Whatcha' Readin'?

I'll be linking up with Judy L. over at Patchwork Times...  :)

I'm currently reading the book Ten Years Later, by Hoda Kotb. It is a non-fiction collection of stories regarding six different people "who faced adversity and transformed their lives" (book cover description). As an example, one story is about a woman who lost well over 300 pounds and was nearly killed in an abusive relationship, and how she is doing after ten years (I struggle to not say how she is doing in my blog post - you'll have to read it to find out). I've read through the first story so far (the one of the woman above), and look forward to reading more!


Amazon's description includes the following: "Ten Years Later is a firsthand testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Through inspirational life stories, Hoda shows how adversity can unleash our best qualities: resilience, perseverance, gratitude, empathy, and creativity. This book will inspire you to believe in the future, no matter how dark the present, and tap into the ability to reach your highest potential."

UPDATE: This book is great for people who can't, or don't want to, sit and read an entire book in one or two sittings.  Each person's story is basically it's own "chapter," so you can read a story at a time.  Also, the stories vary in length, too, so you can choose to read longer or shorter stories depending on how much time you have.  Example - the first story is 35 pages, the second story is 63 pages, and the third story is just 22 pages long.  Nice.

UPDATE #2 (2/19/2013)
Ok, I'm still reading this book!  I've only been able to read a little bit at a time.  I do hope to finish in the next week.  :)

Design Wall Monday

Linking up with Judy L over at the Patchwork Times!

I'm thrilled to have a NEW project up on the design wall today!  I took a class on Saturday.  The pattern is "Crazy Cats" by the Buggy Barn, which is in the book "Undeniably Crazy."  I finished one entire cat, and the "bodies" of two others.  (the nose does show up better "in real life")

Yesterday afternoon, I finished the faces (whiskers included) of the other two cats and am happy to say that I remembered the proper technique!  Yes - I learned in class that reading directions really helps - a LOT!  :)

I really love these cats, and I love the Buggy Barn technique even more!  It would be similar to paper piecing (the final results, anyway), if I had to give an explanation.  However, there is no paper to sew through!  You do use wax paper to copy the master design, then iron that onto the top of a stack of fat quarters.  But, after that, no more paper.  PHEW, because I don't think I am particularly great at paper piecing.  I sew the "sections" nicely, but when it's time to sew the sections together, they come out warped.  Ok, not always, but sometimes.  In my opinion, "sometimes" is not OK.  So I've been avoiding that process altogether!  So, with this process, the block sections turn out "wonky," as you can see in the photo above.  Each time you sew on a new piece, you straighten ONLY the edge you're sewing.  So, when I go to add the kitty ears, the top of the faces will be straightened out.  Simple as that.  And when the entire block is complete, you then square it up to a certain size.  It's not really close, either - there is plenty to cut off & not much chance you'll mess it up!  

I would recommend this pattern to a very comfortable beginner or experienced quilter.  You'll have a lot of fun!

Choosing Fabric = FUN!

My cousin, Jackie, and I are taking a quilting class together in.... 11 days, and I sat down a few days ago to gather my fabrics together.  The pattern we will be doing is Boston Logs, by Little Miss Sloppy. Love this pattern!  I was having a really hard time deciding what colors to use in my quilt.  I thought about doing something similar to the quilt on the pattern's photo - beige/cream and one other color.  But, what other color?  I was looking at all of my piles (and piles & piles & piles) of fabric and came across the stack of black/white/red fabrics.  That's when a lightbulb went off!  I decided on the following fabrics:  

Red, black and white!!!!  This is a color combination that I've been wanting to use for YEARS!  I imagine it won't be my only quilt with this combo, but I'm really excited to be starting my first on 2/21/2013.  

The top/left "musical notes" fabric is probably my favorite b/w/r, and I think I'm going to need to buy more of it because I just can't stop loving on it!  I'm not a musician, I don't sing (well, I DO, but I shouldn't...).  However, this fabric just really touches me.  It's like I don't WANT to use it, because then I won't have it for/in my stash anymore!  Am I the only one who ever has this problem?  

Another thing I'm doing here is mixing batiks with non-batiks.  So far, I think the fabrics are all going to work really well together!  

We will be taking the class at my favorite LQS - Fiddlesticks.  Love that store!  

Cleanin' Up

Ever since I started blogging, I've blogged & stopped a number of times.  Things always interrupt my creative process - furthering my education, new jobs, etc..  Whatever the reason, "lulls happen."  Well, I've been "back" for a few weeks now, and I think it's time to clean things up!  I had clicked on a link and found it not to be working, so I went through all of the "blogs I browse" and the boxy-links on the right and got rid of a bunch of stuff.  I hope it's more user friendly now!  I guess this opens up some space for me to browse some new blogs ~ maybe even some knitting stuff!

