Randomness. . .

Don't have any quilty pictures today - though I did discover the project I will be making for a graduation presents next year, so time to start collecting fabric - but I found some summer pictures that were on my computer.

My family on the 4th of July:



My friend -Betty's sunflowers



New home of my sunflower quilt - notice the hexagon quilt on sofa, made by my grandma



A summer rainbow last week

Here I am again.....

I am a proud owner of an iPhone and realize I do so much with it including picture taking.

So, I found an app that helps me keep on top of posting to my blog -- how cool is that? Not like it surprised me finding an app, there are so many great apps I use daily.

So testing out how this new app works sharing my newest and most expensive flip flops (actually most expensive shoes) I've ever purchased. But as you see the are SOOO me.

Hopefully this new app will allow me to reconnect with my blog.

Picture slacking....

I've been slacking and due to it didn't have any exciting posts to share.  So, this past week I have taken more pictures and will do some pre-posting this weekend for your amusement.

Randomness images from this past week. . .

Betsy, do you notice my golf towels? :)



In honor of the Baltimore Pyrate Invasion Weekend, I put up my pirate flags last week.  Time to put up some springy ones.  Please ignore the weeds, that flower bed is a work in progress.



And while shopping at the local dollar tree, I find this interesting towel design.  I didn't purchase any, but thought it was kind a neat to see the quilting pattern.



Now to organize more photos for your enjoyment!

Enjoy your weekend.

OOo...fun icons on my side bar...

well, now I'm feeling almost "me" again (there's still a piece of me missing, but hopefully it will be home soon) I realize I have some personal challenges to catch up on!!  YIKES!   It's amazing how quickly we can fall behind on goals we set for ourselves, whether it's because we are tending to everyone else's needs or lack of self confidence, it happens quickly and very hard to catch back up.

But I'm going to make that effort to catch up!

I have the Christmas Project Group and the UFO group to re-evaluate my goals.  So, it's a new month and here are my goals for this month based off my group challenges.  Need to find some kind of reward for myself if I do this - any suggestions?  Something up to $50.

UFO Challenge

I'm 3 months behind, though I think most of my UFO's are mostly started, so I can make them up---I think.  Here's the ones I will add to this month's goals:




As for my Christmas Projects, here are 4 I'll set as goals for April (of course the easy ones):





Whew...I guess I need to get sewing ASAP!!!  Any wagers on how many I'll complete?

And life moves on....

I've had a rough time over the past 5 weeks.  Dealing with crazy snow weather, readjusting my work schedule, the seasonal "winter blues" and trying to maintain some pieces of my marriage while juggling something for myself.  I haven't been too successful in all areas of my life.

Yet, somehow I have found a few minutes here and there to do some quilting.  Not up to my normal pace but it allows me a few minutes of distraction from all that is going around me.

I first need to thank, Pat for sending this month's Cottage Block along...just perfect for February (though this year's here in Maryland will be remember by snow verses hearts):



To see all the previous blocks, click here.

Next I allowed myself a luxury and joined a Block of the Month club for the Baltimore Halloween Quilt I have mentioned in the past.



I started in the last week of January and so I have 2 blocks to do.  I've been working on my first block.  This is a challenge for me.  The applique pieces are tiny and teaching myself some new techniques to make this blocks turn out nicely.



I have also been working on my next bedroom quilt that represents some tranquility that I need in that room.  I'm making a Bargello using beach colors and hope with all these snow days, I might be successful and have it completed by weekend's end.

I hope to get back to pre-posting  and sharing pictures, once I find that "right" time to me to do things.

Hope all is well in your world.

Cleansing and Charity....

A lot has happened in my life in just short 12 days.  New routines, new thought processes and new view of my life and where  I want it to go.

I've been sorting through all my quilting related stuff and "cleansing" it out.  I have sold over $600 in fabric in the past 4 days and still have SOOO much more to get rid of.

Now, don't panic---I'm NOT giving up quilting, but I just have re-evalued my quilt style.  Why do I spend money and how it is useful/wasteful.  How it has effected every aspect of my life from my home, family, friends, marriage etc.  I have opened my eyes a bit wider this past week and feeling a sense of clarity I haven't ever had in my life until now.  It is a GOOD feeling.  It is a fulfilling need.

