Shelves & Swap

Sorry I forgot to mention...my new shelves are the Expedit Bookshelves from Ikea.  It's two units and I have one stacked on top of the other. 

If you happen to live anywhere near an Ikea ...... you are soooo lucky!! They have the best stuff for organizing.   I even joined the Ikea for Kansas group on Facebook...not sure that will help but it doesn't hurt to try :) 

Now to the Siggy Swaps..... One of my stamp club girls signed up for a Siggy Swap earlier this year and she brought them with her during one of our quilting days.   I loved them and thought I'd join on the next round.  So I did.   But I'm  not sure what I'm doing with them....at the time I thought it would be cool.  I sent 101 blocks to the organizer and in return I think I get back 100.  

When I get mine I'll post pictures.  I'm looking forward to seeing all the different fabrics.   The rules were we had to use white fabric (not cream) and use modern fabric.  We used a Honey Bun and a Jelly Roll to make them :)

Gotta run.... See ya later!

Fabric Organization

Here's a picture of my new fabric shelf.
Since I'm new to the sewing world....I have no clue how most ladies organize their fabric.
So....I decided to start with organizing them by color.......can you tell which color is my favorite?
I'm sure in a month or so it will look totally different.

Here's another picture......

I should explain the mirror in the corner :)
Dave finished the basement several years ago and the main purpose was a poker area for the guys and game tables for our children...along with a big screen TV.
But ...... when I started making money with my stamping business...we knew it was time for a bigger office.  So, that mirror covers the fuse box and all those wires. I guess if I'd know then what I know now...I may have chosen a different floor plan for this space....but oh well I'm just happy the whole basement is mine!!

See ya later,


p.s. notice my two quilts & Bella (the dress form) up top?

Siggy Swaps

Here's a picture of my Siggy Swaps.

I made 101 of them and they went pretty fast.  I just hope I did them right.  I'm kinda nervous and wish I hadn't signed up for it.  But it's done and I hope everyone is okay with my work.

I look back on old cards of mine...that first year especially ....and I cringe.

So, I've been gone a while.  I had to put my sewing machine in the shop.  Yes it almost killed me!!  It was skipping stitches :(  I'm very happy the lady at the quilt shop caught it for me.   That's why my zig zag stitch wasn't working :)  good to know!!

I've got a ton of ideas to show you and made some drawings in my notebook so I don't forget....but .....my July & August calendar is so full I'm not sure how much sewing I'll get done.  All the purses I was working on....I'm sorry they are all on hold until mid August.  
Good news though....we found out this week that Stampin' Up! is getting some new fabric dies and we'll carry a small line of fabric....AWESOME!!

See ya later,

Quilt Label

My Quilt Label generated lots of questions so I thought I would show you how easy it is to print them.

When making labels, you can insert a picture, clip art or just type your information.  

 

Thanks!

Clear Flower Die

Congrats Alissa Weaver!! You won the Clear Flower Die.  Please send me your address and I'll send you the die as soon as it arrives.  My email is mychicnscratch@me.com.
Thanks for all the compliments on my first quilt!!

Alissa Weaver said...

Angie-Your quilt is beautiful! It really makes me want to learn to sew so I can make one. I really want to do some fabric projects with the Big Shot. You are an inspiration@

June 23, 2010 10:23 AM

p.s. some of you ask how you could order a die if you didn't win.   My shopping basket on the right side & it will take you to my Stampin' Up! website.  From there you click on Shop now and the item number is 114534.  The orders ship right from Stampin' Up! to you.   (Please remember to go through my blog to get to the SU site, otherwise you pay a higher price and the shipping is higher.)

Eighty Block Quilt .... Done!

 Last night I washed my Eighty Block Quilt (very small amount of detergent with a lot of Gain Softener) & dried it for about 10 minutes.  Then I hung it up to dry the rest of the way (I used pants hangers and hung it over my door).

This is what it looks like when it's all done.   I LOVE the raw edges.  In my beginner opinion ..... it's the perfect Quilt to start with!! 

