Translate

Monday, May 13, 2013

On the wire....

Talking about my deadline for the "It's for the Birds Blog Hop" that is.    I just finished assembling the top just 10 minutes before the stroke of twelve and I am trying to post this ASAP without too many typos or grammatical errors, I HOPE!  



Please accept my apologies Mary and Madamme Samm for being so last minute with this one.  Between Dr's Appointments, family commitments, quilt classes (Yes, I had two full day classes recently which I'll share on another day/post - they were with Pam Druhen and Bonnie Hunter) grandchildren and children spending several hours here today to celebrate Mothers day, besides being away, all of it took a toll on my project's process.   Of course starting it in the first of May didn't help my case out either!


 
 
My  inspiration came from this fabric. 
I Just love how many different birds are graffiti printed on this fabric and those colors, YUMM!   Birdie fathers, offspring of babies and younger birds, besides  a Momma bird which is so apropro for today, Mother's Day .  It couldn't be more perfect.   The different colorations, directions and sizes capture the elements of my family which I value highly.

 
I fell in love with this graffiti stylized bird print several months ago.  Since one of my LQS was having  their anniversary salelast month, I snapped up about 9 yeards total of this print and some coordinating fabrics that I've been lusting wishing for but wouldn't allow myself to buy.
The fabric line is called Love Lives Here by P. Carter Carpin for P&B Textiles.  Ahhh.. so dreamy,  romantic and yet wonky!  Just like my family,  lol.
 
So without further adieau- Here's the quilt top I made for "It's For the Birds!" blog hop.
 
 
Not being sure which pattern I'd use either until I ran across a recent catalog from Connecting Threads.   On page 22,  a Jane Hardy Miller had a pattern and/or kit available called Stacked Blox Crib Quilt
 
In a previous post I mentioned that her kit with the pattern was  crib size and that wouldn't work for the queen bed for the master bedroom in the camper.  So a lot of math was called for and Voila!  The top for our camper quilt is done. 
 
 
 
I will be adding a border on three sides which will be that soft blue color, second from the bottom on that stacked blocks on the right.  I also ran into a problem of not having enough of that Dimple dot brown to finish the borders in how I sketched it out, so I'll be getting more of that next week when we go for DH's surgery out of state.   
 
The blocks finished at 12" and with the layout in a 5 X 8 block grid, this is the perfect size for the camper's master bed.  The colors will go nicely with it too without being too matchy.  ;-) 
With borders it should finish 80" x 94", a very comfortable quilt.
Thanks for stopping by and if you have time, please check out the other bloggers who are participating with this hop. 

 
Monday, May 13
 
Tuesday, May 14

Wednesday, May 15

 
Thanks Madamme Samm for thinking of another fun hop and thanks too for  Mary for being such a gracious cheerleader.
 
You may ask what's up next for me?  Well, going to bed is first on my agenda then maybe tomorrow I can find the time to check my email which has been neglected since last Wednesday,  press this top so it lays better, make some jello since I need to only have clear liquids and food for Monday beside s the grands, etc....
 
I hope everyone was blessed with a wonderful Mother's Day!
 
Jane
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Petition for Google Reader to Stay....

Found a link of a petition for Google Reader to stay.
Can be found here.


So far there are 151,014 signatures, I wonder what number needs to be reached for google reader to say there are enough people using this service.    Please help out.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Stash Report #18, 2013

The stash numbers this week continue showing more of the stash getting used, Yippee!  
it also shows more being purchased as well, a Double Yippee!!  
(sometimes there's just nothing better than a little retail therapy!) 
 
With finishing those three pillows and the linings for them all, it pushed it to three yards used for the projects finished this week.  But, I also bought another 6.5 yards while being in Vermont this past Wednesday for DH's appointment.  He's in heart failure and thankfully a heart transplant will be a ways off, we continue to hope and pray that it's even years before he needs one, if at all.  We'll know better after this next procedure and the post procedural appointment.  His Ejection Fracture which is his cardiac output is in the pits,  his current numbers are 10-15, that range is minimal (normal ranges are 52-77).  The Doctor thinks another Ventricular lead for his pacer defibrillator may be a benefit, but can't give any guarantees.  He explained it by saying that with a quad lead attachment of this one Ventricular lead, it will afford the Doctors some ability to further tweak his cardiac output.  AND by replacing this ventricular lead we were hopeful that the lead being replaced was the one on the Medtronics recall list, sadly it 's not.  Anyway, he'll be having that done whenever they schedule it and let us know.    So sewing helps keep me sane whenever I can find the time or should i say make the time.  You can be sure I'll have some handwork ready to take with me while he's in the Hospital out of state.   Sorry for so much information, but my fingers did the talking for me  and I allowed them sometimes you just need to vent.

