Did You Think I Got Lost?

Oh my gosh!  I can't believe how time is flying by!  I've gotten quite a bit done but I really do have to get better about taking pictures of my work.

My biggest distraction was my youngest daughter's college graduation in Boston! I was so proud of her and glad that our eldest was able to join us!  We had such a great time!

 Me, Bryn-the Graduate, Ally and Joe

 The view from our room

I finished piecing Sara's Baby Quilt top. I should have taken pictures of the piecing.  I used the Accuquilt Go to cut the fabrics.  I can't believe how easy the triangles went together.  I'm usually such a purist when it comes to cutting and piecing traditionally(cutting squares, marking the center and sewing 1/4" down each side of the mark).  No dog ears and they lined up perfectly every time!  I do prefer to use starch or MaryEllen's Best Pressed to stabilize the fabric before cutting so the bias doesn't stretch.  It went together so quickly and I love the result!

Baby Quilt

I picked up a backing and forgot to check to see if I had batting.  That may be on tomorrow's agenda!  I'd like to get it quilted this coming week and start getting my other nephew's quilt started.  Between that, work outs, golf and a crown prep I have a busy week coming up!

Happy Mother's Day and as always,

Happy Stitching!

Busy Day!

I got a good workout in this morning then had coffee with my dad.  At 90, he still swims 40 lengths 3 times a week in the winter, 5-6 days a week in the summer.  I then ran to a quilt store on the other side of the health club and ran into my friend, Mary.  I found a few more I Spy fabrics but I think I'll have to go online to find some more in the colors I want from online stores.  I've had the best luck at Equilter.com, Fabric.com and Fabricshack.com.

So, on to the afternoon activities.  I decided to play with the Acuquilt and use it to cut out a sample block.  I couldn't get a good picture of the die so in a nutshell the squares are set askew so it goes under the roller more easily.  The problem is that it is difficult to line up the fabric to be on-grain unless you pre-cut the fabric to almost the size.  I did the best I could to line the fabric up-a piece that was about the size of a fat quarter.

Lined up and ready to go through.

Midway through.

I had to cut the central square-4-1/2", 4 2-1/2" squares, and 2 sets of triangles for the flying geese units.

I then cut 1-1/2" strips using the Acuquilt.  These are cut width of fabric and I just cut 9" off the fabric and put it on the machine and cranked it through.  Well, as I always say "Shift Happens" and sure enough, it did!  Apparently I did not put the edge of the fabric  at the very end and the fabric mooshed out the other end pushing the folded end of the fabric of the end of the blades so not cutting the full length of the  fabric.  It looked like a black hula skirt!  (Note to self-keep this in mind for next Hawaiian party).

Black Hula Skirt

Fortunately, it was easy to cut apart and the strips looked fine.  I did the white strips next and placed the  fabric correctly.

I then started making the blocks by starting with the flying geese units.  Much to my dismay the triangles didn't match up perfectly as I would expect with die cuts.  But they did line up close enough.  Let's face it, I've been dealing with my cutting for years-I can deal with it!

Lining up the triangles.

The rest of the piecing went smoothly and I'm happy with the results.

Finished sample block

So, do I like the Acuquilt?  It's a fun toy.  I know lots of people hate cutting the fabric and some even have physical limitations which the Acuquilt makes cutting the fabric possible.  But you still have to cut the fabric to a size that will fit in the machine.  I WOULD LOVE to have it for cutting unusual shapes like the bands on a wedding ring quilt, applique shapes and for scrappy quilts when you are using scraps of fabric and not big pieces.  Since my new obsession is using up my scraps (after I finish more of my UFO's) I CAN see myself using this a lot to cut my scraps to size.  Thank goodness Mary made the investment and let me use it!  (Thank you, Mary)  I have invested in some dies-some at Houston and some on sale at JoAnn's.  I would say it would be a fun toy to share with a group of friends.

