Check your fluids!!!!

Progress was made, but not nearly as much as I wanted. I've just come to the conclusion that what I get done is what I get done! I am not going to sweat it, and there is a lot of "new" stuff that I'm working on. By "new," I mean techniques I haven't done in a long time, a new design I'm stitching out, and so on. 

But first, let's discuss this quote that Jackie posted in the comments. 

Drop the weight on your shoulders and put it under your feet to rise to the next challenge.

How cool is that? I couldn't agree more, and it's amazing how much weight we carry on our shoulders, and we don't even know it. Letting go of a UFO or finishing a project can be just that weight that you are carrying around! Let it go!!!!!

It was a tough day physically for me, as I had worked out with Brooke in the morning, and while I felt good, I had lifted a lot of weight. Then shortly afterward, I went to see Misty for a massage. This is not your "relaxing" massage. This is deep-tissue massage, and there were times I swear I saw stars from the pressure she applied to my neck and shoulders. The pain shot right up behind my eyes, and I was in agony. 

Thankfully, I feel fine today, but booking the two back-to-back probably wasn't a great idea! One of them alone is hard enough. 

And what's the deal? Someone took my locker at the gym! I'm definitely a creature of habit, as I've been using the same locker ever since the gym opened. A couple of times, I've had to use a different one in the area, but I've never changed areas. 

My locker was taken!

I still don't know how I am so fortunate to not get headaches from the tight muscles in my neck and shoulders. But knock on wood that my good luck remains. It's just another area that I need to keep stretching. More stretching, more often. 

I had to laugh- well, not really, because it was a wake-up call. But when I was away in June, I hadn't been stretching much. Nor had I gotten down on the floor. When it came time to work out with Brooke when I got back, my body looked at the floor and said, "Are you kidding?" That's how quickly we get out of a routine, and as we get older, it's harder to stay in the groove. Our bodies forget, so I must NOT let that lapse. I must not! Even if it means getting down on the floor ONCE a day and then back up! 

It's important because if you are alone and you fall and you can't get up? Who are you going to call? I mentioned recently that one of the most common jobs for the fire department is to pick up people who have fallen in their homes. 

I really was a slug on a rug for most of the morning and afternoon. I had a nap, and DH caught me being a slug and said, "I don't care what you do, just don't start panicking days before your trip, lamenting about not having enough time!" OK -- so he is right!

This was my view from the sofa in the living room. Of course, the girls had to be with me! I think it was raining and they don't like the rain. 

Mom - we are keeping you company!!!

When I got home from the gym, it was like there was a bunny fest going on next door. THREE rabbits and they didn't care enough to move! Murphy would have been beside herself!

A bunny fest next door

I had to do a bit of cleaning in the pond, as the water level was low. But look how high those lily pad leaves have grown. I spotted a couple of the fish, and they seem to be thriving! No maintenance! 

The lily pads have gone mad!

I didn't get much time in the gazebo, but I managed a few minutes, and, of course, Miss Murphy was right there with me. 

MOM - it's nice in the gazebo

Now let's get onto what I was trying to do all day. I have a very large piece of linen that I washed the other day, and I want to do some machine embroidery on it. It was supposed to be my outfit for the wedding. I don't mind green, but I need a brighter/darker version than what I wore to the wedding. But that's OK - it was the bride's day, not mine, and I was happy to make her happy. 

But here's a message to you all! That linen was pretty limp and needed some starch. I grabbed the only can of starch I had, and of course, the darn nozzle is clogged. I have tried to unclog the nozzles in the past, but it didn't work. So that will go in the hazardous waste. I do need to pack up a bunch of stuff in the garage before winter and drop it off. 

If there was anything in this can, it was empty now, so it went in the garbage. 

A can of fabric stabilizer - empty

Next up, I grabbed a bottle of Stiffy, which is used to stiffen fabrics. Thankfully, I have two of them. I gave it a good shake and found a container to put the liquid in to saturate the fabric. OH MY GOSH --- it came out clumpy, and there was quite a bit of the thick stuff (starch?) in the bottom. So I gooped that out into the container and spent some time breaking it all down. I threw my fabric in the container, but it wasn't enough, so I grabbed the second bottle. 

