Doodling

I always practice machine quilting by doodling with pen and paper. It really is true that if you can draw it you can quilt it out. The more you practice your doodles the better your brain will be at telling your hands or machine which way it needs to go.


The flower in this doodle is a place holder. It could be a star block, some applique, anything really. I was watching a Linda Taylor video and wanted to try out some of the techniques she was demonstrating. I love the Dr. Seussy feeling of the main back ground fill. I also like the inner border and how easy it was to draw it out.

I really need to learn how to think upside down. I've noticed that my designs are wonky anytime I have to do them upside down or from right to left. I guess it all comes down to practice and it's definitely easier to practice on paper than it is to practice on the machine. I can practice on paper anywhere, anytime. Like at the Dr's office, waiting in the car pick up line, at church (he he), in bed etc.

You really ought to try doodling too. I find that a 9"x12" pad works best because it's big enough to let you practice drawing bigger. When I first started doodling my doodles were always tiny, but you will get better results if your doodles are closer to the size you would put on a quilt.

~ Norma

Winner

Wow! Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day was a HUGE success. I had 518 comments left. Who knew cute little goldfish where in such high demand. I still have some in my stash so I might just have to do it again sometime.

The super lucky winner is # 418

The Average Quilter (a machine quilter herself) said:

I know how excited you are - I have a longarm myself and I love quilting other peoples quilts. Good luck on you venture

Thank you so much for answering my question, I have gained a lot of insight and have noticed a few misconceptions. I'll be doing some "mythbusting" posts over on the machine quilting blog to clear up those misconceptions.

Have a great weekend,
~ Norma

Deliciousness

The other day I opened up an early Christmas present. I’ve always wanted a cast iron Dutch oven but the prices have kept me from getting one. Even the “cheap” ones are in the $100 range. I was so excited to finally get one and at a super price! During Black Friday I came across an internet super deal and for $20 got a 5 1/2 quart Dutch oven.

I decided to make Pioneer Woman’s “Perfect Pot Roast.” I’ve never been able to make a roast that I actually enjoyed. This recipe was super delicious, super easy and came out so flavorful. I don’t know if it was the recipe or the Dutch oven. My kids ate every bite of food from their plate!

I followed the recipe exactly using her step by step photo tutorial as a guide. My onions and carrots even turned out as pretty as hers. I couldn’t resist snapping a picture.

So besides a pot roast what can I make in a Dutch oven?

~ Norma

Giveaway Day

Sew Mama Sew giveaway day is one of my favorite days of the year. Good thing it comes around twice a year! I love finding new blogs and if I'm lucky to win a little something... well that's the icing on the cake! Head on over to enter lots of other giveaways too.

My regular readers (if I still have any!) have probably noticed that I have been missing for quite sometime! I've been pretty busy with life (new baby) but I've also been super busy working on a new site/project. I am now ready to start accepting customers for machine quilting services. *eeep* I'm so excited! The site still needs a few tweaks here and there but I can start accepting customers now.

I'm running a super special right now so make sure you check it out if you need help turning those tops into quilts. You could get a quilt top machine quilted for as low as $30! Spots fill up fast as I limit the number of quilts I take in per month.

OK enough of the info-mercial. We all know you are here for some fabulous hard to find, out of print "fish in bags!"

I will give 2 fat quarters, one blue one white, to one lucky reader. I will ship to anywhere in the world even! The giveaway will close December 16 and a winner will be chosen on December 17th by random number generator.
For entries (leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Leave me a comment telling me what would entice you to send out your quilt to be quilted. Could it be free shipping, free batting, free binding service, an awesome price? If you've had any bad experiences with a machine quilter let me know about your experience so I don't make the same mistakes! (no names please)
• I love my followers so you get an extra entry if you follow my blog.
• The best way to keep up with any specials I might be running is to follow my new Machine Quilting blog and you'll get an extra entry too.

So that's it 3 easy ways to get your name in the pool for some super cute fishy fabric.

~ Norma

A Few of My Favorite Things …

I can’t believe he’s 4 months already! I could kiss those little cheeks ALL day long.  *sigh*

Have a great weekend
~Norma