BEING SICK REALLY CRAMPS MY SEWING STYLE

I have spent the better part of the last month and a half ill.  First with bronchitis.  Then I got a Migraine in the middle of last week.  And then last Friday, I got food poisoning so bad that . . . well, bad.  You don't need details.

What that has meant is that I've gotten very little sewing done since the beginning of March.  And frankly, I'm rather irritated.  I am two blocks behind on the Patchwork Squared Quilt Along, since I spent the entire weekend in bed.  And I never got any of these cute little things sewn, which I wanted to do before Easter.  Tonight is trash night -- as in make sure I've gathered it all for pick up tomorrow -- and once I'm done with that, I'm going to make some Easter eggs.  Patchworky ones that are kind of random.  As random as the Type A part of my personality will allow.  Wish me luck!

I LOVE MY SISSIES

My two younger sisters took a trip to California last week.  They brought back a little souvenir for me.  It is darling.  Excuse the picture -- taken with the cell phone.  But you can still tell exactly what it is.  And if you turn it over, there's even a plug!  You can see the tines.  It's awesome.  I don't want to take it out of the box, it's too cute!  I love my sisters, they are awesome.  And I love them even more for finding this for me!  It's a Juicy Couture charm.

NICKI'S PRIZES

I spent the entire weekend sewing!  I was in class Saturday from 10:30 a.m., till 4:30 p.m.  Needless to say, I was pooped.  But I learned some cool tricks with Regina Bernina, so I'm really excited!

Sunday, I made Nicki's prizes from the blog giveaway.  Since she was the only person who signed up, I made coasters and my first mug rug.  Still not digging the name "mug rug."  Just sounds weird.  How about "snack coaster?"  Or "mug mat?"  Anyway, the giant coaster/mini placemat turned out REALLY cute.  Totally going to have to make more of those!

Here are the coasters, front and back.  I switched it up a little and used different fabrics for the backs.  Usually, you use one of the fabrics you make the coaster fronts out of, but I ended up with five coordinating fabrics, and I totally had to use them all!

I used gray thread to do the quilting, and this time I used a longer stitch.  It turned out really well!

The backs are so cute!  I love these stripes!  So fun!

And now to the mug mat.  Sorry, just can't do that rhyming thing.  At least not in this case.  Anyhow, I used the two stripes as backing and binding.  Nicki's initials are NH.

Now no one else can walk off with it and claim it's hers!  Nicki really likes the backing.  Love it!

I really enjoyed making this mini quilt.  So easy and so cute!  It was great.  I'm totally going to make more of these.  I think my momma would like one.  And Nicki absolutely loved it all.  She said the fabrics will coordinate PERFECTLY with her living room decor.  She goes, "I can't wait to take them home!"  Yay!

WIPs, WIPs, AND MORE WIPs

Actually, it's just two WIPs.  Two I've discussed before.  And to announce that only one person signed up for my giveaway, and that was my friend Nicki from work.  You've bummed me out, people!

Anyway, here's the first WIP.  It's the Vintage Ribbons Table Runner from Moda Bake Shop that I've been trying to complete for a while now.  Pretty much almost finished other than sandwiching, quilting, and binding.  I have a three-day weekend coming up, so I'm going to do a lot of sewing!

My camera still sucks right now.  I need a new one.  I'm hoping I can talk my sister into upgrading and giving me her old one!  Anyway, I tried a few "high-in-the-air-directly-overhead" shots of my WIPs.  Seemed to work okay.

The above shot is a little wonky, but I think it shows the colors really well.  The pattern called for solids, and I just don't care for them.  At least not right now.  But the binding will be solid red.  I think that will provide some nice contrast.  I added the aqua because my living room colors are red and aqua.  Works really well, I think!

And now to more baby stuff.  I got the top sewn for Eli's ribbon blankie.  It's looks so cute that I turned it into my work computer's desktop background!

How fun is that?!  I used my favorite prints and tried to be as random as I could.  I'm very visual, and therefore I have a really hard time with random patterns.  I can't do it.  I had to throw them all in a bag and pick them.  And I still rearranged quite a few!

COASTER MADNESS -- 50th POST AND GIVEAWAY!

Holy crap!  It's my 50th post!  And I'm having my first giveaway!  So read to the bottom to find out how you can win a cute set of coasters!

Some friends from work, who are engaged to be married, bought a house together earlier this year.  Their house warming is this evening, and last night, I put together a set of coasters for them.

I've made about four or five sets of these coasters since I got Regina Bernina.  Needless to say, they are stinking easy to put together and look pretty darn cute when they're done.  The pattern is the Sidecar Coasters from Connecting Threads.  Very cute.

I have no idea how they've decorated their house, so I went for something that was sort of mod but still has some old-fashioned flair.  Their house is in an older part of Boise, so I didn't want something too modern.  Forgive the fuzzy pictures.  My camera had an encounter with a bottle of coffee creamer a while back.  Don't think it's recovered.

I like these because you just cut stacks -- almost a Stack-and-Whack -- and then simply shuffle pieces and put them back together.  My favorite fabric is the gray with the big yellow dots.  It's the backing because it's the biggest print.  Love it!

