Wow! It's November already

I can't believe that it is November!  It doesn't seem like two years ago that we started planning our guild's quilt show.  It was last weekend and it was, I say modestly since I was the chair, a great success.  My committee was wonderful and worked very hard.  The quilts were just stunning as usual.  The Small Quilt Auction and Silent Auction were very profitable.  The Peony Shop (items made and/or donated by our members) was very popular.  Isn't it funny how you work and plan for something for a long time (Christmas, a party, etc.) and all of a sudden you are looking back on it?

My  friend Aljean (we've known each other since her youngest and my oldest were in preschool and they are both turning 40 this year!) came last week and worked her tail off.  Her flights were delayed and she didn't get here in time to watch the judging but she did get to help with setup, hanging, white gloving and takedown.  I told her I would work her if she came.  Boy was she surprised!  I don't think anyone realizes how much work it is to plan and carry out a quilt show until you actually take part in it.  She left on Friday to go visit her sister in California and to get some much needed rest.


Actually while she was here we did get quite a bit accomplished.  She finished a jelly roll quilt top that is quite stunning.  She left it for Jennifer to quilt.  She also made the back for a top she brought with her and we got that over to Paul to quilt.  Her grandaughter who is living in Indy for the next three years while her husband is in law school will bind both of them for her when they are quilted.  I finished quilting my Debbie Bowles quilt and sewed on binding and sleeve.  No time to stitch down the binding but I hope to do that this week.  It was my October UFO for Judy Laquidara's UFO Challenge so my finish will be close.  

I have also been knitting - I have finished one scarf for Special Olympics and am working on the second one. The color in the picture isn't great - it is red and blue. Here is the link for the patterns in case anyone is interested in making one or two (http://www.scarvesforspecialolympics.org/).  They are easy patterns and go very quickly.  I also bought more yarn (just what I need!!!) yesterday when Jen and the kids and I went to Threads of Time Quilt Shop and Retreat Center in Danville, IL.  It is a dangerous place for me as they have a yarn store in the middle of the shop.  Jenna picked out some pink yarn for a hat which shouldn't take me too long.


On Wednesday, Aljean and I went to stitch group.  I finally got to work on Jen and Mike's wedding announcement (I should finish it soon as they were married 11 years yesterday) again.  I had put it aside for the last couple of weeks while working on the show.  While at Needle Fever

I picked up a quickie project that I did one day since I had forgotten my huge bag of floss (talk about a senior moment!) and wanted something to work on.  Karen framed it for me and did a great job.


I plan to get into my sewing room today and get packed up for our bee workday tomorrow.  We are going to do a jelly roll challenge.  I sewed my strips together when I had my weekly sewing day with Kathy and Kay on Thursday so I am ready to go.  Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Last weekend was the Shipshewanna retreat.  Jen, Kathy, Loralei and I went last year and had a great time.  We sewed with Judy Laquidara and made some new friends and really enjoyed ourselves.  We had to miss this year because of the quilt show but have already printed out our forms for next year.  Can't wait to go back to Lolly's again - their bargain basement is larger than a lot of quilt shops I have been in.


In addition to everything else that has been going on I have been keeping my boss's dog Yukon for the last week and a half while she and her husband have been at Quilt Market (Whimiscals)

and then on a cruise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.  He is a lot of fun and Jenna has absolutely fallen in love with him.  Next Wednesday morning will be a sad day when she gets her in the morning before school and he is gone.  She knows he will be going home but I know how much she will miss him.

Can you tell that I finally figured out how to link websites to my blog?  Amazing for an old lady!  Hope you have a good week and gets lots accomplished!

Question?

I was just updating my 2011 Project List and I'm really pleased with the progress that I have made.  In addition to the completions from it, I have done several other projects.  Yesterday, I laid out my blue stars blocks that I have been working on with Kay for at least a year.  I was delighted to find out that I have two complete segments and three partial segments (out of 15) to complete.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

My questions is this:  I have finished the top of the snowman quilt that I started a year ago at the Shipshewanna retreat.  The only problem is that I used a SewFine pencil to mark the words for embroidery and now I can't get the pencil marks to go away.  Any suggestions?  I have tried the SewFine liquid mixed with water and also the SewFine eraser - both with no luck.  I don't know if I can wash the top as the snowmen have wool eyes, noses and mouths.  I am afraid they will run like crazy.  Also I did the embroidery with black floss and I am concerned that it might run also.  I guess one option would be to take off the embroidered strip, do a more careful job of marking and re-embroider the words.  Obviously, that is not my first choice.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Have a great weekend - the weather here is very nice - warm, dry and no humidity although I am ready for cooler weather.  :)

Another One Done!!!

