Here are photos of her new area:

And here is Tracy with her hubbys toy!

I answer a whole mess of questions from the giveaway post!  Thanks so much for calling in and asking questions, this was a really fun episode to do. I hope to do another one in the future!

If you want to call in to a future episode here is how you can do it:

Call in to the podcast using the link above (or call direct 813-428-8131) and ask a question for me to answer on a future podcast.

• I attended a lecture and workshop with Juanita Yeager, art quilter. What a great experience!
• I worked on my blocks for the Scrappy Trip Around the World swap
• Playing with some leftovers from my snowball blocks
• I have a new toy!!
• I did a jelly roll race quilt
• Stitched on my first t-shirt and a messenger bag
• Commission work
• Babies are coming! (not my own)
• Fixed Rainbow Insomnia’s label
• Finish-a-long goals for 2nd quarter
• Made curtain tiebacks
• Thinking of doing a Hoopsisters Mystery quilt

Book reviews:

Q

Techie Stuff for Quilting and Embroidery

• iPad/iPod/iPhone apps
• Fabric Converter
• Robert Kaufman’s Quilt Calc
• Block Fab
• Block Tool
• Fabric Stash
• Fabric Journal
• Quilt Helper
• Pattern Pal
• Project Quilt
• Quilt Fab
• QuiltRef
• Color Schemer
• Quilt Shops
• Quilt Index
• Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics
• Easy Quilt
• Quilt Envi
• Quick & Easy Quilt Block Tool
• Quilter’s App
• Planet Embroidery
• Organize your magazines by scanning them to PDF and saving them on your PC
• Use a black marker to mark the end of your monofiliment thread
• Evernote
• One Pretty Thing - website with lots of DIY craft tutorials

Other Stuff:

• Rainbow Insomnia is finished along with the Black Floral UFO.
• I made a cool thread banner and embroidered a thrift store dress
• I ranted about folks getting their panties in a bunch over Pinterest
• Some interesting drama going on regarding a certain fabric designer and a certain publisher

Giveaway is here!!

• Metro Embroidery Thread
• Rayon thread issues
• Tip about quilting in the hoop – cover your clips in masking tape to prevent them from popping off!
• Rainbow Insomnia and the different types of quilting I did
• The fun of using 28 wt. Aurifil thread
• Designing a new label
• Black Floral wallhanging finish
• The importance of Watermarking
• A hat for St. Pats
• Give me your techy quilty tips for an upcoming episode!
• I have an idea for the next giveaway to reward podcast listeners – let me know if you think it is a good idea
• Machine goes to the spa and I get a little worried
• The doggies go to a poochie paddle
• I get the Aurifil thread card and drooling ensues

Ready for binding!

Love my new Aurifil thread card!

• I’m trying out some new embroidery software – Stitch Era Universal
• I embroidered some shamrocks using an applique pattern
• Got some stuff digitized
• Spring Cleaning
• EQ 7
• Aurifil monofiliment
• Karen Kay Buckley machine applique workshop and dinner
• I’m losing time
• My Epcot trip and dinner at The Ravenous Pig
• Scrappy Trips Around the World Swap starts soon!
• Quilting in the hoop using my embroidery machine
• Byron agility update
• New tutorial – sewing machine mat

• A little bit behind the scenes of the interview with Kimberly Einmo!
  

  Rainbow Lone Star in Progress

• Some of my works in progress:
• Rainbow Lonestar
• Black Floral Wallhanging UFO
• Test blocks for twin size commission
• Testing embroidery files from Big Dreams Embroidery
  

  My 1st set of curtains

• Block design for Seamed Up
• Basil saw the surgeon for his 8 week checkup after his CCL surgery repair
• Work drama
• I reorganize my sewing studio a bit
• I made my first set of curtains!!
• Comment catchup – thanks to everyone for the lovely comments you left on Episode 36 show notes!  I’m really proud of that episode and I’m glad so many of you enjoyed listening to it.

