A Scarf

Yeah!  

It's really soft and warm...I'm wearing it right now 

and yes I am still in my jammies

 and yes it clashes.

I'm crazy like that.  

OBWonder #3

Here's the original fabric for the One Block Wonder.  

Thanks for the input on playing with the hexi's~

Here is my design wall.  The first row is already sewn together and I am not un-stitching that so they will stay as is.  I'm going to look at this for a day or 2 but I think it might be OK the way it is.  It might be cool to move just one of the very dark hexi's near the left side over into the peach or blues in the lower-ish center/right. Just to have something pop out at you.  Perhaps that one brown one that looks like a starfish 2nd row center.  Nah, I don't think it will pop enough...but I will try it and see, most likely one of the others.

here is the stitchery I posted about this morning.  It needs something, an angel a star or two. Or maybe I will completely re-think and it will remain a UFO for a bit longer. What's another year or two when it's been waiting for about 8 already?

maybe 10x12 ...9x11 

Here is my finished FFF stitchery.  I LOVE the top and bottom border with  "Believe" on it.

17x19

PS.  The pillow from this morning is still coffee staining in a plastic bag as Wanda suggested in her comment. (thanks a bunch)

Coffee dying

As I write this I am coffee dying this little pillow that I stitched together yesterday. 

I made these years ago, I think around 2003.

I just stuck a piece of leftover batting behind them and did random lines of sewing to hold it together and then just sewed them together leaving an opening for stuffing.  

I have one more stitchery that I forgot to get a picture of that says "Light fades stars appear Evening Angels gather here" I think that's right.  

I need to either stitch a little angel to it or applique one on.... it needs something...

Yesterday I got a 2nd stitchery from Kaaren's FFF together and quilted.

(17 x 22)

I just need to sew those binding strips together and this one will be done as well.  I should get that finished today. The 2 side borders are flannel and they stretched and are pretty wavy after my dense quilting.  I'm probably going to have to block this and swear at it pretty good :) to get it to behave.

I've been watching You tube videos of beginning knitting tutorials.  They are a great time waster mesmerizing.  

I do think now I am ready to try again to teach myself to knit.  I tried a couple days ago, just following a little beginner booklet and I just couldn't understand what the hell the pictures were conveying.  Now I think I get it.  Oh man this is so dangerous to write "I think I get it"  and then I won't and it will be so embarrassing.

When I couldn't get the hang of casting on with REAL knitting needles, I got out my Knifty Knitter loom and started this

I love it, it's nice and soft and I can't wait to use it.

I'm trying to do this knitting and my rug hooking "10 minutes" at a time.  Well, that's what I'm trying for but I think 20 minutes at a time would be more productive since I'm slow I don't get much done in 10 minutes and I like to see results.

The pieced backing I was working on is finally big enough (80x80).  I ran down during the Pens game intermissions and sewed...sewed through most of the 2nd period too!

I didn't take a picture but it is now loaded on HQ and ready for quilting. 

Today I've been distracted by this computer, phone calls, the dogs--just one of those kinds of days.

Since my design wall is empty I've pulled out this project.

It will be my first UFO for 2012.  You may remember when I took the One Block Wonder class one of the students in that class ended up hating hers and after getting them in rows decided she wasn't going to finish them ever.  So I bought them and all her leftover fabric from her for $20.  

I was going to put them up and maybe rearrange which is why, I think, they've languished for so long.  I have this picture from the class where she's just starting her layout but nothing else.

I liked it then and still do. So my next decision is should I just sew them together as she has them, or should I put them up on the wall and maybe play around with them...

I do so like to play with blocks... 

I think that answers that question.

Well, I just checked my coffee dying and I'm not happy.  the muslin is a little darker but not like I want.  I want staining.  I must try again.  

fun times, fun times...Life is Good!

Let it Snow!

