I hate snaps!

Howdy,
So my cousin Jay and his wife had their baby a couple days early. Normally not a problem but I wanted to make a diaper clutch to go with the blankie I had made. Okay, I find instructions,(http://www.vanillajoy.com/diaper-clutch-tutorial.html)
sew it up but at the last minute decide to put a snap on it instead of velcro. Should be no problem, have used them before, I think. Well, I apparently did something different this time and the damn snap won't close, nor can I remove it. #$$%%$ Now, I have to make a new one, which means I need to go to the store to get more coordinating fabric because I used the last of it on the now defective diaper clutch!!!
Aargh!
Her

I want to try this!!

Hey ...

I was checking out a few blogs today and found this:



I want to try it! It was from Jaybird Quilts!! So much to do and so little time to do it in!!
ME

Victory

Howdy,
Do you ever have a quilt that taunts you-one that you just can't finish? Lee's denim strip birthday quilt was like that. It taunted me for months. Anyway I finished it today. It's not the prettiest quilt I've ever done but it's intended for the field or the beach so I think it will do.
How was the secret quilt reveal?
Her

Crafty Friends

Howdy,
Just thought I'd share some pics of what our crafty friends have been up to. This is a ninja turtle quilt that Julie made for her sister (who loves Ninja turtles) for Christmas. You can't see in the pics but the crazy girl hand sewed the binding!
What have you been up to?
Her

Fabric Wreath - The Christmas Version

Hey ..

The Christmas Crafters (Kristy, Vanessa and I; Karen was missing tonight) got together and made Christmas fabric wreaths!! They turned out awesome!!!! Karen used her super ability to pick out wild and vibrant coloured materials ... the reds and greens look wonderful together!!!

It was great fun!!!
ME

Done!!!

Hey ...

The secret quilt is done!!!!! I finished the binding last night! Every time I finish a quilt, I am always so amazed at how the binding pulls the quilt together! I am so excited to be done. All I have left to do is wash it so that it frays!!! All I have left to finish before Christmas is Grandma's banner. It's this cute Santa Clause banner. The pattern is for a table runner or a banner. It's pretty cute! When I get done I will post some pictures!

In other news ... I am more unfocused than most of my students. I couldn't sit still yesterday. I hope that today is better! When are you guys done for the holidays? My last day is Tuesday!!! I was looking at the calender and I think I am only going to get two or three days of sitting at home, staying in my pj's and doing nothing but sewing over the break!!! I plan to work on my to do list!!!

Happy Friday ...
ME

What's happening?

So, I'm curious. What's up with the secret quilt. I need details.
Her

Secret Quilt Reveal

Howdy,
So we had Andy's birthday with my family tonight. After pizza and hide and go seek we had presents. Even though his real birthday isn't until tomorrow I couldn't wait to give him his quilt. So here it is.
It's just simple squares so you can see all the characters. The back is a Star Wars Sheet with the official Star Wars tag attached. I did simple grid quilting on the diagonal with skinny double lines and thick double lines.
Her

Awesome Auntie strikes again

Howdy,
Wow! I am a machine. Here are some pics of doll quilt number two.
Mr. Her's quilt is in the dryer as we speak. Can't wait to see it.
Her

Secret Quilt!!

Hey ...

The secret quilt has been quilted!! Not much left to do ... just the binding!!!!

ME

Late Night Motivation

Howdy,
Just a quick update. Apparently I found some late night motivation and bound the secret quilt. It's all done now, just needs a quick trip through the washer and dryer and will be ready for Mr. Her's birthday this weekend. Yeah Me!!!

The Utlimate Auntie

Howdy,
Just a shot of what I've been working on. We bought handmade doll cradles at the Sundog Fair for the girls. I just finished making a mattress and a quilt for the first one. It's pretty cute.
What have you been working on?

Her

Saturday Morning ...

Hey ...

Just an update ... I ran out of blue thread while quilting the secret quilt!!!

