Anyone near Madison, Ohio?

Holy Cat Whiskers needs Help figuring out how to get their non-profit registered with Mission Fish so my Easy Street Gorgeous Quilt can be auctioned off to raise 100% of the fund for them!!!

They are not too computer savvy so if anyone can help out (phone number is on their website)

Thanks!

Easy Street Mystery Quilt Completed

This Easy Street Mystery quilt is complete.  Designed by Bonnie K. Hunter of www.Quiltville.com, this gorgeous on-point quilt design will be available in her next book.

100% of the Proceeds from my Auction will go to Holy Cat Whiskers of Madison, Ohio.  They are currently registering with Mission Fish so we can get this to auction.  I hope to have many people bidding to win this beautiful Quilt and raise funds for this animal rescue.

The picture below shows this quilt on a California King Bed.  This quilt is an over-sized Queen at approximately 81" x 81".

Variegated Thread quilted on both borders and throughout this quilt it has small Dog Bone print on the Binding.  You will see many outlines of Cat and Dog Faces used throughout my quilt.

Ready to be Bid on and Shipped to YOU.

This is on top of a Queen size bed showing there is some pillow tuck room at the top, and over-hang on the sides and bottom.

After Quilting and still up on my big table.

I quilted this with variegated thread and thought it would be nice to show the colors with a design in both borders.  

Time to choose between the Dog Bone and Paw Prints for the Binding.

To Cheer up your Monday

Monday Monday... Well I had a blast making Chris Gilman's "Tighten The Tension" super funny wall hanging.

Here is my quick version, *smile* it makes people wonder what you're up to!

Progress near the end of January

Doing the January FabShopHop, I discovered a wonderful website that quilts very nicely.  I've emailed and asked if they would consider quilting the Bonnie Hunter Easy Street Quilt for charity -- Hope to hear back from them very soon!

My sewing room is OFF limits to our cats -- yeah right.  Well she dashed in, got right into this one so here is my Sandy Baby aka the Quilt Inspector sewing away for me -- How nice she matches the fabric at least!

I've finished this with a 3" wide beautiful mottled wine binding.

The weather's great outside, but not inside

We've had some great weather here the past couple of days, 73 degrees and just lovely!  Except we are inside with the flu *cough* *mmmmm* Did you know saying mmmmmmmm just feels good when you are aching all over?  Try it!  mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, blink, breathe but not too deep to set off another round of coughing.

I thought this was one long cold, then the husband got it.  Can you keep passing this back and forth?  Can our cats get this?  (a) I hope not and (b) I'm almost positive, animals don't catch this from us.

Well ya know how I "think" it happened -- I'm one that won't use a pen sitting on someone's desk, at the store etc.  No way I'm not touching those germ laden items, I carry my own!  But, sometimes you have to when your signing those credit card things with the stupid non-pen Pens. I also carry around little bottles of germ stuff, you know the non-soap Soap?

I see a trend here -- Pens that are non-pens, and soap that is non-soap -- What else is not something, that is?  What a word play.  Another day when my head isn't feeling full and in the clouds.

See how in the clouds my brain is -- Geeze, so anyway I went to my monthly Doctors appointment and the NP was sick so she sat on the other side of the room.  I tried not to breathe the whole time in there, but that didn't work out so well :-)

Then I scoot to my next appointment, and that doctor is out sick *sigh*... So I work out my testing with someone else, and must go back the next day to see the doctor..  Here she is fresh from home after being out Sick -- Let me say - you can't talk to a doctor for over an hour without Breathing!!  I'm just saying, I can swim the length of a pool totally underwater but at some point, quickly I might add, talking and breathing just happen.

Well then I've got prescriptions to fill.  Where?  A Pharmacy where there are (of course) Sick people waiting for their prescriptions.  What are they using?  Yes!  Signing with the non-pen Pen and probably not using the non-soap, soap!  Two days later I was knocked flat.  Well it's been a week, and I think this bug just keeps traveling up and down  -- Coughing, give that a few days oh then joy, with or without body aches, then hey - let's heard up to insult your entire face, ears, nose... ohh then it's time to travel back down for another trip into the airways for more coughing fun!

