Finding your path to productive creativity

When I'm inspired to create something it just flows through me like an electric current. From the start to the finish it's like I'm obsessed, no joke! The whole project can take on a life of it's own and my family will be left to starve and go naked because I can do nothing but work on my project until it's completed. Lucky for my family that I'm not obsessed with my current quilting project. I think that it's because of 3 things;

1.  I've made a quilt with this pattern before, so no new challenge.
2. It's a Christmas Themed Quilt, so I feel in no rush to complete it.
3. And I've been sick off and on through this project and I feel as if that has knocked me off of my game. 

But the last couple of days has got me feeling inspired to work on it again. Not to mention the fact that I've got some NEW quilt ideas bouncing around in my noggin. Today, as I'm having my morning coffee, I'm suddenly intrigued by the design of my quilted table runner. The more I look at it, the more I wonder if I could adapt it to make a quilt top. Well it's time for me to brush off my math skills and get to work. Usually I put my two math maniacs to work on such a project (I like to have my family feel loved and needed) but today I think that I can tackle this on my own. Actually there are 2 different table runners that I want to adapt into quilt tops, yes I'm feeling rather ambitious today. I've got the PERFECT fabric for one of these ideas! Funny thing is, when I saw this "perfect fabric" I knew that it would be awesome to work with and the colors are so bold and striking that I HAD to have some of it! Good thing I bought 2½ yards of it!

I know that I had said that I want to take classes, any kind of classes, well I think that I found what I want to do... it's to take classes at my local quilt shop. No it's not a "quilting" class per say but a class on learning how to use the large quilting machine and to become certified to use it. How cool is that? These machines are very expensive and becoming certified to use one can save me hundreds of dollars on having my quilts "professionally" quilted by someone else and that can incorporate into thousands versus buying the machine.

Alright I've got to dust off my calculater and get out a pencil, note book and my tape measure, I've got to get some design work going on!

The Quilted Christmas Stocking Project

This is what happens when you have a sick child at home surfing the internet for crafting ideas (she is better now). My daughter has voiced (for a while now) how she doesn't like the idea that all of us had "different" Christmas Stockings. So this was the year she really made a fuss about it and well now they will all be of the same design but unique in the fact that they are done in different fabrics. Of course she saw something at one of these crafty websites but she didn't want felt, she wanted a quilted Christmas stocking and a big one at that! So we made our own pattern and got to work. Above you see the first of the finished stockings. Below you see the various prints that I cut stockings from, now to get them finished up.

I wanted to show you that everything is not as easy as it seems. Here is a close up view of the quilting process. I decided to quilt from the inside so have to do this upside down so to speak. Drawing the pattern to be quilted on the inside where it's easy to see.

I've a very busy elf to say the least! Now for me to finish the stockings today!

It's the little things...

As I was going through some Rubbermaid bins looking for my seasonal valances , yes I change out the valances in my formal dining room for the season/holiday- you all knew that right? Anyway, I came across a handful quilting kits and patterns that I had tucked away for a rainy day. All of my new found treasures came from the last Quilt Fair that I attended in Rapid City, the one that was right before our move here to England.

MY oh my are these things ever cute! There's a couple of kits for making little tote bags for crayons, (my 5 year old nephew needs one of these for Christmas) there's a quilt kit that my Hannah HAD to have! I remember how badly Hannah wanted me to buy this quilt kit, she was wanting it in a major way! I usually don't buy quilt kits as I prefer to put my own spin on the fabrics used to make a quilt but this one was special and have a lot of very unique fabrics in it -not to mention that the price included the fancy backing fabric and binding! And look, here it is a year later and I've still not made it- shame on me!

I showed the quilt kit to Hannah last night and we both agreed, this is my next project! Okay as soon as I clean up my mess from my last quilting session :-D

Inspired and Rejuvenated

For my neighbors- I'm not a recluse, really I'm not! I've just been keeping busy that's all!

My trip to to the various quilt shops in my little neck of the woods in California left me inspired and rejuvenated. Granted the trip it's self was for not so good reasons BUT my little escapes to the various quilt shops around the area renewed my passion for quilting and sewing. It's been almost non-stop sewing for me since coming back. First it was the valances for the made over guest room and sewing corner.