ME

Something cute

Howdy,
My secret quilt top is done! Pictures will have to wait (for obvious reasons) how's your secret project going? I just had to show you this cute toque I made for Caleb today. It's soft and oh so warm.

Her

Patience is a virtue

Howdy,
So after two years of patiently waiting I finally got my quilt stand. Andy's dad, Al made it for me. It's fir and maple and is all hand crafted-no screws or nails. It's going to live in the family room where I can look at it often.
Her

Queen of the Procrastinators

Hey there,
All of your productivity has inspired me to finish something. So instead of working on big projects I finished a baby girl quilt for a little girl named Callie. I used up some of my flannel I've been hoarding and tried out my blanket stitch on my machine.
Keep up the work. It inspires me to finish works in progress.
Her

Another one off the list!!!!

Hey ...

One more done:

DONE: Bento Box - I bought a couple of jelly rolls and saw this pattern on Crazy Mom Quilts Blog. I got out some graph paper and made myself a pattern. I am strip piecing this one together. I am almost half done the top of this one. I have this one quilted (as of today). I have to run to Wal-Mart to pick up some material to make the binding. I hope to finish this one today!!!!

Here is an up close:

I love the binding!!!!

Catch ya later
ME

An update on my to-do list!!!

Howdy ...

Below is my to do list from June 2nd ... I have actually got a few things done!!!! I have also added a few things to my list!!!

1. DONE - Kristy's T-Shirt quilt
2. Brown/Blue/Green/Red - brick road - needs to be quilted. I can't decide what kind of pattern to quilt on this one, that's why I haven't finished it yet.
3. Cirlce one that I started last summer. I can't find material for the back of this quilt. I have the top done just need to find a back.
4. Happy Go Lucky - This is the one from Crazy Mom Quilts Blog - I loved hers so I made my own version.
5. Strip Maze - I bought this kit at our quilt show. This is a really easy strip piecing quilt to do. I got it from Prairie Chicks Quilting, Scrapbooking & Country Gifts. I bought the lap size but wanted the twin so Michael picked up a second kit for me. These ladies are great! I have 27 squares made ... I need 63 total!!!
   
6. Bento Box - I bought a couple of jelly rolls and saw this pattern on Crazy Mom Quilts Blog. I got out some graph paper and made myself a pattern. I am strip piecing this one together. I am almost half done the top of this one. I have this one quilted (as of today). I have to run to Wal-Mart to pick up some material to make the binding. I hope to finish this one today!!!!
   
7. DONE!!! IT IS STUFFED AND ON MY CHAIR!!! Flower pillow - Mom bought me this for my birthday. It's so cute! She picked it up for me at our quilt show. She got it from the Quilt Patch. I have it all cut out and just need to finish hand sewing the little message before I put it all together.
8. Wall hanging for Grandma L - She really liked this wall hanging so I told her to buy the pattern and I would make it for her. She picked it up at our quilt show and got it from the Quilt Patch too. At this same time my Mom bought a welcome sign. I got to make that too. She said that is was a good deal for her ... she buys the pattern, I make it!
9. I bought a triangle ruler and I want to use it to make a quilt with too. It is awesome to work with. I have played around with it and it makes perfect squares!

OK ... so I haven't done very much on my to do list!!! I did finish these:

This is a pillow that Mom got me for Christmas while I was teaching in Taiwan!!!


This is the pattern "Turning Twenty". All you need for the top is 20 fat quarters. This was the first full size quilt top I ever made. I got done quilting it on Friday. I am giving it to Margot and Steve. They got married on 10/10/10!!!



There are a few more things to add to the to do list ... that will take more time than I have right now ... the ladies will be here for tea in 20 mins ...

Happy Quilting!
ME

My Fabric Wreath

Hey ...

