Monday, January 23, 2017

Another Star

**Morning was spent in a meeting 
sometimes we volunteer and wonder why later

I volunteered(myself and Hub) to help a friend who is the director of the local TaxAide a program through AARP.org

Did not think through the time involved.....
It has been many years since I have been involved in 
tax law.....taxes
What was I thinking.........

Oh well......10 weeks(one afternoon a week)
I can make it through

**Sadie completely stressed out after surgery
Did not sleep from Thursday to Sunday night
paced continuously during the day
sat in the same spot each night when we placed the e-collar on
no sleep
 Here she is dozing off with her little head propped
as she would drift off and nearly fall the pacing began
new type e-collar and med for sedation
sleep comes and she can/will function on daily activities
without me having to constantly watch to reduce the licking
pacing continues
only 6 more days

Yea!!!quilting relaxes me
continued (slow) progress on the hand quilting
another star completed


Friday, January 20, 2017

Hand Quilting

Saturday will be the anniversary of my getting Sadie
She was a birthday present from Hub 1 year ago.
She is a very  high spirited girl and has really been a challenge to train.
She thinks for herself.....and when outside so alert to noises and smells that her attention span for training is almost nil.
She has just in the last few weeks noticed that treats are good if you follow instructions.



She went Thursday to be spayed.....contemplated breeding but decided that she has almost eliminated my time for sewing  over the last year and that  as she settles down, I really want to return to the machine,

Last night as I was trying to watch and make sure that she was not licking stitches, I pulled out the quilt that needs hand quilting.
Item #10 on the UFO list

Following the lead of one of the others working on their UFO's;
I decided to set it out and try to dedicated at least 30 minutes daily to hand quilting.
Maybe this will not be too much to ask of myself.

As you can see, my stitches are not very uniform and not small.
but I continue to try.
I have not been successful using a hoop....very uncomfortable for me.
so free-hand is what I am doing.
When finished, this will be a first for me on hand quilting.


This quilt top was given to me by one of my Mother's friends.
She was cleaning out her closets preparing for the day she has to move to the assisted living environment.
She knew I loved quilts so I was gifted with this top and 5 other complete quilts that her mother made in the 40's and 50's.
I was very surprised.....and excited.  Will show pics of others later.

UFO list progress continues

UFO #5...I have completed 1(navy leggings)  of the six garments that I had on that list.
no pics yet.....want to get a top long enough to cover my bottom before I show progress

hope this UFO list keeps me pushing forward
resisting starting new.....




Sunday, January 15, 2017

First Ever Quilting Class


  • Saturday was fun
  • paper piecing
  • instructor Amy Crunk
  • taught same square, many versions

  • pattern.....the center white(1) is the light blue in the pic above and then she used 4 strips on each side(pattern only shows 2)
The pic below show made as pattern above .


  • can modify number of strips and color placement to create maybe 10 different quilts


  • my samples



  • she had also found a similar pattern through pintress and created to show us the bounds are only our imagination

  • would I take another class
  • probably one day.....but my attention span only last about 4 hours
  • I think when I retired.....I lost all focus....I can't stay on task at home

  • no reflection on the instructor, Amy  was great and shared many more ideas than she had time to teach 
  • allowed pictures of everything she brought.....
  • Thanks Amy......



Friday, January 13, 2017

First finish of 2017

work has begun on 17 ufosin 2017.

Item #9 
on the list was an outfit that I cut out for Lola (before Christmas) hoping that it would get wrapped......it will be ready for her on Monday when she comes by....maybe I can get pictures of her wearing then.....now just on hanger.

Kwik Sew 3935
size S
Riley Blake Lavender and Navy striped cotton knit
(love the feel of this knit and it sews beautiful)

Lola will soon be 11, but I make her clothes by a size 6-8
the  leggings are out of a heavier navy knit.


Quilting Class
Saturday......going to a quilting class....not sure the pattern being taught.
It's scrappy though

Never taken a quilting class....not sure that I can sew in the midst
of all the others.....my attention gets very challenged if there is something(others) to watch.

I am taking an old Singer 221 Featherweight.
I begged this off my sister.....have never sewn much on it.
Think that it really needs some service but, I am going to give it a try.

I have a small box of scraps and a yellow bag of  yardage
red bag of tools
Sure I have enough packed to make 2 or 3 quilts.
Just could not make decision.

more later when I have returned.




Friday, January 6, 2017

17 in 2017 Challenge.....join or not join.....

.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I have been thinking about the challenge.....

I do all kinds of sewing....
garment
craft
quilting
home dec

What should I include?
How should I organize the list?

Here goes....
My 17 in 2017  list in no certain order

1. Complete the quilt of valor(complete the backing, sandwich,quilt)
2. complete the crib size quilt(sandwich and quilt)
3. Sandwich and quilt Lavender pinwheel
4. Remake 2 shirts that I bought on bargain table before Christmas
5. Complete six garments for me that are cut out
6. finish a pair of girl's overalls that I cut out about 6 years ago before the last granddaughter out grows the size......
7. embroidery on some blocks of Red/White quilt, sandwich, quilt
8. complete multiple shorts that are cut out for Etsy Shop
9. complete an outfit that is cut out for Lola
10. complete the hand quilting of a hand pieced quilt that was gifted to me
11. complete the window treatments for sewing room, one window completed, 2 to go
12.This will be a start......but the fabric was purchased.....a modern log cabin
13.  window treatments and bedskirt for the grandchildren's room.....material purchased about 5 years ago
14.  This will be another start.....quilt for my bed....materials purchased about 3 years ago
15.  window treatments for guest bedroom
16.  MSU quilt that I started for a church auction last year.....top not even finished
17. some pictures to add to the sewing room wall

Those are things off the top of my head
Did not even think hard or open the  closet to look
Sure there are more.....but I do not want to find out at this time.

Good luck to us all.....
maybe I will get a few done......Never seem to accomplish all I dream up in my head
Thanks  Pomegranate and Chintz for offering me a challenge.

FMQ domestic machine

 I have been reading and watching  many YouTube videos on FMQ. One of the best hints I found for basting was......pin first, then between th...