Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Shopping Finds on Vacation

I picked up a few quilty things on our last vacation and I've had a chance to use a couple of them. Click on any photo if you want to see it larger.

Little House 34mm glass head pins: I first read about this adorable little pins on Camille Roskelly's blog, Simplify, under her 'My Favorite Supplies' tab. She 'ADORES' them so I definitely wanted to give them a try. I happened to find a little tin of them, which is soooo cute, at a quilt shop in Florida and I snapped them up. They were kind of expensive at $10.25 (US$) for 100 pins but they are hand made in Japan.

I was excited to use them but now that I have, I'm not sure I will continue to use them. The matchbox tin is adorable but I found it not very easy to actually get the pins out. They are going in both directions and I kept sticking myself trying to get one. I could dump them into a bigger container but much of the appeal was the packaging! I was surprised that they were not that easy to put in the fabric either. I like a glide-y pin that easily slides through the fabric. Even though these are supposed to be thin pins I found them to feel thick, or at least 'sticky' and not easy to use. The last problem I had was the length of the pin. I use Crystal Glass Head Pins which are 1-7/8" long and very easy for me to get a hold of to pull out of my patchwork as I sew. The wide feet on my Horizon make it really hard to grab a short pin as I approach the needle. My nails are short and there just isn't enough pin showing to get a grip on.

Mark B Gone Set: I got the recommendation for this marking pen from Jamie Wallen on YouTube. I bought the set because there is a blue pen for light fabrics and a white pen for dark. I've never used a white pen before so I will have to do a bit of testing and report back on my success or failure! Jamie (and Karen McTavish) swear by the blue Mark B Gone so I have no hesitation in trying it.

Grandma's Secret Spot Remover: I actually had a product called Sew Clean on my shopping list, which is a marking pen remover also recommended by Jamie Wallen. I couldn't find it anywhere and I was really disappointed. I picked up this small bottle of spot remover anyway although it's for an entirely different purpose. I haven't tried it yet but please let me know if you like this product.

Clover Eraser Pen: This marking pen eraser was bought before I left and I have used it a lot! It is fantastic!! Instead of having to wet the fabric to remove the water-soluble blue marking pen you simply erase with this solution. I assume it contains a product similar to the Sew Clean but of course, there is a much smaller amount. The tip works perfectly to remove small marking dots but it wouldn't go far to remove grid lines on an entire quilt. It works amazingly though and I love it.

Sheerweight Fusible Interfacing: I bought some sheerweight fusible interfacing in anticipation of completing a t-shirt quilt for the Ultimate T-Shirt Quilt Craftsy class. I bought a box of it as well as some yardage. It's made by Pellon and is so soft.

Angie stamp: Lastly, I couldn't resist buying this little hand-made Angie rubber stamp. I don't really stamp much any more but I thought perhaps I could use permanent ink and try making some quilt labels. I will have to do some test swatches and see how it looks and holds up to washing. It might end up being a cute way to 'sign' my work!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These homemade Sweet and Sour Meatballs are so flavourful in their spicy sauce made with garlic, ginger, and ginger ale! They meatballs are very tender and are simmered gently in the tasty sauce for about an hour. I served this dish over rice and with some steamed broccoli so it's a very easy meal to make and everyone loved it. You can find the recipe from the Milk Calendar HERE. Enjoy!

CRAFTSY FLASH SALE!

Just found out Craftsy is having a FLASH SALE this weekend! Use this link HERE to go right to the sale and get up to 50% off the BEST classes!

Right now I'm watching my newest quilting class: Free-Motion Quilting With Lines, Curves & Loops. I'm getting lots of ideas for new designs from instructor Debby Brown and some good tips and tricks. I will never stop learning and there's always something to take away from every class I take.

I've also been working on a new sample project from Ultimate Free-Motion Quilting with Patsy Thompson and trying so many different techniques for hyper-quilting and trapunto. It is so much fun! I'll share what I've completed so far next week. I signed up for this class when it first came out and even though I had watched it a couple times this is my first time stitching it out. It's awesome that there is no time limit to watch a class and you own it forever. It might take me a while to get to the project but I never feel rushed. When I have the opportunity my lessons are right there waiting. It's going to be a busy weekend!!!

North Star Pillow

I wanted to make a pillow to go with my Downton Abbey DWR quilt but I only had fat quarters and some leftover backing to work with. I searched around for a pattern and ended up choosing a throw pillow from the Elegant Embroidered Quilts with Amanda Murphy Craftsy class. The project is the North Star Pillow and incorporates a pretty embroidery design in the middle of pieced star.

