What I'm working on Monday May 25, 2015

Lots going on this week. I finished up several pieces of furniture last week and got them into the shop.  Now my room doesn't  look so bare.

Quilting:
 I have a small red/white/blue quilt going on.  The block design is from Missouri Start Quilts. Double Slice Layer Cake.  But I wanted the quilt a little bit wider and longer than I had 10 inch squares for so I added sashing so of making it up as I went.  I'm ready to add strips between the rows to make it a bit longer and then I'll see whats next.

I also have a baby quilt I'm remaking.  I received this vintage well loved baby quilt.  There request is to make a new one using what I can for a new grand baby.

Furniture:
Working on finishing upholstering a chair. This is the most current photo of the chair on the computer.  It's been painted and the seat is upholstered.  The bad news is this picture is from February.  I better move this up the list.  Yikes.

House:
Working on cleaning out the main floor. I'm at the stage where pulling everything out to go through it makes a bigger mess than before.  But it's progress.

Well I'll see how far I get.  It's already Monday afternoon/evening and I just found out I'm working an extra day this week.  It's all good and it will all get done, maybe just not this week.

Linking up with Judy at patchwork times.

Summer Break Week 2

Week two of summer break and no finishes sure hope it won't be like this all summer.  So just what did get worked on this week?

There was some painting. I changed color in mid painting of the chairs and this is the vintage fabric I'm using on the seats.

[gallery ids="2738,2739,2740,2741,2742"]

We welcomed a new old sewing machine to the fold.  She came with her own cabinet. A singer 201

[gallery ids="2747,2749"]

We did some cleaning out, yes this part of the house still has original 1960's avocado green carpet. This is not the permanent home for the new machine.



I started in on the guest room.  Can you believe there were still Halloween and Christmas pillowcases and table runners on the bed from last fall.  It's no wonder we don't get many guest. I think they're afraid they'll have to sleep on the floor for all the fabric on the bed.  Not really Sister, you can come anytime.



Mr Bill took apart an old pump organ.  Before you feel too bad it was in really bad shape and we saved the good pieces and carved pieces to repurpose.

[gallery columns="2" ids="2743,2744,2745,2746"]

Tuesday was QOV sew day.  We were making string blocks ala Al Lind.  I have a few many to go for my quilt top.  But I sure do like string quilts.  Here is the link to the pattern on the Quilts Of Valor site

This summer I'm trying to get the sewing room back in order and get all the donated scraps under control. Some times I have a hard time cutting up the larger scraps, cause wonder if I need a 4 inch block and I cut it all down to 2.5 in.  Really sometimes I can drive myself crazy.  Well not this summer it's all getting cut down to usable sizes and this fall I'll have a empty "scraps to cut down" bin (or two).

So with that in mind I'm cutting 2.5 in and 1.5 in squares in sets of five.  The 2.5 in for a plus quilt that I'm starting in the fall, as of this morning I only need 100 more sets, no matching sets for this one.  The 1.5in is for nine patch blocks I started last July as my leader/ender and I'm ready to finish it up too....But I need lots more for the layout I'm thinking so it has moved from leader/ender to summer project.

[caption id="attachment_2751" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sweet little 9 patches that will finish at 3in[/caption]

Then there is the 2in quilt.  The one I was going to make one block a day quilt.  Well I'm only 13 days behind.  I'm thinking Wednesday night will be 2in nine patch marathon so I can get a few days ahead. I wrote about it here.

[caption id="attachment_2752" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 2 in quilt[/caption]

So that is how Week 2 went. Not so exciting yet but there's always hope.

Till next week.

 

 

 

Just a little Progress..BFCO Day 2

On the sewing list I made some progress. I got up early and got four rows of the red/white quilt sewn.

No cleaning out today. Had to ship a box today so I did some straightening in the shipping room so I'm counting that.

Tomorrow I'm planning a big sewing day and Quilt Club tomorrow night. I'll be taking Christmas 1 to work on.

