Patio

The first half of the patio outside my quilting studio had been poured. This will be a lovely place to sit in the fall. There is an outlet next to the door so that I can sew outside on nice days.

Yummy Dinner

Nothing beats Chinese food after a long trip.

Traffic

We are on the road to return Mom and Liz to New Jersey. Boy, I don't miss the traffic.

Jamestown Landing- The Beginning

"Jamestown Landing" is a large bed quilt that requires 840 half square triangles(HST). Now, that's a lot of triangles! I began cutting them two weeks before the workshop. Wanting to be as scrappy as my supply would allow, I dug through every bin, box, bag, and drawer of fabric I own. Unfortunately, the variety of purples I desired were not in great supply. So, off to Pins & Needles to buy some more. These zip top bags nicely hold 100 HSTs. I was all set to sew, both at the workshop and when I would travel with DH on a work assignment to Ohio this week. 

At workshops, I rarely produce a finished product. My purpose is to learn new techniques, visit with old and new friends, and maybe, just maybe, complete one of each type of block. Well, two out of three isn't bad. Sewing together enough HSTs to make one star block, I managed to sew them together wrong! I figured out the problem, made a note, and un-sewed the block. At least I would have plenty to do in Ohio.

These are some of the 688 HSTs I sewed on Monday. It would have taken me a week to do at home, but in a hotel while hubby was working, I was in a zone. There are 60 different purple fabrics. Good variety. 

With dog ears trimmed and seams pressed open, I grouped according to purple fabric, and into snack bags the HSTs went. Pulling one of each different fabric. My fear is to get to the last block only to discover I am left with several of the same fabric. This way I can assure variety as I go. It is a slow process, but I have 31 broken dishes blocks completed, 179 more to go.
Til next time,
Mary

A Bonnie filled Weekend

 Anyone who knows me knows I am a fan of Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville. I love scrap quilts, especially ones made from my scrap bins. I ran into her at MQX last year in Rhode Island. Highlight of my trip! Well, she came to Maine for two workshops and a lecture. Yippee! I signed up for all three.

I drove to Bangor for Friday's "Jamestown Landing" workshop from her book String Fling,  the same book in which "Orca Bay" can be found. My quilt will be purples instead of blues, for a very special young lady. More later on my progress.



Towards the end of the class, Bonnie brought out her current hexie project to show us how she does it. Absolutely beautiful. I have made two hexie projects, but they were table topper size. I think I would be overwhelmed doing a bed sized quilt. I do know my limits :)
Saturday found Wes and I on our way to Waterville(45 min each way) for our state guild meeting and Bonnie's lecture. 
She brought two duffle bags full of quilts to share with us; each with a story to be told of how it came to be. I took notes on my smart phone so as not to forget the new things I learned. It was a perfect day topped off by lunch on the lawn under sunny skies and 65 degree weather.

I had one more workshop, "Smith Mountain Morning" from Scraps & Shirttails II", in Augusta(40 min each way) on Sunday. I love the blues, browns, and neutrals of this pattern. I hope to have it finished by September to give as a housewarming gift for a family member.

There were 40 quilters present and each one received the guidance necessary to successfully complete the blocks. It was inspiring to watch the skill with which Bonnie taught the workshop. 

This was a terrific weekend. Almost 6 hours of travel time when all was done, but so very much worth it. 

Til next time,
Mary

Progress

Kitty, my long arm, is all settled into her new home. Fitting better than I had planned with enough room for me to get around both ends and the back. An alcove instead of a closet was included on the far end to maximize my available floor space.
I have never been able to get the SLR to work on this machine. I took all the parts to Carol's to test them on her machine; they worked just fine. But when I installed them back on Kitty, nothing. I resigned to the fact that  I would have to quilt without an SLR. 

 After testing my stitches, I decided to give the SLR one more try. Maybe, just maybe, reassembling the frame and machine would set something right that had been out of sync. I held my breath as I flipped on the SLR and moved the carriage... it worked! I did a happy dance. After half an hour of adjusting the max/min speeds, I loaded "Granny's Hankie", a 2011 BOM from Denise Russart. Each day, I quilt for an hour, taking my time learning the rhythms of the SLR. 

I quilted this quilt before the basement renovation, then sewed the binding on last week. The pattern is Majestic Mountain and calls for a Jelly Roll, but I used strips from my 2-1/2" scrap strip bin. The quilting is a clam shell design using a template. This quilt will be going to survivors of Super Storm Sandy. 

