Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Someone loves me!

…….but who?

I received this charm pack in the mail yesterday. YES! Its Sherbet Pips! Not even out yet! Everyone LOVES it! The few precuts that were released early are already gone! Most people have to wait until April for this….but someone loves me! (notice the !!!!)

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Who is this someone? I have no clue. This came in an envelope yesterday. I thought to myself *I didn't order anything, but the return address has the word fabric, and it feels like a charm pack..hmmm*

Of course when I opened it I was lost for words. Really I was jumping up in down inside but I had company and didn't want to look like a looney…I'm sure she wouldn't have minded much though. LOL

Anyways, whoever sent it (has to be someone with my addy, which there aren’t many…I have a few ideas of who it could be)

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

It’s a BIG one!

Twin size! DONE! Now off to the binding! Here is your sneaky peaky! It doesn’t look that big all bunched up, but trust me….IT IS! Took all day!

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Saturday, December 18, 2010

Christmas quilt

Well I have the top together. I'm undecided about borders and binding. I don't really have enough fabric to do either, unless I do a scrappy one. So I either order more fabric, or go with a solid. What do you all think?dresden

Here are the two blocks I made for the quilt! I think I need to make this quilt again, except with fabric I can have out all year long. It is so pretty! 

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So, any ideas on borders, binding, or quilting? I have a few rolling around in my head but wanted to get a few other opinions. I think I am going to do a flannel on the back since its a Christmas quilt.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Practice!!

I have been practicing some embroidery. I think I actually, kind of, understand it now. Thanks to my new book Doodle Stitching! Which was given to me by my swap partner. I love this book! It has some really cute designs. I couldn't wait to get started on one!

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Also, I am working on a new project so keep your eyes peeled for some of these lovely fabrics!aaf

Monday, December 13, 2010

I *heart* my mailman!

So, after coming home from my daily routine I saw a sweet little package on my porch…..(boxed of course)

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I looked at the return address and knew exactly what it was! It was my modern swappers package!! And I knew exactly what was in it because I wanted it from the day I saw the first picture….of course the pictures just kept getting better and better!

Here are my goods!!! I am so excited! Dorrie did such a good job picking out everything to match my interests! …and that book! So excited about that little surprise. Its one thing I had no clue was coming! So glad it did though!019  Doesn't it look perfect on my wall?!? I promise to give it a good home!!!!!

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I also want to share with you an ornament I made for my Secret Santa this year….in the Houston Modern Quilt Guild. I hope she likes it. I really wasn’t sure what to make for her. 009

Friday, December 10, 2010

Take Time to Give Back!!!!

I just wanted to let you know about a little project a friend of mine is starting. She has such a big heart! You can make items and have them sold in the ETSY store and all proceeds actually go to the children in Haiti. Read about it here.

Also sign up on the blog here.

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…while you are at it she is giving away a GO! on her blog so hurry up and sign up so you can win me one for Christmas! Do that here.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Its that time again

Modern swappers is coming to an end. I have enjoyed my partner this time around. I hope they like all that I made. I can’t show everything because of course  I forgot to take a picture of it all together but I can show some of the items they will be getting.

Their “big” presenttree

I love this! Hopefully the new owner will love it too….if not they can sure send it back to me :)MS pincushion

Finally, it is Christmas time isnt it?!? Well I had to make something for Christmas……a mug rug for those cold winter days!mug rug

Here is the swap all together. Don’t try to read the tags, I put the name on after I took the picture……you will just have to stalk the mailman to see if its yours!Modern Swap 2

Be sure to join our group at Modern Swappers we will have another swap starting after the holidays! 

Friday, December 3, 2010

Countdown till Christmas!

One of my favorite times of the year. Just because I love seeing the look on Allie Kats face when she sees what Santa brought her. She loves all of it….as long as its not clothes!

Here is the Calendar I made for her to start the countdown till Christmas this year.

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It was all going ok until I decided I wanted to try to do the binding by hand. Considering I am already a couple days late with this and it needs to be up on the wall. Well its done. I may redo the binding after the holidays, but for now it will do. Snowman

I think it turned out kind of cute, don't you?!? Now off to try to get my quilt done before Christmas.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

The good with the bad!

First the bad….

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Don't you hate it when that happens?!? The worst part is my husbands debit card decided to quit on him last week and he is waiting for a new one and borrowed mine for gas today! So I am stuck with no thread! UHG!

I went to the mailbox (hoping to find that his debit card arrived so I could make an emergency trip to the store) and found these…..YUM! I'm not so upset anymore!018

One more thing. Its been getting chilly at night here in Houston so we had the chance to have a fire two nights in a row. Aliya was loving it! I must admit I was too!010

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Graphic Designer?!?

Anyone have a talent in Graphic Design and want to trade services? I want to get a few things done…maybe some labels, new header for my blog, or a watermark. I am willing to trade services if there is anything you would like made in return :)

If interested just leave me a comment and we can work something out…I know this is a long shot. I’m not actually expecting this to work. LOL A girl has to try!

ETA: I think I may have found someone to help a girl out! So we will see after the holidays how it goes. If you are interested you can still let me know because I am always open to options and know a few more interested bloggers :)

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Blush Finished

I had this quilt top done a while ago. It ended up in the stack of UFO’s until I could find an appropriate backing fabric for it.

Well now it is finished!

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All fabric was used from the Moda Blush line, with Kona White as the sashing.

Fist time I did a machine binding…which I need to practice more of course.

Blush binding

Pattern is from Oh Fransson!, Mod Sampler Quilt-a-Long.

Blush top

I just did a simple all over quilting pattern (meandering) using variegated thread.

