Block 12 of Star BOM done!

I'm only a month behind, but Block 12 is now done! I really like the electric blue tips on this star. I have been toying with the idea of what to do with these blocks when they are all done, and I may use them to frame the blocks below, kind of a medallion style quilt with the "quilters sayings" in the center, surrounded by the large stars. I'll have to sleep on this idea for awhile . . .

Our soon to be grandbaby is . . .

Our soon to be grand baby is are identical twins! Olivia just called moments ago - - I am in shock! Now both of our daughters have a set of twins! What are the odds of that? I had better play the lottery tomorrow - guess I'll have to buy a ticket. Yeeeeeeehahhhhhhhhhh!

Fashion Show . . .

When I was shopping yesterday, I did some serious damage at The Children's Place! I just love their clothing, it's relatively inexpensive and it wears well. The twins wear Madison's hand-me-downs! The clothing is cute and it's all coordinated for you. I think it's a great value! These are pictures of Madison and Haley - Emma could not be bothered to try on her new clothes as she is engrossed in the Max & Ruby show on TV. I also hit the Disney Store for some of the girls favorite character Tee's!

I've been shopping . . .

Went to Columbus yesterday with my husband and Sophia. We went to Pottery Barn Kids (my absolute mostest favorite children's furniture store). We bought a new "craft cupboard" to add to the 2 units we already had.

My husband came home for lunch today and we assembled everything so when the girls come home from daycare, they can be surprised!

Last week I also went shopping at IKEA and purchased a bookcase, baskets, and a bench with cubbies beneath the seat. I have been looking all over for little lockers so the girls can have access to their coats and such, but haven't had any luck, so I played MacGyver and reconfigured the pieces and this is what I made for the little cherubs!

Guild Quilt Retreat Results

This weekend our local Quilt Guild had a Retreat. So I had 2 uninterrupted days of sewing and it was great - oh, and let's not even mention the food that we had as we each brought a covered dish! I cannot for the life of me figure out why I haven't learned to wear elastic waist pants to these functions. I became terribly concerned after lunch today that the button on my jeans was going to become a projectile and take someones eye out. My waistline now looks like a Dunkin Donuts muffin top - - you know, when the muffin spills over the edge of the muffin tin and oozes down the sides - is that a vivid enough picture for ya?

Stash Report - Week 8

I am getting better at this and I'm so pleased with my progress! This weekend I went on a Quilting Retreat with my local Quilt Guild. It was a mystery Quilt Weekend and all the fabric I used was from my stash! I was the only one of 18 in attendance who did a scrappy quilt, but I am happy that I did not have to spend any money on fabric for the project!

Fabric added this week: 1 yards
Fabric added Year to Date: 16 yards

Fabric used this week: 7 yards
Fabric used Year to Date: 30.375 yards

Net Used to Date: 14.375 yards

I am so behind . . .

Well, remember the list of things to do on this post? Well, I am happy to report that I almost have ONE done started . . . but sadly, that is all! Only 9 more things to . . .

Stash Report - Week 7

Well, I taught and attended a class this past week, and we all know what that means - I was not able to leave without fabric. I taught a monthly Underground Railroad class and came home with a total of 1 yard chocolate and pink for an online block swap and the next day another yard in the form of 4 blocks from when I attended the LQS BOM . . . but it could have been much, much worse as I've had my eye on a Very Hungry Caterpillar Kit . . .

Fabric added this week: 2 yards
Fabric added Year to Date: 15 yards

Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used Year to Date: 23.375 yards

Net Used to Date: 8.375 yards

Today was our Anniversary!

Today was our 32nd Anniversary so we went to Outback Steak House for supper. It was really crowded, but we had a great meal and for the first time in a long time, I was able to eat everything on my plate. Usually, by the time the entree arrives, I am full and I have to take it home as carryout!

I am so far behind on quilty things as life keeps pulling at me in too many directions . . . I've got a Guild Quilt Retreat next weekend that I am not even close to being prepared for as I have to:

1. design, cut out and construct a challenge quilt from last years Guild retreat


2. find fabric and cut out for the Guild Retreat Mystery Quilt


3. finish a quilt that's been on the frame for several days now before the retreat


4. update the Guild's Blog with the info and pictures from today's meeting


5. I'm 4 blocks behind on my LQS BOM


6. I haven't even begun the Guild's BOM and they just passed out the 4th block!


7. prepare and treat fabric for printing the Underground Railroad Story for my students before the next class


8. finish the paper pieced alphabet blocks for an online swap


9. cut out and construct blocks for another online swap


10. and the straw that broke the camel's back was when Block No 1 was passed out today for the Guild Mystery Quilt

On another note, I received the 4 pantographs today that I purchased online from Linda Taylor. I can hardly wait to practice one in particular as I want to use it on my friend Carolyn's quilt and perhaps one of my own! Today Carolyn told me that she is going to take a half day off from work sometime soon and she will come over to help me load the quilt on the frame so I can get going and quilt it! That should motivate me, eh?

Stash Report - Week 6

Not much changed this week, well, actually, while I was looking through my receipts, I realized that I didn't report a piece of fabric I purchased. Haven't done much of anything this week as I've been trying to recover from the Retreat and have come to the sad realization that it's taking me much longer to bounce back . . . In 2 more weeks, I will be doing this all over again as our Guild is having a weekend retreat!

Fabric added this week: 0.5 yards
Fabric added Year to Date: 13 yards

Fabric used this week: 0.25 yards
Fabric used Year to Date: 23.375 yards

Net Used to Date: 10.375 yards

Enter at your own risk . . .

Since I returned from Quilt Retreat, my sewing room is a pit and there are things that I need to get done, but can't because of the mess! What's a girl to do? Oh, and complicate things even further, I've got another Quilt Retreat on February 21st - think I'll be ready by then?

Got another one quilted!

Got another one of my friend Linda's tops quilted, and I got brave on this one and didn't do my usual stippling or loopy meandering. I tried my hand at loopy daisies. The only thing I learned was that I should have used an invisible thread on the front. I have got to invest in some pantographs . . . oh, and I just may have to get a loan from the bank as I almost had a stroke when I bought 2 - 500yd spools of thread for this project . . . it came to $17.02 I seriously have got to find my vendors license and open a wholesale account somewhere - the cost of thread is killing me!

Block 11 Star BOM done!

Block 11 is now done. Looks perhaps like all the other Star BOM participants are just as busy as I have been, because there are only a couple of us who have posted pictures! The dark green in this block is a new color - who knows what new color I'll use on the next one . . . I'm thinking a red!

Quilt Retreat Results!

The first project I completed was the Gum Drop top. This is from a kit my husband purchased for me on a trip to Quiltology in Chicago. The fabrics are from Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett. I struggled with this one as I thought I knew what I was doing without reading the directions! I did a lot of ripping, but in the end, it looks really nice and the top is done!
The next project I started was the July table topper. I purchased this kit at the Christmas Goose in Las Vegas. This kit involved working with wool applique . . . if you know me at all, I do not like to do applique, but by machine, it is a bit more tolerable, especially when you are working with wool! This top is done all except the prairie points . . .

The next project I took with me were the rest of the Hotsy Totsy Napkins that I purchased at Fabric Boutique in Las Vegas - they are all done with the exception of the decorative stitching all around the outside edges.
The final project is only partially finished. These are the alphabet blocks I am working on for a block swap. I was able to get 13 finished while at the Retreat, but I still have 10 more blocks to complete! Can you see the fabric I picked for the letter "P" - it's peanuts!

Stash Report Week 5

This was a good week for my mental health, but not to good as far as fabric added as the figures show below.


Be sure to check out my post tomorrow as I will be showing and telling all about my 4 day quilting retreat in Amish Country (Berlin, Ohio)!



Fabric added this week: 8 yards
Fabric added Year to Date: 12.5 yards

Fabric used this week: 3 yards
Fabric used Year to Date: 23.125 yards

Net Used to Date: 10.625 yards