Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Off to a Good Start
I guess posting my goals online really helped with my motivation!
I've already finished the circle quilt top, trimmed the Red Barn quilt and cut the binding, and I have the Feeling Stitchy swap buttons planned and on the hoop.
It's a good thing I have this strong start - we are going on a ski trip at the end of the month and it is amazing to me how quickly that will be here. Planning and packing seems to be a lot more complicated when you throw a 3-month-old into the mix!
I've already finished the circle quilt top, trimmed the Red Barn quilt and cut the binding, and I have the Feeling Stitchy swap buttons planned and on the hoop.
It's a good thing I have this strong start - we are going on a ski trip at the end of the month and it is amazing to me how quickly that will be here. Planning and packing seems to be a lot more complicated when you throw a 3-month-old into the mix!
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
March Already
I feel like I have a new appreciation for the expression "time flies" now that I am watching my baby grow. It is hard to believe my little boy is already two months old! The days go by so quickly, and I never do everything I think I can accomplish looking ahead each morning.
For example, I only have a few seams left on the circle quilt but these strips have been sitting here for over a week waiting to get sewn together.
I also got the Red Barn quilt back from the quilters and it is waiting to be trimmed and bound. Of course, everything that was stored in the nursery is now stored in the guest room where this quilt will live, so I have a little work to do to make the bed ready for its new covering!
To give me a little more crafting motivation - to get back on the horse, so to speak - I joined the button swap at Feeling Stitchy. I can't wait to get to work!
In the spirit of looking ahead, I think I will post some March goals. I am keeping them quite simple, because my to do list often gets filled with baby snuggles - and laundry! - instead of sewing time.
March Goals:
1. Buttons for swap - finished and mailed on time!
2. Finish circle quilt top.
3. Bind Red Barn quilt.
4. Pick up guest room enough to make the bed!
Administrative Note: I've upgraded to threaded comments! From now on I will be replying in the comments, and it will show up tied to the original comment on that post. If you include your email when you comment I believe you should be notified that I've replied. Hopefully it works smoothly!
For example, I only have a few seams left on the circle quilt but these strips have been sitting here for over a week waiting to get sewn together.
I also got the Red Barn quilt back from the quilters and it is waiting to be trimmed and bound. Of course, everything that was stored in the nursery is now stored in the guest room where this quilt will live, so I have a little work to do to make the bed ready for its new covering!
To give me a little more crafting motivation - to get back on the horse, so to speak - I joined the button swap at Feeling Stitchy. I can't wait to get to work!
In the spirit of looking ahead, I think I will post some March goals. I am keeping them quite simple, because my to do list often gets filled with baby snuggles - and laundry! - instead of sewing time.
March Goals:
1. Buttons for swap - finished and mailed on time!
2. Finish circle quilt top.
3. Bind Red Barn quilt.
4. Pick up guest room enough to make the bed!
Administrative Note: I've upgraded to threaded comments! From now on I will be replying in the comments, and it will show up tied to the original comment on that post. If you include your email when you comment I believe you should be notified that I've replied. Hopefully it works smoothly!
Labels: monthly goals, quilting, sewing, swaps, wip
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Back at It
Ben is taking naps pretty well in his crib now, so I find myself with my hands free and able to spend some time in my craft room!
After some much needed straightening up, I got back to work on the circle quilt for Ben's room. I can't wait to get this quilt done! Of course, this is never far from my side:
(We love our monitor, by the way, if you happen to be in the market...)
After some much needed straightening up, I got back to work on the circle quilt for Ben's room. I can't wait to get this quilt done! Of course, this is never far from my side:
(We love our monitor, by the way, if you happen to be in the market...)
Monday, December 28, 2009
Two Thirds
I estimate I am about 2/3 done with this stocking now... As long as I don't put it away again, I can pretty much guarantee it will be ready for Christmas 2010!
Labels: needlework, wip
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
More WIP's
Rather than joining Jacquie's push to finish WIP's, I keep coming up with more. I'm working on a table runner for our Thanksgiving table and doodling for a long overdue wedding sampler. The flowers are part of my fall decorations, hopefully everything will be cozy for our feast on Thursday!