Now back to my  stash report, with my fabric gain, two yards of the new stuff  has already been sliced up and is currently being used.  I also am taking a Bonnie Hunter class through my guild this week, so I picked up a few items for that.  The rest of my purchase will go for the "For the Birds Blog Hop" that is happening this and next week. Mary from I piece 2 is our cheerleader and this hop is another brainchild of Madamme Samm of Sew We Quilt.  can you just imagine being able to creep into her brain and see how it works?  What a creative and gracious lady!  Her Quilt Diva that she made has been sold and the profits are going for another sewing machine to help out ladies in need.

Oh where does the time go?  Boy, I need to get ready for all of those events and soon!  So, without further adieu, my report is:

Stash In: 6.5 Yards
Stash Out: 3 Yards

YTD In: 54.25 Yards
YTD Used/Out the Door: 34.5 yards

That's a stash gain of 19.75 yards for this year.
 
 
 
Actually I did start A New FO for May yesterday. It wasn't even on my list of 12 for 2013, just something that caught my eye and lit my fuse, opps, I meant lit up my muse.   LOL  Though I've used up 2 yards of a dark brown dimple dot by Gail Kessler from Andover fabrics that was just purchased, I can't consider any of that used for the stash report until the project is finished.  The brown  is just the sashing pieces running through out the quilt. Want a peek? 

 

No, the brown fabric shown is not the dimple dot, this is another brown I'm using on the same project.
A pattern I saw in a magazine which finished at 40"X50" and wouldn't work for a full/queen bed I loved.  The pattern didn't list any other dimensions for it, so I refigured the pattern with my own dimensions to make it similiar to the stacked blocks bsby quilt, but finishing the top section in a 60"x74" before adding any borders.  We'll see when I finish assembling it together how it needs to proceed, it's aWIP now.  
 
I started some of my Spring cleaning, starting with the foyer and Dining Room.  Need to get to that front porch too.  It's so dirty and dusty from these winter months, the siding looks so bad it looks like I'll have to chisel the dirt off.  Since I don't want the cart before the horse, I'll wait to do the windows until DH gets the siding washed.  No since doing a job twice if you can do it once.  I'll have to request that chore higher on his list, perhaps this week.  Even knowing that by doing that, it'll be on my list of chores since he can't do it without me helping.  Can't wait to get the crud off these windows and let the sun shine through.  There's something uplifting to me about clean windows.
 
Looks like Spring has finally decided to arrive in these parts.  
My daffodils are blooming, the hyacinths have bloomed and a forsythia bush is also starting to make it's presence known, but that is all so far.  
 
As for outside work, the list is long.

 

regular sized Jonquils
Multi flowered tete a tete daffodils, so sweet.



Allelulia, first of May,
Outside playing begins that day!
 
 
 
 
I did throw some pansies into the planters on the back deck just to have a bit of color while the temps. are still too risky for the other types of flowers I usually keep in them.  It makes it nicer during our breaks with ice water to rest. 
See all those plants on the bench part?  More outside playing when I know it won't be killed by the frost.  The deals were too good to pass up.  Even though they may die back, I am a gardener at heart and know the efforts will be worth it next year even if that happens. 

What else has been going on?
More playing with the grandchildren. 

Cupcakes turned more into a science experiment with color. 
We only used yellow, red and green with varying intensities and mixing those bits together too.  Just see all those colors. 
Don't look to close though, I wouldn't want you to lose your dinner.  lol 
The kids  loved doing them and eating them too, happy day.


 
 
 
While in a neighboring state for DH's Doctors appointment,  I saw a store sample of a frairie garden.
We picked up the necessary supplies thinking that PGD#1 would love to craft this. 
She's always looking for projects to make or do together. 
 
So I explained the order of how and snipped some of the larger plantings to be individual and smaller sized trees and bushes for her and let her go to town.  She placed the lights on the fence, laid the base layer of plastic vegetation and then played with the best scenerio for the little trees, mushooms and Miss Fairie. 
 
Tried to get a better photo showing the lights, but it wasn't happening.
She did it all by herself.
Isn't it beautiful!
Just Perfect!
Mostly it sits on the coffee table in the Living Room and while it's lit at night, those little lights shine and it's restful.
For the photo, I placed it on the dining room table where there was better lighting.
I really should let her take it home,
but I did ask her to make it for Papi and Meme.
Thankfully, she complied nicely so I will keep it.
Geting off this computer and on to some paperwork  calling my name.
Have a Good night and
Enjoy your week,
Jane


This will be starting soon.....