Blush back

I hope you enjoy it. I am thinking about listing it for sale. Not sure how I go about doing this or the price that I would sell it for….if anyone has any tips let me know :)

Friday, November 26, 2010

Giveaway Winner!!

Congrats to the winner of the Neptune and the Arcadia prints.

Laurel H. She said:

“O wow; I would LOVE some Arcadia yardage. I'd even pay for it! I have an Arcadia honeybun, that I've been longing to find some yardage for, in order to go ahead and make a quilt with it. It would just make my day to win this!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Oh; I am already a follower. :)”

I'm so excited for you! I hope you can use it to finish your project! I will be sending you an Email to confirm your mailing address.

Congrats!!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Giveaway!

In celebration of my daughters 5th birthday yesterday.

I will be randomly giving away Neptune and Arcadia prints from my stash.

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Since I don’t believe in buying my followers that is not one of them :)but you are more than welcome to follow me if you wish, I love the company!

Two chances to win:

1. Just leave a comment

2. If you have left a comment on one of my posts (lets say the last 10) then you are entered for a second time…but you must comment here first.

I will be picking winners on Black Friday :) Good luck!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Allie Kat is 5!!!!

My baby, Aliya, turned 5 today. Time really does go by fast! She has grown into a beautiful little girl!!

Happy birthday princess! Mommy loves you!

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In celebration of her big day I am going to have a giveaway! So stay tuned in the next couple days for details!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Christmas is coming!

I just wanted to share with you some of the blocks I have been getting from one of my favorite bees! Putting the Bee in Christmas.

Kelly

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Karrie

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Cherie

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Aren’t they all great! I cant wait to get them in a quilt.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Free Motion Quilting Tutorial

Some of you have seen some of my free motion quilting and have asked me to show you how. Its actually very easy to do.

Some supplies that you need.

Thread: Try to use the same type of tread in top and bottom, this will help prevent tension problems. You can use several different types of threads. I will be using silk in this tutorial.

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Free Motion Quilting Foot: These vary by machine

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Sewing Machine: Must be able to drop the feed dogs.

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Gloves: I use Machingers

Extension table: not required but very handy when FMQ

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Quilt Sandwich: This is to practice on. I always have a few of these ready so that way I can check my tension and practice a bit before starting on my actual project. Take two pieces of fabric 12x12 is fine and a 12x12 piece of batting. Put them together with the batting in the center. Much like you would an actual quilt. You don't need to pin it because it is a small enough piece it wont matter but make sure you always baste your actual quilt.

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First decide on a design. You can draw a few on scratch paper before you get ready to sew. Its actually easier for me to just practice with my sewing machine but some people prefer to do this to get a design in their head first.

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When starting (be sure to drop your feed dogs) be sure to pull your bobbin thread to the top. To do this just drop down your needle while holding the tail of your top thread. Then pull the needle back up. Your bottom thread should come up when you do this. Take it and pull it to the side so that it is out of your way when you sew. If you skip this step you may get a big mess on the bottom side of your quilt. Be sure to follow the tie off directions at the end of the tutorial and tuck all loose ends when you are finished.

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Take a couple stitches in place and begin sewing. Use your gloves for better grip on your quilt. Here is a video. (Don’t mind my daughter singing in the background).

Finally when you are finished make sure you don't cut your threads too short. Leave enough so you can tie them and hide the ends. You can take a couple stitches in place when you are done, then pull the bobbin thread to the top (same way I explained earlier). Make sure there is a knot in the threads. (when you took the  extra stitches a small knot should have formed, you can tie one if not).

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Then thread the ends into a needle and hide the threads like so…trimming the ends.

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And you are done.

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Also a little tip on tension. Sometimes you have to practice with your machine a bit to get it just right. That's why I suggest using a practice piece each time before actually sewing on your actual quilt. Practice for a bit adjusting just a little at a time. It can make a big difference so start with little adjustments until you get the desired tension. Write this down for future reference and its usually pretty accurate.

***Upper thread is too tight: If the bobbin thread can be seen on the surface. Lower the tension (-).

***Upper thread too loose: If the upper thread can be seen on the bottom of the quilt. Raise the tension. (+)

I hope this helps some of you. Let me know if there is anything I can change in order to make the tutorial a little easier to follow. Thanks!!

Fresh Modern Bee blocks

Finished my blocks for the Fresh Modern Bee I think they turned out pretty good.

FMB November

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Finally…a great mail day!

I received some new fabric! Some of you know I have been on a fabric diet. So I was extremely excited when I got these at a great price! Half off I think it was!  Love them!

AMH

Plus look to the top right, I have a new hoop for my wall!! EEEKKK! Of course its from Kelly who else would it be from. lol015

And I got a little fabric tease of what's to come this spring. I cant wait for these!

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Plus Parisville is officially out! I sooooo want some! No, I haven’t bought any yet but I plan to soon, I hope!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Modern Swapper finishes.

Well my secret partners package is pretty much finished. I made a  wall hanging. Raw edge appliqué, fussy cutting, and free motion quilting.

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Here are the details of the quilt. I added a couple love birds because I think they are cute.  It also shows the quilting a little better.

(yes, I plan to try to put up a tutorial on how I free motion quilt)

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Also my partner will be getting a Heather Ross Far Far Away II pincushion.

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This one is for my swap partner.MS pincushion

This one is for Kelly because she is the bestest and she asked for one. You should stop over to her blog and say “hi” she makes some awesome stuff!!!

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(yes, I will start a list for these once my partner receives their pin cushion. I don't want to give away any surprises)

I still have a couple items that I want to add to the package. Fabric is set aside and ready to come home in a couple weeks.

Make sure you check out Modern Swappers for more wonderful things being made!!