Kitchen Sink Jacket

My kitchen sink jacket  is making progress. I am quilting away on it, though it seems to me that I am not moving as fast as I would like. It is a slow process as I cannot quilt for too long in one sitting. The back is looking good so far and I am trying some different stitches as I work.  Most of the quilting is not visible on the back, but from the inside it does stand out on the lime green fleece lining.

I am hoping to have it done to wear when I head down to Missouri, but we shall see as there still a long way to go on the quilting.  I am about half done with the back and still have both sides of the front to quilt, so it may not be done what with my subbing and other things in life.
I am trying to spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day working on it, but when I sub that can be cut short due to being tired.
Machine quilting is enjoyable, but I tense up my shoulders when I am concentrating and that is hard on this old body. The end result of all this will be that I will have a warm colorful coat to wear, so it is worth it.

UFQs Making Progress

I spent yesterday at a LQS (Local Quilt Shop) working on my UFQs (Un-Finished Quilts) during the Block Buster workshops, both day and evening. During that time I busted me some UFQs.  I had several tops that were done, but needed backs so I set to work cutting backs. I cut 8 backs, and pieced 4.  One of them I did a lot of piece on to make it large enough to fit the quilt.

I turned the four I got the backs pieced on over to the quilter last night and hopefully will have the one I asked for a rush on back by the beginning of February. One of her long arms is down.  They are just all over designs, so no fussy quilting. 

Debbie Caffrey Mystery: Cut to the Chase. Pieced background with Navy and the wavy red strip.

Left over Plaid Quilt with Popcorn Backing.

Debbie Caffrey Mystery: One More Time, with Mardi Gra Fabric borders and backing.

Debbie Caffrey Mystery: Simple, Scrappy, & Sensational with a pastel purple backing.

I spent the rest of the day working on the New Year's Day 2012 Mystery designed by Pam V., which has not become a UFQ.  I had the blocks all sewn and the sashing all sewn, but needed to cut the rest of my corner squares and put it all together. I got to work on the top and almost finished it. I got the top with the inner boarder attached, done before the day was over, and cut the outer border, which is the floral (focal) fabric. The backing is ready to sew, and then it will be off to the quilter. I am hoping to finish it up this week, and drop it by the quilt store on Friday, when she works. If not I will wait until the next Friday or the first Friday in February as there is no rush and she has four others of mine already.  As long as the top and backing are done and waiting for the quilter, it is not a UFQ in my book.  Now once they come back and are waiting for binding they are once again UFQs.  

NYD2012M "Surround"

In the next month I hope to work on the other two mysteries that I have started and I signed up for a Heart Crazies, Buggy Barn class the end of the month.  I think it will make a great gift. Can't say for who without spoiling the surprise, because I do not always know who visits my blog.

Until next time, happy sewing.......

2012 Word of the Year and Goals

Lake in Ireland

I am participating in Quinn McDonald's 30 Day Creativity Practice and Pat Sloan's challenge to pick a word for the year to focus on.  My word for 2012 is    

                        CELEBRATE

Lake in Ireland

I plan to celebrate everyday.. It does not have to be a large celebration or even a major event. I can celebrate that I exercised, or finished a block for a quilt, or even that I just got out of bed that day. It is the fact that I will be focused on the positive each day.  Looking at the bright side of things, and not the negative. If you want to join in go to either Quinn McDonald's http://quinncreative.wordpress.com or Pat Sloan's blog http://blog.patsloan.com/2011/12/pat-sloan-happy-2012.  I also found another blogger who believes in picking a word for the year Ali Edwards  at http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/onelittleword.php and I am thinking of joining her class, One Little Word.  To quote Ali:

"Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2012? It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought, or a feeling, or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.

One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet.

Again, be open to the possibilities."

I also made a list of my goals to focus on in 2012.

• Finish UFQs and try not to add new UFQs, but rather finish projects I start, and this applies to all areas of life, not just quilting, as I have some other unfinished projects I need to finish.
• Simplify and organize, meaning to clear things out that we do not need. Purge things if you will, and pass them on to those who can use them.  This can be as simple as cleaning out a draw in the kitchen, or clearing your closet of clothes you have not worn in the last year.
• Focus on my health, meaning eat right and exercise more.
• Write/Journal, spend more time focusing on my writing and my journals and delving into myself and my creative side. I find I am more focused and sleep better when I write each night before bed, as it clears my head. This includes doing a better job of writing and posting my blog each month.  My ultimate goal is to try to post once a week, but for now I am focusing on once a month and taking it month by month.  I do not know how some people manage to post daily.
• Explore other creative avenues.  I am considering taking a pottery class, or a watercolor class.  There are two books I am planning to read and explore this year.  Quinn McDonald's Raw Art Journaling and Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way.  I have both and have dabbled with them, but I plan to start reading one tonight and take a step forward with exploring this part of me.
• Read and expand my knowledge.  This includes anything from novels to cookbooks, or travel guides. It is the reading that brings me pleasure and increases my knowledge.
• Family, chatting with my cousin this morning we realized that we are the only ones in our family who stay in close touch and even then we are not perfect. I think the connections cracked and it started to fall apart when my grandmother moved to a nursing home and passed away.  Before that her home was the gathering place. 
• Last but not least, is to focus on my word for 2012. CELEBRATE!!

Wow! I did not realize it had been a month since I had last posted on my blog.  I have accomplished quiet a few things over the last month including finishing the tree skirts, one of which is currently residing under my Christmas tree, and making two table runners.






I also finished 15 pot holders for gifts.  DH loves the one I sent my mother and gave my oldest son, little did he know that there were a few in his stocking also. He also dd not know that I found a matching table runner at one of the craft shows and he was the lucky winner.  He was very happy to get them.



I made several table runners for gifts and for myself, in wintery blues that can be used past the Christmas holidays.



I have been busy writing in my journal taking up Quinn McDonald's 30 Day Creative Challenge and working on getting my thoughts in order.



My youngest son arrived home for 12 of leave from his military training.  It is a joyous time.  We decorated Christmas Cookies and are enjoying spending time. We have not seen him since September and have had very few phone calls as they keep a tight reign on them during basic training and AIT.  When he returns home again in February he will be a military policeman in the Army Nation Guard. It is wonderful to have him home.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah

--> which ever you may celebrate. I wish you many blessing in the new year.

Quiltville's Quips & Snips!!: Tools of the Trade for the Serial Quilter!

If you have not read Bonnie's blog today, it is a must read. Not only is there humor, but she has a few new gadgets that are definitely going on my Christmas list this year.

Quiltville's Quips & Snips!!: Tools of the Trade for the Serial Quilter!: A very funny thing happened on the way to --- Doesn’t that line just draw you in? Stories like this have to be good if they start with “A f...