Wow [And HELP!]

What a great response to The Road Home Row-Along - I wish you all luck in the give-aways!!  I've done my best to reply to all comments, if you haven't heard from me, you've come up as a no-reply blogger.  There are ways to fix that, just google!

Foggy morning

Isn't that a pretty picture?  I never get tired of looking out the windows here.  That may change come winter, though.  I can almost guarantee it.  

I've been keeping busy with my latest applique pattern, I'm stitching down binding now and it's making me SO cheerful - I just love red!!

Although it looks a bit more orange in that pic, doesn't it?  Still, it's a cheerful project, and keeping me happy.  But you know what?  I don't have a name for it!

***give-away alert***

So - if you have a suggestion for a name, leave me a comment, and if I pick your suggestion, you'll get the pattern free!   There's a table runner, a snack mat [because sometimes a mug mat isn't big enough, right?] and a wall-hanging or table mat.  I really need your help with this one!


As soon as the binding is down, I'll write up the patterns - you'll get three for the price of one!  Gotta love a bargain.

And speaking of bargains, do you know I haven't made it to ONE garage sale this year?  Not that I need anything, I'm realizing with this move that we already have everything.  I broke my stick vacuum shortly after we moved in, and just the other day hubby found another one in our old basement.  That's right, the old house is still not empty.  Somebody needs a deadline.  And it's not me.  Just sayin'.

I'll be back in a couple of days with more blogs for you to visit, more rows and more give-aways - and don't forget to comment with a name for me!!

Love,
Allie

The Road Home Row-Along

It's been a busy few months here in Allie-land, and one of the things that kept me busy has been a secret - but now, the secret is out!  It's time for an awesome row-along and lots of give-aways, hosted by the incredible Marian from Seams To Be Sew, and Amy from Sew Incredibly Crazy!

Twice a week, bloggers will have free pdf row patterns for you - all depicting our Road Home.  You'll have the opportunity to meet wonderful bloggers and designers, enter give-aways, and pick up the amazing rows - there's paper-piecing, regular piecing, applique, and embroidery.  Something for everyone!  I'll post the schedules here, and of course Marian will have them on her blog as well.

My row depicts Harrisville, MI, a tiny harbor town where I spent my summers growing up.  It's always been "home" to me.  I wanted to keep it simple, just piecing and applique....

Harrisville is home to the Huron National Forest, and is situated on Lake Huron.  It has a Harbor of Refuge, and we used to walk along the beach from the cottage to the harbor.  Sailboats abound, and my row is a picture of what you see along US23 [the Sunrise Side Coastal Highway], my favorite drive in the world.  I remember driving up, hanging my head out the window like a puppy [before seat belt laws] at the first glimpse of big water, knowing that before too long we'd be "home"!

My row is simple to re-create - just batik squares pieced together in columns, then adding the applique.  I machine-stitched around the applique with blanket stitch.  The pattern contains complete instructions, with pictures, and you can get it at Marian's blog as a free download, click here:

The Road Home RAL Gallery

and scroll down below the pictures.

Now, how about a give-away??? Giveaway closed!

Calibre Art

U.S. residents only

How about an 18x24" cutting mat from Calibre Art?!  [Sorry, open to US residents only...]  You can enter this give-away here, by clicking on the link:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you, Calibre Art!!

And another:

Anita Goodesign

A gorgeous machine embroidery design cd from Anita Goodesign!  

Enter at the link:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you, Anita Goodesign!  They make such wonderful machine embroidery designs!

There are three other designers uploading their rows today, all with give-aways to enter as well - check them out!!

Cynthia's Creating Ark

Kissed Quilts

Renee's Quilting Addiction

And of course, you need to visit our fearless leaders, Marian, from Seams To Be Sew and Amy from Sew Incredibly Crazy for more!!!

So - what are you waiting for?  Get busy clicking links, downloading patterns, and entering give-aways - I'll be back in a couple of days to give you more links!

Love,
Allie

Block 9, Postcards From Heaven, September

This month, Jenny has designed the most gorgeous postcard for you - 

and a bonus project!!!  A free mini-quilt, that you can use on any of the postcards!  How sweet is that!

Go check out her post, she has added the sweetest touches to this beautiful postcard.  Links to the postcard and bonus project are on her blog, Jenny of Elefantz.

I love this verse - no matter what's going on in my life, I'm not alone, God hears me.  He has promised that He will hear me.

I've done mine in redwork, adding a frame, as I'm going to put all my blocks into a quilt.  

I also use the KJ text for my wording.  I've uploaded the pattern for my wording, and the frame, to my craftsy shop - Allie-oops Designs.

I stitch using one or two strands.  Hearken is stitched with two, the rest of the wording with one strand.

How precious is that little basket of flowers!!!!  Please disregard that little bit of fluff.

In other Allie-news, mum had her heart cath yesterday, and she did great.  Arteries are clear, and the surgery is all systems go.  They went in through the groin, and she was supposed to take it easy for 3 days - but coming home, we tried to get her up the front steps, she was leaning heavily on my arm and took me right to the ground, at which point she went down on top of me.  We tried to get up, but were laughing so hard [while groaning in pain]....no telling what the neighbors thought!  Praise God she didn't start bleeding where they did the catheter.  And yes, we're still laughing about it, nursing our wounds, lol...

