Sew At Home on Pine Ridge

Google Translator

2012-02-01T18:50:00.000-06:00

I love the fact that I have readers from other countries and I love clicking on blogs written by bloggers from other countries. But, I could not figure out how to add the google translator gadget. . .

until today. I finally found the correct code to use to get it to work correctly.

I encourage all of you out there to add it to your blog so we can all enjoy visiting with people from other countries.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Larry update

2012-01-31T17:44:00.000-06:00

Larry is now home and doing well. He is still weak but his sugar levels are good.

We still aren't sure what brought on this attack so quickly but now know that if he vomits more than once, we need to get him to the doc or the local ER and they can give him something to stop it.

He has been a diabetic for well over 10 years and this is the first time anything like this happened. We HOPE it is the last.

No sewing for me tonight. TV, blogs, and probably dozing in between.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Sewing Day Moved

2012-01-29T20:30:00.000-06:00

We had another sewing day planned to work on my niece's wedding quilt. But it had to be moved from my house because . . .

I had to take Larry to the emergency room this morning. His sugar levels skyrocketed. He will have to spend a few days in the hospital. But, as of late this evening, everything seems to be under control. Doctors are still looking for the reason this happened in such a short time frame.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Lazy Days of Summer - I mean winter

2012-01-26T22:33:00.000-06:00

After two evenings of sitting and watching TV and ~~reading~~ trying to read blogs, I really think I need to get back to the sewing room tomorrow evening and get busy.

Our internet is acting up and it is really aggravating. Of course, the more it acts up, the more I want to be on it. Actually, for every click I make to see a blog, I have to click two or three more times to get it to go to the sight.

Craig and Becca stopped by after having dinner with Becca's family. Her grandmother was celebrating her 88th birthday.

Kelsey is enjoying her clinicals at the hospital. I was teasing her that it can't be school--she is having too much fun.

A grueling day at school. I have a intern (student teacher) in my room. It is going great, but when we have discipline problems and the principal needs a witness, I am it. (Because the intern is in my room with my students, I can step out.) I am so old school--that I expect students to show respect to me, other teachers, and each other. Imagine that. So they don't get away with back talking or showing disrespect to teachers on my watch.

It's off to bed so I can begin it all again tomorrow.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Guilty Quilting????

2012-01-24T22:08:00.000-06:00

Do you ever sew away on a project because that is what you want to be working on but feeling guilty because you know you should be working on something else?

Well, that is what I did last night. I know I should be working on the baby quilts but I just wanted to do some mindless applique. So I worked on the Tiger Lily quilt instead.

And . . .

That may be what I do this evening also.

And . . .

It was for the first part of the evening. I appliqued the rest of the blocks I had prepared. Then I resorted to cutting out the first of the baby quilts. Then as I cut the final pieces I realized that I hadn't used the focus fabric that I had purchased. So I figured out what I needed to recut and will start doing that tomorrow evening.

Then as I sat down to type this, I realized that the reason I had more red fabric than I needed was because I purchased a yard of both the red fabric and the focus fabric. I probably don't even need 1 yeard total. But now I don't have to worry about backing fabric. I think I have enough. I'll just piece it.

I did get the center block pieced and ready to embroidery. I usually embroidery before I piece, but since I am embroidering in a triangle instead of square or rectangle, I decided that having it already pieced will be easier to center and place where I want it.

This big square will be on point (not how I have it laid out here.) The full name will be in the center and other information will be in the triangles. More later.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Callling AAA

2012-01-23T19:23:00.000-06:00

Do any of you who travel belong to AAA auto club?

Several years ago. Larry had some training to go to in Little Rock (about 2 hours away). He was to stay a week. We decided that it would be more cost effective to pull of 5th wheel rv down and stay in a park than to stay a week in a hotel. We thought!!!!

On the way home from the trip his truck suddenly stopped . He hadn't been on the road for more than 20 minutes or so. So he called his brother-in-law to come pick up the RV and a wrecker to pick up the truck. The owner of the wrecker service is a good friend and recommended that we get enroll in one of the auto clubs. The one he was affiliated with was AAA. He said that with membership towing was free up to a certain distance. The little bill for towing the truck that far was right around $500.

