Meet My LQS

So do you get curious about where other people spend their time?  I do, so I thought I'd share where I spend a lot of my time.  I would love to introduce you to my favorite quilt shop (the fact that I work there may have something to do with it) Floyd & Lizzie’s, a local, family owned business that has been in the area for as long as I remember.   They carry Husqvarna Viking, Baby Lock and PFAFF sewing machines as well as Tin Lizzie long arm quilting machines.  As much as I love playing on all the different machines, I personally am more interested in the fabric.  
They cater to quilters, with 98% of their fabrics being quality cottons.  Some are lovely, feel soft as silk, and have a lovely drape that makes them suitable for apparel as well as quilting.
They recently moved into their brand new building at 2263 W 7800 South, West Jordan, UT,  where the fabric shop is located on the main floor and TinLizzie (yes THE TinLizzie) Headquarters are located on the upper level.
Parking is easy to get on an average day but can get sticky when there are classes or sales.

 
In the photo above, you can see the color wall.  Every Monday I get to go in and organize it, and all the other fabric.  Any guesses on how many bolt of fabric are up there?  I haven't counted so your guess is as good as mine, I just know there’s lots and they certainly don’t skimp on the quality to get the quantity either.  They have an "exclusive" line that they sell for $5.99/yard, can't beat that with a stick, and they have an amazing Batik collection.  Here’s just one of the two sections. Yummy huh.
  
The prices are average for quality cotton fabric, but all their new fabric lines go up front for 20% off until it rotates back and they are constantly having sales and sending out coupons via email and mailers.   Plus they have  a 60% up to 75% off area.  I heart the discount shelf!

 
Here you can see the book wall located up at the front  of the store as well as the notions wall on the right side of the photo.  Patterns can be found displayed throughout the store.

 
They always have the most beautiful quilts on display, and are always happy to showcase their customers quilts.  (Pay no attention to the strange man, that would be Adam the General Manager.)
They offer classes for making most of the quilts they have on display as well as some basic sewing, long arm and embroidery as well as owner classes where you can learn more about your own machine.   And if your machine needs a tune up bring it in, because they have a service center and work on most machines.
 


All of the staff at Floyd & Lizzie’s are great (Toot my own horn, but mostly speaking of my awesome co-workers because I only work a few days a week).  The moment you walk in the door you’re greeted.  If you need help, they’re there to help, if you just want to wander about and pet the fabric that’s ok too, and they never complain about having to cut just a quarter yard from a stack of 20 different fabrics, (We're actually rather good at bulk cuts) They’re knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.  And can I just say how much I love that even though they are machine dealers they aren’t trying to constantly shove a sale down your throat.  There’s no pressure and no hype,.
If you’re in the area, stop by, they’d love to see you.  Tell them Anita sent you
You can find out more at their website, www.floydandlizzies.com

Florentine Fancy - Update

Slowly but surely I've been working on my Florentine Fancy Quilt.  It took a back burner while we were getting ready for/on vacation so it's not as far along as I would like, and with the beautiful weather we've had I've not really wanted to hang out in my sewing room.  I know, crazy.

One of my problems is I also keep getting side tracked.  I don't know about you, but I get going and am whizzing along then something (usually someone) comes in and interrupts me and then I can't get back in the groove.

Can you spot the mistake?

Another thing that's slowing me is all the marking, and the fact that I can't waste fabric, so when I sew a corner triangle using a square, of which there are a great many in this pattern, (not sure the name of it, but the same technique as half square triangles)I have to sew a second seam to get the half square triangle. All of that is eating up my time, but they're looking pretty good

So today I finished the main body, matching up all the corners and angles has been a bugger but I'm rather surprised at how nice it's turned out.   It's still not my style but it's not the eyesore I thought it would be.  Now I just need to get the borders done then it's on to quilting and binding.

I Love Mail!

It's like Christmas, look what arrived!!

 

 I've been wanting to improve my apparel sewing skills for a while and designing my own clothing has been on my list of things to learn how to do for a long while.  Baby steps right?  

