On a Lovely Easter Evening ---

It’s been such a nice day! Even though there was some tax time torture involved ----I was reminded that it is a blessing to owe taxes, I live in a country where I can work at the job of my choosing and thrive at it. We are “THAT” much closer to having it settled, and I can put that thought out of my head for another year and just continue to create!

But – thoughts of being told once again by my accountant DH “Not Enough Business Expenses!” puts me in a tizzy because my thrifty side bites me in the butt for another year.

Here I am having a BALL sewing on a $70 pink 1950’s sewing machine instead of spending $5,000 on something I could legitimately write off ---

Maybe this is the year I remodel the basement studio just for somewhere to show a legitimate write off that is “Big Enough”.

I swear, this government is backwards. And after spending my whole life SAVING and getting the most out of everything, making every computer and phone and sewing machine last as long as it can, being very thrifty with my fabric purchases ---I have to find ways to either spend it on what I can, or write a bigger check to Uncle Sam. Be responsible with income…..and they take it away. Time to install the marble and gold plated executive wash room, I guess!

Okay, so it’s not appropriate to talk about taxes, religion, copyrights, politics and – ((fill in the blank)) on here, and I just ran my mouth right into my fingers again. And yes, if it hurts to write that check, be grateful that you have the ability to pay it. I know. I KNOW!

So let’s switch to a different topic ---

Sandra writes:

Hi Bonnie,

Thank you for the info about your new adjustable sewing machine table.

I'm curious about the other object in the picture that looks like a "panda" face. Is that some sort of speaker or? More info. Appreciated.

Thanks.
Angie in CA.

Were you curious too? I think I’ve talked about him before…..

Here’s a current shot of where I am in assembling my borders….See him there?

This is my little GoGroove external speaker for my laptop/ipod/phone/tablet!

I sew facing the corner --- ((Yeah, BAD GIRL, go SEW IN THE CORNER!!)) and I set up my Toshiba tablet right next to where I’m sewing and put a good chick flick on netflix and I’m a happy girl! Here I was watching Betty White in a really cute movie from the 1980s. LOVE THIS PANDA!

I just throw it in my suitcase when I go –it’s usually the first thing I set up when I get to a hotel room. It powers up via USB, and plugs into the audio jack in whatever you are listening to or watching. Or if you don’t have a USB port ---just use a USB extender for a wall outlet, like the one that comes with iphone for charging from the wall and you are good to go. It also works from batteries.

It’s not going to give you Bose sound, but good enough for where I’m working, and better than the speaker that comes on tablets, iphones or laptops.

The best part? It’s on Amazon for $20.00 There I go being thrifty again ---- *sigh*

We went and saw Mirror, Mirror this afternoon, and thought it was really cute, and definitely worth a view! Julia Roberts was hilarious as the evil Queen, and we really enjoyed it.

After returning home, I took time out for a 90 minute nap --- so I plan on spending more time at the machine, finding something fun for netflix to play in the background while my Panda keeps me company!

Happy Easter, Happy Passover!

And for all of us --- Happy SPRING!! Unless, you are down under in Australia and it’s getting into cold season --- Well….here, have some chocolate!

This little egg funny cracked me up!

It’s been many years now since we have dyed eggs – but I have fond memories of sitting around the kitchen table, its surface thickly layered with newspaper---watching those fizzy tablets dissolve in water, and the smell of vinegar in the dye cups.

Come to think of it, I can’t remember if the vinegar memory is from MY growing up, or from my kid’s growing up – but it’s there. Vinegar is a very Easter smell to me – even when I use it in cleaning, I think of dying Easter eggs!

This year we are just three of us….and I’m liking the easy relaxation of it. We slept in a bit. We have plans for an easy meal, and may even go take in a movie this afternoon. We love doing that, sneaking away for a matinee on major holidays. It makes it fun. Today I’d like to see “Mirror, Mirror” with Julia Roberts, but we’ll see if that materializes or not.

Yesterday, a package arrived that I’d been waiting for since before leaving for Quad Cities ---

Every machine I have has a different base size. It’s been a huge hassle tossing out $70+ shipping & handling every time I needed a table for a specific brand/model of machine.

