Rosa's World

Sunday, June 29, 2008

DJ - Bangor, Maine, USA

Hi there!

I told you that I had a lot to blog about, today! LOL

Thursday, 26th of June, 2008, a few "Dear Janers" or "Janiacs" got together in Bangor, Maine.

Sheila Belyea kindly sent me a couple pictures of me.
I had simply forgotten to ask someone to take my picture and didn't have any of myself.

Here I am, showing my (finished top only) Dear Jane quilt, to the group.


And here's another one of me, when I managed to calm down.... *grin*
I'm working on my "Angel Quilt".


That's about it.... Had a GREAT time in Bangor!

Oh.. here's Sheila Belyea's blog site:
www.quilterjane58.blogspot.com

Rosa

Gifties - RVJan


Hi there! It's me again.... *grin*

Last Thursday, June 26th, 2008, a few of us -
Dear Janers (AKA: Janiacs) met up,
in Bangor, Maine, USA

One of the Janiacs, RVJan gave me a gorgeous 30's Fat Quarter.
Her DH, made me a lovely pencil holder, from shells that they had collected,
on their travels!

(picture of pencil holder and fat quarter)


RVJan had told me about "Ron Jon's" and even had a pencil,
from there, to share with me! *VBG*


I had told RVJan that the pencil holder would have a
"Place of Honour", in my sewing room!
Please excuse the mess... but it's a WORKING ROOM.
*grin*


RVJan.... I only wish that I could come up with a nice gifty for you 2,
but I understand your "situation".... *s*

Thanks a bunch!
I so enjoyed our visit and found you both SO fascinating!

Rosa

P.S. RVJan even gave me a package of John James needles, when she saw that I was using a LONG needle, to hand quilt my "Angel Quilt".... PLUS, she gave me some valuable (freebie..LOL) lessons! Aren't quilters the best?!?? *grin*

Braggin' Buys - Book Shelf

Hi there!

Last week, Gilbert and I were standing on our deck when my neighbour yelled my name.

Well, they had this LOVELY, SOLID WOOD book shelf that they were going to
chop up and burn. They wanted to know if we wanted it.

DUH!??

LOL

We brought it in and this morning,
I wiped it down and set it up against one of my walls, in my sewing room.

Nice to put sewing "stuff" in it. I might (eventually)
add some sewing books on there, too.

Hey! Can't beat the "price"!! LOL



Took a picture of the OLD paper label, behind the book case. *grin*



Got lots more blogging and pictures to share with you,
on other topics, but that's it, for now. *s*

Rosa

Misc. - Bob's Corner TakeOut

Hi There!

Every now and then, I decide to share with you, one of our outtings.

Last week, Gilbert invited me to our favorite local "fish 'n chips" spot.

Actually, it was in Elly's vacation blog that I got the idea.
My (net) friend, Elly's from Scotland and she had posted 1 picture of a "fish 'n chip" spot,
where they had stopped.
I was curious as to whether their fish and chips were different from ours.
It didn't appear to be. *s*

This is "Bob's Corner Restaurant". Gilbert and I call it "Bobbie's". *s*



Gilbert is posing for the camera, as he's walking up the stairs. *s*


Now, Gilbert's a vegetarian. He eats nothing with "eyes" except for potatoes! *grin*
He ALWAYS grabs a "poutine" and a side order of coleslaw.

Now, for those of you that don't know what a "poutine" is, let me explain. It originated from Quebec. Basically, it's fries that are intermingled with a few cheese curds and then top off the whole plate with gravy. Some places now give you a different variety of "poutines". For example, you can now order (in Quebec - New Brunswick is behind with the times.. LOL) an "Italian Poutine".... that's fries, cheese curds and speghetti sauce, instead of the gravy.

Anyhow, if you've never had it before, it kinda looks gross in this picture,
but TRUST ME... it's delicious!!! *grin*


And this is what I usually order.... Fish 'n Chips!


Bob's Corner Restaurant - not a fancy spot.
It has picnic tables, inside... and you have to order at the counter, but the prices are EXCELLENT and the food..... well, simply DELICIOUS!
*grin*

Have a great day!

Rosa

Friday, June 27, 2008

Sewing - WOVEN Tumbling Blocks Course

Hi there!

Yesterday morning, I left the house at 7h15 a.m. and made the 3 hour drive to Bangor, Maine, USA. We were getting together, a few other Janiacs... to finally meet... What fun!!!

