Liner/Cover 2

I finished it! Now I can go back to working on her quilt. But for now, it is TV time with the hubby. We rented the series of Stargate Atlantis: Season 1. The AC guy came again so the house is slowly starting to cool down. Oh, I hope it doesn't have anymore problems!

Cuddles...

The kids were so underfoot today! We had the AC man installing the new one and that took about 8 hours. An hour and a half later it is not working anymore. He will hopefully be here shortly to fix it. So, the kids were in my room all day trying to stay cool and wouldn't let me do any of my own projects, so we decided to do some "recycling". We found a leftover piece of flannel, so we made this pillow. I didn't have any Polyfil, so the kids and I pulled apart leftover pieces of batting that probably wouldn't have been used for anything else. As you can see, the recipient thinks his new pillow is very cuddly. Oh, and the pillow really isn't that big... my sweet boy is just really that little. ;c)

Perhaps I'll get to work on my own stuff later on. But I at least feel good about making him so happy. My daughter wants one now. She is old enough to do most of it herself. We'll just have to set aside some time to go shopping for the fleece and stuffing.

Okay, going to go wait for the AC man...

The Best Laid Plans...

Okay, so my weekend quilting plans have not gone exactly as I had hoped...

Friday was off to a great start, but before I started working on the stairstepper quilt for my step-mom I was given another project by her. It is to make cover/liners for a basket she has. Now, I'm not a person that knows how to sew. I know how to do the stuff I need to do for quilt, but that's it. However, I gave it my very best shot (and more than one try) and came up with this. It isn't too bad. I have to do another one for her as well. I have the pieces cut, just not sewn. I will hopefully finish that up today. So, instead of working on her quilt, I worked on these. I guess it is an even trade of my time, but I was really hoping to have the top of the quilt finished by this weekend.

Yesterday, I was going to trace the blocks for my son to color for his ABC quilt. That was going to be what I did with the time I allowed for that as I couldn't bare to take even more blocks away from him so soon. Which he had no problem informing me he is still sad that I took the others. I did promise him that as soon as we were done tracing and coloring the blocks though, that he could have the coloring books to do whatever he wanted with. That definitely made him happier! Back to the point... since I wasn't going to sew on that quilt, I decided to use the time to get a bit ahead on the "tracing" part, so I traced 4 blocks! Well, yes, Gentry colored all 4 of them yesterday. So, now I'm not ahead anymore. LOL! I know he is going to want me to do more tracing today as we only have X, Y and Z left.

And finally regarding my own quilt. I was so hoping to sew the rows together yesterday and plan out the border. However, I have not been feeling well lately and each day seems to be worse. I'm tired and very dizzy. I keep feeling like I am suffering from motion sickness, even when I'm perfectly still. It has really been draining me of my energy and motivation. I'm sure it is nothing, but I just wish I knew how to make it go away. So, instead of sewing my rows together, I had to take a nap, couldn't help it!

So, here we are on Sunday. And I don't know if I even want to attempt to plan out anything. Maybe I should take the day off and rest. I just get so depressed when I don't accomplish anything. Maybe I should plan amounts of "time" to work on things instead of "amounts to accomplish". Hmmm... I don't know. I'm headed back to bed for a bit of a rest and maybe I'll have an answer later on.

Blocks into rows...

Well, I worked on my own quilt tonight and sewed the blocks into rows. I have two pattern testers working on it too, but I think I'm further along than they are. I will probably sew the rows together tomorrow and plan out the border.

Two down for today... one more to go. :c)

More ABC's

I found time to work on the first of the three quilts today... My son finished coloring "R" today and when he went to lay them out, he only had 5 total. Oh, was he not happy! He told me in no uncertain terms he wanted them back. I promised he would get them back on his birthday. ;c)
Okay, now just need to work some more on my own quilt and the stairstepper one...

Ostrich

I had a great time with my friend, Jackie, yesterday! We were sewing and talking and everything that the time just flew by so quickly. We are getting together next Wed. too. :c)
I also took a picture of a miniature (finished blocks are just over 3") quilt I made for my hubby for Christmas one year. The picture in the center is from our honeymoon when we stayed at this wonderful little cabin, thus the log cabin blocks framing it.

