Of summer that is. All this week school is getting out early because of predicted highs in the 90's. Stepping outside at 10:30 this am showed me that it was already almost 90 and made me glad for air conditioning.
I am also thankful that quilting is an in door activity so I can enjoy said air conditioning!
Hopefully if you are also experiencing this heat, you have a way to stay cool and comfortable.
I know our quilting tips are a little unconventional - we don't necessarily talk about piecing tips, but we do hope you enjoy them anyway. Today we are going to talk a little about hydration. We are long-armers here at the shop. I know that doesn't seem like much of a title, and really it isn't. It's more a partial description of what we are. While we are at the machine we do what we like to call the side to side shuffle while we are moving back and forth over a quilt. It doesn't sound like much exercise does it? We couple our shuffle with moving our arms in various configurations pushing a machine around and probably stick out our tongues and squint our eyes and make all manner of silly faces. While it may not sound like much, it is physical work and it is the type of physical work you can get caught up in and not realize that you have been doing it for hours. This is why hydration is important. We are doing work, thinking and moving. It is important to remember that while this is not a replacement for Zumba, it is still physical work for our bodies and we work and think better when we stay hydrated.
This point was driven home to use when we attended Machine Quilters Showcase and took some hands on classes. The teachers in those hands on classes made sure that they had water coolers in the back of the room and would occasionally call out to the class that we had been quilting for 1/2 hour and if we hadn't made our way back to the water cooler, we needed to get ourselves a drink.
When the weather is hot like this, it is easy to think about hydration. We tend to forget about it when we are in our sewing spaces working our little hearts out on our latest project. It is important to not only have water while we are working at the long-arm, but also to have it in our sewing spaces. Most importantly, we need to remember to drink it.
Hope your summer has been treating you well! Don't forget to drink your water!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
School Days, School Days!
Admit it, you are more excited that school is starting than your child(ren) are. I don't blame you! After all it means a little more quiet in the house. Some structure to their days and some peaceful time for you. So, what are you going to do with that time? I know what I'm going to do with mine, quilt!
Finally I can get some time to work on those project that I just haven't been able to get to and now with school starting I'll have some regularly scheduled time where I can do just that. I will freely admit, I am wholeheartedly looking forward to it!
Hopefully you are able to do the same. Even if it is not quilting that you have on your list of projects to finish.
Today's tip is to not be afraid to walk away from a project. We have all had them. Those projects that we get started on and realize that it is not what we thought it was going to be. It might be the fabric colors, it might be the pattern or it might even be the techniques used. Once you realize what is happening, things can go one of two ways.
Number one, you can scrap the whole thing. That's right, I said it and it is nothing to feel guilty about. Perhaps you have a friend that you could trade with. Then you wouldn't feel like you were losing out on all the fabric, pattern or time you have already put into it. If there is not a friend, perhaps your guild has a charity chair who would love to have it in whatever condition it is. Someone might finish it for charity. If it is really that bad, throwing it away might be a more mind cleansing option.
Number two, put it away. Just find a box or bag or whatever you can find to pack up all the pieces and the pattern. I would suggest that you do it neatly and perhaps write yourself a note about the difficulties you were facing or at what point in the project you stopped. Then, move on to something else. Let time go by. A month or two, maybe a year. Just put it out of your mind and when it does come to the front again, take it out and give it a look over. Things just might not seem so bad when you have had time away from the project and when you start to look at it again, it might just be the time to pick it back up and finish it.
Most importantly, with either of these options is to let go of the guilt. There is no need to feel guilty for not finishing that project. There is no shame in getting rid or it or putting it away to let it percolate. Our hobby is an expensive one and it should be fun. Otherwise we are just wasting our money and time. Work on those things that you love and don't be afraid to challenge yourself. However, if the challenge is too great, there is no shame in walking away whether it be for a while or forever.
Happy Quilting!
Finally I can get some time to work on those project that I just haven't been able to get to and now with school starting I'll have some regularly scheduled time where I can do just that. I will freely admit, I am wholeheartedly looking forward to it!
Hopefully you are able to do the same. Even if it is not quilting that you have on your list of projects to finish.
Today's tip is to not be afraid to walk away from a project. We have all had them. Those projects that we get started on and realize that it is not what we thought it was going to be. It might be the fabric colors, it might be the pattern or it might even be the techniques used. Once you realize what is happening, things can go one of two ways.
Number one, you can scrap the whole thing. That's right, I said it and it is nothing to feel guilty about. Perhaps you have a friend that you could trade with. Then you wouldn't feel like you were losing out on all the fabric, pattern or time you have already put into it. If there is not a friend, perhaps your guild has a charity chair who would love to have it in whatever condition it is. Someone might finish it for charity. If it is really that bad, throwing it away might be a more mind cleansing option.
Number two, put it away. Just find a box or bag or whatever you can find to pack up all the pieces and the pattern. I would suggest that you do it neatly and perhaps write yourself a note about the difficulties you were facing or at what point in the project you stopped. Then, move on to something else. Let time go by. A month or two, maybe a year. Just put it out of your mind and when it does come to the front again, take it out and give it a look over. Things just might not seem so bad when you have had time away from the project and when you start to look at it again, it might just be the time to pick it back up and finish it.
Most importantly, with either of these options is to let go of the guilt. There is no need to feel guilty for not finishing that project. There is no shame in getting rid or it or putting it away to let it percolate. Our hobby is an expensive one and it should be fun. Otherwise we are just wasting our money and time. Work on those things that you love and don't be afraid to challenge yourself. However, if the challenge is too great, there is no shame in walking away whether it be for a while or forever.
Happy Quilting!
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Getting Back on Track!
