A Day in Paducah

Since I am spending the week with my husband while he is working out of town, I need to keep busy. Along with the scraps that I processed, I had packed my EPP kit. What I didn't realize is that I didn't have enough 3/4 inch hexagon pieces to fill in my time here. A quick visit to the local quilt store, The Cotton Mill Quilt Company, left me with some great fabric but not the hexagon pieces I needed. Rebecca Moore, the owner, did try calling the other two quilt stores in the area, but they didn't have any either. I was going to have to take a trip to Paducah. 

Paper Pieces Pop-up Shop

Paducah, Kentucky is where Paper Pieces is headquartered. They are my go to for paper piecing shapes. They have a little pop-up shop that is open by appointment. I called and arranged with Jess to meet her at the shop on Wednesday morning. The drive took me about an hour and 45 minutes. The transaction took about 20 minutes. The shop is adorable and Jess is super friendly and an awesome resource. No hard sell but more than happy to give you ideas and recommend videos that are available to help you improve.

Not ready to return to the hotel just yet, I decided to visit The National Quilt Museum. My husband and I had visited it back in 2009. We really didn't know much about the museum back then and we were expecting the exhibits to be along the lines of a History in Quilting. It was definitely not that. Honestly, I was very disappointed in it. There were very few pieced quilts, there was a lot of thread painting type of quilts and everything was very modern. There weren't any quilts that could be considered functional. The quilts we liked the most were actually wooden carvings of quilts. That visit left me disillusioned and I never planned to go back. I later learned that the exhibits are changed frequently so I decided to check them out again. 

This time I knew more of what to expect. Yes, there were a lot of modern quilts. (I tend to be more of a traditional quilter.) Aside from the Virginia Findlay Wolfe Exhibit (which was interesting but I am not a fan), I really enjoyed the quilts. I especially enjoyed the Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry exhibit which focused on vibrant uses of color. I also learned that they offer classes and camps during the year. I might be interested in going to one of those sometime.

Even better that the exhibit hall was the gift shop. Because in the gift shop were other quilters. I met a few women from Knoxville who had come up together. We were browsing the discounted fabric and sharing stories. Talking about our lives and families as well as projects. One woman asked if I needed her to talk me into a purchase or out of it. She truly understood the need to minimize your stash and the need to buy all the fabric. Then while checking out, I mentioned to the salesperson that I was up from Georgia. Two women came around the corner and asked where in Georgia. Turns out they are from Cairo. We hugged and exchanged numbers. Hopefully we will get together, when we get back home. I could use some new friends now that I don't work anymore.

The last place I visited was Hancock's of Paducah. Every quilter I know talks about how awesome this place is and yet, I am unimpressed. This was my second visit there. Yeah, there's a lot of fabric and  it's organized by manufacturers, which is cool. But I am not loyal to any one brand. There are a lot of kits and pre-cuts available too. But is wasn't as much fun as I would have liked. It just lacks the warmth of the smaller quilt shops. It may be different during quilt week when there are tons of quilters around.

Don't get me wrong, I will visit it every time I go to Paducah. I will probably spend way too much every time as well. But I would much rather shop at a smaller quilt shop. I guess I was spoiled by Mom's Crafts and Fabrics in Delta, Utah. It was the first real quilt shop I ever frequented and it will always be my favorite.

All in all it was a very good day filled with a lot of camaraderie with fellow quilters. I had a great time and definitely would do it again. Only maybe start out sooner so I can visit some of the other small shops in the area.

Scraps, Scraps, and More Scraps

Scraps 

Anyone who works with fabric, is well aware that scraps are inevitable.  No project using fabric uses all the fabric the pattern calls for simply because fabric is either sold off the bolt or in pre-cut sizes. It is rare you can buy the exact amount you need. Then there are those of us who buy extra fabric in case we make a mistake. Or better yet buy fabric without a project in mind. This means we almost always have more fabric than we need for the project. So there are scraps.

There are differing views on how to deal with scraps. Some people simply discard the leftover fabric by either giving it away or throwing it out. There are those who put it aside and thinking they will find another project for it someday. Personally, I fall in the later category. In fact, I am more than happy to take scraps from other people. 

I tend to hold onto all of the scraps. I have been stashing them into bins for years. At least I was until a couple of years ago. I was doing a declutter challenge and realized how many scraps I had. Then, I watched a Video on managing scraps by Karen Brown of Just Get It Done Quilts. (She has a website as well as a YouTube channel.) In it she talks about cutting "Mount Scrapmore" down to size. Literally! She suggested you take time once a month to process scraps into some standard sizes. For me, anything under 1/2 yd is cut down into; Fat Quarters, 5 inch squares, 2-1/2 inch squares, 2 inch squares and 2-1/2 inch strips. This works well for me since I love to make scrap quilts. 

Another trick is to pick a pattern that you want to make scrappy and cut the scraps into the sizes needed for the quilt. This means you have to keep in mind what pattern you are cutting for. I personally have a basket with the pre-cut scraps and pattern in it. I try to keep rack of how many more I need with a post it note.

Another reason I keep and process scraps is because I love cutting fabric. It is very cathartic to me. Especially turning scraps into usable pieces. It just soothes my soul in a way that is difficult to explain. Stress seems to dissipate when I am cutting fabric. I would often process scraps in the morning before work because it helped put me in the right frame of mind to deal with difficult people.

Scraps I've processed.

In the last two years I have gone from 2 huge storage totes to one 24 liter bin. This week I am traveling with my husband. To keep busy while he is working, I brought 3 yards of fabric that had been stained, 2 - gallon size zip lock bags of scraps, a rotary cutter, an 12"x18"cutting mat, and my favorite rulers for processing scraps. I didn't have to pack an iron since there is one in the hotel room. My plan is to get some of the scraps processed. That way I feel like I am making some progress on decluttering the studio even though I am on the road. 

My day starts with getting out the iron and ironing board and pressing all of the scraps. I did buy a spray bottle and some spray starch. some of these scraps have been in storage for years. I start cutting the scraps and stack them by size. at the end of the day I put them in zip lock
bags by size. It will make organizing them at home easier.  

The problem I have run into this week is that I am here for a total of 8 days. I am 3 days in and I have already gotten through most of the scraps. I should have brought the whole bin with me. I would have gotten it all done this week. Oh well, I am sure I will have more opportunities to do this in the coming months. I may just get my scraps all caught up before I get my studio into working shape.

Enablers - How Much I am Blessed

We visited my daughter this past weekend. We planned on going into Reno to do some shopping and my daughter wanted to go to Joanne's since everything was on clearance due to them closing down. Of course I was on board with that plan. But with the three little girls and long days, my husband and I ended up taking off with the girls to have fun. 

When we got back to their house my daughter, who had hit up Joanne's, was showing me her treasures. I loved the fact that a lot of the treasures were things to do with her girls. Basically starting them young on learning the skills she has.

my daughter's gift to me

One of her finds was for me though. She bought me 3 jelly rolls. She knows I love them (I really do). They were batik fabrics in rainbow colors. Do I need more jelly rolls? No, but I want them. Plus I love that my daughter knows me so well. And I appreciate that she didn't want me to miss out.

Last night, my husband and I went to the Joanne's here in Bakersfield, CA. My husband asked if I wanted him to come in with me. I said he could come with me or stay in the car and take a nap. He chose to come in. I should have just told him to stay in the car. Taking him into Joanne's was a mistake.

Why was it a mistake? It is not for the reasons you might imagine. My husband is an enabler. I will spend two to three times more money if I take my husband into a quilt or craft store. 

When walking in, I stated that we want to focus on supplies and tools for crafts I already do. My husband, on the other hand, "heard let's fill the cart." He found 2 different fleece fabrics that go together for a quilt. He found 6 different flannel fabrics that would either make great quilts or pajamas.  He put the bolts in the cart and said just buy all of it. (Which I did end up doing.)

