EQ7 JUMP START SEW-ALONG

I finished the course of the EQ7 Jump Start Sew Along. There is soo soo soo much more to learn about EQ7 tho. The classes walked you thru using EQ for the first time. I don't think I cuold ever do it again without the directions and plenty of checking the Help tab. There is also a Tab for lessons. It's pretty user-friendly. Still, lots to learn.

The thing I miss about EQ, however, is that it does not give you directions on how best to sew these pieces together. I'm kind of inventive/creative/been quilting for a long time, so I was able to work around this.

Here are the 4 blocks made for the Jump Start.

The fabrics are all from stash, so they don't go together at all. I kind of like the turquoise/orange square. The colors POP. Don't think I could stand a whole quilt made from that.

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Our quilt club had a small quilt show today. They asked us all to bring in quilts to hang. I hung 5. It seemed like there were quite a few hanging. Fifty? This is what I had showing:

A Flimsie

Completely finished.

Look at the difference! We always hear, "It isn't a quilt until it's quilted." I'm surprised at the diffference.


I'm linking this to Lorna's blog, Sew Fresh Quilts, since this is her pattern.

Thanks,
Lin

First Bee

I joined my first ever Bee! It's thru our New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop. I made my blocks today for Pam  @ sewingwilde.blogspot.com. She requested a log cabin. So here are my blocks:

She wanted them light.

Next month I'm Queen! I've always wanted to be Queen! You can practice now calling me "Your Queenship." No, I don't think I like that one. "Your Queen-ness." Yes, that's better.

Thanks,
Lin

Pattern Testing

I did some pattern testing for Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts. I made both the I (HEART) TO SEW and I (HEART) TO QUILT. Lorna was one of my first bloggy friends, so I'd do a lot for her.

The patterns went together quite well, and I really like the results.

This is the "needle" I sewed in the piece.

I really like this sewn from stash. I had great fun picking out my fabrics.

Someday I'll make a jacket to wear to quilt shows, etc., and put part of the Quilt one on the back. Wouldn't that be fun?

I SID'ed the seams and stippled the white on the SEW quilt. It makes the lettering and pictures stand up more. You can just make out the stippling on the needle pic.

It blows my mind how Lorna was able to get all the measurements right for all these pieces. I would have been winging it--well, this looks like it should fit. The precision was good, made it so much easier.

I would be glad to make something else for Lorna.


I'm linking today with Lorna's blog Sew Fresh Quilts

Thanks,
Lin

Supernova My Block 2!

I spent two days busily making my Supernova Block 2. I chose to make this one in blues. My partner and I decided she will make the warm colors and I will make the cool ones. No doubt, because I'm so cool!!! Yeah, baby!

I sent her a picture of my block. She's not ready to send hers yet, so she asked that I wait until she's ready before I send mine to her. I had asked her if she wanted a picture or wanted to be surprised. She wanted the pic NOW! She also said I could go ahead and blog about it now too.

So here's my block:

I think it kinda looks like there's light coming from the center.

Thanks,
Lin

Still Organizing

As part of my reorganizing campaign, I hung my rulers! I have a ruler holder, but it is not convenient. All the rulers usually just sat on my cutting table, and got in the way. I had an AHA moment one night.

I'll get another package of hooks and put up a few small rulers I didn't play with yet.

Thanks,
Lin

Organized

I've been asked how the organizing of my stash cupboard was working for me. I ordered some Sterilite containers on Amazon, and they came while I was in Atlanta. So I just played with them. I love it!

The labels are the colors in the boxes. So, guess what the box with the black fabrics in it, says on it.
Try again. Now think about it.
BLACK! Did you get it right?

I was surprised how much pink I have, and how much blue.

Here's the Before picture. I don't want to make this picture any bigger than it is.

But, you're supposed to notice the BIG difference! I found lots of scraps that I get to cut up into usable sizes. I better get busy on this.

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I had a great time at my cousin's house! Great chance for us to catch up. We went to see Jersey Boys, the movie. We both enjoyed it. It was *our* music! Dancing in our seats. The newspapers have not given it good reviews, but we enjoyed it. I guess it depends what you're watching it for. To review it, or to enjoy it. 

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Here's a question for you related to my organizing:

Do you keep pieces big enough for backings somewhere special? I'm thinking of putting them into their own bigger bin. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Lin

Going, Going, GONE

I will be gone for a few days, in Atlanta visiting my cousin. My dog and my husband will be in charge of the house. I'm expecting a lot from them both.

I know I'll have a good time!

I (HEART) TO SEW finished!

I (HEART) TO SEW is completely finished!! Woo Hoo!! Always good to have something done. I don't like  to have something hanging over me--like unfinished projects. That doesn't mean I don't have UFOs. It just means I don't like to have UFOs. Big difference. But I do like to get a project completely done, and then go on to something else, so I can clean up the stuff from the first project.

I stippled all around the "things" on the quilt. You can see that in the picture that also shows the needle I sewed on. It's a variegated silver/gold thread. Couldn't have a sewing machine without a needle, now could I?

Linking up to Finish it up Friday with Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIFF!

hosted this week with Joanne at Riddle and Whimsy.

Thanks,
Lin

I (HEART) TO QUILT (2)

I finished the work on I (HEART) TO QUILT today. Started quilting it. So far I'm doing ruler work to outline the items in the quilt--the iron, sewing machine, letters and spools. I have to laugh at myself because I hold my breath while I'm doing ruler work. How many think I need to get over that?

