Hmm. I missed the deadline for posting my first quarter finishes.
http://www.shecanquilt.ca/2016/03/2016-fal-its-time-to-link-up-your-q1.html
This was the first time I had made a list for this activity, and I can see I had way too many things listed on my dream list. I used the post as a sort of master list for things for me to work on. I made progress on the projects and added new things to my project list, but only had one finish for Q1 FAL 2016.
http://quiltquest.blogspot.com/2016/01/q1-fal-2016-22-cow-pillow-we-have-finish.html
I'm going to prepare a more focused list of things to finish for the second quarter. But I'll come up with the list later....
: )
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Cozy Quilts FMQing Month Four: Stippling and Pebbles
At Cozy Quilt Shop for month 4 the FMQing group was given two designs to sew as homework.
Stippling and Pebbles.
My version of stippling looks more angular than the way it was drawn on the assignment, but I think it still is stippling. I like the way things went together.
To me pebbles isn't an all over design, so I first started by sewing a box, and then filled that in.
Stippling and Pebbles.
My version of stippling looks more angular than the way it was drawn on the assignment, but I think it still is stippling. I like the way things went together.
To me pebbles isn't an all over design, so I first started by sewing a box, and then filled that in.
Then I decided to play with different ways to use pebbles in a project. Larger (quarter sized) scale and putting in a row around another design.
In the end, my pebbles practice piece looks like this:
I didn't watch any videos before doing these designs. I found out that Cozy Quilts is a Bernina store, and the store owner, Daniella, is getting her inspiration from Amanda Murphy.
At least one person in the class likes taking iCraft classes (but I can't find that online so must be I wrote that down incorrectly), they like Sue Rasmussen and Eleanor Burns (a local), and that Lori Kennedy is hosting the inbox jaunt mystery QAL on Tuesdays. (most of the people in the class were not familiar with what a QAL was!). When I just checked it looked like this QAL is over, but the clues are still posted.
Daniella recommended the Bohin marking pen and Hobbs Premium 80/20. Some of the people use two battings for projects then the designs stand out more.
So I'm done with the fourth month assignment, but the links mentioned will provide lots of information and inspiration!
Thursday, April 7, 2016
OMG April 2016: Finish Piecing the Husband Quilt
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| http://redletterquilts.blogspot.com/2016/04/one-monthly-goal-plans-for-april-20.html |
I found a box with a label that makes me think all the pieces of the quilt are in it....
Well, I hope everything is in there.
It's been a while since I have worked on this...
DH has looked on and nodded when I show him my progress on finishing a block for the stash bee, for a charity quilt, he was glad to get the Play with Me game pillows.
He looked on when I worked out the quilting for the charity quilts that I finished this year.
But I remember him standing in the doorway and watching me layout the purple windmill quilt and asking me who was getting that... (Feb and March OMG)
It's time for him to have a quilt. It's time for us to have a quilt.
It will be scary really to have a quilt that I make that stays here. It's scary that I've gone ahead and made the quilts for Denver and for Sweden too - but even a bigger step perhaps to say that I will make a quilt that will stay here!
I've read him the post by ChrissieD - "even the dog has two quilts" to make him laugh and realize he wasn't the only husband without a quilt.
There was a quilt book that I can't find right now that talked about how the author was finally making a quilt for her husband. Heck, just search for "quilts for husband" and you will read about quilters who have left their family without - even though their hobby or their livelihood is quilt making!
So he isn't alone. We aren't alone. But by the end of this month I at least want to have the quilt top made.
Here is a post where I wrote about the project - in 2013 complete with an encouraging note from Heidi - Red Letter Day OMG Heidi!
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| http://redletterquilts.blogspot.com/2016/04/ one-monthly-goal-plans-for-april-20.html |
Wish me luck!
Hope you will click to see what the others are planning to finish this month and cheer them on!
