I Have an Idea......

After teaching a class a couple of weeks ago, I had (what I thought was) a bright idea.

I've been quilting for 20 years now.  (Just writing that makes me feel very old....since I didn't start until well into adulthood....).  Anyway, there is lots of quilting lore, tips and magic that I take for granted.  In talking to new(ish) quilters, I have realized that many of us old-timers take so much for granted that we forget to share the tidbits.  I LOOOOOOVE sharing the tidbits and seeing the light bulb go off in another quilter's eyes, but let's face it - my job keeps me away from more of the face-to-face contact with my quilting peeps than I'd like on a daily basis.

So, how would you like for me to do a weekly posting regarding some of the small things that I just assume everybody already knows but may not?  Or would that be boring?  It might be basic quilting knowledge, or a helpful hint, or a product review, or something else entirely.  I certainly don't want to sound condescending; I truly want to share what I know with all of you.  And I admit that I don't know it all, but I have tried a lot of different things and I have learned much "the hard way", if you know what I mean!

So, what do you think?  Would you find "Tidbit Thursday" a helpful thing?  What do you want to know about?  Should I do this?

One Week, One Thing - February 27

Okay.  So we're approaching the end of the second month of doing this One Week, One Thing journey.  Is ANYBODY (besides Lori) still in this with me? 

It's okay if you're not.  I won't tell.  But I kinda like it.  Since I am trying to be more DELIBERATE with my time this year, this pledge along with my Photo365 app has kept me focused and on track.  And being focused and on track is never a bad thing, especially for me.

This week was a rough one.  It was really crazy at work (Fat Tuesday, anybody?) and I was flat-out tired.  There were 3 days this past week where I didn't even pick up a needle or touch a piece of fabric.  That's the first time this year that I haven't done SOMETHING each day.  I feel kinda guilty about it, but it is what it is.  I need to get over it.  A giant nap yesterday just could not be avoided.

I did get the binding made for Amish With a Twist.  So as soon as I get it back from the quilter, I'm ready to roll.

I also made a sample quilt top using our new Papillon fabrics from Moda.  This will be a kit in the store as soon as we can cut up the fabrics.

The colors are much better in person; this photo was taken with my phone!

My goal for this week is to bind the Amish With A Twist if I get it back, and to quilt and bind the Papillon sample.

One Week, One Thing - February 21

I'm a day late on this post because yesterday was CRAZY!!!  Trying to get everything done this am before we open the doors for Fat Tuesday!

I finished piecing the Amish With a Twist quilt top!!!!  Here it is all folded up and ready to hand off to my machine quilting friend.

So, I had a little bit of time on my hands.  I piddled around with projects already started.

I made 5 more Lego blocks out of scraps

4 Farmer's Wife blocks

Mug Rug bonus project from Amish With a Twist BOM

I also started 2 and finished 1 Marti Michell House template pillows to feature fabric lines in the store.

Urban Cowgirl by Urban Chicks

Domestic Bliss by Liz Scott

Garden Wall by Laura Gunn

It's another crazy week, but I need to get the binding made for Amish With a Twist so that I'm ready to go once the top is quilted. 

What's your One Thing this week?

Pin Cushion and Mug Rug Swaps

We held our first hand-made item swap last Monday - we swapped Pincushions!

We had a wide variety of styles and fibers - it was great and everybody was thrilled with the cushion they received!

Our next swap will be Mug Rugs!  What's a mug rug, you ask?  It's larger than a fabric coaster - the thought is that it you can place a mug of your favorite beverage on it and have room for a snack, too!  I went looking for inspiration to show you, and found tons of examples on Flickr as well as Pinterest.

1. 85.365, 2. My Mug Rug, 3. Pretty Rug/Happy Mug, 4. A little mug rug ..., 5. dreamy mug rug, 6. a scrappy mug rug, 7. Mug Rug, 8. star mug rug, 9. mug rug swap 2

If you'd like to join us for the Mug Rug swap, you can call us and we'll put you on the list.  You can use any sewing method or style of your choosing; the only parameter is that it must be larger than 4"x4" and smaller than 10"x10".  Square, rectangle or round - your choice!

Our Swap Party will be held on Monday, April 9 at 6pm.  Even if you can't make it to the actual swap party, we'd be glad to swap on your behalf.  We'd love for you to add your creativity to our group!

One Week, One Thing - February 13

I bet you thought I wasn't going to post today!  Are you still plugging along on your One Week, One Thing Challenge?

I'm still pecking away on the Amish With a Twist BOM sample.  I did get the applique finished on all 4 borders, and I even got one border attached to the quilt center.

Tonight is our first swap of 2012 at the shop, and it's a pincushion swap.  I made two cushions from a pattern I found on Pinterest (you are on Pinterest, aren't you??) - one to swap and one to keep.  They were fairly easy to construct.

I'm also making progress on my Double Diamonds English Paper Piecing project.  I'd say it's about 3/4 done.  I'm running out of room to photograph it in my bedroom!

My goal is to sew a bunch this week - the hubs is out of town all week and I don't have a slew of evening engagements.  I intend to finish the Amish With a Twist top and get it loaded on the longarm for quilting!  Wish me luck!

What's YOUR plan this week?

One Week, One Thing - February 6

I'm still at it!

This past week, I continued to work on the Amish With a Twist sample.  I did get the center complete and the piano key border attached.

Now to work on the applique bordrers.  The lesson in the pattern uses a freezer paper and starch method for applique; I have chosen to machine applique using Wash-Away Applique sheets.  I glued down the seam allowances during the Super Bowl.

I've also continued to peck away at my Double Diamonds EPP project.  I've now got one half put together.  It still needs half and quarter blocks to complete the bottom edge, but it's getting there!

I have several meetings during the evenings this week, so my sewing time will be limited.  My goal for the upcoming week is to make serious headway on the applique borders on the Amish With a Twist top.

What did you do this past week?