The Meeting...

It was a great meeting...

Bren and I met on the Wool Snippets message board about 13 years ago.  We started chatting via instant message and eventually began talking with each other on the phone.  Never together in person...until yesterday.  Now that I live in Colorado, Bren and I live a short almost 3 hours apart.  She patiently waited until I got (mostly) settled before she demanded begged for us to meet.  The date was set for yesterday.  What a great day!  We lunched, we shopped (more on that below) and we laughed and we chatted. I met the kids and then it was time to leave.  A really fun day and it was so nice to actually spend time with each other.  We plan to get together often...working together and apart on various quilting projects.

We shopped at Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver, a craft store with yarn and wool and quilting cotton. What a fun shop!  We both found some 'cannot leave without it' fabrics.  Here's what I came home with...

This is Liberty voile...I had never seen it in person before.  To touch it...ohmy.  I bought 1/2 yard of it...not sure what I'll be making but I could not resist.

 This will be used to make a cover for my crockpot...which needs to sit on the kitchen counter because there is no space for it anywhere else.

  I think these are just delightful fabrics!  Will use them to make some kind of quilt...not for sure what pattern, yet.

I absolutely L-O-V-E this fabric...kind of a gray green with dark circles around the x's.  Nothing spectacular about it...but it definitely wanted to come home with me.  I cannot remember if I was going to use it with the above pieces, or not.  

This is Sherlock, one of Bren's cats.  He is very outgoing and friendly.  Nosy, too.  ~grin~

Kelley, of With Hook and Needle fame, sent Bren a quilt top to machine quilt...and she received it yesterday!   I was so happy it got there so that I was able to see it!  The quilt top is for Kelley's Mom and is all hand-pieced...absolutely beautiful work!  (I am fortunate to own a quilt that Kelley hand-pieced.)  Here's the quilt Bren received yesterday...

sorry, a bit blurry.

The landscape...beautiful mountains near Denver.  

I had a wonderful day with my good friend...and am already looking forward to the next time we're together.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Hand-Pieced Quilt...

Back in January of 2012, Erin of whynotsew blog fame, started a quiltalong for a hand-pieced doll quilt.  Well, never having done hand-piecing, I was curious, so signed up for it.  I used all oranges with white as a background and sashing fabric. 

My plan was to hand-quilt this.  But, I didn't.  It sat around forever!  I'd pick it up and try some hand-quilting and decide that I didn't like what I was doing...then let it sit around some more.  I finally decided that I really needed to finish it.  The batting I used was given me by my lqs to try.  It is so soft and a much more lofty batting than what I'm used to (warm and natural).  I machine quilted it...each block its own pattern determined by the lines of sewing.  I made 2 rows down the sashings.  It's a bit poofy, but okay, I think. 

This little quilt measures ~20" square.

Here it is now...

For the backing, I used a piece of vintage fabric given me by a coworker...I had planned to do the quilting in an aqua or teal to match, but went with white thread when I decided to machine quilt it.

  

I am finally able to cross something off my list!  I seem to keep adding, but never subtracting from it.  

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Follow-Through...

See, I am NOT all talk.  I am following through...yup, I actually am!  


Here is the first of the unfinished quilt tops that I have to finish.  I posted about them recently...here.  After that posting, I made a plan to finish one of these quilts each month.  That way, by the end of the year, they'll all be done.  And, one a month won't interfere with the other things I want to do.  Shouldn't, anyway.

So.  This is the hand-pieced quilt from Kelley.  She had left a comment stating that I should 'just get the darn thing quilted and use it, for pete's sake'.  Or, something to that effect.  {grin}.  I already had the batting for this quilt measured and cut, so it's getting done first.  This month.  July. 

It is now pin-basted and ready to quilt.  So, as soon as I figure out what color of thread to use and what quilting pattern, I'll be off and running with it!  

Staying in the ac keeping cool.  Are you?




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Not Quite Finished...

Here are a few things I have been working on.  

My 'swoon' quilt...the top, anyway.  I was going to make 9 blocks (remember, each block measures 24.5 inches), but decided that I didn't really need (or want) to make a quilt that was 84 inches square (with sashing & borders).  So, I took 4 of my fave blocks and made this nice lap-sized quilt top.  Right now, it measures 57 inches square.  I think I'll probably use the other 3 blocks for large pillows...or I could add borders and make a few nice baby quilts.  OR, I could make one more block and have 4 of them for another lap-sized quilt!  A plethora of ideas!  {grin}  At any rate...I am loving this orange and aqua color combo.     

This is the small quilt I started with Cheri Payne's quiltalong.  But then I veered off in another direction.  No special reason.  Just cuz.  I am ready to quilt it, but have yet to decide how I want to do that.  Ohman, the decisions I am having to make!  {grin}

I finished knitting both heelless (tube?) socks...am now learning how to sew them together.  It'll be a bit before I finish that.  Mostly because I am not concentrating on finishing them.  I do love these summer colors. 

Been working with my hand-pieced quilt...putting the sashing and cornerstones on.  I should be ready to start hand-quilting on this very soon.  Once I decide how I want to do it, that is!  (I told you, didn't I?...decisions!!!)

