Quilts by Kathie

She Did It!!!!

2012-02-01T05:17:00.000-08:00

Mandy got her acceptance to the University of Maryland last night, talk about excitement in our house. We had told her because of the cost she could only apply to in state universities. She applied to three and was accepted at all three!!! I am so proud my buttons are about to bust.

Maryland has always been her first choice but before she makes a final committment we are going to attend open houses for her top two schools to take another look.

I am doubly excited for her because I had to struggle to be a B student so would have never had this opportunity plus financially it just wasn't possible when I was that age.

I don't think she slept last night from the excitement and then also the realization that now she has to make a choice and it will be her first "adult" decision and a very important one.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - January 30, 2012

2012-01-30T05:13:00.000-08:00

Currently on my design wall is class sample #3 for the fused fabric wreath workshop I will be giving in April. Once I get this one all quilted and bound I will be done with all the samples I am making up. Glad to get them done way early.

I did well with my goals for last week getting all of them done. This week I have a couple of eye/medical appointments for myself or my daughter plus my day time guild meeting so I am not going to make to ambitious of a list for this week.

1. continue making more blocks for Mandy's graduation/dorm quilt (about 3/4 of the blocks are done).

2. deliver a bag of quilts to hospice house.

3. quilt a charity quilt

4. make another hexagon runner

Mandy is on pins and needles this week. Rumor has it that the University of Maryland is going to be sending out their acceptance/rejection letters this week. I think she has fingers, toes and everything else crossed. It is a hard school to get into. I think she has a chance but also think she is counting on it to much and is going to be very upset if she doesn't get accepted. I will just be glad when she knows one way or another.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - Week 5 for 2012

2012-01-29T05:23:00.000-08:00

I have gradually been using lots of yardage on my daughters graduation/dorm quilt but won't report that until the top is done. I did use yardage in a backing, a couple of minor projects and this table runner which I cut out using my Accuquilt GO.

I made another purchase this week but it was for a specific project which are kits I am making up for an April workshop. I glad to see that my numbers are still in the black though barely.

My stats for the week are:

Fabric used this week: 4.5 yards
Fabric used YTD: 20.5 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 4 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 17.5
Net fabric used in 2012: 3 yards

I had my hand doctor appointment on friday to find out that it is a different problem than what I had with my other hand last year. This has to do with an arthritic bone on the palm side of my hand right below the thumb. It can cause some of the same pain etc. as the trigger finger. Had a painful steroid shot in my hand and will now wear a brace at night for the next two months and keep my fingers crossed that it works. If this doesn't relieve it I will be in store for more surgery.

Kathie

Mid Week Update

2012-01-25T05:24:00.000-08:00

I have been back to setting weekly goals for myself. This is what I posted on monday...

1. Finish cutting out hexagons (with my accuquilt GO)
2. Quilt customer table runner
3. Quilt customer lap quilt
4. Make up a few more blocks of Mandy's quilt
5. Continue to rest my hand as much as possible (doctors visit friday)

So far #1 is done and this is what I am starting to do with them, it is eventually going to be a table runner

#2 is completed and back to the customer.

#3 is partially loaded on the frame and will probably quilt that tomorrow or friday.

#4 I did sew a few more blocks for Mandy's quilt yesterday

and #5, I am continuing to only quilt on the frame not more than 3 days a week and am trying to do as little as possible that puts pressure on my hand (hubby and daughter opening all jars etc.). I am sure hoping the doc will say on friday that maybe more rest of it and a shot will do the trick, sure don't want surgery again.

So my list is doing well this week.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - January 23, 2012

2012-01-23T05:41:00.000-08:00

Well my design wall is a jumble of all sorts of things. In the bottom right hand corner are the two hidden 4-patch blocks I made for February's BOM for quilt guild. The bottom left hand corner holds a small fused fabric wreath that is one of my examples for a workshop I am giving in April. I have it tacked here to remind myself that I never put a hanging sleeve on it.

Lastly all the blocks on top are the first few blocks made for my daughters graduation/dorm quilt for next fall. It is just a rail fence variation so easy to piece.

I met all my goals for last week so need to set some more for this week. Since I have two doctors appointments and a meeting this week I am not going to set to many things to do.

1. Finish cutting out hexagons (with my accuquilt GO)
2. Quilt customer table runner
3. Quilt customer lap quilt
4. Make up a few more blocks of Mandy's quilt
5. Continue to rest my hand as much as possible (doctors visit friday)

Hope everyone has a great week.

kathie

Sunday Stash Report - January 22, 2012

2012-01-22T04:45:00.000-08:00

Well I managed to stay in the black on my usage this week but just barely.

Mandy and I purchased fabric both at JoAnns and the quilt shop to make her a dorm quilt for next fall. It was fun to have her pick out all the fabrics.

I also took advantage of JoAnn's 40% off fabric sale and purchased several creams and whites for kits I am making up for a spring workshop.

I used fabric by cutting kits, a backing for a couple of runners and these blocks of the month for our February guild meeting and a couple other small projects.

My stats for the week:

Fabric used this week: 6.25 yards
Fabric used YTD: 16 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 10 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 13.5 yards
Net fabric used in 2012: 2.5 yards

Hope you are managing to stay in the black so far this year.

Kathie

Another Charity Quilt

2012-01-19T05:41:00.000-08:00

I had mentioned that I had 7 charity quilt tops here waiting to be quilted. I am trying to get them all quilted up gradually and then turn the hospice philanthropy effort over to someone else at my guild.

I quilted this top up one day last week and forgot to post the picture. This was from a 1/2 square triangle kit I cut using my accuquilt GO cutter. It was pieced by Pat, quilted by myself and has not gone off to Jane to do the binding.

I love how cute these quilts using the donated State Flower fabrics have been coming out.

I also wanted to post a picture of the little wall hanging I won at the guild meeting last week. Love these snowmen and goes perfectly in my house.

How are you doing on your weekly goals if you have them? I am doing good this week.

kathie

Midweek Update

2012-01-18T04:15:00.000-08:00

Doing good on the few goals I set. I finished up the chisel runner top that I was working on...

Doesn't this just look like spring? The pieces were cut with the accuquilt GO chisel die.

I also sewed the ribbons and elastics on my daughter's newest pointe shoes so two items crossed off my list.

In addition we picked out fabrics (will be on sunday's stash report) for her dorm quilt for next fall and I have all that fabric washed and ironed and ready to cut. I am going to cut just a few pieces a day until it is all done.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T05:19:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone will be enjoying a nice relaxing day off of work today.

This actually isn't on my design wall anymore but didn't want to show a picture of pins and loose threads...lol

This is a fused fabric wreath that I made as example #2 for a workshop that I will be teaching in April. I finished this up by adding some pink, lavendar and clear crystals to it. Love the way it turned out.

As for goals for the week. I completed all my goals last week so for this week:

1. quilt customer tree skirt
2. finish chisel runner I am working on
3. sew ribbons and elastic on pointe shoes
4. rest hand as much as possible.

kathie

Sunday Stash Report - January 15, 2012

2012-01-15T06:49:00.000-08:00

Well not much sewing this week. First there were a couple of customer quilts to take care of, then getting ready for weekend company and on top of that I am having problems with my right hand so wanted to give it a rest. I had surgery on the left hand for trigger finger back in may and am afraid the same thing is starting in my right hand.

Stats for the week are:

Fabric used this week: 1 yard
Fabric used YTD: 9.75 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 0
Fabric purchased YTD: 3.5
Net fabric used this year: 6.25 yards

Hope your numbers are doing better.

kathie

More Charity Quilts

2012-01-11T05:08:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share more pictures of some charity quilts I got back from binding on monday.

These first two quilts I quilted and Jane did the binding.

This batik rails quilt was made by Elsie. Can you believe someone donated these beautiful batiks?

This next kit was pieced by Cindy from a kit that I made up, also from donated fabrics.

The next two quilts were donated by Eileen from my quilt guild. The first one was made in memory of a friend she recently lost to cancer. What a beautiful tribute.

The next quilt she made out of some wonderful fall fabrics. Now why don't I have a fall quilt for my house?

I have completed all my listed goals for the week, yipee!!! Now does that mean I have nothing to do the rest of the week? Well no since we are having company this weekend and I was only reminded of that YESTERDAY. Somehow I lost a week and thought it was the following week. Since it is only wednesday if I do a little bit a day I won't have to spend all day saturday cleaning.

Hope your week is going well.

kathie

Charity Downsizing

2012-01-10T05:25:00.000-08:00

I have been the "hospice philanthropy" person at my guild for I believe about 2 1/2 years. I told them last night that I will be stepping down in May. I really enjoy the coordination of the whole thing. I have made kits, pieced together batting, made some backings and delivered the quilts to Hospice House which always makes my day when I can take a huge bag of wonderful quilts. When I took on the job I tried to keep it mostly the coordination effort and to quilt one of the quilts now and then between customer jobs.

In the last year I have had to beg people to help me keep on top of the quilting load with very little success making the job a chore instead of something I love to do.

So I kind of feel bad/guilty that I won't be doing it anymore but feel a sense of freedom also in that I will be able to make some charity quilts from start to finish for a change. Hospice will still by my charity of choice for quilting but will be a lesser scale.

I hope that someone who feels the same about hospice will pick up the job and energize the guild to get quilts done. I really think a new person tackling jobs every couple of years really freshens up ideas etc.

I did receive a couple donations of finished hospice quilts last night and a couple more back from binding so will try and have those pictures to post later.

kathie

Design Wall Monday - January 9, 2012

2012-01-09T05:02:00.000-08:00

These two runners are not technically still on my design wall but they were until last night. I had recently made 8 of the twister blocks and then decided to set them a little differently. One runner with sashing ...

and one without...

I think I like the one with sashing best but like them both.

Guess I will try and set some goals for myself this week. Since I have a meeting this week and a doctors appointment in addition to all the regular errands will not put to much on the list to make sure I have time to get them done.