Today, a few of us had asked the store owner, Evelyn if she could organize a course on the new technique, to make "Tumbling Blocks".

You sew a bunch of "strips", and weave them together, to make these GORGEOUS "quilts"!


Here are a few quilters, working on their "Tumbling Blocks".


Amazing what lovely colour combinations some of them have chosen!


And this is Sheila Belyea's (hexagon) tumbling blocks!

I will post a picture of mine, later. I had decided to make the table runner.

Rosa

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Misc. - James' Prom

Last Tuesday, June 17th 2008, my youngest son (AKA: my Baby), had his prom.
Of course, he had to rent a tuxedo. *grin*

Thought I'd share a few pics with you... *grin*

This is at our house, before we left for his prom supper...
I took quite a few pictures but thought it best not to put too many on here, not to bore you all!



Here he is, checking his cell phone.
I noticed that a LOT of kids were doing that, that evening!
I mean, COME ON!!! Friends and family were with them, at that time!
Who could possibly have been calling them or text-messaging them, during the evening?!??
*groan*
I think we, as a society, have created "Cell Phone Addicts"!!! LOL



Okay, you'd think I'd know this by now.... Girls talk a lot and tell EVERYTHING to their Mom's. Boys walk around in the dark and you have to literally PULL TEETH, to get info!
Since I have never been to the photo session and the beginning of the prom evening, I had NO IDEA that we were supposed to dress up!!!
I arrived there with my old pair of jeans and an old t-shirt!!! *groan*
Anyhow, here's a pic of me and James



Another one, of us together....
Somehow, between the both of us, we couldn't figure out how to straighten out his tie.
Oh well.... Prom went on, with crooked tie and all! LOL


Here he is, sitting down.
Their supper was at 1 of the malls, uptown and family and friends
gathered in the mall after their meal, to take photos.


That's it! Didn't want to add too many pics. *grin*

I'm writing this on Saturday morning and this afternoon,
is the graduation ceremony.

Will try and "blog" about it, afterwards. *s*

Rosa

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Gifties - Jo Spindle

Hi there!

About 2 or 3 weeks ago, my friend Jo Spindle and I were emailing each other, back and forth. Jo offered to make me a pillowcase with cowboy "pinups". At the time, I remember telling her that I didn't think Gilbert would be too, too impressed. She replied, "Oh, that's okay. I have some with girly print, too."

So, I accepted her generous offer and then, in my typical fashion... I forgot about it. DARN BRAIN! *slaps her forehead*... I seem to forget a lot of things, lately...

So, at dinner time (lunch for most of you) and with only 1 hour, before I had to head back to work, I picked up James - my youngest son, grabbed some Mickey Dees, rushed home and as I pulled into the driveway, I noticed that my mailbox was "open" - there was "something" poking out from the top.

Park the car, unlock the door to the house, drop Mickey Dee on the kitchen table, run out to the mail box and there was Jo Spindle's snail mail addy, on the corner of my package!!!

"Hmmm... I wonder what she sent me?", I asked myself.

Opened up her parcel and left it on the corner of the kitchen table as I scarved down my Mickey Dees. Didn't dare touch it, in case I would get food stains on it. But, I remember looking at it and thinking, "Hmmm... that's interesting fabric. I wonder why Jo sent it to me."

Then, after a few more minutes of eating my food, drinking my pop and glancing at the fabric, it all came back to me. Jo had remembered me and the guy and girly fabric! *VBG*

Then, as I was almost finished my meal, it struck me! "OH MY GOD, ROSA!!! She actually went and MADE you pillow cases!!!!"

After work, I decided what better time than to change our bedding - in the middle of the week - no less... LOL... and put on Jo's pillow cases!


Here they are, on our bed! One for me and one for Gilbert!


Don't know if you can see it, but Jo added a wonderful "seam" or "edge" to our pillowcases!


Will have to try that trick, the next time I make pillowcases! *grin*


Here's a closeup of Gilbert's pillow!


And here's a closeup of mine!

Now... it's 12h09 midnight and I'm off to bed, for my "sweet" dreams.....

Should be GREAT! My only fear is that our pillows get switched during the night,
turning my "dreams" into a "nightmare".... LOL

Thanks so, SO much, Jo! You're the best!

Rosa

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Misc. - My Favorite Socks - Part Two


My friend, Connie, read my blog about my favorite socks and
send me a pic of HER favorite socks!



