Fabric Cutting Anxiety and Free Motion Quilting

I don't know why I have such anxiety over cutting a piece of fabric.  I mean, I bought it with the sole purpose of cutting it up and using it in a quilt or something, right?.  I have had two yards of the most stunning material ...for over a year now!  It is Midnight Gothic Night Life by Jane Sassaman.  I saw it and had to have it.  I tracked the package everyday so I would know when I would get it and be able to work with it.  I got it and fondled it for days, just thinking about how beautiful and boyish this quilt would be for my little guy.  I am so afraid to cut it! What if I cut it and regret it?  I have been looking at companion fabrics to buy to make it perfect...but I am afraid I will do the same with those.  I have about 10 fabric selections sitting in my cart.  I really need to just get over it and let the rotary cutting commence already! 

I also want to learn how to do free motion quilting.  My aunt taught me how to quilt last year, but we never got to free motion.  She taught me to do "X" quilting (not sure what it is really called, I call it X quilting).  Which does the job, but I want to get fancy with it now!  I know that when I use that Jane Sassaman fabric that I want to do free motion on it, so I suppose having the anxiety has been ok for now.  There is a wonderful tutorial on Oh Fransson's website.  I have a basic machine and basic accessories. My local Joann's didn't have any feet for my machine besides a walker so I will need to order the correct foot. Then I can get crackalacking and try out her lessons.  I think I will do that today. 

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Shock the Monkey

A friend of mine asked me to make her four quilts for three of her friends and her sister, all of whom are pregnant or have just given birth recently.  Actually...my friend asked me to knit blankets for all of them.  I told her I knew I couldn't commit to such a long project.  So I suggested I knit stuffed animals for all of them.  She liked that idea...and so did I (at the time).  I was so excited about the projects!!  That night after work, I stopped home to pick up my son so I could tote him along for a fun filled trip to Joann's.  I picked out yarn and bought a new set of circular needles and another set of DPN's to replace my misplaced size 6's.  We got home and I started the monkey's body right away.  I was cruising along, every day during my lunch breaks and when I could squeeze some time in at home.  I finished Mr. Monkey Man...all but his ears, tail and half a sweater.  I seriously just could not bring myself to pick up those damn needles to finish.  Honestly, it would take me one lunch hour to finish him completely and I could bless this little boy with a fun monkey to play with and snuggle.  NOPE!   I had become quilt obsessed again and could not think about knitting.  All I could think about was using my 50% off coupon from Joann's and getting some new fabric!  So one day, I saw her on Messenger and sent her a quick IM and confessed my scatter-brained, project commitaphobe tendencies and asked her how she felt about quilts for the kiddos.  She was on board...phew!   About a month has passed and I have just completed Quilt #1, which I have named, "Shock The Monkey". 

First Blog entry - Whoo Hooo!!

So here goes... After thinking long and hard; and I mean hours, about what to write my first blog entry, I am still kinda blank.  I suppose I should write some little tid bits about myself.  Maybe write about a project I am working on or try and come up with something witty.  I don't want to bore you all with random babbling that will most likely ramble off topic several times (as I am prone to do) so I decided on a bullet point list of  fun facts about me: "Mama No Time".  Ready, here it goes - randomly listed... not in any particular order.

• I am a mother 
• I have a teenager and a toddler
• and 2 dogs
• I may be crazy
• I reluctantly work full time
• I wish I had a magic wand
• I am a fabulous cook
• I love being artsy fartsy
• I wish I had more time to spend with my family
• I have road rage
• I want to buy a house
• My kids drive me bat shit and brighten my day all at the same time.  Amazing creatures!
• I wish I was organized and disciplined enough to make a living making and selling my crafts
• I NEED MORE SPACE
• I'm totally in love
• I don't get enough sleep
• I rolled down a hill the other day for the first time in probably 25 years
• I should be working right now
• I am cynical
• Haven't been on a vacation since 1998, *edit* I have been reminded my last vacation was actually in 2001 or 2002
• Need a vacation
• I taught myself how to knit
• I could fill a book with the one liners that flow out of my "Hubstah's" mouth...and it would be a top seller
• Been with the same man for almost a decade and a half and we are not married.  Why fix something that ain't broke? or Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?  My thoughts and feeling on this one vary from time to time
• I think Lenny Kravitz and Johnny Depp are the cat's pajamas
• I can't commit to a hair do'
• I am a recovering Facebook addict, that still dabbles in it more than she should.
• I talk in my sleep
• when I notice that it is 3:04, I always announce that it is hoe o'clock
• Always strapped for time, I often pluck my eyebrows in my car... but only at red lights.

Although I could go on forever, I think that's enough for now - as my work day is nearing it's end.  Hooray!  Until next time!