Some final touches

Four quilts get 100% COMPLETELY marked off now.

Splendidly Marching Along and Transitions only needed labels to be complete. SMA will be sent to Alycia as soon as Maltese Star gets finished (my next to be loaded on the frame). Transitions will be in the hands of a new owner by the end of this week as she heads off to college.

Hopscotch needed binding; I had LOADS of this burgundy in my 2.5" strip drawer; NO IDEA where it was from???? But, used most of it :0) FINISHED!

Despite having had Roll, Roll Cottonboll marked off as" finished" in May, it still needed binding as well as a label even though it had been living on our bed :0). So, using some yellow and blue 2.5" strips from the drawer....it's FINISHED!

Feels good having those putzy tiny finishing tasks DONE! ;0)

Check
Check
Check
and
Check!

Two quilting finishes & DSL troubles

Grrrrrrrr......I didn't realize Blogger was working on an update, so I lost half of this post before saving, and I don't care to type it all up again.

The short version: We were having DSL troubles and no Internet access when I arrived home last night from my parent's house. So, after some trouble-shooting this AM, and a 30-minute tech-service call, and an 11:00 visit from a (cute) technician, and another 3:00 phone call when the DSL wasn't working again, and another 3:30 visit by the technician.........

.....we're up-n-running again.

During the Internet-down-time today, I got busy with some quilting.....

Splendidly Marching Along (61" x 77")
That hour spent Saturday morning to load this quilt paid off, because it was a perfect way to spend much of the morning hours.

Just a simple pieced backing for this quilt.

The quilting was a new pantograph: 3" Hyacinth. I think I hit a jackpot pantograph provider: Urban Elementz out of Texas; I think they have EVERY POSSIBLE pantograph under the sun!! It took me over three hours the other day to really peruse the entire collection before making my selections. This pantograph is meant for 3" sashing, however as an owner of a Juki98, this is a great size (and SIMPLE pantograph) for my short-arm machine.

After a couple more finishes, this one will make its way to Alycia for QOV donations.

Loading time: ~1 hour
Quilting time: ~ 4 hours
Bobbins used: 6
Pantograph: 3" Hyacinth

Transitions (72" x 97")
Transitions was quilted last month, but had been on the waiting pile for binding.

Being on a roll today, I pulled it out to finish it up. This has plans to be gifted to a sweet lil' gal who is heading off to college in a few weeks.

Both quilts need labels yet; on the agenda for tomorrow. In addition, tomorrow also bodes some gardening! I skipped out of the garden today; I haven't been in it since Sunday. Oh dear---those cucumbers might be overflowing by now.

Transitions quilted & more jam

Transitions (73"x98")
Days like this, of no particular schedule, are lovely :0) I headed downstairs this morning around 9:00 with full intentions of working on Splendidly Marching Along, and as I walked by the quilting frame, I figured I should AT LEAST take a pass or two on Transitions since I had yet to actually start the quilting, despite having had it loaded for nearly a month.

A couple of passes later, I was back in the quilting-frame-groove.


The backing is mostly the cream flowered pattern shown here, but I needed to put a lil' bit of green along the top/bottom in order to have it fit. It was centered very nicely :0) I don't even recall much of a fuss centering it when loading it onto the frame.

By 12:30, I was wrapping up; trimming off the sides. Binding has yet to be cut/sewn; not putting a goal time on this quilt.....whenever the mood strikes :0)

After some lunch, Caitlyn and I marched over to the raspberry bushes in the 95 degree heat to pick some berries with intentions of making jam. (Yeah---the heat has finally reached Wisconsin! UGH! I don't pity ANY of you in the south where the heat is EXPECTED; why LIVE there??? ;0) Well, 'xept for over the November-March months when the temperatures in the south by FAR beat Wisconsin temperatures :0) Why can't there be a place where the temps are ALWAYS regulated around 70-75 degrees; low humidity; sunny for at least 16 hours of the day--the other 8 are for sleeping--and no severe weather or natural disasters happen?? **sigh** Okay, and then we wake up from THAT dream!)

Anyway.... we ended up with 6 cups of crushed berries; enough for two batches of Raspberry Jam. HOWEVER, I stretched the life of our berries by thawing out and simmering up some Rhubarb from a few weeks back. This allowed us to make three batches (6 containers each) with a 2-1 Raspberry/Rhubarb ratio. Eighteen more containers of jam. YUMMMM! We're set for the year (and then some???)

