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

 

 

Design Wall Monday

 

I spent last week in LasVegas with my wonderful husband.  This weekend we will celebrate 28 years of marriage and 30 years as a couple.  We got away on Rod's week of vacation so that he couldn't work around home and he couldn't be called into work.  I am so proud of myself for downsizing my purse but I was still able to tuck in a small sewing kit of hexies to work on.

I was able to take my glue pen, scissors, fabric scraps, thread, needle threader, needles and paper pieces for 1/2" hexies. 

I worked on the gluing the hexiex above.  I was short fabric for two petals to the flower on the left.  I will dig out the fabric and make two more. 

Here's the side table I was using as a design wall at the hotel for glueing.  The blue flower is sewn together.  I worked on that flower on the plane.

Rod's portable hobby is Facebook.  We had plenty of time waiting at the airport and he kept up with friends and family on FB. 

What a view!  We stayed at Bally's which is in the middle of the strip.  It was easy to walk most places.  It was hot!

The first night we watched the dueling pianos at Paris Hotel.

 

We slepted in the first morning and each morning there after!  Woohoo, that's a big feat for us.  Sleeping until 7:30am is sleeping in.  On vacation we slept in until about 9.  Tuesday we had lunch at Guy Feariri's restaurant.  Yummy!

This was a fish bowl of peach tea with a few extra ingredients. 

We ordered two different sandwiches to share.  My sandwich was a Mac n' Cheese burger and Rod had a Turkey Picnic sandwich both served with a trail of seasoned fries.  We waddled away from the restaurant. 

 

I didn't visit any quilt stores on this trip, just spent quality time with the hubby.  We did see this display of hand crank sewing machines at the All Saints store in Ceasar's Palace Forum .

 

Today I am linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tip

This past Saturday, Libby Smith, was our teacher and I wanted to share her tip.  To make a fabric key of all your fabrics for one quilt use scrapbooking glue dots.  Put a glue dot on your paper and then cover the glue dot with a small piece of fabric.  This worked great Saturday when we were working with nine fabrics in our star table topper class.  Having a fabric key helped with cutting units and sewing blocks together.

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Monday Design Wall

This past weekend was something I have been waiting for in anticipation.  Libby Smith, a certified Marci Baker teacher, was our guest speaker at the Covered Bridge Quilters Guild.  She gave a very informative talk on stenciled quilts and their history.

On Saturday, Libby taught am all day class on the Star Table Topper from Not Your  Grandma's Log Cabin book by Marci Baker.  What an enjoyable day with quilting friends.

 Here's a view of Marib's fabrics.  

Here is Jeanie's wedge in bright Spring colors.

Susie's block in Kansas Troubles fabrics.

Kathy's in Civil War Repro fabrics.

Last, but not least my block in batiks

Thank you Libby!!  It was so great to meet you in person after corresponding thru blogs over the past couple of years.

Yours in quilting, 

Terry

Work in Progress Wednesday

 

First thing this morning, I sat down and sewed the final seam to the top of the blue log cabin quilt. 

Our guild has a sew day this Friday and its a good place to layout the quilt center to measure and add the borders.

 

Tucker is getting into mischief in his toy box.

Our second clematis is starting to bloom.  Look at all the buds just waiting to open.

 

Heading out to the Gems of the Prairie Quilt Guild meeting. Our guest speaker is from Schmetz needles.

 

 

Today I will be linking with Lee at Freshly Pieced

 

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

 

 

Monday Design Wall with a New Addition

We have a new arrival in our family.  A week ago, my son and I drove to "just look" at some Yorkie puppies.  We looked at three puppies, one 11 weeks old and two nine weeks.  The one really stole our hearts and we brought him home.  Some of you may remember that I  had an almost 4 year old Yorkie, Rascal, that died last October.  I have been heart broken over his lost.  Even though we have three other dogs, its not the same with out a little "tucker" around.  I call little dogs "tuckers" because you can tuck them under your arm and away you go.  So this little boy came home with us.

Welcome Tucker to the Johnson family.  11 weeks old, weighing in at 1lb. 10 ozs.

                                                At the kennel.                                           

 

Tucker and Aaron at home, just relaxing.

 

This was a picture during a little one on one time with me.  I am thankful after the first couple of days he is sleeping through the night.  He is very smart and will potty outside but also uses potty pads in the house.  Potty pads have been a blessing with the rainy weather this weekend and the cold weather we are starting the week out with.

Today I am working on my blue log cabin quilt trying to get the center together.

Above are the first five rows layed out on my couch.

 Above are the final rows layed out on my dining room table.  Now to sew the rows together.  On Friday, I will be a sew day where it will be easy to lay it out on the floor and measure for the borders.

What are you working on? 

Its not too late if you want to join us for Libby Smith's visit.  Here is the information:
 

 I am excited to announce that Libby Smith will becoming to Princeton, IL, to give her trunk show on Stenciled Quilts on Friday, June 5th at 7pm at the Evangelical Covenant Church on South Main St.

On Saturday, she will be teaching the Log Cabin Star Table Topper from Not Your Grandmother's Log Cabin book.  Libby is a certified Marci Baker instructor and we are excited to have her share her quilt stories.  If you are interested in joining us the class fee is $25.  You may email me for further information at quiltcrazie@msn.com.  I'm so excited about this class.  I have completed a tumbling blocks quilt in the past and love the quilt on the front of the book.  I am looking forward to learning the technique on the Log Cabin Star Table Runner before attempted a bed-size quilt.

 

Libby will also be teaching at Susan's Calico Creations in Fulton, IL, on Sunday, June 7th.  At Susan's she will be teaching Fireworks, another pattern from Not Your Grandmother's Log Cabin book.  You contact Susan to join her class at 815-589- 2221 or email at susancalicocreations@hotmail.com. 

 

Today I am linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry