About Ironing/Pressing

I wanted to have a record of the ironing/pressing poll I did a few weeks back, I was about to just delete it but thought it was good information to keep! The post with comments is here :)

Personally, I'm still torn - I like how flat the block is when I press my seams open, but there are times when the bit of bulk adds dimension to the blocks. So for now I'm just going to decide as I go!

There's a few applications where I will always press flat: triangles, working on mitered corners, binding strips, and anywhere with lots of seams meeting up. Oh, Fransson - had a post about ironing recently, apparently someone had the gall to tell her she was doing it wrong! I never did ask, why do you iron to one side? After reading her post I felt a bit more empowered in my open pressing :)


The poll:

Which way do you press your seams while quilting?
56% to one side
1% open
37% depends
3% don't iron!

There's two of you out there that don't iron! I would love to hear about your process :) I will occasionally finger press, but only in a pinch!

Do you have trouble getting your seams open? Here's a peak at my process --


I lay it face down on my ironing surface.


I run the side of my iron along side the fresh seam - this keeps from pressing a fold in, and pops the seam open!


I use my finger to start the opening


Then put the iron to the task.




I turn it over - to further press.


All set, and ready for more :)

Not the best pictures, but hopefully helpful!

Blessings ~ Amy

Recent Happenings -- Around the House

Owen, our big boy - he's 21 months old (or young) and not talking too much. He has three big sisters and mama to grunt and point with! We all get him :) Recently when he was asking for a snack (with a grunt) I said "Say please mama" his response is "neeeee" - while making the CUTEST face:



Then there's Miss Ella, getting really close to 9 and just 2 months of 3rd grade left! I don't think I told you, but she's had strep recently - oh joy!

It started Monday before her Disney program, she woke up with a horrible sore throat - and I knew it was strep (she had it twice last winter). She stayed home from school, and went to the doctor. We started the meds and she had to stay home for 24 hours, so she went to school the next day after lunch. She was super excited for the program and could not be persuaded to rest anymore :) The rest of the week feeling fine, finished her meds and was happy to feel good!

Over the last weekend, she developed a nasty cough. A couple of years back she had inflammed bronchial tubes, and used an inhaler to settle things down, so we started that up -- it didn't get better! She losing sleep, therefore so am I, due to her coughing. Back to the doctor . . . she still has strep. Apparently the strain she caught, is resistant to zithromax and she needed a different one for 10 more days - ugh.

All the while it has been winter here again - more snow, but not enough to play in. Too cold to enjoy outside time, and Ella needs to rest. Usually when I send the girls outside it is together and only with Ella to be my eyes out there. They all have their rules and follow them - I just don't trust other people/kids :) I feel like it has been the longest week inside! We were healthy for the entire winter, just a few sniffles (which I can handle) but now that spring is here. . . you get the idea :) I rented a couple of movies from Redbox to help keep Ella on the couch and not up and about too much. We also made playdough - I really hate the mess but they are happy, so oh well!

While enjoying a snack Ella popped a root on one of her three loose teeth. She worked it for just a bit longer and it was free!

We randomly composed this picture together :)

On to the next week! I am praying for sunshine, so far there's more snow in the forecast, but they are wrong often!

Many Blessings ~
Amy

SewConnected & Project Improv

Jessica at Twin Fibers sent out vintage sheets for this months block. I hemmed and hawed trying to decide exactly how to put this block together. Especially after beautiful blocks started showing up in the group pool - everyone there has something different to add to the group! In the end I framed out the little panel Jessica sent and mitered the corners for a little special touch.
I'm wondering if a mitered corner tutorial would be helpful for anyone?

Next up - Project Improv!
I had been putting off this block a little, hoping that I could get a few fat quarters before stitching it up . . . (didn't happen) I rummaged through my scraps and found colors in the requested fields and set to work.

A few thoughts about improv:
- I like the end result, but not having a clear picture before starting is a challenge for me!
- I don't have enough of a stash for it to be really freeing. I tend to buy per project, or win bits and pieces :)
- I'm not sure I have the time for this sort of quilting, but . . .
- I think I need to make a larger piece before I make any decisions, which is part of the project, maybe I will get to a baby/toddler quilt soon.

Do you improv? the group pool has some great work in it!

***Also I met a quilter through my blog from Germany, Martina doesn't blog, but has uploaded her quilts to flickr - go check her out! Everything Martina makes is so bright and beautiful.

My boy needs me - Amy

Disney Program - at last :)

I've been working behind the scenes here to figure out youtube and how to upload video from our slightly outdated video camera. Since I've been blogging I have become more and more techy - go figure!There's 4 third grade classes, so the teacher's were busy coordinating 80-90 students - they look like a lot more all together! Do you see Ella?

There she is!
Here's a video of her solo - we are so proud, she did such a great job!