Two bottles of Stiffy

After the fabric is saturated, you wring it out and let it dry. The rest goes back in the container. I used almost a whole bottle on this piece of linen, but mind you, it's pretty big! And so it dried, and I gave it a bit of an iron this morning. 

My linen drying

It is now in the embroidery hoop, and it's stitching away, though I hear it has stopped and suspect the bobbin is low. This design is going to take hours, and I mean HOURS to stitch out, so that is all that will get done today. I may or may not finish it; it depends on how much more stitching I want to add outside this particular hoop. I suspect there will be three hoopings and each one may take up to 10 hours! 

However, it sure beats doing it by hand!!!

I have two small baskets of liquid products in Studio B. I also found this bottle of fabric softener. I have no idea why it's there - I suspect it was for photo transfers or something. But the bottle was all goopy! I don't use the stuff, and I might just toss it. It also sounded thick! But with a shake, it might come clean. 

A found bottle of fabric softener

So my lesson to you all is that if you have liquid stuff - starches, glue, etc.- make sure that you use them or go through periodically and get rid of what you no longer need or want!!! Those darn nozzles goop up very quickly. 

I had sent pictures of the T-shirts to Dillon and asked which ones he definitely wants on the front and which ones he doesn't care about. 

We went back and forth a couple of times, and these are the rejects. These will likely NOT get used in the quilt at all. And one of them was a duplicate. 

The "reject" T-shirts

It was like a puzzle: he sent me a list of the bands in each pile, and I had to find each band's name on the T-shirts and then move them into three piles!!!

These are the ones that will go on the back. Yep—it's going to be a heavy quilt, but the T-shirts are meaningful to him. He's a very—hmm—not sure how to phrase it —but he cares about stuff! 

The T-shirts for the back

And these ones are the keepers. I gave him two weeks to settle on those T-shirts, and then I will start to do the math to see how they would fit together and try to arrange the colors a bit. I think we have 19 T-shirts on the front and 19 on the back. That works for me. 

The T-shirts for the front of the quilt

So the day wasn't without some work getting done. I prepped the binding and sleeve for the next sample, but I didn't get to it this morning because I was hooping and picking colors for the project currently on the embroidery machine. 

I can bind and tidy up the other projects while this giant one stitches out. 

Last night, I decided to tackle the jigsaw puzzle. Oh my! This one is hard, and for whatever reason, my brain just can't handle the shapes. This is the FIRST time I have shape-sorted! The handles on each piece are quite unique, but that wasn't enough. 

Shape sorting

But I persevered, and I kept those shapes in their respective shape groups until the end. Obviously, it got easier as I progressed, but it still took quite a bit of time to do this. Obviously, NOT a good puzzle for speed puzzling. 

The shapes are still in their groups.

And when I was done, there were three pieces left. There is another small section of orange, so they must belong to that section. 

At last - the top orange section is complete.

Next, I grabbed all those pieces that are orange and green, and I'll work on those tonight. 

Speaking of speed puzzling, I did something bad! I signed up for THREE of the virtual speed puzzling events in the fall. I know—how did that happen? I just thought I would give it a try and see what happens. It's all for fun, so who cares how I do?

When I volunteer to prep those puzzles (wrapping and shipping) at the end of the month, I shall excuse myself from wrapping those three puzzles. 

Here's a story about a winning quilt at Quilt Canada. It was a unique quilt, and the owner should be very proud of it. 

So what did you think of Lorna's patterns? That's Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts. How many did you buy? I have three in my cart and just need to pay for them, but I'm looking for one more, and I didn't see it on her site. Hey—I'm allowed to buy patterns! Plus it's supporting local artists!

Actually, there are two more I want to add, and both of them would make fun sew-alongs!!! Something to keep in mind for next year. 

I found one of them on her Facebook page. What do you think? The theme is very specific and probably not a winner for most of you, but for me, who grew up on a farm? I love it. I sent her a note to see if this one is for purchase. 

Down on the Farm by Sew Fresh Quilts

Speaking of sew-alongs, I MUST get those dates published and emailed out, and posted here on the blog. I've been a bit focused, well, trying to, on machine embroidery, and totally ignoring email. I must do some of that this morning while the embroidery machine is stitching its heart out. While I change bobbins! 

On that note, I'm out of here!!

