Quickly Now!

You would think, from my lack of postings, that I had quit quilting. Not so! I have definitely slowed down but it's a temporary lapse. The causes are many including a difficult sale of a house, the final days of getting things moved after living on a small acreage (17 plus acres) for twenty years and then just lack of inertia to get started again.

Anyway, even tho' I've not had quilts to share I continue to work with Quilts from the Heart. I only post pictures here of quilts that I personally have made  from start to finish.. The nice thing about QFTH is that you can do as I do, which is create a quilt from start to finish, or you can take on other parts of the quilting process for partially finished quilts. Many people are "toppers" meaning they like to cut and sew the tops only and then move on. You would think I was a "topper" if you looked at all my flimsys!

So while I've not shared quilts, I have helped pin baste many and have sewn bindings on several. Now that I have pretty much mastered sewing machine bindings, I don't mind binding at all. Next I need to work more on FMQ then I will offer to quilt more charity quilts that others have started rather than just pin baste or do borders.

Here is my latest finish for QFTH.

Enjoy!
Toni

International Quilt Day and Other Fun Things

Just a quick note here. I've had another wonderful weekend living at the beach. I know there are many versions of "If you are lucky enough......." but I can honestly say "If you are lucky enough to live at the beach, you are lucky enough." And it doesn't matter that it has rained all weekend!

I enjoyed sewing on International Quilt day with a small group of quilting friends. Many people that usually sew with us were either working at the quilt show or enjoying the quilt show.  I got "Brynn" my latest "Quilts from the Heart Project" layered, basted and even began quilting.

Today was spent quilting and going to the "Peninsula Quilt Guild" show. Over 100 quilts and it was so, so hard to vote for favorites.  I tried to not be influenced by the quilters, as I knew many of them (again the joys of small town living). My personal criteria was, difficulty of pattern, execution and color choices. The only bad thing about the show is that I was inspired by so many that I have new quilts to add to my personal list of ones I would like to do. As if I need more inspiration!

I did manage to finish "Brynn" today. Unfortunately I am unable to hang this finished quilt. The trailer is too small, the walls are too hard, and the quilt is too heavy. I hope you can get a feel for the calmness that the yellow, blue and white bring. Here are the before and after pictures.

Enjoy!
Toni

Finding Your HAPPY PLACE!

I am having so much fun. Today I was in my little living room, looking at my little kitchen (remember I’m now in a single wide trailer) and said, out loud,  “I am so happy! I am so happy!”

A big part of this happiness is having found “my people”.  Where I feel I belong. I have long wanted to belong to a charity quilt group. Don’t get me wrong! There are lots of them and I’ve been offered opportunities but I hadn’t found one that suited me! I wanted one that had local ties. I admire everyone who does charity quilts, no matter their destination, but I wanted to support local needs. There are many wonderful church groups and although I know I would be welcome there, I just am not a person that regularly attends church and I wasn’t sure that was a good match for me.

I had been motivated and inspired by Sarah of http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/ and had thought that if I couldn’t find a group that was what I wanted I would review her helpful blog for help on creating a group.  I believe Sarah is even writing a book on that topic.   And then there is Beth, if you read her blog   http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/   you will immediately love her.  She does many, many wonderful donation quilts. I’ve helped by sending her orphan blocks and bits of fabric.  I’ve contributed money, blocks, fabric to other groups and calls for help. Quilts of Valor, Katrina victims, and others.  Any time one of the bloggers I followed called for help, I helped where I could. Now tho’, although not forsaking all others. I’m thrilled to be a part of a close knit, hands on local group.

When I moved to Ocean Park, WA I knew there was a quilt guild but I wasn’t aware of the charity group “Quilts from the Heart”  http://www.quiltsfromtheheart.org/ It is wonderful! The people are great! We are fortunate in that we are able to use the Senior Center for our activities. Each person can do a whole quilt, or part of a quilt. We have many who we call “toppers” people who like to piece but never get around to quilting those tops…but never fear! There are people in the group that will do it for you!  Dixie is one of the fastest FMQ quilters I’ve ever seen but there is also Marge and Brooke. And many of use, me included, are happy to do quilting with our walking foot.

