Been a looooong while!

I've negleted this blog for quite some time.  Maybe I should get back into it.  More of journaling than anything else. 

Well, I've been on a bag kick lately.  Why?  I'm not one to change bags alot.  I just enjoy the process of making them.  I love seeing how different fabric combinations look together.  In January there was a sew along for one particular bag.  I participated.  It was fun!  These ladies were also making some awesome wallets.  I decided that I needed to try these.  OMG!!! They are so addicting.   You can alter the wallet flap.  So many possibilites.  I have physically made 3, mentally hundreds! 

Why only 3?  Well I have been volunteered to make 7 pair of lined curtains.  If they were for me I could just whip them out, but they will be seen and even criticized by some people.  I feel anything that non family members see are a representation of my work and must be my best.  I took my time on them.  It would have been faster if the fabric wasn't so twisted.  We tried to save $$.  You get what you pay for.  I'm rather pleased with how they came out.  Now I just have to make the tie backs.

I woke up with one of those headaches!  I wasn't sure if I would be sick or not.  Had the feeling that I was but coffee smell didn't bother me like usually with one of these.  Give it about 1 hr and I was.  Once I was sick things settled better.

I really want to make another wallet!  I have 1 in mind to give that I wanted to make before the curtains.  Tore the house apart looking for the fabric even.  That had to go on hold.  I also was asked to make a special one.  I have to find my black and white fabric for this one.

My body wasn't in the thinking state, so I cruised the web looking for a certain paper pieced pattern I had done years ago.  I know I have it some where.  Key word:  SOME WHERE.  Looking at pictures is about all my body can handle right now.  Did I find it?  No.  I love this flower.  I'm not crazy about
paper piecing but will occasionally do it.  I'll have to go through the pattern box another day.  I did find other patterns that I would like to try down the road.

It's mid afternoon.  What to work on?  Wallet?  Tie backs?  Crocheted Hats for donation?  I need to keep my hands busy.  I'm sure I'll find something.  It'll be something simple I can assure you.

I'll try to keep you posted  Thanks for listening to my rambling and have a great day. 

Dona

Minatures

What is it with my love for minature quilts?  Is it the challenge of taking a large (regular) pattern and making it smaller.  Is it the cuteness of its small size?  Or is it the accomplishement of just doing the pattern and not having the ability (space confined) to make it a normal size?  I think it's the combination of all of the above.

I ADORE minis!

 It  took ME awhile to figure this out about myself.  Other people had figured that out long before I did.

Well I think it's time to do another one.  Even though things are still green around here nights are getting cooler.  I have even spotted some color changes in the trees.  We all know what that means.   My favorite time of year will be approaching soon.  Yellows, Golds, Browns, and Oranges with Black making it all pop!  I have admired roque quilter's mini Burgoynne Surround for ages it seems.  I want one for myself!  I didn't have the minature quilt magazine she used.  I could find a pattern out there.  I even have the quilt along pattern that she based hers on.

Well guess what I found while thumbing through and old book I had.  (Found the book while looking for Sharyn Craig's book I have).  I found Marti Michell's book Quilting for People Who Still Don't Have Time to Quilt.  The section starting on page 155 is Burgoynne Surround.  Ok, no excuses now.

I would like to blog about this journey.  I hope I don't get the "squirrel" effect.  Those that know me well would agree.

I have the pattern.  I have the common size of a piece.  Next is to determine the sizes of the other pieces in the block and pull fabrics.  I'm thinking Halloween fabrics.  I will have to see.  I will try to post pictures at a later date.  If you are reading this...stay tuned.

What a Week

We lost Treasure Tuesday night.  The heat and humidity was awlful!  It's been very somber around here.  SUCH a void.  He is GREATLY mised!  He slept in Cass's room along side her bed.  He's not there now.  So hard for her.  Rod found himself searching the house when he didn't greet him at the door Friday.  I found myself being careful not to step on him in the dark going into my room, but he wasn't there.

