The Contest Quilt

 
The contest quilt top is done!! I finished it last night and I simply adore it. It will get bound in teal and I am hoping to get it done this weekend. Of course, my weekend starts on Saturday at 4:30pm and ends at midnight on Monday. I will prep the backing today and open the batting and after Church and dinner tonight I will be pin basting the quilt with gobs of pins. I have already decided on the quilting design and it will be quilted in verigated thread on the top and brown thread on the bottom which I should have gotten last night at the fabric store. Guess I will make another stop there after work.

In Stitches,
Judy

Contest Quilt

I am so excited! The Joann's contest quilt is almost ready to be layered and quilted. And this is a good weekend to work on it. I am working Saturday, but I am off Sunday and Monday. I see a lot of quilting in my future. I need to cut some more piano keys strips for the border today in between calls and keep on sewing them together. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is so exciting. 

My sister (Hi Becky) is such a troublemaker. She told me of several apps that uses on her IPad and that I could probably put on my ITouch. And she was right. I loaded several of them while on the phone with her and then after I could not sew any longer last night I was playing with them. I like to never get to bed last night. She is a teacher on Christmas break and I have to get up and work. 

In Stitches,
Judy

In between

 
It is the week in between the holidays. Today was my first day back to work after Christmas. And we were slow yet again. I am finally cutting the fabric for the piano key border for my contest quilt. I cut a bunch at 2.5 x 7.5 inches. Not as pretty as it could be. I have resized the blocks to 1.75 x 5.5 inches. I am finally happy with the way they look. I will finish cutting them and tomorrow I will be able to sew. Yeah!

My daughter in law is going to take the first quilt for the contest. I will need to add some more blocks and borders in order for it to fit on their queen sized bed. That will be finished this winter.

I have started to formulate a list of the projects I want to finish in 2012. I definitely want to finish projects already started, I want to start new projects, and I want to use up as much of my stash as I can. Sounds like a tall order but I am thinking it can be doable. Month by month, week by week and day by day. Baby steps.

In Stitches,
Judy

It's Christmas Eve!!

 
Happy Christmas Eve!! My kids are almost to their first destination. They should be pulling into Nick's Dad's driveway within the next 30 minutes. They have been driving all night from NYC. I have spoken to my daughter in law and they are tired and excited. And my grand puppy, Frankie, has been a real trooper.

I have a few finishing touches to do and I will be ready for the festivities to begin. Of course, I have an 8 hour day to put in at work before I can get to my mom's. Fingers crossed that we won't be busy and I might get to go home early. Whatever happens is fine with me.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable Christmas Eve with friends and family or however you celebrate!!

In stitches,

Judy

Cleaning

The wrapping is done and I forgot to take pictures of all my Christmas sewing. I will remedy that tomorrow and get those pictures posted after Christmas. We were somewhat busy at work today. All I can figure is if you send enough people without pay, then I am bound to get more phone calls. Cannot imagine what tomorrow will bring.

I have a kidney stone dancing in time with all the Christmas music on the radio. I was hoping if ignored it the dancing would stop, but that has not happened. I have medicine I can take but it will knock me out and I still have cleaning to do. Oh well, life goes on.

Still waiting to hear if my kids have gotten on the road. They are driving straight thru from NYC to Dayton, Ohio. They were hoping for an early start but my son got a new project at work and their departure has been delayed. Maybe driving late at night will mean less traffic. They will be in my thoughts until they are safely home.

In stitches,
Judy

It's a wrap

Today is wrapping day. I will move my sewing machine from the table next to my desk and set up a wrapping station. The first thing in the morning the calls are dead and I will be able to get my meager amount of wrapping done. Then I will set up my mat, rotary cutter and ruler and start cutting the pieces for my piano key border for my contest quilt. Tomorrow will be a sewing day. I have to work tomorrow and I am pretty sure that we will get very few calls.

My kids and grand puppy are leaving NYC today for the drive to Ohio. Their first stop with be with my son's father in Dayton for some much needed rest before journeying to my mom's house tomorrow for Christmas Eve festivities. This will be the first year in a long time that a dog will be joining us. Normally it is babies that we have joining us. And this year is no exception. It will be my nephew, Neil's first Christmas. He is almost 6 months old. He gets Christmas presents and a dog. Oh wow!!

Took both of my contest quilts to my support meeting last night. The ugly one in my eyes got rave reviews and one gentleman in the group wanted to take it's pictures. Most people were drawn the ugly quilt. At this stage the revised quilt is quite tame but I know the piano key borders will wake it up. I am happier with the revised quilt and that is all that matters.

I must fire up EQ7 quickly and then gather up my wrapping stuff and get one the phones for the onslaught of calls that will be coming my way! Have a great day.

In stitches,
Judy

Decisions

Last year at this time I was eagerly joining the UFO challenge at Patchworks Times. This year I am still undecided as what to do about the UFO challenge. I did not make very good progress in finishing the quilts on the list. I gave one of the UFO's away. There were just blocks and since they were given to me, I gave them to someone else.
   
I did actually finish two quilts on the list. Yeah! I would like to finish the items on the list from last year but I think I might need some other kind of motivation. I still have some time to decide. I can join any time. I should wait until after Christmas to make my final decision.

Jennifer was here tonight and we went to Cracker Barrel for dinner and then to Home Depot for light bulbs and Walmart for a few groceries. The kids are coming into town and I will be in charge of feeding them.

Need to call it a night. More sewing will be done tomorrow. I can only imagine that we will not be busy at work tomorrow or the rest of the week for that matter. Oh well, maybe I will finish that dish cloth after all.

In stitches,

Judy

Slow

Today it is slow at work! I am tethered to my phone and computer. Waiting for a call to come in. Boring. I have finished the piecing of my revised contest quilt and I have started on the inner border. I need to spread out more so I have stopped that project and have started crocheting a dish cloth. Pretty mindless stuff. Only 3 more hours to go!!

In stitches,
Judy

Wednesday

My Christmas present has arrived. It is in a big box and I am so excited. It is a new computer. The box is not wrapped and I had to sign for it this afternoon. It is from my children. So last night I started cleaning the basement so the new computer would have a clean space to live in. I got quite a bit done but there is still more to finish tonight. I am working on the  revised contest quilt during the day and cleaning in the evening. It is working out just fine. Wrapping will begin on Friday in between calls at work. Should be able to get it done quickly. Wondering how I am going to wrap the tiaras I got for my great nieces. Issues, issues issues!! Life is always interesting.

I will post pictures of my Christmas projects after Christmas. I do not want anyone to peek at their gifts before the big day.

I already know we are not having a White Christmas in this part of Ohio and I am okay with that. I would really like to have dry Christmas. It is raining yet again in this part of Ohio. Would somebody please turn off the rain faucet?

In stitches,
Judy

The good and the bad

Today there a bit of both. The good was I got most of my shopping done and all of my sewing done. The bad was there is another leak in my roof. I did not get it fixed the last time because there is no more funds available at this time. Today after I called my handyman to come and fix my roof, I called my bank looking for funds to pay for the repairs. And of course, there was no money to be had. But the lady at the bank reminded me that I had a CD for $500 and for a penalty I could cash it in and get my roof fixed. The penalty was $2.70. I now I have my roof repair done just before the rain started again. I am happy.

Val was here tonight and finished her apron for her friend's birthday. I am all done with my Christmas sewing. Tomorrow I will be working on my contest quilt. They did not appear to be busy at work today. I checked in about 4pm and they had already sent quite a few people with out pay. As much as I would like to leave early, the calls that I take do not allow the option of leaving early without pay. I would like to put the CD back in the bank after the holidays so I am glad that I will be staying every day this week for my entire shift.

I am thinking it is about time for bed. It might have been my day off but I was up early sewing and then shopping. It appears that I will be staying home tomorrow. Sewing is on my plate.

In stitches,
Judy

Just when I thought I was done

Just when I thought I could see the light at the end of the Christmas sewing tunnel, I have added yet another project. My brother and his family are going skiing the day after Christmas and my niece is looking for a bag to carry on the plane. Something yellow that has a zipper. I have the front and the bag quilted. I need to run to JoAnn Fabrics this morning to pick up a zipper and then the back will almost be done. I also need to get something for my daughter in law and pick up a red onesie for my nephew to go with his new sleep pants that I have made for him. I have a couple of things left to pick up. But I can do those later in the week.

I am going to spend most of today working on the revised contest quilt. I am going to get the backing fabric while I am out today. I had some backing fabric purchased but I had to use it all making the revised blocks. I am glad that I had it on hand. Soon I will post pictures of both quilts.

Gots to go. Time waits for no one at this time of the year!!

In stitches,
Judy

Contest Quilt

The quilt is ugly. It is very busy and the best thing for it right now is a bag and a trip to sewing room. I will revise the design and start all over today. The only sewing left to do is the dog quilt for Frankie. It is a piece of cake and I will whip that up tomorrow. I only need 42 blocks. I am working today and as long as I am tethered to my phone and computer I can do anything I want to, to fill my time. Cutting and sewing will fit the bill today.

Tonight is sewing with Val. We will share the sewing machine. Tomorrow is a Christmas program at my brother's church in the afternoon and then back to his house for dinner. Monday is my day off and I need to finish up my shopping. Just a few things and I can get most of it at JoAnn's. Coupon sale starts Sunday. I will then set up a wrapping station next to my desk during the week and get the wrapping done. I think I have it all figured out!!

In stitches,
Judy

Sewing

I have finished sewing the center piece of my contest quilt for JoAnn's. And now I am on the computer working on my EQ7 working on the border design. I have an idea in my mind and I want to confirm that this is really what I want to do. And it is. The only Christmas sewing left to do is Frankie's dog coat. It is cut out and I just need to sew it up. That should not take very long and I will do it tomorrow.

Val is coming tomorrow evening for another sewing lesson. She has wisely decided that there is no way she will be able to finish nightgowns for herself, her sister, her niece and her daughter. They will make nice Valentine's gifts. She is going to tackle an apron for her friend's birthday. The party is New Year's Eve. That is a more attainable goal. I can cut fabric for my piano key border and she can sew. It will be a very fun evening.

In stitches,
Judy

Christmas Progress

I am making great progress with my Christmas sewing!! I have finished both pairs of sleep pants. The dog coat is cut out and will be a cinch to put together. That should be finished tonight!! I still have a spot of shopping to do and I will do that over the weekend. Tomorrow will be committed to working on my contest quilt for JoAnn's Fabrics. It is looking good at least in my mind it is. Layers of sewing still need to be done. Pictures will follow once the pictures and entry form are winging their way to Hudson, Ohio in January. Not many of my friends have seen the quilt. I like to keep it under wraps until it is done.

In stitches,
Judy

Christmas Sewing

Christmas sewing has been interesting this year. I started out with a nightgown for my niece and it went together easy as pie. I have been sewing for more than 40 years. Then I got a nasty head cold, flu thing and for a whole week I worked every day and was in bed by 7pm. No sewing done at all. So I am a bit behind at this point. I still have two pairs of sleep pants to make and a coat for my grand puppy. Last night I cut out the coat for the grand puppy and started on the sleep pants. I looked high and low for my tracing paper to trace of the appropriate patterns for the sleep pants. No such luck. Could not find the tracing paper so I went to bed. This morning I found the paper next to my bed. It could not have been there last night, because my sewing machine was living in that spot for the last several days. The tracing paper is on a heavy cardboard roll. So now I am ready or not. Seems the pattern I thought was in multi sizes for the baby's sleep pants is just on size. Large/extra large. He is not there yet. He is more Medium. Now I have to alter the pattern. I went to the basement to look at my pattern collection and I have the same style of pattern in a Medium. I may be able to pull this Christmas sewing off after all. I would like to get them cut out before work and sew them after work. And during work I want to work on my quilt for the quilt contest that JoAnn Fabrics is sponsoring. At least that is my plan.

In stitches,
Judy

I had a party

I had a party on Sunday. I invited 9 gals from work to come to my house for dinner. I made homemade spaghetti sauce, homemade filling for stuffed shells. Today I finished cleaning the house, put up my very small tree, and put together stuffed shells. I have had a terrible head cold for the last week and though I am feeling 100% better, I am still without a sense of smell. I had to have one of the gals come with every time I wanted to check on dinner because her smeller worked and mine doesn't. Dinner was a big hit!! I also made two kinds of salad dressing. We also had salad, bread and two kinds of dessert. We finished off one bottle of wine and made a dent in the other bottle. We laughed, talked and eat. We had an amazing time. Most of us started working together years ago and all us of work from home or are at new positions in different companies. It was so nice to see everyone and I am hoping we can do this again once winter is over.

In stitches,
Judy

Christmas Concert

This afternoon I will be attending a Christmas Concert with The Southwest Ohio Symphonic Band In Middletown, Ohio. My sister, Becky, plays the flute for this band. After the concert we will gather at my mom's house for dinner and tree decorating. Becky promises that this will be yet another awesome performance by the band.

This is the beginning of my weekend. I am off today, tomorrow and Tuesday. Next Sunday I am hosting a group of gals from work for dinner. Most of us no longer work in the office but are work at home people and rarely do we get to see one another. I will be making stuffed shells with homemade sauce, two kinds of homemade salad dressing. The others will be bringing dishes to fill in the menu. I anticipate lots of talking, laughing, eating, and silliness.

I am hoping to finish my Christmas sewing this week. Just need to make two pairs of sleep pants and a dog coat. Simple sewing. Then I can concentrate on my entry for JoAnn Fabrics Quilt Contest. It is coming together nicely but it is still just pieces and not even a quilt top. Busy, busy, busy I will be this week. I would not want it any other way!!

In stitches,
Judy

Friday Night Sewing

 
Friday night was Val's first go round with sewing. She is making matching nightgowns for her daughter, Clara and niece Lana, who are both under the age of two. And she is also making matching nightgowns for herself and her twin sister, Vicki. Such ambition!! I am so proud of her and what she has accomplished so far. One little girl nightgown cut and sewn.

She will be here this afternoon to get back at it. The pattern for both nightgowns are very similar and very easy. We will make a small change in her sister's nightgown. By February she will be a nursing mama and we are adding a zipper.

I am spending the morning hours at work today. Calls for two hours and then training. Then making the dash home on my lunch break to finish out the rest of my shift! It can be done as I repeated this same scenario on Wednesday.  I love working from home.

In stitches,
Judy

Today is Special

Today is the day my daughter in law is sworn in as a United States citizen and as mother in law I could not be prouder. Of course, she and my son are in New York City and I will have to celebrate alone here in Ohio. I do not know all the steps that they had to go through but I know it was time consuming and expensive. My son is an attorney and decided that he could do the leg work but he now has a new respect for the attorneys that do that for a living. There are lots of things required to make this possible. For example, they needed her birth certificate. Seems easy, right? No. She was born in India and has 6 birth certificates. And the one that had all correct information was in Hindi and they had to have it translated and then get an affidavit that it is correct and that she did not do her own translating.

She is traveling with her job and was in Florida until last night. She had a late night flight back to NYC for the ceremony this morning then back to Florida to finish out her presentation. At least for the trip back to Florida my son is going with her and they will celebrate together in warm, sunny Florida.

A very proud mama,
Judy

Christmas sewing

One Christmas sewing project is done. I will take it's picture and then wrap it. I will not post pictures until after Christmas. Not fair to person getting the gift to see it on my blog. I still have a dog coat and two pairs of sleep pants to do and then I will be done. Today will be sewing on the quilt I am doing for JoAnn Fabrics quilt challenge. My skill set at work has changed and right now I have more down time between calls. So I will sew today.

Tomorrow is craft night at the house. Val is coming over and I am teaching her to sew. She is making matching nightgowns for her daughter and her niece and matching nightgowns for herself and her twin sister. The pattern is simple but the prep work is a killer for someone who has not ever sewed before. I will let you know how things progress over time. She hoping that everyone will be decked out in new nightwear for Christmas Eve.

Sunday is my sister's Christmas Concert with the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band at Lakota High School this year. It will be a fun time and then we are coming back here for dinner. I need to clean!!!

I need to close and get ready for work. I just need to run upstairs gave some breakfast and turn on the computer. The joys of working from home. It is a good gig if you can get it.

In stitches,
Judy