As The Quilts Turn

New Year - 2012

2012-01-01T18:32:00.000-06:00

I've been a bit quiet as of late. Lots going on, some good, some not so good. I'm hoping that I can get back into the swing of blogging and stitching.

November and December were very busy embroidery months for me. I think I do most of my business in those 2 months. Between Christmas stocking, personalized gifts and 31 bags, I was a very busy gal. One of my neighbors finally asked who all the people were that were coming and going.

I did get to take a class in November which was fun. It was a beginners class, so I was able to make the whole top that night. After I took this picture, I decided that I will add another row to make the quilt a bit larger. It's nice to be able to go to classes like this because I can spend time visiting as well. Got to meet some very nice ladies and chat with the ladies I know and haven't seen for a while.

I'm trying to get motivated to go sew this evening, but I just haven't been able to muster the energy to walk down the stairs. Sad indeed.

I thought about making some sewing resolutions for this year, but I think I'm just going to wing it and see how much I can get done. Last year I made far more quilts than I thought I could, so it's nice to be able to review those accomplishments.

Take care and happy stitching.

It's Been A While

2011-11-27T18:11:00.000-06:00

We survived the weekend with the neighbor's dogs. I think that sometimes dogs are more tiring than kids. At least I know what's wrong with the kid starts whining. Dog not so much.

Anyhow, I finished 2 quilt tops that have been sitting.

This was from a Moda Bake Shop pattern. I got really bored with it so it sat on the shelf for a long time. This weekend was a good weekend to pull it out and finish the top.

Not as big as I wanted it to be, but again got bored with it. At least it's a flimsy now.

I'm hoping over Christmas break I can get some serious quilting done.

Until my next random post.....

Quilted for Chris

2011-10-25T21:16:00.000-05:00

Chris had me quilt her totally awesome quilt top. She did an incredible job on the piecing. The colors are beautiful. The fabric is Kate Spain. I think I'm a new Kate Groupee!

This one is going to be really hard to return to it's rightful owner. I think the owner should be ME! :-) Guess I will have to get busy and make my own version.

You can check Chris out on her blog.

Have a great night!!!

Little Buckaroo

2011-10-19T16:48:00.000-05:00

I was hired to make a quilt for a gal at work who is expecting another grandbaby. She said that her son rides bulls in the rodeo. Well, it's not very easy to find bulls on fabric so we had to settle for horses, specifically broncos.

I added some embroidery as well to make the quilt look more like a baby quilt.

Next on my list is a quilt to be quilted for another work person. I'm hoping to get it loaded tonight and possibly start working on it tomorrow or Friday night.

Have a great rest of the week.

Random Stuff

2011-10-18T06:37:00.000-05:00

Just some random stuff that makes me happy. What makes you happy????

Quilted this weekend for a customer. I hope it goes to a lucky little boy.

Unwind finished with my model holding it for me.

Thirty-One Gifts - I love their stuff. This was for someone else, but I have the same cool purse.

Birthday present for a munchkin at school.

Me, my friend Nikki and Taylor Hanson (yes from the band Hanson). Can't help it, they make me happy when I listen to their music. And yes I am old enough to be his mother (ouch).

At the concert having a GREAT time!!!

Soccer on Saturday has been so much fun this year.

Going to the zoo and hanging out with two little girls that will let me hang out with them (still).

Nature at it's finest.

Two cornballs thinking that the best thing in life is a colored tongue.

Birthday gifts given to friends.

Buddy. He just makes me smile (97% if the time).

Thanks for letting me be goofy and share.

Funk

2011-10-11T20:15:00.001-05:00

I'll be back in a while. I'm in a FUNK and nothing is fun to work on or share.

Good for a Laugh

2011-09-25T09:23:00.000-05:00

That kid of mine is always good for a belly laugh. This is how she came down dressed for her soccer game.

Have a GREAT day!

Embroidery

2011-09-07T06:37:00.000-05:00

Just checking in. I've been so busy with embroidery that I haven't been able to do much else. Unfortunately a lot of it left the house without pictures. Hopefully after this week I will have some pictures to share.

School started and it seems that I can't quite get into the swing. I'm not sure what my issue is. There's a lot more homework this year.

Because I'm feeling so incredibly boring, I leave you with a couple pictures from the fair in August. The quilt was made by Pat Komer of Willowcreek Quilting. She did an awesome job on the applique and quilting. Best of Show.

The girls racing on the big slide. Just makes me smile looking at it.

Have a great week.

Binding Needed

2011-08-24T08:08:00.000-05:00

And then it's officially done. Finally after 5 years and a whole lot froggin', it's finally quilted and almost ready for the bed. Turning Twenty is the pattern. It's queen size and barely fit on my frame. Not sure what I will do if I decide to make a quilt for our bed. Pay someone with a much bigger machine, I guess.

I'm getting ready (slowly) for the Ladies Night Out that I participate in.

Have a great day!

Routine

2011-08-11T08:09:00.001-05:00

I'm so ready for school to start and be back into a routine. Right now I feel like I'm flying by the seat of my pants. Camp finished up last week so hubs and I are rotating days this week staying home.

I did finish a top on Tuesday when I was off. All the rows were done I just needed to sew the top together. I'm hoping to get it on the frame and quilted over the weekend.

So I leave you with this picture and hopefully when normal resumes, so will I with blogging.

EDITED: This is a Jaybird pattern, but I didn't follow her directions completely.

2011-07-24T14:08:00.000-05:00

This is a signature quilt that someone dropped off for me to quilt. Really easy to do because she only wanted it stippled, nothing else. GREAT, I can do that.

It's been horribly hot here in KC. Yesterday I had the brilliant idea to take Grace and 2 other girls to see Big Time Rush at Worlds of Fun. Not a good idea on my part. 107 degrees and no shade. $5 for water which in mind was extortion at it's worst.

Hopefully this week I can get back to sewing and cooler weather type activities.

My Other Blog

2011-07-16T20:28:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try to get better at putting my embroidery stuff on my embroidery blog.

I've been busy lately working on embroidery stuff. I'm hoping to post some pictures that are quilt related tomorrow.

In the meantime, you can go check out my other blog here.

OH NO!

2011-07-07T06:31:00.000-05:00

I went to the quilt shop yesterday at lunch just to look around and take a break from the BS that is work. Anyhow, I found some new fabric and pulled it out to look at the label. $11.49/yd. I literally shook my head and looked again thinking my eyes were playing tricks on me. OH NO! What am I going to do? Eat or make quilts, cloth my child or make quilts? I guess I could cloth my child in a quilt. I was starting to feel like a hoarder before when it came to scraps. I know the sight of $11.49/yard is going to send me over the edge and cause damage to my already damaged brain. I know I read the prices were going up. That's INSANE.

Finishes

2011-07-04T21:05:00.000-05:00

I finished up the pink and grey quilt top this long weekend. The fabric line is Urban Angel. I really wish I would have bought more. Reminds me of biker chics.

I was also asked to make golf towels for a 60th birthday party. I made 21 towels for party guests. Got hubs involved too and had him help me put grommets on all of the towels.

On top of that I also took in bags from 31 consultants that needed embroidery work. Those are way too hard to take pictures of.

All in all a good weekend. This morning was the Annual Popsicle parade through the neighborhood. The fire department came and hooked up to a hydrant right by our pool and let the kids have some fun.

Happy 4th of July!!!

TA DAAAH

2011-07-01T08:19:00.000-05:00

So to ease my frustration last night, I put my blocks on the design wall. This quilt will be good sized when it's sewn together.

Jaybird Quilts, Unwind. Using the Lazy Angle Ruler.

I'm pretty darn pleased with myself.

Must Share, Hoping Mad

2011-06-30T18:59:00.001-05:00

I have to share. It's not at all quilt related and basically is a rant. Turn away if you must.

The munchkin attends YMCA summer camp because of the working parent situation. Not all bad since she has really been loving camp and all the activities. I was loving it until yesterday when I completely lost my head and apparently my ability to speak in anything other than really bad cuss words.

Yesterday was T-Bones day, the long awaited trip to see the minor league baseball team here in KC. I'm excited for the munchkin because I always have fun when we go watch the games. Lots of activities. Guys that play for the love of the game and get paid next to nothing and really don't care because they LOVE baseball.

Anyhow I get to camp last night and discover that my child who is VERY far sighted has no glasses. Hmmm what happened to your glasses? Child has this horrible look of fright and really isn't wanting to talk. The counselor followed her over to me and said in a tone that I didn't much like, well her glasses got broken and then thrown away. Sorry, shrugged and attempted to walk away. That's when I dropped a lot of really inappropriate words. Explained that the glasses that were on my child's face this morning will run more than $300 to replace. Yes, you can say I hit red line and went directly to livid. We left because I knew that I would say a whole lot more inappropriate things if left to deal with college aged counselors and excuses. I immediately called the eye doctor to find out about the cost of replacements. Well my estimate was off by $180. More like $480 to replace the glasses and that's with the Holy Crap we feel sorry for you here is your 20% discount. After that I called the YMCA office and asked to speak to the director. Of course I get voicemail, so I leave a very detailed message why I was called and explained this must be resolved immediately.

So last night I'm fuming around the house and asking all sorts of questions. What I learned is sunscreen was being applied to the Munchkin's face so the glasses came off. In the mean time, some boy came over to have his sunscreen applied and he stepped on the glasses. Not just stepped, stomped and demolished the glasses. So at that point the counselor tried to fix the glasses but couldn't. His response to my child was put them in your lunch sack which she promptly did. (YIPPEE she can follow directions.) His response in my opinion should have been I'm going to hold your glasses and give them to your mom when she comes tonight. Directions to put glasses in a disposable brown lunch sack, in my humble opinion, has BAD, DUMB and STUPID written all over it. See where this is going?????

Lunch rolls along, glasses are still "SAFE" in the lunch bag. Lunch gets consumed. We were told to give our kids money so they could go to the concession stand. Munchkin's was at was dismissed and sent to the concession stand but told to leave their lunch bags. Again, Munchkin follows the rules, but being almost 8 doesn't make the logical leap to maybe I should take my now broken glasses out of the bag because it might get thrown away while I'm away from the table. Ever efficient concession stand worker comes along and clears the entire table of trash and off go the glasses to the Deffenbaugh Trash heap. The counselor realized the glasses were gone, only because said small child announced very loud, OH NO MY MOM IS GOING TO KILL ME, did he realized Houston we have a problem.

Now mind you, if I had the broken glasses to return to the eye doctor, I would pay a $15 co-pay and the glasses would be replaced no questions. At this point I have nothing to return to the eye doctor.

