Aren't Friends The BEST?

I am overwhelmed by the blogging friends that have all taken time to
send me some blues for my dad's quilt.
 I received more in the mail this week. 
This is a GREAT thing as I need to add some more variety to the mix. 
Also I received a package from Australia from Badskirt Amy. 
She just happened upon some Mendocino and I scored BIG with her help.
 Thanks Amy!

These blues also came along from Amy. 
Hey, so I just noticed the black spots on both of these pics.
 I will have to check and see if that is really on the fabrics when I get home! 
I suppose I can work around! haha



These are the other blue packages I have received, one from Brenda
(a fellow Michigan quilter)
Thanks, Brenda!

The other is from Jan Maree.

Spectacular!! Thanks Jan Maree.

I did manage to get a quilt bound this week but have not been able to get any photos, hopefully soon! DH came home last night and it was good to have him home. 

 I brought the dog with me to go and pick him up as he was going to be at his work

 so the dog was allowed.

 I think she almost had a heart attack when she saw him, it was hysterical!! 

She may be even more excited to see him than I was! LOL. 

The cats were not impressed.

Have a wonderful day!

~XOP~

My Dad's Quilt and There's A New Blogger In Town

I'm back to work today and I can't believe it is almost time to go home already!
The day went by so quickly.
Just thought I would take a minute to share the progress I've made on my dad's quilt top.
 I managed to sew (after loads of unsewing) the first 4 rows of the quilt.
 I have 2 rows of 2 sewn together.
I like the effect so far.
 What do you think?

Also, My DD2 has a good friend that is her age that loved my quilts sooooo much 

it made her want to learn! 

Specifically these two Noah's Ark quilts that I made using a panel and designing around them.

(Sorry they are so tiny here, my actual pics are on my FB and this is how they loaded here)

I made these for a friend that had twins. 

So anyway, my new quilting friend is Stacey, and she just started a quilting blog. 

 Her blog is called "My Old Quilting Soul".

 So if you have a minute pop on over to her blog, leave her a comment, maybe even become her newest follower! 

 She would be so happy to have you. 

 It's so important for us to encourage new talent! 

 She is already talking about fabric she *needs* to buy. 

  Welcome to the club, Stacey!! 

Tell her Mama Spark sent you!

~XOP~

Fun Facts To Know and Tell

I was so very excited to start on the pieced part of my dad's quilt today.
  I made 2 blocks and went to put them with the snowball block and guess what?
 The triangle corners on the snowball block were too big!!
 Now I learned something last year about putting a small square on a larger square and flipping it to make the triangle that I am going to share with you.
 DON'T CUT THE EXCESS OFF.
 Why you ask?
The reasons, for me anyway, are two fold.
 1- If you mess up and have to re do the block everything is still intact and can be saved and
2-It helps keep your block square.
 Kind of acts like a foundation.
 I would have been sunk today if I had trimmed like I used to.
 I took some photos to show you what I mean.

I left all three layers intact as you can see here.  

Sure made my life easier today! 

Now for some tips on reverse sewing. 

I don't know about you but I HATE reverse sewing.  

These are some things I learned that make it slightly less painful!

 First I break the threads with the seam ripper, about every 4-5 threads like this

Then I lifted the thread from the other side like this,

Which makes all the ripped pieces pop up.

 

Then I use a piece of tape to get all the little broken threads off the fabric.

  It keeps the work area clean and I feel it is probably less stressful for the fabric you are taking the threads out of. 

Another thing I learned today, since I had to re-cut all the corner squares from 3 7/8" to 3 1/2"was that  if I pay attention to the way I turn the square, I ended up with the previously sewn line off set. 

 I felt like that was better in that I would not have to sew directly on the old line. 

You can see what I mean here where you can see the old sewing line and now if I sew corner to corner it will not be over the old line, keeping the fabric stronger.

Did anyone happen to notice there is not a drawn line corner to corner on this square? 

 I hate drawing those lines so I found a tool to use so I don't have to.  

There are 2 out on the market that I know of, The Angler 2 and Clearly Perfect.

  I used to use The Angler 2  but now have Clearly Perfect. 