1. quilt customer table runner
2. quilt customer quilt
3. finish my fused fabric wreath top
4. quilt both fall and spring fused wreaths

Other than the customer quilt these should all be quick and easy.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - 8 January 2012

2012-01-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

Well my buying fabric only lasted one week but hey, at least it was for a project. Here are my stats for the week:

Fabric used this week: 5.25 yards
Fabric used YTD: 8.75 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 3.5 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 3.5 yards
NET Fabric used in 2012: 5.25 yards

At least I am still in the black and will try and stay that way but not sure if I will. I will soon be purchasing fabric for my daughter's dorm quilt for next fall so I might go into the red for awhile unless I get a whole lot of sewing done.

I made two table runners this week and they are still on my design wall so that is the picture you will be seeing tomorrow. I also made a backing, used some of my fabric in combination with donated fabrics for a charity quilt and am in the process of making a spring fused fabric wreath.

Hope you have accomplished a lot in the last week.

Kathie

Charity Thursday

2012-01-05T05:38:00.000-08:00

Wanted to show all the latest charity quilts that have been completed. The first are 3 of the 5 charity quilts that I quilted over the holidays and just got back from binding (thanks Jane) yesterday.

This first quilt is from a batik half square triangle kit I cut using my Accuquilt GO. This was pieced by Eileen and bound by Jane)

The next quilt is a floral strippy quilted that I made a few months ago out of donated flowers of the month fabric. When I got the strippy part done it looked so blah I added the flowers. Binding again done by Jane.

This third quilt was made by Jan G. Beautiful applique flowers. I am sure one of the ladies at hospice house is going to love this one.

Lastly this last quilt was made and quilted by Sue F from my day time guild using the warm wishes pattern.

All of these quilts are great and will be going to our local Hospice House as soon as a few more are finished.

Kathie

Wednesday Update

2012-01-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

Since I made no weekly goals for this week I guess I am doing ok..lol

I have finished 3 1/2 customer quilts in the last week and will be delivering two of them today at my day time guild meeting. I also should be getting back 2 or 3 charity quilts from one of my binding fairies so should have pictures to share in the next day or so.

I also started putting together one of my twister runners last night so hope to have those tops done in the next couple of days.

Lots of teen drama going on this week so that has taken up some of my time. I would like to have the no aches and pains that a teenager in good shape has but I sure wouldn't want to go back to being that age. I must have also driven my parents nuts and for that I am sorry but guess it is all part of the process. You are not a kid but treated like one sometimes, not an adult but you want to be treated like one but of course don't want adult responsibilities and I think the worse part of it is you feel every set back is a crisis. I remember feeling like every problem was the end of the earth and no one else had the same issues. Guess that is the best part of getting older, you go with the flow.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - January 2, 2012

2012-01-02T07:54:00.000-08:00

In some form or another these have been on my design wall all week. Yesterday I finally got the rest of the twister blocks done.

These will be made into two (4 blocks each) table runners. Plan on having two borders but have not decided yet if I am going to have sashing between the blocks or not. Maybe I will do one each way.

Today I am trying to help hubby get the rest of the Christmas decorations down and put away and then this afternoon I need to start on the next customer quilt so I can get a couple delivered on wednesday.

Maybe these blocks will just stay up for awhile to remind myself to work on the runners when I get a chance, hopefully in a couple of days.

kathie

Sunday Stash Report - January 1, 2012

2012-01-01T04:59:00.000-08:00

First off Happy New Years. I hope that 2012 will be a happy and healthy year for you. I can't believe 2012 is actually here! This is going to be a huge year for my family, my daughter will turn 18 in May, graduate high school in June and go off to college in late August!! Talk about a lot of changes that I don't feel quite ready for.

I fell off of reporting on the stash report the end of 2011 as I was snowed under with customer quilts and just had no time. Because of that I was sewing little and buying lots of Christmas fabric as it went on sale. I didn't keep track but know I ended up 2011 still in the black on using more fabric than purchasing and that was my goal.

My stash of regular fabrics feels a little "fresher" with some of the real old fabrics having been used up in backings and some of the newer colors and those wonderful batiks finding their way to my stash.

So again this year I think my goal will be to use more than I purchase, keep up on my reporting which helps keep the purchases under control and continue to use up some of the old stuff. Still have MANY panels that I had wanted to try and use up last year and never got to. Guess that will be back on my mental to do list for this year.

Fabric used this week: 3.5 yards (kitty quilt)
Fabric used YTD: 3.5 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 0 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 0 yards
Net total used in 2012: 3.5 yards

A friend of mine that passed a few years ago always said to be sure and do something fun on New Years day, start the year with something that you want to be doing all year. So as always I will be sure and do a little sewing today, even if it is just a couple of seams.

Kathie

Nice Week

2011-12-29T15:28:00.000-08:00

It has been a nice week so far. I am enjoying having some extra time to spend with my daughter who is home all week and my hubby that took a couple of days off.

Have done a little sewing, a little reading and some errands. This is what I did with those 4 patch blocks...

I bordered them. I then used the twister template and cut them apart and sewed them back together to make this cute little block. Four of these blocks with sashing and borders will make a nice table runner.

No charity quilting accomplished this week but I did get one customer quilt done and have about 3/4 of the next one complete.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - December 26, 2011

2011-12-26T06:06:00.000-08:00

Anyone that has read my blog this last week will probably be pretty bored with this picture as it is a picture of the 3rd and last set of these runners (for a total of 6) that I have made in the last week. Figured I would get all I wanted to make done at the same time before I forgot what measurements I used.

Also on the design wall are some 4 patch blocks, can you guess what I am going to make with these?

I have a couple of questions if anyone can help me out. 1) is that I have been tempted to try that iron on tape that you use to join pieces of batting together. If you have tried it please let me know how you like it and also what it is called as I don't remember the name to do a search on it.

2) second has anyone used flannel sheets as a backing for a quilt? We recently got a new bed and we no long have a full sized bed in the house but have a couple sets of flannel sheets that have hardly been used. I know I have been told not to use regular sheets as the thread count is so different and hard to quilt but has anyone tried it with the flannel sheets?

Thanks for any inputs you can give me on either subject.

Kathie

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Eve everyone. Hope everyone has all their shopping and wrapping done and will be able to enjoy friends and family. Just the three of us here for Christmas so very quiet but nice.

Here is the second set of runners I made the other day. I like the dark fabric with the neon snowflakes on it. I have a third set in process (different fabrics) and once those are done (for a total of 6) I will stop with this pattern and get started on something new.

Getting a few chores done this morning around the house and intend on spending a little time this afternoon in the sewing room before starting our dinner which will be a family recipe for beef strongoff, yummmmmmmm.

Kathie

5th Hospice Quilt

2011-12-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

This is the 5th Hospice quilt I have quilted in the last week and a half. It is made out of beautiful donated batik fabrics and I believe pieced by Elsie. I still have a couple more charity tops that have backings that could be quilted but think 5 this month is enough.

I cut and put together 3 kits to make charity quilts out of donated charity fabric earlier today also. I am trying to reduce the number of boxes I have of charity fabric so figure I will cut a couple kits at a time and take them to January guild meetings to hand out.

I think that will be it for charity efforts this week. I need to get back to working on some of my projects and getting my bookwork up to date for tax purposes.

Yesterday I did spend time working on a couple of runners. The blocks are very similar to ones on a present pattern I have and enjoyed tailoring them to be made into runners.

I think this will be a good addition to the patterns I make for craft shows.

Kathie

Another Charity Quilt

2011-12-20T04:14:00.000-08:00

This is the 4th charity quilt that I have quilted in a little over a week. This one was pieced by Jan, I love the colors. I have one more partially loaded on the frame that I am going to do and then I am going to spend time starting work on next years craft show items. I did wonderful with the shows this year so in inventory of table runners is down to about nothing so will have lots of fun doing those and coming up with 3 or 4 new patterns for next year.

I am enjoying having my daughter home from school and all her activities. Of course it makes it hard to get as much as usual done but thats ok. I better really enjoy it this year. She will be off to college next fall and though she will be home for Christmas I just think it will kind of feel different as she will then be visiting us and not really living with us anymore.

Wow enough of that or I will start to cry. I am definitely going to have a hard time when she leaves home.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - December 19, 2011

2011-12-19T04:34:00.000-08:00

FINALLY have something on my design wall to show. I have been working on this little quilt this week. It is a pattern called BQ (what a stange name) by Maple Island Quilts. Easy piecing and I like the results.

In addition to working on the kitty quilt and finishing up all the wrapping etc. I have been using my break from customer quilts to quilt up some of the hospice quilt tops that I have here. Lots of people in our guild love to make quilt tops and help out making backings, it is just hard to get anyone to take any of them to quilt up so I am trying to play catch up this week.

Since the start of my self declared break I have got 4 of the hospice quilts quilted. This is #3 of the bunch, a simple 4 patch and alternating blocks made from a kit of donated fabrics. Cindy did a great job of putting this one together.

I hope to get one or two more of the tops quilted up this week but also intend on tackling some projects around the house that have gone unattended to for far to long.

Have a wonderful week and a great Christmas.

kathie

Number 19

2011-12-15T05:08:00.000-08:00

I have really been enjoying having some free time this week. Finished wrapping packages, ran a few errands and had lunch with a couple of friends. Nice change in routine.

I have also had time to finally do some charity quilting. This is the second hospice quilt I have quilted this week. This quilt I actually made myself a few months ago out of a bunch of State Flowers fabric that had been donated. Nice to quilt one of my own up as I usually don't get many charity quilts pieced as my time is spent quilting them.

This was a pretty boring quilt when I first go the top pieced so cut out the flowers with my accuquilt GO and added them randomly and I think it added a lot to the quilt.

This is the 19th charity quilt I have quilted this year. Not as good as last years total but hopefully I will get a couple more done by the end of the month.

Kathie

On the Frame

2011-12-13T05:09:00.000-08:00

I have not had time to quilt any charity quilts in a long time so yesterday I got this little batik quilt on the frame and got it quilted up and off to Jane for binding.

I LOVE these colors or batiks.