Work was stressful.  We had inventory Thursday.  They left the place in a mess and then the truck that came in Wednesday couldn't go out until Friday.  The weather has turned cool.  Normal fall weather.  You can bet that makes it busy!  So cleaning up, stocking, and waiting on customers made for an exhausting week!  Another truck today!  Don't know where it's going to go on the shelves.  We do manage somehow.  Oh yeah, working 6 days in a row doesn't help.  My whole body hurts. Needless to say no sewing has happened.

The week before I was finally able to make a small sewing area in my sewing room.  Now I have to work and live in it to see and feel how I want things permanetly.  You know how they say you have to live in a space before decorating.

Life will get back to normal eventually.

RIP

I Sir Treasure of Lil

Just a Note

Lots of sewing, nothing finished.  I just can't seem to find my gumption.  Ever do that, go around in circles getting nowhere?

Been 3 1/2 years here and it still doesn't feel like home.  Why?  I have all of my belongings, even added a few more vintage machines.  Got them working too!

This is a hard day/ evening today.  Treasure dog isn't doing well at all.  Not sure he'll make it through the night.  As if this weren't hard enough to handle, it's watching hubby and daughter handling it.  Just tears your heart out!  Then I start greiving for dad.  Never really got a chance to do that either.

Maybe that's why it doesn't feel like home.  Dad's never seen it.  I remember seeing this park from the interstate as a child and thinking it was a pretty park.  Look, here I am.  Miles from everything!  Don't get me wrong, it is beatiful here.  No neighbors in the back.  Both side neighbors are quiet and friendly.  But why doesn't it feel like home?

This angel will be testing her wings soon.  She's bought her 1st car with her graduation money and 1st loan.  Works full time at a daycare. Hardly see her anymore.  Part of that is my working nights and her working days.

Like I said just a note as to happenings around here.

later....

Heartstrings torn...

What a day!  The last couple of days have been very hectic.  I'm itchin' for some stichin' !!! It's my sanity.  I thought I was going to be almost finished one of the dresses today but plans change.  Tomorrow should be calmer.

Yesterday, after being at work for only an hour, my poor sobbing daughter called.  It broke my heart to hear her in such pain.  Her wisdom teeth had decided to make themselves known!  I have been there and know that pain.  I couldn't leave work...it was killing me.  I also knew that there wasn't a quick fix either.  She doesn't tolerate pain well.  It was such a rush this morning getting an appointment made, between school nurses calling and trying to get an early dismissal for her.  I had just an hour to pick her up and get her there.  It's a 1/2 hour commute just to school, then another 20 to the dentist.  We have a consult in July to start the process for them to be removed.  Poor girl, her pain is just beginning I'm afraid.  We did manage to get a prescription for a pain reliever.  Extra strength Excedrin and ibuprofen were just not enough.  I quickly looked at the meds and though it was just a form of tylenol 3, no big deal.  Imagine my surprise to find out it was the generic of Vicadin.  It worked though and that's the main thing.  She was finally able to eat something substantial.

I had forgotten about her phobia of skeletons.  We call him Mr. Bones.  Kind of a mother daughter joke.  I love halloween, my favorite time of year.  Mr. Bones cannot be part of the decorating.  It's ok if other homes use him, just not us.  I couldn't figure out why she wouldn't look at her xrays.  Then it hit me!!!  I thought it was cool..."no mom, that's just creepy!"  Then she started the crying laughing thing.  I tried to make light of it saying it was just her and not Mr. Bones..."I don't care, it's still creepy!"

                                                 Here she is for Winter Ball this past January!

Well, I didn't get to sew but I did manage to get a belt for my featherweight.  I kinda wished I didn't stop though.  I was patiently waiting for my turn.  I turned around and what did I see?  No, it can't be!  Yup, I think it is.  OMG!!!! It's a RED EYE!  I didn't look to close.  It's not a treadle, but it looks like it could be turned into one.  I had noticed some tiny hand writting in the bottom left corner of the case "1916".  She shines!!!  I asked how much for it.  "Ah....Ah.... $100?  That's what they call that huh? A Red Eye?"  OMG!!! he doesn't even know what he has.  (No wonder I don't take my machines to him).  I didn't get it.....yet!  I need to think on this one, but she sure is pretty!  I have Saturday off.  Not sure if he's open then or not.  Didn't even have my phone to take any pictures.... 