Big Fall Clean Out Day 1

 

A while back last week I was trying to find something. It wasn't a big thing but it was important for what I was doing at the time.  I searched and searched. I looked and looked. It was so frustrating because I'd been so careful not to miss place this item. As I was looking for said item, I even looked in places that it could not be unless it walked there it's self. Know what I mean.

This lead me to make a few decisions.  It was sheer coincidence that it was the first day of Autumn. That also according to the calendar there were 100 days left in this year.  What was I going to accomplish in the next 100 days?

There is a need here to clean out so that has lead to THE BIG FALL CLEAN OUT.

Here are my guidelines:

1. Official start October 1st.

2. No stashing, stocking up. Everything bought in the next 100 days has to be consumed. (I might have to make an exception for the day after Thanksgiving)

3. Work on making product for November Craft Show.

That is basically it. K.I.S.S.

So today's clean out:

Bottom two shelves in pantry. Sorted paper bags. Silverware drawer. Cleaned off the kitchen counter.

[caption id="attachment_2310" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Pantry[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2311" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Drawer[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2312" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Counter[/caption]

Really it won't take long for that counter to get filled up again.

Sewing/Product

Finished the blocks for the red/white quilt.

[caption id="attachment_2314" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Red and White Quilt[/caption]

Started taking apart stool so Mr. Bill can paint the legs. Since he said he would paint the stool I snuck in a magazine rack and a chair too.  I was just trying to make it easy on him since I want them all the same color. :-)

 

[caption id="attachment_2313" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Stool to paint[/caption]

Ok that was day one of my Big Fall Clean Out.  Let's see how far I go.

 

Stash Report Week 38, 2013

 

It's been a long time since my last stash report.  I've had a few distractions around here.

 

[caption id="attachment_2280" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It started with this[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2281" align="aligncenter" width="300"] That lead to this[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2282" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Which became this[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_2284" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Then this[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_2285" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Finally this.[/caption]

Everything is back together again but what job it turned out to be.

 

The good news is that I have been doing some sewing not as much as I thought.  The other good news is that there has also been some shopping.

I usually just stack my fabric purchases for a photo cause you never know if "you know who" might be reading a post. :)

This time some fabrics were just so cute they had to have their own photo.

[caption id="attachment_2286" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Fall fabrics and Flannel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2287" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thanksgiving[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2288" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Christmas[/caption]

Everything has a purpose and is in it's project bag.

Here are this weeks numbers;

• Added since last report: 20.25 yards


• Added this year: 347.25 yards


• Used since last report: 42.50 yards


• Used this year: 151.25 yards


• Net 2012  -196.00 yards   

I only have to use 96 yards by the end of the year to make my goal of being under 100 yards stashed.  I do have a lot of sewing to do by then but I'm thinking I'll have to adjust that goal.

For more stash reports head over to Judy's Patchwork Times

 

Change, Changing, Changed

I've been thinking about change lately, in fact I've been thinking about it a lot.

I know that some people don't like change. Heck I myself have been know to balk, resist, avoid, rail, ignore, or down right refuse change.  I find as I'm getting older for the most part I welcome change.  I read a quote from Martha Stewart that says" When you're through changing you're through".  That has been stuck in my mind going round and round along with something my friend says "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result". While I'm not on the verge of insanity (I think) I'm not satisfied with what I'm get and not getting done.

My goals have gotten muddied and I think it's time to change things and head into another direction to accomplish what I want to do this summer.  I think this mostly means changing my focus.  The interesting part about this change at this time is it seems to be across the board in my classes, quilting, yards, house, well just everything.

I've one class left and two quilt club meetings before summer break and I'll spend that time getting ready for "My Summer Of Change". What can I hope to change and get done in three months (two of which are very hot)? I hope I can get a lot done, I'll be writing about it here.  Some things will just be small changes while others are big major changes.

