Tree of Life (Accuquilt Cut) in Orange

 Tree of Life block in orange was made this week.  This is a die from Accuquilt.  

The block measures 14.5" (14" finished).  I'm not sure how many blocks I will make.  I'm not sure of how I will set them.  Time will tell.  I do like this block.  I need to remind myself that I pushed the needle adjustment four times (right side) to get the 1.0 setting for the seam allowance to get that nice 1/4" seam.  If I don't record this somewhere I will forget if I pushed the button four or five times and my blocks will come out different sizes.  We definitely don't want that.

I'm linking up with the RSC23.

Tree of Life Block in Aqua -- Accuquilt Cut

This week I made a Tree of Life block in aqua.  I really like the colors in this block even through trees aren't this color. 

The pieces were quickly cut using the Accuquilt BOB (block on board) die.  I got this die for Christmas last year.  The block measures 14.5" (14" finished).  I'm not sure how many blocks I will make.  I'm not sure of how I will set them.  Time will tell.  I do like this block.  I need to remind myself that I pushed the needle adjustment four times (right side) to get the 1.0 setting for the seam allowance to get that nice 1/4" seam.  If I don't record this somewhere I will forget if I pushed the button four or five times and my blocks will come out different sizes.  We definitely don't want that.

I'm linking up with the RSC23.

The Bob Ross Experience

Last night I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to a painting class at one of our local libraries.  The free class provided supplies to paint this photo.  An old Bob Ross video played.  We tried to learn techniques from Bob Ross.  Every once in a while the librarian would hit pause and rewind.  We would look at it and then paint some more. 

I'm happy with my first adventure.  I see myself taking this free class about once a month if it is offered.  I really think it looks much better in person.  Happy painting!

I thought of what it would be like to have sat by my friend, Linda, if she were in my class.  A little smile stayed on my face thinking about the relationships I have made during my quilting/blogging/life.

 

Longarm Quilting Complete

I finished the longarm quilting on a quilt for a friend.  I returned it this week.  She will trim and bind it.  I used my giant Circle Lord board called Egyptian Eye for the quilting on it.  I did not finish the center of the eye and left that area open.  My thread matched the solid backing of the quilt perfectly.  

 

DIY Journaling Bookmark (and Pencil Pocket) --- from SEW CAN SHE

Today I made this super cute bookmark/pen holder.  It is a DIY project from SEW CAN SHE.  You can find the tutorial here.  It is a super-fast project!

When I look at in on my book on my desk I don't see the uneven bottom.  I didn't switch the foot on my sewing machine to the general metal foot with the red, painted-on marks.  This is my photo-type project.  I know my top stitching could be a little better.  I was happy to have a quick, fun, functional finish that I left my 1/4" foot on the machine.

The pattern on SEW CAN SHE is larger than this one.  I cut both sizes of pieces down to fit this journal vs. a standard notebook.  I'm going to make one for our son soon since he journals daily also.  Where did I put that Batman fabric...  Where is that cool elastic with the lace on it when I make one for the college girl that sits next to me in church?  Oh my brain is going in different directions this Labor Day holiday.  Short school week this week -- woohoo!

I also didn't stitch straight down the middle because my pen sizes.  They fit nicely this way.

Oh, and see that pen with the ribbon on it?  Thankfully I don't know anyone fighting that battle right now.  But I did buy a box of 100 pens (and they write really nice) at our local "bin" store for $1.00!!!  What a deal.  Ours is called Where Ya Bin?  It sells overstock and return items from Amazon.  On Fridays they put out the "new" stuff; everything in the store is $14 each.  Each day the price (and inventory) goes down a little bit.  By Wednesday, everything left in the store is $1.  Thursday is 25 cent day.  There are little piece parts left here and there.  They close early on Thursday to clean up all the leftover stuff and to get ready for Friday again.  It's a fun trip for our son and I on $1 day -- sometimes.

Yellow Tree of Life

It took me a while to make this block today.  It's called Tree of Life.  

The pieces were quickly cut using the Accuquilt BOB (block on board) die.  I got this die for Christmas last year and I thought it was finally time to use it.  The block measures 14.5" (14" finished).  The reason why it took me so long to sew it was that I was interrupted by a sick kid.  Because it is a holiday weekend, I took him to our local stat care waited a few hours to get him a z-pack for a sinus infection.  I just didn't want him to suffer all weekend.  He's been coughing since Wednesday afternoon.

Back to the Tree of Life block...  I'm not sure how many I will make.  I'm not sure of how I will set them.  Time will tell.  I do like this block.  I put a picture of the process/layout below so that I can remember how to sew them together to make it quicker and easier next time I make one.  I also need to remind myself that I pushed the needle adjustment four times (right side) to get the 1.0 setting for the seam allowance to get that nice 1/4" seam.  If I don't record this somewhere I will forget if I pushed the button four or five times and my blocks will come out different sizes.  We definitely don't want that.

Here's another fun fact... so do you want to know why I used black for the tree trunk?  

It's because I found this piece in this size.  Accuquilt really helps me best utilize my scraps!

I'm linking up with the RSC23 for today (even though we were supposed to move on to teal this month.)

Finished Quilting

 I finished the longarm quilting on my 91 year-old friend's quilt.  It's all party on the front and business in the back (unlike some of my favorite 80's hairstyles...)

Above is a photo of the quilting.  

The finished product.  Whew... Glad that gently-used yellow sheet was long enough.  That was close.

Using the yellow sheet as an excuse to post with my friends at RSC23 and to say hi!  I'm not 100% thrilled how I didn't hold the nice radius turns in this design.  I'm pretty sure I had the wrong stylus now that I look at the wiggly lines.  It is not really noticeable fron the front with the scrappy strips.