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Monday, August 30, 2010

Design Wall Monday

I spent a wonderfully relaxing Sunday in the sewing room.

Not really anything on my design wall. It is on my cutting table instead. But I just had to sew one block together to see what it will look like. This one is being made as a Christmas gift but I believe it may be hard to give away.


There will be other Irish Chain blocks that are pinks and white. I haven't started cutting the pink fabric yet. This is really the first quilt I have made sewing strips together and then cutting them. I am amazed by how much faster it is than cutting each piece separately.

Looking for new quilting ideas. Visit Design Wall Monday at Judy L's Patchwork Times.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Believe

It's finished and it turned out just like I wanted.


When I started, I didn't know what border fabric I would use. But, I think this fabric was just perfect.


Did you notice the little nativity I added? Just a subtle reminder for my family and myself.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Latest Project

After my last quilt finish I decided I wanted a quick project. I guess it's kind of like instant gratification. As I read blogs and search web sites, I bookmark sites and have a category for quilts to make. So I paged through these bookmarks and decided to use this pattern from "You Can Quilt This" to make a wall hanging to cover the vents on my fireplace this Christmas. 

I have enlarged the letters and the finished wall hanging will be around 40 inches by 16 inches. The letters are cut out and I am ready to machine applique. I think I'll use a satin stitch for a little more dressy look.


I know, Kelsey, I don't need any more Christmas decorations. And yes, Craig, I know it's not Christmas.

But . . . 

That's just me!

Happy snipping, stitching and quilting!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Be Attitudes is Finished!

Well, it is finished but no picture. I finished it last night but wanted to wait until it was hanging in the classroom to photo. I thought the border looked a little wonky but I decided to try hanging it and seeing how it looked.  I was in too big of a hurry to get it up to worry about washing it. But when I hung it, I decided it wasn't going to hang right so I took it right back down to bring home tonight to wash and block. But, I left it on my chair in the classroom. So no picture and no quilt.

But that is okay because now I can wash it this weekend and take my time making sure the border lies flat.  Just wanted everyone to know I wasn't missing in action.

I'm home alone on Saturday so I am making plans. Maybe a quick trip to Mama's Log House. I have a couple of quilts I am thinking about making and want just the right fabrics.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Monday, August 23, 2010

What a Day!

Still haven't made it back to the sewing room.

We made a trip to Little Rock to talk to the doctor to see what procedure would be done to correct the airway obstruction. I will be going back next Tuesday for another bronchoscopy where they will clip the tissue build up in 3 places with hopes that the tissue will shrink up and into the lining of my throat opening the airway.  The doctors are still baffled as to why I have the tissue build up. I've had my local physician baffled for 10 years.

They warned me that they have one women with the same problem that they still do not know why she has it. I told Larry as long as I don't have anything serious and this procedure works, I don't feel like I have to know why it is there.

We left Little Rock around 3:45 and decided to stop in Russellville to eat before making our way back home. We came out from the restaurant and my vehicle was dead. Luckily Larry was able to call the mechanic from his work, who lives in London--about 7 miles from Russellville to come with his jumper cables. That nice man, drove to us, started the vehicle numerous times because it wouldn't stay started and then volunteered to follow us to the EMS station where he had an instrument to check the alternator. Sure enough, the alternator was bad. So he took Larry to the local parts store to get a new one and then even installed it. Wasn't that great.

I thank the Lord for keeping us safe and Ron for helping us out. What a great friend to have!

As for tomorrow, maybe I'll make it down to sew.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Checking In

Sewed most of the day. Took off a couple of hours to go to the Chuck Wagon Dinner at the fair and church. Our fair gets smaller every year. This year there were only about a dozen quilts entered. I actually thought about entering one but forgot until on my way home from school Tuesday evening and Tuesday was the deadline.

Update one Be Attitudes Quilt: Two blocks to go and the border and binding. Maybe tomorrow--maybe not.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Friday Night Sew In

I have forgot how tiring and hectic the first weeks of school are for teachers. We do a lot of pre-testing our students so we can individualize their learning, especially in reading, spelling, and writing. It is great for the students but a lot of work for teachers. So I have spent late evenings at school (until 6 pm each night) and will probably continue to do so for a couple of weeks. And then . . . I'll have my act together and be home by 4 or 5 each evening.

I love my job, but it does cut into my sewing time. lol

If you follow my blog at all, you know I am trying to get my "Be Attitudes" quilt completed to use in my classroom. So during the Friday Night Sew In last night, I was able to get this quilt sandwiched


and the stitching in the ditch around the blocks completed.


So far this morning, I have completed free motion quilting around the applique and letters of one block. Then I sat and wasted about an hour or so of time by contemplating how to fill in. After looking at the design in the fabric, etc., I have decided just to do a lot of not very dense swirls and loops. And each block using a lot of the same type of quilting. After completing the first block, I do believe it will look okay and not take away from the applique and fabrics used.


Does anyone have any suggestions for stops and starts so they don't show very much on the back of the quilt?. This quilt will always be on the wall, but I can see all of the starts and stops and want to know what to do on future quilts.

Stop by Handmade by Heide to see what other quilters were doing for the Friday Night Sew-in.



Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Nothing Going as Planned

But it's my fault.

My plans were to get my Be Attitudes Quilt completed by tonight so it could be hanging in my classroom tomorrow when students arrived. But . . .

I was sluggish when getting up this morning. Eyes were tired and bags under my eyes (very unusual for me). So I decided to use today to piddle around and get some rest. Larry and I went to the local sale barn, not the actual cow sale--but the flea market held with the sale. We didn't really find anything. Anything interesting was more expensive then it was worth.

We decided to go eat breakfast.

I noticed Larry was walking funny, so I asked him if he needed to go to the chiropractor. He did so I decided to go also. If I don't go for an adjustment each month, after about 3 months I am stiff when I get up to walk. I have decided I would just as soon not be stiff and sore if I don't have to be.

By the time we got home it was almost 12. I decided to sit outside under the patio with the fan blowing and read. I knew I would get sleepy and fall asleep reading because it was so warm. And I did.

I need to sew the buttons on my Be Attitudes quilt and I wanted to do that while watching TV so I put it on hold. Which brings me to the fact that this Friday is the . . .


hosted by Handmade by Heide and Crafty Vegas Mom so I will have an opportunity to finish it this weekend. Hope you can join us.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Design Wall Monday - It's All Downhill From Here

It's all downhill from here. "Be Attitudes" is pieced and ready to be sandwiched and quilted. My goal is to have it hanging in my classroom when the students walk in on Thursday.

I have decided to only use one border and then use a black tone on tone for the binding (that is the black on the right side of the picture).

Any suggestions on how to quilt it? Remember, I quilt using my domestic sewing machine so no pantos.

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

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sewing Non Stop

School starts this Thursday and I set a goal to complete my "Be Attitudes" quilt by Wednesday so I can have it hanging in my classroom on the first day of school. I have been working exclusively on this quilt and I completed my last block today. I think it is my favorite.


I am putting a 1/2 inch black strip between the blocks and what a difference it makes. Can't wait to sit back down tomorrow afternoon (after open house at school) and finish the flimsy. I have decisions to make as the pattern calls for about 3 borders. I hope I have something in my stash to use.


Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Crowing Time!

I have decided that the reason I don't post everyday is that I just don't have anything to talk about. We always say my husband has the gift for gab in our house.

After I took part in Barb's Rooster Party I realized that I have not shown you my Rooster Quilt that was among my rooster pics I took for that post.


This quilt was not really a kit but I did purchase a bag of fabric cut into about 8"x10" pieces to use for the applique. I also purchased the white fence fabric. I also purchased all of the rooster square patterns. This was three years ago when I first began quilting and I didn't know how to applique much less design a pattern like this. It is all machine appliqued with a satin stitch and machine quilted. I actually used invisible thread and stitched over the black lines on the white background wire fabric. (Well, maybe I didn't always stay exactly on the lines. But with invisible thread--who cares.


