Meet in the Middle

Let's be honest...I've really been struggling to find a balance lately - most days seem completely out of my control....and my lists seem never-ending. A few weeks ago, I hit the reset button over the weekend and worked on a really fun table runner (which was made for a gift)...sometimes switching up projects for a day helps keep me fresh and motivated. This scrappy table runner (titled Meet in the Middle) was the project in the February Sew Sampler Box from Fat Quarter Shop.

This monthly subscription quilting box was a birthday surprise and was filled with goodies. The February box included two Mackinac Island Charm Packs by Minick & Simpson for Moda Fabrics, the Meet in the Middle Quilt Pattern and Half Hexagon Template by Lissa Alexander, 80wt Aurifil Thread (red), and Diagonal Seam Tape by Cluck Cluck Sew. I knew right away I wanted to make the table runner...and I had some yardage of an older collection from Minick & Simpson (Bar Harbor) in my stash that was perfect for binding and backing. I also have to admit, I had a cutting die for the half hexagon that I used to cut the pieces, instead of using the template. Although, this project may look complicated...it is actually rows of half hexagons, so there are no inset or Y-seams! I was SUPER happy with how this turned out...and working on this project definitely helped me recharge and gain some focus.

I was excited when the March Sew Sampler Box arrived with Tula Pink products! I am not a huge fan of the pattern that was included for March, but I know I will come up with something for these vibrant colors...and who can resist bright pink unicorn head straight pins?! I have a few ideas in mind for the fabrics, but they will have to wait until I feel like my workload is a little more under control...

While I am daydreaming about what to make with the Tula Pink fabrics, I'll be in my studio working on client orders - project bags are on the table for tonight. I will also be making more masks for those in need. I received some Face Mask Templates (they come in small, medium and large) today that I am going to try out later tonight - these are a different style than the ones I have been making - shout out to Claire at Shop Stitch Buzz...these look pretty easy to use and have a pocket for a filter...

Well, I have procrastinated long enough...time to get back to work! I hope you are staying well and positive...find time to do something that makes you happy...

Joy To My Heart

When life is challenging, it is always reassuring to have family and friends that love and understand you (good days and bad)...and I am blessed with an incredible circle of loved ones.

It was the best therapy in the world to spend my birthday in Florida this year with my mom and Dan, who treated me like a queen and made me feel extra special. We spent the day exploring Silver Springs State Park - we took a lovely St. John's River Cruise in the morning, then had a delightful picnic lunch in the park (and my mom even had a cupcake with a birthday candle for me!). That evening, they made dinner reservations at Jiko - The Cooking Place, a restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, serving African cuisine. It was an exceptional meal - and I was served an amazing dessert (again, with a birthday candle!) - it was Mulva Pudding featuring ice cream and a tuile cookie in a bird's nest-style presentation inspired by the birds of Africa - it was so unique (and perfect for me)! I also received a Mickey Mouse birthday pin and a phone call at the restaurant from Goofy (singing "Happy Birthday to You"). These will all be memories that last a lifetime. This day brought joy to my heart...

...and the joy and healing continued, when I returned home and found a couple packages/cards waiting for me from faraway friends...and I had a scheduled lunch with my dear friend Mary. I had to share a few photos with you - I have the best friends a girl could ask for - talented, generous, thoughtful - the list goes on and on. These incredible women (you all know who you are) make me a better person - they inspire me and fuel my creativity...they lift me up!
(NOTE: It's still all about the squirrel! 😊- insert squirrel emoji here...)

Arbre ecureuils by C en Roussillon
Complimentary design on her blog...
https://cenroussillon.wordpress.com/gratuit-quelques-grilles/
A special thank you to Robin for this information!

....and I have to show you how I use the Moda tins in the last photo (which I ADORE!) - they are both sitting at my sewing machine table where I use them every single day. The long one has the tools to clean my machine (which I do every time I change a bobbin or needle) and the smaller one has my most used presser feet, screwdriver, and needle changing tool. They work perfectly and are super pretty too - they both make me smile. I need to purchase another smaller one (or several in every size!) - I would really like to use one for my project sewing labels....

I also was able to celebrate my special day with my in-laws - my kind-hearted mother-in-law made her scrumptious homemade pizza (it's SO GOOD) and even baked me a BEAUTIFUL heart-shaped cake...isn't it wonderful?! Our afternoon together made me feel loved...