Vacation

I mentioned that we recently went to Venice Beach, California for a family vacation, my fiance, daughter and me.  This was the second time going and we just love it.  We stay with a friend so don't have to worry about money for a hotel and the location couldn't be better, being just a block away from Venice Beach.

One of the things I love about that area is that everything is so consolidated, almost everything is within walking distance.  

While the ocean was much too cold for swimming we had lots of fun playing in the surf.

And we found all sorts of interesting things.

Of course we did a lot of window shopping and I found inspiration in this adorable top. I'm now on the lookout for a cute, cotton, border print so I can hopefully duplicate it.

 Of course we saw some oddities as well. This guy looked so hot! (No pun intended)

The beach was beautiful and the weather was perfect the whole time we were there, amazing blue skies.

The whole thing was so relaxing, there was lots of time for this,

. . .and this. :-D

New Leaves

I always seem to hold off posting until I have what I think is something comparable to what others achieve.  You may have noticed that my posts are few and far between which is about as interesting as watching paint dry if you ask around.

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

As much as I would like to accomplish more I have to realize that I work and go to school as well as being in the military reserves and being a mom, that makes a pretty full plate. Most of all I need to stop comparing myself to others. 

I really enjoy writing, and when I started this blog it was going to be about my life and the serendipity that made it unique to me, basically an online journal.  As I started reading more and more blogs I decided that I wanted it to become a crafty/quilty blog, but now I'm thinking that I'm going to go back to my roots so to speak.  I'm not giving up my crafting or quilting by any means, I'm just rounding things out more. Consider yourself warned.
Now on with life.

 Happy Feet!

I just got back from a lovely vacation to California and experienced the happiest moment of my life.  We were on the beach, at sunset, when my wonderful boyfriend got down on his knees and asked me to become his wife.  After opening and shutting my mouth like a beached fish without managing to get a word out I nodded a heartfelt yes.  So, I'M  ENGAGED!!!!

 Pretty Pretty!!!

Honestly I can hardly believe it, and keep checking my finger for the ring.  It hasn't disappeared yet so I guess I'm not dreaming. 
We're looking at next summer for the wedding, there isn't enough summer left to plan and save and I refuse to get married when it's cold. 
So that's the latest and greatest goings on here.  Expect more from me

False Starts and a New Project

I hope it doesn't set the tone of the whole quilt when you cut the first fabric completely wrong. 

I finally got some time to start cutting out the Florentine Fancy quilt.  The fabrics are numbered so I've got an M6029 white and an M6029 Black...I grabbed the black when I should have the white and started cutting, not sure what I was thinking on that one.  Good thing there's more where it came from.  Also, the sample quilt shows that there's been some fussy cutting done but the pattern doesn't mention it at all so we'll have to see how that works with the yardage.  

On a happier note, I get to make this quilt by Warren Kimble and will probably end up teaching a class on it,  It on the whole much more me.  We don't have this fabric line though so I get to find something else to created it with and I'm really looking forward to it.  (I adore the mitered corners.)

Free pattern found here.

Florentine Fancy a Work Commissioned Quilt

What is your first thought when you see this quilt?

 PDF Pattern found here

Mine was to the effect of  "oh no, what have I gotten myself into!?!"

My boss took me over to the shelf containing the Florentine Fancy fabric line and asked if I liked it.  I responded with a non-committal "It's cute." which it is on the bolt, while mentally adding that I wouldn't make anything from it for myself.  Next thing I know he's telling me that he wants me to make it as a sample for the store.  The store covers the cost of the fabric for the top while I do the batting and backing and have it quilted (not a hardship considering that I work at a quilt store full of fabric and long arms).  The store displays it for a couple of months then it's mine to keep. 

I'm a little worried because it's a free pattern which means it could have some glitches.  It finishes up at 60x60 so not a bad size and I've got a month to get it done.  It's just really far out in left field for my tastes. 

I'm going to try to keep an open mind about this even though it's so very, very outside of my color comfort zone.  Who knows, I may end up loving it.  If not, I have a friend that's already spoken for it.