Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to.....

Disney World, We Go!!!!!  Be back in a week or so...

Feeling Blue?

No, I'm not depressed, just feeling blue, the color blue~ which also happens to be my favorite color.  Next are the purples and pinks... The only trouble I'm having is cutting the wedges the exact size.  I made a template, and I'm trying to rotary cut with my ruler over the template.  I'm trying to be as accurate as possible, but I know they might not be exactly perfect.  I guess I'll see how much each little bit counts when I put it all together!  

This is one half of the dining room we just repainted.  I also swapped out the sideboard that was there.  I like it much better than the old one, the white looks brighter, and that my collection of pink depression glass can be seen.  Still need to make new curtains, I already have a pattern for a victory swag, so now to find just the right fabric.   

Today is the last day of school for the kids, we can't wait to really start enjoying summer!

Loving color

Hey there,

I'm back, and I even have pictures this time!  What I've been affectionately calling the "ripple monster" is coming along nicely.  Except, I think I might have overdone it with the crochet hook, because since yesterday I've been getting shooting pains in my elbow.  Time to take a break for sure.

My little dancer had her recital this weekend, and she did so awesome!  I love the costumes this year, very flashy and fun!  What a fantastic production it was, and she is sad that her dance class is over, but it will be nice to take a break for a few months.

I've been seeing the color wheel quilts all over blogland... and I've been mulling it over.  I bought the book with the pattern, it's in Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts, by Joelle Hoverson.  It's a great book, highly recommended.  This is the plan... for now...

Until I move them again...  A few dozen more times...  It's so much fun moving them around, and trying different ones!  (And the lovely carpet you see is the new one in the basement, which I love).  Off to cut the first wedges...... and hopefully keep them in the order you see here.

I'm still here...

A quick hello from the worst blogger ever!  What started as a basement remodel has grown into now the first floor of the house, too.  We decided to paint our trim white, since it was stained a pretty drab color (which is just as time consuming as I was warned!), removing a wall in the living room, recessed lights, new window treatments... so other than crocheting a ripple blanket, the crafting has been nil.  I hope I'll be posting soon, with actual pictures! LOL

Where to start...

Well, we have a had a few interesting, crazy days in my household! Let's start with a belated Happy Birthday to me, on Saturday. During which my little girl somehow tripped, fell, and got a huge swollen bruise on her foot. The scream said broken to me, but I'm usually the hypocondriac, being a nurse and all.  Anyway, off to ER on Saturday night, {previous said birthday:a party actually}, they said it was not broken, possible sprain. The next morning, i.e. Easter, we got the call it was probably broken, oops, so let's set you up to see the orthopedist Monday. Meanwhile, how do you keep an eight year old from running on said broken foot, when there is an Easter egg hunt vs. some very eager cousins and older brother? Not easy folks.

Today, the aforementioned foot was placed in a large boot (toes to knee) and the process of how to help the little one navigate the world ensued.  Not to mention the fact that her school is about 100 years old, and there are no elevators. Oh, and dance, gymnastics, and softball (which we coach) are a no go for at least 4-6 weeks.  Oh,  I haven't even mentioned we are having a wall removed in the living room, a larger & nicer fireplace surround built, and all new crown molding installed on the first floor.   Plus waiting for the basement remodel to be done.   Still haven't heard any word on the carpet. Rats.....

 So, even though I spent 5 hours at my LQS for a do whatever you like class on Saturday, where I decided to start working on my new bag, all I basically have the pieces cut out.   Not much to see really. It was a lot of work fusing that little folks to an interfacing, and trying to cut each pattern piece about 4 times each of fabric, interfacing, fusible and a thicker Pellon! When I get my house & life back together, I promise to post some pictures.

 Since I haven't posted in a week, I do hope you all had a nice Easter.  And that it was just a little more relaxed than mine!!!!!!

Washing and Drying

As I type (and breathe through one nostril) my baby quilt is washing. I'm looking forward to it getting soft and crinkly and baby ready! The kids held it up before I threw it in the wash. My son held up some sort of figure behind it, which I just noticed. He makes me laugh with his tricks and pranks. Really fun to see how his personality is growing and blossoming. Not sure if you can see the shade of the backing. It's the large dot from the Nicey Jane line. Very baby. Just sayin'....

I did a straight line quilting every 4 inches in one direction, and rows of 3 spaced out in the other direction. Very straight forward. Very easy. Had to, since my free motion foot is buried somewhere in the basement among the bags and boxes. I swore I put it aside, and mumbled under my breath about how disorganized I am, and how I can't wait to get everything back where it belongs. It can't be too soon?!? The carpeting will be installed hopefully within the next week or so. The order is taking longer than I had hoped... I must learn to have patience.

Sick Day

Ugh, I unfortunately picked up whatever nasty bug was going around my house... and it seems I might have the worst case yet. Feeling blah, achy, and stuffy, to say the least. I'm watching New Moon (again) and sitting on the couch all day with a box of tissues (again), not being able to breath through my nose is getting so old! I don't have much craftiness to post. Very soon, though, the baby shower is this Saturday... and all that's left is to sew on the binding, and stitch it down. The Owl is stuffed, too. I have to admit, I want another to keep for my new sewing space. ;-) When I can get off my lazy, sore bones, I'll be sure and take some pics of the finished goods.

I did get a little pick me up yesterday, though. I had put a button on my blog from Quilt Home (dot) com, and I won a $20 gift certificate to the online store. I bought* a BIG stack of Anna Maria Horner Little Folks voiles, for "The dress", and a new bag. Oh, and some Good Folks for another quilt I've been hoping to make. They have a huge selection and free shipping for orders over $50. You won't be disappointed. Sorry for the picture-less post. I just don't have "it". Hopefully I'll get "it" back soon.

*I purchased them before the big redo. Didn't even count them in the craziness of the stash! LOL

What happens when you decide to remodel the room that contains all of your stash? (In my case, it's the basement.) Well, you get face to face with everything you have purchased over the last 6 or so years... and I think the fabric might be multiplying once it enters the cabinets. 'Cause there's no way I bought that much, is there?!?!? Usually it's folded neatly, and the doors are shut in these. Excuse the missing knob, those are being replaced too. (Oh, and there is a third cabinet you can't see here.)

Anyway, I HAVE to stop shopping. I go to stores, and buy. I look online at my favorites places, I buy. Etsy? Yup, I buy there too! Whew. I'm getting tired just thinking about reorganizing and putting it all away once the room is done. Since I'm coming clean, I'll show you. But keep in mind, my Christmas decorations are behind the pile. As if that makes it any better. HA! I also never store my fabric in trash bags, (yikes), but I ran out of storage containers*, and we are moving all the cabinets to replace the carpet. Ready, here goes:

Crazy, I know. I know! My husband can't begin to understand, but I know you all do. Right? I can't be the only one... Okay, back on track. Here's my question: Does anyone else sew in a room that has no windows? I'll need better lighting, maybe an ott light too? But I'm contemplating setting up my machine in the basement, rather than the dining room, where I have to keep packing up shop and putting my stuff away, dragging it all back, and so on. It's making me much less productive, and I have to get some things completed, or I can't call myself a quilter anymore, or even a crafter, just a fabric collector!

*This doesn't include my yarn, which I have hiding, I mean stored away, in space bags in my bedroom closet. It's a sickness, I know.

Baby's Owl?!

Did you see the Moda Bake Shop project today? They call her Owlivia. Adorable! So much so, that I needed to make one to go with the baby quilt for my friend. (*See previous post) Still need to stuff it, but I am quite pleased so far. I should have been painting the trim in my basement on my day off, but I just couldn't resist once I saw the one on MBS! Got to think of a name to give her..... Any idea's????

Nicey Day

When did my baby girl get so big? I guess when you turn 8 years old, it just happens! We had a great day last Saturday at the Museum of Science in Boston. That's where she decided to go to celebrate the day. I haven't been there in a very long time, but it was a blast! I snapped pretty clear picture of the Boston skyline, too. What a beautiful day it was! Still pretty nice weather today, and it feels so good!
So nice, I was able to snap a quick picture of the baby quilt top. The wind kept blowing it around, so this was the best one of them. There fabrics are mostly nicey jane's I showed before, with a few amy bulter's thrown in! The baby shower is at the end of the month, so I have plenty of time to finish it. Famous last words....LOL

Nicey Jane

A very good friend of mine is having her first baby (a girl) in April, and although these are probably not considered "girly" fabrics, I just know she'll love them! I bought these at my LQS when they were having a sale in January. The precut fat quarters were around $1.50, and I bought one of each that they had. My doodle is the plan, it's a smaller version of this quilt, found on Crazy Mom Quilts. I really miss Amanda Jean's blog. A lot. More than I can even write. *Sigh*

I'm going to sash it in white, and hopefully it will finish around 50" square. Since I haven't been back to shop, I'm hoping they still have some yardage left for a back and binding. My husband is going out for the night, and I have a date with my sewing machine. That's if it isn't on strike from neglect!

Check out this giveaway... it's awesome!

