background

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Design Wall Monday

The applique border for one side of the double wedding ring quilt is completed. I just had to lay it out so I could see how it is going to look.



If things go as I plan and I don't back out, I will be making another one of these in the future. . .  and I have already decided that the borders would be made in sections and then sewn together after the applique is completed. The whole piece that I am using is just too big. It gets twisted in the machine and then wrinkles and I'm afraid I may be stretching the fabric some. But, it is working--just a little cumbersome.

Each quilt I make is a learning experience. I have definitely learned a lot on this one.  I also feel I will be very satisfied with the results.

If you haven't dropped by Judy's Patchwork Times today, be sure to do so.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A Little of This and That

Finally, I got up and walked again. Almost 2 miles and I was not that tired. It was about 10 degrees cooler this morning than it has been.

After I got home, I picked up the house a little bit. Sat outside and read for awhile.

I stained and varnished this rocking chair


and this cooler yesterday.


I added a coat of varnish and will probably add another tomorrow.

I sat and read some more. Then I worked for about an hour on school stuff. I may be moved from 3rd grade to a 5/6 split class next year.  So I can't do much planning until I find out for sure.

I worked some on the applique on the double wedding ring quilt. If I get after it tomorrow, I should be able to get the whole first side completed. (Believe me, I already know some changes I will make the next time I make one.)

I even got around to making some chocolate chip cookies. They came out oowey and gooey just like I like them. (I have no clue how to spell ooqey.) lol

I really have already fallen a little bit behind on my house cleaning. I should have cleaned the kitchen and main bathroom today and that didn't really happen. The kitchen just needs picked up a little and the floor mopped. The bathroom needs a thorough cleaning.

Well, there's always tomorrow.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Design Wall Monday & Friday Night Sew In

I forgot to do a blog entry on Saturday for the Friday Night Sew-In so I'll just do it along with the Design Wall Monday.

Actually, the only quilt I worked on all last week was the double wedding ring quilt. This is the latest area I have been working on. I have figured out the layout of flowers inside the corner rings. I have them pinned down on one corner but not sewed on yet. I am going to leave it like this while I do the outside borders in case I get a wild hair and decide to change it--yet again.


 This is my progress thus far. I am working on the 2nd 1/8th section.


Usually during the summer I give the house a thorough cleaning. I also take care of other projects. So far, I have done nothing. Not good! So I have made myself a list to clean a room or two each day so I can get the house thoroughly cleaned by the end of the week. That means closet and everything. A big job.

I'm off today to go with Kelsey to look for apartments. It should be a rather quick trip.

Don't forget to drop by Judy's. I always get the greatest ideas. The only problem is that my "To Do" list just grows and grows. What fun!

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Kung Fu Panda?????

My last professional development workshop for the week was today. That means tomorrow I am free to do as I please.  And I hope that is something productive.

I was thinking about working on the next 1/8 section of the border for the Double Wedding Ring quilt this evening.  But I decided it would be nice to take my niece to see a movie. So Larry, Brooklyn, and I went to see this movie . . .


It was a very cute movie. When we got out of the theater, Larry commented how refreshing it was to watch a movie with no cursing or sexual inneundos.

I do believe it was a much needed break for all three of us.

Larry is working Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday next week (which is two extra shifts) so I should get a lot of work done on my quilts. . .

if I don't get lazy.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and can't decide if I will work on the Double Wedding Ring or the black and red 9 patch.  Stay tuned  . . .



Oh and tomorrow night is the Friday Night Sew In. Hope to see you there.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

A Question for those who Applique

Well, I have this eighth of the applique completed. It actually took longer than I thought it would.


I think it looks okay. I have a long way to go, but I don't think it will not take near as long as it would if I were doing hand applique.

So a question for all of you appliquers.

Do you cut out the backing fabric when you applique? Do you do this so they quilt is softer and not as puffy? 

Oh jeez, it's bed time.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Design Wall Monday


After about a month of regrouping and no sewing, I hope I am back on track. I have begun the applique on the Double Wedding Ring Quilt border. I have about half of what you see in the photo above stitched down. I have broken into down into sections. This is the first 1/8 of the border. Gives me something measurable. lol

Who says teachers have the summer off? I'm not sure how I did it but I have workshops everyday this week except Friday. But I really don't mind. Today (Monday) I am learning about the National Common Core Standards that the state of Arkansas has adopted. On Tuesday and Wednesday I will hear a national known author speak about reading groups (love to learn about teaching reading) and on Thursday, I will get CPR certified. 

I also have a niece spending the week with us. She is 9 and loves to swim so entertaining her is pretty simple.

What's on your design wall? Visit Judy L. and let us know what you are working on.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Double Wedding Ring Quilt -- Revisited

I guess it's pretty bad when your future daughter-in-law fusses at you for not working on her quilts. lol

I rethought the color scheme of the applique flowers in the border on the double wedding ring.


I began using only pink/red tones and they worked well with the half of the rings that had the pink tones but not so well with the half of the rings  with the orange tones.


So I revamped the flowers and added orange tones. I do think it balances things out.  I worked almost all day yesterday and didn't seem to get very far. But it does take time to play around with fabrics to find what suits your fancy.

All in all, I got an eighth of the flower applique pinned on and ready to stitch. The rest will be easier and much quicker since my color scheme is ready and laid out.


I did sit down to begin the machine applique last night. I didn't seem to get very far in the couple of hours I worked on it. There's always tomorrow!

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Friday, June 10, 2011

A Relaxing Mini Vacation?

We left on Tuesday with the 5th wheel for Shoal Bay, the local park. The mornings and late evenings were quite pleasant. But the middle of the day was very, very warm. 

I did not take any sewing with me--only reading material. So I spent most of my time there reading. I did watch a few movies on DVD.

This was the view from our camping spot. There were only a dozen or so campers so it was very quiet and peaceful.


Love the playground. Of course, we don't use it any longer. lol  But when our children were young, we would get the spot next to the playground so they could play and we could stay at the campground and watch them.

Then as they got to be teens and took along two or three friends each, they would ride their bikes playing shadow tag and we kept up with them through walkie talkies. Those were the days.


This bird (bluejay) was around the whole time we were there. It was funny watching it frolic in the trees. At one time, it tried to land on a limb but missed and fell down to the next branch.

We returned home around noon today. It was a very relaxing time.

Now, hopefully I will be ready to get busy on all of my sewing projects.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Things are Piling Up Around Here

Do you ever just get so into one thing that you let everything else drop?

I do that quite often. (Unfortunately, it is never house cleaning that gets my attention. lol) I have been totally focused on reading for the past month. Before that I couldn't wait to hit the sewing room each day.

Well, school is out in two days and then I'll have all day to piddle around. Hopefully get back to the sewing room and make some headway on things I need to finish.

Such as . . .


I only have about 10 of these blocks made.


This quilt top has been waiting around for about two years. It's getting tired of sitting around.


Maybe this poinsettia quilt will be my focus for the holiday this year.


I really planned to have this hand quilting finished by now. But when I start reading, I forget all about it.


The above snowflakes quilt is pieced and ready to be sandwiched for quilting.


I have started quilting "Tree Time" and planned to put a lot of quilting on this one but my mind went blank. So it's pieced and I have stitched in the ditch and it is waiting . . . waiting . . . waiting . . .


Of course, I had better get with it on the double wedding ring quilt, right Craig?


This one is my favorite and latest. I have decided what I am going to do for the side borders (I need it larger).

So as you can see, I have a full summer planned. Maybe Saturday would be a good day to begin.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails