Tag: sewing

An Ancient UFO with some Odd Issues

20170219_142801_resizedAs I go through the many many boxes of miscellaneous quilt boxes (like it’s Christmas for me). I am coming across projects that I started and never finished for whatever reason.

I could guess that this never got finished because, well, I got pregnant and my daughter was born.  I am sure that is why I know that I started this quilt in 2003.  I am not sure I remember why.  The colored part is actually one piece of fabric with all the multi colored batiks.  I sometimes can’t remember what I ate for lunch, but I remember that I bought this not in the quilting fabric area.  It was actually in the clothing fabric area.  Weird the things you remember.  I most likely remember because I thought it was interesting and since it was not in the quilting fabric, it was way less expensive.  I love a bargain.  It is high quality fabric too.

Now to the odd issues.  So, the black in this quilt is defiantly 100% cotton, but the fabric seams weak.  I had a couple of seems that were previously torn out (like 13 years ago)..  When i resewed these seams the fabric just fell apart.  It happened on a couple of pieces.  So, then I took a square to see how easy it would come apart if pulled at both sides.  It was way to easy.  With my rheumatoid arthritis, I would expect me not to be able to pull apart (not tear) a Piece of fabric by holding one edge in each hand and pulling.  So, I have a concern that this quilt is just going to fall apart.  Nearly all of the squares are done, so I feel compelled to complete it.

 

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?  it does not appear that any bugs or anything got to the fabric, so I am at a loss.  I would appreciate any insight, because it sort of pretty and would be a shame to have to lose it.   Thanks.

Happy Quilting

Happy Sewing

Treasure your Family

Cute Quick Little Bag form the Crazy Dog Lady…..then why is it made with Cat Fabric?

So, I like to make gifts.  I am not always sure that everyone appreciates handmade gifts, but because a part of me goes with them, I like it.  I know I treasure the things that others have made for me. 20170211_210814_resized_1

Sorry, reminds me of a story.  My mother could crochet and knit beautifully. However, I had to try and do everything crafty.  For as long as I remember I was always doing something.  After I moved from home, my parents came to visit for a weekend.  I wanted to go to a quilt/craft show (Imagine that).  My Dad would go walk around anywhere.  He was easy to please.  Mom, agreed to go, but I knew she was doing it just for me, not because she really wanted to.  We stopped at a booth that was doing a demo of stenciling on fabric.  They asked us to sit down and try.  I am pretty sure my mother wanted to run away, but she did it.  She made the most beautiful tulip painting on fabric.  She was actually quite pleased with herself.  She hung it up in the bathroom at her house.  Every time I went in that bathroom, I smiled when I saw it.  Now that she is not here with me anymore, I still smile when I look at that tulip hanging on the wall of my bedroom. Enough reminiscing and missing Mom.

I especially like to make gifts that help me practice a skill (putting in zippers on this one) and are useful.  This cute little bag could be used for makeup, keeping credit cards/money,20170211_210808_resized_1 receipts.  Whatever you want.  It was fairly easy, considering there was a zipper in it (which initially scared me).  I obviously have friends and family that are cat lovers, even though I live in a “Dog” house (Ha! Pun).  I will put some candy and/or lip gloss and give this to a friend for her birthday.

This pattern is available for free at WWW.Craftsy.com.  Search for “Easy Zipper Pouch”.  The Exact title is “Easy Zipper Pouch … Two Ways”.

Happy Quilting

Happy Sewing

Treasure your family

 

 

Finally, some time in the sewing room…and some Quilting I don’t hate.

20170211_112954_resizedI actually completed something.  The English Paper Piecing Dog Bone Hexie Dresser scarf is complete.  I even went as far so to clean off my dresser and put it in its home.  Three more to go, but they are all smaller pieced.  Two for nightstands and one for the tall Dresser.  Overall, I enjoyed English paper Piecing.  I had never done it before and started it when my Daughter had her accident.  For weeks I was at the hospital and this gave me something to do in the ICU.  It was quite a while until she was able to talk, so it was mostly sitting there listening to machines.  I am really glad for that to be over.  Much easier to deal with when you have something to occupy your mind20170211_113029_resized and hands.  I just about have one of the nightstand scarves done also.  As for the quilting, I don’t hate it (like usual).  As I mentioned in a previous post, I would choose a different marking method (Not the clingy plastic wrap).  The dog bones I quilted actually resemble dog bones.  How about that.  Shocking.   It might lead me to get more adventuresome with my quilting.  Who knows.

I also completed some Uncle Donald blocks.  Since these are scrappy, there are memories that go along with each one.  For me, that makes this more enjoyable to do.  As I piece these, I take a trip down memory lane.