Yesterday was a day designated to layer quilts.  This is my least favorite thing to do. But when I got there, the parking lot was full! Everyone was there to help. I have no idea how many tops got layered yesterday but as they say “many hands make light work.”  We had fun! We laughed, we got to know each other and it was like being at camp. We even had a woman who played the piano and we sang old songs as we worked.  Aren’t you jealous?  I came home thrilled to be living where I live and fortunate to have met a group of people that are “my people.”

So am I happy? I sure am! And now that you have read all this and visited the links (hopefully!) You are asking….where is the quilt picture? Pssst---I know I’m talking too much!  I’m taking a lesson from Michelle of Michelle’s Romantic Tangle http://mychellem.blogspot.com/ and giving my donation quilts human names. You will be amazed how many baby quilts Michelle does. She is my idol! So, finally, I present Abby, or Abigail, my first start to finish quilt for Quilts from the Heart.

I hope you all are happy too!

Toni

Homemade Christmas Challenge

Here I am! Just in the nick of time! To share my pictures for SewCalGal’s Homemade Christmas Challenge.  http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/the-christmas-challenge-consist-of.html  I would like to have something bigger and splashy to show but it just didn’t work out.  This last fall I was divorced, lived in North Portland temporarily and then at the end of January moved to my little beach place. And NOW, our home just sold so I will be going there this week to pack.  I’ve managed to keep myself busy but just haven’t been into quilting. Usually my passion.

It just wasn’t the same. I didn’t have a dedicated space whereas I had a whole room before. I thought I was past the point in my life where I would be putting my sewing machine up and down on the dining room table, I just wasn’t motivated. So when I felt the need to do “something” I’ve knitted. Not often. It was easier to lose myself in a book than concentrate on getting anything done. But I did manage to finish these four dish cloths. It will be one present for one person. At least I did four different patterns!

Friday I sewed with a group here on the Long Beach Peninsula and  it was wonderful! These are my people!  A charity group called “Quilts from the Heart”, http://www.quiltsfromtheheart.org/  I’m excited about quilting again. I took the little room, in my single wide trailer, that I had been thinking of as the" tv room", even tho' there wasn't yet a tv in there, and made it my sewing room. Is It small? Yep! Do I still have to cut fabric in another room? Yep! Is there now a quilt on the wall and do I now have a sewing machine and ironing board set up full time? Yep and yep!

My sister said “I know now you are going to be okay. You are back to sewing.” So maybe, even with all the other things I have going on this month, MAYBE I can get another Christmas present, or decoration finished to share next month. Sewn, not knitted!

Enjoy!

Toni

January! And I already have some Christmas Gifts Made!

You might ask. What are these? In general terms they are my January finish for the Christmas Challenge. We are challenged to start making Christmas gifts now. See more information on this link.  http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/the-christmas-challenge-consist-of.html.

As for specifically what they are, they are neck warmers for dogs. These are made for little dogs. I will gift them to friends this Christmas and I will continue to make them throughout the year to donate to the Oregon Dachshund Rescue Holiday Bazaar. See the Facebook page and  “Like” the Oregon Dachshund Rescue here:

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oregon-Dachshund-Rescue-INC/274984542506

It’s a fun, pretty mindless project to work on when you are watching tv or waiting for an appointment. Each one takes less than 1oz of yarn.

My friends really stepped up when I asked “do you have little bits of left over yarn”.  You would not believe how much they donated to this project. Thank you Beth and Dianne!

And please, remember to check out your animal rescues before making a donation. Always verify that they are an actual 501c Charitable Rescue. We hear too many stories about “rescues” that are not legitimate. Those poor dogs suffer not only once (losing their first home) but twice by being put into poor conditions in “rescues” that are unable to adequately care for them.

