quiltsmiles

Stash Report Week 5, 2012

2012-01-29T10:50:00.002-05:00

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 9 yards

Added this Week: 3 yards

Added Year to Date: 35 yards

Net for 2012: A gain of 26 yards

While I was in Rouses Point this past Thursday to deliver the quilt I finished for my deceased friend Cheryl, I was able to stop by my favorite quilt shop for wools, Fibre Junction. Carole and Jennifer have many items to choose from and even though I wasn't looking for any cotton or any more patterns, these extra items just happened to jump into my arms! hehe

I've loved the ghastlies and yet wouldn't buy any just to have it in for a project sometime in the future since I have no immediate plans for a Halloween quilt yet. But I did succumb and a 2 yard piece came home. Was able to find the perfect green wool for a pincushion project I also am working on but will share that with you at a later time. Only the top part is done so far. So want have I been working on?

Tada! The Inukshuk quiltlet that is number 5 for Judy Laquidera's UFO challenge.

Though my sewing space was in total disarray after making a nother wonky house, I shoved all that aside to get the quilting done on Mr. Inuk. Check it out. Was able to even quilt freehand the word Inukshuk onto the side of the piece. It's not too evident, but it is there. Now only to fix the back envelope sleeve so I can slip this bad boy onto an acrylic photo frame then get to the binding and embellishments. Thinking of adding an embellishment of some some for the piped area within the binding. Not sure which one will be used. Either yarn, beads or a sequin trim Time wil truly tell. Check back later this week and I'll show ya.

Enjoy your Day! Jane

PS: Check out how much better the other participants are behaving over at Judy's blog with moving and using their stash. At this rate I've need to have a studio built. Not a bad idea since Judy just had hers completed and looks great. Ahh room to move would be grand!

Stash Report 4th week

2012-01-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

Used this Week: 7- 1/3 yards

Used year to Date: 9 yards

Added this Week: 32 yards

Added Year to Date: 32 yards

Net for 2012: A gain of 24 yards

So far this week I did use 1 2/3 yards of cotton for the wonky house blocks and the moda dolls. Also I used another 5 + 2/3 yards of fleece on the two fleece blankets. The Tow mater tied blanket was shorter than the 2 yard length but it also was 60" wide so I figured 2 yards for each side is now out of my stash. So a total of 7 and 1/3 yards used. Feeling so great about this and that they are both done! Make sure you check out how other quilters are doing on moving their stash over at Judy's blog Patchwork Times.

I also have to report that I purchased this book "Strip Smart Quilts" by Kathy Brown at Joanns. Perhaps I should start counting the books in and start using those too. I do so love books and find myself forever shifting the book shelves to make room for another. Maybe I could think about letting one book go when I purchase another...... I'll have to think more of this before I could ever wrap my brain around that concept. Besides the book I also gained 32 yards of Kona Cotton solid fabric this past week that I purchased through Jane's Fabrics Ebay Store when she was having a sale. When I ordered them at such a great price ($3.00 a yard!), I didn't know she was closing her shop. I hope the next venture she persues will be as successful as her Fabric shop. Thanks Jane and Good Luck.

Many of the charm packs, jelly rolls and layer cakes I have in all need a little something (anyways in my mind they do) to create into a quilt. So I have been adding some Konas to my stash to have in for sashing blocks units or larger pieces to act as the cement for the whole quilt with having 3, 6 and 9 yard pieces in now. Not sure where all of these will be used but they will, even in scrappy quilts if need be. Aren't they gorgeous?

Off to clean up my home, it's amazing how fast it turns into shambles when my attention is elsewhere.

Enjoy your day, I'm off to play...hehehe

Jane

Got Fleeced!

2012-01-20T10:38:00.000-05:00

It's with joy in my heart that I was able to get two more fleece blankets done. The fleece takes up so much room in my stash that both projects were easy and now are finished and beside sthat a major plus is one tube downstairs is now half empty. WHOOT- whoot~!

Santa Fleece Blanket with a double crocheted edge, (this is the secong one- only about 4 more to go!).

Tow Mater's Fleece Tied Blanket:

I still have the Mater Strippy Quilt to finish and will be getting to that AFTER I complete the 24 blocks needed for the wonky house block (due date is March 1st), the Inukshuk quiltlet (due date is the end of January), and the Santa Redwork quilt whose number was drawn through my mother's guild to be done by March 13th. So there are many projects on my list.

This evening, the guild I belong to is having a worshop on "all things Wool" offered by one of our members Kiity S. She is such a hoot that I know it'll be fun. A pincushion is what is on the agenda and I figure it's small enough to be completed in a small amount of time. I can only hope!

Gotta run and get the list of things needed for that now. I do enjoy your insights and visits, so thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments, I appreciate it. I hope you enjoy your day.

Jane

Cookin' in the Kitchen with PGS#3

2012-01-19T15:49:00.000-05:00

Had to share. What a cutie! PGS#3 helping Meme in the kitchen.

What a sweetie. He helps and won't stuff his little fingers into the bowl until the batter is in the baking dish. TG!

With his other grandfather passing this past Monday, both of the littlest grandchildren have spent many hours here. After a long health ordeal, their other grandfather David Macomber broke the bonds of earth on January 16, 2012.

His wake and funeral were out of state, so we have been spending alot of quality time with both him and his sister.

Under construction

2012-01-17T22:33:00.000-05:00

For the Wonky House Swap that is. I find it unbelievable that after several hours in my sewing room and all I was able to finish was one block.

Started out by drafting an approximate house diagram I thought I'd use to make templates. That idea quickly went out the window when I fussy cut some fabric for windows. I had an old sewing machine cover with these mannequin dress forms and thought they would be fantastic to show through the window. After that I did some assembly line sewing for the windows and doors to mass produce some house elements.

Not long into this stage of the process I realized that perhaps it would be best to continue making one block at a time. At that point I played with fabrics until I was satisfied with color placements and textures all the while making sure my block would be the needed 12.5 inches unfinished.

Here's my prototype, aka Block 1 for the WH Swap. Only 11 more to go.

Jane

PS: I'm not totally satisfied with the sizing of this house block, as you can see in my draft to final product, the house grew in size as I was sewing it. I'll need to scale it back a bit on the next ones, but Number one is done! I joined in this to help liberate my quilting. Not sure if this will work or drive me nuts, seems to be wasting alot of fabric in the wonkiness of it all.

Stash Report Week 3 of 2012

2012-01-15T02:28:00.002-05:00

Used this Week: 2/3 yards

Used year to Date: 2 - 1/3 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards

Added Year to Date: 0 yards

Net Used for 2012: 0 yards

I was able to use another 2/3 of a yard this past week while finishing Cheryl's nephew Chris' quilt. It was a PIG (project in a grocery sack) that she had wanted to make for her nephew. The big C won and she left the bonds of earth too soon to see that realized. So a group of us took the pigs and are processing them at our own pace. I had mixed feelings while completing that quilt, glad I was on the homestretch while sewing on the binding yet melancholy and missing my friend Cheryl. It was with love for her that I was able to get this done and I hope Chris will feel her love when he snuggles underneath it.

Snow days at school mean that DH and I have some extra hands around the house on those days. This past Friday was a Snow Day so we had the two youngest grandchildren here all day. Can you say TIRED! We kept busy but I found myself by mid day having my own little meltdown so I put myself in my own little time out to try to keep my composure. A little sewing time by myself and I was feeling more my old self. Amazing that it can reset me so quickly. 8-)

So, I started little Miss PGD#1 with her own project. First learning the rudiments of the Singer featherweight by stitching on a piece of paper which she learned quickly. Then I happened to have a panel of Moda dolls for her to sew. I won't count that fabric out until the dolls are done and would you believe, I didn't have any polyester fiberfill! Perhaps we'll get to it Monday. They are both back since daycare is closed and School's on holiday for Martin Luther King's Day.

Stay Warm,

Jane

PS: It's 12 degrees below zero right now. Brrrr!

Hey Mom, does this look familiar?

2012-01-13T06:28:00.001-05:00

Looks like a mini me....... years ago that is...... LOL

Jane

Learning

2012-01-12T12:30:00.002-05:00

Lil' Miss climbed her first tree and she was having a BALL!

Look at that Smile!

Stash Report, Week 2 of 2012

2012-01-08T21:43:00.000-05:00

Used this Week: 1 - 2/3 yards

Used year to Date: 1 - 2/3 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards

Added Year to Date: 0 yards

Net Used for 2012: 0 yards

Did get a crocheted edge onto a fleece panel from Keepsake Quilting that I purchased 6 of many years ago.

I used two double crochets(dc) in each hole that the skip stitch blade made, carefully selecting the best hole in each corner before turning around the blanket to stitch the next side. I actually did 5 dc in each corner to fill the stitches and not have too much fleece showing there. WhIle dealing with my back problems, I actually gave the fleece blankets to a couple of the grandchildren already. I plan on retrieving them individually and doing the crochet edge trim to them. The first one is done.

Next- Cheryl's Chris' quilt. I want that done by Wednesday. Oh and I did totally finish the Key West Sunset quilt since my last post.
Doing my own little happy dance and feeling so smug! I hope this feeling and progress continues.

Enjoy your Day,
Jane

A Good Start

2012-01-02T18:28:00.003-05:00

2012 is off to a great start.

I was able to finish another knitted dish rag ends sewn in and all blocked. The 2 youngest grand children were here since day care had a Holiday today. After the cloth dried I recruited them to pull off the pins from the blocking board. They do enjoy these little chores. After wards the Little one loves to wind cords so I gave him the snippet ball of yarn left over. He played with that for at least an hour if not more. Here are PGD#1 and PGS#3 ages 6 and 3. She lost two teeth during Christmas Vacation. They both spent the night at Meme and Popi's too. Reaffirms why women should have children when they are younger. Boy were we pooped getting up several times through out the night.

As for getting to the drawn #5 UFO, not yet. I actually finally did put a label on a quilt that was in the show back in October. Label and bury the quilting threads on the backing of it has been on my list that still needed to be finished.

Label ~ CHECK, did last night

Bury threads ~ NEXT!

The Label was made in that software program QUILT ALBUM. That was the first reason I delayed in finishing the quilt. Found some time to play around just before the Holidays and made a label with the pertinent data I wanted and printed it out on a prepared purchased fabric. Boy that stuff was slippery when I started sewing borders around it. Seemed like every edge was a bias one and thank goodness it was only for the back of the quilt.

Note to self....if you ever do a photo collage quilt, print one picture then test the results before you print every thing out. Removing the paper was a chore and not as easy as I thought it would be.

Well thanks for stopping by . I do appreciate all the suggestions and comments. May you 2012 be all that you desire.

JANE

Learning

2012-01-01T17:58:00.000-05:00

Changed a couple of my settings to see if this was possible.

I'm Liking it!

~~I always wondered how people did this.~~
Now I Know.

Sweet.

JANE

We're OFF!

2012-01-01T13:04:00.006-05:00

Judy pulled the first UFO challenge Number. Drumroll Mistro: rat a tat tat, etc........

NUMBER 5, the Inukshuk quiltlet.
It's not a large one so I should be able to get this one done quickly.

I also joined in the Wonky House Swap that Jane is hosting, she owns Jane's Fabrics. No connection here, just an internet friend and now I am so happy I got in on this one. This is another first for me. I've been wanting to stretch out my creativity with some liberating so this will be just the kick I need hopefully! I'll provide a link for you in a bit. With this swap I have to make 12 wonky house blocks and 12 signature blocks which need to arrive at Jane's on March 1st. I'm going to be a very busy girl.

Jane

Stash Report – Week #1, 2012

2012-01-01T09:26:00.003-05:00

I'm liking that this first report falls on the New Year with a brand new slate. Last year with all that we had happened, I stopped and lost track of reporting with the developments our lives took.
This year I am optomistic and looking forward to more productivity, healthier life style in self management and my living spaces besides finding time to allow more joy to nourish me through friends, family, faith and creativity. Ooops.. and a bit more adventures with traveling when possible. May the fun begin.

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 0 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 0 yards
Net Used for 2012: 0 yards

Enjoy your day. Today all the Christmas decorations will be coming down and the snowmen will be invading.

Happy Day!

Jane

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

I welcome you.

Joining with Judy Laquidera's UFO challenge 2012

2011-12-31T19:32:00.017-05:00

Judy Laquidera from Patchwork times blog has hosted this challenge for two years now, as far as I'm aware of. I did participate last year. Not as successful as many participants, but I still consider my involvement a success in being abole to totally complete 5 projects besides the other numbers were worked on and at least progressed on.
So it's with eager anticipation that I'm listing another 12 for this year. Now in the same paragraph, I'm also challenging myself to keep up with the UFO challenge that my mother's guild in Florida does. Naming 5 projects and with that challenge, you have 2 months to complete it. I'll list those at the end of this post without pictures since many are included in Judy's UFO challenge.

Number 1 - Husband's Bathrobe

Number 2 - Tow Mater Quilt

Number 3 - Scalloped Table Runner

Number 4 - Santa Redwork

Number 5 - Inukshuk table quilt

Number 6 - Cheryl's Chris' Quilt - finished and delivered this to Juanita on January 26, 2012.   Was able to make a bright green piping which I then added a solid black border.    Looks really nice with that combo and it compliments the rest of the quilt.

Number 7 - Spring Patch-a-bilities

Number 8 - Disappearing Nine Patch with Moda's Kashmir IV line

Number 9 - Convergence
Sorry no photo......(I Need to find where I stored this one, esp if she pulls this number tomorrow!)

Number 10 - Grunge Quilt

Number 11 - 3 Baby Quilts to finish

Number 12 - Fall Country Flowers Patch-a-bilities

Two additional projects I'd like to get too are the Four Patch and the Flora quilt.
Many of the above listed have been started and are languishing away waiting for me to get inspired or uh hum.... driven to finish them. Some are just kitted up and I want to get to, but yet won't allow myself to start until I get some more UFO's finished! A definite catch 22? and a vicious cycle? Or more likely my realistic Janie Conundrums!

*************************************************************************************

As for joining the challenge with Mom's guild that is starting on the 10th. You are to list 5 projects and number them. When the number is pulled (as Judy does) BUT herein lies the difference...........you have two months to get it completed. Here's how I divided them up for that:

1- Mater Quilt

2- Convergence Wallhanging
Beach Tote

3- Santa Redwork

4- Disappearing 9 patch

5- Cheryl's Chris' Deer Quilt - Finished and delivered to Cheryl's Mom in Rouses Point, NY on 1/26/12
    Inukshuk
    Spring Patabilities

As you can see most of these are also listed in the 2012 UFO list of 12 in Judy's challenge. I do hope the Number 5 is drawn first in Florida. All of these really don't have that much more to get done on. For the life of me I wonder why they end up in the UFO pile!

Happy New Year!

Jane

A couple of winnings..

2011-12-28T06:30:00.001-05:00

Lucky me. I won two different items recently from giveaways held by two terrific ladies of the internet. I apologize to both for not sharing them until now.

Lesley at SewHappy.Me held a give away with her My Memories Software for photo albums and I won! I did get this just after Thanksgiving but with all the doings of Christmas and wrapping, it was placed (lost) amongst the wrappings. Thank you Leslie, I really do appreciate it and hope to have DH get it installed soon. Oh and BTW, she happens to be hosting a sew along that could be perfect for Valentine's Day just in case you're interested. Thanks Lesley!

This software program I have yet to install in the computer. I am looking forward to trying out some photo collages using it. I'd be so embarassed if you actually saw how I store my photos, so this is heaven sent! It may be my saving grace.

I also won "Little Bits QUILTING BEE" a book by Kathryn Ricketson from a giveaway held by Jodi of Pleasant Home Blogspot. Thank you so much Jodi for hosting this giveaway! This book just arrived about a week ago and I really enjoy the different designs Kathryn offers.

This book had a couple of unusual and nice patterns that are now some of my favorites.
Love this one!

Unique layout for air plane blocks!

Each page offers more and more unique quilt designs with "fabric tongues" appliqued within the borders. I want to read this little bits QUilting Bee book which is lovely on quick review. Thanks Jodi!

