Some Quick Finishes

Do you even have those times where you suddenly get a wild hair to get something finished, and for some reason all the stars align and you get a bunch of things done, all at the same time??? Do you have any of those little projects that are almost done, but for some reason you just can't seem to get them done? Well, I have lots of them, in fact they tend to collect around here.....just a few seams short of being finished, or a few final rows of knitting, or maybe even the knitting is finished, and then ends just need to be woven in.....those are things I call quick finishes, where if I would just spend the hour or so it takes to finish it, it would be done, and I could get it off of my plate.....

 For some reason, I was really productive this weekend, and got a lot of those little naggies off of the plate....such as this guy..

 

This is the second copy of my new BOM that will be out in the new year, and that little block is backwards. It literally took me 10 minutes to rip it out and 25 to sew it back in, but it has been sitting on the sewing chair for about 6 weeks. I just couldn't get myself into the right frame of mind to fix it. Seriously lame. I think part of it is because it has a twin, an exact replica so this one took twice as long to piece because I had already made the entire quilt once before. SO, now this little guy is off at the quilter. All fixed and ready for beautification from Kerry. 

I also got these guys all sorted out.....the grey scarf I couldn't figure out how to bind off, it called for a two needle method, and it took me all of 10 minutes to find and watch the video on YouTube and another 15 to complete it. The stripy one just needed to be made into a cowl (seriously, 2 minutes worth of mattress stitch was all it needed). And now, they are both ready for me to wear, which is good, because it is pretty nasty out there tonight. Real winter weather in CA. Frost and everything. Just kidding! It's cold for us, but nothing like what some of you guys have every day....

Captain's Wheel Work-A-Long Mid Week Update

Just a quick note, I have picked out my accents, but I have to order background. I don't have enough of anything that is close enough to what I want. Hopefully it will be here by Sunday. It would be really bad if I get behind.....

What do you think????

Captain's Wheel Work-A-Long Week 2

It's week 2 of the Captain's Wheel Work-A-Long. Have you finished your week 1 assignments yet? If not, start there, and join us when you can. If you are new to the work along, never fear, just start at week one, and work up to where you are, don't worry if you can't catch up, just do what you can, when you can. This is really for me to be accountable to get these finished. And it's fun for me to see what all of you are working on. But I don't want the Work-A-Long to be a stresser in your life (because believe me, I UNDERSTAND stress) because quilting should be fun. It should be your place to go to get rid of stress -- not create it. So, no stress, just fun here folks.

This Week is Week 2.
Week 2 - November 25 - December 1 - Fabric Selection

This is the week you select all of your fabric for each position in the quilt. This is my favoritest week of the entire work-a-long. I get to pet my fabrics, marry them to new combinations and GO SHOPPING for the ones that I don't have that are perfect for this quilt. This is also a big decision week for the quilt, since we need 8.25 YARDS of background. I kinda picked my color scheme this weekend....I've been wanting to do this color scheme since I did my Mariner's Compass. I went to Certified Instructor training with the fantastic Lisa McCarthy of Compass Point Quilts, and she used it on her Mariner's, which I promptly drooled over. Then, she had her Mariner's quilted, and it is TO DIE FOR.

See what I mean??? Totally dreamy. Green grass, yellow sun, and blue sky. What could go wrong with that, right???? So, this one is my inspiration colorway. Now, off it stash analyze and decisionize.

Here's my supplies all laid and out ready to get started....5 photocopies of the back of the pattern (I did blow mine up by 25%, it takes up most of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet), colored pencils, and the trusty prescription of diet coke.

What about you???  What colors are you considering for yours???

So, time to get to work folks!!!! Below is the rest of the schedule, in case you are curious......

Week 3 - December 2 - December 8 - Cutting out your fabrics

Week 4 - Dec 9 - Dec 15 - Sewing Bag 1

Week 5 - Dec 16 - Dec 22 - Sewing Bag 2

Week 6 - Dec 23 - Dec 29 - Sewing Bag 3

Week 7 - Dec 30 - Jan 5 - Sewing Bag 4

Week 8 -Jan 6 - Jan 12 - Sewing Bag 5

Week 9 - Jan 13 - Jan 19 - Sewing Bag 6

Week 10 - Jan 20 - 27 - Putting it all together

Alright. Back to work for me. We'll catch up next Sunday and see how it's going....

