Changing Seasons

The end of the Summer is coming. It’s hard to tell with the heat and the ridiculous humidity that we are experiencing in the High Desert of Southern California but it’s coming all the same.

The kids just went back to school. Usually that would mean that I’m going back to work at the elementary school.

But not this year.

That, too, is another change that is happening.

When I started quilting I was so excited to learn something new about sewing. I had been sewing clothing for years; wedding dresses for friends and family and then cute, ruffled dresses for my own sweet little girls. 

What a joy to see those I loved wearing things I had made for them!

I started quilting back in 2001; that is when my hubby bought me a Bernina embroidery machine.

A gift for our 10 year wedding anniversary.

Some girls want another ring… I wanted a fancy-schmancy sewing machine!

Classes came with this amazing machine.

(First, how to turn it on and make all of the computerized stuff work!)

One of these classes was a quilt class. 

I thought “Oh great, cut up a bunch of perfectly good fabric just to sew it back together and then tie it up with yarn. Fun.”

(The “fun” was thought with a great deal of sarcasm.)

But I was eager to learn something new so those classes were a must.

What began as a learning experience became a wonderful new hobby and then a passion.

That passion has brought me full-circle to where I am now.

For our 20th wedding anniversary I wanted yet another fancy-schmancy sewing machine. This time we didn’t shop at Bernina, we went to the Gammill dealer. 

(Shout out to Cranberry Quiltworks… even though you have changed I’ll always remember that’s where we met Gina!)

The long-arm quilting machine we bought then has given me the opportunity to push myself and learn new skills and turn this obsession hobby of mine into a business.

That’s why I can’t be at the elementary school anymore...

We are opening a quilt shop!!!

We’ve had a website for a few years and realized that our small business is taking over our home. The time has come to move Tops and Bobbins into its own space and reclaim the square footage it has taken over!

The website makeover I’ve been blogging about has been taking a bit longer to launch than we first thought it would. We decided to integrate the website and retail space so it has taken some extra adjustments and adding a POS system to keep inventory all straight.

I’m excited and nervous and excited (I think I said that already) but I know that change can be a good thing. 

So while I'll miss working with the awesome staff at the school (and even some of the students ;P ) I can’t wait to get this new plan rolling. 

I’m still going to finish the degree I’m working on at the college but I’m switching gears to business management instead.

Hopefully that will help me not screw it all up!

I'll keep you all posted of progress and a special, heartfelt Thank You to all of my cheerleaders out there... you know who you are! :)

Just think... all of this because I wanted a new sewing machine a few years ago...

Framed...

This last week has been slow-paced and relaxing.

I’ve managed to piece a few small tops

Fabric is "Lovely" by Sandy Gervais

"Cotton Blossoms" by Bonnie and Camille 

...and sew the borders on one that my sister pieced.

"Tapestry" by Figtree

Can you tell that I'm crushing on Moda fabrics and these amazingly narrow ( 1/2" ) inner borders? I love the way they frame the center and play off the outer borders :)

Backings are ready to go and now they just need to be quilted!

(I'll take better pics with a real camera- not my phone, to share when they are done!)

Halfway through Summer

There’s so much to talk about!

Summer is moving pretty fast-paced around here!

I’ve had visitors; my sister and her family, my mom over the 4th of July, and a special guest from Canada came to pick up her custom quilt in person! I’ve made several quilts for her and we’ve become friends in the last few years of messaging back and forth so it was a thrill to finally meet her in person!
It was bittersweet though, I had to let this go...

Matching pillowcases were a must :)

I love how this quilt turned out! 
The fabric is Petite Odile by French General for Moda.

The quilting was very simple; 
just right for this quilt. 

We used two layers of Hobbs 80/20 so this will be nice and toasty in the Canadian winter!

I have also spent quite a bit of time sprucing up the flower beds and clearing weeds… my yard has never looked better. 

It still needs a lot of work but I’m ashamed to show I didn’t take “before” pictures so you’ll just have to trust me… the “after” is way better!

Any ideas on what to fill this space with?
Other than the space where the dead bush was. 
(Note to self: Acquire new, live bush.)
I have irises on one side and day lilies on the other. 
I live in zone 8 so it has to handle heat and cold...

I'm also reaaallly excited that one of my offspring has been infected caught the quilting bug! She's piecing this darling Take 5 quilt from Pirate Matey's by Emily Taylor for Riley Blake Designs. Pretty soon I'll have her doing applique and binding!!!

Anyone else have a ridiculous cat that does this? I'm afraid he'll fall!

I’ve relaxed so much over the Summer that I finally feel re-energized and motivated to take on new classes! I’m picking classes for next semester tonight and I feel really energized… hopefully I get into all of the ones I want. 
If not I'll just sleep on the stairs with my cat ;P

Happy Independence Day!

Vacation and Cake!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Summer so far!

We've been enjoying BBQ's and time with family and friends.

We even made a fun trip here:

  

We had an adventure filled time with roller coasters and log rides...many times on the log rides because it was HOT!!!

We kept hydrated with lots of water and yummy, ice-cold lemonade; the food was delicious, too.

Being a berry farm of course they have berries!

I love all kinds of berries but especially boysenberries...

so of course I had to have a piece of pie!

It was like an all day party and we had so much fun together.

My sister came and brought her kiddos, too!
The kids all separated into groups depending on the level of thrill-seeking desired... I'll admit I was in the tamer group!

Bumper cars were a hit!

My niece, nephew and my girl, Kathrine :)

My nephew on his favorite ride!

We've had a ton of excitement and kind of started our 
Independence Day festivities early. We've also been doing all kinds of 4^th of July crafts that I found on Pinterest.

We’re not done yet though, we're still planning on celebrating our nation’s birthday with cake…

No, not that kind of cake…Layer Cakes!

All Layer Cakes are just $33.15 for this week only!!!

Use Coupon Code JULY4 during checkout to receive this great deal!

No limit, buy as many as you like :)

As always, you’ll still receive 

Free shipping when you spend $50 or more!

(pre-tax, US orders only)

This offer is good July 1^st – July 7^th 2013 

so hurry and get ‘em while they last!

I don't put every special on the blog, we usually do that through our weekly newsletter. 
Make sure you have signed up for our newsletter so you never miss out on our really great deals. 

Also, don't forget to tell your friends so they can sign up, too! 

Sewing away...

Been a long week of sewing but a happy one!

I’m in my element doing what I love :)

The binding is going on the Star quilt, slowly but surely.

I love the look of hand binding… 

it's time consuming but so worth it!

Have you tried these little clips? They're "wonder"ful! 

I seriously don't know how I did binding before without them! They are making the job so much faster and easier. 

I’ve also made time for some quilting in the last few weeks but as usual, I forgot to take pictures before delivering them :/

I did remember a pic of this little beauty… 

I LOVE a Minky backing! Perfect for snuggling.

Of course I also made time to start my version of Metro Rings. 

Haven’t had too much time to work on this but I couldn't resist! I've managed to get in a few sessions of chain piecing. The curves did slow me down for the first few blocks but after that I was zipping away! I’m having sew much fun that I’m already planning my next Quick Curve project!

(I just noticed that I spelled “sew” instead of “so” but I think I’ll just leave it in :)

New look!

The new look for my blog is just one of the many steps to the new website... I LOVE how it is turning out!!!