Some of my treasures

I was actually shopping for bargains. I found a black layer cake for $10. I got a jelly roll for $3. I got 3 fat quarter bundles for $4 each. All in colors that I need. I also bought a bolt of white quilting cotton at 40% off. All of which I will use in quilts I have planned. 

I picked up some Yo-Yo makers at 50% off. I need them for an RS activity I have coming up. Then I was able to find Alcohol Inks for 50% off. Since we will be doing alcohol ink art in RS this month, I needed that as well. 

While shopping my husband made comments like; "Oh, look beads!" I have way too many beads already. "And Honey, letter stamps." They were for stamping metal which I haven't delved into as of yet. I told him that we should really not be looking for another craft for me to start. (Okay, I am kind of sorry I didn't get them but it would have required buying the blanks to use them on as well. Trying to be responsible here)

My trip to Joanne's ended costing us almost $500 dollars. Sixty percent were his picks. But I love his enthusiasm for my hobbies and happiness. He really does encourage me in all of my hobbies. He always has.

The thing is he is not my only enabler. I have 8 children and for the most part all of them (and their spouses) are enablers for me. Those who don't live nearby are happy to send links to patterns and ideas. Which are not always for things I do, hence starting new crafts.

Two of my granddaughters
learning to sew

Two years ago we were visiting my oldest in Cheyenne, when I spotted a quilt show. My husband suggested I take the girls to the quilt show and the boys do something else. But my son stated that it would be good for the boys to go to the quilt show as well. 

I was impressed with how 2 teenage boys got so interested in the quilts and how they were made. They even spent several minutes talking to the featured quilter about her work. All of the grandkids were very focused on the quilts and the quilters. 

They then accompanied me to a quilt store and helped me pick out fabric for quilts. My son also had me teach the girls to sew on their mother's sewing machine. It hadn't gotten much use.

While in Hawaii, my youngest daughter went into the quilt shop with me. (She is always willing to go to quit shops with me.) She helped me pick out patterns and fabric. When I joked about bringing my enabler in the store with me, she pointed out it was better her than my husband. Which is true, I would have spent a whole lot more. I spent plenty without his help.

My #3 son, will just randomly bring me home fabric that he likes. He also is one that will accompany me into quilt and craft stores. When visiting a quilt store, he will buy fabric if I don't. So yeah, he's a big time enabler. But he told me once that I am at my happiest when I am quilting, sewing, or crafting. He also swears that it gets better if I am teaching it as well.

Another daughter brings her kids over to craft with grandma. She is not a crafter per-se but wants her children to learn.

And still another will have me come to help her with sewing projects. Mostly, I think it's so we can do it together. It was always something we shared.

All my children will give me fabric or tools for gifts. Or they give things that represent my hobbies. Such as a vinyl clock in the shape of a sewing machine for my studio.

While I know of women who hide their fabric purchases from their husbands. I have mine proudly on display all throughout my studio. (Okay it's just laying out because I haven't put it up yet.) I never catch grief about how much I spend. In fact, my family wants me to do the things I love and they make sure I have what I need to do the things I love. 

I am truly blessed. Still, I need to figure out how to get all of this stuff I just bought home. I think I will be doing some creative packing. We already bought 2 small suit cases at Goodwill.

Getting My SewJo Back

Nineteen months ago was the last time I felt like working on anything. My quilting came to a stand still. The last thing I did was load the back of a quilt on the long arm. The top just needed pressed. Then life happened. Actually work happened. My job became more stressful, I was working very long hours and everything else fell by the wayside.

How bad was it? After a while I didn't even want to buy fabric. What quilter doesn't want to buy fabric?  I had dropped my morning routine because I was having to go into work so early. So I wasn't even doing any mindless stitching (chain piecing 2 inch squares into 4 patches) It was not good. Without my morning routine of stitching or cutting scraps and spiritual broadcasts, things spiraled.

I was overly stressed but didn't realize it. I was depressed but not recognizing it. I was exhausted but pushing myself to keep going. I was sick but minimized it and didn't get the rest I needed. I was not taking time off and my weekends were filled with errands and chores that were left undone during the week.  A lot of those were done by my kids because I was too exhausted or sick to do anything.