I got a LOT of wonderful replies on "My Favorite Socks"!!! Would you believe that there are OTHER people, out there, that have the same kind of "favorite socks" as I!?!?? LOL

In fact, there's even a website where you can purchase these kinds of socks.

Can't remember who sent it to me - thanks for the LOL of the evening, BTW - but here it is:

http://www.littlemissmatched.com/Catalog/womens-socks

Anyhow, thanks for reading my blog!

Sometimes I post informative stuff....
and sometimes, it's just plain "silly" stuff. LOL

Rosa


Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Misc. - Poste Canada Post

Poste Canada Post

For the past 2 years, I have been using the postal service quite a bit....
All thanks to my "Dear Jane" group of friends, all over the world - Secret Pal (2006 and 2007), Siggie Swaps and other various swaps or gifty exchanges.

Anyhow, I'm ALWAYS complaining about the service -
or maybe I should be writing... "NON-Service", with Canada Post.

Anyhow, yesterday I happened to be near one of our typical mail boxes and started reading the info, on the red mail box.
I'm POSITIVE many of you have not taken the time to actually READ what was on there.

It's a HUGE FARCE!!!



Right underneath the "flap" where you can slip your envelopes in,
is the time for delivery, for standard envelopes.

My Aunt mailed me a birthday card, on the 10th of February, 2008. The card arrived on the 19th of February.... and she only lives about 6 miles away from me!!!!
The card was properly addressed and had the correct amount of stamps.

NINETEEN DAYS and not the 2 days, that the mail box says it should take!

I live on the East Coast of Canada. When I mail something to Montréal, Québec, it takes a FULL SEVEN DAYS, to get there.... not the 4 days indicated on the box. Sending to British Columbia - that's on the OTHER side of Canada - on the West Coast....
well, that's anyone's guess as to how long it takes!

Don't believe me? Ask any Canuck! They'll tell you what kind of NON-service we have and I'm POSITIVE they'll have their own stories to tell you.

Here's a close-up of those "delivery times", in case you can't see it in the previous pic.



Like everyone else, I'm sure, I keep saying that I'll write a letter to the minister in charge of Poste Canada Post - but I never do it. *shrug*

And would it make a difference, eh? *sigh*

Every now and then, it's in the news that Poste Canada Post should be privatized... and it's debated back and forth.

I say, "Go for it!!!! It certainly can't be any worst than what it is now!"

I could go on and on about other "stories" about Poste Canada Post,
but I think I'd best stop here... blood pressure is rising! LOL

Anyhow, this is my rant for the day....

Hope you have a great day and that your postal service is better than ours!

Rosa


Monday, June 9, 2008

Sewing - Hand quilting and washing quilts

Hi there!

Sunday, I had posted a question(s) on the Dear Jane forum. I got such WONDERFUL replies, that I thought I'd post them, on here. Now, if I've added YOUR reply and you really don't want it posted here, PLEASE send me an email and I'll gladly remove it. *s*

Here's what I had posted to the group. I'll add the answers, after my post. Grab yourself a coffee and put your feet up - this is gonna be fairly long to read, but IMHO, informative. *grin*

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Hi There!

I have 2 questions that I'm hoping someone can help me with.

1st, I'm in the middle of hand quilting a lap quilt, as a gift to 1 of my cousins. I've only ever quilted around the appliqués and the edges of sashings, with my previous quilts. This lap quilt has 12 inch (muslin) plain blocks and I had hoped to quilt hearts, in these blocks. Now, I only have the "white" clover marker. What do you people use to "mark" a quilt, before you hand quilt it? I really don't have the funds or the resources, at this point in time, to go buy different kinds of markers. I'm looking for an "el-frugalo" method - AKA "el-cheapo". *grin*

If I mark the muslin (lightly) with a pencil, will it show, after I've hand quilted it? I think so, but I'm not sure.

If I DO mark it (lightly) with a pencil, will it come out in the wash? I do have a blue-ish kind of marker, that is washable..... but please read my next question.

2nd question: Do you people wash your quilts, before you give them away, or enter them in quilting competitions? A good friend told me, yesterday, that she washes them... as she likes the look, afterwards. My co-workers told me that you should NEVER pre-wash a quilt that you will be giving away.