This morning, I pull said counselor aside away from all the kids to talk. Because in my infinitely wonderful ability to parent, I discover that my poor child now thinks I'm absolutely livid with her for the glasses and can't stop saying I'm sorry and I love you and I'm sorry. So I figured it best to move from the area where the kids are to talk. I know I was in college and I know I wasn't the most responsible person in the world. But when tasked to watch peoples kids, I took that job very seriously. I tried to explain to this fine young gentleman that my daughter has shown up to camp since the beginning of June with glasses on her face every day. Those glasses in my estimation are basically like an additional appendage to her. Like having a 3rd arm or leg. You take care of my child, because I pay a huge amount of money weekly, you should as well take care of the glasses. Excuse #1 - I'm responsible for 40 children. My correction to excuse #1 - No, I beg to differ, you are responsible for a group of 10 children. There are 3 other adults that have the same number of children they are responsible. Yes there are 40 kids total, but you are NOT responsible in theory for all 40 at one time.
Excuse #2 came when I asked why he didn't put the glasses in his backpack, pocket or another counselors pack. Or why he didn't even ask one of the other counselors to watch his 10 kids for 5 minutes so he could run the broken glasses out to the bus/van. Ma'am, your daughter needs to be responsible for her own glasses and why would she think it was OK to take the glasses off? Well, applying sunscreen to your face with glasses on, especially spray sunscreen can get a bit tricky. I went on to give him a visual example to explain why my child did what she did (also based on our experience from 2 weekends ago). Now Mr. Counselor, imagine your favorite pair of Ray-Ban or Oakley sunglasses (anything over $150 - he got the picture) on your face when you try to SPRAY the sunscreen for your face. Yes, it gets on your glasses. And it's not much fun to try to get it off. It took us 4 rounds with Dawn dish soap and still had some residual stuff for a day or two.
Excuse #3 - You really need to send a strap for her so this doesn't happen again. This is where I wanted to reach over and choke his scrawny neck. #1 - It will not happen again and if it does, you better hope you still get a paycheck because I will see to it that you don't. #2 - Don't blame an 8 year old when you don't wear glasses. This where I really couldn't let it go. I explained that my child has worn glasses since she was 3 and made sure to hold up 3 fingers so he really understood I meant 3. In that time, there have been broken glasses. But I had an adult meet me at the door and hand me the broken glasses and apologize. This time, not the case and this time I'm FURIOUS. Not a little angry, not a little annoyed, FURIOUS.

At this point, I know that Mr College Counselor really can't do anything to fix the glasses situation and that I'm going to have to go to a higher authority, his boss, the guy I called and left the message for. So I nicely explain that I called his boss and that he will more than likely be contacted at some point during the day for his side of the story. I did apologize for being somewhat rude (although I could have been far worse). I walked back to the room where the kids are, hugged the Munchkin and left.

The whole time I'm in the car driving to work I'm thinking, they better be nice to her today and not be mean because I was angry with them and didn't speak nicely.

Get to work. 9AM still no call from the director. Long story short, we talk and talk and talk and he says the YMCA will pay 1/2 for new glasses. Not acceptable to me. I offer up, OK, you don't cut me a check for glasses, you give me free day care totaling $480. No all we can pay is 1/2. Yeah not acceptable so we jockey back and forth and I finally tell him that his offer is unacceptable to me, but I would talk to my husband. More than likely my husband would call him back to discuss, give me a direct number.

Husband, still furious over the whole fiasco, sends a very eloquent email explaining in no uncertain terms that the YMCA is responsible based on the inactions of the counselor in which they employ. To put 1/2 fault on a child who was very good at following the adults directions is not acceptable. And to make 2 parents come up with 1/2 and accept fault when we leave our child in your care, custody and control during the day is also unreasonable.

Today the day ended at 4:00PM with an email from the director saying that he has now referred the issue to his boss. I guess we get to brow beat her tomorrow.

I do want to make it clear that I'm not looking for a free lunch. I am, though, looking for what is right and fair. 50/50 blame is not fair. Hopefully we can get it resolved quickly. I believe in my heart that the Y will do the right thing, but boy is it ever frustrating to explain and prove that they aren't there yet.

I'm now on my way to the Girl Cave to feel fabric and maybe even sew a stitch or two. That will definitely get rid of some of the stress of the day.

Have a great night.

Anything But Consistent

2011-06-25T21:29:00.001-05:00

That is definitely me when it comes to this blog. Either I'm all over it or I'm slacking and lately I'm the later.

I am working on a couple things. This is one of the UFOs that I shared a couple weeks back. I think it might need a border once I get the piecing done.

This is a pile for the next quilt top I'm going to make. I figure one UFO, one new project. Let's see how long I can pull this off. (HA HA HA)

And some fun flip flops for the Munchkin. She thinks I'm a genius. If she only knew.

That's it for now. Have a great night!

Twister Finished

2011-06-19T19:17:00.000-05:00

The pictures are seriously bad. The top is seriously cool. Can't wait to quilt it.

This week I'm working on a UFO. I figure one new, one old. Then maybe I really will finish some stuff.

Have a great week.

Butterflies

2011-06-14T21:06:00.000-05:00

If you are a friend on Facebook, I'm sure you are sick of the butterflies by now. Today was our final day so I have to share.

My sister got the Munchkin a butterfly house for Christmas two years ago. We ordered the critters, they never came. So this year everything but butterflies were living in the house - worms, flys, moth, grub worm. You get the idea. So I finally put in an order with Insect Lore for caterpillars.

We got our caterpillars about 3 weeks ago. When they came, they were itty bitty teeny tiny. I thought for sure they were dead because they weren't moving at all. Well they started eating and eating and eating. It truly is like The Very Hungry Caterpillar book. These guys didn't eat through all the same things (pie, lollipop, sausage).

The excitement began when the first guy made his way to the top of the cup and started to form his cocoon. Slowly the other 4 guys moved up and did the same thing.

On Saturday, the first cocoon builder reappeared as a beautiful Painted Lady butterfly. The screaming that I heard had me convinced something had died and was just found. Oh NO, it was just the alert of a new household member. Today the 5th guy popped out.

This evening was our official release party. 3 of the 5 high tailed it right out of town. They didn't even pass go to collect a sniff our of tasty butterfly bush. They just floated away. The other two hung out long enough for us to get some pictures.

All and all, I would recommend this experience. It was fun family time because we all had to check on the caterpillars and cocoons. Since Hubs works from home there was always a report or two of what was going on or who had arrived for the day. Definitely work the $20 investment.

Design Wall Monday

2011-06-13T09:21:00.000-05:00

While towels were stitching on the embroidery machine, I was able to do some sewing.

This is what's on my wall. It will have another border of twisters on the outside. I have the borders sewn, just need to cut and sew again.

Happy sewing!!!

Beach Towels

2011-06-12T18:28:00.000-05:00

9 beach towels for a neighbor. She is taking a big family vacation with extended family and thought everyone needed a towel to remember the trip by.

Have a great week.

PIGS or UFOs

2011-06-11T09:43:00.000-05:00

For me, both terms are the same or synonymous because all of my UFOs eventually end up in a grocery sack. What kind of bags do you use? Do you use grocery bags? I'm a Ziploc kind of gal. I like the big over sized bags that can be found at Target because everything fits so nicely in and then can be zipped. When my office moved, I raided the supply closet after the move and helped myself to some of the plastic bags that we had to put our keyboards in. (Who knows, I guess they thought our keyboards had cooties). Those bags are very much like the big Ziploc bags.

Tonight I decided it was definitely time to inventory the shelf that I keep two big totes. Not only did I inventory but I photographed for posterity (and so I could remember what I have). I came to the sad realization that I really have a problem and should NOT hit a fabric store any time in the next 3 years. I have 28 PIGS living in the tote on that shelf. Yes you did read 28, and I can say thankfully they are not all started. I didn't write it down the number, but I think 7 are UFOs/PIGS. The rest are all fabric and patterns, nicely zipped into a bag.

Let me share a few pictures with you (which some aren't very good but you get the idea):

UFO which has become PIG #3. This is a Moda Bakeshop pattern that has gone to land of bags. The blocks are all pieced, I just need to put the whole top together.

This is my oldest PIG. It's from the very first Kansas City Quilt Shop Hop. This year we had our 13th quilt shop hop. I cut this little wall hanging out and then have done nothing with it. I probably could whip it out on a Saturday if I put my mind to it (and hubs took the munchkin out of the house).

This UFO/PIG is the first one I took a picture of. It's going to be a rectangle quilt that I pulled of of MaryQuilts.com (Forest Bricks) I guess something better came along and it ended up in the bag.

This beauty is the Braid quilt top that I started when I go my Accuquilt Go cutter. I know why it's in a bag. It is tedious and boring sewing. I'm all about mindless sewing on long stretches of material. This one is just boring sewing on little pieces of material. I just need to suck it up and finish, be done and call it good. Making note that I'm not a braid kind of gal.

My thought before I counted was that I could grab a project and make it my goal to finish one a month. That sounded reasonable until I counted. 28 projects, one a month, well that will take me into October 2013. Yeah that's really scary when I think about it like that.

The picture below is of the second tote that sits on the same shelf. This tote is full (overflowing) with fabric that I bought in hopes of making something but could never decide on a pattern. Or maybe I had a pattern in mind but never stuck it in the bag so now I have no clue what I was thinking.

Maybe I should join one of the many blogs that is picking numbers and working on finishing up projects. Or I could continue to live in the land of denial. Sometimes that place is much happier and easier to handle.

I Spy Swap

2011-06-10T10:25:00.001-05:00

I finally took the plunge and got into a swap. I've had some mediocre experiences in the past so I was slightly leary of jumping in again. This I Spy swap was hosted by Carla over at Lollyquiltz. Carla belongs to my guild so it was nice to share my concerns with her and then have her help me rest easy.

Look at some of the cool fabric I scored. I can't wait to do something fun with all of them.

Have a great day!

Pouches

2011-06-09T10:00:00.001-05:00

I belong to the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild. The service project we are doing is for St. Luke's Hospital. The beautiful little creations below are fetal demise pouches that will be used in the maternity ward. I didn't really understand what I was doing or what they would be used for, but now I do. I put a lot of love into those little pouches and hopefully the unknowing and unwilling recipient will understand that over time.

You can read more about our project here.

Summer

2011-06-08T18:34:00.000-05:00

Summer is here in KC. I think we had about 6 days of spring and jumped right into the hot stuff. I refuse to complain about the heat given how darn cold it was this winter. I wish I could bottle the 90's and pull it out in small doses in January.

School's out. Hubs works from home so we had to head out last week.

First up the Zoo. The munchkin loves the Lorikeets. Thankfully we had a zookeeper explain that they make horrible pets, so that's helped us avoid the "I Wish I had a Lorikeet of my own."

Mr. Peacock showed us how pretty his feathers are. That was a treat.

All for now. More fabric and quilt pictures to come.

Have a great night.

Greetings

2011-05-30T19:21:00.001-05:00

I'm still kicking. Just haven't been very good at blogging.

So this long weekend, I did manage to get a couple of tops quilted.

The first (really the third on my list) was this Biker Bugs. I used Vroom from Lorien Quilting. Very cool design with a motorcycle. Unfortunately I didn't think my design choice through very well and it's almost impossible to see a single motorcycle because the material is WAY too busy. Oh well. I'm going to make a polar fleece blanket for my dad, so maybe I will use the same design for it. He should be able to see it on a plain blue blanket.

The next is another I Spy quilt. This one was made for my friend Carolyn. She needed a quilt to give a friend that had a baby. One of the blocks down toward the bottom has the baby's name embroidered in it. Let's play a little I Spy and see if you can find it.

This is a top that I finished on Saturday morning. I had sewn all of the strips together, just didn't get going on the overall sewing. The material is a very funky batik. I'm still not sure if I like it. It totally reminds me of mud. I was thinking about donating it to someone in Joplin that lost everything, but I don't think it's too cheerful. Oh well.

This beauty is a t-shirt quilt that I quilted for a customer. The sashing is made out of the daughter's uniforms from school. I really think that is GENIUS. The plaid s were all different colors, but it's kind of hard to tell that from this picture. The lady did a wonderful job on the top.