Ok this isn't a great blog post, but the Good news is?  You are over --------------------> there where you can't  possibly catch this, because I am <----------------------here p="p">
The only saving grace about this was that I've had time to be on the internet and catch up playing Canasta, have my new sewing machines walking foot and special Stitch in the Ditch ordered and on it's way, been enjoying reading other blogs I don't get to often (cuz I'm Sewing! :-)

With the amazing weather, I was able to piece the back and sandwich my Easy Street Mystery Quilt on the driveway -- Always so thankful that most folks in my neighborhood LEAVE for work and don't see me tossing sheets on the driveway and kneeling and crawling around trying to flatten and get a backing on a large quilt -- Oh Joy to see them walking around on a weekend wondering what the hell that Crazy lady is up to now (and why I pushed myself too hard on Thursday, but got it done).

It's been sort of nice to spend days getting lost reading some of the most interesting blogs I've recently discovered!  Did you know about the Science, Fashion and other places you can find here in Blogland?  Amazing and worth taking time just to wander about.

LONG story short is that I'm expecting my walking foot to come in Monday and pray that I'm feeling good enough to begin to VERY long journey quilting my beautiful Easy Street Mystery Quilt!

Hope you are having a much better day!

:-Dee

Award for very small Bloggers? Why Yes

There is an Award for bloggers who have less than 200 folks following them -- well that's me and so many others :-)

I'm excited to have been nominated for the Liebster Award! Thank you so much to MadeByMammainPa!   This award is for up and coming bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. It's always good to know someone is reading our blogs and enjoying it. 

The rules for this award
1. List 11 facts about yourself
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you
3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award
4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate (this one may be hard as I am not sure if I know of 11 bloggers under this criteria)
5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog. 

Questions to me...
1) Are you a cat or dog person?

100% Cat-a-holic

2) If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation where would it be?

My own beach, no crowds, soft breeze, clean sand, soft water lapping, a tree giving a hint of shade with the breeze, always about 78 degrees, and my drinks brought to me.

3) What is your favorite color?

I love yellow but don't like to wear it - it just says sunshine and happiness when I see it.  

4) If you could go back in time and re-live any experience in your life what or when would it be?

uh oh -- Dad don't look (just kidding!!!) 

5)Do you have a favorite number?

Not really, I'm not a superstitious person.  No Friday 13th thing, black cats are good ones, lucky number 7 doesn't do anything for me.

6) Do you speak any other languages?

I learned ages ago to say some very bad words in Spanish (totally forgot how to say anything else).

7) If money and time were not a problem what would you go back to school for?

Maybe fabric design so I could create my own cute prints *but I know about Spoonflower* :-)

8) If you could move anywhere in the world where would you go?

No-where, I love being at home!  Yes I'm a nut but a nice Pecan.

9) What is you favorite movie of all time?

I don't like going out to movies, but enjoy watching comedies.  Tom Hanks Green Mile, Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean... Goldie Hawn 1st Wives Club, Ace Ventura Pet Detective I'm not good at picking just one.

10) Shoes or barefoot?

Barefoot!

11) Are you afraid of anything? 

Pit bulls and coyotes

========================

My Questions for the Next Bloggers are?

1.  Would you rather be on vacation, at home sewing, or out purchasing fabric?

2.  Do you have a favorite Author and who is it?

3.  Your favorite color

4.  What is your favorite thing to cook?

5.  Your least favorite cleaning activity?

6.  Do you think you spend more time sewing, or organizing your sewing area?

7.  When did you begin to sew and who taught you?

8.  What do you think of the current prices of fabric?  Going up, or going down and why?

9.  Do you have any pets?

10.  What is your favorite thing to do while sewing (radio, TV, nothing?)

11.  Why did you start your blog, and where do you think it is going?


I thank MadebyMammainPa.blogspot.com for dragging me into this hahahha  and here are other people with small blogs like me that post what they are up to, I do enjoy reading and sharing these.

