UFO's

I noticed that I'm supposed to finish UFO #4 this month - oh, dear, that is my "Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll" - and I'm having a really slow start on it.  If I work on nothing else, I might get it halfway done this month, but there are still a lot of things I need to finish first - like the three quilts in line to be quilted for others!

I finished the binding on my Mystery Quilt - which I will call "Procrastination"  because I put off finishing it for so long.  It will hang on the wall overlooking the entry to our home - replacing a quilt that has been there for over ten years, and could use a good washing  and retirement on someone's bed!

Texas weather - gotta love it.  This past week it was beautiful!  Today, cold and windy.  I guess Spring is not quite here yet.  I had planned on cleaning out the garden today, but it is a bit chilly! No - make that cold.  My dear hubby said he would begin clearing out some of the weeds, but he got sidetracked trying to put up trim in the playhouse.  There is always tomorrow.

Beautiful weather!

We have a saying here in Texas - if you don't like the weather, just wait a week!  Last week we had ice and snow and very cold weather, and this week it has been wonderful.  It should hit a high of 78 degrees today - a little cloudy and breezy, but I am without the coat and scarf and am loving it! 
I haven't quilted much in the past few days - I've been busy at the office and have had meetings or volunteer stuff in the evenings and by the time I get home, feed hubby (not to mention gather eggs, feed chickens and dog) I'm pooped and ready for bed. 
I've almost finished quilting my country mystery quilt - it has been fun.  I am doing SID on the pieced blocks, and trying out some new fill patterns on the applique blocks.  It is taking a lot of time, but it has been rewarding.  I am still learning so much each time I use my Gammill.
While surfing the web the other night, I came upon a blog by Arlette called Polka Dot Pineapple.  She had a tutorial for the cutest pin cushion - I went right upstairs and made one.  I'll post a pic of mine later, but for now here is a link to her blog:  http://mousechirpy-polkadotpineapple.blogspot.com/ - she has several very cute projects and lots of tutorials.  Love it!! 
That's all for now - have a great day!  Enjoy this weather!

Jackie

Catching up

It's been a while since I've blogged - so much has happened!  Family wise - I spent 10 days in the Northwest with my oldest daughter and her family while she had surgery, so I was totally out of the loop for awhile.  I did take some knitting and crochet with me, and got some done, but have no finishes to show!  (More UFO's!)

I got back home last weekend and am slowly digging out and catching up on work.  We are home today because of icy, snowy weather here in North Texas.  Sunday it was beautiful here - sunny, warm - almost balmy - but last night winter returned with a vengeance.  My poor dog doesn't even want to poke his nose outside.  The roads are icy, so we stayed home.  I brought work home with me, so I'll tackle that this afternoon.

I'm almost finished with the January UFO challenge quilt - it is on the long arm machine right now and I'm slowly finishing it.  I have the binding on the little table runner and I really do like it.

The weatherman said it was only going to get colder tonight and tomorrow, so I plan on another day at home - I might even finish quilting my Mystery Quilt.  I promise that I'll blog more often this month!

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.