Things I Learned This Winter

It is March 1st but the National Weather Service has said our winter will continue through March.  Just as I expect every year!  After this HUGE amount of “winter” we’ve had this year, I was pretty sure that turning a page today wouldn’t matter in the weather department.

1. I need a new cover on the small ironing board next to my sewing machine where I do pressing when I do paper-piecing.  I thought it was the iron but cleaned that.  I cleaned the regular iron that I keep there as well.  No, it must be coming from the cover.

2.  I like relaxing in the evening with stories on Instagram.   I’ve learned I can only make videos with my tablet to post!   @julesquilts  (It is farming, my flowers, the dog, and some quilting!)

3.  Even tho the fall onto the ice doesn’t hurt much then….  the next few days add very random hurting places!  Yikes!!
Yes, we went 2 for 2 at our house for how many went down on the ice.  The dog…. was really sick of slipping!!

4.  Everyone needs someone to hold their hand and pray for them when in the hospital.  I learned slowly but did what I could.  ♥  (I learned long ago that I need that!  Now I know I’m not the only one!) PLEASE offer that to one who is there.  Nothing fancy.  Just touch and ask if you can pray for them.  A hospital patient needs touched!  Sit near.  Ask to hold their hand.  Offer hand cream.

5.  Aldi plants and flowers in the winter are a wonderful prize for buying the groceries for the week!   I plant the bulbs outside when the weather is tolerable and enjoy my growing collection that returns the next spring!  The little jars they come in are great for rooting little new houseplants!

6.  It is hard to make my mind stop and read a book.
I’ve read: Sacred Holidays by Becky Kiser and Placemaker by Christie Purifoy.  Highly recommend them both!

7.  Subscriptionboxescanbeanadditiction!
#1 – Broglie Box (brand-new!!) I got one box, their first one!, and then subscribed for the annual and look forward to this box the most!  (no affiliate connection!!)

I liked the 1 box I got from FabFitFun and might do an annual of that one next year.  I was able to get less skin care products as I can’t use most of the ones offered.
I have an annual subscription to Causebox and will drop that when the year runs out.  (I’ve gotten Winter 2018 (& now) Spring 2019.)  I like about 1/2 the box that I get.  I need to sell some of the extra things.  This was my first one I found and my gift to myself… that comes every quarter!  Then I had to quit following the subscription box addiction site as it was all too tempting!

Do you get any subscription boxes?
What did you learn this winter?

 

Read Full Post »

November Intentions

I saw this blog post idea and thought I’d try it.  At least for this month!  This is just my personal list — not my job work.

• paint bathroom closet
• vac out part of aquarium water & replace
• re-pot 2 coleus that were outside over the summer
• draw floor plan of house for advice on a design group where I’m a member
• sand treadle machine cabinet for living room sewing corner
• finish New Feathered Star piecing
• make a Featherweight sewing machine cover
• brush the dog at least 1x a day
• 2 quilt guild meetings
• more blogs posted 😉

That is enough for a busy month with customer quilting deadlines for Christmas as well.   I suppose other intentions will wait for the rest of winter!

new feathered star very beginning

Read Full Post »

4Ps NY Style

I taught a workshop at guild on Monday titled, 4Ps NY Style.   Which translates to Paper Piecing without Picking Paper and we made New York Beauty blocks.    🙂

I left at 9 a.m. and the church where we meet is just 10 mins from me.   Class was from 10 – 4.

It is really nice that each one could have their own table to work at or they could share with their buddy.   We have a big open room to work in and I had my machine and demos in the front.   I did 3 different teaching times at my table and then helped them individually as needed.   (i.e. often  🙂  )

(one didn’t bring her machine but used mine most of the day)

Ann is always happy!!   🙂

 

a few blocks by the students

I was actually pleased and I hope it was a good thing that most kept working until 4 – 4:30.    At 5:30 we had a potluck for those from class as well as a few others that came to join us before the meeting.

The meeting starts at 7 but this year we’ve had “warm-ups” from 6:30 – 7 that are short demos on various projects.  We have 2 of these going at the same time and everyone can pop in as they arrive to  learn a new trick or see a new tool in action.

After the program at 7, we have a break for visiting & refreshments.   Then the business meeting and we end with show & tell.   At the beginning of show & tell,  we like to have the workshop participants show what they worked on.

Not everyone from class had stayed this long but here are 15 (out of 18) of them.   I took my MIL’s table runner (she was pleased to share it with everyone for the day) and my October LaPetite’ wallhanging.

I got home at 9:20 p.m.   Tired!!!

Read Full Post »

Paper Piecing Class

My friends, Lori & Elinor, had asked me to teach them paper piecing (traditional) because I talk about it so much.    We got a day scheduled (5/27) and then I offered the class to our ladies small group as some in there are crafty and some are interested in quilting.  We added Shelly & Gwen.

Lori really wanted easy so I chose a simple block that when put together in a set of 4 blocks makes a great design.   The block is from Carol Doak’s book, 300 Paper-Pieced Quilt Blocks.

The patterns printed in the book make 4″ blocks but because the book also includes a CD, I can choose any finished size and print them from my computer.   Love the technology!!

I provided the patterns for everyone printed on pre-shrunk freezer paper.  My favorite foundation to use.

I also showed them some projects I’ve made using paper-piecing to show the accuracy one can achieve with that technique.    I was happy with the way the class went and time with girlfriends is always good.   Gwen & Shelly had never made a quilt block before and were thrilled with their first ones.

Here are their blocks —

I don’t have other pictures because I stayed busy teaching.

It was so much fun!!    These can be finished as pillows or wallhangings for them.  The blocks (the 4 sections sewn together) are 12″ finished.

I hope to have other classes in the future.  Currently, I’m planning a fabric dyeing class for this summer.  And this fall I’m teaching paper piecing without picking paper to our quilt guild.

Read Full Post »