Bullet Journal

My life is a bit crazy right now! I recently won my insurance battle and will be heading to Denver in a few months for a life-changing stem cell transplant that has the promise to stop my multiple sclerosis. This is such a blessing! But... I'm also panicking a bit. It's going to be a BIG couple of months for me and very difficult to be away from my kids for 8-10 weeks (hopefully with visits, of course!). Anyway... I am a chronic over thinker and this is a lot to process. 

Link to my beloved letter board here. 

I've been distracting myself with a new project - bullet journaling! I am a huge fan of lists and always have a million going. Bullet journaling is (for me), a way to make my lists pretty! I originally saw this trend on Pinterest and there are so many ideas out there! 

The book I am using is linked here. It's nice quality, has a very pretty cover, and you just can't beat that price! I use Flair Pens and they don't smear, they don't bleed, and the colors are adorable. They're great for drawing and have been a favorite for writing for over 15 years. They make my handwriting look so much neater and come in so many pretty colors. Have I mentioned all the colors?  :) 

The first page I made is to track my photos. I store my images in monthly folders and back them up at the end of each month. I am meticulous (ridiculous?) in my photo storage! My pictures are my most prized possession. Now at the end of the month, I can check off each box and know that I've completed my ritual of over-protecting pictures of my kids. I can't find the exact washi tape I used at the top, but I did just find this one that I am so wishing I had used instead!  CUTE!

The second page I added is a "book shelf." So far I've only added books I've read this year (P.S. If you haven't already, read The Alice Network! So good!), but I may add books on my wish list, too? Not sure yet. I LOVE how this page turned out. It was pretty easy to make because of the dot grid on the journal pages.  

I also added some of my favorite things on the "shelves." 

This is our "House Projects" page. Mostly a dreamer's wish list since this year will likely only have room for my stem cell transplant and recovery, but it's a fun page nonetheless. Someday...

My craft list is always growing! Love the washi tape on this page. 

 My wish list page has a similar design using washi tape. I LOVE washi tape. 

 A travel page detailing the states I've traveled to. Is it obvious I'm a West Coast girl? Once I'm healthy again, I think we need to head East for some adventures! I printed a US map and traced it onto this page in black ink and then used color pens to mark the states I have visited. 

I'm not sure what other pages I'll add, but I'm having fun and it's an excellent distraction. 

Thanks for visiting!

*Affiliate links... if you purchase a product using any my links, I earn a very small commission.

Blue & Green Circles

Next up? A blue and green circle quilt, inspired by the tutorial at Make it... a Wonderful Life.

Instead of using a CD as a template, I invested in a Circle Rotary Cutter. It's sooooo wonderful. And since I was able to buy it using a 50% off coupon at Joann's, I am extra delighted.

Here's part of the stack of fabrics. They'll all be sewn on 6" white squares.

This one is going to be a throw blanket for our home.

Ode to my Sewing Machine

One of my favorite blogs, Sew Mama Sew, has named June Sewing Machine Month. This week, they asked us to review our sewing machines and I thought it would be fun to participate.

What brand and model do you have?
Pfaff Expression 2038


How long have you had it?
About 10 months and 15 quilts. Whew!

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
I’m not sure… it was a gift.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Mostly baby and throw-sized quilts.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I probably sew somewhere between 3-10 hours per week, depending on how much else is going on with life.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I love my machine. I previously had a Singer from the 1950s that I loved and that was what I learned to make quilts with. I was happy with the Singer; it was simple and didn’t jam or have any technical problems (or buttons or computers). My mother-in-law bought us both new Pfaff machines and I was a little hesitant to start using it. But once I did… oh my gosh! I love my machine. It’s so fast and everything is so easy to use. It rarely jams or has any tantrums. It’s a very strong of machine; I really feel like I can throw anything into it without hesitation. When I am sewing, it’s motor sounds like music to my ears.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
I love that the walking foot is built right in ("integrated walking foot" shown in black in the photo below) and that it has a “glove compartment” for storing the extra feet (I'm a huge fan of the Quarter Inch Foot and the Stitch-in-the-Ditch foot, both of which make life so much easier!) and tools (seam ripper, extra bobbins, ruler, etc.). The little blade on the side to cut the threads is such a time saver, too. That’s the one thing I didn’t know how much I needed. I have a lot of stitches to choose from, which is fun (although I’ll admit that I rarely use anything out of the ordinary).



Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
If I had a wish, I’d wish for it to beep or tell me when my bobbin is getting low. It’s a big pet peeve of mine to run out of bobbin thread at an inopportune time.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
I had no idea my new machine was coming. It was a “just because” gift from my mother-in-law who had mentioned that she was looking at new machines. As I mentioned before, I was happily plugging away on my old Singer machine and didn’t want to deal with all the bells and whistles of a new machine. She showed up on my porch one afternoon holding what she called my “new headache.” Looking back, I am soooo grateful. My quilts have come such a long way since getting this machine and the bells and whistles have made things so much easier and faster. I can be more creative and expressive now because I have equipment that can keep up with me. Thanks again, Laurie!

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
I would recommend it… it’s easy to learn and rarely has given me any irritation. As far as I can tell, it’s capable of sewing anything you ask it to!

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
I’ve never actually shopped for a new machine, so I honestly don’t know. I guess I’d look at what your passion is and try and find a machine that caters to that particular kind of sewing.

Do you have a dream machine?
I’m very happy with my current machine.

Fabric: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

One of my favorite web sites, Sew Mama Sew, has asked readers to share about their fabric stash this month. I thought it would be fun to share my storage methods and some photos.

