Another Finish!

I was sitting here the other day and had an itch to sew but I didn't know what I wanted to work on.

Then I remembered one that I started back on April 3, 2010 following THIS tutorial from Film In The Fridge. 

So it started with this yummy stack of goodness...

Then it turned into this...

For some reason I stopped taking photos of what I was doing (bad Karrie) but I had sewn all the blocks together and then cut them apart per the instructions. Then it was time to re-assemble the blocks. This is where I got frustrated again because my seams were not matching up.  I was still kind of getting my feet wet and hadn't learned the VERY important rule of the 1/4" seam accuracy. So...I put it away. 

Until Tuesday.  I thought that there was no way I was going to let all that fabric go to waste, especially since it was a quilt that was supposed to be for my son, and I had an itch. I pulled it all out, remembering why I put it away the first time. Only this time I wasn't going to let it bother me that not all the seams would match because if you look at quilts now days....all those wonky ones...unless I tell you they were supposed to match, you'd never really know. So I sat down and put all 20 blocks together, not paying one bit of attention to seams. That was a bit liberating....lol! 

Last night I stitched down the binding, threw it in the wash, and this morning, threw it in the dryer.

This quilt is soooo busy! If I were to do it again, I'd be sure to add in some solids to break it up. However, this one is so busy, just like my son, who I refer to as "Bug"...hence the name of the quilt...

"Busy Like A Bug"

I think he likes it, actually he loves it, and even after all the frustrations....that is all that matters!! This is the third quilt I have made for him and he uses one every night and he makes a point to let me know that he is using it! Isn't that sweet? 

Began: April 3, 2010

Finished: September 29, 2010

Pieced by me

Quilted by me

Fabrics: Alexander Henry, Caleb Gray, Monaluna, Jennifer Moore, and Amy Schimler

So the moral of this story..... perfect your 1/4" seam because it really is worth it and it makes sewing even that much more fun!! And sometimes...you just have to break the rules and just do it anyways, even if the seams don't match, because in the end, you might just love it that much more for being unique!

Much Love!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #20

Before I get to the tidbit....for those of you who may have seen it and now realized it's gone, I decided to take down the post for the quilt along. Minutes after I posted it a dear friend gave me some advice due to gray areas in the quilt design world and I decided that as much as I'd love to do that QAL with you all, I also don't want to find myself in hot water or step on any toes. Unintentionally of course. Please know that for those of you who saw the quilt layout, I designed the quilt myself, but the block itself, the idea behind it and it's construction, had been copyrighted. Don't worry, I will come up with something else in the near future to keep you...umm...us all busy. :)

On to the tidbit! (Look Sarah, I didn't forget today...haha!)

I've mentioned before that I do NOT pre-wash any of my fabrics. This is a personal choice and, I feel, a result of using only quality fabrics! 

However, there is always that fear. That when you put all that time and effort into a quilt, that when you pull it out of the washer, there may be a chance that the colors bled. I've never had an issue though. 

Because of that small ounce of fear I always put something in with the quilts when I wash them as an extra safeguard. 

These!

Nooo....not sleeping kitties (but she is cute, isn't she?)...lol. 

Shout color catchers! I generally use two or three, depending on what colors I have used and how much white there is. They always have some color on them when I take them out. Just pick them up in the laundry aisle at the grocery store. :)

Much Love!!!

Decisions, Decisions!

So I got this yummy goodness in the mail yesterday...

 

 

 ...and after MUCH research, I finally found a website that sells all of the Kona Crush colors!! I found a few that only had one or two of the colors I wanted then I found The Quilt Asylum.  I find it odd that there are not many sites that carry this. Perhaps it's because they are solids. Just like my local quilt shops, solids are hard to find. 

So with the High Society fabrics by Khristian Howel in the clay palette, mixed with some Kona Crush solids and perhaps Kona Coal, I will have a nice fall quilt on my hands. Now, to decide on exactly what pattern to make. 

Debating on starting in on the Quilt As You Go quilt along that Heather over at A La Mode Fabric is hosting.

Suggestions, anyone? :)

Much Love!!!

Belated Tidbit Tuesday #19

Ok. So I completely forgot that yesterday was Tuesday. Twice. I may need my head examined. ;)

So, even though it's a day late..it's still better late than never, right? 

