HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2012

This year has gone by so fast!  All 3 of my kids have grown so much.  "J" started Jr. High and enjoyed his classes so much more then he did in Elem.  He also has grown in height and is about eye level with me.  Scouting has not been what we had hoped it would be.  With such a small group of boys at church, it is hard to keep going and be motivated.  I think that if we pushed it more the leaders would be more active.  "Z" has started to really bloom.  I see less "child" and more "young lady".  She really enjoys doing her hair and "getting pretty".  Third grade has been good for her, it is more of a challenge and the wieght of being "retained" in first grade has started to wear off.  Some family talents are starting to show:  crafting, drawing and story creating.  "A" turned one and is all over the house.  Walking has creating a new challenge for the kids because she is more mobile.  They are worried about where she goes and what she is climbing on.  With us having so many stairs, hubby said it was time to work on stair climbing.  She has really picked it up and wears herself out going up and down.  Right now she is working on 4 teeth.  I am not sure which is better one at a time or a bunch at once.

I didn't complete as much in the quilting dept. but I am not going to rush myself.  I did move my sewing area up into our loft which was the computer/library area.  We don't use our desktop computer anymore and it was starting to have problems.  With about 6 laptops in the house there was no reason to spend the effort to get it going.  The library part is still there and has been worked on to be more organized.  I am able to block off the hallway leading to the stairs to "A" is contained and can play with toys while I sew.  She is reaching farther so the iron is the only thing I have to really watch out for.  Hubby gave me 4 classes for my B-day and they were fun and informative.  Sad to say only one class project was completed, the fabric bowl.  I have already signed up for Jan. "Girls Night Out" at my LQS along with a classon sewing curves.  I will use the time at "GNO" to finish two baby quilts that I need to finish by the end of January. 

I want to make a list of projects I hope to complete in 2012, but I will have to put that in another post.  I hope that 2012 is as good or better then 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Finish it Friday!!

I have another finish!!  While at my class yesterday, I needed help in picking up my two older kids from school.  They had an early release to start break.  I made this for my cousin who was so kind to help out.

I have been using my phone camera so the quality is not very good. 

 I am thinking that Friday's are going to be sew for me day, so I can participate in FIF from now on, and get some of these many projects done.

Fabric bowl class

Today was the last class that hubby scheduled for my b-day.  What a fun class!  I was able to complete the bowl in class.  I will be making more. 

Picture is really bad, wtih camera phone, but I wanted to get this posted.  The class was held at a local store that I really like. 

Quilt finished!!

This week I was made a Great-Aunt!!  My oldest niece had her first child and the first of the next generation.  She had a baby boy and named him Clayton.  I just love that name.   I quilted simply with straight lines about 1/4 " from the seams.  I really like that look with this pattern.  This morning I washed it with a Shout Color Catcher and then layed it out to dry.  After it was dry I ironed on a label that I ordered from Sweetwater.

I hope that Clayton can feel love and warmth everytime he is wrapped up in this little homemade creation.

Thursday Finish

For a long time now I have been reading the Crazy Mom Quilts blog.  I love her blog and enjoy her style.  She is to blame for my Connecting Threads addiction.  Anyway, she has started Finish it Friday.  Hopefully encouraging people to finish projects.  I so NEED to finish some, I have, in my hubbies eyes, way TOO many unfinished projects.  I am happy to say that I completed one of the baby quilt tops done yesterday.  I know that it was Thursday not Friday, but it is done.  (Confession:  I started cutting out another last night.) 

Quilt pattern: New Wave (Oh Fransson! blog)  I love this pattern.  This is the third top I have made from this pattern.  A second top the same as the picture and the third is made from pink and brown fabrics for a baby girl.  I reduced the size (5 rows by 9 rows) for a baby size version.  I plan on making a full pattern size at some point.  I plan on machine quilting all three.  Hopefully while the little kiddo is nappying I can baste this top and begin the quilting.

