Quilting Sue's Quilting Blog

Finishing 2011 Projects...2012 Projects Coming Up!

2011-12-28T15:21:00.000-08:00

Alien Baby Quilt

One of the cute little aliens!

Another cute little alien!

Youngest daughte and GBaby Lily!

GBaby loves cake pops!

Grandpa & GBaby Lily!

No, I have not dropped off the face of the planet...as some of you must have thought by now! My hours at work have increased so much that when I get home in the evenings I am a brain dead zombie...and that does not lead to beautiful sewing! So, hopefully this grueling work schedule will end soon and I will be back on a normal schedule and back to sewing, quilting and posting!

A couple of things before I begin on the projects...finished and not finished. First of all, my humble and delayed apologies to Bebas Enterprises LLC. In previous posts I had mentioned that I really love the Salem cutting mats, but unbeknownst to me, there were some legal issues with the folks who bought out Salem and...long story short, to get these great mats please go to http://www.bebasboutique.com/ to buy them, or call 1-888-209-4087! They are no longer called Salem, but are now Bebas cutting mats. They are truly the best cutting mats you can buy! Bebas Boutique also sells other items as well, so check it out!

So we are getting ready for my oldest daughter's wedding at the end of March. It is pretty much planned and we just have to wrap up the small details, but there are the wedding showers, etc in te next few months too. Anyway, I am sure that I will be somewhat busy with all of that, so if you don't see me posting here as much as last year, don't worry, I will try to check in at least once a month...hopefully more!

I did actually finish a baby quilt the first of December!! This one only took me about 7 months!! Hahahaha...mostly 7 months of not working on it...but you get the idea. I call it "Alien Baby Quilt" because it has some of the cutest little aliens on it (photos above). I really like the way it turned out and would love to keep it, but it was for a commission....and I do need the money...so I will be delivering it next week! Hubby really likes it and is sort of hoping the buyer will decide not to buy it...uh...I don't think so!! But, thanks Hubby for liking my work so much!!

Still working on my youngest daughter's quilt...months later! Well, the good news is the top is done!!! (yeah!) I actually bought the backing at the Des Moines Quilt Show in October, just need to baste, quilt, bind and present!!

Also still working on embroidering kitty dish towels for the kitchen! I am on the second one now and these are actually coming right along. Oh...and for all of you embroiderers out there a couple of great embroidery websites...
http://www.needlenthread.com/
This is Mary Corbet's website and she does some beautiful embroidery, also has tutorials online for various stitches and techniques...
http://www.sublimestitching.com/
This is Jenny Hart's website and features some very unique embroidery designs for sale..as her tag line states "This ain't your gramma's embroidery"...and it surely isn't.

Check out these great websites and get your embroidery on in 2012!

My 2012 projects...sigh...the list is long!! I am prepping my first t-shirt quilt for my future son-in-law...he is a firefighter, so the t-shirts are all his fire fighter, EMS shirts. I am hunting appropriate fabric right now, but have the t-shirts cut up and will get the fusible web put on shortly. There are two quilts I have ready to quilt or have started quilting, that I would dearly love to finish in the upcoming year! I also want to do a few of the Karen Eckmeier wall hangings (http://www.kareneckmeier.com/) this year. These are so great, fast and fun to do! I have done a few of them, but really want to do more, like the tropical one with palm trees for my living room! Fabric for a Dr. Seuss quilt is sitting in my sewing room calling out to be made into a quilt, as is a mountain of other fabric! Oh...and then there is the long neglected Pirate Quilt...yes, I am stuck on the last block and once that issue is resolved, I can finish the block and move on to finishing the quilt! What are your 2012 sewing/quilting/embroidery projects? Post your comments, so I can feel like I am not the only one with piles of projects!!

Oh, and have I mentioned my sweet GBaby Lily??! She is 26 months now (I know...time flies) and smart and beautiful too! We don't get to keep her near as often as we did when we were jobless, but still get to keep her about once a month. She has such a great sense of humor for a 2 year old...reminds me much of my youngest daughter at that age! What? Photos of her...why of course I will post photos of her!! Need you even ask?

Well, that's it for now! I have some tutorials in my head that I need to get onto this blog, so hopefully that will happen in the next month or so! Keep checking in here...and post your comments!

Happy Sewing and Quilting right into 2012!!!

Iowa Vacation & Quilt Show

2011-10-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

Cool Quilt from Quilt Show!

At the Living History Farm

Happy Monday Everyone!

We had a fabulous time on vacation in Iowa and I had a great time at the AQS Des Moines Quilt Show http://aqsshows.com/AQSDesMoines/. I attended the show with my cousin...also a quilter...and we bought fabric, took photos and sat in on a couple of demos. I am trying to get all of the photos uploaded, so bear with me and check back often for the photos. Posting a few of them today (see above). We also visited the old family farm in Ames, Iowa...I spent every summer there until I was 15... so great memories going back there. In Des Moines we also visited the Living History Farms http://www.lhf.org/ ...very interesting and lots of quilts there too! Hubby drove the whole way...thank you, thank you! The weather was beautiful and the food was great too!

Still working on embroidering tea towels and finishing up a baby quilt on commission and my youngest daughter's quilt. Oh...I purchased the back for my daughter's quilt at the quilt show in Des Moines! Went to my favorite vendor Sew Batik http://www.sewbatik.com/ to buy the back fabric. I love, love Sew Batik and visit their booth at the Dallas Quilt Show every year, so I was very excited to find them at the Des Moines Quilt Show too! I also bought some other batik fabric there too! Of course, working full-time is slowing down my quilt production, but we all do what we can!

Check back soon for the quilt show photos! Gotta run for now!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Sew Happy News!

2011-09-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

April and her fiance!!

Engaged!! :)

Happy Monday!

Well, some happy news to start off the week...our oldest daughter, April, got engaged last week!! So we have a spring wedding in the works!! We are very happy for her and quite excited too (Photo of the happy couple above.)! Of course it makes me start thinking about wedding quilts and all things white and satiny. And that reminds me...I have some other quilts to get cracking on if I am going to have time for everything! Still working on youngest daughter's quilt, but between the heat and being sick, progress has been delayed a bit.

For all of you dressmakers out there: I just started using Burda patterns http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns this summer and am loving them! Hancock Fabrics had Burda patterns on sale last Thursday for $2.49/each, so I picked up about 10 or so!! Now that's the deal of the month!! Burda patterns are made in Germany, but they are very easy to sew and go together very nicely. A friend of mine who make all of her own clothes got me onto them. Oh, and did I mention, I also picked up some fabric for 70% off at Hancocks the other day!

I am counting down the days to the Des Moines AQS quilting show!! The show starts Sept 29 and I am thinking of making a list of the specific items I will be hunting for at the show. Hopefully, I will be able to also find some unusual things that quilt shops in the area don't have...that's always fun for me...like treasure hunting! We have our reservations all made, so now it's just hurry up and wait!

At last we have been getting some rain here. Last nights storms...with hail... knocked out our phone service! But I think the long heat wave of summer is finally over and we can cool off now. Whew! That was one long hot summer with over 70 days of 100 degree heat...hottest on record here!

Well, short and sweet for today. This will be a busy week...we have some friends coming to visit from Japan, our daughter's engagement dinner, work and whatever sewing I can fit it!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

***And I finally got Plano Quilt Show Photos loaded up...See top of blog for slideshow! Enjoy!!***

Ahh..Cooler Weather and Quilt Shows!!

2011-09-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

GBaby Lilly...23 mos old now!

Well, it has been a while since my last post and I apologize! We have been suffering through one of the hottest summers on record with 69 days of 100+ degree temperatures...and finally, it has cooled off! Yeah! Now, we just need some rain!! :) The ground is so very dry and there are fires all around us...and we have a crack in the front yard large enough to lose a small child in! Rain...please!

I have a few projects I am working on currently. Still working on quilt for youngest daughter (due to the heat, I have been working on smaller hand projects, so I can stay in the cool part of my house); just started on, and hope to finish quickly, a baby quilt on commission; finished the Blue Work panels that I have been working on all summer; started embroidering a pair of dish towels for a gift; finished two blouses for myself...and I think that is it for now!

My wonderful husband surprised me a couple of weeks ago with a new book..."Sewing Green" by Betz White! This is a great book! It has 25 projects in it, all reusing or repurposing. I cannot wait to get started on some of the projects!! Check out the book at www.amazon.com !

Last month I attended the Plano Quilt Show here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. It is a smaller more local quilt show, but I really enjoyed it! I have about 1/2 of the photos posted to Snapfish and will try to get the link up on my blog so you can start looking at the amazing quilts! We are scheduled to go to the AQS Quilt Show in Des Moines, Iowa Sept 29-Oct 1, so I am getting very excited about that! I am going with my cousin, who is also a quilter, so we should have a ball!! I have never been to an AQS show before, so it will be a new experience.

For those of you who do embroidery, I have found a great blog that I have been following and been inspired by. The blog is by Mary Corbet http://www.needlenthread.com/ and I have picked up tips and learned about so many places to get new embroidery patterns and so many things! Check it out, you too will be a fan!

FUSI BOO

I had some questions sent in about Fusi Boo, so I wanted to address them. Thank you Laurel for asking!

1) Do you think Fusiboo produces a smoother surface on which to quilt?
2) Is it flexible enough to maneuver for machine quilting (i.e. rolling and holding with quilt clips, folding, or similar)?
3) Does the bond ever give way with "too much" handling?

First of all, a smoother surface to quilt on? Hmmm...no I don't think it is smoother than a non-fusible batting, but I don't find it lumpy or difficult to quilt on at all. It is actually quite smooth for a fusible batting. And when you start working with fusible battings, you will see what I mean.

Although the fusible battings are/can be quite stiff, I think Fusi Boo is the least stiff of all of the ones I have tried, and yes it is flexible enough to maneuver for home machine quilting! You have to understand that due to the fusability of fusible battings, they are quite stiff to work with, but some are ridiculously stiff! Fusi Boo, while stiff, is not too stiff to work with, and I have been very successful in working with it...which is why I am a big fan! You do have to remember when you are done with the quilt you MUST wash out the fusible part, which is done simply by running it in a cold water wash and drying it. After that it is as soft and smooth as any other quilt!

I have never had the bond give way with too much handling, and the bond is very even throughout. I have used other fusible battings before and they don't have an even bond all over the surface (i.e., very good hold over all, but some spots just don't stick). I think that is why I am so impressed with the Fusi Boo, it adheres very evenly over all, as long as you follow the simple instructions, it sticks well throughout the process. Again, you have to bear in mind that working with fusible battings vs. non-fusible battings is a totally different experience. I have heard some people say they won't work with them at all, but for me, fusible battings -- specifically Fusi Boo-- is so time saving and worth the money to me!

I hope I have answered your questions, Laurel! Please post your comments if you have any more questions!

That's it for now. I have a tool review coming soon, so check back! I will also post Des Moines quilt show photos in October!!

Oh...and our GBaby is 23 months old today!! :) Photos above!

Happy Sewing and Quilting...stay cool y'all!!

Beat the HEAT -- Time for Smaller Sewing Projects!

2011-06-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

GBaby Lily in her New Summer Dress!

Lily!

Good HOT Summer Afternoon All ~ Yep, and it's not even OFFICIALLY Summer yet!! I'm melting!! 104 degrees here today and 102 tomorrow...and I don't want to even try to imagine August!! :o

So despite the fact that I have several quilt projects on my plate, I have decided that this is good smaller sewing project weather...or just quilt top making weather! I am still working on my Bluework embroidery project...er...um...that is when I am not dead tired after working all day long! Anyway, I am also bound and determined to get my daughter's quilt top finished, at least by the end of July (if I set a deadline for myself, I tend to try to meet it!). I also need to get the baby quilt tops finished...notice I said "tops"...I will think about the actual quilting sandwich and quilting parts later...maybe when the temps go down to the 80s?!

