January 2010

It was nice

by Karen on January 22, 2010

in life in general

It was nice to have so many people drop by this week and participate in my give away.  So many have contacted me during the week with e mails and it is very interesting to hear about what everyone is working on and to find out where you are all from.  The only problem with a give away though is that not everyone leaves an e mail address for contacting you back.  When you leave a comment if you want an answer you need to have your settings right.  So far I have not heard back from Rebbecca Potts Baker one of the winners from my give away.  Rebbecca I have no way to get in touch with you as you didn’t leave a e mail address.  Hopefully you will come back to check who the winners of the give away are and claim your prize.  Contact me at k@pddoc.com If I don’t hear from Rebbecca in five days or so I will go through the random number selector and pick someone else.

I took a day off from working on my patches and circles yesterday and got back to it today.  Making progress but anything to do with me and sewing machines moves slowly because I keep taking so many breaks :)   here is what I have so far:

this is 25 blocks across right now and nine rows finished. I have another 3 rows in the process of as you can see. The total body of the quilt will be 25 rows by 25 and then some kind of border around that. I plan to get a little more work done on it this weekend and hopefully get the main part of this quilt done next week and then start on a border.

this is 25 blocks across right now and nine rows finished. I have another 3 rows in the process of as you can see. The total body of the quilt will be 25 rows by 25 and then some kind of border around that. I plan to get a little more work done on it this weekend and hopefully get the main part of this quilt done next week and then start on a border.

Here is the progress on the Little Brown Bird block that I started working on the other day. It will have some flower blossoms scattered on it over the wreath and a little embroidery. Right now the brown background shows through the light side a bit but I don't think this will be noticeable when I get the flowers on it too. Once it is quilted for sure I think it will be fine. This is a 9 1/2 inch block.

Here is the progress on the Little Brown Bird block that I started working on the other day. It will have some flower blossoms scattered on it over the wreath and a little embroidery. Right now the brown background shows through the light side a bit but I don't think this will be noticeable when I get the flowers on it too. Once it is quilted for sure I think it will be fine. This is a 9 1/2 inch block.

I’m not sure what we are doing this weekend.  Sounds like we might have more rain tomorrow – I hope it waits until evening and the day will be pleasant.  I need to start looking for a new microwave oven.  Ours technically is not really all that old but it has not been working well recently and last night burned a hole through the bag of popcorn on the same setting it is always set at!! That shouldn’t have happened.  Also some other things have not been cooking at the normal amount of time and I have been having to constantly adjust the time.  I looked briefly at some a month or so ago but held off.  I think this weekend we will find a new one.  I don’t need anything fancy – we only use the microwave for reheating leftovers and making popcorn, defrosting frozen items and things like that.  This is only the second microwave we have had!  The first one lasted forever it seems, much longer than this second one did.

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And the winners are:

by Karen on January 22, 2010

in quilts

I am amazed once again at how many people came to visit and leave comments on my blog for the give way.  I had 80 people that left comments and also I have so many people that stop by my blog every day to visit it is amazing.  Thank you everyone for stopping by.  I used a random number generator available on line to pick the two winners and they are:

Rebbecca Potts Baker #19 from Concord, North Carolina

and

Teri Dingler #32 from Montgomery, Alabama

please e mail me with your mailing addresses at k@pddoc.com to claim your prizes.

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Last night for give away

by Karen on January 21, 2010

in Dear Jane - "Insanity Revisited"

The give away concludes at 12:00 noon tomorrow Central Standard Time.  I have been very pleased to see how many have left comments.  I think the number is up to 72 right now!   I should have said that if it reached 100 I would give a third prize – maybe next time.  I have enjoyed looking at all the blogs that you have left links to.  So many!! and from all over the world.  I love looking at everything you all have to offer the quilting world.  I will go to the random number generator tomorrow at noon and draw two numbers and let you know who the winners are.

