Good News, Bad News

Cryptic post title, no?

I will dive in.....

GOOD NEWS

I have 100 hexagons all set to go for a future project.

 More Good News?

The Accuquilt die cut pad works in my Sizzix Big Shot Pro (Westminster) Die Cut Machine!!!

The Accuquilt die cut pads are a smidgen thinner than my Sizzix pads.  

The solution?

Just a few cardboard shims under the bottom cutting pad.  Worked like a charm!

And for those who debate between the two die cut machines? The reasoning I went with Sizzix is that I already had the original diecut machine and a significant investment in smaller diecuts.  I also did some research and had discovered that the Accuquilt die cuts can be used in the Sizzix machines, but the Sizzix cannot be used in the Accuquilt.  However, I DO NOT think you could go wrong with either the Accuquilt Go! or Accuquilt Studio Fabric cutters.  I just have never used them!

And for what it is worth?

 I do have a Sizzix die cut for hexagons, but the 2 inch one that I already had is actually 2 inches DIAMETER, not 2 inches on the sides like I wanted.  I actually do look forward to using the Sizzix pad because I can cut four hexis in one swoop!

I cannot express how much easier the die cuts make this process go!

After I had pre-cut this fabric bundle with my die cut machine?

I just simply cut my fat quarters into 3 inch strips and then rectangles measuring 3 x 3.5 inches.

Pressed out the creases, sometimes before I cut them into strips/rectangles.  Sometimes after, because I was a bit over-excited about this project.

 I promise I pressed those rectangles...I was just taking a picture while I remembered!

The amazing thing is the small amount of waste.

I bought this cute little omnigrid travel case (pre-die cut purchase) for rotary cutters thinking I might need it when I wanted more hexagons cut when we were on our trip.

 

But I had 200+ hexagons pre-cut in less than 20 minutes!!

 I only had 100 hexagon templates cut, so I left the rotary cutters behind and the little case was perfect to hold my scissors, thread, needle, paperclips, templates, and I could tuck the finished hexis as I went along.

It is the perfect size for a lap, I promise!!

THE BAD NEWS?

I had finished the last 50 hexagons on our 3 hour trip back to make the total of 100.

I had packed everything carefully back in my bag.  I was excited to make such progress!  Not to mention the fact that we sat and stared at pictures of the boys on Mr. Boss's iPad on the flight home...we missed our boys so much!  I was distracted and didn't double check my seat to see if anything had been left behind (we ALWAYS double check).  Then, we were practically RUNNING to the baggage claim area in hopes we could get home faster!

 As I climbed in the car, I had one of those moments.  You know what I am talking about, right?

Panic.

  I realized I had left the baggie of all the remaining pre-cut hexagons (about 100) on the plane!!!!  I lamented, not so much that they were lost...but more in the fact that an airline worker probably threw them away when they were doing their sweep of the plane.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Photo from when Teen boy broke the post of the basketball hoop this summer, slam dunking...they are fake crying for my scrapbook!

However, I must say...Mr. Boss is truly the sweetest man.  His first reaction when I shouted "OH NO!  I left my hexi's on the plane!!!"  was this:

"I hope they weren't the baggie with all of your finished hexis?  That would be tragic".  

He gets it!  He REALLY gets it!

And then, better yet, he said,

 "Maybe another quilter found it and knew what a treasure they were and will take them home with them to make a project".

Be still my heart.

But really and truly?  I know that some cleaning guy tossed them in the trash.....

Have you ever left anything behind on a vacation or trip?  

 

Straight to Business

There is so much to do and so little time...right to the punchline today!

 
Finishes:

Disney Princess Shirt and Skirt

Another Princess Applique for a special little girl!

And a patchwork princess skirt to match.

I hope her mom doesn't mind that I tweaked the shirt from the sample I had on my Facebook page.

A little "bling" goes a long way!  
Her little brother's Mickey Shirt is on the hoop getting it's final touches.  I will try to sneak a picture in later...maybe.....
 

Not So Raggedy Ann

I really can't get enough of her....

If you'd like to get to know her, she had her debut yesterday.

I am so sad that she is all boxed up ready to be shipped out today.

I now have to add her to my "list" for myself.

One little funny!  Mr. Boss called me from out of town to tease me about her.  He asked where I got the doll from?  I told him that I made her.  He said "yes, I know you made the clothes, but didn't someone send the doll to you?"

Now that he knows that I am capable of making dolls, guess what I will be making as gifts for anyone who has little girls that we know?

Yup.

In Progress: 

Retro Flowers QAL

I am UTTERLY excited.  Progress. 

Not just cut, but partway pieced?

Which happened quickly and beautifully thanks to my Sizzix Big Shot ProWestminster!