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Received: Quilt Qwazy Queens Blog Hop - Quilters Dream Batting
Today when I returned from my now weekly lunch with my son, a nice package was waiting for me!
Pretty fun. This was from the Quilt Qwazy Queens Blog Hop! I'm looking forward to using this batting in a new project.
Thank you Quilt Shop Gal/Darlene, Thank you Seams to be Sew/Marion and Thank you Quilter's Dream Batting!
Thank you Quilt Shop Gal/Darlene, Thank you Seams to be Sew/Marion and Thank you Quilter's Dream Batting!
RSC16: April Orange with accent of black or brown - Curved Seams
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| http://superscrappy.blogspot.com /2016/04/scraphappy-saturday-and- so-begins-orange.html |
Here is my orange rainbow scrap challenge block for April! It's difficult to see, but there is a curved seam in this block!
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1. After pretty randomly sewing some of the fabric together I was presented with a challenge - getting two uneven seams to match and be flat. I didn't want to lose all the fabric so decided to make a curved seam.
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2. I saw I was going to lose some of those little pieces so I sewed a new piece of fabric (with white dots) to the side. I arranged the fabric the way I wanted it to end up, over lapping the fabrics.
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3. Without moving the fabric, I used a rotary cutter. Here I have pulled the two pieces apart. The fabric just needs to overlap enough so when the two pieces are cut the seam is smooth.
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4. I wanted the seams in the common fabric to match so to be sure that I pinned and sewed the seam in two passes. (Both times starting where the seams would match up.)
Memories:
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Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Another Escape from Bookkeeping
Sunday the bookkeeping ball was in my husband's court.
Before going in the afternoon for a quilting activity, I continued to read up on social security and (think I) discovered this somewhat random collection of things:
1. You have to make around at least $1,750.00 to get one credit for a quarter of work. It doesn't seem to matter if you are paid it actually in one quarter, seems to count as long as it's within a year. One needs 40 quarters of credit to be eligible for social security. Of course, the more you work, the higher your benefit.
2. One does not have to do anything if they are not going to collect benefits when they reach their full retirement age, BUT there there are a few reasons that it is good to go through the steps to "file and suspend" your benefits.
2a. Let's say you think you will not retire until you are 70. Something happens you need to retire when you are 67 1/2. You would get your benefits based on 67 1/2. However, if you have filed and suspended then you get benefits starting when you filed and suspended at your full retirement age -between age 66 and 67. So if I understand correctly file suspended person would get a lump sum back check (but your monthly amount then is based on the the earlier starting date which may not be the best thing, but if it's only a few months difference then probably you'd want to accept the earlier date).
2b. If you are married then it might be good to have the older person - file and suspend when they reach retirement age. Then the younger person can claim spousal benefits without changing the date of benefits for the first person. This option is going away the end of the month, but if someone is at full retirement and not going to be collecting benefits seems like it would be a good thing to do.
3. If you are divorced but had been married for ten years, the first person to retire can do get spousal benefits without affecting the date or benefits for the person who has not retired.
4. If you are divorced but had been married for ten years, appears you can file to collect spousal benefits as long as you have not remarried (or are 60+ years old).
5. Until you are 70 your monthly benefit will increase by 8% each year you delay, so if at all possible delay claiming benefits. Full retirement (FRA) is age 66 or 67 depending on your birth year and if you claim benefits then you will get your 100%. People can retire at 62, but for every year before full retirement their benefits will be -8%.
6. If your annual post retirement income reaches $44K (thru working+ inheritance +interest + dividends+ half social security benefit+ other pension*) then you will be taxed on part (85% to 100%) of that income. *Roth is not included.
7. If you receive another pension, then it may decrease the amount you receive in social security. There are two ways this could happen, one is maxed at around $460 a month deduction, the other is more complicated. But the other pension is not changed, only the social security benefit. Even in my case where my social security benefit will be rather low as I worked longer in a profession that had it's own retirement system, I will still get some social security. For government bookkeeping, more than likely it will be listed as being my spousal benefit rather than my own benefit.
8. There are all sorts of free dinners offered to folks as they near retirement age, seems they are given by companies offering information and help - but in the end they are just trying to sell things so beware. I have gone to two of these events. (The second masked itself saying it was a national non-profit for financial education, but it ended up they were just wearing the non-profit hat to then get people as paying clients for their other business.) Their not so-fine-print said "Attendees should seek the assistance of a financial or tax professional familiar with the course prior to implementing any of the ideas and strategies taught or discussed in the course. This workshop is strictly educational; no products will be sold or endorsed at the class." For both of them I felt like I was watching one of those long-form infomercials where they give information to tease you into buying. Except these workshops did not really give enough information to tease me. Supposedly the real information would be given in the individual appointment they wanted to set up. I left thinking about how they needed an educational designer help them organize things and that I had to spend time trying to figure it all out!
9. If you goof up on your filing you have a one time chance to correct it as long as you do the refiling within a year and you are willing to return the money you received as part of the mistake so they can reissue later.
The actual calculations are difficult. I wish it were set up though so it weren't so hard to understand or get information. Should be a simple way for people to answer YES/NO questions and get answers on when and how to apply. One can set up an account to see their status on the social security site, but it's like learning another language to understand. (At least for me.)
In the end: work as long as you can, make as much money as you can, put aside money for the future, stay fit, be a good person, read, volunteer, do things with family and friends, be able to be alone though too, etc.
And don't make any social security decisions based on what I wrote, but hopefully now you know to investigate and get information.
-----
I went to the Sunday Cozy Quilt Free Motion Quilt group to relax. It was fun to see the 'homework' folks brought in to share, to finally have something to share myself Designs 1 and 2 - Design 3, and to see the new design for the month.
They had a collection point for dog beds in the store, I spied this one made with fabric printed with the design from my green quilt attempt. Interestingly, I guess because my blocks missed the mark, I hadn't even noticed how the design could create a secondary design before!
Before going in the afternoon for a quilting activity, I continued to read up on social security and (think I) discovered this somewhat random collection of things:
1. You have to make around at least $1,750.00 to get one credit for a quarter of work. It doesn't seem to matter if you are paid it actually in one quarter, seems to count as long as it's within a year. One needs 40 quarters of credit to be eligible for social security. Of course, the more you work, the higher your benefit.
2. One does not have to do anything if they are not going to collect benefits when they reach their full retirement age, BUT there there are a few reasons that it is good to go through the steps to "file and suspend" your benefits.
2a. Let's say you think you will not retire until you are 70. Something happens you need to retire when you are 67 1/2. You would get your benefits based on 67 1/2. However, if you have filed and suspended then you get benefits starting when you filed and suspended at your full retirement age -between age 66 and 67. So if I understand correctly file suspended person would get a lump sum back check (but your monthly amount then is based on the the earlier starting date which may not be the best thing, but if it's only a few months difference then probably you'd want to accept the earlier date).
2b. If you are married then it might be good to have the older person - file and suspend when they reach retirement age. Then the younger person can claim spousal benefits without changing the date of benefits for the first person. This option is going away the end of the month, but if someone is at full retirement and not going to be collecting benefits seems like it would be a good thing to do.
3. If you are divorced but had been married for ten years, the first person to retire can do get spousal benefits without affecting the date or benefits for the person who has not retired.
4. If you are divorced but had been married for ten years, appears you can file to collect spousal benefits as long as you have not remarried (or are 60+ years old).
5. Until you are 70 your monthly benefit will increase by 8% each year you delay, so if at all possible delay claiming benefits. Full retirement (FRA) is age 66 or 67 depending on your birth year and if you claim benefits then you will get your 100%. People can retire at 62, but for every year before full retirement their benefits will be -8%.
6. If your annual post retirement income reaches $44K (thru working+ inheritance +interest + dividends+ half social security benefit+ other pension*) then you will be taxed on part (85% to 100%) of that income. *Roth is not included.
7. If you receive another pension, then it may decrease the amount you receive in social security. There are two ways this could happen, one is maxed at around $460 a month deduction, the other is more complicated. But the other pension is not changed, only the social security benefit. Even in my case where my social security benefit will be rather low as I worked longer in a profession that had it's own retirement system, I will still get some social security. For government bookkeeping, more than likely it will be listed as being my spousal benefit rather than my own benefit.
8. There are all sorts of free dinners offered to folks as they near retirement age, seems they are given by companies offering information and help - but in the end they are just trying to sell things so beware. I have gone to two of these events. (The second masked itself saying it was a national non-profit for financial education, but it ended up they were just wearing the non-profit hat to then get people as paying clients for their other business.) Their not so-fine-print said "Attendees should seek the assistance of a financial or tax professional familiar with the course prior to implementing any of the ideas and strategies taught or discussed in the course. This workshop is strictly educational; no products will be sold or endorsed at the class." For both of them I felt like I was watching one of those long-form infomercials where they give information to tease you into buying. Except these workshops did not really give enough information to tease me. Supposedly the real information would be given in the individual appointment they wanted to set up. I left thinking about how they needed an educational designer help them organize things and that I had to spend time trying to figure it all out!
9. If you goof up on your filing you have a one time chance to correct it as long as you do the refiling within a year and you are willing to return the money you received as part of the mistake so they can reissue later.
The actual calculations are difficult. I wish it were set up though so it weren't so hard to understand or get information. Should be a simple way for people to answer YES/NO questions and get answers on when and how to apply. One can set up an account to see their status on the social security site, but it's like learning another language to understand. (At least for me.)
In the end: work as long as you can, make as much money as you can, put aside money for the future, stay fit, be a good person, read, volunteer, do things with family and friends, be able to be alone though too, etc.
And don't make any social security decisions based on what I wrote, but hopefully now you know to investigate and get information.
-----
I went to the Sunday Cozy Quilt Free Motion Quilt group to relax. It was fun to see the 'homework' folks brought in to share, to finally have something to share myself Designs 1 and 2 - Design 3, and to see the new design for the month.
They had a collection point for dog beds in the store, I spied this one made with fabric printed with the design from my green quilt attempt. Interestingly, I guess because my blocks missed the mark, I hadn't even noticed how the design could create a secondary design before!
Break from Bookkeeping
Both my husband and I are tired of the bookkeeping. We work on different parts in parallel, just passing information to the other when we are 'done'. But then we check and see that it's not done. Every year it's a learning experience, but as complicated as it has become I'm glad I have the previous experiences so it's doable.
We took a break Saturday and went to campus to install some film on a window in his office so the students would not be peeking in at him while he was working.
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| Here he is playing at being a student peeking in. |
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| And here what it will look like once the film is up. |
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| I didn't realize what we were going to do on campus so didn't bring any straight edges. We measured by using a folded piece of paper, made ink marks as sort of a dot to dot guide for the scissors. |
His new office is lovely now.
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| This table was my grandparents, it's over 100 years old. |
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| He uses the large screen for on-line meetings with students who are sometimes around the world. |
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| An award, and poster from a conference in Portugal. |
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| The metal bookcases that I lust after! They are so sturdy, shelves are adjustable and they almost reach the ceiling. |
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| When we were leaving a lizard came down the same stairs. After doing push ups to scare me, he froze trying to hide and disappear. But I used that time as a chance to immortalize him. |
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| We grilled and split a delicious dinner. Swordfish, broccoli and cauliflower and little potatoes. |
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Mermaid Bed, Quilt Missing the Mark, Oranges and....
My husband and I are working on end of the year bookkeeping, but took a neighborhood walk as a break in the morning. There was a yard sale with this massive mermaid bed that I had to share... Made of brass I think!
But I'm not happy with the way they appear now....