And yesterday, I received a present in the mail!  From Allison at Cluck.Cluck.Sew!  My layer cake of Swiss Chocolate.  Yay me!  I'm going to make all kinds of fun stuff with it!  Woo-hoo!

  

For the giveaway, I'll give you a few chances to win a set of six quilted coasters:

1. Leave a comment telling me your favorite fabric collection.
2. Become a follower of the blog and leave another comment letting me know.
3. Follow me on Twitter @hattjam1008 and leave yet another comment letting me know.
4. Like Mad Hatter Quilts on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know.

I'll close the giveaway in five days, Feb. 16, and pick a winner by random number generator!  Thanks!

WHOLE LOTTA CUTTIN' GOIN' ON

Nearly a month ago, I said I was going to my first craft retreat.  Due to crappy Internet service, I've been unable to share everything I got accomplished at that retreat.

One of the big things I got done was my stitch sampler.  I'm in a class to learn all about my new machine, Regina Bernina.  One of our homework assignments, as it were, was to complete a stitch sampler.  I felt pretty lucky compared to most of the ladies in the class -- I only have 85 stitches.  There's one woman who has THE fanciest machine Bernina makes.  She has over 1000 stitches she has to sample.  Whew!  Glad I'm not her!  Anyway, here's the result:

It was a lot of fun to do, and one of my friends, whom I call Crazy, watched over my shoulder the whole time.  I asked her if she was bored at all.  She said no!  Too fun to watch!

And I did a TON of cutting.  I'm 5'10" and I own a very short table on which I cut.  That means I can't cut for long periods of time without getting major back pain.  The house we had the retreat in had a huge kitchen island that was nice and tall.  I set up cutting shop on the island and cut the fabric for an entire table runner for myself.

That's all of it!  It was so nice not to be in pain when I was done with cutting!

After the stitch sampler was finished, I worked on my mom's table runner, which is going to be bargello.  I love bargello, and I've made one before.  It turned out pretty darn good.  So I had a honey bun of Blessings that I'm turning into a runner for Mom.  I already have the tubes finished and ready to cut.

There's four different tubes that I'm going to use.  It's going to be a lot of fun to put together.  I'm even thinking about trying to cut really small strips, like 3/4" to see what happens!  Wish me luck!

And here's an action shot of Regina Bernina because it's awesome!

I'll post pictures of my table runner when it's done -- just have to add the borders and do the quilting and binding!  Woo-hoo!

FIRST CRAFT RETREAT!

So, for the first time in my life, I'm headed for a craft retreat!  My dear friend Elena is celebrating her birthday by hosting an all-day crafting bonanza at our friend Robin's great big house.  I work till five, and the crafting/movie watching begins at six.  And because I'm riding with Elena, I had to give her all my stuff last night, including the new sewing machine, which I have now christened Regina Bernina.  Because pretty much anything that costs over $1000 needs a name.  Anyway, I have to say I was a little sad to let Regina go with Elena.  It was kinda like letting a kid leave on his first over-nighter.  'Course, I don't have kids, but . . .

I can't wait to get crafting!  I'm hoping that Robin has a table that's taller than mine, and I can get a TON of cutting done.  That's the part that kills me -- I'm 5'10", and I cut on a really small wooden table.  Can you say, "backache?"  And while I can't afford a new table, I need to get a new cutting mat.  Mine's getting a little brittle.  Hee, hee!  I have honeybun strips to sew into bargello tubes; I have to create a stitch sampler for my machine class (that's project numero uno).  I have fat quarters to cut for this pattern: http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/10/vintage-ribbons-table-runner.html.  I have charm squares to quarter for tiny baby blocks.  Lots to do!  We're spending the night tonight, then crafting all day tomorrow!  I'm quite excited.  I will post pictures when I come back!

HAVING NICE TOOLS MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Now that I have Regina Bernina, my new 350 PE, I have been sewing like a demon!  It used to be such a fight to sew, but now it's fun to sew again!  I haven't had this much fun since I learned to sew when I was 11!  I've sewed nearly every night since I got the sewing machine.  I've made three sets of coasters, a candle mat, started a table runner, and started three shopping bags.  I'm really excited to sew each time I sit down at the machine.  What a great feeling!

SMELLS LIKE NEW SEWING MACHINE!

So, I finally got a new sewing machine.  I've been balking at sewing for a long time because I was getting very frustrated with my 35-year-old machine.  Can you imagine?  I have been saving up for a new Bernina, a B 350 PE to be precise.  I don't need all that fancy stuff -- yet.  But I wanted a 1/4"-inch foot and some quilting capabilities.  I now have them!

THE FABRIC IS HERE!

My fabrics for the coin lap quilt are here!  Yay!

It's not the greatest of pictures, but it works.  Those cute little pinwheels will now be put aside for this little lap quilt.  I only have a month to complete it -- I seriously doubt I'll need the entire month, but when you're working with a machine that only had one speed, it's really hard to piece something quickly and accurately.  It has to be slowly and accurately.  I think it's time for a new machine.  Maybe in January!

