Monthly Archives: January 2013

Random Thoughts on a Rainy Day

I really love to put binding on. From cleaning up the edges, to sitting and hand-stitching it down and the signaling of the end of a project, I love it.

I love my new 60mm Olfa rotary cutter. I don’t know why I thought I was using the largest size when it was the 45mm one that has carried me through the last few years. I never noticed I had lost the bigger one .

Scraps in a basket might be worth re-visiting for a small Rooflines project.

A green Olfa mat is best. The blades do not dull as quickly with this mat. Again, a recent observation after my class in December in which I was going through blades every few hours and not necessarily secondary to poor technique.

Two healthy adults drive each other crazy inside the house in the month of January. Good thing I remembered that going to the coffee shop was an option today.

Some random thoughts for you on a rainy 60 degree January day here in Michigan. 🙂

Dreaming at the Beginning of the Year

I spent last week down and out with a bad cold and then promptly joined this week with a bad back. But I have used the time to dream and plan for the year. I ran across this clip when I was looking at future workshops.

I went to a workshop a few years ago and Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan were the teachers. It was a privilege. I use that word too sparingly but it is true. They have a new space which is called Potter’s Farm studios. Enjoy the video.

….it’s the energy of like minded people working under one roof. Yes, magical.

17 Seems To Be The Number

Happy Thursday January 17th ! I had to laugh when I looked at the date today. There is a lot of 17 going around here.

Last week I helped to teach a beginning sewing class at the kids high school. It is a busy and crazy afternoon time with 17 sewing machines, 17 high school students and 4 adults. Only a few of the kids had sewn before and no one had used the machines in front of them. Some of the machines had “issues” and all threaded differently so our first challenge was getting machines operational. The kids were patient but very excited to dig right in.

They made a small duffle bag cutting out a pattern and really did a great job even sticking with the grommetts that were needed at the end for the closure of the bag. We finished early and had time to make a few small donation quilts. I even showed them how to sew on a button so they could do it when they go away to college.

I didn’t know what to expect when I offered to help. My biggest worry was they would be bored. But it exceeded all my expectations as the kids were so excited to learn to sew. They loved it and asked if we would come back again next year. 17 kids and 17 sewing machines = great fun.

The number 17 also made me laugh as I have 17 unfinished pieces from the last few years that I have deemed worthy of finishing. True confessions time. It may be the year of finishing things.

Lines Study #1 on the Barn

This is a great way to start 2013 with one workshop exercise completely pieced. I was unable to make the last cut as I only have one cutting mat here which is only 24×36. Well, I could have done it but I really didn’t want to make that last cut in error.

This was started in Sets and Variables #3 in October with the wonderful Nancy Crow teaching. This was an exercise varying line, shape and a value gradation. I hesitate to tell you more as that is part of the intrigue of taking her classes -not knowing exactly what the exercise is before you are there. I can’t wait to do more lines. Love them.

I think I have 7 more workshop quilts from 2012 and I need to decide what is necessary for me to complete. Maybe they were truly just exercises and I need to take the ideas and move on.

Now to decide how to quilt it.