American Idol is on tonight!

I'm okay with DWTS's elimination last night...how about you?



 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Not So Much...

I haven't been around, lately.  Not so much going on.  I am having a bit of a problem...don't worry...everything is okay.  Just overwhelmed with trying to stay caught up at work (one person new/training and one person who only does half of what she should be doing...and then there is me...trying to do my job plus the overflow in 30 hours weekly.  Yeah.)  I am finding that when I am stressed, my tinnitus increases in volume and makes me very anxious...it then interferes with my sleep.  Not good.  At all.  But, it will get better.  Count on it.

In addition to not blogging much, I haven't accomplished (read finished) much, either.  

I did manage to do this block for my hand-pieced quiltalong.  Erin asked for a suggestion...I love pinwheels, so this is what we got to piece this week!  YAY!

 

Here are my blocks all together.  This pinwheel block was Block 11, but I opted out of two blocks...I think I am going to go with just these 9.  Unsure at this time whether or not I'll add sashing. 

I wanted desperately needed a no-stress weekend, so I took a break from my list.  You know the one...with a bazillion things to do on it.  Yeah.  No list weekend!  

So, today I've been knitting...just to try out this pattern.  Easy Mistake Stitch Scarf.  It's a basic knit2, purl2, but there are an odd number of stitches, so that makes it work out differently than if there were an even number of stitches.  The yarn I used is an acrylic that was sent by me Mum and Aunt/Godmother.  Practice yarn.  As the pattern says, 'Mistake Stitch creates a very deep and lofty rib'.  It is truly scrumptious.  

Mowed the dog yard.

Watched a movie..."Tower Heist".  It was okay and had some good comedy in it.

 

Now for some more relaxing. 

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday.  Nothing happening here.  What do you have going on?


 
 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Can You Say Frustrated?

I have been sewing clothes and following patterns for 45 years.  Yeah.  A very long time.  So, why is it that I am running into snags with my current sewing project?  Is it because the pattern is poorly written?  (Nope.)  Is it because the instructions are incorrect?  (That's what I thought it must be for a long time.)  Or, is it because I think I know everything and don't read the instructions thoroughly?  AH-HA!  That would be it.  The first snag was because I did not take the time to read the pattern instructions thoroughly...which resulted in me redoing most of what was done.  Another snag was hit when I asked someone for a measurement and was given a number that I should have known was not correct.  I am trying to finish up what should have been a very simple sewing project for me.  I still have a few hours left.  I am more than a bit frustrated.  I just hope that - in the end - it's worth it.  That the article fits properly and that it is loved by the recipient.

Here's a sneak peek...

Though I didn't get as much done this past week as I had hoped, I did manage to finish a block for my hand-pieced quiltalong!  YAY for me!

For those of you who are wondering how my knitting is going (I know there is at least one of you out there!), I am on the second heel-less sock and it's going great!

This weekend is all but over...another work week ahead.  Hope this one is easier...last week wore me out!

Have a good week!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."    Jeremiah 29:11

My Space...

I am, by nature, not very neat.  Fairly messy, in fact.  I have a bad habit of not putting things back where they belong when I'm done with them.  Therefore, things pile up.  Quickly.  And, sometimes way beyond control.  My sister really dislikes this part of me.  So.  I try to keep things picked up.  At least in the common areas of the house.  


edited to add:  I am, however, very particular about many things...where I want things, how I want them done...especially with my sewing and the work I do at my job.

My sewing room is another matter entirely.  When I am working on a project...said project is everywhere!  Every.  Where.  And, I don't put scraps and pieces of fabric away when I finish a project...usually I am excited about starting the next one...so I just keep going...making mess after mess after mess.  My sewing room is small...about 10x10.  So there's not really much room to be messy. 

But, you know...sometimes too much is too much even for me.  Yes, indeed.  So.  My major to-do this past weekend was to straighten up and clean my sewing room.  I didn't take 'before' photos...but here are a few 'after' photos.  (There is no photo of my closet...where I have two shelf units mostly full.  Odds and ends, more books/magazines, office and mailing supplies, plus a few works in progress.)

Here is a nicely arranged shelf unit...

top shelf:  headless dolls and sheepie.  Okay, not really headless...just didn't include the heads in that photo. 

2nd shelf:  batting remnants in basket.  Black recipe box containing rug hooking hooks and scissors.  Quilting thread and journals and Kona cotton color card. 

3rd shelf:  patterns I have yet to use in basket.  Fabric covered boxes containing leftover bits of bindings (in the two smaller ones).  Embroidery floss and perle cotton in the large one.  Two spools of quilting thread sitting on top of them.  Also sitting on them is a round container with a needle-punched top for buttons.  Just a few of the quilting books and magazines in my possession. 

4th shelf:  Snow Days fabric and stitchery stuff.  Rolled up needlepoint canvas which was started almost 40 years ago by me Mum...I will finish it soon.  Basket with orange fabrics for hand-pieced quilt I am making.  Container with Poppy and Curio fabric collections and Poppy quilt top. 

5th shelf:  binder with .pdf patterns bought over the years...mostly primitive stuff.  My old sewing machine.

This photo is of my fabric.  (Some of it.  I have a large Rubbermaid tote under my sewing table full of fabric collections for already planned projects.)  Ironing board with fishie towel on it for extra padding cuz I'm too lazy to make a new cover.  Underneath are two enamel pots (previously used for dyeing wool) full of cotton scraps.   

Last, but not least...my sewing table.  Naomi Janome.  Some pieces to finish up sewing.  And, just stuff over there in the corner.  A binder with interesting quilt-related things...and upcoming project instructions.

I do find it difficult to create in a place that is too cluttered.  Difficult to organize my mind when my space is a mess.  Ya know?  However, now that things are cleaned up and put in order, my brain feels lighter...and I am raring to go.  I have a few sewing projects planned before I do anything else quilt-related.  Hope to finish them up quickly.  


But, before I go...here are 2 quiltie things.  

Block 8 - friendship star - for the hand-pieced quiltalong.  Oops...I never did block 7! 

And, I have a photo of my poppy quilt top.  Since it'll be a long while before you see this again, I thought I'd show you what I have.  The quilt top is wider than Julie could hold, so you can't quite see all of it.  There are 6 blocks across and 7 rows.  I think I know what I'll do for the backing...just need to do it and get it quilted.   

Dancing With the Stars starts tonight!  YAY!


Have a great week!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."    Jeremiah 29:11

Sneak and Shoo-Fly...

I just now finished piecing the poppy quilt top...loving it!  My helper isn't here today, so I had to lay it out on my bed in order to get a few shots of it.  Measuring 72 x 84 inches, it has 21 Rubik's blocks and 21 blocks of the prints.  I chose to use the 7 fabrics from this colorway only, so there are definitely repeats.

I still need to put the backing together and decide on pillow covers and curtains.  All in due time.

I finished last week's Block 6 for the hand-pieced quiltalong with Erin.  Here it is...Shoo Fly (actually, 4 of them together in one 6 inch block).

 

Our next block also has a bazillion pieces.  I'll be working on that one throughout this next week.  

The sun is shining brightly today...on this first day of Daylight Saving Time.  I am happy.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."     Jeremiah 29:11

Keeping Busy...

I kept myself busy yesterday.

I finished cutting out all of the

solid pieces for the Poppy quilt.

I was able to get 7 blocks put together.

Well, to be more accurate,

I sewed 7 centers for the Rubik's blocks.

I still need to add solid fabric around these

pieces to make them measure 12.5 inches square.   

While watching the Academy Awards,

I finished block 5 Granny Square

for my hand-pieced quiltalong.

Although I am enjoying the hand sewing,

I am happy that this is a small quilt. 

That's all for now...

have a good day!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Two Finishes and A Start...

Well.

I figured out what was going

on with my digital camera!

The battery compartment door is loose,

therefore the batteries are

not making good contact.

Drat!

This happened with my last camera.

I wonder if someone can fix it?

I suppose I should ask/call around...

would be better than buying a new camera.  

In the meantime...

if I hold the door shut so

that the batteries are making contact,

I am able to take photos.

Not the easiest, but workable for now.  

With that being said,

I can now show you a few

finishes from this week.

I used this pattern...

 

to make this bag for my niece, Michelle.

Michelle loves blue...any and all blues.

I have it on good authority that she will love this.

And, here is block 4 of the hand-pieced

quiltalong I am doing with Erin.

This is the Bear Paw block.

6.5 inches.

Do you love those 4 fussy-cut

squares as much as I do?

{grin}

I try to not have too many projects

going on at the same time.

I think I'm in a good place

right now to start something new.

I bought this fabric over a year ago

and have been chomping at the bit

to use it.

So, today, I started.

The fabric is

'Poppy Collection' by Laura Gunn.

Here is the collection in the spice colorway.

It's for my bedroom...quilt, curtains and pillows.

The quilt pattern I'm using is by

Ashley of Film In The Fridge.

It's called Rubik's Crush

and can be seen here.

With 12.5 inch blocks,

it is especially suited for large print fabrics.

Which Poppy is.

I fussy cut one poppy block...
I had to!

It is way too pretty to not show

it in its entirety.

Wouldn't you agree?

(I have more yardage of that particular

fabric which will make up part of the backing.)

See the 2.5 inch squares
toward the top of the photo?
That's just some of them...
there are 189 total.

I should be able to start piecing tomorrow.

Can't wait!

What are you up to this weekend?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

A Package for Me...

From my dear friend, Kelley

(of With Hook and Needle)!

A quilt top measuring ~60 x 78 inches
 that she made a long time ago.
She decided I should have it.


I am speechless.

All I can say is, 'oh. my. gosh.'  

over and over and over again. 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  

Please read on...

She also sent fabrics for backing...

This is all hand-pieced!

Absolutely beautiful workmanship...

And, I can say this...

'It is gorgeous.  
Thank you, Kelley.
I am so blessed.'