A New Project Bag

The newest Blackbird Designs pattern - "Three Stockings for May" arrived in my mailbox yesterday....I have been itching to start working on this wonderful series of miniature stockings since it's debut in February! I decided these patterns would be my new traveling project...and what a better way to transport this project than in its own special zippered pouch....made with Nell's Flower Shop fabric by Blackbird Designs for Moda. With a couple quiet hours to myself this afternoon, I immediately began working on my quilted project bag...and it turned out perfectly - exactly as I planned! It has plenty of room for one or more of the patterns, fabric, floss, and scissors and is small enough to easily tote with me.

I have also had a little time to play with some new toys (for my sewing/embroidery machine) that were just released earlier this month at the Husqvarna Viking Convention. Once my dealer returned from the convention, I couldn't wait to visit the quilt shop and see the new products that the Internet was buzzing about! First of all, there is a great new hoop....called a Texture Hoop...which is a wonderful art quilting hoop....it allows you to easily add yarn, ribbon, cords, and different fibers to embroidery...giving any project a creative and unique spark. I have done a couple samples just playing and learning about the hoop...I really look forward to having some time to work on more of these special pieces soon! I also purchased the new 4D Monogram Software...and it sure is easy to use...it makes embroidering a monogram a "snap"...I am going to have tons of fun finding ways to use this easy peasy software! ...and of course I had to have the new 9mm flat felled foot. There was also an update to my machine that added a bunch of great new features...and new heirloom stitches, scallop stitches, fashion stitches, and 44 decorative tapering stitches....woohoo! Lots of new things to try out and play with....just what I need - more to keep me busy!