I spent a couple hours today over at my friend Julie’s house.  Julie got interesting in my first dear Jane when I was making it and decided she wanted to learn how to make one too.  Along with our friend Regina  we all started making a Dear Jane 2 years ago in April.  If Regina had been able to make it over today for sewing I would have posted a photo of her Dear Jane as well – but Regina is a hard working woman :) and couldn’t make it over to sew.  She was slaving away at work.  This is Regina and Julie’s  first time at making Dear Jane and my second.  Here is a photo of Julie’s Dear Jane in progress:

7 rows completed (and row 8 just about there and will photographed at another time)

Julie's Dear Jane quilt --- 7 rows completed (and row 8 just about there and will photographed at another time) Julie is doing her Dear Jane all in flowery prints. She is doing her quilt in a combination of methods, hand, machine, paper piecing.

while at Julie's today I completed a Dear Jane block for my "Insanity Revisited" quilt. I had not worked on this quilt for almost two weeks. This is from row 10 block number 2.

while at Julie's today I completed a Dear Jane block for my "Insanity Revisited" quilt. I had not worked on this quilt for almost two weeks. This is from row 10 block number 2.

While out today I decided to replace my warped June Tailor board with a small table top ironing board. I already checked and if I push the computer back out of the way I can place it on the computer area for pressing and have the rotaing cutting mat ready for cutting on the cutting table. I had inquired to the June Tailor people in customer service about my problem with warping and they never responded to my question - this gives them an F in customer service in my opinion - I inquired at least a week ago if not more and not one little response from the.

Seeing as I was out today I decided to replace my warped June Tailor pressing/cutting mat with a small table top ironing board so I ran over to Wal-Mart before coming home. I already checked and if I push the computer back and shut the lid out of the way I can place it on the computer area for pressing and have the rotating cutting mat (or large mat when using it) ready for cutting on the cutting table. I had inquired to the June Tailor people in customer service about my problem with warping and they never responded to my question - this gives them an F in customer service in my opinion - I inquired at least a week ago if not more and not one little response from them.

And of course the weather today!  It went from a high of 68 degrees yesterday to a cold rainy night dropping our temperatures to a high of 46 degrees today!!  Of course that was not unexpected – that normally happens when you have spring like temperatures in January in Arkansas :)   we had a whopping 2 inches of rain all night along with thunder and lightening.  The upcoming 7 days will be back to normal for Arkansas = highs in the 50′s and lows in the 28 to 35 range.

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My process

by Karen on January 20, 2010

in Dear Jane - "Insanity Revisited", life in general, weather

What with having the design wall in the living room and the sewing machine down the hall in the sewing room I have gotten a process down for working yesterday and today.  I find that my little sand paper board that I use for my Dear Jane pieces works well for this too.

I bring my 12 inch square in the living room and put 9 blocks on it to sew together to make a 9 1/2 block. This helps me keep them in order.

I bring my 12 inch square in the living room and put 9 blocks on it to sew together to make a 9 1/2 block. This helps me keep them in order.

after I sew the blocks together I immediately take it over to the cutting table where I cut and press. Here is the block pressed. Then I remove the pressing mat and my cutting mat is underneath.

after I sew the blocks together I immediately take it over to the cutting table where I cut and press. Here is the block pressed. Then I remove the pressing mat and my cutting mat is underneath.

square it up with my 9 1/2 inch ruler. Immediately take it back to the design wall and press it in place and start over again.

square it up with my 9 1/2 inch ruler. Immediately take it back to the design wall and press it in place and start over again.

this is what I have gotten done with so far yesterday and today.

this is what I have gotten done with so far yesterday and today.

close up of the blocks - this will indeed be a colorful scrappy quilt.

close up of the blocks - this will indeed be a colorful scrappy quilt.

Now we all know that I’m not happy unless I am working on several things at once.  I have to have some hand work handy and I am taking a couple days (weeks?) off of my second Dear Jane “Insanity Revisited” and I was itching to get started on the applique quilts I intend on starting this year.  So last night I bit the bullet and got a Little Brown Bird block prepped and got started while I was watching TV and finished with the patches for the evening – I don’t like to use the sewing machine while the TV is on – I can’t concentrate that way.

here is the first Little Brown Bird block that I am workibng on. This first part is reverse applique. Maybe you can see the design traced on? It is in light gray chalk. Scattered over the wreath will be three or four flowers. I'm not sure what colors I will have them, they all have some embroider on them I believe.

here is the first Little Brown Bird block that I am working on. This first part is reverse applique. Maybe you can see the design traced on? It is in light gray chalk. Scattered over the wreath will be three or four flowers. I'm not sure what colors I will have them, they all have some embroider on them I believe. I got started on this one last night.

