Glamp Stitchalot

The first weekend of June was blur of packing, traveling, sewing and making new friends. That's right, you guessed it - GLAMP STITCHALOT! A quilter's retreat like no other. About 200 people from all over the world, descended on Ann Arbor, MI to attend this event the Kensington Hotel.

The event was well organized by Pink Castle Fabrics and their lovely staff. I loved meeting the teachers who are authors and fabric designers (and celebrities in the quilting world). 
We were divided into six groups (six teachers) and were given a bracelet to wear, at check-in, indicating our color group. There were two sewing rooms - one large, one smaller. I was in the large room.

The teachers each designed a row of blocks (or two) that were created exclusively for Glamp. They also created a design for their signature t-shirts that we could pre-order or buy at the event at the "pop-up shop". 

I rented a machine for the event - a Janome skyline s7 which is the top of the line when it comes to precision sewing. It comes with a hefty pricetag but we were offered a deep discount and an accessory bundle if we wanted to purchase it. I normally use a Singer Quilter Confidence machine which is fine for me. I just really wanted to take an expensive machine out for a test drive. There was a bumpy start and a learning curve (on my part) but with some guidance from the helpers, I finally got the hang of it by the last day of the event. What I liked most about it was the ease of changing the stitch length - with the touch of the digital screen. Yes, it was very cool and high tech. I might purchase one in the future when I have the money, but my Singer is fine for now.

There was also a "pouch swap" for those that signed up for it. The task was to sew a pouch and fill it with goodies to give to your assigned swap partner on the first night. Some of us had to "facebook stalk" our partners so we would know what they looked like. Here is Patty Magaw holding the bag I made her.

Here is the pouch I received from my secret swap partner. Thanks Jen Johnston for the lovely pouch and the Tula Pink bag it came in! Also, thanks to Joy McCalvin for the lovely Tula Pink fabric! I just mentioned that I am a fan of her fabrics and you very generously gave me some! I love it and I appreciate it so much!

 I have so much to share with you - including pictures with the teachers! You don't want to miss that. Also pictures of the projects and my progress once i got home (back to the real world). 

Elizabeth Hartman with me. 

Elizabeth Hartman's design - like the window surprises?

Me with Carolyn Friedlander

My pal Terri - love her quirk

One block done. Paper piecing is not easy. 

got two curved pieced blocks done during class.

"binge watch" by Monica

Penny Layman

Monica Solorio-Snow aka Happy_Zombie

Penny's design - paper piecing!

My pal Debbie Schmersal and Me!

HAppy Crazy Manequin in a local shop

Terri Swallow, Violet Craft, me and Heather Shields

What I have done now. Work in Progress.

Starting my La Passacaglia Quilt

My latest project is a La Passacaglia quilt from the Millefiori Quilts book by Willyne Hammerstein. There is a whole group devoted to this on Facebook that I have joined. I bought the book and the templates and paper pieces for the entire project. 

I am so inspired by all the color choices in the posted pictures. The picture that had me drooling and got me started on this adventure was by Lilabelle Lane Creations https://www.facebook.com/lilabellelanecreations/photos/pb.127463237601276.-2207520000.1463890856./260547950959470/?type=3&theater who used all Tula Pink fabric (one of my favorite fabric designers). Basically, it is EPP (English Paper Piecing) on steroids. 

The funny thing about this project was something my mother reminded me of. When I was just starting quilting and really getting interested in it, I took mom to a quilters' retreat with me and one of the attendees was working on a postage stamp quilt  - I told mom that I would never work on something that intricate or that required fussy cutting. I just thought it was too much work (at that time). I had forgotten I said that - but mom reminded me. Thanks, MOM. Ha. Ha. I guess I have evolved since then. There are only so many strip quilts you can do before you need a challenge. I guess the moral of the story is "never say never". You may not be interested in something that seems overly complicated today but as your skills improve, the once impossible task begins to look possible and even enticing. These are all basted using thread or fabric glue (I have tried both and prefer thread basting) and they are hand stitched together. This is a good "take-along" project for traveling or sitting in waiting rooms.

previewing colors to go with the stars

beginning the first cog. 

 My first "cog" of many, many more. I think there are between 20 and 30 of them in various sizes.

finished cog #1

cog number two!

