Month: June 2017

Holy Cow, I can’t believe I made it -One Monthly Goal

I did not think I could get it done.  My QADD (quilting Attention deficit disorder) took over, as expected.

Funny thing, I found this task less daunting if I just did 20 minutes here and there, which is what I did.  It worked, got it done.

Weird colors (leftovers) and super simple design.  These were leftovers from the second quilt I ever made.  I obliviously had no idea how much fabric it took to make a quilt because I actually bought enough to make 2.  Pretty sure it qualifies as a UFO.

I will show some up close evidence of my quilting once I get it trimmed and bound.

My daughter is holding it sideways though, it was to long for her.  So next quilting job I will have to use some of my new skills , from last weekends workshop.  Now it is just trimming and binding.  Not sure I will make that my next goal. I will have to see.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your Family

 

 

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I am not alone…

Spent Saturday at the local quilt guild’s Quilt-In.  They had a guest speaker teaching free20170624_114256_resized motion quilting.  I learned quite a few things, many techniques I was not familiar with.  I actually made quite  fantastic feather.  However, somehow I do not have a photo of it.  I think the biggest thing I got out of it was how not to be too critical and be adventuresome with new designs.  I actually feel like I my be able to venture out.  First I will have to finish my “One Monthly Goal” for June, then I can move onto another top where maybe I can try a new technique.  It was also interesting to see that many others struggled with the actual quilting part the way I do.  I am not alone.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

A Sentimental Blast from the Past

In July, the quilt guild is having a garage sale for quilting fabric/items.  I was going through some boxes looking for things I could part with (more like make room for more) and came across this embroidered item.

Right away it brought tears to my eyes.  I made this from a kit that Oma sent me from Germany.  She knew I was crafty and often sent me something she knew I would like to do.  She also sent me a piece of silverware for my collection.  I so remember looking at that silver fork and looking at my mother wondering why I always got silverware from her on my birthday and at the holidays (along with the crafty items).  My mother would always tell me that I will appreciate it later.  While I hated getting utensils as a present when I was a kid, Mom was right.  I certainly do appreciate it now.  I have an entire set of silver for 12.  It is something I truly cherish.  Every holiday I think of her and my mother when I get it out.

Since Oma died when I was in my late teens, I imagine this piece is pretty old.  Maybe 40 years or close to it.  Once I ironed it, it was perfect.  Originally I think it was made to hang on your front door.  I may still do that, but not until I add something quilty.    I am thinking it needs to be colorful, hot pinks, oranges, lime greens.  Not sure of design yet, but I may keep it simple so not to take away from the embroidery and Oma’s memory.

Tomorrow I am going to a quilt in.  Yeah.  Can’t wait to spend the day with my friend Lynn doing what we love.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

Focusing on one project…Not likely to happen.

It is not possible for me to focus on one project.  Just can’t happen.  Sometimes I do better than others, but this past weekend, I was all over the place.  I need to work on my One Monthly Goal, and I did, but not nearly enough.  I would quilt a few inches and go on to something else.

This weekend, the quilt guild has an all day workshop for machine quilting that Lynn and I are going to.  I need to prepare some practice sandwiches.  It should take like 15 minutes to do a bunch of them.  Did I get it finished.  Nope.  I got a few done and my mind wandered to something else.  I went back to piecing the quilt above.  I have no idea what this is going to look like and I over complicated things (even though it does not look complicated).  I put it on my design wall and was initially going to have columns of 30.  Then I changed to 26, but did not adjust on my design wall.  Normally it would not be hard, but the colors go down/up down up, so I can’t just grab the next 26.  Every other row I have to work from the bottom up or the colors will look goofy.  When I get it all pieced it will make sense, I hope.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your family

Just have to say…..More quilting money

So, a while back I had a blog post about more money for quilting.  It was using a couple of grocery store apps called Ibotta and Checkout51.  They let you earn money back on everyday things you buy at the grocery store. It really is stuff you already buy.  Bread, bacon, potatoes etc…

I am not usually a big proponent of apps or shopping apps.  However, when I saw this on the nightly news I had to look.  I decided I would give it a try.  Just my nature to try something at least once.