Do you decorate with quilts for Christmas. I have a few sprinkled around the house. The crazy quilt on the sofa I made many years (pre-long arm) ago. The quilting is lousy but I love the quilt. Table runner I made last year and little wall hanging I won last year at quilt guild.

The only problem with so many decorations is when I take them down in January the house looks so bare.

I did get my last customer job done yesterday afternoon so today I am going to start tackling some of the things around that house that have slipped through the crack, finish wrapping packages and sit and sew SOMETHING. No clue on what yet, guess I will have to see what speaks to me when I head to the sewing room later.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - December 12, 2011

2011-12-12T04:59:00.000-08:00

I have sure missed participating in Judy's Design Wall monday but I have had nothing on my wall for weeks and have been way to busy with customer quilts to do much of anything else.

Glad to say that I did get a few minutes to sew on saturday and got the borders on this little fused wreath. We have a local fiber arts retreat in April and this will be the workshop I am presenting. Nice to get the top for example #1 finally done.

My last customer project should be going on the frame this afternoon so hopefully I will have lots of time to sew the next couple of weeks. I bought an extra shelving unit yesterday so my first order of business is going to be to clean and reorganize my quilt room a bit.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season.

Kathie

Good Deals and Coupons

2011-12-09T03:53:00.000-08:00

I LOVE great deals and coupons. I don't have a lot of success with grocery coupons but sometimes hit on some good ones. I love this time of year when you can get special coupons to help the bottom line of Christmas shopping.

I intend on finishing up my shopping today so am going to go armed with my JC Penny and Kohl's $10 off coupons on your purchase and also a buy one get one free coupon for Bath and Body works.

I am also taking advantage of some of the restaurant gift card deals for two restaurants we frequent. Ruby Tuesdays has an on line deal if you purchase $50 in gift cards they send you a $15 off your purchase certificate good for January and February. Since we eat there every month or so I took advantage of that deal. I am just basically paying for our eating out ahead and getting $15 free in the process.

I am just about done with my customer quilting for Christmas!!!!!!!! I usually don't work on customer quilts on weekends, spending about four days a week on them. I decided I wanted to speed up the process so have been quilting just about every day and am getting done with everything about a week early of my goal.

Will be nice to get packages wrapped and mailed and some other things done around here that have been put off.

and............... either today or tomorrow I am going to take the time to put borders on a little wall hanging I started weeks ago. My sewing machine has been calling my name lately but just have not had the time or energy to sit down and work on any projects.

Hope to start having quilting pictures again soon.

kathie

Where Did November GO?

2011-12-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

It seems to me definitely like it still should be November, it went by so quickly. I got looking back on my list of customer quilts and realized I did 21 customer jobs in November plus 3 craft shows. Ok, now I know why I have been so tired and also why November zipped by.

This is the total of what I have sewn in the last two weeks.

and no, I didn't make this whole wall hanging. This wall hanging was made in 2000 from a block swap I did with some friends. I would hang the quilt up every year but last year. I used to hang it on one of the hangers that squeezed the quilt between two pieces of wood and no hanging sleeve was needed. I didn't want to put excess nails on the walls in the new house so last year this never got hung up. So my BIG sewing project I accomplished in the last couple of weeks was to make and sew on a hanging sleeve!!! Oh well, it was something.

I did my last craft show saturday and did very well. I am also winding down my customer quilting orders for Christmas so looking forward to taking a nice break real soon.

COLLEGE UPDATE

Mandy found out her first choice college never received her counselor recommendation letter or transcripts so has been trying to get that straightened out at her high school.

She just got a letter in the mail today offering her a $3,500 a year scholarship to Salisbury University. Great job, all her studying so hard is paying off.

Kathie

Customer Quilt

2011-11-30T04:46:00.000-08:00

I know that Carol doesn't mind me showing her quilts on my blog so wanted to show you a quilt I recently did for her. She is our guilds "scrap queen" as 99% of the time what she does is scrap quilts. You should see her scraps since everyone knows she is a scrap quilter most of our leftovers tend to end up at her house.

Here is a cute zig zag quilt she made.

I had a nice day yesterday running errands, visiting a quilt shop and attending a planning meeting for next springs fiber arts conference. Did me good to get away from quilting for a day now I am refreshed and ready to tackle the next customer quilt.

Kathie

I Promise

2011-11-29T05:01:00.000-08:00

I promise by the end of the week that I will do something that I can take a picture to post on here. I seem so out of touch with my own blog and with those that I usually read.

Between craft shows and a heavy customer quilting schedule I just have not had the time or energy to keep up on my blogging.

I have taken the last quilt that I am promising for Christmas. Have to cut it off somewhere plus I don't want to be quilting up till December 24th. People need time to get things bound plus I need time to relax, organize the sewing room as it is a disaster and hopefully bake some Christmas cookies.

I have six customer quilts and two table runners left to quilt in the next three weeks (hopefully less) than I am going to take a break of a couple of weeks to do other things and maybe do some piecing of my own so hope to have lots of pictures to share closer to the holidays.

I do have a couple of pictures of customer quilts I will post once I find the camera.

We had another great piece of mail this week. Mandy was also accepted at Salisbury University. Now only waiting on one more (her first choice school) before she has to make any type of a decision.

Kathie

Mixed Emotions

2011-11-24T13:12:00.000-08:00

I always have mixed emotions at Thanksgiving. I am thankful for a great husband and wonderful daughter and love them with all my heart. It is also a sad time of year as my father passed away Thanksgiving morning 16 years ago. All these years later I still miss him and my mom so much.

Last night we got a great piece of mail. My daughter got a college acceptance letter from Towson University!!! Not her first choice school and she will have to wait till January to see if she gets other acceptances but so great to get this one.

I am excited for her as she has worked long and hard for this but also kind of sad as I am sure all parents are when this happens because them leaving for college suddenly gets very real.

First thing I wished is that I could call my parents to tell them as they would be so proud of the first in our family to go to University.

So again a time of joy, sadness and mixed emotions.

Kathie

Reflections

2011-11-23T04:29:00.000-08:00

Our community has reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving season. The Girl's basketball team from the school my daughter goes to was involved in an accident with a drunk driver last night. I was so surprised to get up, grab a cup of coffee this morning and turn on Fox news to see a story from our little community on national news. Three of my daughters good friends are part of the team and were on the bus last night coming home from a game in Virginia. Don't know their individual conditions but was happy to see on the news that no serious injuries were involved and that all the kids had been released from the hospital.

Must have been a super scary night for their families and I am so grateful that it all had a good outcome.

Kathie

No slow down

2011-11-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

Seems like forever since I have blogged or had the time to read others blogs but it has actually only been a week. I have had two craft shows and multiple customer quilts to do in the last week. I am loving having all the work to do but it leaves no time or energy for anything else.

Missed out on the sunday stash report (have been buying sale Christmas fabrics) and design wall monday (didn't have anything on there anyway). Hoping that I will get back to posting more after Thanksgiving but realistically it might be more like the middle of December.

I decided I am taking two weeks off at Christmas. No customer quilts at all during that time. I want to clean the sewing room, do things around the house that have not been getting done and maybe even read a book or two and do some relaxing. After of course, all the Christmas shopping gets done.

kathie

Crazy Time of Year

2011-11-17T04:54:00.000-08:00

I always go crazy this time of year, between customer quilts and my craft show preparation and actual shows I seem to be constantly tired and that has been one of those week. Toss in a dentist appointment for myself and a doctor appointment for Mandy and not much sewing (or working on customer quilts) has occurred in the last couple of days.

Sunday I did get this runner made, quilted monday and the binding finished tuesday night. That is the extent of my sewing this week.

Well I guess I actually did a little bit of sewing yesterday also, I had to put ribbons and elastic on Mandy's new pointe shoes but I hardly call that sewing.

I have my 2nd and 3rd (out of 4) craft shows this weekend so maybe once that is over with I will be able to sit back and breathe again.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - November 14, 2011

2011-11-14T03:55:00.000-08:00

Where in the world is November going? I can't believe it is already the middle of the month!!!

My whole day of "ME" sewing got interrupted by several things but still had several hours in the sewing room. I finally got the last two borders on this quilt that was started back in April at our local Fiber Arts Conference.

I really like how it turned out. Now folded up and put away on the shelf as I probably won't get it quilted until after Christmas.

I also spent a lot of time yesterday ironing and folding up fabric and putting it away that had been strewn all over my sewing room. It looks a whole lot better now. The rest of the time I had I used to make another runner using the wedge ruler and striped fabric. Since I have some of my backing fabric on the frame that I never got to quilting yesterday I am going to quilt a couple runners and then switch gears back to customer quilts. I think my next customer job is quilting three runners for a lady so guess this will be runner day for me.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - November 13, 2011

2011-11-13T05:28:00.000-08:00

I was busy and totally forgot to post my stash report last weekend so this is for the last two weeks. Very little fabric used in that time as I have been concentrating my time on customer quilts and household chores.

I did purchase fabric AGAIN. A couple of yards of nice Christmas fabric for craft show items and then when I was in JoAnns to get some wonder under I saw some flannel they have for purchase by the bolt. The bolt was on sale plus due to Veteran's day I got an additional 20% off for showing my military ID. Couldn't pass up a sale like that right?

I have been trying to purchase only for craft show items or a project I am working on NOW and not buy just to stash but I broke that rule this time. My daughter told me she would like to have TWO dorm quilts to go off to college with next fall so this bolt is destined to be backings. Won't start picking patterns or anything for a few months but in this case I thought it was worth stashing it for awhile.

Stats for the last two weeks are:

Fabric used: 4 yards (borders and backings for runners)
Fabric used YTD: 261.25 yards
Fabric purchased last two weeks: 10 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 198.50

Net fabric used in 2011: 62.75

Even with all my recent purchases I still have a great net amount that I have used up this year so overall am happy with the numbers.

Kathie

Quilting and Stuff

2011-11-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

Well waited all morning for a delivery of a new bed to find out that the delivery truck broke down and now will have to wait till monday. It is one of those sleep number beds and was looking forward to a good nights sleep tonight.