Orca Bay is ready to be quilted. This photo shows it hanging sideways, as it is too long vertically. I found that if I worked on it just a few rows at a time, it didn't seem so overwhelming. Now, I need to make the backing.
My new quilting studio is so much fun. Thank you DH. You're the best! 
Til next time, 
Mary

The Basement Reveal

The builders, D&R, finished their work on my new basement quilting studio 2-1/2 weeks ago. This is the view as you enter. To the left, the longarm area and to the right is the TV viewing/ handwork/reading area. The bookcase benches are filled with quilting books for me to read/reference as I relax in my rocker.  DH's red chair is right there next to mine. My design wall is barely visible on the wall behind the chairs. 

Located where the hearth used to be is the new pressing station, a movable kitchen cart from Big Lots. It came with a stainless steel top, which we removed and replace with a 2'x 4' pressing board.  It's not as long as the one I made for the ironing board, but it provides storage and can be easily moved when needed.

Looking back from the TV area, you can see the cutting station to the right and the main sewing area to the left of the entry. The new ceiling is three inches higher than the old one and there are LED pot lights all through the studio providing much needed light. 

D&R re-installed the upper cabinets and built custom base ones(to match the uppers) with a beautiful  wood counter. They are 17" deep to accommodate my many plastic storage bins. The opening on the far left is due to the hot water baseboard. Not to be one to waste potential storage, I requested D&R to install a shelf above the baseboard. It is the perfect place for my portable vacuum. The pegboard is up on the wall, with some of my gadgets hanging there.

Now, for the view of the cutting area. My Accuquilt cabinet is tucked into the corner, ready to be used. A second pegboard hangs over it to hold my many rulers. Nana's table returns as the cutting table. I'd like to make a platform with wheels so it too would be movable. But for now, it stays in place with a rolling cart of drawers tucked underneath it. The new bathroom is behind the wall that holds my half finished "Orca Bay" quilt. The W/D is not hidden in a closet as that would have taken away more floor space. Besides, I am one of those rare individuals who doesn't mind doing laundry. 

This is the area which will, be the new home for "Kitty" my longarm. Although, not shown in this photo, she fits quite nicely in this space. Most of my yardage has been returned to the shelves on the bookcase. To the left foreground, is a metal rolling shelf that houses fat quarters, wool, batiks, etc. I found these stacking drawers(Wal-Mart) which fit perfectly on the shelves.

Finally, this is my bathroom! No more running up the stairs in a mad dash to beat Mother Nature. The ceiling is painted the same color as the walls. The pedestal sink adds a touch of elegance. Thanks Mike. The mirror is temporary as I haven't found the right one yet. But I am still looking.  

The floor in the studio is a solid vinyl 6"x 3' interlocking plank. It is waterproof and has a very realistic wood appearance. It took DH and I three days to install, but it definitely was worth it.

Til next time,

Mary

Basement Remodel

 Last summer, I redecorated my basement quilting studio. Trying to make the space work better for me. Do you remember the hearth that took up valuable floor space? My ironing board tucked away in the fabric room? Well, DH finally agreed to have  the hearth removed :)

Just look at all that floor space! Notice something else, the room is empty. The entire basement is being remodeled. But first, we had to move everything out. Where to put it all? It is amazing how much stuff can crammed into a 400 square foot basement. 

See the long box along the top front of the photo. This housed one of three cold air returns for the heater. Made the room feel smaller as it was barely 6.5 feet above the floor.





The culprit, a giant "spider" forced hot air heater. We decided to replace it with an efficient hot water baseboard system with two zones, main floor and basement. Comfort, more head room, and less dust being blown around the house! 

This area(~100sf) is adjacent to the "spider" and was used as storage. It will be the new home for my longarm. I will now have all my sewing/quilting on one level. 

 Til next time,

Mary

Latest Project

I'm still here. We lost internet service for two weeks just after my last post. So I fell off the blogging wagon :) These table runners are the only projects I've completed since then. 

 They are both from the same pattern, Fun & Done! Speedy Stars, a technique I will be teaching at the end of January.  

 I really like table runners as projects to do. They are quick, easy to quilt on a domestic sewing machine, and make wonderful gifts when visiting family and friends. I particularly like the Fun & Done series as they are quilt as you go. No UFO's here.  