Some Bargello Quilt Along finishes done by blog followers and podcast listeners:

 
This tablerunner was completed by Theresa. I love her setup! She made it longer to accommodate her table.  This was her first bargello project ever.

Listener Tami created this bargello tablerunner but she added borders and decided to turn it into a shawl with pockets! I hope she will send me photos of the finished product when she is done.

Robin shared this photo with me on Twitter! I love her blues for this table runner. I think it flows really well.

Download the podcast in iTunes

On a lovely Wednesday in February I took the day off from work to accomplish two things: travel to the other side of the county for Basil’s vet appointment and interview Kimberly Einmo! She was kind enough to let me have a few hours of her afternoon for an interview and we spent some time sewing and chatting together afterwards.

You can follow Kimberly on her blog, order her books and rulers thorough her store, see where she’s at on her event calendar and reference ruler instructions that she saves in case you need it!

Kimberly is the author of three books (click the photo to learn more and order):

And several rulers:

• EZ Star and Geese ruler
• EZ Jelly Roll ruler
• EZ Pineapple Log Cabin ruler
• EZ Hearts cut tool

Some photos of her quilts featured in Jelly Roll Magic (click to make larger):

Kimberly’s blog post - ”Are You a Thread Snob?” - learn some great reasons why thread is just as important is good fabric.  We both love Aurifil 50 wt Mako thread for piecing and quilting. (I get mine from The Quilt Bear or one of my LQS).

Two longarm quilters that Kimberly uses for her quilts:

• Birgit Schüller
• Carolyn Archer

Giveaway Information:

Kimberly is happy to sponsor a giveaway for her latest book Jelly Roll Magic and her EZ Jelly Roll Ruler.  She will even sign the book for the winner!   Just leave a comment on this post by Friday, February 24th, midnight EST and you are entered to win!
——————————————————————————–
 Some photos of her studio and fabric storage:

This is the view into her kitchenette area. Kimberly has converted part of an in-law suite for her sewing studio.

A new precut project that she is working on using Robert Kaufman Batik strips!

Her Christmas gift to herself – a complete set of Aurifil 50 wt threads!

Kimberly’s travel sewing project – she makes yoyos and has a whole basket full of them.  She hopes to one day sew all of them together and make some sort of quilt out of them.

View of her sewing area from the kitchenette.  She has her main sewing machine in the white cabinet, her laptop behind her and her ironing board to her right. Divot, her faithful canine companion, sleeps on a quilt in the white office chair while she works.

It was a beautiful day outside so she opened her studio up to the screened in patio room where the cats love to lay in the sun and chase lizards.  I had to keep from laughing several times while recording because I’d look over and see Snickers stalking prey!

Artwork from one of her sons that she framed and hung up in her studio.

This is a travel quilt she completed on a class she taught during an Alaskan cruise.  The ladies pieced one of these small quilt tops, used Pigma Paintstiks to decorate it and collected pins from the various ports they visited as a souvenir quilt.  I think it is so cute! I love the paw prints.

Her trunk show quilts in storage.  Safe away from light and folded up off the floor.

Fabrics she collected in Europe and some of her other trips and below those are her 30′s fabrics that she plans to use.

Yardage separated by color.

Her batiks!

Her cutting area!  She said these cabinets came from a Goodwill in Germany and they’ve followed her around ever since.  They are the perfect cutting height for her and provide lots of storage space. 

Tuffy sleeping in the sun!  He was on the table the entire time sleeping in the sun patch. 

Miss Divot also enjoying the nice weather on a patio chair!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!  Thanks so much to Kimberly for letting me spend the afternoon with her. I think this podcast episode has more laughing in it than any other one!

I did quite a bit of sewing related stuff on Superbowl day! I also participated in the tweet chat when I could.

