When DH took the TV out of the room on Sunday stuff got moved around. I had projects laying around and in general I didn't feel creative being in there. Here is the right side of the room.
Here is the left side of the room. The table and bookcase look empty without the TV and cable box. The table is full of stuff. The floor is cluttered.
Aaaahhhhhh . . . this is much better. Only my current project is on the work table. I hung my "P" on the wall. Even the closet doors are closed.
The TV and cable box are back in their place. The big box has been added to the recycle pile. The floor is clean. I hung a clock that was a gift from my sons.
I even hung my bulletin board. The top half was meant to display photos, but I decided to show off some fabric instead.
Just for fun, I took a photo of one of the branches outside my patio door. The leaves are getting so pretty. I can't wait to see the whole tree in color.

Now that my studio is clean I can focus on my Stitcher's Angel projects.

Go Red Sox! On to the play-offs!
Sweet P

Changes and Stitcher's Angel Hints

I've decided to change the name of my blog from Coffee Time Quilt Studio to Coffee Time Stitches. I'm making more than quilts these days. But I'm never far from stitching with fabric and thread. I still love my coffee so that will stay.

I finished two Stitcher's Angel stitcheries today. Here's a sneak peak at them.

I'm almost finished with a third stitchery. This week I will sew the projects together.

Have a great week!
Sweet P