I'll be back

Why do I hear Arnold Swartzenegger saying that in my head?  "I'll be back..."

Don't know why I've been gone so long other than I must have needed a break, or didn't have much to say.  But I feel my mojo returning, so.....I'll be back....

February flew by real quick

You turn around twice, and blink your eyes, and another month has come and gone.

Remember my quilt-as-you-go quilt? (QAYG)   I can finally say it's finished.  And before March.  Yes, it was just yesterday that I put in my final binding stitch, but it's done.  I really like it, and glad I gave this method a try.  I actually consider it reversible, though the front in strips is my favorite.  I played a bit of an "I spy" game with Elise the other day, and among other things asked her to find a bird.  We couldn't find any, which really surprised me...and one may still show up as we look further.  Still, I'm considering appliqueing a bird somewhere on the front.  Probably at one of the junctions where the lattice doesn't exactly match!  Here it is, front and back.

I'm not sure of the size, maybe 60 x 72?  But it fits on top of a double bed fine, and would drape over a twin bed nicely.

I've started my annual home improvement project.  I try to do something each year, and this year the master bath is getting a bit of an upgrade with new faucets, mirrors over the vanity, and lights.  David got the faucets in last weekend, and we got the big mirror down and out.  Wouldn't you know, when we took the mirror down, there was a hole in the sheetrock.  Guess they figured it would be covered, so why worry about it.  I trimmed it to a workable size to patch, and will work this weekend on getting it textured to hopefully be a decent match, and then paint the area and put up the mirrors.  I have someone lined up to do the lights, but that may not happen immediately.  Just have to see how his schedule works out. 

Here's the before.   The mirror will go away and be replaced with two mirrors, one over each sink. Those lights will change into two fixtures, one over each mirror.  Each fixture will have 3 bulbs.  The faucets have been updated to replace the standard builder's faucet. 

Here you can see where the hole was behind the mirror, though you're seeing it after the messiness was cut away to a decent rectangle for patching.

And this is one of the two new faucets.  I love the high neck on it.  So much easier if there's anything somewhat bulky I want to fit under it.

In other news, Elise and I worked a puzzle this week.  Went down to 550 pieces instead of 1000.  Partly because I just liked the picture with all of the little characters and vehicles, but it also worked well to have the pieces just a bit bigger.  The packaging is now smaller than in years past, and some makers will include a nice size print of the picture for you to use instead of the box picture, but this one did not.  The bigger pieces helped.

Guess that's it for now.  Have a good weekend. 

February stuff

Time managed to slip away the last couple of weeks didn't it?

I'm still doing some art regularly, though not necessarily in my journal.  The last couple of weeks I've been playing with my Zentangle book.  It's fun, and nice to just let go and doodle.  The book I'm working from is "The Art of Zentangle".  Its been a great introduction, and has several practice opportunities.

This first picture is one of the practice pieces after I'd already started, a whimsical fantasy garden.  It was initially kind of a swirly L on the left that spanned across the bottom to the right. I've added in some butterflies, and the doodly swirls and doodads.

In the next picture you can see I've carried it further.  More flowers, and a chirpy little bird.  I've also had the book spiral bound, which makes it much easier to handle and keep my place.

Great artwork?  Hahaha, no.  But it is fun.

I stopped by Red Lobster yesterday for lunch, one of my favorite places that I treat myself to occasionally.  Usually when I dine alone, I have a book to read or puzzles to work while I wait.  This time I took in my book of Cryptograms.  The waitress happened to notice it, and asked what it was.  I explained they were word puzzles, and  different letters are substituted for the correct letters....you're breaking a code.  Seeing her interest, I pulled a page out of my puzzle magazine and encouraged her to try it herself.    Just a few minutes later she came back by (it was early in the day and pretty quiet) and showed me her start.  She sat down, and a few minutes later another of the servers came by and joined in.   With a few hints on patterns to look for, they solved a couple of the puzzles.  I think she's hooked!   I really enjoyed the unexpected company, and I'm sure I'll be back.

I'm making progress on the string quilt.  I've finished piecing the last border, and will start the quilting on that piece this afternoon.  I hope that by next weekend, it will be attached to the rest of the QAYG quilt, and I'll be ready to put the binding on. 

