Thursday, July 19, 2018

Where Is It????

Where is it???  I mean, when I get ready to start a project, I want to know where the pattern is, get all my supplies together and in a project box.  That way I don't spend valuable time "hunting down" a quilt pattern.  Or, what about "I need a baby quilt by next weekend..." prompts a huge game of hide and seek so I can pick out the perfect project.

I decided to try logging my magazines into a Numbers program (MAC users-PC users it is Excel) so I could decipher my various quilting magazines and the projects therein.  About a year in to this endeveour, I find the typed columns a bit of a puzzle.  I needed a way to categorize, have a picture of the project for easy reference as well as tags to search and pull for me.  A way to search quickly, then pull the magazines or books would be a novel way for this OCD to retrieve information from all the invested money for "resources" (ie.patterns,magazines and books that come regularly to my house).


 It would have been handy in my last project (which I need to do a post on) in using rulers correctly--or better yet, why I needed a specific ruler for a specific purpose.

Going to the "trusty" internet, I located an app/program that will record, categorize and tag books, music, videos, etc.  Why not my favorite quilting periodicals?  With a little adjusting, I was able to enter my own cataloging system.  Now, perhaps, I can locate projects that fit the requirements I'm looking for, pull my magazines, (which are also organized by this OCD into binders for easy retrieval) and sip my coffee while perusing the project that will "fit the bill" and make me happy.  And, by the way, it is free for 5,000 entries. Did I mention it is available as an app for your IOS devices and it syncs all information!!!

This month's McCall's Quilting Sept./Oct issue is my trial for using libib.  It is pronounced "luh-bib".
I set up an account and have the option to publish it for anyone to use or keep it private.  What are your thoughts?  Should I publish? Would you utilize something like this to help with your project planning?  Check it out at neyneystitches.libib.com!

Happy Searching and Stitching!
Renee (Ney-Ney)



Thursday, March 15, 2018

Quilting is my passion!

Quilting is a facet of sewing that has become my passion.  I do all areas of sewing....home dec, garments, children's heirloom, smocking, and have dabbled in quilting as a way to share a homemade gift.  The quilting bug has bitten hard and is my "passion".  I still love handwork but guess what??? It is English Paper Piecing!!  (a little obsessed here as well).



Over the past 2 years, I have transformed my sewing space ( or "happy place" as I call it) into a quilt haven.  Learning how to create a quilt from beginning to end has become my "media" of choice.  T-shirt quilts for children precipitated the quilting bug's bite while I received chemo treatment for breast cancer.  It gave me something to do with my hands as well as a memorable gift for the upcoming Christmas season made from their high school shirts that had been sitting in a rubbermaid tote for a couple of years.  I used the "tie" method of to hold together the quilt sandwich.

Then came 2 memory quilts for a young woman and her mother-in-law.  I watched her grow up so creating something special for her since she  had lost her young husband in a tragic accident was important to me.   These were actually 2 quilts in one--becoming 4 tops made into 2 quilts.  One side was t-shirts, the other was button downs that were cut into the bow-tie block per her request.

Since making those 4 tops and my own son and daughter-in-law's wedding quilt, I decided I was tired of pushing the quilt around on a domestic machine.  Research on what long-arm would suit me best began.  It helped that we had moved into a home with a "bonus" room over the garage that was quickly claimed as my new sewing space!

What led to your quilting journey?
Do you sew other things?

Always in stitches!
Renee (Ney-Ney)