Happy Quilting!
Catherine

Captain's Wheel Week 1 Wrap Up

Well, we made it through week 1 of the Captain's Wheel!!! I am happy to say that I got my pattern all prepped. All of my bags are made and labeled, and I am ready to move on it Week 2. See evidence of completion below.

So, I am ready to move onto week 2!!! Are you? I know a few of you will have just gotten your papers on Thursday or Friday, so don't worry about rushing. Take your time and catch up with us. Next week's assignment will be out tomorrow.

Here's the lowdown on the rest of the assignments :

Week 2 - November 25 - December 1 - Fabric Selection
Week 3 - December 2 - December 8 - Cutting out your fabrics

Week 4 - Dec 9 - Dec 15 - Sewing Bag 1

Week 5 - Dec 16 - Dec 22 - Sewing Bag 2

Week 6 - Dec 23 - Dec 29 - Sewing Bag 3

Week 7 - Dec 30 - Jan 5 - Sewing Bag 4

Week 8 -Jan 6 - Jan 12 - Sewing Bag 5

Week 9 - Jan 13 - Jan 19 - Sewing Bag 6

Week 10 - Jan 20 - 27 - Putting it all together


..until then, have fun and happy quilting.


Catherine

2014 Class Schedule

It's hard to believe that I have booked classes in 2014, much less 2015...that seems like so far from now. But it's really not....Seriously, it's like 6 1/2 weeks from now, which is downright scary!!!!

Some of you were looking for teaching options around town, and I wanted to make sure you knew what classes are going on....and where I will be....so here you go....

The Schedule for January 2014......


January 4 - Mariner's Compass Technique 1 of 6 -  Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Shop in Thousand Oaks, CA

January 5 - Judy Select Day at Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Shop in Thousand Oaks, CA

January 11 & 12 - Mariner's Compass - Technique 1 & 2 of 6 at Memory Lane Quilt Shop in El Cajon, CA

January 18 - Trunk Show at Piecemakers in Costa Mesa, CA

January 19 - Cozy Quilt Shop in Rancho San Diego

January 23-25 - Road to California Quilt Show - Demo

January 26 - This Sew and Sew, Glendora, CA

and with that I will need to sleep through February (just kidding, February is actually busier, since there are fewer weekends, and we have to cram it all in there!!!!).


Hope to see you all at a class in January as we kick off a great year of Judy Projects!!!!


Happy Quilting!
Catherine

Captain's Wheel Work-A-Long Week 1

So, today is the first day of the Captain's Wheel Work-A-Long....I've divided up the patterns into 10 weekly sessions to get it finished on a strict deadline of January 31st. I've given us some play weeks, so if you want to jump ahead, or anticipate some weeks being super busy, you can work ahead or play catch-up...and I will post updates every Sunday on where I am with getting everything done. My goal is to work a week ahead throughout, so that I can share tips and tricks for selecting fabrics or making units, and maybe I will do some video demos (especially the one for the bias stem that everyone has been talking about)....

And if some of you want to work on other Judy quilts using the same format, just let me know, I can build the packs for those as well....just let me know so that we can get started!!!! 


So, this week is Week 1.
Week 1 - November 18- November 24 - Paper Preparation,  Bags and playtime

This is the week to get your pattern, sort out your papers (this one has LOTS of papers), sort out your bags (you will need 6), cut your papers out and sort them into bags. Once those pieces are done, it is time to play -- make a photocopy of the quilt layout on the back of the pattern and start coloring. I usually make 3 or 4 color stories for each quilt, changing values and items until I have it all sorted out to be exactly what I want. I haven't yet completed this step -- it always takes me an extra long time to get this part right.....

For this week only, I'm having a 10% off sale for the Captain's Wheel pattern, which makes it $54.00, so if you want to get your papers this week, just email me at Catherine@queeniequilts.com . I am converting the website this week, so the shop will be down until Friday.

Next Week is Week 2.
Week 2 - November 25 - December 1 - Fabric Selection

This is the week you select all of your fabric for each position in the quilt. This is my favoritest week of the entire work-a-long. I get to pet my fabrics, marry them to new combinations and GO SHOPPING for the ones that I don't have that are perfect for this quilt. This is also a big decision week for the quilt, since we need 8.25 YARDS of background. I must say that I really want someone to do this quilt in a scrappy background set, as I really want to see what it will look like....maybe I will have to do that, depending upon what I find in my stash.



So, time to get to work folks!!!! Below is the rest of the schedule, in case you are curious......

