Clean up, Clean up, Everybody Everywhere!

We sing that song a lot at our house when it is time put the toys away because that is what you have to do sometimes.  I'm starting to think that I need to sing that song in my craft room on a regular basis as well.  Perhaps you are better at this than I am - putting your things away.

For me, that means more than just returning my tools to their proper locations so I can easily find them later.  To me, that means making sure that ALL pieces of the project make it back into their box, or bag, or whatever that project is being stored in.  I have a not so great habit of putting it on the desk to put away "later".  Hopefully you are not the same. 

It also means that whatever leftover fabrics I have from that project are put away (if there are substantial pieces left) or are cut up into usable scrap sizes.  This is a new one for me and this came about because I have been exposed to Bonnie Hunter who makes wonderful use of her scraps.  If you haven't checked her out and would like to you can do so here. 

I have been trying piecemeal to get those scraps cut up into usable sizes, but to be honest it is a boring job and it doesn't feel like I'm getting very far.  I will continue to soldier on, but I do have a rather large Rubbermaid tub to get through.  It would make things so much easier if I would just do so at the end of each project rather than trying to do 10 years of project leftovers at once. I'm sure one day I will be caught up...just not yet and probably not before Christmas.

For me, "later" never really comes and then when I do want to spend a good amount of time in there trying to get something accomplished I have work to do before I can get to the fun work.  It doesn't make my crafting very enjoyable when that is looming or when I shove the needed work over to "later" just so I can go in and do the fun.  It is helpful to do your clean up.

Hopefully yours looks better than mine, or you have better habits than I have.  If we have a clean/picked up work space it makes finding time to do our crafting much easier and it helps when we have all our tools in their places so we know where to find them when they are needed.  If you are struggling like I am, let's make a pact right now.  Tonight spend 15-20 minutes in your crafting area just picking up.  Try not to get sidetracked into nostalgia town (I've spent many unproductive hours there as well) and stay on task.  I bet in that 15-20 minutes we can get more done than we thought we could.  Deal?  Let me hear from you.

I suppose that is why my craft room looks the way it does, because I don't always take that time and not just after finishing every project, but also after doing any work in there at all.  I really need to take a page from the preschool teacher...

Clean up, Clean up, Everybody Everywhere
Clean up, Clean up, Everybody do your share.
It's time to put the work away, the work away the work away
It's time to put the work away to have a goodly time.

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!

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!

A call for thoughts and prayers.

If you are a member of the quilting world, chances are good that you know who Ricky Tims is.  Chances are also good that you may have heard of his Super Seminar where he travels with Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman to teach quilters around the world various and sundry things.  We are both lucky to have been able to attend a Super Seminar and it was very enlightening.

We have been dismayed to learn that Libby Lehman is very ill.  She is such a creative talent.  We are sending our thoughts and prayers for her and her family during what I'm sure is a very emotional and difficult time.

If you are on Facebook you can check out Ricky Tims page where he has been providing daily updates regarding Libby.  The short story is that she had a brain aneurysm and surgery to clamp that off.  Subsequently she suffered a  massive stroke on her left side and is left handed.  She is currently kept sedated so her body can heal.  The last couple of days have brought some optimistic news in that her left side, which they had thought to be paralyzed, is regaining movement.  That is certainly something to be thankful for.

Obviously it will be a very long road to recovery for Libby and she is not out of the proverbial woods yet.  Please keep her and her family in your thoughts.

I give a lot of kudos to Ricky for keeping the fan base in the know as well as for what I'm sure were difficult messages to post the last couple of days.  Those messages are unrelated to her condition, but are geared toward the enormous generosity that quilters tend to have.  Those who have been touched by Libby of course want to send their love and support and what better way to do that than to organize the creation of a quilt for her.  While that sounds like an incredibly marvelous idea, the truth is that the family is overwhelmed as it is and Libby is not in condition to be able to enjoy the fruits of that labor.  The family did encourage sending cards and Ricky echoed that and encouraged the cards to be our quilts for Libby.  I also saw some great things in the comments for his posts - that the quilters were not offended to have their efforts scaled down and instead some were suggesting perhaps instead of a quilt sent to Libby, it could be a quilt donated to your favorite charity in Libby's name.

