Life doesn't get much better than this . . .

Design Wall Monday

2012-01-23T07:31:00.002-05:00

On my Design Wall is a One Block Wonder project from ~~last year, or perhaps the year before~~, oh heck, it was from April of 2008 - are you smug now? What is even more sad is that there are still the same number of blocks on the wall. If I can cut up the rest of the fabric, perhaps this could be a retreat project for this weekend, but first I have got to locate the fabric . . .

Alright, while searching for the OBW fabric, I came across some additional blocks that I've already made a top from. The top is ready to be quilted, but needs backing. So I am going to make a scrappy pieced back from the leftover border fabric and leftover sashing fabric and the unused blocks!

Still searching for the OBW blocks and have now realized that I do not know where the book is either - found another completed top and some yardage that may work for the backing!

Well, I am giving up on the remaining fabric + the book. Guess I'll work on these additional UFOs since I've got all of the pieces/parts for them. Check out what others have on their Design Walls at Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Weeks 1 - 4

2012-01-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

I stopped counting my UFOs when I reached 53, so I have resolved to start working on them! This will be the year of BB+B (backings, binding + borders). Unfortunately, my stash does not have enough "big" pieces for quilt backings or borders, so I will have to go shopping. Since I returned from Hawaii, I have already completed 2 UFOs, so I am on my way. I am going on a Quilt Retreat this weekend to Amish country, so hopefully I can pick up some wide backing there as we have a couple of excursions planned!

Used this Week: 6 yards

Used year to Date: 6 yards

Added this Week: 3 yards

Added Year to Date: 3 yards

Net Used for 2012: 3 yards

Check out others stash busing efforts at Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2012-01-16T11:32:00.002-05:00

Well my Design Wall is a bit different today as I am working on completing 2 UFOs for January. The weddings rings is quilted and I am now working on cutting out strips for a scrappy neutral binding. The blue polka dot binding is already sewn on the ducks, it just needs to be tacked to the back! I chose these two UFOs to work on because I had the backing for them. It is a sad state of affairs when you have so many UFOs hanging from the rod in the closet that the rod breaks from all the weight and falls to the floor . . . Edited to add link to Wedding Rings pattern: http://www.seamsndreams.com/product.php?productid=60&cat=15&page=2

Check out what others have on their Design Walls at Patchwork Times!

I'm home . . .

2012-01-12T20:26:00.000-05:00

WOW, it's been a long time since I've posted . . . We reluctantly returned home from Hawaii almost a week ago - it's taken me that long to recover from the 5 hour time difference. Had a fantastic time and may very well be returning in March for a few weeks.

Today I fired up the longarm as I loaded a quilt yesterday - that was an ugly scene - it took me 3 tries as I kept loading the backing on incorrectly. I quilted a UFO from almost 8 years ago. I got the binding sewn on today too and just need to tack it to the back and it'll be done.

JudyL mentioned on her blog a few weeks ago something about Pinterest - Oh My - it is totally addicting. I have been on there for days pinning all kinds of stuff. I love it - you must check it out.
Ta ta for now, more later!

I'm making progress!

2011-11-19T00:18:00.001-05:00

Well, I have completed 3 more customer quilts and there's just one more left to get done before we leave for Hawaii on Wednesday!

This one belongs to Carolyn and it's a Stack 'n Whack. I remember when she was piecing this top way back in 2002! I need to work on some of my UFOs as Carolyn is way ahead of me in this area!

This one also belongs to Carolyn! I am so envious that she's been so productive lately!

This is another customer quilt that I was able to complete in about an hour as it's only 46 inches square!

Stash Report - Weeks 44 - 46

2011-11-13T14:05:00.002-05:00

I am finding it rather hard to believe that 3 weeks have gone by since I last posted, but I've been down for the count with a sinus infection + pneumonia. I am feeling better now, but I'm still easily pooped out. My sewing cave is located in the basement. Stairs have been a major issue since my breathing has been compromised by the pneumonia, so I haven't been downstairs in weeks. I finally ventured down late last week and was able to finish a quilt that's been on the frame since mid-October! Yesterday. I loaded another and finished it up this afternoon, so I am feeling better! Unfortunately neither of these quilts resulted in any of my stash being busted, so the figures remain the same.

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 84 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards

Added Year to Date: 40 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 44 yards

We will be leaving for Hawaii in a few weeks and will not return until January, so my hopes of busting 100 yards have been dashed - but there's always 2012!

Check out the progress of others at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2011-10-24T14:26:00.001-04:00

There's nothing on the Design Wall today, but I did hang an antique quilt on the wall above our bed . . . that has to account for something!

Check out what others have on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Weeks 42 + 43

2011-10-23T15:35:00.003-04:00

Not a lot of activity around here other than longarming . . . I did manage to "shop my stash" for suitable backing fabric for two UFOs, so that accounts for the 5 yards used this week! I hope to be able to show you the finished projects real soon, but for now, only one of the tops will have to suffice!

Used this Week: 5 yards

Used year to Date: 84 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards

Added Year to Date: 40 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 44 yards

Check out how others are doing with their Stashbusting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Two more off the frame!

2011-10-15T18:08:00.001-04:00

Just finished Linda's quilt and I had a lot of fun doing this one! I am afraid this one may have been in my possession for almost a year . . .

Prior to loading Linda's quilt, I did Jean's. It's a veggie quilt for her husbands boss who is a farmer. Jean was able to find vegetable fabrics of all the vegetables the farmer grows! My granddaughters really enjoyed this one - I can see one of these in my future for them!

I only have 3 more customer quilts and I will be done and I can begin on a few of mine! I even have the backing for several of mine, so the dilemma will be which one to begin first!

Who is that hiding in the Quilt Cave?

2011-10-14T18:13:00.001-04:00

Most longarmers whose blogs I visit have at some point in time posted pictures of dogs sprawled out under their machines or cats draped over the take-up bars. Me? No dogs, no cats, just a granddaughter!

Design Wall Monday

2011-10-10T07:03:00.008-04:00

Well, here is the kit I purchased from Sew Batik at Quilting with Machines this weekend. I cannot wait to get started on it, but it will have to wait as I have several customer quilts to be quilted and they come first!

Pictured below is another of Carolyn's BOM Quilts that I just took off the frame - I think I only have one more of hers and I can move on to the next quilt in que!

Check out what everyone has on their Design Wall today at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Weeks 40 + 41

2011-10-09T11:14:00.002-04:00

No change this week as I have been a longarming fool trying to get caught up - that's never gonna happen! Anywho, I attended Quilting with Machines at Sawmill Creek in Huron, OH this past week and took several classes. It was awesome and I learned a lot which I would now like to try, BUT I need to practice first. This is my friend Carolyn's quilt from a BOM and she is gifting it to her boss! I used the Al Fresco pantograph by Hermione Agee of Australia - I love all of her designs and they are fun to stitch out! These were big blocks too, 16 inches! Well, on to the report:

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 79 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards

Added Year to Date: 40 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 39 yards

I did purchase a kit from Sew Batik, but I have not counted it in this report, I'll do it next week as it's wrapped up so pretty and I don't feel like dismantling it now to figure out the yardage! I will show pictures of that purchase tomorrow for DWM!