I have all the blocks made for my quilt! I just need to get them sewn together. Today I was working on the stairstepper quilt, in which I'm sewing rows together. This part is sort of boring, but I'm almost half way done. Tomorrow, I will be working on all three quilts again!

And if I didn't have enough projects going on, I finally decided on a pattern for some charms I got from the Eleanor Burns' presentation I saw in Paducah when I went to the AQS quilt show. So, I'm eager to give that a try.

I also couldn't resist signing up for an Ostrich Challenge! Anne's Ostrich Challenge quilt was just way too inspirational for me! http://quiltingbebbs.blogspot.com/ I just have to give this sort of thing a try! So, here is my block. It is an orphan from a quilt that my mom made for my sister. She gets a quilt... and I get a leftover block... doesn't that just speak volumes! LOL! Now, I have to go looking through my stash to see if I have any fabrics that work well with it. I'm sure I'll find something. And if you want to see what all the fuss is about, check it out for yourself... http://www.peachquilting.com/xoops/

Mad, Mad, Mad!

Yes, I'm mad! I'm trying to be calm and count my blessings though. It is going to take a bit more effort. We were supposed to finally get our new A/C today. We have been counting each and every day and boy have they gone by slowly! Hubby called the man today and he won't be here until... Sunday! And he reminded us that he hasn't been paid by our landlord yet! So, now we have to deal with that too. I'm not crazy about the A/C person that the landlord chose, but I'm not paying for it, so I can't really have an opinion. But now that the landlord hasn't paid yet either, well, I'm just flustered! Thank God my sister provided us with a window unit to make do. Okay enough of that....

Last night was nice. Hubby made up for his "misbehavior" the other night. He rented a movie, a comedy with a sexy lead actor. He actually said, "You better post this in your blog too. I don't want only bad stuff about me in there." LOL! Maybe the threat of posting all his misdeeds will keep him on the straight and narrow. LOL! Just kidding. ;c) And after the movie, he helped me lay out blocks and decide what pieces to match up together for my pattern. Then he even stacked them up, ready to pin and sew. Very sweet, indeed!

I get to go visit with my friend today for some quilting. It should be a nice relaxing time. I am looking forward to hearing about her trips and helping her with her current quilting projects. She probably doesn't really need any help though... she is really good at what she does. But I will enjoy the "grown-up" time.

Okay, I feel better now. :c)

Frogs Galore

I made this quilt for my son for his second birthday. He LOVED frogs, so there is a different frog fabric in each and every jar. This is one of my favorite quilts that I've made. Now, I didn't exactly enjoy making it, but I do like how all the colors play off the black background. And more importantly, I love how much he loved and still loves his quilt.

Happy 4th and TGFC!

Happy 4th of July! I have to admit that this holiday has definitely gone unappreciated by me for many years of my life. But I'm older now and a bit wiser. I don't always agree with the leaders of this country. I don't always agree with the policies in place. However, as a woman, I can look at so many other countries and have a true appreciation for the USA. I have rights here, I have opinions that I can express. I can wear what I want, say what I want, be with whomever I want. We have freedoms here that some other countries can't even begin to comprehend. So, for that I am thankful.

Now, this is probably one of my least favorite quilts I've ever made, but being that it is Independence Day it seemed appropriate. It is part of a 12 month series. I trade out the quilt for the next one each month.

TGFC (Thank God For Coffee)... Yes, I am addicted to my morning coffee. I didn't use to be a coffee drinker, but now I can't start the day without it... two cups of it to be precise. I have to have it with two packs of Splenda and one teaspoon of non-fat, non-dairy creamer. It is the cure-all in the mornings for me. It helps when I have morning headaches, it helps stave off my asthma attacks, and most importantly it helps to wake me up as I am NOT a morning person. It improves my mood and helps to make me a better mom and wife. It even helps to motivate me to get quilting. Yes, I know, I sound like a true addict!!! I love my morning coffee! And I know that it is the caffeine that really makes it so wonderful. But, I don't exceed my two cups and I have caffeine free drinks the rest of the day. So, that is my way of rationalizing my "habit". So, God bless coffee and God bless any other "addicts" out there. ;c)

Cheater

Tonight my hubby and I were both being slugs. He needed to go to the store and I needed to sew at least two pairs of strips together for my stairstepper quilt. We decided to have a contest, to help motivate us. I had to sew the strips and iron them... I'm pretty slow and I use a ton of pins which I have to stop to take out every few inches. He had to go to the store and come right back. Now, there was no "prize" other than just saying who finished first. I was kind and waited until after he put his shoes on and was headed out there, then I rushed into my room to sew as quickly (and accurately) as possible. No problems there... didn't run out of bobbin thread or any of those things that I would expect to happen. Then I hurry to other room to iron... but the iron was gone! That little cheater had not only moved it, but took it with him!!! I called his cell phone to find him laughing... very pleased with himself. Oh well... husbands... what can you do? LOL!

ABC's

Okay, the picture quality is really very poor. However, it is still enough to give a general idea of what is going on...
I just joined the first two rows of my son's ABC quilt. You can't really tell here, but the green is really helping to show off all of the colors in each block.
And here is a closer up view of one of the blocks... look at how well my little man can color... hardly ever gets out of the lines. :)

Great way to start off the beginning of July!

I got a pretty little present in the mail today. My dear friend, Marge, made and sent me this wonderful quilted postcard! Isn't it great?! Thank you very much, Marge!

I also got a bit of work done today as well. Working on three projects simultaneously keeps me busy, but also keeps me from getting too bored.

I completed the second row of the ABC quilt and prepared the Q/queen block for him to color... which he did very nicely. Only 9 more letters to go! And when he went to lay them out today, he didn't seem to notice that 5 more were gone... if he did, he didn't bother mentioning it to me. ;)

I found a mistake I had made on the stairstepper quilt (sewed the fabric on upside down... it was a light fabric and hard to see) so I corrected that and have started cross-cutting all the strips. I'll need to finish that cutting tonight. But I have a new blade on my rotary cutter (it's been at least 4 years since I had a new one) and it is cutting like butter. I didn't even realize how dull my other one had gotten.

And for my own quilt, I've completed step 2 of sewing the blocks together. So far the pattern seems to be working out well. I have two testers giving it a try as well, so we will see what they have say.

I also talked to another dear friend on the phone today. She just got back last night from a mission trip to Honduras (sp?) where she was helping to build houses for the people there. She is leaving again next Friday for another mission trip somewhere else. However, we made plans to get together for some quilting on Wednesday afternoon. I'm so excited, we haven't really seen each other in so long, this will be really good for both of us.

And finally the FQs my sister is selling for me on her ebay site arrived at her place today. I'm sure she'll have them up within the week. I hope they sell as I need the funds to pay for my sewing machine to be serviced... another thing I've neglected to do for several years.

Now, a question... I received a collection of about 70 5" squares (samples from Eleanor Burns - Quilt Through the Seasons fabric line) on a trip to the Paducah AQS show, when I went to her program. I would like to use them in some kind of quilt, but I don't really have a good idea. I would prefer not to have to use other fabric if I can manage except for maybe a border. Any suggestions????

My sweet son....

My daughter is sweet too, but today it was my son that made me smile over and over again. His name is Gentry and he knows exactly how to pull at my heartstrings. Well, while the two were taking their nap, I took the A, B and C fabric blocks that he had colored and sewed them into the first row of his birthday quilt. I really love the way it is looking! It is so simple, yet so perfect for him right now. I liked it so much it was all I could do to keep from running into his room to show him why he was really coloring fabric. But I so want the whole thing to be a surprise on his birthday. I mean, he's knows he is getting a birthday quilt, as both kids always do each year. And he knows it is an "ABC" quilt as that is what he suggested. He even went to the quilt store with me to pick out two fabrics for it. He had to have the green as it is his favorite color and he specified that he wants a "Green ABC" quilt. LOL! But, he doesn't know that he has been coloring this fabric for me to use in his quilt. He loves to lay them all out and look at them. Well, today after we finished coloring "P/pumpkin" he went to lay them out and discovered that the three were missing. I told them they had disappeared and he threw a fit, completely devasted! So, I told him that I had taken them and am doing something special with them, but it is a secret and so I can't tell him about it. He then proclaimed that I'm using them in his ABC quilt!!!! I said, "Now why would I do that when I already those two wonderful fabrics you helped me pick out... the green and the ABC's?" So, I didn't exactly lie to him... but I did try to mislead him a bit. The good news is that he seemed as thrilled with the prospect as I hoped he would be when seeing the final quilt. I am going to do the second row tomorrow which means 5 more letters will be gone... oh I hope he doesn't get too upset with me.

