TERI'S QUILTS

SOMETHING TO WARM A COLD WINTER DAY

2012-01-20T20:40:00.000-05:00

A PROJECT FINALLY DONE

2012-01-16T13:33:00.002-05:00

I didn't realize how close I was to finishing this. The hardest part for me was the blocking. Onward to something else!

2012-01-15T19:33:00.001-05:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Teri on Pinterest

ANOTHER PROJECT FINISHED

2012-01-15T17:58:00.001-05:00

I finally finished my mink and cashmere Cowl. After its blocked, I will graft it together.

THIS IS WHAT I AM DOING TODAY

2012-01-14T14:08:00.001-05:00

I'm knitting an i cord cover for my earbuds

LONGEST TWO WEEKS...EVER.

2012-01-13T15:56:00.000-05:00

Two weeks down, 4 to go until I don't have to wear the sling anymore. Even after it is off, I won't really be able to use my arm until I have some Physical Therapy. The good news is, it doesn't hurt as much as it did, but sometimes I just want to rip off the sling because I just feel trapped in it. Oh well.. I'll admit I am easily frustrated.
I did manage to get one thing done this week. Rotary cutting with one hand is not easy or accurate, so I kept it simple. I made a PHONE PILLOW for my husband's Kindle Fire after I mysteriously found my ipad stand under it. This works just right and he can watch netflix on it as he works.

I used some Mark Twain Fabric, and I filled it with rice. The person that designed the pattern said that she used aquarium rocks, which might work really well, but I don't have bags of those laying around. I do, however, have a big bag of rice. Either way, it works fine, and I have my stand back.

I'm a little late to the game, but I understand that the show DOWNTON ABBEY has been popular. I never heard of it until the second season started. I watched the first season on Netflix, and the first episode of the second season on the PBS website. I am going to get it on iTunes. It's really good, I enjoy it. Now I'm waiting for the show SHERLOCK season two to get to the U.S. It has started in the UK, so I hope that the wait isn't long.

In the meantime, I'm going to sit here and twiddle my thumbs. I won't be able to start new projects for a while because I can't hold down the ruler when I want to rotary cut, but I do have a bunch of things that only have to be sewn together. And having an integrated dual feed Pfaff helps, because I only need one hand to guide the fabric under the needle.

We got snow here last night, but it is supposed to be 58 on Monday. I haven't missed the snow AT ALL.

I hope that you all are doing well and getting lots of things done. Take care!\
teri

I'VE BEEN PINNED

2012-01-05T13:22:00.002-05:00

Have any of you seen the site PINTEREST?

I noticed the badge on a couple of blogs that I read. I don't really understand it's ultimate purpose, but it is a great place to store images and links from all of the places you visit on the net. If I see a photo of something I think is beautiful or interesting, I "pin" it to my board. then when I want to re-visit the site, I can easily remember how to find it, and why I want to go back. Give it a try, you might like it.

THE SILLY SEASON

2012-01-03T17:17:00.000-05:00

Well tonight it starts. I'm trying to not get sucked into the darkness that is politics. I've chosen my candidate, and will vote for him when the time comes. But I know that no matter how you dress them up, and no matter what they say, they are still politicians, and they are self-serving and no matter what they say, they care about themselves and their own power.

In my sewing room I found a forgotten name tag lanyard hanging on a hook. I paper pieced it several years ago using some batik scraps. I got an idea, and I got out what velcro I have, and hand stitched it to the back if this:

If I have to look at this strap for two months, it might as well be pretty!

HAPPY 2012

2012-01-02T12:33:00.000-05:00

I know its a little late. last Tuesday I had surgery on my left shoulder. Went in for a rotator cuff repair and ended up in addition having my biceps tendon repaired, and part of my clavicle removed. Most of the damage due to large bone spurs that shredded the tendon.

So, I'm starting off the year in a sling with a pillow that holds my arm away from my body. I only had one day of "woe is me" feelings. I've had several surgeries in my life, and this is the worst. I'm not allowed to do anything with my left arm. Cant hold anything with my left hand because it pulls on the tendon repair. I have knitted a little, but it isnt easy to do with my hand far away from my body. Geeze, what a whiner Ive become. Trapped at home with all of this time off, and I cant figure out how to do anything.

Need to come up with a theme for this years quilt guild newsletter. last year was "stashbusting" I could continue on with that, or I was thinking about going with a patriotic quilt theme. its a big election year, and the summer olympics are this year. The idea could work. I could spend my vast amount of free time looking for ideas.

It snowed a little today. We have only had one snow this season. and I'm not complaining.

Keep warm!!!
Teri

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-25T14:10:00.002-05:00

REMEMBERING THOSE AWAY FROM LOVED ONES

2011-12-21T08:37:00.002-05:00

Found this video of British Military Wives, led by Garreth Malone of "The Choir" on the BBC.

SUNDAY THINGS

2011-12-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

We are going to the movies this weekend. The Mission Impossible sequel looks okay, but we are going to Sherlock Holmes. We used to go to the movies all of the time, but there just haven't been many this year that are worth giving up a couple hours and the money to see.
I have been watching old Christmas movies. I found a box with an old video tape that has a movie called "The Gift of Love - A Christmas Story" it is from 1983. I will be sad when the tape is too old to play. I've always liked this movie. The audio is bad, and the picture is blurry. I made a pattern from one of the quilts that I found in the movie. it was a simple traditional quilt, but I liked it.

I watched the movie today, and I actually saw two more quilts that I had never noticed before. One was a simple blue checkerboard. And the other was this one.

This is a simple four patch variation set on point. Would be easy to draft.

One of my other favorite Christmas movies is a movie from 1957 called "All Mine to Give". A movie about a Scottish immigrant family in Wisconsin. It ends with the death of both parents, and the 12 year old brother taking his six brothers and sisters around on Christmas Day giving each of his six brothers and sisters away to families around the town. Sad movie. Anyway, the quilt in that movie is just a simple tied wool patch quilt. Not unlike some of the quilts that my great grandmother made. I also see another in the background, but there is never a good shot of it. Might be a woven blanket though.

The last Christmas movie quilt I can think of is from Christmas With the Kranks

The only time you saw the quilt was when the characters were running down the hall.

I drafted a pattern for it. Some day I will get around to making it. I know of two ladies who did make variations of the design though

KRANK IT UP

Now for real quilts.. I have bought a few quilt kits this year. Not that I necessarily like making quilts that look like a bunch of others, but it is nice to get a lot of fabrics from the same line in one pack. Hancocks of Paducah had a quilt kit recently that I really liked. It was a little too pricey though. Luckily I waited long enough and got it on sale and with free shipping. The description said that the fabrics were a line of grey

But I was so happy when it came and they turned out to be taupe. AUTUMN GATHERINGS

This will be one of my projects for next year.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING... QUICKLY

2011-12-11T18:51:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. Christmas is almost here...again. And I find myself in the same spot I'm in every year.. not ready.
I bought myself my annual bottle of Bailey's. The Gift pack contained the bottle and 3 little flavored bottles to try. Since it turned out to be the same price, I bought the gift package. And the little bottles are so cute, I put a little eye screw in the top and put them on my tree.

I haven't even attempted to get all of my ornaments out. I might just leave my tree at the point it is at. I'm having surgery right after Christmas.. and I don't want to over complicate the Christmas clean up. Unlike a good friend, I don't want to be looking at my Christmas tree in February.
I was watching Bells of St. Mary's on netflix this afternoon, and came across another movie quilt. I paused it and snapped a couple of pics.

Maybe I will run it again and try taking the photo with my camera instead of my phone.. anyway, I love scouting out quilts in movies. I have no idea what this pattern may be. It's kind of put together on one side like I would imagine a log cabin. Anyone ever run across this pattern?

I hope that you all are well, I almost have my teal and brown star quilt top put together. I had to cut cornerstones for the sashing to connect the rows, or it would already be done. That's what happens when you read the directions as you go along. I sewed at my friends house, and didn't know to cut cornerstones because I hadn't read ahead. But they are done now, so that is my next thing. I cut up a pair of old jeans today, and made ricebags out of the legs. Just a spur of the moment idea, which turned out well. I am making nametag holders out of the pockets. A friend did that and they were cute. I can't remember what they looked like, so I'm waiting to hear from her.

A busy week coming up. I'm expecting my daughter in from Alaska on Wednesday. It will be good to see her. She is back to stay, and it will be nice to have our family all here for Christmas. My son's girlfriend actually got him to take her to the Nutcracker Ballet today. It must be love....

CHRISTMAS VIDEO SMILES

2011-12-07T08:40:00.000-05:00

gOTT

I've gotta give it to the Brits, they are cute as buttons and not afraid to wear women's clothes! I just love this video

THIS PART IS DONE

2011-12-07T07:16:00.000-05:00

I finally managed to fit together all of the pieces and parts. There is only one obvious mistake ( to me anyway) but this pattern from Fons and Porter goes down in my history as the most mistake ridden pattern of all time. Even more than Chaos Harmony.
I had to cut 1/2" from the bottom of the cottage block because it was too big to fit against the drill panel. I see that I will have to rip again and add a strip to the right of the drill panel so that it comes up to the edge of the rest of the quilt. The tool box block was way too big to fit together with what was next to it, so some of it had to go. Once I got the top hammer and house section finished, I had to adjust every aspect so that they would fit.
This is supposed to have 3 borders. A narrow border that fits against the quilt, a Square in square border that's maybe about 3-4" wide, and then a wider outer border with a pieced block in each corner. I will have to put this off. His birthday is in July.

I am having surgery on my Left shoulder soon, and I won't be able to tackle the piecing. Not exactly sure of what I will or won't be able to do with any part of my arm. But the aspect of having several weeks off of work and not being able to do anything with my hands is not a pleasant thought for me.

Today, I'm going to sew with my friend, I am going to try to finish up lining my train case, maybe cut the sashing for my teal and brown star quilt. Really should just stay home because I need to get some things done before the holidays, but I want to do this while I can.

I hope that all of you are well. You will probably be hearing more from me since my "mouse" hand will still work. ;)

QUILT PATTERN RANT

2011-11-26T18:47:00.000-05:00

I used to test block patterns for Marcia at QUILTER'S CACHE
Marcia offered her patterns at no cost but was conscientious enough to have volunteers test all of her block patterns to check for errors before posting on her website.

On the other hand, we have quilt magazines that publish patterns that are apparently not proofread and/or tested before publishing. It is a constant irritant to me when I run across mistakes. I realize mistakes happen, but it has got to the point that I get out my calculator and graph paper to check patterns before I start cutting.

I am making a quilt for my husband from a pattern in a magazine from last year. The instructions have all of these cuts from different colors of fabrics. And it doesn't give the size of the finished blocks so you have to trust that the cutting instructions are correct. Part of the top is from a panel, and then there are pieced blocks in between. These blocks had templates, and the five blocks were supposed to fit along the bottom of this part of the panel.

As you can see.. not even close, and there isn't enough room for another full block. Not exactly sure what I will do here. Although my husband wouldn't notice, I will. To the left is a appliqued and pieced toolbox block. If I cut the fabric to the suggested size, there is no way it would fit and would hang over an inch too much on one side.

None of the blocks in this top are easily pieced.. there are 2 pieced houses, pieced saws, hammers, flying geese, the inside border is pieced diamonds... all of which probably won't fit unless I adjust the measurements because the innermost design area has had to be adjusted to work, and wont be the right size. Needless to say.. good thing his birthday is in July, because Christmas is out.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

2011-11-24T12:43:00.000-05:00

Still funny.... even if it is true

FELTED WOOL CUTWORK

2011-11-18T16:46:00.000-05:00

I meet once a month with a group of friends at an assisted living place that is basically home to educated world travelers. The place has a little thrift shop that sells items that the residents donate. I'm not as good a shopper as my friend, who really finds good stuff. This time it was this cutwork piece that is wool felt. She paid .50 for it. She handed it to me because she apparently couldn't stand my whining any longer. I just love it. Thanks Karin!

THE PLANT THAT NEVER DIED

2011-11-16T11:18:00.000-05:00

Although I love plants, I don't bother with them, because I am usually inattentive enough that they wither and die. With the exception of the plant that I have had so long, I named it. C.C. Bloome, partly after a character in a movie, and partly because it fits.. Christmas Cactus Bloome...
It started out as a little plant in a 4" pot that I bought in Woolworths about 22 years ago. Careful inattentiveness and routine has brought where it is today. In the spring I sit it out on our covered porch, I sit it in the shower when it starts looking withered, and I bring it into the house before the first frost. I water it for the last time in August, and when the first buds appear, I throw some plant food in, and sit it in the shower. This year, she is just loaded with flowers. I worry when it loses a branch, but I think that for the most part, it probably should after so many years.

Weird how this plant has become a part of the family. I remember buying it. The Woolworths was a walk in store in a strip by a large mall. My kids were little. My youngest daughters were only about 3, and my mother-in-law and myself and kids were Christmas shopping, and I bought this plant.. who knew that it would still be around this many years later.

I hope that you all are having a great week. The weather has been pretty decent here considering Thanksgiving is next week. I need to get busy on some Christmas gifts. I wonder every year how I let the holiday sneak up on me, looks like it has again.

Happy stitching!
Teri

MADE A PURSE

2011-11-13T18:07:00.000-05:00

Hello, I've been working all weekend on a purse. It is CANDICE Lazy Girls newest design. I have a bunch of their patterns, but I have never actually got around to making a purse. This one has big pockets and I can put my ipad and nook in and still have room for other stuff.

I made it with fabric that I bleach discharged several years ago. It started out as black and I used a doily as a resist. After that was done, I over-dyed it red. Just sitting my my drawer waiting for the perfect project.

This is the back

And this is the insid with all of my stuff. I also made their purse insert ( Suzi) so that all of the rest of my stuff wouldn't just be laying in the bottom of the purse.

So, I've put off laundry for long enough. One more project down.

KNITTED DISHCLOTHS

2011-10-29T11:13:00.000-04:00

One year for Christmas, a friend gave me a knitted washcloth with a bar of handmade soap. I knit, but it is nice to get a knitted gift because I know how much time it takes, and I don't have to make it myself!
I thought it might be nice to return the favor for someone this Christmas, so I got to work. I knitted a couple that I plan to use as dishrags. On one, I crocheted a loop in the corner to hang the cloth, the other one I didn't. The large one was knitted on size 8 needles and is about 8x8" square and the small one was knitted on size 6 needles, and is much tighter and firm and about 6.5-7" square. I am going to the middle with a size 7 needle for my gifts.

It is a really easy pattern, and it is knitted diagonally, like a traditional hap shawl.

Traditional knitted dishcloths
Worsted Weight cotton yarn. I used Lilly Sugar and Cream and got two cloths out of a ball with some left over.
Size 7 needles
Cast on 4
Row 1 - K4
Row 2 - K2, yo, knit across
Repeat this row until you have 44 stitches on your needle
Row 3 - K1, K2tog, yo K2tog knit across
repeat this row until you have 4 stitches on your needle then bind off.

I'm thinking of trying a round of crochet picot around one to see how it looks. If I figure it out, I will add it to this pattern.

Another easy gift idea... coming soon rice bags..new and improved..

SAWTOOTH MANIA

2011-10-28T19:27:00.000-04:00

I have two sawtooth star quilts in the works. my teal and brown quilt has 6" blocks

I have been chain piecing them, and I have about 12 more to go.

The next quilt is one that I started many years ago. It has 9" blocks. It is a

LUCKY STARS by Terry Atkinson

All I had for the background was some scraps of a black batik

It's my favorite batik. I wish that I had more of it. Luckily, even though I had made a few blocks with it years ago, I still had enough to cut enough background pieces for 30 blocks. And I still have a little left.

I'm not sure that I'm going to even use these blocks. I think that I would rather go with batiks and hand dyes that read as solids. I just haven't decided what I would do with the bordering fabrics. Maybe I will make the stars a solid and the block borders can be prints.

Oh well, first things first. I want to finish up the teal and brown, the pickle dish, and it isn't looking good for my husband's Christmas quilt. As usual, the year has flown by again.

I hope that you all have a great weekend!!

KNITTING DONE

2011-10-26T11:12:00.000-04:00

Okay, these have been done for several months. I never got around to blocking them though until recently I ran across them .

Yes, more shawls. I think I am finally shawled out. Although with colder weather here, I am always game for something that will keep my neck warm.. I have made a few long scarves connected at the ends that I just wrap around my neck. Those are fun, and don't take much yarn, so I can get soft warm stuff like cashmere. yum.

I have spent so much time knitting all of these shawls and stuff, that I would have had a decent sweater if I had gone that route instead. I am going to make one this winter. It is impossible to find a sturdy warm sweater. I'm all for cute stuff, but not at the expense of being warm. I guess I'm too old and too practical to think otherwise. So since I can't find anything to buy.. I am going to have to make it myself. I just have to finish up a few of these extra things first.

I hope that you all are keeping warm out there!!

Teri

ANOTHER TOTE?

2011-10-22T19:13:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, I spent the day with my friends, and while shopping at the thrift store, I found this old train case. Since it only cost $4.00, I bought it. I took out all of the insides.

And I am going to put in a new lining. I decided on the lining on the right.

I decided to go with the fabric on the left which is from the same line of Modas (etchings) that I used in the previous quilts that I showed to you. I am not sure what, if anything, I will do with the outside of the box. But if I decide to do anything, I will leave the handle and the edges unchanged. Since I will do that, I wanted to have the lining of the box coordinate with the outside. I found this video on how to make book cloth. I have lined cases and boxes before but I didn't know there was such an easy technique.
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I went to my not so local quilt shop today and although they had some of the other fabrics in the line, they didn't have this fabtic. Luckily, my backup, and usual first choice
HANCOCKS OF PADUCAH did have it, so I ordered it. Probably would have been less expensive to start with as it only cost around five dollars to ship and it probably cost more in gasoline to drive to Amishland to go to my favorite quilt shop (in my state). And I tend to only buy what I need when I order, instead of buying for the heck of it.
I did buy these two fabrics from the etchings line;

The white with red is the same print as the teal on white background that I am using. I love this red, and I may use it as a background of some blocks, maybe a red and white star quilt or something.

Anyway, things are going well, I'm getting lots of sewing done. I have a larger quilt that I plan to quilt myself. A real breakthrough. I can intricately quilt a miniature, but, I freeze at the thought of quilting a normal sized quilt. I think that I have worried about it long enough.

I hope that you all have a good weekend!!

Teri

I KNEW THAT I WOULD GET AROUND TO THIS EVENTUALLY

2011-10-20T19:14:00.000-04:00

This is a pickle dish that I started around 1998. At least that is the date of the American Patchwork and Quilting magazine. I'm sure that I started it soon after I bought the magazine. That is, I started the arcs. Now 13 years later, after I gave all of my 30's repros away, I decided to finish it and, switch the layout around. Luckily I have a friend that had a small stash that she could loan me as I needed to make a few extra arcs. I'm still working on it, but I decided to put four of the blocks together to get an idea of how they would look. Truthfully, there is something about this new fabric line from Moda called "Etchings" that pushed me to finish. I bought the charm pack a couple of months ago. At first I thought it would be perfect for a quilt I am making with teal and brown stars, So I pre- ordered it, and as soon as I got it in the mail ( it took almost 2 months for it to be released) I started on BOTH quilts

I couldn't decide which quilt it would look best in, so I bought enough for both. There is a lot to be said for giving up on watching news all of the time. I am calmer, and I spend my extra time working on quilts. Right now I am working as I watch 4 seasons of Fringe. Anyway, things are going well here, I hope life is good for you to!!

Teri

PERFECT WEATHER

2011-10-08T18:59:00.000-04:00

The weather is so perfect. Sunny, in the 70's. Enjoying the day and my husband tells me "they" say this is going to be a very cold winter with tons of snow. He told me a specifics, but I think that I must have blocked it out. It was a crummy summer, so hot and humid that we spent most of it closed up in the house with the air on. Now it is barreling towards winter again. Lots of time to knit and quilt.
Yesterday I went to a local quilt show. It was an annual seminar they call Quilting with Machines. It is only about a 40 minute drive from my house. I packed my lunch, did a little shopping, looked at a few quilts, and met my friend for lunch. She texted me just before I left to say she was bringing her lunch. I had planned on going out somewhere, so I hurriedly packed something. I have to say that it was the most perfect lunch I have had in a long time. We had planned on sitting at tables that were set up outside, but since I had gone to my car to take my vendor goodies out when my friend arrived, I called her over. I had backed my car up to a grassy, shaded bank. I have an old wool crazy quilt in my car, and decided to spread it out on the grass and we ate our lunch and talked and I showed her what I had bought at the vendors. I haven't had anything resembling a picnic in forever. It was so pleasant.
I saw a few quilting details at the show that I liked.

