Short-Sheeted TWICE!!

Short-Sheeting #1:

All week long I’ve been thinking I’m going to Delaware on SUNDAY ---- but it turns out that Sunday is the day I start TEACHING there –

Which means, I GO TO DELAWARE TOMORROW!

HOLY MIXED UP CALENDAR!

I’m now running around the house, unpacking a trunk show, adding what I need to it for the different classes I’m teaching this trip, putting it all back in bags and packing my suitcase!

TOMORROW?! REALLY!?

I did NOT finish Florabunda – it’s still in progress…there won’t be time to post pics tomorrow I don’t think…but at least I don’t have a flight at O-dark-thirty---My flight doesn’t leave til 11-something!

Hallelujia.

Short-Sheeting #2:

I think this picture is SELF EXPLANATORY:

HINT ---Take a look at the batting…notice that there is still border on the roller needing batting between it and the backing.

Do a grumpy moan and head for the chocolate --- Yes – the Easter Peanut M&M’s were 50% off and there is a back-up stash in the drawer ---

Things are at a stand-still until I am sure the travel stuff is packed and ready, and then I’ll work on this more tonight.

But in between everything else, I DID manage to get THESE done:

These are my remaining 3 bonus blocks over at Barrister's Block bringing my total of blocks for my Jubilee Quilt up to…TADA!! 24!

I’m all caught up! So what if my batting is short, and I’m flying out tomorrow….?

Here are the blocks on my very small design wall. I can’t fit much more on it than this…I might have to start pinning everything on top of the Jane Stickle quilt that is hanging behind my Long-arm! The more blocks we do, the more I like them just block to block to block without sashing in between….There are a few different dye lots of the cheddar fabric going on in here, and I like how it makes the background not read so flat – it’s got some depth to it because there is more than one shade. And the red --- I love how that reads hot against everything else.

And this came in the mail --- I’m tired of stupid hotel irons that you have to unplug-replug after 15 minutes to reset. My Clover iron bit the dust ---and I have ZERO desire to replace it. I found this on Amazon:

It’s a Petite Press by Dritz ---it has 3 heat settings…and it has its own little rest attached. I’m hopeful for it because it is light weight, and will travel easily. Do you have this iron? Do you like it?

And frankly, the best part of the clover mini iron was the bag it came in….I tossed the iron, kept the bag, and the Petite Press fits right in it --- I’ve put this in my suitcase for its maiden voyage to Delaware tomorrow ----wish me luck with it.

While I run around getting all my stuff together --- I’m leaving you with a video of Sadie showing off for Karen yesterday --- Sadie LOVES Jeff, and she loves treats---she’ll do tricks for me, but NOTHING like she will for Jeff. The funniest thing of all is pointing your finger at her and saying “BANG BANG!” She rolls on her back and holds a “dead” pose --- hysterical!

Sadie, So Excited!

Have a great Friday Eve, Everyone!

iPhone-o-Gram! Quilting Florabunda!

I feel like I am the last one to finally turn this challenge into a real quilt!

It was last May or June that I first found that antique quilt in Florida that inspired me to use all these big florals with solid yellow---and it's been a fun quilt journey!

The quilting is under way---oh happy day!!

MQX, Part 3!

This must be the longest drawn out show report ever! Too many pictures, too little time……but I kind of like showing them in smaller batches, it allows me to appreciate each one a bit more, instead of everyone getting a huge dose of quilt overload, glassy eyes and all.

This is another shot at one of the cool downtown buildings in Providence, RI. These were taken from one of the Mall windows as we walked our way from the convention center, through the mall in an effort to get to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.

Cheesecake Factory? Just point the way ---I don't have one near me, so even though it's a chain, it's a treat when I get to go!

And the long walk, to and from, did us good. We were lucky that the worst weather we had that whole trip was just a bit of rain on Show Day ---the rest of the time it was wonderful!

We aren’t even half way through the photos yet! I hope you enjoy these – they are in no particular order or category ---

This one just reached out and grabbed me from across the aisle. You can see the quilting from this far away, but wait til you get closer ---

Gorgeous feathers are one thing, but tiny circles along the spines? WOW! This is so beautiful!

