tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62569322472098416772012-02-06T10:33:24.888-05:00Adventures with antique sewing machines, quilts, and fiber artsVicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.comBlogger1421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-39953934524246985772011-12-18T15:28:00.000-05:002011-12-18T15:28:24.820-05:00

It seems that even when I am not looking for new sewing machines, they find me. Last month a friend gave me a Singer 27 with the hard-to-find Persian decals. Then a couple of weeks ago I brought home a Singer 128 which had been looking pitifully at me for months at a local thrift store. Singer 128 before cleanup The 128 has LaVincedora decals and had a motor and really bad wiring. With that

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-35719813097853388922011-12-05T10:00:00.001-05:002011-12-05T10:01:51.209-05:00

After participating in three of the Tybee Arts Association's shows, and serving as vice-chair for this one, I've learned how much work is involved in putting on an art show. But what a thrill when you see it all put together and people start coming in the door. And of course it's a thrill when people buy your work. A few of the high points for me: Seeing the excitement of a first-time

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-31811752284125642642011-12-02T10:04:00.000-05:002011-12-02T10:04:30.839-05:00

It's been a while since I did a photo Friday, but there was an amazing fog on Tybee Island a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn't resist getting some pictures. So, here they are, and don't be surprised if some turn into inspirations for new quilts! More later.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-77839431658846840642011-11-28T17:44:00.000-05:002011-11-28T17:44:06.916-05:00

I'm still here! I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. Life and time on the road has gotten in the way. I've had plenty of time driving to compose new posts, but never quite seem to get them on the computer! In any case, I have been working on new projects, as well as visiting a couple of quilt shows and taking lots of pictures. I'll try to get some of those posted soon. For now,

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-29002397012089000652011-09-15T09:04:00.000-04:002011-09-15T09:04:36.944-04:00

There are just so many amazing techniques and materials in threadwork and art quilting that it is hard to decide what to try next. So I've been trying new things as they catch my attention, or as it seems they might be the right technique for a piece I'm working on. And last weekend, while I was participating in the arts show, the other fiber artist there told me about a class she had taken and

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-65996993960829002442011-09-12T10:37:00.000-04:002011-09-12T10:37:28.475-04:00

I spent the weekend playing with some of my hand-painted fabric, plus creating more. This is so much fun! some commercial fabric, after spraying with water I am using Setacolor Transparent fabric paints, which are applied like paint, but create the effect of dyes when they are finished. My two favorite effects are sunpainting, using various objects or paper cutouts as a resist, and using salt,

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-90582622317734514562011-09-09T09:08:00.000-04:002011-09-09T09:08:08.485-04:00

It's been a busy week, trying to catch up in the office for work and getting started on a new piece using some of my handpainted fabric for fun. More about that later. Here are a few photos I took on Tybee Island during Labor Day weekend. More later.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-9574666879460218342011-09-05T12:44:00.002-04:002011-09-05T12:46:40.622-04:00

 Wow, what a weekend. Labor Day is the last big weekend of the summer for our restaurant, and this was my first time participating in a show by the Tybee Arts Association, so it was doubly crazy. Before I even got to Tybee, I had to finish the pieces for the show, framing them, making labels, pricing and wrapping them for transport. Then Wednesday it was a meeting for work and a meeting for

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-50702287903328120522011-08-28T12:33:00.000-04:002011-08-28T12:33:24.680-04:00

I have been having a great time this week sun-printing fabric, and trying different resists and effects. For these pieces I have used seashells as resists, shapes cut from card stock, and string. I've also used sprinkles of water part-way through the drying process and silk salts. A bonus from the string, actually crochet thread, is that it picked up the colors of the paint so I have something

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-11546295338861838602011-08-26T11:38:00.000-04:002011-08-26T11:38:55.403-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I went to visit my parents and got to play with and take pictures of their new kittens. They were too cute not to share, so enjoy. More later.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-76359179605717375392011-08-24T09:50:00.000-04:002011-08-24T09:50:20.169-04:00

I love the look of hand-dyed fabric, and have been tempted to buy oodles of dyes and supplies time and again. But realistically, until I have a better setup, I'm restricted to smaller efforts. So yesterday I pulled out the Setacolor transparent paints, some unbleached muslin and the bag of seashells I'd picked up on the beach a couple of weeks ago. I thought the shells would make a great resist

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-37814669369154550912011-08-19T16:24:00.000-04:002011-08-19T16:24:16.441-04:00

Someone on one of my email lists asked if quilty was a word, and the decision was that if we use it enough, it is. And since it fits this week.... Monday started the week with a  meeting with my new art-quilt friend who I met at Goodwill a couple of weeks ago. We both brought things for show and tell, me my quilts, her some works in progress and pictures of the amazing dolls and other items

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-45460550555085403952011-08-04T10:54:00.000-04:002011-08-04T10:54:24.275-04:00

My work tends to be more stylized than realistic, suns with wavy rays and little spirals for waves. I'm absolutely amazed and impressed at the very realistic works many quilters make, but don't have the desire (or maybe it's patience) to try those types of pieces myself. But, I have been experimenting with something in between. After finally getting my Singer 500 fixed, I've been trying out

