Tuesday, Rainy Tuesday!

Oh, my day started off with a bang and then fizzled.  I brought 4 projects that I thought would go together fairly quickly.  No!  First, I forgot (or thought that I had) my patterns at the house.  I did find them in with the bags.  Then, I was looking at a table runner that I had started and just decided I don’t want to make it and I will drop the blocks off at the guild meeting.

My second project was a table runner and I read it as using 2.5 inch strips.  Wrong project, that was for a tote bag and I left that pattern at home.  I didn’t bring enough fabric to cover the batting (one of those quilt as you go projects), and I didn’t want to buy fabric for it.  Too expensive and I can do it at home.  Third project was My First Crayons, but really not in the mood for it.  

Last and final project was a go!  At least at first.  I had printed the pattern but didn’t realize until I started it that the block sizes were not on there.  I made the first block and it turned out cute, I then got distracted and couldn’t seem to make it the same way a second time.  With this rainy weather I was getting a headache and called it a day at 2 o’clock.  I just wasn’t meant to sew on those projects.  But I had a wonderful time visiting with friends, a good lunch and a little shopping.  I bought a new long Omnigrid ruler and a yard of fabric for borders.  I will be going back tomorrow and this time I will be better prepared!  

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY

March 26, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your bins muffin topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!
Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Can you believe that Easter is just a few weeks away! I am so far behind, I better start hopping on those gifts for the grands!  Here are some fun projects that the kids, even those who are kids at heart, will love!   These can all be found on youtube.

Our first one is a little cloth basket that can be for either a child or an adult!  Very cute and easy to make.  How to Sew A Beautiful Basket from Cloth.

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCY-gkDhD5I

Or, if you are ambitious, how about this one?

2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0_216ziKfI&t=90s

These can be made for Easter or even as nice gift bags for different occasions.  Charm Square Tutorial.

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0_216ziKfI&t=90s

Have fun, will see you next week!

ROUND ROBIN 2023 (Long)

PLEASE SCROLL ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS AND TYPE AGREE AT THE BOTTOM, ONLY IF YOU INTEND TO PARTICIPATE.

HOW TO SIGN UP: Please sign up by emailing me at thepinkquilter@gmail.com with RR2020 in the subject line, your name, address, phone number, and email. When the swap is filled, then I will PM everyone along with a list. You will be always sending to the same person until finished. The list will be posted after the swap closes.

SIGN UP DEADLINE: March 31, 2023

SEND OUT DATE FOR CENTER BLOCKS: April 30, 2023

WHAT IS A ROUND ROBIN? A round robin is usually a 12 inch block that is sent to a set number of people who then take turns adding borders to the block. It is then sent back to the owner as a finished top. This is a chance to be creative by using different techniques, such as borders, blocks, appliqué, etc.

DUE DATE FOR BORDERS: To be announced after we have at least 5-7 signups. From there on, quilt tops will be due on the first of the month and you will have two (2) months to complete each of your rounds. Hopefully, the tops will be finished within a year but do understand that things do happen that can delay it. When you finish your center block, please post a picture as we love to share and also for insurance reasons in case of problems.

Pictures are required along with tracking information. No exceptions.

SWAP GUIDELINES:

1. This year this is there no limit on the size of the center block. It can be any style or color you would like, it’s your choice. Please include scraps and a vision of what you want to see your top become. Please include a journal for others to write in as it is fun to see where it has traveled and its transformation. Please post photos as we go along.

2. It is up to the person receiving the top to decide on an appropriate border to go around the center block. Please make sure that it complements the colors the maker has chosen and styles that will match. There will be as many rounds as there are players so that everyone has a chance to create.

3. When sending the quilt top along, please make sure that it is INSURED AND THAT THERE IS TRACKING ON THE PACKAGE, as we don’t want anything to happen to our creations. Also make sure it is Flat rate shipping, if possible. Please send on the first of the month. MAKE SURE THAT YOU POST TO THE GROUP YOUR TRACKING NUMBER, YOUR NAME, WHO IT WAS SENT TO, AND DATE SENT.

4. If you find that you are having problems keeping up with the rounds, please let me know so that we can help you keep up. If we do have problems, the date can be pushed back to help, but you have to let me know ASAP! Remember, we cannot help you unless you ask for help. IF YOU BACK OUT OR DROP OUT AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SWAP, OR DO NOT RESPOND WHEN CONTACTED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS, AND WITHOUT LETTING ME OR ANYONE ELSE KNOW, YOU WILL BE BANNED FROM SWAPPING!

5. Please keep pets and smoking to a minimum as we do have members that have allergies. Use only good quality cotton and your best sewing techniques. Be creative and have fun with the quilt but make sure that it complements the quilt.

Thank you for playing along!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY

March 17, 2023

Oops! I missed Thursday again!

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your bins muffin topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!

Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.

Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Today, it is a mix of different patterns.

Our first one is an Easy One Hour Quilt made with a pack of FQ. And she had it done in just a little over an hour! This is from Tiny Orchard Quilts.

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksQ8qkpFUNw&t=55s

There has been a lot of talk about String Quilts, so why not add to the mix! This one is from Fons and Porters and is called String Me Along.

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi4rZ44yPPs

This is a Scrappy Star String Quilt where you make your own fabric using scraps by color coding it.

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1NQ9kuo2W8

Have fun!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

MARCH 9, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your bins muffin topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!

Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.

Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Today we will be looking at patterns using Jelly Rolls

This is from Donna Jordan, a Log Cabin Quilt.  I love the colors that she chose and her patterns are so easy!

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NWnkdtYpR4

This one is from the Fat Quarter Shop and is called Jelly Roll Sizzle and would make an adorable baby quilt with the pinwheels! 

