It's the Little Things

Last Sunday, as I sandwiched a quilt together and filled it full of safety pins to await machine quilting, I lamented coming to the bottom of my pin box, as it meant I would not have enough pins left to organize the quilt layout on one of my other projects.

Normally as I lay a quilt out on the living room floor, I stack my rows of blocks together and pin each stack in the corner, so I don't get things mixed up or twisted around in transport up to my sewing room. I even have a little "code" that lets me know which row I am looking at ... just in case.

(Yes - it would all be so much easier with a design wall, but right now the living room floor will have to suffice)

Today, while rummaging around for "hardware" to work on a messenger bag for the Munchkin to take to preschool, I came across a box marked "quilting supplies" - a box that moved with us from South Carolina about 10 years ago and kind of got stuck in a box and then into a corner and then into a closet and forgotten, as new supplies and new methods of organization came along.

In that box was... a HUGE supply of safety pins!! Large ones, small ones, quilters pins, regular pins - AND some heavy duty machine needles that will come in handy sewing the denim of the Messenger Bag.

Made my day!!!

The "Bricks and Stepping Stones" quilt layout is now complete and pinned and awaiting assembly.

A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Fabric Store

Actually - the funny thing happened AT the fabric store, but anyway....

I started out with a good list - new rotary cutter, blades, thread, and some fabric for a couple of quilt projects I am working on.

I was fine until I got in line for the cutting counter -and got spotted - by 2 of my Sister-In-Laws and my niece.

"There's nothing purple in this cart," one SIL observed. The other SIL had been hinting BROADLY that the Train Miranda I made for the Munchkin would look really good in purple, so I knew what that was all about. I'd been intending to make her one, but since there were so many fabric styles to choose from I did not want to buy it without her input.

Since the quilting fabrics were on sale - I grabbed the 3 of them and off we went back over to get more fabric - just as my number was being called for cutting!

"I'll be back" I promised the ladies at the cutting counter.

So we found our purples - and back I went to get it all cut.

It must have been my lucky day - I had grabbed a whole bunch of bolts that had just enough on them that after I put in my order, there were "remnants" left that I of course snatched up at the additional discount.

So I ended up with enough purples to make 2 Mirandas (and I just happen to know someone else that is related to me that loves purple!!), and enough of the other bits and pieces to really get to work on 4 quilt projects in various stages of progress - from planning to piecing.

AND I got my new rotary cutter. I got lots of great input from lots of people on the different cutters out there, but in the end opted to stick with the same Fiskars cutter I am used to. I've had no complaints, like how it feels in my hand, the price was right - and this great new color in their Coastal Collection will help me keep my paper cutter and fabric cutter separated.

I obliterated the gift card Hubby gave me for my birthday - and then some - but will get a lot out of what I purchased. I just can't go back again for a while - unless I win the Lottery.

Requiem to a Rotary Cutter

Well Old Friend - I knew this day would come eventually - the day that you would "snap" and our wonderful partnership would have to come to an end.

It's been a long and prosperous relationship. From the day I brought you home paired up with your friends the cutting mat and the ruler you were willing to give me your all - rolling and cutting and then ducking back safely when I needed you to. For the past 10 years you have always been there for me - ready to work on my crafty projects, my curtains, my pillowcases, my tablecloths, my Lazy Girl totes, even pinch hitting as a raffle ticket cutter sporting a perforating blade for a while. We've had to get you a new mat, and a few new rulers have joined the team, but through it all you were the key - the tool the others needed to work together.

Up to the end you gave it your all - finishing up this pile of strips for my latest projects before finally breaking down.

I know you would continue to work if I let you - but we've had a great safety record until now and I don't want to risk that - especially with the Munchkin around.

So now it is your time to rest, wrapped in a cushion of crumbs and strips and scraps and bits that you helped me to create.

Rest easy old friend -and thanks for a job well done.

Tools of the Trade

Hello, my name is Regina and I am a (recovering) craft tool addict...

Tool addict, gadget collector - whatever you want to call it - that's me, although I am getting better and more selective in my old age (truly I am!)

I used to be really bad about needing the latest and greatest - especially when I was very very actively rubber stamping. Of course having a family stamp shop did not make that any easier to resist.

As I later got into quilting, I realized more and more how I could multitask my tools - using a quilting rotary cutter and ruler with a blade just for paper to cut out cardstock nice and square, or using my rubber stamping tools in my scrapbooking, and I got more selective, buying more materials than tools.

A friend of mine recently posted a wonderful narrative about one of her favorite tools. This is one of my most used tools as well, and probably has tons of stories to tell, although mine has only seen one user.

I wonder what our other tools would say... especially the ones that might still be in the package?? (yes -there ARE a few of those!)