Last November a few of us from work got together to do a Christmas craft. We made Gum Drop pillows!!! They are so cool and easy to make too!!! This year we are making fabric wreaths. Here is my sample:


This one is for Mom. I had her stop in Regina and pick up a honey bun of materials that she liked. I am going to give it to her tomorrow!!! Everyone likes early Christmas presents ... or is that just me???

Happy Friday!!! ME

Christmas Panel

Hey Her,

I bought some material to use with the Christmas panel. I cut it into pieces tonight. Here is a preview:
















Enjoy
ME

Triangle Corner Trick

Hey ...

Check out Cluck Cluck Sew ... she is brilliant!!! I love the look of triangle corners but hate drawing the lines!!! Using her tip, I don't have to draw on anything, I can just sew!!!

ME

Cool Ruler

Howdy,
Can you tell I'm procrastinating? I've spent to much time today checking blogs but have found some cool things. Check out Spun sugar quilts and the cool square/ruler they have for wonky blocks. Might have to get me one.

Her

Cool under pressure

Howdy,
Sometimes I am such a slacker child(with a short memory). I just remembered at 7:00 tonight that I had told Mom that I would make a table runner for a door prize for the harvest tea instead of baking pies. 3 hours later and I have one super cute skinny Christmas table runner. (Idea from Moda Bake shop Skinny Verna). I really like the straight line quilting on it. Sort of makes it look modern-ish. Anyway it's a super easy thing to do when you need something in a hurry.
Of course I haven't done any thing on my big projects but I do feel a sense of accomplishment from making the table runner and sometimes you really need that.
What's up with you?
Her

Circle Quilt

Howdy,
Check out the circle quilt on Jaybird Quilts. I think this would look awesome.
Her

Ghost & Jack-O-Lantern Garland

Hello there ...

Guess what?!?!?! Made something this weekend!!!! I was looking through my pile of books and the 4 books from Art to Heart. I had forgot about them!!!

I found the pattern in this book:



I have a few of the Halloween wall hangings before. This weekend I made the Ghost & Jack-O-Lantern Garland. All I have left to do is the eyes(french knots) and applique the pumpkin faces!!!

Here are a few pictures:


I will add another picture of the finished product later ... when I get it done!!!
Hope you had a good weekend!
ME

Craft Cave Productions 2

Howdy,
here are some pics of Carrie's denim quilt with a pieced back and binding.

Craft Cave Productions

Hey there,
Carrie is on a roll with her quilt/ She did the back tonight and quilted it. At this rate she should be done in a week. Myself, I need to make a table runner for the harvest tea door prize. Off to blog land for some inspiration.
Her

Secret Quilt

I am terrible at keeping secrets. I almost showed the secret quilt!!! It was all I could do to not show it!!!! I might have to take it to school tomorrow and show it off.... even though I am not done it yet!!!!! I can't wait for the weekend so that I can sew some more!!!

Thanks for the great weekend!
ME

Excited in the South!!!

Hello ...

It's been a while ... School is still stressful but getting better! I am so looking forward to quilting this weekend and the next!!! I just bought 5 new quilting magazines and now I don't know what I want to do first!!!! I can't wait for the weekend!!!

See you soon
ME

What does Sanity look like?

Howdy,
Here's a couple of pics of the quilt called Sanity. She will probably be in the ugly quilt category but she is very snuggly. One thing off the fall list!! Her

One thing done

Howdy,
I finished binding the quilt called Sanity last night. I was trying to use scraps so some of the binding is pretty skinny and quite ugly but I don't care. Pictures to follow soon.
Her

Need some motivation. Got any?

Hey there,
Hope everything is going well with you. I've decided I should make a new list because I do well with pressure. So here's what I think I should work on this fall:
1) Back,Baste,Quilt, and Bind Lee's denim quilt (just a little late for his birthday in June)
2) Bind the quilt called Sanity.
3) Finish top for Cor's birthday quilt
4) Make a couple receiving blankets for some aquaintances who are expecting.

Ok. that's what I think I should do by the middle of November.