This brings me to my point.  I needed some fusible web, and a couple of pieces of Kona, and a couple of other miscellaneous items.  I spent about 90$, then with my coupons got it down to $61.00.  I used 3-$20.00 gift cards I got instantly form the Ibotta  shopping app (because I had been using it at the grocery store) when I cashed in and paid $1.01 for my bag of goodies.  Then scanned my Joann’s receipt into the same Ibotta app and earned an additional $6.00 back for next time.  I love a great deal, especially when it involves my favorite stuff.

I try not to take money out of the regular budget to feed my quilting addiction, so it makes me really happy when I can get a bag of goodies and pay nothing for it (or at least very little) and no one is the wiser.  Just thought I would mention it for those who have to eat and quilt and sometimes hide their quilting purchases.  Sort of free money.  I would love to send you a link as I can earn points, but that is not why I am telling you.  It is just so us quilters/crafters can feed our habit without feeling too guilty.  If you are interested, please email me at labrewer@gmail.com and I will send you a link.

Even if you don’t like to buy fabrics @ Joanns, they sell plenty of other supplies we all need.  In the words of my daughter, “just sayin”.  Have a great Day.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your family

Some Progress here and there and a Liebster Award?

20170612_115154_resizedWell, I ignored “My one Monthly Goal for the weekend”, since I was mad at this project.  Finally got back to it on Sunday and things went better.  No more crazy Loops.

Did a little bit of my English Paper piecing while lounging on the couch.

Did some cutting for a couple of projects in the works.  Once is for my daughter.  I would tell you all about it, but she is nosey and occasionally reads my blog in hopes that I mention her.  Hello Haley. Lol.

Tracy from It’s a T-Sweets Day nominated me for a Liebster award.

What is the Liebster Award?

liebster

The Liebster Award is an award that exists only on the internet, and is given to bloggers by other bloggers. The earliest case of the award goes as far back as 2011. Liebster in German means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.  For a link to the rules please see The Golden Aussie.

As  a nominee, I am to list 10 facts about myself”

1.) I am a widow twice.  Working on getting my own show on the ID channel.

2.) I was not supposed to have any children, yet my daughter was born 4 weeks before my 40th birthday

3.) I have an MBA in executive management (boring).

4.) I am the crazy dog lady.  I have four and have rescued many including multiple large batched of puppies.

5.) I love sports.

6.) I love to cook.  Kevin got me Gordon Ramsay cooking lessons for my birthday.

7.) I used to be foster parent to teen age boys

8.) I have three sisters.

9.) I am honest to point that it sometimes gets me in trouble.

10.) I have a fabric store in my utility room (not really, just enough to have one though)

My nomination for this award comes from the very talented Tracy from Tracy @It’s a T-Sweets Day.   As a nominee, Tracy has asked me 10 questions.  They are as follows:

  1. How did you get started quilting or sewing or crocheting? – My grandmother.  When I was young 6 or seven, I would sit at her sewing machine and sew together all the sample fabrics she got from Blair’s clothing.
  2. If you could have one present, what would it be? To have my husband Derrick back.  I miss him so much.
  3. What is your favorite sewing tool? – I have an Aldo Quilt Cut, which is very helpful.
  4. What has been your favorite blog post? That is a hard one.  I would say anything that has a finish in it.
  5. Who has been your inspiration? All the women in my life.  My mother who left her family behind to come to America and my Grandmother.  Both survived World War II in Germany.
  6. What is your favorite food? – Unfortunately, I love them all. A favorite would be German food.  It reminds me of Mom
  7. When do you blog? Weird times, whenever I can.
  8. Did your mother sew? No, but she got a sewing machine so we could do things and Home-ec for school.
  9. What makes a perfectly SWEET day at your house? No drama
  10. What advice would you give to future sewer/bloggers? Not one of us started out getting it all right.  It does take practice and patience.  Great friends can be made through blogging.

I have to admit, learning about Tracy was interesting.  I sometimes picture what I think someone looks like or imagine what age they are.  I was certainly wrong.  For some reason I thought Tracy was much younger than myself.  Like in her 30’s.  I was wrong.  She must be young at heart for sure. Great minds think alike.