If you are interested in sending a card for Libby, you can find her address on Ricky Tims' facebook page.  Or, leave a comment and I will send the address to you.  I don't want to be posting her personal information without permission.

Take care everyone.

The 3 yard rule

I think this time we're just going to get right down to it.  The tip this week is about the 3 yard rule.  Obviously it pertains to fabric.  This is a very simple rule.  If you see a fabric that you really like buy 3 yards, even if you don't have a project in mind for it.  Why?  Well, 3 yards will border out a queen sized quilt.  3 yards at 36" = 108" length.  Perfect for not having to piece your border.  You can even get a nice 8" border and perhaps a 10" border providing the selvages aren't taking up too much space.  If you go with a smaller border such as 6" you should have enough for binding.  You may want to do the math yourself to make sure and if you have doubt an extra yard certainly won't hurt.

A side note here, typically a queen sized quilt is around 90x108, or at least that is how the prepackaged batting is sized.  I realize that at 3 yards we are getting exactly 108", so you would want to put your two long sized borders on first so that you don't use up all 108" or close to the 108".  Hopefully I've worded that in a way that makes sense.  If not, leave us a comment and we'll try to make it a little clearer.

I know 3 yards can seem like a bit of a commitment when you may be used to only purchasing fat quarters or half yards or maybe a full yard if you really like it, but those fat quarter quilts and scrappy sensations will need a nice border to tie them all in together.  Or, perhaps you will find some inspiration in those border prints as you look for your next project.  You can use that border fabric to shop your stash and build a quilt around the colors in the border.

At least that is one way to think about it.  I didn't always adhere to the 3 yard rule.  Instead, I was one who purchased a yard here and a yard there of those fabrics that I really liked.  Now I have some nice big chunks of fabric that I can use for borders.

Oh, and if you are somewhere that is having a great sale on fabric and you want to stock up on backing fabrics - you would want to get 7-8 yards.  Just in case you were wondering. 

At the shop this week we are playing catch up on getting some customer quilts finished.  Our waiting list is starting to grow a bit, but we should have things cleared out soon.  Stop in and see us!

Happy Quilting!

Sick of sickness!

As you can tell by the title of this post that we have been battling sickness.  Thankfully they have been of the short-lived variety.  However they involve small children and massive amounts of time in the bathroom.  The real downside was that it hit our household twice. Blech.

So with that being said, today's tip is to wash your hands often.  It will help you to avoid illnesses and that leaves more time for quilting.  Since you will be washing your hands often you may want to invest in a good moisturizer or a good moisturizing soap.  Having a good moisturizer in your sewing area would be a good idea though.  That way you can keep your hands nice and smooth and feeling good.  Plus you get a little bit of a hand massage when applying and that can only help with keeping our fingers limber and from getting sore.  I know it seems strange, but after having a job where I worked with lots of paper I noticed that my hands would be come drier and drier from handling all that paper.  That has encouraged me to always be on the look out for good lotions and to avoid overuse of hand sanitizers containing alcohol as they will also dry out your hands.  After all we really count on our hands to do a multitude of things, especially with our quilting.  We need to take good care of them so we can enjoy many more years of quilting!

Hope everyone out there is avoiding being sick, but be sure to drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest anyway.

Happy Quilting!

Will we ever really feel like spring is here?

I'm seriously beginning to wonder.  We had snow yesterday.  Seriously, we had SNOW!  It is April and it snowed.  Okay, so there wasn't even enough to cover the ground but still it was falling from the sky.  I wonder if it will ever really feel like spring.  Of course when the heat of summer arrives I'll be wishing for some of that snow we had yesterday....

I think what I am missing most about not feeling like spring is here, is that we seem to shed in spring.  Our bulky clothes go away and can outfit ourselves in less layers that are thinner.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels a little bulky during the winter months with t-shirts and sweatshirts and coats and scarves and gloves.  It almost feels like going down a size when the nice weather arrives and we can go without most of those things.  Maybe you feel the same way.

This week's tip has to do with selvage.  Perhaps this is something that you already know.  On our selvage we often see colored dots.  The more colors in our fabric the more dots on our selvage.  Those dots tell us what colors are in our fabric.  So, as we are out and about we can take the selvage strip with us so we can match color.  Sometimes that's a little easier than carrying around snippets of fabric.  You can simply tie it around your wrist while on a shop hop and have easy access to what colors you might be looking for with regards to a particular project. 