I am delighted to report that I finished my UFO for September - actually two days early!  Here is a picture of it taken early in the morning (see my socks but not my nightshirt - thanks Jen!) so the lighting wasn't the greatest:

I have completed seven UFOs so far this year and hope to get at least one or two more done.

Have a great weekend.

Carol

A Strange Noise

I am sitting here tonight stitching (a really cute, quick project), watching the Colts game and listening to it rain. Yes it is really raining!  It rained some yesterday, overnight and a good part of today.  We are so far behind on rain and this is good.  Up until a few minutes ago it was a nice steady rain - now it is coming down pretty heavily.  Don't get me wrong - I am not complaining at all!!  I just wish I could send some of this rain down to Texas.  It is so bad down there - they need rain much worse than we do.

I  have a few pictures to post.  I don't know where the time goes.  My summer was busy.  I don't know if I have mentioned that I am chairing my guild's quilt show which is October 28 and 29.  It has not been a  terribly difficult job as I have a wonderful committee that is working very hard and doing their jobs very well.  I still have to keep up with all that is going on, answer questions and make some decisions.

Here are a couple of  pictures of our guild's raffle quilt:

"Batik Bouquet"

Closeup of center applique

It was made by one of the bees in the guild.  Didn't they do a marvelous job?  It is all batiks and the center is hand appliqued.  In case you want a chance to own this quilt, let me know.  Tickets are $1 each or 6/$5.  The drawing will be at our guild meeting in November so you have plenty of time to get tickets.

I continue to keep busy knitting and stitching as well as quilting.  Here are a couple of pictures of recently finished projects:

Jen did a nice job of quilting this one

For Susan's birthday in memory of her dog

Socks for Susan and a dishcloth for Ann

I am also mentoring Lois' great niece for her Senior Project.  She chose quilting so we have been working together for a few months now on her quilt.  She had never quilted before she started so it has been quite a learning experience for her.  She now has her top assembled and today we sandwiched it and she marked it for quilting.  She is using fabric from Lois' stash which I think would please Lois greatly.  I'll post pictures when she finishes.

In addition, I am now working part time for Terri Degenkolb, the owner of Whimsicals (www.whimsicalquilts.com).  She lives in Noblesville (about 45 minutes from my house) and works out of her home.  She is a great designer - she produces two fabric lines and at least two books each year.  I am helping with lots of things - taking orders, packing and shipping orders, web site, cutting fabric, invoicing, etc.  We have a good time together and I really enjoy it.

Well, the game is getting exciting and I usually don't get very excited about football games so I'll go for now.

July UFO Challenge

Well, I didn't get around to posting my June finish (two snowman pillows) and I don't have a picture of them yet but I do have a picture of my July finish.  I bought this kit at 50% and thought it would be fun (read easy) to do since there was not matching of points, etc.  Well, guess what?  It is done and I don't think I will do it again.  It took forever to cut out all those strips and some were quite narrow (cutting is not my favorite part of a project).  Then I started sewing them together - I tried to be as careful as possible with the 1/4" seams and I think I did pretty well but it seemed like I just sewed and sewed and sewed.  When I got it all together I decided that I would quilt it myself.  I stitched in the ditch down the pastel stripes and then quilted a leaf pattern in the wider strips.  Since I am not confident about free motion quilting, I traced the leaf pattern on to cash register tape (thanks, Jan) and quilted over it.  I think it turned out okay but that sure was a lot of paper to take off (thanks, Alice).  Here are a couple of pictures of the finished quilt:

Unfortunately the quilting doesn't show up too well but I hope you get the idea.  Oh yes, my friend was very surprised and like the quilt a lot.

Be sure to check Judy Laquidara's blog in two or three days to see how others have done with their July projects.

I'm on a tear!

