Linda: Candis: Happy Anniversary Candace. And an Early one to you Linda. Man that's a lot of years!! Yes, he drives me crazy. At this age it's like having a son to take care of all over again. (Did I say that!!!) But I wouldn't trade him in for the world. He doesn't question me about how much I spend on my quilting (never told how much I spent on my Bernina). LOL The older you get and the longer you're married, you realize that things that have bothered you in the past don't seem that important any more. Such is life!
Candis: Happy Anniversary Candace. And an Early one to you Linda. Man that's a lot of years!!
Happy Anniversary Candace. And an Early one to you Linda. Man that's a lot of years!!
Yes, he drives me crazy. At this age it's like having a son to take care of all over again. (Did I say that!!!) But I wouldn't trade him in for the world. He doesn't question me about how much I spend on my quilting (never told how much I spent on my Bernina). LOL The older you get and the longer you're married, you realize that things that have bothered you in the past don't seem that important any more. Such is life!
Hi Candis / Barbara --
I saw this morning the discussions that are going on in the RR3 forum.
I just wanted to let you both know how much I (and I know I speak for many others here) are very appreciative of your efforts to make the RR a fun and relaxing group. Between school full time, work full time, and life I need sewing and quilting in my life to be my stress reliever. The quilty friends I have made on QCA are amazing and caring people.
I have actually learned to go outside my comfort zone with the RR and eventually I will be a better quilter because of it. Part of my issue is I think I am partly OCD . . . . I like everything to be perfect . . . I am slowly learning to work with what I am given whether it's in my liking or not. That's what this group is all about . . . for me anyway . . . . a chance to experience other quilters ideas, visions, or opinions. Doing so will only help to make me a better quilter. So far the two quilts that I've had in this RR are gorgeous in their own right. Colorful, thought provoking and full of character.
When I am working on a quilt, I try to come up with a story for the quilt, or try to think about what the original quilter was thinking when she put it together . . . I take that to express the story in the border. The first quilt I worked on I imagined a meadow or field full of wild flowers with butterflies all around. This new quilt I am working on is a black and white quilt. Without color, other elements of the quilt take on a bigger role in telling a story. The lighting, contrast, and composition are much more important in a black and white quilt. Both of these quilts are equally amazing.
I will be a regular in the RR events.
So, Candis and Barbara -- THANK YOU!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Linda: Hi Candace, Happy anniversary. We are celebrating our 51st anniversary on the 17th.
Hi Candace,
Happy anniversary. We are celebrating our 51st anniversary on the 17th.
Congrats Candace! That's a long time with the same person. Mine has been spread between three. ROTFL I didn't intend it that way but... As my family puts it I'm a sucker for the under dog and strays. What a description. LOL. Hooray for the people who find the right one the first time around!!!!
gals you aren't going to believe what I did this morning. All that new fabric I bought for the current quilt top, well I had pencil graphite on my iron and didn't realize it. I went to iron the PERFECT green after washing and ironed graphite streaks on it. Oh s** t!!! It's now back in the washer, hoping the ironed graphite isn't permanent. Today just isn't turning out to be as productive as I had hoped. Phooey!!!!
aka Grandma Sunshine
Kristin, thank you so much for the validation! And the appreciation! You are very kind! Everything you said is my hope for all, for the Robin to be a learning atmosphere, a friendly place to come. We are all here for one another. We all have so much stress in our Ives on a daily basis. I wanted this group to connect with other quilters, to share my quilting life, to gain knowledge from others, to feel free to speak without judgement, just relax and find some joy. I love seeing others work, and working on their piece of art. Anyway, thank you so much. It is so appreciated, and I can tell heartfelt! I needed it today!
Maggie aka Grandma Sunshine: Congrats Candace! That's a long time with the same person. Mine has been spread between three. ROTFL I didn't intend it that way but... As my family puts it I'm a sucker for the under dog and strays. What a description. LOL. Hooray for the people who find the right one the first time around!!!! gals you aren't going to believe what I did this morning. All that new fabric I bought for the current quilt top, well I had pencil graphite on my iron and didn't realize it. I went to iron the PERFECT green after washing and ironed graphite streaks on it. Oh s** t!!! It's now back in the washer, hoping the ironed graphite isn't permanent. Today just isn't turning out to be as productive as I had hoped. Phooey!!!!
Oh my Gosh! You are having a rough time! I too if I put all mine together would have 50 years or so. I am with you, they are lucky to have found the right one the first time... Maggie, you keep making me smile this morning . Such a joy! Heh look you were sensored again or did you do that?
happy Anniversary to all those of you celebrating .. Barbara
EAT!! SLEEP !! QUILT!!
Candis, ROTFLMAO. No I did that so it wouldn't censor me. ROTFL Who new QCA censored what they consider inappropriate words. I guess freedom of speech doesn't apply everywhere. But hey, we knew that already. ;-)
Thanks Kristin,WOW I loved your explaination of doing a border ,that was amazing ,can I borrow that sometimes .I have often flet that wa but didn't quite know how to explain it .. Barbara
Okay, I say Congratulations to all the anniversaries first...
Next - I am going to put in my 2 cents - Candis I know you said end the discussion but I didn't have a chance to say anything - so please kick me in the butt another day! teehee -
I actually have something very nice to say to all of you! To step out of your comfort zone is fantastic - to step into doing a round robin quilt - oh my - and Candis is leading us in the best way...
It is horribly hard for women - yes women - to get tough skins - to take what someone is saying and not think that it is directed directly at them - most of the time when you ask a simple question that you think is simple and you wouldn't in your right mind think anyone could take offense - and wham they do - and then there is that answer that you give that you think is just funny and someone goes oh my is she directing that at me...
Well, no one is directing anything at anyone - and I am the biggest baby when it comes to this - my skin is thin and I always think that everyone is talking about me - then I get reality checks and realize I am just not that important in the scheme of things and to get over myself.
Whenever Candis says something to us, it is with the best intent - it is to help us and to give us a chance to see what we might not have seen...
Earlier this year I made a friend in Christine from N.C. and had set up where I was going to make quilts for her and she quilt on her long arm my quilts - well I sent her the first one... Now I have been sewing my whole life and quilting for a good 3/4 of it... so I would normally consider my self an advanced intermediate or a top level quilter - well in the first quilt i sent her I had made what I think of as a rookie mistake... and something that everyone who makes quilts should know if they don't...
it was a wake up call for me - I had gotten sloppy and was trying to be quicker and get a quilt done so I could go on to the next - this quilt had hung in the closet for a couple years before I sent it to her but it was a big mistake for me... I did learn and so did she - but I am saying this to you all so that you know that even if you know something and you think everyone else does too it doesn't hurt to give tips and experiences to help others...
If Candis gives you a tip it doesn't mean that anyone else is complaining it just means that it is something you should consider...
then when others comment - it doesn't mean that they are criticizing either - they are just carrying on a conversation and you can't see their facial expressions or the tone of their voice - so give everyone the benefit of the doubt - and be don't be like me but know that they are saying it with the utmost love and care...
I now for me, open my heart with a prayer to the Lord and tell him to let me be open and understanding of everything that everyone says and to know that all is said with Love and Caring and we have to be open to criticism to get better at our quilting...
Quilting teaches you patience and if you feel as if you are rushing - stop - take a break and then come back to it when you have the time and are rested so that you are great...
Quiting allows me to escape my body and forget that I am hurting... but I also do get rushed and that is what I did with the first quilt that I sent to Christine... I had been very lucky and when I was sewing on long pieces they didn't wander or wave - but my luck had run out on that first quilt that I sent to Christine and although when I pressed it - it did press flat but when put on the long arm it waved like a flag waving in the breeze -
The correct way to put on long border pieces is to fold both the in half and mark that half way point - pin at that point and then go to both ends and pin the ends square - then half each of these sections and pin - and half and pin until you have a pin about every 3" apart - if you do have some fullness this will equal it out all the way across - and one last thing with this - we call it the baggy bottom rule - you put the longer piece on the bottom and ease the top piece to it...
One other little tip I am going to put in here - if you are sewing a solid piece on to pieces that are pieced - put the solid on the bottom - and the pieced on the top - this is so as you sew along you can keep the seams going in the right direction - I learned this because I would get crossed seams (seam going to the left at one side and the right at the other) - machine just want to drag it down rather then allow a piece to go through the way it is supposed to...
Crossed seams play havoc when an individual is trying to quilt the quilt... if you do get them or find them in the middle of the quilt when you are doing that final pressing - Beth Ferrier taught me a trick so that I didn't have to go back and rip out seams to straighten this - you just clip the seam close to the corner - and fold it the direction you want it to go - press it down... do not cut into the seam though - just that extra fabric...
Okay - Candis - you have permission to kick my butt - NEXT WEEK - for putting my 2 cents in here - I do want to end with May the Lord surround everyone that is participating in this Round Robin with love and understanding for their fellow quilters and to give each of us an open mind to help and assist us on this journey where we are doing something new and wonderful I say this in the name of Jesus Christ - Amen...
Candis - Love you bunches - you are doing an awesome job....
Butt is sore so kick gently
Team 7:
I've been seeing the updates, thanks! Just wanted to check in myself to update you with my progress. My border for Kristin's center is designed and fabrics are purchased and I'm sewing away today. It's possible that I'll finish up today, but I'm really not sure. It all just depends on what else pops up around the house. I'll check in tomorrow morning to let you know if I was able to finish today or not.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Thanks to Candis and Barbara for organizing. I'm aware of the rules and am trying my best to follow them.
Thea, you are wonderful, and all positive comments are welcome! On any subject. Also thanks for the tips. I always learn from others, and your right , sometimes I think I know the basic stuff, then someone will come up with a way to make it better or easier, or just a different way. Thank you, And Bless you! I will refrain from the butt kicking, but I would hug you gently if I could....
Barbara, wasn't that a great way of looking at a quilt border? I'm going to try that with the next top that comes my way!
Thea: The correct way to put on long border pieces is to fold both the in half and mark that half way point - pin at that point and then go to both ends and pin the ends square - then half each of these sections and pin - and half and pin until you have a pin about every 3" apart - if you do have some fullness this will equal it out all the way across - and one last thing with this - we call it the baggy bottom rule - you put the longer piece on the bottom and ease the top piece to it... One other little tip I am going to put in here - if you are sewing a solid piece on to pieces that are pieced - put the solid on the bottom - and the pieced on the top - this is so as you sew along you can keep the seams going in the right direction - I learned this because I would get crossed seams (seam going to the left at one side and the right at the other) - machine just want to drag it down rather then allow a piece to go through the way it is supposed to... Crossed seams play havoc when an individual is trying to quilt the quilt... if you do get them or find them in the middle of the quilt when you are doing that final pressing - Beth Ferrier taught me a trick so that I didn't have to go back and rip out seams to straighten this - you just clip the seam close to the corner - and fold it the direction you want it to go - press it down... do not cut into the seam though - just that extra ... Butt is sore so kick gently
Crossed seams play havoc when an individual is trying to quilt the quilt... if you do get them or find them in the middle of the quilt when you are doing that final pressing - Beth Ferrier taught me a trick so that I didn't have to go back and rip out seams to straighten this - you just clip the seam close to the corner - and fold it the direction you want it to go - press it down... do not cut into the seam though - just that extra ...
Thea, I'm a picture and words learner. I'm not sure i completely understand what you are explaining. There's always one in the crowd! Are there any tutorials I could review to make sure I'm understanding this correctly?
I also want to thank Candis and Barbara. I am having a blast!
I have most of the blocks done for Barbara and am working on tge applique. I wont have any trouble getting it done by the end of the week.
Chicagoland, Illinois