Venture down the Rabbit's Hole

  Have you ventured down the rabbit's hole?  You know the one I mean, don't you?  Pinterest....it's a handy tool for inspiration for design ideas, or it can suck up your time and deplete your vision.    I have shared many quilting hints, tips and finds on my Friday Finds posts.  Readers asked how I found that....here's a few things I  have learned/discovered along the way.

•      I ran across a couple of small wood working projects that I showed Sir Old Man.  He said to save those......instead I had him create a new board for his pins.  I also had him make it private, so only he or I can view.  That will keep those pins from overwhelming my followers view with wood working ideas.  

   So where is the rabbit hole?   When I click on a photo to pin to a board, it is isolated on my screen.  A pop up window shows up for me to select the board to save the pin to.  So I can save it and view any time later, and go visit the original source to get the details.   This is a recent find.....improv birds from pieladyquilts blog. 

•  But, you can also find and view other pins that may be related in description or subject,  just by scrolling down the page.  And that is where the rabbit hole begins.  

  Like a detective unraveling clues to the mystery, one pin leads to another and another.  Ideas begin to appear and expand on the monitor.  You save one and find another.  Surprises happen, you find a better idea or unexpected solution.

• Follow people who like the things you do.  I don't really follow a lot of pinners, but when I see some one that likes much of what I like, I follow the boards on their page that I have an interest in.  If your taste/style change, just unfollow that board. 
• Their pins will appear on your main feed.  Of course you get some ads....hint, click on the small "x" of the ad and answer you don't like ads/or that they are offensive (the latest buzz word it seems).  Lol....many disappear.

 
I have a link button on the side bar or click here to my main page on Pinterest.    Don't be afraid to try Pinterest or to set up your own boards.  Just be smart in how you use it and don't stay down the rabbit hole too long. :)

There you have it....find some pins, search for ideas, and enjoy!

A quick update;  Some of you offered prayers for my friend's daughter who was facing a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery.   I got an update email this morning that precious Carlin came thru 9 hours of surgery and over 500 stitches!  She is beginning to walk and regain strength, and will have a follow up with doctors tomorrow.  This amazing young wonder woman will hopefully be home by Thanksgiving.  Thank you for the prayers.
Happy stitching.

Well, that part was easy!

  Finally. something was easy......I found a pin on Pinterest that was my photo.  The problem was it had been cropped---so my Stitchin'  Therapy did not show---and it was linked to another site.  A form of scraping, I would say.  The site it was linked to was forum board---not my blog.  The board did not have my photo on it, so I do not think they were the culprit.

   I immediately sent a complaint to Pinterest  and asked for the photo to be removed.  I had the proof on my blog, so I knew it was scraped.  Reporting the "blog" it was posted on has proved to be worse......it is a blogger site covered by Feedly.   I am confused about that part.   I can't find contact info on that blog, but sent off  complaints to several sources to see about getting it removed.    I may not win that one......but Pinterest has removed the pin!  

  And that is why I always encourage you to go to the source when you pin on my Friday Finds.  I borrow photos to show, but always try to give credit to the original source, and a link to the source for details.  If I am ever asked, I will remove the photo.  

 Winter arrived this weekend.....cold and frosty here this morning.  I did the usual chores, and finished pinning three tops to be quilted!  Now to clean up all my little stacks of pulled fabrics.....so I can get to Hot Legs!
  Happy stitching.

Friday Finds

  

Just a couple of things I spotted to share.  This one is a great reference to a big variety of sources.  It comes from Quilt Inspiration and is full of free patterns. 

Bags, tote, purses, laptop cases.....it is all linked here.  There should be a pattern for everyone.  I actually have made a couple of these and thought this was a wonderful resource to pin and keep.  

A little bit of organizing help.   Amy at Amy's Creative Side posted a printable calendar designed to help keep our quilting/blogging activities straight.  I thought this was a great idea!   

 I can print off the months, make my plans and lists to post in the sewing room.  This is great for those of us who teach or do demos.

 Thanks, Amy.  

I am not trying to open a debate, but I found this article and wanted to pass it on.

From Quilt Skipper......The Frixon pens that are a late rage for marking quilts are GEL pens.  The mark may fade or disappear with heat, but that gel stays in the fabric.   An interesting read.

  Note:  I only mark with a pencil, very lightly.  If my stitching is good, you won't notice it.  And if you see it....you know I needed help. 

Hope you find something of interest today.  As always, pin from the original source.   My Pinterest boards are here .  I have reorganized a couple of the boards and broken them down into smaller groupings.   Just to confuse and keep it interesting....lol.  I am off to a local quilt show today and looking for inspiration.   Happy stitching.

Are you brave enough for the braid?

 For the novice or those who live in fear of bias edges:
    Once you have your fabric selected, do some cutting.  I generally cut segments about 6" to 7".......the length you need to start with will really depend on your strip width.  Yes, you will have some tails---and waste---when you trim, but during the sewing process you don't have to contend with the bias.  Note----all the seams are straight easy to sew seams!

