Setting my July goals

1- Non-negotiable, Get the borders on the camp quilt.

2- Non-negotiable, Stitch another block from the lil' Miss Shabby, this block is one I drew and created, so far am very happy with it....

3-Non-negotiable, finish iron caddy- FINISHED!
4-Non-negotiable, Cut sashings and cornerstones for the 10 minute block top - DONE!

5-Non-negotiable, Finish a Little Something Jacket
6-Non-negotiable, Quilt borders for the Convergence wall hanging

7-Non-negotiable, Kindle Bag, yep still on this list, one of these days I'll be surprising you and myself too probably!  This is my New for JULY! Hopefully by following Barb at Cat Patches with her New FO protocall and stating this project for this months' New FO that  will assist me in getting ROUND TUIT!  I can only hope!!! lol
8-Magic Eyes Storage Bag
9-Finish KumihimoBracelet - FINISHED! Plus made two more!!

All three of these quilty projects photographed are to be in my guild quilt show in October, so they must all proceed without any more delays.   

Jane

Two done so far this Month and gardens..

It's seems really difficult for me to make up titles for these postings and sometimes seems like the simplest phrase works best.  But I'd be interested in how you would title this post.  Any and all ideas are welcome, just leave a comment with your suggestion or if you think this is good enough.

Anywhoo, I was able to get 2 items off my get it done for June list.   The first is the Tea Wallet. 



I used the free pattern available from Free Spirit called Break Buddy and only changed the placement of the upper folded piece to rest higher when the wallet is closed and am very happy with the results. 
That being said though, if I did make another one, I think two skinny  flaps sewn into the top edge to cover the opened pockets would be a huge plus since the tea bags I use do not come in their own foiled pouch. 




There are four pockets and about 8 of my regular tea bags fit nicely or 6  of my regular bags and these 3 ice tea mixers, NICE!  I've had this project on my horizon since I went to quilt camp back in April.  It was so easy and quick!   Note to self, this will make a great little gift so I should make several up and have them ready when someone needs a pick me up or I need a little personalized gift. 

Finally I re found the site where the pattern is, it can be found here it's no longer available at Free Spirit but at the designer's blog, http://100billionstars.com, Melissa Peda.

The other finish is another Lil' Miss Shabby BOM that I started I'm not even sure when!   Perhaps it was February while I was still visiting my Mom in Florida perhaps.  This one is so longggggg overdue.   (Notice the whine!)  Now I only have 2   more blocks to go then I can start cutting into the fat quarters I've had in for this and do some assembling. 

I finally was up yesterday after another bout with a viral /sinus/ stress overload.  I went for help and the Doc placed me on antibiotics and this bug knocked me off my feet for 2 days.  I slept around the clock and slept most of the next day too.  It's good to be feeling better again.  So yesterday I actually had the energy to stroll around the yard taking some photos of the landscape before the predicted rains came. 

Glad I did.  Here's a gander:

 



Taken from the side.










 



Taken from the front of the house. 
See how they are cascading over the landscaping curbs.

Here's what those same bushes looked like on Sunday, 
just getting ready to show their colors.

 

 

 

Lucky for me I had the camera ready when our pool guys showed up. :)



DH and PGS#3 getting the pool ready for the season.

                    

This one is so easy on the eyes and what a worker.
PGS#3, age 4
Pool actually doesn't look too bad for surviving an Adirondack Winter. 

 

See what I mean, look at that concentration. 

 

In the back yard the snowball bush is looking the best it has since well for evah!  Every year those schaeffer beetles forage anything white and I think they think this bush is an all you can eat buffet planted just for them.

 

 

Nice to see it in it's glory this year and those deep fuchsia rhododendrons.  I hope all the forecasted rain doesn't damage them like they did the dark pink tree peonies. 

The little pink Rhodes that are in front and on the side of the house are gone and just the skeletal remains are evident, thanks to the last week of rain we had that beat them and all the blooms off the flowering crab tree out front.   

How they look now, versus how they were on the 18th of May.

 

 

 

 There are also some white Rhodes I planted on the path to the river, but they are nowhere near blooming yet.   I share more garden pics at another time.  It is looking so pleasant outside with all our efforts but there are several more areas that need some TLC whenever I find the time that is.



