Hey-Boo

2012-02-29T10:06:00.009-05:00

So despite my best intentions there has been little sewing going on.
But I had a few things to share.

This little guy is the one responsible for eating all of our bird suet. We finally caught him in the act

My son and I recently went to see the 25th anniversary show of Les Miserables. The review in the paper had said it was flawless and beautiful, and if you never see another broadway show this was one to see. They were right.
Since I couldn't take any pictures, this is the best I could do:

My middle daughter loves to bake, here is her latest creation! Sticky buns! The recipe was from the Pioneer Woman www.pioneerwoman.blogspot.com

This was from last week's recipe was chocolate hazelnut pudding off of pintrest.

I think after all that Molly should take me for an extra walk this morning!

Odds and Ends

2012-02-23T12:23:00.011-05:00

I'm working on a bunch of different things right now.

I finished up some more hst's for Margaret's Hope Chest www.margaretshopechest.blogspot.com

Karen at KaHolly www.kaholly.blogspot.com had a request a couple of weeks ago for baby blankets (January 31st post). I spent a long time going through my kiddie fabrics and scraps and have made a few small quilt tops. All pretty simple, but with some cute fabrics. I thought I would assembly line these. All the tops this week, and then basting and quilting them all, then binding.

I'm caught up on my Blogger's Bom. I may need to redo that last block, hmmm. And darn, I see a mistake (no, 2 of them) on block #1.

I spent a couple of days cutting up 2 Charm packs for more dresden plates! These are habit forming.

Lastly, I'm spending lots of time with Molly. She has lots and lots of happy dog energy!

Happy Valentines Day!

2012-02-14T09:06:00.006-05:00

I joined in on a Flossie swap that Melanie www.houseelf-doings.blogspot.com held.

I was lucky enough to have Simone www.simonedeklerk.blogspot.com send me her swap, I love this postcard that she made

and really adore this tiny quilt. It's only about 4x6 inches! I think it's so adorable with the little heart buttons.
Also she included the fatquarter (the background for the quilt picture), what a fun piece of fabric!
Thanks so much Simone and Melanie for organizing.

I also entered Karen's giveaway and won this scarf www.messykaren.blogspot.com (aka: Messy Karen).

I've had to guard it closely, as some people in my house tried to make off with it as their own. I love this shade of blue. Karen also sent a bottle of washing liquid, I can't wait to try it out. Thanks Karen!

2012-02-09T19:44:00.005-05:00

I finished these two quilts for the Birthday list for Margaret's Hope Chest.
They are for twins. I had fun making them, especially the Paris quilt. I found several Paris themed fabrics and combined them.

My helper, Molly needs to stay on a leash outside, until we have our new fence put up in the next few weeks. She is afraid of her own shadow (literally) and bolts and the smallest noise.

Meet Molly

2012-02-06T13:23:00.005-05:00

Although it was tough losing Maggie a few months ago, we realized that we have always had a dog, from the time we were kids, and missed it. We started looking for a dog, and found Molly at a rescue organization. She's a labradoodle (or poodleador) We are on a 2 week trial and after that she's all ours.
Molly is 2 with tons of energy, has rarely walked on a leash, spent way too much time in a crate and poor thing came with a shock collar for barking. She loves everyone.
I'd forgotten how much work is involved with training a dog, but that's okay because she is well worth it.

Poor Jinx is a little unsure of this new bundle of energy, but follows her around, I think out of curiosity. Molly really wants Jinx to play with her stuffed duck. They cat can't be too put out, because right now they are napping within a few inches of each other, well Jinx has one eye open just in case.

See what I mean, this was after a 4 mile walk. Still ready to play.

Proud day!

2012-01-27T13:43:00.005-05:00

Last night we attended #2's high school graduation!

It wasn't easy finding a white dress and white shoes this time of year.

#3 sings in the high school chorus and participated in the ceremony.
I love the tux, and also even with her 3 inch heels he towers over her.
It was a beautiful spring-like day - 70 degrees!
A great day all in all

Another Pip done!

2012-01-20T14:12:00.004-05:00

I'm in love with this one, I can't stop looking at it. I used Stephanie's tutorial www.loftcreations.blogspot.com , which I would recommend to anyone wanting to try their hand at dresden plates.

Odds and Ends

2012-01-17T14:36:00.021-05:00

A couple of months ago Nanette www.fredashive.blogspot.com showed some calendar tea towels she purchased from Spoonflower www.spoonflower.com . Spoonflower is a local company that I love and when I saw Nanette's tea towels, I borrowed her idea. I'm really happy with these, I think I may need to do this every year, and who knows, maybe I'll even design my own one day

I've been busy making some hst's for Margaret's Hope Chest www.margaretshopechest.com
I used a new to me method for this and I love it. Jennifer shared it on her fantastic blog www.thatgirlthatquilt.com . (November 15, 2011 It's so simple just sew 2 squares together the same size, 1/4 inch all the way around and then cut on the diagonal in half, twice. There may be a lot more pinwheel quilts in my future!

It's been a very warm winter here, so much so in fact some of my summer flowers are still blooming. We've only had a couple of frosts and when we did I brought the flowers I had in pots in the garage. They are still going strong!

The weather has been so warm that my daffodils are confused

I won a really neat giveaway from my of my long time blog friends, Amanda www.scrandasmusings.blogspot.com , a gift certificate from The Quilt Show. www.thequiltshow.com . I'm really excited about this. I can't wait to watch the videos, I know I'll get a lot of instruction and inspiration, thanks so much Amanda!

I won a giveaway from Jennifer who lives not too far away.
www.stitchanything.blogspot.com

She also sent this darling plaque, which I'm going to hang in my sewing room of course!

Thank you Jennifer!

Another pipster!

2012-01-15T20:48:00.003-05:00

I'm finally getting around to quilting this. I put it aside for the holidays, and now I'm ready to work on something a little bright and springy!

Finished!

2012-01-11T08:03:00.008-05:00

I'm excited because I finally finished this quilt. It took me 2 weeks start to finish. It's part of my goal to do one project at a time, instead of jumping around and ending up with ufo's.

