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

Bladez Indoor Spin Cycle 600IC

As sad as it is, there is frost on the roof this morning and I know that cold weather is upon us. We have been so lucky with the gorgeous fall temperatures and I've been able to ride outside for longer than I anticipated. I'm not quite ready to hang the bike up yet but in anticipation of a long and cold winter, we set up an indoor spin cycle.

We chose a Bladez by BH and it's been amazing. It is very close to a road bike in geometry and is adjustable for a proper fit (seat height, bar height, seat tilt, and forward and back settings for the saddle and handle bars). I use the GCN indoor trainer workouts on YouTube and nothing makes me sweat more or work harder. I feel like a million bucks and I know the fat burning continues for a couple hours afterwards. My metabolism is roaring! I would love to have a Zwift set-up (a virtual reality bike trainer) but for now, this 600IC spin bike will do nicely.

Like anything else I tackle, I prefer to set up my environment to make things easy. I believe the success of my current healthy lifestyle is keeping things to a routine so there is no chance to fail. I'm fortunate that I am able to have free time to work out and cook healthy meals so I can imagine that an easy-to-follow schedule for any busy person is even more important! I like to stick to my timing and get in my training without even thinking about it. I've got a good system for myself and having it be simple and consistent allows me to plan my day.

We have a little gym set-up in the basement that's basic but functional, and really comfortable to use. There's a simple treadmill, the new bike, and a weight station. When we bought the bike we got a gym mat thrown in and it's been great to use (rather than our yoga mat). I added a small shelf above the spin cycle to stack fresh towels and water; small touches like that keep a workout area pleasant and convenient for the whole family. I love that our example rubs off on the kids and they absorb that knowledge of the importance of good health.

I'm really going to miss outdoor rides over the winter but having a good twice-weekly spin class at home will hopefully keep me conditioned and motivated to continue on next year. Maybe we'll even try to travel somewhere warmer to get in a bike tour!?! When I watch the gorgeous videos on GCN where the guys ride in Italy, Spain, or France I am so envious of their opportunities to experience the best cycling in the world!

So whatever you're doing, try to make your surroundings comfortable and plan for success. It doesn't take a lot of money or time, just some forethought and planning. Have a great day!

The 2017 Quilter's Planner!!!!

Christmas came early when my new 2017 Quilter's Planner arrived! Created by the talented Stephanie Palmer of Later Night Quilter this new edition has all the awesome features from last year (super calendar pages for the months and weeks, to-do lists galore, free quilt patterns and project planning pages, and amazing reference tools) but has been gilded with some fantastic updates. Unboxing was so delicious I had to wait a day until I could be alone and savour every scrumptious bite!!!

First thing out of the box I love, love, love the laminated cover and tabs. I was pretty hard on my 2016 issue and the tabs in particular were taking a beating. This new design should keep things crisp and clean. I am also thrilled with the new spiral binding. I had a bit of trouble with my covers coming off the hinges (I am guilty of being a cover-folder-backer!) and I think this thicker version will help a lot!

Having a planner truly gave me an organized and functional way to keep track of what I needed to do. I actually did what I listed and ticking off the chores was very satisfying! The fact that this planner is MADE for a quilter just makes the process even more convenient for me. It is incredibly easy to lose focus when there are so many projects on the go and forget what stage you are at with each quilt - from planning the design to gathering the supplies to actually cutting, sewing, and finishing. The wonderful Projects at-a-glance chart is still in this year's planner (of course!!!) and there are still plenty of Project Planner pages to really document each quilt's progression from inception to delivery.

I will admit I fell off the decorating wagon in the summer with my 2016 calendar, mostly because I didn't have as much to record on my pages. However, I still maintained the important things I needed to write down (chores, lists, appointments, etc.) and kept a tally of my steps, exercise and other notes. My planner sits right by my side and I have a pen hooked on the spiral. It's so easy to jot down whatever reminders I need (someone is always leaving a number, an appointment time, or a list of to-do's for me!). Adding embellishments like stickers, washi, labels, and coloured pen writing, is just icing on the cake and a fun thing to do when I have extra creative time.

There are still some of the new 2017 Quilter's Planners available over at Stephanie's website so if you want your own copy, hurry! These lovely books were completely sold out last year and I know there were MANY disappointed quilters who missed out. Trust me, if you have a quilter in your life, SHE WANTS ONE!! Thank you Stephanie for a gorgeous updated version of this useful, beautiful, well-organized, quilter-friendly planner! I love it!!!!

Tidying Up & Creativity

I wasn't feeling any creative energy yesterday but that didn't stop me from getting into my workshop. Things were getting a little messy, disorganized, and cramped and it was making me feel claustrophobic, not to mention anxious at the clumps of lint and dust bunnies hiding under my cabinets. I spent the afternoon thoroughly dusting and vacuuming my space and it feels so good to have things put away back where they belong.

I know how fortunate I am to have a dedicated area for all my crafty pursuits but still, I accumulate project stacks and supplies as I'm working and don't tidy up every single night. Now that I have a fresh, clean studio I can focus on finishing up my stippling on the Wheels quilt and get it trimmed and bound. Next, I am going to get the embroidery machine uncovered and start the personalization of the t-shirt quilt.

While my Janome 350e is front and centre I'm going to try to embroidery my dog's collar. Yesterday I had a surprise when I went upstairs to put the vacuum away. There on my deck was a dog. I knew mine was in the basement where I just left him (he stays with me all day) so I was a bit shocked to see him outside. It only took a second to realize the visitor wasn't my Sam but a slightly fluffier lady. I opened the door and she was very friendly, hoping to just come on inside. Her collar was boldly and prominently embroidered with her name and phone number so we were quickly able to reunite her with her neighbour mum. I was  stumped how she ended up in my backyard since all the gates were shut (and still were). Her owner was stumped how she got out! We were chatting about this canine Houdini when a third neighbour admitted she'd popped the stray back into our fenced property, mistakenly believing she was our dog. Anyway, the incident made me recognize what a great idea it is to have the pet's name and phone number easily visible on the collar. It only took a second to notice, call the owner, and get the beautiful dog back where she belonged. I hope I can use my machine to get Sam's info on his collar. I figure if I could embroider a leather luggage tag I should be able to get through a polyester collar.

Now it's time to stipple....

Quilting on the Go with English Paper Piecing

I had to be patient before starting my English Paper Piecing as I wanted to receive the book I ordered first. Quilting on the Go by Jessica Alexandrakis was worth the wait. I was delighted when I opened up the pages and it was exactly the reference book I was looking for. The paper is lovely and the photos are excellent. It is a meaty and detailed explanation of EPP and covers everything one needs to know, as well as providing some wonderfully creative starter projects.

The chapter I was most anticipating is the first: Getting Ready. Because EPP is so enjoyed because of its portability, I knew I wanted to assemble a travel kit of supplies. Jessica explains all that is required and assembles a travel tool kit. Luckily, I had already gathered together what I thought I might need and I used her school supply pencil box as a check list against my notions and tools. I did run out and pick up a Clover thread cutter as a treat. It's worn as a pendant (I used some gold rattail binding cord) and should pose no problems with airline security. Right now I'm using a sturdy plastic zippered pouch from a sheet set to house everything with an inner bag for the smaller stuff but I would like to find a more sturdy pencil box. The great secondary use of this type of container is that it can double as a work table when opened up. I also have my basted hexies and cut fabric in a small tin to keep the pieces smooth and wrinkle free. I'll try this out and see how I like it or need to adapt.

I sat outside yesterday while hubby worked in the veggie garden and stitched my first few hexagons. I am using that charm pack of 1930s prints and just getting used to the process of basting and whip stitching, finding what methods work best for me. From the Craftsy classes and on-line videos to magazine articles and books, every EPP quilter has a different way of doing things. I will try them all and see what is the best fit for me. It has been 4 years since I did those Block of the Month hexies but I am pleased with the few I have joined this time around. The stitches appear almost invisible and the seams are strong. I wish I would have started with more of a plan but since I don't have much of this particular fabric I'm considering this sewing to be practice. I'll just keep joining the shapes until I have a panel to cut for a pillow or small project. It really doesn't take long to get a bunch stitched together and I'm perfecting my stitch as I go.

Once I'm ready for a quilt or larger item I will follow a pattern and choose my fabric placement more wisely. Perhaps a traditional Grandmother's Flower Garden to start before I move on to other shapes (diamonds, clamshells, triangles, etc.)...if I enjoy the work as much as I think I will. It certainly forces you to slow down and relax as you meditatively focus on the tiny motion of the needle and thread whipping through the fold of fabric. As much as I adore using my machines and listening to the sound of the motor and feed dogs, it is sometimes nice to still be able to create without a power cord and table set up.

Have you tried English Paper Piecing? What did you make?

Plannering

Every Sunday my daughter and I have a "plannering" date. That's our made-up word for decorating our planners for the week ahead. I ended up buying my other daughter her own and she is super excited to play too. Unfortunately, her version doesn't start until July but her wonderful boyfriend managed to find her an extension pack and this past weekend she got caught up so as to join us next Sunday.

I am in love with my Quilter's Planner (read about it HERE) and it is ideal for my life and hobby. I am able to track all my weekly errands, tasks, and appointments, as well as keep a running list of all my quilt projects and the stage I'm at in the process. One thing I've noticed already is that if I add something I need to do on my Planner page I am more than likely to DO IT! It has been a great place to record both my to-do list as well as my 'got it done' list, a definite motivational plus to see all I've accomplished. Of course, it comes in handy to be able to refer back to confirm when something was done (bill paid, letter sent, phone call placed). Our family calendar is a wipe-off model so when the day is over it gets erased and the information is gone forever and as much as I rely on my phone, I do indeed prefer having a hard copy. Adding the scrapbooking elements of embellishments, cute stickers, pretty paper, and washi tape just makes it all crafty, fun to do and look at!

Progress...and Meat Trays

Here are the blocks I've finished for the Vintage Quilt. Now that I've got a rhythm going, it's a fun and simple sewing task. One thing I love that really helps in the process is...a meat tray! The styrofoam trays used in the grocery store meat department are ideal for organizing and transporting fabric units as well as ground beef. The fabric clings to the surface and I can go back and forth from the cutting table to machine to pressing station without my piecing getting out of sequence. The idea came from the Carol Doak's Mastering Foundation Paper Piecing Craftsy class. Those lessons are full of great tips and tricks for paper piecing that I'm definitely going to revisit and use when I get to that part in the Farmer's Wife quilt. Anyway, the meat tray is a super tool to use for any quilting project and I'm finding it so helpful.

I have also finished 4 of the Farmer's Wife blocks. So far, so good! The sew-along begins with easy blocks that are simply rotary cut. I am pleased with the Marti Michell templates and they are making the process very easy. The 4th block, Betty, has more seams and was certainly a little more challenging but I think it's actually my favourite so far. I'm a bit hesitant with the more complicated blocks to come, but one step at a time.

The completed blocks will be stored for a long time so I've adopted a binder and page protector method of keeping them organized. The paperwork for each block is slipped into the pocket and the block slides on top - nice and organized and the fabric stays flat and pressed. It will be rewarding to see the binder fill up and so easy to set out the quilt when the 99 (?) blocks are done. I needed a binder and remembered my daughter was finished with one of hers and it turned out to be ideal. It's a zippered version from Old Navy (which will keep the dust out) and has a mesh pouch in the front, perfect for housing the acrylic templates, and a pocket in the back for the general cutting instructions and tips. I also printed out a photo of the finished quilt and am circling the blocks I have already finished. Each night I print off the templates for the block(s) of the next day and then read the Farmer's Wife letter which inspired the pattern. They are short and inspirational and great bedtime reading. I am loving this project more and more!

 

Goody Goody Binding Kit

Closed View with Tie

I have had the instructions for this Goody Good Binding Kit printed off and waiting to be made for a long time. As soon as I saw it featured at the Fat Quarter Shop I knew I had to make one for myself. I think it was the 'goody' pocket holding a Three Musketeers Bar and a bag of Skittles that had me hooked! Vanessa Goertzen, from Lella Boutique ( HERE ), generously shares her tutorial with great directions and photos every step of the way. It made the construction really easy for me, something I'm still new at doing.