And, thank you to some dear friends who gave me some of the fabulous new Dr. Seuss fabric! Have you seen it? Fabric.com (www.fabric.com) and Keepsake Quilting (www.keepsakequilting.com) both have it...and I plan to buy a little more to make a Dr. Seuss quilt! If I could just get the top done, then I could quilt it when it is cooler. How do you handle quilting projects when it is blistering hot out??

Hubby and I are planning a trip the first of October to attend the AQS Des Moines Quilt Show in Des Moines, Iowa (Sept 28-Oct1). My cousin and her husband live up that way, so we thought it would be a nice trip to combine family, camping and quilting!! My cousin (also a quilter) tries to go every year, so I am very excited! Something to look forward to and plan for. I opted for the Des Moines show instead of the Houston International Quilt Show, because I thought it would be something different, a little smaller and hubby has never been to Iowa before.

Well, gotta run...GBaby Lily is taking her nap right now, so I want to get several things done while I have the chance. Tell me what your summer sewing projects are! I would love to hear all about them!! :)

Happy Sewing and Quilting, My Friends!

More $ But Less Time for Creativity!

2011-05-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Holiday Monday All!
I know it's been a while since my last post, but I finally got a full-time job, so getting used to a regular schedule and coming home exhausted after work has left me little time to write posts...and unfortunately less time to quilt, embroider, sew and applique!! I am slowly getting used to being on a regular schedule, so hopefully...after body and mind are adapted...I will get back to sewing in the evenings and, of course, on weekends. I managed to make myself a couple of summer blouses just before going back to work, but that's about it.

Projects on my To Do List: Baby boy quilt, Baby girl quilt and quilt for my baby girl about to graduate with her Associate's degree!! This weekend I finished designing my baby girl's quilt (yes, even at age 25 she is still my baby girl!) and picking out fabric. I won't divulge much about it right now (in case she reads this), but suffice it to say that I went with a 2 block design that will work well with the fabrics I chose. I love the colors...her favorites...and decided to have fun with the blocks and make one of the blocks with different fabrics for each block! Almost patchworky, but not quite!

I am still working on the bluework embroidery blocks, but haven't touched them in several weeks...again with the exhaustion after getting up early and working all day! I will try to pick that up again this week so I can get finished and get the quilt done...at some point this year!

Well, I have a free day today, so off to the sewing room to see what I can accomplish before getting back into the work week! What projects are you working on this summer??

Have a great week and happy summer sewing!!

Weddings...Royal and Quilted

2011-05-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

Congratulations William & Kate!

The Wedding Quilt

Close up of Wedding Quilt

Butterflies for the Bride & Groom

Back of the Wedding Quilt

Lily at the zoo...more interested in her stroller!

Lily with Grandpa at the zoo

Happy rainy Monday to you! Last night we had hail, rain, thunder and lightning and today it is cold and rainy! I don't believe I have ever known it to be this cold in May in Texas!! Truly amazing weather we are having.

Congratulations to William and Kate and their Royal wedding! I must confess that while I did get up at 4 a.m. to see Princess Diana and Prince Charles' wedding, I did NOT get up that early to see William and Kate's wedding! I am too many years older to get up that early now! However, PBS showed the whole wedding and stuff afterwards several times, so I got my fill of all things Royal wedding! I thought Kate's wedding dress was beautiful with all of the gorgeous white on white embroidery! Very elegant and old-fashioned!

And the Wedding Quilt I was working on finally got finished and delivered on the actual Royal Wedding day!! Nope, it wasn't for Wills and Kate, but it was done on time (photos above). I like the way the quilt turned out...and let me just say that halfway through the quilt I sure did hate it! But, as I am sure you have all experienced on projects, by the time the blood, sweat and tears are gone and the project is done, you love it and don't want to let it go! In the end, I really wanted to keep this quilt, but needed the money and kept my promise to my client! I used a wedding brocade for the back and the white blocks on the front, and I think it worked very well. The quilt is not heavily quilted...just in the ditch overall, around the borders and Xs across the large white blocks...it was pretty much all I had time for, since the piecing of the top took sooo long. But, with the beautiful wedding brocade fabric, I didn't think (and hubby agreed) that it actually needed a lot of extra quilting. What do you think?

I am taking a bit of a quilting breather and plan on making some summer dresses for myself this week. Oh yes, I have lots more quilts to make, but need a break before I dive back in. The bluework embroidery is still in the works and I will work more on that this week. What's on your sewing table? Do you have some projects lined up for spring and summer? Tell me about them!

We had our granddaughter, Lily, this past weekend and took her to the Dallas Zoo (photos above). She is not quite 19 months yet and it was a very hot & humid day, so it was not the day we expected...she is just too young to know what it going on and could have cared less about the animals! Oh well...we tried! I think we will have to wait until she is 5 or 6 before taking her again...the animals might be more exciting then!

Well, back to the sewing room to make some summer dresses!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Quilt Update

2011-04-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

Baby quilt

Close up...great detail in the fabric!

Definitely a "boy" quilt!

Close up of the borders

Back of baby quilt

My version of "Water for Elephants"!!

The wind is blowing and the temperature is rising...happy spring! Okay, I admit that I am a little tired of this wind! We have lost a few shingles off the roof in the strong wind gusts, so hoping the wind dies down just a bit. As for the temperature, well, let's just say 80s are plenty hot for me and today is supposed to be in the low 90s! :o

Quilt update: Whew, finally finished the baby quilt I was working on and got it delivered! (photos above) It was a hit with the parents and grandparents! The newborn baby had no comment since he slept most of the time we were visiting! So I have been back on the wedding quilt...and time is ticking down! I am having motivational issues with this one and need to push myself harder to get it done in time! Here's hoping that I can get enthused about it again and get er done!! To try to speed the process along, I will either use Fusi Boo batting or try using a basting spray...I will let you know which one I use and how it works out.

I am still working on the Blue work embroidery project, and apologize for not posting photos of it yet...I have to rinse out and iron the panel that I have completed and then will photograph it for you.

