So, it's been a week since I last posted which is pretty good for me. I got a lot done this week, and have an even bigger to do list this week...so hello to....
Costco Runs (thanksgiving is almost here)!!!
finishing unpacking the trailer from Market and Festival (almost done, just a few boxes left)
finishing up a bunch of new patterns
finishing Inklings Designs
teaching on Thursday night at Amidon in Poway (Bali Wedding Star)
working on 6 new designs for Hoffman
working on samples for the booth
finishing the calendar for 2012 (can't believe it's only 6 weeks away)
shop mailers out the door
christmas decorations -- it's time for you to see the light of day
stockings to be made
last chance for handmade christmas items (really, it's almost here folks)
Have a great week everyone -- I got my camera back yesterday, so we should have some pictures this week!!!! Yippee!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
It's a list kinda day/week
For those of you that know me well, you know of my obsession with lists. For those of you who don't know me yet, let's just say it's a mild compulsion, as in, I make at least one every day. There is something so incredibly gratifying about making the list, and the crossing out the items as they get finished. Not sure what that is about, I am sure there is some deep rooted psychology to it, but I'm not sure I want to know more. Just make the list already. Or in this case, multiple lists...you see it's that time. The time has changed and suddenly I always feel like Christmas is upon us, and I have not really started my Christmas shopping....well yes, I have a few things that I tucked away in the summer, and a few that I purchased at market for a few special people, but other than that, zip, nadda, zilch. So, I'll start this week off with a number of lists.....
laundry
dishes
clean the house
invoicing (which I ADORE, not!)
project plans
order new fabrics for the shop
online shop research (yes, I will be changing providers by the end of the year)
confirm teaching in January and February
Send remainder fees for January and February Shows (which all means balance the checkbook)
Sew new samples for January shows
Finish Amazon Star
Finish Bali Wedding Ring Bedrunner
Update the website with new pictures and schedules (yes, she is getting very sad and lonely)
work on taxes for Q4
call a couple of friends
call Mom
make Christmas list
Thanksgiving menu (yes, it's a list, yippee)
play bunco with the girls
plan a retreat for March/call Sharon/Margie
order new books for the Nook Color
Call Brooke - make hair appointment
Maybe instead of Happy Monday or Freebie Friday, I'll do a weekly to do list...perhaps that would make sure that the "blog weekly" got done.....what do you think?
laundry
dishes
clean the house
invoicing (which I ADORE, not!)
project plans
order new fabrics for the shop
online shop research (yes, I will be changing providers by the end of the year)
confirm teaching in January and February
Send remainder fees for January and February Shows (which all means balance the checkbook)
Sew new samples for January shows
Finish Amazon Star
Finish Bali Wedding Ring Bedrunner
Update the website with new pictures and schedules (yes, she is getting very sad and lonely)
work on taxes for Q4
call a couple of friends
call Mom
make Christmas list
Thanksgiving menu (yes, it's a list, yippee)
play bunco with the girls
plan a retreat for March/call Sharon/Margie
order new books for the Nook Color
Call Brooke - make hair appointment
Maybe instead of Happy Monday or Freebie Friday, I'll do a weekly to do list...perhaps that would make sure that the "blog weekly" got done.....what do you think?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The Magic Bag
See this rather normal looking brown paper bag...who would have known that inside it was the yummiest most amazing thing imaginable......
You see, I was in Montana, and Carrie took us on a bit of an adventure. We left Kalispell (population 30,000) around 9am on the way to Glacier National Park. Glacier is one of the few National Parks that spans the Canadian Border. So, we took off on a 45 minute drive to get to the gate entrance, and then another half hour up to Lake McDonald. The weather was cool -- in the mid-50's, and crisp. We had our jackets and hats, and we went on an adventure around the Lodge, and up around Lake McDonald and the creeks that feed it. I took tons of pictures, and I am fairly certain it will be several weeks before I have them all cataloged and filed. We kept going up toward avalanche, and when we reached the road closure, we went another mile or so on foot to see some of the clearest ,narrowest, deepest water I had ever seen. Carrie had us covered in the event we had any visitors of the 4 legged kind, and so we took our time and took pictures and hiked around.
After an hour or so, we headed back to find some lunch, and found most of the park closed since it is the end of the season, so we headed out of the park for some lunch at a little diner, and then back in the Jeep for another excursion. We took the road up the west edge of the park, bumping along finding little homesteads that are in park property, and quaking aspens the color of mustard. But no wildlife...they were all hiding! At least until we got to the little town of PoleBridge......and I mean little town. There was literally a bakery/hardware store/convenience store/gas station which would have fit in my living room. And from it was wafting the most glorious smells...of coconut, chocolate, cheese, and potatoes. There were potato augratin bagels, and bear claws, cinnamon rolls, and caramel slices, and fresh baked cookies in half a dozen flavors......and fresh from the oven Huckleberry macaroons. The macaroons literally came out of the oven while I was at the counter, so I got one for each of us (Carrie, Terri and I), and proceeded to go out to the porch. Where we met the wildlife....of the human kind. They were funny and I had almost forgotten about the macaroons until we were getting ready to leave......needless to say, we had to re-enter the little bakery and get a baker's dozen for a wopping $5. yes, $5 for the most amazing macaroon that I had even tasted. They were sweet and chewy, and full of fresh huckleberries. They really were quite amazing. Any if you ever get the chance to go to Glacier, even if you aren't an outdoorsy type, stop in for a macaroon.....they are delightful.
Time to get back to work.....
You see, I was in Montana, and Carrie took us on a bit of an adventure. We left Kalispell (population 30,000) around 9am on the way to Glacier National Park. Glacier is one of the few National Parks that spans the Canadian Border. So, we took off on a 45 minute drive to get to the gate entrance, and then another half hour up to Lake McDonald. The weather was cool -- in the mid-50's, and crisp. We had our jackets and hats, and we went on an adventure around the Lodge, and up around Lake McDonald and the creeks that feed it. I took tons of pictures, and I am fairly certain it will be several weeks before I have them all cataloged and filed. We kept going up toward avalanche, and when we reached the road closure, we went another mile or so on foot to see some of the clearest ,narrowest, deepest water I had ever seen. Carrie had us covered in the event we had any visitors of the 4 legged kind, and so we took our time and took pictures and hiked around.
After an hour or so, we headed back to find some lunch, and found most of the park closed since it is the end of the season, so we headed out of the park for some lunch at a little diner, and then back in the Jeep for another excursion. We took the road up the west edge of the park, bumping along finding little homesteads that are in park property, and quaking aspens the color of mustard. But no wildlife...they were all hiding! At least until we got to the little town of PoleBridge......and I mean little town. There was literally a bakery/hardware store/convenience store/gas station which would have fit in my living room. And from it was wafting the most glorious smells...of coconut, chocolate, cheese, and potatoes. There were potato augratin bagels, and bear claws, cinnamon rolls, and caramel slices, and fresh baked cookies in half a dozen flavors......and fresh from the oven Huckleberry macaroons. The macaroons literally came out of the oven while I was at the counter, so I got one for each of us (Carrie, Terri and I), and proceeded to go out to the porch. Where we met the wildlife....of the human kind. They were funny and I had almost forgotten about the macaroons until we were getting ready to leave......needless to say, we had to re-enter the little bakery and get a baker's dozen for a wopping $5. yes, $5 for the most amazing macaroon that I had even tasted. They were sweet and chewy, and full of fresh huckleberries. They really were quite amazing. Any if you ever get the chance to go to Glacier, even if you aren't an outdoorsy type, stop in for a macaroon.....they are delightful.
Time to get back to work.....
Sunday, September 25, 2011
I've Been Photoshopped
But hey, whose complaining. So, a few of you may know that one of my patterns got picked up by Keepsake Quilting while we were at Spring Market. I haven't really talked about it much, I think I was a bit scared that I would jinx it. But now that I have a copy in my mailbox, it's real....and it's photo-shopped.
I am sure that most of you know that we make samples with fabric, and sometimes by the time we designers finish our part, and the pattern gets published, the fabrics aren't available anymore. Part of that is the cycle of the fabrics, and part of it is the delays here on my end, but needless to say, the fabric that I used on my border wasn't available anymore, and that makes the quilt hard to kit....so I got photo-shopped. It's really an interesting process to make a new border in a graphics program, and I have so much respect for the graphic design people who do this type of thing because it really is a complicated job under intense deadlines.....so I think from now on, I'll just leave it to the experts.....and I'll focus on playing with my fabrics (because that is the fun part anyway!).
Have a great week everybody!
