Dilly-Dallying

After the long, busy work week I have absolutely no ambition today. It really sucks because today hubby is working and I really wanted to sew all day, but nothing is calling to me. I did cut the pieces for the last two QOV blocks for my online group. I also started quilting the 30s pinwheel stars but I just wasn't "into it". Now I'm sitting on the couch watching a movie until the pizza is done. Then I'll probably go back upstairs and quilt a couple more rows.

I also was a bad girl this morning. I ordered some fabric. I didn't pay attention when I joined the Washington Medallion BOM that the background fabric needed to be ordered separately. I need 5-1/2 yards which the most I have is 3 yards of a cream fabric. So this morning I placed an order for some cream and also added two fabrics that I liked. Oh well, I worked hard this week and deserve a little "fun".

Tonight is the girl's first regional game as they had a buy for the 1st round. I hope they can win, but they just haven't been playing as good as they did in the beginning of the year. I just can't believe the season is almost over. Although on a happier note, that means that spring (I hope) and the Brewers games are just around the corner!!!

Maybe by noon I'll get more ambition so I can salvage some of the day. TTFN!

Julia, School, Square Dancing & Washington

Yep, lots of things to "chat" about today!


First, winter storm Julia has arrived....gosh can you believe it....10 storms this winter. I've had enough. And I can't call Julia a SNOW storm because so far she's been a mixture. When I left work it was sleet, then it turned to more rain and by the time I got home there was more snow. Geeesh Julia, make up your mind! I'm settled in for the night. I brought a laptop home from work so if the roads are bad tomorrow I can still do work. Although we're right on the bottom edge of the snow so we shouldn't get too much, but the winds are suppose to pick up later and then the roads will be even worse. I hope this is the LAST snow/sleet/ice that we get this winter. I'm ready for spring!

Speaking of work. I'm going back to school...kinda of. I'm taking an online Excel class to learn more of the capabilities of the program. Like quilting, I'm kind of self taught in Excel. Towards the end of last year, I started doing reports for one of the VPs and pulling the information has been very time consuming and cumbersome. A co-worker from another office has taught me a little bit about pivot tables but I'd like to learn more of what the program can do to make me more efficient and make my job easier. My book is ordered and next week I need to order the Microsoft 2007 Suite software since we still have the 2003 version at work but the class is the 2007 version. At least I get the student discount!!!

Tonight I sewed the rows together on Square Dance Kids. I'm suppose to add a border but I need to decide what fabric I'm going to use since I don't have enough of the fabric that I used for the Step 1 border. I could see leaving it as it is, except that it's pretty small right now. I'll think about it for a while. Now that the the Step 2 pieces are sewn together, I can concentrate on quilting the 30s Pinwheel Stars on Saturday! Woohoo!


Last but not least, my first block came for the Washington Medallion BOM. I was surprised to see we're starting out right away with the feathered star! I figured we'd make some of the border blocks first. Making a feathered star was one of my 2009 goals so I'll be able to mark that off in the near future!!! I was delighted to see that the quilt shop has all the fabric neatly labeled so I don't have to guess which fabric is which on the pattern.

OK, time to get back to work.

Bob's Birthday

In honor of Bob's Birthday, Superior Threads is having ANOTHER giveaway ($100 gift certificate)!

Happy Birthday Bob....please pick my name. I could use some thread!!

Square Dance Kids Revisited

After I finished my Apple Cider BOM block yesterday, I got sidetracked. I had the Square Dance Kids top (First Stage) sitting out and it had gotten in the way a couple times so I decided it was time to mark it so I could get the top done. The first picture is of it marked up. The second picture shows the two bottom rows after they're cut and re-sewn together. I love the effect, but man this is a lot of work. The pattern is in the Square Dance book by Martha Thompson.

This week I'll be pretty busy at work so I'm not sure how much more I'll get done during the week, but definitely plan on finishing it on Saturday. That'll be a good reason not to go on the shop hop. I'd really like to go to the two shops (Patched Works and The Quilted Basket) we briefly went to on the last shop hop. But I think I might wait until the weather is nicer and just go on my own so I can spend as much time shopping drooling as I want.

