Design Wall Monday!

I really don't have a "Design Wall", but rather in this case, the picture is of my "Design Table" AKA my longarm table. I have finished all 100 blocks for my #6 UFO, and had begun to put them together, actually into 5 rows, but then didn't like how it looked, so I am taking them apart and putting them into this design. I actually think it will really look better. Because I used the almost white solid, the triangles will really stand out, looking much more graphic. I think I am going to gift this quilt-----if it looks nice enough after I have quilted it. That is the thing with gifting, if I keep a quilt I don't mind so much the "creative errors" that occur, but when I gift it I want to be as perfect as possible. Since there will be a lot of "white space", I am looking through my panto's for a "busy" one that will fill the spaces, yet not overpower the pattern (I don't do "custom"). Check Patchwork Times for the other "walls". I will try to link my wall, but for some reason I still continue to be "link challenged".

No school today!!!!!! We got about 3 inches of snow last night and there are still snow showers....see the pictures above of my backyard---we back up to a "forest". More snow is to move in tonight, so I may have another day at home tomorrow. I plan to sew, but I still need to get some work done for school. Thank goodness for computers since I can work effectively at home meeting my deadlines. My first day of lecture will be Thursday and I am all ready for that, so hopefully I will get some "guiltless" quilting done.

Have a great day! Stay warm and safe!

More Progress!

I have accomplished a lot since I last posted:

• I completed 30 more blocks for a total of 80!!!! 20 more to go and I can start putting the quilt together.
• I have finished quilting AND binding "Asian Indigo"---see picture above. It turned out pretty good even though I was a bit anxious at first---one of the borders looked like it had stretched out, but I think it was the way I had it pinned to the leaders.
• I am participating with the Civil War block a week. Pictured are the first two blocks. The Civil War period is NOT my favorite and I am not particularly partial to the fabs, but the stories that Barbara B. tells in conjunction with the release of the blocks is very interesting and compelling. At one time I was trying to quilt "outside my comfort zone" and purchased some CW's and I made the Underground Railroad Quilt, so I find that I have quite a few CW's after all. I plan to make red my central color---each block will have a shade of red in it so hopefully it will not be as drab as some CW's look to me. Because I don't "do small", I am making my blocks 12 inch rather than the 8 inch that is being posted.

So, this is what I have been up to. Hope your week-end is progressing well!

xoxo

Progress!

50 blocks made, 50 more to go!!!! #6 on my UFO Challenge list is coming right along! I decided to go ahead and use the muslin since several pieces were already cut out and I don't want to add "pieces" to my stash.

I also started a Zig-Zag Quilt from the Kaffee book. I am using all my hand dyes---and my GO! cutter. This is going to take a bit of time I think. I plan to have it as a on-going project....NOT to become a UFO. I am planning to try to use up as much of my hand dyes as possible, so when the dyeing season (temperatures at least 70 degrees in the garage) comes, I will not be only adding to stash, but replenishing.

Have a great day!!!!

Project #1 of UFO Challenge----#6!

Judy drew the first number for the UFO Challenge and it was #6. On my list that is the strip tube quilt. I have 4 blocks already made. I am going to mull over it today because I am thinking about changing the solid from boring unbleached muslin to a color. I think I will like that more----just to find the right color in my stash since I am NOT going out to buy any new fabric. I am adding that as my own personal requirement. My UFO's must be finished with what I already have in stash unless I absolutely must buy something and then only for a border. I intend to use what I have even for backing. Maynot "match", but I will be getting rid of stash as well as the UFO.

She also has another challenge---monochromatic challenge. She randomly draws a color and then the challenge is to use that color to make a quilt. The first color was yellow---I couldn't participate even if I had the time since I have almost NO yellow in my stash. Isn't that interesting---now if she choose purple or red or green or even orange, I maybe could do it. Oh well, I am saved from adding yet more quilts to my UFO rather than finishing them.

Hope your day will be a wonderful one. I intend to get some sewing/quilting in as I watch the Twilight marathon and Law and Order. Quite a combination huh :c). I am cooking and dinner should actually be done by noon, so as people want to eat, they can just go in and help themselves. I will put the bread on in a minute---decided to not fix a dessert---just ice cream. My effort to drop some weight begins tomorrow, so today I intend to not worry about one thing....remember, what you do today will be what you will be doing all year!

xoxo

Last Post of 2010!

The bread was wonderful! See the picture---not much left of that first loaf. The second full loaf is cinnamon raisin, and it is really good as well. This machine is a "hi rise" machine, and at least with these two loafs, it has lived up to the name. I went to the grocery store and purchased some wheat flour and that will be my next loaf---tomorrow---since that is really the only type of bread we normally eat. I also got black-eyed peas (for good luck in the coming year) and mixed greens (for money in the coming year), so I will cook the customary dinner. It is said that what you are doing when the new year comes in will be what you will be doing all year, and the condition of your house will be an indicator of it's condition all year. Given that, if the legend hold true, I will be sleeping all year or playing with my DSi, and I will always have laundry waiting to be done.

Well this is the last post of the year of 2010! I am pretty proud of myself----almost a year! I have enjoyed this process really---so many new friends and I haven't met a one (other than Diane of course)! I wish all my new friends a blessed, safe and happy new year!!!!!! There have been some challenges, and some trying times---but I look forward to 2011 with anticipation.

See you next year!!!!

Late Christmas Gift (AKA My DH really was listening)!

I love baking bread, but unlike Judy I really don't necessarily like to do it all "by hand". I make delicious rolls by hand, but when it comes to loaf bread----I just don't like all the kneading, etc. Anyway, I asked for a bread maker years ago when they first came out and my DH bought me one for Christmas---that was probably 17 years ago (or more). The poor thing finally pooped. It stopped getting hot enough and the bread really didn't rise. I was reading Subee's blog where she discussed her new bread maker and the awesome loaves of bread it made. I mentioned it to DH and really didn't think he was paying attention. I really should have known better because it was a "throw away" conversation that got me my long arm; my GO! and my Pandora bracelets---so I should realize he really is paying attention. Anyway, we went out to lunch today and when we got back this very large box was sitting on the side of the house. When we brought it in, what should be in there but the bread maker!!!! The exact one I wanted!!!! I couldn't wait to use it of course, so a plain loaf of white bread is being made as we speak. I used the recipe that came with the machine and it seemed like an awful lot of milk (1.5 cups plus 2 T) but I followed the direction closely. I then read the directions that said the milk should be heated slightly, which I didn't do, but hopefully everything will come out okay. Isn't my Honey Bunny a nice guy (when he wants to be)! Fresh bread is ahead for sure---and I wanted to lose weight!

On a quilty subject, I was looking over the list of quilts I have finished this year and I have been pretty productive. 17 quilts, not counting the one that I only put a binding on---and these are really finished----quilted and bound (although Asian Indigo is still being quilted). Since I have joined Judy's UFO Challenge, I should complete at least 12 next year! Pretty good huh!

Now for some New Year's Resolutions!

My quilty one is to straighten up my sewing room (studio) by:

• Going through my scrap bin and getting rid of all those tiny pieces of fabric, and cutting the larger pieces into triangles/squares/strips---and then putting those in separate easily accessed bins.
• Cutting up my various FQ's that I either received as gifts, or purchased for no apparent reason, into the same usable pieces as mentioned above.
• Review all my magazines and tear out the patterns that I will eventually make (maybe) and throw the rest out.
• Go through the large garbage bag of batting pieces and piece the bigger ones together to use in utility quilts and get rid of the pieces that are unusable (maybe I will check with the Vet and see if they could use some little pet pillows. I could get rid of some yuk fabric as well as the leftover batting scraps).

Well, everything sounds doable. Hopefully this will be accomplished, along with my UFO's.

Hugs and I'll keep you posted on the progress of the bread!

xoxo

Another Great Christmas!!!!

This was another great Christmas!!!! Christmas gifts are all about the Grand babies---and did they ever have a great time. By the time I got home Christmas evening, they could hardly contain themselves! It was an effort for them to wait for me to get my coat off and then it was gift opening for all!!!! It did snow and although the weather"person" was correct from that perspective, they were in error (thank goodness) in that we didn't get the amount they predicted! It snowed all day, but hardly any really accumulated.

I was able to finish quilting "Bountiful" and completed the quilt top for "Asian Indigo". I am going to finish the binding on Bountiful before I start quilting it though. I am working really hard to relax this holiday---I so often end up more fatigued than I was when I began it. Hope your Holiday was a great one as well!!!!

Hugs!

Merry Christmas!!!

I have to work tomorrow, but am splitting the shift with another nurse so only have to work the first 6 hours! I spent all day cooking so when I get home tomorrow (around 2 PM), we will open the remainder of the gifts (the kids will of course have opened some of theirs) and I will only have to put the dressing in the oven and put the green bean casserole together....everything else is done, including the rolls (I will just have to warm them up). ...I will put the turkey in the roaster right before leaving for work in the morning.

We are suppose to have a white Christmas!!! The kids are really excited---not me, especially since I have to drive in it. My poor son has to work tomorrow night from 11p to 7A, so he isn't very happy either. .....but maybe it will not happen, it certainly wouldn't be the first time a prediction of weather didn't materialize.

Well, gotta go check on the rolls and get a little rest before it all starts again tomorrow. Here is hoping you all have the best Christmas ever!!!!! God's Blessings to you and your loved ones!!!

Patricia

Latest Update(s)!

This year I decided to have two Christmas trees. Joanne's had a 90% on trees last summer and I got the one above for $7. It is unlit and I thought would be perfect for a "Grand babies Tree". I was correct! We made decorations, I got some balls from the $1 store and we put candy canes on. I also got a bag of ice sickles (some call them tinsel) and the kids were responsible for doing it all themselves. That one bag of sickles had enough to cover every tree in TN I think, but the kids enjoyed it. There tree topper is a Santa!

I treated myself to a new GO! die! This is the diamond die. I really think this will be a great die to use to make a dent in my scrap bin. It was only $19 and so I figured it was worth buying. I now have almost all the current dies that I would use. Now to get to using them---one of my NY's resolutions.

Harriet is feeling much better! Butch came to fix her and I really did hit the Jackpot. He is a quilter himself and knows the little special things of a good stitch. He also shared with me his little tricks for getting good tension., and didn't mind my husband looking over his shoulder as he timed the machine. I have to honestly say I don't think I got a stitch this good when the machine was brand new. Unfortunately I have added something else to my "wish list"----edge rider wheels. My wheels are a little wobbly---and I would love some new ones. The edge rider's are $90 though so I will have to save a bit. Butch showed my husband how to install them so maybe for "Valentine's Day"???????

The above picture is my attempt to show you the stitch quality--since my machine is hand guided, there is no other way for me to get a good stitch except me and therefore tension is very important. This is "Bountiful" I am quilting. Still looks weird to me, but I had the perfect backing---a flannel with hot peppers. I got about 8 or 9 yards of this five years ago when the Joanne's that was close to me was closing. Just goes to show that if you are careful about what you purchase, staying true to your basic likes....who would have thought I would make a weird quilt that was perfect for the weird backing. Guess I am just weird :c) or maybe "quirky" is a better word.

Well, I am going to go back down now and work on the quilt and then put the borders on another and add it to my completed list....then start to prepare for Saturday. I have to work the first 6 hours of my 12 so I will need to essentially do most of my cooking on Friday.

Have a great day and "talk" to you later!!!!

My UFO 2011 List

Okay---here is my "formal" 2011 list that I will be working from as part of the Judy Challenge (I don't have pictures, but will post them as I finish):

1. The scrappy house quilt
2. Batik strings (just needs a binding)
3. The star quilt (just needs a binding)
4. "Sewing Green" Drunkard's Path" (from old shirts)
5. "Traditional" string quilt
6. "Non-traditional" string quilt (tube first)
7. Paint box quilt
8. Red and White Log Cabin
9. Scrap Depression Block Quilt
10. Apple Core Quilt

I honestly can't think of 12 UFO's, so I am adding 3 quilts that I have been wanting to make and haven't yet:

1. (10) Half Log Cabin
2. (11) Scrap Flannel
3. (12) Zig Zag Quilt

I have one quilt that is a 10 year UFO---but I honestly am not sure I even want to finish it. I don't have the directions anymore----so I am going to think about that one. I guess I am setting myself up for a success by not adding it, since I don't even like it anymore. Hope that isn't cheating---I might add it later.

Well here is my list----let's hope I am not only successful in completing the list, but that I can link. Click on the badge on the right and see what you need to do to join! Please do---it will be fun!

xoxo