Check out how others are doing with their Stashbusting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday!

2011-09-26T10:15:00.001-04:00

Can't wait to see what everyone has one their Design Wall this morning. My Glacier Star has changed quite a bit since last week as I got several sections sewn together which made a big difference and has really motivated me to continue working on this project. . .

Check out what others have been up to at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report

2011-09-25T11:02:00.002-04:00

I am such a slacker - I think the last time I reported a Stash Report was way back in July. With all of the travelling and the "big move" I had not touched my machine. Now we are finally settled in our new home and life is good once again I am now able to sew (locating the power cord to my Bernina did have a bit to do with that). So this past week I posted on Design Wall Monday that I had begun to work on my Glacier Star project once again. On Thursday I ran into a problem while constructing one of the flying geese units that circle the outer edge of the quilt. There was a lack of contrast between the geese and the background, so Judy Niemeyer herself responded to my cries for help and suggested changing the background to something lighter. This necessitated an immediate trip to the LQS!

Used this Week: 2 yards

Used year to Date: 79 yards

Added this Week: 2 yards

Added Year to Date: 40 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 39 yards

Check out how everyone else is doing with their stash busting at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

My new obsession!

2011-09-24T11:02:00.000-04:00

Well, now that I'm back on track with the Glacier Star project, I only allow myself time to drink, eat, and sleep. Speaking of drinking, I had a drink last night - a peach daiquiri (only because there was a large freakin bat in the garage and that's where my Pepsi was, so I had to hit the ~~bottle~~ pouch). I still cannot believe that these pouches are only $1.99. I'm a cheap drunk, it only takes one pouch to give me a buzz! I digress . . . back to Glacier Star.

Thursday night I began working on the flying geese units that will circle the outer edge of the quilt and was not happy with my fabric choice. So first thing yesterday morning, I emailed the designer, Judy Niemeyer, for her opinion and a couple hours later, she emailed me back with a suggestion - change the background fabric! I was so surprised, impressed and excited that I immediately got in the car and drove to the LQS to pick up a lighter background. I am so happy now with the results!

Here is my total progress so far:

Glacier Star Progress

2011-09-23T09:52:00.000-04:00

I have been working away everyday since Monday on my Judy Niemeyer Glacier Star! Here is a bit of my progress so far . . .

I am struggling with the outer flying gees though, I am concerned that there is not enough contrast. Of course I have the fabric for all 192 flying geese already cut out . . . I am going to email my instructor a picture of the flying geese unit for her opinion - I let you know the verdict!

Design Wall Monday

2011-09-19T09:06:00.001-04:00

It's been a couple of months since we moved and things have finally taken enough shape in my Quilting Cave that I am able to sit down and sew, especially since I finally located the power cord to my Bernina! It's going to be a good week I hope because when I came down to the cave this morning, there were no mice in any of the traps and none of them had been sprung either! On my Design Wall this morning, I have pieces of my Glacier Star that hasn't been touched since like Easter - it's a shame because I really enjoy working on it. My goal this week is to get as much done on this project as I can . . .
Check out what everyone has on their Design Walls today at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

New Friends

2011-09-17T20:45:00.000-04:00

Well, as if the bats weren't enough, now we have mice. About a week ago I saw one in the garage, and since I will not be able to unpack all of the ~~crap~~ stuff in there in this lifetime, I wasn't too worried until last night! I thought I saw something from the corner of my eye, turned and saw a mouse run from the laundry room straight into my quilt room. First thing this morning I was at the store buying mouse traps. I keep waiting to hear the unmistakable "snap", but it hasn't happened yet. I baited the traps with peanut butter, a tiny piece of a Hershey's bar and then some more peanut butter on top of that. I hope they like that more than my quilt fabric and batting.

My close personal friends . . .

2011-09-05T17:54:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of one of my many close personal friends . . . a BAT! This was taken the last day we were at the old house. I was not at all sad to leave them behind at our old place, but unfortunately, they have followed us the 1.8 miles to our new home. The other night I went out to the garage to get some ice cream and when I turned on the light and opened the door, two of them were flying laps around the garage. Needless to say, I did not have a bedtime snack!

Where is Kare?

2011-09-05T13:39:00.002-04:00

I have MIA for a little over a month now because . . . we purchased a new home and moved! We are slowly unpacking and getting acclimated. This new house has central air and a pool in the backyard and with the heatwave we've been experiencing this past month it's been a sweet reprieve. As soon as I locate the cable to my camera, I will post pictures, but for now, this is from my phone!

Design Wall Monday

2011-08-01T08:29:00.002-04:00

I have been longarming like a fiend for the past few weeks. My friends have been keeping me busy, but I did have a chance to slip one of my own in there!

We traveled to Dallas this past week and I was amazed at the number of quilt shops in that area that have been in Quilt Sampler magazine. I visited 10 shops and I think that at least 6 of them had been featured at some point in time! My favorite shop was Quilt Country. I spent 2 hours in there, there were tons of samples and the ladies were very helpful and nice! I knew I would love this shop before I even got there, because they advertise "Lime Green - the New Neutral". They had 3 APQS longarms and they were all going, one lady was loading while another lady quilted freehand and there was a large picture window so you could watch them in action. As the one lady finished quilting, she moved to the next machine which the other woman had loaded and started on that quilt! The woman who loaded, now began to unload the quilt she'd just finished. It was awesome.

I purchased a ruler while in Dallas and have begun to cut strips already for that project! I found the ruler at Quilters Connection in Dallas, and they had a sample made into a tree skirt and I just fell in love with it! Here is a picture of theirs as my sewing cave is a pit right now . . .

Check out what everyone else has on their Design Wall at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

A few finishes!

2011-07-31T17:23:00.001-04:00

Well I haven't had any UFO finishes since the two I completed in January, and then I fell off the UFO wagon and was lost in space until this month - I finished one! It's the Pineberry Trail. I got it quilted a couple of weeks ago and got the binding on, but it needed to be tacked to the back and I saved that for all the traveling we were doing the past 2 weeks. I had it in the trunk of the rental car and my husband had a container of Windex in there and it leaked on the quilt and the maroon bled . . . as soon as we returned home, I laundered it with a Color Catcher and you would not believe how dark that sheet came out! The area where it bled is still stained, but I am not worried about it because it's going to be a quilt for us to cover up with in the living room!

I also finished the binding on my friend Jean's quilt! That quilt was in the trunk with the Windex, but thankfully it was my quilt that soaked it all up!

I finished a smaller memory quilt for a friend and now have her king size Maple Leaves + Log Cabin on the frame . I am quilting it with a meandering maple leave + loops, cute, cute, cute!

Design Wall Monday

2011-07-18T10:37:00.003-04:00

Finally finished the top for the fruit + veggie table runner. I hope to get it quilted this week as we are going on a road trip this weekend to a family wedding and I would like to have some handwork to take along in the car and to work on in the hotel!

I also have a quilt top of my own that I loaded on the frame last night. I really wanted to back this quilt with flannel, but I don't have any, and I just want to get something done . . . another UFO may soon bite the dust - yippee!

Check out what others have on their Design Wall today at JudyL's Patchwork Times.

Stash Report - Week 29

2011-07-17T09:06:00.004-04:00

Nothing in this week and I want you all to know that I was in a Quilt Shop not once, but twice this past week - such restraint! I did count the fabric out for my fruit + veggie table runner because it's ready to be sandwiched and quilted!

Used this Week: 3 yards

Used year to Date: 77 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards

Added Year to Date: 38 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 39 yards

Check out how everyone else is doing with their stash busting at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2011-07-11T09:02:00.002-04:00

Thank goodness it's Design Wall Monday as I finished my Fast Forward top and am allowing myself to start another project! This is a Veggie Table Runner made with a Double Diamond Ruler. I saw a sample of this in a Mennonite Quilt Shop several weeks ago and was smitten! I cannot wait to have more progress to show you on this project . . .

Just so I don't get bored, I have a large quilt of Jean's on the longarm, and if I get bored or even better yet, finished with her quilt, I can move on to 3 more of Linda's quilts that are waiting in the wings!

I did mention that I finished my Fast Forward quilt top - here is a picture of mine (black background) and my BFF Joanne's (light background).

Check out what everyone has on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Weeks 27 + 28

2011-07-10T08:33:00.004-04:00

We were in DC for Olive's 1st Birthday last weekend, so I have some catching up to do . . .
I didn't buy any quilt fabric while there, but I did get some scrumptious sock yarn though!
I finished the Fast Forward top, but loaned my pattern to someone, so I am just guessing at the yardage used, so I may need to change the amount used at a later date. The picture is my top on the left and my friend Joanne's on the right! Joanne used a batik jelly roll for hers while mine was just scraps from the "Rubbermaid Tub"

Used this Week: 5 yards

Used year to Date: 74 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards

Added Year to Date: 38 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 36 yards

Check out how everyone else is coming along with their stash busting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Here is Olive, our Birthday girl!

Field Trip!

2011-06-30T22:01:00.002-04:00

We are off to DC in the morning for Olive's 1st birthday! She is our youngest granddaughter. We are taking Sophia with us - she is so excited and has her little Dora the Explorer suitcase all packed.

On another note, I wanted to share a sweet picture of my son-in-law with our twin granddaughters. Nick recently returned from deployment . . .

Design Wall Monday

2011-06-27T13:14:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe that it's Monday again . . .

Don't have much to show this week. After completing the blocks for last weeks DWM, my strip bin was looking rather pathetic, so I decided to sub cut the remaining strips into squares. It has taken several days to get everything untangled, trimmed of unraveling threads, starched and pressed. Now all I have left to do is measure, cut and then figure out what I am going to fill the empty bin with!!

Check out what others have on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Another one off the frame!

2011-06-26T21:44:00.001-04:00

Finished quilting Jean's quilt the other day and earlier tonight, I finished the binding, so it's done, done, done! I have just one more quilt from Jean at the moment and I got the backing sewn and on the frame, perhaps tomorrow I can get the batting + top loaded!

Stash Report - Week 26

2011-06-26T11:07:00.002-04:00

I was a little under the weather this past week and didn't leave the house, but still managed to add to my stash. I was straightening the Quilt Cave and came across a bag of backing fabric I purchased the week before while in Berlin that I forgot to count . . .

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 69 yards

Added this Week: 2 yards

Added Year to Date: 38 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 31 yards

I continue to try and play catch up with all of my customer quilts on the longarm, so I don't see myself busting much stash in the near future. I only have about 4 more quilts to do before I can do my own things!

Check out what everyone else has busted from their stash at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

One done, another started . . .

2011-06-22T22:03:00.001-04:00

Finished one quilt on the longarm and another is loaded and just begun.

First up is Carolyn's Family Reunion Quilt. I quilt a Family Reunion Quilt for Carolyn each year (in addition to several other quilts too). It's a Signature Quilt and it goes to a different family member each year.

Next on the frame is Tropical Dreams, a quilt Jean made from some gorgeous batiks. The pattern can be found in the February 2011 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting on page 68.

Design Wall Monday

2011-06-20T07:37:00.001-04:00

Once again, it's my favorite day and I am very close to having the Fast Forward top completed! All of the blocks are done and the sashing is cut and sewn together, ready to be attached, after I get the measurements of the rows. My goal is to have it done, done, done by the end of the month so I am not working at the last minute to finish it.

Check out what all the others have on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Week 25

2011-06-19T08:20:00.002-04:00

Another week of visiting Quilt Shops, this time down in the Berlin, Millersburg + Mt. Hope area. The 4 of us had a great time. We left at 8am and didn't return home until after 8pm. It was the best day ever! I got some American Valor fabrics and a novelty print of Hot Wings! The colorful pic of Patriotic fabric is designed by Connie Haley for Elizabeth's Studio. It is really striking and I cannot wait to use it!

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 69 yards

Added this Week: 5 yards

Added Year to Date: 36 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 33 yards

Check out how others are doing with their stash busting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2011-06-13T14:26:00.001-04:00

Rather than finishing a UFO, I decided to start a new project late last week! I've made more progress than this since then, but my camera is in my husbands car and he's out of town, so this pic will have to do. I am just using strips from the Rubbermaid tub for this one, but I am anxious to begin another with a jellyroll - the problem will be settling on which one to use! The pattern for this is called Fast Forward and it's by Julie Herman aka Jaybird Quilts. It's very, very easy and quick to construct!

Check out what everyone else has on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Weeks 22, 23 + 24

2011-06-12T09:45:00.004-04:00

Well, so much for trying to bust 50 yards - I went to two local quilt shops with friends on Friday . . . this is what I am going to work on with all of that black + white fabric!

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 69 yards

Added this Week: 8 yards

Added Year to Date: 31 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 38 yards

Check out how others are doing with their stash busting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

another new project . . .

2011-06-09T18:06:00.002-04:00

Started another new project the other day - it's called Fast Forward. I have been using 2.5 inch strips from my scrap bin for this prototype, but I cannot wait to crack open one of my jellyrolls for a more coordinated version. Julie Herman created this pattern and she has several others just as cool as this one! Check out her blog, Jaybird Quilts, and click on the patterns tab and you can check out for yourself all she has to offer!

Design Wall Monday

2011-05-30T09:49:00.002-04:00

It's Design Wall Monday and Memorial Day too! Don't have a patriotic project to show, but I do have some progress on my Orange Crush UFO! I feel it's safe to say that this will not be completed by midnight Tuesday to count for a UFO finish for May, so I am re-adjusting and will try to finish it for June! If you look closely, you can see the fabric I chose for the border on the left side of the quilt (it kind of blends in with the woodwork). I am thinking about adding another narrow black containment border to the pieced border . . . I welcome any thoughts you may have on that!

It's been a busy, busy month, especially this past weekend as we had a big birthday bash for 3 of the 4 granddaughters that live with us. The oldest, Madison, turned 7 and the twins turned 5. As if that wasn't enough, we went to Cedar Point amusement park yesterday. I need a nap!

Check out what everyone had on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2011-05-23T08:59:00.000-04:00

I am still working on the Orange Crush UFO. The 2 sides of the containment border are on and I hope to get the top and bottom on today so I can begin to attach the pieced border. Then I will HAVE to make a trip to the LQS for a suitable outer border fabric. I have something in mind, but don't have enough yardage in my stash.

Check out what others have on their walls + floors at JudyL's Patchwork Times.

2 of Linda's 3 are done!

2011-05-22T13:24:00.001-04:00

Finished Linda's second quilt this morning! I think I am going to take a break before I tackle her third as I have another customer quilt I need to squeeze in there and it's going to be a custom job, so I've got to get crackin on it. The thread was back ordered forever and it just arrived, so I better get busy! Thank goodness for those Red Snappers that Linda got for me, I really, really enjoy loading quilts now! Thanks again Linda!

Stash Report - Week 21

2011-05-22T13:16:00.001-04:00

Well, the only thing I've done this week is customer quilts on the longarm, so I haven't busted any stash, but even better, I did not have any free time to visit a LQS to add to my stash!

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 69 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 23 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 46 yards

Check out how others are doing with their stash busting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

just a couple more rows . . .

2011-05-21T21:53:00.000-04:00

The 2nd of Linda's 3 quilts is on the frame and I've only got a couple more rows of this pantograph and it will be done! I love to work with the depression era fabrics - they are so cheerful.

1 of 3 done!

2011-05-20T16:33:00.000-04:00

Finished another of Linda's quilts a couple of days ago! It was the first time using the Red Snappers that she got me and they were incredible! Quilt was loaded in 6 minutes - on the next quilt I will be even faster as this was my first time. The panto I used is by Jodi Beamish and it's called Spring Thing.

Design Wall Monday

2011-05-16T16:28:00.001-04:00

Sorry I'm late, but it is Monday! I have just finished the pieced border, but now I will need to do some math to figure out how to get the border to fit the center of the quilt . . . this may get ugly. I am hoping for an Orange Crush finish for next weeks Design Wall Monday!

Check out what others have on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Week 20

2011-05-15T10:55:00.001-04:00

Some progress has been made on the Orange Crush UFO - it is looking like I may be able to finish it before the end of the month if I can keep up the pace! The top is sewn and now I am working on the pieced border - it's pretty intense.

I am inching up on 50 yards busted for the year! If I can get a quilt backing together before the end of the month, that'll put me over 50 yards!

Used this Week: 03.5 yards

Used year to Date: 69 yards

Added this Week: 0

Added Year to Date: 23 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 46 yards

Check out how others are doing with their stash busting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2011-05-09T07:56:00.004-04:00

Well, I'm back from travelling and I am trying to be very productive. I have been working on this wall since Thursday, the 5th and this is how far I've gotten in a few short days! All I have left to do now is to sew the blocks into rows and add 3 borders. This quilt is one of Bonnie Hunter's called Orange Crush and I started it in April of 2008 . . . This quilt is one of my UFO's, so I hope to get it finished before the end of this month as I only have completed 2 UFO's since I signed up for the challenge in January.

Check out what others have on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Weeks 16, 17, 18 + 19

2011-05-08T10:22:00.002-04:00

First off, Happy Mother's Day! This is a picture of our 7 granddaughters on Easter Sunday! We have been doing a lot of traveling lately, so I haven't been posting or quilting. So after missing a month of Stash Reporting, there is nothing to report. Since we returned home this past last week though, I started right in on a UFO! I will have pictures of that project tomorrow for DWM.

Used this Week: 0

Used year to Date: 65.5 yards

Added this Week: 0

Added Year to Date: 23 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 42.5 yards

Check out how others are doing with their stashbusting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

I've been MIA . . .

2011-05-05T21:55:00.002-04:00

We've been traveling for the past 3 weeks . . . and I am just beginning to feel a little more rested. There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed at home! We've been to New Jersey, Groton, Connecticut, DC and most recently Chicago. Don't think we'll be going anywhere again until July!

On the quilting front, I decided I had better get busy with the UFO Challenges I am participating in as I haven't completed or worked on any UFO's since January - yes, I am in a sad state over here. Earlier in the week, I found the parts/pieces to a UFO. It was kind of like finding puzzle pieces in a brown paper bag, a bunch of pieces, but I had no idea how it was to go together or if I even had all the parts. Well, the mystery was finally solved this morning when I looked inside a pizza box that was labeled with a tag that said: EMPTY. Hello? it was full of more pieces! I was finally able to figure out what it was supposed to be by scrolling to the beginning of my blog, and it's a project I started in April of 2008. It's Bonnie Hunter's Orange Crush and I think all I have to do is assemble the blocks! This is all that I have accomplished so far . . .

Design Wall Monday

2011-04-18T09:19:00.000-04:00

Not too much on my wall this morning as the past week was hectic with my daughter working double shifts and then going out of town for two days ... I did manage to get some more of the Windfall blocks done. The blocks are pieced fairly quickly and the curves are getting easier now too. At first, it was a bit of a challenge, but that's probably because it's not something I've done before, but I am able to get them done without any pins!

I also managed to finally get Linda's Disney Princesses off the frame yesterday afternoon. All I have left to do on this one is to get the binding on! I quilted it with another pantograph by Hermione Agee and the pattern is called Twine. Hermione is an Australian and I love her pantograph designs!

I have included a picture of our 3 youngest granddaughters . . . this is our version of Sleeping Beauties!

The Disney Princesses are on the frame!

2011-04-16T23:23:00.000-04:00

I have Linda's Disney Princesses on the frame now as she needs the quilt before Easter and we are leaving on Thursday for DC! She used all the scraps from the star points (flying geese) in her border. It is so cute, some lucky little girl is going to be ecstatic when she sees this Easter morning . . .

Design Wall Monday

2011-04-11T14:57:00.000-04:00

I got a new ruler last week, a Creative Grids Slotted Ruler, so of course I had to make something with it! I am chain piecing several blocks right now, so I only have 4 blocks on the wall, and they need to be squared up. I think it's going to be pretty cool when it done . . .

I did really well on my 3 goals from last week, got the t-shirt quilt quilted, and almost have the binding on, and have only just begun the foot portion of my sock, but I am happy with my accomplishments.

Check out what others have on their Design Wall at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Week 15

2011-04-10T10:34:00.000-04:00

There has been a minuscule amount of activity here as I started a new project (yea, I know, I need another project like I need a hole in my head . . . .) but I purchased a new Creative Grids Ruler and just had to make something from it! Stay tuned tomorrow for Design Wall Monday where I hope to show you what I'm working on. I am posting this from my husbands laptop as my desktop computer fried last night, so I am not too sure how to get pictures on this one . . .

Used this Week: 7.5 yards

Used year to Date: 65.5 yards

Added this Week: 0!

Added Year to Date: 23 yards

Net Used Year to Date: 42.5 yards

Check out how others are doing with their stashbusting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

It's off the frame!

2011-04-08T13:52:00.000-04:00

Last night I finished quilting Corinne's Quilt, so today I hope to get the binding sewn on. That's 2 things checked off my Weekly Goal List! Doesn't look like I'll get to the third thing though, finish knitting the mate to a sock . . .

