Goodbye 2019 and Hello 2020!

I know Im early, but if I don't post it now, it won't be until next year that I say it.  2019 has been an interesting year of sorts, one of self reflection, rediscovery, and growth. 

I have taken a huge leap into self marketing my business. I am now an ETSY store owner, and I am starting to polish up my home website. I added an Instagram Business account, and linked my Twitter to it as well. And today, I ordered updated business cards. I am excited and hopeful that 2020 will be the year my little business gets noticed!

 Some of the tops and projects this year has been about. I saw this star quilt (red/green) and was just smitten with it. I then went on to make another version in Purples and Teals as a gift to the daughter of a very dear friend. It has become one of my most inquired about quilts. I am already thinking up another color path for it!

 Of course, it's not about sewing. Many miles and time went into riding this year, and we saw some very neat things, from Deer and Turkey, to how fast your silly horse can spook at a Butterfly. Becca and Jack continue to learn each other, and good or bad, they are making a connection. We also added another kitty to our clan, Mouse. And she loves to help me NOT work.

Some of the non-quilt goodies I am making for my store. Stars are especially popular because they are good for everything, not just Christmas. Gifts, gift tags, a pretty addition to that bottle of wine. Stinky car or closet? No problem, just add some of your favorite essential oils to one and you have a pretty air freshener.

Fabric gift bags are also fun. Last year I gave them as gifts to all the boarders at our barn and filled them with goodies for both horse and rider. 

Well, thanks for reading, and I will be back. With more updates and links of course to my sites. Check me out under My Quilt Corner on Facebook, and ETSY. I would love the feed back! And Happy Holidays and a Beautiful New Year!

No quilting, sewing, or relaxing.

As the title suggests, it has been a really HARD last two weeks.

One May 6th, my family made the very painful decision to let go of our 12 yo Pommie, Maggie. She came into our lives as a puppy, and was a great adventure. She was a little younger than my youngest child, and was a staple in our house as we added new kitties. She as a goofy girl with some very bad breeding, but a heart of gold. From a glorious maned Pomeranian, to a scruffy patchy old timer, she was always true to her family. Cancer eventually beat her down, and we gave her the best end we could muster.

The same day, Jupiter, the kitty that walked literally into our lives, and proclaimed my husband as his own, decided it was time to have a full medical crisis. So, back to the Vet we went to see what we could do to make him better. Into "isolation" he went with a treatment plan. The vet called to check on him a few days later, and I was pleased to report he was on the mend. So I thought. Shortly after that, as cats like to do, he tanked again. Back to the vet, and home now with a small pharmacy.

If it wasn't enough stress, the Vermont weather decided to take one more stab at Swinter (Winter behavior in Spring). Rain, rain, and more rain. Oh, and snow. Thankfully, on the mountains, and not down in our Valley, but the temps were NOT spring like.

My head decided it had an opportunity to strike and oh did it. A full on Migraine with Vertigo, Nausea, and a healthy dose of Panic.

And to top it all off, I was told by a VERY dear childhood friend, that their health had taken a very severe turn for the worse, and Hospice was in the immediate future. This is a person that I admire, enjoy talking to, and have shared health issues of both theirs and my husband. Parenting is tough, and we have talked extensively about helping our children through the trials of a very ill parent.

But, now it is the weekend again. My meds are starting to work, my friend's pain is being managed, time has reminded me that we focus on good memories and not dwell on the silence, Jupiter is his usual spunky self again, and my husband and children are well.

Not every week will be a stellar sewing week I realize, and sometimes, we need to slow down and see life for what it really is. A journey, and a series of hurdles, that make us wiser, stronger, and more prepared for the next round.

It's not a gorgeous sunny day, but it's warmer, and not raining. So, I will open the windows, put out the flowers, and maybe play with fabric. Or read a book. And absolutely, go to the barn.

Spring Break 2019 (mom style)

So, what does Spring Break look like around here? Well, some sun, some rain, some .....snow. Yep, April, and there's still snow on the mountains, and a few flakes trying to land in our yard.  But that's ok. We have horses. 

Becca and I spent a bit of the week riding. Finally got out on the trails. So excited, I forgot to pull out the camera. Tuesday was a special ride because Becca got to take a lovely mare out for a ride that boards at out barn. We went out with the barn owner and had a blast. This mares owner asked if someone could spend some time with her, and Becca was all about it!

Of course, we also did house stuff, cat stuff, and other stuff. You know, it wouldn't be break if I didn't ask my teenager to clean her room at least 50 times. No pictures needed of course....any parent knows.

I took some time to clean the studio area. Parted ways with some supplies I won't use, for a machine I no longer have. And some project items that I abandoned. Plus I "found" a few of my older quilts that just got tucked away. Can't sell them, but will probably gift them at some point.

And then, the quilts. I managed to knuckle down and finish two quilts I have been sitting on. I have an addiction to fabric. Which leads to a love of making tops. But then, I slow down. I am NOT a fan of the pining to quilt stage. I dread making the back, the sandwhich, and the pinning. And then picking the thread, and fighting with my machine over tension issues. But that's another post completely. 

So, two tops, quilted, bound, and proofed. Ready for homes. And funny enough, now I want to "finish" more. Including a stunner my mom sent me to do. So, I guess the pretty fabrics and new patterns shall wait a little longer. 