We shall see......

Sew Together bag

I had been wanting a bag like this for quite a while.  I finally bought the pattern.  I've made several different style bags and this one went together pretty easily for me.  The one part I had trouble with was binding the edges after the lining (piece with all the pockets) is placed with the outside. Not the easiest task along those pocket edges.  I looked to the writer's blog...nothing.  I looked at other's blogs who had made it, no mention about this problem.  Guess it's just me.  Finally got it finished.  Then the gal's at work saw it and wanted one, and I made three more.

I found that the ladies at quilt barn were doing a sew along after I had made a few.        http://quiltbarn.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-sew-along-bag.html .

 I want to figure out how to make the pockets deeper.  I want mine to be more like a general handbag.  This one is perfect for a sewing kit, make up bag, pencil bag, crochet hook bag, etc.
 This isn't a pattern for beginners.  There aren't a lot of pictures.  If you follow the link to the sew along it will definitely help.  I didn't discover it until after I made mine.  When I make another one I will try to remember to take some for how too's.  Also when I figure out how to make it bigger I'll do a post on that.

A Rainy day here and we have to go get base fabric for one of the prom dresses.  I post on those later also.  Just wish this 3 day head ache would go away!!

Blurr....

The last few months are a blur.  I hibernate in the winter.  Many times I don't even know what day of the week it is.  Go to work, go home, sleep, go to work, go home....never ending cycle.

I try to take pictures to document how I have been sewing.  I seem to migrate from one project to another, but I know I'm not the only quilter (sewer) that has this skill!  We are multi-taskers!  Some tasks just take longer to complete.  

I'm a quilter at heart, but I have 2 prom dresses that need to be completed.  By the end of May!  I know I will get them done.  I do seem to work better under pressure and never does procrastination happen here!  My heart wants to quilt.

Working full time and weird hours, I'm beat when I get home.  You would think nights would be an easy time to keep this blog updated.  What seems to hold me up is the transferring of pictures from card to computer.  I thought keeping a tally of stash fabric used on each project and new purchases would help.  It did for a while.  I had wanted to keep track of projects on a monthly basis.  It all came down to just taking pictures.  I figured out how to get the date stamp on the camera.  You have to understand electronic devices and I are not the best of friends.  I still have a "dumb" phone for emergencies.  I do manage to get by.

Spring seems to finally want to be.  We've had a couple of warm days and most of the snow is gone.  The daffodils are starting to sneak out of the ground, tree buds are slowly coming out of their shells, and flood warnings and mud season have started!  The other night I had to wait for 2 bunnies playing tag in the drive to move in order to park the car.  They were having so much fun and were so cute to watch.  Maybe we will have babies again this year.  

More to come....

January Accomplishments

I have had a busy month.  It's been bitter cold the whole month.  Almost everyday temps in the -double digits.  This is the weather I remember as a kid.  My fingers get really cold and painful quickly.  I had severe frostbite when I was 7.  I couldn't even hold a spoon.  This weather is just like it was then.  I remember that vividly!

Just what have I made you ask?  Lets take a peak! (hopefully lots of pics will be showing)

I wasn't going to make Bonnie's Celtic Solstice until she posted her clue with the 4 patches.  I decided to make mine smaller using 2 1/2" units instead of 3 1/2".  I haven't finished the top yet but am starting on the blocks.

pinwheel & chevrons

peaky & spike

Celtic Solstice

Here is the January block for Judy's (Patchwork Times) Scrap Challenge.  We share the same feelings with scrap quilts.  If I'm to shrink my stash I need to work way out of my box.  This challenge should help.

January organized scrappy

4 bonus corner triangles for each diamond

12 blocks later

This was a quilt as you go without any hand sewing.  It just needs binding. I used the bonus HST's for the corner stones on the sashing.  It's a very pretty baby quilt.  5 1/2 yards was used.  All from my stash!!!!

In between these I was playing with different blocks:

dancing stars

maple leaf

mini puddle jumping

I took Camille's Craftsy Class:

Hash Tag - class exclusive pattern

Swoon

mini swoon- just had to make it smaller after making the big one!

These are not all that I have done this month...more to come on that later....Dona

I don't make resolutions, I make new goals.  Here are a few for sewing that I'm going to try this year:

1.  Fabric Diet!
         My stash is HUGE.  I have a large amount of scraps (what I call scraps).  When we moved I said                  things were going to get organized as it came out of storage.  This is a slow progress.
2.  Yardage Used Chart
         I have watched others keep track and am amazed.  I never kept track of how much fabric a project              takes.  This will also help me keep track of projects I've made.
3.  Blog more
         I have already messed up.  Well I guess if I keep to some of the other goals, I might make a post once          a month.
4.  No new UFOs
         By using the fabric usage chart, I hope things will be completed instead of being just a flimsy.  I really          don't have the space to store them and I do get bored easily.
5.  Finish old UFOs
         I have to many of these to count.  The get stored in a couple of totes.  Those that need to become a              flimsy and another that are finished tops.

I still do not feel like this is my home.  Maybe it's because I lived so long at the other place, maybe because my dad will never see or give his approval of this home, or maybe it's because I don't have my own little space yet.  My room that was to be my sewing area has become the catch all room.  Maybe I should make a #6 goal.  Little by little my space is coming.

So I'm going to try and stick to these 5 and see what happens.  Just writing this has me thinking of others that I can add but I don't want to overwhelm myself (I tend to do that).  This blog should become my life's journal.  I'm a very private person and it's hard for me to share myself.

Here's to new beginnings.....stitch by stitch....Dona

It's been awhile...

Ok, I enjoy reading other people's blog more than writing on my own.

August consisted of 3 quilt deadlines.    Two of those were met.  One is a top that still needs basting.

This is Annie & Randy's wedding quilt.  One of the 3 deadlines. It's reversible and all flannel.  It gets cold up here in Vermont.  She is further north than I am.

Here is my first barn quilt spotted in Vermont.  I didn't know there is a group doing this.  I have always enjoyed the ones posted that are out west.  My dd took this.  It's in Sheldon, VT.  She did a great job, it looks like a postcard.

While reading other blogs I found this Quilt Along.  Molly Sparkles is/was doing this.  I kept trying to use will power to not join but you can never have enough projects going on at once, right?  I caved....my stash is multiplying like rabbits.

These are the blocks that I have completed so far.

The center 4 blocks are already quilted and joined.  It would be nice if all the sashings would line up.  Oh, well.  This is planned to be king size when finished.  I found a nice tutorial for joining.  No hand sewing, all done by machine.  I really like it.

 I love halloween!!! Here is a kit that I picked up at Vermont Quilt Festival.  It's a Wooden Bear pattern and kitted by Traditions at the White Swan (favorite vender at festival).

This is the base of my punkin Jack.  It's going to be a twister quilt.  I forgot to take the picture before I started cutting the twister part.  That's what you see at the top.  My family couldn't believe how much smaller it is going to be when completed.

This is what I wake up to every morning.  The colors are starting to show.  This pic was taken back in July or August.  Colors are starting to show but you can't see them in the dark.  I have been having to work very early shifts lately.  I'll try to get so pretty foliage ones this week.  Hopefully I can remember to post.

I've got some more sewing to do, so till later.....Dona

Side tracked...

Surprising how time flies.  I hadn't realized a month has gone by since my last post.

I have gotten side tracked with family history.  I took advantage of the few nice sunny days a couple weeks ago and visited some of my families cemeteries for pictures.  Of course then I had to post them on the family tree which seemed to bring up one question or another...that lead to another task which lead to another, etc.  Why is it that no matter what task we choose there are always loose ends to be put off until another day?