I am still wanting to create a linky box (aka: "linky thingy") for my blog.  I have NO idea where to start, but I do know I want something with owls.  I'm thinking of creating an appliqué quilt block, then photographing it.  I'll use that for my artwork.  Does that sound about right?  I really don't want to pay for someone else to do this... Any ideas/thoughts are more than welcome!  

Design Wall Monday

I finally finished all of my Buck-a-Block blocks (actually Buck-for-TWO-Blocks) this past week.  Now I need to do the frames for all of the blocks, sashing & corner squares, and borders.  I hope to do much or all of that this next week.  All of the half-square triangles were done with Thangles, which I absolutely LOVE!  

I really love the colors in this quilt.  The pink is a pomegranate color, which I think is actually part of the name of some of the batiks.  It's pretty girly, so I will just "have" to claim it as my own when it's done.  Poor me!  ;)

I am guessing that I will be using a form of beige thread for quilting, but I haven't decided on the quilting pattern yet.  Probably something simple for this one.  I'm totally OK with simple & this isn't a quilt that demands something complicated.

I did the 2011-2012 BOM through The Quilting Loft in Seattle and I will be linking up with Judy L's Design Wall Monday blog post at the Patchwork Times.

Product Review ~ Bobbin Keeper Thingy

Ok, so I know a couple of people I've talked to have said they LOVE this product, Clover's "Stack 'n Store" ("S-n-S"), but not many. Still, I just HAD to buy it - for $15.99!!! Yikes! So I get the S-n-S home and am excited to put it to use (this was probably two years ago), not having a clue how much I'd grow to hate it!

Turns out that I really do not like the S-n-S - at all. The individual little holders do not "firmly" hold bobbins that don't have a lot of thread on them, the threads come loose & it's a pain. But the thing that is more annoying is that the levels of the S-n-S come apart way too easily. Every time I pick it up from a layer other than the bottom, the lower layers fall apart. It's not a major big deal and I've just been living with it.

Today I bought a pack of "Bobbin Buddies," which are little pink holders, and they are fabulous (no photo here)! They hold bobbins with any amount of thread, large or small, securely, and the bobbins don't unwind. The Bobbin Buddies made me decide the Clover S-n-S product wasn't worth keeping. I decided to throw it away. But then, I had a lightbulb moment - I cut the little holders off of the stems of the Clover S-n-S and ended up with a bunch (30, to be exact) of Bobbin Buddy-like pieces!  Yay - because a pack of 12 Bobbin Buddies cost nearly $7.00!  I'm a happy camper again, and am glad to put the pieces of the S-n-S back to use, even if I only use them for fully-wound bobbins in the future.

Show Us Your Socks!

Ok, it's Thursday Sock Day, and I'm linking up to Judy L @ Patchwork Times!

This is the 2nd pair of socks made for me by my sister-in-law, and very good friend, Carol.  I bought the yarn in Alaska.  Carol and I were there on a stop while on a quilter's cruise (so fun!!!) in May/June of 2011.  I love them!  They're a bit stretched out, though, because I've had them on for awhile.

Update from last week: I have purchased some needles and yarn.... Next step - find a class and take the time to start my knitting lessons!

Come on over to Judy's blog & SHOW US YOUR SOCKS!!!  

Whatcha' Reading?

Judy Laquidara over at Patchwork Times has  new linky group called "Whatcha Reading?"  I need to write & link up, because I got a new e-reader for my birthday and have all kinds of books waiting to be read...

The book that I'm currently reading is called The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin.  What a great book so far!  I don't normally read what I would call "self-help" books, but the author had such a great idea when she decided to do this project....  She considers herself to be very happy and fortunate in life - great family, etc...  But, she says, she's still not sure she's entirely happy.  So, this goes month-by-month, focusing on different aspects of life and figuring out how she can be both good to herself, and good to others (like, for instance, her husband).  I sometimes glance over some paragraphs because I figure "I'll never do that," but otherwise, she has some really great ideas and I've taken a ton of notes (my particular e-reader has that option).  Loving it so far!

Gretchen Rubin's description of the book reads: "One rainy afternoon, while riding a city bus, Gretchen Rubin asked herself, “What do I want from life, anyway?” She answered, “I want to be happy”—yet she spent no time thinking about her happiness. In a flash, she decided to dedicate a year to a happiness project. The result? One of the most thoughtful and engaging works on happiness to have emerged from the recent explosion of interest in the subject.