Yesterday I finished six pet beds that will be donated to the Humane Society.  Jennifer suggested to our bee that we save all of our quilting scraps and make them into pet beds.  I have been saving for a while but didn't realized how much I had.  I keep looking at the bags and telling myself to get the beds made.  When I sewed with Kay yesterday I decided to work on them since I didn't have any specific project for the day.  I still have enough for at least one more bed so will get more fabric from Jen (old stuff that she will never use).  Here they are:

If you have lots of scraps and just throw them away, think about making these beds.  These are good for the animals, especially in the winter, and are totally machine washable.

I've been stitching!

Don't know where the time goes - it seems like it was March just a few weeks ago and I was enjoying the snow at Solitude with Eric and his family.  I had a great time and really had fun with Mr. Alex.  Also got to see one of the girls who was in my GS troop and her family.  The boys played well together.  Here's a picture of the two cuties (Alex is in the blue):

Since I got home I have been doing even more stitching (can't figure out why this is underlining - bear with me).  Here are some pictures of three pieces that I finished.  I had to wait to post them since they were gifts.

 

Now I am working on Jen and Mike's wedding cross stitch.  Since they have been married 10 1/2 years I figured it was time to start on it.  I've put it off because it is 30 count fabric over one thread.  I am making good progress on it and hope to finish it by the end of the year.  I told them good things come to those who wait!  :)

I have completed a few other quilting and knitting projects but I'll put those in another post - maybe I won't wait quite as long.

Have a good weekend and try to stay cool.  It hit 100 degrees here yesterday.  For this heat I could still be in Houston!

May UFO Challenge

When Judy drew #9 on May 1 I was really happy as I had already completed it.  I didn't plan to finish it so early but when I got it back from Kathy Yull who quilted it I just sewed on the binding and finished it in a couple of days.  Here are a couple of pictures:

Unfortunately the quilting doesn't show up as much as I would like but I hope you can see some of it.

This is the third quilt I have made using this pattern - one is fall, one is spring/summer and this is winter.  I really like the pattern - it goes together quickly and is fun.

What a trip!

How quickly this week went!  I can't believe that we are back from Paducah already.  We had a great time and got to see a lot --- of water!!  The rivers and streams are full to overflowing in so many places.  We went over the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and White rivers and countless streams all out of their banks.  The worst part of this was that they had to close the flood gates in Paducah which meant relocating several venues of the show.

On Sunday evening, the show organizers were advised that the flood gates would be closed and, since the convention center is outside the flood gates, it would have to be evacuated.  Many, many people worked liked dogs to accomplish this task.  Here is a picture of the river after the flood gates were closed:

We really did a lot on this trip.  We went to Threads of Time in Danville, IL, and Lori's Pins and Needles in Paris, IL, on the way down.  We also stopped at Rend Lake Artisans Center (see previous post).  Once we arrived in Paducah we went to Eleanor Burns' tent in Carson Park, Hancock's (where the back room fabric was $6/yard!) and didn't buy much.  We also went to visit Caryl Bryer Fallert's studio.  We were very fortunate to be able to go on a tour of her studio and home.  She is a most gracious hostess.  Here are a few pictures:

The top two pictures are in her living room.  The  next picture is her fabric storage room - no outside light and very organized!!  The last picture is her sewing area in her studio.   She was very fortunate to be able to buy the two  parcels of land for $1 and then had to build in keeping with the historical theme of the area.  She was able to design the inside exactly as she wanted it.  She has several guest rooms which allow workshop participants to stay on site.  She rents out the rooms during the quilt show but said not to even bother calling - one of the guests would have to die in order for there to be a space.  :)

We enjoyed looking at all the quilts and visiting all the vendor booths at the Kentucky Oaks Mall, the old Circuit City and Office Depot stores and the church where small wall quilts were displayed and classes were held.  


I was a really good girl and didn't buy much as you can see from this picture:

 Of course, I did go to Quilt Festival in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago and wasn't quite as good there!

We left yesterday afternoon with the plan to stop as several shops along the way.  Unfortunately, the first two that we wanted to see were closed (we did call first so didn't waste too much time) but by the time we got to Evansville the traffic was pretty bad and the road to Boonville was closed so we never made it to Village Mercantile or The Stitching Post in Washington.  We'll just save those for another trip.

Rend Lake Artisans Center

Yesterday on our way to Paducah,  my friend Stephanie and I stopped at the Rend Lake Artisans Center.  I had read about it last year in one of Mickey DePre's postings.  We stopped on our way home last year but got there just as they were closing (5:00 p.m.) and only had a few minutes to quickly run through.  This year we were able to take our time.

