Geo Drops and NTT

 Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, and happy Inauguration Day, y'all!  Left or right, red or blue, there is something special about seeing past and incoming presidents take part in the traditions and ceremonies that our country holds dear.  Today, in addition to immersing myself in the festivities on TV, I am so excited to share my newest quilt top with you. This is a pattern I've had sitting in my design files for awhile (a few years!) and I'm so glad I finally buckled down and made it.

I originally designed this quilt with a solid white background, and even though the drops popped really well against the white in my design, it just needed something extra.  Making the background from a variety of light grays and whites was the perfect special touch this quilt needed.  It softens the raindrops and with less contrast, the quilt truly looks "rainy."  I've already basted and started the quilting on this, and I love, love, LOVE the way it is turning out so far.  I can't wait until you see the finish.  I'm calling this one Geo Drops and the pattern is already in the works, so stay tuned!

Before we link up, let's check out some of the awesomeness from last week.  This cute bird quilt is by DonnaleeQ-

Quilting Gail shared this lovely quilt (and there's a second beauty in her post!)-

This gorgeous quilt is by Kris at Sew Sunshine-

This creative, scrappy improv piece is by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal (improv rainbows are totally my jam)-

And this fun heart quilt is by Sandra at mmm quilts! (Can you believe we're on the downhill slide of January?)

Wow!  I can tell lots of you are kicking your creativity into high gear in 2021.  So, without further ado, let's see what you've got going on this week!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Chain Piecing Fool and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all.  This week, I spent a couple of days making some curtain panels for a friend who just bought a new house, and was swiftly reminded why I don't choose to do that for a living.  I was happy to help her out, but since curtains aren't my forte, I think it took me twice as long to make sure they turned out right.  Anyway, I think I'll stick to quilting.  

So after the curtain panels were all finished, I got to work cutting and piecing my latest quilt from the fabrics I showed last week.  That my friends, is a whole mess of chain piecing.  I just need to cut everything apart and press them, and then I still need to sew one other part. But after that, this quilt top will go together in a flash.

Before we party, check out the highlights from last week.  Melva Loves Scraps shared progress on this fantastic camping journal quilt-

Janine Marie at Quilts from the Little House dressed up this big print with some awesome quilting in this whole cloth quilt (check out her post to see the great pattern and texture on the back)-

And finally, Linda at Flourishing Palms reflected on some of the best parts of 2020 and reminded us of this beauty-

Okay friends.  It's time to link up the latest happenings from your studio!  I hope you've been getting lots of fun quilty time in the new year.  Let's see it!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

A Watery Palette and NTT

Welcome to the first Needle and Thread Thursday of the new year, friends!  I'm working on a fun new pattern and these watery shades of blue and gray will be perfect for it.

I'm resuming my mission to quilt from stash as much stash as I can this year, and because I love these colors, my stash always seems to be heavy with them.  I can't wait to share more progress with you!

At last week's party, there were so many amazing projects linked up.  Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting shared this awesome quilt-

I love this cute quilt by Sew Preeti Quilts-

This quilt by Sandra at mmm quilts is fantastic!

And finally, Shannon at The Fleming's Nine is already looking ahead to Valentine's day with this sweet quilt!

Alright, y'all!  Let's kick off 2021 with a bang!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Naked House and Final NTT of 2020

Happy (almost) New Year, and welcome to NTT, friends.  I hope those of you who celebrate Christmas had a wonderful holiday, even if it did look a bit different this year.  Our family definitely did.  And now that it's over, I've spent the last couple of days reclaiming my house from the holiday madness.  

I know, I know.  Technically the Christmas season lasts until January 6th, but since I put out my decorations around Thanksgiving (or before), I'm always ready for everything to be put away before the new year.  I'm just a rebel like that.  ;)  Since my house is crammed with so much Christmas decor, when it's all put away, everything feels a little bit naked.  It always takes a couple of days to reacquaint myself with the extra space in the rooms where Christmas trees once stood and all the open counter space in my kitchen.  It's pleasantly less cluttered in its regular state, but still takes some visual adjustment.

The last time we met for NTT was two weeks ago, and there were some amazing things linked up.  This stunner is by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal-

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework shared this scrappy blue quilt.  I love the movement in the geese!

Quiltpiecer showed off this lovely blue and yellow quilt-

Take a look at this cheerful quilt by Anja Quilts-

And finally, this amazing lion quilt is by Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting.  Just WOW.

Okay friends!  Now that the holidays are behind us, I'm looking forward to lots of time in my studio.  I already have a few different projects in mind, and I can't wait to get cracking on them.  I can't wait to see what you've been up to this week.  So, let's kick 2020 out the door with one final NTT.

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Welcome to NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  As is the norm for my holiday season, Christmas activities have taken over my days and I have gotten exactly zero sewing done in the last week.  A good chunk of the week was spent helping my husband after his surgery (he lost the use of his dominant arm and hand completely for a few days and still doesn't have 100% use of his hand).  I've also made Christmas cookies and TV Trash (super spiced Chex Mix), finished up shopping/wrapping, and yes, watched even more Christmas movies with the fam.  All in all, a wonderful week as the days before Christmas wind down.

