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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Productive -- But Not Sewing

I started to say I had a very non-productive weekend. But, that is not true. I just had a non-sewing weekend. I got into the cleaning mode and totally cleaned my kitchen. I mean took all of the pots and pans and odds and ends from my cabinets and cleaned and rearranged. The only thing I did not get around to was the refrigerator. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow evening. Better yet, maybe Larry will read this post and he will clean it tomorrow when he is off.

I'm working to design a very simple baby quilt for another one of Larry's nephew's wife. She had the baby in September so I had better get busy.  I'm keeping it very simple. Maybe I'll do the personalized embroidery tonight.


Then I have a baby quilt to make for a friend. I always wait until after the baby arrives because I personalize them. This one is for a little girl. I saw a picture of a darling applique quilt that I am thinking about making for her to personalize for a keepsake and then making a very simple nine patch or something for the baby to carry around and thoroughly love.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Congratulations Kelsey!

Kelsey (and Larry and I) has been waiting anxiously to hear if she has been accepted in the nursing program at UAFS, the college she is attending. Well, she heard yesterday that she has been. So it's an exciting day for us.

She will start the program in January. The last 3 semesters, she has been taking the general courses she needs. This helps me know what to get her for Christmas because they gave he a list of what she needs. I think she will need scrubs and I know people who make their own. She is pretty short at 5 feet standing on tip toes. (Sorry, Kelsey I couldn't resist.) So, I know I will have to alter any scrub pants she buys. Depending on how much they cost, I may make her some. We'll just have to see.

So, today, I say a big  CONGRATULATIONS to Kelsey. We are proud of you.




Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Poinsettia Wreath Quilt

I posted the other day about how my thumb was sore from cutting out applique pieces for my latest project. (Which I do not need to be starting on because I have two BOM's to complete and 2 other quilts started.) Hmm. . . I think I have set a new record.

Any way, the quilt I am making is Poinsettia Wreath by Teri Christopherson of Black Mountain Quilts. I purchased one of her books a couple of years ago.  Sorry, I can't remember which one and I forgot it at school. I actually don't see it on her website.

I have one block laid out ready to applique.


I took the book to school to enlarge the placement guide so I could be sure I put the pieces in the correct spot so they would be meeting correctly when I piece the blocks together. I don't trust my judgement on laying the pieces on because the blocks are supposed to be 7 1/2 inches. But I cut them 8 inches so I could trim after I applique. As you can see, there isn't a whole lot of room left. But then again, I will only be trimming off 1/4 inch from each side. So I am on a standstill because I don't want to fill my table surface up with these blocks when I can't stitch them down yet.

So, I'll pick up one of the other unfinished quilts and work on it a little bit.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Back Home and Trying to Get in the Swing of Things

Our camping trip was wonderful. I met Larry there after school on Friday. He had a potato soup cooking so we had a quick yummy dinner and then visited with friends that were also there.


Larry went to work Saturday morning and I slept in. (Not really, I was up at 6:30.) Why is it on weekends if I sleep past 7 I must be sick but during the week I have to drag myself out of bed when the alarm goes off? Probably pretty normal. I had my morning walk and then drifted off to check on my friends at about 11 a.m. They were just getting up and having breakfast. But, I found out that after we left their camp at about 8 p.m., some other friends drifted into their camp and they all stayed up until 3 a.m. -- Not me. I like being up early. Morning is usually my favorite time of the day.

Craig and Becca met me at 3 and we drove to Conway for a nephew's wedding. It was a small affair at their home. They had a tent set up in the back yard and everything was simple but beautiful. I was thankful the rain held off until after 10. By then I was back at camp and snug in the 5th wheel.


I spent Sunday reading and cutting out applique blocks for a new Poinsettia Wall Hanging (or lap quilt) I am going to make. That was the project I threw in and I am glad I had it along. The rest of the day, I walked and read. Larry got back to camp about 9 a.m. and we lazed around all day.


