Ugly FQ challenge UFO

Whatcha think? This is what I chose to make from an Ugly FQ I was sent for a challenge. (remember this fabric Babs?) I made what I call an exploding star - I am going to use this for a quilt for a raffle at school this weekend. I signed up saying I would make a quilt for them and had full intentions of making one this weekend but like every other weekend at my house it didn't work out that way. It is a smaller quilt that I would have liked to have donated but this is all time will allow. I still will need to quilt it and do the binding on it. Wish me luck.
until next time ... happy quilting

Churn Dash Block into a top

Here are some blocks I was sent by a friend to make a quilt outta ....

and here is what I decided to do with them. The colors are not exact but I like the way it turned out and hope that she will too.

This is what I was able to work on so far this weekend quilty wise. The rest of the weekend has not gone to plan but ... life is funny that way.

until next time .. happy quilting

Stashbusting Report Week 17

Here's my Stash Busting Report for the 2009 Stash Bustin Challenge I joined on Judy's blog.
Take a peek at how well the OTHERS are doing with the challenge.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yard
Fabric Added Year to Date: 1/2 yards
Fabric Used this Week: 1.5 yards
Fabric gifted this week: 1 yard
Fabric Used Year to Date: 44.5 yards

Here's my thread usage report --I started the year with 34 total spools of various sizes and colors on hand.

Spools added this week: 0 spools
Spools used this week: 1 spool
Total Spools used to Date: 6 spools
Total Spools bought to Date: 2 spools

until next time .... happy quilting

Goals Revisited

time to revisit my goals list from April 1st post and see how I am doing with them. I haven't gotten to really focus on them all but I am making progress. It is nice to see how much I have gotten done so far this month. Now to focus and get some more done this weekend. The kiddos will be with their dad so I have more time to get stuff done. Updates in GREEN!

Quote from April 1st ... I have lots of little goals/projects that I need to start getting done before the hot-humid summer weather hits here. Some are quilting related some are not so bear with me.
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt for Mothers day - this is in the block stage still, swapping out the rest of the blocks this month and hope to have it completed in time for her .. update ... rest of blocks are made and swapped out for this one; now to finalize the layout and work on a border.
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - this is in rows but will be taken apart and reworked
3. Finish String Quilt - have been swapping out blocks this past month and should have enough for a quilt for DS's bed. He hasn't gotten a scrappy quilt yet and has pointed that out to me :o) ... update ... blocks are now here waiting to be used; I think I am going to combine them with the TN blocks to make him a large quilt.
4. Pressure wash front porch and siding on house
5. Paint railings on front and back porch
6. Remove old wood from roof of porch and replace ... update ... old wood is removed and take care of; now to borrow a truck to get the new wood to the house and get it installed.
7. Redo flower bed by front stairs .. update ... waiting on my tiller to come home this weekend before I can start on these.
8. Clean out DS's closet
9. Clean out my closet
10. Sort and organize my stash for better access ... update ... purchased some storage tubs to try and work on this soon.
11. Sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily ... update ... pulled them all and have them stacked waiting to be put into binders with dividers that are here.
12. Thin out my scraps ... update ... I have used some this month but they seem to reproduce with each project I make though. Can't tell I have used any! Might need to have a scrap give away.
13. Cut back on my coffee intake ... update ... I am down to two cups a day. Now to increase my water intake to boost my weight loss.
14. Lose 15 more pounds ... update ... well ... I did lose two pounds but now I have gained that back plus a few more. UGH! I hate how much I weigh and nothing in my closet fits me right anymore. Warmer weather means short sleeves too which means my fat arms are going to be showing. Got to work harder on this - this is for my health and energy level too. It's time to stop slacking and start working!
15. Put pool back up in back yard and get it all level this time around ;o)

Stash Busting Report Week 16

Week 16 Already! Wow! the year is just flying by isn't it?!?

Here's my Stash Busting Report for the 2009 Stash Bustin Challenge I joined on Judy's blog. Take a peek at how well the Others are doing with the challenge.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yard
Fabric Added Year to Date: 1/2 yards
Fabric Used this Week: 4yards
Fabric gifted this week: 0 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 42 yards

Here's my thread usage report --I started the year with 34 total spools of various sizes and colors on hand. I finished off another spool this week!

Spools added this week: 0 spools
Spools used this week: 1 spool
Total Spools used to Date: 6 spools
Total Spools bought to Date: 2 spools

until next time .... happy quilting

rainy day fun

Yesterday was a rainy day to start off the weekend so I pulled out these projects and paint for us to do to have some fun together.