I have also thought a lot about my Word of the Year - Charity, this week.  While I was going through my stash I found several UFO's I planned to work on for charity purposes and started to "beat" myself up internally.....then I took a step back and tried to remember the definition of charity:

1 : benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
2 a : generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need b : an institution engaged in relief of the poor c : public provision for the relief of the needy
3 a : a gift for public benevolent purposes b : an institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift
4 : lenient judgment of others

Well, I've done a lot of charity for ME this past few weeks.  And I should be proud of that and continue to work on charity for myself as I'm going through this very challenging time in my life.

My goals for the week weren't all meet, but they are goals and I did success in a few and hope to get at least one more done by end of today.

-Quilt 2 baby quilts due to customer - quilting process right now/today on one.

-Make 2 pillows for customer - done and made a little bit of cash.



-Finish add hand work touches to both RRBloggers pieces - still working on this

-Stash sell prep for Wednesday - SUCCESSFUL, made lots of money-still have more to move out of my house though

I'll post new goals tomorrow to start off the week in a good direction---thank you for letting me ramble in this post :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm spending today up in Pennsylvania with friends we haven't seen in 14 years!   Won't be home til Saturday or Sunday (unsure yet).  Thank you all again for the support you have given me this past year.

Hope this New Year brings you peace, love, friendship, excitement and positive change!

Comments and Graphics - New Year Layouts - Photobucket

My one little word for 2010

Pat Sloan posted in her blog about Ali's yearly commitment to one word during the year.  I read both blogs and decided to also take action.

Over the past 3 years, I have been focus on rebuilding myself from the inside out.  I had alot of demons and insecurities I need to work through to find stength, honestly and purpose.  I have learned to accept and take responsiblity for all my actions...let me tell you it is still a hard pill to swallow and humbling at times.  The one thing I have missed in the past 3 years is community service and charity work.  I believe if you take care of yourself you can then be strong enough to take care of others.  I noticed more over the past 4 months that I'm ready now more than ever to do service for others.

So, my word for 2010 is "Charity".  Charity has many possibilities (which is Pat's word) and stories (Ali's word).  Charity allows me to grow more as a person and build faith in human nature.

Charity:

1 : benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
2 a : generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need b : an institution engaged in relief of the poor c : public provision for the relief of the needy
3 a : a gift for public benevolent purposes b : an institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift
4 : lenient judgment of others

Every week, I plan to post something about Charity and my daily life actions to use and live it.

What word would you live by in 2010?  Now if Pat could make me a banner for my word that would be cool :)

I'm still here....

but disaster has struck!!!  My camera is broken and I'm unable to take pictures...AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Including the finished one of the commission repair I just did...le sigh.  I'm bummed and unfortunately can't afford a new one for a month or so.  And I of course have a lot to share.

I have a video camera I might be able to figure out how to take stills with it...and no I don't have a camera phone (it saved me $150 off the price of my already expensive phone last year).

So, until I figure out how to take pictures it's hard to post anything.

I'm still around and I am sewing....hope to have pictures soon.

Still here....

been a busy week and forgot to prepost last Sunday.  Lots of pictures to share, this weekend should be slower for me to "catch up".

There is a winner in my Halloween Challenge, go and visit Mary's blog and see her cute little Halloween quilt!  Congrats Mary.  I'll pop your winnings into the mail.

TGIF!  Have a great weekend!

Happy Monday Morning.....

My youngest is still in bed, so we'll do the drawing for last week's challenge and post it tomorrow!

My finished my baby quilt commissions and they were received by the customer on Friday.  I'm so proud how it came out.  Kept the quilting to a minimum with x's and o's:



I also did the label:



And the customer asked if I could just quilt and bind this panel.  Again, I kept it simple with just following lines in the design:



Working hard on my diamonds commission quilt this weekend and feel I'm at the half way point now.  Hope to have it completed by end of the week!

I wan't ready for today's post...