Next it was this table runner (the Christmas one). I actually made a mistake with this BUT fixed it and no one is the wiser- well until now. What happened? It's one of these twisty turning pattern things where someone thinks they're being smart and giving you a newfangled way to make something simple and I ended up cutting the wrong part apart- so now I have TWO holiday table runners instead of one very wide runner...oh well! I added a border and it's just fine! One for me and one to give away as a gift! My mistake is someone elses surprise gift!
This is the table runner that I finished sewing up yesterday (still need to quilt it though). The harvest fruits table runner will look great on my Thanksgiving table.
Here is my tribute to Autumn- this is something I out together today- it's along the line of a stacked coin design. I figure that I need to start making a dent in my stash of fabrics. The fabric I used as my anchor piece was left over from a pair of valances that I made a while ago. I'm going to change out the valances in my formal dining room and put my Autumn leaves valances up.

This is the Wild Chickens quilt top that I finished the other day. I laughed every time I looked at it. What a crack up! The backing fabric for this lap quilt looks like chicken wire- I'm looking forward to finishing it up soon.

Color- bringing the outdoors in

I love living where there are 4 separate and distinct seasons. Where you can feel the temperature change, and see the effects of the season upon the plants and trees. You know when Autumn is on it's way, it's when it starts to feel a little brisk in the evenings but not cold.

Moving time has always been in the Autumn for us, it was when my husband and I got to decorate our first place together. I love the bright colors of Spring and Summer and the cool crispness of Winter colors but Autumn holds a very special place in my heart. The richness of color from the fall foliage, and the warmth that it brings to a room is amazing! I'm looking at quilt patterns and all of the new rich Autumn hues the fabrics are now available. I saw a quilt pattern for an Acorn wall hanging- I am drawn to this thing like a moth to a flame! I think that I better order before I regret not getting it for myself!

One of my favorite pictures of my of children is of them in these beautiful hand-knitted sweaters (made by my mother-in-law) sitting in a pile of just raked leaves in my parents from yard. This of course is before I went digital and I will have to look through my thousands of filed negatives to find it so I can blow it up to a larger size so I can hang it on the wall of my next house. I did make a layout with this photo- I should dig it up and post it here.

One of my other favorites is a series of close up photos of the rich hues in the leaves while still on the trees. I took the pictures in 1990 while we lived in Maine- it was my first Autumn and winter up there and the seasons were nothing less than spectacular! And yes I also have these photo's in a layout.

* note to self- go through scrapbooks and locate these layouts and post them here to my blog.

You better start taking pictures now of the changing colors of the leaves on the trees- the colors can change so quickly! Hurry before the leaves start falling off!

Bicester Wool

I love that little shop! They're closed Sundays and Mondays BUT they have something NEW...I saw in their store window Moda fabrics, jelly rolls and charm packs!!! I am thrilled beyond belief! I can't wait to go back and see what kind of the quilting goodies that have to offer. :-) I am doing the Happy Dance!

Creating in Color

I don't know about you but there are times when I am driven to create something in a particular color. I went though all of my quilt patterns and found a suitable project for someone getting over an illness....not too busy or complicated, small and a limited number of colors and pieces to cut. It's a table runner that I bought from Pearl Louise (her shop is located in Rapid City South Dakota)a while back called "Chocolate Covered Cherries". It's an adorable table runner that has hearts set at an angle, I've always meant to take the time to make it but alas there were so many other projects calling me that (I'm ashamed to say it) I pushed it off until another time. I've gone though my stash of fabrics and I must admit it took me a while to pick just the right pink- the brown and green fabrics were never in question and once I found the right pink fabric the 4th color immediately fell into place. The off white with the hint of swirled bits of tan and the pink rose buds with green leaves were perfect!

Now for me to get the fabric pressed and cut and ready to stitch together. I'm excited to be making my first quiting project in my new to me home.

My Quilting Corner

It's coming along slow but sure....but I've got a quilting corner!!! I'm waiting for my husband to repair my sewing table as it suffered some minor damage in the move. But other than that, everything seems to have arrived in tip top condition!

I seem to work in circles, getting bits done in every room. My quilting corner is in our breakfast room along with our computer and a few other pieces of furniture(I dare say that it's a decent sized room). The armoire is in the formal dining room, and I'll soon have all of my fabrics stored in there -currently the tubs of fabric are out in the garage, which reminds me, it's time to bring them babies inside!

I've been looking at fabrics on line (yes I'm being naughty). As if I don't have enough fabrics or quilt projects going on, LOL! Alright, enough playing...now I need to get a move on and get this place in order!

