The End :-)

Today is the last day of September and National Sewing Month.

I didn't have a busy day at my machine instead I spent most of it on the couch being a slug with my laptop computer.  Actually I ended up in the abyss called Pinterest.  LOL 

While cruising through Pinterest I tripped across a very cute quilt and discovered that it's in the Fall 2012 issue of Quilts & More. 

After dinner I decided I'd spend a couple of hours cutting and piecing a few of the blocks.  I wasn't sure what fabric I wanted to use because, quite frankly, it would look good in any combination of fabrics.  After doing a little digging I discovered a fat eighth bundle of Reunion by Sweetwater Designs - bingo!

My final project for National Sewing Month in progress  :-)

I'll be back tomorrow (Monday, Oct 1) to review and reflect on my silly self challenge for September. 

I hope your Sunday was pieceful.

In Friendship!

Pieced, Quilted, Bound - Whew

On my 'to do' list for September was the give away gift for the Christmas Through the Year winner.  HMMMM....been putting that one off.  :-)

Today was the day I had to get it done. 

Thankfully I saw a cute Halloween table runner on Linda's (The Quilted Pineapple) blog recently and I asked her permission to shamelessly copy it.  Without hesitating she said, "yes".  Thank you so much, Linda.

I pulled out my 12 Days of Christmas scrap bin, the Full House Schnibbles pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co   for the cute houses on each end and got busy. 

I was a focused woman today.  :-)

The Christmas Through The Year train is pulling into it's next stop - September 30. 

I hope you've been aboard and made at least one Christmas gift this month. 

This year has been flying by and we're less than 3 months until Christmas. 

Seriously, less than 3 months!!!

Cheryl has posted all kinds of tutorials every month with some terrific gift ideas - there's still time to make lots of gifts.  Start now and keep the gift making stress away. 

If you've made a Christmas gift during the month of September please add your link to Mr Linky and you'll be eligible to win the table runner. 

I'll announce the winner sometime Monday.

Hope your day is pieceful.

In Friendship!

(p.s. today is the final day of National Sewing Month - can you guess what I'll be doing? LOL)

A Meandering Kind of Day

It was a meandering kind of day.  I decided to quilt my Joy(ful) Gifts quilt with a very simple meandering. Yes, I know custom type quilting probably would be nicer but I really do like simple quilting.  Give me a quilt with meandering, stippling, swirls, loops, straight line cross hatching, etc and I'm a very happy girl. 

Custom quilting is drop dead gorgeous but truth be told it makes me nervous.  LOL 

I spent my couch/TV time sewing down the binding on the Mite Little Bite I showed you yesterday. 

I plan to have something new to share in my next post.  :-)

Enjoy a pieceful Saturday.

In Friendship!

Time to Quilt

I was tempted to start a new project today.  :-) 

I pieced two Little Bites quilts (Speck & Mite) earlier this month and today I quilted them.  WooHoo! 

 This is Speck made with Marmalade.  Quilted and bound - woohoo! 

It's this month's project for Another Year of Schnibbles.

This is Mite made with Clermont Farms - quilted and binding ready to be sewn down.  :-)

More quilting tomorrow. 

Have a pieceful day. 

In Friendship!

Lovin' It :-)

Tea Party by Cluck, Cluck Sew is officially a flimsy and I'm lovin' it.  



Tea Party w/Marmalade & Ruby by Bonnie & Camille for Moda



Tea Party won't be a flimsy for long because I found the perfect backing deep in my stash. 

It was back there where I found the pumpkins for the Halloween quilt. 

Seriously - look at that selvage (might be old but it's fabulous)

And, look who decided to take a little dip in the bathroom sink!  LOL

D - Drummer Boy is finished - woohoo

I'm headed to bed with a smile on my face and a song in my heart because I had a very productive day. 

Hope you don't mind if I pat myself on the back - I'm very happy.

I hope you had a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

D - Drummer Boy

I spent quite a bit of time working on my Tea Party quilt today.  It's only lacking the outer border - woohoo!

I don't have a picture to share because I just didn't want to bore you.  :-)

This evening during TV/couch time I worked on D - Drummer Boy. 

I'm hoping to finish it during tomorrow night's TV/couch time.  :-) 

I've parked my needle and I'm off to bed. 

I hope you had a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

A Tea Party w/Marmalade

I live a very quiet and simple life; I prefer to stay home and seem to have hermit-like tendencies.  Others don't like it but I'm OK with it.  :-)

When I have to go out I try to make sure I have a list of everything that needs to be done as I'd rather not go out again for a few days. 

Bright and early this morning (8:30am) I was out the door with my list in hand.  After a fun visit with a friend and numerous stops I was home by 1:00pm - very hot and tired. 

Why am I sharing all of the above? 

Well, because I want you to know that I was busy today but I still found time to sew.  LOL 

After all, it's National Sewing Month and I must sew every day.  :-)

This is Tea Party by Cluck, Cluck, Sew.  I'm using Marmalade for the blocks and a wonderful blue/aqua pindot from Ruby for the sashing. 

Wouldn't this quilt be beautiful in Jo Morton or Civil War fabric for the T's and red or black for the sashing? 

YUM

I have finished all 25 blocks (5 x 5) but only managed to assemble two rows. 

Tomorrow is a new day and it's full of sewing promise. 

This fun setting reminds me of Bounce by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. 

I wish you a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

Chain, Chain, Chain.....

I know, I know not a very original title but I digress - sigh!

Chain, chain, chain is all I accomplished on Sunday.  (at least it isn't a chain of fools - LOL)

psst - I couldn't stand it, I had to assemble a few blocks and I have to admit I'm lovin' it.  teehee

 

I did have a little couch time with my embroidery project so it wasn't a total bust. 

I promise (pinky swear) that I'll have more to show in my next post. 

Christmas Through The Year elves I haven't forgotten you - I'll be back to nag you a bit about your Christmas gift sewing.  LOL

In the meantime, I wish you a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

And then....

I started my day exactly I'd planned....I quilted my Halloween flimsy. 

Small simple meandering is perfect for this cutie. 

And, then....

I finished stitching B for Bells from my "Snowmen A to Zzzz..." by Crabapple Hill Studio.

B, C and I are now complete - woohoo!  :-)

And, then....

I started searching for a new project but it was elusive.  I'm telling you, nothing was speaking to me, absolutely nothing.  I looked through patterns, fabric, patterns, fabric, etc. 

And then....

I had a fabulous idea.  I pulled out my leftovers from my fat quarter bundle of Marmalade. 

And then....

I cut a couple of 2.5" strips of Moda Bella

(need to cut lots more)

And then....

I had little piles all lined up ready to sew tomorrow (Sunday). 

I did make one block and I was even more excited about my new project. 

I can hardly wait to share - stay tuned.  ;-) 

It's the final week of September - National Sewing Month

Big Sigh!

There's so much to do in this final week - need to stay focused.  LOL

Enjoy a pieceful Sunday.

In Friendship!

Friday Night Sew-In

I participated in my first Friday Night Sew In and finished my "Wrap It Up Quilt". 

I love this quilt (aka flimsy) more than I imagined I would. 

I had so many doubts as I was making more Christmas packages/gifts.  LOL

 

I can't believe I don't have anything on deck to work on tomorrow - ACK!!! 

Might be a good idea to quilt one of this month's flimsies - do you agree?

I wish you a pieceful week end. 

In Friendship!

Slowly but Surely :-)

Row 4 with 8 packages is all I managed to accomplish today.  :-) 

Wrap It Up Quilt - by Basic Grey

There was a little couch and embroidery time while we caught up with recorded episodes of The Voice (we love that show). 

I'm hoping to get much more accomplished tomorrow.  Wish me luck.  :-)

Maybe this quilt "Wrap It Up Quilt" will be further along if not completed - wouldn't that be nice.  I'd be one happy girl. 

I hope you've had pieceful week. 

In Friendship!

Big Schnibble - Done!

I sewed and sewed and sewed some more - all day!  I took a dinner and D'backs break and then ..... wait for it..... sewed until it was DONE! 

I was anxious to get it done for my friend for a variety of reasons but primarily because I'm anxious to get back to some of the things I've been working on.  (selfish - I know)

Big Schnibble - Lincoln
(made w/Cinnamon Spice by Blackbird Designs for Moda)

Blogger has decided it was time to take me to the new Blogger so bear with me while I learn. 

Enjoy a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

Big Schnibble

Before I tell you about my project du jour I must share some information about my red mat. It's called a Miracle Mat and it's by Elan.

I said, "Yes", when a friend asked if I'd make Lincoln from Another Bite of Schnibbles by Carrie of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co using Cinnamon Spice by Blackbird Designs for Moda.

She sent all the fabric a couple of weeks ago and I've been procrastinating. LOL

I was up bright and early this morning; wide eyed and bushy tailed (it was 4:30am and still dark). After two cups of coffee I got busy; measuring (at least 3 times - LOL), cutting and sewing. After a couple of hours I stopped to go to the grocery store; the cupboard was seriously bare.

Thirteen star blocks is all I managed to get done today. Sigh!

Tomorrow is a new day and I'll git'r dun. LOL

I hope you enjoyed a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

Whew!

It wasn't looking good - didn't think I'd have an opportunity to sew today. What???? Miss a day in September, National Sewing Month - couldn't let that happen. LOL

Late evening I managed to get into my sewing room to make eight more package blocks and add them to the other two rows. I wasn't sure about this quilt but I think it might be growing on me.

The jury is still out.

This is my pathetic green Olfa mat. It's seen better days and should be replaced. Sigh!


This Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat is my favorite new toy in my sewing room. It's 8" x 8" and perfect for those cute Moda Candy squares (2.5" x 2.5"). I am loving this little cutie and am learning to keep it near my sewing machine for trimming little tidbits and such. Yes, my Olfa green mat definitely looks extremely pathetic underneath the pretty yellow mat. LOL


Take a look at my new red mat. I'm seriously in love with this new mat - red is my favorite color. My yellow Fiskars rotating cutting mat looks so pretty. Oh my! Makes me want to decorate my sewing room to match my mats. LOL

Wishing you a pieceful day.



In Friendship!

Sunday Sewing

Yes, I'm still committed to sewing every day in September.

Do you think I'll make it to the end of the month?

LOL

I can't believe how much fun I've been having with my silly endeavor.

On Friday I was cutting a layer cake of Blitzen by Basic Grey for Moda when my ruler decided it didn't want to play nice. LOL We simply weren't seeing eye to eye - I'd need to align it at 6.50" and instead it would be at 6.25" and I'd make my cut. aarrgghh!!! This happened not once, not twice but three times. LOL I walked away from the project until this evening. This pattern is also by Basic Grey and called Wrap It Up Quilt. Yes, more packages :-)

Another letter from the "Snowmen A to Zzzz" by Crabapple Hill Studio.... I - Icicles. Don't look too close - it was dripping wet. I'll post better pictures of these cute snowmen when I have a few more made and they've been pressed properly.

I'm wishing you a pieceful week and hope you'll continue to pop by to visit.

I appreciate YOU!

In Friendship!

Spools!

I decided it was time to quilt something and my first choice was my Spools quilt :-)

You already know all about it but just to refresh your memory; pattern by Camille of Thimble Blossoms, fabric a mix of California Girl and Strawberry Fields by Joanna of Fig Tree Quilts

I spent the rest of the day working on another letter of Snowmen A to Zzzz.....

I hope your day was pieceful. Thank you for stopping by.

In Friendship!

Sigh!!!

Today was not a very productive day - sigh!

I stepped into my sewing room with grand plans to start cutting a new project but my ruler and I couldn't see eye to eye. I made a couple of cutting errors and ended up very frustrated. It was time to walk away. :-)

Then my favorite girls stopped by and we all decided to go for lunch. Food was excellent but the service was pathetic. Oh well. They headed home and I took a nap (full tummy, after all) LOL

Back into the sewing room feeling a bit refreshed only to make yet another cutting mistake. Huge sigh!

I decided the sewing Gods were trying to tell me something - LOL It was time to sit with my stitching and the TV. I finished C - Candy Cane from my Snowmen A to Zzzz by Crabapple Hill Studio project. Tomorrow I need to prep another letter - big decision. LOL

You wouldn't believe how this picture was taken - LOL

I had it soaking in a sink full of warm water to dissolve the printable solvy. I pulled it out, rinsed it and while it was dripping wet I smoothed it out over the tiles in the bathtub. Where there's a will, there's a way.

I hope my ruler and I can become friends again and we can see eye to eye tomorrow because I plan to sew. :-)

Was your day pieceful? I hope so.

In Friendship!

(no late night for me - time to head to bed)

Another Little Bite

Mite

I spent the day with my Clermont Farms Candy Bar and another Little Bite by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.

This is Mite!

24" x 24"

I am having so much fun sewing away the month of September. There are just a little over two weeks left in the month and I have a few more projects planned.

Are you sewing along with me?

It's National Sewing Month - you simply MUST sew. :-)

Have a great Friday - make it a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

Ho-Hum!

(very little sewing)

I was out the door bright and early this morning to visit the lab for more blood tests; pharmacy to drop off a prescription and grab a little tidbit for my daughter; then a ride out to my daughter's to drop off said tidbit - stayed awhile to play with my favorite girlie, Shaye and chat with my favorite daughter, Kris :-)

(I can play favorites - she's my only daughter - LOL)

Anyway, I didn't get into my sewing room until early evening. Managed to piece a few backings and bindings; I'm anxious to start quilting some of my recently completed flimsies.

BTW, the bottom pieced backing is adorable pumpkins I found in my stash. For someone who doesn't sew for Halloween why do I have that chunk of Halloween fabric? Who knows - LOL - it's obviously been there awhile.

And, then I spent a little time playing with a Clermont Farms Moda Candy Bar (it soon became just Candy - LOL)

That's it for today ..... Ho-Hum! :-)

Did you have a pieceful day?

In Friendship!

Trick or Treat

smell my feet

(couldn't resist - LOL)

The center of the Halloween quilt is done - woohoo!!! The borders have been cut and are waiting to be added - first thing on tomorrow's list. I failed to mention in my last post that the pattern is called Ruffles by The Pattern Basket. It's called Ruffles because you add a ruffle out by the binding - there will be no ruffles on this quilt. LOL

Tomorrow's list includes borders, bindings and backings. :-)
And then.....
I plan to play with some Moda Candy Bars
(dark and milk chocolate)


I think Moda introduced these cuties approximately two years ago.

Each box contains 4 collections of 2 1/2" x 5" fabric strips and they are super cute.

I'd completely forgotten about them until last week when Miss Rosie's Quilt Co introduced the new Little Bites patterns. Little Bites quilts are made with 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares called Moda Candy.

Since I don't have any Moda Candy I'm going to make my own - teehee!

It's going to be my TA DA moment - cut the Moda Candy Bars in half and now I have Moda Candy (squares).

I'll bet there are more Moda Candy Bars hidden deep in a drawer in your sewing room. LOL

I appreciate that you've popped in to visit - come again soon.

Have a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

Note for Luverlie - I received your kind comment and questions however you're set for 'no reply' so I can't respond. And, apparently your blog is private, as well. You'll find my e-mail address in my profile page - feel free to send me and e-mail and I'll be happy to respond. :-)

Never Say Never

If you'd asked me less than a month ago if I worked with Halloween fabrics I would have laughed and said, "never". Well, I'm here to tell you - Never Say Never. I like Halloween and I have a few quilty type things that friends have made for me or given to me but that's pretty much it. 13 years ago when I started quilting I made a super cute shop sample for a now defunct shop with some KP Kids Halloween fabric.

I had a super busy day and didn't walk into my sewing room until almost 7:00PM. I didn't think I'd get much done and wasn't sure what I was going to work on. I had these super cute Halloween prints piled on the cutting table but didn't think I had suitable background fabric. I almost did a jig when I spotted the cute multi colored polka dot fabric on a shelf in my closet. That's all it took because now I couldn't wait to start cutting and sewing. And, that's exactly what I did all evening and smiled the whole time. :-)

I just spotted the boo-boo in the first block - that will be a quick fix. :-)

The sashing strips are not sewn in because I'm not sure how many blocks I will ultimately make. It depends on how many more blocks I can cut from the remaining fabric.

I would love to make 30 blocks but that might not work. Here are five more ready to be sewn and I feel sure I can get at least five more from the remaining fabric.

I have doctor's appt tomorrow morning but after that I will be back at the machine!

Why?

Well, it's National Sewing Month and I must sew.

(bet you're getting sick of that - LOL)

I hope you're days have been pieceful.

In Friendship!

Out of Order & CTTY

Sunday morning when I walked into my Happy Place my sewing machine growled at me. I stepped a little closer thinking I might be hearing things and it growled even louder and then the words "step away from the sewing machine". LOL

It's National Sewing Month but no one said I had to use my sewing machine. Remember I MUST sew every day this month so I opted to start a new hand embroidery project - sewing by hand is the next best thing. This pattern is Snowmen A to Zzzz... by Crabapple Hill Studio. I opted to start with the letter C (candy cane) because I thought it was cute. The whole pattern is very cute but this little snowman/woman reminds me of me - short and fluffy. LOL

I'm hoping to have it completed by Thanksgiving so I can use it to decorate for Christmas but time will tell. :-)

Speaking of Christmas - teehee!!! If you haven't already decided to join us in our quest to make gifts for Christmas it's not too late. Remember making your gifts now will make for a less stressful holiday season for you. Cheryl has been posting lots and lots of tutorials. If you're simply not sure what you might want to make then take a peek at her blog. It's chock full of fabulous ideas.

And, if you participate this month you'll be eligible to win a little something from me.
This little something could be something you keep for yourself or you could simply add it to your Christmas gift box to give to a friend.

