Quilt Block Boot camp

I feel like I have gone to quilting boot camp to finish my latest project. A few months ago I joined a quilt block swap. I am not quite sure what I was thinking except for that this was right up my alley. I consider myself to be more of a knitter and crocheter, but when I went on a yarn diet a few years ago to try and finish a few projects, I ended up buying fabric instead. Then with my fabric stash, I started buying sewing books. I never had the intent to quilt, more like make curtains, pillows and home accessories. Well that really never went anywhere, once I stumbled upon many blogs that have such creative ideas I sort have been interested in just about anything and everything. My confidence was up after I finished my first quilt. A baby gift for my friends new baby boy, Preston.

The pattern for the quilt is from Jenny Ryan's Sew Darn Cute. This is one of my favorite books I own. The project was pretty easy and small mistakes still looked good. So then my next sewing accomplishment was my knitting bag, which is the Amy Butler Birdie Sling Bag Pattern. I absolutely love it and it turned out fabulous.


So all of this boosted my confidence and when I saw the post on Oh Fransson's blog about a holiday scrappy quilt hosted by Beth at modernjax, I thought... I CAN DO THAT! So I signed up. It was quite humbling when I started making my scrappy quilt blocks how much I just don't know about quilting. My first few were totally crooked, the colors looked funny and I could not seem to get the finished size. I did not give up however, and I have to say I feel like I have learned so much from this swap, it has been invaluable to me. After going to Fabric Depot in Portland and stocking up on more bright fun holiday fabric and some not holiday fabric that just looked neat, I learned these things.

1) Steaming your fabric when ironing does indeed distort you squares. I have a very powerful Rowenta iron with a steam tank and so I thought, crisp seams here I go, blast, blast... then I read that is not so good, started being more gentle... instant results.

2) I needed to pin. I am not sure why I did not think of this at first, but pinning my pieces really helped me get straight seams. I always pin everything else, I just didn't see Oh Franson doing it so I didn't, peer pressure I guess? I realized I am kind of new at this so taking the extra effort really helped.

3) Squaring up. It is so hard to cut fabric in a perfect line. I tried so hard, but once I figured out to leave things a hair big and trim them down while I was assembling the block, things go so much better!

4) Scant seam allowances. I am not sure which swapper's blog I read this revelation on... whoever it was, thank you. I knew nothing about scant seam allowances. To account for my trimming I used really, really scant seam allowances just to be safe. Who knew... but now I do.

The whole process has been very intense. Making something for someone else really made me want to figure this whole thing out. I kept telling myself, "it is supposed to look scrappy". But I really didn't want to send something that looked crappy! I think I could keep making them for a long time. I am a little obsessed and could keep going, but time has run out. I must send what I have off to Deb, Amber and Chelsye. I really hope they like them. Thank you so much Beth for putting this together, I feel like a changed person because of it. I have a whole new craft I want to master. I also have always wanted to make things for Christmas, but never start in time. Thank you, Elizabeth for your amazing tutorials. I really had to study them and I still have a lot to learn. I am amazed at your talent and am so great full you choose to share it...

So here they are, Christmas Swap Blocks...

Happy Father's Day

Today I rode Ellie in another day of the Father's Day weekend Jessica Wisdom clinic.  Again as usual I have been blessed by her "wisdom" and we had two great days of riding.  I am always working on my position, and I have to say, I have not been keeping up on my cardio workouts lately.  I am exhausted today.  Now we have this week to prepare for the Letter Perfect Dressage show this weekend.  It is hard on today not to miss my step-dad Kyle who passed away a few years ago.  I know he would be really proud of me right now and I know he would be very excited to go to the show next weekend and watch.  I also know that if he met Jessica, he would really like her and like how much she helps Ellie and me.  Today I want to tribute Jessica's wonderful stallion, Cardi.  He is the father of my next dream horse... I already have two others, but Bentley is the next one.  I am so great full that I have three amazing horses.  Happy Father's Day Cardi, thanks for being Bentley's dad.

Our One Month Anniversary

Here we are on our honey moon in Maui.  I am happy to be home, but it was only a month ago we were getting ready to get on the plane and go.  Time has gone by fast.  I really was mesmerized by that beautiful water.  I think in my next life, I could be a scuba instructor and take people out on daily excursions like we went on.  Ah, the memories.

To Do Lists

I am not sure why I make to do lists.  I always have this false sense of reality that if I am organized I might actually get some things done.  I usually end up making such a long list, that even though I do some of the things on it, I feel defeated, because I did not do EVERYTHING.  Today I did quite a bit, but I seem to have been sucked in by the couch at the end of the day.  I should have ridden my horse tonight and I should have worked on some of my projects, but after going to work and finishing some education that was due, grocery shopping, putting together my new weed sprayer, cleaning horse stalls and weed spraying crazy Himalayan Blackberries that are trying to take over, then making home made pizza with sausage and goat cheese, I just could not do anything else.  Guess I will transfer those last few things to tomorrow and see how it goes.  

Blog I Miss You

After my feeble attempt at blogging on a regular basis, I failed twice.  Here I go again.  I feel I have a lot to share and a lot to say.  I read so many others and am inspired, but sometimes I feel as though I am just talking to myself.  At this point, I am realizing maybe it is still a good outlet.  I have also pondered the theme of my blog.  I have several crafts and and busy life, but I just cannot settle on a blog about my horses, knitting, sewing crafting, getting married, exercising, meeting goals... just not sure what to pick.  I am feeling really liberated at the moment and since I am pretty much talking to myself, I have decided the theme will just be about me!  I love all of those things so I might as well spread out my topics.  I have a lot to catch up on.  Kasey and I got married almost a month ago, and I have to say married life is pretty nice. Here are some pictures of our wedding and honeymoon.  Also I completed my first dressage show with Ellie Maye, and Bentley my youngster is going to turn three next month.  Things are just moving along.

I'm almost ready

Just back from my first shopping day for the holidays.  I got my mom's birthday present at Lucy and then went to get the items I need to start putting together my holiday gifts for this year.  I better get started, instead of looking at blogs.

Christmas Spirit

Every year I say I am going to make hand made gifts for the holidays and even though I get a few done I don't get them all finished.  This year I am going to try and have a better plan.  My sister started a new idea this year to do more like a White Elephant kind of thing so we do not have to get so many gifts.  I agreed that it is really tough to buy everyone a gift that is thoughtful yet not budget breaking.  I was all for drawing a name and then finding a gift for that person, so I could put some thought in it.  Everyone else wants to play that game where you can take a gift or steal one that is open, me no like that.  The rules are that we can only spend twenty dollars and it needs to be for the kitchen.  I was kind of not into it until I thought, I could make that fruit and veggie tote I have a pattern for, include some handmade dishcloths and kitchen scrubbies.  Then I thought what great things to make for my friends.  They will love that.  So now all of the sudden I am in to it and ready to get started!  So excited.  My other goals this season are to make some pretty cookies and to take some special Christmas pictures of my horses.  When I fist got Ellie, my Christmas card always involved her in a Santa hat, then I did it when I got Pilgrim.  That pony of mine though, he might be a little tough about it, but he is going to have to make his Santa debut too.