Merry Christmas!

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful!

We've got SNOW!!! And that means I got the day off from work. Joann's called this morning and told me to stay home:) Good thing I picked up some fabric to play with last night when I was there...even though I already have plenty here at home:) Here's a couple photo's of what I've been up to.I made myself a warm pair of fleece pj bottoms last week...nice and long so my ankles don't get cold at night!

I stitched these squares for Heidi B. over at F & S. She's now received them, so I can share a picture of them.

So, now I have a FREE day and lots of project I can tackle...hmmm...wonder which I'll do. I have my XMAS quilt all basted and ready to be quilted[running out of time since Chistmas is almost here], I picked up some fleece last night to attempt my 1st fleece tie throw, and I've got several quilting projects in various stages that I could always work on. So, I guess I'll head on down to the dungeon and get busy!

Till next time,

Susan

Goodies in the mail

Here are 2 exchanges I received in the mail last week. The 1st is this cute picture featuring a Prairie Schooler design from Book #133-Winter Wind. Gwen stitched this for me. Isn't it adorable?! As you can tell it's found a home on one of my living room end tables. The next goody I received were my round #16 F & S squares from Heidi B. Heidi stitched this cute reindeer. She says this design came from The JCS Ornament isue and is called Run Run Rudolph by Raise the Roof Designs.

Thanks so much ladies, I just love them.

Susan

Another Quilt Done!

Here's my 2nd finish of 4 items that were on my Joy in the New Year Challenge -to be finished list. This pattern came from the origianl ORB quilt a along...my 2nd quilt using this pattern, though I still need to quilt that one:) Small steps, one at a time.... This one got priority over the 1st one because it's for my husband. I pieced the back using the left over block I had and some of the other fabrics I used in the front.

On another note I got a part time job at Joann's. I started there a week ago....hopefully, I don't spend my entire paycheck there:) I did pick up some more batting today...50% off! You can't beat that, plus I needed more if I'm to complete the other 2 quilts for the challenge. I think I'm going to baste the XMAS quilt I made using Mary Engelbert's The Caroler line next. I also am going to try using an Ikea sheet for the backing...I've read on several blogs that Ikea sheets are great for backings. I found the perfect red sheet and it was only $4.50. Cheaper than fabric by the yard. But that'll have to wait till the end of next week since I work monday through wednesday at Joann's, plus a full week at my regular day job.

Till next time,

Susan

P.S. GO check out the Sew & Tell Friday receipes or finishes

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sew and Tell

Here's my Sew and Tell for this week. I finally got all the quilting done on my Wonky Log Cabin Quilt last weekend and finished sewing the binding on monday. Then today I washed and dried it. I just LOVE the crinkly goodness. Below are a couple of close up shots.
Here's a pix showing the fabric I used for the backing.

So, now I managed to complete one of the items I had on my Joy in the New Year Challenge list. I still have 3 more items that need finishing. Hopefully, this weekend I can either sandwich the next quilt on my list or piece a backing for one of the other 2 quilts I have waiting. Of course, since I joined the challenge I have managed to start a couple new projects. So, I hope to squeeze in a bit of "play" time on them, too.

Susan

UFO -Joy In the New Year Challenge

Do you have unfinished objects [UFO's] laying around your house? Jacquie over at Tallgrass Prairie Studio is hosting a 'Joy In the New Year' challenge. Head on over and check it out.

FINISHES! And The Cat In The Hat!

First up is a picture of my coworker. She dressed up at The Cat In The Hat today and the kids just Loved it! Me, I was party pooper...just wore my work clothes. I would've looked silly going to do the bank deposit all dressed up like that:) Here's my 2nd quilt finish since I started quilting this past July....it's still a bit scary to machine quilt these babies, but I'm larning to let go and enjoy...it doesn't need to be perfect. This is a baby quilt for my nephew who's expecting his 1st child[a boy] in January.