Just realized I never made it to Thursday's and Friday's posts!

I've been so busy between covering the shop while the boss is away at Quilt Market, to being a single parent for the last week, to having a guild meeting on Tuesday, to finishing up the commission job for work....I haven't had time to post something!

I'll be back tomorrow with pictures!  I'm almost done with binding on my commissions!  At least my hubby returns home this evening.

Summer Time Swap Arrived

I received my Summer Time Swap last week, but unfortunately I don't have the blog of the sender.  Val from France made this lovely quilt that will be hanging up on my quilt line shortly:



Thank you Val, it's just lovely!

Also, don't forget about your Halloween quilts/decorations Challenge.  Spread the word.  I've updated the guidelines as well.

Commission Work

I've got 3 commission jobs going on now...YEAH ME!  One is through the shop and while I'm not making as much as I would like, it is still experience under my belt.  It's a quickie baby quilt and the customer has the cupcake fabric and we ran with that.  She wanted something simple and pastel pink....I think we accomplished that.



I'm very proud of the applique part.  I created the pattern and then using a programmed satin stitch on my sewing machine I randomly added the "sprinkles" to the white fabric.  Next, I turned under the edge, using my iron and starch and machine stitched down.  Then I make my cherry using Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Circles and hand appliqued it on and then added the embroidery floss for the stem.   Very proud of that part!



Now to ponder on how to quilt it.  It needs to be done by end of this week.

Sewing, sewing, sewing....

I got some sewing in yesterday, very excited!  Things checked off my list.  Even got in a round of golf and some household chores, it was a very productive Wednesday.

Here's my completed Friendship bag.  I love how it came out and so easy to do.  I used jelly roll strips!  I'll get this in the mail today.



Then I finished my other mini paper piecing block for the shop, this is 3 1/2 " square:



I also finished about 75% of my 12 cottage blocks --- can't share those yet, but I did have fun sewing and picking up my studio area.

Now hoping that I'll feeling better in a few hours to head to work today.  I think my allergies are getting the best of me today.

Weekend Stuff...

well, most of this doesn't have to do with quilting, but there are pictures involved!

Hubby and I made date night a traveling show!  We picked up my car, dropped off stuff to the mission, got both cars emissions done, then we window shopped at Bass Pro Shop, then Dicks and finally we ended up at the Howard County Fair!  Whew....just rethinking about it is crazy...we are nonstop!!

I took a few fun shots of the fair and only one quilt, mainly because all the quilts are covered with plastic and it's really hard to get a good image.  The one I did capture was incredible!  It won a ribbon and was hand quilt, the design mimicked the bias work.  And to top it off it was done in Raven's fabric!





Then driving home yesterday from picking up my girls, we got to enjoy a hot air balloon:



This weekend is a whirl wind.....whooshhhhhhhh....and we are off again today.  Spending morning/early afternoon at a Stitch and Bitch, then coming spending time with family, then off to hit golf balls with my new golf set...oh did I mention we purchase clubs at Dicks?? :)

TGIF!

It's date night here!  Unsure what our plans are, but I think it's going to involve hitting little white balls.  I'll be sure to bring a camera.  I know you all want to see me "trying" to golf.

On the sewing front....I've been invited to a Sunday Stitch n' Bitch.  Granted most of the ladies are making garb (aka costuming clothing for the rennissance faire, which opens here in 2 weekends), I think I'm going to bring some quilting projects that just need to be put together fast.  I have 2 almost completed tops I need to whip together!

Pat Sloan asked me to show her my stuff!!  Ok, so I purchase the really cool new project bag from her at Hershey...I had no idea it was limited and special.  She now sells them on her site, but I'm one of the first--how cool is that?  I just love my bag!  So, what's inside?  Let's see....

Outside of bag....opening it from left to right...



First set of pockets, lets see what I have in them.  Again, l-r, I have a pair of reading glasses (I currently only need them for hand work...my eyes are getting bad fast through), my licky grip (stuff to put on my fingers to keep them dry), my HandEzee glove (great for sore wrists), then some of my packets of hexagons to do where ever.



