Thursday, February 28, 2013

Another finish!


I did it, finished another UFO before the end of the month.  That makes three this month.  I haven’t started anything new, but at least I have a few less UFOs on my list. 

This is my scrappy version of Jack in the Box, the greens are scrappy although it’s hard to tell by this picture.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The end is near!


The end of February that is, just two days away, and I haven’t started any new UFOs yet. 

That, my friends and readers, is a totally amazing fact.  That makes THREE months in a row that I have not started any new quilting projects.  December, no.  January, no and now almost the end of February, not yet. 

Now, I have been very creative, making ten brand new patterns for the mystery group.  (See yesterday’s post)  And I would have started any one of those if I had the fabric I wanted to use… I have lots of fabrics, just was missing something for each and every one of the ten projects. 

Well… I could make a test block for #4 on that list… but what if I really like the design once I make it.. then I’d have an orphan block and I don’t need any more orphan blocks…  and well I think I will just wait until March 1st to start anything new. 

In the meantime, I have two quilts with binding that need hand sewing.  If I can finish those two I will have finished four quilts on my UFO list.  But two days to finish two… I might be pushing it.  My fingers don’t work as well as they used to.  I think I will work on finishing at least one more, and save the larger one for a March finish. 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I had a quandary


I had a quandary… which one of ten quilts, brand new to me and the world (possibly) patterns, should I make next? How do I pick? And I can’t show them, they are all mysteries first for the Mysteries For Relay group, and then maybe I will publish them, maybe.
 
#1 Two ladies are testing already
#2 I don’t have the fabric for… well at least not what I want use, I want baby fabric. 
#3 Needs black or navy and would make a good retreat project for Spring, so it will have to wait till then, I need black

#4 is really new, and I really should check my measurements before I send to the testers

#5 would require some fabric decisions, and that’s just too overwhelming to me right now, LOL!

#6 same as #5
#7 requires two fabrics, and I have more than two, but just not what I want for this project.

#8 is already started, I could finish it, but I want to start something new… 
#9 I want to use pre-cuts but need a contrast to go with one of the pre-cuts I have…  that requires shopping… oh my

#10 also needs black or navy and would also make a great spring retreat project, but also requires me to shop.  Good thing I am headed to Lancaster soon.

So, after listing them here, decision is made, easily.  Mystery #?? (#4)   Brand new (I think) block so I need to test it myself to make doubly sure my measurements are correct.  Now I just need to decide what fabric to use. 
 

Monday, February 25, 2013

Don’t be fooled


I hope that anyone getting an email like the one I just got will not be fooled by it.  Sadly, I’m sure somewhere in the www someone will and who knows what will happen to their account, or even worse, their computer. 


Dear Customer,
 
We need your help resolving an issue with your account. To give us time to
work together on this, we've temporarily limited what you can do with your
account until the issue is resolved.
 
We understand it may be frustrating not to have full access to your
account. We want to work with you to get your account back to normal as
quickly as possible.
 
What's the problem?
 
We need a little bit more information about you to help confirm your
identity.
 
Case ID Number: PP-259-187-991
 
How you can help
 
Download The Attachment and Confirm Your Account

No I will not download ANYTHING from someone I don’ t know.  I also will not download anything from people I DO know who never send me things to download.  I will not click on a link a friend sends me who never sends me links, I am super cautious about clicking on links from friend who often send me links… and sometimes I’ll delete a message from a dear dear friend who asks me to “check out this site”  And I never reply to any of the above either… 

And funny, the same time I found the email above in my spam file I found one from Rachel Ray.  Since I don’t know Rachel Ray personally and have never emailed her that one too was ignored. 

Another email found in spam this morning, We value your opinion on the Oscars.  Now that is FUNNY!  I haven’t been to the movies in over 25 years, I haven’t purchased a movie in over five and we don’t get any movie channels at all, not one. So my opinion of the Oscars… horrible waste of money.  I think that about sums it up!
 

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Another finish!

I’m on a roll, if you can call two a roll, LOL!  I finished my Worlds Fair in purples last night.  This is a super simple pattern that made a fabulous quilt. 