We painted little bird houses and stain glass window art. They all turned out cute. Little man didn't want to do the stain glass ones yesterday maybe I can get him to do those today. I plan on getting little suction cups to hang them on the kitchen windows. The bird house will be hung on a branch in a pot on the front porch like this sorta. It needs work but I think it will be okay. They planted the flower pots last spring and I haven't gotten any flowers for them yet this year.

We filled the rest of the day with movies, pizza and being outdoors when the rain left us. Even with the rain spoiling out planned trip to the zoo, we had a nice day together.

until next time ....

Blocks pieced

Here is what I was able to get done yesterday morning before the kiddos got up ... well ... I pieced them into three square sections and pinned them and then this morning I joined the rows together and pressed them. I made up eighteen blocks (but the picture only shows 16) all from my scrap bins. These will help me finish up a UFO on my list. (((HAPPY DANCE!!!)))

Brenda asked for the pattern and here is where I got it form ... http://www.quilterscache.com/S/SplitNinePatchBlock.html is the pattern I used for these - I grouped four together to form the larger block. Love this simple block. I also have blocks in scrappy and beige/white to post later on.
until next time ... happy quilting

Quilt-Along Finished

Monday I did the HSTs and added that border and tonight I did the outter two borders. Now step 5 of Judy's Quilt-Along is finished and so is this top.
Whatcha think? I did the border HSTs wrong but I guess that is okay - it's different.

You can go here HERE and check out the other's who participated and see how there's turned out - amazing how the same quilt pattern looks so different due to the fabrics we used.
now it's time for bed.
until next time ... happy quilting

Stash Busting Report Week 15

Posting early for the Stash Busting Report as I probably won't be online much Sunday and I might forget to post my count for the week.
Here's my weekly report for the 2009 Stash Bustin Challenge I joined on Judy's blog. Check out the Others and how they are done with the challenge here.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yard
Fabric Added Year to Date: 1/2 yards
Fabric Used this Week: 3 yards
Fabric gifted this week: 6 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 38 yards

Here's my thread usage report --I started the year with 34 total spools of various sizes and colors on hand.

Spools added this week: 0 spools
Spools used this week: 0 spools
Total Spools used to Date: 5 spools
Total Spools bought to Date: 2 spools

until next time .... happy quilting

Another Sewing Session on Saturday

I am going to get those TN blocks done today. I pulled all the charms I needed for the HSTs and the squares too. The picture shows all of my 5 inch charms but I won't use all of them to make these blocks. I had them all cut and waiting since I cut these in advance while sorting and doing other projects. I am going to make up sixteen of these. I need twelve for a swap I am doing and the others will be added to the stack to make a nicer size quilt.

here are the TN blocks I made today using those charms and squares I pulled. I have all but used up my 4.5 inch stack of squares so I need to start cutting some more squares from my scraps soon.

I still have other stuff I need to get done today and run to the grocery store so let's hope I get to everything on my list before company comes tonight. (My Sister's changed her plans and is coming in tonight.)

until next time ... happy quilting

Fabulous Friday

It's gonna be a Fabulous Friday! Why you might ask? Because ..... I am OFF and I get some SEWING TIME!!! YEAH!!! I think I am going throug withdraws here. I haven't sew in a couple weeks I think and it is calling me today. I have pulled fabrics last night to make my 30s blocks and some TN blocks and cut BOW bricks.

I'll be back with my updates later on today. Gonna also go to lunch with my neighbor friend. She stopped me while I was doing yardwork last night and hog tied me into going. She is a good neighbor friend. Let's see if she is going to get away with paying like she says. lol
I have company coming in this evening so I have housework to do too today. Darn! that'll cut into my sewing time! I am up kinda early so I am going to get started on some thing and multitask and get lots done today.

This is what I call multi-tasking ... when I cut all the bricks I needed for the swap I had leftover pieces of these fabrics. Well ... nothing goes to waste here remember ... the top shows extra bricks, smaller bricks, strings and crumb pieces. All will go into their proper places ;O) I am so happy I started doing this and trying to be organized. Now I don't have small pieces of fabric in my bins. They will already be cut waiting for me to use them up.

End of the day update ... it is now Saturday as I type but I did manage to finally get these six blocks done for the 30s block swap for a swap I am in. I did two with green as the pinwheel center and the rest with the pink. These are actually brighter happier fabrics than the picture shows.

Little man had his first ball game last night and I am so proud of him. He did just great. Got up to bat two times - got a base hit each time!!! Well ... he hit is both times, I think the second time they got him out on first. It was a great nail bitting game and all of them did wonderful. We lost 5-4 not bad for the first game of the season huh? ain't he cute in his uniform?