Quiltathon Day 2 & Pets

Apple Cider Medallion BOM Block #3 is done.


The blocks and patterns are all being stored in my new project holder. I have a couple of clear plastic containers like this, but noticed that Joann Fabrics has them in all different colors. I plan on getting a couple of the other colors but only when I can use my 40% coupon since they're a little expensive (IMHO) at regular price. My 12.5" unfinished blocks fit great in here.

It's been a while since I posted pictures of the geese/duck and goats, so I figured I'd take a couple. Here are the three geese and duck sunning themselves. I'm a little concerned about their safety now. Our neighbors told hubby yesterday they've spotted a coyote wandering around their backyard lately. Also a couple of guys (who were tracking and hunting coyotes and fox on our property) told us there are a bunch of coyotes in the area. We've heard them a couple of times but never have seen them. I sure hope they stay away from our pets.

Here's Roxie and Buddy. I didn't notice when we put the panels up that this sign was on it.

Here is one of the Christmas trees that they've been snacking on. They striped it bare! Goats like the needles, which provide them essential vitamins, on the trees. Although a pregnant goat should not eat the needles. We're alright though since Buddy is "fixed". Also note they like your shrubs and regular evergreens (see previous picture where they've been snacking on the live trees also....as high as they can reach). So if there something you don't want eaten.....either put a fence around it, keep the goats in a pen or don't get goats.

Week #8 Stash Report

If I would have gotten my snow day on Wednesday, I would have much more to report. Since I didn't, I only have 2.25 yards busted from Judy's Quilt-Along. Technically it's more than what I used for the HSTs, but I didn't feel like breaking it out, so I'm counting the background and coordinating fabric this week. I also managed to finish piecing the Heritage top (thank goodness). Keeping with the trend, there was nothing new added to my stash this week.

My numbers to date:

• Fabric Added: 0 yards
• Fabric Added to Date: 27 yards
• Fabric Used: 2.25 yards
• Fabric Used to Date: 53.50 yards
• Net Used: 26.50 yards

My goal for the coming week is to get the third Apple Cider Medallion block done. I also want to get the last two QOV group blocks done so I can get them shipped off. If I get the chance, I need to start quilting the 30s Pinwheel Stars top. I can't believe I don't have a finish this month! Yikes!

I'm not sure how much sewing I'll get today because hubby was talking about dogsledding today since we have all this new fresh snow. It could (and hopefully will) be the last time we'll have snow this year.

Gratitudes:

1. The snow has finally stopped.
2. It's light out when I go to work and when I come home now!!!

Quiltathon/Doghouse & Snow

It's Quiltathon day, and I've been busy making HSTs for Judy's Quilt-Along, which I'm calling Dogs in the Doghouse. I have half of them squared up. I'll work on them more tonight and tomorrow.

The snow day I was hoping for on Wednesday decided to show up today. We were suppose to get 2 to 5 inches and we've gotten all of the 5 inches. And it's still snowing! The boys thought it was too warm in the house so they wanted to go out. The first picture is the first time I left them in, but after Riley had shaken some of the snow off. The other two pictures (Sonny, then Riley) I took right after I left them in from their kennel. Hopefully you can click on the picture and see a bigger picture....it's so cute. Although I really could have done without more snow.

Weather, Heritage, & Quilt-Along

I had hoped for a snow day today, but it didn't happen. We got around 1 inch overnight but it wasn't doing anything when I woke up. Thankfully the main roads were all cleaned up when I went to work. Since it's been such a crazy week at work and I had extra hours, I managed to sneak out at 2:00.

I was dog tired, but determined to finish sewing Heritage together. No picture right now, but it is now ONE piece. Thank God!

Judy sent Step 2 for the Bears in the Farmhouse Quilt-Along pattern so I started working on that right away too. I have a 1/4 of it done. We're going to bball games the next two nights so Saturday I hope to work more on Step 2. Hard to believe that it's almost the end of the bball season already.

Frog Stitching

If you read my stash report on Sunday, I wrote that I wanted to finish the Heritage top that day. Well, Sunday was one of those "shouldn't work in the sewing room" days. After adding two rows to the top, I realized that I put the wrong setting triangle several rows back. I thought I had better stop. Good thing because when I went in the sewing room yesterday I realized that the block row I sewed on that day had the setting triangles on the wrong ends too. I can only imagine what would have happened had I kept going that day. Ugh. So tonight I did a bunch of frog stitching (rip it, rip it) and now the setting triangles are fixed. I have one more row to sew on and then I can sew the two halves together. I'm so ready for this top to be done!!!

The other night I finished reading New Moon (the 2nd in the Twilight series). I only bought the first two books, figuring I'd buy the last two later on. Well now I can't find the third book, Eclipse. Apparently everyone is on the same reading schedule as me.

Tonight the "white death" (aka snow) is suppose to hit. We're suppose to get 4 to 6 inches with freezing rain in the beginning and winds picking up by the afternoon. I'm hoping when I wake up tomorrow that we have several inches already and schools are cancelled so I can stay home. I brought a work laptop home and bunch of work that I can do here so at least I wouldn't have to use PTO time.

Week 7 Stash Report

This week I've been trying to finish piecing the Heritage top. I'm hoping to finish it today. I'm recording 13 yards this week since I didn't record any fabric used last year until it was a top. This year I'm recording it when it's cut.

My backing order came in this week, two wide backings at 3 yards each. I also visited my LQS and bought a 3/4 yard for a inner border on a future project and a little valentine wallhanging kit. My total yardage in was 8 yards. I almost ordered a FQ bundle online but close the screen before it got that far.

My numbers to date:

• Fabric Added: 8 yards
• Fabric Added to Date: 27 yards
• Fabric Used: 13 yards
• Fabric Used to Date: 51.25 yards
• Net Used: 24.25 yards

My goal today is to finish piecing the Heritage top.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

(Nope, not my puppy....just found it online and thought it was adorable.)

Judy's Quilt Along

Judy is doing a QuiltAlong for her pattern Bears in the Farmhouse. You need to email her at QuiltingAlong@gmail.com to sign up. She will email each step as it comes out. You need to post a picture of each step in order to receive the next step.

Here is the first step - the fabrics I'll be using. The pattern calls for stripes but I don't have that many stripes to make this quilt, so I'm going "out of the box" and using a "what was I thinking" fabric (that would be the brightly colored dogs fabric if you hadn't guessed LOL) along with coordinating fabrics in my stash. I'm still not set on what I'll use for the sashing and borders, but I've pulled several candidates. Following Judy's lead, I'm going to call it Dogs in the Doghouse. The bright dogs fabric will be the base of the bear paw. The bright greens, yellows, pinks, etc. will be the claws, with a black background. The checkered fabric is from the same collection as the bright dogs so I may use this as the last border?!?! I might use the blue/purple fabric (next to the checkered) for the sashing within the block?!?!?

Mother Superior

Mother Superior THREAD that is. They're having a giveaway which you can find out the information at http://superiorthreads.blogspot.com/2009/02/give-away.html.

Name Challenge

I saw this on a couple of blogs and thought I'd see what I could come up with.

1. What is your name: Amy
2. A four letter word: Axle
3. A boy's name: Adam
4. A girl's name: Alexis
5. An occupation: Auto mechanic
6. A color: Azure
7. Something you wear: Ankle bracelet
8. A food: Apple
9. Something found in the bathroom: Act mouthwash
10. A place: Attic
11. A reason for being late: Allergies
12. Something you shout: Amen!
13. A movie title: Alien
14. Something you drink: Alcohol
15. A musical group: Abba
16. An animal: Alligator
17. A book title: Are You There God, It's Me Margaret? (does this date me?)
18. A country: Australia
19. A city: Appleton
20. Something you value or believe: Accuracy

Ready for the Weekend!

This week sure seems to be going by slowly.

The weather is back to the high 20s/low 30s, with possibility of snow on Saturday (go figure) and early next week.

Last night I added two more rows (one block row and one sashing row) to the Heritage top. I have to make three rows with the blocks. Then all the rows will be done and I can finish sewing the top together.

