Happy New Year!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

For Penny & the Girls

My MIL collects everything Samoyed.  She has so much that she has started putting up a small Samoyed tree in the kitchen each Christmas.

2009 Quilt Year in Review

This year went by so fast!  At the beginning of the year, I made some quilty goals for myself.  Let's see how I did.

Quilting/Stashbusting: 

• I had a goal of finishing 13 quilts.  I finished 10 quilts which is pretty good (3-queen size, 4-twin sized, 1-bag, 2-wallhangings).  I also did a couple swaps and/or donation blocks.
• Use 125 yards of stash.  I ended up using 165 yards.
• I didn't have an exact amount for buying, just less than what I used.  I did really good with not buying new fabric until the last three months of this year.  I won a $300 gift certificate from Thousands of Bolts.com which I had to use before the end of the year.  There also was a LQS that ended up going out of business so I couldn't pass up the sale.  I added 100+ yards less than last year and bought 150+ yards less than last year, so I think it was a big accomplishment in one year.  (Although my sewing room doesn't look like it.)
• Make at least 5 projects from my "PIGS/kit" list:  I worked on four of which none have been completed.  Guess I need more work in this area.
• Quilt at least 3 of my older (prior to 2008) flimsies:  I finished one.  I definitely need to do better in this area next year.
• Learn/Try New Techniques:  Made a feathered star and tote bag.  Still need to do y-seams but that will happen when I work on my Timberline Log Cabin in 2010.  Organizing my scraps will be an ongoing project.  I didn't get very far on my paper-piece project either.  I only made on Christmas quilt which was done on time!

I used another 1.25 yards on Morning Splash this week.  I had planned on going to the LQS sale today but decided against it, so nothing in.

My 2009 final numbers are:

• Fabric Added this Week: NADA!
• Fabric Added YTD: 238.50 yards
• Fabric Used this Week: 1.25 yards
• Fabric Used YTD: 165.00 yards
• Net Usage Used: -73.50* yards

* With the gift certificate I won, I ordered 66 yards of fabric. If I hadn’t won the fabric, I would have finished with a -7.50 yards net usage.  Not bad for my 2nd year of stashbusting.


I'd like to wish you a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2010!!! 

Lesson Learned

I've always given hubby a difficult time because he wastes a lot of food.  If it's been opened and in the refrigerator for a week, he buys a new one.  Well last night we made weiner wraps and after I had already made them, noticed that the one package of crescent rolls had expired.  I used the newer package, but also made two from the expired package.  I ate the two from the expired package.  See where this is going?!?!  Yep, at 1:30 this morning I was visiting the porcelain God.  I was suppose to work half of today but called in sick.  I slept most of the day and tried drinking water to stay hydrated.  By the afternoon I ate a couple crackers.  I'm finally feeling better but haven't gotten up the nerve to try eating anything else.  Hopefully I'll be back to normal tomorrow so we can go to Sam's Club.  I've learned my lesson!

Yesterday I received my new Cobblestone Lane BOM blocks, along with the next Washington Medallion BOM block.  I have one more month of Washington Medallion and Apple Cider Medallion and I'll be down to one BOM for the new year.  When Cobblestone Lane ends, Vintage Memories will start.  As of right now, those will be the only BOMs for 2010.  (I hope.)

I also made more progress on knitting the front of my sweater.  Two more rows and then I'll start shaping the armholes.  I haven't decided if I'm going to make the sleeve lengths longer than the pattern.  I'll have to decide soon!

The Day After...

The boys each got a toy from "nana" and "papa".  Of course, in the end Sonny claimed BOTH of them.  He was being a little protective of them though so we had to take them away for a little while.  (Yes, they're wet, it rained most of Christmas Day and they were outside.)

Today we drove to the mall, so hubby could exchange a P3 game at Game Stop.  Then we also went to MC Sports where he found a helmet and goggles for when he goes downhill skiing. 

