What I'm doing this weekend . . .

19 comments
Its been a busy couple of days. Sometimes working full time doesn't give me the free time I need to get things done that I really want to at home but its a good job, I'm not complaining.

Pam always asks what her "peoples" are up to. I consider myself one of Pam's peoples. So here it is.
I needed to make a couple gifts for friends (one belated) and I went to my box that holds UFOs, unmade kits, and orphan blocks.

I picked out some scrappy 9 patches from several years ago just waiting to be used. I went to my stash and pulled out this teacup fabric to border and back hot pads I thought would make good gifts.

Then I quilted with double batting and made them into pot holders. I'm not quite finished hand stitching the binding yet. I love that pinky red bias plaid from Barbara's fabric line several years old, again from the stash (when is she going to make another line of fabric anyway?). I looped some large rick rack in one corner so they could be hung up. Using up things on hand always makes me happy, especially when I can make something cute and practical.

I think they turned out nice for gifts. I have about 20-30 of those scrappy blocks left over so I potentially make lots of potholders. And they are fun to make because I can turn them out in a flash.

Whitney came over last week made a baby quilt (again from my stash) for a friend. I offered to quilt it for her and try out my new quilting gadget.

Its called the Supreme Slider. You can see its in place above on my sewing machine. It has that little hole for the needle. The underside is kind of a rubbery plastic that sticks to the machine table and the top is Teflon coated so the fabric moves better when you move the quilt around to stipple. I thought it was going to be a lot bigger and was kind of surprised at the size when I opened the package. But it really does the job. I still wore my gloves when I quilted but it made a huge difference in the ease of free motion quilting. I felt my stitches were more even and my shoulders didn't tire too much. The site that sells the slider has that 'lickity grip' product I may try, too.
So while I quilted the baby quilt I watched Ground Hog Day. Its probably my favorite movie. The first time I saw it at the theater I hated it. It was frustrating and I ended up like Phil Connors just wondering when he was going to get out of that day. The 2nd time I watched it I relaxed enough to discover the meaning of the movie and enjoy the cute humor and funny lines. Every time I watch it I laugh at the same parts and enjoy the movie more and more the older I get. I love the part where Phil and Rita are at dinner and she tells him she majored in 19th Century French Poetry and Phil says "What a waste of Time". So funny. That movie has so many great lines. And I love Bill Murray.

Anyway here is Whitney's quilt all ready for her to hand stitch the binding. It turned out very sweet. Its kind of a raspberry lemonade quilt.

Now I need to work on my Dear Jane blocks. I'm behind by 4 blocks but I think I can catch up fairly quickly. So off I go.

-nanette
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19 comments

Jana Nielson said...

Groundhog Day is a classic! I love his interactions with his school "friend" that sells insurance...heh heh!

Jana Nielson said...

Groundhog Day is a classic! I love his interactions with his school "friend" that sells insurance...heh heh!

Purple and Paisley said...

love the potholders! and groundhog day is one of my fave movies, too...=)...i wish i could free motion quilt like you do...so even and "right..."...that's a compliment, you know...=)...have a great rest of your weekend...p.s. your chenille project sounds gorgeous, clever and thrifty...good job!

PamKittyMorning said...

Love all your projects, what a darling baby quilt and those potholders are really cute. Love scrappy anything and LOVE LOVE LOVE yellow. You always have that little something that makes it go wow to me.

You are for sure one of my peoples.

erica e said...

oh I love all the yellows in this post! the raspberry lemonade baby quilt is wonderful! and i'm sure anyone would be excited to get such cheery potholders as a gift.
love it all! using up what you've got on hand is the greatest. it makes it extra special and fun.

Becky said...

I love Groundhogs Day - my husband and I even got married on Feb. 2! Love the potholders -- I've been making those from my scrap pile lately and they are so much nicer than the old ratty ones I am replacing! However, your's are a lot "prettier" than mine :)

Lily Boot said...

Hi! Well for someone who says you don't have enough time to do what you want, you sure get an inspiring amount done! I'm keen to check out those quilting tools you've mentioned - I'm a dreadful machine quilter - but I'm beginning to think I'm dreadful because I'm convinced I'm dreadful! :-) So, looking at your beautiful work makes me think I should give it another go! Love the stippling and love the potholders ;-)

Karen said...

I LOVE those pot holders - they are adorable and I'm a sucker for stripes for bindings - that one really finishes them off. That baby quilt is just so sweet - love those happy colors.

Hugs - Karen

Ginger Patches said...

Cute potholders and baby quilt! I love my Supreme Slider!!! Like you I thought it was kind of small but I guess that's so it fits sewing machines that don't have a big table.

Di~ said...

Oh Nanette, you are just too creative! Wow that slider thingy? never heard of - that would help! Love love love your fabrics. Thanks for all...

Anonymous said...

I love the potholders! So adorable and I love the free motion stitching too! I wish I had one of those machines..."One day!" :)

I put something about you on my most recent blog - check it out! And thanks again for all your help!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Especially love the potholders. I just did a tutorial this morning on making potholders and think the binding idea is easier. I'm going to give it a try and LOVE the rick rack loop idea. Thanks for your inspiring projects!

Darlene said...

Sweet potholders! Love the baby quilt.

So much talent in your household. :-)

Blakely said...

Your potholders look great, and they will make such great gifts. I hated Groundhog Day the first time I watched it. I couldn't believe I wasted my money on going to the movies to see it. But now I get it.

Nerm said...

Nanette, you just had to go and make great looking potholders to show me up, huh? I did a post on my poor potholder production! Just kidding, yours look great and so does the baby quilt. Great colors.I like that movie too! nerm

Eileen said...

Awe.. the baby quilt is adorable.. love the colors she used. Plus your beautiful free motion quilting makes it perfect.

And what could be more cute and practical than those lovely potholders! Everyone needs more of those.
I don't know how you get everything done.

Thimbleanna said...

Gosh Nanette, you always have such fun posts. We must be thinking on some parallel plane -- I've been thinking of potholders lately. Notice I said thinking though, 'cause I haven't actually made any yet. Your comments on the movie made me laugh -- I was the same way -- didn't like the movie the first time around, but now I love it. Makes me wonder how many other movies I didn't like that I should give a second chance -- Juno comes to mind. Thanks for your inspiration!

jen duncan said...

I love your sweet projects Nanette. And thanks So MUCH for the tip on the Supreme Slider. Sounds like a must-have!

Oiyi said...

Great potholders and the new quilt is very pretty.