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-23800118892924118412011-08-03T14:25:00.000-04:002011-08-03T14:25:44.317-04:00

Okay, I sew on antique sewing machines. But I still like tools and gadgets, and just got a new one to share. A while back there was a discussion on one of my email lists on software that let you create your own design for one of the personal die cutting machines. I was intrigued, but discovered that the software didn't support Mac, and didn't really "need" one, so moved on to other things.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-67194682860996806332011-07-30T09:32:00.000-04:002011-07-30T09:32:58.206-04:00

Sometimes a matter of minutes is the difference between something good (or bad) happening or not happening. A couple of days ago I was running errands, including picking up some things at the hardware store. They didn't have everything on the list and I dawdled around a while, trying to reach the person I was buying them for. After a while I decided to stop by the Goodwill store next door. I've

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-31017127860889508972011-07-26T12:07:00.000-04:002011-07-26T12:07:30.284-04:00

And it feels good! A string block became the center of a new pillow sham A whole chain of diversions had conspired to keep me out of the studio for about three months, but in the past couple of weeks I've gotten back in the studio and am having a great time. The first evening I went back in to work I turned on the new air conditioner and just looked around. I didn't even know where to start.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-33709798039605704212011-07-02T12:55:00.000-04:002011-07-02T12:55:23.212-04:00

I know it's not Friday, but I don't want to wait another week before I get my blog back on track. I enjoy traveling back roads. There's less traffic, less stress and more interesting things to see. A couple of weeks ago as I was traveling home from North Carolina (more about that later) I was driving down U.S. Highways 321 and 301. I couldn't help looking at all the old motels and relics of the

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-41747570482390895052011-06-04T12:00:00.001-04:002011-06-04T12:02:12.199-04:00

Exciting news, I sold one of my art quilts last weekend. The quilt, Log Cabin Lighthouse, was one of my earlier pieces, so I'm happy to see it go to a good home. Of course now there's an empty spot at the restaurant, so I need to pick out another quilt to display there. I'm still not back to serious work on my art quilts, but I've made good progress on the decorating front. It's still being

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-38702212873294771372011-05-11T22:16:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:24:42.056-04:00

Well the sewing is still in progress, but I've finished working on several pieces of furniture and decorative items at our new apartment. I thought I'd share a few befores and afters. 4-drawer chest found at a used furniture sale after painting wicker chest found at furniture sale after painting (needs second coat) another wicker chest painted and ready to use one of a pair

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-71850961211777723422011-05-08T01:03:00.000-04:002011-05-08T01:03:43.579-04:00

I know, it's been more than a month since my last post. Where have I been? At the beach. Well, kind of... At the beginning of April we got an apartment near our business on Tybee Island, GA. So I've spent most of the past month furnishing and beginning to decorate it. It's amazing how much "stuff" you need to furnish an apartment from scratch. Of course there's some stuff I've been able to bring

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-17076083780375871382011-04-04T08:00:00.001-04:002011-04-04T08:01:44.712-04:00

Sorry for no posts last week. I was busy with work, life and mostly getting ready to have an artist's booth at a local arts festival. ARTsFEST, at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA, is an annual art and art education festival with tons of hands-on art activities for kids. They also have an artists' market, and artists are asked to demonstrate their work. The wind kept blowing our

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-26182951405220712322011-03-25T11:40:00.000-04:002011-03-25T11:40:05.225-04:00

I was away from home last weekend, and got home to find my yard draped in lavender. The wisteria is blooming. At this time of year the wisteria is as beautiful as something out of a fairy tale. The shades from lightest to dark lavender, the way it drapes so gracefully and shimmers in the lightest touch of wind. The rest of the year, unfortunately, it's more like something out of a horror movie,

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-26084704661080862092011-03-23T11:37:00.001-04:002011-03-24T13:32:20.094-04:00

A couple of people asked for a tutorial on the mixed media jewelry, so I've put together an outline. There are so many possibilities here that I've just gotten started and I'm sure everyone else can come up with variations on these basics. Materials: Stiff interfacing (I life Stiffy from www.longcreekmills.com ) scraps sorted by color Fusible web Fabric scraps (and paper scraps if you like)

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-20839391565507604442011-03-19T09:25:00.001-04:002011-03-21T11:35:12.246-04:00

I know I'm a little late, but it's been a busy week. I didn't realize it when I took this photo, but it incorporates several elements we use in art. There's perspective, shadow and light, symmetry, asymmetry, triadic colors/primary colors, and reflection. And for those who are still suffering through winter, there's encouragement that spring really will come one of these days! We are in full

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-13293912223359712112011-03-15T12:08:00.003-04:002011-03-15T12:11:21.763-04:00

I haven't posted many finishes lately, as I've been working on different components, rather than start to finish. But I have two new finishes to show, both variations on dimensional applique. Palm rainbow, finished I've been using dimensional applique, my term for creating and quilting individual components separately, then applying them on the body of the quilt, for a couple of years now. For

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-91001394421287888832011-03-14T10:57:00.001-04:002011-03-14T10:57:56.895-04:00

Anyone been shopping for a new washing machine lately? Oh, my goodness! Last week our washer went out, just wouldn't turn on. Saturday my sweetie finally had time to take a look at it and decided it wasn't worth his trouble to try to fix it. It's been around a while and we'd had trouble with it before. So he told me to pick out a washer and he would install it. So, to the internet I went. I had

