Monday MADNESS - Monthly Box Subscription?

Howdy Hon,

It's MARCH! Why am I screaming that, someone very special was born this month, ME!  hahaha

I want to make this month a busy and happy month.  I've been really struggling with issues and my emotions lately.  I really have worked to keep depression at bay (is that the right word?).  I have a wonderful life don't get me wrong.  But sometimes you just can't control the way you feel, inside.

So, here's the first of many awesome things to bring a smile to my face and give me something to work on this month:

Quilty Box - some things I've gotten and progress

1. Crafty Gemini 10" Slicer
2. English Paper Piecing
3. Modern Quilting  

Quilty Box

What's in a Quilty Box? While every month is a surprise, you can anticipate a lot of quilting awesomeness to get your creative juices flowing. 

This is the really nice and super sturdy box we get in the mail each month!

If you have not heard of this, it's a box subscription that is curated each month by different people who are big on quilting.  I have had the subscription service for about 3 months now.  The owners are a husband wife team.  It has been quite a joy receiving a box every month, it's like a monthly surprise box.  You don't know ahead of time what you are going to get, but you do have the option of not participating any month that you don't want to as long as you let them know by certain date.  

I was really worried about having different people curating the box each month.  I started with the month that Crafty Gemini was the curator.  I trusted her, and know she would make good chooses and spend our money wisely.  When there are people you don't know as curator (remember I am still relatively new in the quilting world), well... I was little worried.  Have I liked it, YES!  Over all I am learning to do some fun stuff (I'll tell you about 3 of them further down).  Have I liked every item in every box, of course not.  But, even the items I did not like (for example a charm pack in small flower prints) have proven to be well chosen for the project given in the box that month (more details below).   It has been a great experience and I am growing in my skill level.  I can't wait to get this month's box.  What I had to learn was that each box allowed me the opportunity to learn something I didn't know while also providing the tools by which to use that new skill.  The items in the box were not something for me to put in a stash of fabric or supplies to be used sometime in the future.  But to get up and use it right now.  It encouraged me to get busy NOW, not to wait for some perfect project that may not come into play until years down the road.  

Crafty Gemini 10" Slicer 

As I stated above I started withe the box that Crafty Gemini curated.  She has an on-line quilt club which I have been a member of since it began, Crafty Gemini Quilt Club.  I love this club and am so thankful for it and all of Vanessa's projects, ideas, inventions, etc.  She told us about the Quilty Box and of course we immediately went out and join this service.  In this box Vanessa debuted her new ruler that she'd created, the 10"Slicer Quilting Template, which is not just a one trick pony; you may find it here.

If you'd like to see some ways that I used the slicer you can watch my Periscope broadcast that I loaded onto my YouTube channel below:

As I do more projects I will load up more videos, some from Periscope and some just on my YouTube channel.

But isn't this ruler the coolest.  I loved letting my inhibitions go and just had fun with it.  It was freeing to not follow some strict rules someone created and just go with the flow of what I liked.  I can't wait to finish a few more blocks and then sew my topper.  I have no idea of how I will quilt it, but I'm looking forward to it.

These are my blocks for my quilt top, no rules not pattern block using the slicer:

English Paper Piecing 

The next month I got a box dedicated to English Paper Piecing.  Now this was perfect timing because I was just researching and getting into paper piecing.  I thought wow this was right on time.

You can see in the picture all the things included in the box:

Actually, there is a book missing from this picture AND they did not come sewn into little triangles.  I had already started working on the project when it dawned on my I had not taken a photo. 

My first English Paper Piecing star, but...what else does that remind you of,
gobble gobble.  Yes, I'm weird, I know.

You can also see the broadcast uploaded to my YouTube channel below:

All the videos give my honest reaction (I'm learning that sometimes that's good and sometimes it's not).  As I mentioned previously, you can see my lack of excitement about the small flower print of the charm pack (I really don't like that type of print).

As I started to play with that box of piecing supplies that's when I realized that the box was to provide  me with things I did not have and had not tried before.  Not to build up my ever growing stash, to sit on a shelf and wait for the perfect project that may or may not come along.  As I cut my pieces and start to make my star I realized that that print was actually perfect for that project.  I got to learn how to piece and then made my first star.  It was very cool.  Of course all that did not really settle into my mind and heart until after I got that next month's box.


Modern Quilting 

The next month was curated by The Tattoo Quilter, I'm new enough in the game that I am still learning the names of the many quilting super stars.  But I was surprised that he took the time to look at and like one of my Instagram pictures (EPP).  Hey, I'm a simply girl, doesn't take much to make me happy.  So I was really looking forward to the box he was curating.