It is a great place that features items produced by Illinois artisans.  It has everything from metal sculpture, quilted items, pottery, glassworks, wooden pieces and much more.  I think it is wonderful that the state has chosen to honor their artisans this way.

If you are traveling on I57 in Illinois I heartily recommend a stop.  Unfortunately no pictures are allowed as I would love to show you some of the items.

In addition to the shop, they had an amazing display of Civil War quilts made by women in Illinois.  It was just amazing to see all these beautiful quilts and read the stories about the families related to them.  Again, no pictures but take my word, it is definitely worth a look.

Guild Meeting

This week Kaye England spoke to our guild.  She is a hoot.  Her story of reclaiming her llamas after they escaped and were picked up by animal control was hysterical.  If you have the opportunity attend one of her talks, don't miss it.  She had everyone rolling on the floor laughing!

We had a good chance to chat while the rest of the meeting was going on.  She readily agreed to give me a quilt for the Small Quilt Auction at our guild quilt show in October.  I really appreciate her generosity as well as that of the other nationally-known quilters who have agreed to help us make the auction a success.

First Quarter Update

I had a very productive first quarter and thought I would share some pictures with you:

I knitted the scarf for one of my beemates.  I am pleased with the end result but it took longer than I expected.  Right now I am working on a pair of socks for my daughter-in-law and should be able to post a picture in the next day or two - I just have to finish the second toe.

The Girl Scout quilt was a lot of fun to make.  It was a quick assembly and Jen (my daughter) did a great job on the quilting and finished it very quickly.  The quilt along with one of the pillows will be prizes at our Service Unit's Mother/Daughter Bingo next Friday.

The pastel stripe quilt is for a longtime friend.  She has some serious health issues and lost her husband last year so I hope that it will bring her comfort.  I quilted this quilt myself - it was my first time to quilt such a large piece and I am not sure if I would quilt one this large again.  This quilt is the first quarter UFO for my bee challenge and I got it finished in the nick of time.

The snowman quilt is the third quilt I have made using this pattern.  It was quilted by Kathy Yull and she really took her time choosing patterns.  I will post closeups another day.

Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed working on these projects.

March UFO

Well, I am pleased to say that I have actually completed the March UFO.  Actually it was finished earlier as it was for a friend who fell and had to have surgery.  I sent it to her and she really liked it.  I posted a picture earlier in the month but am reposting it here so that Judy knows that I really finished it.  :)

This was a Block of the Month from The Back Door in Greenwood, IN, using Nancy Odom's fabrics.  I like it too and am glad to have it finished and at a new home where it will be loved.

Completed UFO

This month's UFO for Judy's challenge was #10.  Here it is completed:

I didn't finish the UFO for January but I am working on it steadily.  Maybe next month I will have two projects to post.

Update of Project List

I have finally updated my Project List.  I am including it in this post since it is quicker than editing my page.  I have lots to do and want to get started.  I have also added knitting and cross stitch projects.  As I look at it I think I am really dreaming although several are fairly quick to finish.  We'll see!  I will post pictures soon - I have a couple of things that are pretty close to being done.

Here it is:

