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Monday, January 31, 2011

Pin Basted and Ready to Go

Well, I sat down this evening and put the t-shirt quilt together. It is pin basted and ready to start quilting tomorrow evening. Although, it could be during the day tomorrow (Tuesday) if the ice and snow hits us like they are forecasting.


I really think we may be going to school in the morning and getting out early. I believe if we can make it past 1 o'clock or so it qualifies as a full day.

Really and truly it's past my bedtime. So . . .

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Design Wall Monday

I've decided to try to make a t-shirt quilt. (If all goes well, I may try to make some extra money. I'm thinking the local parents may want graduations gifts.) 
 

It is definitely trial and error.  So far so good. The sashing is just laid out on top. Hopefully, after work today, I'll get the top sewn together.

Have you ever hung onto something forever and ever and then threw it away and then you needed it. Well, Larry had two drawers full of old t-shirts. A few were purchased, many were freebies from giving blood, volunteering at events, etc. Over the past year, he has been weeding them out.

Out of the goodness of his heart, he told me that I could have any of the t-shirts in his bottom drawer--just make sure I keep him 4 or 5 to wear while working out in the yard. I went to his drawer to pick some out and, lo and behold, there were only 4 or 5 t-shirts in the drawer. I guess he really weeded them out! lol He doesn't have a clue where they are.

So, I found 3 in my drawer that were pretty old and I didn't wear anymore. I added extra blocks to make a lap size quilt so if I don't need it for a sample quilt, it will still be of use to us.

Now, if I decide to quilt for others, I'm going to have to hit the local "Helping Hands" to get some t-shirts to make a full sample with all t-shirt blocks. I think I can get shirts for 25 or 50 cents. So that won't be too bad. If not, I'll hit garage sales. 

Don't forget to swing by Judy L's for Design Wall Monday.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Find JOY in all you do . . .

One of my new year's goals was to find JOY this year.

One of my favorite parts of taking the 5th wheel out is waking up to hear the birds singing.

This morning, I got up and sat on the couch. I took out my Serendipity Bible and notepad and began my morning routine. It was early and the sun was not up yet. As I sat reading and thinking, I heard a bird singing.

. . . And felt joy.

As I continued reading, I noticed my coffee cup was empty so I got up for a refill. From the kitchen window I could see the sun was beginning to rise and a faint glow was peaking up through the trees.

After I finished my study and went into the kitchen to put up my coffee cup. Once again, I heard the bird singing. I looked up and again felt joy.




So, today, instead of my usual closing today, I say . . .

May you find JOY in all you do today.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Almost 80 degrees in January. . . Crazy!

I tried to get some good pictures of "Snowbound" but everything is so dry and dead outside. I guess it goes with the season, huh.




Well, I just watched the news and I may be able to take those snow pictures this week. It was almost 80 outside today. (I should have dropped everything and sat outside reading.) The weather man just said that we are not in the winter watch for the storm system on Tuesday yet, but probably will be.

I did make it out to walk today. I stopped at a mile so my legs and feet wouldn't hurt since it's been so long since I've been out. I walked around 10 a.m. and it was about 55 so it felt pretty good. Looks like rain and colder weather tomorrow so probably no walking.

Hope you had a great Saturday!

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Ta--da . . .

It is my first finish of the year.

Well, I did it. I sat down tonight and did some straight line quilting on the border of my "Snowbound" quilt, added the binding, and it is finished.


The colors are off and I don't have a place to get a good picture. Rumor has it that it is supposed to be warm and sunny again tomorrow. So hopefully, I can take it outside and get a couple of good pictures.

Rumor also has it that snow is inching it's way back to us next week. I guess that would be a perfect back drop also. We'll see.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Progress on "Snowbound"

I had my monthly teacher dinner tonight so I missed the ball game. But, I got home in time to sit down and quilt for a little while.

Remember this quilting on my "Snowbound" quilt. (I thought something just wasn't right and took it out.)


What a difference the quilting thread makes sometimes.


Granted you can't see the quilting but now I can see my thread accents.


Now I just need to quilt in the borders and add binding.

I can't believe it has taken me this long to get this quilted. I was so excited to get it finished. My, my I lose interest fast. lol

Hopefully, I'll sit down tomorrow and finish it. If . . . I can decide what fabric to use for the binding.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Comment Problem -- Hopefully fixed

I am trying to get to the bottom of this problem of people not being able to comment on my blog. I went to blogger help and someone made a comment that he thought it was from using a 3rd party blogger template. I was using one so I changed my design today to use the templates, etc. from blogger only.

Another person suggested going to the edit HTML and choosing "Revert widget templates to default" so I changed that also.

Now I ask that my readers please comment and then email me to let me know if you still were not able to leave a comment. I hope this fixes the problem because I do love to read peoples comments. Most of the time, I actually learn from them.

What am I working on today?

Why a pink IPad cover for my future daughter-in-law, who loves pink.



Happy snipping, stitching and quilting.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Some Days Just Fly By . . .

But I did accomplish something.

Craig chose this fabric . . .


And it magically turned into this . . .


His new IPad case, protector, thingy-ma-giggy.


I never would have chosen these fabrics but I really like the way it turned out. The colors are truest in the top picture. They were taken in natural light and the other two were not.

Can't wait to see what I can get into tomorrow.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Friday Night Sew In Results

While I didn't do what I had planned to do, I did have a productive evening.

First I ripped out the quilting on my "Snowbound" quilt. I just kept looking at it and it bugged me. It just didn't have the look I wanted.



So I decided to rip out the quilting and will try again. I think I'm going to go ahead and use the stars and loops meandering but use invisible thread. The silvery gray thread I used made the white snow accents blend in with the quilting. I felt like my eye was going everywhere trying to find the white embroidery accents I used in the blocks.

Well, we all know how long it takes to unquilt. lol

By that time, I decided to sit down and put numbers to paper so I could decide what to charge for the Double Wedding Ring quilt. As most of you know, that can take a long time also.

But, I was warm and cozy close to the fireplace watching TV at the same time. Nice, comfortable, and relaxing.

Happy snipping, stitiching, and quilting.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday Night Sew In

I really planned to go to a ball game tonight but Larry is working an extra half shift so I think I'll just stay home and sew.

The Friday Night Sew In is tonight so I'll have friends to sew with. lol


I plan to just work some more on the Double Wedding Ring quilt.  I have a a Double Wedding Ring Quilt that was made by my paternal grandma, probably in the 40's. I am amazed at the tiny 1-inch blocks used. See it on the top rung of this ladder. (I wanted to take a picture of it laying out but it is in the bedroom and my lucky husband, who is off until 5 tonight, is still snoozing.)


And Kelsey has one made by my mother about 10 years ago. I also have a Double Wedding Ring quilt made from a pre-printed panel. I don't really count that as a panel. Although there are some good memories behind it.

So, if nothing else, I will have a double wedding ring quilt that I have thought about making for the past 20 years. And I do think it will look good on my bed.

Does anyone know why blogger will let me comment on some blogs with no problems and then "eat" the comments I try to leave on other blogs? I just do not understand. I just know that I am missing some great give a ways because I cannot comment.

Happy snipping stitching and quilting.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Whatcha working on?

I have aborted abandoned all of projects I have started. And once again started something new.

Actually, a colleague of mine asked me if I ever made quilts for other people. She has a daughter getting married and she has asked if I would make her a double wedding ring quilt that she could give her daughter as a wedding gift.

I told her the reason I did not make quilts for other people is that I'm afraid people will not want to pay what they are worth. She told me that money was not an object. I told her I would do some research and see if I could come up with a price.

I had already purchased the acrylic double wedding ring templates last summer.
(I don't think this is the set I bought, but you get the picture.)

So I decided to work up a couple of blocks to see how hard easy it is to make this quilt. Actually, easy it is not. I worked most of the day cutting out blocks and piecing a few.  And never quite often ripped out to make the center of the arched blocks lay flat and straight.


And laid out so you can see the light areas together . . .


And the dark blocks . . .


I need to ask her if she wants me to pick the fabric. Or if she wants to furnish the material. She asked if I would make it all different colors or what. So she may want me to just use scraps I have around the house. I really hope she just says these colors are good and I can use what I have made and add to it.

I haven't really come up with a price yet.  Any suggestions?

I'm going to tell her tomorrow that I will do it and work up a price over the weekend. If she agrees . . . Great!  Maybe it will open up doors to earn some extra money.

I'm sure I will be back to school tomorrow. Today was a great productive day.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Snow Update

It is now 1:00 p.m. and . . .


We have a couple of inches.