Tuesday, May 7

 
Wednesday, May 8

Thursday, May 9

Friday, May 10
Monday, May 13

Tuesday, May 14
 
Wednesday, May 15
 
 
Can't wait to see all the creativity these bloggers will share, the projects are always so versatile and it's enjoyable to meet new friends along the way. 
 

Monday, April 29, 2013

More Pom pom Love...

Can you stand it?  

I'm loving all the creativity shared during this hop with so many fellow bloggers.  Tomorrow is the last day to venture on this hop tour and here's the listing:


April 30











While checking something out on the computer a little bleep caught my eye so I bravely ventured forth. 

What did I see?
Lots more Pom Pom creativity!!!
 
 

Check this out......



 
Too cute!!!   and they aren't even part of this hop! 
How creative are these!!!! 
[Squealing  with delight.]
 
Being a tea drinker, ah hummm,.... notice I said drinker not totaler, lol   I'd love to have a spot of tea coming from such a fun Pot.  I found this photo over at the Queen of Teapots' blog.  
Such lovely designs and a couple of free patterns thrown in the posts too. 
Just had to share since you definietly have a fondness of pom poms.   
 
 
 
 
 
What FUN!!!!   Can you just imagine! Jane
 

Wait for it,

This shake your Pom Pom Blog Hop was the perfect opportunity for me to finish a couple of counted cross stitch pieces that have been stitched for awhile.   Rummaging through the stash had me finding some appropriate pom pom trims.
Miniature pom pom trim was used for this  Boo Balsam Pillow.
This is only about 3 inches by 5 inches and smells wonderful.
 
For the next little pom pom project I used the regular sized pom pom trim.  It's another counted cross stitch piece that I've had to finish but always managed to push it aside and work on other things.  

 
 
Stuffed with polyester fiberfill and used a remnant from the Stitched in Color left after making a sewing machine cover.
 
 
 
Now for my Biggest Pom Pom Project
 
(and NO! they are nowhere near the size of Thearica's - lol)
 
 
Drum roll Meistro......
 
 
 



 

WAIT FOR IT.......
the back side,




WAIT FOR IT...........

the zippered flap





Wait for it...........


She's kicking her little legs!!!







ARE YOU READY?!!  





Two Cents, Four Cents, Six Pence,  a Dollar,
 
whoever loves Pom Poms
 
 
Stand Up and HOLLER!!!!!!!




YEAH!!!!!!    lol

I'm standing up and Shaking my Pom Poms over this one!!!

I just Love my finish which also is another project I've been wanting to make for a while, thanks Madamme Samm for the opportunity in getting these projects to the finish line.

Let's hear it for Samm!     Yeahh!!!  and lots of applause...... 




 




While going outdoors for the photo shoot, 
little miss cheerleader
 just about did a  cartwheel in the driveway.  

My camera wasn't fast enough to catch what her little legs were doing,  I was barely able to capture this! 
 
A pillow Sham to complement PGD#1 quilt and her room decor.
 
Each part of this sham was quilted before stitching on the next part.  After all five sections were stitched together and quilted is when I attached the embellishments.  The doll is made from a panel of Moda Modkids that was out a couple of years ago.  I bought the panel for PGD#1 to learn how to sew which she did last year.  The arms are only tacked at the hands via the pom pom strings.  The legs and her behind are totally three dimensional and sewn on via the wasteband, under the shirt's hem.  Since this fabric panel had a front and a back I made use of both for her extremities.  This little lady can do pikes, splits and even cross her darling little legs. 
Can you tell by my lingo that I was and loved being a cheerleader during  my high school days?   Fortunately I was a cheerleader for all four years in High School.  In fact, that's where I first noticed my DH.  It was at a basketball game when our team were the contendors for the championship in our division.  We both graduated from the same school but came from two different districts that merged together back in the 70's.   It was a very heated season and our school did win the season!  Many happy memories were made and  I learned so much about sports because of it too! 
Of course this photo is not me, it's my PGD#1 who participated in a cheering rally two years ago.  She's the one looking up in the front.  All the girls had their own pom poms and did some routines.  So cute!
 
I really had to think this project through a gazillion times since it was done without a pattern.   I made copious notes and processed it mentally numerous times before going forward.  Trying to get the sequence figured out just right for this pillow's construction since I hate to unsew anything!!!!  I did see something similiar to this a year or two ago.  Not sure where it was or what theirs looked like now, so if you know or see any resemblance, please let me know so I can give them credit.  I used the leftover fabric from the Big Easy Quilt and pillowcases that were made for Miss McKenna earlier this year.  Luckily, I had that turquiose ric rac in my stash and a 22" long yellow zipper for the opening on the back. 
 
So all of this was  made from my stash!   
 
I'm also linking this in with Barb's New FO's for my April New FO. 
Can I get a Whoop Whoop!!!
It's a win, Win,  WIN!!! situation for me.
Even the doll panel, which was from MODA, a modkid panel that was leftover from some dolls PGD#1 made last year
The most difficult part was how to make her shoes.  Guess what I used?
 
JUMBO RIC RAC!!
 
The shoes were made from some JUMBO RIC RAC sewn into slip on slippers then stitched on her feet with a hot pink stitching strap lines and following the contours of the shoes. Pretty clever don't ya think! Not sure how I came up with that but I auditioned about 6 different foot apparal possibilities even using a black magic marker to draw on shoes. That definitely didn't work so I had to come up with something else.  That's when that Hot Pink jumbo ric rac caught my eye..... and VOILA!     SHOES were made.   With the aqua ric rac, I did a free motion stitch, catching both edges of it since I really don't like ric rac when it curls up after washing it.   This will stay down in a cyclone or the many cartwheels I forsee happening to her.


I tried to capture some photos of her posable legs, but it just didn't look right, I want this to be a PG rating post!
It also looks great in the den on the Sleeper sofa, the colors seem perfect together even though  tonight it's residing in another village
on a little girl's bed.

PGD#1 loves her and was smiling ear to ear when I gave it to her this afternoon. 
Remember my astonishment a couple of weeks ago when I mentioned what I planned in my excitement  and she said she didn't think she'd like it?  She wanted to make another doll out of that panel!  Guess I need to find more like that for future projects for her to do and  Thankfully, she loves it!!
 
She especially likes the loose legs that she can practice some of her cheerleading and gymnastic moves on.  
And with that being said, a perfect segue for
 
 Thearica, 
You are an absolutely Terrific CHEERLEADER!!!!
 
Madamme Samm, Thearica and all the sponsors sharing in their efforts and products during this hop have been top Notch and such an inspiration.   Thank you all so much! 
You have my respect, friendship and gratitude.  
And in case you didn't know,
(I do love my Clover Pom Pom Makers!) 
 
Now if you can stand it, and want to see more creative endeavors made with a pom pom theme, AND have time,
then please check out the other participants showing their project(s) today.
 


Quiltsmiles that's me!!!!









 
Bye -Bye!!! 
You can see bra straps under my boatneck collar,
When I see you again, I'll give ya a Holler!!!!   lol!
 I had fun participating with this hop.  It seems like each hop I commit to do, it becomes easier and easier.  I am so glad  to participate in them.  If you get a chance, don't hesitate.  It's fun, creative and you get to meet some really great people during it. 
Thanks for stopping by.  If by chance you leave a comment,  I do try to reply,  but sometimes my 'puter skills are sorely lacking and I loose the connections.  So, I apologise in advance if you don't hear from me, that's not my intention and I do try to reply to each and every one of your sweet comments. 


Catch you later!

Jane
(smiles)




PS:    I've used and loved pom poms for years!    Besides wearing pom poms on my sneakers and skates in my youth, I've embellished with them through out my life.  A beach towel I made several decades ago had pom pom trim on both ends, it was a very happy towel. 


Even on my trip to Florida this winter I found what I fondly call  "pom pom trees".  I made my Mom stop so I could grab a photo, how cute!  According to my Mom via my eldest brother, they are Mistletoe trees but to me  they definely looked very Suessical!!!   Where's the Lorax?

I may have to craft with PGS#3 tomorrow and try to mimic these with some branches, adding bright green little pom poms with white tissue paper blossoms.  Both grandchildren have been having a ball with pom poms since I started this project.






Here's a photo of a Patchability pattern that I tweaked with a pom pom hat  circa 2010.


Magnets for the refridgerator, crafting with PGD#1 when she was 4, she's now 7.......







The definition for Pom Pom: noun - A tuft or ball of wool, feathers or other material worn as decoration.

Pincushion made from those wool embellishments purchased at Michaels and sewn onto a fabric covered snap bracelet.

Another defination which surprised me for pom pom which was also a noun - An automatic, rapid-fire antiaircraft cannon usually mounted on ships.  Who Knew that?!