Design Wall Monday

2011-04-04T10:54:00.001-04:00

Well, I posted 3 of my goals last Monday and was able to get one of them done. I'm disappointed, but hey, done is done! I will try harder this week. Once again, Corinnes's t-shirt quilt is still on the list for sashing and I've now added quilting it as another goal. That is my biggest goal this week as there are a few other projects with deadlines that are fast approaching!

finish knitting sock
Sash Corinne's t-shirt quilt
Quilt Corinne's t-shirt quilt

Check out what others have on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Second one done, still many, many more to go . . .

2011-04-03T11:50:00.000-04:00

Finished the second quilt on the longarm and even got it bound. So the next project in que is to add some sashing in-between the rows to quilt No. 3 and then hopefully, get that one loaded on the frame. That is my goal for today - baby steps! Tomorrow I hope to begin quilting it with just a large stipple meander, so it shouldn't take too long . . .

Stash Report - Week 14

2011-04-03T11:22:00.000-04:00

Again, I have nothing new to report as I have been busy on the longarm trying my best to get caught up with customer quilts. I cannot for the life of me figure out why I procrastinate so . . .

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 58 yards

Added this Week: 0!

Added Year to Date: 23 yards

Net Used for 2011: 35 yards

Check out how others are doing with this challenge at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

One done, many, many, more to go . . .

2011-03-31T11:27:00.002-04:00

Finished another one of Linda's late last night! Used a "new to me" pantograph by an Australian designer, Hermione Agee. The panto is called Alfresco and I love it!

This is a close-up of the panto...

a 4 legged visitor . . .

2011-03-30T22:07:00.001-04:00

Today we babysat a baby lamb! He's only a week old and I needed to give him a bottle while my sister was out. She brought him to the house in a dog carrier and when I brought the twins home from preschool, they went nuts when they came in and saw him - - what a riot! They all took turns giving him a bottle, it was so cute!

Design Wall Monday

2011-03-28T07:29:00.004-04:00

It's my favoritest day of the week - Design Wall Monday! I have several irons in the fire this week . . .

finish knitting my socks
add horizontal sashing to Corinne's t-shirt quilt
get at least 2 of the ever growing pile of quilts loaded on the longarm!

Before

That last one has really been a stumbling block for me. Yesterday I started hanging all of the tops that are on the mountain in an effort to be a little more organized. I was shocked to find another customer quilt in there that I didn't even realize I had - so sad! I also came across several of my own that I had forgotten about too . . .

After

Check out what everyone has on their Design Wall today at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Week 13

2011-03-27T21:17:00.002-04:00

Once again, another week without much activity. I went to a Fiber Arts show over the weekend and saw lots of neat, new to me stuff - - knitting, weaving, spinning - - very interesting. On the knitting front, I have finished one of my socks and hope to have it's mate finished by this coming weekend so I can wear them! I did visit a quilt shop, but only purchased a fat quarter of rain forest tree frogs for the girls I Spy Quilt that I may get made for them before they enter college . . . I'm just sayin!

Used this Week: 6 yards

Used year to Date: 58 yards

Added this Week: 1 fat quarter!

Added Year to Date: 23 yards

Net Used for 2011: 35 yards

Check out how others are doing with this challenge at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

itty bitty finish

2011-03-24T21:19:00.001-04:00

A few days ago, I posted this picture of tops waiting to be loaded on the longarm. Sadly, this is not all of them, and even more depressing, in this stack of approximately 20 tops, at least 6 of them are not even mine. Yes, it's sad + true. Today I finished one and loaded another, and those weren't even in this picture . . .

This is the small table topper of Linda's I just took off the frame and I loaded another one of hers similar to it!

Wish me luck with my productivity!

Design Wall Monday!

2011-03-21T09:47:00.000-04:00

I so look forward to Mondays now since DWM began! There are several projects throughout the house, on the wall and a couple of tables - sometimes creativity is a messy process! First up on the foyer table is Judy Niemeyer's Glacier Star - I am close to getting caught up with the rest of the class now, only 4 NY Beauty blocks and 8 spikey borders are left to complete before the next class begins the first week in April.

Then I have to attach the horizontal sashing strips on Corinne's t-shirt quilt.

Lastly, I am off to the longarm room - - it's not a pretty sight in there. There are so many tops of mine, and customers that I am beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. I am hoping that by getting one or two on the frame this week, that feeling will subside a bit . . .

Check out what others have on their design walls, tables and floors at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Week 12

2011-03-20T10:36:00.000-04:00

I have been working this past week on my Judy Niemeyer Glacier Star, a t-shirt quilt, and JudyL's Making Ends Meet. Can't get bored with so many projects going on at once! I did make a purchase this week. It's been something I have been wanting to get for some time now, and I have just the project for it too . . . it's one of Hoffman's new Bali Pops - Mango Margarita! I have yet to figure out if it's the name and/or the colors that have me so smitten! I want to make a quick quilt that I saw on a blog, the Jelly Roll 1600 - sounds like something from Daytona, doesn't it? Check out the link for a really cool video! Perhaps I will have a top tomorrow for Design Wall Monday to show you . . .

Used this Week: 10 yards

Used year to Date: 52 yards

Added this Week: 3 yards

Added Year to Date: 23 yards

Net Used for 2011: 29 yards

Check out how others are progressing with their stash busting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Glacier Star Progress!

2011-03-18T09:19:00.002-04:00

I've missed 2 classes, so I am trying to play catch-up! When these pieces are completed, I will be caught up and techniques 1-4 will be done! I hope to begin technique 5 today. I make one prototype/block and then chain piece the remaining 7 blocks and I've been pleasantly surprised at how quickly I've been able to complete them.

Bunnies came to visit . . .

2011-03-16T15:46:00.000-04:00

Aunt Holly brought 2 bunnies, Snickers + Anisette, over today to visit with the girls. They had a blast with them. Anisette is the big black bunny and she weighs 25+ pounds! Snickers is just a baby and she's pretty docile. The first two pictures are of the twins, Emma and Haley, holding Snickers.

These bunnies are Flemish Giant Rabbits, and believe me when I tell you, they are really giants!

This last picture is of Sophia trying to give Anisette a big smooch!

Design Wall Monday!

2011-03-14T08:01:00.006-04:00

Here's what's on the Design Wall this week - a t-shirt quilt for Corinne! The blocks have been cut out and fused for a little over a year and got buried in the longarm room and I forgot all about them until I heard from Corinne's Mom . . . Good grief, I've really lost what was left of my mind.

Also pictured are the two quilts I have had on the Design Wall in January + February. The first one is Hopscotch from Heather Mulder Peterson's book Fat Quarter Five. Please note the mistakes - apparently several of my blocks have been playing Hopscotch . . .

The last quilt pictured is from our Guild Quilt Retreat the last week in February. It was a mystery quilt named Stash Digger! I have completed my top but one of my blocks have gone missing (see bottom right of top) . . .
Check out what others have on their Design Walls by visiting JudyL's Patchwork Times.

Stash Report - Week 11

2011-03-13T08:20:00.002-04:00

I have been at a standstill for about a month now, again no change in my numbers as the projects I've been working on have already been accounted for. Since the tops are done now, perhaps I will have some additional numbers to post for the backing and binding before the end of the month! Look closely at the quilt below from a book of Heather Mulder Peterson's. She named the pattern Hopscotch. I was thinking that perhaps I was drinking some scotch when I sewed the rows of blocks together because it's all wrong . . .

This is just so sad. Did you also notice that there is a missing block on the scrappy quilt? What a week this has been, am I the only one with these issues?

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 43 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 20 yards

Net Used for 2011: 23 yards

Check out everyones Stash Busting progress at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2011-03-07T16:50:00.002-05:00

Well, there is so much ~~crap~~ stuff in my sewing room I am unable to get a photo of my Design Wall, but I did get a picture of the layout from EQ on my computer screen! I've also posted a picture of some of the blocks before they were completed . . .

Check out what everyone else has been up to at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Weeks 8, 9 + 10

2011-03-07T16:24:00.000-05:00

It's the slacker reporting in here. Not much going on in this neck of the woods, but I did manage to bust some stash at the Guild Quilt Retreat the last weekend of February! We did a Mystery Stash Digger Quilt and I already have all of my blocks completed, they just need to be pressed before being sewn into rows. Our next meeting is this Saturday, the 12th, so I have got to get crackin as I want to bring a completed top to the meeting with me!

In - 0 yards

Out - 14 yards

YTD - 23 yards

Check out how everyone else is doing with their Stash Busting at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2011-02-28T19:54:00.000-05:00

Well, our Guild Quilt Retreat was this past weekend and we all had a great time! I participated in the Stash Digger Mystery and here are some of blocks I was able to get done. The second picture is what the blocks will eventually look like when I've completed them. I hope to have a top to show you next week. I cannot believe that March will be here tomorrow, WOW, February just flew by and I don't have much to show for it.

On another unrelated note, I had a tooth pulled this morning, so I'm currently in a drugged stupor as I have a phobia with dentists . . . Sure hope to have a better post next week! Check out what everyone has on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times.

Design Wall Monday

2011-02-21T09:49:00.002-05:00

Two weeks ago I was busy on the longarm with customer quilts (and there are still 2 waiting in the wings).

This past week, I was busy with knitting. Back in November I think, JudyL was doing a knit along and I desperately wanted to learn to knit. I want some knitted socks because my sister bought a pair for me for Christmas 2 years ago and I love them! I cannot get them washed and dried fast enough!

So this is what is on my Design Wall today, one cuff to my socks, and on my cutting mat are the pieces for a Mystery Quilt for the Guild Quilt Retreat this coming weekend, and on the wall are the same blocks that were there at the beginning of the month . . .

As you can probably tell, I have been in a funk for the past few weeks. I really want to get cracking on my UFOs for the 2011 UFO Challenge and now I'm in a panic as one of the two challenges I am in has already drawn the number for the March UFO . . . and I haven't even finished the 2 for February yet - I have got to get crackin'!

Check out what everyone else is up to at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Three more off the frame!

2011-02-16T20:30:00.004-05:00

This is a lousy picture taken with my camera phone of the latest of Jean's quilts. This one is for her grandson Shaun! I just stippled it and quilted Buckeyes and Go Bucks on the inner black borders.

These two Valentines are Linda's and they are wall hangings for her granddaughters I guess they will be all set to decorate for Valentines Day 2012 . . .

Stash Report - Week 7

2011-02-13T10:19:00.001-05:00

Well, there hasn't been much activity on this end that hasn't already been accounted for as I have been on the longarm with customer quilts.

In 0 yards

YTD 20 yards

Out 0 yards

YTD 29 yards

Net 9 yards

Check out how others are doing with their stash busting efforts at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2011-02-07T07:52:00.006-05:00

I have lots to show today because I went on a 4 day/3 night quilting retreat last weekend! I wasn't as productive as I have been on previous retreats, but that's because I took time to relax and had a wonderful time! I am really happy with all that I accomplished and I seem to be really inspired and motivated to get more accomplished now that I am home. The first picture is of a quilt that has been on my Quilt Bucket List for some time now. It is pictured in Heather Mulder Peterson's book Fat Quarter Five. I did purchase a really neat fabric to use for the outer border, a gorgeous chocolate, lavender and green stripe that I would like to miter in the corners. Hopefully next week on DWM I will have a completed top to show you.

Next up is a top I posted late last week . . . it's made from 30's repro prints and it's tulip blocks from an online swap 2 or 3 years ago. This poor top, it's been ripped out so many times, first I added several different colored solids as sashing, but when I placed the border near it, it looked awful, so I ripped off all the sashing and replaced it with the green sashing. I had also planned to use the same color as a containment border, but didn't have enough of the green to do that and when I bought more, it was the wrong shade. So then I bought the orange/melon and thought it popped! Next I sewed on two borders and decided the orange was too wide, so I ripped off the border and trimmed it down. I like it now! My next dilemma is what to use for the binding . . . currently, I am leaning towards the last border fabric as I had originally planned on using the solid green . . . such decisions!

Next up is Brilliant Sunset, I got all the blocks sewn together while on retreat and it looks great! I even found a batik to bind it with at one of the Amish quilt shops! I have decided to just bind the quilt and not add any borders as I don't want to detract from the design!

Lastly, I finished the balance of the blocks on Daisy Chain. I found the pattern for this one in the book: Jelly Roll Quilts. The Design Wall in the Quilting Condo where we stayed on retreat was located in the garage, hence I was not able to get a straight on picture, so this one will have to do!

Check out what everyone has on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Weeks 5 + 6

2011-02-06T08:29:00.002-05:00

Well, since I was on a Quilting Retreat last week down in the heart of Amish country in Berlin, OH, I have two weeks to report! It's a good thing too because I did some shopping while I was there, so I had to work hard this past week to offset the damage I did . . .

In 11 yards

YTD 20 yards

Out 8 yards

YTD 29 yards

Net 9 yards

I started a new project today, but you will have to wait until Design Wall Monday to see what I'm working on and what I worked on while on retreat . . .

Check out how everyone else is doing with their stash busting at JudyL's Patchwork Times.

Retreat Finishes!

2011-02-03T00:45:00.001-05:00

This is one of the projects I took on Retreat with me. I did not like the multi colored sashings with the border print I chose, so I set about ripping them all off and replacing them with one solid color. Then I decided to add the same color border before adding the final floral border, but it looked muddy. So I had to go shopping for another color border to make it pop - I think I found it . . .

I only have to add the top and bottom border, but I like it, I only wish I had made the orange border a bit narrower . . . I think that's why I am hesitating on adding the top and bottom border as I am contemplating ripping it off and trimming it down a bit . . . now the next thing I am about to agonize over is what am I going to use to bind it . . . I don't have enough of the orange, but I do have plenty of the green, but I think I am leaning towards using the floral border fabric . . . .

