Monday, May 30, 2011

So many things to tell you... And 100 follower giveaway!

NOTE - Scroll down for info on the 100 follower giveaway.

Don't you hate when bloggers appologize for not blogging for a few days? Well I am not going to do that, but I am going to tell you that I had a horrible headache for 4 days, so you can guess the rest. But I did miss you guys.

I have decided to get some laminate and make a make up bag. I have never worked with laminate so any advise you have would be greatly appreciated. 

Last week I worked on a new mug rug. It's made from 14 10"x10" pieces and makes 7 different mug rugs. Perfect for gifts. Im working on that tute and will have it done very soon.

AND last but not least Part 2 of the 100 follower giveaway is going on. Thanks to Shawna at 1 Choice for Quilting I have 3 charm packs left to giveaway! Shawna is the best! She has great prices and includes little goodies in the package, its like your birthday everytime you get a package from her!

I was going to continue the old post for the giveaway, but have decided to start a new post and comment list for it. So this time around: You must be a follower to enter and win.
1. Leave me a comment or your favorite fabric line.
2. Tweet about this giveaway "Craizee Corners is have a giveaway!  http://craizeecorner.blogspot.com/2011/05/some-many-things-to-tell-you.html @shapernes"
3. Add a pic to the Then and Now flickr site. Leave your flickr id on your post.
4. If you have worked with laminate and have advise for me you get another entry. Or tell me what you would make with laminate.
There you go, 4 ways to enter!

As soon as I reach 100 followers I will draw for the last 3 charm packs. And stay tuned because I have an awesome doll quilt to show you with a giveaway for that too.

Sha :)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Then and Now

I've had quite a few followers who have contacted me saying that they wish they felt comfortable showing their quilts. For one reason or another they are afraid that theirs might not be up to snuff with other quilters. Well I say..Enough of that nonsense! Be proud of your quilting! We all were new at some point and we all have something to learn about quilting.

So I have created a Then and Now Flickr group. Post your old and new quilts with pride. It will be fun to see how we have all progressed! I hope you'll join the group and share your pics, good or a little wonky, we love them all.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Pinwheels

Do you have a bunch of 5" charm squares and nothing to do with them? Why not make pinwheels?

A while ago I showed you how to make half square triangles (HSTs) using a HST ruler. Heres another way to make them with charm squares (or any size square). This is a great way to knock out a bunch of pinwheels.

You will need 2 charm squares for each pinwheel.
With right sides together sew around all 4 sides of your charm, using a 1/4" seam allowance. I used dark thread so you could see it easier.





Then cut on the diagonal both ways to get 4 HSTs.

Square the HSTs up to 3" square and sew into a pinwheel. The best way to remember which way the points go is that if you follow the direction that the point is in it will bring you to another point.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Yesterday I reached 50 followers so you know what that means? Time to giveaway 2 of the adorable charm packs. Thanks to Shawna from 1 Choice for Quilting for making this giveaway happen!
Drum roll please...
The first winner is Christine said... 
I just came from 1 Choice 4 Quilting and the charm pack that I like the most was Grand Finale. I may just have to pick up a couple of packs. Thanks for the giveaways.

Enter a lower limit:
Enter an upper limit:
Random Number:

The 2nd second winner is Sallie said...

I like Lilly Will II Charm Pack by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda. My DD loves Trick or Treat! Thanks for the chance!
Enter a lower limit:
Enter an upper limit:
Random Number:

Christine and Sallie I have sent you an email!
Thanks to all my followers! Once I reach 100 followers you will all be entered into the giveaway then too! Please spread the word so you have another 3 chances to win one of these great charm packs! Tweet this: Craizee Corners is having a great giveaway! http://craizeecorner.blogspot.com/2011/05/100-follower-giveaway.html @shapernes

Sha :)

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Six Pack Sunday

Happy Sunday! This week I felt like I was busy quilting a lot, but in reality I was adding to my stash and daydreaming about future quilts. It seems that the more  fabric I buy the more time I spend planning what I will do with that fabric and figuring out what else I will need to go with it. Do you do that too? 


