In the Winter....

We can build a snowman.... Today it snowed a lot.

Hubby was a little bored after the Packers game so he said we should build a snowman in the dog's kennel to see what they'd do. We each built a snowman. Sonny was a little hesitant but Riley walked right up to the first one (the 2nd pic) and you know it....."watered it". Here is hubby with his snow"woman" and me with my yellow snowman. (Notice I put a smiley face on mine.)

The other night hubby was bored (again) so he wanted to play Stratego which he's had since he was a little kid. I do not like playing this game, but I played anyway. Towards the end hubby received a phone call so I let the boys in the house. They had to check out the game. They look about as thrilled about it as I was!!!

It's suppose to snow throughout the night. Hubby is all excited because tomorrow he wants to go by his parents and try out the dog sled!!

Stash Report - 11/30

I didn't do very good this week. I was looking in my stash for Christmas fabric to use for the backing of Winter X. While searching I remembered that I'd used up most of my Christmas fabric last year making charity quilts. So I went to Joann's since they were still having their Merry Moolah sale. I bought 4 yards for the Winter X backing and another 4 yards (which will be excellent for backing) for my stash. The best part is both fabrics were $3/yd. Friday I went to the new LQS since it was their Grand Opening. I bought five 1 yd pieces of Merry & Bright for the Merry Christmas to All applique top.

The only fabric I can count out this week is the 4 yards for the Winter X backing. I've been working on Santa's Got the Goods but haven't quite finished the top. Hopefully next week I can post those numbers. Update: I have finished the Santa's Got the Goods top. It called for another border, but I don't like how it looks so I'm not adding it. I used 2-1/2 yards for the top. I'm almost at 100 yards used since April!!!

My numbers to date:

Fabric Added This Week: 13 yards
Fabric Added as of Apr. '08: 288.5 yards
Fabric Used This Week: 6-1/2 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 90-3/4 yards

We're expecting the snow to start any minute now so we'll be staying home today. Maybe I can get the top done today and update my numbers. Snow is here, but it's really light for now. Should make the Packer game pretty interesting.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I wanted to tell you I've been a good girl this year. Since I figure by now you're up with the latest technology and have access to the internet, I'd post my wish list here.

• Sampler of different thread brands for my Voyager. (I've been too chicken to try anything but King Tut and Aurifil for fear that I'll have problems.)
• 1 bolt of Kona Snow fabric.
• 1 bolt of Kona Black fabric.
• Gift certificate for Fat Quarter Shop.
• New Koala sewing/cutting table.
• An embroidery machine.

Hey, a girl can dream can't she?!?!?

Seriously, the things I really want can't be bought at a store. Just to name a few.....I wish for health for my family and friends, the economy to pick up so people can get their jobs back or keep their jobs, and peace throughout the world.

I wish everyone Happy and Blessed Holidays.

Post Thanksgiving

The boys and I have been feeling kinda sluggish since Thanksgiving. Yesterday morning I loaded the Winter X backing to the frame, but that was about it. Later in the afternoon I went to My Sister's Quilt Shoppe's Grand Opening. I bought five 1 yd background pieces of Merry & Bright for the Merry Christmas to All applique project. We didn't go near the "regular" stores though.

I'm determined not to waste my last three days off. This morning I did a little bit of sewing and re-organizing in the sewing room. We decided to clean out the chest freezer too since we were making a trip to the dump. Also brought out a couple Christmas decorations. After I get off the computer I'm heading back to work on Santa's Got the Goods. Tonight we're heading to Brookfield for a basketball game.

Maybe Next Year

Two years ago a bunch of quilters from an online group decided to do a quilt-a-long and make the Third Weekend in October (TWiO) quilt. I finished the top a couple days before Thanksgiving. I had taken it over to my in-law's house to show them (and to take a picture since it's so huge). Last year they hung it from their balcony above the fireplace for Thanksgiving. It still hadn't been quilted. Sad to say, I still didn't get it quilted this year. There's always next year.