(14 x 17)

I made this cute little stitchery piece in 2010.  It was a FFF (First Friday Freebie) from Kaaren at The Painted Quilt.
I sewed the border on, did some quick quilting on my dsm and finished it-even remembered to put on a hanging sleeve.

Now to update my 2011 list-another finish to add that won't be on the 2012 list-, have lunch and then see what else I can get done this afternoon.  

2011 UFO's-the results!

I didn't really link up to Judy's during 2011 as I planned, having a list of  quilt tops I wanted done was a very good motivator for me. 

Here's my list w/pictures the highlighted ones are finishes. And also my other 2 lists that I kept this year.

I seriously think I need help....I may be quilt obsessed...

2011 QUILTING GOALS

WIPS

        Tree of Life (L/E) flimsy 4/17/11 named: My Apple Orchard – quilted 8/11

            Layer Cake Quilt along flimsy 4/2011named: Irene -quilted- 7/11

            Shannon’s Blog BOM flimsy 4/1/11 named: Jonquils & Stars still not done and I need a flimsy picture 

NEEDS QUILTED (flimsy)

           

                Calming Circles quilted 4/2011

            Aster Manor (Block-a-day) still not done and I need a picture of the flimsy!

                                Morris (Block-a-day)quilted 9/11

            Serengeti Dance  2^nd One block Wonder w/cubes quilted 3/11

            Scrappy 9-Patch and Snowballs quilted 3/11

“Chloe” (block-a-day) not done and need a flimsy picture of this one too.

Batik Sampler (Block-a-Day) quilted 5/11

            9-Patch Challenge (summer 2010 Quilt Co) quilted 3/11

Snow Bound 2010 BOM quilted 2/11 

was not happy with quilting on this but haven't done anything about it...

            Merry Christmas Sampler (Block-a-Day) quilted 10/2011

            Crumb Quilt quilted 1/11

And my other 2 lists.

 I DO LOVE MAKING LISTS
*wink*

2010 Block-a-Day quilts and Projects (Made in 2011)

WOW! That’s Bright (50 x 50) finish January 2011

Churn Dash block table topper (12 x 12) finish-Jan 2011

Scotty Pillow (12 x 16) finish-February 2011

Oh Man-this is going to be bad! (37 x 44) finish March 2011

Goose Chase Pillow (14 x 14) finish March 2011

Watermelon fabric porch pillow (16 x 16) finish May 2011

Trip Around the World table mat (14 x 14) finish May 2011

Maple Leaf Pillow (14 x 14) finish May 2011

Stargazing -2010 Shop Hop (54 x 54) flimsy May 2011/finish June 2011

Medallion CW Sampler (94 x 94) finish June 2011

Evening Shadows (72 x 86) finish July 2011

51 New Quilts & Projects Made 2011

*Highlighted = NOT finished*

NICU quilt #1

NICU quilt #2

Quilts for Kids #1

Quilts for Kids #2

Baby Life Quilt#1

Baby Life Quilt #2

Pinwheel & 9-Patch doll quilt

 Little 4-Patch Doll quilt (17x18)

Whirligig table runner (10.5 x 28.5)

Little Pinwheels L/E (23x27)-gave to Annette

Cute Coins (17.5 x 22)

Slice of Summer (13.5 x 13.5)

1600 inches Jelly Roll

Quilts for Kids #3

Quilts for Kids #4

Lincoln (32 x 32)

9-Patch Doll Quilt (14 x 18)

LeMoyne Star (50x50)

Made new cushion covers for porch 2-seater

Juber’s Doll Quilt (16 x 20)

Charm Party Tote #1 (for Bunco)

Charm Party Tote #2

Apples for Sale (24 x 24)

Seppy (32.5 x 38)

Debby’s Beau (32 x 38)

Debby (18 x 18)

Madeline (28 x 28)

Winter White (34 x 34)

Strings, Stars & Bars (70 x 70)

