My First Stocking finished!

Gladly, I was able to finish PGD#1's Christmas stocking by the 20th of December that  I desired! Yippee!!!!

But, there was another problem... The Heel!
For a comparison, the difference between a sock for Brody correctly done on the left  by my Mom, and the Albatross I knitted for McKenna on the right.
The following is the photo sent when I texted my Mom with the title: "Houston, We Have another Problem"!

It's totally messed up and I see where it happened, the gusset at the heel.  I never realized that it was wrong  until I was knitting the bottom ring of red near the toe part just before changing to the green.  How ridiculous is that!    AND my self imposed deadline was the next day.  Not enough time to rip out and try to figure out the correct way to do it, I just had to plug on.

I think there was around an extra 46 stitches added to the girth of the foot.  No wonder it took me forever.
Mom said she'd show me the correct way to do it the next time we get together so I think I'll be making another stocking in the near future so I get down to the heel area.

I think this one will be left alone since McKenna confidentially shared with me that she likes that bigger stocking.
That way Santa can put more goodies in it she informed me with a smile!  ; D
I didn't have the heart to tell her Santa would be hard pressed to stretch out the top of it to get something into it.  It's big enough for a watermelon on the bottom but there is no way it'll fit through the cuff!

What's that saying I like?  Oh yeah, "Finished is better than perfect!"  I'll be linking this up with Melissa of A Lovely Year of Finishes.

Now to start  on another one and I'm thinking of making this one for their Dad, but making another goof (on accident on purpose) and making it really skinny.   I know, I'm bad!!!!
Editing this on 1/3/16.

Community quilts quilted

Another Project I wanted to clear up in December was quilting a community quilt for the WFQG was realized.    That's two of the three done and in the busiest month of the year.

Yippee!!!!!

I used Anne Bright's design as inspiration to do a meandering crayola with a brightly colored variegated thread.  Since there are numerous ladies who only do bindings for the guild, this will be shipped off to them at the January meeting.  I actually had this finished before the December meeting but with the excitement of the Christmas party, auction and other happenings, I left it on the living room chair when I left in the morning. ; (  It's only a 90-100 minutes away in one direction - so it'll have to wait until January to get out of here.  But Yee haw, Another one done!
Linking this up with AYLoF since that goal was met.

Am thinking of listing my goals come January with AYLoF and Angie at a Quilter readers garden because by continuing this practice, it's realized many times and it's a gentle push to get things done with the chance of a nice reward AND since I do have that procrastinator gene that I have no idea where I got it from it just what I need!
Editing this on 1/3/16 since the Holidays were super busy and I have con't health issues trying my patience again!

Quilt show entries, First one- "Tweet Camping"

Thank goodness our local quilt show isn't a judged show, otherwise most of my entries would have been shown to the door.  And no, I am not kidding!   Our show has many ribbons that people can win and people with all kinds of areas, expertise and backgrounds are asked to pick their favorite.  Of course some picks are spectacularly done quilts, well deserving of their awards while some others are nice quilts, but not as great as some that are just as well deserving IMHO.    The show kept taking my breath away with the many and varietied quilts shown.   I also would be remiss not to  mention that a good friend, Michele won a well deserved ribbon for her New York Beauty Quilt entry (Talk about Gorgeous!!!) and my granddaughter won a ribbon for her first Doll Quilt. 

Well done Michele, McKenna and fellow members of CVQG of NY!

 

I did the bare minimum for quilting because I procrastinated way too long.  

When I registered them in June, I figured they  would be done for the show.   

I had 5, Yep,  I said 5 UFOS that I entered. 

I figured that by committing them to be there, I'd get them done.  ROTFLOL!!!!

 

But I swear

I will never,

EVER!

I mean NEVER EVER!!  do this to myself again!!!

 

So this post will share the parts about

 

"Tweet Camping"

 

This quilt came to be  because I found this Bird fabric at my LQS and fell in Love with it.   The pattern design was inspired by a connecting threads kit I saw in their catolog but the dimensions wouldn't work because it was a baby quilt and the much smaller blocks wouldn't play well with this fabric so  I played with lots of math to make my own.  With the pattern, I really like the fact that all of those rectangles were being stacked and packed so to speak (a much needed choir when it comes to camping) so it seemed a perfect fit especially with the wobbliness of those stacks tottering.  Shopping my stash first,  then shopping for  a few more batiks to throw in for good measure gives this quilt a bit of color and punch.  I find projects made from different fabric lines is very appealing.  Quickly,  I even envisioned having shipping peanuts (circular shaped packing protectors) quilted in the white background areas with much more quilting done for the boxes, sashings and borders. So off it went.

 

 

 

What I was able to get done was quilt a "linking squares" meander  in the outside blue borders 

with the "peanut packing" for the white areas. 