The last picture I have to share is of the crazy bean bag chair. I went to Wal-Mart a couple weeks ago and found BIG bean bag chairs. Not the small, but very large. I brought two of them home in my Mazda 2. I didn't think that through very well. I had to turn around once because I couldn't see out of the passenger window. Clear? Not Clear? Had no idea. Then once I got through one of the major intersections I had to cross I made sure the rest of my trip was right hand turns. That way I could wait for the light to turn green and then go. Anyhow, everyone seems to LOVE the bean bag chairs.

I truly can't believe that kid is going to be in 2nd grade next year. I swear we were just bringing her home from the hospital a couple of weeks ago. She is growing in leaps and bounds. 1st grade went well even though there were a few bumps (and some dreaded lice) along the way.

It's hard to believe that summer is officially around the corner. Have a great week.

Edited to tell the funny Applebee's story: So today I took 2 little girls out to lunch. Their choice - Applebee's. OK, I'm good with that. So we are sitting at our table waiting for the waitress to come back with our drinks and take our order and in walks a couple and sits down at the booth next to us. Now I really try to keep my comments to myself because I never know when they are going to get brought back up. So this couple reminded me of side show freaks, all tatted up, piercings and the crazy earring that makes the HUGE hole in the ear lobe. Both girls did the slow head turn to look as the couple sat down. Neither said anything, but looked at me with the biggest eyes and then turned back to look at the couple. I finally had to remind the girls that it wasn't nice to stare at people the way they were doing. It was even hard for me not to stare. Finally my daughter's friend announces tattoos freak me out. Mine tells her that her dad has one and they aren't so bad. The friend looks over at the Tattoo'd man and again announces OK, his tattoos freak me out. At that point the woman starts laughing because she hears the whole conversation. Half way through lunch my child looks at me and asks What the heck is in that guy's ear? I try to explain and all she can do is shake her head like some mother who is totally disgusted by what their child just did to their body. I'm going to have to remember all of this when the age of 16 rolls around and we have to discuss piercings and tattoos again.

What A Day!

2011-05-19T17:12:00.000-05:00

Today was the big neighborhood garage sale. I decided early on that I was going to have a craft sale, not a garage sale. I'm not sure yet if I've made a big mistake. The weather today was horrible. Rainy and cold. Only 2 people bought any of my goodies. Everyone thought the quilts were great, but no one was willing to part with any hard earned cash. I'm hoping tomorrow will be better even though the weather is supposed to be yucky again.

On the flip side, I did have time to read a book. Heaven is for Real. I spied it when I was Costco 2 weeks ago. Really easy read. It was a good book and made me smile in the end.

MQS

2011-05-13T22:44:00.000-05:00

It's my favorite time of year - Machine Quilter's Showcase (MQS).

Here are a few pictures. I don't know how to do a slide show or I would do that. I know if you click on the picture you should be able to get to my Flickr pictures.

There were so many BEAUTIFUL quilts.

Just enough to make you drool. I need to go back through the program and provide the quilter's information. When I have some time this weekend, I will do that.

The shopping was great too. I got some glow in the dark thread from Superior. I can't wait to give it a try on an I-Spy Quilt.

Book Review

2011-05-09T22:10:00.000-05:00

This is SO NOT ME!!! Let's just get this clear up front. I'm not a big reader. I like what I like. I don't review books. Not good at recommending books. Again, it's the I like what I like and I'm not going to debate about it - I like it, you don't so what, move on. Either it grabs me or it doesn't. I'm reading Two Kisses for Maddy by Matt Logelin. Matt's been on Oprah, but that's certainly not why I'm reading it (Oprah's not on my good list anymore...sorry Oprah fans - which is a whole other story and again not willing to debate). This book and story grabbed me and won't let me go. It's the best LOVE story I've ever read. It's a love story I wish I knew first hand. It breaks my heart and I cry. Not just a little tear, full on blubber (today at the park during soccer practice). I get it. I thought I might have to live it at one point, but didn't thankfully.

My mom died when I was 7. I got the chance to get to know her and see how she and my dad interacted. Although it was foreign then and made little sense at that age. This book gives me a little bit of insight now into my dad's head. Granted I was not a new born, but given that my mom died in 1973, things where way different. It helps me understand why he jumped right into another marriage. That he felt like he couldn't do it on his own.

If you are offended by "blue" language then be forewarned. It's just REAL and raw and true emotions on paper.

Check out Matt's blog.

I'm Alive

2011-05-05T22:33:00.000-05:00

I just haven't really had much to say. Been keeping busy though. Here are a few pictures.

This is what's on the design wall. Unfortunately nothing is getting finished up.

Made for a friend who needed something for a baby shower

This is a Thirty One Gifts bag that I put the name on. I do embroidery for a couple of consultants.

Design by Urban Threads. Yet another grocery bag.

Design by Urban Threads. I added Recycle at the bottom. Bag from Hobby Lobby.

Tonight I worked on pillowcases that will be birthday presents for twin 7 year olds. I'm going to put their names on the cuff of the case. More pictures tomorrow.

Have a great night.

What is Art?

2011-05-01T08:44:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went with a friend and his little girl to the Nelson Atkins Art Museum. The museum opened a whole new building, so my friend thought it would be fun to go and check it out. We both figured we would try to get the girls some culture. Very daunting task given their ages.

Roxie Paine is the featured artist at the museum. Roxie created a machine that extrudes melted plastic and to create art blobs. I'm sure the man would have a stroke if he knew I was calling his stuff blobs. That's what they start as they.

The machine reminded me of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Extruding plastic

Finished

This finished blob looks like a face to me. Come on, stare at it for a while, you'll see it too. I came home and told my husband I wanted it. He asked how much. It's art so probably way more than I could ever afford.

This is a tree in the outdoor sculpture area. Unfortunately the girls had to strike some crazy look for every picture I took. Oh well that's what you get at 6 & 7 I guess. Anyhow the tree is way cool. Wonder what it does in a lightening storm?

So my title is somewhat rhetorical. I think these things are art, but I know there are people out that there that done. Because they evoke emotions, to me they are art. Just like quilts, to me there are some that art and some that are just quilts.

Off to the Lawrence quilt show today. Should be fun.

Accomplishments

2011-04-23T21:05:00.000-05:00

Just one picture because posts without are so boring.

I'm happy to say that my day of sewing on Friday and a little bit today was very successful.

I managed to:

Cut out 2 I-Spy quilts (one of which is sold already).
Make 45 dog bandannas
Cut out another 30-ish dog bandannas
Machine embroider 20 burp clothes
Machine embroider 2 bibs.
Embroidered 2 purchased blankets with some cool sayings
Embroidered 1 purchased baby blanket with a big duckie to match the duckies on the blanket

My sub-division has a once a year garage sale and ours is on May 19-21st. I decided to use this opportunity to have a craft sale and try to get ride of some of the things I've made that are taking up space in the girl cave.

Have a wonderful Easter.

Baa-Baa

2011-04-23T10:58:00.000-05:00

I have to share this, pictures and all.

I sit at soccer practice every Wednesday evening hand sewing binding on a quilt. Each week I've been able to take a different quilt with me. The mom's are in awe, which is a great stroke to the ego. I don't tell them that the quilts have been done for a while and I'm just trying to finish them up. Anyhow...

Two weeks ago one of the mom's asked me I could fix Baa-Baa. I'm game, but not really sure what a Baa-Baa is. The next week she introduced me to Baa-Baa, which had to be gently removed from her son's hands. Her son wanted Baa-Baa fixed, but wasn't really thrilled with the idea that it would have to go home with me. He asked me if I could work on Baa-Baa right there or if I could bring my sewing machine to the game. The final request, can you just come to my house tonight? He told me he really wasn't OK with me taking Baa-Baa to my house. I gently took Baa-Baa and the while time was thinking how am I going to fix that poor loved blanket. It is so thread bare that it's not funny.

I got busy right away since I knew that Baa-Baa had to be back in that little boys hands the next time I saw him (that gave me Wednesday night to Saturday morning). I patched the BIG holes and trimmed up the sides so they weren't so ragged. I managed to get blue binding on the sides, but there were places I didn't have much to sew too.

When Baa-Baa was returned to that cute little boy, the smile couldn't have been any bigger. It's not perfect, but Baa-Baa will hang around in his arms a little bit longer.

Good Friday

2011-04-21T20:54:00.000-05:00

Will be a good Friday. I didn't realize I got the day off work. What a nice surprise to find out it's a 4 day weekend. I'm going to do nothing but sew, sew, sew tomorrow. The child has school, the dog is going to the doggy parlor and the husband graciously agreed to head into the office.

Maybe in my fit of sewing I can come up with some good post pictures for you.

Have a great day...tomorrow.

Giveaway Winner

2011-04-12T20:24:00.000-05:00

Well, I didn't get as many responses as I thought I should for a random giveaway. As such, everyone that commented is a winner.

Laurie and Susan, if you could email me your addresses, I will mail you some Easter spirit. You might want to change your profiles so you aren't "No-Reply" commenters.

Caitlin, I will catch up with you at guild on Thursday. You are going aren't you?

Barb, Lisa and Michele, I will put envelopes in the mail tomorrow, so be on the look out.

Happy Easter (a little early).

Time for a Giveaway

2011-04-09T19:37:00.000-05:00

I've been busy making Easter towels. Because of that, I think it's time for a little Easter giveaway. Leave me a comment and a winner will be randomly chosen on Tuesday (4/12).

It was 91 degrees this afternoon. I think that we might have skipped Spring this year.

Customer Quilt

2011-03-31T22:22:00.000-05:00

Tonight I quilted this beauty. This is the 3rd one this customer has made. I think she and I are finally on the same page. The first one was rough, not very straight, so it had some dimples and bumps. Second one she did was better, less issues, but still a few. This one was perfect. No dimples, nothing.

I also have to share these adorable hats. My friend Melissa got engaged. Her MIL-to-be crocheted these hats while recuperating from foot surgery. They are just too stinking cute. They are being donated to a chemotherapy clinic.

Have a great night. Can hardly believe that tomorrow is Friday and April 1st.

Brought To You By The Letters T and P

2011-03-29T20:18:00.000-05:00

Need I say more.

Mandalas or Zentangles

2011-03-28T21:50:00.000-05:00

I'm smitten with mandalas and zentangles lately. I don't know what my deal is, but I spend time looking at them on flickr and on blogs and basically where ever I can find them. So...I found some that I could make using my embroidery machine. Must share.

And my all time favorite of these 4.

I have a bunch more to stitch out. I can't wait. I think I'm going to have to make a wall hanging for my prison at work. That way I can be ZEN all the time.

Weekend

2011-03-27T20:08:00.001-05:00

What's up with the snow???? Come on now!!!

Sissy needed a nap I guess. Glad she found some place soft, warm and colorful to take it.

Quilting finished, they just need binding.

My husband hates this quilt. He calls it the "I have enough fabric for the middle and don't know what to do with the rest so I'm going to slap some white on the sides and call it good." (Yes he said that all in ONE sentence). I'm not sure how happy I am with it. The pictures makes it look INCREDIBLY crooked. Oh well, it's DONE!

This is my 1600 quilt. I took a jelly roll and sewed it together and this is what I got. I don't like how the red came out in one section. Oh well. It's great mindless sewing. I think it makes a GREAT donation quilt as well. I think this might be on it's way to Japan for someone to stay warm with.

