Hint #2

Hint #1

I got to do some sewing this weekend. Here is hint #1 of what it is....

Tomorrow night we are off for the Cubs vs Brewers game. Should be lots of fun!

An update with my life

Well not much to tell that is exciting, but I"m SOOOO BUSY with work I"ve had no play time. All work and no play is making this girl very, very cranky. I threw a hissy fit in front of the kids friends last night. I"ve just had it with everything! Will this ever stop? I just don't know.

But on the quilting news front - even though I"ve not had time to "play" I did take a few minutes and enter the county fair with things I had done. It was another very good year for me. I think I"d be embarrassed to tell you how many ribbons I won, but I will say a lot!

Very top is my Smore Sunbonnet Sue doll I made a few years ago. I never remembered to enter it in the fair - I always think quilts. So last year I made a note on my list for this year. And look it! I got a first place for the Doll Category and Grand Champion for the whole Domestic Arts - General Category! My first every Champion. I was excited even if it wasn't a quilt.



And I got quite a few 1st places and down. Thought I would share some of them here.

Another Favorite Tip

Here is another favorite tip of mine. This one for making applique circles. I took a class once with Karen Kay Buckley - it was one of the best classes I"ve ever taken. Well she makes her applique circles with heat resistant mylar circles. I love this way! She started buy using metal washers from the hardware store. Then the washers went mylar. And now she produces mylar circles just for this! I got mine from Connecting Threads, they come in many sizes within a package, and there is a smaller circle package and a larger size circle package.

Start by tracing around the circle on the fabric, then cut about 3/8" or so around the circle. Make a running stitch around the circle near the outside edge leaving 2 thread tails hanging.

Next you need Magic Sizing, a paper cup and small cheap paint brush. Put the mylar circle in the center of the piece, pull the strings to gather around the mylar circle. Hold and paint on some magic sizing onto the back with the paint brush (spray the magic sizing in the paper cup, it turns to liquid). Let me tell you - I needed 4 hands to do this and take pictures!

Use a hot dry iron and hold the iron on the circles until the magic sizing dries.

Then gently open up the circle where the string tails are and slip the mylar washer out. I have a pile of circles here that have the washers pulled out.

Then gently pull the strings again to get back the shape and knot the thread, then trim off tails.
In no time at all you have a ton of fun circles to applique down. I then use Roxanne's Glue Baste it to attach them to where I want them on my applique piece and sew them down without having to turn under edges or remove freezer paper!

Favorite Binding Tip

A week or so ago Kathie suggested we share any binding tips we had. Well this is my favorite tip/technique. It adds a step, but to me worth it. First off sew your binding onto the front with machine like normal.


Next I sew a zig zag stitch onto the edge of the quilt/binding with regular thread on the top and fusible thread in the bobbin. The fusible thread will go on the back of the quilt. Above are 2 of my favorite brands of fusible thread. The YLI is fairly easy to find. You won't see the collins much - actually not even sure they still sell it. I kept this one to remember what kind it was in case I ever saw it again. The YLI spool I got for about $4.50.

Here you can see the zig zag from the top - I used green so you could see the zig zag, but normally I use a color that matches better!

And here is the zig zag from the back. I use a wide setting and larger stitch length. Usually about a 5 width and a 3 length. I also need to put my tension up quite a bit as the fusible thread is quite thick.

Next you iron the binding down on the back with a HOT iron. Pull the binding tight from the front around to the back and iron down.

What this does for me - is gives a nice even binding and it doesn't shift as I hand sew it down to the back. You know how sometimes when your pulling it over while sewing or even clipping it down it kind of pulls sideways. Well this holds it in place. No shifting, no clipping, no pulling and holding it down cramps while your sewing! Plus if you need to show it to a friend before the back is totally sewn down it still looks great from the front! If for some reason you decide you need to pull it a bit more or shift it, it easily pulls up so you can adjust! I NEVER do bindings without the fusible thread step! It has been a life saver for me!

Playing Around

I just played around this weekend finishing up a few odd things. I got 2 more pinwheels made!

And I finished the 5th block for Quilter's Blessings. I"m only 2 months behind now!

Surprise in the Mail

Look at the surprise I got in the mail today! Lucy sent this to me for a surprise - and BOY was I surprised! It is soooo cool!

And her is my attempt to catch a yellow finch in our back yard today. We have tons of them, but they never sit long so it is so hard to get a pic! Blends in with our weeds!

Pinwheels and Ballot Boxes

I got 2 pinwheels made! Finally! These 2 I just put on wooden dowels and nailed in, so they don't spin, but they are cute! I need to try the pinwheel sticks yet - just got them in the mail today! I used the instructions for these on Procrastistamper.

And quilt camp is coming up in 2 short (or should I say long) months! We always pass out treats and surprises, and the theme this year is Hooray for the Red, White and Blue. We thought we could decorate little ballot boxes to collect our treats in. Well I found 2 adorable wood primitive boxes on sale from 4th of July for Laura's and my ballot boxes! Won't it be perfect!

A Ta Da moment

You HAVE to go visit my friend Jan's blog today. She has a "Ta Da" posted that will take your breath away! I"m so tempted to say I'll buy the pattern and the templates from her at camp.... like I need another project like that! But it is oh so tempting!

Another Top Done

I"ve got another top finished! This one is for Holly's good friend at school. Now just to get it quilted and to her before the fall semester starts! Holly picked out the fabric and the pattern. The pattern is Happy Hour by Terri Atkinson. I sure hope she likes it. Now just 3 more to get done and quilted for xmas gifts!

More Baby Quilts

I haven't had babies to make baby quilts in ages. This summer I have 4! So here is my latest baby quilt I finished (and the back). Isn't this the cutest fabric! I also made 2 doll quilts. One to go with this quilt and another for big sister that matches her quilt I made 2 years ago. Other than that it is work, work, work!

Another Finish

Another finish for me. I"m doing the happy dance! I"ve been in such a funk lately because I"m so busy with work I just don't feel like I"m getting anywhere! Well here it is - Marcie's Williamsburg pattern done up in completely different fabric! All quilted, bound and washed for that great crinkly old look!