MIA- that would be me!

Just a quick update to let you know I'm still here! Been busy working on lots of things but not much blog-worthy yet.

The plan is to:
update the Boom swap pictures- sent and received
Post progress on the repair job
pick out fabrics for the table runner swap

It way not sound like much but with our house at 78 right now (waiting for the central air fix-it guy to show up right now) and averaging between 75-80 the last two weeks to say dreading being a room with the iron on is an understatement! I have gotten plenty done but my goodness that iron on in an already hot room made me think I was on a trip to Mordor (Very hot place from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy for any who don't know)!

At least I managed to borrow a couple fans last night and am hoping that with the windows that have screens open and fans blowing maybe we can get it a bit cooler in here today!!!

 

Fix to the No-Reply Blogger issue!!

Lets start with a great big Thank You to Left-handed Quilter (Kitty) and Linda J :)

I am so excited!!! Finally, I am no longer a no-reply blogger. I had tried everything under the sun (well that LHQ and I could think of anyway) and no luck.

Lucky for me there are some wonderful people willing to help out a blogging buddy :)

A Left-handed Quilter has been trying to help me out for awhile now and after a reply to a comment I made on her blog another lovely lady Linda J commented these helpful links to some other clever and wonderful ladies that could actually help fix the problem!

http://jenniffier.blogspot.com/2012/08/google-profile.html
http://www.pleasant-home.com/2010/12/so-exciting-less-no-reply-bloggers.html

The first one is the one that I followed to fix the issue, both were helpful though!



Oh a completely un-related topic I finally finished the paper piecing block that has been giving me fits (simply because my brain does not like to reverse things... unless it deals with phone numbers and then it loves to do it just to mess with me..)

 

Now I just have to send it home!

 

Next up.... something that doesn't require so much thinking! At some point I hope to get the hang of foundation/paper piecing but for now I have a deadline to meet, so lets hope the next fabric doesn't beg me to do something quite as challenging :) 

 

Quilty Goodness With Pictures!

I do believe I promised a quilt related post :) I was hoping it would help get me motivated, it did. It motivated me to shop. Hahaha. I am working on a foundation pieced block for the boomerang swap and here's a little know fact for you:

I might very well be the slowest foundation piecer in the history of foundation piecing, but it will look nice!

I need to update the boomerang tap with the blocks I've received so far and the few I've gotten finished, then I need to get in gear. (Update: I accidentally drafted this and forgot to post so.... here are the blocks I have so far and the boomerang tab at the top should be updated by now)

Three paragraphs were just began with "I".... work on diversifying the wording is now added to the list.

That bundle of Good Fortune by Kate Spain that was received awhile ago finally got a coordinating background fabric for the BOM I want to follow with it.





 Payton was really excited about a quilt show in Bloomington Indiana. It was the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show. Since my car was still in the shop we were not planning to attend but Jodie surprised us and took us along with Sue. It was a blast, except that after the 3 hour drive kiddo was so wired he couldn't be still! I didn't take any pictures since it was a surprise trip and my camera was dead lol but if you go to Bonnie Hunter's website she posted quite a few of the quilts that were hanging.


  Inspired to Shop!
This is what Payton picked out from one of the vendors at the show. (It was Nancy, from Nancy J's. I know, I know you drive 3 hours to a quilt show and still mainly get fabric from your own LQS!)

 

 

I've been adding fabric little by little lately and all the ones shown below I just haven't posted yet.

 I keep thinking little girl quilt whe I see these!

 These lovelies were all from Nancy J's in Feb. after she did inventory and set out the "new" clearance items! Gotta loves gorgeous blenders at half price :) It was perfect timing since I had just signed up for the Boomerang swap.

This is a close-up of the off white from above ( top left)

 

 I'm using this one in the paper piecing block from the top of the page, that's why

it's not lined up with the other blenders that I got half price.

 

New Project ~ Learning to repair a quilt.

 

 

My cousin Nathan called me and asked if I could repair a quilt that his great-aunt (? I think it was) had made and it came apart in the wash. I told him I couldn't promise anything but if he brought it over I could look and see if I though it was something close to my skill level.

 

When he got here and I laid out the quilt it was obvious that it hadn't really come apart in the wash. One of the fabrics was shredding but only one and everything else looked fine! Bonus, it is a tied quilt and will be easy to take apart! I think I can do this! Granted it's going to be alot of ripping and I already warned that I can't guarantee it will be just like before, but it's an easy pattern and only specific rows are affected.

Here is a close-up of the shredding fabric.

I put the replacement fabric that he picked out next to it.

It's not really a close match but it was the closest that my stash had to offer and

he seemed disturbed at the idea of going to a quilt store lol

close-up of replacement fabric

It really is a lovely and uber-comfy quilt, I remember sleeping under it

when I would stay the night when we were kids :)

 On a side note, I did find a cute pattern that is for use on charm packs!

 Don't mind the stuff in the background, the flash was

doing odd things to the plastic and it was to dark to not use flash

so I akwardly held it under the light behind the mid-arm.

 

 

 

I do realize that fabric will only suffice as filler for so long and a quilting blog tends to need some actual progress ;) I'm working on it but it's been slow going lately.

Hestitantly, I call it a rut.

Also, it can be referred to as the great quilt depression or household interference.

 

Feel free to comment your own fun titles for a quilty lull, I'd love to read 'em!

 

Double Trouble!!

I Love my son. I think that 99.9% of parents love their children. I also think that we have "Do I have to claim him (or her or them)" moments. Like when I received a call from the school saying they my little devil   angel had punched another kid in the nose while riding home on the bus the day before.

As soon as the shock passed, I asked for details. No it's not okay to hit another person (honestly he doesn't get spanked or hit and he's not usually an "angry" kid) but what was going on? Did that kid hit him first? How many were involved? What are the consequences the school is pushing so I know what is appropriate at home.

They didn't have any info except there was an argument of some kind and the kid he hit ended up with a bloody nose.

*sigh*

Wait impatiently for son to get home to find out what happened. Stew. Do mom detective work and figure out which kid and where he lives so a personal apology can be made.

He gets home. Here is what I find out.

This child was sitting in his assigned seat on the bus and when Payton asked him to move over so he could sit there to "because he has to" the kid said "no go sit somewhere else" in a rude attitude. Payton got angry and hit him in the nose.

Really!?!?!   ..... *sigh* Okay first thing that's going to happen is you owe him and his parents a big apology and it had better be sincere! Second, we are going to have a very long conversation about why that was not okay, what should have happened, and go over how to keep it from happening again. Next, we'll talk about consequences.

Mom detective work paid off and the kid actually lived a block over. We made it there with time to spare and Payton gave a sincere apology and so did I (he is my kid, so I'm just as guilty for his behavior at this age as he is. At least to my thinking). All was well on that account, the mom was really nice and understanding and the kid was grinning at payton like they should hang out at recess.

We get home and now comes the talking part... I'm not going into all the detail because it was an official MOM talk that lasted forever!!!! He is getting good at putting his hands in his pockets if he gets angry and knows that even if he is embarassed, he will talk to the bus driver if the situation happens again, and it is NEVER okay to hit someone just because your mad!!! That last one was repeated a lot.

If you get hit once and the person is not trying to hit you a second time, you tell a teacher. That ensures the kid gets in trouble and not you. If you get hit and the kid is trying to hit you again, well then you have my permission to fight back and mom will back you up 100%. I might teach him restraint but I'm not going to force him to take a beating and not protect himself.

The school kicked him off the bus for a week (considering their zero tolerance and the fact that they usually suspend any age for this I'm not complaining, actually I think it's pretty fair). At home, well this is a big deal in our house so the game system came out of his room and he isn't allowed to play any electronic games for two weeks, he is not allowed to go anywhere after school and no one is allowed to come over.

