podcast - Quilting...for the Rest of Us

I’m welcoming myself back to my own podcast! It’s been awhile, so I spend a little bit of time on a life update, and then talk about my current quilty projects (the Storm at Sea which is almost in its third year of progress) and set myself some goals. I also give you permission to nag me to quilt!Mentioned in this podcast:Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, audiobook read by Wil Wheaton (whom I accidentally said was from Lost in Space but is actually from Next Generation as any good geek knows—slip of the tongue)The Yoga Room from Round Rock, TX, on YouTubeAccuquilt Go! Storm at Sea Die (Accuquilt constantly has sales—I have paid full price for very, very few dies so keep an eye out!)

Oops. I thought I was on episode 205 when I recorded and posted this episode, and now I'm realizing it should've been 204. Oh well!

Two episodes in two weeks! That's, like, a record or something for me...Sandy update (and I've touched fibers, so there's an update!), a bit about clothing, and a lot about organizing my embroidery thread stash. Plus a book review!Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art, by Claire Wellsley-SmithArt Bin Super Satchel bins and storage rack (As an Amazon associate, using these links helps support my podcast and blog. Thank you!)

Welcome to my 200th episode! Since I missed my 6th podcastaversary back in March, I'll take this opportunity instead to give some stuff away! Look underneath the podcast player for information about my 200th episode giveaway!In this episode, I talk a little bit about vacation but mostly about what I've been up to in my sewing room and embroidery-wise. I've been making progress! Plus, the ever-favorite-of-mine, listener feedback!Later note: I misspoke in this episode and said both embroidery projects I have going are Lynette Anderson designs. They're not. I got it right in the related blog posts, though--the Christmas ornaments are Lynette Anderson, the Halloween BOM is Bunny Hill Designs. My bad! And so...it's my200th episode!Which means it seems to be time for a giveaway! Enter to win these fat quarters and the "Quick Turn tool" (sold in a variety of places but it's come in particularly handy on my Annie Unrein projects--she sells it on her website at www.byannie.com.) The Quick Turn tool is an easy way to turn fabric tubes right-side out again--something you do a lot of in making accessories.To enter, leave a comment below responding to this question:What would you love to do 200 times? I've loved posting 200 episodes. I've loved the conversation, the comments, the challenge, and making new friends via the airwaves (or the fiber optic cables, whatever). I love seeing pictures of what y'all are working on, and I love getting your excellent tips for how I could avoid completely screwing something up the next time I work on it. I love being inspired by your projects and I love it when you poke at me to keep going when I'm ready to toss it in. Thanks for 200 fun times, and I'm looking forward to more!Also, I'd love to eat 200 pieces of chocolate. Although probably not all at once. That might be gross.So--leave your comments--what would you love to do 200 times?After you've left your comment, use the Rafflecopter widget to enter the giveaway. (I can't include you unless you're in Rafflecopter as the winner gets chosen at random through their widget.)  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's my new microphone. Ain't it cute?In this episode, I talk about my current--finished!--quilt project: that now-infamous Annie Unrein cosmetics bag. But then I obviously will not let Annie win as I'm going back to the well for another couple of projects, also referenced in this episode. A brief reference to the Jacob's Ladder quilt and another couple of projects I want to do in upcoming weeks.After all the quilty talk is done, I share some changes I've made in the last few weeks that have made a vast improvement to my physical and mental health. But I do let you know when it's coming so you can turn off if you're just interested in quilty stuff.Still--I hope you'll leave comments! It's far easier for me to talk to you when you're talking back! :-)In this episode: Quilt blocks for Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada: http://slostudio.ca/post/143898346607/quilts-for-fort-mcmurrayTwilter block swap: Birds in the Air block--check out the Twilters group on Facebook. If you're not a member, let me know.Annie Unrein's Catch All Caddy (which I think I mistakenly referred to as the Carry-All bag, which is a different pattern altogether)Annie Unrein's Train Case Trio patternAnnie Unrein's Ultimate Travel Bag (this is the one I'm doing the Craftsy class for)Jewelry Roll pattern by ModKid by Patty Young on CraftsyUpright Duffle Gym Bag by StudioCherie on CraftsyGretchen Rubin's books: The Happiness Project, Better Than Before By the way, I didn't talk about this in the podcast, but I used every dang one of these feet, and a couple others that didn't make it into the picture, at some point in the making of the cosmetics bag...  

In this episode I talk about the continuing saga of the cosmetics bag, including questions about bias tape makers and a bit about FitBits. (See what I did there?)To visit Frances' podcast and blog (and information about Birds in the Air), The Off-Kilter Quilt, click here. 

This is a bit of a random catch-up episode but I do talk a fair amount of fabric and quilty stuff!Mentioned in this episode:Alamosa Quilt CompanyOzzypip QuiltsThe Annie Unrein pattern I'm currently working on is in her Craftsy class, Sew Sturdy Travel Organizers. (Using this link helps support my podcast and blog. Thank you!) Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project, Better Than Before (the book), Better Than Before (the journal), and Happier at Home (currently on sale for $1.99 on Kindle). She and her sister also have a podcast, "Happier with Gretchen Rubin," available on iTunes and Stitcher, and probably lots of other places. 