Here is it on my son's bed, I used Connecting Threads fabrics http://www.connectingthreads.com/collections/Jubilee_Garden_Quilting_Fabrics__L128.html.com they go really well with his room.

The Backing and the binding! I got this backing for only $3.56 a yard!

It's a dreary rainy day and I was trying to find a good spot to take a picture, Jinx insisted on following me and getting in every one.

2012-01-04T12:02:00.002-05:00

I'm joining in on Stephanie's Projects in Progress. Here's the first thing I'm working on.

This is a quilt for my son's bed, he's needed a new one for a long time. I had it put together a few months ago and then realized that he's grown so much I'd better add a border. I feel like it's a wrestling match getting this one quilted through my sewing machine. It's big and heavy! I'm hoping to finish it by the weekend.

2012-01-03T08:29:00.006-05:00

I feel good starting out the New Year with 2 finishes!!
One is this ufo, it was supposed to be a baby gift a while back (code for more than 1 year) for someone who was due to be having a boy, but ended up having a girl. I put it on my ufo pile and thought it would be a good one to finish and donate.

My second finish is the from the Tis The Season stitch-a-long www.stitch-a-long.blogspot.com earlier this year.
When I had hurt my back, my stitching time was limited, but I finally finished it, I may leave my Christmas decorations up for a couple more days, just so I can enjoy this little quilt.

2011-12-29T14:34:00.009-05:00

Before Christmas Melanie www.houseelf-doings.blogspot.com sent me this Jultomtar -Scandinavian Yule elf.
I love him, he made me happy all Christmas season.

This was my 4th or 5th year participating in Chookyblue's www.chookyblue.blogspot.com Christmas swap. I was thrilled when I opened my package and saw my partner was Kris www.tagalongteddies.blogspot.com famous as one of the opam hosts.
First there was the ornaments, and then so I wouldn't be tempted I put the rest away and opened on Christmas day. When I opened them on Christmas morning I found a terrific bag, I really love it. With some goodies inside!

2011-12-27T14:46:00.016-05:00

The past week has been busy here

A birthday!

Putting up the trees

Cookie baking!

The next few days I'm going to sew and enjoy the rest of our break!

2011-12-05T12:05:00.005-05:00

It has been a very warm November and December, in fact my flowers are still blooming

I've been working on several Christmas gifts, I'm not sure I'll finish them all. I have lots more ideas than I do time. It seems like there are polka dots in everything I'm making lately.

Maggie

2011-11-27T21:02:00.007-05:00

Yesterday we had to say goodbye to our dog Maggie after 13 years.

She was a huge golden retriever with giant paws and a thick shaggy coat.
She was always sweet and gentle. I would get her shaved down every few months and she'd look like a puppy again (a 90 pound puppy!)
When we would take her for her daily walk, strangers in cars would stop, roll down their windows and tell us how cute she was.

She spent a lot of time under my feet, especially at dinner time (or lunch and let's not forget breakfast time too). Poor Jinx will miss her too I think.

2011-11-08T10:08:00.004-05:00

Some odds and ends I've been finishing up
Stockings for Purple Panda Quilts Stocking for Kids www.purplepandaquilts.blogspot.com

A leftover Halloween project

My blocks for the Blogger's Bom

2011-10-30T14:53:00.005-04:00

I finished this ufo just this weekend, and just in time for Halloween.
A couple of years ago Nanette www.fredashive.blogspot.com shared her pattern for the cottages and I knew when I saw it that I had to do it with Halloween fabrics. I put it aside because I was scared to quilt it. I've had a couple of years of practice in free motion quilting and I was determined not to let another Halloween go by with it unfinished. . It was so much fun to make, I really need to do a Christmas one.

My quilt holder feels the need to sneak into my pictures, especially when wearing new shoes.

2011-10-29T20:57:00.005-04:00

Today was a chilly, rainy day. Perfect for some sewing, in particular finishing up this ufo and baking. Thanks Stephanie www.loftcreations.blogspot.com for sharing this recipe. This was Sour Cream Apple Squares from Stephanie's post on October 13th. They are delicious!

Who Lives In a Pineapple Under The Sea?

2011-10-26T09:43:00.011-04:00

I made these two quilts for Margaret's Hope Chest www.margaretshopechest.com .
Earlier this summer I heard that there was a yard sale and fabric would be sold, gasp!
So I went and while there I mentioned I was looking for some sale fabric to make quilts for Margaret's Hope Chest and she generously gave me a lot of SpongeBob Fabric. Enough for at least 4 quilts and the backing. Then I found out she had a blog too! Thank you so much Heather blog.keepitthimble.com . Not only will they make the kids who receive them smile, but it sure was fun making them. Although the SpongeBob theme song has been stuck in my head for weeks now.

I love the backing fabric!
Make sure you visit Heather's blog, it's really fantastic!

I'm linking up with Crazy Mom's www.crazymomquilts.blogspot.com finish it friday (even though I finished it wednesday)

Let's try this again

2011-10-25T13:24:00.010-04:00

After my recovery from my surgery I was anxious to start blogging and of course sewing again. An infection last week left me really sick and unable to do either. But I'm feeling much better now, so hopefully tommorrow I'll have some sewing to show.

I didn't get to the NC State Fair because I was sick, but I did win this

It has been so nice here, the temperature is mild during the day, but cool at night. A real welcome change from the summer. My flowers are finally looking healthy
.

My daughter is taking digital photography at her school, she takes amazing photos. Recently when we went to the Little Herb House in Raleigh www.littleherbhouse.com she took over 300 pictures and then moved on to my camera. Here's one of many of chickens that she took, I really liked it.

I'll have to share more later, and to get some tips from her. She did suggest I read the book that came with my camera as a starter, hmmmm.

2011-10-13T14:31:00.002-04:00

I've been busy the past couple of days basting quilts,
Since it's the part of quilting I like least, I thought while
I was basting one, I may as well keep going.

Now it's on to quilting!!

Jinxed!

2011-10-12T12:07:00.007-04:00

I am not a cat person, but I have a cat. I'm usually fond of my cat, which is probably the only cat I've ever liked. But lately he's making a pest of himself
here he is waiting for me in the morning. The window behind me sewing machine is a prime area to watch birds, squirrels and even the occasional snake (eeks).

