Some FMQ Practice Feathers

I've been doodling a long time to get these just right.  This is step two, practicing on a quilt sandwich.  I think I might be ready for the real thing.  But today, I'm in love with this little piece.

I bought a spool of Aurifil thread a while back, just to see what all the hype was about. Well, it lived up to the hype.  This thread is smooooth.  It also has a very nice sheen, which doesn't come across real well in these pictures.  I might have forgotten to mention, but I also used Aurifil to quilt this quilt, which was done on a longarm.  I think I'm a convert.

Here's an overall shot of the free-form feathers.  There were a couple of curves that got me, but overall, I can live with them!  I'm linking up today with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!

Don't forget, Elvy Crafts readers get 20% off at LiMa Sews with this coupon code: elvycrafts2012.

Did You Notice...

...the extra tab at the top of this blog and the little "LiMa Sews" button to the side? Yes, I'm so excited. Super excited, actually.  With the help of Mr. Elvy, we launched a little Etsy store this past week.  Right now it's full of lovely organic cottons, like this:

Commute by Jay-Cyn Designs for Birch Fabrics

And this:

Tilly by Daisy Janie

Our focus is on smaller fabric producers and designers.  If it's organic, that's even better.  But really, it's all about what's pretty, so of course, you'll be seeing things from Moda and Free Spirit too.  Over the next few weeks, we're expecting shipments from Art Gallery and Blend Fabrics, so I'll keep you posted.

The tab on top takes you directly to the store.  The button on the sidebar takes you to the blog for the shop, where we will be posting updates on new products and sales.  For my Elvy Crafts readers, use this coupon code for 20% off your total purchase through March 6th: elvycrafts2012.

A Quiet Week

I didn't manage to do much of anything this week -- too much Downton Abbey in the evenings.  Well, now that we've managed to blow through the first season in just under a week, I can get back to regular activities. 

I did finish up the last of my Swoon blocks -- woohoo -- but have two more cut out for pillows that I wanted to finish.

I also finished this hat last weekend, but in my excitement over my longarm quilting adventures, posting about this hat seemed anticlimactic.  The pattern is the Brier Toque by Cecily Glowik MacDonald, featured in Weekend Hats.  The entire hat was knit in a stockinette stitch.

The yarn is a variegated fingering weight wool by Koigu. I'm trying to knit only from my stash and haven't bought any yarn in ages, but it's been slow going.  Mr. Elvy has been using it as a night cap -- I think he's kinda too embarrassed to wear such an exaggerated floppy hat in public.