• Jelly roll fun – rainbow lone star
• I took my “intro to embroidery” class and got some great tips for my Topaz 20
• Upcoming interview fun!
• Did you enter the first sponsored giveaway?
• Inspiration for Precuts – magazine review

• I made a big move from Blogger to WordPress and how that might impact you – resubscribe in your Google Reader here: Subscribe in a reader
• Getting bogged down with commissions – a good thing and a bad thing
• Basil update and Byron does more agility finally
• More puzzle fun
• Bargello Quilt Along Update
• Crumb swap update
• Gnome naming contest
• Upcoming trips and stuff
• Quilt guild happenings & the Opportunity Quilt
• Sponsorship!
• Pinterest
• Manicures
• Upcoming interview

"A Poinsettia Quilt" - Cypress Creek Quilters Guild Opportunity Quilt 96" x 96"

If you would like to donate for an opportunity to win the quilt please contact me!

My parents came to visit so I convinced my mom to sit for an interview

I cooked a lot while my parents were here (well more than usual)

• Pork roast
• Simple 2-ingredient biscuits
• Pineapple upside down cake in a cast iron skillet

I receive a cool quilty gift – a puzzle!

This is as far as I’ve gotten:

Here are some neato puzzles from Amazon that would be great for quilters!

Update on the crumb block swap

The commission conundrum

Here are the fun fabrics that listener Jill sent me:

And her crumb blocks:

And these are the crumb blocks that I’ve received from my partners so far:

• I completed an Anita Goodesign project in the hoop and made a cute table topper!  I’ll share my trials and tribulations with my embroidery machine.
• I received a few Christmas gifts
• Planning the Bargello quilt along
• Orca Bay progress
• Thinking ahead for 2012 goals
• Painting
• Creating a new ironing board top
• #NYSI
• BDSI Wrapup
• Basil update
• Bissell Poweredge Pet Edition  review

• Discovering how big my Christmas fabric stash really is
• I’m planning a Bargello Quilt Along and I hope you can join me!
• The fabric diet ends and I look back on my experience
• Basil has surgery – forever thankful for doggie health insurance and support from all my quilty friends!
• Orca Bay update
• My mic gets replaced
• New podcast – Lazy Daisy Quilts
• The 2012 Goal List begins – (Quilter in the Gap hosting 2012 Finish Along)
• Listia - Listia is a new kind of online auction site where you bid on other people’s stuff using credits instead of real money. They make it easy for you to give away stuff you don’t need anymore and get stuff you want in return for free. If you enjoy giving and getting items for free, then you’ll love Listia!  They have a great sewing/knitting/crafting section. You get free credits to spend just for joining.
• quilt guild stuff

Orca Bay Part 4 Finished!

Recent remnant bin finds

I created two new tutorials that you might find helpful!

• Half-Square Triangles using Foundation Paper
• Corded Fabric Bowl Video Tutorial

I was sick for about a week but I’m starting to feel better (I think I edited out all of the coughs)
paper piecing
life changes
Fabric Diet update
Teaching
Scheduling Speakers
Quilts in progress
Butterfly Quilt (new thread!)
Other stuff
Book  Review – Tips for Quilters – Rachel T. Pellman

Playing Pinball is Serious Business!

Read my recent post on some easy steps to improving your quilting efficiency!
A short fabric diet update
I love my new minibolt fabric system!
Order Comic Book Backing Boards from Amazon - $9.95 for 100
Update on my Goals for 2011 
Customer Service Experiences with Rowenta (bad) and AccuQuilt (awesome)
Commission quilt update
Basil having some knee issues
I get an invite!
Orca Bay mystery quilt progress
teaching
A pinball outing

Book Reviews!