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-89663614935434991132011-03-09T10:46:00.001-05:002011-03-09T17:39:29.828-05:00

Well, spring has sprung in South Georgia, and since our business is at the beach, that means things are getting lively. That means more time working, including this past weekend and less time for sewing and art. And not as many blog posts. I do have a lot going on, though. A while back I agreed to donate a small quilt to a non-profit in my home town and when I found out they have an event coming

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-91208497187283394572011-03-04T11:49:00.001-05:002011-03-04T11:50:27.917-05:00

It's gray and gloomy today, but signs of spring are all around. My plum trees are in full bloom and buzzing with bees, the camellias are finally blooming after being frozen all winter, and the daffodils are in their full glory. Enjoy. More later. This enormous camellia is actually two (I think) a dark pink and a white/striped

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-3703852451186466032011-02-26T11:57:00.000-05:002011-02-26T11:57:43.765-05:00

One of the best things about fiber arts right now is all the new materials and techniques that are out there. I'm constantly seeing things that I want to try and incorporate into my quilts. One of the things I've wanted to try for a while is Angelina film and fiber. I've seen it mentioned frequently, and thought it sounded intriguing. So this week when I was ordering some other items, I ordered

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-83320943636198071712011-02-25T08:33:00.000-05:002011-02-25T08:33:07.938-05:00

What a beautiful sunset last night. When I noticed that there were streamers of color in the sky in all directions I had to get pictures. This was a very delicate sunset, with fine strands of clouds stretching away from the sun, so the pinks and yellows of the sunset mingled beautifully with the blue of the sky. More later.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-34916653620508637532011-02-22T11:01:00.004-05:002011-02-24T16:50:49.572-05:00

Since I use my vintage/antique sewing machines all the time, I don't usually think about their age and history while I'm using them. Rather than thinking about the fact that my favorite free motion machine was made during the Great Depression, I'm planning my next feather or spiral. And rather than pondering the Cold War that was in place when my Singer 500 was made, I'm deciding on which

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-36986805489518055122011-02-18T11:57:00.000-05:002011-02-18T11:57:33.120-05:00

A few days ago I was drawing a tree and ended up with a sort of generic deciduous tree, kind of like an oak, but not specific to anything. Yesterday I was outside with the camera and it struck me just how many different shapes and silhouettes there are, just from trees in and around my yard. So I started searching out interesting trees and here they are. interesting branches grove of crape

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-85849708369664396522011-02-15T17:28:00.001-05:002011-02-16T11:15:46.309-05:00

The sun is shining, it's warm, my kitty is over his mystery ailment and I have more ideas for new quilts than I can keep up with. And I have chocolate, lots of beautiful chocolate, as my sweetie outdid himself with this gorgeous Godiva chocolate basket for Valentine's Day. And a belated Happy Valentine's Day to everyone out there! I've been back to work on some journal quilts and am getting

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-82899367470634096582011-02-11T16:53:00.002-05:002011-02-12T00:26:11.759-05:00

On one of my email lists someone posted a link to an article that had some very negative misperceptions about the quilting world and art quilters in general. Here is the article. I started to respond to the article as a comment, but it was much too long, so here is my response. It's a shame this writer used a very little bit of research and an enthusiasm for one quilt teacher to make negative

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-52652385536886365082011-02-11T10:09:00.002-05:002011-02-12T09:15:54.818-05:00

Original, dried flowers on Tybee Island dunes One of my purposes behind Photo Friday is to get myself outside to take pictures of all those scenes that I keep noticing. But since we've one of the coldest, grayest and wettest Januarys and Februarys I've ever remembered, that hasn't been happening. Maybe soon, if the groundhog's prediction of an early spring was right. Don't we all hope! So,

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-64131988683382106812011-02-09T10:03:00.000-05:002011-02-09T10:03:48.945-05:00

I'm here. I think. I've even been in the studio for at least a while every day. But it's hard to concentrate because I'm worried about a kitty who is not feeling well. It's so difficult when they can't tell you what's wrong. Tests haven't found anything specific and the vet thinks it's a strain or bruise, so I'm watching and giving  him time to heal. He seemed to be feeling better yesterday, so

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-3679722985893504772011-02-05T13:54:00.001-05:002011-02-12T09:25:52.966-05:00

This week I discovered the Quilting Gallery weekly contest. Each week they post a theme and quilters send in pictures of their quilts that fit the theme. The one that gets the most votes wins a prize package. This week's theme is Half-Square Triangles and I entered my Treadle On Triple Star, which I finished last fall just in time for our quilt show. Voting is open through Sunday night, so

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-81183033000555866002011-02-04T14:24:00.001-05:002011-02-12T09:26:13.370-05:00

There's been a lot of discussion on a couple of my email lists about color, color wheels and value, and since I've been spending a lot of time with my Lumiere paints, I decided to play a bit. I created a color wheel with the paints, which I think is rather pretty, and tried out arranging them by value. The breakdown looks good in color but you can see in the black and white version that two of

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-58701351256185325082011-01-31T11:47:00.002-05:002011-02-12T09:27:00.842-05:00

