New Sewing Machine

I'm so excited.  I finally have a brand new sewing machine of my own.  For my birthday (in January), my parents and my sister surprised me with a new Bernina - with an embroidery attachment with it too.



My first project I tried was to do Month 5's block of my Block of the Month from Fat Quarter Shop- I'm a few months behind- but I wanted to try something simple on my new machine!

It's so much fun to have a new machine to play with.

Ivy's Stocking

Laura and I decided we wanted to go big this year for Ivy's stocking- so using 2 jelly rolls- Kate spain Joy and Moda Snow white, I ended up making her a 52 inch stocking.  It was awesome.  I got it done Christmas Eve, just in time for Santa to come.

Quilting Day with Friends

I hung out today with a bunch of my friends to sew today.  I got alot of sewing done:

A quilt top for my dad which I finished putting together

More fabric coasters - some are going to be presents- others I'm just making- just because- not sure what I'm going to do with them- but they were fun- Thanks again Laura Pearce for plunging me into a sewing frenzy- this is all your fault!!!

I also got some baby time in with my adorable niece- Ivy!

 

   

Quilt for Dad

A couple of months ago- okay I don't remember exactly but I want to say at least 5-6 months or more ago- I did a 10 inch swap for "Masculine" fabric.  I knew I wanted to do something for my father for Christmas, but wasn't sure what. ( I have no fear that he's going to see this because he doesn't even have a computer or have any idea how to turn it on- it took years for him to learn to use the controller for the TV and the DVR so I think I'm safe).  Then I found this tutorial for a Double Slice from the Missouri Star Quilt Company.  And this is what I  ended up with for the front:

I put a border on it to make it a little larger.  I wasn't too hot on the masculine fabrics in the 10 inch size, but once I sliced them up- I really started to like them. I've started working on the back.  I can't wait to get it quilted and have it ready for dad at Christmas.

Bazinga Review

So I have a rather challenging Double Block Algebra 1 class.  They don't do well with normal worksheets and review on paper- they tune out and use it as an opportunity to chit chat and not work- so I'm on a mission to find everything I can to have them do math without realizing they are actually doing a worksheet.  So I found this Bazinga Game on the internet and made my own board with all the cards like the game said.  I then split my students into 3 groups ( I already had Popsicle sticks with their names on them so it was easy to assign them groups).  I randomly picked the groups.  At the beginning they whined- but got into it once we started.   Group 1 went first and I put a problem on the document camera and all the students answered the question on their white boards.  I think picked at random one of the Popsicle sticks from their group to make sure they were all working.  They were allowed to work with each other while doing it- but I did find that some didn't and if I called on their card and they got it wrong their group was mad and made sure on future problems they all worked on it and came to a consensus. If they got it correct, they got a point and could pick a card.  That was the most fun for them.  If they got it wrong, I subtracted a point and the other teams could go.  I didn't want to try and have them compete for who got it done first because both other teams were already done with their problem do I let both teams answer and get the point if they got it correct- again I randomly picked one from each of those groups so they didn't know who I was calling on.  If they both got it right they both had to agree on a number card to pick.  They had a ball.  There were a few hiccups.  Once or twice students went to the bathroom- but I didn't stop the game and both times it happen to be (completely random) that their Popsicle stick came up and they weren't happy that they lost a point because the person wasn't there to answer.  They were the ONLY two that went to the restroom- everyone else waited until the game was over.   The best part was when the kids had to switch teams when that card was drawn- they weren't happy- but it was interesting to see how they all begged and hopped to either move or have certain kids move.  It was a grand success.  I hope I can find more activities to use in class- they don't do well with worksheets- they are freshman- still full of energy and don't sit well for more than 1 or 2 minutes.

Coasters

Saturday I went to a sewing day at Valli and Kim in Drippings Springs.  My friend Laura Pearce was there and working on Christmas gifts- these little coasters for family.  Now I vaguely remember seeing them at the Wimberly Quilt Retreat when we go, but I think because they aren't in bright colors, I never noticed them- but the ones Laura was working on was cute so when I got home that night I decided to make myself some:

Aren't they cute.  Okay so the picture is u[side down, but it'll have to do until I can figure out how to rotate it in the blog post.

I also started working on a "man" quilt for my dad from some 10 inch blocks that I got from a masculine swap with buttoncounter. I'll post pictures of those as soon as I get them up

Ghosts in the Graveyard and Slope Slope Slope

Yeh- I finally got my computer back- Fry's only kept it for about 9 weeks.  But now at least I can update my blog a little easier.

Any whoo-  I came across this post:
http://mathtalesfromthespring.blogspot.com/2012/10/ghosts-in-graveyard-new-and-revised.html

about ghosts in the graveyard.  I think I'm going to try it in class.  My kids might be willing to try it.  Afterall- today I got them to get to me sing Slope- Slope- Slope -Slope to Flo Rida's Low Low Low song.  Somewhere some student on Facebook has me singing it- but by the end of me attempting to sing it- they knew that slope is the difference of the y over x , rise/run.  Mission accomplished.

Tetris quilt- all put together.

Here's a picture of all 6 blocks put together. I know we're no supposed to start putting it together til next week, but I couldn't wait. I can't wait to see what we are going to do for the border. I have my own idea, but I wanna wait until I see what the quilt along is going to do.

Tetris Quilt Along week 6

This is the last week creating the blocks. I'm so sad. Here's my last block.

Tetris Quilt Along weeks 4 and 5

Tetris quilt along week 3

OMG- do you know it took me an entire week, just to make this post?  I had to take my computer in last Monday so I've had to try and post this to my i-phone- not as easy as you think.  I have an old MAC at home, but the browser won't support uploading pictures, so I had to do it on the phone- which required me to get google +, then figure out how to put the pictures in instant upload, then trying to get it uploaded on a teeny tiny screen- ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE.  It just about drove me nuts!

More Teaching ideas for next school year

So my blog has now become sort of a mix of quilting and school- but it's a great way for me to keep both parts of my life together.  I subscribe to  myweb20journey and they have some great ideas on there.

She talked about Tagxedo or Wordle and I think I might try those as decoration in my classroom.

I don't know where I saw this, but I downloaded an APP called socrative.  You can put in quizzed, bell ringers, or space game problems and then the kids can get in groups and use their phone as an answering source.  You are limited to what kinds of problems you can type- nothing that requires mathtype, but might be fun to use for stuff like solving equations or review at the beginning of the year reviewing 8th grade material.  It's so cool.  My only issue will be if it's blocked at school- that's the first thing I'll have to check.

Tetris Quilt Along - Week 2

Usually when I do quilt alongs, it usually takes me muchhhh longer to do them.  Am I the only one who's been waiting all week for the second one.  It was torture.  I wanted the next one about Thursday- but I had to be patient.

Tetris Quilt Along- Block 1

I am so excited to participate in  a Tetris Quilt along on Happy Quilting. 
Here's my sketch:

Here's my completed block.  I am going to have to sort of save 1 red block to sneak into one of the other blocks.

Math Games and other sewing stuff for my classroom

I found a site with some awesome games I might add to my collection for next year.

1.  Whammy
2.  Poker
3.  Lucky 7
4.  Balloon Pop- Who knows, I might even try and use read balloons

I know we don't use chalk in school any more, but I almost am tempted to create one of these

Professional Development for Pinterest- YES PLEASE

Do you think I could talk GISD into giving me Professional Development for all the time I spend pinning education stuff from pinterest?