I Love Leaves - real and fabric!

I love everything about fall - the trees, the colors, the crisp air. I'm at the age where I appreciate the cooler temps. I can sleep in because I don't have to race out to walk the dogs (just like me, they can't take the heat). I can sit on the couch and watch old movies, wrapped in a cozy quilt, drinking hot chocolate. But most of all I get see this out of my window...

The leaves just glow

 I love this tree. For 6 years we've been battling a fungus that causes its leaves to turn black around the edges and the twigs to die off.  Finally it looks like we are winning. It really filled out this year. It makes me so happy to look out the window and see it.

A few days ago I received the loveliest gift in the mail. Kristie from Obsessive Crafting Disorder hosted a Bag Lady Week. Every day there was a new guest post and giveaway, along with a tutorial for making everything from little hexie purses to simple bags etc. I won this lovely tote made by  Felicity from Felicity's Quilts. 

There are a zillion cloth bags and totes in my home that have never made it out the door. This one goes with me everywhere! I absolutely am in love with it. I would marry it if I could. Taupe is my favorite color, leaves are my favorite motif, the sewing is beautifully done - couldn't get any better! Thank you both! The tutorial is on Kristie's blog. Check out Kristie's blog and Felicity's blog. You won't be sorry you did!

Lined so beautifully and a pocket too!

It's been a great week!

Happy Stitching
corina

More Jelly Roll 1600 at the FNSI

 I find it very hard to cut into fabric I really love, hanging on to it for months (or in this case, years). What usually happens is that by the time I'm ready to use it, I don't like it anymore! Luckily that didn't happen with my Kansas Troubles fabric. I get a good feeling looking at them.

I can't seem to get enough of the Jelly Roll 1600. This one I've added a flange and 6" border. Originally I was going to applique flowers in the corners, but they just didn't go with the simple lines of the quilt. Circles to the rescue. I love circles (half of my quilts seem to have them). Go to the Heirloom Creations blog if you want to instructions on how to make your own Jelly Roll 1600!

For the FNSI I started stitching around the circle appliques. I've used a blanket stitch in a color that matches the applique. Maybe next time I'll try a thread color that stands out a bit more. Seems funny to do all those nice stitches and not have it show up. For those of you who don't know about the FNSI (Friday Night Sew In), click on this link for Handmade by Heidi. It's a great way to schedule in some sewing time with a bunch of blogging friends (and a prize draw!).

If any of you live near Winnipeg, Manitoba you might want to check out the Assiniboine Circle Quilt Club Fall Quilt Show. It's happening next Sunday, September 25th at the St. Francois Xavier Community Centre from 11-4.  I'm showing a few quilts, including this circle quilt so I guess I better get going on the quilting of it! I would love to believe that it will be ready, folded by the door, the day before the show. However, from past experience I think there will be a frantic push the night before to finish the binding, stitching into the wee hours.

Happy Stitching
corina

Funky Jelly Roll 1600

I've finally fused the groovy flowers on my Jelly Roll 1600 quilt. I'm loving the bright colors. I will probably sew them down with a blanket stitch in black, but that won't be for awhile yet.

 I'm thinking this will be my last bright quilt for now. Tomorrow morning they are forecasting a low of +2 and even worse, a wind chill of -2! Weather is wonky lately. Wasn't it just last week we had +35? Anyway, the cooler weather brings the desire to work with warmer colors. I'm cutting strips for - you guessed it - another jelly roll quilt, in warm Kansas Troubles fabrics. I'm thinking it will have a more traditional look, with a border and applique. I'm anxious to start sewing on it, but I'm on the silent auction committee for our quilt show on next weekend and there's a ton of things left to do. At the moment, I can't even get to my kitchen table as it's covered in donations. My favorite part will be arranging everything in baskets and wrapping it all up.

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler days and the colors of the leaves. No more Slurpees, it's hot chocolate time!

Happy Stitching
corina