Don't mind the crocheted afghan....my loveseat needs a new one....hmmm ...maybe another quilt in my future:)

Here are 2 Lizzie Kate XMAS pillows I finally finished late last night, so they could go into the post today....they have a long way to travel to their new home. Happy Holidays is from JCS 2006 Ornament Issue and Peace, Joy, Love is a freebie found on the Lizzie Kate website.

close ups

I'm hoping to either machine quilt my wonky log cabin quilt top or add the last border to The Caroler quilt top....maybe I'll get lucky and have enough time to do both:) Miracles do happen:)

Till next time,

Susan

I'm Still Here

Here's what I've been working on for the last few weeks. This is Georgena's RR. I stitched the black birdhouse. Her RR so far



I've been working on a new quilt using The Caroler Charm Pack and Jelly Roll by Mary Engelbreit for Moda Fabrics, plus a few other fabrics.

I didn't really use a pattern for this, just played around and came up with this. Since I took this picture, I've added a red border and a piano key border. I still need to add the black border...found a pretty fabric that'll work well with this at Joann Fabrics. Hopefully, I'll get some free time this week to work on it, if not it'll have to wait for the weekend. I also, finally basted my wonky log cabin quilt top, so now that's waiting for a few free hours of uninterrupted time so it can be machine quilted. Oh, if only I had more free time:)

Hopefully, I'll have more pictures to share next week.

Till then,

Susan

Check out this Giveaway

http://pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-happy-halloween-giveaway.html Check out this great fabric giveaway!

Check out this Giveaway

http://opalmoonenchantments.blogspot.com/2009/10/im-having-give-away.html

Weekly Progress

Here's the progress I made on my Value Quilt A Long project. The 1st photo is what I managed to put together on Oct. 2nd. And the 2nd photo is what I've done up until yesterday. I have another 46 blocks I need to iron and square up this weekend. As you can see this is still a work in progress, I think I need to rearrange a few of these blocks to get a better flow. You can also see in the background that I share the dungeon with my teenage son and he has some old Raven players posters hanging on the cork board, so I used one of his old school tri fold boards and some double stick tape to make a design board for this project. Am off work monday, so hopefully I can make some good progress on this this weekend...at the very least get all the blocks make and placed, so I can start sewing them together.

Till next time...

Progress

Here's a pix of my next quilt a long project. It's a values quilt a long. I'm off work today, so I sewed up 9 different sq.'s [18 total- since they're duplicates], using some scraps I had laying around. Apparently, I like dark fabric, because I sure had a lot...actually that's my daughter's influence, she used most of the dark fabric to make a bag...of course I got the scraps:) Good thing since I bought all the fabric:) Here's my Wonky Log Cabin quilt a long quilt top. I ended up adding some of the leftover strips since my white border seems didn't match up, but I like how it turned out...very wonky. Now I really need to practice my machine quilting, so I can finish up some of these tops I have laying around.

Till Next Time,

Susan

Working my fingers to the bone

So, here's what I've been up to lately....This is the 1st quilt-a-long top I made. I now need to decide if I'm going to attempt to quilt it or have a professional do it. I just love the way this turned out. The PS exchange I made...combining my love of cross stitch and sewing.

After the 1st quilt top. I decided it was way too much fun to stop there, so I picked up some fall fabrics and made another one. This one will have a place of honor on our living room chair, though I have to add another round of sashing on the outside in burgandy. I planning on quilting this one myself as soon as I get up the nerve:)

ORB is having another quilt-a-long. This one is the wonky log cabin quilt. Here's a look at my 1st 4 blocks....I managed to make another 4 over the weekend, but will save that photo till I have them all done.

And finally, here's the 1st PIF I promised. I decided to combine my quilting and cross stitch and made a book bag for Lisette and sent her a little journal, too. Lisette's blog is called T.V and Book Addict. Go check her out.

So, now I'm heading back to the basement where my sewing machine is to get my wonky back on. Till next time....

Susan

open house and Giveaway at.....

Check out the giveaway and open house at Pleasant Home. Candace from Daffodilhill is GIVING AWAY 6 - half yard cuts of the new Funky Christmas line from Michael Miller! So, go check it out.



Susan

Wonky Quilt Strips and PS Pillow

I cut my strips for the wonky log cabin quilt a long. I'm using Ava Rose by Tanya Whelan. Can't wait to see how this takes shape. Here's a picture of a pillow I made for the PS Exchange. I used Measure of a Year Leaflet and stitched 4 of the season squares. Hope my partner likes it.

So, I went back to work yesterday, both my kids started school at the same time. So, now my body is trying to adjust to having the summer off. Boy, is it a killer.