•  Flower Show Quilts – Stunning Applique on a Patchwork Canvas - Lynn Ann Majidmehr
•  Big Block Quilts – Using Layer Cakes, Suite 16′s, etc! -  Moose on the Porch Quilts
•  Twist and Turn Bargello Quilts - Eileen Wright
•  The Ultimate Sunbonnet Sue Collection - Leisure Arts 
• Perfect Fit Pieced Borders – Sheila Sinclair Snyder

 Product Reviews -

• Quilt Binding Express
• AccuQuilt Go! dies
• 5″ Square Die
• Value Die (included with purchase)
• 2.5″ Square Die
• Bugs die
• Feathers die

New-to-me Fabric Line – Curio by Basic Grey for Moda Fabrics

I score on Ebay

A fabric diet is begun

I get interviewed by Rhonda of Quilter in the Gap podcast

Designing for Fall

Orca Bay Mystery Quilt 2011 – Bonnie Hunter

• And you can see all my posts regarding my progress in Orca Bay here!

Sketched Freeform Feathers

If you missed my post on finishing “The Modern Garden” go take a look! Tons of pics.
Follow me on Instagram! (Free iPhone app to share fun photos you can edit in the app).  I do lots of quilty pix along with corgi pix.
The Accuquilt Go! Gets another workout thanks to Lauren. Giveaway winners are announced and packages were mailed out yesterday! (Side note: No wonder the USPS is seeing a huge drop in First Class mailings. Their people aren’t very friendly.)
Work plans a Halloween table and my creative talents get put to good use!

**New quilting podcasts to try out:**

• The Quilting Pot on Podbean – I Knit to Quilt Blog
• Lazy Daisy Quilts

Another book rec’d from Paperback Swap – Windows with Style – Do-it-yourself Window Treatments

Basic definitions:

Modern Garden in Progress

In no particular order:

• My plan for episode 26 didn’t work out so this is my second attempt at it.  You can go see my UFO exploration slideshow if you want to listen to that!
• I took another Kimberly Einmo quilt class and learned a pattern from her new book Jelly Roll Magic! 
• I’m finally tackling my challenge quilt – a month before it is due for judging.
• I pass on my quilting addiction to a friend and teach her which is a learning experience for me
• I recorded my first video tutorial ever and posted it on English Paper piecing!  Next video will be on corded fabric bowls
• Swap updates - Join our swap group on Swapbot – it’s free!
• Doggie updates
• The fun of doctor appointments
• I do some more longarming and have better success!
• I’m taking on a new position in the quilt guild next year and need ideas for instructors!
• I gave Hot Mess away

• Thank you commenters, twitters and e-mailers!
• I finished Hot Mess!
• Started a new job
• We took a long roadtrip to a few places in Florida (see my photos HERE)
• Tallahassee
• St. Augustine
• Cape Canaveral
• Orlando
• Accuquilt Go! Gets some use
• I go sewing machine shopping with a friend
• The quilt guild asks something important
• Two Book Reviews – Word Play Quilts and Quilt as Desired
• Paperback Swap – swap books with others for free!
• Swap updates

So many comments to catch up on! I’ve slacked off lately.

Book review – Better Homes and Gardens – Quilt Pink for Hope


Call-in Prompt (or leave a comment):
What is your ideal quilting vacation?

• Update on embroidery machine search – I’m leaning towards the Brother 770D
• Listener call-in section
• Live giveaway – Keegan won my giveaway and I will send a little something to Kelly and Debbie for being my first listeners to call-in!  Kelly – please e-mail me since I don’t have your e-mail address.
• Listener e-mails
• The longarm experience (see photos below)
• Fabric I’ve received recently and plans with it
• Planning a NYC trip

On to the First Pantograph

econd Pantrograph came out better:

• I injured my finger!
  

  Bernie Says "Hi Podcast Listeners!"