Pictured with me is Kallie, one of my MIL's puppies from two years ago. She ended up being easily spooked (and not a good combo for the show ring) so she is now living with a wonderful older lady in Illinois who just adores her.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Mid-Week Update

Not much sewing going on here. Last night was the beginning of the high school basketball season. We've been going to boys basketball games since 1992, but the last 3-4 years the local girls have been really good too, so we've been watching both. Now that hubby works weird hours we usually just go to the home games. This week they're on shutdown so we drove up to Green Bay. The girls won! So from now until March madness is over, we'll be busy going to games 1 or 2 nights a week.

I've received an early Christmas present from hubby. He never knows what to buy me for Christmas so I mentioned that he could buy me a bolt of batting. It came today!

Tomorrow we're going to my mom's at noon and then by hubby's parents around 4:00 for the turkey feast. I definitely will need to walk a couple miles on Friday! I wonder if anyone would notice if I wore sweat pants to make room for all this food!!!

I'm wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!!! If you're going shopping on Friday, remember to be NICE!!!! No pushing and shoving! LOL

Snow & Santa

Overnight we got our first "real" snowfall of the season. The weatherman had said about 1/2 inch but when I left for work it was well over an inch. At least he got the snow part right. The roads were pretty greasy....and most of the time you didn't know where you were on the road. I was pretty cautious though. You never know the first couple of snowfalls because it seems everyone has to re-learn how to drive in snow. Thankfully, everyone "behaved" today.

Tonight I decided to get some practice on my stashbusting pledge and start a project that was on my "waiting" list. So I pulled out the Santa's Got the Goods kit (a fabric collection from last year). The middle is a panel and unfortunately it's going to be a little wonky because I had to square it up and they didn't do a very good job cutting. But I am working on it!!!

Stash Report - 11/23

I had a pretty good week. This week I added 5 yards which was for borders on Winter X and Fall Back in Time, and then some neutral yardage.

Used this week is as follows: 1-1/2 yards for Winter X borders, 1-3/4 yards for Christmas table runner (entire project), 1-1/2 yards for Fall Back in Time borders, and 1 FQ gifted to my aunt for her birthday (along with a couple smaller kits which I'm not counting). So I used a total of 5 yards this week!

My numbers to date:

Fabric Added This Week: 5 yards
Fabric Added as of Apr. '08: 275.5 yards
Fabric Used This Week: 5 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 84-1/4 yards

My hope is to get Winter X quilted before Christmas so that will use some stash to piece the backing. I'd also like to get Snow Friends quilted which will also use up more stash. I think I will get close to using 100 yards used this year.

Projects

Today I finished piecing the Winter X top. Now I'm trying to decide what project to work on next. I have Heritage that I could work on, but I've been taking a little break from it. I've found a bunch of patterns for FQs so I kinda want to work on one of those so I can use up some of my stash. But then I look at my looooong list of kits and PIGS (projects in grocery sacks) that I could also work on. Nothing in particular is screaming at me right now....I want to work on them ALL!!!

So how do YOU decide what project you're going to work on next?!?!?!

On a Christmas-y note, I saw that Joann's has a sale that started today. I told hubby that he could buy me a bolt of batting for me for Christmas. ;0) The Warm & Natural batting by the bolt was 50% off online, plus with their sale coupon I saved another $30. So I he ordered that today. I promised I'd act surprised when I open it. LOL

Hope everyone is staying warm. (It was 12 degrees here this morning.)

Baby, It's Cold.....

Inside???? We've been keeping the thermostat lower this winter than normal to help save some money. Apparently Riley thought hubby looked cold because he jumped up on the couch and snuggled with him.

Tonight I worked on sewing the Winter X blocks into rows. Tomorrow I'll sew them into a top!!!

WIP Wednesday

My border fabric came today so when I got home from work I added the two borders to Fall Back in Time. It's been added to the huge pile of tops waiting to be quilted.

I also cut the backing out for my boss' Christmas table runner. I'll probably quilt it on Saturday. Tomorrow I will get busy sewing Winter X blocks into a top.

Spread the Word

Spread the word....Lenna is having a giveaway.

