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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

One of those days!

Have you ever gotten up in the morning with a great day planned only to find out you were scheduled to be somewhere?

I got up this morning at 5:30. My husband asked me why in the world I was up so early. I told him that I woke up and knew I wasn't going to go back to sleep. So I drank my cup of coffee and watched the morning news. Walked outside and was pleasantly surprised by how cool it was.

Tried to decide if I wanted to walk this morning (like I usually do) or wait until this evening. I decided that since it was so cool, I would go this morning. I walked past the table, picked up my cell phone to check the time, and noticed I had an event on my calendar for the day. I looked I had to be at school in an hour for a workshop that I was supposed to be help presenting. Uh oh.

I knew I had a workshop on the 29th and one on the 30th. But, I thought that was Wednesday and Thursday.  I was really thankful that I checked my phone and that I had plenty of time to make it to school.

It was a good day, even if I didn't make it to my sewing room to organize and/or quilt.

How was your day?

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Monday, June 28, 2010

What do you do In the sewing room if you are not sewing?

Well, I did make it to my sewing room several times today. But, no sewing.

 I have been looking at pictures of sewing rooms to get an idea of what I want to do with mine. I came across a sewing table that was made from bookshelves. So, a couple of months ago (time flies), I purchased a bunch of inexpensive black bookshelves from Walmart. After placing the shelves in a rectangle, I added a piece of oak plywood that was left from another project . (I do believe that my husband kind of miscalculated on the lumber needed making my son a computer desk.)

It stayed like that since then--until today. And this is what happened today.


After I changed the layout of where my machines needed to be, Larry cut holes to put my machines in. (Ignore the clutter by my design wall, things are everywhere.) This is probably the only time you will see it this neat. I was going to put the machines at opposite ends and sides, but realized that two cutting mats will fit across the width of the table and I can have a big cutting surface. So, I moved the machine I use for quilting more towards the center.


This is a side view of the set up. I already need to tidy up the shelves. I can't wait until I have a place and/or container for everything. I'm not there yet. I also plan to stain the plywood and put a couple coats of varnish. I'm going to wait until I won't be sewing for a few days.

On the shelf under the table, you can see my Christmas fabrics. I have another shelf with about this much fabric and a couple of shoe boxes of fat quarters and that is my stash. That is why I am so envious of all of you that have shelves and shelves of fabric. Maybe one day.


This is my embroidery machine. I decided to have him set it in even so I can use it for piecing and quilting also. Notice that I had him cut an extra opening in the back so that my embroidery carriage can move freely so I don't have to lift it back up on the table. Then when I sew or quilt on the machine, I can cover the extra hole with my 12 1/2 inch square ruler to keep my sewing from falling through. .


Most of the time I use this machine for actual quilting. It has a 9-inch throat which makes a big difference on big quilts. It also just sews straight stitches. Every once in awhile, I'll be sewing on it and need to make a zigzag stitch. I'll get ready to change the stitches and realize that I need to change machines.

I still have lots to do in here before it can be transformed into my "studio". Remember this post? I really wanted white shelves so my studio could be teal and white with pink accents. But, I couldn't find enough white shelves. So now it will be teal and black, with white and pink accents.

It will all take time, but I will post pictures as I go and especially when it is finished.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Design Wall Monday

It's been a few weeks since I did a "Design Wall Monday" post.  I've been in a sewing slump but I knew once I hit the sewing room I wouldn't want to come back out.

This quilt is for my husband's nephew and his wife. First child. The dad is a big guy. Well over 6 feet and pretty big, but not really overweight. So, it makes quite a sight to see him hold his tiny baby.


I actually completed  more since this photo. I'll show updates today.

Lots to do. I vow to complete another thorough cleaning on a room in my house. I'll sew for awhile and then I have some school science lesson planning to do.  Then more sewing.  (Oops, I do have to add walking in there somewhere. Either first thing this morning or late this evening.)

What a life! I love summers.

Don't forget to take a break today and visit Judy L's blog, Patchwork Times, to see what others are working on. 

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Baby Quilts in Progress

So I went to the Butterfly Festival and didn't really see anything that the vendors had that I needed. But there are two stores on the square that I really like.

One is Scott's Flower shop. Although today it looked more like a gift shop than flower shop. Scott usually keeps lots of beautiful floral arrangements. Today there were only a few that he actually made. I believe he has scaled back because of the economy. But, if you are ever in Paris, AR it is worth checking out.

This is the other store I like. Ruthie almost always has something that I think I need. It is very nice because she carries items from a dollar or two up to a couple of hundred dollars for big item antiques.


