Yellow the Monochromatic Challenge

 

 
Ugh is the word that came to mind when Judy L announced that yellow would be color for January. Then I thought, yellow is okay after all. We can get that out of the way and be on our way to new adventures for the rest of the year. And I think I have my project mapped out in my mind. A shopping bag. I have been making them for family and friends for several months and I do not have one for myself yet. TaDa!! I have made a decision and now I need to follow thru with it. And it should not take a lot of time to knock this one out.

Today is earmarked to working on the jacket I am designing and getting the backing together for the quilt that is going into the floor frame. I am going to set up the floor frame in the basement where I usually have my sewing machine. The lighting is great!! The TV, computer, and DVD player also live there. I am going to keep the sewing  machine, ironing board,  and cutting mat upstairs in the dining room.We will revisit this setup at a later date.

In stitches,
Judy

It's a Doggie Bag!

 

This is my doggie bag. I made this back pack for my neighbor for Christmas and I just finished it today. At least it is still 2010. I have loaded it with Rawhide Chews for her dogs and I will deliver it later today. 

I am going to visit my sister and play Wii this afternoon. Neither one of us are co-ordinated so this should be interesting.  I know we will have a good time!!

Back to the sewing machine for me. I am designing a jacket and I need to work on it. Pictures will follow!!

In stitches,
Judy

A Finish

 

I am so proud of myself. I started this project on Monday and finished it yesterday. I have a quilt rack hanging on the wall in the landing going from my kitchen to my basement. I decided to change it seasonally. I took down the autumnal wall hanging today and replaced it with the Snowmen. My thought is that the Snowmen can stay up until Spring {about March}. By then, I should have something springy done for the quilt rack. This was done entirely from my stash!!!

Onto the next project. Getting ready to put a quilt on the floor frame. That is one of my goals for 2011. I want to have a quilt on the floor frame at all times to help pare down my UFO population. 

In stitches,
Judy

Final Stash Report 2010

It is hard to believe that this is the final report for 2010!! I am quite surprised to see where I have ended the year at. I have actually used more than I purchased this year. And in 2011 I plan to use a lot more of my stash. Here are the numbers. Check out everyone's progress at Patchwork Times

Used this Week: 12 yds
Used year to Date: 141.375 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 127.833 yards
Net Used for 2010: 13.542 yards

Bring on 2011, I am ready for the challenge!!

In stitches,
Judy

Design wall Monday

 

I am a day behind. I have been sewing and I have something almost completed!! I have my quilt frame upstairs and will be putting a quilt in the frame later today. This wall hanging is for my landing. I can keep the snowmen up until March and by then I will have something else springy to take it's place. And this came out of my stash!!

I got all my Christmas sewing done and I seem to be on a roll and have lots of ideas for new quilts and the desire to start finishing my UFO's. Here is the quilt that is going on the frame later today. This is a project on my UFO list with Judy L's, I guess I am going to have to find something else when the number for this one is called!!!

In stitches,
Judy

Merry Christmas Eve!!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is here and I am all done with my stitching. I put the last stitch in the big red square at 1AM this morning. I have done any wrapping but I will do that once I get to my mom's. I have a few mundane tasks to finish. Laundry, a shower, and packing my bags for my overnight at mom's.

I think it is safe to post the finished projects for Christmas. I told my sister to stay off the blog today. Her hubby is getting the big red square and I do not want to spoil the surprise. 

Now, I hope this quilt does not offend any one. This is the design my sister said would make her hubby happy.

Here is what I am using as a stocking for my mom. If I spent the night on Christmas Eve, I usually put out a stocking for her to find in the morning. She had mentioned that she would like a backpack for hiking and such. And, of course, purple is her favorite color!! 

I also made 6 pairs of earrings for her. There is some yummy snacks on the inside and a new Suduko book and 4 bars of soap in the front pockets. 

Do you remember these from Thanksgiving? Here is my rendition of the Christmas pot. I made this sad looking tree myself. It is not my best work!!


My hope is that everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas!!


In stitches,
Judy

Sewing report

The last Christmas project is moving along. I have a bit of the overlay to stitch down and then put the binding on. I do have a bit of hand quilting to do, too. I am going to spend a good portion of the day hand stitching down the binding. I am so excited about finishing this quilt. 

