Winner Final Martingale Monday!!!

Oh my bags are packed, I'm ready  to go deedahdeedahdah...sing along with me!!!

The rental van is packed...The suitcases are packed. The crap decor for the booth is packed (wheww). The first aide kit is ready, the credit card companies have been notified that they should be ready for some serious action (oh boy). The fingers and toes have been manicured, hair cut...twelve pairs of shoes are on standby depending on what mood the feet are in. The snacks are within grabbing range in the car. Sunglasses ready (the sun is bigger in Texas than in Georgia, ask me how I know this)..new undies...in the suitcase. Invoices ready, business cards and flyers ready. New quilts ready. Book quilts SUPER READY.. Chocolate, well of course.

Thanks for all your great suggestions on what to pack. The official survey would report that the majority of you are worried about my underwear and my feet. Check. I'm ready on both counts.

I will send photos as soon as possible. My plan is to give you an often unseen look at quilt market. You know me I'll put the Silver Thimble Spin on things.  Maybe even a fashion report! How about that???

According to my GPS our trip is 13.5 hours..with a catheter. We will see. I'm picking BJ up at 4am. sheesh! I will hit the PUBLISH BUTTON ON THIS BLOG right before I leave. I will be going to bed at 7:45!

Love you all more than I love my cheetos (which are packed BTW)

THE GRAND PRIZE LAST BIG WINNER IS: 
    Result #9  Terry....FROM OHIO...
 Contact me with your snail mail.
CONGRATULATIONS TERRRY!!!!! 
WHOO HOO 

I'm off to HOUSTON RIGHT NOW!

Final Martingale Monday!

Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath. -Michael Caine

Ok, I think I need to hit the reset button on this day. After internet problems, and hours of phone conversation (with people who are difficult to understand)..the internet has been restored and life is back to normal crazy. We leave for Houston on Thursday morning very early or prior to the butt crack of dawn as I might have been heard saying. Yes friends I will be burning rubber like Sherman through Atlanta flying through the middle of town........ Houston bound! 


So, this is the last MARTINGALE MONDAY...This has been so much fun chatting with you about my book and showing you some of the projects. The book is out and in quilt stores! Finally! I'm so happy about the responses I have gotten from people both locally and through emails. Thank you all for your support. I hope you will enjoy working with Neutrals or just using some of the patterns to put your own twist on things. Don't forget to send me photos. I love to share those on my blog. 



Here is my plan for the last WINNER!!!! I will choose one person to win the following.

Well of course...the star of the show!

Pat's Pasta roll. In neutrals of course!

A spool of Aurifil Thread...yummy!

A little sumthin to snack on!

And a surprise from International Quilt Market. I don't even know what it will be but I will be finding something very special for the big WINNER. 

I will announce the winner on Thursday morning just prior to leaving for Houston. You have until Midnight EST on Wednesday to put a comment on my blog and tell me what I MUST NOT forget to pack to take to International Quilt Market... Be  creative with your responses! PAHHLEEEZEE. 

Slight problem...

We interrupt this Martingale Monday post!!

Blogging from my iPad..no photos...Internet down at Silver Thimble Headquarters...WE ARE ON THE PHONE!!!!! WITH PEGGGYY!!!! Frustration reigns. Me thinks it is time for the official PRE MARKET BREAKDOWN.

I'll be back after I finish talking to PEGGY in downtown Calcutta.

Winner Week #7 Martingale Monday

WE HAVE A WINNER!

WEHAVE A SECOND WINNER!!

WE HAVE A THIRD WINNER!!!

-Pat Wys/Silver Thimble Quilt Co.

Thursday morning, what the heck happened to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday? I promised to answer my own question "What inspires you to Quilt?". That was Monday...ok so I'm a teeny bit late. Here is the answer. These are not in any order, they are just what happens at different times.

Inspiration 1: Other quilters, particularly the members of my Silver Thimble Club which meets monthly here in the burbs of Atlanta, then there are the workshops, guilds etc. that I visit and teach/lead, and also the blogging community etc. Just people and their quilts. I see them and I am just blown away and want to create, and sew .Usually, I'm teaching or lecturing so I have to wait until I can get home to sew..that is the hard part. I see everything and talk to so many people who are sewing. I want to jump in the chairs and sew with them. Lots of times when I'm reading blogs about quilting etc I just get up from the computer and go sew..I can't take it anymore I have to sew!

