What’s on Your Bed?

Bonnie Hunter set up a little impromptu Linky party today, asking in her post – “What’s on your bed?”

This Twisted Bargello quilt was the first quilt I made when I got into quilting in 2006.  (Or should I say, when I “dove” into quilting?  I’m not sure I’ve come up for air yet – LOL!!!)  Prior to this, my entire experience with quilting had been starting a hand-pieced grandmother's flower garden during a class in the early 80's that was still half-pieced and abandoned in a box on the top shelf of my closet!

When we moved to Tennessee, I was able to not work for the first time since my children were little and I was looking for something to do that would be fun and creative.  Then I learned about a small quilting group in a local quilt shop, and since I had been sewing since I was a little girl, I was very interested in seeing what they were up to.  The first day I walked into that shop, these wonderful ladies welcomed me in like a long-lost friend and I have been having a ball with them ever since!!!  

Now as for this Twisted Bargello on my bed, no one told me I shouldn’t start with a Bargello, so as soon as I saw one of these beauties, I loved it and immediately signed up for the class to make it.  It took me several months to complete the quilt top, but then it sat for about a year because I really wanted to quilt it myself and I took classes here and there while I jumped into several other quilt projects at the same time.  Ever been there done that?  Come on, you can admit it here!  We’re all friends here, right?  Hehehe!

After a while, my husband and I decided if we ever wanted to enjoy having it on our bed, we’d better cough up the bucks and get it professionally done because it was taking me a while to feel competent enough to quilt something like this special quilt on my home sewing machine! :*D

This quilt is a favorite of my husband’s, so it has remained on the bed ever since.  I’ve started new ones for it, but somehow they never seem to be able to live up to the Bargello in his eyes!

So what’s on YOUR bed?  Go to Quiltville to see all the lovely quilts on your fellow quilters’ beds!

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/04/whats-on-your-bed.html

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Thimbles!!!!

Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville has asked her blog friends to share our favorite thimbles and then link up with her blog so her readers can see some of the thimble options out there and make decisions about what might work best for them.  Here's a picture of my very sweet little thimble collection.  However, I don't use any of these of course.

When I first began to hand sew as a little girl, my grandmother taught me to use a thimble, and I cannot sew without one now because my finger feels vulnerable and naked!  However, the traditional silver thimble doesn't really work for me.  My finger sweats and gets uncomfortable, no matter how well the fit.  I love the open backed silver thimbles, but unfortunately I can't afford one right now.  Probably because I can't keep out of the fabric shops LOL!!!!  


Today, I use several different types of thimble.  Mind you - they're not very sexy, they just work for me!  This is my favorite... the Ultra Thimble.

It fits right on the tip of my finger - any finger!  It has a sticky tape that adheres it to my finger, and the tape is reusable for many stitching sessions.  No sweating, no discomfort.  It's perfect for me!  I can also use a second one on my finger under the quilt when hand quilting.  Most quilt shops will carry these if you ask for them.  I've found them at most quilt shops.  Or Amazon of course, but check your LQS first!!!  And it's not terribly expensive.


A second favorite is this really inexpensive, plastic alternative to the above-mentioned open-backed silver thimble.  It's called the Adjustable Thimble.

It's not perfect, but it allows me to have nails and use a thimble, something a "normal" thimble won't.  (Not that I have beautiful nails to speak of, but sometimes I do & maybe you do! :*D)  Because they are so inexpensive, I have several of these and keep them in my various hand projects so they are handy.  Being adjustable, it fits anyone, so no need to find one that fits!  I've bought these at Joann's but I noticed recently that my local Joann's had discontinued them.  Not sure if that is a universal thing for all Joann's or just mine.


Hope this helps someone looking for the perfect thimble!  There are so many really beautiful and unique thimbles out there, and there are new designs coming out every day.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's favorites at Quiltville.  Hopefully some of the other bloggers will have sexier thimbles than mine!  =^..^=


Hugs & Blessings,
Teresa
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