On-line Classes

Before I describe the above image, let me update you on my computer issues.  By last Thursday, I had the new computer.  I took pictures, downloaded the software for the new camera and was ready to write this post.  Guess what?  Our internet went down...for the whole weekend.  Hopefully all is well now with good old Verizon.

I signed up for two on line classes through craftsy.com , one called "Stitch and Slash".  I watched all of the sessions at one sitting.  This took about 3 hours total, but I like to know where I am going with a project before I start it.  The pillow pictured above is my first project based on this class.  It was so much fun to do that I'm going to make a few more.  In fact, I have piles of coordinated fabrics just sitting on my cutting board waiting for me to start.  The size is about 15" by 20".  The fabric is all batik.

The other class I signed up for is a spinning class.  I have a spinning wheel that I have never quite mastered, so I'm hoping that the class will be just what I need to make me a master teach me the basics of spinning.

Ready to Post...One Small Glitch

On September 1st I ordered a new computer.  This was very exciting for me because my old laptop had lost all the audio, so I could not hear anything, and it has no memory left.  Well the poor thing is 8 years old, so it is time for a new one.  That new computer was supposed to be delivered on the 5th.  On the 5th I received an email that said that my order was being processed and it would arrive on the 10th.  On the 10th I got an email which said I would get it on the 14th.

By the 14th I was a bit frustrated, so I contacted the computer company (which shall remain nameless, actually I'll tell you if you email me privately.).   After finding out the "chat" person could not help me, I was referred to a phone number.  I pushed all the right numbers and was disconnected.  I pushed all the right numbers a second time, told the computer voice I wanted to speak to a person.  She didn't understand me, not once but three times.

I was finally connected to a guy named "Brille" (it must be a real name, I had him spell it for me).  After explaining my problem i.e. no computer, the conversation went something like this:

Brille:  You ordered the computer from our business department and you are not a business.
Me:  I ordered it on the phone from a person named John who told me it would be here on the 5th.
Brille:  But you are not a business.
Me:  John knew that.  Maybe he sent the order to the wrong department.
Brille:  But you are not a business.
Me:  Yes, we have established that.  I just want to know when I will get my new computer.
Brille:  We can't send it to you because you are not a business.
Me:  So how do we straighten this out?  Do I need to send in a non-business license so you can send me a personal computer.
Brille:  Someone will be contacting you.
Me:  When?
Brille:  I don't know.
Me:  What division are you in?
Brille:  Customer service.
Me:  Can't you do this?
Brille:  No.
Me:  I want to cancel the order.
Brille:  You want to cancel the order?
Me:  That is correct.
Brille:  Then you won't get the computer.
Me:  That is correct. There are other computer companies out there who will be glad to take my credit card number and send me a computer.
Brille:  Alright I'll cancel it.
Me:  Have I been charged?
Brille:  Oh no, we never charge until its shipped.
Me:  Good, give me the cancellation number.
Brille:  The what?
Me:  The cancellation number, you know the number that says that this is a canceled order.
Brille:  I don't have that.
Me:  Of course you do, its right there on your computer screen.
Brille:  Oh, O.K.  and he gives me a 7 digit number that at this point I'm sure he made up.

I said good bye, got on the computer and ordered a computer from another company.  They say it will be sent on the 17th, we'll see.

In the meantime, I got a new camera for my birthday.  Its great.  I love it.  But I can't down load any pictures to post because it only works with Windows 7.  Which I won't have until I get my new computer.

Almost Back to Normal

Over the last week I have had several emails from some of my followers wondering why I haven't posted recently.  I appreciate your concern.  On May 23rd, my mother passed away.  It was not sudden; she knew she was dying.  Putting her on Hospice was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but it opened up conversations (with her) and she had time for all of her grandchildren and other family to visit and say goodbye.  She planned her funeral and the reception following and she wanted it to be a celebration.  And it was.  I miss her tremendously, but know she had a good life.

About a week after she passed away, I told Dan I had to get away for a few days.  That same day we had an email from Princess cruises with a "last minute" deal on a cruise to Norway.  So, with only a few days to pack, we flew to London and then went on a 12 day cruise.  Mom would have loved it.  I feel she was with me, I wore some of her clothes (we were almost the same size), tried and failed to read a book a day (Mom read a book a day right up until the last few weeks of her life), and just relaxed.

This was my first trip in over 2 years other than brief trips to visit grandchildren.  And right now I'm packing for another trip, one that I had planned since early spring.  My son-in-law is in Glasgow doing research and I'm flying over with my daughter and 2 grandchildren next Thursday.  So I won't be doing any more blogs until I return from that trip, but I have every intention of getting back to a normal routine by the end of the summer.

I'm hoping that all of you are having a creative summer and look forward to visiting with you again in the fall.

A Brief Hiatus

I'm taking a short break from blogging. My mother has been back in the hospital for the past week, this time with pneumonia.  She is somewhat better, but I need to be with her in the hospital.  Yesterday, we had a problem with medications and if I hadn't been on top of it, she would have missed an entire dose of IV antibiotics.  Unlike those of you who live in large metropolitan areas, we only have one small hospital and don't have the option to go elsewhere.  This leaves us at the mercy of those who work there, some very good ones, and some not so good.

