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Fabric Cord Cover
Moving. Staging. Decorating. It all rolls into one. Anyone selling a house knows about all the little “fix-ups” you do to get the house ready to list… and of course, anyone who has sold a house knows about the “Why didn’t we do this when we lived here?” feeling, once the fix-ups are complete. Well, my friends, this is one of those fix ups.
After viewing a dozen homes in San Antonio, preparing for our move this summer, I noticed that some of the sellers had covered their cords for lamps or appliances in the living area. Maybe it is a trend I’m missing. Well… not any more!
I have looked at that black crazy cord for about two years now. My wall in the living room is a very pale blue. Thanks to KONA’s amazing color selection, my cord is now enjoying an exact match blue cover. It is like a super fashionable shirt for the cord. Is it perfect, no, but I don’t even notice it any more. Of course, ideally, the plug would be behind the tv, but we are not rewiring the house right before we leave. For now, this is a good fix that isn’t too terribly detracting.
The cover was very easy to make. It is a rectangle, 6″ x 22″ – in my case, hemmed on each short end. The rectangle is then sewn right sides together using a 1/4″ seam allowance, along the length. Turn the tube right side out and put the cord through it. If you don’t sew, I think you could still make this project using something like StitchWitchery adhesive to hold the cord cover shape in place.
Incidentally, does anyone need a home in the Wichita KS area, near McConnell AFB? ((wink wink nudge nudge))
Altered Tuxedo Shirt
Prom and wedding season is in full swing. Well, I suppose prom is over since school is almost out … Anywhoo- here’s another altered tuxedo shirt for a June wedding. I can only imagine the “I’m soooo HOT” pick up lines this groom’s man will have with all those peppers all over his shirt. Good times!
Secret Quilting
And I can probably show you the quilting from my current secret projects. This one above is a computer guided pantograph design, done by Evelyn. Get this, though, she first stitched in “ghost shapes” in the background of the quilt. Those ghost shapes are octagons in a slightly different color thread. She then went over the whole design with the continuous line pantograph quilting. Pretty neat idea, right? I’ve never considered double quilting a project, but when you see the whole quilt top (much later) it will make great sense.
Since Evelyn does computer guided longarm work, she can make perfect circles on a quilt. I’m just beside myself happy with that. I love how it turned out on the finished project and highly recommend it to anyone who is just about fed up with circle rulers.
The above quilting is also done by Evelyn, on the computerized HandiQuilter. This pantograph was a more squared off design, similar to the quilting design used on another secret sewing quilt. The beautiful Pure Elements solid fabrics (above) and the Oval Elements fabrics (Below- quilt back) were generously provided by Art Gallery Fabrics. They are so great to work with.
Secret Backing
It dawned on me that I CAN show you the quilt backs on my current secret projects. I was going crazy through the stash to build this big queen size quilt back. I thought this would make quite a dent in my “oranges” but no- I must sew more before I can purchase any more orange fabric. =)
Once that above quilt was done, it seemed like a good idea to make another queen sized quilt (same pattern on the front) with creams and tans. Here’s the back of that beauty.
I just picked the quilts up from my local longarm quilter, Evelyn on Tuesday. If you need to get a hold of me, I’ll be in Binding-ville for the foreseeable future.
Secret Binding
In keeping with my “work like crazy but cannot show you anything” theme of the month, I thought I’d go ahead and get a small peek for you. Here’s a couple bindings from 3 big projects. One is a silk table runner (above). It turned out very lovely.
This quilt (above), I call my Stop Light quilt, though there is no green or yellow in the design. The quilt is primarily black and white and bound in white. Do you ever bind quilts in light colors? I generally do not, but it turned out pretty fun. Of course, I went back to dark binding on the next quilt. (below)
And lastly, this fun quilt is also black and white with some serious lime green solid. Wait ’til you see these. I hope you’ll love them. That will be later though.
All three quilted projects in this post were quilted by Colleen. She did a great job and turned them around in record time. THANKS!!!
