Ack.....

no more sewing done this past week! "Sally," the favorite sewing machine took a slide off the table so had to go to the repair shop--thanks to Dennis at www.somewheresewing.com, Sally is not back in working order!! Of course, I couldn't walk out without first roaming the aisles of the shop...and yep, you guessed it, I didn't come out empty-handed! My purchase was a jelly roll in batiks with two border and binding fabrics. This will be a "group project" at retreat in February.

I am still working on the restoration of Jan's quilt (a few before shots)

--getting closer but still so far away to arriving at the finish point! I think I'll work on this again today as I do laundry for the Hubby. He came home after ten last night and leaves out again tomorrow, so I have no choice. I have to do do his laundry so he can repack.

Irene

Mystery BOM

OK...just what I don't need...but it will use up some of my stash!

The gals over at www.quiltingaroundtheworld.com are doing a Mystery BOM this year. I really want to use up some of my stash, so decided today I was going to really try and keep up with them! I've done "sew-alongs" with some of these gals before and they keep you on your toes!

Anyway, I got the first two blocks done today~

I am hoping to keep the dark blue a constant throughout the quilt....the background is a cream that I have around 4 yards of so am almost sure that will be used in each block too --if I run short--another cream can be used as this will be a scrappy quit)

Starting out

the new year by cleaning up the studio and rearranging! I know, I've moved "stuff" around to many time to count since we've moved, but I just can't seem to find the "perfect" layout that I'm pleased with!!!

Today I found a "kit" that had three rows done...have no idea why I put it back and didn't finish the top. Maybe it was an "Ann package?" (projects I kept to take to Ann's to work on)

The beginnings of:

Sand & Surf
Quilts and More, Winter 2009

Finishing another year and on to 2012!

Decorating...

I am slowly decorating the new place. Definitely taking my time doing a little at a time. I have become "hooked" on www.pinterest.com and see so many neat ideas!!

My bathroom candle design:

To my friends and family far and near~

Goodie Bags~

This year I wanted to do something a little different for "My Kids." Ideas were thrown around, but with the "time factor," I couldn't get done what I wanted so maybe that will work for next year if I start now????

I stole this idea from Stacy:

BUT! a lot of my candy canes were broken, so she suggested I make some Peppermint Bark:

Also found a great deal on a huge bag of assorted candy, so made "candy bags" for all the kids: "hearts" for the gals and "bark" for the guys.

My baskets are ready to go:

Flannel Quilt

is finished!
Pattern: One Block Quilt

I changed the borders on this quilt as I didn't have enough of the creams and greens to make the HST's the pattern called for.

Weekend Adventure~

This past weekend I had a chance to "go west." I took some of my quilt tops/backing/batting to my friend Kris in Sprinfield, OH, and she will quilt them for me. I am just not getting them done! She then traveled with me south to Lesa's house in Bellbrook. Lesa took us the http://www.fabricshack.com/. UT-OH!!!!! But I was good and only bought a few fabrics that I knew I needed to finish projects and two fabrics for one new project! This shop is dangerous!!! From here we went on a hunt for food!!! The joy having a good meal with great friends is priceless!!

I spent the night at Lesa's and on Saturday, we were honored to take a class taught by Teri Tope, http://www.materialgirldesigns.com/, on reverse applique. Yet, you read right, this chick, who DOESN'T applique took an applique class!!! I am SOLD on this method! If all applique could be done using this methos, I'd sure do more of it! I didn't get very far on my projects, but, that's ok, winter's coming!

sample 1 my block started

I am also making a tree:

I definately wasn't ready to head back home on Sunday, but.......

Flannel anyone?

Going through some older magazines, I found a pattern called "One Block Quilt" in the Spring 2008 issue of Easy Quilts. When we changed out the summer quilts to the fall/winter ones, we discovered that we were one flannel quilt short! Don't know how that happened as I've been making flannel quilts for what seems forever!

Anyway, this week we have the beginnings of another flannel quilt on the design wall. I know I don't have enough of the greens to do the border shown in the pattern so will keep digging in the totes for something--or use the piece I found while shopping a the Fabric Shack this past weekend with Lesa and Kris!

Awwww...a finish!

When stressed, I piece/quilt! So since this past month has been a HIGH stress level time for me, I have used up 5 1/2 yards of stash fabric, a backing, and some batting. I only purchaed 2 1/2 yards of fabric at 25% off for this quilt. If I remember corectly, I started the cutting of this quilt Oct. 1st.......Now it's in the dryer and ready to be mailed out as a gift to~~~~~~~~~

Inventory

of quilt tops that are stored and need quilting is in progress....

So far I have seven tops hanging here with the backings that need to be quilted. I am at the point of hiring someone to machine quilt them for me--nothing fancy, just get them done! Any suggestions?

I have also found three that I need to buy/make backings for. I am sure there are more since I haven't opened some totes yet! I won't even start with the half done/started tops as of yet! For some reason I am finding that I have become a "topper!" Is there a cure????????

"I Have A Notion"

is the first quilt I finished for me here at the new home! It hangs in my studio! Years ago I swapped "notion jar"blocks with some friends and now I have a nice wallhanging for my room!

On the Wall

right now is the beginnings of a very scrappy blues/tans/creams quilt. This so out of my element!!! I am trying really hard to stay true scrappy, but......

So far I have used 5 1/2 yards of fabric pieces for the blocks all from stash! Not sure what will be used for the borders, just may have to have some fabric retail theraphy for those!

Andy's Quilt

Mr. Miller's grandmother hand-pieced this quilt top for him but didn't get it quilted before she passed. I was asked to sandwich it and quilt it......Beautiful Trip-Around-The-World!

ummmm

time has gotten away from me! Not sure where the time has gone but I know I am behind in almost everything!! Work has been a challenge but slowly getting into the routine......But it's sad that we count the days from one break to another! This to shall pass! (at least I hope so or it's going to be a loooong year!)

Am loving the wonderful fall weather between the rain! But, let it rain because then it's not that white stuff!!! Slowly getting everything setup in my studio and the new home. Taking my time and still changing my mind alot! Also still sorting and purging all the "stuff!"

More in a bit......

School is in session

for the 2011-2012 year. Am having trouble readjusting to going to bed at 9:30 and getting up at 4:30! Would much rather stay up late (yes, I've always been a night owl) and then sleep in. It's hard when hubby stays up until 1-2 AM then sleeps until 9-10 AM, but that's been his sleep routine for about forty years!

Kids so far are wonderful. It's not always easy adjusting to new a new bus driver, getting up earlier, and a new school routine for the NINETEEN seventh graders I have! But they/we are working it out. New kindergardeners have been dry-eyed so far-pray it stays that way!

I have been slowing setting up my studio. Not everything is moved in yet, but come on, I HAVE to be able to sew/quilt between routes or I'll totally go insane! It's far from being the way I am envisioning it, but at least I can cut and sew!! Maybe over the holiday weekend i can get some of the kids to help finish the moving? Will see........

WHY?????

is it that almost everything is moved from the house BUT my sewing studio????? All I need help with is moving the cabinets and tables.....the rest I can do myself. BUT for some strange reason, I can't get the guys to help get this moved. Look out--if THIS Momma can't sew between bus routes, she's NOT gonna be very happy and then you won't be happy either--this I promise!!!

OK..now I have vented so I'll go play with the little bit of fabric I have here!

OH WOW!!!!!

I am so humbled by the generosity of my friend Elizabeth!!!! "Liz" and I met on-line a few years ago though an on-line quilting group. We met in person in 1998 and have stayed friends. Last week she told me she was getting rid of a "bunch" of her stash and wanted me to have it! Ok, what's the catch??? I had to travel to the Pittsburg, PA area to get it....... ummmmm...now, when????

After talking to Michelle, we decided we would do a "road trip" yet this week before I returned to work and she started fall classes--it worked out that she had yesterday off, so away we went!

I went to Canton on Wednesday night and stayed with Michelle overnight--we both got much needed hair cuts and had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's.....(and of course, Handel's ice cream for dessert!!!)

Thursday morning we hit the road around 8:00. Our first stop was at IKEA!!! Spent a few hours here then off to Golden Corral for some food! Stop number two was in Moon, PA--my friend's house. It was sooooooo wonderful seeing her again after thirteen years!!!! So, ok, we don't live THAT far apart, but both work and are/were involved in kids/family stuff, but I'm hoping now that our kids are older and mostly on thier own, we can connect more often??? Anyway, here are pictures of what she gave me! (and no the fabric won't stay on there sheveles, only there to air out the mothball smells)

I am still in awe! There just simply aren't words to describe my thanks!!!

From there we traveled to Grove City and hit the outlet shops--ummmm, no further comments needed on this stop!! lol Grabbed dinner at a drive-tho on the way home. Met up with some rain showers and construction, but made good time..

Has a wonderful and fun day, altho, me thinks me is getting to old for this much in one day!!!! I was sooooo tired!!

Thanks again Liz for your generosity and thanks Michelle for a fun day shopping!!

Cosmic Jewels

August 10, 2011 I was privilaged to travel to Fairborn, Ohio and take workshop by Debbie Maddy (http://www.calicocarriage.com/). Oh how wonderful! Had a great time! My top isn't finished as I need to add the borders, but this was so much fun!!!