Now it's time to get this house back under control.  Anytime I am down, I swear this place just implodes without my care.  Now however does that happen?  lol   As if I wasn't aware.  At least when I am up, people are more conscientious of the messes and clutter. 




One last bit I'd like to share is about Martingale has a link which shares 52 tips and tutorials.   Help yourself to check it out and earmark it for your own convenience.  A lot of good information is freely shared.  

TTFN and Good Night,
Jane
 

Another Lil Miss Shabby- Check!

Finished this lil' Miss Shabby March's Block and it's on my list of four for February.    Only three left to do.....Yippee Skippee.

 

In Your Own Words Blog Hop

There is a new blog hop starting on January 7th that should be loads of  fun!  The "In Your Own Words" Hop is being hosted by Linda of Buzzing and Bumbling Blog and highlighted by Madamme Samm and a huge list of other bloggers, myself included (VBG!). 

Please check out all the different  sites since so many ideas and creativity will be shared with you during this time.  When you leave a comment on Linda's blog, your name  will be in the drawing for some nice prizes and some of the  participating blogs will even host giveaways on their own during this hop. You will be inspired so many ways during this hop.   Be sure you join us!  Isn't that a great way to start the new year!!!

Here is the schedule for the upcoming hop that will be starting in just 5 days!

Monday, January 7
 

Buzzing and Bumbling (Linda W.)
Stitch, Stitch, Stitch, Stitch (Cyndi H.)

Kwilty Pleasures (Kathy G.)

Debby Kratovil Quilts (Debby K.))

Sew Darn Quilt (Carolyn R.)

Mary On Lake Pulaski (Mary K.)

Traveling Quilter (Debbie A.)

Just Let Me Quilt (Carol S.)

Vroomans Quilts (Sharon V.)

Cate's Linens (Catherine R.)

Nini and the Sea (Denise)

Sew Much 2 Luv (Karen)

Tuesday, January 8

Buzzing and Bumbling (Linda W.)

Piece Peace nc (Patricia G.)

A Stitch in Time (Patty D.)

krislovesfabric (Kris T.)

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much? (Pamela A.)

Marjorie's Busy Corner (Marjorie)

Grandmamas Stories (Jane H.)

Mrs. Pickles Garden (Hayley)

Patchouli moon Studio (Daryl P.)

Till We Quilt Again (Helen E.)

Ths Slow Quilter (Felicia F.)

Quilting With Terry and the Cats (Terry S.)

Wednesday, January 9

Buzzing and Bumbling  (Linda W.)

Kathy's Quilts (Kathy W.)

Sunshine Quilting (Martina S.)

Sew Incredibly Crazy (Amy)

Quilt Doodle Doodles (Cindy S.)

Doodling in My Mind (Darla R.)

I Like to Quiltblog (Bente)

Michelle's Romantic Tangle (Michelle M.)

Grammie Q's (Charlotte M.)

Dancing Moon (Carla B.)

(Betty V.) at “that other blog”

The Fuzzy Hat Quilter (Laura Ann)

Thursday, January 10

Buzzing and Bumbling (Linda W.)

Life in the Scrapatch (Pat B.)

Just Sew Sue (Sue B.)

Nati's Little Things (Nati)

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans (Amy)

Pig Tales and Quilts (Thearica)

Scrappy 'n Happy (Jess R.)

Little Mushroom Cap (Amira A.)

Kwilty Pleasures (Kathy)

Moosestash Quilting (Joan K.)

Sowing Stitches (Beulah aka. Carol)

Just Quilt It (Kathy G.)

Friday, January 11

Buzzing and Bumbling (Linda W.)

Jane's Fabrics (Jane R.)

Jane's Quilting (Jane C.)

Nuts 4 Redwork (Heide W.)

Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio (Cherry G.)

Bits and Pieces (Martha R.)

Life in Every Breath (Jennifer B.)

Quilting Lines (Patricia L.)

Travel Thru Greece (Mara)

Meadowbrook (Kristen K.)

Count It All Joy! (Denise P.)

Sophie Junction (Sophie W.)

Monday, January 14

Buzzing and Bumbling (Linda W.)

Gracie Oliver Arts (Jeanie)

Clothes and Crafts (Maria K.)

Cherrys Prairie Primitives (Cherry E.)

Simple Sew (Shirley T.)

Woolie Mammoth (Anna B.)

RocknQuilts (Mary Ann)

Celynn's Sunflower Patch (Celynn)

A Quilting Sheep (Amy)

Sane and Crazy Quilting (Cathy L.)

Quiltsmiles (Jane E.)

Feathered Nest Studio(Jennet)

Tuesday, January 15

Buzzing and Bumbling (Linda W.)
BQuiltin Studio (Beverly K.)

Hill Valley Quilter (Britt-Inger)

Bumbleberry Stitches (Theresa K.)

Buzzing and Bumbling (Linda W.)

Outback Crafter (Debra S.)

In Stitches and Seams (Annette S.)

Englating (Marica from Sweden)

Stitchin by the Lake (Marlene B.)

Selina Quilts (Selina)

Sheila's Quilt World (Sheila M.)

Words & Stitches (Beth S.)

Wednesday, January 16

Buzzing and Bumbling(Linda W.)

My Collection of Things (Jeni K.)

Quiltin' Jenny (Jenny)

Shade Tree Quilting (Judy C.)

Rosemary) at “that other blog”

Pat Sloan, The Voice of Quilting (Pat. S.)

Dachsies With Moxie (Agnes B.)

Sew Many Yarns (Lyndsey M.)

Tomorrows Treasures Today (Denise D.)

The German Mom (Tina S.)

Christa Quilts (Christa W.)

Read, Quilt, Cook, Pray (Aletta D.)

Sew We Quilt (Mdm. Samm)

 

 

 

Looking back through my projects there have been many times I've used my own words or letters in them.  Here's a sampling with links bringing you to where I posted about them.
 

Like the most recent project of  The Big Easy where I quilted a little message in the borders of it.
 

Meme {heart}s You in the quilting 

 

 

Last year's Inukshuk quiltlet that I also quilted in a more Art form style on the piece by having block puffy letters going vertically down the side spelling out   INUKSHUK.

 

 

 

The wool roving initial on the pin cushion last fall

 

 

 

 

To the appliqued phrase on the backing of my Alien Invasion Quilt a couple of years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

There are other projects where I used letters and words.  The patchabilities that  I love to do with the Valentine hearts' messages  like Kiss, Be Mine, Hugs, etc..., Spring on another and even baby quilts with a surname stitched in the quilting to document who owns it.  One example of this is when I did that on a boy's baby quilt.  There were tractor trailers on it  in a  panel I used so I sttched the last name with a contracting business ad on the trailer's side since his Dad is a contractor.  Turned out cute though I never grabbed a photo of it.  

I never know when I will be adding wording to a project, sometimes like the patchabilities it's in the actual pattern (but I do use my artistic license to change it), or an idea will come at of no where and to me it just has to be added.  The Project that I am working on and will be shared with you on the 14th  I am trying not to deliberate too hard on  and it's a rather simple idea.  Stay tuned.

As for other UFO's that I've been working on here's the latest block done for Lil' Miss Shabby BOM.  It's December's block  obviously.  I plan on attaching some crystals to the tree after the quilt is totally finished to add more bling to this tree.  
Yeah!  I do realize that I'm only about a year+ behind when everybody else got theirs done, but I do work at my own pace ya know....lol!



Next up is the label for The Big Easy Quilt. 
Just another example of where words on projects are necessary and used frequently.
Stay warm, it's suppose to hit 20 below tonight.  Brrrrr!

 

 

Jane

Sounds doable..

Barbara from Cat Patches has been hosting the New FO for the 2012 calendar year and 2013 will be hosting it again.  Sounds like it could be fun and instead of always working on my UFOs this coule be  the  excuse  incentive to start a new project.  lol  What can I say?   Sometimes the muse within me just wants to play!  So I'm linking up.  Check out her blog post here explaining how it works and the giveaways she offers monthly when you remember to link it back to her blog at the end of the month.  Hopefully I'll be able to remember that! 
Soon I'll add her widget to my side bar.  There are tutorials out there explaining how to do that.  I know Connie from Quilting by the River notoriety, shares many tutorials and information on saavy computer  tips besides quilting tips so I'll be checking that out shortly.

Another block for the lil' Miss Shabby is Done. 

 

 Et viola-

 

September's block:

Have you ever been in the middle of a project and then that ah haa! moment arrives?
Well it just happened to me while working on the September block. 













I started around  the 5th block of LMS construction  to do a floss toss.  Figuring out which color to put where especially with taking the neighboring block colors  into consideration.   I listed the DMC numbers on the printed out pattern  to make the  legend. 

When selecting my colors for this project initially,  I pulled out all the thread colors from 5 storage containers of DMC threads.  Placing these thread bobbins onto binder rings so it kept them all together and secure until I could use them. 

But while stitiching and removing some of the threads from the binder rings, it wasn't long before my thread bobbins turned to a mess.  Flipping bobbin over after bobbin to find the correct number written in for that part of each block. 

Then it struck, how about containing them neatly so they are easier to find. 

DUH! 

So I changed it to this.

Since I didn't have an empty storage container, I emptied the one that stored my DMC rayon threads and used that for organizing my "current project".  You can't see the label with the angle that this photo was shot, but it clearly says Rayon on the front edg of the cover.

I plan on purchasing another container so I'll have a container for the current project  I'm workin on  with my next Michaels coupon.
It is so much neater and easier!  Now why didn't I think of that sooner?







Yesterday, PGD#1 had to turn in her school project where she created  a gingerbread cookie.  The school handed out the pattern and a piece of  brown 11x17 construction paper.  Each student had to embellish their own cookie.  

First we hunted through my different boxes of trims and such so she selected the buttons and ric rac that she liked.  We came up with making a gingerbread girl and how it could be done.  She loves doing art and is patient about doing so. 

Here she is and what she did.

This was started at my house and was finished at hers.  Notice the rubberband eyebrows?  Too cute!  So this was painted, colored with crayons, colored pencils, and a magic marker, glued, glittered, as well as all the add ons of the cotton balls, buttons, ric rac trim and broken rubber bands.  I think she did great job for 2nd grade!   Well done Honey! 

DH and I had to travel to Albany for another Drs appointment mid week and thank goodness the weather was cooperative.   Because of that, we had a couple of days off with the grandchildren/preschool agenda that is the normal around here.    Thankfully we were able to finish up the Christmas shopping while we were downstate.  Ahh, that feels good.  The only bad part  is that with me doing all the driving, I'm in pain and rather useless for a couple of days after straining my back and arms driving.    I knew it would happen, but it was necessary so I will cope. 

Getting off this computer now to get some things done around here. 

Enjoy your day,
Jane
 

 

Catching up

I have pieced together the piping and binding for The BIG EZ  but there it sits. 

Promise, ... I'll be getting busy with it SOON!


With the Easy Street QAL being shared by Bonnie Hunter right now. I was thinking about joining in on the fun while it's happening and ride the creative wave with many of theother quilters. But I am in a quandary of which colors to use.

A Cheddar and white Kona Snow for step 1. Thinking a Yellowish orange, Purple, aqua and lime green combination could be gorgeous. (I actually have lime, purple along with some black and white prints all kitted together to make the Carolina Crossroads pattern of hers.) I won't go into the basement to find that container of fabbies to show you but believe it's there. The purples are varied and a much darker palette.
Also I did finish the Orange Crush mystery quilt of hers which I call Key West Sunset.
 

 



Key West Sunset, aka Orange Crush Mystery QAL

 

Another option is to use this:



A UFO from a class taught by Camille Remy at Paul Smith's College in 1998-99?
How to Design your own quilt.    Calss requirements, a light, dark and something medium.  My interpretation.
 

When sewing the sewing Machine Cover and the pin cushion/thread catcher bag I ran across this UFO.  I threw in the scaps of my machine cover bits into this UFO container thinking of finishing it with a lime green thrown in too.  Imagine my surprise with Bonnie Humter selecting all of these colors for her current QAL.     I'm just unsure of how much periwinkle I have in.  For part 2 a periwinkle sky with pure White geese could be wonderful, resembling hte many snow geese that migrate through our region.  There I go dreaming again!

Is this synchronicity with the heavens telling me to work on it all together?   Notice the backing of theBIG EZ in the background, top right? So perhaps my involvement with Easy Street could be to add borders with those Easy Street Parts surrounding it. Though the name Easy anything wouldn't qualify for it if I do that!  It also would be a nice finish of designing the rest of this quilt with the typical block parts of HST, four patches and flying geese units.  Bonnie might be the incentive I need to push this UFO to the finish pile. 

 I just might start it and work on it though until I see the driection this quilt needs to go.  I can see many  Black and white four patches in my very near future.  LOL





Meanwhile, when I am sitting down I've been playing  catch up on the Little Miss Shabby stitcheries (LMS).   November is done and now it's on to the September block. 





Lil Miss Shabby December Block

Realizing while stitching these a verbage is going on in my head.  "What ever happened to me?  I'm timid and delaying in applying threads while trying to decide which colors to use and where....?"  How ever did that happen?   I'll never know.  I used to be fearless with applying color now I seem to second guess myself so much.  Even telling myself to break that thought and just get to it.    Though dealing with this back /neck and other health issues, I really do think that the Rxs I'm on have really affected me in so many ways besides the pain and depression that hovers ever near.   I will beat this and prevail.  Oh well, some good days and then some others thrown into the mix.  It's a good thing I come from such hearty stock.




Now that 6 blocks are embroidered I'll share my vision of how these will be displayed.   Using these, YUMM!

A more modern Blend of Fabrics for my Little Miss Shabby embroidered Blocks of 2011, I'm stitching in 2012. 
Using the Haven's Edge fabric  line with some other Tina Givens fabbies thrown in, of course just for fun.

I'll follow the recommended pattern with an immediate surround of 2 inch pieces mismashed of color followed with a solid ecru boundary.  Then for the sashing and cornerstones, more 2" mismashed pieces.  Perhaps the cornerstones will be the same fabric that I select for the main borders.    This should be done by March.

 

Or I might just have a simpler log border of a different fabric for each block then the 2" pieces and etc.....

 

 

I'm happy too that I shopped online during the Black Friday sales at Quilt in a Day.  What great prices and with the LMS fabrics I have in of  a Fat quarter pack of  Haven's Edge to set the blocks and sashing with was a great find. It's a perfect match since there are many birds and stylized birds scattered through out many of the prints.   Only three fabrics were on sale from that line that might work and so I picked up plenty for borders, backing and binding with enough for a pillow case or two.  8~)

Black Friday Goodies

 

As you an see I picked up another Accuquilt Go Die of the Leaves and Stems,  9 yards of the Black from  Island Batik besides a couple more patterns too.  I noticed out in blogland, sorry I can't remember where to point you in that direction, of a dresden plate quilt made in a class taught by Edyta  Sitar of Landry Basket Quilts that I thought it was stunning.  Perhaps some Kansas style fabbies would work nicely with that pattern,  so when said pattern with a template included  and another of her lovely patterns besides  a Fig Tree  pattern were spotted, I quickly added them to my shopping basket.  All total, 33 yards of fabric plus all the goodies for a little bit of nothing compared to their normal pricing.  Oh yeah, a roll of Invisigrip jumped into my cart too.  What can I say,  Merry Christmas to me. 

 

While blog hopping, I ran across this wonderful blog with a very talented creator of quilts, knitting and knowledge called  Quilting After Dark.  She shared a link of a video where Renate explains beautifully the use of hands here.    I'm linking it up here so I'll know where to find it. 

 

Enjoy your blessings,

Jane

Auditioning the Big EZ

 

I was able to finish the August block of Lil'  Miss Shabby Chic and now I'm starting the November block Stitchery of the same LMS.

As you see it's not yet pressed but will be when I start assembling these stitchings into quilt blocks. 

Maybe I'll start that when I start stitching onmy last block,  the 12th one.

 

 

I was able to finish quilting the Big EZ two days before I thought I could get it done! 

Can I get a Hoot Whoot!!!

 

 

This is what I used for the backing and it shows the quilt design nicely.

The quilt feels wonderful so far with the quilting done.

Weighty,

but not that heavy, just right!

                                 

I wish I had just a bit more of this fabric because then a biased binding of this would work beautifully,

but I don't.

So I'm audtioning which combination of fabrics to use for  the piping/binding.

 

I found this stripe fabric in my stash and the colors work nicely with that large floral focal fabric. So an option is Striped piping with a white Binding? I really like the look of this so far, but white on the edge???!!!?


Stripe Piping w/ White binding, Option 1

Aqua pipng w/ white binding, Option 2-


















Striped piping with Aqua Binding, Option 3?











Perhaps the stripe piping with the aqua binding which would be much easier for housekeeping purposes since this is for PGD#1's bed, and I've never used a white binding before or have seen too many others that have either.  The down side to this is that her bedroom is a softer pink and that aqua may not look the best.   Also since orange is her favorite color and the orange in this quilt comes out more of a dirty yellow in the pics it's a nice blend to introduce it in her bedroom. 



From a distance this is how the quilt top looks with the auditioning white binding showing how both the aqua and the striped fabbies look as the piping.   It's a nice clean look and the one I am perferring just now.  In my eyes, the quilt seems to be asking for white edging. 

 Please help me out, which one?
Any ideas to help me out of my dilema? 
Have you ever seen or used a quilt bound with white? 

I'll be ruminating over this, so any wisdom or ideas you 'd be willing to share, I'd appreciate.

I have 'til Sunday before I'll be cutting and starting to sew the pieces together. 

All of my pictures can be enlarged for a better view if you wish,  just click the pic to see more of the details.




Ahh....., it's so nice not cooking the Thanksgiving Dinner today.  DH and I will be  going to a restaurant to have our Holiday dinner.  DS and his family are celebrating with my DIL's family and DD and family were going to spend it with SIL's  home, ( that was actually  cancelled  last moment just before our getaway, and now they are on there own).   Glad I had time to post this though truth be told, I am missing the aroma that once spilled out of my kitchen on the years gone past and the warmth of family surrounding us.     

Enjoy your blessings, Jane
 

Meandering on the Big EZ

Not too much going on just now.  Recovering from a nasty flubug that gripped me quickly on Sunday.  Uhhh!  Thought I was actually passing another kidney stone or two but no just neuro muscular pains.  Probably from heaving so thoroughly. The  Official diagnosis from Dr, I kid you not "You've got a case of the "Pukey poopies".  Hows that for a proper dx?  LOL
Sums it up nicely and it's just what it was.  Though my insides still feel like a huge battle was fought and lost,  but I am starting to feel at least human again.  TG!


For my creations I've been trying to add a couple of threads to the Miss Shabby Chic I started last year.  I'm on my 5th block now and doing the August one.  Hopefully I'll be done that be this weekend and can start another block, maybe I'll do the September one next.  I made more headway this past Saturday when our Circle of Friends Quilt Group met at the local fire station.

Perhaps I can push my efforts on this and try to get the other 7 done by the end of this year.  That means one block a week so I should be close to the year end if I can keep up. 

Also, I played around for awhile trying to get a good quilting design for the Lil' Miss' Big EZ quilt.   Drawing on the white board is such a great concept and so simple which I dearly thank Dawn Ramiriz, The Pajama Quilter for.  Ever since I saw it on her DVD, I have been using it and besides the apparant auditioning the design it also helps muscle memory to draw it out so it actually comes out better as you progress.  Practice.... practice... practice. 

My final decision was for  a wonky stylized flower. 

Here's a peak or two.

I'm only about 1/4 th of the way done but here too I'll be putting forth a small effort each day.  I was thinking if I sew 2 bobbins worth of thread each day, then by Thanksgiving if not sooner it'll be quilted and ready for the next step.



I use big yellow pins to mark where I need to start the next day
when I hit a road block while quilting.  Makes it easier to start
right back up without searching. 

I was progressing along fine and then my tension seemed to slip. 

I could see my bobbin thread looping on the top (aka: eyelash) and knew I needed to lower my top tension number. 

So I decided that was enough for today

and will clean my machine

and do the adjustments needed

to start fresh tomorrow. 

 

 

Oh why, oh why  does this have to happen just when I'm on a good flow?  Beats me!  But I will prevail.  

Que sera!

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy your day,

Jane