Freefall 2

So let's get right to the point here (see what I did there??)  I am having a blast making all these little Freefall leaves.  The next six blocks went together easy peasy lemon squeezy over here.  Since I was a pro at making them from making the first eight, I was able to chain piece the crap out of these little buggers.

I separated everything into neat little piles and in no time at all have my completed blocks.  I LOVE a project like that.  I chose to paper piece the large shadow leaf points as well.  Sandra has the paper piecing units also available in her Craftsy Shop.

So now I will leave you with all my blocks to date floating around on my mobile design wall.

Only six more blocks to go!  So now there is nothing to do but set around and wait for the next set of instructions, or maybe I could quilt something :)

Today I'm linking up with Freefall Linky and Main Crush Monday.

Craftsy Sweetens Up My Life--Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Craftsy Sweetens Up My Life Blog Hop.  Hopefully, you have been hopping around with us over the past few days, learning about all of the awesomeness that is Craftsy.  When Sandra at mmm! Quilts contacted me a few weeks ago to see if I would be interested in participating in the hop, there was 0% hesitation on my part to join in.  The hop is organized by Sandra and Julie at Pink Doxies to spread the word about how life changing Craftsy can be for you.  And of course, there are give aways and some pretty cool sales as well!  I know I love a good discount on a great product.

If you have been to my blog before, it's pretty easy to figure out I mostly blog about quilts.  I discovered Craftsy long before I started blogging.  Craftsy did change my life, so much so, I signed up to be an affiliate.  I work full time and am the mother of a teenager.  This leaves little time for traveling to classes or even time for taking a class.  Plus, we live in an area where finding the types of classes I longed for was nearly impossible.  I longed to learn free motion quilting skills.  Craftsy provided me with a platform that 100% worked with my schedule and showed me what I needed to take my quilting to the next level.  If my slot for watching a class was 3 AM insomnia, guess what?  My instructor was right inside my phone waiting to pick up where we left off.

Craftsy allowed me to enroll in the classes of quilting rock stars that I would have never heard teach otherwise.  The best part is you can ask questions and...they reply!  The first time I asked a question in a class, I got a prompt response from Cindy Needham.  I nearly fell over.  Cindy Needham answered my question, swoon.  (I'm one of those people, that if I ever make it to say QuiltCon I will probably get kicked out because I will be the star struck crazy person yelling, "Do you know who you are??? You are Alex from Aurifil!!!")

Today I want to talk about three different classes that have helped me tremendously on my journey.  Dot-to-Dot Quilting with Angela Walters, Shoot It! by Caro Sharidan, and Product Photography at Home by Jessica Marquez.  Craftsy graciously wanted to extend the offer of purchasing these classes at a discount for the next five days as a way to say thank you for stopping by our hop to check things out.  So without further ado, lets talk about these classes.

The idea of Angela's Dot-to-To quilting technique is to create stunning quilting motifs using points on the quilt.

These points can be marked with a dot, imaginary or be drawn lines.  She shows you how to integrate curved lines and well as straight lines and how to use them in different areas of your quilt.

The huge advantage to this type of quilting is that it is quick and easy and gives your quilts wonderful textures that everyone will awe over.

In the class materials, Angela gives instructions for for a beautiful and easy to piece 42.5" quilt that you can quilt along with as she quilts the class sample.  After I purchased this class I was ecstatic to find out that the award winning long arm quilter demonstrated her techniques for the class on a domestic machine.  These versatile motifs are meant for everyone.

I chose to make the class quilt and follow along with Angela.  Here are a few pictures from my Dot-to-Dot experience.

Even the quilting on the back creates its own unique look.

If you look through out my blog and in my quilt gallery, you will see that time and time again my quilting has been influenced by these extremely simple techniques.  If I haven't been able to convince you how great this class is, maybe Angela herself can.

Craftsy seems to have a class for just about everything, not just quilting.  After I started blogging and reading other blogs, one thing I noticed was all of the wonderful photos.  I wanted to provide my readers with the best eye candy I could produce.  If you spend hours creating a beautiful piece of art you want your pictures to reflect their beauty.  I knew absolutely nothing about photography or using our camera.  So I turned to Craftsy for guidance and of course they came through with flying colors.  As of now, two classes are offered regarding product photography.  

The first is Shoot It!

Caro Sheridan is a knitter, photographer and co author of Knitting it Old School.  In this class she helps guide you in setting up a photo shoot that is sure to obtain that perfect product shot, even if you do not have a high-end camera.  She talks about color theory and how to use it to help you find your style.  You will learn how to use negative space to make your product stand out.  Caro also gives pointers on preparing for your photo shoot and gives suggestions on things to take with you.  She talks about creating a shot list, so that you capture the shots you would like to create.  She also talks about obtaining model releases and permits you may need for shooting at different locations.  As an added bonus she even throws in tips for taking the perfect self portrait to use in your pattern bio or on social media.

Now, instead of half focused shots of my quilts draped over the back of my couch, I pack them up and take them on scenic field trips.  I add props to make the shots more interesting and always make use of natural lighting.  Here are some examples of pictures I have taken, using Caro's tips.

Watermelon Taffy a block I created for the Fabri-Quilt Blog Hop

  

The next class is Product Photography at Home by Jessica Marquez.

Jessica is a professional photographer.  One of the things I loved about this class is she does a wonderful job explaining the more technical side of your camera.  

She explains how to use ISO speed, white balance and shutter speed to capture the most crisp and in focus pictures possible.

 She creates table top backdrops and demonstrates how changing the different settings will change the focus, and clarity of pictures.  She talks about different types of lighting, the best way to use them and how you can create DIY bounce cards and diffusers.  

She talks about using props to show size and scale of your products and the best ways to coach models to acquire the pictures you desire.

Here are a few of my photos I've taken after trying some of Jessica's advice and tips.

I am 100% a quilter at heart, but these classes have convinced me that I want my photography skills to go to the next level, so that I can share with my readers the true beauty of the fabric that surrounds me.  So if you are like me and can't afford to hire a professional, Craftsy will allow you to learn from professionals.

So for the next seven days, Craftsy would like to extend the sweet offer of these three classes at a discounted price.  What are you waiting for?  All you have to do is click on the pictures below and the knowledge of  Angela, Caro and Jessica will be at your finger tips 24/7.  Ask questions, get answers and unlock the potential that just waiting to surface within you. (offer ends Feb 20th at 11:59 PM MT)

And of course let's talk about the give aways!

Craftsy has went above and beyond to make this the sweetest hop ever.  Not only are the classes listed on my page being sold at a discount, but all the classes discussed in the blog hop (see the schedule below) are being offered on sale as well.  And if that wasn't enough?? They have also offered up 3 fabulous prizes.

Two lucking winners will each win one FREE Craftsy class of their choosing.  Hey, maybe you want to try cake decorating 101...go for it.  And a grand prize of...cue drum roll...

 1- Boundless Solids Crown Jewels by Amy Gibson Quilt Kit 

 1-Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts 6" Strips

1-Boundless Solids Modern Brights 10" Squares

Enter Give Away Here

Hopefully you will have the time to hop over and check out my fellow bloggers and their reviews of Craftsy.  Craftsy isn't just great classes, but fabric, supplies and a whole bunch of great patterns.  Don't believe me?  Check them out.  Today is also my good friend Anja's day over at Anja Quilts.  She will be reviewing the patterns; Postcard from Sweden, 1hr Basket, Star Bright and Reusable Handwarmers.