Today's tidbit comes from Lee Anne. She didn't leave a blog address so I don't have a way to link to her, but I love this tip and have been doing this ever since! It also helps with the fabric not getting stuck down in your feed dogs.

"Over my quilting career, I've always wondered why my blocks sometimes go a
little wonky.  I cut them accurately, I place them on the sewing machine
accurately but when they come off the sewing machine, just a little bit
wonky.  Sigh.  So, recently, after I had spent about three hours squaring up
bunches of half square triangles, I decided to try something different in my
chain piecing.

I started with the needle in the down position.  I lifted the presser foot
and slid the fabric until it was touching the needle.  Put the presser foot
back down and sewed the fabric.  This means that the first stitch is through
the fabric pieces you are joining.  When chain piecing, I take two stitches
after the end of the fabric and stop with the needle down and repeat the
process.  I have been SO happy with the results and my blocks end up
beautifully square."

Thanks Lee Anne!! :)

 

Another quick little something to share with you....

 

 

How exciting!! More toys!! I can't wait to see what this is!! 

Here's a cute little video for you to enjoy too. :)

Such teases aren't they? LOL! 

Much Love!!!

Wowzers!!

There is no doubt that it feels great when someone wants to make something you have made a tutorial for!! It really is the highest form of flattery! So thank you...to all of you who have made something I have done a tutorial on! It totally makes me grin from ear to ear! 

I am especially excited about my latest Moda Bake Shop project!! Leah from Burgundy Buttons (love her shoppe!!!) has put this into a kit for me and is selling it in her shoppe! 

I received an email from her the same day my tutorial posted and she told me she had sold 32 kits!!! THIRTY FREAKING TWO!! **still jumping up and down** :D

We were both so excited at the interest in this that Leah decided to order more supplies from Moda to put more kits together! Woo Hoo!!!

So don't think you missed out!! 

If you want to make this...

Pop over HERE and order a kit!! They are on back order right now, but she says they can still be mailed out with in 10 days!! That's really quick and at a fabulous price of $45.00!! She also has the backing for sale for $26!

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!! Thank you so much Leah and to everyone who has purchased this kit, or will be, and to everyone who will be making this adorable quilt! 

**WARM FUZZIES** :D

Much Love!!!

Happenings!

So I've been busy with a few things over the last week. 

 

 

Last Saturday I finally got my Kindle in the mail! Long time coming since I ordered her on August 9th! I was a bit apprehensive about this new device, despite all it's reviews.

I can tell you that I love it!! A lot! I can't believe I went so long with out it! I've picked it up everyday since I got it! It's small, but not so small that its a hindrance. I mean, it slides right into your purse! You can't do that with many books unless you have a HUGE purse...lol! It holds more books than you can even imagine. So no matter where you are, as long as you have your Kindle, you can read whatever you want! Imagine all the space you save by not having to purchase the actual book! Lots and lots of saved space! The best part? They dropped the price waaaayyyy down!! Over $100! 

 

I've seen some people say that they may get the iPad because you can use the Kindle app on that, but the iPad is so large and bulky, heavy even. Besides that...you would have a hard time reading books in the sun with it!  It's cool if you want the iPad....but I wouldn't use it to read books. So get them both! Just my opinion though. ;)

I can say I am extremely happy with her! I've already read one book (The Hunger Games) and I am on to the second in the series called Catching Fire and I am about 3/4 of the way through! I think I can read faster with this baby! LOL! 

 

Now what are you waiting for? Go get one!! :D

Now I know y'all moan and groan with teasers, but I have to show that I've been working on something besides reading. 

Last Saturday I started out doing this....

I've been itching to do a quilt completely in solids. I finally got the chance and started cutting up some Kona Crush! I love this stuff! A lot! 

Today I was able to get it quilted....with some help of course.. :)

I only have to stitch down the binding and its done!! Keep your eyes out for the reveal. :) 

One more thing....you gotta go get the new Stitch magazine!! So many cute projects in there!! 

Now....if I could just decide on one. :)

Much Love!!!

Did Someone Say Chocolate?

Guess What?