Manic Monday

Here's what you've been waiting for.....PICTURES!!!

The first is Snow Wonderland for my co-worker Donna. I'll give it to her this week for her birthday/Christmas. There's no way I'd be able to wait until Christmas to give it to her. I sure hope she likes it. I'll try to get a picture of her with it.

Next we have 576 HSTs that are finally FINISHED for Heritage. Next up to make...pinwheels. (Not sure why this turned out so orange/yellow.)

Last is the almost complete table runner for my boss. The pattern originally called for a strip in between the blocks, but I like how it makes it look like white trees on the other side. I have to add a border, but then it will be ready to be quilted.

I did order some fabric last night for borders on Winter X and Fall Back in Time. I'll be adding the borders right away though so that will cancel out. I also found a pattern that I'm going to use for one of the monthly FQ bundles I get. That will be next after I finish the borders and table runner.

Stash Report - 11/16

I'm having a difficult time getting going this morning. Hopefully if I get my rear in gear, I'll be able to update this post with more "used" fabric, but here's where I'm at right now:

No fabric added. Woohoo!! (Although I did buy the Merry Christmas to All patterns, and it was 50% off!!!)

I gifted 1-1/2 yards to a friend and used 1/2 yard for binding. I need to find a better system on how to report my "used" fabric. I keep forgetting what I've counted and what I haven't, but I also don't want to wait until a top is completely finished because I'm a "need to see progress" type person. I'll try to figure something by 2009.

My numbers to date:

• Fabric Added This Week: 0 yards
• Fabric Added as of Apr. '08: 270.5 yards
• Fabric Used This Week: 2 yard
• Fabric Used Year to Date: 79-1/4 yards

At Last!!!

FINALLY, Snow Wonderland is quilted! The Voyager ran wonderfully! I just ate lunch so I'm going to head back to the sewing room and work on the table topper for my boss. I'm thinking maybe of doing several more for a couple of my other co-workers, but we'll see. I also want to get the binding sewn to the front of Snow Wonderland so I can work on hand sewing it down tonight during TV time.

I apologize for not posting any pictures lately. I've got tons from our vacation and of the boys. So soon you'll get some eye candy!!

Ready, Set, Sew!!!

I was feeling ambitious yet last night so I finished making the rest of the HSTs for Heritage. Today I need to iron and square them up. Then I didn't really feel like starting on anything else, so I decided to clean up a little. I moved the stacks of fabric in front of my storage wardrobe so I can actually access it. Low and behold there was actually some room to jam stack some of that fabric in. When I was shopping my stash, I was excited to find a fabric that I think will work for the inner border on Winter X.

So now it's Saturday, it's overcast and gloomy out (even talking snow)....perfect weather for sewing!!! I think I'll start slow, either with laying out the blocks for Winter X or cutting piecing for my boss' table topper. Then time to get Snow Wonderland quilted.

On a side note, we watched the end of Wizard of Oz last night. Did I miss something? I thought it was always on Thanksgiving Day? This morning there were some Christmas movies on LMN. Although I love watching Christmas movies, I'm not quite ready for them. It seems like we just started November....is there a way to slow time down and speed me up?!?!

R U Ready??

The weekend is here!!!! It's time for another quiltathon! I just finished piecing the Winter X blocks. They're ready for me to lay them out into rows and get them sewn together.

The first load of laundry is in the washer. I'm also going to get all of my packages ready tonight so I only have to worry about going to the post office, paying for postage and zip back home to continue sewing.

Here's what I'll be working on:

• Quilt Snow Wonderland - Donna's b'day is at the end of the month so if I can get it done in time, I'll give it to her then instead of waiting until Christmas.
• Finish Winter X top - possible Christmas present if I can get it finished in time.
• Finish Heritage HSTs and start making pinwheels.
• Start Christmas table topper.
• Quilt Snow Friends if I finish Snow Wonderland.

What are you planning to do this weekend? Will you be participating in the quiltathon???

Back in Business

Hot diggity dog! Phyllis at Hinterberg is a miracle worker!!! My Voyager is fixed and ready for me to put it to work on Saturday. It ended up that an arm that went to the hook assembly was bent!!! She had to take it completely apart. It is under warranty so that made my day! I went into town while it was being fixed, stopped at Hobby Lobby and a quilt shop and DID NOT BUY A THING!!! WOOHOO!! I got back to the store before Phyllis was done, so their "mascot" Abby, a 1 year old golden retriever, kept me company. (Wow, were my boys sniffing when I got home!!!)

I was pretty tired by the time I got back home, but I did work on Winter X for a little bit and squared up half of the last HSTs for Heritage.

I should be able to complete the blocks for Winter X tomorrow night. Saturday I can sew them all together!!! Priority #1 on Saturday will be to quilt Snow Wonderland!!!

Voyager Update

The last two nights I've been monkeying around trying to fix the Voyager, but the only result has been sore arms from trying to turn the handwheel. I called Hinterberg today and since I'm fairly close to their store, I'm just going to take it down there tomorrow afternoon and have them look at it. Please cross your fingers that it's something they can easily fix (while I'm there) and hopefully this weekend I'll be quilting up a storm.

Last night I worked some more on Heritage. I now only have 20 more HSTs to make!!! That leaves close to 60 that I need to iron and square up. Then I can work on making the pinwheels. After making over 550 of them, I'm pretty sure I won't be doing a lot of HSTs for a while!

Monday I worked more on Winter X. I made as many blocks as I could. (I was two charm packs short for the fabric I needed so I ordered the charm packs and hopefully they'll be here tomorrow or Friday.) I plan on working on this during the weekend too. I didn't buy any fabric for the borders since I'm hoping I can find something in my stash to use.

Speaking of the weekend, Judy is having another quiltathon (15th & 16th)! I've got plenty to get done before Christmas so I'll be sewing all weekend. My list is pretty ambitious so we'll see how much I get done.

Projects to work on this weekend:

1. Quilt Snow Wonderland (if Voyager is fixed) - Donna's b'day is at the end of the month so if I can get it done in time, I'll give it to her then instead of waiting until Christmas.
2. Finish Winter X top - possible Christmas present if I can get it finished in time.
3. Finish Heritage HSTs and start making pinwheels.
4. Start Christmas table topper.
5. Quilt Snow Friends if I finish Snow Wonderland.

P.S. I love to hear from visitors to my blog. Please don't be shy, say Hi or post what you're working on in the comments area. Thanks!

2009 Stashbusting Pledge

This year I have been trying to reduce my stash and buying. The key word is trying. Although I do believe that my spending has been better this year (don't laugh), I need to do better on using my stash. Judy has asked who is willing to stash bust in 2009 so here are my goals.

1. I can't, with good conscience, agree to "not buy" any fabric next year, but my goal will be to only buy yardage if I have a specific project in mind for it (be it a WIP, backing or future project).

2. Use at least 125 yards of stash. (I'm hoping to use a lot more than 125, but I'm being realistic.) Ultimately, I'd really like to be able to have all fabric neatly stored in the closet, storage wardrobe, or plastic bin. (Right now there is quite a bit of fabric that is sitting in front of the wardrobe or on the floor. :0(

3. Make at least 5 projects (kits or PIGS) that have been on my "Projects Waiting to be Started" list prior to 2009. If you've seen the list on my sidebar, I have way too many projects that are taking up space in my closet. I need to get them pieced.

4. Quilt at least 3 of my older tops (pre-2008). There are at least five tops that have been waiting at least 3 years to be quilted. I need to stop procrastinating and get them done!!!

I remember when hubby's grandmother passed away, my MIL almost had a heart attack when she went through her house and found two rooms full of fabric. (Too bad I wasn't quilting then.) If something would happen to me in the near future, I don't want to be held responsible for my MIL having an actual heart attack when she sees what I have. (It's not two rooms....yet.)

Stash Report - 11/9

I made a little bit of progress this week. I finished Helen & Tammy's Block Party blocks which were made entirely from stash (1 yard).

I did go to two quilt shops, but I didn't buy anything....so NO fabric added this week. Woohoo!!!

My numbers to date:

• Fabric Added This Week: 0 yards
• Fabric Added as of Apr. '08: 270.5 yards
• Fabric Used This Week: 1 yard
• Fabric Used Year to Date: 77-1/4 yards

Still no success with my Voyager. I can't figure out why the handwheel is stopping in the one spot. I've asked the Hinterberg Yahoo group for help. If that doesn't work, I'll try calling customer support again. Otherwise I'll have to send it to them to check out. In the meantime I'll keep piecing and when it gets fixed I'll have a quilting marathon.

Test

Today I ordered the new Baltimore Halloween kit; however, it won't ship until January. With a little nudge from Vicky, I also signed up for Anne Sutton's Autumn House BOM which also starts in January. OK, I had already been looking at it already, but it sounds so much better blaming her. ;0) Anywho, I had just told her that I was putting the credit card away for the rest of the YEAR, when hubby starts asking me if I've been to the quilt stores in Green Bay. Uh oh, what's he got up his sleeve? Well he wanted to check out the fish stores there (he sells angel fish to local stores) and figured he could get me to go along if he mentioned quilt shops. Funny, otherwise he grumbles when he has to sit in the car and wait while I check out the shops. We did go to Green Bay and one shop was no longer there, one was closed but I did check out two shops. And guess what??? I didn't buy a thing! I am so proud of myself! I almost bought a goblin kit but decided I really didn't need it. I was such a good, good girl!!! :0)

It's Our Turn

Quite a few bloggers posted yesterday that they got snow. Today it's our turn. I woke up at 5 a.m. and there it was, sticking to the ground. I'm sure it won't stay but I'm definitely not ready for snow yet. I know, I live in Wisconsin and we DO get snow here, but dang we've gotten pretty lucky the last several years with not getting much snow or first getting snow in late December/January. I've gotten used to it. ;0)

Since I woke up early (with help from the hungry dogs), I have been busy in the sewing room. I finished Helen's second Block Party block and finished one of Tammy's blocks. I just decided on what to do for Tammy's second block so I'll work on that after I eat breakfast. Then I'll continue troubleshooting/searching for the thread that's messing with my Voyager.

Still Recovering

I'm still recovering from vacation and daylight savings time. My sleep clock is totally screwed up from being in North Carolina with the eastern time zone and switching to daylight savings time and then coming back to central time.

I will try to get pictures from our trip uploaded this weekend. I took a bunch of pictures at the North Carolina Zoo and USS North Carolina battleship.

In the meantime I did get a PPS08 block finished today and one of Helen's Block Party blocks started. I should be able to finish it tomorrow and the second sometime this weekend. This weekend I also want to work on Tammy's Block Party blocks and get quilting on Snow Wonderland.

Sunday Stash Report - 11/2

I'm late in posting my stash report, but I was on vacation. I visited several shops in North Carolina, plus went to a quilt show and I only bought 2 half yards (from an older fabric line), 5 FQs and 3 three books. I thought I did very good for all of the shops I visited.

Since I was sick earlier in the week and then on vacation, I have no fabric used to record.

My numbers to date:

Fabric Added This Week: 2.25 yards
Fabric Added as of Apr. '08: 270.5 yards
Fabric Used This Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 76-1/4 yards

October Status Report

October was a very fairly busy month. My list doesn't look very long, but I logged quite a few hours the first half of the month, 43 hours to be exact. I would have had more except that the last 3 days of the month we were out of town and the week before that I was sick.

1. Started Nice People Nice Things stitchery. Finished one block and started the 2nd.
2. Worked on HSTs for Heritage. Over half are done.
3. Went on the SE Wisconsin's Most Wanted shop hop. (Unfortunately I didn't win a prize.)
4. Started and finished a Halloween table topper.
5. Completed two PPS08 blocks.
6. Started and finished Fall Back in Time top.

I posted my November goals on the side. My top priorities are to get my Voyager running so I can get Snow Wonderland quilted and finish the last two block party blocks for my online group.