A Fast Finish

I wouldn't call this quilt quick, with all it's little pieces, but I did finish it in only a few days.  That's because I am pretty much a workaholic.  The hubby is on a fishing trip so I spent  all...day...long....working on it today, and Saturday, and Friday evening, and Thursday evening....

The best thing about having my quilts published is....well, having them published.  The worst thing is not being able to share them with you for months.

Next project

There is a lot going on here at Around the Blocks.  I'm just not at liberty to show my work yet.  Started a new project in these yummy fabrics by Zen Chic, called Flow.

I've cut up 48 of these jelly roll strips, and have ten of the blocks made for my next quilt.

Tension Troubles

I began having tension troubles on my long arm right in the middle of this little quilt.  I think I warped my two bobbin cases.  Ordered a new one and still had problems.  I was about ready to load up the machine and drive it to the dealer's in Atlanta.  They thought maybe I had gotten it out of timing and suggested I review the videos on the Gammill website, then they would try to walk me through correcting it.  Well, I did watch the videos.  Lots of them. And one showed me the error of my ways.  I feel kind of dumb even saying it....lol.....I had the anti backlash spring in backwards on the bobbin case.  I still had to do some tension adjustments back on the machine once I got the bobbin thread flowing freely.  That appears to have been the problem.

Anyway, here is the little donation quilt finished....

Scraps....and yes some creamy whites along with the white whites.....that may or may not have been intentional.... :)

I used a little pantograph called Filagree.  I also machine bound it.  I think I'm getting better at it.

'Yarn' ball

My quilting machine is down.  Something went wrong with the bobbin.  Weird how both of the two bobbin cases I have are not working.  I don't know if it is as simple as the no backlash spring wearing out or the cases are somehow warped.  Neither is working.  I put the bobbin in, and no matter how I loosen the tension spring, the thread will not flow freely out of it.  So, I've ordered a new bobbin case and extra spring -- $$$$.  Man, those things are expensive!

In the meantime, I've taken my skinny scraps and selvages and made a 'yarn' ball.  I just need a large crochet hook to make a rug.  I knitted the last one and really like it, but I'd like to try crochet this time so I can see the difference in the two and decide which I like best.

Do you cut your selvages off before you start cutting out a quilt?  I usually just cut them off each piece as I go.  Not anymore.  I am going to try to remember to cut them off first so I'll have some more nice long pieces to use in rugs.  It's a great way to use something normally tossed.

Our tie quilt was up today at church!  It is what our quilting group made from members' donations of ties.

It is hanging in one of the hallways in the upper atrium of our new addition.  The plan is to add some vinyl lettering above it, "Blessed Be The Tie That Binds."

Table Runner

Sneak peak at my newest design.  I used some Amy Butler scraps.

This is one of a series of "White Nights" quilts I am designing.  All will have a punch of black/dark in them.

Machine Quilting

Trying a new machine quilting technique on my little table runner. Why does it always look so easy on Pinterest?

I keep telling myself the only way to get better is to just do it.

In other life news...I have been training for a 15k.  We traveled to Nashville last night and had a nice dinner with my husband's twin sister and brother-in-law.  At race time the temp was around 18 with wind, a 'feels like' of 10 degrees.  They had initiated their cold weather plan where they asked all the slower runners and walkers registered for the 15k to do the 5k.  My pace wasn't quite as slow as the cutoff but by mile 2.3, my fingers and toes were so numb I just decided to do the 5k too.

There must have been a lot of walkers my age in the 5k because I finished 18 of 108!  I'm usually about middle of the pack.

 Four layers on top, two on bottom.  Still cold!


They gave those of us registered for the 15k our finisher's medal, but I feel like it was cheating. I'm sure I'll do my own 9.3 soon just so I can feel like I earned it.

We ended the day well.....stopped at the Premium Outlets on the way home and I had an epic shopping adventure.....

Happy to be spending some time with my valentine today.  He's a good sport.  Takes me to some of my races, and let's me, no, encourages me to shop!

New Filler Technique

I'm trying a new filler technique on my latest project. I like it.

It's a slight variation of the Mctavishing type I did a few quilts ago.

Do any of you have trouble shutting down at night?  Sometimes my mind just won't turn off.  Since I've started trying to design quilts, there are times when the ideas come fast and furious.  Tonight, the hubby was tired and wanted to get in bed fairly early ~10 pm.  I laid there in the dark thinking of designs, quilt names, and came up with some great ideas for a series of quilts. Funny how sometimes it all seems to click together.

So, I got up and quietly snuck my lap top into the extra bedroom....and here I am at 12:42 a.m......after capturing all my thoughts.

New Project

It is always exciting to start a new project.  And a good day is one, when you never take off your slippers!  (that means I've spend the whole day inside sewing!)

These little 9 patches are sewing up wonderfully!  Top quality fabric makes a huge difference.