Some quilters prefer to take a snippet of fabric with them while shopping.  You certainly can and there are all kinds of creative ways to do so.  A binder with page protectors to house the pattern and snips of the fabrics  you have for that project.  Perhaps you staple those snips to a piece of paper and put that into a page protector.  Maybe you are a cross-stitcher or embroidery queen and have those little baggies holes that fit onto a ring.  You can certainly carry snips of your fabrics in those as you shop around for that oh-so-right fabric that you are missing.  Perhaps you have your own system that you use while shopping for fabrics that will finish out what you need for a particular project.  Please share!  It's always interesting to see what others are doing too!  You just may inspire someone else.

Happy Quilting!

Spring has Sprung!

I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, but I think Spring has finally arrived!  Although I will retract that if we happen to get more snow.  (I know, bite my tongue!)

Has spring inspired you to dig into your stash for brighter colors or for a particular project? With our newest little man, it is hard to find time for sewing right now, but hopefully soon we will have a better routine down and I can get back into my sewing room.  So, for now I will have to live vicariously through you!  Share your photos!  We love show and tell here.

Hopefully you will all be finding some time to get outside to enjoy the much needed sunshine. 

Today, we are going to leave a little quilting tip.  When sewing a sew and flip block, there are a couple of ways to do your trimming.  You probably don't want to leave all 3 layers of fabric there as that creates some bulk that may cause some issues when it comes to quilting time.  If you are a scrap collector,  you can sew another seam 1/2" from your original seam (towards the outside of your original seam and before flipping).  Then you can trim between the seam lines and have a 1/2 square triangle all ready to go in another project.  If you don't have a 1/2" between but still want to do this, you can cheat your seam allowance however much you feel comfortable.

Or, you can cut out only the middle fabric after flipping.  This leaves your base fabric (or the larger piece you sewed onto) completely intact.  The benefits of this is that with your base fabric still intact you will still have the original size that you are sewing/flipping onto and helps minimize any error from sewing or fabric stretching as you do your sew and flip.  Plus it leaves a nice crisp corner for you to work off of.

I'm going to give credit for the second half of this little tip to Billie Lauder (who has a wonderful little book called "Quick Quilt Tricks" which you can find here) as I believe that is where I learned it.

Hopefully you learned something new!  Happy Quilting!

Back to Normal - whatever normal is!

I know, it's been a couple of months since we have updated our blog.  We do have a fairly good reason for that!  You may already know, but in case you don't, Jen was off on maternity leave for the birth of her second son.  He decided to make his appearance a little early and Char was left to fend for herself.  Jen is now back to her regular hours and things at the shop are returning to normal.  At least normal for us.  Oh, and everyone is doing just fine!  The little guy is packing on the weight and growing like he should be.

We had anticipated putting out a newsletter and listing some new classes, but things happened rather suddenly and we did not get to do that like we wanted to.  We should have a newsletter out by the end of the month and we are still working on that row quilt of the month to hopefully have a sample in the shop so you can actually see what we are going to be doing.  Of course if you have any suggestions for classes you would like to see offered, please let us know and we will try to work that into the schedule.

Hope you are all doing well as it seems like spring is trying to make an appearance. Which I am super glad about because I am not a cold weather person and winter is my least favorite season.  However, with spring comes rain and mud so we do ask, as we do all through the winter, be careful of your shoes.  You may want to bring an extra pair to change into when you come in to quilt so as to minimize the risk of getting mud on you quilt or batting.  Thank you!

Well, Look at that!

We now have a blog!  Feels like we are becoming more modern by the minute!  Actually, we thought that this was a good way for us to keep in touch with our quilters and let them know what is going on in the shop.

Last Saturday we had our Introduction to Paper Piecing Class.  Jen designed the block and the project, which she was very excited about.  It seemed like everyone was having a good time and that they were able to go home with a better understanding of the process.  Here you can see Jen's completed project. 

We are also working through our Border of the Month Club.  Stay tuned for some pictures from that fun quilt.

If you have any questions about things going on at the shop, please feel free to stop in or email us.  We're always happy to field questions.   Also, if you would like sign up for our email newsletter just let us know your email address and we are happy to add you!