There's a collection on videos on our neglected family blog, if you would like to see more :)

I don't have any decent pictures of the costumes the mom's made - they all looked great though! Adult sweatshirts altered for elephants, monkeys, and birds - great simple costumes.

That's it for the moment - I hope that you are well and warm! It's snowing again here and trying to stick. . . that's spring in the mountains :)

Amy

Have you noticed?

There's a huge blog party going on! The ladies at 5 minutes for mom are hosting and over 700 bloggers are participating so far. There's tons of giveaways and fun stuff going on. If you came from over there - Welcome!



A couple of my favorite posts about my kids are :

Mommyhood
It Smells so Goooood in Here!
One Day at a Time

When my lovely little people give me time to create I do my best to jam as much as possible in!

I was asked to create the boy version of a quilt in my etsy shop recently -
I had two hours this afternoon :) After running Emmalie to the DR office for immunizations (we are getting ready for Kindergarten reg. next week), and stopping at the grocery store for the weeks dinners - I was in need of some creative therapy! Thankfully I had already taken the time to cut it on Sunday. Next I will piece the back with scraps from cutting the top and some yardage of the blue center square. I'm loving the earthy colors and gentle shapes of this fabric.

I am working on getting some video footage of Ella's Disney program sorted out and I will post it soon - she had a blast last week! I'll share more later :)

Many Blessings ~
Amy

Favorite prizes: 5,19,22,37,49

Ready Freddy?

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped to spread the word last week! I loved reading all the comments, and trying to respond to them all - new friends are fun :)

I closed comments last night before heading to bed with 155 - WOW! I am so glad that you all love the bag! After adding all the multiple entries and a few emails I have a grand total of 249!

***The random number picked - 166
Which coordinates to Beth's entry! Beth I just need your address and the bag is yours - I already emailed you! Congratulations!!


I've felt a little disconnected not writing here this last week, but have been struggling with a nasty sinus infection, so there hasn't been much craftyness going on. Here's a sneak peak of some fabrics, as soon as I get my head cleared, I am getting to my sewing machine!
I hope that you are blessed today, and that your head is clearer than mine :)
~Amy

One Year . . .

I can hardly believe that it has been one year since I joined this online blogging community! I have learned so much, been so encouraged as a mom and quilter - thanks to all of you that have enriched my life by being a part of this blog and sharing your lives on your own blogs.

A quick stroll down memory lane, if you will ~

My first post, I was working on a quilt just for me at the time. My favorite, it has primaloft batting (super warm) and it has been under our down comforter all winter!

Here I decided to be real.

My baby turned 1, and started walking! Lots of family celebrations too.

Finished a respectable number of quilts (here & here too) - I have high hopes for many more this year!

I have made even more friends through swap groups, and virtual bees! So much fun - I am constantly pushed beyond my comfort zone.

You've all shared in the ups and downs of motherhood with me - allowing me to gush about the beautiful little people in my life.

I have won quite a few giveaways :)

I have been so thankful to be a part of this community!

On that note I should tell you about the giveaway I have for you. I wish I had one for everyone - but I'm not a machine! One lucky winner will win this bag:The fabric is from Dena Design's Snow Flower Collection - not too girlie but nice and springy! I had fun lining up the center on the stripes and then matching things up as I was sewing it together. My bag has been so fun to use and carry - a great size for everything but not too much!


To win:

~ Leave me a comment - one entry
~ Add me to your reader or follow me - one more entry
~ Post on your blog and link back here - 3 entries
~ Add my button to your blog for the week - 3 entries
I will enlist the help of the random number generator in one weeks time, and announce the winner next Monday!








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Copy and paste the html in the box to your blog :)


I know that I have lots more readers than commenters - This would be a great time to meet you, if you haven't introduced yourself yet. Go ahead and tell me something interesting about YOU :) I hope to have a good turn out - please help me spread the word.


Many blessings to you ~
Amy

A Notion or Two - March

Thanks to all of you that took the time to tell me about your ironing habits! It seems that most press their seams in one direction with a couple of exceptions. Within a couple of hours of posting and getting the first bit of feedback, I decided to check into my books that I first bought about quilting. I was thinking maybe it wasn't in there :) It was - I probably skipped it as I already "knew" how to press seams. I'm completely self-taught in the quilting department :)

Moving on: My block for Sarah! Sarah sent over a great collection of prints with no real specifics for block design, just a bit of texture. I added pintucks!

I even got a cool shot of those cute little tucks --


I made this fabulous cake last night!! Delish - invite some friends over so you have a great excuse to make it! That's what I did :)

Hope that you are enjoying your weekend ~
Amy

Question for you --

Which way do you press your seams while quilting? I put up a poll for the next week on the left side - because I'm curious.

I learned to sew garments first (20 years ago) and have had a hard time changing my thinking about ironing - but I'm starting to see the light in how seams lock together if they are pressed in the opposite directions.

