Friday, June 29, 2012

Been Sewing...Can't Believe It.

My First Jelly Roll Quilt Top


I don't believe it  but I have actually done some sewing...I had a beautiful French General "Panier De Fleurs" Jelly Roll gathering dust in amongst my fabrics and I decided it was time to try out the Jelly Roll challenge...
I did part of it last week at our Sewing group and some more this morning at sewing group, but did not do too much because I forgot my 1/4 inch foot for my machine and felt weird sewing without it... I know I know, I'm a big sook...Hehehe.


I decided to sort out my sewing room a bit more to feel happy enough to get sewing again in my own space, and then finished off the Jelly roll top this evening...
I was not too happy with the way the colours bunched up, I was so careful with making sure I alternated with one dark and one light as well as alternating reds and blues...But darn it, some of the blues bunched up anyhow...well I am too tired to even think about how I managed that just yet...I am sure to have a good look at it before the next Jelly Roll top is started...I think I may drop some of the solids so as there are only one of each solid.
I am going to finish this off over the next little while, I am not sure yet what to use for the borders...Any suggestions for the best colour?
I did enjoy making it of course.

What to sew next?? we will see.

Happy Stitching...

Amanda


Thursday, June 28, 2012

Friends Swap 2012






I forgot to mention I have joined the gorgeous Khristinas Friend Swap for 2012 …
This is a first for me so I am looking forward to it.
For all details you can have a look at Sew Prim Khris
I managed to make a scarf for DD2 today.. it is one of those crazy new ones that can be made in one day (or a few hours) if you don’t go nuts doing it.
Sorry no photo yet…
Have a look at the video tute here
It was really fiddly and annoying to do but at least I can say I have done one...I do have one more to do, for myself that is.
Well I hope you all are having a wonderful time enjoying life.
Happy Stitching
 
Amanda

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

91 Reasons To Buy Fabrics...

Hey Ladies I have been MIA for a time, Sorry about that...you know how it gets when you are so busy with life stuff that you just can't find the time to Blog...

A lovely Friend in our CRAFT Online group recently sent us this amazing little list of reasons to buy fabric, it is so cool.
Have a look through and have a good laugh. you may find a great excuse to give Hubby next time he complains about spending money on fabrics...I personally love number 3...
I shall put a link back to where she got it from for the sake of giving credit where credit is due...
Enjoy...

