Episode 200 In Which We Turn 200! 6-26-16

Welcome to my 200th episode! Since I missed my 6th podcastaversary back in March, I'll take this opportunity instead to give some stuff away! Look underneath the podcast player for information about my 200th episode giveaway!

In this episode, I talk a little bit about vacation but mostly about what I've been up to in my sewing room and embroidery-wise. I've been making progress! Plus, the ever-favorite-of-mine, listener feedback!

Later note: I misspoke in this episode and said both embroidery projects I have going are Lynette Anderson designs. They're not. I got it right in the related blog posts, though--the Christmas ornaments are Lynette Anderson, the Halloween BOM is Bunny Hill Designs. My bad!

And so...it's my

200th episode!

Which means it seems to be time for a giveaway!

Enter to win these fat quarters and the "Quick Turn tool" (sold in a variety of places but it's come in particularly handy on my Annie Unrein projects--she sells it on her website at www.byannie.com.) The Quick Turn tool is an easy way to turn fabric tubes right-side out again--something you do a lot of in making accessories.

To enter, leave a comment below responding to this question:

What would you love to do 200 times? 

I've loved posting 200 episodes. I've loved the conversation, the comments, the challenge, and making new friends via the airwaves (or the fiber optic cables, whatever). I love seeing pictures of what y'all are working on, and I love getting your excellent tips for how I could avoid completely screwing something up the next time I work on it. I love being inspired by your projects and I love it when you poke at me to keep going when I'm ready to toss it in. Thanks for 200 fun times, and I'm looking forward to more!

Also, I'd love to eat 200 pieces of chocolate. Although probably not all at once. That might be gross.

So--leave your comments--what would you love to do 200 times?

After you've left your comment, use the Rafflecopter widget to enter the giveaway. (I can't include you unless you're in Rafflecopter as the winner gets chosen at random through their widget.)

 

Episode 199 In Which I'm All About Annie 5-22-16

Here's my new microphone. 

Ain't it cute?

In this episode, I talk about my current--finished!--quilt project: that now-infamous Annie Unrein cosmetics bag. But then I obviously will not let Annie win as I'm going back to the well for another couple of projects, also referenced in this episode. A brief reference to the Jacob's Ladder quilt and another couple of projects I want to do in upcoming weeks.

After all the quilty talk is done, I share some changes I've made in the last few weeks that have made a vast improvement to my physical and mental health. But I do let you know when it's coming so you can turn off if you're just interested in quilty stuff.

Still--I hope you'll leave comments! It's far easier for me to talk to you when you're talking back! :-)

In this episode: 

Quilt blocks for Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada: http://slostudio.ca/post/143898346607/quilts-for-fort-mcmurray

Twilter block swap: Birds in the Air block--check out the Twilters group on Facebook. If you're not a member, let me know.

Annie Unrein's Catch All Caddy (which I think I mistakenly referred to as the Carry-All bag, which is a different pattern altogether)

Annie Unrein's Train Case Trio pattern

Annie Unrein's Ultimate Travel Bag (this is the one I'm doing the Craftsy class for)

Jewelry Roll pattern by ModKid by Patty Young on Craftsy

Upright Duffle Gym Bag by StudioCherie on Craftsy

Gretchen Rubin's books: The Happiness Project, Better Than Before

By the way, I didn't talk about this in the podcast, but I used every dang one of these feet, and a couple others that didn't make it into the picture, at some point in the making of the cosmetics bag...

 

Episode 197 In Which We're Back in the Saddle Again April 30, 2016

This is a bit of a random catch-up episode but I do talk a fair amount of fabric and quilty stuff!

Mentioned in this episode:

Alamosa Quilt Company

Ozzypip Quilts

The Annie Unrein pattern I'm currently working on is in her Craftsy class, Sew Sturdy Travel Organizers. (Using this link helps support my podcast and blog. Thank you!) 

Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project, Better Than Before (the book), Better Than Before (the journal), and Happier at Home (currently on sale for $1.99 on Kindle). She and her sister also have a podcast, "Happier with Gretchen Rubin," available on iTunes and Stitcher, and probably lots of other places. 

Episode 194 In Which We Recap 2015 and Look Ahead to 2016 Quilty Resolutions 12-29-15

In this episode I report on how I did with my 2015 Quilty Resolutions and what it meant to have a Word of the Year; I also remind y'all what your 2015 Words of the Year were and ask for updates! Then we turn to 2016 Quilty Resolutions. I share mine, and then once again invite you to share yours and enter my giveaway. I end the episode by talking about a few books I've found helpful in helping me with crazy quilting, embroidery, and beadwork.