I was able to cut 12 of each shape at one time.

 

I even had time to sew some curves!

I adore chain pieced pictures so I had to take one. 
Not really pretty, but it makes me happy!

EEEEKKKK!! 
 I just might be back on track soon with everyone else!

No Progress: 

Zoo Animal Quilts for Twins

Twin quilt for nursery

Christmas quilt 

Baby girl quilt kit 

Thank you quilt

Merry, Merry Snowman BOM

Do. Good Stitches Blocks

New Projects:

NONE.  NONE.  NONE.

Thank goodness!

Now I hope that my new project status stays the same after visiting everyone over at Lee's.

Sometimes my fellow quilters are bad influences!

14 days to go....

I have a countdown for my 8th Grade T-shirt quilt I am working on!

I really can't focus on much else these next two weeks!

Finishes:

I hung up the Button Art I made a few weeks ago HERE!

In Progress:

A design wall!!

I want to finish it today so that I can use it for this t-shirt quilt.  It is too large to lay out on my bed or on the floor without Button "helping" again!  I bought the insulation foam boards yesterday and the batting this morning. 

I hope to have it all done by Button's nap time! 

 Or maybe DURING his nap time....

He is pretty uncomfortable today...on his second week of goopy, runny nose, teary eyed allergies!  Luckily, the pediatrician just called and said he can get a little-little-tiny bit of Zyrtec tonight.

In case you are wondering, I am using Elizabeth's tutorial at Oh, Fransson!.  It seems like it will be light and portable.  Flannel has never worked for me, the batting sounded like a good idea....at least I am hoping!

I will be sure to share it with you soon!

Retro Flowers QAL

I have not quilted, but I have been haunting other QALers' blogs to see what they are up to!  I was debating on what I was going to use for my templates, but finally came to the decision to purchase the Drunkard's path dies from Sizzix.  

Background

Quarter Circle

I have the Westminster Sizzix and why not use it!??!

 

 It is for a 4 inch versus 5 inch drunkard, and it is a bit more expensive than the templates, but I have a drunkard path quilt mockup for my Hawaiian fat quarter I bought in Maui.  

The other good thing?  The smaller size has solidified my decision to make a fabric choice change...so I will be shopping in the near future!

No Progress:

Twin quilt for nursery

Christmas quilt 

Baby girl quilt kit 

Thank you quilt 

Bunny's sharpie roll project

I never made an Easter outfit for Button like I had hoped last week...but I am glad I didn't because the day didn't really pan out the way I had envisioned it.  Does that intrigue you?  Read HERE to either commiserate or BRAG that you had a great Easter!!

Now off to link up with some of the ladies I like to think of as my quilting friends at

I swear, I add a new blog to my Google Reader every week!  No wonder I had 450+ blog posts to read since my scrapbook retreat!

Hope you have a blessed day and week! I am looking forward a lot of productivity until next week!

Impatiently Waiting

I am waiting....

• Waiting for my friend to show me a possible logo idea.

• Waiting for my ultrasound that is tomorrow to make sure Baby Button is truly okay in there.

• Waiting for my christmas present (I bought this with all of my birthday and Christmas gift money...and hubby pitched in some of his "take" too!)

It is the Westminster Big Shot Pro Shape Cutting Machine.  It is by Sizzix.  I chose this over the Accuquilt GO! and Studio for a few reasons. 

1.  I already have a substantial investiment in my sizzix dies already!
2. There is a 5 yr warranty vs 1 year warranty on the Accuquilts.
3.  It is wide.....13 inches wide!
4.  With a bit of shimming you can use Accuquilt die cuts on it (according to other bloggers)
5. According to research, the Sizzix dies are cheaper
6. You can order a custom die........HOW COOL IS THAT!!!

• I am also waiting for these three dies that I ordered with my new machine:

 This is the Daisy die cut....Love how I can use it!

This is the sunflower/poinsettia die cut.  LOVE IT!




And last, but not least...........

Yup!  A Butterfly.  Hubby talked me into this one with a lot of arm twisting (note the sarcasm!)

And if anyone knows me.......while I wait.........I shop for instant gratification.  DOWNLOADS!

I bought some new fonts from Five Star Fonts.  I love their unique applique fonts...like this:

Do you like?  Good...because I bought it!  HOW FUN IS THIS!!

And Embroidery Fonts like this:

Do you see the embroidered dots inside the large fonts?  The dots, fill, and outline can all be different colors.

Boggles the mind!  Or at least mine....

And, yes, I had to have it!!

And while I was perusing...I was found a bunch of FREE downloads like these:

 

VERY FUN!!

I also picked up a few free fonts and actually paid for some cute new fonts!

So I guess waiting isn't always a bad thing???