Have I Mentioned How Much I Dislike This UFO?

I’m sure your getting as sick of seeing this darn UFO as much as I am.  Last night I finished quilting it and thought to myself, “Whew, I’m almost done, Yippee”.  All I had to do was add the binding.  No problem.

I cut the binding strips and decided to cut them 2 1/4” instead of my usual 2 1/2”.  It was late (that’s my excuse) so I measured all the way around divided by 40” and decided I needed 3 strips.  I started sewing and everything was going just fine until “OH NO” I didn’t have enough strips.  I needed 2 more (did I mention this is a really big table runner).  So I cut two additional strips, sewed them together and then added them to the end that was attached to the table runner.  I finished attaching the binding and took it in to my ironing board where I measure, cut and iron the two ends so that I can sew the start and finish together with a nice neat mitered seam.  At that point I realized that the last two strips weren’t cut at 2 1/4” they were cut at 2 3/4”, grrrrrrrrrrr!.  Have I mentioned lately how much I hate rulers that have that extra 1/2” added to one side.  I’m usually pretty good at making sure which direction I have the ruler turned but remember, I was tired. 

I learned a long time ago that when I make a sewing mistake, and it’s late, the best thing for me is to just stop, don’t even try to fix it when your tired.  But I do take the time to sit with my trusty seam ripper and rip.  So that’s how my evening ended, ripping.  Tonight, I’m going to give it another try and see if I can’t get this UFO finished at last.  Wish me luck.

Have I mentioned how much I dislike this UFO.

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–5/30/11

Unfortunately, I still have the same thing on my design wall this week.  It’s changed positions but it’s same-o, same-o. 

I’ve managed to get side tracked working on my new bag pattern.  I showed you one my samples/prototypes here.  Last night I made another one (still working on the details).  Isn’t it cute?

This one I used iron on fusible vinyl.  Over the next few days, I’ll continue to work on this so that the pattern can be tested and then published. 

In the mean time, I really have to get that darn table runner quilted, bound and labeled.  I have until my June 9th guild meeting to finish this UFO.  Why is it, it’s hard to work on some things and so easy to work on others?  Maybe that Stack and Whack was a UFO for a reason.   Oh well, bite the bullet Robin and finished it!!!!!!

Head on over to Judy’s Patchwork Times Blog to see what everyone is up to. 

Enjoy,

Working on a New Bag Pattern

You may remember this bag from a while back.

Originally I wasn’t going to write a pattern but at Market several people encouraged me to go ahead and write a pattern.  So today I finally started working on it.  Here’s my second bag that I made while taking extensive notes. 

and the inside.

Kind of cute, don’t you think?  Both of these bags are made using laminated cotton on the outside.  Tomorrow I’m making one using fusible vinyl that you iron on.  We’ll see, and report on, how that works.  Stay tuned.

Enjoy,

My Cover Came–It’s Perfect!

A few weeks ago, Shannon at Pieceful Kwilter showed her new iPhone cover.  Well, I was so jealous I just had to have one of my own.  So, I uploaded a photograph of my logo quilt, and wah-lah, it arrived and I love it. 

Before,

and after,

The resolution of my photo is perfect, I swear it looks like it’s the actual quilt with all the detail of the quilting and red chalk.  Now there’s no doubt who’s phone this is. 

Case-mate makes covers for all different phones, not just iPhones.  If you want your own, go here, and use the coupon code CM05-AR20 and receive 20% off (BTW, the discount didn’t show up until the very end of the transaction). I'm not affiliated in anyway- just sharing what was shared with me. 

Enjoy,

A Fun Day with Marilyn

Yesterday my BFF and Two Wacky Women business partner, Marilyn and I “had” to go shopping.  We started out by going to Robert Kaufman.  It had been quite sometime since we’d been there, too long if you ask me.  Since we no longer vend at quilt shows our buying has been greatly reduced and what we shop for has changed.  We don’t miss the vending but we do miss being able to shop and buy all the wonderful fabric that are available.  It wasn’t easy but we controlled ourselves and only order fabrics that have a long shelf life and that we consider basics for our retreats, polka dots, Kona cottons, etc. 

Ikea was next on the list.  I was looking for glass bottles and Marilyn was just looking (famous last words).  I didn’t find the bottles and Marilyn ended up doing more that just looking but we had fun.  Since I was in a fabric buying mood, look at my great buys that I got at Ikea, of all places.

This piece is 100% cotton and is 58” wide.  It’s a huge print (you’re seeing the entire width),  I bought it for a backing but it may just be too gorgeous to go on the back.  I absolutely  love it and it was only $5.99 a yard!

 

Another great one.  What you’re looking at is a piece 58” wide x 36”.  It’s cotton but it’s heavier than your average quilting weight cotton.  It sort of a light weight canvas.  Perfect for some new bag patterns I have in the works.

Last but not least, this gorgeous leaf print.  Again what your looking at is a piece 54” wide by 36”.  It too is a kind of a light weight canvas and is destined to end up as a bag of some sort.  There we many, many more but I managed to control myself by buying only these three but I can assure you I will be back in the new future to visit this “new” fabric store. 

And last but not least, lunch.  This time it was at:

YUM!!!!!