When I returned home, I headed down to the sewing room. I got out the material to cut out a boy and a girl baby quilt. But when I opened up the design in EQ, I decided I wasn't thrilled with the borders on the boy quilt. So I spent an hour or so trying different borders before I was satisfied.



I have it all cut out but cannot go any further because I need the baby's birth information so I can embroidery the white blocks before sewing them together.

Next, I cut out the girl's quilt--after adjusting that pattern also.


My daughter got the info I needed for the girl quilt so I started embroidering and sewing some of the blocks together.


The pattern calls for blocks that are like the Drunkard's Patch block. I purchased a template at the Dallas Quilt Show a few years back and made my daughter a quilt using it. (I purchased it because there was a black, red, and white quilt made from the pattern that I fell in love with. Here, three years later I haven't made that quilt.) My daughter's quilt was blue and white fabrics and green and white fabrics.


It's much easier to use than a plastic template. 

It is getting really late but I started watching a movie so I'll probably stay up watching it until I dose off. I plan to get a early start tomorrow and hopefully get most of the girl quilt finished or get the embroidery on both quilts completed. Then the piecing will go quickly.

Happy snipping stitching, and quilting.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Nothing New to Show

I think it has been 3 weeks since I have been in my sewing room and worked on anything. I have decided the reason I am avoiding it is because I have to get those 2 personalized baby quilts made. I don't think I like the idea of having to work on something. I like to be free to go down and choose what I want to do. Hence, 2, 5, or 10 things going at once.

So today is the day. I vow to get down to the sewing room this afternoon. I know once I get down there, I won't want to quit. I'm sewing in my sewing room until I get the bedroom painted, and then I'll move the shelves and sewing cabinet for the re-doing of my sewing room.

I have also decided that I am going to thoroughly clean one room in my house each day until I am finished. Some rooms only need a good dusting, others need things moved around, etc. Maybe if I write it down, I'll be more apt to do it. I think I'll start with my bedroom. It just needs dusted well and a few things picked up. (Yes, I need to make the bed. We've only been up for a little bit. I do usually make it every day.


So, I have given myself some goals. Now, I am going to post more cruise pics and then get busy. Oh, I also need to take time out to go into town for our annual "Butterfly Festival". There are craft vendors, food vendors, and people performing all day. It begins at 9 with a parade and I will probably go shortly after that to stay away from the heat.

Now, I have given myself plenty to do, so I'll be going.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Getting Back on Track--Maybe!

It's been a busy, lazy kind of day. I say busy because I stayed busy. Lazy because when I work on school things, like when I sew, I don't consider it work but more of a hobby. I did slip in a nap for about 30 minutes this afternoon. After looking up science lessons for a couple of hours, I was nodding off at the computer. So, I said forget it and laid down for a bit.

Now, I'm going to pick up my "Be Attitudes" applique block, put in Avatar, and wind down for the day. Oh man, I just noticed the kitchen is still a mess from supper. Craig cooked so I'll gladly do the dishes. Then I'll get to stitching.


It's been so long since I've stitched on it, it took me a couple of minutes to remember how.

A 2nd cruise posting is up here.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Cruise News

I put up a cruise post on my other blog. Just in case anyone would like to see photos. I have decided to post a little bit each day for the next few days instead of a bunch at once.

When we moved into our home, 6 years ago, my daughter painted her bedroom a pretty periwinkle blue. then she asked if she could write on her walls. I said sure, why not. After all, a little paint is all that would be needed to change it. Well, she wrote, she drew, her friends authograped, etc. for 5 years. She had a blast.

I purchased some KILZ and today while I ran past school and then over to Clarksville to get groceries, Larry started painting the room.

I got home and the house smelled awful and I was surprised when I looked at the wall. I thought KILZ covered anything. I don't think so.


Hmmm. Now, I'm not sure if we need to add another coat of KILZ or try painting it the color I want it or if I am going to have to paint the whole wall a dark color and then KILZ again and then paint. Isn't it funny that it covered up all of the regular wall paint, but not the markers or other craft paint she used.

I told my husband that I think Kelsey needs to come put the next coat on because she did it. His reply was, "You let her." I always knew she was a Daddy's girl but that is ridiculous. lol

Hopefully, I get off of my sewing vacation soon and get busy. After all,  I do have 2 baby quilts to make ASAP.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting. 

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Home . . . But Not Very Productive

Oh my goodness! I came back from the cruise tired and lazy.


But. . .  isn't this beautiful.

We arrived home by 8:30 on Saturday evening so by today I should have all kinds of things done. Nope! I spent Sunday with my Mom and Dad and brothers and sisters for Father's Day. After I got home that afternoon I tried to watch a movie but napped instead.