Now, this quilt has been on my love-seat for about 2 months (okay.. possibly 3 months .. LOL) and I've been quilting on it, every now and then. One of my 4 cats.... the most curious one of the bunch, jumped on the loveseat, quilt fell on the carpet - once or twice - and I even caught her napping on it - GOD FORBID!!!!
All this being said, I had planned on brushing/removing any possible cat hairs and airing it out on the clothesline.... Now I'm wondering, maybe I should be washing it, BEFORE I give it away?!??

Tks, in advance....

Rosa Robichaud
Saint John, New Brunswick
Canada
P.S. Knowing my cousin, she is as un-fussy as I and couldn't care less if there was a cat hair on her (surprise) gift... but I really am trying to give her a nicely done quilt. *s*

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OH my goodness, people can come up with some of the most amazing "rules" - why in the world would you NOT wash a quilt before you give it to someone? Its been slept on by animals (as much as we love them, they're not overly hygienic!!!), collected dust, been handled by hands with oil on them, etc. etc. By all means, WASH it!!! I always wash mine - if I can, I like to dry them on a windy day hanging them in the shade, and then I spray them with some lavender water and let that dry on them!
You can mark with a Sharpwriter disposable Pencil - VERY El Frugo at Staples or wherever - "papermate sharper writer #2" - just lightly mark through the template or tape - most of the time it just brushes away - or a spray of water and its gone - like those blue thingies! Work just great.
Would it work to just cross hatch quilt across the plain squares? I just mark that with masking tape - goes SO fast!! and looks "neat and tidy" when its all finished too!! And then do an "in the ditch" on the outer part of those cross hatched squares! Gives it a "planned" look!
A couple of times I've used a colored thread for quilting in wide open white/light spaces - that totally covers up any markings that might possibly remain - though I've never noticed any remaining using the pencil!
And how lucky the recipient will be - receiving a hand quilted quilt already blessed by a cat! Can't do better than that!!
NOTE: Still not sure... maybe I'll just do "cross hatch" quilting.
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This is what I do, I machine quilt, but even if it was hand quilted, I wash it before I give them away. I have two cats, two dogs, two kids, a husband and a horse. LOL The cats think the machine quilter makes a very nice cat hammock when it's set up. LOL I also wash them b/c I mean for all my quilts to used and loved and so I want to make sure they are wash and wear. If they are going to bleed, even though I pre-wash my fabrics, I want it to do it to me not to them. Also I can them assure them that I've already tossed in the washer/dryer and they are safe to do so. And finally, I do it b/c if the quilting comes apart or a block comes undone or whatever, I can fix it before I mail it off.
NOTE: LOVE the reason on WHY she prewashes!!! Makes sense to me!! *grin*
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I have done ALOT of hand quilting on muslin or light, mostly plain fabrics. And I quilt alot of feathers in plain blocks. My marking pencil of choice is a good 'ole fashioned lead pencil, but I use a #4 lead pencil. Harder lead makes a lighter mark. My choice is usually not to wash, because as of yet I have found nothing that removes it. With the #4 and marking light, the thread usually covers it right up.

If I am planning to wash a light colored quilt, I will mark it with a Berol Verithin Non-photo print blue pencil #761 1/2. I have never had a problem with this pencil not washing out. But you should test to be sure.

I also have cats and dogs, and the cat loves to sleep on my quilt frame. Even though I keep it covered with a sheet and have a board on it for him to sleep on, it still manages to get covered in cat hair. Before I return the quilt to the owner or one of mine, if going in a show, I run one of those roller pet hair pick up thing-a-majigs over it that has the peel-away tape on it. This helps get the majority of pet hair off. I use it on both sides.
NOTE: That's what I "was" going to do... use one of those ting-a-majigs... but I think I will be washing this one, this time. Quilt's laid out on my love seat, for TOO long. *s*
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For starters Rosa, I always wash my quilts when I am done. If there is a Michaels or an art store near you, you can purchase a washable graphite pencil in a soft grey colour. I also have a recipe for a quilt cleaner that removes the pencil lines and as soon as I find it I will send it on to you...
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Pencil mark remover :
3 oz rubbing alcohol, 1 oz water, 3 or 4 drops liquid dishwashing detergent--place in a small bottle and shake well. Wet corner of a washcloth with solution and rub over markings. Wet another washcloth with water and rub over markings to rinse. Allow quilt to air dry. A second treatment may be necessary.

