Happy Valentine's Day & Tuesday Tip

Today was suppose to be a quiet Valentine's Day.  I told my husband I didn't want anything accept to go to an antique store that is having a sale this Friday.  So how does my day start out?  I attend Garden Club at my local quilt shop, Quilter's Garden and they hand out cute valentines.  Sweetheart paper folded around a Kiss of Hershey's chocolate.

Next I received a sweet text from my sewing sister, Cathy!  Then later in the afternoon I received a special mushy card from my husband, he's a keeper. 

The biggest surprise was 3 beautiful red roses with a card from my son.

By the way, he's the best thing I ever made!  So the day was that was suppose to pass-by quietly ended up being precious.

Tuesday's Tip:  Have you been looking for a way to organize your Block of the Month or Block of the Week project?  My friend, Kathy Closen, showed me her method and I am sharing it with you because it really works nicely for me.  First, grab a three ring binder that is 2 to 3" wide at the binding. Second,  grab some plastic sheet protectors and slip the paper pattern into each sheet protector sleeve.

My project is Peace & Healing, from Debbie at Piecing the Past Quilts.  Click on the blue writing for the link to sign up for the Block of the Week.  She will send you an email each Monday with a new block.

Third, I go to my stash drawers and pull out fabrics until I am happy with  the combinations.  Then I slip the fabrics into the plastic page protector until I have time to cut out the pieces.  If I cut out the pieces, then only the pieces go into the page protector and I put the fabric back into the drawers.

If you are working on a large project and will need the fabrics throughout the project,  you might want to put the fabrics in ziplock bags or zipper style (pencil) bags that have three holes punched on the left.  This keeps all the fabrics together with the patterns and easy to handle each month or week.  I have two binders that I am working out of currently.  One for Women of the Bible that I shared yesterday and Peace and Healing from today's Blog.

I hope you enjoyed your day!

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tips

I recently had a quilt come in that did not want to play nice.  What I mean by that is the borders were wavy due to the amount of bulk in the center.  I used a technique explained on Kelly Cline's website in a tutorial.  When I worked on the quilt I used Best Press because its what I had on hand.  On the next trip to Wal Mart, or as my husband calls it "Terry's World", I purchased the spray starch Kelly Cline recommended.  I love it!

When I am stressed out or frustrated with a quilt, I take a break and go piece a quilt.  I tried the spray starch on those tough fold marks in the fabric, left it set for a minute or two to soak in, and then pressed.  Beautiful pressing without any fold marks and no flaking as you will get with many starches.  (Now a word of warning - if you are working on a quilt that may never be washed and maybe stored, starch can draw small bugs that can damage your quilt. It is a small risk but one you need to be made aware.) 

Have a great day!

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tip

As I was surfing through a few blogs, I found this wonderful tip on how to easily add embroidery embellishments to your quilt projects whether they are cotton or wool using press and seal.

http://heartspunquilts.blogspot.com/2015/11/have-holly-jolly-christmas.html

Happy Tuesday!  Today I will be linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River.

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tips

Happy Groundhog Day!  The groundhog did not see his shadow.  The legend of the groundhog states we will have an early Spring when the groundhog doesn't see his shadow.  We will see how that plays out.  We have had a mild winter.

 

When I was surfing on Facebook last week, I came across this link to a video by Angela Walters.  I think she shares three important things quilters should quit doing.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jGyYSJhk0QA

Remember to enjoy the process and the journey.  After watching the video leave me your comments.  I am interested in seeing some discussion on this topic.

The other link I found on Facebook was the mention of Temecula Quilt Co blog.  So I found their blog and found this little quilt, Circa 2016, with a free pattern if you follow the posts.  Its all scrappy and uses small pieces.  Another way to use up that stash!  Their pictures show civil war fabrics, which I love.

 

http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/2016/01/circa-2016.html

 

We are expecting rain and possibly thunderstorms here.  As long as we do not have lightning and thunder, I will finish the batik quilt. 

 

The next quilt waiting to be quilted is a tulip quilt.  That Spring-like quilt will cheer me up when its so dreary outside. 