Thankfully the University of Fort Smith was closed at 11 this morning so Kelsey doesn't have to get out in this stuff.  Beautiful to look at but terrible to get around in.

It's only supposed to get colder today and it is predicted that the roads will freeze tonight and be worse tomorrow. So schools will probably be closed again. Good for the sewing but will add a day to the end of school.

I'm going to enjoy the day and worry about tomorrow in the morning.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Two days off . . .


No, not today. This picture is from a previous year. I just think it's pretty. I caught the snow as it was falling from the tree branches. I think we had about 10 inches in this picture.

Well, it's sleeting with a call for 1 - 3 inches of snow. The schools in Northwest Arkansas are closed for snow. Here in the River Valley, all of the schools have closed in anticipation of the snow that is supposed to hit in a few hours.

I was off from school yesterday for another trip to the ENT. This time they are going to use a balloon to stretch my airways. So we'll see how that goes. Then in a few months off to an Upper GI specialist. Ugggghhhhhh!

As of now, it is 6:33 and I am going to change clothes and hit the sewing room. It's a free day so housework is going to wait. I'm spending the day sewing. Yipee.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Design Wall Monday & "Snowbound Quilt"

One of my design walls has the "Tree Time" blocks on it still. I haven't worked on them at all.


One the other design wall is one poor little lonely "Poinsettia Block".


I put it there when I was working yesterday to remind me that I really need to work on this wall hanging.

In the meantime, I resumed quilting on the "Snowbound" quilt yesterday. I finished stitching around the blocks and then started quilting on the blocks. I decided to do a edge to edge loop and stars meandering. I know most people don't quilt over the applique but I decided to see what it would look like. I can't make up my mind if I want to continue or rip it all out and start again.


I believe it looks fine on these Irish Chain blocks but . . .


I'm wondering if it looks too busy or takes away from the applique on the snowman blocks.  I really dread taking it out but I don't want to mess up the quilt.

Be sure to stop by Judy L's to see what everyone else is working on .

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Hooded Scarf Tutorial

You may remember that I made my mom and 3 sisters a fleece hooded scarf for Christmas.



I had a couple of people ask me how I made them so I thought I would do a mini tutorial.

Step One -- Cutting

Standing in front of a mirror, take a measuring tape and put it around your neck to measure how long you want your scarf.  I like mine to hang around mid thigh.

Cut a strip of fleece 10 inches by the length you feel you need. Mine is 74 inches long, but I am only 5' 2" so if you are tall you may want yours longer. (After mine was complete, I realized I would like it to be a little longer. This one was made for a short coat so it is about right. But, If I were wearing it with a longer coat, I would make it longer.)


Step Two -- Decorate

Add decorations to your scarf if desired.  I used machine embroidery but your could easily applique or your could leave it plain. Be sure to take into consideration that you will be fringing the bottom edges. My fringe is around 4 inches.


CJ sent me the link to Embroidery Library and that is where I got my designs. They are very inexpensive and stitch out beautifully.

Step Three -- Make the hood

Fold the strip of fabric in half and lay out flat. Now you will sew the hooded part. ( I stitched in blue so you could have a pattern to follow.) This is also trial and error.  I used 5/8 inch seams.  Then I tried it on to check the fitting. I did have to make some adjustments.


There may be a point at the back of the head. You will need to adjust it to fit your head. You will also need to check the back neck seam to see if it needs lengthened or shortened.After I was sure it was stitched like I wanted, I trimmed the seams.


Warning -- After I sewed mine I decided I should have stitched along the opposite edge. I am left handed and naturally sling the right side over my shoulder and the design ended up being on that side. So I have to be careful to remember to sling the left side over my shoulder instead so the design will show while wearing it.

Step Four -- Make the Fringe

Lay the scarf on a flat surface. I put mine on my largest cutting mat. Decide how wide you want the fringe to be and use your rotary cutter to cut through both layers at once. I cut mine about 3/4 of an inch wide.


 I do not know a lot about fleece but I have read that if you purchase the higher quality fleece, you do not have to hem the edges. I thought about doing a blanket stitch around it but decided I wanted to leave them plain.

And here's how it looks on.


Craig was my photographer. He told me after the first picture I should smile because it looked like a mug shot. Then, of course, I laughed. Oh, well.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Friday, January 14, 2011

I Was a Winner . . .

of this Charm Pack. . .


from TeaQuilts.   A big "Thank You" goes out to "Tea in MO".

