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.

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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.