Hi.. It's almost summer. That means I get to spend more time in the Crivitz area at our cottage. I always enjoy the slow, warm summer days. I sew a little, enjoy walking, and just being at the lake.
It's also a time to reflect on what quilts will I be doing for Christmas gifts and who's patterns will I choose from. For a time I was doing mostly Thimbleberries patterns. Then I discovered Eleanor Burns. Her directions are so clear and simple. I have a few of her books. I just got her new one Day and Night with the special ruler. The quilts are stunning and look really hard yet with the special ruler it looks like it will be very easy.
Who is your favorite pattern maker? Why do you like them? What's special about them?
Happy Quilting and slow down this week to enjoy your life.
Tracy and Sue
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
What do you think about kits?
Hi Everyone... I had a great time tonight at our meeting and I hope you did too. One of the things we talked about was how we keep our quilting organized. Here are some of the things that Sue does. She has some wonderful organization tips.
We also did the charm exchange. Here are the charm patterns that Sue wrote up for us. Enjoy the challenge. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone does. You have until the end of the QFL season to finish the challenge.
This week's topic is "What do you think about kits?" When I first started quilting I was that crazy about them. What I did not like about kits and still do today, is that they are not complete. Sometimes the binding is missing, the back is usually missing, and sometimes the pattern needs to be purchased separately. I understand why the shops do it, to keep the cost down.
Other than that, I do really like kits. If the kit is like the sample and it usually is, it's all there. Most kits are also cut generously. I haven't had a problem with any of the kits that I've purchased.
So now the real question to ask a quilter. How many kits do you have waiting to be sewn? I don't even want to count mine as I might not buy another kit for years and wouldn't that be a shame. Let's just say I have large bins with lots of small kits in them and smaller bins with only 1 kit per bin but it's a bigger quilt. My husband has a saying - sometimes it's better not to know some things. In the case of quilting I agree with him, it's better not to know exactly how many projects I have waiting for me. It makes life so much more interesting if you only guess.
Happy Quilting.
Tracy and Sue
We also did the charm exchange. Here are the charm patterns that Sue wrote up for us. Enjoy the challenge. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone does. You have until the end of the QFL season to finish the challenge.
This week's topic is "What do you think about kits?" When I first started quilting I was that crazy about them. What I did not like about kits and still do today, is that they are not complete. Sometimes the binding is missing, the back is usually missing, and sometimes the pattern needs to be purchased separately. I understand why the shops do it, to keep the cost down.
Other than that, I do really like kits. If the kit is like the sample and it usually is, it's all there. Most kits are also cut generously. I haven't had a problem with any of the kits that I've purchased.
So now the real question to ask a quilter. How many kits do you have waiting to be sewn? I don't even want to count mine as I might not buy another kit for years and wouldn't that be a shame. Let's just say I have large bins with lots of small kits in them and smaller bins with only 1 kit per bin but it's a bigger quilt. My husband has a saying - sometimes it's better not to know some things. In the case of quilting I agree with him, it's better not to know exactly how many projects I have waiting for me. It makes life so much more interesting if you only guess.
Happy Quilting.
Tracy and Sue
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Quilters Emergency Kit
Hello... We spent the weekend with our son at college watching the Drake Relays. It was so relaxing and enjoyable. I hope everyone had a nice weekend.
This week the topic is Quilters Emergency Kit. When you go on a retreat or to a class do you have specific items that you bring with you? I go on a few retreats each year. Besides the projects that I'm going to be working on and my sewing machine and regular quilting supplies I also bring band aids, Advil, chocolate is a must, a pillow to sit on, and my small ironing board that I made along with my iron. The ironing board was made from a wooden TV tray covered with a piece of cotton batting and then fabric. I stapled it all to the bottom of the tray. It is the perfect height for pressing when sewing your blocks together. I do need to use the big ironing board when I am putting the rows of the quilt together.