A few summers ago, we decided to take a Spring Break vacation to Gulf Shores and pull the RV. So we enrolled in AAA before we went and added the RV protection plan. Well, thankfully, we didn't need to use it on that trip. When it was time to renew, we decided to keep it, just in case.

Fast forward to today. The phone rings and Larry says, "My truck just died and it will not start back." What to do? My immediate response was call AAA and I will come get you and bring you home to get Craig's truck. So I called work and explained that I would be late (Thank God for student teachers. I have one this semester.) I drove to almost Midway to pick up Larry. AAA said he had to stay there and wait for the tow truck. We really thought they would call our friend from Paris.

So I asked Larry if he could ride with the tow truck and I could go to work. Yes, that would work. So I traveled about a mile down the road and turned onto another road that took me the 3 miles I needed to go to get to Scranton. Isn't it nice to have more than one way to get to work.

I made it to work at my normal time. The truck was towed at no cost. Yippee. Larry was only an hour and a half late for work. ): And the mechanics haven't had time to figure out what is the problem with the truck. But they did say that after it had cooled down, they started it right up and drove it into the shop.

The worse part is that is was just in the shop last week and cost a fortune to get fixed. Not really a fortune, but a lot to us.

So I guess the question is, for those of you who travel quite frequently. Have you thought about an auto club?

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Design Wall Monday

2012-01-23T05:52:00.000-06:00

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

My design wall has the first 7 blocks of the Fat Quarter Star Quilt-a-long. I am now only one block behind.

I'm going to have to move the design wall out from behind my large storing unit cabinet. I'm running out of space to put these blocks up. Keeping them displayed reminds me to work on them and check for new blocks.

I spent the weekend working on Becca's Birthday Quilt. I am proud to say that the quilting is complete. I need to add the border and a label. Hopefully, I won't forget the label.

After I finished it, I was going to start on one of the baby quilts, but I realized that I was using some red fabrics and it would probably be a good idea to wash it first. So, all of the fabrics are washed and I will be ready to start the personalized embroidery tomorrow evening while I cut out the other pieces.

I also got the Tiger Lily fabrics back out and will work on those applique blocks in between the two baby quilts.

Have a great day!

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

2012-01-21T22:51:00.000-06:00

I happened upon this blog over the holidays, bookmarked it and then forgot about it. When I came across it again this evening, a recipe for Olive Garden breadsticks flashed across the header photo. Becca just told me this evening how much she liked the breadsticks at Olive Garden. There were also quite a few other recipes that looked really delicious. Since I don't have Becca's email address, I thought I would just post the site.

I reached the half way point on Becca's Bday quilt early this afternoon. Since I don't want to show the whole front, I decided to show the back.

Before I started quilting, I decided that I did not want to sit and plan out the triangles I was going to quilt in the sashings. I decided I would just quilt them as I got to them in whatever fashion worked for that area. My goal was to start and stop as few times as possible.

I usually like to try something new each time I free motion quilt. Usually when I stitch in the ditch to stabilize the quilt, I use the walking foot. This time, I am not using the walking foot, but doing it free motion. This is also the first time I have made the swirls.

Larry has an aunt that lives just across the border into Oklahoma. She held a shrimp boil for her husband's birthday. Larry and I picked up Craig and Becca and went to party for a few hours. The food was great and visiting with the family was nice. Kelsey had to work so she was not able to come with us. We sure did miss her. Of course, her step-grandfather asked about her.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Friday Night Sew In , , ,

2012-01-21T07:30:00.000-06:00

will continue for awhile on Saturday.

Larry worked yesterday and last night so he will be sleeping for the majority of the day. So, I can sew, sew, sew.

In addition to quilting on Becca's birthday quilt, and designing two baby quilts in EQ, I was able to complete a block for the Fat Quarter Star Quilt-a-long.

Remember, that is the one that I put all of the fabric into bags and then pull out as many fabrics as I need. Here are the fabric I pulled out.

And the finished block. I was too tired by this time that I did not put it up on the wall with the rest so here it is.

It's late. Time for bed.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

FNSI

2012-01-20T21:24:00.000-06:00

Well, I got started sewing at about 4:30. I quilted for about an hour and then had a light supper. Beans and corn bread.

