I've ventured again into the area of things that are new to me. So far it's all enjoyable!
I worked on my Stitchers Garden blocks (BOM from last year) this weekend. These 6 blocks used a new to me technique - bobbin work. I hand wound DMC (as it comes with all 6 strands) onto my bobbin. I purchased a new one so I could play with the tension. Many sewists and quilters are skilled enough to mess with bobbin tension - I am not and I wanted to make sure I had a bobbin I could sew with. Since the DMC is in the bobbin, these blocks were sewn with the back of the fabric facing up. Kind of fun! This method was used for the applique and the block around the flower petals.
I'm also reading a new way. On a Nook! I decided to get one as I'm traveling more for work. My library has a modest e-book circulation with long waits so I joined the Philadelphia Free Library. They allow out of state residents to join for a very nominal fee of $35. I've gotten 3 books so far and am quickly adapting to this method of reading. I thought I would NEVER enjoy an e-reader.
I also desire to venture into the arena of modern quilting. I picked up some Amy Butler and Sugar and Spice at my LQS. The Sherbet Pips layer cake I won from Thelma and the Dream On I won from Megan. I have a pattern in mind for the Sherbet Pips and for the others just some general ideas. I need to get some solids to co-ordinate with these. I've never used Kona Solids or Moda Bella Solids - nor have I ever seen them so this should be interesting! Any ideas for patterns or co-ordinating solids would be very welcome. This is outside my comfort zone!
The hopping from this to that continues. No real focus on anything for any great length of time. The finish I hoped to show you didn't materialize. It will eventually! Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!
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33 comments:
Hey Jackie, thanks for visiting my blog today. I love the fabric but i know the challanges when it isn't something you are used to, can't wait to see what you do. I haven't done any bobbin work so I am pleased to hear of it and thanks for sharing. Have a grand week. Hugs, Marie
I have a Nook too and I love it. I too thought I would never want one since I love to hold a book and turn the pages. But my Nook is so lightweight and I have so many books at my fingertips. I like to use the library to borrow books and I take advantage of the Free Book Fridays for the Nook on Barnes and Nobles website.
I haven't bought an e-reader yet but they do look promising. That way I could have a bunch of books at my finger tips without having a bookshelf full at home.
I was watching a quilting show recently and they were doing bobbin work. It looked interesting and I filed it in the back of my brain to try a bit later.
Interesting on the bobbin work. Looks great! Love your Nook! I love reading on my iPad. I use all the e-reader programs -- the ibookstore, the Kindle app, and the Nook app. :D I should check out the Philadelphia free Library. Interesting!
I admire you constantly trying new things!!! The bobbin work looks so nice~~~~
I have an i-pad but I'm still not use to reading on them. One thing for me is that it is a bit too heavy for me. I'm sure Nook would work much better!!!! That must be very handy when traveling.
Love those fabric you got there!!! Can't wait to see what you got in store for them~~
Small flowers are wonderful!
good day
HI Jackie,
Very cute flowers!
I have the Dream On range and I love it so much! Reminds me of vintage sheets which I also collect.
I'd strongly recommend you get a colour chart for the Kona and Bella Solids if you're planning to buy online. That way you can match up the prints to the perfect solid whenever you like. It's a bit daunting looking at them online as you cant be sure the colours will be true to life. My personal favourite of the two is Bella Solids.
I just love your fabrics and you do the most fun stitching with your machine....
Great idea for you..the nook....
Well, aren't those the cutest little flower blocks! I love the tiny yo-yo's in the center, too, Jackie. Your first attempt at these looks perfect to me :)
Congratulations on your giveaway wins and I'm glad you're enjoying your Nook. Good hint about the Philly library, too--I didn't know that!
Your flower blocks are so pretty and so perfect for a spring finish! I love the yo yo centers. The bright, cheerful fabrics look so fun. I can't wait to see what you make with them!
Jackie,
Your flower blocks turned out darling! You are never afraid to try something new, and I admire you for this.
I absolutely LOVE my Nook! I have dozens of book and dozens of samples just waiting. I read in bed every night, and the Nook is so lightweight, and you don't have to fight with pages. A plus..I have been in Barnes late at night in my jams and don't have to worry about people seeing me. lol.
Love the bobbin work you've done, didn't know you could do that even. I love your ereader, I'm wanting the nook color in the worst way, but I have so many books to read in book form, seems like I should clear my library first. Very handy for all the traveling you're doing. Take care.
I've never heard of hand-winding a bobbin with DMC. I suspect my machine would throw a fit! It's pretty old and, like me, is not acquainted with these newer techniques!
More and more people seem to fall in love with E-readers. I'll probably succumb at some point.
Love your flower petals, that method is new to me too.
I love my e-reader!
I can hardly wait to see what you do with you Sherbet Pips! You're on a winning streak!
Don't worry abut your lack of focus on one project, enjoy each one as you work on it. It will all come together sooner or later!
Love all the colors in the fabrics!
I love my Kindle. So much so I just upgraded my first gen one to a new sleek black one. Dangerous though because there is nothing to stop you from getting whatever book you want on a whim in 2.3 seconds time.
I love that at my age, I am still learning to do new things. You are an inspiration to me! Those fabrics are very pretty!
They have a limited range of Kona solids at JoAnn so you can get the basics -- and use a coupon!
Jackie, try the new Free Spirit solids...they are absolutely wonderful. Great thread count and a nice soft feel, in addition to some beautiful colors. I prefer them to both Kona and Moda. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Commenting on your recent blogs:
What an awesome instructor! Love the works and agree with you on that "cheddar" hue. :D
Those quilt blocks are so cute with the buttons in the flowers. :D
Love the sherbet and yellow stripe fabrics at the bottom of the pile on the right! :D Also, those scooter-ing people on the sherbet pips (is it a layer cake?) are fab! :D
Good call on the Nook! I should keep that out-of-state fee in mind; the one for NYC's library is HUGE, so it's nice to hear of a reasonable one. I have a love/hate relationship with my Kindle. I love it, but I hate how they just seem to keep raising and raising their prices on books I want. :P
I am completely mad for almost everything Fig Tree Quilts shows on the blog, and would LOVE to quilt 'em up! :D Too bad I only have theory and almost no experience. ;) I'll get there.
I have never heard of this technique Jackie. I cannot imagine 6 strands of DMC fitting into my sewing machine. These flowers are adorable so it must be working well. This is going to be a cheerful summer quilt by the looks of it so far.
Enjoy stepping out of your comfort zone to try more quilting. I will be interested to hear if you like it or not.
An e-reader...I am a book girl but more and more books are only available on e-readers. I was talking about it on my online book club and someone made a great point about them. She needs large print books and they are not always available but all are when on her Kindle. Made me think twice since I use reading glasses...lol. Great that you have books available through your library.
Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi
I'm glad you like your Nook - (I can't say I've ever used one)
Enjoy your day
Hugs,
Your flower blocks are beautiful Jackie:)
I have never heard about the bobbin technique with DMC, but it sounds interesting and it looks good.
I just love my e-reader! Since then I have been reading again. My first choice was a nook, but I could not download books with it in the Netherlands, so I had to bring it back. I have the Kindl and enjoy it a lot!
Wow, what a great fabric collection!
You will have a good time with those, even just looking at them.
What lovely flower blocks!
A Happy Easter to you and your family!!
Your garden blocks are beautiful Jackie, I look forward to see what you make with your brights! xo
What pretty flowers and I love the fabric you've added to your stash!
I'm a Kindle girl but your Nook is lovely :) Great blog - adding it to my blog list. Always great connecting with you on good reads!!
Tanya
The flower blocks are really cute - I may have to get that a try. I love my Sony ereader.
my DD has a nook and she loves it, I am glad your liking yours too. oh love your new fabrics, just happy and bright! oh your going to have fun making quilts with them
nice to work out of our comfort zone once n a while...
keep us posted as to what you make!
Kathie
That is so interesting about sewing with the DMC! Good for you--the flowers look great!
Enjoy your Nook. I am SO jealous. If I was in the US, I'd definitely invest in one because of the library loan feature. We are so behind the times here that I'm rejoicing that I can now get books from all the libraries across the country, and not just our podunk county library. Still, I can only request 5 of those at a time and only take out 8 books total at one time. AGH!
I read a lot of quilting blogs written by quilters who are into modern quilting and modern fabrics. Fabrics from French General, BBD, American Jane, and Fig Tree work best in my house, but I do love the brightness. I bought a bunch of Riley Blake fabric last summer and still need to make a quilt with it. It's loud and screams summer and won't work in my house but we will love it all the same. I just need to make the quilt. ;) If you go to comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk, the designer of Sherbet Pips has written out in one of her posts what solids coordinate best with the Pips. I need to get some Pips AND the fabric and plan to use that since I can't audition anything at a quilt shop. Good luck!
Oh, you are brave! I get the heebie-jeebies even thinking about bobbin work! Your e-book looks interesting. Books took up a lot of space in my luggage on the trip to San Francisco... Have fun with your bright fabrics!
Flowers look wonderful! Enjoy your Nook - sounds great!
I have never heard of bobbin work...love your flowers, so cute!! And yipee for the Nook..I have also been thinking about getting one of those. Love your new fabrics. Can't wait to see what you whip up with those.
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