My first quilt is officially done and I have enjoyed every minute!! (oops I mean my first two quilts are done...who would think I'd make another so fast....that's what happens when I have no electronics to keep me busy.)

Here are some Q & A's
Q.  How did I get the final quilting done?
A.  I took it to a Long Arm Quilter and she finished it for me.


Q.  What did I take to the Long Arm Quilter?
A.  My Quilt Top, Batting, Backing Fabric & Binding Fabric.

Q.  What was the first step after you made the Quilt Top?
A.  I took it to our local quilt shop and they measured it and told me how much fabric I needed for my Backing & Binding and Batting.


Q.  Did you do your own binding?
A.  No, Shirley has a machine that will do it for me.  My time is worth money & I figured I would have her do it.   If I had more time, I might give it a whirl but my business right now is more than a full time job :)


Q.  Will you have instructions available?
A.  Yes, after Convention I'll provide a video tutorial for free and the written instructions will be available for a small fee. (I am looking for someone with PhotoShop experience to help me).  
For now..... I have a video available on how to make the Flower Quilt Block.


Q. What is the finished size?
A.  The Eighty Block quilt has 80 blocks and the throw has 42 Blocks. (I'm still calling it the Eighty Block Quilt...even though it's a 42 block throw.)  I'm not sure what the finished size is...based on your seam allowance, yours may be a tad different when it's all done.  When you finish your Quilt Top the ladies at the Quilt shop will measure it and tell you how much fabric you need for the back and the binding. I took my first quilt to one store and the second one to a different store (we are lucky to have three stores in our area and one of them is less than 10 minutes from me).  If you don't have a local quilt shop,  ask around...I bet you have some local ladies that can help you right from their home. 


Some extra info:
I've always wanted to quilt but a few things held me back.   1.  I tend to jump with in with two feet .....or you could say I like to run before I walk.  I knew once I tried it ...... I would be hooked.  2.  I was afraid I might not be good enough.  You know how you start something that you've never done and everyone around you is so much better?   I was afraid to be in that beginner position again. 
I will forever be grateful that Jill not only taught me how to make the quilted flowers but she also drove me the quilt shop and helped me buy my fabric!!

Last but not least.....if you want to give Quilting a try.  Please .....just do it :)  What's holding you back?  If you have concerns I'd be happy to help you.   When I started my quilt.... I started with one block and then I made 80 of them.  Next I sewed the rows together...making sure I matched the seams (I was off in a few areas).  When it was all done I just drove to the store and they walked me through it.... I'll never forget walking into Prairie Point with my first quilt...both of the ladies were so nice and were very happy to help me with my first quilt.  Last but not least ....the final quilting.... Shirley put a rush on it because she knew it was my baby and I was having a hard time leaving it with her.  I am very blessed and I'm so thankful!!


Have a great day!!


p.s. to make a Quilt top....all you need is a sewing machine...a quilting machine is nice but if you already own a machine you'll be okay.

Eighty Block Quilt

Guess what?
I just got my quilt back from the Quilters :)
Yes, I'm grinning from ear to ear and eager to show someone!   
That is why a blog works for me..... my only family in Kansas is Dave & my children.... if I were in Tennessee I'd scream for my sisters to come see!!

You all get to be the first to see it...I hope you like it as much as I do!!

Here's another picture :)

Here's a picture of my darling label....Veronica did an awesome job  creating this for me!! 

I had a hard time deciding....two posts or one big one....I'm going with one big one :)
We went to the lakehouse over the weekend and my electronics did not work (could not get a signal to save my life)..... so I made 160 Quilt Blocks and ......I made a Eighty Block Throw (although it's not 80 blocks but that's the name).

They almost look the same....the Throw is smaller but the blocks are bigger.  These are 8 x 8 blocks and the first one has 7" blocks.  I decided I liked the 8" better.  Now I'm going to make another :)


My last picture is of Sissy.....I just had to share it!  Every time I take my quilts or purses outside to photograph them she has to be right there with me.  I'm going to start calling her my mascot.

 Have a great day!!

Ivory Bella Solid

Oops...it looks like Fat Quarter Shop has sold out of the Ivory Bella Solid.  Not to worry.....you can google Ivory Bella Solid and you will find several online sources. I've ordered from a ton of places online and always been pleased.  Some have taken longer than others and that's why I suggest Fat Quarter Shop or Hancocks of Paducah.

Another option you have it your local quilt store. In fact try this one first..... Just call them up and ask if they have in stock the Ivory Bella Solid by Moda.
 
If you run into trouble finding it online let me know.  I just googled it and found several places....too many to actually list here.  You may want to double check their estimated shipping time before you pay.

Thanks!

How to make a Quilt Block

Here's a video on how to make the 8 x 8 Quilt Block for the Convention Block Swap.

Block Swap

I'll try to explain this as best I can.


We'll meet right after the Stampin' Up! event on Wednesday to swap. If you already have plans that night. Not a problem, just make plans to meet me before and I'll swap your blocks and then we'll meet again for you to pick them up. I'm staying at the Marriott and I get in on Tuesday. I'll provide everyone my cell phone number so you can call or text me.


Here's all the details.....


If you want to make a Eighty Block Quilt (my name for it). You need eighty 8 x 8 blocks. But a few are concerned about how long it will take to make eighty so I decided to break it up in groups of ten. If we can get 8 groups....we will come home with eighty...but that also means we have to make eighty (I made eighty in two days).

I've decided to use the Ivory Bella Solid over at the Fat Quarter Shop. Click here to go there now. If for some reason the link doesn't work...you can click on the Fat Quarter shop button on the right side of my blog and when you get there, click on Moda Solids.  Then..... find the Ivory SKU#9900-60.  I choose this one because it's $5.75 a yard and everyone has access to online ordering.  I order from them frequently and the shipping is reasonable and pretty fast.


Sign up for as many or as little as you'd like. If you join one group, you'll make ten and come home with ten.


I've been taking registrations for three or four days and it's filling up ....if you want me to add you to all eight groups...let me know. Once you've told me you want to sign up I'll send you an invite to join the Convention Block Swap on my Stitch with the Chick forum.


A video has been filmed on how to make the blocks and I'll provide a video after Convention on how to sew your blocks together to make your Quilt Top. Please label your blocks with your name and any other info you want and pin it to the back of the block. I will more than likely pin a business card on the back of mine....quick and easy. But if you want to include the fabric name I'm sure everyone would appreciate it. (Some fabric pieces do not come with the name on them and I've found it's next to impossible to find it....for example I bought some scraps a month ago and I've looked everywhere for the name of that paisley print.)


Every day I'll update the sign-up sheet so you can check in and see where we're at.


If I haven't answered a question ...... please let me know.

P.S. To see everything that has been posted on the Block swap....look on the right side of this blog and under Labels, click on Block Swap.  That will bring up every post about this swap :)  

Ning Forum

I've created a Stitch with the Chick Ning Forum. You can view it at http://stitchwiththechick.ning.com/.  Click here to go there now.
You can view the main page anytime....but most of the content on the main page is a repeat of this blog.  But.... If you're participating in the Convention Block Swap you will have access to the Convention Block Swap group (link is in the upper left corner). This is where I'll post all the info...instructions.....etc.


In the future when I invite you all to join me a sewing project we will use the Stitch with the Chick forum. (it doesn't show up on the search due to it being new but if you follow the link it will take you there.

If you have any questions....feel free to email me at www.mychicnscratch@me.com.  

Thanks!



p.s.  If you post a question on the comment section of this blog...I need your email to reply :)

Flower Quilt

Doesn't it look beautiful? I'm so excited I could scream :)

All I need to do is add the batting, the backing and the binding....I'm almost done :)

Don't look too close..... I still need to trim the thread :)
Quick question.....do I wash it now or later?  I guess I better go google it.

Ladies, if you signed up the Quilt Block Swap....this is how your blocks will look when you sew them together.

See ya,