Happy New Year!

 

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

And here's a blast from the past--our first New Year's Eve together.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I'll be back after the new year. Going to spend time with family and friends, take time off work, work on some quilting projects, and work on our house.

Tuesday Tip #1 - Quilter's Light Box App

There are times a quilter needs a light box. I've only just recently needed one to work on my Old Italian quilt project. But does this one time justify the need to go out and purchase a light box? For me, my answer is 'No.' I know several quilters will use a window in lieu of a light box. That doesn't always work for me since I do a lot of quilting after the kidlets go to bed--no sunshine outside after bedtime.

I was grumbling about this one evening when my hubby spoke up and said "There's an app for that." Well, of course there is. There just seems to be an app for everything. 

Heard of SoftBox? 

It turns your iPad or android device into a professional studio lighting system. But how does that solve my problem of needing a light box?  

This app is used by photographers for lighting areas while photographing. You can change the color from bright white to any other color in the rainbow. It also has different screen shapes like rectangle, hexagon, oval, circle, etc. There are several textures to choose from, but we don't need any of those.

For our purposes, you choose bright white color, no texture, and full screen shape. 

Voilà! Instant Light Box!

Is this this a perfect fix to replace a light box? No. 

My biggest complaint about this option is that it doesn't always hold still. Once you choose your setting, it supposedly locks into place. You can unlock it by tapping twice on the screen. However, many times the app thinks I've tapped twice while I'm working on my project and will either go back to the app's main menu or close it out completely. Annoying! But in all honestly, this app wasn't designed for how I'm using it. It was meant to just sit there and be pretty. Whereas, I'm basically drawing and pressing all over the screen.

Despite my one big annoyance with this, I'd still rather only pay $1.99 or $2.99 for an app than pay $35.00+ for a bulky light box I would very rarely use. 

You can purchase the app at these links

apple | android

What have you used in lieu of a light box? Do you do the window trick? Have you found another app that works better? I'd love to hear your thoughts, tricks, and tips. Because if there is something out there that works better, I'd love to hear it. It would save me some grief. 

Linked up with Quilt Story here.

Linked up with Free Motion by the River here.

Books that Keep Me Up All Night

I stayed up WAY late last night to finish a book. Technically, it was early this morning when I finally turned off my light to sleep. But I just HAD to know how it all ended. I was so close to finishing. If I had stopped and tried to sleep, I would have just laid there while my brain still tried to figure out how it ended. Instead, I just kept reading. 

 

It has been a while since I found a book that pulled me that much.

The Harry Potter books did it.

Every time Ilona Andrews releases a new book, I've learned to just block out the day (and night.) 

Last night, it was the final book in the Healer series by Maria V. Snyder to be released Dec 31.

find them here

The first book starts with Avry of Kazan, a healer, the LAST healer. She is hunted and despised for her gift even by those she heals. Healers are accused of spreading the plague that decimated millions, leaving the survivors in complete chaos with no clear leadership or laws. Tired of running and hiding for three years, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who actually value her gift and want her to heal a plague-stricken prince—the very man who led the campaign against her people making him responsible for the decimation of all the healers! The leader of the band of rogues, Kerrick, won’t take no for an answer. Avry learns more about the politics involved while she is chased by mercenaries, magical dangers, and more. Now she needs to decide what side she will choose and if it’s worth dying for, because one thing is certain—healing the plague is a death sentence for her. The plague cannot be cured. And every time Avry heals someone, she assumes their injuries.

The series continues with Avry and friends trying to stop the wars and bring peace and health back to their realm. I love the banter between Avry and band of merry friends. The storyline is engaging, the writing smooth, the magic defined, and the danger real. 

Now I'm having a book hangover.

I have a rather large TBR (To Be Read) pile, yet I can't settle on anything yet. I am so tempted to just pick up book 1 again and start it all over again. I'm not ready to say goodbye to it.

What books keep you up at night?