So for my Uncle Donald Blocks, I have “Becky’s Block”(my niece).  This was made from the scraps from her college graduation quilt.  It was a picture quilt with many photo’s of her growing up.  Addison’s Block (Addison is actually Becky’s daughter, my Great-Niece) are scraps from her baby quilt.  It was charm squares and I chose not to use any that had dark colors since I was making a baby quilt.  The Crazy Dog Lady Block is totally mine, since I am the crazy dog lady.  These are scraps from many dog fabric blocks. Then we have Derrick’s block.  Derrick is my later husband whom I miss dearly.  He always wore camo.  Sometimes I had to ask him to wear something else.  He always made me laugh.  Only the good die young.

udHappy Quilting

Happy Sewing

Treasure Your Family

 

Fat Girl Falls Down (come on laugh, I am talking about myself)

I though hard about my title.  Didn’t want to offend anyone, but I am talking about myself.  So, this past Saturday, I was taking my daughter to her “Power of the Pen” writing competition.  While they were scoring the essays, they put us all in a theater to watch a movie.  Haley and I went to the back so she could sit near her friends.  At some point I needed to answer my phone, the closest door was about 8 feet away at the back, so I decided to use that door.  Somehow I was now on a 1 and half foot platform in total darkness.  I didn’t step up onto anything when I sat down, but I certainly took a swan dive off this mysterious platform I never stepped up on.  My gut is always to protect my artificial knees, so I fell on…….my hands.  I hit the right one hard enough to bruise it clear to my elbow and open up and bleed.  My only saving grace…..it was so dark no one saw me.   I eventually had to go and have them x-rayed (I put it off as long as possible, but my bruises were scaring people at work).  Fortunately, nothing is broken.  I did compress all the bones in cartilage in my left had (not sure what that really means.  They used a big long medical name).  They put braces on both so they could heal (which I am). Oh, and I found a goose egg on my forehead.  I didn’t even realize I hit my head….Duh.

On a positive note, while Haley did not get a trophy, she is moving on to the semifinals at Wittenberg College.  I will make sure not to sit in dark theaters….or just watch where I am walking.

So, there has been very little quilting/sewing (actually none), which tends to lead to crankiness on my part.  I am thinking that I should be able to get back to it soon.  Ugh.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your Family

It’s dangerous to walk around in the dark

The holidays totally got the best of me…..

20170107_184745_resizedI had some time off, but I was not off during the entire holiday season like I am used to. I user a lost (most) of my vacation time with Miranda’s Accident.

As always, I have big plans for my quilting/Sewing and it did not happen. My sewing room is a disaster, because we had company for new years. This means that everything got dumped in my room. I look at it right now and it frightens me. Trying to move stuff a bit at a time, but it seems to be daunting task.

I wanted to make a page for all the items I really need to finish this year. Did not that done either. Of Course On December 30th I was at the Immediate Care with Bronchitis. It figures. Company coming and I am sick. I made it through, and had fun. Two of my sister came for the New year, which had never happened before. We had a Chinese gift exchange which involves stealing gifts etc…. I wound up with a toilet light. It was meant to be funny (and it is) but I also find is useful. Makes me not have to turn on lights when I get up at night. Unfortunately, my nephew Alex got the gift I provided. Cottenelle wipes, Toilet Paper and PooPourri. Needless to say He won for worst gift. It was worth a laugh though.

I did manager to work on my English Paper Piecing and finished the one that will go on my dresser. Dog Bones for the crazy Dog Lady. I have now begun work on the nightstands and will eventually get to Kevin’s dresser. I like to work on my English paper piecing while I am watching TV with Kevin or my daughters. Gives me something to do besides snack.
I plan to attempt to quilt dog bones on the dog bone dresser scarf. Will see how that goes.

Happy Quilting
Happy Sewing
Happy 2017
Treasure your Family

So Many Things to be Thankful for…especially Monnie and the Wool Coat Quilt

I often forget how lucky I am.  Sometimes, getting caught up in the day to day img_03301activities of life makes you forget a few very important things.

I am still here.  For this I am grateful.  I have a beautiful, healthy and smart twelve year old daughter.  I still have Miranda, which at one point in time not too long ago, I did not think I would.  She hobbles around the house today.  For this I am grateful, even when she gets on my last nerve.

I have Kevin, who in his very own way is a very kind man, who looks out for all of us.  He was most certainly my rock during Miranda’s accident.  Lately he takes care of me when I don’t feel so well.  Currently I struggle with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Dystonia.  They don’t go well together.  But, it will get sorted out, eventually.  Kevin son’s Bryce, who is cute as can be and such a helpful sweet boy.  I miss him when he is not with us, but grateful when he is.  I can’t imagine what it feels like not to have access to your child at all times.

I am grateful for my three sisters, even though we sometimes we get off track.  I am hoping to see them all at New Year’s this year, so we can work on getting things back to the way they used to be, or as close as we possibly can.

