Week 4...

And I just noticed that last week was my 100th posting.  Can you believe it?  Also, can you believe I've kept up my blogging this year?  I think a once a week goal is working for me.  I am very goal-oriented, so I am pleased with this.

Now for the week's finishes:

I took this pillow top...

and made it into this pillow cover.  

Then, I finished the Whoopsy Daisy quilt for the store.

 Here is a close-up of the quilting,

 and here is the minky I put on the back. It is just a lovely quilt.

Then, I made a quick runner for my mother-in-law and put it in the mail today.  It will be a nice Valentine's treat for her table.

I also finished two more hot pads.  This makes 5 all together.

Now, for the works in progress:

Challenge quilt top.  I have the center block (16") done.  Now I just have to decide what goes around it next. I am toying with the idea of a rail fence type border, and definitely 9-patches in the corners.
My longest UFO:  I have a quilt top finished for several years.  I am going to stay late tomorrow and quilt it on the long-arm machine.  I am looking forward to having it finished.  I will try to get the binding on over the weekend.
My Itty Bitty pinwheels demonstration went well.  I just need to finish it.  I'm not sure if it will make it to the top of the pile this week or not.
My machine needs a tune-up and I will not be sewing for a couple of days.  I've got to get the tension adjusted for my quilting.

I enjoyed the quilting process on the Whoopsy Daisy quilt very much.  I have also enjoyed the Challenge quilt and taking a block and figuring out the most efficient way to put it together.

What are you sewing?  I'd love to hear.

Week 3

And a few more finishes this week.  I've really been keeping my nose to the grindstone, and trying to wrap a few things up.  First, this fabulous scarf.  My son bought me the loveliest yarn for Christmas.  I took a "before" picture of it, but that camera disappeared.  So, here is the "after" picture.  It is soft and lovely and I used up most of the yarn.  Yea, no leftovers!

Then, there is this tree skirt.  I know it isn't Christmas anymore, but, hey, I am ready 11 months early for next Christmas *wink*.  I figured it out without a pattern, but used a tree skirt I made before out of wider fabric for inspiration.  I am especially proud of the quilting in the border.

Then, I also finished my Calendar Cover.  This is the fourth one I've made (one each year).  I usually make it during Christmas break, but I think all I did during Christmas break was bake and clean up the kitchen.  So, I made it last week.  It only takes about an hour or so, and I make it different each time.  I think some friends want to learn how to do it, so we'll be making more.  I also want to make a cover for my Relief Society manual when I get it.

I also did a lot of cleaning, oiling cabinets and such.  This week there is something every day to be done, so I won't get as much accomplished, I'm sure.  However, I will keep plugging away and see what I can come up with.

Works in Progress:

Whoopsy Daisy quilt:  is basted and ready to be quilted.  Just gotta do it.
Itty Bitty Pinwheels:  quilt for a last-minute class on Thursday.  This time in red and white.
More Hot Pads:  I bought 7 skeins of yarn today for hot pads.  This should keep me in business for 2 months.
Cutting up Scraps:  my scrap basket is overflowing and needs to be cut into 5" and 2 1/2" squares.  Then they can be ready for another project.

There is always plenty to do, and this is helping me stay focused and not jump around too much.  Next week I really need to start my Challenge quilt top.

Happy sewing!

Week 2 - And the Month Goes on...

Hi everyone!  I hope you are able to get some sewing done each week.  I know I am trying to sew.  I actually got something done this week.

This is my "Baskets Quilt".  We worked on it all last year in Quilt Guild. A lot finished theirs by the May meeting.  I finished mine yesterday.  It was intense to make, and intense to quilt, and I am glad it is finished.

Works in Progress:

• A new Christmas tree skirt.  I started this in December, but run out of time to finish it.  I am in the middle of quilting it, so it should be finished this week.
• Whoopsy Daisy quilt for the store.  This quilt is basted and ready to be quilted.  I put minky on the back, so I am hoping it isn't too miserable to quilt.  
• My scarf is still in progress. I mostly work on it during small bits of time waiting for something else. 
• I finished a hot pad yesterday, and I am in the middle of another one.  I worked on the one last night while we watched a video.  The new one I worked on during quilt guild.  It helps me to keep my hands busy during these types of activities. 

I also found some pictures on my camera of things finished the last part of the year (2011).  I thought I might share them with you.

The above is a "Twister" quilt.  I made this to teach a class using the twister tool.  I love the fabric on this one!

This is a bag, (you know I love bags), to hold plastic garbage bags in my van.  I still need to get it out there.  Maybe tomorrow?

