Spring Tablerunner - Day 2

HIP HIP HOORAY!!

After last nights minor hiccup and a good night's sleep I was able to overcome the obstacle and achieve a victory today, namely, block 1 test came out nearly perfect. Since it isn't in the official fabric, the final version will look different, but the piecing challenges have been beaten back. Now on to writing directions for it before I forget how it's done.

Here 'tis:

I must say I was sort of trying to go for a "ribbon" look but this fabric choice didn't achieve that. The block is called Twisted Ribbon and was designed in 1976.

On to block 2.

Day one - Spring Tablerunner

Holed up in the sewng room, designing away...hubby comes home.

House dark..."Honey, I'm hooommme"....Silence... Suddenly he shows up at the door of my room wondering if I've fallen into a hole.

Well, not quite but I didn't stop yesterday until I had the germ of an idea for my Spring tablerunner. Spent this morning deciding on color. Here it is:
  OR           

 

 

Having no patience whatsoever, I raced out to Quilt in a Day to buy fabric. I knew exactly what I wanted. El has a new line out called "Ellie Ann" from Benartex, so I got me some...



 

 Hours later.......

 

 

 

Well Phooey. Seems like I have this tendency to pick the hardest blocks to figure out. Looks like I'm going to need more time to make the first block but I've learned a lot today. I will say, something is not right here...I would swear the computer is WRONG!! (Couldn't possibly be lil' ole me, could it?)

 

Just start

The other day I was chatting with my friend about my dream of designing patterns under my own label. I've put a few together in the computer but no samples or directions are written, much less anything actually printed! So I said to her "I just don't know what to start with or how to go about it." She very wisely said "Just start".

I was told that several years ago by another friend while on a retreat. I had mentioned the same dream to her and she said "Just start". I'm not kidding.

I have lots of reasons why I have yet to "just start." Most of them are quite legitimate such as

- we have been remodeling our home in preparation for sale and to move out of state and weekends are very busy.
- I have committed to designing some patterns for a publisher and those need to be accomplished at some point.
- I continue to get longarm quilting work and since I need the income, I do not feel I can refuse it to "just start".
- I recently agreed to work from home for a rather well known quilting outfit and am obligated to do the work for which I am being paid!

Another aquaintance told me that if I really want to do this, I need to set aside one day a week and work for myself. She's right.

I find that when I continually put off attempting to follow my dream, even if it's only one day a week I begin to feel frustrated and discouraged. So, this blog is for me. Even if nobody else reads it, it will serve to remind me in black and white that I will commit to working just one day a week for myself. I pick Wednesday. I know that I will not be able to spend the WHOLE day working for me, but I am determined to make it most of the day!

As for what to start with - I know I want a new Spring tablerunner for one of my tables and I want to use some of the beautiful pre-cut fabrics that I have been hoarding. So by tomorrow evening, I intend to post a picture of progress made on that project. Still have no idea what it will be yet...let the creativity begin.

Back at last

At long last, I am back. Been busy as a bee.

Big news is that I have signed on with ARBEE Designs as a designer and am in the process of writing my very first quilt pattern! Thanks so much to Ruth Blanchett for affording me this opportunity!

http://www.arbeedesigns.com/

Check out the site. Lots of neat stuff there and one of these days, my pattern will be there too!

Whew, there is a lot to know. I can design all day long but writing and illustrating those designs is another ball of wax and I'm scrambling up the learning curve.

Here's a picture of the quilt, I still have to make the sample.

In other news, we are empty nesters! I'm happy and sad all at the same time. But that extra room sure will come in handy for getting the longarm out of the dining room.

Better get back to sewing...

Almost done...

Finally decided on the border for Star Struck Hearts.  I'm excited because I actually used up the goofed up blocks by cannibalizing them...

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I'm considering doing scalloped borders. Any opinions? I'm not sure the border will be wide enough though.

NEW Quilt Shop!

I love new quilt shops. They are so full of promise and potential! Lots of yummy stuff to look at and enjoy.

Ya know, until I had my own business, I really didn't give a lot of thought to how important it was to support my local quilt shops. I guess I thought "well, they'll always be there". Not true. In the last few years, no fewer than 5 quilt shops have closed their doors here in San Diego County and that is really sad. Quilters, lets make a point of getting out there and supporting them. I'd hate to think that we would get to a point where we didn't have a place to go meet, sew, take classes, fellowship and most of all see, feel, touch and BUY the latest fabrics. Check out these pictures from Grand Country Quilters in San Marcos. This cute little shop has only been around since October of 2011 and can't be in the Quilt Run that starts this weekend cuz they haven't been open long enough! While you're doing the Shop Hop, swing by there and say hi!

So many cute things.

The CUTEST little pin cushions you have ever seen.

I took Lois Ann's picture before she realized I was doing it!

More yummy stuff on top of the shelf. Hmmm, I'm a sucker for fabric stacks...

Don't you just want to snuggle up against this pillow and read for a while?

They have lots of opportunities for Sit & Sew's and some classes. If you're heading West on 78, get off at San Marcos Blvd, turn left, then turn right on Grand Avenue and it's just around the corner on the left, in the same strip center as Carmela's restaurant.

Let the fun begin!

Today I began the Applique Basics Series Class at Quilt in a Day. January was supposed to be the first one, but we got started a little late. No worries. We dove right in.

Now, how does this go again?

They cut, they glued.....

Do you see the little green blob in the middle of the table? Those are cupcakes and Girl Scout cookes. They were so focused
that nobody even touched them!

 THEY CONQUERED! All in only 3 hours. See, applique isn't so bad now, is it?

Our class over-achiever even got a flower done...yay Dawn!

Next class is March 21. I can't wait to see the progress!