On Monday and Tuesday, I was back at work. We are having computer problems. On Monday, we couldn't even get on our computers. By Tuesday, we could get on the computers and the internet, but we still are not able to print. My lesson plans for this week are not even printed off yet. Oh well. I know what I am teaching, but the principal sure doesn't. But, he hasn't noticed I didn't turn them in yet.

Back to Saturday and Sunday, cutting out the applique blocks. Those of you who use scissors a lot to cut, do you ever bruise your thumb so that it has a numb, tingly feeling when you touch it. I figure it is just bruised from the scissors handle, but as of this morning, it still tingles. Do you think it is just bruised or have I done something else to it?

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A Call for Rain

Larry and I are planning to take the 5th wheel out this weekend to the same recreational area that we usually visit. And once again. the weatherman says "RAIN". But that's okay. (As long as it doesn't flood.) We are meeting some friends there, so it should be a good time.



Long walks and a look at nature. What a life!
 
So, I'm getting ready to go pack up so I can go directly from school to the park tomorrow afternoon.

While I load up, I'm going to be deciding what sewing project I want to take or if I just want to sit and read. I'm afraid if I don't take anything, I'll be wanting it. So, I will pack some project, but we'll only be gone 3 or 4 days so I'm not going to take my sewing machine. Perhaps I will cut out a new project.

No internet service so I'll catch you all on Tuesday.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Design Wall Monday


This is only part of the blocks--the ones I am completely finished with. There are 42 in all and I have all of them pieced. I just need to applique the white piece in the corner of each one. The white fabric under the blocks is just so I can see how it is going to look with the sashing.


Just a close up of the blocks. This is "Snowflakes are Falling" by Natalia of  Piece n Quilt. I did not purchase any fabric for this quilt. I am just using my Christmas Fabric scraps.

I finished "Irma's Rose Garden"--quilting and all. I put it on my bed to admire and forgot to take a picture while it was light enough. Our house has very little overhead lighting so picture taking is almost impossible. So pictures will come later. Hopefully, I can think of a unique setting so I can use it for my header quilt.

Be sure to stop by Judy L's for more Design Wall Monday projects.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting. 

Friday, October 15, 2010

Update

I went in for surgery this morning. They began the bronc and my airway totally closed so they had to abort. Next plan of action. They will order a special numbing medicine to use for me and try again in 2 - 3 weeks. Strangely, I am very calm about it. I guess I just trust the specialists and the Lord.

Hope to quilt for a few hours on my pink and green quilt, which I have named Irma's Rose Garden. (Irma is the recipient.


Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Quick Note and Request for Prayer

It's back to UAMS tomorrow for a rigid bronchoscopy. They are putting me to sleep this time so I will not cough since they cannot numb my throat using lidocaine. They are going in to check to see if the last procedure worked and if they need to do anything else.

Please say a quick prayer that everything goes well.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Do you use fusible web . . .

I spent the weekend working on the pink and green quilt. Kelsey helped me decide on the border fabrics. Then I decided I would add a wide border at the top to make the quilt queen size.


As I sewed, I had trouble with the borders. I was going to use the green and pink polka fabric but was short about 24 inches or the border strip. So I used one of the other green fabrics which I think ended up looking much better. Then I calculated wrong when piecing the backing fabric and had to add an extra white border around it. But, I think that turned out good also.

Then I just knew I would get the quilt sandwiched and start quilting on it tonight. But . . . no!!! I didn't have enough pins to finish pin basting it. It is such a large quilt and I knew I would be tugging it quite a bit so I put the pins pretty close together so the quilt wouldn't shift. I told my daughter it would take me about an hour to pin baste it. That was before I ran out of pins. I text her back and said that now it would take 24 hours to pin baste it. lol

I took this photo after it was laid out but before I started basting it. As for the quilting, I'm keeping it very simple so it stays soft and cuddly.

I am excited and ready to start quilting it. Hopefully the local Wal-mart will still carry the curved pins I need to finish basting. I'm going to try to remember to stop by on the way to school tomorrow so I can get busy right after school tomorrow evening. After my daily walk, of course. (Boy, it makes a difference in how I feel.)

