Name tag and Studio Pics

I made a quick name tag to wear at our monthly guild meetings. I've escaped having to do that for several years because I was rarely able to attend. 

Now that I can attend every month and am president, I need to set a good example. Am I right? Besides there's a $1 fine every time I show up without a name tag. That was also okay but, let's face it, the fines will begin to add up now.

I've joined several sewing/quilting groups on Facebook recently. One of them is all about craft rooms. People share their rooms, spaces, closets, wherever they craft. They also discuss ideas and ask questions. Chatting is nonstop. 

I have been enjoying reading these group discussions and have participated in several. Finally I decided it was time to take a few pictures of the studio and share them. 

Then it occurred to me that I had a rough sketch of the floor-plan from when we last worked on it and found it among the many jpeg files I have saved. It may give you an idea of where things are and how I have set up my little work-space. 

Sewing table

Having cleaned up a bit, I thought I'd share them with you, also. The cleaning is far from complete, but maybe it's not so bad that I need to be embarrassed. My daughters-in-law noticed the difference, so there's some progress, anyway.

Accuquilt Studio cutter

Fabric and notions

Ahh, the mess that I'm working on.

 Areas are now well-defined so that each table, shelf, etc. has its job to do. No more of this playing around and thinking, "Well, I can do this here." Or, "If I put this here, I'll remember to come back to it." And, "Maybe I can do two things in this place." I'm finally resolved to keeping things in the area where they belong. 

Thread storage

Innova long-arm machine

I really like this set up and hope I can maintain it until it becomes a habit. There are, surely, some more things to do: figure out what to do with all that extra fabric, give away some of the books that are hanging out under the long-arm, and arrange those odd things that I'm not sure what to do with. All in time, I suppose. 

Next week I'll tell you how I have solved some of the storage problems that come with having lots of stuff.  

One Pink Quilt to Welcome Christ

A few weeks ago I discovered that the pink scrap basket was overflowing. Really overflowing. So I decided to cut the scraps into two inch squares using the die for the Double Wedding Ring block. 


Actually, there are two dies very close to each other on this block, so I used both. It's just easier. 

The larger size (2½") I put aside to make a kit for our summer travel. I decided to use up as much as possible of the smaller size. I was successful. So much that I had to add some yardage to finish off this quilt. 

I have been working on the quilt in small spurts when I could get into the studio for something other than making repairs or headbands. I finished it just last night and tossed it in the washing machine this morning. Then I sneaked into Marley's room to take pictures among her toys. It was a perfect backdrop. 
 

The quilt is a last-minute add-on to one of Dusti's gifts. We found out not long ago that Dusti is expecting a baby in April just before graduation. It's been a bit difficult for me to come to terms with this news, but I've resigned to being a great-grandmother at 57. Interestingly, that was not the difficult part: It's that my first little grand is going to be a mom. I keep picturing her as a toddler with those beautiful, big blue eyes and trusting nature and sweet disposition. And I worry. 

However, I also must remember that God takes care of his own, and that it's wonderful news to receive during the Christmas season. In Matthew 18:5, Christ said, "Anyone who welcomes one little child like this in my name welcomes me." This quilt is my way of saying welcome to Christ during this season when He is also a new baby.

Merry Christmas

A box, some dies, a quilt or 2?

I received a package last week that I've not told you about.  A nice big box of Accuquilt dies!  YAY!  

It's always nice to hit a sale. And it's extra nice to have a little money squirreled away to take advantage of a sale.  Guess what.  I. Had.  Both!

Studio Double Wedding Ring-17" Finished (5-Die Set)	50007	Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1	$120.00
Studio Drunkard's Path-4 1/2" Finished	50099	Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1	$96.00
Studio Flowers Trio (Long Cut)	50437	Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1	$45.00
Studio Forget Me Not (Long Cut)	50433	Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1	$39.00
Studio Double Wedding Ring Optional Arc	50008	Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1	$24.00
Studio Super Giant Strip Cutter-3" (2 1/2" Finished) 4 Strips	50010	Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1	$96.00 Returned

But, I guess, I got a bit greedy.  I ordered one die incorrectly.  I really want a 2 1/2 inch strip die.  I also want the die to fit what I have--meaning I can't get the super giant size.  

The tray and the cutting plastics I have already are about 8 inches short. So I've returned the last item on the list, but maybe I'll be able to make another order soon.  I have started a new wishlist.  The thing is, though, I had the last wishlist for about two years.

And so, I started a new quilt top.  My purpose?  To use the Drunkard's Path die set that came in the box.  So, what to do?  I pulled the dotted fabric first, found some solids that coordinated well, and just started cutting.  