My favorite is Quiltsareforgiving -- Can't believe they have less than 200 people!!  Seriously, BlogLand come on! haha

I like making things to give away -- Quilt for Kids, My Easy Street Quilt (Gasp, holy smokes batman, yes I know - this was 1500+ pieces and 2 months in the making and I'm selling it to raise money for an animal rescue group haha)... But here are 11 I nominate... Check them out, JOIN and enjoy.

http://quiltsareforgiving.blogspot.com/   

http://picklepatchquilter.blogspot.com/

http://atthetopofthehill.blogspot.com

http://madakamom.blogspot.com/

http://mary-quiltingrandma.blogspot.com/

http://emilyscupboard.blogspot.com/

http://dietingononeleg.blogspot.com/

http://fabadashery.blogspot.com/

http://weednstitch.blogspot.com/

http://wraggedypatches.blogspot.com/

http://wraggedypatches.blogspot.com/

Wed Night Thursday Morning

Set up my "new 2 me" sewing machine and finally made time to give it a good work out.  Instead of fooling around with scraps, I worked on my Book Case Quilt and am trying to finish all the between column sashes.  Machine threaded easy, bobbin winding via needle pretty cool, really love the scissors cutting my threads for me and the big foot pedal is ohh la la!

I set the machine for needle down and pivot, so it helped give me a 3rd hand during piecing.  So far the machines sewing great, so she was allowed to move into my sewing room - ugh fabric spewed all over.  That's for another day or a few nights of work.

One sash left, then both the Easy Street Mystery Quilt and Book Case quilt are ready for borders, backing and Quilting -- This Viking Sapphire has the lovely 10" harp, so I'm excited that the Easy Street Quilt will be her first challenge.  

Doctors later today so it's off to bed this cold morning... brrr need my little heaters around me.

Enjoy your beautiful Thursday.

Sneak Peak at Easy Street Mystery Quilt Sewn

Tuesday -- I'm done sewing the Easy Street Mystery Quilt Top together.  

Right now, this measures 64" square without the 2 borders (shown below).  

The title I'm playing with is "Singing for our Supper - Cats and Dogs"

Choices for 2 borders are:

Purples - The Solid was used and the 3 one over with small purple apples, but not the 2nd with the Hearts and other design.  That one may be a bit "too" much with everything else going on.

Turquoise or one with a Dog Bone print... While I'd like to use the Dog Bones print, it's a bit "busy" and OFF a shade or two away from the other Aquas and Turquoise I used.  The Batik looking Turquoise was used in some of the units in the quilt.  

Close up of the colors

I like these two -- The batik looking Turquoise and the Solid Purple.  But which will pop off the green outer border better?  I think the Solid Purple won't bounce off the Dark green as well as the Turquoise so I'll use that for the larger outer border and put the lighter Turquoise in a small inside border.  Maybe use the dog bone print for the binding?  

Final Decision time!  Cut, sandwich, get this quilted, bind and Up for Auction she goes.

Saturday Already!

Wow it seems like the New Year just began and it's Saturday, January 5th already!  Is it just me or is 2013 flying past??

If you haven't browsed through my blog, you've missed photo's of my cats because I sneak them in between posts here and there!  Well this post is about 2 that were rescued as dumped kittens.

So Who Loves Ya Baby??

Both rescued as dumped kittens in various states.  The adorable tortie orange/black and every other color is named Sandia (yes, rescued dying at 10 weeks old from Albuquerque, NM), and named for the Sandia Mountains.  She is more often called Sandy Baby or Mama's baby.  Her older black and white buddy I caught as a feral in a campground when he was about 3 months old, and he loves his Sandy Baby!  

Sandia came to national attention when I wrote her story for multiple animal rescue groups.  She weighed 1.7 pounds and struggled to live during the first 5 months of her life.  I won't post those photo's but believe me when I say it was an incredible struggle for both of us.  Her eyes told me she wanted to live, so every Monday we had standing Vet appointments.  Ear mites were only the 1st problem we tackled.  She lost control to hold her tiny ears up (then I found a wonderful Home Remedy).  She had intestinal worms and IBS, then mange where she lost almost all her kitten fur.  Yet we both struggled on.  Mentally I had to Save her, and she saved me!  She is now a Beautiful 6 year old and the only health problem is she has is Failure to Thrive.  If I am not around her for more than a few days, she gives up eating :-(  We have not been apart since I learned this 3 years ago.  

Little Lucky Streak was often seen "streaking" about a campground near Houston, Texas.  Lucky the folks camping there named him, as the rest of the litter was drowned!  His Streaking around so fast, no-one could catch him gave him the rest of his name.  Back then, he WAS "Little" too.  Patience, food and fresh water out with me sitting nearby finally won him over.  When it began to get cold, one night he jumped into my lap.  Snuggled under my sweater purring away, I promised him he could come into our 5th wheel and be loved.  That was 9 years ago and MANY pounds later -- at almost 25 lbs he decided he loves people and all the other rescues and adoptions we've had since.  Well except KayCee, but that is another story ;-)

Test Driving New Sewing Machines

OMG I was strolling through eBay and saw a used Viking 870 quilt machine.  It says it sews perfect and was just serviced.  Ok, so I put a bid in and 10 minutes later.... I GOT it!  It's schedule to arrive next week and I'll have it set up and take several days to give it a going over and have a sew-a-thon!  I'm praying it works like advertised so this will have a big enough harp to quilt larger Charity ones.  Can I say Yahooooooooooooo!!

=======================================

Well Easy Street took a Back Street Today :-)

I didn't work on finishing Block A because I'm got side tracked.  I need a new sewing machine.  I've done research on the internet, Consumer reports, other happy (or not so happy) buyer reviews, Amazon, eBay, and *drooled* at some very expensive and (for me) over the top machines.  After I made myself get back down into MY world --- I took time today to go test drive 4 at our the local Sew and Vac.  

My "newest" mechanical sewing machine is an 8 year old Pfaff.  Then there is my back up machine - a very old heavy metal Viking Selectra, and 2 Elna's from eons ago.  These only sew straight but I lucked out finding some Vintage Cams!  My goal for 2013 is to set up 1 working Elna and let her come back out and play with some fun designs.  But, in the mean time I have to get a new machine.

So, if your interested here are the one's I tested Button holes on, sewed seams and generally got the "feel" for.  All these are computerized which is like going from hmm driving a Volkswagen to a Lincoln??

Brother NX650Q - Click on the link if you want to see how "space age" it looks (pretty cool)  VERY nice button holes, had tons I don't need, and a bunch I never knew I need!  


Husqvarna Viking Opal - Very nice greenish/turquoise *pretty pebbles* on front yet not a large harp for shoving quilts under, but it sang and danced in all other regards


Pfaff 150th Tribute - Anniverary Edition - I believe there was a threading issue or something as the woman in the sewing center made the test buttonhole and it was a homey looking buttonhole... so I put that on a side list - It's above my price range anyway.  


MY NEW LOVES listed Below -- Viking please put a few of these on SALE!!!  Either one I would grab in a hot flash -- But they are $400 over what I want to spend *cry*.. We have a huge quilt show coming soon, so there is a ray of hope that a reduction in price will happen then.  *Pray, Sing, Dance, do the Hokie Pokie* to help make it happen!

Husqvarna Viking 140C -- This is their 140th year Edition and it is RED! omg CUTE and the BEST buttonhole ... I'm in love!

And only a teeny smidgen behind the Red one is ...  

Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 875Q -- Still above the price but less than either of the Anniversary Editions.  This has the nice 10" harp space for larger quilts and so much more.

The Brother and the Viking Opal are nice computerized machines but don't have the larger Harp.  *Argh* I don't like making decisions, even after being well informed.  

How can I possibly chose?  I want to spend my time sewing without the shopping, and most of all -- trying to decided on one.  Maybe they can just drop it at my Door step and let me get BACK to sewing LMAO!!!

Ok off I go to sew 

The Past 2 nights Cutting with my Rotary

1 Charm Pack and 1 Jelly Roll to be made into something.  Needed ideas so to the internet I went.  

Moda's website has ideas for quilts using Pre-Cuts.  It's a great way to search by what pre-cut you're using.  

A Layer Cake, Turnovers, Charm Packs, Jelly Rolls -- Hope you aren't on a diet, they have such delicious names don't they?

Another good "idea" place is you-tube.  You can get lost in space there for hours and get side-tracked. 

Better than spending time online, I dug for more fabric (much more enjoyable time).  After I found part of a black tone on tone leftover Jelly Roll, I had an idea of a Book Case looking Quilt.  

I know this can be sewn like the Chinese Coins, or Coin Quilts.  If I add 1 black rectangle at the bottom of so many blocks or xyz number of coins, I bet it can be made into what I want with the fabric I have.  Now it's coming together so I got started.  