Now that I've written this down and read it for myself this change is sounding very exciting. With two weeks to clear out projects and make way for change, I can't wait to get started.

 

Good News Thursday

Judy at Patchwork times is hosting Good News Thursday and I think this could be a good thing for me.  It keeps me thinking about finding the good in the everyday.

My good news today just happen this morning.  I'd been thinking of something else I wanted to write about and to be truthful I did not see the good news here when I went to bed last night.

Here's what happen (don't you just love it when they say that in a mystery novel).  I came home from my upholstery class last night and put a load of wash in the the machine then went upstairs to sew binding on a quilt.  Finished that about 9pm, back downstairs to put said load in dryer. Set timer so I don't forget them in the dryer over night. OK  Mr. Bill comes home from his meeting we chat and the timer goes off and I go out but the clothes are not dry. OK I start dryer again and set timer.  By 10:30 I'm finally ready to admit that there could be a problem with the dryer.



Out comes the manual (yes we keep the manuals) read the troubleshooting list. yep yep yep.  Mr Bill says he'll pull out the dryer and check it in the morning.  On the manual I'd written the date February 2012.  Yes one year one month, out of warranty ?

This morning while Mr. Bill is pulling out the dryer I'm going through last years records for the receipt and YAY it says three year warranty.  I call the store where we bought the dryer (a family business that we've dealt with for years).  They are more than helpful and the repair man is coming tomorrow.

Ok here was the good I found:  Three year warranty. We had to call someone that we've known and did business with for years and we got to connect again and catch up with them and the family.  Sometimes we get wrapped up in the day to day and while we think about and wonder how someone is doing it's rare that we pick up the phone or stop by to find out how they are.  It was very good today to talk with old friends

I'm linking up with Judy to share my good news

Stocking up

Really I'm not talking about fabric, that would be for Sunday's Stash Report.  This is stocking up the wood pile.  Well in reality it's about moving the wood piles.  Over the last few years when there was branches or wood to cut up I would cut it up where it fell.  Clean up the brush and get rid of that, cut the wood to a size I can manage and stack it out of the way.

Lately it's been cold here, yes all the way down in the mid 30's in the morning and some days not even reaching 65 degrees.  Now stop laughing, this is Southern California and when it drops below 70 we tend to panic. :)

So Mr. Bill has been using the fireplace and he decided that it was time to round up all those little piles and bring them up to the house.  Ok no problem there's not that much, shouldn't take to long.

Oh My! I've sure cut up a lot of fire wood, a little at a time.



We had a whole truck load full.  This should keep in in firewood for a season or two.



Disclaimer:  I cut up most of this firewood with my small electric chain saw. It can cut some really good size logs but the big logs in the bottom of the truck Mr Bill did with the big chainsaw.



Now we will gather around the fireplace and be toasty warm.

November Quiltathon Part 2

WooHoo!  I got the linen closet done and moved on to the sewing room.

I'm very lucky to have a large walk-in linen closet.  Last fall we put new carpet in the hallway and the closet.  I really cleaned out the closet and organized all the shelves. This  week I wanted to make room to store the  model trains while we are working on the main floor of the house and redoing the master bedroom.

Here is the master bedroom today.   But that's another story. :)



The extra cars, track and engines needed to be put some place safe, out of the way of the work we are getting ready to do.

In the linen closet are the train cars, extra track, the HO sets, and the extras that go along with running a railroad. I also store my batting and one sewing machine rolling case there.



In the guest bedroom closet  the engines and the big cars are hanging out with my upholstery fabric.



 

I did get to the sewing room too.  First a took a seven seam sewing break.  I had this mug rug laid out and didn't want to forget the order so I just sewed it up real quick.



Then I tackled my cutting table and that back corner.





I put away the fabric that was on the chair and the table.  Sorted through the piles behind the chair too.



What's left on the table is two wall hangings and a quilt that need to be trimmed and binding done, pillowcase parts that have been cut and need sewn and my soap quilt.  I got the chair and corner done but the sewing table still needs sorted out.