Design Wall Monday

2011-01-24T05:50:00.000-05:00

Today on my Design Wall I have Daisy Chain from the book Jelly Roll Quilts. So far, it's coming along great. The Jelly Roll I'm using is an old one, Sunshine by April Cornell. I did this in an afternoon, so it shouldn't be much longer before this top is done, especially since I only have one jelly roll! I am leaving Friday for Berlin, OH on a Quilting Retreat down in Amish country. I hope to get a lot accomplished while I am there. I will spend the balance of this week preparing for the retreat, deciding what projects to take and thinking about what dishes I will take to share so we don't have to leave the condo to go out to eat, as we would much rather spend our money on fabric than food!

Check out what everyone else has up on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Week 4

2011-01-23T09:51:00.003-05:00

I visited Quilt Beginnings in Dublin, OH on Monday and managed to walk out with only 1 yard of a Kaffe Fassett fabric for binding a UFO and a pattern - such restraint, I am so pleased with myself! So this week, I finished all my homework for the Judy Niemeyer Glacier Star Class (fabric has already been accounted for), finished the binding on UFO #3, completed the 155 batik blocks for Brilliant Sunset, and started a new project from stash!

In 1 yard

YTD 8.5 yards

Used 4 yards

YTD 20.75

YTD 12.25 yards

Be sure to look at everyone elses progress in stash busting at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Homework is done!

2011-01-22T10:16:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our Judy Niemeyer class for her Glacier Star. I was so excited when I got home, I finished all 8 of the sections! I will not mention what time I went to bed this morning upon completion . . . it's going to be a long wait until our next class at the end of February!

Finishes (plural)

2011-01-20T10:57:00.004-05:00

I am so excited to post this morning with 3 finishes!

First, I finished all 165 blocks for the Brilliant Sunset. I don't think I am going to add any borders on this one as I love it just the way it is! I will just add perhaps a scrappy binding and call it done! This quilt will finish at 66.5" x 90.5"

Second, I finished my Judy Niemeyer homework which is due Friday. This really was a big accomplishment for me as I was unable to attend the December Class, but I read the instructions and was able to complete it all on my own!

Third, I finished attaching the scrappy binding on UFO #6! I was able to get the majority of this done while in the car with my husband on Monday!

Design Wall Monday

2011-01-16T23:33:00.001-05:00

You all must be getting tired of seeing the same thing on my design wall, but I was busy working on UFOs and had to put this project aside. I only have 38 blocks left to complete though! I would love to get those blocks done this week, but I have a Judy Niemeyer Glacier Star Class on Thursday and since I missed last months class, I don't have my homework done, so I need to get busy with that first.

So, if you are in need of some inspiration, be sure to visit JudyL's Patchwork Times and check out what everyone else has on their Design Wall!

Stash Report - Week 3

2011-01-16T12:00:00.001-05:00

Not too much to report this week as all I did was apply the binding to 2 UFOs!

In 0 yards

YTD 7.5 yards

Out: 1.25 yards

YTD: 16.75 yards

NET: 9.25 yards

So far, I'm pleased with my numbers, but I am even more pleased with having finished 2 UFOs!

Check out how everyone else is doing with their stash busting at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

UFO Progress

2011-01-14T15:02:00.001-05:00

I am participating in 2 UFO Challenges this year and I am close to completing both of my January UFOs! I kind have put all my other projects on hold until I complete these two. The really good news is I had planned on using these in the living room as lap quilts, so this is the perfect weather for it too. Currently, all that is left for me to do is to bind them and add a label! I am so close . . .

A finish . . .

2011-01-10T12:41:00.000-05:00

This was the last quilt on the frame in 2010 and it's the first finish for 2011. Sadly, it's not even mine! My friend Jean made this for her daughter Amy. Jean is basking in the warm Florida sun right now while we are shivering back here in Ohio. Amy is stopping by shortly to pick up the quilt so she can keep warm!

Design Wall Monday

2011-01-10T08:15:00.002-05:00

WOW, I am going to be very busy this week. I have two UFOs to load on the frame and get quilted, labeled and bound as this month their numbers have been drawn!

As if that's not enough on my plate, another personal goal is to get the Brilliant Sunset blocks finished. 111 of 165 blocks are done . . . that only leaves 55 blocks and the top will be done.

I was wondering if it was too much to expect of myself to actually finish it rather than adding another top to my UFO List which is looking uglier everyday as I keep finding more unfinished projects every time I turn around to look for something I've misplaced. This is the year that I want to be motivated enough to finish all of these unfinished projects that have been weighing on my mind and stifiling me.

Do you need to get motivated? Check out what others have on their Design Wall at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Weeks 1 + 2

2011-01-09T01:01:00.001-05:00

Since I was away for the holidays, I have two weeks of reporting. I have joined 2 UFO Challenges and I found it necessary to purchase backing for the two "chosen" UFO's as nothing in my stash was suitable!

and, as if that's not enough to keep me busy, I started yet another new quilt project - talk about going in reverse . . .

In 7.5 yards

Out 15.50 yards

Net 8 yards

Check out how others are doing with their Stash Busting at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

More Brilliant Sunset Progress

2011-01-06T08:37:00.001-05:00

This is going together quickly . . . actually, it takes me more time to choose fabrics from my stash than it does to construct this one!
This is as wide as the pattern calls for: 11 blocks X 15 blocks as the blocks will be 6 inches finished. Hopefully, I will have even more to show later this evening!

Brilliant Sunset progress

2011-01-04T23:54:00.001-05:00

Progress has been slow, but it's coming along! The last block in the 2nd row from the bottom doesn't belong, it's funny how you only notice those things in a picture and not when it's on the wall! I am not sure yet just how big this one will be, but I'm havin a blast with it.

Design Wall Monday

2011-01-03T16:05:00.002-05:00

Well, there isn't too much on my Design Wall as we just returned last night from holiday travel . . . we were in Groton, CT - Submarine Capital of the World! There is laundry to be done and I have to unearth my Quilt Room as I buried it before we left.

So this is what's on the Design Wall: I found the pattern for this in the Feb/Mar 2011 issue of McCall's Quick Quilts. It's called Brilliant Sunset . . . a scrappy quilt made from some pretty vivid batiks.

Also on my Design Wall from Judy's UFO Challenge is No 6 - named Now + Later. I am stuck though as I do not have any suitable backing or binding to complete this one, so a trip to the LQS is in order!

Check out what everyone else has on their Design Wall at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Last quilt of 2010

2010-12-28T16:01:00.002-05:00

This will be the last quilt on the frame for 2010. I am hoping I can finish it before we leave Thursday morning for Connecticut...

The quilt was made by my friend Jean for her daughter Amy. Check out those mitered outer borders, they are a work of art! Jean found the pattern in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Quiltmaker. It's called Michigan Crossroads by Edyta Sitar of laundry basket quilts.

Design Wall Monday

2010-12-27T10:21:00.001-05:00

Hope everyone is having a quilty day! I don't have anything on my design wall at the moment, but that will be changed by the end of the day! Last night as I was glancing through the 2011 Feb/Mar issue of McCall's Quick Quilts, I came across brilliant sunset . . . a scrappy quilt made from vivid batiks! Guess it's time to break out the bulk of those batiks I purchased in Hawaii and an Asian Legacy roll-up by Robert Kaufman - Yeehaw!!!!

Check out what everyone else has on their Design Wall and be inspired at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Final 2010 Stash Report - Weeks 51 + 52

2010-12-26T12:15:00.001-05:00

Well, there hasn't been any change in my report for the past 3 weeks with preparing for the holidays and all, but I ended up this year way better than the 2 yards net for 2009 . . .

In 0 yards

YTD 112 yards

Out 1 yard

YTD 169 yards

Net used 57 yards

I will continue participating in the 2011 Stash Report Program as it has really helped me be aware of what I am bringing in and it has also helped me to curb my willy nilly purchases!

Check out how everyone else did with their stashbusting at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

2011 UFO Challenge

2010-12-25T23:35:00.010-05:00

I am going to be participating in two UFO Challenges in 2011. I have so many UFO's, that I have decided to split them up into two categories: UFO's that just need perhaps just a border or two plus the quilting and the other UFO list will contain quilts that need a lot more work and perhaps even a couple from my Quilt Bucket List that haven't even been started yet! So without further ado, here are the 12 quilts that are "almost" done:

UFO No 1 is the Just Ducky Quilt - it just needs quilting and binding. The backing and the binding are going to be the blue/creme polka dot and the binding is even sewn together and pressed, ready to be attached!

UFO No 2 is called Fiddlesticks and needs just one large border and then it's ready for quilting! Unfortunately, the fabric that I had already cut into borders I ended up using in another project as I had forgotten that that's what the fabric was for, so I am going to have to go shopping for a border replacement. I think these fabrics were from Moda's Kansas Troubles line, so I am not concerned with finding a suitable replacement! Please ignore the man sitting in the chair . . .

UFO No 3 is named Now & Later. It just needs to be quilted and bound. This is another quilt I had fabric "put aside" for the binding, forgot about it and then ended up using it in another project . . . are you seeing a pattern here?

UFO No 4 is a smaller piece that I plan to use as a table topper! I purchased it in Vegas when my husband was there on a business trip! The circles and stars are made from wool and it was my first time working with wool on a quilt! This one just needs quilting and binding too!

UFO No 5 is called Pineberry Trails, and believe it or not, I do have the fabric for the binding - sometimes I amaze myself! This one might just be about 10 years old and that's sad, because I really like it, and the top has been done all that time too . . .

UFO No 6 is from an online block exchange. It's a disappearing 9-patch and I really like it. At this point in time, I am leaning towards just quilting and binding it without a border, but time will tell . . . Sophia was just begging to be in the picture, so here she sits perched on my ladder saying "cheese" - she is such a little ham!

UFO No 7 is named Raspberry Jam made from one of my favoritest Moda Collections - Santuary! It's all those soft, romantic, muted colors and it makes me happy to look at it!

UFO No 8 is my variation of JudyL's Scraps Ahoy. It was a lot of fun to put together with scraps from my stash.

UFO No 9 is one I finished just last month and it's called Wedding Rings. It just needs quilting and binding made from the scraps I used for the rings!

UFO No 10 - The name of this one is Connect the Dots. It was another of JudyL's projects . . .

UFO No 11 has no name. It was a Mystery Quilt in June of 2010 and it's another of JudyL's Quilts. I have yet to decide on borders for this one though . . .

UFO No 12 is from a Quilt Guild Retreat several years ago. The block is named Bouncing Betty!

Another one done!

2010-12-16T14:51:00.001-05:00

Isn't this a cute wallhanging? My friend Jean made it for a Christmas gift.

I think this will be the last project before Christmas for me as we are leaving before sun-up on Saturday to spend Christmas with our children and their families. We will be staying at the Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor just minutes from Washington, D.C. While there, we will all be visiting the ICE Sculpture Exhibit of We Froze the Grinch! I can hardly wait to go with all of our granddaughters!

Design Wall Monday

2010-12-13T07:20:00.007-05:00

I got four of the eight blocks together for Judy Niemeyer's Glacier Star and they look incredible. This is not how will be set in the quilt, but I love this setting!

I am also working on the LQS BOM too.

Check out what others have on their Design Walls at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Week 50

2010-12-12T11:35:00.001-05:00

This past week has been rather quiet and I've been working on things that have already been accounted for . . .

In 00000

YTD 112 yards

Out 00000

YTD 168 yards

Net 56 yards!

Check out how everyone is doing with their stashbusting at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2010-12-06T09:30:00.001-05:00

Thursday was the first class for the Judy Niemeyer Glacier Star Quilt . . . and it was so exciting! Homework is to get 8 blocks done before the next class and since our entire family will be spending a week at a resort for Christmas, it's going to be tight! I can hardly wait to see which block we will work on next! My BFF Joanne is taking this class with me, so be sure to check out her blog when she reports on DWM too!

Check out what everyone else has on their Design Wall today at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Week 49

2010-12-05T10:51:00.001-05:00

I've had a pretty busy quilting week! I got caught up on the LQS BOM - 4 blocks done! I bound a quilt that's been waiting since perhaps this past Spring, and I finally started the first class on Judy Niemeyer's Glacier Star! It's been a really good time too as I feel great satisfaction that I have been working on those old projects, but have also started a new one too! Now if I can just keep up the momentum! Thankfully, JudyL will have a UFO Program in 2011, so that should keep me on track!

In 000000

YTD 112 yards

Out 15 yards

YTD 168 yards

Net 56 yards!

Check out what progress everyone else has made with their Stash Reports at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Design Wall Monday

2010-11-29T07:41:00.003-05:00

On my design wall today I have the wedding rings quilt, again. The backing and the binding are all ready, but I have yet to add a patchwork border of background fabrics. I have two sides on the design wall and the other two are on the table waiting to be attached.

Check out what everyone else has on their design wall at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Stash Report - Week 48

2010-11-28T11:29:00.001-05:00

I have been busy with the monumental task of cleaning/reorganizing my sewing room and made some progress this week and was able to eliminate one of the IKEA Towers so I could move the ironing station to the other side of the room so I could put my machine at the window, and more importantly, pull the leaf up so I have a larger sewing surface! I hope I don't regret this decision with winter coming on . . . Now the design wall is a little more accessible, all I have to do is shove the chair out of the way for easy access! I got the backing and binding together for the Wedding Rings, so there's not too much busted this week. Really wanted to be sitting on top of 100 yards busted by the years end, but it doesn't look to hopeful at this point in time, although Last year at this time I was 15 yards in the hole, so 43 yards is looking pretty good!

On the stashing busting front -

In: 0

YTD: 111 yards

Out: 7 yards

YTD 154 yards

Net 43 yards Busted!

Check out how everyone else is doing with their efforts to bust stash at JudyL's Patchwork Times!

Harley Quilt is quilted!

2010-11-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

Just finished another customer quilt for Jean! All that's left to do is to tack the binding to the back and it's done, done, done! I started out quilting this one with a flame pantograph and thought I would go blind after the first row trying to follow the flames, so I got brave and free handed the rest of the quilt. I used a variegated Signature trilobal poly in reds, yellows and oranges - it was the perfect color for flames. I hope the Harley rider loves this gift!