More fun textures….look at the crescents in the background area, and the detail in the red and green --- I wish my mind thought this way!

This is just an incredible art piece.

I see things in squares, rectangles and triangles! I wish my mind were free enough to see things in giant graphic applique! This is just beautiful – take a look at the quilting:

Goodness Gracious!

I love the stylized heart with tendrils…..and see that gold border? There was LOTS of close parallel quilting seen at this show..notice the crystals too……

This beautiful poppy quilt is a variation on an old timeless pattern ---but the fresh colors and the quilting are simply gorgeous, though there is nothing SIMPLE about it!

The motifs that pop up here and there are wonderful, but pay attention to the background filler – it goes from random pebbles to straight line filler..and sometimes areas are missing “on purpose” within that pebble filler almost as if it is a crumbling stucco wall or something. I don’t know how else to describe it --- but I found it so interesting that there is perfection in imperfection --- having the parallel lines randomly fill where the pebbles do not:

Corner treatment!

Side Poppy!

I thought this one was really interesting with a kind of positive/negative Stone Henge kind of look. I loved the random greens and neutrals!

The color in this one got my heart racing! It reminds me of a Moroccan carpet or something! But get a load of this quilting:

Hello, Texture! Quilting shows up so nicely on solids. Look at the close fans behind that border feather! Whooowhooo! Can you see the close line quilting in the black setting triangles? And that gridded lattice work in the while backgrounds of the stars?

That appliqued circle block just makes me happy!

Stars and more stars…..this star is an amazing study in complexity in itself – but if that weren’t enough, it’s swallowed up in this gorgeous flowing applique border!

Look at the curved lattice in those background areas…..the the parallel lines in the border! WOW! don’t you love the small butterflies?

Radiating “sunshine” style heart motif in the setting square ….I’m gobsmacked at the detail!

I love the wavy edge of this center section of diamonds….even if the shape isn’t present in the piecing, you can add it in with the quilting..are you inspired yet?!

I know I am! And would you believe we are not done yet? I think I have enough photos for one more post –perhaps tomorrow, or maybe on Sunday, cuz I’ll be off again – this time I’m traveling to Dover, Delaware to spend some time with the Helping Hands Quilt guild! We’ve got plans for 3 workshops and a lecture/trunkshow to fill my time there, and who knows what other kind of trouble I can get myself into? I’ve never spent time in Delaware other than driving up I-95 toward the New Jersey Turnpike ---so I hope there is time to explore!

Today’s To-Do list includes getting Florabunda loaded on the machine. I’d like to have it quilted, bound and on the bed before spring is over ---and I’m sick of yellow! LOL!

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Out of the Ruler Drawer!

I know I’m not the only one who is drawn to rulers and gadgets and things that do specific things, and I have some that I love even though they are not “Every Day” items…

Rulers are just that way. I have my favorite 12.5” X 6.5”, my 6.5” square, the Easy Angle, Companion Angle and Tri Recs. I have BIG squares for squaring blocks, and quilt corners before putting on borders and binding, I use a large setting triangle ruler for cutting setting triangles from strips instead of cutting big squares into quarters --- I have a long ruler for trimming quilt edges before putting on binding……These things are close at hand where I do my cutting…

But there are some other things that only come out to play once in a while.

One of these things is the “EZ Center Square” ruler by Sharon Hultgren --- Any time I have a block that needs a center square on point – I know the math is going to be funny and I can’t just reach into my pre-cut squares for a square that will work.

And because the rotary cutting math is funny when you put something on point, I could find myself drafting the unit in EQ to see what size it would tell me to ROTARY CUT if I wanted the center square-in-a-square unit to finish at 3” when the corners are added.

Just to show you --- here is the print out from EQ ---telling me to cut a 2 5/8” center square and cut my corner triangles from 2 3/8” squares – which would work…but with this ruler I don’t have to go and try to figure the math before hand.