Anyways, What can I say other than,  "I do love my pom poms!"
 
 

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Stash Report #17, 2013

Nada, Zip, Nothing to report for purchases or usage, so close though.
 
Stash In: 0 Yards
Stash Out: 0 Yards
YTD In: 47.75 Yards
YTD Used/Out the Door: 31.5 yards


That's a stash gain of 16.25 yards for this year
 
I noticed that by the end of April I wanted that net change to be close to 10 yards of gain using up another 6 yards.  Can I do it?   YES!!!!   I only have 3 more days left this month and just know that I'll make it!   That being said,  you won't see it in the stash report until next Sunday. But  I will show you the finished projects.  Of the  2 projects using 6 1/4 yards - one  is almost done and the other I'll continue  working on tomorrow evening so hopefully will be finished by Tuesday and that will bring me to the 10 yards net gain exactly!  
 
See You tomorrow for my pom pom reveal. 

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Playing with pom poms and :-)




For my April New FO challenge I am feeling like a youngster again with making and playing with pom poms. 
Just LOVE MY CLOVER Pom Pom MAKERS!!!!

Remembering how I used to make poms poms for my ice skates out of a couple of heavy duty cardboard  shapes cut like a capital C's.  I would cut different circles to get the size I wanted.  Really can't get over how much easier these were to make with CLOVER Pom Pom tools! 

Have you used those Clover Pom Pom Makers yet? 
If not,  you need to!  They make it so easy and perfect!  And no, I am not a sponsor of nor have any affiliations with Clover, just a very happy camper that loves their products!   :-)

 Peeks of other projects and things that I've been up  to:


 

   Sewing on Brownie Badges for PGD#1 and her Mom, my daughter. ( I think I'll be having her {PGD#1} do her own sewing with the next badge.  Her Mom brought 14 patches to be sewn on!)
Was lucky to able to attend a terrific lecture by Jenny Doan of the MSQC. 
What a nice lady and wonderful speaker. 
She seems like such a down to Earth soul and so generous of spirit with all she shares
on the internent from her Quilt Company with their You tube tutorials.
"QUACK!!" 
Jenny Doan and moi!  April 2013

 
I never knew before her lecture that you could search in You tube for jelly roll quilts and all videos made with jelly rolls will scroll up, same as for layer cakes, charm packs, etc.... from one video provider.  Anytime I would search before, I got a phlethora of videos but then had to search through those to find the videos produced by MSQC.  Good to know.



 

The quilt on the above left was made from  charm packs and the one on the right is also charm packs.  For the latter, she made a hugs and kisses blocks into subunits then alternating that with the four patch units sewn together.   She must have shared at least 35 plus quilts and her charming husband was the "man behind the quilts" who was also nice as well. 
 
It was a nice and lovely evening, though I did get a speeding ticket while coming back home, an almost 2 hour ride home.  Went through a known speed trap area and truly didn't realize that I was speeding.  I follow the rules but have been known to push it a bit.  Nothing that excessive since some of my Trooper friends have told me that 5-7 miles over the speed limit are okay and you won't be bothered.  Thought I was in a 40 mph zone and was going 46.   It was late, the grand children were arriving at 6:15 in the am and I wanted to get home after the lecture.  DRATS!   Can you believe the trooper thanked me for being nice after he handed me the ticket!   Oh well, it could have been worse since he said the speed zone was 30 mph.   

Then PGS#3 was the "star" at preschool so Meme stayed and helped out.  Mrs. T. Trombley is a wonderful and very loving preschool educator and friend.   She teaches them the ABC's, phonetics of each letter along with the ALS design for each besides the many other skills and info these youngsters will need to know before Kindergarten.
Starting the morning off right with PGS#3, age 4, leading the Pledge of Alligiance, he's barely visible and standing just next to his teacher.



Snack time of Applesauce, teddy grahams and Hi C. 
 
(Notice the hair cut? He did what many children do and gave himself a little trim, lol
I told him it was pretty good since it was his first one- Evil of me I know! LOL!!!!)

This guy will be having three years of preschool since his Birthday is after the school's December 1st cut off date to start school in September.  By next year, as long as his speech cleans up, we figure he should be able to teach preschool! 
 
 Last night we attended a school, baseball game where PGS#2 played second base. 
Bad night for the team.  13-3, Yikes!
Always amazes me how differently each coach handles a team and what their expectations are.





 
 




 

More of what I'm playing with, stay tuned for Monday the 29th, when it's my day to reveal my pom pom project!    Jane