Dog gone small projects for relief.......

I leave Friday, March 27th, for Chicago.  Originally I had planned this weekend with my oldest daughter so we could visit the International Quilt Festival.  During my years of quilting I've read about quilt  stores organizing a bus or two going to Rosemont.  Now that Anna lives in Chicago - no hotel costs and no bus!  While Anna enjoys the quilts given her,  she hasn't had an inkling of sewing since she made a zillion banners for her mythology project in 8th grade at City Middle/ High .  Well, as it turns out, it worked out well for Anna and her husband, Justin, to take a winter reprieve to Dominican Republic and their dog, Minnie, have an extended play date at my house with my dog, Bernie and younger daughter, Jeny's, dog -- Meg.  So after a two week visit Minnie and I are leaving for the 3 hour ride to north Chicago.  What we do for our children and their pets.....I have lots to tell on that score!

Minnie Ware

Using up my stash has sort of halted for a bit.  Minnie came with a cloth grocery bag for her toys and a zip lock bag for her food.  Well, my grand dog can't travel that way!

 Minnie has many overnight stays with friends in Chicago.  Also, she LOVES to walk.  So while at the J store I found a pattern that said "Really Easy".  Above is a traveling bowl for either water or food.  I used the nylon so it'd be water proof.  If she gets thirsty while walking in the summer, Anna can share her water.  The bowl is soft and packs in a pocket easily.  If you have ever worked much in nylon - bless you.  Boy, it's a trip in and of itself!  The pink and black are her colors - the pink matches her rain coat (yeah) that Anna purchased.

 The larger bag is for her food while on extended stays.  It's the medium size and it's huge!  It, too, can be folded down and used at a bowl. 

 I made this tote as well.  The material was on Stitched Studio's sale table and thought it was cute - even though not the black and pink. 

I really wanted to play with free motion quilting.  A few months ago I tried and had a horrible experience - large loops on the bottom.  While doing something other than sewing, it came to me that I hadn't lowered the stitch length to zero!  Well,what a difference - see below. 

While my quilting requires many more hours of practice - at least I feel encouraged to try again.

 My dog, Bernie, it's blurry because he doesn't stay still very long....

 Meg, the dog that should have moved out a long time ago........

The three of them at their post of squirrel, baby in stroller and bird watching.


By the way, if you sew on nylon, be sure to use the sharp needles recommended.  The larger of the two needles I tried worked marvelously!  I have kept it on to see how it works with quilting cottons and the thick seems that happen.  So far so good!


I'll bring pictures from the show for my next post.....should be fun!