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Progress with only one SNAFU

It was another good day in Studio B. And Brenda, I'm so excited that you are messing around with the Qult Block Wizard! I did NOT accomplish all I wanted. I knew there was going to be a snag somewhere. Things just take longer than planned, but that's OK. However, I had a very humbling moment. I was all excited about one of the samples - this is going to be perfect. And then BAM! It wasn't perfect. I am not sure I will camouflage what happened. I'm going to finish what I did by binding it, but let's just say that it was a humbling moment. 

Remember all those tools that I said were amazing? They are, but only if the operator doesn't go in and try to do something silly. You see, I had everything lined up perfectly, and then I accidentally touched one of the designs and moved it, thinking I was moving everything, but I was only moving one design, not four. Alas, it stitched out but was not lined up!

However, it was another learning moment, and since we learn from our mistakes, I think I've made all I can with those tools. I'm done now!

Anyway, I managed to get all the stitching done using the Embellishment Attachment and used up three sample stitchouts that were hanging around. Despite my error, the one I goofed on is cute. And it's a teaching moment. Yep -- I'm going to take it to Nashville with me. 

I still have two to clean up, one to bind, and one is done. So worst-case scenario, I can clean up those pieces on the move if I have to. But they are stitched. Actually, I think I need about two hours to completely finish the last three samples. 

It's time to move on to another hoop, and I haven't decided which one. 

Here's the sample that I finished yesterday. And YES -- that is entirely done on an embroidery machine, including the fuzzy bits.

My completed sample

I have to laugh when I look at this one. The fuzzy stuff for the sheep is a tad fuzzier than I thought it would be, and his face and one ear are obliterated. But that sort of fits with the quote. I might trim it slightly, but otherwise - it's done. 

This is another sample I was stitching out, and it is the one that went haywire. 

So cute and before the "storm" hit

But when it was done, I went back to the screen to see what had happened, and that's when I discovered what I had done. It's not enough to make a mistake, but figure out WHY that happened, and then you can move on. Get over it! And never do it again!

I love the project system even in sewing mode. Those projected lines are great for sewing diagonal lines, too. Why mark when you don't have to? I am sewing on the PFAFF creative icon 2.

Projection lines in sewing mode

OH MY -- I may have spoken too soon about the colorways of the 70s and how they would never come back. Look what I spotted on IG yesterday. This is from a fabric company introducing a new line. Doesn't that remind you of the fabrics from the 70s? 

Reminds me of colors from the 70s

Instead of completing the items yesterday, I did something else. I lost a bit of steam when I screwed up, but that's OK. It's good to take a break. And making mistakes is hard work! 

This is the latest puzzle I'm working on. This is another great brand (Villager Puzzles), and guess what? They are also Canadian and use only artwork by Canadian women artists! They make a lot of Canadian landscape puzzles, and I've suggested some for the prairies. Hey, the owner was looking for suggestions! I just realized that this company is based in Comox, BC. 

My current puzzle

You can buy from them online or from Puzzles Canada, and there are many other shops where you can find them. This is the company that Cynthia submitted artwork to and won! It was for a puzzle that will be sold exclusively on the BC Ferries. You will also be able to buy it online at the Villager website. I'm not sure when that one will come out.

And this is what it looks like when you open the box. There's a poster inside, which I never use, and the pieces are already in a bag. That is good -- all puzzles should come with the pieces in a bag. It's a zippered top bag so you can reuse it! That's even better. Hey, the company was founded by a woman! 

Inside the box

She appeared on Dragon's Den, and you can watch it here. The quality of the puzzles is amazing. Check them out next time you're in the market for a puzzle. 

Here's my progress so far. That was HARD, and it took almost an hour just to do that small part. I wonder how easy the rest of the puzzle will be? 

A challenge to do the lettering

I also spent some time weeding in the backyard. It's a mess. This is the before picture. 

Before

And here's the after. I only started with a small section, but already it looks much better. It's hard to see because of the sun and shade, but it looks much better - trust me. 

After

And you will NOT believe this, but when I was digging through that sample drawer, look what I found. I thought I only had one of these Dream Big panels, but NO - I have two. Of course, I have two. 

Two Dream Big panels

I have stitched a teal-colored panel, but I want to stitch another one because with my newfound skills and new tools on the embroidery machine, I think I can do a better job than I did the first time. So—that is something I can attempt to make happen this summer. Nothing like trying to get some of this embroidery done. 