Last night I also finsihed taking out another seam in the quilt top for hubbies sister.  (The gift for his side of the family.)  This will be the 4th seam I have pad to rip!!  If all goes as planned the top should be done this weekend and baste after bedtime Sunday evening. 

3rd Day.......

Today is day 3 hubby and I have been living the South Beach Diet.  I think that us working together has really helped keep each other going.  I can't do it without him and he can't do it without me.  These first two weeks are going to be the hardest, I love breads and pasta and junk in general.  Thus the need for weight loss.  I am a diabetic waiting to happen. 
I lost my camera and was not able to post any pictures but I found it and plan on getting some pictures up.  I will be very busy over the next few months.  I have 5 baby quilts to make along with finishing what I have started.
The baby quilt that I am so excited about is the Robot Swoon quilt I am making.  I caved and baught a few new patterns a few weeks ago.  (PDF patterns are a weakness for me.)  I have admired the "Swoon" pattern by Camille Roskelley for a bit now and really liked the large block size.  The top will be 4 of the blocks which will make a large baby quilt, but I for one like them big.
Hopefully today will be another successful day on the SBD.

Where does the time go??

Several days ago I was so happy to have 3 tops ready for quilting.....now I am not so sure.  Last night I finally finished marking and basting my Zig-Zag top.  I have yet to start on the other 2 tops.  Things I have learned so far:
*I like pin basting better then spray basting on large projects.
*Safety pins stick through carpet really good.  My kitchen floor isn't big enough to move the table and other things around to tape the backing to the floor.  I have to pin the backing to the carpet and then when it comes to putting in the safety pins I have to redue many of them to get the layers off the carpet.  I may need to try the table method I have seen done online.
* I need more curved safety pins.  When I saw the box of basting pins on Chasing Cottons blog I thought the amount was a bit much, I know better now.  I need to buy more, many more. 
* I like using the cotton for hand quilting, but I need to make sure I have needles with big enough eyes to get the cotton through.  I used the cotton to tie my mother-in-laws quilt and really liked it better then yarn, so I will be investing in more colors so I have a variety on hand.

Farmer's Wife

I seem to be a sucker for Quilt-A-Longs.  I found a couple more that I want to keep track of and maybe participate.  The first is  the Farmer's Wife.  I baught this book a while ago and did one block all by hand.  With all the little pieces to piece together it seems to be easier.  I am using Canning Day from Connecting Threads.  I have two sets of FQ's and some yardage.  This should be plenty to make all 111 6" blocks. 

Block #108Windmill
I am not doing these in any certain order other then picking blocks that I have already made templates. 

The second QAL that I came across uses layer cakes.  Only the fabric requirements have been posted so I am not sure if I will need the second layer cake.  One patterned and one solid.  I am hoping to use a layer cake and yardage that I already have for the solid layer cake.  I am going to keep an eye on the blog to see when more is posted about the quilt.

Among all these QAL's that I am getting into I need to work on a baby quilt for Amber.  Her baby will be the first of the next generation.  Amber is the oldest of my nieces and nephews and this will be her first.  I believe that she is 27.  I hope her mom is looking down on her with pride and that she thinks of her family often. 

Oops, a correction

The Skill Builder Samper QAL starts on June 17th.

Another QAL

This morning while I was doing my routine blog brows I found a QAL that I could not pass along.  Just like yesterday I am able to pull the fabrics from my stash.  At this rate I am going to have to start building up my stash again.  I am going to use my DS quilts fabric.  I have enough to make the lap quilt, for myself of course, and probably to a pieced backing which I have been wanting to try.  The cutting instructions are going to be posted on 6/23.  I have some organizing to do between now and then.  The skills quilt starts the next day.