One Charm Pack called *Tranquility* Click on the link to see it, or buy one

1 cute Striped Jelly Roll (can't remember where I got these, but cute enough to nab 2!)  

For the Sashings and "Book Ledges", I'll use black tone on tone Jelly Roll strips.  

Cut the Charm Pack in 1/2 -- So they are 2 1/2" by 5" rectangles (Toss into a box)

Cut the 2 1/2" Stripped Jelly Roll strips into 5" lengths (Toss into a Box)

Cut the Black tone on tone 2 1/2" strips into 5" lengths (Don't Toss into a Box! Lay these by the side of your Sewing Machine)

Reach in and mix the rectangles in the box up.  Make sure to pick out any hunks of colors that want to stick together hahaha "Scrappy" not my style?  Well this needs to be to scrappy to get this look, imho.

Chain pieces these together by grabbing any 2 out of the box (but not 2 that actually match), and sew along the Long side.  Remember to make 2-Sets using a black rectangles sewn to the bottom.  If I had one that appeared cut a bit longer, put that piece and feed it through the bottom so the feed dogs help keep it more even.  Make sure 1 side of each Column stays the "most" even, the other side you can trim a bit but begin each Column with 1 side straight.  

1/4" seam allowance Yadda yadda 

Chain piecing is so relaxing because I love to cut and get right to sewing.  After piecing all the pairs together it was a good time to lay them out and design each Column. 

You should probably COUNT how many sets you made and then figure out how many you want in each Column, and how many Columns with sashing you want this across.  You do have to plan where you want the Black bookcase "shelves" to sit - How many sets of 2 before you sew in a Shelf black set.   

That said, I noticed my 1st Column was on the carpet before I stopped piecing... Cool, so I made 6 of those to match that length.  Measure?  Me?  Hmm Well that is when I had my *light bulb over the head* moment.  You should really count how many you want in each Column and plan this part out 1st hahaha!

My six columns measured out to be 110" long.  I chose to begin each one with a Black rectangle sewn onto the top so I won't have to sash the top of this Bookcase.  Then I used three of the 2 sets down the column before I added another 2 set for the Shelf.  This shelf had one "normal" piece with a black rectangle sewn on the Bottom of that pair.

When I measured a spare bedroom queen mattress, it was about 74" long.  So back to the design table to lay out each column.  I moved them around to get a varied placement of the colors and stripes.  Un-picked my columns at 72" so I can add a small border later and made sure the black is the last rectangle at the end of each column.

After my six originals were un-sewn and measured, I used the left-over sections to make 2 more columns across.  I picked out a few strips to make sure the black book "shelf" stays in the same place every Column, but that worked out well.  

Iron all the seams.  Since I'm going to sash between each Column (and not sew them together), press them by alternating which direction for each column should keep this from getting wobbly.  

After pressing, number the top rectangle of each column to remember the order that looks good.  I use a Frixion Pink Highlighter by Pilot.  I love the bold bright ink and the best?  It removes with heat, so the next pressing it will disappear :-)

I personally need to look at things and kinda "step" back to see it.  Today I took photo's with the sashing strips just placed on the columns so I can check again  to make sure it has the look I want.  

The great thing about having a 96" race track table is to be able to lay out designs and have a room to move them about.  

(That red Box top has Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street Mystery Quilt Clue pieces cut and sewn ready for today's clue - It has been posted, but I'm kinda tied up the next few days until I can SEE my rotary mat under this :-)

Two Columns were moved because colors came together that looked too matchy.  This is easy to see after you look at the photo's online.  So if I cut the stripes the right direction for these, it should lend to the Books on a Shelf look I want.  How do you think I did?

Top 1/2

Bottom 1/2

 This is before I noticed Column 5, 6 and 7 all "appeared" to have the orange/purple/yellow stripe too close and moved them.

Alright, my Grandson's flight arrived and he is here!

Tonight we're drying the cherries with stems on to prepare to make our annual Mice Candy.  We both take these to the local Animal Shelter to surprise the workers.  You can bet there are not many folks that THANK them for the impossible job they have.  Well, we appreciate the work they do for our large city.  This is what my oldest grandson and I make together and Don't tell the Shelter who I am *shhh* This is a secret between you, my grandson and myself!