 I like it better because it

  I put my fabric where I want to start sewing and line the bottom "point" up with, in this case, the center line on the CP and as I sew I keep that "point" aligned with the center line on the CP.

Interestingly, you don't watch the needle but rather the "point"
 keeping it on the center line as you sew.
 Sure beats drawing all those lines!!
 It is also an awesome tool for making HST too, although you align your fabric differently.
The CP allows for making fairly large HST blocks b/c the lines extend quite a way.

One more tip I learned recently is that you should pay attention to how you load your bobbin into the case, if your machine has a bobbin case.

 By that I mean whether thread goes "over" the bobbin or comes from "under"

 (kinda like your TP roll). 

 If you hold your bobbin case and gently pull the thread the bobbin should spin clockwise. 

 For my Bernina it means I load the bobbin into the case with the thread coming from "under". 

 I never knew that!

Can you tell I am avoiding more reverse sewing?  LOL 

 Anyway, the pieced blocks are a snap to sew together and I have managed to get a few sewn together, hey it's a start right?

They are turning out soooooo cool!!

 I hope you are all having a better day than I am so far.  

The good news is I have all day to work on this! 

~XOP~

Due to Poular Demand...

One of the things many of you have been asking me is the name of the fabric line the bird panel comes from. 

So here you go, it's called World of Susybee for  Hamil Textile Design #SB20139. 

The shop I got the panel from is called Quality Quilting. 

This is their phone number  (734) 929-5169, so if you need them to send one to you, give them a call and I bet they would be happy to send it to you!!

I thought I would show you some of the blues that I have received from a few blog friends for my dad's quilt. 

Thanks Dar and Diane. I also received a package from Mary.

She was very generous with many colorful Christmas fabrics! 

I forgot to take a photo of them though, but thanks to you too Mary!

It has been so fun to receive these little fabric bundles.

I was sitting in my family room watching tv and this is what was sitting on my right.

I love my cats! I love my blog friends too!

Have a wonderful day!! 

~XOP~

Superbowl Sunday and I Need Your Help

Today is Superbowl Sunday!
For those in the US you know that means lots of fun food and great TV commercials oh yes, also a BIG football game.
I need to go to the store today and get the stuff to make some chili for our house!
Maybe some wings too.
We will see.
DH is leaving tomorrow for 3 weeks!!
His company bought some new air planes and now all the pilots need to go for new training.
I still have at least 1 maybe 2 more weeks off work for my "recovery" and am not supposed to be lifting.
So I need dog food (the giant bag) and cat food emptied into the bin so I can access it.
Also the laundry needs to be done today too.

I did manage to cut out the top of the quilt I am testing for Jacquie.
This is the same as the other one but in a larger size.
I can's show you the pattern but I can show you the fabrics I chose.



I have the blocks finished and would LOVE to be able to assemble the top today.
I fear that won't happen as I have "house" stuff to tend to before DH leaves.

I was playing in EQ last night, trying to design a quilt for my dad. 

Now, I don't know the program very well so there was a lot of trial and error. 

I would love to use it more.

Does anyone else feel like you spend more time on the computer rather than sewing?

Anyway, I realized that I needed more of one of the focus fabrics.

Of course.

So I ordered that. Here are the 2 focus fabrics

Here is the layout I came up with:

I will be putting the snowmobile fabric in the snow ball blocks and the golf balls in the white squares. 

Here's where I need some help!

I figured I need 112  4" squares and 224  3-1/2" squares!!

I am looking for blues, blues with white or black, but no other colors.

I would love snow flake or winter themed fabric.
No flowers though please!!

If you have a 3-1/2 or 4" strip or some squares you would be willing to send to me I would be forever grateful! 

Please email me at mamaspark@gmail.com and I will send you my mailing address.

My dad is 85 and he takes care of my handicapped sister.

I have made him some flannel quilts but I am hoping to get this quilt made for him before his birthday in August. 

If you can help me I would certainly appreciate it! 

I say thank you ahead of time, I know all my blogging buddies will help me out!

Have a wonderful day today watching the Superbowl or sewing while your hubby watches : )

~XOP~