Getting it Done–February 2013

Well I guess I’ll start with my January report.  It didn’t turn out as well as I would have liked but oh well, it was a busy month.

1. Quilt the background on Margie’s quilt – Finished
2. Make 8 Click-it bags for New York  - Finished
3. Finish the border for my Great Granny quilt – Worked on but still in progress.
4. Make a proto type of my new bag pattern – I’ve started the design process

2 out of 4 is a little disappointing but that’s the way the month went.  If I were a baseball player batting .500 it would be a really, really good thing and I’d probably be in the Hall of Fame.  In the quilting world however, these last 2 things will just carry over to February. 

Here’s my goals for February.  BTW, it’s going to be another busy, busy month but part of it will be spent at a retreat so hopefully that means I can get more done.

1.  Finish the border for my Great Granny quilt

2.  Make a proto type of my new bag pattern

3.  Add the binding to my green and white quilt

4.  Make a Woven Ribbon top

Here’s my Great Granny quilt and border.

Green and white quilt need the binding added and then it will be finished.

And finally the Woven Ribbon quilt.  This is an old block that my friend Frances taught at our guild.  I helped her figure out some of the squaring up and pressing needed so that the blocks go together nicely.   These are the 4 blocks I made quite a while ago now I’m going to make a top using the same method but with a different background fabric. 

I think that should do it.  If I actually get everything done, I’ll feel like I really had a great February.

To see what others are working on in February, head on over to Judy’s blog. 

Enjoy,

Fabric Card Wallet–A Free Tutorial

As promised here is the link to the free “Fabric Card Wallet” tutorial.  The tutorial is about half way down the tutorial page .  For some reason it doesn’t seem to open for me using Firefox as my browser but it opens just fine in Internet Explorer.  If anyone knows why, please send me a message and let me know how to fix it. 

OK, back to the tutorial.  Here is something that is not in the tutorial.  After you read the directions, you will see that I typically use fusible Velcro but I know some people either don’t have it or don’t like it.  If you’d like to use sew-in Velcro you need to do it before you start the project.  Here’s the placement guideline.  On the “right” side of the fabric and from End 1 measure 9” and attach the Velcro.  Again on the “right” side of the fabric and from End 2, measure 1 1/4” and attach the other side of the Velcro.  Now turn you fabric over and start the folding, pressing and sewing to create your card wallet.

Here’s is a JPEG of the tutorial but once again I suggest for a PDF you head on over to my website http://www.robinquiltsetc.com and then from there click on the Tutorial button on the left. 

I think I mentioned yesterday this is a really, really quick project.  I tell people that it takes about 5 minutes (unless you have to heat up your iron and turn on your sewing machine, in that case it will take a few minutes longer). 

Enjoy,

Fabric Card Wallets

This is the project that I demonstrated at the Roundabout last Friday night at Road to California.  It only takes about 5 minutes to make.  If you’d to learn how, check back tomorrow for the tutorial.  In the mean time, all you need is a piece of fabric 4 1/2” x 17” and a 1” piece of Velcro.  Oh and you’ll also need an iron and a sewing machine but my guess is you already knew that. 

See you tomorrow. 

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–January 28, 2012

Since I spent most of last week at Road to California my design wall only has minor changes.  You can now see the blocks I made in my Mitered Log Cabin class with Anita Grossman Solomon.  I’m going to continue making the blocks but I think it will be a fill-in project.  I really need to continue to work on the border for my Great Granny Square quilt.  It’s at the top of my list to finish.

Here’s a closers look at two of the mitered log cabin blocks.  The blocks go together pretty quickly, it’s the fabric selection that takes some time. 

There are a lot of other design walls linked over on Judy’s Patchwork Times blog. 

Enjoy,

Stash Report–Week 4–January 27, 2013

The good news is that even though I went to the Road to California Quilt Show this past week, I didn’t purchase any fabric.  The bad news is that other than cutting up some  1 1/2” strips for a class, I didn’t use up any of my stash either. 

Used this Week	0
Used year to Date	5.25
Added this Week	0
Added Year to Date	4.5
Net Used for 2013	-0.75

But to at least keep this interesting, here is a picture of one of my favorite quilts from Road to California.  I’ll show more as the week goes on. 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully I can do better this coming week and use up some of this overflowing stash I have .

