What to do, What to do???

These are my daughters receiving blanket from when she was a baby.  I had put them in my cedar chest to make a quilt from them.  I need to make room in that cedar chest for “other things” (more quilts)  for all my future grandchildren.  However, I have a block on this one.  I usually “see” in my mind what I want to do.  I have been staring at this pile for weeks and have come up empty.  There are 13 flannel blankets (several duplicates) so it is a good bit of yardage.  Most are about 36×36 and a few are a bit bigger.  I think there is plenty pf fabric.  I just can’t figure out what to do.  I am thinking it will not be a baby blanket, but something bigger maybe for my future grandchild that might be a big older who would understand that it was made from all the blankets there Mommy was wrapped up in.  Gosh, I sound like a fruit loop!  Being that I did wait until I was 40 to have Haley, I am always thinking that I won’t get to meet her children.  This will be may way of letting them know who Grams is in case I am not here.  If she waits as long as I did, I may not meet them.

If anyone has any suggestions on type of pattern or anything to release my mind block, please let me know.  I always get such good advice from our blogging community.  Thanks!

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Jingle Bells Jingle Bells…and a Hand Quilt Along

So, last week at my monthly guild meeting, there was  Quilt ship visiting.  Of course, they brought stuff to sell.  I thought this was such a cute pattern and I needed to make it for my door for Christmas.  I will jungle so nicely every time the door is opened.  I liked the fabric they used and just bought the “kit”.m that way I did not have to go out and look for bells I could sew on.   I imagine that I could find them, but this way, I did not have to risk it.20171102_190307_resized

It turned out, that there is quite a lot of fabric left over, so I may make a holiday table topper with it.  I do like the fabric.

At the beginning of the month, I participated in the guilds “Quilt Wars” However, because we all finished at different times, I did not get any pictures.  So at the last meeting they brought all the quilts that were made.  The quilt my group worked is the second from the right.  All these quilted were made with “Miss Rosie’s Quilt Cp.Cake Mix Recipe #4.  If you have never used them, it made creating these quilts super simple.  It calls for layer cakes, but any 10 ” squares will do.  From each recipe you can create multiple designs.  All of these quilts were created from the same cake mix.  Oddly most of came up with the same design.  They are available all over the internet and at my local quilt shop.  All of the quilts from Quilt Wars are finished and donated to Charity.  It was a fun time.

I almost forgot my Hand Quilt Along.  Kathy from Sewing Etc, a=has stqrted this.  I 20170401_135727_resized.jpgcurrnelty have 2 hand sewing projects.  I will have to post a photo of the other one later.  I am currently trying to finish my last and final dog bone dresser scarf.  I refer to them as “Sit on the Couch Projecrs”.  Take a look and Join us.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Are you Kidding me? My November One Monthly Goal

I feel like such an idiot.  So, I was working along about six weeks ago, quilting away.  I was going way outside my comfort zone on this one.  Then, I suddenly noticed a huge mistake.  I have no idea how I could have overlooked something so glaring as this.  Do you see it?  OMG, I was so mad at myself that I put this quilt away and refused to look at it.  This kind of careless stuff frustrates me so very much.  I have no one to be mad at but myself.   I have come to the decision that one of my alternate personality is not to bright. I should name her.   I opt for Ninny (AKA Nincompoop).

In case you didn’t notice, there are 3 camels in a row.  Just saying that, makes me mad. ARGHHHHHH.  What was I thinking?  I looked at this over and over and managed to miss this?  Jeez.

Anyway, I should still finish it, even if it is just for quilting practice.  The quilting is about half completed.  I have decided to make it my One Monthly Goal for November.  I plan to complete it including the binding and then hide it for eternity.   Ho Hum…

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Fidget Blankets and a visit from the Fabric Gnome

So, This past weekend I got barely anything accomplished.  Saturday was the big Ohio State Game.  Go Bucks! then Sunday we were at the rental cleaning since we will be getting new tenants this weekend.  Very little sewing went on.  I did, however manage to complete 2 fidget blankets.   My guild was making them for a doctor who gives them to Alzheimer patients.  We were just asked to complete the fabric portion.  The Doctors office will add all the fidgety items.  They sew on socks and elastic bandages and plastic keys and satin ribbon etc…  Great idea.  I looked them up and they average about $45.00 each.  The back needed to be flannel or fleece so it easily stayed on laps and the front could be any combination of scraps.  Finished size is approximately 18 by 24 inches.  Pretty Simple.