A long time ago when I was on my way up to Lancaster I saw a beautiful quilt hanging on a clothes line as I sped past a small Amish farm.  I actually turned around to go back and take a picture, but when I got to the driveway, the lady and children were outside.  I asked the lady of the house of I could take a closer look and she said yes, but it wasn’t for sale.  I thanked her for letting me look, and we got to talking about the pattern.  She pointed out to me the block and I was truly surprised at the simplicity.  Immediately I knew this had to be a future project for me. 

And now I’ve made two, one using smaller blocks and this one with 12 inch blocks.  If you want the pattern, http://delawarequilts.com/BOMs/WorldsFair/  Enjoy!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Jack in the Box


Wow, so many people have asked for my pattern, I'm surprised!  The block can be found here, but if you want the full pattern, I will happily share it with you for a $5.50 donation to my Relay For Life fundraising efforts. 
Details can be found on the Patterns For Relay page. 

Friday, February 22, 2013

Good news!!!


I went to see the rheumatologist today and although I knew I’d been feeling pretty good in the PRM department, it was nice of her to confirm it.  Good, but not good enough yet.  My sed rate and c-reactive protein were slightly elevated, so I continue with the prednisone.  Fortunately she’s giving me low dosages so I can adjust them myself and maybe eventually wean my body off completely.  Time will tell and I’m not rushing, I don’t want another flare up! 

More good news, I had a finish last night, finally finishing the Jack in the Box oranges after getting it back from the quilter’s.  Jackie did a great job on it and now it is officially done! 








Thursday, February 21, 2013

HOTMAIL problems


I was upgraded to Outlook this morning without even requesting it.  Worked fine for a few hours.  Then I had to reboot and now I can not access email through either hotmail or outlook.  Whichever I try to access I get the following message-

There is a problem with this website's security certificate.
  The security certificate presented by this website was issued for a different website's address.
Security certificate problems may indicate an attempt to fool you or intercept any data you send to the server. 
  We recommend that you close this webpage and do not continue to this website. 
  Click here to close this webpage. 
  Continue to this website (not recommended). 
     More information
If you arrived at this page by clicking a link, check the website address in the address bar to be sure that it is the address you were expecting.
When going to a website with an address such as https://example.com, try adding the 'www' to the address, https://www.example.com.
For more information, see "Certificate Errors" in Internet Explorer Help.

And for those who are going to say empty your cache, I did that.  I rebooted, I emptied and I even tried a different browser.  I can not access hotmail or outlook… no email at all. 


Solution found, hopefully for good.  http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com/tips/hotmail/hotmail-sign-in-problem.php

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Pattern Testers


I am very fortunate to have a group of trusted people who test my patterns for me.  I also have a few ladies who proofread the patterns for grammer or speling mistakes, both which I make a lot of, although I seem to use the same proofreader often, since she is so willing to help me. 

Right now I have a new pattern out being tested by two different ladies.  And today I learned that not everyone is following directions, LOL! 

Proofreader #1 has proven herself over and over again as extremely reliable.  Usually she reads the clues one at a time and follows each one as I write it, and then makes comments to me as to how it would sound better, or how the diagram should look.  Usually.   

Proofreader #2 is a dear old friend of mine… we’ve been friends for a long time and she is a bit older than I am… cause I know she’ll read this and be insulted I called her an old friend.  This dear has tested patterns for I don’t know how long and… well she doesn’t always follow directions.  Many times she rushes through and ends up making mistakes… and she knows it too. 

Today Proofreader #2 sends me an email that there is something drastically wrong in the pattern.  She sends me photos to prove the point.  At first I thought SHE hadn’t followed directions but when I looked at the diagram… I was the one who had made the mistake. 

Well Proofreader #1 had told me in an email she was almost done putting together her top, and I couldn’t imagine how with that drastic mistake, so I called her.  She chuckled shyly and said… “You caught me”  She’d looked at the finished picture to chose her fabrics and read step one and then kept going without ever looking at the pattern again. 

Proofreader #1 promised not to do that ever again, although I might just teach her a lesson and send her one step at a time again, LOL! 

And proofreader #2 has a head start on a totally different pattern with her booboo pieces.  And promised to finish this one before she starts on that one. 

Maybe it’s time to call up proofreader #3 again, who was also very  reliable!  Sylvia are you busy? 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Sissy


I think it was three years ago I got an email from someone who wanted to use one of my patterns to make a quilt to raffle off for Relay.  Of course I gave her permission but had to ask more.  Where was she, which Relay, etc.  I really don’t think she ever answered my questions at first, but a few months later she sent me an email telling me they had raised a lot, I forget how much but remember I was impressed, and told me a little bit about herself.  She’d been quilting as long as I had, loved purple and had done Relay since it started in her area of California. 

After her event was over she emailed me all about it, and then we started an email conversation about quilting and Relay.  She would email me questions off and on throughout the year, and before I knew it she was looking for another pattern to buy to make another quilt for Relay. 

Last year her team raised over $14,000 and the quilt had raised almost half of it… I was impressed again. 

One Monday morning in my spam mail I found one with the subject News about Sissy.  It was from one of her teammates telling me that Sissy had passed away from a cancer related ailment. 

In all of our email conversations Sissy never said she was a survivor, or that her cancer had come back and she was once again fighting hard.  She never told me she was Relaying for herself, but that she was Relaying for friends and family members who were fighting and who had lost their battle. 

I sent a note back to the teammate and thanked her for letting me know.  She replied “Sissy will be missed by many, a family of six children, five grown up and starting their own families, and one who will graduate from college in May, her teammates and her quilting pals and so many more”

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I hate cancer. 

Monday, February 18, 2013

More about last night dinner


I’ve been informed that my antique crock pot is not a crock pot at all, but a slow cooker.  And sure enough, right on the front it says Slow Cooker.  I’ve also been informed that they are different and that crock pot recipes will not cook properly in a slow cooker… 

Sorry, but I strongly disagree… I have used my slow cooker to cook crock pot recipes for years and never had a problem.  Maybe I’ve just been lucky?  Knock on wood I never do have any problems and I do plan to read more about the differences when I have a chance. 

And I also want to report that last night’s leftovers when warmed in the microwave made an excellent breakfast.  Yummy in my tummy…. 
 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Dinner report

As I started dishing up dinner John came in the door and announced it was coming down hard outside.  I grabbed the camera and opened up the back door and snapped this picture.. … snowing and blowing pretty hard. 

Then I went back and finished dishing up and we sat down to eat.  We were both a little apprehensive, it wasn’t the most delicious looking dinner…  however I knew I’d scored when John said it was like having dessert for dinner.  He even asked for seconds and after I’d dished seconds for both of us I realized I hadn’t taken a finished picture… so all you get to see are the leftovers. 

So my report… made with bread cubes instead of bread, it comes out more like bread pudding but was very yummy.  I had no sticking or burning at all.  When I make it again, and I will, I will have to buy bread for it, I only like wheat, pumpernickel or rye breads and don’t think they would do well in this recipe.  I will even consider using the bread cubes again, quick and easy. 

As I said this morning I added craisins and raisins to it, I am thinking blueberries would also be delicious.  The 12 oz bag of cubes made more than enough for two generous (I’m stuffed) helpings for both of us and the same left over for another meal. 

And I might try making it ahead of time, then put it in a loaf pan in the fridge over night and slicing it and browning it in the frying pan for breakfast.  That would make it more like French toast, but I liked it just the way we had it tonight. 

And John just said for the second time, “you can make that again anytime.”  I think we have a winner!
 

What's for dinner?

My crock pot is an antique according to some people but I love it and it cooks better than any other crock pot I’ve ever used.  I bought it at a yard sale in Plattsburgh NY while I was pregnant with my now 30 year old son.  I’m always looking for good crock pot recipes… 
I got this idea from http://thecakeeccentric.wordpress.com/2010/12/05/brunch-crock-pot-french-toast/  After reading all the comments, and there were a LOT of them, I decided I would try it anyway, and do some personal creativity with the recipe. 

