Happy 2014

This is my first post since Jan 1, LAST YEAR!

That makes me a bad blogger.

I'll do a year in review and then we're going to move on and past it and start over!

I did go back and reread my goals for the year.

My personal goals were to:

Blog more often.

Lose 10 pounds.

Find and stick to an exercise plan.

Obviously, I didn't blog more often. I was really sick with my migraines at the beginning of the year and that kept me down and out. Then, I was running around like a chicken without a head when I finally got on some meds that worked and it was time for my daughter to graduate from high school. Lots of family staying here, graduation, parties, senior events, it was a whirlwind.

After that, the longer I stayed away, the harder it got to want to post a blog. I was embarrassed at how long it had been. Now, I am just starting over!

Losing 10 pounds....well, I did do that. I lost some weight when I was so sick last winter, but then I think I gained it back when I started feeling better. Being sick is an awful way to lose anyway. But this fall, I went on a migraine diet which eliminated so many things that I did lose about 9 pounds that I am managing to keep off. Of course, the Christmas cookies are not helping! LOL

I'll get back on track soon!

And exercise, schmexercise! I don't have time!

My sewing goals were:

Valentines quilt top

Allies quilt

Sew Spooky

Swoon

More bags

Etsy Shop

I'll have to see if I can take some pictures, 2013 was actually not too bad of a quilt year, if you don't mind that I got most of them done in the first half of the year.

I did finish my Valentines quilt, and in time for Valentines day. The top was done, but it needed basted and quilted and I did it. Not only did I do it, but I free motion quilted the whole thing. It was the first time I've FMQ something that big (twin size) and I love how it turned out.

I also basted and quilted Allie's quilt. Again, the top was done, but with company coming for graduation, getting her quilt on her bed was a priority. This one was a full size and I just straight line quilted it.

Swoon....I think I only had 1 block done.....maybe 2 or 3, if I can recall what was on my sewing room wall. (looking back in my blog, I see a post from April 2012 where I say I have 2 blocks done! So, I think I had 3 done at this point.) Anyway, I finished the other 6 blocks, set them with the borders and sent it off to be quilted. This was another priority so that it would be on my bed by the time company got here for graduation.

Sew Spooky...well, that's not exactly done. I finished the applique and got the quilt top done and basted. And I have the whole middle FMQ. But I ran out of steam when it came time to straight line quilt the bat borders. So, its on the back burner (again) until next year, when I can hopefully pull it out and finish it.

I made a few new fun bags. I think 3 and they were all the same, just different fabric.

And I put nothing in my Etsy Shop.

Looking back, it doesn't seem like I did too bad!

Now its time to take my daughter to work, so I'll have to update you more later.

Happy New Year!



Ironing Excitement

You've heard my tale of woe regarding irons.

I'm not even going there right now, but I will say this new iron seems to be working well.

I am now going to show you my ironing excitement.

This is what my ironing board used to look like:

Dull, boring, reflected heat instead of absorbing it, and covered in "oooops, I just got sticky bond type stuff on my ironing board."

Check out the new ironing board cover:

Amazing improvement, huh?

The credit goes to the Moda Bake Shop, where I got the tutorial.

I had pinned it and shopped for fabric way back in the fall.

And then my strips sat there. And sat there. And everytime I opened that drawer, they just stared at me, begging to be used.

At the same time, I also pinned an ironing board caddy. I always have scissors, seam ripper, pins, markers, and spray starch things on the end of my ironing board and this was my fix for that problem.

No pattern or tute for this, I just used my leftover jelly roll strips, quilted as I went, folded it up and sewed it onto the end of the ironing board.

Not to be outdone, the sewing machines were calling for some attention. So, they got covers made out of the fabric that was left.

Here is Allie's:

(Sorry for the horrible lighting! Ugh!)

And here is mine:

I have a few scraps left still, and I'm eyeballing that cute little trash can that Jen posted about the other day.

And yes, that is Swoon up there on the wall behind the ironing board. I only have 2 blocks done, but hoping to add to them soon!
I just bought season tickets to Six Flags and the quilt shop is just a hop, skip and a jump from there, so I'll have no more excuses for not getting things done and off to the quilters.

A Year in Review

Review?
Its only mid April!

But I feel like this year has already been so busy and hectic!

And my poor blog has just been ignored!

I can't promise that I'll blog more often, but I am going to try.

I really hope that life is going to slow down a bit, at least for awhile!

I look at the past few months and I know they have flown by.

Drama took up all of my January and February.

It took up the first 12 days of March.

Less then a week later, my grandpa died.

A week gone, a week and a half at home,

and then a week in Disney.

I've now been home just over a week.

But my son's 10th birthday is this weekend.

Next Thursday we have 10 of hubby's friend's coming to stay at our house for a golf tournament on Friday.

And my middle daughter's Sweet Sixteen party is Saturday night, with her birthday the next day.

God grant me the patience....

I have sewn here and there this year.

I have a feeling its not going to be a year of quilts,

but rather, smaller projects.

My one  finished quilt top was for Valentine's day and I never got it layered and quilted.

And I only have 2 Swoon blocks done.

I guess I just can't wrap my mind around any big projects.

And I'm ok with that. Mostly.

I have a Blueberry Crumb Cake jelly roll that I want to make plans for and order the additional yardage before it leaves the store. I really want to get on that.

I want to work on Swoon. My plan had been to have it to the quilters by the end of March. And then life happened. Now, I'll settle for getting it there by the end of June.

I also have serveral wall hanging's, table runners and pillow covers I want to do.

A new apron, or two or three.

Lots of new hanging dish towels for my kitchen.

One thing I have contemplated for several years is being able to get a table at a craft fair.

I'd really like to do that. So, maybe some small projects for that.

I have done some sewing this week. 2 small projects that almost got forgotten!

But, they are for the birthday children and I can't share until after they have made their debut. Its 2 new tradition's that will bless the birthday child every year.

And I know I promised you some Disney sewing projects.

Yeah. They are still in the wash.

Hopefully next week :)



Swoon Quilt A Long

Darn, my blogging friends!
They always get me sucked into things.

NOT that that is a bad thing, it just is a thing! LOL

So, thanks to Camille, over at Simplify,

I am now signed up for a Swoon Quilt A Long.

But its SWOON!
I already have the pattern.

I already have the fabric.

Heck, I already the first block done!

And, I already have border fabric, a charm pack for throw pillows, and some additional yardage to make valances!

This Quilt A Long is just what I need to get going on this quilt!

If you are interested, you can find the details here, at Katy's blog.

I can't wait to get started!



11 in '11

My goal was 11 quilts in 2011.

Tomorrow is Dec 29, 2011.

And #11 is under my sewing machine!

That gives me 3 days to finish this last one.

I think I can, I think I can!

The binding is on and done, yes out of order, I know.

The borders have been quilted.

And I have the inside quilting done about a third of the way.

It'll get done,

I just never imagined it would take me to the last days of 2011 to get it done!

I need to add all my christmas sewing to my tally list,

but early next year I hope to have an approximation for how many projects I completed in 2011.

I hope Santa was good to all of you, my blog friends!

He was definitely good to my house.

The kids got the usual number of electronics and toys.

But the mama? WOW, I impressed someone this year I guess.

• My new Kindle Fire? I LOVE IT!
• 2 jelly rolls....Blueberry Crumb Cake and Always & Forever are begging for an idea
• Matching charm packs will make excellent small things to go with
• Another charm pack...this one of Ruby, will make throw pillows to match my king size Swoon quilt that is at the top of my list for 2012
• 3 new quilt books

In case I don't make it back,

which I definitely will, to share my #11,

but just in case,

Have a happy, safe New Years Eve!



Nearly Wordless Wednesday

I've been busy quilting, not so busy blogging.

Here is my story:

halloween panel #1

halloween panel #2

dish soap apron side 1

dish soap apron side 2

WIP: baby shower quilt for this weekend (#9 of 11 in '11)

Swoon block #1 (not sure if I have shared this one or not)

FNSI Results

My FNSI results are less then impressive.

I kinda forgot.

Oooopppps!

It was an incredibly busy day yesterday.

I took Allie out in the morning to run errands.

BJs and Joanns.

I did get the 8 yds of white I needed to start making Swoon.

Then home where I paired up my Ruby squares and started cutting out Block 1.

By 1:30 we were out the door to take Sam and hubby to the mall.

Sam needed new sneakers for school and then her and hubby were going to see movies.

Yes, different ones.

I did some browsing and then read a book while I waited for them.

As soon as they were done, it was back home, pick up the littler kids

and off to the elementary school to meet their new teachers for this year.

After that, we endured a bad rain and thunder storm and I sat in the rocking chair,

cuddled up under Cherry on Top and read a book.

And totally forgot about the FNSI.

But I did get the 2 fat quarters cut for block 1, so I guess I got something done.

Ahhh well, it was a productive week none the less :)

And Juliann, here is the pattern I am using to make my halloween quilt.

August Update

Aloha!

I feel like I am still on island time.

Which is both good and bad.

Good because I still feel like I'm on vacation.

Which I am. Sorta. For at least another week.

Bad because I still feel like I'm on vacation

and I'm not really getting anything done!

However, I have some excuses.

And some things I've gotten done.

But no pics today, sorry.

Maybe later this week!

In terms of excuses, my mom has been in town.

That only happens twice a year, so I treasure my time with her and stay out of the cave while she's here.

She was supposed to leave today, but due to air traffic problems in the midwest, she's staying another night.

So, yeah!

We went camping while she was here, and boy did that bring back memories of being a kid!

My mom is great!

As for things I have gotten done....

I was steadily working on my halloween quilt.

Its going to be in this pattern:

My black is a black on black swirl and the yellow is a deep purple with a sparkle in it.

I'm hoping to finish up the blocks this week.

I am already signed up for the FNSI, so that should help.

I bought the rest of the fabric I needed to make my neice's christmas quilt.

And I got an email last week that The Fat Quarter Shop got Ruby in!!

WoooHoooo!

I bought the Swoon pattern soon after it was released and knew it was going on my bed.

I'm going to increase the size to make the blocks 4x4 and add some borders to make it a bit bigger on the sides, but I am really excited to make this.

So, I ordered Ruby today.

Plus some Kate Spain Flurry charm squares.

And 2 patterns.

Yep, I really like the FQS.

 That's my update.

I'll try to get back here more often.

The kids start school next week,

and that will make things easier.

I love having them home for the summer,

but I am always ready for them to go back to school.