You'll laugh, but my inspiration was this blog post, with such a pretty quilt project being started. I already had the strips cut from QFK and just sort of remembered the quilt in the blog. I will put this aside for a while until inspiration comes on what to do!
I have more strips for three of the fabrics (green, light green and tan), but do not have much left of the black flowered fabric. Each block is 13.5 inches so for one QFK quilt I do not need to make another row, just some sashing or border and it would be large enough.
But it's so serious looking now.
Suggestions are welcome.
I pulled my orange scraps for my RSC16 orange with black or brown accents block, but since we have not finished the bookkeeping don't feel like I should sew yet....
I have an idea for what my OMG will be, but that also will need to wait I think until this bookkeeping is complete. : )
I pulled my orange scraps for my RSC16 orange with black or brown accents block, but since we have not finished the bookkeeping don't feel like I should sew yet....I have an idea for what my OMG will be, but that also will need to wait I think until this bookkeeping is complete. : )
Dinner at the Beach
We went to the beach to visit friends. Took a walk down to the ocean, went to farmer's market, had drinks while watching the sunset (I saw the green flash! for the first time!), made dinner, ate and chatted.
Very nice way to spend the afternoon and evening.
For dessert we had fresh strawberries with whipped cream - and yummy cookies that we bought at the farmer's market.
Very nice way to spend the afternoon and evening.
My end photo does not show how pretty the meal really was unless you click to see the enlargement.
She oven roasted the vegetables, keeping them separate while they cooked and once they were on the table. She served with a lovely sauce made with basil, garlic, oil, and other great, fresh tastes.
For the salmon I have a photo of her below first patting in flour, then egg, and then pressing into chopped pistachios. The recipe she used came from here: http://triathlon.competitor.com/2014/03/nutrition/pistachio-crusted-salmon-mashed-sweet-potato-recipe_95305 I think the concept would be good to also with with other nuts and other fish or meats or even a firm tofu.
It was really a beautiful and tasty meal.
So much fun to walk by the ocean. There were people taking a yoga class on the cliff - the sign said it was free but I was chatting so missed the details.
Anyway, it was a nice Wednesday evening. Click to see enlarged images.
For dessert we had fresh strawberries with whipped cream - and yummy cookies that we bought at the farmer's market.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Cozy Quilts FMQing Month Three: Swirls
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| Front - click for even more detail |
I found a few sites with examples:
- Draw Swirls by
- Swirls (done on long arm but could be for home machine too -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoliSSLLCP8 She has an online series here is the menu screen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ciy87ApggI&list=PLCEy-L-j1yH9ghJ9w9TlWzzv8sM9t36R6
- Beginning Swirls – Amy’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86bwRGWgILI
Paula Storm's idea was especially helpful. Adding additional loops by traveling on line that is hit and going around to finish the swirl makes it look very nice.
The way I did it, the swirls remind me of Latin American art somehow. I did not like doing these swirls, but they do look pretty nice as long as you look at the big picture not the individual swirls. I'm not sure if it was the swirl making or the lightness of the fabric I'm practicing on that made it a little un-fun to sew.
I used a new sewing machine for this, and to add the four leaf clovers to the windmill yesterday.
Last summer my husband gifted me a new Brother sewing machine, and with my tension problems with the Backgammon pillow and needed decorative stitching I finally opened the box. Since my Mother's Kenmore is still making loops on the bottom I decided to figure out how to set this new Brother up for the final FMQing. The area where I can put the quilt is very small but I was able to do the quilting I wanted. So I'm happy.
This machine has a needle down feature that is wonderful. And I can set the speed too. The slow is very slow, and makes it easy to do travel stitching when I was patient. The fast is super fast, much faster than my Kenmore. In some places that was a good option to have too.
It's the space between the needle and the machine part that is the downfall. It would be much better to have more space to put more fabric in there!
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The Cozy Quilt FMQing group meets next Sunday, so it's good I finished the assignment!
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