Quiltville’s Carolina Christmas Mystery Quilt Step 1 – my version

In a post a few days ago I told you I was being sucked into the Carolina Christmas Mystery Quilt vortex over at Quiltville, no?  Well Bonnie just posted that she’s going to be gone for a few days so everyone following the mystery ought to have enough time to catch-up!

(She don’t know me very well).  Catch-up?  Okay…I’ll just try to get step 1 in and we’ll see where we go from there.  Okay?

Alright people.  Move aside.  I need to look for my reds, my greens, my neutrals and somewhere I need to locate a golden yellow.

Reds. Check.

Greens. Check.

Neutrals. What do you mean by neutrals?  What?  I can’t believe with all this fabric I have in boxes, bins, and drawers there aren’t any neutrals?  Geez!

Golden Yellow. Harrumph.  Again.  I could have sworn I had some nasty golden yellow around here somewhere.  Nothing.

Step 1: Bonnie is using the golden yellow matched with a neutral in 2.5″ strips sewn together and then cut into 4.5″ units.  I’ve used the strip method before but have been experimenting with my own paper piecing method using 8.5″ x 11″ pieces of paper.

I cut two fabrics the size of the paper, match them right sides together and stitch along pre-printed sewing lines that I’ve drafted on the paper.  I’ve done this technique a few times and it works for me on strips, half square triangles and quarter square triangles.  I guess the closest I’ve seen are the Thangles products but from what I can tell those use strips and not the paper that comes out of your printer.

Here is the template I created for the 2.5″ strip sets:

speedytwoandhalfstrips

I printed 16 pieces of paper to get enough units.

Fashion Color Report for Spring 2010

Pantone is out with their Spring 2010 color forcast.  This is a big file, a lot bigger than the previous fashion forcast reports, by several pages.

I love to browse the pages to see what the designers come up with.

Turquoise appears to be the big story.  We’ll see turquoise in quite a lot of items this Spring.  That is always a goofy color for some people and I know it’s not always my first or best choice.

Like the previous reports, print out the colors page, put it into your purse and reference it when you are out shopping for material.  Or better yet, shop your stash and come up with your own SWAP for Spring.

Here is the link

or the file Pantone-FCR-sp2010f

and below is the color page.

A Tale of Two Fabrics…err Two Stores?…err Two Fabric Cutters?

A few really interesting things happened last night that I’m dying to share with you all.  First is my most amazing fabric purchasing experience at Hobby Lobby.

I wanted to stop into Hobby Lobby to get some Christmassy Fabric to go around the base of our tree.  For some reason we are on a wild hare to actually try and decorate the biggest, baddest tree we can find and now that the beast is taking over our living room my inadequate little tree skirt just ain’t cutting it!  So I figured 4 yards of fabric ought to be enough to wrap around the base and cover everything.

We pick out this cute red with white snowflakes.  It’s marked down 50% off and I go to the cutting counter and ask for 4 yards.  The lady behind the counter chit-chats with me and after I tell her what it’s for and I look over the 4 yard length, agree that that ought to be enough.  Then she does the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.  She pulls on the bolt…

one….long….arms….width…at…a….time

over….

and over….

and…over…again!

Holy crap, I’m thinking “is she really measuring now or is she just pulling out more fabric to measure??”.

Nope.  She puts the scissors right at the end and cuts it off.  I’m thinking there has to be about 6 yards she’s giving me.  She smiles and says “that’s a good 4 yards for you.  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!”.  She writes me up and Jim and I are on our way to the check-out.

“Do you think we’ll get busted at the check-out?” I say to Jim.

“What do you mean?” Jim asks.

“Didn’t you see how she measured?”

“No, why?”

“Well I think she just pulled out arms lengths and started counting, there’s got to be a generous amount here over 4 yards”

“aagh…she was in a good mood”

And we check-out and that was that.  This morning I measured just to see and sure enough she gave me 5 and 1/2 yards!  Whoo Hoo Merry Christmas!!!