“Making New Friends” panel wall quilt (32x42)-sold at QCO show

Mini jack-o-lantern #1 (9 x 12) –sold at QCE show

Mini jack-o-lantern #2 (9 x 12)-sold at QCE show

6 Halloween Pillowcases

Square in a square baby quilt (39x47)

The Witch is In door quilt (18 x36)

Quilts for Kids #5-10

Tossed Candy Corn Runner-sold at QCE show 11/11

Witchy-poo Pillow (16x16)

2^nd The Witch Is In door quilt (18 x 30)

Old St. Nick (60x84)

Blessings door banner (18x36)

 Be Thankful door banner (18x36)

(Newbie)Pieced star Christmas ornament/coaster (5 x 5)

Small Measures- Pink/brown flying geese mini quilt (23 x 36)

Scrap tote bag (newbie class)

Christmas Pinwheels & 9-patch wall quilt  (22 x23)

36 patch candle mat (12 x 12)

2 Christmas Pillowcases (Jade and River)

Let it Snow stitchery (14 x 17)

FFF Christmas Sampler Stitchery (17 x 19)

Scarf-pink/grey/blue angel hair yarn (knifty knitter)

DWMonday

Quilting and sewing took a break for Christmas but I did make good progress on my Skinny Santa hooked rug.

11 x 17

I'm really determined hoping to get this done in January and I'm browsing E Bay for an affordable hooking frame.  

My design wall still has this pieced backing on it.

I did find another leftover pieced 'chunk' in the closet to sew on. I'm hoping to get this together and actually get my Strings & Stars top quilted before 2012.

I've also started to think about goals for 2012 but unlike many who've posted, I'm still in the thinking about it mode.  

Check out other design walls here

Design Wall Monday

This is my Santa rug.  I've actually got more done than this picture shows but not much.

This is a picture from a post in November 2009.

I've had this kit since oh I think the 90's...I just found the pattern here.

I'm really going to try to get this done.  I know I've said that before!  So I'll just say I'm going to try to get everything but the background finished this season.  I've been lurking around on some amazing rug hooking blogs and watching tutorials on You tube. 

 I've been using that 14 inch quilting hoop and I just don't like it.  I feel like I'm wobbly and off balance.  

So I need to decide on some kind of frame here in the near future.  I'm hoping to do more of this in 2012, after completing this poor, patient Santa.

Our oldest son, PM is home from seminary and will be staying with us for the week.  The sewing area has been taken over by him and his stuff.  

I gladly surrender it.

I'll try to post an update picture of Santa this week.

fun times, fun times. Life is Good!

Quilt guild tote

So I'm in the 'new bee's class' for the guild.  

It's a fun time once a month on Saturday morning.  I've made it to two of the classes in these last 4 months.  So I'm batting .500-pretty good if I were on a baseball team.

The first class we made our name tag.

Then we made a little Halloween project-I missed this class but did mine at home.

Last month we did PAPER PIECING-in hind sight it was a fun class; while in the class I was stressed out....

gawd I'm bad at paper piecing.

The class last week I was all prepared to go to---meaning it was on the calendar but I really hadn't got my supplies together.  

And then, as it always seems to happens in December-plans changed. 

 I spent the day with husband and Meghan. 

It was a very good day.

I got an email from the New bee's teacher, Thea reminding us to bring our tote bags to the next guild meeting for show n tell. 

So making mine has been on the 'to do list' all week and yesterday afternoon I figured it was now or never.

I'm not sure which is the front and which is the back-I like 'em both.  

The block in the first photo is another Bl-a-day block (woo-hoo).

Today I MUST clean.

have to

no excuses

clean, clean, clean.

I don't like today right now

Design Wall Monday

My design wall still has this bunch of leftovers I'm piecing for a backing.

I have some more large pieces of leftovers from my sewing this weekend so I'll be happy if I can grow this big enough today. 

***



This weekend I finished this little 12 x 12 inch candle mat.

