Am I The Chicken or The Hamster?

So many ideas, so little time.
    I feel like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off....I have all these ideas and plans but I don't know which one to tackle first.  How do you prioritize multiple tasks that all hold the same importance and value? I'm losing sleep at night because the hamster in my brain won't jump off the wheel!
     I continue to teach quilting at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, which is probably the most rewarding thing I've done since launching my quilting career in 2004.  I have no words to explain the joy I feel when a brand new quilter tells me they are addicted.  They are so excited to share the projects they want to do next or the fabric they just bought at their new favorite quilt shop.  They come in to class and show off what they did at home since last week with a huge grin on their face.  The experienced quilters warm my heart when they say they want to sign up for a class and "I hope you're teaching it!".  I look forward to teaching like an adrenalin junkie looks forward to their next bungee jump.  LOL!
     Pattern designing has also lit a flame in my heart.  Some of my patterns evolve from class requests.  Some are inspired by blocks found when playing in my EQ (Electric Quilt) Software.  Some evolve from old favorites into new variations and new favorites.  The pattern designing process is not a quick one and I get impatient when I don't have time for taking the pictures and writing out the instructions or sewing the cover sample and testing the pattern.  My patterns are here:  www.craftsy.com/user/629411
     I'm also selling some of my quilts on Etsy but that's going slow.  I need to get some new listings up and breathe new life into my Etsy store.  It's not like I don't have stacks of quilt tops to finish and sell.  ;)
My Etsy shop is here:  www.piecinlovequilting.etsy.com
     And there's this blog I want to grow.  I've updated it a little bit but sitting in front of the computer also takes time. I want to add a tab for free patterns and tutorials.  I want to add a photo gallery or something like that.  I want to develop a block of the month and post it here.  I want, I want, I want to.....
     Side note:  I have a few client quilts on my longarm schedule to finish but after that, I have decided to take a break from longarm quilting for others.  It will allow me more time to do all of the above things and will allow me to have better control of my work schedule.  Better control of my work schedule will provide relief from a repetitive motion issue in my neck.  I love my longarm clients and will miss them but I won't miss deadline stress.  :)
     I know that I'll get my business to where I want it to be.  I just need more hours in the day....or a housekeeper and a cook.  Unfortunately, my hubby isn't going for the hired help.  Sigh.

Piecin' Love,
Terri

Toss And Turn

And here is another one!
It's called "Toss and Turn" and it's Fat Quarter friendly!

Jellybeans

I've posted a new pattern on Craftsy.
It's called Jellybeans and it's Jelly Roll friendly!

I am addicted to precuts like jelly rolls, charm squares, fat quarters, etc.
I also love fast and easy patterns that make complicated looking quilts.
Nothing makes me happier than being able to combine the two!
Happy quilting!

piecin' love,
Terri

A New Adventure and Clearing The Air

In the last couple of days, I have opened up a pattern store at Craftsy.com.
I am so excited.  To top it off, Craftsy's Facebook page, facebook.com/quiltingclub, posted my pattern on their wall and got me off to a great start!  I am over the moon!

There have been a few comments and posts which imply I have stolen or copied the pattern from another designer.  I feel that I need to address this to clear the air:

• I admit that I used a block known as "disappearing nine patch", "split nine patch", "tossed nine patch" and some other names.  This technique can be found for free on multiple websites if you simply type in the block name on a Google search.  
• This block pattern is considered a technique.  Patterns are copyrighted, not techniques.
• My quilt pattern was not copied from anyone and cannot be found anywhere else that I know of.  I realize it is similar to an Eleanor Burns pattern but it is not the same.  
• I designed my pattern in 2009 on EQ6 without ever having seen Eleanor's pattern.  And, as I said above, it IS different from Eleanor's design.  Eleanor's quilt is bigger than mine and uses different instructions. 
• I am unable to even find who originated the block technique.