SMS: First of all, what do you usually sew?

Mostly quilts. I have made a couple of bags and a few bibs, as well, but I mostly use the bibs to practice different quilting techniques.

SMS: When you shop for fabric, what size cuts do you usually buy? (i.e. If you see something beautiful, but you don’t have a use for it right away, how much do you buy?)

If it is something I really love, I try to buy at least a yard. However, my quilting budget is very limited, so I tend to buy fat quarters since they are so inexpensive.

SMS: Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need?

Both. If I'm in a fabric store, it's likely because I need something. But I cannot remember the last time I bought only what was on my list without looking to be tempted with something new.

SMS: Are you a pre-washer? If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it?

I do not typically pre-wash. Because most of my favorite quilt patterns use fat quarters, I do not pre-wash because they tend to unravel so much. However, for larger quilts or quilts that mix new and vintage fabrics, I do pre-wash to prevent any uneven shrinkage. In that case, I wash it immediately before I begin the quilt.

SMS: Do you iron it?

I iron everything just before I begin cutting / sewing.

SMS: How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.)

I sort by yardage - scraps, fat quarters, and larger cuts all stored together.

SMS: Do you have any special folding techniques?

Nope, but I try to be consistent so they all stack together and don't tip over.

SMS: How do you store your fabric?

I have an antique cabinet in my dining room with three shelves and drawer. I've stuck a bunch of baskets in there to try and keep things a little more organized.

SMS: What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash?

First, buy things you love. I hate making a quilt when I am not inspired by the fabrics I have in it. Second, know what colors / prints you typically use as "neutrals." For me, sage green tends to always be in my quilts, so I can't go wrong with buying simple prints in that color.

SMS: When do you say enough is enough?

A couple of months ago when i realized I had stacks of fabrics for 14 projects. I realized I need to quit buying and start sewing.

SMS: What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects?

Quilts quilts quilts! Bibs are great for the fabrics I like, but don't see ever becoming part of a quilt.

SMS: What’s your definition of the perfect stash?

Inspiring, organized, and versatile. I like being able to pull a little here and there and have enough to make an project without running to the store. Most of the stores I frequent are at least a 20-minute drive, so it's nice to be organized before I start a project since I usually cannot drop everything and run out for what is missing.

SMS: Do you have a current favorite print in your stash?

Too many to count! I love fabric so much.

And, because I love photos, too... here's a visual of my fabric "stash" and my workspace. I have an antique cabinet where all the goodies live.

On top of the cabinet is typically parts to my current project. These are blocks for the quilt I am working on for Mia. I have 96 of 120 blocks done...

Next to that are my quilting and knitting books and magazines.

On the upper shelf inside the cabinet are three boxes containing supplies and tools.

To the right of that is a spot for next-in-line projects. This is a tulip quilt that I started ages ago. I'd like to get it complete in the near future. It will be a large throw blanket, I think for the edge of our bed.

The middle shelf has baskets organizing fabric for future projects.

Here's some Christmas fabric I fell in love with last year buy didn't have time to complete. I'd like to make either a table runner or a quilt for next Christmas.

And some pretty blue, purple, and green florals...

This big basket has my collection of vintage fabrics. Some are from last year's fabric exchange and some are things I've collected since then. I really want to make a quilt, but I can't decide what pattern to use to highlight the beautiful variations of the fabrics. Hoepfully I'll figure it out soon, because I'm itching to see it come together.

The bottom shelf has my fabric stash that hasn't been "assigned" to a project yet. This is a big basket I use to collect scraps less than 1/4 yard. If you have a quilt I have made, you may see some scraps from it in this basket, just waiting for a new project.

Next to that is a container with assorted fat quarters.

And to the right of that are folds of fabrics that are larger than 1/2 yard.

The bottom drawer contains scraps of batting and fusible fleece, etc. It's very difficult to open and close and sticks badly, so I don't put anything in the drawer that I need very often.

And lastly is my actual workspace. We bought this dining table last year as an anniversary gift to ourselves. I really didn't think that I would claim it as a sewing table, but that is so totally what it has become. And the dark table in the background is my old Singer, very ignored, but still very loved.

In the Ditch

I've been wonderfully busy with the photo business this month ('tis the season!), but I did manage to sneak in a little bit of quilting this weekend.

I'm trying to finish this one up in the next couple of weeks and am learning how to stitch in the ditch with my new foot.

I know the blog has been slow - bear with me through the next couple of weeks and then the portrait side of my life will slow down a bit and I can get back to my quilting spree!

Singer? Praff!

Yesterday, while working on my little floral bag, I decided to take photos of my 1950's singer and share them on the blog. This has been my sewing machine for the last few years and is what I learned to make quilts on.

It's extremely basic. Actually... it really only has three switches - and one of those simply turns on the light!

Ironically, I had those thoughts and just barely finished my project when a very unexpected surprise arrived on my doorstep. In the hands of my generous mother-in-law came a brand spanking new sewing machine with so many buttons and features that my eyes get wide just thinking about them. Introducing my newest machine...

Buttons...

More options for stitches than I will ever know what to do with...

Gadgets...

More buttons...

I'm shocked, surprised, excited, and elated. My head is buzzing with ideas on what I can do now that I couldn't do before (like actually quilt my quilts!). I woke up at 3am this morning (partly due to a kitten biting my toes) and laid there awake thinking about all these stitches and what I will use them for.

I can't wait to see what this machine and I will make together.