Must exert self control!!

Jul3

Ok … I went to my local quilt shop this week to take advantage of their last sale day of 25 – 50% off Moda precuts and yardage. Got Vintage Modern at 50% off, and some selections of Chateau Rogue, Mama Said Sew and a variety of mini charms to satisfy my cravings. Then, since I was childless this day and in no rush to leave (like usual) … I took a first step towards a cliff…

For the first time, I asked to demo a new sewing machine. My LQS, It’s A Stitch, is a dealer of Bernina machines. I have been sewing on a basic Singer model for about 20 years. I have only had it serviced once for cleaning, and that was about 3 years ago. No problems. And nothing fancy.

Oh… no …. I need this new machine and I must find a way to afford it. The Bernina 750 QE with optional Embroidery Module.

(FROM THE BERNINA WEBSITE… CLICK HERE)

Even more comfortable quilting

Extra-Long Freearm
BERNINA Stich Regulator (BSR)
Color touch screen
BERNINA Dual Feed
BERNINA 9 Hook

I don’t even have to buy the embroidery module to start with, but I can add it on at any time later. That is the long extension piece to the left side. It’s almost an 11″ throat too!

I’ve been searching the internet for reviews on this machine and they all seem positive. Now, it’s time to start my savings account 🙂 The shop has a special that you can trade in a non-Bernina machine and get 10% off … but I think I am too sentimentally attached to my Singer to do that.

I would be greatly interested if anyone who reads my blog has experience with this series of machines.

For those of you in the USA, or just a fan of ours, have a great 4th of July holiday tomorrow!

Jennifer

And the weekend is over…

Jul1

Just like that, the weekend has come and gone. Too fast, too fast.

I did make my deadline for the AYOS though, without the final pieced border. I could say that I wanted to see how everyone else finished theirs in the parade tomorrow, but really – I just ran out of time. It looks good though and the colors go really great with our kitchen, so that will probably be the final destination once I decide for sure on the borders.

The finished size right now is right at 26″ square. I used the better part of two charm packs of Indigo Crossing collection, and the background is a print from Jo Morton’s Sundays Best group.

Did you join in the sew along this month? Hope to see you in the parade!

I also worked on my Rally quilt, but I didn’t make it as far as completing the blocks. That will be my priority this week for sure. Need to get it done before this kid moves off to California in a month.

The last surprise for the weekend was that my husband agreed to shelter a feral mommy cat and three kittens. I didn’t know it was feral until it had already stayed under our bed all night. I was confused on the details apparently. Anyway, we plan to take care of her and get her spayed and see what options we have after that. The kittens are ADORABLE! They are about 6 weeks old and pure black and white. I hope to get them into the adoption program that my other two foster kittens are in right now. They have to be spayed/neutered first before they can go to any adoption events, but we’ll have fun with them before that for sure.

These are chunky little kittens, compared to what Sparkle and Jewelry were when they first arrived. They have been well fed by their first foster mom and are playful and quick to warm up to you for a nice nap.

Hope you all had a great weekend and are not dreading Monday morning like me…

Jennifer

Friday excitement!

Jun28

Soooo glad it is Friday! How about you? I’ve got much waiting on me at home and I’m ready to get back into it.

I had started my June AYOS this past week and am working on the pinwheel blocks in the Dulcinea pattern. I went through my stash and found that I had two charm packs of Indigo Crossing by Minick & Simpson (MODA). Very soothing color combination of blues, tans, creams. I can’t wait to see how it will turn out.

I also continued my Robin’s Nest applique. I went to the store yesterday and bought some silk thread to see if it made a difference. I was using 100% cotton. It sure feels better gliding through the fabric, but I don’t know if I can tell much difference in the end result. I’ll stick with it though, because it does feel good.

I had to go out shopping for a new dress (first time in years) this week. My mother was awarded the Paul Harris Fellows award from the local Rotary Club last night. Very proud of her and everything she does for my hometown. Born, raised, married, returned, and retired from teaching in the same town. Anyway, getting out and about at 6:30 pm here is still horribly warm. Really doesn’t make you want to do clothes shopping when you are dripping with sweat just from walking to the mall doors from the car.

