This signature block came in this week. Gave me a good giggle! Glad the cowboy could come in off his horse to make me a signature block! To hear other funny facts from the ranch, visit my friend Shelly's Blog, where you will often here hilarious stories of life with the cowboy.
If you want to make me a block the link is in the side bar with all the info!http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/2014/01/pretty-please.html
Checkout the current issue of The Quilt Life! I have a article on my "ROOTS" and a quilt pattern included! A few of the quilts listed in the article will also be on view with my 12 Double wedding rings at the Wisconsin Quilt Museum, June 25th- October, 2014 The issue has many great stories in this month, so go check it out. ;-) Love the cover… Very clever! I'm very excited to be on staff now, writing for the magazine. I admire both Alex and Ricky so much, I'm touched to be taken in, to help out!
By the way, the workshop has sold out at the Wisconsin quilt Museum, but you can still come to the lecture! …And if you are a member of the museum, you can attend the special Member's only talk about my quilts that will be hanging. FUN! (go join, and become a member!) See you there!
I'm getting close to getting the classroom in shape here… A bit more odds and ends to put away, but now I find my mind switching to packing mode for the family trip to India! I can not wait to share photos with you!
I'm getting my books handy for reading material on the plane… so far I have Pride and Prejudice, and Persuasion, as I've never read them! …and I also have Forgive me, Leonard Peacock. So i should have it all covered...
And the best $1 I ever spent?
Check out the video!
Why is this the best tool in my sewing room?
The toilet brush allows me to pick up tons of loose threads from the carpet, but amazingly I prefer to use it for loose threads on finished quilts. If they are still attached it is easy to lift them with the brush and cut them close or even pull them so I can tie them off and pop them in.
ReplyDeletea toilet brush?? - ingenious.
ReplyDeleteI use a sticky lint roller to remove stray threads from unsewing, and a chopstick to help turn and push corners out. I love the toilet brush idea, too, although my design wall is a flannel backed tablecloth. You are so cute!! Have a blast on Vacation!
ReplyDeleteI found an old hair roller that my daughter had. The surface resembles velcro. It is efficient as well.
ReplyDeletecool trick. Mascara brushes are good for getting the lint in sewing machines...I'm told you can grab a few at sephora where you can sample mascara...
ReplyDeleteI've got to get one of those special design-wall brushes next time I'm doing errands! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteYour room is really looking good now. Bet your friends are looking forward to their 'free' vacation in New York as much as you are looking forward to India. Enjoy :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant tip; I'm off to IKEA soon for a loo brush too.
ReplyDeleteMy unusual sewing tool is a wooden sateh skewer which I use to keep the last piece of seam staying straight when it goes under the feed dogs. I use a wooden rather than a metal skewer just in case the needle hits it; I think it would be less dangerous.
i use the nylon scrubbies that are used in the tub to wash your body with to clean off my cutting mat of all of the threads that get stuck into it.
ReplyDeleteLove the t. brush idea! I have a strong magnet on a handle (bought at a toy store) to pick up dropped pins. I also use a clay pot I made in college for storing scissors, pens and pencils. Hand broom and dust pan (a set from $1 Store) to pick up snippets and threads. Bulletin board to pin on gloves, pictures, etc. things to keep in view. Box tops and/or bottoms (from Costco) for project boxes, keeps all tools and fabrics,, patterns, etc. together to carry to the L room for evening sewing or ripping.
ReplyDeleteI happen to love all those little threads on my design wall, but I will keep the toilet brush in mind when I want a clean canvas. My favorite little tool is a bamboo satay skewer (like Marly's) that I use for opening up little seams to press without burning my fingers....and to steer my little postage stamps into the sewing machine ...and to poke those points under when doing needle-turn hand applique. Lotta bang for the buck!
ReplyDeleteoh my - genius toilet brush idea !!! thanks so much for sharing - my design wall is full of threads and I've been using (unsuccessfully) those sticky lint sheets !!
ReplyDeleteLove the toilet brush idea! I use a sticky roller. With your motivation I've been I've been cleaning up and refreshing my studio! What a cathartic experience!!! Kinda weird---having difficulty with getting back to creating and working on stuff---don't want to mess up my beautiful, organized, CLEAN, space!!! Once I start a project ---I'm in crazy mode and fabric starts to fly all over!!! As far as unusual tools---I guess I'd have to sY my storage sources---you see I love old,vintage, and re-purposing items, and have a particular passion for old dolls--I buy old doll furniture--cribs, doll chests etc... And use them to store fat quarters, thirties fabrics, patterns, and tools!! Love to put my special spin on my sewing studio decor!!! Have a great trip!! Please send photos of all the wonderful sites!! what wonderful cloth and fabric you will be exposed to, tell us about all your fabric purchases as well! Hugs and happy travels! Congrats on becoming part if the quilt life staff!! It's one of my favorite quilt mags!
ReplyDeleteI use a pipe cleaner, tip folded down, to clean the lint inside my machine. gets in all the little nooks!
ReplyDeleteLove the toilet brush idea! I have been using a lint roller to get the threads off and it does only an ok job. My favorite tool is a brick. Yes, a brick covered in a layer of batting and then some fabric whipped stitched on. I have two of these in my studio and they are like a pair of extra hands to hold down fabric when I am trying to layout backing, batting, and tops for pin basting. I also use them to hold down rulers when rotary cutting. They are just handy weights to have.
ReplyDeleteso where is Shelly's blog?
ReplyDeleteYeah, that would be helpful right? Lol !
DeleteShelly's blog... http://prairiemoonquilts.com/?page_id=62
HAHAHA! The old saying is true...the best things in life are free...or at least only $1.00!
ReplyDeleteWish I lived near you to take advantage of meeting you and seeing all the local quilts~ Hugs~
super duper duper cute!!!!!!! Love this post!! xo
ReplyDeleteI use a wall seam roller (for seam tape on dry wall) as a seam press on my blocks, so I don't have to get up and iron as often. I also use a wall suction cup handle (for bathroom walls) as a handle for my rulers. I get all of these items used (clean) at thrift stores for a buck or less. I love to repurpose items when I can.
ReplyDelete