I came across these through a student who had one. I looked up SewAdjusTable by sewingmates.com and found what I wanted. I ordered the 18” X 24” table that can be adjusted to fit EVERY MACHINE I OWN.

It’s completely smooth on top, all the hardware is recessed and fully adjustable. The old vintage machines really don’t need to be in their box-bases --- they’ve got legs on the bottom under their platform bed, and this actually set my machine lower to the table top.

I put a protective rubber shelf-liner type mat under Barbie to keep her legs from scratching the desktop more than it already is ---this also helps her to NOT SKID while stitching – I sew like a maniac, and anything not held in place does a little vibrating dance ;c)

I’m working on the borders for Florabunda here…yes, I made sure I sub-cut them the right width this time! Still don’t know what I’m going to do with THESE!

I’m a happy quilter! The price was more than one “regular” extension table that would fit ONE machine and one machine only --- but less than the price of two separate tables for two machines, so it’s a win for me. What’s even nicer is --- if I break the table, I don’t have to replace the whole thing, just the one removable section that broke.

The question is now --- what to do with all these extra and a sundry tables that are hogging space in my closet?! I’ll probably use them as travel tables if I am using a machine that fits them, but this one ---it has a permanent place on my desk top and will fit any machine I put in it.

I also hope to get more machine time today ---I can’t believe the number of 2” floral strips I was able to clear out thanks to this border. ((And the border mishap with the sub-cutting! Ooops!)) I’d like to get these borders ON the Florabunda quilt and call it done before spring is over ----I’m ready to move on to other things, but this one’s been hanging over my head.

However you spend your Easter/Passover/Weekend time --- enjoy it! I hope you find some time to fondle some fabric, dream, and maybe stitch a bit!

Pickin’, Grinnin’ and Drawin’ a Winner!

I’ve got a copy of Quiltmaker Magazine going directly to……..

(((((Insert Drum Roll!)))))

Susan Torrens!

Susan wrote:

Ever since I discovered your site several years ago, I've been addicted to making scrappy quilts! My husband calls them "garbage quilts" because he threatened to throw my 15 year collection of scraps in the garbage unless I started to use them.

I used your "scrap users" system to get them organized and now they get used regularly. I still think that they reproduce in the bins when I'm not looking!

Susan, Congrats to you! This issue will be winging it’s way to you as soon as you email me back with your snail mail address.

Thanks everyone for playing along!

And just to celebrate a bit with Susan --- here’s something that was emailed to me along with the caption of

“This is an example of what can happen if boys don’t have a video game!”

Holy Bluegrass, Batman! My toes are a tappin’!

Oh my goodness, how cute! I think the thing I loved the best was their playing this with the model of the space ship there on the bedside --- and normal “boy mess” scattered about the floor. I love the happiness of a house full of music!

And it’s a good thing that this is lifting my spirits because ----

I thought I was doing so great working on the borders for Florabunda --- I sewed my strip sets together, loaded up the accuquilt to sub-cut them….all nice and neat ----

You might not even notice at first glance that something is terribly wrong here -----

Do you see it? Look at the few that have wandered astray and are flipped loose of their rows ----

*FACE PALM*

I just cut the whole mess of 4 patch parts with the 1.5” die --- instead of the 2” die. AUUUUGHGHGHGHGHGH!

Back to the drawing board!! ((And I guess I’ll have to design something with rectangular 4 patches at SOME POINT…..but NOT TODAY!))

Catching up on Jubilee Blocks!

First off, if you are here looking for Yard Sale Saturday --- click HERE!

It’s still going strong, and there are many vendors with great goodies ready for you!

I was able to catch up on all three of my Jubilee blocks ---I’m so glad I didn’t shoot for something more intricate to celebrate my 50th year or it just wouldn’t happen!

Maybe the Big Jubilee will be finishing the hexie top sometime this year ----corner 3 is getting closer!

I had a great time doing these blocks…and I want to share with you how I did the “Cups & Saucers” variation.

There are so many ways that you can work with a block! I love a mental challenge...and this was a fun one!

Randy’s on the left, Mine on the right!