In this episode, I announce the winner of the 2016 Quilty Resolutions Giveaway, and talk about some quilty goings-on in my life. Woo! I've touched my sewing machine! In this episode: "Walking in Love" interactive art project: www.adelehan.com/interactive-art-project-walking-in-love, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/walkinginlovestory/?fref=ts. 

No show notes this time: just an update on what's happened over the last few weeks. 

In this episode I report on how I did with my 2015 Quilty Resolutions and what it meant to have a Word of the Year; I also remind y'all what your 2015 Words of the Year were and ask for updates! Then we turn to 2016 Quilty Resolutions. I share mine, and then once again invite you to share yours and enter my giveaway. I end the episode by talking about a few books I've found helpful in helping me with crazy quilting, embroidery, and beadwork. Please note: I have now posted the Quilty Resolutions submission form here. Mentioned in this episode:Judith Baker Montano's Embroidery & Crazy Quilt Stitch ToolStitched Blooms: 300 Floral, Leaf & Border Motifs to Embroider by Carina Envoldsen-HarrisDoodle Stitching: The Holiday Collection by Aimee RayBeading on Fabric by Larkin Jean Van HornCrazy Quilting by Christine DabbsQuilting...Just a Little Bit Crazy by Allie Aller & Valerie BothellAllie Aller's Crazy QuiltingRodale's Successful Quilting Library: Creative Embellishments One I forgot to mention but is also really great: Foolproof Crazy Quilting by Jennifer Clouston   (Disclosure: As an Amazon affiliate, using the Amazon links in this post helps support my podcast and blog. Thank you!) 

In this episode I talk about a family emergency that turned into a quilty project; I also discuss how to save embroidery projects from the trash can, and a little bit about de-gunking irons, all in the context of my current works in progress (or finishes). I also introduce the 2016 Quilty Resolutions Challenge concept, although the actual challenge won't launch on my blog for another several days. But this'll get you thinking!

A little bitta bling--always hard to get a blingie picture, though! I can actually talk about quilting and embroidery and fun stuff now! Progress update on several embroidery projects and a bit about some quilting projects. I do talk about my school-related plans for the break until my January class, but I warn you when it's coming so you can just stop listening at that point if you'd like to; I do, however, end with listener feedback as usual. And by the way, I apparently have a complete mental breakdown by the end. Barely coherent, really. So it may be worth hanging in for the entertainment value.Mentioned in this episode: Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare YoungsKFNeedleworkDesign on EtsyLorraine at ColourComplements on Etsy who REALLY lives in Canada, not the UK as I mistakenly reported. (I've since fixed it on that blog post.)Akonye Kena fair trade embroidery threads (and check out their buttons too)Daylight wafer light box that my friend has and I really, really want.And here's the real link for MeinkeToy, although I've also fixed it in that episode show notes as well. 

In this episode, I talk about all the fun we had for #BFSI (Black Friday Sew-In), announce the Boxing Day Sew-In (#BDSI), and update y'all on Jacob's Ladders and Pudgy Birds. Talk back to me this time, ya hear?

Letting you know it's time to get ready for #BFSI! In this episode, I talk about a finish, a near finish, a I-wonder-if-I'll-finish-it-in-time-for-Christmas, and a it-has-a-snowball's-chance-in-h-e-double-hockey-sticks of ever getting finished. I mentioned Sue Spargo's website for threads: www.suespargo.com. The other one I talked about is MeinkeToy Fiber Art Supplies at www.meinkeytoy.com. 

Not much in the way of show notes here, folks. Step away from the show notes. But listen to the episode for sure--and leave comments!!

I'm back!

Hey--two weeks in a row! It's a miracle! In this episode I remind you all of the Banned Books Week Challenge, then I talk about turning 50, working on Jacob's Ladder (and a tool recommendation), some crewel embroidery (and a tool recommendation), and a titch about Craftsy classes I'm working on. Then I finally--FINALLY--do some listener feedback! Woo! My favorite part!In this episode:Morgan Products Lap Stand Embroidery HoopClearly Perfect AnglesUltraglide foot for Janome (there are different Ultraglide feet depending on your model of Janome--be sure to check which one would fit your machine.)Allie Aller's Crazy Quilting: Modern Piecing and Embellishing Techniques for Joyful StitchingGretchen of 120 Blocks blog review of the above

In this episode, I talk a little bit about school, about the sewing projects I've actually managed to get done, and about AQS QuiltWeek in Syracuse (attended on August 1st). For the blog post about my QuiltWeek acquisitions, click here. For the post about the totebag I made using one of the patterns I bought at QuiltWeek, click here. For the post with the Craftsy class review and pics of the zippered pouches I made, click here. To check out the Facebook Twilters group, click here. 

I exist! (I podcast, therefore I am.) This is a catch-up episode in which I let you know what I've been up to recently. Most importantly--I announce the 2015 Banned Books Week Challenge that Tanesha of CraftyGardenMom podcast and blog and I have co-hosted for the last three years. Welcome to year 4! (More on our blogs later.)