WIP Wednesday #26

I feel like I haven't done a WIP post in forever, but it's only been three weeks since my last one. Between Thanksgiving and working I haven't gotten a whole lot done.

I have been steadily working on my Old Italian project. It is very time consuming. My mom and I took the class together, and she has decided to not do it. She didn't like the process. I've already invested a lot of time and money into this project--so I'm pushing forward with it. I've got a pile of about 20 blocks halfway done plus all these:

Old Italian Quilt in Progress

Isn't it fun to lay out what you've accomplished? I can visualize what the final project will look like. Plus, it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

The day after Thanksgiving, I didn't go shopping. Instead, I sat at my sewing machine and did all these for my Pocket Full of Pinwheels:

Pinwheels

I don't like the layout in the picture above, although it was fun to see all the different pinwheels I've made. This picture does give me an idea of what I've got and what I still need to make to fill holes. It's also helping me think of different layouts I want to try.

One of the pinwheels I made was this 3D pinwheel. It was surprisingly easy to make as well as fun, so I made quite a few. It was crazy how many layers of fabric I had to sew through...I was afraid I would break my needle. There are 12 layers of fabric at the center of the pinwheel. 

3D Pinwheel

My favorite pinwheel block is this one:

Pinwheels

This has been an interesting project. This is basically an Orphan Block type quilt--Taking a bunch of different blocks and throwing them together to make a quilt. 

I've always done quilts from a set pattern. Yes, I've made my own little adjustments here and there. But this is the first one I've done where so much is left to me and my own devices. It is a lot of fun to create so much.

Linked up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced here.

Linked up to Show Off  Saturday here.

Linked up with Quilt Story here.

Chess Tournament

Saturday, the boys and I spent the day at a chess tournament. 

S before a game

The boys had a real good time. The last game C played, I could see him laughing and smiling throughout the entire game. He was still laughing and chatting with his opponent as he left the table even though he lost. 

Both boys did well winning some and losing some. The best part is that they had a lot of fun. One of the greatest chess players ever, Capablanca, said, "You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win. You will have to lose hundreds of games before becoming a good player." 

S earned a medal

C narrowly missed out on a trophy by one place.

I've started to volunteer at the school's after-school 4H program teaching chess. It has been a lot of fun. Half of the club came to the chess tournament. I loved seeing my kids there, meeting their parents, and watching them play. I'm not a grandmaster by any means, but it is so fun to teach the basics to these kids and see them play. 

I'm a Winner!

Look what I won at my company's Christmas Party! 

New TV

It's been 2 days, but I'm still in shock.

Wednesday night was the yearly Nu Skin Employee party. They always put on a big bash and a lot of prizes. I go every year hoping my name is called, but never hear my name. I almost didn't even go to the party. S had a wrestling match that night, it is FREEZING cold outside, and my name is never called anyways! The family all went to the wrestling match together--S did really good. After the match, R took the kids home and I drove to the party by myself. The entire drive there I thought to myself "Why am I even going? I'm cold. I'm tired. I don't really care about the entertainment this year. My name is never called. But I know if I don't go it will be the year my name is called.  But by going, I'm sure my name won't be called." 

This year, they brought in LeAnn Rimes. I got there for the last three songs she performed. Then, the prizes started. They gave out all sorts of fun and awesome things. (They always do!) The very last prize they had was a 60" TV. I sat there thinking "That is huge!" They pulled a name from the basket and said "If your name has the initials of A and B this might be you." I still didn't think it would be me as it never is. Then they said MY name! MY NAME! I was shocked.

I couldn't believe it! I won a 60" TV! Me! I was shaking the whole time I was on the stage and a good 30 minutes after.

They asked how long I've worked there: 14 years next month

I was asked how many times I've been on stage: First time

What department did I work in: The call center

Then, they wanted me to sing for my prize: Wait. What?

Steve told me it would be the gracious thing to do.