Running out of time, I had to leave the rest of the quilting for when I have more time after the show. 

Thankfully it hung well enough at the show not to be too huge of an embarrassment.   A vanilla cream, minkee dot was used for this back which makes it a very cuddly and drapable quilt.  

 

 

Close up shots of the quilting in the border, white spacings while I was auditioning bindings.  

Quilting was done with a Universal needle without any problems

using the minkee dot backing, as for the threads, many were used. 

 

In the borders a Superior Lava Thread called KuKui Nut (soft browns) was used for the top and bobbin.

In the white background a Superior's Kimono white silk(color 373) for the top and

 Superior's White Bottom Line in the bobbin.

I'm thinking of dong a back and forth motion in the sashings and perhaps cross haches in the stacked boxes but am unsure what to do in the bird focal fabric.  Any and all ideas or suggestions are welcome.  What would you do? 

 

 

 

 

I love having piping or flanges on many of my projects, but elected not to on this one and just finished it simply by using the striped fabric that went with this fabric line called  "Love Lives Here" by P. Carter Carpin by P&B textiles.    I love this bird print and it fit the bill nicely for the For the Birds hop I participated in earlier this year.  Another tidbit to share is how a different label was made for it.  I folded 2 blocks with some sashing from that row I took off the quilt since it was really too long before borders and turned them into a label.  If there is any damage in the years to come, that label can help with many of the fabrics contained within.  Also a strip of the selvage from that fabric line was used too as to document more of the information and who wouldn't like the motto "love lives here".

Here's how it looks:

 

 

 

To the left of those stacked blocks is the date, quilt name, place done and maker's name documented centered with more brown and blue fabrics.
 This is the largest label I've ever made, it's huge 14"x 12".

 

 Finally I'll share a shot of "Herman" the weeping cedar bush near the pool deck, showing Tweet Camping in the backyard where love lives here.

Tweet Camping
88" x 88"
 

I'll share more of the quilts that were entered by me bit by bit. Sorry this was photo heavy but I wanted documentation for  future reference.  First item on my agenda this week will be to quilt the sashings on this quilt and read the book The Saving Graces which our club meets on Wednesday to discuss.  I totally slid on my reading while focusing on getting ready for the show.  Enjoy your Holiday. 

Jane    8^)

UFO Parade, 2013

When I first started looking for my UFOs I was feeling rather smug.  "Not too bad", I kept telling myself.  "See you do finish the projects you start!"  ........Then reality came quickly as I kept finding more and more UFOs that had been shelved by the wayside along the way.    Next thought was WHY?  Perhaps it's some of my perfectionist qualities and as I became dissatisfied with one part or another, I'd became disenchanted and shelved most of them to procrastinate to another day.  Be it I ran out of fabric, wasn't satisfied how my techniques produced the units, and wanting to finish it in my own unique way (of course I have difficulty being told what to do and have prided myself with these rebelious attitudes, lol!) 

Irregardless UFOs they all are and then some!  Truthfully I even have more that I know of but didn't want to hunt them down for a photograph.  Some off the top of my head are the Mater quilt, the lone star I recently (March 2013) bought the backing for, some BOMs started, humpjumpers and string blocks in the works, etc....  Anyways,  here comes  something.... my UFO Parade. 

10 minute blocks out of Batiks started this month

Stack of Double Four Patch Humpjumpers -
(Notice how I even spun the seams on each block!)

Some assembly already started

Convergence wallhanging in the works, but this will be done this MONTH!

House Block Swap with Jane of Jane's Fabrics done last year, 2012

Tree Blocks also swapped with Jane of Jane's Fabrics last year, 2012

Conway Blocks started in 1998 or so???

More Conway Plus blocks- nine appliqued total.

Tesselating leaves class with Carol Doak,  probably started around 1994...   Adding to it very rarely, notice those bear paw blocks, those are circa 2000 perhaps.

Dresdan Plates started at the turn of the century.  May finish this as a table runner.

Class with Joan Ford (2012), used fabrics from my quilt, Bird Song that had a nine patch variation theme which was finished in 2008. 
This will only be a pillow, still a UFO though.

Lil' Miss Shabby - 3 blocks left to stitch. That means 9 made of this quilt too (notice any repitition of that number?)

Ironing Caddy started at the quilt retreat a couple of weeks ago.

 

Since I'm sharing my bag of magic tricks like a little bag of dirty secrets,

I thought you may like to know one more thing  about me. 

Here's a real time shot showing a part of my life

Under the desk in the den. 

Guess I like to throw my shoes off or should I say my flip flops.

See Gina, these pink and purple thonged slippers are being used right away and are so comfy.  Thanks!  I love them.

 

So without further adieu, my first UFO to finish will be putting all of these away.  lol

 

See, I can finish something!

 

 

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

I'd love to do that!