Happy Friday all

Sewing After Midnight

My favorite time to sew - After Midnight

Yesterday more fabric arrived, and I had finished a small quilt to give to my neighbors (the table topper with White thread on the Green Back!) -- Today is the cookie exchange block party so I'm glad it's off my plate aka sewing machine and at my neighbors.  Thank goodness she doesn't sew and thought it was just lovely!   Phew You can read about that hot mess on my blog page titled - Set Those Stitches Free(tm).  That's my crazy sense of humor if you're interested.

-- So about midnight, I laid out the quilt design for my Dad -- bowling fabric!  This will only be about a lap size, and along the way I've found a few cool techniques and patterns to do.  

Here is a couple of links to make the blocks (or columns) Quilted before you join them, how to join them after quilting, and how to make a Reversible quilt -- Very Cool techniques!  Search you-tube and it's amazing what you can find :-)  I want this Crazy Shortcut Quilts book!  

Crazy Shortcut Quilts


Sharon Pederson Presents Reversible Quilts

So here is the basic layout for my Dad's lap sized quilt, using the Charm School Blocks link below.  

By Nancy's Notions - Charm School Blocks EASY!

I have to add more fabric to make this bigger, but I've already sewn the 5 columns x 6 (cut and sewn) in a few hours!

GREAT fabric for someone who loves to bowl!

I am going to try this technique I found online.

How to stitch a Quilt in 90 Minutes

Nothing I make takes only 90 minutes, but I hope something in here will help make things a bit easier as Christmas is coming, and I have TOO many things I still want to make and finish.

Tried this method, machine sewn quilt as you go - But my seams were kinda wonky like her's are in the video -- Brilliant plan, but I'm not there yet and ripped them out.

Machine Quilt as you go - Rose Ludlow

So I'm heading back to the cookie exchange -- I noticed another neighbor is having their 2nd child, and I've made a Girl and Boy topper about lap size.  They are done and waiting for backing and quilting to finish... Now I need the estimated due date :-)  

STTF! Set Those Threads Free(TM)

Every time I read about SID (stitch in the ditch), the acronym looks like some bad disease you wouldn't want to tell your friends about.
  
Well, many quilters hide their lovely seams by using the SID method, and/or by secret use of Invisible Thread on top, and the use of a matching thread for the fabric's back.    

Never feel the shame of this flawless technique again!  

It is time to STTF(TM)!!   Set Those Threads FREE(TM)

We can begin using this hot, new trend right now. How you ask?  Well this marvelous technique can be taught to almost anyone in mere Seconds!  

Yes, just seconds - How revolutionary is that!

Now you can read and marvel over just a few of these Secret Tips...  
Available on this blog for a Limited Time!

1. Wind your bobbin (several should be used) full of Bright White for your darkest backing - Set Those Threads Free(TM)!  Black thread would be most stunning against a white quilted fabric backing don't you think?
2. Use those unloved colors of thread to Highlight your beautiful seam work on the top, or both and STTF(TM)!
3. If you find you are unable to break yourself of the infectious SID habit, please attempt Tip #3.  Quilt over the center seam (especially if it's inset), several times back and forth to fluff up the batting, while tugging lightly to make it a little Wonky!  Yes, you KNOW Wonky Blocks are the rage, so why not STTF(TM)?  You too can receive a bonus when highlighting your wonky centers, YOUR blocks angles are overlooked -- Seriously, How Cool is that!!

I am willing to show you a few of these great STTF(TM) techniques!  

Ahh a lovely example of Tip #1 -- Always put WHITE thread in your bobbin when using a DARK fabric for the back to your quilt.  Look how lovely the white POPS against the dark color, shows the great stitching and STTF(TM).  Imagine your bobbin filled with black thread, quilting on an exquisite white background.... Your stitches are magnificent, why hide them when you too can "Set Those Threads FREE(TM)"!

Below is an example of this FAST Growing Technique -- An unloved boring cone of thread.  Set against some bright Reds, several shades of Green with other Christmas accents and what a great use of Tip #2.

Above please observe -- Tip #3 was achieved AT THE SAME TIME -- 

Wonky Centers!!  

Now YOU TOO can become part of this Terrific movement -- Set Those Threads Free(TM)!  