Weekend at home with no big plans, other than the usual.

Goals for this coming week:

Complete June AYOS – Dulcinea
Complete Robin’s Nest applique center and cut out first border
Complete the 20 blocks for Rah Rah Rally quilt
Play with kittens!

Here they are napping, one practically on top of the other. Good thing they are so cute, because I really forgot how bad litter boxes smell…

Have a great weekend! See you on the other side!

Jennifer

Rally Along!

Jun24

I made progress this past week on my Rah Rah Rally quilt. I couldn’t wait to see how they would look connected, so I took my four blocks and made a single larger block. Here’s my model, Nora, showing it off:

This is a fairly forgiving pattern. It’s amazing how hard it is for me to sew all these straight lines and have it all come out square. My husband said this looks more like a lawn chair than a quilt. I prefer maroon, white and grey – but these are UCLA colors and should be perfect.

Notice how neat and tidy the sewing table is? I finally sent off not one, not TWO, but THREE quilt tops to LiMa Sews. Then I took my newly purchased project boxes and got a little more organized. Here is a picture of my sewing corner from a distance. This is as clean as it gets. My stash boxes are part of the permanent fixtures in my room. Along with my stacks of magazines, books and patterns.

Another great buy I made on Friday from Joann Fabrics is my new Ott Lite lamp. First, they had them more than half off (half off is fairly common for them, if you wait awhile). Then, since I went shopping last weekend, I got a special coupon for 25% my total purchase – including sale items (which is more rare). Therefore, I got a $275 lamp for $75. It was too good a deal to pass up. Especially since I do so much of my sewing really late at night.

You can also see on my wall, a mounted magazine rack which I bought specifically for my long rulers. It works out great!

I also worked on my Robin’s Nest applique, but I’m only halfway through the block. I’ll show it off when I’ve got it completely attached. I’m not sure how well I’m doing on it. It looks a little …. messy?

Finally – a gratuitous picture of the kittens. Hope you had a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer

Rally Quilt started and BOM progress

Jun18

I got a good start this weekend on new projects. I had been working on the Swoon quilt for 5 weeks straight – it was time to change things up!

I completed the “two” blocks from my 2013 DM BOM project.

Here’s the completed block, a cute basket block designed by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts.

As I mentioned on my last post, I am going to make two blocks each month. If I don’t have quite enough fabric from the BOM, I can easily supplement with my scraps from my Avalon Bouquet quilt I completed earlier this year. Click here to see that post.

I originally miscalculated my long background strips and failed to cut two of them. So, when I was putting together the blocks, I had to make a small piecing fix to make it all work. Here’s my bonus block, where you can see the extra seam in the background border strip:

It’s not very noticeable at all. Here are both blocks:

My camera has some kind of scratch or film on the lens, so my pictures are turning out a little blurry. I’m going to have to figure something out soon.

Another new project that I started this weekend was the Rally Quilt. The pattern is found in Sweet Celebrations by Lissa Alexander (picture taken from Amazon):

Inside is the ‘recipe’ for the Rally Quilt, pattern designed by Melissa Corry (of Happy Quilting blog fame). Here is a link to one of her blog posts where she talks about her own quilts made with this pattern. She made one for her husband and modified the pattern a bit and made one for herself. They are wonderful and her applique school logos are fantastic!

My Rally quilt is going to a new HS graduate that will be attending UCLA in the fall. I live in Texas, so I have never been to UCLA and I have never seen any official school colors in person, so I had to do my best guess from online sites and Bella Solids to come up with my selections. Here are a couple of pictures from a Campus Clothing website:

Here’s my first block. The quilt calls for 20 blocks to make the throw size blanket. I think it is going to come out great. In my attempt to take a better picture, I have this laid out in front of a glass door. It is fading the colors a bit, but I’ll share more when I have a few more blocks completed:

How’s your summer going?

Thanks for visiting!

Jennifer

New BOM Spoiler Alert!

Jun15

Forewarning! I received my first shipment from FQS for the 2013 Designer Mystery BOM yesterday, and I couldn’t wait to open it!

Before I do, I’ll give you a chance to avert your eyes and come back later if you are waiting on your own shipment and want to see the first block as a surprise.

I opened up my Robin’s Nest block 2 package, and pressed out the background fabric needed for the center applique. Once my center is done, then a little fussy cutting and applique of the round of scalloped border.

After this step, it will be some piecing for the next border round.

Ok … now – are you ready? I got Block 1:

And another picture:

Although I never started 2012 DM BOM, I wasn’t going to let this one get away from me. I have already cut out the pieces for Block 1. One thing with FQS exclusive BOM programs – they give you LOTS of fabric. I am going to cut out two sets of blocks from each month’s delivery. Here are my pieces for this month:

I have plenty for two blocks and I put the left over fabric back in the clear envelope. Can’t wait to get this pieced later today.

Also decided it was time for new rotary blades. Joann’s is having a ‘firefly’ sale and most everything I was interested in is half off. So, I got this 5 pack of blades for only $18, which is a great price. Plus their storage containers are also half off. Here’s my loot:

Project wish list as of today (no particular order):

Block 1 FQS DM BOM
Block 2 Robin’s Nest
Special quilt for a new high school graduate
Blocks 9-12 Blogger Girls BOM
AYOS for June – Dulcinea Schnibbles
Quilt my own tops – 10 Little Things, Hat Trick
Away From Home – Tree Block #2

How’s your summer wish list shaping up?

Thanks for visiting,

Jennifer

Weekly Wrap Up

Jun14

Well, I have nearly made it through the week without the kids. I was hard the first night. Really missed them to bits. But we made it through and managed a dinner out one night and a movie last night. We saw The Internship, and we literally laughed out loud in some spots. That’s unusual for me, but I think I’m at just the right age and generation to feel the humor in this movie. But I like these kind of comedies. Vince Vaughan kept saying “On the line” instead of “Online” – it was funny, … really.

I have also decided to start a new series that I never watched when it was in its prime. If you recall, I got hooked on LOST and I did complete the entire series. I don’t know how I would have made it through some of those seasons having to wait a week to get to the next scenarios. It was really good. Not sure about the ending – probably over thinking it. I particularly liked SAWYER (played by Josh Holloway)- too bad it wasn’t on HBO, probably would have seen ‘more’ of him.

Now, though – I am getting into ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. I really like Jason Bateman humor also. Dry wit and sarcasm. Perfect for me. I’m still in Season 1. I’m not into it as much as LOST and giving up hours of sleep to see the next episodes. Just catching it when I can on Netflix. Perfect for lunch breaks at the office desk. They are coming back to do another season, but this time it will be EXCLUSIVELY on Netflix. Got to get caught up first.

Finally – I will say that I am absolutely, positively finished with the Swoon quilt top. No.. you can’t see another picture. I know you want to, but you can’t. I am so flaky. I kept wanting to wrap it up and move on, but I couldn’t. Not until I was satisfied. Now I’m satisfied. It will be in the mail to LiMa Sews on Saturday morning. DONE! I’m so excited, I may throw in another quilt top and get it done at the same time. Nora is due her own quilt finally, and I bequeathed her the 2011 FQS DM BOM quilt. Perfect for my pink princess.

Did you get to take advantage of Fat Quarter Shops awesome sale this past weekend? They cut prices on patterns, books, and precuts. I couldn’t pass up some patterns at half off.

I always love the look of Planted Seed Designs, but the Perkins pattern is really speaking to me right now.

And, with AYOS – there’s a pretty good chance I’ll need these Schnibble patterns that I didn’t already own. If not – they were on my list to get anyway.

DULCINEA is the AYOS pattern for June. I still haven’t started, but with Swoon done now – I can get into it this weekend!

Hope you have great expectations for this coming weekend as well! Thanks for visiting today!

Jennifer

Blog Anniversary! 1 Year!

Jun11

Time has flown, that’s for sure. My first blog post was a year ago today, and it was pretty weak. Over the last 365 days however, I have completed almost 80 posts, so averaging about 1 1/2 posts per week – which isn’t bad I think. For an amateur. I have also completed 5 quilt tops and 1 AYOS project (wall hanging size).

