Landscaped in June

Those two pallets of landscape blocks - GONE!  or maybe I should say used for their intended purpose.  I purchased 3 pallets of blocks years ago to separate the plantings, shrubs from the lawn.  Hired Jason D. to place them and then winter blew in   That was years ago.   The surround was almost done there again, two spots were left unfinished.  That seems to be the recurring theme around here.  Anyways, his employee Cal W. did the most of the work.  

So I contacted JD in April to see if he would be able to finish the job and found out he's now in Maryland so gave me Cal's number.  Contacting Cal, I learned of his upcoming kidney surgery 5/1/2023 so he gave my name and number to another man (JL) who did this type of work.  The month of May came and went.  Nothing.  So I re-contacted CW via instagram to see how he was post surgery.  We talked, he had wondered... as he didn't see any progress and I found out that JL had moved to Tennessee, so bada-bing, bada-boom - we scheduled 6/4 on our calendars to get it done.  Gorgeous day and success!   

It now looks like this:

I also worked on my outdoor lighting which I'm thrilled with.  

They are all solar lights and differently styled so it doesn't look like a airfield landing strip surrounding the house.  lol        Perhaps tonight I'll go out and grab some evening shots to share later.  

The retaining wall on the left side of the house, I did many years ago and it took me three times to stack those field stones so they looked level.  I was satisfied then with my efforts and gratefully  they served their purpose for decades, however just one of my idiosyncrasies is I don't like patch jobs (except for  quilts that is) on roofs, additions, landscaping materials.  I'm an all or nothing kind of girl.  So I wanted the materials to be cohesive.  Thereby my desire of changing the retaining wall to the same landscape blocks.  

A couple of photos of before and during...

  

The dump cart's tire blew so there is another flat tire I'll need to contend with.  That seems to be another ongoing problem around here and for so many years as well!  :-0! 

 Oh well, that will be for another day.

Am happy at my progress. 

Was really tired too but that day's stats on my fit  bit were:  

7.82 mi; 17896 steps; and 157 minutes cardio 

another win!

TTFN, Jane

2016 desires

Going to keep it real and not try to be so wordy here.

The two phrases that seemed to align themselves to me for this year are:

"Do the Work" 

&

"Live with Joy"

My intentions for 2016 area:

1. Lose 60 pounds this year.  Will do this by loosing 5 pounds a month, sounds very doable.
2. One Monthly Goal finished (that will get me at least twelve projects finished by year end!   8 )
3. A minimum of One book read each month, perhaps sometimes two - I really enjoy a good book.
4. Continue purging duplicates, downsizing and re-organizing my stuff(s)
5. Literally, stop spending so much on my crafts and make do with all that I have.  With that in mind,  I plan to track all of my expenses in these arenas: quilting, cross stitching, beading, knitting, etc.  Though I will allow some expense in order to finish projects with a reward of purchasing something after a minimum of  5 UFOs, PhDs, PIGS, WIPs or WHIMMs are done!  No since painting myself into a corner!!!!   LOL  
6. Bust the Stash while also tracking it for Judy's stash report over at Patchwork  times.  Also plan to store my projects out of sight into bins (in the basement if I have to) so I can alleviate this monkey mind of mine that switches into high gear just walking into the sewing room. Keeping only one project out at a time.   Then continue Reorganizing my sewing studio, it is such a MESS since that stacked drawer fiasco happened.  DH just mentioned perhaps we should build an appropriate space to contain my creativity.  

So I'll stay true to my authentic self.  Keeping joy, love, and an open heart all the while staying grounded while pursuing my passions and creativity.

Due to the One Monthly Goal and the APQ ufo of twelve items for the year I'll announce this first listing of my January focuses I'll work on:

Hungry Hungry Caterpillar Pillow Kit

• Make the Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar pillow with the teacher's poem printed onto fabric.  It was given to my PGD#1 several years ago by her teacher.   I had a whimm so purchased the panel around 2 plus years ago and it's remained a pig.  It's regretful that it's not even started yet so I'm glad 2016 will change that.  

• Keep cross stitching the surround for the Red Thread piece designed by Lizzie Kate shown here. Hopefully I will be completely done stitching this by the end of February.

Apron panel with a lining fabric 

• Make an Apron for my sister in law's Christmas gift for 2016. Another January goal.

Fleece for bench warmers at ice arenas

• Make a Hockey, butt-warmer seat with the fleece I purchased in 2015.  My last January goal!