Inspiration 2: A good quilt shop. How do I know if the quilt shop is good? Well, there is this feeling, my heart starts racing...my brain is jumpin, sweating can occur,  I tend to squeal..and act like a fool..the credit cards and cash jump out of my purse...I looooose all control, the final blow comes when I want to run OUT of the store and go immediately home and sew. I can't wait to go home. I drive very fast, run in the house and take up the needle and rotary cutter! Refuse to cook dinner could care less about watching TV or cleaning house. That is how I know I am inspired by a quilt shop. There is no relief from this feeling, I just have to sew something or sit down and draw out my latest design idea.

Inspriation 3: Books,  particularly lovely coffee table books with fantastic quilt photography. Very inspirational, and I have a growing collection of great quilting books. Perhaps I will do a separate blog post on that subject. Interested???

Ok lets have some winners!

 True Random Number Generator Min: Max: 47  Result: 14 
#14  QUILTS AND PIECES

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: 47  Result: 44

#44 Barb 

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: 47 Result: 19 
#19 Barb C.   



Send me an email with your snail mail addresses and I will get your winning prizes right along to you. 

OH MY!!! JUST FORGOT I HAVE A HAIR APPT...GEEEZE. If you are in Atlanta I'm the one in the CTS speeding along the road. Move over I'm on a mission.

Martingale Monday #7

He who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day...needs to reorganize his life. George Matthew Adams

Martingale Monday #7! Wow the time is flying by and Market is almost here. I have to say I am really looking forward to this Market. I can't wait to see friends that always come by the booth for some fun and to see what is new! My book is making its debut and I will doing some book signings and demos! Most of all I will have dear friends along to share the fun. The grand plan is for the Silver Thimble Gang is to ROCK THE HOUSE! 

I want to show you another special quilt from my book. The name of the quilt is "Sunnyside"  

Oh how I love thee. This quilt is so cool. The quilt has a teeny secret too. I snuck a tiny bit of non neutral fabric in there. See, there is a gold fabric that appears a couple of times in the quilt. There is a reason for this but you will have to read the book to find out why! (I'm so bad!) Anyway I do like this quilt...a lot. I especially like the setting triangles on the non border...(non border hahaha!)

Here is another project. Woven pillow sham. Those strips are not sewn...they are woven. Remember the paper placemats you made in First grade? Well this is the grown up technique. Fun and fast and super cool. Buttons add some extra pizzazzzzzz. 

How about some prizes this week. Yup we like that. Three winners again this week.

 A signed copy of my book. The signature alone is worth PENNIES!
Also, a $10.00 gift card to iTunes..I would like to keep your feet tapping and humming to the music as you sew. This makes for happy quilts.


I enjoyed your comments so much last week, this week I would love it if you would tell me who, or what inspires you to quilt. Is it a store,  a person, the internet, blogs, books (well duh!), magazines, guilds, workshops? What keeps you fired up (my term for inspired) and wanting to make more projects? Tomorrow I will tell you a little secret about what makes me want to create and sew. Put that comment on this blog and get a chance to win!


Winners announced on Thursday morning prior to my hair appointment.

 

AT LAST!

Blessings brighten as they take their flight. - Edward Young

 Yup! They are here.  I can come in the house and leave my post on the driveway, the books were delivered yesterday. WOW! So you can find me in the office with a fine point sharpie signing books, smiling, remembering the journey that brought these lovely books to a reality. (This is actually the photo Mary Ellen sent me when she got the Little Quilts shipment, my camera is getting a charge!)

 

And if you really want to know how BLESSED I am, go read this blog post from Becky.  I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends. I'll stay here and count THOSE  blessings it will take me a while! 

Have a fabulous FRIDAY friends!

Winner Martingale Week #6

Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is. Vince Lombardi

Got me some winners, yes I do, yes I do. Drew me some numbers yes I did. Three winners this week! They will win a signed copy of that little book I wrote (and yes I'm still sitting on the driveway waiting for the books to arrive!) and a spool of Aurifil thread (yummy) . Here are the numbers that I drew.  Come on down (insert Bob Barker voice). Email me and send me your snail mail addy and I'll send you some goodies.

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: 56 Result: 17 

Number 17 izzzz  Gene!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: 56 Result: 51

Number 51 izzzz Mageez!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: 56 Result: 50

Number 50 izzzz Sallie!

Will you just look at that. What are the chances that I would draw 51 and 50 right in a row. Are you amazed? well I guess it is not that amazing. I'm going to go drink coffee now. Rumor has it that this is my last day of driveway sitting..books may be arriving today. whewww. 

BTW if you are in the Atlanta area this weekend come see me. I will be singing books at Tiny Stitches in Marietta on Saturday morning 8:30 until noonish, and on Sunday at Patchwork Cottage in Snellville from 12 -4 ! Sure would like to meet you  COME ON DOWN..(there is that Bob Barker again!) (and yes it is 4:14 am..can't sleep)

Check This

Ask not what fun does for you. Ask rather what you do for fun.

 -unknown

 I have some good, good fun to share! First of all, I got an email from those lovely friends at Martingale. They are hosting a QUILTMAKERS TREASURE HUNT! Now I ask you who doesn't luv a good hunt? You need to follow this link thingy and get on over there click on the Quiltmakers Treasure Hunt at the top of the page and registrate yo self and win some prizes (well that is the goal at least). Go on now, git along and WIN WIN WIN!  HAVE FUN! Come back and finish reading my blog post. I'll be here waiting. 
(btw my spell check just blew its brain..my spell check thinks I'm stupid.)
Yesterday sooo many friends posted the BEST stories in the comment section of the blog. I laughed and cried and enjoyed every word that ya'll yous guys, you all wrote. I think you would enjoy reading the stories too so here is the link to yesterday..Enjoy. (Hopefully more people will write stories today.)

As promised here is the little binding hint I wanted to show you today. I will be posting a full binding tutorial on my new spruced up web site A. M.  (after market that is...) Ok here we got. Comments are under each photo.

First, hopefully are sewing the binding to the finished (Quilted) quilt/project with your walking foot ON (trust me it is the right thing to do! The walking foot keeps all those layers in perfect allignment).

When you are sewing binding on and you get to a corner,normally most people will stop 1/4" from the right side and bottom of the corner. My suggestion is that you stop with needle down through all the layers.

Then pivot the quilt and sew about 3 stitches into the corner of the quilt. Cut the thread and set the quilt FREE from the bed of the machine.

See those cute little stitches. :)

Now that you have those little stitches you have a great 45 degree line to set the corner of the binding. Fold the binding up and over the corner and you are off to the races again on the next side of the quilt. *** This photo may confuse you a bit..I used the foot of the machine to hold the quilt so I could show you the 45 degree angle of the fold. I did not fold the quilt up and over the corner yet... (try sewing, holding a quilt, taking a photo, singing to the ipod, drinkin a Coke Zero and eating a snack...pretty much how we roll here at Silver Thimble World Headquarters)

Ok is this helpful? I think you will like the end result. Perfect mitered corners on your quilt!!!! Let me know what you think.

Martingale Week #6

If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page

     - Mark Houlahan -

Monday...Martingale Monday that is! I'm getting closer to Quilt Market and the excitement builds. Even with all that is ahead that must be done, and sleep that is lost and stress of getting it all together, I have to say I love it and I'm so blessed to be doing work that I love dearly. 

 

Here is the quilt from my book that I wanted to share with you today.This quilt has some personal feelings attached to its beginnings. It all begins with this!

This glass basket belonged to my fabulous Grandmother. Katherine Margaret Sly, nicknamed "Kitty". (yes I said Sly..my maiden name Wys my married name no vowels my whole life, only impostors, HAVE MERCY!). Kitty was an artist, she painted and taught piano lessons her whole life. She went to art school and the Conservatory of Music.  She taught me so much! I loved spending time with her because she would draw and create with me all the time. Her love and encouragement was a force in my life that I draw such inspiration from all the time. This glass basket was hers and became the first, in what has grown to be quite a collection of glass baskets...none as special as " Kitty's Basket". 