Til next time,

Mary 

Star Barn

I was invited to a quilting retreat at the Star Barn the first weekend in October. Never before had I been to a retreat. So, this would be a new adventure. Fortunately, I was going with Carol, an experienced quilt retreater. My trolley was still packed from the Ohio trip. All that needed to be done was the laundry, and I would be ready to go & sew.

We arrived Friday afternoon. Anne helped us unload, as quilters never travel lightly. Then we were introduced to Ginie Robie, the proprietor and hostess of the Star Barn. This is the two story entryway. Notice the "wood" stove right next to the door. It is gas fired and provides a nice warmth as you enter the barn. 

As we climbed the stairs to our room, we saw this delightful arrangement. There were photos and ribbons on display. And the tapestry chair reminded me of my grandmother's house.

To the right, as we went up the stairs, was a little gift "shop". There was a variety of items made in Maine for sale. See those chairs, we had two just like them that DH's grandfather made. Unfortunately, after much use, they did not survive the move to Maine.

Left of the stairs was our room. Each room at the Star Barn has a theme, ours was Blueberries. There were books and pictures about blueberries. The quilts covering the beds were blue and white log cabins. And look, a "wood" stove in our room. 

Actually, every bedroom has a private bath and gas fired "wood" stove. This was another very nice touch, a water carafe and glasses on a cake stand and more books with a blueberry theme. 

 As part of our retreat, Ginie provided our meals. The menu was mainly vegetarian which I like. On Friday, we had a potato & kale soup which was yummy. This is the dining room. At each meal the table would be set differently.

 On Sunday morning, we woke to find snow on the ground. This was October 14th! Visions of things to come. After a delicious breakfast, Carol and I packed up to head home. 

Because the best bed and breakfast of all is HOME.

Til next time,

Mary

Birdie Pincushions

Look what came to visit me! 

A flock of birdie pincushions that are just adorable.  I made them as "little gifts" for each person taking the class I taught on Saturday.  They are from the pattern "Petite Alouette" from The Teacher's Pet with two modifications: eyes and a "nest." I sewed beads on for eyes(not shown here). The "nest" is  a 1/2" washer that I found in the tool box.  I covered it with a gathered circle of fabric. Then, I used Fabric Fusion fabric glue to adhere the washer to the bird. Now, they are all well behaved and not falling down.

Then today, Lynda and I made this "flock" to be door prizes at our quilt meeting tomorrow.  After filling them with crushed walnut shells, we glued on some googly eyes. They are sooo cute, I wish I could keep them all!

This little girl is happily sitting on top of my sewing machine, watching over my fabric treasures. At least until tomorrow!

Til next time,

Mary

Autumn In Maine

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of living in Maine. I am not sure why. As I had never been there, or even seen pictures. I just new it was as far north as I could go and still be in the United States (Alaska didn't count). And, Maine had snow. I loved snow. Forty some odd years later, my dream came true. DH, the boys, and I moved to a log cabin in the foothills of the western Maine mountains. During our first winter here, we had over 10 feet of snow. It was beautiful. I tried snow shoeing for the first time, and what fun we had. It was also when I joined my first quilt group, kindred spirits who shared a passion for fabric and all things that could be made with it.
Then, spring came. The trees leafed out with fresh new shades of green, the flowers bloomed, and the birds sang. The hummingbirds would zoom in so close, it was amazing. Before moving here, I had never heard the sound of a hummingbird. I continued quilting, meeting new friends, improving my skills, and being thankful each day for family, friends and dreams that come true.




Now, five years later, it is autumn in Maine. Leaves of red, yellow, and orange mix with greens that are reflected by the still waters of Crowell Pond. There is a crispness in the air that brings a smile to my face. It is time to bring out the quilts.

Til next time,
Mary 

Travel Accessories

"What do you bring when you travel?" I have been asked that question several times. So, I thought I'd share my travel accessories. 

A sewing machine. If I am planning only to piece, I bring Charlotte. She sews a beautiful stitch and doesn't weigh much. If I will need anything other than a straight stitch, I take Francie, my Husqvarna/Viking 400.

A light source. I have a pink folding Ott light, but prefer this Jansjo LED Lamp from Ikea. It is very bright and flexible. I can direct the light exactly where I need it without the lamp getting in the way. Important when in hotel rooms without adequate task lighting.