When we got back home, I worked on sorting through and shredding papers in preparation for the new year.  I'm getting a jump start on decluttering the house.  When I'm in a cleaning mode, I gotta go with it because it doesn't happen often.

Hubby was getting a little stir-crazy so we went bowling.  It was pretty pathetic.  By the second game my arm was starting to hurt, so we stopped at two.

Now we're settling in for the night.  He DVR'd The Breakfast Club last night and we also rented Funny People and Harry Potter:  Half-Blood Prince.  Looks like I'll get some knitting time on my sweater.  Gotta get it done, I only have 364 more days to get next year's Christmas gifts done after all.  LOL

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

I hope you and your family are all safe from the nasty weather out there.  It's been pouring out all night and later is suppose to turn into snow.  Thankfully we don't have far to go today.  Later today we'll be going by my in-law's for socializing and gift opening.


Yesterday we went to see Avatar in 3D.  It was pretty cool.  It was very real, I even had to take some Bonine because my stomach was feeling a little queasy from some of the scenes.

Bonkers

Bonkers....that's me.  It's not even Christmas yet, and I'm already thinking about gifts that I can make my family for NEXT Christmas!!!  The gift would be socks.  Hello!!!  I haven't even knitted ONE sock, much less a PAIR.  Nothing like counting your chickens before they hatch!  Once I get my sweater knit, I'm going to try making a sock.  We'll see what a reality check it'll be!  The joke may be on ME!

I worked half a day today and have the rest of the week off.  When I got home, I worked for an hour on re-acquainting myself with re-folding my stash.  As you can tell, there are still a couple shelves that need to be re-folded, but I'm pleased how it's looking.  Even managed to empty out 3 shipping boxes from under my sewing table.  Two big plastic tubs under there yet and FQ bundles, but it's getting closer.

The funny part was that hubby walked in while the doors were open on the cabinet.  He just stared and said "You have a lot of fabric".  I chuckled inside thinking, boy if you only knew one side of the closet is just as full and the other side has kits and FQs in it; and then there are the secret hiding spots in other rooms.  My lips are sealed.

Future Projects

While I was looking around the sewing room, I figured I'd take pictures of some of the future projects I want to work on. 

Animal Party (left) - This was a kit that I bought.  I need to pull out some cream fabric because I'm making it bigger than the kit.  On the right is either Birdseye (Miss Rosie's Quilt Co) or a fall pineapple block quilt.

Winter White (Miss Rosie's Schnibble) using Shangri-la charms.  A red, white & black quilt from the book Quilts on the Double.

Sweet Escape (Miss Rosie's again....I'm starting to see a pattern).  I hadn't planned on making this in Gypsy Rose (the same as used on the pattern cover), but that happened to be the only layer cake that I had so I ordered a second so I had enough to make the top.

Finishes 9 & 10

I'm a little behind in posting pictures of my finishes.  They're not the best pictures, but it's my way to record that they're done and when (or approximately when) they were finished.

Finish #9 is Hole in One which I'm giving to my boss for Christmas.  Sonny's pretending he is Toto and he's seeing what's behind the "curtain".

Finish #10 is Nature's Chorus which I'm planning on donating.

He Loves My Daisies

There is no room in the inn sewing room to lay out all of the He Loves My Daisies blocks at one time.  So I had to do it in sections.  When I got to the last row, I thought I was two blocks short.  Then I realized that I had left the two corners blocks on the design wall so I wouldn't mistake them for the other blocks.  Boy was I relieved that I didn't have to make two more blocks!  The first two rows are done.  I definitely have to sew these together when I have no other interruptions.  I don't want to do any frog stitching!

 

Week 51 Stash Report

Wow, one more week left!  Where did the year go?!?!?  Have you started thinking about your New Year's resolutions/goals?!?!  I'm ready to FOCUS!

Nothing in this week and nothing planned in for next week.  I (finally) started working on Judy's Morning Splash, so 1/2 yard out.  I have week to use up 3-1/2 yards to meet my goal.