So this morning I’m working on cutting out some neutrals for the Carolina Christmas Mystery quilt and I square off another piece of fabric I bought at Jo-Ann’s last week.  Pretty funny.  The square off about reduced this piece down to nothing.

Jo-Ann’s would have called this fair because my total square footage of yardage (ok… square inchage of yardage) was 1/2 yard regardless of grain.

Being a former Jo-Ann’s store manager (from the dawn of time…many, many, many years ago) I just find this whole illustration on stinginess hilarious.  HO, HO, HO!  I know exactly what goes on in those training sessions so it is just doubly humorous.  And to think Hobby Lobby closes on Sundays for worship and family…even more hilarious.

Well…to make this story end and to let you all know I wanted a sign to relieve my guilt for getting so much, when driving home we spotted the most amazing sight.

“Jim, is that an apparition?” I pull the car over to look.

“Yea…looks like an Angel!”

“No way!”

“OMG”

What do you think you all?  Did we see an Angel?

This is what we saw last night, it was on our church near our home.

The spotlight is shooting through the snow and created this image.

I feel blessed now.  And it just so happened that I got a really good nights sleep last night!

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Blogs I follow – Quiltville

A blog I love to read is Quiltville by Bonnie Hunter.

www.quiltville.blogspot.com

Currently she is putting up a quilting mystery sew-along for a Christmas Quilt.  January through March is when I set aside space in my sewing area to work on quilts but because this is Christmas I’m toying with following along on the mystery.

Lord knows I have something like 10 or so quilt tops that I’ve started or are in various stages of progress.  And Lord knows too I don’t need to start another one!  But I just can’t resist the pull here at Quiltville.

IT IS SUCKING ME INTO IT’S VORTEX…

For one, it looks kinda fun.

For two, I can only be inspired by Bonnie’s passion and speed at getting these quilts finished.  My God…does she sleep?

I don’t know.  Do you think I should try to sew along?  Darn it!  I’m jumping in!

Hope it doesn’t end up in another box somewhere in the closet half finished.

Wish me luck!

Congratulations Irina on PR6 win…I’m a good sport after all..

I’m just not that good at picking stocks either.

And yes.  I’ve wiped the egg off my face.

None of my picks went on to the final three and I totally thought Carol Hannah and Althea were really, really sweet.  Irina came off really kinda bitchy but ‘wow’ seriously talented.  You know, if she were a man, she would have been treated differently.  On second thought, and oh what am I thinking this is FASHION!  Gender rules don’t apply!

Congratulations Irina.  Your collection was best of the three.

Original Sewing & Quilt Expo 2009…Chicago

The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo was in town.  I was pretty excited as it just so happened to take place about 5 miles from my house.  Pretty cool.  No driving hours to get to a convention center or paying extremely high parking rates or waiting in long lines to get there.

The last time I was at a the sewing expo was about 7 or so years ago.  Maybe longer.  I can’t quite remember the year (I’m sure something will trigger it just not right now).   My Mom was in town and the show was at the Rosemont Convention Center along River Road.  I remember this clearly only for the fact that after the show we stopped at a cute little Rubber Stamp Shop along River Road and both my Mom and I ended up at the check out counter being told to “F” off by the shop owner.  It was just an experience never to forget.  I mean.  How many times are you ever told to screw yourself by a business owner for trying to ask a question?

I’ve digressed (so me) in the remembrance of that little episode.  But don’t worry.  The store ain’t there anymore (go figure, huh?) and the show was moved to another location further away.  I had heard reports that the show was going down hill so I really never returned.

Then I was in Hancock fabrics on one of my quests for fabrics for the Robin Hood/Princess costumes this past October and they had a flyer for the expo.  I was impressed.  The show was holding a lot of classes along with the expo.  I was curious to see it again.  You know, I did answer my quest question a year ago…the one about ‘is sewing dead?’.  It’s not, I know.  Just different.  So I was anxious to see the show and compare and contrast this one with the quilting expo and from the show I remember so many years ago.

Smaller, not as many booths, but it was nice.  Quilting probably had a predominate hold on the show but there was some fashion sewing represented.  I stayed for a fashion show of Independent Pattern Companies, had a snack to eat and that was about it.

The Photo Police put a kabash on me being able to get anything good of the exhibits but I was able to take photos of the fashion show  (I just pulled out the Fuji Pro and stood at the end of the runway like I knew what the hell I was doing — nobody bothered me there).  Some nice things to see, some incredibly weird things to see, and even some things that I just couldn’t tell you what in the world they were.

Here is a nice jacket, pants and knit blouse ensemble from either Christin Jonson or Silhouette, someone out there hopefully will be able to comment on that and let me know.  I’m sorry that I  don’t know which as I really wasn’t paying as much attention as I should have been.  I was thinking too much about the anti-photo police.  (where does one get a press pass for this show anyway?)

The only thing I wished there was more of were more pattern companies represented and more fashion fabric dealers.  I can only hope for the future huh?

Well, if you get a chance to go to an expo I would recommend doing so.  It’s good to get a little inspiration every now and then.  Here is the link.

Welcome to my Malicious Software Nightmare…caution…you could be next!

I thought Halloween was over.  For that matter, Thanksgiving is over now…and I’ve just now began getting back onto this blog.  Oh boy!  I want to preface this post with a cautionary statement.

CAUTION:  I might use the word bastard(s) often in this post followed by the more severe term “those f***ing bastards!”.  I beg you to close your eyes or ears to my insanity for a minute.  There may well be some sexually explicit material too…so just be for warned.  I occasionally write about scams, this time…it is about viscous computer malware.

Yesterday (well, actually it was mid November) I logged on to my computer in the morning to get the calorie counts on a few items.  (huh?  calorie counts?  I thought this was a sewing blog?) Yes…I’ll post later that I’m trying to lose a few pounds, but neither here nor there somehow the malicious trojan software called AntiVirus Pro wormed its way onto my computer and took over!

Seriously.  My computer was hijacked.  I’m completely ticked off.

Those f***ing BASTARDS were pissing me off to no end!  AAAAAAGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

My cries were going unanswered.  Like a silent wale in the night, on an empty street, in the middle of a populated city.  Nobody.  I’m alone and all I can do is stand back helplessly and watch as disgusting images flood my computer.

(Geez…do women really know they are this pathetic? were my thoughts as I viewed images of naked women sprawled out, breasts pointed up, legs spread in anticipation, and hapless facial expressions awaiting their next chance to twinge in relief.  Sick.)

And they just keep coming (no pun intended).  These Pop-ups of porn.com and adult.com and viagra.com kept  — well –coming up.

God…this happens to kids!  I can’t believe the filth out there!  I unplugged the internet connection and just sat here staring at my screen as the bastards flaunted their new found fame on my screen.  Pathetic.  I couldn’t handle it.  I cursed.  I cussed.  I fumed.

I just couldn’t deal with it for too much longer because I had to go to work but when I came home I planned out my attack.

I’ll show them.  I’ll just run Norton Anti-virus.  That’ll get rid of it.

Now I am just ranting…

SORRY!  YOU LOSE!  Like EVIL commies these monsters had thought of that already and disabled it.  Now how the heck could they do that!!!!? I thought Norton was the be all end all to keeping me safe.  No so today.  I’m beginning to get really worn down.

It took a while and some conversations with co-workers but I finally found what I needed.  The solution was the software called malwarebytes.  You can link to them here in the event you ever need them.  I downloaded the software and ran the search.  It took running the software 7 times to get rid of every last stinking piece of garbage before my computer came back.

Thank God for these folks at malwarebytes.

And Peter Norton.  We need to talk.

Finishing Up Old Projects…Entry 2

Halloween gave me a great opportunity to finally make a costume pattern I’ve had for a very long time.  Just like that backpack from 1991 this Costume Pattern dates from around this time.

Remember the tie dyed aprons I did a few entries back?  The couple I did these for tied the proverbial knot this past weekend and it was a hoot!  Everyone was in costume and it was a total blast.

The bride and groom were tie-dyed forest fairies.  Hysterical but very sweet.  Complete with tie-dyed wings, shoes, and coordinated trimmings.

I was a costume sewing fein these last two weeks.  I went to the store about 7 times and spent two full Saturday’s and a few late nights at the machine.  It was really a lot of fun though.  Jim loves his hat.

Let’s see.

Fleece, Feather, Elastic, Pink Satin, Gold Braid, Hot Pink Satin, Pink Netting, Buckram, Interfacings, Cape Green fabric, Tunic Brown Fabric…..legging material (vinyl) for fake overboots…this was a hoot!

I went to Vogue, JoAnn’s (ugh), Hancock, and Hobby Lobby.  Hobby Lobby turned out was the best.  I’ll have to remember this for next time, it was completely unexpected.

I was really aiming to make this exactly like the picture above…with the materials I could find.  Please don’t look too closely!  Whoo Hoo!  I love costumes!

Finishing up old projects…entry 1

Finishing up old projects.

It seems I have about 20 or so projects that are in bins, bags and boxes throughout my house.  I know I’ve tossed a few others over the years but why is it so many just hang around…unfinished?

I must have a slight case of hoarding disease.  (Speaking of which…have you seen the show ‘hoarders’?…fascinating…Mondays…8pm…watch it…).

Well.  I’ve lined up a couple of unfinished projects and I don’t care if it kills me.  I’m going to finish these up.

This first one was a companion piece to an anorak I made back in or around 1991.  Yes….1991.  This is Simplicity pattern #9585 copyright 1990.  The anorak was made, worn..and worn out years and years ago but at the bottom of a box was the cute little back-pack all cut out but never made up.

Until now.  Just two more steps to do and it will be finished.  God, that feels good.    I found some really bright green (fluorescent green?) webbing at the store over the weekend and thought it would go perfect for the straps and handle.

Most likely this will end up going to someone as a gift…some youngster out there…who knows.  The colors are just kid lov’in bright that is for sure.

One down…19 or so more to go!

So how many projects do you have lying around unfinished…can you top me?

My stash bustin scrap Amy Butler Pattern weekend

I spent this past weekend pulling out fabric scraps and sorting through old projects.  When we were in Fairbanks this past spring I picked up the Amy Butler pattern for the Weekender Travel Bag.  A sample of the bag was in the shop and I couldn’t resist the impulse to purchase the pattern and figure on someday I’d make one.

Then I read the instructions.   Well, I’m rather fearless, so I don’t really let a little thing like Timtex or ‘Heavy Duty’ Dritz brand template plastic scare me.  I don’t even know what Timtex (with a TM) is even…so sorry if I’m going to disappoint you all.

It wasn’t until I was hand stitching closed my lining that I decided to type in Amy Butler Weekender Bag into Google when Whooooaah Nellie!  There is so much written about this very bag!  And some really fantastic looking examples.

see here, here and here….good stuff!

I even went over to Pattern Review to see what they were saying over there and sure enough a lot of people were talking about this Timtex (with the TM…of course) and how hard the bag was to make.

You know.  I even went to the store for some heavy interfacing and saw something really heavy and dreadful and to myself said “no way I’m using that stuff!”.  It wasn’t called Timtex (with the TM…just in case we don’t know it’s trademarked) so went with something on a large long roll used for shades.  I guess I wasn’t thinking about it or just couldn’t remember the sample from May.  Now after reading all this hub a lub yeah, I guess the bag was pretty stiff.  Mine works just fine though without it.

Oh well.  I thought it went together pretty easy.  It just took a little time, like anything else.  I used some leftover upholstery/drapery fabric, an old jacket zipper and two pieces of plastic canvas (finally got rid of it!) for the false bottom and only spent about $5 on the interfacing and cording.

Turns out it only made a small dent in the extra drapery fabric!  I’ll probably have to make 4 or 5 more just to use it up!