TTMT #531 - @nmjewells - December 3, 2024 - 12 Little Birds

TTMT #531 - @nmjewells - December 2, 2024 - 12 Little Birds

In which I talk about having the most productive weekend for getting personal projects done that I've had pretty much all year long. My bird quilt top is done, I hemmed curtains I've been needing to hem for well over a decade, and just generally had a good, restful 4 day weekend.

All 12 bird patterns are now available for free on the Wonderfil Threads website, and, although I don't believe they will be starting their next BoM until March, if you are interested in any of these patterns, I suggest you download them now just to make sure you get them saved for yourself.

Stay crafty, y'all!

Love,

Jewells

TTMT #530 - @nmjewells - November 26, 2024 - Christmas Cat Condo Block

TTMT #530 - @nmjewells - November 26, 2024 - Christmas Cat Condo Block

In which I show a new scrappy improv house block I pieced this weekend for my scrappy xmas quilt I started last year. This is clearly going to be a long-term project, lol. I'm slowly catching up on wathing and commenting on everyone's videos on the wordpress site. there have been some really nice things being made by everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving... and Stay Crafty y'all!

TTMT #529 - @nmjewells - November 12, 2024 - Travels and Trophies (Vacay...

TTMT #529 - @nmjewells - November 12, 2024 - Travels and Trophies (Vacay & IQF Show and Tell)

in which I show the few items I bought while I was on vacation and talk about my awesome visit with my BFF and fellow TTMTer @sewhookedjen as well as getting to hang out with our other fellow TTMTer Abbie (sewcrazyvt) from Vermont at International Quilt Festival in Houston and a visit with Jennifer R. As usual I took 2 suitcases (packed one inside the other) for all the treasures I might find and ended up returning with one just as empty as it was on the way there. Since I started working at a quilt shop in 2022 (and since this was my third visit to IQF) I'm just not feeling the FOMO and "gotta buy it all" that I used to feel at an event like this. But it was so amazing to get to spend time with my friends, and, for me, that's what it was all about.

Stay crafty, y'all! And get together with your friends. There's nothing better for the soul.

TTMT #528 - October 29, 2024 - @nmjewells - Creature Comforts

TTMT #528 - October 29, 2024 - @nmjewells - Creature Comforts

In which I talk about this past weekend's Furry Friends Fiesta and the projects I made for that as well as Halloween costume parts (maybe) and travel.

 

For more info about Creature Comforts and other charity sewing opportunities visit the Hip Stitch website. 

TTMT #527 - @nmjewells - October 22, 2024 - Of Birthdays and Blocks

TTMT #527 - @nmjewells - October 22, 2024 - Of Birthdays and Blocks

In which I show a finished September block from the free TTMT Internet Sampler BoM and talk about my awesome birthday gift from my BFF, 6 different tie-dye shirts!

Since leaving the corporate broadcasting world my "semi-retirement" uniform has become tie-dye, jeans, and sneakers, and @sewhookedjen leaned in for my birthday gift. I definitely recommend you watch her video about making these tees, it's an interesting watch!

Want to sew along with the free #TTMTBoM2024 ? Head over to the pattern archive.

Stay crafty, yall!

TTMT #526 - @nmjewells - October 15, 2024 - Of Panels and Pumpkins

TTMT #526 - @nmjewells - October 15, 2024 - Of Panels and Pumpkins

In which I talk about finishing the panel quilt I've been working on and I show an amazing amigurumi from my new-to-crochet daughter. Life is busy but mostly good around here. The nights and mornings are crisp and cool but we are still getting up into the 80s. I've had little time for personal crafting but that will be improving after my upcoming vacation.

Stay crafty y'all and see you next week!

Love, jewells

TTMT #525 - @nmjewells - October 8, 2024 - October TTMTBoM Blocks

TTMT #525 - @nmjewells - October 8, 2024 - October TTMTBoM Blocks

A very brief video in which I show you my October blocks for the TTMT Internet Sampler BoM, which just happen to be the blocks that I submitted, and I hope those of you that are sewing along enjoy making these! I also touch on the Off the Grid panel quilt I'm currently working on. I just need to piece my corner blocks and then sew my block borders together so that I can trim up the panel, add my sashing and then put the whole thing together. Hopefully I'll have a top to show you next Tuesday.

Stay Crafty y'all!

