Another Quilting Update

 Hello!

Is the weather warming up in your neck of the woods? The sun has been out for days, and thankfully, we are moving into 40 degree weather for the next week. I am so looking forward to sunshine and warmer weather. A few days we could even be 50 degrees!

Quilting. This is addicting! I am still learning the ins and outs of my machine, every time I sit down I learn something new. I'm thankful for that. I sat down yesterday and just started grabbing fabric and sewing, with really no rhyme or reason. I am still having problems lining up my seams, but I am slightly improving with that. Any suggestions and tips would be helpful.

Here is one square I pieced together.

I then grabbed some larger precuts and pieced together this. I watched a reel on Pinterest for this same pattern and just went with it. Again, that top row has seams that are way off, but I am quite pleased with the rest of the seams, so I will actually quilt it and hang it on my craft room wall. After I trimmed, this block is 8x8. I can't wait to see it hanging on my wall above my bulletin board! I typically hang a 1x1 barn quilt above my board, since I have so many painted. I change them out seasonally/for different holidays. An actual quilt block will be a nice change! 

I made a quite a few mistakes on some other things I pieced together, which allowed me to break out the seam ripper and try some do-overs. This is all such a learning curve! I have realized I am not proficient enough to sew and chat over text with my friends at the same time! I sewed so much yesterday that I actually finished up all the thread on my bobbin!

Last night my husband went back out to the garage and cut and shaped a wooden "clapper" for me to use after ironing. I've seen them being used a lot in the YouTube videos I've been watching. It definitely seems 

like these will be helpful, and he offered to make me a few in different sizes. Right now its just a wooden block but I'm wondering if I should add some wax to it? I have some Dixie Belle clear wax and wonder if that would be good?

We ran into town to grab a a few things, and we stopped at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's. I grabbed a few fat quarters to add to my stash. I am hoping that this year I can make a set of coasters, place mat, or a candle mat. I'm not sure which of those I will pick just yet, but I would love to complete a small project with some dreamy fabric and minimal mistakes!

I have decided that I am ready to purchase an Oliso iron. If you can recommend one, or another brand, please leave a comment or e-mail me. I'd prefer to not spend over $100. I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks for reading!

-Bunny