Labels: wip
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Couch Time
It is getting harder and harder to motivate myself to get off the couch and go into my sewing room. When is this fabled nesting supposed to happen? With all the motivation to finish projects and deep clean? Haven't experienced that yet. Instead I've just been propping my feet up and resting my cross stitch frame on my big belly and stitching. Books on my iPhone make this especially enjoyable. I still don't think I'll be finishing this stocking by this Christmas, but maybe I'll surprise myself!
Labels: needlework, wip
Thursday, November 12, 2009
TV Work
I always have good intentions to work on a hand-stitching project while watching TV in the evenings, yet it never seems to happen. Finally I'm doing better, since I have several projects in the works. I'm slowly growing my granny square blankie - I made some progress on the plane to and from my conference last month. I'm also planning to get back out the cross-stitch stockings I've had kits for since my husband and I got married. I guess they won't be done by this Christmas, either...
Labels: knit/crochet, wip
Friday, November 06, 2009
Cutting Circles
This is a little more difficult than I anticipated. Luckily, I am taking Liz's suggestion to do raw edges on the circles so perfect cuts aren't as critical. I am so excited to see this quilt start to come together... I'm sure you'll get sick of the in progress shots so I'll try to keep myself under control!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Pinned & Ready
The Rainbow Sherbet quilt top is basted! Since this is going to be a lap quilt instead of a bed quilt, I'm quilting it to fleece, of course. I wanted a pale orange fleece but ended up with this blue, which I still love. I don't think I'll be able to wait until the baby arrives to cuddle under it. I promise this is the last tease of this quilt, I won't torture you with it again until it's done! (My iPhone sneaked into the picture - I play books on it while I'm working on basting, helps with motivation!)
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Improvising
I have long wanted a quilt design wall, but do not have an open wall in my sewing room to accommodate such a thing, even temporarily. What I do have is a wonderful, huge set of Ikea shelving with doors - basically a big wall!
Why didn't I think of this before? For now I'm using some spare batting to arrange my Rainbow Sherbet quilt. It's just taped to the top of the shelves, and I can roll it up (quilt blocks in place) if I need to put it away for a little while. Perfect!!
Why didn't I think of this before? For now I'm using some spare batting to arrange my Rainbow Sherbet quilt. It's just taped to the top of the shelves, and I can roll it up (quilt blocks in place) if I need to put it away for a little while. Perfect!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Slow Progress
This once a week posting is really not my intention. The crafting is happening, the photos are even happening, but making it to a published blog post seems to be the missing step...
Over the weekend I did get a good amount of time in my sewing room. The strips for the Red Barn quilt along are slowly being pieced together and I'm getting my sewing chair back. I have about five more sets of strips to sew together, then cut all the blocks. I'm a little worried about arranging all these for the top. Any suggestions for arranging a queen-sized quilt without a quilt wall?? I don't think I have any floor space big enough!
Over the weekend I did get a good amount of time in my sewing room. The strips for the Red Barn quilt along are slowly being pieced together and I'm getting my sewing chair back. I have about five more sets of strips to sew together, then cut all the blocks. I'm a little worried about arranging all these for the top. Any suggestions for arranging a queen-sized quilt without a quilt wall?? I don't think I have any floor space big enough!
Monday, October 05, 2009
Step Two
The QBB quilts are quilted! And gorgeous. Carolyn did an amazing job. I got the binding machine-sewn on this weekend and my mom will hand-sew two and I'll do one. They should be easily done in time for my mother-in-law to deliver to the Quilt Show next week. I love this teamwork approach to quilting!
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Sneak Peek
Thanks for all the book recommendations yesterday! In addition to reading the "classic" Interview with a Vampire, I spent a little time in my sewing room.
I made some progress on the piecing for the Rainbow Sherbet quilt top. We're not actually going to have a twin bed in the nursery after all (the room is too small) but this will make a great cuddle blankie in the rocker. Finishing this top was on my September Goals list, needless to say it isn't finished on time!
I also got started on my Grandma's handbag, another unfinished September goal... My grandma always requests colorful fabrics, I think these fit the bill! After the bright Sherbet quilt fabrics, I'm loving the more muted colors.
Monthly Goals
Hard to believe another month has gone by! My October list is primarily finishing up my September goals...