I've been baking again ;)

Head over to Moda Bake Shop to see more :) 

Much Love!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #18

Wow....eighteen weeks of tidbits already! Yikes, how time flies!

Today I bring you a tool that I use almost on a daily basis. It's a tool that when I first saw it, there was no way I was going to spend money on it because there was no way it worked as good as it said it did.

Boy was I wrong! Yep. Wrong wrong wrong!

If you have pets, you NEED this tool. If you don't have pets but have lint all over your ironing board from fabric, you NEED this tool.

What is it you ask?

This!

My poor ironing board always has kitty hair on it because my kitties love to lay up there! It's soft and up off the ground and right next to a window so they can look out. They are always up there sleeping. I think I even hear them grumble when I put them down so I can iron...LOL!

Because of this, my board always had kitty hair on it. This drove me nuts and I went through lint rollers like you wouldn't believe. I thought that there HAD to be a cheaper way to keep this clear.

I remembered the commercials for this item and what it promised and thought, well, five bucks isn't so bad to at least try it.

Oh. Emm. Gee!!! Magic I tell you!! Magic!! A few sweeps and it's completely cleared of kitty hair and all fabric danglies! (Danglies = fabric lint or strings) It is supposed to be that when it's full, you throw it away and get a new one. However, I've found that if you carefully pull out one of the rollers and vacuum it out, you can get a few more uses out of it.

Another great use for it is using it on your cutting mat after you have finished. Some fabric sheds a lot and this tool is great to pick it up!

From this....

To this....in seconds...

So...with this tool..I guess I can keep this wee one, huh?

At least she's modest...hee hee ;)

Much Love!!!

We're Done!

Happy Sunday everyone!! 

Today is show and tell day for our quilt along quilts! Woo Hoo!! 

Not sure what I'm talking about? I've been doing a quilt along using charm packs. It's not too late to complete one of your own as the instructions will always be here on my blog. Click HERE for all of the steps. :)

If you haven't finished yet, don't worry. Plenty of time to do that. I just hope that you will put it in the Flickr Pool when you're done so I can see it and feature them here too :)

As promised.....here is mine. All finished. Including being washed, because to me, a quilt isn't complete until it comes out of the dryer all warm and smooshed up! :D 

And....kitteh approved...LOL!

Speaking of kittehs.....this one sure likes to help out too. Testing all the fabrics I use to make sure they are soft enough! She also helps test them when they are done! 

Here she is "helping" me with the project I was working on today...

Now it's your turn!!! Lemme see em!! :D 

I hope everyone had fun with this quilt along! I also hope we have 100% completion before year end.. hee hee :) 

Thanks so much to all of you who participated! I had a lot of fun sewing right along with you and I will definitely do another quilt along in the future! 

Much Love!!!

Remembering...Nine Years Later

 

It's been nine years. The memory isn't as fresh, but it's still there. 

Every time I see a low flying plane. I remember. 

Every time I happen to glance at the clock and see that the time says 9:11. I remember.

Every time I see a reference to dialing 911. I remember. 

Every time they talk about war. I remember. 

I remember watching the planes hit. 

I remember watching people jump out, hundreds of stories high.

I remember crying for those people. Tears still fall today when I remember what I saw.

I remember the devastation afterward. 

 

I remember our country coming together to heal, which still continues today. 

I hope all of us will always take pause to remember those that fell, those that fought, and those that suffered the loss of loved ones.

It seems fitting that it's raining today. A symbol of all the tears shed over the years perhaps.....

Never forget....

Much Love!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #17

Puckering. I don't like it. I'm sure you don't either. 

No, I'm not talking about kissing.... ;) 

I mean the puckering you get sometimes when you are quilting. After all that hard work you put into your quilt, you hate to see puckers. Well, I know I do. 

So I did some researching and came across an informative video. In all honesty, I've never ever adjusted the pressure when sewing OR quilting so this was a good tip even for me! :D 

Have a looskie. She makes some really good points. 

And...

She shows some really neat machines too!  I love my own high tech machine, but there is something about those older machines that capture my interest as well. Especially the featherweights. Someday I'd like to own one of those beauties! 

Here she rolls....