The ideas are bouncing through my head. I fell in love with black and white fabrics when making the "Orange Crush" quilt. I have often though of making another using a different accent fabric. Now I'll have the chance. I think I'll pair it with red. But instead of using Bonnie's Orange Crush pattern, I am thinking something very, very simple.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Civil War Quilts

You may not know that 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. For the past few years, I have been interested in the history of quilts in the Civil War and The Underground Railroad. This past weekend, I came across Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilts website.

Barbara is posting a block a week with the history of the block and at the end of the year, those who follow along will have 52  8- inch blocks to make a Civil War Quilt. Now, I thought about jumping right in but realized I didn't know enough about it to know what fabric to use. Barbara does give some examples of fabric on the site and she also has a bundle of fat quarters coming out soon--Civil War Reunion for Moda. There are a few pieces in this bundle that I don't care for and I would rather spend the money on fabric I enjoy.

I did a little research today and decided to order Barbara's book. 


After I ordered it, I think I may have enjoyed this one more.


Anyway, I'm going to do some research before I spend the money ordering fabric. I want to make sure I like the fabric as well as it be sure it correctly depicts the time period. I feel that as long as I start in the next month or two, I would be able to catch up easily by making 2 or 3 blocks a week instead of just one.

But then again, I may just research blocks used during this time period and make a sampler quilt using reproductive fabrics.

Or I could make the "Dear Jane" quilt. We know Karen has made two beautiful ones. So many small blocks to make.

Then there is the Civil War Bride Quilt. It seems awful busy. I think it needs about an inch sashing to break up the blocks. I guess some would think that would ruin it.


Then I came across the Civil War Diary Quilt by Rosemary Youngs.


Maybe I would have been better off just starting Barbara's without doing research. Then I wouldn't have so many decisions to make.

So many quilts--so little time. 

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Plans for the New Year

This is a post I made over at my other blog At Home on Pine Ridge. I have decided to only post on this one this year. Of course, that is subject to change. I just don't feel I have enough to say to keep both of them going.

So far two ideas have come to mind.


and


Joy -- I want to find Joy in all that I do and in all that is around me. It is a state of mind. I am often happy. But Being Joyful just sounds like a good way to live.

Faith -- I do have Faith and don't think of it as faltering. I do live my life as a good Christian but we all have room for improvement. I do plan to return to spending more time "reading about my faith" and "talking to Jesus".

I know many people do not make New Year Resolutions or set Goals. They feel that these set them up for failure.  But in order to improve ourselves and our walk with the Lord we do need to have a plan. So maybe we could call them "Plans for the New Year".

Take Care and God Bless!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Design Wall Monday & Snow Day


Tree Time is still on my Design Wall. I haven't been in the sewing room all year. I can't believe it. I have been hand quilting.

All area schools are closed today so I have another day off. Yea! Except that means making the day up some other time when I will really be wanting a break.

I am so proud of myself. Don't laugh Craig. I got an I-Phon back in July but have not downloaded any ring tones or songs. So this morning, in the stillness of the house, I ran across this page that gave me step by step instructions for making a ring tone in I-Tunes. I made the first one perfectly by myself but couldn't get the next one to work. Craig to the rescue. I was skipping a step.

So now I have a different ring tone for Larry and the kids (like I did with the old phone). And the school and the superintendent's office for snow day calls.

I was going to make me a waffle for breakfast but realized I gave Kelsey my pancake mix with the waffle maker I got her for Christmas. So I got out the sandwich maker instead. I made a peanut butter, chocolate chip, banana sandwich. Yummy.  (My kids are probably gagging.)

Now it's off to put up my Santa decorations and move around the Snowman and then hopefully to the sewing room.

Be sure to stop by Patchwork Times to see what others are creating.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Well, the snow started early this afternoon.


By 5 p.m., there was some build up on cars but not really on the roads.


But, I was in doors in the warmth watching the original "True Grit" with Larry. (We went to see the new version of "True Grit" with some friends last night.) It's been so long since I saw the original, I wanted to watch it to compare the two movies.

The wood stove was heating us up nicely. And I was hand quilting while watching the snow falling out of the picture windows in the den.

Now, I've moved to the living room and once again am warm and cozy.  This is where I'll stay for the rest of the evening.


If it stayed this cold for a couple of weeks, and I didn't have school, I might be able to finish this quilt. lol

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

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