I am calling it a day and will start tomorrow with the TN blocks that I must finish this weekend!

until next time ... happy quilting

busy busy busy

We have just been really busy these last two weeks and this weekend is the Easter holiday so I am sure to have lots of company again this weekend but I enjoy every minute of it and it is all worth it in the end. Lots of laughs and happy memories.
This past weekend was DD's 14 Birthday (no way she is 14! seems like I just brought her home from the hospital last week) and we started celebrating Friday night with a sleepover and the girls and I along with DS made homemade pizzas, ate a yummy ice cream cake and watched movies. I swear some of the girls have never stepped foot in the kitchen before. They didn't want to get their hands dirty ;O)

DS had ball practice on Saturday and we got sunburnt (today is only 44 degrees so go figure). He did such a good job with practice and has improved with each practice. First game is Thursday night so we will see how well he does in live action.

Sunday most of my family came over for lunch and cake and ice cream for DD's Birthday. I made DD's favorite meal but way too much spaghetti and everyone took some home for their supper. We had a house full - there were 22 of us in my house. Loved it! Here are my kiddos along with most of my neices and nephews and my parents.

Sunday I managed to get up before the kiddos did and took advantage of the quiet and went out to take some pictures of the yard and the flowers in the early morning. I just love Spring and all the pretty colors the flowers bring to my yard.

until next time ... enjoy the day

Stash Report Week 14

again ... I guess better late than never right?? I have been busy busy and haven't gotten to do any sewing lately. I do miss it and hope that the upcoming long weekend will allow me to sew sometime in there.
Here's my weekly report for the 2009 Stash Bustin Challenge I joined on Judy's blog. LOOK HERE to see how well everyone else is doing with the challenge
I don't have anything to report as usage for this week. My count for the year remains the same while everyone else passes me by. Nadda - Zilch used this week. This is very sad.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yard
Fabric Added Year to Date: 1/2 yards
Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric gifted this week: 0 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 29 yards

Here's my thread usage report --I started the year with 34 total spools of various sizes and colors on hand.
Spools added this week: 0 spools
Spools used this week: 0 spools
TotalSpools used to Date: 5 spools
TotalSpools bought to Date: 2 spools

until next time .... happy quilting

Stash Busting Report Week 13

I guess better late than never right??

Here's my weekly report for the 2009 Stash Bustin Challenge I joined on Judy's blog. HERE is the link for week 13's reports.

I don't have anything to report as usage for this week. Maybe next week I will.
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yard
Fabric Added Year to Date: 1/2 yards
Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric gifted this week: 0 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 29 yards

Here's my thread usage report --I started the year with 34 total spools of various sizes and colors on hand.
Spools added this week: 0 spools
Spools used this week: 0 spools
TotalSpools used to Date: 5 spools
TotalSpools bought to Date: 2 spools

until next time .... happy quilting

time to refocus on life

Sorry for the lack of postings ... I have been a bit lost in la-la land here. Life has been getting the best of me and I have decided that it's time to fight back a bit more.
I have not even posted my stash busting report for this past week. I have not sewn on much of anything to count over the weekend. Tried sewing on some 30s blocks for a swap and got two sections paper pieced and that is all I had in me. Sad I know but sometimes you just have those kinda days and don't get anything much done.
I need to focus on my goals I set for myself this year and really work on them with earnest. The weather is changing around us and I hope that with the warmer weather and all the pretty green grass that is coming to life and the beautiful flowers are are filling my beds that will re-awaken my inner voice to kick myself into gear and life too.

I have lots of little goals/projects that I need to start getting done before the hot-humid summer weather hits here. Some are quilting related some are not so bear with me.
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt for Mothers day - this is in the block stage still, swapping out the rest of the blocks this month and hope to have it completed in time for her
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - this is in rows but will be taken apart and reworked
3. Finish String Quilt - have been swapping out blocks this past month and should have enough for a quilt for DS's bed. He hasn't gotten a scrappy quilt yet and has pointed that out to me :o)
4. Pressure wash front porch and siding on house
5. Paint railings on front and back porch
6. Remove old wood from roof of porch and replace
7. Redo flower bed by front stairs
8. Clean out DS's closet
9. Clean out my closet
10. Sort and organize my stash for better access.
11. Sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily
12. Thin out my scraps
13. Cut back on my coffee intake
14. Lose 15 more pounds
15. Put pool back up in back yard and get it all level this time around ;o)

That's enough for now - see a good mix of quilting and non-quilting things that should be done by summer. These are all do-able. Small projects but things I need and want to get done to make my house look nicer and then to finish some UFOs too.
so .... until next time ... happy quilting