More to come so stay tuned! Let me know if you have started your own EPP quilt and how you like it.

Ghostly upcycled socks

What do you do with a pile of old socks that you were just going to toss into the trash? Well, make ghost decorations for Halloween (of course). You don't have to have any special skills, just a burning desire to be crafty. Tools needed : scissors, marker, a piece of paper, sewing machine (or needle and thread), old socks, scrap of black fabric for eyes and mouth, glue runner.

Step one : gather socks

Step two: cut socks open  - cut down the back to open up the heel.

Step 3: draw a ghost on the sheet of paper and cut it out - this is your template. Lay this template on top of your cut-open sock and trace around it with the marker onto the fabric (you don't have to be real careful). Now cut that out and this is what you should have :

Do this again but lay your template wrong side (flip it over) so that you will have a mirror image ghost to match up with this one. Now just keep doing that until you have as many "pairs" of ghosties as you want. Save your scraps to use as stuffing later - nothing goes to waste!

 

Step 4: Sew -  put a set of ghosties right sides together and sew all around the outside (about a quarter of an inch seam allowance) but leave about two inches open on the long side to flip it right side out.

Step 5: Turn and stuff! put the scraps you saved from earlier and stuff your little friend. Squish it around until it is a pleasing shape. Use your scrap of black material to cut out eyes and a mouth and attach with the glue runner.

 

Step 6: Sew the hole and hang your little ghostie up in his haunt - or string a bunch of ghosties up with fishing line for a major haunting. Muwahaha!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

 

part 2> charming baby quilt

Cutting out the 3.5x3.5  tilted squares from the block baby quilt turned out to be a bit trickier than I had originally planned. The first template I made (out of clear plastic) didn't include an orientation arrow or a number to show which side is correct, so the first 3 squares I cut were wrong - there was no fixing them - I had to cut and sew the top row all over again.

 So, learning from my mistake - I made a clear template that included an orientation arrow and a number so I could tell I had it turned right and oriented right. Much better! (I didn't take a picture of the mistake - sorry).

I had to carefully label each block with the row number and block number. (example row 3, block 1 would be 3-1). There were 11 rows of 9 blocks each so the quilt wall came in handy (a cheap vinyl table cloth tacked to the wall with the backside out). So, I would cut out a few rows and then get tired of that and start sewing the blocks together. Going from cutting to sewing and back really helped break the monotony.

These pictures show how the cut pieces fit together. Look at the orange fabric and you see the top of the pinwheel.

The picture to the left shows the quilt wall during the process. You can start to see the pinwheel pattern coming together.

The picture to the right shows what was left after cutting out the blocks - so much for the idea of creating a cathedral quilt. I will however keep the 2 inch scraps for smaller blocks or applique on other projects. Nothing goes to waste in this quilters room.

Final product! What do you think? Leave me a comment.

Charming Baby Quilt

Baby Quilt  before the cut up;-)

I am making a baby quilt for a coworker who has overcome a year of trying to get pregnant and is now about to have her first little one! I am so excited and happy for her and her hubby. It is nice to have seen the whole romance, marriage and subsequential baby - a very unique story. Anyway, I wanted to make something I haven't ever tried before and this little charm quilt was just the ticket.

The instructions are from "Back to Charm School" by Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene - a new book from my crafter's choice book club.

The first part is just making charm squares (5"x5") from 10 different fabrics (8 blocks of each fabric). Then piecing them together in 10 rows of 8 blocks each then add the pink border. This is as far as I have gotten. Next, I get to cut wonky 3.5" squares out of this quilt and carefully keep them in order (99 blocks) and they will get sewn back together in 11 rows of 9 blocks each row. It will make a pinwheel or blocky puzzle piece looking quilt. I will (of course) be posting pictures of the process and of the final product.

Someone asked me what I will do with the rest of the 'cut-up' quilt - I was floored! I hadn't thought about that, but it does seem a waste to discard it. They suggested putting another fabric behind it to make a cathedral quilt. I may do that, or I may applique some owls or large flowers over the holes.

