Sewing up a Storm in September!

While I got a great start on the wolf this month, it kind of stalled while I finished up several other projects. I've had the shoes fabric and pattern out to make Mathew some shoes for quite a while. I got them finished, only they don't fit his feet, so they'll become a baby gift.

During the recent Hexie Queen Blog Hop I was lucky enough to win a sample pack of Aurifil thread from Stacey at a Tilted Quilt. I won 2 mini charm packs from Jan at Sew and Sow Farm. I can't wait to try these new items in future projects.

Saturday night after an exhausting day helping my dad move, I sat down and finished the first square block for my Rubic Star. It went together easily and I just need to keep doing one at a time until I finish them.

I also started a new hexi project. I'm not sure how it will turn out, but I have all the hexies basted and ready to put together.

My hexie bag didn't make it to work today, so I pulled this one out of the drawer. I added the next pink flower on and some of the joining pieces.

Yesterday I was able to make the Star Surround for the QAL. It turned out really well and the colors are too dark here. I love that all the directional fabric goes the same direction. It took some extra planning, but it was worth the effort. This has turned into a mini throw quilt for a friends daughter.

This weekend while we were moving my mom's cutting table and 4 drawer chest to match made the trip to the new house. We'll be able to get it next weekend when we take the pickup. Mikaela and Mathew were playing with their cousin Cooper. He's a month older than Mathew, but lots bigger. Mathew is just starting to pull himself up and walk next to things. Cooper is walking on his own.

Here's hoping I get a lot of sewing time in this week, since we'll be doing more moving next weekend.

Ruler Rack and lots of rulers!

Today Jen and I were discussing rulers to take to retreat. I told her my most used one is a 6x12 and hers is the 4x12, neither of us own the one the other loves to use. I cleaned my ruler rack off tonight and made a list of the rulers I have. I know I'm still missing a few, but I have the ones I use most. One year I asked for several rulers for Christmas... I got 12! My little brother Ed gave me the ruler rack two years ago and I absolutely love it.

My rulers include:
4x36 lip
8.5x24
6x24
1.5x36
3x18
8x14
6x12 - 3
4x14

15 sq

12.5 sq

9.5 sq

8.5 sq

6.5 square - 2

6 sq
4.5 sq
4 sq
3.5 sq
2.5 sq
60 degree corner cuts
1x6
1x12
2x18
12 Add a quarter
6 Add a quarter
6 Add an Eighth
F&P Easy Diagonal Sets Ruler 12" block Triangle
Strip Tube Ruler 9.5 Triangle
60 degree 8.5 Triangle
45 degree 6 Triangle

I also included my Gypsy grippers which are fairly new. I haven't gotten the middle size yet, but someday I will get it too.

I layed them out on my rotary cutting mat. My standard size mat is a 24x36, which I have on a board of the same size. I have the first mat I owned, a Fiskers 18x24, which is a bit warped and only used for paper, an omnigrid 18x24, which I use for classes, a 12x18, and a 12 sq rotating mat. I also have the omnigrid mat/pressing combos in size 12x18 which I use for classes, the 8x11 and the 6 sq which are my paper piecing mats.

My two absolutely favorie rulers are the 8x14 which is new and the 6x12 which I have 3 of and use most of the time. These are the most used ones and I have already worn my first 6x12 out.

Thinking I could use this triangle for a strip club pattern, I bought it, but it didn't work the way I wanted, so it's hardly ever used. I'm wondering if anyone else uses it? It looks like I might be able to use it to get the corners right on my star block. Why did I buy a ruler for HST's?? I'm still wondering that!

I have the strip club ruler too and I have a project I would like to make with it in the future. It's more an idea in my head and we'll see if it ever develops.

The 60 degree ruler is one of my newer ones and also one of my favorites. I love using it to make the border tablerunners.

So I'm trying to think of what new rulers I would like to get. I would love a 6.5x24, a 4x12, 7x14, and 20 sq. I'm also going to get a new 24x36 rotary cutting mat. Mine is about warn out since I use it all the time. The green is starting to come off with the rotary cutter. Those will have to be another post. I still have my first one, but there have also been many in between.

So what's your favorite size of cutting mat and ruler? What do you usually use?