Lost

I'm lost, I have not been sewing much, and I have been trying to get myself ready for the retreat. Only problem, I've not done the cutting I wanted to in order to be ready for the retreat. So, tonight I am cutting the retreat quilt out. I decided not to use the kit they had us buy. Granted, it was in red, white, blue and I normally love that. But, I just don't particularly like their combination of fabrics.

Sooooo, I decided to cut into the greens and brown that might become my quilt for my bed. But, if I do that, I have to make it larger. Larger than 72 x 72. I have a king sized bed. So, I am just doubling it. I know, it won't be as big as I might want it, but when I see how these colors are going together, I can always cut more of my greens up and/or add a creative border. But, I'm cutting into it instead of just thinking about it. Soooo, there you have it!

My list of things I'm taking with me are
1. Ocean Waves (I'll use them as leader/enders)
2. Pineapple Blossoms (it is one that needs to be cut out before being sewn)
3. Fish Quilt from the Shop Hop (still needs to be cut)
4. Retreat Quilt (It will be cut by the time I leave)
5. 9" hourglass blocks
6. BQ Mystery 6" blocks (cut and ready to sew)
7. BQ Mystery 3" blocks (still need to be cut out. I have all the scraps together to do it)
8. QOV Star BDB Quilt from last year (need sashing cut)
9. Pillowcases (needs to be cut)
10. Red hat purse. (needs to be cut)
11. Horse Quilt. (some cut, but probably need the rest cut too.

3 days of sewing. I bet I don't get most of it done, but I'll have fun and if I need to stop and work on something else, I can do it!!!

OK, off the computer and on to the rest of the cutting.

UGLY QUILT IS DONE

Ugly quilt is finished!
I did a feathered wreath in the center.
Here is the other detail to look a little like water.

I'm so happy, label is on, binding done and it is washed. I now need to load it in a box and mail it off tomorrow!!


I feel good!

DS called and needed help with his excel homework, so I bound the QOV #63 while he did it and I sat there for the time. It is washing right now.

QOV #63 quilted

Wow, I had fun with this one. I don't know what I'd call these, but I had fun playing with them. The swirls are like the ones in the black fabric.

I'm binding this one, so I now have something else to work on this week. The label was done by the piecer.

Quilt Show on Saturday

I know, I'm late in posting this. I'll put up some of the quilts I happened to get photos of. They had lots of quilts that were hand quilted. Some were absolutely amazing. Some antiques and some new ones. They had a senior category that the stitches were so tiny. I look at shows differently since I started machine quilting. I actually look to see what was done on the quilt. It is a fun process for me. Maybe I'll learn something.

This sampler was absolutely striking. Look at the detail with the variegated thread. Wow.

A feathered star that really uses the open space. I won't do this, but I thought it was beautiful!

The Dresden plate. This was an older one.

This is a really simple 9-patch and big blocks. I can see this done with fabric that is a LARGE print. Talk about easy, but striking.

This was hand pieced and hand quilted. Wonderful. But, patriotic always attracts me.
This had amazing McTavishing done on it. I have that book, and need to play one day. It is very dense quilting, so I really think I'd like to do a wall-hanging instead of a full quilt. Or just do it in a spot on the quilt.
Kim, look, feathers.
It wouldn't be a Texas quilt show without boots and all the Texas trimmings. Fun quilt with all the Texas "stuff".
I am amazed at the quilting on this one.
I thought that DD would love to have this one. I should learn applique and learn how to do these things. Maybe I need to take a class

I didn't buy any fabric, amazing. The ladies I went with were a hoot. I had the best time. Thanks Jan/Pat for inviting me.

We went to the show, after about an hour we went and had lunch at this wonderful restaurant (I can't spell the name to find a link for you).

Kim, look at the birdhouse made out of corks.

Back to the show. I bought a couple of Christmas ornaments in a coffee cup. What a cute idea. I might have to make some of my own. :) I also got some marking chalk. Looks a lot like tailor's chalk that is hard to find. I found a beautiful patriotic pattern that even has applique on it. Amazing. LOL I want to make this one. I didn't do too much damage. See the pretty blue and white show quilt on the cover of the program?


Can't you see a quilt like this?Look, I liked the effect of the bathroom floor. LOL


After the show we went to the Oak Leaf Quilt Shop. This pattern was in their front window. I know I've seen it. Anyone know where to get the pattern?

On the way home we stopped and had ice cream.

Two of the ladies needed to stop at Wal-Mart, so we went in there (it was right behind the ice cream place). Then on home. What an enjoyable day.

I laid these out before I left to see what I had available. I really want to swap 9 inch 9-patches in good quality batiks. I want to make this pattern from them for my bed. I want a dark green and a brown for the 2 hourglass colors. This quilt pattern is from Quilt. DH brought the magazine home the other night.

Sunday Stash report

My Stash report for the week is as follows:

Fabric usage goal --100 yards {25.41 to go}
Fabric Added This Week - 3.5 yards (given to me as a gift)
Fabric Added Year to Date - 47.31 yards
Fabric Used This Week - 21.58 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date - 112.01 yards
Fabric Used this Month - -19.45 yards (all because of the gift. LOL)
Net year to date: 74.59 yards USED this year!!! (I'm still in the positive, Whew)

Thanks, Judy. So, what did I work on this week?

I made lots of labels: Kathy, Vicki, Carol and mine.
I made more thread catchers and more.
I beaded too.
DD and I made pillowcases as a team. :)
I finished Diamond Cross that will go to 2 military airmen.
I made an old purse pattern and a new purse pattern.
A cute finger pincushion.
I started a red hat purse with this embroidery.
I finished the ugly quilt, but I don't have a photo of it yet.

So, I think I had a decent week.

Fun Friday

Well, I wish I understood my moods. My ears are full and I just don't wanna do anything. I hate that feeling. I tried to get the backing done for JoAnn's quilt, and I'm having troubles. I think I have a solution with the fabric she sent, but it is frustrating me.

I did embroider out labels for Kathy. But, I did 2 of one and then had to the next one. ???? What is up with me?

I did one label for the ugly quilt. I need to trim it and pin the label in the corner, so when I am sewing the binding on I can sew it on too.

I played with a design a friend made me. Thank you Vicki. I think I'll make a red hat purse out of it. Won't that be cute?

I have other projects I need to work on, but and not motivated.

Thundery Thursday

Wow, we have actually had a wonderful nice and easy rain ALL day long. There have been a few times when the wind blew, thunder could be heard and lightening seen. Overall, it has been a dark rainy day here in Central TX.


So, as long as it was not a big storm, I finished quilting the ugly quilt. I don't have the binding on it yet, but started that at Karate tonight.


I finished making the purse Charlotte by Jackie of Posh Patterns. I belong to her yahoo group and just love all the information I get on the group. This one is for my Secret Sister. I just had to try and make one. This is Charlotte Here is the inside view of the pockets. I couldn't get a photo with it open any other way. LOL

This is our last package to our secret sisters, and I just had fun putting lots of things together. I have the Charlotte bag, some French Vanilla (a favorite of mine) coffee, a scissor fob, some quilting thread (her favorite), some Guttermann thread, a finger pincushion, a cupcake pincushion, some footnotes, a quilting pattern, some soap, lavender lotion and bubble bath, and one of my thread catchers I've been making. I hope she enjoys it. I've had fun trying to find the pincushions for her collection.


Speaking of secret sisters, look what I found in the mail when I got home from Karate. My package from Candice. Doesn't it look like lots of fun? I'll put the fabric into my stash of fabric for MY quilt. I can't wait to use it. the little box of Quilter's dessers looks like some yummy things. THANK YOU Candice.

Wed on the funny farm

I've had one of those days. Not totally with it.

Mom lost 1.2 lbs and is 1.6 from her goal. Woo Hoo, Mom!!!

DD has wanted to bead today and play, so I've not got much done. This is Golden with her bracelet. The necklace is to come. LOL

I did get the ugly quilt loaded. LOL So, now to load the thread and change the needle and quilt this thing. LOL

I made a triangle pincushion for a secret sister gift.

Then, this is what the skies look like around here. Hello Dolly. I don't think we will get much but some rain tonight, but the skies are strange for around here.

Tuesday evening

Well, Mom wanted a tote/bag for the WW leader. She is leaving us to go back to school, so I made this cute animal tote. The charm is black and brown to go with the tote. Hoping she will like it.


Here is another thread catcher. You will be tired of seeing these soon. LOL

Another item off my list. :)

I think I'm procrastinating working on this quilt. But, I NEED to get it done NOW!! So, tomorrow is a focus day on the ugly quilt. LOL

Sewing with DD

This is the Diamond Cross I finished yesterday. This was a mystery, & I love it.
DD is sewing away to make some pillowcases to help another scout with her Gold award. Here are the 6 pillowcases we made.

My Monday

I didn't get much quilty done, at least not what I thought I was going to do. LOL

I did get a label done for Vicki. I might redo it. The names are a bit lower than I wanted them to be. I need to work on 2 hoopings for one label. It just takes practice.

Instead of quilting, we made jewelry. I made scissor fobs and DD made key rings for Christmas gifts. I think she did a wonderful job. I need more of the big rings to finish what I have planned.

I did finish the binding on Diamond Cross. It is in the wash right now.

I made one more thread catcher too. Those are fun. I really want to get a few ready to take with me when I'm just sitting around. What a fun gift.

My Sunday

I started out wanting to do lots of things, but I was just not in the mood. Ever have one of those days?

Well, I decided to ask Vicki if she would help me with digitizing a couple of labels. This wonderful lady helps me so much. When she sent them back to me, I asked her what I could do for her. I was SO happy when she told me she needed help in doing some labels for another friend. So, I sat here, read e-mails and stitched 3 labels out for Carol. Aren't they wonderful? I love the dragon flies. My photos aren't all that good. I'm trying to figure out what is going on with my camera.

Then, I started on my labels. This one is for the wedding quilt I am currently binding.

While DH, DD and I ran around today, I made 2 more thread catchers and bound almost all of the wedding quilt. I have about half of one side to finish, and to add in the label.

I'm stitching out a Love quilt label now, and I can't show that until I get the quilt delivered.

Sunday Stash Report

My Stash report for the week is as follows:

Fabric usage goal --100 yards {46.99 to go}
Fabric Added This Week - 4 yards (given to me as a gift)
Fabric Added Year to Date - 43.68 yards
Fabric Used This Week - 1.67 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date - 86.93 yards
Fabric Used this Month - -2.13 yards (all because of the gift. LOL)
Net year to date: 53.01 yards USED this year!!! (I'm still in the positive, Whew)

Thanks, Judy

So, what did I work on this week? Lots of small projects.

I made thread catchers, my first one is here, I finished my feathered star wall hanging, and I made some pincushions for the swap. Not anything big, but I was doing things. I got a few items crossed off my to do list, so that is helpful.

Look what I got

Wow, I love to get Kim's hand dyes. Wow, look at that red. Isn't it wonderful? My 2 favs. Red and Lime green. Thank you, Kim!!!

DH loves his cigar too.

Thread Catchers

Wow, I love these. I've made 7 so far, and think they are cool. I'll be putting some together to be worked on during down time. It takes me about 15 minutes to sew and turn, then about an hour, maybe a little less, to hand sew them into the containers. That is fun at the pool, because it doesn't take a lot of stuff to work on or isn't large.

I see more in my future.