Check, Check and Check!

Are you a list maker?  My husband is an avid list maker and keeps it handy everyday and checks items off the list as he completes them.  It gives him a lot of satisfaction to put those little checks beside the tasks and it also helps remind him of what needs to be done and keeps him from forgetting things.  My daughter is following in her father's footsteps.  Me....I keep my "to do's" in my head, which has proven to be unreliable.  I have tried writing the lists and prioritizing under my husband's careful guidance but I lose the list and rarely follow it.  I am a hopeless list maker.  Yet as I accomplish things it still feels just as good to mentally check it off the list.

That has been my week, getting things off of my mental "to-do" list.  I helped the University students complete a prayer quilt to be given to a fellow classmate who has terminal brain cancer, finished a sampler for a beginning quilt class I will be teaching, copied patterns I needed to send out to several shops and helped a friend complete a binding for her project.  Whew! It has been busy.  But now I get to work on a new project of my own.  Alex gave me a challenge and my head is abuzz with possibilities.  I'm almost giddy!!!!  I'll keep you up to date on how it is going.  Today was step 1: I bought some Kaffe solids and a few fun prints to go with them for a little punch.

I spotted a new notion I hadn't seen before.  It is called, Quilt Sticks.  They are long rulers that are specific widths (ie: 1 1/2", 2 1/2", etc.) so that you can quickly cut a lot of strips without thinking a lot about it.  It has a special backing that keeps it from slipping on the fabric.  If you have a lot of strips a particular width to cut it looks like a helpful tool.

Another check on the list, aaahhh satisfaction!

Dee

Speeding up the Process

The last couple of days have been busy ones.  A group of ladies come once a month to learn a new tip or technique, to share their quilt projects, to enjoy one another's company and to sew.  I love it and all the warmth and goodness that comes from getting together.

I had the pleasure of teaching a group of 9 and 10 year old girls to make a purse with a zipper in it.  Wow! What an afternoon.  That was certainly out of my comfort zone but I am glad to report they all went home with a purse and were very excited and happy.

Today, Steve and I hosted his students for dinner and a workshop on writing a resume.  It's a joy to see capable young people excited about heading into the real world work force.

Here is what I shared with my quilt club ladies this month.

Making a quicker and more accurate square in a square block.

1. Cut 4 squares half the size of the finished block plus 1/2" for seam allowance.  Draw a diagonal line on each of the small squares.  Place one square on the corner of the large square and sew along the drawn line.  Fold over the triangle and press.  Trim away the excess fabric underneath and repeat on the opposite corner and then repeat on the other two corners.

Example: If your center square is to finish at 4" cut the square 4 1/2" to include the seam allowances.  The 4 smaller squares will be cut half the finished size or 2 inches plus the 1/2" seam allowance or 2 1/2".  Check it out and see what you think and let me know.

Whatever your days are filled with may they also include love and laughter,

Dee

Off to the Seminar!

Do you take the opportunities to go to quilt shows and classes when you can?  I find so much inspiration from seeing what others are doing.  Today was a special one for me.  I had the opportunity to attend the first night of the Ricky Tim's Seminar being held here in MI and visit with my friend Alex Anderson.  She gave me some great advice on a new quilt design and we shared a laugh or two.  I was also inspired by their quilts and the new techniques and quilt "toys" they had to share.    I also learned that Libby Lehmann who does the seminars with Ricky and Alex had a brain aneurysm.  She came through the surgery and is doing as well as can be.  Please keep her in your prayers.

I encourage you to attend the shows and seminars when you can for the inspiration and sheer beauty of the work being done by fellow quilters.

See the beauty all around you,

Dee