I guess I am sharing all of this because...there is light, even in the darkest of days. The moral of today's post - surround yourself with those who build you up and make you better - those who challenge and inspire you...and those who support you when it rains, not just when it shines...

“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don't see it yourself.”   -Edmund Lee

Perfect for Pressing

There are a lot of things happening in my world right now...I am model stitching new releases, I am sewing up a storm (some commissioned work, some personal pieces, and some Etsy items), I am working on a fancy new look for my BRD website, and I am hammering out several large deadlines.

This past weekend, I was quite busy in my studio, working on several sewing projects...including a birthday gift for a dear friend. She is a dog lover, just like me, so I used some fun cotton quilting prints to make her a pincushion. The top is a broken dishes quilt block using Max & Whiskers by BasicGrey for Moda...and the bottom is an adorable dog bone print (Man's Best Friend designed for Exclusively Quilters). I pinned on a wool felt heart and added some decorative pins for a special touch...just a small surprise to brighten her birthday!

My old iron...

But, there is a little more to the story...after getting all the shapes cut for the pincushion and the initial piecing done, I went to my trusty old Oliso TG800 iron to do a little pressing...and when I turned it on, nothing happened...it had completely died. Now, I can't say that I am surprised, as Travis had bought me this iron in early 2006 and I pretty much have it running for hours every single day - I am not sure what the average life of an iron is, but after using this one daily for 8 years, I feel like it held up REALLY well - I'm mean, let's face it, I am extemely hard on an iron! I had known for a couple months that it was on it's last leg, as it was acting a little quirky, but I was pretty much devastated when it refused to turn on. My husband happened to be out running errands and I called and asked him to pick me up a cheap iron, just to get by until I had a chance to get a new Oliso. Well, to my surprise, he returned home with a new Oliso Pro (TG1600) - woohoo! - a newer fancier model designed for quilters and sewers - I was so excited - giddy, really...I know, I know, it's only an iron, but this is a top-of the-line iron for a quilter and when you use it daily, all the extra perks with this model make a HUGE difference. He called it my early birthday gift...and although I think birthday gifts should be "pretty, not practical", I will happily accept this one! Right away, I could see improvements and changes...like a longer cord - my old model had an 8' cord, but the new one has a 12' cord - so much better! Another thing I am happy about - the stay on time is quite a bit longer - my older iron shut-off after 8 minutes of no use...the new one shuts-off after 30 minutes of no use - so much better when quilting! I know an iron is really personal preference and there are good and bad reviews about every single model out there - but after the great experience I had with my first Oliso, I am just thrilled to have a new one...and I am hoping it will last at least 8 years (or more!)...

So with my fancy new yellow iron heated up and ready to go, I am off to press a pile of quilt blocks with a big smile on my face...it is truly the little things that bring me happiness!

Pretty Little Pincushion

It is no surprise that I am always on the lookout for fun and unique pins and pincushions, so when this adorable spool arrived in my mailbox just before the holidays, I did a little squeal! - isn't it fabulous?! - it was the absolute perfect surprise! I am such a fan of Just Another Button Company and their whimsical designs and products...and this gift made me smile immediately! I have tons of their buttons and pins in my stash...and even a few kits - so when this special spool arrived, I decided to go through my stash and pull out a JABCO project to complete this year (hopefully soon, but I am not going to pressure myself with my current workload)...I decided upon the "Sew Charming" pincushion kit - I just adore this bluebird sitting on a tuffet...and there is even a little heart pocket to hold scissors or a thimble. The kit contains all the materials to make the pincushion...including the tape measure trim, the buttons, and the pins...all you need is a needle and thread and the needlework treasure you want to place in the heart pocket...I think I can handle that! I plan to put this at the top of my "snow day" pile and hope to make a little time to work on it soon...

I have also added a new book to my wishlist...yep, Just Another Button Company has a new book titled "Pincushion Appeal" - I am sure this title will *need* to be added to my studio library...because, as we all know, I have an addiction...

...and if you aren't familiar with the Just Another Button Company blog and are looking for some pincushion inspiration, you should definitely check it out...it is full of eye candy that just may give you and idea or two (or three):
http://justanotherbuttoncompany.com/blog/