Netbooking!

I'm happy to report that I now have a netbook and a WiFi hotspot. This means that I can finally be connected in my quilting area. I will no longer have to print out directions for one block - I can just view on the computer as I go along. More importantly, I can do step-by-step videos close to where I am working and in lighting that allows me to see my stitches.

I have a 160 meg Acer Aspire One. The only complaints I have is that the keyboard is a tad awkward (just a teeny bit smaller keyboard) and it just sucks, and I means sucks, fingerprints, lint and cat fur to every single place with black. In other words, the whole thing except the screen. So, this poor thing already looks likes it's been heavily used for several months and I've only had it a day and a half.

I also have a used serger, given to me by an employee of Hancock's who no longer used it. I had to buy a new foot pedal and bring it in for a once over since it was in a garage for 15 years, but now I'm ready to serge. It is a SergeMate Companion 5040. You've probably never heard of it. I hadn't. Not so easy to thread, but hey, the goal was to discover if I was really going to USE a serger. If so, I can upgrade.

I haven't done much sewing for a couple of days while I prepare to do a couple of projects. In addition to a few clothing projects, I also bought Bambi fabric for a quilt for my Mom (Bambi is her favorite Disney movie) and another yard of another green to let Mom decide which to use for her Spring quilt so I can get that binding attached! For the Bambi quilt, I already know what pattern to use, but need to do the fussy cutting to determine if I need anymore to complete the quilt. The fabric won't be there long.

That's it for now. Typed to you using the new Netbook.

Quilt Came Home!!

I am happy to report that the Garden Party quilt came home today. Julie Ann did a great job of quilting it. It's a custom job and has lots of little details. Looks very whimsical. Now, on to making binding. It usually takes me a week to make binding, attach binding, sew to back, so possible photo soon. I also have a Friendship Star quilt that is getting quilted by another quilter. I expect that to arrive before the end of the month.

I am continuing my NO BUY for quilt fabric for yet another month or two. The next two or three quilts that I may send in to be quilted already have backing fabric, so other than binding, I really don't NEED any fabric. The real tough part is to not join any swaps. I just can't buy any fabric. There is one swap that is going on with flying geese that doesn't require me to buy any fabric at all, but I've fallen behind in my goals for stuff I already have, so am trying to resist.

I have 9 hearts left for the Hearts quilt. That project is in a bit on a slowdown, but I'm still hoping to finish the applique process this month. Have another 2 hour plus appointment to bring relative to on Friday, so no matter what, there will be progress. I still have the tennis elbow, so after I complete the hearts appliques I will move on to continue to piece an apple core quilt for my take-a-long project. Hopefully, I will be again able to knit or crochet in April sometime.

Completed Quilt Tops remaining to be quilted:

Barbie Quilt - to be sent out
Star Wall quilt
Pyramid quilt - dithering whether to send out or not
Courthouse steps
Small Halloween wallhanging - it's in a safe place. I just don't know where.
Pine Tree Quilt - in progress
Witch quilt

Expected tops to be finished this year:
Road To Ahs
2 Halloween Wedding Ring quilts
Japanese quilt (to be tied)

Electronic Cozies

I had a need and made something using STASH!! I got a Kindle and am concerned about scratching the screen when I toss it into my purse. I also have needed a custom armband for my Ipod for ages. I've had this cow fabric since the early 90s. Too thin for a quilt but didn't know what to use it for (it's darn cute). I decided to make a cover for my Kindle and an arm band for my Ipod Nano. Not perfect, but very cute. Less than 1/2 yard of fabric for both with enough left over to make perhaps one more small cozy.



You can see the insides below. Let me tell you my mistake so that you don't repeat it. I made the Kindle Cozy with 2 layers of cow fabric using leftover batting (Warm & Natural). Sewed into a nice rectangle. Folded it up and sewed down. Did not take into consideration that no matter how slim the case is, you still need to allow for that depth. At least I figured this out before I sewed it down, so sewed about 1/8 inch further in on either side. It still looks good, but if you want it perfect, that last fold should be a little wider, say about 1/4 inch.

As for the Ipod Nano holder, I did not line the holder and I think I think I will do that next time. Just gives it a more finished feel. I made a loop on the back to thread the armband through and to make adjustment easier. First time I took it off, the case fell right through and on to the floor. So, I need to tack the band to the case. Lesson learned. Now I can wash dishes and work on projects without the Ipod falling or getting all tangled up in the earphone cords. I want to make one more case, large enough to fold the headphones into a pocket for taking along in my purse.