How's your list?
Her

I suck ...

Hey ...

I suck at blogging and getting quilting done right now. I have no idea when I will get anything up on this site. Hopefully soon!!!
ME

Craft Cave Products

Howdy,
I'm sitting here not wanting to go back to work. Work=Boo! Anyway, I thought I'd show you some pics of Carrie's jean quilt. Looks good!
Her

Finally ...

Hi!!! I finally did some sewing yesterday. Who knew sewing could be such a great procrastination method and yet still be productive??? I will post pictures as soon as I find the cord for my camera.
ME

I am a machine

I am a quilting machine. Today in a fit of motivation (inspired by a month of procrastination), I finished the scruffily quilt. Carrie also did a lot on her quilt today as well.
Pictures are of the quilt before washing but they look pretty good.

I am pretty proud that my short list is now done.!!!!!

Her

Another quilting purchase!!!

Hello ...

Looks like you ladies had a great time at the lake on the weekend. Wish I could have been there with you all!

I am procrastinating today. Instead of planning this new math curriculum, I am searching quilt patterns online. And while I was searching, I decided to make a couple of purchases. I bought two patterns from Toadusew: Alter Ego and Jackson's Pond. I can't wait to pick out fabric for the Alter Ego pattern. I have no idea what colours to do it in. I like the samples that are shown. More fabric shopping. I think I like fabric shopping as almost as much as I like shoe shopping.

I am glad to see that you are crossing things off your list. I haven't done much of that this summer. I will work at it this fall.

Just a heads up ... I will be up there for Thanksgiving again!!!

I am going to do some planning right now or I hope to do some planning!!!
Cheers
ME

Late summer motivation

Hello,
For some reason, I am feeling a little panic/motivation to finish things on the short list. Maybe because it seems like I might finish the list (for once). Anyway I finished quilting my scruffliy quilt (from p.s. I quilt) tonight. I was even thinking I might whip up the binding as well tonight when I broke my rotary cutter. The blade won't stay down now. Bah! So I guess I have to go get a new one tomorrow. While a new cutter will be nice it totally wrecked my motivation train.
I found a new pattern for you to do. Check out cluck,cluck sew and go to the pattern store. I can't remember what it's called but it looks like Aunt Edna and patchwork blocks. Not a good description but check it out and you'll see what I mean. Why you? you ask. Well we both know that sewing circles requires pinning and I'm not about that at all.
Enjoy these last days,
Her

One thing off the list

Howdy,
So we went to a wedding today and my gift was a denim strip quilt. Very easy and looked good.
So I can take one thing off my list from the beginning of summer. There's still lots of stuff on there that I should be finishing. So what's been crossed off your list?
Her

New Toy

Howdy
So you'll never guess what I did today. Okay, I can't wait for you to guess. I bought a new machine. The old one was tired of working so hard and was going to have to go for more surgery which would have cost more than the machine was worth. Plus it was laughing at me and being non cooperative. I told it to cooperate or I was going to but a new machine and it didn't believe me. So today I bit the bullet and bought my new, lovely, slightly expensive machine. It doesn't have a name yet but it is lovely. It's a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0. I got a great deal on it because it had a nick in the bottom. I'll post some pics soon.
On the quilting front, it's full force here. Carrie is working on a denim squares quilt and Julie got the squares cut out for a pink and brown quilt. I'm quilting a denim quilt for Marc and Amanda's wedding of the 14th.
What's up in your schedule?
Her

Shopping Spree

Hi,
We went on a little cross country tour today and I stopped at two quilt stores. Two , you say?
Where else did I go. Why to Hague of course. They have a great little store there and I bought a ridiculous amount of fabric. I 'll take a pic later and post.
What have you been up to?
Her

Diamond G Photos

So here's some shots of the great anniversary quilt.

Victory is mine!!!

