Project for today

So, my husband bought me a Silhouette Cameo from HSN this week.  Today started out with getting the kids on the school bus.  Once they were safely getting educated, I went to Hobby Lobby to get a few t-shirts. Hubby wanted me to work on a project for him . . . once I got some numbers cut out and ironed onto said t-shirts, on to my project!

A few weeks ago, I purchased the Pathways Table Runner from Mishka's Playground.  Well, today I bought an 8 pack of fat quarters (pattern calls for 6 FQs plus 1-ish yard).

Spent some time cutting the pieces into tidy little stacks, A - F.  Sorry, but didn't get a pic of the stacks.

Started attaching the smaller triangles to the 2.5" squares.  This is the order I decided on for the smaller squares.

Next step is to attach the 3.5" squares to what I did today.

Will work on attaching the pieces tomorrow!  I think this will be a very colorful table runner!

Oh, my!  Went to Fat Quarter Shop a bit ago, and I found the next thing I will save my pennies for!

Got my Mug Rug swap buddy assignment today!

Ok, like the title for today says, I got my swap buddy for the previously mentioned Mug Rug swap.

Lucky for me, the colors that she likes are colors that I have!  Yay!  I will post pictures here as I make progress.  It is up to you guys to make sure I get them done and mailed off by November 4, 2013!  (just kidding!)

Links and such

Can someone please explain to me how I can get links to other blogs, etc.  here on the sides?

FMQ

Ok, so I played with the tension of the upper thread today.  I don't know how well the pix is going to show . . . the sewing machine was set at 2.5 on the upper thread.  The upper corner was 3.5 setting, beneath that to the left was 4.  The one on the right was 5.

The third one in that row was at 5.5, and the middle spiral was back to 5.

Here is a view of the back.

Hmm.  Maybe this is better:

A little.

Ok, so I noticed as well that on the two I did on setting 5 that I was able to go a little faster.  So, I'm thinking speed could be a factor? 

I will still work with the fine tuning of the tension. 

Then I will play with designs . . . I'm in the process of putting together the blocks for a BOM I got from Joann's a few years ago . . . would love to be able to quilt it myself, since I can't find any longarm quilting classes close by.

Free Motion Quilting

Ok, so about a year and a half ago, I purchased (on Amazon) a lot of different feet for my sewing machine.  I mean, I couldn't pass up pennies a foot with combined shipping.  All in all, I think I got 6-7 "feet" for about $4.00 - that is mostly shipping.

I've really been wanting to try Free Motion Quilting . . . which basically is using your own sewing machine to quilt your items.

One of those "feet" was a darning foot . . .

The foot itself was really easy to attach . . . I just need to remember to reattach the "do-hicky" that holds the other "feet" when I'm done!

I made this block a-LONG time ago (so no comments on the points!  ha!).  I actually kept it so I could use it to practice this.

So, I get going, and it takes a little getting used to.  As you can see in the pic, there are some shorter stitches - some longer. 

These should even up a bit after some practice.

I was thinking - THIS IS GREAT!  Maybe I don't have to go to the outer galaxy to take a long arm quilting class (although I think it would be fun! - taking the class, not going to outer galaxy.  Although, that would be fun . . . but that is a different story).

Then I flip the piece over, and see this!

Somebody help me!

What do I need to do to fix this?

Swaps

I have joined my first swap thru Quilting Gallery.  Really looking forward to it!!

http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/fall-mug-rugs-swap/

I joined in about halfway thru the current Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along.  I have one more block to catch up on before I am caught up with the lessons.

I have got to say, I am learning a lot!

http://quiltinggallery.com/learning-center/aiming-for-accuracy-quilt-along/

Gotta start somewhere

I thought I would give blogging a try.

Makes sense, right?  Maybe

Anyway, writing about my day may be better than walking around talking to myself.  Keep in mind, though, that I get some AWESOME answers from myself . . . but it would be nice to have input from others, too!