Homemade Trail Mix

A co-worker had a bag of white yogurt covered dried cranberries and asked me to try one.  It rocked my world! But I wanted to do my own version with supplies from my pantry. My first batch just had CRAISINS ( a half a bag that was left from when my daughter and son-in-law lived here) and a half a bag of white chocolate chips. Well, it was a success and I was totally hooked!


A side note : I never liked craisins (dried cranberries) before paring them with the white chocolate.

As you can see in the picture, I also added almonds (with sea salt) in layers in a large jar. Try it, I bet you will like it;-)

Marshmellow Fondant

I decided to experiment with a simple sounding recipe for marshmellow fondant:
1bag mini-marshmellows
2tbs water
4 cups powdered sugar
1tsp vanilla

The marshmellows and water go into a medium bowl and microwave on high for one minute. Stir with a rubber spatula until all the marshmellows are melted - can microwave for another 30 seconds if needed.
Then it said to add the vanilla, stir, then all the powdered sugar at once. The video I watched showed the person mixing by hand but I used my stand mixer with dough beaters and it worked out very well. Once all the sugar is incorporated then you can knead it on a powdered sugar covered counter until it is not sticky and will not take any more powdered sugar. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest a few hours on the counter.

 This took all of about 5 minutes! The last time I tried homemade fondant, it took hours and did not turn out at all - it ended up in the trash can. This is so  liberating! It is fun and easy to work with, it tastes great, and it looks wonderful on the cake. It can be a bit sticky at times, like when you are adding color. It does dry out after a while, but it can be reheated in the microwave to make it easier to work with. I am in love with this stuff. It really opens up the door to creativity! Did I mention it tastes great?

Epic Fail Cake

This is a picture of the cake I salvaged after my homemade fondant was a fiasco. The fondant was too dry and broke apart while I was placing it over the cake. I had to remove the fondant and basically trash it, make more buttercream frosting and re-ice the cake. I colored half the frosting with blue and did a pretty pattern on it. Nothing spectacular but it did taste pleasing. This was for a Wedding Shower of a co-worker and all my co-workers loved it. Just a white cake with almond/lemon buttercream frosting.
I really want to get better at the fondant making but hey, noone does perfectly on their very first try. I will try again once I have recovered (physically and mentally) from this experience. I will also try a different recipe. I have been reading the forums on CakeCentral and most of them talk about Marshmellow fondant. I think I will try that next.

I really hope I can get this figured out before Rachel's wedding day. I really want to do a nice cake for her and Joe. I also don't want to be all stressed out about it because that kind of ruins the big day. More to come....

I'm experimenting with cake decorating and will be making the wedding cake. Rachel and I went last weekend to scope out some possible sites for the wedding/reception. We visited St.James,MO and went to the Meramac Winery (nice atrium area, zero parking), then over to the Three Squirrels Winery (down the same road, a few miles further) and they have a covered deck area but it didn't look very stable, it does overlook the vineyards and they are lovely. Rachel wants an outdoor wedding but an indoor reception so that site won't work. Then after a wine tasting at that winery, we went over to Sybil's and had lunch while we checked it out. The place is really lovely, it looks like a really big house and has plenty of parking, the interior is decorated tastefully and upscale. The rooms are smaller than we would like for the reception but it would work great for the rehearsal dinner. We also went and visited Joe at his work and then checked out a place a block away from there called the Public Brewing House. There is really only parking for about 5 cars (no joke) and it seems a little small and dark - ok for a small and intimate party but not nearly open or festive enough for a wedding reception - some of their beer was palletable.
Anyway, that is an update. Rachel and Joe have been checking out some sites while she is on spring break and she is going to come show me some pictures of a place that is past Meramac Springs Park. It is the site of the oldest building in Crawford County, Missouri and is supposedly haunted.

Life is full! here is an update....

It has been a very long time since I have posted anything. I blame it on the tons of stuff going on in my life.

First of all, my mom is still living with us. Thought it would be temporary but it seems more long term now. I am still hopeful that her Lupus will just spontaneously go into remission and she will be able to function independently some day. She does a really good job of taking care of herself on a day to day basis and she does dishes and cooks which really benefits me (it is nice to have a clean kitchen and the coffee ready for me when I wake up). I actually enjoy having her around most of the time…this is time that I get to spend with her – I get to see her everyday and evaluate how she is really doing (if she was in her own place and I was hearing her over the phone, she could lie and say she is fine just so I won’t worry about her).