91 Reasons to Buy Fabric

1. It insulates the closet where it is kept.
2. It helps keep the economy going. It is our patriotic duty to support cotton farmers, textile mills, and quilt shops.
 3.     It is less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.
 4.     "Oh, it's not for me! I'm buying it for a friend!"
 5.     My cat/dog needs a fresh, new pile of fabric to sleep on and roll around on at least once a week.
 6.     Because it's on sale.
 7.     Okay, it wasn't on sale, but by the time it was, all the good stuff would be gone.
 8.      A sudden increase in the boll weevil population might wipe out the cotton crop for the next ten years.
 9.     I'm participating in a contest--the one who dies with the most fabric wins.
 10.    It keeps without refrigeration, and you don't have to cook it to enjoy it. Also, you never have to feed it, change it, wipe its nose, or walk it.
 11.    I need extra weight in the trunk of my car for traction on snowy, icy roads. This is important, even in Florida and Southern California, as you never know when the weather will change.
 12.    Because I'm worth it.
 13.    It's non-fattening.  It has been confirmed by registered dietitians that a fat quarter has 100% fewer calories than a hot fudge sundae.
 14.    I am working on building a complete collection.
 15.    Like dust, it's good for protecting previously empty spaces in the house, like the ironing board, the laundry hamper, the dining room table . . ..
 16.    It's a medical test to see if your husband is still alive. If he is, a fabric purchase will make him start fussing about more fabric in the house.
 17.    When the Big Earthquake comes, all the quilt shops might be swallowed into the ground and never seen again.
 18.    Because it's there.
 19.    It's prettier than salt and pepper shakers.
 20.    It won't break.
 21.    A strong interest in fabric purchases will leave you no time to spend  in the pool hall or out stealing hubcaps.
 22.    It's much cheaper to cover the floor with fabric than new carpeting, and you can change the look more often.
 23.    The devil made me do it.
 24.    Stress from dealing with the Fabric Control Officer (my husband) made  me do it.
 25.    It's the only remotely artistic thing I have ever done.
 26.    If all else fails, you can use it for cleaning rags.
 27.    I'm might set up my own fabric shop and I'll need a starter inventory.
 28.    To keep the bed from falling down--we all know that most quilters store part of their fabric under the bed.
 29.    To save a beautiful fabric design for posterity. They might stop making it, and it would be lost to the world forever.
 30.    Neighborhood children might need just the right color for a scavenger hunt.
 31.    I need something new for show and tell party games.
 32.    My friend has more variety than I do, and I have to keep up with her.
 33.    Because I can't live without it.
 34.    It fights the empty nest syndrome--my youngest child is getting married,  so I have another empty room to fill with fabric.
 35.    Because this fabric just talks to me and calls my name.
 36.    It comes in whatever size or quantity you want.
 37.    It's important to invest in cotton futures.
 38.    I'm too old to have sex. (This was suggested by a quilter's husband.)
 39.    I have new shelves for fabric storage, and if I don't fill them up, they won't look right.
 40.    They get angry when you steal it.
 41.    It will go with some I bought last year.
 42.    It's so pretty, and I'll use it some day.
 43.    I want my daughter to have a proper inheritance.
 44.    Well-known medical fact:  prevents washing machine withdrawal symptoms on light laundry days.
 45.    Keeps the people who make cardboard inserts in bolts of fabric employed, thus supporting the national economy in yet another way.
 46.    Assists the little birdies with their nests when scraps, threads, and little whispies are allowed to blow in the wind.
 47.    Opens up new opportunities for curators and quilt show judges to ply their skills.
 48.    Opthalmologists recommend quilting to support the sagging eye glasses industry.
 49.    Without fabric I would have nothing to do with my rotary cutter and my mat and my sewing machine and my iron and my thread and my needles and my quilting books . . . . . (and my time).
 50.    I'm setting a good example for my children.
 51.    There's just one more piece I need, and I'll know it when I see it.
 52.    Buy it now, before your husband retires and goes with you on all your shopping expeditions.
 53.    Someone else has cornered the market on hog bellies.
 54.    It does not promote tooth decay.
 55.    Nobody told me not to.
 56.    It's raining (sleeting, snowing, hailing, thundering, sun's too hot?).
 57.    It's not immoral, illegal, or fattening.
 58.    It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul, and makes me feel good.
 59.    Buy it quick, before all the good stuff is gone.
 60.    Surgeon General says: "Ten yards a day keeps the blues away."
 61.    Step 32 of Master Plan to drive husband crazy.
 62.    Everybody else does it.
 63.    "Oh, what a feeling!"
 64.     A yard a day is all the quilt shops of America ask.
 65.    If you don't buy it now, you may never see it again.
 66.    If I don't buy it, my husband won't have anything to complain about.
 67.    It was awful! I was trapped in the quilt shop, and the only way out was to buy myway out!
 68.    Unless my fabric stash is reasonably impressive, people might think my family is destitute, and my children would be embarrassed.
 69.    A large fabric stash is the sign of a creative mind.
 70.    I owe myself a reward for that half-pound I lost last month.
 71.    "Because I don't have it yet!"
72 Like dust it's good for protecting previously empty spaces in the house like the ironing board, the laundry basket, the dining room table.
73 Its not immoral, illegal or fattening. It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul and makes me feel good.
74 A metre a day is all a quilt shop asks.
75 I NEED IT.
76  Just a moment I AM THE BOSS - I  don't need any reasons.
77. Because I can't live without it.
78. It fights the empty nest syndrome--my youngest child is getting married, so I have another empty room to fill with fabric.
79. Because this fabric just talks to me and calls my name.
80. I have new shelves for fabric storage, and if I don't fill them up, they won't look right.
81. They get angry when you steal it.
82. It will go with some I bought last year.
83. It's so pretty, and I'll use it some day.
84. I want my daughter to have a proper inheritance.
85. Well-known medical fact: prevents washing machine withdrawal symptoms on light laundry days.
86. Opens up new opportunities for curators and quilt show judges to ply their skills.
87. Without fabric I would have nothing to do with my rotary cutter and my mat and my sewing machine and my iron and my thread and my needles and my quilting books . . . . . (and my time).
88. Buy it quick, before all the good stuff is gone.
89. Everybody else does it.
90. If I don't buy it, my husband won't have anything to complainabout.
91. A large fabric stash is the sign of a creative mind.
And what's yours?
 (Compiled by Frances Tankersley of Jackson, TN  from contributions by members of the OnLine Quilters Guild and Quiltersbee; used by permission) 

Can you add any more to this? 

 I am hoping to be here a little more often,
until next we speak...

Happy Stitching
Amanda