Autumn Classroom Makeover

Some of you asked to see pictures of my newly decorated classroom. Of course, it is always in a state of flux, depending on the seasons.

This is the view as you enter the room.



This is a closer view of my desk area. The autumn fabric on the wall will only be staying up for about two more weeks. I always make a huge homework game board on one wall of my classroom each year. In return for completed weekly homework slips, my students advance on the board and win prizes. I change the theme every year. One year, it was monkeys swinging from tree to tree. Last year, it was a freeway theme. I let my new assistant choose the theme this year since she is also very artistically inclined. She decided upon a Candy Land game board so is busy cutting out lollipops, cupcakes, ice cream cones, and gingerbread men. She is awesome!



More views…







And finally, the sign on the door. I had to take the picture at an extreme angle since the sun was shining so brightly.



I actually liked this version better. You can see the desks inside the classroom, the grassy courtyard just outside the door, the word “Club” on the sign, and of course, me taking the photo.



For more information and tips on materials, click here:  http://quiltedtimeposts.blogspot.com/2013/08/decorating-for-school.html

Stippling in a Storm

 

This evening there is a storm warning for Central California. The thunderstorms are supposed to occur a little north of here, but we are still getting lots of wind. As I am trying to stipple my snail’s trail quilt, the electricity keeps going off and on. My internet connection keeps breaking as well. The television is fading in and out with all sorts of static. I don’t even want to talk about how crazy my pets are being.

I should just let this task go for the night, but I have a deadline looming ahead of me. What was I thinking?

I just heard some thunder!

Quilting Kittens

 

It has been a bit difficult to get much quilting done as of late. The kittens have discovered the sewing machine.

Curry thinks that it is great fun to crawl through the “tunnel”. Check out the big feet. Definitely a big tom cat in the making.

Nico thinks the machine is cool, too. It is a cat toy, isn’t it?

Or maybe it is a little futon.

Works even better from the other side.

Stuffing a Binding

 

It seems that when quilters get together, invariably the topic of bindings comes up. How wide? Does it always meet the seam line on the back of the quilt so that both the front and back of the binding are equally wide? Is the completed binding “full” to the touch, encasing the edges of the quilt sandwich? And, hey, what the heck are the judges at shows considering to be the preferred binding?

The second quilting class I ever attended when I began the craft was about bindings. The class was great. The teacher was enthusiastic and supportive. She was a successful competitor at quilt shows. She recommended that the binding strips be cut 2 1/4 inches wide.

For some reason, that never worked for me. My binding never seemed to feel full unless I pulled it too far to the back of the quilt—past the seam line. That probably wouldn’t bother a lot of people, but most of you know how I am. I suppose it would be possible to make the seam a little deeper than the traditional 1/4 inch, but when I am shooting for the skinniest binding ever, that doesn’t sound like much of an option.

I began to cut my binding strips only 2 inches wide.

After much experimenting, I have also began “stuffing” some bindings. I cut skinny strips of Warm and Natural—about 3/16ths of an inch wide. I lay the strips inside the binding before turning it to the back and securing it down with pins or clips. Then I hand stitch the binding in place.

Here is a close-up.

This makes the binding nice and full without being wider. I take very small hand stitches to make sure the batting strips stay in place. However, this technique is probably best reserved for quilts that will endure very little or no laundering.

Decorating For School

Well, it’s about time to be heading on back to the classroom. I am moving all the way across campus to a room in the kindergarten wing that is new to me and is desperate need of a decorating makeover. My students are 3rd through 6th graders, and I don’t think they will appreciate the clouds, jumping frogs, and cute bugs that have been left behind by the previous teacher.

Between next Thursday and bright and early the following Monday morning, I am going to have to do an extreme makeover. Gads!!!

I have done it before. I will just have to do it again. Off I went to Joann’s with my 15% teacher discount card!

These silk flowers were already on the deep discount wall. They are for my desk.



Then I stopped by the discount table at the back of the store and was blown over. Wow! Great autumn fabrics. I will use these to cover my bulletin boards. What a treasure trove!


Finally, some bags of silk leaves. These are great to sprinkle around the tackable walls.



Better get lots of vitamins and sleep between now and next week!


For the results, click here:  http://quiltedtimeposts.blogspot.com/2013/08/autumn-classroom-makeover.html

Amazing Online Fabric Vendor: Ann’s Fabrics and Crafts

 

It’s rare to find top quality goods, fair prices, and great customer service all in one place, but Ann’s Fabrics and Crafts looks to have it all. Late Friday afternoon, I ordered this lovely bunch of fabrics from Center Ossipee, New Hampshire. On Monday morning, they were in my home mail box. All are name brand fabrics and ranged from $7.25 to $9.75 per yard.

These are all Asian inspired. I guess you have noticed that I have a butterfly thing going as of late.

The remainder of my order was two more Asian fabrics and two pastel batiks.

If you are looking for batiks or Asian fabrics, you might want to check out this establishment.

http://annsfabricsandcrafts.com

Still Feathering

 

Yup, it’s been a long time since I posted. I have been up to my neck in feathers.

Several of you have written in and asked if they were done in free motion. Yes, and no.

I have been stitching the spine of the feathers with the walking foot. Then I use the darning foot to finish the plumes in free motion. This is not the way everyone else does them, but it works for me.

Particularly on this continuous feather that will go around the outside edge. And yes, I have already put the binding on the quilt. I have found this to be good insurance in regards to keeping the fabric from pulling in the direction that the walking foot is going.

Next I sketch most of the basic plumes in with a disappearing marker, not getting to exact about where I am going. The  first few curves on the beginning of each row seem to be the most important about getting a rhythm going, so I am more exact about marking those.

I am absolutely not an expert on feathers. This is the best book that I have found on the subject.

Three of my pals on my blog list are much better than I am, so you might want to check out their work: Suzanne at Quilt By Faith, Barbara at Pointless Quilter, and Debbie at Quilt Crazy Debbie. They are awesome!