It is still spring cleaning time, so I am going to have to get back to cleaning out closets...which is actually pretty exciting for me now! Why?! Because I am thinking about all of the great quilt fabric I will have when I finish cleaning out and cutting up old clothes!! Also, I am rescuing zippers and buttons...my button jar is filling up and you would be amazed at how many zippers you can rescue and reuse! :) Sewing green is so much fun!

My Janome is running great...except for the fact that I have broken 4 needles so far!! I don't usually break that many needles in 2 years! I have decided that I am used to my industrial Singer, which can handle more thicknesses of material at a time, and have to watch out for that with the Janome...it is not quite the beast that the Singer is. Overall, I am still loving my Janome!! Fast and easy bobbin filling...love the stitch regulator (which is something this wild, go fast quilter needs)...the needle threader is my new best friend and I am no longer noise polluting, because the Janome is super quiet!! :)

Well, time to get back to tackling this wedding quilt! Have you ever worked on a project that you had to muster up all of your will to get it finished?? Tell me about it!! I need your inspiring stories to keep me going!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Camping, Double Nine Patch & Burda patterns...

2011-04-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

Camping!

Double Nine Patch Block

String-pieced top

Tulip wall hanging

Several double nine patch blocks

Got Scraps??!! My overflowing scrap bucket!

String pieced block for another quilt

Camp visitors!

String-pieced top

Well, hubby & I just got back from a few days of camping, and other than the first stormy night we had a great time! We camped not too far from home, near our kids and grandbaby...and all but one sick son made it over to visit us!! It was a much needed and nice break for us. I did take my bluework project and finished a panel and started on panel #2! I love to take sewing/embroidery/quilting projects camping! I seem to get a lot done as there are few distractions!

Currently, I am working on a baby quilt...oops, baby was born this morning...and the top is made, so just need to baste, quilt and bind! I am also still working on the double nine patch wedding quilts...photos of the blocks above...that quilt has to be delivered by the end of the month, so I had better spend more time in the sewing room this month!

For all of you who sew clothing, I just picked up some Burda patterns http://www.burdastyle.com/?show_burdafashion_message=true this morning at Hancocks for $2.49 each...they are normally price between $12-20, so right now they are a bargain! I have a friend who makes all of her own clothing and she really likes these patterns, so I thought I would give them a try! I bought several so I can make a summer wardrobe...or at least attempt to! Have you ever used Burda patterns? Tell me what you think!

Oh, I finished the top of the string-pieced quilt (see photo above)...now it just needs quilting...although, I am thinking of adding a couple of borders to it...work in progress. There is also a photo of a tulip wallhanging that I did several years ago in a class...it is hand appliqued.

Well, back to the sewing room to get these quilts finished and make some clothes! I will post photos when I am done!

Happy Sewing & Quilting!

Spring Sewing and Cleaning...

2011-03-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

"Redwork Rhymes" that I am doing in Bluework!

Well, Spring is here! Seems like we had a long winter, so I am glad that spring is here...even though it is a chilly 54 degrees and rainy today, it will be back in the 80s by the weekend!

What projects do you have going for spring? I mean...besides cleaning? Yep...I have started spring cleaning around here too. The other day I started cleaning out my closet...trying to get rid of things that don't fit anymore or are just worn out. I set aside things to go to Goodwill and things that would make good quilt fabric. Then I sat and watched movies while I took the potential quilt fabric clothes and took off buttons, cut out seams, cut off sleeves and collars and made stacks of good usable quilt fabric...now that is sewing green! You don't realize just how many clothes in your closet you can reuse and recycle into quilt fabric!! I have to admit...it was pretty exhilarating! I now have a button jar going and some zippers to reuse also! Oh...and I had several blouses that had embroidery on them, so I cut out the embroidery to incorporate into other clothing that I will make for summer!!

Right now, I am working on a double nine patch wedding quilt...the colors are sage green, black and white. I didn't realize when I chose this pattern just how tedious it would be to put the nine patch blocks together...plus, the pieces are 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"...pretty darn small! I have 10 larger blocks put together now and need 25 in all...so I have a way to go, but am making good progress!

And suddenly, I had the urge to embroider! So, now I am also working on an embroidery quilt project. The pattern is called "Redwork Rhymes", but I am doing Bluework instead...just because I like bluework better than redwork! There are 3 panels with 4 blocks each (for a total of 12 embroidered blocks)...I am nearly done with 1 panel. It is going pretty quickly and I try to work on it every evening during our TV watching. I will post photos as I get the panels done. Although, I am not sure what fabric I will use in the quilt...I know it will be mostly blue!!

Another baby quilt will be in the works just as soon as I can find some motorcycle fabric for a baby!! Some friends of ours are having their second son and he will be born on April 8...so I am hoping to find motorcycle fabric very soon and get that quilt made...in a hurry!!

Well, that's it for now! Time to head back to the sewing room!! Let me know what your spring projects are...and share your sewing green ideas here!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Dallas Quilt Show 2011

2011-03-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday hubby and I went to the Dallas Quilt Show and saw some beautiful quilts! Please view my photos at the link above or in the upper left corner of this blog. They are loaded into Snapfish, so if you don't have an account, just register for free and then view the photos. Especially check out the Best of Show quilt...it was all hand pieced, embroidered and quilted!! Now that was a truly amazing quilt!!

I always get excited to go to quilt shows, because that is where I get inspired and my quilting urge gets renewed! I especially enjoy the Junior category for quilters 18 and under...very inspiring to know that our younger generations will carry on the quilting tradition!!

One quilt stood out for me, only because they were truly sewing green...check out the quilt made out of Lay's potato chip bags!! Now that is re-purposing at its finest!! Also, it made me laugh! :)

Off to my sewing room! Enjoy the photos of the Dallas Quilt Show!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting! :)

Baby Panel Quilt and Fiskars Snip Review

2011-02-27T15:10:00.000-08:00

Back of Baby Panel quilt

Baby Panel Quilt

Close up of Baby Panel Back

Close of of Front

Happy Sunday All!

