It has been quite some time since I posted because I just don't have anything interesting to post about.  I haven't been doing any quilting to speak of mainly because I still haven't organized my sewing space in the new house.

I did finish one small piece for my guild's monochromatic challenge.  There were no size requirements for the work so I decided to work small.

The paper pieced wedges are 4"

Although it's embarrassing, here are some photos of my sewing space in its current state of disarray.

I have the entire bottom floor of the new house for sewing.  My machines are set up in what used to be a family room and I am using the 2 bedrooms on this floor for fabric storage etc.

Here's one view of the fabric storage room.  I am going to get some wire drawer units from IKEA to put the actual fabric into, but haven't made the 3 hour trip up to Charlotte, NC yet to get them.  I expect the units to go around the room against the walls.

Another view of the room showing some of the boxes of fabric (and you can't see the boxes behind the boxes!)

This is the other bedroom - which Jerry is calling the cutting room.  In addition to cutting I am storing books and assorted stuff in this room.

The unit I'm using as a cutting surface is a free-standing kitchen drawer unit from IKEA.  I really like this unit and am glad I got it.

Here's one view of the sewing room.   I use my Janome 6500 almost exclusively, but didn't want my Bernina to feel left out, so I found a table on Craigslist that I'm using for the Bernina.  I initially was going to have Jerry drop the Bernina down into the table, but am reconsidering it.  I usually only use the machine with the embroidery attachment and need to have easy access to add and remove the embroidery unit. Who knows, Jerry may still figure something out for me.  He's good like that!

The design wall is opposite the sewing machines.

The only natural light in the sewing room comes from this door to the outside.  The lighting isn't ideal for sewing, but we have put natural light bulbs in the overhead fixtures which is helping a lot.

I really need to get this area organized so I can actually be productive.  Once I get my fabric storage units in place, I'm confident the rest of the room will come together (at least I hope!!)

Visiting Detroit

Jerry and I just returned from a trip to Detroit to visit family. My nephew, Chris, was having his graduation party so it made a good excuse to make the trip.

It had been about 2 years since we'd traveled up that way. Detroit isn't usually high on any one's list for a vacation!

Here's the graduate, Chris, with his family: my brother Ed, sister-in-law Terry, Chris, and his brother Eddie. (click photos for larger view)

I don't like to have my picture taken, but someone convinced my brothers and me to pose with our mother. The brother seated next to mom is Claude and Ed is standing in the back next to me.

My nephew, Claude, jr, has 3 kids. His twins are Ryan





and Cameron

and the twins' older sister Olivia. (seen here with her father)

The newest member of the family is Riggins, the 4 week old son of my nephew Kevin.



One thing I always try to do when I'm in Detroit is to have a Sanders Hot Fudge Creme Puff. I sure miss Sanders!

It's probably I good thing I don't still live in the area or I'd be eating one of these on a daily basis!