Cheers!

Toni

WHERE HAS SHE BEEN?

Was she abducted by aliens? Snatched by Sasquatch? Just what has happened? Actually what has happened is I got divorced after many many years of marriage. And it’s not that we don’t love each other, it’s more like not being able to adjust to retirement and spending 24 hours a day together. So we are apart and friends.

But to get there, of course, there were lots of hard times. Negotiating, avoidance of each other, time spent with the attorney and just plain trying to figure out how to live as a single person. For me, I left, without notice, with four dogs. No plan, but at least it was summertime.  For six weeks I camped, yes outside, with bare necessities. I would spend a few nights with family once in a while for companionship, beyond dogs, and civility. I also spent several days at “LaQuinta” and I have to tell you that they are pet friendly, no extra charge, and did not blink an eye when I checked in with four dogs. Albeit, four small dogs in kennels. So keep them in mind if you travel with pets.

I’ve not been doing much quilting. I was spoiled by having a dedicated room with everything set to my liking. Now I will be back to having the sewing machine set up on the dining room table. Well, “dining room” may be an exaggeration! I’ve decided to live in an old single wide that we bought at the beach a few years back. “Lucy” as the trailer is affectionately called, will be my project for the next few months.

No pictures this post. I’m in transition again, moving from Portland Oregon to Ocean Park Washington.

What got me blogging again? First, Sarah of http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/ asked

“What’s made you dance the happy dance? Share with us, we want to dance along with you.”
For me, the answer is, meeting new people. Having lunch this week with some fun, spicy women who call themselves “The Steel Magnolias” and feeling like I instantly have friends in a new neighborhood

And secondly, I want to be part of Sew Cal’s http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/the-christmas-challenge-consist-of.html. And I will want to share my projects. This is a handmade Christmas Challenge. My posts this year will probably have less quilting and more handwork. It’s always nice to diversify! Feel free to visit her site and join the challenge. You have until January 15.

It's good to be back!

Cheers!

Toni

Design Wall Monday~July 8

On my design wall is the beginning of a new quilt. Am I supposed to be starting something new this month? Don't I already have enough to do in July? Is it on my July list?  It's not, but there is so much satisfaction in starting a new quilt. Especially one that will use up some of my already cut 2 1/2 inch squares. I deserve it is what I tell myself. Actually I told myself I can only work on this, one block a day 'cause I  have many other projects to finish this month. You may have noticed that I talk to myself a lot!

Here is the website with the directions and measurements for these blocks.

http://toefeather.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/circle-of-squares-block-information.html

Also on my design wall are a few blocks from an earlier Block Lotto. I've just begun machine quilting them. And while I really liked the blocks. I'm now in love with the blocks with the quilting. I have two QAYG projects on my "to achieve" list this month and this is one of them.

Prior to these blocks  I have used two other QAYG techniques. One was a Fons and Porter technique where you actually did the whole quilt in thirds, quilting the center sections and then quilting the outer sections. I used that on "Pineapple Blossom".

When I did  "Swoon" I used another technique that required sashing.

For this quilt I didn't want sashing on the front and I  didn't want to have to hand sew sashing on the back. There are so many techniques available for QAYG. Just look at the Internet. Just look at YouTube. I was overwhelmed and the more I read the more I was confusing one way of doing it with another. So to help me, I did two sample blocks, and wrote my own notes. Now I have a permanent sample and notes.

I have been repairing, or supposed to be repairing, an old quilt belonging to my son. This was tied and is from the eighties. And finally, after almost two years I can cross it off my list.  No more repairs. Next time, instead of saying "this quilt needs to be repaired" I will say "you need a new quilt."

Don't forget to visit Patchwork Times for other "Design Wall Mondays"

Enjoy!
Toni

Design Wall Monday-July 1

Actually this post should have another title. I'm not going to link it to Patchwork Times Design Wall. I guess I could call this "Wordless Monday" but you ought to know I can't keep my mouth shut even if it is repeating things you've heard before!