Here I go again, four listed 

and I only needed to mention one!  8{

My List of Twelve projects for the year to complete per the All People Quilt Challenge follows:

1. Wool Candle Mat
2. Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar pillow ***** JANUARY's selection
3. Posh fabric scalloped table runner
4. Seahorse Community doll quilt
5. Red & White Challenge for CVQG
6. BQ2 quilt with Fairies
7. Braid Quilt Queen to King size
8. CXS - The Red Thread by Bent Creek
9. CXS - Rabbit Run, Just Nan designer
10. Kim Diehl Kit (pig)
11. Purse/bag Miranda started in 2011?
12. Mystery Project

The number drawn for January is Number 2 so that will be finished first.  I was a day late to sign up to the one Monthly goal with Heidi over at Red Letter Quilts but will try to be more timely next month.

TTFN -  Jane

Katjas Millefiori QAL for 2015, dreaming and skeeming

After seeing the Dale Chihully exhibit in Montreal 2 years ago with my Mom, I still dream of creating a quilt
combining a myriad of color but with cloth, my favorite medium as an artist- a self proclaimed one that is.

With the 2015 Millefiori QAl that Katya is hosting from her book, The New Hexagon, I had initially thought of using this QAL to make a Chihully fishing boat filled with hexagon fabric glass orbs.  But when I saw the "Maison de Provence" line offered through Connecting threads, I absolutely fell in love with the main print thinking it would be perfect for fussy cutting some of the hexies.  Ordered 1 yard, a layer stack of that line the Book The New Hexagon (at 40% off I might add) and then waited to see what the feel of the fabric was. I do love quality quilting fabric!   When it arrived, it felt really nice so while visiting some of my beloved local quilt shops Saturday during the "Visit your local Quilt shop day", I was able to find a few other fabrics to work with this long-termed project.   Here's a peak of all of it gathered together:

All the parts lined up for my idea for this New Hexagon QAL-
Millifioiri

Maison de Provence j'adore!

Also I noticed Kim Diehl's line compliments nicely
adding just a pop of pink.

 This will be my DECADE Project.  I just know now that I'll piddle away on it and will finish it, but want to enjoy the process without any looming deadlines of a QAL.  I also happened  to notice that the Kim Diehl's line of fabric, Vintage Farmhouse also might work with it, so will be open to that possibility as well.  Am loving that deep teal/peacock color just now and I also have a few blacks that could go in as well which will make the colors more intense.

I'll share some of my first ever Hexagons.

Using a fat quarter of that sassy fabric, and brights for this project.
I  may put this on my horizon this summer to finish it off since lil' Miss is growing up.
She'll be 10 this year, my favorite number BTW.

Orientation was wrong for this one.
Will be used for a vase coaster since it doesn't line up correctly

These were made with Kaye Wood's View and Do Shapes technique and I thought a bed stand table mat for the grand daughter would be cute with these Hexies or a dresser scarf.

Knowing that I'll need to practice my skillz first, since I have never done any EPP (English Paper Piecing) before but have always wanted too, my first attempt will be to make a table runner for the living room with a fabric I found at Fibre Junction Quilt Shop on Saturday.

I brought a piece of the binding blue scrap from the Bird house wall hanging I made a few years ago with me to match the tone and shade for a sofa table runner.


Found a beautiful batik which I initially thought of using to make a disappearing four patch table runner for that site.  BUT, just this AM while reading my emails, I ran across this runner that Annette offered through Craftsy and purchased it quickly.

Where it will go.......

Here is that Island Batik print.

With synchronicity acknowledged, I just know this is right project to make for that table runner and with that batik.  So I will be doing that first as my EPP  learning curve.  

Of course I purchased more than that but will share more on another day.  That will be my project for the Spring Quilt retreat I attend with Trudy   :  )   For my own info, here are some other Hexagon related sights.
Full hexagon sheets are free at this web page:
 http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/hexagonal/

Katya's Millefiori QAL for 2015 is here:
http://www.katjasquiltshoppe.com/index.htm

Supply area for paper piecing templates are here and the code for a 20% discount is "Getmy20" :
http://www.paperpieces.com/contact-us.htm

I'm getting off this time sucking machine now! Got to start getting some stuff done before the grand children get here.  J

2015 Intentions and dreams

Yes it's good to dream but most of the time I feel like my quilting desires have been infected by acute, chronic and make that even terminal ADHD.  Finding myself jumping willy-nilly from one project before a glimmer of another one catches my eye which takes me on another tangent which seems to be my new norm in these past years.  So my plan of attack for this year is to continue to FOCUS on what I'm doing.  Enjoying my endeavors and finishing the task at hand before allowing that monkey brain mind of mine to jump into something else.  In years' past I've embraced the blogging trends to finish my UFOs, start New FOs and even allowed my creative juices fodder to follow completely different directions when they wanted or more seriously when they needed to.   So with contemplation of what desires I have...