I hope you're enjoying pieceful days.
Thank you for visiting with me - come again soon.

In Friendship!

Seriously Having Fun

September is National Sewing Month and I MUST sew. :-) It's important that I do my part - are you doing yours?

Today I spent the entire day in my sewing room - practically from sun up till sundown. I'm very blessed with a husband who says "you must sew". He had leftovers for lunch and hot dogs for dinner. This man is very low maintenance - a definite keeper. LOL

I was ready to get busy with my Vintage Modern pieces/parts (remember I've already made two quilts - Picnic and Boardwalk - out of the fat quarter bundle I have). I needed the green w/white dots so a friend put a chunk in the mail yesterday afternoon and I got it today. WooHoo!

I started measuring, cutting, sewing, etc and by sundown I had the guts of my Vintage Holiday quilt. I'll order the border fabric early next week and it'll be an official flimsy very, very soon. I decided I needed to add corner stones - Mr Daze says this makes it mine. :-)

Vintage Holiday by http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/(Vintage Modern fabric by Bonnie & Camille for Moda)

This week has been all about BIG Christmas packages and BIG Christmas ornaments. :-)

I've managed to keep my Happy Place very tidy however tomorrow I have to do a little dusting and vacuuming, much to Cooper's chagrin.


Thank you so much for popping in to visit - please enjoy a pieceful day.


In Friendship!

A Rainy (Weepy) Kind of Day

Another fun day in my happy place. :-) The sky was doing some serious raining (weeping) this morning when we rolled out of bed. It continued to rain (weep) for most of the day. We don't have very many rainy days but when we do I must admit I love to spend the time in my happy place. There's just something about it. :-)

Lots accomplished - woohoo!!!

These were the first three blocks of the 2008 Designer Mystery BOM and they have resided at the top of my design wall for a very long time.
Today I finished the rest :-)


I finished the 12th block at 2:30, just in time to head out the door to pick up this cutie at school. This is Eli, my 8 year old grandson (aka the blonde child). And, one of Shaye's big brothers - the other one, Seth, is 15. You might notice that he's carrying his Scooby Doo umbrella, after all it was raining. We have so few rainy days that I fear Eli might be carrying that umbrella when he's a senior in high school. LOL Don't tell him his Nana said that. :-)
(pardon the dirty shirt - he's a busy boy)

We stayed to visit with our daughter and all the little people for a bit and then headed home to cook dinner. Now that I'd finished all twelve blocks I really needed to locate that elusive finishing kit. During our little commute time I thought I had figured out where the kit might be so I was super excited to get home. Guess what - it wasn't there. I spent quite a bit time searching, digging, more searching, more digging - it's hiding really well. I was getting incredibly frustrated and came very close to tears. In fact, I'd been weepy most of the day (just like the sky), sensitive to the tone of some one's voice (on the phone or in person), weepy if I didn't assemble part of a block correctly, etc. Just weepy!

Rather than continuing to be frustrated over the elusive finishing kit I decided to jump into a new project. Vintage Modern to the rescue - LOL

The first two ornament blocks of Vintage Holiday by Camille Roskelley of Thimble Blossoms. They were fun so I'm anxious to assemble the other 10.


We made a quick stop by the nearby grocery store because I was in desperate need of spray starch. I couldn't resist the BIG box of Hot Tamales - perfect nourishment while one is sewing. :-)


Maybe I need to consider breaking open that BIG box right now. LOL


Enjoy a pieceful day - thank you for stopping by.


In Friendship!

Measuring, Cutting, Sewing

(repeat)

Yes, today there was lots of measuring, cutting and sewing. Made for a very happy ME. :-)

My Joyful Packages (aka Flurry by Kate Spain for Moda) quilt is officially a flimsy. And, guess what???? I have some yardage that I believe will work perfectly as the packing. Seriously, wouldn't that make a very happy you? LOL

Made with Joy by Kate Spain for Moda

In 2008 I signed up for a beautiful Designer Mystery BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop. I diligently made the first six blocks and then stopped. Don't ask me why. Who knows why I do what I do. LOL Anyway, not long ago I decided it was time to locate the rest of the block kits and get busy. That finally happened today! Shocked??? It's OK, so am I. LOL

I immediately cut and pieced block #7 with happy results. :-) I was going to continue in that fashion and then decided I'd just cut the remaining five blocks.

Wheee doggies - tomorrow I'll be sitting at my machine piecing these beauties. :-)

I'm looking for a volunteer to come help me dig for the finishing kit - are you available - anyone?

LOL

I wish you a very pieceful day.

In Friendship!