Sister's Choice Quilts

Christmas Decorations!

Hey, thanks for all the great comments on Kindle and other similar devices.  I really think what I want is an iPad, because of all the other whistles and bells that it has, but I don't think I or my gift givers can afford one this year.   I will probably end up with a Kindle.  I love the portability of the device and the cheapness of the books.  As much as I love a real book in my hand (believe me, I have spent thousands of dollars on real books), the idea of being more environmentally responsible and not using up so many resources appeals to me.  It is such a hassle to go through all my books every year and decide which ones to let go.  I donate them to libraries and schools, and occasionally take them to a used book store in Monterey.  I think I have about $800 in credit at Booksellers right now.  Schlepping all those heavy cartons is such a pain.    And the proprietor won't take everything, so I end up having to make another trip to Goodwill or someplace for the rejects.  It is a lot of work!   I also don't like to wait for things.  Impatient me wants that book right NOW and doesn't want to drive to the bookstore and stand in line, or place an order on Amazon and get my book in a week.

OK, enough of that.  See my snowman candle above?  Isn't that just so festive?  It is from last year, so I am being economical and using it again.

That is my little kitchen vignette.  I haven't gotten much out at this point, but probably will later in the week.  My husband set up the tree in the living room, but no ornaments are on it yet.  I don't think we will have much company this year over the holidays, so I am thinking less decorations is maybe better.   I say that every year, don't I?  Seriously, why should I drag out fifteen boxes of holiday decorations and look at them all by myself for three weeks and then put them away again?  I am definitely going to scale back this year.

Plus, ack, my holiday dishes and a lot of the decorations are all packed up in storage, because this summer I thought we were moving.  I do miss my Christmas china.  Do I want to drive a total of seven hours to go fetch those dishes?  Not really, but maybe I can talk my husband into doing it.  Hah.

Sorry I don't have anything particularly quilty to discuss today.  I do have the day off, and hope to get into the sewing room and get something accomplished so I can show you all tomorrow!

Thanks again for all your helpful comments on the Kindle!

 

 

The Kindle

Do you have one?  Do you want one?   I am a huge reader, and have an ever growing library of books.  I think I like the idea of not having to store more books on my already groaning bookshelves.  I also like the idea of paying less for a Kindle version of a book than I would pay for a hardback.  Plus, the idea of being able to carry an entire library everywhere with me is appealing.  As is being able to get any book I feel like reading within 60 seconds.

What are some of the advantages of a Kindle over buying real books (besides the storage issue and cost of real books)?  Would you read newspapers and magazines on it? 

Most important, do you use it for anything other than reading a book?  Would you transfer your iTunes to it and use it to listen to music?  Would you frequently use the WiFi feature for anything other than ordering more books?

If you have one, what's on your Kindle right now?   I'd love to know!

Have A Retro Thanksgiving

 
Happy Thanksgiving Friends!  I hope you have a very retro holiday, with traditional foods and loads of good memories of Thanksgivings past.

My son is home for the long weekend, and we have a big family feast planned for Turkey Day.  I hope you all have many blessings to be thankful for as you sit around your tables.  This year has been more of a challenge to our family in terms of making a list of what we are thankful for.  Despite some adverse luck, there is still much to be grateful for, and I plan to consider it all with much appreciation.

Aside from the Thanksgiving itself, I will be working Black Friday and Saturday....  Welcome to the world of retail!  I will be taking a the rest of the week off, so be sure and check back with me on Monday to see if any sewing got done!

Bag Zipper Tutorial

Pat suggested that I do a tutorial on how to attach the zippers to the little bags I am making, and I thought it was a brilliant idea.  I am not going to show you the details of the whole pattern, because I want you to buy it (Zippy Strippy by Atkinson Designs).  However, the zipper instructions are pretty generic, so here we go.

