Are your bobbins scattered?

Do you have bobbins with different colored threads on them laying all over your sewing table? This can be something that happens to me.  But one day last week I had an epiphany (revelation, discovery)
I used just a little thread from a leftover bobbin to sew on a piece of a Barbie dress.  To do that I didn't take the spool off the machine, but rather, I used that 'second' spool holder that my machine has. Probably some of you have machines with that feature also.

A lightbulb moment!  Hey!
I grabbed the loose bobbins (after I finished sewing of course) and put them here:

I have since removed the spool of thread from the lower spool holder so it is empty at the moment. I do use the nice cone holder on the back of my machine for lots of my piecing and quilting.
Back to the subject! See all those bobbins lined up there.  They are in my line of sight so I know what  thread I already have on bobbins. And if I need "just a bit" to sew something where only the top thread shows, I can just pull from there and do it. (okay it is a bit full, but If I take off a couple of them it works.
Many times I also have an empty bobbin sitting on the bobbin winder ready to be filled - or sometimes I have a full one there, especially when I am doing free motion quilting!

I hope you find some use in my little bobbin tips.  And I hope you have a very piece-ful and peaceful weekend.
Happy sewing!

PS...my giveaway on the Die Cutting tip book is still going! Click HERE

Fabric News and What I have been doing

I have some interesting fabric news that I think is pretty cool.   I have been the inspiration for a palette of hand dyed fabrics!  Vicki Welsh at Field Trips in Fiber and I talked through email for a bit and she has used one of my paintings as the inspiration for  a palette in her hand dyed fabric.  The painting is my all time favorite that I have painted. The title of the painting is Transcend.
Here is the painting:

Vicki took the painting and pulled colors from the paint palette and translated them into fabric.    Wait until  you see it!

Field Trips in Fiber - Announcing the Transcend Palette


I am thrilled.  I am getting some but I don't know that I will ever be able to cut into it. Ha ha.



Now I am sure you are wondering what I have been doing the last days.  My great-niece is turning FIVE this next week.  So her birthday party is this Saturday.  I bought a present, but I heard that she wants some Barbie clothes.  Those things are ridiculously expensive!  (but I think I have learned why! ha ha)

I have managed to make three Barbie dresses in the last three nights.  Be glad you weren't here the first night, I might have burned your ears a teeny bit.
Finally I found a simple pattern at Craftiness is Not an Option.  So I made two of those.

 Then I tried the Ball Gown......and it isn't too bad.

I think the little Princess will be happy.   And now I have to put the Ballerina Barbie back in the box so she can be a Christmas surprise!
i am linking up the doll dresses with Richard and Tanya's Link a Finish Friday

Quilt Angels Update

Hi,  the Quilt Angels project for 2012 is drawing to a close. The quilts are due on December 12th.  We have set a delivery date of December 15th so that we don't interfere with other things at the facility.
Several of the promised quilts have arrived. I have tried to send an email to each sender as the quilt was received.   I thank you sincerely for your generosity.
I am still hoping to hear from a number of you that promised to send a quilt.  If you have hit a snag and simply can't send a quilt this year, please let me know.  I know that two are "on the way."

Hopefully the drawing for the prizes will be done at the facility and I can get the emails sent that evening. (yaay! Thanks to the sponsors: Anonymous,  IHAN and Petite Design Company.)

Wishing you a delightful December!

Die Cutting -and a Giveaway

NOW CLOSED! Winner to be announced Soon.(12/12/12) 

Many of you know that I participated in the blog hop for The Big Little Book of Die Cutting Tips.

 If you missed the hop, or just didn't get to all the posts, I am posting the list here:

• October 16th – Ebony Love, LoveBug Studios
• October 17th – Jennifer Rodriguez, All Things Belle
• October 18th – Marjorie Busby, Marjorie’s Quilting Bee
• October 19th – Michelle Marr, Michelle’s Romantic Tangle
• October 20th – Tammy Tutterow, Sizzix Blog
• October 21st – Patsy Thompson, Patsy Thompson Designs
• October 22nd – Tracy Rampling, The Peony Teacup
• October 23rd – Mary Fons, Hey Quilty!
• October 24th – Barb Gaddy, Bejeweled Quilts
• October 25th – Katrina Chapman Kahn, Sunshower Quilts
• October 26th – SewCal Gal, Insights from SewCalGal
• October 27th – Vanessa Wilson, The Crafty Gemini
• October 28th – Kelly Jackson, I Have a Notion
• October 29th – Connie Campbell, Freemotion By the River
• October 30th – Gene Black, An Alabama Quilter (my review)
• October 31st – Ebony Love, LoveBug Studios
• November 1st – Book Launch on Amazon!

As I was at the end of the blog hop, I didn't post the list with my review. I decided it would be great to share it with you now. I am still working on a project that I can't show. (sorry)  So how about a giveaway?  

I have an extra copy of the The Big Little Book of Die Cutting Tips  that I would love to share with one of you. 

So here is my idea. Go! to my YouTube channel and watch some of my die cutting videos.  Tell me which of my videos is your favorite and why and tell me why you want the book (in one comment) This is required to qualify to win. 

For a second chance (after qualifying) you can like my page on Facebook - leave a second comment. 

This will close on December 12th and I will choose a winner. If I can't contact you, you can't win.  If your email is not available on your blogger account, please leave it in the comments. 

I usually reply to all comments, but I may not reply to those on this post. 

Good luck!