Having said that, the only pictures I have to share are repeats. With slight variations. Last week I shared "PotLuck" on the design wall and the top was not quite finished. Here is the finished top.

And here is what is on my tabletop. All repaired, rebacked and with new batting. I should be able to finsh the tying today and then, if I can stand having so much quilt on my lap in our over 90 degree weather, I will also get the binding on today. Okay, maybe the binding will be tomorrow morning when it is cooler.

So see? Nothing new. My husband even commented yesterday "you haven't been sewing much". The reason is....I told myself I couldn't sew anymore until I got the above repair job finished. We do have to set limits and goals for ourselves! Having said that, I have written a goal list for July that is pretty ambitious. I would share it here but there are a couple of gifts or surprises I'm working on and I don't want to give them away too early.

I hope you are managing to stay cool!

Enjoy!
Toni

Design Wall Monday~June 24

Boy are we having some unusual weather! And I'm not talking just about Oregon.

I'm so excited! I ordered my first whole roll of cotton batting! And with the special promo from JoAnn's Fabric, I'm only paying .21 in shipping!  I will have to use it up quickly as I really don't have a good place to store all that batting.

On my design wall is a picnic quilt. I saw this posting and thought "I need to make one of my own".
http://ididntsaybanana.blogspot.com/2013/06/potluck.htm  I had baggies and baggies of 3 1/2" squares and I was more than willing to use them up.

I told myself from the beginning that I was not going to plan, other than where the white needed to be. Obviously. I was just going to sew pairs and then sew those pairs and so on. And did this bother me?  Not so much in the beginning. Being" blind" to repeats of color became more and more difficult for me to ignore. But I stuck with the "no plan, plan.". Now that I'm at the end and sewing all the rows together, the top should be finished today, I have to admit it is still difficult! I keep reminding myself," it is a picnic quilt, it is a picnic quilt". So when you see pockets of pink, or groups of green, or heaven forbid, even the same fabric twice in the same quadrant of the quilt, be kind. Know that it bugs me too!

But, once it has been quilted and washed, I'm sure I will be just fine with it!

Don't forget to visit Design Wall Monday over at Patchwork times.
Enjoy!
Toni

Design Wall Monday~June 17



 

Blame it on my sister! I love my sister Joanne and often ask her advice on my ideas. I wanted to do another scrappy quilt and asked Joanne to look at my "Scrap Attack" board on Pinterest and "vote" on some candidates for my next quilt.  She looked at the board and said "Whoa! I didn't know you had pinned so many." and even tho' it was a task my sister came through with three favorites. One of them was a fan quilt. I've never made a Grandmothers Fan Quilt. So while I had, in the back of my mind, thought I would be using up already cut to size scraps, once I got this quilt in my mind I had to make it. Or am I making two? Sooo, as you imagine, I'm cutting lots of blades.

Why am I considering making two?  I started with the blocks in the first picture. At first I was going to limit the colors to  green, blue, red, yellow and purple. I liked those together, a little darker than I first pictured it but they felt rich.. But I wondered what would happen if I added one more color to each fan? So I took a blade off of each and added one more color to each. After that I found I preferred them without the addition of another color but this is what a design wall is for. (Pssst,originally I did have them on the design wall. I took them outside to try to get truer colors for the purpose of this post.) Then I asked myself if maybe I didn't need something a little lighter/brighter. So I did these four blocks.

And I like these too! To me the first blocks and the second blocks are so dissimilar that I can't see using them in the same quilt. Do you think I should make one with richer, deeper colors and one with the lighter, brighter colors? Or just integrate those darker blocks into a lighter quilt and hope the don't stick out like a sore thumb? Of course I could always use one set as part of the backing, or I could just make two quilt tops. What do you think?

And here is a picture of the top I made last week. I had better get to quilting. This years goal was to reduce the number of flimsys waiting to be quilted but between this month and last, I'm not managing to acccomplish that!

