WIP Wednesday #24 and Social Media

Today's Post brought to you by Richard

I have been thinking lately how to bring my blog to the next level and get involved in Social Media.  For me this is a huge thing because I HATE Facebook.  I know that is a sin and I should not do it.  It's all about every one in the world knowing what I am doing.  That sounds funny from a Guy that has a quilting blog (and tons of other blogs and sites I try to promote).  How can I hate social media if I love to be social.

So today I make my first step in the social world by accepting the fact that its not bad to be such.  And as proof of that I have created a Google+ page for Richard and Tanya Quilts.  What can I say I like Google more then Facebook.  But being fair to those that don't like Google, but love Facebook I created a Facebook page for Richard and Tanya Quilts.  But we can't stop there I also love Pinterest and just love to be pinned and pin there under my name https://pinterest.com/rhealey101/.

What do I ask of you my faithful followers?  While if you like my post please G+ it (you can find the G+ at end of each post.  You can also add my Google+ page to your circles.  For those that love or like (or want to convert me back to the Facebook as there stock tumbles) please Like the Richard and Tanya Quilts Facebook page.  You can also Facebook about any of my posts (there is also a button for this, twitter, blogging and emailing about post) right next to the G+ button.  Also please Pin any and all you find or like on Pinterest.

I also sell my wonderful quilts (and willing to make custom quilts for any that might like) though http://www.etsy.com/shop/RichardQuilts and for those that are interested use the Coupon Code BLOGDISCOUNT to get 20% off.

Well enough thinking lets talk about what Tanya and I did this last week.

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I have been busy I finished my newest batik quilt top.  I have yet to come up with a name (or what to put on its back) this is the largest pieced quilt to date.  It is a decent size twin top (Rebecca who's bed I tested it on offered to keep it but I don't think so)  I am pretty sure I plan to sell this one.  I am getting more confident and quilts are getting bigger.  I would love to make one similar to this one queen size for my bed.

My baby Dresden had its binding finished last night.  I was looking around to figure out where my labels where when I got distracted.  I still need to finish putting the label on it and washing it to call if finished so expect to see it again soon.

I also finished my newest Color Blast quilt (I am making a pattern of the same name that I plan to give away) I need to sit down and finish writing it up and then give it out and get feed back so I know how to improve it. (the pattern not my quilt I am keeping it I just love this one)

Tanya this week finished her first quilt (While made me finish her first quilt for her) I tried to get her to quilt it but she would not.  She was afraid to mess it up.  She pieced the entire quilt top her self and pieced the back and basted the quilt.  I quilted and put the binding on.  I will soon get her to do this too.

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You thought my social media thing was all done but NOPE!! you are wrong.  Many of my followers might have noticed that I added many of you on Google+ today and as time goes on I will add the rest of you.  (I simply ran out of time).  While I was in the midst of writing this post it came to my realization that I had never tweeted or been tweeted too (Is that even the correct term?) So I went out and did the ultimate sacrifice and created a twitter account.  So you can follow me or tweet me at @rhealey101.  I have no clue how to tweet so some one tweet me some instructions.

By the way check back next week I will be having a giveaway to any one that can help me get social up to date.  Now tell me your opinion to all this social crap!

Today is a Work In Progress Wednesday.   I will be linking up with Freshly Pieced.  

Purple Papillon & Freedom

Post by Tanya

The Purple Quilt is done.  I haven't thought of name yet or a good name. Swirly Purple Butterfly just doesn't seem right.   Does anyone have  suggestions for a name?  I decided to go with the suggestion Purple Papillon. I pieced the top, and some of the back with leftover blocks, basted it, and Richard quilted it.  I think our joint effort turned out nicely. One more gift for Christmas done, many more to go.  Both Richard and I need to get back to finishing our blocks for the beginner QAL. I am behind at least three now.  I need to take some outside pictures, this doesn't do it justice.

Close up of the butterfly quilted in center of block.

The older two kids start back at school on Wednesday.  It is the first time in 7 years they have been in the same school.  James is starting his senior year and Rebecca her freshman year.  I think I am more excited for them to start than they are.  Jared doesn't start 3rd grade until next Monday. I am looking forward to time with just Julia.  No more "Don't wake Mom" at the top of their lungs.  Working nights can be not so fun when you have a family. 

Random Ramblings

This post is brought to you by Tanya, complete with non edited pictures.  This computer doesn't have photo editing software. Please ignore the messy desk.