On another note, a few weeks ago I made a counted cross stitch for a fundraiser one of my daughters' was spearheading for a friend with cancer.  The fundraiser was geared to young professionals in their 20's so I had to come up with something they would like and could relate to.  One of my other daughters introduced me to Subversive Cross Stitch.  I found one that said "F#@k Cancer" with hearts and birds and bunnies.  I made it, framed it and sent it to the fundraiser.  It brought in $110!  And others wanted them so I told my daughter if they would be willing to pay the same as the winning bid I'd make up more!  One of the requests came from the girl with cancer.  Needless to say, I already had all the supplies to make her one.  Just when I think I'm back on track, another project-or few-comes up!

Happy Stitching!

Best Laid Plans...

Busy day yesterday.  Workout at the gym, meeting with the decorator at my house then going over to my dad's to get his sunroom and bedroom rearranged and updated.  I finally got down to my sewing room at almost 4pm to start the Free Motion Quilt Along that Leah Day is doing once a week this year.  I'm only 4 weeks behind and was planning on doing one 4 days in a row to catch up and doing the Free Motion Quilt Project on the other days.

Sorry-I flipped it in the iPhoto but it didn't flip when I transferred it here.

 I WILL get better with my machine quilting!  Anyway, I was working on the Quilt Along and my machine started squeaking!  Not a good sound.  So I packed it up and it's going to the machine doctor today.  Unfortunately he doesn't pick up from the dealer until next Tuesday so I won't get it back until next Friday.  I really like quilting on this machine-a Viking Sapphire-which has a larger opening to be able to move the quilt around as I free motion quilt.  Fortunately I have other machines so I can  piece while the other's at the doctor's.  So I started working on my daughter's sweatshirt throw.

Here the throw is "thrown" on the floor!

I'm still working out how I'm going to put it together I'll make it "rag style" with the cozy nubby part exposed on the back and will be the smooth side with the raw seams on the front with all the writing.

I also found out my trainer is pregnant so I'm going to make her a quilt.  She's not going to find out what it is before so I'll do a generic one with primary colors.  I dreamt about it last night and checked out the dies I have for the Acuquilt and I think I have everything I need.  Bonnie Hunter has a cute I Spy Quilt in the Ohio Star pattern with black and white check sashing.  I love it and, since I won't be having grand children any time soon, it will give me an excuse to make it for her.  I've been working out with this trainer for a year and a half and really like her and how she's whipped my body back in shape!

Waiting for a delivery that needs a signature then off to run errands then hit the sewing room!

Happy Stitching!

Getting Caught Up

I was going to post yesterday's activities last night but got distracted!  (What's new?)  

I thought today I'd show you how I set up my work area for doing the Quilting Project and the materials I use.  I do follow a lot of what Leah Day suggests but I do prefer Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream as Diane Gaudinski suggests instead of the gloves Leah uses.  

I have been fortunate enough to have taken machine quilting classes from Diane Gaudinski and Harriet Hargraves-probably the most recognized names in machine quilting.  If given the opportunity, I would take Harriet first then Diane.  That last sentence almost sounds like I'm a prize fighter planning my next fights!  Anyway, let's get back on track!

I'm getting back to my quilting daily and doing the Free Motion Project.  I'm also going to start doing her current "exercises".  And start Bryn's Graduation Quilt.  Anyway, this is how I have my sewing area set up to watch the lessons on the computer.

Setting it up right next to the sewing surface lets me review if I get confused.

I have pre-cut the fabric squares and batting squares so I can just pick them up and go.  I also like to listen to music while I quilt.  I get too distracted if I have the TV on while quilting.  I can have it on while piecing but I need to concentrate while actually quilting.  I subscribe to Pandora on my iTouch.  I'm planning on upgrading to an iPhone the next time I'm eligible for an upgrade.

This is the area to my left while sitting at the machine.  Notice my project board in the background to help keep me on track!

Yesterday's 5 designs.

Acuquilt Go!

My friend, Mary, got an Acuquilt when she first started quilting.  I've played with it once and picked up some more dies when I went to the Houston Quilt Festival last November.  She brought the Go over on Tuesday for me to play with.  I've planned a "play date" for this weekend.  Like I need to cut out another project!  I'm thinking of doing a disappearing 9 patch or cutting some half square triangles to hand piece.  I'm leaning toward the 9 patch.

Happy Stitching!