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I'm *sew* pumped!  I just finished watching the newest addition to my personal DVD library.  The video is called The Pajama Quilter Reloaded and it's a brand new, hot off the DVD presses release from Dawn Ramirez.

If you're looking for a stuffy, snooty instructor this video is NOT for you. Dawn is a relaxed, easy going, encouraging instructor that makes learning ENjoyable.  Put on your PJs, grab your favorite chocolate, pop in the DVD and get ready to have a blast!

While Dawn is a longarm quilter and she shows samples of quilting on her longarm, the principles she teaches for free motion quilting are learned away from the longarm itself.  That means this DVD is excellent for ANYONE who wishes to understand the concepts and principles of free motion quilting design.

Dawn shows new patterns and clear examples for how to develop your own free motion quilting style.  It's unbelievable to me how much is included for the price!  There's 87 minutes of relaxed, fun and encouraging instruction.

My favorites (at the top of my list to try) are: Dwirling, Wonky Feathers, Pebbling and Bananas...but there's so much more!  Want to see a sample?  Watch the video clip below (posted with permission):

The Pajama Quilter Reloaded DVD is now available at Sew Thankful.  Click here to learn more...

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My Miranda was birthed with love and nurturing dedication over the course of two days.  It was an extended labor of love for this Lazy Girl. 

Why did it take so long you ask? 

• Well...because I never seem to have more than 20 consecutive minutes at a time to work on sewing projects lately. 
• I also have a very bad habit of wanting to change things slightly...which ALWAYS results in requiring much more time. For example:
  

1. I decided I did not like how my front and back panels looked when I pieced them together, so I added appliqué pane strip over the join and on each panel end.  I quilted these down over the end of each large pieced rectangle (i.e., the front & back). 
2. I also decided I did not want to have a solid (looking) black lining, but I DID want to have a black faux binding around the top.  Sew....this Lazy Girl took her time and pieced the lining sections.

Did I need drugs to get through this extended labor you're wondering?  No, silly.  While operating a sewing machine or hot iron I highly recommend not becoming impaired or intoxicated.

Oh...so you want to see her?  Here she is--click image to open large image in a pop up window:

Miranda, shown cinched, sporting ivory/black  bamboo fashion handles from Clover.







I used Leisure Arts 1" Swivel Clips to make her cinch. Click here to see a selection of Leisure Arts handbag hardware accessories at Sew Thankful.

My Miranda is not quilted.  Instead of batting, I used Pellon Fusible Fleece.  I love the smooth and sleek look.

I also decided to give my Miranda FEET to protect her bottom, because good mama's take care of their baby's bottoms.  Given Miranda's ample proportions, I decided that she would need 6 feet in order to protection at each end and also in the middle. You know, it's terrible to have a chafed middle bottom!   I used silver tone purse feet from Ghees (gotta mind your metals when making purses...make sure all metal colors match for best results). Gold tone feet are also available at Sew Thankful...in fact, Sew Thankful stocks a nifty selection of handbag hardware.

I used the BLACK Velcro Fusion and I gotta say it again, "I LOVE that stuff!"  I only had the 3/4" x 1" rectangles available, and being a Lazy Girl, I just placed them end to end to get my 2" piece and fused.  Worked great!

Here are a couple more views - no cinching and inside:








So...you wanna know...how hard was she to sew? 

Miranda is not a hard bag to make at all.  If you don't have well honed sewing skills, you will definitely need patience and be able to discipline yourself to take one step at a time and follow it through without trying to guess it's right. 

There are some minor challenges in dealing with the bulk because Miranda is very well stabilized (and that's a GREAT thing).  These minor challenges are nothing too difficult if you can discipline yourself to stay focused on each task as Joan presents it you shouldn't have any major problems. 

Joan Hawley, owner/designer of Lazy Girl Designs and the Miranda Day Bag pattern, did an outstanding job with both the "design" of the bag and the directions for the pattern.  Two thumbs up!!!

I LOVE my new Miranda and can't wait to show her off AND make more -- but that will probably have to wait until after the holidays!

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If you like Log Cabin quilts, you're gonna LOVE Judy Martin's NEW Log Cabin Quilt Book . 

The book includes *sew* MUCH

• 16 complete and accurate patterns in multiple sizes (34 sizes in all)
• 400 color diagrams
• 100 setting plans
• 36 borders
• 100 gorgeous photos
• Once again, Judy names names...of her quilters, that is! Longarm quilting celebrity names like: Dawn Cavenaugh, Jennifer Cunningham, Sherry Rogers-Harrison, Margy Sieck, Sally Terry, and Nichole Webb.  Chris Hulin hand-quilted one. A full-size photo of each quilt and detail shots show the exquisite quilting.
  

I've always liked Log Cabin quilts but I am COMPLETELY smitten by Judy's "Loveland Log Cabin". I've never seen such pretty log cabin "hearts" quilt.

This particular quilt tugs at may heart and makes me smile at the same time. There is something so subtly elegant and comforting about it.  I think it's beautiful.

Judy designed Loveland Log Cabin featuring pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness and the focal point hearts to honor loved ones.  It's pieced by Judy and it was beautifully quilted by Sally Terry.

The "teaser" image here (used with permission) does not come close to showing the exquisite beauty of this quilt.  The quilting features gorgeous feathers.  WOW!

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