First, I had a bag (12oz) Martins Bread Cubes leftover from Thanksgiving, never opened but taking up room in my pantry so I wanted to get rid of it.  I sprayed the bottom of my 30+ year old crock pot with butter flavored Pam and added the bread cubes.  I also added a handful of both raisins and craisins for flavoring.  I followed her recipe suggestions of 6 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp light brown sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla and mixed that well.  Then poured it over the bread cubes and raisins/craisins and mixed it up well to soak all the bread cubes.  I sprinkled the mixture with cinnamon sugar.  I put it the lid on my ancient crock pot and then set the heat to low and…  
 
Well it has to cook for six hours so you will have to check back to see how it turned out!

Snow results

As you can tell from the picture, we didn’t get a lot.  But because of the off and on rain snow, what we did get stuck to some of the trees, making a lovely landscape this morning.  And now it’s bitter cold out, 28 which feels like 20 which felt a lot colder when I opened up the door in my PJs to take this picture… burrrrrrrrrrr

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Weather


Today has been an interesting weather day.. It’s rained and then snowed and then rained and then snowed and then rained and then snowed and then rained and then snowed and then rained and then snowed and then rained and then snowed and then rained and then snowed and then rained and well you know where I am going.  All day long, same thing…. Rain then snow and then rain.   When it got dark it was raining but of course the temperature was falling.  That should mean maybe we will get some snow.  Should but…

Well for one thing yesterday it was in the high 50s and the ground is very warm.  It is going to have to get pretty cold before the snow starts to stick.  What we see in the morning will be interesting.    

Friday, February 15, 2013

Modern Quilts


A few years ago if anyone had asked me to define “modern” quilts I would have said ugly.  Period, that’s all.  At a quilt show one year I saw a “modern” quilt made of tin cans tied together with yarn.  It was hanging in the special section of the show… to me it wasn’t a quilt and didn’t belong there.  I still do not understand why it was.

My opinion of modern quilts has changed, and modern quilts have changed too.  Not all are ugly art pieces, and some even are suitable to be put on a bed and used to keep you warm.

When I was asked to review “Modern Quilts” from McCall’s Quilting I was honest and said “..I'm not a "modern" quilter myself” but they sent me a copy anyway.  I’m reviewing this ebook for them, but other than the PDF am not getting paid for what I am saying. 

Editor-in-Chief Beth Hayes says, “Modern quilts are notable for their minimalist aesthetic, use of bright, bold colors with large doses of white and other neutral solids, asymmetrical designs, and free-form piecing. These quilts are meant to be fun to make, and comfy to use.” 

Wow, maybe I am a modern quilter after all… I have many quilts that fit that description. 

There are three projects in the ebook, “Baubles and Beads”, “Rainbow Rhythm” and “Lemon Squeezy”.   Baubles and Beads is very pretty and quite simple and would be a great scrap user upper.  Rainbow Rhythm is all triangle squares and very interesting… lovely.  The pattern is easy to follow.  Would I make it… no, but I do love the way the accent color is used to put a zing in the quilt.  I would consider this technique as a way to use up bonus triangle squares, putting that accent in there to jazz up the scrappies. 

Lastly is Lemon Squeezy, Piece and quilt a bright throw all in one easy construction step.  I LOVE the technique shown, very similar to my Speedy Strips, but as a quilt-as-you-go technique… I will most certainly be trying this.  I can see this as a perfect charity quilt project.  I actually can’t wait to get started on one. 
 
First I have to find a place to do it, no where I can in my house, but I’m thinking this will make a great retreat project.  And I won’t make mine as large as the one in the ebook, just use the technique to make a child size quilt. 

If you want your own copy of this ebook you can find it here.  (Yes you have to sign up for emails, but if they offer projects like these three, it will be worth it!) 
 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

I got this email...


This one made it through to my regular email inbox, although I have no idea why.  The subject line was “Be the man you used to be quiltersretreat”

Well maybe in another life, but I don’t remember it. 

Spam is always good for a chuckle, even in my inbox. 

Happy Valentines Day


I got the tips below from Jeff Freedman of Small Army for a Cause and wanted to share them. 
 