 

TTMT #524 - @nmjewells - October 1, 2024 - Cats and Birds and Trees

TTMT #524 - @nmjewells - October 1, 2024 - Cats and Birds and Trees

In which I show off new gifties to me from my daughter Miss P as well as the finished 9th Bird block and my first 9 birds all sewn together. I also talk about a current panel quilt I'm working on using my favorite panel pattern and in which I totally forget that this month the TTMT Internet Sampler BoM blocks are the ones I chose and have already pieced, so I guess I'll have to show you those next week. Oh well, lol. Life is currently busy busy, so you'll have to excuse my scattered brain, lol.

Fabrics shown are from Hip Stitch in Albuquerque, NM., and the bird patterns are free from the Wonderfil Threads website. Feel free to DM me for direct links if you have trouble finding anything.

Stay Crafty y'all!

TTMT #523 - nmjewells - September 24, 2024 - A Dapper 3 Yard Quilt

TTMT #523 - @nmjewells - September 24, 2024 - A Dapper 3 Yard Quilt

This week I show you my finished Dapper Den 3 Yard Quilt as well as a pillow cover I currently have in progress using a giant quilt block. This balloon block is unnecessarily complicated, imo, and I think the method of construction might be a deterrent to some quilters/sewists, but it's not really difficult, just awkward. I think it would be cuter if you used a single fussycut piece of fabric for the balloon itself instead of piecing it around a charm square. Regardless, I think it's going to make a fun throw pillow!

All the fabrics I used in both the quilt and the pillow cover, as well as the 3 yard Quilt book I used and the Balloon Fiesta Quilt pattern, were purchased at Hip Stitch.

Stay Crafty, Y'all!

TTMT #522 - nmjewells - September 10, 2024 - Stepping Stones

TTMT #522 - nmjewells - September 10, 2024 - Stepping Stones

This week I show you a new quilt top I started on Sunday and have almost finished. The pattern is Stepping Stones from Pretty Darn Quick 3 Yard Quilts by Fabric Cafe. While I found the prep and cutting rather time consuming and kind of exhausting for me and my arthritis, the sewing/piecing is super fast and easy. I'll get the border on this week and hopefully in a couple weeks will be able to show you a finished quilt. The big squares are Dear Stella (not Art Gallery, oops!) Dapper Den Toile in Space Blue, the white tonal is Dapper Den White Headdress, and the brown is Decostitch Elements Cinnamon Sugar by Art Gallery. 

Stay Crafty y'all!

Dapper Den by Dear Stella Fabrics

Decostitch Elements by Art Gallery

TTMT #521 - nmjewells - August 27, 2024 - Enchantment Takes Flight

TTMT #521 - nmjewells - August 27, 2024 - Enchantment Takes Flight

This week I finally get to show you my finished shop hop quilt that is currently on display at Hip Stitch in Albuquerque, NM. There were 10 participating shops, and each one created a unique block and also created a unique layout for all 10 shop blocks, and this was my take on the theme "Enchanting" while staying true to the Hip Stitch "vibe". You can tell I'm still kinda tired from the last couple of weeks of preparation and longer store hours, but I'm very happy with how both my block and my quilt layout were received by customers.

The shop hop block kits and all related patterns and kits are available on the Hip Stitch website (or will be soon).

You can learn more about Scrappy Sewcial also on the Hip Stitch Website.

Believe it or not, this video was NOT sponsored by Hip Stitch, I just work there, and much of the sewing/crafting I do tends to be related to my time there.

TTMT #520 - nmjewells - August 20, 2024 - Birds, Wedges, and Hops

TTMT #520 - nmjewells - August 20, 2024 - Birds, Wedges, and Hops

This week I show off a sneak peek at the Bird Watcher BoM September bird and talk a bit about my first Dresden, but mostly talk about the 2024 Albuquerque Shop Hop happening this Thursday-Saturday. I finally get to show you the block I designed for Hip Stitch and I spill the beans about the cool prizes you have a chance to win if you turn in a completed passport by Saturday at 5pm at any of the participating shops. Next week I'll be able to link directly to the block kits, pillow kits/patterns, and quilt layout kits/instructions.

Let's go to the hop, y'all!

TTMT #519 - nmjewells - August 13, 2024 - Another Bird & 2 More Blocks

TTMT #519 – nmjewells – August 13, 2024 – Another Bird & 2 More Blocks

This week I show my completed August blocks from the TTMT Internet Sampler Block of the month, Twisted Pinwheel and Monster Teeth, designed by Michelle of Corner Curve Quilts. I also show my completed August block from the Wonderfil Bird Watcher Block of the Month, the Pine Grosbeak, and a photo of my previous 6 birds from that BoM that I’ve already sewn together into rows. I’ve finished the sampler quilt I designed for Hip Stitch featuring the blocks designed by all 10 shops and it will be on display next week during the ABQ Shop Hop.

Stay Crafty y’all!

TTMT #518 - nmjewells - July 30, 2024 - Spinner Repair

TTMT #518 - nmjewells - July 30, 2024 - Spinner Repair

in which I talk about how I fixed my Color Wheel of Destiny (my prize wheel, lol) for my Scrappy Sewcials as well as what might be on the horizon as my next stash buster project. Do you have a favorite pattern for batik yardage? Drop it in the comments!

TTMT #517 - nmjewells - July 23, 2024 - Sekkrit Sewing

TTMT #517 - nmjewells - July 23, 2024 - Sekkrit Sewing

In which I talk about some sewing I've been doing but can't show yet, namely the finishing quilt layout for the Albuquerque Shop Hop next month. I designed the block for Hip Stitch as well as the finishing layout, and I'm piecing the quilt top right now. Check out abqshophop.com for more info about all the shops participating (there are 10 this year!).

TTMT #516 - jewells68 - July 16, 2024 - Fabrics and Four patches

TTMT #516 - jewells68 - July 16, 2024 - Fabrics and Four patches

In which I show my finished scrappy 4patch mostly-grunge quilt and an amazing gift from a wonderful, kind acquaintance. No birds this week. That's right this video is 100% bird-free, lol.

Stay Crafty y'all!

TTMT #515 - nmjewells - July 9, 2024 - All Caught Up

TTMT #515 - nmjewells - July 9, 2024 - All Caught Up

In which I am excited about being caught up on not only the TTMT Block of the Month but also the Wonderfil Bird Watcher Block of the month. I love crossing things off my list! I still need to finish putting together grunge block kits for both the Cockatoo and the Parrot, but I need the grunge shipment to arrive first, sooooooo those are still on the to-do list for this week.

Stay crafty y'all!

TTMT #514 - nmjewells - July 2, 2024 - A Parrot and Scrappy Blocks

In which I show off my latest bird block from the Bird Watcher BoM, which is a free block of the month from Wonderfil. I also show off my latest scrappy improv blocks from this past weekend's Scrappy Sewcial that I host the last Sunday of each month. I'm so glad I got something done this week to share!

Stay Crafty y'all!

Want to sew some birds along with me? You can get the patterns from the Wonderfil website and you can get a kit for the same fabrics I used on the Hip Stitch website.

Want to join in on the scrappy fun? You can sign up for the next Scrappy Sewcial on the Hip Stitch website.

TTMT #513 - nmjewells - June 25, 2024 - Blocked

in which I talk about what I've been working on the last couple of weeks that, unfortunately, I still can't show you. I can (and DO) show you the fabrics I'm using, AND I talk about an exciting addition to the quilt shop where I work where we buy and sell fabric to help keep it circulating amongst creative folks and keep it out of the landfill!

For more info on the Albuquerque Shop Hop

Information about reCreate at Hip Stitch will soon be added to their website

Stay crafty, y'all!

TTMT #512 - nmjewells - June 11, 2024 - Road Trip

in which I talk about the Road Trip I took with my adult daughter over the past week to visit family and some of the stuff we did. Big Thanks to Jennifer O for the quilts and afghans she brought for my Project Linus and for hanging out with me at the quilt show. We some some really great quilts. And big thanks to my sister Jan for hosting me and Miss P while we were there and our amazing hair cuts. Thanks to my nephew Jeff and his wife Sam for the cookout while we were there. Good times with friends and family can't be beat! Stay crafty y'all!

TTMT #511 - nmjewells - June 4, 2024 -Yes Toucan!

in which I show my latest bird block from the Bird Watcher BoM as well as my version of the first of two June TTMT BoM blocks. I'll tackle the other one after I get home. I'm really enjoying both of these BoMs. I've currently got a lot of ideas and tasks zooming around my mind, so I'm looking forward to my time off and some one on one time with my daughter on this road trip.

You can get my Grunge fabric kits for the Bird Watcher BoM at Hip Stitch. And you can get the free patterns from the Wonderfil Website. And of course the TTMT BoM pattern archive is here.

