Tooth Fairy pillow sneak peak

Looking around the blogspots it seems to me that lots of quilters are rejuvinated and ready to quilt - the lazy days of summer are winding down unless of course, you live in Australia.:)  My oldest DD (and wonderful mother to my two beautiful granddaughters) called to say they might come down this weekend for the state fair.  There is a kids day parade on Saturday that the girls really like.  There are three parades during the Fair.  The big parade downtown to kick off the Fair, the Kid's Day Parade and then the Fiesta Day Parade on the last day.  They are all fun, but the kids day parade is the best.  It is made up entirely of children and is held in a small area of town called Mesa Junction which is like an old fashioned downtown area with little shops. This parade has been going on for as long as I can remember.  I remember being in it with friends (we rode our bikes, which we decorated ourselves) and my children were in it (we built a float out of a wagon for the younges to ride in). 
I will post pictures if they come early enough for us to attend.  Of course that prompted me to finish up the tooth fairy pillow, so I can give it to -

                                    AMIA

My youngest grandbaby, as you can see she needs it for the tooth fairy! I decided to try to put some ribbon embrodery on it so it is not quite done yet, but I think I can finish it up by Friday.   In progress sneak peak.

Close up of my attempt at ribbon embroidery.  I will also have to add some sparkly crystals cause my girl loves bling! Then I just need to sew the back on and stuff it. 

I free motion quilted the background with loops and hearts, I will try to get better pics when it is all done. This was one of those preprinted panel sewing projects that I keep an eye out for in the clearance bin.   The little black heart stitched area will be covered with a little heart pocket for the tooth.  I have yet to write anything in my quilt journal book - I should start it with the quiltalong quilt information, does anyone else keep a journal of your quilting? What kind of information do you write in it?  I have a few projects I am actively working on right now, I do want to add a future quilts list to my blog list.  You know, those quilts that you want to try to make because you like the pattern or have an idea for a particular fabric?  Nuff, said for now.  Hope everyone is having a good week.   Bernie

Quilt Along, WIPS, & Quilt Journal

Just a quick post, hopefully I will have time tomorrow to post pics.  I have pin basted my quiltalong quilt so it is all ready to go.  I pin basted on my cutting table as I just can't get on the floor anymore to baste a quilt - my knees just won't do it.  I spent a good part of my sewing time today cutting and tracing applique's for the new pattern I am trying out and also did a test run on kitchen towels and hot pad/pot holder for the craft sale for the quilt guild sale.  I practiced free motion quilting on a little tooth fair pillow I am making for my youngest granddaughter. So yes, I have been busy.  
The one item I did not have for the quilt along was a Quilt Journal, I found a nice little hardbound journal at Kohl's that I think I will be using.  I have never kept a sewing journal - usually I use little post it  note pads and pieces of scrap paper that I make notations on when sewing, but nothing I keep for future reference.  It is a wonderful idea. 
WHEW - it feels good to finally have my sewing motivation back again.  For the last couple of months I just didn't feel motivated, part of it was all the trouble I was having with my pink and  brown quilt blocks, but that is another story :)   Hope everyone had a little time to sew over the weekend.  Looking forward to the Labor Day long weekend - I will make time to sew for an entire day ! Whoooppeee.  Bernie

Free Motion Quilt A Long

Christina over at " A Few Scraps.blogspot" is having a quilt along and I think I will join, doesn't that just fit in with my throwing together the Halloween quilt because I want a "real" quilt to practice on.? She is giving away prizes too so anyone interested in this should check her blogsite out.  Her entry deadline is August 21st, but she didn't say how long the quilt along will be.  I hope she gives us some time cause I am sew slow.  This will be the first anything I have joined in on so maybe it will help keep me motivated.
Bernie

Estate sale finds

Thank you for your sweet comments on my fast and dirty Halloween quilt - I have to dig out the backing this week and hopefully pin baste it next weekend so I can start quilting it - this one might just be done by Halloween! I  don't know how I did it but I deleted my post after uploading probably far too many pics.  Ah well, I will now make this one shorter and I hope sweeter.  I must confess to going with a good girlfriend to an estate sale during our lunch hour last week and purchasing a queen sized hand pieced, hand quilted basket quilt and an old sewing machine. Sewing Machine Anonymous, that is what I need. I have a weakness for old machines, especially if they are going to end up at the local dump.  I can't fix them, but they are interesting to me. But, no more, I have no place to hide, umm I mean store them. :) Anywho, here are a few pics.  OH yeah, I did start cutting blocks for a new quilt today, but more on that later. 

Look at the neat little stitches.

It does have damage to the top and several of the blocks, but I am going to try to patch it up as best as I can and put it on display in the guest bedroom.  I heart it.

Now, about that sewing machine addiction, really, this machine makes a beautiful stitch, all I have to do is figure out how to get that bobbin case out and how to thread it and oil it and I could use it just for piecing. Right?

It has a Montgomery Ward logo, #30, I am guessing maybe 1940's or 50's? Lots of neat attachments.

Part of what intrigued me about this machine - I never saw one like it before, and it is in such good condition. The bobbin case looks like Ft. Knox, not quite sure I want to take it out yet.

I think I have to unscrew it to take it out.  The only thing missing was the manual, but maybe I can find one online.

I hope you all had simply wonderful weekends.

Bernie