UFO, WIP, Flimsy parade - time to get organized!

I decree that yesterday's new name shall be - "Tally Tuesday"

Also, when ya can't beat the heat to sew comfortably in the loft (since we frugal ol' fuddy-duddies haven't folded to turn on the AC yet), t'was time to ORGANIZE all the bins and shelves and 'chair piles' downstairs in the basement quilting space. Don’t get me wrong! I like the heat but this task needed to get done all the same.

I haven't truly been in full-blown 'quilter-mode' since probably 2013/14, as my faithful followers of year's gone by can attest to; life simply got busy with the girls growing up . However, with a couple recent quilt-top finishes this week that had been in almost-finished stages, I really wanted to get a gauge of the status of all the other "things" down there. Ya know... to make plans and goals!

The parade of current UFOs (unfinished objects), WIPs (works in progress) and FLIMSIES (quilt top ready for quilting), plus a few HMIDs (holy moly, it's done) quilts.

[[alright, I made up that last acronym]]

FIrst up, the Flimsies...

Omigosh flimsy - 73"x 92"
Designer: Susan Garman

Omigosh perspective

10 hours in my sewing room - Easy Street and others

6:30 AM, and I was strolling into my quilting room.  I brought NO schoolwork home this weekend seeing that we teachers have 2 days worth of inservice on Monday & Tuesday while the kiddos have the entire week off.  Therefore, I'll plan to get some of my planning done during a couple of hours of worktime on Tuesday afternoon.

Therefore, I could FINALLY devote my undivided attention to my sewing room!  {{almost}}  From time to time, I did need to provide some meals on the table for Candace and Caitlyn.

My main project today:  Lazy Sunday.  Last weekend, I had left off piecing the sashing to the 2nd row before my bobbin thread ran out.  Hence, I wound 6 bobbins worth to start off the day, and then got to work.

I haven't done a "time-lapse" post in quite some time;  it's kind of a neat way to keep track of how fast/slow certain parts of quilting are.

A few hours into the morning, the center of Lazy Sunday was pieced.  I had also been piecing the border units as my leaders-enders, so I was making some good progress.

And then........

I forgot to continue with the time-lapse pictures!!! Whoops....

I simply was in a mode, and it was go-go-go;  and in the background, I was catching up on Bonnie's quiltcams from the past couple of months.

By mid-afternoon:  Lazy Sunday pieced!  77"x97".

Can I get an....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh  ?

LOL

All the while, I was organizing up the leader-ender section;  failed to take a picture of that though.  "Omigosh" continues to be my main leader-ender project.  Perhaps in 4 years, at this pace, it may actually be completed SOLELY as leader-ender :)

THEN, I wanted to truly have an idea of how many quilt-tops I had hanging around, waiting OH WAITING to eventually be loaded into the quilting frame for some fancy-schmancy quilting.

The newest flimsy from last weekend:  Confetti (48"x48)

Bonnie's 2012-13 mystery:  Easy Street (85"x85")

Bonnie's Jamestown Landing (84"x96")

Bonnie's Smith Mountain Morning (72"x82")

RWB Heartstrings, but after seeing it in pictures.....nopers.  It's not ready for quilting!  I foresee 18 more RWB string blocks for placement on the left-and-right sides.  This layout.....eh.  It doesn't work.  It's unfinished!

Rainbow Scrap (from 2011? I think) (42"x56")

2010 BOM - 18 block RWB (58.5"x72")

HMMM......Alycia, if you happen to catch this post, let me know if you (or anyone you know) would be willing to take the top as-is and get it quilted up as a QOV ???  I'd rather get this into the arms of a recipient sooner-than-later; and at this rate..... in my basement.... it would be MUCH "later" than sooner.

Frost 25 (73"x73")

Freeze Frame (69"x86")

And not to mention a flannel snuggler quilt that was packed away in a different bin.  And I'm sure I have another one around the basement ... somewhere!  So, with ALL of these 100% ready for backings to be pieced or loaded directly into the frame....

I figured I simply needed to put some time on Wafer Cookies!  Which I did.  For a little while.

and then.....

The afternoon sloggies took hold.  And I was ready to be done.

I had a slightly restless night, playing "mommy" to Caitlyn.  She wasn't feeling well at school yesterday, and ALMOST lasted the whole day.  But, at 1:50, the elementary secretary walked her down to my classroom.  Even a "mom-hug" wasn't enough.  So, with some amazing coworkers helping out, I was on the way out the door of the school with Caitlyn next to me by 2:15.  And by 2:50... **sigh** ...  she officially proved to me that she was indeed sick.

By 10:00, THANKFULLY, she dozed off to sleep on the couch.  

Her sister, on the other hand; WIDE AWAKE watching Doc McStuffins.

