Stash Enhancement

I am taught the poorness of our invention, the ugliness of towns and palaces. Art and luxury have early learned that they must work as enhancement and sequel to this original beauty. I am over instructed for my return. Henceforth I shall be hard to please. I cannot go back to toys. I am grown expensive and sophisticated. I can no longer live without elegance: but a countryman shall be my master of revels. He who knows the most, he who knows what sweets and virtues are in the ground, the waters, the plants, the heavens, and how to come at these enchantments, is the rich and royal man. Only as far as the masters of the world have called in nature to their aid, can they reach the height of magnificence.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays Nature 1850

I must agree with Emerson that there is no substitute for the beauty and elegance of nature.  However, I can not or will not go to the woods to live and enjoy it like he did.  I could be easily persuaded to go live in the mountains on a permanent basis as long as it was inside a house with all the required creature comforts to keep me comfy.  The idea of a studio filled with my quilting essentials and large windows looking out over the mountains... ahhh.  I've seen a few pictures of several that have that on the web and I seriously want my own.  Maybe someday.

A couple of weeks ago I so this fabric and had to buy it for my bird loving sister.  It will probably become a lap quilt and a couple of pillows.  I'm undecided if I will use the mottled piece with it or not.  It does match very well.  It is by Springs.

Large Panel

Pillow Panel

Robins and Bluebirds

Chickadees and Yellow Finches?  Not sure of the names.

All over birds and extra fabric

Then Friday I went to the Sewing Expo.  My knee held up very well from all the driving and walking.  I didn't have any pain in it. Yeah!!  I did find some batiks.  The two large pieces are 108" wide.  There is a 2 yard border print and a 3 yard all over.  This will be for the back of a quilt for my bed I have been planning for several years.  Now I just need to get it designed.

Border print on the bottom left and allover on the rignt

Seven half yard cut jumped into my hands for some reason

I also found a new seam guide to try.  The machine I'm using upstairs and travel with has a slightly larger 1/4" than my Janome 6600 and I'm hoping this will even out the difference.

I did get started on cutting some of the plaids I showed last week.  I also got a little strip sewing done to.  Here are the results.  Can you guess what it will be?

Strip Sets Sewn and Pressed

There is one other purchase I made at the show.  I'm VERY, VERY excited about it!  Can you guess what it is?  No pictures yet but it will be here soon.  I can't wait!!!

Linking with Sew Many Ways , Patchwork Times, Freemotion by the River, Let's Get Aquainted Mondayand Quilt Story