I received my backing fabric for Heritage and Portobello Market (which hasn't even been started) yesterday. So the shop I ordered from has redeemed themselves. Hubby had off yesterday and called to tell me the FedEx man dropped my package off in the middle of the driveway. I'm like, what? He said he honked the horn and when hubby came out told him he was afraid to get out of the truck since the goats were up on the porch. Plus he must have seen the geese on other deliveries and wasn't sure if they were mean. Hubby told them no, they're just really noisy!

I can't wait for the weekend....what's taking so long for it to get here?!?! Saturday I'm going to the Hinterberg Quilt Expo in West Bend. I have my class to learn how to quilt feathers and will probably check out the vendors before my class. Sunday I'm planning on a sewing marathon since hubby is suppose to be working. I really feel like I'm getting behind since I can't sew as much during the week.

Hot Diggity Dog!!!

It's absolutely gorgeous out today. Thank you southerners for sending us your warm weather! The temps are in the low 50s....great no jacket weather for us "northerners" anyways. The snow is melting and there are 20-30 mph (warm) winds to help dry things up. Maybe winter will give it up early. Wouldn't that be sweet!

Even better, I got to leave work early so I can even enjoy this wonderful weather....and some sewing. I worked a little on Heritage last night before hubby came home from work. There was a little snag. It appears my pattern was wrong and some triangles weren't coming out. Thanks to Vicky, she had the corrected pattern and sent me the correct dimensions. She's such a sweetheart! I now have half of the rows sewn together.

Fish & Heritage

This morning bright and early we headed down to Arlington Heights to check out the Greater Chicago Cichlid Association's swap meet. Good God, I thought I was in Paducah! We got there a couple minutes before it started and there was a huge line. When they started letting people in, it went fast though. It was a zoo though, but I stuck it out since hubby went to the Madison quilt show and lived to tell the story.

Hubby had called one of the vendors yesterday and arranged to get some albino bristle-nosed plecos (below). The picture didn't turn out very good because it wanted to focus on the algae, but you get the idea. They eat the algae in the tanks, so he doesn't have to clean the tanks as often.

We also got some blue rams. I'd never heard of them and we've never had them before so we'll see how it goes. They don't look like much in this picture because their colors are "off" because they're still kinda stressed out.

We can't go through Milwaukee without stopping at Kopps Frozen Custard, our favorite place there to get food & ice cream. They make the biggest burgers!!! The flavor of the day was Reese's Peanut Butter Kupps ice cream, which we took a pint to go.

I took a breather when we got home and then decided to hit the sewing room. I started piecing the Heritage blocks into rows. I'll work on it more during the week if I get a chance. I really should be quilting the 30s Pinwheel, but I don't want to start that until I have a couple hours to devote to it at one time. My "design wall" is made up of foam insulation sheets which I taped together with duct tape. A couple of pieced needed to be "reinforced" with the red duct tape you see in a couple of spots.

Gratitudes:

1. Getting to the swap meet without getting lost
2. Kopps Frozen Custard - Yum!
3. Sun shining the majority of the day
4. Finally getting closer to finishing Heritage
5. A good weekend

Week #6 Stash Report

I've been keeping track of my "ins" and "outs" in a spreadsheet and I'm starting to see a trend. It seems every other week I have no fabric coming into my stash. And as the trend goes, next week I should have some fabric to add since I ordered two backing fabrics. I haven't had the best luck with this company when I order sale fabric so we'll see if/when I actually get it. If I have problems again, this will be the last time I order from them. Another plus, I have not bought any kits to date.

I did use 6 yards of fabric this week (mostly last Sunday). I made some blocks for a group QOV project, the backing (wide so only 3 yds) for the 30s Pinwheel Stars, and fabric for the Square Dance Kids.

I got as far as piecing the Square Dance Kids top together, but then chickened when it came to marking it, cutting it up, and sewing it back together. I'm thinking that when I do finish it, I'll give it to my nephew Zack. For the border, I added a fabric that hubby's grandmother used for backing on the last top she made. She had started quilting it but then passed away. MIL had it quilted at the LQS and gave me the leftover scraps. I think my SIL would definitely appreciate it since she was really close to her grandmother.

My numbers to date:

• Fabric Added: 0 yards
• Fabric Added to Date: 19 yards
• Fabric Used: 6 yards
• Fabric Used to Date: 38.25 yards
• Net Used: 19.25 yards

Week #2 means it is quilting time. I have the backing loaded for the 30s Pinwheel Stars. I'm planning on using the Hearts Aflutter pantograph on it. Next Saturday I have my feathers class too. I'm really looking forward to it.

Weather & Heritage Progress

We're being teased with spring like weather today. It's 43 degrees, the snow is melting, and if it weren't for the wind, we could be running around outside with just a sweatshirt/sweater! The forecast for the rest of the week is high 30s to low 40s. I know it won't last, we're sure to get snow at least once or twice more, but I'm sure enjoying it while it's here. I even took my grooming table and blower outside so I could blow Sonny (the constant shedder) out.

I haven't really done much quilting the last couple of days. I had some family issues to deal with, but today I cut the sashing fabric for Heritage. I just need to cut the sashing rows and triangles for the ends of the sashing rows and then I can start sewing it together. While I was cutting today I realized that I hadn't counted any of this fabric as "busted" yet because last year I only counted fabric as busted when the top was completed. This year I'm counting it as it is cut so I don't have to wait so long before having a "bust". So when I get that last bit cut, I'll have a nice chunk to post as busted. Thanks Vicky & Helen for getting me motivated to work on this again.

Last night I finished the Twilight book and went directly to reading the next book in the series, New Moon. I still need to buy the last two books.

We're staying home the rest of the day and tonight we'll watch the Budweiser Shootout. Next week hubby will watch the Daytona stuff. That's really the only NASCAR race we watch.

Tomorrow we're heading to Illinois for a fish swap meet. Hubby wants to buy some bristle-nose plecostomus' and maybe something else depending on what we see there. At least the weather should be nice!

Gratitudes:

1. Warm weather and snow melting
2. Washing my truck without worrying about the doors freezing
3. Time to sew
4. Making huge hamburgers for lunch
5. Selling angelfish last night
6. Girls and boys winning their basketball games last night

Frog Stitching and Packages

First, the squares are sewn together for Square Dance Kids. I need to mark the top using the template, cut it apart and sew it back together. I also have the backing on the frame for 30s Pinwheel Stars. I also pulled out my Heritage project and figured out I made too many 4-patch pinwheels so now I'm ripping them apart to make the setting triangle blocks. Ick!

Since I left work early, I had two packages that I boxed up the quilt for Alycia's 400 QOV Challenge and some puppy gifts for Baby Pearl (and her soon to be big sister Evelyn) who will be coming home with Penny on Saturday. The boys helped wrap all the gifts and then they made sure I included everything before I sealed it up.

Here is a picture of Riley "sitting pretty" for a treat during the Super Bowl.

Twilight

Yep, I've been bitten by Edward (ooops, meant) by the Edward and Bella bug. Last week I started reading the book. I'm about halfway and find it difficult to stop reading so I can go to sleep. Speaking of sleep, boy did I have some weird dreams last night, kinda like Bella's.

The movie is coming out on DVD at the end of March. I can't wait to see it so I can compare it to the book (and what I pictured in my head). I have the second book, New Moon, but the next time I'm at the store I'm going to buy the last two because I'm hooked!

January in Review

January was a very productive month! I completed almost everything that I had on my list. The only thing I didn't do was start the Autumn Houses BOM block #1.

• 67.5 hours spent sewing/quilting
• Used 32.25 yards of fabric
• Added 19 yards, although majority of it was for current or future projects. (6 for QOV, 6 for automatic monthly FQ bundle (Jan & Feb), and 7 for border/backings)
• Quilted/finished Santa’s Got the Goods
• Started/finished All Star Kids
• Quilted/finished Rambling Rose for Char
• Made last PPS08 block
• Made first two Apple Cider Medallion BOM blocks
• Made Shirley’s Block Party blocks - two blocks done
• Made Jennifer’s Block Party blocks - two blocks done
• Made Kathy’s Block Party blocks - two blocks done
• Made blocks for Heartstrings group - 16 blocks done
• Started/finished Not So Top Secret QOV
• Started working on inner border for PPS08

My February goals came be found here.