The fabulous Lila Tueller is giving away a quilt! You have to go to her blog and check it out! I just love her designs, and I really want to win, but it's only fair to spread the word.

Edit:For some crazy reason, blogger won't let me post the picture of the quilt. hmmmm, I guess you'll just have to click on the link, I promise it's worth it!

A little more knitting...

I have clearly been bit by the knitting bug in 2010! I purchased this Noro sock yarn last summer, and was waiting for the right pattern to make a sweater with. While at my LYS, I found a book (Noro Collection Book 3 by Jenny Watson) at 40% off (bonus!), and started knitting this last week. It is being knit on size 2 needles, which feel like tooth picks to me! LOL This is the right front side. I started the left side last night, and have been watching A LOT of the olympics at night. With a few old episodes of 24 mixed in, gotta love Netflix!This is my amarylis bulb I planted around Christmas. I bought it on clearance, so I was hopeful it would bloom.... I wasn't successful last year with my discount purchase. It is so neat to watch it grow, and has me itching for Spring!

Working More = Crafting Less

Last month I started working as the charge nurse on a new unit in the hospital. I've always worked in Oncology, and this floor is a mix of Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant. I also increased my hours, therefore I have much less crafty time on my hands. My sweater is complete (YAH!), but there isn't anyone to take a picture of me wearing it. It actually fits, which is a plus! I also started another knitted item, since I can bring my WIP's on the way to work. So, that's why it's been a few weeks since my last post. Hopefully, I'll get used to the new work schedule, and if not, I'll be sure to pop in when I can.

Some petals and a win!

These are the first twelve petals, of I don't how many.... They are for the Don't Look Now ~ Joseph's Coat Quilt Along. I am WAAAY late for the party, but that's okay! I haven't sewn them down yet, and they looked so pretty, I just had to take a picture to share! My fingers still feel sticky from the glue stick method, but the shapes are nice and crisp, so it seems like it's worth it! :-)

Aren't my pups too cute! Usually when they see the camera, they start wiggling and sniffing, so it's not often I get a picture of them asleep. Dogs have quite the life!!!!
And I forgot to mention, I was the lucky winner over at V and Co., and she sent me this awesome Gypsy Rose charm pack. Fig Tree Quilts + Winning = Happy! Have a great day!

p.s. For those who asked, and are curious... I'm one sleeve (and a lot of seeming) away from a completed sweater. Hopefully soon!

New projects

I got the cutest panel at my LQS for Valentine's Day... it actually says Happy Valentine's Day on the bottom, but I don't think I'll keep it. They had a sample in the store that had patchwork around it, and I'm sure I will do something around it too. I don't have any quilts for Valentine's, so I couldn't pass it up! I also decided to try the Don't Look Now Quilt Along block! I've been contemplating for a while, and now that the holidays are over, I figured why not? I just bought a lot of background for my stash (Kona white), and a slew of Kaffe's pinks, blues and purples to add to my ever growing stash! I'll post a picture once I get them prepped. I bought a stabilizer, but it isn't fusible, so it doesn't work quite how I had hoped. I ordered the Floriani Fusible recommended by Kellie, and hopefully it will arrive soon. Oh, and I just love my new cutting mat! It was only $19 at Joann's, and it's the largest one I've have now: 24x36 ~ and of course I love that it's pink!

sweater, oh sweater

I'm not sure if I'll ever end up with an actual garment. I knit, and purl, I do~ I keep trying to make a sweater. I blogged about my sweater before, and I said maybe third time was the charm. Not so... As I was knitting, I thought it seemed a little big. Well, truth be told, it was HUGE. My daughter, bless her heart, suggested that I shouldn't worry, "maybe you'll grow into it?!!!!". I kindly explained to her that I was done growing, (hopfully ;-) and that I didn't WANT to have to grow anymore to make the sweater fit.

. The lovely lady at my local yarn shop tried to help me. She did, but they didn't have the yarn called for in the pattern. So I bought the other yarn. Bad idea for my first "easy sweater project" That's what she called it. I then decided that I should buy the yarn that the pattern suggests New yarn+New year= Good, so far. No guessing about gauge, needle size, or how much to buy. I browsed on the internet one night, and found just the right yarn, called for in the pattern, and it's a beautiful blue/purple/black alpaca. With free shipping, too! *i love free shipping, don't you* I also ordered a few books so that previously mentioned yarn won't be a waste. Here is the back of the sweater:
so far so good. Wish me luck, 'cause once the front and sleeves are done, and it might be while, I then have to figure out how to put it all together. I might need to head back to the yarn shop.