I have been slowly putting borders on my purple quilt so hope to have those all on so I can post a picture in a day or two.

Still plugging away on my customer quilts, making good progress. Today I quilted an "interesting" one. The backing was a home dec fabric that would be more something I would recover a chair with. To my surprise no problems with it on the frame, no thread breakage or other problems.

I am declaring tomorrow a ME sewing day. I am only going to work on my projects. I want to finish up the borders on the quilt and hopefully get a couple more table runners quilted and hopefully bound.

Kathie

Latest Hospice Quilt

2011-11-10T05:11:00.000-08:00

This hospice quilt was recently donated but I never got around to sewing on the label. I did that yesterday and now it is folded up with the other quilt (only 2 right now as I recently made a delivery) waiting on an early 2012 delivery.

This quilt was pieced by Elsie, quilted by Julia (great job) and Jane did the binding, a nice community effort!!

I finished the twin customer quilt that was on the frame yesterday so took the time to get a couple more of my runners quilted. The Santa's Sleigh runner I completed hand stitching down the binding while watching the CMAs last night.

Today is looking like it will be an extremely busy day with a few errands and a late afternoon meeting so I don't know what if any sewing will be accomplished today. Next up on the frame will be a baby quilt so if I can at least get that loaded and get another binding done I will have accomplished something.

Kathie

Wednesday Update

2011-11-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

So that you don't think that all I have been doing this week is customer quilts I did finish the binding on this quilt last night. I had quilted it several weeks ago but never got the binding done.

Sandy asked how many more craft show items I am trying to get done for the rest of the shows and the answer is as many as I can...lol

I have two runners that just need to be bound, need to put binding on the Hidden 9 patch christmas quilt and need to quilt the four runners I have done and not quilted. If I get those all done I would like to make a few more runners but don't know how much will actually happen.

They were looking for vendors to participate in a local concert series. Guess they are going to have food vendors and art/craft vendors in addition to the music. Figure I would give it a whorl (since there is no fee to participate) so have an additional show now on the 18th.

Better get to sewing!!!

kathie

On the Frame

2011-11-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

Since I am so busy with customer quilts right now I figured I would have to show some of them to have anything to blog about.

This quilt was on the frame yesterday, it was made by a 13 year old girl for her little brothers bed. She did a wonderful job, it is nice and flat and square, a pleasure to quilt.

My friend Jane is teaching her to quilt and has done a great job in stressing the importance of the 1/4 inch seam and pressing correctly.

In addition to this almost twin size quilt I quilted a wall hanging yesterday afternoon and another this morning.

I did take a few minutes for my own project last night and got the stitching done around the motifs on the santa's sleigh runner. After the next customer quilt is done I will toss a couple of my runners on the frame.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - November 7, 2011

2011-11-07T04:38:00.000-08:00

Well............nothing that was on my design wall as of last monday has been completed, or even moved off the design wall. I did add this partially done runner to the wall. No original design, basically used what the accuquilt GO die had on the package. I have some other ideas on how to use the sleigh but that will have to be for next year.

Wow it was a super busy week, in fact I was so busy I totally forgot to do the sunday stash report. Wasn't much to report so I will just combine it with next weeks.

This is my SUPER BUSY customer quilt time of year, I received 10 quilting jobs in the last week. Luckily (time wise) is that several of them are pretty small so I can knock them out quickly.

The other busy part of the week was that I had my first craft show of the season on saturday. This was a small one and I didn't sell as much as last year but considering how inexpensive it is to rent one of their tables all and all I came out ok. My hubby also sat there and kept me company a big portion of the day so that was nice also.

Have you ever seen the movie Pearl Harbor? My daughter was watching it this weekend. She has to pick 3 works on a subject and then right a comparison essay on them for her high school/college english class. She decided to pick the subject WAR and how it is portrayed.

I didn't see the whole movie but the parts I saw were very intense. We had the opportunity to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial in April so I think the movie really hit home for Mandy. Watching it we said we could practically smell the oil smell that still hangs over the Harbor all these years later and I for one as I was watching the movie could picture the wall of names of all that were lost that day. It was great that we were able to combine a history lesson with a vacation last spring.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - Halloween

2011-10-31T04:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween, are you ready for all the little gremlins to come tonight!!

A couple of works in progress on my design wall. The first is another runner I am making from the hidden spools blocks blocks from the Bonnie Hunter workshop

These are fun blocks to make and I intend on making a quilt using this technique in the future, I will just use a litter wider strips to make it.

For the last three April's our local area has had a Fiber Arts Retreat. The last two years I have given a presentation on tips to prepare your quilt to go to a longarm quilter. I didn't want to do that for a 3rd time so am thinking about doing a workshop making fused wreaths using small pieces of fabric and fussy cut motifs. This is a fall example I have been working on.

Hope to get borders on it and quilted in the next few weeks and then start on another example, either a Christmas or spring wreath.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - October 30, 2011

2011-10-30T04:44:00.000-07:00

No quilt pictures today, had been working on customer quilts a lot of the week and the rest of the time my daughter had the camera for homecoming week.

I did use a fair amount of fabric this week as I quilted up several table runners for my upcoming craft shows. I also purchased some backing fabric at JoAnns that was on sale. My stats are:

Fabric used this week: 7 yards
Fabric used YTD: 257.25 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 5 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 188.50
Net fabric used in 2011: 68.75 yards

Here are pictures of lasts nights homecoming, sounds like they had a great time.

Have a great week.

Kathie

Pinktober

2011-10-27T04:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's theme for homecoming week was Pinktober. Mandy has lots of pink shirts but nothing else to go with it so was very low key. She said even a lot of the guys were wearing pink and some had spray painted their hair pink. I would have like to have seen that.

I did get the customer t-shirt quilt finished yesterday. Here is a pic of just a piece of it.....

There were a few of the t-shirts that had a lot of surface paint on them and that made the machine bog down so had to go very slow in those places. One shirt the paint was so thick that the needle actually put little cracks in the paint.

I can see where preparation of the shirts properly has to be done to have any success at all. All of the t-shirts were adhered to whatever type of iron on stabilizer/interfacing she used.

Two blocks seemed like parts of the shirt were not fully stuck to the stabilizer and when I quilted those sections the top shirt moved around some and caused problems. 90% of the quilt is nice and flat but those two blocks had some slight puffy areas because of the movement but I really don't think anyone else would notice unless you point them out.

Kathie

Rulers and Such

2011-10-26T04:54:00.000-07:00

I had several people ask about what ruler I used on the table runner and the purple blocks. It was a Quilt in a Day 45 degree triangular ruler. I am in no way affiliated with Quilt in a Day but if you decide to buy one of these rulers I recommend theirs. At the workshop I took in April there were several ladies that had ordered rulers of other brands and they were off so nothing was fitting together.

Yesterday was back in time (WAY back to the 80's, gee I feel old) for spirit week. I think Mandy was going for the flash dance or Olivia Newton-John look with the slouched socks and the shirt with the neck cut off and the bottom chopped way off. Thank goodness for a Michael's $2.99 shirt!!!

I spent some time with a friend yesterday helping her laying out some blocks so didn't get any customer quilting done. I did quilt up two table runners and got the bindings put on them by machine so accomplished somethiing at least in addition to some household chores.

Today I need to get a t-shirt loaded and quilted. I hear that they are a bear to quilt so wish me luck.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - October 24, 2011

2011-10-24T04:39:00.000-07:00

At the retreat last week Julia refreshed my memory on how to make these blocks (had only one complete at the time) so I completed the other 8 last week. Takes a lot of time with having to make up all the strip sets. Here they all are ready to trim and sew together.

I liked the look and the ruler I used for these but figured I wouldn't want to do anymore of them for awhile untill I found a stripe Christmas fabric in my stash and quickly made up these blocks for a table runner

I liked the look so much last night I made up another set of blocks, trimmed them up and complete two table runner tops.

Lastly and not design wall or sewing related at all but this is Homecoming week at my daughter's high school and today is wacky tacky day. I think she definitely looks way wacky!!!

Mandy's last high school homecoming week, hope she enjoys it all!!!

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - October 23, 2011

2011-10-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

Since I was at a two day retreat this week I spent a lot of time sewing. Hubby was also on travel so I spent extra time in the evenings working on my projects.

I did purchase several yards of on sale Christmas fabric but still sewing more than I purchased:

Fabric used this week: 9 yards
Fabric used YTD: 250.25 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 6 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 183.50
Net Fabric used in 2011: 66.75 yards

As I know I will be purchasing more Christmas fabric as it goes on sale I am hoping for a net of 75 yards by the end of the year.

At the end of the retreat my Singer 301 sewing machine started acting up and I sent a text to my husband so he would know I would need him to work on it when he got back from travel. Well......... he stopped by a thrift store and picked up this New Home Jem sewing machine for $20 (very much like the Janome Jem). It is very small and light and he thought it would be perfect to take to retreats and workshops. It is missing a spool pin but everything else seems to be in working order.

Kathie

Retreat was Great

2011-10-21T04:10:00.000-07:00

Our two day retreat was great. We sew at a little building at the Navy Rec Center right on the water. The first day was sunny and warm and we were even able to sit outside for lunch, nice.

Second day was cooler and raining but no one cared as it was great sewing weather.

Lots of talking, laughing, eating and oh yes sewing. Some of the ladies were doing handwork, several were making spikey paper pieced borders that was learned at last months meeting. Several were making hidden nine patch quilts (from workshop a couple of months ago) and two ladies participated in a jelly roll race quilt. I love seeing all the different project in process and checking out everyone fabrics.

I finished all the hidden spool blocks from my bonnie hunter class and then switched to this project. I took a workshop back in April at a Fiber Arts Conference. I made one block, put it away and promptly forgot how to do it. Wednesday I got some help and made the two additional blocks shown here and then yesterday made three more.

The one on the right the center looks perfect but the others don't. For the class we were told the strips could be a variety of sizes as long as each strip set added up to the same width. Well that is what I did The "perfect" block had all the strips the same width. The others didn't which makes the centers look off. You have two center points of one size and two of another.