I was actually really proud of him when I told him what the punishment would be. No tears, no argument, just acceptance and sincere regret for his actions.... When did my baby get so grown up? I know he's only 7 but I was really surprised! (Isn't it odd how as a parent we can be dissappointed and proud at the same time, man this job is conflicting!!)

This all happened last Thursday and he has been behaving so well that we're thinking of ungrounding him on Friday if it keeps up. I have no idea what other parents would do but, I know that my kid has never been grounded for longer than two days and a week seems pretty good considering the good behavior. Not to mention major points for owning what he did and not making excuses!

On a completely unrelated topic, he came home sick Friday with a stomach bug that lasted all of 12 hours and gave it to us..... It's been 4 days now and I barely feel human! Poor nick refuses to take a day off work to recoup. Hopefully, we'll all be feeling better soon!

On another completely unreltated topic and yet a happier one, Some major quilting is on the way, I could have worked on hexies while ill but I didn't want to infect them. I have some updating on the quilt related stuff I'm saving for the next day or two.

This showed up last night! It was looking like spring yesterday.

How do you get out of a Quilting Rut?

I was wondering how everyone else gets back in the swing of things after not quilting for awhile.

How do you do it?

I found that buying some fabric is a good jump start for me or making something small. Asfar as feeling better inside to get busy outside, a trip to the salon works wonders. Nothing fancy, just got it straightened ( could do that at home but where is the fun in that!) and put up halfway then got to hang-out with lots of good company at Jodie's PartyLite party. Family, friends, candles and salon time.... yep I'm feeling spoiled and in a much better state of mind.

Good Fortune by Kate Spain that came out in January 2012 consistently keeps catching my eye. With all the trouble getting back to quilting lately my hubby gave me the go ahead to order the Fat Quarter Bundle.
 Usually I don't ask about buying things since I handle the bills and a couple yards here or there just comes out of my weekly spending allotment. (Hubby has a weekly spending allotment to, we're working on a budget here!)
So when it comes to things over and above what we have in our individual pockets we talk to each other about it.

 Oh look at at that condensed stack of quilting yumminess!!!!!

 

 

 

There are very few collections that catch my attention in their entirety.

I LOVE every fabric in this one and it still took over a year to talk myself into it!

What quilt would showcase this collection the best? It's going to live on the back of our couch I think. There isn't a quilt there yet, 99% of them find their homes outside ours. Maybe I'll follow the Craftsy block of the month for last year or this one, just not sure yet. At least I can enjoy them until the right idea presents itself.

The boomerang blocks started calling my name so I got to work and finished another one with the next up waiting to be cut out. Once things are jump started again you'll see more posting of the quilt persuasion on here, I promise :)


 

Leibster Blog Award :)

 

 

One must always give credit where credit is due so here they are!

 

Lorna McMahon awarded me with the Leibster Blog Award from Sew Fresh Quilts http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com! <--- I linked this to take you to the specific blog post but if you copy the address it will simply take you to her blog.

 

To be honest, this is the second Leibster Blog Award that I've gotten.

Marelize Ries over at New Beginnings http://marelize-ries.blogspot.com/ awarded me with the Liebster Blog Award the first time :)

 

You are not obligated to participate, but if you choose to, here are your objectives:

• Let the person that nominated you know you are willing to participate by commenting on their blog  (double check)
• Create a blog post, in which, you thank them for the nomination and link back to their blog (check)
• In your blog post, also include 11 random facts about yourself (check)
• Answer the 11 questions posed to you (check)
• Present the award to 11 other small blogs, posing 11 new questions for them to answer(check)
• And post the award on your blog (check)

 

Where are we? Oh Yes, 11 random facts.....

 

1. I love to read, I mean a lot. Before the quilting bug bit I would read at least one book a day. (usually about 300 page books, just to clarify I'm not talking about short stories or children's books) Since quilting that has slowed down substantially, I now only read about 3 books a week.