Unless the quilt is made with finishing touches that should not be washed, I would not worry about washing the finished item before giving it to someone.
NOTE: LOVE this recipe!!! It's all stuff that I have here!!! Tks for sharing!!!
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Hi Rosa - I never wash a quilt before I present it. As for quilting the
muslin, use masking tape for cross-hatching and Press n Seal for other
designs. Trace your pattern onto press n seal, slap on the quilt and it
sticks, quilt through it and chuck away when finished.
NOTE: LOVE the masking tape idea.... Hmmmm.. still debating.... *grin*
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Rosa, I have done a small share of hand quilting and used pencil to mark it. Both pieces were Hawaiian applique 22"X22" white on white echo about 1/4" apart, all of the pencil washed out and it was beautiful. Just my pennies worth.
NOTE: Still worried as to whether the pencil marks will come out. DUH!!! I probably could test it out, on a piece of scrap fabric, right?!??! Sheeshe!!!!! never thought of THAT, before!! LOL
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I say wash it! I do with mine because I want to see what it will look like after a wash!
NOTE: EXCELLENT logic!! Once again.... and you know who you are.... I agree! *grin*
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Make hearts out of freezer paper the size that will fit in you muslin squares.  Press them on, quilt around them, take them off and use them in the next square.   After a few squares they will still stick.  That way all the hearts will be the same. 

And yes, please wash it before you give it away that way you can include exact washing directions to the person you are giving it to. And you are sure that it does not fall apart when it is laundered.
It is one of my greatest pleasures to look at a freshly washed new quilt. Then you take a picture of your finished quilt.
NOTE: I just LOVE the freezer paper trick! Hmmm... will probably end up going that route! *s*
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Firstly don’t use the blue wash out pen - believe me they do not wash out
properly but can "come back" - a lady exhibiting a quilt at a show in
melbourne (here in australia) had used it and when it was hanging in the
show the blue lines from the pen "came back" under the hot spotlights!!! And
she now cant get rid of them - very sad as it was a baltimore!!!!!
I use a fine grey lead pencil and it washes out
And sometimes I wash my quilts before handing over - sometimes I don’t -
depends on the time factor.
NOTE: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I almost used the blue marker!!!
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Rosa and Janes--I'm going to try the hard graphite pencil method of marking on the Gwen Marston quilt I'm working on. She was awesome, btw. All of hers were marked that way--she has never washed any of them and close up, you can see light marks. From far away, you can't see the marks, but they really pop the stitching--1 inch hanging diamonds--and lots of feathers--just gorgeous! BTW, some of those quilts are nearly 20 yrs. old. I'm going to pretest my pencil and fabrics though-- I don't want a marked grid leftover after washing. As for washing quilts before giving as a gift, I would decide on a case by case basis. If the fabric wasn't pre washed, I would definitely use dye catchers for the first wash--that way the new owner wouldn't have to deal with any bleed. For clean kitty fur, you could fluff in a cool dryer.
NOTE: I assume she meant to "fluff" the quilt and not the kitty, in the dryer! LOL
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Rosa I marked my DJ lightly with a mechanical pencil and the marks came out...pencils are about $1 maybe?? I used a 2H lead.

Also when I give away a quilt I mark in the card.."Prewashed for your Convenience". The reason that I do that is first I have cats and sometimes the recipient is allergic. The other reason is that when the quilt shrinks up with the cotton batting and gets all puckery..it looks nicer...but if the owner is not expecting that after they wash it, they may think that they have ruined it..
NOTE: I LOVED the card that she includes with her quilts! I think I'll be using it! *VBG*
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A little info on pencils....the ordinary kind!

If you look at the end of a pencil it will have a number and a letter usually.

The higher the number with the letter H....means the harder the lead is and the
thinner the line will be. The higher the number with a B ...means the softer
the lead...and the wider and 'smudgier' the line with be. A pencil with HB is
usually the centre point and is good for writing.

Draughtsmen used the high H pencils while artists used the high B pencils!

For marking on fabric I would go with the highest H I can find. It will give a
very thin line. Use a light touch!!
NOTE: EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT advice about pencils! I can never remember which one is soft and which one is hard! *grin*
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I would make a template on cardboard (cereal box) and lightly trace it and quilt over it. Just enough that you can see.
NOTE: In this case, I already have my "heart" template, on transparent plastic, but if I ever need to make another template, cereal boxes could be a choice. *s*
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I mark the muslin (lightly) with a pencil, will it show, after I've
hand quilted it? I think so, but I'm not sure.