Look closely! They look the same from far away, but Randy’s has 4 half square triangles, 8 flying geese units and a center square. I drew up mine for paper piecing and pieced it in one unit, eliminating many seams! SO EASY!

Here is what the foundation looks like! Would you like to try it? You can get a copy of the foundation HERE.

For those who had trouble printing out the Basket Block in the right size last time….this is why:

You must RIGHT CLICK on the pattern on the screen, and click SAVE AS. It will save as a pdf file on your computer, so save it somehwere you can get to it. Your desktop is good.

Then you must open Adobe and then open the file from within adobe to print it in the size it is supposed to be. You can’t just print it from the monitor view because the printer will print out whatever your screen resolution is. When printing PDF patterns, always choose “NONE” as the scaling so that the page will print out the size it was meant to.

This block finishes at 6", and it will print out that way if you print it out correctly.

(Download the Adobe Acrobat® Reader® free of charge
by clicking on the link below.)

Now that these three blocks are done, I’m off to catch up on the two bonus blocks I still need to do….

Oh and that Cups & Saucers block?

It came from THIS! These fabrics were in the birthday box that Bonnie M sent me. It was no effort at all to cut this apart using the same methods I showed in my “De-Boning The Shirt” Video! Most of the block came from the two collar pieces..it’s amazing how far those shirt parts can go!

Yard Sale Saturday, April 7, 2012!

Are you ready to list some good things or to shop for some good things?

I honestly don’t know what kind of link-ups we will have today with it being Spring Break for many, and the day before Easter family stuff for many as well.

But I’m home, and I have stuff to clear out!

In an effort not to put the linky so far at the bottom of the page that others can’t see it – it’s going to be right here at the top of the page for easy access!

Now just don’t forget to view MY STUFF below it!

If you are linking with me, please remember to link directly to this PAGE, not just my whole blog, because this post may be lost beneath posts that are sure to follow it over the next few days ---

I am using ETSY as my shopping cart for my items. You are welcome to take care of your own transactions as you see fit ---

10am Update!! MOST ITEMS HAVE SOLD! There are still a few left -- the easiest way to see what there is is to click this link HERE. It will take you to my etsy and you can see what remains :)

And on to my sales! **NOTE** I am leaving for Rhode Island on Tuesday. In an effort to keep things simple for myself, the cutter quilt items are being shipped within the USA ONLY. Books will be shipped within the USA and CANADA Only. I need to minimize the time it takes to do packaging and customs paperwork, etc. Thank you for your understanding!

Please note: All Cutter Quilt pieces are as shown. All have holes, exposed batting, stains and shredded bits. All have lived a long life and been loved and slept under by those who loved them.

Early 1900’s Bear Paw Variation Cutter Quilt Piece!

Size: 35” X 70”

I loved the homespun plaids and funky direction of the triangles in this bear paw's variation. This piece was my inspiration for the "Cactus Patch" quilt in "Scraps & Shirttails I".

Block Close up!

It even has that wonderful row of 1/2 blocks! The piece measures 70 " X 35" at it's widest dimensions. Would be great to make pillows, or table runners from! Price: $25.00 Click HERE to purchase!

1940’s Funky Vintage Bow Tie with a bit of cheddar!

46” X 34”

There are lots of possibilities for crafting with this cutter piece. I was going to simply bind the cut edges in red and use it for a table runner but never got around to it. It can be yours for $20.00! Click HERE to purchase!

Isn’t this a funky block?

1940’s Vintage cutter quilt piece

27” X 38”

I loved this block and wanted to use this for 5 matching mug-rugs. Yeah, never got around to it! The story of my life ---Isn’t this an interesting block? It reminds me of those weird blocks in the Jane Stickle Quilt!

It is machine quilted in loops. You can have this cutter piece for $15.00. Click HERE to purchase!

This NEXT one is extra special!

35” X 35”

I wish I could have seen this quilt WHOLE…it’s Jacob’s ladder blocks on the top…look at those wonderful indigoes and pinks!

But look at the BACK SIDE! Bow Ties! This is from the early 1900s – probably pre-1920.

Here’s the back side! You know how I love my bow-ties.

I’ve just gotten to the point where I can’t have EVERYTHING just because I like it.