Just wanted to post some quick photos of a Baby Panel quilt I finished yesterday (see photos above and at end of post). This was a very fun, fast and easy baby quilt to make! I just added a border (green dots) to the baby panel, used fusible batting that I had left over from another quilt project; quilted it around the blocks on the panel, in the ditch and in the border; then sewed the binding on! I normally hand sew the back of the binding on, but for this quilt I sewed the binding on the back of the quilt by machine and then sewed the binding down on the front by machine...doing it this way made it so fast! I think it turned out very cute...oh and check out the back...cute bunnies!! This quilt would be great for either a boy or a girl, because it has bright colors and the back bunnies are pink and white on a blue background. It is always so fun to get a quilt project done quickly...very gratifying!

PRODUCT REVIEW

Today, I thought I would review a product that I use ALL the time when sewing and quilting. In fact, this product is one I highly recommend and I wouldn't sew or quilt without it! The product is the Fiskars Short Cut Snip (6.5") and it retails for under $10. These snips make super quick, tiny clips and are great for cutting random threads, snipping thread after sewing a seam, even ripping out a seam! I don't use seam rippers any more, I just use my snips! My snips live next to my sewing machine so they are handy for any project I am working on. Fiskars makes them, so they are top quality! Snips are small and very portable, so you can take them to class or throw them in your portable sewing bag. They also come in handy when doing hand embroidery. Get a pair and you will use them everyday!

***Don't forget...March 11-13 is the Dallas Quilt Show!! I am getting so excited and can't wait!!

Well, that's it for today. Enjoy the photos and I hope the product review is helpful to you! Let me hear your comments!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Close up of Baby Panel Quilt

Baby Patch Photos and Janome Foot

2011-02-23T14:38:00.000-08:00

Baby Patch

Label

Back of Baby Patch Quilt

Close up of Baby Patch

Close up of Baby Patch binding

Man, oh, man...can you believe how fast February is flying by?? I think I blinked and missed most of it!! But, March holds some exciting things! The North Texas Irish Fest is March 4-6...always fun...lots of beer...and interesting vendor booths! Then the Dallas Quilt Show is March 11-13!! (very excited about that!) Hubby has some sort of plastic model show happening the weekend of March 19...so March is going to be pretty busy! Also, I will be working on at least one commission quilt in March...just bought some more fabric for it today. It is a wedding quilt and I think I have finally settled on a pattern for it!! :)

Finished the baby patchwork quilt...yes, for the baby that was born in December! (See photos above) It was a fast and easy quilt to make....mainly fast because it's small, and easy because I used 5" squares! No borders...nothing fancy...but I think it turned out quite nice! I am going to try to make several more to save back...you never know who will have a baby next!!

FYI...my new Janome is working perfectly, however, finding a walking foot for it was a bird of a different color!! I had bought a walking foot for it...only to find out it was the wrong one, and the store doesn't take returns...it is currently posted on EBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260741530344&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT. It is for a Janome Memory Craft machine...which I don't have! Anyway, we ended up going back to Hancocks, where hubby bought the machine, and they didn't have a walking foot to fit...so we ended up going to another sewing machine store and finally bought the right foot! Whew! That was a lot of running around to buy one sewing foot!! So, long story...short...I got the correct walking foot...quilted the baby quilt and life is good!

Well, back to the sewing room for now. Enjoy the photos and keep those comments coming! Another Product Review is coming soon!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Baby Patch Quilt

Dallas Quilt Show Next Month

2011-02-14T08:34:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Dallas Quilt Show, sponsored by the Dallas Quilters Guild, is in March....specifically March 11, 12, 13...so mark your calendars! Here's the link http://www.quiltersguildofdallas.org/quiltcelebration2011/default.htm. Tickets are $8...$7 for seniors over 65. I really enjoy the Dallas Quilt Show...so many quilts and love the vendors! If you live in the area, or can drive or fly in for the show, it is really worth it. I always take photos, but the Guild is really good about posting photos of the winning quilts on their website shortly after the show.

That's it for now...a show and now I have to go and get some things done!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Jammin' with My Janome...

2011-02-13T19:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have been jammin' with my Janome...because I can't really call it sewing on such a fun machine! I was putting together a quilt top for a baby gift (for the baby born in December!) and am still amazed at how quiet the Janome is...I just can't get over it! One of my favorite features is the thread cutter on the machine! I know...I know...it is a simple thing, but I believe that I am saving lots of thread by using it. And, of course, using less thread means that I am sewing green! The quilt top that I put together today is a scrap quilt...so again, sewing green by using up smaller scraps.

The weather...after the past two weeks deep freeze...was almost balmy today. We are supposed to get up into the 70s by Wednesday, and....cross your fingers...it will stay that way for a bit. Still nice quilting weather, but makes me think about other sewing and embroidery projects.

That's it for today...good night..or good morning all!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Quilting in the year 2011...and Janome review!

2011-02-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

First Snow 2011

More snow!

Well, so far, 2011 has been a rather unique year in several ways. Last week we had a record deep freeze and most businesses and schools were closed 4 days in a row...this is just unheard of in the south! And to top it all off the Super Bowl was in town with some major hiccups...not sure it will ever be held in Dallas again!! On a personal note...I have completed 2 quilts this year already and am working on a baby quilt (I won't mention that the baby was born in December 2010!), and getting ready to finish some quilts that were started long long ago!

Have you ever thought about dollmaking? Well, I made a soft doll for our little granddaughter last week. Now you would think (as did I) a doll...small, easy project...not so much! It took me hours to make a doll dress! Okay, okay...I used a pattern for a 20" doll on an 18" doll thinking "sure, it will fit...maybe even be too big"...wrong! After struggling with the dress for quite some time...ripping part of the neckline to get it onto the doll and having to modify the neckling...I finally got it made...*whew*! So just remember...as I didn't...measure twice, cut once...on any project you attempt! Lesson learned!! :)

JANOME REVIEW
Since we were snowed/iced in last week...I finally got a chance to sit down with my new Janome and give it a whirl. Hubby bought the Janome 8050 for me several months ago, but I have been so busy with commission quilts that I had not had the chance to play with it. Let me tell you...it is GREAT! I LOVE it! It has so many features and stitches on it...wow! Oh, and sooo much quieter than my Singer! Don't get me wrong...I still love my industrial Singer, but the Janome has so many more features on it that will come in handy. The Janome has over 40 different stitches, including 3 blanket stitches for applique...these stitches will definitely come in handy! I love the drop in bobbin and the fact that it has a see-through plate so you can actually see how much thread is on your bobbin. I also like way the Janome winds the bobbins...it is fast, and simple and you don't have to remember to push anything in after you are done winding the bobbin. It did take me a while and a good reading of the manual to figure out how to change the top thread tension...it wasn't real obvious at first. Oh and FYI...the manual is well written and easy to follow with some great tips. Always keep your sewing machine manual handy...even if you think you know your sewing machine inside and out...there will always be that one thing you forget or didn't realize, but it will be in your manual. Now, I know that with Singer sewing machines you can download the manuals for the various machines...I don't see anything like that on the Janome website http://janome.com/, so I recommend making a copy of your manual and putting it in a safe place (like your file drawer, or other place in your house) in case anything happens to your original manual. Hubby bought my Janome at Hancocks http://www.hancockfabrics.com/ and this Janome is specific to Hancocks, but I believe that if this particular machine is made and works well, then all of their other machines would be made with the same quality....I know that is true with Singer and Brother sewing machines. Bottom line...I am delighted with my new Janome and recommend you run out and get one for yourself!

Well, today happens to be a beautiful day, so I am off to run errands with hubby and soak up some Vitamin D from the sunshine!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting...and stay warm my friends!!

Texanese Quilt Done and More Winter Fun!

2011-01-31T11:03:00.000-08:00

"Texanese" Quilt

Boot Block

Texas block

Prickly Pear block (the original Yellow Rose of TX)

Longhorn block

Back of "Texanese" Quilt

At last the "Texanese" (Texas themed with Asian fabrics) is done, delivered and Japan-bound! Photos are above..enjoy! For some reason this quilt was a tough assignment and I wasn't altogether pleased with during the designing, piecing, quilting process, however, it turned out okay...I think! My customer seemed very happy and excited about it...so I will consider it a success. (BTW...I used Fusi Boo fusible batting on this wall hanging...my favorite fusible batting!) You might notice that I used smaller Snowball blocks in this wallhanging!! Now onto the next project!!

There are several quilts in my sewing room that need quilting, so I may take some time to just work on them...after I finish another baby quilt for a friend of mine...a little late, as her son was born in December!! Oops! Oh well, as long as he gets it before he is college bound...right?! :) I also have quilts rolling around in my head which I need to produce so they can free up space in my brain. Ah....and then there is the Pirate Quilt which needs finishing...so much more work to do for me!!

When I was hand sewing the binding on the Texanese quilt (I always do my hand sewing in front of the TV), I saw a fascinating show on PBS called "b organic" and I was instantly hooked. Their website is http://borganic.net/ and they have projects, how-to videos and all sorts of things. Check out the website and let me know what you think!! The episode I caught was how to repurpose old sweaters, and how to make garden chaps...I know!...I was really excited!! Talk about sewing green...this show is a must see for all of you that love to sew green! Plus, the hostess of the show was sewing on an industrial Singer very much like the one I use!! So you see, this show has all kinds of things that got me excited! I plan on trying some of the projects from the show, so I will keep you posted.

Oh...another one of my projects is to make a soft doll and doll clothes for my GBaby Lily. I have everything I need to get started, so hopefully I can post photos soon. I have never made soft dolls before, but I am intrigued by how to make them and how they look...so many different kinds with so many different looks!

It has been a while since I have done embroidery and I am thinking the doll project will help me get back into embroidery. I have been missing it. Again...all sorts of projects in my sewing room that require embroidery!!

The weather has been really nice the past few days, but it looks like we are in for another freezing spell for the rest of the week...maybe even snow! I am not a fan of the cold or snow, but I like the fact that it is the best quilting weather!!

That's it for now! What are you working on this winter? Have you finished any quilts in 2011?? Post comments to me with the links where your quilt or embroidery projects reside!! I love to look at your work!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

GBaby Lily dressed to party!!

Snowball Blizzard!

2011-01-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

Snowball quilt

Butterflies on Snowball quilt

Back of Snowball quilt

Close up shot

Well, I delievered the Snowball quilt (photos above) yesterday to a very happy customer! Yeah...I love those happy customers! Since the snowball quilt was a hit, and I really enjoyed making the snowball blocks, I am currently making a snowball wallhanging...it's a snowball blizzard in my sewing room!! This snowball wallhanging has been rather interesting to design...my client wanted "a Texas themed wallhanging using Asian fabrics"...oookay...!! I had to really put on my thinking and design cap, and consult my graphics designer hubby to come up with this one!! The top is done, now the quilting is underway on this unusual wallhanging. I used 4 1/2 inch squares combined with 1 1/2" squares to make the snowballs...yes, I have lots of tiny little triangles left over. I did some hand applique and used some Texas graphics and fabrics and voila...a wallhanging that is going to Japan!! Whew! Photos will be posted before delivery.

There are some projects I am itching to make, so I am hoping after the Japan-bound wallhanging is delivered I can begin some of my long awaited projects. One project is to make a soft doll for my granddaughter...I actually found a cute pattern in a quilt magazine and I have gathered all of the necessary supplies to put it together! My youngest daughter is due a quilt from me...fabric is gathered, now I just need to design a quilt and put it together...poof...a quilt will be born!!

Lately, hubby and I have been in "cleanout" mode...trying to clean out closets, etc. I have found so much good fabric this way! I have clothes to cut up and stash...yippee...more fabric!! :) Actually, I have also decided that a button jar...box...whatever...is in order. Do you realize how many buttons you can recycle...or repurpose from old clothing?? I really hadn't thought about it until I started cutting clothing up for fabric. You can actually cut the zippers out and repurpose those. I have seen those great flower brooches that you make with zippers and might give it a try! Sewing green...saving the earth...you gotta love it! Have you found any great fabric sources? I love to repurpose and reuse stuff...it just makes me feel good!

Now it's time to get to quilting!! What projects have you completed in 2011? (I know its early in the year, but maybe you started something last year and finished this year!!) What are you currently working on?

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

More butterflies!!

Snowballs Without Snow and a Little Japanese

2010-12-24T11:05:00.000-08:00

Japanese themed wall hanging

Our GBaby dressed up

Back of Japanese wall hanging

Butterflies on Japanese wall hanging

Our sweet little GBaby!!

Gosh, I am soooo sorry that I have not blogged for so long! I have been fairly busy...trying to start a business or two...keeping our little GBaby, who is growing fast...and quilting! Can't belive that 2011 is nearly upon us, and I have so many things to finish for 2010!

Currently, I am making a quilt using the snowball block. This is a block I have been wanting to try out for a while now, so I am pretty excited about how it is turning out! It has been fun to make, and I think the quilt is going to turn out really nice. Here is a link to a snowball block tutorial http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/snowball1.html... I hope you enjoy making these blocks as much as I have!!

The Japanese theme wall hanging is finished and delivered and another one is on order for February! The Japanese wall hanging (photos above) was a real challenge for me...but one that I really enjoyed in the end. Any time you challenge yourself to do something different, you end up learning so much in the process. For the wall hanging I used an art quilt pattern, but didn't follow it exactly. I tend to use patterns as a starting point and then make the project my own by doing it just a little (or a lot) differently. Are you a strict pattern follower? Or do you use the pattern as a basis for your own designs?

Our GBaby is growing quickly! Our kids are all grown so we tend to forget just how quickly they grow!! She has molars, top and bottom, and can chew most things fairly well now. She is getting tall too!! We just delight in her and love to keep her.

A friend of mine just had a baby boy, so on my design board is a baby quilt...now if I can just find the time to put it on my sewing machine!! The quilt is just a patchwork quilt using 5 inch blocks...a charm quilt of sorts. These are fast and easy to make...and bonus...you use up lots of scraps!

Before we have discussed "sewing green" and lately I have seen a lot of articles on the subject. I get so excited to read these articles, because reusing and repurposing things is a great way to save money, and the environment. Recently, I bought several twin and queen size flat sheets (new and unopened) at a thrift store for $5 each. Sheets are a great source of large amounts of fabric and can be used as quilt backs, cut up for blocks, or embroider a nice design on the sheet and give it as a gift. You can typically find sheets still in the package at thrift stores for a very reasonable price. Thrift stores are a great place to find other sources of fabric...dish towels, duvet covers, bedspreads, long gowns, etc. One article told of a bride who had and all "green" wedding...she made her wedding dress out of a duvet cover, and her decorations were all made of repurposed materials! Wow! How are you "sewing green"? Have you found any good ways to repurpose or recycle everyday materials?

Well, back to the sewing room! I have lots to do, and fortunately it is cold and rainy outside, so it is a great time to be inside!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Fast and Furiously to the Finish!

2010-11-10T18:54:00.000-08:00

Close up of panel quilt.

Panel Quilt finished a few weeks ago

Back of panel quilt. Love this batik!

Our GBaby trying on Nana's glasses!

Whew! It has been a busy last few weeks, and I am still working fast and furiously trying to get a couple of quilts done that are due this month. I am working on a blue/gray/white one and an Asian wall hanging. I would ponder the beauty of this last one, however, I haven't the time.

Once again I was not able to attend the Houston International Quilt Show...you either?! Well, not to worry! I just spent a pleasant half hour reviewing photos of the winners from this year's show... and you can too! http://www.quilts.org/winners.html

Hubby and I had a plumbing leak a couple of weeks ago, which forced us to purge some things from one of our closets...mine! Anyway, despite the wet dog smell of the carpet until it was dried out, it was good that it made us look at things that had been stored away for years...things we didn't even realize we had, and things we knew we had...somewhere. We have vowed to finish cleaning out the closets, and as a bonus I have found several items of clothing I plan to cut up and use in quilts....sewing green! My daughter-in-law also gave me clothes from our little granddaughter's first year (I know...time has gone by so fast!) to make into a quilt. That will be a fun project...when I have the time!

Time to quilt! And, is there ever not a good time to quilt?!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Another One Down...and Several to Go!

2010-10-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right! I finished another quilt today, ready to deliver tomorrow! Go Quilting Sue!! Not that I am finished by any means...I have several more orders to complete before the end of 2010! But, that is good for me. It is always very satisfying to be able to check another order off my list...oh yeah...and to get paid for it...even better!

Currently, I am searching out gray fabric for the next quilt. You would think gray fabric would be easy to find...but, it's not so easy. I spent most of yesterday searching through my stash for gray fabric and only came up with 3 fat quarters that I think will work well. And by the way...I rearranged some of my stash to reveal floor space in my sewing room! Wow, if I keep this up, I might be able to actually walk around in my sewing room!! Anyway...gray fabric...not easy to find...so shopping I must go! Fortunately, most fabric stores are having sales this time of the year...so I am hoping to find some nice gray fabric to add to the next quilt project.

Fall is definitely here...my favorite time of the year!! We have had the windows open all day long...very nice! Good quilting weather for sure.

Well, I am off to bed now.

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Polyester Fusible Batting??!! -- Review

2010-10-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

So, on the quilt I am finishing up now...as in today or tomorrow...I used polyester fusible batting. Why, you might ask? Well, I have found fusible batting to be a lot faster than pin basting, plus you don't end up with all of those pesky pins weighing the quilt down and pricking your fingers. BUT...while I have used cotton and bamboo fusible battings in the past...Fuis Boo being one of my all-time favs...I am not really liking the polyester fusible batting as much.

There are a couple of issues I have with the polyester fusible batting: 1) it makes the quilt REALLY stiff and hard to push through the sewing machine, 2) well...it's polyester...not a fun medium to work with in the first place, 3) it is a little tougher to needle through, and 4) lint, lint, lint...it produces way more lint than either the cotton or bamboo fusible batting, so I have to clean my sewing machine a lot more often. There...I have vented and feel so much better!! Have any of you ever used polyester fusible batting? What is your opinion of it??

