DONE!

 

 I can't believe I finished the Loon. It was touch and go for a bit! Turns out I can FMQ better when I'm in a zombie like state because of lack of sleep! Not only is it ready to be handed in, but it also counts as a March finish for the Sew Its Finished challenge. Thanks for all your helpful comments they were much appreciated - I felt like I was having a QMD (quilting meltdown) yesterday.

Tonite it's going to be a relaxing evening of couch potatoness!

Happy Stitching
corina

I'm in a Pickle

rough mock up 1

Our quilt show is coming up soon. I committed to make a quilt for a silent bid animal charity auction challenge for the show. I've rejected idea after idea, finally deciding on a making a loon about a week ago. Sketched out my loon and some grasses and was ready to go. Hummed and hawed about the fabric choices. Then I got sick for a few days. Bottom line....I have less than 48 hours to finish, and it is still in pieces. As you can see, still a long way to go. I've thrown together 2 mock ups.

rough mock up 2

symmetrical borders

I can't decide between uneven borders as in #1, or evenly bordered but with several different fabrics (which have yet to be decided on) as in 2, or maybe neither and just stick with my original design which was symmetrical borders.  I've already misplaced some of the pieces of the loon and don't know how I'll anchor the grasses in the design. Big sigh. I have such a hard time committing to a design...and the subject matter...and the fabric...and the borders...and you get the picture

It's going to be a late, late, late night. (my husband keeps saying "Don't leave everything to the last minute" - I hate it when he's right! LOL)

Happy Stitching
corina

FNSI Results - 6 Minute Circle - Free Shows

My FNSI was spent getting a display board ready to teach a demo at the guild on the 6 Minute Circle. It's a technique in the book Pieced Curves So Simple by Dale Fleming. I love the technique for making perfect circles everytime, WITHOUT having to cut perfect circles in fabric. The baby quilt above was made last year using the technique.

If you cut apart your perfect circle, you have 4 perfect Drunkard's Path blocks!

I was quite nervous about showing the technique today at the guild, but I did enjoy the whole experience.  By the time I repeated the 10 minute demo a total of 5 times I had it down pat (the first group I showed it to only got to see the 6 minute HALF CIRCLE, LOL). If you ever have the chance, you should check out Dale Fleming's book Pieced Curves So Simple, you'll be glad you did.

It's International Quilting Weekend. The Quilt Show is celebrating by allowing free views of their over 100 online quilting episodes. The show is hosted by Alex Anderson (formerly of Simply Quilts) and Ricky Tims. They have special guests that show the latest techniques. The shows are free until Sunday (possibly Monday too, as they try to cover all the time zones). Usually the majority of shows are for paying members, although they do have a basic free membership which allows you limited access to some shows. There are over 8000 member quilts that you can view too.  If you have a few hours to spare on Sunday you could watch some pretty interesting shows (I'm not affiliated with the site, just like some of the shows).

Happy Stitching
corina

Seriously?!? The Bird Was What???

On Sunday I was outside puttering around when I came upon a bird on the ground. A beautiful Cedar Waxwing! It made no movement when I approached, except to blink it's little eyes. I carefully picked it up and placed it in a box. I've been told that if a bird flies into a window sometimes all it needs is a couple of hours to regroup. So I waited....one hour, two hours, three hours. Then I closed the box and drove it to the emergency vet where Prairie Wildlife would pick it up and care for its injuries. I felt so bad for the poor little thing :(

This morning I got a phone call from Prairie Wildlife informing me that the bird was just released on my street, good as new! I did my happy dance, then asked what had been wrong with it, a hurt wing perhaps? No.

THE BIRD WAS DRUNK!!!!

The main diet of the Cedar Waxwing is fruit. Occasionally, the berries left on the tree over winter ferment. The bird eats the berries and gets completely inebriated! Tipsy! Tight! Plastered!

So I can proudly say I drove a bird to the drunk tank!

The picture above is not of the bird I found. It wanted to remain anonymous (the embarrassment) so I posted a picture of a sober Cedar Waxwing taken a few years ago.

Happy Stitching!

corina

Vintage Pinker & Info on Free Digital Quilt Magazine

Several years ago I came across this gadget at a garage sale for $5. It's a Singer Pinker. I wasn't sure how or even if it would work. When I tried it out at home I found it works perfectly to pink the edges of fabric! You just clamp it to your table and feed your fabric through while turning the crank.
In no time at all your fabric has perfectly pinked edges! I just love some of the old gadgets!

For the last few months I've been receiving digital issues of Down Under Quilts and Down Under Textiles. They have some really good ideas and lots of inspiration. The subscription is absolutely FREE! I really like the magazines and they have some pretty interesting projects. Down Under Textiles has great instructions on making a free motion quilted journal cover that I am going to have to make one of these days. It fits in perfectly with the free motion quilting challenge I'm taking part in. Here is the link if you want to subscribe to the magazines http://www.creativelivingmedia.com.au/  (By the way,  I am not in any way affiliated with the magazine. Just wanted to pass on the info!)

Happy Stitching
corina