Black Hills Quilters Guild 2009 Quilt Show

I made this truquoise and brown quilt

here's my Mary Englebreit themed Friends are Flowers quilt

Ocean Breeze is the quilt that I made for my daughter Hannah. I love the muted colors of cream, yellow, blue and green.

Black Hills Shop Hop

Here's a list of the 10 quilt shops out here in the Black Hills area doing a shop hop until the 18th. You can pick up a FREE pattern, purchase a fat quarter at each shop to be entered into the door prize and Grand Door Prize. Maybe I'll see you at one of the shops today :-)

1- Dakota Quilt Company * Spearfish, SD

2- Fabric Junction *Sturgis, SD

3- Thimble Cottage Quilt Village *Rapid City, SD

4- The Sewing Center * Rapid City, SD

5- The Quilt Corral Too *Rapid City, SD

6- The Quilt Connection *Rapid City, SD

7- Seven Sisters Quilting *Rapid City, SD

8- The Quilt Shop *Custer, SD

9- Nuts & Bolts Fabric Shop *Edgemont, SD

10 Heart Song Quilts, Hot Springs, SD

my Batik Quilt top

The pattern for this quilt top is called "Simply Squared" and it's in the book "Strip Happy" by Donna Kinsey published by Design Originals. I used the Bali Batik line of fabrics from Hoffman fabrics. All I have left to do is to piece together some binding and a backing. Let me know what you think.

My Crafty Goodness

I've managed to select a quilt pattern and fabric, now for me to start pressing, cutting and piecing together my latest quilt top! I went right for my Bali Pop collection (that's what Hoffman fabrics calls their 2½ Batik strips) and after going through all of the fabric strips in my clear acrylic shoe box, I was able to put together the look I had in mind. The colors and prints of these batik's are amazing! I selected an array of earth tones which to me seems to be quite soothing and gives me an over all feeling of warmth. Ooh I can hardly wait to get started on it!

There's just one thing I need to know...Is it too early for coffee?

I went into my scrapbook nook to get some crafting tools and the snow is past the top of the window. There's no use in shoveling away the snow right now as it is still snowing!

Key things for today...keep warm, keep busy!

Free Quilt Patterns

Here's something I've been meaning to share...FREE Quilt Patterns!

Many of the quilting sites I visit have FREE quilting patterns. Here are some links
Quilt Bug
United Notions
Blank Quilting
Free Quilt Patterns
Free Quilt
Quilters Cache

Be sure to mind the terms/conditions of use with the patterns offered by these web sites. It's through the generous contributions of these and many more companies that make these FREE quilting patterns possible. Give credit where credit is due and protect copyright laws!

who would have know?

It's the little things that we learn along the way that help us to be better crafters. This morning I read an in depth article on sewing pins. You know, those little things that hold fabrics together. There's so much more to them than meets the naked eye. Here's an the artilce I received in my Sewing Savvy newsletter

Picking the Perfect Pin
Straight pins are a simple tool that we use every time we sew. Many of us take this tool for granted and may not be aware that different types of pins are designed for different fabrics and uses. For me, because I enjoy a wide variety of sewing projects, I have several types and lengths on hand for each of my special projects.

Pin Construction
Pins are made from brass, steel or stainless steel.
Brass pins are usually nickel-plated. Be careful with brass pins because the nickel-plating may leave a black mark that is not easy to remove on the fabric. The advantage of brass pins is they have a very sharp point and typically will not rust.
Steel pins are the least expensive to purchase, but the steel may rust. The advantage of a steel pin is that steel is stronger than brass -- an advantage when working with heavy wools or drapery fabric. Plus, I like working with steel pins because of my magnetic pin holder. (Remember: If you have a magnetic pin holder, don't place it near an electronic device or embroidery machine because it may damage the computer chips.) Sometimes steel pins will be nickel-plated, which helps to prevent rusting.
Stainless steel pins do not rust and are the strongest pins available. Their only disadvantage is they are the most expensive.

Pin Heads
Pin heads can be flat, may have a ball at the end or be T-shaped.
A flat head is the most common pin head because it is the least expensive to produce. This is a great standard pin for sewing lightweight fabric like cottons or broadcloths.
A ball head is one step up from the flat head. The advantage of a ball head is that it is easier to see. I prefer a ball head for all of my sewing, but especially for heavier fabrics like denim or bulky fabrics like sweatshirts or polar fleece. I find the head is easier to grab hold of for inserting and pulling out of the fabric.
A ball head may be made from either plastic or glass. Glass heads are more expensive than plastic heads, but, if your budget allows it, purchase glass heads over plastic heads. A plastic head will melt from the heat of an iron whereas the glass heads will not melt.
A T-shaped head is used for crafts and draperies. Typically the pin is longer, and the larger head makes it easier to insert into and pull out of multiple layers of fabrics or heavy wools.

Pin Length and Diameter
The length of a pin is stated in sixteenths of an inch. Translated, this means that a no. 16 pin is one inch long (or 16/16) while a no. 17 pin is 1 1/16 inches long. In general, pins range in length from a no. 8 (8/16 or 1/2 long) to a no. 24 (1 1/4 inches long). As a general rule, use longer pins for bulky fabric or layered fabrics and shorter pins for delicate fabrics.
The most common pin is called a dressmaking pin or no. 17. This pin is considered to have a medium diameter, and it is used just like the name implies, for general garment sewing.
A pleating pin, or no. 16, has a smaller diameter than a dressmaking pin. It is designed to be used on fine or delicate fabric.
A long pin, or no. 24, is used for heavyweight fabric (thick wools with lots of bulk), draperies or crafts.

Pin Points
And yes, even the point on a pin is different depending on its usage. However, most pins are considered "sharps," meaning the pin has a pointed tip. A sharp is the standard pin point, but you can also purchase ballpoint-tipped pins for knits.


Final Pin Tips
Here are a few additional tidbits of information for your pin selection. Before pinning into your fabric, always test your pin on scrap fabric. Some fabrics, like vinyl, leather and oilcloth, will have permanent holes from the pin. When pinning these types of fabric, always pin into the seam allowance.
Pins are just like needles; they will become dull, bent or broken after usage. Throw your old pins out, as a dull pin can cause a run in your fabric.
And finally, don't sew or serge over your pins. A pin slightly distorts the seam allowance and may lead to seams that don't lay as flat or may be crooked. Serging over a pin will dull the blades of your serger; however, your pin will be neatly chopped in two pieces.

to sign up for the Sewing Savvy newsletter go to http://newsletters.drgnetwork.com/ and select Sewing Savvy

I love Stripping!

Here it is- my latest project, My Mary Engelbreit themed quilt top. I still can't believe that I did it in a day! When I first started quilting I started with fat quarter projects, not realizing that Stripping (that's what quilters call strip quilting) was really the way to go, LOL! I started with a Jelly Roll from Moda fabrics (that's a 2½ inch wide strip of fabric that's pre cut from an entire fabric line) and added from there. I'm quite proud of the fact that I used many more fabrics from my "stash". The quilt top is done in a simple 4 rail design that surrounds an adorable Mary Engelbreit panel depicting a little girl (who looks very much like my niece Isabelle) holding a flower and the sentiments "Friends are the Flowers of Life"- which is very true indeed! I changed a few things from the original pattern, I cut away more of the panel and added in the cute bumble bee fabric. I've been collecting ME fabrics for quite a while (at least 7 years) and was very pleased that I was able to use many of them while making this project. Of course some are not ME fabrics but I felt that they went along with the theme such as the yellow background bumble bee fabric, the green plaid you see all over the place, the green polka dots fabric, the green, blue and yellow checked fabrics. In all, I replaced 12 fabrics from the jelly roll from fabrics that I had in my quilting stash (many of them being ME fabrics you can no longer find). I'm quite pleased with the turn out! I'm going to say it (and you're going to laugh) I LOVE Stripping!

lets talk about addictions, LOL!

Oh my gosh you are not going to believe this but... I'm onto making another quilting project. I've got the Americana quilt top pinned to the batting and backing fabric and hanging over the railing in the formal dining room. I've started working on another quilt top- this one is a Mary Engelbreit themed one called "Friends are Forever". It's a pattern from the quilting magazine "Quick Quilts" the August 2008 issue to be exact. It's too darn cute not to make. It's supposed to be a "quick quilt" to make because it uses a jelly roll (pre cut 2½ wide strips). I did have to cut some additional strips from my fabric stash because I wanted to change out some of the prints, etc. But I'm well on my way on having this quilt top together...which for me (after my last project) is amazing!

Quilting is just one of my many crafting addictions...followed by closely by scrapbooking, card making, sewing in general, cooking of course, flower gardening, photography, embroidery and counted cross stitching.

I'm off...I want to get this quilt top done as I'm feeling super inspired right now!

I need a 12 step program

I told myself today when I went out that I was only going to buy 1 yard of fabric for backing a table runner and a couple of jumbo spools of thread...11 yards of fabric and 6 jumbo spools later. I think that I need to enter a 12 step program for quilting.

I've started this stocking up" thing because of my upcoming move to England. Everyone I talk to who has lived in England/Europe has told me these horror stories about how expensive everything is going to be and how hard it will be to find quilting or scrapbooking supplies. Well there are some things I want to have on hand and not have to wait 6 weeks to get- that would be thread and needles and of course cardstock and adhesive. I've got more cardstock than anyone would every need to have on hand and I'm just about done with buying thread.

Now for my surprise of the day...As I was parking my car at one of my favorite fabric stores there were signs on ALL of the windows- "Going out of Business" Sale, I suddenly felt very sad. My daughter and I love this store and they carry fabric selections here that the other shops don't and visa-verse. This is/was a great place to shop. So for those of you in Rapid City area that read my blog- get on over to the Fabric and Textile Warehouse...while they are still in business! I hope that the owner finds another store front to lease in the Rapid City area.

The Americana flag banner project

I've done nothing but talk about this thing all week long. here's a couple of pictures of the back side of it...so you can see what's been pushing my buttons all week.

As I had 2 the main pieces to put together...I thought that this would be the end of my having to take the seam ripper to it, alas I was wrong (oh so very wrong). I had to take the Canton off (the blue field with stars is called the Canton). And flip the stripes in hopes that the other side would line up and to my great surprise they did! Do you see all of those little squares? Those are the little devils that have been giving me stress all this week!

Here you see where I have pined this every quarter inch so it won't slip while I sew it together. Next comes the sandwiching of the quilt top, batting and the backing fabric. After that there's the actual quilting process of the item and then I'll need to attach the binding and the rod pocket for hanging.

My Quick Project

Since the Americana flag banner quilt project was making me brain dead I felt that I needed to make something "fun" to pep me up. Here it is, my Mary Engelbreit themed sewing machine cover. I looked in my jar of bindings (I like to make bindings and label them for future projects) and pulled out some black binding which was left over from a previous project and as it so happened it was just enough to complete this project!

Do you want to make this project?

This is for All of my girlfriends that are interested in the pattern- here you go!

Being the crafty person that I am here is how much fabric you're going to need...

*outside print ½ yard (now if you want to make binding from this fabric then you will need to buy more of it because it does take ALL of the ½ yard)

*lining fabric ½ yard (I used muslin)

*binding took about ¾ of a yard length wise piece that was 2½ wide x length of fabric cut 2 pieces measuring 15 wide x 10½ tall for the front and back of the cover cut 1 piece 7½ x36 wide for the middle piece.

Do the same with the lining now if you want to quilt this..you will need a larger piece of muslin or other lining fabric say about ¾ of a yard and that same with the quilt batting. The quilt batting and lining fabric needs to be cut larger than the outside pieces to allow for shifting.

Now if you make this please let me know because I'd love to see the finished project!

I've started another organizing project

I don't think that I'm truly happy unless I'm reorganizing something...today it's the very top and the very bottom shelves in the armoire that my husband custom built just for me to house my crafting supplies, it's where I store my quilting goodies. The top shelf has been this depository of all of my leftover quilt batting scraps, thread and whatnot's and the bottom shelf - well it needs to be gone through and I want to see what's going on in those containers.

After I pick out fabric for my various quilting projects, I like to keep them organized by keeping the fabric, pattern and threads together in those nifty zippered containers that sheets, pillow cases and such come in. It's a great way to keep everything together not to mention dust and pet hair free. Using those zippered containers is part of my reduce/reuse/recycle program. I'm using something that a product came in instead of tossing it the trash.

It's snowing outside (again) it's 19º F and with the windchill it's a whopping 5ºF -brrr! I'm more than happy to be staying indoors today, organizing fabrics, patterns and sewing notions. I'm cutting fabric scraps into 3-4-5 and 6 inch squares and 2½ inch wide x length of fabric strips for my own "jelly rolls" and 1½ inch wide strips x length of fabric for my own "sweet rolls". I'm using my P-touch label maker and am in the process of labeling the containers as to what I have stored in them (this will make it easier to locate items now and after our big move to England). I'll have to get the camera out and take some pictures of what I have going on and add them in later.