Next set of pockets, are the center ones.  The two pocket pieces in center are snapable!  Which means you can easily remove them.  More hexagons, just in case I need to share/teach my obsession with someone else (and I have), my reading book light (PERFECT for hand working in poor lighting areas), my Margaritaville lanyard with my purple embroidery scissors attached to it.



Last set of pockets. LOTS of stuff!!  My needle threaders (I have two different styles), pencil sharpner (I just realize my silver pencil is missing...mmm to find that), my basting threads, glue stick, a tape measure, tons o needles pocket with a needle holder that I was given, my newest love-my gel yellow thimble (I LOVE THIS!), my Thread Heaven (swear by this stuff when doing bindings), seam ripper, thimblettes (well, that is what i call them), open thimble by clover (I use this for bindings) and my tweezers.



Lots of stuff to pick up and go.  I actually have duplicates of each of these items in my sewing stuff, but this is perfect for traveling even to the living room from the sewing room :)

Wow...that was a lot of stuff...sorry for a long post!  But I have to share one more image with you.  I was clearing out my husband's dresser yesterday and I swear, I walked away for less than 2 minutes and came back to my assistant taking a break....



Ms. Glory was tired of getting up and down from the bed as I was folding clothes, so I guess she though resting here was ok.

Off to do some house work!

I truly have awsome friends...

The past few days have been a struggle.  Things came to light Monday night and crisis mode kicked in.  All I did was ask for support from my friends and they were there.  Suggesting healing thoughts and actions.  Letting me vent and keeping me strong and focus on my end goal.  That's what great friends do.  I'm not so deserving of such wonderful people, but I'm soo grateful for them and I hope they know I'm here for them as well.  There's still a lot of work and challenges ahead, but I'm up for the task, because it involves the rest of my life.

Now I'm done talking in code and sending love out to all my friends, I'll share a little bit of quilting stuff.

Since Mimi's class, I've been geared up to work more on my first applique project and restart it with a different perspective.

It's called Applique Affair by Laundry Baskets Quilts.  I met Edyta at Spring Quilt Market and she is another one of those quilting personalities that makes me think of Mimi.  She is gentle, sweet, very conversational and down to earth.  Not to mention she's young! :)  Here's her pattern:



Now, I never follow a patterns suggestion color layout--that is my own "outside of the box" way of thinking.  So here's what I'm picked out for my backgrounds.  The solid is for the main/center blocks and the cross-hatch is for the outside borders:



LOL...black!!  And I'm using batiks for all the pieces.  Though I've noticed I need to find a super sharp needle, because of the batiks weave it's challenging to needle through it.  Any suggestions??

One of Mimi's techniques involves drawing your layout on your fabric.  Well, in this situation it's a bit challenging and a light box doesn't work so well on the black fabric.  I forgot I had purchased transfer paper when visiting Anjea.  I dig it out (after a brainstorming session at work on how to mark my black fabric) and tested it:



The yellow works well, though I was afraid with my handling of the fabric as I do the block it might brush off.  So, I retraced the lines with a silver quilter's pencil.

I've prepared 2 blocks to do while spending time with the hubby in the evenings.  I hope to kick this project off real soon.

Still drooling over the Halloween Baltimore Album.  I did like one suggestion of making it bigger.  I don't what a wall hanging, I want something to decorate my bed!  I'll keep drooling and start making a holiday wish list :)

Something very cool...

and I'm going to do this for each year of my blog's existance.  Have it printed out!

Visit this site:  http://blog2print.sharedbook.com/blogworld/printmyblog/index.html

It will cost me about $40 each year for a hard back book, but having a book filled with my pictures and memories is soo cool to share with family and to have documentation on hand.  I was very impress with the preview!

I have no pictures to share today.  I've only living on 2 hours of sleep.  My life is about to take a drastic change over the next few days and unsure when I'll quilt or post again.

My dream one day....

is to make this:



This Halloween Baltimore Album quilt is more specular in person.  I got to see it at Quilt Market and completely forgot about it until Betsy mentioned it the other day.

I need to save up $78 just to purchase this pattern, but I know I will be starting it before the end of the year.