Monday, February 28, 2011

Baa-Baa...2Sheep

I am so happy that I got it done!
Finally!

I started this rug in 2002.
Hooked on it for a few months
and then put it aside.
Pulled it out in 2007...
completely changed my color plan 
(thank you, Bren!)
so took every single strip out.
 Started over & hooked all but the eyes.
Could not get them to look decent.
Put it aside.
Pulled it out this year.
Finally got the eyes okay.
Not wonderful, but okay.
Put the binding on over the last week or so.
Finished last night.
Steamed the heck out of it.
Too late to get a good photo
so had to wait until today.

I LOVE this rug!!!

It's a Beverly Conway design measuring ~2 x 3 feet.



Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Just Cuz...

Two boxes came in the mail yesterday.

One was from Connecting Threads.
I love their thread!
Naomi Janome doesn't love it quite as much as I do.
She loves it for straight-line quilting,
but not for free-motion quilting.
She gets all tense.

haha...I made a funny!
(The tension needs to be adjusted when I use this thread...
hench, she gets all tense...and, now I am a poet!  ha!)

So, I use it for piecing and straight-line quilting.
It comes in every color imaginable.

The other box was from my sister, Joyce.
She sent me this...

 Are you familiar with this book?
It's the Bible
arranged in 365 daily readings...
a portion from the Old Testament,
the New Testament, Psalms & Proverbs.
I had asked for it for my birthday.
But, this is not for my birthday.
I  had already received a gift from Joyce.
She sent it to me...
'just cuz'.
Oh, how I love my sister...
She is so good to me!

And, for Kaylynn, she sent a bracelet...
What a nice great-aunt she is!
Thank you, Joyce!


Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Saturday, February 26, 2011

The Beloveds...

be·lov·ed

[bih-luhv-id, -luhvd] 
–adjective
1.  greatly loved; dear to the heart.
–noun
2.  a person who is greatly loved.

(In this case, both the brown dog and his little girl, Kaylynn Marie.)



Goodnight.




Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Friday, February 25, 2011

So Much Time...

There is just so much time in a day.
Not one minute more.

I work 30 hours a week.
Which I love!
By the time I run errands, 
(it seems I always have at least one)
it's about 3:00 when I get home.

Oh, I know,
that's way better than about 6:00.
I'm just sayin'...

I wish I didn't have to work at all.
I guess I'm still clinging to my former life
of when I was married...
back when I was a stay-at-home Mom.
(Let's see, I was last married in 1984,
so I am, perhaps, being a bit stubborn
about facing the reality of my life.)
But, I loved my life back then.
I want that again.

Well, okay.
I am almost old enough to retire.
Something that I am so looking forward to!
And, then I will again be a stay-at-home...something.
I wonder if I will have enough energy
to do the things I want to do?

Of which there are many.
Things I want to do.
{sigh}

So, that being said,
it looks like I may have a new 'thing to do'.
I stopped in at my lqs yesterday to pick up 
more Sunkissed fabric for the sample quilt.
I needed yardage for the borders and backing.


(look at the scrumptious sherbet orange!)

Gloria, the owner,
is 'thrilled' that I am making this 
sample quilt for her shop.
And, she is very happy with
how I'm doing this quilt.
When we were done getting everything I needed,
she mentioned that she would need to
find something else for me to do.
I tell ya, I am dancing on the ceiling!
YIPPEE!

I guess all I can do is work my fingers to the bone.
Doing what I love.
That is a good thing.
Don't you think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Kaylynn is coming tomorrow for an overnight.
We're going to watch a movie (or two or four)
and lay around and eat pizza and popcorn.

Sounds like a great time to me!


Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Whirlygigs

I started putting my whirlygig blocks together.
Here's a peek...
 

What have you been up to?



Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sunkissed, Birthday & Snow Days...

The weekend is about over...darn.  I had plenty of time to get a few things done today that I really wanted to, though, so it's all good.


I got the Sunkissed fabric cut for the sample quilt for my lqs (Saving Thyme).

I prepped fabric and traced a pattern for a huge project.  Did I tell you about this?  Sharon of MoosecraftUSA & I are embarking on a project.  Together but separately...each will have our own finished product.  But, across the miles, we will be here for each other as we work our way through this project...and try to not become overwhelmed by the immense amount of hours it will take to complete it.  (Me Mum predicts that it will take 194,000 hours to complete it. Sharon did the math and it comes out to be 12 years...24/7.  ha!)


It all started when Sharon mentioned 2 BOM's that she was starting this year.  Applique/quilting projects.  I looked at the patterns she was doing (they're so cool!) and looked further and saw one that I was completely taken with.  If you're a regular reader of my blog, this will sound familiar to you.  That's cuz I wrote about it here.  Sharon and I emailed back and forth about this quilt and we were both so excited...she finally could no longer resist and joined the BOM for that, too!  YAY!  So, my plan was to cheer her on with it.  But, surprise, surprise, she decided to send a pattern of my own to me.  Happy Birthday to me from Sharon!  Thank you so much!  (ohyeah, more about my birthday in a bit.)  So.  We are in this together.  I think she just really wanted someone to feel the pain with her.  This pattern calls for 16 skeins of floss...of the same color...2 strands used for the stitchery.  Look at how gorgeous this variegated floss is...

The pattern calls for over 40 different fabrics, but I opted to cut that number down to 26.  I went to the lqs close by my work (Stitcher's Crossing) and Julie gave me outstanding customer service with help in selecting fabrics.  In fact, she ran around with a skein of the floss and chose fabrics...all I had to do was stand there and decide which ones I could not live without.  There are several batiks...soooo gorgeous!  Lots of textures.  And, of course, all more gorgeous than they show here.

I tend to watch a lot of tv in the evenings...especially now with American Idol on and Dancing With the Stars due to start soon (March 21).  If I have some handwork to do...it's all a good thing.  Keeps me from thinking about smoking and eating.  This project will definitely keep my hands busy!

So.  My first block of stitchery is ready to go.  YAY!  The stitching is all done in backstitch, so it won't be at all difficult.  The challenge is the detail in the stitchery blocks.  

That being said, it is going to be one gorgeous quilt when finished.  Since Sharon's BOM is 14 months long...and I'm not going to rush to get done before her...we should have these ready to cuddle up with for the winter of 2012-2013.  Course, it's always possible that after all of our work, we will opt to hang them on our walls!! 

(you'll have to click to enlarge to see this and even then you may not be able to see it very well.  I would like to point out that this block has the least amount of detail of all of them!)
 
 Wish us luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yup, I had a birthday this past week.  I think I forgot to mention it.  No big number/milestone...this year.  It was a quiet birthday...nothing special going on.  All of my coworkers brought food...can you say sugar overload?  I received many phone calls & emails,  2 virtual floral bouquets, several happy birthday wishes on Facebook and some very nice gifts.  Thank you all very much!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have been thinking about doing a giveaway.  The only reason that I'm not announcing it right here & now is that I haven't made up my mind what to give away.  Any suggestions?

Have a great work week!


Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Frolicking...

Maureen and I bartered.
She'll clean.
I'll make 2 quilts.
For her granddaughters.

I think I have the better end of this barter.

Maureen was here this morning.
She cleaned. 

I sewed on my quilt for the 
Charmed Whirlygig Quiltalong
that I am doing with Cathy.
You know, my friend from Quilting on Turtle Hill.

For the whirlygigs,
I am using 2 charm packs of Frolic 
by Sandy Gervais for Moda.
Love these fabrics!
For the background of my whirlygigs,
I am using Kona solid cotton in Eggshell.
Love me some Kona!

I messed up cutting the whirlygigs.
Can you believe it???
I couldn't!
I've messed up before.
Here

But, I have already made 2 whirlygig quilts
(see them here and here)
so I was surprised that I messed up!
It's not like I didn't refresh my memory
on how to make the whirlygigs.
I looked at the instructions
and carefully cut them.
The wrong way.
{sigh}

So.
Instead of 8" blocks,
mine are 6.5 inches.
Not the end of the world, I know.
Still.
Not only are the blocks smaller,
but the whirlygigs don't have
as much of an angle to them.


I am okay with them.
The Kona Eggshell is perfect for these fabrics.
I love my Kona Cotton Color Card!



And, Tag!
What did he do?

Well, the first thing I saw was this...

 Then, I saw this...
(that's my ostrich feather featherduster)
Had to remind myself that he is, 
after all...


...wait for it...







a bird dog.
{grin}


Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Sample Quilt Fabrics

What fun to go into my lqs, select fabrics and leave.

With no money exchanging hands.
Seriously.
What could be better than that?

I picked out my Sunkissed fabrics.
(oops, one is trying to hide)
I'll show you what I'm doing as it gets done.

I have a deadline.
That makes it sound official, doesn't it?
{grin}

Sew on!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Happy Birthday to my friend, Lindy.
She's over at The Gingerbread House.
She hooks rugs and sews quilts.
And, fixes up her old house.
She's amazing!


Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Plan...



Is that the 4 J's (that's me and my 3 sisters) retire and end up together in Colorado.  


I was originally planning to retire early and move out there with Jill and her guy, Tim.  But, thinking about leaving the grandchildren and me Mum was making me too sad, so I opted to stay here.  For now.  

I have a good and close relationship with each of my sisters.  Jill and I are a lot alike, though...we share similar personality traits.  We talk on the phone several times a week...and though we don't visit each other often, being only a few hours apart has always made it possible to travel to see each other if we wanted or needed to.  When she moves in 47 days, that will no longer be possible.  Oh, we'll continue to talk on the phone (almost) daily...and they'll come to visit once a year, but it just won't be the same.  Knowing that she's not a few hours away up the road.  Ya know?  

We had a great time together this weekend.  We ate a LOT.  Too much.  Did a bit of shopping.  I opened a few early birthday gifts.  We watched a movie.  I didn't take any photos.  Not sure why.  She left a bit ago.  I know we'll talk many times before she actually moves, but this is the last time I'll see her.

Julie is already out there in Colorado, though she is about 4 hours from where Jill & Tim will live.  

I am very happy for Jill...but very sad for myself.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Baby Sister Comes to Visit...

My baby sister is coming today for an overnight visit.

She lives 154 miles from me.

She's moving in 47 days...

1100 miles away.

Cannot even fathom how much I will miss her.

We'll make the most of this weekend together.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Breathe In, Breathe Out...

While taking my break at work this morning, I sat and read my favorite blogs.  As I usually do.  One of them being Jaybird Quilts.  Julie is an amazing woman.  She has no clue who I am, but I am a faithful reader of her blog.  

Yeah, so I was reading her post about her pattern development process...and, let me tell you, I was very impressed.  Like her, I have received many patterns over the years that have left a lot to be desired.  It surprised me not at all that she has very high standards.  I got to the part where she mentioned her 'pattern testers' and instantly thought, "ohhhh, I wanna do that!".  Not actually for her (well, I would if asked, but I'm being realistic), but to do that for someone...how fun would that be?  

Okay, so my break was over.  Then, work was done.  Bye everyone!  Made a few stops on the way home and then decided to stop at my lqs to pick up a piece of fabric I need to finish a baby quilt.  Gloria (owner) and I chatted...and I looked at the new fabrics she's been getting in...Habitat, Sunkissed and Dilly Dally to name a few.  Gloria's daughter, Jennifer, was there and they had a discussion about a sample quilt Jennifer had made, and also about the 1/2 yard cuts she had taken of the Habitat fabrics to make a quilt with. 

When her daughter left, I said to Gloria, "Would you please adopt me (gloria is actually younger than I am) so I have access to lots of fabric?"  Gloria told me that Jennifer was going to make a sample quilt for the shop with the Habitat fabrics.  How fun is that!  Can't wait to see it!  

Then...and THEN she said, "would you like to make a sample quilt for the shop, Jacque?"  Ohmygosh, I about passed out!  Me!?  Make a sample quilt for a shop!?  Heck, yeah!  (I've taken several of my finished quilts in to show off her, so she knows my work...case you're wondering.)

We talked about it a bit and Gloria sent me home with some patterns and pattern books to decide what quilt I wanted to make.  And, guess what fabric I get to use????  SUNKISSED!  YAY!!!  She doesn't have the entire collection, but certainly enough of them to be awesomely fun!!! 



I will have a say in what pattern I want to use.  But, as the owner of the shop, she has the final say.  So, I'll browse the patterns/books and choose a few that I really would like to work on and fly them by her.  

Ohmygosh.  Can you believe that?

So, if she's happy with my work, I'll have the opportunity to sew more sample quilts.  Not all right now, but over time.  You know.  How fun is that...to play with awesome fabric!  With no guilt over the expense!

Breathe, Jacque.  Breathe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And, just to make the day even better, my 'snow days' pattern arrived...ohmygosh!  It will be amazing!  More on this later.




Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Nine Years Old!!!!



Oh, gosh...hard to believe!
Especially since he acts like he's two years old.
Yup, Tag E. Butt is 9 years old today.  


Then...



Now...

I love him so.

He has always been my laughter.  

Happy Birthday, brown dog!




(Check out those browns on Tag...making him look like two completely different dogs!   He's really the same brown as he's always been, except now has some white mixed in.  The brown color has not changed or lightened up.  Browns are hard to get accurate and with different cameras, different backgrounds, different lighting...they all are different!  The most accurate color of Tag is the photo of him on my sidebar.  Just sayin'.)  

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Ahead of the Game...Literally!

I've got my charms cut already.
There were a few doubles.
And I only cut pieces for 41 blocks...
one charm is almost the same color as 
the eggshell I'm using for background.
Can't use that one.

I'll end up making a 6 x 6 block quilt
with borders and will use a few of 
those remaining blocks on the backing.

I think Cathy was planning to do 
her cutting during the Super Bowl.
I couldn't wait.
ohwell.

I need to wait for my background to arrive,
so this is all I am able to do now, anyway.

I won't be watching the game tonight.
Will hear more than I want to at work tomorrow.
No matter who wins.



Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whirlygig Quiltalong Round 2

I am about ready to begin cutting my charms for the Charmed Whirlygig Quiltalong with Cathy of Quilting on Turtle Hill.  You'll find the tutorial here.   Click on the photo to go to our Flickr group page...you are more than welcome to join us.  It's a very easy quilt to make.


Here are the two I made last year following along with Cathy.



This year, I am using Frolic by Sandy Gervais for Moda.  2 charm packs and some yardage plus Kona solid cotton in Eggshell.  It should be an awesome quilt! 


Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Am I A Bad Person...

 if I grin from ear to ear
when a bad guy gets what is coming to him?
When he's blown to bits...
or when a bullet finds its way to his brain?
I am not a violent person.
Not. At. All.
Yet, when it comes to entertainment,

there's nothing I like more than
shoot-em-up, blow-em-up,
kill-em-dead
books & movies.

I read the book, "Dead Zero".
I watched the movie, "Shooter".
A very good day for me.
Thanks to Bob Lee Swagger.
(see yesterday's post if you don't know what I'm talking about)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm starting a new project tomorrow.
Which is actually today.
Involving these fabrics...

Friday, February 4, 2011

Bob Lee Swagger Weekend!

I plan to have a Bob Lee Swagger weekend.  

Who is Bob Lee Swagger, you ask?  

Bob Lee 'The Nailer' Swagger is a fictional sniper of the Vietnam War era.  If you love to read books that end with the good guys winning...and the bad guys losing (and, I do!)...masterful writing, full of action from start to finish, you'll want to read the Bob Lee Swagger series!  Stephen Hunter, a New York Times bestselling author, is one of my faves to read and I wait impatiently for each new Bob Lee Swagger book to come out.

Did you see the movie, "Shooter"?  Released in 2007, starring Mark Wahlberg?  Great movie!  It was based on the book written by Stephen Hunter...a Bob Lee Swagger book, "Point of Impact".  I saw the movie back when it came out, but have been wanting to watch it again.  It should be here tomorrow. 







And, just by chance, Stephen Hunter's newest book, "Dead Zero" was available for me to pick up at the library yesterday.  

(pssssst...do you know about and use this wonderful feature of your public library?  I go online to the library's website and search out books that I want to read... request what I want to be put on hold and when I am notified that the book is waiting for me, I stop by and make a pickup!  Easy peasy!  In and out.  Fast, efficient, free.)   


 
Reading a Stephen Hunter Bob Lee Swagger book and watching a movie starring Mark Wahlberg, playing Bob Lee Swagger...who could ask for anything more?


Well, I might enjoy some sewing, too.


Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Groundhog Day!

 

Jimmy had a rough time digging out
from beneath huge snow drifts.
When he finally popped up,
he did NOT see his shadow!
That means EARLY SPRING!

Go here for more on Jimmy.


Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Bargello Practice...

I've been working on my dqs10 quilt this morning.

A mini Bargello quilt.
Here's what I have thus far.
It measures about 11 x 13 inches.

Not sure where I'll go from here.
Perhaps a thin border and then some squares.
Not in a hurry...
can't mail it before 3/15.
So, I'll take my time
and see what happens.


Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Snow Day...

It's been a quiet day.
I readied umpteen million
(okay, only 11, but it sure felt like more!)
packages to mail out.
Not sure what the rush was.
Sure ain't goin' anywhere tomorrow!

Blizzard in progress here.
YIKES!
I don't really care.
I have no place special to go.

Work, you say?
Um, well...
they're closing things down at the U.
YIPPEE!
I am a non-essential employee.
So, I'm to use my discretion.
Yeah, okay...if I had a snowplow...maybe.
Since I don't,
I won't be goin' tomorrow, either.

Instead, I'll keep working on my dqs10 quilt
(that's doll quilt swap 10).
It will look kind of like this.
But all sewn together.
It already needs some adjustments
and a plan would be good
(because I messed up on the right side).



Here's what it looks like outside right now...


I did a lot of blog-hopping today.
Stopped in at Courtney's blog.

Look what I found!
Teeny tiny pincushions!
Made with bottle caps.
You know, like off your soda water bottles.
I may have to try them soon.
Courtney made one!

Course, my water soda comes in cans,
so I might have to search for caps.
Here's the tutorial.

Have a great night!

 
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10