Lightly mark with a mechanical pencil. You can make a pattern to trace around of plastic or as our Grandmas did, of cereal box cardboard. Your stitches will cover the marks. If the Amish can use pencils why not we?

If she's a good friend she'll like a quilt from you, just do the best thing, and it'll be OK. There are no hard and fast rules, but sometimes there are quilt prejudices, that's why so many quilts are never used, too good for them.
NOTE: The Amish do this? Hmmmmm.... maybe I could use a pencil and try not to stress too much about it. *s*
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Rosa:
Er, how 'mature' is your eyesight? I too use a very
hard mechanical pencil, with a light touch, but as my
eyesight has 'matured', my touch has to be heavier to
leave a darker mark, to be seen. This is more obvious
after quilting of course and may not look good to you.

Here's another idea. trace your quilting design on
freezer paper (you do have that, I think), and cut
around it, or cut carefully leaving 'bridges' as for a
stencil. Iron shiny side down on your quilt. Quilt
your pattern then pull it off - no marks!

And, with pets, I would wash the quilt.
NOTE: Once again, the freezer paper technique! Hmmmmm.... decisions, decisions...
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Quilting mechanical pens have #1 lead in it that makes it easy to remove,
wash or erase.... The girls in the applique group went futher and bought a
gross ( they share and divide the box) of regular pencils with #1 lead.
They have raved about the way it is so easy to remove... They ordered them
from an artist / office supply store catelogue.

Maybe you can get some in a smaller quanity.

Hope this helps...

Fons and Porter also give a recipe for cleaning quilt marks in their
original Quilter's Manual.
NOTE: Out of my budget, for now... but something to ask Santa for, someday. *grin*
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My 2 cents on marking quilts for hand quilting.  I use Air Erasable pens.  I keep them in a zip lock bag and they last forever.  They are a little expensive - $4??? - but they do last a very long time.  I mark just the amount I can quilt in one sitting - the following day the marks are gone!  I have never had a problem with them bleeding or not going away on any kind of fabric regardless of whether the fabric was prewashed or not.

The other thing I use - on dark colored quilts or blocks - is slivers of left over bar soap. Ivory soap works best. It stays in until washed but it completely washes out.

One of the first things I do when I am finished with binding is wash my quilts! I love the look and I want to remove any oils, dust, etc that have accumulated while working on it. I USE my quilts - yeup - even my DJ and NI quilts are on my bed! My dogs and I sleep with them. So there!!!! Hahaha!

When I am giving a quilt as a gift I prewash it. I don't like the idea of the new owner having trouble with when they wash it - so I make sure it is going to handle the washing process before giving it.
NOTE: Air Erasable markers? Another suggestion to give to Santa! *grin*
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I learned the HARD way that dark #2 pencil lines do *not* like to come out.
They want to be with the quilt forever and ever, amen.
I mark my quilts with light, hard graffite or with blue washout pens. BUT,
with the blue pens, you really need to test them before you use them,
because sometimes they act like those trick candles that you really can't
blow out. They disappear with water, only to come back when the fabric is
dry (depending on what pen you use).

I always wash my quilts when I am finished with them, UNLESS it is an art
quilt and meant to be hung. Then I might not wash it.
NOTE: Great advice (re: art quilt). Next project that I use my blue marker, I'll TEST it, FIRST.... and NO, haven't used it on my lap quilt.
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Sooooooooo..... all wonderful advice and I believe that most have said to PREWASH my quilt. THAT takes a load of worries off my brain. Still have quite a bit more of (boring) quilting to do on that lap quilt... edges and borders. Will post a picture of it, once it's semi-done or all done.

Thanks everyone!

Rosa

Sunday, June 8, 2008

DJ - Mailing out some Siggies!!!


Hi there!

I've been busy and getting ready to mail out some more Birthday Siggies!

Have a GREAT sewing day, everyone!!!

Rosa

*grin*



Misc. - Saturday Morning Errands - Another outting

Hi there!

Once again, we head off for our Saturday morning errands. And once again, I decide to bring my camera along.

Gilbert needed a few items at the "dollar" store. Now, I don't know about you guys, but we have several different kinds of "dollar" stores, spread across our city: The Great Canadian Dollar Store, Buck or Two and the Dollarama. Now mind you, I might have missed a couple other ones, but off the top of my head, those are the ones we have, and most of these are "repeated", throughout the city. Now, I once asked the manager of these stores and they're "supposed" to have the same identical articles in ALL their chain stores. For example, all Buck or Two Stores are "supposed" to have all the same items.
I disagree.