 
I bought my zippers at Prairie Queens, my local quilt shop.  They are really inexpensive, because there is no packaging.  As you can see, they come in every color you can think of.  Just one size though.  How does that work, you ask skeptically?  Just watch.

 
The first step is to stitch across the top of the zipper.  I do it twice, just for strength.

 
Then, you cut it off.  Gasp!  Yes, really.  Don't worry, it is going to be OK.

 
You are going to sew a little tab over the end.

 
I can hear you all saying "Oooohhhhhhh".

 
Cut the tab even with the sides of the zipper. 

 
But the zipper is still too long for the bag, right?  You are going to lay the zipper on the bag and cut the other end off one inch shorter than the width of the bag.

 

Then, you will sew a little tab on this end, just like you did on the top end.

 

This is what you have done with that zipper.  Throw the cut off bits away.
 
Place the zipper right side down on the outside of one of the bag sections.  Be sure to leave an equal one half inch on each end of the zipper.  This is important, and you will be sorry if you don't measure at this point.  Unzip the zipper half way.

 
Put your zipper foot on your machine.  Make sure you adjust the needle position to the left.  (Or your needle will come down right on the middle of the zipper foot and you will break your needle, make a terrible clunking noise, and scare yourself to death.  Do not ask me how I know this).

 

You can sew the zipper on with the zipper zipped or unzipped, but when you get to the zipper tab, stop your machine with the needle in the down position and zip or unzip the zipper to get the bulkier tab part out of the way.

 
Repeat the process for the second side of the zipper, attaching it to the other bag section.  Measure and pin carefully to get that one half inch measurement on each end of the zipper.

 
So, your zipper is in, but you aren't quite done.  You are going to do a little top stitching.  Lengthen your stitch length a little.  It makes the stitching come out neater looking.  Open up the bag and stitch about a quarter inch from the zipper center, catching the under side of the zipper under your stitching.  You will have to adjust your needle position again, this time, to the right.

 
See?  That top stitching gives things a nice finished look, plus it tacks down the zipper inside the bag,making a nice finish.

 

Following your pattern instructions, complete the bag.  Remember how I was nagging at you to be sure to measure carefully at each end of the zipper?  See how the zipper tabs are now lined up perfectly on each end? Nice.  Hope this was helpful.  Don't be afraid of zippers!

 

 

Yo Mama

 
I spent my free time this weekend making little cosmetics bags!  I finished six, and have about twelve to go.  I don't know when I have been so taken with a project!

Thanks for all the suggestions for embellishments that would set off these adorable little pouches.  I started out making ribbon roses, but found them way too fiddly.

 
Then I switched over to yo yo flowers, and think they are perfect.  Perfect for the project that is.  I still need to practice before my individual yo yos are perfect!  I think by the time I make a couple dozen more of them, I should be proficient...

I am making the "Large" size and the "Small" size.  There does not seem to be a "Medium" size, which seems odd.  At any rate, they are really quick and fun to make with the Clover Yo Yo maker.  I've decided I need to go out today and get some slightly larger buttons for the bigger yo yos.  Live and learn.  I have been to Beverly's at least four times in the past three days.

 
I've experimented with the size of the bags as well.  In the photo above you see the small and medium size bags in my Terri Atkinson pattern.   I think I will continue with making the small size, since it will fit in the average handbag better.

 
Better get back to work.  After my trip to Beverly's for larger buttons, that is.

Cutest Cosmetics Bags Ever!

 
I had so much fun making this little bag!  So much fun that I made another one!

 
The pattern for the bags is one by Terri Atkinson called Zippy Strippy.  It is so darn cute I can hardly stand it.  Of course, the Bliss fabric I am using doesn't hurt as far as the cuteness factor is concerned.

As is typical of any Terri Atkinson pattern, the instructions are super simple and clear, with lots of side bar tips from Terri to make construction go even smoother.  I am going to make scads of these bags to give as gifts this holiday season.  The size is perfect for an in handbag cosmetics organizer--one could easily fit in a couple of lipsticks, a blush or powder compact, an eyeshadow and some brushes.

The first bag took me less than an hour, and that was considering the learning curve.  The second one was done in about a half hour, including cutting everything out! 

If you buy the pattern (and I highly recommend that you do), be sure to follow Terri's little side bar tips.  She recommends that you use your walking foot for one of the steps, which I ignored on the first bag.  I followed her advice and put the walking foot on for the second bag, and she was right, the results were better.  She also says to use your zipper foot if you want.  I didn't on the first bag, and when I put the zipper foot on for the second bag, the zipper turned out way better.

The only thing I am on the fence about is whether or not to add the little button embellishment.  What do you think?  Would a cute little button add something, or is the bag better without it?

 

More Embroidery Notions

 
These two objects pictured above, when placed together make the best embroidery hoop!

 



When I was stitching with my new friends last Sunday, many of them were using this type of hoop.  It is made by The Colonial Needle Company and costs....$2.60.  No kidding.  It is called a Spring Tension Hoop and supposedly can even be used for machine embroidery.  What I like about it is that you can just pinch the two grips together and really easily reposition your hoop while you are stitching.

 
I have been printing out free embroidery patterns from the Bird Brain Designs website.  Many of the ones they offer for free are simply adorable.  Not too cutesy though--no kitties doing laundry or anything like that.  I have been using my printer/fax machine to enlarge the patterns to about 130%.

 
Today I am going to get my Blueberry Mocha Trails blocks ALL completed and maybe even get started on stitching the rows together.  If time permits, I may even get started on a new crafts project!

I am going to try my hand at making a little cosmetics bag!

 
How cute are these?  This is a pattern by the brilliant Terri Atkinson of Atkinson Designs.  They are a wonderful way to use up your fat quarters.  And those button embellishments are too much.  Most quilt shops are now carrying the zippers you need for this type of projects.  My LQS, Prairie Queens has them in every color of the rainbow.  Isn't it great that so many quilt shops are now carrying embroidery supplies and notions, plus all sorts of embellishments for other sorts of projects?

 

 

Blueberry Mocha Trails

 
I've heard of Peppermint Mochas, Cinnamon Mochas, and Boozey Mochas.  But Blueberry Mochas?  Nope, never.  Here is my version of a Blueberry Mocha, which is coming along nicely.  I like how the caramel plays along so well with the chocolate.

I loved reading the comments on yesterday's post.  You guys are way more entertaining than I am.  You reminded me of crafts I had tried decades ago and never thought of again. 

Needlepoint.  My mom used to do it, and was really good at it.  We took a class together around 25 years ago and it was loads of fun.  Except my piece was clumsy and hers was elegant.  I dreamed of having needlepoint seat covers on my dining room chairs, but it never was to be.

Crewel work.  Oh my gosh, remember crewel?  In the 70's I must have made a dozen super hokey pieces that I actually *Framed* and gave to my in-laws, my parents, my grandparents....Super dreadful.  And they hung them on their walls and seemed to love them.

Felt Christmas ornaments.  Oh yeah.  Early 70's again.  One Christmas I was low on funds for gifts, and discovered a women's magazine that was chock full of  ornament patterns.   I made felt Santas, Snowmen, Doves of Peace, and yes, I admit it:  Cats with jeweled collars.  And again, gave them to the usual list of recipients, perpetually doomed to receive my homey craft projects.   And they hung them on their Christmas trees and seemed to love them.

I know I was into rug hooking too, back in the 70's, but no project has survived to shame me, luckily.

My craftiness really came out of the woodwork at Christmas time.  One year I made all my female relatives long plaid holiday skirts.    The next year they all got fleece zip front bathrobes.  Another year I made stuffed fabric Christmas wreaths that look EXACTLY like padded toilet seats, done up in jaunty Christmas colors of course.  My mother in law still hangs hers up every year.  And seems to love it.

