2011 UFO Challenge

I am attempting Patchwork Penguin's 2011 UFO Challenge, and the number she chose for January is #3.  On my list that is the Country Mystery Quilt - and I am ready!  It is all pieced and ready to quilt.  I was going to go to buy the backing today, but when I retrieved the top from the closet, the backing was folded and hanging with it. I realized that I had already purchased the fabric, so I am ready to quilt it.  Yeah!!!  This month should be easy to complete, which is good because I'm way behind on Quiltville's Roll Roll Cotton Boll!  More time for that!.

Happy New Year!

Another year has begun! I don't usually make resolutions because I usually just FAIL!  But, this year, I thought I'd give it a go with resolutions that are reasonable, and will make me a happier and better person. 
Resolution no. 1 is to declutter and clean out closets - I started at 5AM this morning (could not sleep!) and this afternoon I dropped off 12 sacks of discards at our local charity.  12 sacks - from my closet.  I'm a little embarressed that there was that much "stuff" in there that I do not use.  Purses, comforters, pillow shams, and lots of clothes that I have had for a long time, some with tags still on them.  I feel so much better having done this.  Five closets to go.
Resolution no. 2 - exercise more - at least four days a week.  We got an eliptycal machine this past week and it is in our bedroom.  I just hope that I don't use it as a clothes rack like I did with the treadmill!  I start tonight - and will keep you posted on my progress!
Resolution no. 3 - ditch the games - this one hurts because I enjoy playing computer games - it is a good way to unwind, but I realized that I was spending way too much time playing.  So - and this was hard - I deleted all the games from my Facebook page, and even the game apps on my Iphone.  Let's see how long this lasts.  It has already had positive effects on my quilting - at lunch, while my honey is taking a nap, I usually sit down at the computer and play games.  Today, I went upstairs to my studio and put a quilt on my longarm machine instead!  That is progress!
Resolution no. 4 - Eat healthier.  Cut down on sugar and soda.  Ok - I'm addicted to Diet Coke, and crave candy - but, I'm gonna try.  I had one Hershey kiss after lunch today - tonight, I'm tossing the rest of the Christmas candy.  Well, maybe, I'll put some in the freezer as a treat when I've been very good!  I've instructed my honey to forget buying any sodas for me when he stocks up. 

Thats enough!   If I can keep these resolutions I can do anything!

Over the weekend, I did quilt a table runner - it was a panel that I won as a door prize in one of my small quilting groups.  I quilted "wonky feathers" on it - this is a pattern from Dawn Ramirez - the Pajama Quilter.  I love her workbooks and DVD's - she makes it look easy and it is if you practice, practice like she tells you.
I'll post a pic when I find my camera - it is hiding again!

It has been a busy week - not much sewing going on!  I did finish a quilt I was quilting for a friend, and it turned out very nice.  I did a star pantograph on it, which suited it well - it is a gift for one of Sonya's family members for Christmas.  The picture doesn't do it justice - and doesn't show the quilting very well, but I know the recipient will be very happy. 

I also finished three stockings and they are now hanging on the stairs in the entry with the rest of the stockings.  It is beginning to look like Christmas around here!

I'm trying the 2011 UFO Challenge by Patchwork Penguin this year - my friend Linda said it really helped her to finish a lot of her UFO's this past year - and I started Quiltville's Roll, Roll Cotton Boll mystery - so I have plenty to work on!  I never get bored!  If only I had a couple more hours each day!

Hubby worked on the playhouse for the grandkids today - he is putting the door on.  We need to do a little more outside painting once he gets that done, and then we'll tackle the inside painting and finish the inside trim.  Hubby has to build the steps to the loft yet, but he has them designed.  My youngest grandson said he wanted to pick the inside colors - he wanted Granddad's favorite colors - red and black.  (My husband is a graduate of Texas Tech - those are the school colors!)  You can be sure that those colors will somehow be incorporated in the decorating scheme - what grandson wants - grandson usually gets from granddad!

Christmas is coming

I really do love Christmas - but I'm a little stressed right now.  I am working on a couple of new stockings for new family members (OK - Matthew is almost 5 now, and he is one of those family members missing a stocking!)  But the shopping is almost done, and the house is decorated (almost).  My husband mentioned to the grown children that we might not put the big tree up this year, and the kids came over and helped get it done!  Maybe the Christmas fairies will come this weekend and finish what needs to be done. 

