Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Quilting Pot Listeners

Can You Still Hear? For the listeners of the podcast. I received several comments regarding the music volume. I want to apologize to all of my listeners, that is if you can still hear, to the volume of the music in my last podcast. I will "take it down a notch" in future podcasts.

Thanks for being gentle with the comments.

AJ

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Purpose of 3

I had a good week. My "SewEzi" table was delivered on Wednesday. I purchased 2 plexiglass inserts. It was easy to assemble. This will be the home of my Brother Nouvelle 1500. Unless I need to use it for travel. Here is a pic with the machine in place.

Brother Set Up

So now that the Brother has a home, it completes my quilting needs. One machine for piecing/embroidering, one for sewing binding/travel/as a backup and one for FMQ'ing.
"The Purpose of 3"

I have tried a new technique, new to me anyway, of spray basting a quilt. The technique is by Patsy Thompson and it is called "wall basting". If you own your home and plan to live there for awhile, here use of ceiling tiles is the way to go.If not, you can do what I did as a renter. I used push pins, in-expensive flannel backed table cloth, and can of 505 for basting. Here's a pic of my wall.

Wall Basting #3

I saw the video on You Tube. Here's the link of the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwV8tUkhxUM

Join me in the FMQ Project 2012, hosted by SewCalgal. There will be a different FMQ tutorial each month, presented by different host. If you complete the assignment each month, you will be entered into a drawing. Go over to her site. You can find it here: http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/

I continually increase my stash, whether it is fabric, quilting tools or yarn. I think I need to join Katie in here diet commitment. I scored a Stack N Stitch Thread Tower at JoAnn's, buttons for my neck warmer and a 6x12 cutting mat for my AccuQuilt Go. I receive promotions, not only by snail mail, but email as well. This particular promotion has several coupons. One of which was a 60% off coupon in addition to $ amounts off. I used my coupon plus an additional $10 off. I saved over $30 bucks. Just could let that 60% off go to waste! Here's pic of the neck warmer and thread tower:

Stitch N Stack Thread Holder Thead Tower
"Pardon" the thread snippets on the carpet, right side of the packaging, Works are in Progress!!!

I completed my DeJavu Neck Warmer, made from luscious Malabrigo worsted weight yarn. I can't believe it only took me a week to do! Now my daughter wants me to make her one. Her color choices are black's, grey's and white. I don't know why that child likes those dark colors! 90% of her wardrobe is black, grey, white and occasionally a pop of red. So, I purchased yarn to make her a Thermis Neck Warmer. I will admit, her yarn choice can be machine washed and dried! I don't need her to felt yarn that is a little more costly than big box store yarns. I also completed my "Twist" table topper/wall hanging-still have to add a label, if nothing other than quilt name, my name and a date.

DeJavu Thermis Neck Warmer
Table topper:
Twist

That brings me to what I am working on now. Three knitting projects, Nikki's neck warmer, the Weekend Shawl and the 10 stitch circular blanket. Yes, I said circular! After 3 tries at the rectangular version, I decided the circular one was easier.

Last but not least, I have quilted my Mug Rugs for the swap. Now just need to ad a little binding. I hope to get them out before I head out of town this week. Pics to come soon.

Until next time...........






Saturday, November 19, 2011

FMQ 2012

If you want to learn or just improve your free motion quilting, check out this blog. There's always room for more knowledge and fun. I am sure you will learn something. Perhaps a tip or a trick. Join me in the fun.

http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2011/11/take-pledge-registration-for-2012-free.html

Monday, November 14, 2011

Really, How Many is Too Many?

Like many others, I am sure, I tend to accumulate a lot of projects of all types. These are just a few. I know if I dug deeper, I would find more! Below is a list of what I talked about in my podcast, "The Quilting Pot", episode #6. I hope the links work! Just copy and paste the URL.

My current projects:

*Stretch Star-piecing in progress. I am using "chunking" technique for the piecing the ten 4 1/2" x twelve 4 1/2" squares. I started out connecting in twosies, then foursies, and so on. I have completed the first four rows.

*Hexes and O's-completed top http://www.flickr.com/photos/asj1/6318736786/
*Arabesque-completed top http://www.flickr.com/photos/asj1/6336407101/
*Twist small WH- need Binding
*Modern Log Cabin-need binding http://www.flickr.com/photos/asj1/6041624098/
*Piano in the Park-need binding http://www.flickr.com/photos/asj1/6226551268/
*Not Quite 10 Minute Block
*Snowman Applique WH-completed top http://www.flickr.com/photos/asj1/6247288347/
*Knitted Jazzy Scarf-50%

What's Growing in November 2011:

*Christmas Ladder-Sushi Roll/White background w/stars
*Thermis Neck Warmer-CO 11/12(HPKCHC) http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thermis
I am using luscious Malabrigo Worsted for this project. I am calling it DeJavu in honor of it's color.

DeJavu Thermis

*Ten Stitch Blanket by Frankie Brown - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ten-stitch-blanket

Starting December 1st:

*Baltimore Christmas WH-starting Dec. 1st (12 mos. of Baltimore) I will hopfully update on my progress the last weekend of the month. My plan is to complete, as it is called, "a block a month".

Finish of the Week:

Don't Chain Me InApplique DetailBack-Irish ChainDbl Irish Chain Detail

Completed this wall hanging on SAT, 11/12. I hope you can see some of my FMQ. Before I started on the project, I started practicing on a place mat that didn't quite make it. I had very few problems practicing on the place mat. However, when I put the quilt under the needle, I started to get skipped stitches and a broken needles. I guess my hands are moving too fast for the
machine.

I recently purchased a "SewEzi" table to set up my Brother PQ1500 so that I can practice my FMQ. I won't have to change settings to practice. It will be always at the ready for Journal Tales.

BTW, if you have every thought about podcasting give "School of Podcasting" by David Jackson a listen. He has some great tips.

Until next time..........

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Ooops, I Forgot to Mention!

I forgot to mention my Baltimore Christmas BOM. I started receiving the packets in January of this year. After Seeing Pam's, ( of Hip To Be A Square Podcast), Halloween Quilt I am inspired to get this BOM started. Of course it will be for Christmas 2012. I too will use fusible, Misty fuse to be exact. I have only one problem. I am missing the fabric packs for February and March. If I can't find them by the time I finish the other 10 blocks, I'll have to have fabric substitutes. Who I am kidding, I won't need those two for a very long time. Here is a pic of the quilt:

Baltimore Christmas BOM

Until next time...........

Oh Look, There's A Squirrel

I have diagnosed myself as having crafty induced "ADD".
I don't seem to be able to stay focused on one or two projects. I have several projects, (fiber, fabric, yarn, markers), going on all at one time. How do you focus. I start with a couple of projects, before I know it I see or here something that I totally want to do. So what do I do? I start something new to add to the pot!! Does that sound like ADD to you? With the lack of the ability to focus on one thing before being distracted---it's sorta like----"Oh Look, There's A Squirrel", hence the title.

Regardless of my self diagnosis, I a focused on improving my precision piecing. I had 3 suggestions that I have acted on, the book and DVD by Sally Collins, "Mastering Precision Piecing" (suggested by Pam & Nonnie respectively) and the single hole plate (suggested by Tammy in Denmark). I have thumbed through the book and viewed a portion of the DVD. I will admit, it is a lot of information to wrap your head around. Good stuff though! I will be testing out the new machine plate today while finishing the Irish Chain quilt top. The top is more than 3 yrs old. I used the Accuquilt Go "Doggy Die" to add an applique addition to the top. Inner and outer border still to come.

Irish Chain-UFO
Original

Irish Chain updated
Updated

Completed Mondo Bag. I still have to top stitch around the top and give it a press.
Mondo Bag

A couple of progress pictures of the Mondo Bag:

IMG_2239
Mondo Bag 1 Mondo Bag 2

In the midst of working on the Mondo Bag I decided I wanted to start a new project. I cut out a hefty backgound square and fused some hexagons and circles. I guess the talk about "attack of the Hexies", I wanted to be a part of it. Well this is my take!!! BTW, a whole lot quicker I may add. I call it: "Hex's and O's". I used my Accuquilt Go to cut the shapes. My question, does it need an inner and outer border? I purchased a fabric to use as an inner border and would use that background for the outer border and add the remaining hexagons and circles. What do you think?

Hex's & O's


A closer look
Hex's & O's-detail

My idea of an art quilt in the making...proud to say it came from my brain. Pretty ok for a first!!

What I scored on my "road trip"!

Stash enchancer

What I am planning:
* a knitted blanket or a shawl
* string quilt table runner and placemats for the holidays using the "Sushi Jelly Roll" pictured above. It doesn't scream Christmas but more like, it's the holidays.

Thanks to all who commented in various places. BTW, TQP #5 is up!

Until next time.............