Snow Storm Hits

The weatherman predicted a snowstorm for our area....no way did we expect the 17 iches of snow with winds! I was all set to spend today in the sewing studio but those plans changed! There was no way I could let Hubby do all the snow shoveling alone! He started by digging out the back sidewalk as I got a pot of chili simmering.....following our lunch I ventured out to help him shovel. Now I need to relax before I even think about quilting! A nice cup of hot tea with a piece of freshly baked carrot cake and and I'll be ready to head into the studio--at least I hope so!

.......Main Street is where?

.......and the sidewalk is here?

.......Hubby's car is snowed in

.......finally found the driveway

Ohio Quilter BOM-February Block

Ummmmm.not happy with my block--ya see the center of one block just doesn't come to a point. :( I do believe this block will see some frog-stitchin' and a section remade!

Delft Blue~

My friend, Char, is hosting a "Delft Blue-n-White" Swap.......now how could I say no to this since these are some of my favorite colors??? She sure knows how to entice me! So I need one block per swapper by March 30th.....think I'll get them done before March 29th???? You know me, wait until the last minute then stress! I made my sample block and found I had to adjust either the cutting of the fabric or the seam allowance...the second block looks a lot better! So far there are only ten swappers and I already know I'll want at least twelve blocks.....I went digging in the stash and came up with fabric to made a different pattern to add to my "swapped" blocks once they return. Now to find another set of fabrics and pattern. I want all twelve blocks to be a different pattern.....

block I will be making to swap after I make adjustments (this is the sample block--not swap worthy!)

Block I made to add to the collection:

Clean-up Progress

...Did get some of the clean up done tonight after a relaxing dinner at Park Street Pizza!

I also took the time to "bag" on-going projects( BOM's/Pick-n-Choose/30's Wall Quilt/Pink-Green paper piecing/etc.)....so now hopefully I can find them when I want to work on them! More later on the "new" project I started too I just couldn't resist! :)

Frustration has set in......

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING seems to be going right! Not only in sewing/quilting, but life in general....Deep down in, I know if I can get over this "bump," all will be ok, but, man-------

Taking a look at my mess in my studio, it's no wonder I get frustrated when I walk in the door instead of finding the calmness I am used to! This is supposed to be my place to go to regroup/calm down/chillout---you get the idea. Well, I don't think this is doing the trick right now~

Sooooo I have decided I need to stay home tonight (well, once I get home from work) and clean up this clutter! {would much rather go watch the girls basketball game} Hopefully the pieces will all fall into place and my sewing adventures will all come together tomorrow as planned?

~New Ride~

Haven't been in the studio since Monday altho I feel the "itch!" I've been pretty busy doing our taxes and at work--moving my "stuff" from bus #20 into bus #8 and test driving #8. It will take a few "runs" to be completely comfortable driving the new bus, but so far I really like it!

On the road for the first offical run at 2:40 pm this afternoon!

Ohio Quilter's BOM

Here is my January "Star" block....again, no fabric purchased--gotta reduce the stash!

....Block 3

..of the BOM Challenge is completed.

"BOM" Stash Buster

I am trying so hard to use up some of my stash! There are fabrics in there that I have no idea why in the world I bought them to begin with--ugh! So while surfing the other day, I came across this website for a Block of the Month (BOM). The colors caught my eye, and I realized I had a lot of these in my stash, sooooo another UFO birthed! I am going to see exactly how many of the blocks in the series I can make without spending a penny.......

Block 1:

Block 2:

I am sure I have enough of the "yellows" for all the blocks (and then some) but the purples, teals, and blacks will change as I go. I do want to keep all the blacks a "white on black" fabric.

Care to join me? Challenge is at least one block a week until I'm caught up, then one block a month.

Irene

Blue-n-White Swap:

Ohio Quilters (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OhioQuilters/) is hosting a 10.5" Blue and White block swap.....Now, this is not my favorite size of block to make, but I decided I needed to try, so into the stash of blues I went digging thinking this is a great way to use up some of the smaller pieces of fabric...... I need 3 sets of 6 blocks. I am sure I will be adding more of my own once I receive the "swapped" blocks back.