At least I have learned the technique and I am keeping this quilt for myself so its ok. When this one is done I am anxious to try another one, but this time with a striped fabric and not with all those strip sets.

This will probably still be on my design wall for monday as I have several other projects to work on so will probably be doing one block at a time till its done.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - October 17, 2011

2011-10-17T05:18:00.000-07:00

I had these tumber pieces partially done for at least 2 or 3 weeks. Yesterday finally got them together, the cream sewn on the ends and the motifs fused down. All I need to do now is stitch around the holly and poinsettias and they will be ready to quilt.

My customer quilting job for the day is just a couple of runners so once those are knocked out hope to get a couple of mine on the frame.

Tomorrow is my day 1 of my guild's twice yearly 2 day retreat (day time only) so will be spending some time today getting all my supplies ready. I have more projects picked out than I can possibly work on but it is nice to have a choice once you get there.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - October 16, 2011

2011-10-16T05:05:00.000-07:00

This was a stash enhancement week again. MOST of it was fabric that I needed so thats ok.

Here is the pile. I needed some fabric to back some fall runners so found the Halloween fabric on sale at Joanns. One of the pieces has already been used.

The one Christmas fabric I needed (several yards) to make backing for runners, also found that at 50% off at JoAnns.

The rest of the fabric was purchased at my local quilt shop, have to support them right? Anyway they had a 25% off sale on friday so picked up a couple cute Christmas fabrics there.

I am sure a lot of people are doing just like I am these days, only buying when you can hit a sale. I am sure that isn't good for businesses but have to cut back where you can.

Here are my current stats:

Fabric used this week: 5 yards
Fabric used YTD: 241.25 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 12 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 177.5 yards
Net fabric used in 2011: 63.75

Most of the fabric I used this week was for backings for table runners as most of the time in the sewing room was spent on customer quilts. Think I will load the next customer quilt today but might not work on it until tomorrow.

Kathie

Quilting and College

2011-10-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week so don't have any pictures to show of my own quilting but this is the customer quilt that was on the frame yesterday...

It was an oversized lap quilt/not quite twin sized quilt. I love doing this size.

I also put a label on this quilt (shown below) so that it can be stowed away for the next hospice quilt delivery. I delivered 7 quilts to hospice last friday, 5 from my evening guild and 2 from my day time guild. Probably won't be taking any more until the beginning of the year so this will be the first quilt for 2012. It was made by Ann and Jane out of donated batik fabrics, I then quilted it and it went off to the binding fairies.

Lastly, the college application process continued last night. Spent an hour or so proofing the latest college application and helping (credit card assistance) getting it submitted. This was a common application so it got submitted to both Towson and Salisbury at the same time. Now a couple of weeks break and then I will be nudging her to start applying for scholorships.

Kathie

On the Frame

2011-10-12T04:47:00.000-07:00

This was what was on the frame yesterday, this bright cheery customer quilt. Bright and sunny and nice and flat so it was a pleasure to quilt. I think I spent to many hours at the frame though with not enough breaks and my knee and foot are protesting this morning.

I am going to spend less time at the frame today. I have several errands I need to run and a few things to do around the house and then I am going to quilt a couple of craft show table runners before getting the next quilt loaded and ready to go.

Tonight is a meeting at the library on "Paying for College". Don't you just right a check for everything in your account and thats how you pay for college!!! lol Anyway think the hubby and I will go hoping that maybe part of the presentation will be on how to find scholorships etc.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday and Bonnie Hunter

2011-10-10T04:51:00.000-07:00

Well what is on my design wall is the few blocks I have made from Bonnie Hunter's hidden spools class yesterday. Since you make it in quarters I have tons of 1/4 blocks done but only these completed blocks.

I am leaning towards making a couple of table runners out of all the blocks instead of a lap quilt.

The class was a lot of fun and it was nice to see Bonnie again.

Some of the ladies brought "Bonnie" quilts with them for show and tell.

It was a fun time for everyone.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - October 9, 2011

2011-10-09T05:06:00.000-07:00

I just about had to report nothing in and nothing out this week but I did end up making the block of the month for October (due tomorrow night) yesterday so was able to count that fabric. Also on the design wall is a tumbler table runner in process, I will be counting that fabric next week.

My current stats are:
Fabric used this week: 1/4 yards
Fabric used YTD: 236.50 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 0
Fabric purchased YTD: 165.5 yards
Net fabric used in 2011: 81

Most of my sewing time this week was spent on charity and customer quilts and working on getting some bindings done. Here is a charity quilt that I quilted yesterday.

This is an exciting morning, in about an hour I will be off to an all day Bonnie Hunter class. This one is called hidden spools and looking forward to seeing Bonnie again and to spending the day sewing with friends. My husband asked me how long I was going for as I have so much stuff staged in the living room ready to load in the car.

Hope to have pictures tomorrow of what I accomplished in the class as my design wall monday.

Kathie

Project of the Day

2011-10-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

This is a the quilt I was working on today. It is made out of shirts and maybe pants also as some of the fabric is thicker, maybe like a docker type of fabric.

This is the quilt that I had to baste the pockets closed. Customer wanted a few of them not quilted so they could be open which I did but............ I had forgot to baste one of them closed and the longarm foot caught in it and I broke TWO seam rippers trying to get the threads cut and the foot disengaged from the pocket.

Finally managed to free it with no holes in the pocket but it took some time.

Kathie

Midweek Update

2011-10-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

Today was my day time guild meeting. Fun as usual but I am tired. We take turns making a luncheon for everyone (4 to 5 people do it every month) and it was our turn in the barrel. So after setting up, cooking and cleaning up I am tired. I am glad I have left overs so I don't have to cook tonight.

Quilted a small charity quilt yesterday and started loading another customer quilt on the frame today. This quilt has pockets on it so I had to baste all of them closed so the machine wouldn't catch on them.

Between other projects I am working at getting some bindings done on several runners and crystals fused on for centers of poinsettias and also as ornaments on Christmas tree runners.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - October 3, 2011

2011-10-03T04:19:00.000-07:00

I did not even set foot in my sewing room yesterday but this was the last thing on my design "frame". This is a backing for the hidden 9 patch Christmas quilt I made during a workshop last month. Can't wait to get that one quilted but will have to put it off a bit as I have several customer quilts waiting.

The reason I have spent little time in the sewing room this weekend was due to mom duties. Yesterday we went to the mall and after visiting SEVERAL stores had luck finding a homecoming dress, shoes and matching earrings for the big dance the end of the month. In addition to that last night Mandy's first college application was submitted online so I was doing a final proofing of that.

It was cute and funny at the same time, as she was getting ready to hit the submit button she got all hyper and stressed out. I can fully understand as this is the university she really hopes to get into and it is the hardest to be accepted at of the three she is going to apply to.

Though it isn't the school that I would pick for her (I like one that is much smaller and yes less expensive also) I wish her a tremendous amount of luck as she has worked hard for this and has her heart set on the University of Maryland.

Now to get applications #2 and #3 finished and submitted.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - October 2, 2011

2011-10-02T06:31:00.000-07:00

I made good progress on stash reduction this week. I stayed away from JoAnns and the quilt shop (the only advantage of having a cold) and used up fabrics for backings including the backing for all these runners I quilted on friday.

My current stats are:

Fabric used this week: 10 yards
Fabric used YTD: 236.25 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 0
Fabric purchased YTD: 165.5 yards
Net fabric used in 2011: 80.75

I might just make the magic 100 yard stash reduction for the year even though that isn't really my goal. My goal was to use up some of my older fabrics, freshen my stash and end up with purchasing less than I used and I am on track for all of that.

Kathie

Quilting

2011-09-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is the quilt that spent the last few days on my frame. It didn't that long to get it quilted, it just took that long to partially get over my cold and feel like working on it.

This was made by my friend Nikki out in Montana. Now I need to find a box in the next couple of days so I can get it back in the mail to her.

Other than working on a binding or two this is about all I have accomplished in the last couple of days.

kathie

Design Wall Monday - September 26, 2011

2011-09-26T04:49:00.000-07:00

Sandy couldn't believe I had NOTHING on my design wall last week so wanted to make sure something was there this week...

Believe it or not this is it!! I have had a rotten cold the last few days so have been sitting doing things like bindings etc. but have not really started on anything new that could go on the design wall. I did manage to fussy cut out these poinsettias for future table runners so they are currently tacked to the design wall.

My hubby did finish recovering the thrift store chaise we bought a few months ago. I think he did a great job and I have already spent a little time sitting in it.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - September 25, 2011

2011-09-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

Well this week found me using a lot of fabric but also purchasing a lot. I used fabric for a quilt backing, to back several table runners and to make more table runners. I purchased fabric to back some runners in the works and a couple of nice reds for more table runner borders.

My stats are as follows:

Fabric used this week: 11.5 yards
Fabric used YTD: 226.25 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 10 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 155.5 yards
Net fabric used in 2011: 70.75 yards

I am happy with my weekly report. As long as I can buy what I really need but continue to slowly use up some older stash I am satisified with that.

I have had a Christmas quilt on the frame the last few days but due to a rotten cold I had not got around to getting it quilted. Yesterday I decided it was time to get it done so I could get a customer quilt on the frame.

This quilt I made several months ago. I like the way it shows off the poinsettia fabrics.

Nothing Much of Interest

2011-09-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have been busy with lot of things, just nothing interesting enough to post pictures of in the last few days.

I did a customer quilt and then worked on some of my craft show table runners, getting 4 quilted up and bindings on by machine. Since these were all similar to runners I had already posted about I didn't take any more pictures.

This is what I have been doing the last couple of days........cutting fabrics.

The pile on the right is 10 1/2 squares for making backings. I finished one Christmas backing this morning and hope I have enough squares here to make the second back.

On the left is the start of my 2 inch strips for the Bonnie Hunter workshop I will be taking in a few weeks. I love these inexpensive cake carriers (from walmart) for carrying strips and notions to workshops.