Elise went to her first Daddy/Daughter Dance.  The Parks and Recreation department puts it on every year around Valentine's Day.   She got a pretty dress, and some new Cinderella dance slippers, and enjoyed some special time with Daddy.

 She took great care in getting ready.

And finally was all set to go to the dance.  She had prepared the map to the dance earlier in the week.  I understand they had a great time dancing the evening away.

Have a good week everyone.  I need to go check on my crockpot of chili!

2014 is off to a fine start

We got our second prompt on the art journal earlier this week, "Somewhere, a simple place".  That led me to thinking that I like the road less traveled.  Give me a back road, free of the congestion of city traffic, and I'm happy.

In my sewing world, I'm pleased to say I've completed a UFO.  I started this tree skirt back in the Fall, and used it as a table topper even though it was not quilted or have finished edges.  I decided to back it with an autumn fabric, making it usable year round if I want.  I even learned how to do a binding for a reversible quilt where the fabrics are quite different, and one fabric wouldn't look the best.  Here are the binding strips using both fabrics.

This process requires a few more steps, but it wasn't too hard.  Sharon Pederson has written books on it, and has the binding technique in her videos, part 1 and part 2.  Since this topper has 8 sides, I had a multitude of times to try it out.  Each side is done individually, and you can either hand stitch the back side down, or machine stitch.  I chose to machine stitch on this one, though my preferred method is by hand.  I like how the sides come together, I may even consider it in a regular quilt.

Here it is completed, showing both sides.  I have to say it appears to stick out a bit, and I'm wanting a more drapey look.  The topper has just been in the washer, and will go in the dryer in a few minutes.  I hope it will relax somewhat...I'll let you know.  This was the first time I used a fusible batting, and that may contribute to the stiffness.  According to the package directions, washing will release the fusible properties.

This next week I hope to resume another UFO, my string quilt.  The side borders are now complete, and I've cut the foundation for the top and bottom borders.  I don't know if I can get it all together by February, but if not, surely before March rolls around.

In family news, my son-in-law had a birthday this week.  They lead pretty busy lives, but I managed to have pizza waiting for them when they came to pick up Elise.  She helped make the cake .  Happy birthday David!

another paper pieced project

Paper piecing can be addictive.  Having done a few pieces in the past year, my comfort level has increased.  However...there comes a time when you think is it worth the time to do all the intricate steps.

When I was looking at the Fandominstitches website with the Sherlock Holmes patterns, Elise saw one for Ariel the mermaid that she wanted.  I told her that would make a good mug rug and she agreed. Here's their picture of her:

I took my time and got through almost all of her, except the eyelashes.  They looked so tedious.  I made an executive decision and decided to embroider her lashes instead, and really think it was an excellent move.  Here's my version:

There is a little mistake in it where I missed one little triangle of flesh color, but Elise likes it and I do too.   She took it home to use because she said they didn't have any mug rugs at home.  This one came out about 10"x10".

And in case you're interested, see my new area rug that she's on?  I decided it was time to switch out so I got it this past weekend.

The second prompt for my art journal has been posted.  It is "Somewhere, a Simple Place".  I've got one or two ideas floating around in my head, we'll see what I come up with.  In the meantime, the journal will hold more than just the prompts.  Last week I worked on a collage while Elise was painting, and the collage made it into the journal. 

Okay, that's it for now.  I hope to be back before the next prompt is up to show what I came up with.
 

early January

I forgot to mention last time the important news that Lily is learning how to sew.  She's very creative, and she's eleven.  Because she's shown an interest in making outfits for some of her stuffed or plastic toys, for Christmas I gave her 2 books... one geared to tween-age sewing and the other to help get her familiar with a sewing machine.   A few days later we worked on her first steps.  She practiced sewing straight and curvy lines, and pivoting for a turn.  Then so we could wrap up the session with an actual project, she made a chicken pin cushion.   We both had a good time.  :)

The nice thing about this age is the lack of inhibition.  As we looked at fabric for the project, she asked if she could use green and blue, her favorite colors.  Of course!  There are no quilt police!  Then she chose buttons for the eyes, one yellow and one red.  Yep, she's going to do just fine.