While I was eating I was designing a couple of baby quilts. I have one that I am definitely going to make. As for the other one--I'm going to let it sit for the night and then look again tomorrow morning to see what I think.

Then I quilted on Becca's Bday quilt for about an hour longer. By then my fingers were aching a bit from tugging on the quilt.

So I read a few blogs and then pulled fabric out of the bags for the next block of the Fat Quarter Star Quilt-a-long from Moose on the Porch.

Now I'm going to see how far I get on putting this block together.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Quick Question

2012-01-19T05:31:00.000-06:00

Just a quick question for all of your empty nesters.

Does working on quilts for your kids
make you miss them more or less?

Have a great day!

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Sneak Peak

2012-01-17T20:51:00.002-06:00

It's aggravating not having pictures of what I am working on. So, I'm giving a sneak peak.

Don't look Becca!

I kind of bet that made her look. lol

I didn't get very far. It took quite a while to decide how I want to quilt it. But now that I have an idea, I'll move right along until I get to the sashing. I haven't decided how I am going to do that space yet.

I have dinner tomorrow evening with my teacher group. So, I probably won't get very far tomorrow.

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday and Ester's Blog for WOW. Be sure to check them out.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Friday Night Sew In

2012-01-16T22:19:00.000-06:00

For the last couple of months I have forgotten about the Friday Night Sew In or have been busy or too tired, etc. . .

January's Friday Night Sew In is this Friday, January 20. Larry is working and the house will be totally quiet. Except for the noise I make. Hopefully, I can leave work shortly after school and work away all evening.

What will I work on?

Fat Quarter BOM (I am one block behind.)
Becca's Bday Quilt (I started quilting it tonight.)
Design 1 or 2 baby quilts
Look around in blogland for Floral applique borders

A long list. I am hoping that if I write it down, I will accomplish a least a couple of them.

Do any of you know of a web site or a book of applique borders. I am wanting an idea for a different border for a Double Wedding Ring quilt for my daughter. She assures me that I'll have a couple of years and I won't have to hurry if I start now. Therefore, I am looking for ideas.

Will you join us for the Friday Night Sew In? The link on the left will take you to the site to sign up.

Happy snipping, stitching, and sewing!

A little bit of everything . . .

2012-01-15T18:17:00.000-06:00

Friday afternoon, I left school early to head to Searcy to a workshop to hear Patrick Carman, an author of young adult fiction, speak about ways to engage children in writing. I now understand how he is such a popular author of children's literature. He is a vivacious speaker and a child at heart. He had fabulous stories to tell and had us roaring with laughter.

He has managed to integrate technology with books as a hook to pull in reluctant readers. In his series, The Skeleton Creek, you read a chapter and then get a password to watch a short video clip on the internet. The videos are a little bit scary so I don't read them to my students unless it is the end of the school year and I have a full understanding of what they watch at home and if they will be scared. Most teachers read the books aloud (they're not very scary) to the students and then let the ones leave the room who think they will be scared. Some teachers give the students the passwords and let them watch the short videos at home if their parents allow it.

His latest series comes with an ap so you can download the ap and read the book, watch short video clips, and play games based on the movie. I think the reader is an actual player in the game. Pretty cool for middle school and high school students. I'm going to try one to see how it works.

I wonder when writer's of adult fiction will take hold of this idea. Perhaps they already have and I just haven't heard about it.

On the home front, I returned home late yesterday evening and spent the evening watching TV and working on a little school stuff.

Today, Larry and I went to Fort Smith. Mainly to get a pillow wedge for me to sleep on to see how it helps my acid reflux. I got an inexpensive and if it works well, I may buy one that forms to your body. They are supposed to be more comfortable.

A beautiful day here with temps in the upper 60's. I decided that when I got home from Fort Smith I would sit outside in the sun and read, but by then the sun went under the clouds and it was cooling off so I read in the house instead.

Now to go put the outside border on Becca's birthday quilt and get it sandwiched.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

2012-01-12T06:07:00.000-06:00

I had a conversation with Craig over the holidays that went something like this.

"Mom, you haven't had any stories on your blog lately. It's all "quilty" stuff."

