Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sunday Stash Report and continuing the adventure

OK , this is has not been a week of productivity. I cut fabric to back a quilt and haven't even sewing the back to start basting it.

So nothing added to the stash. Nothing going out.





Here is a photo of a crocheted square that took me 10 days to do. Sometimes no matter how you read the pattern it doesn't go together. I did the second one in about 40 minutes.











Continuing the adventures of living in a 100 year old house. This kitchen sink line was augured out and my husband's snake broke. And it was only the second time he used it!! So far, all is working.


The house is a typical story and a half house. It has old pine trim and old ladder type doors in it. It was on the edge of town and part of a local farm until the town grew up around it. The original owners donated farm land to the church and a parochial school was built on it. Yes, that is my neighbor on the back of the property, where the out house and Barn used to sit. It is a solid house with large beams still visible in the hand dug cellar style basement. Lots of charm but some interesting ideas in "updates" as the home aged.


One a sad note, it dropped to a very low temp about 25 degrees last night. Even with sheets covering the square foot garden, many of our plants died. Most of the peppers, cukes, basil and maybe some tomatoes didn't make it. So back to the nursery for plants and we will replant after a few days to be sure all of those plants died. Hopefully, the seeds will grow.


On a happy note, it is graduation time and it is tradition to have Open houses for the graduate. They are come and go type parties. I have been to 2 this weekend and had a lovely time visiting with friends and family I haven't seen in a very long time. The graduate gets lovely gifts and money to send them off into adulthood. Do you have this tradition where you live? I have heard that some don't. The parties and usually outside at the home of the student graduating and I found it to be incredibly fun yet stressful when I hostessed one a couple of years ago.

Don't forget to leave a comment here for the giveaway. Winner will be drawn tomorrow evening.






Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Adventures of living in a 100 year old house....


As many know, I live in an old farm house. It was built before indoor plumbing. Do you remember Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark saying, "Snakes, why does it always have to be snakes?" Well, in this chapter of my little adventure, I say "plumbing, why does it always have to be the plumbing?!?" Could it be that it was retro-fitted? Could it be that an architect didn't design it? And why does it always act up at the worst time?


I am re-rinsing the dishwasher load for the fourth time due to kitchen sink problems. Last night the washing machine discharge water sprayed all over the basement because the lint trap was full. That only took me about 2 hours to figure out. So far the bathroom is doing ok, shhhh, I shouldn't have said that!!!


We planted our square foot garden yesterday at the so called Garden Club at church. It was sprinkling rain and cool, then it turned to a torrential downpour. I sat in the car and wrote out identification sticks. I was and still am too sick with a cold to be out in that type of weather.


The plants were collapsed from the heat Monday, nearly drowned yesterday and hopefully not shocked by the cold weather today. I am sick with a cold and ready to create. I am going to finish the hockey game on TV and crochet. Quilting is on the agenda tomorrow, that will make all right with the world again. I am sure.


Sunday, May 24, 2009

Sunday Stash Report

Nothing added this week. But no sewing, sad to say.

My tote is full and I need to get sewing but I am not overflowing!! Gotta get moving.

I am having a Giveaway for my 100th post. I have had a lot happen over the posts and I have learned so much about quilting, crocheting and knitting. I love to craft and create. Make sure to enter by leaving a comment on the 100th post, which was yesterday.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

100th Post and a Giveaway!

I noticed the last time I posted that I was at 99 posts on blogger. To celebrate my 100th post I am going to give away 5 inch squares from my stash. It will be a potpourri of charm sized squares. Just leave a comment, be sure your email is accessible to me, and I will randomly draw a name on June 1st.

Thanks to all who have left kind comments and I do appreciate all of the tips and inspiration from all of your blogs!

Happy Memorial Day to my American friends, and I hope everyone's kick off to summer is great. If it is your winter, I hope it is not as long as the winter we just finished.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Something new



When I went shopping, I purchased a book about locker stitch projects and I plan to make some items. I think this looks like fun for stashbusting fabrics this summer. Also the new Fon's and Porter, good stuff.




I also purchased insul-brite and made this potholder. I need to bind it. I think this is pretty cool and it gives me small projects to practice machine quilting. A good idea for my Christmas gift giving list. Gotta start now or I am not able to complete it.




Sunday, May 17, 2009

Sunday Stash report


I was gifted a beautiful layer cake from my coworkers. So pretty, Wildflowers Serenade II by moda. AND I purchased 2 yards of sale fabrics AND I bought some insul-brite. I think some pieced potholders are in my future.

