To stitch or not to stitch...?

I love to applique by hand!! If I could just sit and stitch all day, I'd be in heaven. Unfortunately, life must go on and I have to make a living. Plus I currently have 3 projects I'm going to work on this year: my Roseville Album by Kim McLean, Ruffled Roses by Sue Garman, and Magical Medallions by Karen Kay Buckley. You'd think that would be enough, but NOOOOO...!!! The Civil War Bride Quilt keeps calling my name. Isn't it awesome? I'm going to apply to the blog so that when (notice I'm not saying if) I'm ready, I can get going on it.

I'm taking a class at MQX on machine applique. Maybe that will help me complete some of my projects. They won't be done by hand but the prep work will be. I'm thinking Magical Medallions may be my machine project. What do you think?

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

This is the center block for the TQS block of the month. I haven't put it up because I'm still cutting. I'm going to hand applique this block. Check back soon.

I didn't contribute for the Stash busting yesterday because I didn't really use anything except 1/2 yd.

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.

Stashbusting report 1/2/11

Well, I'm starting out well, NOT. I went out today and bought 16 yds of background fabric for 2 applique projects I'm going to be doing this year.

Used this week: 2 yards
Used year to date: 2 yards
Added this week: 16 yards
Added year to date: 16 yards
Net used year to date: -14 yards

Design wall Monday

I don't even remember the last time I got to show anything! This is an abstract quilt I'm working on. That's all I can say for now. Maybe later in the new year I'll be able to share more.

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

UFO Challenge 2011

I'm putting it on the line here. I'm going to take part in the UFO challenge that's being set up by Judy Laquidera http://www.patchworktimes.com. Hopefully, I'll get some of my own work done in 2011 that I wasn't able to do in 2010.

I'm going to find them now and I'll list them in a few days.

Mellow

DH Mike is watching the Jets/Ravens game and I'm sitting next to him on the sofa listening to Pandora Radio. I've got it on QuickMix and it's going back and forth among classical, pop, Christmas, Irish, and classic rock. I'm on the laptop, reading blogs by longarmers, appliquers, and art quilters.
Who could ask for more? Go Jets!!

Sept/Oct hopes and dreams.

This is what I bought last week. It's all Kaffe Fassett fabric. I'm hoping, as well as getting one of my own quilts quilted, to start on this quilt. I'm also working on a Karen Kay Buckley and an applique BOM from this quilter's blog. Am I insane? Probably but I like to work on more than one project at a time.
Another hope/dream I have is to be a better daughter for my Mom. I'm an only child and she's 91 years old. I want her to be happy for however long she has.

Quilitng the quilt

I have an advantage here. I'm a longarmer, and I quilt for others. I won't plug my business but if anyone has questions about this way to finish a quilt, I'd be happy to answer them. My goals for these 2 months will be to quilt at least one of my own quilts. Here's a random pic of a client's quilt I did recently. In case you're wondering, she wanted a Scottish thistle.

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

TGIF!!

We went to Mom's yesterday. She seems completely recovered from her hip injury, as much as a 91 year old can. I'm so proud of her! This picture is from a couple of weeks ago when we took Tyler down to see his great-grandma. Trust me, they did fine together; he was getting tired when I took this picture.

The other pic is of a custom quilt I did recently. The piecer is a lady from Scotland and she wanted a Scottish thistle on the quilt. Thanks to another longarmer who's a great pattern digitizer, I was able to do the thistle for her. I took this shot while it was still on the machine.

I've slowly been working my way through the Charming Chatter blogs. These quilters seem like a great group of people. So different and so alike in that we all have the love of quilting in common.

That's it for now. Have a great weekend.

comments

This has to be quick, I have to run to the LQS and pick up a couple of things. No........not fabric, unfortunately.

I am sorry but I'm going to have to start moderating comments. I keep getting weird comments on here.

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!!

Self Care

I forgot to say-I did do some self care in July. Yesterday I had my annual mammogram. OUCH! I told the tech that I thought I felt something so they're probably going to call me back and take more pictures. I'll post the results here.

This is Tyler, our grandson. He's 15 months old and is so full of life!! I watch him every Wedsnesday for our DIL so she can work. She and our son are trying to save for a house. Right now, they're living in the lower level of her parents' raised ranch. Family comes right after my Lord and I will do whatever it takes to help them.

I need to be able to work on my own quilts. I love working on my clients' quilts, don't get me wrong but I don't have anything to relax with at the end of the day. Here's the last thing I worked on. I took a class at my LQS with Becky Goldsmith about 6 or 7 years ago and I just finished the last block this srping.

I don't even have the fabric for the sashing-I must have used it years ago. Got any ideas what I can use?

My brain is spinning with all the possibilities-do I want to do applique, art quilts, piecing? What? Mike says why choose. I just want to quilt!!!!

It's a new day!

I've joined a blog group called Charming Chatter; I'm hoping that I'll be able to set some goals for myself for quilting and for life in general. One goal I'm going to work on is posting here more often. I've told myself that nobody would be interested in what I have to say but hey!! Who knows, right?

I've been a member of SAQA for about a year and a half. I volunteered to be one of the regional representatives for NY state, along with Susan Schrott and Marcia Eygabroat. They're both very accomplished fiber artists. I'm telling you this because one of my goals is to complete the art quilt I started 2 years ago. I've been stuck, feeling why bother? But this quilt won't leave me alone! It's crying out to be finished. I'll post a pic soon.

I've been using homemade business cards since I opened my doors in 2000. Well, I finally worked with a designer and I've got new brand new cards! They're out of this world awesome!! I'll have to take a picture when they get here.

My other goal is to get my butt in gear as far as procrastination and organization. These are 2 gigantic monkeys sitting on my shoulders.

All this being siad, I am very happy to be part of this group of quilters. I'm looking forward to "meeting" everyone.