How does this machine work??

I LOVE my sewing machine…..

Decals from http://www.urbanelementz.com

Actually, I love BOTH of my sewing machines…..

But I have never truly understood how they worked!!

A few days ago, while perusing the internet as I spun on my Elliptical Machine at the gym, I found this great YouTube video that goes a LONG way to explaining how it works…..

Now, I have a bit better understanding of why my tension gets wonky and what happens when the timing gets off.

I hope that this helped you to better understand your machines!!

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“Let’s Get Scrappy is about how to decide, not about what to make.”

Let’s Get Scrappy is an on-demand online course that helps quilters overcome decision fatigue and finally make sense of their overflowing scrap bins. With four hours of step-by-step video instruction, you’ll learn simple systems for organizing, piecing, and pressing your scraps—so you can stop overthinking and start sewing beautiful, coordinated quilts with confidence and joy.

Click HERE for more information about Let’s Get Scrappy!!

Unplug to Reset

One of my last posts was about my need to rest and reset.

Anne Lamott said this….

I took this advice, and….guess what…..IT WORKED!!

We had a marvelous time on our African adventure, and I spent much of my time simply relaxing and taking in my surroundings.

I am coming back energized, organized, and ready to get back into life….physically, emotionally, spiritually, and creatively!!

For the rest of this week, I will be sharing stories and photos from our wonderful trip and then, starting next week, we will get back to creating.

At this point, I don’t plan to resume DAILY posts but will certainly keep you in the loop of everything that is going on!!

Thanks for your support!!

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In this blog, I post stories about creativity, techniques, tools of the trade, and lots more about the wonderful art of quilting. If you are enjoying these posts, please subscribe to be notified of each new blog as it becomes available.

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Plans for a 15-hour plane flight

You can call me crazy, but I RELISH a long plane flight!! I have time…..

to think,
to plan,
to sleep,
to watch TV Sit-coms or movies,
to listen to music
to play games on my phone
to play in Procreate (that reminds me, I need to find the online course that I purchased)

There is NO pressing need clutching for my attention, no errand to run, no client email to answer!

This evening we begin the 15-hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg, and I am ECSTATIC!

I thought about planning a quilting project to take with me, but as I reported yesterday, I am creatively spent.

I am looking forward to the trip, to the amazing animals and countryside that I will see, to the markets that I will visit in Maputo, Mozambique, and to again experiencing the beauty of the Kalahari Dessert.

As we travel, I will be posting some stories from the trip, but may not be able to link them to Facebook or any groups.

SO…..if you don’t want to miss the trip, be sure to subscribe to the blog…..

An Introduction to Chihuly

I enjoy lots of different types of art, but one of my favorites is Dale Chihuly.

Sadly, I have only seen a few of his pieces in person, but loved this one in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London…..

I have often wondered more about who he was, and so was excited to find this video that talks about his start in the art world.

VIEW VIDEO HERE

Such an interesting man!!!

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Do you have a stack of scraps that you want to use in a fun design?

Check out this pattern for a quick and easy scrap quilt that will help empty your bins and bring a smile to your face!!

Full Color pattern includes step by step instructions for blocks and border.

Click HERE for more information.

Y2K

The other day one of my Facebook friends posted a photo from 1999….something like this….

It is fun to think back to the potential chaos that never happened!!

But what does this have to do with quilting?

My guild has a “sharing table” where members and friends bring things that they want to pass on to others. At our last meeting, there were numerous boxes of fabrics, ranging from cotton prints to fleece and flannel yardages.

Now, I REALLY don’t need any more fabric, but I have been looking for white-on-whites that can be used in my scrap quilts. I find that the whites are a wonderful juxtaposition for the myriad of fabrics and colors in the quilt.

So, when I saw this piece of fabric, I grabbed it to add to my stash.