Color EXPLODED in Long Beach Yesterday!

So ... I spent the day yesterday at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach. With friends. Some, medium new. Some, brand new. All ... gooooood ... new. The quilts? Spectacular, colorful, and almost mind boggling when one considers the time put into each one.

The food? Meh.

The Stuff to Buy? Salivatingly good.

Of course I came away with some dots ... and some heavenly varigated aqua King Tut thread ... appropriately called Angel Teal.

And some very sore feet.

Thank you Long Beach for the spectacular fireworks. And thank you ... my new friends.

I may have lied ...

So ... when we were last together I was bemoaning the fact that machine quilting was not exactly at the top of my list (and few other's lists too, I gather.) I said that because I was just starting the MQ process on my latest pattern ... to be unveiled next week, fyi. But between laying down the straight lines (a little bit boring) and doing all the fill in work (a big bit of back breaking) I did some free motion on my tree.

What a joy that was!! I had worried in the piecing/applique process that my leaves would fade too much into the background, but with a bit of King Tut thread (see here) in a varigated green, they came to life. Too. Much. Fun.

I must have had blue and green on the brain because on a side trip to TJ Maxx (to let my back rest ... really) I just happened upon this way too perfect rug which I had seen in my mind for several weeks but hadn't even begun to search for in earnest.

So I just want to say to that girl in the third grade who told me that it was heresy for me to wear blue and green together ...

Take. That.

Ode to Thread

So ... I was teaching a class the other day when one of my students asked me, "Does it actually matter what thread you use?" As I gasped and sputtered to answer her, I came to the stark realization that I had ... indeed ... become a "thread snob".

The truth is ... I am not a hyper-obsessed person when it comes to name brands. Let's be honest, if I was then the words Marshalls and Target would not be such common fodder around here. And until about 5.5 years ago, I was still dipping into my bag o'threads that I inherited from my mother that included some that were from the 60's, I am sure. But in the fall of 2003, I was introduced to designer threads + the chance to purchase such snobbery at a discount. And now ... with a 17 year supply of threads on my wall ... there is no going back, discount or no discount.

Most of my threads come in three varieties. For all of my piecing, hand applique, bindings and most of my quilting I use Aurifil thread, seen here with the orange stems. Aurifil is a 50 wt thread but it is only 2-ply. It "hides" itself in the seams or on the hand stitches. All of my piecing is done with this variegated gray seen below. (#4060. I have that memorized. That's probably not a good sign.)

Since I own an embroidery machine, I have a lot of 60 wt nylon thread on hand ... in every color imaginable. Most of it is Isacord, but I'm not as picky on the brand on that ... just on the colors. I do most of my machine applique with it, if shiny is the look I'm going for. If nubby is what I want, then I turn to King Tut. His Royal Highness is a 40 wt thread (heavier) and comes in both varigated and solids. I do most of my machine quilting with the Aurifil, but have been known to go with shiny or nubby as the style dictates.

So there you have it. Now you have seen my snobby side. I promise to like you no matter what. Please keep that in mind. But do tell ...

What are your threads of preference? And, just to make me feel better ... what makes you all snobby?

Embellished Excitement!

So ... the little yellow slips of paper have gone into the proverbial hat (okay, a bowl) and MarySue's name came out as the winner of the GiveAway. Congratulations. I am happy to have my quilt go to a loving home. When you email me with your address, let me know if anyone at your house is allergic to peanuts, because that third package may or may not include something chocolately and nutty.

Once again the ever anticipated "Teacher's Meeting" has caught me unawares, and I am furiously working to get a sample ready to show next Monday (which will be taught this fall at this store.) Boy am I having fun!! Part of that fun has included some experimentation with the many ... many ... decorative stitches on my machine.

The greenery above the door (of my no-cal gingerbread house) is a double dose (reg and mirror image) of stitch #140 on my Bernina 200. The snowflake "buttons" are #642. I used King Tut variegated green. I love, love King Tut thread (40 wt.) for a nice "nubby" look.

So tell me ... do you actually use those decorative stitches on your machine?

Fess Up.

And thanks to everyone for their sweet comments and ... poetry!