Cutest Potholder and Feathers Galore

While my granddaughters were over I decided we would make a present for their Mother.

 She had mentioned that she wanted potholder to hang.

Well, the light bulb went off and I got her girls to pick some fabrics.

Good chance to discuss print scales and color contrast, as in "No! That black fabric is not good for this!"

What a fun and fast project!  

All that was left when Mama arrived to pick them up was finishing the binding.

I gave them a needle with plenty of thread and sent them off.

Is there anything more precious than a handmade gift from your children?

Well...yeah, maybe there is - but this is really cool too.

Mama was so surprised and so happy!  Isn't the print with the blender just perfect?  

Now - on to my Big Project. Getting this quilt quilted before the wedding.

Feathers!  Lot and lots of Feathers. 

 I heard once that if you do a king size quilt with feathers you will be a feather making expert. I'm not sure that if that is true. 

But I quickly realized that I didn't know how to do feathers upside down 

or sideways.  

But I can now!

Happy Stitching, 

Nicey Linda

Special Present -

Sometimes it is just so strange how things work.

After my mother passed, my sister and I went to her house and kept a few token things to remind us of her.

Well, now three years later....I get a call from the son that had liquidated the assets. He had kept the sewing machine and cabinet for me.  WHAT??  Did he know I sewed?  Did my mom tell him I did at some point?  I did see the machine and cabinet while there but had no way to get it to my house 12 hours away.

Of course I JUMPED at the chance to get the machine and the next day drove up to get it.  I only had to drive 2 hours north as he was down for his work and brought the machine.  YAY!!

So here she is - not an expense machine. I like that it is a Brother and light weight. 

And the cabinet

The cabinet has a nice mechanism that raises and lowers the machine easily.

And thread holders!

Right now it is in my garage - until this weekend when I make room for it.

Strangely, this came right around my birthday - so I consider it a birthday gift from my mom.

 In my "About Me" profile (to the right of this main text), I talk about my mother and wanting to sew on her machine.  I feel very blessed to receive this gift. I like the way God planned this out.  Do you think they were conspiring together?

Now let's go sew!

 Thanks Mom!

Linda

My New Toy & May's OMG

Joy! Joy! Joy!

I bought myself an exciting new toy.

Amy of Amy's Quilting Adventures has been telling us not to use our cutting rulers for ruler work.  

Sunny told me about the Line Tamer Ruler .  

I found this different brand one at my local quilt shop.   

I love how my motion quilting foot fits inside and I can easily use it to make straight lines. (Although honestly mine will ever so often get a little wiggle!)  I just need more practice.

It's just the right size - both in length - as it fits in my domestic machine throat.

  And the width is just right. Easy to hold.   

The ruler markings help keep it lined up without any fuss. 

I have all the foundation quilting done (all the stitch in the ditch).

My May OMG is to do the gold stars. 

Here's the quilt on my dinning room table - it's a poor quality picture as the morning sunlight was streaming in.

I can't wait to start! See you all over at Elm Street Quilts.

Happy Sewing, 

Linda