Lookie what I got today!

I'm Back Again!

I was introduced into the world of Facebook and found my dearest, known-the-longest friend since 3rd grade. We were very close (and once directly related) until about 25 years ago. If Facebook does nothing else for me, I'm so grateful to find her.

I also found Pinterest! Oh goodness, so inspiring. Its a place to gather all your favorite things (under whatever title you choose). If you haven't yet, check it out!!

I realized that the newness of FB wore off, and I wanted to get back to my blogs. I've been working on sewing, quilting, and craft projects that I'll be sharing. I'm going to make a few of them into patterns to purchase and see how it goes. I don't intend to make much free-spending money, but it will keep me in supplies AND postage to send mail to the Soldiers overseas.

I hope this reaches most of you--I'll be revisiting all my online quilting groups again, and see what everyone has been doing. Thanks for taking the time to share my world, and God bless each of you.

The Perfectly FUN Seam Ripper!

Look what my sweeeet brother-in-law made just for me!! This really makes ripping out so easier to face.

Reusable Gift Tags

I had to get out something colorful to play with on this gray day. I made these tags the typical way, then used the cutoffs to glue onto other paper, then cut them out. By the time I got to the blue and yellow one, I realized that if I only glue down 3 sides, there will be a slot to insert a piece of paper with the recipient's name on it. You could write something more personal on the back of the slip, or reuse the tag for other gifts.

That's how I'm spending this cold, snowy day by a warm fire.

Have You Seen Pinterest?

I've been gathering all my arts, crafts, sewing and quilting on Pinterest.com/susanround.
It's a fun site to share ideas--not sell items.

My tree is almost finished!

I just need to get some silver icicles to staple in bunches randomly over the tree!

My Little Astro Won a Contest!

Astro won the Grand Prize offered by The Quilt Pattern Magazine for their "Quilts and Kitties" contest! We get about $250 worth of fabric, rotary cutting tools, books, and thread! Thanks to my cyber friends who voted for us. Astro doesn't seem to be as excited as I am, but I'm sure once new boxes and fabric enter the house, he'll be very interested!

OK, my turn for a bath now!

VOTE for My Kitty!

Please take a minute and go to www.quiltpatternmagazine.com and click on the "Vote for Kitties" contest. Vote for my Astro, #16, and we will have bragging rights PLUS some quilting gifts if we win!!

HST Tip!

I was making half-square triangles using the method of drawing a diagonal line and stitching on both sides, then cutting apart. I discovered that after stitching the 2 parallel lines and I press to hold the stitching, I could really shortcut the remaining pressing.
When pressing these squares before cutting apart, I put the dark fabric on top, folded back one side of the triangle and pressed along the seam. I then turned the other side over and pressed it with the tip and side of my iron just along that seam line.

It leaves a buckle at each seam line. Then, when I cut them apart, the seam automatically falls to the darkest fabric! I know that sometimes the seam must be pressed toward the lighter side, and it's very easy just to flip that seam allowance to whatever side you need to while assembling.

For me, it was worth the little added swipe of the iron down the center seams to avoid having to press each triangle open! Has someone already thought of this technique, or did I truly come up with an original tip? Let me know what you think.

CaTitanic!

Finally Joined Facebook

After years of avoiding Facebook, I've finally joined and created a page. It is somewhat scarey not knowing who in my past will find me now! I even notified my high school reunion committee. Very scarey! I'm still learning how to use it, but from what I understand there was another format that many liked much better than the current setup.

Big Block Sailing from TQPM tests

Placemat UFO was a test

Autumn in Bloom was the very first pattern I tested. What a challenge--it was made with 1" squares and strips!

These are some of the tests I've been doing for The Quilt Pattern Magazine this past year. Now that the pattern has been tested and published, I can freely share some of these with you now!


This is a table runner that I chose to make in patriotic colors. It's called "Framed Hearts" and the original was made in fall colors.

 I don't usually use table runners; however, someday I hope to have a living room of red, white and blue!

Baby Blocks Pattern Test

All of my testing projects are still flimsies. I have this dream of getting a stack of these smaller quilts ready to quilt by DSM!

Nothing New Under the Sun, or Copycats?

One of the online quilting groups I belong to is currently having a conversation about others copying quilt patterns and other designs. Here's my 2 cents:

Do you know that every adult uses about 250-400 words in their daily language? Some writers jumble words around to portray one way of thought. Others, using the same words in different order make those sentences mean something totally different.

Let's say there are about 300 basic quilt block designs that all quilters use (and there are a bunch of us!) I never made a quilt exactly as the pattern. I choose a color scheme from one of your quilts, make blocks in various (but basic) shapes. Usually I combine 2-3 blocks in one quilt and either don't put sashing or add it. Am I a copycat?

No, I'm inspired by other artists! That's how creativity is generated with one idea leading to 5 ideas and probably even changing your mind partially through the construction.  I use color schemes from magazines because those page creators went through hours of trial and error before coming up with the combination that is most pleasing and accepted to print.

I posted mini Halloween totes on my blogs last year. In the latest issue of American Patchwork & Quilting they are having a contest to make these same treat totes. The pattern is fun, easy and free at allpeoplequilt.com. They have displayed a few of the bags entered into the contest so far and guess what? They are all made from Halloween fabric! I did send my photos to the APQ last year just to share. I wonder if they will now accept my efforts into an entry for the new Bernina Sewing Machine?

Happy sewing,
Suz

I'm Back!

It's been waaay too long since I've kept up with my blogs. I'm finally at a time where much time has been freed up. (Little man I take care of is in school fulltime.)  I lost both of my cats over the past several months. One was expected--he was 16 years old. But his little brother was only 3 and died a few months ago from liquid surrounding (not in) his tiny lungs.

I found a new furry quilt tester (above) at our local animal shelter Monday. He's so extremely tiny it's going to be a true challenge to keep him growing. He was found by a mailman on a busy intersection. If love can keep him alive and strong, he'll be just fine!

National Quilting Day Each Month

I totally missed the first day of Spring and National Quilting Day. There was talk on one of the online quilt groups that March might be considered as National Quilting Month as well. That still isn't going to work for me.

Therefore, I am claiming the 20th of every month "National Quilting Day" and on that day I'm going to practice FMQ on my DSM!! (For the newbies, that's Free-Motion Quilting on my Domestic Sewing Machine.)

Knowing that I must be accountable to the blogging universe, I need to force my focus one day each month on getting over the intimidation and akwardness and just do it. I've been making many tops for OQC and kids, so now it's time for me to put the batting with the backings and get them ready to turn into a real quilt!

On Tuesday, April 19th I will be getting everything set up so that when Iwake up on April 20th, Nat'l (monthly) Quilting Day, I can have my first cup of coffee while digging right in to actual quilting. Anyone want to join me?

My Pillow Made the Cover!

The February issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine is available now, and I was lucky enough to have one of the patterns I tested published! The selvedge hearts are actually 5 small pockets, and there is also one heart on the back. This is a really fun pattern, and for only $1 per month you can get lots of fun, new patterns at http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/ (Also, if you DO subscribe and mention my name I will earn a free issue!! Only good until March 15th, I believe it is)