Change of pace....

Decided I needed to take a break from the machines.....I was starting to make to many mistakes!

I keep a "grab-n-go" bag packed at all times. This bag contains some kind of handwork, a puzzle book, and a book to read in it. It's the bag I grab on my way out the door when called on an emergency, waiting time on the bus, etc.

One project in this bag has been waiting a year to be completed! All the embroidery done on these pillowcases, except for about fifteen minutes, has been done while sitting at the bedside of some family member during a hospital stay. I am happy to report they are completed, washed, and on Michelle's bed!

Now, I will have to find a project to replace them in the bag, but I'm sure there's something around here! Maybe my yoyo's or another set of pillowcases, or my button dolls, or ..........anything but applique!!!!

--Irene--

More snow.....

....dumped on us Thursday afternoon and Friday! Closed school two hours early on Thursday and cancelled on Friday! I love seeing the white snow as long as I don't have to drive in it! Pretty much stayed in the house after I got home Thursday evening! Did venture out last night as we needed to pick up some groceries for Michelle to take back to college with her.....not exactly fun driving! Need to shovel some this forenoon so she can get her car out, then I'm back into hibernation until I have to go to work on Monday!

Stay warm and safe!

--Irene--

Success!

....in making 10.5" blocks. I am not a huge fan of smaller blocks, so before joining in the blue-n-white fun with fellow Ohio Quilters, I decided I needed to make "test blocks." For some reason, I just seem to have problems making any block that is smaller than 12.5" come out correctly! grrrrr

Anyway, since we didn't have school on Friday, yes our first "snow day," I went stash shopping. Had to dig really deep to find the bleached muslin, but the blues weren't a problem. I have made two sample blocks so far and they actually measure correctly! Michelle helped me and I have 12 blocks (2 sets of 6) cut out, just need to sew them now. I may even go the diatance and do another set of 6???

Michelle returns to school today, after being home for a month, and Hubby is finally on-the-road again after having off ten plus days, so I may actually get the rest of these sewn this weekend! Being alone, which I truely don't like, I do have the freedom sew as I please! So we shall see after I get a few chores done and Shellz on her way...........




--Irene--

Ride with me?

Hang on, there is a road here we must travel on to pick up students.........

Can I

start this week over??? As we headed back to work/school this morning, it seemed like nothing went right! COLD and snow greeted me as I headed outside....snow seemed to be just a dusting so not to bad. Almost made it to work--like two minutes away and my truck breaks down.....grrrr......Thank goodness for cell phones! I was picked up and at work within five minutes! Also got hubby up at 6 am (and no he wasn't impressed!) to let him know where the truck was parked......Guess the altenator decided it didn't want to work anymore. :(

Bus routes went pretty well--snow covered roads--and only "ran" a few minutes late. Hubby came and got me and we got the truck home. Thanks to the willing helping hands of Kevin, the truck is working again and I can use it tomorrow. Do I dare wish for a snow day so soon after break???? The way I feel tonight, I sure could use a day at home in my pj's! Needless to say, no sewing or quilting got done today! It's not 8:00 and I am soooo ready for bed!

Tomorrow will be a new day so we will see what it brings......

Paper-Piecing~

~is NOT one of my favorite ways of piecing! I have spent all afternoon paper-piecing and have accomplish so little! I managed to add only one block to the collection. At this rate it will take me eons to get this top make! Maybe I need to challenge myself to at least two blocks a week????? Needing a total of thirty blocks, I just might have the top pieced by summer if I meet this challenge.....

I love this block and the secondary pattern it makes.....

Not a happy camper:

As I work on my new wall hanging, I find I am NOT happy! Following the instructions, I find my pieces don't fit as the picture shows and the directions state! Now, do I readjust the rest of the pattern or rip? I am not thrilled with the "look" of what is on the wall!

Snowed in.....

................. at Ann's! When you are enjoying the company of friend's you tend to forget to watch the falling snow! Before I knew it, the roads were snow covered and icy, so I spent the night and we got to sew some more this forenoon! What a wonderful Monday and Tuesday of throwing ideas around and making progress on our projects and I even started a new one!

My new wall hanging in progress before any borders:

One more----

finished to be given as a gift! A while ago, Ryan stated that they "needed" another quilt as a sofa throw.....Monday I started digging throw my stack of blocks and found these---decided they would work for their "throw." Finished the quilting last night and into the washer/dryer it went. I am not overly thrilled with the quilting! Being "swapped" blocks, I found not all the fabrics used had been treated equally--ut oh! But I don't think it looks to bad since it's been washed and dried.

More progress.....

.........a jacket has been added to the finished list. The sleeves will be hemmed after "she" tries it on.

Progress..........

......another professional bag has been completed.

.....Making Gifts

Still working on Christmas gifts. This one was finished this weekend and will go to Shellz's teacher friend:

Finished!!!!!!

Finished hand quilting Stacy's Star Fling quilt early Monday...binding is on, it's washed/dried and ready to go out the door!

Am still working on the "block a week" Pick-n-Choose blocks with Ann, really like how my blocks are turning out altho they ar etotally scrappy!!!!

My design wall is empty right now so have been thinking about the next project. Just not sure what I want to do except it's got to use some of my stash! I do have tops here that I could quilt but need a break to let my fingers heal! Maybe I'll take a break until after the holidays---seriously doubt that tho!!!!

Irene

Still busy.....

Still working on a few projects:

Finished two rag quilts for christmas gifts~

Michelle wanted some bags made to give as gifts~

Still working on hand quilting the red "Star Fling." The end is in sight! Sore fingers or not, I want it finished before Christmas! Hopefully someday I will adjust to wearing thimbles!

irene

Beautiful Skies

As fall is seemingly leaving us and winter is approaching, we have witnessed some beautiful sunrises. Thanks to the kids on my high school routes, I am able to share some of the pictures they have taken for me......

Then one afternoon the elementary kids thought this was "way kewl."

Fleece blankets

......have been on the agenda for this week. Three of them going to "kids in need." Would like to find a pattern to make flannel sheets for them too. I know, I could buy them, but I have sooooooooo much flannel in that tub in there------->

Readjusting????

Seems it took me a long time to adjust to being at home by myself suring the week and sometimes all weekend too. I had finally gotten a routine set up and pretty adjusted......then whamooooo...Adin had an accident and has been home a lot.....I am sooo thankful he only has some bumps and bruises and no one was seriously hurt! His truck is pretty much totaled since the frame is bent so has been using a "day cab" and doing short runs until they get another truck for him to use. Packing him lunches to take along (at 4:30 in the morning) and planing evening meals daily is another adjustment now since I pretty much have been doing salads, etc. for myself. Wanna bet I get used to this schedule and then he's back to long-distance again???? Oh well, keeps life interesting!

Weekly Challenge

My friend, Ann, and I are doing a challenge together--one block a week for 25-30 weeks. Both of us are doing "scrappy." She is doing totally scrappy ( http://granfrysquiltingchaos.blogspot.com/2009/10/finelya-camera.html ) and I am doing Civil War scrappy. So far I have used only fabrics from her and my stashes altho I have a few FQ's I bought at the Woolen Willow (http://www.woolenwillow.com/) last weekend just in case........

...Hobo Bag.......

Shellz wants to give "homemade" gifts to some of her friends at college for Christmas. Since she is not a huge fan of sewing (altho she will help) and is carrying 18 credit hours this semester plus work, she asked if I would help her out.....

So far we have made two Hobo Bags. Not sure we will continue with this pattern or switch to another one as we only have a few weeks to get them all done and she doesn't plan on being home again until Thanksgiving break. They need to be finished so she can take them back with her on 11/29.

Ucky---

is the way I have felt the past few days...very upset tummy and just plain don't feel like doing much of anything! Feeling better today, so let's cross our fingers that whatever got me is gone!

Did start a "hobo" bag, but need to get the "rings" before I can finish...hope to do that tonight. Not much of anything else accomplished except bakes some cookies for the college kids (who are stopping in town tomorrow night--Yippee!

Now back to work......................

--Tomato Week---

Wonder why it seems that the work week is sooooo long when it actually was shorter? Only a 4 day work week but it seemed to drag on forever! Now, we are facing that strech of 4 1/2 weeks until another break----God give me the patience! Don't get me wrong, I still feel I have the best bunch of kids (THANKS 'rents!!), but spending around 6 hrs. a day in a school bus with over 130 kids???? Or maybe I am just geting older??? :(

Didn't get any sewing/quilting done this week---it was "tomato land" at our house! But, now we have fresh tomato juice, chili soup, and vegetable soup for the winter months. Am still trying to decide if I want to make salsa or not---

So today I am going to rest my aching legs/feet and not do much! Maybe sit at the hand quilting frame for awhile? Not sure yet, will see what Adin has in mind for the day before he leaves for Texas........

It's A Top!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stacy wanted to try a Bargello---ummmm, not sure she was ready for it, but who am I to discourage quilting??????? Guess I should of????? All fabrics except for 1 FQ come from my stash (and yet, it doesn't seem like the shelves have gotten any emptier!)...

Anyway, Stacy started this one but got discouraged so it has been sitting in my studio for a few months.....I decided that this week it had to become at least a top! I NEED "my space" for other projects! I am very happy to say that today it became a top!!! No idea when I'll get it quilted, but at least now I can move on to another project.....

Pattern: Jelly Bargelly
"Black Cat Creations"

Black-n-Silver

Finally have a picture of the Black-n-Silver quilt I made back in April---was given to a friend as a birthday gift in May......Fabrics used: Kona Black and Silver Fairy Frost.

A busy week~

This past week was soooo busy! At times didn't know if I was coming or going!

~Went to orientation on Monday morning at 8:45. Also got what I hoped were my last new student transportation sheets (nope got more as the week went on)---ummmm this school bus is going to be FULL this year! After getting out of this meeting, I picked up Shellz and we headed towards Wooster to do what we hoped was the last of her school shopping---DETOUR!!!!!! Stacy called and said Kevin got hurt at work and she didn't know how bad, only that they were taking him to Aultman.....we turned around and went to the hospital with her.....We are thankful that Kevin didn't lose his right foot or was killed!!! A farm accident is always serious but Kevin won the fight again the "grain auger" that fell on him! Seven hours after we got to the hospital, surgery was over and Shell and I headed home--did stop at Walmart and got a few "things" but not all needed items. I got to bed very late considering I had to get up early Tuesday morning!

~Tuesday 4:30 AM---WHO set that alarm to go off at this hour??????? Oh, wait, school starts today, guess I better get up and moving (altho I really really want to sleep!) Shower wakes me up! I make my way to the bus garage--yeah, my bus is back from the repair shop! "Pop" the hood--gotta do the daily pre-trip---ummmmm why is my overflow reservoir dry??? Why is there no anti-freeze in it????? So off I go to find one of the mechanics....he adds 3 gallons of anti-freeze, I finish pre-trip and am on the road with the bus at 6:10 AM....good morning with 45 students grades 7-12.........drop them off at the Middle/High School and get to take a 15 minute break? Wait, the mechanics just asked me to recheck the fluid levels in the bus--UT-OH--anti-freeze gone again! Not good, the "leak" must not be fixed properly so #20 will go back to the repair shop and I switch to #18...... (***we have awesome mechanics, but the leak on bus 20 was not an "in house" repair job--had to be sent to "out").... By 9AM, I had picked up 68 students grades K-6 and dropped them off at the elementary school and my morning was done---

Some errands and time with Shell before I head back in at 2 PM..........Great afternoon, (except bus 18 overheating and I transferred once again this time to #15), good kids and day one is over and done!

~Wednesday--Routes went great--between routes Shell and I did laundry and started her school packing. In the evening we joined my brother, Steve, and his family for "$1 hamburger night" followed by some karaoke...woops stayed up a little late, but it was a fun night! (Kevin released from hospital--doing great!)