My work schedule has also been crazy.  Road construction season has started, it's everywhere.  My commute is 1/2 hr. one way on a normal day.  Depending on what time of day the drive is another 1/2 gets added.  I'm beat or hungry when I get home.  No energy to set up to sew.  Cool, damp, rainy weather doesn't help.  On the up side, the mountains are beautiful in their different greens.  Early mornings watching the fog burn off with the cardinals signing is awesome.   I just want to take in this beauty (can't see it when I sew).

This is my organized box of scraps less than 2" after I saw this post:

http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/2013/04/instagram-i-am-adding-another-form-of.html  

I love mini's!  I have been know to work with 3/4" strips.  ( have an awesome one going right now, more later)  Most of my mini's work with 1" to 1 1/4" strips.  The "to do" list is some string blocks at some point.

 I started going through my "basket" and came up with this to be used as leaders and enders.  Of course once I started one I couldn't stop.  Sound like the "Lay's Potatoe Chip" ad.

These blocks are 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".  I searched for different bowtie settings.  I found one laying the blocks out like the left side picture.  Of course there is more to be added to the 4 bowties to complete the block.  I'll post more on that when I get to that stage.  I need to see if I have more FQ's or yardage of some of these.  The completed block uses 4 of the same print.  I'm still not comfortable with the scrappies.

  

In looking for "extra" fabric for my bowties, I found these:

They became another leader ender project. So far it has become this: (over 100 pairs)

Here's just 20 pairs laid out randomly.  This is going to be a good size quilt when done.

There isn't one print duplicated.  I think I was collecting for a true charm quilt.  Some where there is an applecore baggie that I knew was to be a charm quilt. 

  Oh, oh, oh... the sun is making an appearance...gotta go play.

Have a great day!

Happy Mothers's Da!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms.

Rember the pile of leaves and sticks?  Here is Thursday's pic:

notice the stick is now sideways

this was Saturday morning's picture.  Where is the stick?

 I was worried about how we were going to give the lawn it's first haircut of the season without disturbing this.   I had to work yesterday afternoon and evening, so I didn't find out.  We live in a very nice mobile home park with lots big enough to put 2 homes on it if you needed to.  When I arrived home I wondered why the lawn wasn't completely done?  "Go check out your camera"  The following 2 pictures are what I saw!

Those are wild violets and a "new dandelion" in the front just to kinda give you some size reference.  It kept wanting to drizzle off and on all day. 

Here's a closer pic:

My daughter says it will fit in the palm of your hand and they think this is the only one.

I grew up in the country on a small farm.  I had discovered bunnies in their nest in the fields during the first mowing season the farmers do, usually the end of may.  I was so excited and curious when I discovered it in my own yard!

I will see if I can get better pictures today before mamma moves "shim".  (she + him)

Have a great day.....I will!

Recycled and reused

This was my grandmother's.  I have kept it for sentimental reasons but wasn't really liking the picture.  What to do, what to do?

I went looking for ideas and found these amongst the scraps and stash.  They kinda play nice.

The floral fabric is what I used as the curtains and the shower curtain in our bathroom.  I love the green and I'm very partial to teal, so I then made these:

I always find myself gravitating to making mini's.

Sorry it's a blurry picture but that is a dime.  Sew a few of these together and I have this:

It measures about 12 1/2" x 19 1/2".  I quilted it on the diagonal only in the green rows in both directions using 2 layers of felt.  Can you guess what I did next?

I wasn't so crazy about the teal but I figured I'd leave it.  I can live with it.  It's going in the bathroom and be the new home to my "stuff".  I don't put things on the back of doors.  It will dress up an empty wall.

When I finished this I enjoyed a bit of the beautiful weather we are having.  I had to check on a spot in the lawn that we have been watching.

Just as I snapped this picture the ground moved.  I'm gonna keep it a surprise as to what it is....no it's not snakes or mice!  I don't know how long it will be here though.  I'll try to keep posting about it.

Gotta go find another project to do.   Till later.....