Secondly, my older daughter is engaged to be married this August and I just started getting involved in her wedding planning. I have volunteered to make the cake so I shall be very busy trying different decorating techniques – I am starting to use homemade fondant soon. Rachel has her heart set on red velvet cake for the wedding. I am already checking out various websites for ideas and I think I am getting obsessed – I am even dreaming about cake decorating.

Thirdly, work has been riddled with chaos. We have several co-workers with medical problems that keep them absent a lot of the time, we have had a co-worker fired recently and we have two new hires that are in training. That is almost laughable since there is hardly anyone left to train them – we are all having to transition to a new computer system requiring us to go to training during the day thereby leaving just a skeleton crew to work. This puts undue stress on the workers left behind to do the work – they are unsurprisingly stressed, discontent, and really spread too thin. Things are coming to a head and I foresee us losing some of our better and more dependable workers. It really saddens me that the boss can’t see this happening or she does see it and does nothing to ease their burden. Actually she gets upset and takes it out on the workers that normally help out – now they are rethinking that since the only ones that get favor are the constantly absent.

My life is pretty full right now, but I am taking it in stride. Quilting is still part of my life but kind of on the back burner. I have a double wedding ring quilt I have been working on for Rachel but I have no idea if it will be ready for her by her wedding day, possibly by Christmas.

Change happens

They say that the only constant is change. I believe it! In the past month there have been a lot of changes at work and at home. My mother is ill so she is living with us during her recovery which is an adjustment for her and for me and for Tracy. I am hopeful that she will make a full recovery and be able to live on her own (after she divorces the stupid SOB she married). At work we have two employees leaving which is going to change the dynamic and cause some scheduling concerns. I think change can be a good thing...but I am not into change for the sake of change (if that makes any sense).
I am not sure how long it will take for my mom to recover since she has an auto-immune disease that will be in remission for years and then flare up during periods of stress or poor nutrition (or in this instance, both). I am doing what I can to make it a smooth recovery for her, providing nutritional food, love and support, a peaceful calm environment....I just wish I could do more. I still have to work three nights a week and I know it is stressful for her that I leave - she doesn't feel as comfortable around Tracy nor Tracy with her....I really hope they work it out since this may be a long term stay. Even when she gets stronger she is going to have a lot to deal with - the divorce, the house foreclosure (in her name), moving her stuff out of the old place (without her current husband killing her or her cat), fixing her finances, finding a place to rent, move into that place, and have the money to pay for it all. She has applied for disability and Medicaid but these things take time...too much time if you ask me. The unemployed, disabled people need help NOW, not 4-6 months from NOW! No job, no health insurance - so how are people with no income (except the pitiful amount supplied by unemployment) supposed to deal with a health crisis? I want to know what MR OBAMA is going to do? Why do these people have to wait? At what cost? Does congress really care that people are suffering or sick because of the sluggishness of their actions? What can we do to get a better system? If they had to deal with these things on a personal level (like live with no income and no health insurance) then I bet things would get done a lot faster! Cut billions of dollars from Medicare? That is nuts! Those people need it more than anyone...if anything, they should be increasing Medicare! I am appalled and astounded.

Contact Lenses/ Bifocals and makeup

For those of us who are over 40 now and are noticing our eyesight has gone wonky....here's to you.
I had to invest in a pair of bifocals this year after turning the big four-oh, and I gotta say, not loving it. They make me have a sick headache and I only wore them for about a week and put them away somewhere - I can't find them, which is fine with me. I have a hate-hate relationship with them. What I did find up in the bathroom cupboard is two boxes of unopened contacts (single vision) from last year that I ordered thinking I would take the time to pop them in before work (which never happened). Today, I did open them and put them in my eyes and since my vision hasn't changed much over the past two years, they work rather well.

I even put on makeup today which is a rarity for me since I normally have a "who cares what I look like" attitude. Makeup is such a waste of time and money - I think people should be more natural and not put all the chemicals on their faces to "enhance their beauty" - it is such a load of rubbish. That said, yes I did put makeup on today - I only use sheer cover which is minerals and very gentle and natural - it also makes my skin look great and has healing properties so when I don't wear it after I have been wearing it - well, I look better. The great thing about mineral makeup is that it doesn't expire or go bad.

