Bella's Bracelet

I gave up on the jump rings when the ones that I bought today were closed and not able to be opened.  I used silver thread instead.

Bella's Bracelet

I've been trying to get the kids to keep it down since I've got a headache.  M's at work playing catch-up and so he's not been here to keep the peace.  I'm not too sick to sew, though, and was able to get this block almost finised today.  I need to get some jump rings for the charms so I can attach them.  I could do it without them, but I've gone to this much trouble so I might as well get some.

The block looks like Cat's but I actually drafted my own version in EQ.  My version has more detail than her pattern and I like the way it came out.  I started out with the shapes (one inside the other) in Word, used Print Screen, and then edited it with the photo software.  I imported it into EQ5 as a .bmp and went at it--not so bad since I had practice with all the "New Moon" letters.  C suggested I position the bracelet differently.  I also wanted the bracelet to dominate the block and for there not to be so much background.  Oh, and there was the fact that I'm trying not to use any patterns associated with that group unless I used them first or came up with the idea to begin with.

The fabrics are very glitzy.  I used the gold because Edward gives her the heart charm in his room and his decor, including bedding, is gold.

Boxing Glove

This block is a little out there and may require some explanation, but I like it and it was fun to make!

Bella breaks her hand punching Jacob after he forcefully kisses her.  I could have done a block of a hand in the cast, but that seemed a little boring....  I got to thinking about the whole incident and how Bella would have been better off punching Jacob if she's had a boxing glove on her hand.  I also thought about Charlie's delayed reaction to the incident (even though he was pulling for Jacob he should have been really mad and given him what-for...) and his instructions to Bella at their graduation dinner.

I used a clipart picture for the boxing gloves.  I made the block using the Upside Applique method.

Go Figure

It's never more apparent that my blog is really nothing more than my online journal when I start to whine or rant about something.

I enjoyed my day off yesterday to a point.  I had a hard time not thinking about work, because there was a lot going on there even though we're not that busy.  A certain someone may think we're slow and that not much is going on, but the office doesn't stop functioning when we don't have orders to fill.  Someone still needs to be in the office.  We had two full truck loads in the works.  Orders did ship out yesterday.  Prep work needed to be done for next week.  I know I'm going to be in a panic on Monday and I'm gearing up by thinking about it today.  My other boss didn't know I wasn't working so I heard about that yesterday.  The other one said that he was going to cover the office and then didn't stay for the whole day.

I did end up taking the kids to the pool yesterday.  I had to get them rec cards first.  S needed a swimsuit.  They wanted goggles.  $$$ even shopping at Walmart.  C wanted to go to Pirates Cove with her friends.  I let her.  I pestered her for exact plans and got who she was going with, but we didn't confirm when I was going to pick her up because she wasn't sure.  My crew and I went to the indoor pool.  The kids had a good time, including S's friend.  I treated them to ice cream after.  I was pretty peeved with C because she didn't check in with me once, not answering my texts or call, so after five hours of no communication I was ready to have her paged.  I called M in a panic and he picked her up on his way home.  She is grounded and I've learned another lesson.

S's friend was going to stay the night, but her mom ended up coming to get her at 11:30 because she was too scared to stay.  She's nine so I thought we were past that stage.  (My kids, including S, could never wait to have sleepovers.  She's spent the night at the girl's house numerous times.)  S was very disappointed because it was the first time I've let her have anyone stay.

I also have to report a fail on the UAS/Dartmouth quilt block.  The concept was good enough, but I had a ton of issues.  I'm going to try again so I guess I spent hours on the test block.  I hate working with white fabric.  I always manage to get something on it or doing something to it while ironing.  The tip of my envelope looks dirty.  It may even be the thread I used showing through or simply dirt from my hands.  I tried to get it out, but it still looks dirty.  I also couldn't get the Dartmouth application to look right after pp it--well, duh....  it's next to impossible to position a patterned fabric the right way.  I tried to save the block, but for not.  I'm going to try again.  I haven't decided if I'm going to use white fabric again.

The UAS logo is appliqued.  I'm happy that turned out well!  The envelope flap lifts up to reveal the inside just like a real envelope.  The gold fabric is for another envelope and it looks wonky because I took the outside fabric off.  I think I'm going to applique this part onto the printed Dartmouth application.

One Little Block

How can one little block cause so much trouble?

Since we didn't use UAS and Dartmouth pennants in the Penguins. Lovely block as it had already been taken, we've been trying to figure out a way to depict Bella's college choices in a quilt block.

First we thought we'd do two pennants in one block, but that idea was discarded.

Next the idea was to do have and envelope with the UAS logo with a Dartmouth application.

I'm graphically challenged so I can't put the logos I want on this picture:

The gold between the two white fabrics is supposed to be a manila envelope (needed a color break to separate the two whites.)