Well, Craig, you are right. I haven't had any stories. My best stories have grown up and moved away. lol

Unless, you are different from many of us, you spend time on blogs and keep finding projects you want to make. It happened to me again. I came across this BOM at The Shabby. This is the first block.

Isn't it just adorable? Do I need this quilt for anything? No. Do I want to make this quilt? Yes. Will I? I'm not sure. Probably. I have plenty of scraps and would really only have to purchase background fabric.

Really, I have been sewing a lot in the evenings so that I am NOT looking at blogs and getting ideas all that much. This one just jumped out at me.

Have a great day.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

WIP Wednesday

2012-01-11T18:35:00.000-06:00

I now have three block units ready to applique. This time I am using Steam-a-seam2. I have another unopened package but I know that I am going to need another.

I like to pace myself so that I can do some piecing, some cutting, and some applique, a little at a time, so I don't get bored with doing one thing. So, last night I sat down and machine appliqued one of the tiger lily blocks.

Let's see, there are nine tiger lily units so I need to cut out applique pieces for 24 more blocks and applique 35 more blocks. Gee that sounds like a lot but time flies.

I really would like to piece a couple of my nine square blocks but I still need to purchase the black fabric. What an excuse to visit the local (1 hour away) quilt shop! lol

I do believe this quilt will be hard to give away. Speaking of which I told Becca that I think I need a visit from the Double Wedding Ring Quilt. I actually have a couple of pictures of it framed so I guess that will do.

Drop by Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Thank you . . .

2012-01-09T22:10:00.000-06:00

for the lovely comments on my Tiger Lily Quilt. I hate making decisions. lol

I will probably wait until I get all of the blocks appliqued and pieced and then decide. Or I may just let my daughter and daughter-in-law make the decision for me.

I don't feel a whole lot like sewing tonight. So I think I may read awhile. If I get ready to do something I may cut some more applique out. Or I may go ahead and machine applique the four I have made. Decisions, decision.

Have I ever told you that I don't like making decisions.

Well, I did go into the sewing room at about 8. I decided to cut the rest of the background squares needed and have 4 more blocks ready for the applique to be cut out put into place.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Tiger Lily Quilt and Design Wall Monday

2012-01-09T06:26:00.000-06:00

I am in the middle of designing a wedding quilt for my niece. She is having tiger lilies as the flowers in her wedding. When she saw my poinsettia quilt she mentioned she would like one like one with Tiger Lilies.

I have designed this quilt in EQ

and have not totally decided if this is how I will make it. But I do know the tiger lily blocks will look like this

or this . . .

Which do you prefer?

Stop by Judy's for Design Wall Monday.

A Slow Relaxing Sunday

2012-01-08T19:16:00.002-06:00

Well, after much ripping and fussing, I finally have the center of Orca Bay all put together. I also have the outside pieced border blocks made. But just realized that I need a light colored strip border to add first. And . . .

I do not have any light colored fabric to use. Everything I used for this quilt is scraps I had on hand. But any other light colored fabric I have left is already going to be used in other quilts I have started.

So I am going to put it up for a few days or weeks until I can get more fabric and then tackle it again.

In the meantime, I am designing the wedding quilt for my niece. I know it will be a tiger lily applique. (She is having tiger lilies in her wedding.) Just not quite sure how it will look yet. This is one that I have come up with that I am leaning towards.

My tiger lily applique block will not be exactly like that one.

Becca's birthday quilt is all pieced. I only need to add the borders. I'm not going to show it because she has no idea what fabric I am using. Hopefully, it will be a surprise. So I have plenty to keep me busy.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Hopefully, I'm on the Mend

2012-01-06T05:32:00.001-06:00

I have spent the last two days feeling cruddy at school and coming home to the couch. But I got up this morning feeling much better. So hopefully, I am on the mend.

Tonight we play in the Cotton Bowl so I plan to watch it. I think maybe I'll take the Christmas decorations down while I watch it. I know, most people have theirs down already but I always wait until mid January. Usually I leave my snowman out until the end of February (since I don't have any Valentine Quilts or decor). Not sure what I'll do this year.

The one thing I have to remember is to go through the Christmas stuff that I did not use this year and decided to give or throw away. After all, this is our year to de-clutter.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Oh Geez

2012-01-04T05:13:00.000-06:00

As much time as I spent in my sewing room yesterday, I should be finished with the Ocra Bay. Not!