Or even better right here,

Don't worry the iron is off.

I had a little of this border fabric and saw this pattern and thought it was a perfect fit.

2011-10-07T17:21:00.004-04:00

Two years ago I made my daughter this quilt

I used the scraps to make another smaller quilt.

I pulled it off of my ufo pile and just recently quilted it.
this one is going to Bumble Beans Basic Quilt Drive www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com
My quilt holder insists on sneaking into pictures

2011-09-23T11:16:00.007-04:00

Some things I've learned recently.
Not to be afraid of patterns and color.

I made this block for the 15 minute a day Quilts of Valor www.15minutesplay.com . I love this block, I think I need to start using more color, after seeing this.

I've also learned not to be afraid to try something new. And I learned that I enjoy hand applique!

I've been admiring Stephanie's Dresden plates for a long time and a couple of months ago I decided to give it a try. My only regret is that I don't have more of the charm packs I used for this. I could keep on going. The circles were a little tough, but as I did each one, they improved!
I'm definitely going to be using dresden plates more often. I just need to quilt it.
Thanks Stephanie www.loftcreations.blogspot.com for a great tutorial.

2011-09-09T15:56:00.002-04:00

A new quilt for Margaret's Hope Chest www.margaretshopechest.com
I love that I used all scraps to make it!

2011-09-03T08:11:00.014-04:00

I've been away for a while recupperating from a back injury. Not being able to exercise as much as I usually do has gotten me down but being unable to sit for more than 10 minutes at a time has been cutting into my sewing, which has left me frustrated. But I'm going to start trying to sew and blogging again.

Last week my younger kids when back to school!

My sister was visiting while her house had no power thanks to Irene and while she was here my kids discovered a new past time!

As soon as they left the shore I realized I forgot to tell my son, no bumping boats, Darn! Boys! Need to make that clear for the next time.

This weekend I am resting from a procedure I had done on Friday for my back, so:
I have a new book

A quilt to be finished for Margaret's Hope Chest www.margaretshopechest.com

Some blocks to finish piecing

And some new fabric to start playing with! Thanks Stephanie for pointing me to this a couple of weeks ago, I went back since and this particular print was sold out!
Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

2011-06-07T09:57:00.007-04:00

I love making pillowcases, fast, easy and sometimes for a good cause. These will be going to Carol of Brownquilts, to read more visit her blog and read the May 3rd post. It looks like she's also doing a quiltalong that looks very fun and tempting. www.brownquilts4me.blogspot.com

In backyard news my hydrangeas are blooming, really beautiful shades of pinks and purples and blues. And my bunnies are still hanging around, and getting bigger.

I went to the Capitol Quilters Guild Quilt show this weekend, but didn't take any pictures, however I did buy a bit of this fabric and a pattern.

2011-05-20T08:25:00.009-04:00

Blogger and I weren't friends last week, after it was down for a few days, I still couldn't sign in for over a week, but a little computer help at home fixed it for me.

The first thing I wanted to show was my the new residents of our back yard
Baby Bunnies!!! My husband found a burrow in the middle of the back yard a few weeks ago, but since then they seemed to have moved out of the burrow and are living in our wood pile. It's difficult to get a picture of them, they are fast and when they sense danger they all scatter in different directions. When we first saw them they were only about 4 inches and would all huddle around the mother, but now they are a bit bigger and no where near mom, but they still venture out all together.

My April Stitch-along blocks done!

Some pillowcases I've made for my niece and nephews

Maggie was not cooperating but I wanted to show her new collar. She is very seriously cute in her new polka-dotted collar.

I've jumped in

2011-04-30T09:15:00.002-04:00

Wish me luck!

I'm using Stephanie's www.loftcreations.blogspot.com tutorial.

2011-04-28T08:25:00.004-04:00

My latest quilt for Margaret's Hope Chest www.margaretshopechest.com . This quilt will be for the birthday list for a boy who likes baseball and the color blue. I made most of it with scraps left over from my son's quilt (that I haven't finished quilting yet). I saw that Carin made a similar quilt and she provided a link to Creative Chicks who had a tutorial (look at April 4th 2011) www.creativechicksatplay.com .
If you don't know about Margaret's Hope Chest check out the link, it will be worth your time and Creative Chicks is a great blog with lots of inspiration.

Back again!

2011-04-25T09:49:00.003-04:00

My family spent a few days at the beach and I took lots of sightseeing photos that I'll share later in the week. For now I have finally finished a quilt I promised to Em of Em's Scrapbag www.emsscrapbag.blogspot.com for her Happy Chemo Quilts.
I have a quilt I have to finish in 2 days, I'm thinking of using fusible batting, any thoughts on that anybody?

Some things I've been working on

2011-04-08T12:02:00.008-04:00

Blocks made for Just One Star www.http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-one-star.html.com .

I love making these. I've used this idea several times now from Jodi at www.pleasant-home.com . Look under tutorials, there's the link for this and lots of other ideas

Blocks for Margaret's Hope Chest Bee www.margaretshopechest.com .

Large blocks for 15 minutes a day www.15minutesplay.com .

Bunnies for spring!

It's here!

2011-04-04T13:19:00.009-04:00

No I'm not talking about spring necessarily. I'm talking about pollen. Yellow dust everywhere: on my car, porch, screens, and as it is a beautiful sunny 80 degrees out today I opened all of my windows and now it's on the table, counters, floors
Even on our dog Maggie who was taking a nap outside.

Here's one thing from spring that is making me very happy right now. I hadn't shown this before, it is a wonderful little gift from Melanie www.houself-doings.blogspot.com .
So happy and springlike and the one of the few things in my house that may not be covered in pollen!

later: daughter came home and looked at the cat who was sitting on the porch and said "he's yellow"! Not the best of pictures, but you can see the yellow on the tips of his ears. Fortunately the dog is a golden retriever so she's already yellow

2011-03-11T15:03:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure why but I haven't blogged for a long time. I needed to get re-energized and a good way to do that is to make something for someone else. Which is what I did. If you haven't visited Margaret's Hope Chest take a peek www.margaretshopechest.com . I made this for one of the kids on the birthday list. She likes hello kitty and pink. So I think I covered them both.

