Sneak Peak

This is how I have decided to put great grams quilt blocks together. If you can picture it, the empty spaces will be a plain, solid fabric, actually the same fabric that is around each block. I am hoping it will all look totally awesome when all is said and done. I know dad will love whatever I choose, I on the other hand am my own worst critic!

Now for the long part of the process, sewing a quilt on point like this,

TAKES F O R E V E R !!!!

Enough whining, time to get sewing!

Happy Stitchin

Better Late then Never

I finally have all the the blocks framed. Now to trim. What size??? Well mom would like it to be a queen size quilt or as close to it as possible. Well, hmmmm... What layout am I to use? Sashing? or no sashing?? Here is where MATH comes into play with a large piece of scrap paper and of course a calculator! After a little bit of consulting, some time away from the project and A LOT of MATH, I finally decided on how I am going to lay it out and what size I am going to cut my blocks! YEAH ME!! but am I sure? do I really want to do it that way? will it be to much of the background??? the doubts are creaping in. Not a good thing.

So I had a little conversation with myself, nothing to be alarmed over, it happens. "Self, get over yourself! Just do it already!!!!" Well whats a person supposed to do? GET OVER IT! So off to trimming I went!

And here is the pile of the trimmings. There is probably a good yard of WASTE fabric there -- give or take. And yes it A L L went into the garbage!! I know shocker! Right?!?!?!? (Dad would be so proud of me for doing this. However, he would add, Now that I am on a roll, get rid of MORE!) Gotta love him!

And wahlah! here is the pile of all the blocks framed and trimmed to all the same size. Now to cut the fabric so that I can lay it out and get to sewing.

Happy times!

Not so Surprise!

Long story short -- These blocks were made by my great grandmother and after all was said and done, I ended up with them to make them into a quilt -- for my dad. and yes he knows --hence the Not so surprised.

It has taken me a long while to figure out what to do with them. I have consulted many different quilters and read many different articles and was still confused. Why? Well you see, they are all just a smidgen off of being all the same size, some have been washed while others weren't, the fabric on the edges were so frayed that I would need to trim so much off to get to good usable fabric that I would cut off points UGG and they are 1/8th inch seams. sigh............

So here is what I have decided to do. Trim them all to where there is good usable fabric. Border them all so that I can then trim them all to the same size! And yes I will use 1/4" seams which will mean, NO points to any of the blocks - which really bothers the professional seamstress in me. In this case, I would rather be safe than sorry. So here goes..... Unfortunately, I didn't think to take pics before all this started, so here we are -- its like starting a movie a half hour into it and missing some vital info. oh well.

I absolutely LOVE this block! It's the only one hand pieced! Ya! Not in MY life time!


I love how she has used whatever to make the piece so that it fits -- two different greens

In this one, the 2 blues and then the one corner triangle is different from the rest

Check out all of the little pieces in the pink

Here she almost matched up perfectly the lines in the plaid - AWESOME! Did you happen to notice the teeny tiny triangle in the very corner. This won't even be seen when all is said and done.

The green stripe must have been an old shirt, I am assuming, because it looks like she has sewn up the holes? I could totally be wrong, but that's my thinking and I'm sticking to it.

There are 4 different fabrics in this one.

I love the fact that this one has a stain on it -- center blue square.

This one just tickles my fancy! That one corner square that's so different!

Backside of one of the blocks with the teeny tiny seams.

And here we are in the process of getting "framed".

And the sewing continues!

overwhelmed

I have gained quite the collection of fabric over the years, especially since I worked at a quilt store for a number of years. Well it is truly OUT OF CONTROL! When we closed the store I brought a bunch of fabric home which made my collection even M O R E..... Some for me and A LOT for my boss; for the following: 1) because I still have a bunch of quilts that I am sewing for her and they need backs and pillows and cases - and 2) Her husband said that she couldn't bring anymore fabric home -- she had enough! YA RIGHT!?!?!

Well anyways, I tend to hang onto my scraps -- to a degree,-- that they seem to have multiplied like @*%# BUNNIES! I paid good money for all of my fabric and worked even harder for it. The price keeps going up and up and up -- almost 10$ or more a yard now for good quality fabric. Yes I have become a fabric snob! I won't be able to buy new unless Wayne wins the lotto, so I hang onto my fabric. It is bordering on hoarders. I look at it as I have a 2 year supply for E V E R Y O N E in my family! hahaha However, I can't find anything to finish my PHD's because the rest of the fabric is buried at the bottom of the pile. uuggghhh.....

And lets be serious, I have more than enough tops then what my kids will like to last their grandchildren a lifetime.

On one hand, I can't throw those usable pieces away -- look at all of the beautiful scrap quilts that get made and were made back in my grandparents and greats day. But, on the other hand, I have a real serious issue in making scrappy quilts! I don't know what it is -- it is truly hard for me???? And on the other hand, I could clear out a fair amount of space if I got rid of them. But on the other hand -- price per yard..... And on the other hand, I have P L E N T Y of kits and groupings of fabric to last me a good 5 lifetimes or more. But,...............see vicious cycle.

I have given a very few limited quilts as gifts, and let me tell you, for me, it isn't easy. There is atleast one that I wish that I could reposes and a few that are still on the fence. There is even one that I made but never gave to the people, because HE turned into a #1 A class JERK! They aren't a cheap easy gift. They are an expensive timely heirloom gift, to be used and loved -- not thrown in the corner for the dogs to lay on and chew, or to be thrown on the garage floor to set the greasy engine block on while you are rebuilding you vehicle -- and yes these things have happened but fortunately not to me.

I have sold a few and have made a few for customers. Well let me tell you my issues with these. I live in UT where ALOT of people make their own. Alot of us have a "I can make that myself for a whole lot cheaper" attitude and mentality. So in essence, no one around here, unless they have money and don't sew, won't pay me what I am worth. I would have to try to sell my quilts out of state -- which with the internet, shouldn't be to hard -- if you are computer knowledgeable which isn't me. Also, after you/I spend so much money on fabric and time to make the quilt, get it quilted and then bind it, it is really tough to want to sell them. Alot of them, there are stories involved with them -- the memories, struggles, retreats, classes, new pattern or procedures, class demonstrations, friendships, THERAPY that are involved, and for me that is hard to want to let go of. I will admit, I have some that aren't my favorite and I could let them go in a heart beat -- if it weren't for those bloomin stories! Some day.......

So back to my scraps, in trying to get some of my PHD's done, I have made a big mess in trying to find the scraps at the bottom of the pile, 3 piles back to finish the top. In doing so I get seriously side tracked! I end up making a bigger mess in trying to tame my mess. You should have seen me going through the bags and boxes -- do I really need to keep something this small? At about 3 in the morning I had gotten rid of as in thrown away 2 small garbage cans full of junk as in non usable scraps that I had been hanging onto! WHY?? I truly don't know, but they are gone now! and what a nice feeling that is. In the middle of all of this, I am moving piles of yardage from one side to the other and back again trying to make sense of it all -- this is still in the works, can't put that away yet, or, this goes with that other fabric, better keep it out so that I remember, or sheesh, there is enough leftovers I could make a whole nother quilt with it, or I start thinking this would be really cute made up in this pattern - lets see if I have enough to make it? and sew on and sew on.....some SERIOUS SIDETRACKING GOING ON! I don't want to, well I DO want to make new projects because they are a lot more fun and alot of the fabric is easier to get to, BUT I am trying and needing to finish the older ones. sigh............ I know that IF I can ever get a handle on my scraps and learn to make SCRAP quilts, life will be easier...or atleast in my sewing floor. Oh seriously, who am I kiddin????????

So I guess, back to the madness!!!!!!!

Trials and WHINING!!

Just a note of warning -- whining is going to happen.

Today I took Kylees xrays with me to my local back quack to have a consult and an adjustment. The consult was first. He looks at the xrays, and tells me this isn't good, it has definetly gotten worse. I can help here and here, but here I can't do anything to help this area. This will need a specialist and more than likely surgery. LOVELY! As of this evening, I still haven't heard from her doc. Her xray was taken 2 weeks ago! Frustrating to say the least.

