Tea Party block

Tea Party BOM, Block 5

2 teapots down, 3 to go

I sure struggle with applique.  I love the way it looks when someone else does it. Mine always has puckers and I have trouble keeping track of all the little pieces and it takes sooooooo long to finish one block.  So many steps... the tracing, the cutting, the fusing, the cutting, finding the right thread color (and bobbin to match!) threading the machine and then changing colors . . . and on and on and on.  I have such a shortage of patience. 

But I'm learning with each block, and I think maybe there is a possibility that I might actually enjoy doing applique by the time I'm finished with this quilt.  Maybe the results are worth it.

The Plan: From UFO to DFO X 8 in 83 days

Finn at Pieces From My Scrapbag is hosting a New Years Eve UFO Challenge.  What a good idea.  Instead of making New Years resolutions we'll be enjoying accomplishments.  Then we can start all over again creating new UFOs for next year's challenge.  I selected eight of my UFOs to finish . . .

I need 9 more blocks and borders, then this will be a Quilt of Valor.

My Map Quilt still needs binding and embellishments.  I dream of pulling the quilting stitches and doing that over again, but I think it will stay a dream.

I came across all these little pieces that are from my start on Beth Ferrier's Ribbons & Blooms.  I never got any farther that this because the applique - which I hear is EASY with her method - just scared me thinking about it.  All this other fabric was to be used in the quilt so I need to design something with all of it.

Straddling Snowboy top was finished when we still lived at the farm.  It needs to be quilted, embellished, and bound.  It'll be nice to be able to hang it this year.

This simple patriotic table topper needs to be quilted & bound.

Birdie Baby Quilt needs to be quilted and bound.

I'm getting really ambitious with these last two!  Tea Party is a BOM with 5 teapots and only 1 is finished so far.

On Point BOM has 14 blocks and one LARGE center block.  I think 7 of the blocks are finished.

So that's 8 projects and 83 days.  Ready, Set, Go!

Procrastination Productivity

I had a project recently that I really wanted / needed to finish.  But for some reason I couldn't get back to it.  I'd head to the sewing room and then leaving the room wasn't an option because that would mean I really wasn't going to do what I supposed to do.  If something else needed doing in the room in the meantime, at least I was in the vicinity of said project, and there was a chance some work would get done on it.

Seemed like the perfect time to clean and reorganize everything.  I found some shelves, moved the dressers, and starting pulling fabric out of drawers. The fabric got folded and sorted and placed on the shelves until the shelves were full. I need more shelves 'cause there's more fabric. Then I filled the drawers with the other sewing stuff that was laying around.  I've been wanting to do this for a while. The procrastination gave me the motivation!

I like walking into my sewing area now and seeing the fabric there. You were right, Karen, it needs to be out where I can see it.  And it brightens the room a bit.

Next time I have a project that MUST get done, maybe I can paint the dressers.  I'm thinking white.

How Hard Can It Be?

I've always been a DIY wanna-be.  I'd get great ideas for making something and would often act on it.  Unfortunately my talents and stick-to-it-iveness didn't quite match my aspirations.  Oh, there were successes along the way.  I made a kneeling mat for Sarah when she started preschool.  It was a cute patchwork top (the quilting desire started a LONG time ago) with some padding and was just the right size.  I used to make baby carriers and T-shirts.

And whenever Scott & I started a project together it would get finished.  That's because Scott is determined and has lots of stick-to-it-iveness.  When he would decide something was going to happen, it happened.  We built a carport and a nice deck at our city house.  We built one little deck and one big deck at the farm.  We laid a wood floor. We put up fences. And we built nine stalls - really nice ones, if I do say so myself. 

But all my other crafty and DIY stuff would get started and not finished - LOTS of it. The boys mats for preschool never got finished - I finally bought some for them.  I started jewelry, never finished.  I started scrapbooking, never finished. I started simple woodworking, never finished. You get the picture. Since I've started quilting I find I finish things.  What a great feeling and a great confidence booster. I now start lots of projects and finish them.

Not to change the subject, but we live pretty far from any walk-in welcome hair places.  There's a really nice lady in town that does a great job but I'm too impatient to make an appointment.  When I want a haircut I want it NOW.  Getting a haircut for me means giving up an afternoon when you figure the driving, the wait, the cut and the driving home. I've been really needing a haircut for a few weeks now and just haven't had the opportunity to get it done.

Getting impatient with my hair I played with pulling it up between my fingers like they do and pretending I had scissors in the other hand.  It seems I could do that all over my head and it wasn't too awkward.  I thought "I could really do this!  How hard could it be, really?!"  So with my new found confidence I grabbed the scissors and grabbed my hair and started.  AAAAKKKKKKKK.  What was I thinking?!  It really IS hard to cut your own short hair.  I still really need a haircut, but only in some places now.  Short haircuts have been permanently crossed off my DIY list.  Well, I may be able to cut someone else's short hair, just not my own.  Anyone want a haircut?

Michele's Quilt . . . Finished!

As usual the picture doesn't do the quilt justice.  It's just soooo pretty and was fun to quilt.  It's in the mail and on the way.  I hope you like it Michele!  Thanks for trusting me with your special quilt.

Michele's Quilt

I'm quilting for hire on this beautiful baby quilt. Michele kindly gave me permission to post pictures. Such a pleasure to work on - it's just gorgeous.  Due to unexpected company (brother Jay stopped in with pizza! - what a pleasant surprise) I just did a bobbin's worth tonight.  I'll finish it tomorrow after heading up north for breakfast with family.

My "Quilting Sister"

Birdie Baby Quilt UPDATED

Isn't it CUTE?!  I love the way it turned out.  This is the first time I've used a charm pack. A Birdie by Me & My Sister for Moda charm pack (for just $8.00) plus a yard of white and it made a 39" x 39" quilt.  Every bit of the charm pack got used. I think I need to figure out how to quilt birds for this one.

This is my "design" work (play!) . . .

Girls Weekend

Dayna and the girls spent a few days with us while Justin was out of town for reserve stuff and Zak was out of town with his other grandparents picking up his Army uncle. It was nice to spend time with just the girls. Caycee got lots more one-on-one time Nana and with her mom and plenty of rides with Grandpa. Grandpa and I got to hold and feed and spend time with Lynzee. And, between kid stuff, we still had plenty of time for conversation with Dayna. A good few days.

Birdie by Me & My Sisters for Moda

I'm having fun with this bright and pretty fabric. 

It's going to make a pretty baby quilt.

A Blue Bag

I think blue fabric is so pretty. 

I made this bag last week for someone special.

The bag has a pocket on the other side but I like this side better.

 

There are flowers quilted in light blue thread.

My Dogs And Their Manners

One of the problems with having more than one dog and a lack of dedication to training is that manners are inconsistent and, well, basically poor. For instance, when passing through a doorway with the dogs, a couple of them will hang back and let the human go first, the others will just charge through with a "me first!" attitude. When they have been outside and I go to let them in those same ones will hang back and let the others go first. Annoying, but not enough for me to take the effort with training.

I mentioned a while back that the farmer in the field next to us is using natural fertilizer and we really are happy with the concept.  The reality, hmmm, not so much.  The natural fertilizer, aka cow manure (and LOTS OF IT) is rather odorous.  And it's lasting a really long time.  The morning dew seems to help it along.  Any rain, well that's a plus.  The moisture heightens the experience. We have learned, though, that there is nothing like it for the ground. And chemicals are really scary.  So. Do it. I'll consider it a necessary evil. 

Another plus with the natural is that manure attracts flies.  LOTS OF THEM.  Here's where the dogs' manners come in.  It seems now each and every one of them is polite.  When we open the door to let them in after they have done their business outside (thank you very much) they will stop as if to say "Just look at that long parade of flies waiting to get in. I'll let them go first. All in?  Okay, now I'll come in."

grrrrr

Gotta go. The fly swatter is calling me.

Happy Birthday Pat!!!

Hope you are having a great day filled with fun, family & friends. 
And cake too!!!

It's Just Thread

Just love the color of this thread. Can't wait to start quilting. It's Decorative first today. But when I get back home I get to play!

I've always wanted to do something arty but things never translated to what I saw in my imagination. With quilting they still don't translate to exactly what I see before I start but I usually am pleased with the result. Not pleased as in 'I did that' but pleased as in 'it's just a pleasure to look at'....'makes you feel good inside to look at' pleased. Now, that just sounds weird, but it's true. I get so much pleasure out of playing with bits (or lots!) of fabric and just the color of a thread can make me happy.

What can I say?

Simple minds, simple pleasures.

It's called Sunshine . . . even has a pretty, makes you feel good, name.

Three finishes

Finished the binding on this one. . .

Finished quilting and binding this one.

I tried a zillion (well, maybe 6 or 7) different things in the reds squares but couldn't find anything I liked. I pulled all the stitches and decided to wait until the rest of it was quilted to select a design for the red squares. Turns out it looks great with nothing in the red - makes them pop out. So they will remain untouched.

I love the way the back looks with the empty spaces where the red squares are on the front. And this quilt will be special because Karen quilted a bit of it as her maiden voyage on my long-arm.

This one is for a new baby boy. Started it yesterday and it was so simple it's finished already. Can't decide on a name . . . . Nine Patch Cubed? Nine Patch Times Two? Nine Times Nine? Nine Patch Exploded?

Three finishes in less than one week, I think that means that instead of getting back to a UFO I get to start something new!!!!

10!

Happy Birthday Jared!

I can't find all my pictures so you are saved an embarrassing (to you, but adorable to the rest of us!) baby picture. You're not totally in the clear, the day's not over yet!

Hope you have a great day!

All Dressed Up AND With Somewhere To Go

Scott and I recently traveled a bit to spend time with Adam as his new unit had a Farewell Ceremony.

When we first arrived at the fort we met Adam in the parking lot. As we entered the actual fort the Patriot Guard Riders had formed a line on either side of the walk. They greeted the soldiers as they passed and thanked them for their service. They then formed a semi-circle around the parade grounds for the ceremony which consisted mainly of speeches from the commanders, Governor and Senators.

I'm not sure how this Rider was able to see where he was going.

We were able to visit with Adam for a couple hours on the parade grounds prior to the ceremony. Then afterwards the soldiers were released for the remainder of the day. We went out for a late lunch/early dinner and spent a few more hours hanging out and buying books. Finally we had to drop him off at his hotel and say goodbye. :(
He will probably get a long weekend pass before he ships out, so should get to see him at least once more. :)

Deb, I thought of you . . . .

As soon as I saw this sign I thought of you, Deb. And inside, wow! Store after store after store. FOUR floors of stores.

But for me this was the highlight . . .

Happy Birthday!