Here is the series of block patterns I used.




I took a closeup so you could see the designer in case you want to make one of these. I have tried to find her on the internet to see what other great "Color Me Patterns" that she has, but have not been able to locate her. I purchased this pattern and fabric at the Dallas Quilt Show. Making this quilt was a blast.

As you can see I have more patterns than I used on the wall hanging. I first made all 12 roosters and then decided I wanted a wall hanging. What did I do with the other blocks?  I'll save that for another day.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

"Be Honest" Block #7

I was really used to completing a block each evening but work is interfering. Can you believe it?

It took me 2 evenings to compete this one. The letters take so long because of all of the curves and turns. I really wanted to complete it by Sunday. I'll settle for Tuesday. I am thinking about hanging it in my classroom and using it as a theme.


I still need to embellish but a lot of that will be put on after I quilt it. I don't want to have to worry about running over buttons and things and breaking them or a needle.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Design Wall Monday


Half way there. Six out of 12 completed.

Stop by Patchwork Times with Judy L. to see what's going on in the design world.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

It's a Good Feeling

Today I attended a wedding shower for my husband's niece. I walked into the shower carrying three bags--none of them for the bride-to be. Actually, her gift was delivered by the store where she had registered.


These bags were the baby quilts for Larry's other nieces--all of whom were at the shower. It was a good feeling to deliver the three quilts and have the parents be so appreciative.


I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the finished pink quilt. Oh well, too late.

Now, I have one more niece that is pregnant and due in September. So, it's back to EQ6 to design another quilt to personalize. Maybe that will be the last baby for a little while.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Some Things Just Aren't Meant to Be!

I have decided that I do not enjoy hand sewing. I tried hand quilting and do not really enjoy it enough to stick with it. Then a couple of months ago I tried hand applique with my "Be Attitudes" Quilt and am not progressing very fast on it either. So I have decided to finish it using machine applique. I know, it won't all match because the first two blocks are hand stitched and the rest will be machine stitched. But I don't care. It's just part of my life story.

But in the past two evenings I have completed two more "Be Attitude" blocks.

Be Loving . . .


And Be Kind . . .


And another block is pieced, applique cut out, and ready to stitch tomorrow evening.

Kelsey stopped by to do laundry and chat for awhile. It's always good to see her and catch up. Thanks Kelsey, for letting me know you like my tree blocks.  I have been so busy all week, I haven't seen Craig but for a few minutes. Hey, wait a minute. Maybe it's him that hasn't been around much.

Judy L. has declared Thursday and Friday as Quiltathon days for her. I'm planning to join her in the evenings after school. Why don't you join the fun?

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Tree BOM -- Block #8

I had a great day. Feeling good. Was able to get about half of my classroom set up. 

Got home around 5 and sat down to work on block #8 of Molly's Place Tree BOM.  It took me awhile because I wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to make it. I made some small changes and am happy with how it turned out.


That mischievous little squirrel is trying to get into my packages. Hmmm! What do you think he is looking for. 

Oops. I did add some red buttons to the leaves in the tree.


Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Wonderful Day in the Sewing Room

I started out this morning going to the doctor for a steroid shot for my rash. Then I was told to take Benedryl every 4 hours. So, I thought I would be napping all day. Not so.

I got home and by 10 a.m. I was busy working on my "Ohio Stars and Rails" quilt. It actually took me longer than I thought. But I finished it--binding and all.




I planned to get a full shot of the quilt on my guest room bed but it had a huge piece of foam (from my hot tub lid--long story) on it and I was too lazy to move it. So hopefully, in the next couple of days, I'll get a full shot.

I also had time to totally finish the cushions for my rocker. The back cushion was not sitting right. (I washed it and it all bunched up.) So I took it apart and just stuffed it. I may look for a piece of foam later but this will do for now.  See this post for the completed chair.

I like the quilt in it much better. But, that would just make me want to keep it at home.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

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