Okay...all vented out now...time to go back to hand sewing on the binding of current quilt. And by the way...I am really liking the way this quilt is looking! The quilt is a panel quilt (no piecing)...so it really has gone together fast and easy! Hubby and I happened to find the perfect backing for the quilt and then digging through my stash...I found the perfect binding fabric...how perfect is that!! :)

Back to sewing.

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Quilting Marathon

2010-10-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

Lily rides Grandpa!

Lily in the dirt!

Well, yesterday I had a quilting marathon day! I quilted for 6 hours, pretty much non-stop!! But, I got a twin size quilt all quilted, made the binding and sewed it on...now I just have to hand sew the back of the binding on...and voila...another quilt to deliver! But man, do my shoulders hurt today!! Note to self...when doing a quilt marathon, get up and walk around more and exercise shoulders!! I have two more quilts to finish in fairly short order, so I know that more quilt marathon days are in my future. How many of you have quilt marathon days?

I started cleaning out my closet the other day and decided to only donate clothing that I couldn't cut up for quilt fabric...sewing green! Now where to store the clothes that will be kept for this purpose??! We are trying to clear our house of things we don't need or don't use. This is going to be a long process for sure!

My what a big stick you have!

So, our little GBaby Lily turned 1 this week! Seems like she was JUST born!! Anyway, we took her and her parents, our youngest daughter and her friend to the park for a picnic (see photos above). We had a great time and despite her bath previous to the picnic, Lily played in the dirt and got rather dirty!! Oh well...babies wash up pretty well!! :)

I am having trouble designing a quilt for a customer...Japanese theme...any suggestions or comments??!! Help!! The quilt is due in November, so it feels like I am running out of time....!!

Lately, I have had an urge to embroider and have a project or two waiting in the wings. Perhaps I will wait for really cold weather to start my embroidery projects?! Just seems like it has been a while since I have done any real serious embroidery...even though I have combined some embroidery in a few quilt projects.

Well, time to get back in the sewing room!! It's beautiful weather...so maybe I will get outside today.

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Such a sweet face!

Two Quilts Delivered and More to go...

2010-10-02T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ouchita National Forest

Satisfied Customer!! :)

Back fabric is called "Punk Princess"

Pinwheels & butterflies

Batik Quilt - Railfence pattern

Border fun!

Baby Lily-almost 1!

Well, it has been a while since my last post, but I have been pretty busy! Lots to tell this time...so bear with me.

We have been keeping our GBaby some and now that she is walking...well, let me just say, Whew! Chasing her around is a full time job when we keep her, but she is just too cute for words. She will be a year old on Tuesday...she has 8 or 9 teeth...she says "Hi" a lot...and she is on the move! It has truly been a blessed year since she was born.

I did deliver 2 quilts yesterday to, what I believe, is a happy customer! (Photos above) The batik quilt was the more fun of the two quilts...went a little nuts on the border quilting, but had so much fun with it. Currently, I am working on another quilt for delivery soon...and then have 3 more lined up!

Oh...and I almost forgot the best news! Hubby bought me a new Janome sewing machine!! Yep...It is one that has 150 stitches!! I haven't really gotten a chance to play much with it yet, since I have so many quilts to get done...but soon I will have a "play" day!! I am just dreaming about all that I can do with it!!

We have discussed sewing green here before, and my thoughts tend to take me to how to sew green quite often. I am not sure if this is due to the many trips hubby and I take to thrift stores, or the poor economy, but my mind is all over the subject. What are your thoughts on sewing green? How do you sew green? Because I just got a new sewing machine, I will be selling one of my older ones...now I consider this part of sewing green because someone else can get many more years out of using my old machine, instead of it ending up in a landfill. Do you follow my thought process on this one? So, I was thinking of all of the other things in our lives that can be recycled...clothes, shoes, plastic, paper, etc...and was wondering how many of you recycle or repurpose. I saw a sign in an antique mall today that said "Shop vintage and recycle"...how appropriate! I will delve more into the sewing green aspect in a later post...so give me your thoughts on the subject.

We went camping with our daughters a couple of weeks ago...gotta love fall camping...and it was just gorgeous. We had fun and drove through the beautiful Ouchita National Forest in Oklahoma...now who knew Oklahoma was so beautiful!!

Well, it's getting late, so I will sign off for now.

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Quilting Thoughts

2010-08-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would take a quilting break! I have been going gang busters on a commission quilt...trying to get it finished. There is so much joy for me in getting a quilt finished...also a lot of relief! I am always so happy when I can start removing the basting pins and start making the binding. Piecing and binding are my favorite parts of the whole quilting proces...except for maybe shopping for fabric!! What is your favorite part of the quilting process??

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post about last week's thrift store run. In a previous post, discussing "sewing green", I had listed shopping in thrift stores as a great way to purchase fabric for cheap. Well, last week I found a 100% linen long dress for $4, minus hubby's senior discount of 25% = $3! I am talking about 2 yards of nice linen fabric for $3!!

What is all my excitement about? Linen fabric, even with a discount, costs anywhere from $5/yd to $50/yd. I have several projects which require linen fabric, so this find was like gold to me! So don't forget to check your local thrift stores for great fabric finds, especially for specialty or upscale fabrics that are expensive in the fabric store! For instance, a long women's evening gown made of silk or some other specialty fabric will yield anywhere from 2-5 yds of very nice fabric for a fraction of what it would cost in the fabric store. Most thrift stores offer a senior discount one day a week...don't be shy, just ask for the discount when checking out...you might be pleasantly surprised. Men's shirts, dress, casual or Hawaiian, are excellent to buy at thrift stores....they will generally cost between $2-5 each, but will yield between 1-2 yds of fabric a piece (depending on size...I say get the XL or XXL...same price, more fabric). The fabric can be used in any sewing or quilting project. Save money and sew green! Post your comments about other green sewing tips!

Well, back to the sewing room folks! It's been a nice break!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!