So here's my six pack for this week. I'd love to know what you've been up to this past week and what your plans are for next week. Also don't forget to follow me and enter the 100 follower giveaway for a free charm pack of cute Christmas fabric.
From top to bottom:
City Weekend FQ's for a swap quilt.
Daisies and Dots jelly roll (I am looking for some yardage in this if you know where to get some, please let me know)
Daisy Janie charm square pack and Shades of Gray FQ set.
Fabric for the civil war BOTM at The Berry Patch I am using pink, black, white and gray. I added a bunch of FQs to the pile for this quilt.
A bunch of FQ's that I traded in the Not Going to Quilt Market Fabric Swap with my twitter friends. 
And I got a Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater layer cake to make some mug rugs with.
I think I may be set for a while, but there's just so many great fabric lines coming out its hard to miss them.
I tried stippling on my first quilt..I need lots of practice, but it's a start. And as I posted a few days ago I finished the Pure quilt I have been working on. I have so many finished quilt tops that I am planning to finish at least 1, possibly 2 quilts a week. Hopefully...
I finished the last block of the Patchwork Squared Modern Quilt-a-long. Yes I am a week behind but I will catch up. And I added shashing to my Sudoku quilt, but I don't like it so I have to get some black to use instead. What do you think?

Have a wonderful week, Ill see you back here next Sunday for more Six Pack Sunday!

Sha :)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

It's Done!

I just finished my Pure quilt. I love all the great fabric from Sweetwater. I am nuts about anything with writing, which means I also am in love with Sunkissed and can't wait to get my hands on Hometown. Although I need ideas on what to use Hometown for, any ideas?

Here's a few pic of the finished quilt

The first one is of the front of the quilt. The little sign on the right is from my daughter, it say "You're the Mom everyone else wishes they had." It makes me so happy whenever I read it :)

Here's a close up of the binding, I love how the words show on the binding.
Lastly heres a pic of the back and the binding, see I told you I am crazy about anything with writing.
Now to decide which quilt to bind and quilt tomorrow.
I'd love to hear what your working on and what your favorite fabric is.
And don't forget to enter my 100 follower giveaway. Just 17 more followers and I will draw for the first 2 charm packs!
Happy Quilting!

Sha :)


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Whats in your sewing kit?

I have been attending quite a few classes and events at my 2 favorite local quilt stores in Fort Worth The Berry Patch and Cabbage Rose. At the free motion class I took I registered over the phone and didn't get a supply list. Boy was I embarrassed when I had nothing I was suppose to have, no pins, no tape, not even the right colored thread or fabric. I don't know what I was thinking, but I was in the 'just got back into town' mode so I have forgiven myself. Plus the gals in the class were more than happy to share with me :). Then I went to an all day Saturday event and found that many newer sewers/quilters don't have the right things in their sewing kit.

While I love to share I thought I would make a list of what should go in a sewing kit for classes. Of course I need your help with this. Please add anything you find necessary or help full in the comments and I will add them to the sewing kit must haves.
** Note** I am hearing from people that this list is too long, I think its the OCD on me that makes me take this stuff, however I never take more than a tote bag and most of the stuff fits in a small box with layers. I usually have these items stored in that box and just close it to go, but then again I take lots of classes :)
Machine Needles (I make sure I have 75's with me all the time)
Thread (I bring 2 neutrals with me)
Bobbins ready to use
Bobbins - empty
Small scissors
Large scissors
Paper cutting scissors
Rotary cutters (a small and a large one)
Cutting mat (unless you know your shop has one available for the class, but I like having my own at the table I am working on)
Long ruler (6.5" x 24")
Square up ruler (I bring a 6.5" and a 16.5")
Other speciality rulers : half square triangle, 60 degree, quarter square triangle
Tape measure
Pins on a pin cushion
Blue or masking tape
1/4" tape
Safety pins
Sewing needles
Needle threader
Machine (cleaned and oiled) with cleaning items
Seam ripper
All your machine feet
Notebook and pens
Marking pencils
Then check with the shop to see what specific things you need for class. You might need batting, fusible fleece, zippers, the pattern you will be using to name a few. 
Don't forget the fabric you plan on using. As long as the store where the class is being held has the fabric I am looking for I will buy it there. 

I know I am forgetting things so please let me know and I'll add them. And don't forget to follow me and enter the 100 follower giveaway!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Six Pack Sunday

Here's the 6 things for this week:

I quilted and bound the Pure quilt I have been working on. I just have to sew the binding onto the back and its done!
I received a bunch of FQ's as a giveaway prize from Belinda of The Seam Rippers


I picked out some of the fabric I am going to use for the civil war Block of the Month Club at The Berry Patch Fabrics in Fort Worth, thanks to my friend Janet who helped me finally find something :)

Quilt Dad sent me some fabulous Sunkissed fabric for a new quilt I am working on for my son Bryans girlfriend Stephanie. Thanks John I can't wait to use it! I'll have some goodies coming your way this week :)

I finished piecing the Modern Ease quilt for the Online Quilt Book Club. The current book we are using is Modern Basics by Amy Ellis. Its a wonderful book with a bunch of great quilts in it. This first one was very easy and fun to put together.

And lastly I started  the 100 follower giveaway! You can enter to win 1 of 5 charm packs! See here for the link. Here's a pic of the 5 charm packs.



So that was my week, how was yours? I'd love to hear what your Sixpack was.

Sha :)

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Awesome giveaway at 1 Choice 4 Quilting

Check out this great giveaway at http://blog.1choice4quilting.com/
Shawna is giving away 10 great things!

And don't forget to follow me and join my giveaway posted below!

Friday, May 13, 2011

100 follower giveaway!


I have some awesome blog posts coming up including several giveaways, new tutorials, yummy recipes and more. So with the help and generosity of Shawna from
1 Choice 4 Quilting I am offering this giveaway:

When I reach 50 followers I will giveaway a charm pack to 2 lucky followers!
AND
When I reach 100 followers I will giveaway a charm pack to 3 lucky followers!






Entering is easy 

1. Follow me and leave me a comment below telling me what your favorite quilting pattern or what your go to for quick dinners recipe is.

2. For a second chance tweet about this giveaway "Craizee Corners http://craizeecorner.blogspot.com/2011/05/100-follower-giveaway.html is giving away 5 charm packs! @shapernes" then leave me a second comment.

3. For a third chance visit 1 Choice 4 Quilting! Let me know what your favorite charm pack is that Shawna carries. She has a great selection of the most popular fabric and she sends little goodies in her packages, which make getting the order all the more fun. I think you'll find her prices and shipping costs very reasonable.

So there you have it, 3 chances to win! The drawings will be held using a random number generator as soon as I have 50 followers and again when I have 100! Good luck!

Sha :)
 
I know there were 2 comments from yesterday, not only did blogger delete the post, but it also deleted the comments. Please re-comment so I make sure you are in the drawing.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Scrap piles

Over the past few weeks I have made several bags of different types and sizes of fabric scraps. Today I was cutting Sherbert Pips for 2 different quilts and got all these scraps. I only had 1/4 yard of each fabric, here's the scraps after cutting eight 5" squares and nine 2.5" squares:
1. Pile of charm squares
2. Pile of 2.5" squares
3. Pile of small jelly roll strips
4. Pile of scraps that I can use in a doll quilt (my new favorite thing!)

I would also have a scrap pile of pieces bigger than 2.5" but there wasn't any. When I use this system nothing except for the selvages and thin strips to square up get wasted.

What do you save and how do you organize them? I find this system makes looking for certain size scraps easier.

I'd love to hear how you deal with your scraps.

Sha :)


Monday, May 9, 2011

Sew Fresh Modern Sewing and Quilting Group

If you live in the North Texas area you should check out the newest modern sewing/quilting group in Fort Worth. I went to my 1st Sew Fresh meeting last month and saw so many great ideas. I am hoping to start a Modern Quilting Group within the Sew Fresh group. If you live in the North Texas area let me know, I'd love to meet my blog followers.

And speaking of my blog followers here's a hint:
I will be doing a great giveaway with the help of Shawna from 1 Choice 4 Quilting! Watch here for the big announcement later in the week and in the mean time follow me, the giveaway will have to do with my followers!

Happy Quilting and Cooking!
Sha :)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Six Pack Sunday

Every Sunday I am, going to share with you 6 things I purchased, received as a gift, finished, started, or classes/events I attended from the previous week.

Pics from this week:
Golf fabric I got at the Arlington Quilt Show. I want to make something for Father's Day with this, any ideas?

Java by Deb Strain Panel and fabric.I plan to make placemats with the panel, but I need to find more of the Java fabric. It will be nice to have breakfast placemats.

Quarter square ruler (tutorial will be posted soon). And last but not least, my Pure quilt is ready to be quilted!

I'd love to hear about your week and Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms out there!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Tea and a tea recipe

Today I attended the United Forever Introductory Tea at Berry Patch Fabrics in Fort Worth. We will be doing a double block of the month club based on the book "Civil War Legacy" by Kaye England. I'm not sure what fabric I will be using but I am leaning towards black, white and red for the sampler quilt, what do you think? I want to keep it modern while learning different techniques and blocks. Anyone in North Texas should check out the club. Gail is a wonderful teacher and a delight to listen to.
At the tea they served scones and tea. The iced tea was delish and I was lucky enough to meet Martha Stookey who along with being a wonderful quilter is who the tea recipe is from. She has given me permission to share this recipe with you. This is a great tea for the next time you entertain.