These photos are of a quilt that my sister Anke has.  It belonged to my Grandmotherimg_03321 Monnie (Uncle Donald’s sister).  She was one of my most favorite people and the reason I sew today.  This quilt is made of old wool coats.  Imagine how warm it is…  The history.  I wonder who wore all those old wool coats?

A big thank you to my sister for sending me the pictures.  I remembered seeing it, but it had been a long time and brings back the fondest memories of Monnie and reminds me of who I am.

At 52, I have already said goodbye to two husbands, both my parents and a couple of dear friends.  It is a lot.  Sometimes I think it is too much for me.  But then am I reminded of all those that are still in my life.  For this I am grateful.

Happy Quilting

Happy Sewing

Treasure your Family

Something for the Fur Babies

20161112_162030_resized_1My dogs usually tear off bandannas.  I think they are cute, but for whatever reason they come untied and I find them in the yard.  So, I decided to make some that slipped over their collar.  Super cute and easy.

My First model is Moka.  She was not happy about wearing the bandanna. Not sure why, It complemented her Ohio State collar and dog tags.  She wasn’t happy last Christmas when I put her in a holiday sweater either.  She rolled around on the floor for hours til she wiggled out of it.  She eventually found a way to get it in her mouth and I had to remove it before is got Mokaed (destroyed).

My second model is Snibble.  She liked her bandana.  Especially since it made our resident20161112_154733_resized_1 OSU fan happy (Kevin).  Snibble has been madly in love with him since she met him.  We are all OSU fans, but I have to say, Kevin is the only one that arranges the shirts in his drawer by: OSU Football, OSU Basketball, anything related to New York (that is where he is from) and misc.  Heaven forbid I put something in the wrong pile. LOL.

 

The lucky bandannas must have worked, because OSU won in a smashing victory and some of their top opponents fell also, which should make them rise in the polls.  Which makes everyone at my house happy.

 

Happy Quilting

Happy Sewing

Treasure your Family

Mystery Quilt – What will it be???

20161101_204316Well, I got everything cut as instructed.  I had most of this fabric in my stash, likely for years….  Had to buy a couple of accent pieces, that’s it.  I like lime green and teal together.  Hoping it turns out to be something awesome!  We shall see.

I managed to get all the sewing stuff packed, now just need my personal items.  Hope to get that done later, but the 7th game of the World Series is on, and I am from the Cleveland area.  Hoping Mom is watching from above.  She was a big Indians fan.  My sister Kellie better have that gold Wahoo that mom always wore, on tonight.

Next Post from the retreat.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your Family

Mystery quilt and packing….

So, I am trying to get back to my normal life.  My daughter is home from the hospital, which is great.  But, you do sort of trade one set of circumstances for another.  Glad not to be running to the hospital, but there is a lot to do having her home also.  This weekend is the Quilt Retreat.  It has been a while since I have been to one.  Part of me feels like I should be staying home and part of me can’t wait to go.  Kevin tells me I am going…… I have been gathering my things together in my new wheeled “I am going to a retreat” case.

Since this is a mystery quilt retreat, I have been spending 10 minutes here and there cutting out the pieces that I need.  I am done, need to label them and get them into bags all sorted.  I have never done a mystery quilt, so this is a new experience for me.  I used some fabrics that I had purchased previously and then purchased a couple other coordinating fabrics.  I will post photos as we go.

Now for the what to pack?….  Wine (check), Diet Pepsi (Check).  I am guessing I should consider a sewing machine and other supplies.  We will be leaving at 6am Friday morning, so I really need to be ready by Thursday night.  That should be a challenge.

We are staying at the Berlin Hotel and resort.  Since it has been so warm here, the trees are just starting to change, so it will be very beautiful.  Fall in Ohio tends to be very picturesque.  Can’t wait to go to one of my favorite shops , Millers Dry Goods and there is a shop hop going on.  WooHoo!

Progress, in several areas

Well. my hospital hexies are finally looking like something.  I feel like I have made progress.  I believe my plan will be to make a scarf for my dresser.    Seems fitting since I am the crazy dog lady.  As I type this there is one at my feel and one on the chair next to 20161003_195603_resizedme and one on my lap.  This is a great travel project because everything I need fits into my little dog bag (of course).  In my photo, you can see my Ruger.  This was my late Husbands “Hunting Dog”.  He weights six pounds and is scared of ants, so I am not sure what he would hunt.  Cute as a button though.  He is the only male dog in my herd, so he thinks any female is his.  He frequently rolls all over me as if he is making me his and then gives Kevin the evil eye.  Miss Moka’s paws are on the table where they should not be.

Other progress is with my beautiful daughter Miranda.  I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It has been six weeks now since her accident and she makes progress everyday.  I update my Miranda’s Journey page often.  It has saved me many many phone calls and texts.  Friends and family know they can go to the page and get an update on how she is doing.  We still have a long road ahead, but we will get their.  Thanks to everyone for their support.