At some point, I need to stop and work on quilt UFOs, not just embroidery stuff! 

This is a quilt that a reader sent to me. It's made from a quilt pattern by a Canadian designer. YES --- we have some great Canadian designers, and we need to make sure that we support them.

A pattern by Sew Fresh Quilts

The company is called Sew Fresh Quilts, and the designer is Lorna. Check out her website, as she has some amazing designs. The link for the fox is here. You cannot beat $5 for a very cool pattern. 

OH - I'm running out of time before I meet Brooke. I have a question to ask about Lorna's patterns. Perhaps we need to do one of these as a sew-along, but NOT for this year. But next. The price is definitely right!!! Which one is your favorite? 

And on that note, I'm out of here!

Have a wonderful day, and hopefully it will be filled with joyful moments, even if it requires some tough love and learning! 

Ciao!!!!

It's a great day in Studio B!

Sharon -- you are so right!!! So many of the ideas that we see today as "new" and "modern" are not new or modern at all. So many techniques from years ago have been resurrected, and countless other things. The only thing I would say that is NOT being recreated is the color palette! The harvest gold and avocado green? Although I like those colors. Even the small muted prints of the 70s are back in vogue. WAIT - I stand corrected - even the color palettes are back, maybe not exact, but close! 

Well, I am a happy camper. I was definitely in my happy place yesterday, and it was a day filled with fun, creativity, learning, and everything went as planned or better! I was in Studio B all day with my toys - predominantly the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3- and, more importantly, I had my Creativate Embroidery Software to design what I wanted to make. 

Let's just say I will NEVER give up the Projector on the Epic 3, which is phenomenal for item placement. And there is the Exact Positioning, and so many other amazing tools. I was a smidgen off on one piece of my placements yesterday, but I'm OK with that. I learned something while doing it. The more that I do, the more I learn, and well, we know how that goes. At my house, the learning never stops. 

Then you get cocky and need to push the envelope, and that's what I did yesterday. A slight (maybe about 5 mm) placement issue, but no one is going to know if I don't point it out, which I may or may not - depends on the day! 

There are so many techniques and designs (from our Creativate Design Catalog) that one could make samples for the rest of their years without duplicating anything. That's the beauty of using the software rather than buying purchased designs. I totally get it—it is not for everyone, and that's OK. I'm not into machine embroidery to stitch just for the sake of stitching; I like to stitch what I dream up! I also like to stitch out things just for fun! 

For an upcoming event in two weeks, I need to demo some specific embroidery hoops. The Mega Turnable Hoop, the Large Magnetic Hoop, the Special Techniques Hoop, and the Embellishment Attachment using yarn. OK -- so while I have samples of each, they're sparse. Since this is a product showcase for our dealers globally, I needed to up my game. 

I thought this quote was fitting for yesterday. The unknown and all outcomes are possible. I'm not so sure I entered it with grace, but since I wasn't pressed for time, I think I did pretty well. Yes -- I have 11 days to complete my samples and make a garment. Lots of time, but everything takes more time than we anticipate. However, I made amazing progress yesterday considering how it all transpired. 

The quote of the day

Samples for the Large Magnetic Hoop are done - wait - I want to make one more, but if it gets done, that's a bonus. I am NOT a fan of making samples that corporate or marketing have made. Why would I duplicate someone else's work? However, when a new hoop is released, there are usually one or two designs released with it. I might jazz up one of the designs that came with that hoop. 

And my secret weapon is Quilt Block Wizard in the Creativate Embroidery Software. I thought I pretty much knew the infinite number of designs that could be created, and then yesterday I got curious, and OH MY—the possibilities are beyond infinity! I was jumping up and down with joy at my discovery. And all it required was the curiosity to see what would happen when I made a few extra mouse clicks. 

I mentioned earlier this week that I am trying to dress up my samples. Not all my samples are a mess. Many of them are finished, but there are lots of "technical" ones that will never be finished as we want to see both sides. That means removing the excess stabilizer, trimming to size, and serging the edges. I didn't get to those yesterday as I don't need any of them for the event. 

But I have another drawer of stitchouts that I have never done anything with, and how could I incorporate those into something for this event? So that's where I started. I pulled a bunch of stuff from the drawer and a tub, and I'm working my way through them. 

Samples languishing in a drawer

 Here are three, all undergoing a makeover using the Embellishment Attachment.

