Winter Break

 love my job!  I have been teaching for many years and still love what I do.  However, I can admit the truth, I am really very happy that our Winter Break started after school today.  My students are very excited that Santa is on his way.  It has been difficult to keep 28 second graders focused on academics when they have "visions of sugerplums" dancing in their heads.  Of course I will miss my students but I am grateful for the time with my own family and friends and never turn down the additional time to spend quilting!!!

As luck would have it, when I came home today, my most recent order from AccuQuilt was waiting for me on the kitchen table!!!  Talk about perfect timing.  It was exciting to see that big box greeting me as I walked through the door.  I enjoyed opening it, taking the plastic off of my new dies and planning which fabrics will be cut first.

Included in my order were the dies for the Apple Core and the Double Wedding Ring quilts.  These are two of my favorite quilt patterns but I sometimes avoid making them because of the time consuming cutting of the curved pieces.  That is no longer an issue with the AccuQuilt machine.  I can cut 8 layers of fabric at once and the pieces are precision cut every time.

I am going to go to bed tonight with visions of quilt pieces dancing in my head while I decide whether to plan the fabrics or cut the pieces scrappy tomorrow.  These quilts work up beautiful either way.  I know ..... I'll cut one of each for both of them.  I'll start piecing one and make a kit from the other and set it aside for the time being.  I like having some quilts cut and ready to go.  This comes in handy when I'm ready and have some time to piece but may not want to stop and cut fabric.  It goes quicker if the pieces are already cut when you need a gift for a shower or other event.  A pre-cut kit makes a terrific gift for a quilting friend.   You might find it handy to have a kit cut and ready to go if you are going to travel.  I also like to have a project with me if I am sitting at the airport or in the waiting room at a hospital or doctor's office. I do the majority of my work on my machines but there is something soothing about doing hand work when you are waiting for someone or something.

Happy Quilting,
Laurel