 

Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River, Building Blocks Tuesdays, and Fabric Tuesday by A Quilt Story.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

Tuesday Tip

Recently, I went to a sewing weekend.  The group of ladies planned ahead and we offered a sewing machine cleaning to the group.  An appointment was made at a sewing machine business to have the machines dropped off a week before the retreat (6 machines).  As we travelled to the retreat, we stopped at Smitty's Sew & Vac and picked up the machines already for our busy weekend.  Since we can't arrive at our destination until 2pm, we stopped at the Sterling quilt store and ate lunch at Arthur's Garden Deli.  We also stopped off at the J store (JoAnn Fabrics) and found out that they were having a sale with some great doorbuster deals.  This smaller version of a rotary mat was 40% off which made it less than $20.  Several of us picked them up and put them to use at the weekend sewing days right away.  I was working on Bonnie Hunter's Alletaire Mystery Quilt.  The mat is the perfect traveling size and easy to use for blocks 6 1/2" or smaller.  I was working on squaring up 2" half-square triangles. 

 

My friend grabbed one of these Ott Lites.  It has the magnifier head which is great for handwork or for unstitching those tiny stitches.  It also converts to a table top lite.  This was 60% off which made it about $64.  This was a great bargain and I purchased one, also.

My eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be and this will be helpful if I find time to work on my Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses blocks.

Check out your coupons, flyers, and the online deals.  Its the perfect time to find some great deals.

 

One of my "quilty" sisters and I are making a few blocks to go with a pre-printed panel.  I have to make 1-eight pointed star, 1-pinwheel, and four barn blocks.  All blocks have to measure 6 1/2" inches. 

 

 

Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River, Building Blocks Tuesdays, and Fabric Tuesday by A Quilt Story.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

 

 

Tuesday Tips - Take a Break from your Stress

I know we are all busy decorating, shopping, and preparing for Christmas, Hanuka, Kwanza, etc.

Most of us are so busy taking care of arrangements, baking, parties, shopping, etc. that we rarely take time for ourselves.  To help manage your stress, I recommend you take a few minutes for yourself each day.  Just a 15 minute break just for you! 

 

1.  For example, one morning I took 15 minutes to give myself a simple pedicure. 

2.  Another day, I stopped quilting for others and took a 15 minute break to sew a few quilt pieces together.  Piecing is my favorite stress reliever.

3.  Another time, I took a break and cut a few pieces for Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt, Alletaire!

 

Each one of you are very important and I want you to take time to pamper yourself a little.  I hope this will relieve some of your stress and put a smile back on your face.

 

I found this picture on Facebook.  It shows the different types of Singer bobbins.  If you are interested in vintage machines, this might be of some help. 

 

Have a terrific Tuesday!

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tips

Its Fair Day.  Time to make sure the quilts are clean and pet hair free.  I will be delivering six quilts to the Marshall-Putnam County Fair today.  So I pulled them out of storage from my last speaking engagement.  I then go over them with a lint roller.  I also pull out my entry sheet and make notes on post-it notes.  I put a post-it note on each quilt of what class number it was entered in.  This just makes it very easy when you arrive at check in at the fairgrounds.

The rules of the fair state that you must cover your quilt label.  So I measured the center of each quilt label where the writing appears, cut a piece of dark fabric the size of the label center and whip stitched the dark fabric over the label's writing.

Covering label keeps things fair and impartial.

 

Tips for today. 

 1.  Make sure your quilts are clean and neat, ready to be shown.  Each quilt has a hanging sleeve.

2.  Read the rules and directions carefully. 

3.  Cover label info with a piece of dark fabric, if required.

4.  Have fun showing your quilts!

 

Tomorrow I will be traveling to Fulton, IL, to teach Basic Beginning Machine Quilting on your domestic machine at Susan's Calico Creations.

 

Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tips

Tuesday Tip 1:  Take some time to enjoy the roses, get away with family and/or friends.    Last Tuesday I was in Shipshewana for the Quilt Show.  We got in some early shopping at A Little Bit of Lolly's in the basement of Davis Mercantile  before the quilt show opened.  They had a happy hour of $1.50 fat quarters from 5-6pm.  We also enjoyed the local flea market on Tuesday.  Both Tuesday and Wednesday nights we ate at the Blue Gate Restaurant.  The homestyle food is so good.

While on our trip I didn't work on handwork, instead I was reading Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts.  I miss reading and had picked the book up at the airport in LasVegas because we were going to be waiting for our flight for a couple of hours.  It was a great book and I finished it after we got home from Shipshewana.

 

Tip 2:   Use the App - Axis 360 for accessing books.  My next adventure in reading will probably be in audio books.  My friend, Corry, introduced me to the application for your phone or IPad called Axis 360.  It allows you to check out books from your local library.  You must have a library card from your library first!  I was able to simply sign-up on line and enter my library card number and boom, I was connected to a whole library of e-books and audio books.  I will be turning off the TV and listening to more books.  This will be so much easier than running back and forth to library to pick up audio book tapes/CDs.