1. Finish Gma's handbag.
2. Bind and label QBB quilts.
3. Finish Rainbow Sherbet quilt - top, quilting, binding, the works!
4. Finish Red Barn quilt top.
September Goals:
1. Family Projects - Karyn's necklace & Gma's handbag.
2. Three quilt tops for Quilts Beyond Borders.
3. Red Barn quilt-along quilt top done. Nope.
4. Rainbow sherbet quilt top done. Nope.
Let's see if I can do a little better this month!
I made some progress on the piecing for the Rainbow Sherbet quilt top. We're not actually going to have a twin bed in the nursery after all (the room is too small) but this will make a great cuddle blankie in the rocker. Finishing this top was on my September Goals list, needless to say it isn't finished on time!
I also got started on my Grandma's handbag, another unfinished September goal... My grandma always requests colorful fabrics, I think these fit the bill! After the bright Sherbet quilt fabrics, I'm loving the more muted colors.
Monthly Goals
Hard to believe another month has gone by! My October list is primarily finishing up my September goals...
1. Finish Gma's handbag.
2. Bind and label QBB quilts.
3. Finish Rainbow Sherbet quilt - top, quilting, binding, the works!
4. Finish Red Barn quilt top.
September Goals:
1. Family Projects - Karyn's necklace & Gma's handbag.
2. Three quilt tops for Quilts Beyond Borders.
3. Red Barn quilt-along quilt top done. Nope.
4. Rainbow sherbet quilt top done. Nope.
Let's see if I can do a little better this month!
Labels: monthly goals, quilting, sewing, wip
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
September, Already?
I can't believe it's already September! Since I did so well holding myself accountable for my August goals, I'm doing the same thing for September...
1. Family Projects - Karyn's necklace & Gma's handbag.
2. Three (yes, 3) quilt tops for Quilts Beyond Borders.
3. Red Barn quilt-along quilt top done & to the quilters (I'm outsourcing the quilting on this one).
4. Rainbow sherbet quilt top. That's what I'm calling the nursery quilt for now...
In addition, we also plan to get the nursery painted and are going out of town for the long Labor Day weekend. It's going to be a busy month!
August Goals:
1. How-to's for baby blankies and quilt labels are done.
2. Flutterby quilt is finished.
3. Rainbow sherbet fabric is cut!
4. Nine patches are done.
1. Family Projects - Karyn's necklace & Gma's handbag.
2. Three (yes, 3) quilt tops for Quilts Beyond Borders.
3. Red Barn quilt-along quilt top done & to the quilters (I'm outsourcing the quilting on this one).
4. Rainbow sherbet quilt top. That's what I'm calling the nursery quilt for now...
In addition, we also plan to get the nursery painted and are going out of town for the long Labor Day weekend. It's going to be a busy month!
August Goals:
1. How-to's for baby blankies and quilt labels are done.
2. Flutterby quilt is finished.
3. Rainbow sherbet fabric is cut!
4. Nine patches are done.
Labels: monthly goals, wip
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Drowning in Strips
I have all the strips for the Red Barn quilt along matched up and ready to sew. I don't even want to think about how many 44" seams this will require. That's what I get for deciding to make this a queen-sized quilt! Maybe it's time to test out that on/off button on my new machine instead of using the foot pedal...
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Next Twenty
I finally finished my blocks for the 9-patch along. I have all the border squares cut to finish the tops but will probably put this on hold for more pressing August projects. I'm loving this so far!
Friday, August 07, 2009
August Goals
I know we're already a week into August, but in the spirit of accountability and crossing things off my to-do list, I wanted to post my August goals. I never get as much done as I want to, so I'm going to try to keep it fairly simple this month!
1. Catch up on a couple bloggy things - mainly my baby blankie tutorial and how I do my quilt labels.
2. Finish my flutterby quilt. I can't believe I've had the top done since February.
3. Get the pieces cut for the quilt using this fabric. It is for the twin bed we hope to have in the nursery.
4. Finish the other 11 nine-patches for this set.
Bonus goals: More progress on the Red Barn quilt and a custom order necklace for my aunt. But that might be ambitious!