This year I plan to do the same  

**************   BUT   ************

this time with grace, acceptance, and going with the flow.  

In list style fashion my intentions are:

1- If I can get one thing done a week, I'll be happy.  Whether it's a large or small project won't matter to me, or even if it's just one step within a project.   I'll be content working with my hands and moving my quilting/crafting  techniques along to the next level.  As an incentive I'll play along with Adrianne from On the Windy Side in her 2015 Finish Along.

2- Through the years I have invested funds for tools to work my crafts and now ashamedly I have found that I've never used many of these items.  I plan to change that this year.   Allowing myself to play, learn and hopefully show improvements in my techniques and to stretch my creativity into other realms of quilting like art quilts and more Modern styles.  I'll only be able to achieve this dream if I allow that inner child to play and learn.

3- Sharon at Vrooman's Quilts has a challenge of Let's Book it that I sat by and watched longingly at last year.  I want to play too so count me in this year.  There are many patterns I've bought, printed, tagged and flagged that are still languishing on my shelves, containers and totes stored away.  Hopefully if I can get one of these done a month with Sharon's incentives as my carrot, besides experiencing the camaraderie with all the other participants which will be great company as I finally tackle some of these PIGs will all be a huge plus.

4- Jenny Beyer has a new QAL offered on Craftsy as the 2015 BOM which my jaw literally fell to the floor when I saw it.   Imagine all those tidbits of information she'll freely offer through Craftsy this year.   Yes please, I want to do that too so I just ordered her kit. I can't wait!

5- I'd like to improve my piecing skills.  By participating with miniatures is how I hope to realize this.  So last year (12/30/14 actually) I signed up at my LQS  Fibre Junction to participate in Carole's gathering for the Simple Whatnots Club, Collection 1, designed by Kim Diehl and Henry Glass Fabrics.  Since I'd joined mid way through it,  I've missed several of the sessions but that's fine with me.  Carole is an excellent quilter and does exquisite hand work.  They meet once a month for the next few months this year and I'll be able to share physically what my FOCUS has been  and get help with whatever area(s) need it.

6- The Rainbow Scrap Challenge is another desire to participate with this year.  


7-  As for my Counted Cross Stitch Arena, that needs movement there too, I am currently working on the Winter's Alphabet by Lizzie Kate and I hope to get plenty more realized by Year end.  Typically when focused I can stitch 2 threads a day so this year myplan is to do that but at least 3-4 times a week while I find that zen of needlework, a very happy place for me.

Enough plotting about it,

                           Happy New Year!

                                       Now let the Games Begin.....  
       

Jane

PS: Giggling and smiling now, as the acronym for these intentions spells out......... GAG wtf!  
Seriously, you just can't plan something like that.
LOL, ROTFLOL!!!!!

November Desires

I hope to progress on several PIGs and UFOs so my focus this month will be to:

1- Quilt Wee Wander Baby Blanket ( no intention declared for this yet, just to have it done and on hand.)  I'm attributing this project as my ALYOF project with Melissa and H20 girl at Fiber of all sorts.
2- Quilt the Horse quilt PGD#1 made for the boy in Nicaragua. Also, I need to cut the binding so she can learn the binding making technique at one of our upcoming sewing sessions. 
3- Quilt and Bind the Community Project quilt for WFQG.
4- Make two stuffed animal quilts for CVQG.














Here are a couple of photos of the group project our CVQG is doing.  Making stuffed animal quilts to give.  These will be going to the Vermont's Children's Hospital in Burlington, VT.   




They are the cutest things you ever did see.  From tiny small to a much larger size, we hope the children these go to will enjoy and love them for years to come, hopefully making their illness plights easier to handle.  I think I might atempt to make a sleeping bag style quilt for one of mine.  There is a frog and a teddy bear  that needs some blankets of love. 










5- Do something for myself, this will be my wild card. 
6- Help PGD#1 finish her pillow she started with the cupcake kids.  Almost done and it is too cute.  She's planning on giving this to her Mom for her Birthday on the 22nd.  Will be done this week!  I'll post and share photos after the finish.
7- Mend the vinyl on my Brother in Law's snap on weather protector for his backhoe.   Hopefully right after I get off this computer.   Edited 11/4- Attempted without success, but now I can cross this one off my list.
8- For Slow stitching Sundays I want need to start another cross stitch project.  Maybe another small one like the recent finish, a Shepherds Bush Christmas fob.