2011-02-14T08:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day!!

2011-02-11T15:10:00.002-05:00

I have joined in on the bee going on at 15 minutes a day www.15minutesplay.com . In December it was my month and I asked for the others to make house blocks. I got such a generous response and I love each and every house. Look at them all! I really need to think about how they are all going to go together. Right now I'm in the planning stages of my neighborhood!

2011-02-10T11:26:00.007-05:00

It started with this, bought in the 70's a pillowcase I still have, I never parted with it because I remember loving those bright yellow sheets in my room when I was young. The pillowcase is all that's left of them.

Then this year I saw these of course and had to have them

because look at two of the charms

Then the other day my daughter and I went to the thrift shop looking for something for her sewing project and look what I found, never been used - a queen sized sheet!

I don't use the pillowcase anylonger, it's pretty threadbare. A spring quilt just waiting to be made!

Groundhogs Day

2011-02-02T14:11:00.003-05:00

This was taken one year ago today. Always fun to throw snowballs at Mom.
This year, today it is sunny and 71. I'm ready to start my spring cleaning and put away winter clothes. But no, our local (Raleigh,NC) groundhog has other ideas. In just what might be the best groundhog name ever: Sir Walter Wally, saw his shadow, 6 weeks of winter, really Sir Walter, really?
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7935295

2011-01-28T17:00:00.011-05:00

I realized I haven't posted in a while. I saw Em's blog post www.emsscrapbag.blogspot.com today and she asked what we were working on in our sewing room so I thought I would share. First of all Em has a motto - Creative clutter is better than tidy idleness. And I like that a lot. But my creative clutter got so out of hand that I needed to do a reorganization. First I bought new baskets for my fabrics. I like these, now I can see what fabrics I have, much easier than before

Thanks to my handy husband I now have shelves in the closet in my sewing room. It took a long time to take everything out of the closet and reorganize it and put it back.

I need to go through all my computer printouts of the tutorials and patterns that people have so generously shared and put them in this
Melanie www.jellybeanangel2.blogspot.com sent me this for Christmas and I love it. I love the stitching on it and I definitely love the gingham. It has a place of honor in my newly reorganized sewing room

I've cut out these for my Happy Chemo quilt that I am giving to Em for the Happy Chemo group !

I am also trying to finish up this quilt top for my son. One more border to sew on and then I can quilt it!

2011-01-17T17:35:00.014-05:00

I am cleaning/organizing my sewing room. Have you ever gone back and looked at fabric in your stash and think "why did I buy that"? I thought I'd share a few fabrics that baffle me now.

I bought this to put in the quilt for my son. But then him sleeping under a quilt with flames seemed like bad luck to me.

Chicken fabric, why did I feel the need for chicken fabric. It's not even cute chicken fabric.

Onions ... what was I thinking?

Again, same thing with this cabbage print. I don't even like cabbage.

I must have been vegetable obsessed. I actually think this may make a cute potholder, but I have no memory of buying this.

Also no memory of why I bought this, I like this one although why I own gnome fabric.
perplexes me.

Has anyone else had this problem? I think it's called fabric consciousness disorder, or maybe when I go to the quilt shops or fabric stores, fabrics just follow me home.
When I was young I would coax neighborhood cats and dogs home and tell my mother they "followed" me. Maybe it's the same thing now, but with fabric.

2011-01-10T14:56:00.009-05:00

We are expecting some icy weather. I am prepared and don't need to leave the house for days. I have meals planned for the next several days. This is a big deal for me because I go the food store every other day.

I have my treadmill plugged in ready to go, lots of snacks. Hmmm these seem diametrically opposed to each other.

Some new bins needed to help sort my fabrics for my annual New Year's sewing room reorganization.
Tons of old fabrics

New fabric that I bought at the quilt market in Sanford on Saturday.
Did I mention when I was there I saw Cathi from Shakerwood Primitives www.shakerwoodquilts.blogspot.com . I saw some other non-blogging friends and did I bit of shopping too.

I am finally taking down our tree today. Here's a question: Why does everyone want to help put it up, but no one wants to help take it down?

These three are who I am talking about. They love putting the tree up, but taking it down is another story.

One more thing to share that I meant to at Christmas. We live no where near the water, but a house in our neighborhood had this on their front lawn. I think I really like it anyway.

Dentist! from Little Shop of Horrors movie

2011-01-03T15:30:00.001-05:00

Fun things going on here: going through my 2010 ufo's (okay to be honest some 2009 and 2008 too), cleaning my sewing room, putting away Christmas decorations and dental work this week.

2011-01-01T17:09:00.008-05:00

We spent a few days at the beach this past week. In case you've ever wondered does it snow at the beach, yes it does.

We also saw this guy. A harbor seal that came on the beach for some sun and rest. Sounds like a good idea. A bit later a woman from the nearby aquarium showed up. Apparently this particular seal has been making appearances around the area lately. We didn't get to close, they bite when threatened and can carry hepatitis and rabies. Seems hard to believe because he's so darn cute!

SSCS And Snow!!!

2010-12-26T14:15:00.004-05:00

For my sscs I received the most beautiful bag for Jenny at DaisyChain www.daisychaindaisychain.typepad.com . She crocheted and then felted it. Can you believe the beautiful colors?!! Thank you so much Jenny. And also to you Donna www.chookyblue.blogspot.com , once again, it was a superb swap!

We had a rare early snow. We went a few years with just a trace of snow, then had a few inches last year. But this much is a treat so close to Christmas. Since I'm not much of a cold weather person I wasn't able to venture to far outside to get many pictures. But I liked this view. Apparently someone else did too.

2010-12-24T16:49:00.003-05:00

A Merry Christmas to all of my blogging friends!

2010-12-17T13:38:00.003-05:00

Another response to the orange light bulb fabric challenge from Victoria at 15 minutes a day group www.15minutesplay.com .