Last week's party was filled with all kinds of eye-candy, like this finished sampler from Anja Quilts-

And this beauty by Quiltpiecer-

Dreamworthy Quilts linked up progress on this fun quilt.  I don't know about you, but once Christmas and New Years Day is over, I am ready for spring to hurry up and get here.  :) 

And finally, Linda at kokaquilts showed off this scrappy quilt finish.  Lovely!

Okay friends!  Before we party, I need to let you know that NTT will be taking a break next week.  My hubby and I will be celebrating 22 years of marriage this weekend, and of course Christmas is NEXT WEEK!!!  I'll return on December 30th.  I know that the holidays look very different this year, but I hope you cherish them all the same.

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

NTT (Just a Little Late)

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  Today, my hubby had surgery on his (dominant) hand, and though I thought we would be home and settled by the afternoon in enough time to get my weekly party post out, the surgery center had other plans for us.  He is doing okay, and currently sleeping off the remnants of the anesthesia.  This week has been all about gift wrapping, Hallmark movies, and a little more Christmas sewing.

For the past few months, I have really loved using the cloth napkins I made this summer, and I decided that I deserved a special Christmas set.  (ps- my ceramic tree was made by my grandmother in 1970 and is signed and dated by her!  It's one of my most treasured Christmas pieces).

These napkins are made just like the last ones.  The 18" print squares were paired with unbleached muslin squares (also 18") and sewn right-sides together around the edge, leaving a space for turning out.  Then, the corners were clipped to reduce bulk, they were turned out and pressed, and topstitched to finish.  Super easy!

I collected these eight fabrics with a woodsy feel and made two napkins from each half yard.  I'm keeping a set of eight for myself, and the other set will be a gift for a friend.  Eight napkins really isn't very many for everyday use throughout the holiday season, but I'm planning to add to them each year until I have enough.  These will be the perfect reason to buy cute fabrics here and there (as if I really need one, ha!).

From the looks of last week's party, y'all are busy sewing away!  Take a look at this snowflake quilt by Lori at Crossquilt-

This fun piece is by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal-

This little deer by Anne-Marie at Stories From the Sewing Room is so sweet!

Joyce at HeARTS Creations linked up this modern finish-

And Barb at Mountain Quiltworks shared this festive quilt (image and link from IG)-

Okay friends!  Better late than never.  Let's get this party started!  

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Parade of Trees and NTT

Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I hope all of you in the States had a great Thanksgiving last week.  Ours was quiet, but really wonderful.  After we recovered from our turkey-coma, we finished the decorating both inside and outside the house.  Instead of sewing progress this week (which has been nonexistent), I'm happy to share my four Christmas trees with you!

We just moved into this house last November (in 2019), and because we were still in the process of getting settled when Christmastime came, I decided to only put up our main tree, and no other home decorations.  So this year, it was quite a task to figure out where everything was going to go in a new house.

My main tree is by far my favorite, but it takes the longest to decorate.  I cram as many things onto the branches as I possibly can, and lots of the ornaments are glass and sparkly, which gives the tree an icy effect (it's more pronounced at night).

I couldn't get the bow at the top to photograph properly because the daylight and room light were competing and making the bow look way too yellow, but with the room light turned off, the ornaments got lost in the sunlight.  This one shows the true color much better.

Our second tree is a must for any die-hard LSU fan.  I'm a Baton Rouge girl born and raised, so win or lose, I always love my Tigers.  And because football is in full swing well before Christmas, this one is usually the first tree to go up.  

My third tree is a mid-century modern silver aluminum tree, all decked out with peppermint ornaments and ribbon.  This tree is about sixty years old, and I was super lucky to find it in such pristine condition.  Because the branches are real metal, it isn't safe to string lights in the tree, so I chose a spot next to a window with plenty of sunlight, and it is also illuminated with a spotlight underneath.  I do actually have the original color wheel as well, but it gets extremely hot and is very noisy, so we don't use it.

My fourth and final tree is a new addition this year.  My mother-in-law loved Christmas as much as I do and had amassed quite the Christmas collection herself.  When she passed, I inherited as much of it as I could take.  She loved Santas specifically, and even had a small collection that she kept out year-round.  So I made a Santa tree containing all of her Santa ornaments, as well as some of my own.  I chose a flocked tree with colored lights and tartan plaid ribbon to keep this one looking a little old-fashioned, and because it is in a tight corner, a pencil-shaped tree works beautifully.

Now that the decorating is all finished, I just have one little gift to finish sewing, and my Christmas to-do list will be done. Then it'll be Hallmark movies (yes, I'm a sucker for cheesy storylines), gift wrapping, holiday baking, and enjoying the season at a relaxed pace.  After all, Christmas Eve is only three weeks away!

It's been a little bit since we've partied, but I definitely want to share some of the great projects that were linked up the last time.  Check out this pretty quilt by Leanne at Devoted Quilter-

Frederique at Quilting Patchwork Applique linked up this clever beauty-

The colors in this quilt by Julie's Quilts and Costumes look so warm and cozy!

And finally, I love the crisp, clean look of this finish by Anja Quilts-

Let's get our party on, friends!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)