Here is my quilt so named   "Kitty's Baskets."   I have to tell you that when I planned this quilt I thought..Can I make a group of flowers from Neutral fabrics..without it looking like dead flowers from a funeral home? (my brain on overload). I'm happy with the results and I'm happy that the quilt is HAPPY LOOKING. I arranged the flowers in the baskets so that each basket had a slightly different arrangement (not so symmetrical so to speak). I also hand quilted this project #1 because it was the right thing to do #2 I wanted at least 1 project in my book so show that option. #3 Kitty would have preferred it that way. I used taupe floss and did a kinda big stitchy grid. It was very easy.

I'm sure that Kitty would love it. I'll ask her when I see her in heaven.

This is another project from the book. A mantle scarf made from grey silk and embellished with white snowflakes and 40 zillion crystals. no 50 zillion crystals. It looks so pretty across my mantle. The photo in the book captures the crystals very well but seeing it in person is AMAZING. I'm very happy with this project. BTW when I appilqued the snowflakes I appliqued them through the top, batting and backing layers so it was "self quilted" as I sewed which made the project go even faster to completion. It is a goooood thing!

On to the prizes. This week I will give a way THREE signed books along with a spool of Neutral Aurifil thread! So we will have three winners this week. WOWZER!  Post a comment to this blog and tell me about your grandmother or grandfather or someone who had a profound influence on your life. Kitty would love to hear what you have to say. Please post before midnight EST on Wednesday.I will draw for the winners and make the announcement on Thursday morning.

 

Come back tomorrow, I will show you that little binding trick.

The Driveway

Recipe:  A series of step-by-step instructions for preparing ingredients you forgot to buy, in utensils you don't own, to make a dish the dog wouldn't eat.  ~Author Unknown

 I've been sitting on the driveway all week long, day and night, waiting. For what??? I'm waiting for the shipment of MY BOOK. Many, many books. The thing about sitting on the driveway is that you notice the extreme temperatures this time of year in Atlanta. Sweating one minute, chilly the next. Then there are the bugs. If their is a mosquito within 700 miles of me he will find me. (that's cuz I'm so sweet righ?.Or maybe the fact that they love Oscar de la Renta parfum). You get to see lots of neighbors passing by. They stop and say Hi and their dogs visit my lawn (swell)., At any rate I decided to cook a pork butt and make some barbeque because my Son In Love in coming in this weekend. So I put the butt on the grill. Then I went back to my driveway sitting.  I got distracted and didn't want to leave my post because I knew Mr. UPS would arrive around 5pm. I was cookin the BUTT low and slow (this is the South people). This was the result...I believe there was a bit of a flare up on the grill.

HOLEY OVER COOKED BUTT! 

Debbie came by and was showing me this quilt. So stinkin cute.

I showed her my butt. She laughed so hard she was cryin. She told me that maybe I could make one of these quilts one day. I told her that would never happen if I keep serving burned pork REAR END! It is now 9 am...I have lit the grill AGAIN, and now I'm cooking the Son In Love some wings, and it is back to the driveway,neosporin on all my insect bites and I've got a long extension cord and my featherweight hooked up out there. Its going to be a lovely day!

Winner Week #5 Martingale Monday

The road to success is always under construction.-unknown

We have a winner!

Thursday morning and ya'll (insert Paula Deen accent) know what that means. I have drawn another winner. 

Donna S. from Indiana! Contact me privately and I'll be sending you those prizes real soon! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

As you all can see I'm making progress in my ability to get the #$%^&*( number generator thingy to show up on the blog. sheesh.  As God is my wittness I will figure this out! (insert Scarlett O'Hara accent).

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 43 

We leave for market  3 WEEKS! from today (insert screaming with southern accent..it is a gift..so unique). I'm fine with that. Nothing much to do. I think I'll read a book and eat some Bon Bons today.

This photo pretty much sums it up. If you come to see me, bring a fire extinguisher..and cheetos.

More Martingale Monday goodies and some photos from the weekend book signings. (if anyone shows up!).