I think this might have been a portion of a Shirley Stutz quilt. I think I had a problem with the upload, because that white stripe shouldn't be there. iPhone pic. Didn't have my camera. Anyway, I like the stripe quilting effect on the border, separated with feathers. She put tiny ricrac in between. I also liked the ric rac on the binding edge. Who knew that I would actually like ric rac on a quilt?

I don't know who's quilt this is.. can't really give you details on the quilting, although I think it may have been one of those auto stitching long-arms. I like the striped quilting on the borders. I have done quilted stripes on several of my quilts, a full size Baltimore Album, and at least one miniature. I just think that it is a classy look. Plus the fact that my feathers stink, and I don't have a fancy machine that will stitch them for me, stripes are easy to do and they look good.

Right now, I am, or should be, working on my guild newsletter. I'm online to find ideas for stashbusting. I have had a continuing theme this year of stashbusting ideas. On the other hand, my stash just keeps growing.

So I should get to it I guess. I hope that you all have a great weekend!

Teri

I AM THE 53% TO

2011-10-07T15:09:00.000-04:00

I got this link today. It is great. Hope that you like it THE 53%

2011-09-29T20:31:00.000-04:00

I just can't pass up a gift idea. Kohl's sells stuffed animals with accompanying books at reasonable prices. Last year was the Grinch. I bought the Grinch, a Grinch Hallmark ornament and a book. I waited patiently for some grinch related fabric and I was rewarded this year! To top it off I found a kit marked down at Hancocks of Paducah with free shipping. Wouldn't this make a great gift?
I have a couple of more children's book sets, Very Hungry Caterpillar, If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, Pooh, of course. Book, quilt, ornament, Animal. I thought about getting a DVD to go with the Grinch set, but by the time I get a grandchild, there will probably be some other sort of media!

WOW... TWO TIMES IN ONE DAY

2011-09-28T16:06:00.000-04:00

I'd like to say this idea is all mine, although I DID already have the box, although there were photos in it. I saw this idea in a quilting magazine. The person used an individual box to store her hand sewing needles. I have many drawers to store things, and every time I need something, I have to go through all of them to figure out which drawer I decided to store something. Or in this case, many of the things that I am storing in these boxes are items that were kept in the top drawer of my sewing table. The one that I pull out and keep the ironing pad mentioned in the previous post.
So when I saw that idea, I expanded on it and got out this box and got to work. I got this box at JoAnns. It's intended purpose is to store photos, and I found it in the scrapbooking department.

This is the whole case with the lid closed.

When the lid is opened, you can see the individual cases

I took the cases out so that you can see what I decided to keep in them. I still have one left, which I'm still thinking about.

These boxes contain all of the things that I'm always digging to find. They are now in one place, and I can go right to them to get what I need. Maybe the last box will contain a small sewing kit to grab when I want to slap on a binding or a button. I am always scrambling to get everything together when I need to do something like that.

Hopefully, these little things that pop into my head will help you out.

Teri

IT'S ALIVE!!!! ALIIIIVVVVEEEEEE....

2011-09-28T11:06:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am still here. Believe it or not, I have been busy sewing and working my day job, and planning to sew some more..

My husband finally got around to making an actual table that fits inside of the converted closet in my sewing room. My "Media Nook" . My monitor corked out and I had to get a new one. I decided to do all of my netflix and streaming over my monitor instead of my television, so I got a bigger monitor which wouldn't have fit on the folding table I was using while waiting for this upgrade (I waited 3 years for him to do it, and it only took a couple of days of concentrated nagging to get it done) . We are in the process of re-wiring our house and I want to have a power strip put into the base of the wall to neaten up the area. Of course all of this means that when I am dead and gone, someone will be wondering why the heck a closet has 10 outlets, but that will just have to be a mystery along with the unfinished quilt tops that I will undoubtedly leave behind.

I also finished up some pressing boards. I made tons of these a few years ago to give to friends for Christmas. I ran out of canvas so I didn't finish two of these larger boards and this one small board. These are the best boards ever. I learned about them when I took a class with Sharon Schamber. Here is her you tube video on how to make them

I have one that fits into the bottom of a craft duffel bag that I take to workshops.Since everything I keep in the bag makes it heavy, I just moved everything over to a rolling tote that is meant for knitting supplies. The larger board fits perfectly in the side pocket.

When I am sewing, I pull out the drawer that is to the left of me and place one of my pressing boards there so that I can press small blocks as I make them. It is also great for paper piecing.

Hopefully I will be back more often. I just needed a break. I finally got my file cabinets upstairs. I had them downstairs when my sewing room was there, and I kept all of my batiks and hand dyes in them. The lighting wasn't great, and I rarely got down to dig through them for anything. Now they are in the next room, and I will be digging in.

I'll snap a pic when I am finished organizing.

Well, I'm off today, it is nice to just hang around the house. Short lived as my daughter and I are going to see a movie. Soon my other daughter will be living nearby, so we will all be together again. I'm really looking forward to that.

Bye for now,

Teri

I WILL NEVER FORGET

2011-09-11T10:07:00.000-04:00

I will never forget September 11, 2001. I had been on sick leave from work. I survived a serious illness and was still in a fragile state. I was on the computer chatting with my friend Robin, originally from Brooklyn, and my friend Kathy from Washington State. We chatted as we watched what transpired in New York. Up until this point when the plane hit the second tower and we realized that our country was under attack.

I have not forgotten the confusion and fear and disbelief in those moments when I suddenly realized that I was witnessing violence on a historic scale. A sick feeling that I was watching thousands of people die.

I have not forgotten the heroism, of ordinary citizens, some in uniform, some not. I haven't forgotten watching people jump to their deaths, imagining the horror of that decision. I haven't forgotten the horror of the monstrous walls of debris rolling down the streets as the towers fell.

I haven't forgotten the heroes of the Pentagon, who ran into burning buildings to save their co-workers.
And I haven't forgotten the people on flight 93 who sacrificed their own lives to prevent the murder of many more.

I have not forgotten our enemies who picked this fight by intentionally slaughtering 2,977 innocent civilians. They are cowards, and what exactly have they accomplished?
Ten years of war, sacrifices of our military and their families.

As Americans, we have naturally disagreed about the actions taken because of this attack, but these disagreements are what make us different from our enemies and much of the rest of the world. The first amendment of our constitution gives us the inalienable right to have our voice heard and have it matter, to pray any way we want. I will never forget that.

Today is not for remembering our disagreements and debates. It is for remembering the innocent people who died this day in September 2001. May they rest in peace. I will always remember.

YAY!! TGIF... CLOSE ENOUGH

2011-08-25T21:42:00.000-04:00

I didn't think that this day at work would ever end. I was just dragging! Yesterday, my friend and I went to shop in Amishland. We were there all day. I had so much fun! My husband and I go frequently, but there is nothing like spending the day with a friend. We shopped, took our time, went to lunch somewhere new

I like to call these "girl restaurants" Lite food and nice atmosphere.

Next trip, we will visit the dry goods store and antique shop tucked behind .
We stopped at a cheese shop that sold cuckoo clocks. I remembered one that my mother had that my brother brought to her from Germany. Check this one out

I was huge. The little clocks in the shop had price tags in the area of $500.00. This one had a tag on it that said "cost - too much"

It was beautiful, not something that I would want though.

So, I was gone all day, got home and watched an internet program until around 10, went to bed, couldn't sleep, then a really bad storm came around 11:30, blowing in the window over my head and raining on me. When I finally got to sleep, my alarm went off at 5 to go to work. Ugh. Needless to say I am going to sleep well tonight.

I've updated my miniature quilt blog HERE'S THE LINK

I've managed to clean out my sewing room. I have to get going on a quilt that I want to make for my husband for Christmas. I might start that tomorrow.
I found this in school supplies

I bought one exactly like this with the Omnigrid name on it. But these come in lots of different colors, and were less than $5.00.

This is nice to put extra tools in, Rotary cutters, pencils, rippers, tools you might use by your machine. The top portion will fold down and you can just stand it up by where you are sitting.

I hope to get enough accomplished that I can post again over the weekend. I hope that you have a good one!! Teri

SUNDAY

2011-08-21T20:24:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Starting out a new week waiting for my long Labor Day weekend. This week, I made a big dent in cleaning out my sewing room. I finally got to the point that I couldn't move. I guess that I was just more spread out when I was in the basement, because what was down there doesn't fit up here. But I am working it out. I just finished a miniature piece. I was invited to be a guest blogger on a blog called Stash Manicure. It posts on Wednesday next week. I'll post a link when I have one. I worked up a project for that post. And right now I am working on a follow up for that.

I love this time of year because of all of the local produce. On Friday, I bought blackberries and I made this recipe for BLACKBERRY COBBLER which was very yummy. The only thing that I would do different, is make it in a smaller diameter, deeper dish. My friend and I are going to Amishland next week so maybe I will pick up some more berries and try it again.

I have been working on perfecting my eight pointed star. I have made two miniature quilts with variations of this star in the center. Can't show photos now, but I decided to move on to 4.5" eight pointed stars blocks

I would like to make something using all CHERRYWOOD FABRICS this is the block before I pieced it together and this is what it looked like after it was finished

Not perfect. but I know what I did wrong. Believe it or not, it is very important to press the seams as you assemble the block. I didn't. When they aren't going in the right direction, it makes it much more difficult to sew it correctly. This was just for practice, so I'll try it again. I think it would be really pretty to have a quilt of these stars. I don't think I would go with the black Cherrywood though. I might have a yard, not sure how far that would go though. I'll see how it goes, It would take forever, this isn't exactly a fast block to make.

Well, I hope that all of you had a good weekend. I did. I'm doing more and more sewing, and less and less watching politics, or reading or listening about politics. I'm much calmer when I just watch Netflix. Right now I'm starting season one of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That show just cracks me up.

Teri

I NEED THIS

2011-08-17T16:30:00.002-04:00

2011-08-17T11:09:00.003-04:00

Our Constitution matters, our freedom matters and we will only have liberty if we choose to defend it.
I had a dream last night that woke me up. I was in a doctor's waiting room and had just been denied surgery that I needed. All I remember before I woke up is yelling at the people in the room.. strangely, some of my liberal friends were there, "this is YOUR fault! You didn't want to bother arming yourself with knowledge. You didn't want to believe this could happen. You didn't bother to look beyond the half hour evening news.. it was just too depressing to listen to. You were lazy and apathetic, idealistic and stubborn. And you let other people tell you how wrong the rest of us were. Along with them, you called us names, you tried to destroy us. If you bothered to vote at all, you pulled the lever by the candidate you were told to vote for by your union, you pulled the lever by the candidate for your party, or the one who's name you recognized. You were to lazy and apathetic to bother to check how this person actually voted. You were too lazy to bother to look to see how many of your rights this candidate had helped take away from you. Then I woke up.

I guess I've just had enough. I watch how this evil media just immediately jumps on every conservative candidate and tries to destroy them. If you are stupid and lazy enough to only go by what they say, then you are doing the country, it's people, and yourself and family a great injustice. I leave no media outlet out. Although the big 3 are the worst, Fox is going down a stupid road with their actual news people . I am doing my own research, I'm not going to let them 'lead' me into who I should support. Not that just the Prez makes any difference. We need to weed out congress, I would dearly love term limits on congress. There is no reason any of those crooks should be there more than eight years.

Everyone has to get a mind of their own and quit letting other people tell them how to think. Turn off Dancing with the Stars and do a little research on your own. We are most surely doomed if we don't.

Just ask the English..

MY FAVORITE SUMMER SHOW

2011-08-12T15:51:00.000-04:00

For the past few years So You Think You Can Dance has been my anticipated summer TV show.
This year, they auditioned this 19 year old girl named Melanie Moore. I have never had any dance, let alone an audition make me cry. I watched her, started talking to my husband about how beautiful it was and started crying. She just touched my heart.

Melanie made it through all of the following auditions to the final 20 dancers, and onto the show. She performed so many beautiful dances during this season. This one was my favorite which was danced with a young man from one of the previous seasons.

Last night Melanie won the competition. Yay! I love this show so much. I love watching people dance. Not old has been actors and athletes trying to learn to dance, but athletic young people are wonderful.

THURSDAY

2011-08-04T21:34:00.000-04:00

This evening I finished this ruffled scarf. It is a pattern called Molly that I found in a pattern leaflet in the yarn shop. THIS is the link to my Raverly page. I have a blue scarf that I am also working on. The yarn is super soft. And although it is 80 degrees and 77% humidity today, this winter this will be nice and warm.

FINALLY

2011-08-04T11:22:00.000-04:00

FIND A DUNKIN

Hi everyone, I haven't dropped off of the face of the earth, just busy with work and family. My son had minor surgery yesterday so I am hanging with him. And I have been knitting on several projects.. thinking ahead to Christmas for once.

I'm glad Dunkin is finally doing this, although, I would be happy with a box of just regular coffee. I'm not a fan of flavored coffee. But baby steps I guess.

I hope that all of you are well.

I was wondering if you know of a way to share pdf files through my blog. I tried the google docs for my French Press, but I think they may have changed something, because it wouldn't accept the pdf format without converting it to google docs. So I was hoping that enough of you actually look at my blog these days that I might find some help with this dilema.

In the meantime, I will be back soon!

IF I WAS FORCED TO SAY I LIKE A POLITICIAN, I'D PICK MARCO RUBIO

2011-07-30T19:39:00.000-04:00

2011-07-28T23:58:00.002-04:00

2011-07-13T18:35:00.001-04:00

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

Ronald Reagan

INDEPENDENCE DAY

2011-07-02T16:52:00.000-04:00

On July 4th 1776 our founders signed one of the two most important documents in our nation's history that signified our desire to be free of tyrannical rule of an English King. We wished to rule ourselves, make our own lives without being under the thumb of government or ruler.

John Adams, a member of the committee that oversaw the writing of the Declaration, foresaw the importance of this monumental day, writing to his wife Abigail that: “(The day) ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.”

In my family, this day will always be remembered for what it signifies.

Happy Independence day!

LONG WEEKEND

2011-07-01T17:57:00.000-04:00

I love long weekends. And Independence Day is my favorite holiday. It gives me a reason to remember why I love my country.
I made this today.

You can read about how I made it ON MY OTHER BLOG

These aren't colors that I normally would ever pick for myself, but, they are Moda's which I love, and they were someone else's scraps, a great way to get a whole line of fabrics in a little bag. One good thing about making miniature quilts is another persons trash, is something I can use.. I have enough left to use for something else.

So now I can move on to other things. I'm not sure what yet, but it isn't like I don't have plenty of things to do!

THE SILLY SEASON

2011-06-29T21:02:00.000-04:00

"There are two ways to control. The first is tyranny, imposing one's will through force. The second is deception, persuading others to believe a well-told lie. Deception is more common and more effective, as modeled by the one who seeks to make himself the illicit "boss" of our domain. Freedom is available to anyone willing to believe what IS rather than what appears to be."

Ahhh... the race for President of the U.S. begins again. Probably one of the most important election years (or three, they start so early) in our nation's history. Even some of my faves revert to talking points and start sounding like politicians... I guess they can't help it. So I try to dig into their past actions to make up my mind. Consistency is important to me. Not twisting the the facts to fit an agenda (aka lies), knowing that far too many people are too lazy to do the research involved in learning the real facts. Which means not just sticking with once source.

I used to get deeply into politics on my blog. I stay away from it now, not for the lack of itchy typing fingers and big opinions, but I would rather just keep it light for my readers, and I just feel "safer" if you know what I mean.

Been working extra the past few weeks, just started a new project, that I hope to finish up over the weekend. Other than that not much going on with me. How are all of you?

Teri

HOW I SPENT THE FIRST MORNING OF MY SUMMER VACATION

2011-06-14T13:20:00.000-04:00

A couple of days ago, I gave in and went digital with a 'nook' reader. I like it because it is small and the print is easy to read. I can share books, and download from the library. Although I have a more complicated pieced cover version that I am working on. (Updated on my miniature quilt blog) I whipped up a cover to use in the meantime.

I started off making a pattern by turning my nook upside down on a piece of paper and tracing around it. for the back piece, I added 1/2" to each side, and I rounded the corners. I did the same for the front pattern piece, except I only added 1/4 " to the top edge, as I wanted it to be a little shorter than the back.

I used headliner foam, although you can use batting. Doesn't matter. I cut a lining and outer piece larger than I needed.. didn't measure, and channel quilted, using the edge of my open toe foot for spacing. I used nylon thread in the top and cotton thread that matched the lining in the bobbin. After I was done quilting, I cut out the pattern pieces.

This is the back piece, but it is the same for the front.

I cut bias strips at 2.5 inches wide so it would be double fold, and bound the top edges of both of the front and back pieces. In retrospect, I should have extended them a little further down. But this happens when you don't plan ahead or measure.

When you pretty much fly by the seat of your pants when you make something, there is always a chance that it might not work. But the reader slipped right into it. There is no wiggle room, but I didn't have to force it at all to get the reader into the sleeve. So if you want to make your own, and you follow just the basic 1/4" seam rules, you won't have a problem.

I'd love to see your projects if you decide to make one.

Teri

A REMINDER OF WHAT I'VE SEEN

2011-06-12T12:35:00.000-04:00

My husband and I went to see SUPER 8 yesterday. It was set in 1979. This movie brought back so many memories of how far we have come technology-wise in my lifetime. I have tried to keep up, and I am excited about every new thing. I could spend hours browsing and playing in Best Buy.
Some of the things new and exciting to the people in this movie were;

A guy in a convenience store was jammin with his walkman. An older guy came in and disparaged "walking around with stereos" and how it would be our doom.. paraphrased.

Super eight hand held camera

And of course, the projector so that you can see your images movies

In the movie, the kids took their film to a camera store to have it developed. Even with a 'rush' it would take 3 days to get it back. How different than today.

I was thinking that the reason that I have kept up with ever-evolving technology is because of my son, but I think that he just gives me the extra spark that I need to keep searching.
As I think back, I think I have always had that spark of fascination with new tech advances. I have a super 8 film, projector, and camera stashed away in the attic. I had a walkman.. then the cd walkman, now the ipod.. etc.

Now, all I have to do to take a super 8 movie, is download the super 8 app to my phone,
shoot the movie

and I can view it in an instant. And let me tell you, I appreciate it. I look at other people my age who have a hard time figuring out how to open an email, or find a website. I just don't understand how they could have allowed themselves to get so lost.

I marvel that I can sit and fold clothes and watch movies on my little iPad. I recently got

APPLE TV

I knew about it, but I wasn't sure what it was. My son has one (of course) so I played with it. I had him put it on the TV in my sewing room. Now I can stream Netflix and content from my itunes onto my TV. Really fun little device which brings me hours of entertainment.

That being said.. the old guy's point of 'carrying a stereo' with you might forecast our doom, and in a round about way may be correct in the long run, but as far as I am concerned, I am going to kick back, and enjoy the ride down.

Teri

THE QUEST FOR THE PERFECT WALLET

2011-06-08T19:49:00.000-04:00

I've been trying to find the perfect pattern for a wallet that looks like this wallet that came with a purse that I bought. I could have made it myself, but I found this pattern
ALL YOU NEED BAG
which looked a lot like my little store bought wallet, except that the card holder is on the inside instead of the outside.

The top bag is the original wallet. I made it according to the directions, but it is too small for what I wanted.

So, I got out the graph paper and drew up plans for the next one. That one is closest to the size of the wallet I was trying to duplicate. But it was a little too floppy. I decided some stabilizer was in order. DRITZ INNERFUSE Was what I used. But with this one I made mistakes. Dumb little things like forgetting to sew down the sides of the zipper to tack the edges down, and I forgot to sew the 1/2" away from the vinyl to make the card pocket.

I decided to go back to the drawing board for the third wallet, and make it a little longer to accommodate a bill so that it wouldn't have to be folded.

But with this one I made mistakes. Dumb little things like forgetting to sew down the sides of the zipper to tack the edges down, and I forgot to sew the 1/2" away from the vinyl to make the card pocket. I also forgot the little ring tab on the side. But with this one, I decided to round the corners because the bulk into squared corners made it look lumpy.

So, back to the drawing board. The fourth one is just about perfect. Right up until I realized that although I did sew the half inch away from the window, I forgot to put a pocket behind it, so that meant no small pocket to hold the cards. And the stabilizer worked great.. but I forgot to put any in the front section.

I have drawn up plans and made templates so that the next one that I make will be perfect. I wrote down all of the steps so I have something to follow. You wouldn't think it would be so hard, but apparently it is for me. Seems that I always forget something. I bought a different stabilizer. I got a peltex sew in that is almost the same feel as the Dritz. The difference is the Peltex by the yard is the same price as a 14X18" piece of the Dritz.

I'm still working on my beaded shawl. I got behind in the steps, but I am on the next to the last step and there are no beads which makes up for having 1,500 beads in the last step.

So things are going well here. Sunny days are nice.. and so is air conditioning.

I hope that you all are doing well and getting lots of sewing done!

Teri

PURSE INSERT

2011-05-30T15:30:00.000-04:00

I finished this today. It will be useful, even though it was a real pain in the neck to put together.

This is an ENCORE PURSE INSERT

I had an idea of making a couple of these. But it is kind of like having a baby, it will take me a while to get past the trauma of making this one before I do it again.

MEMORIAL DAY ISN'T ABOUT SALES

2011-05-29T23:22:00.002-04:00

COMPARING SALE PRICES

2011-05-29T23:13:00.000-04:00

I understand Capitalism. And I understand how stores price things and why some stores can offer items at a lower price because they can order in bulk. But, that doesn't mean that what I realized about a 50% off notions wall sale doesn't leave me a little bit ripped off.

Here is what I mean;

50 Flat Flower head pins. JoAnns notions wall regular price.(half price abt $3.50)

Walk back to the quilting section (no sales) and 50 flower pins is 4.49 . I'm wondering if the regular price goes up when the quilting notions are half price.

Sorry for the blur... Walmart 100 Flower pins.

Blue Mark-B- Gone. JoAnns notions wall sale full price.

Walmart Mark -B- Gone pen regular price.

Less than the price with the half price sale.

Just thought this was interesting, and I don't know why I didn't figure it out until now.

MAKING A TAKE ALONG SUPPLY BOX

2011-05-27T17:12:00.000-04:00

I made a take a long supply box so that when I go to sew with friends, I never have to gather tools, because I know that I always have anything that I need in one place. So, when I leave my house to sew, I take this box with me. Actually, I bought a used Pfaff that takes the same bobbins and feet. I made sure that I didn't get a computerized machine, so I didn't have to worry about knocking around my good machine while traveling. So, when I go to classes, all I need to get together is whatever project that I'm working on.
If you would like to put a box together, I will give you a list of what I have and you can compare and hopefully get some ideas.

The box on the right is my old box. I got the box on the left at JoAnns (50% off sale)

This is the inside of my old box. Kind of chaotic, but still had everything that I need.

These fit inside of the large box. I didn't use the "1 2XL" It is one compartment. I am going to use it for my color pencils. I'm old school, and I still prefer designing on graph paper.

I took photos of some of my tools;

This is my favorite magnetic pincushion made by Clover. This little needle threader is nice, I don't use it a lot, but it works.

This is a really handy ruler. It folds up to take up less space and comes in a little slip in pouch to protect it.

I always have a need for graph paper. This little notebook is only about 3 x 5". I have found many different kinds of little graph paper notebooks at Target.

These are just some miscellaneous tools. The "purple thang" has a bunch of different uses. An awl is handy, Can't think what the white tool is called. I use it to score fabric to temporarily mark for quilting. Machine oil, nice to put a drop in the bobbon case. wooden point thing. I might need it. Utility knife, tweezers, Gingher snips - love them. Hemostat comes in handy sometimes.

Here is my entire list

Hand sewing needles

Thread Heaven,

extra machine needles

thimble

Pincushion

These green loop things found in the dental section in Walmart. Come in a little box of their own. They are good for threading machine needles if you have a problem doing that.

extra bobbins

120" tape measure

2x2" cube of post it notes - might need to write a note to myself.

screwdrivers I got a tiny one with a cover in the eyelass section. Good for adjusting bobbin screw

box of hairpin shaped pins for pinning seams

Marking tools; two peparmate sharpwrither #2 pencils, water soluble marker, blue and white, black permanent markers 01/05 I use zig millennium or pigma pens

telescoping magnet. Great for picking up the needle that you drop somewhere on the floor under you.

seam ripper

glue sticks,

small rulers

small fold up reading glasses

small calculator

small pad of paper for notes

graph paper

rotary cutter with extra blade

extra thread spools for piecing

extra machine feet

small container for broken sharps

reducing glass

large and small scissors - I have good ones, and one that is just for paper. I also keep a set of small and large serrated edge scissors

Small hand fan. Mine is one of those round nylon ones that folds up and fits in a pouch. Hey a girl gets hot sometimes....if not, her friends might..

Top tray after moved into larger box

This is the bottom section of the larger box.

I hope that you got some ideas that will help you make a Take-along toolbox for yourself.

FRIDAY

2011-05-27T09:19:00.000-04:00

Spent some time this week working on a quilt. I'm doing this one old school... right up to the part where it is machine quilted.

I bought some wide backing, good quality muslin to use as a backing for this quilt. Sometimes I piece backs, but for the most part, I don't like dealing with large pieces of fabric, (I'm a mostly miniature quilter for a reason) so I get wide backing for my normal size quilts. I also used 100% cotton batting this time.

This is the quilt that I made with swapped blocks, and fabric out of my stash. I spray basted it with 505 BASTING SPRAY to get it to all hold together to make it easier to thread baste with water soluble thread. Pins are okay, but I would rather not worry about having to work around them and mess with them when I am in the middle of quilting.

I found the fastest way to do this was to put the cone of thread on the base of a heavy thread stand ( I removed the tall part). I used long quilt basting needles and basted through the layers, pulling the thread through without having to cut until I was all the way across.

So, I'll see how this goes. I very rarely try to quilt anything this big. But I figure that I need to just do it. Thinking about it and worrying that it won't be good enough is never going to get me the practice that I need to get good enough to please myself.

I hope that it is nice where you are. It is cold for this time of year, and it rains and storms every day. I think there has been one day without rain since the end of March. We can't even mow the far back of our yard because the ground is so wet we can't drive the mower back there. The push mower would just clog up with the wet grass.

Went to see my first 3d movie yesterday. I like the character of Captain Jack Sparrow, so I enjoyed the movie. I don't like 3D though. It is distracting, and gives me a little headache.

The only reason that I saw it at all was because I went to see an 11:30 movie only to find out that they had changed the movie times and the next regular movie was at 1:50. So it was either putz around for 30 minutes or go home and come back in 2 hours. I guess I always wanted to see what they were like, since it seems they are really pushing the format.

I have the next couple of days off and I am going to enjoy working around the house. I hope that your holiday weekend is good.

Teri

CHILLIN WITH CAPT. JACK

2011-05-26T12:15:00.000-04:00

TOP DONE

2011-05-22T15:41:00.000-04:00

This is the top that I made with blocks from a swap that I did a long time ago. It is a challenge putting together blocks made by many hands. Some of the star points are blunted, but for the most part it is okay. I took fabrics out of my stash to finish it. I am going to attempt to quilt this myself, and I think that I will go with an all cotton batting and see how it goes.

IT DIDN'T RAIN TODAY

2011-05-21T19:33:00.000-04:00

I've shown this to you before, but I finished this quilt and my friend quilted it for me. I used silk batting, and I love the drape. I have been busy putting ufo's together, and I am going to really try to get with it and start quilting my own. So far when it comes to making larger quilts, I am definitely a 'topper' . I admit that quilting is my least favorite part, and by the time that I get finished piecing the top, I want to be done with it.

So I will just pay someone to quilt it so it is done. But for the most part, it is pricey to pay someone else to quilt my top.

Normally I don't care what is quilted on a "utility" quilt, and when I am curled up in it, the quilting design doesn't matter to me anyway.

Right now I am working on one of those inserts that you can move between purses, and I am still working on putting together another quilt top.

It was finally a warm, sunny day without Rain, the first day in a month that it hasn't rained.

I went to the yarn store and got some pretty coral yarn, and used a 50% off coupon at Borders to get a latte and a 2 Season DVD set of a BBC show called SURVIVORS which is a little more scarily believable than THE WALKING DEAD

as far as apocalyptic series go.

To my friends at work with no sense of humor who laughed at me when I joked about zombies

CDC - PREPARATION FOR ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

Ha! I told you so...

CATCHING UP

2011-05-15T16:20:00.000-04:00

Is anyone else out there sick of the rain? I think it has rained every day for over a month. And the forecast is rain for at least the next 5 days.
I have been spending some of my days trying to catch up with some of the ufo's that have haunted me forever.
The one that I am working on now is from a block swap I did with a group of quilters from the about.com quilting forum. I don't have dates on this, but I would guess close to ten years.
It was a swap of blocks done from QUILTER'S CACHE DOUBLE FRIENDSHIP STAR
I decided to just sash the blocks like this;

I am going to add a 6" border. Nothing exciting or original.. but it will be done, and will be a good couch quilt this winter. Or a freezing rainy summer...

I have a list of a bunch of things that I want to work on. There just never seems to be enough time. The days just fly by..

I hope that you all are doing well!

Teri

CHAOS MOSTLY

2011-05-02T19:49:00.000-04:00

In 2002-2003, a website called Patchwork Planet had a free BOM called Chaos Harmony.

I started making the quilt along with many others, only to find out that it was riddled with errors, and that I was mostly a pattern tester, and I didn't know it. I finished quite a few sections and then gave up.

Last night, I sat down with my trusty graph paper and charted it all out, used some math to see if the blocks would actually, ultimately fit. So I have a plan for the remaining blocks and sections. I have EQ5 now to figure out easier ways to make the blocks.
Now all I have to do is measure the sections that I have finished up until this point to see if they are the sizes that they should be, regardless what the pattern says. I just decided to go with what the pattern says is the final size, and made the blocks fit in that size.

I have never designed patterns, so I don't speak from experience, but I think that if I did, I would check and make sure it was correct before I released it. Marcia from QUILTER'S CACHE has people that test her patterns before she puts them on her site. I used to be a pattern tester for her.

Knitting patterns that contain mistakes really get to me. Mostly because I don't know how to figure out if they are wrong until it is too late. I am still knitting along on my bead-laden shawl. I am a few clues behind. Mostly because it is time consuming, and I have other things to do, also, for instance, one clue had 4 or 5 corrections before the first 3 days past after the clues came out. I've even stopped printing the patterns out until I am going to do them, hoping that all of the mistakes in the pattern have been found. Fortunately, this woman really designs beautiful things. They are very creative. So I will do another mystery with her now that I know that patience is the key to a good knit.

I hope that you all are well! Will be back again soon. teri

1100 POSTS

2011-04-17T11:18:00.000-04:00

I don't talk as much as some, but I talk enough. When I looked at the dashboard before I posted, I see that this is my 1,100th post. All that I have to tell you today, is that I finally got around to putting a new cover on my ironing table. I decided just to pin the new fabric over the old fabric and lining. This is that blue heat resistant stuff I got a while ago. I don't know why it took me so long to do put it on. Typical.

So spending my Sunday doing laundry, we may go out to see a movie, The Conspirator. Other than that, the weekend went way too fast as it always does.

Hope that yours was good,
Teri

UNREASONABLE?

2011-04-15T15:35:00.000-04:00

My friend bought these hexagon English paper piecing templates a few years back. I was asking about them, because I knew that she had abandoned her silk project. I may sew what she finished together and make them into something for her.. she glued them to the paper.. bad idea. I was thinking of doing something with cotton using them. Might put me over the edge though.. so I don't know.

I got this in an email today from another friend

The Bad News;

this, from the Good Wives blog:

"The bad news is on an industry level. While we've tried very hard to keep our prices down, and not raise our prices every time a single company hits us with a price increase, we hear from the reps that they wouldn't be surprised to see prices rising to $15/yard by the end of the year due to a baaaaddddd cotton crop and fewer farmers growing cotton."

What I've worried about since I'd heard back in October about that cotton price increase seems to be coming true. Ugh. And what will happen to cotton batting prices?? Does my crystal ball see Seventies polyester clothing and batting again??? Sigh.

In Stitches,
Beverly

So I was wondering? How much will you be willing to pay? For once I am glad that I have a closet full of batting, and so much fabric that I can't find a place for it. I think this and rising costs in everything else will put quilt shops under for sure. Maybe we will use more wool and silk battings? But what about thread and fabric? will be sticking with smaller quilts I guess..

Your thoughts?

THINGS I LEARNED TODAY

2011-04-12T16:14:00.000-04:00

Who is John Gault? I never got around to reading "Atlas Shrugged". I started it a few times, but it started slow, and I just couldn't get interested. The first part of the movie is coming out on Friday. I have heard so many people reference the book in the last few years that I downloaded the audio from the library and decided to listen to it. It was still slow starting, but after I got past a certain part I was astounded at how much it parallels what is going on today. Before I left work today I heard this speech. I will give you a link to the entire thing to.
"Money is the barometer of a society's virtue. When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion – when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing – when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors – when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you against them, but protect them against you – when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice – you may know that your society is doomed. Money is so noble a medium that it does not compete with guns and it does not make terms with brutality. It will not permit a country to survive as half-property, half-loot. "Whenever destroyers appear among men, they start by destroying money, for money is men's protection and the base of a moral existence. Destroyers seize gold and leave to its owners a counterfeit pile of paper."
FRANCISCOS MONEY SPEECH
As I read this book, I doubt that I would have ever understood it in my youth as I understand it now. I'm glad that I finally got to know this book.

I learned something else today, although I am pretty sure that somewhere in my memory I have known it all along. Today is the anniversary of the start of the American Civil War, or the War of Rebellion.
Abraham Lincoln has long been credited by historians for saying "A house divided against itself can not stand". In truth, he was quoting another man, Jesus Christ, Matthew 12:25
"And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:"

So, it was nice to get excited about a book again. With over 1000 pages to go, I can't wait to see what happens.

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

2011-04-12T07:20:00.001-04:00

I'm using it at work. Fits perfectly between message boards in a corner above my desk. Easter is over soon and then I will replace this pastel nightmare with a patriotic thing for memorial day

AWOL

2011-04-10T13:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry folks, I've not dropped off of the face of the earth. I have spent so much time recently doing sewing days with friends that I have actually been doing things besides sitting in front of the computer. I'm trying to finish things up and I will post them as I go along.

I made this for Easter. I still have to hand sew the binding. Have you ever made something thinking that you will love it only to finish it and go blech? Pretty much the way I feel about this.

I have been streaming The Dexter Series first two seasons on Netflix. I read that Showtime was going to yank the series from Netflix so I wanted to see it. Sad to say that I actually like it. Lots of twists and turns. It is violent and bloody though, but the way they do it is less disturbing than I find Criminal Minds on regular TV.

Some of my friends decided to go to the IQA show in Cincinnati. I had planned on going but I decided to save the money and sit it out. The same with Paducah. I sold my last reservation for a cabin to my other friend. I would love to go, but things are so busy at work, and it just costs so much to attend these shows, especially when gas is so expensive. And I would juts spend money at the vendors on stuff that I don't have room for. I am committed to finishing up things and using what I already have available in my vast stash.

So, it is a beautiful day. It is already over 70 a first in it seems forever. I am sewing in sunlight and a nice breeze.

Please pardon my absences I will check in more often. Since I have given up discussing politics, it seems that I have nothing to say. I have taken to heart my mother's advice "If you don't have anything nice to say about someone, don't say anything at all".

Have a sunny day!!!

COLORFUL KITCHEN AIDS

2011-04-02T17:44:00.000-04:00

On my daughter's recent trip to Hawaii she spotted this display of mixers. I have a red one, and I had no idea that all of these colors are available. I like that green one.

Not much going on, I've been working extra. And today I went to a local guild quilt show. It was nice, and I enjoyed the vendor. Where else can you go where you can see a sampler quilt with a dresden plate block made out of orange and white fake fur? It was place smack in the middle . Really.

FUN APP DID THIS

2011-04-01T16:24:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY

2011-03-26T19:50:00.000-04:00

I have spent a couple of days this week sewing with friends. That has really spurred me on to get busy behind my machine. In addition to making or working on two churn dash baby quilts ( no pics yet) I made a cover for my daughter's new nook digital reader

It turned out pretty well. Very colorful. I put a magnetic closure on it and I hope that it holds up. I tried to reinforce it, but I worry that eventually it will work it's way through the fabric. I used headliner foam instead of batting so there is extra cushion to protect the reader. I think she will like it.

Hope that you all are having a great weekend~

MISTAKES HAPPEN

2011-03-23T15:48:00.000-04:00

First of all, Rest in Peace Elizabeth

She was a beautiful woman and I always enjoyed her movies.

One of the last great movie stars.

I hoped to have this finished to show you today, but I will give you another look.

It will be a big bag. Instead of batting I used headliner foam which gives it nice body. Better than batting.

The lining looks like my sewing room. I sewed on some pockets. After I sewed the lining in and was getting ready to put in the zippered panel (I wanted this instead of a flap closure. I realized that I never attached any kind of straps. So now I have taken out the lining and I have to open the bottom of the bag because of the size it needs the extra stability of the straps that go around. I think that since I have to do this, I am going to sew some straps with selvages. What the heck? If I have to do this extra step, I might as well do it right.
I had a basic plan of what I was going to make, but pretty much this is what happens when you design in your head as you go along. I should have written up some directions to look at.
Hope that your day is sunny. It isn't here. But I spent the day sewing with some friends so it didn't matter.

Teri

HINT

2011-03-21T21:23:00.001-04:00

BURP CLOTH

2011-03-19T12:33:00.001-04:00

This is idea from my friend Linda, who made a bunch of these the other day when I was over. flannel right sides together. 9.5" wide. Round the ends. Linda used a plate. I just happened to have a template. 1/2 yard yields two. Linda serged the edges, which is what I am going to do. But I guess you could sew them right sides together and turn inside out.. topstitch . Too much work for a cloth used for spit up.

He needs me to spend my time on a quilt.

My new (only) great nephew. James Duncan. Brand new in this photo. They live in Oklahoma, so I haven't got to snuggle.

Hope that you all have a great weekend!! Happy Spring!! It is finally getting a little warmer here.

Teri

SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER

2011-03-18T08:17:00.000-04:00

I know that any day we could be bombarded again by snow. But when I left work yesterday, the sun was shining and I didn't have to zip my coat when I walked outside to the parking garage. Then this morning, I went out the back door with Sam, and it was warm and there was a chorus of bird song from the woods behind the house. It is a great way to put you in a good mood right at the start of the day.

Going to spend the day with friends. I should drag along the machine, but I am taking knitting instead. I need to finish my third clue because the 4th is coming out today. And I just don't have one easy thing to work on with quilts... okay, I didn't prepare. That's what knitting is for..

Have a great warm sunny day!!!

PENS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

2011-03-17T17:22:00.002-04:00

This is a post from Charlotte Warr Anderson this morning and I am sharing her post with you.

I thought I'd give you all a heads up about Frixion Erasable pens.
A student showed me hers at Road to California in January.
She drew a line, thin but quite black, and then ironed it and the line totally disappeared. It looked like the coolest thing ever!
So I went in search of these pens, which you can get a Staples.
I bought the pack that has three colors in it - black, red and blue.
Being quite the skeptic about things that are too good to be true, I read the back of the package. In small print it says:
"Do not expose to extreme temperatures (14degrees F;> 140 degrees F). If pen is exposed to temperature that reaches 140 degrees F the ink will be colorless when writing. To restore color, cool to at least 14 degrees F and the ink will again write in color."

Aha! I said to myself. If you iron the ink it's going to be way over 140 degrees so it's going to disappear. So I took some fabric and scribbled on it with all three colors. Then I ironed it and, sure enough, all the scribbles disappeared.
But then I put it in the freezer for about 10 minutes and all the lines reappeared. I left it for about a week and a half while I went travelling and today I tried to wash the ink out. It didn't come out with soap and hard scrubbing and not even after I put rubbing alchohol on it. So then I ironed the piece dry and all the lines disappeared and then it went back to the freezer and all the lines reappeared (perhaps just a bit fainter).

This experiment was enough to persuade me that these pens are too good to be true and even sort of creepy - the ink is always there even if you can't see it. I wouldn't use them on any fabric or quilt you really cared about.

If I had a blog I would have put this on there but since I don't any of you who want to pass on what I've written can feel free to copy and paste this post

Charlotte

Charlotte Warr Andersen

USE IT UP

2011-03-14T21:03:00.000-04:00

How does that saying go? something something... make do or do without?
While I don't save every little scrap of fabric (except that small basket of hand dye fabric pieces) I have collected selvages for a while. I finally decided on something to make... check back. And I am making the blocks for it. I need 46 - 5x5" squares for the project.

I have a lot of selvages, but they don't go very far. I hope that I have enough to make this..
I thought about sewing them on the diagonal across the foundation, but I didn't want to waste a lot of the design, so I will do them this way and turn them in alternating directions.

Hope that you all are surviving the winter. I feel like I am coming down with a cold AGAIN. ugh.

Keep warm! teri

2011-03-13T20:05:00.001-04:00

What even makes it worse..... I just realized that the clock in my sewing room wasn't set forward so it is actually after eight!!! ugh

DRED

2011-03-13T20:01:00.001-04:00

I notice that every Sunday at around 7pm I start rushing around the house trying to do things that should have been done at the start of my weekend. Probably because I know that I have to go back to work tomorrow.
This weekend, I have knitted on my beaded shawl. And a scarf and "easy" scarf, that I have had to tear back 3 times. Actually, I am working on two of them. The first one looks like this

Maybe I posted it earlier. I think I did. I remember talking about putting the cube on the ends of the needles. The other one is made out of these colors

It should be easy, there are only 32 stitches. The part I have to think about is row 3 and row 4. Each one makes the ruffle on each side, so one row is made up of 7 rows total that are knit in that one 10 stitch area each side. I seam to have a problem remembering that 7th row and I don't notice it until farther up. I started the second scarf today and I have already pulled back past mistakes 4 times.
I'm glad to say that the beaded shawl hasn't posed too many problems so far. Maybe because I know that I need to pay attention, and I am taking the easy scarf for granted.

The weekend just isn't long enough. If the weather ever clears up, I would like to take some time off and relax. But until our new computer systems are up and running at work, I have to be there. They have denied new vacation requests until we are up and running well. Fun stuff.

I hope that you all have a great week, and that the sun shines on you!!

Teri

PUPPY LOVE?

2011-03-12T14:39:00.000-05:00

ENTERING QUILT SHOWS

2011-03-12T12:25:00.000-05:00

IS QUILTING A COMPETITIVE SPORT?

As some of you know, I have done fairly well in a with a few quilts in a few competitions, but even though we started doing competitions together a couple of my friends have sailed past me with awards and recognition.
I don't have anything against entering quilt shows. I would be still doing it once in a while if it wasn't for the fact that I haven't made any quilts for competition for over a year. The cost is becoming prohibitive, especially when it comes to miniatures. The largest prize is the AQS best miniature award. And although it is nice to be included in a juried show, let's face it, it is better to win. At least if you win, you get your money back..
I haven't entered in a while, but the AQS is the most reasonably priced. If you consider when you enter these international shows, you have to belong to the organization, it costs quite a bit. For instance.. one international show I can think of
Cost to belong to organization $25- 35.00
Entry cost for each item $25- 35.00
If your quilt does not get juried in, you lose the entry money
If it does get juried in, you pay shipping costs there which are increasing and can be costly
The show charges return shipping cost. They choose how to return ship, and what company they will use. I had one major quilt show charge me $45.00 to return ship my 12 x 12 miniature quilt. Luckily I got first place and some money, and I just about broke even.
I had a friend that paid the entry and shipping for two quilts, only to have the quilts get there and be disqualified for some reason ( they were large and oddly shaped). So she not only lost the money to enter and ship, but to return ship , I would estimate $200.00 but it may have been more.

I don't know about you but I work for a living. I guess if quilting was my business, and I taught and traveled, I could write all of this off as a business loss. I'm not sure how that would work. If I did quilting as a business, or didn't have a job outside of my home, I could be working every day to improve my technique so that I would be good enough to compete on the national level. I think that I do okay, but the competition is really stiff, and with the domination of long arm quilting, I don't know if I can even compete on anything much larger than a miniature. And since I can't go drop 20-30,000 on a long arm machine just because I would like to have one, I guess I am limited to what I can do with what I have.

One of the reasons that I admire DIANE GAUDYNSKI is because she does all of her award winning quilts on her Bernina. Her quilts are beautiful, and not gaudy .

That being said, I am glad that there are quilters that like to enter quilt shows. I love seeing beautiful, innovative work, and where else would I ever get the chance?

FUN AT WORK

2011-03-09T15:04:00.000-05:00

Working on two monitors now. Thought the wallpaper was appropriate.

OKAY... IS IT JUST ME OR HAS GLEE JUMPED THE SHARK?

2011-03-08T20:32:00.001-05:00

Not the point of this post, but Glee... not so much fun anymore.

Anyway, I hope that you all are well. Not much going on here. I've been busy at work, and I have worked a couple of extra days. I finished a green shawl just for St. Patrick's day. Wool/Cashmere. Very soft.
I started this one yesterday. An easy pattern for taking along. I work on it during lunch.

Made the little needles out of a couple of double pointed with a cube-shaped wooden bead glued to the end.
I'm looking forward to the weekend. would like to do some quilting projects.

Keep warm!!!

Teri

WHY I LOVE MY iPHONE

2011-03-02T20:50:00.000-05:00

The iPhone. There is a reason why it is so popular. I love my iPhone so much, I would marry it if I could. My peers probably don't understand this. To them a phone is just a phone. It is hard to find an appropriate phone for my husband because he only wants to use his for PHONE CALLS.
He only recently started texting because it finally clicked that the best way to talk to the kids ( and to me for the most part) is to text them. I gave him my iPod touch when I got my phone and he plays with it all of the time. I think that eventually he will take the plunge.
When someone asks me why I like it so much, I tell them it is like carrying a computer in the palm of my hand. I can get any information that I want with a touch.

For instance, today I want to a yarn shop. While I was there, I could access the files on my pc with my phone because I needed to clarify how much yarn I needed for a project. Some yarns are packaged in meters. I think in yards. I have an app that allows me to easily convert this. Then, while walking out of the store, I saw a shawl draped over a railing. It had a tag on it saying the pattern, and the blog that it was found on. I touched the Bing search and spoke the blog name and in a couple of seconds I found the pattern and forwarded it to my email so that when I got home I could print it out.

Many of the radio stations that I like have apps and I can listen to them over WiFi at work. I can watch Netflix movies, track packages from UPS, read books, keep track of my meds, and weight watchers points, check gas prices to find the lowest price before I leave the house.
It is the best investment that I have made in a long time.

The new iPad 2 comes out on the 11th. I have been saving up to buy it. I always wrestle with purchases like this. I always think " there is better use for this money". And I'm sure there is, there always is. But I mostly deny myself most things because they aren't practical. I think that I will make an exception this time because I enjoy this stuff so much.

I hope that you have a good day. One more day until I'm off for the weekend. I can't wait.

SECOND CLUE DONE WITH TIME TO SPARE

2011-03-01T18:08:00.000-05:00

This is one of 4 repeats of this pattern just this clue of four repeats contains 1,364 seed beads. Wow. It didn't seem too bad at the time. It will look open and airy after it is blocked..
The next clue comes out on Friday... with time given for others to find the mistakes ( the hard way no doubt) I should have time to finish or start some quilting projects..
Hope that you are having a good week!

LOOK WHAT I GOT

2011-02-23T11:26:00.000-05:00

My friend was given a box of blocks that were hand pieced and not put together into a quilt. Glad to know that I'm not the only one. Anyway, her family didn't want them so gave a big box to my friend who shared with me. I chose these

there are about 30 churn dash and probably hundreds of 4 patches. They are shirtings/and feedsack fabrics. The only bad thing is they are weird sizes. The blocks are 10" not 10 1/4. and the 4 patches are 4" not 4 1/4 . I love the churn dash blocks. This was the first block that my grandmother taught me when I was a kid. I marvel when I think of the time it took her to cut all of the pieces, and hand piece. I'm sure there was no rotary cutter involved. Probably a cardboard template and a pencil.

WEDNESDAY

2011-02-23T10:31:00.000-05:00

Waiting for my daughter to come over for our standing movie date. We normally go to see a movie that my husband and I wouldn't bother with (chick flick) sometimes they are okay.. most of the time they aren't. But it is worth it to spend time with my daughter. I wish my other daughter was close enough to go with us.

I'm still looking for the fabric that was used for the border of my latest miniature quilt. I'm pretty sure that it was a large amount of yardage, but I might just be delusional and actually used all of it. I need to put on a binding and I want it to match. I don't need to have it done for a month.. I'll think of something.

Anyone that has read my blog for any period of time knows that I used to not be able to post anything unless it had some sort of political statement attached. Long time readers... do you like the change? I finally backed off because I found myself angry all of the time, and there was not a thing I could do about it. Let it suffice to say that my whole attitude now is "I told you so..."

Happy Day!!

Teri

I KNOW..... I'M PATHETIC

2011-02-22T18:02:00.000-05:00

A few years ago I purchased an HQ Sixteen. My husband built a table to put it in, then I didn't really have anywhere to put it. Then, when daughters got married, I got to move upstairs, but the room still wasn't big enough for my huge sewing table AND my HQ table opened up all of the way. But at least the machine fits and I can use it.

Okay, I could use it in theory. This is an old photo. Now the selvages are neatly put away and there is fabric stacked all over the machine. I am ashamed to say that I have never quilted anything with it. I've played around a few times. Don't really need it for miniatures, I have always given my larger "utility" quilts to someone else to finish because I don't really care a whole lot about how they are quilted.
But, as I have cleaned out some stuff I have found some quilt tops that I have finished. None of them are huge because I don't make huge quilts. I think that I will bite the bullet and attempt to quilt them on my HQ. Who knows, I might actually be good at it.