Almond Tea

12 oz frozen lemonade
2 cups boiling water
1 cup sugar
4t almond extract
2t vanilla extract
4t instant tea

Mix the sugar and tea together.
Add the boiling water and stir well to dissolve the tea and sugar.
Add the rest of the ingredients.
Then dilute the mixture with cold enough cold water to make 1 gallon

Let me know how it comes out for you!
Enjoy!

Sha :)

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Four Patch's

One of the first squares a quilter learns is the Four Patch. Yes these are very easy, but why not make it even easier? A while ago I learned a great way to make these Four Patch squares so fast.

You will need 2 charm squares (5"x5") to make 2 four patch squares. 

1. Place the charm squares right sides together and sew down the right and left sides, using a 1/4" seam.


2. Cut the sewn charm squares in half first horizontally and then vertically. You will then have 4 pieces of 2.5" x 4.5".


3. Now you can put your four patches together. I like to sew along the straight edge instead of the crinkled edge and this is a perfect way to make sure that happens every time. Then when you square them up the crinkled edge is gone.

You can make a bunch of these squares in a few minutes very easily.

I'd love to hear of your short cut way to make quilting easier.

Sha :

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Things that I learned...

Today I put together a new block for the Patchwork Squared Quilt-a-long. After putting it together I took a pic and once I had it on my computer I saw the square on the left. I'm sure you can see the big boo-boo I made, if not the correct block is on the right.

Then I started to think about all that I have learned about quilting and sewing so here’s a list of something’s I have learn when quilting. I'd love to hear from you so please leave me a comment and tell me things that you have learned so that maybe I won't make more boo-boos. These may seem like no-brainers but when I began quilting I had to learn some of these the hard way.

1. Do not rush your quilting; take your time even if that means it takes you an hour to finish 1 block. You'll make fewer mistakes, I promise :)

2. When sewing points together I find it helpful to stick a pin from the back to the front to make sure the points match up so you sew them correctly. Sometimes one point is further away from the edge than another and this lets me fudge it a bit.

3. Press all seams open that do not need to be butted against each other. Believe me it helps.

4. Get the best quality thread you can get, it does make a difference. I use cotton thread for any projects that use cotton fabric; it just makes sense to me.

5. Keep the little pamphlet that comes with your rulers, that has instructions on how to use them correctly.

6. If you like a particular line of fabric make sure you get enough of it. When you go back to the shop what you need may be gone. I usually get a charm pack or layer cake and 1/2 yard of what prints/solids I like in that line and 3.5 yards for backing.

7. Once I have cut and used what fabric I need for a project I cut 1 2.5" strip WOF, 1 2.5" square and 1 charm square (5" square). I have bags for each of these. Someday I am going to do a scrap quilt with these.

8. When trying a new technique I write hints that worked for me in the margins to help me remember how to make it.

9. Clean your machine a lot! I clean mine about every 8 - 10 hours of sewing. It’s nice to get the fuzz out.

10. Don't be afraid to try new techniques and blocks, that’s the way we learn and grow as quilters. I joined a few quilt-a-longs and am working my way thru 2 books right now. I learn new blocks to make and new ways to make them every week.

Sha :)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Carnitas

On the way home from our East coast trip I was planning my dinner menu for the week. I knew I wanted to try to make pork carnitas, but at that moment I couldn't even remember the name of the dish, all I could see is the dish in my head. Then I turned on twitter and one of the gals that I tweet with a lot mentioned she was making that dish. What a small world! Luckily Laine from http://justplainlaine.com/ shared her recipe with me and it was yummy!  So now I am sharing it with you! For all you quilters out there Laine has a great blog, right now she is showing us some fun quilting/sewing gadgets that are must haves!

Crock Pot Carnitas

3 lb. pork butt roast or tenderloin
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbs olive oil
2 limes
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder

1 bottle/can beer (a Mexican beer works nice here)
Salt & Pepper to taste

Toppings can include:
Fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and deveined, cut into strips
Fresh cilantro, chopped, leaves only

Avocado slices
Pico de gallo
Shredded cheddar cheese
Lime wedges
 

Mix the olive oil, juice of two limes, oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper and garlic cloves. Stir the dressing well.
Place in the crockpot.
Pour dressing over roast and then top with the beer.
Cook on high 4 to 6 hours until fork tender.

Remove the roast from the crockpot and  place in a caserole dish. Roast the pork at 350 from 30 minutes to get a nice color on the top. Or you can pan sear it, either way works.
Shred the pork with 2 forks. Add a bit of the cooking liquid from the crockpot to keep the pork moist.
Serve on warmed tortillas (I used white corn tortillas) and any topping you would like.
I used chopped cilantro, avocado slices and a spritz of lime. 
Laine serves with warm tortillas, shredded cheese and pico de gallo.

Enjoy!
Sha :)