And if you are still reading, I would love some feedback on any Seller experience with Etsy. I am going to dip my toes in that pool, and see if I can sell my treasures there.....Would love to hear the good, bad, and whatever. 

Till the next post, keep your world colorful!

What a week looks like.

Sometimes I realize I do more than sew/quilt/hoard fabric. I also have a house to run, people to feed (my family), and pets to admire. 

We recently added a new kitten to the family. This was a big deal after the year we had, and it has been a rebirth of sorts for us. Her name is Chloe and she is a pure bread Maine Coon. Let me tell you, so far, she lives up to everything you can read about them, and more. Loving, affectionate, people focused, but also a real sprite, and trouble maker. The other cats have learned to tolerate/adore her, and everyone has their role in her up bringing. Even Sophie wants to be in on the kitten love.

Chloe wants to be my new work supervisor, making sure I stay on task.

. 

Becca and I had a fun adventure out in the snow. 

Sophie finally won over the kitten.

And Milo has survived another winter with only a minor accident (and not so minor vet bill.)

 So this past week was a whirlwind of unexpected late season snow, topsy turvy temps, and a few mishaps. But we survived, and got lots of pictures in the process.

Now to finish another quilting project, move on to two more, and then to hopefully start creating more tops. I had intended to quilt more of the UFO's but I find that it pains me to go too long without building a new one. 

A new binding.

This is the quilt I just finished. A beautiful pattern called "Half and Half" by Missouri Quilt Company. I used a collection by Nancy Rink. Prints, not Batiks (I know, right?). Backed it in a super soft, brick red flannel, and used a blush colored hand dyed batik (there it is) as the binding. Hung it up in my space (Bookcase) and took pictures. Then I left it hanging.

Why?

Well, to admire my work before it (hopefully) sells. To motivate me to finish another. And to scrutinize my work. And I did. And the more I looked at it, the more unhappy I became with it. Now, I know we are often our own worst critics. But we are also the most honest. And the more I looked, the more I realized what was bothering me. The Binding.

Usually I work with a 2.25 inch strip. It gives me a tight, rolled edge. I sew it on, and then also use my machine to sew it down. I KNOW there is a huge debate out there over front to back, back to front, hand sewn or machine sewn. I choose to double machine sew it because 1. I am not entering in a quilt contest, and 2. My objective it to make it as durable as possible. aka. Washable, dryable, kid friendly. (But that's another post all together.)

I realized what was bothering me were wavy, flat spots in my binding. Places where I could feel all the layers of the binding, but NO quilt. Not. Ok. Then it dawned on me, I had used a different ruler to cut my strips, had gone on auto pilot and used the marked points to cut. Those are 2.5 inch marks.

Lots of thread

So, the real work began. The quilt came down, and the seam ripper, trash basket, and clip light came out. 3 nights of watching (listening) to TV as I slowly ripped out a full size quilts machine sewn binding.


As I did this, I realized I had also sewn way too close to the edge. So, at least that was one less line of thread to rip. I could just sew in from the original spot, using up some of this extra fabric, instead of completely removing it and cutting off a 1/4 inch of fabric.

So, then it was back to the machine. And since another issue was the original thread was red, I used it as a chance to change up my color and use a better matched blush thread. Kept the red on the back.

Now, the quilt is finished, with a nice rolled binding, in a size I can admire and be proud of. I have come to recognize my own evolution as a crafter. 10 years ago, I would have been frustrated, and thought "oh, well. Live and learn. I will do better on the next one." But not now. Now, I realize it's not about the time it takes to make a project and finish it, but the quality of the work, and the pride of knowing it's done correctly, and well. I stand behind my statement, that I stand behind my work. I make quilts to be used, seen, loved, and worn out. But over years, not months.

2019 Already?

So, I realized after several YEARS of sewing, selling, and growing, that I had done NOTHING with my sites. And since Word of Mouth is a large part of my business, it was overdue and time to update.

In the time since I have posted last, I have:

*Become an equestrian and owner of 2 horses

*Become the mother of two adult children (they graduated HS and "aged" out of the home)

*Become the mother of a teen again (the youngest is now 13 going on 30)

*Said goodbye to some amazing pets, and gained new ones.

*Added a Long Arm sit down machine to my studio

*Discovered a love for Rulers and Batiks.

My work has taken on a new direction, and I am finding I love working in many colors I never used to consider. Besides my beloved Blues, Purples, and Greens, I have started exploring Reds, Oranges, and earthy tones.

I made a number of quilt tops and then let them sit. My focus as I enter into 2019, is to finish what I started and sell them. Some I have finished and am selling as it. Others, I am posting so that a potential buyer can have some input to color and backing material. I do not have a pantograph or computerized machine, so I still quilt in a more overall simple edge to edge. But in my time, I am mastering the art of the rulers. So much fun!

The other difficulty I have had with keeping up with posting is the iCloud photo hurdle. I take all my pictures with my phone, not a stand alone camera. And it is not as easy to upload to my platform anymore. So, while I figure this out, I apologize for the lack of pictures. It will be something I figure out soon I hope. 

Meanwhile, so pictures I do have, to show what I have been doing, and where my time has been spent.

 Bonny Hunters 2018 Mystery Quilt "Good Fortune"

 Quilt I am selling called "Color Study" with a beautiful Jinny Beyer Fabric line.

My second "Pick and Choose" quilt, sold.

A quilt my mother made, that I quilted on the long arm with rulers.