background

Monday, December 31, 2012

Sometimes

you just have to chuckle at yourself. After I was finished free motion quilting the whole wall hanging Friday, I decided to put the walking foot back to do straight line quilting on the borders. When, low and behold, I had been free motion quilting with my embroidery foot. Oh well, it worked. But, what was I thinking?


I usually wait until the first weekend after the 1st to take down Christmas decorations. This year, I am in a hurry to get them down. I guess because I know it will take a day or so to get them down and we go back to school on the 3rd. So I got most of them packed away and the boxes put back in the closet yesterday.

I haven't been away from the house since Christmas Eve (except to go to the movie with Larry on Saturday) so I have to go to town to pick up a few things for the New Year's Eve gathering. I have to laugh because when Larry had my vehicle and I couldn't get out, all I wanted to do was go to town. But now I have my vehicle and I don't want to go anywhere. Why are we like that?

The snow out the back door is almost melted away but in the front . . .

 

It is a really dreary day out today. I need the sun!

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Friday, December 28, 2012

One of those days . . .

when nothing goes right. I decided to make a winter banner to hang outside. I was planning to machine embroidery on it.

So I got out my machine and then realized I hadn't loaded the embroidery software on my Macbook yet. It was only installed on my pc--which quit working quite a while ago. So I loaded it on my Macbook, downloaded the design, made changes, and saved it.  When I got ready to write it to the card that fits into my embroidery machine, it wouldn't write to it. So after messing with it for a couple of hours, I finally figured out that the card reader I had to use is not working any longer.

So, it was 11 o'clock and I had nothing accomplished. Bummer!!! I had planned to quilt while the embroidery machine was running so that didn't happen either.

Had a quick light lunch and then got busy on this panel I had purchased a couple of years ago. I don't usually buy panels and only did because it was on clearance and I had just decorated my bathroom with bird houses. 


Anyway, I did a quick stitch in the ditch around the triangles and decided to follow the pattern of the fabric for the quilting. 


My question is . . . "Would you leave the bird puffy like it is or do some thread painting in that area follow all of the lines in the design."

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Today I

was able to accomplish quite a bit. I started off washing sheets from Craig's bed. Him and Becca will probably be spending New Year's Eve here. Yippee.

I took extra time cleaning the kitchen, mopping the floor and all. It's been awhile since I really scrubbed it good.

I worked a little bit on my sewing room, especially to see how many quilts I have started and not finished. I want to eventually get plastic boxes to put things in to make the room a little neater and less cluttered looking.

I spent a little bit of time picking up and putting away Christmas presents and boxes that we left out. I always leave my gifts under the tree for a few days.

I also went out to photo the latest holiday quilt I made. I took pictures before but decided I really needed snow for the backdrop. Well, I got that yesterday. I decided to add a couple of other props and make a new blog header while I was at it.



I walked up to the mailbox to get the mail and it wasn't there. It had fallen over got knocked over. Who knows. Another job for Larry.

So, what did you accomplish today?

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Oh my,

I decided to do a little updating to my sidebar and stopped short when I realized that my UFO's have not changed in over a year.  I guess I have made new quilts and just haven't finished the old. I guess I know what I need to be working on this year.  (I also need to straighten my sewing room and put everything in a place.)

The star quilt that I am hand quilting is at a standstill. I took it down when I starting decorating for Christmas but moved some things around and was able to get it back up. I need to concentrate on it.


Below I have listed some good Christmas/Christian movies that I watched recently on Netflix. I should have been quilting while watching. (Instead of messing around on the computer.)

The Letter Writer
The Shunning 
A Christmas Kiss
Dear Santa
Christmas Lodge
The Second Chance
Christmas Puppy
What if . . .
Snow Men
Shadow Island Mysteries: Wedding for One
Shadow Island: The Last Christmas
New Hope
The Heart of Christmas
WWJD II: The Woodcarver

It would seem that all I do is watch movies but I start watching Christmas shoes in November. Probably because they are upbeat, happy, and without violence or cursing.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Snow?

Oh my, yes. We got 10 - 11  inches yesterday.  Sadly, Christmas was cut short. The kids had to go home early.




But, isn't it beautiful.

Not sure what I plan to accomplish today. I have a winter snowman quilt I would like to begin quilting, but I forgot to purchase batting for it.

I may just straighten up my sewing room. Oops, I already decided I need some plastic shoe boxes to proceed.

I have plenty of projects that I can work on and plenty of things to do around the house. So why do we always want to do something we can't. I can go for days during the summer not leaving the house. Now I am snowed in for a couple of days and I want to go out.

Well, I'll find something to do.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas blessings

to all of you out there. May your day be blessed.


Christmas for many in our area may be cut short because of the snow that is heading our way. But then again, it may be extended for some as family stays home instead of traveling today.

My wish for you today is to stay warm, rest, visit, and create memories.

Merry Christmas to all!


Monday, December 24, 2012

It's Christmas Time in the Country

 

 I have been wanting a flocked Christmas tree. I got this one in 2008--I may get another one this Christmas.

Do you get up early even when you don't have to because that is your routine -- or do you sleep in whenever possible? I am almost always up and around before 7 am.  On school days, I am up at 4:30, out of habit. When my children were still at home, that was my quiet time. Now, it is a habit. I get up and do my morning devotions and drink a couple cups of coffee in silence before I get ready for the day.

Today, I was up by 6:30 and feel like I slept the day away. lol 

I plan to spend this morning making chocolate chip cookies and dipping marshmallow pretzel sticks in chocolate.The kids will be arriving around noon, or shortly thereafter.

We will go to my mother-in-law's home for a few hours in the afternoon and then travel about five miles for Christmas with my family. Hopefully, the kids and I will attend midnight mass at Subiaco Abbey. It has been many years since I have gone to midnight mass there. I remember when I was growing up, I loved to hear the monks singing. Larry is working on Chritsmas Eve again this year.  That's just how his rotation worked out. Hopefully, next year he will be off both Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

We are watching a big snow system that is heading our way. I love seeing the wonderful white snow covering the land and trees, but I don't like being stuck inside.


The view out the back door in 2008.

But, I am thankful we are out for the holidays and I don't have to get out. I guess Larry and I will be shoveling the driveway again as he has to go to work on the 27th.


Our driveway peaks at the top by the road and at the house. Both of these areas almost always have to be shoveled. Usually by me. It is invigorating to say the least.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Wow!

This year really has flown by. I've been off from school since last Wednesday afternoon and am really enjoying it. I've read an Amish Series "Jacob's Daughter" on my Kindle. I think all 7 books in the series cost me around $13.

My latest project was to make each of my sister's a pillow for Christmas.


Oh, and above the pillows are the new stockings I made. I needed to make a stocking for Becca, so I made us all a new one. I absolutely love the simplicity of them. 

I made the pillows for myself to begin with and then decided to give them  away, so the next time I go to Fort Smith I am going to have to purchase some more burlap.

I hung the Merry Christmas quilt above the wood stove in the den.


I decided to show you a couple of handcrafted items I made from scrap quilts.


This one has a wooden base.


This one is all fabric.  Both of these have been around for over10 years. I haven't really made much hand crafted items, except quilt-y things, in several years.

Well, tomorrow is going to be a busy day and I still have a few ornaments to stitch for my family.


Happy snipping, stitching and quilting!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

A Beautiful Weekend

What a beautiful day! Actually the weather has been beautiful and warm since my school break began last Wednesday.

I actually slept in until after 7. That is late for me because I am usually up at 4:30 during the week and by 6:00 on weekends. I just can't sleep any later. When I do, my body aches. I guess from laying still longer than usual.

The kids were home for Thanksgiving but Larry had to work. We visited at my moms and ate way too much.

I think I have all of my Christmas decorating completed. It takes me forever because I am so picky. But now the house is all clean, dusted, and filled with Christmas cheer.

I haven't done much sewing lately, too busy with other things.

It's back to work tomorrow.  It is only 3 1/2 weeks until Christmas break.

Well, I tried to add some photos but I have reached my free storage limits. So I need to decide on a plan for more storage. I'll have to ask Craig for advice on that. 

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting. 

Thursday, November 22, 2012


I hope all of you are spending Thanksgiving in the way you want.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Perfect weather

for camping. It was unbelievably warm.


We went to a Corp of Engineer park by the Lock and Dam in Ozark. I do believe it has become my favorite park. Every campsite was level and large enough for any size RV. And all of the spots were easily accessible. Lots of shade, especially the area where we camped.


The weather was wonderful. Jackets in the morning with a cool breeze most of the afternoon. Larry pulled the 5th wheel and set up on Thursday afternoon. I had an easy drive to work on Friday. Saturday was beautiful. We were only a few miles from town so we had decided to take lunch meat and snacks and eat dinner out each evening. We went to a Thai restaurant on Thursday evening. Larry ran out for pizza on Friday evening and we sat around the campfire playing scrabble. Saturday evening we attended Mass and then ate at the local BBQ place. Delicious.


These photos were taken from the opposite side of the river at the "Lookout".





The trip was cut a few hours short Sunday morning due to weather forecast of thunderstorms. So we just packed up early and came home. Now it's back to the "real world".

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Latest finish

My heart goes out to all of those on the east coast who lost their homes and belongings in the storm. I think how I complain if my electricity is out for a few hours or my internet is down for a little bit.