Enjoy,

Christmas in January

As many of us do, on Christmas day I talked to my sister Melinda from Marietta, GA to wish her a Merry Christmas.  She asked if my Christmas gift had arrived  Unfortunately the answer was no, it had not arrived.  After several weeks she called and said that it had been returned to her by the Post Office.  My address is 4373 but the address of the house we grew up in is 4341, well you can guess which address she had put on the package.  It’s a wonder she remembered our old address after all these years and it was with much relief that it had been returned to her, still in one piece. 

When I got home from Road to California there was a package waiting for me.  At last my long lost Christmas gift had arrived.  I opened it up and look what was inside. 

It’s me, Lady #27.   My wonderful sister commissioned her from Carol Turznik. Carol blogged about my quilt here.  You’ll have to scroll down about half way,  Sharon #24 is first followed by me. 

I love, love, love it.  It’s already hanging on the door to my sewing room, and she looks perfectly at home there.  Every time I pass by her, she makes me smile. 

Thank you Melinda and Carol.

Enjoy,

A Very Long Day

I just got back from demo-ing at Road to California’s Roundabout.  It has been a very long day, starting with an all day classes and ending with me talking my little heart out at the Roundabout. 

I’ll share more later but in the mean time I “must” show you what I saw at Hobby Lobby yesterday.

I absolutely love it.  I wonder if it’s still there????????

Enjoy,

A Day of Shopping at Road to California

So far, so good.  I have not purchased any fabric………but of course I did purchase a few other things. 

What we have here is (starting top left) a pattern using Dresden shapes, 2 miniature  kits for Wheel of Mystery (one batik, one red and white and little kits like this don’t count as fabric) a book (written by my friend Sheri Siedentop), a magnetic pin holder for my sewing machine, glass head pins by Bohin, embroidery needles by Bohin, an open end thimble by Bohin, wool scraps (wool doesn’t count as fabric in my book), Magic Bobbin Washers and last be not least small RED scissors by Bohin.   Did I need all of this??????? Well yes, at least I think I do. 

Last but not least………

Lime green shoes by Walk the Walk and they are comfy, comfy, comfy and they’re LIME GREEN and I deserve them. 

Tomorrow is a class with Anita Grossman Solomon and I also will have a few pictures of some of the quilts that jumped out at me. 

Enjoy,

Let the Fun Begin

I arrived at the Ayres Hotel late this afternoon.  Met up with some of my bestest friends.  After checking in at the convention center we enjoyed a cocktail followed by dinner.  Now it’s time to rest up, read through the program and plan my day of shopping and viewing the quilts tomorrow.

Hopefully I’ll have lots of picture to share with you tomorrow.

Enjoy,

Busy, Busy Day

It’s late in the day and I’ve been going, going, going.  This week is the start of Road to California so I’m doing a bunch of last minute things to get ready.  I’m taking a class on Friday and then I’ll be demo-ing Friday night at the Round About.  Along with doing a demo I’m able to sell (or should I say my BFF Marilyn) will hopefully sell some of my patterns so I had to get those ready to go.  Here’s my collection of “stuff” for ‘Friday night”.

As you can see, I’m only taking a few of my patterns.  I updated my brochure just in case someone at the Round About is looking for a guest speaker and/or workshop.  Hint, Hint!

And last but not least, I spent a good portion of the day with my friend Sonia Das.  Sonia has purchased the retreat business from Marilyn and me.  She is getting ready to announce her 2013 retreats this weekend at Road so we worked on her website and it’s really close to being completed.  Give her another day or two and then check it out.  http://www.thetravelingtiger.net.  I’ll tell you more about her retreats after everything is up and running.   In the mean time you can reach Sonia at sonia@thetravelingtiger.net. 

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–January 21, 2013

At the beginning of the month I said I was going to get back to working on the borders for my Great Granny Square quilt.  Well I’m finally back at it.

 

 

My plan is to add the pieced border to only 3 sides of the quilt.  Since this is going to be a large bed quilt and I’m planning on making matching pillow shams, the top of the quilt won’t have a pieced border. 

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

Enjoy,

Stash Report - Week 3 - January 20, 2013

Although I have been sewing (at least a little bit)  the only fabric that I can count as used is the backing and binding for Margie’s Applique Quit.  So here’s my progress.

Used this Week: 1 yard
Used year to Date: 5.25 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 4.5 yards
Net Used for 2013: –.75 yards

How are you doing using your stash? 

Enjoy,

Super Bowl Food

For those of you that live in the Long Beach, CA area, you no doubt know about Joe Jost’s and for the rest of you, you have no idea what you’re missing.  Joe Jost’s is a local bar that was originally opened in 1924.  You can read about it here.  They have quite a reputation but are particularly know for their pickled eggs and polish sausage sandwiches. 

A number of years ago our local newspaper, the Long Beach Press Telegram, published the recipe for these yummy eggs.  I have made them many times but it’s been quite a while.  This morning I decided to make a batch and if they last that long, will be perfect for Super Bowl food.

 

According to the recipe the jar should sit out on the counter for 2 days and then placed in the refrigerator.  These are best served really, really cold and with pretzels.  After the first batch is finished you can simply add more eggs to the remaining liquid and you’re all set for your second batch.  If you’d like to make some Joe Jost’s eggs, click here for a PDF of the recipe. 

Enjoy,

1 1/2” Strips

I used to have a bunch of 1 1/2” strips all stacked up in a box but I never used them.  So several years ago a friend of mine commented that she didn’t have a stash so I gave a bunch of stuff to her, including my 1 1/2” strips.  No problem, I really haven’t missed them…….that is until now. 

Next week starts the Road to California quilt show and classes.  If you haven’t been to it or heard of it, it’s one of the largest quilt shows on the west coast.  I go every year along with others from my friendship group “The Wednesday Wacko’s and we have a great time.  We usually stay several nights in a nearby hotel, take classes and wander the quilt show.

I don’t need a darn thing and probably don’t need to take a class but I love to take classes from someone “special”.  I have heard good things about Anita Grossman  Solomon for quite some time and this is her first trip to Road so it was an easy decision to take a class from her.  I am taking a class called Mitered Log Cabin and after reading the supply list I discoverED that I need 1 1/2” strips.  So guess what I’m doing…………cutting 1 1/2” strips and sub-cutting them into 8” lengths.  I’m just now getting started.

As you can see mine will be very scrappy.

Enjoy,

A Finish–For the Love of Margie

Yesterday I managed to complete the quilting and last night I put the last stitch in the binding.  I’ve decided to name it “For the Love of Margie”. 

This was a quilt top that was machine appliqued by my friend Margie.  After she suddenly passed away from a massive stroke, members of our friendship group went through all of her quilting things.  This was a top that had been completed but needed to be quilted and bound.  I brought it home with me to finish and then donate to my quilt guild so that it can be auctioned at our quilt show later this year. 

I just may have to bid on it and bring it back home with me.  It’s a great memory of this wonderful friend.

I miss you Margie.

Enjoy,

Getting it Done–January 2013 Update

Back on my my first blog post of the year I listed 4 things I want to get done during the month of January.  I guess it’s time for a mid-month update. 

1. Quilt the background on Margie’s quilt – Started
2. Make 8 Click-it bags for New York  - Finished
3. Finish the border for my Great Granny quilt – In my dreams
4. Make a proto type of my new bag pattern – I’ve started the design process

It’s been a busy month so far.  I will continue to work on my January goals as the month passes by.  Keep your fingers crossed that I can get a little bit more accomplished between now and the end of the month.

Enjoy,

His Name is Swatch

A few days ago I posted this picture.   A few people immediately recognized him. 

His name is Swatch and he spends much of his time at Mood in New York City.  He was very friendly and spent quite a bit of time being pet by my husband while I shopped. 

For those of you that haven’t been there, it is quite an experience.  If you watch Project Runway, it looks pretty much the same as on TV.  I’m sure they have quilting cottons but that’s not what I look for when I’m there.  I like to find some kind of unusual fabric that I can use for a purse of something other than a quilt. With that in mind here is what I purchased.

I think the picture on the right is the “right” side of the fabric, but I’m really not positive.

Believe it or not this fabric is actually black but for the life of me it doesn’t want to photograph black. 

Both of these will eventually be make into a bag of some sort but for now I’ll just enjoy looking at them. 

Thank You Mood!

Enjoy,