Now I did do some other creative things during this time. I played with UV resin and made some jewelry. I made lip balm and hand cream. I even did some candles. All of these were done to teach at Relief Society. I can thank my calling for at least making me do a little creative activity every month.

What finally broke the drought? I quit my job. I finally recognized that I wasn't valued or appreciated. My career was stalled and I wasn't going to break through the glass ceiling. It was time to move on. And I did.

While on a much needed vacation in Hawaii, I realized that I wanted to buy fabric. I wanted to find a quilt shop and see what they had. We were buying souvenirs at the little boutiques, when we found Quilt Passions in Kailua Kona.  I bought 3 kits, 3 more patterns, a couple of gadgets, and some yardage. I felt excited about quilting for the first time in a long time.

When we got home, it took forever to get over the jet lag. But I needed to get somethings together for my trip to California with my husband. I knew I couldn't bring a sewing machine so that meant slow stitching. I decided to grab my scrap box and start cutting up some 2 inch squares for my EPP project. 

my work station in the hotel room

I started cutting and boy did it feel wonderful. I love cutting fabric. I have a bin and a half of fabric scraps I need to process. When I get back from California I really should get that bin processed since I need it for yardage.

I am currently in California. I spend the day in the hotel room while my husband is at work. I am spending my time reading, working on blogs, listening to broadcasts, and doing EPP. I am totally relaxed and excited about getting my studio in shape. I will be reviewing the video on servicing my long arm. I just need to come up with some space solutions but that is doable.

It is amazing what removing negative energy can do for your creative spirit. 

Forty Nine Days of Down Time

It has been forty nine days sine I last posted. That is seven weeks.  My last post was about a UFO I had finished. Since then there has been very little progress on any project.

I have come to the realization that I was overwhelmed by the state of my studio. I am feeling very crowded and can't seem to focus. I have 3 quilts that need borders and backing. It should be a quick finish for each one and I haven't been able to get myself to do it.

I have come up with a few excuses as to why I am procrastinating.

    * I don't have room to set my ironing board and I need to press the fabric before I cut it.

    * My cutting surface is covered with clutter from the house and other projects

    * The tension is off on my sewing machine and I need to open it up and work on it

    * I am too tired after work

    * I am having to work too many hours

The pure simple truth is I am stressed and a little bit depressed.  My belongings have taken over my Home and Studio. I need to get things cleaned up and declutter. In this house hold we have gotten in the bad habit of stashing things in bins to take care of later. In my dining room there were two big bins and a huge box of things taken out of vehicles that we no longer own. They have been sitting there for about 4 plus months now. There are also things still sitting out from canning and meat processing. They need to go back to their storage places.

My dining room table is a work surface for me.  I cut fabric there. I work on non sewing projects there. I plan to work on sewing machines there. So I need to get that area cleared out.

Then there are the sewing machines. I have now have 5 old machines in cabinets (not counting the 3 treadles). 4 old machines not in cabinets, one of them being a dead head. That doesn't even include the machines I have had for years. I need to get working on them and get them in shape. Killian and I need to build up our experience so we can start doing sewing machine service/repair as a side hustle.

So space is a problem. But it is something I can fix if I will just start doing it. And today I started. I emptied the 2 bins and most of the huge box. I can actually get to my dining room table now. Tomorrow, I will start clearing off that table. Then maybe clear out under it.

As for my problematic sewing machine, Killian reminded me that I have brand new machine(the one I bought last March). Plus I know that my very first machine is running fine because I used it while I had my usual machine in for service last fall. Starting tomorrow one of them gets pulled out.

But rest assured I did not let the entire 49 days go by without doing something productive/creative. I did make 13 more hexagon flowers. And I did get most of the basket of scraps cut up. In fact I only have 3 fairly large pieces left to cut. I just need to press them first. 

I also got to visit 3 quilt stores at the beginning of July. I spent way too much money and I don't even care. I gave me such a lift and some much needed inspiration. I am feeling motivated to get to work.

