The Projects that Keep Me Busy
Jan 29, 2007 Quilting
As mentioned earlier, I’m trying to finish three quilts this month. This is a lofty goal. Realistically speaking, I’ll probably complete two out of three. So how am I doing?
Baby Quilt #1
Almost done! It needs a label. Since I’m giving it as a gift, I’ll wash off the cat fur before I drop it in the mail.
Baby Quilt #2
I pieced the top. I like it. My old iron gave me a lot of grief, thus producing a wavy border. I’m going to try and fix it by blocking the quilt and attacking it with my new steam iron. This quilt probably won’t be finished until the February. I need to decide how I’m going to quilt it.
Puzzle Quilt
I’m so close to finishing this quilt. Last night I finished the quilting, and I made the binding. Tonight I’ll attach the binding. Now I have permission to spend the weekend hand sewing the binding and watching TV. I think it will be a good weekend. I’m planning on attaching the label on Wednesday night. I’ve been working on this quilt for at least three years. I can’t believe I’m almost done. When that great moment arrives, I’ll write up my longest entry ever escribing the importance of this quilt. This quilt has taught me a lot.
later
Book Review: Quilting & Sewing Books
Jan 21, 2007 Books, Quilting, Sewing
I’ve been meaning to post my two cents about a couple books . This review will feature the following books:
For Christmas, I received In Stitches by Amy Butler. Several people have blogged about this projects. Then I spotted it in the store. I loved how she used fabric to make the home comfy. I want to duplicate the feeling. While I’ve yet to make anything, I’m planning on making the hot pads, the apron, and the cat tunnel.
So what do I like about the book? Based on my first impression, I like the instructions. They simple and basic. Yet they produce projects with finishing touches. While the projects in this book won’t push my sewing skills, I wil finish a couple of projects in a reasonable time frame.
Appliqué Delights: 100 Irresistible Blocks from Piece O’ Cake Designs by Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins was also a recent Christmas present. A friend has this book. She’s making a beautiful quilt with some of the blocks. I want one too. For me appliqué can really be enjoyable. Nothing is better than quietly sitting down with a small appliqué project at the end of a long day.
I’m not sure what I’m going to make. I need to do some project planning and prioritizing. Then I can move forward. So while I want a nice big quilt, I might be settling for a beautiful wall hanging. I do plan on getting this book spiral-bound. It will be easier to copy the patterns.
I picked up Denyse Schmidt Quilts: 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects at the library a couple of weeks ago. Once again, a lot of bloggers have made beautiful things from this book. Yet when I look through it, I’m not inspired to tackle any of the projects. I think the skewed lines aren’t for me. I really like symmetry, and straight lines. This all goes back to my need for order. I blame it on the fact that I’m an oldest child and my life was a little outof sorts this last year. Perhaps if life continues in a positive way this year, I’ll feel more comfortable with skewed lines in the future.
Photo Craft book
Jan 17, 2007 Books
Last night, I discovered a new craft book. Sunset magazine had a little review on Photocraft: Cool Things to Do with the Pictures You Love. The magazine showed a display of photos in CD cases. Since I received a new color printer for Christmas, I thought, “I could do that.” Lucky me, the book is available at the local library. I get to review it before I decided it is worth my pennies.
The last to know
Jan 9, 2007 Sewing
I’ve been looking for stamp pads that would work on fabric. Years ago, I remember that Fabrico stamp pads qualified. However, I couldn’t find a Fabrico stamp pad to save my life. Finally, a found the right link on the web. Fabrico stamp pads are now known as VersaCraft stamp pads. Yeah! I just wish Joanne’s sold them. I’m putting together and order. I’d like to take advantage for free shipping.
Baby Quilt #1: Quilt Sandwich
Jan 7, 2007 Quilting
I’m moving right along with the baby quilts. On Friday I finished piecing Baby Quilt #2. No pictures today. Yesterday I purchased the necessary quilting supplies, specifically thread. Somehow I manage to quilt most of my quilts on my domestic sewing machine. I have mixed feelings about this process. I enjoy the fact that I can finish my own quilts. I like being apart of the whole process. On the other hand, I really wish I had a long arm quilting machine. One day. Until then I’ll go through the process of working with my domestic sewing machine.
Tonight I spend my time preparing my quilt sandwich. First I taped the back of the quilt to my floor. I’m really thankful for my hardwood floor. Without it, the step would be even harder. I’m always surprised at how taut I can get the back. I’m even more surprised when my cats let me complete this step.
Next, I lay down the batting and the quilt top. I press as needed. The batting provides enough friction that I can lay the top down without feeling like it needs to be taped as well.
When I’m happy with everything, I start pinning. I try to work in a circle while keeping my quilting design in mind.
I don’t want to move pins while I’m trying to quilt. At the point I must state that curved safety pins and a tool to help close the pins are a necessity. Without them, your fingers would be mush. Also spirng for the nickel plated pins. They slide through the quilt layers with ease. The plain brass pins drag through the layers. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way.
Now, I’m off to start quilting!
Belated Snow Day
Jan 5, 2007 Life
I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. Snow is just a fact of life and a good excuse to head to the mountains. While in school K-12, I never had a snow day. It was unheard of. I went to college at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Winter are a little harsher there, mostly colder. I had my first snow day while at Utah State. While I don’t remember the details, I remember it was bad.
Yesterday, we had a good snow storm. It snowed most of the day. Yet people went to work, school, and everywhere else. Today, I woke up to a beautiful morning. The sun is out. The snow glistens. Snow begins to melt off the driveways, sidewalks, cars, etc.
I went to work without thinking about. At work, I quickly realized that something was wrong when there were no lights in the parking garage. When I joined my co-workers, my suspicions were confirmed. No electricity. The power guy had just evaluated the situation and called for a bigger crew. Apparently, the snow and ice caused delayed damage. We hung out for a while the powers that be decided we could go home.
Now I’m home on a beautiful day. I ran to the library and ate a leisurely lunch. I think I’ll work on my blog. It has a few issues that need to be resolved.
