Happy As A Clam

I am Happy as a clam.

Why am I happy as a clam?
I have just finished computer generating

my quilts using my 2010 Fall fabric.
For me generating quilts is a pain in the neck.
Not because I do not like generating,

I love the challenge of taking forty 5" Charm Squares

and seeing what I can create.
Generating for me is literally a pain in the neck.

The pain in the neck comes from having
to tilt my head back to see the computer screen,
thus causing the pain in my neck.

(Yes, I am of the age of "bifocals required".)

Therefore when my quilts are done - I am happy as a clam.
The solution would be to take a pair of old frames

and have the reading part of my prescription put in the lenses.
I just cannot remember to do this.

Lord knows I have plenty of old frames laying around.
(I have a bit of a glasses fetish.)

Some of your might be wondering - What exactly is computer generating a quilt.
At Moda they like to be able to show the shop owners what patterns will be available using each line of fabric. This enables them to order fabric more efficiently.
Since the sales reps show the fabric on paper - before we actually have cloth to make the quilts - our only option is to "make" them on the computer.

How do you make a quilt on the computer?
Kind of like you make a real quilt.
Moda scans each strike-off (samples of fabric the mill sends us to approve the color and pattern). They then send me a disc of all of the scanned images.

Just like a real quilt the first thing you do is cut the quilt.
The images are usually about 6" X 8". If I am making a Charm Pack™ quilt I have to cut each of the pieces to a size of 5" X 5". How do I do this? I simply crop the picture to 5" X 5". If I am making a Layer Cake™ quilt I have to "piece" the fabric to make a 10" X 10" piece.

After I have "cut" the quilt. I start "piecing", simply by moving the scanned images into the position needed.

The name of the line is Awesome.
What season is more awesome than fall?
In my eyes, by far the prettiest color palette of all the seasons.

Autumn Glow, Pumpkin, Moss, Bark, Yarrow and Red Maple.
Below are the quilts that I generated.

Quilt using the panel.

I did a squirrel and acorns because our yards at home and the lake

are filled with oak trees, acorns and squirrels.

Charm Pack pattern

Jelly Roll pattern

Layer Cake pattern



A pattern called Cosmos.



This one I named Kaleidoscope.
It is easier than it looks.
(Lots of strip piecing.)

If you are a shop owner and you are interested in seeing this line, contact you Moda rep. The reps now have this line in their hands.

If you are not a shop owner you will have to wait until July to see this line.

Sorry to be such a tease...

but arriving in stores now - Frolic.

Did you ever wonder where the saying Happy as a Clam came from?

I assumed it was because a clam always looks like he/she is smiling.

Well I did some research and I found out the original saying was " happy as a clam in high tide". A clam is happy at high tide because you cannot dig for clams at high tide. They therefore as assured of not becoming some one's meal.

Now you know.

From my heart,

Sandy

I'm In The Mood For Lovn'

I just recently finished my Valentines line for 2011.

Right now the hottest color combination is turquoise and red.

I bought these shoes for Abby for $28.00 on Endless.com.

(I added the dots)

My favorite color is red, I always use a warm blue, never a cool blue, so red and turquoise seemed to be a perfect fit for me. I love to step out of the box and break all of the rules.

For me it is the only way to be really creative and keep things fresh.

I also added colors of whipped cream, blush and chocolate...

for all of you out there who like to stay in the box.

The name is Giddy.



A partcial sneak peek of the panel.
Panel also comes in traditional Valentine colors.




A few of the prints.



In stores December of 2010.

If this line interests you and you are a shop owner, call your rep to book your appointment now.
If you like this line and you are not a shop owner...go to your local quilt shop and tell the owner she has to buy this for you!

If this has put you in the mood to
whip up a Valentine's project,
my current Valentine's line, L'Amour, is in stores now.





The pattern using the panel.
#469 L'Amour




#471 Lonely Hearts Club
Charm Pack pattern.

To see all of the patterns and the complete fabric line, check your local quilt shop or go here and press the What's New button.

Happy Valentine's Day!

From my heart,

Sandy

Ice Fishing 101

We have owned our lake cabin since May of last year. This summer there were many fish caught - none of them were caught by me. Now the lake is frozen and we are ice fishing. Again many fish have been caught - none of them by me.

Both kids were home this past weekend

to spend some time at the cabin ice fishing.

They wanted to show me the ice fishing ropes.

I showed up at the cabin wearing this coat.

The kids just shock their heads.

Lesson number 1: You do not ice fish in a wool plaid coat and leather gloves. Who knew you needed special clothing to catch a fish? I guess you need Gortex™, Under Armour® and a goofy bomber hat - none of which I own.
And really, do you think the fish know what you are wearing?

Apparently they do.

(Remember to click on pictures to enlarge.)



Years ago everyone fished in wool coats - heck they fished in wool everything.
Wool coat, wool pants, wool plaid shirt, wool underwear and wool socks,
and they caught plenty of fish.
I'm just sayn' I don't think my problem is my clothing.

As soon as you get inside your hut, you take your coat off.
So does it really matter?
(Yes it is toasty warm in the little hut.)



And what is this? I ask.

