Tools of the trade...part 1

I have not contributed here in a while.  I have been working but don't feel like I am making progress.....just keep plugging away.  I still have several projects that need to be finished.

I wanted to talk about using the tools we have to make our quilting life a little easier.  There are so many of them.  When I started pulling together my quilting tools for this post I could not believe all the tools I have!

Cutting tools are such a necessity.  Every size of rotary cutter, blades, my precious circle cutter, a true necessity for me, and various scissors for various projects.  I use them all, not on every project but it's nice to know they are at hand when I need them.

Can you say rulers!

OK, I have a lot of rulers.  I have many specialty rulers.  I never met a ruler I didn't like.  I like to have the proper tool for my projects......Yep, I have too many rulers!  I have about 4 rulers I use everyday.

  One of the best tools ever is this rotating cutting mat that I can trim and square up blocks without moving the fabric.  This is a nice tool.

Those JoAnn's coupons feed this tool obsession of mine!!  Some specialty tools are not available there but you can almost always find the basics.

Thats it about tools so far.  I'll  talk about my favorite specialty tools next time.

Dig out those tools from their hiding places and find the treasures you have not been using that will make your quilting life so much easier.

I've been working...................

Although I have not had any photos to post lately, I have been working!  Here are some of the fruits of my labor.

Pictures will be forthcoming at some point in time!  This is a short post but I have got to get back to the sewing room!

Teaching a Class......Me???

I am going to have a new adventure this summer.  I am going to teach a quilt class at Harper's Fabric and Quilts in Downtown Overland Park, Kansas!  It is something I have thought about....some have made this suggestion to me but I just didn't think I would do it.  I love quilting...and I love quilters but it is a little intimidating to someone who is not often intimidated!

I am going to teach this quilt

Yes, Seeing Squares by Empty Bobbin.  I do love this quilt.  I love that you can make it out of any fabric, any color scheme that delights you.  I love that you can't really tell where the block is.  It is just a great quilt pattern.  I want to get another baby size done before class if I can.

I will prepare myself and share all the tips and tricks I know.  I am looking forward to it.  If you want to join me please do.  I will bring chocolate!

Mug Rug Swap Adventure

Well...I joined another swap!  Just like I said I wouldn't.  It is done now.  I have both sent and received and my partner has received so I am done.  No more for a little while at least!

This is what I received from my Flickr friend/partner "oneygirl".

What great color and the fabric line I love.  It is a large mug rug which makes it all the better.  Leona also sent me some purple fabrics for my stash and a great handmade mini kleenex holder,

For me this is the year of the Tula in my swaps!  First it was the Plume dresden for the DQS 10 swap...the Neptune Postage Stamp Quilt along, and now it is the Full Moon Forest Mug Rug Swap Adventure...................

Leona's wishes were for owls and Tula Pink so this fabric was perfect.  I used my favorite 6 minute circle to make this quilt.   Since this "mug rug" was more of a doll quilt I made an additional gift;

I just love these fat owls!





Another swap has come and gone and I always enjoy them.  I just need to stay out of them for a little while so I can get some stuff done!!!!

Happy Easter

These Easter bags are going to my "greats" nieces and nephews.  It is so fun for me to do these little things for them.  I have two 5 year olds and one that's 4 and one thats 1.  I have more, one in Denver, one in Louisburg, one in North Carolina, but I don't get to visit them today.

I wanted to show you the view I have right now from my sewing room.  I love Spring when everything is so green and blooming.

We have some yard work to do...mulch to add...flowers to plant.  My yard is always a work in progress.

I finally got my Robert Kaufman, No Prints Allowed quilt into the house so I could get a decent photo.  I really enjoyed making this throw even though the color scheme is not my normal.

This may go up on the wall in my office for a while so I can enjoy it.  Having a quilt hanging in my office reminds me each day why I work!!!  Fabric quilting and travel!!

It's a beautiful Sunday.  Happy Easter.

No Quilty Stuff

I have been gone from here for what seems like a long, long time!  I have been here....

It was wonderful but there were no sewing machines or fabric on board.  I had to make do with magazines and a few of my favorite quilting books.
We saw some beautiful things like this

While we were gone the Ship gave us these

balloons to help my husband and I celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary!

All in all a fantastic vacation. It was really relaxing.

Next time I think I will stash a few fat quarters in my bag so I can touch them and dream about the sewing days ahead!

Stay tuned...I should have some quilty things to post by the weekend!

484 inches!!

After sewing 484 inches of binding since Christmas I finally finished this little beauty...

It was difficult to get a half way decent photo of this one.  It measures 120 x 120 and I have nowhere to lay it out or hang it up!   I am very happy with the way it turned out.  It is all batik and I think I would keep it for my own if I could get away with it! 

I made this for my niece Mindy who asked me for a bed quilt.  I started it shortly after her birthday last year (May 1) and was determined to have it finished for her birthday this year.  I gave this quilt to Angela Walters to quilt for me.  I just wasn't up for this challenge!!  Mindy told me she liked fall colors so that was my theme.  This is a Debbie Maddy "Cosmic Jewels" pattern.

It is beautiful in Kansas City today so I think we will spend most of the day outside.  We have waited a long time for this weather!

Hope you all enjoy your day.