 

 

Don't forget to visit Judys linky Design Wall. http://www.patchworktimes.com/

Enjoy!
Toni

Design Wall Monday~June 10

For today, a few pictures a few words

Block Lotto Blocks. This is the pattern for this months Block Lotto. Come join us!

http://www.blocklotto.com/list-of-blocks-made-this-month/

Several people have won as newbies!  And you can enter as little as one block and still win. I already have too many projects in the queue so I am donating my chances this month but it was fun to learn to make eight HST at once. Sophie has prepared a wonderful reference on making HST. All the way from making one at a time up to making eight at a time. You should keep this reference. 

http://www.blocklotto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Sophies_HST_Tips_v2.pdf

Raspberry Lemonade. I know there are other colors in there but that name just resonated with me. the top is finished. Now it will go on the to be quilted pile. Whew! That pile keeps growing! I love to play with colors, techniques and blocks. I less like layering the quilt top, batting and backing. At least I have already pieced the backing for this one.

This is a Doll Quilt that I just whipped together. I know it is an unusual layout. If I were to do it again, I still might make just that row of pink but I would put them all the blocks on the design wall and maybe play with better a better arrangement. Oh well! I have had these blocks for YEARS and they were going to go to Beth, who takes orphan blocks for donation quilts, 

http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/

but there were some fabrics that I love and no longer have so couldn't give up the blocks. Sorry Beth!

Sneak Peek. Four of seven iterations of the block. Boy I hope that is spelled correctly. My batch of green scraps was overflowing. I decided I wanted to do a scrappy quilt  and use up some of those greens. I found Faiths tutorial. She used pinks, yellows, oranges and white but I think it will work in a green scrappy version. It was so nice that she has the blocks, A through F, with all measurements included. Behind each of these front squares are the other six blocks.  I am anxious to get them all finished and on the design wall.

http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=561

List for this month? Short and sweet. Get Joel's quilt finished. I now have the backing and new batting I just need to get those layered. This old quilt was tied so I will retie it. His birthday is coming up and I would like to give it back to him then. My only problem is I need to pull the kitchen table into the middle of the room for a day or two. If only hubby would go fishing I could leave the table "in the way" for the length of time it would take me to finish. Keep your fingers crossed that he, the husband, makes it to the beach this week.

Visit Judy's Design Wall Monday for more inspiration

http://www.patchworktimes.com/

Enjoy!
Toni

Festival of Strings Second Entry

Here is a picture of the second entry for the Strings Festival. I struggled with the proportions of the quilt top. I had originally planned on having two more colors, black and brown strips, but once they were done I didn't like them in the mix. That meant that the top was proportionally too long for the width. Aesthetically speaking that is! 

I know that having a longer quilt is certainly a boon for some but it just looked awkward to me. Sooo, I cut off ten inches and will use this as part of the backing piecing.

I'm sure enjoying the Festival of Strings. Be sure to visit! http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2013/05/festival-of-strings.html

Enjoy!
Toni

Design Wall Monday~May 27

Read the rules! Read them more than once. Understand the rules. Simple basic concepts but obviously something I failed to do. Until Saturday. Amy is going to have a Scrap Attack Festival with, and I don't say this often, AWESOME prizes.

Visit here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1846806@N20/

I read the rules weeks ago and had a plan that would allow me to enter three quilts. One new, and two from my UFO pile. Yeaa! Three would Increase my odds of winning something. I knew they had to be new, as I first read it, finishes from 2013. Yep! Got it covered!

But then! Saturday I re-read, and this time correctly read, the rules. And the rules state that it does not have to be a finished quilt, tops qualify. Again,Yeaa! That is generous! But then.....tops made in 2013. Gulp! Not finished in 2013? My UFO's were definately not made in 2013. Oops!

So here is the dealio. I did complete a new strippy zig zag for this challenge.

