Paper Piecing---The difficult sections!

Sometimes when you're paper piecing, you come across a difficult shaped piece that stumps you. You seam rip OVER and OVER and get really frustrated!  Here's my method to having these pieces come out perfect nearly every time. 

I have already sewn pieces D1 through D3.  I am on D4.  

If you're familiar with paper piecing you know that I am going to sew the line between piece D3 and piece D4 after getting my fabric in place.  This line is very short, but making sure my fabric is laid out correctly is the tricky part. 

Below: I have flipped my paper over.  I traced the outline of D4 with permanent marker to make it show up better in these pictures.  The back of your pattern won't have these lines because you can use the light to see where your fabric is lining up.

Below: I have placed my fabric RIGHT SIDE UP so that it completely covers section D4. I have taped my piece on a window so you have the benefit of seeing all my lines.  (I normally don't tape my piece to a window...it just gives a better view).   

Below: Flipped back over. You are viewing the top of the paper and the wrong side of the fabric. 

Next, fold on the line between piece D3 and piece D4 as shown in the pictures below.  

Below: Iron the fold to set the crease. 

Below: Open the fold.  See that nice crease? 

Below: Flip the fabric over.  RIGHT SIDE DOWN.  Leave the crease folded and lined up with the fabric below. 

Below: Carefully unfold the end of the fabric as shown below, leaving the creases and fabric lined up. Pin if necessary.  

Below: Sew on the line between D3 and D4. 

Front view

Back view.

 Below: Flip fabric over and iron. Trim seam after ensuring that the fabric still covers section D4.

You made it! NO SEAM RIPPING! HOORAY!

MIA on my blog/Get that sock off his back!

Yep...you've missed me! Admit it!

So...what have I been up to this whole time you ask!?!?!

Let me sum up (in no specific order):

I turned 28!  

Make a wish!

The Favorite woke up early to make me breakfast burritos. He cooked me brats on the grill. and the kids had special pictures they had colored a couple days previous!  The Favorite gave me some Bass Pro gift cards that we get from our credit card points (very coveted items at our house---so this was huge for him to give to me instead of keep for himself). And then, Buddy and the Favorite made me Pineapple cupcakes! YUM!

I was visited by a friend...who also brought me cupcakes...but these were all different flavors. Yum! 

A couple days later 3 of my sisters made me a special lunch. 

I have taken a short break from paper piecing.  I worked a little on it tonight, but sometimes you just got to take a short hiatus and then return later.  It was starting to become too much of a good thing if you know what I mean.  I have had quite a bit of business making ties and pacifier clips in the meantime anyways!

Here's what I've done that you haven't seen yet! George! (Available here!)

We celebrated Easter! 

We celebrated on Friday and Saturday and saved actual Easter Sunday to remember Jesus Christ and not think about the Easter Bunny.  I like it that way! 

Buddy hardly took off these goggles for a couple weeks.  Then the strap finally broke and it was a sad day at our house. 

 

I got more serious about Family History Work. 

Now don't get me wrong.  I have NO CLUE what I'm doing.  But, I'm learning. 

I have been working with my dad who is working with my uncle and I have been given an ASSIGNMENT which is fantastic, because it's something I know how to do! Yay! 

And the myth that "Aunt Mary already did all my family's work" is just that....a myth. Surprisingly! 

*Aunt Mary...this is in no way directed at you! lol (yes I actually have an Aunt Mary). 

I've been doing a lot of other things as well.

-Priming the dog mansion. 

-Getting over being sick (yes...I was sick again). 

-Nursing the Favorite when he had his "man cold." (He's a big baby when he's sick). 

LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST! 

I joined a gym.  I got a great deal (Groupon) and bit the bullet.  I have grown to love running, but I need to change up my routine.  

So far, I have tried Zumba, Cycling, and lifting weights for my arms. 

I loved the Zumba and Cycling.  The weight lifting....I felt like I looked like an idiot.  I had to read the instructions on every machine.  And I just walked around the gym like a lost little puppy. 

Oh well! Tomorrow I have personal training, and I'm going to ask about weight lifting! Maybe I won't stick out like a sore thumb anymore after tomorrow?!?! 

Here's a little comedy to help you picture how I felt at the gym. 

The never ending project...a dog MANSION story

My life lately has felt a bit lonely! The dog house is taking a lot of my husband's attention and I will be SO HAPPY when this thing is finished for multiple reasons. 

1) I will get my husband back. 

2) I will get my side of the yard back. 

3) The dogs will have air conditioning and will have no need to come in the house this summer (our weather is too hot to let them stay outside during the hot summer months.) 

