Friday, April 30, 2010

Quilting Comfort


Not much sewing getting done this month. I was able to make my April BOM. I get more and more excited about this Designer Mystery BOM every time I make a block.

I would like to ask a big favor of my readers. Would you help a friend of mine?? You see my BFF has a daughter that has been fighting a very aggressive cancer. My BFF made her daughter a beautiful quilt while she was in Alaska caring for her grandchildren. Her daughter has written a story about her mom in a little contest. And she needs votes. Can you take a minute and vote for Carlee's story at www.thymes.com . There is a $300 prize that Carlee would like to give her Mom. Her story is listed under Quilting Comfort by Alaska Mommy. Thanks so much for taking just a few minutes to help my friend win a much deserved prize.

**** I think I have fixed the link. Thank you so much!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Quilting world update


Well in case you did not get the memo, Amanda Jean is back! All I can say is -

YEAH!

Welcome home Crazy Mom Quilts!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Do You EQ??

Well just when I get the EQ6, the fabulous Electric Quilt Company comes out with EQ7!!!

Hey, I have to be honest here, I am a novice when it comes to EQ. I have seen so many bloggers who create incredible quilts using the EQ computer software. But NOW you can get these features as well -

Quilts, Blocks and photos
Digital cameras will become a quilter's best friend. EQ7 has dozens of ways to turn everyday photos into quilt ­­art images. Or crop and edit scanned fabrics right in EQ7 in minutes.

New Activation Policy
You'll never run out of EQ7 activations! Activation and deactivation is as easy as two clicks of the mouse. Install on as many computers as you like and quickly transfer activations from computer to computer. This new policy gives you complete freedom to manage your own activation.

Easier than ever for new users
EQ7 is the most user-friendly full-featured quilting software yet.

  • Complete user manual
  • 22 printable full-color PDF lessons (115 pages)
  • Point-and-read info on each tool – now linked directly to Help topics
  • 10 videos targeted for beginners
  • 67 “How do I?” topics: printable stepped-out instructions for doing everything from printing English paper-piecing templates to drawing a New York Beauty
  • Built-in Help buttons are everywhere, targeted to the task you're doing
  • New block tools for creating original blocks instantly without drawing
  • Blocks size themselves – just drag and drop on the quilt

Includes tons of user-requested new features
Exactly the same friendly interface, plus loads of new user-requested features.

  • 5000 copyright-free blocks
  • 5000 new scanned fabrics, plus grayscale textures
  • 120 new pre-designed quilt layouts
  • Snap blocks to a Quilt grid
  • Instant border blocks with greatly expanded Auto Borders
  • Print multiple photos on fabric
  • Create original fabric designs from photos, then print on fabric
  • Mirror and use myriad symmetries on photos
  • Use dozens of artistic effects, making everyday photos look like watercolors or Impressionist paintings
  • 79 new features in all

Netbook compatible
Works on netbooks as well as laptops and desktop computers

Now how cool is all that? Are these people just fabulous or what?? Details coming May3rd!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Button, button, whose got the button?



Buttons are such fun to collect!


Please be sure to visit All Thingz Related!

These girls have such a fun blog.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Choose your weapons


Rotary cutters. There are so many varieties available now. There are big ones, and small ones. There are cutters with straight blades and some with wavy blades. They come in an ergonomic design, or just plain ;-) The list could probably boggle the mind.

So, what is your weapon of choice?

Small?

Medium?

or large?

I had problems with this large blade rotary. The lock would not stay in the locked position when I would use it. I wrote to the company and they sent this replacement, no questions asked -

But my favorite baby is this one

She was my first rotary and I still love to use her when I am cutting fabric. I also find that my blades don't dull as easily when I use her sister mat.

I have several mats, and I find that the Olfa mat seems softer then some other brands. I don't know if that is what makes the difference in dulling a blade, but I'm an Olfa girl :-)

So choose your weapon................. and start cutting :-)

Happy Quilting!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Where there are quilts, there is a Quilt show


Well at least we'd like for there to be one. With everyone running off to these incredible national Quilt shows, we who are left behind have to make our own. Right??


And of course there are always quilts for sale.

Sigh......... well if I am not able to go to Chicago, or Paducah or Knoxville, at least I can soak in the beauty here on the home front.

Happy Quilting!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Vintage sheets - my new love


I have become enamored with Vintage sheets. I had a few sheets, but after seeing some quilts made up in blog land, I've been more on the hunt for them.

This quilt sent me over the edge and gave me a goal.

Anyone Can Quilt


And I recently found these blogs where vintage sheets reign.

Whimisie Dots

My Tiny Robot Heart

The Vintage Sheet Blog (who is actually having a Grand Opening giveaway :-)

So take a look. You may fall in love. As for me, I found these two pillowcases over the weekend.

Vintage sheets are getting harder and harder to find in our area. Maybe everyone else is falling in love with these soft lovely oldies.

Have a happy quilting day!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Sew & Tell

Sent and received by the PIF receipient. I'm glad you like it Terry :-)

Please visit Amy at Sew & Tell. for more fun and creative projects!

Happy Quilting!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Neither rain, nor snow, nor pollen..............

Not much sewing going on here lately. Other things in life keep getting in the way :-D

But I was so happy when the mailman put a couple of special things in our box yesterday.

First was this very, very sweet card from my Blushing Rose friend Marydon.

She sent me this lovely Birthday card and a little something inside.

Isn't this the cutest little patchwork Angel? Thank you Marydon. Your thoughtfulness always warms my heart.

And a couple of weeks ago, AllieKatMom had a Spring giveaway and the random generator picked my number!

Yummy fabrics and yummy treats! Thank you Amy!

What a delightful way to start the day! Have a great one.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Cover story

Do you use your quilts for things other then beds? We live in an older home, so sometimes I use quilts to cover areas that would normally not be seen.

A few years ago I made this pattern.

It was actually half of a pattern that was published in a magazine. It is the perfect size to cover the electrical box in our hallway.

A friend of mine made a mini quilt to cover her breaker box.

Here's what she said -
The pics are of the 36 x16 mini quilt I made to cover the breaker box in the hallway from the side door to the kitchen. I did 4 inch squares of red and covered half of the square diagonally with light colored selvages! It was really fun and easy! Then I just had fun arranging and rearranging the 'half-square triangle squares'.

Such a clever idea for using selvages. How do you use your quilts in your home??

Check out the other All Thinz Related posts.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Great Give Away

I Have a Notion is turning One Year old! AND
is celebrating their One Year Anniversary with wonderful giveaways for 30 days. It is not too late to sign up for all the giveaways so go to the site and get your name in for these wonderful products. There is only 4 days left of the promotion so don't wait too long.

All giveaways from March 15 - April 15 2010 are open until 10:00 PM CMT. Readers can post on any of the giveaway posts they choose but comments need to be relevant to what question was asked for in that post.


And today the prize is an AccuQuilt Go. Wouldn't that be wonderful to win!

Here are the necessary links you need:

I Have A Notion Blog: http://www.ihaveanotion.blogspot.com/

I Have A Notion Webstore: http://ihavea-notion.com/store/

I recently purchase EQ6 from Kelly and her service was fast. Kelly has the MOST fun blog and her products are wonderfully priced. So, if you have never been to IHAN, be sure to stop by and pay her a visit.

Now let's help Kelly CELEBRATE!!!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Come along with me........

A couple of weeks ago I flew across the big pond with my hubby. I have never been out of the country before so this was a very new experience.

Leaving my home turf............

We actually felt like we took another flight in our taxi ride from the airport to the hotel...........

We saw some amazing places............

and people everywhere.................

Incredible sights.........................

and buildings that have been standing, untouched, since the 1400's.

hummmm....... let's see. Christopher Columbus was probably not even born when these buildings were built!

Pretty hard to fathom.

Loved all the outdoor cafes..............

Thanks for coming along with me.

It's always so good to come back home :-)

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

WIP - Block of the Month

Julie from Jaybird Quilts posted a question yesterday about whether we are working on a BOM. I am a month behind on my Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery block. Last month was very busy with activities and traveling, so I was not able to get my March block completed.

But today I finished the March block,

and will be working on the April one soon. I really love the fabrics and I am hoping to be able to keep up each month, so I don't fall behind.

I am joining Amy for Sew and Tell today :-) Please be sure to stop by and visit her blog.

Hope you are having a happy quilting day!