Needle Work

Last Friday, I went on a mini shop-hop with a quilting friend, Sue. We spotted a shop after lunch and ventured inside. The Village Needleworks is a specialty shop for cross-stitch, needlepoint, embroidery and all things needlework. Full of eye-candy colors, hundreds and hundreds of threads line the wall and racks. All weights and a large variety of materials in every color you can imagine. There are plenty of notions and some unique gift items too. You'll also find a variety of needles - I'm always looking for some chennile needles for hand work.

There is a large assortment of beautiful, one-of-a-kind, hand painted canvases. The owner said they have many designers. And if it isn't on the wall or one of the pattern panels - she can find it for you!

A customer came in to pick up a gorgeous Christmas Stocking and this adorable frog.

Village Needleworks is located in the St. James Crossing shopping area, just east of Rt. 83 on Odgen. 816 East Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL. Phone (630) 321-1400. Owners Judy Horn and Cheryl Horvat.

Of course, our favorite was this framed "patchwork" made by owner Cherly Horvat. Click on photos for a closer look.

If you are in the area, stop in for lunch at the Moondance Diner (tortilla soup) and check out this shop. If you are not into needle crafts, once you visit, you will be!

Bee night

We met for Bee night last night. Everybody was working on something different. Here are a couple pictures. Two hand embroidery projects, one was halloween and the other Christmas (CrabApple Tree). Some knitting - a beautiful shawl, sewing a piano key border, hemming a beautiful gown that will be worn at the Military Ball in Georgia. She is doing a button-hole stitch. And our youngest member was working on a yarn and felt project, which will be turned into a mobile. So cute! I did some cutting, - I had pieced strips for a seminole border.

Carpet Inpirations

These are hotel carpets. Such vibrant colors. I like to deconstruct these carpets into quilt patterns and designs.

The blue one is easy to break down into a quilt. Mariners compass and snails-tails make the blocks, set on point with gold sashing and corner stones, four-patch sets make the border to create a checker design. Cute wave pattern in border makes it! Could easily substitute the compass block for a friendship star.

Spend some time in Paradise

Sit back, relax, slow down. The powder white sand feels cool against your toes in the shade... ahhhhhh.

Do absolutely nothing except take in the colors and beauty of your surroundings. aqua, turquoise, clear blue, light green. Aruba.

The palapa is just a couple steps from the warm and salty Caribbean sea... float awhile.

Can you feel the refreshing tropical breeze?

Such a peaceful, rejuvenating time.

I did some hand basting on my Grandmother's Flower Garden 1/2 inch pieces. I'll think of my time on the beach whenever I look at those.

Now it's back to quilting! Maybe I can put in a couple palm trees or some turtles on my next design.

Star Class with Edyta Sitar

Took a workshop with Edyta Sitar. Her company is called Laundry Basket Quilts (link to her site - click on title). WOW - it was great! We worked on the dresden plate with star points. It is a folding technique and we used a template. Her classes are wonderful - she supplies all you need in a kit, pattern, acrylic templates, and fabric from her batik line!

The second half of the class, she demonstrated her method of set-in-seams. No bias edges on the outside edges of the block. It was very informative and I had never done it before - so I was quite impressed.

If you ever get the opportunity to take one of her workshops - sign up, you won't be disappointed.

Retreat

Retreat weekend at my favorite retreat spot in the midwest -- Homestead Cabin Retreat! I finished one quilt top from start to finish - how satisfying! Plus a small table runner made from a 5"charm pack. I really don't care for those charm packs. Maybe because I haven't found the right use for them yet.

There was an Amish Auction in the area, and some of the ladies purchased two fabulous king-sized, hand-quilted quilts! Beautiful.

It is inspiring to see what everyone else is working on and creating. Go to Patsy's Middle of Nowhere Blog (see my blog list) to see all the beautiful quilt tops that were created that weekend.

Quilting

Interesting quilts I've been working on....(quilting for customers). The blue one is an original design by Joan Dolinar. She made it for her son - beautiful blocks!