On Monday, I had an eye appointment. Time for new glasses. I've had my current one for at least 3 years now. I only wear them in the evening mostly--contacts by day so I don't worry about keeping them totally up to date.  My appointment was for 10:30. For some reason I had to wait in the exam room until almost 11:00 before the Dr. came in. That drives me crazy!!!! The exam took awhile because she did contact fitting and an eyeglass exam. Then came the hard part of picking out frames. My face is small and most frames overwhelm and swallow me up. I finally left there after 1 p.m. What a way to blow a day.

Every time I am still or sit down since the trip, I feel motion sickness. Larry says I am having trouble getting my land legs back. I guess so. So I went to Fort Smith yesterday afternoon. Found a new "pretty" for my living room coffee table at Kirkland's. I love that store.


Today, my plan is to repaint my daughter's bedroom. My sewing tables are going into there until my sewing room ceiling and wall get redone. Water leaks. Yuck! Mold. More Yuck!

If I am really ambitious and can get some help, I may have pics of my new temporary space in the next day or two.

That is, if I can get off of my bottom end and do something.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Allergic Reaction?

I got a little too much sun on Tuesday/Wednesday so in hopes of the pink going away quicker, I used some Ocean Potion Ice. It is a instant burn relief lotion with aloevera, lidocaine, and tea tree extract.


I soothed it on my light pink burn (upper chest area only, thank goodness) on Wednesday afternoon and again before going to bed that evening. I woke up Thursday morning to a rash and the worse case of itching I have ever experienced. I suddenly realized that I had used this lotion once before and also had a reaction.

I used benedryl cream on it to soothe the itching on Thursday and Friday, with little success.  I itched so badly by Friday evening that I went to the clinic. The doctor on call gave me a shot, a prescription, and a cream. He even gave me a refill in case it happened again. I told him I hoped I didn't need it again because that lotion was going in the TRASH! Larry and I think I was allergic to the lidocaine in the lotion. Of course, I guess it could have been one of the other ingredients also, but I have used other aloe vera before.

I would have waited it out a couple of more days to see if it would go away before going to the doctor, but I did not want to have this rash and itching while we were on vacation.

So, this is probably goodbye for over a week while we go on a much needed family vacation. I'll post pictures and stories when I return.  (I am sneaking a couple of quilting magazines in my suitcase to read at the pool or on the beach.) What a life!!!!

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The Quilt that Grew and Grew

This is a post I had in drafts from a couple of weeks ago. I didn't realize that I hadn't published it, so I decided to go ahead and add to it and publish it now. It is actually the story behind the patriotic quilt I just finished.

When I purchased the 4 four fat quarters on Saturday, I planned to make a small table topper for my dining room table. But as I was looking for a pattern to use, I came across a quilt that I really liked and thought it was a small wall hanging. (That's what happens when you don't pay attention to sizes in magazines.)

So, I started cutting out the fabric for the blocks and realized they were larger than I thought. So, I thought I would only make a part of the quilt. But as I started stitching, I decided to go ahead and add more fabrics and make it just like the pattern. So, I ended up with a small quilt instead of a table topper.





But, I can do so many things with it . . .

Use it as a table cloth on the dining room table
Use it on the guest bed laying it over the white chenille bedspread
Lay it over the back of the couch
Use it as an accent in the entry way

And the list goes on.

Right now, it is on my dining room table and I think it actually looks pretty good.


Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Flag Quilt Finished

Well, after three days of a little bit of housework (not nearly enough), lazing around the pool and reading, and finishing a few school things, I finally made it back to my sewing room and finished my star quilt. Since it started out as a table topper for my dining room table, that is where it is right now.


And the finished borders and binding.


After I placed it on the table, Craig came by and asked when I made that quilt. I told him I just finished it. He like it. That is the ultimate praise.

I always say I learn something new with each quilt I complete. On this quilt I used white top thread and red bobbin thread on the "stitch in the ditch" parts. It worked very well on the top as the stitches are almost invisible. But the red thread on the back really shows the starts and stops because I used the walking foot and back stitched. Oh well, live and learn. I'll know not to do this again.

Hopefully, I'll be able to sew a little each day this week. Although, I really want to do a thorough job of cleaning the house before we leave next Sunday for our cruise. Hmmm, I guess I'll have to catch up on laundry also. Plenty of time, if I don't get side tracked.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Time Flies

Wow! I can't believe it is already Wednesday. No sewing for me since the weekend. Tomorrow is the last day of school so I have been doing things to finish out the year. Believe it or not already starting on a few things for next year while I am motivated.

Just wanted to check in.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

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