W.i.P.

I feel like I have a million projects going on and little-no time to get them all done. November is.. tomorrow. Boyfriends parents come out around Thanksgiving (let's be serious, nothing will get done once they get here), then i'm traveling home a week later... and everything NEEDS to be done!

To do List:

1. Mystery Christmas Project (on instagram) - down to 3 sections, if you follow on IG, you've been seeing me griping, this project has been going on for 3 solid months, its getting to the painful point where even looking at it is aggravating.. just keep swimming :)

2. Christmas Orders - 15 makeup rolls done, 5 more to go, plus 20 pouches (pieces all cut, just need to get sewing.. this weekend!)

seriously loving my new tags :)

3. T-shirt quilts - 2 more to go, cut and ready.. waiting on backing to arrive

4. Stockings and tree skirt - This bundle arrived earlier this week, it sits, waiting to be turned into a fabulous gift

5. Surprise Christmas Project - not started, fabric isnt even pulled for this one..

6. EPP Pillows - not a "necessary" finish, but i'd like to (1 down, 1 to go)

7. Road to Tennessee quilt- top finished! 

Okay, that should cover it for now. If i'm quiet around here.. you know why.

I'm linking up with Lee

Franken-storm

So, though i'm early not on the east coast, i've been glued to the tv/computer because my family and friends are getting pummeled by this weather. High tides, full moon had the shores flooding before the storm even technically made landfall, throw in some 90 mph winds, it's not pretty. 

I woke up to this picture from my sister

My dog is terrified of thunder and lightning. She shakes uncontrollably and is inconsolable, etc etc. My grandma bought her a "thunder jacket" which i'm assuming is a weighted jacket, similar to the ones they use for kids with sensory issues (my only experience with them) -- no verdict on whether or not if works, but then again, not sure anything would work with the "perfect storm" hitting..

Later in the day, I got this text. Hard to see, but yes, thats a shark off my friends porch! See what i mean about the flooding? I never even thought about the flooding and how it would affect the marine life.. sheesh! 

Anyone remember my favorite summer place? Chincoteague Island? This is what it's looking like now..

1.6 million are without power in NJ and the storm continues to rage on. I've seen pictures of people surfing.. seriously! Don't be dumb, stay safe everyone, the entire east coast is getting hit! Sending prayers and thoughts to you all.

Halloween Blog Hop

Well, if you haven.t heard... you're missing out! Soma has been hosting a Halloween blog hop the entire month of October. Each day someone posts with an original paper piece pattern. When I first heard about this a few months back I was super hesitant.. i've only been paper piecing for a few months and had never tried to make my own!

Well, Soma is super supportive and encouraging so I decided to jump in. Not wanting to repeat anyone else's ideas as well as make something manageable, I went with a play on "Keep Calm"

By no means perfect, many things i'd change.. but i'll take it :)

As I was making it I adjusted the pattern pieces making them more blockish letters versus the pattern which is curvier. Also, this is a 10.5" block which means... those letters are teeny  -- if you're new to paper piecing, tread carefully.

The PDF's and templates are available. I will be updating them because for some reason the numbers did transfer over to the PDF file. (I spent hours trying to figure out EQ7 with this one) - I'll figure it out and get them up for you.

Be sure to check out the rest of the designs, there is some serious talent in this group and I cant wait to try the patterns out!

Blogger's Quilt Festival

It's that time of year again! Thank you to Amy for hosting this, it's always so much fun to see what quilt people chose and why!

This year when I was trying to decide what quilt I wanted to pick, I knew almost immediately it would be my Retro Flowers Quilt. 

This quilt started with the Retro Flowers QAL to help me learn something new - curves. Turns out, i love them! I was completely hooked. 4 turned into 10, 10 into 15, 15 to 20 until eventually.. I had 25 curves blocks. With each one I made, I got a bit better and it gave me more confidence in my ability. 

This was also the first time I really worked on my FMQ'ing (it was only the borders, I kept it small) but another personal achievement.

I used my all time favorite fabric line on this, Hope Valley and its something every time I look at I will enjoy, despite the hours I spent unpicking seams to get my curves to line up! :)

Quilt Stats:

Measures: approx. 70" x 70"

Pieced and Quilted: by me on my home machine

Categories: ROYGBIV, Throw Quilt

Entry Number - 267

Follower Friday - Erica

I'm not sure if the weeks are getting longer or its just me, but we made it again! We're back this week for some more..

Erica!

Specs:

Name: Erica    

Family: a wonderful, supportive, patient husband, a 4 year old daughter (Harper) and a two year old son (Jonah)

 

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Blog: kitchentablequilting.blogspot.com

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackmanfamily/

Day job: I'm living the dream, I stay at home with my kids

Dream job:  I haven't decided yet!  I love being a Mom now, but when my kids are older I would love to go back to school and get a graduate degree. 

What are you working on now? a wonky cross quilt for my sister-in-law and a fun, bright flying geese quilt for my daughter

(which is actually completed)

Favorites:

Place: My first thought was Costco but that's probably not the best answer, ha ha.  I would probably have to say my neighborhood.  We are really lucky to live in a beautiful neighborhood in West LA.  From our street I can see tall office buildings, the Hollywood sign, and the Los Angeles LDS temple.  I can walk to a swanky mall, delicious restaurants, and Sew Modern ;)

Movie:  Reality Bites.  I love the 90s. 

Food:  Chocolate Therapy from Ben and Jerry's. 

Way to spend a Friday night:  Watching a movie with my husband, and of course doing some sewing :)

Fabric line: Echo by Lotta Jansdotter.

Color: Turquoise.  Or gray.  Or purple. 

Designer: Sarah Jane.  I love her sweet designs, they are so perfect for my kids.

Project completed by you: That's hard, I get really attached to things when I make them.  My favorite thing I have done lately is my washi supernova quilt that I made for my sister.

Project when you need a quick finish:  Sometimes there is nothing nicer than simple squares sewn together.

Least Favorites:

Color:  Pastels

Fabric line: I don't think, it seems like there is always at least one or two prints in every line that I like

Project completed by you:  The first quilt I ever made.  I want to love it because I made it first, but I just can't look past all of the mistakes.  

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Thank you Erica for participating!

Seriously loving that Washi Supernova!!

If you'd like to be featured

email me at

knot.threads@gmail.com

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend, I know i'll be spending it doing holiday sewing!

:)

3x6 Sample Bee

Just wanted to let you all know that...

Sign ups for the 3 x 6 Sampler Bee are open today!  

This bee tends to fill up pretty quickly, so if you are interested, I'd suggest checking out the group, especially if you want one of the themed hives!  I'm not certain what themed hives there will be this time, but the last 2 quarters have had hives for: Sampler blocks, Pinwheels, Stars, Solids, Paper Piecing and a brand new one: Hexi's.

This quarter will run 1 November to 15 January.  This bee is open internationally, and to quilters of every skill level.

This bee runs on a slightly different model.
In this bee each person is assigned to a hive.  The hive has 6 worker bees and a caretaker.  
Each person in your hive will choose three colors and a neutral, and your hive mates will create your block in your chosen colors. Each person  in the hive uses her own stash fabric to makes SIX 12.5x12.5 blocks.  You can choose any block that fits the theme of your hive, but you make each one in the chosen colors of each participant. At the end of the quarter, each person will have 6 different blocks all made up in the same  colors.  

I just finished my first round and had an awesome experience so i'm excited to start with round two, though I think I was too specific with my colors last time, so they didnt work out exactly as I would have liked. Lesson learned!

Actual W.i.P!

It has been a long time since I've linked up, but it's not because I haven't been working, its because most of it is secretive stuff that I can't show because the recipients check the blog :)

1. Christmas EPP - just chugging along, not really sure what the destination is, but i'm enjoying the journey!

2. Road to Tennessee - These blocks have been sitting like this for a long time.. I finally got the motivation to start piecing and I finished it!

(sorry for the cruddy evening picture!)

3. Instagram Christmas project - I have 4 pieces left to complete :)

4. Commission Project - pieces cut, maybe this weekend

5. T-shirt quilts - orders for Christmas - one down, 2 to go

That middle is the new Kate Spain flannel!!

It's in the shop

6. Organizing - Boyfriend got me a shelving system to try and help me organize the chaos that is our apt at the moment.. I think the hardest part about not making a "forever" move.. to an island... is that you don't want to buy furniture, etc. because then you have to either sell it (hassle) or ship is home (expensive) -- this will work well :)

Lots to do this week(end) - How many weeks till the holidays?! I'm starting to see holiday commercials.. its too early!!! 

I'm linking up with Lee this week!

A little off topic..

This post is non-sewing related just a heads up!

I've been meaning to write/link up this post with Debbie's Tuesday at the Table for some time now.