• Quiltsmart products came in!
• Join the Missouri Star Quilting Forum and chat with other quilting gals and guys
• Another lap quilt finish
• Planning something to enter into the Moda Bake Shop
• Embroidery machine window shopping – I’ve been looking at Brother, Babylock and Husqvarna/Viking machines but really would prefer a stand-alone embroidery machine.  Suggestions welcome!
• Print free graph paper for quilt planning

• Finished the Mondo Bag tote (click for photos)
• Finished my Bonnie Hunter Love Shack wallhanging

• Finished cutting layer cake squares for lap quilts
• Started the pinwheel swap
• Hosting a new swap – Mystery Box!
• First: Join the Group (must have a SwapBot Account)
• Then: Join the Swap!
• Jelly Roll 1600 Info
• Teddy Pruett – Quilt Appraiser
• Keel and Curley Winery

Mondo Bag progress - 208 2.5" squares of goodness!

I talk about the Quiltsmart interfacing product that I’ve tried out, I give some updates on the Pilot FriXion pen I spoke of in Episode 18 and some other life and quilt guild happenings.

QuiltSmart Printed Interfacing

• Mondo Bag Fun Pack (this is the one I’m working on now – see photo)
• Lone Star Classic Pack (the one I eventually want to purchase)

See my Episode 18 notes for warnings on the Pilot FriXion pen
Download the puppy training e-books for free that I spoke of!

If you missed my very short post on my Bonnie K. Hunter class go see it if not just to look at all the wonderful photos!  I obviously had lots of fun and talk in detail about the class.  I met some wonderful people!

• Free String Block Tutorial
• Word Play Quilts:  Easy Techniques for the UnRuly Quilter by Tonya Ricucci (easy pieced letters)
• Adventures With Leaders and Enders by Bonnie Hunter
• Scraps and Shirttails – The Art of Quilting Green by Bonnie Hunter
• Scraps and Shirttails II – Continuing the Art of Quilting Green by Bonnie Hunter

I found a long-arm for rent an hour from my home so I can start quilting on a long-arm for big projects! I’ll talk about things I’m worried about and things I’m very excited to learn and try.

I replaced the ripped liner in my purse and it made my brain hurt.

I tried a new marking technique for light fabric and I think we found a winner!  Video proof to show how awesome it is.

Pilot FriXion Erasable Pen – just use a hot iron or throw the top into a dryer for a few minutes. 

• Pilot FriXion 2-pack – black – $4.97
• Pilot FriXion Multi-Color Pack – $15.99

You may all remember the discussion about the new FriXion Pens made by Pilot Pen. They disappear with heat, either by rubbing with the eraser on the pen or by using an iron. There is a slight residue (clear) left behind, but we have found that it comes out with synthrapol. The big question was, is the chemical in the pen and any possible residue that does not wash out, likely to degrade fabric over time? Well, I called and asked to talk to someone about the chemicals in FriXion pens and was told that was proprietary information. Sigh. I explained that I did not need to know the precise chemical make-up of the pens, I simply needed to know if there was anything in them that was likely to erode fabric over time. About the best I could get, and it seems to ease my mind, is that the ink in the pens is not acid-based and will not harm fabric. The only caution is that it is not archival ink — because it disappears! Which is what we want!! I think I’m going to test them out on a small wallhanging or something of the sort. If I like the results after ironing and then washing the quilt in synthrapol, I will rejoice in a great new tool!
Linda
P.S. Someone on another list just told me that Sharon Schamber recommended using these. That’s good enough for me!
Actually, I’ve done a couple of tests with them, and they don’t ever completely disappear. That ink, I think, will always be there. I’ve written on fabric, ironed it off, put it in the freezer, and it comes back. I’ve written on fabric, ironed it off, washed it in Synthrapol, put it in the freezer, and it comes back. I’ve also done the same with Retayne, and it always comes back. Now, I’m not inclined to put my blankies in the freezer, and I’d probably use this on some of my own quilts, but I don’t think I’d use it for customers, unless I had discussed all the possibilities with them and they were cool with it.

Basically – test any marking technique you use because your mileage may vary! 