I mentioned last week about the art journal project I've joined in on.  My cover is still a work in progress, but it's coming along.  Here's how I'm progressing.   You can see I'm using a composition book.  After watching several youtube videos, it looks like it will work fine.  I learned to open the book flat, and tie a ribbon all the way around the binding, then repeat that process at intervals to have about 5 or 6 ribbons.  This helps secure the binding, to keep it from separating from the pages as they become heavier with content.

Next I inserted some little pages to go underneath those ribbons.  I took newspaper inserts, and trimmed them down where they would have a staple intact.  I slipped that under the ribbon.  As I use those pages, I will gesso the insert to cover up the advertising as well as give it a base for whatever I decide to do.  I'm totally winging this (after viewing the videos) because I do not come with a scrapbooking background.

Next I gesso-ed the cover.  This covered up the design and gave me a blank canvas.

I've not finished the cover yet, so I'll show that later.

We received our first prompt.  Remember there will be 52 prompts, one given weekly.  No right or wrong, we do as we please.  The first was Up, Up, and Away...as in soaring into the new year.  Several have posted theirs on Facebook, and there are a lot of talented people.  Lots of balloons, hot air balloons, wings, etc.  I saw them, and knowing I'm not a particularly "airy" person, I took a different little spin.   Picture a little ant farm with all the trails that ants make.  Picture one little ant on his journey to the top.  Then picture him going further, and climbing up a tree.  Going out on a limb, he hops on a leaf, and "soars" through the air.  "Whee!  We all want to soar..."

I know, I have a long way to go.  But, thankfully this is a journey and there are not expectations of perfection anywhere along the way. 

Until the next time, have fun and express yourself!

new year, new possibilities

2014, can you believe it?  Another new year, and new possibilities.

But first, let me slip to the end of 2013 to share my latest paper-pieced quilt project.  My friend Odalie recently posted on Facebook that she got a Sherlock Holmes book with all the stories in it.  That gave me a clue that she must be a fan.  As I was looking through the Fandom site at their free paper-piece patterns, I saw that there were some for Sherlock Holmes, and immediately thought of Odalie.  I think its kind of serendippity when that happens, so I decided to make her a mug rug using two of the designs.  They also had a magnifying glass, but I couldn't fit 3 items onto the mug rug.  This is what I came up with.

They have all kinds of designs.  In fact, Elise saw one of Ariel (Disney mermaid) that she liked, so that's probably my next pp project.

Moving on, 2014 is the start of an art journal project group on Facebook.  I've been wanting to be more artsy, and I think this will be a good step in that direction.  I got a zentangle book for my birthday, and that will lend itself well to the journal project too.  At least for part of it.  I plan on prepping the journal this weekend so I can be ready for the first of 52 prompts in 2014.  I'm already growing...I learned what prepping the journal means!  There are a lot of youtube videos out there on the subject (gotta love youtube) and its really inspiring. 

Okay, time to get up and about in 2014!  Have a great new year.  :)

Merry Christmas to all

Our Christmas gathering on Sunday:

 Decorating cookies

 For some reason they wanted to gather under the table...

..... Robert, Angela, Rhett, and Ashlynn

 Elizabeth, David, Lily, and Elise ....

12 Days of Christmas swap

Our 12 Days swap has wrapped up, so here are the pictures.   I made totes and tea towels, and one mug rug.   Along the way, I was able to use up some of my odds and ends of fq's and fabric. 

I like how they all turned out, but I must say I really like the little mug rug with the ducks.  They are surrounded with nature fabrics, and flying geese overhead.  Almost hard to let that one go, but I know I can make another. 

I received some wonderful gifts in return.  I've said it before, but there are some talented ladies on the HGTV Quilting & Needlework Forum.     Elise was my helper in opening the daily packages, so here she is as we opened the box.

This shows:

Quilter Jen:  a roll--up tote, great for shopping
KaylaQuilts:  a knitted drink cozy
JoyfulSewer:  a fabric box (great for a thread catcher when you're hand sewing
LilacSue:  a Santa ornament
PatV82:  a coffee cup organizer (I bought a pattern a few years ago, and never made it...so glad she did!)

Quilter Chris:  bracelet
Patricia Anne:  4 coasters
Motqltr:  zippered bag, knitted/crochet scarf, trial size paper piece quilt block, and novelty mini-
clothespins
LynnSews:  hand sewn felt needle case
KarrieLynn:  wine tote bag

(and KaylaQuilts' knitted drink cozy made it into this picture too)

Gemsq:  colorful bag (I have a feeling Elise will want to claim it, but it's mine!)
DJillm:  kleenex holder, great to tuck in your purse or pocket










This is the third year I've participated in this particular swap.  I hope we do it again next year.

Stay tuned, tomorrow I'll get back with some Christmas pictures of the kids.  :)  

Hope your days are merry and bright....

December happenings

I think I mentioned earlier that I was keeping my eyes open for a chenille spread for the twin bed.  I originally thought I wanted a lavender or purple, but had a hard time finding one.  Let's face it, not that many places sell chenille spreads anymore, it's pretty much comforters.  I found one at a garage sale that I thought might work, even though it was queen size.  In my excitement of finding it, and the bright sun, I thought it was lavender...turns out it was a blue.  No problem, my friend Linda was glad to take it. 

Then I got the bright idea to look on Ebay.  Lo and behold, there were chenille spreads!  Granted, you can only go by the pictures and what the seller has to say.  But as I thought about it, being previously owned was not a problem for me.  The bed is in the toy room anyway, and won't get everyday use.  And even if it gets dirty, it can go in the washer.  I decided on a white one, which the picture showed to be in pretty good shape.  The seller disclosed it has a couple of pulls on the tufts.  For $10 plus shipping, I decided to give it a try.   It shipped immediately, I washed and dried it upon its arrival, and here it is.  Not bad at all.

Getting into the last days before Christmas, I've visited a few stores here and there.  Last year just a few days before Christmas I bought my Kitchen Aid mixer.  This year, I happened to see something that I've kind of been needing, and just splurged and bought it.  I'm glad I was able to help the economy.  :)   It's almost sad when there's nothing you really need, but little things give me pleasure.

My friend Linda and I finished the t-shirt quilt for a mutual friend.  I'm really pleased with how it came out, and she liked it too.  I asked her to let us know what her son thinks of it.

When I bought my little Janome sewing machine a few years ago, it was because my Singer had been giving me problems.  The Singer has since been sitting in a closet.  A few weeks ago I decided to get it serviced.  After having  it serviced, I decided to sew a project on it.  Well....it didn't take long to realize my Janome is my preferred machine, and the Singer will remain a back-up.  I admit it, I've gotten spoiled to choosing the needle-down position, and to having an automatic needle threader!

That's all for now.  I plan on being back before Christmas, but if I'm not,  Merry Christmas to all.

Friday favorite again, among other things

Brrr!   It's cold outside!  But that's helped me get a bit done, so I'm fine with it.  Especially since I was able to stock up on a few groceries ahead of time, and my electricity has stayed on.  Not everyone one was so fortunate, and many have been without power.  

Earlier this week Elise let me know she wants to sew.  She liked the idea of sewing a quilt top for her Sarah doll, so, she chose some fabric, layed the squares out in an order she wanted, and did the footwork on my sewing machine while I guided the fabric through.  Together we tied it off.   I think I now have a helper for whenever I sit down to sew.  :)

I haven't done my Friday Favorites in a long time, but looking at my sewing bag, I realized I needed to put it on here and tell it's story.   Many years ago, probably about 34 since I think I was pregnant with Elizabeth, Mom was in town for a visit.  We were browsing through the local 5 & 10, and I really liked a piece of fabric that was a lush green jungle print with a tiger on it.  It wasn't suitable for clothing, but Mom had the terrific idea of a sewing bag.  She sewed it together that afternoon, and I've been using it ever since.  I'm sure she never realized the pleasure I would get out of it.  In fact, each time I pick it up and use it, I think of her.  I'd say that in itself makes it pretty special.  In it's early years, it carried counted cross-stitch projects that I worked on during my lunch hours,and as years rolled by and interests changed,  embroidery and quilting projects were occasionally toted to work.  Since I'm retired, it can usually be found next to my easy chair, and going off to my QB Saturdays.  Who knew that a simple sewing bag could bring such pleasure?

Remember my gnome ornaments I told you about last week?  I finished up the other 5.  Two of them went to Lily and Elise's tree this past week.

 And these three will go to my little neighbor girls.

Guess that's it for now.  Stay warm, and stay safe.