This weekend I worked on a video entry for YouTube's NextUp Contest. This contest is specifically for up-and-coming YouTube Partners, like me! It is a RIDICULOUS opportunity to win prize money, a trip to NYC to attend YouTube's Creator Camp and be promoted in unique YouTube programs and opportunities.
I submitted my entry and now we just wait to see if I make it to the 2nd round. They'll post the chosen videos sometime this week and open it up for voting! If my video makes it I'll let you all know so you can help me get those votes!
For those of you who didn't get to attend the Suwannee Valley Quilt & Old-Time Craft Festival in Trenton, FL last weekend I have a ton of pics to catch you up on the action! There were some amazing quilts on display... both indoors and outdoors. Hope you enjoy!
The hubby and my little man ready to see quilts! I love that they come along!
The next four quilts were a featured quilter's display... and were all handmade pieced and quilted! INSANE!
I like to make quilts! Like, really... I do! But only if the quilt top can be completed in less than a weekend. I prefer to take 5-7 hours to complete a quilt top. If you've seen the patterns that are out there I'm sure you know there are very few quilts that can be completed that quickly.
Pattern is in color and has fully colored diagrams for every step of the way! So easy to follow.
This is a hard copy pattern that will be mailed to you.
Here I am showing it off at another guild show and tell last night.
It is the ideal beginner project because all you have to cut are squares and strips and a few stars to (fusible) applique on. This can easily be whipped up in a weekend.... and if you're anything like me you can bust out this quilt top in about 5 or 6 hours! Now that's my kind of quilt!
p.s.- It's only March... you have plenty of time to make your own Starry Picnic quilt in time for a sunny outdoor Fourth of July picnic. I like to use a lightweight (4-5 oz) denim for my picnic quilts. You should try it!
I recently started a Modern Quilt Guild in town- Gainesville Modern Quilters and yesterday we had our first FREE member-taught workshop! I love the idea of having members of the guild teach each other without anyone having to pay for anything. We are a super laid-back guild with no executive board, no dues, etc.
Two of our members taught us how to make fabric bowls yesterday afternoon and let me tell you..... these suckers are addictive!!
....and yes, I have added this to my list of video tutorials to do. I have a few other things on my plate right now but I'll get to it as soon as I can..... wait no more, the video tutorial is live HERE.
You only need a few supplies and a sewing machine that can handle sewing through the bulk. This is also a great recycling/environmentally friendly project because its perfect for scraps! Depending on the width of the cotton clothesline or filler cord you use you can use strips up fabric as thin as 1/2" wide! Don't throw those scraps away, people!
This is the sample bowl I made at the workshop. I chose to go with an oblong shape instead of a circle. Turns out it's even easier (and quicker) to start than the circle ones. It turned out ok. I made it out of only one fabric... some random remnant I had in my stash. After getting the technique down I went home and made this baby...
Isn't it cute? You may recall the fabrics from this quilt....I always keep my scraps. I also used a variegated thread and I think that really adds a little something else to solid (or almost solid) fabrics.
I love these little bowls. Each of the ones I made took up only 6 yards of 100% cotton filler cord that I bought at Joann's. You can make really little ones for jewelry or storing knick-knacks or great big ones for bread, fruit, or decorative bowls..... oh, so many ideas!
Video tutorial on these fabric bowls coming soon! are HERE!
Here is a pic of the new camera my DH bought for me! It's an investment.... I have to use it to take great pics and video for my blog posts and tutorials... Sounds like a good deal to me!
I won't bore you with all the specs and details... just know it is amazing! I used to wonder what the hype with all these camera strap covers was until I got my own camera! I too had to make my own camera strap cover... especially since we went to the Suwannee Valley Quilt and Old-Time Craft Festival (more about this is a future post) today and I was going to be taking a ton of pics. The least I could do was take pictures in style, right?
Well here is the little strap cover I whipped up with some left over scraps from this quilt.
If you are wondering how I made it... check out the video tutorial I made just for you!
This tutorial is a little different than others I have done because I've received emails from hearing impaired subscribers who say they love my videos and would love to follow along more easily with a transcript or some text to read. So, I hope this will help.
Since I haven't been able to make and quilt any of my own quilts lately I have been taking in some more customer quilts to scratch that longarming itch I often get.
This particular customer is someone who didn't know anything about me until I posted an ad on craigslist.org about my longarm quilting services. She contacted me immediately and this is the second quilt I have quilted for her. As you all know by now, I looooove bright colors. So you can imagine how excited I was when she brought me this bright starry quilt!
We decided on a bright blue thread and I just love the way it's turning out....my free motion tribal-like design really looks good on this quilt.
ahem... anyone like my pictures? These were taken with my brand-spankin' new Canon Rebel T3i!
And just for good measure, I'll throw in a pic I took today of my 18 month old playing peek-a-boo in the yard.... (My sincerest apologies to those of you that live where there is still snow and cold weather... I really don't mean to tease you with our Florida weather. )
Thank you all for your emails of concern regarding where I've been the past few months. I really appreciate the love. I can explain.... I promise.
I'm pregnant with Baby #2!
The first trimester really took a toll on me especially with a "real" job, business, and a very active 18 month old at home. I just couldn't do it all! Unfortunately for you all, my blogging and tutorials had to be put on hold until I started feeling like a human being again. I am now starting to get my energy back and am starting to catch up with my blogland work. We are very excited and I'll be sure to keep you posted on our new adventure as our little family grows.
In more sewing/quilting related news... a lot has happened since I last blogged. Here is a brief recap but I will be going more into depth as the days go by.... expect to see me here a lot more regularly.
- Two of my original patterns have been published by QuiltWoman.com! You can only purchase these patterns from QuiltWoman.com. I'll also note that they both have full color diagram instructions and are hard copy patterns that are mailed to you. Check them out!
- I've also ordered a brand new DSLR camera that arrives tomorrow and I can hardly wait! I'll give a full introduction of this after I play around with it for a few days.
- I'm working on the Ruffled Pillowcase Dress Tutorial that so many have asked for. The pattern will have a complete chart of fabric and cutting requirements for girl sizes newborn to Size 8. With tons of diagrams and a video tutorial (of course!). Stay tuned!
- Lastly, I'll leave you with a new video tutorial I just posted- How to hand sew binding to the back of a quilt. This is just my way of doing it but I hope it helps some of you out there that are still confused as to how it's done. ENJOY!