For a unit that is going to finish at 3” with the center square on point within the unit I just use the 3” finished line on the ruler. I don’t have to hunt down 2 5/8”, or even calculate to see what size that square needs to be.

Once the strip is cut, the ruler also helps you cut squares from the strip…it has sizes from 2” up to 8” units with the center square on point in the unit. The only down side is that it is full inch increments only, not half-inch sizes. But for most things, this has the size that I need without having to do the math.

Like I said --- it’s not a ruler I find myself using all the time – but when I need it, it’s there!

From here I Just used my Easy Angle Ruler and 2” strips to cut the half-square triangles I needed to put that center square on point. I didn't have to cut 2 3/8" squares which is also an odd strip measurement that I don't keep readily at hand.

Here is where they will go!

I used this unit in the center of my Star block for this week’s Barrister’s Sow Along ---

And I sewed two more!

Jacks on Six, Big Dipper, Sawtooth Star, Flying Dutchman

These are the 3 blocks from this week’s installment, and the one bonus block as well. I’m still 3 blocks behind! I thought it was 2 – but no – it’s THREE. I came home after dropping the Wake Forest quilt off at the ball park for Karen, and crashed for a nap ---but I’ll be back at it! I’m bound and determined to get CAUGHT UP!

It’s 9pm --- and I feel a second wind coming on thanks to that nap!

Deacons, Indeed!

Karen and I had a great time working on the quilt for her son. Being as we are both the mother of boys, two sons each – we had a great time discussing what it’s like to cook for boys, the things they appreciate, the things they have no clue over ---and most of all how FAST they grow from babies to youngsters to teens to young men.

All too quickly!

Karen was even sweet enough to bring lunch ---this girl comes organized! She packed her rolling cooler ((Mothers of boys who play sports MUST have a rolling cooler for games!)) and at just about half way on the quilt, we broke for lunch, heated up her yummy homemade southwestern veggie soup on the stove, and ate yummy chicken salad upon crackers ---along with fresh sliced strawberries, and muffins – which we never got around to, we were too full!

And being the mother of sons who play copious amounts of baseball, and it IS baseball season – she had to ditch out at 2pm to go play “shuttle bus” driving home to Lewisville to go get a van full of kids to drive them all the way back to Kernersville where the game is this afternoon. Kernersville is fairly close to me --- so I told her to not worry, I’d baby-sit the machine and finish the last few rows on the quilt, and bring it out to Kernersville during the game so she can get started on the trimming and binding tonight.

Here it is off the machine….isn’t it PERFECT for a young man? I think even the big ones would love it. Solid fabrics are SO graphic..and I love the texture of the quilting:

For those asking, this is a pantograph called “Storm Watch.” I tried googling “Storm Watch Panto” and got weather channels…..but not the designer! Oh Bother ----I’m sure if you do some searching you can find it, it’s a great one for a masculine looking quilt, and if you do find it, let me know so I can update the info here.

Thanks to those who persevered and found the link for me! You can find the panto HERE --it's the 4th item down the page!

We did the happy dance of joy when we advanced the quilt to reach that center square!

I love the texture of the quilting on the border --- this is Signature Variegated thread --- the color is Butter Toffee.

Of course, I tried to google "Signature Thread Butter Toffee" and THIS is what came up:

Which is not what I was looking for, but hey I’ll take it! LOL!

I worked on my Jubilee blocks a bit --- 3 more bonus ones to go to be completely caught up, and hope to be able to upload that later --- but right now....I’m off to Kernersville to go deliver a quilt!

iPhone-o-Gram! Let the Quilting Begin!

Karen arrived bright and early! We've got her son's Wake Forest Trip Around the World quilt in the machine and stitching away!

Love the variegated thread against the solid fabrics---

This is one masculine feeling quilt that any 12 year old boy would love!

NO FLOWERS!!

It's going to be a fun day!

Shelves, Closets, and Wee Small Hours ---

The shelves are up.

But first that meant moving EVERYTHING out of that storage closet ---it really is just a large ugly cinder block lined corner of the “mud room” side of the basement ---So when people were asking to show pics, I was thinking…REALLY? SERIOUSLY!?

