Friday, November 28, 2014
Feline Friday - 11/28/14
Shhhhhh.... this might be the good part.
Tomlinson and Ford are about to go save Sally from Izzy.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
T is for Tyler Update
Sew...remember how I was supposed to vend at a bazaar at Fisher Price last Thursday but because of "Snowvember" it got moved to yesterday? Well they moved it again. Ackckckck.
I had switched days off from last Thursday to Monday but I decided to still take Monday off and I had a blast working on Tyler's quilt. I haven't worked on something *I* wanted to do in such a long time that it felt a little weird but it was fun to watch the top come together.
Apparently I had made more blocks than I originally designed in EQ7 so I worked to find a way to use them all. Hah! I settled on a layout that has me making 4 more blocks. No big deal - I'll finish it tomorrow, you know, my next vacation day. Other than today, I don't have to be back to work until Monday!!!
Saturday is Small Business Saturday here in Wyoming County and my LQS is having a 20% off sale - I intend to buy batting so I can sandwich this and the other quilt I hope to finish this week. I might actually get both done for Christmas. Woohoo!
Apparently I had made more blocks than I originally designed in EQ7 so I worked to find a way to use them all. Hah! I settled on a layout that has me making 4 more blocks. No big deal - I'll finish it tomorrow, you know, my next vacation day. Other than today, I don't have to be back to work until Monday!!!
Saturday is Small Business Saturday here in Wyoming County and my LQS is having a 20% off sale - I intend to buy batting so I can sandwich this and the other quilt I hope to finish this week. I might actually get both done for Christmas. Woohoo!
Friday, November 21, 2014
Feline Friday - 11/21/14- gorilla test
Momma says I have to tell you this post is not for the faint of heart! Harumphph.
On Wednesday Momma was making hexies on the couch and thought I was being too quiet in the quilt studio so she came to investigate. This is what she stepped on. Oh the horrors. Poor little catnip toy. How did that happen?
On Wednesday Momma was making hexies on the couch and thought I was being too quiet in the quilt studio so she came to investigate. This is what she stepped on. Oh the horrors. Poor little catnip toy. How did that happen?
You see, on Tuesday Momma was finishing catnip toys for her bazaars this weekend. She gave me and my sissies some plain catnip on the ugly pink carpet to entertain us long enough for her to get them sewn. Momma is funny, huh?! When she finished, I was sleeping on the inventory box so Momma stashed them in a basket on the top of the really high curio cabinet from Uncle Tommy. Momma keeps her hexie UFOs in the cabinet.
Back to Wednesday, Momma scolded me but knew it was too late for the poor catnip toy. She put the rest of the toys in the inventory box. This is what the toys originally looked like and maybe you can see what I did to the bag last year. Momma makes good toys!
Momma went back to her hexies but then I was being quiet again.
See Momma - THIS is how I got the single toy out of the basket to test...just don't forget I left you the other nine toys! I'm such a good boy!
Back to Wednesday, Momma scolded me but knew it was too late for the poor catnip toy. She put the rest of the toys in the inventory box. This is what the toys originally looked like and maybe you can see what I did to the bag last year. Momma makes good toys!
Momma went back to her hexies but then I was being quiet again.
See Momma - THIS is how I got the single toy out of the basket to test...just don't forget I left you the other nine toys! I'm such a good boy!
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
POTC update
Sorry - the colors are pretty washed out, but this is where I am on the latest POTC block. The next round will also use the same neutral fabric which contrasts nicely with the lighter neutral sashing fabric.The center of this block is pretty dark or "dense" compared to my other POTC block so I'll need to remember to make more in a similar style to balance out the quilt.
Yesterday's snow storm turned out to be a big fat nothing for me here at work or home (less than an inch) but poor Buffalo has now reportedly gotten 94 inches in some of the 'burbs!!! They are due to get another 24 inches by the end of the week and then it will be up in the mid-50sF on Monday so it will all melt. I am not sure which will be worse for them - buried under 9 feet of snow or washed away by 9 feet of melted snow...
I guess the biggest impact of the storm for me is that the bazaar at Fisher Price that was scheduled for tomorrow has been moved to Monday and I'm not sure that I can get Monday off instead. If I can't get Monday off, I'll still take tomorrow since I have to use up my vacation time so I'll work on Xmas pressies and make a squash gellette recipe I found the other day.
