Where Did September Go?

I feel like I've been busy, but I don't have much to show for it.

But, I did get my sewing/craft room cleaned out. I think I was working on it when I last posted.  It's a good feeling to be done.  I donated, gave away, and threw out so much...unbelievable how much one accumulates.  Right?  And, I am trying to make the room safe for Stitch.  He loves pulling pins out of pincushions...not a good thing for him to be doing.  I mostly keep the door shut when I'm not in there.  Otherwise, I need to put so many things away...which proves to be counter-productive.  Setting up and putting away each time I want to get something done.  It will all work out, though.  

I have been working on a 2 x 4 quilt...inspired by this blog post - Film In The Fridge.  A few years ago, I bought a box of assorted Cotton & Steel fat quarters...40 of them, I think.  I have already made two quilt tops with these fabrics (churn dash and plus) and I had more than enough to make these 49 blocks.  One day soon I will get these put together into rows. 

I have also been getting some stitching done on the Vintage Postcard stitchery...

Stitch is doing fine...he will be 6 months old on Tuesday!  I have photos...

Is he too cute?

He often smushes his head into my neck.

Coming out of his hiding place.

Fabrics from Cathy of Pink Petunia Cottage...he loves this blanket.

Mesmerized by the snap hook.

One of his fave things to do...swing these rulers back and forth.

I am talking to him...he was looking at me.

Ya never know where these little mice will be next!

That's about all I have for this Saturday.  


"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

The Eleventh Hour...

You know how sometimes you think you have something all figured out?  Well, I thought I did, for sure...up until 2 days ago.  That's when I started having doubts.  So...a complete change of plans.  At, ya know...almost the Eleventh Hour!

I am talking about the Strawberry Pincushion Swap. 

We had two weeks from the time we were assigned our partners until the mail out day, which was today.  I started working right away, playing around with some ideas I had been thinking about.  As of Tuesday afternoon, this is what I had put together...        

The redwork piece is a pattern from Bird Brain Designs.  I made this same piece awhile back for Sharon.   It needs to be stuffed, but it's kinda big...about 5 x 7 inches.  The wool pink strawberry with the little one is a gift I received several years back.  I have never used it, but it has always been on my shelf of favorite things.  I thought, what is more perfect than this!  Then, I used a bit of Briar Rose fabric with strawberries to make the round gathered basket.  The tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar can be found here.  Quick and easy to make!  And, of course, strawberries...lots of strawberries. 

I was thinking that this was a nice package to send my partner.  But, then I began to think that this package was too 'cutsie'.  Nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to do more than cute.  Ya know?

While browsing Sharon's blog, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks.  Seriously!  I was so inspired by it...and this is what came of that inspiration!

The strawberry is stitched with linen floss on linen fabric, bordered top and bottom by a polka dot fabric.  It measures about 2.5 x 3.5 inches.  The bitty strawberry - about 1" - is made with the same polka dot fabric, has linen leaves stitched down with linen floss, topped with an antique button.  It is tied to the pinkeep with linen thread.

I made something else that I think is kind of special.  See the dog stitchery with the bone in the corner?  She has a Corgi named Taggart...she calls him Tag.  Is that fun, or what? 

I am now feeling pretty good about this package I put together for my partner.  And, it did get mailed today...~whew~!

Now, on to other projects that are patiently awaiting my attention.

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Speaking of Tag...he isn't feeling well.  Vomited a few times this a.m. and is somewhat lethargic.  He has a high normal temperature.   Didn't even ask to eat supper...this from the boy who starts bothering me and looking for his supper an hour (or so) ahead of his normal feeding time.  ~sigh~  I am sure he will be okay, but still...I worry.

I hope you have a great 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

Still Creating...

Remember this?

Creating...from back here?

Almost 6 months ago...

time does fly.

 

Here are two more...

Sit.

Wait.

I quite like them.
What do you think?

And.  Yes.

The brown boy did pose for those.

Knew you were wonderin'...

{grin}

"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

Snow Days Continued...

Here is the completed block 10

for my Snow Days quilt.

 Only one more block to go.

Then, to start piecing fabric blocks.

woohoo!!

After that, more stitching is done.

This is going to be so awesome...

and it's all Sharon's fault.

{grin}

I have several projects with

deadlines to work on.  

I'm hoping to have lots to show

you by the end of 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

Creating...

I must be better.  Completely over my pneumonia.  I've been looking.  Looking for something more.  I've got 4 quilts all set to baste/quilt/finish.  I've got my Snow Days stitchery block 9 to work on.  Several quilts to make without stepping out of the house to buy fabric.  

Yet.  I am restless.  Looking for something different.  Not to replace what I'm doing now.  Just something to fill this little void...this one right here.  I've been looking and thinking...here...there.  Looking at files I've had for a long while.  Wanting something else to stitch.  My mind seems to be working overtime.  I need to fulfill these errant creative urges...to let these creative juices flow freely.  

So, I made a start at something.  

Tag, You're It! Creations.  Pieces of Tag.  Well, not really Tag...just a brown dog.   Small.Simple.Fast...Perfect!  And, not always the brown dog...I've got other colors of floss.  And, more designs...in a few other breeds, too.  

Why 'Tag, You're It!??  Because that is Tag's AKC registered name.  And, I do love the brown boy.  Because he is 'it'.  Actually, he's all that.  And more.  Really.  {grin}  Sorry...I get a bit carried away sometimes.  

I made this little design into a pillow to hang on my cubicle wall at work.  It measures ~4.5 x 6 inches and is entitled, "Stay"...the first in a series of 4.

 

So, what do you think?

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If you're looking to enter my giveaway, it's 2 posts down.  Only comments left there qualify for the giveaway.  Hurry...the drawing is tomorrow! 

"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

Snow Days and Wonky Stars...

I've been working my fingers to the bone.

Okay, not really.
But, here's what I have been up to.

The 'Snow Days' block 5 is finally finished.

whew.

The design area measures about 10 x 18 inches,

which is much larger than any of the previous blocks.

It seemed to take forever to do.

(be sure to click to enlarge so that you are
able to see the details of this stitchery)

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 And, this is where I am on my doll quilt swap quilt.

Right now, it measures 12.5 inches square.

I need to add a border or two, yet.

Little wonky stars...aren't they cute?

I am very happy with how this is looking.

I sure hope my partner will be happy with it.

I'm hoping to get the doll quilt
and a few other things
finished up before next Monday

so I can begin our 

'Christmas in August'

right on time.

(mentioned previously here)

I only have 3 days left, though.

YIKES!

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

Snow Day...Again.

Not complainin', mind you.

Even went out in the freshly-fallen snow

to get additional photos to show you this...

S*U*N*K*I*S*S*E*D... 
the sample quilt for

Saving Thyme Quilt Shop.

(click on the photos to enlarge images)

And, more photos to better see 

prints/colors...so soft and sweet!

The scoop:

Sunkissed fabric by Sweetwater for Moda

(as if you didn't know)

Perfect Ten pattern by Swirly Girls

Started on February 20,

finished on March 9.

Size after laundering 57 x 68 inches.

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Progress on Snow Days block one...

Trying to decide if I should

cut into my fabric, make the blocks

and piece this entire section...

or just move on with more stitching.  

In any case, I'll need to trace out

block two in the next day or so.

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Nothing else going on.

Car is still broken.

Hate depending on others for rides.

Hope you're having a good day!

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

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!

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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!

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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

A New Adventure...

Look what came in the mail!

I have been wanting this book
since the first time I saw it.

I really need to keep 

my hands busy in the evening

while I am watching tv.

There are some dang cute projects in here...

including a few punch needle pieces

done up by my super-talented friend, Debbie.

I'm focusing on the stitchery 
& applique projects.

For now.

Only time will tell what I come up with.

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On another note.

I stopped to pick up some books
at the brand new library branch that I use.

It's all do-it-yourself!

Find my own requests/holds.

Check myself out!

How fun!

In and out in a flash!

LOVE it!

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

Better late than never?

I'm a bit behind on my gift-giving, but me Mum finally received her Mother's Day gift this week. Here it is...

It's backed with a blue print cotton and has a twisted length of the same fabric attached at the top corners so she is able to hang it if she so chooses. Me Mum has a blue bedroom...I made this to match her other cherished things.

There are two mistakes, but I left them there...because I am NOT perfect, and wanted to let that be reflected in my work.