It’s not "House Beautiful" down here. I live in a 1970s bungalow style home…the top floor has 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. The main level has the master bedroom, bath, kitchen, living room, dining room and sun room – but the BASEMENT SPACE is what I really loved about this house.

It’s often been said around here that if there were a kitchen and bath in the basement, I’d never come upstairs at all!---- That’s MOSTLY true! :c)

So as the Hubster was doing his manly thing of assembling shelves…..I needed somewhere for them to go, and that meant --- hauling everything from that closet into the quilting room, which is the OTHER half of the basement.

The way I first thought the shelves were going to go, which would have been the easiest of all --- didn’t work, the corner unit made one wall too short for the adjacent shelves….so that meant that even the “DEEP STASH” ((This is the stuff to use for backings, the weird things like novelty prints, older stuff that needs to be cut REALLY SMALL and other….”what was I thinking?” type stuff)) needed to come OUT of its wire cubbies so we could move the wire cubbies to the OTHER wall, putting one shelf set where the cubbies were, the corner unit in the other corner, and one shelf unit along the next adjacent wall. EVERYTHING had to come out of the closet to do this…OY!

I did NOT get a picture of the mountain of STUFF before putting it all back in.

Like I said..this is an ugly room/closet. It’s not glamorous, it would never make “coolest sewing spaces in America” ---but I love the shelves already! There are NO MORE STACKED TUBS OF STUFF on the floor! This is the view from the door as you enter the closet….do you see all those empty shelves? They likely won’t be empty for long ----That laundry basket holds deconstructed shirt parts, and I really need a tub with a lid for those, maybe two – just haven’t gotten there yet.

The self set on the right of the corner unit --- Machines on the bottom two shelves. Including a serger that hasn’t been plugged in in maybe 7 years, and I probably couldn’t remember HOW to thread it if I needed to! And the rest…all the necessary stored junk – on top – BASKETS. How does one person collect so many baskets? I don’t know, but I love them and I keep thinking I’ll find purposes for each and every one. The electrical cord you see goes to the dehumidifier that is a basement necessity in keeping fabric from smelling musty in basements like this when you live in the South East humidity. It does a great job!

This is the DEEP STASH. Some of it is backings, some if it is old FQs and parts that just don’t go in the regular FQ drawers ((Too old, too ugly, no real category, etc…)) My Batiks are here, Christmas too. There is now room to spare ---

To the left of the photo you see the edges of tubs…those are on the shelves on the next wall:

THIS was all I could get photo wise of this last shelf unit,I am all the way IN the closet up against the other shelves, and can't get any farther away to get a whole shot. This is the tubs and bins you see in the cubbie photo above. I just started putting things on shelves to get them out of the way so Karen can come quilt her quilt today --- needed a PATH to the long-arm!

I finally gave up about 1:30am --- when I realized that the only critters up were me and this guy:

He seemed as big as my hand! He was on the front hall floor --- I saw him move out of the corner of my eye when I went to get the broom and dustpan from the utility closet….EWwwwwwwwrrr! ((Okay, I was not so grossed out that I didn’t have time to quickly wield my phone out of my back pocket and SHOOT HIM! But when I tried to get him with a paper towel – he ran UNDER the front hall closet door, and I was NOT going to go in there to search for him. I turned out the lights…put thoughts of big giant fuzzy spiders out of my mind and went to bed!

Karen will be here shortly – there is still more stuff to move ((As in rolls of batting and other STUFF)) before we can pin in her quilt and start the quilting. I had plans this morning of more MQX photos but --- time is a-wasting! Later today? And then --- there is ALWAYS tomorrow!

OH – I found lots of STUFF for the next Yard Sale Saturday that will be happening on May 5th! I’ll be up in Somers, NY Teaching at their quilt show over that weekend, but I think I can get a post written ahead and have it ready to go before I leave town. If you are wanting to join in --- CLEAN THAT CLOSET! If I can do it – even an ugly closet can become a more user-friendly space ----and it looks even better with the door CLOSED! :c)