A New Beginning

Would think after all the pressure and late nights early mornings to get Christmas quilts done on time, I would take some time off!!!


NOT! -   Now is the time I get to play with my sewing and quilting.

The quilt that I started has been on my mind since my vacation with the girls to Ferryville. The fabric is one of the many that jumped off the shelf and into my cart.

At last I have the opportunity cut into it and make a fabulous quilt.   I'm calling this Simplicity because it is one of the easiest patterns every.   I don't mind sharing for those interested - (cut wof)  center fabric cut strips 5.5" - coordinating fabric, cut 2.5" strips sew a 2.5" strip to each side of 5.5" strip press towards 2.5" strips  - sub cut 9.5" square - alternate position of blocks strips horizontal next to strips vertical - and sew together 8 across - 9 rows down -  add borders your choice and done.   *FYI - you will get 4 - 9.5" blocks per strip - so make this as large or as small as you want.

I made the same pattern for my nephew in MO and once I had his done I knew this was how I was going to use these gorgeous fabrics.

Oh and I do have my BB's Christmas quilt sewn - now just have to purchase the backing and its ready to be quilted.

Sounds like I will be taking a trip to Val's soon.  Anyone wanting to ride a long????

Christmas is finally behind us for another year.  Mixed feelings there.  Love Christmas but oh its really tough getting through the holidays because there will  always be someone missing.  

I made it though for another year and only have 364 more days until the next time.

Kitchen is smelling so good right now.  Cooking up a pot of bean soup from the leftover ham bone.

Nothing tastes better than homemade soup.   I will share some of it with my family but for the most part I think its going into the freezer.  This way when I have a craving I know where to get it.

Ok I have shared my new project with you, now its time to get back at it.

Count Down 2014 - Im Doing Great

Its been a long long year and yet seems like it flew by.

Christmas is right around the corner.  The good news I'm ready!!!!!!!!!!  Everything is done and wrapped - cookies are baked (well at least the ones that are going for an exchange today)  I will come home with enough to share with family.

A little grocery shopping today and then I'm settling in for a few days.  From the sounds of it we will be getting some snow after all.


The best news yet - Have completed all the goals that I had set regarding sewing and quilting.

Just finished this late morning my nephews quilt - all I need to do is trim and add binding and send off to MO.

I think it might be best to wait until after Christmas to send it.  Don't want it lost in all those late Christmas packages being shipped this week.

There is one more quilt in my closet to be quilted and that is the last of UFOs -  It has been completed since last year this time but not quilted.  Poor lonely quilt.  I guess I should get sewing to give it some company.

Not to worry I only have about 20 projects in my head that I'm working on.   Now that I'm actually caught up,  looking forward to starting some of those before even more pop in there.

Oops too late just thought of another one.

I forgot I still have my Birthday Block Swap from Connected Threadz girlz, quilt that I have been working on.  Was really hoping to get it finished this Christmas (its a Christmas theme quilt) but that's not going to happen,....... or is it?????

FROZEN

No not me - this cute quilt is just finished for a customer .  In time for Christmas oh yeah

This is so darn pretty I wish I had a little girl to make one for.


Quilted with a pantograph that looks like it was made just for this quilt "SnowWinds"

Next ......  quilt my nephews quilt.  There is no Christmas rush on this one but I would very much like to get it done and sent to MO along with the baby blanket for my newest great niece.

As long as I have all of my Christmas presents done ( and yes they are) I can now concentrate on some UFO's of my own.

A big sigh of relief knowing my rush is over - no pressure here. 

Hip Hip Hooray

My goal has been met - I did get all of my Christmas present made (still some little shopping to do but not to worry about that).

The pressure is off I can now concentrate on some little projects and another customer quilt.


Time to Spare!!!!!!!!!!!!


Even took some time off from quilting to take a day trip to see great grandson Tavyn's Christmas School
Sing.  I love going to these programs.

The kids are so darn cute and really entertaining.

The only problem is the gym is set up with folding chairs and its almost impossible to see the kid you want to see.  I finally got tired of trying to see Tavyn I walked around the outskirts of the crowd and finally found a great view standing up but my line of vision was direct to see him.   It was hard to get a decent picture though - I was always too far away to get a good shot.  Even with just a few pictures though I will have the memories of watching and listening to these cute kids.

They grow up so darn fast - I can remember going to his mom's programs.


Time well spent this week between shopping with my friends, going to a school concert, and guild meeting last night.

Wish I could show you the completed Christmas presents, but that would spoil the surprises for everyone.

Maybe after everyone gets theirs I can post some after Christmas pictures.

Last night at guild we had a "Chinese present exchange"  Which amounts to bringing a wrapped present - and this is the different part - we all stood in a large circle and while singing Christmas Carols we passed to our right presents as the song was going on.  When the song stopped you were holding a present (not your own) we sang 3 carols and when all was done that was done the present you holding was now yours to open.

I received this really pretty Christmas panel which I plan on making something really special for Christmas next year.

In my haste to get to guild last night I didn't even bring along any show and tell

On the good side of that I did get to see everybody else's beautiful quilts and there were plenty to see.

Marvelous Embroidery Work = Red Work Quilt

I have a new customer that brought me this beautiful Red Work quilt -

Sandy Hamby did an amazing job on the embroidery work which made my work so much easier than I anticipated.

Usually when I get an embroidered top I tend to do a custom work for customers.  Sandy requested a simple meandering throughout.  Which can be tricky if the embroidery work is not "tight".

Her stitches were so perfect and tiny the needle and hopping foot just glided over the top with no distortion or catching.

The choice of a simple meandering was a good one.  Simply quilted adds to the natural beauty of this quilt.

Praises to Sandy for a beautiful quilt.

Gotta Love Scraps

Look at what all those  scraps can turn into......

Customer can do amazing things with scraps

  The fun part for me - I give scraps to her and she makes beautiful quilts and I get to quilt them.  What is fun  I can pick out the fabrics that I contributed to these amazing beautiful quilts.