This is the UAS logo:

We need help!  Ideas?  We don't really want to print everything on photo fabric.

Eclipse Quilt: Howling Wolf

Twilight Quilters Coven

Less than Thrilled

I am less than thrilled with the latest Eclipse block.

I loved my concept.  I've had the pattern for months and decided to use it for the Imprinting block.  The heart has two strands that twist together and the heart also is a spiral.  It was meant to portray the intertwining of destinies and the ties that the wolves and their mates had to each other.  The pattern is a Piece by Number pattern which is one of my favorite paper piecing designers.

My first mistake was enlarging the pattern too much and not realizing it until I'd already made half of the block.  It finished at 7.5" and I had to square it up to 7" which means I lost 1/2" of the top because I wanted to keep the point of the heart.  I don't really want to make it again despite the block peicing pretty quickly.

My second mistake is not LOVING my fabric choices.  I like the paw print fabric that I used okay, but I struggled choosing the other heart strand and the background.  I really didn't want to use red fabric and I liked the pink, but....I don't know.  M insisted I use the background fabric that I did and I'm not in LOVE with that either.  I wanted the fabric to be earthy and I've used a lot of batiks so I wanted to continue with that.  The other gals were no help!

I also am struggling with my need to applique a large paw print on the block somewhere.  I'm afraid it won't look right or just be unneeded.

Help!

Graduation x2

C's Continuation Ceremony was this evening.  I was confused by the term, but I learned that it's the term that is used in this district for 5th graders "graduating" to 6th grade and middle school and 8th graders graduating and moving on to high school.

I took today off because I knew the afternoon would be too hectic with the ceremony at 5:00.  S also wanted me to come to her class party at a local park for her last day of school.  We shared a Subway sandwich for lunch which was the only real highlight of the day.  She was fighting with her BFF again and was in tears and hovering most of our time at the park.  Long story short, she refused to apologize to and with her friend on the count of 3 as suggested by both moms.  I had no sympathy for her after that and was kind of embarrassed by her behavior.  Long story short, they came out holding hands an hour later and S spent the evening at the BFF's house.  LOL.....

I hot rollered C's hair and helped her get ready.  She looked beautiful in her dress.  She was visibly nervous about the ceremony when I dropped her off early to meet up with her class.  M was late getting home and we barely made the ceremony.  My mom and dad came, too.  They saved us seats so we were all good.

C was awarded a Citizenship Award (an award for attendance, participation in extra-cirricular activities, and .... good behavior at school) and the Presidential Award of Excellence for carrying at least a 3.5 the entire year.  We are very proud of her!!!!  (not bad for a curfew breaker....LOL)

In my spare time today, I worked on a very simple Eclipse block.  I picked out the fabrics last night and got the pattern ready.  (I begrudingly used the blue background fabric--bad Coven memories--because it was just too perfect not to.)

The block isn't done.  M is insisting I use a real tassel so I will be making one of those after I find instructions and I want to make a fabric-covered button so I will need to buy the kit.  I don't want to make the block too busy, but I need to make the block my own and I want to figure out a way to add an invitation to Alice's graduation party at the Cullens.

Twilight Book Addicts

I continue to find it hilarious about the back and forth that continues to go on regarding who is allowed or has a right to make Twilight quilts, block designs and permissions, etc.  (as if I really would want to use 99% of the....cr...) I believe this to be true:  all block ideas must be directly credited to the creative genius that is Stephenie Meyer. We cannot in good faith take credit for any quilt block as an original idea because without the Twilight series they would not be and groups would not be. We only have the benefit of taking her work and channeling her writing through our creativity.  As far as a graduation block goes....An Eclipse graduation block is what it is:  and, for one, inspired directly by events in Eclipse.  A cap and diploma are a generic and natural representation of graduation.  Why am I even trying to explain myself?!  I'm not really as bothered as it may seem.

Another First

Twilight gets me to do all kinds of stuff....

I've had my machine for over 10 years.  It's a Pfaff 7530 and I've always loved it, but never used all of it's functions.  I've embroidered only a bit with it.  After my frustrations today with my hand embroidery, I decided what the hell.  I got my manual out and messed around with how to do some lettering.

I used this picture as my inspiration.  Wuthering Heights is one of the books that got a special "Twilight" cover.

The block features a cover that can be opened and pages inside of the paragraphs that contain the quotes from Wuthering Heights that are featured in Eclipse.

I had to pink the edges which I'm not crazy about because they got messy, but they were starting to ravel already so I had to do something.  This block really tested me.  I learned a lot and I wouldn't mind making it again just to see if I could make it better using what I learned along the way.

Wuthering Heights is important to B&E's story in Eclipse.  I'm glad that "I" gave it it's proper due for our quilt.  Much better!