SO....Sister Jen, if you read this and are interested in some Raspberry/Rhubarb Jam, let me know; I'll be sure to put your name on a few containers :0)

The painting that almost wasn't & What's on the frame

Cassie took her time yet again today unloading her room, but after lunch, we were doing the final preparations to paint her room. Outlet covers off; final wall hangings removed.....all set.

Once again, the "little ones" wanted to help out, MUCH to my dislike because the room was crowded since we kept Cassie's bed in the center.....and besides; there weren't a lot of "small stuff" that Caitlyn or Candace could do. BUT, I remember hearing Paul in my head...."They want to help, honey..."

With brush in hand, Caitlyn was on her third and final outlet border with Candace waiting patiently to paint her three, when.....

STUMBLE BUMBLE CRASH!

Here is the aftermath after TWO HOURS of scrubbing the 1/4 gallon spill of paint that dear ol' Candace graced us with. Ooooo.......in the heat of the moment, I was rather upset and Candace fought off the tears, albeit her lip was trembling something fierce. I didn't take any "before" shots of this because I was FUMING......there was SOOOOOO MUCH paint, just a'soaking up into the carpet.

I literally scraped up as much as I could and squeegied it into a small container.......ohhhhh....what a MESS!!! And YES, I had down a cloth, BUT, she tipped over the painting pan, which then overflowed over the edge of the cloth. ((**sigh**))

About an hour-n-half into the scrubbing, I called up Cassie to help me with the final rinsing and scrubbing, and I simply told her that the painting may be put on hold......I was pooped from constant scrubbing for TWO HOURS......

AND.....being the trooper that she is, she said..."It's alright Mom."

But, after a drink of Diet Orange Crush and a deep breath, I picked up a brush to at least use up the paint I was able to "rescue" from the carpet spill just to get it used up....and suddenly, the room started turning from this yellow girly flower room.....



....to this Laker blue room! (Our school mascot is a Laker---picture to come someday soon). Cassie pictured here alphabetizing her books.....did you ever do that as a kid? Boy, it takes me back because I did. :0)

The first time we painted her room when we built in 2004, we had her hand-stamp by her light switch.

We saved it, and have intentions of stamping a new hand once we break open the yellow to paint a Laker symbol above her bed.

I think a Laker symbol above her bed is a great idea and it'll be a great spot! I'll have to see about borrowing a projector from the school to draw the symbol on her wall.

The Blue-n-Gold quilt that I just started as a leader-ender will be hers once finished. It'll match so nicely :0)

Cassie is 10 years old and has become SUCH a worker for both Paul and I. She is ALWAYS wanting and willing to help Dad outside with his odd jobs; she's been a GREAT help this past week with painting, and yesterday when I was mowing, she asked if she could learn how to ride the Riding Lawnmower. She really is a GREAT kid!!! :0)

Finally, before lunchtime and after I completed the first Rolling Star applique block, I pieced together the backing I purchased for Transitions and got it all loaded on the frame. I haven't chosen a pantograph yet, but I cleaned and oiled the machine and wound 8 bobbins so I'll be set the next time I head downstairs.

For those of you asking about Rolling Star pattern, hang tight. It's downstairs and I'm simply too lazy to go get the paperwork right now to let you all know. Soon though.....PROMISE!

Time for some rhubarb slush!

A full, motivating day & Stash Report 11/8 to 11/14

5:55 AM---wide awake! BUT, I resisted climbing out of bed....I was going to give myself until 6:30. The last time I recall looking at the clock, it was staring back at me saying 6:23, but I OBVIOUSLY fell back asleep before I looked again....because the next thing I knew: it was 7:15. Time to start the day.

French toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast; a lil' bit of mass tidy-ing up by all parties; and then by 8:30, I had my nose in my Statistics book with the intent of prepping for the upcoming week. These few sections I accomplished today will be more than sufficient to get us through this shortened week (no school on Friday).

SO......6 hours later....

... I finally made my way downstairs and I jumped right back in to the In Flight units; I needed to finish piecing 120 triangle units, and then....

...LOTS of pressing! 240 total units need pressing; I'm only half finished.

Taking Bonnie's advice (and because I have NOT been liking the fact that I have needed to cut my threads between chains...), I prepped some more leaders-n-enders pieces. I have been working on my Buckeye Beauty Fall swap units, so I chained up a few more strips and twosies in order to make another batch of 4-patches.


And I have an update on the June Mystery quilt's name...Linda from NZ suggested "Crossing over to Winter" which DID get me thinking about the possible name. Since this quilt is most likely destined for a DEAR DEAR graduate in May 2011, the name "Transitions" is striking me as quite appropriate. So, Linda....thank you for kick starting me towards this quilt name!!!

