Jacob's Ladder quilt is completed

Oh my - the mailman made my day I can tell ya!! He brought me a package and in it was this wonderful quilt (my scrappy Jacob's Ladder Quilt) my friend Tirane quilted for me ... isn't it lovely. She did a fabulous job on the quilting. I am so happy with it.

Update .... The binding is now completed and I can mark this one as completed!!!

I have been pulling fabrics today to cut some charms for a swap I am doing and while cutting charms I decided to go ahead and cut 10.5 inch squares to piece the backing for my scrappy sampler I am working on. I think I have enough cut to piece the backing. Need to be in there sewing instead of playing on the computer but I needed a break. I plan on sewing some more tonight and finishing up the sampler over the weekend and hopefully the binding on the Jacob's Ladder quilt too. Am I ambitious or what??
I have been cleaning up my sewing area today to get ready for my company that is coming on Wednesday. This means to clean up and put everything away that is normally sitting on the breakfast room table and under the table and on the bar to the left of it. I have claimed this area as my sewing area. While cleaning it has come to my attention that I am totally addicted to scraps (as if you didn't know). I found lots of great scrap pieces to add to a scrap box to make blocks later. I also found lots of pieced blocks I totally forgot I had made. I took advantage of the cleaning mode and put all the made blocks along with the fabric I had been using into large baggies with directions if I had them. I have found enough BOBs and UFOs to keep me sewing throughout all next year - even without starting another project. Which you know will happen. I have quilter's ADHD - I can't stay focused on one project for long if I see something else I'd like to try then I wander off and start that one. I know I have got to work on this. My plan for 2009 will be to work on my BOBs and UFOs before starting another project. Let's see if I can stick to this.

I am so thankful for my quilty friends who inspire me when I need a kick in the tail! I am so thankful for all the fabric I have been playing with today. I have enough fabric in my stash to make several more scrappy quilts. I am so thankful for Saturday's to play catchup and some downtime. I am so thankful for my Father in-law who is so supportive and encouraging even with the loss of his dear loved one.

until next time.

I'm gonna keep rolling right along ...

I am feeling a bit sappy today so forgive me. I lost a old friend of mine over the weekend and am having a hard time accepting it is real. He was there for me alot and will be missed that is for sure. Amazing how losing a friend makes you take a look at your life and what is really important. Make sure you give your kids/family an extra squeeze tonight and tell them how much you love them. I was up really early this morning since I couldn't sleep with everything on my mind. I had cut 42 --15 inch squares from fabric I pulled from my stash in an effort not to buy any new fabric. I pulled out the squares I had cut to make the backing of my scrappy Jacobs Ladder quilt. I got them all sewn together and will be shipping this top and backing to my quilter today all things willing. Feels good to have another UFO closer to being done and to use up another 5.5 yards of fabric strictly from my stash. I need to start keeping up with how much fabric I use on each project ... hmmm .... how to do that ???

While I was in my sewing area this morning, I looked around and realized just how messy it has become. I am terrible about pulling fabric and stacking it here and there after I cut it for a project. Now I have all these piles and pieces and patterns all over the place. I should be ashamed of myself for letting it get so messy but what is it they say about a messy house ??? lol
One goal for this week will be to slowly clean up this area and get ready for the next quilt that I need to work on for my Christmas gifts. Another is that I also have to sort through the kids' clothes for the upcoming yard sale. I will be so happy after I get those outta their closets/rooms they will have neater rooms and will be able to find what really fits them. Amazing how much the kiddos grow in a season. Another is to take more time for me. Since my divorce I have not taken any time for me to deal with everything that has happened and then more things are being piled on my plate as the days pass. I need to find some down time each evening to journal or read or study the Bible. Gotta learn how to destress at the end of each day.

until next time ....

Halloween

It's today!! Halloween is today!! We've been working up to this day all week. DD finished carving her pumpkin last night and we have them on display on top of our TV. I'll post pictures this weekend. Tonight we are going to do the Trick-Or-Treating thing and then come home and watch movies til we fall asleep. Gonna have lots of fun. Will fill ya in later on all that happens.

I have a couple of goals for this weekend. One is to get the Jacobs Ladder scrap quilt together and piece the backing from my stash. What a great way to reduce your stash of those 'uglies' and 'those what was I thinking' fabrics. Will post pictures of the top soon. Need to work on some other blocks too to help complete another UFO. I have so much still to complete by Christmas for gifts. I had better kick it into gear.
Another goal I have to complete is go through DS's closet and find clothes he can wear. I have a pile in front of his closet where I have them pulled out and if you can wear them they are being put on hangers and the rest into boxes for the yard sale I am planning soon. DD will do her own closet as she has her own style and I don't know what she will wear and won't.
Another goal is to clean off the counter in the bathroom. I noticed this morning I have too much stuff on that counter and I need to thin it down and toss the old stuff I don't use. Anyone else have this problem?? buy a lotion, perfume and thing of makeup try it once or twice and never use it again? That will be my organizing goal for the weekend then, my bathroom counter.

until next time ....

Fall is in the air here ...

The weather has really changed the last couple of days. It is downright chilly here. Just the perfect weather for Halloween, scenic drives, bon-fires and so much more. Tonight after the Candy Extravaganza at church, we are going to be craving our pumpkins, the kids are so excited and they picked out candles last night to put in them. Tomorrow will be trunk or treating and Friday will be Halloween. They are going to have a fun filled week and by the weekend we will need some down time that is for sure. Planning on a bon-fire and hotdog/marshmellow roast to end the fun.
This past weekend I got several thing done but not all of my goals were completed. I did get a UFO done but not one from my list. I finish this Fall tablerunner from some applique blocks I made some time back. It's just right to set off my dining room table and get it ready for Fall. It is my first real attempt to machine applique. I have alot to learn that is for sure.

I got to work some on my Jacobs Ladder scrap quilt and have several rows together and the blocks ready to finish the rest of the piecing this weekend.
until next time ....