Enjoy,

Trunk Show Thursday–May 26, 2011

Needless to say, I own many, many quilts.  Most of them I designed and made but I also have some in my “collection” that were made by someone else.  Just like children, I love them all equally just some a little more than others, LOL!  Believe it or not, this is one of my favorites and it is one of the ones I didn’t make.  This one was purchased in a silent auction at the L. A. County Quilt Guild Quilt Show, several years ago.  I think I managed to win the auction by bidding $40.00 (what a steal).  There’s nothing like a good old fashion log cabin featuring my favorite red.  Unfortunately there is no label on the quilt so I have no idea who made it. 

Here is a close-up of some of the fabrics and the quilting.  It is simply quilted by stitching in the ditch on the dark side of the blocks and then stippled though out the rest of the quilt. 

Whoever you are out there that made it, I love this quilt and am thrilled to have it hanging on a quilt stand in my entryway. 

Enjoy,

Oodles of Letty’s Bags

Today I taught part two of my Magnolia Lane pattern to the wonderful quilters of Leisure World, Seal Beach, CA.  You’d think I’d have pictures of Magnolia Lane quilts but noooooooo, I have pictures of oodles of Letty’s Bags.  My friend Diane taught my Letty’s Bag pattern to them a while back.  Well believe me these lady’s like it.  When I got there this morning they had pictures, lots of picture for me and now I want to share them with you.

Thank you ladies for making my day.  It was a thrill.

Enjoy,

A Great Day with Friends

Several of us from my friendship group decided to have an outing today.  We started out by going to a wonderful quilt shop in Laguna Hills, The Sewing Party.  This is a fairly new store but man do they sell fabric I love.  Today I was shopping for some unique fabrics to use in making samples for my newest bag pattern. 

Check it out.  The first one is a laminated cotton.

I absolutely love each and every one of them and can hardly wait to start making bags. 

Next we went to Sacred Moondance.  Unfortunately (or fortunately depending how you look at it) they are closing at the end of this week.  The owner is moving out of state so everything has to go.  This week, everything is 65% off.  You should have seen how many bolts of fabric people had stacked up.  When we got in line to have our fabric cut I guessed it would take an hour.  Wrong!!! It was closer to 1 1/2 hours before we made it to the cutting table.  Some of my friends got quite a lot of fabric but I only bought 2.  Here they are.

I have not idea why I needed the first one but I really needed it.  It is so bright and happy, it makes me smile.  The second one is an interesting color (although the picture doesn’t show it).  It’s sort of a light celery green.  It can be used as a background or the inside of a bag.  We’ll see.

After we finally finished shopping we headed to California Pizza Kitchen for lunch.  Needless to say, it was delicious.   Then finally back home.  That was enough for one day. 

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday - 5/23/11

I think this is making a return appearance on my design wall.  This “Stack and Whack” table runner is my June UFO challenge for my guild.  It has to get quilted, bound and labeled this week.  I also have a couple of patterns that need to be written but this has moved to the top of the priority list. 

To see what others have on their design walls, check out Judy’s Patchwork Times. 

Enjoy,

Oil Cloth - I Love It!

I have used oil cloth many times in the past to make various bags.  I just love the stuff.  Well after eating at the Red Iguana last week in Salt Lake City and seeing their beautiful oil cloth tablecloths I realized that’s exactly what I need for my dining room table. 

We have a family dinner every Sunday night, and forgive me for saying this. but, my family members are the messiest people around.  I always use a tablecloth on the table and it has to get some serious laundering every time it’s used.  So the solution is. . . . . . oil cloth. 

Off to M & L fabrics this past week to purchase 3 different pieces, to accommodate the various dining room table sizes.

The most common size is without a leaf.  This is how my table is most of the time so I picked my favorite.

Here it is on the table, all set for dinner.

If I use one leaf, this is the tablecloth.

And finally for the times I add both leafs, this is the table cloth I’ll use.

The white is my least favorite but it will look fine when there’s a ton of people here. 

My three favorite things about oil cloth: 1) I love the bright colors 2) All I have to do is wipe if off with a damp sponge and it’s clean 3) You don’t have to sew the edges, just cut to size and you’re ready to go.

Enjoy,

NQR - A Graduation

Today is a non quilt related post. 

This morning my beautiful granddaughter Natalia graduated Cum Laude with her BA from Chapman University.  The entire family couldn’t be prouder.  When she started the University four years ago we had our doubts that she could actually make it in only four years, but she did it and she did it with honors.  Here’s some picture of the happy graduate.

A true California girl, sunglasses and all. 

Love you my sweet Tali. 

Enjoy,

Bloggers’ Quilt Festival

Finally I have the time and energy to share a quilt and participate in the Bloggers’ Quilt Festival. 

This is my “Robin Quilt” and was made many years ago as part of an on-line round robin.  Here is a picture of most of the quilt.  It hangs on the wall in my entryway and has a piece of furniture in front of it but I think you get the idea.

I hand appliqued the center “Robin” block and then sent it literally around the world.  Here’s a better picture of the center.

A close-up of the first border added.

The second border (done by my sister Melinda).

The third border that was done by the organizer of the round robin.

The forth border was added by a women in Israel.

And the final border was completed back in Florida. 

I’m sure by now you’ve noticed the fabulous quilting, it was done by Melinda, a fabulous customer long-arm quilter who just happens to be my very favorite sister.  This is no doubt one of my very favorite quilts even though I only made 1/5 of it. 

A big thank you to Amy or organizing this.

To see the rest of the Blogger’s Quilt Festival, go to Amy’s blog here.

Enjoy,