July 2010 summary

This singer machine was made in 1935 in the USA. It is in very good shape and uses a knee control to sew. It belonged to someone(s) that smoked and it needs some air to take care of the smell. But sews really well. I love the way it looks. Just need to work on that smell of ashtrays.

July was a very busy month around here. Check out the new gifts for my B-day from DH. I love my new to me toys. My Featherweight is another one of my gifts . It was made in 1952 in Elizabeth Town New Jersey. The paint finish is in need of some TLC; but the machine sews like a dream after some much needed tune up by Woody in Elon. He has been fixing sewing machines for 69 years. North Carolina used to be an important textile center before manufacturers moved to cheap labor ports. So he new a thing or two about this machine and showed me how to keep up with the care. I may have the paint done sometime in the future.
Next post I will show the first quilt made by me using the Featherweight.






The quilt pictured here is called Star'87. It is my quilt entrance fo

Victoria and Albert Museum - Patchwork

Check out the link for Victoria and Albert Museum in London. You scan your favorite photo; and the program transform it into a quilt. I have used something similar for cross stitch. It can also be used to make embroidery canvases. I have so many photos I want to scan. It is a great place to start. You could also add or modify the pieces to suite your taste and abilities. The address is:
www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/quilts/patchwork.

Sydney Quilt Show

Great news came from an e-mail by Bronwyn.
The Hill house ladies and I had a block exchange last year. I made this bright and happy Halloween quilt with my blocks. I felt really brave; and with my husband encouragement, I sent my quilt to the Sydney Quilt Show; and We won 4th place in the group category.
This is happiness beyond my dreams. I can't wait to see the quilt back home. I am reorganizing my studio to have a place to put the ribbon on the wall :) \o/
To see the show winners check the address below.
http://quiltersguildnsw.com/quiltshow/open.html#group



Duke Graduation 2010

Daniel graduou no dia 16 de Maio na Universidade de Duke com um diploma de Inglês e com graduação em Biologia e Quimica. Uma cerimonia muito bonita no estádio de futebol (americano) da escola e depois uma cerimonia só para os formandos da escola de Inglês. Os pais estão muito felizes em não ter que pagar mais pela escola (o preço de um carro de luxo por ano).
Em Agosto Daniel começara o seu trabalho comunitário no Americorps. Êle ainda não sabe qual será o seu trabalho, mas vai ficar aqui na Carolina do Norte mesmo. No próximo ano ele está pensando no pós graduação.
Acima, meu favorito "Blue Devil". GO DANIEL!

North Carolina Quilt Symposium

The weekend of June 3-5 2010 was the North Carolina Symposium and Charlotte Quilter's Guild show. I did not participate in the workshops; but went for the day to see the show. Very nice indeed. I did not take a lot of pictures but have read the blogs at Pat Sloan blog and others which contain great pictures. I also went to Mary Jo's fabric store in Gastonia. Well worth the trip. On the way back stop at Ikea to buy some bar stools for the kitchen. Very productive and fund day. My son went with me and while I was at the show he explored downtown Charlotte. I think he had fun also. He are some of my photos.
The top one is by Nancy Pendersen and won Best Hand Quilting. The second one won several ribbons including best of show and it is by Leah Day.

Spain, Andalucia

Photo 1: Granada, photo 2: Toledo
Just back from a trip to Spain. The best 2 weeks! I have been to Granada, Jaen and mountains around it, Seville, Madrid, and Toledo. I gained more weigh than I care to discuss; but it was so worth it. Saw many friends which is always the highlight of everything. In Granada, I had a chance to see Allambra again. My favorite place there. The best tapas are here and they are always free with your drink. The second one is always better than the first, so make sure you order more than one drink in each place. I even got tapas one time I had a lemon Fanta at El Corte Ingles (great department store all over Spain.) While in Jaen, we traveled to Carzola and other villages on the mountains. We stayed in a Parador Hotel. These are hotels around Spain that are in the most incredible places. They are the best. We took incredible walks with great friends. In Seville, we rode the subway, which I had not done before. Husband has this thing that he has ridden the subway in every city he has been. This is no small thing. The man travels overseas every month of the year. Madrid, I saw the Prado Museum for the first time. One word. WOW! If you are from the EU, check out the days you can go in for free. If you are from across the Pond like me, you can get in for free after 6:00PM; but they close at 8:00 PM. This Museum would require days to see it properly. I also visited Toledo by recommendation of our son that said it was worth it. Toledo is a 1/2 hour train trip from Sta Justa station in Madrid. It rained all day; but we loved it. Good taste is genetic! Thanks Du. Going to Spain? Do the google thing and check out this bit of information.

Happy is a quilt on the wall

I am very happy because 2 of my quilts will be in the Sydney Quilt Show June 15, 2010. One is a collaborative piece with blocks made by the Hill House ladies. It is all Halloween fabrics and very bright. The other one is made with Australian fabrics. Photos to come later (after the show).
I also received the most beautiful thank you note from the "Family House" of Chapel Hill for the 2 quilts that was donated to them. Family House is a place for families dealing with medical issues to stay while their loved ones are being treated in one of the area hospitals. I should be thanking them for the privilege to have my quilts on their walls. I just hope the quilts will help bright their home away from home.:)
I will visit them and take pictures to post. But it might be after the trip to Spain next week ;)