I like to be organized; it's like measuring your ingredients for baking!

I love the fabric I chose from the Scrumptious collection by Bonnie & Camille. It was a tough decision to cut up my fat quarters for this kit (instead of for a quilt) but there is no point keeping fabric in the cupboard for 'someday' when there is a great way to use it now! There will always be more fabric, right? As a matter of fact, I think there are one or two new collections just released from Camille Roskelley and I haven't even touched a few of the old ones I'm hoarding.

Anyway, I love how my kit turned out. Making all those bags from the Craftsy Zip It Up: Easy Techniques for Zippered Bags class (probably on sale right now!?!) also helped tremendously when it came to do the zipper portion of the pouch, as well as working with all the layers. I also ended up with a slightly larger section and was able to figure out how to adjust things to fit. Maybe I am learning how to transfer my skills from one project to another!?

Here are the pics of my binding kit. It was so fun to make and I am really proud of the result. I am excited to tote it around with me when I have some hand binding to do. I took a picture of what it's supposed to hold...and then another of what I will actually keep in it. There's no way I'm 'storing' an Ethel's chocolate bar in the pocket...let me just say that particular prop no longer exists!

Definitely check out Vanessa's tutorial and perhaps make your own Goody Goody Binding kit. It's a charmer!

 

Aurifil Thread Display

Here is my beautiful Aurifil thread display! My hubby gave me the June Tailor stand for Christmas (with a little help from me!) and it holds 60 spools. Of course, I would love to have one of the gorgeous Italian store displays Aurifil sells to dealers and retailers but they are out of my budget at the moment. I think this currently more affordable version (mine cost $25 plus the thread which I already owned) looks lovely so far and will be an amazing addition to my workshop counter.

I really love the Aurifil sets I've purchased and the clear plastic boxes they come in are amazing to store and transport the 12 spools in each set. However, as organized as they are I kept them in another tote in the cupboard. It wasn't the most convenient way to access my thread and see what I have (or need to order!). These Aurifil threads are so beautiful and are a decorative item unto themselves. Keeping them on my counter is not only inspiring but very practical as well. Now I can easily see which spools I have in stock and select the best shade for my project.

I keep my 'open' spools and duplicates in my Snapware containers in small zipper bags paired with their matching bobbins. I have printed off the list of included colours for each collection (now that they are all co-mingling) so that I know which aqua Camille Roskelley likes best or which hunter green is part of the Christmas set. My nephew's girlfriend just happened to be here over the holidays and she co-incidentally is an art teacher! I put her to work arranging the spools in colour families and I think she did a beautiful job! It took her some time to carefully place each spool in its best location and she left a few gaps to make it look right. I guess, poor me, I have some shopping to do to complete the look!!!!! Thank you, Taylor! <3

Fortunately, I own the Aurifil colour chart and that should make it pretty easy to choose some new spools to fill the empty pegs in the display. It is definitely an investment to have 60 new Mako 50-weight cotton spools at the ready but as it's my thread of choice and such an important part of any sewing project, it is 100% worth my money. I love it!

Keeping Things Organized

I am happy I started out with a great system for keeping my sewing machines organized. Now that I have (*cough*) several, I'm actually losing track of what came with, and goes with, what. Fortunately, as soon as I bring home an orphan I put all the bits and pieces into one of the snapware Snap 'N Stack containers. I should have invested in the company earlier on!

Each machine has a section of the container labelled with its model number. These snapwares are great because I can mix and match the trays (there are two deeper and one shallow shelf per set) as needed. Some machines only come with a few extra bobbins and some come with all the Singer attachments and feet, including the chunky ruffler, and those require a bigger section.

I can add manuals (back then they were small, flat booklets), lightbulbs, and any additional goodies the seller included, like old fashioned wooden spools of thread or packs of vintage needles. I've also bought little black notebooks for each machine in order to keep track of its history, purchase details, and maintenance schedule. At first, I purchased a set of three gorgeous Moleskine pads but they are really expensive, relatively speaking. I switched over to similar looking, but very cheap, regular notebooks that cost $1.29. I print out a label on the computer with the model of the machine, date of manufacture, serial number and given name and add that to the front of the booklet. I know, I'm a little squirrelly!