I paid $25.00 for this piece--- and I’m selling it to you for the same price I paid. Click HERE to purchase!

On to the Books!

It’s been great to have this medium to free up some space on my bookshelves, making room to add new favorites to my library! Books will be shipped media mail. First off…I’ve got a “Scratch & Dent” sale going! I’ve rounded up 4 copies of “Scraps & Shirttails I” that were just not in pristine enough condition to sell as regular mail order.

All are perfectly fine, just have some cosmetic issues from shipping:

Things like….oops…a torn front page that got caught in the binding machine or ----oops --- I misspelled the persons name wrong when signing! I’m selling these below my COST. Price each is $12.50 Click HERE to purchase!

Two “Scratch & Dent” copy of Adventures with Leaders & Enders!

The light spot you see on the bottom right corner is a reflection from the overhead light in photography – the covers are in GOOD condition!

The first couple of pages were caught in a machine during printing ---none of the pattern pages or other important info pages are affected, just the first couple of pages. I am selling this at my cost: $12.50 Click HERE to purchase!

One “Scratch & Dent” copy of Scraps & Shirttails II!

This one looks fine all the way through, but if you look at the bottom left corner, you can see that the binding is dinged and peeling. This happened in transport, this is an unused book!

Here you can see how the binding got bent ---

I am selling this one at MY cost: $12.50 Click HERE to purchase!

Spring Cleaning by Atkinson Designs

I looked on Amazon to find out what the used price is for this book – all I found was one new copy at $20.00 This is an adorable book full of cute and springy scrap projects. Book is in “NEW” condition. Sale Price: $10.00 Click HERE to purchase!

The Quilter’s Edge by Darlene ZImmerman

Borders, Bindings and Finishing Touches! This book has everything you need to know to give your quilt it’s best edge ever. 128 pages New, Unused book, Reg price: $22.95 Sale Price: $12.00 Click HERE to Purchase!

Traditional Samplers by Sarah Don, 1988

GORGEOUS examples of antique cross stitch and needle point samplers ---

Anyone into cross stitch samplers needs this book --- decorative alphabets, borders, great photograph of old antiques, the works!

From Library Journal:

Beginning with a history of samplers from earliest times and proceeding with a tracing of styles from various countries, this book captures the reader's interest with well-written text and illustrations of museum-owned samplers. A section on choosing and preparing fabrics, diagrams of basic stitches, and general information on completing the project precede illustrations and graphs of 22 complete samplers. Needleworkers who prefer to design their own samplers can choose from a variety of alphabets, numbers, border designs, and traditional motifs. Designs range from simple to complex, for all skill levels. Recommended.

Sale Price: $8.00 Click HERE to purchase!

Precisely Sew by Brenda Henning

A great little book with super patterns for paper pieced quilts! Includes full size pull out pattern sheet for foundations.

Inside front cover and back cover images

((Pardon the light reflection!))

Sale Price: $5.00 Click HERE to purchase!

Three NEW and unused copies of Out of the Blue by Brenda Henning!

If you like 2 color scrappy quilts, this book is full of inspiration!

Back cover and inside front cover

Sale price: $5.00 each! Click HERE to purchase!

Amalie’s Story by Darlene Zimmerman

New booklet includes pattern for the Crosses & Losses quilt shown, and wonderful letters written during the civil war era.

Sale Price: $5.00 Click HERE to Purchase!

Quilt Fiesta by Cheryl Lynch

New and unused, signed by author --

Reflecting the beauty of the Talavera ceramic tiles of Puebla, Mexico, these stunning quilts invite you to a celebration of color and design! Each eye-catching fusible-applique quilt includes a photo of the original tile that inspired it. You'll learn to "translate" a tile's solid colors into today's print fabrics.
* Choose from 10 decorative projects, including quilts, place mats, a table runner, and more
* Mix and match blocks to expand the creative possibilities
* Add unique touches such as prairie points, rickrack, and dimensional elements

Sale Price: $12.50 Click HERE to purchase!

Strip Addiction:

Sale Price: $5.00 Click HERE to purchase.

Quilting with Laura

Patterns Inspired by the “Little House on the Prairie” series

by Linda Halpin

This book is SO CUTE --- and I love the sampler quilt, and can easily see myself using the blocks in other settings ---great for beginners! Sale price: $5.00 Click HERE to purchase!

Magical Machine Quilting by Lorraine Stangness

If you are new to free motion quilting on your domestic machine, or want to increase your idea-stash of things you can do with your long arm, this is a FABULOUS book! Chock full of ideas and filler designs to add terrific texture to any quilting project.

Sale Price: $6.00 Click HERE to purchase!

Turning Twenty –New Edition, Plus 5

New & Unused

The Turning Twenty Craze needs no introduction from me ---there are many great ideas in here for turning that collection of FQs into a great quilt in quick fashion! Sale Price: $6.00 Click HERE to Purchase!

Applique Made Easy by Rodale Publishing

Everything you wanted to know about hand or machine applique is in here – with AWESOME detailed photos of every step…and gorgeous patterns are included. What more could you want? Hard Cover. Sale Price: $7.00. Click HERE to purchase!

Pink Ribbon Quilts by Mimi Dietrich

From the Author:

It is amazing how many quilters have been touched by breast cancer, whether it's as a patient, a caregiver, or a survivor. As a breast-cancer survivor, quilting has played a very important part in my recovery, and it continues to foster my ongoing positive attitude. Quilting can spark our creativity, give us goals, focus our attention on positive projects, and bring us together with other quilters. If you know a friend of loved one who has had an experience with breast cancer, pick up some fabric and make a quilt block from Pink Ribbon Quilts. When your friend receives your gift, it will brighten her day. Or try gathering several friends together to make a quilt to raise money for breast-cancer research. All of us can make a contribution in the fight against breast cancer.

Sale Price: $6.00 Click HERE to purchase!

Learn to Applique ((in just one weekend?!?)) by Nancy Brenan Daniel

Obviously, I haven’t learned to applique in just one weekend --- YET! But there are gorgeous antique quilt patterns in here, wonderful inspiration, great detailed photos of the process. It’s a really great “How to” book ---Includes Hand, Machine and Blanket Stitch Techniques.

Sale Price: $5.00 Click HERE to purchase!

Easy Stash Quilts by Carol Doak

Includes CD

Book is never used, and has traveled with me on many moves across country. It’s time for a new home!

Is your fabric collection collecting dust? Here's the perfect excuse to use it! Learn to use your stash fabrics to create wonderfully dramatic quilts that are surprisingly easy to make. Each quilt recipe is based on simple squares, rectangles, and triangles. With your stash, dazzling one-of-a-kind results are guaranteed every time! Learn how with:

· 15 quilt patterns (7 using traditional machine piecing and 8 using machine paper piecing), ranging in size from wall hangings to bed quilts

· Easy-to-follow lessons on grouping your stash fabrics by color, value, and texture

· Step-by-step sections on rotary cutting, machine piecing, paper piecing, and finishing

PLUS, the book includes a bonus CD-ROM! Watch as Carol walks you step by step through her unique Easy Stash Quilts technique, right on your computer screen.

Sale Price: $5.00 Click HERE to purchase!

Big Book of Small Quilts by Mary Hickey

Hard Cover 160 pages.

Contemporary and colorful, this collection of small quilt patterns features a whimsical variety of styles suitable for any occasion. Geared toward the beginner to intermediate quiltmaker, this book contains more than 40 projects with virtually template-free instructions to allow for quick and easy completion. 40+ color photos.

Sale Price: $5.00 Click HERE to purchase!

Water Color Quilts by Pat Maixner Magaret & Donna Ingram Slusser

((light right bottom corner is reflection from photography light, not a cover flaw))

Capture nature's beauty, light, and luminosity in your quilts! Discover how to create an Impressionistic masterpiece from 2" squares of floral fabrics. Sale Price: $5.00 Click HERE to purchase!

And the LAST ONE! I’m tired listing all of these, are you tired reading through them all?

Through the Garden Gate by Jean & Valori Wells

11 charming projects, each inspired by a quilter's garden. Includes projects for beginners as well as experienced quilters alike.

Sale Price: $5.00 Click HERE to Purchase!