Sunday, February 28, 2010

CANADA GOLD!

Sid the Kid breaks through the American Firewall!! YYYYYOOOOOHOOOOOO!!

GO CANADA GO

What else can I say? LOL
Today my house is divided as I cheer for Team Canada and DH is cheering for USA. This could get interesting.

By the way I love the above emblem. Hockey Canada says they're going back to the normal emblem after the Olympics. I wish I could have gotten one of the new jerseys...oh well.

 

GO CANADA GO! The women won, so the men don't want to get shown up ;)

Year of Schnibbles February

I know I posted this earlier but I wanted Sinta or Sherri to be able to find my entry in the Parade of Schnibbles easily. Here is Blushing Sunday.

 My SIL finds out tomorrow, hopefully, if she is having a girl or boy so I'll know then if I have to make this bigger or if it'll stay this size.

This quilt went together so well I'm pretty sure I'll be making it again, and probably bigger too! Carrie added instructions for using a Layer Cake with it so I want to try that sometime too.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Spring Sewing Party Update 2 (or is it 3?)!

I've quilted around the center, under the rick rac, and have these to show for today's work.
Today I've been interrupted several times and it doesn't look like it's getting any better lol. I think this may be as far as I get today. Not too bad, about 4 hours at the machine.

Spring Sewing Party Update!

YAY I've got the main part of Tumbling Dino's quilted. How did I get it done so fast?? Well I actually some how didn't post the last post it was actually written a few hours earlier then it was posted. Smart I know.
 
Doesn't look much different does it? I'm hoping even though the back isn't cotton it will crinkle up some.
 
A close up.
Maybe the back will show you?
 
Much better lol. Which is funny because once it's washed a few times this will show way less because most of the little fuzzy fibers will work their way out from under the stitching.

 I have to decide on what to do with the borders now.

Sew Party!

 
Can I interest you in some cookies?
Are you sure?? They're chewy oatmeal. Nummy Yummy.



Ok I've had one or two and am ready. I've got my peppermint tea and this is on the machine.
 
Oops that would be the back. And you can tell it's my table because there's a cereal container in the background and placemats on the table lol.


Tumbling Dino is ready to be quilted. I only have until noon when Little Bit will be home and I have to get her ready for gymnastics.

The gloves are on or off if you want make a thing about it ;)
So ready, set...quilt!

Friday, February 26, 2010

I'm In!

Updated 4:05

Kelly is having a party! Sounds like fun so I'm going to sign up. I need things like this to motivate me sometimes. And Tumbling Dino's is only half quilted.
Can I interest you in some cookies?
Are you sure?? They're chewy oatmeal. Nummy Yummy.



Ok I've had one or two and am ready. I've got my peppermint tea and this is on the machine.
 
Oops that would be the back. And you can tell it's my table because there's a cereal container in the background and placemats on the table lol.


Tumbling Dino is ready to be quilted. I only have until noon when Little Bit will be home and I have to get her ready for gymnastics.

The gloves are on or off if you want make a thing about it ;)

So ready, set...quilt!


UPDATE
 
Doesn't look much different does it? I'm hoping even though the back isn't cotton it will crinkle up some.

A close up.
Maybe the back will show you?
Much better lol. Which is funny because once it's washed a few times this will show way less because most of the little fuzzy fibers will work their way out from under the stitching.

 I have to decide on what to do with the borders now.

UPDATE 4:10pm
I've quilted around the center, under the rick rac, and have these to show for today's work.
Today I've been interrupted several times and it doesn't look like it's getting any better lol. I think this may be as far as I get today. Not too bad, about 4 hours at the machine.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Happiness

 DH asked the most random question after dinner tonight...What makes you happy?
Now, one would think after 5 years of marriage he may have a clue but that is besides the point.
It got me thinking about things that make me happy. So I decided to think of my top 5 things that make me happy, and they can't be related to another person, as in Little Bit being happy makes me happy. Which it does but for this exercise it doesn't count.

 Happy thing # 1
 Quilting! Huge surprise there huh? Even when things aren't going as planned quilting makes me happy. The process of it, everything up to and including a finished flimsy makes me happy. After that it's doing the necessary to get to the finished part but picking fabrics, patterns, modifying said patterns, cutting, sewing all of that make me happy. The finished product is less important then the process for me...or that is my excuse for all the UFOs that I've started to believe.

Happy Thing # 2
 Dancing!! I love to dance, I love to watch dancing. If there is music I want to move to it. I'm one of those crazy people who just puts on music to make a fool out of myself dancing around to it. The stories I could tell (but won't) about dancing, bars/clubs, and yes booze has been involved although not necessarily the amount you would think.
Mostly I love the energy and the feeling of being part of the music.

Happy Thing # 3
 Traveling. Going different places, seeing different things, different people, new landscapes...all of it makes me very happy. I love feeling connected, but also apart. I love everything about traveling, including coming home! While it is best with people you love, it is also fine to be on your own. Almost anywhere I'd go. I've done a bit of traveling, pre-Little Bit mostly, and I come from a family that has a fair amount of wander lust. If it's on the planet I probably know someone who has been there, or close by, and yes that includes the South Pole.

Happy Thing # 4
 Learning. Yes I am a nerd. Learning new things makes me happy. I like knowing things and even more, I hate not knowing things even more. This one is somewhat tied into some neurosis but in general I like facts, trivia, and all of it.
If only I could remember all the things I've read about....

Happy Thing # 5
 Hot drinks. This may seem odd to you but hot drinks be they a tea, a tisane, white hot chocolate etc, make me happy. There is just something about a hot, slightly sweet liquid that can be so soothing, comforting, and generally happiness inducing. Need a hug but no one is around? Have a hot drink. It always makes me smile at least a little, and if it was in the mug above it would make me smile for sure.

So that is my list. 
What's on yours? If you have a blog write about it, or leave a comment here. Your happy things can be big and general (like traveling) or more specific like Raggedy Anne dolls, can you tell I'm still happy with mine?

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Hehehehe

I didn't get to show you all the awesome present my sister got me. She had ordered it for my birthday but it didn't arrive when she was home for it so it has sat in a book at my mom's until Friday.
Isn't she adorable?!

This one is more colour accurate. Annie is now sitting on top of a basket of FQs. Hopefully she will be happy here.

Thank you to everyone for you well wishes and commiserations. They have warmed me like you could not believe. You are all so sweet!

Liam's Picnic was a raving hit. Everyone was in awe, as I'm the only quilter in the family (which people seem to forget) they don't know it wasn't perfect lol. I forgot my camera, as did my mom, so I'm waiting to have some pictures of the baby on his quilt e-mailed to me. I'll share them when they arrive.

 Little Bit had a blast with my cousins children. She had to put on a dress when she got there and saw all the other girls in them. Luckily we had brought one anticipating this event. She enjoyed "petting" the baby, and was made happy in general by all the other kids.
 There were about 35-40 people there when we arrived, not counting children, so I got to have a whirlwind visit with many aunts, cousins etc. Which is impressive given the short notice of the shower.

I hope you all are having a good weekend!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Friday Night Sew-In, Saturday Check In

YAY I got some things done!!

First off is Mini Verna. Remember her?
This is as far as I got last FNSI I got this far.

This time I got this far! All finished, and quilted up.

I just have to decide now whether to just bind it or use this to make a cutting mat cover/carrier. The quilt is 21x14.

I also got the borders made up and sewn onto Blushing Sunday.

I'll be making this bigger I think, not so sure how yet lol. How do you like my modification of the pattern?

 I used my new walking foot on Mini Verna. It made quilting it sooooo easy!

I can't wait until I have Tumbling Dino's basted up so I can quilt it with my new toy.

I'm off to the baby shower. It's about 4 hours away so I'm hoping to sleep some since I'm not going to be driving.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Friday Night Sew-In

I'm sewing! Are you?

OOOoooh Noooo

The lidocain infusion didn't work this time!! I was high as a kite when I left the pain clinic, after having a nice flash back during the infusion. I slept about 16 hours yesterday/last nigh, waking up to make dinner and go the bath room several times (the bathroom not dinner). This morning I woke up with the window open (a very damp cold blowing in) and PAIN. It's not quite as widespread but it's there. And it's evil!
DH may have to die for opening and leaving open that window. Ok not really but I will be peeved for a while. I had hoped it would pass but I've been up for 2 hours now and no relief. I could cry.

 And I have to go to a baby shower tomorrow, which I learned of today. Nice notice huh?

So say good bye to Liam's Picnic as it is going to love a baby.

I'll be driving up with my mom, sisters, and Little Bit. And back the same day it sounds. SO I will be traveling 8 hours in a car in one day...this is sounding less and less fun. Oh well. Family. Not much you can do.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

I am alive...and sewing!!

 I'm starting to feel better, or I was on Sunday. Monday hit and so did a repeat. Today I am feeling some better again so hopefully it holds. Especially since I go for another lidocaine infusion Thursday! Hopefully this one lasts more then the 4 days the last one did.
 I got tired of my old blog background so it was time to mix it up. What do you think?

The pattern for this month's Schnibble actually came today! And do you want to know why it came today and not a week from now?
Because one of the awesome ladies in blogland emailed me the cutting directions so I could get cutting while Little Bit was away.

I also managed to get the blocks sewn together, same with the rows! I have made a little design change. Here a sneak peak.

HA! Though I was actually going to show you? Not until it's done and I know if I like it or not.
 I used Blush and a white on white I had in my stash. I personally thinks it looks great. I was able to leave out all of the whites from the pack. But have no fear! I will use them...and probably in this quilt. I'm considering making it a bit bigger, though this one is a nicer size at 37 square. DH's other younger brother's wife is expecting, and they should find out March 1st if it's a girl or boy. If it's a girl this quilt will be finished up for her. If not then Blushing Sunday will be my Valentine's Day quilt. Yes I know love day is past but hey I'm not really a deadline type girl.

 The lovely reliable Quilt Taffy girls also sent me a little yardage for Mother Goose and a green from Authentic I plan to use with Make Life... Now I just have to figure out patterns lol. Yes, most likely they will be Schnibbles!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Blessings and sickness

So there arrived today in the mail! From the wonderful and generous Kimland! She'd offered to send me an extra copy of Fon's and Porter's and look what else she sent! Thanks so much!

Can you believe how cute the card is? Inside says "I walk the line"-Johnny Cash. This really perked me up today!
Which is so nice because I was feeling so yucky from whatever is bothering me and won't let go. It just seems to  get worse, and I guess it's been 2 weeks now.

I made this a few days ago to make me feel better.

 I don't know if it looks good to you, but to me it's yum! Especially on toast, or with pasta. I called this my concoction to DH, and he wasn't sure he wanted to eat it until he tried a taste. Then he too was hooked. Bacon, chicken, spinach, cooked with mushroom soup. Soooo good.

I've only gotten a little sewing done, on Verna mini. I'm in withdrawl from not being able to do more.

My tea is ready so I'm going to curl up and try to feel better.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Blah, Blah, Blah

 I've been not feeling well for the last few days. I've had a high fever a few times, been exhausted, and think I have some sinus stuff going on. It's really just wearing me out, to the point I can barely move. So what I'm saying in my whining, roundabout way is that I've not gotten any work done. No cleaning, no sewing, or much asides from the absolutely necessary.

  I did get mail today though. Which while it made me very happy also reminded me why I need to stay away from ebay, and pretty much any place that sells fabric lol.

I blame this on Christmas though. You see, around Christmas people want you to think about what you would like and so on and so forth. Well I spend most of the year not thinking about this because then I don't feel bad about not being able to have it. But then I did and now I've found somethings I want...you know how this goes. Especially since DH is endlessly complaining about not having. Which drives me batty. Be grateful for what we do have. And work for the rest. OK issue coming up obviously lol.

  I have a little confession...you see I have (had?) a bit of a spending/shopping addiction (really more of a compulsion but since when is pop culture concerned with anything but what sounds good?). This was quite problematic for a while a few years ago, especially in the year after my son's death. But I worked on it and have had tight control on my spending in the last few years. So this, to me, is a warning sign that I need to stop buying. And I will. I need to remember all the other things that can fill this void I get better, and cheaper, then buying things. It gives a temporary high, or feeling of satisfaction, but no real relief from the anxieties that are plaguing me. And I end up with crap I neither need, nor particularly like.
So I commit to only buy things I need for a project I am imminently going to be working on.
At least until I have a) space b) money to "waste" and c) a greater sense of general contentedness.
To continue that theme I'm think of using "Make Life" by sweetwater for February's Schnibble, Sunday Best, which I did order today. Make life what you want it, make it better for someone else, make it special (whatever that means to you).

And now to crawl under the covers again until it's time to make lunches and breakfasts in the morning. Hopefully Little Bit won't decide in the morning that I have to drive her to school again. I wouldn't mind too much except I feel so crummy.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Le Jardin Block Two C'est fini!

 I finally got Block two all finished up. This one did not go together without a little bit of oops.

I accidentally cut through one of the flower fabrics when I was cutting out leaves. Luckily because this is from FQS there was lots of fabric so I still managed to cut out my two tulips from this.

Here's all the pieces waiting to be glue basted and then them just waiting to be placed and sewn down.
 
I ended up taking a picture after each group was sewn down. It looked cool flipping through it on the Windows Live Photo.

 


Looks pretty good doesn't it? It's about 1/8" too small on the one corner, which is fudgable. I know that's not a real word but today it is!

Oh, oh! Guess what I saw had arrived at FQS! Le Jardin, the fabric line! At least precuts...which seem to arrive a month or two before the yardage, and the due date. Which irritate me in some ways, especially with the Moda Sampler box. They claimed the lines wouldn't be out until Spring, as late as April, yet they are all now out, again at least the precuts, and many with yardage. I don't think I'll buy the box again. Not when if I wait a month or so I can get charm packs etc.'
So while I'm happy about getting my hands on Le Jardin earlier, hopefully, I don't like these false release dates, or they feel false to me anyways. And I love my Moda, I just dislike anything dishonest, or misleading, and that's what it feels like to me.

Anyhoo, I promise you won't have to see Rouenneries for a few weeks as other things must be worked on. Unless I get Duma worked on, but I doubt it.
 I need to baste, quilt and bind Tumbling Dino's, finish the Verna mini and get and start/finish February's Schnibble, Sunday Best. Which means I have to order it, and figure out what fabrics to use.