 

Tip 3:  Below are updates for the free patterns I have been posting. 

 

http://farmchickquilts.com/news/june-block-of-the-month-and-ufo-number/

 

http://www.quiltdoodledesigns.com/Junes_Block_2015.pdf

 

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2015/06/qm-bitty-blocks-i-heart-this-one/

 

McCall's Freebie Fridays:  http://www.mccallsquilting.com/blogs/blog/2015/06/26/friday-free-quilt-patterns-flying-colors-baby-quilt/

 

Have a terrific Tuesday and I hope you have time to sew a few stitches.  Today I will be linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tip

Last week I talked on my Tuesday Tip HERE about Libby Smith's tip about using scrapbooker's glue dots to create a fabric key for easy identification.  I was in Las Vegas and couldn't take pictures to help explain so I am going to repeat this with pictures. Below is a picture of the glue dot dispensers that are available at Wal Mart, JoAnn's, or Hobby Lobby, etc.

 

Below is the fabric key we created in class to help us keep straight which fabric to cut and where it was to be placed in the sewing order. Use the glue dots to hold a small piece of the fabric on paper to create a fabric chart or key.

Even if you don't have a printed pattern sheet to create your fabric key, use an index card to create your own.

 

I have to admit I am not getting as much done as I would like.  It is too much fun watching the dogs play with our new puppy, Tucker.

Harry is so tolerant of little Tucker.

 

Here is triple trouble, two full size Aussies (about 63 lbs each)playing with a 1 lb 11 oz Yorkie.

Where's Tucker hiding in all that fur?  The rule for the Aussies is they have to lay down to play with Tucker so they don't step on him.  Its a great way to wear the little guy out.  Tucker plays hard and then sleeps soundly.

 

Well its time to get moving.  Tonight I am giving my lecture "Charting my Journey" and trunk show at the Fulton Quilt Guild in Fulton, IL at 7pm.  Very excited to meet these ladies.  I have unpacked from LasVegas and will fill the suitcases with quilts today.

 

Today I am linking up with Connie from Freemotion by the River. 

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

 

Tuesday Tip

So, how many of you have learned things the hard way?  If you are waving your hand and saying "ME", you are not alone. 

Yesterday, Handi Quilter had planned to roll out a new update for the Pro Stitcher which includes Skew 2 and about 1000 new quilting patterns.  So I, who had procrastinated loading the previous updates, started updating my Pro Stitcher on Sunday.  I needed to download three previous updates to be ready for the June 1 update.  The first update went smoothly but there is a glitch in the second update.  Grrrr.....

The good news is the longarm still works.  The bad news is the computer tech guy had a death in the family and can't help me until Wednesday.  The change to the new Pro Stitcher is a huge change so there is a learning curve for me.  I have been watching YouTube videos on the new changes and how to use the machine. 

In the meantime, the June 1st update has been postponed until June 15th.  They have found a glitch and would rather not roll it out until they fix the issue.  This delay took some of the pressure of me.  I have two weeks to get caught up.

My tip for this Tuesday is "don't procrastinate" updating.  It just snowballs on you and then there is too much to learn at once and you feel overwhelmed.

Tucker has made himself to home.  He is getting to meet and play with each member of our family.  This is Indy and Tucker.

 

Friday and yesterday I talked about Libby Smith's visit.  Here are my fabric choices for the Star Table Topper.

 

Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

 

Tuesday Tips-Tutorial for fabric box for fat quarters

I found this tutorial on how to make a fabric box on Mad for Fabric Blog.  Its a great tip on how to store fat quarters.  I keep all my fabric in Sterlite drawers.  Making these fabric boxes would help organize my stash within the drawers.  Right now, my drawers are bulging fabric and in no way is it organized.  http://www.madforfabric.com/2015/04/30/diy-fabric-box-tutorial/
I also have piles of fat quarters laying out while I was trying to pick out Lucy Boston blocks.

