I'm Thankful it's Thursday!

I've nearly made it through my first FULL week at my new job!  I celebrated by trying out last week's Free Motion Quilt Along #30.  Thank you Leah for having great timing!  This is one I've really been wanting to try (but of course I needed a nudge...)

It's the paisley design.  

John's comment was "are you going to do a whole quilt like that?" and then "...so many stitches..." It's the first time he's watched me while I was quilting.  I lured him in with the Season 1 finale of Monk ;)

I'm linking up with the other folks on Leah Day's blog that also tried paisley.  I'm also joining TNT Thursdays at Melissa's Happy Quilting blog since it's a new pattern for me.

 

And a big thanks to my hubby!  Roast beef tonight!

Trying Echo Quilting--New Classroom Project

In honor of freshman Bio, and because I felt like making more cute cartoon quilted animals after the bunnies, and because I need practice echo quilting...I have a new project...

I came home and drew up some designs:

Then used Pellon's Wonder Under fusible to prepare the pieces after tracing them on my lightbox (aka our windows).

All the pieces are fused:

And the turtle is quilted and ready for binding.

I am even okay with the way the back turned out!

I'm so glad I decided to do this...it'll make great little breaks (and FMQ practice) as I work like crazy to get the classroom and plans ready!!!  I really love that it's almost all made with scraps from my grandmother (in law) that really helped inspire me to start quilting.

I'm linking up with TNT Thursday at Happy Quilting by Melissa.  Her blog is great; be sure to check it and the other projects out!

Tomorrow is my first day on site at my new school.  I'll meet other new teachers and some of the staff.  I'm nervous and excited!!!  I really want this school to be my home for a long time!

Steph's Surprise! Cute Cork Board Tutorial

So my students and my sister both love my "cork board." (I forgot to take a picture with all my students' cute stuff...I was moving out)

Here's how to make it:

1.) Gather all your materials: (1/2 yard cuts of fabric)  A 1/2 yard is enough to do a pack of four 12x12 cork squares...but I always use multiple colors!

 2.) Cut the cork board into 2 inch strips.

3.) Tack pairs of cork strips together with hot glue.  I use six dots around the edges.

4.) Cut (or tear) your fabric into approx. 4x14" pieces.  I tore a 14" piece off the 1/2 yard cut, then cut it into 4.5" pieces.  I like tearing...it's a welcome change from very detailed quilt cutting.

5.) Anchor both long sides.  Be careful not to burn yourself and do the second side in stages if you want time to pull the fabric taught.

6.) Fold the corners of the ends in and glue in place.

7.) Clean up any hot glue strings and threads and repeat until satisfied!

I use Command brand poster strips to hang these on the wall...one on each end with the tabs sticking out.  You can attach them any way you want!

I'm linking up with T.N.T Thursday since this is my first stab at a crafty tutorial :)