This will be it for my November Quiltathon. Today we're going for a drive and Sunday I work.

Happy Weekend.

 

 

November Quiltathon, Maybe

Really I was going to do this months quiltathon over at Judy's Patchwork times. I was all ready to do some sewing just for me.   Reality crept up on me and so far I've had a 20 minute-athon. (I just made that up).  Today was the day I'd planned to close the door and sew....but....I started cleaning out the hall linen closet earlier this week and I need to finish that first.  Not just because everything that got pulled out of the closet is in the hall sort of blocking the door to my sewing room.

Then there is the sewing room, four weeks of power sewing for a craft faire says it all.  So my quiltathon time should be spent trying to find the top of my cutting table, my chair, and floor.   Or I could just clear a path between the sewing machine and ironing board?

What do you think clean or sew, I know tough choice. :)

I let you know how it goes.  LOL

Stash Report - Week 43, 2012

I've had a good week in the Used Fabric column.   After I rented time on the long arm to quilt my quilts I waited until I made and sewed down the binding before counting the fabric. I might have to rethink when I count it out or have a better way to keep track then scraps of paper taped to the wall.  :)  I'll show the quilts after I've finish the hand work.

So here's the list of what I'm counting today - 6 pillowcases, Coffee churn dash, Cowboy take 5, Construction, Tumbler.  Just so I don't forget and try to count it again.  Ha

I finished hand stitching down the binding on the t-shirt quilt.  While we had a few cool days, for the most part it's just been to warm to set with a quilt on my lap even in the evening. This one turned out a bit bigger than I'd planned but it's really had to narrow down twenty plus years of riding.

 



Had a few extras so they went on the back.



I bought this fabric from Connecting Threads back in July and I knew exactly what I wanted to use it for.  I very carefully calculated how much of each fabric I wanted.  Here it is October and I don't have a clue.  I know it included pillowcases and table runners.  Now I'm guessing I should make notes when I order the fabric and put the note with the fabric when it arrives.  I'll make good use of it this week but I'd sure like to know what I had planned.  LOL



I've signed up for a craft faire with a few girlfriends.  I'm trying to make items for the craft faire too.  That's where the pillowcases come in and it's a great way to use my stash for the after holidays sales.



 

I'm so close to breaking even....but I know I have a box coming this week, so there goes the add column again.

• Fabric Added this week:  0 yds


• Fabric Added this year:  199.5 yds


• Fabric Used this week:  32.75 yds


• Fabric Used this year:  186.0 yds


• Net used 2021:  -13.5

We've had a touch of fall here last week and it inspired me to do the front porch.  We have on trick or treaters and no visitors so this is just for us, and you of course.

Check out more stash reports over at Patchwork Times.

 

 

Saturday Glorious Saturday

Yes it's Saturday and I get to be at home !!!   Not my day to work, no errands to run, just time to fill with my projects today.

Because I worked here yesterday.



With these tools.



Today I get to work here.



Between loads of laundry and the vacuum that is staring me down.

Maybe I'll have something new to show by the evening.

Have a Glorious Saturday

The Birthday List--A Work In Progress

Warning:  This is a long post with lots of links and a few photos.

Hi my name is Harriett and I love lists.  This is a love that goes back to childhood.  I remember making list during summer vacation, I didn't want to miss out, forget to do, or skip anything during those precious summer months.  Then there is that wonderful feeling of a completed list.  Don't you just love checking off the last thing on the list.

Last year I made a Birthday List  54 Before 55.

I first read about a birthday list on A Beautiful Mess here and here.  I've been inspired by Elsie Larson for many years now.   First when her work appeared in scrapbook magazines and then when she wrote her own book.  I've had her blog bookmark from the beginning.  She is a high energy creative spirit that never fails to inspire me. When I read about her birthday list I thought that I would give it at try.

Here is the results of that attempt.

First I have to tell you that it's not easy to think of 54 things to do in a year if I wanted some of them to be obtainable.  In fact  even though I started my list in August I only got to 52 before my birthday and so that is where it stopped. I was resorting to things like sorting my fabric and scraps. :)

This is what got checked off.

1.  Guest Room - I'm really glad this one got done I'm so happy with it.

7.  Make Harley t-shirt Quilt. - I finished the top in July, just back from quilter and I'm hand stitching down my binding now.



10.  Accucut - I bought myself the Accucut Go and I'm loving it.

20.  Make a Quilt of Valor.  I've made two - Need to get them sent to Alyica



27.  Move office.  This one gets two checks.  I moved the office to the room I'd planned for it and wouldn't you know it I couldn't get internet there so it was moved back to the original room ( sometimes I just shake my head and move on)



32. Empty Storage Garage.  This was a biggie for me.  Paying rent to store stuff for 10 years, really.  It's empty and we only kept half the stuff that was in it. (I should probably sort out some more of that stuff too)

34.  Learn more about using new sewing machine.  I did ok here.  I must admit that I do what I know how and have a hard time setting down to just practice new stuff.

36.  Start Blog.  I'm glad I jumped in and did this.  I still have so much to learn about blogging and pictures and the internet. Blogging has helped me keep on track this year.  Sunday Stash Report, Design Wall Monday, Try it Tuesday, WIP Wednesday, Foto Finish while I might not link up every week they help keep me foucsed  and to be more aware of what is happening in my life.  Thank you Ladies!!!

40.  Clean out main floor.  This gets a half of a check.  We are redoing alot in our home.  We bought the house and contents from the family trust.  My Mother-in-law never got rid of ANYTHING and it was added to during the years the house was in the trust (yes some is ours). We've made great progress and are moving forward every day.

42.  Go to the Zoo.  We have the world famous San Diego Zoo in our backyard and we use to go all the time.  It's been about 3 or 4 years since we'd been but we made it this past July when family came to visit.

43.  Make fall display for porch.  Done and will do again this year



48.  Sort and organize my fabric scraps.  Stop laughing!!  It gets a half check because I'm getting better thank you very much Bonnie Hunter.

Well 12 out of 52. I'm happy with what I did get done.  I'm not upset at all about not doing everything on the list.  The point of this list was to make the effort and acknowledge things that I wanted to do. Some things on the list were a long shot at best like cleaning of the dining room table and keeping it clean ( I have a table problem ok)  I'm keeping the list and just maybe some more things will get checked off this year???

My life is a work in progress always changing always reaching.  I want to see and do so many things.  All of the blogs that were linked to in this post inspire me everyday from sewing to just living I want to take each day and make it count.

I'm linking this work in progress to  WIP at Freshly Pieced

For my Birthday I'm having my very first  give away.  If you've read all the way to the end you deserve a reward.  I'm going to find some fabulous fat quarters from my stash to gift someone.  Just leave a comment and on Saturday night Mr. Bill with draw the lucky name.

 

 

Stash Report Week 34, 2012

I really haven't got a whole lot of sewing done this week.  I think Wednesday evening was it.

This week was jam packed with appointments and house projects.  We put together the new shelving for Bill's new storage/work room.



I know that there are only four shelf units but it took us all morning on Thursday.



I think we chose the hottest most humid day of the week but we got it done.



We've started the BIG clean out of the house.  It's a big job and there are lots of decisions to be made.  I thought that maybe the kitchen would be next on the remodel list but it does make more sense to do the main living area and master bedroom next. I think. What ever we decide to do next the clean out needs to happen and it feels good to moving forward.

Back to the fabric.  The good news is no fabric sneaked in to my sewing room while I was busy downstairs

• Added this week:  0 yds


• Added this year:  166.75 yds


• Used this week:  0 yds


• Used this year: 121.25 yds


• Net used this year:  -45.50  

Head over to Judy's at Patchwork Times for more stash reports.