It happens to all of us at one time or another, we get sidetracked. For some of us it happens with regularity. Don't worry, I'm referring to myself. However, it is time to "get with the program" or whatever other cliche you would prefer to use. We will be getting out a new blog each week and hopefully include a quilting tip for you.
It is getting to be that time of year already. The lists for school supplies can be found in Wal-mart and parents are starting to do the dance of joy knowing that very soon their children will be returning to school. No more will we here those words, "I'm bored" when we know full well that there are rooms full of toys, friends a phone call away, and beautiful weather outside that is just begging to be enjoyed. Ahhh, relief is around the corner. I'm sure we'll be exchanging it for, "I don't want to go to school" or some other such complaint but we can just push them out the door anyway and enjoy a second cup of coffee in quiet bliss. At least that is part of my plan...
Here at Quilting By-You, we are watching summer winding down and waiting to see what the fall will bring us. Don't forget about our new hours!
Daytime: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 9am - 2pm
Evening: Monday and Wednesday 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Of course, if you need a different time, please give us a call. We are always happy to work with you.
Now, for today's tip. Getting on track. I find that I work better when I prioritize or make lists. Sometimes I don't want to follow those lists, but it is a whole lot easier to remember everything when I have it written down. I also make different lists for different areas of my life. Grocery lists, quilting lists, packing lists, organization idea lists. The list goes on and on (sorry, I couldn't help myself there...). I have also found it helpful to keep a quilting journal. Now, this journal does not work in the typical way a journal works. It is not really a chronological notation of my ideas. Instead, I use it to keep track of fabric collections that I am on the hunt for, projects that I have been mulling over in my mind complete with little sketches and notes, what UFOs I have and what step I am on with them or notes about a difficult part of the UFO that I am trying to work through. Sometimes the notes say, go to page X where I have made modifications that I want to consider. I keep track of the quilts I have been working on and when I have completed them and who received them. I write down websites and shop names with information about where I found fabric and patterns. I don't want to call it my Quilting Bible, it's more of a log book with all the bits that are important to me jammed inside. At some point that little book will be full and I will need to start another one.
Maybe you already have your own journal to keep track of your quilting journey. If not, it can be really helpful to you to have a place to jot down all those ideas that keep tumbling around in your head. After all, you don't want to lose that one idea that may be just perfect for the next wedding or baby quilt or line of fabric that you just saw in the store. Writing it down will also help encourage you to grow that idea. Not over night of course. Sometimes I write in my little book like my hand is on fire. I just can get my ideas down fast enough. Sometimes when I find myself looking for inspiration, I will pick up my little book and read through it and find myself really taking time and working through my sketches or ideas or troubleshooting the problems I have encountered. It also helps me turn my brain off when it is time to sleep because I know those ideas are safely written down and I can access them at any time without fearing that I may have forgotten a tiny bit.
I'm not sure that I really expressed myself well concerning my little quilter's journal, but I hope you get the gist. I also hope that you find something that really works well for you.
Happy Quilting!
It is getting to be that time of year already. The lists for school supplies can be found in Wal-mart and parents are starting to do the dance of joy knowing that very soon their children will be returning to school. No more will we here those words, "I'm bored" when we know full well that there are rooms full of toys, friends a phone call away, and beautiful weather outside that is just begging to be enjoyed. Ahhh, relief is around the corner. I'm sure we'll be exchanging it for, "I don't want to go to school" or some other such complaint but we can just push them out the door anyway and enjoy a second cup of coffee in quiet bliss. At least that is part of my plan...
Here at Quilting By-You, we are watching summer winding down and waiting to see what the fall will bring us. Don't forget about our new hours!
Daytime: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 9am - 2pm
Evening: Monday and Wednesday 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Of course, if you need a different time, please give us a call. We are always happy to work with you.
Now, for today's tip. Getting on track. I find that I work better when I prioritize or make lists. Sometimes I don't want to follow those lists, but it is a whole lot easier to remember everything when I have it written down. I also make different lists for different areas of my life. Grocery lists, quilting lists, packing lists, organization idea lists. The list goes on and on (sorry, I couldn't help myself there...). I have also found it helpful to keep a quilting journal. Now, this journal does not work in the typical way a journal works. It is not really a chronological notation of my ideas. Instead, I use it to keep track of fabric collections that I am on the hunt for, projects that I have been mulling over in my mind complete with little sketches and notes, what UFOs I have and what step I am on with them or notes about a difficult part of the UFO that I am trying to work through. Sometimes the notes say, go to page X where I have made modifications that I want to consider. I keep track of the quilts I have been working on and when I have completed them and who received them. I write down websites and shop names with information about where I found fabric and patterns. I don't want to call it my Quilting Bible, it's more of a log book with all the bits that are important to me jammed inside. At some point that little book will be full and I will need to start another one.
Maybe you already have your own journal to keep track of your quilting journey. If not, it can be really helpful to you to have a place to jot down all those ideas that keep tumbling around in your head. After all, you don't want to lose that one idea that may be just perfect for the next wedding or baby quilt or line of fabric that you just saw in the store. Writing it down will also help encourage you to grow that idea. Not over night of course. Sometimes I write in my little book like my hand is on fire. I just can get my ideas down fast enough. Sometimes when I find myself looking for inspiration, I will pick up my little book and read through it and find myself really taking time and working through my sketches or ideas or troubleshooting the problems I have encountered. It also helps me turn my brain off when it is time to sleep because I know those ideas are safely written down and I can access them at any time without fearing that I may have forgotten a tiny bit.
I'm not sure that I really expressed myself well concerning my little quilter's journal, but I hope you get the gist. I also hope that you find something that really works well for you.
Happy Quilting!
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