Sewing Expo Recap (A Wee Bit Late)

I'm a little late with my post, but things at Chez Rosie have been a bit on the chaotic side lately.  Last Friday I headed off to the Cleveland IX Center for the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo with my mom and my sister's MIL.  It's and annual tradition for us, and so exciting this year because I actually do half the stuff that they demonstrate and know what I'm looking at.  Lol. 

I had a shopping list and everything!  Ha ha ha.  So many things I wanted to check out, and excited for the great deals ahead :D

Me, Mama, and Kath taking a break for lunch

I didn't take any classes, but had a blast shopping with the gals!  Mom was on a misson to find embroidery software, and after HOURS of walking around and exploring all the options, she finally settled on the Husqvarna Viking 6D software.  She got a KILLER deal too.... 50% off!!  Talk about a fabulous deal!  Honestly, I'm totally psyched she got it.  I've got a couple of designs I need for some upcoming projects that I've been unable to find.  What a great way to "play" with the new software!

I also took the opportunity to meet a fellow Missouri Star Forum member, Debbie MM (Debbie).  She was at the expo on the same day, mainly taking classes, but we were sure to meet up in-person for the first time.  So great to meet Internet friends :D

I wish I could say that I was "good," but I can't.  Well... technically, I was some-what good.  I followed Hubby's rule of "if it doesn't fit in the craft room, I can't buy it."  Lol.  No major purchases for me, but I did manage to pick up LOTS of great goodies!

Don't mind the mess in the background!  I didn't clean off my table before shooting pics.  Lol.  Included in my "haul" was....

• Tear-Away, Cut-Away, and Poly-Mesh stabilizers for my embroidery machine
• (6) Tea Towels (for co-worker Christmas gifts this year)
• BIG spool of embroidery machine bobbin thread
• Various spools of day-glow and neutral embroidery threads
• A package of the Bosal In-R-Foam Single Sided interfacing (just HAD to try it out!)
• A couple of 1-yard cuts and a couple FQ's
• A Viking 1/4" piecing foot and package of bobbins
• (2) Stuffed Lady Bug panels
• Couple of patterns
• A fabric stack for the "Betty Bag"

All-in-all, not too bad.  I was debating on going back on Saturday (Hubby offered to take me) to pick up some more of the big spools of embroidery thread and to see what kind of wheeling and dealing was going on with it being the last day of the expo, but decided against it.   I got enough stuff to keep me occupied for a while, and while I didn't "break the bank," I still hit my budgeted amount and didn't want to go over.

Already looking forward to next year's expo... is that sad?  Lol.  Was very happy this year though, going into it with some knowledge before hand of what I was looking for, what would be a good deal, what I needed, etc.  Completely beats last year's visit! 

Better Than I Had Hoped

Well, today was the day I took my MIL's Survivor quilt to the laundromat. 

I put it into a double-load machine, added the detergent, loaded it up with quarters, and said a prayer.  I was terrified that it would come out of the washer in pieces.  I did fix the seams that I found I had accidentally snipped, but wasn't sure if there were others that I missed.  As it was turning around in the machine, I watched.  Watched for a sign of something gone wrong.  Fortunately, to my surprise, it came out just fine!  Off to the dryer it went for a whopping 40 minutes to get it to dry completely.

After all was said and done... I'm ecstatic on how it turned out!

The seams frayed nicely, there were no more popped seams, and it's ever so soft!  I seriously can't wait until next weekend to give it to her!  I had to drive straight from the laundromat to a bridal shower, and I was showing it off to everyone.  It did shrink, but not too badly.  I was honestly worried that it was going to be too big, but now it's just that perfect size to cuddle up on the couch with!

I didn't get a chance to take a full-size photo today with the shower and all, but I will definitely get one posted before we give it to her on Saturday.  I can't wait to see the look on her face :-)

Inspiration Overload

Today was a total girls day for me and my mom.  She had an extra ticket to the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo at the Cleveland IX-Center, so I got to spend the entire day drooling over machines, gathering inspiration, and having a blast with my mom.

Mom & I

I'm not going to lie.... I was in complete awe when I saw some of the new machines (embroidery and sewing) and it made me drool just a bit.  I've got a Brother embroidery machine that is about 8 years old and more temperamental than a 2-year old child.  Some days it likes to work, other days it likes to eat the thread and garble the fabric.  I do, however, have an awesome serger and sewing machine that are work horses.  It was really cool though to see how far the embroidery machines have come since I bought mine, and it makes me want to sell a kidney so that I can upgrade.  Ha ha ha.

One of the big bonuses to the show is all the vendors there with goods to sell.  Honestly, I was very well behaved and only managed to spend about $80.  A pattern (Playtime by KariePatch Designs), a couple of half-yards of fabric, and a pair of rag scissors was all I bought.  Had I have not been on a self-inflicted spending freeze, I might have gone nuts and walked out of there with an entire sewing room's worth of stuff!  Mom, on the other hand, had no hesitation and spent for the both of us.  Albeit, she has a larger room to accommodate all the loot, not to mention a new grandbaby to sew for.... so I can see how it was easy for her to shop.

My Loot (minus the pattern)

After the show, I met up with my BFF for some dinner and some retail therapy at JoAnn's.  With the prices of fabric at the expo a little out of my budget, I decided to check out the sale ads.  Low and behold... JoAnn's had flannel on sale :-)  So.... Miss Em and I headed off to the store, armed with the pattern I bought from the expo and a handful of coupons.

Flannel Galore!

I got enough stuff to make two cuddle blankets that I bought the pattern for... one boy and one girl.  I can't wait to get started!  It's been so long since I've sewn that my machines and all my supplies are still packed in a closet from when we moved my sewing room a few years ago.  The pattern doesn't seem too intricate, so I think it'll be a great warm-up project to get me back into the swing of things again.