Fabric postcards

Well, not much sewing done this week, but I did finish up the 2 postcards I needed for a swap. Now to just get them addressed and in the mail.

I had to share a photo of the toe sock and DD. She seems to really like these.

Received back a QWL that was out for binding. I am working on one to bind while at the doctors. I have another eady to load and quilt this weekend.

Nothing done

I hate it when I don't get to sew much or any. I can't say I didn't do anything, because I quilted a QWL and that is now off the list. I'm going to go ahead and put the binding on this one because I have a doctor's appointment today for my high blood pressure possibilities. 132/88 is not good, and it goes up to 140/90 on days, so.....time to get something done about it. If I lost my weight, I might not need it any more.

Hope to have some pictures of things in the next blog.

Questions

OK, I've been looking at Embird, and don't know what to pick. The Embird suite has so many different items, and I'm not sure what I should or should not get. I am thinking about asking for this for Christmas. Any help would be appreciated.

My day was spent getting Christmas decorations up and boxes back to the shed, then Horse Back riding for DD.

My sewing today was limited to hemming a pair of pants for my Mom and loading a QWL on the long arm. Maybe I'll get to quilt it tomorrow afternoon.

Sunday report on Monday Morning

Well, I just found out that Judy L from Sunshine Quilts is asking us to talk about what we did to bust our stash and not buy.

So, I can say that I'm proud that I've not bought any fabric this week. Of course, I'm on no buy, and the buying is very limited anyway. LOL I feel good about not adding anything to my stash and using up those wonderful pieces.

I have been working on making secret santa gifts. I've used stash to make a horse purse, a flowered tote, fabric postcards, placemats and coasters and ornaments this past week.

I have plans to use stash to make the backings on 2 quilts and borders on another quilt for this coming week. I also need to get those teacher gifts done soon. I keep changing my mind on what I'm going to make this year. I think I'm settling on corn therapy bags. I can use the muslin for the inner bags and the pretty flannel fabric for the outer bags. DD can help with these, because it is not necessary to be 100% accurate.

Horse Purse

I found this fabric and just had to make a purse. I'm sure now that DD is into horseback riding, and there are others I know that are horse lovers, I think I'll be able to gift it to someone. The front and back are the same panels. I quilted the harness and the stall. The instide is running horses. Now that fabric is gone. I have one more of the horse panels. I'll be able to make the purse with only one front. Then, I can put a pocket on the backside of the next one.

My sewing room has a clean floor. I actually vacuumed tonight. Yea!! I didn't quilt the QWL tonight. I was not up to it, but should be able to get to it tomorrow.

Embroidery machine is down

I forgot to load this last night. DH has been going out for a smoke on his cigar at night. The last few nights have been cold for TX -- below 40. This is him last night out on the back porch. LOL

Put together the secret Santa package. I won't tell which group this one goes to, so don't even try and think about it. I am involved in 3 of them so far. LOL

Well, I am NOT a happy camper. I have this 5 month old embroidery machine and it has been in the shop 2 times already. Not a good track record.

I was making postcards. On my 6th postcard, it stopped allowing me to thread it. Why? Who knows. Nothing worked, so we took it in today. This is a photo of the postcards from me sitting at the computer.

I did quilt QWL #22 today. That means 8 more to go. I really want to get these done quickly. I need to probably adjust the machine again. I saw a few loops on the back.

When we got home, I started working on the sewing room in 15 minute increments. Seems I was making a bigger mess trying to pick up the messes I had. I tend to focus on the project and forget everything else.

I trimmed the QWL and have it ready to mail. Hope to be able to get a few more quilts in the box. I have QWL #23 ready to load. That will be done during another 3 breaks. Clean, read e-mails, do something quilty -- that is the process. LOL

This is a snowman place mat. Tried scrappy again. I need to learn to like this, because I have too many scraps not to like it. I took lots of snowman fabrics and sewed them together. Embroidered (before it broke) the snowman. I have so many folks that collect snowmen that this is a great gift.

I started to do the Planet Patchwork mystery but decided I had so many things going on that I would just collect the clues for later. I really need to focus and finish these gifts. But, many were to be the embroidery ones. I suppose that if I don't have the machine back by Tuesday that I'll get the small one out. Time will tell.

Enough time on the computer. I need to go and load this next QWL and finish it up tonight.

I put up more Christmas decorations, did laundry, and cleaned the kitchen. So, I guess I've had a productive day.

Pay it Forward

I've never done this before, but I signed up on a Jeanne's blog and I will make a gift in the next six months for the first three people who leave a comment on this post requesting to participate. They in turn, need to post the same promise on their blog. Who wants to play?



Now, my question is how do I make the link have a short name be clikeable? I figured it out -- with Kim's help. That link thing with the green spot under it is how you do it. LOL

postcards

One of my designs for postcards. Done on the embroidery machine. I'm not sure this goes any faster, but it is fun.
I even have backings for the postcards done on the embroidery machine.

Black Friday

I was NOT going shopping today, so I stayed home and piddled around the house. LOL

Looking at the Christmas Tree decorating and dancing photos from last night. LOL What fun those 2 kids had. You would not believe they were 17 years apart. DS is such a good sport with his sister. She is a trip and will try anything.

Working on Secret Santa type of packages today. Seems I'm spinning my wheels. LOL I did get one package complete and have 2 more to go.

DD did make a Christmas post card for one of her swaps. Still needs finishing touches, but she is making progress on it.

I quilted a QWL and started to load another one.

DH has been wanting to watch Christmas movies today, so I've been pulled away at odd times.

I pulled out my Christmas Postcards and love them. It was fun to see what I received last year and I look forward to what I'll get this year. I need to get busy and finish up mine.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Well, I finished the coasters and the pot holder today.

I didn't have much time to do anything else.

Here is the photo of the latest QWL.

Went grocery shopping for Thanksgiving. Took DD to a horse back riding and then on to Brownies.

I'm tired. LOL

What a fun day

I received a package in the mail from Judy Nein from Middletown, OH. Now, that is wonderful, but my problem, I don't know who this is and what it is for. I thought maybe it was my Secret Stitcher, but no, not her. So, if anyone has a clue on where I can say thank you, please let me know. Maybe I need to go to each group and put a comment on them. LOL

I also made purse for a secret Santa swap. I put together some gifts for the different swaps I'm in and got some teacher items put together, so, I made progress.

I've embroidered a few things, and made a mess of a few. I thought something was FSL and it was not. :( So, now I'm doing it again with a different method. LOL

Mom, DD and I got our nails done. DD got leaves put on her nails. I got flowers. Mom didn't get any design, just pink.

I finished the QWL binding, so it is done and ready to mail off.

I have another one almost loaded on the long arm. Once loaded it won't take long to do.

weekend report

Well, the weekend was family time. Took DD to visit a friend and they played all day long. They were supposed to go horse back riding, but it was sprinkling and not a good time for horses to be in the arena. So, it was play time.

I didn't get much sewing done this weekend. I bound a quilt that still needs about 6 inches to go. That is a QWL that I didn't need to bind, but I needed something to work on waiting at the doctors, so....

Then, I worked on a swap purse. A glitzy glamour swap. I hope this works for her OK.

This is the round robin before I started on it.

Then, my addition:I finished working on the round robin. It is applique and not my best type of quilting, but I tried. Hope is it OK for her.

delivery day

Good thing I got Mrs Penshorn's quilt to her. Today was her last day before her delivery. She said she is having issues with balance and all, so she is ready for the substitute and is taking off.


I went ahead and finished the one for Mrs Pevoto, because I was not sure if she would be back after vacation next week.


I went to a doctors appointment -- 4 hours away from home. I have 3 sides of a QWL finished and will work on the other tomorrow. I am needing to quilt the 10 QWLs quickly.


Tonight I had to work on a round robin that is late. I just got it, but I got it 6 weeks late. So, I want to get this finished quickly. I'm putting a vase on it. I don't do applique, so this is a difficult one for me.


I have a a QOV ready to load. I think it is going to be difficult to do, because it is an intersting pattern. One thing I can expect is that is flat. This lady is wonderful in her piecing.

Baby quilt day

I finished quilting the baby girl quilt, and the binding is done, the label is done.

Finished the binding on the baby boy quilt. I will get to deliver it tomorrow.

Made labels for 2 baby boy quilts and 1 baby girl quilt.

Added the binding on the QWL and will get it ready to mail off.

Played with a Christmas Post Card idea. Messed up by not putting the stiffy in the center, but next time it will work well.

Still need to take the photos of all the quilts that are being washed.

Long Arm day

I started the day with finishing the QWL quilt. That is now ready for binding.

I loaded a baby quilt for a little boy that I did with the duckies. I quilted feathered hearts in the open blocks and then hearts in the alternate blocks. I wondered why I was feeling sore in my left side. Well, I got the flu shot yesterday and it is bothering me.

I finished making the corn pack for my friend Darlene. It is a large pack, so I divided the inside into 6 sections. I think next time I should be more careful how much corn is in each section and keep it more even. I heated it for 5 minutes and it was too warm for me, so I think a shorter time would work. It fit across my shoulders and under my hips really well. I tested it. LOL

My next step is to get the backing ready for the baby girl quilt and then get it quilted.

So, I would say I've had a fairly productive day.

Baby duckies

Well, I did get something done yesterday. I started this cute and quick baby quilt. I used a blue background with yellow duckies as the main fabric and pulled the colors for the alternate block. It is bright and cheerful. When I need something quick, I think this will become a favorite pattern. This is 100% from my stash.

I now need backing for this quilt. I'm going to check to see if they have any more of the orange fabric and use it, but if not, I'll have to find something else or piece a backing. I could do a 4 patch backing?

This is how I feel today -- off a little. This is the presentation of the retirement quilt. LOL


Can't say I finished everything on my list.


1. Finish the mystery test (Done, and ripped and adjusted for my needs)


2. Load a QWL and quilt it


3. Pick up sewing room (picked it up and made a mess again)


4. Heartstrings top made (started the sashing for these)



Can't show what I've worked on here, so I will just say that I love what it has turned out to be.

Took a walk with a neighbor, and that made me feel good.

Went to Hobby Lobby and got backing for the 2 baby quilts, 1 birthday quilt and 1 QOV. Now to get them all quilted and out of here.

I think I found a gift to make. CD coasters. Basic premise is to have a design in the center and put a CD between the front and back, stich around the CD and trim as desired. I can't wat to try and make one and see if I can make 80 of them for all the teachers at the school.

Retreat to do list for Sunday

Not sure if anyone else is working on projects today, but my list is:

1. Finish the mystery test
2. Load a QWL and quilt it
3. Pick up sewing room
4. Heartstrings top made

Hoping to get more things done today and tomorrow

Quilting group day and private retreat

Today was the day my small quilting group meets. It is a wonderful group of ladies and we had a new person join us. Welcome, Renee.

Judy came by for a bit and brought pumpkins she was making. They are so cute. She has so many wonderful ideas and I hope she teaches us how to make this someday.

Lana is our group organizer and she was working on a table runner. This was the first time she "birthed" a quilt. She now has to make 3-D poinsettias to add to the top of the table runner. Aren't the colors wonderful?

Wanda brought in her strip quilt she was working on last time. What wonderful batiks those are. Fun quilt.

This month, she was working on sunbonnet sues for a quilt for her granddaughter. She got half of them done before she had to leave us. The background is white, but something didn't photograph well. She still needs to do the embellishment on the blocks.

I got lots done today, unlike last month when none of us could get motivated. LOL

I worked on a birthday block for a group and it is finished and I tried a new block with 1.5" hst. I actually like this block (Midnight moths)

I took one of my UFOs that I had started but lost the dark green fabric. When I found it, I put it with the UFO and here it is. I think this is going to Aunti Elizabeth for her 90th birthday. I love the blocks, but I know she will appreciate it and maybe it will bring some comfort to her.

Mom is having some issues about not having anything to do, so I put together this fleece blanket that she can tie the ends. That should be something she can do and we can donate it to a children's program or a nursing home.

These are called "My Blue Heaven" from quilters cache. This is for a group I'm on and their plan for an anniversary type quilt. I think they are putting them together and donating to someplace for the anniversary of the group.

This is for an anniversary quilt that needed to be done in 30's and Kona White. I like the blue one, but not the purple flowered one. The fabrics are too light.

I also put the binding on the baby quilt done by Marge's instructions. I'll finish the handwork on that next week.

When I got home, I working on the mystery that I'm testing. I have one more clue to do and I'll be done with that one. It is beautiful. I think everyone is going to enjoy this quilt. I'll have to make another one when it is done as a group.

Lana brought back one of the QWLs and I found out that Wanda doesn't have the one DH took to work for her. She is going to go by and get it on Tuesday. Lana took another one to work on too. So, I have enough to mail a box off on Tuesday. That will be good. I need to quilt a few more to have on hand.

so, overall, I think I had a VERY productive day.

quilting

Finished quilting the baby quilt. The binding is ready to sew on. I'll do it at my quilt group meeting this weekend. I'll stitch it down during the Karate next week.

I did a FSL leaf. LOL I would like to do more, but would like to have some different shapes. Maybe I'll find some later.

I got some things ready for the quilting group this weekend. I hope to have things at the next stage and then can make progress. I have a couple of blocks that need to be made and in the mail. I hope to get those done this weekend.

I'm working on heartstrings and would like to have 2 tops done this weekend. I have the group blocks, so that should be doable.

I'm taking more than I can accomplish, but that is OK.

Embroidery

I've been working on how to applique and embroider. I think I'm learning. I have lots to learn. It seems I really need to get different stabilizers, because I think I should be hooping things, but it appears that I should hoop a stabilizer and then tack the item on top of the stabilizer. ?????

I made a door hanger. Problem, the hole that it was to go around the door knob is too small for my door knobs. I didn't think Texans had larger door knobs too. LOL So, I had to modify it.

Then, I remembered I had some embroidered postcards I had bought. So, I also had a birthday post card I needed to make, so I used that and played with it. It turned out OK, but I forgot to add a different fabric over the stiffy.

I also remembered that I had this get well embroidered postcard and I had a get well card I needed to send, so I made one of those too.

So, I got a Christmas gift and 2 postcards done tonight.

I also started to quilt the baby quilt that has been ready to load for days. I decided on a small meandering heart. Only trouble, I made the hearts small and close together, so it takes about one bobbin per pass. LOL There will be lots of love in this quilt. I've done 2 passes, but I noticed that I was getting tired, so I stopped. I'll finish it up tomorrow. Then, the binding will go on and I'll have one less boy baby quilt to do.