The One Before the Vacation One...

I am way behind...I have this - a pre-vacation post - to write before I even begin sharing what a wonderful vacation I had!

So.  I believe that I mentioned in my last post that I was getting company before I left on vacation. My niece, Jody, who is also my goddaughter, came for a quick overnight visit.

Jody Lynn, me Mum (the girls' Gram), and Michelle (also niece/godddaughter)

Jody Lynn with me Mum (her Gram)

Jody Lynn with me Mum (her Gram) at the nursing home.

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I finished the cotton and steel churn dash quilt top!  I like it a lot, though it is not (at this point, anyway) one that I am absolutely in love with!  I am waiting on some fabric for the back and then the Big Bad Boy and I will tackle the quilting.  

60 x 60 inches square

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And, I also finally finished the antique quilt repair for Kim.

Antique Quilt circa 1941

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Naomi Janome came home from the spa before I left on vacation. She had a nice quiet rest while I was gone.  

My next post will be all about my time away from home.  

"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 One With the Super Scrappy Pineapple Block Quilt...

It seemed like it took forever to finish this quilt

but in reality, it took just over 4 months from start to finish.

Great news...

I found an excellent local longarm quilter...Yay!

That will make things so much more fun...

to actually get a quilt quilted 

when I finish putting it together!

Depending on a few factors,

I am able to do my own quilting.

Sometimes, though, the quilt is too large

and sometimes I want something different

than what I am able to do.

Dana, of Old Red Barn Co.,

was the inspiration behind this scrappy quilt.

I am so, so happy that I followed her lead with this.  

Without further ado...

Here it is...my super scrappy pineapple block quilt!!!  

(be sure to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Here are all the details...

All colored prints were from my scrap buckets.

Some white/tan strips came from my stash

and some from my LQS.

Each block contains 37 pieces.

There are 49 blocks total.

For a grand total of 1,813 pieces of fabric.  

It measures ~67" square after laundering.

I used Warm n' White batting.

I backed it with Moda Grunge in Creme (108").

It was quilted by longarm quilter PJ Steffenson.

with a Popcorn quilting pantograph. 

This is one of my all-time faves.

For sure.

I love it so much!

What's next? 

Finishing up some dog/cat quilt pallets to donate.

And, I have a tote bag to make.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Keeping Busy...

WOW!!!  Can you believe it?  This is my third post this year...in fact, this month!  Wow!!  What is going on with that, hey?

I've a few things to share with you.  Oh, don't get too excited...just more quilts and stuff.  ~grin~

This first one, you should remember well...it is my all-time favorite fabric collection...Kashmir III. Especially cool to me cuz of the song, "Kashmir", by Led Zeppelin.  Just one of those things.

So.  I am slowly getting my quilts quilted...thanks, in large part, to my dear friend, Brenis.  You know, we have been friends for many years, but never met each other until I moved here to Colorado.  So happy that we are only a few hours apart!!!  But, I digress...

This quilt top was completed in June of 2012.  The pattern is from my friend, Erin, over at Why Not Sew? blog.  Brenis quilted it for me this fall and I finally got it bound and laundered. I love it so much!!  It measures ~57 x 73.

And, the back...what can I say!!!  So in love with it...

I also got the Lotta Jansdotter patchwork quilt back from Brenis...the fabric collections used are Bella and Echo.  This quilt top was finished in February of 2013.  Such a fun quilt...and the quilting is even more fun!!!  This one measures about 55" square.  (It has been spoken for by DIL Rachel.)

Isn't that quilting just too fun?  LOVE it!!!  Thanks, Bren!

With the last box of fabric, my friend, Cathy, sent me a few unfinished quilts.  I had fun putting this one together.  Now I just need batting and backing and it will be ready to quilt.  This one will be going to a charity.  

I started this sampler...need something to keep my hands busy with while watching television.  I am having fun working on it.  I am in no hurry and have no particular color plan.  It's by Rebecca Ringquist...dropcloth sampler.  Sometimes, it is very nice to have no plan and be in no hurry.

I have a few other projects going on, but they are sorta kinda secret projects.  

Hope your week goes well for 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

All in a Day's Work...

Today was the appointment at The Electric Needle...to quilt me Mum's quilt. 

I had a very pleasant time and learned a lot!  The girls took very good care of me.  Thank you to both of you, but especially to Jen, the owner of the shop.  

I decided to go with an automated design today.  I want this quilt to be special and so I didn't want to play around with free-motion quilting.  With 12 quilts waiting to be quilted, I'll have plenty to play around on.  The design I chose is called 'open swirls' and softens the 'squareness' of this postage stamp quilt.

Here are some photos:

I was there for a total of 3 hours.  I was happy about that...thought I might be there longer.  I am so happy that I found The Electric Needle!  I will definitely be quilting out there again, soon!  




"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 Orange Quilt...

...is half quilted.

YAY!

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The selling of woolens over at

The Chocolate Puppy

is going well.

So far, I've sold 2/3's

of what I put up this past week.

Thank you!

Still some nice pieces left over there. 

And.

I still have overdyed fat quarters...

4 totes full.

I'll be listing them in late July.

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And, I lied.

Well, I didn't mean to lie.

On June 1, I posted that I had made my

last pre-retirement fabric purchase.

HA!

That didn't last long, hey?

Yeah, so I did.

I made another fabric purchase.

TYPE by Julia Rothman

for Windham Fabrics.

Who could resist this

collection of 7 fabrics?

Not me.

(Obviously.)

No set plan for them.

Yet.

They are for after I move.

As are many other things.

~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

Nothing Much...

Haven't done much this week.

So, all I have today are some photos

that I've not shown.  

I did get a bit of quilting done. 

(a very little bit)

From last weekend...

kisa allowing Kaylynn to touch her.

Also from last weekend,

Kaylynn kissing Tag good-bye.

 I have a few projects that I need to work on...

perhaps they'll be finished within the next two days.

Only time will tell.

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

Sewing vs Quilting...and Knitting.

I used to love sewing...any kind of sewing...just sitting down at my sewing machine and spending time creating.  I used to sew anything for anyone.  Now, not so much into anything.  Or, for anyone, for that matter.  I do enjoy - to a limited extent - sewing pillows, curtains, aprons, , kleenex cozies, totes and zippered pouches.  I guess the best way to say it is this...if it's my idea to sew something for someone...or something that I want for myself, then I am happy to sew it.  ~grin~

And, might I add...I always had a decent sewing machine, but not anything as wonderful as my Naomi Janome.  She makes anything I do that much more pleasurable.

Okay...on with the discussion.  Quilting.  That's an entirely different thing.  To me, taking pieces of fabric and putting them together to make a quilt is pure joy.  Though I have been a sewist all of my life, I've been quilting for just 4 years.  Seems strange that I was never attracted to quilting before...who knows how things affect someone, hey?  But, you know what?  I think I will never tire of it.  Perhaps it is my passion.  It's good to be passionate about something like that.  

Right?   
            

In the above photo...I have all of my Curio blocks pieced and sort of laid out the way I want them.  I need a bigger surface to lay them all out on to get a better look.  36 blocks...I am loving these colors!  (Good pick, Lindy!)  Before I go to bed tonight, the top will be finished.  I'll be doing the happy dance, for sure!

So.  Knitting.  As I mentioned before, I learned to knit when very young and have knit a few things in my life...but hadn't knitted for many years.  I started again last year because I wanted to knit socks.  But, never one to overvalue my skills, I quickly realized that knitting socks was not for me...it seems that I have a mental block where 'turning the heel' and 'gusset' are concerned.  I know if someone showed me I would get it, but in the meantime, I moved on.  ~sigh~  Last spring, I started knitting what I call face cloths.  Or, call them wash cloths.  But, never dish cloths. ~grin~

Cotton.  Soft.  Fun and easy.  Since I started, I think I have probably knitted 3 dozen.  I use a few basic patterns, and some have had designs that I found here...football, birthday cake, Christmas tree ornament, and sun...just to name a few.  I love having them as an extra gift...and gave all the women in my family at least one for Christmas.  I have found that knitting is very relaxing for me (as long as it is not a sock I'm working on).  I knit every morning for at least 20 minutes before I leave for work.  I sometimes knit in the evening or on the weekends...but really...mostly in the mornings before work.  I may expand my horizons and start knitting other things.  Ya never know!   

All of that leads to this...I have come to the conclusion that Quilting is my Passion...but Knitting is my Therapy.

How about you...what do you feel passionate about?  What do you consider your therapy?




"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 here...

Just working on getting some quilting done. 

Photos are of a completed small hst quilt and my lap-sized swoon blocks orange/aqua quilt in progress.

Have a great weekend!

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

Nesting Time on Lilac Hill...

Warning...long post with many photos!!!

Be sure to click on the photos...
you should be able to see more detail on some of them.

 I'll admit it right away...
just so you all know this
was not an original idea of mine.

I read about Nicole's idea
on Sister's Choice Quilts

back in November, 2010.
It totally captured my imagination.

Course, as time went by,
I had other things to think about
and I forgot about it.

Until the 'Snow Days' quilt

adventure with Sharon began.

Then, as I was browsing through

Crabapple Hill Studio's patterns,

I spied the 'Nesting Time' embroidery.

I fell in love with it.

And, remembered that I had seen it before.

I even remembered where! 

I wanted to make

something very special for my sister, Joyce.
A combined birthday and Christmas gift.

I thought this would be perfect...and
I knew (hoped) she would absolutely love this!

I worked on the embroidery in August,

which was the month

that Sharon and I designated
to work on Christmas gifts.

And, remember, I had pneumonia.

So, I started the embroidery...

and finished it 10 days later.
The design area of this pattern
is 15 x 21 inches.

And, then it sat.

No reason to have it ready
too far before it was needed!

In the meantime, I received 

several Lilac Hill fat quarters from

my doll quilt swap partner (click here). 

How fortuitous, hey?

See how these things work out?

Here are photos of 
Nesting Time in progress.

 

 

 

Now it's time to add on some fabric...

 

 

I got this far and thought...

'how on earth am I going to quilt it?'

I looked online at many, many

quilts that had embroidering or 

that had an embroidered center.

Nothing stood out as 'the way' 

to quilt something like this.

So, I went with my gut.

I did free-motion quilting...

pebbles in the crock, 

small stippling on the background,

and straight-line quilting on the border.

This is how I wanted it to look.

Imagine how amazed I was when

it turned out just as I had pictured it?

Hallelujah!

The backing is a piece of yardage

from the Lilac Hill collection. 

This measures about 28 x 34 inches.

Perfect for a wallhanging.

Joyce received it today.

(yes, a little late, after all.  Had to redo the binding,

which involved waiting for more fabric to arrive...{sigh})

She was very surprised.
And, she is very happy.

So am I.

(Thank you to Nicole.)

"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

Sneakin' a Peek...

Here's what I've been working on today.

The quilting is done.

The binding is on.

Just need to hand sew the binding.

 

Hope you all are having a great 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

3 Collies and 1 Lab...

I used to do crewel embroidery.  And, needlepoint.  And, counted cross stitch.  For years and years.  And, years.  Then, I got into rug hooking.  During all of those years, I sewed.  Always.  But, I never sewed quilts.  Until 2009.  And, since that time, I don't do much else.   

Except.  As most of you know, Sharon and I got each other all excited about the Snow Days quilt, which involves a great deal of stitchery/embroidery.  We're 7 months into it and I do not regret one single stitch.  I find it very relaxing - and enjoyable - to work on while watching tv in the evenings.   

One day, while thinking about projects past and present...and about embroidery...and about my big a** star rug...and then about another rug that has been waiting to be started for several years, I had an idea!  

But first, let me fill you in with some background.  Back in February of 2006, I received a rug hooking pattern of my 3 collies and 1 lab that I had commissioned Elizabeth Black to draw for me.  She is an artist/rug hooker well-known for her animal designs.  It's a wonderful design, and it's all drawn out on foundation fabric for me.  3 x 5 feet in size.  At the same time, I commissioned Gail DuFresne to dye wool for it.  Yup, I did.  

And, what have I done with it?  Nothing.  The pattern on foundation fabric and the wool are stored very carefully, but they are stored.  On my closet shelf.  Back then, my first hesitation was the amount of time I would need to commit to hooking a rug of that size...in the small cuts of wool strips that Elizabeth recommends (#3 - #5).  I had intended to begin it as my 2007 project.  But, everything changed that year...I moved, I lost Cruiser...just a really bad time of my life.  

Time went by.  I worked on other rugs.  Then, in 2009, I started making quilts.  Well, that put all of my rug hooking on the back burner.  Heck, more than just on the back burner...more like in the back 40.  It's been 3 years since I picked up a hook (well, except to do the sheeps' eyes on the 2sheep rug I finally finished this past winter).

About a year ago, I gave some thought to doing the collies/lab design with fabric.  In a smaller size as a wall hanging.  That's as far as that went.  Thoughts. 

Then, one day this summer, while I was thinking about the collies/lab design, I came up with an excellent idea.  Truly!  I have the drawing saved on my computer...which means that I am able to make it as large - or SMALL - as I want.  So.  I could make it an easy size to embroider.  Right?  It wouldn't be too difficult at all...just need to follow the lines Elizabeth drew.  I wouldn't really need to add much, if anything, to it.  At all.  I am kind of excited about this.  I will finally be able to use this beautiful design that Elizabeth drew for me.  And my beloved collies and the brown boy will be memorialized.  This project won't be started until after Christmas, of course.  



What do you think of that idea??

Want a peek at the pattern?  Here it is...

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Speaking of stitching.  I finished block 7 of the 'Snow Days' quilt.  It is amazing how much one can accomplish when one has nothing else to do is under doctor's orders to rest.  This block is 9 x 9 inches. 

With a total of 14 blocks to be stitched on, I am now at the halfway point.  Course, I have yet to begin piecing the fabric blocks.  I think that will be best done once all the stitched blocks are completed.

I must get moving...way past time to start my day.  

Hope you have a good one!

"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

Fabric Stash

How do you organize your fabric stash?

In my blog-hopping, 

I have often read about

organizing fabric stashes.

Many quilters organize by color,

 some by quantity

(fat quarters, half-yards, yardage),

and others by project.

I rarely purchase fabric

just because I like it.

My fabric purchases are usually

for a specific project.

So, I guess I am most comfortable

organizing it by keeping the 

fabric collection together.

But, what to do with the odd pieces

that I receive from others

(gifts, giveaways, etc.)?
(not odd, as in 'odd', but as in 'doesn't belong with any
specific project or fabric collection presently in my possession')

And, once I'm done with a project,

what should I do with the scraps?

Sometimes there are a lot of scraps...

sometimes there are larger pieces left.

These fabrics could easily be worked

into another quilt, or used for smaller projects.

So...how do I organize them?

That's what I need to be working on.

Organizing my fabrics.

I got a bit of a start on it today.

Right now, I have the fabrics that aren't for anything specific in containers labeled 'neutrals', 'flannels', 'Kona solids', 'Christmas', etc..

Interesting how the beginning

of a project can create

an even bigger mess.

(those big totes are full of wool.)

(Now I ask you...what kind of organization is this?)

 

And, by the way, the wire storage thingie

over there in the corner is NOT large

enough to hold all of my containers.

Perhaps I need to empty the top of it

and stack containers to the ceiling, hey?

Speaking of fabrics & organization...

Nicole over at Sister's Choice Quilts

wrote about how she stores her fabric.

Read about it here.

And, Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts
wrote about 'scrap management' here.

I'd love to hear how

you organize your fabrics.

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