These little blue strip squares are giving me trouble. Or maybe it is the talking or watching TV as I try to sew these in.

Anyway, I should have the main part of Orca Bay all pieced but I still need a couple of rows. After I take out all of the blue strip squares in this row.

Well, it's back to work this morning. I'm trying to stay positive--but just a few more days would be heavenly.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

A Full Day Planned

2012-01-02T06:59:00.000-06:00

My design wall has the Fat Quarter Star BOM on it waiting for the next block. So I am working off of my sewing table right now. I have three rows put together on the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt. I think it is going to be fabulous.

Most of the black and white fabrics I used are left over from the Orange Crush quilt, so they definitely will be connected by both the designer and the fabrics.

My sister is coming back over today so we can work some more on her daughter's wedding quilt. I have two quilts ~~waiting~~ requested that are waiting to be made. One is a quilt for my daughter-in-law to put on the back of her couch to protect it from the cats and the other is a quilt for a wedding gift for my niece.

I am designing the quilt for my niece. (If I were a ~~good~~ fabulous aunt, I would make here an applique wedding ring quilt. lol) The quilt is in my head but I need to get it into EQ so I can begin cutting. I haven't yet decided if it will be primarily applique or if it will be a mixture of pieced blocks and applique.

Be sure to visit Design Wall Monday and the Ocra Bay Mystery Monday Link Up. Beware, each week I find new ideas for quilts that I want to make.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Fun Sewing Day

2012-01-01T23:03:00.000-06:00

Today was another sewing day trying to get my niece's quilt ready for my mom to hand quilt and have finished by the wedding in April.

This is my niece. I can't get her to touch a sewing machine--but she will use a rotary cutter and an iron.

This is her fiance.

He is quilting with my mom. If the quilt pattern wasn't so difficult, I would have had him sewing also. He was ready to do whatever we wanted him to do. (I think he is a keeper.) They are quilting on my "Angels Among Us" quilt that I have been working on the past two winters. Actually last year, I completed quite a bit of it. So far this winter, I haven't touched it. Since we had so many helpers on the wedding quilt, I asked my mom to work on hand quilting this one.

This is my sister, Diane. It is her daughter that we are making the quilt for.

And this is the killer block we are using to make her quilt. I think after two full days of sewing (2 or 3 of us sewing and 2 or 3 cutting or pressing) we have 17 blocks made. We ONLY need 42 of them. Geez.

I know, it doesn't look that difficult. But, believe me--it is.

My sister is coming back tomorrow and we will see what we can get completed. I can't believe it is taking us this long.

My mom says we need to continue this quilting tradition at least once a month. I think she is probably right.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

2012-01-01T08:38:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!

Today is another sew day with my family to work on my niece's wedding quilt. We have most of the pieces cut out. All of the pieces had to be cut out with templates. No strip cutting on this one. I'm going to try to remember pictures this time.

Bonnie Hunter revealed the complete Ocra Bay Quilt and I just love it. And, the best part is that I am close enough to being caught up that I think I can finish up tomorrow or at least by Tuesday.

It's back to school on Wednesday. I think I could get used to being home all day.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

I learn from every quilt . . .

2011-12-31T00:09:00.000-06:00

I make.

Well, part 7 of Ocra Bay was posted this morning. So, I ~~made~~ forced myself to sit down this afternoon and finish those red string blocks. I was also able to sew a few of the red string triangles to the wing triangle units and, oh my, I quickly realized the mistake I had made.

Now, I am a spray starch fanatic. I love the fresh, crisp look I get when I starch. So what is the problem? I have found that starching works well on many blocks, but not so well on those with tiny pieces. I found that I had distorted the blocks as I starched and ironed. Or maybe the problem was that I was ironing and not pressing.

Anyway, I am not totally pleased with how the first 10 or so units turned out, but they will work. I remember I had the same problem with a similar unit in the Orange Crush quilt. I thought they were distorted and looked awful, but that quilt turned out fabulous. And this one will to.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Meet Renda

2011-12-29T07:17:00.000-06:00

Renda is Kelsey's roommate. She is in the same nursing class as Kelsey, so they are able to ride to class and study together. It is really important to have a study pal in nursing--so that works out great.

