How-To Clean Your Sewing Machine!

I am embarrassed to say I can't tell you the last time I did this, so once I post this video I am heading DIRECTLY to de-bunny my machine!




A few weeks ago I mentioned changing needles on the FaceBook page... guess this is a good time for that, too! How often do YOU clean your machine?

 Heading to mine...
Carrie

Adding Borders: Love making colors POP!

You might have seen my One Block Wonder - I added the borders to it and pulled out the teal to create the first border:

I love how the color with the least amount in the quilt POPS here!

Then it was the outer border...well, purple, of course!

Both borders are batik - just LOVE them.



My grandsons stopped by right after I finished this and both were "wowed" by the colors... pretty good impressing 3 & 4 year olds!  "Memere, it's beautiful! I love it!"  Guess its a winner. :)

Anyone want to learn how to do this?  I'd LOVE to teach you!!

Have a wonderful day, all -
Carrie

One Block Wonder, AKA: What to do with some fabric I loved...

So, I had this really gorgeous fabric that I really loved, but I just didn't know what to do with it. I loved all the colors in it... but nothing (beyond perhaps some place mats) came to me.  Then... I saw a One Block Wonder at the Quilter's Symposium we had at the Monadnock Center and I did a bit of research.

This was my first time trying a One Block Wonder.  I'd done some Stack and Whack in the past, but this was just a wee bit different.  And I liked it.

So... I found the repeat, cut out six identical pieces and then lined them up by marking through all 6 layers with a pin, connecting at the same point in each piece.

Then I cut out three 3 3/4" strips of fabric.

 

Then I had a bit of a geometry struggle.  Okay.  Let's just put it out there: Geometry is a weakness for me.  There.  Okay. Let's move on.  

I wrestled with how to do it, but finally found a way, not the easiest, but the ruler and a pin were involved and I made equilateral triangles.  After a bit of conversation after dinner with hubby, the math man, we realized my only mistake was turning my mat the wrong way.  It will be easier next time, knowing that!

As I cut the sets, I pinned each one together and made a BIG pile of about 50. 

 

Then, it started getting fun!  One of the things I discovered (which also makes the process REALLY appeal to me) is that no two quilts, even made with the same fabric, would be identical.  It's both crazy fun and a bit scary.  

Since each triangle is equilateral (whoo hooo... big math word there!), you can rotate them three different ways, each creating a different kaleidoscope hexagon block.  Here's two options from the same triangles: (third one was blurry, sorry!)

Once you decide, you start sewing.

It's VERY important to FINGER PRESS the seams as you go along.  It is crucial for this quilt to have ALL open seams.  Finger pressing was a new method for me with this project.  Not only did it work, but I got pretty good at it. 

Here's where this one is a bit different than Stack and Whack, you sew two sets three of each together - IE: you don't fully sew the block.  You pin the two parts together for now.  I made a BIG stack and then went and did the ironing.  Later, when I needed to move around a bit more, I would do one, then go press it.

I also sorted them at this point, into four stacks based on the dominant color in each.  Then... I took them to the table and started the next VERY cool part: designing the quilt.

My color thought process was to start in the far left corner with the darkest, solidest purple/blue and work to the right introducing the teal, like water at the ocean.  I tied the yellow in as sunlight shining in from the upper right and the light purple like the sky in the upper left.

This is another part that is SO artistic!  You get to decide what goes where and what you are trying to create.  It was both freeing and frightening.  In the end, it was fun, as well.

The next step is why you only pinned the hexagons: you actually sew them in horizontal strips!  WHAT?  YAH!!

This image is the first two strips sewed together - you can see the next one on the right.

Yup... match seams, pin, sew, press seams open and top side flat and repeat... again and again.

Here's what you get:

WOW!

Now, I have to audition borders and quilt this puppy. I think this was a good choice for this fabric.  Wicked good choice!


  Have you tried One Block Wonders?  I'd LOVE to see the results if you try it.  Check back in a bit to see how I finish it.  Here's a link to check out the book:
One-Block Wonders: One Fabric, One Shape, One-of-a-kind Quilts
As an Amazon Associate, a wee bit of money comes our way if you decide to try it via the link.  Thanks ahead of time if you do!  :)

Have a creative day,
Carrie

#TBT - Be Grateful - Finding Hearts

The best part about looking back for #TBT, is that you re-discover things you had set aside.  Today's Throwback Thursday is a wonderful little video that I just had to share.

There's a line in it where she says that "whatever you are looking for, you will find".  I think this goes both ways: look for good in life?  You'll find it.  Look for bad?  You'll find it.

I heard a story once about a salesman who walked up to a man in a new town.  He asked him: "What are the people like here?"  The man asked him, "What were the people like in the town you just left?"  He told him they were negative, unpleasant, etc.  His reply "That's what folks are like here."  Another salesman walked up asking the same question.  Repeating his question about what folks were like where he came from, this salesman replied that "People were easy to talk to, friendly, etc"  The man's final reply was that THAT was what people were like here.

You get what you expect.  You get back what you put out.  Not 100% of the time, but enough that there is value in being positive and thinking the best of situations and of people.

This video by Hailey Bartholomew, is called "Finding Love". It's 2 1/2 minutes and lovely. Take a moment to watch it today. I was glad I did!


Quilty hugs on this lovely day, Carrie

Wordless Wednesday: 5/14/14 --> A view off the porch

Time for a glimpse out my porch door.

Happy Wednesday, all!

Leaves are coming!

Weather stick says it's going to be a good day!

Mother's Day gift from my grandsons! 

Enjoy your day!
Carrie

Getting ready for first Market Day of the season!

I spent a portion of Mother's Day playing around with my Fresh Chicks Market display - my idea of a good time!  The day was absolutely gorgeous and I was experimenting with some new ideas.  I share Mother's Day every few years with hubby's birthday, so he went off into the woods with the 4-wheeler, a pair of loppers and a chainsaw and was happy as a clam.  :)  (FYI: we DID have a lovely dinner in the evening!)


But I wanted to show you some pix of what I am going to try and re-create in a few hours. It was pretty breezy, but still worked pretty well. 

 The batik banner above will be strung along the middle.

 I found that in the gap between the two poles, I can also hang more yardage.  This year is the first time I am bringing yardage with me.  Being a touchy-feely sort of person myself, thought others might like it.  LOTS of good color, too!

Isn't this hanging storage from IKEA perfect?!?  It has super strong Velcro at the top (you can kind of see it) and made great use of the space. 

I'll post some pix tomorrow of how it looked when finished.
 
Do any of you set up a space at fairs or markets?  What do you sell?  Want to share display ideas?  I'll add a Linky Tool at the bottom of the page for you!

Have a great day - I'm SOOOOO excited!
Carrie

The Remarkable Return of the Farmers Market!!

When I thought about a video for today, I was also thinking ahead to my first farmer's market of the season.

This is a great video about how markets are ever expanding.  Do you have one near you?  We'd love to hear about it!


Have a creative day - I'm getting ready for Fresh Chicks Market tomorrow!

Carrie