Other than that have been busy helping Mandy with her college application process. My part is providing my credit card, proofing essays and reminding her to request letters of recommendation etc. It still all takes time and I think I am more nervous about the whole process than she is. One application has to be in by November 1st and the others by December 1st. I will be glad when everything is submitted, then it will be her turn to be nervous as she definitely has a preference of where she wants to go.

Sandy asked about my UFO of the month. Well the September one I finished awhile ago which is a good thing, still have not finished the August one!!

kathie

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - September 19, 2011

2011-09-19T04:32:00.000-07:00

Well it is monday and I have nothing to show on my design wall. It is not that I have not been sewing, but I have been putting bindings on projects, stitching motifs down on table runners etc. and don't really have anything to show.

I did make good progress on last weeks to do list......

1. Finish the hidden 9 patch top
2. Finish the 5 christmas tree runner tops I am working on
3. Quilt customer baby quilt
4. Start working on backing for Christmas quilt

I got the top 3 done, plus quilted another customer quilt and two table runners.

This weeks goals will be:

1. Quilt customer halloween project
2. Quilt a couple more table runners
3. Inventory craft show items
4. and finally start on backings for two Christmas quilts.

Hope everyone has a nice and productive week.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - September 18, 2011

2011-09-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

A little fabric used this week and a little bit purchased. I have to buy Christmas fabrics I like when I see them for all my craft show projects. Stats for the week are:

Fabric used this week: 4.5 yards (mostly on table runners)
Fabric used YTD: 214.75 yards
Fabric puurchased this week: 3 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 145.5 yards
Net fabric used in 2011: 69.25 yards

I know I will probably be buying more Christmas fabric in the next few weeks but as long as I can keep my usage amount per week more than my purchase each week I will call it a success.

Kathie

Happy Birthday Dad

2011-09-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

My dad would have been 88 today. Happy birthday dad, I still miss you so much.

This was one of my favorite pictures of him. After he retired he decided he wanted to learn to bake and took over mom's kitchen on many days. It was so funny because when I was little he wouldn't even open a can of soup much less cook anything.

kathie

Mid week update

2011-09-15T04:14:00.000-07:00

Well a little passed mid week for my update but other things going on yesterday.

Yesterday was a runner day. I quilted these two table runners, finished the tops to the other runners I was working on (borders and fused motifs) and machine stitched bindings on 3 runners.

I am doing great on this weeks goals:

1. Finish the hidden 9 patch top
2. Finish the 5 christmas tree runner tops I am working on
3. Quilt customer baby quilt
4. Start working on backing for Christmas quilt

I finished the Hidden 9 Patch top, have the runner tops done and quilted the customer baby quilt.

I need to get the next customer quilt on the frame but hopefully I can start cutting squares to make the Christmas backing sometime today.

kathie

Yesterday's Project

2011-09-13T04:43:00.000-07:00

I had lots of errands and things that needed to get done yesterday so I didn't have that much time in the sewing room but I did manage to get my Hidden 9-patch top done.

We had a great workshop on this last week. I am looking forward to seeing everyones tops completed, hopefully at our meeting next month.

I started out with 5 inch squares and my quilted ended up approximately 65 x 78 inches.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - September 12, 2011

2011-09-12T04:17:00.000-07:00

Here is my design wall. These are the hidden 9 patch blocks resulting from the workshop I took on friday. Should be quick to get the top done. The 9 patches started out using 5 inch squares so the blocks started at about 14 inches making for a nice sized lap quilt.

and since I thought I should do something for someone else tomorrow in memory of 9/11 here is the little charity quilt I quilted yesterday.

My goals for this week are:

1. Finish the hidden 9 patch top
2. Finish the 5 christmas tree runner tops I am working on
3. Quilt customer baby quilt
4. Start working on backing for Christmas quilt

Have a great week.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - September 11, 2011

2011-09-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

Used some stash this week for the backing for a lap quilt and for two table runner tops. More things in process but those are the only yardage to count at this point.

Fabric used this week: 6 yards
Fabric used YTD: 210.25 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 2 yards (poinsettia fabric)
Fabric purchased YTD: 142.5 yards

Net fabric used in 2011: 67.75 yards

This is one of my completions from the last few days. I finally got the binding done on my split decision quilt. This was one of my UFO projects, just don't remember the number right now.

Remembering 9/11

With all the remembering 9/11 news shows on this morning the memories are sure rolling back.

We are only 80 miles south of the Pentagon and 10 people from my county lost their lives that day at the Pentagon so it hit our area hard. I remember frantically calling New York as two of my coworkers were suppose to land at JFK right during the time of all the chaos, I remember hugging my daughter extra hard when she got home from school. I think with a nuclear power plant and a military base close they were afraid we might be a target so they closed the schools and sent the kids home. Mandy was seven at the time and very confused.

I remember not being able to sleep at all that night. I stayed up watching the news and listening to planes overhead. They had grounded commericial airplanes so the only ones over head were military. I remember hearing them all night (we never hear flights at night) was both scary and comforting all at the same time.

I also remember that for awhile we were one country, politics and differences put aside. People seemed to be genuinely nicer to each other and realizing that it wasn't material stuff that mattered and to appreciate your friends and family.

No matter our age we all have certain days that stick in your head for a lifetime, both good and bad. I guess why some of the bad days are forever in our minds is because of the news coverage involved. Even though I was a little kid I remember when JFK was shot because it was on the news solid for weeks. The same with September 11th, I couldn't seem to move from the TV if the news was on even though so much of it was a replay and I don't know why.

Kathie

Latest Hospice Donation Quilts

2011-09-10T04:40:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple more quilts that will go into the next delivery to hospice. Since I just had to start a second huge bag of quilts I guess it is time to make a delivery.

This first one was done by Leona using the latest "jelly roll race" method a lot of people have been trying.

This next quilt is from one of the kits I cut awhile back. The quilt was pieced by Louise, I quilted it and Jane did the binding.

I did great this week on achieving all the goals I had sent for myself on monday...

1. Quilt turtle customer quilt
2. Quilt horse craft show quilt
3. Hand stitch binding on patriotic quilt
4. At least load next customer quilt

I accomplished all of them plus #4 was actually quilted, not just loaded.

In addition to that I had my guild meeting this week and a half day workshop on hidden 9-patch quilts.

All my blocks from that are done and squared up and now playing with the placement on my design wall.

Kathie

Wednesday already?

2011-09-07T04:22:00.000-07:00

With the holiday monday it sure feels like wednesday got here quickly.

I got another item off of my weekly to do list yesterday, I quilted this horse (horse quilt #2) craft show quilt. Will set it aside and one hopefully soon get the binding on it.

This morning I have my day time guild and then this afternoon I hope to get the next customer quilt loaded on the frame so my day is pretty much filled up.

Kathie

Start of College

2011-09-06T04:40:00.000-07:00

Well Mandy is going to be starting college today. She is a senior in high school still but is in a program where you can take a class or two at the community college during your school day. They class will count as part of her graduation requirement and also get her college freshmman english class out of the way this year.

I am sure adjusting to her busy schedule is going to take awhile with school, college, homework for both and then her dance starting up this week also. Guess I won't be seeing much of her!

I did manage to get the turtle customer quilt quilted yesterday so today one of my projects goes on the frame.

I can cross one thing off my to do list for this week.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - September 5, 2011

2011-09-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

I did manage to use some fabric and get a few things done or to the next stage this last week even with power outages and hurricanes. We did great with no damage and feel SO VERY lucky.

This first picture is what is currently on my design wall. Nothing exciting, this is just a backing pieced out of 10 1/2 squares for the back of my August UFO. No I didn't get it done but now the top is ready and also the backing so hope to get it quilted this month at least.

This next picture is what I was working on a few days ago and makes a much more interesting design wall. At my guild we are having a hidden 9-patch workshop on thursday and we had to make 20 9-patch blocks. Size was our choice, the only requirement was that the center square had to be the same color in all 20 blocks.

I decided I was going to buy NOTHING for this workshop so cut 5 inch strips (just because it was the width of the ruler I was using) out of bunch of my Christmas fabrics. Here are some of the blocks I made, will be interesting to see what this turns out to look like when done.

I was also going to start making my weekly goals again. Since today is a holiday, wednesday is my guild meeting and thursday the workshop I guess I better keep goals simple for this week. So.........

1. Quilt turtle customer quilt
2. Quilt horse craft show quilt
3. Hand stitch binding on patriotic quilt
4. At least load next customer quilt

Think that is enough to count on for this week.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - September 4, 2011

2011-09-04T04:35:00.000-07:00

Seems like forever since I have blogged. With the hurricane coming through our area (our county was hard hit), lose of power, schools closed for three days, a medical procedure, etc. blogging just wasn't on my schedule.

As such my stash report will be for the last two weeks. I did manage to use some fabric to make bindings for a couple of runners, backing for two runners and a bunch of 9 patch blocks that I made for a hidden 9 patch workshop this week.

Current stats are:

Fabric used last two weeks: 5 3/4 yards
Fabric used YTD: 204.25 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 0
Fabric purchased YTD: 140.5 yards

Net fabric used in 2011: 63.75

Kathie

So Very Lucky

2011-08-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

Well Irene has come and gone and we feel so lucky. Our whole neighborhood is damage free while a lot of our county has flooded basements and downed trees. Our housing development is only 5 years old so maybe not having a bunch of huge trees really helped us.

Our power went out early in the day saturday but only for about 90 minutes, then back on for the next six hours so we were glad to have that power so we could watch the progression of the storm on the TV.

About 8 p.m. saturday night when the wind was really going to town we lost out power and it stayed out until 6:00 p.m. sunday night. Not fun but considering over 50,000 people in our county are still without power it wasn't bad.

We have a small generator so once the storm was over we started that and hooked it up to the refrigerator and freezer so we wouldn't lose all our frozen foods. Next priority was hooking up the coffee pot so that we could have our morning coffee, yummmmmmmmmm.

Late yesterday afternoon we took a drive by our old house and that neighborhood looks like a war zone. Trees down on houses, cars, a shed and they had many that had been across just about every road and the middle of the trees had been cut and managed to get those parts to the sides of the rows so people can get out. When Isobell hit in 2002 I think we were without power back there for 5 1/2 days and it wasn't near as bad as it looks this time.

No school today so that tosses me off schedule but think it was a smart decision. I think a lot of the neighborhoods buses couldn't even get into safely right now and there are still downed power lines everywhere.

Well I know I have at least an hour work in the sewing room before I can even think of working on any projects. I put craft show boxes, bolts of batting all up before the storm in case we got water in the basement so will have to put everything back today.

Kathie

Waiting for Irene

2011-08-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

I am glad that with hurricanes you have plenty of warning to get prepared etc. but then the waiting, knowing it is going to hit but not knowing how bad is hard. I get a little jittery thats for sure.

I doubt I will be on here to do a stash report tomorrow so will include it with next weeks numbers. I have bought nothing this week and have not used a lot (but several things in process) so wouldn't have had a whole lot to report anyway.

I quilted 2 customer quilts and a craft show quilt this week, started cutting squares to make a backing and worked some on my 9 patch blocks so I have accomplished a fair amount.

Going to get my ironing and a couple other things done I want to make sure ang get done before/or if we lose power and then put all my boxes of craft show items up off the floor in the basement. Hopefully water in the basement will not be an issue with this house but you never know.

Everyone take care and stay dry.

Kathie

Split Decision

2011-08-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

I quilted one of my projects yesterday, this small Split Decision lap quilt. One more thing semi done. I will have to figure out something for the binding, maybe a scrappy binding out of a bunch of my leftovers.

I also have 10 of my 9-patch blocks in process and have been cutting up the UFO border into squares that will become part of the backing.

All pre-hurricane errands have been run, all cars gassed up, food in the cabinet and outdoor furniture securred. Hope that being prepared will make it NOT be a very big issue here.

The last hurricane (my first) that hit this area was I think in 2002. Our neighborhood at the time had lots of downed trees, water in lots of basements and we were without power for 5 1/2 days, not a fun time since cooking was electric and we had a well so no power meant no water either. My husband thinks I am being a worry wart about this storm but I would rather be that than unprepared.

My good wishes go out to everyone in North Carolina (my step daughter included) where they expect the worse damage.

Kathie

Back on Schedule

2011-08-25T04:58:00.000-07:00

Think I will be getting back on schedule/routine pretty quickly with school having started yesterday. I did a couple of things around the house, followed by early morning errands and then spent several hours in the sewing room.

I quilted this quilt for Carol yesterday. She calls it a use it all quilt because she uses everything and anything that she has in her scrap piles. This one is more organized as she used mainly patriotic prints and colors but it was still pretty much everything she had in that category from little pieces to a few unused pinwheels.

Having SO MANY tiny seams meant having to go a little slower with the quilting.

I did sit down and make out a quilting "to do" list for just the rest of the week. I wanted to get:
1. Carol's quilt quilted
2. Large outside border unsewn from UFO of the month
3. Start working on 9 patches for workshop
4. Start piecing a backing for Christmas quilt

I have done good so far, #1 and #2 are done. I got about half of the fabric cut for the 9 patch blocks done also but have not worked on #4 yet.

Guess I should save cutting out fabrics for the weekend in case we get some of the hurricane. Can cut during that but don't want to be running the long arm or my good sewing machine if there is a chance of power surges.

kathie

Senior Year

2011-08-24T04:40:00.000-07:00

Oh gee, I am very glad that school starts today but was surprised after she left for school that I got choked up.

Today is the first day of her senior and I know how fast this year will go and that before I know it we will be packing her up to go away to college. Where have the years gone?

Yesterday sure was an interesting day. I got the next customer quilt partially loaded on the frame and a couple of bindings sewing on. Decided to go run some errands with the daughter and then sit down and watch a movie with her to enjoy her last day of summer.

Towards the end of the movie is when the earthquake hit. I have been in several so I knew what it was but my brain was still saying NO, that we don't have those here in Maryland. It felt like our whole house was swaying, not a fun feeling.

Both of us plus Sammy (the cat) were kind of shook up after that.

A few errands this morning then I need to do my quilting "to do" list and then get working on the customer quilt.

kathie

Last Day of Summer

2011-08-23T04:36:00.000-07:00

School starts tomorrow so this is officially the last day of summer in our household.

Tomorrow I need to sit down and make up my list of quilting goals. I need to make/finish up tons more craft show items, have customer quilts to do, 9 patch blocks to make for an upcoming workshop and maybe try to wedge in at least one charity quilt a month to quilt.

Hopefully with less doctors appointments (I hope anyway) and less distractions I will get a whole lot done.

Yesterday I was busy with a customer quilt and taking my daughter out for a back to school lunch that I totally forgot to post my "design wall monday" blogging. It would have been a blank wall anyway so you didn't miss anything. The only projects for myself I have been working on the last couple of days are trying to get bindings machine sewn on several runners and a Christmas quilt that have been quilted and in a pile awaiting the bindings.

Enjoy your day.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - August, whatever 2011

2011-08-21T04:50:00.000-07:00

Yes I don't remember what the date is and to lazy feeling this morning to go look it up on a calendar.

I did great with my stash reduction this week. I got lots of table runners quilted (8 I think), a few other tops completed and a couple of other little things done and I STAYED out of quilt and fabric shops.

Here are a couple of the table runner tops that I made.

Stats for the week are:

Fabric used this week: 11 yards
Fabric used YTD: 198.5 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 0
Fabric purchased YTD: 140.5

Net fabric used for 2011: 58 yards, at least this is moving back in the right direction.

Hubby and I survived our daughters party last night for her ballet class. A few of the girls couldn't make it so we ended up with about 16 girls (14 to 18 years old). They seemed to have a great time but oh boy, what noise. Everyone talking and laughing at the same time. Luckily we had the basement and the back deck to escape to.

Today will have to finish the clean up, a couple of errands and hopefully get a customer quilt loaded on the frame.

Kathie

Friday I think

2011-08-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

Well I guess it is friday, been kind of off schedule all week.

I have been working away on lots of craft show table runners. Got a few quilted, some bound and a few I stitched around fused motifs. Nice progress on all of them.

I have also been straightening up the house for Mandy's end of the summer party tomorrow night with her dance class. I was going to put a quilt away that was sitting out in the process of being bound but decided to sit down and finish the binding instead. This is a neon cat quilt made with my favorite pattern Warm Wishes.

Well school schedules came out on line last night. Of course Mandy's is messed up. I know with trying to schedule classes around an early dismissal so she can take her college class is hard but gee....... they didn't give her enough classes (have to take at least 3 at the high school and one at college for graduation requirement).

Now to try and contact the counselor to get things straightened out. Schedules just came out last night, no one working in the office at the high school today (budget cuts), phone system is messed up and you can't leave a voice mail and oh yea, school starts wednesday!! Sure hope she can get an appointment monday or tuesday so it is straightened out before she starts school.

Oh and the kicker, her AP Psychology class that she did TONS of homework for this summer, she doesn't have the class!!! It must not be available except late in the day when she will be at college but isn't there some way of figuring that out and letting the kids know BEFORE 2 work days before school starts!!!

Ok, enough venting. Off to get ready to run an errand and then take Mandy for a re-check of her tonsils. She says her throat is finally doing much better today and she was able to eat something other than soft soft foods.

Kathie

Being Home

2011-08-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

I guess being kind of stuck at home is good for something, I am doing some good stash reduction this week. I have quilted six table runners which means lots of backing fabrics used and I also have made several additional table runner tops. Since they all involved things fused on them will have to stitch around all the motifs before I can quilt any of those.

Mandy's healing from her tonsils is going slower than either of us hoped for. No problems, just slow healing and still hurts a lot. I know she isn't feeling well but also think she is taking advantage of having someone to wait on her. I have a couple of appointments tomorrow so she will have to fend for herself, and I am sure she will do just fine.

A week from tomorrow school starts, I know I am ready.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday, August 15, 2011

2011-08-15T04:32:00.000-07:00

This isn't actually on my design wall this morning but it was the last thing that was on it. I got the borders on the Christmas Sampler quilt, got it quilted and even cut the binding strips. Need to make up the binding and clean off the sewing table before I can get the binding on it.

Currently the sewing room is a mess with five Christmas table runners in various stages of completion so once those tops are finished I hope to get this binding done.

My daughter is still recovering from having her tonsils out on friday so I will probably be staying at home again today. Have not been out of the house since we got home from the hospital friday so I know by tomorrow I will HAVE to go somewhere! I have been sewing and doing some household chores between nurse duties as she has been sleeping a lot of the time.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - 14 August 2011

2011-08-14T05:15:00.000-07:00

This stash report is for two weeks and I did do some major stash enhancement. We took a few days and went to Fredericksburg, VA and then to the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area. Daughter and her friend liked to do the beach and hubby and I liked to cruise the fabric shops and thrift stores.

All the fabric I purchased was Christmas fabrics so hope to use up most or all of it over the next several weeks for craft show table runners.

My stats for the last two weeks are:

Fabric last 2 weeks: 7.5 yards (half of it was a backing)
Fabric used YTD: 187.5 yards
Fabric purchased last 2 weeks: 13 yards (all Christmas fabrics)
Fabric purchased YTD: 140.5
Net fabric used in 2011: 47

So.......... my NET has been going down but my stash is fresher and I have plenty of new fabrics for my craft shows so it is all good.

Kathie

Finally Some Quilting

2011-08-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

Finally something quilt related to talk about. While we were on vacation Jane dropped off a charity quilt that she had finished the binding on. I cut these donated State Floral Fabrics into half square triangles and then made up several kits. This is the first one completed. It was pieced by Louise, quilted by myself and bound by Jane. This will eventually go to hospice.

I took some bindings on vacation with me and did get the binding finished on my duck quilt. Nice to have a finish.

Today while Mandy is sleeping most of the day on the sofa from pain medicines I am spending time downstairs trying to finish quilting my Christmas quilt and checking on her ever so often. Tonsils are never fun to get out, sure hoping this will make her healthier.

Kathie

Tonsils

2011-08-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

Tonsils are out and Mandy (and mom) are doing ok. I am definitely a worry wart and hardly slept last night thinking about my "baby" having surgery this morning. They changed the time on us so we had to be at the hospital around 5:30 this morning.

We were home before noon. Couldn't believe it!! Back a million years ago when I had my tonsils out they kept you over night.

I was tired from lack of sleep and wanting to stay within hearing distance I have not got much accomplished today. A few trips up the stairs with drinks and popcycles, a couple of household chores, an attempted nap (phone rang etc.) and finished the binding on my duck baby quilt.

Think I will make sure she is drinking plenty of water and then sit down and work on another binding.

Kathie

Vacation

2011-08-11T04:33:00.000-07:00

Got back from vacation last night. We had taken Mandy and a friend of hers to Kings Dominion theme park saturday followed by a few days in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area. It was HOT the whole time, around 100 degrees. Too warm for me.

I think the kids had a good time at the beach while we visited a few fabric and thrift stores. I did do some stash enhancement while we were on vacation. Went to a Virginia Beach JoAnn fabrics, a Hobby Lobby (heard about them but never been in one) and a fabric store called The Fabric Hut that I visit every time I am in that area.

Since I didn't do a stash report last sunday since we were gone I will put those purchases on this sunday and will make it a two week report.

I did finish a couple of bindings I took with me while on vacation but that is the only sewing I have been doing.

Today will be playing catch up around the house and tomorrow Mandy gets her tonsils out so doubt there will be much sewing for the next few days.

Glad to be home.

Kathie

Free Pattern

2011-08-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

At the Hershey Quilt show on saturday I saw a really cute quilt made up and went in search of the pattern. A booth had them, but only as a kit and I like to pick my own fabrics.

Anyway I saw it on a blog on monday and told the lady my story and she sent me the link to the pattern FREE this morning so thought I would pass it along. It is called Flurry and is so cute!

http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/ItemFiles/PDF/MPS27080.pdf

Kathie

Recent Projects

2011-08-04T05:06:00.000-07:00

Well I have had a little time this week to work on my projects between customer quilts and doctors appointments.

This kids quilt I got quilted on tuesday. The colors look off in the picture. That is a bright lime green, not a puky yellow/green like it looks in the picture. This is using my favorite warm wishes pattern.

and I got the sashing complete on my Christmas sampler quilt. Now I just need to pick out a fabric for the border.

Lastly the number pulled in Judy L's UFO challenge for the month of August is 7. This is my UFO #7.

This was made as part of a row robin with several ladies in various parts of the country. I made it full sized using huge borders and then never did anything with it. My plan is to take off the borders and make it into a large lap sized quilt, get it quilted and bound. Will have only taken about 9??? years.

Kathie

Time to Piece

2011-08-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Spent ALL yesterday morning at the doctors office with my daughter. When you have a 10:15 appointment and they are ALREADY and hour and 15 minutes behind schedule you know someone is double booking appointments. I don't mind a short wait but they expect YOU to be on time, why can't they schedule better?

Anyway the appointment was a follow up on tonsilitis, to look at her tonsils in their "healthy" state. Since making the appointment she got sick again so is back on a new antibiotic and we are going to an ENT on thursday to discuss having them pulled. It is probably needed but wish the recommendation had been made the beginning of summer so that she could get them pulled before her senior year starts and also before the class at the community college starts that she is going to take.

I did get a small customer quilt quilted yesterday and then spent a little time working on my Christmas sampler quilt. I started sewing the sashing strips and decided to use gold for those after many comments on my blog that people thought it would be the best color.

NO doctors appointments for either of us today so hope to get my notes etc. ready for my quilt guild meeting tomorrow, a couple of errands run and hopefully time in the sewing room to continue with the sashing strips and to get something loaded on the frame.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - August 1, 2011

2011-08-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

I just can't believe it is August already, school will be starting before long!!

Have not had much time to do any piecing this week so my Christmas sampler quilt is still on my wall. At least I finally have all twelve blocks made and ready to start sashing them.

Stash ENHANCEMENT Report - July 31, 2011

2011-07-31T05:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went on the guild bus trip to the Hershey, PA quilt show. Fantastic show (to bad I forgot my camera), wonderful vendors and a great time. The 3 1/2 hour bus ride each way was kind of tiring but still had a wonderful time.

As I expected I did some major stash enhancement at the show. I was specifically looking to add a couple of batik fabrics to my stash and find some nice small prints that would make good borders to some fall table runners.

I ended up getting the batiks, the fall prints, a bright kids print and a FQ packet I couldn't pass up. In addition I purchased two patterns, a spool of bottom line bobbin thread, a couple of quilty cards and a telescoping back scratcher. I definitely helped the economy.

Here is a picture of my "haul" and stats for the week:

Fabric used this week: 3/4 yard
Fabric used YTD: 180 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 9 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 127.5 yards
Net fabric used in 2011: 52.5 yards

My usage this week was very small. I spent most of the week quilting customer quilts and working on very little of my own projects. Here is a picture of one of the last customer quilts I quilted. This was made by a 14 year old, she did a great job.

and look at this little piece of a quilt, this was the last one on my frame.

Have a wonderful day.

Kathie

Senior Pictures

2011-07-28T03:42:00.000-07:00

Well I can cross another item off of our summer "to do" list. Senior pictures were taken last night. Weather cooperated, it was warm but not to hot and the right light for outdoor pictures. I can't wait to see them. Some were taken by an old weathered barn, others by trees and greenery and the ones I think will be my favorites were taken on a dock on the water.

Guess the next biggie will be college applications. At least one of the universities we visited applications go live next week. I am sure I will be "encouraging" Mandy to make an early start on those since there are so many things you have to request (transcripts, letters of recommendations etc.) in addition to the applications, essays and other information.

Accomplished very little in the sewing room yesterday. I got one block cut out for my sampler quilt and the next customer quilt partially loaded on the frame but thats it. Hope to get more accomplished today.

Kathie

UFO of the Month for July

2011-07-27T05:03:00.000-07:00

Ok UFO for July is done. All that was still needed this month was binding and a hanging sleeve but just about waited till the end of the month to get it done. This was from a guild workshop where we used Ricky Timms book.

I am back to doing some customer quilts although I don't want to tackle any larger than a large twin/small full sized yet. I wanted to get another charity quilt quilted in between the customer quilt so quilted this bright yellow quilt made by Betty the other day. Just did a meander in bright yellow thread just to get it done but as brite and busy as it is the meander is just fine. Wish I had taken a picture of the backing as it is just as pretty as the front, lots of bright print squares with a few orphan (I guess) blocks tossed in.

Great job Betty.

Another doctors appointment today, a few errands and then hopefully will get the next customer quilt at least loaded but think I am going to take a break today and do some piecing this afternoon.

This evening we will be going to get my daughters senior pictures taken. She is very excited as it is a whole photo shoot done outside. What happened to a few pictures taken in a studio? Big bucks but you are only a senior once!! Guess we did save by not having to buy a class ring, her skin reacts to metal so it just wasn't an option. I think Senior year is going to be VERY expensive.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - July 25, 2011

2011-07-25T04:34:00.000-07:00

Currently on my design wall are Christmas sampler blocks

Two of my friends are in charge of the block of the month at one of the quilt guilds I belong to, so I have been trying to make blocks, turn them in and try to win them. No luck on the winning so far. I also made 4 or 5 months worth and then there were a couple I just didn't want to put the time into making, and other months I just wasn't able to make them for various reasons.

When I made one in the requested colors to turn in I was also making one out of Christmas fabrics and figured by the end of the years worth (August) I would have enough to make a sampler quilt.

In our recent newletter they requested that anyone that had won blocks or made their own bring in their quilt top to the September meeting. Ok, so finally that got me motivated to make a couple more blocks and get these on the design wall. I am going to make three more blocks, then sash and border this for a Christmas lap quilt. Do you think a thin black sashing would look ok?

The other exciting news of the weekend is that we bought a new car on saturday. This is a Hyundai Sonata, which is a nice midsized car so should be good on gas mileage but also big enough that the three of us could take trips in it.

Hope everyone has a wonderful (and hopefully cooler) week.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - July 24, 2011

2011-07-24T05:18:00.000-07:00

I thought I was going to have nothing to report this week but remembered that I did make one block. Not much but medical issues pretty much took up the week.

Current stats are:

Fabric used this week: .25 yards
Fabric used YTD: 179.25 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 0
Fabric purchased YTD: 188.5
Net fabric used in 2011: 60.75 yards

I am afraid that my report next sunday will definitely show a DROP in the net usage unless I sew like crazy this week. About 30 of us from my quilt guild will be going on a bus trip next saturday to the Hershey PA Quilt Show. Really looking forward to it. There are always fabrics I have not seen before at those that I just HAVE to pick up. With the prices that fabric has gone to I am sure I will be coming home with less yardage than in the past but will still have a few things to "freshen" my stash.

Kathie

Quilty for a Change

2011-07-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

Nice to have something quilty to blog about for a change and not just health issues.

I actually have finished a couple of things this week while vegging on the sofa I completed the bindings on this second pink baby quilt

and also the binding on this holly tumbler quilt

and this morning I was able to go downstairs and take the baby duck quilt off the frame that I had quilted on sunday

I try not to spend hours on the computer reading blogs but there are a few that I try and read on a daily basis or at least every few days. One that I especially like is Alycia's blog out in Colorado she does so much QOV charity work. Today my thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family after a the terrible loss of her cousin and three nieces in a freak flash flood earlier this week. I think every one of us tends to take our families for granted so if you are lucky to have yours around give them an extra hug today.

Kathie

Wednesday Update

2011-07-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

Had my heart cath done up at the Washington Hospital Center in DC on monday. Was scary and not fun but not to bad. Since no blockages were found they let me go home the same night so now just recooperating from the meds and the trama to my leg where they went in. Good think purple is my favorite color as I am about six different shades!!!

Since I can't do stairs for a couple of days I have been doing some hand work and making progress on bindings. Hopefully I will get a couple of things done so I will be able to post pictures.

Kathie