Renda asked Kelsey if I would make her a quilt if she purchased the fabric. I told Kelsey I probably had fabric I could use. Then I remembered the On Eagle's Wings quilt that I had started.

The story . . .

This quilt started out as a wedding present for a cousin. Then I wasn't sure if the bride and groom would appreciate the time and love that goes into it--so I decided not to give it away. About that time I looked over some of Kelsey's high school stuff and came across the ad I placed in her yearbook. The ad had the song lyrics from "On Eagles Wings" to remind her who to rely on.

I decided to add the song lyrics to the quilt. Then I let it lay around for awhile trying to decide what borders I wanted to add.

Enter Renda and her request for a quilt. When I asked what kind of quilt she wanted--Kelsey said she loved penguins. So my first response was to look for a penguin pattern. Then I decided that may be too seasonal. And I realized that the verse on this quilt would be a perfect reminder for Renda, just like Kelsey. So what to do . . .

Why, add penguins of course. lol I think I added 8 different penguin scenes.

So last night she finally received her quilt. I think she loved it.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

A Couple of Relaxing Days

2011-12-28T07:24:00.002-06:00

I stayed up Monday night until I completed step 6 of Ocra Bay. I tried playing around with the parts so far and have no idea of how it will be put together.

On Tuesday, I was able to catch up on the Fat Quarter Star Quilt Along. I am participating in. Remember, that is the one where I pull fabrics out of the bag and use what I grabbed. The first one I did had me a little worried.

I love the green fabric. Not so fond of the flowered. But, that is what I pulled out. Here is how the block turned out.

Not bad. For the next block, I pulled out these fabrics.

This block was not one of my favorite to make. But I love the way it turned out. I think I would need to make several to get the hang of the block.

I thought I was only two blocks behind. Not sure what I was thinking. I kept seeing a block on the hosting blog that I didn't have. That was because I had missed one.

This one was a cathedral window block. It had me stumped for a little bit, but I finally figured it out. I think using this block and the one above in a quilt would make a gorgeous quilt.

I have two quilt requests that I do not have fabric for. So I need to order on-line or drive to the nearest quilt shop (about 45 minutes away). I guess I'll first check to see if they are open today since it is holiday time and then if they are text Larry and see what his plans are. He will be getting off of a 48 hour shift at 8 am so he may be sleeping all day.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Design Wall Monday

2011-12-26T07:37:00.000-06:00

Well, it's the last Design Wall Monday for 2011. As I write this, I wonder how many of them I participated in. Usually I write my post on Sunday evening and then add the links and post it early on Monday morning before going off to work.

Well, the Fat Quarter BOM of the month is still on the actual design wall. But I am working on the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt. I actually have two piles for the pieces. This shows the step I am currently working on.

This is the pile of parts waiting to be placed somewhere. If you are making the Ocra Bay Quilt, you will notice my red triangle string parts are missing. I am having trouble making myself finish those. But that will be first on the list when I finish these Ohio Stars.

I am also linking up to Bonnie's Mystery Monday Link Up.

Today, I am shopping with Craig and maybe Kelsey. Becca has to work at 12:30 and very politely gave me a look that said, "NO" when I asked if she wanted to get up early and shop with us. lol

When I return home today, I have to make a label for the Eagles Wing Quilt. I'm writing this down as a note to myself to get that completed today.

Happy snipping, stitiching, and quilting.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T11:13:00.000-06:00

Blessings to you and your loved ones.

I hope you are able to spend this

wonderful time of the year with

friends and family.

Merry Christmas!

It's really frustrating . . .

2011-12-24T06:25:00.000-06:00

to have health problems that have the doctors baffled. But I still do.

I went in Thursday for an EGD (esophagus and stomach scope). My ENT thought that maybe I had something called EE (Eosinophilic esophagitis). But everything looked good--so I guess we are back to square one.

I guess I should just be thankful that I really am healthy and the breathing problems are bothersome but not life threatening that we know of. It was a day wasted except that I got a lot of needed rest. But then I laid awake most of the night because I slept most of the day. lol

On the home front . . .

I finished the Eagle's Wing Quilt just in time for Christmas. I kept the quilting very, very simple and I like it. I wanted the fabric and embroidery to be the focus. Pictures will follow later.

I am now 3 blocks behind on the Fat Quarter Block of the Month Project. But I'm not worried about it. I can easily get caught up next week.

I have steps 1, 2, and 3 completed on the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt. I only have 60 of 126 of the red string blocks for step 4. This step is very slow going for me. I really enjoyed step 2 making the 3.5 inch string blocks. But I am tired of making these red ones. I think it is because they are larger and it takes more time.

So I have also started on step 5 and will go back and forth between steps 4 and 5 until I am finished. In the meantime, she has released step 6. I have seen a couple of sites where people are laying out blocks trying to guess what it will look like. I really like some of them, although, I doubt if they were even close.

Family . . .

Craig and Becca arrived last night and will stay through Christmas. Yippee. Kelsey works until 9:30 pm on tonight (Christmas Eve). Boo!!! She won't get home until after 10:30 and I am sure she will be tired. Larry also works today. But we will all be together Christmas Day morning. It is a tradition to start out the day with breakfast. This year we will do a brunch since Larry won't be home until 9 am. Then we will open gifts and Craig and Becca will be on their way to Becca's grandma's home for the day.

Today . . .

I have a little bit of cooking to do. We will head to my in-laws around 2 and then off to my Mom & Dad's for the rest of the day.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

2012 FMQ Challenge

2011-12-23T05:51:00.000-06:00

Kelsey text me and told me my blog was lonely. I didn't realize that it had been so long since I posted. Then when I looked, I had 2 posts waiting to be sent. This was one of them. They other I decided to delete.

Even though I signed up for Sew Cal Gal's Christmas Quilt Show, I just noticed her 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge.

I started not to sign up. Why? Because I don't have the time and I don't want to make the commitment. But then I remembered my frustrations when I was quilting the "Tree Time" quilt and the joy when I was quilting the "Double Wedding Ring" quilt and decided I was tired of the frustration and wanted to have that joy with each quilt I free motion quilt.

I also realize that if I ever want to quilt feathers so that they look good, I need tips and a lot of practice. Those feathers are really frustrating to me. lol

So I am going to take the challenge even though I'm not sure what all it entails. If I enjoy it, I'll keep it up. If it frustrates me beyond doubt, I'll give it up. As I looked at the list of guest experts, I only knew a few of the names. It is good to know there are other domestic machine quilters out there. So I am looking forward to getting to know them.

A Short Update

2011-12-17T15:28:00.000-06:00

I have been busy working on the Ocra Bay Mystery quilt. I have the first 3 steps completed and about 30 of the 1/2 square string blocks needed for step 4. I'm in no real hurry.

I'm going to stop for a few days to finish the binding for the table topper that is a Christmas gift for a peer.

Than I also need to finish quilting the Eagle's Wing quilt. It is also a Christmas gift.

Right now I think I'll find a Christmas movie to watch or a good book to read.

Happy snipping, stitiching, and quilting.

Design Wall Monday

2011-12-12T06:51:00.000-06:00

Larry and I went Christmas shopping yesterday and other than 2 gift certificates he needs to pick up in our town today, we are finished. Yippee!!!

I didn't have much sewing time last night, but I now have 40 of the 72 string blocks completed for the Ocra Bay Mystery Quilt.

I may have enough strings cut to complete the other 32. We'll see how far I get tomorrow evening.

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

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

Friday Night Sew In

2011-12-11T01:00:00.000-06:00

I got a late start on my sew-in last night. But I was able to finish my half square triangles for the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt. I was even able to get most of them sew together into squares.

This evening I sewed the rest of them together and then pressed them and put them into nice neat piles. I am excited about this quilt because I am comparing it to my Orange Crush. This time I am using the colors Bonnie did just because I have more red and blue scraps and fat quarters than any other colors.

I am starting Step 2 in a little bit. Only 3 steps behind. lol But I have never made string blocks before so this could be fun.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Orca Bay Mystery Quilt

2011-12-06T23:42:00.000-06:00

Well, I am only 3 weeks behind on Bonnie Hunter's latest mystery quilt. She releases a step of the mystery each Friday. I had my fabrics chosen on time and was eager to get started. But, I wanted to finish a couple of other quilts first.