The car went to the shop yesterday afternoon. It will be worked on today. The brakes are still working but making horrible noises. I cannot afford a new car but since the car is paid for, it is worth fixing.

Jennifer was here yesterday and we both worked on our big red square quilts. She is making hers for her son and if it is not finished by Christmas she will wrap up the pieces and give that to him with a promise of a finished quilt after the holidays. Mine has to be done, no questions asked. 

I need to get to my machine and finish up the machine work. I will keep you posted on the progress. 

In stitches,
Judy

My makeshift sewing space

 

Ever since Thanksgiving, I have been sewing in my dining room. It not a bad thing. I have been making bigger projects and it is nice to have the dining room table and the large folding table next to each other to hold the bulk of the bigger quilts. I sit across from the only window in that room and I really enjoy my neighbor's dogs as they frolic in the snow. I know if I go back to the sewing room I will be able to watch TV and it will keep the mess to one area. Right now the ironing board is set up in the living room and the side winder is in the kitchen. I get more exercise that way!

I am plugging away on this quilt. I am hoping to have it in the floor frame tomorrow to finish up a bit of hand quilting on it and then adding the binding. When I squared it up, the quilt lost about 4.5" on all four sides. No longer 108" square. Oh well.

In stitches,
Judy

Christmas sewing

Not much new to report on the Christmas sewing. I am right on target for the final quilt. I am hoping to have it ready to go in the frame for the little bit of quilting that needs to be done on it. And then the binding. Note to self, next do not do anything as foolish as leaving quilts to the last minute. Sounds good on paper but won't happen in real life!!

Today I deliver the Competition Ribbon quilt. I also need to move stuff out of my car so I can repack for Christmas. I am leaving some time during the day on Christmas Eve and going to my mom's. I am going to wait until I get there to wrap my stuff. I need to remember where everything is hiding. I have the stuff my kids left here for the people whose names they have drawn. 

The list seems to be getting longer as I get more stuff finished. I am not sure how that works. Oh well. 

We had snow again last night. A couple of inches perhaps on my freshly shoveled driveway. The weatherman is teasing us with the hint of accumulating snow for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Make sure to pack my boots. I already have melting compound, a blanket, and a snow shovel in my car. I will haul these things around until spring. You never can be to prepared!!

In stitches,
Judy

Merry Christmas to me!!

It is indeed the season of giving and I am going to be giving myself a present! On Thursday, my car is going into the shop and it is receiving a new radiator and new brakes. The radiator is original to my 2000 Neon and the brakes need some work. Also my car is getting new wiper blades. We are coming into the snow season and I need my car to be prepared. Without a job, a car payment is not in my future. I have been very good this year and I think I deserve some car TLC. My car is on the right!


In stitches,
Judy

 

Design Wall Monday

 

This is my latest design wall. It is actually a chair in my dining room where I have been sewing since Thanksgiving. This a picture of the components for a quilt that needs to be finished by Friday. I have broken it down into 15 steps to completion and I have finished 2 steps so far. I am not working this week so I am sure that I will be able to finish it without much problem. The big red square is already quilted! More pictures will be posted after the quilt is given away!!

Check out Judy L's blog to see what else everyone is working on just days before Christmas.

In stitches,
Judy

Christmas sewing

 

Christmas sewing is coming along nicely. I have finished the Competition Ribbon quilt and will deliver it later this week. I have started on the overlay for the big red square. I broke it down into steps and I am crossing them off as I complete them. It only has 15 steps before it is completed and I have finished two of those steps so far. I am waiting for the sun to come out so I  can use my dining room window as a natural light box. I need to trace 13 rather large stars. 

Here are the earrings I made using Christmas tree ornaments! I have delivered the green ones to my mom and the red ones to my sister Becky. Karen has claimed the blues. Patty and I will fight over what is left. 

O morning sun, where are you? I need to get busy with my sewing today!!


In stitches,
Judy

UFO challenge

Here is my list for the UFO challenge for 2011. I have a few things that are not going on the list as there is no way I could finish them in a month. Perhaps those projects I will work on a bit every month and see where it leads to by the end of 2011.

