dogs · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting

Playing Around Wild Onion Style


I was really itchin’ to do some stitchin’ yesterday, so I picked out some fabric, got my Wild Onion pattern out, and started playing.  I don’t know how successful my design ideas will be in the end, but I’m having fun.  I’m scattering some organic looking designs allover, in random spaces, with Autumn Rainbows, then I will go back and fill in all the  unquilted area with some type of quilting.  I am going to use a solid thread that blends well with the fabric for that.  Since my blog seems to have been running low on actual quilting content lately, I’ll throw in a few teaser pics. 🙂

I had trouble getting the colors to come through accurately.  This first pic shows the true fabric color the best, but it still isn’t quite right.

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This is another pic I took just trying to get the color right.

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What I haven’t decided, is what type of filler to use.  I was going to just keep going with similar quilting designs, echoing around and swirling, throw in a shape, etc., but now I’m thinking that maybe just a regular old stipple meander around the designs, might be best.  What do you think? Any suggestions? Or maybe mostly stippling with a random shape here & there….?? And I’m thinking fairly small on the stippling, not micro small, but small.

I think I’m going to go do some more piecing on my EB 9p’s & stripes right now, though.  I will be back later with my Sunday Stash Report and weigh in results. Stay tuned!

How about a little dose of cuteness before you go? Big sis & little sis, all cozy on Daddy’s lap.

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daily life · longarm quilting · quilting · weight

Off to a Great Start Today!


My son feels fabulous today…not even in pain.  He’s just doing amazingly well.  I flipped on Fons & Porter on PBS, as I was getting dressed this morning, and Marilyn Badger was on, and it was an episode I hadn’t seen.  I love that they are doing some longarm episodes.  So I quickly dressed and hopped on the Treadclimber while I watched.  Boy did that workout fly by quickly, as I had something worthwhile to watch.  After that, I decided to try on a pair of Nike windpants that I couldn’t wear two weeks ago, and they fit again! Yeehaw! Now, what to do with the rest of this fabulous day…..work on my EB quilts, or throw something on the longarm and play….hmmm…..

quilting

Thursday Thoughts


It’s been a pretty good week so far.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  I think I forgot to mention that I finally finished painting the entryway.  Remember, I started on that back before Thanksgiving.  Before my shoulder and back had that bad spasm.  Come to think of it, maybe that helped bring on that episode.  Anyway, I finally got it done.  It’s certainly not perfect, but better than it was.  Now I would like to have a new front door 🙂

My fifteen minute timer stints did a world of good this weekend, in regaining some much needed peace in my home.  I made a lot of progress, and with hubby helping with the floors, it’s so much more relaxing.  Got control of the clutter once again.  So far, I have stayed on top of it through the week.  This counter where the computer is, tends to get covered with junk mail, bills, etc.  But I am trying to shred, toss, or otherwise deal with the mail, as it comes, and not let it accumulate.

I’ve worked on my 9P & stripes quilts a little everday, too.  They are coming along nicely.

Tomorrow, however, I am dreading.  If you are so inclined, say a little prayer for my son.  We are taking him to Amarillo to have wisdom teeth extracted.  I know it’s a routine procedure, but still, he’s my baby, and I’ll be somewhat anxious til it’s all over and done with.  They will use IV sedation.  The good news is that he only has two wisdom teeth.  The bottom two, none on the top.  So I am grateful for that little oddity.  Spares him a little, and makes the procedure $500 cheaper. 

I guess I better finish up my cup of coffee and get ready for work.  I really, really don’t want to go today.

knitting · longarm quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · sewing · stash busting · weight

Sunday Stash Report Time


Finally, I am back in a quilting mood.  I finished trimming the stripe blocks for my two 9P & stripe quilts.  I pulled fabric from my stash for the background squares and setting triangles for each quilt.  The pattern calls for 2.75 yds each, but I washed up 3 yds apiece.  I hate to end up a tad short, so I had a little leftover.  Here is a preview of what they will look like. 

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The pattern calls for using a medium background in one, and a light background in the other.  However, on my light, I decided to use the same fabric for the setting triangles and squares, as I used for the background of my 9P’s & stripes.  I hope to really hone my quilting skills in all those open spaces.  I’m planning on lots & lots of feathers.  Will I be able to pull it off?  We shall see!

I did get started sewing them together today.  I’m sewing them simultaneously.  That way, I don’t get one finished, and get burned out, and leave the other sitting for awhile. 

So, I got almost 6 more yards out of my stash and headed into quilts.  I am also happy to report that I did not buy any fabric.

I’m still working on some beginner knitting projects, and completed two scarves, and am getting close to finishing a special shawl I’m knitting.

Sunday weigh in time! Last week, my starting weight was 150.  Today, my weight was……………..150. I lost a total of zero lbs. this week.  I really wanted to see a 140-something.  However, I’m not disappointed in my myself, because I did great on my working out…a total of six times this week, and I did not blow it with the eating.  I know this is just a natural part of the diet/exercise process.  I know I made progress, because I can see a change in my body shape, and in the way my clothes are fitting.  Hopefully, the scale will be kinder next week. 🙂

Remeber that I mentioned that I found a new buffet hutch for my dining room, when we went to Amarillo.  I finally took a pic.  I am really enjoying it. It has helped so much to have this extra space to store some of my stoneware and other dishes, making my cabinets much safer to open…lol. (you know, less thing falling out at you when you open the door)

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Some gratitudes this week were:

  1. My son breaking away from an unhealthy relationship
  2. My 20″ Omnigrid ruler
  3. My new hutch
  4. None of us wrecked driving on the ice this week
  5. My husband cleaning the floors!

I guess that’s it for my report today.  Hope y’all have a great week ahead.

quilting

I Was Starting to Wonder….


Where my “quiltiness” had gone.  I just haven’t been into it for the last couple of weeks or so.  But today, I feel the urge returning.  I just put seven yard of fabric in the wash, from my stash, to start cutting the background squares & triangles from, for my EB 9P’s & Stripes quilts.  I almost have the stripe blocks finished.  Only a week later than I aimed for…lol. While the fabric is washing, I am off to do some housework.  I will set my timer for 15 min and go from room to room that way.  When it beeps…times UP!  Move on to the next room.  It always amazed me how much improvement I can make in just 15 minutes…TTYL! Hope your weekend is off to a great start!

Blogroll · community · quilting

You Make My Day


Can you see the little pic?  When I first posted, the little award pic was showing up, now all I’m seeing is the little red x box.  What do you see? 

Thank you, Deb, for giving me the “You Make My Day Award”! You definitely make my day, too! I am thrilled to pass it on to some other bloggers I enjoy.  Deb & I obviously have a lot in common, because several on her award list would be on mine, too, so that leaves me with more choices.  I want to pass it on to Jan, Diane, Lynn, Freda, Kay, Jan T, KarenSusan, Teresa & Terri. Thanks guys, for making my blogging world a better place!

The awards rules are to: Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times!

flat stanley · knitting · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting · stash busting · weight

Sunday Report


Not much to report here, this week.  I did not buy any fabric.  I did finish sewing my stripe blocks for my quilt, but I haven’t finished trimming & pressing.  I freehand quilted up four yards of fleece for a customer order.

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It’s kind of a pretty cocoa color in real life.  The final recipient will be my friend’s father.  I think he will like it.

I also sold a baby quilt.  So does that count as stash busting? It moved out of my stash…lol.

I had a pretty busy week, otherwise.  Monday, I had a sinus headache, pretty much all day.  So after work, I was pretty worthless.  I did stay on track with the exercise, pretty well, though.  I got four workouts done.  I wanted to get in a “last chance” workout yesterday, since today is weigh-in day.  That didn’t happen, as we got up and went to Amarillo, to pick up DH’s new Skeeter bass boat! So Flat Stanley got to go to Amarillo sooner than he expected, as we will be going on Wednesday, too, for my doctor appt.  It will take us a bit to get that written up for the Princess, but that will be coming in a few days.  Some of our pics didn’t come out like we hoped, so we may just do more on Wednesday.

I also picked up a new rustic buffet cabinet for the dining room.  I’ve been playing around with it this morning, and will feature it in a post in the near future.

On the weigh-in…it was hard to stay off the scale during the week, but I made myself do just that.  Weighing everyday can get frustrating, too much ups & downs.  But, knowing that I was going to weigh-in AND post it here, really did help me stay on track.  I’m not “dieting” per se, just eating more “reasonbly” and healthily.  I don’t do well with “diets” that restrict this food or that food, so I don’t do them.  I’ve also watched what I drink.  I’ve mostly drank water, milk or tea.  I keep hearing Jillian from the Biggest Loser saying “don’t drink your calories!” So, with all that rambling said…..my starting weight for the week was 153.  My current weight is 150.  I lost three pounds this week, for a total weight loss of four pounds.  I wish I had one of those scales that does the body fat percentage, too, but I don’t.  My DH told me Friday that he could tell I looked smaller.  I don’t expect to lose as much this week, as I’ve really been struggling with the 140’s for over a year now, but I just have to not get discouraged and blow it.  Oh, and this included eating bacon, eggs & pancakes for supper Thursday night, and going to our favorite Mexican restaurant Friday, and eating cheese chile rellenos.  I’m definitely not going hungry…lol!

In knitting news, I have discovered I have project-itis, just like with quilting.  I have several items going on different sets of needles, all needing finishing.  Mostly scarves, one practice hat, and a special project, a prayer shawl, for someone that needs comforting. I think working on it comforts me, too. I signed up for the knit & crochet online community, Ravelry, and got my invitation to join yesterday.  It will take me a while to figure out my way around there, but it looks awesome!

Well, that’s I guess that’s it for my Sunday Report.  I have a feeling I might not get much done today, either, but that’s ok.  I’m tired!

quilting · quilts

Show and Tell Friday


It’s time for Kelli’s Show and Tell Friday.  Today I want to share a special quilt.  This was made by my husband’s grandmother, whom I never had the pleasure of knowing.  She was quite the prolific quilter.  I imagine that she would have loved my longarm! And, I think she would be thrilled to know that there is now another quilter in the family.  I love the the fabrics in the quilt.  I don’t think I could pick a favorite block.

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Thanks for stopping by to see my show & tell item, and thanks to Kelli, for hosting.

quilting · sewing · stash busting · weight

Sunday Stash Report and Weigh-In


My stash report is short this week, but I’m happy with it.

1. I didn’t buy any fabric.

2. I met my goal of completing my 88 9P’s, and have started on my stripe blocks.

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I have to make a total of 64 stripe blocks for each quilt.  I have 20 done, 108 left to sew & trim.

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In other “stashbusting”  😉

I managed to do five workouts last week, and my weigh-in this morning was 153. So, I lost of total of 1 lb this week.  I was hoping for more, but it is what it is.  Hope you don’t mind me including my weekly weigh-in in my Sunday report.  Tell me if you do!