The Happiness Project synthesizes the wisdom of the ages with current scientific research, as Rubin brings readers along on her year to greater happiness.

In fact, Rubin’s “happiness project” no longer describes just a book or a blog; it’s a movement. Happiness Project groups, where people meet to discuss their happiness projects, have sprung up across the country—and across the world. Rights have been sold in more than 35 countries. Hundreds of book groups have discussed the book; professors, teachers, psychiatrists, and clergy assign it. The Happiness Project was even an answer on the game-show Jeopardy!"

Show Us Your Socks!

Judy L. at Patchwork Times does a weekly linky blog where people show their socks.

So, guess what - I'm joining in the fun.

 The socks I'm wearing today are a pair that my husband's sister made for me a few years ago.  I bought the yarn, and this is what I received in the mail a month shortly after!  LOVE these socks!  She's made 2 pair for me.  Now, after seeing all of the socks Judy made last year (13 pair!!!!!!), I've finally decided to take the plunge.  I hope to take a knitting class in the next month.  :)

Linking up to the Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

I'm currently working on finishing the blocks to a "Buck-A-Block" BOM done by Thangles. I did mine through a super-fantastic shop in Seattle, called The Quilting Loft. I love them! They've got tons of batiks, which are my favorite. What are YOU working on?

 What's on your design wall today?

Linking up to the Patchwork Times!

Meeting Blogger/Quilty Friends...

is SOO fun! I got to meet an "online friend" today. She's both a quilter and blogger, and is amazing at both! She's also a military wife & Mom to an adorable little girl. We've been "friends" for roughly a year & a half now, we've emailed and texted ~ and now we've met in person, ate lunch, swapped "how we met our husband and got engaged" stories, and went quilty shopping together! I'm normally pretty leery to meet online friends in person. I'm not sure why? Maybe it's the loony-lady who came and spent the night about 8 years ago? HaHa! This woman drove me C-R-A-Z-Y ~ so much so that I told her I had to work the next day, got up at 5:30 am and was "out the door" by 7am. She followed me to the freeway, and I high-tailed it home & back to bed! I've also had some really good experiences meeting online quilter friends, but that one just really sticks. You know how they say how it's easier to remember the negative things that happen to us vs. the good things? Maybe that really is true after all. So, anyway... back to today (which is now "yesterday," due to it being after midnight)... Today's meeting was FABULOUS! We went to Ruby Street quilt store, where I proceeded to spend a "little bit" (*wink*) on fabric & a fabulous book, "Making Quilts - the Promise of Joy," by Kathy Doughty. The author uses many fabrics in her quilts, but I do spot Kaffe Fassett fabrics in many of the quilts, which I love. There are several quilts that I'd like to make, but the first is definitely the "Red Centre" quilt, because it happens to be my favorite use of Kaffe fabrics, and I have quite a stack (in use for another quilt called Lollipop Trees," which I've blogged about in the past). So, back to the whole subject of meeting my friend... I had such a great time! I'm glad we were finally able to meet "in person," and I'm glad that I accidentally left my shoes there (long story short - I got a tattoo recently and am wearing slippers during the healing time... wore slippers into & out of her house, but when we went to the quilt store, I wore "real shoes"....) so that now we'll have to get together again very soon so I can get my Danskos back! LOL. "M," thank you for opening up my eyes to your world. I look forward to more visits in the future, and more story time, too!

Knitting Envy ~ I'm Guilty!

I have been following a blog, Patchwork Times, by Judy Laquidara, for about fifteen months now. Judy is a quilter, book writer, knitter, gardener, cook, canner extraordinaire, chicken Mama, and many other things. Judy is extremely inspiring, as I've recently drastically cut my work hours and am home more. I read her blog and can't imagine how she manages to do all she does. I LOVE her chicken & husband stories, I want to meet her dog, and I want to emulate her sock-making abilities!

I decided a couple of evenings ago, after reading Judy's most recent blog postings, that I NEED to learn how to knit socks! She made 13 pair in 2012, and every pair look so comfy! Most were colorful, and I think each pair was in a different knit pattern. Love love love!!! I'm not sure why I've been "nervous" to learn. Is it because I won't be able to figure it out? Or, maybe because I'm afraid I'll feel challenged at first, learn what I need to know, and then the challenge goes away and takes my desire to knit with it? I tend to be more afraid of the latter... I don't want to go out and buy a ton of stuff (like I "might" have done before with other crafts), and then not use it. I saw a friend today, and I mentioned my desire to learn to knit. I didn't realize (errrr - "remember") that she used to knit. I mentioned Judy's blog, and all of her 2012 socks, and how I want to learn how to make socks. My friend proceeded to give me the book "Stitch 'N Bitch," by Debbie Stoller, as well as a "Baby Knits Kit," by Sara Lucas, that has 20 super cute projects, mostly (but not all) for baby.