Boyfriend and I are big time grill people, especially living in a constant summertime place

summertime is meant for grilling.

But, since we moved to an apt, we weren't really sure it would be an option,

plus, the financial aspect didn't allow for a grill purchase.

After scouring the internet, we came across this electric grill... still a bit hesitant,

electric grill? really?

We went with this George Foreman one after reading multiple reviews

and every single one being positive.

WE LOVE IT.

It comes with the stand, but the top comes off to make it a countertop grill also

Even cooking, temperature adjustment

Seriously, if you live in an apt, I completely recommend -- even if you don't!

Super easy to clean

We got ours from amazon - here

which also means free shipping :)

Now, this is in NO WAY a sponsored post,

just something i've found and love and wanted to share with all of you.

I'm linking up with Debbie's Tuesday at the Table!

New Additions

New flannels in the shop. How cute would these be for baby quilt backings?!

 

Kate Spain is always a classic, her colors are gorgeous!

 

These are listed in my shop, more coming in the next few weeks!!

Knotted-Thread

Happy weekend everyone!

:)

Follower Friday - Kelli!

Phew, I think life is finally starting to settle back into "normal"

After a hiatus last week

we're back in action now with

Kelli!

Specs:

Name:  Kelli

Family:  My loving husband, two sweet kiddos and our dog and cat.

Location:  North Central Florida

Blog:  www.smalltownstitcher.blogspot.com

Flickr:  I’m Kelli W or http://www.flickr.com/photos/23145638@N08/

Twitter:  not yet…I’m a hold out…

Etsy:  not yet…I’m too swamped with fun projects to get anything put in my empty shop!!

Day job:  Stay-at-home Mom and PTO Co-Chair J

Dream job:  just what I’m doing—only with more hours in the day so I could get more done!

What are you working on now?  A myriad of things—I’m finishing up a do. Good stitches quilt, a Christmas gift (from last year!) for my sister, a few Fall skirts and dresses for me and my cutie 8-yr-old and planning who will get the annual Christmas gift quilt from me this year.  I pick one person in my family each year to get a quilt for Christmas.  I like to spread the love slowly! 

Favorites:

Place:  The beach

Movie:  It depends on my mood.  I do love a good romantic comedy, but I’m just as apt to sit down and watch a spy thriller or action movie.  As long as there’s a good story, I’ll tune in. 

Food:  This one is hard to narrow down because I LOVE food.  That’s why I run so much!  But, for today, I’d narrow it down to potatoes, cheese, dark chocolate and steak!  Yum!

Way to spend a Friday night:  Somewhere with my husband and kiddos—whether it’s at a football game or home on the couch watching TV.  I love to be surrounded by the people I love best!

Fabric line:  I don’t have a favorite line—I usually pick out specific pieces in lines that I like best.

Color:  Yellow, aqua or hot pink

Designer:  I love the way both Anna Maria Horner and Amy Butler use both color and design.  I love Tanya Whelan’s romantic lines, and I love Ann Kelle’s use of color and geometric lines!

Project completed by you:  I don’t know if I have a favorite project because I love each (well mostly) one when I’m working on it, but lately I’ve loved the quilt I made for my son’s kindergarten teacher last spring and the big pillow I made for our aging dog.

Project when you need a quick finish:  I love to work on simple clothing when I need a quick finish.  A skirt for my daughter, some iron-on design cut on my Silhouette to a shirt or even a quick refashion…

Bandana Skirt:  http://www.smalltownstitcher.blogspot.com/2011/09/wip-wednesday-11.html 

Dress for me link:  http://www.smalltownstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-made-something.html

Shorts link:  http://www.smalltownstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/08/boy-shorts.html

Least Favorites:

Color:  Much to my daughter’s dismay, I’m going to say purple.  I don’t hate it, I’m just not drawn to it.  Much to my dismay, she’d wear purple every day if I didn’t offer other suggestions!  ;)

Fabric line:  There’s usually one or two fabrics in every line that I’m not fond of, but I can’t think of any line that I really just hate all of.  Although I will say I’m not a huge fan of novelty prints, generally speaking…

Project completed by you—Okay, let’s be real…If I don’t love it, it probably doesn’t get finished.  And if it doesn’t get finished, it’s probably not getting photographed for the blog.  ;)  So I’ve got nothing here for ya!

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Thanks for joining us Kelli!

As always, if you'd like to be featured

email me at

knot.threads@gmail.com

Happy weekend!

:)