I spent the weekend working on another Christmas quilt. Why? Because I have the fabric just waiting to be used.


 A very quick, simple quilt that can be adjusted to any decor or season by changing the applique in the pattern. Every time I get ready to take a picture the wind starts blowing. Well, the wind is blowing here just about all of the time. (On top of a ridge.)

I simply used 4 charm packs of Moda Jovial Basic Gray and a yard, more or less, of the light fabric for the sashing. I had also ordered 1/2 yard of red and green for the poinsettia applique. I've had the fabric for a couple of years so it probably is no longer available.






I really thought the backing had poinsettias on it, but it is all holly. Oh well.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Fall Blogger's Quilt Festival

It is time once again for Amy's Fall Blogger's Quilt Festival. I decided to enter one of my quilts that reminds me of fall and winter (judging by the picture).


This is my Orange Crush Quilt made from a Bonnie Hunter Mystery. I was not crazy about the small half square triangles and some fabric I was using that seemed to stretch out of place very easily. I finished the quilt top and then let it sit for quite awhile before I quilted it.


If you look closely, you can see that I added piping before the final border.


Then I got the big idea to layer two layers of polyester batting together. Not the smartest thing to do when quilting using a domestic sewing machine. But the results were well worth the trouble. It is the softest, squishiest quilt that I have made.


And everywhere I go people compliment me on it.

I actually began making it for my son but he didn't care for the zebra print I put in it.


Too bad. Now it belongs to my husband. And he doesn't share very often.


It did go on the bed in the guest room for awhile. But mostly, it is used as a throw when he is watching TV.


Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

A Quick Update

I have been pretty busy all week but not a lot of progress to share.

I have several pieces put together for the double wedding ring quilt.


I have more than these made but took them off of the design wall before I took a picture.

I spent most evenings last week hand quilting on the star quilt. I have 1/3 of the two blocks I am now working on left to do and 2 more whole blocks. Then a couple of rows of sashing and the outside border.

Today I pulled out some Christmas fabric that I had ordered a couple of years ago with a certain quilt in mind. I was able to get most of the top put together. It is a simple four-patch with sashing and I will add some applique poinsettia's sprinkled within it. I'll have pictures later.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Sometimes it's the little things

that make the most difference.

Advice for anyone making a double wedding ring quilt or any other quilt with small templates. Two things that are a must.

Sandpaper on the back of your templates and a small rotating cutting mat.


I just used sandpaper from the garage and used double-sided scotch tape. Oh my, what a difference. I don't know why I didn't do this on the last double wedding ring quilt that I did. So far the templates have been slip free.


And look at this clean sewing table. Oh my, I can't remember how long it has been since it has been so uncluttered.


Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

What a day!!!!

I was up by 6 am, which had Larry totally baffled. He can't understand how anyone would want to get up that early if they didn't have to. But I took my time having my morning coffee and then started laundry and had the kitchen cleaned and was out the door by 9 am.

I started out at Mama's Log House where I couldn't resist this fat quarter bundle of batiks.


Then I went to the Belle Point Quilter's Guild Quilt Show at the Convention Center. It was small but nice for our area. This is the first year I have attended. Usually, it is already past the date by the time I hear about it.

These were some of my favorites. Just quick takes with my phone.




I really wish I would have entered Becca's Double Wedding Ring Quilt. There was nothing even close to it there. Beautiful quilts but nothing like the entries that people post from the really big quilt shows.

The fabric I purchased is for a double wedding ring quilt for Kelsey. I am doing an applique border but it will be different from Becca's. I am thinking on the lines of something like this.


I'll have to work on how to make it go down the sides of the quilt. But I am also looking at a couple of other designs also. So, who knows.

What a great day! (But I didn't get groceries like I planned because the stores were just too crowded.)

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Oh my,

the days seem to be getting away from me. I have been busy, busy, busy. Lots of sewing, machine quilting, and hand quilting going on--but no pictures. The lighting is awful in my house and it is dark when I leave in the morning and almost dark when I get home in the evening. Who says teachers get to leave at 3 p.m.?

The star quilt I made from men's shirts is complete--binding and all. I love the look. I am going to wash it and then probably hang it in the den.


This Merry Christmas quilt is also completed now--binding and all.



I have been hand quilting almost every evening also. It is so slow going, but I am now down to about 8 blocks and the border. Maybe I'll have it finished by Christmas.


I went to a wonderful retreat at the Subiaco Abbey and Academy last weekend.  I grew up about half a mile down the road. My stress goes down just driving into the parking lot.

I am tutoring two nights a week for an hour or so after school. I am teaching the middle school CCD class for church every Wednesday night. I thought we were supposed to slow down as we get older. Not sure how I got this busy.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails