LizzyHouse

Quilt Con Supplies!!!

Quilt Con is upon us! 

I have gotten some emails concerning supplies. Particularly ink. You want oil based relief ink. Speed Ball produces an oil based ink that will work just fine. Or if you are looking to place an order, Daniel Smith is my recommendation! They have ink, they have palette knifes, they have miracle gel, and they have top notch customer service. 

You don't have to pre-wash your fabric, but you can! 

As far as blocks go, I recommend unmounted blocks, and I suggest that you get a few different types. There is a white type of block that is super easy to carve. Then there is a gray kind. You should be able to bend it. If you are really lucky you might chance upon a glossy gray block. It is soft, and structured... so it isn't painful to carve but you can get nice detail. The tan stuff is fine, it's just rough. 

Carving tool. Get the speed ball set that comes with multiple ends. DO NOT get the pulling/hooked kind. You will regret it. Those usually show up in my classes when you are using a vintage tool that someone found in an attic/basement. Get a new tool. The ends are sharp, it's not expensive, and it's what you need. 

These were the main concerns addressed in the emails! 

I'm excited to meet all of you. We are going to have a great time! 

Leave comments with any other questions! I'll respond to them here

hooray for Quilt Con. 

 

ikea.

Some people love Ikea. Like they LOOOVE it. 

I have a love hate relationship with Ikea. I would like to think that is the camp that most people are in... But I do feel, that after 4 visits in a weeks time, I have a new understanding of Ikea.

here are five ways to stay sane in this store. 

First. I think that the people that L. O. V. E. Ikea, don't have an Ikea within one hour of them. 

Second. You can not get through that store without a snack. You will fade, and you will get hangry (hungry/angry). This does not mean stopping at the cafeteria. This means you brought something with you. The food in the cafe is mystery food. And you say, hey! It's so cheap! And that dessert plate is only $1.48. You are going to crash. Things will get ugly. Bring your own snack. Or just eat before you come. Like right before you get there. I have found the best solution for myself to be a chia seed kombucha. Filling and calming. Try the grape. 

Third. Park your car on the side near the exit. Not the entrance. 

Fourth. Go in the exit, so you can go right to the as-is section. We always go there very first. This allows you to find some sweet deals, and make plans for things before you go through the whole store. This saves you time and money. Also. I'm pretty sure all returns go into the as-is section, not back on the floor. I just got 3, $20 lampshades, for $3 each. They are in mint condish. Go to as-is first. 

Fifth. When it's all said and done, depending on what you have purchased, if it is within your means, and you live within range. HOME DELIVERY. My little sister Melissa just moved to town, and we have essentially just bought an entire house worth of Ikea, and her bedroom we did ourselves. We packed the whole thing into the Matrix, and some dudes helped us tie the mattress on top of the car. The rest of the house, we just didn't even bother. It was hard enough pulling all the stuff, and then better still getting through the self check out, where wait, how many employees helped us get through that line with our 6 carts??? 0. That would be zero employees, and we were clearly struggling, and worse, we were asking for help. How many employees were standing around chatting? That would be 4. So at the end of the whole ordeal, it was really nice to park all of the stuff in front of the home delivery station and walk away. 

The delivery dudes were really great. 

So for the past week I have assembled something from almost every range that Ikea carries. And I have to say, it is the most expensive, but the Hemnes furniture is far and away the nicest, best quality stuff. I will put together Hemnes furniture for anyone. Gladly. 

Melissa's place looks great, and as detrimental as trips to Ikea can be, it really is amazing. It's amazing that these flatpack boxes contain futures. At the end of the day it's worth the cost. 

I'm so glad Melissa is here, and I am so glad we are done shopping for a while! 

do you love Ikea? Hate Ikea? Love-hate Ikea?

have a great weekend, peepers.