You will not find the broadcast for that one.  Because I am not good at hiding my true emotions (hence the sometimes good and sometimes not so good on my true reactions) I was not sure I should post it.  But this is where that epiphany began to take place.  I reminded myself of what I had just learned last month.  Trying something new, the need of the resources by which to try the new thing and not wanting more stuff to add to my collection.  So I held off posting that broadcast while I examined myself and my true reason for ordering these boxes.  Was it just to have something to post about, just to have something to talk about, just to brag about, to impress others, to hoard....  I discovered the true answer and it changed how I now view this cool service.

In finding my own reasons, and having already received a few boxes that allowed me to create awesome things.  I came to understand the value the boxes now had for me.  I am more of a traditional quilt lover.  I don't particularly care for a a lot of negative space and free designs, or so I thought.  As I watched broadcasts of Quilt Con I began to realize there were modern quilts that I enjoyed seeing.  The details in the quilting was often mind blowing.  The negative space had purpose and also told a story just like traditional quilts.  With this new found view I began to get excited about the box of modern quilting.  The Tattooed Quilter gave us his pattern for a modern quilt and how to quilt it.  Can I, yes I can, tell you I am so stoked about doing this quilt.  It will be my first Modern Quilt attempt.  I just bought my yellow fabric today.  This will also be my first time using the covenanted Aurifil thread, as I said before I'm nervous about that.  I don't want to waste such quality thread.  But I have decided to love my quilt no matter what, not to be too hard on myself.  I am truly my worst critic!

Again, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to learn and grow, doing something I have never done.  Once that finally sank into my mind, I understood why I order this box service.  I understood that I will be enjoying all the wonderful things it will help me to learn.  I am such a hands on learner! AND I am looking forward to all the fun I will be having, as well as all the projects I will be making.  

You can see what was in the box he curated here:

Well, I think I have gone on and on for a minute now.  I'm sure you, like me, has stuff to do huh?  Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to share a bit of my day!

Love and Shimmies,

MONDAY not forgotten, stupid forced updates

Hello Hon,

I have not forgotten Monday's post.  These stupid windows updates are being forced upon me and they've locked up my system since Sunday night.  I was able to get on only for a moment yesterday.   I walked away to help a visiting friend and the stupid thing started another update. That's 3 since Sunday and one last week.  I left it running last night hoping  toady it works be down.   Well,  it's almost lunch now and I'm still looking at 'everything is OK and where you left it' and ' don't turn off your computer'. With a big blue sky screen.  (Thankfully not the dark blue 'screen of death huh).  Sigh. As soon as this craziness let's me back into my own freaking system I'll be able to post.  I may figured I'd make this update so you know I'm still consistently posting,  yeah! I'm doing this with the app on my phone,  but it's hard to type more than a few lines.  Please forgive any typos hard to spot on a small screen. 

Let's just plan to meet back here tomorrow, as today dies not seem to be looking too bright to get to my files for posting.  My poor honey got caught for a little while also as we both have same laptops.  Arg!

Love and Shimmies,

Steph

Yeah, Back on Blog

Hello Hon,


I am so thankful for things to have settled down.  Some were good and some were bad and some will have lasting, ummmm, situations.  But, I'm glad it has all died down and I can get back to some normal parts of life again.  One of the good things that happened was that I got the opportunity to work with our annual nativity exhibit again this year.  It was am amazing and beautiful experience.  So I am feeling good right now, having spent a week focusing on the most important birth of all time, the birth of Jesus Christ.  I got to display the whole Elim Nativity set with all the extra pieces!  I got some questions and interested buyers to follow up with this week. That was awesome sauce! Coming off that wonderful week, although I am dog tired, I am ready to get back to every day.

I am so excited to close the year out with you in the next 3 weeks by sharing a review on 2 new places to get cool gifts with product reviews; a quick little recipe we have been begging my hubby to make for us again.  Maybe by sharing it with you he'll be more inclined to make them again.  He knows I have to have some pictures for the blog; I'll show with you what was in my Quilty Box (which is still packed and sitting on my cutting table, sigh), including the new product from Vanessa Vargas; and my new calendar and previous calendars review, I will share some different types (along with a FREE calendar download and a sticker sheet, both for FREE download.   I designed them before I decided to buy the one I am so in love with).  Of course, I'll be back on task with Color Play Friday this week and Wrap It Wednesday is also back into play.  Ahhhhh, it's good to be home and focused again.

I can't believe it's the end of the year already!  So much to look forward to in the new year.  I hope you'll join me in the new year.  Thank you for stopping by during this year.  I appreciate every viewer, don't forget to follow so you'll be notified as soon as stuff posts.  Especially when I throw some surprise posts between the regular ones.

OH my word, I can't believe I almost forgot to mention this.  For the Marvelous  Monday's I was able to get some patterns to have for give aways.   I am super excited about that.  For many of the patterns that I review I will also give away (FREE) that same pattern, new and unopened!  Including one that has video access from guess who?!?!?!?!  The one and only darling herself Ms. Mimi G.  No worries, I accidently bought two of her tutorials.  When I realized I already hand one I contacted her and asked for permission to give away the second one I had bought.  She said YES!  Whoop whoop, so one of you is a very lucky person!