And….The fabric gnome came by again….  Darn that gnome.  This time he left me someWaterMark_2017-10-26-19-40-44_resized (1) southwestern prints and colors.  Okay, truth be told, I got a $20 gift card from Connecting Threads for renewing my American Quilters Society Membership.  Being that renewal was $20 and I got a $20 gift card, how could I go wrong?  I ended up getting 8 yards for $28.00.  IT was on sale.  I can never resist a good sale.  I already have a design in mind.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

 

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer…

Had a very red nose in this case.  I like Rudolph.  I might like a quilt with all the reindeer.

I will say that all these pieces were a bit reminiscent of the dog quilt I am working on.  Used a lot of the same methods and tiny pieces, so this one I did not think was all that bad.  I managed to stick with my snow flaked themed fabric.  I think it is coming together nicely.  I find I am really enjoying the “I Wish you A Merry Quilt Along“.

It is never too late to get started.  You can still get links to all the blocks from several places.  Snowy Days Quilting did this block and you can find the link to all others there too.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

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One Monthly Goal October Finished – My OSU Puppy

Whew…..I kept putting it off…..

While I know it does not seem like much, one block, it was too me.  A block with over 50 pieces, crazy.  Now I think I need like 17 more.

I was totally scared to attempt this, however, I ended up finding it quite enjoyable and challenging.  Maybe those two things go together, enjoyable and challenging.  Either way, my  One Monthly Goal is Finished for this month and now I need something for next month.

The instructions for this quilt come in a booklet, which I really like.  For some dumb reason, it felt less daunting, just turning a page to move on.  There were some complications.  For this quilt, there are dogs facing left and dogs facing right.  I totally got this confused on multiple occasions.  I made the left one and eventually put Post-its over the pictures and instructions for the right facing block because I am not capable of not looking at it.  Covering those pictures and instructions with Post-its, worked.  No more issues after that.  It is a cute block.

So, since there are so many pieces, there is a lot of cutting.  Accuracy is totally important.20171022_194657_resized  There are many small pieces one inch by one inch for some.  I did find a useful tool for all this cutting.  It is a lifesaver, especially for me with Rheumatoid arthritis.  It is a weird looking ergonomic cutter by Martelli.  it even says on the package designed for arthritis and carpal tunnel, etc.  It made a world of difference.  I barely needed any pressure to cut, which was awesome.  Some days when my hands and wrist hurt, I avoid cutting with a rotary cutter.  I won a $25.00 gift card for Amazon at work and this was only $14.99.  I will not use anything else whenever possible.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

I Wish You a Merry Quilt Along Block #8

Well, I managed to get something done after my “Hot Tub Incident“.  I didn’t exactly follow the instructions for this block.  I guess I had something else on my mind.  I think it goes well with all my other blocks and I got to use more of my snowflake fabric.

Thank you to everyone for their well wishes.  It was truly appreciated.  A special thank you to Nanette Chopin Cook for calling to check on me.  It really made my day.  Quilters really are the nicest people.

Today was my quilt guilds “Quilt Wars”.  We drew cards to determine what group we were in and were given a bag of fabric.  Then we had to work together to create a top.  It was quite enjoyable.  They will all be quilted and given to charity.  I was so busy I neglected to get any pictures.  I am sure they will bring them to the next meeting.  Glad I felt well enough to attend.  It is good to get out and be with like-minded people.

So, for my One monthly goal, I finally got to work on the test dog block.  I got everything cut out and even started sewing it.

My mind is always wandering to other projects, but I have so many already started, not to mention the holidays are right around the corner.  Must get to work

WaterMark_2017-10-21-20-01-11Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

I wish you a Merry Quilt Along

Fat Girl Falls Down Again

I feel I am allowed to make fun of myself.  So, what dumb thing did I manage to do this time?  As I was getting out of my lovely new hot tub, the steps slipped and I went with them.  Falling about 3 and half feet to the concrete.  Let’s see I had a baseball on the back of my head, the underneath part of my arm is black and blue, about a soccer ball sized bruise on my left side rib cage and and equally sized one on my backside.  Also sprained

a wrist and black and blue right kneecap (not sure how that one happened everything else was left side).  Needless to say, everything hurts.  Thank god it was dark out.  I imagine it was quite a site.  Of course my cell phone went flying so I had to crawl to it to call Kev for some help. He spent the rest of the night checking on me to make sure I did not have a concussion. Well, I am pretty sure this will take a bit of time to recover.  Thank God I did not break my arm or wrist. It would have seriously impacted my projects.  Whew.

So, when I am not falling down, I seem to be wandering form project to project, not doing what I really should be doing.  These baby bibs have been laying on my sewing cabinet unfinished for months, so I picked them up and finished them.  I will put them in the cedar chest for my one-day grandchild.  They are up-cycled from my jeans.  I need to be working on my one monthly goal and my quarterly goals, but of course I am doing something else.

This weekend I am supposed to be attending Quilt Wars with my Quilt Guild, however, given my current condition, I am not sure I am going to make it.  I am uncomfortable sitting, laying basically anything.  The only place I am not uncomfortable is in the hot tub and that is what started the whole mess in the first place.  Ugh.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Pointsettia – We wish you a Merry Quilt Along Block #7

It was a fairly unproductive weekend for me,  mostly due to a combination of things.  My rheumatoid arthritis was kicking my butt, my new hot tub got installed and my renter moved out before their lease was up and left my rental property trashed.  Awesome.  Of 20171015_122125_resizedcourse the Hot Tub was an awesome part of the weekend.  It makes me feel better, which was the goal.  Long term goal is to cut down on some of the medication f I can get a hot tub routine.

I did manage to get one of my blocks done for We wish you a merry Quilt Along and keep with my theme of snowflake fabric.  It is a cute block.  There are 2 blocks this time.  I may go off script with #8.  It looks very difficult and also looks like it need something.  We shall see.  Not sure when I am going to get that one done.  Winter swim has begun which means practice 5 times a week and this Saturday My quilting Guild is hosting Quilt Wars.  More on that later.

So for My one monthly goal, I was making a test block of the dogs with sweaters.  I think I counted and each block has some crazy amount of pieces like 53. My dogs will all be wearing Ohio State sweaters and I will have a special border.  I think it will take me years to complete.  I couldn’t even manage to get all the pieces cut to try to make one block.  Ugh.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

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I have a dream…To Make a Dog Quilt

Sometimes I sound like a total fruit loop.  However, there is some truth to it. For quite some time I have had an idea to make several dog quilts.  They needed to be my own design and I wanted to be able to make some that can somehow raise money for rescues.

I have been involved with rescues before and rescued quite a few dogs.  I don’t really foster much any more, because I end up keeping them and sometimes the Rheumatoid 20170904_191741_resizedarthritis gets me, so I have to find an alternate way to help.  I do have three dogs.  currently only one is a rescue.  Snibble was rescued from a farmer who’s dog had 13 puppies,  She was the only girls and all the boys were biting her and not letting her eat.  My late husband Derrick brought her home to me.  She fit in the palm of his hand.  She is a Chihuahua/Pug or a Chihuapug as Haley used to say.

This quilt will be mine.   It is to honor my beloved dog, Koko. We got Koko for my daughter Miranda, and because I think she knew I was not a “dog” person, she picked me.  She did not want Miranda, but wanted me.  I quickly fell in love with her.  She was my best friend.  She licked away my tears through the death of both my husbands and both my parents.  She was Haley’s biggest protector.  The only time she did not sleep with me was when Haley was a baby.  She mostly slept under her crib.  Koko was a Chocolate Lab.  She was very dark in color and unless she stood next to a black lab she was often mistaken for one.  We referred to her as Semi-Sweet Chocolate because of her color and protective nature.  I miss her dearly.

So, my quilt will have the dog appliques.  I used a technique that has no waste.  You cut image_1the applique out in one piece and then use both pieces.  It worked really well.  So, I have actually designed the entire thing and am slowly working on getting all the pieces together.  Funny thing, there are flying geese in this quilt and as I was drawing it, I realized that I had never made flying geese before.  I actually had to look up a good way to make them and how to get them just the right size for my quilt.  This quilt uses 8.5 inch blocks.

I like the applique.  It reminds me of my Koko.  If this quilt turns out well, I will make another that I can hopefully make for a rescue to sell raffle tickets for or auction off.

You can see from the princess crown she is wearing, that Haley dressed her up and made her wear crowns.  We sometimes referred to her as Princess Koko.  I did not think it was possible for me to love an animal as much as I loved her.

 

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting