Trash to Treasure

A trip to the thrift store and 5$ poorer. But I got a big bag a mostly quilt shop quality fabrics. These are the ones that were big enough to iron and fold, some are more than a yard.

P.S. at the same thrift store I scored a king size quilt frame for 8$!

it's growing...

I still can't crop, so you get to see my mess. Not sure if I like the way I am doing the sashing, what do you think?

Step 3 of Judy's quilt not quite done.

This is the first 11 of 30 blocks (unless it gets to big-I should measure,na). I hope to have it done by Christmas.

Quick note

I have missed you all so much, but tomorrow is my final test and then I can start sewing a little again. In the mean time I did get three more wonky blocks in the mail for May, June and July. How cute are these? Thanks Lady's for the outstanding job you have done on them. I can't remember who's is who's so no labels unless you speak up.

Also my sister took a trip and brought me back more sand to add to my collection.

Fort Point under the San Fransico bridge.
Zuma Beach, CA

Lahoya Beach, CA

For some reason I can't crop the pics, sorry. This will have to do for now and my hubby will fix them later.

For Gina

Look how beautiful my city is, this picture is from Alki beach in West Seattle.

I know I have been gone forever. But I really haven't had any time for sewing. I am working outside of my home now and found out last week that I got into the nursing program I was hoping for. So I will have even less time! I did spent some down time this weekend in Seattle with family taking great pictures and I found this great pasta shaped like the space needle! Remember when Gina sent me all that sand to add to my collection, she said she didn't want me to send anything in return and I didn't, but when I saw this I had to get it for her. I also had some Washington themed fabric from a shop hop a few years ago so I made a bag for it and put a fat quarter of the same fabric to add to her stash. I hope she likes it!

This one is just for fun.

It is the troll under the Freemont bridge. That bug used to be orange I think and it is real! I love to take people here. If you want to see more pictures of this look for me on Facebook.

Step 2 of Judy's quilt done.

The posies are done. All raw edge appliqued so I am hoping that when I wash the quilt the edges will sort of fuzz up. This working out side of the home makes finding time to sew hard, not to mention that I was working on altering my daughters dress and broke all of my sewing machine needles! But I finally got them done.

Mail for me!

I joined a block swap group and the first one came today. Isn't this just beautiful and she made a towel with matching fabric. Thank you Mary! I love it and can't wait until next month!

Judy's quilt

I choose a pattern and cut all the fabric. I love this fabric. I hope Judy likes the quilt if I ever have time to finish it! I almost never precut so I am hoping it will make the piecing go a little smoother. This pattern is called "Pocket full of Posies" from a book called "Flowering Quilts" by Kim Schaefer.

Something new!

My wonderful friend, Judy, came by today and brought me a gift. Wow, look what I got!!! I think she took pity on me, being a fabric-less quilter right now. I met her and her family when they found me to watch there daughter a couple years ago. She doesn't quilt but seems to understand my addiction to fabric, this is the 2nd time she has gifted me with it. Thank you so much Judy, I'm so happy to have all of this and can't wait to start cutting it!

Now that I'm working out side of the home I don't think I'll have the time I did before, but I will some how fit it in. Oh, by the way, I have made a major change in my life. I have set a two week date to close my in-home daycare so I could go back to school to become a nurse aid to start. I have taken a job at a thrift store while I am in school and should be done by the end of the summer. I am going to miss days like today when I can lay on the porch most of the day in the sun and read while the children play. But, after 15 years, I am ready for something new, and I did get to be home with my kids when they were growing up.

Now what will I make? Time to hit the books...Maybe I'll make something for Judy.

There are all Fat Quarters so that book on top looks right...

MORE SAND!!!

I walk out to the mail box hoping for an unemployment and guess what I found, yep, SAND from Brazil. Gina went on vacation and took the time to collect me all of this beautiful sand. She sent a card with it that states: These sands comes from the state of Alagoas in the North East of Brazil. They are from different beaches. One is from the River Sao Franisco which is a mighty river in the region. I really want to visit these places I have all of the sand from but because I can't I am so thankful that people are willing to help me. Thank you so much Gina any time you need something from Washington you can call on me.This first one is from the river bank of Rio Sao Francisco, Piacabucu village Alagoas State in NE Brazil

And this is from Praia Do Gunga, 33 km from the capital Maceio Alagoas State, NE Brazil, Alcantic Ocean

This is from Praia Do Frances, Alagoas State, Brazil, Atlantic Ocean

And last we have Maragogi Beach, Alagoas state, NE Brazil, Atlantic Ocean

Aren't they all wonderful!!

HAPPY EASTER!

Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers.

Quilt Class

I know I have been MIA as of late but I have been stressed so not doing much. My husband got layed off and I am down to one part time day care child so I'm too poor to buy fabric :o( But I did Lead a beginning quilting class today with friends. It was fun, we ate cake and started our blocks. All of them are going to be so different, I love it!

Amy

Valerie
Cathy
Tracy won't let me post her picture until her quilt is done.

ahhh....what a difference a simple boarder makes.

I'm thinking the dark pink for binding and because it is all batiks machine quilting with a variegated pink thread.

Is the top done?

Top done maybe, I think it might get a boarder. We'll see.