I forgot to mention in my video that this week my channel reached 100 subscribers *throws confetti*. 

TTMT #510 - nmjewells - May 28, 2024 - Four Patches for ME

in which I show a very nearly finished quilt top using grunge scraps and a bag of grunge orphan blocks I bought at a local thrift store. I'm very excited about this quilt because it's happy and scrappy and it's ALL FOR ME, lol. Going to be in Albuquerque and want to join us at a Scrappy Sewcial? Don't worry if you are traveling, we have machines (and Scraps) you can use while you are passing through! You can see all the currently scheduled dates for this fun scrappy sew day on the Hip Stitch website.

TTMT #509 - nmjewells - May 22, 2024 - A Few PP Blocks

In which I talk about being too busy to sew, BUT I do show you 3 different layouts for the pattern I designed for my beginning paper piecing class. I'm teaching my first batch of students with the new pattern tomorrow, so fingers crossed they are able to get enough blocks sewn to be able to play with the 12" block layouts!

TTMT #508 - jewells - May 8, 2024 - This Quilt's A Mystery

In which I talk about the TTMT 2024 Internet Sampler BoM (finished my first 2 blocks!) as well as my version of the 3rd block in the Wonderfil "Bird Watcher" BoM (foundation paper piecing version). Photos of all of these are at the end of the video. Fabric Kits for my versions of the Bird watcher BoM are available at Hip Stitch. The patterns are free from Wonderfil. This video is not sponsored, I'm just participating in their free BoM because BIRDS!

TTMT #507 - jewells April 30, 2024 - From Two Comes One

In which I show off the prize I won last week, some scrappy blocks I made this past weekend, and my first t-shirt recon since buying my serger last Fall. I followed advice from Jennifer O of Sewhooked.com and a tutorial by Catherine Sews. Want to join me at my monthly Scrappy Sewcial? You can sign up on the Hip Stitch website. 

TTMT #506 - jewells - April 23, 2024 - An Anniversary and a Couple of In...

In which I talk about some thrifting I did over the past week and the treasures I found. I also dug back into my youtube account and found my first ever TTMT video, which was posted July 30, 2009, with the crazy mess of my disorderly project room behind me and it appears to have been filmed using a my old laptop or netbook or something. The video quality is HORRIBLE, but I do talk about learning to paper piece and show my first two paper pieced blocks. I have embedding my very first video down below this week's video. For many years I just wasn't able to record on a weekly basis, between working full time and parenting, etc, but I think over 500 videos in 15 years is pretty good, all things considered. 

My very first TTMT video: 

TTMT #505 - jewells68 - April 16, 2024 - 3 Finishes

Hi there! I come to you today with a blissfully brief video showcasing the two finished charity quilts I donated this past weekend to Project Linus Bernalillo County chapter. I belong to a group of blanketeers called "Material Girls" that meet the second Saturday of each month at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center from 9am-11am. Over the last couple of weeks I managed to FINALLY quilt two tops that I pieced from donated orphan blocks/sets at my 2022 BFF retreat with Jennifer O. I got them labaled and bound in time to turn in this past Saturday.

I also received my recent shop sample back from the longarmer and got it bound and it's now on display at Hip Stitch, the quilt shop where I work. I used a new Villa Rosa Pattern Card pattern called "Seasoning" for this sample. This pattern uses 8 squares cut from a panel (or 8 squares of a focus fabric). I chose to use the Cactus Scenes Panel by Desert Bird Mercantile, which is only available from the shop where I work. Desert Bird has several panels the same size and any of these three could be used in this quilt. I also used a blender from the Desert Bird line of fabrics called "Fireworks" as the pop of color inside giant flying geese. The green background and the dark blue sashing are both Moda Grunge fabrics. This pattern was super easy to make and a very quick quilt that finishes at about 42in x 48in if you don't add additional borders. Backing and binding were AGF DecoStitch Sunburst and batting in the sample was Quilter's Dream Green (made from recycled plastic bottles and has a LOVELY drape). You can get the pattern and fabrics at Hip Stitch. Kits may be available in the near future. 

TTMT #504 - jewells68 - April 9, 2024 - One of 10

In which I I FINALLY am quilting again. I quilted one of the 10 Project Linus tops I have waiting to be quilted and it felt great. Maybe I'll even get it bound and labeled in time to turn in this Saturday at the monthly Project Linus meeting. I'll make sure to take photos once it's bound and labeled. Stay crafty, y'all!