Anyhow, I digress here, once again. Needless to say, Gilbert and I did quite a few stores, yesterday, because he couldn't find the last item, on his "list".

At one point, I got bored and grabbed a silly chicken/rooster hat and plopped it on my head, remembered that I had the camera with me and shoved it at Gilbert and whispered, "Quick! Take my picture before someone comes along!" LOL



Here's Gilbert at one of his favorite stores: "The Bulk Barn". He buys a lot of stuff there! *grin*
(NOTE: As I was quite a distance away, he wasn't expecting me to take his pic... )



Now, since Gilbert is a vegetarian and I usually follow along - easier that way - when we eat out, we usually go to "Harvey's". They have an EXCELLENT veggie burger, there. Anyhow, we finally get a "Montana's Steak House" in our city and I had seen on the menu that they had veggie burgers. After all our errands were done, I offered to buy us a veggie burger, at Montana's.

I don't think that Gilbert believed me. And he's a bit of a Doubting Thomas, with respect to "veggie burgers". At one point, McDonald's came out with a veggie burger that was SOOOO gross.... waaaaay too salty and peppery.

Anyhow, just before we went into Montana's, I asked Gilbert to "pose" outside. Here, you can see a good part of the "east" end of my city. All of our big box stores are there, or are being built in that area. Kinda bothers me, since I live in the WEST part of my city.



BTW, if you're looking for a HUMUNGOUS and EXCELLENT veggie burger,
try Montana's Steak House!
The service was SUPER - the meal was EXCELLENT....
And for 2 veggie burgers, with pop, it only cost about $24.00.
Not a bad deal, for an FANTASTIC meal, in my opinion.

If you haven't tried a veggie burger, before, I would recommend that you
try a veggie burger at either Harvey's or Montana's Steak House....
You honestly wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Looks and tastes just like real beef!
And it's less "heavy" on the tummy, too! LOL

Anyhow, that's it for my blog!

Rosa

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Misc. - My Favorite Socks

Hi There!

I thought I'd share with you my "Favorite Socks".

These socks are SO special, that I had picked up a 2nd pair, when I first bought them.

I "used" to hang my clothes outside. Unfortunately, these socks were SO special, that I'm convinced that someone took off with 1 pair!!!

Anyhow, I don't hang these socks out, anymore. Fortunately for me, they don't have any holes in them and the elastics aren't stretched on them, either!

Here's a picture of them:





You know, the kind of socks that are TOO high up and reach your knees, cutting the circulation off on your legs, and at night, you go to bed SCREAMING 'cause your knees are crying, from the pain?!??

Well, these babies are ankle length and I just LOVE them!

Now, I try to just wear them just around the house.

I mean, what if someone saw them and tried to steal them from me??!?




Anyhow, once or twice I forgot that I had them on - they're SOOO comfortable -
and we were getting ready to go out and
Gilbert looked at me in astonishment and said,

"You're not going to change your socks?!??"

DUH?!?! of course I'll change them! Remember?!?!?

Someone once stole my "other" IDENTICAL pair!

And YES, it has happened that I forgot to remove them and
YES, I've had a few, (I'm POSITIVE), jealous stares....

Once, a visiting family member said,
"You DO realize that your socks aren't the same color, right?"

Personally, I think she just wanted me to hand them over to her!
HA! Fat chance! LOL

Anyhow, these are my "Favorite Socks".

And, once again, I'm POSTIVE some thief took off with the other pair!
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! LOL

Rosa Robichaud

NOTE: Yep, that's dog and cat hair, on my leggings!
I quit fighting THAT battle a LONG time ago! LOL

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Gifties - Elaine Petrik


A few weeks ago, Elaine Petrik (another Janiac) emailed me and
asked if I was still collecting 30's fabrics.

I, of course, replied, "YES!!!!"

Look at the beautiful collection of fabric that I received, Friday, from Elaine!!!!

And would you believe, I'm quite sure that these are all new "pieces", for me??!?

HOW MANY DIFFERENT PIECES ARE THERE, OUT THERE, ON 30's?!?!? *grin*

Love 'em all!



Thank you SOOOOO much, Elaine!

Appreciate your generosity and will try and send you a little "gifty", ASAP....

Rosa

NOTE: I actually "owe" a few gifties to people out there and plan on working on these items, today. *s*