 

1. Star quilt. It needs to be quilted and bound. It has been claimed by bestest friend, Roberta.

2. Scrap quilt needs to be quilted and bound.

3. Mammal quilt. This quilt has small dolphins on it and I made it for my nephew, Vincent. It needs a border, which I can locate that fabric, quilting and to be bound.

4. Flannel scrap quilt. The blocks are all made and three of the six rows are sewn together. I am working on piecing the back using the rest of the scraps that have been multiplying in my sewing room. I am going to hand quilt it using black crochet thread. 

5. This is my orange quilt. It still needs borders, quilting and to be bound. I have more floral fabric for the borders and I am thinking hand quilting maybe in purple.

6. This fabric I have selected to make a baby quilt using my design from EQ7.

7. Scrappity do dah. I have been collecting 30's prints for some time now and have cut a lot of the fabric for this quilt. I am using white for the diagonal strips in the blocks.

8. Years ago I was in an Electric Quilt group. We did an exchange where each person provided a focus fabric and each person made you a block with that fabric from a pattern found on EQ. I have no idea which version or how long it has been. I do have all the fabric to complete it. It needs borders and quilting and to be bound.

9. Scrappy Log Cabin. This is old! I remember making it but I do not know how long ago. It needs to be quilted and bound. 

10. Striped table runners. I have fabric to make about 10 of these table runners. I would like to get all the Christmas ones done to give to my sisters for the Christmas season in 2011. I just have to figure out how to make them.

11. Orphan blocks. These orphan blocks were given to me by a friend and I have decided they need to be on point, quilted and bound. 

12. This is my current hand quilting project. It is not really a UFO at this point, but I can see real potential in it becoming one down the road!


I would like to keep a quilt on the floor frame at all times. I am thinking that I could possibly put in about 15 minutes at least a day on the quilt on the frame and surely I could finish something!!


I also want to do at least one charity quilt a month for our guild's charity. That would be coming from my stash!!


In stitches,
Judy

Stash report

Christmas sewing has the honors this week. I had to buy some yardage for the overlay for the big red square, but did use some to finish up a project. It did not even out but that happens. But this week I am in the black!! 


Used this Week: 5 yds
Used year to Date: 129.375 yards
Added this Week: 2.5 yards
Added Year to Date: 127.833 yards
Net Used for 2010: 1.542 yards

Check out Judy L's blog to see how others are doing during the Christmas season!!

In stitches,
Judy

Christmas sewing

My Christmas sewing is moving right along. I finished the quick Christmas project that I cannot show you until after Christmas. It is purple and turned out just like I had hoped it would. The binding is ready for application on the Competition Ribbon quilt. I am hoping to finish that up for delivery on Monday. The overlay for the big red square will begin today. First, I will need to square up the quilt and then start the strips and the stars. I only need 13 stars. I will have pictures of this project after Christmas.

I do have 6 pairs of earrings to make using Christmas bulb ornaments. I am seeing my mom and one of my sisters tomorrow for a concert and I want them to have their pick of the crop. Though my mom has already picked green. They will be festive for the season. 

 

I also have a spot to repair on the rag quilt I have made for my nephew and then I can wash it at home and take it to the laundromat for the final drying and fluffing. I almost forgot about this project until my sister {Hi Karen} mentioned she was at the laundromat yesterday drying her flannel quilt she is making for a Christmas gift. Thanks, Karen for the reminder. 

I have not wrapped anything yet. We draw names in our family and buy for that person. My son and his wife are participating this year but are in India for a wedding on Christmas. I have their stuff to wrap along with my stuff. My sister is doing the same for her kids. I am done shopping but need to get some $$'s from the bank for a couple of teenage gifts. $$ is always appreciated by teenagers. 

I am going to go and find the rag quilt and get that taken care of. Then on to the binding and the stars and stripes. Christmas is creeping up on us as we speak!!!

In stitches,
Judy

Accountability

 

Accountability is the name of the game in 2011. As you can see from my sidebar, I have signed up for Judy L's  UFO challenge. I am a great one to start something and almost get it done and then go on to something better. I will be posting my pictures after I finish up my Christmas sewing. I have several tops that need quilting and several pieces that are not started but would not take long to get them completed if only I could get started.