Love and Shimmies,

The Absentee Blogger, a Monday Madness.

Hello Hon,

May apology for being absent this past month.  It has just really been a hard month.  There we so many bad memories, new awful memories and deaths of people you care for, added to my own blues for this time of year...I just didn't have the strength to post or to take the required time to photograph and write for a post or recorded an video (truth is I thought I may break into uncontrollable sobs if I'd tried).  I didn't have the words to speak on what I wanted to talk about and no desire to really speak on nothing else.  I was in quite a funk!  I was mourning old loss combined with new loss (not DIRECTLY but still a valuable part of my life).  I still don't fell ready to cover it but I think I need to address it and let go of the feelings I have on this subject.  Ummm, next week, sigh, today still too fresh today.

I also have a review coming up on the classes available through Craftsy (if you don't know what that is I will explain in more details in coming weeks.  But basically it's an online site where you can not only purchase patterns for various things, it's also a great resource for learning.  You may also purchase classes from them.  This is the service that I will be reviewing in coming weeks, super convenient).  But for today I will just share with you how to sell patterns and make a little change if you have been creating your own patterns (or as I, plan to do so when you have a little more experience).  I have many classes with them so I will be reviewing my experiences with them from time to time.  I will do one of the reviews this month and the next maybe 2 months after that one, unless otherwise requested.  As far was what I am sewing this month.  I plan to do a pattern review with the awesome fabric I bought last month from my co-op fabric group.  I am supper e excited, I have wanted to make this outfit for a while now, I was just waiting to find the perfect fabric.  I will do the pattern review and probably add pictures of the process, maybe step by step also.  Or I may just do the pattern review and them a video of the step by step.  Ummm, which one would you like to see?

How to Add & Sell a Pattern on Craftsy
(This post contains affiliate links which means I will be compensated if you purchase after clicking these links.)

In addition to wonderful online courses and craft supplies, Craftsy also has an independent online pattern store that lets anyone upload and sell downloadable e-patterns with no fee!

How do you add a pattern to Craftsy and start your pattern store? It’s easy!

1. Make sure you have a Paypal account. All pattern transactions happen through Paypal, and Craftsy requires that you have a Student, Premier, or Business account in order to sell patterns.
2. Put your pattern in .pdf format. You can’t upload any patterns to the online pattern store unless they’re a .pdf file format, so if they’re currently saved as a Word doc, .jpg, or other file format, you must convert it to a .pdf before you upload it to Craftsy.
3. Include a photo. All patterns must have at least one photo to accompany them, but you can add up to five photos. Colorful, interesting photos tend to work the best for catching our members’ eyes!
4. Fill out the pattern description. We will ask you some basic questions around your pattern making it easier for Craftsy folk to find your pattern and know what your pattern is for. Make sure you have info about your pattern handy for this step.

For more information on how to sell a pattern through Craftsy, or to get started, visit Craftsy today!

Love and Shimmies,

P.S. This is another new love, making earrings, pendants and such! Oop-oop-a-doop!

Monday Madness, NOT

Yes, I know, it's Tuesday!  The day after Monday. Sigh!

I will not post a Monday Madness post this week (gee, nooo, they never noticed)!

I wanted to ramble on about how disgusted I am with these 'photoshopped' pictures that Hollywood puts out there but, I have not gotten all my thoughts and information together (hey the original name of this blog was bad blogger for a reason).

I can tell you that I am lining up the other topics for Monday's and they are coming along great.  For Marvelous Monday's I have a fun OOTD, which I may start doing all on it's own.  I'm trying to make at least one outfit for church each week (this is review on a YouTube video and a blog post, oh and I created the necklace).  If I am able to be consistent with making the weekly Sunday outfits I will add an OOTD blog to every Sunday.  The reason for Sunday is now that I am a stay at home mom I don't get out as much, at least not having to wear pressed and nicer rags outfits.  I do try to dress up a bit on Sunday to go the church.  I suppose I could still post it on another day, maybe a Thursday.  I like Thursday's don't you.  Ummmmm...  But for this month it'll just be on MM (Marvelous Monday) review.  For MIM (Make-It Monday) I'll show you the coolest new addition to my sewing room, yes, that slow progress just took one step forward again!  One day it will be complete and I can show you the whole room, or at least cleaner and more organized.  And finally MMM (Mystery Meat Monday) will be a recipe review on an old classic with a new updated twist.  It will sound crazy but I made it for someone at church and their family and she said it was a hit.  She even asked for the recipe and few weeks later.  So good things are coming for this month.  Just not mad ramblings to start you off with!

OH my word, I almost forget, my birthday is this weekend so I will share with you my birthday present.  It's a box from Stitch Fix.  I will share with you my experience with the service, the box I received, prices and of course my fun new items!!

Love and Shimmies,