And I do have another  that will qualify as it was made from strips in 2013 and as the rules allow tops I can enter this. It is an almost completed top. Borders on each of three sides and I'm just trying to decide if I should cut to make it shorter, so the proportions will be better, before adding the fourth white border. Which I can do before the deadline.

I have a UFO that I thought would qualify, but it won't, so it is well on it's way to a finish this week. And the other UFO that I had hoped to enter can be put away and I won't feel pressured to finish it before Friday. So, two chances to win a prize, one UFO off the pile and one newly completed quilt. I call that winning! (psssst, but still, keep your fingers crossed for me, it would be fun to win a prize!)

Be sure and visit Judys Pathwork Times for other inspiring quilts
http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/05/27/design-wall-monday-17/

Enjoy!
Toni

 

Design Wall Monday~May 20

Progress? Sure I'm making progress. But at a snails pace. A quick review of my May list.

Work on Joels Quilt
ReQuilt Trip's Doll Quilt
Borders for the RowAlong
Finish Hexie Doll Quilt
Finish Scrappy Zig Zag

My only finish from the list?

Small, but cute, no?

I've made progress on each but I'm being stopped on two projects due to the "fabric diet". On Joels quilt I was going to use the old backing. Remember, I'm repairing and redoing parts of this quilt. But, the old backing is just too flimsy. I need to buy 8 yards of purple. Eeek! Even with a coupon this is going to increase my blood pressue.  On the RowAlong. I did finish the last pieced border but I want/need an inner stop border. I've auditioned many fabrics from my stash but I just can't find "the" one. I've given myself permission to buy new fabric for this. It's just getting into town to shop.
The Trips doll quilt? I've just not gotten there but I will. I still have, what eleven days? And the scrappy ZigZag WILL be finished this month. I don't want to miss out on a chance to win some of the wonderful prizes being given by Rachel of Stitched in Color.http://www.stitchedincolor.com/

Visit http://www.flickr.com/groups/1846806@N20/ for some pictures of other scrap, strip, quilts. I would love to win the roll of batting, swoon!, but where would I store it? Beyond that are many other wonderful prizes. She has generous sponsors. If you have a strip scrappy project almost done, you might consider entering. Remember, eleven days left in this month.   Pssst, notice earlier I said "strip scrappy project". It doesn't have to be a full size quilt but it must be a new finish, not yet having been posted.  Quick! Finish one up! I might even get a second one done!

Earlier I said "my only finish" from the list. Because....tah dah!

I should be working on UFO's but new projects just excite me. So I made these Wonky stars from scraps and finished up this doll quilt last night.

And I was inspired by a class listing from the Pine Needle in Lake Oswego. The colors were so pretty.  I sorted through my fabric scraps and this is what I have on the design wall. Lots of rearranging of fabrics to be done but I will get this pieced this month. Pretty combination of colors don't you think?

Need more inspiration? Visit Patchwork Times, Design Wall Monday. http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/05/20/design-wall-monday-16/

Enjoy!
Toni

 

 

 

Design Wall Monday~May 6

Some projects become UFO's because you have made a mistake that you don't want to correct. At least in my experience. I have been working on a scrap quilt, made from my own stash of scraps (which I thoughtfully keep pre-cut in to specific sizes) and also remember my friends have been giving me free scraps because they don't want to be bothered to cut strips and squares from their left overs.  This scrap quilt was supposed to be fun and easy. No planning on colors, just make nine patches out of my 3 inch blocks and alternate with snowballs. Easy, peasy and pleasing to me.

But! The snowballs. Cripes! We all know you just add squares and fold and cut those into triangles and then (of course) take those little triangles and made them into half square triangles. We don't want anything to go to waste. They are easy blocks. Unless you use the wrong sized square. I promise I did two practice blocks and they were fine with my taking my 3 1/2 inch squares and neatly trimming those to 3 1/8 inch squares (I mean, who precuts anything to 3 1/8"?). Yesterday when I went to put all the finished blocks together the points on the snowballs did not line up properly with the seams on the nine patchs. Eeeaghghhhaa!

Trust me. I am not a perfectionist, at all! This will be a donation quilt, but still, EVERYONE would notice that the points don't match....by a lot! I was tempted to take the blocks off the wall and donate them, to two individual groups/people. Snowball balls to one group and nine patches too another group. Who would know that there were originally enough blocks for a whole quilt but that the quilter was not a math whiz?  Nor smart enough to use references available on the 'net? Instead, I decided to find a solution. Now. Not make it a UFO for later. My solution? Mark snowball blocks with a deeper seam, match those marks appropriately on the nine patches, pin and sew. My thinking was that people would be less likely to notice that the outside nine patches were slightly more of a rectangle than a square than they would notice the points didn't match.  So I marched forward with the mantra of "mark, match, sew, examine, trim" and although it is not completely pieced I think my solution worked. I certainly do have points that don't match but it is much better. What do you think?

As always, making a mistake helped me learn new things. First, an 1/8 of inch difference on the ruler looks pretty small, but when you are used to sewing 1/4" seams and then go to 3/8" seams, the difference looks huge! Secondly, these wider seams are easier to press open. I don't usually press open but I thought I would try this and hopefully find that pressing open would make for a flatter quilt. As it turns out, I didn't like the larger "shadowing" that showed through on my Kona white so after the first two rows, the shortest in an on point setting, I decided to sew at 3/8', trim to 1/4" and press to the sides. Still out of errors come opportunities for new experiences.

I hope you are having success with your projects! Visit Judys page for other Design Wall Monday inspiration. http://www.patchworktimes.com/

Enjoy!
Toni

Design Wall Monday~4-29

I did not write a post last week. I didn't have any finishes. Okay! I had a doll quilt finish that I wasn't thrilled with. The colors weren't as cohesive as I had wished and the machine quilting was crummy.

So here we are. The last few days of the month and even tho' I've not been very organized this last month. It doesn't mean I can't do better in May. I love new beginnings! Whether it is the first of the week "Monday. Hmmm, I better get my eating back under control" or the first of the year "This is the year I lose that weight and exercise more" or the first of a month "Let's make a list of things I want to get done this month." They are all a chance to restart, or a reboot. So that is where I am. Yesterday I made a list of the things I wanted to get done in May.

1)Get the Row Along Borders decided on cut and attached

2)Get the Ziggy String Quilt layered, quilted and bound

3)Get Joels Quilt repair finished and delivered

4)Finish the last 12 Pineapple blocks. Decide on, and add, the corner fabric

5)Finish the Hexie Doll Quilt

6)Requilt the Trips Doll Quilt (I have already removed the quilting)

7)Finish piecing the Scrappy Row Improv Quilt. I only have an orange row left to do.

Yesterday I worked on four of those seven projects. This list looks long but it is totally doable as most are finishes.

Then I added more items. Only one a quilty item, which was, make a donation lap/personal quilt with scrappy nine patches and snowballs. Hey! I had to have something new! I finished eight of those yesterday.

And I continued to add. We always have high expectations when we get a chance to startover! With the idea of "15 Minutes of Play", I also am going to practice FMQ fifteen minutes each day, either actual quilting practice or drawing on the white board, And each week I am going to choose a song for the ukulele and practice that same song over and over again for fifteen minutes each day. I want to basically have it commited to memory. This first week I'm going to work on "You and I" in the style of Ingrid Michaelson.. AND I'm still thinking about what I should do for exercise. I'm going to look at some of my pin's on Pinterest and choose a fifteen minute routine for this week. Wish me luck! Even adding these last three items, the sum total of minutes is still less than the time it used to take me to drive to work. Awwww! Retirement!

I hope you have a great week and I hope you take a look at something you would like to restart.

Enjoy!
Toni

Design Wall Monday~April 15

Sometimes you just have to make a decision or you never get started and therefore never finished. I have had a quilt to repair for well over a year now. I've asked for and received advice right here on this blog that helped me make some decisions, so I feel like I have a plan and know how to proceed except.....fabric. Darn fabric! This quilt is black and brights and I used poly back in those days. I am taking four blocks out to replace and of course, with the years, the colors have faded. No problem. I can deal with that. But I can't find any good quality (some may think that was impossible in the first place) polyester. I've searched Ebay, thrift stores, online and I've even gotten a sample from New York but I couldn't find a "nice" polyester in yellow. I found a "satisfactory" one in black but the yellow was impossible. So Friday I thought "Okay, I will use the black poly and the yellow cotton." Except then I didn't. I just couldn't. So today, I've decided I will use Kona cottons on both, those four blocks will just be heavier then the rest. Right after this post I am going to pre-wash them and get going....Unless I change my mind again. This shouldn't be this hard!

Secondly, last week, I showed a hexie doll quilt in process. That should have been done, except, I can't decide....should I applique some hexies in the border? Should I just quilt hexies shapes in the border? All over, or just at random? Or should I just forget hexies and something different. So here again, a decision has to be made before I move on. Arrrggghhhh!

I am used to making decisions. I was a Buyer and Purchasing Manager for thirty years. I made snap decisions all the time. But when it comes to this creative process, and let's be real, if I don't like my decision, I can undo it, pass it on, or just forget about it. I struggle. I spend much too much time deciding what to do.

I did make a decision on what design I was going to use for Rachel's, from Stitched In Color, Scrap Attack over on Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/groups/1846806@N20/   Here is the beginning.

Actually I have all the stripped color blocks done (I think!) I just need to arrange them, (more decisions?) sew them together and get myself into town to buy a bolt of Kona white and finish cutting the white parts. It is not too late to join the Quilt Along. Entries for prizes can be any size and you have until the end of May to complete.

And I had a tiny finish. Sometimes you just have to get something done!

Enjoy!
Toni

Design Wall Monday~April 8

A short post. The day after my birthday! A day I ate waaaay too much.

Anyway, a finish

And a doll quilt in progress.

Enjoy!
Toni

Just A Quick Note

Just wanted to post a finish of a UFO. This baby quilt has been sitting since the early '90ies. Why? Well, it had a complicated border originally and I cut all the pieces, but didn't feel ready to tackle it. Then I lost the pieces and used some of the burgandy and blue in other projects. ANYWAY, I didn't want to donate it....my sis and I both worked on this quilt. Anyhoo, it's finished. I don't know why one block yellowed, I'm pretty sure it was all from the same bolt.

 

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter. I am on a fabric "diet" but still couldn't help but treat myself to these. I'm sure they are a lot better for me than chocolate and jelly beans!

 

Enjoy!  Toni

 

Design Wall Monday~March 25

My blog today will be short and sweet. Just like me!

I couldn't stand my sewing room. There were piles everywhere. You know how you pull out fabrics trying to make decisions and then don't put it away? I found I was having to move my stacks off the ironing board onto the cutting table and vice versa to accomplish anything. So I got busy. It's not perfect but certainly an improvement. Notice I added the cute piece to the top of the armoire. I wonder how long it will last?

Before:

After:

 

And yes, even tho' it doesn't show, there is no more fabric sitting on the dog crate!

 

I was productive after that and got three quilts basted and ready to quilt. Too bad I have to do my taxes today! But tomorrow, or later today if I'm lucky, I will start quilting those three. I have to, personal goal, get two done this month but would be thrilled if I could make it three!

And I love hexies! I only needed about sixty for this doll quilt I wanted to make. They were fun to do but I was rather nervous, I'm a worrier, about sewing them together. But here are the first five and I found them easy. Of course, I am not a perfectionist so someone else may not think I've done such a good job but they all look good to me!

 Now I'm worrying about taking the "paper" actually card stock, out. I wish I had read the blog that suggests punching a hole in the paper before using them to make them easier to remove. See? I'm already worrying about that!

Have a great day! Enjoy!
                              Toni