Okay, so I'm a little delirious but I am finished!!!
Pictures will come soon. Maybe when it stops raining,hailing....
Her

New Math Curriculum

So ... I haven't done any sewing b/c this new Math curriculum is stressing me out! I can't believe that I am doing work rather than enjoying summer. I worked on it for hours today and got no where. This is going to be a long long school year ... new math and modified math in the same school year.

I hope you are making some good progress on the anniversary quilt! Can't wait to see it!
ME

I think I can, I think I can... Part Two

Hi!
The anniversary quilt continues to trudge along. The top is done,it's basted and I've started the quilting. After staring at it for an hour and it not talking to me I've decided to just stitch in the ditch between all the blocks. The quilting is almost done. Actually today I realized that I hadn't made a label yet so I'm going to try and do that this morning and figure out how to attach it to the partially quilted quilt. More news later.

Her

Quilt Art

Hi ...
I haven't done much in the sewing department yet but I am going to get at it asap!!!! I was searching online to get some inspiration and found this on Kate Kwiltz's blog:


I love this. I think I am going to try to make my own version of it. I don't think it will be that hard to make. I think the hardest part will be picking out the material to make it with. I am going to have to come up to NB again to get some great brights at Fabricland. I have all my fabrics sorted to colour so it shouldn't be that difficult to get this started.
Happy Sewing
ME

P.S. I love the polka dot border!!

I think I can, I think I can...

Hi there,
Have you taken over Dallas' table yet. I have just emerged from the craft cave for a much needed break. The first part of the top is done and the white border is ready to go on. what have you been working on?

Her

Another to add to the TO-SEW list!

Hey ... I think this would be a great project - Pojagi Panel.

There just isn't enough time for me to do everything I want to!
ME

Quilterville website

This site has a number of quilts on it that I would like to make. I am not sure if you finding this site is a great thing or not!!!
ME

Next Week...

Hey ... I might come up next week just to visit. I figure that I could spend a couple of days in NB and then head to Reagan's place before I come back home. Then we could sew sew sew!
ME

Some finishes from June/Photo Shoot

1. Above is the table runner I made for out staff party. It's a disappearing nine patch made with Blush by Moda.

2.I took a quilt (the giant quilt in the Millions Annex) outside for a photo shoot today. It was supposed to happen earlier today but a nap called my name. The quilt is a Strip Twist (see Bonnie Hunter's site) with a piano key border. The back is very simple with a border of Log Cabins).

Okay, Now I feel like I did something. I also went and got backing fabric (more fabric) for the two quilts I need to back and quilt. I must stop underestimating what I need.

Her

Banner

You know what we need? I know It's a long list but in terms of the blog we need a snazy banner. I have no idea how to do this but it's something to think about. (You know, in those two free moments.)

GO! Fabric Cutter

What do you think of the GO! fabric cutter?

New material!!!

Hi!!!
I bought the material and matching thread for the secret. I got it at Periwinkle Quilting. I could have bought a lot of material but I didn't!!!! I just bought what I needed. So tonight when I got back to Reagan's place, I took out my pattern and started. I got the word all drawn out on the Heat 'n Bond. I just have to cut out the center so that I can get it ironed on. I am struggling a little bit with how to put it all together. I think I have it figured out! I am going to draw it out before I cut into any of the material. I sure how I bought enough!!!

I can't wait to get home so I can do some quilting. The workshop that I was suppose to attend next week has been canceled so now I can sew sew sew!!!!
ME

Things I should do this week

This morning I was making a list in my head of things I should quilt this week. I should probably stop doing that because the list gets pretty big. However, maybe it will motivate me to do something. So here goes, This week I will:
1) Finish the top for Lee's denim quilt (see Piece N Quilt's simply denim tutorial to get a pic)
2) Baste and Machine quilt Amanda and Marc's denim wedding quilt
3) Procrastinate binding the above quilt by sewing some disappearing Nine patch blocks for Koreen L's cabin quilt.

All right, all right, enough blogging must go to Craft cave and sew.