Noticing a trend

2011-12-26T20:21:00.000-05:00

Enjoying the peaceful moments after celebrating the Christmas Holiday with family. I happened to notice a trend of black, gold, green and the reds. Oh....how I love the look and I marvel how enjoyable they are even after many years of their embellishing my home. I made all of them except for the primitive Santa (bought that at a craft sale) and the stockings(a dear friend gave this to me for Christmas many years ago).

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T14:37:00.001-05:00

I am going to take a short break from this space until Monday. I wish you many moments of love, peace and joy. May you continue to keep the love and gratitude in your hearts throughout the next year. Have contentment for all the Blessings you receive and lastly, my wishes for you are great health, true happiness and prosperity too.

Good tidings my friends.

Enjoy,
Jane

Kent Delord Display 2011

2011-12-17T15:43:00.002-05:00

The historical Kent Delord opened its doors for three weeks with it's Holiday Display of antique quilts. Despite getting ready for the Holiday and with all the regular to dos to get to dones, I insisted that DH attend this showing with me. I know he enjoyed it but I really, really enjoyed it.

My favorite display was just to the right of the entrance. Check this out.

I {heart} this quilt and the way it was set up. I could picture myself back in the day curled up on this settee with a book just passing the day. Each postage stamp finished at 1" and was quilted with an X through every square. Quite a few of the blocks were fussy cut to depict the print of the fabric just so. Whoever the quiltmaker was for this one was extremely fastidious and very patient. IMHO, What a talented quilter!

Absolutely gorgeous!
Other vignettes through out the home were very tastefully and thoughtfully done.

Of course this next one scared the b-jeezus out of me when I went into the (updated)bath.

Perhaps there were a total of 50 quilts. When it could be displayed they were shown its full glory. Yet with room being modest, thats when several quilts were draped over the head and footboards of beds and piled onto steamer trucks, etc.... so you got a feel for the quilts made back in the 1800s to present day. The Clinton County Historical Society actually lent the quilts they own to be shown besides of course the many local quilters that volunteer at the Kent DeLord House bringin gin their own to fill out the exhibit.

I'll just let some of the pictures I took speak for themselves.

Great display and I enjoyed the outing thoroughly!

Merry Christmas!
Jane

Christmas is Soon!

2011-12-16T10:38:00.000-05:00

This Cactus is absolutely gorgeous this time of year. It just starting with it's floral burst and soon it will be smoothered by fuschia blooms. I just love it sitting next to the front entryway. A nice festive welcome.

Jane

Fruit cake

2011-12-12T13:22:00.000-05:00

For a cookie exchange this past week I thought I'd bring in these miniature fruitcakes(FC).

MINIATURE CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKES
(recipe from Libby Over of Phillipsburg, Ohio, USA as published in the Taste Of Home)

½ Cup Molasses
¼ Cup Water
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 Box Raisins
1 Pound Candied Fruit

½ Cup Butter
2/3 Cup Sugar
3 EGGS
1 Cup PLUS 2 Tablespoons Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
¼ teaspoon Ground Allspice
¼ teaspoon Ground Cloves

¼ Cup Milk

1 Cup Chopped Nuts

In a saucepan, combine Molasses, water and Vanilla. Add raisins and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the fruit. Cool.

Meanwhile in a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Combine all the dry ingredients in separate bowl and mix together.

Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk until all is in the mixing bowl. Stir in the fruit mixture, mix well.
Fold in the nuts.

Spoon into paper lined miniature tins, filling almost to the top.
Bake at 325 degrees for 22-24 minutes or until the cakes test done.
Cool on wire racks and store in air tight containers.

Even people who normally won’t eat fruitcake really enjoy these.

Merry Christmas!
Jane

December 5th Already!

2011-12-05T17:24:00.006-05:00

There has been enough going on lately. Our Thanksgiving was quite different this year but enjoyable. Usually we have a dinner here for the Holiday then travel to RI to visit with my other siblings and Mom, when she flies up to visit my big brother. Bbut this year the family had a hiatus. Since he is still on his honeymoon we are giving the newlyweds time alone before we bombard them, we'll do that next year.

Several days before the Holiday our daughter and her family with DH & moi went to a resort to play at a water park. It was DD's 34th birthday and she wanted to play for her special day. Off we went. We had adjoining rooms and it was a fun gathering. I thoroughly enjoyed just relaxing in the hot tub. Ahhhhhh, BLISS! Of course spending quality time with everybody that went and the dining out makes a girl feel really special too, so I had even more to be thankful for.

Then yesterday we celebrated DGS#3 third birthday, he actually turns 3 years old on the 8th. Another celebration and another turkey dinner. He absolutely loves tractors. So the theme was, drumroll ... you guessed it, John Deere Tractors.

He had fun driving his tractor on the cake's road, just look at that expression!

Here's a snap of him enjoying his new tractor.

His little tongue was licking his lips constantly while perusing his new acquisition. He was so proud and happy! Sorry, this next photo is so washed out, but I love the look on his little face. Can't tell I'm a proud grandmother can you?

So with all the traveling and celebrating, I haven't spent that much time stitching. One part of my life that I do miss is that my DH can't drive anymore. I was able to stitch to my heart's content while traveling and now, I am the only driver. He just rides shotgun and along the way telling me how to drive and where to go. I really wonder how I ever managed on my own for sooooo long? (Major sarcasism inserted here.)

A couple of recent little finishes are:

A gift made by PGD#1, age 6 for her brother's 3rd Birthday. She did a great job and I did help her with the face and yarns attachments, the rest she sewed by herself.

Also got to a little knitting, an easy dishrag that takes no thought process at all.

I plan on coming back another day and posting the directions here so I'll be able to find them at a moments' notice.

Glad also to report that I was able to get all the stitching done on my Shepherd's Bush scissor fob, I just need to finish it and that part I am really timid about doing. I do wish I had a needlework shop near me! The closest one is about 300 miles away in Massachusetts or New Hampshere! Oh well, such is life.

Enjoy your day and journey,
Jane

Grateful

2011-11-24T05:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Jane

Gobble Gobble..

2011-11-18T18:32:00.006-05:00

The youngest grandson did not have preschool today so we have been very busy. Finger painting, cutting paper shapes, playing outside in the sandbox and swinging filled up the morning.
After lunch WE had Naptime! When his sister got home, it was story time so she did the honors while I attempted to get something done around here.

Aren't they so sweet.

I had this craft to do idea in mind for the Holiday next week after I received an e-newsletter from Martha Stewart Crafts showing it. I picked up some flowers yesterday while I did the grocery shopping in town. Would you believe the flower stems cost just 2 cents? That would be $.01 for each! They were on clearance and I thought at 80% off I'd pay at least 20 cents each but a penny was the price. This was the cheapest I have ever left Michaels!

So what did we do with them?

A gaggle of turkeys for their family to help celebrate Thanksgiving. Their Mom's 34th Birthday is next week and this will be her surprise present.

Jane

PS: The turkey with the googgly eyes is suppose to be their "Mom's" and that is according to both children. tehehee, my daughter will just love this.

Crown Point Bridge Opens

2011-11-11T21:15:00.002-05:00

On Veteran's Day, Hubby and I decided to take the 2 youngest grandchildren on a family field trip. With the service our veterans have given throughout the years, I thought it might be nice to incorporate the dilapidated military barracks at Crown Point besides check out the bridge that has just opened.

When PGD#1 brought in newspaper articles to share about the newly opened bridge, her teacher asked her to get photos and make sure she shared her adventure when and if she got to visit it. Thus getting this for her teacher and classmates. Here is PGD#1, getting a photo op since her first grade teacher loved the old bridge. Normally we don't take pictures of a 6 year old standing in the middle of the road, but I made sure no vehicles were coming and this was a great way to get perspective of the bridge.

We figured we'd get to the middle of the bridge and let her stand with a foot in each state, NY and Vermont but it was so COLD!
The height of the bridge and the wind that swept though the wire mesh bordering the sidewalks made the bridge moan and sing. The higher we went, the louder it got and the cold pressed into us more. Her little brother didn't want to walk, he wanted to be carried so he could nestle in and protect himself from the winds. He is so smart!

I made a decision, this was nuts! We come back on another day when the weather was smoother AND WARMER besides all the area historical sites would be open then and we could really enjoy our day.

So back to the car we went. The old fort was closed, the temperature was 39 degrees there and with the winds coming off Lake Champlain, our planned picnic outside was definitely out of the picture. I showed her by car the standing chimneys sentinels left of the old military barracks on the other side of a hill next to the road and promised we'd come back in the summer when everything was open and it was warmer. Even the road to the Crown Point lighthouse with the Auguste Rodin bronze bust was closed.

I also had figured that when we got home, we could do some artwork and get a couple of letters written to send off to our troops at Christmas-time thus closing up the appreciation to our veterans on this Holiday. Thanking them for keeping our country and lifestyles safe, but both kids were sleeping by the time we got home so that was a BUST.

Oh, on trying to salvage a bit of the adventure I had hoped for, I thought we'd get a treat at the nearby Bridge Restaurant at Chimney Point. They were slammed with customers and had an hour and a half wait time. SO, back to the car we went and ended up having a picnic in the car on the way home.

You know some days, my plans just don't work out at all and today was one of them. Oh well, perhaps another day.

Jane

Redundancy

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

Checking on my UFO Progress & Quick Binding Method

2011-11-08T09:11:00.007-05:00

Reviewing the list of UFO's it is alarming how many are totally stagnant and though I was able to finish 16 so far, I actually was hoping to finish at least 24 this year plus a few extra if possible. So with the press for succeeding in that task I will be finishing up a few that would be close and relatively easy to do.

First up is to bind a quilt that is listed in the completed project list and isn't. Guess I was just too excited to get her done that I wrote it there and then got waylaid while getting along to finish it.
SO I will select the binding and get it cut and sewn together today. I plan on doing the faux piped binding method I now love.

FAUX PIPED BINDING:

Cut the binding 1-1/2" wide
cut the piped fabric 1-3/4" wide.

Sew each of these fabrics together end to end as you do in typical binding methods.

***Now this next part is the deviation from traditional binding methods.

Sew those two strips together side by side not end to end. Set the seam and press the seam allowance to the desired side. (I prefer to press it to the binding color, it seems to lay better for me in this orientation.) Now press the binding strip in half being careful to let the same amount of piped fabric be shown while pressing, this is crucial since the smoother the press line, the neater your piped binding will be..

Sew the binding onto the backside of your quilt viewing the piped fabric on top of it as you sew. When you turn this over to the front of your quilt.
It will have a 1/8- 1/4" reveal of the piping and you machine stitch it down by "stitching in the ditch" between these two colors. Make a practice piece so you know which color thread would work best in your quilt. Sometimes with my Number 10 foot I use on my Bernina, the topstitching shows more on one side of this seem and if it's the right color, it just fades into the cloth.

Additional note: when turning your binding over at the mitered corners, take your time and use plenty of pins to make sure there is no shifting of the layers to get a beautifully turned corner. This makes sewing on the binding so much quicker for utilitarian quilts. Now mind you, if I was working on an heirloom quilt, I would still sew the binding and piping on to the front and hand stitch it on the back to get an absolutely perfect binding. This photo shows I did use a blue thread when stitching it in the ditch on the front. It's not invisible, but it's not that evident either and it was so much quicker.

Jane

Derek Walcott's Poem

2011-11-06T08:51:00.002-05:00

LOVE AFTER LOVE

The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

Derek Walcott

Namaste.

2011-11-06T07:18:00.005-05:00

I am in a contemplative mood and feel so very serene today. Yesterday, a very good friend and I went to an all day yoda, meditative retreat in Hemingford, CA and it was so right in so many levels. It's always great spending time with Trudy and yesterday was no exception. With visiting while traveling there and back, yet when we were at the retreat we buddied up with other people for some of the exercises. So it was nice to connect with other like-minded souls traveling on their own paths.

All that I learned about myself is private, but I had several enlightening moments through-out the day. So with practice and patience, I hope to become more, much more. With less and yet in the same breath perhaps even better. To stop some of my mind chatter and get to the "pause" even quicker.

The instructor Elizabeth had recently returned from a Jon Kabat-Zinn seminar and shared her thoughts and processes of being more mindful. Some of the physical effects that happen to our bodies when we perceive "STRESS" and the destructiveness of this angst in a self survival role. Perception is the beginning, and with sharing of perceptions more insights and possibilities are evident, especially when shared.

So with that shared, I am off to find my balance between being and doing.

Namaste,
Jane

MEDITATION- Its' not what you think.

Key West Sunset Quilt

2011-11-04T09:47:00.016-04:00

A while back, I mentioned I would be back to share information learned along the way while making this quilt. First of all, let me share the actual photo of the finished quilt while it hung at our quilt show.

KEY WEST SUNSET QUILT
Finished 10-7-2011

A friend of mine took a photo of it while it was displayed at our quilt show. Thanks Patti! Here are a couple of others items I quilted into the borders that I haven't shared with you yet.

Overall, the boders contained shells, seaweed clumps on both lower edges, a couple of angel fish, several sea horses, a couple of dolphins playing, a field of jelly fish (I actually did eight of them totally free hand- no tissue paper!) and the piece de resistance- the Mermaid.
It was enjoyable playing with thread and accomplishing all of these free hand. Now I can't draw a straight line with a ruler typically, but with tracing this designs through free copy right onto tissue paper for the more detailed ones and practising on my dry erase board for the simpler designs, I was able to get what I wanted where it needed to be. Amazingly I had fun and really did it! Yoorah ME.

I learned some things about me in the process.

***Usually there is a tendancy around here to postpone going into the next step. I'll drag my feet and overthink the project until I get fustrated and then it will be put aside to the UFO pile that I truly do love all parts of quilt making. I need to put my fear aside and just do it. Thanks to the dooming deadline, I did jump into this much quicker.

***But another lesson learned, stop procastinating so you have that huge deadline approaching faster, sooner. While finishing up the quilting, I thought of having more quilting done within the interior of the quilt, BUT because of said quilt show dealine, I skipped over that bit and did enough so the borders could be finished and done in time. One week before the show, I still had to sew on the borders, quilt and bind the thing. YEE GADS!

I didn't care for sewing the borders on after the center top was quilted. It was another first attempt for me to try and while it is okay, there are 2 little wrinkles now on the back of this in one border AND they will be staying there.
***Next time, assemble the whole top. If I need to reduce the bulk of the quilt to get it through my machine, then I'll cut the batting and backing off to quilt the center area easier.

Still have to put the label on it. Will be getting to that as soon as I receive the "Quilt Album" software I ordered. Not sure yet how this will work, but with thinking about labeling this one I stumbled across this software. So after checking out there website and saw the possibilities this could be do, I ordered a hard copy of it that I will be sharing with my Mom's computer so when I visit her there, I can still take care of business. Am still waiting for the delivery.

Am thinking of photographing the quilt and then use that in the label.

I grabbed some snap shots of the backing done for it too.

It's not perfectly squared up with the quilt boundaries (shhhh!), but I like it anyway.
I threw some of the discarded blocks onto the back in a manner that pleased me.
Notice the star fish on the bottom border, boy that stands out on the back too!

Here are a couple of shots I just took of the whole quilt that I took of it on my deck. That little bit of white stuff is our first bit of snow.

How's that for an Oxymoron: Key West Sunset does the Adirondack Autumn that is rushing into winter.

Enjoy your day,
Jane

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T18:52:00.001-04:00

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!
I recently stumbled across a terrific giveaway by Connie at Quilting By the River. Good Luck!

Jane

The Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-24T18:39:00.000-04:00

We had a nice time going to the Pumpkin Patch with the youngest grandson.
The weather actually was great even though the sun was shining above all the clouds, the temperature was mild and the rain held off. With a wagon ride to get to the pumpkin patch, selecting their own pumpkins and then followed with going to the nearby apple orchard to pick their own little bag of apples, PGS#3 was wonderful and we all enjoyed ourselves.

He was very sure of his discision dispite the larger pumpkins scattered through the field. Of course I told him he was talented and picked the perfect pumpkin.

The wagon ride back to the apple stand. Of course there are plenty of goats fenced in a petting area that need little ones to feed them. Then onto the orchards.

Another highlight of our day was a well thought out display of Honey Bees so children could see where Honey came from. The stand the safety glass display was on, had a nicely painted landscape of beehives.