SOMETHING CUTE TO WHILE AWAY THE WAIT

So, I'm waiting for fabric from ConnectingThreads.com to make a lap quilt for my sister who's moving to Australia.  While I'm doing that, I decided I would take the Tweet Tweet Charm Pack my mom bought me, and make half-square triangles out of the fabric.

My god-kids were here today, so they helped me sort my darks and lights, and we got to work.  Emily, my god-daughter, wants to learn to sew.  That was kind of the plan today.  However, even though she's six and has the IQ of Albert Einstein, she decided to run an index finger across the blade of my rotary cutter.  That's what I get for assuming she knew better!  So, no sewing for Emily.  Just some tears and tissue paper.  But she watched, and we did a fun little technique I saw on Moda Bake Shop -- making four half-square triangles with one pieces of Charm Pack.  Put the together RST, sew 1/4" all around the four sides, slice once on one diagonal, slice again on the opposing diagonal, and -- VOILA -- four half-square triangles.  I haven't pressed, but I'm going to do so to the dark side, as it were, and go from there.  Here are some pics.  Excuse the quality -- these are with my cell phone.

So, a little jumble of unpressed half-square triangles.  Fun times!

I tried to show off the different ones I've cut so far.  I have about 12 more pairs to sew and cut.  I'm thinking pinwheels, but I'm going to let Emily choose, since it'll be for her.

Here's a preview of a pinwheel, if we go with that.  I'm trimming the squares down to three inches.  Closest measurement I can get!  Fun times.

Enjoy the pictures.  Love this fabric collection.  It is darling.  So very fun.

I HAVE COMMISSIONS!

Again. I didn't get any sewing done last night -- just as I predicted. And I won't tonight -- Bones is on. Sorry, but I must watch David Boreanaz. And the Dog Whisperer is guest starring -- my mom loves him.

Anyway, I thought I should blare the fact that I have been commissioned by a friend to create a table runner for her dining room and a quilt and pillow shams for her bedroom! Woo-hoo! Gotta get started on the designs. Wish me luck!

I DIDN'T JUST TRY

I really did sew today. I waited until it was later, about seven this evening, since it's been so hot. And then I finished quilting another placemat. I didn't finish them all, but I have all four of Ginna's done, and two of Mary's. I'll finish another one tomorrow, perhaps -- although the season finale of the Closer is on -- and then all I have to finish once they're quilted is the binding. I have a crappy picture of one of Ginna's. Excuse the fuzziness!

DAMN THE CLOSER! AND DAMN EUREKA!

So there was a new episode on last night. In fact, for me, there were two. I missed last week's because I had returned from my parents' house that afternoon and was exhausted! I went to sleep last Monday and hardly woke up to go, "Oh, there's a new Closer on right now."

Needless to say, I got no sewing done last night. But this morning, I did put together a diagram for a wall-hanging that I've been wanting to do forever! It's for my living room. Aquas, taupes, and brick reds. I love the combo of aqua and red. Saw it in a Martha Stewart Weddings and have been in love with it ever since -- I totally plan to use it if I ever get married. The fabrics are from a Moda line called Wuthering Heights. My mom bought me a bunch of fat quarters at a local shop, then I got them home and started to wash them and press them. That's when I discovered the name of the collection. It was meant to be -- I'm a former English teacher! The design is simple because I want to show the fabrics off. They are gorgeous!

This is sort of what I plan for it to look like, including the quilting lines. When your machine is 28 years old, you can't do a lot of fancy stuff. It's a Husqvarna Viking, but it's got a really short arm on it, and no variable speed. Oy. Time for a new machine. That's what the Etsy shop is going to be for -- making new machine money!

And I doubt I'll get any sewing done tonight, either, since there is a new Eureka on. Hm. Maybe I should move my sewing table into my living room so that I can sew and watch at the same time. I could sew during the commericals! EUREKA!

GOOD INTENTIONS

I love it that I always have good intentions of sewing over the weekend, but they never seem to come to fruition. I spend the first part of the day being busy with friends and their children, and then I lack the energy to create anything once a I get home. Or to finish anything.

I am a terrible sister who needs to get her butt in gear. Last Christmas, I decided to make placemats for my two little sisters and their husbands. But we opened presents early so I didn't get to finish them in time -- and I never have. It's almost a year later. I can't believe I never finished. Shame on me. I think I'll work on it tonight if there's no new Closer episode.


But see, they're going to be cute when I finish them! They are the first things I've actually quilted, not just pieced. The first one to be quilted didn't turn out so well, but the rest look really good!

POOR, UNFORTUNATE SOULS

I know, an ominous title, but they certainly are poor, unfortunate souls. They are my only two finished tops, but they have never been finished. Shame on me. Of course, one of them belongs to a friend of mine now -- she sews, too. So here they are: the first is the top I created for my sister's wedding three years ago; the second is a bargello, my very first, and I was really proud of it, except for the fabric choice.


The above is the wedding table topper that sat under my sister's huge coconut hatbox cake.


And above is my first bargello. I'm totally making more of this -- I loved it. And I pieced the strips without using pins -- I apparently line up my corners better without the pins. Weird!