Hopefully by this time next week all will be back to normal.  I am missing my sewing, but have knit quite a bit while just sitting!

Easy Ornament Tutorial

 

I know that its over 8 months until Christmas.  Maybe I'm early, but I decided to make these little ornaments to give as gifts to people who visit during the Artisans Guild Thanksgiving Weekend Tour.  So I made 245, to date.  And that's probably all I'm going to make, because I narrowed my Christmas fabric down from 2 boxes to 1 box.  Also I ran out of snowflake sequins.  If I run out, too bad.  You should come on Friday or Saturday if you want one.

 To make these you need a total of 4 circles of fabric (2 for the front and 2 for the back).  2 are cut  4 inch diameter and 2 are cut 3 inch diameter.  You will also need needle and thread, a piece of ribbon about 4 to 5 inches long, 2 snowflake sequins and 2 seed beads.

I'm using this piece of origami paper to illustrate this because it has a definite right and wrong side.  It is metallic, so there is some reflection, but its the only piece I could lay my hands on today.

Fold the circle in half and then half again to find the center.  You can either place a pin to mark it or just crease it, as long as you can tell where the center is.

Open the circle and fold one side up to the center.

Now, working clockwise, fold the corner to the center.

Fold the next corner to the center.

And the next corner.

And the next....

Now all raw edges are inside except for the tiny point.  This will be covered by either the smaller one of these or by the sequin.  Here is the order for making the ornament.  Have your needle threaded and knotted before you begin.

• Fold one of the 4 inch circles as above.
• Put the needle into the back, bring to front (in center) and make one stitch.  Thread and needle are now on back.
• Make a loop of the ribbon and stitch this onto the back.
• Make another 4 inch and sew this so that the two circles are back to back.
• Make a 3 inch and place on top of one 4 inch, stitch through all layers to other side and add another 3 inch.
• Now sew on a sequin using a seed bead to secure it.  
• Go through to the other side and do the same
• Bring needle to center (between the two 4 inch circles) and secure with a few stitches.

Done!!

It takes me 7 minutes to make one, not counting the time to cut the circles.  I've got it down to a science.  I just got out my calculator and figured out I spent 28 1/2 hours making these.  That's really kind of sick.

Here's a picture of my pile.

Back to Work, Hopefully

Its been over a week since I wrote, but life has a way of happening.  My mom was in the hospital over the Easter weekend, so I needed to be in and out of there to be sure she was o.k.  One of my daughters came to visit with my grandson.  But today, I finally was able to go over to the store and sew for a few hours.  I'll have a new project to show you in a day or two.

Sew much fabric, sew little time.

An Easter Project

This blog was going to be about a Christmas ornament that I am making, or rather ornaments, because I'm trying to make 300 and just finished number 158.  Then I thought "wait a minute, its Easter, no one wants to make these ornaments now".  (Well, except for me, I'm kind of obsessive-complusive).

Then I remembered this little quilt/table topper I made a few years ago for a sample in my shop.  And after an extensive search, I found it in a box.  The eggs are colored with crayons and it is a good activity quilt for your children or grandchildren.  The only real quilting on it is around the eggs; I quilted and appliqued at the same time.

You will need:

• 1/4 fabric for border
• 1/2 yard fabric for main part of quilt
• 1/8 yard fabric for binding
• 1/4 yard white fabric for eggs
• Small amount of fusible webbing for back of eggs.
• Backing
• Batting
• Fine line permanent marker (optional)
• Coordinating thread, Crayons.  They do not have to be fabric crayons, any will work, but don't use markers because not all are water-proof.

Finished size is 26 by 18.
Cut 2 strips of fabric for the border, 3 1/2 inches by width of fabric.  Cut each of these into two pieces, one 26 inch piece and one 14 inch piece.
Cut the main fabric into a rectangle, 14 inches by 20 1/2 inches.  Sew the 14 inch strips of border fabric to the top and bottom, then sew the side borders on.
Now make a pattern for the eggs.  Mine is 5 inches long.  I just sketched until it looked right, but there is a tutorial on how to draw an egg here.

Next press the fusible web onto the back of the white fabric, following manufacturers directions.  Trace your egg onto the fusible and cut out.  Fuse the eggs onto the quilt.

I have 7 eggs on my quilt, you could have more or less depending on how large or small you want them.

Layer the top, batting and backing.  Using a small zig-zag stitch, applique the eggs to the quilt, stitching through all layers.  Add more quilting, if you wish.  Cut binding fabric and bind as usual.
Now the next step is optional, but I drew designs on the eggs using a permanent maker.  You can just let the kids make up their own designs.  Let the kids color the eggs with crayons and then to make the color permanent, place a paper towel over the eggs and press with a warm iron.  This will heat set the crayon color and you'll be able to wash it after Easter.

I hope everyone has a Happy Easter and/or Passover.