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Designing Quilt Patterns

Advice needed on embroidery transfer patterns!

09:19 PM, Sunday, March 23, 2008 .. 3 comments .. Link

I have a question for you all... first I'll explain what we were doing. My husband and 2 daughters stamped some muslin with embroidery transfers. Then they used the sewing machine to do the stitching. Turned out really cool... BUT the stamps are not washing out with water. Does anyone know a trick or certain way that this should be washed out? The transfers are old, some from the 40s, some from the 70s. Could this affect the wash out ability? Appreciate any input as we don't have much experience with transfers. thanks! /P>

Long Arm Quilting Machines

12:39 AM, Thursday, March 20, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

This past weekend I went to a Creative Stitches Show here in Edmonton. It was a lot of fun for myself, my Mom and my 2 daughters. We saw a lot of gorgeous quilts, and a lot of friends. The highlight for me was to try out some long arm quilting machines. The first I tried was the Tin LIzzy 18. The machine ran well and I was happy with how my feathers turned out. The ladies who were helping me were so friendly, and I really enjoyed the few minutes that I spent with them. Next I tried out the HQ 16. What a nice machine. It seemed a little heavy, which I mentioned to the woman who was running the booth. She agreed and told me this machine had the computer on it. The machine has to be on a special track with the computer, which makes it heavier. Something to keep in mind, but I don't think I will get the computer to begin with anyways. Still a tough decision though. I totally need to try more machines before I make any choice. Anyone out in quilt blog land have any input at all?

A Fat Quarter Fabric Give Away - Can you digg it?

01:36 AM, Monday, March 3, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

So in the midst of filming a totally Fabulous tutorial on the Origami Drawstring Purse, I ran out of the thread I was using. Hmmmm... So I confidently opened my thread basket already feeling that spool of yellow thread that I needed.... and did not find it. Ok, so where is it? Then I remembered shopping that day at my local quilt shop, juggling my arm full of goodies, thinking 'Did I just drop something?' Can you guess what it was? I'll bet you can! So needless to say, filming on that tutorial has been temporarily halted. However... I was lucky enough to take pictures of another one that I made. So I have thrown a picture tutorial together and posted it on my blog. Okay, now to the good part. The Giveaway of said Fat quarters! I am having a give away contest. I would appreciate anybody visiting my website and reading about the purse tutorial. If you like it, then digg it! Once the diggs reach 100 I will give away some fabric! Better yet, I will do it again at 200, and 300 and so on. Digg is a great website that allows users to show their support for good content by 'digging' it. All you have to do is click the digg button on my blog page. Once you have dugg my blog, you will qualify for a Fat Quarter pack of matching fabrics that you can use to make the Origami Drawstring Purse AND a matching coin purse. Or use for whatever the heck you like, I don't care! LOL. Just check out my blog and let me know what you think! Here is the link: http://free-quilting-patterns.blogspot.com/

Exciting Collection of quilting Books

12:45 AM, Saturday, March 1, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

Every now and then I will shop online. You know, ebay or amazon, it's always something I have to have, and then I have to wait! Which I am not very good at, so I often check the mail long after the mail lady has gone by, hoping, hoping... So this was a very good week for mail! Monday we received notice that a parcel had arrived. But, we had to wait until Tuesday after 5! So very excited, on Tuesday evening I picked up that package. Wednesday afternoon, I received my new book Infinite Feathers - Quilting Designs, written by Anita Shackelford. What a beautiful book! The author is very talented at hand quilting, and her designs are truly infinite. I love the huge collection of feather possibilities. Personally I am not such a traditional quilter, but the basic idea is certainly something to work with. After I got home that afternoon, I was thrilled to find another parcel had arrived! 3 other books ordered ages ago, finally here. One on purses, another log cabins, and lastly quilting templates. Totally sweet addition to my quilting library. Well I'm off to explore my books and other stuff. Bradie