As I read them I realized these are all reasons I love John so very much.  He must have been following these tips since the day I met him. 


10 TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL BRAND RELATIONSHIPS


1. Share your beliefs.
The strongest relationships are built on them.

2. Listen more than you talk.
Everyone needs to be heard.

3. Stop selling.
You don’t sell relationships, you earn them.

4. Be yourself.
If you are trying to be something else, it’s not a good relationship.

5. Always be honest.
Sometimes, the truth can hurt – but lies will hurt more.

6. Be open to criticism.
It will make you better.

7. Don't talk about yourself all the time.
No one likes a bragger.

8. Give without expectation.
It will pay off in spades.

9. Show emotion.
People prefer relationships with humans.

10. Tell others how you feel about them.
Everyone wants to know they are loved.  

Wednesday, February 13, 2013


Someone suggested to me that I should stick to quilting on my blog…  It’s my blog and I will post on it whatever I want to.

Think about this… when you go to a quilting bee is talk limited to quilting?  Heck no, the ladies sit around and talk about all kinds of things. 

Way way back in the old pioneer days the ladies had their kind of blogs and facebook, and they couldn’t wait for the quilt gatherings because back then that was their internet.  They would sit around the quilting frame and share all the news they had, that was the only way they had to share information. 

Today information is shared around the world in one click, back then they waited months. 

Today’s modern quilting bee might be on the internet.  As I sit in my lazy chair with a quilt on my lap I share with Liza down-under news about the upcoming quilt project, and the latest on my children.  On my blog I chat with anyone who wants to read it, about things in my life, not always about quilting.

To that person who thinks just because my blog has quilts in the title, sorry.  Life is a part of my quilting, and quilting is a part of my life.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Loss of a friend


We got a new computer for family use Christmas 1996, a nice Micron that we could all use for school work, family newsletters and things…  Shortly after my boys, all three of them, started bugging me to get the internet.  Well I knew better, the internet was an evil thing and there was nothing on the internet that we needed in our home, I said no way.  In April 1997 the evil internet came to our home, and my whole world changed. 

One day before the kids went to school Jonathon sat me down at the computer and put it on the internet.  He told me to type in http (what?) semicolon  (two dots or dot and comma?) something else then Yahoo.com which I did.  Then he said to type in quilt in the empty space at the top of the page and then he ran out the door to catch the bus.  There were several million choices that came up, and I think I was still sitting there when they came home from school that afternoon. 

One place I found almost that first day (it might have even been that first day) was a fabric store called Fabric Stash.  While looking at the web page and trying to figure out why in the world someone would buy fabric on line, I noticed on the left hand side of the page something called CHAT…. 

I knew better than to reveal any personal information, and I knew I should not use my “real” name, so I went in as a pet name John had given me the day we met.  I was amazed to find some very friendly people (or so they seemed) in there who immediately started asking me personal questions, like where was I from, etc.  I didn’t answer any of those questions, so they stopped asking, and went back to quilt talk.  I tried not to say anything, but they asked me about my quilting, and … and…. well I was hooked. 

After a week or so of this chatting thing I started noticing the same people were in there often, and I kept a log so I would remember things about each person.  T from NY, Dee was from NY, CraftyLady lived in WI Fab was in Washington, Fas was in Colorado and many more.  Pansey, Peachy and Wizard, I could go on and on.  One such person was Irishga who I learned was from Yukon, and I admitted I had no idea where that was.  She helped me open a map (right in line while I was still chatting with her, imagine that) and showed me where she lived.  I asked her if she was Irish and she said lol and I had to ask what that meant and said no and explained her name…. sorry I forget what it was now, but her “real” name was JoAnne.  I think she may have been the first person to actually tell me her “real” name. 

I stopped chatting a few years later and started conversations in some group site, which eventually became Yahoo.  Irishga showed up in a couple of the groups I was in and we continued our on line friendship.  She joined the Mysteries For Relay group and our friendship grew and grew.  Recently JoAnne was sick a lot, and they discovered what they thought was cancer in her stomach and lungs. Her battle inspired me to work harder to find the cure, and gave me a whole new way of thinking about cancer treatments. 