Skillbuilder quilt

Today I came across a new blog that I fell in love with.  When I read through the posts about the QAL or skillbuilder blocks, I knew I couldn't pass it up. 
The goal is to make 36 12" blocks ending in May 2012.  A queen size quilt was suggested but I think I am going to make two twin quilts for our king size  bed.  So with that in mind I will be making them with black and white fabrics and a little red thrown in for pizzaz. 
I will be using fabrics from my stash to make these skillbuilder blocks.  Speaking of my stash, I found some small FQ bundles (5 in each) that I want to make into some charity quilts.  I want to use the same idea/pattern I used for the QC101.  The zig-zag quilt I posted yesterday.  I found 3 of these bundles that I want to use, and I should have the solids I need to go with these FQ.  That means that todays brainstorming will yield 5 quilts from my stash!!  Now that feels good.

3 tops down

This past week I finished 3 quilt tops.  I almost had 4, but the last one needs to have a review.  It isn't coming together like it should so I need to study it and see where I went wrong. 

 (For some reason I could not get this picture to rotate.)
This quilt top is for Brenda.  A year ago she lost so much of her weight and now is always cold, so I thought this would help keep her warm while she is watching TV or studying.

This quilt top is being done while doing the Quilt Class 101 with Chasing Cottons blog.  I am in love with zig zags.  I plan on hand quilting this one. 

(This one won't rotate either.)
This last top I made for Newell's birthday.  It turned out way bigger then I thought it would.  I was thinking a lap or throw size but it came out almost a queen size.

FNSI

Friday Night Sew In.....I found this on a blog that I often read and thought it was time to stop looking and get involved.  I am behind on several projects and need to get caught up. 
Today I:
*Renewed Sam's Club membership
*Worked on Brenda's quilt
*Did some laundry
*Did some dishes
Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get more done.  I helped Maleah out with babysitting and switched my van for her car, so she said she would watch the kids for me sometime this week.  I think I will use this time to work on the basement.  The temp is rising and it has been getting up to the 80's inside so it is time to move down to the basement. 

I got mail!

Yesterday I was so lucky to get two squishies.  The first doorbell ring happened to be my order from Connecting Threads.  I ordered some blenders to go with the Central Park layer cake I ordered a while ago. 

The only one I am not thrilled about is the Daffodil.  It seems to be too bright.  I will have to see how is looks with the prints.  These are the fabrics that I will be using for the Quilt Class 101. 

The second doorbell was a total surprise, and really can't be called squishy.

Newell was going to buy me some flowers before he left but I told him I wanted them to be a surprise, and I certainly was surprised.

Today I had another squishy in the mail.  My swap partner over on the Quilters Message Board sent me this months Doll Quilt.  I really love it.  I told her I want to hang any I get from swaps on a wall, so she put a dowel in the back to make it easy to hang.

After seeing the label on the back, I am sure my Dragonfly Ticker Tape Doll Quilt will be a hit.

Working at last!

On Saturday, I dragged Newell to Brighton to a quilt store that I had not been to that also sold sewing machines.  It was really close to closing time and the lady manning the store was a gem.  She searched through all her screws in the back and when none of them would work she started on her floor model machines and found a needle clamp screw that would work.  I came close to hugging the lady.  I need to go back because she used one of her needles to make sure the screw would hold the needle in place, and she left the needle in the machine.  I want to go back and pay for the needle,  not only is it the right thing to do, I love the shop.  There was a very nice selection of bolts and samples all over the store.  I am going back again for sure!  Classes are also offered and a new schedule starts in May, I can't wait to see what they offer.

I couldn't get to sewing until Sunday.  I started on the ticker tape doll quilt, and worked on a mug rug.  The doll quilt will take longer then I thought it would, but I am liking how it looks.  This will need to be done by the end of the month.  Yesterday I worked on the second mug rug and I just need to do the binding on both and get them in the mail by Friday.  The other swap due this month is a 12-inch block.  I have the fabric and the block in mind, now I just need to get it done.  Pictures will be posted when they are each completed.

Tomorrow is QC 101 Week 2:  Design.  I am really looking forward to the lesson.  I do a little design myself but I want to see what a more experienced quilter does to work out her plan.  Rebecca had a sneak peak of some design materials:  grid paper and pencils.  So I picked me up some grid paper and will gather pencils and rulers so I am ready for class.

