answers
I've had some questions from my thread post so I thought I would do another post and answer them.
Our thread drawers are from Ikea and are the Alex drawer/cabinet. We have the 6 drawer Alex under our longarm machines and 2 of the tall 9 drawer ones that hold our rulers/stencils/marking tools/bobbins etc.
The 6 drawer Alex fits perfectly under the longarm machines. And an fyi, you can fit 6 Alex under a 14ft table.
We have a few of them lol.
We store our threads in some,
And our pantographs(quilt patterns) in the others.
A few weeks ago, we had our studio assistant redo our panto drawers. We used to have them done alphabetically, now they are in categories. I'm still getting used to it lol.
don't forget to scroll down and enter my giveaway or click here
Our thread drawers are from Ikea and are the Alex drawer/cabinet. We have the 6 drawer Alex under our longarm machines and 2 of the tall 9 drawer ones that hold our rulers/stencils/marking tools/bobbins etc.
The 6 drawer Alex fits perfectly under the longarm machines. And an fyi, you can fit 6 Alex under a 14ft table.
We store our threads in some,
And our pantographs(quilt patterns) in the others.
A few weeks ago, we had our studio assistant redo our panto drawers. We used to have them done alphabetically, now they are in categories. I'm still getting used to it lol.
don't forget to scroll down and enter my giveaway or click here
the best
Decision I have made was to switch my work week up this fall and stick with 2 days off in a row. With school/church volunteering and the badminton team I joined, I end up with 1 day to spend in my sewing room but it's a full day I will gladly take.
This week was super productive.
I got my circle table runner pieced,
It fits just perfectly on the buffet.
I got my long awaited fabric from Fat Quarter Shop. Our mail system took it's sweet time getting it here. Or I am just really that impatient ;)
Anyways, got this table topper finished.
I fussy cut the outer border. So much nicer than the bland beige I had chosen for it.
Lastly, a new fall wall hanging.
And let's see who's paying attention. I've passed 200 followers(THANK YOU!) and am going to give the above pattern(not the wallhanging) to one lucky follower. So leave a comment and I'll pick a name on Saturday.
This week was super productive.
I got my circle table runner pieced,
It fits just perfectly on the buffet.
I got my long awaited fabric from Fat Quarter Shop. Our mail system took it's sweet time getting it here. Or I am just really that impatient ;)
Anyways, got this table topper finished.
I fussy cut the outer border. So much nicer than the bland beige I had chosen for it.
Lastly, a new fall wall hanging.
And let's see who's paying attention. I've passed 200 followers(THANK YOU!) and am going to give the above pattern(not the wallhanging) to one lucky follower. So leave a comment and I'll pick a name on Saturday.
thread
I love thread. I love it like I love fabric. I love to buy it, look at it, enjoy it. And all the choices; solids, variegateds, cottons and polys.
I get asked a lot, which thread is best. My diplomatic answer, the thread YOU feel is best. I have my favorites(we'll talk about that in a little bit), but I feel you should buy the best thread you can afford. Some sewing machines(and longarm machines) work better with some threads and other threads just won't work at all.
For me, my favorite piecing thread is Aurifil or Genziana thread. Genziana is the closest match I have seen to Aurifil and I have found it for almost half the price and there is more thread on the spool(just an fyi). I also use both 40wt and 50wt; I don't have a preference.
Unfortunately, Genziana doesn't come in varigated colors. So when I am longarming, for a cotton variegated thread, I will use King Tut. Superior Threads are my favorite for longarming. Except for Rainbow threads; for some reason, my longarm machine does not like them. And the other machine we have, it and Rainbow threads get along great.
Now poly threads; don't panic that I quilt(piece and quilt!) with poly threads. Today's poly threads are so gentle most you can break with your hands like cotton threads. And the color choices! I adore SoFine thread; the range of colors is fantastic. I'm also starting to love Glide thread; the sheen on this thread is fabulous.
(let's all pretend that I took some more pictures of thread from work and it's right here okay?)
Like I said earlier, this is just my opinion(and Superior/Auriful/Glide/Genziana threads have no idea who am I. I wasn't paid or asked to promote these thread; it's just what I use personally). You may have used one of these threads and preferred a different thread. Does that make your thread or my thread choice wrong? No, it's all our own choices; just use the best thread you cna afford. And experiment! Don't be afraid to try new threads.
Next week, I have a post on how far a spool of thread(Aurifil in this case) will actually last. I was pretty surprised.
I get asked a lot, which thread is best. My diplomatic answer, the thread YOU feel is best. I have my favorites(we'll talk about that in a little bit), but I feel you should buy the best thread you can afford. Some sewing machines(and longarm machines) work better with some threads and other threads just won't work at all.
For me, my favorite piecing thread is Aurifil or Genziana thread. Genziana is the closest match I have seen to Aurifil and I have found it for almost half the price and there is more thread on the spool(just an fyi). I also use both 40wt and 50wt; I don't have a preference.
Unfortunately, Genziana doesn't come in varigated colors. So when I am longarming, for a cotton variegated thread, I will use King Tut. Superior Threads are my favorite for longarming. Except for Rainbow threads; for some reason, my longarm machine does not like them. And the other machine we have, it and Rainbow threads get along great.
Now poly threads; don't panic that I quilt(piece and quilt!) with poly threads. Today's poly threads are so gentle most you can break with your hands like cotton threads. And the color choices! I adore SoFine thread; the range of colors is fantastic. I'm also starting to love Glide thread; the sheen on this thread is fabulous.
(let's all pretend that I took some more pictures of thread from work and it's right here okay?)
Like I said earlier, this is just my opinion(and Superior/Auriful/Glide/Genziana threads have no idea who am I. I wasn't paid or asked to promote these thread; it's just what I use personally). You may have used one of these threads and preferred a different thread. Does that make your thread or my thread choice wrong? No, it's all our own choices; just use the best thread you cna afford. And experiment! Don't be afraid to try new threads.
Next week, I have a post on how far a spool of thread(Aurifil in this case) will actually last. I was pretty surprised.
quilt monday
I pieced this quilt last fall. It has hung on the design wall at work since.
A few weeks ago, I finally said time to get it finished. My original plan was to do lots and lots of feathers. Well, after lots and lots of ripping, this is what I came up with.
I did a feather in the outer border, ditched the side pieces, continuous curve in the light squares and water stitched in the center and red 'oval'.
Lots and lots of quilting. It doesn't look like a lot until you turn the quilt over and see the back.
I absolutely love it. And I love how it looks in our newly reno'd bedroom. I painted the walls what I call Moda Grey; it's the perfect match to the grey in this Rouenneries fabric line.
A few weeks ago, I finally said time to get it finished. My original plan was to do lots and lots of feathers. Well, after lots and lots of ripping, this is what I came up with.
I did a feather in the outer border, ditched the side pieces, continuous curve in the light squares and water stitched in the center and red 'oval'.
Lots and lots of quilting. It doesn't look like a lot until you turn the quilt over and see the back.
I absolutely love it. And I love how it looks in our newly reno'd bedroom. I painted the walls what I call Moda Grey; it's the perfect match to the grey in this Rouenneries fabric line.
snack saturday
1 3/4 cups (425 mL) All Purpose Flour
1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
1 cup (250 mL) butter
1 egg , beaten
1/2 tsp (2 mL) almond extract
1 cup (250 mL) Raspberry Jam
1/2 cup (125 mL) chocolate chips
1. In a bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until crumbly.
2. Add the egg and almond extract. Mix well. Set aside 1 cup (250 mL) of the mixture for the top. Press remaining dough in a greased 8” (20 cm) square cake pan. Spread the jam on top and sprinkle reserved crumbles over jam.
3. Bake at 350ºF (180ºC) for 35-40 minutes or until light golden. Quickly sprinkle chocolate chips on top of warm squares. Cool completely, cut into squares and serve.
runners
I have become addicted to table runners. I love how you can use up scraps and make a runner up so quickly.
This first one is leftover blocks from a table topper.
I quilted it with a freehand water stitch and I absolutely l.o.v.e how it turned out.
I've had this little pattern for awhile now and yesterday finally got starting on getting all the squares sewn together.
Can't wait to get this one finished. I also have another runner I'm just finishing the binding up on. Addicting I tell you!!
This first one is leftover blocks from a table topper.
I quilted it with a freehand water stitch and I absolutely l.o.v.e how it turned out.
I've had this little pattern for awhile now and yesterday finally got starting on getting all the squares sewn together.
Can't wait to get this one finished. I also have another runner I'm just finishing the binding up on. Addicting I tell you!!
quilt monday
Andrea gave me these charm squares way back in April. I've shown snippets of this quilt but I don't think I have showed the entire quilt after I had it quilted.
I straight-lined the entire body and did separate straight lines in the borders.
I totally rushed putting the borders on and I didn't measure the quilt first; I just cut my borders and sewed them to the quilt. When I was quilting the right side border; I ended up having to stop, pull out all the quilting, take off the border and cut THREE inches out of it and put it all back. As a result, the straight lines in the quilt body are off a wee bit. Not very happy about that. But I'm pretty sure a non-quilter will never notice. Guess I'll find out lol!
snack saturday
Very-Berry Cake
1/2 cup (1/2 of 250-g tub) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese
3/4 cup sugar, divided
2 egg whites
1 Tbsp. lemon zest
1 cup plus 2 tsp. flour, divided
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/3 cup fat-free sour cream
3 cups mixed fresh blueberries and raspberries, divided
3/4 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping(I use whip cream)
Beat cream cheese product and 1/2 cup sugar in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add egg whites and lemon zest; mix well. Mix 1 cup flour and baking soda. Add to cream cheese mixture alternately with sour cream, mixing well after each addition. (Do not overmix.)