This is a pattern called "Harmony", and I used fun fall fabrics for it.  I think it would be fun in other colorways and leave the pumpkin and leaves off.  It is a table topper and I look forward to using it next fall.  It hung in the store this year, so it didn't make it to my table.  I actually used the long-arm quilting machine at work for this, so it isn't very good quilting, but it was delightful to try.

This is "The Ghastlies" fabric.  I love it!  Only I call it "Dinner with Teenagers".  You know how moody they get, right?  At least at my house they do.  How about at your house?

Last, this is the easiest runner in the world.  It took 1/2 yard of one fabric, 1/3 yard of the other, and about 30 minutes to make.  I actually brought the fabric home on a Saturday, and had it made by the following Tuesday evening.  I didn't see a pattern, but my friend talked me through it on the phone.  Later I found the instructions on http://extension.usu.edu/sewing/.  Pretty fun, huh?

Well, that's this week's review.  We'll see how the next week goes.  I hope to be able to report some work done.  Will you share with me what you are finishing?  Leave a comment if you'd like.


Happy Sewing!

Happy New Year - Week 1

I'm going to try to post each week and at least list my Works in Progress and my Works Completed.  I am not listing anything that is not at least being worked on sometime during the week.  So, unfinished projects will not be listed unless I am actively working on them (or planning to).

Works in Progress:
Basket Quilt (just need to finish the binding)  Deadline:  January 9th
Whoopsy Daisy Quilt for the store
Scarf to Crochet for myself.  (Youngest son gave me the yarn for Christmas)
Hot Pad (one per week, mostly)  Goal:  40 this year.  They really only take a couple of hours, and I can do one on Sunday each week.

Works Completed in the Last Week:
None.  But, I did get the Baskets Quilt finished quilting last week, and sewed on the binding (1st step).  I also worked on the other projects listed.

I will also be planning activities twice a month for 8-9 year-old girls.  Fun, Fun, Fun!  We start tomorrow with getting to know each other and starting a journal.  Young Women Basketball starts this week, so I will be helping with keeping score each week for the next 8-9 weeks.

My hopes for the new year:
Finish as many quilts as possible
Have a cutting table made for me for my sewing room
Buy new kitchen plates that I like
Do some home decorating
Perhaps put in new flooring in the upstairs hall (I have hated my carpet since moving in 5+ years ago).

At any rate, I hope for a happy, safe, creative and lovely year -- For all of us for 2012!

Considering Family & Gratitude

I have spent a lot of time with my family.  Or at least I try to.  I worry over them, and hope for the best for them.  And sometimes that means I don't get to post very often.  At least that's my story for now.

Last night I visited with my Mother and my Aunt.  They are both aging (as we all are), and I know they feel young inside.  It made me ponder about families.

Growing up, I thought I had it bad because I had an absent dad.  But, instead I had it pretty good.  I was surrounded by loving aunts, uncles and grandparents, and my mother loved all of us and worked very hard on our behalf.  I always knew my extended family loved me very much.  It was just easier as a child and young adult to focus on what I didn't have.  However, as an adult, I've found it better to focus on what I have.  I still have loving extended family member that love me.  They have memories to share with me, and are willing to spend time with me when I have time for them.  For this, I am grateful.

Even now, I have to focus on what I have.  Children can be difficult.  And watching your children make life-changing decisions without awareness of the consequences can be extremely difficult.  (Surely no mother looks at their newborn baby and thinks about them being a bum when they grow up).  (Not that mine are bums, but you get the idea).  We all want the best for our children.  We want them to have it better than we did, learn to love, learn to work hard and to be around forming memories with us as we and they age.   However, when these decisions are made, we need to stand by and let them, because they have their agency.  So, I try to focus on what I do have.

I have a child that thinks a Sunday isn't complete without a game of Aggravation with his dad and me.  He also still doesn't mind spending a little bit of time with us, and helping out around the house.  For this, I am grateful.

I am grateful that I have time to quilt, sew and create.  I am grateful I have a part-time job that stretches me, allows me to be creative, and share my knowledge with others.  I have a great boss, fabulous co-workers and it is nice to laugh at work.  They support me in my hardships, and we can share our lives.  For this, I am grateful.

I have a sewing group that gets together once a week (usually).  We share our triumphs, our sorrows, and our work.  We help each other and teach each other new things.  We try to solve the world's problems, and laugh at ourselves and the mistakes we make.  For this, I am grateful.

I am enjoying leading the Ward Choir this Christmas season.  The choir members have been very responsive to me, and we are enjoying singing together.  Good music and beautiful harmonies touch my heart and soothe my soul.  For this, I am grateful.

So, I may not post very often, although I would like to do more.  Just know that I am working, learning, sewing, spending time with family and friends, and serving where I can.  Life is full and overflowing.  For this, I am grateful.