Now for the fun part…. I get to choose some nominees! They are:

Quilting Queens-https://quiltingqueens.wordpress.com/  Some of the most beautiful appliqued quilts and a wonderful person that understands the quilting community.

Jodi Richelle @ https://jodierichelle.wordpress.com/category/my-home/ – Jodi always takes the time to comment or offer valuable advice with sewing/quilting and cooking.

Sandy and Cindy at Gray Barn Designs at https://graybarndesigns.com/ – Beautiful quilts and great information.

I hope you’ll play along.  Here are my questions,

1.) Who inspired you to quilt/sew

2.) If you could meet one person you have never met , who would it be?

3.) What was the last movie you saw in the theater?

4.) What kind of music do you like?

5.) what is your favorite quilt/sewn project/craft.

6.) What is your favorite candy bar?

7.) Hand quilt or machine quilt?

8.) What is your favorite color?

9.) what id your favorite quilting/crafting item?

10.) Do you work on one project or many.

Your turn, nominate your favorites.

Happy Quilting

Happy Sewing and Treasure your Family

 

Test Block and more dog bones….

So, I decided to make a test block.  Wanted to see if I would like it and how big a pain in the butt it would be.  Not difficult at all, so we are OK there.  I think I may need to make a few additional blocks to see if I will like it and how it will work out.  I don’t want to use the same colors throughout.  Sort of want it scrappy, while retaining the light/dark effect.  Not sure how that will be, so I will make a couple more blocks.

20170607_205511_resizedThen, I finished English Paper Piecing my Dog Bone dresser scarf.  Only one more piece left to do, Kev’s dresser.  He really needs one because he has a habit of throwing change and screwdrivers, whatever is in his pocket, on our expensive bedroom furniture.  I had never bought bedroom furniture.  Always had second hand stuff.  Finally, in my fifties, I get my own, brand new bedroom furniture and I really like it.  So, I need to protect it with my dog bone dresser scarves.

 

It is also my crazy dog, Moka’s, second birthday and I am the 20170428_200049_resizedcrazy dog lady, so I will stop and get her something delicious on my way home or take her for ice cream.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

Quilt Guild Blocks—not my style

So the local quilt that I participate is making string blocks for quilts that they will sell at a fund raiser for the group.  They pass out block kits to members.  I made mine, but have a hard time imagining that I will like this quilt.  It is a great way to use scraps for sure, but I am not sure I will like the end product.  But, I guess I don’t have to like it, it is not for me.  They used foundation paper from Missouri Star Quilt, which did make it simple and fast.  They are wonky looking because they have not been trimmed.

Epic Fail on my one monthly goal this past weekend.  I sat down and started to sew.  I got about 12 inches and realized that something did not sound right.  Yep. 5 trillion loops on the back side.  Somehow my machine was suddenly threaded incorrectly.  Of course i started pulling it out, but it is just not possible because I can’t really get to the underside of the quilt when it is on the frame.  I think I will just have to go on and pull all of it out  after I am finished and have taken the quilt out of the frame. Now I am mad at it (more myself) and don’t want to work on it. Ugh….

I went o my second quilt Guild meeting and I still like it.  They are having a quilt supply only garage sale next month.  Looking forward to getting rid of a few items i will never use.  They are also have a Saturday all day machine quilting thingy.  They have someone teaching free motion quilting or you can just sew whatever you like.  Looking forward to a day not doing the usual Saturday activities.  Fortunately, Kev is very supportive of these things.  Always encourages me to get out of the house.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

Dare I? My One Monthly Goal for June

Being that May was not my best month for getting what I want done in my quilting world, I am hesitant to make my June goal, the entire quilting of a UFO.  I hate failure, so maybe it will be a good push for me to try and get it done.  Fingers Crossed.  But I may have lost my mind.

Since I am doing a fairly simple design, I put it on my John Flynn Quilt frame. I have finally gotten to the point where I am pretty good at getting these things rolled up and lined up properly on it.  Not a bad tool for those of us that don’t have long arms. Someday, in my dreams…. after I am done educating my child maybe….ho hum. Til then, I will manage.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your Family

Elm Street Quilts