Spray 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray; spread cream cheese mixture onto bottom and 1 inch up side of pan. Toss 2 cups berries with remaining sugar and flour; spoon over cream cheese mixture to within 1/2 inch of edge.
Bake 40 to 45 min. or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool 10 min. before removing rim of pan. Cool cake completely. Serve topped with remaining berries and Cool Whip. Refrigerate leftovers.
16
Yesterday was a big day in our house. Our oldest, A, he turned 16. I can't believe he's 16 already! He started grade 11 this year, it won't be long before he's gone *sniff*.
We had a good laugh when he opened his card. Can you see why?
We had a good laugh when he opened his card. Can you see why?
snack saturday
Mixed-Berry Cream Tart Recipe
2 cups (500 mL) sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup (125 mL) boiling water
1 box (4-serving size) strawberry-flavoured gelatin
3 pouches Nature Valley Crunchy Fruit Granola Bars
1 pkg (250 g) cream cheese
1/4 cup (50 mL) granulated sugar
1/4 tsp (1 mL) almond extract
1 cup (250 mL) fresh blueberries
1 cup (250 mL) fresh raspberries
Thawed whipped topping, if desired
In small bowl, crush 1 cup of the strawberries with pastry blender or fork. Reserve remaining 1 cup strawberries.
In medium bowl, pour boiling water over gelatin; stir about 2 minutes or until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir crushed strawberries into gelatin. Refrigerate 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, leaving granola bars in pouches, crush granola bars with rolling pin. Sprinkle crushed granola in bottom of 9-inch ungreased glass pie plate, pushing crumbs up side of plate to make crust.
In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and almond extract with electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Drop by spoonfuls over crushed granola; gently spread to cover bottom of crust.
Gently fold blueberries, raspberries and remaining 1 cup strawberries into gelatin mixture. Spoon over cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate about 3 hours or until firm. Serve topped with whipped topping
summer quilting wrap-up
With the yucky weather we had in July, I was kept super busy longarming. Here's some of the quilts I quilted.
Audrey brought in these 3 quilts.
I love this one of Terese's
Pieced by Sandy
Absolutely love the fabrics and pattern Lorie used.
And by Sonja
Taylor made this for her granddaughter
Marie pieced this one for a wedding gift
Henny's stack and whack quilt
Chere's beautiful wonky log cabin. I absolutely l-o-v-e this quilt.
Wilelmina's wedding quilt. The day I finished it, she was in South Africa getting married.
Sylvia did this Underground Railroad quilt
Sherri's beautiful wonky log cabin quilt. Made entirely from flannel, this one had some weight to it!
There you have it. That's just some of the quilts, I still have more I haven't shown you lol. It was a busy, but fun summer. I love helping people finish off their creations.
Audrey brought in these 3 quilts.
I love this one of Terese's
Pieced by Sandy
Absolutely love the fabrics and pattern Lorie used.
And by Sonja
Taylor made this for her granddaughter
Marie pieced this one for a wedding gift
Henny's stack and whack quilt
Chere's beautiful wonky log cabin. I absolutely l-o-v-e this quilt.
Wilelmina's wedding quilt. The day I finished it, she was in South Africa getting married.
Sylvia did this Underground Railroad quilt
Sherri's beautiful wonky log cabin quilt. Made entirely from flannel, this one had some weight to it!
There you have it. That's just some of the quilts, I still have more I haven't shown you lol. It was a busy, but fun summer. I love helping people finish off their creations.
hmmmm
Today was a GREAT day! Got the boys all off to school, ran some errands and came home to sew.
And sew I did. I got THREE things finished today! All from a single jelly roll.
First up, this table topper. The border fabric is French General but not the same line and I don't like how it looks at all(that's why I only have it on two sides lol) I'll have to go online and order some yardage of this as my LQS doesn't have any.
With the leftover blocks, I made two table runners.
And seeing this picture, I think I'll take it apart and move one of the red blocks to the other end. I think it's too red heavy on onside.
And yes, I should have bought more red at the quilt shop today lol. But then, I may leave it like this. Decisions, decisions.
Here's the other runner. This one will remain borderless.
Have to love super productive days like this!!
And sew I did. I got THREE things finished today! All from a single jelly roll.
First up, this table topper. The border fabric is French General but not the same line and I don't like how it looks at all(that's why I only have it on two sides lol) I'll have to go online and order some yardage of this as my LQS doesn't have any.
With the leftover blocks, I made two table runners.
And seeing this picture, I think I'll take it apart and move one of the red blocks to the other end. I think it's too red heavy on onside.
And yes, I should have bought more red at the quilt shop today lol. But then, I may leave it like this. Decisions, decisions.
Here's the other runner. This one will remain borderless.
Have to love super productive days like this!!
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