1. Catch up on a couple bloggy things - mainly my baby blankie tutorial and how I do my quilt labels.
2. Finish my flutterby quilt. I can't believe I've had the top done since February.
3. Get the pieces cut for the quilt using this fabric. It is for the twin bed we hope to have in the nursery.
4. Finish the other 11 nine-patches for this set.
Bonus goals: More progress on the Red Barn quilt and a custom order necklace for my aunt. But that might be ambitious!
Labels: monthly goals, wip
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Catching Up
I've started working on my blocks for the Old Red Barn quilt-along but I am definitely not close to the finished quilt top! I thought it was an appropriate project to break in my new machine. I actually ended up doing five strips instead of six - it was an accident at first but I like the way it looks. I'm hoping the cohesiveness of this quilt comes together as I finish more blocks - since these all use different fabrics I think it looks a little too random. I still have high hopes, because I do love all the fabrics!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Re-Learning
I wanted to get started on the granny square blankie and realized I didn't really remember how to crochet. It's been a while! Thankfully there are some decent videos online and I have a few books, so that all helped jog my memory. This is my little practice square:
I switched to a smaller hook and got started on my blankie. I can't wait to see it when I get into the 2nd round of each color - I have that green to do after this turquoise which I think will tie nicely back into the center chocolate brown.
There needs to be a little more balance to all those warm colors in the middle but hopefully the green will help. I think it's going to be really pretty!
I switched to a smaller hook and got started on my blankie. I can't wait to see it when I get into the 2nd round of each color - I have that green to do after this turquoise which I think will tie nicely back into the center chocolate brown.
There needs to be a little more balance to all those warm colors in the middle but hopefully the green will help. I think it's going to be really pretty!
Labels: knit/crochet, wip
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Nine of Twenty
Nine of my second set of twenty nine-patches finished this weekend. I also got a good start on the granny square project but can't get a good picture of it. Combine that little bit of crafting with actually changing the sheets on our bed, having a very clean kitchen, and getting caught up on other laundry, and this was by far the most productive weekend I've had in ages!
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
My Big WIP
I actually had another post planned yesterday before I found out about Dana's giveaway! Some of you may have guessed, but I actually do have a big project in the works that I can finally share.
Baby Mikke, due January 20, 2010.
Now that this little one is sapping a bit less of my energy, hopefully crafting and blogging will return to normal. Which is a good thing - I have quite a list of projects planned before January! (And won't that be more fun on my new toy!)
Baby Mikke, due January 20, 2010.
Now that this little one is sapping a bit less of my energy, hopefully crafting and blogging will return to normal. Which is a good thing - I have quite a list of projects planned before January! (And won't that be more fun on my new toy!)
Monday, July 06, 2009
Just What I Need
Another WIP. Are you tired of these photos of craft supplies instead of actual finished projects? I don't blame you. As my sister said, "But your last post was just a pile of fabric!" Tomorrow's post is another work-in-progress but then hopefully the finished projects will be more common! Anyway, I couldn't resist picking up some yarn to do a giant granny square blankie. Loving these rich colors.
Labels: knit/crochet, wip
Sunday, July 05, 2009
A Little Progress
I didn't have the productive long weekend that I had hoped for but I did get the wedding quilt quilted and the binding is ready to hand sew. As for the rest of the weekend, I will allow Hitch to demonstrate our level of activity...
Remember our sweet little black kitty? Yeah, he grew a little!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Motivation
The lack of posting here is directly related to the lack of crafting going on at my house. But the arrival of this fabric in the mail is good motivation to finish up my other quilting projects so I can start on this new project! I have five in-progress quilts and I hope to finish up as many as I can before we go on vacation in mid-July. We'll see if that's overly ambitious!!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Change of Plans
Only a few lines of quilting done on the wedding quilt despite big plans...
Admiring pretty roses brought home from a work dinner.
Fun summer reading on the nightstand.
Sorry to disappear on you there. Instead of a productive weekend of quilting and blankie-tutorial-making I ended up on the couch for two days and then headed off to a work conference. Then this weekend we traded craft time for socializing - not a bad trade but it didn't leave any time for sewing! I tend to forget how busy summer can be. I might still be in and out for a few weeks but I won't go too far!
Labels: wip