I am going to Springfield today to get my hair cut/colored which I only do twice a year (or less) and I will also be seeing my eldest daughter (so I want to look decent). I was going to cancel my appointment due to lack of funds but Tracy (my girlfriend) talked me out of it - she said to put in on the credit card since it is something I have been looking forward to and really don't spend much on myself - ever. She talked me into it.

My hair is going to be shorter than it has been in 5 years! I am sick of it. I have long hair but I can't stand to wear it down - I don't like the hair getting in my face or tickling my neck so I keep it pulled back in an elastic and a headband. That kind of defeats the purpose of long hair - don't you think?
So, I am off to the hairdresser, with my single vision contacts and makeup on my face.

Tightwad economy or "It's only a dime"

Every week I have a tradition of treating myself on Tuesdays, I get a massage and go to Sonic before work. My favorite drink at Sonic is their Java Chiller (Caramel flavor), which is a coffee drink that costs $2.69 plus tax for a regular size.
side note: I realize that this blog may come across a tad hypocritical being that I splurge on massages on a regular basis however, I really believe that the long 12 hour shifts that I work (overnight) places undue stress on my body that only massage can even out (and it keeps my immune system at its peak which is necessary for my work in health care).
This week I ordered my usual and paid cash. The girl handed me the receipt and for some reason I actually looked at it. Sonic tacked on and extra 10cents for the caramel flavor! No where on the order board does it say that there is an extra charge for your flavor unless you are wanting to add an additional flavor. So, I know I am being nitpicky but I pushed the order button and informed them of the mistake. The manager said she would come right out. She did, and I showed her the receipt for $2.69 charge for the drink and the additional $.10 for the flavor. She said that when she just rang it up inside it was charging $2.59 plus the $.10 but that they had done some menu updating in their computer system and she would let "them" know of the problem. She didn't offer me my dime back - it is only a dime so why am I making such a big deal about it? It is the principal of the thing. Think about all the other people who don't notice they are being charged an extra dime here and there, and then think about how many times a day this happens...after just one day it could mean hundreds if not thousands of extra dollars for Sonic just for one stupid computer mistake and a lack of consumer attention. You can bet I am going to check my receipt from now on and keep them from ripping us off one dime at a time!

Project : Paint

Tonight I started a paint project in my future sewing/craft room. It was my older daughter's bedroom but she has recently moved into an apartment with two other girls. When she first went to college she stayed in the dorms and the advice from the lecture we attended during the orientation day was that I keep her bedroom just the way it is for the first year. The idea was that there is enough things changing in the student's life and they need to have that stability, that safe haven to come home to. So, I took that advice and left it the same (with the only addition of new carpet) for the first two years of college. Now she is officially moved out, well grounded, content with her life and I can finally redo that room and give it new purpose. It is rather exciting to dream of how I want my craft room to look, how I want my things organized, what color of paint do I want to replace the neon lime green, etc.
It is a nice thought to have all my supplies in one room. I like to sew quilt tops, design cards, mosaic anything that stays still long enough (ha ha) and will try any craft once! The problem right now is that I have been monopolizing the dining room table for the past five or six years with all my sewing stuff. I have many plastic tubs full of fabric under that table and all my sewing accouterments taking up the top of the table. More fabric is stacked on the two wooden benches and my ironing board has also taken up residence right beside that. I have a rolling cart with my sewing machine on it, pushed right up against one end of the table and my OTT lamp next to that. There is also a stand with my first quilt folded on display on the other side of the table. Needless to say, I am taking up the entire dining room and have been for a LONG time. It will be nice to move my stuff upstairs and be able to close the door to the mess (if there is one). Another perk is that it will keep my fabric and any projects I am currently working on free of cat hair! Yes, I have two pesky cats who love nothing more than to lay on whatever project I have left out - because I, of course, left it out for them to lay on and cover with kitty hair! I buy them a bed and they lay on my material - ARG!
Now, I will be able to foil their little kitty plans by shutting them out! Muwahaha (diabolical laughter).
Guess I better get back to priming the walls. Goodbye lime and hello light peachy color.