What Defines a Successful Day?

Success can be summed up as a lot of different things to quilters. Most of us would say a day was successful when we powered through a project, or maybe even got through a tough part we were dreading. But can a day be called successful even if you never see the inside of your sewing room?

It all depends on our personal definition of success.

Plus One or Splitting Hares Finish

It's early here. The clematis paniculata is in full bloom already. The outside lights haven't even shut off yet, but I have to run out to get you pictures before my busy day starts. I think the colors are showing off truer, too.

I am most thankful the Plus One is done. Isn't it amazing that we can pick out fabric, dream it up and stitch it all together, and it still gets changed up into something more than what we anticipated?  I love that moment we see it for the first time. Our creative energy investment is fulfilled. But, you know, I feel so emotionally connected to something while in the throes of the project, and the minute it's done I'm off thinking about the next one. Call me fickle, Doxie girls. It's the thrill of the project!

It's not a secret, and most of you know I am really the newbie out here.

First Adventures in Free Motion Quilting-Splitting Hares

Yesterday was a hoot! I nearly completed my first quilt by machine quilting. What a time savings over hand quilting!

I started by marking the quilt top with the design I thought I would use. I used a quilting pencil, and it was a good thing because it changed half a dozen times. To remove, you just blot with a damp, cool cloth, but then you need to wait until it dries to re-mark it. I thought about a hair dryer, but heat will set some marking pencils and pens. I tried to pick easy designs, but not everything looked right. Finally, I was sure of the center block, and decided to just start quilting.

Purely a Labor of Love-Splitting Hares

Labor Day Greetings, Doxie Girls!

What do people say to you when they hear you quilt and sew? Do they share with you their own passion--I hope so, or do they say, "Oh, I could never do that! It's just too hard." Well, Yes and No. Yes, it is kind of hard in the beginning, but we all start somewhere, and we get better with practice. No, it's not impossible, but it does take effort. I would venture to say that to some of us, and especially as beginners, it could be defined as "labor". 

Splitting Hares

Yesterday was an enlightening, productive session for me. I completed the new baby quilt design, finished the cutting, started the piecing, and made a new personal rule for myself. I need glasses for distance, but not close work. Therefore, my glasses are on and off dozens of times in a sewing session, and I can't tell you HOW many times I've lost them. How frustrating!

New Rule #1-- If I take them off, they go on my designated doxie tray by the machine. No exceptions!

I've Been Quilting in My Dreams

Good morning, Doxie Girls! Did you sleep soundly or like me, did you dream about quilting all night long? I swear there are nights I can't shut put my ideas to sleep with me, and I wake up knowing I was quilting in my sleep. I sure hope this gets better!

Churn Dash Done

My little Churn Dash, or Double Monkey Wrench, or it goes by yet another couple dozen names, made with 1930's reproduction fabrics, was finally done this morning. I finished the hand quilting yesterday, but needed to do the binding through the evening. I popped it into the washer with a Shout Color Catcher, and took it outside to dry in the shade. I made it for a family in another part of the U.S., and I specifically wanted a very traditional baby quilt from the Midwest.