Monday, March 28, 2011

Make It Modern and Spit to the Rescue...Again!

I wrote an article for the April issue of Quilter's World magazine. I love how they styled my quilts. Quilter's World seemed like a pretty traditional magazine to me, but they're moving to include more modern pieces and articles. I'm thrilled to share this issue with the likes of Jan, of Daisy Janie fame. Jan's got a cute quilt in this issue with her Shades of Grey fabrics. Jen, of Reannilily Designs has one of her signature bags in this issue. Jen is a Wichita gal. Pretty cool to have two Kansas girls in the issue.
Sewed and quilted a bunch over the weekend. Snow, yes, snow kept me out of the garden and from working outside.

Had a little stabbing incident quilting this quilt. I was quilting along and didn't even notice that one of the basting pins was stuck in my hand...just above my thumb....I don't even know how long it was there. I stopped to adjust the quilt, pulled my hand back and the pin popped out...blood was spurting everywhere. What a mess. I grabbed a scrap of batting and slapped it on my hand, but not before the quilt was covered in bright red dots.
Another opportunity to unleash the power of spit. Yes, I've done this before. Spit actually is the best method for removing blood when it needs to be done NOW and you don't have the traditional blood removal ingredients on hand. I had to rip out a section of quilting, but saved the quilt. Hoping to finish the quilting on this baby today...sore thumb and all.

29 comments:

Beth said...

and that's how we do things out on the prairie! Can't wait to see the quilt!

Melissa @Lilac Lane said...

You poor thing! I had no idea about spit, but since I'm constantly stabbing myself that is really good info. I'm a pattern and fabric designer from NW Kansas (just a new one though)and we're looking to start a modern quilt guild out here. Any advice?

Brynwood Needleworks said...

When I started knitting again after a break of about 30 years, I purchased a Deb Stoller book for assistance. She had written that when you make a mistake, sit down and try to figure it out. You aren't always around an open shop to get help (like late night knitting or on Sunday). She said to adopt the "What would Laura Ingals do?" approach. You've shared another example with your remedy for a blood stain. I love it! Sometimes the simplest solution is the best!
xoxo
Donna

Mitzi said...

The "spit trick" is a new one to me. I've always used hydrogen peroxide to take blood out. It works great on clothes.

Twisted Quilts said...

Spit is the best cleaning agent for kids faces! You know you have seen a messy toddler face just before you walk into church and pulled out the spit!

Dolores said...

Congrats on getting published. Hope the thumb is healing well.

Unknown said...

I saw your quilt in the magazine and it is on the list to make for my teenage grandson. It will be perfect, on the hunt for fabrics now. Isn't it just a bummer when you bleed on your quilt, been there done that and with the spit too.

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

I am always sticking myself with pins and bleeding all over things. Thanks for the spit tip!!

Erin said...

LOVE the new header and look for your blog!

Unknown said...

Each time I come over to your new look blog I just smile because the design is so spot on.

My Top Tip of the day ... if you have a really bad cut and you can't get the bleeding to stop just rub coffee grounds in, or smooth over the cut ... there's something miraculously clotting in the grounds and they're pretty sterile ... Old chef's tip from restaurant days ...

Obviously this is going to stain your quilting, but I'm talking standing over the sink, panicking a bit, going "huh?" bleeding here.

Stabbing with a pin is always such a surprise to me ... I just sit there looking at it for a bit, like I don't understand how it happened!

Unknown said...

sorry, I got carried away there ... congratulations on your piece in Quilter's World too :) x

felicity said...

Congrats on the article - your quilts look gorgeous.

The new look is fabulous! What's the font you've used? I really love it.

Suzanne said...

Hurray to see you in print again. The funny thing is that I read spit in the title but it wouldn't compute. I thought it was a typo until the end. Now I get it and should I ever bleed on a quilt, I've got it. :)

Vicki said...

Ouch! I'll have to get a copy of that magazine and see what you have to say.

Your new blog design looks great!

Jenny said...

can't wait to see the article...so sorry that Quilt World has lost their editor, Elisa...I had high hopes of her showing off lots more modern quilts!

Amy said...

Congrats on the article in Quilter's World! I do like their magazine. Sorry about your thumb. Sounds a little painful. I would never have thought to use spit but will remember in the future.

Di said...

Congratulations on the article. Sorry to hear about your thumb...those pins can really sting! Spit is the best though! lol

Live a Colorful Life said...

Love your new blog header!! I just redid mine too. I mean, someone else did a really good job of redoing it. :) What is the font you used for your blog post title? It is uber cool. Very modern!

And the spit trick definitely works. As long as it is your own spit, right? Although the thought of someone else's ventures into the "ewwww" category. So never mind.

KathyB said...

So, I've been soaking up your beautiful colors and following your warm humanitarian efforts, and I'm happy to find a quilter with a modern view! You certainly are putting beauty into the world. I'm a fiber artist who works with small pieces of fabric in quite a non-traditional way. Stop by & see if I can add a new idea to your world. You have just given me a lot of new inspirations. Thank you. http://kbartdesigns.com

Jennifer said...

but it must be YOUR blood and YOUR spit.

also, greased lightning works great.

Esch House Quilts said...

Congrats on the Quilter's World article!

I'm so glad you were able to get the blood out of the quilt - hope your thumb is healing fast.

Jen Eskridge of ReannaLily Designs said...

Very Kansas issue! I just saw the issue Sunday night. Your quilts look great in there.

smazoochie said...

Spit, the magic enzyme!

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

My grandmother, who made carnival gowns for the rich in new orleans, used to say..if you bleed on something that means the person you are making it for will love it!!
Glen in louisiana

machen und tun said...

what a great new look on your blog!! i have to tell you i am really happy the black is gone..
great header, too!
claudia

Amber said...

Good to know about the spit...I've had that happen a few times...and oh my gosh - I spy my name in that article!!! :-)

Liz said...

Congratulations on the article. How fun to have them style and photograph your quilts.

MightyMom said...

it works best if the spit and the blood come from the same person!

:-)


glad you saved the quilt!

Krista said...

My mom reads that magazine and she pulled out this article for me since I prefer modern quilting. I loved both the quilts but neither were labeled with the maker's name! Glad to know where to give credit for such beautiful work. Great article, and it lead me to you blog. I'm really enjoying your posts!