2010-12-14T23:07:00.002-05:00

Victoria www.15minutesplay.com . sent me a bit of fabric as a challenge. This is what I came up with. Check out the link if you want to see how the others used their fabric.
Maybe Santa will bring me some photograpy skills.

2010-12-03T17:53:00.004-05:00

My sscs arrived! I'm feeling a bit bad because my package got mailed out the last day. I'm going to be a good swapper and not even peek. I won't even peek at the card! But look at this cute ornament. I love matryoshka dolls so much! What a perfect ornament for me.

My sewing helper! I've never owned a cat before and I find this baffling.

The journey of a ufo

2010-12-01T07:48:00.007-05:00

2 years ago I googled 'split 9 patch' and found a tutorial on one of my favorite blogs www.snippetsofaquilter.blogspot.com . I used a pack of Christmas Charms that I had and sewed the top together. Since it was a Christmas quilt and it was February I put it on my ufo pile to finish later.

Last year I quilted it and didn't have it ready for Christmas, so I put it aside.

This year I put the binding on and finally it's done!!

For anyone who wants to know it's on the sidebar here as 'charm square quilt':
www.snippetsofaquilter.blogspot.com .
Thanks Wendy for sharing this tutorial!

2010-11-15T11:53:00.003-05:00

Look what I won from Karen (aka Messy Karen) www.messykaren.blogspot.com . Wavy Wipers! And don't you love these colors? I love them so much I may have a hard time using them, I may need to just admire them all pretty in my kitchen for a while. Thank you so much Karen!

2010-11-02T13:26:00.003-04:00

I have a couple of Halloween things I finished at the last minute

These live here, with my spooky (well, more like silly black cat).

Next year I'm thinking a basket full of more black cats.

2010-10-31T20:41:00.003-04:00

What a shock!
I went with my daughter to buy a sewing pattern for her apparel class. A pattern costs $16.00 !!! It was on sale though for $10.00. Does anyone else remember when sewing your own clothes was an economical alternative to buying them in the store? If we are lucky the pattern will cost 10, the fabric will cost about 15, then add on buttons, interfacing and thread. This blouse will cost $30.00 to make.
Anyone know of an less expensive way to buy patterns or websites to suggest?

2010-10-26T09:53:00.004-04:00

A few scraps for some halloweenie love.

Just because ... Halloween

2010-10-20T11:07:00.004-04:00

Just because you are witch doesn't mean you can't be fashionable

I've been looking for a reason to use this fabric, mmmmm

A little shopping this weekend

2010-10-18T11:14:00.006-04:00

This little piece of fabric HAD to come home with me. Now what to do with it.
Any suggestions?

A little quilt rack sitting in front of the antique store begged me to bring it home too.
I'm off to the hardware store (sandpaper, paint and a dropcloth (can't forget that - I'm a messy painter). My quiltrack needs a makeover.

FINISHED!!!!

2010-10-05T13:26:00.003-04:00

I finally finished my quilt from the 15 minute a day challenge www.15minutesplay.com . The best thing other than the brightness of this quilt (note to self: learn to take better pictures) is that it is all - except for the black dotted centers - all from scraps, many of these tiny pieces I would have otherwise thrown away. I love this quilt!

I love fabric, I love little fabric blocks, I love little fabric scraps

2010-10-04T15:05:00.008-04:00

A long time ago I won a little giveaway that Nanette www.fredashive.blogspot.com was having. She very kindly sent me a pack of 3 1/2" squares. I was delighted and spent a long time admiring them and thinking about what to do with them. I. Love. Every. Little. Block. So it had to be something that I could be able to look at them all together at the same time and this is what I came up with.
It was intended to become a bulletin board (with the pins going into the osnaburg that I used). But for now I hung it in my laundry room, where I spend a lot of time. Thank you again Nanette!

I also redid my block for the 15 minute a day bee and am much happier with it. Off it goes to Victoria tommorrow.

2010-09-29T14:03:00.005-04:00

I joined along in the bee from the 15 minute a day group www.15minutesplay.com . I love the non-bee blocks that I made for my 15 minutes a day. This is my first bee (ever) and I want to do well, but I really stressed out over this block. Then I remembered a couple of things: this is supposed to be fun and I am just using scraps. So I started slashing and this is what I've finished with. I didn't realize thought that sewing with so much freedom and creativity requires practice.

I have also joined in on Jacquie's challenge www.tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/
These are the blocks I've started for that. Each strip = 1 mile. I wish I could keep up with my sewing portion of this challenge as well as the excercise part.

This week I'll be busy quilting my scrap quilt, binding a item for someone and hopefully quilting another small quilt. So of course with all that I have also begun another new project. This is where I get in trouble!

2010-09-20T09:37:00.008-04:00

This weekend saw a little bit of shopping

Some Halloween patterns
Old bobbins at very reasonable prices
It has been so dry and very warm here. My garden is a dustbowl. I had grand plans to plant lots of mums,but with no rain forcasted for at least a week I've decided not too. So the next best thing: flowers from the farmers market!

I also worked on this wool pattern. I love working with wool and haven't done much lately, so this was fun. Just not sure what to do with it now.

We also recently went to see Garrison Keillor when he was in town. It was a perfect evening!

2010-09-15T12:04:00.015-04:00

I am not going to start off another post saying that I haven't done much sewing this week. Instead I'll focus on what I have been doing.

I have been working on a little something special for someone special.

I also put the corners on my snowball 15 minutes a day scrap quilt.

The quilt shop where I have been going for years is closing. I am happy for the owner who is retiring (at the age of 86!) but sad because of losing such a nice place that I have spent so much time (and $$$$).

I bought some fabrics on sale there, just because.

2010-09-03T14:03:00.005-04:00

I've haven't had much time to sew this summer(that makes me sad). But I have managed to finish my blocks for 15 minutes www.15minutesplay.com a day group.

I love these blocks, they make me happy.
This weekend I plan to add the corner squares on all of them like this one.

More art museum inspiration - wouldn't this make an interesting quilt?

Has anyone else noticed an abundance of butterflies this summer (giving credit where it is due - dd#2 was the photographer - my pictures never turn out as well as hers!)

