On your mark, get set - IRON!

I hosted a sit and sew at my house this past week. The numbers were few, but that's OK. We still got lots of work done. 

I'm a wee bit pressed for time this morning so I'll share what happened to me in another post. It will have to wait until next week as I can't upload pictures on that darn iPad. I'm going to take another tablet with me (not an iPad) and see if that works. I should also throw my teeny computer/tablet in my bag, but I'm not sure where the power cord is. If I can find that - I might throw that in the bag as well. Going loaded with technology! 

Let's just say that it's been a crazy busy week. I taught three classes in the evening - all of them were super fun, especially last night! More on that another day. I have two classes to teach today. Then we're off to retreat for a week and then I have three classes the day after I come back. All of them needed some prep work. And let's not forget my meeting that I have to attend on Monday. It's been a challenge, to say the least. BUT as long as everything fits in my car, I'm good. It might be a wee challenge to make that happen - I have this massive sewing machine box and the embroidery unit to put in the car as well as my wagon to carry everything. I'll be sure to take pictures and post on social media.

Speaking of social media, did you know that for a lot of people, blogging is passe?  Yep - people can't be bothered to write (or read) blog posts so they go for Instagram pictures or Facebook pictures. That is so damn boring and how will everyone keep up their language skills if they don't read and write? Are we going back to kindergarten? Well, I don't care - I love to blog and will continue to do so for as long as I can!!!

Diane was working on a project that I hope to make someday.It's called Oh My Gosh. I've forgotten who the pattern is by. But those little blocks - well they are little and there are some nine-patches as well. I was hoping to snag a few, but that didn't happen. I guess I just have to cut and sew my own. But not right now!

Oh My Gosh project

Pat was assembling some hand embroidered blocks into a quilt top. There were a few design modification along the way (yes - ripping out), but she got the top together. It looks awesome and the colors she chose were perfect.

Pat's elf quilt

 The blocks are super cute. The pattern is by Unseen Hands.   There are a couple of really really nice barn embroidery quilts on her website. Hmm - those would be nice to do. Barns with quilts on them.

Elf block from Unseen Hands

 Ruth was working on her blocks from Sylvia's Bridal Sampler (Elm Creek). I didn't get a picture of her blocks.

I have to share this story with you about the iron. I'm currently using one of the Reliable irons - the model 50. The orange one. I need to read the instruction manual to learn how to set it up so that it doesn't shut off, especially on days of sit n sew. It has a couple of quirks which means the steam will turn itself on when it reaches a certain temperature. I like it, you just have to be careful using it. Once I read the manual, I'm sure that problem will go away.

To make life easier for the people coming to sew, I purchased a small iron a month ago. Last week was the first time using it. I plugged it in and we were ready to sew. But as with all shut-off irons, this one shut off. We gave it a nudge and nothing seemed to happen. Then it was stone cold and leaking water which happens when you turn a cold iron face down. Hmm  - what could be the problem?

The box says that it has a 45-minute timed shut-off. Should be OK. After much puzzlement, I read the instructions. Oh - it has a 45-minute timer all right!  After 45 minutes, the iron shuts completely down and the only way to restart it?  You guessed it - you have to unplug and replug it in!!! 

Iron with a timer!!!

While this may be a great feature for the forgetful husband or teenager in your house, it's not really the most practical iron for the sewer/quilter out there. I'm not taking it back, but if ever you see TIMER on the iron box, be suspicious. Very suspicious. It probably shuts down completely after that time. I've heard of this from another friend years ago, but never realized what the wording meant on the box.  Oh well - having to unplug and replug is better than having the steam going off by itself. But we got a good chuckle over that one.

I managed to get the customer quilt done yesterday. It's off the machine, trimmed and ready for pick-up. I love the quilt - she replicated the family bookcase!!!!

Customer quilt - DONE

Someone once told me that you can "read" a person by the kind of books they have on their shelves. Hm - there was quite a variety of books on this shelf as the maker had put names on the spines of a lot of the books. 

I finished listening to my audiobook as well which was good because yesterday was the last day to listen to it. I plugged headphones in and quilted away. I like to hear the sound of the long arm so the book wasn't too loud. It worked perfectly. 

On that note, I'm out of here. I'm off to the dog park and then back home to pack the car and then speed off to class. 

If you're local - enjoy the warm weather. I got home around 10 PM last night and NO coat. That felt great!!!  However we're heading north for the retreat so the weather won't be quite as warm as here, but who knows - we may be found frolicking on the beach?? 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!