FROZEN

2011-02-22T16:36:00.000-05:00

I took Sam out when I got home from work and while I was standing waiting for him, I kept hearing this crackling sound. When I looked up I saw that all of my treetops have a coating of ice on them. Looks prettier up there than it does on my car.

Sam thinks so to.

BRRRR...

2011-02-20T09:51:00.000-05:00

After a few nice days, it is cold again. Sigh...
I have been keeping busy as always. I'm working on some quilting projects, as well as doing another mystery knit. Thank goodness for this knit-a-longs. I got stuck on row 30 and thought about how to do it for days until someone in the group explained (actually drew a picture) what to do. So I am finished with the first clue.

The project is a semi circular shawl, based on a crown in Fellowship of the Ring. I have the bottom of the thing pinned together, but it will be grafted in the end, and that little lace edge will be the top of the shawl ( the part that goes by the neck). I wasn't going to do the beads (5,000 for the project... yes, you read it correctly) but, I gave in when I visited the big bead store a couple of towns over. The yarn is a hand dye called 'fog'. I wasn't sure about it, but it is perfect. And I didn't want high contrast on the beads which are taupe crystal, and they are perfect. I have no idea what I will do with a sparkly shawl, but it is a challenge. Much like making miniature quilts. They are a challenge, and aren't much use, except for looking at and marveling over. Lace looks totally different after it is blocked. I won't be able to show you until I am finished because I don't have large enough cables on my needles. I think that there are six clues and this is the first.

I hope that you all have had a good weekend. Be back soon!

ONLY A MATTER OF TIME

2011-02-12T13:47:00.000-05:00

Until I find myself standing in a bread line to buy $7.00 bread. Hey, wait a minute.....

FRIDAY!!!

2011-02-11T21:29:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I haven't frozen solid yet. It was actually a heat wave of 27 here today. Now the two inches of ice on my drive is shiny!!

Finished up another quilt this week see my other blog I'm doing some cleaning in my studio. I can't take it anymore. And then onto another miniature. I am still keeping up with other projects. Back later with some photos. Otherwise have a great weekend! teri

KNIT- ALONGS

2011-02-06T16:01:00.000-05:00

All of my quilting friends can think of this as a BOM. I made one of those from an online source a long time ago and the entire thing was incorrect, and every block needed to be studied before you could cut a piece of fabric, or the block would not be the correct size.

Which is why it isn't finished. I got tired of trying to figure out every block section.

Enter knit-alongs.. In my opinion infinitely more complicated. Pulling back a difficult knitting pattern because of design or chart errors is way more difficult than cutting a new piece of fabric. I have only done one. The clues are usually sent out once a week, or maybe every two weeks. I learned from the last one to never pick up my needles until at least a week after the clue is sent out. That gives all of the eager one's the chance to find all of the mistakes. My first clue came out on Friday, and so far I have gotten at least 4 pattern corrections. Now the new thing I learned is to NOT print out the clue for at least a week.
I've wasted so much paper, printing out patterns. But at least I didn't waste my time knitting. This project calls for 5,000 beads. I have decided to forgo this step. A little to sparkly and impractical for my tastes. But this lady designs beautiful stitches, and I know that eventually, this will be a beautiful shawl.

I'm actually going to watch some of the super bowl. Both teams are decent, and it might be fun. I hope that you all are having a great day!!!

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE

2011-02-05T16:53:00.000-05:00

It is snowing AGAIN. What the heck? I did get out for a while today. Slept a LONG time on Thursday night. I actually went to bed at 7:30. I've just been dragging after this latest viral bout. But my husband and I went out today to HARBOR FREIGHT after I read this blog post that featured HAND METAL STAMPING. If she hadn't linked to Harbor Freight, I wouldn't have gone to the trouble. But there are cool possibilities for gifts, and the dies were only around $7.00.. I couldn't resist.
So now, I am ignoring the snow, quilting my mini and watching Zombieland.

Have a great weekend!!

2011-01-30T21:25:00.000-05:00

I started catching a cold again on Thursday. I have felt bad every day since. Luckily my daughter went to the grocery store yesterday, because I had to sit, and she could stand in line at the deli for me. This weather is really starting to get to me. I should fling open all of the windows and freeze out all of the germs that are lingering in my house.

I got a little quilting done on my miniature, but just didn't feel up to sitting to work on it. So I decided to pull out my old crochet hooks and start making a ripple afghan using all of my leftover worsted weight yarns. It is dense and big and is going to be really warm when ever it is finally finished. Much nicer to hold in my hands than the old acrylic ones that I made 30 years ago.

I hope that you all are surviving the winter!!!

Teri

WEDNESDAY WOES

2011-01-26T19:36:00.000-05:00

I hope that everyone is doing well. I updated my other blog MAKING MINIATURE QUILTS
I am attempting to quilt this little medallion. I really dislike trying to figure out what kind of quilting to do. For me that is the hardest part because it can make or break a quilt. Plus, I don't like digging out quilting stitches.
Everything is good here. I feel like I am coming down with some illness again. It took me over a month to get over the last bout. I have felt pretty good for a couple of weeks, now I have a dry cough.
I guess I will live. I have enough to keep me busy around here.

Spring!!! Where are you?

Teri

BACK ALREADY

2011-01-22T10:05:00.001-05:00

I forgot to add this. I sew with friends at a retirement village that has a thrift shop that sells castoffs to aid the people residents that need extra help. For instance, my friend picked up a new Kitchen aid wand blender for seven bucks yesterday. It would have been mind if I had really looked at it. She is an excellent baker and always brings goodies to our meetings, so it's okay.
Anyway, I saw these on a shelf for a dollar each

I assume that they must be little expresso cups, but the first thing I thought of was "Pincushions". How about tiny cappuccinos? Maybe a little emery biscotti on the saucer?
I have a similar cup and saucer on the windowsill by my sewing machine, I have some antique thimbles in the saucer.

It's a little frilly for me and I never got around to actually making a pincushion for the top.

Anyway, I think these will be cute gifts for someone on my list.

BRIGHT IDEAS

2011-01-22T09:37:00.000-05:00

I was sewing with a friend recently, and she showed me a quilt that she made for her grandson using letters from a novelty print fabric she had. She gave me the holey scrap and I used what was left to make my name. I used it for the bottom of my travel iron tote

I love the weekend. My friend gave me some striped fabric that I can use for the candy canes for my Christmas quilts. I finally realized that I must have some in with my patriotic prints, but I don't know where I put them. Now I don't have to worry. It is pretty cold here, but at least the sun is shining so that makes it a little more cheerful.
I hope that you all have a good weekend. I'll be back if I finish something!

Teri

BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT....EVER

2011-01-21T21:23:00.000-05:00

Two Christmases ago I planned to give each of my seven friends a bag to tote their travel iron. I bought the insul-bright, cut out all of the pieces, and then got stuck because I couldn't decide on the fabrics that they would like. So, that Christmas went by, then the next... so this year, after all of the pieces sat on my ironing table for all that time, I rolled all of the pieces up, tied them with ribbons and gave them an iron bag "kit". We sew together once a month, so this month, every one brought their fabrics and we made our bags together using a very poorly written pattern. Luckily, we figured out the pattern together.
This is mine. I took the photo with my phone, tomorrow when I actually turn on my computer, I will upload a photo of the bottom that has my name in fabric letters.
Best Christmas present ever? Because I only had to make mine. The only thing that could have made it better is if someone else had made it for me.

DIDN'T BUY

2011-01-19T13:34:00.000-05:00

BLOCK FIVE - Sun Ray Star - 6"

2011-01-19T09:16:00.000-05:00

I think that I would choose a different green background for the green and red star, but I'm stash diving, and green isn't my thing..pickins are slim.. as the saying goes.
Hope that your day is good. Ours is icy. Haven't decided if I will bother to go out.

COLD ENOUGH FOR YA?

2011-01-17T09:34:00.000-05:00

SUNDAY THINGS

2011-01-16T16:07:00.000-05:00

Went to see the Green Hornet. It was okay. I only saw it because my husband was excited about it. For me it was a "great on Netflix DVD" movie. Not unlike "Percy Jackson and the Olympians". Probably would have been disappointed if I spent the money to see it in the theater, but it was very enjoyable delivered to my door. \
Doing my usual Sunday stuff.. Laundry, of course. Some more cleaning out. I found templates and some hexagons for an ISpy quilt that apparently I thought I would make. My first notion was to throw it in my give away box, but then I decided to cut some triangles and play around with it.

I decided that it would be a shame to toss it or give it away. It would make a great "sick day" quilt for a kid. So, I am going to just cut a bunch of triangles and keep them handy for the many novelty prints that I have a habit of acquiring. The triangle template that came with it has the points. It is a 30 degree triangle, so I can't use my Judy Martin point trimmer. What I did is cut 2 1/4" strips, and make a few freezer paper templates. I used these to cut the stacked fabric. As you turn the triangle and keep the bottom always at 2 1/4, you chop of the tips.

Having the points blunted really helps join the blocks together so the tips of the hexagons match.
I'm getting ready to make new blocks for the Christmas quilt using my Tri -reqs tool. Maybe I will post them later.
Have a good day!
Teri

BLOCK THREE - Variable Star 6"

2011-01-14T21:14:00.001-05:00

If you have been following along, you have not missed block two. I would have done that one next but I needed some red and white striped fabric for candy canes and I can't find any. I thought I had some in my stash, but it isn't in the usual places.
So I think that I will just go through and do the pieced blocks and save the appliqued blocks until last.
Hope that you have a great weekend!

THINKING OF SUMMER

2011-01-14T12:49:00.000-05:00

BLOCK ONE

2011-01-12T21:35:00.000-05:00

The first block is done for each of the Christmas quilts. This is the Pine Tree block.
What did I learn from this block? If a thangle or a thangle-like paper for making half square triangles says "finishes at 2inches" it actually means when you are finished cutting them out it is 2" not the 2.5 you need to actually make the block.
I had all of the strips sewn together, only to see that they were too small. You would think that by this point in my quilting life I could eyeball 2.5".
The next thing I learned is that "templates are not bad things". The group of patterns for this quilt are old enough that there are only templates offered for all of the pieces. Once I got to the big triangles, I cut out the freezer paper templates and use those. The worked like a dream. These would have been done on Sunday if I hadn't had to make them over again.

It was fun, stay tuned for the next batch.