I am counting this as a finished quilt top as well, but I have one more night to dwell on it. I like it, but my husband asked – what are you going to do on the sides? Is it finished?

Swoon 4

How do you like the tumbler block border? I really think it looks good. I have it on the top and bottom right now.

Can’t wait to see how this will look all quilted up!

If I stop now, then I can do a simple back of 3 yards sewn to 3 yards… if I make it any wider… then I have options to think about. Albeit interesting options since I have so many tumblers leftover, and a jelly roll/layer cake of Happy Go Lucky I could open if needed.

This will be the (majority of) backing fabric:

I think I really want to move on. It looks good to me, and it can now theoretically fit a King bed – but best for a Queen. I’ve got projects piling up (2013 FQS Designer Mystery BOM is getting shipped out this week!) – but you never know what I’ll show you tomorrow. So stay tuned!

Thank you for joining me today and I hope to keep seeing so much great inspiration out there over the next year.

All the best,

Jennifer

Happy Saturday

Jun8

Having a great Saturday so far. Just keeping it relaxed – no pressure.

Finished cutting out all of the tumblers from my fat quarter stack:

I think I have around 1000, which will be enough for the border and an added row as part of my pieced backing as well. I’m going to try this idea I found on a blog last week to make my ‘random’ selection for putting together the rows. I can NOT remember whose blog I saw this on – was it yours? I’m going to throw my pieces into the dryer for a few minutes, lowest air only setting, and then scoop them out into a basket for my retrieval during the sewing stage. Of course, no two same will be next to each other, but I’ll try to keep it random other than that.

Here’s Nora making up our shopping list for today. All the essentials.

Notice her memo board. This has turned out to be my favorite ruler, and I have a LOT of rulers.. It is an 8×14 Fons & Porter Omnigrid ruler, purchased at Joann Fabrics.

And the shopping list:

I started helping with the spelling halfway into the list. And I added the “meat” word. Can you decipher the first three items?

Finally, today’s cat picture. They are getting more and more cuddly. And courageous. But not at this particular moment:

Have a great weekend! Thanks for visiting!

Jennifer

(Final note, as I was completing this entry – the cats pooped in the bed because I moved their litter box earlier in the day. Daddy was not pleased at ALL. I did show them that I moved it – but they are just babies – right? Going to do some laundry now!)

Decision made, possibly

Jun6

Clue to my border question for Swoon:

Yep – that’s a Crumbler tool by Miss Rosie’s Quilt Company. I still had it intact, in the package, when I looked in my ruler drawer for ideas on the Swoon border. I really do love borders. It would be so hard for me personally to make one of those quilts that have patchwork blocks right up to the edge of the binding. I find myself thinking of the borders as almost a second quilt in itself.

I am going to put in the white 2 1/2″ strip inner border, then a row of tumbler (excuse me … “Crumbler”) blocks and a final 2 1/2″ white outer border. The tumbler size I am making is the largest for this tool – cut from 5 1/2″ strips and adding 5″ to the finished border width. With the other two strips added, I should be close to my 100×100 size that I originally wanted for a king size bed.

Here is a pic of my preview for this border row:

I was playing with the idea of two rows of tumblers, and I may still do that – depends on how many I get cut from my remaining fat quarters and scraps of Happy Go Lucky. You can cut 18 of this size tumblers from a single fat quarter. They go together really fast. If I can use up my leftovers, then that would be perfect. I’m not likely to sew again soon with this collection, since I have so many other projects I want to work on.

Do you like?

Cat update: Daughter asked “Where did the kitties sleep last night?”…

I replied “They slept on top of Daddy.”

Daughter said “The kitties can sleep wherever they want – because they are our special guests.”

I replied “Yes dear. You will find that the kitties will always do whatever they want. That is what kitties do.”

Did I mention that I’m actually allergic to cats, and so is my husband? Waiting to see how the kids are affected.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Jennifer

Seams Crazy

Quilting and Family – both crazy!

Must exert self control!!

And the weekend is over…

Friday excitement!

Rally Along!

Rally Quilt started and BOM progress

New BOM Spoiler Alert!

Weekly Wrap Up

Blog Anniversary! 1 Year!

Happy Saturday

Decision made, possibly

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this: