January Summary

I thought I would take a moment and summarize the month of January.

First of all, we were on vacation and were caught in a storm.  I didn't get home until January 4th.

That next week, I worked really hard because I knew I was going in for surgery...four days in the hospital, and three days or so when I didn't feel well enough to do any sewing.

Despite the fact that there were lots of days of not sewing, I did get quite a lot accomplished.

I finished this block for a lady who's collecting blocks from quilters in all 50 states for a quilt.

I finished block 5, 6, and 7 of the Layer Cake Quilt Along.

I finished four paper pieced blocks for a Yahoo!Group that I belong to.

I finished the top and backing on the Judy's Monochromatic challenge (which was my goal).

I finished the top and backing for Judy's UFO challenge (which was my goal).

I finished the first two blocks of Dorinda Mystery quilt.

And, I finished three blocks for the sampler quilt that we're doing in our Stitchin' Sisters group.

I also finished a block for Block Swap Adventure...

and a block for my Let's Bee Together group.

So, I guess I did get quite a bit done this month despite the fact that I spent quite a bit of time "under the weather."

I'm excited to see what February brings!

Design Wall Monday - 1/31/11

This morning on my design wall are block in Shangri-La.

The top two blocks are from the Dorinda Mystery quilt.  There's still time to join if you're interested.

The second group of blocks is for the quilt that we'll be doing in the new quilt group that we just started locally.  Our second meeting for the Stitchin' Sisters is on Wednesday, and I can't wait to see everyone.

To see what everyone else has been working on, make sure you visit Judy's blog.

Stash Report - Week 5

Well, I had some purchases this week.

First of all, I needed backing for the Wonky Town quilt.  I didn't have that much turquoise in my stash and I used it finishing up Wonky Town.  So, I bought this...

I have started several quilts and I realized that I was going to need some fabric to finish them.

So, I got this beautiful Shangri-La fabric.

So, here are my numbers.

Fabric in: 9 yards
Fabric out: 7.99 yards
Total fabric in: 9 yards
Total fabric out: 26.59 yards
Net: 17.59
Goal: 150 net yards out

How did you do this week? Make sure you check out Judy's blog to see how everyone else did.

Layer Cake Quilt Along - Block 6 and 7

I was able to get caught up on the Layer Cake Quilt Along!  Woo Hoo!

Here is Block 6....

And Block 7....

Here's the first seven blocks.

I'm really liking this quilt, but I'm running out of fabric and there are five more blocks, I think, so I ordered some more fabric.  It was a sacrifice, but I made it, lol.

What did you all do today?

Blood Pressure Problems and Wonky Town

Well, I've been out of commission the last few days.  I've had a hard time regulating my blood pressure since the surgery and it's running really low.  I've been feeling faint and icky.

But, I'm feeling a bit better today.

Enough to finish the top of Wonky Town!  Woo Hoo!

The last time I posted, Kathy suggested that I make the border half the "ground" fabric and half the "sky" fabric.  As you can see, I stretched that a bit and added some "sunshine" in the upper corner.

I also have a few pictures of Olivia feeding the new baby goat we had on Thursday.  We hand raise our goats, so she's bottle feeding him.  He thinks she's his momma, and I think she thinks he's her baby.

Quilter's Accountability Report - 1/26/11

Here are my goals from last week.

1. Send out packages for February's Let's Bee Together group - Started, but not done
2. Catch up on Layer Cake Quilt Along blocks - not done...now I'm two behind, lol
3. Continue to work on Wonky Town - worked on it...one row left plus a new idea for the border
4. Finish Clue #2 of Dorinda's Mystery quilt - Done
5. Prepare for February's guild meeting - have first block and one alternate block finished
6. Have a basting party and baste quilts that are ready for basting - didn't do

So, here's what I would like to get done this week.

1. Packages for Let's Bee Together need to go out this week.
2. Catch up on Layer Cake Quilt Along
3. Finish top and back of Wonky Town
4. Have that basting party

What will you get accomplished this week?  Sometimes, accountability helps me accomplish what I wouldn't normally.  Head over to Bari's blog and she how everyone else did...and link up with us!

Another Sampler!?!?

It's funny how things in your quilt life can just shift sometimes without your even being aware that it's coming.

Up until now, I had only ever made one sampler quilt...and I didn't even finish that one.  (Actually, I lost it.  How do you lose a quilt, you may ask.  I'm not really sure!)

But this year, I'm making half a dozen sampler quilts at the same time...and enjoying it!

For our new quilt group, the Stitchin' Sisters, some of us are going to be doing an Eleanor Burns sampler quilt, so I thought I would get mine started yesterday.

Here's the first block from that book (It's Series Three of her Quilter's Almanac series).

And my daughter decided that she wanted to do the quilt along with us, so she made her first hourglass block last night.

Here it is before mommy helped her square it up...

And here it is all perfect...

How she got to be so beautiful, I really don't know, lol.

I have another block finished that I made to replace one of the blocks that I really don't like, but I can't show it because it's too similar to another block (for another sampler quilt I'm doing) that I can't reveal until Friday, lol.

I think I will learn a lot this year making all these sampler quilts!  It will be interested to see what the next quilting twist will bring!

Design Wall Monday - 1/24/11

It's Design Wall Monday again!  What did you work on this week?

I really haven't had much quilt time this week as I haven't felt the best, but I did get a bit of sewing done yesterday while watching football.

I have four rows added on Wonky Town.  I REALLY like the way it's turning out!  I actually have a couple more rows sewn together, and I'm thinking that I need one more row to make it a nice snuggle size.

Then, I think I will make a narrow border of the "road" fabric (the green between the rows), and I'm going to call it good.

This is my #6 UFO project.  I was only planning on getting the top and back finished, so I still think that I will make my goal before the end of the month.

That will make two quilts that I've finished in January and soon, I'll need to have a basting party and get several quilts ready for quilting.

I'm going to try quilting on my Janome again.  I didn't have much luck when I tried before, but I'm going to try a different thread.  (It doesn't like my King Tut, which I just LOVE!)

So, what are you working on today?  Make sure you check out Judy's blog to see what's on everyone's design wall.  And, it you find something that you like, make sure and take a moment to comment!  Everyone LOVES comments!  :-)

Stash Report - Week 4

I made some progress this week.  Woo Hoo!

Here's my numbers.

Fabric in: 0 yards
Fabric out: 3.84 yards
Total fabric in: 0 yards
Total fabric out: 18.6 yards
Goal: 150 net yards out

I'm pretty happy with my numbers so far this year.  I'm over 10% on the way to my goal!  I've really been thinking about getting some fabric, but I'm having so much fun using it up that I'm hangin' tough, lol.

Make sure you visit Judy's blog to see how everyone else did this week.

Surely I Didn't Do Too Much Too Fast?!?!?!

Could that be why I feel like kaka?

I'm not very good at "taking it easy" and this surgery recovery is no exception!

About all that I have gotten accomplished the last several days is getting the kids to get some school done and being crabby.  That takes all the energy that I have!  YUCK!

We have a bit of school to finish up today, but this afternoon, I'm hoping to get some sewing done.

I've been visiting blogs and living vicariously through all of you, so that's been helpful, lol.

Hope you all have a quilty day!

Quilter's Accountability Report - 1/19/11

Well, if you remember last week, I was in surgery, so I didn't set any goals for this week.

I did get some things done, though, after I got out of the hospital.

I got a little work done on my #6 UFO project, "Wonky Town."

I also finished a block for a really fun group that I joined online called the Dorinda Mystery Quilt.  I think it's going to be a BLAST!

I am really excited about how much I got accomplished this month and looking forward to next month.

So, here are my goals for this week.

1. Send out packages for February's Let's Bee Together group.
2. Catch up on Layer Cake Quilt Along blocks
3. Continue to work on Wonky Town
4. Finish Clue #2 of Dorinda's Mystery quilt
5. Prepare for February's guild meeting
6. Have a basting party and baste quilts that are ready for basting

I guess that should be enough!

Make sure you check out Bari's blog and see what everyone else is up to this week!  Consider joining us on Wednesdays.  I find that writing down my goals really helps keep me focused for the week.

I'll leave you with this photo I just took of the Sun Dogs.

The ambient temperature is -17° this morning...just a little chilly.  Thankfully, the winds are relatively calm now.

Dorinda Mystery Block 1

I finished a block for a group I just joined called Dorinda 2011 Mystery Quilt.  I think it's going to be a fun group.

I think I'm getting addicted to all these block groups!  It's kind of fun working on a block and knowing that you're only going to have to do the block once.  It's weird.

I'm using my FAVORITE fabric, Shangri La.  Oh my gosh!  Have any of you ever just fallen in LOVE with a fabric line?  I just don't know what it is about this line, but I can't get enough of it!

How was everyone else's day?

Design Wall Monday - 1/17/11

On my Design Wall this morning is the beginnings of my Wonky Town quilt.

This is my UFO for Judy's UFO Challenge.  I would like to finish the top by the end of January.

The houses are ones that I won in the Block Lotto last fall and I'm making trees and the letters, "Wonky Town" to finish the quilt.  I saw this quilt that someone had made and I thought it was SO cute!

Make sure you check out Judy's blog to find out what everyone else is up to this week.

Also...MATH ALERT...MATH ALERT...MATH ALERT

I was asked by someone how I figure how much fabric I use when doing applique.  I'm not sure how you guys do it, but I'm a math buff, so I have fun with it.

A yard of fabric is 1512 sq in (36"X42").  I figure out how much I used.  For example if I cut out three shapes on three rectangles of about 4"X6", that would be about 12"X18" of fabric or 216 sq in.  I divide 216/1512 which is 0.14 yard.  Then I keep that in my spreadsheet and report it on Sunday!

SEWER!

You know how it is when you tell your hubby for weeks that something's wrong, but he doesn't listen?

It was actually the perfect storm.

He has had a cold, so he couldn't smell.

And me...well, I have a schnoz that notices every little nuance of fragrance in a room.

So, when I told him several weeks ago that I was smelling something...hmmmm....shall we say....not so savory in the bathroom, he didn't really listen.  (I guess I should be really concerned about his opinion of my domestic abilities...but...hmmm...not so much, lol.)

Well, now that there is water seeping out around the bottom of the toilet, he listens.

"Oh, maybe there's something wrong with the toilet."

?YA THINK?

he he he....Luckily, I have have a hubby how know how to fix stuff like that.

Also...When I left the hospital yesterday, I was still hyped up on pain meds and I forgot allllllllll about filling my pain prescription.  Oh yeah, we live 60 miles from any place that's open on a Sunday.

BUT, since we know nearly EVERYONE in our community, my hubby just called the local pharmacist and she's going to meet him at the pharmacy that's 13 miles away at 11:30...Now, that's small town livin'!

Stash Report - Week 3

So, this week was interrupted by a hospital stay, but before I went to the hospital, I did finish the front and back of my Yellow Quilt

It's VERY Yellow, he he he

Plus I did some little tree blocks for my Wonky House Quilt and used up a little fabric there. I didn't take pictures of the tree blocks, but I will when I get home.

Still haven't bought any new fabric...though I've been sorely tempted, lol.

Here are my numbers:

Fabric in: 0 yards
Fabric out: 5.88 yards
Total fabric in: 0 yards
Total fabric out: 14.67 yards
Goal: 150 net yards out

I've decided to write my goal here at the bottom every week, so I'll read it over and over again.

Make sure you check out Judy's blog to see how everyone else did this week.

Addendum:  Rough night last night, so I'll have to live vicariously through you guys today!  Hope you all get some quilting done today!  Wish I could join you.

Home From the Hoppipal

Well, I'm home from the hoppipal (as my five year old would say).

To say that I was sorely missed by my kiddos would be an understatement.

My Josiah thought that I had been away for thwee yeas! but Mariah insisted, "no, it was foh!"

I didn't miss my blog friends as much 'cause there wasn't much else to do in the hospital but surf quilt blogs, lol.

I actually did sew a few seams when I got home, but I'm back on the couch now where I probably should be.  It's time for the kiddos to go to bed, but they're REALLY hyped up, so I'm not sure when they'll go down.

I'll see everyone at Stash Report tomorrow!

Quilter's Accountability Report - 1/12/11

This is a scheduled post, so if something doesn't make sense, keep that in mind, lol. Here's my list from last week:

1. Get the A Dozen Quilter's project in the mail - Done
2. Send off block to Gena - Done
3. Quilting Bee block and Block Exchange blocks finished and in the mail - Done

I also got the four blocks for The Quilted Table swap finished and I got started on the Monochromatic Challenge that Judy's having.

Of course, I'm not going to set any new goals for this week because of the surgery, but make sure that you check out Bari's blog to see how everyone else did this week.

Success!

I can't believe I got everything done.

I wanted to get all my swaps done before I went for surgery and I did it!

First, I had this Valentine Swap over at The Quilted Table:

It's all boxed up and ready to go.  I'll be receiving four blocks back from this swap and I'm hoping to make a cute Valentine table topper or wall hanging.

Next, I had to put the label on the block for Gena (the lady making the quilt with blocks from each of the 50 states.  I got that finished and packaged up.

Then, I received my block from Sunny, my Block Swap Adventure partner for this month.  She sent me this lovely Friendship Star variation in brown and tan.  SO CUTE!

She wanted a basket with flowers, so I designed a block and finished it today.  I think it turned out really cute.  I hope she likes it.  I'm just going to show you a preview because I want her to see it first.

Yesterday, I worked on a block for Linda who's receiving blocks this month at Let's Bee Together.  At the beginning of the month, she sent out 11 bundles of fabric to the participants and we are all able to do whatever kind of block we would like utilizing her fabric.  Again, I can only show you a preview.

.
I'm also caught up on my Layer Cake Quilt Along blocks, (though there's another one being released tomorrow).  Here are my first five blocks for that quilt along.

I also finished the top to Judy's Monochromatic Challenge.  It's very yellow, lol, and I used up some more yellow stash to make a backing, but I didn't take a picture of that.  It had a little piecing in it, but mostly big chunks.

Now, all I have to do is get back on my feet and get this yellow quilt basted and quilted and bound.

I'm also going to be working on Judy's UFO challenge.  We'll see how things go.

Hope you're having a quilty day!  If off to the post office.  YEAH!

Design Wall Monday - 1/10/11

On my design "wall" this morning are my Wonky Houses that I won from Block Lotto several months back.

I just LOVE these blocks and my goal is to have the top done by the end of the month.  I don't think I will get it quilted, but I will have the top and perhaps the backing ready.

I have several quilts ready to baste now, so I'll have to have a basting party soon.

My daughter has claimed this quilt when it's done, but I'm not exactly sure what we'll do with it.

Make sure you check out Judy's website and see what everyone else is up to this week!

It's Big...And Yellow

I finished the top of my yellow quilt.  I think I'll call it "Sunshine on My Shoulder."

Olivia thinks it would be better if it were purple.

This will be my first donation quilt of the year.  It's for the Monochromatic Challenge that Judy is hosting.

I would like to get the backing pieced this afternoon.  That will really chew up a bunch more of my yellow fabric which is okay with my as I don't really like yellow so much.  So, the next time I need yellow, I'll just have to force myself to buy some more!  That will be SO SAD, he he he!

Stash Report Week 2

I'm getting some movement!YEAH!

I've been a busy girl this week...all hyped up on the New Year, I think, lol.

So, here's my stash report for this week:

Fabric in: 0 yards
Fabric out: 8.88 yards
Total fabric in: 0 yards
Total fabric out: 8.88 yards
Total fabric used: 8.88 yards
Goal: 150 net yards out

I visited a quilt shop on Saturday and I was all prepared to buy a particular piece of fabric that they had on sale, but it was gone, so I didn't buy any fabric. Yeah me!

I did get some thread to quilt my Yellow quilt.

Make sure you check out Judy's blog to find out how everyone else did this week.

Yellow

Well, I was able to get some done on the Monochromatic Challenge today.

It's been fun to work on, but now I'm going to bed.

I have sick kiddos today, so I'm not sure what tomorrow holds, but right now, I'm going to bed!

Two More Blocks Finished

I finished the other two blocks for a swap at The Quilted Table.  There's time to join the group and get in on the swap if you'd like.  If you only want the pattern, you can join the group and you don't have to be in the swap, but we'd love to have you!

They turned out so cute, I really wanted to "keep 'em for me own team," but I'll send them off, lol.

Here are all four blocks together.

It was productive paper piecing practice (that's a bit of a tongue twister, lol) and if I didn't have so many other irons in the fire, I would make a set for myself, lol.  But, ONWARD!  :-)

Hope you're having a quilty day!

Stitchin' Sisters

The first meeting of the Stitchin' Sisters was last night and BOY DID WE HAVE FUN!?!?!?!?!

Oh my gosh!

It was beyond even my wildest expectations!

I just want to take a minute to say that the beginning of this group is a testimony to having a goal, writing it down, and revisiting it throughout the year.

You may remember at the beginning of 2010, I wrote down my goals and put them on the sidebar of my blog.  One of my goals was to start a local guild and the other was to teach a beginner's quilt class.  (Here are my goals for this year.)

When I wrote those goals, I had no idea of how I was going to fulfill them, but there's just something about writing it down and putting that energy out there!  God honors that.  He moved and by the end of 2010, I had taught a beginner's quilt class and this group started because the ladies in the class didn't want to stop meeting.

Last night, we added several new faces to our happy little group and it was just awesome!

The chemistry is amazing and quite a few of the ladies are beginners wanting to learn to quilt...which is JUST what I had hoped for.

How was your day?  I'll bet you didn't end your day as high as I did, lol.

Have a quilty day!

PS:  I see that I have some new followers!  Hi, new gals!

Quilter's Accountability Report - 1/5/11

Here's my list from last week. Of course, if you remember, it was formulated while I was still out of town, lol. I think I was just trying to get a handle on what needed to be done when I got home.  I did get a good start on it, though.

1. Finish a state block that I'm sending to a fellow quilter - Done - needs to be sent off
2. Block 5 of Layer Cake Quilt Along - Done
3. The Quilted Table swap - two of four blocks finished
4. Quilting Bee block - block planned
5. Block Exchange block - block planned
6. A Dozen Quilter's project (finish pillowcases for December project) - Done
7. Monochromatic Quilt - not started - need to go through my stash
8. UFO challenge - worked on designing the quilt with my daughter
9. Block Lotto blocks - not started
10. Niblet Exchange - not started

So, I made some progress. This week, I need to get as much done as possible because I'm going to be having surgery next week (on Wednesday) and there will be a bit of a recovery time. So...my list for this week...

1. Get the A Dozen Quilter's project in the mail
2. Send off block to Gena
3. Quilting Bee block and Block Exchange blocks finished and in the mail

I'm thinking that I'm going to cut my list off here and make certain that I get these things done. Then, anything else I manage to do is gravy. Can't wait for the meeting tonight!

Make sure you check out Bari's blog to see how everyone else did last week and see what everyone has planned for this week!

Paper Piecing

Well, Tuesday is Bismarck day.  We went "to town" for lessons and groceries, etc.

This morning and this evening, I thought I would try my hand at paper piecing.

I've done a little, but not much.

These blocks are for a Yahoo! Goup that I belong to called The Quilted Table.  Each month, we have a new seasonal item and this month, we're having a swap for a Valentine wall hanging or table topper.

The swap is for four blocks and I finished these today.

There's a pink block....

...and a red block.

Also...

Tomorrow is the first meeting of our new quilt group.

I'm SO excited!

It will be so cool to see who shows up and what kinds of ideas everyone has about how they want the group to work.

I'm not really sure exactly what's going to happen, but I know it will be fun!