 

Every month I post the links for free block of the month ideas. 

http://farmchickquilts.com/news/may-online-block-of-the-month-ufo/

Quilt Doodle Designs:
http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/mays-block-my-favorites.html?spref=bl

Bitty Blocks:  Bear Paw
http://www.quiltmaker.com/content_downloads/BittyBearPawBlock.pdf

McCall's Freebie Friday:
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/blogs/blog/2015/05/01/friday-free-quilt-patterns-liberty-starshine-table-runner/
Here's a link to all Freebie Friday patterns.
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/blogs/?s=friday+freebie

I had made a commitment that I would quit drinking Diet Coke when I returned from Paducah.  My son has made the commitment to quit smoking.  I am showing my support by giving up my beloved Dt. Coke.  I went cold turkey when I finished my last bottle from the trip.  It has been one week.

 

Our first stop in Paducah was Hancock's of Paducah.  Along the back wall were these fabric stamps used for making batiks. 

Below is our scrumptious lunch at the Patty's booth.  They had a meal deal of pulled pork sandwich, a drink, and side order of new potatoes and onions.  Yummy!

 

 Thursday night we left the quilt show and headed out to Patty's Settlement for another quilt show and dinner.  They are famous for their pork shop dinners.

 

We had some fun taking each other's picture at the quilt show. 

 

I have been wanting to make one of the sinks shown on Pinterest using a treadle.  This table would have been perfect but no way to get it home. 

 

My friend, Cathy K., has been working on her Cathedral Windows quilt for a long time and its lap size.  I can't imagine how long it took to get this quilt King size. 

 

We crossed the street to Patty's Settlement and started to enjoy the gardens and scenery.

We headed inside to be seated for our meal. 

This cute display was at the entrance to the restaurant. 

The pork chops were melt-in-your-mouth good.  Dinner was followed by a choice of pies.  I had the Sawdust pie.  It was delicious.  It was pretty quiet on the bus trip back to the hotel.  With full tummies and tired feet, we were all happy to arrive back at the hotel for a good night's sleep.

 

Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

Tuesday Tip

In January I was helping a girlfriend do some work around her house.  She had a death in the family and all the quilty friends went out to clean and cook for her.  While throwing in a load of laundry, I found a spray bottle of Grandma's Secret Spot Remover.   When I found this spray bottle, I did the happy dance.  You may have found this product at your local quilt shop in a little squeeze bottle that is hard on that hands. 

 

Having a spray bottle will make spot treating laundry so much easier.  I discovered this product about a year and a half ago.  While working at Bath & Body Works store, we had to wear white shirts.  It was a common problem to have underarm stains.  Grandma's Secret Spot Remover is great for taking out those yellow underarm stains as well as other stains, i.e. blood, grease, food, etc. (This is not a paid endorsement.)  I found this spray bottle at JoAnn's.

 

Today I will be finish up packing and checking my shopping list. I wrote a blog on how to prepare HERE. Tomorrow I will be headed to Paducah with a bus load of quilters.  Yeah!!! 

 

If anyone wants to meet up in Paducah, personal message me on Facebook or email at quiltcrazie@msn.com.

 

Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

 

Tuesday Tips

I was playing around with what to write about and I came upon the first article on Bonnie Hunter's Facebook page, Quiltville Open Studio.  I think the article shares some really good information about the expenses involved in making quilts.

http://www.mooreapproved.com/2015/02/quiltonomics-the-real-cost-of-quilts/

I have trouble charging people for quilting, quiltmaking, teaching, and other costs.  We need to continue to educate the public on the costs of our trade.

This is a follow-up article to Quiltonomics and shares additional information worth the read.

http://www.mooreapproved.com/2015/02/why-i-wrote-quiltonomics/

I have been sick with a virus for about a week and a half.  This morning I had to vote for our local election for Mayor, City Council and educational committee boards.  Then I headed over to the horse barn to meet the farrier.  Hoot, my husband's horse, was a good boy while getting his feet trimmed and the shoes reset.  While holding Hoot for the farrier, I scratched his neck and head.  No doubt that Spring is here as he is shedding by the hand-fulls of hair.  I am thankful that our son could help with chores while I was sick.  This is the most have been out except to get our taxes done yesterday.

Here's a view from the couch, my two nurses-Indy and Harry, standing guard.  Funny, how the dogs know when you are not feeling well.

 

Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and Fabric Tuesday by A Quilt Story.

 

Have a terrific Tuesday.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tips - Shopping Prep & Organizing Basket Pattern

(Kathy O, Maribel, Cathy K and myself)

I am preparing to attend the International Quilt Show in Chicago on Saturday.  I am attending with my quilting peeps, Kathy O, Maribel K, and Cathy K.  We are so jazzed up about seeing what the new trends will be this year.  We are also planning at going to Paducah this year.  Kathy O and Maribel are new to Paducah.  I always think it is so exciting to see Paducah through a newbie's eyes!

