Sew Day!

Yesterday Libby & Mary Lynne came over to sew.  Oh my gosh, I forgot how much fun spending a day sewing with friends is-- especially in the dead of winter when the temps are in the frigid ridiculous zone! 

The night before I moved the sewing cabinets and added a table so we could sew and gab with ease.

They arrived at 9:30 and stayed until 3. 

First Libby shared a little show-n-tell; her granddaughter is making her 1st communion in a few months and each child has a banner at their seat. Libby made Ella's 

And a new baby quilt; the plain blocks have embroidery on them but my camera didn't pick it up.

When I invited them over to sew, Mary Lynne asked if I would teach them the Interleave  technique.  

Here is Mary Lynne's. She choose the Mirrored Sine Wave pattern

  

And here's Libby's. She did the Helix Sine Wave pattern.

I finished trimming all my Metro Rings units.  In spite of heavy chatting I managed to get them trimmed without mishap.  

I also had to take apart and rotate one block in my Metro Hoops top. After I had blogged about the finish, someone was kind enough to let me know one block was turned--whew! See it down there bottom row next to the right corner.  I doubt I would have seen it although now that I look at the picture it's glaring at me!!

But now it's fixed. 

We are planning on making these sew days a regular event.  

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After the ladies left, I did some quilting. I'm doing a paisley fill behind the appliques and in that little center square area I cross hatched -the lines are 3/8 inch apart-yikes.

 I'm still just Stitching-in-the-Ditch on on the star blocks and along all the border seams.  The plan is to do a fill in the background (light green batik) areas around  the star blocks.  

Oh and the batting and quilt are off the ground...always a nice sign that the end is closer than I thought.  I would really like to get this done over the weekend. 

Wow-an achievable goal!  The question is: Will I persevere or start 2 or 3 new projects instead?

Fun times, fun times!

Life is good.

  

Metro Hoops

is my first flimsy of 2014!

For about 3 minutes I pondered adding a border or two.  Instead I sewed a basting stitch all around the outside edge to secure any loose seams and it is officially done.  whoop-whoop.

now to decide on backing do I piece some fabric I have or buy new?  

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Yesterday, I completely forgot to go to my guild's Mod Squad group!!  I thought about it around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  It runs from 1 to 4.  I was doing some sewing cabinet re arranging and forgot about the time.  I was bummed to miss the meeting but real happy with the sewing room changes.

I moved my one sewing cabinet over to the corner of the room and pushed the white one (that I use) closer to my ironing board and I also spun it around so while I'm sewing I can see my design wall.  I never liked having it behind me, but I thought the lighting was better that way.  

After sewing with the new setup, I can't tell any difference-go figure.

The room feels so much bigger.

Facing the design wall and HQ I can now think about what I'm going to quilt on the next flimsy.

My lovely Jonquils & Stars top from my first ever QAL.  I do need to get backing for this it's 80 x80.  If I remember correctly, I did have a backing for it and then used it on another quilt!! oh well.

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Today after church and breakfast at a local diner my mom and I stopped in to visit this little cutie-patootie 

She's five weeks old and she smiled for us! Real smiles, not those reflex ones.  

I can't wait for the cooing to start.  

Life is Good!

Yesterday, the bike gang went out again!

We left at 9 am and got home at 9 pm.  We were some tired puppies!

Paul, Scott, sil Mary, bil Ed 

Scott behind us on Rt 59 a few miles from the dam

 Our destination was Kinzua Dam.  I'd never been there before and it was so cool.

 I even saw an eagle!! so excited about that!

Kinzua Dam

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Today I needed to really give the house a good cleaning but I still spent some time sewing.

I took a picture of the Modern stack n slash that I finally got the binding done on.

50 x 53

After this picture I washed it and it crinkled up wonderfully.  I just straight line quilted it but I didn't use channel locks just 'eyed' it. So it's not perfectly straight and I just estimated the distance between the lines too. I quilted it one way then reloaded it the other way and quilted it that way.  I really like how it turned out.  