And started sewing and sewing.  The 1/4 circle takes time.  Lots of time.  It's sort of tight.  Not impossible, of course.  But tight.  And after I cut and sewed for a couple of days (meaning hours) I came to realize two things: there would not be enough fabric and the quilt was wanting something else.

So, it's slowing changing.  I've added some more solids...in pastel colors because all those primaries were getting nauseating.  Well, maybe "the Louisiana crud" (sinus issues, sore throat, upset stomach, headache, malaise) that I've been fighting is what's really nauseating me.  If all goes well (and since I slept the entire day) I'll be fit for a few stitches tomorrow and Sunday.

We'll see whether I have one too-colorful quilt or two.  It could go either way right now.

Festival Recovery and Little More Than Naps

Yesterday's trip to the Houston Quilt Festival was fabulous, of course.  The one downside: one day cannot possibly be enough.  I really wanted to see more.  I did see about two/thirds of the quilts. Having been before, I knew I'd have to make some choices, so I started my race with a strategy.  I looked at the floor plan and made my decisions--"In Full Bloom," "National Parks," "In the American Tradition," "Modern Quilt Guild" and so many, many more!

I just bought a double wedding ring die set from Accuquilt, so I was especially interested in how other quilters have played with the block.  Of course, I wanted to see all the really big winners (you'll be very impressed), and everything IQA sounded interesting.  Do you see the dilemma here?  

The only way to handle it, I've discovered from previous festivals, is to push myself through, eat a quick lunch and choose extra carefully in the afternoon.  We got a late start, had a later breakfast, and chose an even later lunch.  Apparently everyone planned to eat lunch at 1:00, because we stood in line for quite some time and had to wait for a small group to get up before we could get seats.  All in all it was truly enlightening and pleasant.  

We left late (why not since the whole day ran late?) and then decided to have gumbo at a niece's home, so our arrival was truly late.  Today I've been dragging around zombie-like but managed to visit the in-laws, do the Halloween shopping for the grandkids, and sew just a little.  It poured down rain the entire day, so there are still flowers sitting on the worktable waiting to go to the cemetery.  

Today has been rather long, even with the naps.  I say naps in plural because I tried to wake up and move several times, but it was really impossible.  I'm not sure how long I rested, but I am sure that it took most of the afternoon.  The sound of rain falling on the roof didn't hurt the situation nor did snuggling under my favorite quilt.  

As for the rest of the day: The in-laws are doing fine, the baskets and bags are all arranged for tomorrow's lunch when everyone should be here, and I'm close to finishing my customer's tie quilt. And that has been my weekend thus far. Not busy, but not boring and certainly the quilt festival was more than I had hoped for.  Enjoy the few pictures I've posted.  I am waiting till tomorrow to post more.  It feels wrong to post lots of pictures of a show that is still going on, so this is just a sneak peek.  

Happy Quilting,

Modern Monday: Quick Bunting Tutorial

On Saturday I was able to get into the studio for several hours at a time.  How wonderful!

I have a sweet friend who has a shirt business sewing monogram letters for sororities.  She keeps fairly busy but on occasion she'll ask for help with a few shirts.  I don't mind at all and enjoy seeing some of her designs.  She's a graphic artist, so she's really creative and hand draws her letters.  Her shirts look great so they are very popular.

In the process of making her shirts, she makes lots of scraps. Lots. 

 Luckily, she happens to have a quilting friend willing to take those scraps.  Yes, of course, me!  

I think sometimes that the scraps are having babies in those baskets and bins.  Then I find this sort of surprise, and I'm really convinced.

I don't think I can use these slivers, but I've used the larger ones for all sorts of play.  I made a fabric bucket for her--so it's easier to contain the scraps.  On Saturday I picked out a few of the really big scraps.

I'd had the idea of making a quick, fun bunting in red and green felt.  However, when I walked into the studio and discovered the last bag of scraps that had been delivered, I decided to use those instead.  These scraps already have fusible web on them, but you can always add your own following manufacturer's directions.

I used my Accuquilt Studio cutter to cut circles in three sizes, so in no time I'd cut and pressed them with a piece of cotton twine down the middle, between the two pieces of fabric.

I just eye-balled the distance between circles and didn't worry about matching up the fabrics. To close off the bunting, I used one circle folded in half on each end, which gives me something to pin to. Just fold the end piece, slip the end of the twine in and press.

Sewing was very easy.  I used stitch #134 on my Bernina because it is a stair-step-like zigzag stitch that catches the twine.  Of course, when I'd tried to move one of the circles while pressing, it was impossible, so maybe the stitching was overkill.  Notice that I didn't worry about stitching the twine between the circles.  I just cut the thread away after.  And that was it.  I guess the whole thing took about 30 minutes total. 

This photo shows the bunting really well, but all I see is the messy thread.  I really need to change out my design wall covering.

I've decided to leave the bunting on the window covering for the French door for now.  It's colorful and fun, besides it's just a matter of time before a grandchild comes in and asks for it.  I made it mostly to see what it would look like.  

I think I like this quick project.  

TGIF? Already?

My only free week of summer went much too quickly.  It probably has something to do with the appointments, babysitting, and work commitments.  How this happens every summer, I can't explain.

It just does.  Tuesday I begin virtual summer school, meaning that I'm committed to three hours every day till school starts again.  

Of course, this means less sewing and quilting than I'd like to be able to do, so it also means taking advantage of every spare moment.
  
This week I did just that....took advantage of the spare moments. In an effort to put every moment my time to good use, I decided to cut fabric for three quilts at once.  My sister has commissioned quilts for two of her grandsons--one in green, one in blue--and I had decided to make a blue quilt using a new custom Accuquilt die that arrived last week.  I am hoping that those blocks will each look like a blue flower with a yellow center and green leaves. 

So, as I pulled blue fabrics from my stash to make my sister's blue quilt, I also cut off a wide strip for the blue flower quilt.  I did the same with the green fabrics that I'm using for her green quilt.  This will save me some time since I'm pulling and spreading out fabrics only one time.  I find that to be a time consuming chore.  

Of course, my flower quilt will have the same fabrics as Angie's quilts, but that's a small problem.  A bigger problem was choosing the fabrics.  Her grandsons probably don't want lots of "girly" prints, but I do want some in my flower quilt. To solve that, I cut the more masculine prints first, putting aside any feminine prints.  Then I cut what I needed of the feminine prints for my flower quilt. 

Yesterday I began sewing the strips for Angie's green quilt, and I'll have the top completed by tomorrow.   Hopefully I'll get her blue quilt top finished by midweek and will be able to begin work on my flower quilt. 

It helps that all three quilts are scrappy, and I decided to make Angie's quilts using 2 1/2 inch strips.  I've been enjoying Rachel's Festival of Strings over at Stitched in Color.  There are 120 quilts featured on Rachel's blog, and all 120 are pretty amazing.  Of course, looking at string quilts every day for the past week or so has me thinking string quilts, and I am so inspired that I came up with a new design for a string quilt.  

Come back for a visit in a day or two, I'll have the top posted (I hope anyway) so you can see the new design.  In the meantime, enjoy the photo tease.  :-)

Fabric Baskets Revisited

Remember this scrap bucket I made back at the beginning of December?  I wrote about it here.

It sits on the top of my worktable, and I just toss fabric scraps in as I run across them.  It's been very convenient, although I do like to use up scraps as much as possible.  Then a friend called to say she had a few scraps for me.  Yahoo!  Since she tends to overbuy way more than she should, her scraps are sometimes large pieces of fabric.  

Add to that the reason for her scraps: she embellishes tee shirts for college sororities who tend to like really nice matching shirts--Vera is their favorite designer, but they often ask for other fabrics.  Anything loud and bright will work for some.  You can visit her Facebook page here to see more of her work.

AND these scraps already have iron-on adhesive attached, so they are ready for appliqueing!  Yeah, the yahoo is well deserved.  

In no time I had the scraps organized into large pieces without adhesive, solids, prints, greens and reds.  There are too many reds and greens to mix all the solids together.  


The greens are perfect for leaves, vines, and stems, which I used often, so keeping them separated works well for me.  

Of course, sorting through the scraps had me wanting to use them.  I started out thinking I would make a small quilt for the studio or for AAQI but it grew and the next think I knew, I had a quilted piece just the right size for another basket.  Oh well then, another basket would do.  

I've decided that since my friend is an artist, this basket would work quite nicely in her tee shirt business.  I plan to give it to her the next time we're together.

I think she'll like the flowers and birds.  She teaches lots of collage, which this design ended up becoming.  I used the fabric scraps that she gave me cutting out flower shapes based on the flowers in the fabrics and pressed them to the background.  Of course, I added stems and leaves but I didn't worry too much about whether the flowers came from the same fabric or not.

I really like the little basket.  It's a tad smaller than the first one I made, but it's much more creative and fun.  

Check out this black and white bird.  I don't know who the fabric designer is, but I loved the look of the flowers and decided to cut out a bird using the Accuquilt Studio die.  In fact, all the birds were cut using the same die, which has three designs on it.

 This bird is part of a fabric design.  I couldn't stand the thought of wasting such a pretty bird, so I cut it out the same way I did the flowers and ironed it on a flower so that it looks, I hope, natural.

 I'm fairly sure she'll like the fabric basket.  It's meant for the scraps she produces as a result of her tee-shirt business, but she can surely use it for whatever she likes.

Happy Quilting,

Mary