It took a moment to remember how to even get the included class embroidery design file into my machine (it's been a while since I embroidered!) but it all came back to me and I started my test design. I'm always glad I took the time to do a sample because it really helps me decide if I've selected the right thread colours. I can also iron out any kinks in placement, needle issues, stabilizers, etc. and I happened to also empty some leftover bobbins I had pulled from the machine after the low bobbin warning.

I used fat quarter scraps from my quilt to piece the points of the star and had just enough of the yardage to make my borders, cornerstones, and buttonhole panel. I used the Downton Abbey backing for the back of the pillow and the block background fabric for the binding. It worked out perfectly! All I had to buy was a new pillow form and some pretty blue buttons! I even had some interfacing in my stash to use on the back.

It was really simple to piece the pillow top and it's great to have the embroidery pieced in after it is done (no worries about placement or having issues and ruining an entire project).  Quilting the pillow top was super fun. I wanted to mirror the design with what I'd done on the quilt and I think I pulled it off while still keeping in mind the unique motif in the pillow. Also, I decided to quilt it entirely on my Sweet 16 and I had a blast with this first project. I stitched in the ditch first using my Fine Line Rulers from Patsy Thompson Design and they were so easy to use! I love them! Next, I did some straight line quilting around the north star to really emphasize that shape. I think it looks awesome. Of course, I used the same beautiful Aurifil Cotton Mako 50 weight thread that I used for the entire king size Double Wedding Ring quilt. #2310 matches the background fabric perfectly and quilts like a dream. I had zero problems with it on my Sweet 16 for this pillow and my Horizon loves it (which I used to quilt the quilt). I have used several spools of #2310 and didn't want to run out so I have a couple left over. I have more background fabric to use up and the cream shade is ideal for piecing so it definitely won't go to waste!

 

After that was done I added the feathers in the same fan shape as in my quilt blocks. I micro stippled between them and added another feather fan in the corner stones. In the borders I did the same circle-with-a-teardrop chain as I have in the DWR arcs and they turned out great. I used matching thread in each section of the pillow so the quilting doesn't show up quite as much as the cream thread I used in the quilt but the texture is there. I was very pleased that I had no problems with the different threads in my Sweet 16. I used my bobbin winder for the first time with excellent results and tested the bobbins in my TOWA gauge. I also used the basting stitch mode to baste the edges of the pillow quilt sandwich and the button panel. It works wonderfully! What a lot of fun I had getting to know my Rosebud better.

I used some fusible interfacing in the back of the pillow to add some stability and strength where the buttons are. I did switch to my Horizon 7700 to both make the button holes and attach the buttons. This was a new exercise for me (I have made both before but never more than one at a time) and they didn't quite line up evenly like I was shooting for! Still, the pillow stays closed and I don't think anyone will notice they are slightly off centre. I'm really happy that it turned out so nicely and I think it looks great on the bed with the quilt. I got to break out my embroidery machine, use up some 'free' fabric, and really get quilting on my new Sweet 16. This was another excellent project from the Elegant Embroidered Quilts class. Two of my favourites pieces ever are from Amanda Murphy - the Garden Walk Table Runner and now, this pillow! I am definitely going to add one of her quilts and maybe another pillow to my list of future endeavours.

Sew On & Sew On Block

I finished my Sew On block and turned it into a wall hanging. I had a lot of fun putting this together and it was the perfect 'after holiday' project to get me back into the sewing mood.  I pieced it on my 1600P although I'm not completely accurate with my 1/4" foot yet. The block came out a bit wonky/larger than it should have so that's something I need to test and work out still.   I chickened out and ended up quilting it on my Horizon since I didn't feel ready to use the Sweet 16 just yet, especially since I wanted to change my threads to match the colours of fabric in the small block. I could have used my 1600 to quilt but since the Horizon was there ready to go, I simply picked the easiest route.

Since I used fat quarters from the Bonnie & Camille Marmalade line I took advantage of my Aurifil thread collection from Simplify (which co-ordinates perfectly with Camille's fabrics!) and matched my thread exactly. I adore Aurifil so it was really fun to be able to use the kit for the first time. I don't usually change threads while quilting, using a light thread that works well with all the fabrics instead. Of course, using red thread on red fabric, blue on blue, and so forth means the back of the project is a bit of a dog's breakfast, but I knew this would be hanging on the wall and the back wouldn't be seen (click on any photo to enlarge).

I also made use of many features on my wonderful Horizon: the left-hand quilting bar, the button sewing feature, and even the on-board embroidery letters. I quilted straight lines with my Accufeed foot and did some free-motion background swirls (which are getting better with practice) using the free-motion foot. I am so comfortable with this machine and can free-motion with zero warm up - we just work so well together!

I love how this project turned out and can't wait to make another block from the Snapshots Quilt Along.