I got another row of feathers quilted on Aster Manor.  I'm using wool batting on this one. It's the first time I've ever tried wool.  It really shows the quilting.  I'm quilting it very close, doing all-over hooked feathers and hope that is OK with wool to quilt it so densely.   

I've been working on piecing the diamond (triangles on the corners) of the Medallion blocks.  I was having trouble seeing the cutting line I drew because the overhead lighting casts a shadow on my cutting table.  I was getting a bit frustrated when it hit me that my Ott Light is sitting in the corner unused.  

So I dragged it out, plugged it in and 'wah-lah' no more shadow.

Here are my medallion blocks.  

just 6 more to add the triangles too

As I'm piecing these, I started a new Leader/Ender project.  I stopped using the L/E method a while back, it just sorta happened.  But I've been saving my binding triangles and even cut some from 2.5 inch squares to make this quilt.  I don't have near enough triangles yet but what the heck it's a start.

in no time at all I have over 20 made. only need a couple hundred more. This will take some time. :)

I've been busy as a bee

the carpet was installed yesterday.  

I've had a migraine since Monday.

The weather is a changing so I'm expecting the headache to leave SOON

I've been moving furniture, rearranging furniture and trying to get everything to cooperate.

and the washing machine timer went last week...we ordered a new one and I did several loads today on the last one there came a loud thumping sorta noise...oh brother, can't wait to tell Paul when he gets home.

And somehow, some way I got poison ivy just a little on my leg and my wrist and under my chin.  Sheesh.

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On Memorial Day we went on a long bike ride to The Flight 93 Memorial

It is starting to look really beautiful.  The first time Paul and I went a few years back there wasn't much there, a chain link fence to keep you away from the site, I flag marking the impact area, people left momentos on the fence.  

It was just as emotional then as now.

The weather was beautiful and we were out for about 6 hours; rode with Paul's sister and her husband and one of Paul's friends from HS who just got a bike a few years back.

Me and Paul at Rt. 30 overlook

I've finished a couple quilts, thought I was having trouble again with HQ but I 'pretended' to quilt with it for about 5 minutes and no stalls so now I don't know what to think.  The last pass on this quilt it kept stalling and then I'd have trouble starting it again.

I think I'm going to load a small quilt and try it and see what happens.

Notice the cement floor!  I wanted to get this one done before we had to dismantle everything AGAIN for the carpet installers.

close up of quilting

and Otis inspecting my work!  Haha.

DWMonday

The basement is the same with only my smaller design wall up. The carpet install is scheduled...May 29th boo-hoo... sooo  long to wait.  I'm getting antsy about it! :) 

I miss my big design wall terribly, hell; I miss all my stuff and knowing where 90% of it is.  

The part for my HQ came in and Paul installed it.  The stall lights are still on but it seems to work.  I haven't even had time to load anything to try it 'for real'.  Today is my 7th day in a row of work!  Tomorrow I have so many things to do--haha it's not even realistic but I will try!

The design on the wall is called Fire Escape. It's a Terry Atkinson design.  And as is typical with her stuff-clear directions and pictures. It's going together easily.

 I think if I were in my old sewing room (or the new one), I would have had the top cut and pieced in one day.

sigh....the good ole days of efficient sewing at long stretches of time...sigh

I've only had to un-sew one seam as I had one of the  the white 'steps' blocks turned...Easy for me to turn  a block on any day but way easier working on the table top. (yah, that was a little whine-I smacked myself and threatened time out if it happens again...which actually sounds rather appealing at this point)  

buwahahaa

 This quilt will be twin size so it has 12 rows.  The picture shows 4 but I did another late last night.

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BIG NEWS AND MOMMY BRAGGING ALERT!!!

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Meghan was offered and accepted a position in the CV/ICU unit where she is doing her preceptor (interning)!

She has worked several 12 hours shifts and a couple 8hr ones.  She says after the 12 hours ones the 8 hour ones seem to fly by!

Yesterday the family of her patient took her aside and thanked her and said she was the most compassionate nurse they've ever had. 

It made her day.

Mine too.  

Damn I am so proud of this girl!

the official graduation picture!

Prelude to a 'happy dance'

A design wall.....

with blocks on it....

also known as: the light at the end of the basement renovation tunnel is getting brighter.

The blocks above are granny square blocks with signatures of my co-workers.  A comfort quilt gift for another co-worker who was injured in a car accident. 

It is all together now but I can't quilt it as my HQ's power pod went bad.  A new one is on the way.  My nice HQ  dealer let me finish a customer quilt (with a deadline) yesterday on one of their display models. 

Dangerous!

 It was lovely. 

I told my husband I'm now dreaming of 

He said: 'keep dreamin baby, keep dreamin...'

gotta love a guy with a sense of humor ;)

and since he didn't flat out nix the idea...I'll take that as a 'sure honey'

communication is the key to any good relationship you just have to know how these things work.

j/k  j/k hahhahaa

almost there

The view from the back door looking in.  The door on the right is the laundry room. 

Notice on the wall there an extra outlet up high.  I was thinking the ironing board would go there, now not so sure.  There is also an outlet in the ceiling on the other side of the bulk head that I'm hoping will work for HQ.

See all those lights on the other side?  It's super bright over there.  No more dark dungeon-y feeling. 

I took this picture standing by the closet that you can see above.

I'm behind HQ table and it's really bright! The door on the right now is the powder room.

I pulled up the plastic that was covering the HQ table and it's very clean-whew!

I did bring the carriage and machine upstairs so safe keeping.

Today I go and order the carpet.

Yesterday after work, I came home and did some serious piecing!  

The partial blocks are ready for the signature pieces that will go in the center.

I am really missing my design wall!  I know I quilted for years with out one but once you get used to it. 

Wow.

It felt wonderful to sew and play with blocks!

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 Yesterday at work a lady came in whom I've known for years.  She used to be the receptionist at our eye doctors. It was back then, probably late 80's that I went to her house after we made the connection that we were both hand quilters. 

I remember telling her a few years back when I ran into her that I was now a machine quilter...well let's just say she didn't jump up and down enthusiastically! wink!  

Her house is beautiful. She is a passionate antique collector in the early American style and primitive too.  I remember when I walked in her front door being blown away and thinking it was just how I'd do my house if I could. 

Well, back to yesterday. Dorothy came into the store and we started chatting.  I asked her if she was still quilting.  She said no it's too hard on her back bending over a quilting frame. But for the past several years she has become very involved with hooking!  My co-worker, of course, got wide-eyed and said "HOOKING!!"

ha ha.  I got all excited and started questioning her and yep she is a rug hooker-primitive style and wanted me to come over and see her rugs.  So after work at 3 I went straight over. I wish I would have had my camera.  Her work is fantastic.  

Her daughter, who is retired now, is also a hooker and she and a few friends are coming to Dorothy's in a few weeks for the weekend for a 'hook-in". If our schedules don't conflict, I'm going to stop over and see their work and get some pointers etc.  

And the next time I go I will take my camera!

OK the crazy busy train that is my life is about to leave the station so I gotta get my arse moving!!

Fun times, fun times!  Life is good.

whoa!

So Monday night everything was packed up and moved into the garage. The lonely long arm table is covered.  HQ is sitting up here in the living room with us.  I have stuff everywhere.  It sorta looks like we're moving.  The wiring is done....oh lordy I hope I've thought of every possible place I might need an outlet! and hope the lights will be in the right place as well.  Sheesh! the pressure!!

As of today the ceiling in 1/2 of the room has been dry walled as well.  The front 1/2 where all the pipes and stuff are will have a drop ceiling.  

I had to get out the sewing machine yesterday and sew.  I was in serious with drawl.  

 I AM NOT KIDDING. 

