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

Hello There!!

Well, hello there!  I have been absent for way too long!  Gosh, I just didn't realize how long it had been, and once I did...well, it became longer because I knew it would take a bit of time to sit down and catch you all up on what's going on around here.

Not that there is much that is exciting...if anything, at all.  Just busy.  And, more busy.

Things are going well with Mum being here...and looking more positive.  Back in late October, she had abdominal surgery.  Went to the ER with a distended abdomen...found air in her abdomen, which was leaking through a very thin wall in a small portion of her colon.  Removed and resected.  Good deal.  She did well...very little pain afterwards.  At this time, she is experiencing a bit of progression with her Parkinson's Disease, but she is stronger than she has been since she moved here and we're determined to build on that.

Jill and I had lunch with Brenis in November.  We met about halfway between here and Aurora...ate at 3 Margaritas restaurant and spent a few hours chatting and laughing and exchanging gifts. Brenis' birthday was in June...you wonder why she was getting her birthday gifts in November?  Well, the thing is, we had been trying to get together (as in, trying for her to come and stay a few days) since before her birthday.  Not sure why she brought gifts for me, but who am I to say no to gifts of fabric and a 24" Omnigard ruler??  LOVE it!!!

Brenis

Brenis did some quilting for me.  Fabulous quilting!  You may have noticed that the list of flimsies (on my sidebar) has gotten shorter. That's because I have gotten 5 quilts finished this fall.  YAY!!!  I showed you both the HST String and the Anna Maria Horner patchwork quilts here.   Bren quilted the Kashmir Filmstrip quilt, the Lotta Jansdotter patchwork quilt, and a baby girl granny square quilt. I need to launder them and will get some good photos, so you should be seeing them very soon.

I have been working on Christmas gifts.  Cannot show you much of anything...except for some extra things I made.

This Patchwork Christmas Tree Pillow was so fun and easy to do. Sherri, over at A Quilting Life blog, shared it here.  I did not do the patchwork border, so my pillow cover measures 12".

I was planning on turning this next piece into a pillow cover, but left it as a mini mat, instead.  Jennie, over at the Clover and Violet blog, offered this free Pixelated Present quilt block pattern...find it here.   I didn't do the pixelated part, but I think it is dang cute as is. I made it to measure 12", I think.  

Also, I made this mini quilted zipper pouch.  I found the tutorial here.  I plan to make more.  Cuz how could I not?  And, besides, this one is mine...you may have recognized that it is made with Kashmir III fabric.  (it's okay if you did not know that.)  It measures 4" wide by 2.75" high by 2" deep.  Love that big metal zipper on the little pouch, don't you?  This has got to be one of the most adorable little zipper pouches ever.  EVER.

I made a 16" pillow cover and fabric basket for sister Julie's birthday.  Fabric is from the Purebred collection by Erin Michael.  Love it!!

Then, just because I could, I made some cloth napkins.

2 odd remnants of fabric.  Playing around with decorative stitches on the blue one.

These are from the Blossom fabric collection by Urban Chiks.  2009?

2 different pairs.

Lots more sewing for Christmas going on, but nothing else I can show you.


And, here are a few random photos...

Me Mum on Thanksgiving Day.

Pumpkin French Toast.  YUMMY!!

Ran across this...it is exactly how I feel about Tag.

"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

She Loves Her Some Purple!

This week went by really fast and I didn't get too much accomplished.  Two things that I started were non-finishes, as they were not turning out as I wanted.  That is always a disappointment for me.  ~sigh~

But, I did get a 24" pillow cover done for sister Joyce.  I wrote a post a bit ago talking about how we chose the fabrics via FaceTime...Joyce in Maryland with me here in Wisconsin.  Click here to see that post.

It's bright, so put your sunglasses on!  

front

back

I finished the backing with a zipper closure...it's there hiding under the little flap where the purple butterflies join the lime green.  Very easy to do that type of closure...will do it more often.

I had a little bit of leftover fabric, so made some Kleenex cozies for Joyce.  I am sure there are some in Maryland who do not yet have one.  ~grin~

The package arrived at Joyce's house today...she is very pleased with her new pillow cover and excited to have more Kleenex cozies, too!  

I have been trying to develop something new, but am having a bit of difficulty with it right now.  I really want it to work out, so I'll keep working at it.  In the meantime, there are more projects waiting to be completed.

edited to add:  photo of cover on pillow insert...

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For those of you in need of a Tag fix...

Tag and I spent a lovely morning in bed one day this week.  For no particular reason.  Tag snoozed while I read.  (oh look!  Four quilts on the bed.)   

Have a great Sunday!




"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

Catching Up...

Wow...where does the time go?  It's been almost 4 weeks since I last wrote.  Guess I have not been paying attention.  

Where do I begin?  


I think I'll just take a deep breath and jump in.  I might have lots to say, so get comfy!

My granddaughter, Kaylynn - aka Princess Kaylynn - came for an overnight last weekend.  What a delight that child is.  I do nothing but smile when she is here.  This was her first visit to my apartment.  We didn't do too much...watched a movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Squeakquel"...the one where they meet the Chipettes (who sing "Single Lady" by Beyonce...so darn cute).  ~grin~ 

Made mini pumpkin pies...in a muffin tin...that was fun!

And, they were very good!

Course, Tag and Kaylynn fell asleep together...

I took a lot of pictures...and came up with this one.  I so adore this girl...

The visits with Kaylynn...excuse me...Princess Kaylynn...are always too short.  

Tag thinks so, too.  He thinks she comes just for him, you know.  ~grin~

I took my latest quilting projects to show off at work.  I am always so pleased to receive feedback from my coworkers.  

Let's see.  I seem to recall that I was going to talk about living with a cat.  Yes, indeed.  I have a cat.  Not solely by choice, but rather more of necessity.  Julie's cat.  Kisa.  When Julie was moving, she couldn't find a home for Kisa, so rather than have her go to the humane society or to a rescue, I offered to take her.  What was I thinking?  I have never had a cat.  For a reason.  Because I didn't particularly want one.  Not a cat lover.  Not a cat hater, though.  Sort of ambivalent, I guess you could say.  So...Kisa has been with Tag and I since we moved here and I must say that I am pleased that she has decided to become part of the family.  She is now more a participant than an onlooker as she was when we all lived in the country.  She is a good girl...doesn't climb onto tables or counters...uses her litter box, tolerates Tag (and me, too) and loves to talk.  Little chatterbox sometimes.  Takes her cues from Tag as far as eating time goes...what a nuisance those two are together!  ~grin~

Here are a few photos of her...

That is me under the quilt.  When Tag lays next to me in the big easy chair, Kisa feels that her place is on me.  Funny girl.

If they're not with me in the big easy chair, they're laying on the sofa...Kisa is the indentation on the left...on the back of the sofa...

 

She really is a pretty cat.  A Pixie-Bob.  

OH!  And, I won a giveaway!  I rarely enter them, anymore.  But when Erin, over at Why Not Sew? was having a giveaway for the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine, I had to enter...and I won!  woohoo!  ohmygosh...the blocks are all amazing!  There are several I want to try.  Someday.

                                 

Why was Erin having a giveaway?  Because...she has a block in the magazine!  I am impressed!  That girl rocks, for sure!  Here is her block...can you say WOW!?!?!       

  

 
Other than work and getting settled into my small apartment, I've been working on gifts for birthdays and Christmas.  Nothing to show just yet.  Lots of knitting of face cloths, which are nice to work on before I leave for work in the a.m. (actually relaxing to sit and knit for the last 20 minutes or so before I need to leave) and in the evening while watching tv.  Getting down to "get serious and put your nose to the grindstone" time, though.  Always one to work best under pressure...that's me!

OH!  And, the 2Sheep hooked rug...the current header of this blog...the rug that took me forever to complete?  I sold it!  Yes, I did!  It doesn't really go with my stuff and my friend, Claire, has always admired it...so I sold it to her.  YAY!!     

And, for those of you who are keeping track...I have now read 81 books this year...and will surely surpass last year's total of 84.  Can you believe it?   

I think that is about it for now. 

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

In the End...

It's been a very busy year.

Lots of sewing has been done.
Surprisingly, more 'other' stuff
than quilts, though.
Interesting, hey?

Lots of starts and
lots of finishes
(gotta say, though...
all the things started in 2011 were
not finished and all the finishes 
were not of things started in 2011...
know what I'm sayin'?)

Tote bags, doll quilts, baby quilts,

lap quilts, sampler quilts, sleeping bags,

coin purses, kleenex cozies, dog/cat mats,

and other miscellaneous items.

Here are some of my favorites...

If you'd like to see everything
I finished in 2011, click on the
'2011 Finishes' tab just under
the header photo.

I still have many works in progress....
mostly quilts that need

quilting and binding.

Wouldn't take much to get them done...
just to pick one and get going on it.

Perhaps a plan is in order.

To finish one from my list of wip's

for every new one I start!

Sound good?

Okay.

Like my friend, Kelley,
I have a huge stash of supplies...
cotton fabric, 
thread & floss,
batting,
books & patterns.
Also like my friend, Kelley,


"I don't need a thing but
time to use it up." 
(well said, Kelley!)

That's the second part of my plan...
use from what I have.

How about you?

What is your plan for the new year?


I wish you all a very 
Happy & Healthy New Year!

"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

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

Designer Baby...

Meet Landon.

He is the recipient of the

zoo menagerie zig zag quilt.

He is Carole's grandson.

(She is the recipient of the kashmir quilt...remember?

Landon was born on December 14.

Less than 2 months ago.

Please note the cardigan sweater

complete with elbow patches.

So dang cute!

They are very pleased with the quilt I made...

they use it a lot!  YAY!

 Sent some photos...wasn't that nice?

Snow day today and probably tomorrow.

Darn.

I should work on something, hey?

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

The End...

of 2010 is upon us.

Here's a peek at some of what I've done this year.  Baby quilts, lap quilts, table toppers, doll quilts...these are my faves of 2010.

For a complete list of what I've finished this year, go to my '2010 Finishes' page (in the tab under the header photo) and follow the links.

What does one think about at a time like this?  As one enters a new year...a new decade?  I think that most of us think about past accomplishments & failures.  Reflections.  Determinations.  Resolutions. 

The resolutions I am making for 2011 are resolutions I need to make...whether tomorrow is the start of a new year or not.  Things need to be taken care of and attention needs to be paid to what I'm doing.  

I'm trying to concentrate on the progress I made in my personal life these past 12 months.  Not the failures...ohyes, there are failures.  I do believe that my biggest progression this year has been in my walk with Jesus.  I feel closer to Him and that is such an enormous comfort!

My sewing/quilting has been a source of (mostly) pleasure for me.  I still consider myself a beginner...but am willing to admit that, perhaps, I am an advanced beginner?  I need to increase my level of difficulty...that's one goal of mine. 

I want to thank you, my blog friends, for coming here to read my blog.  Oh, I'd still probably write if no one came to read, but it's much more fun when one gets feedback & comments.  I am so appreciative of you all and hope you continue to visit me here in blogland in the new year.

Happy New Year...may you receive many blessings.

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

Coming Soon...Very Soon!

Big news!!!  Exciting news!!! 

Brenis and I have decided to collaborate and open an etsy shop!  Our focus will be fresh, modern quilts in varying sizes, but we will also offer rug hooking supplies (like hand-dyed and as-is woolens!) and finished products.

The name of our shop is 2Peeps.  Cuz we're peeps, and there are 2 of us.  {grin}  Please be sure to visit us and mark us as one of your faves!  Check in often, as you never know what we'll have there to tempt you!  

I am really hoping that items get listed by this weekend.  After today, that will be my focus.  

There will be a grand opening special...be sure to see the announcement on the opening page of the shop. (It isn't there yet, but will be once items are listed and the shop is officially open.)

We are very excited about this new venture!