And a customer quilt. I love the colors! She did an awesome job.

Today I did nothing but work on family tree stuff. I've gotten hooked into watching Who Do You Think You Are? Now I think I need to do my family tree research. Today I made it back to 1739 and found that this member of my distant family was part of the Revolutionary War. I'm also truly amazed at how many babies didn't make it during the 1800's. I have a family member that had 10 and 6 made it. YIKES. 10 babies with no epidural, I don't think so.

Have a great week.

Out of Sorts

2011-03-25T12:41:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling a little blue (melancholy, out of sorts, blah) today.

I have my friend Bev, who passed in October, on my mind. Another friend that is going through breast cancer treatment. An old friend from high school, that I reconnected with via Facebook, who's wife just passed last week from breast cancer.

I don't get it. Have there always been this many people going through issues with cancer? Are we just more aware now because we are so connected? Is it all the information of possible causes that we see on the news that make us more in tune?

I sent a note to the Facebook friend asking if I could make a quilt out of clothes for him or his kids. He said my question was perfect because had just been talking to his kids about something similar. I suspect I will be getting a box in the mail. Right now I feel like that's all I can do, quilt something so there will be memories. I didn't know his wife and have been out of touch for well over 20 years, but I feel like it's the least I can do. It will help me figure out what's causing me to be "blue" and will help him remember the good times.

Have a great weekend.

100 Things - How Many Have You Done?

2011-03-21T18:06:00.001-05:00

Here's a fun list of Life Stuff that I found on Going to Pieces blog. You bold the ones you've done.

Makes me feel like I'm truly lucky and happy at all of the things I have been able to do.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band (grade school counts for me)

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language (does pig latin count?)

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelos David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day

As a side note, my Nolting FunQuilter is back in business. I love the techs at Nolting because they are so incredibly helpful and responsive. I got an email this morning telling me how to fix the issue. While scary, I was able to "unjam" the machine myself.

Have a great night.

In Need of TLC

2011-03-20T18:51:00.000-05:00

I think my Nolting decided she would like a little spa time and TLC. She froze up this morning when I turned her on for her morning work out. I'm very sad considering I didn't have much left to finish on this top.

I did get two other tops quilted this weekend before the mishap occurred.

Both just need the binding put on and then they will be done. I guess my self imposed no sewing will be lifted since I won't be machine quilting for a bit.

Friday, Grace and I went to Family Tree Nursery for a Ladies Day Out event. I had spring fever so bad by the time we left. I had to get my camera out and take pictures of their cool displays. Grace loves to feed the fish and was kind enough to share some of her fish food with the little girl standing next to her.

Have a great week!

Binding, Lots and Lots of Binding

2011-03-13T16:36:00.000-05:00

I did a little quilting on my 4 days off. I guess you could say I got a smidge possessed with trying to get some things done. I'm a self imposed no sewing quilt top break until I have some quilts finished. I have 4 more days off next week, so I'm hoping to get at least 2 more large quilts done.

This beauty was done for a customer. I have the binding stitched on the front and will be working on hand stitching it to the back.

The blocks were made by her grandmother. She set them all together with "Thirties" material. The three up and down blocks are on the back. This quilt will be a mother's day present for my customer's mother.

Baby quilt with a whole lot of puppies

Baby quilt with lots of kitties

I Spy in panel form

I Spy (Crazy Mom Quilts Version)

Baby quilt made using my Accuquilt Go triangle die. I thought I made enough binding, but didn't so I need to head to the quilt shop this week to see if I can find some more fabric.

Quilting is Keryn Emmerson, Chinese Crescents. I like how it turned out.

I have another quilt loaded and ready to get busy on it. My house is a wreck so I guess maybe I should do a little cleaning.

Have a great week.

Show and Tell

2011-03-10T22:16:00.000-06:00

Well prepare yourself for this post and all the blathering that goes along with it. I belong to the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild (KCMQG). In December or maybe it was January, we received a charm pack of one of the Robert Kaufman solids. There were brights, pastels, classic, darks and dusty to choose from. I picked the classic pack because I'm a classic kind of gal, well really the others kind of scared me because I really won't quilt with them. The idea for the challenge was to use each charm square in your quilt somewhere. It could be the whole square or part of the square but each piece had to be use.

Wa-la... here is my quilt.

and here is the quilting

I really wanted to challenge myself and truly step out of my comfort zone. I think I succeeded. After an extremely stressful week, I came up with my idea.

The marbles represent the things to me that were going on that week. I work full time and am currently not liking my job very much. It's a job, so I should be happy I have one when there are people in Kansas City that I know who worked at Sprint that still don't have jobs from the last round of layoffs 2 years ago. My job right now is just a job. I used to love it and couldn't wait to get to work. Not so much anymore. There are big changes going on and I feel like I'm having problems adapting. The culture is not something I'm fond of right now. So it just stinks.

I'm a mom with a 7 year old in first grade. I think I'm finally feeling some of the frustrations that go along with being a mom, working a full time job and then having to deal with school issues. My 7 year old is being picked on my 2 classmates. To the point that during my issue week, she chased me out of the school begging me not to leave her. I wish I were making that up but I'm not. She has complained of headaches and stomachaches and a variety of other maladies so that she won't have to go to school. I know that she will be able to work through it all with my help, her dad's help and help from the school counselor, but it's still HARD to watch.

I'm a child of an aging father who lives no where near me (I'm in Kansas, he's in Ohio). I have medical power of attorney with hopes that I will get phone calls when something happens and he needs medical help. During my horrible week, he spent time in the emergency room and I got no phone call. I was told because he could talk and seemed coherent, they didn't feel the need to call. Mind you, I don't want to make decisions for him, I just would like to know what's going on. There have been instances where he has been admitted to the hospital and I've had to call around the home he lives in, have security enter his apartment and then start calling hospitals to find him.
My dad's stories don't make a whole lot of sense and he gets very frustrated with me when I ask a lot of questions. I'm learning that his frustration is because he doesn't know the answers to my questions. If I got a call from a professional, I wouldn't have to ask him all the crazy things that I do. Plus the whole idea of him getting older and not being close really bothers me. My mom died when I was 7 so he's the only thing I have left.

I could keep explaining marbles from that week, but I will spare you all the gory details. After spending an evening in my bedroom crying and crying, that quilt represents what I was feeling at the time. The silhouette is me. My husband was kind enough to take a picture for me. I did doctor it a little and gave myself a neck because it seems to have disappeared. (Yet another marble to deal with).

Take aways in the area of quilting and design: I don't do applique, so that was a challenge unto itself. I really don't like circles. Fusible applique isn't all that much fun either. Free motion quilting isn't so scary. I think I might be willing to give a try again.

Thanks for letting me babble on. Have a great night. Spring break started today and I VOW to get some quilting done. I will be sure to share pictures.

Jelly Roll 1600

2011-03-07T20:19:00.000-06:00

I love Jelly Rolls, so when I saw this video over the weekend, I was rather intrigued. Tonight I grabbed a jelly roll and started sewing. Since I'm miter challenged, I just sewed straight seams. After 20 minutes my jelly roll was in one long strip. Tomorrow night I'm hoping to try to beat the 35 minute record in the video.

I will be sure to share pictures when I'm done.

This project reminds me of one of the quilt projects that Bonnie has on Quiltville. She used 3 1/2" strips though.

Have a great night.

2011-03-06T20:36:00.000-06:00

This beautiful bouquet arrived at my office on Friday. It was HUGE, beautiful and very fragrant. Dual purpose flowers. :-)

Hubs came and asked me Monday night if I had an extra baby quilt for a guy that he works with. He then proceeded to ask if I had anything jungle themed because that's what the new parents were going with. Much to his surprise, this is what I pulled out of the TO BE QUILTED closet. It's done, washed and ready to be handed off as a gift.

I'm finally discovering all the cool videos that are out on Youtube. I found this one today. I'm going to have to try it.

I did some practice quilting this weekend. I purchased micro-drive handles for my fun quilter but never got them out of the bags. I finally liberated them and had some fun playing. The front of the machine scares me for some reason. I'm truly a pantograph quilter. With the micro drive handles I felt more in control being closer to the fabric. It made standing on the front of the frame a little less scary.

Have a great week.

2011-02-27T20:08:00.000-06:00

This week I did get a little bit of sewing done. Nothing that I'm going to show yet.

A little friend had a birthday this week, so Grace asked me to make her a spirit shirt. Spirit day is every Friday at school. The intention was great on my part, too bad the first 2 shirts I made I spelled the name of the school wrong. Thankfully I only spent $1 on the shirts. So back to Target for replacement shirts.

Grace thought it would be fun to make a pillowcase also for the same little girl. She was very concerned after the first spelling mistake that I spelled the name wrong. That one I did correctly the first time.

Today we caught "Bieber Fever" and went to see the Justin Bieber movie. The whole time I was watching the movie I had to chuckle. All I could think about was my LOVE for Shaun Cassidy when I was little. The girls in the movie reminded me of the clips you see of the Beatles with all the tears and screaming. Speaking of tears, two little girls left the theater crying. The request did come in already that the next time Justin comes to town a certain someone would LOVE to go to his concert.

We have a thunderstorm rolling through right now. I can't wait for spring. The unfortunate part of the thunderstorm is that there is a cold front right behind it and it might snow again tomorrow. Enough winter, bring on Spring.

Have a great week.

KCMQG Article

2011-02-21T06:29:00.000-06:00

Great article in the Kansas City Star about the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/02/18/2658256/modern-quilters-break-the-pattern.html

Happy Monday!

Not Quilting Related

2011-02-20T00:35:00.002-06:00

What is the age that you decide that you are old? For me I'm thinking 44 going on 45. Went out tonight with some friends that came to town. I decided tonight that i was old when I was hoping we were calling it a night and it was only 8:30. We (my hubby and I) made it until 12:30 and then could finally take it no more and called it a night. You know, gotta let the babysitter go home, umm what other possible excuse could we come up with.

I'm Tired

2011-02-13T20:02:00.001-06:00

I started my weekend out with the theme from the old Monday night football, but changed the words a little.

Are you ready for some sewing?? It's like a giant party! I'm gonna finish something if it kills me.

LA LA LA LA

First up - Hedgehogs

Next up - Squares
This one has been sitting for a while. I finished 12 blocks. I'm hoping to make 4 more and then get it together this week.

And the GRAND finale - I Spy
This one about did me in. I was able to piece the rows, but when it came time to put it all together, I really struggled. I tried matching seams - not good. There needs to be overlap of the triangle into the hexagon in order to get the star effect. So I had to trust my die cutting system and my sewing and just sew. It worked. I said a few prayers and then began telling myself "Use the force Luke." It worked. I'm so pleased with this top. Definitely busy, but I think some little munchkin will have fun finding all sorts of cool things.

I also did some embroidery for customers, but I didn't take any pictures of those items. All in all, a VERY productive weekend. The goal for this week is get the squares together and get some machine quilting done.

Have a great week.

Finishes

2011-02-05T15:44:00.000-06:00

Christmas quilt that should have been finished last July. Finally done.

Horrible picture, but I snapped it when Grace was explaining her artwork to her dad.

Design Wall & Creative Munchkin

2011-02-02T21:41:00.000-06:00

Can I first say that I'm sick of cold and snow and I'm really ready for spring.

With that said here are a couple pictures of Grace. Since she hasn't been to school this week and has decided to get creative with fabric. I helped with the sewing but she did all the fabric picking and arranging, etc. and created her own little quilt top.

The thread kept breaking so we didn't get very far tonight. I think it's probably because she's moving the machine so slllllooooooowwwww and I turned the speed down. I think when we go back at it tomorrow I will turn the speed up a bit. Crazy thing is, she gets it. She made a flower on one of the first blocks. I asked what she was doing and she said Well making a flower of course. Such attitude. :-)

On the design wall is another t-shirt quilt, which I will spare you pictures of. I'm working on a "I Spy" top. I used my Go cutter hexagon and triangle dies. So have I mentioned that I LOVE my Go cutter? I love working with the shapes that I wouldn't normally cut myself. Hexagons definitely on that list.

The top has grown since I took the picture. The hexagons are cut from 6" blocks that I cut from the remains of other baby quilts and just threw in a box. That's a perfect size to put on the die and not have a lot of waste.

School has been cancelled already for tomorrow. I suspect we will finish quilting a quilt top and have pictures to show.

Have a great night.

Stash Report & Observations

2011-01-30T08:42:00.002-06:00

Fabric used this week: 0
Fabric used this Year: 13.33 yards
Fabric added this week: 0
Fabric Added this year: 29.038 yards
Total used in 2011: -15.708 yard
Still in the red, but maybe this week I can remedy that.

Observations:
Joann Fabrics is a horrible place to be on Saturday. I went to the cutting table, saw that my ticket would have been 49 and they were on 20. I didn't take a ticket and just left. My observation - why can't they open the other cutting table? Why can't they have extra people work on Saturday morning/afternoon? They short staff the store through out the week.

Taking classes related to what you are interested in are the BEST! I took a machine embroidery class yesterday morning. It was SO worth the money I spent. I can't wait for the next class. The teacher would start talking, then someone would ask a question and boy howdy we were off and running. I learned so many things that my machine could do and had no idea. I even was able to show the teacher something I do that he had never seen before.

Today I'm sewing. I'm hoping to get one of the t-shirt quilts done and quilted and then the stabilizer on the back of the 2nd set of t-shirts.

Tomorrow I do my civic duty and appear for jury duty. I have mixed emotions. 1 - it's just kind of a pain but it's my job so I will do it. 2 - work has been so horrible that I hope Iget picked. 3 - I won't be able to take my knitting loom because knitting needles have been banned from the courthouse. Oh you naughty knitters.

Have a great day!

Treasure & Amy Bradley

2011-01-27T21:39:00.000-06:00

We have a store called Fabric Recycles. I love the concept. It's a place you can take all of your sewing stuff and recycle it. It's like a giant Goodwill store for sewing things. It's fun to poke around in because you never know what you might find. So poking was what I was doing Tuesday during lunch. Check out this little treasure.

It's a cross stitch picture that someone one put a lot of time into. Big whopping $6. I couldn't leave it at the store. I think I'm going to put a border around it and figure out how to frame it. It will make a great baby gift for someone.

Amy Bradley was the guest speaker at guild on Tuesday night. Her quilts are wonderful. Bright colors and very fun. I look at them and just smile. What else can you do?

I'm taking a class this weekend at Missouri Sewing Machine company, which is where I bought my awesome embroidery machine. The class is on placement and hooping and all sorts of tricks. I love classes like these because the teacher says something and then everyone starts throwing in their ideas. I always take a notebook and am furiously writing things down. I'm hoping to be able to ask how to place designs on garments or bags without having to mark the item up. There's got to be some tricks that I can learn. I'm also taking my machine in for service, so no embroidery for about a week. I don't know what my deal is, but that's all I will want to do while the machine is out of my sight. I'm hoping I can quilt some of my 20 tops while my gal is gone.

Have a great night.

Finishes

2011-01-25T06:42:00.000-06:00

Yeah for me, two more finishes. After looking in the closest that I have all of my finished quilt tops in, I realized, I have some serious quilting to get done. My hope is to get 2 tops a month quilted. Pretty lofty goal, which is doable in the winter, not so much for the summer months. Maybe I can get ahead while it's cold. Anyhow...

I finished the Lil Twister baby quilt for my friend. I'm going to get it in the mail today so that it can be enjoyed by a little one.

The fabric for the back is probably more Easter-ish, but it was fun to use. I'm game to get some of the yardage pieces out of the stash.

I don't even know when I finished this top. It's been quite awhile. I started quilting it and didn't like the pattern I picked so I picked and picked and picked. Finally, it's done.

Closer look

Grace insists that I learn to knit. I've tried and it's not something that comes easy for me. So on Friday in an effort to get away from my desk, I ran to the store that I have a love/hate relationship with coupons in hand. I bought a variety pack of the plastic looms. My first attempt at knitting - a hat.

Behind me is my absolute favorite baby picture of Grace (now 7). She is in my husband's arms. Brandi does such AWESOME work.

TTFN

Artfire - Featured

2011-01-21T14:25:00.000-06:00

I was finally featured in a collection. Very exciting.

I'm the Valentine Quilt

Snowy Day

2011-01-20T16:45:00.000-06:00

There wasn't any school today because of the snow we got. The weather here in Kansas City is crazy to me, being from the Chicago area. School was cancelled yesterday for today. I don't ever remember that happening when I went to school (in the dark ages).

I tried to work from home this morning, but it didn't go so well since my little helper wouldn't leave me alone. I finally got tired of crabbing at her so I just called my boss and told her I would take vacation for the rest of the afternoon.

So since I was taking vacation, I decided to work on some sewing projects. I can say that I had a very SUCCESSFUL day.

First up, is my rendition of Crazy Mom Quilts (Amanda Jean) Fair and Square pattern. It goes together quickly. I have a box of 6 1/2" squares cut from every baby / kids quilt I've made. So I started digging and pulled out a variety. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Next is my baby twister quilt. The top is all together and now I just have to wait on my border fabric. The shop that I got the charm squares from didn't have any yardage, so I had to order it online. That should be here by this weekend (I hope).

And last is my first pass at one of the t-shirt quilts I was asked to make. I sent pictures via email to get comments before I start sewing shirts together. Every time I cut a shirt or move a shirt all I can think about is the owner of the shirts ran 26 miles to get that t-shirt. That's a whole lot of miles. I love the shirt in the middle - it's a caricature of him.

Oh yeah, I finished this quilt over Christmas vacation when I was off. It's the batiks that my friend brought back from Malaysia. I LOVE it.

I think my helper and I will head back down to the girl cave and see what other things we can accomplish this afternoon.

Have a great night.

Design Wall & Stash Report

2011-01-18T09:29:00.000-06:00

I did get a little something done last week and over the weekend. It really wasn't feeling like it until I took pictures.

So on my design wall:

Charm squares - Girlie Girl from Moda - will be transformed into a Twister Baby Quilt

Embroidered blocks and Kaffe Fassett fabric.

I love how the top turned out. I can't wait to get it on the frame and quilt it. When finished, I think it's going to hang in our master bathroom. Definitely something bright and pretty too look at in the morning.

In an effort to get rid of some fabric from my stash, I made a bunch of bags that I found on the Green Bag Lady site. I've given some of the bags to friends and they just love them, so I'm going to just keep making them. The pattern for the grocery bag is so easy that I think I've gotten it down to about 10 minutes a bag. Not too bad. I think that I want to go back and put some embroidery on the plan bags. Maybe a recycle symbol or the fun grocery list I previously showed.

Supervisor Sissy at the top of the photo

Stash Report

I bought 6 yards of fabric this week, so when added to what I bought last week brings me up to 10 yards for the year.

Used - Awesome week since I made bags. 2 yards (embroidered top), 6 1/2 yards for bags - so 8 1/2 yards total.

Net - 1 1/2 yards on the stash side

Who Knew?

2011-01-17T07:38:00.000-06:00

Not me, that's for sure.

This morning I was out reading blogs and drinking the required amount of coffee to get moving. I had no idea that Clotilde had electronic downloads on some of the books they sell. What an awesome concept. I did a little shopping (just one book). I love that I didn't have to pay shipping to get my book. I really LOVE that I didn't have to wait for the mailman to deliver my new book. I really love that I could print my book in color and then shove all the pages into plastic page protectors and off I GO (literally GO).

Since I LOVE my AccuQuilt Go, I couldn't help myself. I have purchased quite a few of the dies, but haven't really done much other than one block quilts. This book should help me step out a little bit.
I did get a quilt top done this weekend. I finally incorporated some embroidered blocks and am pleased with how it turned out. Pictures forthcoming.

Have a great week.

Baby It's Cold Outside

2011-01-12T21:33:00.000-06:00

My bags are done for awhile.

The soon to be birthday girl didn't have school for 2 days due to snow and COLD. Yesterday I took her sledding. I remembered how much I don't like the cold and being cold. Thankfully there was hot cocoa after our outing.

The crazy dog loses his mind when he goes out in the snow. The poodle in him causes the snow to stick...everywhere.

I had a lady come to the house last night with 2 HUGE laundry baskets full of t-shirts. She got my name from the local quilt shop. I'm going to make 2 t-shirts quilts for her. She was so excited about getting 2 quilts she called me today at work to come by and give me more shirts. I'm anxious to get started now. I'm learning that t-shirt quilts are either "love them" or "hate them" kind of projects. Luckily, I love them.

Have a great week. Maybe I should say Have a great weekend. We will be celebrating in the form of a slumber birthday party - 6 little girls with high pitched screams. I think I can do it.

Week 2 Stash Report 1-9-2011

2011-01-10T10:39:00.000-06:00

I decided that this year I'm going to keep track of the stash. My buying got a little out of hand in 2010, so I'm hoping to keep it a bit more in check this year.

I missed week 1, but my numbers were all 0's.

So for this week.

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 0 yards
Added this Week: 4 yards (note for me - embroidered over shoulder bags)
Added Year to Date: 4 yards

Net Used for 2011: -4 yards

I have been working on bags for Brandi. My hope is to get a head so that I can finish one partitally completed top and get one quilt top quilted. Given the amount of snow coming down right now, I won't be going anywhere but to the girl cave tonight.

Have a great week.

Some Finishes

2011-01-04T21:46:00.000-06:00

I'm here, just have been swamped with life. The holidays got a SMIDGE crazy for me. Here are some pictures until I can come up with something brilliant to blog about. (Yikes that might take me a while)

Table Runner - to be quilted still. Used my Go Cutter (apple core die)

Fun Grocery bag that went to a good home

It was a towel kind of Christmas. Everyone got some.

Finally it came out.

Before Santa came and deposited more goodies.

My goal is to blog on a regular basis in 2011.

Somerset Star Ornament

2010-12-17T09:08:00.000-06:00

Once again in my blog reading / hopping adventures this morning, I found a link to this ornament. I'm sure we've all seen some variation of it. After looking at it a couple times this morning, I realized it could be completed using my Accuquilt Go cutting system. 2 1/2" blocks, 4 1/2" squares. The only thing is the circle. It might not be a die size, but I'm not as familiar with my circle die.

http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/

You can go here for the tutorial / instructions. I think this might be a good way to use up some scraps from the scrap bin and decorate your Christmas tree at the same time.

Have a great day.