TOWA Tension Gauge

One of the first things I learned about my Sweet 16 is the bobbin case tension is the foundation tension for the entire machine. It is important that the bottom tension be set correctly before any adjustments are made to the top thread tension. Tension adjustments may need to be made every time different threads are used and even when a bobbin is changed using the same thread. That can be a scary, intimidating, and sometimes frustrating task for many quilters using a mid- or long arm machine for the first time.

There is an easy test for checking bobbin tension and I've included Jamie Wallen's video tutorial below. (I love Jamie's videos and he has some awesome tips and lessons; definitely check out all the uploads on his channel if you have a mid or long arm quilting machine.)

As simple as the drop test is for checking the bobbin tension, it is definitely something that is based on 'feel' and 'judgement'. I'm someone who prefers factual and quantitative answers and I don't have enough confidence just yet to rely on my own assessment of the Sweet 16 tension. Therefore, I bought a TOWA bobbin case tension gauge to get a numerical reading I can use to set the exact tension for each bobbin I use. I ordered it from Superior Threads and while it seems a little pricey, the peace of mind it brings me is worth it. Once you load the bobbin case in the gauge and pull the thread through the pulleys, you get a reading. The tension screw can be adjusted right in the gauge so you can pull and test again until you get the reading you desire. It is very simple to use.

Superior also has a free Longarm Tension Guide PDF that you can print off for reference. I think this will make it so much easier for me to achieve good tension on my machine. The TOWA is made in Japan and comes in L and M bobbin styles. You can watch the video below from Superior to see how it works.

 

Enjoy Easter Sunday!

Apricot Honey Glazed Ham

How's this glaze sound for jazzing up your Easter ham? Apricot preserves, combined with honey, lemon juice, and cloves, cook up to a sweet, thick basting sauce to spoon over the baked ham during the last half hour of cooking. This is so tasty and adds a lovely flavour to a basic dinner ham. I always serve my Scalloped Potatoes on the side and there's usually leftover meat for sandwiches or a casserole the next day. You can get the recipe for the Apricot Honey Glazed Ham from Piller's, HERE. Enjoy! (P.S. a tip...line your roaster with foil because the high sugar content of the glaze burns on the bottom of the pan as it drips off the ham!)

 

Happy Easter!

Superior Thread Therapy with Dr. Bob

I was delighted to receive a gift bag of thread samples from Superior Threads as part of my Handi Quilter Sweet 16 purchase. It was like a surprise gift since I wasn't aware it was included! I am already a customer and big fan of Superior since I use So Fine and Bottom Line threads when quilting on my frame.

The swag bag contained big cones of delicious thread to try: King Tut, So Fine , OMNI, and Magnifico. I haven't used those particular lines (the So Fine is 40 weight, I usually use 50), so I am really excited to try them out and experiment with some different threads.

Also included in the sample kit was a DVD: Thread Therapy with Dr. Bob. This almost-2 hour (!) educational seminar is conducted by self-certified Threadologist Bob Purcell, who just so happens to be the President of Superior Threads. I thought I knew quite a bit about thread but of course I watched the 'show' from start to finish to learn more (love to learn!) and 'eliminate my frustrations with thread, needles, and tension'. I call this a show because one may think that 2 hours of discussion about thread could be a boring prospect but Dr. Bob totally makes the topic entertaining, enlightening, and very interesting! I learned so much and feel so much more informed and confident when it comes to trying new threads, adjusting tension, and using the right needle. Mr. Purcell makes it all fun! (No charge for the jokes!) Right now, you can get the Thread Therapy DVD FREE right here! I highly recommend watching this if you use thread!!!!

I found the ins and outs of thread quality, variation, and uses very helpful and I'm glad I can refer back to the DVD whenever I need to or have a question. I've already posted many times about all the great FREE information Superior posts on their website, including all the amazing REFERENCE GUIDES you can print off for free. You can choose from thread guides, tension guides, colour compatibility charts, needle guides, and so much more. I always print the ones I need, laminate them, and keep them next to my machines or in my thread containers.

One other thing I got in my goody bag is the "What Makes Us Superior?" booklet. This is an amazing reference tool that has all the colour charts of all the thread lines Superior has. You can quickly see the details of each type of thread (number of shades, weight, yards per spool and cone, and the best uses of the thread). I find this information tremendously helpful when selecting which thread type I want to order and use. They even tell you which needle to use on your home machine and longarm. There are guides at the back as well, like the ones available on the website (still nice to have at your fingertips!). You can get the booklet HERE.

What a great surprise to get all this wonderful stuff along with my beautiful machine. I hope to try out my new threads soon and will let you know how each one performs. I already placed an order for some different products and threads after learning what's available and I'll share them all next week!