Tulip block

I have been a little preoccupied with my budget and face book lately so sewing has been one hold. Do you think we quilters can get a bailout so we can buy more fabric, or will big brother then tell us what to make?

I know I have shown this a few times but I have decided to do it a little different. Because the Batik is so hard to needle turn applique through I decided to try raw edge machine quilting. I am not as happy with the look but it is so much easier on my fingers. And I may even finish it now. One block down, and I will spend today taking out the other block and adding the fusible to it. 3 to go!

Which Sewing Machine Needle Should I Buy?

Today’s market carries many types of home sewing machine needles. You will find regular sewing needles, embroidery needles, metallic needles, titanium needles and more. Some of these needles have multiple features and all have multiple sizes (9-20). It is no wonder we get confused. This guide is written to give you a better understanding about what you should be buying.

Type of Point:

The first decision you must make is between a sharp point and a ball point (BP) needle. Ball point needles have a rounded tip and are used to push between the fibers when sewing instead of making a hole or a break in the actual fiber. This is why they are used for knits or tightly woven materials. Imagine a run in a stocking; that is what can happen on knit material when using a SHARP needle point. A sharp point needle is what is says, sharp on the end, perfect for woven material.

Type of Needle:

Next you will need to look at the type of the actual needle. Organ needles come in a variety of types, not all of which are discussed in this article.

The basic, a 15x1 HAx1 is the standard home sewing machine needle. It is perfect for most home sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines. It is available is a variety of sizes and it the place to start with most projects. You should try it before going on to a more expensive needle.

Next is the 15x1 ST. This is referred to as the embroidery needle because it comes with a larger eye. This reduces the stress on the thread while embroidering or doing decorative work. It will also accommodate your larger threads, like a metallic or a heavy top stitching thread. If you are getting a lot of thread breakage, then step up to this needle. This needles is also great if you are just having trouble seeing to thread the needle.

The HLx5 needle is a heavy duty needle produced by Organ. If you are bending a lot of needles, then upgrade to this one. It is actually an industrial sized needle, made to go through multiple layers. It is great for heavy embroidery, or sewing on denim, jeans, or even quilting.

Type of Coating:

Needles come in either a chrome finish or a titanium finish. Organ's titanium finished needles are labeled PD for Perfect Durability. These needles have a special coat using the latest ceramic technology. This titanium-nitride is layered on the surface to extend their life by as much as 5 times the chrome plated needles. They are stronger than other needles while maintaining elasticity, thus reducing thread breakage. They are more wear-resistant also. Not all needles types and sizes are offered with the titanium coating. Titanium needles are more costly than chrome plated needles and may not fit all budgets.

Needle Sizing:

There are many guides out there for choosing the correct needle sizes. In fact, many of our sewing machine manuals come with a basic needle guide. The rule of thumb is to use the smallest size needle that you can so as not to leave a hole in your fabric. For very lightweight materials, use the smallest size you can get. Heavy denim may take a size 14 or 16. This is an area not set in stone, but more of something you will get a feel for the more that you sew. You will KNOW when you need to go up a size (or down). Trust your instincts.

How Often Should I Change the Needle:

Some will tell you to change your needle with every project, some will say every 8 hours. Here again you need to trust your instincts. If that needle has been in there since you bought your machine, chances are that it is WAY overdue. But if you just did a small project on a new needle, it will probably be good for a few more. Changing your needle not only depends upon time, but how you were using it and on what material. Doing heavy embroidery will dull a needle and your machine will tell you ("I wonder why this design is looping all of a sudden"). Another key
sign is thread breaking during embroidery (when it wasn't before). This may also be a sign of too small of a needle.” If you’re unsure, change the needle, especially if doing embroidery. Use the old ones for hanging pictures (they leave very tiny holes in the walls and are pretty strong, a trick taught to me by my favorite Bernina shop).

– found on eBay Reviews & Guides

Cowboy Quilt

I started a Face Book , wow is that fun, I have already found so many friends, but have been spending way too much time with that so I had to not allow myself any face book until I finished one quilt. Here it is, I found some blue binding already made up in my blue scraps bag, I even labeled this one. Now I can change my UFO list (happy me) but the trick will be to take more off than I add. 30"X35"

Knock Knock

You: Who's there
Me: Irish
You: Irish Who?

Me: Irish you a happy St. Patrick's Day!

Tools I don't want to be caught without!

This is my Tool turn-about. I was a pampered chef dealer so I have 3 of these, two for the kitchen and one for my sewing room. It spins on it's base. Very handy. I'm telling you about this because I found some white ones on the pampered chef outlet page here for half price. It comes with some bag clips and the old pizza cutter. I can still put in orders for a discount but I get nothing for the outlet store so if you want it go directly to pamperedchef.com. It really is nice to have, I wish I could spare 14$ now I'd get me another one.

Look what I found!!

This is a great tutorial to make these cute Easter Bunnies. I just had to make one and most likely a few more. She uses old sweaters, good idea, but I have quite a lot of scrap flannel around so that is what I used.Edited: I thought I'd add a little tip to go with this. If you draw the shape on a thin paper, sew on the line and then trim to the size you want it turns much easier under the presser foot. Be sure to use a small stitch so ripping the paper off is easy.