Happy Holidays ... Merry Chaos

2010-12-16T09:06:00.000-06:00

I am alive and kicking. This holiday season has taken on a life of it's own. My little embroidery business has picked up and I've been completing all sorts of jobs for various wonderful people. I wish I could remember where I set my camera down to share pictures. Once jobs are completed that will be my first official task - find camera.

I must share this because it truly is a new use for brussel sprouts. At one point, I thought I liked brussel sprouts. Then I tried them again and changed my mind.

While out blog surfing this morning, I discovered this beauty. If you are so inclined to decorate your Christmas table with a tree, this one might be just for you. You can instructions here.

I can hardly wait for next week. I work 3 days and then will be off work through the New Year. My goal, if not blown or diverted, is to get some projects finished.

Have a great day!

Nit Pickin'

2010-12-01T20:05:00.002-06:00

Literally. No sewing yet this week for picking through the small child's hair. Rite of passage for the kid, rite of passage for me as a parent. Yuck Yuck Yuck.

Here are my shows from the long weekend.

Binding is on, but not sewn down.

Going to live to live with a little girl in KC, Missouri

...back to our regular program schedule.

Matchy Match?

2010-11-29T20:46:00.000-06:00

It's beginning to look like Christmas in our house. I'm curious if you are a "matchy match" (my very own made up word) or do you go with what you like even though it doesn't match? Just curious. Seems like I always have this conversation with people at work around this time of year. I definitely am a go with what I like. Our Christmas tree is a mish mash of ornaments that all have some sort of story. Grace is finally getting the hang of the stories this year. She made me laugh tonight with a few of her own made up stories about ornaments she has received as gifts or made through her 6 years.

I've met several people along the way that definitely have to have everything that matches. I guess that's what makes the world go around.

T-Shirt Quilt

2010-11-25T19:48:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving. I feel like a stuffed tick. Everything was so good though. All I had to make was green bean casserole.

I've been busy but just haven't felt much like blogging about any of it. Tonight I will share a t-shirt quilt that I quilt for a first time quilt maker. She was so excited about her quilt that she literally called me 7 times. When she came to pick up the quilt she gasped...LOUD. I finally figured out it was sheer excitement at her quilt being completed and not something horrible.

The cream colored satin is from a pillowcase that her son had as a small child. My guess is he won't think it's too cool that it made it into his quilt.

Good luck with any Black Friday shopping you might have planned.

Sewing...Finally

2010-11-14T19:33:00.000-06:00

Finally finished a quilt top. I'm pleased with the way it turned out. Hopefully I will get some time to quilt it this week. I had 2 people help me obtain t-shirts. One hit a Target and Wal-mart. The other hit the local thrift store in Tempe. Unfortunately I've been out of school way too long for mine to have survived.

Arizona State University Sun Devils

The craft show I did Friday was a bust. I did manage to finish binding on a quilt and ripping stitches on another. So I guess I can't complain too much.

Have a great week.

Must Share

2010-11-10T20:38:00.000-06:00

There are days that people really scare me. Tonight I had a "scratching my head" kind of moment.

So tonight was the semi-annual homeowner's association meeting. My neighbor is the social chairman and decided that it would be a great venue for a vendor show. She contacted everyone that she knew had a home based business - me with my quilting and embroidery. I set up a small table tonight to show my treasure. I made 2 flyers explaining rates and had my business cards ready to hand to anyone and everyone.

Here's the scary part. I had a lady approach me with a pained look, like she really needed to ask a question. I greeted her and asked if she had any questions. Here's the conversation:

N: So let me get this straight. You take a bunch of little pieces of fabric and sew them together, right?
Me: Yes
N: So how does that turn into a quilt? I just don't get it.
Me: Well all those little pieces become one giant piece of fabric. You know like on your bed? It could be a patchwork or very fancy design.
N: Ummm, ok
Me: So then I add the batting in the middle. You know the stuff that makes the quilt nice and warm when it's all done.
N: Yes
Me: I have a very large sewing machine and I sew the front to the back with the batting in the middle. That big machine helps me do all the fancy stitches. After that I put the binding on, which is what makes the edges of the quilt nice and finished. At this point, I give her a HUGE smile.
N: Holy crap that's a lot of work.
Me: Trying not to roll my eyes. So would you like to buy a quilt from me? I have several more that I can show you.
N: Ummm, thanks. Walking away

I told my husband that I really do take handwork and sewing for granted. But as a learned tonight, there really are people out there that don't have a clue or have never been introduced to it. I never really thought I would have to explain what a quilt was or how to make a quilt.

Have a great night.

This and That

2010-11-06T10:30:00.000-05:00

Wow, I seemed to have lost track of time.

I've been busy with embroidery things lately. Backpacks, sports jackets and photographer bags were the top of the list.

Karate Team Jacket with Name

Names embroidered on the top of the front pocket

My office is going to have a craft show next Friday and I decided that I wanted to participate, so I've been trying to make things to sell.

My neighbor is the social chairman for our homeowners association and has been politely hounding me to get involved in a vendor fair that is being held before the meeting. I didn't want to participate but then go to thinking what a great way to get my name out to my neighbors and let them know what I do. Thankfully I won't be selling things, but I really need to get busy and make a couple flyers explaining what exactly I'm about.

I did get a quilt quilted for Miss Caitlin last weekend. Didn't take long and I think turned out very cute.

Quilted with Daisy Swirl

Then there was Halloween in the midst of all my chaos. Husband's birthday is that day so we made him a cake. Grace did all of the decorating.

I think he might have been a little afraid to eat the cake because there wasn't any sugar left in the halloween shaker when Grace got done.

Well I'm off to the girl cave to finish up a few embroidery loose ends. Have a great day!

Why Oh Why?

2010-10-26T23:31:00.000-05:00

This is probably a rhetorical question and believe me, not at all quilt related. Why is it that you see people's true colors come through when it comes down to a major family issue? Why do you have to see the ugly side of them? Why can't it all just fade away in a time of pain? I truly just don't get it. In talking with my dad, I asked why he hasn't talked to his brother since 1969? Oh because he got mad at something his brother's wife did. So you aren't going to talk to you brother....ever? Nope. Same thing on my husband's side. I really don't get it. I don't understand the human mind and why it won't let go and move on. Why do things have to be held in hearts and then spewed out when everyone is hurting?

Again I say rhetorical. No responses needed. If you need to, email me directly.

Overwhelmed

2010-10-25T21:23:00.000-05:00

I'm here although I feel like I've really neglected this poor blog. Things are just a bit hectic right now. I took a trip to Ohio to visit my dad. He's 86 and has Parkinson's along with a few other age related issues. My trip was quick but it was fun to be able visit with him. We got to drive 2 hours to visit with my uncle and my cousin and his wife. While away I got a call saying that my husband's grandpa had passed away. So this week we are preparing for all of the out of town visitors and the service.

Hubby's birthday is on Halloween and I was hoping to be able to celebrate with him on Saturday, but I don't see that happening this week. Hopefully I can give him a rain check and take him out a different Saturday night.

Since I have nothing to share, I will share Halloween pictures of Grace. We were playing on Picnik.com.

Crystal Ball Grace

Ghost Grace

Scary Movie Grace

I'm hoping I can sneak away to the girl cave this week. Maybe then I will have some quilty pictures to show. Have a great night.

Naptime

2010-10-18T20:05:00.000-05:00

I drive by this man taking a nap everyday after dropping off at school. Today I couldn't help myself and lent him a quilt to use.

Greetings Earthlings

2010-10-12T21:21:00.002-05:00

I feel lost in space for some reason. Can't seem to focus on any one project. My design wall Monday post didn't come together because I couldn't find my camera. Oh well. Here are a few photos of things I've started this weekend.

I've lost a picture, but I'm sure it will mysteriously appear tomorrow. Anyhow this is my interpretation of a Blue Underground pattern that I saw. The small square fabric is CRAZY. Reminds me a Kaffe Fassett, but it's not.

This is a pattern that Mary came up with on MaryQuilts.com. She used her GO cutter. I did too. The fabric is Urban Angel. Very cool.

This is a little fall table runner using charm squares. Just need to sew it together.

My Ladies Night Out was a flop. I think that's probably why I started sewing so many new projects this weekend. The embroidery machine just didn't have the same appeal to me. I am going to work on some quilt labels and t-shirts for the kiddo this week & weekend though.

Well, I'm off to bed. This change of season is kicking my hinny. I can't seem to stay awake.

Have a great night.

Little Beauties

2010-10-02T08:38:00.000-05:00

I just realized that I haven't shown the two little quilt tops that we made back here. They are officially done and hanging on the wall. Angela quilted them for me. I know you are thinking why would you let someone else quilt you stuff when you have your own machine. As I've said before, I'm a pantograph quilter, not a front of the machine artist. I stand on the front of that machine and my brain goes blank. Anyhow, I love these little beauties.

Well I'm off to the girl cave to fire up the embroidery machine. Ladies Night Out is this coming Thursday. Hope to see you there.

Have a great weekend.

Photographers

2010-09-29T09:14:00.000-05:00

First and foremost, I must share that I have the BEST photographer in the Kansas City area. Brandi has taken pictures of Grace since she was a baby and before. I did maternity pictures, so Brandi took some seriously crazy belly shots.

I want fun Christmas card this year, so I've decided to have Brandi do them for me. I love the double applique designs that Anita of Five Star Fonts makes. Grace had to wear 3 shirts that I made, which didn't start out well. The shirts were scratchy, so she didn't want to wear them. Then she wasn't in the mood to smile. And so on and so on. As you can tell, Grace and Brandi got it all worked out. I can't wait to send Christmas cards this year.

Thanks for letting this proud mom share.

Have a great day!

Ladies Night Out

2010-09-28T08:13:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy getting ready for the Ladies Night Out Event on October 7th, I haven't had much time to anything else. If you live in the Kansas City area, come see me. It's a great time with lots of free food and adult beverages. Lots of shopping and just all around fun.

Bank of Blue Valley

13401 Mission Road

Leawood, KS 66209

913-234-3000

Come for a night of shopping and fun! Over 30 vendors and tons of door prizes. Admission is FREE! Hors d'oeuvres, wine and desserts will be served. Bring a friend and start your holiday shopping early.

Just a Little Quilting

2010-09-20T21:54:00.003-05:00

So I did a little quilting this weekend. Managed to quilt 5 baby quilts for Caitlin, who needed them in a hurry for a craft show. The material she picked is so stinking cute. Made me riffle through all of my charm packs looking for something easy to put together. Alas, I put all the charm packs back in the cabinet and vowed to finish something that's already been started. I shamelessly stole this picture from Caitlin's blog since I was too lazy to take pictures of my own.

I also quilted another Cherry House quilt for Chris who is a non-blogger. She was so excited she came right to pick it up right after I got it off the frame. Suffice it to say, it looked almost exactly like the one I quilted back here.

Off to finish folding clothes. Darn laundry fairy forgot to show up today and now I have to do all the folding and putting away. I suppose I can forgive her this time. :-)

Have a great night.

Did You Know...

2010-09-14T19:57:00.000-05:00

You can feel your heart beat in the tip of your pointer finger? How do I know this you ask? Well I just ran the sewing machine needle through mine. The needle broke and my brave honey had to use pliers to pull the remains from my finger. UGH. I feel like I just passed my rite of passage into the club. There's got to be better ways to get there. The only funny thing I can share is I had a piece of yellow thread going all the way through my finger. Front to back. I probably could have put an earring in the hole and I would be officially pierced.

Heed the warning on the allergy medication box - DO NOT OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY UNTIL YOU KNOW HOW YOU WILL REACT TO THE MEDICATION. Guess I need to find a brain somewhere.

Design Wall Monday and Other Stuff

2010-09-13T21:03:00.000-05:00

Here is the braid top I'm working on. This is from the Accuquilt Go tutorial I attempted. Slow going, but I like how it looks so far. Lots more sewing to do on it. My dad asked for a new quilt, so I'm hoping to have it done before I head to Ohio in October.

I Spy another I Spy Quilt top. I'm just randomly sewing scraps right now. I like the look so far.

These aren't on the design wall, but I have to share. I'm getting ready for another Ladies Night Out event. This is one that I participated in last year and had pretty good success. So I'm back at it again this year. I'm decorating all sorts of towels for the holidays. Starting with Halloween.

The feet just make me laugh. I don't know about you, but I've gone to work with 2 different color shoes on. I'm a gal that likes what I like, so when I find something I like, I buy several pairs in different colors. Enough said. This poor witch suffers from my same disorder.

Ragweed this season has been horrible for me. I finally had to make a trip to the doctor today to ask for help with new allergy medications. The Claratin just isn't working anymore. In order to breathe this weekend, I had to sleep sitting up in the recliner. In the old days doing that really didn't bother me, but today I feel like I'm about 100 years old. Guess that means I'm getting older (don't tell anyone that though). So I'm off to take some new medication and call it a night.

Have a great night.

Love Hate Relationship

2010-09-10T13:48:00.000-05:00

Do you have a love / hate relationship with anyone or anything? I’ve been thinking about that type of relationship since I’m currently in one. No, my hubby is the most wonderful man. My relationship is with Joann’s. I think I’m on the downhill slide again with that store. Or at least the store that’s closest to my house. If they didn’t have those darn coupons, I would easily part company. I know I can do it since I successfully parted company with a quilt store in town since. Haven’t been back to the shop since they really irked me, but it’s not the same with Joann’s. The bags I make are from Joann’s fabric that I can’t seem to find anywhere else. I also use my coupons to buy batting by the box for my quilts.

Two weekends ago I had a horrible experience at my local store; so much so that I completely melted down at the store in front of my child. I had to explain to her after regaining my composure that I shouldn’t have acted the way I did and that I hope she won’t act that same way. (Her response, I know you are hungry and that makes you crabby. I LOVE that kid) I could see the very long line at the cutting table when we walked into the store, so I made sure to grab a ticket before even looking at anything. My selected number was 39, but the number board hanging from the ceiling was reading 99. After finally making it through the cutting line, it was time to head to check out. That line was long, but no where near as bad. Long story short, my coupons weren’t all honored because that’s how the computer works. When I asked for an explanation I was told I would have to talk to a manger. Ok, I want to use my coupons, send him or her over so we can talk. Well, the manager said the same thing and then said sorry and walked off. Walking away didn’t resolve my issue or seem like a plausible explanation, it only caused me to react, which wasn’t pretty. I left the store and went directly home to fire off an email to corporate headquarters. I have yet to hear from anyone regarding the incident. I wasn’t the only person that day talking to the manager; that line was pretty long.

I do know that I won’t be going to the store by my house. Eventually I will cool down and make it back in there, but for now I’m sticking to my guns and refusing.

I have worked retail and had to deal with crabby customers like I was. The response I got was definitely not something I would have ever done or said to anyone. That’s what probably caused me to react the way I did. (Yes I was hungry, but that really didn’t have anything to do with it.)

POST NOTE - I've had this post written but wasn't sure if I publish it. I changed my mind after visiting Joann's at lunch in search of glow in the dark thread.

Today I decided to give Joann's a try again. After attending guild last night I found out that I could go online and sign up for the VIP discount which is 10% off your entire purchase. I signed up and then went to the store today with those darn coupons and the information printed from the website. I didn't even get close to the cutting table because I didn't think I could behave like a civilized human being. At check out I was again amazed by stupidity. The girl ringing me up told me that I could not use the 10% discount because I had used coupons. Below is the information that I pulled off the website and had in hand.

Become a Jo-Ann VIP & save 10% on every purchase!

If you are a reseller, member of a professional sewing or crafting organization, or an interior design professional, you can become a Jo-Ann VIP! As a Jo-Ann VIP, you'll save 10% on every total purchase*, including regular- and sale-priced items, at any Jo-Ann store or at Joann.com®.

*Some exclusions apply. See card for details.

Since I didn't have a card to look at, my assumption (my mistake) was that the Go Die wouldn't be included. I assumed that because on the 40% off coupon, it says it can't be used for Accuquilt GO items. So today I received 40% off my die, 40% off a spool of thread and a "Sorry you can't use the 10% off on the other things you bought." AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I really need to find a new place to shop. Or at least have a different attitude / outlook when dealing with people in retail.

WOWZA

2010-09-06T19:51:00.003-05:00

I'm tired. I love long weekends but for some reason I think I need to pack way too much into them. So here's a little show and tell.

I ordered some new dies for my Accuquilt Go. This is Robbing Peter to Pay Paul. It does NOT lay flat. I need to do some more practicing before making any serious blocks for a quilt top. Very fun to do though.

Another new die for my Go. This is Winding Ways. I'm very shape challenged so this is all the further I got before I gave up for the night. I can't figure out how to get the top 3 pieces on. I don't think I made reverse pieces so I'm going to have to do some studying.

I quilted my Twister block. I used Linda Taylor's Meandering Feather pantograph pattern (8 inch size). I love how it turned out, but it's a little more involved than I like. I don't know that I will ever use it again.

My Disappearing 9 Patch is now quilted. Just need to get the binding sewed on. I used Linda Taylor's Inside Out pantograph pattern. I absolutely love that pattern and will use it again and again. Very forgiving and no quick stops and starts. Great beginner pattern.

The next beauty is one that I quilted for a girl I used to work with. She gave it to me on Thursday and asked if it would be possible to have done by Tuesday. I did it. I used Dizzy by Willow Leaf Studios. I think it looks great on things that are very square.

Just have to share that the horseback riding lesson went well. There will be another lesson this week. I think there will be 4-H meetings in our future.

Because the kitties are having fun with the Accuquilt Go box, I thought maybe I should share those pictures too.

Have a great night!

Long Weekend

2010-09-04T08:48:00.000-05:00

So what is your plan for this long Labor Day weekend? Well, I'm going to labor, but it's going to be on some fun stuff and not at that place that pays the bills.

We are off early this morning to meet the teacher. A little person that lives in our house is going to embark on some horseback riding lessons. I joke that we are going to have the next American Royal Princess living in our house. My husband just cringes. Since this is Royal country, we'll have to see what happens. At the very least, I'm hoping the lessons will help with confidence and following directions. Grace really seems to be a natural when riding our friend's horse. It amazes me that at the ripe old age of 6 she can get on that horses back and get it to do what she wants it to do. Last weekend she was walking the arena every which way and walking over jumps.

I got a box from Accuquilt on Thursday. I ordered 3 new dies. I think the Wedding Ring dies must be on back order. I'm going to go cut some fabric and see how easily the blocks go together. I will be sure to share.

Then onto machine quilting. I took my sewing machine in for service, so I've been working on quilting my disappearing 9 patch top. I LOVE how it looks. Hopefully I can finish that up today and share some pictures. Next on the frame will be a top from one of the girls I used to work with. She made a lap quilt for her husband's birthday. That should be a lot of fun today.

Well I'm out of here for now. Will be back later with pictures. Have a great day!!!

RIP

2010-09-02T20:22:00.000-05:00

Today was my friend Beverly's funeral. She passed away peacefully late Sunday afternoon after battling with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. Bev will most definitely be missed by a lot of people. I'm sad that she's gone, but I'm so glad that she walked through my life. What a fun and crazy lady who always had a good sense of humor about things. There was never a story that she told that I didn't get lost somewhere along the way and have to have her circle back to pick me up. After you get to know someone, you finally figure out their storytelling style and you can follow along. For some reason, Bev's stories were just too crazy. But they were great, that's for sure.

From As The Quilts Turn

Now for the story her husband shared with us at the lunch today. I get goose bumps every time I think about it. I'm not overly religious, although I do believe there is an Almighty Father. Believe me, I'm not going to get preachy because that is so NOT me. Any how. Today Joe shared that Bev received a hydrangea bush when she finished her Catholic classes and became a member of the Catholic church. The bush never bloomed, but it has survived 13 years. Joe shared with us that he looked at the bush Sunday after Bev passed and it had a single bloom on it. Today he checked the bush before leaving for the funeral and it was loaded with blooms. He told us that he felt God was talking to him. I really have to believe he was. My take was that he was saying not to forget the beauty in things or people. And even though things hurt right now, you will see that beauty again in all things.

So with that, thank you for letting me share about my BEAUTIFUL friend Beverly.

Saturday

2010-08-28T10:30:00.001-05:00

I'm really not sure where this week went, but it definitely flew by. We are heading to the pool shortly to enjoy a end of summer party with the subdivision. Should be fun. Some one is going to very sad when the tube has to be deflated for the season.

I finally got my Pickety Sticks quilt top quilted and bound. I love how wrinkly it go when I washed it and dried it on HOT. The pattern is by Tula Pink. I really think I'm going to have to make another one in bright colors like this.

I quilted it using Daisy Swirl from Willow Leaf Designs and a really bright variegated thread from Signature. I will definitely be using this design on a lot of kids quilts. It was fun to do and turns out great.

The picture doesn't do this quilt justice. It is so bright and happy. The pattern is from Blue Underground. Makes me smile every time I look at it. I used Dizzy from Willow Leaf Studio.

I'm finally starting to make a dent in some of my quilting. I've decided no more new projects until I get some of the tops hanging in the closet done. I'm going to put another on the frame this morning and hopefully will be able to work on it tomorrow. It's been nice to have some hand sewing to do right before I go to bed. Great way to relax and start the wind down.

Quilts of Valor

2010-08-27T07:32:00.001-05:00

I'm officially behind on my blogging. I have so much to share and either leave it in the camera or get totally side tracked and it just never makes it to the big screen.

I was asked by Nikki if I could donate some time and quilt a quilt top for Quilts of Valor. My answer, definitely. Then I saw the top. Oh Crud. I don't custom quilt. I have decided that I'm a pantograph through and through. Everyone has to be good at something and I can safely say that I've mastered the pantographs. So back to the quilt. I stared at it for a few days until I figured out I could do an all over feather design.

Here is a picture of the quilting on the back.

It's Fay Feathers from Willow Leaf Studios.

Now for the front of the quilt.

I'm really pleased with my efforts and would be happy to help Nikki out anytime she has more Valor tops to be quilted.

Have a great day.

TShirt Quilt

2010-08-26T21:15:00.002-05:00

TShirt Quilt - Whole
Originally uploaded by blarma2001

I'm attempting to post this entry from my Flickr account. We'll see how successful I am at it.

This is a picture of a t-shirt quilt I made for a lady that I work with. She is retiring on the 31st after working 45 years, 2 weeks and 2 days. I can only imagine the changes she has seen. The whole time I was sewing the shirts together all I could think was boy howdy, she has worked one place longer than I've been alive. Not by much, but still longer.

My quilt holder is a little distracted in the photo. We had our dog and the neighbor's dogs out playing. It's referred to as Wrestlemania.

Have a great night.

Sad

2010-08-21T07:48:00.000-05:00

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...yet. Just a little preoccupied with life.

Title - Sad - Yes, I'm a little sad these days. I told you all about my friend that was diagnosed with cancer. Well things have gone from bad to horrible. She is now at home with the help of hospice. Yesterday I went to visit and she told me goodbye. No, not goodbye like you see later, but goodbye with an I Love You. I cried all the way back to work. Not just a little boo hooing, but actually bawled.

I know that death is a part of life and death is a part of being an adult. Doesn't mean I have to like it or embrace it. I know that my friend will be in better Hands soon and free from the horrible pain she is in now, but it still doesn't make it any easier to deal with.

Pictures of quilty things to follow this weekend or during the week.

Scraps - Go Chisel

2010-07-30T06:29:00.000-05:00

I know someone is going to ask about waste or scraps since that seems to be the big issue/hang up that people have with the Go Cutter. Yes there is going to be some waste. I folded so that I could try to minimize the amount of waste though. I've decided that I'm good with the scraps that are generated because I can use them to make string quilts or something along those lines. There are enough free-form block patterns floating around in the blogosphere that I really am OK with any waste that might happen.

My picture below is what's left after cutting from a 1/2 yard of fabric. Remember I was able to get 32 chisels that measure 3.5" wide by 6.5" long. Because I'm some what challenged at math, I had my husband do the calculation for me. If I cut myself, not using the Go Cutter, I would have been able to get 30. Because the points are placed together on the die, I can get 2 extra. I know that I can not cut like that on my own when it comes to a "funky" shape.

Accuquilt Go - Making Braids using the Chisel Die

2010-07-29T21:14:00.000-05:00

This is my first attempt at a tutorial so bare with me. I'm just so excited about the Chisel die (55039) that I have to share. I'm going to show you how to make a braid. Since I haven't gotten very far with my strips, I can't show you the completed top, so you will just have to check back in with me in a day or two.

I used fat quarters and 1/2 yard cuts to get started with this project. I folded the fabric in half the long way and then in half again. So a fat quarter that's normally 18 inches wide is now about 4 1/2 inches wide because of the 2 folds. When I cut the fabric I'm sure to have the chisel the normal direction and then another that is reversed. With a half yard cut of fabric, I can cut 32 chisels and 16 chisels with a fat quarter.

The instructions with the die say to cut your strips 6 inches wide. When I folded, I folded so that the fabric to be cut was approximately 4 1/2 inches or less. The chisel will measure 3 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches. Because the die is on an angle, I felt safer having some extra fabric on the sides.

Once I cut all my fabric, I sorted it into piles so that all the chisels and reverse chisels were together. For me, that makes it a lot less confusing when I start grabbing fabric pieces to sew my braid.

To start the braid I pick one of each chisel. I've laid each one out and labeled as fabric 1 and fabric 2. First I need to explain that I'm very right handed so I'm writing this and showing pictures that way. You might night to move your fabrics around to accommodate being left handed.

Place fabric 1 on the bottom so the chisel or slanted edge is facing right. Next take fabric 2 and place it so that the slant is facing up. Head to the machine to sew the 2 pieces together. When looking at the picture above you will be sewing along the left hand side. Because I would be sewing blind, I had to flip.

In the above picture, I had to flip the two pieces of fabric over so that fabric one is now on top. The point of fabric 2 is up at the top of the picture, so if you were looking at the blue chisel without the red it would be facing so that the point is to the back of the machine. Sew fabric 1 to fabric 2 along the right side using the normal 1/4 inch seam.

Take your pieces to the iron and press so that fabric 1 now points to the right. I press the seam to the fabric 1 side. It makes it easier when adding more pieces.

You are now ready to start adding on to make the braid. I lay the next piece down next to the sewn piece so that I can make sure that I've grabbed a chisel that is facing the right direction. The trick of the braid is to get all the pieces together so that it makes a straight strip. So once I know I'm okay with the direction of the chisel, I flip the fabric so that I'm ready to sew.

I've flipped the fabric over and will sew down the right side from the top to the bottom. The die cuts off the tip of the triangle, which makes it a whole lot easier to line pieces up. Once I have the next piece sewn, I head to the iron and press to the right again. From there you just alternate sides (and chisel angles), adding a new piece as you go.

I'm not sure yet how long I'm going to make my braids. Once the length is determined, then you just sew the strips together. A sashing piece could be placed in between the braids so that less braids are needed for a quilt top. The ideas are endless.

When I have my braids completed, I will be sure to post more pictures so you can see how to line up the strips.

Let me know if you have comments or questions.

Where Does Time Go?

2010-07-28T20:48:00.003-05:00

I have gotten a few things done since my last post. This is a picture of the quilt top I made out of the Malaysian batiks my friend brought home from her trip. I cut big triangles and then tried to make a pattern. Looks much better in person. Now I just need to get the back and quilting done.

This is a lap quilt that went to Idaho for a lady going through dialysis. There are grandchildrens names in the white blocks.

This is a t-shirt quilt that will be going away to college with a soon to be freshman. The lady that made the quilt decided to that a t-shirt quilt would be her first foray into quilting. She did a great job. I wouldn't have picked that for my first project. I'm a big chicken.

Have a great night.

Mail - YIPPEE, YAHOOO

2010-07-19T22:05:00.000-05:00

I just picked up my mail. I got a package from Dawn Rameriz, aka The Pajama Quilter. She has a new DVD out. I can see that I'm going to be sleepy at work tomorrow.

Is It Just Me?

2010-07-17T08:57:00.000-05:00

Do you ever feel like you are just set in your ways? I heard that a lot as a kid because my parents were much older than all of my friend's parents. When ever I would ask why my parents did something the way they did, they would respond with "we are just set in our ways". Well I'm starting to think that mentality (craziness) has rubbed off on me.

Jump ahead to yesterday and my trip to the grocery store.

I love Speed Stick Unscented deodorant. I have used it since I was in college (ummm, some 20 years ago now) and haven't switched. Like the label says, it's unscented. I HATE the smell of womens deodorant. I might say unscented, but it's not. I can still smell that faint scent of flowers or powder. Speed Stick is in with the men's deodorants. I have looked and looked and look and can never seem to find my favorite stuff when shopping at the big name retails stores. So I'm at the grocery store yesterday and WA-LA I hit the mother lode. I bought 6 containers. That should keep me smelling nice through at least December. When I got home and my honey was helping put the groceries away, he subtly asks why I bought so much "pit juice". I explained that I like that brand and I have problems finding it so I felt like I needed to pick up several so that I wasn't always on the search. He just rolled his eyes and laughed. Okay, so it is kind of crazy that I spent well over $20 on deodorant.

So I guess I'm set in my ways too. Can't wait to pass on that craziness to the next generation.

Done

2010-07-16T07:49:00.000-05:00

Done and ready to make it's journey to California to go live with my in-laws. I like this pattern in that it's not triangles that make the zigs. It's strips cut into squares that are then set diagonally. Definitely on the list to make again.

I've been doing some quilting for other people. Hopefully after the weekend I will have some more pictures.

Have a great weekend.

Busy Busy Busy

2010-07-07T21:04:00.000-05:00

The title should short of explain the lack of posting lately. There has been so much going on that it isn't even funny.

We got our the exterior of our house painted so there was lots of running home at lunch to make sure all was well.
Had someone come and do some odds and ends fix it items on the inside our house.
Bags bags and more bags for Brandi - 29 embroidered bags to be exact.
Swimming
Work
More swimming
Machine embroidery on visors and towels for a friend's kids for their birthday
Bindings attached to 5 quilts that had been quilted.
One queen size quilt loaded and in the midst of being worked on. I thought straight lines would be great on this quilt. What was I thinking????? I now understand why professional quilters charge a lot of money for custom quilting.
One small quilt top finished. Yet another variation to the infamous disappearing nine patch.

Oh and I forgot the in-laws that are coming in tomorrow for the weekend. So there has been cleaning going on. Well more like hiding and a little bit of cleaning.

I will have to get a picture for show and tell, but a friend of mine went home to Malaysia to visit and brought me back a box of batiks. All have been cut and the piecing is underway. I'm quite pleased with my endeavor so far.

Friends

2010-06-18T07:59:00.000-05:00

I shamelessly stole my friend's picture from Facebook.

This is my friend Bev and as I've said before, she has been diagnosed with cancer, specifically Metastatic Malignant Melanoma. I'm still freaked out about the whole thing. She isn't old enough to have cancer. Not that there is a specific age you should be able to get cancer. At the time she told us she hadn't retired yet. Still actively working and doing all that crazy adult stuff you have to do. It just keeps taking me back to you just never know. You need to enjoy each and every moment.

This is the quilt that I made and had everyone sign. I was able to give it to her last week. I don't know that I've ever gotten something quilted so quickly and binding on either. Bev loves the quilt. We love Bev and just wanted her to feel like all of her friends were there hugging her when she was going through treatments or a rough spell.

Design Wall and a Flimsy

2010-06-16T06:31:00.000-05:00

This is what I have on the design wall right now. After I snapped the shot, I worked on more apple cores and put an outside row of brown and white blocks on the other. The apple core blocks were cut using my Accuquilt GO. I love that little machine. The fun part of the Valentine quilt is that it started out as a disappearing 9 patch. That block never fails to intrigue me.

This is my crazy drunkards path. I used my Accuquilt GO cutter to cut out the blocks. I LOVE that crazy little machine. OOPS, I think I might have said that once before. It makes cutting so much easier for blocks with curves. I LOVE that I get notches to make matching a breeze. I cut the aqua border strip using the 2 1/2" die. It's so much fun to run a yard of fabric through the machine and get strips that are straight and fast. Last night I cut another drunkard's path out. It's from a magazine, so my blocks will be larger than the pattern. A few adjustments with the borders and setting strips will be needed.

I have to share the quilt ladder I got. When I went to the Olathe Quilt Show, the Lil' Red Hen Quilt Shop had a booth set up. I couldn't resist because the prices were so good. The ladder is custom made. I think there is about a 3 week turn around. Mine is 7 feet tall. Isn't it the coolest thing?

Have a great Wednesday.

Wayside Waifs Fun

2010-06-15T09:16:00.001-05:00

My photographer friend, Brandi, held a pet portrait session on Sunday in order to raise money / items for Wayside Waifs. I volunteered to make dog bandanas for all of the pooches being photographed. Here are a few pictures that Brandi shared with me.

I took Buddy and our 2 cats down for pictures. Buddy was great. He actually had the nerve to yawn at Brandi while she was trying to take pictures. The cats were NOT thrilled at their opportunity to shine in the limelight. Shiner, the dosile easy going cat, became PSYCHO kitty with hissing and growling. Not too many pictures were taken of him. Sissy did a bit better, but not much. Brandi always manages to get good shots, so I'm not too concerned.

Have a great day.

Made Me Laugh

2010-06-13T09:11:00.000-05:00

Really bad picture (I know), but it's my husband mowing the yard. Do you see any light? He mounted a bicycle light on the lawnmower so he can mow in the dark. The neighbors had company during this mowing session. There wasn't any lack of conversation. Bicycle riding comes first, so if that means mowing the lawn in the dark, he's all about it.

I will post pictures of quilting related items later - I promise. :-) Have a great Sunday!