**Even though she shows you how to adjust the pressure on older machines, you get the general idea of the concept. If you are not sure where to adjust your own pressure settings, just refer to your owners manual. Don't have one? Check the manufacturers website for one online. :)

I can definitely see this coming in handy with straight line quilting! 

Oh, and by the way, thank you all so much for the birthday wishes!! I had a really great day today!! :D 

Much Love!!!

Labor Day 2010

Thirty four years ago my mom went into labour with me. Ironically enough, it was Labor Day then too (09-06-76)! I wasn't born till the day after (yes tomorrow is my birfday :) !!) but my mom and I always laughed about it! So....happy Labor Day!! Hope you all had a safe weekend!! 

Just a few things to show you. :) 

My DSQ9 (Doll Quilt Swap #9) is done! I put the finishing touches on it tonight and it will be in the mail tomorrow! I hope my partner likes it! 

Here is "Little Star-lits"...

A better view of the quilting...

 Then a shot of the label.....with the name covered of course. :D

 Now I just have some cuteness for you to see.... Odyssey sleeping on my ironing board....

Odyssey still sleeping....she's out like a light!

And still sleeping....

 Isn't she the cutest?

 She finally got sick of me taking her picture and sat up.... still half sleeping...

 Then she yelled at me.....

 Twice!! LOL!!

Nah...she was only yawning...but I thought it was funny just the same!! :)

Hope you enjoyed the slideshow!

Much Love!!!

Jar Of What...?

Anyone who knows me or has read my blog for some time, knows that music is a must have in my world. A day doesn't go by with out it and what I play always depends on the mood I am in, or the mood I want to be in. You know what I mean? When you're all frumpy and just need something to cheer you up? Music can do that for me. 

However, there is always a song (or ten) that gets you down. It makes you think of something you really don't want to think about. Maybe it's because of something that happened in the past or maybe something recent. Even though it makes you sad, you still like the song. Perhaps for the artist, maybe the melody. Lot's of different reasons. 

A song that released in July of this year is one of those songs for me. It's really kind of a depressing song, but Christina Perri has such a unique voice that it's stuck with me. 

Have a listen and see what I mean...

Christina Perri --- Jar of Hearts

See? Good song though, right? Right. 

Let me tell you something else. 

This song no longer depresses me in the least. It actually makes me laugh? Every time! You're probably thinking what kind of nut case I am, huh? LOL! 

Seriously....it makes me laugh because a few weeks ago I was in the car with my kids and this song came on. During the chorus when these words played..."collecting a jar of hearts.." my 9 year old son pipes up and asks, "Did she just say 'jar of FARTS'??!!"...and then he just broke up laughing!! I nearly had to pull over from laughing so hard! 

So, listen to it again, only replace the words. I dare you not to giggle from now on. :D 

Kids are the best for making us laugh, hm?

Much Love!!!

Speechless...

It's not very often I find my self in this predicament.

Today I received a piece of mail that left me awestruck and speechless. 

You would be too if you unrolled this precious piece of art...

 

**photo courtesy of Tweedledeedesigns on Flickr**

After about 15 minutes of tracing my fingers over the top, trying to see each piece that was put in just the right place, my daughter told me to look at the back....

**photo courtesy of Tweedledeedesigns on Flickr**

I couldn't believe that this quilt was actually mine. So much that I went and rechecked the address on the mailing tube to make sure it was addressed to me. 

 

You are probably wondering WHY I have this beautiful quilt. This is a result of participating in the Doll Quilt Swap #9 (DQS9) on Flickr.  I can say, hands down, that I am *THE* luckiest person in that swap of over 200 people. Don't argue with me, because I am. So there! :D

Per the note included, Angela said that the story behind the quilt was on her blog. Of course I went to check it out! Please take a moment and click HERE to read her story.  I feel like I have bits and pieces of Angela's life right in my hands. 

I still don't know what to say because I am so touched that she would share this quilt with me, a complete stranger, with it being so personal. It has definitely moved me to tears, more than once. Happy tears, sad tears...mostly happy. :) 

Angela...to you I give many many many thank yous for such a beautiful quilt, and a beautiful story. Even though the road wasn't always smooth and easy going, every last step was worth the miracle you hold in your arms every day. Thank you for sharing that with me. I will truly cherish this quilt forever!

Much Love!!!