Another art museum trip

2010-08-25T11:02:00.007-04:00

I missed this on my earlier trip to the North Carolina Museum of Art.
I stood back and looked at it and then realized what the materials used to make this piece of art were.

I was focused on looked at this at first

Amazing

More about it

A website about the artist and her work http://www.devorahsperber.com/

2010-08-16T14:03:00.009-04:00

Sometimes you see some really cute children's fabric and it's on sale and you just have to buy it, without any reason. I've made another quilt to donate I think this may go here www.http://bumblebeansbasics.blogspot.com .

I love the backing fabric

Not quilt related something I've never seen before: a hawk sitting on my neighbors birdbath.

2010-08-06T10:50:00.003-04:00

A recent trip to the North Carolina Museum of Art got me thinking:

Do you think the artist was inspired by a quilt?

I need some advice - when doing a baby quilt with a flannel top and flannel backing - do I need batting or any suggestions about an appropriate batting. When I've done this in the past it seemed so heavy. Any thoughts?

2010-07-30T10:32:00.005-04:00

I've been busy lately and haven't found much time to sew. I did join the 15 minutes www.15minutesplay.com a day group and have found that perfect for me right now. I'm having a lot of fun using my scraps making these blocks.

2010-07-20T16:13:00.005-04:00

I've been catching up on some sew alongs

the Pinwheel Party at
www.twiddletails.blogspot.com

Jellyroll sewalong
www.moosequilts.blogspot.com

I'm looking for more of these metal key ring parts - any ideas?
I've also been practicing machine quilting feathers the first couple looked fine but as I went on they looked more like kidneys and so I won't share those yet.

2010-07-19T13:54:00.007-04:00

Stephanie www.loftcreations.blogspot.com from Loft Creations held a string challenge. I finished a table topper before the challenge and so I had my name put in for one of challenge prizes and guess what ... I WON!!

I love this bag, it is so cute I remember seeing it on her blog and admiring it, never thinking it would be mine.

The back of the bag is terrific, almost as cute as the front!

Fat quarters too! I know just what I'm going to do with them - I am so excited to use them, but almost hate cutting up something so cute (almost).

Speaking of cute fabric, I saw this last week and it jumped out at me and made me buy it.

2010-07-14T11:08:00.002-04:00

An odd-shaped baby fleece remnant from the bin at the fabric store, satin blanket binding on sale and voila 2 baby blankets to donate. The satin binding was challenging to use, but they turned out sweet I think. Just imagine a little baby wrapped up in one.

2010-07-09T21:26:00.003-04:00

Stephanie www.loftcreations.blogspot.com from Loft Creations held a string challenge for the past several months. Earlier I finished a small table topper for the challenge and had every intention of completing a larger string project well before the deadline. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't meet that deadline, but I am thrilled that I did in fact finish it. All from scraps that otherwise would have been thrown away. This is a quilt that will get heavy use I think. Thank you Stephanie, without the challenge this would have not started or finished for that matter.

2010-07-07T21:33:00.002-04:00

It's been a long time since I've posted. I hate being away this long.
One thing finished here, not by me but by my daughter. Two more pillowcases for the 1 million pillowcase challenge http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/.

2010-06-12T10:11:00.005-04:00

Practice pays off. I usually don't like heavily quilted quilts. But I really wanted to practice and I am pleased with the way it turned out. I also wanted to do something a little different in the border, which I like also. I used polka-dotted bits from stash, with a dotty backing and border.
My hydrangeas are blooming, this one has never done well until this year, kind of like my machine quilting!

Just meandering around

2010-05-27T10:53:00.003-04:00

The past few days I've been doing something I've had in mind for a long time ... practicing my free motion quilting. With the exception of a few spots so far so good. But why is it when I get to a fabric that the quilting will stand out I do my worst, I have free motion anxiety and the only rememdy is more practice!

2010-05-21T16:38:00.007-04:00

Still no sewing, but if I weren't a stay at home mom I would do this, cause it just looks fun. The bad news is that we needed to take down this tree, the good news is that it will provide lots of firewood and as soon as my husband cuts all this up I can start my backyard landscaping plans!

2010-05-19T12:41:00.004-04:00

There hasn't been much sewing the past few days. But there's been lots of jam making, and strawberry eating. Lots and lots of strawberry eating. This batch was strawberry heaven. One more day of jam making, followed by cleaning the kitchen of all the stickiness, then it's back to sewing.

2010-05-12T10:38:00.008-04:00

I was spoiled for Mothers Day and received some lovely flowers from my family. In the spirit of that I joined the One Flower Wednesday over at www.journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com . I'm also working on the pinwheel along at www.twiddletails.blogspot.com . I joined late, but made 4 blocks this week. Let's not forget the jellyroll along over at www.moosequilts.blogspot.com . I spent a long time last night and this morning with my seam ripper removing quilting lines that I wasn't happy with. Unsewing = no fun! But, for Jacquie's Spring to Finish Challenge www.tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com I got my whirlygig quilt together and it's next on my to quilt list and that was fun.

Spring!

2010-05-11T07:31:00.002-04:00

I finished this 1 year old ufo, even better, because I finished it before spring is over! I got the pattern here - http://www.quiltricks.com/Home/Patterns.ashx.

2010-05-05T08:29:00.004-04:00

Another pif fulfilled! A boy and a girl pillowcase. I love making pillowcases, easy and fast. These are going to my local quilt shop who are participating in the one million pillowcase challenge http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/

What I've been working on - part 2

2010-04-30T14:10:00.004-04:00

One of a few baby quilts that I plan to donate to my local hospital. This is part of my pay it forward that I did with Amanda www.scrandasmusings.blogspot.com . I'll be showing more that I've done for this within the next week.

What I've been working on Part 1

2010-04-28T12:44:00.006-04:00

I love to blog and I love to sew, but lately I've been not doing much of either. After not being able to sew a simple nine patch block one day I took a short sewing break and now am back on a roll. For the first thing I've been working on is the Jelly roll sampler from www.moosequilts.blogspot.com

Back tommorrow with more!

