I like to have my thread scissors, seam ripper and small rotary cutter to the right of my sewing machine for quick access. My pin cushion, pencil and various other accessories, that I'm using at the time, end up adding to the necessary clutter.
I've used a tabletop carousel for art supplies, for many years. Inspiration hit the other day. There just so happened to be an empty carousel, waiting to be filled with the various quilting supplies that had accumulated.
Everything fits nicely with room for more. The carousel spins freely for quick access and the rubber feet hold it in place. I can also easily pick the carousel up and move all those supplies to the cutting table or to wherever I need them.
It had been many years since I had bought a carousel so I looked them up on Amazon for anyone that is interested. Amazon has several that run from $15.00 to $23.00 with free shipping for orders over $25.00. Do a search on Amazon for pencil carousel.
We'd love to hear some of your storage ideas in the comment section. Happy quilting!
When this block is isolated, it looks like pine trees viewed from the ground looking up. When you put several of them together you get mini-pinwheels and large parallelograms that look like gems. The pine trees remind me of camping and that's what summers in Alaska are all about. Camping, fishing, gardening, and anything else we can think of to do outside.
Fabric A - Tan
Fabric B - Light Green
Fabric C - Dark Green
Cut 12 - 2 1/2" half square triangles from Fabric A - Use GO! Half Square-2" Finished Triangle Multiples (55063); or GO! Value Die (55018).
Cut 6 - 2 1/2" half square triangles from Fabric B - Use GO! Half Square-2" Finished Triangle Multiples (55063); or GO! Value Die (55018).
Cut 6 - 2 1/2" half square triangles from Fabric C - Use GO! Half Square-2" Finished Triangle Multiples (55063); or GO! Value Die (55018).
Cut 2 - 2 1/2" squares from Fabric B - Use GO! Square-2 1/2" Multiples (55059); or GO! Value Die (55018); or create them by cutting 2 1/2" strips with the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (55014 or 55017), and then rotate the strips 90° and cut them again on the same 2 1/2" strip cutter or use a rotary cutter to sub cut squares.
Cut 2 - 2 1/2" squares from Fabric C - Use GO! Square-2 1/2" Multiples (55059); or GO! Value Die (55018); or create them by cutting 2 1/2" strips with the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (55014 or 55017), and then rotate the strips 90° and cut them again on the same 2 1/2" strip cutter or use a rotary cutter to sub cut squares.
Family business and the travel associated with it has kept me busy for the last month. Yes, I'm having quilting withdrawal. A bright spot in my trip was a visit to the Calico Cow Quilt shop in Roswell, New Mexico. I always look forward to stopping in and finding new treasures.
The Calico Cow has a great selection of batiks and a large selection of southwest designs. I must time it right as a new fabric arrival always catches my eye. This time was no exception, but I can't tell you what I bought because I also purchased some for RustAvenger. I can tell you that it's beautiful and I'm already planning my next project. So you'll have to wait and see.
Carolyn Pollard Noling is the owner and it's always a pleasure to visit with her. What a surprise when she remembered I'm from Alaska. I enjoyed looking at all the wonderful quilts that lined the walls. Inspiration and pure joy surrounded me after such a long quilting dry spell. Besides, where else can you see an alien quilt?
If you make it to Roswell stop and visit the Calico Cow Quilt shop and have some fun. Their hours are: Tuesday - Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm and Saturday 10:00am - 3:00pm. You can visit their website at: www.calicocowquiltshop.com
This block reminds me of a flower when it's isolated. When it's in a group, I notice pinwheels and hourglasses. With such happy spring/summer images (flowers, pinwheel toys, and an hourglass to remind us of cooking or not to waste the wonderful weather), I thought it would be perfect for May's free block pattern.
Fabric A - Dark Green
Fabric B - Lime Green
Cut 4 - 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles from Fabric A - Cut 2 1/2" strips with the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (55014 or 55017), then rotate the strips 90° and use the GO! Strip Cutter-4 1/2" (55054) or the GO! Square-4 1/2" (55018 or 55060) to create these rectangles.
Cut 2 - 2 1/2" squares from lime Fabric B - Use GO! Square-2 1/2" Multiples (55059); or GO! Value Die (55018); or create them by cutting 2 1/2" strips with the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (55014 or 55017), and then rotate the strips 90° and cut them again on the same 2 1/2" strip cutter or use a rotary cutter to sub cut squares.
Cut 6 - 2 1/2" half square triangles from Fabric A - Use GO! Half Square-2" Finished Triangle Multiples (55063); or GO! Value Die (55018).
Cut 6 - 2 1/2" half square triangles from Fabric B- Use GO! Half Square-2" Finished Triangle Multiples (55063); or GO! Value Die (55018).