My daughter and son-in-law and family will be here next week - we are very excited.  It has been a while since they came for Christmas.  We have plans for a family portrait to be made and for lots of fun "Family Game Nights" while they are here! Can't wait!  I'm stocking up on easy to prepare meals, and trying to catch up at work so I can take off a lot while they are here. 

The annual Christmas party for my quilting group is tonight and I'm getting ready to make some graham cracker praline bars to take - they are yummy.  The food is always wonderful at this party - these women are such fantastic cooks, and I enjoy their company so much.  It will be a relaxing evening. 

Some pics and progress

I have been sewing and working on the studio the past couple of nights.  I finished some napkins I started several years (yes!) ago - bought the Marimekko fabric and put it away for napkins, made a couple, then forgot about it!  Anyway, I got them done and ready for Thanksgiving! 
I'm also posting the pic of the table runner - it is quilted, bound and already on the table!  My middle daughter has admired it and may end up with it!  It all depends on how attached to it I get!

Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I have so much to do to get ready for the big day.  I am already getting food prepared and frozen for dinner, but for some reason this year, I'm not as worried about getting everything ready.  Is this what happens when you get older - you just do what needs to be done without a lot of fussing over every detail?  I'm going to enjoy having family around the table and being thankful for each and every one of them,  even though some can't be here this year. 

Finally.....

I've been very busy and distracted, so I haven't posted in a while. 
Where to start????
I spent last weekend at a Quilt Retreat with several friends from my small quilting group.  It was a much needed time to just sit and sew and relax and visit with friends.  My batteries have been recharged and I am ready to get busy again!  I pieced a table runner using a fun ruler called "Lil Twister" that I got from The Country Schoolhouse (http://www.country-schoolhouse.com/twister_tool.htm).  I'll post a pic when I get it quilted - it was fun and turned out really well.  Now I want the bigger tool because I bought some 10" squares that are scrumptious and would look great using this tool.  During the retreat, I also put a border on a baby quilt and worked on an applique project -not a ton of work accomplished, but enough.  The company of friends and the wonderful food made the weekend complete!

I have a friend's quilt on the Gammill right now - again I will post a pic later. It has embroidered butterflies on squares alternating with a purple print.  I tried to echo quilt the butterflies, but it looked terrible, so I frogged the echo lines and am now micro stippling the squares.  Much better. The purple squares are being quilted with a sort of meander with points.  I'm using Glide thread which I am loving!    I should finish it by this weekend.  (I know - I'm slow, but I also have a regular day job, and  loving husband and dog and chickens.....not to mention wonderful children and grandchildren.)

On Tuesday evenings, I do volunteer work at our local library.  Besides checking out and shelving books,  I also teach a quilting class.  It is very informal - we usually have just a few people who show up each week.
We started with English paper piecing, and have worked on that for a while.  I demonstrated a floating four patch block for one session, and gave each person a chance to make one herself.  Next week I plan on having a session to talk about favorite sewing and quilting tools.  Since we don't have a classroom in our small library, we just set up a table in the library.  We get questions and comments from other patrons, which is a great way to promote quilting! 

Busy week - but not quilting!

I've been working hard the past few days - but not getting a lot of quilty stuff done.   I did do this block for a Pizza box block exchange for one of my quilt groups.  Hope Judy likes it!  It is very bright and cheery!  In this exchange, everyone supplies the fabric and the blocks are to be 12"x12" finished, and you can't see your blocks until everyone else in the group has made one for you. Can't wait to see mine! 

I've done a lot of frogging on a quilt I'm quilting - got a pleat in the batting.   I've discovered that for every 5 minutes of quilting, you can do hours of unsewing!!! Sure does cut into the time I get to play in the studio.

One of the other things I'm attempting to do in my studio is to fold and organize my fabric.  This is an example of one bin of fabrics - I have collected batiks for a long time, and started out folding them neatly and putting them in this bin.   But I've used some of them and for some reason they have gotten out of hand.  I need the fabric fairies to visit my studio and clean it up!!!