2010-04-17T11:09:00.004-04:00

Melanie www.jellybeanangel2.blogspot.com is one of the nicest and talented bloggers out there. She shared with me a pattern that she wrote herself! I redid it just a bit to fit my table a little better and this is what I came up with. I love the binding on this, I've been saving this fabric for something special. Thank you so much Melanie!

A finish!

2010-04-03T11:53:00.002-04:00

If you noticed my lack of blogging lately, it's because I promised myself no blogging until I finished something. I had seen this on Nanette's blog www.fredashive.blogspot.com last year (March 12, 2009) and have been wanting to make it and finally did. Thank you Nanette for sharing such a cute pattern.

2010-03-22T20:49:00.003-04:00

Here is my third block from the Christmas Story quilt that Melanie www.jellybeanangel2.blogspot.com and I are doing together. I'm having serious doubts about my choice of fabrics. I'm using scraps from a bag of imported french fabrics. But boy oh boy - is this ever busy.

a ufo finished!

2010-03-16T08:07:00.003-04:00

I took a class a while ago at my local quilt shop. The premise is to make intricate blocks, that at least for me would never have matching points. You can achieve these elusive matching points with an interesting method using all squares. Even though there is a more waste than usual doing this method all of my blocks were accurate. Bring on the quilt police. The woman who taught the class has since published a book about it http://www.americanquilter.com/books_supplies/item_detail.php?id=8024. I made one top (another ufo) and started this one, which I am happy to say is done.

Welcome Chookyblue

2010-03-11T11:45:00.013-05:00

Did you hear, Donna from Chookyblue is doing a virtual blog tour. It seems that Chookyblue went on a real trip and helped (forced?) some of her friends to get out their ufo's and work on them. After reading some of her friends comments in the aftermath of her visits a clever person suggested that she come to all of our houses and help (make) us finish our ufo's.
So Donna when you get to Cary, North Carolina http://www.townofcary.org/New_to_Cary_/About_Cary_272.htm (voted one of the best small cities 2006 and the best place to live 2004 by Money Magazine). You may think it's a bit on the boring side. And you'll be right. But it's a good boring - a nice town and a good place to raise a family. If we want more excitement we can go into Raleigh or Durham.

When you first arrive at my house

We can sit for a while and discuss our plans

my mother's antique sampler hangs in my kitchen, we'll have a glass (or several of sweet tea)

Every morning starts with a 4 mile walk here. I spend a lot of time watching the wildlife while I walk and listening to my ipod, but I'll unplug and we can chat.

After the walk, back home to work on my ufo pile - yes please I'd could use a bit of help and some focus.
Next I think we need to go shopping first it's off to Joann's a big chain store but they have some cute fabric, then on to the local quilt shops we have several here. One of my favorite's www.plainandsimplequiltshop.net just had a big honor this shop will be featured in the May 11th issue of American Patchwork and Quilting Quilt Sampler edition.
My other favorite - very sweet and welcoming - I've been going here for years.

There are more farther out in Raleigh but these two are my favorites.

The cat, the dog, the kids - you'll need to go somewhere quiet after my house.

2010-03-08T07:26:00.004-05:00

A few months ago Karen www.messykaren.blogspot.com (aka: Messy Karen) sent me some scraps with the instructions to have fun. This is what I came up with. It was such a nice little surprise and I certainly did have fun. Thank you Karen.

2010-03-05T16:08:00.012-05:00

Not much sewing going on that I'm ready to show. I've started some spring cleaning this week, my thinking is who wants to clean in the spring - not me so I'm doing it now. I'm working on cleaning out each and every closet and drawer before I even start the actual cleaning part. I've also been working on binding some ufo's and spent a few hours just cutting out some patterns.

Have you all seen this post www.chookyblue.blogspot.com , ? Chookyblue (you know her - she does the very spectacular Christmas swap that quilters from around the world participate in). This weekend I'm going to take some pictures for her virtual blog trip and post them on my blog. I'm really excited to see where some of the people who commented live (the French Alps and Milan seem so much more interesting than North Carolina).
And because I need a picture here's the second pan of brownies I made in 24 hours.

Perfect recipe for brownies found here (March 3 post):
www.deliciousnessofyum.blogspot.com ,

A New Name!

2010-03-01T16:11:00.004-05:00

I never liked the name of my blog. I think it makes me sound angry, a little crazy and not too happy. So I've been thinking about new upbeat, happier names. I was looking at a book that I have reread many times. In fact I read it every summer. Anyway I saw a line in it and I thought - "that's it". I had to put a hyphen instead of a comma. But that's okay. Everytime I type it in I'll think of my favorite book and the hours over the years I've spent reading it. Anyone guess the name of the book?

There are generous people in blogland who share, tips,patterns, tutorials and ... recipes! Thank you Stephanie www.loftcreations.blogspot.com for sharing this recipe. I made your chocolate chip coffe cake for the kids when they got home and they ate it as soon as it came out of the oven, before I could take a picture of the whole cake. A new family favorite.
Block one of the Bunny Hill Designs - Rabbit's Prefer embroidery done!

2010-02-25T12:09:00.006-05:00

I mentioned previously that I inherited a small box of sewing things from my aunt. I've had it for a few years now and haven't done much with it. When I was doing my sewing room reorganization I went through the box again and rediscovered some old patterns.
So for an inexpensive sewing room decoration I color copied and framed them.

When I looked in the one package there was this bib all cut out with this stitching pattern attached.

I still remember my joy when I opened this doll (Baby Sally) on Christmas, she came with a complete layatte, bunting and numerous dresses all made from this pattern. My aunt even made us matching dresses. Here we are and I'm wearing mine and I think she has hers on under the coat.

Baby Sally got lots of love. She made it through me and then my daughters. She could probably use a trip to the doll hospital. I still have most of her wardrobe packed away nicecly and waiting for another little girl. A lot of love went into making these patterns.

2010-02-23T09:30:00.003-05:00

I went to an antique shop this weekend and found this vintage tablecloth (very cheaply which makes it even better) and it fits my kitchen table perfectly.

I also bought this vintage looking piece of fabric from my local quilt shop. I'm stuck figuring out if I should just hem it and use it as a tablecloth or cut it into three pieces for 3 table runners. Any suggestions?