My first painted quilt was kind of an accident, as I started with a piece I'd already quilted. So I decided to make another and take notes along the way on what works best. Start by quilting with a contrasting color, then echoing the quilting with a second color. Here are the basics on a simple painted quilt, using Lumiere paints. The paint shows up best on a dark background, so start with

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-43502194149973735702011-01-28T14:42:00.001-05:002011-02-12T09:27:40.378-05:00

Here are a couple of photos I took of the Tybee Island (GA) lighthouse a year or so ago. More later.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-90806708231029309502011-01-26T09:57:00.001-05:002011-02-12T09:28:28.589-05:00

I've taken a little break over the past few days from creating new journal quilts and have been working on new variations of the painted lighthouse. These will be the first art quilts to add to the postcards already in my inventory at our restaurant. I'm planning something new with these quilts, framing them. When I finished the last journal quilts my sweetie suggested I should frame them, then

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-21881459382164096422011-01-22T11:08:00.001-05:002011-01-22T11:08:41.183-05:00

A few years ago I learned to make these pincushion threadcatchers from a friend. We didn't have a pattern, so later when I wanted to make more, I had to re-create the instructions. I posted the instructions several years ago on a previous blog, but thought they were worth sharing again. More later.  Pin-cushion threadcatcher Materials:Two or three coordinating fabrics, plus muslinSand, rice or

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-21416014826010999162011-01-21T10:20:00.001-05:002011-02-12T09:29:16.183-05:00

This is my 100th post on this blog! Not bad considering I had only posted two or three times until August last year when I decided to get serious about blogging. Most of my photos this week have been of the cats or my projects, but my sweetie stacked some firewood on the deck the other day and I loved the look of the wood rings. So here they are. More later.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-39396650148165976602011-01-18T09:26:00.002-05:002011-02-12T09:30:31.715-05:00

Boy do I have a bad case of winter! Symptoms are a desire to sleep unreasonably late and an uncontrollable urge to eat chocolate. Unfortunately, the only cure is spring and that seems a very long time away. But I did get three journal quilts finished over the weekend. Dogwood was the first, and needed beading for the center of the flowers, and binding. I'm pleased with the way it turned out.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-30779114302123370212011-01-15T10:52:00.001-05:002011-02-12T09:31:41.635-05:00

I had a good night in the studio last night. I alternated between working on my dogwood piece and an effort for my DIY challenge. I'm not sure about the challenge piece, so I'll just tell you about the dogwood. This one is another effort at combining different techniques. The background is pieced from a variety of black print fabrics. Then I layered and thread sketched a branch and leaves, using

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-45547223503181950982011-01-14T11:22:00.002-05:002011-01-14T11:26:07.580-05:00

I can't say much that's good about ice storms, so I won't say anything. But I did get some nice pictures. Enjoy. More later. Crape myrtles The branches look like gold under the ice Every berry is cased in ice nature's lace

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-66960644037311916312011-01-12T11:59:00.001-05:002011-01-13T11:48:28.190-05:00

I finished the zentangle quilt last night, while thinking about my DIY challenge. I wish all my quilts came to mind as easily as the zentangle. Usually I have a concept and let it bounce around in my head for a while, getting an idea here, an idea there and then I pull them all together. Sometimes it takes a while. After finishing the zentangle quilt, I worked a while on another piece, which

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-69391221981738010972011-01-11T12:04:00.005-05:002011-02-12T09:33:30.652-05:00

Good morning from icy South Georgia. This is the kind of day that makes me glad I work from home! one of my zentangles One of my goals this year is to stretch myself as an artist and quilter. I want to try new techniques, ideas, and materials. One way to do this is with challenges, so I'd planned a DIY challenge for the year. I have three sets of words, including techniques, materials, shapes

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-61318446388467859332011-01-10T11:12:00.001-05:002011-01-13T11:50:21.811-05:00

Great day yesterday, despite the cold. I figured out how to set up the Treadlin' Bloggers webring, for bloggers who use and/or collect vintage or antique sewing machines. The first sites have been entered, though at the moment two are waiting for their code so they can be activated. Then it was into the studio. Forget organization, I wanted to create. First project was to finish my painted quilt

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-82812965482340015382011-01-09T12:16:00.007-05:002011-01-13T11:50:54.570-05:00

Calling all bloggers who use and/or collect antique and vintage sewing machines! If your blog focuses mainly on sewing adventures using your collection, or on the hunt, repairing or restoring vintage machines, you're invited to join the Treadlin' Bloggers. Users of treadles, handcranks and vintage e-machines are welcome. Join here The link takes you to a page to add your site (your blog) to the

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-71903433249934025392011-01-09T11:19:00.003-05:002011-02-12T09:34:52.863-05:00

The reorganization continues! How is it that I added 33 linear feet of shelving, added three drawer units, filled all of them up and still have more stuff without a home? Never mind, don't answer! Yesterday was actually a pretty productive day. I got all the bins of theme fabric resorted, labeled and back on the shelves in the storage room. And all my regular fabric is up on the shelves. I

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-54519035316787878012011-01-07T11:37:00.001-05:002011-01-13T11:56:37.930-05:00