Below is a schedule for the entire hop

Wednesday Feb 10th
Judy--Quilt Paradigm--Cindy Needham Design It Quilt It and Machine Quilting Wholecloth Quilts
Helen--Midget Gem Quilts--Jacquie Gering Creative Quilting With Your Walking Foot

Thursday Feb 11th
Cindy--Stitching At Home--Amy Johnson Quilting With Rulers on a Home Machine
Vicki--Vicki's Crafts--fabric purchases, deals

Friday Feb 12th
Zenia--A Quilted Passion--Elizabeth Dackson Start FMQ, Christina Cameli Secrets of FMQ, and Angela Walters Help! How Do I Quilt It?
Jayne--Twiggy and Opal--Supplies: Pressing/cutting mat and Mini iron

Saturday Feb 13th
Tish--Tish's Adventures in Wonderland (Me)--Angela Walters Dot-To-Dot Quilting, Caro Sheridan Shoot It!, and Jessica Marquez Product Photography At Home
Anja--Anja Quilts--Patterns; Postcard from Sweeden, 1 hr Basket, Star Bright, and Reusable Handwarmers

Sunday Feb 14th
Beth--Cooking Up Quilts--Amanda Murphy 20 Fresh Applique Techniques
Preeti--Sew Preeti Quilts--fabric purchase, Kaffe Fassett Classics Design Strips

Monday Feb 15th
Julie--Pink Doxies--Joan Wolfrom Color Play for Quilters
Sandra--Musings of a Menopausal Melon-mmm! quilts--Angela Walters Machine Quilting:Small Changes, Big Variety and Free Motion Quilting With Feathers, and review fabric purchases and patterns Sea Glass and Snowflake

If you get a chance, stop by and show all these lovely ladies some love and take advantage of the great deals and maybe win a give away.

Today I'm linking up with Main Crush Monday, and Whoop There It Is!

Tuesday Ramblings and Partial Quilt Gallery--Finally

It's funny, when I don't get to do something quilty for a few days in a row, I start to panic.  I feel like I'm going in circles and that I may never get anything done again.  It's crazy talk and I know that but sometimes I just can't stop those negative voices.  I'm writing this post to try to reign myself in again and get back on track.

Last week a friend of mine and I took advantage of some of the pretty weather that has found its way to our neck of the woods.  She had recently expressed an interest on working on her photography skills (plus I stalk her on Pinterest, so I know what she's up to) so I asked if she would like to help with my quilt pictures project.  I thought it would be neat for us to take a few of the quilts and put them in different settings and both takes pictures.  It was really fun to spend time together and work on something creative.  Plus having two cameras going at the same time (though you had to watch out for the other one) really paid off.  We were photographing the same thing in the exact same setting, yet we each had different perspectives on how it should be done.  I have posted a few pictures to the quilt gallery  It is still a work in progress, but it's getting closer to done.  She and I hope to have another outing soon.

Yup, these are pictures that Lori took of me taking pictures.  If only pictures could capture the sound of laughter and fun.

Next up is the whole cloth quilt along that I have been participating in on Facebook.  I believe the instructions for the first 3 blocks have been posted to the group page.  Somehow I'm managing to turn the first 18 inch block into a year long project.  I have sworn to myself I will finish it this evening.  What is the hang up?  My bobbin ran out of thread and I was completely unmotivated to wind a new one.  It's been sitting on my machine table since Friday night.  Isn't that just awful?  Do you ever find your self walking away from a project over the silliest reason?

I did come up with quilting plan for my next Aurifil mini finish, Jungle Gym.  If I can get the whole cloth finished, this little guy at a whopping 21 inches shouldn't take much time to quilt.  I wonder just how much quilting I can fit into such a small space?  Insert diabolical laughter.

On a different note, last Monday wrapped out our 2015 New Bloggers Blog Hop.  It saddens me to see it come to and end.  I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet and know everyone who participated in the event.  But I can happily say that I have met 72-ish new friends that I can continue to keep up with thanks to blogging.  Ladies, all of you inspire me.  

But our fearless leaders Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs, Stephanie @ Late Night Quilter, Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl and Terri Ann @ Childlike Fascination have not left us.  These wonderful ladies have offered us an opportunity to participate in yet another blog hop.  Introducing...

For this blog hop, everyone who participates is asked to create a 12 1/2 inch block using fabrics that have been graciously donated by Fabri-Quilt .  The hop will begin August 31st and continue through September 3rd.  On the assigned day, we will post a tutorial on how to make our blocks then ship them to our leaders so that they can assemble them into three quilts to be donated to charity.  I couldn't be happier to be part of this project.

Along with my block for the block hop, I am considering writing a tutorial for the dandelion mini quilt...stay tuned.  

So what do you find yourself working on?  If you are like me and you have something just laying around for no good reason, I hope you will join me this evening on trying to get that ball rolling again.

Today I am linking up with

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts

Work In Progress Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced

I'm A Quilter--Not a Photographer

Before I started blogging I usually put 0% thought into taking pictures of my finished projects.  I would just snap a picture and post it on Facebook to share with my friends and famil.  After I started blogging and reading blogs I realized that these finished projects really are huge accomplishments since time is something that is precious.  We only get a finite number of days to live and how we choose to spend them is important.  When I can squeak the time to create something, I should savor the moments creating it.  And when you give a quilt away, you never know what type of life it will lead.  I read a great blog post on the BadAdd Quilter Society's page called You Can Have Sex On My Quilt.  It's a great read and so true.

I decided that I would like to add a gallery page to my blog (still under construction) so anyone who is interested can check out the quilts that I have made.  But I quickly realized most of my pictures...well...honestly are awful.  So I decided to put the brakes on and try my hand at photographing them.  And lets just state for the record I am not a photographer and I have no idea what I'm doing.

Since I have no idea what I'm doing I turned to Craftsy, that seemed logical.  I have downloaded several quilting classes and thought maybe, just maybe there would be a class to help with this.  What I found was a class called Shoot It! A Product Photography Primer by Caro Sheridan.  This class is specifically about trying to obtain that perfect product shot.  Maybe for a pattern cover or just to sell a product, like a finished scarf.  She gives tips about lighting, working with models and playing around with photo editing.  There is even an extra bonus on taking self portraits.

So after taking some notes and commandeering my brother's Nikon camera, I waited for a day with decent lighting (and no rain) and tried my hand at photographing inanimate objects.

**Note: Please do not be horrified by the quality of the before pictures.  I'm a little embarrassed that I'm sharing them.  Growth through pain.

This is a before picture of my pink and green sampler.

 Isn't my husband's little piggies just the cutest? I'm rolling my eyes over here.  And the pile of yard sale junk...what was I thinking?  Hopefully, the new pictures will redeem me.

Yes, I actually forced my brother and his wife to snuggle under the quilt...he he he.

Next, is a before picture of a mini quilt called Don't Break Bread Into Your Soup.

Not really the best lighting and I just laid it across the chair to grab a quick picture.

Hopefully the scenery in these two pictures make it more interesting and help the colors to pop.

Next up is another mini quilt called Decoy and it is probably one of my favorite things that I've quilted.

Lovely mauve carpet background and kind of blurry.  The detail of my quilting is visible, but I wouldn't say great.  Now for the newer and hopefully improved pictures.

The first picture is crisper and shows the detail in the quilting better.  The second one could still be improved, but I think it's kind of fun and shows the colors of the whole quilt.

And lastly, is a quilt that we keep in our living room.  I made it so long ago I forget what the pattern was called.

Yup, another very blurry picture and don't you just love the blanket under it??  If anyone would like to borrow it to show case a project on just let me know.  I will let you borrow it for free :)  And now the newer improved picture.

This has to be better than the first one, right?

I am glad that I took the leap and purchased the class.  I still have things I need to work on, but it gave me a starting place for sure.  Do you have a process or tip for taking pictures of your quilts?  Do you maybe keep and album of the projects you have completed?  Does anyone still do that?

Today I created a page with pictures of the Aurifil mini quilts I have finished to date.  You can check them out by clicking the tab at the top of the page or you can click here.  Hopefully, I will have my gallery page up soon and you will stop back over to check it out.  I may still have some pictures that are kind of, ehhh, but that is because those quilts have moved on to new homes.  And to those that have some of those quilts, you may have sex on my quilt, I hope you make many memories with them however you choose to.

I'm linking up with:

Pet Project Show @ Pink Doxies

Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She