Embellishment Attachment designs getting a makeover.

Here is one I tackled using the Quilt Block Wizard. I won't share my secrets, but I'll certainly explain all to my group of machine embroidery people in the fall. The possibilities are endless! And so is my level of excitement. I didn't even have time for a walk yesterday, but since I was using my computer upstairs while the embroidery machine was downstairs, I still got 14,000 steps in. I didn't need a walk outside! 

Amazing quilted textures! 

You can see the projection system on the fabric, and OH MY --- if you have an EPIC 3 and are NOT using that system - shame on you! It is the best thing since sliced bread. And NO - we do not get training on this stuff. We are given a machine and told to run with it! Thank goodness, my curious mind is in overload mode. It has taken me a while to catch on to all the components of the projection and placement systems. There are so many options that can be used alone or together. 

I might have to do another class on Epic 3 stuff in the fall. Right now? It's all about ME!!!!

Using the Projector to place a design

Then I got out my Embellishment Attachment and, using "yarn," I was into creating something so amazing and cute that my head is still spinning at how cute it is. Don't worry - I'll share it with you. It just needs to be tidied up and finished. By finished, I mean the binding on. 

The Embellishment Attachment

There were boxes of thread on every available surface yesterday. I know there are people out there that must use the exact colors that a designer has chosen. I don't think I ever did that. Unless you buy a kit, your fabric won't be the same as theirs, and so why should the thread be the same? I love the opportunity to open a box (they are sorted by color) and grab what I want. I am also NOT a fan of my thread being in a cabinet I have to go to. I love opening the box where I want and just choosing. It's not super neat, but it doesn't have to be. Want a grey? Pick one and get to the embroidery machine!

A box of grey thread

Some of my test samples are simple like this. A round ball of fluff that I stitched several years ago. But I didn't want to throw it out, so what to do with it? There is a long tail of the fluffy stuff, and every time I showed it, everyone said it looked like a dandelion fluff or a cat's bum with a long tail. The issue is that I'm also working with the placement of the design. I can't move it! 

The sample stitchout is getting a makeover.

Well, my creative juices were flowing (no, there was a tsunami going on), and I decided it was time to make something of this. And I was going to quilt around that fluffy thing! I know—that required a lot of "skill" to make that happen. And then I added more stuff to it. I'm almost finished, but not before I had to create some brand new designs in the Sketch Module of the Creative Embroidery Software. And then I had to edit my sketch. Can you tell I'm excited? So far, everything has gone amazingly well, and I'll do a test stitchout of my sample to make sure it is what I want. 

I am not prepared to teach what I'm learning as it's just by trial and error. One day, I will get it all in my head, but it'll be years before I consider myself an expert. 

Once I add that new component, then that sample will be done. I'm thrilled to bits with it!!!!

The day wasn't without a glitch or two. When I loaded one hoop, I realized after basting the items in the hoop that I had forgotten to move the backing out of the way. So I had to pin the layers in place along one side of the hoop. You can see the pins in that one picture of the green in the hoop above. 

As this piece was being stitched, I was at the other sewing machine (my old PFAFF creative icon2, which will soon be replaced by the NEW one), sewing binding on and repairing a couple of small areas that needed extra stitching on something else. 

The embroidery is still being supervised even if I'm not right next to it.

OK -- so everything is going well, and I swear I moved that long tail of yarn out of the way, but as I was sewing, I heard a crunch and a grind and ran to the machine. OH GOD - the tail got caught in the stitching. Of course it did!!!!!

Ooops!!!!

But no worries—everything is good, and you can now see the tail on that blob. 

You know me and quotes and words - I had fun searching the embroidery software for fonts after I found some amazing quotes. This is not rocket science - it's just letting your brain wander, and my head was exploding with ideas. As I started designing one, more came. 

Then it was time to work on the next sample. Actually, this is the first one I did, and I had to start it from scratch. But that looks like a creepy crawler in the hoop!

Stitching out a creepy crawler

When I got my labels out to insert one during the binding process, half of them fell on the floor. I couldn't get them back in the bag, so they went into the drawer loose, and that's OK - that's all there is in that drawer. It's the small one that fits under the table. 

Oops

And I got lucky when putting the binding on - I had one inch leftover. 