2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL4yvnu1roA

And another one from The Fat Quarter Shop.  This is called Jelly Roll Jackpot.

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUNGUYRsGT0

Have fun and sew some more!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY

March 3, 2023

My apologies!  I meant to post this yesterday but I was at Kiki’s Sew Day and didn’t get around to it.  This is one that I posted a few years ago, but the patterns are still a lot of fun to make!

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your bins muffin topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!
Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.


To start off, here are 3 patterns for quick totes. Wouldn’t these make great Easter gift?

1. https://sewcanshe.com/clutch-bag-patern/

2. https://sewcanshe.com/tiny-bag-pattern/

3. TRIPLE ZIPPER BAG – FREE SEWING PATTERN WITH A TUTORIAL!

The patterns can be anything from a potholder to a runner, a tote, aprons, pin cushions, to a large quilt. If you have a pattern that you want to share, please feel free to post here. We love to share our patterns and ideas.
Have fun sewing!

Hi Everyone

This past week has been a little bit of a trial for me with me winding up in the emergency room and spending the night.  I am just now starting to feel like myself again.  I have epilepsy and had 3 seizures in 3 days in the past week along with a side of aphasia (not able to speak.)  Yes, I have grand mal seizures.  I had not had one in over 18 years and thought I was past that.  This means that I cannot drive for at least 3 months (or possibly longer).  My doctor and I think that with all of the drugs I was taking for my knee surgery, they were fairly strong, that they are leaving my system thus causing seizures.  At least we are hoping so.  

I am feeling a lot better but have not been sewing very much lately but today is the day I intend to get in there and start sewing! Watch out for falling patterns to start appearing soon!

Well, I had my call from Kaiser and I will be starting a new medication, actually the brand name of Dilantin. I get to pick it up tomorrow. If it works and I don’t seize for another 3 months I will be safe to drive again. I have an EEG scheduled for next week and will discuss the results the following week. We both agree that it is probably residue from the pain meds that I was using after my knee surgery. I am feeling a lot better now and should be okay from here on out. Thank you everyone for your good thoughts and prayers, they are truly appreciated.

A little update:

I had an odd day at Kaiser Hospital this morning and a funny story to share. I have epilepsy and had not had a seizure in over 19 years. Well, back at the end of February, I had 3 seizures in 3 days and I wound up in the hospital overnight. Do not remember a single thing about it, nothing at all.

Anyway, I was scheduled for an EEG this morning to find out the cause. I arrived on time, got in there for my EEG. Was all set up with electrodes and whatever else. The tech started and the power went off. Only in the offices, not the hallways. It was off for a few minutes and then came back on. We tried it again. A few minutes later, off goes the power again. It came back on again, was on for about 4-5 minutes and then off again. So, we thought the third time would be the charm. WRONG! It went off as she starting again and then we both decided it was time to probably go ahead and reschedule. But I will have to wait until the power comes back on with the reception area so they can call me! Who knows when that might be! We could hear the doctors joking about calling it a day, and it was only 9 am. The tech and I were laughing about maybe needing an extension cord to do the test out in the hall! 🤣 She said that she is going to put in my chart to make sure they have extra power next time I come in. 🤣 Of course, the test was stopped and I will have to reschedule as we both thought that the test results might be compromised or that the machine may not have recorded all of it. The test takes 45 minutes to complete!

My doctors both think that the medications I was taking early on were too strong, I have a lot of med allergies, and that the half life of some them were leaving my system, even though I was on Dilantin for control. I started off with oxycodone, bad reaction, and went to Norco and Tylenol PM with Naproxen. I am no longer on any pain meds at all and I am just now 3 months out! And tomorrow I will turn another year older. Moral of the story, check with your doctor about any reactions at all to meds and make sure they listen, and report them right away!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES CHALLENGE, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your bins muffin topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!

Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.

Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Here are 3 fun Easter projects:

1.  Two Charm Quilt:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AmQx-nzpqI&t=38s

2.  Or an Egg Shaped table runner:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkM1zoiwEEA

3.  Or if you’re feeling ambitious, making Easter baskets:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlbIHRnHSYU  

Happy Sewing!!

I LOVE THE WAY YOU HOLD ME by Toby Mac

This is my all time favorite song that makes me feel so good and alive!! I hope you will love it too!!

Annalee and her Valentine Tote

DGD (age 10) came over all last week and on Thursday she decided she wanted to make a tote for herself.  So, we played with some patterns and ideas and on Friday she came over and we looked at fabric.  I had some fun fabric that I thought she would love, scales that iridescent and really pretty.  NO!  She wanted something with Valentines on it, so we pulled out my shoebox bin and looked at fabric.

Seriously, I love my DGD, but she is very stubborn.  Wonder who she gets that from?  🙄😇  I showed her the whole overstuffed charms box and we went through it together.  She decided that she wanted mainly light colors with not much contrast, but we finally decided on a nice layout with a few darker colors.  Tomorrow is President’s Day, so  no school and she will be coming over to decide on how to lay out the blocks and hopefully finish it before Tuesday.

I had PT yesterday and only 2 more visits to go.  I am at 0-120 degrees and am now working on my balance.  I have not sewn as I have been working on getting my blog and a few other computer issues taken care of first.

Today, I have finally gotten my blog together the way I want it after changing themes about 3 or 4 times and I am finally happy with it.  This afternoon, while watching a movie, I went through 3 good sized bins and separated all of my orphan blocks and spare parts from other pieces of fabric and they are all nice and neatly put away where I can find them easily. 

Tonight I plan to do some more sorting so I can clear my table off.  Oh, I do have a top that needs to be sandwiched and readied for the quilter soon.  


And here she is with her new Valentine tote!!