~Thursday--first day of kindergarten for the Tuesday/Thursday group....NO TEARS!!!!! Great routes today. Finished up Shell's packing and did some grocery shopping for her...just the two of us for a quiet dinner at home, went to visit my parents, then loaded Shell's car.....she will leave for college before I get home in the morning To bed early, I'm whipped!

~Friday--first day of kindergarten for the Monday/Wednesday group....NO TEARS!!!! Another great day on the routes! House very very quiet sice I'm back to being alone.....Stacy called and invited me to their place for dinner so after putting gas in Adin's car for him, I headed to Wooster.....nice relaxing evening!

~Saturday...Adin got in to late last night to get this truck unloaded, so I went with him to unload. Came home for a late lunch, then finished up the cleaning, mowing, etc.....Stacy & Kevin came for a corn roast in the evening. Relaxed by the campfire and listened to the band preview at Garaway........

So no sewing or quilting got done this week! Adin will leave again Monday morning and Shellz is back at Walsh...so its just me this week, maybe I will make it into the studio?????? Ummm, I HAVE to, am behind and the holiday orders are coming in!

But, if you want to meet for coffee/lunch/etc.....give me a shout, I always need a break! :)

"Grandma's Girl"

Last days of "no work"

The time has once again come to prepare for the school year to begin. Ack! I want to stay on vacation! Time has once again slipped away and I didn't get everything accomplished this summer that I wanted to, but that's ok. The summer has been so different for me. No kids at home has left me very lonely at times. Just when I think I have adjusted, a new wave hit me....but it's getting better.

Michelle comes home tomorrow from her summer job--yea!! But she will leave for college again next Friday--booo! Seems impossible that she will be a sophmore in college already---how time flies!

Most of the canning/freezing is done--making sweet pickles today, and want to make some tomoato juice yet sometime. Not overly worried if I don't get it done as I still have some from last year, but like to make some fresh each year. This is something I can do on my Saturday's.

I have been driving for some scrimages the last two weeks. Monday we have orientation and then on Tuesday we roll....can it really be time already?



As for quilting this week.....I am still working on hand quilting Stacy's Star Fling---about an hour a day is all my hands will allow. Am also working on finishing the piecing of her Jelly Bargello. Discovered we were short one fabric--6 cuts at 2 1/2" x 3". I searched and searched for a FQ of this fabric but just couldn't find more anywhere. I finally found a replacement FQ so have now unsewn and all the strips and replaced the 2 1/2 x 3 piece in each strip. I have the top section together and am almost done with section three....maybe I'll get back into the sewing room after dinner tonight?

So, now it's back to the kitchen and the pickles.....................................




Irene

Sorting~

I've been going through the fabric cupboards and drawers.....now what to do with

~25 nine patches (colors/white)
~33 nine patches (all colored)
~25 red/green/white blocks
~25 chuncky floral/muslin churn dash blocks
~10 black-n-white blocks (have an idea brewing)

These are just some of what I have found so far.......any ideas????



Irene

-On "the wall"--

I started a new quilt while in Tennessee...the "stars" are on the design wall (20 of them).....now to cut the sashings then the borders. Not sure if I'll get them done this week or not.....will see.

I did hand quilt for awhile yesterday, enough to "turn" again. Broke a nail--ouch--guess I should learn to use a thimble?

Irene

~Sweet Corn~

Very little going on in the sewing room this week! "The" family has managed to gather up 50 doz ears of sweet corn that had to be put into the freezers (65 quarts) this week! Did some on Monday, then again on Wednesday, and finished up today.....Not even sure I could eat any right now--I am corned out!

I have been stealing a few minutes here and there at the hand quilting frame---going is slow but I see progress.

Am going to be alone for a few days as DH is on-the-road again--I hate when he's gone over the weekend, time drags! Also, it's that time again so I dug out my paperwork from last school year--. Am I ready to go back? Yes and no! I miss the kids but I don't miss getting up at 4:30! And I want the summer weather to last a loooooong time!

Think I'll go sit on the deck with a glass of iced tea and let the water fountain sooth my spirit tonight............




Irene