Available for a limited time only, use of photo's in this blog are not available for distribution or sale, legal issues by the State of Arizona are used wherein, as set forth by the Quilters for STTF(TM) movement.  Each state's laws may differ, be sure to check with your local Quilting authority to be approved and certified for this technique.  No Animals were harmed in the making or photography of this STTF(TM) technique.

Sandia's story achieved local and national fame, published in an Albuquerque, NM newspaper and Highlighted in Alley Cat Allies.  Dumped and dying as a 10 week old kitten, I scooped her up and took her home to save me!  5 Months of weekly appointments with a caring Vet, she sailed past 1.7 pounds, picked up her fallen ears and wanted to LIVE!  At 5 1/2 years old, she is my hearts delight.  Checkerboard orange and black down her front and stomach, one leg mottled, the other Sand colored with dots, another Tabby stripes with a precious tiny dot of white on the top of her head (My Kissy Spot!).  I thank God for this precious one.  She saved me as much as I saved her.  We need each other.  She has only had 1 on-going issue - she has failure to thrive and if I travel she MUST come with.   One month I had surgery and had to be in a more sterile environment, she  quit eating and began to spiral downward.  Upon a Vet checkup, the only issue they could imagine was, she needs me as much as I need her in my life.

I hate to get all "chatty cathy" about my life -- Maybe this is why I'm not great at Blogs... I don't want to talk about my kids, grandchildren, health issues or other stuff.  I ADORE talking about my sewing, my crafts and my cats - The rest is life.

, 

Thursday Fun aka I'm using the Rotary Cutter!

I love to sew after midnight.  The house is quiet, it's dark and you know there isn't anyone coming "a callin".  The cats are snoozing and the next thing I know the sun is up and I'm still at it!

After my blocks were done for Easy Street, I keep moving on Christmas things.  I've read the Fence Rail block was good though I've done others I thought were harder, what the heck.  

This is suppose to be a Fence Rail block but I used a Christmas Jelly Roll so I'm not sure of the look.  Well I pieced them together with Diamonds, and hunted for sashing fabric.  I put them up against Red - Whoa way too much!  

This bolt is a lot brighter than the photo shows.  White on White was ok, but just ok.  There was some soft blue in this, but to me it's not good with Christmas prints.  I jumped all over the Deep Hunter Green!  

These came out good, so I watched a You-Tube (uh oh).  

Quilt as you go (or something like that, Fun and Done?)  Well it sounded good to me for a smaller project, and it started out pretty well.  

Cut the backing larger than the block, add the batting, then the top -- and Quilt.  Hard to mess the back up when you don't have to lug around a big wad with hand sewing, pins inserted or squishing to get near center. 

OhMyGawd I just remembered I bought BASTING SPRAY!!!  2 cans Ho Lee Chit!  oh man oh man... well it's 10:30 AM, I'm doing this blog and going to bed. 

So here is where I began about 1:30.   

After you quilt, make sure to move the backing fabric away and trim the batting -- Ok.  

Iron the Hunter Green and cut 14" blocks.  Layer them and pin.  Easy enough so far right?  I'll go quilt a few blocks and see how this goes.  

There's my rotary cutter -- It's a Fiskers but the stripes tickle me and it suits me.  Cut excess batting off -- So far not bad.  Think I'll quilt a couple more blocks while I still have plenty of bobbin thread ready.

After you cut the excess batting off, lay them right fabric sides, back to back and sew together.  When I came back out to re-watch the You-Tube I couldn't get it to run again!  Ok, tried restarting the browser, nope.  Alright, reboot the computer -- NO!  hmm just try to remember (heaven help me).

I know you're suppose to wind up with 2 back pieces sticking up between them, so that you can turn that fabric and make it look like sashing.

  

Here are two from the sewing machine.  Ok now I see I did NOT move the backing far enough away on 1 of them.  


Plan B - Cut that side off with the hole, and use the excess from the other to turn and make "sashing".   ***Do NOT Attempt at 4 am***

ARGH, now the lines don't match.

*Sigh* The sun is up and so is my husband -- Will grind and make him a fresh pot of coffee, give the cats their 1/2 and 1/2 and grab a nap.  Where DID the night go??



oh say hi to Lucky -- This is his favorite position before he rolls over and lays upside down like a Penguin!  Buddy Belly Boy

Hope the computer acts right when I get up!!









zzzzzzzzzzz