I like to hand quilt and my goal in 2011 is to have a quilt on the floor frame at all times. Then whenever I have some free time, I can put a few stitches on the current quilt and I am sure that I could get bunches done.


I also have other goals for 2011. Kids Komfort is the charity our guild participates in. I would like to make at least one Kid's Komfort quilt each month using up some of my stash. I have a quilt hanger at the landing to the basement and I would like to make several seasonal pieces to hang there. Right now I have the fall quilt hanging. I would like to continue to shop my stash for each project I start or finish. I know it can be done!!


These certainly seem to be lofty goals. And I am sure that I may fall short on some of these goals but it will be neat to look back next December and see how close I came to completing some or all of these goals.


In stitches,
Judy
 
 

Snow

 

We had snow yesterday!! Since Sunday, I think we have had about 8" of snow. I was so happy not to have had to drive in it yesterday at the height of the storm. But there is always a down side to everything. I had a meeting to attend last night and it was not canceled due to the weather. I really wanted to go to the meeting. And my car was snug as bug in my garage. I have a really long driveway. In the summer it is great. I can park 5 cars end to end from my garage to the end of my driveway. In the winter not so good. I live alone and my only child lives in NYC and is in India for a wedding. I do not own a snow blower. I do own a lovely red handled shovel. So for several hours in two different shifts I worked diligently on the task at hand. I am so proud of myself, I completed clear my driveway and was able to attend my meeting last night. I have no pictures of my driveway to show you but I will post a picture later today.

No sewing was done yesterday. Between looking for a job online and shoveling the driveway there was not much time in between for sewing. I do have great plans for today. I am going to cut the binding fabric for the Show Competition quilt and make the quick Christmas project. And start making the overlay for the big red square. The girls {Nicole and Jennifer} are coming tonight for craft night. In between all of this I need to continue on the laundry. It is starting to take over. 

My son called yesterday morning from India. He is with his wife and her family for a wedding on Christmas day. He called about my job situation and let me know that he did indeed ride an elephant this time. He has been to India several times and this is his first ride on an elephant. Several of their college friends have arrived for the wedding and today they are hiking in the Himalayas. That sounds very interesting. I am hoping for pictures.


Hope everyone is getting their Christmas sewing done. Time is running short!!


In stitches,
Judy

Good news, bad news

This is what was out my window yesterday morning. The sunrise was simply awesome. It was a sunny, crisp day. 

 
In everyone's life there is both good and bad news. My bad news, is the job that was supposed to start today has fallen through. I am now jobless. But the bright side to this, I am getting my Christmas quilting finished. The competition ribbon quilt is quilted. I will cut binding for and attach it tomorrow. The fabric for the overlay on the big red quilt has been purchased and it needs to be washed for color bleeding in the morning. I have a quick project that is a Christmas present that I will be making tomorrow also. But I will have to sign up for Cobra for January. Good and bad news. 

Snow is coming again overnight. My car is in the garage where it belongs. I have brought in my shovel and my broom to clear a path to my garage. And I will have to start shoveling my driveway tomorrow. I have an extremely long driveway and a car that sits low to the ground. If I do not shovel my driveway I will never be able to get my car out of the garage. 

I hope everyone is getting all their projects done for Christmas. I found cool elements to make earrings with.It might look like mini Christmas tree ornaments, but I see 6 pairs of earrings and I know my mom and sisters will just love them.  I will work on them in between all the other projects I have left to do. Busy, busy!!

In stitches,
Judy

Design Wall Monday

 

This is actually my dining room table. I am making a quilt using Competition Show Ribbons. It is a bear to do. Next step is to press the backing and start layering it. I am hoping to start quilting later tonight.Check out Judy L's blog for more wonderful ideas!!!

The weatherman has mentioned a White Christmas for 2010 and only because it is too cold for the snow that we have now to melt before Christmas. And the weatherman is calling for more snow on Wednesday night. Yeah!!! Not.

In stitches,
Judy

Stash Report

I have been sewing quite a bit this week and finishing things. I have finished 7 tote bags and I am working furiously on the Competition Ribbon quilt. That was the only purchase this week for the backing. I am hoping to get quilt ready for machine quilting later this evening. Our family get together was canceled due impending inclement weather. I do not start my new job until Wednesday and I am looking forward to hours of sewing time. This quilt and one other queen sized quilt to finish for Christmas.