I was digging around in my one  "leftover chunks" drawer and found a strip of 2.5" squares. I think they were leftover from sashing for one of my block a day tops.  I un sewed them at every 6th seam and put 'em back together. Well, it wasn't that straight forward, of course; a couple of the red patches were right next to each other no matter how I arranged them and I didn't like the look, so I did have to un-sew and move a couple of them-no biggie.

  I used a 12" bl-a-day block for the back.

I also finished the little Christmas 9-patch quilt I started a couple weeks ago.
I was just going to do 9-patches but I love the little pinwheel quilt

I made last February
using Kathleen Tracy's design from her blog.
So I made it again with just a little change on the borders to make it a wee bit bigger.

21 x 22

I "plan" on doing some hand quilting in the outer border, I don't like the puffy non-quilted look. The rest of it was just ditch stitched on my DSM.

I'm linking up to JudyL for design wall Monday and to spend a few minutes hours checking out other design walls!

fun times, fun times....Life is Good!

Old St Nick

He was finished last night, well I don't have a label on him yet but I'm going to make one today, but technically he's finished.
I just couldn't wait another day hour to hang him up.

Once again my crappola photography skills are shining through and I see the lens of my camera needs cleaning. I noticed that a week or so ago and forgot....
...and the quilt is straight, I should have smoothed it before taking the picture. agghhh.

64x80

This picture shows the colors better.

Here's a shot of the other side of the room and my new skinny tree and Otis waiting patiently for breakfast.

he's still waiting....

Binding time...

I would have it much further along but

 OF COURSE the fabric I bought for the backing was the end of the bolt. 

Four yards, just what I needed. 

whew.  

And then I pieced it and realized.  

IT"S DIRECTIONAL!

I need another yard.

I went to another Jo Ann's yesterday....they had it.  

It's all good.

It was worth the extra day's wait to quilt it-having the words running sideways on the back would have bugged me to no end.

I 'believe' I'm pretty happy and will be even happier probably tomorrow sometime...

Seventy-three (I think)

Or Why I haven't started quilting yet today....

 I posted this morning and  Mary said this at the end of her comment:

"Surely you are getting near the end of your stash of block-a-day blocks?"

I think she's asked me this before and others too and I always think  that I need to get the box

box where the Bl-a-days live

 out and take a picture, count and gag in horror refresh my memory at how many I DO have left.

So I replied that I would get my camera and go see and if I didn't get distracted I'd try to write a little post about it.

After taking all these pictures

(notice the little note beside the pile of CW 12" blocks) I counted them all and the total is 77. 

Well instead of putting them away I started to think to myself "OH my gawd, I am never going to make a quilt with this, this this (pulling blocks out and tossing them).  For a moment I almost just put them all away but then I started to sew. No use having blocks that are weird in size or looks take up space in my room or my head.  

I found a drawer with leftover backing and orphans from previous quilts.  

As I was sewing these together I also sewed the little block-a-day quilt together that I posted about this morning. I moved it and the little Christmas 9-patch to the 2nd design wall.

Because now the big wall has this on it.

And this is why the post title is seventy-three--in all this sewing I used 4 blocks... I know there are more than 4 blocks on the wall but some of them were already in the reject drawer to they didn't get counted in the green box. 

**don't be alarmed...I know what I'm doing**

hahaha

So now it's past lunch time, I'm hungry, no quilting yet but I feel good because I wanted to get my Strings & Stars quilt done this month.  

I didn't have backing for it. 

 I do now.

Oh and I forgot to put it in the last post, because I was just kidding up there, I really don't KNOW WHAT I"M DOING MOST OF THE TIME!!!!

I finally got a box that would hold the 6 Quilts for Kids quilts that I made and they are on their way.  

I'm pretty sure I've made 11 this year.  The goal was 12 (one a month) not sure if I will get that twelfth one done, we'll see.

OK time for lunch!