This is Amber's finished quilt. I had the quilt loaded for her when she got here, so it took her less than an hour and a half to get it finished. We left the batting and backing on it, because Amber is going to leave some of the backing on, to turn over and use for binding.
This quilt pattern was Turning Twenty, but Mrs. D did her own arrangement. The fabrics she used were really pretty, and most of them had gold sparkly designs in them. She will be very happy to get this quilt, finished, and on to it's new owners. By the way, the red and white sheet on the floor is there because I didn't have anyone to help me hold the quilt up off the floor, and I didn't want the quilt to get dirty from the garage floor. Using the sheet and the bricks worked out really well, and I think I will be using it every time. The sheet will be easy to keep clean just by washing it. I only almost tripped over the bricks a time or two though! Hee hee!
Louie and I stayed home on Thanksgiving day, and worked on ebay until about noon. Since we hadn't had any real breakfast, he made me homemade 'beer' waffles, and we put canned strawberry pie filling on them, and he made us some poached eggs. It was all delicious, then he went to his workshop and played, and I made Louie his christmas stocking to match mine....kind of. 'Jesus is the Reason for the Season'
Ta ta for now!
Michelle
This is what I spent a couple hours tonight making. I freehanded the template for the stocking, so I know it is not perfect, but I did have fun making this! I watched a video the other night of Eleanor Burns showing how to make one of these, and so I decided I just HAD to make one. I had thought of going to Walmart or the dollar store or somewhere and just buying some cheap felt stockings and using them as my template for sewing the strips to, and after I make another one in 'Louie' colors using the same size, I might make some more by using store bought stockings instead...especially if I make some 'little' ones. They would be darling. This stocking is completely lined, with no raw edges anywhere. The only raw edges were under the cuff where I turned it over the edge, and I sewed a 1/4" line all around, so now, no raw edges! I also did some decorative stitches along each seam line. I know I should have used a different color other than very light green, but this one was a 'test' stocking....but I like it well enough to make it 'mine'. Yes Jen, and everyone who knows me....these are my 'standard' quilt colors for my bedroom, and definately screams 'Michelle'. My friends would have NO problem guessing who made this stocking in a 'guess who' contest! 
The best part was, I sewed my stocking on my new, yet to be blogged, SOON, Pfaff sewing machine Louie found for me a couple weeks ago at Goodwill. It is a Pfaff Creative 1471, and it sews like a dream. Jen and Cindy will see it this weekend when I go to see them for our little quilt retreat. I will only be able to be with them on Saturday, but it will be so fun to spend time with them! Below, you can see the lining fabric I put inside. SO...........after my husband told me how nice my stocking was, then he told me I needed to make some the size of my car little bags I have been making, and put a tab on it so it could be inserted in the glove compartment. I GROANED....'WHY do you always do that to me?" "What?" he said. Oh, he ALWAYS comes up with some of the BEST ideas! I think he is trying to keep me busy and out of trouble!
There was only a very small limited area where the machine could be, because the opening could only go so far to the right, because of the shelf space to the right. In the end, it worked out just fine. This picture basically shows what the machine and cabinet look like when it is not being used. Since the machine cannot be lowered any further, or hidden, this is how it will be stored. The extention leaf on the left side drops down, instead of up and over to lay on top, like the regular Singer type cabinets do, so if I did not store the machine there, there would be a big ugly opening.
No, you aren't seeing double....quit rubbing your eyes! This photo shows the shelf Louie built to hold the machine, and there is an additional shelf, which came with the original table for you to store your sewing machine, or whatever other craft you may choose. That shelf will hold my other Juki. That machine is the one I use with my Hinterberg quilting frame. There is some nice storage on the right hand side, and right now, it has the knee lift lever and the foot controller. The door has some plastic storage.
This photo shows the door closed and knee lift lever in place.
I thought this photo showed how much of the cabinet top is left. Quite a bit, I would say. Now, just in case you are all wondering where this machine is, it is in my laundry area at the bottom of my basement steps. That is where I planned on 'parking' it when it is not in use, but you know, I think if I was sewing alone, putting on some nice music and leaving it right where it is, would work just fine. I could put a clamp lamp on the side of one of my steps, turn on some music, and sew the night, day, afternoon, or whatever time of day it is, AWAY! I'm thinking I will clean out that cabinet against the wall there and put some more sewing 'stuff' in there! By the way, this cabinet is on wheels, so I can move it wherever I want. The center door has a piece of hardware on it, that goes up into a hole on the underside of the leaf extention on the right, to lock it solid. That makes the cabinet very solid. I just think this cabinet is really neat, very economical, and very well planned out.
My Juki went to bed for the night. (I think I should too!) It is covered with the vinyl cover that came with the machine. I'm thinking it needs a prettier cover though. I'll have to see what I can come up with. Stay tuned!!!