Lesson #2:
You need weed to catch fish. Weed???
Gortex, a bomber hat and weed??? I don’t have any of these items.
The kids quickly set me straight. Fake vegetation. I guess you put some fake vegetation in the lake. Hopefully the fish will think it is a home??

I don't think the fish are buying it.

Lesson number 3: You need patience. I don’t have a lot of patience, so after a while I embarrassed my children by walking around the lake, in WOOL, to snap some pictures.

There is a whole little village out on the lake.
Can you guess which hut is ours?

Why yes, it is the one with the quilt on top of the roof.

(This is to cut down on condensation.)

I bet the fish are having a hey day with this one.

If you are interested in making this quilt for your ice hut - or any other reason, check it out at http://www.piecesfrommyheart.net/ Pattern #374 It's a Guy Thing. This quilt uses the stack and slice method of piecing, so it is quick and easy.

The wheel house behind our little hut is the Ice House Mansion. It seats 6 fishermen and a dog comfortably. However, the house has rules.

I see by rule number #3 that Bimbo and Bruce rule!

I also learned that some wagering goes on at the mansion.
Who is going to catch the biggest fish?

I am betting it is not me.

This little wheel house is Anthony and Bruce’s dream.

It is just the right size - seats 4.

They bought plans to make one,

but have decided it may be cheaper

to buy a good used one.

Frosty has just come in from a ski across the lake.

I don’t know if he has lost his face or if he has his back to me???

After my little stroll around the lake, I decided to make the fisherman a pot of chili.
We prefer plain ol' chili. If you like yours all doctored up this is not the chili for you.

Plain Ol’ Chili

1 lb. hamburger browned.
1 onion chopped
2 small cans light red kidney beans
1 lg. can petite diced tomatoes
1 can tomato juice
3 Tblsp. chili powder
2 Tblsp. vinegar

Simmer until onions are softened.
Ladle into bowls and top with a small pad of butter.

Our family is not a cracker crusher family. We never crush our crackers.
We like to spread them with cheese spread and eat them with our chili not in our chili.

Cheese Spread
1 jar Kraft Old English Cheese
1 tub soft margarine
Mix together and spread on crackers.
You can also spread this on French bread,

sprinkle with garlic salt and broil until bubbly.

While the chili simmers, I will see if I can catch a fish…

Fish tally:
Bruce: 3
Anthony: 4
Abby: 3
Me: 0

I failed Ice Fishing 101. :-(

From my heart,
Sandy

Project Runway

Are any of you out there in blog land fans of Project runway? I love, love the show. Season seven starts tonight. I am giddy with anticipation. I have gone on line and watched all of the designer's videos and it looks to be a great season.

I have always loved fashion. My mother taught me how to sew at a very young age. I made my first 4-H outfit when I was 8 years old. It was a turquoise gathered skirt. I have sewn ever since.

When I was in high school I spent my noon hours in the Home Ec. room looking through and drooling over the patterns in the Vogue pattern book. (Could explain why I didn't have a boyfriend.) Yep I was a dork!

We NEVER bought Vogue patterns they were way too expensive.

Simplicity and McCall's were the brand of choice.

We could buy these right in town

in the basement of the Chozen's Department Store.

Once and awhile we would travel to Fairmont

where they had Butterick patterns.

Buttericks were my favorite- well of the ones I could afford.

Then along about the late 70's all of the apparel fabric stores started shutting down. Living here in small town Iowa I had no source for material. (Back then it was called material - not sure when it became fabric??) Also some of you cannot remember this, but there was a time when you could not surf the web to find whatever it was your little heart desired, therefore, my apparel sewing went by the wayside.

This was one of the Vogue patterns that I REALLY wanted when I was flipping though the pages of the Vogue pattern book during my noon hour.

A couple of years ago I finally bought the pattern on ebay.

I made it to wear to Quilt Market.
(I chose not to wear my hat and gloves :)

I made this out of orange wool for my Sophomore homecoming.

This was one of my favorite dresses.

I made it in navy blue just like on the pattern cover.

Sadly it was stolen out of the locker room at school.

I am currently looking for this Modes Royale pattern.
Does anyone out there in blog land own this pattern?
I have some great vintage buttons that would work perfectly for this dress.

Thursday nights are going to be wonderful for the next couple of months.
Mac'n cheese, a cherry Coke, complete control of the remote and Project Runway...Heavenly.

From my heart,

Sandy

Do You Ever Wonder????

Do you ever wonder - if the Moda fabric designers could have a super power, what would it be? Or maybe what is in their refigerators, or who has infulenced them the most?

If so, find the answers by going to the Moda home page to watch a video of each of the designers.

If you do not care to know the answers to any of these question but care about new fabric, go to the Moda website to see all of the new lines of fabric that will be shipping to stores on Janurary 10th. There are TEN new lines including my new line Nautical and Nice. Check it out.

#479 High Tide
(Turnover Pattern)

#478 Regatta
(Layer Cake pattern)

#477 Meteor Shower

(Jelly Roll pattern)

#476 Anchors Away
(Charm Pack pattern)
Fat Quarters Shop is offering this as a kit.

#475 Nautical and Nice
(Panel pattern)

These patterns will be posted on our website after January 10th.

From my heart,

Sandy