Secret Sewing
Around the studio, the floor is a mess and the machines are a hummin’. I tell ya, I’ve been working like a crazy person. I wish I could fill in the blog with all the pictures. Especially the quilts from my new book releasing late this summer with Leisure Arts…. but alas… I’m not entirely sure why the quilting industry as a whole is so secretive about revealing new projects/patterns/fabric lines, but it is. Those are just the rules. I have loads of things I cannot quite show you until the project is published, but for now, I thought I’d leave you with this sneak peek of a quilted project due out next spring.
The whole quilt and pattern are set for publication in April 2013. That’s all I can say. 
I can tell you, though, that when it is revealed, I think you are going to really like it.
The beautiful soft white fabric is Art Gallery Fabric’s Pure Elements. The orange and red, which you can see, are Kona Solids. Are there other colors, yes. Can I tell you what they are … nope. It looks like 90 degree angles in there. Sure, can I tell you what they are or how big this “part” of the quilt is in real life … nope.
Check out that machine quilting. Finally something I can share everything about!!! My machine quilter in Wichita Kansas, Evelyn, did an amazing job with her computer guided HandiQuilter long-arm. It is really the coolest thing ever to see a computer completely drive such a big quilting machine. I know there is alot that goes into running, owning, and maintaining a long arm, but that computer makes it look deceptively easy. Evelyn is the owner and chief over at CelebrityQuilting.com The all-over square panto is a digital design, Karen’s Modern Squares is by one of the designers on IntelligentQuilting.com.
We’re Moving to Texas
Oh my goodness. I tell you what…. We are moving to San Antonio TEXAS!!! The move will be sometime mid summer, so watch the blog for all the updates. Business will continue, like normal- which is why it is great to have an internet based, work-from-home career. Of course, I really thought Wichita would be our last stop, but as it turns out I was slightly, really wrong. We are moving with the military. For those of you keeping count- that will be 7 cities in 14 years. On a related note, anyone need a lovely house in Andover KS?
Seamingly Accurate in Quilts and More Summer 2012
Hooray hooray! The Seamingly Accurate Seam Guide has gained the attention of the folks at Quilts and More Magazine! Our super useful, super affordable seam guide is featured as “HOT STUFF” on page 6. PAGE 6, I tell you. I’m over the moon.
If you haven’t heard of the Seamingly Accurate, it the original re-positionable adhesive seam guide to place on the bed of your sewing machine, to use in a variety of sewing projects. The guide ensures accuracy on all seam allowances and stitching widths, up to 5 1/4″ to the right (best used for casings and drapery rod pockets) and 1 1/4″ to the right.
“The guide’s markings make it easy to sew 1/4″ seams, wide hems, flanges, half-square triangles and more without guessing or marking your machine with masking tape.” – Quilts and More, Summer 2012
The magazine, from Better Homes and Gardens, is on sale now. Go grab a copy for yourself.
Thank you thank you, Quilts and More!
Pratt Tribune Article on ReannaLily Designs
Check out the newspaper in Pratt. They’ve included a short write-up on ReannaLily Designs and the upcoming trunk show/lecture at their Quilt Show. If you are rolling through Central Kansas or are in the Pratt area, stop by and see the show.
Pratt Quilt Show April 21-22nd
Come on out to the Pratt KS Quilt Show April 21-22nd!
They’ll have plenty to see and shop and you can see most of the projects from Deploy That Fabric, as well as pickup a signed copy of the book.
I’ll even bring a few of the eco-friendly Messenger Tote Bags.
I will be bringing the Seamingly Accurate Seam Guide and patterns for you.
Mark your calendars, call your friends and gas up the car. I’ll see ya soon.
deploy that fabric
Seamingly Accurate™ Seam Guide
Use this removable, repositionalbe adhesive seam guide to make sewing straight seams a breeze! Look for the product relaunch at the Houston Quilt Market 2011. Distributed exclusively by ReannaLily Designs.
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