And a drum roll please......
it has been WEEKS!!! since I've updated my stash report.....

Stash Report: November 8 - 14
Used/week:
5.646 yards
Purchased/week:
0 yards

Used/year
189.049 yards
Purchased/year:
185 yards

Net used:
4.049 yards BACK IN BLACK!!!

What happened to my "ME" day???

DH's pleading.....that's what!

That would be DH's body you see there...pulling stakes out from the pigpen area......

So who's driving the tractor???? ME!


And since I was out there, I figured I'd get some pictures......

As I was taking this picture of the trees, I suddenly paid attention to the FOREGROUND! Can you determine what that red piece of machinery is????

Yeah..that'd be the snowblower attachment!

Ummm....looks like DH has some other "get-ready-for-snow" prep to do later today.....

...because this MOWER sure isn't going to get the job done anymore....

As we finished and I was driving the tractor back to the garage...

...we witnessed one of the first casualties of the 2010 snow season. By the time we realized what had happened, two other good samaritans traveling by already stopped and were hookin' up to pull this lil' blue car out of the ditch.....

Ahhhhh......welcome Winter 2010!!!




BEFORE DH's pleading, I did manage to finish up Judy's June Mystery quilt with the final borders. Oh boy-----I need a name for this quilt! Tired of calling it Judy's June Mystery.......



And I pulled fabrics that I will most likely be using in Bonnie's Roll, Roll, Cottonboll mystery quilt....

The blues were tickling my fancy better than any greens I had in my stash. And some of the pinks make me say..."ehh...." but I'm game to use them up!!!

Okay---this ended up being a good break anyway---lunch is on the stove, and afterwards, I hope to get back downstairs for Round #2 of an Almost "ME" day....

Happy Saturday!

Weeeee! Today WILL be a "me" day!

I know I'll come back to this post in as little as a month and say.....'WHAT was I thinking?!?!?!"

But.....LOOK!!!!!!



The first substantial snow of the season!!!! {{and as you can see, it's still coming down}}
{and WHAT ever happened to sleeping in on Saturdays?!?!?! I was wide awake at 5:50 AM....and stopped fighting the will to lull myself back to sleep at 6:10}} And THIS is what awaited my eyes....



DH was dutifully getting the yard snow-ready yesterday; we knew this snow was going to come. However, the deck toys didn't get put away yet.


Today......it WILL be a ME day! I just told DH (who is also awake) that I hopes he doesn't mind the disarray of the house, because I ONLY have intentions of being downstairs today. His response...."I don't care."
Weeee!!!! Yippeeeee!!

I can't even tell you what I all have planned because (again) I haven't really been down there much. I know I have Judy's June Mystery on the floor yet.....but this Bonnie Mystery (Roll, roll, cottonboll ??) is probably going to see a little bit of time in the order of fabric selections. And then, I'm also thinking that Alycia's Veteran's Rail Fence quiltalong will also see some time today.

On a final note.....any of you wine drinkers? DH has added another "first" to his list of accomplishments and bottled his first batch of wine this week after allowing it to "brew" (? is that the word we use for wine????) for the past couple of months.

My analysis-----YUM! REALLY REALLY YUMMY!

SO....off to print out some directions, and then, OFF to start my day.

Happy Snowy Saturday (depending where you live)

Remember the June Mystery?

I was up-n-at-em at 6:15; no longer able or WANTING to sleep. So...I made up some coffee and enjoyed sitting in the glider with the laptop, looking around at everyone's progress from this past week.

By 6:45, I was heading downstairs, looking forward to see what other project I could drum up to work on that has been sitting for months .....

First, I picked up the 17 blocks from the 2010 BOM off the floor. Someone had suggested setting them onpoint since I have an odd number of blocks.

Onpoint sounds like a nice idea. So, I just threw them up on the design wall mainly to get them off the floor and to see what I all have left after using 13 for an earlier top. These will get rearranged.....but now I'm debating what to use as sashing....blue? navy? or that gold that is used once in the center block???

I wasn't quite in "design" mode, so I continued looking around.....

and.....oh boy! Hiding on the bottom shelf, buried under my scrap fabric I was using on the crochet-rug (ummm....yeah, that's still sitting, unfinished, too).....

Judy's June Mystery blocks.

I had completely forgotten about them!!!! I went back reading over my blog to see the last time I worked on it, because I was COMPLETELY up-to-date with all my free time this summer, and I was enjoying this mystery.

