Grand-Mere's Jardin de Fleur: September 2010

I'm back... I promise to be better at posting more often this winter when we get past the busy gardening season, and I can turn my attention almost exclusively to sewing or sewing related past-times.

This has been a very 'sewing intense' week however. It began when we went to Iowa to visit very good friends, John & Kathy, and I sewed little Jane blocks all the way down and back, plus one or two while we were there sitting and visiting, and in the hotel room on the way.

Then I had 2 all-day sewing days back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday with 2 of my small groups. Unfortunately I didn't think to take my camera. We sewed at Diana's on Wednesday, with Carol and Kimm. That's a machine sewing group, but the last few times I've sewed by hand anyway, as I am obsessed with 'Jane' right now. Then Thursday we had our hand sewing bee, and went to 'Crispy's' house for the first time. She lives 35 miles west of Bismarck, in a charming little home that was moved into town from the country! In the past we've met at the country club in her small town in the summer months when it's worked out. We also got a chance to meet her very nice S.O.

Then Saturday was guild day. I'm still getting comfortable with my role as president, so I get a bit nervous. It surprises me, but it has been a few years since I've been in the work world, so maybe it shouldn't. Anyway, each month it gets easier! And I taught the morning workshop this month, which was on hand piecing (now THERE'S a surprsie!). :) I tried to twist Crispy's arm into teaching it, as she's the pro, but she had to work so wasn't available with her expertise.

Hey, I got a new toy!!! After all the chatter about hand piecing, I bought a new sewing machine. I've been wanting a Babylock and I finally got one. They just came out with a new model, the Symphony, to replace the Espire. And I got a deal I couldn't refuse from one of Bismarck's FINEST quilt shops, Bismarck Sewing & Quilting. (We have 3 good shops, and one BAD one... and anyone in Bismarck knows which is which, I'm sure!). ;-) Later I'll follow up with a picture of new Annie (her name), but right now I can't find my camera cable. (Another big surprise....!) This machine does everything but embroider, which I don't need because I recently bought the Babylock Professional Embroidery machine, also from Joy.

Here are the Dear Jane blocks I've completed recently. Actually, some aren't that recent but just haven't ever been posted. I think there are still more that have been missed, and one day I'll get that all straightened out, but not today.

A-12 Framed Fancy