Category: My Life

Family Time, Hot Tips, My Life

New uses for old rotary cutter and blades

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Do you have any rotary cutters that you no longer use because you got a newer and better one?

I do too, and finally decided to make that my paper cutting rotary cutter.  I used to change blades from fabric to paper on the same cutter, then I got smart and started using an older, smaller cutter to cut just paper.

I’ve used that cutter to cut apart lots of paper items.  If you don’t already know it, you can cut paper with a rotary cutter long after the blade is not sharp enough to cut through fabric.  This is why I have a separate cutter just for paper.

Just this morning I made tags to go on my donation for our guild’s Christmas auction.  I first made a sheet of tags and printed them on a piece of card stock, then sliced them apart.  It’s quicker than using scissors and more accurate too because I also use use my mat & rulers.

I’ll be making more of the chocolate pecan pretzel bark for our church’s bazaar this weekend so I made a sheet full of those tags.

Other things we’ve cut are school projects for science fairs, book reports, and I use them to cut apart our sheets of photos each time we order another portrait package from JC Penney!  The blades last a very long time.

More recently I retired my original 45 MM cutter and realized it’s big enough to cut through cardboard!  That’s right, now I have a cardboard cutting rotary cutter too.  School projects are quick to cut now.  I have a 2″ x 36″ ruler than can really make long, accurate cuts.

My rotary cutter has become at least as useful as my hot glue gun of years ago!

Any other uses for that rotary cutter that I’ve not thought of yet?

Until next time,

Susan

Hot Tips, My Life

Using tape to help remove un-stitching

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I have to say one of my least favorite things to do while sewing is un-stitching, you know, making a mistake then having to make it right.  It’s not that I want to appear perfect by any means.  It’s one of those waste of time things.  I learned a way to speed up the process and I want to share it with you.

First I want to show you that I use little pointed scissors that I use.

Instead of a seam ripper I use these and snip every 4 stitch or so.

You can then pull the two pieces of fabric apart and this is what you’re left with.

If the seam was of any length, you’re left with a bunch of little threads that annoying to remove, say you sewed on your entire binding and realized you used the wrong needle position (sound familiar to anyone???).

So, take out your masking tape

and press it onto those pesky little pieces of thread.

Pull tape off and viola!

The pesky little threads are on the tape and no longer on your fabric.

I keep masking tape in my sewing room anyway for basting my quilt sandwich, so it’s always handy.

I hope you don’t need this tip any time soon, but if you do this will make your sewing life a little bit easier.

Until next time,

Susan

A Giveaway!, My Life, Quilt Shopping Out & About

And the winner is…

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#89!

Rachel B. please email me with your mailing info so I can see that you receive a free copy:

Thanks to all of you who joined Quiltmaker and all of us to introduce the newest 100 Blocks Volume 4! A special thank you to those of you who commented on my blog and those of you that became subscribers.

If you were not lucky enough to win one of the free issues, head to your local quilt shop or news stand next week to purchase a copy.  It’s full of lots of inspiration for just $6.99!

Until next time,

Susan

Family Time, My Life

Guess what I did over the weekend?

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I met one of my all-time favorite artists, Mary Engelbreit!

Mary has a new book that came out November 1st, “Mary Engelbreit’s Nutcracker”.

I noticed on Mary’s blog that she was going to have a book signing in Washington, MO (a mere 90 miles away) on Saturday.

When the weather people promised a beautiful day for a drive, I invited my mom and daughter, Clare to go along.  We took in a few antique shops, gift shops and the gallery where Mary’s book signing was to be held, Jane and David Arnold’s gallery, The Art Center.  A lovely gallery with very nice owners who baked  delicious chocolate chip cookies with hot chocolate too.

I’m glad to have finally met Mary in person.  Funny though how years of subscribing to her magazine that is sadly no longer being printed, plus owning several of her books, all gifts from my mom, sister and a friend, and of course reading her blog, I felt that I already knew her!

A lovely lady!

She took time to listen to and chat with all of us there who appreciate her beautiful artwork that makes us smile.  If you live in the St. Louis area, Mary will have another book signing at the County Library on November 19th.

Thanks Mary!

Until next time,

Susan

A Giveaway!, My Life, New ideas, New quilt pattern, Quick Little Projects

One more day!

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…until the blog hop.

You’ll want to join in the fun, trust me.

Each participating designer will be giving away one issue of the 100 Blocks vol. 4.

More freebies will be available from Quiltmaker including the original, signed blocks from the issue!!!

Just go to Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks to join in the fun!

My day is Tuesday.

Don’t forget to come back here then to see the project that I created with my Olde St. Nick block and its instructions.

Until next time,

Susan

My Life, New quilt pattern, Quilt Market, Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

Exciting news, I’m a cover girl!!!

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I’m excited to announce that my block made it into the newest issue of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks from today’s top designers.  I’ve known for over a month, but while at International Quilt Market last week I learned that my block made the cover!!!

I know it’s a small photo, but if you look closely you’ll see a green block with Santa’s head and hat, see it?

I also made a table runner with the block, so stay tuned…

The blog hop starts Monday November 7th, and the issue will be available November 15th!

I can’t wait…

Until next time,

Susan

My Life, New Pattern Sample, Quilt Market

Newly updated pattern #10 for Market

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And last but not least…

Shaker Ladder Quilt,

It’s amazing how quickly these quilt-as-you-go lap quilts come together when you start with pre-cuts!  The cutting is practically all done for you.  This quilt takes a jelly roll, a charm pack and a yard of fabric for the triangles & binding.  You can’t get much easier than that.  You can however make your own fabric collection too if you prefer.  Instructions are included for that too.

Happy sewing and I’ll chat with you when I return from quilt market next week.

Until next time,

Susan

My Life, New Pattern Sample, New quilt pattern, Quilt Market

Newly revised Pattern #9 for Market

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I decided to update the fabrics in some my favorite and popular patterns.  My earliest patterns had hand-drawn illustrations that are accurate, but now that I use the computer for eveything I decided to update that part as well.

One of those patterns is

Bunnies in the Grass,

I couldn’t resist making it in the new Amelia fabrics that I’ve been working with these past few months.  It’s so bright & cheery for spring!

The pattern includes an 18″ x 51″ table runner, a small quilt, plus a smaller bunny applique that is just right for towels or shirts, etc.

Look for it soon at your local quilt shop or on my website.

One more newly updated pattern tomorrow.

Until next time,

Susan