2011 PROJECT LIST

QUILTING/SEWING

1.                  Quilt and bind Nancy Odom Thangles quilt for Clara

2.                  Quilt and bind pastel quilt for Jane

3.                  Snowman quilt for Susan

4.                  Complete assembly, quilt and bind blue stars quilt

5.                  Complete assembly, quilt and bind Debbie Bowles quilt

6.                  Quilt and bind Christmas BOM quilt from early 1990’s (to Cyndia Gerner?)

7.                  Finish quilting and bind Debbie Bowles quilt

8.                  Start oriental quilt from Shiisa (have fabric and pattern)

9.                  Start batik quilt from pattern from Shiisa (have book and fabric)

10.              Make jumper (pattern from It’s A Stitch – have fabric)

11.              Finish assembling, quilt and bind snowman quilt (from Cincinnati retreat)

12.              Finish assembling, quilt and bind convergence quilt

13.              Make tooth fair pillow for Jenna (have pattern)

14.              Work on items for Peony Shop with bee

15.              Advent calendars for kids (not started but have materials)

16.              Seasonal wallhangings from Quilt Beginnings

17.              Small monthly quilts (from Shipshewanna and Houston – 9,  8, 7)

18.              Add cording to blue and white pillow

19.              Quilt and bind snowman quilt (five-yard quilt – to Kathy Yull; binding made)

20.              Quilt and bind fall wallhanging (to Kathy Yull)

21.              Quilt and bind red/white/green quilt (to Paul Wycoff – binding made)

22.              Work on roosters

23.              Quilt and bind Thimbleberries Christmas wallhanging (binding made)

24.              Oriental quilt from Shipshewanna retreat (have kit & Jen has pattern)

25.              Bind Thimbleberries snowman quilt (binding made)

26.              GS travel pillow and throw for mother/daughter bingo

KNITTING PROJECTS

1. *Barbara’s scarf
2. *Vest for me (have yarn)
3. *Knitty hat for Jen (have yarn)
4. *Socks (yarn for 8 pairs)
5. *Traveling Woman shawl (have yarn)
6. *Market bag (more than half completed)
7. *Blue socks for Susan (2 pair)    
8.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         *Hat for Jenna (have yarn)
9. Red and white striped sweater for me (have yarn)
10. *Lavender sweater for Jenna (have yarn)
11. Lace wrap for me (have yarn)
12. Girl’s sweater (partially done – will have to redo as it is small)
13. Girl’s Peter Pan sweater (have yarn) 
14.  Short sleeved sweater for Jenna (have  yarn) 
15.  Rabbit hat (have yarn)

 

* - these are projects that I plan to work on this year.  With any luck I will be able to work on a few more.                                                                       

CROSS STITCH PROJECTS

1. Jack’s Birth Announcement (in progress)
2. Jen and Mike’s Wedding Announcement
3. Christmas Alphabet
4. Birthday cross stitch for Ann

Completions

Hi All,

I've been busy watching the Australian Open Tennis the last few days but I have been working at the same time.  I have finished two of the projects on my list.  Here are pictures:

 Both are now labeled - the Thangles quilt is on its way to my wonderful neighbor in Houston - a surprise for her; hope she likes it - and the snowman quilt is on the wall outside the half-bath downstairs. 

I have been knitting on Barbara's scarf - each time I complete a circle I have to cast on 60 stitches - there are 37 circles - so I have a good bit of casting on to do and I have to count like crazy to keep straight.

Tomorrow is stitching day - I am really enjoying getting back to stitching again.  It is hard to choose what to work on - I like knitting, stitching and quilting.  This weekend I am going down to Shiisa Quilts in Bloomington for sewing day so I can take a day or two off.

Next week I hope to be able to post pictures of our guild's raffle quilt for this year (did I mention that I am chairing the quilt show which will be held in October?).  It is a beautiful quilt and I will be glad to sell you tickets for it.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for more snow - I love it when I can sit up here and watch the flakes come down.  Winter is over too quickly for me! 

A Snowy Day

I'm sitting here in my sewing room looking out at the snow - it is so pretty.  They say it will stop ~5:00 p.m. but I'm hoping it keeps up for a while.  I took a couple of pictures that I thought you might enjoy and so that those of you who are not around here can see what you are missing.

The first two pictures are taken from my front porch.  The little wooden sign in the first picture if a really cute snowman that says "Let It Snow" on the sign.  I am surprised that he has not been destroyed.  :)  The third picture is taken from my back door. 

Time to get to work - I finished a good book today (The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Liles) and made a double batch of minestrone soup (I expect Jen to come up when she reads this - she loves it!) and now have to get serious about balancing the checkbook so that I can fun stuff like knitting and working on UFO's.

Have a great day!

An assortment of things

I am really trying to better with my blog entries this year.  I have just downloaded several pictures from my camera and thought I would share some with you.

These are some Christmas presents I made this year.  Now that I look at the pictures the Boy Scout pillowcase is for my grandson's birthday but it's okay to post as he is 8 and I am sure he doesn't read my blog.

The snowman quilt is from my 2011 Project List.  I just have to make the label and it is officially off the list! 

I'm sitting here looking out the window at the snow.  It is so pretty.  I don't think we will get much accumulation but it is pretty.  Well, off to fix dinner and then down to Jen's to watch the kids.  I'm taking a knitting project and a cross stitch project!  They should keep me busy all evening.