Thank God I discovered quilting and moved on to a much better place.

So, these are the crafts I want to re-examine or explore in the future:

I've already mentioned applique and embroidery.

I did learn to knit when I was an early teen, and made a couple of sweaters for myself.  Then, about five years ago, I picked it up again and made a gazillion scarves for every woman I was related to.  Now, I feel I am ready for a challenge and want to learn to knit socks.

My son is graduating from Cal Poly in December and I want to throw him a combination Graduation and Bon Voyage party.  He is planning a move to Ireland at the end of January.  I was thinking I should make some customized invitations that incorporate stamping and scrapbooking techniques.

I would consider making penny mats out of wool, but that activity reminds me too much of my felt ornament days.

Exploring New Crafts

 

 

I spent yesterday afternoon in the company of some very pleasant women, who all came together to stitch embroidery projects.  I left the group feeling so excited about exploring this new craft further.  My camera is acting up, so the pictures I am showing are various ones I got off the internet.  They do reflect the types of projects the women in the class were working on however.

The favored patterns seemed to be by Crabapple Hill.  The instructor had completed a gorgeous pillow from the Autumn/Winter/Spring/Summer series.  Another woman was working on a pattern called "Nesting", which is one I must make for myself. 

 
Isn't that stunning?  She told me that she plans to make it the center medallion of a quilt, and surround it with pieced quilt blocks.  There is a new fabric collection called "Lilac Hill" by Brannock and Patek that is due out in March.  I am thinking this group could be lovely, made up into various star blocks surrounding that center medallion.  I better email Fatquartershop to reserve my bundle!

 

My goal for 2011 is to immerse myself more completely in the world of embroidery and applique.  I love how these embellishments enhance the look of a quilt, and it would make me so happy to improve my skills in those two areas.

So, if you were to make a resolution to try out or gain expertise in a new craft, what would it be?  Scrapbooking?  Rug hooking?  Knitting?  Tell me what you would like to do.

Will Work For Fabric

I have an amazing arrangement with a quilting designer that I sew for occasionally.  I make quilt tops for her when she needs me to, and she compensates me with fabric.  This situation is Nirvana to me.

She just returned from Fall Quilt Market, and generously sent off a box of goodies to me.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I don't particularly like it when people show off their fabric hauls, but I have to share these new collections with you.  Don't hate me.  You will want to put them on your "Must Have" lists!

 
This Breakfast at Tiffany's fat quarter bundle is typical Fig Tree lovliness.

 
Aren't those faded, vintagey colors beautiful?  Sherri, at A Quilting Life sews for Joanna Figueroa.  You should link to her blog and see some of the things she made with this pretty fabric collection.

 
When I previewed the new fabric collections, this Howard Marcus Collection for a Cause group "Faith" was at the top of my wish list.  I love the colors in this line like nothing I have seen in awhile.

 
Do try not to drool on your keyboards, will you?  Browns, reds, tans, creams and pinks.  Ahhhhhh.

 

Looking for the perfect fabric for your next summer quilt?  Look no further.  It is French General, people!  Pom Pom de Paris.  Look at this unexpected colorway!!!

 
Simply marvelous.  We will all want this group when it is available.

The next collection was a complete surprise to me.  When I previewed the upcoming Moda lines, I liked this, but it didn't jump out at me particularly.

 
I hope my photos do it justice.  This offering by Barbara Brackman called "Civil War Reunion" knocked my socks right off my feet.  This group is amazing, gorgeous, unexpected. 

 
To say I love this fabric would be an understatement.  What shall I do with it?  Every single piece in this layer cake roll is usable.  Not a funky weird print in the group.  All I need to do is combine it with a background and I will have a new favorite quilt.

Any ideas of what pattern would be a good one to use to feature these gorgeous colors and prints?

I must thank my generous Benefactress.  She has outdone herself this time.