This is my sample of Lorna's pattern. See Lorna's blog here to find out about her patterns. This one is done in the colors/fabrics that Lorna picked out for it. I plan on sewing a metallic "needle" in place.

I bought an overlay for my Sweet 16 table to make it easier to use my Tru Stitch stitch regulator. Just got it, and now I'm itching to quilt my Celtic Solstice. I just saw a pic of someone's quilting on theirs, and now I have so many more ideas. 

My gardens are starting to bloom. So fun everyday to see what is in bloom now. 

Not sure what this is. Anyone?

Morning Glories

I told you this would perk up!

Thanks,

Lin

I (HEART) TO QUILT

Today I'm working on Lorna's I (HEART) TO QUILT wall hanging pattern. Please see Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts (here) to read all about it.


I made the I (HEART) TO SEW last week. Please see this post to read all about it.

The SEW wall hanging I made with stash, but QUILT I elected to go with the fabrics Lorna had picked out. My order arrived (why does it always seem to take sooo looong when you're waiting for something?)
Look at these luscious colors:

I got a kick out of them because they have their color names attached. I love reading their names.
Greens: (All Kona colors) Honeydew,Pear, Sour Apple, Kiwi, and Fern
Blues:  Aqua, Robin Egg, Azure, Bahama Blue, Peacock, Turquoise, Cyan, Caribbean, and Teal
Pinks:  Pink, Medium Pink, Carnation, Bubble Gum, Candy Pink, and Bright Pink
Purples:  Petunia, Pansy, Wisteria, Crocus, and Magenta.

It seems there are themes in their color names. The purples are all flowers, greens are fruits. I think they had the least imagination in naming the pinks.

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My computer is BACK! Kiss the computer! 

My computer hero managed to kill off the Gorilla Purchase that was--seemingly--screwing up my computer.

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Today is the second week on our New Quilt Bloggers blog hop. Please take a look at these blogs. More of my new best friends. No kidding! This is such a warm group. We have been sharing and learning so much. Perhaps you notice some of the improvements on my blog. Or maybe they're like make up? You're not supposed to notice the makeup, just how nice someone looks.

Jill @ Pie Lady Quilts

Chelsea @ Patch The Giraffe (http://patchthegiraffe.blogspot.com/)

Daisy @ Ants To Sugar

Rachael @ The Floral Suitcase 

Elizabeth @ And Pins

Jennifer @ Never Just Jennifer 

Alice @ Blossom Quilts

Megan @ Sew Stitching Cute

Stephanie @ Late Night Quilter

Kelsey @ Lovely And Enough

Carole @ Fresh Off The Frame

Camelia @ Camelia Elliott

Nurdan @ Hug a Bit Quilts

Paula @ Mud Pies and Pins

Lori @ Sew Psychd

Kitty @ Night Quilter

Christina @ Wips and Tuts

Diana @ Sew Crafty Chick

Marcia @ Cozy Capatiller

Judy @ Quilt Paradigm

Jasmine @ Quilt Kisses

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts

Thanks,

Lin

No Sew

Today was a No-Sew kinda day. I weeded and planted. We are having some delightful weather, and I have to take advantage of it. Besides, the 4th of July is coming  really fast. We always have a big family gathering here for the 4th, and I want to have all the gardens ready to be inspected. The house has to be clean too. So many responsibilities. It's so hard being an adult!

So this is the garden I worked so hard on:

They actually looked a little perkier before I watered them. Well, they'll re-perk. As long as the deer don't eat them.

Here are my planters on the deck:

Fucshia

Mixed planter

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My desk-top computer had been giving me a hard time. Called my friendly computer hero. He showed me all the things the computer had on its drive that I didn't want. How do those bad guys get this stuff on my  computer? There was at least one that had a sub-program called Persistence. So if you remove it, it comes back. Sneaky.

Computer guru called to say he was having a hard time getting one particular piece of software removed from my computer--Gorilla Buy. I guess I could have been making a killing buying and selling gorillas. Who knew? If you ever see GorillaBuy, don't download!

My computer is coming home tomorrow morning. I'll have to have a little party for it. YAY!

Thanks,
Lin

I (Heart) 2 Sew

I have been doing pattern testing for  Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts. She posted both an I (HEART) TO SEW wallhanging and a I (HEART) TO QUILT one. I love both. The Quilt one is closer to my heart tho. I volunteered to test the patterns for her.

I ordered a pack of the ombre solids to do the I (HEART) 2 QUILT wallhanging, but chose to do the SEW one in stash so I could get started. That's what prompted me to clean out my stash cupboard. Golly Gosh Gee (and a bunch of other nastier words), I am amazed how really, really messy that cupboard was is. I've cleaned out the greens, blues, pinks, purples so far. Yesterday I bought a couple Sterilite bins to audition for size. If this is the right size, I'll order a bunch on Amazon. {Love Amazon! You can find anything!}

Here are my color pulls:

I had fun pulling the fabrics.

Here's the finished flimsy:

It was a pretty windy day. My highly-paid quilt holder had to move around to several positions on the deck to find a quiet spot to get a good picture.

My package of solids came and now I'll start on I (HEART) 2 QUILT.

I thought these would look wonderful on the back of a jacket/shirt to wear to a quilt show. Maybe someday...

Thanks, Lorna, for the opportunity to test these for you. I am so amazed at what you do! These will have a place of honor in my house.

I urge all of you, readers, to check out Lorna's patterns.


Thanks,
 Lin