It's not all about Ozzie the Pug

Not everything is about Oz.



My daughter's job as Art Director at Sew Beautiful Magazine has practically made me famous. Well, maybe not really famous, but I have had some fun because of it. Last summer, Shannon had me make a quilted pillow for the fall issue.  She made the lace pumpkin, and I did the batik one. I was pretty excited to see it in the magazine, Then,  this winter they did a blue issue, and she wanted me to make some blue sewing room items. I made two needlebooks (one with her embroidery design), a log cabin pincushion, a round pincushion, and a custom ironing board cover.  I helped to write the article and had my own byline, and she even had the blue items at the Sew Beautiful table at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion last week.

Today, we did something to help out their sister publication, Just Cross Stitch.  The photographer, Jennifer Tarkington, came to my house and did a photo-shoot of about five pieces for an upcoming magazine. Each one used one of my quilts in the background, and Shannon pulled some of my things from around the house to stage each little vignette. Fun for me, fun for Shannon, and wait...I didn't think everything was about Ozzie...



But I was wrong. He was right in the middle of every shot.



Helping every minute.



After a morning of mischief...



Ozzie's ready for a quiet afternoon. Maybe I can sew.

Christmas in July

Yes, it is really July. Proof? Peaches and Cream corn on the cob and



Chilton County peaches.  We had fun Saturday heading off to the Farmer's Market. Tonight's dinner was really wonderful: pineapple and bourbon marinated salmon and sauteed black-eyed peas with Vidalia onions and sweet red bell pepper.

But it felt more like Christmas today.



Nope, not because of my carved quilt Santa in my sewing room closet....



And surely not the weather --- Ozzie is hot from his walk.



It's because my new Bernina Aurora 440QE was delivered! I set it up and sewed some patches I had already cut and ready, and then I worked my way through all of the embroidery stitches on a sample patch. I didn't get the big embroidery module. Don't think that's really what I'd get my money's worth from, but I can buy it and add it if I change my mind. I was so impressed that Gina's called yesterday with the shipping costs, and it arrived today. I am itching to try the stitch regulator, but I decided to go with some basics today and get the feel of the new machine first. Tomorrow, new adventures!



I'm working on a pyramid quilt out of batiks. Fun and easy, and I think it will be perfect for quilting with the BSR.



This weekend I finished my applique project from the Denver trip. Ozzie likes it.



And I made this fun Civil War Buckshot Pincushion from a Marcus Brothers pattern. I guess they were originally filled with buckshot. I opted for crushed walnuts with a yo-yo and a button from my mom's buttons to top it off.  My new machine opens up all sorts of new possibilities. Merry Christmas (in July) to me!

Has the summer heat made me crazy?

We had such fun with the boys! Our plan was pretty simple: Divide and conquer. We planned activities together with all of us for some of the time, but then we built in time where the boys would be separated so that we could really enjoy each of the individually. One of my favorite afternoons was when Taplin was sleeping, and Bridger was playing on the floor of my sewing room. I told him how when I was little I would stay at my grandparents' house for a week or so, and I got to play with my grandma's buttons. Bridger spied mine on a shelf and asked if he could play with them. He was occupied for a long time with one simple jar of black and whites.



When they were together, they were a handful. My hat is off to you, Meghan. They have tons of energy. All of the activities we had planned to wear them out worked. But they wore us out too! I think they had fun, but I guess nothing is as good as going home with Mommy and Daddy.



They headed home after a Sunday brunch -- French toast casserole with praline topping, blueberries and strawberries, and sausage.



Sunday afternoon, I was working on a yellow and black nine patch quilt top (more on this in another blog, but it will become a baby quilt for our nephew's little boy!) when I took a break to check my email. An invitation -- an opportunity! My blog friend Anne from Film and Thread wanted to know if I would go with her to the AQS Knoxville Quilt Show. What the heck, why not? Well, sure, I'd never actually met her, but I felt pretty comfortable having exchanged emails and blog comments for some time. The plan was made. I drove out to her house Wednesday morning, and off we headed to Knoxville. The three and a half hour trip was quick because we had lots to talk about.



Anne really was tempted by this frame system which would turn her domestic sewing machine into a quilting machine. The plan was to go to all of the venders and then check out the quilts (400 or so of them, I think). Wow. We walked and looked and talked and oohed and aaah-ed. Her mom came from Asheville, NC for the afternoon too. What a delightful person! Of course, Anne restrained herself. Me???? No. I bought a new Bernina, an Aurora 440QE. To be fair, I have been thinking about this machine for some time now, and I did call and talk to Allen several times about the price and such, and he agreed that the price was right. However, how unlike me to drive two hundred miles from home with someone I'd never met AND buy a new machine. However, no buyer's remorse yet. I haven't heard that they've shipped it yet (saving tax $), but I'm waiting!



While I wait, I will sew on my "old" machine (Shannon's "new" machine). I tried out a Schnibbles pattern. Lots of fun, not too big, pretty quick, not perfect. When the new machine arrives and I figure out the BSR (Bernina stitch regulator), I will have a couple of tops ready to quilt!  AND -- did I mention I met Alex Anderson from The Quilt Show?? Such a warm, gracious person!

Fourth of July with Bridger and Taplin

Happy Fourth of July! I finished the red, white, and blue quilt just in time. I hope it fits the kitchen table, but I haven't tried yet.



Right now, I have little boy breakfast on the table. Blueberries for Taplin.



Bridger is trying out the new Car Quilt that I finished just this morning. I fell for the fabric panel when I saw it up in Franklin some months ago, but I didn't get it out to make until Wednesday. Hmmm. The boys got here Wednesday night. I just outlined all of the road and buildings with black thread. Quick and easy, but hopefully, hours of fun.



Yesterday's fun included making star sugar cookies with Baker Bridger.



We took the cookies to Aunt Shannon's and Uncle Nathan's house for a cook out and some pool time for the brothers. Is this not typical?



Ozzie is having a fun Fourth too! Lots of love and plenty to get into.  I wonder what adventures we will have today!