Last Friday, I was really getting fed up with our Singer Stylist sewing machine. Richard's Janome scares me at this point  (I am afraid I will break it and we need two machines, yes technically a third machine, since I don't like Rebecca's little mechanical one).   I told him we need to do something with this machine, so we looked up the warranty information and found out parts and labor were covered for a year. We bought the machine online, but took it back to a local store. After locating the box and the second trip to the store, they refunded our purchase price and we went and bought a new machine at a different store. They only carry sewing machines online. 

Ignore the messy desk. 

Yes it is the same model sewing  machine.  Richard figured if we were buying a new entry line machine, we may as well buy something I was familiar with and that the extension table we already have will fit.  It is amazing how much easier it it to sew with a non-wobbly sewing machine.

Over the weekend, Richard quilted the purple Double Churn/Rail Fence quilt for my Step Mother's Christmas gift.    It is ready to be bound, in fact the binding is already prepped.  Here is a picture of the back,  and a close up of one of the six butterflies. One of us will post about the finished quilt in a day or two.

Below is the partial top I am working on for my Sister in Law Megan.  She claims to be a girly girl, so hopefully she likes it and appreciates the not so perfect quilt top.  Yes, it is definitely the work of a beginner.  Stuff doesn't line up like I wanted it to. I have leaned tons while make this top, like how important it is to measure exactly, iron seams correctly and also to have a real plan instead of just making random blocks I saw in a book. Making the finished quilt block a size I had a square ruler to trim would have probably been helpful as well. I think it helps to have a non-broken machine too.

Richard finished the twin sized Batik top he has been working on.  It looks gorgeous.  It is going to be a pain to baste though.  I have a bit unusual way to baste quilts, but it works great for baby or lap quilts.  We have powerful magnets that we bought at quilting show and I hang the quilt sandwich on the wall after a few safety pins have been added and baste it while it is hanging up. 

To end this post here are a two cute pictures of Julia.  Disclaimer, before you think we are horrible parents, she grabbed the bag and liked the noise it made and I thought it would be a cute picture.  She was not eating the chips and was mad we took it away before she could eat the bag.

Link a Finish Friday #28

Today's Post comes to you from Richard

This last week the most popular link was from Seriously..I think it needs stitches.

I also managed to get yet another top done this week (Tanya also got a top done, but I am lacking pictures of hers)

Any way you know the drill link up your finishes.

Each link on LAFF enters you into a random drawing for 2 fat quarters each month. The winner will be picked the Thursday after the last Friday of each month.  The winner have their choice of 2 fat quarters from the 8 pictured.  These are from my stash, but have no current project with their name on them.  Some of them are items I got from the shop hop, others are items that came with materials we bought, but did not make it into a project.

Thanks again for visiting Richard and Tanya Quilts and supporting  our quilting adventures.

So for the rules.

1) Who likes rules. Toss them out.
2) Add a link to your finish blog or where ever you show off your finishes (Not limited to quilts but I like them the most).
3) Visit a few of the finishes and comment or encourage them on.
4) Monthly random winner picked from all of the months linkups to win 2 fat quarters.

Not Required but fun to do

1) Follow my blog.
2) Follow the blog of all those that link.
3) Link back to my blog.
4) No finish, go quilt and stop reading the web.

I need a good name any one have a good idea?

Today's post brought to you by Richard

When I first started this quilt I was really worried what I would do with all the area that is not Dresden.  But I came to the realization that it would be fun to quilt in circles around the Dresden plate going in rings going outward.  Then of course reality sunk in, my snake does not really circle out but throwing caution to the wind I decided it could kind of slither out.

I took some close up's to try and show off the quilting some.  I quilted 4 rows out from each of the three Dresden's on the quilt.  The only exception to this was those area's that did not have quilting (the edges and the bottom corner) I continued doing the rows outward following the lines but not crossing any like I did on the first 4 rows.

All in all I think that it turned out wonderful.  I was worried that I did not quilt inside the Dresden's them self's enough, but my wife came home from work (her lunch break or rather Julia's dinner break) and she said its done.

So the boss says its done, so it must be done.  Here is a close up of one of the full Dresden platters.  I cant wait to go show it off at guild meeting Thursday.  So the only real question is what should I call this quilt.  I really want to win the Dresden contest and I won't if I have a lame name so help me out.