I have another applique project I'm getting ready to start. So, tell me . . . Do you use fusible web when you applique?

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Friday Night Sew In Update


In a little town across the river from us, Altus, there are at least four wineries. One of them was having a winefest today. On the way to school Friday, I heard one of the owners on a radio show talking about the festival. I thought I heard him to say that even though the festival was on Saturday, activities would begin at 3 p.m. on Friday. Since they have a nice restaurant on the premises and he said that during the past year or so they also opened a Bistro, Larry and I decided to go over and eat and listen to some music.

We got there after 5 p.m. and nothing was going on. So, I figured I misheard. We also couldn't figure out where the Bistro was. So we found an employee in the "clay shop" and she told us where to find the Bistro. Well, I've never been to a Bistro but this was not what I expected. It was basically a little sandwich shop in front of a liquor store.

So, we ventured the five miles or so back to the German restaurant and had a wonderful meal.


I think when we came out I heard some music but it was already almost 8 p.m. so we decided to go home.

I settled in my sewing room and was going to work on adding the borders to the pink and green flimsy but didn't have enough of the fabric I wanted to use. I just didn't want to make a decision on borders. So I decided to start on Natalia's Snowflakes Are Falling quilt. I've had the fabrics picked out for several weeks. This is how far I got last night.


Can't wait to get back to work on it. But first the pink and green flimsy will be finished and will get quilted.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Friday Night Sew In


Friday Night Sew In sponsored by Heide and Bobbi is this Friday. I'm not sure what I am going to work on yet, but I'll find something.

I need to make one baby quilt quickly for my husband's nephew and wife. I need to finish two quilts I have started for Christmas gifts. Then I have two other quilts that I absolutely love that I want to have made to decorate for the holidays.

(Edited to remove photo of table runner I could not find the designer to give credit.)

Now, I've rambled enough.

Happy snipping, stitching, and sewing.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Anniversary Update

The weather on Saturday was wonderful. The only time I got a little warm was when traveling with the sun beating in the window. 

We ate at an Italian restaurant called "Bravo Italian".  It is not a restaurant I would go into just from looking at the outside. In fact the building is an old Pizza Parlor so it does not look like anything you would associate with a nice restaurant. A co-worker told me about it and said it was her favorite restaurant. I was very pleasantly surprised. It was much better than Olive Garden and even Macaroni Grill in Little Rock.

The Fort Smith symphony was very nice. They had a guest pianist whose fingers just flew over the keys. I enjoyed it but the piece was very choppy (you know when it sounds like they are pounding) in places and I like piano music that is more slow and soothing. She played during the first piece only. The second piece had only the symphony playing and I thoroughly enjoyed it (other than the symbols that played at unexpected times and made me jump).

It was a great evening to celebrate 30 years of my husband putting up with me. Thanks Larry.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

An Awesome Fall Day Planned

After being away from home for two days, I easily slipped back into my sewing routine. I found that I missed sitting down at the sewing machine for a couple of hours on Wednesday evening while I was away.

I enjoyed making my "Believe" wall hanging so much that I decided to make a "Faith" one like it. Here's a little sneak peak.


I though I would be able to finish it today but it probably won't happen. I really need to do some cleaning. But, that may wait. Our town has a Frontiers Day on the first Saturday each October on the town square. Many people go and stay all day. They offer some games for adults and children, along with food, entertainment and craft vendors. I usually go and walk through it but do not stay long. It is a fun and festive atmosphere.

Our 30th anniversary is Monday so tonight Larry and I are going out to eat at Fort Smith and then the hear the Fort Smith Symphony. Of course, we have a little shopping to do also.  I can't wait. I've only been to the Symphony once about 15 years ago.

So, I'm going to squeeze in a little quilting before I go out to the happenings on the square in downtown Paris.

Usually I say, have fun sewing the day away. But CJ is right, it's the time of year, here in Arkansas, to go out and enjoy the wonderful cool weather. I think Sunday night temperatures are expected to drop down to the high 30's. Wait, we've only had fall weather for two weeks now.

Happy snipping, stitching and quilting.

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