2010-02-22T10:12:00.009-05:00

I've had a few small finishes. When cleaning my sewing rooms I found some things that were close to completion. This was part of Lynette Anderson's www.lynetteandersondesigns.typepad.com Noah's ark pattern. I enlarged the block and framed it ready for spring.

Some wool applique recently finished. I love working with wool. I couldn't resist this pattern. Once it's framed all I'll need is some yellow flowers to match. It shouldn't be too much longer -all of my daffodils are up and have buds on them!

Sometimes, when I really love a fabric I need to use every little scrap

Here's the front - a pincushion using a little design from Cinderberry Stitches www.cinderberrystitches.typepad.com .

I'm putting this at the end of this post so if you are squemish - stop reading.
Here's a tip for those of you who burn firewood. Don't just scoop up a big armful of logs and put them next to your fireplace. You may have an unwelcome visitor.
Apparently this little fellow crawled into the woodpile to hibernate.
When I brought the logs into the house, he must have warmed up and woken up. My daughter was looking at the bricks above the fireplace and asked "what's that?" Luckily my husband was home, and I am proud to report that I came out of hiding long enough to help. In my opinion one of the benefits of being married is having someone to get rid of spiders, catch mice, kill cooperheads , and now bats. This is what a terrific man I'm married too: first he stood there with it until I could take a picture of it; then he let it go outside. But there was snow on the ground and the bat was obviously struggling and couldn't fly. Just a moment before I was ready for him to kill it, but then I felt sorry for it. So he scooped it up again and took it to a covered place where at least it wouldn't get wet and maybe go back to it's nap.
So now I bring in one log at a time and make sure I check it thoroughly.

2010-02-18T21:59:00.004-05:00

Melanie www.jellybeanangel2.blogspot.com and I are doing the Christmas Story together.
Here's my second block.

2010-02-15T14:55:00.003-05:00

Has your sewing room or sewing area ever gotten so bad that you couldn't really sew in it? With all the Holiday sewing I had done, mine had gotten like that. Piles on piles on my cutting table. I spent last week cleaning and organizing. It was an extra challenging because I wanted to set my daughters sewing machine up. So I had to rearrange the furniture as well. I bought this plain little folding table and "prettied" it up by making a skirt for it. So now I'll have company while I sew, if only we can agree on a radio station to listen to while we're in there!

2010-02-13T12:41:00.004-05:00

Several years ago my aunt sent me a box of scraps and some old patterns. While cleaning and organizing my sewing room this week (more on that in my next post) I was going through what was left of that box I found 2 very old lace hearts. I handstitched one down to a white floral background. Just in time for Valentine's Day.

I've been caught

2010-02-05T10:30:00.008-05:00

If you look on my sidebar, you'll see I started a new fabric diet. I was a little premature in putting that there.
Has anyone been to Joann's lately and noticed the really cute fabrics? I am a strong believer in supporting my local businesses. But with the sale at Joanns, and the 20% of coupon I couldn't help myself. I went in to buy flannel for backing.
And found lots of other fabrics. .
When I got to the cutting counter, the very nice lady who works there said "I thought you were on a fabric diet" Oops - she reads my blog. Actually this is just what a need, someone to keep my honest.
But look at this cute fabric.

Boy fabric

Girl fabric

My favorite - French Chicken fabric

Oops almost forgot my backing

It could have been worse, I could have bought much more. I know that it may not be the same caliber as quilt shop fabric but with the sale nothing I bought was more than $4.00 a yard - and again French Chicken fabric - need I say more?
Although I want to go back and buy some more, I'm going to try not to now that going off the fabric diet has been found out.

2010-02-05T10:16:00.006-05:00

Did you ever have one of those spells where there was some problem with every thing you sewed. I couldn't even make a simple 9 patch correctly. So this morning, I thought - simple - that's the way to go. My daughter came home from school with a list of sewing supplies we need to purchase for a class and on the list was pincushion.
I love pincushions. I could give her one of these.

I could give her this one - very unimaginative.

But then I was looking through my strips and selvedges. And an idea was born. A simple idea. Her own personalized pincushion.

Hopefully I've got my sewing mojo back

I also think a good cleaning and organizing of my sewing room may help.
But that's not as much fun as sewing.

2010-01-31T11:50:00.005-05:00

I've worked bits and pieces while being snowed (really more like frozen in).
Another Christmas ufo finish

I actually went outside to take some pictures. It's very cold today, and the sun is shining but tonight whatever melted will all refreeze.
My son has been using my sled from when I was a girl. Here in North Carolina we don't get much use for it, maybe a couple of years. My Dad fixed it up repainted it and gave it to me several years ago and my kids now use it.

Nothing is more fun than to throw snowballs at Mom

My husband made sure the bird feeders were filled up so we've had lots of visitors.

2010-01-29T09:45:00.004-05:00

Another ufo done. Some left over charm squares and fabric from stash. I don't think there is anything more fun than stripes cut diagonally for binding.

This is from the local news stations website: "Like we have been saying over the past few days, this storm does have the potential to shut things down for a few days so make sure you are where you want to be all weekend by Friday at midnight since it will be unwise to be on the roads over the course of the weekend."

Other than being a horribly constructed sentence, it looks like I'll be getting lots of sewing in. Last week it was in the 60's and I've seen flocks of robins recently, I am ready for spring, not more winter!

2010-01-27T09:59:00.003-05:00

A round pizza cardboard, some strips I pulled from the trash and voila!
I've been seeing so many projects using strips and there will probably be lots more out there in the coming months. Thanks so much Stephanie www.loftcreations.blogspot.com for having this challenge. I have more strips I'm working on but it feels good to get a little something completed and all in one day!

2010-01-24T22:55:00.002-05:00

Melanie www.jellybeanangel2.blogspot.com and I are doing the Christmas Story together. Sorry I didn't post yesterday Melanie. All those little 1 1/2 inch squares and strips. Sometimes I have a problem with accuracy. I need to remember that with strips that are 1 1/2 inches even being a smidgen off will make a difference. Wish me luck getting them all together! I haven't done much applique in the past, but I'me really enjoying this so far.