How should you organize fabric? This comes up on every quilting list at some time or other, and this time of year even more often. The answer it to think about how you use fabric, then set up a system that will support that. There's a million ways (more or less) to organize. Since I'm in the middle of a major studio reorganization, here's how I organize fabric. Sorting into piles. This is

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-77849823129495348832011-01-07T10:54:00.001-05:002011-01-13T11:57:07.313-05:00

Where ever I go I see things that would make an interesting photograph. But I seldom take the time to stop and get the picture, usually saying "next time." So to encourage myself to spend a little more time looking and taking pictures, I'm going to do a Photo Friday and try to post an interesting picture each week. This picture was taken last weekend on Tybee Island. This is what I call shell

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-31854439123109624872011-01-05T09:40:00.000-05:002011-01-05T09:40:06.137-05:00

Anyone thinking about New Year's resolutions? I like the idea many of the members of the QuiltArt list use, choosing a word as theme for the year. Last year I chose "Dance." First, it was a reminder to be more physically active (I feel so much better when I work out). Second, there was a song a few years ago "I hope you dance." The lyrics include "And when you get the choice to sit it out or

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-32165589726694480752011-01-04T09:31:00.002-05:002011-02-12T09:36:54.663-05:00

More quilting and more painting I am in love with this paint! After starting off by using the Lumiere to paint the flowers, I decided to add more quilting, then paint more. The original stitching was an off-white. I stitched around the leaves, feathers and swirls with a light blue green poly, for a nice sheen, then stitched inside the feathers and around the flowers with a pink. Then it was

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-3404245080346258792011-01-03T10:21:00.000-05:002011-01-03T10:21:40.642-05:00

Happy New Year! There's a lot going on, with wrapping up the old year and starting the new. I love the lacy pattern of these dried flowers growing in the dunes on Tybee. We spent the weekend on Tybee Island, with my sweetie keeping our restaurant on track and me taking pictures and otherwise trying to stay out of the way. We had a nice time visiting with friends while we waited for the

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-92140306298644240972010-12-28T09:58:00.000-05:002010-12-28T09:58:30.778-05:00

Don't you just hate it when you spend a lot of time on a quilt then discover an error after it's finished and delivered? I just discovered a goof on my Shakespeare in the Park. I was all ready to post how happy I was that it's finished and delivered – and my parents like it – when I pulled up the picture I took and discovered a goof. I put a dark star on a light background in the place where a

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-37868074610628013932010-12-23T13:28:00.000-05:002010-12-23T13:28:56.209-05:00

I had thought I'd make a fabric Christmas card to share with all my friends online, but time has run away with me. So here is a Christmas card I created from a photo I took on Tybee Island yesterday. Wishing the best of holidays to all my friends.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-1450347437625151052010-12-21T16:24:00.000-05:002010-12-21T16:24:49.418-05:00

I just finished making about a bazillion cookies and since this is my favorite chocolate chip cookie in the world, I thought I'd share the recipe. I found this in a newspaper many, many years ago. $250 Chocolate Chip Cookies 2 cups butter 2 cups sugar 2 cups brown sugar 4 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 cups all purpose flour 5 cups oatmeal, ground (see note) 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-79244091106801187282010-12-20T12:23:00.003-05:002010-12-20T12:25:54.640-05:00

I had a good weekend sewing, but it was mostly Christmas related stuff, and someone might peek, so I'll post on that later. My other effort over the past few days has been to create a new work station in my studio for sketching/painting/glueing and other non-sewing activities. There's some progress there, and more to come, I hope. One of the hot topics of conversation on most of my quilting

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-12848284951907657882010-12-15T11:32:00.002-05:002010-12-15T11:35:58.123-05:00

Think warm! Beach towels and flip-flops. A finished batch of cards. It's miserably cold here (another night in the 'teens) but I know many of my friends have it much worse, with all the snow and ice. At least we can get outside to get our firewood! So I'm sending warm thoughts! Here's a picture of Tybee Island beach July 4th weekend, and the beach theme postcards I've been working on. Think

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-61006108877492288692010-12-13T11:51:00.002-05:002011-02-12T09:18:55.636-05:00

I'm going to have to find some occasion to wear these! You know you have too much stuff when you go into a closet you seldom use and find, not one, not two, but three pairs of gorgeous sequined pumps. One is multi-colored, one black and one pearl. Gorgeous! From the masking tape price tags on the boxes, it's clear that I bought them from the thrift store in the building where I used to work. I

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-10323861164826920722010-12-12T11:32:00.001-05:002010-12-12T11:33:24.598-05:00

I made good progress pinning SITP yesterday, got the top and backing pressed ( a huge job in itself) and about two-thirds pinned. It turned out my queen-sized batting wasn't quite large enough, so today's first task will be whip-stitching some extra batting at the end to give me enough for the quilt. Then I can finish pinning and start quilting. I like this picture of the pinned section. The

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-11424879875736047712010-12-11T10:33:00.000-05:002010-12-11T10:33:37.346-05:00

Just a quick update. Last night I finished assembling the SITP top. I had just enough of the blocks I was worried about, and extras of some others. I had some wide backing fabric I've been saving for this quilt, and I dug it out of my storage room last night. Batting is about to go in the dryer for fluffing and I'll be ready to start the pinning process in just a few minutes. I just have one big

