Howdy Girls,

How is everyone this evening? Are you surviving the heat?! Whew, it IS h-o-t out there!!! Jingle & I were a puddle after our walk this evening... & I wasn't wearing a black, fur coat!

Today, my Sally Collins class ROCKED!!! She gave GREAT information & insights. This was one of my BEST EVER classes, no kidding!!! Here are just a few nuggets of wonder that I learned today, I hope you find them as inspiring...

>Quilting is a LEARNED skill.
>Borders play just as important a role as does the quilt body.
>Skill, care & workmanship are a cumulative process that should work in concert!
>When rotary cutting, if the fabric is folded ON GRAIN it will help prevent those little "v's" in cut strips.
>How to sew straight...LOOK @ the seam guide NOT the needle.
>Color gets all the glory, but value does all the work.
>Just a few quiet, concentrated colors, but in MANY values will fill (small) spaces without causing chaos.
>The smaller you cut color, the darker it gets.

And, I noticed, processed & then LEARNED - color value/gradation makes a quilt RADIATE...which can even give the feeling of motion within the quilt.

Yep, it was a remarkable learning experience!!! My head hurts, but my soul is singing!!! ; )

Piecefully, Pam

Thanks Lois & Lori for stopping by! : ) I was glad to hear of your Summer trips, & sewing stuff!!! Thanks for allowing me to share mine too. Leigh Anne, I missed you...& Sean!

If there's a Bee next week, I won't be there. Next Monday I leave for Sewing Camp @ Mama Barb's!!! : ) I have my jacket pattern & fabric all set to go! I have a list of things I want to learn - French seams, zippers, how to read & interpret a clothing pattern, pattern fitting, etc...

I have my fabric, notions & sewing machine packed & ready for my class @ Country Quiltworks tomorrow. The class is Precision Piecing, & it's being taught by Sally Collins I am looking forward to it!!! I signed up for this MONTHS ago. I'll keep my machine packed & ready for Barb's... So much sewing, so little time...?! ; )

Today I made binding. I have decided how to quilt the Dresden Plate project & hope to get underway soon! This evening I measured the backing to the top & it should fit...!? I'd like to get the quilt sandwich basted (again!), & marked in preparation for machine quilting. I still need to do a sleeve & a label too, but the binding is READY!!! I LIKE the feeling of forward progression!!! : )

Meanwhile, I am continuing to make blocks for the Pastel Bubbles project. That's my current machine project when I'm home. And, I am making some progress on my BOM 8 - my hand applique project when I can't use my sewing machine. Again, sew much sewing, sew little time...

My thoughts are with all the other Mama's too...Jean & your oldest friend. Cathy - I can't tell if you're on vacation or not?! Mare. Mo - who I thought was on vacation, but must be home. Peggy - I wish I could give you some motivation. Here's hoping the slump is short lived! Dolores - what are you doing? Vacationing? How are your kids & Rocky...?!

Alright, enjoy your evening. Stitch when you get the chance! My new QNM came in yesterday's mail!!! How are those Jennifer Chiaverini books...?! Have an AWESOME tomorrow. : )
Piecefully, Pam

Hello Girls,

Jean - so sorry to hear about your friends Mom. Will miss Quilt Mama's this evening...

I just wrote to Leigh Anne to tell her I'd bring blocks & pictures to Bee this evening. So...sew...how 'bout this...

I'll be home, & I expect to be working on my Dresden Plate project, if anyone wishes to stop by for Bee, feel free...?!

Piece & stay cool!
Piecefully, Pam

Girls...I'm very sorry - I won't be able to host this evening. My oldest friend's Mom passed away yesterday - she'd been sick for a while - it was a blessing. Maureen asked me to help with putting together some photo collages and we 're going to do that tonight - again, sorry for the short notice. Hope to see you all soon....I could use some positve q'mama juju. Try to stay cool...piece

Hi Girls,

I spent some time sewing today. Not necessarily FUN time sewing, but I did get to sew none the less. Here is a PERFECT example of how great it is to have a portable project...i.e. that 4 letter "A" word...sitting waiting for a train, on the train, waiting in the Dr. waiting room & then waiting in the exam room...makes the annual GYN exam a little less terrible. : / Hope your day was infinitely better!!!

Looking forward to Bee tomorrow evening!
Piecefully, Pam

Good Evening Girls,

Today's weather was a bit less hot & humid! : ) It felt kind of nice! I had wash out on the line, & it was a perfect day for it!

I hope those Mama's down @ the Shore are enjoying this weather!!! And, Calico 'n Cotton too...!? ; ) How 'bout Ike's...?!

It looks like we'll have a Bee on Tuesday @ Jean's!!! Thanks Jean! : ) Can I see the palm tree, please?

I spent some time yesterday & today getting my sewing space back into shape. I had "stuff" everywhere - from the Cruise, both Barb visits, things I bought... Now it's organized! It certainly makes it SO much easier to S-E-W!!! : ) It "feels" better too.

I cleaned & oiled my sewing machine for the Sally Collins class on Wednesday. I changed the needle & filled a bobbin too. I am prepping my sewing notions, & I have to choose fabrics yet. I don't know what I want to use...hmmm, that's not like me?!

Enjoy your evening. I hope you've gotten to take a few stitches today!? ; ) See you on Tuesday!
Piecefully, Pam

Good Morning Girls,

It sure has been busy around here!!! ; ) Let's see if I can catch up with what's been going on with you...Mo, Mare, Cathy & Lori are ALL on vacation, is that right?! Is Dolores too?! Is EVERYONE "down the shore"? Lori, are you in NJ or MD?!

Leigh Anne - you just got back from vacation, right? The NJ shore? Did you go to Calico 'n Cotton? What about Ike's? I heard rumor of a stripper book...in the bedroom...?! ; )

Lois - you just got back from Ohio & your Family Reunion? Any good quilting things or needle art from that trip?! How is the SOFT duck quilt coming along? How is your garden?

Peggy - whazzup?! How is Megan's car? Are you still needing an intervention...?!

Jean - thanks ever so much for being my co-pilot during our Tuesday road trip! Sorry to have missed out on The Hayloft. : / Are you staying cool? I forgot to give you tomatoes on Tuesday evening! Would you like some?

Boonie Barb headed home yesterday afternoon. We were up 'til 3 AM Tuesday night/Wednesday morning!!! : ) Thanks for visiting & sharing with her! We sure did have FUN! I sent her home with a Purple Thang, a Moda hexagon project tin, & a lesson in hand applique, uh, 3 holly trees too. She showed me how to make carmel apples!!! : D

I need to get my sewing space back in order! I have an upcoming Sally Collin's class on Wednesday & need to get my supplies ready. The following week I head to Mama Barb's for Sewing Camp!!! And, before you know it, I have to go back to WORK!!!

I hope you ALL are enjoying your Summer! ; ) Make a little time to do something sewing each day if you can! Stay cool - sip an iced tea!

Piecefully, Pam