April's Friday Night Sew-In and Fest

For this Friday Night Sew-In, I decided to make the tote bag that Heidi and Bobbi offered.  It looked like a fun project and it was!!  Thanks Bobbi & Heidi!! I decided I would change it up a bit by adding a pocket inside (I always need pockets! Don't you?) and I changed the handles.  I had so much fun and liked the results that I made 2!  What do you think?

I also spent some time organizing, washing and pressing fabric for my next quilt and making a list of things to get at the quilt festival.  So this morning, I was off to meet my friend, Tracy, at the festival.  

We met up with not too much difficulty and started by admiring the many beautiful quilts.  Here is a small sample of them...

Churn dash, architectural, mariner's compass art quilt, and units...

dandelions, play with H's, pineapple and bright scrappy flowers...

landscape and stars...

And we then headed to the venders.  It is a bit overwhelming with way too many choices!!!  I am glad that I limited myself and brought out my list.  I actually pretty much stayed the coarse.  (Remember I just had a big shopping spree in Cedar Rapids last month! ) I got a yard of a coordinating Moda fabric from Make Life (purchased a piece in Cedar Rapids) and the template and thread I needed for the Mariner's Compass.  I now need to get busy and sandwich and quilt the Mariner's Compass.  It has been on hold for too long...

It has been a fun 2 days playing with fabrics and seeing so much eye candy!  Ahh! 

Updates...

It has been some time since I have posted, so I thought I better give an update of what I have been up to.  

First, the mariner's compass is on hold for a short while.  The top is completed, batting ready, backing washed and ready to sandwich.  I am waiting for the INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL in Rosemont, IL this coming weekend, April 15 - 18.  There I plan on purchasing the template my husband has picked out and some thread for the quilting.  I love this inspiring festival and have been eagerly waiting for the annual event. Typically, I spend the first part of my day admiring the beautiful quilts on display - from traditional to art quilts, postcards to large sized, machine or hand pieced and/or quilted.  Such talent from around the world! Then, I visit the many merchants vending a myriad of products useful for quilters and crafters.   Every notion you can think of, fabrics galore, patterns, machines, etc.  Of coarse there are speakers, classes and other hands-on opportunities.  If you are in the area, don't miss it!  This is one nice thing about living in Chicagoland! 

I also completed a table runner that I purchased almost 2 years ago on a Shop Hop.  I wanted to learn the technique of adding piping to my quilts so I purchased this kit.  It has been on my 'to-do' list since.  Now it is a finish!

I also have been knitting for a service project in honor of a young mother from my church who lost the fight against cancer about a month ago.  The Monday Night Knitting Group will be using her yarn (donated by her husband) to make chemo caps.  I have completed 2 hats.

The week just before Easter, we took delivery of our new appliances.

And Easter weekend was full of family time....

Our beautiful daughters!

My brother and sister-in-law with their grandson, Izaak.

A very happy baby!

Finally, head over to Jandi in Stitches for a give-away!  She is giving away a charmpack of Moda's Fruitcake.  Delicious! And get ready for this Friday Night Sew-in!  What will you be doing? Go here or here to join the fun! Look for my results on Saturday and pictures from the Fest!

April's Friday Night Sew-In

It's coming soon!  The  April Friday Night Sew-In is April 16th.  Mark your calendars and get ready to join the fun!  This month Heidi and Bobbi added a tote pattern for everyone to sew along.  It is really cute.  Go here to get more information!

A little update on progress.  The Mariner's Compass is on hold for a little while.  Needs to be sandwiched and then quilted.  Started a new little project. It's ready for quilting.  Pictures soon.  Also been working on some stitchery and a few more red and white blocks.

My daughters are home for Easter break.  We are enjoying time with them.  Hope everyone has a Happy Easter!
Thanks be to God!  He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!  1 Corinthians 15:57