How Many Irons In The Fire?

I'm happy to report that ALL the Christmas in July parcels are heading their way to their new homes. Well done ladies for being on time.
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Maybe I should have said "how many irons in the rubbish". Irons, they seem to be the biggest pain in any quilters life. Trying to find just the right one. I thought I had about 6 weeks ago. DH took a quick trip to the store for me to buy a new iron. My words were "Don't be cheap, and please make sure it has a stainless steel sole plate". He came home with the "Shark". I was impressed as Stephanie had only just written a post about irons, and how happy she was with her new one. Being impressed didn't last too long. Saturday it decided to do what most sharks do, bite. The steam button got stuck in the down position and it dribbled all over my ironing board like a teething toddler. Not to worry, I heard their customer service was good. Oh dear that must only apply for Ohio residents...... Now I admit to any American who hears me speak, I have an accent, but you'd think on a customer service line they would put someone on their phones who speaks the English language fluently. I was told that I could package up my 6 week old iron, insure it and mail it to them at my expense, and if I was lucky I might receive it back repaired in approx 6 - 8 weeks. Now normally I'm beyond polite when I deal with customer service, but my DH has advised me that I need to be firm in this type of situation. So I took his advice and told the woman, that after only owning the iron for 6 weeks I didn't see that I should have to pay for shipping and insurance, and then wait for my iron to be returned. Long story short, I could cut the cord off and mail it back and they would ship a new iron to me. Hmm well why didn't you tell me that to begin with?

So the Shark gets put into the kitchen to await amputation, and the Black and Decker gets pulled out of the cupboard, plug it in and away we go..................... for about 10 minutes. Then I notice a terrible smell. Said B&D decides it's going to give up the ghost and short circuits. Wait for it to cool and into the rubbish it goes.

Iron number 3, a $9.00 Phillips, works reasonably well, but not well enough for my liking.

So another trip to the store for iron #4, I wonder how long this one will last. I'm beginning to think that they don't make irons here to last past 6 months.

Now I'm off to press some fabrics.

Happy Stitching.

Linda

Threads

I'm hoping to get this top pieced today and ready for machine quilting.

This is the fabric I've bought for the outer border.

I think I'd like to use a subtle variegated thread to machine quilt it with. The only brand I've ever used is Gutermann. Do you have a favorite brand, or is there a brand that you think is better quality?

Happy Stitching

Linda

Bugs & Bears

Both ready to be stitched and turned into baby quilts.

Terrible angles on both, sorry, I was standing on a chair, which is a feat in itself.

Happy Stitching.

Parcels On Their Way

This pretty little treasure landed in my letter box this week from Carrie. Beautifully needle punched.

Filled with pretty green and white Christmas trim, a thank you for co-hosting the Christmas in July swap. Thank you so much Carrie, I adore all things tin.
These ladies can expect a Christmas parcel in their mail box soon.


Jeanette
Candace
Bonnie
Shelley
Barbara
Tracey
Melaine
Peg

Happy Stitching
Linda

Stitching Diva's

As many of you know Stephanie and I have ventured into pattern writing, almost at the same time. What a joy it is to be able to toss ideas around with one another, to have the support and encouragement of another pattern designer. Thank you so much Stephanie, your encouragement and enthusiasm is very much appreciated. I also need to thank Stephanie for pointing me in the direction of this book. It has been invaluable and well read from cover to cover, many times.
Many of you know with pattern writing comes pattern testers. We would be drifting down a stream without a paddle if it weren't for our pattern testers.
I'd like to thank my wonderful Stitching Diva's. Bonnie, Candace, Nancy and Susan, who very kindly agreed to test this first pattern and without their time and patience my designs would just be another pattern.
My husband Kevin, who looks at my attempts to have a reasonable layout and works miracles with it.
A special thanks to Nancy who has been an invaluable help when it comes to proof reading, editing and getting me to remove all the extra Aussie lingo, thanks Nancy.
And to each and everyone of you, who has left words of encouragement, thank you.
Now it's time to show you these extremely talented ladies creations.

Bonnie from Calamity Jane's Cottage stitched her sample up in denim and added Swell by Moda for her center panels and accents. This has a terrific casual weekend look to it.


Candace from Squash House Quilts used Geometrix by StudioE Fabrics for the prints and Aiden Linen from Kathy Mack of Pink Chalk Studio. I love the colors in Candace's bag.

Nancy from With Thread In Hand used osnaburg and Katie Jump Rope for her creation. So fresh and crisp.

Susan from Homespun Quilts used rich shades in Batiks. Her bag reminds me of a tropical island resort.

Finally the original design that these ladies worked with, my version of "Daintree".

Thank you ladies for allowing me to share your photographs and your creations. We are in the process of making the changes needed and hope to have the pattern available within 1 - 2 weeks. The next pattern is almost ready to send out to the testers for review, and another is in the process of being written.

Happy Stitching

Linda

Merry Monday

Here we are coming into our last week for the swap. I don't think I can give you any more ideas, as most of you have your parcels ready to post, or so close that extra items wouldn't be able to be included. This coming Saturday is the final day for mailing. I can tell you though that these ladies can expect a parcel in their mail within the next week.

Sherri
Marc
Pam

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Last week my mail box brought two lovely parcels. The first was a monthly drawing from the Quilt Puppy that I was fortunate enough to win. A terrific Christmas applique book. Thanks so much Kay, I think this one will get a lot of use leading up to Christmas.

The second was this glorious bundle of Christmas goodness that I was lucky enough to win from Jackie's birthday giveaway. Thanks so much Jackie, at the moment I'm just admiring it trying to decide what to create with it.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a surprise for you all, until then.

Happy Stitching

Linda

What's On Your Table?

Yesterday was a day filled with Steam-A-Seam and bits of fabric scraps. A day spent prepping a few baby applique quilts for the craft fair. As I looked at my table I wondered what you have on your table at the moment.
This is what my table looked like at the start of the day, and it didn't change much up until midnight.
The first top prepped was this adorable giraffe, too cute to pass up.

Time to think about little boys and what they love.

This one finished the day, and took the longest to get ready.

All set on larger pieces of background fabric, ready to be stitched down and trimmed back, and borders added.

What's on your table or design wall today?

Happy Stitching.

Linda