What have you been up to this past 7 weeks?

One UFO Down (who knows how many more left)

I finally finished the Cobblestones and Pinwheels quilt. This quilt is 80" x 80", so it actually fits my bed. As much as I love this quilt, it will most likely will not reside on my bed. It is a very bright and busy quilt.  I am not sure my husband could sleep under it and frankly I don't need the stimulation right before bed time.  This quilt has been put in the linen cupboard until it is needed. I think I need to get some quilt ladders or quilt racks so I can have these quilts out. It seems such a waste to put them in the cupboard.  

This quilt took forever to get done. I got the backing made for it and I even put it on the long arm. Then it sat for 2 weeks. I finally got the batting cut and the quilting design figured out. I even got it quilted and off the machine and trimmed 2 weeks ago. I even made the binding 2 weeks ago. But the quilt hung over the long arm and waited for me to get the energy to stitch it on. Last Sunday I stitched the binding on and turned it. Then in the evenings this week,  I sat and stitched down the binding. I finished binding it last night. 

The label was made so I started stitching the label on before stopping to work on my talk for church. This morning before church, I worked on finishing the label. I was 2/3 of the way in getting the label stitched down, when I happened to turn the corner of the quilt over. That was when I discovered this tiny blue dot in the yellow square. That little dot is where I had stitched all the way through the quilt when adding the label. I had to take out almost all of the stitching that I had just put in. Just goes to show, you should never be in a hurry when working on a project. Especially when you are coming up to the finish line. That is when you will make mistakes. I did finish sewing the label on after church. and I am very pleased to have this project done.

Now I am down to 3 quilts that need borders and backings before I can put the next one on the long arm. Hopefully this week will not be so busy at work and I will be able to work on those quilts. I also have one quilt that needs reworked. And 3 more that need started. I have the done the fabric pull and have the pattern all figured out. I just haven't started cutting them yet. Actually I have a whole bunch more than 3 quilts that have the fabric has been pulled for. But let's not go down that rabbit hole today.

In the meantime, I think I will start on Emerson's quilt. I've finally decided to just do a piano key border around the center fabric of his quilt. I think I am going to need some more of the solid color fabrics I bought for the borders though. I will try and get some more tomorrow after work.

What are you working on?

 

Forward Momentum

This week has been another stressful one at work. My morning routine was interrupted more than once. Although I still managed to get some EPP done. Eight more flowers to add to the stash. To do the quilt I have in mind I will need about 250 flowers. I am currently at 55. I am a little over 20% there. There's no hurry because I still need to find the fabric I want to use for the other blocks.

I had been putting off stitching the binding on the Pinwheel and Cobblestones quilt because my shoulder hurt. Wrangling any quilt through the domestic machine can put stress on person's shoulders. This is why I am grateful that I have a long arm. I have quilted a few quilts using my domestic machine and I wasn't completely happy with them. My machine doesn't have a stitch regulator, and I couldn't get my stitches even. Also the machine has a rather small throat making it difficult to maneuver a medium size quilt through. I couldn't get the results that I really wanted. With the long arm I guide the machine instead of the quilt. Much easier to get I the look I want. And it has a stitch regulator, so the stitches are even. If I use the computer, I don't have to guide it at all. Plus I can get it done in a day or two instead of weeks and months.

Anyway, my shoulders have been achy (most likely from stress) and I kept putting off sewing the binding on the quilt.  Today I got the binding on and I got it turned to it the back. I even started stitching it back down. But I my hands and shoulders started hurting too much so I decided to take a break. I will work on it a little each night until it is done. 

In the meantime there are scraps to process and two more quilts to work on. As well as get Emerson's quilt pass the planning stage. Not sure which I am going to work on first. I am itching to start another project. But Emerson is getting pretty anxious for his quilt. And I need to make some room in the Studio. So working on WIP is the better choice.

Decisions, Decisions, I just can't make up my mind. Oh well, time for a break. I need to let my hands rest.