Used this Week: 10.50 yds
Used year to Date: 124.375 yards
Added this Week: 2.5 yards
Added Year to Date: 127.833 yards
Net used for 2010: -3.458 yards

Check out Patchwork Times and see what others have accomplished this week. 

In stitches,
Judy 

Sewing and Playing

I spent yesterday sewing on the competition ribbon quilt. I am making good progress on it. I am hoping to have the top completed either today or the first thing tomorrow morning. I do not start my new job until Wednesday and I need those two precious days to sew. I still have to finish the big red square. It is 108" square and it needs to be bound by Christmas Eve. 
 
The playing was last night. I went to my sister's for dinner, tree trimming and Wii playing. I found out that I suck at bowling and table tennis. I really need to practice!!

This is my nephew, Vincent and he seems to be obsessed with my sister's Nutcrackers. 

 



This is the Nutcracker with his minions. His words exactly.


In stitches,
Judy

Competition ribbon quilt

 

I finished the 7 bags for the gals at work last night. Jennifer is delivering them to her daughter, who in turn will deliver them to her neighbor, who is the recipient of 2 of the bags and she will take the rest to work for me. I am no longer working at that company. My training for my new job starts on Wednesday. Two extra days of sewing. Yeah!!!

Last night I cut all the rosettes away from the show ribbons. Now I have box of show ribbons and a pile of rosettes on the floor of my dining room. I am going out today to get some plain 2" wide ribbon in various colors to use for spacers between the rows. It hard to visualize right now but by the end of today I am hoping to have the top sewn together. I am using clear thread to do all the sewing and quilting. More pictures to follow. 

My ex husband is helping me with the next step on the big red square. He has done the drawing for the overlay on the quilt. That will be the next project after this one. And they both need to be done for Christmas!! No pressure. 

Jennifer, Nicole, and I were together last night for craft night. Jennifer was binding a Kid's Komfort quilt for our guild's charity project. Nicole was crocheting and got quite a bit done. She finished another strip for her afghan, a decorative scarf for herself, and was working on her mom's afghan. Wow!! It was a fun night of talking, laughing, and crafting!!

In stitches,
Judy

Busy Busy Busy!!

 

 
Me and my sewing machine are not soon parted. I have been sewing like a mad woman for the last week and here is what I have to show for it. I have 7 bags that need handles, I have box of show ribbons waiting to be turned into a quilt and the big red square is still just a big red square. Where has all my time gone? Positive stuff, I have a new job starting on Monday, my Christmas shopping is all done except for my kids which I am not mailing until after they get back in the country after Christmas. Nothing is wrapped but there really is not much to wrap. Sewing is my big project and I will be chained to the sewing machine all weekend. 

 
My newest project is making a 5 ft by 6 ft quilt from show ribbons for a gal at work. I have no pattern just ideas in my brain. I will post the progress here. The batting is open and resting. I have 25 yards of stabilizer waiting for the ribbons to be attached. I need to start snipping the ribbons from their rosettes with my pinking shears. Pictures to follow.

I need to get to my sewing machine via the crock pot. The girls are coming for craft night and I am making diet pepsi chicken.

In stitches,
Judy

So many things happening here

 

It is hard to believe that it has been only 4 days since I have posted and yet so many things have happened around here. First of all Nicole joined Jennifer and I on our Friday Night Craft night. We had such a good time. And depending on the weather everyone will be back again this Friday night. 

It has gotten very cold and we have had some snow. And according to the weatherman we should be getting more snow this weekend. Yipee!!

I finished the machine quilting on the big red square. I am waiting for some measurements to continue on the quilt. I also have 7 bags to finish by the end of the week. 

And the best news of all, I got a job. My current job is being outsourced in January. I posted my resume online on Sunday while my kids were here and on Tuesday I got a call and Friday had my interview and today I was notified I got the job!! I start on Monday. I am taking a few days of vacation until I start my job. I am hoping to get some sewing done along with some Christmas shopping. It would be nice to have everything done before I start my new job. 


In stitches,
Judy