Check out how others did this week by checking out their stash reports.

Here are my numbers to date:

• Fabric Added this Week: NADA!
• Fabric Added YTD: 238.50 yards
• Fabric Used this Week: 0.50 yards
• Fabric Used YTD: 160.00 yards
• Net Usage Used: -78.50 yards

Goals for this week:

• Continue working on Morning Splash
• Sew He Loves My Daisies blocks into a top
• Finish loading Patchwork Party 2009 to the frame

Moving Right Along

He Loves My Daisies Log Cabin blocks finished - Check
Go to grocery store for hubby - Check
Presents wrapped for tonight - Check

I also pieced the strip sets for Step 1 of Morning Splash which Judy from Patchwork Times created as a quilt-a-long.  Uh oh, another project to add to my UFO list.  But I need to use 4 yards of stash to finish the year with only 75 yards added.

I'll work on laying out the He Loves My Daisies blocks tomorrow.

Log Cabin Blocks

I'm up (again.....woke up at 5:30 then got tired around 7:00 so took nap #1 for the day).  Now I'm up and am going to sew the last three logs onto the He Loves My Daisies blocks.  Then I'll be ready to lay them out so I can sew the top together.

I also have to wrap the gifts that I need to take to mom's tonight.  Yep, I don't want to wait until the last minute or anything!  Thankfully there aren't that many.  Also have to run to the grocery store to pick up 3 lbs of German Potato salad for hubby's last day of work (for the year) tomorrow.  Everyone is bringing food in so they pig out all day and, of course, WORK!

OK, time to get going!

UFO Inventory

I'm participating in a UFO challenge for the new year.  So here is my list (or at least when I can remember w/o tearing apart the sewing room). 

1. I have 22 flimsies (yikes) that need to be quilted.
2. He Loves My Daisies - need to finish the last 26 log cabin blocks and then work on borders.
3. Fireworks in Prairie Park (Patchwork Party 2008) - 12 blocks are done, need to work on setting triangles and applique for top.
4. Washington Medallion BOM - center completed; need to work on the other steps
5. Apple Cider Medallion BOM - 9 blocks complete
6. Cobblestone Lane BOM - ongoing.
7. Snail Trail swap - make more blocks to complete top
8. Golden Memories - sampler blocks done; need to make log cabin (alternating) blocks
9. Pick & Choose - continue cutting fabric
10. Grandmother's Garden (Eleanor Burns)

New Angel

There is a new angel in heaven today. Last night we lost Aunt Jayne to Alzheimers. She's finally at peace again. Her family has decided to donate her body to research. Please pray that they can make progress with this disease.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I've been such a busy girl at work and at home, that I nearly forgot to send you my wish list. I know you're especially busy right now, but with the way technology is now-a-days, you'll get this as soon as I hit "send".

Now, I know that I don't need any more fabric, but can a girl really ever have too much?!?! Plus there are still a couple hiding spots where I can fit a fabric bundle, so I'm asking for a Valentine FQ bundle so I can get a jump start on making a Valentine's Day quilt.

Don't forget to grab some cookies for yourself and the reindeer!!!

Quilty Projects

I've been thinking about what quilty projects I want to work on next year. Here are some of the projects that I want to work on during the first quarter of the year.

• Finish Patchwork Party 2008 - Prairie Paisley top. The blocks are complete.
• Finish last 2 Apple Cider Medallion BOM blocks & then piece top.
• Finish last set of He Loves My Daisies log cabin blocks & piece top.
• Start On the Double - red/white/black (use stash)
• Start Morning Splash (Judy L) - brights (use stash)
• Start Timberline Log Cabin (Judy Martin) - green/turquoise
• Continue making Cobblestone Lane BOM blocks
• Quilt Patchwork Party Spring 2009 flimsy
• Quilt Star of Wonder flimsy
• Quilt Deck the Halls

Week #50 Stash Report

I had a pretty good week....Hole in One was quilted and bound. Nature's Chorus was quilted and is currently being bound. I also pieced the backing for Patchwork Party 2009. So progress is being made on the pile of flimsies.

The best news is that NO fabric came into the house. I'm hoping to get my net usage number under -75.

Here are my numbers to date:

• Fabric Added this Week: NADA!
• Fabric Added YTD: 238.50 yards
• Fabric Used this Week: 5.50 yards
• Fabric Used YTD: 159.50 yards
• Net Usage Used: -79 yards

My goals for the week are to finish the binding on Nature's Chorus, finish the Apple Cider block that I started, and load Patchwork Party 2009 on the quilting frame.

See how others are doing on their stashbusting at Judy's blog.

Blizzard Allison

Hubby woke up at 3 a.m. and went outside to see how much snow we had. At that point he figured we already had a foot and it was still snowing. The first two pictures are from the porch.

Here the boys are waiting to come back in from doing their business. They weren't too excited about going outside because the snow was blowing in their face. It was pretty windy.

Riley seems to like the snow. It went up to their bellies. He was hoping through it like a kangaroo.

The goats have still been sleeping in their old house, so hubby walked them to the new shed where their food and water are. Roxie is farthest to the right and little Zoey is further back to the left by the spool. She was not happy about the trek. She was bellaring the entire time.

Hubby's parents came over to plow around 11:00 and they got stuck b/c the snow is so heavy/wet so we had to help dig them out. After they were done plowing we went back to their house and helped shovel their walkway and go to the grocery store.

Blizzard Warning!

That's what we're in right now....pretty much all of the southern half of Wisconsin. It snowed a little all day long, but really didn't accumulate and by the time I left work the winds had picked up and it was getting slushy. Now it's more snow. We're suppose to get 8-14 inches, mainly between 6 tonight to 6 tomorrow morning.

I'm hoping for a snow day tomorrow. I pieced the backing for the Patchwork Party Spring 2009 top in preparation for a snow day. Plus I have binding to finish on Nature's Chorus, and knitting to do on my sweater, and more Christmas decorations to put up, and cookie dough to make for cookie baking on Saturday, and presents to wrap, and, and, and......

We'll see what happens. Now that I'm home...Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!

Finish #9

Hole is One is finished (just needs to be washed) with two weeks to spare!!! I'll try to post a picture tomorrow as my quilt holder is already asleep. Nature's Chorus is also quilted. Tomorrow I'll get going on the binding. The ribbing is done on the front side of the sweater, along with approximately one inch of the body.

Weekend Progress

It's been a pretty productive weekend so far. Hole in One is quilted and 3 sides of the binding are sewn down. Month 1 of the Cobblestone Lane blocks is done. Nature's Chorus has been loaded on the quilting frame. I've knitted another inch on the sweater front. Also did some Christmas shopping yesterday and put out some decorations. We still have to haul the Christmas tree upstairs so we can decorate it.

Time to wind some bobbins and get Nature's Chorus quilted. I think now that it's cold outside I'll get more flimsies quilted because I won't want to go out. I normally do the binding right away but I may focus on getting them quilted and work on the binding at night while we're watching TV.

Speaking of which, we got our Christmas present early. Hubby has been wanting to get a new HDTV for several years now. Well we decided to take the plunge a couple weeks ago and "just do it". We had to upgrade to a HD DVR receiver and last week the Geek Squad came out and made sure all components were working together. I'm absolutely LOVING the DVR. One because I can record movies/shows that hubby won't want to watch and then I can watch them some other time. Two because now I have satellite upstairs again in the room where the quilting frame is. Now I can "watch" TV while I'm quilting. Three, I can record The Biggest Loser so I can watch the shows when I'm on the treadmill. I really wish they would have the seasons on DVD, but since they don't, this is the next best thing! The shows are such an inspiration to me!!!

Now it's time to get off this computer and get another top quilted!