TTMT #503 - jewells68 - April 2, 2024 A Bit About Birds

In which I talk briefly about what I've been up to in my Project Room and show you my finished Block 1 and 2 for the Wonderfil Specialty Threads BoM for 2024 "Bird Watcher".

Want to sew along? You can sign up on the Wonderfil website

Want to use the same fabrics I did? Hip Stitch has block kits available for the first 2 blocks.

Stay crafty y'all!

TTMT #502 - jewells68 - March 26, 2024 - Scraps and Samples

In which I talk about sewing with scraps and show you my latest scrappy improv blocks. I also talk about a new Block of the Month that I'm sewing along with, a new shop sample in the works, and I take a quick trip to the past where past me talks about the wall hanging I made for Rainey in the TTMT 2024 Swap. Sorry this is another longer vide, I'll try to blabber less next week.

You can check out the Wonderfil block of the month on their website.

Want to join me at my monthly Scrappy Sewcial? It's the 4th Sunday of each month in the Hip Stitch classroom. 

TTMT #501 - jewells68 - March 19, 2024 - BFF Retreat Recap

In which I talk about my amazing week last week with my BFF of over 30 years, Jennifer, and some of the stuff we did,. I also show some of the stuff we bought, and include some footage I recorded LAST Tuesday. Our time is always special, but this was just a lovely visit with all the talking and walking and thrifting and laughing and hand stitching. I hope we get to do it again soon!

TTMT #500 - jewells68 - March 5, 2024 - Swap Celebration

This week I celebrate 500 TTMT videos and I show off my newly received swap! Thank you so much Jordan for the beautiful, happy wall hanging. I love it! Your hand applique is just perfect. I wish I could hand stitch so neatly. Guess I better go finish the hand stitching on my swap so I can get it in the mail. I forgot to mention that I am taking some time off work toward the end of this week to get together with Jennifer O to thrift, relax, maybe do some hand stitching, and catch up on all the things. I will post some sort of video next Tuesday but it will likely be a short one.

Stay crafty y'all!

TTMT #499 - jewells68 - February 27, 2024 - Color Wheel of Destiny

In which I talk about a new addition to my project room, the Color Wheel of Destiny! It's helping me make some crafty decisions and I'm having blast in the process. I also talk a bit about my TTMT Swap, which is now pieced and getting prepared for quilting and finishing so I can mail it next week. And no, I'm not done purging and organizing in the project room, but I've ve made so much progress and I HAD to stop to work on my swap. I'm getting so excited about seeing what everyone receives in the TTMT swap and I am having a ton of fun creating mine. Stay crafty y'all!

TTMT #498 - jewells68 - February 20, 2024 - The Closer I Am to Done

In which you can actually see that progress is being made in my new Project Room layout! I'm at the point where I am having to find a home for ALL THE THINGS and once again having to make some hard decisions but they are being made and I've got it set up enough that sewing has actually begun, again, yay!

TTMT #497 - jewells68 - February 13, 2024 - Room to Move

In which I talk about all the changes going on in the project room, what's gone, what's staying, so many changes! I'm really happy with how it turned out and I am so grateful for gaining the additional space I needed to finally make these changes. I can't wait to have it done and be sewing again! I'm hoping this will be the last time my Project Room reminds anyone of Hogwarts Stairs, constantly changing, lol.

TTMT #496 - jewells68 - January 30, 2024 - Invisible Progress

Very short video in which I talk more about progress purging and organizing and making plans for my project room.

TTMT #495 - jewells68 - January 16, 2024 - Unquilting

In which I talk about (STILL) organizing my project room, purging sewing/craft supplies, UFOs, and giving myself permission to start over on a project.

Wemagination Center at UNM

Resourceful Santa Fe

Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival

TTMT#495 - jewells68 - January 9, 2024 - Not Much

In which I demonstrate why I should never record a video in the evening because tired brain doesn't know what day it is, lol. I also show you some new fabric and basically just natter on about anything but crafting. Hopefully I'll have something new to show you next week.

Stay crafty, Y'all!

TTMT #494 - jewells68 - January 2, 2024 - Scrappy New Year!

In which I wish you all a Happy New Year! *throws confetti* and I talk about the scrappy event I hosted this past weekend at the quilt shop where I work. I also show several scrappy things I threw together during the event. It was so much fun I've decided to do it monthly this year.

Let's make 2024 a crafty year!