Be blessed my friends, enjoy stitching this beautiful block....
Love,
Allie

Accuracy

How important is it to change your needle?  Well, I can tell you now, it's very important.  Let me tell you about it....

I'm currently working on a new pattern that has patchwork in it.  Before I start cutting, I do math - how big my applique block will be, and how many squares and what size.  Math is not my favorite, but I got it all worked out on paper.  On Paper.

I started cutting and stitching.  Cut my applique block the right size, cut the blocks, and started stitching the blocks into rows.  They were a quarter inch too short!!  Was it my math???

I thought it was, so I trimmed my applique block down 1/4".    The first row fit fine.  I went back to my math, and there was nothing wrong with it - even had hubby check - so I took a look at my needle!

Sure enough, it was off just enough, even with my single-hole 1/4" foot.  Maybe 1/16th of an inch, each seam, it sure added up in a hurry.

The new needle went in, and the next row was perfect.  Unfortunately, I had already cut my applique block down.  But I made it fit.

I have to add, I checked my seam with my ruler, and it said it was 1/4" - but it wasn't.

So, don't be cheap like me, go ahead and put a new needle in.  Honestly, I don't know why I didn't, I buy them by the hundred count box, and they're not expensive.  If you're finding your accuracy suffering, check your needle!

Hopefully I'll remember this post......

Love,
Allie

Dreary Day

But only outside!  It was fun in the sewing room today, cutting tons of squares.

I know the picture doesn't do the fabric justice - but even with all these windows, it shows when it's dreary, lol.

I haven't been on the computer much lately.  Been too busy battling the fleas, and finding out more about mum.  She's going to have open heart surgery, she'll go talk to the surgeon on Sept. 14th, and set up a date.  She's actually looking forward to it, because they're telling her she'll feel so much better [after the recovery, of course]!

The fleas are succumbing to the diatomaceous earth I put down all over the house.  Slowly.  It doesn't work overnight - only works on adult fleas.  DE is a very fine powder, and gets airborne easily; I put down too much and had a bad night of it, trying to breathe.  I cleaned up best I could the next day, but it seems to have made a huge difference.

I haven't even been doing much stitching.  Right now I'm working on October's Postcard, and a few other things that I can't show you yet.  My date for The Road Home Row-Along will be Sept. 6th, I hope you stay tuned for that - there will be give-aways, and there are some awesome sponsors!!  And of course the spectacular free rows, depicting the road home of designers world-wide.  Go to Marian's blog, Seams To Be Sew, and check out her post of the sponsors!

I was busy cutting fabric squares today, and looked up, the fawn was on our patio, checking me out - too funny!

I looked around for mama, she was in the backyard, and the fawn soon joined her.

I'm hoping things will slow down enough for me to spend some time on the computer soon.  In addition to mum and the terrible critters around here, we're still moving, and getting ready to paint the old house so we can get it listed.  I feel like I'm totally missing summer.....I'm seeing ads for back to school already, and I haven't been to the beach once this year!  I also missed getting to the Woodward Dream Cruise today, I think that's two years in a row now.  I LOVE the Cruise. And this year they had legal drag racing!  So bummed!  They also had the very first Camaro off the production line.  Oh I love those cars!

Yes, when I was 15 I wanted to be a professional race car driver.  [I used to drag race...]  I wonder if there's a senior league????  Sign me up.

Hope to visit you all soon, I miss you.....

Love,

Allie

Random Sunday

It's been an eventful week here in Allie-land, took mum to the doctor, the hospital [for a test], had a great visit from a good friend, and discovered the previous owners left us a gift - FLEAS.

Mum did good on her test, she was very nervous but came through fine.  She had a TEE - please don't ask me to spell it out - they insert a camera down your esophagus and take pics of your heart.  Her mitral valve is calcified, she might need a new one.  We're going Tuesday to talk to the heart doctor.

I started noticing that Hermione was scratching and biting, looked her over good and sure enough, the four cats who used to live here left her a present.  I have to get some diatomaceous earth [hubby thinks he has some] to spread around, and find something that won't harm her to put on her.  She had a bad reaction to the flea collar.  Don't we have fun!

I've been so busy fighting the good fight that I've hardly been sewing.  I am working on a new little quilt pattern - 

and drew up a new scripture stitchery - 

but I just can't keep up with myself.  Around the house, things are coming together.  I hung my Loaves and Fishes  in the dining area of the kitchen, and just love it there.

Now for some good news.  You may have noticed a button on my sidebar, about the Road Home Row-Along?  That button links you to Marian from Seams To Be Sew, who is putting the whole thing together.  There are 48 designers of rows [of which I'm one] and tons of sponsors for prizes!!  There will be lots of give-aways!  The rows all have the theme of the road to home - and they are totally amazing.  Here's a peek at my row:

Oops, can't really tell much from that, can you?  *giggle*

You can go read about the designers and sponsors at this link:  Introducing the Road Home Row-Along designers.  The Row-Along will begin in September, I believe the 6th but I'm not sure - I'll be letting you know.  The rows include paper-piecing, piecing, applique and embroidery - something for everyone!

I think Marian must be the busiest quilter I know; she's always putting together quilt-alongs!  If you haven't met her yet, I strongly recommend going to visit!

Now I'm afraid I must go put on my armor [lavender body lotion, fleas hate it] and do battle.  Prayers for strength [and mom] would be appreciated!

Love,

Allie