Progress

I am progressing forward in several areas.  First off, my Chocolate Covered Caramel Apple Storm at Sea is taking shape.

The piecing on this quilt is very challenging, but I am pleased with my results.  It is one of those projects that cannot be hurried.

Another area of progress for me is my first ever smart phone.

Seriously you ask?  My first ever smart phone?  Yep, and I love it.  I knew I would, and why I waited for so long to get one is it's own discussion, but I have one now, and wow.    Today I started, and completed day one of  "couch to 5K"  plan with the help of my new phone.  I am in no means a runner, and don't really have a goal of running, but  I want to get more exercise than I am getting now.  I am a walker, but lately I have not even been doing that regularly.  I am hoping that I will follow the plan with this app, and improve weekly.  All I know right now is that I completed day one, and I am feeling pretty proud of myself.  I won't post every challenge, and I originally didn't think I would post about day one, but for me, it was a definite challenge, and  sharing it helps validate it for me.

And, just another quick update on the Pi shirts and Pi day.  It was great fun.

Here is all the "mathies" in their Pi shirts, enjoying yet another day to celebrate with good food.

Thanks to all of you for joining me in my activities, goals and journeys.  I do like your company.

Esther

Frixion Pens

Frixion Pens for quilting? These pens are not made specifically for quilters, but many quilters are using them for marking their quilts.  You can buy them at office supply stores, I found mine at Staples.  If you haven't heard of these, the marks disappear with heat.  Yep, you iron it and the marks are gone.  Or are they?  They are gone until the fabric gets good and cold, and then they reappear.  So, can or should you use these for quilting?  Here is my own test.

With a hot iron the marks are gone.  Neat and clean.  On this sample I marked the parallel lines repeatedly on the same line.  I probably over marked but I wanted to try different techniques.

This is the same sample after a few minutes in the freezer.  I don't know how cold the fabric has to actually get, I just put it in the freezer, and the marks came back.

I did another sample that I did not iron the marks away, I just wanted to see if the marks would wash out.

This is the first sample with all the over marked parallel lines, and after washing and re-freezing, the marks came back.  Only the over marked lines came back, but they did come back.  Once again, I ironed them and they went away.

This was the second sample that I did not iron before washing or freezing, and the marks did not reappear.  

So, what does all this mean?  The majority of quilters that I have talked to, or who have talked in classes about these markers do not recommend them.  Their concern is that the chemicals from the pen are still in the fabric even when the marks are gone.  And, if the fabric were to get cold enough the marks would reappear.  Now would this really happen?  Would someone actually put their quilt in the freezer?  Probably not, but what if the quilt was left in a cold car, or taken or shipped somewhere very cold?  I could see this happening.  And, I don't know how cold is cold enough to make the marks come back.

On the other hand, if you marked lightly, and did not go over the same line repeatedly as I did in one of the samples, the marks disappeared in the wash, never to be seen again even in a deep freeze.  So, I will leave the decision up to you.  I will say that I use these markers, especially for the diagonal lines drawn for HST.  What I like about these markers is how easily and clearly they mark the fabric, it is a nice thin, clearly marked like.  I think there are pros and cons to all types of fabric markers, so hopefully this post gave you some information on the Frixion Pens.

I would love to hear your opinions on these pens, and as always, I appreciate you reading.

Esther

Velveteen Backing

I don't post all of my edge to edge quilts, but I wanted to post this one because of the awesome backing.

This quilt has velveteen for the backing, and it worked beautifully.  It adds such a richness and depth to the quilting.  I had no difficulty working with it, and will keep it in mind for future projects.

The large blocks have a pheasant design on the fabric which I didn't get a close up photo of.    Everything about this quilt works well together, and I think Carol will like her finished quilt.

Thanks for reading, I appreciate your company.

Esther

Preparation

Next Thursday is March 14, or as my family fondly refers to it as Pi Day.  This year we planned ahead and have our Pi Shirts ready to go well ahead of time.  You cannot see it well in the photos, but the fabric in the applique is all numbers, so it fits the theme perfectly.  With the clothing out of the way, now we all can focus on pie preparations next week.

This has become one of our favorite holidays and traditions.  How about you and your family, do you all celebrate Pi Day, or maybe you are a May 4 person?  You know,  May the fourth be with you.  While that one is not my thing, I think it is funny none the less.

Thanks for reading, I appreciate your company

Esther

My Craftsy.com obsession/addiction

Craftsy.com    I know you quilters out there have heard of Craftsy.com, but I also know that I have several non blog or quilt related friends that read this and I want to share my total recommendation for this clever site.  I have enrolled in several classes, quilting, jean making, and even one on planting in containers.  Several of the classes are free, and there are often sales on featured classes.  Either way, it is a great deal.

Once enrolled in a class, you can watch it whenever you want, as often as you want and your enrollment never expires.  While there are multiple quilting classes which is what lured me in at first, there are so many other classes for knitters, beading, baking, and more.

Why this endorsement for this web site?  No reason except I like it, and if you are not familiar with it, you may like it also.

I want to make a pair of jeans using the instructions in "Jean-ius", and I also want to make some children's clothes, and decorate fabric with "Stupendous Stitching"  and hopefully have success with an herb garden this summer.  All this just gets added on to my already long list of to do's and want to do's. but that is alright with me.

So, there you have it, my endorsement for Craftsy.com .  I hope you find a class you enjoy,and if you do. let me know.

I appreciate you stopping by,

Esther

Springtime in the Almond Orchards

Springtime in the Almond Orchards is beautiful.  We are surrounded on all sides by acres and acres of Almond Orchards, and this time of year they are all in bloom.  It is like a fairy land.   I always like walking the dogs through the orchards, but springtime is definitely my favorite.  The weather is beautiful, warm days but not hot yet, so it is darn near perfect.

Thanks for reading, I appreciate your company.

Esther

What I am working on now

I received an application in the mail to a "Choc-Full of Fiber"  Chocolate Festival. This is a  fiber show and competition of chocolate inspired entries.  I thought I might try to make something for this event.  Inspired by chocolate.  Should be an easy one, but I found myself somewhat uninspired.  I am one who cannot force inspiration or creativity, when it hits I feel lucky.   What came into my mind was my fondness for Chocolate Covered Caramel Apples..  Then I "remembered" that I have always wanted to make a Storm at Sea quilt, and now I have an idea.  A CCCA Storm at Sea.

I did a lot of coloring trying to come up with my own interpretation of a Storm at Sea.  Who knew this design could be so versatile?  I finally came up with a plan, and here is my start.

  Hopefully the colors represent Chocolate, Caramel and Apples.  I will keep you posted on my progress.  Wish me luck.

Thanks for stopping by,

Esther