 

2. I haven't stepped foot in my sewing room since Feb.6th when one of my childhood best friends passed away. Since her memorial service was yesterday I'm trying to make myself start doing things that make me happy again instead of constantly dwelling on this sadness and unconsciously punishing myself for not seeing her more in the last couple years. (Ha! Who needs a therapist when you can self-diagnose lol)

 

3. I am hopelessly addicted to the T.V. show Charmed! Have been since its first episode.

 

4. I have two favorite movies and they are polar opposites. P.S. I Love you and Sweeney Todd Demon Barber of Fleet Street. 

 

5. My son recently learned to roller skate and to my delight he loves it, I am beyond happy..... because it gives me an excuse to skate again lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Horseback riding, while not something that has happened often, was the highlight of many of my childhood memories starting with one of my first when my Grandpa Ray put me on a pony for the first time when I was a tiny thing.

 

7. I love to bake. I cook only because it's a necessity to live :p

 

8. If you ever met me in person you might be surprised at how random I truly am. Eclectic has been used when describing me (by persons other than myself) fairly often.

 

9. I can't lie. Well, technically I can but I'm very bad at it. I can't keep a straight face, it actually quite disturbing when trying to plan a surprise party : /

 

10. I was once stung by a jellyfish on my neck, it was quite horrific, I wouldn't recommend it. Yet I'm not scared of the ocean and jump right in every chance I get. However, my son seems terrified of it.... how did that happen?!?!?!

 

11. I am terrified of bees. Completely and irrevocably, run and hide, I'm not going outside if I see one scared. All because of a kid who got stung in the lunchroom behind his ear when I was in the 3rd grade. You know I didn't eat lunch for almost 3 weeks because I would sit with my ears covered instead of eating because I was scared one would "get me" until my mama talked the people in charge into letting me wear my jacket hood over my ears so I would eat! (no it's not that bad anymore, I can almost sit still when I see one.... unless it flies directly at me then all bets are off!)

 

Up Next are the questions posed by Lorna that we get to answer!

1 What/who inspired you to start quilting? My Mother-in-law started me on quilting. She affectionately says she created a monster.

2 If you were able to change one thing about your quilting area, what would it be? It would be a studio instead of a room so size seems to fit.

3 What are your favourite quilting books/magazines? Quiltmaker, American Patchwork and quilting, and Quilter. I don't have many quilting books but Midnight Quilts is the one that kept drawing my eye until I got it, actually Sunday Morning Quilts is pulling me in to so it might just be joining my meager stash of books!

4 If you could time travel, where would you like to go? It's a toss up between America before it was discovered, living as a native. Or 18th Century Scotland (Ireland would work to), as a clan leaders wife maybe or a healer.

5 What comes to mind when you think of the term ‘Quilt Police’? Picky people who are never satisfied with another persons work and knit pick it until you want to hide your work whenever that person is around!

6 Do you listen to music, watch t.v., daydream or think only of the task at hand while quilting? Depends on the day! More often than not Music or daydreaming, but sometimes I'll put a movie on. Iron Man is a great quilting movie by the way ;)

7 Which colour do you use the most in your quilts and which colour do you rarely or never use? I tend to use a ot of jewel tones in red, green, blue, and purple. I hardly ever use yellow or orange.

8 Where in the world are you? Where have you been? Indiana, USA. I've been to Nasu, Bahamas and Cancun, Mexico along with most of the southern state in the US and Iowa.

9 If you could give up any one household chore, what would you choose? That's easy! Dishes, the absolute bane of my existence! Renting a house with a dishwasher is the best thing hubby and I have ever done :)

10 If you could no longer buy fabric online or at any fabric shops ever again, what would you do? I would learn to make and dye it. Actually, If I had room a loom would be lots of fun to learn. ( Does anyone else see why my hubby keeps telling me I'm an "old soul"). I suppose if that fell through I could start cutting up old clothes.

11 How old were you when you first used a needle and thread, either by hand or machine? I was probably about 7 or 8 when I first used a sewing machine. My Grandma Berry got it out when we went to Alabama to visit her and I sewed a shirt for the neighbor boy down the street that was about my age. It was to short but he got his arms and head through and insisted on wearing it the entire day, 8 years old and more of a gentleman than almost anyone I've met since (The exceptions being my amazing Daddy and Husband, hopefully my son to).

 

Presenting Awards to:

 

Sherilyn Mortens from Rag-It-Up Quilts http://ragitupquilts.blogspot.com/

 

Delores from A Labor of Love http://a-labour-of-love.blogspot.com/

 

 

Heather from A Quilt of Heather http://aquiltofheather.blogspot.com/

 

Cindy from Adventures of the Singing Quilter http://myroadtoinspiration.blogspot.com/

 

Marj from Eclectic Quilter http://eclecticquilter.blogspot.com/

 

Fiona at Finding Fifth http://findingfifth.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

 

Danielle from Fresh off the Spool http://freshoffthespool-danih03.blogspot.com/

 

Vicki from Jackson Patch Quilting http://jacksonpatchquilting.blogspot.com/

 

Jennie from Jennie's Threads http://jenniesthreads.blogspot.com/

 

Diane at Life Scraps http://elmo-lifescraps.blogspot.com/

 

LittleBook Notes http://littlebook-notes.blogspot.com/

 

Shannon at Monkey Dog Quilts http://monkeydogquilts.blogspot.com/

 

I have to say, life isn't a fun thing sometimes. Maybe it's losing someone that I've known and loved for a very long time while she was still young. Maybe it has to do with so many wonderful memories suddenly causing a crying fit. It could even be the feeling of guilt because I didn't call or visit often in the last few years. Whatever the reason is, it doesn't change the truth. She is gone, I am here, I miss her.

In the interest of honesty, I'm just going to let you know know that there will be some reminiscing in this post. There won't be anything quilty, I'm saving that for the next post.

Life isn't fair or unfair, it just is. How we choose to deal with the things that happen are what shapes who we are. I vaguely remember reading that in a book, I can't remember which one (for years I read a book a day, now it's more like a book or two a week.)

Amy has been one of my best friends since we met in the first grade. She is a year older than I am, which makes her 27. She was born with Cystic Fibrosis and from day one she has fought for every second she had on this earth. She also endeavored to make every moment count. That is one of the many things I have always admired about her. 

I remember so many things, they all want to jump out at once. Sleepovers, playing video games, drawing on the biggest roll of paper we had ever seen that her parents had bought for her :)

I had never had waffles before staying at her house, to this day her mom makes the best waffles I've ever had. The second time she made them I accidentally dropped my plate and sent waffle and syrup across the living room carpet, I felt so bad for making a mess. Mama Janis just said "accidents happen" and made me a fresh batch after we got it cleaned up.

When we were teenagers Amy loved the band Hanson. She would cut their pictures out of magazines and tape them to her walls, she had over have of her room "wallpapered" in Hanson pictures by the time she got over them :) The day she got over them I fondly remember as "The great Hanson Tear down" because we De-pictured the room in 30 min. what took her so very long to tape up!

Not all memories are good. When we were in High School she gathered our "group" of friends and told us that she was dying. She said the doctors told her she didn't have long. I honestly couldn't handle it and actually went home I was balling so much. I'm still not sure what was missed in translation between the doctors and her. I think it was about doing what she needed to do or her functions would go down and she could die from that. It was an honest mistake and she was as devastated as we were, but I think that was when we started to drift apart more. She became determined to live what time she had and I became even more.... well boring (closed off fits to).

Amy's bachlorette party was something else! Lets just say it was a blast and even though it took place in Indiana I'm claiming the "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" clause ;)

I remember being so honored that she asked me to be Matron-of-honor at her wedding.  I still have the candle that they lit during the ceremony. Her gown was beautiful, white with a corset lace up down the back with red. She was truly stunning that day, but then Amy was always pretty.



Mary has been Amy's best friend for a very long time, almost 10 years I believe. When we would talk on the phone or online she was always telling me about the things that her and Mary did or her, Mary and Tim. I am so glad that she had them and that they shared so many wonderful things together.

I think, sometimes, that I wish I was more adventurous so I could have shared in some of her adventures. Then again it could be equally important that she share those adventures with the people she shared them with. I shared her entire childhood and some of her adult life. I am thankful for the time I had and am happy for the time her other friends and family had to. Having so many wonderful memories of such a great person is a blessing.

I'm sorry she had to leave so soon, I wish she could have stayed.
 It's not my place to decide such things I can only abide them and pray.
I pray for her family, I pray for her friends.
I pray that she's happy and her pains at an end.
Rest In Peace My Dear Amy.
You were loved by many a friend.

Excuses to shop <|: 3

Okay, it was a ploy! Who needs an excuse to shop, I just need one to buy. Do you like my little party hat mustache guy ?

<|: 3  (If you can't see it, tilt your head)

I tagged along with my mom-in-law to her hair appointment on Saturday. Her son Shawn (my brother-in-law) owns a salon in Indianapolis called Hairspray, so naturally she only goes there for her hair. Indy is an hour and a half away from where we live so it's fun to make a day of it. We went to TGI Friday's after her appointment and stopped at a couple quilt stores nearby (It would have been more but one was out-of-business and another was closed).

I think my favorite was The French Seam, it has quilting and apparel fabric. The prices are fair, actually they were the same as my favorite LQS that's close to home. It was so friendly I didn't want to leave! It was like meeting an instant friend and chatting like you'd know each other forever :) So naturally I'm going back with Sue when she has her next hair appointment, actually I made one for myself to! Guess that means it's time to start saving up.

 Here's what wanted to come home with me :)

 



Posy wasn't quite out yet, just the 2.5 squares. If they have more when we go back more of this wants to come home!

 



There was another shop we went to but while there were tons of fabrics and one polite lady. The prices were noticably higher and two other ladies really trying to rush us out the door. It was nearing closing time and I truly believe that everyone should decide what stores the like and dislike on their own and a person should not be punished for an off day. That being said I think you'll understand why I'm not posting the name of that store, just that I'm not going back.


On to my latest project right now. A 66 singer treadle in a cabinet that I'm itching to get running! It is in pretty good condition, I think, and was only missing one part (aside from belt and bobbin) that I had to replace and it was only $8 for the bobbin plate cover! I need to test the bobbin winder to see if it works but it looks like the parts are there and may only need a bit of cleaning if that. Hopefully, she'll be up and running for quilt cam tonight at 9.
Serial number is G980964, so the birthday is Jan 16, 1911.

The only trouble seems to be getting the feed dogs to do their job! Trying to make sure all gunk is cleaned out then maybe some research to see if there's something I missed. Wish me luck.

For ease of research and following utube videos here's my set-up! Hubby is still laughing :p

Two finishes!

I just love quilting on Sunday with Sally and Sue! Strict orders were given to me, I was to bring a quilt I have been putting off binding...... fine..... drags feet..... brings two.

 Taylor's is finished and ready to be mailed.

 

Here's the best pic I could get of the back.

 Dan's quilt got its binding and he should be here

sometime this week. I think I need to let it lay flat to

get a better picture, it looks wavy hung by two pins

on my design wall!

Isn't it nice when you get a nice push to finish something, well after it's done anyway :)

I finished both bindings and got some cutting done for another quilt. Today is for finishing cutting the F8ths for the boomerang 9.0 swap and deciding if one large (or two small, whatever they need to fill spaces) is enough or if I could make a go of a bit more. I really love the boomerang swaps :)

If you haven't done one before, it is open to international swappers. You send a Fat 8th (18 x 11 or 9 x 22) piece of fabric to each of the swappers in your group. Your fabric can be all the same, all different, or any mix you choose. You can include a note for colors you'd like them to use or avoid in the block they make you that will include your fabric. In return, you will receive a Fat 8th from each of the swappers and make them a block using their fabric plus some of yours (make sure to read notes for color choices). All blocks will be 12.5 x 12.5 unfinished. When they finish your block, it will be mailed back to you and vice versa when you finish theirs. You end up with such an amazing variety of blocks!

Here are the 3 fabrics I have cut and ready so far. They will be

for quilts for two of my nieces. I need to pick some more fabric

to add up to the number I need.... Maybe I should add another group...

It would help keep me motivated about finishing some of the

quilts I really want done.

 

  These were some of the blocks I received from the

last boomerang swap I was in. I'm thinking of sashing

them in red and using a grey and black print border.

 

 My all time favorite block :) I can't put it in a quilt.

I might make it into a pillow and keep it on display

in my sewing room!

 close-up

 I whipped this up today. It's now a rug in our living room.

I know why make a quilt for a rug. My Mom-in-law, Sue, gave

me a treadle in a cabinet. I don't want the metal base

to knick the floor while I treadle. More on that in another post.

Payton was trying not to close his eyes when the

camera flashed!

He says Hi to all my bloggy friends :)



Here's the quilting so far :)

I finally began quilting on Tay's doll quilt. Taylor had her first radiation treatment today. I still don't have words to truly describe how affected our entire family is for her, her sister, her parents, her grandparents. Aunts, uncles, cousins etc. we are all praying for her and our hearts break. How do we articulate such sadness? I can't, I don't have the words.

We love you Taylor and are praying God grants a miracle for you.

 

Sydney and Taylor

 

 

I did mention working on the quilting of the doll quilt. I'll try to stop with the sad now and get to the quilty :)

 

I have the stars on the left outlined as well as

an echo around the flowers and Dresden. I started on

the fill design. I'm just not sure about it. I can't make

it work on a smaller scale, my fingers just don't

seen to co-operate!

Here's a close up of that filler. Still pretty new to

FMQ, hoping to keep up with practice and improve

those skills a bit this year. There's also a mid-arm

that I need to practice to so maybe 2013 will

be the year of quilting practice?

 

After the filler is finished I plan to change the thread color and add some detailing to the Dresden and flowers. I really want to get this one finished so it can get in the mail to its new home.

 

Is it just me or does anyone else ever get into a project that just has to be finished before you can work on something else?

 

 

I did join the Boomerang block swap 9.0 on the Quilting board. I wonder which group I'll get? Can't wait to send out my F8ths and get some in to start on the blocks :) I better get cracking on this so there's no guilt in starting that! 





 

 

Special project for a special girl. :)

I had to put the Easy Street Mystery on hold while I get to work on a new project.

My Aunt Brenda called me and was telling me about a project her and Uncle Phillip are working on. Uncle Phillip is making a doll cradle, Aunt Brenda is making the mattress and pillow. I was asked to make a doll quilt to go with it :) Why yes, I would love to! I really appreciate the fact that my family thought of me for that part of the project. I guess it makes me feel loved and that others think I have a bit of talent.

This project if for my cousin Taylor, I want to make something for her little sister Sydney to. They are having a rough time right now. When Taylor was little she had Lukemia and though it was a long and painful journey, she beat it. She turned 11 less than a month ago and found out the cancer has come back in the form of brain cancer. While chemo is not an option, they are going to do radiation.

This breaks my heart. I can't even begin to imagine what her immediate family is going through. How would you even begin to explain it to her sister who is right around Payton's age?

I'm sure you understand why this became the number one priority in my sewing room.

Everything else can wait, this is more important. She is more important.

The dimensions for the quilt are at least 13 x 22. I'm aiming for 15 x 24.

It's not finished. I need to get a yellow thread to match the flower on the right. 

I need to make a center for the dresden plate. It needs a 3in diameter. I don't have a

compass to make it so trying to figure that out! Aside from the centers, dresden, and yellow/pink flower

everything is blanket stitched down and ready for batting and backing. If you have any ideas on the quilting please, please, please comment them I always have trouble figuring out that part. 

I hope you all are having a great new year. I have a goal this year, I don't often do that. I want to keep things updated on here much better than I began last year! That means staying busier in my sewing room :) no hardship there!

~Mal