If you would like to expound upon your vote please leave a comment - I will update everyone next week as to my findings!

Thanks for your input :)

Amy

Catching up

I'm so glad that so many of you love being moms too! I am so blessed to have my little ones in my life - and to be home with them. I do know that there's times when I would love to escape to a deserted island! Just every once in a while :)

It seems that I'm off the hook for the "smee-shirt" Ella informed me the same day I had planned to go shopping for supplies that it was taken care of! All that scrounging for ideas with no need - it will come in handy in the future I'm sure. She's my first in school :)

Ella is super excited about the program coming up - NEXT WEEK - it seems she's been talking about it all year and now it's finally here! I plan to take lots of pictures and some video too - I will share after the fact.

My To Do for this week includes -
**2 Swap Blocks for SewConnected and A Notion or Two I've gotten some great bits of fabric for this month, need a plan!
**A surprise for my blogiversary next week!
**And lots of beautiful moments with the little ones :)


My friend Sarah is celebrating 100 posts - check out her giveaway!


I hope that you are blessed today! We are enjoying a snowy day inside -
Amy

Mommyhood

I thought I would share a few reason why I love being a mom :)

~ Spontaneous hugs, the kind that knock you over.

~ Slimy kisses from my boy.

~ Watching my determined Ella shovel the sidewalk, so that they all can ride bikes/scooters.

~ Seeing pride on their faces with each new accomplishment.

~ The precious moments when they get along, and I am assured that they do love each other.

~ Snuggling with a book with them for the 5th time in a row.

~ The fast pace that they keep, after winding down I fall into bed asleep. (as long as I'm not tortured with creative ideas!)

Of course there are many more reasons, and a few deterrents for those of you yet to be moms, but we are looking at the positive :) Do you love being a mom?

Blessings to you ~ Amy

Doll Quilt Swap 6

This last week I stumbled on to John's announcement that DQS was taking sign-ups for the next round! I quickly made way over to flickr to get in on the action. Having done a few swaps in the recent months I was hoping to get in with DQS as they always seem to have beautiful doll quilts for each other. There is no theme, but it is a secret, so you have to "stalk" your partner without them know you are creating for them - fun!

Here's a little inspiration that I found on flickr . . . all the flowers and birds . . . pretty sure I'm ready for spring to be here :) We still have piles of snow, with a north facing home, it sticks around longer even though it has been warm (around 45) lately.



1. Lizzie's graduation quilt, 2. 4 Seasons Dolls Quilt swap. Spring!, 3. Doll Quilt swap 5, 4. Four Seasons Quilt Swap - Spring, 5. Wedges!, 6. Doll Quilt Received from Woolly Interlude, 7. Diamond Fassetts - DQS4 Sent, 8. Doll Quilt Swap 5 received, 9. mini quilt taylor, 10. Rainbow Swirl Dolls Quilt, 11. Doll Quilt Swap 5 ready to go!, 12. Abstract #5 Mini Embroidered Art Quilt, 13. tree, 14. August 27 203, 15. rosie's quilt, 16. Doll quilt II., 17. Block sent to Kathy2859 for Buzz Cuts, 18. triptych, 19. aunt millies garden-2, 20. Drunter und Drüber; Higgledy Piggledy, 21. En Route, 22. First Try, 23. For the Birds, 24. Finished ! last day of 2007...., 25. Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts, 26. Brunswick Street, 27. Katrina Quilt Square 'flowers', 28. French Press Cozy - detail, 29. Quilting Exhibition, Llangollen, 30. Bursts and Arrows Quilt, 31. bento box quilt, 32. Spring Bento Box - Doll Quilt Swap III, 33. Doll Quilt, Complete, 34. chicks, 35. my new log cabin, 36. I found a quilt top today!

Hope you are having a great day!
Blessings - Amy

Moody Monday

Not me - thank goodness! The skies. Even though we have a serious winter here - it is mostly sunny, not too much of these overcast days. A good trade off in my opinion :)



Time to get my bloggy butt in gear - I can't believe I haven't posted in a week!

Most of the costumes for Ella's production at school should have been dropped off at school this morning. Speaking with the other mom's about them has been fun, and challenging - it's rarely quiet around here :)

The one giving me trouble is a red/white stripe tee for "Smee" - of course I thought this would be the simplest! ugh. Short of paying $21 on Amazon I haven't found a good cheap shirt that will do - so I'm thinking I just need to paint stripes on a white shirt. Or applique!? That just occurred to me - hmm.

Anyway - have you ever painted on a shirt? What sort of paint did you use and would you use it again?

I need to get this done, tonight or tomorrow - that's the trouble of living in a small town, any crafty place is at least a 1/2 hour away and a mountain pass to bout! I didn't plan for this - I thought for sure I could find one online :P


Maybe I am a bit punchy today . . .