Yup, *wild* quilter – that’s me

November 25, 2012

This is a funny story.  🙂

Two weeks ago, I headed north to the Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa with 14 other members of the Atlanta Modern Quilt Guild for our first overnight quilt retreat.  Sure, we’ve had day long quilt retreats at a member’s subdivision clubhouse, but never away from job and family responsibilities to be able to concentrate on sewing for 48 hours straight.  It was heaven (and I wasn’t even there the entire time!).

A large group of sewers from the American Sewing Guild were also at the same facility that weekend.  They were in the conference rooms adjacent to our room.  Andi, our president, runs an online sewing supply shop and she’d brought her mobile store with her.  Once those ladies from the ASG realized they had “shopportunity” next door, several came to visit and shop.  I would be willing to bet the bulk Andi’s sales that weekend were to the ASG ladies, not members of the AMQG.

Of course, both groups of stitchers held impromptu “show and tell” events throughout the weekend.  It was during one of the show and tells that we were brandished as those “wild” quilters.  And no, it wasn’t because of our behavior!  Amy was showing off the bright geometric quilt she’d made for her 10 year old son.  One of the ladies who was laying out a design in very traditional fabrics (think Thimbleberries) took one look at the quilt and remarked, “Oh, you’re one of those WILD quilters!” – meaning we liked the bright fabrics and abstract designs – NOT because we were misbehaving.  And this lady was totally serious.!

I couldn’t help but laugh because while the AMQG is affiliated with the modern quilt movement, we’ve had some folks not join because the guild wasn’t modern enough.  I like the bright colors, fabrics and clean, simple lines of modern quilts…but I also like my traditional fabrics.  I joined this guild because (a) most of the members were about my age instead of 20 years older and (b) they appreciate ALL forms of quilting – vintage to traditional to modern.

And a few notes to myself for future overnight retreats:

(1) Cut ALL projects in advance;
(2) Take Jewel  (my Janome 6600) – even if I have to buy a wheeled travel case;
(3) Take the Ott table lamp; and
(4) Bring dollar bills for the drink machine.

 

What’s in your embroidery kit?

October 28, 2012

Image

Jenny over at Sublime Stitching is absolutely correct, you don’t need a whole lot to start stitching.  Chances are, you can scrounge the supplies for your first kit from craft supplies you already have on hand (go find that cross-stitch kit languishing in the back of the junk closet)  OR from other crafty friends who will be more than happy to share with you.  Or if you just want brand new everything to start fresh, there are many places including Sublime Stitching that sell beginning embroidery kits with everything for you to start stitching.

If you want to assemble your own kit, here’s what you need:

  • 5″ plastic embroidery hoop
  • Pack of embroidery needles size 1 to 5
  • Small embroidery scissors with sheath (3-1/2″ to 4″ tall)
  • Embroidery floss or perle cotton
  • Beeswax or thread conditioner
  • Something to stitch on

Right now, I am stitching a preprinted redwork Christmas panel from Timeless Treasures.  ImageThere are 12 Christmas designs printed on muslin that are designed to be incorporated in into a wall hanging or throw quilt when completed.  I’m about half-way through with the redwork scenes.  There’s no deadline on this, so I cut a new scene from the panel as I complete one.  I keep a zip lock bag with my embroidery supplies and DMC 498 dark red floss so I can stitch when I travel or attend guild meetings. For the bulk of my stitching, I use a size 3 needle and three strands of floss.  I use a size 5 needle and two strands of floss for the teeny-tiny detail work.  Some folks like to use all six strands of floss for a really chunky look.  Do whatever makes you happy.

And yes, my little quart size bag with embroidery scissors gets through airport security just fine. I pull the embroidery baggie out along with the gels and liquids to go through the x-ray scanner.

Where to find designs?  How about drawing your own?  Take an 8″ square of muslin (or white) fabric and freehand a simple design using a #2 pencil (use a light touch).  Remember, simple is better here.  Think flower, heart, teacup, sun, etc. Hoop that sucker, pick out your favorite floss colors and stitch using a simple backstitch. Or you can visit the needlework section of your local craft store to find a host of iron on transfers, needlework design books and other preprinted designs for you to stitch.

I love to incorporate a handmade touch to my quilt labels.  I design my labels in Word, add a simple graphic and print them out on specially treated muslin fabric sheets.  Once the label is dry,  I embroider the graphic using a simple backstitch or chainstitch.  It takes all of 5 minutes tops and adds an unexpected touch to the quilt.

Keeping the books

October 24, 2012

Whew!  All of the transactional data has been downloaded, edited and categorized in my accounting program.  Wasn’t quite as bad as I’d thought it would be.  Now, I have to tackle the pile of receipts (some expenses were paid via cash or other means) and get all that entered.  Tomorrow maybe.  I’m stitching the rest of this evening!

What to do about the business bookkeeping has truly baffled me.  I really didn’t want a manual system, but many of the programs out there like Quick Books really are a bit overkill for what I need at this point in my business.  I was also trying to be frugal and DIY for little or no cost.  Oh, and I also need to tell you that I have a Mac computer, plus I will file my business taxes on a Schedule C with my personal tax return.

I tried three different trial versions of accounting software for Mac computers.   I chose Outright simply for ease of use and the fact it is a cloud based system accessible from anywhere.  Account Edge ran a close second and at $99 may prove to be a better value over time…but it is a little clunkier to use.  One thing I definitely do like about A.E. is the ability to generate invoices – something you can’t do on Outright unless you use a plug-in like Fresh Books or Harvest.  Those plug-ins add to the monthly cost. So for those few times when I NEED a professional invoice, I’ll simply use Excel to generate the invoice.  Besides, I already own that software program!

Online accounting software isn’t necessarily free.  I am willing to part with $10/month for Outright to save time and my sanity.  I’d much rather be making products, designing lesson plans or uploading new merchandise to my store – not keying in financial transactions.