Quilting Software picked up from the post office

02:53 AM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

I just installed Quilt Pro 5 on my mac and so far it looks great. The book has led me step by step through the first section with excellent instruction. I browsed a little bit of the block library, but didn't get very far in. I've been waiting quite a while for the software. When it hit customs it got held up for a bit. I'm looking forward to trying out some paper pieced type of blocks. I often doodle little patterns I would like to try, and now I can bring to life. The program will print off rotary cutting charts, yardage requirements, and even foundation papers. I will write... I mean type more tomorrow, when I am fresh in the morning, or afternoon, or whenever I am not playing with my new program! Bradie

Beautiful Bargello Quilt Kit

04:05 AM, Monday, February 25, 2008 .. 4 comments .. Link

Well it seems that spring is starting to thaw the icy fingers of winter and that means that retreat is getting closer and closer. I have been looking forward to the get away this year, Fot Christmas, I was given (by my darling and loving husband) this Bargello Quilt Kit. It consists of 17 metres of 20 different fabrics. I am planning to get really organized, do all my cutting before I go, and just sew like a demon all weekend long. Well in between coffee and stuffing my face with calorie laden sweets, but that is neither here nor there. Here are the fabrics, and the pattern from my kit.

I totally love fabrics with gold trim, they are so elegant. I can not wait to get started. Anybody have any tips, please feel free to post, I would love to hear them, as I have not done a bargello before. Today was good, I managed to whip off another little Origami Purse. On top of that, I finished up the pattern with pictures and all. I just need my editor(aka Hubby) to look it over because mistakes do happen.(oops!) That pattern will be on the website in the AM. Tomorrow night I will make another purse and film a video of it. Well I guess that might be on Tuesday, because tomorrow night is my kids' quilt guild here at the house. We will broadcast live on ustream for the 2 hour meeting. Well except for the snack break, I'm pretty sure no body wants to watch a pack of teenage girls devour a pan of brownies in less than 30 seconds. Hey, who knows, maybe we'll inspire a new competitive eating category! Bradie

Top 10 tips for finding time to Quilt from a Mama of 7

06:54 PM, Saturday, February 23, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

1. Sleep is overrated. Quickly and immediately disregard any feelings of sleepiness.

2. Get yourself a crock pot and a dishwasher. Use them faithfully.

3. Teach your children how to use these appliances and always pretend that your dishes are clean.

4. Learn to iron by folding the clothes when they are hot from the dryer.

5. Teach your dog to vacuum and wash the floors. You will find this step very easy.

6. Keep all your cutters, rulers, etc as high up and inconvenient as possible.

7. Remember that the girl at the quilt shop loves to babysit while you shop.

8. SIgn up for as many retreats and outside quilting activities as possible. Your husband loves you and he doesn't want you in quilt rehab.

9. Drive thru restaurants were designed by quilters.

10. Lastly, each and every one of your children and husband also love to quilt. They just don't know it yet.

I'm totally kidding about #5. I don't even have a dog. Instead, we trained the 2 year old.(grins)

Hopefully Tonight

10:41 AM, Wednesday, February 20, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Morning everyone, and thanks for all your lovely comments on our little purses. Today is a busy busy day, we'll be getting new tires on one of our vans. I am planning to get the purse pattern up on the website ASAP, and I will post a link as soon as it is done.

Beaded Origami Purse

08:37 PM, Tuesday, February 19, 2008 .. 5 comments .. Link

Here are the purses my girls made last night in guild. Don't they have good taste in fabric? All the girls whipped one up in our 2 hour meeting. Super fast and easy! Mommy will make hers tonight. These ones were made from 9 inch squares, and they are perfect for make up, change or just in your purse. It can also be from a larger 18 inch square ( perfect for 2 Fat quarters) to make a purse size bag. What do you all think?

Thanks Cheryl

08:00 PM, Monday, February 18, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

I was hoping someone would do the editing for me... It's easy to miss something.

Raggedy Baby Quilt Fresh from the dryer

02:51 PM, Monday, February 18, 2008 .. 3 comments .. Link

Here is the baby quilt I've just finished. I took a close up to show the chenille. This quilt is so easy, it could be done in a day. It would be perfect for a beginner quilter. I have instructions on my website for this quilt. Let me know what you think!

Happy Sunday!