In my part of the world people drive to the local cancer center, get their treatments and drive (or are driven) home.  I’ve heard people complain how hard it is, and have seen the misery in person when my sister-in-law Cheri was fighting it.  JoAnne lived thousands of miles from her cancer treatment center.  She had to catch a small plane to a larger airport, then get on another plane, arriving at her cancer center at least 24 hours before her treatment, then had to stay 24 hours or more after the treatments and then flew home, one plane then another and then the long ride home. 

Sadly JoAnne has just lost her battle with cancer.  No more long plane rides, no more suffering, but sadly, no more emails or chats with JoAnne.  I can’t even begin to say how much I will miss her. 

Get real...


So I open up facebook to see what is happening in the world and I see this. Now why would anyone want to look like this?

 

Then the second time I open it I see this…   
Who thinks she really looks younger?
 

 
Did I click on it, no, I’m not that stupid. 


Saturday, February 09, 2013

Nemo has come and gone


Nothing to report here, just a lot of rain and wind.  Today the sun came out and it was cold, February weather. 

I’m getting closer to sewing.  I got out blocks I made in November and laid them on the bed… not impressed.  It will make a nice lap quilt but that’s all I’m doing with it. I know what I did wrong and I will try making this again, more organized.  I have all the fabric I need in my stash, will pull more before the Spring Retreat and work on the new one there. 

But first I want to test a new mystery… I have everything I need to make it now, strips, background and backing.  Pattern is written, all I have to do is cut and sew.

Friday, February 08, 2013

Weather warnings


I just have one thing to say, when the weather people predicted a strong storm last October, a lot of people didn’t pay attention.  Sandy should have been a lesson to everyone… no the weather people aren’t always right, but when they are….  

Buying fabric on line


I recently was “forced” to make some fabric purchases on line, three to be exact. I had such excellent service that I had to comment on here where other quilters could read it.
I made a purchase from http://www.connecttheblocks.com/ My order arrived two days after I made the order on line. The fabric was exactly what I needed, and the extra long 40 inch yards helped my budget considerably.
I also made a purchase at Sauder’s http://www.this-n-thatfabrics.com/ I needed two 3 1/2 yard pieces of backing fabric and added that to my notes. The same day I made the order I got an email telling me what they had, and asking what I wanted to do. I replied and got an email this morning that my order had been shipped. And I got the box in the mail today.
The third purchase… well four days after I ordered I was told half of what I ordered was not available. And I’m still waiting for the other half.
I also made a purchase at Sauder’s http://www.this-n-thatfabrics.com.  I needed two 3 1/2 yard pieces of backing fabric and added that to my notes.  The same day I made the order I got an email telling me what they had, and asking me what I wanted to do.  I replied and got an email the next morning that my order had been shipped and I got the box in the mail that same day. 

The third purchase... well four days after I ordered I was told half of what I wanted was not available.  And I’m still waiting for the other half. 

All three orders were made at the same time, two were delivered two days after ordered.  Guess where I will not be ordering from again.   Good thing I have other fabrics to work with and am not in a hurry. 
The third purchase… well four days after I ordered I was told half of what I ordered was not available. And I’m still waiting for the other half.I also made a purchase at Sauder’s http://www.this-n-thatfabrics.com/ I needed two 3 1/2 yard pieces of backing fabric and added that to my notes. The same day I made the order I got an email telling me what they had, and asking what I wanted to do. I replied and got an email this morning that my order had been shipped. And I got the box in the mail today.
The third purchase… well four days after I ordered I was told half of what I ordered was not available. And I’m still waiting for the other half.

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

I went out!


Sure, big deal you say…. Well for me it WAS a big deal.  This is only the third time I’ve left the house this year.  Being sick sucks, and I sure miss the outside world.  But I need to keep away from all those walking flu bugs and drifting germs, so me and my germs have stayed home.  I’m not sharing my cold with anyone.