The last June Mystery post reminded me of that oh-so-annoying day!!!! That was when my Bernina left me for a couple of weeks :0(

Regardless! Back to it!!!!! Sewing the top together (minus borders) has taken me just over an hour this morning, and now I'm taking a small coffee break before heading back down to sew the borders on. I abso-TOOTIN-lutely LOVE designs that have this "irish-chain-like" pattern to them! I don't know why, but I just adore diagonals!!!

So, anyway.....the day is off to a great start.

I haven't decided yet if I'll pack up around 10:00 in order to get things ready to leave by noon to head out to our school's Round 2 Playoff football game. Now that I'm on a roll, I may just decide to stay home and listen to it on the radio. **Shrug**...really don't know!

So....off I go to get the borders on. Then.....we'll see......

Someone take MURPHY AWAY!!!! - UPDATE

The day started lovely....caught up on blogs and emails. Was downstairs by 9:00!

Judy's June Mystery step #5 called to me first since it was still on the table, partially sewn. All 18 blocks done (2 identical blocks of 9 different colors). I haven't peeked yet to see if step #6 is posted. {{NOT that I'll sew it today!!!!---this'll make sense more by the end of the post}}

Then I moved to Dizzy - QOV Mystery #22, and it's living up to its name!!! Here's one of the blocks...

...and the other. This mystery kept me CLUELESS right up to the end.


Being on a roll, I pieced the top together, lickity-split!
Yes, yes.....Dizzy is DEFINITELY a perfect name for this quilt!!!!!

And...GRRRRRRRR.......as I was sewing on the final border.....

click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-....

ummmm.......yeah.....that'd be an attempt to demonstrate what my machine was saying to me...
;0(

And NO...that's not my Bernina packed up for a sewing retreat :0( She's packed up, off to the doctor.....**sigh**. Maybe she wanted that needle-threader fixed sooner than later, so she put up a fuss! **sigh**..... Again, I'm no "doctor," but the needle and bobbin are "missing each other." I called Lee down at my fix-it-up shop (OVER an hour away!!!), and he said what I expected. "Can you bring her in?" So....I'll wait until DH gets home; he needs to head down that way for something, too, so maybe we can make the trip a family outing. **yet another sigh** I'm really not trying to comercialize Bernina as a bad machine/company. I REALLLLY love my machine; I think I was just unlucky and got a lemon of a machine :0(

pout-pout

Good thing Cassie has lost some interest in sewing over the past few days because.....
Trusty ol' Brother made an appearance again. Grrrrrr.....I STILL don't know how I survived with this machine for so long! I guess, what one doesn't know won't hurt her, huh? After my Bernina, other machines just don't "have it."

I contemplated putting the Juki on the table for piecing....

but maybe this minor setback is a way for Murphy to say...."get some quilting done!!!!" I pulled out Seven Shirts last Friday, debating if I wanted to load it up in the frame. Is this a lil' push, ya think???

Or maybe I will attempt to do some piecing with the Brother, because Dizzy is just a wee bit too small for my liking. I pulled out the pinwheels I made from the bonus triangles cut from earlier steps.....time to tinker.....

Happy Tuesday. Your day HAS to be going smoother than mine!

3:19 update
I gave my Brother a lil' hug, and said..."Alright girl! You and I know you're not my #1 anymore, but you'll still treat me right, right?"

Dizzy Plus (61" x 71")

Thanks Brother 'ol gal! What should we attack next???

Stash Report (6/28 - 7/4) & Design Wall Monday

Killing two reports with one post :0)
Although---if I were following suit to Jill, I would keep these two items separate as to get nearer to my 500th post!

Okay, chronological order.....

Stash report: June 28 - July 4
Used/week: 6.542 yards
Purchased/week: 5 yards {{I DIDN'T want to, but needed some "matchy fabric" for the backing on Moondance}}

Used/year 165.692 yards
Purchased/year: 173 yards

Net used: -7.308 yards
I'm slowing working my way back into the black. If I would just stay OUT of quilt shops, I may just make it this week!!!!!


I need to leave for an eye-appointment soon. But upon returning, I DO plan on getting into my sewing area!!!
First up for tackling: Step #5 of Judy's June Mystery. I can't really do much else since they are under the needle and taking up all my table space.

After that, I want to finish up the top for Dizzy, QOV Mystery #22. Step #6 was posted while I was gone over the wekeend. The layout looks SO COOL in pictures, so I can't wait to see it together!!!

THEN, we'll see what time is left for me to actually tackle what is up on my design wall....
....yeah...there hasn't been much change since last week since I finished up Moda Paintbox and Lilac Grove tops that had been calling to me for some time.

So, Happy Monday going out to all of you.