Understandably I am bummed.

For quite a while now, my eldest son has been on my mind - more than normal. I went to the store where he works in the deli to see him. Unfortunately he wasn't there. His recent current exgirlfriend was working. She is highly concerned about Andy. WHY?? "He's really depressed and I am really worried at what he might do!" Yeah thats comforting news every mother wants to hear. I don't know how to help him nor would he accept anything from me.

So HIGHLY emotional at the moment.

K Lord, I need a break from all of these trials you think I can handle. Not doing such a good job at the moment. I am so selfish at times. My trials aren't as bad as others, but are worse then some. I shouldn't complain and normally I don't. I am just throwing a pity party for one at the moment -- or until I can get the emotions back undercontrol. I just would like to know what to do and how to handle EVERY LITTLE BIT! Will be adding my car to my prayers, that it will last for a lot longer, especially since we will be needing to go up to Primarys and that Wayne will stay healthy enough to be able to work, that his bloomin truck will stop breaking down and stop costing us income. Why is it when theres light at the end of the financial tunnel a cave in always, always happen in some form or another? And it's not even the holiday season yet! We are starting early this year.

sigh................
enough is enough!

Pre Testing

We just went to the elementary school to do the testing for Kindergarten. Boy do I feel like a failure as a parent! AJ is a little undeveloped in this learning and unfortunately I/we haven't spent the time with him like the other children. I feel horrible. I have known about this for a while and haven't taken the time. My mistake! Time to turn off the tv and back away from the computer and my sewing room.

That Boy!?!?!?!

So AJ is 5 and he may not live much longer than that! Why? you might ask? Because I just might rrrrrr...... I'm sure you can finish that sentence that EVERY parents says in times of E X T R E M E frustration!
He has walked to the local C store which houses a Burger King also, with the neighbors a time or two. It really is fairly close to us -- just up and around the corner. Well, yesterday, he decides that I don't have enough snacks in the house or the right ones. He gets his piggy bank and gets money from it and puts the handful of coins in a ziplock bag. He comes downstairs to me and asks if I could zip it up. I do, not thinking too much of it at the moment -- MY MISTAKE! After a short amount of time, the brain kicks in (and its quiet too) Where's AJ? Wayne looks for him. No where in the house. No where in the yard or in any of the neighbors yard where he likes to hang out. On further examination, he went out the kitchen door to the garage and out the garage door. The little sneak!

I went outside and whistled and whistled. No response. Waynes throws on his shoes and grabs his keys and has this awful feeling that he has gone up to the C store. AJ also has had issues crossing the street this summer -- but thats another story. Wayne heads up there and there he was looking at the GrannyB's cookies! As soon as AJ saw dad, he knew that he was in
T R O U B L E ! ! ! ! !

HE WANTED A COOKIE! and come hell or high water, HE was going to get one!

On the up side, atleast he knew he needed money! and yes he is still alive and pouting and sad.

TEASE!!

Look at this fun group of fabrics!! What to create? what to create??

I know!

How about a new pattern/quilt for Konda from Moose on the Porch!

Yeah! Now thats the ticket!













All cut up and ready to sew, sew, sew!


In a variety of steps!

Thats all folks! or atleast until it gets published! waaahhhaaaaa......

Care to make any guesses on how you think it might turn out???

hmmmmm..

been up to????

When I finally got back in the mood to sew, if I don't have a migraine -- I have had this waiting for me, (along with a ton of old projects for the store that is now closed, opps!) .

I set these embroidered blocks together. This gal is a hoot. She has said that she only has time left in her life to do 3 of these. She hand quilts them!! This is the second one that I have put together for her -- one more to go. You should have seen the first one! The border, sashing material was SATIN!! It was a nightmare -- for me!! She called up her neice (a neighorbor where I grew up) and told her how much she LOVED my workmanship and how beautiful it is -- again! It was all funny.

the finished room

This is how the "large" dining room now looks with the new to me furniture in it. Its a wee bit crowded, but I LOVE IT!

It's wonderful to have a place for table cloths, placemats and all sorts of other hidden away hardly ever used items. AND it is nice to be able to sit on a chair and not having to worry if it will fall on you as soon as the butt cheeks touch. Thats a bonus just right there!

It was like Christmas all over again. What fun!

The birthday boy with his brothers. All are so handsome!

The only thing that he said that he wanted was a "BLUE MONSTER TRUCK".

Scratching my head wondering why? how come? where? and all of those other questions.....

After this gift, he was wanting to go ICE fishing in Salem pond right then and there. Yeah its about 6 or 7 oclock in the brrr flippin dark cold. Yeah that would be -- lets all hurry and bundle up, get all our lanterns and flashlights and rush to the pond -- NOT!!!

Love this -- THE POSE!

Don't ask.?.?.?.?..??.....

Don't know?

Since last August, Kylees birthday, all that he has wanted for his birthday cake was a "Cheese burger cake and fries" cake. So being the good parents that we are, we got him a Cheese burger and fries cake!

So this is the baby, AJ age 5 and is 45" tall!?!?! It won't be long before he is taller than both of his older sisters....

too cute for words

Isn't this just so cute?? The iddy biddy kid table in the middle of such a large room?

This is what I get to put in my large room. Isn't it just absolute gorgeous!!!

Heres a lil peek at the underneath side.

AND this too!!!

Can't Wait.........

Yes its used, ok, VINTAGE and there are some bangs and dings and don't forget about the squeaky chairs, but it is even more nice than the previous table and chairs that I had.

I finally have my table, chairs and buffet! Woot Woot. My dining room that seemed so large yesterday morning, really isn't and it doesn't echo either. I am going to have to do some rearranging to see if I can get some walking room around and to everything. hmmmm

I would love to post pics but one teansy weansy lil problem -- my computer won't read my camera memory card. K that might be a BIG problem. sigh...... If it isn't one thing, it's something else.

life

Sigh..... Why is it some people always seem to have it hard - no matter what they do? Just when we were just to round the last bend, again, so that we could see the light at the end of the tunnel.... the great bird of life comes along and has a bad case of the runs. It makes me nauseous just thinking about it. You try to live right and do the things that your counseled to do, but how can you afford that? I know, the Lord will provide for those with a true heart, but it sure is hard at times..... How many "caveins" can one person handle and not have a breakdown???

ECHO ECHo ECho Echo echo ech ec e .....

Here I sit in my mostly empty dining room anxiously awaiting my NEW to me table, chairs and buffet!!!! It's amazing how much it echoes in here by just removing a few pieces of furniture. It bugged AJ so much that he had to put this itty bitty kids table and 2 chairs in the middle of the floor with a table cloth on it.

The biggest decisions that I have to make is WHERE O WHERE am I going to put the boxes of toys that have found their way in here and the book shelf???? sigh.............. Then I will need to move my bakers rack, clean the floor and then I am ready for the big move in!! WOO HOO!! Being magic at a time like this would be really helpful OR having AJ's unlimited abundance of energy -- one or the other, I'm not greedy or pickey.

In other words, I haven't done a whole lot of therapy (aka sewing) since.....well....forever it seems -- okay OCTOBER! Yes, now that I think about it -- that is forever! What with my machine being in the shop -- 3 different times, the holidays, being deathly sick for months, the store closing and now rearranging rooms. I am going to have to dust off and oil my baby before I even sew a stitch. May she forgive me.

Sad times

This economy really bites! It really does take money to make money and to the devil with the little mom and pops stores that aren't necessarily in it for the money, but more for the customers and the service.

The quilts store where I have been working well PLAYING for the last 3 years is closing its doors at the end of the month. It's not a surprise to me, but it still throws us all for a loop.

I have some pretty awesome friends because of the quilting world and from that store that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It's just hard, almost like losing a member of the family.

I guess the mad crazy dash to hurry and get a schedule made and the displays to go with can be put off..... ;(