I am not doing very good with two of my goals I made:  not buying fabric or pattern books.  I picked up a copy of "The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt" book and of course had to have new material so the quilt will  not be scrappy.  I placed a second order with Connecting Threads this week with material for the FWSQ.  I am going to use the Canning Day fabric line which is repos of 1930's fabric.  The quilt is from the 1920's but I liked the lighter colors from the Canning Day line.  I am hoping to get one block done this week or weekend.  With a total of 111 6" blocks. 
 

Quilting 101 Week 1

Yesterday Chasing Cottons presented the first lesson:  Fabric.  Rebecca gave some great information that allowed me some freedoms that reminded me of Stacy Julian.  Stacy teaches a style in scrapbooking that is not the "norm", a freedom to scrapbook in a way that is not more relaxing.  That is what I felt Rebecca taught about choosing fabrics.  Choose fabrics that draw you to them.  Designers create a wide variety of fabrics in a single range, that help us choose a variety of patterns that work well together.  I for one always fear that the fabrics that I pick out won't blend together. 

A preview for week two, which is design, we will be learning how to design our own quilt.  I like to follow patterns but I also want to let my creativity flow and develop.  I am looking forward to the coming weeks. 

I am still waiting for a needle screw for my machine.  Each day I get more and more concerned that I won't get everything done this month. 

Don't panic

That is what I keep telling myself.  I drove around town again yesterday looking for a needle clamp screw, no luck.  I guess I am going to have to wait for the one I have on order.  If I had known it was going to be this hard to get one I would have ordered more then one.  I am trying not to panic with the thought of all I need to sew this month.
I need to start working on the basement.  I think I will try working for an hour after the kids finish homework.  I need to take advantage of any little bit of time I have. 
Last night I tried a recipe from Deanna.  The kids liked it and I think I will try it again.

Deanna's Mexican Chicken  (my name for the recipe)
4 chicken breasts
4 cups of salsa  (I used 1 24 oz.jar)
1 onion
1 can of black beans (drained)
1 can of corn or 2 cups of frozen

My chicken came right from the freezer, so I set the crockpot to high for about 6 hours.  In the last 30 min. I pulled out the chicken to take out the bones and skin (I didn't have breasts so I used 3 quarters).  The chicken came apart and was so tender.  We spooned this mixture over mexican rice.  This is a good food storage recipe.
 

Beware when changing your needle!

Late Friday night when I started to change my sewing machine needle, it dropped down inside.  I had to take a few more screws out to get to it but I finally got it out.  In my concern for my needle dropping down inside I must have flung the needle clamp screw.  I searched and searched but could not find it.  Saturday I drove to 3 different places to be given the screw, told I needle to order one then, the last location said yes they had it but I needed my machine to make sure it was the right one.   I wanted to cry, if only I had brought my machine!! I wanted to work on my April doll quilt today during General Conference but no such luck.  I dragged out the old Singer 533 to give it a try.  I need to play with it before I actually work on a project.  I really wish I had a manual for it, I may just need to order one on-line.  In the morning I am going to pack up my machine and take it back to the third location to see if we can find the correct screw.  I will buy the one on order to have as a backup.  I now know not to take the screw all the way out to change the needle. 

March doll quilt

  The theme was red and white.  The finished size is a little small but I had stitched the two center hearts and hand quilted on the border around the hearts.  I had a hard time letting it go.

April doll quilt

My partner to swap with is Dragonfly Nana and I have been wanting to make a ticker tape quilt for a long time so this was the result.  I just need to add the binding and stitch down the pieces of  "ticker tape".  This is going to be another quilt I have a hard time letting go.

Start of quilt

Sad to say this block was done a month ago and I have not gotten back to work on it some more.  Hubby picked out pattern and the fabric for his b-day quilt.  It has been almost two months since his b-day but it will get done.  Having my seams match up made my day.