• Accuquilt Go! Review
• Progress on my Delectable Delights Mystery Quilt
• Deciding on borders
• How I prep for a quilting class
• Fabric closet reorganization
• A listener’s sewing machine quest update
• Quilt Show Ribbon research

End of the Bolt Selections I Received from Fabric.com

Some of the fabric notions I won at the guild Chinese Auction

I love the little carrying case

The Robert Kaufman Panda Fabric I won:

My Newly Reorganized Fabric Closet (it’s not perfect but it is WAY better than what it was):

And my mystery quilt laid out if you missed the blog post:

One of the Jelly Roll blocks – lots of pieces!  Had to make five of these and four of a different kind.

• Delectable Delights Jelly Roll Mystery Quilt – I pulled this out of the closet on Sunday and decided to see if I could work on it a bit.  I was able to get several blocks done and some other sections completed.  Now I only have 3 more blocks to finish before I can piece the main part of the top together.  Boy can I tell how inaccurate my cutting was back when I took this class.  It’ll look good from far away but definitely isn’t anywhere near perfection.  I’m kind of cringing at the thought of putting everything together because I know my blocks won’t be coming out to size.  Oh well.  Adding borders and quilting will hopefully distract away from my inaccurate piecing.
• Corded Fabric Bowl - I’ve been wanting to do an all-white bowl with colored thread for a while now since I had a ton of white strips to use up.  I sat down and did it finally and added colored handles.  Adding the handles was interesting since I had to hand-sew them on with a big needle.  Turned out cute though and I can’t wait to use it for binding clips in my studio.

• Learn how to miter a quilt border
• Research and discuss thread
• Find a local shop that will rent a longarm to me and talk about that

• Stocking up on batting
• Craft Store finds and Free Pattern Friday inspired a future project idea
• Planning some new land vacation trips – need tips on where to go in Asheville, NC and New York City!
• Quilting Survey Results
• Dog Food Information

• Stash Manicure – Plastic Bin Organization Technique
• Tips for Effectively Managing Tasks
• Productivity Tools
• “Eat That Frog” Method – Article summarizing how to become more productive
  
• Producteev online web-based software (has iPhone app and Gmail Gadget too)
  

Things I’ve been working on:

• Cutting fabric and starting blocks for two new lap quilts.  Cutting layer cake blocks is very time consuming….

• Put the binding on my Secret Sunbonnet Sue project and labeled it.  Not thrilled with how my label turned out.  I believe I’ll be doing something different next time.

• Slowly adding flowers to my box of Grandmothers Flower Garden hexagons. It sits on the table beside the couch in the box and I work on them while I watch TV.  I’ve had an idea to create a small sewing jar that will fit inside my purse so I can carry some with me on the go instead of my medium sized tote box.

• Tested out the Martelli “No Slip” Gripper Hoop. I’m happy with the results!
  
• Read some new magazines!  Pattern I want to do in the near future from fellow blogger and podcaster, Sandi Cowell was published in Quick Quilts. It is a cute table topper.
• Took a trip to Downtown Disney and did some resort hopping
• Playing Portal 2 the computer game on occasion
• Went to the May Guild Meeting.  Found out Bonnie Hunter is coming next month to another guild and I’ve signed up to go to one of her workshops.
• Caught up with some quilters podcasts including: Quilting Daydreams, Within a Quarter Inch, Quilted Cupcake, and Quilting for the Rest of Us

Princess Quilt Top (will add high-res photos later):

One of my swap partners on the latest block swap suggested that I discuss the whole quarter inch seam business since most of the blocks she received had seams of varied widths sewn into them and they were all different sizes.

