The Quick Ripper Saves Time

Over the last few days I've been reviewing a variety of colors of fabric to border some of my favorite fabrics.  Prior to this, I hastily selected a fabric and put all the borders on my blocks.  After putting them up on my design wall I noticed the dark borders take the focus away from the fabric I want to showcase. 

Oops....that happens sometimes!  I've been telling myself that if it felt good to sew the borders on the first time it will also feel good when I do it again.   Apparently I really like to feel good and sew and sew and sew...ROFL.

School was canceled again today so I was fortunate enough to have an IHAN Elf available to do a quick video demonstrating how I make un-sewing as quick as I sew with The Quick Ripper. 

You can cut your fabric if you are not holding your fabric properly but I've only had this happen once, thankfully!  The Quick Ripper comes with 2 AA batteries and I have not had to change them very often.  I use mine to trim threads on the back of my machine embroidery, trim threads when making fabric coil baskets, take out seams, and trim the edges of fabric that has frayed...a very useful tool.

While viewing this video I hope you kept in mind that I am a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal and I did not prepare the background, get a manicure or edit the video....what you see is what you get...that's how I roll.

Smiles,
Kelly

 

Rehearsing More Border Colors

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my previous blog post.  I got some great feedback.  The feedback inspired me to try some more border colors.  Here are some that I tried with various blocks:

I realize these are not the best photos....but with what you see....what do you like?  Thinking about just leaving these up for another day or two so that when I do decide I'm not having to deconstruct any more blocks.

School was canceled today due to icy roads....

....the never ending  Monopoly game seems to be a good way to spend our day.

Boardwalk Smiles,

Kelly

Open for feedback

Not much time today to sew as there was no other driver in the car pool.   Three hours in the car (typically only 2 but Aaron had a medical appointment this morning so that was twice to school)....yikes!

When I did finally arrive home I began studying my design wall.  I am in the process of using my coveted  Kaffe Fassett fabrics and I'm using the Big Ten pattern by Swirly Girls.

 The problem I'm having is choosing the border fabric for the 8 1/2 inch blocks.  The fabric below is a P&B Textiles Suede in Navy.  It looks like a dark ink in "real" life and not so stark as a black.  Hard to see in these photos.

 

The fabric is so bright and busy I feel the border fabric needs to give the eye a break....a pause in the dark to celebrate the bright lights that follow.   

Another choice.....

I have this purple and I don't know if it is a Kona but it feels like a Kona.  

A close up better shows the shade of purple a little better.

So, what do you think?  Is it the Navy or the Purple?  Or can you think of another color that would help break up the bright and fun and give our eyes a rest before we continue with the Kaffe party!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts :)

Smiles,

Kelly