You can find a little bit of history here:  Cookie-Cutter-Nine-Patch-Quilt-Pattern
"The technique appears to have developed from the work of many quilters, so I feel comfortable writing my own version of the pattern -- instructions are copyrighted, not techniques. However, I do not feel comfortable calling the pattern disappearing nine patch, since the phrase was used in (at least) two books. So I'll join the ranks of writers who coin a new phrase for designs that ultimately become traditional:"
You can see more discussion here:  Pirate's Forum Post

I am not the first designer to use this block in a book or pattern and I won't be the last.  It is timeless and unbelievably easy.  And no two quilts are alike, even if you use the same charm pack in more than one quilt.
I am happy that so many people like my pattern and equally happy that others are paying attention and defending copyright.  Thank you all.
Piecin' Love,
Terri

Dogs, Husbands, and Grandbabies

The last couple of months has flown by.  Mostly because one thing after another keeps happening and I don't have time to dwell on the passage of time.  LOL
The week before Christmas, my dad had heart surgery.  My mom had to rush him to the hospital when he started having chest pains.  She got him there before he actually had a heart attack, Thank God.  He had to have two stints put in an artery and has adopted a lifestyle and diet change to take care of another blockage that wasn't bad enough for surgery.

This picture is of Tucker, our beagle, and Grandgirl #1, Kilee.  Kilee turned two in December.

On Christmas Day, Tucker woke us up at 5am puking his guts out.  He apparently raided someone's garbage or compost pile.  He was sick all day and we were hosting Christmas for Mark's family at our house, so I was tearing my hair out.  We took him to the vet on Monday and yes, he had food poisoning.  This picture is taken the next day and he was still sick and on bland food and meds.  Now, you would think he would learn from his experience, but no.  Beagles don't learn.  The nose rules.  He's been sick twice more since Christmas and we've had to put him on cable or leash every time he goes outside.  We've got 10 acres and can't let him explore it because he won't behave.
The week after Christmas, DS Matt's fiance had to have her ACL replaced.  I wouldn't wish this on anybody.  If there is an "up side", it is that I got to babysit my grand-girls and spend time with Matt & Becky while she was laid up the first couple of weeks.  She's moving around now, in a brace, and doing physical therapy.
The week after that my DH's mom was in the hospital.  And this week, my hubby has been sick.
Enough already!
 

This picture is Grandgirl #2, Layla.  She is 8 months old.  

My hubby, Mark, recently made a tough decision to close his painting business and look for a job.  If you have ever owned a business or know someone who has, it is a deflating experience when you have to give it up.  We asked everyone we came into contact with to pray for us and to pray for him to find a job quickly.   (I had put him to work helping me before Christmas.  It was Christmas Crunch time for me, and I needed him!  I cut squares for two memory quilts for a client.  Sat Mark down at the sewing machine, gave him some quick instructions, and he went at it.  He did a GREAT job!  I told him he could work for me but I don't think his heart was in it for the long haul.  It's nice to know he's willing to help, though.)
So.....the day after we asked all our friends to keep Mark's job hunt in their prayers, he decided to do a search on Craigslist.  The very FIRST job that came up in the results was a painting job for a company in Green Bay and it had been posted only 30 minutes earlier.  We fired off his resume that same night.  The next day, he gets a call and not only does it turn out that he knows the shop foreman but the guy tells Mark "we NEVER advertise on craigslist!  I don't know why they decided to do it that way."
Mark's response:  "It was the answer to a prayer."  Amazing Grace.  By the following Monday, he had an interview and was offered the job.  During a time of year when Wisconsin contractors are laying off, NOT hiring.  God is good.
My teaching schedule is getting off to a slow start.  A lot of the ladies just don't want to come out in the cold.
But I've got enough to keep me busy at home so, even though I'm disappointed, I can handle it.
So this has been my life the last two months.  LOL

Isn't this just the happiest picture you ever saw?  I found it on Facebook.  I love it.  It makes me smile.

I'll be back with pictures and a lesson on using unbleached batting in white quilts.  

Until then, Have a Happy Day!

Piecin' Love

Terri