 Please note: I have now posted the Quilty Resolutions submission form here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Judith Baker Montano's Embroidery & Crazy Quilt Stitch Tool

Stitched Blooms: 300 Floral, Leaf & Border Motifs to Embroider by Carina Envoldsen-Harris

Doodle Stitching: The Holiday Collection by Aimee Ray

Beading on Fabric by Larkin Jean Van Horn

Crazy Quilting by Christine Dabbs

Quilting...Just a Little Bit Crazy by Allie Aller & Valerie Bothell

Allie Aller's Crazy Quilting

Rodale's Successful Quilting Library: Creative Embellishments

One I forgot to mention but is also really great: 

Foolproof Crazy Quilting by Jennifer Clouston 

 

(Disclosure: As an Amazon affiliate, using the Amazon links in this post helps support my podcast and blog. Thank you!)

 

Episode 193 In Which We Talk Quilty Resolutions and Fidget Quilts

In this episode I talk about a family emergency that turned into a quilty project; I also discuss how to save embroidery projects from the trash can, and a little bit about de-gunking irons, all in the context of my current works in progress (or finishes). I also introduce the 2016 Quilty Resolutions Challenge concept, although the actual challenge won't launch on my blog for another several days. But this'll get you thinking!


Episode 192 In Which I'm Finally on School Break

A little bitta bling--always hard to get a blingie picture, though!

A little bitta bling--always hard to get a blingie picture, though!

I can actually talk about quilting and embroidery and fun stuff now! Progress update on several embroidery projects and a bit about some quilting projects. I do talk about my school-related plans for the break until my January class, but I warn you when it's coming so you can just stop listening at that point if you'd like to; I do, however, end with listener feedback as usual. And by the way, I apparently have a complete mental breakdown by the end. Barely coherent, really. So it may be worth hanging in for the entertainment value.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare Youngs

KFNeedleworkDesign on Etsy

Lorraine at ColourComplements on Etsy who REALLY lives in Canada, not the UK as I mistakenly reported. (I've since fixed it on that blog post.)

Akonye Kena fair trade embroidery threads (and check out their buttons too)

Daylight wafer light box that my friend has and I really, really want.

And here's the real link for MeinkeToy, although I've also fixed it in that episode show notes as well.

 

Episode 190 In Which We Get a Little Bit Crazy 11-23-15

Letting you know it's time to get ready for #BFSI! In this episode, I talk about a finish, a near finish, a I-wonder-if-I'll-finish-it-in-time-for-Christmas, and a it-has-a-snowball's-chance-in-h-e-double-hockey-sticks of ever getting finished. 

I mentioned Sue Spargo's website for threads: www.suespargo.com. The other one I talked about is MeinkeToy Fiber Art Supplies at www.meinkeytoy.com. 

Episode 187 In Which I'm a Little Bit Older but Maybe Not Wiser 8-30-15

Hey--two weeks in a row! It's a miracle! In this episode I remind you all of the Banned Books Week Challenge, then I talk about turning 50, working on Jacob's Ladder (and a tool recommendation), some crewel embroidery (and a tool recommendation), and a titch about Craftsy classes I'm working on. Then I finally--FINALLY--do some listener feedback! Woo! My favorite part!

In this episode:

Morgan Products Lap Stand Embroidery Hoop

Clearly Perfect Angles

Ultraglide foot for Janome (there are different Ultraglide feet depending on your model of Janome--be sure to check which one would fit your machine.)

Allie Aller's Crazy Quilting: Modern Piecing and Embellishing Techniques for Joyful Stitching

Gretchen of 120 Blocks blog review of the above

Episode 186 In Which I Went to QuiltWeek 8-23-15

In this episode, I talk a little bit about school, about the sewing projects I've actually managed to get done, and about AQS QuiltWeek in Syracuse (attended on August 1st). 

For the blog post about my QuiltWeek acquisitions, click here. 

For the post about the totebag I made using one of the patterns I bought at QuiltWeek, click here. 

For the post with the Craftsy class review and pics of the zippered pouches I made, click here. 

To check out the Facebook Twilters group, click here. 

Episode 183 In Which I've Not Fallen off the Face of the Earth 5-30-15

Hey, strangers! I know, I know. It's been awhile. Time just got away from me these last few weeks. But this episode plays catch up!

Referenced in this episode:

Episode 181 In Which I Get Reorganized 4-19-15

In this episode, I talk about my work road trip and why I didn't have a whole-lotta quilty goin' on, but how I'm setting myself up for more success (and less stress) in the future. There's also the first half of a backlog of listener feedback!

In this episode:

The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal, by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen. (Also good as an audiobook.)

(I'm an Amazon associate so using those links helps support this podcast and blog--thank you!)

Lifetopix App (this link goes to ITunes description--if you're another platform, just check Google.)

For more information on David Allen's GTD system, you can also visit his website at gettingthingsdone.com. 

An interesting, but very fast/surface "energy profile" based on Loehr and Schwartz' work can be found at www.performanceprograms.com. However, you need to be familiar with their work to understand what the categories mean. I really do highly recommend their book!