4) Because this dog mansion will have 3 dog doors and the ability to section each area off, we will be able to use it when puppies are born as well. (Read: no puppy poop in my house! YAY! And no small children poking puppies.) 

The Favorite originally had plans to build with wood, sheetrock, etc. (like our house.)  But, a friend taught him how to lay block and the project transformed. 

The walls were finally up! Working on the stucco in this picture! 

Stucco work!

Cinder block does not have a very high R value (meaning it's not very insulated.)  Running an air conditioner into our Dog Mansion would not be very efficient (read: would cost a lot more $$) without additional insulation.  So, the Favorite decided to add more insulation and OSB to the inside! Stay tuned! He's not done with that wall yet. More dog proofing to come.

 

The inside so far. Lights and outlets in. Insulation and OSB up on one side.

He has installed outlets and a light inside the Dog Mansion for future use.  Checking on puppies in the dark might be a little hard without a light. And if he needs a heat lamp for the puppies, the outlets will come in handy.

The roof is now insulated with fiberglass insulation and is just lacking some shingles! 

He's had LOTS and LOTS of help from 2 very small workers. It's been really handy (just ask him) lol.

The roof is ON! Just needs shingles! 

So many "helpers"

Anchoring the boards/insulation to the cinder block wall.

Don't forget your eye protection!

In the meantime, I have embroidered the Gila Valley Temple block AND created a pattern for the Gilbert Temple. Enjoy!

Gila Valley Temple

Gilbert Temple

Yoshi Pattern

I helped a fellow paper piecer today! He needed help creating a Yoshi pattern! I have it available for FREE in my Craftsy shop! Enjoy!

Done, son!

I finished this wall hanging today! Yay! It's for the Arizona Pointing Dog Club annual banquet.  My husband asked me to do this piece so they can auction it (I believe) as a fund raiser. This was my first attempt at free motion quilting. I'm not super good at it yet.  I need more practice.  I am also not an expert at binding quilts....blah.  My weakness! 

I did, however, appreciate the tutorial from Jaybird Quilts on binding.  Like I said, I'm terrible.  I needed a refresher course and her site offered just that! 

If only I could make the quilt tops and someone would quilt and bind them for me....for free! Ah! That would be the life!      

The pattern for the German Shorthaired Pointer is now available in my Etsy and Craftsy shops! 

Helloooo...anyone out there?

I think I've pretty much discovered that I'm an old lady trapped in a younger body.  Let's examine the facts: 

1) I love cooking & baking in all forms.

2) I sew A LOT. 

3) I love gardening (when my dogs don't tear my yard up). 

4) I have cancer (ok ok...so this has to do with my body, but basically I think my body is trying to catch up with my mind.) 

I have been in a paper piecing (foundation piecing) mode lately where I have been creating paper piecing patterns.  I taught myself how to make these patterns with free computer program that is available out there. I have a million ideas, but limited time sadly. 

I love this method for quilting! If you can count...and you know your alphabet...and you can sew straight lines (and you can read...which I'm assuming you can since you're on my blog) YOU CAN PAPER PIECE! 

I LOVE THIS METHOD! 

Miss Enota (aka Kristin) at Mpls. Modern Quilt Guild couldn't have said it any better here!  

Here's the patterns I have finished so far.  All are available in my Etsy Shop or my Craftsy shop. 

I have created patterns for temples by request or out of necessity.  My niece will be getting married on February 14th and I have pieced this together for her and still need to finish it as a wall hanging.  

For the Beautiful KK. Who will soon be the beautiful KC.

Brigham City Temple

Gila Valley Temple

Thanksgiving Pilgrims 

Out of curiosity I wondered...is there anyone else out there that likes paper piecing and creates their own patterns?  And...THERE IS! 

Kristy @ Quiet Play has some beautiful patterns (here kitchen item themed patterns are my favorite and very inspiring!) 

Kristin from Fave Crafts Blog gives an excellent beginners tutorial. 

Generations Quilt Patterns offers some free patterns. 

Of course, there's always one of my favorites Paper Panache.  I've done a couple of her patterns! Love them!

Fandom In Stitches is a great page as well.  I've used their patterns before, too! 

Needles and Knowledge has a great pumpkin tutorial that would be beautiful for Thanksgiving! 

The Sometimes Crafter tried a block that turned out beautiful!

I'm still searching for more blogs and fellow paper (foundation) piecers!  

Comment with links to sites if you know of any! 

One more...one more! Sylvia over at Sylvia's Stitches may have become my new favorite! She paper pieces and she is a CANCER SURVIVOR!  You amaze me! Talk about encouraging to hear of a cancer survivor! Thanks for the inspiration!