  In the photo--top right corner---a square starts you off.  Add a strip to on side.  Then add the second strip to the opposite side.  Repeat...and repeat.

  When the band is the length you want, you need to square it up.  You will need to cut thru the center of the square to get the base.  I chalked the cutting lines in on this sample.

   Tip:  I lined up the point of the square with a line on the ruler.  The points of each segment should fall on that same line.

  You will also find a variation of this that uses an offset center point......the final look is just a bit different because one side of the band has longer strips.  You decide which way you want to go.

  Tip:  I do not cut and trim off the sides until I am ready to either join them together or add the separating strip to the bands.  The less time the bias is "free to grow", the less stretch  I have to worry about.  

   In this photo, you can see the bands are sewn but the sides are not cut yet.  The bands were placed on the design wall until I was happy with the arrangement and had the separator strips prepared.   Once the bands are sewn and cut.....you have bias edges!  Just plan ahead how you will work with them.
 In an email from Lynn at What a Hoot, she shared her tip:

I have spacers between my braids,  so there is a bias against a straight edge on each seam. If I were sewing braid directly to braid, I would definitely press them first with some *serious* starching to help control the double bias seam!

For the very brave......If you are not afraid of bias, hate to waste an inch of fabric, and like to have the pieces cut exactly  to measurement, then read on.
   I ran across a quick video on Youtube that I thought was worth sharing.  From the Missouri Star Quilt comes a quick method of cutting pairs of braid segments using the Binding Tool as a template.   Since you probably have one of these, it's a free template.
  There is a new ruler on the market that is set up to cut pieces for a braid quilt, but I found it $$ and confusing.  So if I wanted a template, I would use the binding tool for sure.

Don't forget the check out the braid quilt examples on the Braid Quilt board on Pinterest.   I added a couple of new ones. I would love to share some of those quilt photos here, but don't want to run into trouble...evil grin...so I just pinned them.   I have mainly used narrow separator strips before.....but I am liking the wider separator bands I lot.

  What else can I say about braid quilts?  Hang on, there is more.  Next post will talk about French Braid Quilts and what makes them different.  Got to finish cutting strips, happy quilting!

Inspiration for a braid quilt

   Just for inspiration, I set up a new board on Pinterest.....Braid Quilts.   After a simple search,  I found a lot of different colorways, and styles.  (Note that some of them are mislabeled as French Braids when they are really traditional braids set in bands.)   If you have made a braid quilt....I would love to pin it.  Send me a link to your quilt.
   I am working up a series of posts....all on braid quilts.  I am trying to make you a bit curious....evil grin!
But please do send me your links....thanks.
Happy stitching.

Home again

  We left last week to deliver and install the rebuilt screen doors to Michigan.  A beautiful drive and trip up...with no mishaps.  Friday was to be a full workday of sewing and installing doors....but it was a disaster instead.  Luckily I had had my first cup of coffee before Deana discovered the basement was in 2 inches of water!  Sir Old Man to the rescue.  Trusty hammer in hand, he unstuck the valve in the water heater and stopped the gushing flow of water.  Then the reality set in.  Water everywhere........

  Let me digress here in this tale......Sir Old Man and I had lunched with friends before leaving and heard their saga of coming home from a 2 month trip to discover a similar mess from a leaking toilet.  They have been living with the clean up and repairs for over 6 weeks now.  So when we planned this trip, I insisted we have someone in the house daily.   Little did I know, my fears were to be faced in Michigan!   Exactly what is it with this de ja vu I have been having lately?
   So a few dozen calls, and the insurance company got Serve Pro out within a couple of hours to begin the clean up.  While Sir Old Man  and Trey moving mountains of boxes and things to the living room, to the dining room, to the upstairs bedroom, to the garage.....you get the idea......I got to corral the furkins.   These three are a handful!   I also spent the time making some "comfort food" at Trey's request.  In our home that means Country Fried Steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans, with cherry Crunch for dessert.  We survived the day, all were exhausted, and progress was made for the clean up.
 



On Saturday, we did get some planned work in.  The beautiful re-built screen doors were installed.  This is the front....isn't it beautiful.  And I love the new blue color.  It just pops.

   I spent the day doing a bit more cooking to get through the weekend, so I did not get to sewing on the roman shades.  I brought them home to do.  That's my project for this next week.

  Once I get my household routine back, I have some binding to add to a finished quilt.....Finally!!







And to finish up.... I ran across this  cute pin cushion that just fits the season.  I put it on my Pinterest page for the link.   I love the wonky eyes.....kind of like I still feel after the long trip!  

  Happy to be home.....happy stitching.

NewFO in July

  Whew!  For some reason July has seemed like a long month to me....all the rainy days, and I think I'm ready to start a new month!  I can't believe I am saying that, since August is the really hot one, but that only means cooler weather will be here soon.

 July NewFO:     I started the string pieced geese last month.  Sorry to say I lost interest in them.    I turned part of them into 2 place mats.  Maybe the remaining ones will end up in something.  But these 2 are fine by me and just need to get quilted and finished.    Remember it is okay to give yourself permission to change your mind, alter the plans, and do something different.  Otherwise, give it away!  

  So the Scrappy Trip Around the World became my for real New FO for July.  The pattern is from Bonnie Hunter.  Five blocks done  and a few more strip sets sewn.  I am working on these at night as I feel like it.   I was really surprised how quickly they go together.  So far I have just thrown things in with no thought as to placement....except for the dark value running on the diagonal.  For right now anything goes.  Later I may play around with the value placement and see what happens.  










Confession Time:
   When I was re-arranging the sewing room for the new machine and cutting table, I uncovered a real UFO.  A forgotten project that was started last year sometime before I broke my shoulder.  I don't even remember exactly what I had in mind with it, as it was only a partial piece....a watercolor project.    I plan on adding to this one and coming up with a finished piece.


   So that means NewFOs are on the horizon for August.
I have a plan for that.....2 baby quilts and bibs made from the leftovers!    Maria is expecting twins in early October and finally let us know it is boys on the way.  I decided on a modern style chevron / zig zag pattern.  I got the large blocks cut and ready to pair and stitch.  Then this morning I saw the cutest bibs---scrappy bibs---on Pinterest.  So I tracked down a pattern to use.  I don't plan on using batting in the bibs, just a bit of top stitching to hold all in place.  

      Plans for August:

•   Finish the 2 place mats.....those stringy geese.
•   Add to the watercolor and get a vision for it.
•   Get the baby quilts pieced and make 2 bibs.  An almost finish would be good here!
•   Continue making Scrappy TAW blocks.
• Buzz Saw quilt.....get those borders on!

Linking to Cat Patches for the July NewFO linky.    By the way,  Mrs. CatPatches put out a strong hint about something special coming up on Friday.....it's about covering outbuildings.  I am fairly certain I know what it is, I am very interested, and thought about not even mentioning/sharing/letting anyone else know.........but here I go opening up my mouth.  Be sure to check it out.
  Happy stitching.

Some layout ideas for string quilts

   The lowly string quilt can take on so many varied looks.  It can be done in squares, and rectangles, or diamond shapes.  The block can be made to mimic a log cabin (half light, half dark) and be set in the multiple log cabin layouts.  It can be a solid block of strings or a partial and open up a whole new world of layouts.  Here's just a small sampling of what I have seen.

   I am getting ready to start a smaller version of this string quilt for me.  It's just a great quilt when you need a color fix or a day brightener...and I have a mountain of strings that I want to use.    The tutorial for the construction can be found here.   A printable photo of the layout out is here.

  So what if you are  not into bold or bright?  Change the palette and use softer values of the colors and a white strip instead of black.  Here's a version done with white.  
 

Shabby Strings from asimplelifequilts

  I fell in love with the Shabby Strings that Deb at asimplelifequilts made.  Lots of low contrast floral print fabrics soften the mood and create such a beautiful quilt.

Shabby Strings: closer view

The strings are sewn on the diagonal without the dividing stripe to break up the block.   The closer view photos shows the blocks before joining.
Thanks, Deb, for allowing me to share this quilt here.

Here's another version  I ran across too.

From  FreshLemons

   This  modern version  uses part strings mixed with a solid block.   A very cute updated look.  I see butterfly wings in a blue sky maybe  in my future!    Here's the tutorial for this quilt at freshlemons blog.  

  After looking at lots of photos, books, and blogs
 I collected lots of "pins"  of strings.....
Click to see the album of different string quilts on Pinterest.   Maybe you will find something to delight you and inspire you to stitch up some stash.
 

 Happy stitching.  

Pinning inspiration

  A few weeks ago I finally gave in......to Pinterest  and started a few boards.  Lately,  I can't remember where I saw something  that I know is on my traditional list of favorites.  I was just going in circles and kicking myself for not remembering.   I try to get to the original source to pin,  if I can.

From Quilt Trends Magazine

  And that is where I found the inspiration for the border I plan to use for my guild challenge quilt.   I am not a big fan of traditional checkerboard borders, and this one reminded me of stepping stones in the garden.  So my border idea is in the planning and math stage.....I may need to  use different size "stones" to make it fit the sides.

From Fat Quarter Gang blog

   Then I ran across this cute baby quilt  with a PDF pattern to download.  It is made using the hatchet block pattern and the instructions give info for paper piecing or using templates.  The designer  sees baby bows, and I see butterfly wings, so it will work for a boy or girl.   There is a precious gal in my Bible study group that is expecting twins.....so I need to plan two of these.

  Over the weekend I was "pinning" my scrap quilt....prepping for the quilting.  It will go under the needle next.  I also spent some time working through the information that LuAnn at May Your Bobbin Always be Full  emailed me about her sit down quilting machine. I may be ready to cave on this too......life is short and there are many quilts to make.   Of course that will mean that Sir Old Man gets a new tool and will have to make an extra table/rolling cart or two.  :)  Life is full.  Happy stitching.