One inch left on the binding

So to tally up the day, one sample was made completely from scratch and is finished with binding and hangers. Let's see - that uses a design from the Design Catalog, the Embellishment Attachment (using yarn - chenille, so the spider is nice and fuzzy), and I used a font from the embroidery software, as well as the Quilt Block Wizard. A perfect sample because it uses lots of different things. And it's small. I could have added more space around, but I don't need or want big samples to travel with. And it is super cute!!!! Although maybe it needs two red beads for eyes!

One sample is DONE!

Then there is one sample that just needs to be cleaned up and bound. Another one needs some stitching, but only after I test it on a scrap of fabric. One is designed and ready to stitch - I just need to find some fabric and yarn. And the final one needs some design work, and then I'll stitch that. I MUST finish all of them today, as tomorrow I must move on to another hoop. Eleven days will go by very quickly. 

This is one of my samples, but it won't be coming with me because it doesn't meet the criteria for this event. I had originally bought some artificial moths at the dollar store, and they have disintegrated over time. 

My disintegrated artificial moths

So a couple of years ago, I used the embroidery machine and stitched NEW moths for it. They have been pinned on, and it was time to get them stitched in place. I had stitched them on before I went to Stitcharie, but one of them was stitched too high and was stitched onto the hanging sleeve. Of course it was! So I moved it down a wee bit, and now it's done! Although it could use a proper label on the back instead of a piece of paper. 

Another finished sample!

This is one of my finished samples, and it's coming with me. I had seen one loose piece of yarn and a loose thread every time I got it out, and it was time to fix that. It's all tidied up now. Again, there are multiple techniques on this piece, even though you may not realize it. I will rarely make a sample that works for only one topic. For those of you in my upcoming scrap class this fall, you will likely see this piece! Don't worry -- no sign-up has happened yet!

Another sample

I managed to get a new puzzle laid out the other night (not yesterday - I was too busy, and when I finally stopped, I was exhausted!), and I got the border done, minus a few pieces in the bottom left. It's going to be a challenge to get this one done, but not a big deal. 

The next puzzle

Our upcoming event is in Nashville. Nashville is a cowboy town and also home to Dolly Parton. So think western! I spotted this hat in the thrift store the other day; however, I don't need a hat. I have something special, but I won't share it until the time comes. 

A glitzy cowboy hat

And as I closed up Studio B the other night, I glanced back and WHAT THE HECK??? OH -- One of Dilon's T-shirts is glowing in the dark. 

A glow-in-the-dark T-shirt

I sent him the picture and asked if he knew that. Nope - he didn't realize!!! How funny! Anyway, I haven't heard back from him, but that's OK. Even if he gets back to me, I'm having way too much fun with the embroidery machine at the moment. 

By the way, for those who know me, I am predominantly a quilter. Well, I'm using my embroidery machine to make quilts or wall hangings. I have so many other things to test out that I won't have time to do them all. But that's OK. I have a plan for what I need to take to Nashville, and eleven days should be just fine. There is NO time for lollygagging though! 

However, I'm trying to finish reading a physical book, and I have 100 pages left. I'm not sure if it's the writing in the book, or that I haven't read a physical book in a while, but it's a struggle to read. It's getting better, but so darn depressing. And it's all about a murder in Toronto, during the summer when it's hot. I wonder how it turns out? DH said it was worth the read. I trust him, so I'll keep going. 

Speaking of DH, when I was having dinner, he came into the kitchen and said, "It's hard to be creative all day!" I just laughed because I totally agreed with him. But I asked what he was being creative with. "Words," he said, as he seems to spend a lot of the day writing creative contracts or something - I have no idea, and I don't get involved! 

And on that happy note, I'm out of here!!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

New quilts to make!

First, let's get the pictures of the community project quilts straight! Here is the first one, which you saw yesterday. This came from a book whose name I can't remember at the moment, but the cover is pink, white, and black! That sure helps - doesn't it! 

Community project quilt - Number One

The blocks were all strip pieced and then cut into slices. I have no idea why I made these two. Wait - I know - because I could. I probably wanted to have some baby quilts on hand, but I never got any requests for quilts. And I just wanted to make quilts!

The second one is the same except for the outer border. I likely ran out of the fabric on the inside and had to use a print for the border. 

The second community project quilt

If memory serves, I have two more of these quilts (same fabrics) in the "to be quilted" pile. Pretty sure I have a couple of pink-and-white (larger) ones, also in the "to be quilted" pile. It is a super fun and easy quilt pattern to assemble, and you can easily make it bigger by increasing the number of blocks. 

The border is also made from the strip sets. The strip sets are made from 2½" strips. So super easy and can be made with a jelly roll and a white fabric. HEY --- that might just be a way to use up some jelly rolls that I have. I never even thought of this pattern. And I always have white around. That's the one staple that I can't get enough of - white. I'm always using it, and so I'm always buying it. Boring white! But it sure makes things sparkle. 

Perhaps I should set a goal for the summer to get all the quilts from that style quilted. WAIT -- I need to get that leader back on the machine, and I might just get that done today. I didn't get much done yesterday. I was a slug because I didn't sleep well the night before, but that's a whole other story that I will share someday. 

These are the two other quilts I'm working on. Another one of those: why make one when you can make two quilts? These were the second $10 quilts that I taught back in 2004. 

The status on the winter quilt tops

You can see the sled block in the quilt on the left, and there is now one made for the quilt on the right. While they had the tracing patterns for the guy on the sled, there are also trees and a dog to be included. However, there was no pattern to trace. Oh - you can free-form cut them from fabric. Well, that's an invitation to not get them done! However, I'm happy to report that the trees and the dog are fused in place, and I hope to get the satin stitching done on them today.

Then two more sections on both quilts need to be pieced, and my goal is to get those done this summer. I sure hope to have more than those blocks done. I'll have to find some border fabrics in the stash and then assemble them. I also want to work on the summer quilts. Those never got started, but since the fall, winter, and spring are done (or almost as above), I might as well finish the set! It would be great to get those done this summer as well, since I still have four other quilts on my UFO list this year to finish. Two need to be quilted, and two still need a lot of piecing. Actually, one still needs a lot of designing. 

I was saying to the Monday sewing group and probably those on the retreat that I rarely start a new project, and yet - I'm going to start to work on those two summer quilts. But that's not really a new project. It's more like I'm finishing the set, and hence a UFO. That doesn't count as new. 

But I had sent out a note asking for suggestions on what to do with the Tula Pink fabric bundle I purchased, and, of course, that would mean starting a new project I have no purpose for. 

Here are two of the suggestions, and I love them both!!!

Spanish Tile quilt

Spanish Tiles by Anka's Treasures has great big spaces, which is perfect for the large prints. You can find the pattern at that link - it's only $9, and you get an immediate download. I like the fact that the pattern is only $9. If I am downloading the darn thing, the designer didn't have to worry about printing, folding, inserting the pattern into the plastic bag, and certainly not about logistics and shipping. That is worth a lot of money, and I shouldn't have to pay for those services if I'm getting a downloadable PDF pattern. There are some designers where you get no break, and we deserve that price break if the services haven't been used. 

I am not sure of the source of this next one. I don't know the pattern name, and well, it's easy enough to figure out. I did NOT say that out loud. And I apologize to the designer, but some things just don't need a pattern. 

Another pattern with large blocks

The fabric collection it is showcasing is Ruby Star's Cascading Landscaping. I went back and checked the lookbook, and that pattern is NOT there, so someone else (the store?) has rendered the fabrics into that quilt pattern. Maybe the person who sent me the pattern can locate the pattern source.

I love both patterns and certainly have more than enough fabric in that bundle to make both. I just need to find the backgrounds (white, most likely for both) and then find a strong fabric for the trellis on the first one. A Tula Pink is NOT strong enough (color-wise or perhaps value-wise) or plain enough to make that work, and I think that is the issue I have with Tula Pink. Using only her fabrics in a quilt is a hot mess (in my opinion), but adding other fabrics can calm it down. 

Speaking of which—when I look through the Lookbooks for the Ruby Star fabrics and other pattern sources, so many are copies of each other. I see the same things (motifs/styles) over and over again. And people are happy to pay good money for these patterns - just because it's in a slightly different setting or different fabric, it is the SAME pattern! And what I "love" is that a good part of the "modern" fabric look is all about vintage and retro things. So it's not modern—it's just retro revisited! 


Loads more to share, but I must get myself to the gym this morning. I guess the beauty of not having to attend Joseph's classes is that I can go whenever I want to spin. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!