I sang the first line of "Il est né le devin enfant," and Truman answered by singing the second line. 

This TV is so big, I couldn't get it home that night. The HR lady running the show said she'd take it to her office and I could get it from her the next day. I had to take out the back seats of my minivan and then even lift the middle seats up to fit the box in my van! 

R set up the TV last night. He is so excited, I can't even tell you. Just two weeks ago he was talking about getting a new and bigger TV. We had a 42" TV, which I thought just the right size for our small home. He wanted bigger. Well, he got his wish.

It's snowing!

We woke up to snow today. I don't want to go anywhere on the icy roads.

That's okay, I have things to do. 

WIP Wednesday #25 -- Working on my UFO's

Last week, I really took a look at all my UFOs piling up. So many had been abandoned! I set a goal to work on three that week. I'm proud to say I did keep my goal.  Even if I didn't finish three UFOs, I did work on three UFO's.

• First, I finished piecing my Honey Honey quilt. Yay!  (Check that one off my UFO list!)

• Second, I worked on my Fractured Flower Quilt.  

I didn't get very far. I'm mad at it again. Honestly, I'm debating on putting it in "Time Out" again. Then I argue with myself "but I'm so close!"  All that truly remains is sewing my rows together and adding a border. Then it will be ready to quilt.

The reason this has been just sitting around for months is because it's not perfect. This is very hard for the mathematician in me. The math is correct, but my execution of it wasn't. Ugh! I know where I went wrong, and am kicking myself for the mistake. But oh well! Can only move forward. 

Here, you can see I've sewed row 1 (a corner piece) onto row 2:

Fractured Flower Quilt

I have to unpick this because I just CANNOT live with something like this. It will bug me to no end, making it so I never want to see this quilt and embarrassed for anyone to see it. 

Fractured Flower Quilt

But, I am working on it.

• Third, I've prepped a LOT of fabric for my Old Italian Block. (Yes, I know I originally planned on working on a different UFO, but I needed something fun to work on.)

Right now I have 166 fabric squares cut. 

Old Italian Quilt

And more fabric I've purchased at local quilt shops as well as an order from Hancock's of Paducah. 

 

I'm keeping to a schedule. 

Linked up to Freshly Pieced here.

Language Lessons

Conversation on the way home from Kindergarten this afternoon after taking MK's friend home:

MK: Bye! Bonjour!
Me: Bonjour?
MK: Doesn't "bonjour" mean "bye?"
Me: No. "bonjour" means "hello."
MK: How do you say "goodbye" in French?
Me: "Au revoir."
MK: "Au revoir."
Me: Very good.
MK: Do you know any words in Tokyo Spanish?
Me: Um. No. In Tokyo, they speak Japanese.
MK: Oh.

(Any other Better Off Dead fans out there?)

WIP Wednesday #24 - Update on WIP Goals

On my last post, I set myself some goals this week about my ever growing UFOs in my WIP. I set a goal to work on three projects this week, attacking the problems head on. 

I've worked on my Honey Honey project. The top is all done. Hurray!

Honey Honey quilt

This pattern can be found here.

I'm still working through my list for this week and will report back next week on how it went. 

Linked up with Freshly Pieced here.

Attacking the UFOs!

I have so many UFOs! Lots of UnFinished Objects!

(This picture is so apropos, don't you think?)

I've started to feel weighted down by my ever grown WIP pile. So many of these projects I get very close to the finish line...and then they just sit there. Right now, I'm looking at my sewing table.  My Fractured Flower quilt is just sitting there right next to my Honey Honey quilt. The only thing I have left to do on both of them is to sew my rows together. Easy peasy, yet it sits there. Underneath both of these are stacks of paper waiting to be prepped for my Old Italian quilt. And don't get me started on everything else.

Instead of just finishing something I've already started, I'm eyeing new projects. (Curse you Pinterest!)