11:52 AM, Sunday, February 17, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Just a quick little note to say thank you everyone for your lovely compliments!! I'm adding all of you to my friends list!! Bradie

To quilt4younow

12:24 AM, Sunday, February 17, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

First of all, Thank you so much for your compliment, such a nice surprise when someone takes the time to look at my work. I'm looking forward to seeing your blog as well and I hope you don't mind if I add you as a friend. I can see you are a night owl... me too! When you have kids, quilting becomes an evening activity. I also broadcast live on ustream.tv filming pretty much everything I do in my sewing room. Late night is the only time it is quiet enough to do so!

Technorati spider

10:49 PM, Saturday, February 16, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Technorati Profile

Those are some big pictures you got there

10:17 PM, Saturday, February 16, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Think I'll edit the pic size next time....

My hummingbird applique art quilt

10:15 PM, Saturday, February 16, 2008 .. 5 comments .. Link

More Quilting is all it needs!

10:06 PM, Saturday, February 16, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

So I under quilted the border on my humming birds and I've been pondering what to do with it. The outer border has a leaf motif quilted through it. Now I plan to go back in and add some background Mctavishing to tighten it up a bit. I'm sure this will work, I'll be back soon to record the results. I'm also trying to put up a picture. Hopefully I can do it.

Monday Night Junior Quilters

01:43 PM, Saturday, February 16, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

I've just gotten off the phone with a good friend of the family and she has agreed to come and do a demo for my little quilters! The girls have really been looking forward to her coming because we get to do some beading. They love it those little teenagers. I'm happy because 2 yards of fabric will make 6 little purses. You can't beat that. I'm really getting hooked on this blogging business, I can really go back and actually remember what I was planning, because I blogged it! This is so much better than paper. I'll never toss out blogs in the midst of a cleaning frenzy. Speaking of cleaning frenzies I better get one started... we have a birthday dinner tonight. Happy Birthday my Anaka Rayne. I can't believe you 6 today! Love you lots Big GIrl.

New marking pen

11:44 PM, Friday, February 15, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

I went to the quilt shop and I managed to leave with one item! Impressive will power I think. I went looking for a marking pen, and an eraser pen. To my delight, Clover now makes a pen which has both pens in one!! So I bought it and ran from the store clutching my lovely pen. The first thing I tested on was my daughter's school uniform shirt... I know! Living on the edge. The happy ending id that it erases! Can't wait to try!!!

Visited a new quilt shop today

09:07 PM, Friday, February 15, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

and it was a nice little set up. Not too much inventory but a good start I would say. I hope they do well, they are off of my loop so I won't go there often. Guess I was just being nosy today! After that I stopped in at the quilt shop I used to work for. I made a sample for the store and she will now make kits to sell, and hang my quilt on the wall. It is a beautiful quilt, lighthouses, and tall ships. Fabric and pattern by SSI. I've got to get my latest pattern plan dow in words. I have my jr quilters working on a nine patch wall hanging. Super easy quilt pattern, strip piecing, only 3 fabrics, could easily be a quilt done in one day. Teenager attention spans aren't exactly miles long though! They are extremely creative, they will try anything, and I must remind myself that it is only fabric. We are inviting a guest speaker in soon. She is a guild sister and good friend of my mom and our family. She is going to show us a purse that takes 2 Fat Quarters, and is embellished with beads. The girls love the sounds of that! I have a great article about machine beading, I am excited because I would like to embellish my current project with beads. If it can be done by machine, then lets do it! I used to always do my binding by machine, but the more I do by hand, the faster I get! Figures huh? It looks a lot better too. I need about 30 more minutes on this baby quilt and I will be ready for pictures. I'm hoping I will receive my Quilt pro 5 software next week. I chose quilt pro over EQ because I work with a Mac. Quilt pro makes a mac version, EQ does not. I can't wait to get busy with the software - no more smudgy pencil drawings! I also have about 8 new books in the mail - am I going to be busy or what?! I really enjoy recording my projects as I work on them. Going back to watch again helps me remember a technique, or spot errors to prevent for next time! Plus it is a good way to make up instructions for the project that I did.

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