A Flea Market Shout Out!

If you live in Salem or fairly near Salem...come visit the Vintage Flea Market at the Historic Deepwood Estate in September.  I went last year and it was so much fun, and I found some really great 'vintage' items...linens, furniture, paintings, and lots more...

This event is hosted by Roost Reimagined...she does beautiful work and always puts on a wonderful show.

How to Stack Quilt Blocks to Sew Them

Here's the dilemma...

 

You've just finished laying out all your quilt squares on the floor in a beautiful pattern they should be arranged in and you're asking yourself..."how do I pick them up and take them to the sewing machine without picking one up at a time, going to the sewing machine, sewing one block, going back to the quilt, picking up one block, and repeating the process about 145 times", because did I happen to mention it is King size ;)

 

Here's your solution.

 

Number Flower Head Pins with a Sharpie Pen numbering them according to how many rows you have.  If you have 12 rows, then you need 12 pins. 

 

I keep these pins at hand all the time.  Not only are they are great pin, they are perfect for this process.

Next...

 

Lay out your quilt in the arrangement it should be in.

 

Stack each row.  Do this by starting with block number one on top and going across the row adding number two to the bottom, number three, and so on.

You will end up with a stack of blocks for each row.  First block of the row is on top and the last block of the row is on the bottom and the rest in between in order.

Take a Flower Head Pin with the correct row number on it and pin it on the Right hand side with the flower head right side up.  This tells me the row number, which edge is the top, and the side I will sew down.

 

What I love about this method is no matter how much time goes by between stacking and pinning to when I finally sew them...I always can go back to my row and know exactly how I will be sewing the rows.

 

Next...

When you are ready to sew, take a row and transfer the pin from the right side to the upper left corner, and pin to only the top block.  The pin will stay there until the quilt top is sewn together.

Next...

Take block number one and block number two and lay them side by side, flip block number two onto block number one (so that they are pretty to pretty) and sew down the right side.  Repeat the process with the remaining blocks in the row, but remember DO NOT twist the blocks or your arrangement could be jeopardized.

Sew all rows together, press each row with an iron so that seams oppose each other...example: press one row towards your pin, the next row away from the pin, and so on.

 

Sew rows together to make your quilt top.



 

Show and Tell Tuesday

Today I thought you might like to have a tiny peek at my mess my treasures and projects.

 

This is the top of a new bag I just made...I used leather handles, and a beautiful aray of fabrics in my favorite colors.  Don't worry...you will see more of this bag in the future.

 If you look around my sewing room you will find shelves here and there with stacks of fabric and pretty things.  The little dolly is my Jinny Doll from when I was little, and the ice cream cone is holding my 'coffee' funds.

 I like to 'think' I'm somewhat organized by looking at these drawers, but truth be told I'm really not.  But these labeled drawers do help me find what I need in a hurry.  I snagged this unit at a garage sale...it sits on my sewing table close at hand.

A shelf full of fabric...what could be more fun?  Well...don't answer that...but, it is fun, right?

 I love to hang blocks just about anywhere so I can enjoy them even if they are not in a quilt yet.  These little beauties are a 'Little Red Riding Hood' Block of the month.

 This is my favorite magnet...love the quote.

 A girl has to have glitter and ribbon too...

 Oh, and lots of thread!  Aurifil is the best for piecing and quilting.  Looks like I need to add some colors to my stash.

Happy Tuesday...Janae'

Show and Tell Tuesday...oops, Wednesday

It completely baffles me how time goes by so fast!

I can remember times during my childhood thinking "time is going so slowly, when will I ever be grown up". Now I'm wishing for it to slow down...which I've heard it never does even when the kids leave home.

But, I do dream about those days when I move to the country when I can wake up to the sound of my chickens and enjoy a cup of coffee on my porch while the sun comes up...all while dreaming of what I will sew for the day.

Until then...I guess life will be fast and busy.  And once again I failed to get 'Show and Tell Tuesday' out on the right day...sorry.

Today I'm showing you my mother's HUGE flower pots that she grows.  She is amazing.  I think the key is water and plant food, and lots of both.

The flowers are beautiful just like her...

Maybe someday when I have all that time in the country...I'll be able to have pots that look like these.

Going down my parents driveway there is a flower on each side.  The diameter of these pots are at least 5'.

Show and Tell Tuesday

This is the cutest stuffed cat...somedays I think I feel just how this little guy looks...is it sad, confused, or just in a daze?  I'm not sure...but I've had those days.

This shout out goes to S. Auman Smith ...for my 'Show and Tell Tuesday' for having the cutest stuffed cat I've seen all day.

I hope he finds a good home soon...

Shopping...and good Eats

While my youngest was enjoying horse camp this last week, my oldest and I took off for the day to do some shopping at Bridgeport Village in Beaverton, Oregon.

First stop...PF Chang's for our favorite Hot and Sour Soup.

Then over to Anthropologie for "window shopping"...

cute apron...

We found a very fun paper store...we love paper! It was called "Paper Source".  We found some really neat things like glitter and card making supplies as well as a really great idea for a quilt design...

Hope you are having a super great weekend...and I hope you are finding some time to be in your "happy place". 

xxoo janae'

Jean Well's Table Runner Pattern

A sweet gal that I work with named Chloe made this wonderful table runner from Jean Well's Color Work Table Runner pattern. 

Chloe did a super great job picking out the colors and sewing it together.  I loved it so much I bought the pattern and the kit to make one just like Chloe's.  Don't be scared of the curves...it's easy peasy!  Really, I'm not lying.  It's a lot of fun.