I've had to restrain myself from starting this project I found here (thanks to Pinterest. Just kidding about that 'curse you' back there.)  

 

I tracked down a copy of the Feb 2013 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting for this pattern. 

Should I really be starting a new project?

But this new one looks so exciting, new, and fun.

I found this short and to-the-point blog post entitled "How Do You Beat the UFO Blues." Basically, she says we need to know the why before we can work on the how. 

So, I took some time to examine WHY each one of my half-finished projects are being left unfinished.  Each one has been abandoned for one reason or another. I've made a goal this week to work on 3 WIPs this week, which means tackling the problems head on. 

Project: Honey Honey

Reason UFO: Tension issues. The thread is showing through. I need to either unpick it and stitch again or just stitch it over again.

Project: Fractured Flower

Reason UFO: It's just not perfect! I know, I shouldn't lament this as nothing is perfect. I just have such a hard time when I know mathematically this should work and it doesn't. I just need to push through this and finish it.

Project: Big Block Baby Quilt

Reason UFO: First, I needed a walking foot. I ordered it online, and it is here now. I want to stitch in the ditch before doing some free motion quilting. Second, I needed to practice my FMQ. 

Real Salt Lake Game

Where have I been? Busy. 

One of the fun things I've been able to do lately is go to another Real Salt Lake game with the entire family. We were lucky to score tickets to the semifinal game between Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy. What a crazy game! It went into overtime where RSL sealed their win. Amazing game play.

The whole family after the RSL Game

At the start of the game, MK needed help from R to hold up her scarf to welcome RSL out onto the field. 

C is just cheesing it up for the camera.

Cheering on the RSL Team

During halftime, MK snuggled up to R. He's got a scratchy beard while he takes part of Movember and is rubbing her cheek with his whiskers. I love the look on her face! And, little stinker she was, she wouldn't keep her hat, gloves, or scarf on even though it was so cold and windy.

 

C had stayed home sick from school that morning. I wasn't sure if we were going to take him, but he was doing SO much better even if he didn't have a ton of energy. 

 C cheering on RSL

S and me bundled up against the cold cheering on RSL

When I told S we'd be going to watch the RSL game he told me "one day I want to be a real soccer player." 

 Me, C, S, MK during half time

Me and R. I'm not used seeing him without facial hair!

Me and hubby 

We love going to the games. So much fun. We'll be going to a lot next season as well--We got season tickets for the next season. 

Happy Halloween

I snapped this picture of the kids this morning when I dropped them off at school.

Kids at Halloween

 MK had been something different each time she's dressed up--totally taking advantage of being the youngest with all the costumes we've accumulated. This morning she's a dragon. She wants to be a mummy tonight. We'll see.  C has a scary mask, to wear with his black cape/cloak/gown but can't wear it at school. S made his own glasses, wand, and broom. He's wearing a cloak aunt Dolly made for her kids they outgrew.

UPDATE:

I took the kids the the city's Trunk-or-Treating at a local park. Yes, MK did talk me into making her a mummy. I put it together SUPER quick and she kept tripping over stray mummy wrappings.

S: Harry Potter, MK: Mummy, C: Scary Monster

Kids at Halloween

Kids at Halloween

Real Salt Lake

Last night, R and I went to cheer on Real Salt Lake. He was given tickets and food vouchers by his work. Sweet, I know. S was bummed that he couldn't come with us as he is a HUGE soccer fan, but so goes life. It was a midweek date night for us. 

We're Here for RSL

It was a great game. Real won 2-1. I still have the battle song running through my head. 

WIP Wednesday #23 - Honey Honey

This is a pattern I'm testing for Esther over at ipatchandquilt.wordpress.com. She will soon have the pattern available at her craftsy store here.

Honey Honey Quilt

I know I haven't posted in a whole week. I've been busy--luckily a lot of it was sewing time. I really buckled down and got to work on the Honey Honey project. I had a minor speed bump, but got it figured out with the help of Esther. I sewed up all my units and this is what I have so far.

I really love how the hexagons weave. This looks like it would be complicated, but it really is simple. Esther has put together a clean and easy pattern with lots of helps.  

I picked these colors because it was what I had in my stash. The more I look at this, the more I want to make it again only in different colors this time. I'm really thinking of doing it with a white background and then bright yellow and black hexagons. We'll see. Plus, I want to finish this one first. 

WIP Wednesday #22 - Updating MY WIP Pile

I need to update my WIP page because I've now got 3 new projects started. Two of these projects I started at the Utah Quilt Festival last week. (SO MUCH FUN!)

• OLD ITALIAN by Anita Grossman Soloman

Old Italian Quilt Block

I took this class from National Teacher Anita Grossman Soloman. She has several books out about simplifying quilting. I bought two of her books Rotary Cutting Revolution (This quilt is on the cover) and Make It Simpler Paper Piecing which she used as basis for the class. Excellent books and AMAZING technique to simplify paper piecing. I didn't quite get it when reading it on my own, so I was glad to have her there demonstrating it. She also has great links on her website for video clips demonstrating her technique. 

One thing I LOVE about this pattern is that it keeps the directional fabric whole. Check out the stripes in these blocks. They continue as if the dark fabric was appliquéd onto it. 

Old Italian Quilt Blocks

I plan to make this into a queen size quilt for my bed. 

• POCKET FULL OF PINWHEELS by Bonnie Miles

Pinwheel Quilt Blocks

This is from a class I took from a local teacher. I won't be surprised if she soon becomes a National Teacher. This class was to learn the techniques of several types of pinwheels. We were supposed to do six, but only had time to do four. (We started late due to a RUDE quilter. She was on the waiting list, but showed up and set up. It took us a while to figure out who was supposed to be there and who wasn't taking up precious class time. Grrr!) I have the pattern for the other two and plan to make them. I figure I can make a sampler quilt of pinwheels. My favorite so far is the bottom right corner one.

• HONEY HONEY by Esther at ipatchandquilt.wordress.com

I've chatted with Eshter through linky parties. One day, she showed off this amazing pattern she created. I loved it. I commented I would love to be a tester when she was ready, and she remembered me. She's sent me the pattern and her deadline. I've picked out fabric.

Due to being gone last week at Utah Quilt Fest, I haven't gotten very far. I did spend one evening reading through the pattern, printing out the pattern, and cutting up all the parts.

The pattern is amazing. She has LOTS of colored pictures of options, clear instructions, and more. I'm really excited to try this pattern out. 

Now I need to get sewing! LOTS to sew.

Linked up at WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced here.

3rd Place Viewers Choice

I made this block for the Utah Quilt Festival's Save the Boobies Fundraiser.

Flower Quilt Block

The Fundraiser works by selling a Fat Eighth of fabric. Each person then makes a 12" finished block of their choice using that fabric. This year's theme was flowers. I found this pattern on craftsy.com.  You can find it here. At Quilt Festival, everyone then votes on their favorite block. There were 70+ blocks.  The blocks are then made into items to sell. They make money from selling the fabric and from selling the finished products. Funds raised go to support a women's hospital in Southern Utah.

I won 3rd place! 

 

Isn't this a cute prize?

Linked up at Anything Goes Monday at Stitch by Stitch.

Linked up at Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.

Linked up at Paper Piecing Party at Quite Play .

Laughing at Your Own Joke

A Text Message conversation between my mom and me the day we were setting up for the Utah Quilt Festival.

Me to Mom: At Walmart. Do you need anything?
Mom to me: New brain? Nothing other than that.
Me to Mom: Abby Normal? I'll get right on that ;)
Mom to me: Ok.

She didn't get it. I had to explain it was a Young Frankenstein reference. Somehow, it isn't as funny anymore when you have to explain it. I thought I was hilarious. Apparently, I was the only one.

WIP Thursday #21

Where have I been?

Unfortunately, it hasn't been to visit my sewing table other than just once. 

My butt has been glued (not literally) to a computer chair every day for two weeks. Why you ask?

First, I had to work a lot the past couple weeks. I work in customer service, taking calls from the US and Canada speaking English and French. I sit at a computer at work. 

Second, I'm on the committee for the Utah Quilt Festival. My job is to arrange the seating for our luncheons. I have to organize seating for 297 people for 4 lunches. Holy Moly! My deadline for reservations recently passed and then I was super busy confirming payment, assigning tables, making sure people were moved around the room each day, then email each and every person their confirmation. Even after that, I've spent the last 2 days fielding calls and emails about concerns.  

I'll be so happy when the event is here and I can go learn about, talk about, see, and play with quilts.

My one visit to my sewing table was to sew up all my rows for my Fractured Flower Quilt.

Now I need to make a trip to my ironing board to iron the seams open. *grrr* 

Fractured Flower Quilt

My aunt's sister-in-law passed away last year. My aunt doesn't quilt, so she brought all her SIL's quilting supplies to my mom. My mom and I went through the boxes to divvy up the goods. I made a rule for myself "If I wouldn't buy it from a store, don't take it." It seemed to work for me. I picked out a few books and move fabric. One can NEVER have too much fabric. 

Red Fabric

I love all this red and pink Valentine fabric. It will be perfect in the Valentine hearts quilt I've been planning forever.

A Voracious Reader

C loves to read. He always has a book or two on hand he is reading. He rereads his favorites if we can't get to the library for a few days. The local Librarians know him and help him find new and exciting books. He takes books with him whenever we drive anywhere to read in the car. (Something I can not do--ugh.) I really don't know how he doesn't get car sick from reading in the car.

Yesterday, we had the following conversation while driving S to his soccer practice:

Me: Kids, we need to talk about our plans for tomorrow.
C: *looks up bewildered to find I had been talking to him* Uh? Oh, sorry. I was in another world reading my book. I did't know you were talking.

It's Bleeding!

Call a Doctor! My quilt is bleeding!

Little Pink Dress Quilt

With my quilt all finished and the Utah Quilt Fest Quilt Show just weeks away, it was time to block it. I sprayed down the quilt with water...and you can see what happened.

You would think I had learned this lesson before as this happened to my first quilt. With my first quilt, I was very careful to pre-treat all my fabric before piecing. But then I took it to a longarmer, and together we chose a beautiful blue batik for the backing...which WASN'T pre-washed. The blue bled into all my white pieces. I was in tears! My mom (who is my quilt mentor) was at Paducah at the time, so I couldn't get a hold of her for a while. Mom talked me off the ledge and made me see all was not lost. She taught me about what to do when your quilt bleeds. Don't you love moms? 

When the pink in my mini quilt bled, I didn't panic. (Ok, who am I kidding--I may have panicked slightly, but I didn't cry.) I grabbed my synthrapol and color catchers. I felt a little like a mad scientist as I stirred my quilt over the stove in hot soapy water.  My kids asked what I was making, hoping I was making a treat. Nope, just cooking fabric over here.

Cooking my Quilt

I used four color catchers. FOUR! 

Color Catches

After stirring and rinsing, the color seemed to have disappeared from the grey. 

I pulled it out and set it out on a towel and blocked it. My friend who is charge of the Quilt Show suggested putting a fan on the quilt to dry it as soon as possible. This reduces the chances of curling and crinkling, etc. 

Little Pink Dress Quilt

Then I waited. Only 24 hours later, my quilt is dry. Best yet--my grey is looking grey and my pink is looking pink. No bleeding!

Little Pink Dress Quilt

So, BIG sigh of relief. Crisis averted. Everyone can go about their lives--it's okay.

What crisis has had you in tears? Who saved you?