I've been reading some of the Stitch 'N Bitch book and have learned about needle and yarn size/weight, and some other basic stuff. Haven't tried anything with yarn yet. I had told my DH ("dear husband") the other night that I was thinking of learning how to knit, and taking a class to do so, and there's a chance he might even join me!! His sisters had actually taught him, or "started" teaching him, how to make socks several years ago. Maybe we will make socks together! One can wish! :)

Design Wall Monday - January 14, 2013

Happy Birthday to me! I am finally sewing again AND posting on my blog again. YAY! Here is what is up on my design wall. It is 25% of a quilt I'm making to fit our king-size bed. It's going to be a monster! I love the fabrics - they remind me of fall. They're not too feminine, and not to masculine - just perfect. The design is a Disappearing 9-Patch. I've never made one before, and I saw one on the Longarm at my favorite local quilt shop (Fiddlesticks, in Vancouver, Washington) and just knew I had to make one! Turns out that I LOVE making this pattern! There are so many ways to put it together - I look forward to making several more, including baby quilts. Perfect way to showcase certain fabrics, or go completely scrappy.

The top photo is a better color depiction for most colors, but the bottom photo shows how it looks when 25% of the quilt is complete (I'm loving the results so far!). I have a total of nine fabrics for my quilt, with the center block the same for all blocks. Then, the rest of the fabrics are pulled randomly from a basket. My only rule is that I'm not putting the same fabric side-by-side. So, if I pull the same twice in a row, it goes back and I pull again. Hope you like it! Comments/Feedback are welcome. :) Linking up with The Patchwork Times, by the one & only Judy Laquidara!

2013 Begins Anew...

Ok, I'm starting to think I SUCK at blogging! Seems I get started, and then things start happening in my life, and blogging goes completely by the wayside. I'm excited that it is a new year and things have happened in my life to where there is more time to do things I enjoy, like spending time with my husband and our pets, spending time with friends and other family, reading, and.... SEWING!!! Ahhhh - I feel SO refreshed to be in my sewing room (which is CLEAN, by the way...). I'm happy. I'm invigorated! I'm renewed. I'm "myself" again, which is great after months and months of 50-55 hour work weeks! So, what am I working on? I've got not one, but TWO king-size bed quilts in the works. I completed 25% of one of them while waiting on some mailorder fabric to arrive for the 2nd one. Then, I started working on a "lap quilt" that had been started sometime early in 2012. TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY, and I think I will be finishing that quilt top before midnight! YAY. Here is a photo:

Ok, so you may think "that quilt makes NO sense at all!" Well... you're right! I think I will call it "The Crazy Non-Sensical Quilt" or something like that. I had purchased a bunch of fabrics for a "scrap" quilt, of sorts. Turns out it's way more scrappy than I can normally deal with (I don't normally "do" scrappy...), but I like each of the fabrics so much that I decided to stay outside my comfort zone and just "go with it." It's just a lap quilt for home use, for goodness sake. I'm not trying to impress anyone. It'll be warm & comfy just like any other quilt will be. Right? Ha! I will probably post another photo after it's quilted. There is at least one other quilt in line, at minimum, however, before I can throw this on the long arm. Give me a couple years... ;)

Protect Your Photos!

I'm up reading blogs in the middle of the night because my body seems to think that going to bed at 11pm means I'm just "taking a nap" instead of actually trying to be a normal person who goes to bed at a decent hour each night...

Anyway, I have been a dedicated reader of the blog "Sew Happy Geek" for a couple/few months now. Jenna is the owner/author of the blog. I just came across a post in Jenna's blog from May of 2011 that is all about how to protect your photos from plagiarism by putting a "watermark" on them. Whew! I've been wondering how to do that!

Please go to Jenna's blog post if you need help with protecting your photos!! Leave her a comment, too, if you find the post helpful. It's always nice to know when you've found a post to be helpful and/or relevant to your needs!

Not only is this a great tutorial & lesson on how to protect our own intellectual property, but it is also a great reminder about how we need to be careful about posting stuff that someone else has created, making sure that the original creator receives ALL the credit for the post, etc... If I post something, this post being an example, I make sure to add links to both the blog, and the actual post that I am referring to. It's great to pass along fabulous tutorials, or things we find interesting, but we must not pretend that these ideas/posts are our own... (same thing we learn in college, from EVERY instructor/Professor, about plagiarism!)

Thank you, Jenna, for this tutorial!!!

:)