Tool Time Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!

Was it me or did today fly by? I am out of steam. I can tell Winter is almost here. It's cold and dark and I really want to be a bear and hibernate.

But, it's Tuesday, so it is Tool Time!

Today's tool is...

wait for it...

Thread.

I love thread. I've been called a Thread Snob. I don't care.  I really feel thread is an important part of our quilt making. Right up there with fabric.

My LQS carries Mettler thread, some 50 weight Aurifil and Sulky Blendables. For piecing I prefer Aurifil or Masterpiece by Superior Threads. If you do a side by side comparison, the Mettler 50 weight is thicker. I love how the finer thread (even if they are both 50 weight)  feels against the seams when I press them to the side or to the dark side. I recently read an article in Machine Quilting about thread with up close photos of this and how it effects your block's finished size. Amazing.

So, to test this out, if you have Mettler 50 weight, and Aurifil 50 weight, pull a bit out and compare. I really like the 50 weight Aurifil and the Masterpiece. Both are great. Super low lint (really don't want that in my machine). I highly prefer the Masterpiece black (Raven) to any other black thread. No slubs, smooth long staple cotton. I could go on, but I'm sure you are ready for the giveaway/Q&A portion of Tool Time.

Q&A:

For more in depth info on thread, Dr. Bob Purcell (he has a PhD in Threadology) has made some videos. If you have never had the opportunity to be in his class, here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVzflcfEuSY&feature=related
So, I'll be doing a give away of Masterpiece thread, your choice of Raven (black) or a neutral (white or ecru) spool of thread. But, you have to tell me your favorite and why. Spread the word, if I get a lot of responses, instead of one prize, there will be three! Or, four. Just sayin'. I love Superior Threads. (Legal mumbo jumbo--they did not sponsor this, I love this company!) Please visit their website. There are several free thread reference sheets. http://www.superiorthreads.com/page/330/

By the way, how many thread companies have a tab just for education?

http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/

PS, this post is early, I know. Go pop some popcorn and watch the videos. Let me know what you think.

Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday & Cyber Monday

Mornin' all!

See the title? My weekend was:

work Friday
Sew Saturday
Sew Sunday

Did not go anywhere! Also, Mount Wash Me is gone! Yahoo! I made blocks like crazy. Hope to post some pics later this week. You are going to love the new book I got. Hint--it involves strips!

What did you do this weekend?

The day before, the day before Thanksgiving

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Tool Time Tuesday is taking a break today. I know you are all busy doing the Thanksgiving prep, you know, baking pies and dusting. We are going to go to Shenanigan's with my sister's family. Should be fun.

Let me know, what would you like to see on Tool Time Tuesday?

Mount Wash-Me

Happy Sunday evening,

Well Mount Wash-Me (family nickname for the laundry pile) is just about conquered. I still have one basket (towels, etc) to go. I still don't get it, how can two people generate so many dirty clothes? Or is it that I just don't do laundry often enough?

Got a couple more Swoon blocks done. Love this! A few more to do, time to sash. I think an overall pattern of snowflakes is in order. Especially since the weather gal is forecasting snow. Just a little, but as with yellow, a little goes a long way.

Tool Time Tuesday/Product Reviewers wanted

Again, congratulations to the winners. I hope you love your new tools.

What would you like to see in the future? I understand Actor is the number one dream job. So, maybe I should get on You-Tube and do some demos.

Or, would you like to see new products demonstrated?

Have you seen the new Heat 'n Bond Featherlite?

Would you like to be a product reviewer? Tell you what, first five posts will be sent a sample to try. I think you'll like it!

I'm back!

Oh the pretty things my sales reps showed me! I have to download a photo or two.

But first, congratulations to

and our second winner

Congratulations! Please email me and provide your mailing address.

Winner for Tool Time Tuesday

Good morning! I have a meeting with my Moda rep today! Seeing a couple others--so as soon as I get home, I'll select the winners.

Wonder if my rep has any leftover goodies from Market to share?

11-11-11

Veterans Day

I am thinking of my hero, my Dad.

Sure do miss you.

Tool Time Tuesday

Rulers and templates.

--Drawing Closed--

How many do you have? I have too many. Yes, I succumb to the latest gadget to make my life easier. But, do I really use them? For the most part, yes, I do.

When I first started quilting, there were no rotary cutters or neato acrylic rulers. We used Pellon and cereal cardboard to make templates. I still have some of them from the very first Log Cabin Quilt (pillow) I made.

I really like the rulers by Creative Grids. They have built in gripper dots, the lines are clear and easy to see. One downside, my quilting studio is so well lit, sometimes I have a bit of overhead glare, but nothing that I can't deal with. My fav ruler right now is the 8-1/2 by 24 inch. I have a 6-1/2 inch square that is totally gridded out with 1/8-inch lines. Love that one. Wish they still made it.

I have an extra Creative Grids 6-1/2 inch square ruler and a Marti Michell Corner Trimmer that I'm going to give away. 

The first random winner will get the ruler and the second will get the Corner Trimmer.

Tell me what your favorite ruler/template is and why. Drawing will be held Monday, Nov. 14. Good luck!

Is it Winter already?

Brrr. It's 41F outside. Guess I'll have to drag out a real coat now. Oh well. I guess I'll have to break out the fleece sheets and another quilt or two.

I really, really need a king size quilt.

My bucket list:

Double Wedding Ring
Lone Star
Irish Chain
Hunter's Star
and wait, there's more, but I can't remember them right now.

What's on your bucket list?

Have a great Tuesday--NCIS night!