Monday, November 17, 2014
HeLP for Hexie-aholics for 11/17/14 - using binder clips
Hello and welcome to a snowy edition of HeLP for Hexie-aholics. Yes! You heard me right - we've finally got snow here in Western NY. Don't worry, I'll be sick of it soon enough...possibly even after the 2 feet we are due to get tomorrow which will probably cut our guild meeting short. Grrrr. I guess I best dig out my boots...
Anyway... a week or so ago, I was asked by JoAnn, friend of Margaret, where on my blog was the link to my tip/tutorial for using binder clips. I told JoAnn that I didn't have an actual tutorial on my blog but I would be happy to post it today for HeLP.
As I was getting ready for today's post I remembered the twisted hexie tutorial I had done back in August. There actually were photos in that tutorial showing the clips but also this next photo showing lots of clips and curving the pieces with the larger piece on the outside so I can fit them together if my basting wasn't quite as accurate as it should be. Be sure to got check out my comments on the other post.
For today's post I decided to work on a POTC block. My basic premise is that I have seen people who just hold the fabric to the papers, they use paperclips or they use Wonder Clips. Fingers can slip and if you need to set the project down it can all go wonky. Paperclips can snag on the fabric and I find Wonder Clips too big.
I use the mini binder clips found at Walmart - I think they were a box of 75 for $3.00 and yes, I've got two boxes of them for all my UFOs but that's a different story. I've also been known to hand over a couple to someone who is just learning to EPP...anything to get them addicted faster!
I start by using two clips, one on each side of the honeycomb paper. Some shapes only need 1 clip and others need more. I also use more clips if a piece is fussy cut so I can properly align the fabric to my paper.
As I put pieces together, I use a clip on each side of a seam.
Or as I need to put the odd shapes together I use a clip. I prefer a gentle rounded fold instead of actually folding and creasing the papers since the creases will make the paper deteriorate faster. I've been able to re-use some of my papers 15 to 20 times.
I hope these photos give you some idea on how I use the mini binder clips. I really like that the clips do all the work to hold things in place and especially if I have to set down my project so I can let his Highness outside. Not that I have to do that more than like 3 times a day or anything...
I appear to have left the block at home so I can't show you how far I got...maybe for Wordless Wednesday...
Anyway... a week or so ago, I was asked by JoAnn, friend of Margaret, where on my blog was the link to my tip/tutorial for using binder clips. I told JoAnn that I didn't have an actual tutorial on my blog but I would be happy to post it today for HeLP.
As I was getting ready for today's post I remembered the twisted hexie tutorial I had done back in August. There actually were photos in that tutorial showing the clips but also this next photo showing lots of clips and curving the pieces with the larger piece on the outside so I can fit them together if my basting wasn't quite as accurate as it should be. Be sure to got check out my comments on the other post.
For today's post I decided to work on a POTC block. My basic premise is that I have seen people who just hold the fabric to the papers, they use paperclips or they use Wonder Clips. Fingers can slip and if you need to set the project down it can all go wonky. Paperclips can snag on the fabric and I find Wonder Clips too big.
I use the mini binder clips found at Walmart - I think they were a box of 75 for $3.00 and yes, I've got two boxes of them for all my UFOs but that's a different story. I've also been known to hand over a couple to someone who is just learning to EPP...anything to get them addicted faster!
I start by using two clips, one on each side of the honeycomb paper. Some shapes only need 1 clip and others need more. I also use more clips if a piece is fussy cut so I can properly align the fabric to my paper.
As I put pieces together, I use a clip on each side of a seam.
Or as I need to put the odd shapes together I use a clip. I prefer a gentle rounded fold instead of actually folding and creasing the papers since the creases will make the paper deteriorate faster. I've been able to re-use some of my papers 15 to 20 times.
I hope these photos give you some idea on how I use the mini binder clips. I really like that the clips do all the work to hold things in place and especially if I have to set down my project so I can let his Highness outside. Not that I have to do that more than like 3 times a day or anything...
I appear to have left the block at home so I can't show you how far I got...maybe for Wordless Wednesday...
Friday, November 14, 2014
Feline Friday - 11/14/14
Momma has this great basket on her sewing table. I like to scratch it when she's not looking! Then I decided it's only half full so it would make a great bed too!
Of course, one always takes a bath before naptime!
Eventually Momma took her red and white fabrics out of the basket to give me more room. Dang...she took my pillow. I'll just have to sit here and look regal instead =^..^=
Of course, one always takes a bath before naptime!
Eventually Momma took her red and white fabrics out of the basket to give me more room. Dang...she took my pillow. I'll just have to sit here and look regal instead =^..^=
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
It's Monday...
Ok so the photo is not the best since I was in the basement this year but this was my table at the Christmas bazaar. I love that there is a riot of color and many people commented on all the color combos and my "creativity" :-) I do need to find a different or better way to present the mugrugs tho. They were a big hit this year for the first time so maybe I shouldn't change my display at all.
I think this was one of my most profitable shows which is good since I already spent part of the profits the day before the show by buying King Tut thread that was on sale over at Superior Threads. LOL.
And as I was running leftovers home after the show (The show is in a church just 4 houses up the street from my house!) I found someone comfy on the afghan - this was the first time I've seen her on the afghan since her sissy is usually lounging in this spot.
Yesterday was spent lounging about all morning, cleaning the studio so I can get ready for the next show in 10 days and raking leaves. I never did get the cookies made. My figure probably thanks me...
I think this was one of my most profitable shows which is good since I already spent part of the profits the day before the show by buying King Tut thread that was on sale over at Superior Threads. LOL.
And as I was running leftovers home after the show (The show is in a church just 4 houses up the street from my house!) I found someone comfy on the afghan - this was the first time I've seen her on the afghan since her sissy is usually lounging in this spot.
Yesterday was spent lounging about all morning, cleaning the studio so I can get ready for the next show in 10 days and raking leaves. I never did get the cookies made. My figure probably thanks me...
Friday, November 07, 2014
Feline Friday - 11/7/14
A few weeks ago, when Momma had a three day weekend thanks to some guy way back in 1492, GrandMomma came over for her first quilting lessons on her new Janome. I took charge and made sure that GrandMomma didn't work too hard and took breaks. I also had to fur her quilt top.
Momma and I shared her seat. Yes! That is her butt in the red sweatshirt and I didn't really want my photo taken cuz she was hogging most of the seat. Geesh!
When Momma got up I kept her seat warm for her. You can see that my chunky monkey sissy kept the ottoman warm by the front window. Who knows what my little sissy was doing...probably hiding from me!
GrandMomma will be back this weekend to sandwich her quilt. I hope there are leftovers for me cuz I like sandwiches!!!!
Momma and I shared her seat. Yes! That is her butt in the red sweatshirt and I didn't really want my photo taken cuz she was hogging most of the seat. Geesh!
When Momma got up I kept her seat warm for her. You can see that my chunky monkey sissy kept the ottoman warm by the front window. Who knows what my little sissy was doing...probably hiding from me!
GrandMomma will be back this weekend to sandwich her quilt. I hope there are leftovers for me cuz I like sandwiches!!!!
Wednesday, November 05, 2014
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
The Bibliophile Files - 11/4/14
I am happy to say that the challenge is 83% over and I am actually 88% thru the reading list. Woohoo!!
I did have to make some adjustments to my chosen books yesterday. I had received some "book books" as my local librarian and I call them but I can get thru an audiobook sew much faster (and sew at the same time, too boot) so I have now returned the book books and ordered the last audiobooks that I need to complete my challenges. Only nine more books to go. Easy Peasy!
In the last month I finished these books:
Devil in the White City (10/7/14)
House of Riverton (10/13/14)
12th of Never (10/19/14)
Undone (10/31/14)
Reckless Abandon (11/2/14)
I've got you Under my Skin (11/3/14)
On my night stand and stereo: Agony of the Leaves and Everglades
And now... it's your turn!! What have you read in the last month?
Monday, November 03, 2014
Design Wall Monday - 11/3/14
Bazaar season is fast approaching so I spent some spare time this weekend making more mugrugs, cord keepers and zippered pouches.
I'm sure all y'll have heard about the cobbler whose kids were always shoeless... Well, this quilter finally has a new wallet to replace the old one that was a disaster from the day I made it, which was probably over eight years ago! Woohoo!
Cya tomorrow for The Bibliophile Files!
I'm sure all y'll have heard about the cobbler whose kids were always shoeless... Well, this quilter finally has a new wallet to replace the old one that was a disaster from the day I made it, which was probably over eight years ago! Woohoo!
Cya tomorrow for The Bibliophile Files!