Her

Labels

Me again ... I never label my quilts which is dumb. Check out what Lady Harvatine does. I like the font that she uses. I need to find a micron pen (that is what she says she uses).

Remind me to make some labels and to label the next quilts that I make!
ME

On Sale ...

Hey ...
I saw this quilt in a magazine and loved it. Didn't want to spend $80 on it but now it's ON SALE!! So what do you think ... should I order it? I have the pattern already b/c I have the magazine. Maybe I should just find some different material and make it.

ME

One done, so many to finish!!!

I have used that giant ricrac. It in on the big flower pillow that I made. It is making a come back. The ricrac that I used was soft and easy to work with!

I finished Kristy's wedding quilt. I worked on it daily until 1 am. I finished it Wednesday morning. My goal was to get it to her before the end of the school year!!! She loved it!

We (5 of us) went to Eclipse last night! It was awesome! I can't wait to see the next two.

I am very excited for summer. It's going to be busy but great!!!

See you on Friday!
ME

Giant RicRac

Howdy,
So on our 24 hour trip to Calgary we stopped at a quilt store for a few minutes. I found some wide ricrac that I have seen in lots of magazines. Now what to do with it?
Secret project sounds interesting. Can't wait to see you.
Her

Fabric Pig ...

Hi ...
I have found another quilt that I want to make. It is called Spinning Dots and it is on the cover of the new Quilt Magazine(Aug/Sept issue). I searched and found the material too. I am such a fabric pig ... I just want to buy it all and have it so that some day when I get around to making all these quilts that I want I will already have the material and won't have to go searching for it or find out that its not available anymore! The fabric is called Ellie's Emporium by Sue Penn. Check it out ... it can be found about 1/2 way down the page. While I am on the topic of fabric that I love ... Check out Mark Miller's line called Poppy ... love it too ... all of it! I just want to buy it. I have no idea of what I would do with it ... I just WANT IT!!!!

On a quilting note, I have 3/4 of the T-shirt quilt top put together!
I have a secret project started ... I will let you in on the secret when I see you!!!
I am quilting straight lines on my mulit-coloured brown quilt. Okay, the lines maybe not straight but they are the best that I can do!!!!

There are lots of bags in the new Quilt Magazine too ... more projects ... so little time!
Happy Stitching
ME

The danger of the quilt store

Howdy,
So today we had to go to S'toon to get some stuff for a resource kit I'm making. On the way there of course,we passed the quilt store. I just can't not go in there. So I bought more splendid fabric and now have more projects to work on. I guess I should go down to the craft cave and finish the disappearing nine patch table runner I started last night. We are hosting the staff party and I realized that I must have a table runner for the dining room table. So last night at 10:00 I started one and finished the top. I bought some backing (from the Blush line by Moda) for it today so I better get to work on it.

Have a great day,
Her

Almost done something ...

Hey ....

Binding is giving you troubles eh?? I don't mind doing it b/c I don't do it by hand. I bind using my machine. I have done binding by hand but it takes too too long for me! I need to see more instant results. I think the best part about doing the binding is that when you get to this point, the quilt is almost done!!!

I still haven't stuffed the pillow ... Here is a couple of pictures of it:


Here is the center:

The center has a saying that I hand stitched around it. "Just living is not enough" said the butterfly "one must have sunshine and freedom and a little flower". By Hans Christian Anderson.

Here are a few pictures of Kristy's T-shirt quilt that I am making. I am 2/3 done the top now. This is the first time I tried to lay out all the t-shirts.


Here is what it looks like now that I have added strips to the t-shirts:
I was standing on top of my chair trying to take the above picture so I didn't get all of it in. I have the bottom right hand corner to finish piecing together. My goal is to have this done by the end of June.

I have figured out how I am going to quilt my Yellow Brick Road quilt too. I have figured out how I am going to quilt it. I will post some pictures soon.

That's what I have been up to these days ...
Cheers
ME