Show and Tell Tuesday

Let me first start by saying or shouting...THERE IS A BEACH OUTSIDE THOSE CURTAINS.  - Please read last post and that will make sense.  I spoke to Lee Ann and she set me straight. ;)

The countdown until school starts has definitely begun at our house.  We are trying to cram in as much as we can in these last few days before it's back to a busy school/sports schedule.  It isn't enough that I am finishing a new quilt pattern and trying to get the quilt quilted...I had to start a new design, as well as started painting my downstairs family room, and then have decided to move furniture from room to room upstairs.

Phew...I need a vacation from summer break.

As I sat and quilted today...

I thought of a couple of things I want to share with you about machine quilting.

 

1.  Sit up higher than the table.  You won't get a back ache and your arms will be at the correct angle.

2.  If needed, don't be afraid to turn your sewing machine at an angle.  Hey, no one says you can't pretend it's a long arm machine.

3.  Fill at least 6 bobbins before you start.  You will be glad you did.

4. Spray baste your quilt with 505 Spray and Fix...will NOT gum your needle and you will not need pins.

5. Wear machine quilting gloves that have grippy's on the fingertips.  It will make moving the quilt SO much easier.

Happy Tuesday...6 sleeps till school! :\

Show and Tell Tuesday...big plants.

Good Morning...

This week as I wandered about my yard, I stopped and looked at my Crookneck Squash...

I love the big leaves and am proud of them....just hoping the squash get a bit bigger.

Then I walked past my seven tomato plants, I thought 'wowza'!  those plants are getting out of control...just can't wait till the toms turn red and orange.

5 things about me:

1.  I love planting things.

2. I live in the city.

3. I pine for the country.

4. I used to think I have a green thumb...found out I don't.

5. Someday I will own chickens.

Happy Tuesday...and be open to trying something new even if you fail.  

We never know our potential unless we try!

Show and Tell Tuesday...oops, Wednesday

I certainly don't have to tell you how fast time seems to fly...I'm sure everyone can relate.  I thought for sure I would be able to post yesterday, but didn't have a spare moment.

 

I am excited to share with you where my Flag Quilt has landed...

in the pages of the

 2013 Fall Keepsake Quilting Catalog

 

Follow link below for more information or to just see how good my quilt looks on their site.

 

Flag Quilt Kit

 

Happy Wednesday!

Show and Tell Tuesday....New Pattern

Introducing my newest pattern....da, da, da, DAAAAAA!....

'Pin Cushion Fit For a Queen'

This is a 'Cut Loose Press' Pattern and is available through Checker Distributors,

and your local quilt store. 

 

This pretty little pin cushion is easy to make (can be made by hand or machine) and is filled with ground walnut shells which will keep your needles and pins sharp.

Show and Tell Tuesday....Closing Loops

There's nothing better than having a friend who is a super good listener and to top it off she also gives super good advice.  She always seems to know just what I need to hear. 

She's an encourager, a non-bias participant, a thinker, and a problem solver.

And so when we were talking not long ago, she was telling me she was wanting to 'close loops' in her own life.  Meaning, finish projects or goals that had been hanging over her head, 'undone'.

That got me thinking about tasks or goals in my own life and how could I make little reminders for myself so I could feel accomplished when I finished the task...so I got out paper, pen, and stapler and went back to the basics of grade school with the good ol' fashioned paper chain.

I wrote down my goals on strips of paper, and hung them up (yes, a furnace duct works great for hanging things from...LOL).

Then as I finish the task I attach it to make a chain.  I love it because then I see what I have accomplished.  I need that reminder especially on those days when I feel I've gotten nothing done...I laugh when I've realized 'oh, I made 8 batches of jam, and 4 batches of salsa.  Maybe I'm not so lazy after all'...:)

 Happy Tuesday!...my friend also blogged about her loops today....visit her here 'Retired - Life Unfolding'

Show and Tell Tuesday....Beach Fun and Sneak Peak!

Over the 4th of July we were able to get away to the Oregon Coast for a couple of days. 

 

The weather was gorgeous!  

 

My husband snapped a few photos of our girlies enjoying the new beach mat and tote I made.

 

Both the Tote and Mat were made using Timeless Treasure Tonga Batiqs and the pattern for both will be posted on Timeless Treasure's Blog. 

 

I will let you know when it is posted so you can head over to their site to get the pattern.

 

Happy Tuesday!

Show and Tell Tuesday...Reverse Applique

After two surgeries, I think my dad is out of the woods.  He will have a long road of recovery, but things are looking up so I feel I can get back to the things I need to get done, like showing you fun stuff on 'Show and Tell' Tuesday.

A couple of weeks ago I took a Sunday afternoon to work on something for myself...a Reverse Applique 'J'.  I had the idea in my head for awhile and couldn't wait to see what it would look like all made up.

The 'J' is made by taking a piece of muslin and sewing strips of fabric onto it.  Then I printed a 'J' off from my computer in a font that I liked. I cut the 'J' out and traced in onto the green linen fabric with a graphite pencil.  I cut the 'J' out of the green fabric leaving an extra 1/4" seam allowance.  I pinned the green fabric on top of the strippy fabric and as I turned the edges under I used a needle and thread to sew the green fabric to the strippy fabric.

It's a very spectacular look...the green fabric sits on top of the strippy fabric and gives a really neat illusion.  You just won't get that neat look from sewing the strippy fabric on top of the green.  And all those seams would be a bear to turn under to form the 'J'.

The homemade clay button dots the 'J', and I framed it with some cotton batting behind the fabric to give some texture.

The dolly is one of my favorites, picked up from a craft bazaar last year.  I'm a sucker for cute little dollies.

The pin cushion in the lower right corner is my newest pattern due out in a couple of weeks!

Fabric Giveaway...Show and Tell Tuesday

I can't believe I have been blogging for three years.  I know everyone says this...but, I can't believe how fast time flies, and many say, as you get older it goes faster.  Ack! please no faster.

After three years of blogging...I asked myself 'what do I need to do to boost my blog, and make it more appealing to my readers' (hence, a light bulb moment)...have a giveaway. Yay!

I am giving away a fabric bundle called 'Beach Babes' from Timeless Treasures Fabrics and one of my bag patterns, The Aimee Bag.  In this bundle there is a total of 4 1/2 yards of fabric!

So here's how it will work.  I will randomly choose a winner on Monday June 24.  So be sure and enter and share this with a friend so they can enter too. 

There's three ways to enter.

1.  Become a "Member" of my blog by "Joining my Site" on the right side bar, and post a comment below telling me you are now a follower.
2.  Sign up to receive my new blog posts as an EMAIL, and post a comment below telling me you signed up.
3.  If you are already a member, or already get an email, then just post a comment below telling me why you would love to get this fabric and what you might make with it.

It's important to leave a comment, or I can't enter you into the drawing.

Please, don't forget...I need a way for me to contact you if you win.  Make sure when you leave a comment that I can contact you by email or if you're not sure you can email me your address.  Thank you! visit again on Monday to see if you have won.

Show and Tell Tuesday....more International Quilt Market

A busy week for sure with it being the last week of school for us here in Oregon, and my sister is graduating from nursing school...so proud of her.

As promised, I'm posting a photo of the display that the Timeless Treasures Fabric booth did at Market with my bags displayed front and center.  I was beyond excited when I saw the display...never expected the bags would be displayed in their own space plus two quilts which aren't my design, but I guess I can share ;)

 But, this photo has to be my favorite...the adorable Timeless Treasures guys holding one of my bags - The Supersized Satchel (on the right).  This photo is courtesy of Timeless Treasures...I didn't actually see them modeling the bags, but I did walk by when they were handing out candy.

Last, but not least, a picture of me and my husband in my booth.  Sorry...it was taken with an Ipod, a bit fuzzy. 

On the last day of Market, Bryan helped me in my booth and every time I stepped away to look around or go for a break, he made sales, many more than I made by myself.  Hmmm, what's up with that?  But I heard from other vendors as well that when the husband is left to tend the booth more people buy...maybe they are less intimidated by the husband of the 'famous designer', than the designer herself - laugh out loud!  Anyhoo, happy Tuesday to all.  Be sure and sew something pretty this week, and if you like my blog be sure to sign up to receive it as an email or become my friend.  I would love to connect with you and see what you are working on as well.

Show and Tell Tuesday

This has been an INCREDIBLY hard week...so I'm really excited to focus on happy things and 'show and tell' my clean sewing space.  I switched around my tables and cleaned up many piles.  I'm so happy to have a space that is more inviting and workable.  I tend to do things backwards...I moved all my desks around before cleaning them off.  My husband was grumbling about this...but, it's just how I operate.  My desks were piled high with stuff and fabric and nick-nacks...and it did make moving the desks a bear...but, why clean them off if you're just going to have to organize it again once the desks are moved?...

 Recently, I have had this need to purge all my magazines...in particular 'Quilting' magazines...I LOVE to collect them, but it's now time to let some go.  So I have begun the task of flipping thru them and picking out the projects that I would love to make or get inspiration from and tearing them out.  I then purchased a three ring binder and sheet protectors and started putting the torn out pages in the notebook.  I also was excited to have a place to put PDF patterns sheets that I had printed off my computer.   I really hadn't thought about organizing my papers in this way before...this is probably something everyone already knows about or already does...but for me it was a simple organizational thing that made me giddy!

 Yay for organization!

Happy Tuesday!

Show and Tell Tuesday...Market Bound

The bags are made, the table coverings are done, patterns are folded and stuffed, flyers printed...phew, I think I'm ready for International Quilt Market!  Can't wait to Show and Tell about it next Tuesday.  Have a happy week and I'll be back here to report how everything went.

Thank you to my husband, family, and friends for your support, help, and encouragement while I prepped for this big event.  I could not have done it all without you.

If you are attending Quilt Market...be sure and stop and say Hi at my booth...I am also featured in the Timeless Treasures Booth, and the Checker Distributor Booth!

I'm in Booth #2143

Show and Tell Tuesday...New Pin Cushion

"You are Enough"!  As quoted by my dear friend Joni when I have little confidence in myself. 

That phrase keeps running thru my head especially this week as I finish up stuff for the trade show I'm attending, and I'm starting to believe it, but isn't it so hard? 

When life gets tough and it seems like you are not making a difference or you just can't be everything to everyone...remember that phrase. 

Because you were made just how God wanted you...yes, we can strive to be better, but it's not necessary for us to always be thinking we are not good enough. 

That's just stinkin thinkin as my husband would say.  So grab some confidence today, hold your head up high and do the best at whatever it is that you do.  Because everyone of us can make a difference in our corner of the world.  

I hand sewed this small pin cushion using a tumbling block template.  The inside is filled with sand to sharpen my pins.  Have a Happy Tuesday!

 

Show and Tell Tuesday...Pom Poms

Every day my thoughts and actions are all about getting ready for Market...but, once in awhile I do get to enjoy some time to look through blogs and I came across this great tutorial on making pom poms.  I always thought to make them a fancy tool was needed, but not the case when Dana makes them.

Enjoy the tutorial and visit Dana's site...she has great sewing and craft projects, and takes fantastic photos, as well as always has fabulous painted nails.

Show and Tell Tuesday

Tax time...ugh!  Does this scene look familiar in your house?  And it never fails every year that there is one receipt hiding from me...and, no, it's not the one in the photo ;)  I will keep up my search till that little booger is found, or die trying.

 But why is it when I should be looking for receipts I want to be sifting thru my fabric dreaming of what I'm going to make with it...like the chickens above.  My plan is to make kitchen curtains out of all three prints.  It's no secret in my house that I want real chickens someday when we live in the country...so maybe my husband will get sick of seeing them posted all thru the house and get me some real ones. tee, hee

 In the meantime...I will resume my search and daydream of good hair days and pretty little house quilts that hopefully someday I will get to make...

 Oh, and one more thing...see the scissors below? Yes, those are fabric scissors, not Rose Bush snippers. :)  They are the sharpest little scissor and great for snipping Rag Edge Quilts.  The spring loaded action makes them easy on the hands.  Leave me a message and I can tell you the brand name...for some reason it alludes me right now, just like that receipt.  Toodles!

Show and Tell Tuesday

My dear friends had twins awhile back...in my hopes to find the perfect gift, I strolled thru one of my favorite places to shop - Aunt Bee's House - and found the photos you see above with the letters G and E in them which represent the babies first letter in their names.  I thought the photos were so clever, and decided they would be perfect for a framed piece.

I purchased a frame, some wonderful scrapbooking paper and went to work...it was very easy and didn't take too much expertise (which I do not have in the paper crafting world).  I stuck some little corner doodads on the photos and pressed them in place.  Cut a square of burlap and taped it down (which by the way...double sided sticky tape is a dream).  For the saying I used rub on stickers and Voila! a perfect gift for two perfect babies.

Happy Tuesday! janae'

Show and Tell Tuesday

I've been sewing and creating as much as I can between Volleyball tournaments and taking care of my family...sometimes that means sewing late into the evening which I'm sure you can relate.  Just finished up this messenger bag.

This bag will be a sample bag for one of my patterns called the Techi Tote.  I am updating the pattern so it's not yet on my website, but I will give you a sneak peek at the new sample.  I think it turned out "Crazy"!  I do love it, but not sure if everyone will love it...considering doing another one in calmer tones.  The more I look at it the more brighter it gets. :/

This bag is 13" x 18", will hold lots of stuff.  I used Soft and Stable to make it a bit stiffer and more padded.

Happy Tuesday! janae'

Show and Tell Tuesday....Quilt Dilemma Tutorial

I've posted this post before and it was popular so I thought I would re-share it...because, well...it's just valuable stuff! ;)

 

Here's the dilemma...

You've just finished laying out all your quilt squares on the floor in a beautiful pattern they should be arranged in and you're asking yourself..."how do I pick them up and take them to the sewing machine without picking one up at a time, going to the sewing machine, sewing one block, going back to the quilt, picking up one block, and repeating the process about 145 times", because did I happen to mention it is King size ;)

Here's your solution.

Number Flower Head Pins with a Sharpie Pen numbering them according to how many rows you have. If you have 12 rows, then you need 12 pins.

I keep these pins at hand all the time. Not only are they are great pin, they are perfect for this process.

Next...

Lay out your quilt in the arrangement it should be in.

 Stack each row. Do this by starting with block number one on top and going across the row adding number two to the bottom, number three, and so on.

You will end up with a stack of blocks for each row. First block of the row is on top and the last block of the row is on the bottom and the rest in between in order.

Take a Flower Head Pin with the correct row number on it and pin it on the Right hand side with the flower head right side up. This tells me the row number, which edge is the top, and the side I will sew down.

What I love about this method is no matter how much time goes by between stacking and pinning to when I finally sew them...I always can go back to my row and know exactly how I will be sewing the rows.

Next...

When you are ready to sew, take a row and transfer the pin from the right side to the upper left corner, and pin to only the top block. The pin will stay there until the quilt top is sewn together.

Next...

Take block number one and block number two and lay them side by side, flip block number two onto block number one (so that they are pretty to pretty) and sew down the right side. Repeat the process with the remaining blocks in the row, but remember DO NOT twist the blocks or your arrangement could be jeopardized.

Sew all rows together, press each row with an iron so that seams oppose each other...example:

press one row towards your pin, the next row away from the pin, and so on.

Sew rows together to make your quilt top.

Isn't that much easier than picking up one block at a time and taking it to your sewing machine?