Therefore, I figured I'd try to pass the time with some crochet.  The Hallmark channel has been the background noise of choice most evenings, and last night wasn't any different (until I allowed Candace to watch some Disney) :)

These blocks, along with probably one more, will be sewn together to make a simple lil' Christmas table runner for our piano.

There ya go, folks.  The list of flimsies is a bit..... overwhelming!  BUT, at least my sewing tables are clean and tidied.  My leader-ender section is freshly organized.  My "big" WIPs have reached an acceptable stage for folding or stashing on a shelf.

I'm READY for Friday's Clue #1.

OH WAIT!  

Crud!  

LOL

No I'm not!!!  

I completely forgot to pull fabrics.

:}

Oh well...tomorrow is another day.  I don't think I have enough energy left in me to spend any more time in the sewing room tonight.  Instead, I'll grab my crochet hook for the evening.

Happy Saturday!

My two therapies today: Easy Street & Running

The day began early, like many others lately.  4:30 AM yesterday morning, and 5:30 AM this morning.  And truly, on the weekends, I really don't mind.  There's always so much I want to do;  and there's so little stress to worry about since I don't have to prepare mentally for being in front of a classroom.  I'm sure all you other teachers understand?  Waking early is easy on the weekends.  I mainly get to relax with my own priorities I set out for the day.  No agenda, other than what I set for myself, .... or I suppose, what I need to do as a mom, wife and overall member of a family and society.

Yesterday was filled with Basketball and Football.  Cassie is signed up for Basketball again this year and she had her first tournament of the season.  Thankfully, it was a 'home' tournament, so travel only consisted of 5 miles.  That was manageable.   There was more basketball in the afternoon since Cass's team was asked to join in on the Varsity introduction "hand-slap" line.  It's all good;  I hadn't seen a varsity game yet this year.

And then, there was football in the evening.  But, for any Green Bay Packer fans out there (or 49er fans), I don't really want to talk too much about the results of that game.  Besides, I fell asleep at half time, and wasn't awakened too often afterwards by shouts from DH, which usually happens when he whoops and hollars at good plays.  ie:  there weren't too many in the 2nd half :\

But today... I sewed.

And I truly didn't have any goals in mind.  I just wanted to sew.  And little bit by little bit... Easy Street blocks were finished up.  The layout....  I think I'm okay with it.  It's very different than any color combination I've used in the past, despite using greens/oranges/purples, my favorite combination.  The black as a background is a big change for me.  Some of you have said that the colors remind you of Halloween;  I can see that.  The blocks haven't been sewn into rows yet;  it was 3:00 by this time, and I was ready to move into my second form of therapy for the day.....

Running....

When I run inside, I clearly don't get any change in elevation tracked, nor distance;  only time can get recorded while I'm on my treadmill.  65 minutes today, and with my share of walking (all the lower heartrate percentages shown), I was able to log 5 miles.  I had set a goal of 6 today, but I'll take 5.  I marked off one of my highest heartrate percentages;  an insight into how out of shape my heart and cardio system is :\  However, I'm working on it.  Besides, considering I've been back on the running wagon all year so far, I'm happy with my progress!  PLUS, today's 5 miles already has me surpassing my TOTAL mileage logged from 2010!!!!  Can you believe it?!?!?!  I simply shake my head....24 miles in 2010.  How sadly sad that is.

But, I'm back.  I have a few motivators helping me along the way;  certainly helps to keep me honest!

And, the other good news;  I'm finally making progress on my virtual trip to Amy's house :D  Almost halfway there now :)

I think I'll relax with some reading tonight.  

I certainly hope your Sunday and weekend was all that it could be :)

Happy Sunday.

Candace turns 7 :)

Candace turns 7 today!  And I have to chuckle that her favorite present was a huge container of cheesy puff balls :) LOL

I have some school work to take care of this weekend;  there was no way of avoiding it since I had to bolt out of school today to do some last minute BDay things.  Pizza, snacks.... ya know.

I also hope to have some time to work on Easy Street.  On Tuesday, this was as far as I got...

I was realllly planning on pushing through the piecing (See the glass of Mountain Dew??!?!?!?)

But when I laid out all of the units for this block......

????????????????

Am I missing some green squares?  Did they fall?  Did I fail to cut them out???

I CLEARLY was short!

So, I figured it was a sign.  And walked away.

This weekend though :)

However, shortly I'm heading out for a night out with some lady coworkers:  heading to see Les Miserables!  Can't Wait!!!!!!

Happy Weekend :D

Hawaii Sunset blocks done; Easy Street caught up; A new start :)

I love days when things plug along like a well oiled machine!  

I got into a major rhythm this morning piecing together the 600 flying geese units into rows of 6.  Although, once I got to the end, I kinda scratched my head....... not sure if I was missing units or if I had extra.  But I figured I'd worry about that once I neared the finish of the 25 blocks; I didn't want to be slowed down with counting and figuring at that time.

And wouldn't ya know it?  THEY WERE EXTRA!

These were most definitely super fun blocks to piece.  Every block is a bit crazy, 1845 style!  Andra and Andee swapped some beautiful units!

Unfortunately, this is as far as I can go.  I don't have any "perfect" fabrics for use as sashing; so a shopping spree will need to be planned. Soon. :)

Therefore, I took care of cutting up Easy Street part 6 since my cutting board had been cleaned off.  That didn't take all that long....

So FINALLY.... these fabrics had been calling me long enough, waiting so patiently on one of my shelves.  And go figure, right!?!?!?!?  Light purples, rich hunter greens, and copper.  LOL.  My favorite!

After looking through my files of "to be made someday" patterns, I pulled out "Forever Christmas."  Although, these most definitely are not Christmas colors. :)  I'm simply thinking of shortening it to "Forever".  Seems fitting.  They ARE my favorite color combinations afterall :)

I was plugging along, cutting away and piecing away.  Until 3:30, when the Packer game pulled me away.  

And now that I see this brownish/reddish fabric that I thought I'd try as a "here i am!" fabric..... I'm reallllly not liking it.

I'm glad I haven't sewn these together yet.  That fabric may just be ripped out, and I'll grab one of my darker greens.

Meet Father-in-Law.  Taken Christmas Day.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Wow! This is really only my 9th December post?

Well, with a day and a half left of December, I simply MUST fix that!

LOL

I guess this month kinda got away from me :s
I've been busily sewing away this morning;  taking a quick break right now for some lunch.

Pictures to come later -
Bonnie's Easy Street part 6 was completed
ALLLLL 25 Hawaii Sunset blocks are pieced! Can I get a whoo-hoo?? {{Or maybe wait until the picture post later??}}

And now...off to look at my "to be made someday" list of quilts.  I have a stack of GORGEOUS coordinating fabrics that are calling...calling...calling to be pressed and cut and pieced into a masterpiece!!!  :D

Alright;  meat's cooking.

Happy Sunday.

6 hours later...Steps 4 & 5 done

Amen, right??? :D

A small bagel and coffee break ensued at 8:00, just after finishing up Bonnie's mystery step #4.

Step #5 was also finished up before noon, all at a leisurely pace.

Can't wait until tomorrow to see how some of these units will be pieced together.  

Then, my sewing room was being taken over by Hawaii Sunset.  

A short lunch break of mac-n-cheese and hotdogs pulled me away.  And now...I think a little relaxation with a movie is just the ticket.  Hopefully I'll be back at this later.

Happy Thursday!

Time passes

After a 4 hour drive in foggy, wintery weather last night, it felt good to be home.  And I started my day out right this morning with a 3 mile jog, on freshly snow-covered roads.  THANKFULLY, this snow didn't hit until after I made it safely home!

 

No sewing accomplished yesterday since I spent the entire day shopping with my sister and mother, but today, 

Bonnie's Easy Street mystery, step #4 was {almost} completed.  

The rest of the day was super lazy!  I've done some loads of laundry between sitting and surfing the web.  I even rested for about an hour while listening to the Green Bay Packer game.  I spent very minimal time writing a Statistics test that is scheduled tomorrow.  So yeah...kinda a kick-back lazy Sunday afternoon.

One more week of school before a little bit of a holiday break!  I'd be lying if I said I can wait!

1-2-3 All caught up!

Oh yes people.

I finally found a full day of mojo and determination!

And of COURSE, I had to get myself all caught up on Bonnie's mystery!!!

Step 1 had been partially completed; the day started with finishing up the 4-patches. 

Despite having just made 600 flying geese for the Hawaii Sunset quilt not so long ago, cutting into the purples for Bonnie's step 2 had me motivated for much of the morning and early afternoon.  I'm worried that some of the purples might be a bit too dark to contrast against the black I chose as my background, but, I'm going with it.

And I realized too late that someone had altered my camera settings, so my pictures are blurry.  I simply don't have enough energy to care about getting better pics right now.

LOVED moving right along into step #3 and busting out the orange!  By mid afternoon, I was all caught up with Easy Street!  Get I get a hoorah!?!

Not ready to clean up the shop.... 

I pulled out the package I received from Andra containing our swapped units for Hawaii Sunset.  After only a quick organizational moment, I grabbed the 9-patches, and together with my previously cut units, I gave each of them an inner border hug.

If one stares at the left block too long, the mind could get hypnotized!  That's one wild block of patterns.  And then, the RICH gorgeousness of the red/yellow/block combination of the block on the right:  yummmmy!

STILL not ready to clean up shop, my OCD took over!  The flying geese sent from Andra needed to be organized into cute lil' matching pink piles.

So now, all the units for Hawaii Sunset are cut, organized and piled.   What a pretty sight;  ready for more attention, but not at this moment.  It was finally time to turn everything off for the night and join my family {{I think they thought I died downstairs}}.

:D

Happy Sunday