I was also productive with my two other projects today. I finished one of the steps in the stairstepper quilt and I finished cutting all the pieces and piecing the first step of making blocks for my pattern. I'm timing each step to see how fast or not so fast the whole quilt is. I'm a pretty slow lady so if it is fast for me, it should be fast for most others.

Decision Made

I finally feel at peace with my border decision. I had a big long talk with hubby last night and my original pattern is much more user friendly. Sorry, mom, but perhaps I'll use your idea at a later time. Now that I have a decision made I feel so much better! Now, I just have to get going on making the first quilt. I'll wash all the fabrics today. By the way, does anyone know what the rules are as far as copyrighting patterns?

I've been quilting for over 10 years now and I've finally decided to join a guild. A friend of mine from church is a member, so I emailed her for info only to learn that she is now the President! Congratulations, dear friend, I'm very proud of you! They are having a session on crazy quilts this Saturday and I hope to attend.

I have been relying on a friend to take the pictures on her digital camera that I post here. But I hate doing that. So, I'm going to look into other alternatives today... I have other quilts that I know I would like to post. So, wish me luck.

I designed a FQ pattern!

I excited to say I designed a FQ pattern. I have nearly all the instructions typed up and everything. But my mother suggested I do the border a bit differently so I'm giving that some consideration. I have 4 opinions on the subject and the results are split down the middle. I was really hoping for a real lean in one direction. I have already picked out my fabrics to make one for myself and a friend has offered to be a pattern tester. I have a ton of stuff going on right now, but once I get the decision on the border made I would like to spend a little bit of time each day getting the quilt done... even if it is only 15 mins.

I washed the fabrics for my son's quilt today, but didn't get to work on cutting yet. I did, however, work a bit more on the Stairstepper quilt. So far it is pretty easy, so I can think about other things while I'm working on it. LOL!

Now, something to ponder over. What do you do about friends that aren't really friends? I mean there are friends out there who are wonderful to you when times are tough, but when things are starting to go well, like a wonderful relationship or new job opportunity or whatever, they are no longer supportive... in fact, they actually try to sabotage your new happiness. I guess an obvious reaction would be that they are jealous. Does that mean that you should feel sorry for them and accept their negative behavior? Or do you realize that life is short and you want to surround yourself with true friends? Yes, there is a reason I'm having to ponder this matter. And I have actually already come up with my own conclusion. But it would be interesting to know what others have done in the same situation...

A/C, ABCs and 123

Our A/C finally quit on us! And boy is it hot in the house. However, thanks to my wonderful sister, we have a window unit in my room now, so we at least have a cool room and bathroom. The computer, TV and sewing machine are in my room as well, so we have all been camped out in here today. Which isn't uncommon, but it has been more consistent with the cooler air.

ABCDEFGHIJKLM.... yes, I'm singing. My son has colored blocks for all those letters now. We had a slight delay in the coloring with VBS and FlyLady Camp, but today he did 2 1/2 letters. I will probably trace a few more tonight so that they will be ready when he is.

123... I feel like I'm following a very easy step by step method on this quilt I'm making for my MIL. She was really sweet and took me to Paducah in April for the AQS show. She doesn't even quilt, which made it even more kind. While we were there, we picked up a pattern and FQ pack from one of my favorite stores, Pincushion. It is in CA and the FQ packs are called "sweet treats". You should go visit their online store... http://www.sweettreat.com Anyway, here is a picture of the pattern that I'm making. It is called "Stairstepper". The color choices I'm using are different, with dusty mauves and sage greens and rich burgundys, etc. I'll post pics when I can. I'll admit I haven't gotten very far yet. But now with the A/C going to be replaced I should be able to get a lot more done!

Even Hotter!

Sadly there was no quilting at the church yesterday, everyone is out of town. So, I was stuck at home in the heat. It was even hotter in the house yesterday. It is only two days into Summer and already this heat is too much.

No Flylady Camp today. My 4 year old is sick and can't keep anything down. So, perhaps before the heat is unbearable here in the house I can get at least 15 mins of sewing done.

Now, food for thought, does anyone ever come here? Does anyone ever read this blog or enjoy the pictures? I know a few people that do, but there are never any messages left. It gets lonely here, so please leave messages if you stop by. Yes, I know you have to sign up to be able to leave messages, but it really isn't that big of a deal and it only takes a moment.

Okay, I'm off to get a bite to eat and then try to get that 15 mins in before the heat takes hold like the giant flaming monster it can be!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Oh, it is so very hot here! And my horrible home has a poor excuse for an A/C on top of not being properly insulated and sealed. So, we are all roasting here. And sadly that means no quilty stuff done for days now.
On Saturday, my birthday, I went to the church and started working on a bargello inspired quilt for my step-mom. Sunday, Father's Day, gave hubby the pillow case which he loved! It took him all day to work through the puzzles and find it though. LOL! Yesterday and today the kids and I are doing Flylady Camp. So, we have been not only hot, but very busy. Tomorrow, hubby will take over "camp duties" and I'll get to go play at the church and hopefully get some quilty stuff accomplished. I'll probably work on my step-mother's quilt, trace some more blocks for my son's quilt, or work on another Sampler of Psalms block. Wow, what if I managed to work on all three!!! That would be a good day!
Now, I recently found out, after the fact, that we had a tornado on my birthday, right here in Cordova. I knew it sounded bad outside, we had some power issues, but I didn't hear any sirens so I didn't worry too much. It was just a few miles away and I was actually watching the news at the time but there were no indications. It makes you wonder!

Head cold is weighing me down!

Yes, I have a head cold. It is no doubt something the kids have brought home from VBS. I'm still managing to get a bit accomplished though. I have been working on my son's birthday quilt today. Actually, I just cut up the freezer paper to adhere to the back of the blocks and traced some letters and pictures on a few... all ready for him to color. He is working on "K/King" block. He still doesn't know that I'm going to use them for his quilt and I still want the whole thing to be a surprise. However, he loves to open the container they are being stored in and laying them out "like a train", he says. How am I going to sew them up into a top when he wants to look at them all the time? Okay, so here is what I've decided to do... I'm going to have one row of blocks disappear at a time. He'll ask where they are. I'll say they disappeared, like magic, and that I'm sure they will turn up soon. He is only 4, he won't know any better. But, yes, I do feel guilty for fibbing to him. I'll apologize to him on his birthday... after I give him the quilt. :) I guess I should go throw the fabric into the washing machine so at least that part is done.

Saturday is my birthday, but I doubt it will be anything special, so I'll go hang out at the church and get some quilty stuff accomplished. I don't know what yet. I suppose it depends on whether or not I want to lug my machine over there. If not, I have plenty of cutting to do for various projects, definitely enough to keep me busy for a couple of hours.

Sunday is Father's Day and in addition to making the pillow case for my hubby, I've made up a ton of puzzles that he will have to follow around to eventually find his present. I'm starting off with a jigsaw puzzle, well it is really a letter to him ending in a riddle that has been ripped up and needs to be put back together. Half of the pieces will be in each of the cards the kids give him. The riddle, when solved will lead him to a Logic Art puzzle. When he solves that it will be a picture of the place to find his next clue. That will be a rebus puzzle leading him to look in his inbox to find two e-cards from the kids. One will contain a cryptogram, the other a hint to get started. That puzzle will lead him to look all over the living room for a bunch of hidden neckties, each will have a letter attached, which he will need to rearrange to find the location of his next clue. That spot will contain the final clue to find the location of his present. I chose some of the types of puzzles and games so that the kids would be able to help too. I'll get back to you on how long it takes him to complete everything. I may go by the $ store and buy a few little things for him to find with various clues just so he feels like he is getting a bit of something on the way. ;)

All of this effort makes me wonder what, if anything, he has planned for my birthday??? Hmmm...

I've Been Busy!

I have several pics to add. I've been busy and productive! First of all I finished my daughter's garden quilt...

I also made my hubby a pillow case from some donated blocks. There are more blocks leftover to make a matching quilt later on... perhaps for his birthday.

I finished another UFO. This was from a stained glass class. My 4 year old has already claimed it for his room.

And here is that picture of the Bird's Nest block from my Sampler of Psalms quilt.