Show and Tell Tuesday

This morning my Ipod 'blinged' and I ran over to see
who sent me an email...it was a new post by Angela Walters from "Quilting is My Therapy".  She is an amazing quilter who has published two books on quilting designs, and she is a teacher.

I'm linking up with her post today because she had some really good advice when it comes to compliments on our work...basically she said her 'rule' in class when she is teaching is...if someone says your quilt is beautiful...

just say 'thank you'. 

DO NOT POINT OUT THE FLAWS.

To my dear students...I think this is my new rule. ;)

It must just be human nature for us to not be able to take a compliment without first pointing out the defects...when most, if not all, the time no one will see the defects but the maker. 

We need to learn to take the compliment as a gift, and just say 'thank you'.

How to Make a Circle for Applique...Show and Tell Tuesday

I have so much fun teaching applique...I know sometimes making a circle when appliqueing can be a bear. Hopefully this tutorial will take some guess work out of the process. It a very simple process and the result will be a perfect circle every time. This method would work for any size circle.

Step 1

Cut the desired size circle out of a thin cardboard or card stock.

 Step 2

Trace circle onto fabric using the template just made.  I used a Pilot Frixion Pen which draws a nice dark line and disappears with heat.  Roughly cut circle out leaving at least a 1/2" of fabric beyond pen line.

 Step 3

Lay template onto circle.

 Step 4

Using an iron, press edges of fabric over edge of template.

 Continue around circle until all edge are pressed over.

 Step 5

Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, sew a basting stitch around the edge of the circle.  A basting stitch is a very big stitch.  One in which can be snipped and removed very easily.  Also, trim seam allowance down to 1/4" if desired...this removes some of the bulk to the circle.

 Step 6

Press circle with iron...now it's all ready to applique to a piece of fabric.

Step 7

After appliqueing circle to fabric, very carefully remove basting stitch.

Show and Tell Tuesday....and Serger LOVE!

Happy New Year my dear readers...I'm really excited for this new year, new possibilities, new patterns, and new goals, oh, and did I happen to mention a new Serger!  Well, new to me...I found one that is used, but in very good working order.  It's a Viking Serger and it has about 11 stitches.  I am having a blast sewing with it.  I've already serged 8 pillowcases and made my daughter swim shorts.  I'm still learning what my new machine does, but I can tell you it has already been so nice to have...and I've only had it about a week. 

 

I had talked to my friends at Whitlock's Sewing and Vacuum store to let me know when they received a trade in and two days before Christmas they called and said "you better come quick, this machine won't be here long"...I ran downtown and snatched it up, came home, finished the pillowcases for Christmas presents, then 4 days later sewed my daughter the swim shorts.

 

I don't have a picture of the pillowcases, but I just did a simple 3 thread rolled hem on the inside seams.  This finished the cases so nicely...no frayed seam on the inside...Yay!

Then I set out to make the shorts.  I had purchased the green swimsuit fabric at The Rain Shed, and the pink from Joann's and also grabbed some swimsuit elastic.

 BUT...the most important thing I found was this fantastic double needle. I didn't even know they existed until someone at The Rain Shed introduced me to it. This little needle is amazing. And the best part about it is...it fits on a normal home machine like mine.

 

 

The double needle sews two straight lines of stitching on the front and on the back is a zig zaggy stitch...which helps the fabric stay stretchy.  I feel like the double needle turns a regular sewing machine into a serger for lack of a better description.  I was jumping up and down with joy over this needle discovery.  You should really try it!  you will be amazed.  And so handy for making a hem or attaching elastic to a skirt or pant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only thing you really need is for your machine to be able to hold two spools of thread on the top.

This photo shows you the beautiful work on my serger...my sister says I'm now performing lots of  "Sergery"...she's so right! :)

I found a really good pattern for the swim shorts by Kwik Sew...also purchased at The Rain Shed

I am beginning to realize it's not easy to find swimsuit patterns, but this one is a keeper.