I am sure that most of you know that we make samples with fabric, and sometimes by the time we designers finish our part, and the pattern gets published, the fabrics aren't available anymore. Part of that is the cycle of the fabrics, and part of it is the delays here on my end, but needless to say, the fabric that I used on my border wasn't available anymore, and that makes the quilt hard to kit....so I got photo-shopped. It's really an interesting process to make a new border in a graphics program, and I have so much respect for the graphic design people who do this type of thing because it really is a complicated job under intense deadlines.....so I think from now on, I'll just leave it to the experts.....and I'll focus on playing with my fabrics (because that is the fun part anyway!).
Have a great week everybody!
Northridge Quilt Show
So, 2 posts in one day...crazy, huh?
So, we went to the Orange County Quilters Show in Fullerton. These are the same ladies who brought us Camp Watch-A-Patcher, where I first met Judy Niemeyer, almost 2 years ago. Since Judy was just at Camp Watch-A-Patcher in 2010 there were a number of great examples of her patterns at the show, and that always makes it fun when I get to see new versions of quilts that I am working on.
Needless to say, it was a great show, with some absolutely fabulous quilts, and amazing ladies. But by far one of the best parts about the show is the proximity to home, and the opportunity to sleep in your own bed for the night.
This one is Tropical Rainbow (Pattern by Judy Niemeyer), completed by the artist in residence for the show. I love the way she color washed the border on this one. And don't forget to check out the quilting, it was fantastic.
The following two are a diamond wedding ring (again pattern is by Judy Niemeyer). This might be my all time favorite Judy pattern. It has all of the techniques (templates, rolling borders, curved piecing, applique, etc). This one was very Christmassy (is that a word?). I want mine in spring brights with a turquoise/green/blue/purple border......so pretty. Best of all was the custom feather quilting that was done on this quilt. I wish I could have gotten a good picture, but the lighting in the venue wasn't ideal for close ups, I did get one that was decent, which I added below for your review. Seriously, the quilting was FANTASTIC.
Here are some pics from the show.....
So, we went to the Orange County Quilters Show in Fullerton. These are the same ladies who brought us Camp Watch-A-Patcher, where I first met Judy Niemeyer, almost 2 years ago. Since Judy was just at Camp Watch-A-Patcher in 2010 there were a number of great examples of her patterns at the show, and that always makes it fun when I get to see new versions of quilts that I am working on.
Needless to say, it was a great show, with some absolutely fabulous quilts, and amazing ladies. But by far one of the best parts about the show is the proximity to home, and the opportunity to sleep in your own bed for the night.
Insanity Abounds
Well folks, it's been 6 weeks since I posted...can't believe it has been that long. It has been really busy around here, but really there is no excuse, there are plenty of things to talk about. It's not like there was a shortage of topics, or even worse, those situations when there is something going on but it is super secret and you can't talk about it (those are the worst!). SO, I'll try to get you caught up....and if I am boring you all with things you already know, I'm sorry!
The Tehachapi Fibre Arts Show in Tehachapi California was a blast. We stopped at the Local BBQ joint and had the best (and largest) BBQ Salads imaginable. I almost thought that I was home in Memphis, it was that good. Here are some photos from that show....
All of those are a version of Jumping Jax Flash (Pattern by Judy Niemeyer). I coudn't get far enough away from the quilt to get a good overall picture...but you get the idea. Dark blue spiky pieced border, light blue/white/cream background, and Navy, Red and Peach Stars. It was really beautiful and read as very patriotic. Best Part -- this patterns is an early one, and has no curved seams. Worst part -- as it is an early pattern it has no printed templates included, so I had to make my own. It wasn't that bad, I just like to complain.....seriously, it took me about half an hour, and it was totally worth it.
Well, my big plan was to do a catch up blog, but blogger is being picky about pictures this evening, so I'll have to post some more tomorrow, until then, have a great week everybody!
The Tehachapi Fibre Arts Show in Tehachapi California was a blast. We stopped at the Local BBQ joint and had the best (and largest) BBQ Salads imaginable. I almost thought that I was home in Memphis, it was that good. Here are some photos from that show....
All of those are a version of Jumping Jax Flash (Pattern by Judy Niemeyer). I coudn't get far enough away from the quilt to get a good overall picture...but you get the idea. Dark blue spiky pieced border, light blue/white/cream background, and Navy, Red and Peach Stars. It was really beautiful and read as very patriotic. Best Part -- this patterns is an early one, and has no curved seams. Worst part -- as it is an early pattern it has no printed templates included, so I had to make my own. It wasn't that bad, I just like to complain.....seriously, it took me about half an hour, and it was totally worth it.
Well, my big plan was to do a catch up blog, but blogger is being picky about pictures this evening, so I'll have to post some more tomorrow, until then, have a great week everybody!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Stash Management
How do you manage your stash? Your projects? Your UFOs? Are you a finisher? A starter? a middle of the roader? What is your least favorite component of quilting? Your favorite?
Where do you sew? Do you have your own room? or a little corner of the living room? Do you sew on the dining room table, or do you have your own reserved space?
I'm just wondering...I have lots of changes going on here at Queenie Quilts, and I am contemplating how I store all of my quilting stuff.....I use the containers from the Container Store to help me manage everything. From stash (items that don't have assigned projects) in sweater boxes, to projects (in flip top containers), to tools in jars and desk top containers. Give me a day at the container store and I could find a use for every item in that store (not to mention how much I love to wander the uber-organized aisles).
So, back to projects....How many do you have? Do you actively work on all of them, or do some just linger? Do you over analyze your projects? I DO. I have 40 project boxes in the top of my stash closet. So I can have 40 projects going at one time. Some time earlier this year, I decided that I wanted to get that number down to a more manageable number. I wanted to be a finisher (or a completionist), as I am a natural starter (one who loves to pick fabrics for a project and get all of the cutting done, before putting it away in a pretty box and promptly forgetting about it). I would really like to be down to about 10 in-process projects and no more.
I also want to reduce my stash, significantly, I've realized that as much as I like specific fabric lines (and have collected several of them), I'm not doing them justice by buying a fat quarter tower, borders, and background and then storing them for 5 years. My fabrics deserve to see the light of day, not be collected in beautiful containers. So, I'm really trying to decrease my stash....use the fabrics I have. Not that I plan to get rid of all of my fabric and only buy when I have a project (that would be just a little to confining for me). But, I need to balance what I buy and use some of the stuff that I already have before I go buy new stuff....will I still have a fairly large fabric stash. Definitely, I need it for applique projects. But only fat quarters, not yardage...I'd rather have 40 fat quarters than 10 yards of a single fabric, or a small set.
My other issue -- size. I take a class and instead of making the baby or lap, I commit to making the queen size, and really, how many people want a bed size quilt? Most people want a quilt for the couch or a wallhanging or a bed runner, not a huge quilt. Yet, still, I have made the large ones....so I'm changing my tune and working on smaller quilts....
And now that you have seen my resolutions, I really must get to work, I've committed to quite a bit, and must really get started.
Where do you sew? Do you have your own room? or a little corner of the living room? Do you sew on the dining room table, or do you have your own reserved space?
I'm just wondering...I have lots of changes going on here at Queenie Quilts, and I am contemplating how I store all of my quilting stuff.....I use the containers from the Container Store to help me manage everything. From stash (items that don't have assigned projects) in sweater boxes, to projects (in flip top containers), to tools in jars and desk top containers. Give me a day at the container store and I could find a use for every item in that store (not to mention how much I love to wander the uber-organized aisles).
So, back to projects....How many do you have? Do you actively work on all of them, or do some just linger? Do you over analyze your projects? I DO. I have 40 project boxes in the top of my stash closet. So I can have 40 projects going at one time. Some time earlier this year, I decided that I wanted to get that number down to a more manageable number. I wanted to be a finisher (or a completionist), as I am a natural starter (one who loves to pick fabrics for a project and get all of the cutting done, before putting it away in a pretty box and promptly forgetting about it). I would really like to be down to about 10 in-process projects and no more.
I also want to reduce my stash, significantly, I've realized that as much as I like specific fabric lines (and have collected several of them), I'm not doing them justice by buying a fat quarter tower, borders, and background and then storing them for 5 years. My fabrics deserve to see the light of day, not be collected in beautiful containers. So, I'm really trying to decrease my stash....use the fabrics I have. Not that I plan to get rid of all of my fabric and only buy when I have a project (that would be just a little to confining for me). But, I need to balance what I buy and use some of the stuff that I already have before I go buy new stuff....will I still have a fairly large fabric stash. Definitely, I need it for applique projects. But only fat quarters, not yardage...I'd rather have 40 fat quarters than 10 yards of a single fabric, or a small set.
My other issue -- size. I take a class and instead of making the baby or lap, I commit to making the queen size, and really, how many people want a bed size quilt? Most people want a quilt for the couch or a wallhanging or a bed runner, not a huge quilt. Yet, still, I have made the large ones....so I'm changing my tune and working on smaller quilts....
And now that you have seen my resolutions, I really must get to work, I've committed to quite a bit, and must really get started.
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