Joanne at Thread Head recently posted some of her feather quilting that she's been practicing. 

WOW! 

is all I can say. 

 

Her feathers and quilting designs are fantastic.  I want to be able to do that!

Here's the blog post where she discusses what she did.  Meanwhile I have this little baby I want to get quilted. 

 

I think I may draft a meditating Budha or similiar icon in this since feathering it seems way  beyond my reach just now. 

Even though this piece would be fantastic feathered.  Any ideas? 

It's a project I started a couple of years ago with a precious friend, Trudy.  She actually gave me  the Ricky Timm's fabric after she and another friend attended one of his classes in Colorado.   

I'll percolate some ideas a bit longer since today I'll be cutting that aqua for a piping and the white,

and yes,

I said WHITE for the binding. 

 

Enjoy your day,

Jane

"Procrastination is

 attitude's natural assassin. There's nothing so fatiguing as an uncompleted task."


-William James

Ain't that the truth!  So with appreciating that recently read quote, I decided to tackle a project that's been going through my head and wearing me out.  Are you recognizing a theme here? 
I've carved out some more time to play besides auditioning those stones Ithought would work great as a piped area for  the table top quiltlet "Inukshuk".

 What do you think?     I am at a quandrary and I thinking that this won't work at all.  It doesn't seem to enhance it, only to cheapen it.    I really appreciate you stopping by and leaving all the lovely comments.  So don't be afraid to give me your  honest thoughts about this.  Keep going? Or abandon the stones and bind it as it is.   

I also have some ocean rolled stones from our trip to Nova Scotia in my work area of the garage that I hope to make a Stone Inukshuk cairn for someplace around my home.  Either inside or out in the garden.  I will be tackling that soon. 
After posting the links and what the term means, perhaps I should start calling  this my  Inunnguaq.

Jane

Checking on my UFO Progress & Quick Binding Method

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

Design idea fermenting

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?!!!!!!

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








I must be NUTS!

Jane

Progress on Orange Crush Quilt

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

Where did this week go?

As for quilty things finished, not alot to report. Did finish my giraffe and also the turtle embroideries for my Noahs' Ark freebie designed by Lynette Anderson. I hope to have them completed by the end of March. Hand stitching is such an enjoyable, meditative task. Easy to put down and then when you come back to it, easy to start right back in again where you left off. No rocket scientific means needed here.






A friend and I went to a local bead shop called the Lily Pond this past Monday. The owner is a friend and the queen of knowledge IMHO when it comes to anything beady. She taught us how to wrap wire for making dangles and attaching charms to any project we may want to make.

My newest grandson (PGS#3) has been suffering with colic. The Dr's said he had reflux. Try this formula after my daughter weened him. He suffered through weekly trials of different formulas and medications for 5 weeks. Last Tuesday, Grandma had enough, I substituted his formula for sugared water. Well, PGS#3 had a total personality change. He was cooing, smiling, looking around bright eyed..... You get the picture, from a baby Mr. Hyde to a miniaturized Dr. Jekyll. I think being born so big he should have doubled his birth weight. Well he hasn't. We still don't know what's going on medically, but he's now on Nutrimagen a formala for infants with allergies to cow protein. So he's doing better. The four previous medications have been stopped and now he's only on one new one with directions for him to take once a day. Much better. Since then, I've seen him developing normal baby skills. What a relief. He still needs to see a specialist, but at least he's not scrunched up in a ball of pain screaming.

Here's a picture of him with his older sister feeding him a bottle for her first time. She is such a beautiful soul. So very patient with him and even through the months that he has been in pain and crying, never once did I see her get short or cross because of his noise, even though she might be watching one of her favorite movies. She would occasionly go to him and try to soothe him, even asking him while trying to tickle him slightly, " Where's is that smile?" "Where's that smile?". What a sister he's got!
Enjoy your day. I know I'll enjoy mine.

Jane

Happy New Year 2009!

Have been feeling really good about finishing some UFO's that I've been concentrating on. I just finished my 12th Redwork Santa. Yippee!
I've carried these embroideries all over the country as we have vacationed and even on the back deck. The plan is to create a Christmas Quilt with them since DH collects Santas. Besides the red and white in the santa blocks, I'll be using a black and a yellow-orange fabric in the quilt too. EQ5 helped me to create a quilt that appeals to me. Now that the embroideries are done, I'll be working on the rest of the top shortly. Need to finish some other UFO's that are already on the sewing cabinet first.
Another finish is a counted cross stitch bread cloth. I think this was started about 10 years ago and was put aside for some reason. Can't remember now why! When I pulled it out, it only needed about 3 more hours of work and it was finished. Another WhoooHoooo! I think I'll be giving this to a friend that does alot of baking.

One other finish is the jungle print fleece throw that I hand stitched the hem on the edge of using a DMC#8 thread for my new grandson, here I lovingly call him PGS#3. It is about 1.25 yards by 60" wide, so really too large for an infant, but while checking with my daughter on what size she wanted me to make it, this is what she requested. TaDah.....DONE!


Currently, I'm working on a Noah's Ark Embroidery. I'm on the 3rd block. Have all the patterns except for the last two that Lynette Anderson has shared. The other two will be coming out in the next month or two, so am hoiping that I'll catch up now that the Santas are done.

The following quilt is a kit and that my friend Catherine from Montreal did. It is a beauty. Her colors are fantastic! The quilter, I call "a sister, from another Mother, from another Country" which is our own personal joke when we reconnect, she's a treasure. If I don't call her this first, then she calls me by that name too. What a hoot.

I love the connectedness of the internet. I'm inspired by many crafty and talented quilters. When contemplating what resolutions I would have for 2009 I realised that I am spending too much time on the computer.....so my plan is to limit my computer time. Perhaps to only 1/2 hour a day. If alot of mail, maybe another 1/2 hour after DH retires. He's usually in bed by 7:00pm and I'm awake until 11-12. so I try to be quiet. Read. watch TV, hand sew....
Besides that, I need to reassert myself with my movements. With the hospital events last month between DH, our daughter and myself, my fitness plan was shelved. DH was sick for a week starting at Christmas time and then he passed the "flu" to me. I feel okay but I sound like a barking seal while coughing. It seems to have slid into my lungs and botheing my asthma, so will be contacting the Dr's tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to be seen while in town for my hair appointment.

Stay well and create,
Jane


PS: Adding this on March 1, 2009:
Realizing I need to clean up the front page of this blog journal, so I need ot list the completed projects done in 2008.
They are:

Beaded counted cross stitch candy dish
5/4 apron
Halloween Sweatshirt
Flying chicken pincushion
Autumn Song Quilt
Stippling Skillbuilder POstage Stamp Basket Table Topper
Dance Bag for PG#1
Simpson's Pillow case for PGS#2
Beaded set; necklace and matching earrings
Wove basket for quilts in Living Room (Also doubles as a doll basinet)
Wove Basket for ongoing knit projects
The Professional Tote

There probably is more, but with starting the blog in the fall and reading what I had listed, this is all I can truly remember. We'll see if 2009 is more productive, I hope so. Stay Well and CREATE!

Holiday Gathering Successful

I hope all of you had a wonderful Holiday, whatever religious traditions you lean towards. On Christmas Eve, we were able to attend the candle light service for church. Our daughter and her family also went, so it was even more special with our precious granddaughter at church with us.
Christmas day was uneventful and normally paced. All of our family came for dinner at 5:30, that was followed by gift exchanges around the tree shortly afterwards. A splendid time was had by all! Our menu was super easy this year. Not trying to outdo any recipes, we purchased frozen lasagna and garlic bread. Yummy and easy! Perfect. Note to self....keep things easy so you can really enjoy without any added stress!
With the Near Year coming along so quickly, I am thinking about what, if any new positive changes I chould/should embrace, besides trying to maintain the healthier life styles choices I've already implemented.
The guild my Mom belongs to is having their UFO challenge again this year. I'll be posting my UFOs on a future posting. Hopefully with this year's challenge I'll be able to keep up with the pace. Last years', I did complete 1 UFO (the postage stamp basket stippling skillbuilder)and attempted to finish one other UFO, I still need to finish that one though! Total count was five, so most people would say I failed horribly, but being the optimist I am, I say yeah! 1 more UFO down! How's that for self delusion! HeHeHe. Stay Well.

Jane

Merry Christmas!

Getting ready for the Holidays have always been very hectic and tiring for me, but not this year. All the packages have been sent and all are wrapped, now to get to the Christmas cards today. Usually I have multi-tasked to get everything done but this year, I've been able to stay with one task until completed where then I'll get to the next project. It is very pleasing to say...thats all done, now this is all done... I love this time of year. There is a Christmas Coral this evening at a nearby church that I want to see this evening.

Much has happened since my last post. My DH had a pacemaker replacement, I've had 2 different surgical procedures and my daughter has a new son. What a large little guy he is. He weighed over 9lb! Mom and he are both healthy and happy. Our computer, in the den has hit a wall and our digital camera was broke on our way home from my brothers house over the Thankgiving Holiday. So was able to purchase a new camera, BUT the computer won't allow any more increases in space for this type of software program to run. It is being replaced since it's over 9 years old. So I'll post pictures of PGS#3 when our electronic woes are fixed. I think I may hold on to the old upgraded computer for my sewing room. I will have to rearrange all of it to accomodate it, so we'll see. Just a muse at this point.

Creatively, was able to rip out all the stitches of the waffletime runner, however haven't made the time for much sewing with every thing else going on. Hopefully I find a little time today for some. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Jane