It has been very nice outside since Sunday or maybe it was a couple days before that even?  We took a walk on Sunday and the turtles were out it — was so nice.  Today was even nicer!  68 degrees of course we are supposed to maybe have storms tonight and tomorrow in the 50′s – oh well, nice while it lasted.

Turtles on the log

Turtles on the log

I'm not sure what these berries are that were growing on the side of the trails, but they are pretty. These two outside photos were taken at the nature trail near by.

I'm not sure what these berries are that were growing on the side of the trails, but they are pretty. These two outside photos were taken at the nature trail near by.

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I won more quilting things!

by Karen on January 19, 2010

in quilting links

Here I am having a give away (ends Friday) and I keep entering into other peoples give away’s and I won two of them in the past 2 weeks.  Both arrived today.  I won the package of six fat quarters and the most darling scissors I have seen from Christine at Aunties Quaint Quilts in Tasmania Australia and I won a book and 5 fat quarters from Colletta at Collettas Kitchen Sink in Pennsylvania.  Here are photos of my wins — thanks to both you for the nice gifts.

From Christine at Auntie's Quaint Quilts

From Christine at Auntie's Quaint Quilts

a close up of the scissors - aren't they unique!

a close up of the scissors - aren't they unique!

my other win from Pennsylvania, I haven't tried this author so looking forward to the new read.

my other win from Pennsylvania, I haven't tried this author so looking forward to the new read.

I have no where in this house for a design wall so after much thought I decided to order a portable wall.  It goes up when you need it down when you don’t.  This works out well for me as with all the hand work that I do I really don’t need a wall all the time.  Right now it is being put to use with the circles and four patches.  It is time to sew them together so I have some of them on the design wall and go back and forth to the sewing machine with them.  I don’t mind going back and forth as it keeps me from getting stiff and also gives me some exercise :)   I can go ahead and leave this up in the living room all week while I sew as it is pretty much just myself around most of the time as Mike is working long hours and isn’t home much this week.

what the wall looks like from the front with some of the patchwork on it.

what the wall looks like from the front with some of the patchwork on it.

this is what it looks like from the back - fairly easy to put together except the side clamps - I have to have my husband press those in place as my hands aren't strong and I can't seem to press hard enough - I will have come up with some method as he isn't always available when I might need to put it together. When not in use everything folds up including the poles and all goes in a drawsting tote bag.

this is what it looks like from the back - fairly easy to put together except the side clamps - I have to have my husband press those in place as my hands aren't strong and I can't seem to press hard enough - I will have come up with some method as he isn't always available when I might need to put it together. When not in use everything folds up including the poles and all goes in a drawstring tote bag. (as you can see from the walls in this room all those shelves and books, it is like that in a large amount of the house so no empty walls for a design wall.)

Don’t forget the give away ends on Friday.

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Organizing – moving the fabric around

by Karen on January 17, 2010

in quilts

Every so often I feel the need to get my fabric organized into some kind of order.  I think I do this because I tend to forget what I have tucked away in the wire baskets, boxes and shelves.  It starts out in some kind of order then with me pulling this fabric out and that piece here and there things do not get put back in the same place.  It all gets mixed up.  I very much want to do the Little Brown Bird quilt in mostly “almost solids” with other fabrics tossed in as needed.  The Red and Green Traditional Applique will be done in the same way.  I wondered how much I had to work with so on Friday late in the day I started pulling out batiks and marbles.  I normally do not pre-wash which I know a lot consider bad form :) but I have rarely ever had bad luck doing it this way – really in my memory I have only had a piece here or there bleed and still the quilt was not ruined as I was able to “fix” it in some way.  But with these two applique quilts that I plan on doing I wanted to make sure I didn’t have to fix so I set about washing bits and pieces and pressing.  Then seeing as I was doing that I set about re-organizing shelves.  Here is how my shelves ended up:

these are all batiks, moda marbles and that type of fabric. All of these are fat quarters or close to that, some a little smaller and some a little bigger.

these are all batiks, moda marbles and that type of fabric. All of these are fat quarters or close to that, some a little smaller and some a little bigger. On the top shelf in the black picture frame is a photo of my mom.

on the opposite side of the wall these wire baskets hold fabric that is mostly prints, most of these again in the size range of a fat quarter.

on the opposite side of the wall these wire baskets hold fabric that is mostly prints, most of these again in the size range of a fat quarter.

the boxes on the top shelve still contane all the scraps, these consist of strips, patches, bits and pieces of all small sizes - big enough to use in scrap quilts. Most are pressed and folded neatly (most). The lower shelve has yardage in about 1 yard to 3 yards each.

the boxes on the top shelf still contain all the scraps, these consist of strips, patches, bits and pieces of all small sizes - big enough to use in scrap quilts. Most are pressed and folded neatly (most). The lower shelve has yardage in about 1/2 to 1 yard to 3 yards each.

the photo inbetween those small stacks of yardage is of me and my 9 siblings photo taken several years ago. (originally we had 12 kids in the family we have lost two brothers over the years)

the photo in between those small stacks of yardage is of me and my 9 siblings photo taken several years ago. (originally we had 12 kids in the family we have lost two brothers over the years) - I'm second from the right side (tall dark short hair)

the whole shelf on one side of the room. The bolts on the end are leftovers from the Dutch Treat quilt in the aqua shades, the beiges/whites are for specific projects for background. The second dear jane quilt, Little Brown Bird, Red and Green Appliuqe and the Star Crazy quilt. I like to get the background all at once and normally in 10 to 12 yards so I have enough for the whole quilt without running out as these quilts usually take a year or longer to complete and I don't want to have to try to find it later if I do run out.

the whole shelf on one side of the room. The bolts on the end of the shelve are leftovers from the Dutch Treat quilt in the aqua shades, the beige/whites are for specific projects for background, the print was something I had got on a clearance and have not used much of it. The bolts are for these projects: the second dear jane quilt, Little Brown Bird, Red and Green Applique and the Star Crazy quilt. I like to get the background all at once and normally in 10 to 12 yards so I have enough for the whole quilt without running out as these quilts usually take a year or longer to complete and I don't want to have to try to find it later if I do run out. On the top shelf I placed the civil war fabric that I won recently so I won't loose track of it. Keeping it handy makes me look at it so I can plan something to use it for down the road. At the very end is a stack of white on white and neutrals to use in scrap quilts. Top shelf is a photo of my girls when they were high school goofing off.

my work table and sewing machine, rulers on a rack above - photo on the wall is a small photo of the grandkids from 5 years ago I think - I need to update that with a newer photo. Under the work table are four canvas boxes with patterns, freezer paper, one just with Dear Jane fabric (red and the top that is finished to the 9 rows right now) The purple ribbon on the wall is one I won for best of show at the local county fair about 10 years ago? for the double wedding ring quilt with flower applique border.

my work table and sewing machine, rulers on a rack above - photo on the wall is a small photo of the grand kids from 5 years ago I think - I need to update that with a newer photo. Under the work table are four canvas boxes with patterns, freezer paper, one just with Dear Jane fabric (red and the top that is finished to the 9 rows right now) The purple ribbon on the wall is one I won for best of show at the local county fair about 10 years ago? for the double wedding ring quilt with flower applique border. Ironing mat is on the floor under the sewing machine when not in use. The boxes on the table hold my circles and four patches for current quilt in the works.

This photo is aimed to add my computer area to the mix so you can see the small space I use for that area too. Everything is orgainzed! I have a small space and need to make the most of all areas. One thing I need to do though is close the top to that computer and only use it now and then - instead I keep popping back and forth to the computer when I could be getting more quilting done!

This photo is aimed to add my computer area to the mix so you can see the small space I use for that area too. Everything is organized! I have a small space and need to make the most of all areas. One thing I need to do though is close the top to that computer and only use it now and then - instead I keep popping back and forth to the computer when I could be getting more quilting done! The far end of this long computer area is my husband's area and he is not neat and organized - I do not touch that area! He has his own method? The printer separates our areas.

from this angle you can see the thread storage and the wall hanging on the wall. That thread cabinet from Gutermann is one of the best investments I made over the years in this sewing room. The others are the large floor standing quilting frame - sturdy and well worth the money spent and also the sewing machine a Janome Jem Plantium 720 - a small machine but very good for what I use it for - much better than the several cheap machines I got over the years from Wal-Mart.

from this angle you can see the thread storage and the wall hanging on the wall. That thread cabinet from Gutermann is one of the best investments I made over the years in this sewing room. The others are the large floor standing quilting frame - sturdy and well worth the money spent and also the sewing machine a Janome Jem Plantium 720 - a small machine but very good for what I use it for - much better than the several cheap machines I got over the years from Wal-Mart.

So this is my sewing room organized once again.  I did order several more plastic project boxes and the star crazy quilt which is scattered on the sewing machine table along with the ring binder will go in one of the boxes when I get them at the end of the week to stay organized.

An over view of my skinny long sewing room :)

An over view of my skinny long sewing room :) (yes the floor needs to be cleared up once again under the quilting frame - but in a way it is, the tote bag has knitting equipment, the basket has give away's for the future, the black bag on the floor is a portable design wall that I recently purchased and will be put to use in a day or two when I start to put together my circles and four patches.

Somehow I have more fabric than I thought I had.  I think I had so much packed tightly that when I re-folded and all it puffed up :)

Don’t forget the give away continues until Friday, leave comment on yesterdays post to be included.

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Blog Post #500!!! I am having a Give Away

by Karen on January 15, 2010

in Red & Green Traditional Applique

Comments are now closed on this blog post, winners will be announced shortly. (edited 1/22/ 11:59)

I started blogging in April of 2007 – almost 3 years ago – wow how time flies.  At first I really didn’t know what to write and didn’t write very frequently.  I finally decided to just write as I talk as though I was actually chatting with you.  I am not very good about formal sentence structure and I know it!  I just don’t care anymore – I assume if that is what a person wants to read they will go elsewhere :)   About a year and a half ago I really got into it and started blogging on a very regular basis.  To celebrate this 500th anniversary I am having a give away – winner will be announce in one week on Friday the 22nd of January.

There will be two winners.  The rules are simple.  Leave a comment and tell me where you are from and you get one chance. Blog about it and make sure you tell me and you will have two chances.

prize #1 included 20 light aqua hoffman batik 6" squares, 20 dark aqua hoffman batik 6" squares, a McKenna Ryan pattern and the other things in the photo.

prize #1 included 20 light aqua hoffman batik 6" squares, 20 dark aqua hoffman batik 6" squares, a McKenna Ryan pattern and the other things in the photo.

prize #2 is another stack of both colors of batiks, another McKenna Ryan pattern and an assortment of other items in the photo.

prize #2 is another stack of both colors of batiks, another McKenna Ryan pattern and an assortment of other items in the photo.

The two aqua fabrics are the ones that I used in my Dutch Treat quilt which originally was going to be much larger than it ended up being.  I had cut a lot of 6″ squares in preparation for the quilt so had a lot left over.  The 3 bears pattern featured in the second grouping of prizes is the one that I used for the wall hanging in the motorhome.  It is like new as you trace the pattern on to fusible web so the pattern is not disturbed in anyway.  I had cleaned my sewing room back in the late fall and filled a basket with items that I do not used – possibly used slightly but not so you would notice.  Some things were given to me that I never used as was not something I needed or use.  I still have a basket – no longer overflowing but still full so plenty for future give away’s.

And the weather today with this warm up that we are having and enjoying!

slightly out of focus as I had to stand over to the side so my shadow wouldn't be on it. The little boy has no jacket this time and no little snowman in the corner :)

slightly out of focus as I had to stand over to the side so my shadow wouldn't be on it. The little boy has no jacket this time and no little snowman in the corner :) Someone asked the last time I posted a photo of the thermometer what kind is it. It is from the Weather Channel and is digital.

I have been busy today organizing fabric – yes once again.  I have decided that I will go ahead and start soon on the Little Brown Bird quilt after all.  I have been undecided about it.  I do not know if I will make the whole thing, but I am going to give it a start and decide as I go.  I will be using a lot of almost solids – batiks and moda marbles.  I want to make sure there is no bleeding so I have been washing fabric and pressing all day!  And still more to go through in my wire baskets on the shelves.  I will use a little of the other fabrics (prints) here and there but most of them I will wash as needed.

The Red and Green Traditional Applique quilt I will be starting first.  I have the background fabric for both quilts on bolts on the shelf.  The Red and Green quilt will be mainly moda marbles and batiks also with prints thrown in here and there.  I have been collecting batiks and marbles for sometime now in preparation.  I mainly get fat quarters and I have plenty of them.  I might be organized enough tomorrow for a photo.  My fabric needs organizing and I have a feeling it will take several days of working on it to get it all under control (and I have a very small stash compared to some of you I know).

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Going Star Crazy

by Karen on January 14, 2010

in Star Crazy, weather

I worked off and on all day on my stars for the January BOM assignment and managed to get done with them!!  Off and on all day in between working on stars and doing laundry I also worked on my circles and I have quite a little stack of circles prepped and ready for applique.  By this time next week I just might have all of my circles finished!!  That means I will then have time to start on the Red and Green Traditional Applique of the 1800′s. I was tempted to get started on it this week but really needed to get some of these projects under control :)

The January assignment for the Star Crazy BOM from the Quilt Show website

The January assignment for the Star Crazy BOM from the Quilt Show website. All of these half square triangles on the right hand side are to be put away until needed.

I got a little quilting done this morning on the Christmas Baltimore Album quilt but progress is moving slow as I have been spending so much time working on the stars and circles that I haven’t devoted much time to quilting.

Our weather has gone from the Arctic temperatures of the beginning of January to almost early spring like temperatures.  It was in the 40′s and raining today and the week outlook is in the 50′s!!  I sure can deal with that and I won’t even brag about it.

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Soup, DJ, HST’s & Circles

by Karen on January 13, 2010

in Baking/cooking, Dear Jane - "Insanity Revisited", Star Crazy

Overall a very busy day!  I felt like I was running around in circles though!  I got a very easy Dear Jane “Insanity Revisited” block done this morning.  A start on row 10.

Dear Jane, Row 10, Block 1, woops I forgot to press this one before I took a photo.

Dear Jane, Row 10, Block 1, woops I forgot to press this one before I took a photo.

I got a couple more circles done and I transferred all of the circles to another empty Ramen Noodle box to store them in so they won’t get wrinkled before I get started piecing.

200+ circles

200+ circles

I was busy on my Star Crazy quilt also.  I got my half square triangles finished for this first months assignment.  I hope to get busy on the stars tomorrow.  I ran in to further problems and will not be making the half square triangles with the paper method — it messes up my tension in my sewing machine too much.  I am not a sewing machine person as a lot of you know.  Sewing machines hate me! No kidding I have never been able to adjust the tension properly on a machine, no matter what machine it is.  This one (Janome Jem Platinum 720) is the best I have had and is an easier machine to work with than others I have had (cheap)  but every time I have tried to use the paper piecing method I have tension trouble.  Finally I decided it was easier to go without the paper and draw the lines on the light color fabric instead.  It works for me.

On to the stars tomorrow. I don't want to fall behind.

On to the stars tomorrow. I don't want to fall behind. All stacked up and ready to go.

I have a wonderful tomato soup recipe I want to share.  I don’t think I ever posted this one.  This is full of flavor.  Little bit of spice and thicker than the stuff you get in a can. Full of veggies too.

Hearty Tomato Soup

Hearty Tomato Soup I believe I got this recipe off of Giada, Every Day Italian I believe.

Hearty Tomato Soup

2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 cloves garlic or a couple tablespoons from the jar of minced
1 15 oz can white navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 28 oz can crushed or diced tomatoes
3 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 sprig of rosemary
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (to your taste)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

In a large pot melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the onion, carrots and garlic.  Cook until the veggies are tender.  Add the beans, tomatoes, broth and seasoning.  Bring the soup to a boil over high heat then reduce to simmer for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Puree the soup in batches in a blender.  Remove the bay leaf first!! Return to the pot to heat back up.  Be careful with the blender this is a hot mixture.

Very good recipe and wonderful flavor.  Enjoy

I was very busy today.  I made it to the fitness center – second day this week – very good workout, I am starting to build back up to what I used to do.  I hope to keep it up.  I forgot the grocery list though and completely forgot that I was going to go to the grocery store until I got back home so after a short time at home I hopped back into the car for the 20 minute drive back to town and the grocery store.  I got all my stuff fairly quickly but was held up at the check out line.  Got into a really, really slow one.  I actually read part of a magazine and copied out a recipe into a notepad that I keep in my purse (only thing in the magazine I wanted :) ).  Also read through the soap magazine and got caught up on all the soaps that I don’t watch and don’t want to!!  But I would rather get interested in a magazine at the check out then get mad at standing in line so long :)   think positive thoughts you know (but man was that checker slow!! LOL)

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Circles and HST’s

by Karen on January 12, 2010

in life in general, Star Crazy

Been busy, busy here.  I tend to feel like I am starting to go in circles and that I am a half square triangle!  Don’t you just hate those things sometimes!  the hst’s I mean.  I am working on the Star Crazy quilt trying to not get left behind in the dust and keep up with the monthly obligation of  the monthly assignment.  But ran into a problem.  The instructions right off the bat tell you to make sure that you have your printer settings at full size no scaling.  I checked– it was right – no scaling, full size.  Well something is off because I started to make my hst’s and then decided to put one star together just to see what it looked like and the hst’s were too small!  Not by a lot but enough to make a difference if you know what I mean.  After a lot of measuring to see what the problem was I found that the print out for the paper piecing of triangles is 1/16th of an inch off – too small.

After some playing around with it I think I have it figured out – not the printer – my patterns – I am having to make all of my seams less than 1/4 inch if I want to use the patterns and not have to cut a bunch of strips ect., to do it the other method.  So by the end of the day I managed to have some of my half square triangles finished and I needed a break so quit for the rest of the evening.

my scrappy color choices for the beginning of this part of the quilt and a pile of triangles that I will get the paper off of this evening, press and then square up because now they need squaring up because I have made the seams less they are not all the same size - but they will be size they are supposed to be!!

my scrappy color choices for the beginning of this part of the quilt and a pile of triangles that I will get the paper off of this evening, press and then square up because now they need squaring up because I have made the seams less they are not all the same size - but they will be size they are supposed to be!!

I have been continuing to work on my other quilt that has 4 patches and appliqued circles.  It is coming along nicely!

My box of 328 four patches. I only needed (I think) 317 but I went ahead and made some extra - just in case needed to swap out because of colors next to each other that you don't want next to each other :)

My box of 328 four patches. I only needed (I think) 317 but I went ahead and made some extra - just in case needed to swap out because of colors next to each other that you don't want next to each other :)

You can see that the Moda Sampler box is starting to look empty compared to the full box I started with. The two zip lock bags contain a total of 220 appliqued circles, about a hundred left to do. They are actually going rather quickly (until today that is when I devoted almost a whole day to Star Crazy)

You can see that the Moda Sampler box is starting to look empty compared to the full box I started with. The two zip lock bags contain a total of 220 appliqued circles, about a hundred left to do. They are actually going rather quickly (until today that is when I devoted almost a whole day to Star Crazy)

I did take a little time off today to clean house and to meet two old friends for lunch.  I used to be on a bowling team – Mike and I together – we quit bowling about 4 years ago and I’m afraid I have just about lost touch with some old friends.  Time flies doesn’t it, you don’t mean to neglect friends but if you don’t have a lot in common other than one activity you tend to do so it seems.  We had a good visit over Chinese Food and then I got back home to work on these hst’s!

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