Patchwork Party Spring 09 Top

I'm so proud of myself. I have finished the Patchwork Party Spring '09 top before the party even finished!!! This is a first, since I have two from past years that weren't even started and one that has the blocks done but still needs the setting pieces finished. Although it still has to be quilted....wonder how long before that happens? LOL

This finishing kit was from Cabbage Rose Quilting & Gifts. I really liked the finishing kit at the Great American Quilt Factory but since I don't have a great track record with finishing applique projects, I opted for the finishing kit that I knew I'd actually finish. ;0)

Week #22 Stash Report

I'm slowly building my net used number back up. This week nothing came in. I started putting the Patchwork Party top together. I used 3.5 yards for the sashing, cornerstones and first two borders.

Here are my numbers to date:

• Fabric Added: 0 yards
• Fabric Added to Date: 81.50 yards
• Fabric Used: 3.5 yards
• Fabric Used to Date (goal 150): 92 yards
• Net Used: 10.50 yards

My goals for the week are to finish the last border on Patchwork Party and start on the Hot Cross kit.

I forgot to post yesterday, but I ended up only doing the 3.1 mile run/walk (which was plenty). This run wasn't organized too good. Hubby said the mile markers were about 100 yards short (so he ended up only doing 5.7 miles according to his watch instead of the 6.2 miles). I saw one water station which apparently was the turn-around spot for the 3.1 miles but the kids never said anything and there were no signs so I ended up walking to the 2-mile marker before I turned around. We figure I ended up doing 3.8 miles in 48 minutes and 46 seconds. I got back just in time for the first rain drop. About 5 minutes after I finished the sky opened up and it was pouring! (Had I done the 6.2 miles, I would have gotten soaked.) I'm pretty happy with my finish. I ended up passing some teenage girls at the end which made me (the *slightly* older, out-of-shape lady ) feel good. My knees hurt a little yesterday, but I can still walk this morning so I'll keep training to slog for longer periods at a time. Maybe I'll be able to do 1-2 miles without walking by the end of the summer. ;0)

Diamonds & Setting

Where's the Diamond block is finished. I can't believe it, I finished all the blocks before the "Party" was over!!! Now I'm working on the sashing. The sashing/cornerstone rows are done. I just need to finish sewing the blocks/sashing into rows. We'll have to see how the Brewers game goes. If it's boring, I may go back and work on finishing up the rows.

Tomorrow is the 6 mile walk/run that my SIL and I are walking/slogging and hubby is running. They're talking about rain in the early morning. I hope they're wrong, unless early morning means 2 or 3 a.m.!!!

Birthday & Canoes

Sonny is 4 years old today!!!

Here he is after partying too much. (jk) This is his subtle hint that the water bowl is empty.

Sunset Canoes block is done. I finished it yesterday but didn't get it uploaded. It turned out OK, but I can guarantee you that I won't be making this block again any time soon (if ever). I have one more Patchwork Party block to make which I started tonight. I hope to finish it in the next couple days. If you're thinking of joining the party, you better hurry....it ends June 15.

How I Spent My Memorial Weekend

My Memorial weekend started Friday afternoon. I went for a 4 mile walk. See, I needed to practice. Hubby decided he's doing a 6 mile run this coming Saturday. He was talking to my SIL and she mentioned she'd like to do it too but couldn't run the entire way.....they both thought I'd want to do it. Me being the sucker I am said OK. I'll mostly be walking but will try to do some slogging (slow jogging as hubby calls it) too. We had races at night....the neighbor has been doing really good so he's been driving.

Since hubby had to work, I went off to a cemetery to take pictures for the county genealogy website. When I got home I worked on transcribing the stones and sending them off to the county coordinator.

Sunday I did some grocery shopping and stopped at another cemetery to take more pictures. After the Indy 500 started, I headed off to walk 6 miles. It took me just over 1 hr and 40 minutes but I did it!!! Last night I watched the Brewers game....ugh, they got swept by the Twins. I also started on the Patchwork Party Star Struck block.

Today we went to the cemetery to put flowers on my grandma and grandpa's grave. Then we watched the beginning of the Brewers game and picked up the in-laws and went to the local Memorial Day celebration. Since we got home I finished the Star Struck block. Only two more blocks to make! I may finish the blocks before the "party" ends!!

All in all it was a good long weekend. I didn't get as much done as I'd have liked but isn't that always how it goes?!?! Tomorrow it's back to work. Thankfully the weekend is only 4 days away!

Hope you had a great Memorial weekend too!

Happy Memorial Day

Today, remember to honor those who have sacrificed themselves for our freedom.

We'll be going to the local memorial service later and stopping by my grandma and grandpa's grave to put out flowers.

Tiny Bubbles

Remember the song "Tiny Bubbles"? That's what I'll think of when I remember my Uncle Roy who passed away this past Wednesday. When I was young he would always have the band/DJ play this song at weddings and he'd seek me out to dance it with him. I always thought of it as "our" song. (Even though I learned a couple years ago though that my grandpa was the one who sang this to me when I was very young.)

Rest in Peace! I'll be looking for ya someday in heaven so we can dance to our song.

Don't you love this picture? My 2nd cousin (his granddaughter) took this. That's captures him exactly.

Stash Report Week #21

My motivation to sew/quilt has been nil lately. It's been absolutely gorgeous outside so I've been doing a lot of walking. But this post isn't about that....so let me get to it my numbers this week. I did make some progress (3 yards) on cutting FQs for Pick & Choose. The Hot Cross kit came so they equal out.

Here are my numbers to date:

Fabric Added: 3 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 81.50 yards
Fabric Used: 3 yards
Fabric Used to Date (goal 150): 88.50 yards
Net Used: 7.00 yards

My only goal is keep working on Pick & Choose this coming week.

Green Bay 5K Run/Marathon

Wow, was yesterday awesome. When we got to Lambeau Field yesterday it was pretty quiet, but that didn't last for long. Hubby ran in the 5K race (which had like 3600 entries). It's kinda like Where's Waldo...there he is in the red/black hat. (It was in the mid-30s when the race started.) Our friend was running the 1/2 marathon so I stayed with him because his wife and sister-in-law were also doing the 5K run. We walked up the road a little to see some of the 5K runners go through. Then he started warming up for his run, and I ran to get into the stadium to watch hubby run around the football field.

The runners come in and out through the tunnel where the football players come out for the games. I just made it in (zigzagging through the mobs of people) to see hubby running near the end zone. There was no way I'd get closer so I took a picture from where I was. He saw me (yellow may not be my favorite color, but it's bright) and waved. He's also wearing yellow which was easy to see.

I wasn't fast enough to see him cross the finish. He ran the race in 22 minutes and 22 seconds. (He was hoping for 24 minutes so he did GREAT! I'm very proud of him.) Since we've never been to this run, I then had to figure out how to meet up with him. Once I found him, we watched for our friend's wife and sister-in-law to cheer them on the last stretch of the race. I always get choked up to see complete strangers cheering on other strangers to keep going, especially when they look like they can't go another step. On a side note, this was my first time in Lambeau Field. My first impression (after I caught my breath) was how small it looked. It was difficult to believe how many people get squished in here for the football games. I'll continue to watch it on the TV thank you.

Once the girls were done, we figured out a spot where the 1/2 marathoners would be coming through so we could cheer on our friend. It was so loud, he didn't even hear us when he went through. It also didn't help he was on the opposite side of the road. Here is a picture of what it looked like when the 1/2 marathoners were coming to the finish line. There are so many people you can't even see the runners. To the left of the picture is the finish line. The far right side is where they come out of the tunnel.

Our friend finished the 1/2 marathon in 1 hour and 45 minutes. I applaud everyone who ran yesterday....regardless of their time.

This run came at a great time. I was starting to feel discouraged about my weight loss (or lack of) progress this week. Although I do think pre-Aunt Flo time may have something to do with it....hopefully it's just weight gain. Hubby wants me to run next year so I can "run on Lambeau Field". My motivation has been re-ignited and last night I ended up walking/jogging 2.55 miles. I tried jogging (sorry I can't call what I do running LOL) 1 minute and walking 1 minute but I got shin splints. Hubby said I should start out just jogging 30 seconds and walking 2-3 minutes....and gradually build up to jogging longer and walking less. We'll see how it goes.

Week #20 Stash Report

No new fabric in this week. I used one yard for the border on Double Dip of Mint Chocolate and cut one yard so far for Pick & Choose. I have about 9 more yards to cut for Pick & Choose so that should give me a good bust next week over the long Memorial Weekend.

Here are my numbers to date:

• Fabric Added: 0 yards
• Fabric Added to Date: 78.50 yards
• Fabric Used: 2 yards
• Fabric Used to Date (goal 150): 85.50 yards
• Net Used: 7.00 yards

I did order the Hot Cross kit from Fat Quarter Shop this week. I've wanted to get some of the Patisserie fabric for a long time now but held off so rather than ordering a FQ bundle or yardage, I ordered the kit instead. So next week I'll have to record more in, but then I hope to be good for a while (at least until fall when some new fabric collections come out that I've got my eye on).

Fantastik & Next Project

It's crazy windy here today so we're staying in. Patchwork Party block Fantastik is done. I have only three more to go!


My next project is Pick and Choose. It's featured on the cover of the June 2009 edition of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine and designed by Carrie Nelson (of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co). I'm using my leftover Thimbleberries scraps from the Sunrise and Sunset quilts I made a couple years ago, along with some FQ bundles and yardage.

Tomorrow we're heading to Green Bay where hubby is running the 5K race. Our friend is also running, but he's doing the 1/2 marathon. Hubby is pretty excited because they get to run part of the race inside Lambeau Field. I'll try to take pictures. They're expecting around 10,000 people. I sure hope the wind is gone by then.

Time to get back to cutting.

Finally

Finally some quilty progress to report. I got to leave work early today so I used the opportunity to get some sewing done. Double Dip of Mint Chocolate is now a top.

Next on the list is to make another Patchwork Party block and then start on a scrappy project that will use up a lot of my Thimbleberries FQs.

Ohio Part 2

When we went for a ride Friday morning, we saw this family of geese with their babies. Hubby counted about 40 babies....obviously they were from several mamas. This is Grand Lake-St. Marys in Celina, Ohio.


Friday & Saturday before we went to the races, we went to the fairgrounds and checked out the 3rd Annual Ribfest at the fairgrounds. We were amazed by the huge banners and trophies at each vendor. In order to vote for your favor ribs and sauce, you had to have eaten (sampled) at three of the vendors. We first at Sgt. Oinks. The sauce was good but the ribs were a little tough. Next we ate at Smokin' Joes. I didn't care for their sauce, it was a little spicy and thin for me. Third we went to My Happy Place. We both agreed their ribs were the best so far. I also liked their sweet and mild sauce, but in small doses. The one tasted like it had kiwi or mango in it. That was all for Friday. Saturday we got ribs from My Happy Place and then some brisket at Jrs. We both agreed their sauce was the best. That was all we had time for so we cast our votes and headed off to the races.

Friday night rain ended up cancelling the races after the first four heat races. Saturday we went into the pits before the races. Hubby said, hey you need to check out Sammy Swindell's car. I don't really care for him as a driver, so I'm like why? He says just look. Low and behold his car was sponsored by Honey Run Quilters!!!

While we were gone, our resident robin's eggs hatched. You can just see one of the baby's heads to the right of where she's standing on the nest.

It's good to be home. I like getting away now and then, but it usually only lasts a couple days and then I'm ready to be home.

Now I have to get busy and use up some of that new fabric I bought!!!

Week #19 Stash Report

Last week my stashbusting really took a hit. I received the finishing kit for Patchwork Party which I'm reporting as 8 yards and my monthly FQ bundle came (3 yards).

Then we went to Ohio and stopped at three quilt shops. The first picture is what I bought at The Quilterie in Celina, OH.

My purchases at The Country Cupboard in Van Wert, OH. The owner also gave me a goodie bag from their recent shop hop. There was a chicken pin cushion, a little accessory kit and block pattern.

Here's what I found at Cozy Cabin Quilts. They had a cute little puppy that greeted us as we got out of the car. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture. Hubby kept the puppy busy while I was inside shopping. At one point the lady said the puppy was up on hubby's lap getting a belly rub.

Here are my numbers to date:

Fabric Added: 21 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 78.50 yards
Fabric Used: 0 yards
Fabric Used to Date (goal 150): 83.50 yards
Net Used: 5.00 yards

I really need to get in the sewing room and bust some stash.

Greetings from Celina, Ohio

We decided to leave after I got home from work last night instead of first thing this morning. This weekend is the World of Outlaw races at Eldora Speedway. Hubby must have been in a hurry to get here because we ended up driving all the way, instead of stopping halfway. We arrived at our hotel at 1 a.m. (or midnight our time).

We had one minor issue. We stopped at one of the travel plazas on I-80 to get gas and some kid from New York asked us if we could "spare a couple dollars". He was real original and started by asking if my tie dye shirt was a Grateful Dead t-shirt. Then asked if we were deadheads because he was following them. Thankfully he gave it up pretty quick and left. That's the second time we've been asked for money at these plazas. I think we'll get gas before getting on I-80 on the way home.

When we got up we drove around town a little and checked out the lake (Grand Lake/St. Marys). Apparently there is a fishing tournament this weekend. A couple of the guys in the rooms around us were up very early to check out the fishing conditions.

After eating at the Chinese buffet, we went to The Quilterie and Cozy Cabin Quilts. I bought a couple books and some fabric. I'll post pictures when we get home....I left the cord at home. :0(

It's currently drizzling and the radar looks like it'll be here for a bit, but should clear out in hopefully an hour. We're taking a little break and then we're going to check out "Rib Fest" at the fairgrounds. Then we'll head to the Eldora Speedway and hopefully all of the races will get in tonight and tomorrow.

I'm getting the "hurry up and get off the computer" look, so I better shut down......someone must be hungry.

Week #18 Stash Report

Our internet has been out so I couldn't post my totals yesterday. It hasn't changed from last week's though. Nothing in and nothing out. That doesn't mean I haven't been sewing. I completed two Patchwork Party blocks which I'll post pictures when the internet comes back on. I've also made some progress on Double Dip of Mint Chocolate.

Here are my numbers to date:

• Fabric Added: 0 yards
• Fabric Added to Date: 57.50 yards
• Fabric Used: 0 yards
• Fabric Used to Date (goal 150): 83.50 yards
• Net Used: 26.00 yards

I also did my official weigh-in yesterday and no change on the scale, but lost another inch in my waist.

This week I will continue working on Double Dip+ and Patchwork Party blocks.