I made another granny square block-had to make several trips to the garage to look under the plastic covered pile of every thing and find a rotary cutter and a couple rulers, a seam ripper and my snips (the kids safety scissors I found up here just weren't cutting it --literally!!)  haha.

I blanket stitched another Dresden block and started chain piecing the blades for several more. 

 It sure is hard to sew at a table with a regular chair after being so spoiled for so long.

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An announcement....

My wonderful daughter, Meghan took and passed her FINAL final today in nursing school!

I'M SO PROUD OF HER I COULD SCREAM!

seriously, scream!  

But instead I just cry a little joy filled cry.  

She starts her internship next week in a CV/ICU (that's cardo ICU).  

It is where she hopes to get a job after graduation in June.

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And now back to  regularly scheduled programming, which is quilting.

Not much to show.  The work is beginning again on the basement, tonight I pack everything up and cover it and hopefully in a few weeks (eternal optimist).  I will be back in business. sigh. that will be nice.

Tomorrow is my Bday-the big 4 - 9!  oooh

Libby and I are going to get our VIQ "very important quilter" passports for the upcoming Shop Hop in June.  And then lunch somewhere. I need a day out birthday or not.

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So much to look forward to.

So many blessings.

Have a great day my blogging friends. 

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Fun times, fun times....Life is Good.

We're in a nice routine

Here's the string blocks on my design wall.

and although I can't get the picture to turn correctly here is Molly on her bed. This is where she stays while I'm quilting!  You might be also able to see that HQ is too close to the design wall for me to use it easily. (as I posted about last time but didn't have pictures)

I need to take some time and seriously figure out this room and the arrangement I want. But too many distractions right now. 

 It will get done. 

I may actually get Evening Shadows finished today or tomorrow.  yippee!

Right now I need to get dressed and go take a walk while it's still cool out.  I was doing really good with the walking routine and then that oppressive heat wave knocked the wind out of my sails. Yesterday and today have been wonderful, in the 80's and low humidity.  I have the windows open for a bit of fresh air, will have to close them up later today. 

My wall this morning, with several of the 9-Patch rows together (yea!) and on the left side my strips of 2.5" strips for a border (I was thinking just putting them on top and bottom to make this square quilt rectangular) and then a final outer border all around.

Yesterday Libby came over to sew for the day.  (yea!)  She's doing the 9-Patch project too. 
Well at some point I opened my cupboard where I have my stash and found a 6.5" wide piece of the setting fabric for this quilt-where did that come from? I had earlier told Libby I didn't have any left (scary!).   I was happy I found it although it wasn't enough for even a tiny border. I set it to the side for "just in case I need it later" and forgot about it and we had a great rest of the afternoon sewing and catching up.

So,  I went back to my sewing room in the evening and thought. (dangerous, I know!) I wonder if there is enough leftover setting fabric to make another row? I would need 10 (6.5" blocks & 2 setting triangles for the ends) so I could make a complete set of 9-patch "X's".
Well, amazingly I did have just enough.  I had to piece leftover chunks together to get a piece big enough for a 9 3/4" square to cut the side setting triangles-but it worked!  

So now, this morning I spent it unsewing all the bottom setting triangles from the rows that are on the wall and have cut out and matched up more 2.5" squares to make 20 more 9-patch blocks.

I'm going to like this quilt much better this way.  And I will probably be able to just sew a border of 2.5" squares around the entire quilt-not just top and bottom.

*******

The Knifty Knitter project is coming along.

I'm getting faster and having fun!!! and this yarn is so so soft.

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And I got my block-a-days done through 8/30. I have 8/31's cut out and will probably get that done today in between sewing 9-patches together. 

I also pieced together leftover binding for the 2nd Quilts for Kids quilt and if I get that done today and can wash the 2 of them and get them in the mail. (yea!)

I also want to finish painting the shed (project interupted because of rain). 

Paul is gone for the weekend....up to 'Camp diamond in the rough' for heavy labor with my brother, nephew and my dad. 
So I'll have plenty of sewing time with no dinner making time. 
woo-hoo.