I have all these snapware containers rowed up on my open shelves and they are starting to look quite impressive! It is so easy to pull off the one I need for the machine I'm using that day and I know everything inside is a perfect fit. Happily, I discovered a source for these here in Canada. I had been stocking up on them every time we visited the States but of course, I kept running out! It would be against my nature to use anything other than matching containers so now I can just keep a couple in stock at all times and pop to the store when I need a couple more.

Presenting...the new Over the Kitchen Counter Counter

Ok, moving is not for the faint of heart. We have made good progress but there is just so much to do I find myself moving from place to place to do one thing and getting sidetracked and starting on something else! A big priority for me is cleaning and even though the house was pretty much ready, upon closer inspection it wasn't left in the very clean condition I left my house in. It will take me a while to get it 'Angie Clean' but I'm working hard.

Obviously, the kitchen needed to be in fairly good order as soon as possible. I think I have done well organizing it efficiently given how much smaller it is than the 'other' one (which I customized to my needs). I have had to eliminate probably 60% of my gear. There is a lot of specialized cooking equipment that can go into the storage space in the basement and seasonal items which can be tucked away. I've removed all the duplicate or similar gadgets and after the kids have their pick I will donate the rest. I don't think this kitchen is properly laid out but I've done my best to make it as streamlined as possible. I've given up counters and cupboards but gained a lovely view! We were in a raised bungalow before so our feet never really touched the ground. It is wonderful to be so close to nature and I was thrilled to wash dishes and watch a cardinal land on the feeder. Things got even better when all of a sudden, a HUMMINGBIRD joined the airspace - something I have never seen around my house before!!! There are lots of birds, rabbits, squirrels, and I even saw a monarch butterfly today.

The workshop is coming along nicely. I finally got the majority of my sewing and crafting supplies moved in and I've been able to functionally fit everything in so it's convenient to use. I am just waiting on the countertop for the cutting table (which hubby will paint for me this weekend) and the electrician has to come back because I suddenly realized I have NO lower outlets! He did a great job wiring in some upper outlets in my cupboards but I guess I just took my lower ones for granted at the old house. I hadn't even considered it in the job. The problem is that the cupboards take up the wall space. I have my computer set up against the open wall forming a corner 'L'. My Horizon and Sweet 16 form an 'L' in the open area and that of course means there are no wall outlets to access. We decided on running one lower outlet under the cupboards and I will run a surge protector power bar along the floor to use for all the other machines (one at a time, of course!). I think it will work out fine.

I picked up my 'overflow' stuff from my mom's and must be living right because the awkward-to-store rolls of batting fit PERFECTLY on the bottom shelf of the cutting table. I can't believe my luck! There is barely a 1/4" to spare but that's actually a good thing because the rolls don't fall off when I move the table. Also, my little Gidget table is ideal for the Featherweights. I was hoping it would work, especially as a drop/inset station for them. They don't quite reach the flat bed stage when lowered but when they sit on the table they are really nicely positioned for sewing. That side of my counter will be the Singer station for my vintage machines. I can pull any one of the cutting table shelves, sew on the little table, and then put them away when done. Scrapbooking will take over the corner area of the counter and there are quick cutting and pressing stations set up on the other counter. It is going to be amazing! I can use the cutting table for whatever I'm working on - pressing, cutting, scrapbooking, or card making.

The pictures aren't great and there is a lot of mess around but I wanted to share the progress as soon as I could with you. Stay tuned for more and I really want to share my new machines photos too. As far as the new kitchen - I actually baked a birthday cake today and I even cooked a meal the other day and tried a new recipe to post soon. It was good! There are also so many awesome new Craftsy classes out. Of course I signed up for a few but haven't had a chance to watch them yet. I've been falling into bed exhausted every night and can barely read a page of my book before falling asleep. Well, tomorrow is another day!