The Heart of It...

 So.  You all know that I retired 15 months ago.  I may have mentioned retirement once or twice.  ~grin~  Well, after the first 9 months, I set a daily schedule of sorts for myself (talking Monday through Friday).  I needed to do it because I have 2 sisters who like to call and/or text often.  Being continually interrupted wreaks havoc on my concentration and my creativity.  Because morning is my best time, I wanted that time with no distractions or interruptions.  Turn off the phone, you say?  No, I don't want to do that in the event that me Mum needs me.  So, I asked my sisters to not call/text until 1:00.  That way, I could have several hours to work with whatever project I had going, run errands, take care of Curly Sue (the Beagle I potty around noon Monday through Friday), and eat lunch.  It is working out really well.  And, would you be surprised to hear (read) that my phone rings promptly at 1:00 most every day? 

I lack self-discipline.  Which is not a huge surprise to me and really shouldn't be to you.  I am this person..."I should be working on this, but that looks like more fun!"

So, now that I had my mini-vacay/time away, I think I have come up with another plan.  Monday through Friday mornings are for business sewing, knitting, etc..  Nights and weekends are for whatever I want to work on.  (Like, you know, Snow Days.  Remember that?  It's now been over 3 1/2 years since I started it...YIKES!  I would love to get it done this winter.)

So, to start my plan off right, I did a fun-for-me project this weekend.  I made a 16" pillow cover.  I was planning to make two of them...one heart and one pumpkin (inspired by Cathy) but ended up combining the two ideas...the heart because I like hearts in the color orange like a pumpkin.  ~grin~

Here it is with all the pieces together and pressed...

     
I quilted the white areas with the same orange thread that I quilted the rest of it with.  I actually messed up the quilting in a few places, but not badly enough to be super noticeable...and it's for me.

I used Kona Cotton Solid in White for the backing.  Once it was all put together, I looked at it and said, "Oops!"  I had intended to stitch a line around the border.  Well, I was not going to take the backing off, quilt around the border, and sew the backing on again.  So, I decided that I could hand-quilt that line.  I did it and I am happy.

I actually cheated and made little dots where I needed to stitch.  Does anyone else do that?  Please tell me that you do!  In any case, I am very happy with this pillow cover.  And, I believe that the hand-quilting around the border really gives it a finished look.  Don't you?

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Remember the lap quilt I had 3 days to make for me Mum?  For the story on that, please click here.  Well, I finished it.  Yup, finished tying it an hour before I was to leave on Tuesday morning.  haha.  Here are a few photos (taken by sister Julie)...

In this photo, me Mum is talking on the phone.  With me.  She called to tell me that her little lap quilt had been laundered and that she was going to use it for her morning rest.  I am so happy that she loves it!

I hope you had a wonderful 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

Just Shoot Me Now!

I am going on a short vacation this next week.  Just 3 days to visit me Mum and sisters, as well as a few friends and other relatives.  As mentioned in a post a few weeks ago, sisters Joyce and Jill are traveling to Wisconsin!  I am so looking forward to spending some time with them!  And, as I also mentioned in that post, I am busy making gifts to take with me.  That is the reason for my absence from this blog.  I have been taking photos, as promised, so you will eventually see everything that I made.  As of last night, I only had one more little quickie thing to make and then every single item on my list would be checked off. 

Except.  Me Mum decided that she wanted a small lap quilt.  Mind you, she has a lap quilt that I made for her.  See it here.  However, she wanted something smaller...like 3 x 4 feet.  So, this morning, I dug out the Saltbox Harvest fabrics (2009 collection by Deb Strain) I had in my 'someday going to make a quilt with this' container and started planning.   

I know, I know.  I did it to myself.  I could have told her (as sister Joyce pointed out) that I would buy her a fleece blanket for $5.00.  But, no.  I said, "hey Mum...how about if I make you one...and bring it with me when I come in 3 days"  or something like that.  I said what?  Nothing like putting myself under the gun.  So, just shoot me now!

Actually, it won't be so bad.  Except, then I decided to make a snowball quilt.  No just sewing charm squares together for me...nosirree!  Must make it more complicated than it needs to be.  Still and all.  It's a small quilt and I am going to tie it, not quilt it.  And, I am not going to bind it...just going to put right sides together, sew around the edges and turn it right side out.  Easy peasy.  Yes?  


Yup, this will work...

Lot of trimming goin' on...

One row done...

Me Mum's going to love it!  And, the best part?  I have all the necessary parts here!  woohoo!

I have something fun to tell you about, but it will need to wait until I get back.  

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