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-13513386008356736722010-12-10T09:44:00.000-05:002010-12-10T09:44:05.943-05:00

To my Canadian friends, your misplaced weather is down here in South Georgia. Please send someone to collect it! Wow, we were wearing shorts on Thanksgiving and two weeks later we have near record lows (21F Tuesday night, the record was 20) and more to come – and it's not even officially winter yet! South Georgia is known for hot, humid summers and I try very hard not to complain about the heat

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-61654213628440788042010-12-07T14:42:00.002-05:002010-12-07T14:44:25.600-05:00

I had a great day in the studio Sunday. After being on the road all day Saturday (including yet another stop at JoAnn's) I decided I'd better settle down and get busy on my Shakespeare in the Park. With so much going on in November, I hadn't gotten back to it since finishing the blocks. The big issue with putting it together is that it is queen sized and my work table is a relatively small dining

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-62208532099387280942010-12-01T09:51:00.001-05:002010-12-01T09:52:29.248-05:00

Space and time (and money), there's never quite enough and you always have to juggle them to allow for whatever is the priority at the moment. Time has been a priority lately, as I have been traveling cross-state to be with my mom during some health issues. Yesterday we got some very good news on that subject, so I'm both happy and relieved. But back at home, I have to work, I need to do some

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-68466074105935601122010-11-28T09:59:00.000-05:002010-11-28T09:59:26.232-05:00

Don't we all just love our supplies and materials – our toys? I can fondle stacks of fabric, sift through piles of beads and tally rolls of ribbons and feel as rich as King Midas in his counting room! Somehow it seems that every time I get "enough" of one type of material, like fabric, I find two others that I "need." My sister and I have a Black Friday tradition of hitting the sales at Jo-Ann

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-1113631901507504142010-11-24T08:28:00.000-05:002010-11-24T08:28:34.383-05:00

I haven't disappeared, just running back and forth spending time with family over the past couple of weeks. That means not much time on the sewing machine, but there has still been some fiber-related fun going on. Working backward, yesterday a box arrived stuffed with vintage fabric scraps. Someone on one of my email lists had offered the scraps for sale a couple of weeks ago and I was thrilled

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-50133015894500190742010-11-12T11:58:00.000-05:002010-11-12T11:58:43.069-05:00

Well, there haven't been any major projects started or finished in the last few days, but there has been progress forward on a number of things. One of the major issues with my studio is lighting. I decided to start dealing with that by hanging a workshop style fluorescent light this week. I got a very simple one, that hangs from chains and takes two bulbs (daylight bulbs) and we got it hung –

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-91675679686821166422010-11-09T09:21:00.000-05:002010-11-09T09:21:37.934-05:00

Sometimes you just need to play. And when you can play and end up doing something productive, it's even better. After all the deadline sewing I've been doing, I wasn't in the mood to continue work on SITP this weekend. I wanted to do something a little more spontaneous (play). And I need to rebuild my stock of fabric postcards for sale, so that's what I played with. I've been on a palm tree kick

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-33645097111641661002010-11-05T09:49:00.000-04:002010-11-05T09:49:55.040-04:00

I promised I'd post directions for making 12 half square triangles (HSTs) at a time, so here it is. This method is based on one I saw somewhere else for making eight at a time. I liked that method, but not having to stop at each corner, then come back to the fabric, so I adapted it to 12, so I could do continuous lines of stitching. To start, decide what size you want your HSTs to be. (Mine are

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-72425951883954432672010-11-04T09:39:00.000-04:002010-11-04T09:39:33.513-04:00

I've done two pieces now based on a photo manipulation of an original photo I took a few years ago. I thought it might be fun to show the evolution from photo to quilts.  The first photo is just as I took it, on Tybee Island, GA, a few years ago. I was struck by the leaning angle of the tree, and it's starkness against the sky. Behind it is a walkway crossing the dunes and leading to the beach.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-54317977125412967602010-11-03T08:16:00.000-04:002010-11-03T08:16:00.396-04:00

What is it with cats? For the last few mornings, Mr. Stomp-O-Matic (usually known as Pepper) has been going nuts early in the morning, wanting to look out the windows in the bedroom. There's something very unsettling about suddenly awakening to the pop and swish of a cat pushing behind a window shade. For a moment you don't know what it is, then you cringe in fear of the shade falling down (it

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-27544934410522659182010-11-01T10:31:00.000-04:002010-11-01T10:31:16.797-04:00

What a gorgeous morning! It's kind of a Goldilocks day. We had some days that were too cool for this time of year, then some days that were too warm. Today it's just right. I'm in a good mood because last night I finished the blocks for the Shakespeare in the Park! I started this last year, with a spin-off group from the Stashbusters list,. and made pretty good progress for a while. But then I

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-2524558737926339822010-10-30T10:10:00.000-04:002010-10-30T10:10:38.802-04:00

Have you ever.... carefully listed all the size pieces you need for a set of blocks, figured out which pieces need to be light, which dark, how many you need of each, got them all cut and then.... Realized you reversed the values and cut lights where you needed darks and darks where you needed lights? Yep, did it. After finishing one set of star in star blocks (the light star on dark background