A thread catcher. This has become my favorite as it folds down when not in use. Check here for where to find the pattern and my alterations. 

A sewing machine mat. I use a microfiber dish drying mat. They reduce noise & vibration from the machine, protect the tabletop from scratches, and they attract loose threads. You can find them in the kitchen supplies department at Walmart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, etc. I think I will add a pocket section to the front to hold my scissors, stiletto, etc.

A cutting mat and pressing surface. I use an Omnigrid Cutting & Pressing Station. It is compact and fits inside my trolley.                                                                           

Cutting tools. A small cutting mat (cut from an old mat),  a rotary cutter, a pair of 8" shears, and a small pair of scissors. Don't forget an extra new blade for the rotary cutter.

An iron and spray bottle. I found this cute little Sunbeam Hot to Trot Travel iron. It is lightweight, doesn't automatically turn off, and has a very comfortable handle. The spray bottle can be filled with plain water or a starch. I prefer Mary Ellen's Best Press as I am a presser, starcher, presser. I seal the bottle in a gallon size Ziploc bag when it is in the trolley.

Thread. I bring several spools of neutral threads. I like Aurifil thread and Alex Anderson's Masterpiece Threads from Superior Threads for piecing. Aurifil is 50/2 and Masterpiece is 50/3. Originally, Masterpiece was a 2-ply but now comes as a 3-ply. When I sew with 2-ply thread, I shorten my stitch length to 14-16 stitches per inch(2.0 on newer machines). This provides a stronger seam. Similar to many light coats of paint rather than one thick coat. 

Bobbins and a holder. Have you ever traveled to a workshop only to realize you had only one bobbin? These flexible bobbin donuts are terrific! Load them with pre-wound bobbins in the neutral colors, along with some empty ones and, you're all set.

 Needles and machine accessories. I pack two sizes of machine needles, 70/10 and 80/12, any extra machine feet I have, a screw driver, and a needle threader. I have a mini ratchet set that usually travels with me, but I used it for something and failed to return it. They are available online priced between $2 and $15 dollars, excluding shipping. I found mine, which only has screwdriver bits, in a computer store. The needle threader is essential for me to thread Charlotte, as she threads from right to left and I cannot see the eye to thread it.

Pins and pincushion. I use extra fine glass head pins 1-3/8 inches long which, I keep in a small plastic tub with a lid. Glass head pins won't melt if you accidentally go over them with an iron. I also keep an emery strawberry snuggled into a glass candle votive holder. 

Marking tools. I pack two ceramic lead pencils, one white and one black, to mark lines on the back of my patchwork pieces. I made a 5-inch square patchwork board by gluing a 5"x 5" square of 200 grit sandpaper to a square of paperboard(the stuff that comes on the back of notepads). The patchwork board is essential to keep squares from becoming distorted when drawing lines on the diagonal.

Rulers. I keep 4 rulers in my trolley; a 12.5 inch square; a 6.5 inch square; a 2.5 inch square; and a 6 inch by 12 inch rectangle. I will also bring any special rulers needed for a specific project. I have recently switched over to Creative Grids brand in my studio, so these Olfa rulers have become the travelers. 

An Eyebrow trimmer to safely un-sew seams. A Stiletto, the tool you never knew you needed, but once you have it, you don't know how you quilted without it. Tweezers necessary to remove threads from the rotary hook of the bobbin assembly. Eye shadow make-up brush, an excellent tool for removing lint from the bobbin area. A seam ripper- okay, I usually don't use it, but its there just in case.

 Sometimes, I have to replace my seam guide and I will need extra Scotch Magic Tape and Re-Stickable Strips. The Magic tape is also necessary if I want to sew over vinyl. By adhering some to the bottom of my presser foot, making an opening for the needle and thread, there is no sticking to the vinyl.

Bed risers (a new addition) for those times when  one must sew on a coffee table. An extension cord and a power strip as some hotels may not have enough outlets or they may be located in the wrong spot.

The last thing that I pack, which changes often, is my project. I try to kit it up as best I can and transport it in plastic scrap booking boxes with snap close lids. I include the pattern, fabric, any special rulers, several Ziploc bags, and hand sewing supplies. The Ziploc bags store not only my starting pieces, but the units once they are made.

 I realize this seam like a lot of stuff. However, all fits in my trolley, except the project box, ready to sew whenever and wherever I go. 

Til next time,

Mary