Almost done!!

Here are a few shots of the signature blocks on all 4 sides of the quilt. I used spacer strips to bring the borders up to the right size. Each block is from a family member with something relevant to the recipient's life. 

Looks like he may be a martini man. :)

On the left is the coat of arms to one of the schools he attended; on the right is a picnic on the beach.

If you look closely at the sails, they're 1932 and 2012.

Of course, he's a Yankee fan!

Each and every block was a labor of love for this family. I'm so grateful that I got to make this quilt. It's now ready to go on the longarm tomorrow. I have to make the label and apply it before I load it. That way, it can't be pulled off.

Week 3, 2011 Stash Report

I'm hand appliqueing the heart from last week's Design Wall Monday, so nothing new there. I needed a backing for my blue/orange quilt so I used some there.

Used this week: 1.5 yd
Used year to date: 3.5 yd
Added this week: 0
Added year to date: 16 yd
Net used year to date: -12.5 yd

At least it's going down ;)

Design wall Monday

So now, all the pieces are cut out and I'm continuing to turn the edges. Let me know what you think; this is the first abstract I've ever done.

I'm searching for a name. I've thought of a few but I'm open to suggestions.

Merry Christmas!

My wish for everyone is a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday.

We'll be with family both here and at Mike's brother's home. That is what means the most to us at this time of year.

Since I decided to stop worrying about making t-shirt quilts for customers, I feel like a heavy weight is off my shoulders. While the machine is working, I can do some of my own stuff, hopefully. I'm planning on 2011 being a more productive year for me personally.

Check out Judy L's blog http://www.patchworktimes.com/ for her 2011 UFO challenge. I'm participating and will get even more done!

UFOs for 2011

I forgot to list my UFOs! So here they are:

Group 1-need quilting and binding

1. Harvest Spice
2. QFAH

Group 2-need minimal work

3. Piece O'Cake 4 block quilt
4. Mini applique
5. Tulip wallhanging

Group 3-more than 1/2 done

6. Shoebox (quilting group club quilt)
7. Project from Robbi Joy Eklow class
8. Project from Micky Depre class

Group 4-started
9. School of Philosophy art quilt
10. Project from Carol Doak class
11. Floribunda BOM
12. Magical Medallions

Darn! I missed Christmas!!

Well, not really. But I did miss the Christmas in August Sewing Party. Here I am, whining about the fact I want to do my own stuff and POOF!! I blow a chance to do it.

Here's a little Christmas candy-this is our son and DIL's tree at their apartment that they don't live in anymore. Aren't the colors pretty? DIL is one of the most creative and artistic people I know. Wish I could turn her into a quilter. Trust me, I'm trying!!

I've got some projects to finish up and then I swear I'll do some of my own applique.

Back again

We're home from vacation-we were in Orlando, Florida for a week. DH Mike is so security conscious that I didn't want to take a chance on him going ballistic if I posted it here or over on Facebook. I'll post pics very soon; we were there for our Boy Scout band. They played before the 3pm parade on Main Street USA and they were outstanding!!
The heat and humidity were brutal-I was "glowing" like a pig and drinking gallons of water. I've had hear exhaustion before and I don't want it again. No way.
I didn't go near any quilt shops! I KNOW-I can't believe it either. lol I decided that I could find anything I need here; they wouldn't have anything my LQS's don't. I did bring my applique bag and I did some stitching on my Floribunda block 1. Not much though. We were on the go most of the time. We even went to the Arabian Nights dinner show. It's a lot like Medieval Times but with a flair all its own, including gypsies and cowboys. Interesting, huh?
Now I have to get on the ball-start pushing out customer quilts, get a Hudson Valley/Upstate NY SAQA parlor meeting. I have never done anything like that before. How does one do a parlor meeting? See, that's what I mean. I have some work cut out for me. I'd better start now!!
TTFN

Tell me this man isn't the best hubby in the whole world!! I'm a little overwhelmed right now so he helped me by fusing a bunch of t-shirts for a quilt I'm making for a client. I was upstairs on the longarm, working on a custom quilt. He wasn't too happy about me taking his photo. lol

I'm trying to put together a quick, easy project that will relax me. I've started the first block for the Floribunda quilt from http://www.erinrussek.typepad.com/ Her patterns are so good, no itsy-bitsy pieces.

I'm reading one or two blogs from the Charming Chatter group each day. With 97 members, it's going to take me some time.

I had Tyler with me again today. He is SO close to walking. He's got cruising down pat. Let me say this-I am exhausted. I used to do this with 2 babies? Holy cow!! But I wouldn't change a thing. I am so happy to be part of his life. We laugh, we play, and I can see heaven in his eyes. This is why I'm on this earth-to love my family and to do whatever I can for them.

Blessings!!

Giveaway and other news

Head on over to Kathy Ellzey's blog, http://fancystitchingnews.blogspot.com for a giveaway!! Kathy recently took some classes with Jamie Wallen, one of the premier longarm teachers in the US. She learned some great techniques and wants to share.

The roof was done yesterday and it only took one guy until lunchtime to do it. Dang, he was good!! A team of two came to work on the inside. Took out all the old ceiling and went to work on giving us a new room. They're even sanding all the woodwork not just the part with water damage. I'll post pics when it's done.

I finished quilting a t-shirt quilt I made on commission. All I have to do is bind it and it'll be ready to be given as a birthday gift next week. It's been hard focusing ever since the ceiling came down but I did it. It's done.

another week

I just can't keep up with a daily journal, so I'll post when I can. I hope I don't offend anyone but we all have lives and sitting here puts life aside sometimes.
Anyway, I want to tell you what a great weekend I had! A friend and I went upstate to Greenville, NY outside of Albany. Until I looked up the directions, I had no idea there were at least 3 Greenvilles in NY! We arrived Thursday afternoon, had a wine and cheese reception, a small orientation and dinner. Our room was 1/2 of a cottage and it even had a jacuzzi tub-not that we had time to use it.
Class started bright and early on Friday. We had a short lecture and then began to work. I've never done an art quilt before, but let me tell you-I'm in love. Keri says this is the best quilt I've ever done. I can't wait to get it on the longarm and play. I'll try to have a pic when I can get the camera. I came home with a completed quilt top.
The innkeepers, Mark and Kim LaPolla, were awesome. He's a gourmet chef and she's a quilter. I gave her my business card and she gave me a quilt to do for her. How's that? Every meal was an artistic showcase of his work. (I gained 5 lbs in 3 days!!! Dang. The wedding's next week. Thank goodness I'm wearing a sheath style dress with a jacket. Hides most of the flaws.)
This is the first time I've ever done a workshop like this. If you ever get a chance, you have to take classes at this inn. It's www.fiberartworkshops.com.
The wedding's in 9 days, I have quilts up the yazoo, and we're going away on the 23rd. How's that for bad planning? After the wedding, I'm sending my machine back to Gammill and having the Intellistitch taken out and the Plus put in. Talk about learning the hard way. I make very expensive mistakes and then have to pay lots to correct them. I just hope I'm doing the right thing. The machine is going away between the wedding and vacation. When we come home from Florida, I'm having my neck surgery. The machine is coming home around the 19th of July so I should, according to the dr., be able to quilt right away. I'm also getting the hydraulic lift-that should help my neck from having to be in one position all the time.
This is getting very long, so I'll see you later.
Have a great day.