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

-Napoleon Hill

I have a goal. Maybe if I say it out loud it will happen. Right? Saying it on my blog is the same as sayin it out loud right? Probably not. I don't know, maybe I just need more coffee this morning. Here is my goal. I want to be ready for market 3 days before I drive the land yacht out of the driveway. I want to relax and read a book or watch 87 hours of movies, get a pedicure, take a nap, or do some non market related sewing. 3 DAYS ... Can this happen? (fat chance).  Nope I will be running around with my hair on fire from now until we leave.

I did manage to go to small group sewing yesterday.  I mind blanked the fact that I was playing hookie from market prep and enjoyed sewing with wonderful friends. Teresa made a soopper doopper lunch. Here it is. 

 And you thought i was going to take a lovely food picture styled and ready for a professional cooking magazine right? I'll leave that to the culinary arts people. I'm keepin it REAL here at Silver Thimble World Headquarters. Trust me lunch was gooood!

Maybe I'll do a whole series of photos and call it Inside Refrigerators of the South.

Back to sewing (I really do need coffee).

I love this wall hanging Teresa made, Cathy was making one too. And LOOK THERE IS MY FOOT AGAIN! HAHAHA This time I had on a shoe. I was breaking in some new shoes I plan to wear at market. And today I have a brand new blister and the shoes are back in box. What is up with me getting feet in every photo??

OOOH Baby. Kathy Schmitz stitchery. I did this one myself. Finished it too, and it is in a drawer in my sewing room. I really must get that thing out and frame it or pillow it up. NEW GOAL! 

Teresa made this wall hanging. She is going to hang it on the wall where she is standing. That girl has a great eye for color and fabric. She is a PROFESSIONAL at making fabric choices. Amazing workmanship too.

Holey Cow now this made my skirt fly up. (my mother used to say that all the time) Look at this bed in Teresa's guest bedroom. I love, love, love this quilt. And check out that pillow at the head of the bed. It is my Wrapped in Comfort pillow pattern. Neutral baby...yup yup yup

And here is a photo of more feet. And Julie's Chippawa Nine patch quilt. NICE. VERY VERY NICE!

Don't forget to leave a comment on my Martingale Monday #5 blog post. You may be this weeks WINNER!

If you are in the Atlanta area this weekend I will be signing books at Little Quilts (in Marietta) Saturday 10 am and at Sweet Home Quilt Co. (Conyers) on Sunday 1-4 pm. Come by and lets sit a spell and have some fun. I will be wearing those shoes again! and probably laughing. Come see us!

Martingale Week #5

"...because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

    "  For Good "   -  from the Musical Wicked
(long post with  Pat's Primer lesson)

I have just had the best weekend! Seeing Wicked with my girls, watching a movie with Sir Quilt Dude and the girls, everyone snuggled, each under one of  my quilts. Sunday morning breakfast together and then up to the sewing room to make some projects for Emily's new home and Mary Beth's new apartment, and a side order of cookie baking thrown in. What can be better than that? Now it is Martingale Monday, so lets get our quilt on!

The name of this quilt is "Goin My Way?" It is very simple and is one of those quilts that can easily be made larger. Need it wider..add another vertical strip. Need it longer just continue the braided strips a little longer. The strips are trimmed down vertically after they are sewn so you end up with precise lengths super easy. I put a light neutral outside the braided sections so the body of the quilt would "float" in the center. See I do quilts with borders! Were you worried I would never send you a quilt with borders? Detailed instructions are in the book (well duh!) 

On to the prizes.

This book is another compilation of fabulous quilts from several different designers. Now that I have this book in my hand there are several different quilts I would love to choose for my "Thimbles Club". Yes sirreee this is another goodie!not a great photo..sorry

Then of course you will get a copy of MY BOOK all signed and smoochy kisses from me in it. 

Your Bonus prize from me this week is the CD of the musical Wicked....dee dah dee dah dooooo... YUP lovely music to sew by! 


Now it is on to the promised thoughts on BINDING. Here we go class lets all sit in our places with bright shinning faces. (oh heavens can you tell I taught Kindergarten and First Grade for 23 years?) If you are an expert on binding you are dismissed to go and sew now.


I have always taught with a basic way of thinking. Don't tell people (adults or children) how to do something without giving them a reason why you like a particular technique.  I would also suggest learning lots of different techniques and listening to lots of different teachers.. then pick the way that suits you and your sewing style best. (be a life long learner so to speak).


Binding. I prefer Bias binding in almost every situation. Here is why. 


#1: Bias binding is more supple. Bias softens and drapes sooo well.

#2: Bias Binding is more durable. Over time it will out live straight of grain binding. Because of the angle of the threads running down and around edges of the quilt it will be durable. I admit that we could say that we will be dead by the time our binding wears out so why should we bother... lets be nice to our descendants. ok? It is the right thing to do.

 #3: Bias binding cooperates so nicely when stitched onto the quilt by machine and looks so lovely when hand stitched to the back. 

#4: What in the heck is cuter than plaids and stripes on the binding. NOTHING! don't argue with me here I'm just sayin!

#5: Hand sewing binding down is relaxing and a good excuse to drink a cup of tea, or coke zero, or eat some cookies (or cheetos with your cheeto picker!)


Lets talk about cutting fabric on the bias. First of all...I just can't deal with the tube method of cutting binding. I end up flopping myself on the floor and throwing a hissy fit.  My friend Betty showed me how to fold fabric super easy to create bias strips. In my book there is a detailed description with handy dandy diagrams. I will show you some photos of what I'm talking about below. Also, Gene made a Utube video of this technique so pop on over and watch him in person..or check out his blog post on this topic the video is on the blog post as well. He did a great job, thanks Gene! I will not be making  a Utube because I would have to put on makeup, get my teeth whitened, see a plastic surgeon, have a pedicure and get my hair cut only to look moderately presentable..you are going to have to deal with my camera.


Cutting Step #1

 Lay your fabric out. Right side up or wrong side up it does not matter. The selvage is at the top and bottom of the photo. Fabric is running lengthwise from left to right. This can be done with a full width of fabric or less!


#2 First Fold

Fold the top left corner down to the bottom edge of the selvage. You have now established the bias of the fabric, which is the diagonal fold! Elapsed time 3 seconds


#3 Second Fold

Fold the bottom left edge (corner) up to the top right edge, folding the second fold onto the first fold. Remember this.."Always fold the bias edge ONTO  ITSELF" You now have two folds stacked onto  each other. Elapsed time 2.5 seconds

#4 Another fold

If you are working with a full width of fabric you will need to fold again with the bottom left edge folded up to the top right edge or "folded onto itself ." The folded fabric will be laying at an angle just like the above photo. Notice the feet in the photo..you won't have toes like that lookin at you!what a professional photo!  Elapsed time 1.5 seconds

 #5  Turn and Slice

 Gently turn your fabric and slice through all the layers cutting your binding strips. You will want to make the first slice by cutting the folded edges away. I call this  " Givin the fabric a little haircut". Once you cut the folds away, cut the binding into your desired widths. I like 2" - 2 1/4" you may want to start with 2 1/2" and then work your way to using 2 1/4" widths, and so on! Elapsed time 7 seconds.

Total folding and cutting time: 14ish seconds. I really is fast once you get  the hang of it. If you have to find this little tutorial and read it 99 times and practice it may take 7-14 hours. The bottom line here is that it does NOT TAKE any longer to make bias binding strips than it takes to cut straight of grain strips.

Sew your strips together,end to end. The ends are already cut at a 45 degree angle so it is a snap! don't roll your eyes at me!

Here is the formula for figuring out how much fabric to buy if making bias binding. 

Length of quilt x 2 + Width of quilt x 2 divided by WOF multiplied by width of binding. Then add about 10 inches..or so...this covers your corners and beginning and ending processes the number is generous!

Next time I'll show you some sewing ideas for your binding to the quilt. Right now you have readers fatigue I'm sure!

Post a comment and tell me if you like live theater and what you have seen and loved. Winner announced on Thursday! (I pinky swear I will make shorter blog posts). I would also love to hear what you think of the Show Me How to Make Bias strips tutorial.