How well do you listen?

 As I was prepping the pictures for this morning, I wondered what title I should use for the blog post. I had just finished listening to Alex Anderson's "live" post from Wednesday morning. Oh boy -- people do NOT listen. She started a sew-along which I think is free to anyone. The pattern can be found on The Quilt Show webpage (top right-hand corner). It's only three pages, and there are kits - probably all gone by now. But any fabric would work. 

So the first session was on cutting and prepping. How many people asked - can I do this? How about this? You just know that's going to go badly! People will mess up, and the fabric in the kit is tight, so you know that will go badly. Then people will scream that they were shortchanged, no room for error, etc. Well, all that is required is to listen! And if in doubt? Don't do it! Don't cut it! Don't fuse it! Just don't do it!

And then people are saying I'm choosing color X for the background. Well, that's good, but we don't even know if you're using the kit, so why say that? Oh well..............

I know from experience that when you put yourself out there to write a pattern or to teach a class, that you're up for public comment and feedback (good, bad, and totally ridiculous). Let's see what happens and how many fess up that they screwed up. 

Actually, today is all about the books! Yes -- I'm still looking for my Jen Kingwell books. I know I have several, and I had them not that long ago. Did I put them in a safe place? And if so - where is that darn safe place? I'm almost finished searching the bookcase, and I found a few other things. I thought I'd share them with you today. 

Remember I posted the picture of Jinny Beyer with one of her early quilt magazines. 

An early quilt magazine 

Well, look what I found. OH -- there were two different magazines - Easy Quilts and Quilts. I might even have the one Jinny is holding above - I just haven't found it yet. Did you see that in the title of my magazine - MODERN? I wonder how modern those quilts were? I wonder if there's a date on this?  Just checked - no date. 

Quilt magazine from the '70s????

I kept looking, and I found a few other interesting books. But first - I have to tell you this story - also about books. 

As you know, I recently purchased Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced quilt Patterns. It's a fabulous book. 

Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns

This is the Third Edition. Alex recently interviewed Barbara, and it was fascinating to hear how the book came about. 

There is a second edition which I also own. 

The second edition

OK -- so there's a second edition and now a third, but what about the First Edition? Where is that? Well, Barbara had a copy to show us. It was a series of BINDERS!! I thought I heard her say there were eight binders? I might be wrong on that. But it was hilarious. A mystery solved after how many years? 

The First Edition

So back to the search. I found this book on Machine Embroidery from Country Stitches. I LOVE their books, and while this might be dated, I'm sure there is a ton of useful information in there!!! I left it out to browse. 

A Comprehensive Guide to Machine Embroidery

And then I came across this book. Oh my --- I remember seeing one of these on my pattern shelf the other day. Yep - it appears that I LOVE this book because I bought it twice. One of them is up for sale for $15  (I paid $25), and you pay the shipping. It's a fun sewing-room-themed quilt by Lori Holt. Email me at elainetheriault@gmail.com  if you want it. Or text or phone or messenger. 

Two books!!

I have one more section to search for the Jen Kingwell books. If they are not there, they must be with the patterns? Oh my - I hate when I put things in a safe place. 

Remember the rocks that I found along the side of the forest path with the words on them? Well - LOOK - I found fabric yesterday at eQuilter.com with rocks with inspirational quotes. Hilarious!!!!!

Inspirational rock fabric

After my morning of paperwork (and I got a lot accomplished), I got to the long arm and quilted a giant customer quilt. Now for some trimming later today. 

Customer quilt

I made some progress on the churn dash block. All the half-square triangles are made and trimmed. Now to make the bar blocks and lay them out and start assembling the block. I will get it done!!!

Progress on the churn dash block

OK -- yes - I did spend some time in the gazebo. It was a glorious day, and I have a book that I need to finish. No napping!!! And of course, there's Murphy in the dirt!!! She's such an entertainer!

The view from the gazebo

I had an early morning phone call (Hi Shelly), so this has to be cut short. I've got an appointment and meetings in the morning, and I hope to get downstairs this afternoon—lots to do and just not enough time to get it all done. But I've been madly planning and shopping behind the scenes, so I'm good and hoping to avoid a time crunch next month!!! Wish me luck on that one. 

I've got another homework assignment almost ready to go this morning. And then one more, and I'll be caught up! 

One more house went up for sale on our street. No sign, but my real estate buddy gave me a heads up. Listed for more money than the one that just sold and on the opposite side of the street, so it doesn't back onto the forest. Oh my -- I think there's going to be one more go up for sale as well. Hey - if people are willing to pay crazy money - then I say go for it!!!

Your organizing task for the day is the kitchen table and the counters. How clear are they? Stuff builds up very quickly on those surfaces. You MUST learn to keep them tidy!!!! 

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

Have a super day!!!