Susan

What I've been up to

Here's some quilting goodies I won from Carol She had a giveaway over at her blog and I won this 30's quilt pattern book and a Thangles Mapple Leaf Quilt pattern and a package of thangles to use with it. Thanks so much Carol, I can't wait to try these things out.

I also learned I've won some warm and white batting from Dana over at Old Red Barn Co.

How exciting! I've never tried this batting, but have heard great things about it. I look forward to trying it out on the quilt I'm working on now. Which is the Original Quilt Along quilt that Dana did. There's a Flickr group with the details if anyone's interested. They're getting ready to start their 3rd quilt a long...a wonky log cabin quilt, but I couldn't restist trying the original quilt 1st...so easy, especially with me being a beginner quilter. I'm also planning to do the wonky log cabin quilt, too.

Susan

Pratice, Practice, Practice

So, this is what I've been doing for the past 2 weeks.....practicing! My attempt at the log cabin squares were a bit off, so I decided to work on some simple 9 patch squares. Am doing much better with these. I made several sets of these with some fat quarters and fabric I picked up at Joann's. Of course, since I only bought small quantities of fabric I didn't have enough to make anything too big, so I made another bag. I think it turned out cute. Very girly! So, now I'm going to attempt a baby quilt-9 patch style. I've been working on cutting my squares and hope to start sewing them together tonight.

I even got adventurous and added some pockets, though my quilting is just some zig zag stitching between each of the squares.

So, now I'm off to finish my cutting and start my sewing.

Susan

Another Giveaway!

30's fabric giveaway Just click to read all about it.

Giveaway At P.S. i Ouilt

P.S. i Quilt is giving away a $50 gift certificate over at her blog go check it out!

Susan

Check out this Giveaway

"Quilter's Stimulus Package Give-A-Way"


Susan

My Quilting Adventure

So, Here's my 1st quilt top. I decided to use Moda's Love is in the Air charm packs to make this "Christmas Table Topper" quilt[ the pattern by Rachel of p.s. i quilt can be found on Moda], though I guess I should rename it "Valentine Table Topper". I think it turned out pretty good for my 1st attempt. I'll be leaving the quilting part for when I get a machine that can quilt[ hint hint...possibly my Christmas present this year]. It's 43" X 43" and I also bought some Love is in the Air fabric to use as the backing.

So, now that the quilting bug has bit me. I drug my DD [17] to the fabric store with me. 1st up was Joann's, where I picked out all these neutral colors in the hopes to one day make a quilt that will go in my living room. Apparently, I'm afraid to try larger patterns, DD had to help with a few of the choices. So, after this trip my DD decided maybe she'd like to try to make a quilt. This is the same child who shows no interest in any of the crafty things I do. So, finally a crafting buddy....maybe...

So, when we were in AC Moore we were checking out their sale section and looky what we found these colorful fat quarters were on sale for $1.10 ea. The black fabric wasn't on sale but DD liked it, so I let her get it {maybe a 2nd project in her future?!} So, once we got home from the store, she wanted to start right away. We picked an simple pattern...Clara's Quilt from Moda Bake Shop and away she went. I had to show her how to use the sewing machine...her 1st time ever sewing. Of course, I got the job of doing all the ironing for her:)Here's her progress so far. Not exactly perfect matching the seams, but hey, I'm just glad to have someone in this house who understands why I get so excited when I sew or cross stitch. You know the men in my life[DH and DS] are like..."yeah, that's great" and then move on with their conversation, but you gotta love them! So, now she's taking a break till she decides on the border fabric. Me, I'm getting the itch to cut up those neutrals ....just so many patterns out their to choose from and I'm trying to start off slow....so maybe another 9 diappering patch, like I did on the "valentine" quilt. Decisions, Decisions!! Susan

Stitching Exchanges Recived

Here are 2 exchanges I received in the mail in the past 7 days. The 1st is a Lizzie Kate scissor fob from Kathy K. She even sent these adorable peacock scissors. I just love both items and all those stitches are over 1. Beautiful!

The 2nd item I received was from April. This was the Summer House exchange over at HOE. April made me a pin keep and used the most adorable buttons on this. Thanks to both of these ladies for a great exchange!

Susan