On this picture you'll notice a transparant tube going off this display on the bottom right side. This tubing allows the bees to work the orchard and come and go for their duties yet allows the visitor to witness these trips. They also had a yellow dot on the back of the Queen Bee for identification. What a very detailed and nice display that all ages can enjoy.

This orchard called Applejacks in Peru offered a different apple than we are used to called Crispins. YUMM! Both DH and I were quite smitten with the flavor so we bought a couple of huge apples for $3.00. Pricier than Macs but a sweet, juicy and beautiful treat.

We all had a great time and enjoyed the fruits of the season. Dh enjoyed the Crispins so much that he checked out the web when we got home and said that in the spring, we'd plant a Crispin Apple Tree. What a keeper he is. ;~)

Enjoy your day,
Jane

Yes I did finish.

2011-10-22T18:01:00.003-04:00

Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted. As you can see by the header I was able to finish my quilt in time, I just haven't made the time to share it all here yet.

I've been having a heck of a time with my allergies and it's been wrecking havoc with the asthma. Urrrrgh! Finally went to Doctors yesterday so am starting to feel better after the magic ointments, salves and pills have been prescribed. Perhaps I need to move to a better climate for me. It seems as if every year I am subjected to this crud over taking my health and it is so taxing.

I promise I'll share my finishes and the details learned along the way soon. For now, I am nesting and shoring up my energies for this week. SO far only have another trip to Vt for DH's Drs appointment and have a court date regarding my disability set up for this week besides the grandchildren hear for the other 3 days.
Stay Well,
Jane

Columbus Day Quilt show

2011-10-12T10:56:00.001-04:00

"Ladies of the Sea" by Pam Schafer

"Dirty Laundry" by Karla Strauss

"My Celtic Rose" by Eileen Powers

Champlain Valley Quilter's Guild hosted there biennial quilt show and it was a fabulous show. So many talented quilters and truly award winning quilts were evident.

The above only is a glimpse of the quilts seen. All three shown won award winning ribbons. My Mom's Celtic Rose won two ribbons! Congratulations Mom!

Imagine her sursprise when I mail her the goodies. She didn't even know I was putting her quilt into our show.

I'm unsure of the numbers for the show, but there had to be at least 350+ quilts on exhibit. I think there were about 40 quilts done by the members for the Mystery project and it was great to see how different they all looked due to the preferences of each quilter.
That made a great exhibit within the show and let even non-quilters wrap their brain around how different one pattern could turn out so many different ways.

Jane

It will be done...., still going

2011-10-06T23:24:00.003-04:00

All the quilting is now done. PHEW! On to my binding next. Planning on doing a faux piped binding that way I can sew onto the back and after flipping it to the front, will use my machine to finish the edge. Will show pictures tomorrow of some of my progress as well as share my perspectives I realized while making this quilt.

Quilting is not perfect and I did get some puckers in the back. Will have to focus better on my next large quilt that I plan on quilting on my DSM. Wish I could afford those long arm machines with the BSR and a stationary desk top.

Jane

WIP Wednesday

2011-10-05T23:21:00.000-04:00

Still quilting the sea themed borders.

Progressing on the quilt

2011-10-04T18:06:00.005-04:00

Am doing the detail quilting and am having fun. Here's some shots of what is what.

The smallest seahorse I did on the backside and now have some nubby like threads showing on the top. You can tell where I hesitated when changing my directions, am I going to rip these out? Heck NO!
When you look at seahorses they are cute but also have an armoured appearance and these extra thread piles will give it that structured apearance. anyhow, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thanks to Dover Publications and tissue paper that I am thrilled to get these done so far.

By tonight, all the borders will be quilted. (I hope!)

The plan is to have a couple of sea themed items scattered along the borders similiar to the layout I showed several days ago and then do some quilting filler stitches throughout all around them to finish it. My personal deadline for the quilting is tonight. Will let you know how it goes.

Jane

Design idea fermenting

2011-10-03T18:44:00.000-04:00

I started my sea themed quilting idea for my current focus quilt. Am timidly starting with a couple of shells and some seaweed. They are not bad, but they are not great either. I will persue it as I see it in my head. This is a HUGE, GINORMOUS step for me.

Having fun with it anyway.

Jane

What am I thinking?!!!!!!

2011-10-02T23:34:00.003-04:00

Of doing this in my borders......

I must be NUTS!

Jane

Blogtoberfest

2011-10-01T00:24:00.002-04:00

It's another challenge I've decided to participate with and I need to blog every day for the month of October. Still working on that quilt.

Enjoy your day. Jane

Came in the post.

2011-09-26T21:49:00.004-04:00

I recently stumbled across a company that creates a book out of blogs and decided to try it out. Shared Book.com did a very nice job. The grandchildren love having a book with their photos in it and looking at some of the entries with the goings on in years past.

I choose to have 2008 and 2009 both printed into a "Quiltsmiles blogpsot journal".

How nice! I really think it's well done and now my mind is realing with possibilities to have a family cookbook created or journals with the family histories documented and printed for gifts.
As if I don't have enough going on already, not sure I could get to those or not. So for now, I'll just be enjoying this little journal and mulling over the possiblilities. TTFN!

Jane

Progress on Orange Crush Quilt

2011-09-26T20:34:00.009-04:00

I've been calling this quilt initially the Orange Crush since that is the name of the Mystery Directions when I started it with Bonnie Hunter's quiltville Mystery. Thereafter,I started referrign to it as the Cadyville Orange Crush or Color on Color challenge quilt. But now I think it's appropriate to call by it's wanted name.
When I look at this all I can think of is the sunsets seen while we were in Key West, Florida. A flaming Orange Sun dipping down into the sea with hints of darkness coming about. So I think I'll be calling this my KeyWest Sunset and go with the sea themed quilting in it. I always am amazed at what the quilts are saying to me and shift me towards that direction. I found a quilt design called Splish-splash that would work for the orange crosses blocks that would alternate this quilting on the top.

Trying out this new to me technique of using the "Golden Threads" for a quilt design in the C.O.C. quilt that will be in a show on Columbus Day weekend. After seeing several successful quilting bloggers using this, one I remember off the top of my head is Jamie in Louisianna, and after I figured out which design the quilt needed, I figured that I'd give it a try. Jamie gave a step by step photo session of her using it in a project, Thanks Jamie!

So I gathered my supplies including a copy of the design, cut numerous pages of golden threads in a approximate size, then stacked them and stapled the stack. Went to my machine and sewed on the lines on my machine without any thread. When it was completed, I had 10 pages of needle punched design papers. Then I used my favorite adhesive spray, 505 and placed them on the blocks that needed quilting.

I gathered threads and decided for this portion of quilting I would use the variegated blue/red sulky in the bobbin and for the top, a YLI navy blue. Now I am very happy with that decision I was ready to proceed. Why is it I torment myself over the different steps within a project? I am still trying to figure it out!!!! Anyway, back to my quilting.....

I did just one block and then I cautiously pulled the paper off to see how it turned out.

Not perfect, but not too bad either. Very surprised and happy with these results I continued on.

The worst part seems to be pulling off the paper afterwards. Grrr..., so what did I try next?

Thats right, I tried another new to me technique with this Sulky water soluble transfer stabilizer.

I didn't care for this and am not sure I actually used it correctly. So if anybody has any hints or tips on it, I'd love to learn more.

Following the directions, I drew out the design with a permanent marker on one sheet and then ironed it onto the project, or should I say tried to iron it onto the project. Not sure I wrote on the correct side or if it was the true adhesive side that I tried to adhere to the block. That's the point I had trouble with.

It didn't want to stay put on the project so I used pins to adhere it. Still had to pull most of it off before I can dunk it into water after all the quilting is done, and pulling it off was much easier than the golden threads block. BUT to stitch the quilting, even using my textured gloves, was slippery and very hard for me to handle with the hand/neck/shoulder and back conundrums. So, I ditched using the Sulky and resumed using the Golden threads all the while knowing it would be tidious getting all those snippets of paper off after I finsh the quilting.

So there are a total of 23 blocks done so far with just 9 blocks more to go for quilting the main area of the quilt and as for paper removal that number is around 16that I need to get the paper off and also tie off and bury my threads.

Here is a snap of the backing showing how it looks so far, what do you think?

Thanks for stopping by. If you know about using the sulky, I'd appreciate any tips. I really Love the idea of using this for some embroidery projects right after I finish this quilt for the weekend of the 12th.

Jane

Youngest grand child on his way..

2011-09-13T10:47:00.009-04:00

The youngest grandson (PGS#3) who is 2 and will turn three at the beginning of December is now a big boy and attending preschool. His Mom isn't sure that he is really ready so she is paying her daycare provider through the end of September to reserve his space there. Preschool occurs 3 times a week and I know he is ready and happy to get to go to school.

See what I mean, he did fuss just a bit when we were ready to leave but he did fine. I just wonder when the I'm not going to school today phase will kick in. Perhaps I'll be lucky and if it will happen it'll be when it's 40 below zero or something handy like that. VBG!

These next two shots are quite washed out, sorry about that. Somehow the camera setting shifted.

His big sister is in first grade now and when she got home after the first day of school she wanted to jump rope. Ahhhh..... I remember those days when I considered that fun. Now 2 jumps and I am winded and just try to breath!

She was so proud and couldn't wait for Mom and Dad to come pick her up to show off her new skills. Check out that smile while she's jumping....uumphh, what a show off! giggle

This is what she learned (of course you need to sing it into a rhyme):

Ice Cream Soda
Bananan Split
Who's your boyfriend
I forget

Is it
A
B
C
D etc....and which ever letter you can't jump by becomes the first letter of a boy's name. Oh those simple times. {smile}

Here are a couple of recent finishes.

Jeweled pavers is Tout Fini! Attempting to get an artsy pic. (if I do say so myself, it's not too bad LOL).

A view of the back. I Like to finish by using some leftover blocks in a linear orientation besides I threw in a bit of a Kaffe fabric that worked too. It was at this time when I noticed that the camera was not set correctly and was wasing out the shots. You'd think I could have taken another shot of the back showing the true colors BUT NO, didn't think of that. Oh well.

Blackbird Designs Easter Parade also finished, that is except for the framing.

Closeup of a little variation that felt right for this piece. Flipped some design details and added in three crosses representing calvary with the center cross more embellished.

A Closer view:

One of my current WIPs,

I really don't care for the ribbon that was kitted with this scissor fob that I recently won on ebay. It was a great deal from a lady that I enjoy doing business with. Besides this kit I also purchased 4 others to complement my scissor collection. Not sure yet what I'll use for the cording or ribbon trim. Will have to sit on that for a bit while the C.O.C. quilt is worked on.

Current and URGENT WIP:

Would you believe that this will be a finished quilt in 3 weeks? What do you think besides get your butt moving faster Jane.
Thanks for stopping by to visit and perhaps leaving a message. Your comments are always appreciated and I enjoy viewing the links to your space to see what you've been up to as well. Blogging is truly a nice benefit of living today. See you soon.

Jane

Remembering

2011-09-11T08:13:00.002-04:00

September 11, 2001

Whiz, bang POW!

2011-09-06T21:25:00.002-04:00

Life continues to throw wrinkles my way but I do find the silver linings. Hurricane Irene left a devastating path along the whole East coast and the devastation is amazing. Without power and a just a bit of damage with erosion on the waterfront of our property and food spoilage we didn't fare as badly as quite a few of our neighboring friends, they lost everything. We do need to install our electric service line and both of us are thinking of having it buried to eliminate any future damages done to it by storms. Currently we are waiting to hear back from an electrician. Along the roadways where there were no brooks or rivers the erosion was amazing to see what flash floods could do. Tearing up the road shoulders, support systems and making ravines wherever the water wanted to go, carving out paths through tarmack even. Flash floods are something that typically don't happen in our neck of the woods so it is with a renewed reverence for water that I report this.

I have always had respect for our fore bearers in working in lamplight while doing their craft and found myself grateful to have flash lights and candles for working on my WIPS while we were without communication, power and even cell phone coverage. My silver linings were that I was able to finish my BBD Easter Parade while the lights were gone, and also made huge headway in my monstrous sized quilt of the Jeweled Pavers, aka Patience Corners. The binding was just finished this evening so the only bit left is to make the label for it. Our daughter borrowed our camera to capture the damages she had from Hurricane Irene, so when I get it back, I'll be showing you my finishes.

The next focus on my WIPS, (After the above mentioned label of course) is to finish my borders on the C.O.C. quilt that will be in next month's quilt show. The acronym for that quilt could be Color on Color since it is quite boldly colored and not my usual trend, but it was an exercise in color for me that started as the Cadyville "Orange Crush" Mystery quilt. It was started a couple of years ago as a "mystery quilt" with Bonnie Turner from Quiltville.com. so I did try to follow her recommendations BUT I did have a scrap Madras skirt in my scrap pile that I thought, those colors were close to what she suggested and would stretch my color consciousness too and the rest as they say is history. So recently, during Hurricane Irene, while stitching the other items, I pondered and finally figured out what the best border treatment for C.O.C. quilt is calling for. I only hope it works and can be finished quickly.

Will be back with you when I can.

Jane

During day one of the Hurricane, DH set up our generator to at least run freezers and our medical equipment. It was a gas powered one that kept reving up and shuddering down. Then in the middle of the night, while it was whizzing more strenuously "ka- POW"! She broke down.
Great! with our medical equipment, a machine for his heart and then my C-pap machine for my apnea we were literally sleeping with one eye open, or at least that's how it felt. Thankfully a friend tried to repair it but alas, without success. Thankfully our local fire dept loaned us a generator the last day of our lack of energy, what saints they were and are.

Progress...

2011-08-25T12:32:00.003-04:00

Just a few things going on.

Typical.

BBD Easter Parade progress, I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Our guild's quilt show is coming quickly so am finishing up some of the quilts that I entered. This baby is a montrous 102" X 102", am hoping to hand stitch the binding at a pace of one side a night when I can, so this will be done by the end of August. Crossing fingers.

Hubby in the kitchen cooking. And he wonders why I need to be absent when he's there.

He just doesn't get it, I spend more time wiping up after him, closing doors and putting things away that it drives me nuts. There, that explains that.

Oh well, my man can at least cook! lol

Enjoy your blessings,

Jane

wow, Wow and WOW!

2011-08-14T05:30:00.008-04:00

What a fantastic quilt artist! My good friend Trudy has a friend that was having a gallery showing in Brandon, Vt and thought I would be interested in seeing her works. She was right. Friday was a girl friend road trip day to visit this exhibit and a couple others showing her work, besides stopping by her studio as well as more stops along the way, wherever we wanted or were drawn to. What a great Day and the artist, JUDITH REILLY is absolutely fantastic. What a talented quilter, artist besides a very gracious lady.

Another like minded friend, Sue along with Trudy and moi left early Friday morning packed with our picnic lunches, enthusiasm, and with the sole intent of visiting Judith Reilly's exhibits. OF course a road trip also includes little stops along the way. The first stop was at Knits and Bolts. I stumbled upon a sale of Accuquilt Go! dies at 40% off. YIKES! They are never on sale and though they didn't have the particular dies I really, really want, I was able to increase my assortment of dies with that discounted price. WHat a nice surprise, I am feeling very contented at this point.

The dies I would like to get next are the Funky Flower, Tulip, stems and leaves, Rob Peter to Pay Paul, and Winding Ways. It will be after I finish my quilts for the guild's show that my intention is to play with my Accuquilt Go! and cut the rag squares for a quilt in my UFO pile. I really need to get some "hands on" time and play with my toy. I can see how this purchase will help out and speed up my creativity. With the back issues, many times cutting is a difficulty for me and this will be a huge help and hopefully keep pain in check besides the speed up the time when cutting up my scraps for humpjumping.

Of course both Trudy and Sue found a bit to bring home with them as well, even though neither are into the Accuquilt Go! yet. Our next stop was in Brandon Vt. We found a museum/visitor center with a picnic area on the lawn, so we took a nice lunch break and stretched out our legs, found out about the area and where all these exhibits were happening.

Continuing along our journey, Judith Reilly's studio was next and she was there. Heaven! Her works of art are so detail specific with just a touch of whimsey that I loved each piece. Each one seen I loved and yet the next viewed I loved just a tad more than the previous one. Absolutely stunning works of art. So for your viewing pleasure peeps, I present to you just a few of her pieces.

Judith was so gracious to us and gave us a private tour of her studio (where the magic happens). She answered every question we asked and even gave us a glimspe of the steps she does to create her works. WOW! How diverse and talented. She frames her own pieces too, amazing!

This is Judith with a little friend she made. Can you say Multi-talented! The next snapshots are of the piece of fabric she played on while we were there and a little something I purchased.

It was going back into her gallery and gift shop that I honored my "non-smoking anniversary" gift to myself with yet again with an original art work piece. I call it "Amongst Friends" but I need to write to her and see what title she has for the piece. Thank you Judith. I left her studio feeling so thankful and glad and inspired to try out some of her steps.

Our journey continued and we visited two additional galleries. The Brandon Artist Guild where many talented artists had samples of their passions. Besides Judith's work there I also found a silver artist that made the most original pieces of jewelry, Meg something (I'll have to find her business card and insert her last name later). She might be able to give a class on her technique sometime in the future, so Trudy and I both left her our names and contact info. Hopefully, we will be able to learn her steps. Of course being a gallery, photo's were not allowed, so I can't share the wonderful sights seen there.

Next up was the Gallery in the Field just north of Brandon. Yet again more gorgeous works of art. The space was amazing and the artwork displayed beautiful. Some of Judith Reilly's older pieces were visible there besides the newer ones and the development of her art was evident.

All in all, it was a fantabulous day. Thank you Trudy and Sue for sharing your day with me. This journey of ours made for a long day, but one I will cherish and remember fondly.

While traveling back home, a peculiar sight we encountered along the way just near Ferrisburg, Vt. Ollie the camel bearing witness to our journey.

Thank You Judith for all your inspiration. And as she would say, Follow your instincts and enjoy your journey or "Whatever blows your hair back".

Jane

Update, new challenge,

2011-08-09T22:02:00.005-04:00

After my Mom visiting I realized that perhaps I could list parts of my projects and try to complete them in stages by imposing my own fab four every Friday. I had seen this idea before out in blog land and I don't know whose it was but it may help me in my creative endeavors. So last week I wrote out 4 projects I wanted done or specific steps on certain projects completed by this Friday.

To date I have 2 off my list. The first is one of the Ott light bags that Mom and I started on the last day she was here. I had found a pattern on the web at:

cqmagonline.com/vol03iss04/articles/368/index.shtml

I used it as a reference but drew up a pattern and thought it through several times. I ended up cutting a large rectangle and then cut out the top center area leaving two rectangles attached towards the outside portion. Oh no, take that back, that was the first prototype thought through.

I actually had a large rectangle and then cut out two rectangles off each top outside section.
Serged around the whole perimeter.
Sewed the one seam from the top of the bag to the bottom and then I top stitched both sides of that seam for a little detail. That part was a bit fussy but to me it was worth the effort of squeezing the bag cylinder under my Number 10 foot a bit at a time.
Sewed the bottom seam, then sewed the gussets into the the bottom corners.
Made a 1-1/4" single fold binding and sewed that on the inside of the bag, then after flipping the binding over the raw edge, top stitched that by machine to the outside.
Made a handle and then attached it to the back, just behind the flip over top. Sewed them in place.
Velcro fastenings for the closure with the top one covered with a complimentary button and VOILA!

An Ott Light Bag that helped me bust 1/2 yard of prequilted fabric and cross one of my FFF (Fab Four Friday's) off my list.

Another step to Miss Shabby Chic's Bird BOM was stitched, another FFF met.

This last snap is of an apron I completed a couple of months ago, but never wrote about it here. I fell in love with this fabric while shopping at Yankee Pride Quilt Shop in Essex Junction, Vt just before the VQF show and thought it would be nice to update my apron. Quite of a few of my aprons get so stained that I hope to keep this one tidier. I really love this one.

That's it for now. I hope to be back perhaps Satuday night and share the other 2 FFF I wish to have completed by this Friday, even though when I scheduled these I didn't know I be running into town more often! My schedule is a bit heavy. Despite DH finishing his cardiac rehab last Friday he now has injured his back and it's daily trips to town to keep his appointmkents for that. AS Rosanna Roseanna Danna used to say "If it's not one thing, it's another". Oh well, I continue to count my (our) blessings.

Jane

Good Morning

2011-08-04T08:04:00.007-04:00

As previouosly mentioned on another post, I finished Cheryl's nephew's quilt and snapped a shot but never gave you a glimpse at the finished top. Here it is.

That's all of the quilt I could get from laying it on our bed, grrr! the effort of living in a samll home! Another friend, Carole is doing the machine quilting on her gammill named Penelope. I do promise to show you a better shot of it after I bind it when it comes back, so that is one more project hanging o'er my lil' head.

I've been remiss in my blogging lately, so I offer you my apologies. No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, just have been real busy. My Mom was up north visiting for 6 weeks as you know and I brought her to the airport last week. That woman can really get so much done. She accomplishes so much and I have always marveled at her time schedulings and things she completes. She has lists of what she wants done by whichever dates and meets those self inflicted deadlines consistently. This last visit I had as Oprah would say an ah ha! moment. She is a task quilter while I on the other hand am a process quilter. Her satisfaction is when she completes a task. It drives her to continue to the next step. Now me, I'm liking the process so I'll putter away on the project and love my time spent while doing it, not hurriedly get through it just to get to the next stage of the project.
With the grandkids here and chaffeuring DH since his medical problem, I would get the next fabics cut for a couple of projects we worked on together before heading out the door. Between feeding the grandkids, getting myself ready for a trip to town 3 days a week, plus all the erands and business to-dos while there and then meals, besides measuring and cutting fabric for Mom to have something for her to do while we were gone, are you getting the picture. It's a wonder I kept my "calm" sanity and didn't start barking orders like a mad woman to get my list of to dos done!
Anyhow, all the projects she brought North with her were completed so we looked at some baby quilt "kits" I had in and thought we could finish a couple baby tops before she had to leave. We worked on those together. She did all the pinwheel piecing and assembled the centered parts. I did the measuring, cutting, fudging how to come up with more panel fabric and only some border assembling. The result. FOUR BABY quilt tops made!

So Peeps - for your viewing pleasure the tops that I actually found time and backings for, that I layered yesterday while DH was at rehab. I'll let you in on a little secret I did. Shhhh! In one of the medical buildings close to DH's rehab, the hospital has 2 conference rooms with tables already set up. I know this because we used one during rehab. for a stress management class AND because any time it rained and I didn't walk the city streets I used the stairs and walked hallways so I saw how often thsoe rooms were empty. Another ah ha moment, bring in the pressed tops, batting and backing and spray baste my quilts there instead of my usual moving furniture, laying them out on the living room floor and doing it on my knees.
A VOILA!

Four quilts basted! Would you believe I had 2 of the same baby kits and I purchased a couple of yards of complimentary fabric for them at the time ( I was thinking of backing) and all 4 of these quilts were made out of that. We made them even larger than the pattern thanks to some stash diving and getting other complementary fabric to make the first borders for all of them. AND I still ahve enough fabric to make one more baby quilt, albeit it will have to be a different pattern, time will tell. I'll tackle that AFTER I get these quilted, finish the UFO's I wanted to work on but slid to the side to enjoy time with Mom and of course besides finish two quilts I entered into our guild quilt show coming up in October. The patience corners and my C.O.C. (Cadyville Orange Crush). Eeeeks! I just threw myself into a panic, best get my butt moving.

Ta Ta For Now,
Jane

Going, going, going along smoothly...

2011-07-12T17:27:00.008-04:00

My schedule is still rather busy and the days are just flying by. Actually got out to do some yard work with DH this am since cardiac rehab doesn't happen on Tuesdays, Mom is visiting a sister in Vt and the grand kids are now at day care. Felt so nice to work several hours without any interruptions, just the times needed to take a break with our health issues. We actually transplanted rhubarb and created a newer bed near the grape arbor.

The technique to make this raised bed was done by the mode I learned last year on the garden tour. A gentleman with an absolutely gorgeous raised bed gardens told me how he did his so we are trying that this year. His method was to cut the sod in a 10x10 area on three sides and then flip it onto the tops on the neighboring sod. It allows an edge around the garden perimeter while elevating the interior of the garden. He said that by flipping the sod it kills the grass especially when mulched. We did leave one rhubarb plant alone since it is rather hot for transplanting. For the rest, we actually cut off the rhubarb vegetation and nested the split roots into a manure compost before burying them with thick layers of newspapers and finally topping them off with mulch. I hope this works, time will tell.

The island garden where the rhubarb was, had overgrown badly with weeds, so I suggested we cut it down and then start working the soil. While in the middle of doing this, I thought, why bother having this garden here at all. We could have the perennials planted as edge type along the property boundary. So we plan to move the rest of the perennials in the spring, when we have more raised beds ready. It will be so much better than these smack dab in the middle of the backyard. As for the camper, instead of storing it near the back boundary of the woods, we could park it behind the garage, away from the eye sight line while on the decks,m but readily available and much handier behind the garage.

Last week while Mom and I had a few hours we managed to make these small purses. Guess what the fabric is?

They are Dish towel Bags. What cute towels. Mom brought these towels up with her from Florida thinking that it would be a fun and quick project and she was right. It took more time thinking about how to make them than it did actually making them. There is an outside pocket that has a separating seam down the center and the inside of mine, I also placed a pocket along one side, that's the aqua one. Mom place a smaller pocket inside her cahrtreuse one too.

Here are a couple of snaps of my current focuses:

Shabby Chic's BOM and I finally got the January block embroidered!

The quilt I am making for Cheryl's nephew Chris.

We did have a couple of family BBQs this past weekend. DH and our son stoked up the smoker grill and we dined on turkey, pork butt, bratwurst, kielbasa and even a few Chicken breasts. We didn't actually have all of that at one dinner, just smoked them all at once while it was smoking. Makes meals easy this week with everything all cooked, I just needed to throw some salads together. What a breeze!
While the smoker was cooling down, the grand kids decided to have a little race, even the fourteen year old had fun. Of course I was still in the kitchen picking and washing up, so they called me outside to have a chuckle too!

The 14 year old (PGS#3) actually was riding the hot Diego hot wheels too! Kids! Gotta love em!

Jane

Like it:

2011-07-07T09:57:00.001-04:00

“Getting started, keeping going, getting started again—in art and in life, it seems to me this is the essential rhythm.”

— Seamus Heaney

Great source for counted cross stitch questions is here.

Enjoyed the 4th!

2011-07-05T12:52:00.013-04:00

We got back home in time to celebrate the 4th at home. It is always nice to get away but even nicer to get back home. On this trip we went to Rhode Island for my brother's wedding.

What a beautiful ceremony and his bride is a sweetheart. I wish both of them many years together with health, happiness and love. The next snapshot is a picture of all of my siblings (including myself) with Mom and the newly married couple. It was grand that all of us could make it. Some traveled with spouses, some without due to other commitments elsewhere so it was nice to see all of us together for the occasion.

Before the actual wedding ceremony we spent a day sight seeing Newport, RI. The Newport Tower is an architectural structure that I have heard about on different historical documentaries and have always wanted to visit. There are mysterious conjectures of why and who built it which still remains today. Here is a link to an article about the tower with another link here which jump starts you onto more links and pages of information about this structure should you wish to learn more. Here is an additional link discussing the Kensington Runestone and it's coorelation with the Tower in Newport, RI and this stone was found in Minnesota! Common information regarding this runestone is that in 1898 the Kensington Runestone was found on the farm of Olaf Ohman, near Alexandria, Mn. Initially thought to be a hoax planted by Olaf who lived with critisism throughout his life, even being thought of as a hoaxster who falsified and carved the stone himself.
The Kensington Runestone carvings allegedly tell of a journey of a band of Vikings who arrived in the area in 1362. The debate about the Runestone's authenticity continues to this day. Alexandria chooses to claim its historical truth and therefore proves that the Alexandria, Mn area was "discovered" long before Christopher Columbus arrived 130 years after that.

Would you believe they have dogwoods here and the most blue hydrangeas I've ever seen. Luckily, my Mom was able to visit these sights with us. She is amazing especially for her age (shhh..78)!

And then here is my honey acting a bit silly. Imagine him doing this and he with an Indian heritage! LOL

Other highlights of Newport were some of the Newport Mansions. Amazing! I did get a chance to see "The Breakers" finally. This mansion was a summer home for Cornelius Vanderbilt. Of Course there was NO Photography allowed within the structure, but I was able to capture a photo of the ceiting of the lanauii(sp?!) aka the second level porch.
The mosiac tile inlaid into all the surfaces there were very detailed as you can see from this ceiling snap.
Inside the mansion was so grand: Cherubs, dolphins, acorns (a family icon), gold leaf, platinum leafing with the greek muses engraved for panels within a wall decor, the library, music room, gaming room, grand sweeping staircases all from decades gone by with the lifestyle that has as well. I really can't imagine living in that period. What a structured lifestyle and I didn't see Mrs. Vanderbilt's sewing studio anywhere!

Two other mansions we visited were Kingscote and the topiary gardens.

While visiting the gardens I inquired what the state flower was since throughout the state, BLUE Hydrangeas were in there blazing glory and evident all iover the place. The "dog earred violet" is the state flower according to the gardeners there. Here are just a few of the photos taken at the topiary Garden sight.

It was so hot that we sought shelter from the sun in some gorgeous Huge shade trees that could grow in our zone but we have never seen before.

They were the Weeping Beech, The Cooper Beech and also the London Planetree. All of them were so large that the trunks' diameters had to be at least 15 feet (guestimation) probably larger. The actual shade they offered seemed to stretch at least 25 yards and they did help ease the heats' effects.

We left early the next morning to have lunch at the ocean Ray's Seafood in Rye, NH and to visit two statues of Hannah Emerson Dustin, an ancester within my husband's blood line.
This first one is located in Haverhill, Mass. was was erected in 1879 soon after the NH statue was done.

The second one is located in Penacook, NH.

It is an interesting story of one colonial woman, to paraphrase seacoastnh.com written by link free or die "The ordeal of Hannah Dustin (also Duston) is among the most horrific in New England colonial history. According to an early account by Cotton Mather, Dustin was captured on March 15, 1697 by a group of about 20 Indians and pulled from her bed" just 6 days "after giving birth to her eighth child", Martha. "Her husband managed to get the others to safety. The infant was killed when a member of the raiding party smashed her against a tree. Hannah Dustin, her nurse, Mary Neff and small group of hostages were marched about 60 miles from her home in Haverhill, MA to an island in the Merrimack River near Concord. Enlisting the help of others, including her nurse and a 14 year old English boy, Samuel Lennardeenwho also was previously captured. The group amazingly managed to kill 10 of their captors." Dustin sold the scalps to the local province for 50 pounds in reparation" and as proof of her ordeal.
A monument to Dustin can be seen in Haverhill as well as the site of her escape with companions Mary Neff and Samuel Lennardeen can be seen in Boscowen, NH. The Hannah Dustin Trail in Pennacook leads to another monument on the island on the Contoocook River.
Years ago, a second or third cousin of DH's sent us an article about Hannah Dustin and mentioned that she was the first woman in United States history to have a statue erected in her honor. I'll have to further investigate this to verify it, but at the time, she had sent a newspaper article to us that stated that truth, I jsut don't know the source of it now. If you want to learn more of course here is a wikipedia link about Hannah and you could always google it.
I think I just found one reference, it says "177 years passed. By 1874 New Hampshire had become part of the U.S., and Hannah had become an object of civic pride -- the "Granite State Heroine." It may seem strange, but of all of the women who had ever lived in America, Hannah the Indian killer was the first to get a statue." Taken from here.

One thing of interest is that while we visited the first statue in Haverhill, Mass, while trying to find out which direction the statue was on Main Street, I asked several people including a manager of a drug store of where it could be found. No one knew. It was a shopper at the later location that said "oh yea! it's just 2 blocks in that direction."
So with that info, we went to the park that held the statue and I noticed 3 people looking at the statue and taking photos. Interestly enough, 2 of them were from California that were visiting the area and the man was related to Hannah Dustin by a great, great grandmother's aunt or something along that line. To travel that far to see it and the locals that I talked with had no knowledge of ...humm......makes you wonder.