I also think I am going to make a pieced non quilted shower curtain from the scraps I am getting tired of using in quilts so I can make use of my new fabrics.

I have 1 full tote. Plan to baste the Road quilt today and bind the posie quilt.
Getting better, I have less swelling in the neck and spent yesterday shopping with my DH and parents. DS took a pass, he hates any shopping or malls. All in all a lovely spring day.
Photos can be added now the camera battery has been replaced for a mere 50 dollars. Cheaper than a new camera and the old battery was 8 years old. Pics later after a good charge.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Sunday Stash Report

I didn't purchase new fabric last week.
I used about 2 yards for my Victory Quilt.
I have about one tote full.


Here is my Centerpiece with my little gnomes and flower fairies. I need to make more gnomes and fairies for the other side. I didn't buy anything for this center piece except the wood turnings for the gnomes and fairies. A classic recycle project using what I have in a different way.


I finished machine quilting the posies and need to bind it pic to follow the camera is not holding a charge.


A great Mother's Day. Two fab meals, and I got exactly what I wanted as a surprise. Cushions for my patio furniture. Yep, I inherited patio furniture and I wanted to replace the cushions. Love the Better Homes and Garden's line at Walmart. I can sit on the patio in comfort and not on the camping chairs.


Friday, May 8, 2009

My little Victory Quilt



This little quilt is roughly 45x38. I love the 6 inch blocks. I am prepping myself for paper piecing and my next challenge. The Civil War Diary Quilt. This is going to be a table topper or wall hanging when quilted. My other little quilts go on chairs and the sofa.

The blocks were from Eleanor Burn's Victory Quilts book. Love her patterns, I can do them!! I usually get lost in patterns and make my own up but not with these. I hope that this little quilt will remind me of my little victory over fears in life.




Here is another little gnome I made this week. I want to make a summer centerpiece with the little guys in them. I am machine quilting the edges of my 4 patch posie. Hope to be finished this weekend. I am going to jump in and machine quilt my road to the White House. I have a box of blocks to be a top-the Calendar quilt 2, orphaned blocks and panels I purchased for place mats. I better get a move on!!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Rulers, well, Rule!






I have found why so many quilters have a large collection of rulers. I have made 2 errors in cutting, total so far, on the Victory quilt sampler and those blocks were trash. I had another one last night on a diamond shaped pinwheel/star. Oh well, I did my favorite block in the group and that is Bride's Bouquet. I gotta invest in more rulers, I have been just too cheap about it. I have not been able to clearly improvise on these blocks.



I also want to encourage the Circle of Friends to not put off on the block exchange blocks. Here is a sneak peak at one I finished yesterday. I hope everyone is having as much fun as I am with this block. The "punch" color has been my challenge. I love the saturated color for this block. DRAMA!
I am still on a confinement for another couple of days. I am having a Radioactive Iodine Treatment (to blast any residual thyroid and cancer cells) so I can't be closer than 7 feet to people. I am able to accomplish some. No housework though. My face and neck are a little swollen and scary looking. I am so thankful that this is easily treated. All scans are good at this point.
I am tired, no thyroid. The Doctor said a another patient had people calling her Ozzie, as in Osbourne; because of the blithering, forgetfulness and overall stupor due to this no thyroid thing. I can relate. Where's SHARON when I need her!!!!!! I think that I will start to be back to my old self by Sunday. I get to go on my thyroid again then and I get to eat a regular diet. Yeah , just in time for the traditional Mother's Day brunch at the golf course!! Can't wait, it is very good.



Here is a photo of Dexter the fabric eating, yarn stealing and yes, gnome chewing beast of a dog. I love him but he makes my crafting a challenge at times. He looks so angelic when he is sleeping too, just like a toddler.....



Sunday, May 3, 2009

Sunday Stash report


I didn't use up much this week. Probably only a fat quarter.

BUT I did purchase 8.25 yards. SALES did me in. Besides I need some background fabric.

Overall, I am very pleased with my progress so a little splurge was good for the quilting inspiration. I am getting a little tired of some of my scraps and needed springy new ones.


I love Moda's Nouveau-fat quarters pictured. I love all Art Nouveau things as well as things from the Arts and Crafts movement. I think I want to purchase more from this repro line. There are several colorways.


I have a 4-5 day confinement this week. I can't be closer than 7 feet to other people due to a Treatment I have to receive. I hope I can quilt and clean. That is my plan. I have lots of goals to accomplish!!