Week 3 - December 2 - December 8 - Cutting out your fabrics

Week 4 - Dec 9 - Dec 15 - Sewing Bag 1

Week 5 - Dec 16 - Dec 22 - Sewing Bag 2

Week 6 - Dec 23 - Dec 29 - Sewing Bag 3

Week 7 - Dec 30 - Jan 5 - Sewing Bag 4

Week 8 -Jan 6 - Jan 12 - Sewing Bag 5

Week 9 - Jan 13 - Jan 19 - Sewing Bag 6

Week 10 - Jan 20 - 27 - Putting it all together


Alrighty then, off to work I go!!!
Happy Quilting!

Catherine

Captain's Wheel Work -Along

So, have you seen the newest Judy quilt pattern? I got my auto ship on Friday, and I really want to get this one done, and don't have a lot of time to get it done, and am hoping to stay on track by scheduling it here, and blogging about my progress.....

So, I am planning on a 10 week series to get this one done....which gives us a couple of weeks off, for those events like Christmas, and other holidays that are just around the corner....(do not look at the calendar, or you might freak out).....

So, here's the plan......

Week 1 - November 18- November 24 - Paper Preparation,  Bags and playtime

Week 2 - November 25 - December 1 - Fabric Selection

Week 3 - December 2 - December 8 - Cutting out your fabrics

Week 4 - Dec 9 - Dec 15 - Sewing Bag 1

Week 5 - Dec 16 - Dec 22 - Sewing Bag 2

Week 6 - Dec 23 - Dec 29 - Sewing Bag 3

Week 7 - Dec 30 - Jan 5 - Sewing Bag 4

Week 8 -Jan 6 - Jan 12 - Sewing Bag 5

Week 9 - Jan 13 - Jan 19 - Sewing Bag 6

Week 10 - Jan 20 - 27 - Putting it all together

You'll notice that there a few extra days before my deadline of January 31st. That is mainly because I realize that most of us will lose some days ( or perhaps even weeks) with those items already on the calendar.....and that is just fine. We all need time away with our families, and most of us have full time jobs, and laundry that has to be done.

So, let's get started and have some fun.

I have 10 patterns here, that I am offering at a 10% discount.....so instead of $60, your pattern will be $54.00. If you are interested, email me at Catherine at queeniequilts.com.

Will you join me on this journey?

Happy Quilting!

Catherine

Thankful

This is that month when I always feel like the blessing in my life are undeserved....That I have been given so many amazing opportunities and been blessed by so many people in my life. It's so easy to get frustrated and busy and frazzled, but there is something about November that always beings us back to the real things in life : family, friends, and home. This year has been a tough one in some of those areas, and equally an amazing one. We've dealt with aging parents and the issues of being so far away from home during an illness, and celebrated the safe homecoming of soldiers from half a world away. We've said goodbye to old friends who have been taken from us, and we have welcomed new little lives into the fold. We've cried over sick kids, and celebrated pending births. We've looked at ourselves and seen only faults, and we've celebrated our success. As we approach the holidays, I always find myself looking back at the year, and where we are and where we have been, and where we are going...and start the planning for next year, but for today, I'm just being thankful, for the myriad of people, gifts, and challenges that help us grow.

I am thankful for :
 -- my family -- who are a most amazing renegade bunch
 -- my friends -- who serve as trampolines, bulletin boards, and test kitchens
 -- my co-workers -- who make it all happen
 -- the boss man -- who challenges me to be a better manager, a better employee, a better  me
 -- God - you knows my every fault, and loves me anyway
 -- my vendors -- some of whom are like family
 -- my home -- my personal refuge from the fray
 -- memories - of good and bad times, that make us stronger, better, faster, kinder, and more sympathetic
 -- my body - which propels me through this universe on a daily basis, and protects me from the germs, bugs and other dangerous things out there. Seriously, the immune system is a magical thing.
 -- hope - because even when everything seems wrong or incomplete, there is always a solution, if you only depend upon hope to show you the way

So, to all my friends and family, this month is about you. Celebrating the good, and the bad, and remembering that we are all here for a reason, whether it is to inspire another, help another, encourage another. Let us all be thankful for the others in our lives that guide, help, challenge and support us, even though we might not want their guidance, help, or support. Let us all remember that thanksgiving is an act, not a holiday.

And that concludes my public service announcement.

Have a great day everyone! Happy quilting!


Catherine