Lastly, I did get to shop at Bush Mountain Stitchery in Ware, Mass as we went to Rhode Island. Deborah, a friend in cyber space very kindly sent me info. on where I could find them and another shop called Chris's, which I wasn't able to get to this time.
This last photo is of the items I purchased at Bush's Mountain Stitchery. Stash acquisitions were done with the Tree of Stitches SAL in mind. I didn't deviate too much in the shopping and could have gone absolutely crazy, but I am really trying to exhibit some self control. I also received a Just Cross Stitch magazine that I won from Deb's giveaway. Thanks Deborah! I really appreciate it besides the information.

TTFN,
Jane

Just a glimpse

2011-06-27T22:25:00.005-04:00

I am still being busy around here. Mom is visiting from Florida and for the most part is staying here with us for the 6 weeks she'll be North. She has a couple of short trips away to visit with some of my siblings and their families. When she devised her plans initially, she had planned on staying here 4-5 days, moving to a brothers' home for 3 days, traveling to my sisters' home in Vt. for a couple of days, back here for several days, then to another different sister's place before traveling to my Brother's place in RI, you get the jist, her packing up and moving every few days to get to all the graduations, partys, weddings and goings on of the family.
Since she is 78 now and will be 79 this year, I told her "Mom you will exhaust yourself by doing this and wear your self out. Please plan on just staying here and when you need to get to another place, that's fine but plan on staying overnight here instead of spreading yourself so thin." (I have 6 brothers and sisters and she didn't want to slight anybody or play any favorites!) Thankfully she listened and is using our camper as her home base while she is North. A brother had an extra vehicle that no one was using, so he lent it to her so she won't have to rely on me to get her around to meet up with friends and any other activities she wants to do. I am babysitting our grandchildren besides while my daughter's day care provider is on vacation, so with the 2 and 5 year old here most days, and with Mom being in the camper, at least she has a quiet place to retreat to when the little ones get too noisy. Sometimes I think I may run there myself! lol

Check out the oilcloth bags we both made this past week.

Mine is the brown/blue one and she made the orange/green one. This bag is the perfect size and I am so glad we stopped by Patti's Quilt Shop in Glens Falls, NY on our way home after Uncle Don's Memorial service in Ballston Lake last Monday. We spotted these kits and thought it would be fun to whip up something together. So we were able to fit it in to my schedule on Thurday (remember DH's rehab, I'm the driver and the grandchildren being here, traveling, etc.., it really eats up my days.)

There has been so much going on that I promise to catch you all up at some point. The youngest GD had her dance recital on the first weekend in June. She is such a sweet heart and a wonderful child, it's a blessing she is so smart as well as talented. Our family is truly blessed and I hope modesty is one of my blessings. I know I am a proud grandmother, and know many other grandmothers who are similiar with visons of their offsprings, so I apologise up front about how these two make me feel, my heart fills with pride and I thank the Lord for them!

She had her hair styled just perfectly.

I leave with a few photos of her and her brother of that special night. I promise, I will be back soon to fill you in more with all that has happened.
Check out PGS#3 in these photos. What a cutie pie and can I say he is "FULL of IT"! I am stunned that he has a great personality so far and an amazing sense of humor and he's just 2 1/2 years old. As for real life accomplishments he recently gave up his pacifier (going into 2 full weeks shortly) and we are working diligently on the potty training (that still has a way to go but he is understanding the concept and being a bit better about trying more in the past weeks).

Thanks so much for stopping by. I enjoy your visits and appreciate all the lovely comments. Enjoy your days.

Jane

Longest Day of the year!

2011-06-21T13:39:00.011-04:00

With the Summer solstice being today, I am grateful and so happy to let you know that our strawberry and vegetable gardens are done and IN! Phew!

With all the rain we had, most of our outside work was put on hold. Knowing that we needed to have dirt delivered by a small tandem dump truck for the raised bed and the strawberry garden, we had to wait for the earth to dry out a bit for the delivery so the truck wouldn't sink out of sight. When that happened we purchased 4 cubic yards of dirt, built the beds and then started filling them in. Check it out.

I remember when we were younger and in better health, these chores would have been done lickity split! But between DH's heart condition and my back and asthma, it takes us much longer. Oh well, the golden years.

I still think that the cross bar on the poles halfway up (they are for the irrigation-drip watering system we installed which I'll show more later) is off but DH put a level on it and says it's spot on. Must be the raised bed that is really off, but DH with the help of our son put that up. DH and I haukled in soil to fill it, something I surely shouldn't have done since with my back issues, I was laid up 2 days after doing it. We still need to trim the ends of that cross piece as well but I figure that can wait till all the living chores are planted and done and then we can come back and finish those little details.

The Strawberry garden is coming along nicely.

Check out this photo with how many berries are on just one plant and this was made within this past month amidst all the rain.

Of Course there are many other areas of the yard that we have been working at and more work is still needed. To the right of the new swingset acquired for the youngest grandchildren we had an "island" garden in the midst of part of our back yard. Since our property line goes back to the island in the River, we still have much more property behind this photo including the wooded area.

The brown in the photo's foreground is where we had to reseed the grass after the septic repairs.
The ground that is all brown in the distance is where we are having a weed problem with mugwort. Uuurgh! that is so invasive! We actually cut down everything and even used a "wooded stock" herbicide that is used for poison ivy and such. Yet the weed persists. I may go back with a pair of scissors, snip eahc weed individually and give it an IV injection of the poison to see if that will work. (This was a last ditch suggestion from our local Coop. Extension.)

This next photo shows a picture showing the backside of our pool area. You can see the new garden structures on the right of the above ground pool and to the left is the flower garden that surrounds the garage.

I still have the flower gardens to weed, a bit more plants to bed, use the weed cloth barrier besides a heavy layer of newsprint underneath that and lastly mulch over the top.

Notice all that green, TIZ WEEDZ!

With My Mom here, she and I have started working on the flower bed in between all the other happenings. DH's Doctors appointments, rehab, graduations, trips, BBQ, etc, you get the drift, way to busy around here.

See all those bags of mulch I was able to purchase at 50% off. Hopefully, I'll be able to report that those chores will be done and soon. Now that the days are becoming shorter, I guess I'll have to work faster. LOL

Jane

PS: I did check out the Kiwi vines on the arbor and I think we are going to have 2 kiwis this year! Check out these blossoms.

There also is another section of the island garden that needs attention, but I'll show more another day. I have saturated you with enough photos for one day. Hopefully my blogging will come back to a steadier flow after this seasonal rush is done. I hope to start getting to some stitching too. I really am having withdrawals from my quilting and stitching stuff. J.

Hello Again!

2011-06-09T06:34:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let you know I am still here. Just life has gotten way too busyfor me. I will be updating you all when I get a bit more time. Just got home (at 2am) from a trip our whole family took to NYC.

Yankee vs. Red Sox Game plus a lot more. Great time, majestic sights and special memories. Be back soon,

Jane

Won't be posting til?

2011-05-26T09:14:00.003-04:00

I'll be absent for a bit. Spring has finally showed up full force. With that being said, DH and I are busy trying to get the gardens formed and revamped in between trips to Dr's Appointments and cardiac rehab.
Those little excursions seem to eat up our days...weeks. Hopefully I will be back to share more soon. Wanted to let you know that life is resuming to a steadier pace now despite the seasonal rush that typically happens this time of year. Please excuse my absence.

Jane

A talented artist/quilter

2011-05-19T09:48:00.003-04:00

Had to share this blog that was recently found- May your bobbin always be full. LuAnn Kessi shares quite a few techinques for quilting, dyeing fabric and fabric art.

Karen at Cre8tive kick blog also shares some interesting tips. Color catchers used for a purse tassle, ingenious

When It Rain It Pours! Photo heavy.

2011-05-16T00:50:00.012-04:00

Literally. The area I live in has been affected by major flooding. Just to give you a glimpse of some area photos. This first one is a sensational one and it's just amazing that no one was hurt or worst yet, killed. The woman driving the van, Anna Maywood was able to jump to safety when she felt the bridge collapsing in Moriah NY. photo by Lohr McKinstry

While traveling to Vt. this past Thursday I took several photos. As you can see my photographic skills are extremely limited. It seems that when I take a pic on a beautiful day the photos have too much light and get washed out. If any of you know what I need to do to try to fix it, I would appreciate any tips. The camera is on an automatic setting and this is one of the reasons I have always wanted to take a photography class at the local university. Might have to move that up on my bucket list!

Even the ferry did a great job of engineering. Since the record levels of the lake have been so high many engineering feats have had to be done. Stones hauled in so you don't drive through water and with the alignment of the boat with the load on ramps that had to be figured out as well. The last four photos don't look that bad until you realise that those photos are normally dry land with a picturesque little clump of trees scattered along a very nice sandy beach in the background. The little dark square in the last photo above is a building along the beach.

Time in my world has sped up to a 10X warp speed lately. The photos above are from my recent trip to Vermont to get my Bernina fixed. It seems as if everything around here needs repairing, fixing or a bit more attention lately. So there again when it rains it pours! Besides DH's cardiac Event, now his participation in Cardiac rehab and my having to chauffeur him everywhere, the wrecked car and numerous little happenings with that (typical car repairs needed doing that are not covered from the accident {of course}), the Septic and plumbing repairs (Both are totally fixed and correct now- can I say a major Cha ching!), the basement flooding with the area's problems (had 2-3 "of water in basement and we caught in time to set up a sump pump etc.), Furnace wasn't working correctly (probably because of the flooding - service calls), and then to top it off my Bernina Broke down! Enuf!!!!! Despite all these inconveniences my attitude has been positive after witnessing last month's blessings. Attitude is an amazing thing. What is that biblical phrase that comes to mind, oh yea, I can do all things through Christ. But please, let the dust settle a bit, I'm a bit on overload.

Amidst all of this several items have been completed in the project area.

The first thing I'd love to share with you is this quilt my Mom made for my PGS#2.

How she designed it herself is wonderful. She wanted it to have a masculine feel since PGS#2 is now 14 years old. That's him in the second photo on the top right, albeit a bit washed out since my camera skills are severely lacking. Mom's skills are amazing. This is a queen size quilt and besides designing it herself she fussy cut the fabric for the borders to get a tribal feel that would accompany the Savannah and safari panel in the center. We shopped my stash last summer while she was visiting NY and started and finished it these past 4 months. This quilt was also machine quilted by her on her domestic sewing machine all with different patterns appropriate for that section within the quilt.

Thanks Mom.

I love it and I think J likes it too, but he's at THAT age when communication isn't forth coming. The next 2 shots are the doll blanket PGD#1 and I did.

She is always wanting to have FUN, or is saying "Ccommmonnn, Meme, let 's do something funnnn!" Drawing out the words but, thank goodness bot whining- I just can't stand a whine! So for the doll blanket she selected all her own fabrics and trim. Am glad I didn't try to talk her out of using any of it even though when she selected the brown background floral print to accompany the black with pastel pink heart print I cringed a bit. Luckily the stash held a soft pastel pink that worked with both sides for the binding. That girl is definitely not afraid to use color!

Here's a snap of my current focus.

It's last month's UFO project that Judy Laquidera pulled, that I couldn't find the time to work on it last month. How nice to just settle with my machine and stitch. It was on this project when my Bernina started throwing a hissy fit. Thank goodness I had my trusty little Singer featherweight! I had forgotten how sweet it is to sew on. This is the same type of machine that I learned how to sew on when I was 7 years old. OMG, It might be the perfect machine for little miss PGD#1 to learn on. The only bit of sewing she does now is to sit on my lap and help manage the fabrics through the machine while I operate the foot pedal and of course she removes all the pins and places them nicely in the cushions.

If you are not too saturated with photos these last two snaps are of a bracelet that was finished yesterday. Can you believe it's made out of hex nuts! It's an odd count peyote stitch and thankfully Allison, the friend who shared the technique, had some 12lb. test fire line that I could use. Imagine my surprise to find my 10 lb. spool empty.

So this is a glimpse of some of the happenings and what has been keeping me busy lately. Sorry I haven't been able to post that often recently and I hope you understand. I also wanted to thank you for stopping by and all the lovely comments. I do appreciate them.

Enjoy your day,

Jane

First of May

2011-05-01T08:51:00.007-04:00

Alleluia! First of May
Outdoor playing begins today!

This ditty has been in my head for years! It all started with a co-worker 20+ years ago quoting this. Of course I prettied it up a bit so it would be politically correct here lol but ever since on the first of May I think of him. I actually was quite shocked and very surprised when I heard it for the first time but have since learned more and know it's very traditional with the May Day pagan Traditions of the past.

Being a new first, I have been reassessing my projects AGAIN! Lordy I do get into creative messes at times and besides the recent finish of the bracelet my creativity, stitching and sewing was ground to a halt. I have given myself some major slack with all that I had going on in our lives. Besides the typical chores around the house besides the additional bookkeeper, arranger, scheduler, etc.. I now am the official chauffer of my household. DH was able to start cardiac rehab this past week so that is 3 additional trips into town a week. At least while he is there I am motivated to walk city blocks for my own health. I was almost tempted to run errands on his second trip, but brought myself back to the "ME First challenge" and said "NO you need to exercise", (I think I actually said this out loud, so it's no wonder I received some quirky looks, they probably thought I was off my rocker!) so far am managing to keep to that. How silly to see that as an accomplishment, but I really do. I tend to always put everyone else first and have been forcing myself to put me first more, especially this year, 2011.

Yesterday at our Circle of Friends get together I wasn't sure which UFO to bring. So what did I do you might ask? Ahhh... I started a NEW Project of course!

Little Miss Shabby started a QAL in January and I have been saving and printing out the instructions all along. While pondering my selection of what to bring yesterday, I thought those Tina Givens fabrics I have in would be lovely together and a very cheerful coloring to work with so this is what I used to select the threads for stitching those shabby chics!

Not bad for several hours of work. I hope to get this January block done in two weeks. I hope to finish 2 a month until I am caught up with the rest. I like using an interfacing under my embroidery fabric square so my block constructions will be done after the stitching is completed.

Regarding the April UFO CHallenge with Judy Laquidera, I failed terribly this month. Am not beating myself up about it either, just couldn't get to it. This is as far as I got.

Managed to pull all the fabrics and actually started laying them out to audition which strips will be placed where during the construction. The plan is too cut varying widths of fabric and just a quilt as you go mode. Since everything is out, I will be getting to this in May even though another number will be getting pulled.

Looks like it's going to be a gorgeous day. My plan is to tackle many chores so I best get off this computer and actually get to some of them.

Enjoy your day!
Jane

Remembering Cheryl

2011-04-30T21:19:00.002-04:00

My circle of Friends quilt group gathered today and it was a bit bittersweet. It's always great getting together and sharing projects, lives and stories but today, our friend Cheryl was absent. She left the bonds of this earth on April 2nd. The strength she had to graciously endure her cancer and the pain that it involved was a testament to the type of a person she was. Even on her death bed she was able to laugh and share stories knowing her demise was close at hand. As I write this my love for her is formidable. Cheryl, I know you now are at peace and I thank you for your friendship.

Two friends of our group assisted Cheryl's family in finding and re-establishing homes for her projects and supplies. While we gathered yesteday, some of that was taken care of. I came home with a project intended for one of her nephews, Chris. Though only in his twenties, what a doll he was to Cheryl. Tending to her needs, and just being there.

So it is with love for our friendship and pride that I will make this quilt she had packaged and tagged for him. The numerous projects she had were very organized and I even know how she wanted this quilt done. Hopefully I'll be able to complete it just as she'd want it AND within a timely manner.

Jane
PS; I have tried to make Cheryl's picture larger than the fabric panel photo but my computer skills are lacking, my apologies.

Devastating news in the south.

2011-04-28T15:33:00.006-04:00

It seems like there is one disaster after the next lately. Sometimes it is difficult to hear all the terrible news. When I hear of some tragedy, I always offer up a prayer to those affected by the circumstances and hope they receive the help and blessings needed to survive.

Within the past 24 hours the South has experienced some record breaking storms. What they have endured and will have to endure is I'm sure overwhelming. May the Lord be with you.

Jane

Many things I learned from the Easter Bunny!

2011-04-24T05:01:00.000-04:00

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

There's no such thing as too much candy.

All work and no play can make you a basket case.

A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

Some body parts should be floppy.

Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.

Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.

The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.

To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.

The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

May the joy of the season fill your heart.

AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

Happy Easter!
Jane

3rd Bloggiversary is being celebrated by Angela

2011-04-24T05:00:00.001-04:00

Angela is celebrating her 3 anniversary of blogging and is having a fantastic giveaway. I also know that by posting about it hear I am lessening my chances of winning, but if you haven't visited her blog and seen the beautiful counted cross stitch pieces she does, you've missed the boat. Her work is phenomenal! Here's the link, Hooked on Stitches.
Good Luck!

Jane

I won!!! and some retail therapy..

2011-04-23T22:03:00.010-04:00

Lookie at this beautiful oak notion rack I won from Carole's giveaway. Isn't it great! Her husband makes it out of oak, cherry or walnut and he is a seriously wicked woodworker. He has a great eye for details. Thanks so much Carole and Steve, I love it! Of course I had to dig out one of my favorite thimbles to proudly let it be displayed on the pedestal made for just that item. Ingenious and so convenient, it's perfect!

Now I just need to clean off the table next to my sewing chair so it can be seen without all that clutter! I took a sanpshot of it on the keyboard drawer so you wouldn't see my mess and then of course I had to tell you about it anyway. lol Oh well, I'm an open book.
The scissors that came packaged with it are great too since with all the scissors I have in my scissor collection, I didn't own a pair of this style. Can't say that any more, Lucky Me!

Next up are some recent stash acquisitions.

Between local quilt shops, ebay and then Hancocks having a discounted sale that I couldn't resist, I really out did myself! Thank goodness I am not on the No buy program for stashbusters this year. I do heart the "Pom Pom de Paris" by French General so I scarfed up quite a bit of that in different packaging, layer cake, Fat quarter bundles,etc..... Some of the other fabrics in the stacks are also French General's other lines but I feel they will go well with the pom pom's coloring. Not exactly sure how I will work this into a quilt, but of course I have some ideas. lol! I think I did some serious retail therapy with all that has happened recently. the plan is that now I will get real and continue to use up what I have on hand, Promise!

A recent finish is a bracelet I made without any pattern. I really am so proud of myself for this one. I saw a similiar bracelet in Florida several years ago and when I inquired about purchasing the pattern, I was told there wasn't one and that it was a class they were offering in a couople of weeks time. Of course that didn't do me any good since I was flying back home in a week. SO, I looked at it and then shopped at the store and purchased the 3 row spacers, the clasp, and 6 beads of the 4mm different colored Swarovski crystals. I recently ran into them while finishing up the St. Petersburg bracelet and thought this needed to be done. AM I glad!

It's great to have a quick project! I started this on Sunday and finished it last night. A bit of a record for me in getting any beading done in that amount of time. Of course it was relatively easy since it was only stringing.
Notes to self, I used a 6lb fireline, some small silver crimp beads (without any crimping done) to finish the silver look on the ends and then stacked the crystals in a pleasing manner. At the ends, I strung back in towards the center of the bracelet tieing suare knots and half hitches intermittently along the way. At the end, I used a small dab of super glue on the fireline and snipped off the surplus, hopefully it will last fine. If you do another, double check and make sure you use an even number of colors and also play with the silver crimp balls beads to finish. perhaps the next could be done differently.

Two weeks ago for the hub's birthday celebration the youngest grandchildren were driving their jeep in the driveway.

This past week, this is what we woke up to:

It didn't stay long but there was enough that the snow plows were going by again. Pleeeeze hurry spring! Hopefully the Easter Bunny won't freeze!

Stay well and enjoy your blessings.
Happy Easter!
Jane

A Harrowing yet blessful experience

2011-04-15T07:54:00.008-04:00

It's been a hectic couple of weeks. At the end of my last post, I had mentioned the septic and plumbing woes and the passing of a friend after her long ordeal with cancer and I had planned on giving life her a tribute here with blessings towards her final journey. And then life happened, unfortunately I didn't even make it to her wake.

DH's heart condition warranted a pacemaker defibrillator and luckily he's had one for 6 years. This current one is actually his second one since the batteries don't last forever and the first only had the pacing done but this one has the defibrillator too, otherwise known as the Cadillac. Well, the day of my friend's wake we had to go into town to pick up our daughter at the Eye Doctors since her eyes were dilated and we were going to drive her, the grandchildren and her vehicle home. On the way DH lost consciousness and while going 55 phm. We went off the road at a most inconvenient spot. The place where this happened had only a 5' span width of flat terrain before a steep embankment and a little roaring brook laying just at the bottom of the slope.

I know God or perhaps my friend was watching out for us. We all escaped without injury. While I noticed he seemed distracted and I called out his name to alert him of the direction of the car without any corrective responses of the driving direction, I glanced over and thought he was dead. We do know sudden cardiac death is a possibility, thus the defibrillator he was totally out, head bobbing with the roughness of the terrain by now.
By the time I looked back towards the road, we were on the right side of the guard rails on the right side of the road.
With the center console in the middle of our Suburu, I grabbed the wheel to try to pick out the best placement scenario while perhaps travelling at 50mph now.

Adrenaline pumping it's amazing how much detail I can remember, Thinking oh... no- The brook, if we go there we'll all drown, can I drive this on the right side of the guard rails?
No..... the land ledge starts getting skimpier and we'll then go towards said brook, the alternative, drive the car over the guardrails to get on safer ground, a nearly impossible tasks but the only course of action left.
A car was approaching from the other direction so don't over compensate was mentally noted.

Oh my....look at her face!
With a gratitude heart and soul that is what we did. Thankfully there was not another car coming from our rear so I was able to steer the car until we coasted to a stop. Just near the end of our coast I somehow knew that DH was now alert. I was yelling to him PUT ON THE BRAKES, PUT ON THE BRAKES!
He of course remembers none of it and actually has a bit of retrograde amnesia of the time spent just before the event took place.

We landed safely. Dh was brought to the ER via ambulance and hospitalized for a couple of days followed up with several appointments since to alter the settings, medications, and continue to set him up for Cardiac rehab (that was in the works before any of this since it's a followup of care after his mild heart attack last fall). On our way home, I brought him to the place where the accident was. My son and the trooper both thought that it was amazing nobody was hurt and that I was able to react so quickly and correctly to avert the worst possible disasters. The state trooper actually said we should get on our knees and pray. That he's never witnessed that and it was a miracle the guardrails allowed me to drive over them to get back on the road.

So, with heartfelt gratitude of the miracles of this cardiac event we are extremely grateful. Realising that all of us could have perished, besides another family on the road could have been seriously hurt with a head on collision and so many other tragedies were averted I feel like we observed our miracle. Thank you Lord for watching out over us. The car of course is damaged but that is just a little bit of inconvenience. Cars can be easily repaired or replaced.

Jane

UFO Challenge for April ~ #4~ Tater's Strip quilt

2011-04-01T22:17:00.007-04:00

It's seems like the months are zipping by at an even faster speed. The UFO Challenge for March my UFO#1- Patience Corners, I am happy to report that the whole top is assembled. So I did meet that deadline, however I truly was hoping to get the backing made too. Just ran out of time and days.

I threw a 12" ruler on top so you could get a feel for how large this quilt will be. 106"x106". And to think this started by utilizing some scraps then I went stash diving to add more. This is the quilt that I think of water when I see it. Stacked organism rouleaux style, shimmering reflective colors dancing on the surface....

With this being the first of April another number was drawn.
#4- That is the tater strip quilt top.

NICE- That is all kitted up and not a thing done on it. It Should be fun to jump into a new project. Sometimes I feel like I have that startitis bug and if I linger too long on unfinished projects I loose my mojo, so with this fresh start perhaps it'll spur me on to get that #1 UFO back done at the same time. That's my plan.

I'll come back and add the photo after I take it so you can see what it looks like. It's a big one! 106X106"

Jane
I edited this post on April 3rd to add the photos. It's been hectic with plumbing problems, service technicians and then a dear friend has passed after a long ordeal with cancer. May she be at peace.

Musings

2011-03-27T11:07:00.009-04:00

I still have to get to my backing for the Patience Corners quilt I am contemplating on calling Aquarius and I think a muse might have hit me smack dab in the middle of the night. Years ago while still in school, an English teacher introduced the class to poetry and specifically, Haiku. I was enamoured of it and since English was always my toughest subject, I was glad I could so successfully do Haiku. While blogging I stumbled onto a blog by Julie. It is here. She reminded me of this lost art I used to love and compelled me to think about one of my passions.

WATER

These pictures are from her blog and came from Google images.

Water has been a substance I honor, cherish and have loved for my entire life. It wasn't until my late 20s when I realized that every vacation I took, brought me within a close proximity to water. Being blessed to live in the northeast, we have an abundance of good quality water (for the most part). But specifically where I live, when my husband and I had our hand dug well replaced with a drilled well, we were lucky to hit an artisian spring.
I digress, sorry about that. Even though water is abundant for us, I realize this earth has many areas where water is a highly priced commodity and for many, a luxury. Many people and countries do not have this liquid libation so readily available. Throughout my life I have taught my children to not be wasteful and to recycle when we can but that's a totally other subject for another day. With the shortages in some areas and the unusuable water in others, this resource is one to be cherished, honored and not abused and I feel very strongly about it.

Even now when the grandchildren spend the night while brushing their teeth, the faucet does not have to run nonstop, they can shut it off while brushing and then turn the tap on when needed to rinse the brush. Such a simple concept, but if all people would do this, what a difference it could make.

While working as a supervisor in a prison system, inmates would leave water running because they thought another would be coming along behind them to use the sinks, I quickly and succinctly taught them to not abuse this resource, that the next man was very capable of turning on the faucet himself. To not let the faucets drip. Informing them that many people in Africa and through out our world would walk for miles to obtain potable water, that we should do our part to make this a better world. Many were ignorant of other countries plights and soon came back to let me know that they never knew that and thanked me for the knowledge, especially with many of them proud of their family heritages.

With making quilts, some of my friends and I have been doing the humpjumpers for years. Utilizing our scraps to catch the thread when stepping from one step of a quilt to the next and before you know it, you had enough scrap parts assembled to make another quilt. It got so that I have many "humpjumper quilt parts ready to finish into quilts". One of these "hump-jumpers" was my Patience Corners quilt. Whenever I sewed with black thread I had strips of 1-1/2" black Kona cotton and I would stitch a strip of a 4-1/2" WOF fabric onto this strip aftrer reaching 4-6 strips, I would cut them apart and have them ready for the next step of their process as my humpjumper. I gathered many jewel toned colors to have a more restricted colorway and found myself thinking this quilt was a "jewel" and reminded me of my blessings of water.

To make a long story a bit shorter, when my muse recently hit, I came up with this Haiku:

Luminous Liquid
Wonderfully Wet Water
Nuturing my Soul

and thought about the PC hump jumper quilt. I have an idea......
Perhaps could I? Write this haiku on the backside of my quilt? I have longed to do more liberated quiltmaking. Thinking originally of doing a couple of wonky, LARGER THEN LIFE log cabin blocks on the back and then using black and a taupe to have broad stripes to finish this quilt but with this current idea WOW! I am inspired by Julie's blog and I think I will.

Perhaps I'll play with some paper and get a feel for how I'll construct it. I won't use the same method of machine applique that I did for the back of my alien invasion quilt. Perhaps I could piece it. Then add another tidbit I thought of after seeing the water images. It's time to play, especially since this quilt is my UFO #1 challenge and who knows, perhaps this quilt will become my "Aquarius".

Jane

Alot has happened

2011-03-27T10:38:00.005-04:00

Nothing that extraordinary but I remain busy. This past week did not pan out like I thought. Remember on my last post boasting of a trip I'd be taking with friends to see the "red an white quilt exhibit" in NYC?
Well, I didn't get to go thanks to the dratted intestinal bug I caught. I was actually in bed most of Thursday and Friday this past week and finally got some energy back on Saturday and could actually gain a longer distance from the indoor plumbing. Thanks goodness! Even though I couldn't eat and had no appetite, I was amazed how my body could turn against me so quickly. No spring tonics are needed here for me! Would you believe I also so wanted to go so badly that I got up early Friday morning, ( we were leaving at 4:45am to catch the amtrak train in Albany that left at 8am) and showered, packed my bag/cooler and was hoping that I was over it. But while waiting for Michelle to come pick me up, it sounded like gremlins were rearranging a house in my abdomen. Out came the big girl panties, I put them on and made a hard decision. No NYC for me today. In retrospect I am so glad I did, the worse was soon to come. While visiting Milahs blog, I read a posting about the funniest story she ever read. Oh, if I had made the wrong decision that could have been me, how horrifying! Okay enough about that crap! (sorry, I just could resist, can you tell I'm feeling much better?
This past week I was able to finish two projects. My St. Petersburgh bracelet is finally done! Whoop whoop! The beading portion was done for quite a while but since I still consider myself a novice, I wanted help in the finishing clasp portion. Last weekend my beading group met and Allison gave me the nudge and tutelage needed. Thank you so much Allison, I jsut loved this project! This group of friends are remarkable. What a talented group of wise women they are and I feel honored to be able to connect with them in a creative and essential way.
The second finish is this tote bag I started while away at the quilt retreat I attended 2 weekends ago. It's the first felled seam I've ever done and though I was intimidated a bit, was ableto get it right the first time. Yippee!

Couldn't resist grabbing a snap of it while the snow banks are still so malevolent around here.
That reminds me of a quote I found awhile back. "No matter how long the winter, spring will surely come." written by Anonymous

Please hurry Spring then dally for awhile....
Jane

Happy National Quilting Day!

2011-03-19T08:35:00.005-04:00

In honor of the National QUilting Day I'd love to share this article written about a quilt exhibit only showing red and white quilts.

Lucky me, a couple of friends and I are able to make a wee trip to NYC to check it out for ourselves. I can't wait! But for today several of us are gathering to sew and visit a dining room redo that Carole and her husband recently finished.

With all that is happening in the world, I do feel blessed and very fortunate. My heart still goes out to the peoples of Japan. I read in blogland that an editor who is in Tokyo is heading up and arranging delivery of quilts to help out those in need. You can read more about it here on Naomi's blog.

Jane

2011-03-18T09:50:00.004-04:00

Easter parade coming along very slowly, here it is.

Thank goodness for getting distances with a camera. His nose looks kind of flat so after quickly checking and comparing it with the chart I see it's messed up and needs to go one stitch to the right. I'll be getting to that hopefully later on tonight. I keep marvelling at how I can mess this up!

PGD#1 is here today. She asked me so sweetly before she went to school "could we make this dolly"? I purchased this book while away at the retreat last weekend. I shopped on my way there and then again on my way home. I do miss Joann's Fabric Stores! It was so convenient when they had a store locally. Now the closest one is an hour away and with the price of gas it adds to the cost of my projects. Good thing I have a nice stash! I also hit another quilt shop while traveling in both directions that is located about 90 minutes away only going in one direction. Did acquire a bit but did try to be reasonable with what I purchased.

This afternoon the plans are to start making the doll on the left when she gets home from school. I just love that she is interested in crafts and sewing. Wish us luck!

Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate all of the lovely comments and getting to know you.

Jane

Happy St. Patricks Day!

2011-03-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

Irish Blessings

Like the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day,
May the luck of the Irish
shine bright on your way.

May your pockets be heavy-
Your heart be light
And may good luck pursue you
Each morning and night.

May the good saints protect you
And bless you today
And may troubles ignore you
Each step of the way.

May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now
And bless you evermore.

May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus too,
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.

May good luck be your friend
In whatever you do
And may trouble be always
A stranger to you.

May the roads rise to meet you.
May the wind be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rain fall soft upon your fields
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

However you celebrate, enjoy this day.
Jane

Of interest

2011-03-16T07:22:00.006-04:00

Sara of Heirloom creations shares videos of the jelly roll races . Imagine speed quilting! Besides the races and that pattern, she shares videos of the "ruler of the month" showcasing some of the specialty rulers available. Nice to know and very interesting.
In this past month's video, she uses the Wondercut ruler. Looks like it woul dbe very handy to have, but as she mentions do not use that ruler to cut a strip of fabric the width on the ruler shown. That has been reconfigured to do the appropriate size HST and spinning 3 colors triangle units to the marked sizes.
In the past months she also shared the 120 degree ruler here.
Beside previous to that, the curved slotted ruler was shown here. Both unique and possiblilities for the future.

April 2nd she will be showing the 60 degree Double Strip Ruler by Creative Grid

On May 7, 2011she be showcasing the "Straight Out of the Line" ruler by Creative Grid
check them out for yourselves. Let me know what you think. I do appreciate any and all comments.
As yet the future videos are not announced but here is the tentative schedule for them.
June 4, 2011 Ruler TBA
July 9 (2nd Saturday) Ruler TBA
August 6, 2011 Ruler TBA
September 3, 2011 Ruler TBA
October 1, 2011 Ruler TBA
November 5, 2011 Ruler TBA
December 3, 2011 Ruler TBA

Great idea sharing these in this format.

Back from the retreat

2011-03-16T04:56:00.005-04:00

Oh, it was so good to get away. This past weekend, several friends and I attended a quilting retreat that was held in Wadhams, NY. HEAVEN! The first photo up is Dance of the Dragonflies that Barbara was working on, a very intriguing pattern.

I did bring many UFOs and PIGs and am very satisfied with what was accomplished. Thank goodness for my freind Trudy, she helped me tremendously! I actually brought a couple of my problem UFOs.
First was the "Convergence wallhanging" that I started a couple of years ago. While piecing the rest of the top together, I somehow had twisted a section in reverse. The fabric I used was a single piece of Ricky Timms fabric and you'd think that I'd be able to tell at a glance that it was off. I could see that something was wrong in that center area, but was befuddled as to "How it was wrong". I think the medicines I'm on for my back are making me way too relaxed. Thank goodness for Trudy. I mentioned it to her and she could see it was wrong too and then she pointed out where my goof was. Now I could proceed as the project directions were written. So I did. Then whammo, I reversed another section again in the last steps. Looking at it, I just knew something was off but there again, I was at a loss as to what and where. So I was laying out how to work the borders and auditioning how it will look again with Trudy's eye and opinion requested. We figured I'll be going over to her house to finish the borders with some more Ricky Timms fabric or hers since she also does a beautiful job with fabric dyeing. So I flipped it aside to proceed with the next project, my Orange Crush quilt I started also several years ago.
All of a sudden Trudy had figured out that I had again reversed a section during the convergence construction and mentioned if I undid that particular seam and turned that section around, it would work. AMAZING! She had been processing it AND had figured out how to correct it. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU! So I did some unsewing followed by some correct sewing. The borders will be coming shortly and I'll show you the finished wallhanging then.

Next - on to assemble my Orange Crush blocks. Here's how it look now.

After assembling the top I went in to the gameroom area to audition it for borders on the ping pong table when I found some more blocks in the plastic tote container that housed this UFO. Yeeks! I thought the top was done.
So I started re-figuring if I had enough fabric of this and that to continue sewing blocks to make a 9 X 9 block grid layout( ach block is 9"). I needed an even design so I could use the cornerstone blocks I wanted to have for the final border treatment. Along comes Trudy.
Are you catching a glimpse of the relief I have towards her expertise? She was in the back of the room when I held up the I thought finished center design and mentioned WOW! at a distance it was really bright, up close to it was nice but you really needed distance to really see it. So she questioned: That did I really need to add more blocks to finish it? Could I possibly add a wider border instead?
I stopped my self-imposed drama of having to make more blocks and thought about it all the while imagining how it could be. She was right. I could ease the eye by allowing a bit more light into this quilt using my off white solid border areas, but also still embracing the design elements to finish it. So I drew out some options. I will be adding several layers of borders with a burgendy and white checkerboard border near the 2nd border area. Wrote all this down to continue it after I get home. Oh and I stillplan on having cornerstones in the border too. What a relief! Another potential problem eliminated.

Then I proceeded to a kit, Tiki Tote I've had in for awhile.

It's a clearance kit from Nancy's Notions. I got as far as the point where I was going to cut the woven webb handles. Needing to get my fray check out of my suitcase of tools and projects when I saw the table runner I had brought to figure out how to do a scalloped border. Without the blink of an eye I quickly changed projects. The tablerunner was longer than usual so I can oplace it over the antique refridgerator in the dining room. With having the over-sized pool table and ping pong table in the rec room I was able to draft out my scallop design for it. The use of dishes was also used to finalize this design.
A friend from Montreal, Roz suggested that I draw on the reverse side of it to eliminate marking on the top. What a great suggestion! So using purple, brown, red and finally blue, I had my design. Blue being the correct line placements I was able to sew on that line in another color thread. This way I'll be able to know how to quilt it within that design area and then I'll cut it out on that same line. After getting back home I realized, now Janie, Why didn't you layer it and baste it there too? DUH! I should have. Oh well, some time just after I clean the kitchen floor I'll get to it.

This photo is what Bridgette was working on. She is Tommi's SIL. I like the potential of a quilt made with HST units so I snaped a photo of this Carpenter's wheel variation. She's making a king sized quilt that her husband selected this block for her to make.

The last photo is what Lois from Ottowa finished. She does amazing work and with the machine applique, which was truly invisible to the naked eye, she used a sewart international thread. Usually she gets it through Harriet Hardgrave's site. She gave me her email to connect with her about which settings she uses on her Bernina when she does the machine applique. I'll be contacting her shortly.

Nice, bright and colorful isn't it. She also had some truly gorgeous and very unique quilts that she shared during show and tell. I wasn't able to get a snap of those though. She belongs to a group of quilters that challenge each other with art quilts. Amazing! A couple of friends and I would also like to expand our talents in the area of art quilts. We discussed how we'd go about it and hopefully it will come to fruition.

Today, a fellow retreater and friend is coming over that I'll be showing her how to construct some note cards using strips of fabric. I haven't taught anything in quite awhile and hope to do it justice. Good thing she's a friend.

Jane

Milestone hit

2011-03-13T08:00:00.004-04:00

Alot has been happening. First off, a milestone has been hit. PGD#1 will tell you herself!

She's so proud and happy about it. She's been wiggling it and saying "will it come out today" over and over again recently. She had her Dad pull it out this morning. She said it hurt, but not too badly. Look at those eyes and that smile! What a cutie!

Her little brother, age 2, wanted to get in on the photo ops, so he very obligingly got out his bike to let me snap some photos. This is PGS#3 with his prized possession.

While staying here for a special day with Meme and Papi, we went outside and was a bit frosty on his return. Nothing like embracing the hot chocolate tradition. He thought he was drinking coffee like his Dad and Grandfather and started his slurping noises showing his enjoyment of the beverage. This slurp is agravating to some of the more delicate ears of the household which justs adds to the merryment at the time.

Then some friends along with DH and I went to a local hill. Some of us of course more daring than others. Snow kayaking... What a hoot! A friend who also is Fire Chief, Paramedic and I swear if an adrenaline junkie. He, along with our son does the technical rescue, ice water rescue, animal rescue besides certified to teach these talents anywhere in the world..... are you getting the drift? Anything that needs helps in not the best circumstances and they are off. So last week after that last huge snow storm laid down 18"+ of fresh powder. Kayaking was on the agenda.

Of course judging the descent was a must!

Enjoy your day however you are spending it.

Jane

Notes to Self...

2011-03-08T08:41:00.004-05:00

Found a cute link for a tutorial on how to make a cute zippered pouch. One that would slip inside a notebook at Rush's Dry Goods dot ca.

Here's the tut. for a makeup case( uh hum,.. heh Michelle, they show great instructions for a zipper! ).

Here's their home page.

Another link regarding zippers is at Lazy Girl's blog by Joan Hawley. This one is how to do a totally enclosed zipper for a bag. UNIQUE!

Current WIPs

2011-03-07T07:26:00.009-05:00

The BBD design Easter Parade is slowly being worked on. This is my progress so far.

For such a lovely little pattern it's amazing how many times I've had to rip out my ill-placed stitches. How did I do that I keep wondering. Going back trying to figure out how I keep messing up. I really am befuddled as how I am messing this up. Normally counted cross stitch is super easy for me. Perhaps it's all the interruptions with the little grandchildren around. Maybe I'll have to just stitch when it's quiet. That may save some of my efforts and wasted time doing it wrong and then going back to rip and then stitch it correctly.

As for the sewing I currently am working on a hospital gown for the friend of my granddaughter. Just 6 years old and fighting such a horrendous disease. Every time I try to work on this my heart aches so for the little one, but I really need to get this done and let the love stitched into it comfort her somewhat. Buck up Janie and get it done.

When a couple of friends and I gathered for our one day retreat, I did get the robe I'd love to make DH cut out. Since the fabric I loved and thought would work best, the tie-dyed cobalt blue fleece, was very limited I had to buy 2 separate pieces of it and took what was left on two bolts. YIKES!

The sizes of the pieces don't fit with the size of my pattern pieces...... After a bit of F&F (fudging and figuring), I'll be piecing the sleeve fabrics together to get the length I need. I've never seen a sleeveless robe have you? I don't want the seam to fall near his elbow joint so I'm hoping that it'll fall near the upper section of the sleeve. This pattern has an unusual sleeve pattern I have never sewn before. I have sewn regular raglan sleeves but never one with a dart like formation on the top of the shoulder, so I have a bit of cautious trepidation about this pattern. Besides that, it calls for an interfacing and with the stretchiness of fleece, not sure how well a fusible interfacing will hold up. The next thought is a stretch stitch, guess I'll be looking that one up in my bernina stitches, wish me luck.

I do hope both of these will be finished this week. There is a retreat I'm attending shortly and I need to get packed and planned for what I'll be bringing to work on. With the phlethoras of WIPS and PIGs it shouldn't be a problem. The only problem is I have a tendancy to think I can get it all done. LOL I know, funny isn't it. One project that I know of so far is the Number 1 UFO - Patience Corners. As far as any other projects, I'm not sure what else I'll be bringing yet.

The Patience corners is the ufo number that is up for March with Judy Laquidera's UFO challenge. I am so pleased to participate with this challenge. So far this year has been the most successful year with participating in this type of challenge yet. January and February's projects have both been finished and are off my list with a couple of other finishes to boot. In previous years, I've participated with my Mom's guild challenge on finishing a UFO in 2 months times by being selected in a similiar manner. With that challenge, I only managed to get one or possibly two done in a year's time. Perhaps it's my listing smaller wall hangings and quilts on this year's list. This month though, it's a king size quilt. So there are a variety of sizes and a variety of quilty things on it. Some participants even have knitted, sewn or counted cross stitch items listed as their ufo projects. My list just has quilted items on it for her challenge. Though to be honest, I am still exceeding in my one project a month (OPAM) challenge that I started participating with 2 years ago, so I am super happy about maintaining that while embracing JL's challenge. My problem though is that I think I have projectitis. Even though I cross some ufo's off my list, my mind or eyes sees another beautiful quilt or item and WHAM! Blammo! BLING!!!
there are now 2 more projects to do right after. I tell ya, it's a mystery.

Jane

PS: While reading my email this AM, I ran across this quote and it seemed a perfect ending for this post. Enjoy,

"Activity is not achievement. It is not enough to rush about beginning a lot of things and keeping busy. A well-spent life is one that rounds out what it has begun."

-- Eknath Easwaran

Giveaway soon.

2011-03-07T07:21:00.003-05:00

Sharing the word about a nice giveaway ending soon. Check it out here. at Loretta's blog.

The Plaid Scottie is also hosting a giveaway for her first anniversary of blogging. Make sure you check these out.

Jane

March's UFO,

2011-03-01T14:21:00.005-05:00

Judy Laquidera has pulled another number for the UFO challenge.

Drum Roll please ....
it's NO. 1.

Looking back at my list to figure out which project that number is, OH NO! it's my PATIENCE CORNERS. This is another project that's been hanging around for a bit, so hopefully I'll be getting to that this week and start working on it sooner in the month than I did last month with that now gone Happy Village. That only needs to get assembled into the top and then make a different looking backing so it's a reversible quilt. I love when the flip side is something complementary yet different than the quilt top. On this quilt I plan on labeling via an embroidery information somewhere. When I figure it out, I'll let you know.

Since this quilt will measure 106" X 106" I'll be sending it out to a Longarm quilter in Glens Falls to quilt it. Awhile back I saw an electronic design for a computerized gammil and she is the only one in the area that has one.
Leslie is really great to work with. When I contacted her about this quilt, she did not have that particular design and purchased it for me when it was at 50% off. I told her I'd be sending this quilt down to her when I finished it and that was back in October and November 2010. I hope her memory is good since now it's March 2011!

With finishing up a couple of projects this past weekend, I think I found my mojo again despite how hectic my life has seemed. A couple of major commitments are done so my schedule will be smoother.

Across the road from the youngest granchildren's house I saw this snow formation and was intrigued.

Zooming in and getting closer without putting on my snow shoes, check out the snow waves that we get in this part of the country. It's really COOL! (No pun.)

Regards, a smiling and chuckling,
Jane

February's Accomplishments

2011-02-28T19:02:00.002-05:00

Amazingly there were two finishes for February. I'll start out about the UFO#10. It's finished! Yippee!!!!!

That's right, here it is framed. While trying to get everything to lie flat and in the proper order the cotton was unravelling further.
Since Roxanne's glue was used, some pieces were stuck hard and true while others wouldn't align themselves in the proper order or placement. So as my friend Trudy does, I reassessed this project.
Where would I use it and how will it be shown?
Did I love this enough to restart with a whole new selection of fabrics?

Answering these questions I knew that proper place to show this was in my trash basket.

Doesn't it look perfect! I am so glad that Judy Laquidera's UFO challenge drew #10 UFO. That monkey has been on my back for over 3 years now and what a relief to call it done! I repurposed the batting to finish the this and that quiltlet, snow much fun. Oh, I also want to let you know that these scraps will be repurposed to stuff a dog bed. So the whole project really is making everybody and even some dogs life easier. Nothing but a happy village in my camp now.

Some of my friends did gather for a mini retreat this past Saturday. Quite a few of our little gathering couldn't;t make it with the roads and the latest storm that passed through. They were missed yet it was still nice to go someplace else to sew, visit and be without so many distractions or interruptions. I was able to finish this little snowman pillow.

"Snow Much Fun" is a This and That pattern was another of my finishes. I worked on it at the retreat and was able to quilt , bind and even label it on Sunday. Perhaps I'm on another roll.
Can I get a whoop, whoop?
This is the project that I had to tear off all of the ink jet transfer medium from when I mistook it for transfer ease. Boy, I'll never do that again.

I really love this little quilt.

When I purchased this kit from my friend Carol, I also purchased another table stand frame. This frame is so versatile! The top scroll piece is interchangeable with other "headers" and each one costs about $10.00 each. The scroll which is on it now is perfect for all seasons so for now, I am very content. You know the saying, sometimes less is more. Why clutter up my home with more headers to store, find and display for different times of the year? In this case, less is definitely more. But just in case for the future. I'm including a photo of the paperwork so when I change my mind, I'll know where to find it other than in my alphabetically ordered indexed pages. I filed it under quilt stand, but you never know how my mind would work in the future.

Enjoy your day,
Jane

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile

2011-02-24T20:58:00.003-05:00

Life seems to be busy lately, so I really apologise for not posting in a while. Much has been going on with trips with grandchildren to Disney on Ice in Lake Placid, our annual haunt for Daytona 500, friends and family stopping by and the flu. It's been a hectic couple of weeks that I haven't taken the time to post, especially since I haven't progressed on any of my projects either.

I plan on rectifying that. This Saturday a group of friends and I will be at an all day retreat and as far as I know so far, I'll be bringing my smile. I'm not yet sure which project(s) I'll bring. Now for Judy Laquidera's monthly challenge of project #10 being finished for February, yes (red-faced here), it hasn't moved one iota from the design wall. I do plan on having it finished by the end of the month so I guess tomorrow I'll make the time and get going on it. Perhaps, I'll bring it along on Saturday too. Wish me luck, I am truly dragging my heels the whole way on this project so I do need to get thee behind me! ( feels like I'm talking about Saten.

Jane

PS: I'll try to be more diligent for future postings too.

Progressing

2011-02-14T10:30:00.006-05:00

There are no finished yet, but i am progressing on a couple of my projects. I actually got some quality stitching time in this past week for the BBD, Easter Parade. This is how it looks so far

.

A new project I started and am currently in the midst of is purging some of my magazines. You guessed it, no sewing on that table. I've purged about 25 mags and still have a couple of stacks to go as well as the magazine holder indexed paged from the last time I did this. I do save quilt patterns that appeal to me and techniques of how to do a specific technique besides templates for applique or quilt designs that I can see actually doing in my lifetime.

I guess a girl will do anything to postpone a UFO she dreads!

And what little sweetheart these Young cheerleaders were. They participated with a local school's cheerleading program. Of course that DGD#1 with a preschool friend. They were very eager and actually got into it and had fun. I am so glad that she wasn't a shrinking violet even though at age 5, I had expected her to be a bitof onoe. All the training of gymnastics, dance and schools are paying off. Even the routines she didn't know, she could follow along and learned them while on the floor, well enough to pull it off anyway.

The future is in very capable hands I think.

Jane

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone and the Happiest of Valentines Day to you!

I hope this day is filled with loads of love for you, your friends, your family! However you celebrate, whether it's the love of a husband, dear friend (or stitching friends!) sisters, or furry companions! I hope that your Valentines Day is truly sweet and memorable!

Jane

A couple of giveaways

2011-02-07T11:08:00.003-05:00

Two blogs I follow are both having wonderful giveaways.

Nataly over at natalysneedle.blogspot has many sweet gifts for the Valentine's Day Giveaway. She does gorgeous stitchiing so I know you'll enjoy the visit.

Then Deborah who also does beautiful but very quickly gorgeous stitching is hosting another giveaway for reaching 300 followers. Her blog is Cranberry Samplings. MAke sure you check out her pom pom pillows, they are so CUTE!

I realize by posting this I am limiting my chances of winning but the giveaways are too nice not to share with you all. Good Luck!

Jane

Plans

2011-02-05T09:30:00.005-05:00

I had hoped to sew all day today and get a couple of my quilty UFOs ready for super bowl Sunday. BUT a daughter's friend's step dad passed so I'll be watching the youngest grandchildren instead. Since the service is several hours away, that means the whole day. I do mind a bit, I really was counting on sewing and rejuvenating a bit, now those plans are under the bus. I feel selfish writing that and yet knowing Sam, I am truly sorry for her loss, so my plans will acquiesce. With that being said now I will try to conjure up a bit more graciousness and stop my pout!

Recently I won a couple of gorgeous items from ebay. First up is this beautiful pendent/earring set of Lapis jewelry. These pieces are stunning and very substantial besides the craftsmanship exquisitely done. Janice B the seller notated that they are American Indian made. I heart them.

This last photo are the efforts of PGD#1 and myself yesterday. Yes, you are seeing correctly, the frosting is that garish and bright AND she just loved them! While doing these little projects we get to make colors and try out different creative endeavors and of course she loves to lick the bowl and spatulas. Having fun, keeping a little one occupied and I do have to admit, they taste fine!

Enjoy your day,
I'll be super busy with a 2 and 5 year olds
but enjoying mine,

Jane

#10 for the UFO 2011 Challenge

2011-02-02T13:22:00.005-05:00

Regarding Judy Laquidera's UFO challenge. The next number drawn was #10- my Happy Villages.

Love the Number 10, hate the thought of getting into my Happy Village Wallhanging. You know that feeling of dread that comes over you. Well, I experienced in the snap of the fingers a feeling of happy elation when I saw 10 that quickly turned into a stomach dropping feeling of dread when I actually realized which UFO I'd have to move on to next. Oh well, dragging my feet now. Hummmm maybe I'll work on the Easter BBD instead. Of course with no school with the snow storm, perhaps I'll just play with PGD#1. Wonder how many other excuses I can come up with?

Jane

As you can see with this last photo, I'll need to move these items so I'll be able to find the pieces that fell off my Happy Villages throughout the past year. Oh!!! Setting on the top of the pile on that chair are the parts of my Patience Corners quilt, perhaps that might be another option of something else to work on

The Lord is smiling.....

2011-02-02T09:26:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was spent in a neighboring state while DH had some preliminary tests done regarding a probable heart transplant. With his fatigue and diminished heart and physical function, the Cardiologist mentioning a transplant would be probable 1 week before his heart attack and then his heart attack, we both were expecting these tests to prove that transplant would be imminent. Thank God the news is much better than that. NO not a miracle cure but 2 different cardiologist seen both think that perhaps it won't be necessary at all. Also that with the Rxs he is already on, continuing to eat right exercise and rest like he does, that he may actually never have to have a transplant at all. Thankyou Lord and God willing.

Jane

We {Heart} Ground Hog's Day!

2011-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

We celebrate our 37th Anniversary today. When arranging our wedding ceremony years ago, I had heard jokingly of many people forgetting their anniversary dates. So I thought about an appropriate date and with Ground Hog's Day being a holiday and that radio and TV stations would be announcing if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow or not, that it might be the perfect date for our wedding(just in case DH needed a little memory nudge). It has worked beautifully despite or because of my scheming and we celebrated our day a day sooner with a nice dinner out and a bit of shopping. No grand gifts in either direction which is fine in my book but a beautiful dinner out with a couple glasses of beverages. It was even more special because of the Dr's news so it was perfect. As for snow storm today, we are not slammed, but there is enough snow that I'm glad we celebrated last night.

Phil Says Expect an Early Spring!

Phil's official forecast as read February 2nd, 2011, at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, PA:

Here Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Groundhog Day, February 2, 2011
Punxsutawney Phil was raised from his burrow
By the call of President Bill Deeley.
He greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths.

After casting an inquisitive eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
He proclaimed that the Steelers are going to the Super Bowl!

Back to the business at hand...
He surveyed his surroundings carefully and found that there was no shadow around,
So, an early spring it will be.

The good news just keeps coming on in!

Jane

For those outside of the United States, here's a link explaining the folk lore of the German tradition of PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL.

The end of January already,

2011-01-31T09:59:00.006-05:00

Boy has this month flown by. It's hard to imagine it's already the end of January. There are a couple more things I really wanted to finish. I did actually start my BBD Easter Parade.

Not much to show for yet but check back next Monday. I plan on having Mondays be my counted cross stitching updates for this blog. I hope it will help me progress on the many I want to stitch.

Recently I joined a yahoo group for blackbird designs. What a group of talented stitchers and while checking out some of the many blogs I was inspired to perhaps pull out my Red Thread from Bent Creek and stitch one month's design per coincuding mnth this year. Who knows perhaps it will be finished by February 2012. As for the other 2, I'm off to finish them. One is a promise to my Mom and the other a hope for myself.

Enjoy your day,
Jane

What is happening

2011-01-29T12:25:00.007-05:00

Phew! I did finally get all that crap off the stitching for the little this and that pattern "Snow Much Fun" and I can honestly say it wasn't any fun! So tedious pulling off all those bits of flakes from the fabric. I know I'll never do that again!

Hopefully, I be able to get to that project this weekend. No grandchildren here today or planned for tomorrow, so I should be able to focus on something without interruptions.

Check out came in the mail recently. The first photo is the half yard fabric which Jamie from BabyBoomer Quilting Bee Blogspot kindly sent me. I am thinking of doing a cross stitch piece finished as a flat fold with this fabric a the "Key element" with the design. My Mom's significant other collects antiques keys and since he is going through so much medically (he just started dialysis without any forewarning), I thought a Valentine flat fold with a couple of his keys dangling off the top corner would be perfect for them.

Now only to get it stitched. I think I'll use a freebie pattern from the net. I have many printed out, so I'll post a photo here when it's finished. Thank you so much Jamie, YTB!

The other parcel which I received today is for the fabric and threads needed for the BBD (Blackbird Design) Easter Parade that I recently posted a picture of and want to do. I hope to get this one finished by the end of March. I did pull out the pattern to pull threads for the "Snip for a Queen" designed by Raise The Roof, but I don't have the Kreinik specialty fibers in for it. That one will have to wait, can't order another $50.00 worth this soon nd rationalize it. I need to finish some things first.

While maintaining my blog site, I realized that I have 48 UFOs or PIGS (projects in Grocery Sacks) listed. YIKES!!!!! That is very over ambitious list, but since I did get 4 projects done so far this month and it's still not over with, I plan on leaving it listed just as it is for now, but realistically thinking that with some of the more complex and denser CXS designs, quilts and such, there is no way I'll be able to complete them all. AND that's okay, progress is better than nothing at all.

While blog hopping I ran across a quote from Emsscrapbag.blogspot saying that creative Clutter is better than neat idleness and I totally concur with that.

TTFN,
Jane

PS: One last photo I wanted to share is from the UFO#6 challenge I finished, It shows the art glitter applied to the icicles and the snow laden roof. Boy did that stuff get all over.

I goofed.

2011-01-25T12:27:00.003-05:00

A little while ago I was writing about using transfer ease for my Snow Much Fun embroidery part of a little quilt. But I really don't know where my head was. I have seen it several places on the web and with this transfer medium you can copy your embroidery design through a printer/copier and the design will show up on this medium. All you have to do is iron onto your fabric, use an interfacing and you're good to stitch.
I thought at that time, ah haa! I think I have some of that in. So I went to my den where I store any printing and transfer papers and found my ink jet transfer paper, that all you have to do is iron onto fabric. I should have kept reading. This stuff is permanent. The snowman's stitching is done from the This and That pattern, "Snow Much Fun" and feeling very pleased with myself, I went and dunked into a sink full of water. Now imagine my surprise when that transfer element didn't dissolve off my fabric!

So here I sit, instead of stitching, I'm using my magic eyes, a lint brush and a pair of tweezers trying to pull it all off. GGRrrrrrr! DH sat and watched me for a bit and calmly stated, won't it be easier to stitch it all over again. Of course I said yes, but the fabric I used was all I had and it was perfect for this design, so now I rip! How could I have goofed so bad?

I did receive a couple of patterns that I really like. Perhaps I'll stitch out Snip for Queen while I am waiting for fabric for my first Blackbird Design, Easter Parade. I truly love this pattern and was lucky enough to find the pattern.

Enjoy your day,
Jane

A bit more done.

2011-01-23T13:33:00.003-05:00

It feels wonderful to be finishing up some UFO's I've had going for a bit. Between the Counted cross stitch, quilting, and beading hobbies, many times I feel like my creative endeavors are just running amok!
But Whoo!whoo! several more projects have been finished this past week.
My UFO#6 through Judy Laquidera's UFO challenge, Bird house wallhanging or Waiting for Spring, finished.

There is art glitter glued onto the fleece that I used for the ice and snow. I also changed a bit of the design by also creating some ice spots on the branches. To me it was unrealistic that the bird house was snow and ice laden while the rest was not touched. I know here in the Adirondacks, when something is encased by the elements, many things are encased too so I made it more reflective of that.
Besides the white fabric changed out for a lustrous fleece batting, I also changed some of the fabrics in this kit I got from Nancy's Notions years ago. The birdhouse and branch colors were all brown and too close in color to be visible. So I did some stash diving to come up with a higher contrast values. The pattern is actually "Waiting for Spring" designed by Lake View Quilts adn I am glad that Vince pulled No6 UFO. Just in time for Winter in these parts.

Next are the beaded earrings I finished last Sunday while playing with friends. The "Read and Bead" group I belong to gathers monthly to bead, eat and share lives. Each month a different person will share their technique for a project when we can. At December's meeting, Michelle taught us how to do a dodecahedra (aka: Chinese Pearl Balls). Usually I am not so thick headed but I had an awful time trying to grasp this concept. Poor Michelle actually did one of my beads since it was too difficult for me. Each step that I would do and she'd check it and it was wrong, so she'd correct it. Ye gads! When you work on this bead you need to use 2 needles of thread at the same time. One of the ladies mentioned it may be better to try 2 different size needles to help keep you straight with which needle should be at whichever orientation per row since with each row the needles would change positions and making notes while beading it. So when I got home later that night, I pulled out all of the necessities and I actually was able to finish another bead. Of curse not correctly, but I could tell where the next spin off design was needed and then would work my threads to that area. Close enough I say!
Anyhoo, I made them into festive drop earrings and they are DONE! And I'll never tell that one bead is correct and the other one is a very near miss. LOL

This next photo is of a counted cross stitch design I finally picked up from the framers. Shhhh! it's a gift for a stitching buddy when we gather for our late Christmas party. I know she doesn't read my blog, so it's safe to show here.

It's a Calico Crossroads pattern designed by Linda Connors called "In Stitches". It's just purrrrfect for my bernina and cat loving friend. I even stitched our initials into the outermost border of it with a tiny heart in between as a token of our friendship. I hope she love sit as much as I loved doing it for her.

The last photo is of the pet bed I finished in a gridded pattern for a community project that our guild does for the local animal shelters. This pillowcase bag has been hanging out under my cutting table for the past year. Any snippets of trims not large enough for my scrap bins, found it's way into the bag. Ingenious way of utilizing the scrappiest of scraps. It was finally full enough that I realized I needed to finish what I had in mind. Grid off the main area to stop the shifting of the stuffing.

When assembling the pet bed, it also was a trip down Memory Lane of past projects and felt great to reminisce about all the "love" sewn into projects this past year. Since we don't have any pets currently, but remembering trying to wash the different animal beds from the past, I found it difficult to keep the stuffing from shifting whilst trying to be neat, clean and sanitized around here. So I tried a "grid" of stitching for this bed to help facilitate against the stuffing from shifting where ever it lands up. The most difficult part was trying to keep the stuffing equal in the parts, Of course I used my zipper foot and chalked pencil lines which I needed to continuously re-draw after rubbing off the previous lines by stuffing it. But now it's done and I'll need to cut and sew another bag from upholstery fabric to hang off my cutting table for another bed next year.

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate and look forward to all the comments from your visits. I'm off to the sewing room now, enjoy your Sunday.

TTFN,
Jane

Learned something

2011-01-17T19:24:00.004-05:00

A while back I found this tutorial for a Faux Piped Binding at TLC Stitches. Making a note of it on my blog, I actually tried it out this past week and finished it this afternoon. Trisha's instructions and pictures were fantastic and very easy to follow (I wonder what model of camera she uses, her pictures are gorgeous.)

So what did I learn? That for me it didn't lay right when I pressed the seam allowance toward my piping (Black) fabric. It seemed to bunch up and didn't allow me to get the binding pressed in half correctly. Some areas the showed piping was thicker than others, not by a lot, but too much for me to live with.

Thinking about the binding for awhile, I finally
figured out that I needed to open the binding strip flat then press the seam allowance towards the binding side and really try out this technique. I was very tempted to revert back to my piped regular binding and hand sew the finished edge. I am so glad I experimented with this wall hanging, it worked. With my nerve and pain from my back injury, sometimes it's difficult for my fingers to work as dexterously as they used to. With this I found it a bit hard closing up the binding strip and mitering the corners correctly. So I'm thinking that this technique would be so worth it for a king size quilt! Because of my fingers' numbness and pain, while considering the fuss factor needed, it may be easier doing the older technique of sewing each piping and binding on separately much easier for smaller quilts.

8) "sew" glad that I've tried this technique! All I have left on UFO#6 is to hand stitch the mitered corners closed and stitch down the hanging sleeve on the back. Think I'll bring it theis week while I serve on Jury Duty. Ohh! I also have to use that art glitter stuff for the icicles when all the stitching is completely done, I'll post a photo of it when finished.

Jane

Club inductee

2011-01-14T20:01:00.001-05:00

Our local schools offer programs for positive behavior and students by acts of kindness, responsible behavior and safety in mind are awarded slips. Every student has the opportunity to "win" some of these slips by their good behavior. I am so proud, PGD#1 was inducted in the program this past week. She earned enough slips to become an honor student.

We have a Canon Power shot A590IS camera and at these types of functions and events, it takes really crappy pictures. Of course it's not the photographer! These were the best her Dad was able to get. I would love to take a photography class sometime to learn more about cameras and photography, but it would interfere with my quilting and other commitments. I keep asking DH to learn, but with his condition he gets confused easily and fustrated so I guess it's up to me.

The ceremony was nicely done with a really cute set up. Notice the rope lighting highlighting the Red Carpet, it's for indoctronees to march up to receive their medals. Congratulations to PGD#!, I am so proud that I had to share.

Jane