Maribel has asked me for some advice on how to prepare.  I thought this would be good information to share.  This is just MY opinion on how to prepare for the overwhelming experience of walking into the convention center at Paducah and loosing sight of your budget instantly.  Believe me....temptation will greet you at the door!

I keep a running "Wish List" on a little note pad by my sewing machine all the time.  That way when I go shopping to the local quilt shop, JoAnn's, shop hop or Paducah, I always know what I NEED.  On that list should be two kinds of lists:  NEEDS and WANTS.  That is why I call it a Wish List.  Needs will be things like sewing machine needles, thread to match a project, new rotary blades, etc.  If you need to match fabric, make sure you tape a scrap of fabric to your list for matching.  These are items you absolutely need to finish a project.  The other side of the list is WANTS.  This side consists of things you have seen in magazines, on the internet, suggestions by quilting peeps, new fabric lines or books coming out that you need to check out. 

I am going to share my current list so you get a feel for what I am explaining above.
NEEDS:

1. Handi Quilter 18 needles
2. Handi Quilter Bobbins
3. Grandma's Recipe Spot Remover in spray bottle
4. Soft Fuse 18" x 3 yds $20
5. EQ Printable Premium Cotton Satin fabric sheets
6. Threads for longarm

WANTS:

1. Smart Needle Essentials Sew Caddy-Ladybug $12.99
2. A Pattern to make Selvages Quilt
3. Farm Girl Vintage book by Lori Holt
4. Riley Blake Fabric for Farm Girl book
5. Civil War Remembered book by Country Threads

Notice that I also listed prices on several items.  This is so I know if I am getting a good price on the item.  If I buy at the show instead of on the internet then I won't be paying for shipping.

My friends and I have talked about our budgets and will help hold each other accountable.  I have even offered to hold their credit cards for them, if necessary! 

While on Linked In yesterday morning, I found this cute basket pattern and wanted share it with you.  What a cute way to use up scrap fabric, batting, and interfacing.  All of us need additional storage.  You could adjust the pattern to make them smaller or larger to fit your needs.  I think little tabs on the ends would be cute embellishment.
http://quiltsocial.com/a-tisket-a-tasket-this-sewing-table-needs-some-baskets/

I would love to hear how you plan to shop when attending shop hops or quilt shows.  If you can't leave a comment you can email me at quiltcrazie@msn.com.

Today I have linked up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and Fabric Tuesday by A Quilt Story.

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Tuesday Tip - Quilt Label Tutorial

 

I make my labels on the computer.  I write up the description of each quilt giving the pattern name, pattern designer, how the quilt was made i.e, hand or machine pieced, machine or hand quilted, name of quilter and where she is from, date finished.  In this instance I also added what quilt show the quilt will be shown in.  The more information you can give about the quilt just adds to its history.

 

Below I have created each label in a table on my word processing software.  Each table has one row and one column.  I center the writing with in the table.  I leave about an inch in-between each label and then create another label.  I have not figured out how to make two columns of tables on one page.

Therefore, the labels are on two pages.  I print them out on paper first,  check the spelling and information for accuracy.  Then I load the fabric page in the printer and print one page, then turn the fabric page and print the second page on the opposite side.  Please read your printer's instructions or practice with paper before doing this on your fabric page.   

I let the ink dry.  Then heat set it according to manufacturer's instructions.  I do not rinse the fabric.

After peeling the fabric off the paper backing, I trim about 1/2 inch from lines.

 

Now I frame the label with fabric from the quilt.

 

Next I lay the label, right sides together on a piece of coordinating or matching fabric. 

Stitch around label using scant 1/4 inch seam. 

Make a small slit in the fabric backing side behind the where the framed part is.  That way the slit will not show through from the front.

 

Clip the corners to reduce the bulk and turn right-side out through the slit.

 

Push out corners and seams to create a square label and press. 

 

Now turn over the label and we have to close that slit.  Notice that my slit is behind where the frame is.  If you would put the slit behind where the label is, it might show through your white label. 

 

I used a blanket stitch or button hole stitch to close the slit.  

 

Now you can pin on your finished label and whip stitch or applique stitch your label onto your quilt's back.  I find by using this method, I have a nice square label that is easy to read. 

 

I would appreciate hearing from you about my tutorial.  This is the first one I have written and would appreciate some feedback.

 

Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and A Quilt Story's Fabric Tuesday.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry