Loose Ends Quilts

Report Day - Week 6

2012-02-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

Got this lovery top done but didn't like the backing fabric I had for it so I had to buy new fabric when I turned it in to get quilted. There was a wonderful minky in a shade of coral/pink that just about matched the border color perfectly. Ahhh minky. I love it for a baby quilt! And as for those "big numbers out" I mentioned last week - well maybe if I made another BIG quilt I would have BIG numbers out. At least it was something out this week!

~ WEEK 5 WRAP-UP ~

In this Week: 1.5 yards

In year to date: 2.5 yards

Out this Week: 4.5 yards

Out year to Date: 5 yards

Net totals 2011-2012: -22 yards

Report Day - Week 5

2012-02-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

I'm a little bit late but I was really thinking I would have a picture of a top to show for this week. But you know life gets in the way of the sewing machine sometimes. I will have it next week though along with BIG yardage out numbers (wow - that really makes me happy). I got a new block for the General's Wives BOM so that's a little bit of fabric in. Until next week, back to the sewing machine!

~ WEEK 5 WRAP-UP ~

In this Week: 0.5 yards

In year to date: 1 yards

Out this Week: 0 yards

Out year to date: 0.5 yards

Net totals 2011-2012: -26.5 yards

Report Day - Week 4

2012-01-30T16:17:00.000-08:00

Well, I have no pictures for you this week... nothing of any new finished items. I was working on the American Heritage BOM that I joined summer 2008 and just decided I was done with it.

I've completed two blocks (top and second row left) and cut and started on a third (second row, right). I'm just not motivated to finish it. It's a great example of how your taste change over the years. Each block could be a wall hanging but I don't even want to do that. I want to do other projects (like the one I have half cut downstairs already) so I just decided I was going to give it up. I'm adding it to the yard sale pile and the backing. Send me an email if you're interested.

Other than that, I got nothing this week. Nothing in... nothing out. Maybe next week I'll have the Hopscotch top pieced!

~ WEEK 4 WRAP-UP ~

In this Week: 0 yards

In year to date: 0.5 yards

Out this Week: 0.5 yards

Out year to date: 0.5 yards

Net totals 2011-2012: -26 yards

Report Day - Week 3

2012-01-22T16:25:00.000-08:00

I can finally share with you this quilt for my good friend. I'm not really sure that she reads the blog very often but just in case I didn't post anything. I took the fabric out of my stash report last year but just finished binding it this weekend.

And really the hold up was the flags. This is a Buggy Barn quilt and in the original pattern each little house has an American flag hanging outside. Well, since we are military I changed that pattern so that my friend could add a flag for each state they get to live in (this was actually the idea of a friend from Germany - and what a great idea. I gave her props on Facebook). And there was the problem - I could not decide how to make the flags... how to attach the flags... what to start with - the first assignment or where she met her husband. So finally I just made a couple of simple ones, added the yellow ribbons for deployments and then safety pinned them on so she could adjust as she wanted.

But here is the Germany house - I think it turned out pretty darn cute!

And here is block #1 from General's Wives block of the month.

~ WEEK 3 WRAP-UP ~

In this Week: 0 yards

In year to date: 0.5 yards

Out this Week: 0.5 yards

Out year to date: 0.5 yards

Net totals 2011-2012: -26 yards

Report Day - Week 2

2012-01-18T06:27:00.000-08:00

A little late, but the holiday weekend threw me (I guess). The only addition of fabric is the Generals Wives BOM #1. I've been at my machine a lot this week already so I hope to have a few new pictures on Sunday.

~ WEEK 2 WRAP-UP ~

Out this Week: 0 yards

Out year to Date: 0 yards

In this Week: 0.5 yards

In year to date: 0.5 yards

Net used 2012: 0 yards

Net totals 2011-2012: -26.5 yards

and PS...

2012-01-08T07:26:00.000-08:00

I'm really enjoying the Free Motion Quilt A Long over at The Free Motion Quilting Project. I'm all for any information I can get on making my quilting on my good 'ole table top Singer better.

Check it out.

Week 1 Reports

2012-01-08T07:16:00.000-08:00

Well, one week one in 2012! My machine is out and waiting... I just didn't get to anything this week. A friend picked up my first month's block of The General's Wives but since it's not in my house and I have not paid her for her I'm not claiming it. We do have plans to do the blocks together so I'm excited about that. Sooooo....

~ WEEK 1 WRAP-UP ~

Out this Week: 0 yards

Out year to Date: 0 yards

In this Week: 0 yards

In year to date: 0 yards
Total used 2012: 0 yards

Net totals 2011-2012: -26 yards

(PS - I'm going to be one week off Patchwork Times report because I'm going by the weeks completed in 2012. Not that it's a big deal, but I'm reminding myself mainly. And I think I might do a repeat of the end of last year (haha, that was like a month ago...) and only post when I have something fun to report. We will see)

2012 Week #0 Reports

2012-01-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed Patchwork Times Stash Report so much I'm going to participate again. And even though I like the idea of a clean slate (boy do I like that idea when I look in my quilting closet) each year I think I might add in a cumulative total on the bottom just cause I'm a numbers gal and it might be some motivation.

~ WEEK 0 WRAP-UP ~

(I'm calling it 0 because technically one week has not passed in 2012 yet... I'm anal that way)

Out this Week: 0 yards

Out year to Date: 0 yards

In this Week: 0 yards

In year to date: 0 yards

Net used 2012: 0 yards

Net totals 2011-2012: -26 yards

( That's a +6 yards from last report in 2011 because there was a *SWEET* sale on Sweetwater Countdown to Christmas layer cakes. So good I bought two and a layer cake is about 3 yards... so I've read)

I spent this afternoon cleaning up and organizing my patterns. I typically keep a quilting magazine for several weeks and look through it several times before finally ripping out any patterns I like and filing them away. This is the second year I've gone back through that big notebook and taken out anything I was no longer interested in. It's interesting to see how my taste have changed or maybe I've learned that I don't want to do that technique or I realize I liked that quilt because of the quilting or colors more than the pattern. It also pains me to see the patterns I've bought that I know I will never sew because I've 'moved past' them, if that makes any sense at all. And it's fun to find things I've forgotten about.

So, tonight I got to cleaning out and organizing things a bit and came up with this:

It's on the outside of my project book. This book is a great tool (in my opinion). Heavy plastic cover (with sleeve to add cute embellishment) and inside there are 12 page protector sleeves all attached and ready to go... how handy.

As you can see I've got it about half full already with projects that have been hanging around for a while and need to be completed! AND that means more fabric OUT and less fabric in! I really have tried to buy less since we move back to the States... I don't have to do the hoarding thing anymore since I can just drive and get my fabric fix and know that there will be more just as pretty when I go back another day.

So far I have...

Hopscotch for a baby girl due in May (This is a kit I bought a couple years ago - thankfully with backing fabric to so it's all there but the stitching!)
General's Wives BOM at LQS (I'm debating this one... not a fan of civil war prints but I like the finished quilt)
American Heritage BOM (I started this 8 month BOM in 2008... I think I have two months done)
Paris in the Fall BOM (From the Fat Quarter Shop last year... I love this fabric!)
Pinwheel Sampler Quilt-a-long (that I followed along with but didn't sew so now I'm going to! But I'm not sure which fabric I'll be using for this one)
Starry Eyed Christmas Quilt (to use that new Sweetwater fabric...)
Cute strip lap quilt from a magazine
Hand sewn Hexagons (thank you Jaybird for the awesome tutorial) for the summer while we are moving.
The Neighborhood by Sweetwater with their Hometown fabric... I love Sweetwater and most anything they put out!
??
???
????

So - there is my plan for the year. I'm a planner... now to just stick to it! I left room to add in things I want to pick up along the way - this list is mainly a way to clear out my most glaring projects I've bought fabric for and never followed through with. So, I'm stash bushing this year I hope.

And of course there is always the hope of sewing more than just 12, but with a move and a new house and community coming, I'll be realistic.

2011 wrap up...

2011-12-29T07:25:00.000-08:00

I'm a little depressed by how little I finished in 2011. I have to remind myself that there was about four months I didn't have access to a sewing machine and was dealing with an international move. But it's still a little sad.

I did Patchwork Times stash report for 2011 and think I will continue with that. It's a good way to see your fabric habit up close and personal. Good thing you don't have to count your stash before you begin or my number in red would have been MUCH larger. I was thinking about doing her UFO challenge but then I realized that I don't have UFOs... I just don't work that way. I do one project and work at it until it's all done for the most part. I might have two or three of one thing going if I'm making several of something like with the mug rugs. So maybe I will have to change up her challenge a bit to suit me and my habits. It will be The 12 in 12 Challenge which probably won't be much of a challenge for a lot of quilters who churn out a ton of stuff each year but for me I think it's good. But I'll have to think more on that later... I'm doing a lot of thinking of what I want to accomplishing in 2012. It's all kinda swirling around in my head waiting till the last minute to come together.

But I think I will go ahead and do my 2011 sewing in review....

Here's to more sewing in 2012...

Report Day - Week 52

2011-12-25T15:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I did it... more or less. Reported my fabric habit for a year. I gotta say it certainly did make me more aware of my purchasing. And I'm sure the move helped my numbers... and TMOMD being home (I get a little retail therapy happy when he's deployed). I think I'll just carry over into next year and see what happens.

Happy Holidays Y'all!!!

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~ WEEK 50 WRAP-UP ~

Out this Week: 0 yards

Out year to Date: 62.75 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 82.75

Net Used for 2011: -20 yards

Report Day - Week 50

2011-12-10T19:06:00.000-08:00

I just realized! In my haste to get everything wrapped up and ready to put in the mail I wrapped up all five of those mug rugs I finished this week (along with the flag wall hangings) without taking pictures.

Here is the one I kept - the first one. I acutally made this one and decided I was not going to make more cause I was not happy with it. Well, I did make more and had some fun with free motion quilting in yellow. I will have to admit that is might be my one and only venture into 'wonky' quilting. The uneven and unstraight lines just kinda bother me. I think I could do a wonky star quilt if only because the placement of the stars would be symmatrical. Yes, I am one of those quilters that even when they do something random it's planned.

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~ WEEK 50 WRAP-UP ~

Out this Week: 1 yards

Out year to Date: 62.75 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 82.75

Net Used for 2011: -20 yards

Report Day - Week 48

2011-11-27T14:55:00.000-08:00

I've been *sew* busy this week. We were suppose to go to Disney for Thanksgiving but that was canceled due to sick child. So I drowned my sorrows in sewing (and Fat Dip... yum). I worked on a couple of quick little book covers for my daughter and niece, started the mug rugs that I had decided I wasn't going to do but now I am going to do and finally started my BQFF's (best quilty friend forever) quilt. I've only been planning it for two years. Well, I picked the pattern maybe a year or so ago but kept putting it off cause she's the one person that we've stayed in close proximity to. So I kept saying that I owed her and finally this year I can deliver. Naturally I'm not posting pictures of that quilt cause I think she might actually take a look at this site from time to time.

Boogie decided that covering these little chip board photo albums/scrapbooks would be okay since I didn't have any notebooks to cover (her original idea).

The Cinderella one is for my niece. Boogie picked out the fabric at the big fat quarter sale at Quilters Quarters. She also picked out that flower fabric (with my guidance) and then chose the coordinating fabrics out of my stash. I used Bloom's journal tutorial as a guide (great job) which was posted on Sew, Mama, Sew. She's been sharing so many neat ideas for homemade gifts and projects!

Next week I will have pictures of my finished mug rugs and BQFF's quilt up. I know - it's not anywhere near Christmas but I'm so excited about this quilt that I won't be able to wait. In fact I think I might be making myself one too at some point.

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~WEEK 48 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 12 yards

Out year to Date: 61.75 yards

In this Week: 7 yard

In year to date: 82.75

Net Used for 2011: -21 yards

Report Day - Week 45

2011-11-08T05:36:00.000-08:00

This skipping weeks is kinda liberating! Like I've taken control of one thing... or maybe let go of one thing... I don't know. I do know I've been doing a smattering of sewing on Christmas gifts. It's been a herky, jerky process - sew like mad one day and then it sits for several. I would like to blame my sewing table which is also my kitchen table. And since I've been pretty darn good about getting family meals on said table (cause we are all here and that's really really cool) I have to pack everything up only to take everything back out after the kiddo is in bed and by then I often have no desire to do that since I'm only going to pack it all up again in a few hours so there is room for breakfast in the morning. I've actually thought about getting through the projects I'm currently involved in and then focusing on scrapbooking for a while. Of course that was while I was pulling out those big totes to look for a specific fabric. That one on top is pretty darn heavey and I think I hurt my back a little....

These were super fun and easy to make once I got through the first one. It's from a pattern for a much larger wall hanging and the star at the top is dimensional. In hindsight I might make that bigger or something. I think it turned out pretty nice. It's a pin holder for the plethora of pins a military wife gets... unit pins, volunteer pin or just pins you pick up to show your support. It's nice to have one place to stick them all so they don't get lost in a drawer somewhere. AND so you can find the current one you need when you are walking out the door to a function. I've had this idea for several years now (and the cute star holders too) but have only this year managed to get them made.

Saturday I was at Quilter Quarters here in Leavenworth and participated in their 15 year anniversary fat quarter sale. Buy 15 get 15 free. Luckily I had a fat quarter project that needed 12 civil war prints and so I just got to wonder around and grab the rest. I picked up some colors to round out my stash and let my kiddo also pick out a few for a project. How old do you think they need to be to get on a machine?!?

She was really good while I shopped.... you think she might have done this a time or two ;-)

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~WEEK 45 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 2 yards

Out year to Date: 49.75 yards

In this Week: 7.5 yard

In year to date: 75.75

Net Used for 2011: -26 yards

Report Day - Week 43

2011-10-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

This week I tried out Moda Bake Shop's Fancy Folded Star Pot Holder. It turned out really nice. I'm glad I did it BUT I won't be doing anymore for Christmas presents. It's beautiful and my quilty best bud is going to love it (I was sending her pictures while I was making it and she mentioned it's her colors) but it just was a bit tedious to make another 10 times in a short period of time!!! Especially when I have to do it at night cause it's not a project I can jump up from if my kiddo needs something. I'm thinking the mug rugs will be easier and maybe go faster.

I also have spent some time pulling out all my quilting stuff and trying to organize it a little better since when I need something I basically have to pull out everything and dig around until I find it then pack it all back up again. I figure if I have a bit better idea where things are and put them in the big black boxes in a better way then it will make life easier. We will see if the theory holds true.

It was a great excuse to look at all my lovely fabric and while I thought I might try to think the stash and set some aside for the next yard sale I just could not come up with anything other than a few lingering flannels (I don't like working with flannels). I got about a third of it sorted by color, put some more Polar Notion mini-bolts on my wish list and plan to figure out a way to put it all out where I can see it when we move again. I keep hoping maybe the next house will have a corner where I can spread out a little with my stuff. Right now my machine is downstairs back on the kitchen table when I'm sewing (sigh) and I've already found that walking up and down the stairs for thread... pins... etc... is rather annoying! One day.

Ahhh, but look at all that lovely fabric that just screams to be sewn into something wonderful. Time to work on Christmas gifts!

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~WEEK 42 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 1.25 yards

Out year to Date: 47.75 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 68.25

Net Used for 2011: -20.5 yards

Report Day - Week 42

2011-10-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Seriously?!? Week 42 and my last report was week 17... off line for longer than I was ON line!!! Well - here we go.

I finally finished Cubed3 and got it in the mail to it's new home. While I was doing all my traveling and visiting family before we finally made it to Kansas I found the PERFECT backing fabric. It had all the right elements... and the quilt shop didn't have enough on the bolt, so there was a bit of internet searching before it was in my hot little hands. I had the Georgia Quilter quilt Cubed3 on her long arm and she did a great job. She really took a lot of time emailing back and forth with me about the right pattern to use and I appreciated it since this was the first quilt I have sent off to be quilted. I forgot to take a picture of it all completed, washed (I always wash my quilts before I give them away just to make sure everything is okay... cause sometimes it's not) and ready to snuggle with. I kinda get that way when I finally get finished - I'm just so excited for the owner to have it that the quilts are out the door before I realize it. I am really excited about my new labeling technique... I'll have to take pictures on the next quilt.

Now that I've had my machine out and sewing I'm ready to get started on another project. I have a few swirling in my head for Christmas gifts and I went to the LQS today to pick up some fabric. Add that to the fabric that came in last week from my birthday splurge and some I picked up over the summer in a wild fit of shopping before I completely grasped the concept that I live in the US now and fabric is not hard to find and I have some yardage to add to my tally. I'm not adding in the backing and binding fabric for Cubed since a) I can't remember how much it was and b) it went in and out of my stash.

So a few of my new acquisitions...

Can't resist the Army prints (3 yards)... the lower right fabric has all sorts of different vehicles on it - one that looks like a Stryker which holds a special place in our hearts around here. And of course I got home and my hubby said it looked like one but technically it's not. Oh well... close enough for me.

Loved these animals and decided I must have them... and all their little friends (6 yards). This was my back in the land of the big LQS impulse buy.

This is my birthday splurge of Sweetwater's Hometown. A layer cake (3 yards?!?) plus border, backing and binding fabric (4ish yards total). On a side note - have I mentioned how Sweetwater is my favorite designer??? I have at least a little of most of their collections in my stash in one form or another.

So that brings us to....

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~WEEK 42 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 0 yards

Out year to Date: 46.5 yards

In this Week: 13 yard

In year to date: 68.25

Net Used for 2011: -21.75 yards

I'm back... I think...

2011-10-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

I've moved.

And I've unpacked.

And I've had my first "welcome back to America/everyone else in your family is in school so they are exposed to a million germs and want to share them with you" cold.

And I found a good allergy medicine.

And I had the first of two big yard sales.

And finally I filed my moving claim for damages.

So I'm back. I'm making a list of things I need to finish (already) and start. I have my Christmas projects pretty much decided on. And most importantly I had a birthday last week and Mom and Dad sent me fun money that I spent on Hometown by Sweetwater (my most favorite designer). So I will have a entry for the stash report next week. I've been pretty good and didn't impulse buy a ton of fabric since I've been home (maybe a little fabric) because I live here in the Land of the Big PX and can go visit about five quilt shops all before my kiddo gets out of school.

So yes, I'm back and hope to have something more interesting to write about next Sunday.

Packing Up

2011-05-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

My packers were here today and it's about that time again. Time for this military family to move along to the next post. I was sad to see all my quilting stuff go into cold storage. In my mind I'm picturing the sci-fi movies where the people go into hibernation for 50 years while the ship flies to far off places only to be revived in perfect condition ready to go. I did hold out supplies to do hand sewn hexagons from Jaybird Quilts. We will see how THAT goes.

But as you can imagine there is nothing going in and nothing coming out right now. And probably won't be anything until July. Well, more like August when you take into account unpacking.

Report Day - Week 17

2011-04-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

Soooo...

First there was this picture from a quilt in a window in Switzerland...

And with some guidance from Jaybird's Hexagon Tutorial I managed to come up with this:

(You'de never know the dog has psychotic moments when he looks so darn cute.)

Actually this quilt is for a friend (Boogie wanted to know if she was having a baby since that's who my quilts tend to be for). She took the picture on holiday and her favorite color is orange. Due to the upcoming move she's getting it just like this with instructions on where the long arm quilter is in Heidleberg! I hope she likes it. It's pretty cool if I do say so myself. And I'm pretty darn proud that I pulled it together with only the basic directions and that cool ruler!

And now my machine is put away. TMOMD says he's not sure if the kitchen table can stay upright without it on there to balance. Chances are that it won't come out again until we are in Kansas and then only after I have the 110v motor put back in. Now I have a few weeks to get ready for the movers to come and pack up everything and in those few weeks I have a heafty amount of organization to pull off!

I guess my next feat of sewing will be trying some hand sewn hexigons - Jaybird has a tutorial for that too. Until next time...

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~WEEK 14 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 5 yards

Out year to Date: 46.5 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 55.25

Net Used for 2011: -8.75 yards

Report Day - Week 14

2011-04-03T03:05:00.000-07:00

Just working on getting Cubed together. Have a deadline for myself now since we have an idea of when the movers are coming to take away my machine. I'll get it together with no problem and even have ideas for the borders. People keep asking me to make things or quilt something and I keep telling them all no cause we are moving. Where were these folks a year ago?!?

~WEEK 14 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 0 yard

Out year to Date: 41.5 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 55.25

Net Used for 2011: -13.75 yards

Report Day - Week 13

2011-03-27T00:38:00.000-07:00

I got nothing.

In about eight hours I will be done with a huge event my program has been planning. Tell Me A Story is really a very cool family event but it also takes a lot of planning so I've done NO quilting. My little piles for my Cubed quilt sit patiently waiting and I do go and look at them periodically. I will get to them tomorrow maybe when today and TMAS is over.

TMOMD did sacrifice and go into my LQS to pick up another yard of the orange for Cubed. Actually it was because gas cost an arm and a leg and my LQS is not so local at an hour away. At first he balked but when I reminded him it takes $70 to fill up my truck and all he had to do was walk in and find the person closest to the cutting table, hand them the scrap and go, "UGH!!!" he relented. He's a good sport.

~WEEK 12 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 0 yard

Out year to Date: 41.5 yards

In this Week: 1 yard

In year to date: 55.25

Net Used for 2011: -13.75 yards

Report Day - Weeks 11 & 12

2011-03-20T02:01:00.000-07:00

What's Happening on the Sewing "Area":
I finished up Argyle Alphabet and got it in the mail before the baby was born - course he arrived before the box has arrived, but still I'm pleased I managed to get it done before the baby was walking!!!

~Pieced Back~

This was the oddest thing! I always wash my quilts before I give them away and this seam was completely gone!!! I have no idea what happen - it would not have held up to being handled if I had never sewn it and the ironing was still in. Just no thread. I did manage to sew a binding stitch so you can't really see what happen.

This is my current project and since I laid out part of it I'm VERY excited about it. I think it's going to turn out pretty cool! Now I have to get it done BEFORE my packers come to move us - not that I have the foggiest when that will be.

Stash Report Week 11 & 12:
Nothing in and nothing out since I counted Argyle Alphabet in a previous week when I finished the top itself.

~WEEK 12 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 0 yard

Out year to Date: 41.5 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 54.25

Net Used for 2011: -12.75 yards

Report Day - Week 10

2011-03-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

Well, the Fabric Diet is over and I did okay. After that and participating in the Stash Report I don't think I'll look at my bins of fabric the same again.

What's Happening on the Sewing "Area":

I am excited! I sewed together two pieces of batting and it's perfect! You can't really tell where the seam is (unless you know and are feeling for it). I used a zigzag stitch and just butted the two pieces up to each other and it was great. Got it all basted and once I get the quilting done no one will know - except me and anyone who reads this!

Stash Report Week 10:
Nothing in, nothing out since I'm finishing up the Argyle Alpabet quilt. That I've been working on for a while, but I hope to say next week it's done!!! I think I'm going to make myself a calendar with some deadlines on it - otherwise I won't get that one last quilt top made before I leave. I've already pushed off another one I meant to have done off until later since that person is moving to the same post I am heading to. Her Christmas gift became a birthday gift and is now going to be something else. Friendship gift I guess!

~WEEK 9 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 0 yard

Out year to Date: 41.5 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 54.25

Net Used for 2011: -12.75 yards

Report Day - Week 8/9

2011-02-26T00:41:00.000-08:00

What's Happening on the Sewing "Area":
Busy week outside the house = no energy or too brain dead for much other than sitting on my butt at night when I don't have work to do on the computer. It's a little scary to think I want to go back to work full time in a year (two moved from now) when Boogie is in school.
Fabric Diet - Week 8:
Fabric Diet ends today and it was a good experience. I think I might have formed a habit of being more aware of what I purchase which is kinda hard when you do a lot of your shopping online. *CLICK*CLICK* and ten yards is on the way. Maybe our move will help with that cause I will be able to get in the car to shop. I ended the diet on a high note - nothing in this week. I think that makes five of the eight weeks that I didn't purchase fabric. One of those three weeks I got fabric it was a BOM that I signed up for in December but pay for by the month so technically I bought fabric! Tomorrow is the big rewards day so check out Cut to Pieces to see how everyone else did and what goodies she gave away!!!

Stash Report - Week 9:
Nothing in... nothing out. Got to break this streak! Check out Patchwork Times to see everyone else.

~WEEK 9 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 0 yard

Out year to Date: 41.5 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 54.25

Net Used for 2011: -12.75 yards

Report Day :Week 7/8

2011-02-20T02:32:00.000-08:00

What's Happening on the Sewing "Area":

Nothing - even though TMOMD was gone I still spent my evenings sitting on the sofa thinking, "I should get up and sew. Really." Didn't work.

Fabric Diet - Week 7:
Went to Grafenwhor to see some friends and they have the other decent Arts and Craft center (I hear there is a good one in Stuttgart, but that's a trip I won't be making - the hours in the car to Graf can be justified cause I have great friends there) that has fabric so I bought some brown and cream for the Cubed3 quilt I need to start. As soon as the baby quilt is done - I can't have multiple projects going. Just can't do it - have to finish one to start another. I guess it's a bit of motivation. See how everyone else did at Cut to Pieces - only one more week!!!

Stash Report - Week 8:
As you see above I picked up four yards for a quilt. I did resist some other fabric. I guess buying for a specific project and not just cause it's purdy is a good habit to start! See what everyone else is up to at Patchwork Times.

~WEEK 8 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 0 yard

Out year to Date: 41.5 yards

In this Week: 4 yard

In year to date: 54.25

Net Used for 2011: -12.75 yards

Report Day - Week 6/7

2011-02-13T00:36:00.000-08:00

What's Happening on the Sewing "Area":
Kinda a busy week on the kitchen table/sewing area! Finished the Argyle Alphabet top, pieced the back with left over blocks (cute) and when I went to baste the batting was just too narrow. So, I have batting to piece and then get finished with that project. TMOMD has a short buisness trip this week so I'll have some time at night to sew guilt free. And maybe the baby will get his quilt before he's born! THAT will be an accomplishment!!! Yesterday I spent all afternoon working on the Child's Activity Bag from Moda Bake Shop for the basket my coffee group is donating to our Spouses Club for auction on Wednesday. They turned out cute and now Boogie says she needs one cause she doesn't like the bag I have for her that stays in the car for when we need activity at dinner or whatever!!!

Two bags our of one charm pack (and about a yard of coordinating fabric). It just so happen I had the same charm pack as the one on the website. One bag shows the front and one the back. I had ribbon out for decorating but got it got covered up and I forgot about it.

Fabric Diet - Week 6:
Well, I didn't make it to the sale last weekend. Just didn't feel like making an hour drive. But I did get in my block of the month - Paris in the Fall - so I spent money on fabric anyway. I was reading someone's blog (I'm sorry I can't accurately quote and give credit) about her small stash. She made a great point about how fabric is like clothes and they go in and out of style. I could really see that when I was going through my stash to pull things to sell at the flea market that didn't happen. It really made me think... See how everyone else is doing over at Cut to Pieces.

Stash Report - Week 7:
I got a real thrill using my stash for the Activity Bags. I usually get all excited about having an excuse to go shopping for new fabric but this was pretty cool. And getting Argyle Alphabet done was also cool - check out my numbers. I'm a numbers gal... I like to see them go up or down. Check out everyone elses progress at Patchwork Times.

~WEEK 7 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 9 yard

Out year to Date: 41.5 yards

In this Week: 1.25 yard

In year to date: 50.25

Net Used for 2011: -8.75 yards

And P.S. -

Does anyone have a nice list of how many yards in a charm pack, a layer cake, a jelly roll, etc? I've done the math but would like to confirm. I know I've seen it somewhere!!!

Report Day - Week 5/6

2011-02-05T04:51:00.000-08:00

What's Happening on the Sewing "Area":
The week started off strong (see the below post) with Boogie helping me place the blocks for Argyle Alphabet and then some sewing Monday night. But by Tuesday evening I was convinced I had strep or something cause my throat HURT! But, thankfully, I 'only' had a pretty bad cold which was made worse by several days of back to back workshops and meetings. By yesterday I actually told TMOMD that I didn't feel well and went to bed. Got up for a couple hours to eat and then back to bed. When I got up this morning they were at the commissary and I felt about 95% better. So, the moral of the story is there is not much 12 hours of sleep won't cure. Except a growing pile of fabric that needs to be sewn into something lovely. And I just said I would make another project - Child's Activity Bag (thank you again Moda Bakeshop) - for a basket auction - should not take much time and will be fun!

Fabric Diet - Week 5:
Nothing in this week, but heading to my LQS in Heidelberg tomorrow for the 10% off all fabric for the Super Bowl Sale! Need some fabric for my Cube3 quilt I'll start soon (I hope) and maybe if something else calls my name... See how everyone else is doing over at Cut to Pieces.

Stash Report - Week 6:
Nothing in... nothing out... but these activity bags are all going to be done out of my very own stash!!! Never underestimate the things that will get you excited! Check out everyone elses progress at Patchwork Times.

~WEEK 6 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 0 yard

Out year to Date: 32.5 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 49

Net Used for 2011: -16.5 yards

Progress

2011-01-31T10:48:00.000-08:00

Making some progress on Argyle Alphabet with a little help from Boogie. She got a little lesson in color placement - and picked it up pretty quickly, I might add!

Report Day - Week 4/5

2011-01-29T13:14:00.000-08:00

What's Happening on the Sewing "Area":
I'm slightly embarrassed to say again - nothing. A lot of thoughts about it but no follow through. Shameful - I want to be there but life, you know. It just gets in the way. And I've been a bit lazy this week too I guess.

Fabric Diet - Week 4:
Fail - three yards in for this quilt I'm going to make for a friend. Just could not resist heading to Heidel;berg for a trip to the Arts and Craft Center. Isn't this a neat quilt - my friend took this picture in Switzerland. It looks like there is some sort of Quilt Show going on and she said there were quilts hanging in windows all over the place. I think I can just Jaybird Quilt's hexagon quilt along tutorials as a basic guideline for the main part (really - if you have never been to her website you are missing out). I just have to make sure my dark, medium and light values are right. Not a project I can shop online for!!!

So, I picked up three yards to start with: a nice cream with a small print, a gorgeous orange (my friends favorite color and the focal color I think), and an awesome navy blue. I'm torn about the blue, it looks great but I like the earthy tones. So, I will be heading back in a week for the Super Bowl Sunday sale. I have already thought of a name for it though: Cube³. Talk about putting the carriage before the horse!!! At the rate I'm going I won't get to it before they come pack my household goods for our move - and I have no idea when that will be but it could be sooner rather than later. Better get sewing! Check out Cut to Pieces to see how everyone else is doing!

Stash Report - Week 5:
So, with the 3 yards in I had 19 yards out this week with more leaving from my flea market box! But I can't help but think those numbers only look good cause you don't know the two tough boxes crammed full in the laundry room. I wish that 32 yards were beautiful, warm, snuggly quilts. Oh well, permission to cut myself some slack - after all you have to start somewhere! Check out Patchwork Times to see how everyone else is doing as well as all the cool stuff Judy has going on!

~WEEK 5 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 19 yards

Out year to Date: 32.5 yards

In this Week: 3 yard

In year to date: 49

Net Used for 2011: -16.5 yards

Report Day - Week 3/4

2011-01-22T00:16:00.000-08:00

What's Happening on the Sewing "Area":
A big nothing. I did sew a little more on Argyle Alphabete but not nearly as much as I could/should have. My quarter time job was busy this week, I was not feeling 100% and... well... life just kinda got in the way. By 8:00 I didn't want to or feel like pulling out the machine and getting everything ready to sew. With TMOMD home I don't just leave it sitting out on the table since it's hard to eat around the machine with three people on a four person table. Oh well, that's the great thing about time: there is always more and more and more of it.

Fabric Diet - Week 3:
Busy week plus no near fabric stores means I easily manage not to buy fabric. I did get a picture of a quilt a friends like that I think I'll be shopping for fabric for soon. But we will see - do have a new ruler in my Amazon basket. See how everyone else is doing at Cut to Pieces.

Stash Report - Week 4:
11 yards out this week because a friend came shopping in my flea market box! The extra money will be nice when I go looking for fabric for the quilt I mentioned above. It's certainly a start - albeit all stuff that was already in the stash. Check out Patchwork Times to see how everyone else is doing and maybe pick up a little motivation (thanks Judy)!!!

~WEEK 4 WRAP-UP~

Out this Week: 11 yards

Out year to Date: 13.5 yards

In this Week: 0 yard

In year to date: 46

Net Used for 2011: -32.5 yards

Report Day - Week 2/3

2011-01-16T00:48:00.000-08:00

What's Happening on the Sewing "Area":
Ohhhh, one day! One day I will have a room, or even a closet would be nice, to put out my machine and LEAVE it there! Anyway... I cut up all the fabric for the Argyle Alphabet quilt I'm making for a friend. I also have a few towels sitting by the table waiting for the machine to come out. I am going to sew them to make a sort of seat cover for our cars that can be thrown in the wash or on the floor when not in use. Can even double as emergency coffee/puke clean up. I got this idea because I hate sitting on my car seats when I am nasty and sweaty from the gym so I have a towel I throw in the seat. Well, when I'm trying to not fall on my butt in the snow/ice, kick off said snow, get in the car AND not ding the door next to mine I don't have the ~~time~~ coordination to spread out the towel nicely. So I end up perched on a lump of towel. At least it's not the seat, but there has to be a better way. So, I'm working on one... and one for TMOMD.

Fabric Diet - Week 2:
I think the Fabric Diet is in week 2 (according to Cut to Pieces) and I continue to do fine. My list of fabrics I WANT is growing but thank goodness for the little "X" at the top right of my screen. I can shop till I drop and then "X" out before I do anything bad. I have plenty in my stash to work from - just check out last weeks report to see everything that came into the house. And I have a couple of sorta valid reasons to hit the Arts and Craft Center in Heidelberg but won't be any time soon. Cause I'm sure they have in new fabric and I don't need anything new.

Stash Report - Week 3:
I stand on the verge of evening out my stash report from last week and the 46 yards in. A couple of friends came by to look through the fabric I was going to get rid of at the flea market that didn't happen. I know there will be at least 10 yards leaving the house but it's not gone yet. If I get sewing on Argyle Alphabet and get this other taken care of I should have a really great report for next week. It helps that I didn't have to count everything to begin with so maybe it's a little lopsided. Check out Patchwork Times to see how everyone else is doing and maybe pick up a little motivation (thanks Judy)!!!

~WEEK 3 WRAP-UP~

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 2.5 yards

Added this Week: 0 yard

Added year to date: 46

Net Used for 2011: -43.5 yards

Stash Report: Week 2

2011-01-08T06:13:00.000-08:00

Maybe I should start with the positive: I'm on track with the Fabric Diet. Nothing purchased this week! In fact I was all ready to maybe make a little money (to spend on fabric in March) and get some new stuff via swap at Arts and Craft Flea Market. But it got cancled due to lack of interest. So bummed.

Here is most of my stuff for the flea market. Scrapbooking stuff, books, magazines and that whole box on the right is filled with fabric. It's not bad fabric - it's hand me down fabric and fabric from projects that never happen. But mostly that on top is just the best I could find at the time, if that makes sense. It was purchased when I first started quilting and I had the one shop in Grafenwhor to shop in. I didn't know about the wonders of shopping online. So, I would buy what I liked best from their selection. My taste has changed a lot over the last fourish years but this fabric still is in my stash. And I think it needs a home where it will be used and not buried. Maybe the next market will happen...

Which brings us to the Stash Report. All my fabric I ordered before Christmas from the Fat Quarter Shop's 12 Days of Christmas sale finally came in this week. There are three kits there - one is a second Argyle Alphabet and the other two are the Bonnie and Camille's It Takes Two kits using Bliss. I got the backing sets as well. Such a great sale. I'm still waiting on one box but it has patterns and magazines in it. And the Paris in the Fall block of the month as well. It's a little scary... how do you count charm packs and layer cakes???

~WEEK 2~

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 2.5 yards

Added this Week: 46 yard (best I can calculate with the charm packs and layer cake)

Added Year to Date: 46

Net Used for 2011: -43.5 yards

It was worth it for those deals!

Flash Back to Boog's Quilt

2011-01-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

And here is a better picture of Boogie's Quilt, as promised. Better late than never. (Obviously, that's not the applique but it's the right font.) The pattern came from the Moda Bake Shop where I found Bricks in Bloom. This turned out to come together really quickly and a wonderful use of the fat quarter pack I picked up. In fact, I only used about half the fat quarters and considering the size of the quilt (it probably would cover the entire top of my daughter's full size bed) that's pretty darn cool. I added the borders - I like borders on my quilts. They are like frames for the 'art'. It's super warm with a high loft batting and the back is a lovely pink minky with starts on it. I was mostly pleased - of course irratations are with the quilting, which I did, but there were small imperfections. Which irratates me. But what can I do? Practice more and hope I get better.

So, on to the next thing - not quilting presently. Actually am gathering items for an Arts and Craft flea market where you can sell the stuff you are not using. Yep - I am actually parting with fabric, believe it or not. If anyone will buy it (that ought to make my stash report look good this week). We will see how it goes - keep your fingers crossed for me.

Motivation for 2011!

2011-01-02T09:12:00.000-08:00

There are a bunch of blogs I follow - more than I can even recall off the top of my head. Some are friends just updating the world but most are quilting blogs. The main reason I follow any blog is because I enjoy the content and often learn a thing or two. So, after reading everyone's wrap up of 2010 and looking at the beautiful collages and reading about the plans for 2011, I decided I would step up and participate a little. Being accountable to someone - even if it's the computer - helps with follow through. At least for me.

~FIRST~

I'm going to try to blog once a week on what I have been up to and what's going on on my ~~kitchen~~ sewing table. Did that this morning with Boogie's dance bag.

~SECOND~

I am going to try is the Fabric Diet from Cut to Pieces. After Fat Quarter Shop's *AWESOME* 12 days of Christmas sale I think I desperately need to take control of my spending and my stash. I already have one box in but am expecting -ahem- four more from that wonderful sale. It should keep me busy and content for the two months this challenge is going on.

(Oh gosh - I just went to the Fat Quarter shop to get the URL and they are having a end of year sale... I saved myself and closed the window before I had a chance to look!!!)

~THIRD~

I am going to try to help myself be accountable is the Stash Report from Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara. I spend 2010 watching a couple of other bloggers do this. I was looking into the start of the 2011 report and saw that I didn't have to have a starting stash amount. I can handle THAT! So here I go:

~WEEK 1~

Used this Week: 2.5 yards

Used year to Date: 2.5 yards

Added this Week: 0

Added Year to Date: 0

Net Used for 2011: 2.5 yards

So nice to start out on the plus side. I hope to be way on the plus side after next weekend - I think the garrison is hosting an Arts and Craft yard sale thing. I need to figure out if it's a clean out the stuff you don't use sale or a make cute stuff to sell sale. If it's a clean out sale I am going to have a heart to heart with the stash!

Until next week...

Hello 2011

2011-01-02T00:55:00.000-08:00

I started 2011 in a perfect state: in my PJs all day at the table working on a project! That's right, with TMOMD home I spent most of yesterday behind my cutting mat and sewing machine. It was glorious! And I actually finished Boogies new ballet bag yesterday. Really! Started and finished in ONE day. I know, you say it's just a bag and should not be that hard. Well, I rarely get anything started and finished in one day when I'm by myself and the five year old is running loose! Anyway... here it is:

Aren't those little ballerinas *TOO* cute?!? I just knew when I saw that fabric it had to be for my little ballerina. And I was kinda proud of myself because I got all the coordinating fabric out of my very own stash.

And there she is - always ready to pose and smile for the camera.

There were some technical difficulties from my not paying attention to the direction of my fabric. I lost about two inch off the bottom, but for her little frame it worked out perfectly. The pattern called for a zipper strap - you know so you can zip and sling it over one shoulder or unzip and do the backpack thing - but since I could not find a zipper when I was shopping for materials I went with just making straps. Which, once again, for the five year old is probably much much better. I really like this pattern from Lazy Girl Designs and think I'll use it again. In fact if the holidays had not just come and gone I might have made more for gifts.

So, isn't this a nice way to kick off the new year?!? I really have high hopes for getting a lot of quilting done this year. I have two block of the months to work on and a baby quilt to make for a dear friend and about a thousand other patterns I want to try. And let's not get started on scrapbooking - I have about five years of photos of Boogie and Germany and everything to organize and get into books. My plan is to give myself the time we are at our next place - a school TMOMD has to attend - to get it all sorted out or it all gets tossed! Anyway, I'm off on a tagent and we are heading out the door. So, until later - Tschuss!

Merry Christmas and the Story of Boog's Quilt!

2010-12-25T15:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I seem to have been gone a while. October, November and December were busy for me - my quarter time job seemed to take up many more than just 40 hours each month. I was really rather grumpy my nights were filled with research and workshop prep instead of sewing. Then there was getting ready for TMOMD to redeploy from Iraq - was not so grumpy about getting ready for THAT!

However, in the 'extra' time I had I decided I was going to finally make that quilt for Boogie I had been promising her for... ahem... two years now. *Shameful!* She picked out a fat quarter pack (well, I picked it out and she approved) two summers ago and I promised her I would make her a quilt. In the meantime I made several other quilts for other people. And she would ask when I was going to make HER quilt.

Well, I finally did it. Found the perfect pattern on Moda's Bake Shop - really if you have not hit that site you are missing out. Put to all together at night while Boog was asleep and got it completely finished and washed with 24 hours to spare!

She's pretty happy with it - TMOMD is happy too. He didn't like the other quilt I had on her bed. Not sure why. Anyway - I'll post better pictures and details tomorrow (including a link to the pattern - so easy). Or maybe the day after that, but soon.

Merry Christmas y'all - hope you had a great day.

Dirndl Fabric

2010-09-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a visit to Bavaria, almost Austria. It's Oktober Fest time in Munich and there were many many woman and men clad in the traditional German/Austrian costume: dirndles and lederhosen.

(That's me and Boogie in 2008 - everyone stationed in Germany should get a dirndle or lederhosen!!!)

Anyway, while we were wondering around town this trip I remembered I wanted to make a quilt out of dirndle fabric to mark our time here. So, I went into a nice Trachten Shop (shop that sells traditional dress) to check it out. I wish I had taken a picture of the cloth. It was lovely and I got more than a couple of odd looks as I fingered the bolts of material. There was silk, satin, embroidered along with your basic cotton. I didn't even look at the price of the 'fancier' material but only at the cottons.

One meter of fabric for anywhere from 25 - 35 Euro... and up! That would be $33 to $47 for 1.09 yards.

Maybe I should have tried another store or made sure my translation was correct but that's a little out of my price range. Oh well - maybe I will stumble onto a better price at some point, but I'm not holding my breath. Fabric here is expensive in general so I should not be surprised.

Seriously...?!?

2010-09-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

Has it been a month? Well, I've been busy - I finished a quilt I owed someone in time for her mother's birthday, had a huge yard sale, and just today had my (almost) 5 year old's birthday party. I'm on R&R countdown for my hubby too. I guess I have been keeping myself pretty busy to make the time fly for R&R to get here! Maybe a little too busy, but what the heck. All that's left is the cleaning and shopping! I even put my sewing machine away until October!

But back to that quilt.

"Red Hat Mama"

The other thing this quilt has made me realize - I need a new machine with a bigger throat (harp? That space in the middle of the machine). My shoulder really was a little sore from man-handling this quilt through that little space to get the quilting done. Each block is quilted with a basic straight line and large hat block has a second square inside it. What can I say, I like geometric. But that was a ton of turning and starting and stopping. And I think I will be scouting a new machine when we move home next!

Pretty darn cute if I do say so myself!

2010-08-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

A friend just had a baby boy... I love getting stuff together for boys. I guess it's because my house is covered in all things UBER girly. Just wait a few weeks until you see what the 5th birthday party prep includes.

These baby booties came together fairly quickly and are SOOOO cute. A huge thanks to Stardust Shoes for her tutorial. I think I need new fabric just for these little cuties. I have a few structural things I want to change/try... the pattern called for interfacing and I'm not sure if I got the wrong kind but it made the upper portion more stiff than I think baby booties should be. And I had some issues with my elastic. So, as I work with the pattern I may have to replace these cuties with a new and improved pair. We will see.

Funny story - I was so proud of myself I sent this picture to TMOMD downrange and my mom and a friend (or two). Mom ohhhh'ed and ahhhh'ed and asked if I had made them for TMOMD. TMOMD asked if these were for me. Next picture I sent will have to include something to illustrate size. I believe they are 0-6 months. I might could get them on my big toe.

It's Hunky Dory!

2010-08-03T06:13:00.000-07:00

All done with the quilt for little Miss. I's big girl bed!

I love the way they look fresh out of the dryer - not stiff from all the ironing and sewing, but comfy and ready to love. And I am in love with the batting. I used the Quilter's Dream supreme and I know it's going to be warm and snuggly because when it was all in my lap while I was quilting it I was plenty warm!!! All that's left to do is work on the pillow cases. But I have time for that.

In the mean time I have a few other small things that should be done by Thursday! See you then.

What I've been working on...

2010-07-26T04:15:00.000-07:00

So this is what I have been up to - between summer activities and playdates and cleaning up my house that never stays clean due to the construction outside my windows.

I used a Moda Bake Shop pattern (that I had used before...) and Hunky Dory fabric with off white shashing (which looks yellow in this picture for some reason). I was uber careful to make sure all my seam allowances were right so I could do that pieced border... and still didn't do it. I'm not sure I would have had enough fabric to do it to tell you the truth. And since it's suppose to be for a toddler bed and it's pretty close to twin bed size, it was big enough!

SO! Now all that's left is to quilt this bad boy - er - girl! Not sure how I want to quilt it this time. will have to give it some thought. But it's basted within an inch of it's life and I have a new walking foot so I'm ready. Once I figure out what I want to do.

Shopping, shopping and MORE shopping!!!

2010-07-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

Which means fabric, Fabric and more FABRIC! I've gone a litle crazy I think....

You remember I was dreaming of the Castle Peeps fabric? Well, I picked up a yard of each design over at Fabirc Worm. And of course while I was there some other things caught my eye.

She has these great fabric bundles. I had seen Alexander Henry's Teeny Tiny Zoo before but when I saw it with six other perfect fabrics I has to get that too.

And when I was in Heidleberg at the Arts and Craft Center looking for fabric for a different project (I'm just about done with) I found my new tree skirt! Well, it will be before December gets here. It's Noel by Susan Winget. And I love the rich colors and the almost batik-ness of it. We might even get new stockings out of this!!!

I would love to say I am going to just start cutting and no more shopping, but who am I kidding! I have a package on the way from Jaybirds quilts as I type. Really - after this box I will stop. I can stop any time I want.

Haha.

Design Wall

2010-07-05T09:10:00.001-07:00

It does everything the fancy design wall does! But my back would appreciate a not having to bend over. Getting old is bad.

And for my next trick...

2010-07-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

...I'm going to take these...

(Hoffman Fabrics Bali Pops in Spumoni with about four light strips from Cappuccino)

...and cut them like this...

(you can't really tell but that is a light and dark pile)

...to make a really neat quilt from here!

Not THIS quilt, just from this book. A different pattern that made me decide to buy the book - I'm sure you have books like that. Where you had one pattern catch your eye and the others were still good enough to entice you to purchase the whole book. There are a lot of nice patterns in this one - I think it's worth the money.

I have been on a jelly roll kick lately. Probably because the quilt that's waiting a trip to the Heidelberg Arts and Craft center for border and backing fabric is from a jelly roll pattern and I had these Bali Pops from a gift certificate TMOMD gave me for Mother's Day that needed to be used. One thing I have noticed is that the Moda rolls are slightly larger than the 2.5 inches they claim to be. And the jury is still out on the pinking shears cutting. It makes a horrible mess, that's for sure. I just got in the Schnibbles Times Two book and in some patterns it suggests cutting off those edges. Seems to defeat the purpose of getting a precut.

But regardless, I am in love with the precuts. So easy - a whole stack of coordinating fabrics already cut into strips and squares just waiting to be sewn together. They are really worth trying if you have not already. And there are a TON of free patterns out there if you need one.

So, I guess it's time to wake up my child for 4th of July fun. I told her she had to actually sleep during rest time today since fireworks won't start until it gets dark and that's around 10. WAY past her bedtime. So, off to have fun. Hope you are having a good weekend too.

Dreaming

2010-06-26T23:43:00.000-07:00

I had a dream about Castle Peeps by Lizza House. That means I should buy it immediately, right? If fabric is invading my dreams my subconscious must have something good planned for it, right? Maybe it's cause I keep seeing her fabric on some of the blogs I follow. Maybe it's cause my kiddos is SO into all things princesses. Maybe I just ~~need~~ love that fabric.

Hummmm, maybe it's too early to shop online. One should have a clear (read: caffine supported) head before the credit cards come out. Hey - someone tell my husband I said that! Not to mention I was thinking of going to the Arts and Craft Center in Heidleberg to pick up some fabric for my current project and if I happen to see that they still had Tula Pink Neptune I already decided it had a place in my stash.

Well, we will see what the day brings.....

It's like Christmas in June!!!

2010-06-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

Fabric is heavy, you know! And since the airlines have cut back on what they will allow you to check for free (seriously - it's hard to travel to the states for nearly a month with only two 50 pound bags between us) I visited the United States Postal Service on the way out of Georgia and Tennessee. And then my mom had to visit them on my behalf. I think it was 11 boxes between us! No, that is not all fabric - there were car parts and gifts from family and winter clothes... but a few cool quiltie things.

Hancock Fabric has GREAT Memorial Day sales. I got tons of ribbon and oddles of thread for 50% off!!! I got to the store just after it closed (didn't know it was closing early) and BEGGED for five minutes at the thread display. They were very nice - mom pointed out that the fact I was a military spouse stationed overseas and it was Memorial Day might have had something to do with it - I think they just could relate to a fellow quilter/crafter trying to get a good deal.

I think this is the purchase I am most excited about: a new walking foot! I went to see the nice guy at the Singer store and told him about a little quilting problem I was having. He suggested for me to try this foot - I hope it works out!

Tennessee is where I really got in trouble! And not nearly the trouble that I was in last year. But enough...

I was determined NOT to go overboard but when the nice lady told me the Wee Play fat quarter pack was 40% off I could not resist (I had a couple of charm packs in my pile so I just exchanged them - it's even, right???). I love the Moda solid jelly rolls - I wish I had more. In fact I had to put one back together for the picture cause I had already started cutting out of it. And I picked up some lovely Christmas fabric (LOVELOVELOVE the Fruitcake line even more now that I have seen it in real life) along with other fabric for a quilt I will start soon(ish). The giant ric-rac is always a favorite. The Incredible Shrinking Thread was an impulse buy at the register, but like many impulse buys the line of thought is, "Wow - how cool, I think I'll try it. But if I love it I won't be able to get it in Germany (or I won't ever find it again at the PX/commissary/etc) so I will buy two. But my friend might like it so I will get her one too." So, I have no idea what I will do with it but it's mine.

Good thing I am not keeping track in a stash report like I have been reading on some blogs. I would be in the red huge! I seem to vaguely remember saying I didn't need to purchase any more fabric - I could just work from my stash. Yeeeeaaaahhhhhh, that's not going so well. Oh darn - we are only half way through the year, maybe that can be a half year resolution!

Back to sewing!

Summer time and the weather is...

2010-06-17T23:30:00.000-07:00

...ify at best. I guess it is Germany and that's pretty standard. Got home to a georgous day - probably the 70s and sunny. Lovely change from the 90s of south east US. Then yesterday it was rainy and in the 50s. Today is looking to be nice again. We will see.

Catching up on my blogs and I found this:

Skip to my Lou Craft Camp

30 days of crafts for kids? That's great - cause summer time also means the kiddos are at home more and we need fun stuff to do. So check it out.

I am waiting on my boxes to arrive from my trip. I didn't go crazy with the cheese whiz this time around but there was a American Jane fat quarter set a shop owner pointed out was 40% off and a few other things. More on that later. Just wanted to share my latest blog discovery.

Now to continue the fight against jetlag and wake up my child.

Bloggers Quilt Festival 2010

2010-05-21T00:14:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Bloggers Quilt Festival - probably the only way I would ever enter a quilt contest! Like last years entry, it's my husbands deployment quilt that we sent him for Valentine's Day. I was pretty pleased with how it came out - and even better because he and I looked through all my patterns before he left so he could point out the type of quilt he likes (very traditional -"Now, THAT looks like a quilt!" What makes something look like a quilt? Apparently triangles, stars, etc.). He wants me to work on a quilt for our bed - I'll get to it some day!

Boogie (my four year old) helped too. We traced our hands to add to the back - she drew the heart for me to stitch over. This was my first try at appliqué and it turned out okay.

Thanks for stopping in and taking a look at our quilt. Enjoy all the other quilts too:

Making my list...

2010-05-13T23:10:00.000-07:00

We are heading home to the land of the big PX soon and I am so busy I have put my sewing machine away so I can have my kitchen table back. At least if the sewing machine is not out I won't feel AS sad about not being able to sit and sew right now. Yesterday morning I had a bit of inspiration for a quick project for one of Boogie's friends that will have a birthday while we are home. I took out the pattern and placed it on my hutch and walked away. I HAVE to get some other things done and if I start sewing they it won't happen and I will have a lot of angry people on my hands. I have talked to the folks we are visiting to see if THEIR machines are in good working order! This trip home I am going to take a couple projects with me to work on. In fact there is a package from the Fat Quarter Shop heading to our first stop so I can find perfect coordinating fabric while we are home!!!

In the mean time I am making a list of things to look for FOR ME while I am home...

A lovely layer cake for the pinwheel sampler Quilt-a-Long at p.s. i quilt - yes, I know that they are done, but I could just not find the perfect fabric.
The cool ruler to make Jaybird Quilts Hexagon Quilt-a-Long easier - another one they are practically done with but I want to do.
Some Christmas fabric to make a new tree skirt (sorry TMOMD's grandmother). I found a GREAT pattern that I want to make this year.
And maybe start picking up fabric I love for a quilt for my bed. We'll see...

"OH!" You say. "That's not so bad..." However, it will surely be augmented by other fabric I see that calls my name and waves at me from the shelves. Shopping online doesn't hold a candle to hitting a LQS and seeing things first hand. Luckily, I am generally overwhelmed by all the goodies but if I manage to make it back a second time - WATCH OUT! My husband did point out that airlines are charges for bags now and to watch out. I reminded him that the post office has flat rate shipping for MUCH less than what the airlines are charging!

Colored Squares

2010-05-02T01:01:00.000-07:00

Here is another version of the Simple Squares that Vicki at Sew Inspired posted. I did a girl version and here is my boy version. I must confess I am not thrilled with it - thankfully for reasons that people who don't quilt probably won't notice. But every quilt is a learning process and I know I need to do some things different.

And I also confess at the end of every project I am very happy to put away one set of fabrics and find another set to work with. AND a new pattern. I have a few weeks before I head home for a short vacation so I am trying to figure out what I want to work on that I might be able to finish before I leave.

Hummmmmmmmmmmmm........

It's here!!!

2010-04-27T03:31:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting to put up this until my goodies arrived, but I actually WON something!!!

After making it's way through the military postal service and waiting on volcanic ash (like the rest of the mail for Germany) this box from Me & My Sister arrived! WONDERFUL! Boogie was also very excited - "Awww, that's so cute!" and promptly named the frog Lilo and asked when I was going to make her a new quilt.

Well, I would have to say that I certainly have the material to make a really cute one now (disregard the scraps from a current project. Due to space issues when I am sewing it takes over about half the kitchen table. I am very thankful my four-year-old knows to leave the machine alone!). In fact the charm packs seem to be whispering, "zig zag quilt... zig zag quilt..." to me. So HUGE thanks to Me & My Sister and The Fat Quarter Shop.

And Jaybird Quilts as well. She has a great blog full of beautiful quilts and is currently is doing a Hexagon Quilt-a-long (which I am going to join probably about the time she is finished...). AND she has been posting "Give Aways Going on in Blogland" and it's GREAT. I never win anything and I hit the JACKPOT! Check it out!

Stacked Coin leftovers quilt

2010-04-06T22:20:00.000-07:00

I had some left overs from my nieces quilt so I made this short stacked coin quilt. I just made it as large as I had fabric for. And I used it to practice my free motion quilting. It turned out pretty good I thought... and the washing and subsequent 'crinkling' made it much better (and hid some mistakes). Cute little baby quilt I think. I'm giving to our Spouses club to raffle off at the 'Make-it, Bake-It, Fake-it' luncheon. We'll see how many people put in tickets for it!

Burpies...

2010-03-28T00:29:00.000-07:00

*Burpies (burp clothes) I made yesterday. Not quite sure which one I like best... I think maybe the one on the far right.*

Been working on my stippeling. Wow - that's harder than it looks!!! I have a baby top I made from leftovers from a big quilt that I want to donate to our Spouse's Club Make-it, Fake-it, Bake-it auction. I really want to just stipple it all over with that nice meandering quilting I see on a lot of other quilts. The whole time it was just going to be a practice quilt for this but now that I am donating it I don't want it to look terrible. Especially since I have kinda stepped into buisness. What a great way to advertise! I just need to practice more.

2010 National Quilting Day

2010-03-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, today is National Quilting Day and you know what I did... cleaned up my piles of sewing stuff (and other piles of stuff as well). Didn't stitch and inch today. But did manage to get a little organized and I have a mental plan for my long list of projects.

Maybe I will celebrate the day by doing a little online shopping (I need to stop shopping and start sewing!!!). Seems like there are quite a few blogs out there offering discounts if you shop today. Here are a few, but add any to the comments if you have seen a good one:

Piece N Quilt - 25% off today only!

Burgundy Buttons - 10% off this weekend!

I am really thrilled with the National Quilting Association. Their 2010 project is "Let's Tie One On... For the Troops" (of course something close to my heart). They even have a free pattern.

So happy quilting and happy spring - the first day is today as well.

"Pirate Girl"

2010-03-13T13:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Vicki at Sew Imspired's Simple Square Quilt-a-long I had a perfect quilt to make for two babys. This quilt comes together REALLY fast! I was so pleased - Vicki did a great job with her instructions. I was going to sew the two quilts at the same time and actually have block A of the other quilt done. But it turned out that one baby shower was today so I had to focus on her quilt so it would be ready in time.

Here is the first one completed for a sweet little girl who will be here any day.

And the burp clothes I made to match. I did pink ric-rack on one because the mom didn't have much pink.

My little Boogie named this quilt. I was sewing one day and she came up and saw this fabric (the print the whole quilt was built on actually). She said, "Mommy, those look like pirate girls." And I thought, well, she's right!

Stay tuned - I should have the other quilt done soon. I have to make myself finish my class work before I start sewing or I won't get it done!!! The other quilt is a completely different color pallet. Can't wait to see how it looks.

"My Star"

2010-02-10T06:37:00.000-08:00

This is a quilt for my husband for Valentines Day. It's a jelly roll quilt and my first try at applique. That's my hand and Boogie's. Then I had her draw a heart and then stitched over it. I was not exactly happen with the stitching around the hands themself - but hey, it's my first try! All in all, I think it turned out pretty well!

2010-01-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

So. It's been a while since I have posted anything, but I am getting there. I moved all my quilting fabric upstairs from the basement storage cages. I have almost got the house in order so there is no excuse. I have a date to go shopping for fabric on Friday.

I need to make my hubby a quilt to send downrange!!!

And so, someone give me a good swift kick in the pants to get going!

Finally done!

2009-12-05T13:12:00.000-08:00

I am finally done with Posh Nine Patch for my niece who is almost five months old!

This is my first time with a pieced back... well, a 'pretty' pieced back. Almost always have to sew fabric together for a backing piece. But I like the way this looks. I was afriad it would be crooked or something (I have discovered over the course of learning to quilt that I really prefer geometric and symetrical designs).

Ahhh, but this is the best part. When I got this out of the dryer it was all crinkly and the insides of the squares are a little puffy. It perfectly hides the quilting 'challenges' I had.

Blog-tastic!

2009-11-05T05:47:00.000-08:00

Hey Jaybird - PICK ME!

One of the blogs I follow - Jaybird Quilts - is having a give away - tons of cool quilting swag from a market she went to. And for an extra entry I am posting here about her blog.

These blogs have really taught me a lot - not just this particular one, although the give away is really really cool as well as the other things she shares with the interworld. I follow seven different ones on my dashboard, but often find the neatest things by 'blog-hopping' from one of these quilting blogs to another great site. I really look forward to seeing if anyone has posted anything new and what everyone is working on. I enjoy even more the back stories I get with the blogs that these folks are making amazing things in the same situation I am, ie having a home full of children and animals and just life.

You have to find time for the things you love and it can be done, the proof is out there! And speaking of time, my morning of pinning my nine patch didn't happen so I think I will go do that now.

Posh in progress...

2009-11-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

A Posh Nine Patch

2009-11-04T10:27:00.000-08:00

I have finished the top to my nieces quilt!!!

I used a Posh by Chez Moi jelly roll and this nine patch pattern at Moda's Bake Shop. I was going to split the project into two baby quilts with 9 blocks each. However, two of my nine patches were quite ugly so I just made one BIG baby quilt that my niece will "grow into" (as my hubby put it). And the pieced border didn't line up right (I am a little anal about those kinds of things) so I ditched it, called the top done and added the pieced strip to the back.

As a bonus the PX had two bags of batting and I didn't have to drive an hour to the Arts and Craft shop in Heidelberg for it (especially since I was JUST there on Sunday getting the pink backing fabric for the quilt). So, maybe tonight or tomorrow I will be sandwiching this baby together and starting on the quilting part. I got some really neat green variegated thread that I hope really pulls all the colors together. Or it's going to look really bad..... we will see. I imagine pulling out quilted stitches would be irritating. Where are the pictures - well, I will put one up when I get it pulled together.

Now I have extra backing fabric and I think I am going to make a quick stacked coins baby quilt with a charm pack I have in the same fabric. Since I have the other fabric to compliment it and all.

When Boogie was down for her 'rest' I was staring around the house trying to figure out what I could sew... Should I start something new? Practice free motion a little?? WHY DID I FORGET BATTING?!?!? So, I curled up with a couple of good magazines to scout for Christmas gift ideas and listened to my child have the most active rest time imagined!

Hummm, this may be a problem...

2009-10-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

I'm geographically single... again. Short trip this time, but that means it's time to knock out some sewing without having to worry about if I am ignoring TMOMD. What's the problem, you ask?!? Just get going, you say!!! Well, here is my problem -

TO!

MANY!!

IDEAS!!!

I went downstairs to raid the totes with all my fabric (ohhhhhh, one day my pretty fabric will all be out where I can gaze adoringly at it) for the quilts I want to get done by Christmas. There is one quilt I should start immediately since that sweet baby is already two months old! So, I saw the *perfect* quilt for her in a magazine. After staring at my stash for days I decided I *had* to have the fabric from the magazine. So, there is that kit I can do (it's so very cute). But then I saw this nine patch at Moda Bake Shop. THIS I can make with my stash... well, might have to go get some backing fabric. In fact, I could do this and make two girl baby quilts (9 blocks each instead of the 24 in the pattern). So, now I have bought a kit for the one baby quilt and end up with ideas for THREE different quilts.

Then the other idea is the Eye Spy car quilt. I need better kids fabrics... and to sit down and work out the specifics. There are three little ones I want to make this for.

Did I mention that while I was digging through my fabric Boogie pointed out the fabric I bought specifically to make her a new quilt? She can wait a little while.

AND there is finally a boy coming for me to make that car quilt I have been wanting an excuse to make.

SO... all I have to do is get off my duff and start cutting! But where to start?!?

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2009-10-16T10:21:00.000-07:00

This is the quilt I made for as a Christmas gift for my husband during his last deployment. I took the Yellow Brick Road pattern and modified it a little to include some family pictures. I was really upset when I washed it and the photo's faded but it still kept hubby warm. You would be surprised how cold the winter can be in Iraq. I didn't do the actual quilting but had a wonderful gal with a long arm take care of that part.

I took up quilting when we were stationed in Germany. This was the second quilt I had completed, and at the time this was a pretty new hobby for me. It's been great for keeping me busy, as if my four year old was not enough!

Practice Makes Perfect!!!

2009-10-13T03:37:00.000-07:00

Or at least I am hoping that old adage is true.

So, I pulled out a couple of panels I bought before I left Vilseck and put the darning foot on Sally Sewing Machine (Boogie thinks this is a good name) and went to work this morning on machine stipple quilting. I must say, I think I did pretty well for my first time out. Yes, it's a little 'herky-jerky' in some places, but surprisingly nice in others. Of course looking at the back always tells another story and you can see where I had some bobbin issues. I keep forgetting that even placing the bobbin in up-side-down can cause problems. Big problems. Involving a lot of tangled thread wrapped around the bobbin case.

I have decided it would be nice to have a cruise control so I didn't have to concentrate on both controlling the presser food (and therefore how fast the needle is going) AND how fast I am moving my hands. I don't think Sally has a stitch regulator - she's an industrial model that you usually only see in high schools. After talking to the Singer guy back home when I was looking for a new machine I think it was the better way to go considering who moves her from point A to point B. And the price difference between this model and the really cool electronic ones (ahhh, Bernina... one day you will be mine). But without the stitch regulator *I* have to been the one paying attention to speed so that all the little stitches are the same size. If you could see up close you would see there is a bit of a difference. Happily, it's not so bad.

Well, now it's time to get Sally of my kitchen table and back under the hutch. One day I will have a studio... or at least a large closet... to call my own and leave all my things lying around without having to worry they will get covered in peanut butter and jelly.

Baby Girl Quilt

2009-09-15T03:23:00.000-07:00

It seems everyone is having little girls - I was telling a friend that is thinking it might be time to have one of her own that she needed to tell her husband that *I* wanted them to have a boy cause I have several cute boy baby quilts I want to make!!!

However, in case you have never heard it, I will share an old wives tale with you that my mother told me when we found out Boogie was going to be a girl. As the tale goes, when there seems to be a lot of boys being born (as was the case when Mom was pregnant with my little brother twenty something years ago) it means that when they come of age it will be a time of war. Little Bro "came of age" around 2003... does anyone else remember what happen in 2003??? Yep - Operation Iraqi Freedom's ground war started. The other half of the tale is that when there seems to be a lot of girl babies being born (as was the case when Boog came along - there was only 2 little boys in the large group at my hospital discharge class) that means when they come of age it will be a time of peace.

I like that thought - really I do. And I pray it's continuing to be that way cause the majority of the people I know that have had or are having babies (and there are a lot of post-deployment babies arriving right about now) are having girls. Even if there is a speck of truth to that old wives tale I say bring on the girls - no matter how badly I would like to make that cute car quilt.

So, here is what I was working on last week. It's really cute and was really easy - but the minki on the back added a nice, soft touch.

The other part of this quilt story is Boogie herself. She fell in LOVE with the minki backing. She rubbed on it and said over and over, "I really like this blanket, Mommy..." And I said over and over, "Thank you Boog, but you know it's for us to mail to the new baby."

I promise, when you get this quilt she was clean and kind to it. It brings no peanut butter smears or chocolate finger prints. Maybe a few stray hairs... I might have to order some minki for a quilt I am going to make for her.

One day...

Maybe in the not so distant future - I have a plan to make three similar quilts. One for Boog and the other two for the older sisters of the two babies I am currently making baby quilts for. Maybe they will be ready by the holidays!

Quilts of Valor

2009-09-11T23:10:00.000-07:00

I found this site yesterday - Quilts of Valor. Then one of the blogs I follow posted she would take blocks donated, quilt them and send them off. I am on board. As you can imagine I have a huge stash of red, white and blue fabric downstairs and donating a block or two will fit in nicely with my current list of projects. Once I get ahead of the quilts for the baby boom my friends are having (hey, the guys have been home for around 10 months now so all those deployment babies are joining the world) I think I might feel compelled to do more for and with this organization. They don't seem to have any groups in Europe which shocks me considering every wounded soldier coming out of theater goes through Landstul which is a short drive up the road from us.

So, if you want to do a little something check out the Quilts of Valor site or the blog I am contributing to. Maybe in 2010 I will organize something for this group.

Latest project

2009-08-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest bit of sewing I have done. It was really nice to get my machine out (and make sure she still works) and doing a little something creative. The initials were done in Georgia on fabric I picked out (thanks Mom) and sent over for when our stuff caught back up to us. Now I just need to start in on the list of quilts I have written down. I swear I know tons of people having kids - and one that already had one. I am really really behind.

As usual.

Quilt envy...

2009-05-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

I have been helping my MIL to get all her stuff together to start quilting. I found a GREAT shop here in the mountains and spent (too much) money there. Just figure I am helping the local economy! Actually, I have helped several local quilt shops and have been pretty good! I have not bought MUCH new fabric. Mostly rulers and patterns and other things. I have enough fabric at home... um... on a boat somewhere to keep in sewing for a long time!!!

Anyway, back to the story at hand (got distracted by the thoughts of all the pretties I have to mail home). My MIL wants to learn to quilt so she bought a new machine and got some fabric to make a table runner and is all set. I must confess it's all I can do not to push her out from in front of the sewing machine and start sewing myself!!! I am teaching her to thread her machine, look for the quarter inch seam allowance and will show her how to sandwich a quilt to get ready to quilt it. She wants to hand quilt... more power to her! Can't help her there!!!

But I miss Miss MISS my machine! Guess that's a good sign considering the amount of money I have invested in fabric, etc. In fact when I get to Athens I want to go look at some high end machines - Bernina, Pfaff, Viking, etc - with the thought that I might end up with a new machine for Christmas (let's see how expensive it is...). I just miss sitting and sewing and creating something - probably cause I have tons of ideas of things I want to make running around in my head these days. I have been spending a lot of time cruising my favorite sites for quilting, Crazy Mom Quilts and Moda Bake Shop, and I just make mental list after mental list of things I want to make or try.

One thing I am going to work on when I get my stuff back (and settled I suppose - not sure that I could sit in sew among stacks of boxes) is a new quilt for Boogie's bed. The quilt shop had a fat quarter pack of a fabric line I found after I had already ordered fabric for the quilt I originally made for her bed. It was too tempting not to pick up so I did buy that fabric and now have to find the perfect pattern for it. It is really pretty: blues and pinks and greens with flowers and butterflies.

I wish I could upload pictures to spice up my posting but the one camera we have access to (not in baggage somewhere) is with TMOMD in Germany. So, before I leave the mountain I will have to figure out how to get pictures of the in-law's camera. Then I can post I suppose.

In the meantime maybe it's naptime for me too!

Paper Pieceing

2009-04-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

I had a quick class this morning about how to do paper pieceing. I think it's the paint by numbers version of quilting. Pretty easy and all your points and corners are very sharp and perfect. I think you use it mostly for little blocks - these two are a little larger than the palm of my hand.

Pretty cool... I am not sure yet what the Arts and Craft Center at our new post will have for quilting (nothing, I'm afraid, but since I have not been there in person I should reserve judgement) but I can't wait to get my machine back!!! In fact I am going to do some research when we get home for the summer about a new fancy machine. Not that mine is not wonderful and just fine, but I used an electronic one today and it was quiet and had lots of bells and whistles that my industrial machine (for high schools... the Army will never break it shipping it home) just does not have.

Hummm, Santa - are you reading my blog???

Only six weeks late...

2009-02-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

Here is another Christmas gift - "Star Bright" for a dear friend who is truly a Shining Star of a military wife (plus her house has a lot of Americana in it)! Okay, more like two months late. But I got it done before I moved and that's all that matters!

(Hee, hee, hee... can you spot my major flaw in this one? I always claim to put in mistakes on purpose to be like the Amish.)

This came from a book that had a really neat way to cut and sew the star blocks. Not a bit of applique here! So, if you don't mind not having perfect cookie cutter stars check this out for some of the books that feature the method (not that I am promoting this particular site, it just popped up with Google). It's super easy and fun. And really - who would not love to play with 30 different fabrics!?!
When I was getting together all the blocks to lay out Boogie was up (I usually don't dare do this part while she is awake) and she wanted to 'help' me. I really did pat myself on the back for gritting my teeth and letting her play with the squares. But, since they were in no particular order at that point it really didn't matter.

So, now that this quilt is finally delivered and all my fabric is packed up in Zip-Lock baggies for moving I find that I really have no projects on my plate other than to get the house ready to be packed up. Guess that's enough project in itself! Still, I have to talk myself out of holding out fabric from my shipment to start something new. I even almost started pulling out scrapbooking supplies to hold out to keep me occupied until April. But, I have faced reality and now am just getting it all ready to move!

T-shirt Quilt

2009-01-09T04:34:00.000-08:00

Opps - I forgot to take a picture of this one after it was all quilted and bound (maybe it was because I finished it like 2 days before we were suppose to present it... I am a procrastinator). But since it's been given away I wanted to post a picture. This is the only one I have - will have to update it later cause I will get it back to finish putting the label on it.

This was my first t-shirt quilt made for our unit commander's wife as a going away gift. I am proud of it cause I actually designed it (with LOTS of input from my friend and fellow Circle of Power member. Really, she helped to ease my anxiety about it.). This is actually the favorite fabric I have worked with. Such a nice red batik. A lady from the Arts and Craft center quilted it with monofilament thread on her long arm machine. She outlined the major stuff on the t-shirts and put fleur de lis in the boarder that you can see if you are looking for it. Really, the quilting makes the quilt (not that I didn't do well on the top).

This quilt has made me wonder if I could make a little extra money doing something I really enjoy. BUT, if I was doing these for money and not for fun would it cease to be enjoyable? Defiantly something to think about at the next duty station!

Quilted Gifts...

2008-12-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

Now I can post some quilt pictures cause they have been gifted.

This is a Around the World pattern I made for my Papa. I actually started it in late 2006 but since I had an argument with my old sewing machine I just managed to finish it in November (also had other projects going).

And this is "Chocolate Rose" in the Log Cabin pattern. I made this as a Christmas/PCSing gift for one of my partners in crime/deployment/OCONUS living. If you know her you know this really fits her and her personality. In my opinion. It was just bonus that the burgundy center blocks are an exact match for her sofa.
Funny story though - I finished the binding on this one on Christmas Eve with only days before the movers come. That crud I had in November threw me all off - I still have another one I have to get bound and one to finish piecing that should have been a gift today!
And I STILL have pictures to post. It was just that posting these two was easier than going through all the others. AND the one I took with the timer on the camera was not so good. Not sure I want to throw that up there.

Completed!!!

2008-11-07T02:33:00.000-08:00

So excited - I have completed two of the five quilts I have on my list of gifts to make. One is completely done and one I just finished and sent off to the long arm lady to be quilted (well, the lady with a long arm machine). I wish I could post pictures BUT I don't want the surprises to get out just yet so I will just post this georgous red batik I used on one of them. Its soooo nice! I think it's got to be my favorite fabric I have used so far.

TMOMD Quilt

2008-10-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Several months ago I posted about the quilts I had completed and was lamenting about how I never got a picture of the front of TMOMD's picture quilt I did for Christmas 2007. Well, since he is home I now have one (that he SWEARS he emailed me and that I must have deleted from my computer so I would have a reason to make him hold up the quilt for a picture - right. Magically it appeared on my desktop today!)

The pattern is Yellow Brick Road and the pictures were all beautiful until I washed it the first time and they came out of the wash looking like this. I cried... literally cried. But I am still proud of it and it kept the TMOMD warm for many months in Iraq.
I wish I could show you all the great projects I am working on or am about to start but alas they are all gifts and I don't want to spoil the surprise so I will put them in later when it's safe. I should be working on the block of the month quilt I am doing but I have other things that need to get done first.
Tomorrow I start a quilting class being taught by a great friend of mine. I am SO excited - something just for me. Something fun. Something that is being held where small children are NOT ALLOWED. I can't wait! I already have my bag full of *30 assorted fat quarters* all packed and ready to go (for those wondering a fat quarter is a quarter yard cut of fabric and this quilt will basically have 30 different fabrics in it). Finding those 30 great fabrics has been a challenge as well as SO much fun.

Block #1 from the Block-of-the-Month Club

2008-08-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

I joined a Block-of-the-Month club while I was home. I am excited about it - it's going to get me to try some things I have not ever done before like working with triangles and applique. AND I won't get bogged down feeling like I HAVE to complete this huge project all at once. Eight months to this beautiful quilt. I hope I get them all in before I move:

Here is the first block that I completed. Was pretty happy with it! I have never worked with triangles before and they came out pretty good. A few mismatched seams, but hey, I like to pretend I am like the Amish and that I make these mistakes in my quilts on purpose. (Besides, I bet you can't see them from where you are sitting!)

This quilt is going to be pretty big - that picture does not have the total block. I could not get far enough away to capture the whole thing. And my sofa is longer than most and this block stretches from one armrest to the other.

Quilts...

2008-07-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

I picked up quilting when I came to Germany. Actually had time to take a class and what do you know, I really like it. I actually have a stash of material and several kits to work on. Here are a few quilts I have completed.

Here is my most recent completion, a baby quilt for a family member... it's a variation on the Rail Fence pattern.
One for Boogie's bed - with coordinating curtains! Rose Garden pattern.
Here I am binding the quilt I sent TMOMD for Christmas. I was in such a rush to get it out in time I didn't get a picture (like a fool). I was really proud of this one - it was a picture quilt with 6 family pics on it! I used the Yellow Brick Road pattern.
And my first quilt - Around the World! I immediately started a second one in this pattern with 'manly' colors that I am just getting around to finishing. Nearly two years later. I had some issues with my other sewing machine that put me off quilting for a while. Nothing a new machine couldn't solve!
I know I should be naming my quilts, but I don't think of them until it's too late to do anything for that one... thoughts?

Quilter in Training...

2008-06-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

Some of you who read our family site know I have started quilting since being here in Germany. I have started other things too - like this blogging phenomenon. Put the two together and I find myself 'blog jumping', which is what I call reading one person's blog and then looking in their list of favorites to find other great stuff to read. I found the Dear Jane Quilt on just such a journey from Camp Follower Bags blog.

This thing is AMAZING! You have to hand piece most of it cause the blocks are small. (This quilt was made by Dear Jane Friends world-wide to be presented to President and Mrs. Bush for their leadership and guidance following the tragic events of September 11, 2001.) I can only hope that one day I feel up to the challenge of working on!

Right now I am happy that I have finished the baby quilt top for a relative and am actually looking forward to quilting the thing.