So, tonight I sat down and began step one of the mystery. It is quarter square triangles. A lot of them.

This pile is only 300. I need 448. Maybe tomorrow evening I'll be able to get the rest of them cut out and sewn together and get this pile pressed.

I am using scraps and fat quarters for this quilt. Bonnie called for light print fabrics but when I looked in my meager stash, I only found a couple of light prints. I do have enough of 4 or 5 white on white solids. But, I decided to look in one of my scrap drawers and found a zip loc bag full of white one and half inch square triangles. Exactly what I need. (I think they are from the orange crush mystery quilt.)

I was thrilled. You can bet I will use them even though they are solid white.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Christmas Tree Skirt

2011-12-05T22:21:00.000-06:00

Craig and Becca came down to visit on Sunday. Becca found an adorable Christmas Tree skirt she wanted and asked if I could make it or help her make it. And since, I love having sewing friends, I told her I would help her.

This is the skirt she liked. Luckily it had a tutorial to go with it. The funny thing is I had found these stockings on the same blog that I absolutely adore and plan to make for my home.

So she went to Hancock's and picked out fabrics and arrived around 1:30.

You wouldn't think it would be so difficult to cut a circle for the base of the skirt. But it was pretty funny and took Becca, Craig, and myself to get it done.

First ruffle being attached. She actually looks like she knows what she is doing. lol

Craig took pictures because he said I didn't have pics of me on the blog. I am probably fussing about all of the ruffles.

Now, that is some intense sewing!

Three down and two to go.

The last row of ruffles being pinned on. Yippee!!!

Binding added . . . it's finished. That was quick, wasn't it? Not -- it took almost 6 hours.

So we cut and sewed and had a great afternoon. And she got one great Christmas Tree skirt. (I wonder just how much the cats will like it.

I tried to get Craig to be a guest blogger because he would have told all of the funny things that we did today. And he would have put a twist on it, of course. Let's just say we had a few good laughs and made some memories.

And Kelsey, we missed you. I know how much you like ruffles!!! (She used to hide her dresses in the bottom of her closet because they had ruffles or puffy sleeves.) lol

Good luck on your finals, Kelsey!

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

Design Wall Monday

2011-12-05T06:40:00.000-06:00

It's Monday and time to show what is on our design walls.

The first four blocks of the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt-along from Moose on the Porch Quilts is on my design wall. I am still one behind and I think another one may be coming out this Tuesday.

On the quilting front, I am quilting the "Eagles Wings" quilt. Not quite finished yet. Probably will be before the week is up.

I love keeping up with the quilts that are being made during the Christmas season and Judy's design Wall Monday is the place to be. See you there.

Oh, and there will be two Friday Night Sew In's during the Month of December. Hop on over to Handmade by Heidi to sign up for one this Friday, Dec. 9.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

I really have been busy . . .

2011-12-04T12:54:00.003-06:00

Geez, I haven't been posting much, but I have been busy. I come home each evening and sew until bedtime. The problem is, I don't have good lighting in this house so I can't get good pictures. Then when I am home during the day--like yesterday--I don't think about taking pictures.

So, what have I been up to. Well, I am a Christmas fanatic so I have been decorating for days. I have decided that this year when I take the decorations down they will go in boxes by room. And next year I am putting most things up in the same place so it doesn't take me so long.

I finished the Tree Time Quilt and it is on the bed in Craig's room just waiting for him and Becca to come stay. Kelsey is out of luck. lol Her bedroom is empty awaiting new carpet. (It will be ready by Christmas, Kelsey.)

I am quilting on the black and red "Eagle's Wings" quilt. Just a sneak peak. It is a gift. I'm not going to do a lot of quilting so that it stays puffy and soft. The best kind to snuggle under.

The teacher I mentor at school gave me a beautiful live wreath for Christmas. (Now, I just have to remember to mist it daily.)

Last year I made her a mug/candle rug. This year I decided to make her a small quilt to use as a table topper or a wall hanging. It is ready for me to add binding.

So I have been busy, I just haven't been posting much.

Craig and Becca are coming in a little bit and we are going to make them a Christmas tree skirt. A fun afternoon. Too bad Kelsey can't come but it's FINALS week.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.