• Q-Tools Sewing Edge (works with any machine)
• Low-Shank Snap on 1/4″ Sewing Foot (Fits All Low Shank Snap-On Singer*, Brother, Babylock, Husqvarna Viking (Husky Series), Euro-Pro, White, Bernina (Bernette Series), New Home, Elna and More!
•  Janome 1/4″ Piecing Foot
• Perfect Piecing Seam Guide – set up a perfect 1/4″ seam allowance from your needle every single time on any machine with this handy tool

**Distinctive has a quilting foot set that you can order that includes the feet commonly used for quilting for $49.95.  Includes Even-Feed Walking Foot, Large Metal Embroidery/Darning Foot , Embroidery/Darning Foot, 1/4″ Quilting Foot, Satin Stitch Foot , Open Toe Foot and an Applique Foot.

Nonnie recommended this fantastic video:

New podcaster out there: QuiltingDaydreams and her blog – Katie’s Quiet Quilting Place

Product and Book Reviews
Martelli “No Slip” Gripper Hoops

Alex Anderson Teaches You to Start Quilting DVD Review
Common Threads – Stories from the Quilt DVD
200 Quilting Tips, Techniques and Trade Secrets Book Review
Material Obsession 2: More Modern Quilts with Traditional Roots Book Review

I visited the library again – more book reviews!

• Hand Applique With Alex Anderson
• Florida Quilts
• Sunbonnet Sue and Scottie At Play
• Crazy Shortcut Quilts
• Small Scale Quiltmaking – Precision, Proportion and Detail
• Best in Show – 24 Applique Quilts for Dog Lovers

Scrap onto others how you would like them to scrap onto you! (Don’t send out scraps you wouldn’t like to get back.)

You might want to e-mail your partners and see if they have any specific requests for colors, prints, sizes etc. If you have preferences (jelly roll strips, 5″ charm pack squares, colors, prints) list them in the swap comments.

Most of all – send your scraps out on time and enjoy the scraps you get in return!

• Alice Means - guild guest speaker
• Guild Challenge Quilt Rules Changed
• Basil gets a diagnosis
• Do you have a Slice Fabrique?  Let me know what you think about it.
• Mystery Quilt class marathon
• First attempt at a 10-minute block
• Fast, Flirty, and Fun: Easy Quilts from Fabulous Fabrics (That Patchwork Place)
• Scrap-Basket Surprises: 18 Quilts from 2-1/2 inch Strips (That Patchwork Place)
• Sashiko and Beyond: Techniques and Projects for Quilting in the Japanese Style
• Artistic Photo Quilts: Create Stunning Quilts with Your Camera, Computer & Cloth

Saturday was the 4th Anniversary of our corgi meetup so I had some fun celebrating with all the no-legged doggies. Take a look at our Facebook album if you want to see some cute photos!

Sunday I shopped around JoAnn’s a bit. Batting was 40% off so I grabbed 5 yards from the big roll and brought that home. I was completely out of packaged batting other than small scraps that I can use for wall-hangings and stuff. I also got some white fabric for one of my quilt commissions.

Strip Twist Blocks for Block Swap:

I used fabric out of my stash for these Strip Twist blocks. I really like how awesome they look together. Such a great way to make a lap quilt out of 2.5″ strips. It is really time intensive though and uses a LOT of strips. You also really have to pay attention to how you sew the quarters of the block together. If you sew the wrong sides together you won’t get the twist pattern as the rows will line up instead of go in different directions. That tripped up many people in the swap.

Quilt Class Prep Box:

Strips are labeled according to size and the number of them in the stack. Also have some squares labeled and rectangles labeled. Clue #1 was to make some 4 patch blocks out of 3″ strips. I love my dragonfly fabric!

Have you seen the 10-minute block? Fun way to make cathedral windows!

Apparently this technique works on most sizes of blocks (from 4″ up, I’ve heard anything smaller than 4″ can become a bit unwieldy) as long as all the sizes are even. If you use 10″ squares of fabric you end up with a 20″ block! Talk about a fast, gorgeous quilt.

Read the Piecemeal Quilt rants about quilting being dumbed down here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Lots and lots of stuff to talk about!

• Lakeland Sewing and Quilt Expo
• Purchase made of a quilting hoop
• Demoing Long Arms
• Cruise Highlights
• English Paper Piecing & thread basting
• Results of the Quilter’s Survey (100 Quilters Surveyed)
• 1. How many years have you been quilting? 
• Average response: 9.26 years
• 2. What skill level would you consider yourself?  
• 48% Intermediate, 31% Confident Beginner, 11% Beginner, 9% Advanced, 1% Other
• 3. Please describe the type of space you use for quilting/sewing/crafting, I.E. – Separate room in your home; corner of the bedroom; sunroom… etc.   
• A majority had a separate room.  
• 4. Do you produce a quilting podcast?  
• 90% No, 7% Yes, 3% I’m Considering it
• 5. Please estimate how much you spend per month on quilting related purchases (in US Dollars) 
• $76.45 average
• 6. Are you a member of a quilting guild?
•  36% Yes, 31% No, 4% I was but I’m not anymore
  
• 7. Have you ever taught a class related to quilting?
•  79% No, 14% Yes, 6% Other, 1% I’m scheduled to teach my first class
• 8. Please select the precut(s) you prefer to use the most of when quilting.
•  37.5% Charm Packs, 36.5% Jelly Rolls, 29.2% Other (yardage or fat quarters), 19.8% layer cakes, 3.1% honeybuns.
  
• 9. Have you ever entered a quilt in a quilt show?
•  58.6% No, 21.2% Yes, 14.1% I plan to one day, 4% I would never do this, 2% Other
• 10. What skills would you like to learn or improve upon the next 5 years?
• Majority stated free motion quilting

• Finished Butterfly Appliqué Top
• New Podcasts I’m listening to
• The History Quilter
• Crafty Garden Mom

• Finding fabric shops away from home
• Update on Basil
• Another quilting bee and I’m going to Sewing Expo in Lakeland
• Guild Creativity Challenge
• Find me on Facebook
• The Budget conundrum
• Cruise prep
• Strawberry Festival Quilts (see slideshow below) and a quilty find
• Quilting Survey

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

Quilt Guild Challenge Fabrics

Forgot to mention it but go check out two new quilter podcasts, The History Quilter and Crafty Garden Mom!

• Agility dog down!
• New Sewing Machine
• Class Signup for another Mystery Quilt class
• Review of the Sharon Schamber basting method
• Fabric organization suggestions
• Read all the comments on Big Tent here
• Tips on How to Have an Organized Sewing Space
• Do you want to participate in a quilter survey if I create one?

Notes:

• Dog Show Blog Post with photos!
• Dog show quilted ribbon holders
• My Mug Rug post with photos
• Cheaters 8 Pointed Star
• Considering Babylock Ellegante 2
• Commissions
• Does turning quilting into your full time job change how you feel about it?
• Thanking commenters
• Quilting mistakes I made as a beginner
• Finding deals at Jo Annes using their coupons
• Fabric choosing

Notes on my podcast:

Well I’ve just spent the better part of 4 hours figuring out all this podcasting stuff. Editing the audio file took the longest then for some reason after it uploaded it sounded odd so I had to fix that. I think I fixed it.

• Listen directly in iTunes if you wish! Clicking that link will automatically open iTunes and download it. 
• Or, Listen through your Web Browser

iTunes hasn’t added my podcast yet to their listing but at least you have a way to listen to it now if you wish. 

Will try again in a few weeks when I have more to podcast about. I’m not sure why I thought my first episode would be an hour long since I always seem to think of things to say but this one comes in at under 30 minutes. I guess that is good for my bandwidth usage though.

Notes:

• You can see all my 2010 completed projects here including the Daisy Wallhanging and my pinwheel quilt.  
• See instructions on signing up for the Strip Twist Block Swap (deadline is February 7th to sign up)
• Join the 2011 Rainbow Scrap Challenge
• See my shattered iPhone 4

Whew!  Now to grab some dinner before bed.