So what did I do on my adventure outside?  First stop was Wal-Mart for some needed necessities including a few medicines I’ve run out of.  Second was the bank to make a retreat deposit, Spring Retreat bills are due now, and finally I went to get my hairs cut.  I was getting pretty shaggy and feel a lot better, at least in the hair department. Now if I could shake this cough, and boy do I need a nap.  All that work wore me out!

Monday, February 04, 2013

My Super Bowl comments

First, I’m happy the Ravens won, east coast win is great, almost local even better. 

Second, I never saw so much booty* jiggling in my life… and I don’t just mean during the half time show either.  Those guys sure do shake it when they think they done good, LOL! 

But honestly, I didn’t watch the whole thing.  I was reading through most of it, watched some of the commercials, and looked at the game only one in a while.  I enjoyed every minute of it… my book that is.  Griselda Takes Flight


*Booty = American slang for buttocks

Sunday, February 03, 2013

About the mystery…


Aunt Peggy's Quilt  Mystery #28
I think everyone was happy in the end and so far everyone loves the pattern.  It wasn’t a hard one, not when broken down into smaller steps. 

That’s what is good about a mystery.  You only see little parts, a few at a time, and they aren’t overwhelming, or shouldn’t be.  If you saw the whole quilt you would look at it as a billion tiny pieces when actually it is just a few units of easy pieces when put together look fabulous. 

With a mystery you have no expectations, so you shouldn’t worry about all the pieces.  Just take each unit one at a time. 

It is very important that you read ALL of the directions, there might be something at the bottom of the page that is very important, and if you just glance at it and start sewing, you might have to spend time with Jack the Ripper. 

Another thing people do is rush through each step so they can be ready for the next one… there is no need to rush.  You will get all of the directions even if you aren’t ready for them, so why rush. 

I’ve been working on the next mystery already.  I designed this one last summer when I started the retreat projects.  I had more projects than I needed for fall, so this one didn’t get used.  I think (hope) everyone will enjoy it.  I was going to start my sample today, but I didn’t have enough background fabric.. what a pity I had to go shopping on line.  Fortunately my friend Peggy at Connect the Blocks is having a sale and she had just what I needed!  (Thanks Peggy!!) 

Saturday, February 02, 2013

Mystery Day


Today’s mystery seems to be challenging for some of the ladies, and they haven’t even gotten to the hard part yet.  I’m not saying anymore, just incase any of them takes a break and happens to read this… but….

Well a few have kind of complained I am loading steps too fast.  I’ve explained MANY times they don’t have to  keep up, but some of them seem to panic when a new step is loaded… they think they are behind. 

One member sent me a private message and said “Why don’t you post the next step when someone asks for it?”

Truthfully, that is what I have been doing.  Another member who is apparently as shy as this one has been sending me private messages off the group asking for the next step. 

If I post them when one person is ready, those other ladies panic and think they are “behind” 

If I post them every half hour, same thing

And why these ladies think they have to keep up is beyond me… this is not a race. 

Some of the ladies were still sleeping when I posted the first step.  And two of our members are already into tomorrow.  Time differences makes it hard to please everyone. 

When you are participating in a mystery project, mine or anyone else’s, there are a few things to remember. 
      It is not a race. You do NOT have to keep up. It is important that you take your time and sew at your own pace. 
      It is IMPORTANT that you READ each step carefully and follow the directions.  I can’t stress that enough.  Reading blogs I’ve seen quite a few ladies who didn’t read instructions correctly on Bonnie Hunter’s Easy Street and had to make u-turns.  Read the directions twice, make sure you understand what they are saying and if you don’t understand, ask questions!


It will be even more important as this current mystery goes along that they read directions carefully, there are some twists ahead… 


Friday, February 01, 2013

February 1st


February already, and I haven’t sewn since November 11th so I’ve decided it’s about time.  Back up some, back to November 12 when I got home, I had help unloading the car.  Yes that help was greatly appreciated, but… well I would have been a little neater putting stuff away. 

My sewing table was covered, hardly recognizable as a cutting table so I started there.  I had a lot of sorting to do and I made a dent… then I got a phone call which required me to get on line, and then I had to check email and… 
well I’d better get back to it!  I’ll never get back to sewing sitting here