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-77867367526190218382010-10-27T10:18:00.000-04:002010-10-27T10:18:59.393-04:00

The great thing about working on small projects is that you can see the progress so fast. That's especially nice when you use them as a break from larger projects – like the queen-size Shakespeare in the Park I'm working on. Last night I trimmed up the rest of the Flying Geese and sewed a couple of sections together for my large star blocks. With a little luck tonight I can finish sewing

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-28509905447379482752010-10-26T10:04:00.002-04:002010-10-26T10:07:53.059-04:00

My Pepper cat is my quilting buddy, keeping me company in the studio and testing quilts for comfort as soon as I have two pieces sewn together. His best friend Phantom (aka Squirrel) only shows up if it's quiet and there's a nice sunbeam to nap in. She's the original scaredy-cat. Yesterday I was putting some things away in the office and emptied a little box, which I dropped on the floor to

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-30721182422265362532010-10-24T09:06:00.000-04:002010-10-24T09:06:09.723-04:00

I had so much fun with the threadwork I did on the sample piece that I decided to try a new project from the beginning. So yesterday I alternated working on my SITP blocks and working on a small floral applique piece with lots of threadwork. I started with a simple background, then ironed fusible to some fabric. I freehand cut petals, leaves and stems for flowers, then fused them into place.

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-72946434244404980682010-10-23T08:35:00.005-04:002010-10-23T08:39:52.660-04:00

I hate cold feet! What does this have to do with sewing? Last year I made sets of heatable corn bags for everyone in the family for Christmas. They're just like the rice bags except I fill them with feed corn from the farm supply store. I made a couple of sizes, a longer, narrower one that could drape around a neck, and a medium sized wide one perfect for warming the feet. The last couple of

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-5932639092694606362010-10-21T08:10:00.001-04:002010-10-21T08:15:37.291-04:00

These little things could be addictive! I got back in the studio again last night and played with my inchies. I finished the first pair by trimming the excess pieced fabric, then fusing on a small randomly cut piece of fabric to break up the lines. Then I sewed on a few beads in coordinating colors. I fused on a solid piece of fabric (black, for these) on the back, then hand-sewed on some fuzzy

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-71596400134915818382010-10-20T07:40:00.000-04:002010-10-20T07:40:47.891-04:00

After my quilting marathon for our show, I should be burnt out, but actually I'm eager to get back into the studio, just on a different scale. Instead of large quilts on a deadline, I'm in the mood for small items that I can play with. Two inchies in progress, left, bases, center, and goofs, right So, I'm going from a queen size quilt to .... inchies! I've been doing fabric postcards for a

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-9672882907924983442010-10-19T08:56:00.001-04:002010-10-19T08:57:33.282-04:00

We've talked, on various email lists, about entering quilt shows. Some people say they don't want to be judged, that they make quilts for fun, others have had bad experiences entering shows. But if you are entering a show with a judge who knows what she's doing, you can learn something, even if it's only to confirm what you already know you should work on. I'd entered quilts at another type of

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-5828290567678957642010-10-18T08:15:00.001-04:002010-10-19T07:59:55.522-04:00

Lots and lots to report on the quilt show, but I have to leave for something for work soon, so just a quick recap on my quilts in the show. I entered a total of 24 quilts, including my very first quilt, finished in 2004 (not for judging), and a number of art quilts. Four of the quilts were finished in the month leading up to the show, Vintage Bow Ties, Cool Jazz, Triple Star and Boxy Stars With

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-9221486246350095932010-10-16T08:03:00.001-04:002010-10-19T07:59:29.995-04:00

We had a great, great day for the first day of the High Cotton Quilt Show. Beautiful weather, all the last minute details came together smoothly. Great turnout of visitors, lots of compliments on the quilts, good media coverage. I don't think you could ask for a day to go much better. I'm hoping today will be just as good. The only thing I'm dreading is taking down the show. We're all so tired

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-39819324606453483472010-10-15T06:56:00.004-04:002011-02-12T09:22:00.467-05:00

It's Friday and the High Cotton Quilt Show begins in just over three hours! The last few days are a blur of final projects and getting ready for the show. After getting the program booklet off to the printer (and getting a little "real" work done) it was back to prepping quilts. Amazingly enough, everything got done. I finished both the Boxy Stars and Triple Star, got sleeves on the last quilts,

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-58142127892797506762010-10-11T08:42:00.000-04:002010-10-11T08:42:56.172-04:00

What a gorgeous weekend we had on Tybee Island! I was working, but still able to enjoy the perfect weather, and the sights and sounds of Pirate's Fest. What fun it is to see all the costumes, props and accessories. People were dressed in everything from everyday clothing to improvised costumes, to inexpensive Halloween pirate costumes to elaborately detailed costumes. As a fiber artist, I had

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-83168786352411373742010-10-07T23:48:00.000-04:002010-10-07T23:48:29.703-04:00

The list of things to do is getting a lot more checkmarks, but there are still so many things to do before our quilt show! And I have to work all weekend, so am losing prime quilting time. The pile on the left has hanging sleeves.  Triple Star, in the background needs a little quilting and binding. But the progress is there. I got almost finished with quilting the Triple Star a couple of