I also started to add a tube of icy-hot and a heating pad to retreats. One year I had a knot in the middle of my back and by the end of the second day I was in so much pain, I went to the store to get the icy-hot and heating pad. It helped a lot and it's been in my kit ever since. A friend of mine brings along slippers and I thought that was a great idea. Another thing she has is one of the plastic 3 drawer storage bins. She did not put the wheels on and uses it to store all of her things. The top is used as another small table and everything is at her finger tips. You could also cut a piece of board and make a small ironing board for the top. That would be useful.
What's in your quilters emergency kit? Share, Share, Share.
Have a great week and Happy Quilting...
This week the topic is Quilters Emergency Kit. When you go on a retreat or to a class do you have specific items that you bring with you? I go on a few retreats each year. Besides the projects that I'm going to be working on and my sewing machine and regular quilting supplies I also bring band aids, Advil, chocolate is a must, a pillow to sit on, and my small ironing board that I made along with my iron. The ironing board was made from a wooden TV tray covered with a piece of cotton batting and then fabric. I stapled it all to the bottom of the tray. It is the perfect height for pressing when sewing your blocks together. I do need to use the big ironing board when I am putting the rows of the quilt together.
I also started to add a tube of icy-hot and a heating pad to retreats. One year I had a knot in the middle of my back and by the end of the second day I was in so much pain, I went to the store to get the icy-hot and heating pad. It helped a lot and it's been in my kit ever since. A friend of mine brings along slippers and I thought that was a great idea. Another thing she has is one of the plastic 3 drawer storage bins. She did not put the wheels on and uses it to store all of her things. The top is used as another small table and everything is at her finger tips. You could also cut a piece of board and make a small ironing board for the top. That would be useful.
What's in your quilters emergency kit? Share, Share, Share.
Have a great week and Happy Quilting...
Monday, April 20, 2009
Designing Your Own Quilts
I hope you are enjoying your week. I don't really care for the rain, but I know that we need it and I'm so glad it is a soaker and the ground so needs it.
This week I'm wondering if you like to design your own quilts? I really enjoy it myself. I also like to tweak patterns and change them a little bit. I hear many quilters saying that they change patterns. Well, that is creating and designing. What do you like to design - blocks or quilts?
You can practice designing blocks or quilts with the attached shapes. Show us what you can do. Make it using paper or you can even use your fabric stash. It will be fun to see what everyone comes up with.
Enjoy your week.
Tracy
This week I'm wondering if you like to design your own quilts? I really enjoy it myself. I also like to tweak patterns and change them a little bit. I hear many quilters saying that they change patterns. Well, that is creating and designing. What do you like to design - blocks or quilts?
You can practice designing blocks or quilts with the attached shapes. Show us what you can do. Make it using paper or you can even use your fabric stash. It will be fun to see what everyone comes up with.
Enjoy your week.
Tracy
Monday, April 13, 2009
We hope that you enjoyed Easter with friends and family. This week we have a few reminders:
We also have an extra way to earn points this week. Finish the Spooky Word Search and bring it to the shop to get your points.
The question for you this week is "Do you do your own quilting?" I usually send my quilts to a long armer (Mae Aprill) and she is wonderful. I so enjoy putting the tops together, creating patterns, and I'm even liking the binding. Quilting hasn't been on the top of my list, but I did just recently take a class and I was surprised at how easy it was. Of course it was only practice and on a small piece of fabric, but I did enjoy it. The problem that I have is what to do. I seem to do the same things over and over again, so getting new ideas from the class was very helpful. I'm going to start doing the smaller things that I make and keep on practicing. I have a friend that does her own quilting all the time. We had such a different outlook on that process. I said that I wanted to send it to someone else so it would get done right because I was afraid I would ruin it. Her take was she spent all that time putting the top together, she didn't trust anyone to quilt it for her, she thought they might ruin it. Totally opposite trusts.
What about you? Do you do your own quilting? Do you send out your quilts? What is your inspiration? Any tips you would like to share?
Remember, if you have any questions about QFL, let either Sue Lentz or me know.
Happy Quilting.
Tracy and Sue
- The Pulaski Quilt show is this Saturday, April 17
- The Marinette Quilt show is this Saturday and Sunday, April 17 - 18
We also have an extra way to earn points this week. Finish the Spooky Word Search and bring it to the shop to get your points.
The question for you this week is "Do you do your own quilting?" I usually send my quilts to a long armer (Mae Aprill) and she is wonderful. I so enjoy putting the tops together, creating patterns, and I'm even liking the binding. Quilting hasn't been on the top of my list, but I did just recently take a class and I was surprised at how easy it was. Of course it was only practice and on a small piece of fabric, but I did enjoy it. The problem that I have is what to do. I seem to do the same things over and over again, so getting new ideas from the class was very helpful. I'm going to start doing the smaller things that I make and keep on practicing. I have a friend that does her own quilting all the time. We had such a different outlook on that process. I said that I wanted to send it to someone else so it would get done right because I was afraid I would ruin it. Her take was she spent all that time putting the top together, she didn't trust anyone to quilt it for her, she thought they might ruin it. Totally opposite trusts.
What about you? Do you do your own quilting? Do you send out your quilts? What is your inspiration? Any tips you would like to share?
Remember, if you have any questions about QFL, let either Sue Lentz or me know.
Happy Quilting.
Tracy and Sue
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Favorite Ruler
Hi.. It was so nice to meet you at the first meeting. I've been reviewing everyone's name in my mind so hopefully I will remember everyone at our next meeting.
I know that we gave you a lot of information. If you have any questions, please ask and we will clear it up.
This week's topic is "What is your favorite ruler?"
I recently found an article in an old Fons and Porter magazine about the Omni Grid #96 Ruler. When I looked at it, I thought, "I have that ruler, but I haven't used it since I made my first quilt." I couldn't remember what I had actually used it for, so the more I read, the more interesting it was. This ruler makes Half Square Triangles from 1" to 6". I noticed at the shop there is another ruler called the EZ Angler. It does the same thing. If you make HST in your quilts and you don't always have Thangles available or you are not that fond of making them just a little bigger and squaring them up, pick up your EZ Angler or the Omni Grid #96 Ruler.
So, tell us what is your favorite ruler and what do you use it for. You might not think it's special, but someone will and it may just become their favorite like it is yours.
Until next week. Happy Quilting....
Tracy
I know that we gave you a lot of information. If you have any questions, please ask and we will clear it up.
This week's topic is "What is your favorite ruler?"
I recently found an article in an old Fons and Porter magazine about the Omni Grid #96 Ruler. When I looked at it, I thought, "I have that ruler, but I haven't used it since I made my first quilt." I couldn't remember what I had actually used it for, so the more I read, the more interesting it was. This ruler makes Half Square Triangles from 1" to 6". I noticed at the shop there is another ruler called the EZ Angler. It does the same thing. If you make HST in your quilts and you don't always have Thangles available or you are not that fond of making them just a little bigger and squaring them up, pick up your EZ Angler or the Omni Grid #96 Ruler.
So, tell us what is your favorite ruler and what do you use it for. You might not think it's special, but someone will and it may just become their favorite like it is yours.
Until next week. Happy Quilting....
Tracy
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Welcome to the Team
Hello Red Hot Chili Peppers... We have many activities planned for the 2009 QFL season. Use this blogging area to share things with your team and keep updated on team activities.
The season starts on April 1. Our kick off meeting will be April 6 at the shop from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Bring your score booklet, quilting tips on an index card (one per card - up to 3 tips), and your appetite as we will have dinner for you.
We are looking forward to a fun season.
Tracy and Sue
The season starts on April 1. Our kick off meeting will be April 6 at the shop from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Bring your score booklet, quilting tips on an index card (one per card - up to 3 tips), and your appetite as we will have dinner for you.
We are looking forward to a fun season.
Tracy and Sue
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