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-35107883273103524132010-10-04T12:06:00.002-04:002010-10-16T07:26:11.876-04:00

What a beautiful weekend. If I hadn't been on deadline for sewing I might have spent part of it out working in the yard. Instead I just enjoyed the view from inside and made progress on my list of to-dos. I had hoped to finish quilting the Triple Star, but it's not quite there – almost. I'm over halfway done with the piano key border and just have a tiny outside border to finish. As I was

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-62031576503375695252010-10-02T05:53:00.001-04:002010-10-02T05:54:23.373-04:00

Well the thread emergency was averted. My package arrived yesterday on schedule. Lesson learned, it's a lot cheaper to buy more thread than I think I need, rather than pay for two-day shipping to get it in an emergency! I took a trek to town yesterday to meet members of our guild at the library to set up a display case with information on our show and on quilting. We're two weeks away from the

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-35576796894666780722010-09-29T19:34:00.002-04:002010-09-29T19:36:03.760-04:00

Now here's a sight to get you worried!  Once I started quilting the Triple Star I realized that the thread was going a lot faster than I had expected. I usually work with cones of thread, so it hadn't occurred to me that one 500-yard spool wouldn't be enough to quilt a queen sized quilt. But it isn't. Monday night I completed the rings of quilting on the muslin around the stars and had to

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-29789341275976290682010-09-28T21:32:00.002-04:002010-10-24T08:35:42.825-04:00

Busy day! I woke up at 5 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep, so got busy on organizing everything for our quilt show program. After collecting and listing all the ads and items I still need, I was ready to start typing in descriptions to enter in the program. Fortunately our show chair had already organized and listed all the entries on a database, so I'm able to build on it and will copy and

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-75903638480541723882010-09-26T09:11:00.000-04:002010-09-26T09:26:27.316-04:00

It's raining! I know for some people that's a problem, but we've had more than 100 days of temperatures over 90 this year, and, after a fairly rainy early summer, we've had only one day of rain in the last month or so. So a nice, soft steady rain is just the thing.I have come to the conclusion – a no-brainer, really – that if I am going to do many large quilts I will have to come up with a bigger

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-82542913998141380182010-09-24T08:56:00.000-04:002010-09-24T09:21:08.209-04:00

I'm still relatively new to free-motion quilting and there are days when I feel like I'm getting pretty good at it, and days when I wonder why I want to make such a mess. But as many people have said (not just about quilting) if you want to be good at it, practice, practice, practice.One of the most useful things I do is do test swatches and warmup pieces. Test swatches are just what they sound

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-50611134774150403302010-09-23T08:55:00.000-04:002010-09-23T09:22:52.057-04:00

No one has ever accused me of liking boring colors! That occurred to me as I walked past my table this morning. It is piled high with the Cool Jazz quilt, which is now quilted and waiting for binding, my Treadle On hearts quilt, which I'm putting a sleeve on, and the backing for my Triple Star quilt, which I was measuring, getting ready to stitch. It's certainly a cheerful sight to start the

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-66661739596598030912010-09-22T08:42:00.001-04:002010-09-22T09:04:25.505-04:00

We had a very good guild meeting last night, with a couple of visitors and new members. Our speaker, from Augusta, explained a technique to make t-shirt quilts by preparing the t-shirts, framing them with fabric, then appliqueing them to a background. I like this much better than piecing the framed sections, because it gives a lot more flexibility in the way you arrange the t-shirts. I may have

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-4612693941430851722010-09-20T08:27:00.000-04:002010-09-20T08:34:59.801-04:00

I made some good progress on the Cool Jazz quilt yesterday. I finished quilting on two more sections, leaving one section and the border to go. In breaks from quilting I started prepping binding and the backing for the Triple Star quilt and pulled out fabric for our pirates costumes and got it in the laundry. There's just so much coming up all at the same time.We took a break last night and went

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-29464153048113223262010-09-19T08:54:00.000-04:002010-09-19T09:05:37.606-04:00

I got a good start quilting Cool Jazz yesterday. I might have done better if the ancient air-conditioner that cools that area hadn't decided to conk out on me this week. With the temperatures still hitting 90 here, that meant frequent breaks to cool off were necessary. But, we got a little rain last night, so maybe it will be cooler today.To quilt this one I decided on an overall design based on

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-73494641581402198492010-09-18T11:08:00.000-04:002010-09-18T11:17:53.064-04:00

I haven't posted for the past couple of days because I could think of absolutely nothing interesting to say about pinning the Cool Jazz quilt! But, it's pinned and ready to go. I got it prepped and started pinning Thursday night, then finished pinning last night. I also picked out thread to quilt it, wound bobbins, picked out a quilting design and did a couple of test swatches. So I'm all ready

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256932247209841677.post-1055468192041511542010-09-15T20:51:00.001-04:002010-09-15T21:05:17.794-04:00

We're one month away from our guild's quilt show and I don't know whether to be excited or panicked. Probably a little of both. We had a meeting today to go over everything and we have more than 190 quilts entered! Most of them will be judged.That's the exciting part. The panicking part is that I still have three quilts to quilt, a bunch of sleeves to sew on, and a lot of work for the show, in

Vicki Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096177015804957565noreply@blogger.com1