Winding down...

Well, I am trying to wind up to a MAJOR clean tomorrow.

The reality is, I'm tired.
And I think I may have the ick.

On the other up side, the class play is written. It's going to run about 45 min, I think...maybe an hour if the dance numbers (yes, I think there are three) are longer than I think.

I have to clean up my sewing space (aka the guest room) because my folks are coming to visit mid Jan. I only have one other weekend to spiffify this place from top to bottom. Let's just say that I inherited my OCD...whether intentional or not, it will be inspected.

*big sigh* visiting my parents made me realize what a cluttered up mess I've let the house get.

I have a few home oriented goals for 2012.

Sit down with the Pirate and order seeds for a container garden. (We used plants and did it relatively late this past year.)
Get the entry way tile cleaned and sealed. (yeah, still shaking my head as why the builder didn't do that)
Repaint the kitchen (from a repair and wear and tear)
Ideally that would read repaint the house, but I need to win the lottery for that one.
(Most of the upstairs, except the hallway, has already been repainted by my mom, me, and my Trollop.)
Figure out a way to carve out a sewing space.
GENERALLY PURGE...books, clothes, etc. (This is going to be hard as I am a packrat AND a fabric whore.)

Other goals...
get in better shape/lose weight. I already bought a zumba card. Now I have to go.
(The Pirate and I are having some sort of weight loss competition. Once we iron out the details, I may post them here. I bought us a fairy wand to go on the top of the fridge...I'll explain the reason for it later as well.)
Sew at least a quilt a month.
Go to the Sewing Summit.
Woman up and pick a Bernina. (The Xmas fairies were good to me and mostly gave to the Bernina fund.) Anyone got advice on that one? I know I can't afford a Bernina 820...

The Pirate got me a workhorse Janome 11554 to use as an alternate machine when/if the Brother bites the dust...I want to use it, but I don't have the necessary feet yet. (Note to self: see if feet from brother might be compatible.)

I got some wondrous Christmas presents....mom gave me a vintage H quilt top. It needs some love and repair, but it's on my list for 2012 to complete. I'll post pics of it at some point to get opinions on backing, quilting, etc.

I've got a big announcement coming mid month. It's going to influence my crafting time, I think....(no, I am NOT pregnant.)

I'm also knitting like mad today. I've started the monsters for cast presents for my students. I need to make thirty. I've going to make them Cyclopean this year.

Anywho, here's my crafty year in review. Some stuff got left off...

Projects:


Bee Blocks:


I have some UFOs that didn't make the list. I counted mom's big quilt, even though it needs a long armer. I didn't include (I don't think) the 2nd boy version of the Across the Sea.
I still have to piece the back.

I also still need to quilt the Rockin Robin and the monkey quilt. Depending on what I do Mon, I may add those to the list. The monkey quilt top is slated for completion tonight.

Of course, that's all contingent on the ick. I really really want my tummy to stop being hurty.

Finishing Xmas with a bang!

My dream color palette.

That's quite a challenge.

After playing around a bit, I've settled on this one:


1. Floral Folio Dark Orange Allover Leaves Yardage SKU# Y0816-37
2. Flora Tangerine Feathers Yardage SKU# 25055-24
3. Flora Tangerine Lattice Yardage SKU# 25058-15
4. Curio Pumpkin Grunge Yardage SKU# 30150-134
5. Me and My Sister Favorites Purple Rick Rack Yardage SKU# 22073-39
6. Sketch Purple Screen Texture Yardage SKU# C8224-Purple
7. Impressions Purple Plaid Yardage SKU# PWTY015-PURPL
8. Amelia Cotton Playful Purple Stripe Yardage SKU# 22165-14
9. Shades of Grey Ragg Tagg Yardage SKU# S11-01-RAG
10. Shades of Grey Pinstripe Yardage SKU# S11-01-PIN
11. Hyperreal Garden Warm Illusion Yardage SKU# HG-8407
12. Black and White Black Random Pencil Check Yardage
SKU# CX4840-BLAC-D
13. Bella Solids Terrain Iris Yardage SKU# 9900-168
14. Ready, Set, Go! Orange Pure Organic Solid Yardage
SKU# Pure Organic Orange
15. Bella Solids Silver Yardage SKU# 9900-183


Purple has been a long time favorite color of mine. I've recently been introduced to the color addition of orange with purple, a combo I never thought I would embrace but am loving.
(Enough that my last set of Nubee blocks was purple and orange.)
Apparently, tangerine is THE color of 2012. I love geometrics.

I'm planning a few quilts in the purple/tangerine theme. Who knew I'd ever be on an "in" trend?!
I'm linking up to Quokka Quilts' Blogger's Choice contest sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop.

Merry Christmas, y'all!

May you have lots of lovely time with family and friends!
To my crafty friends, may your stockings be filled with FQs, thread, yarn, and ideas!

I'm missing the Pirate, Stinky, and The Kraken, but I'm spending time with my parents and my brother....frantically trying to write the class play.


Keep safe and happy!

*Mwah*

2012 UFO list...

I'm going to count some of these are UFOs because the fabric is laying about, not because I've actually started these:

1. Monkey quilt...The rows to the top are pieced...it still needs finishing, borders, sammiching, quilting, and binding.

2. Mom's quilt, version 1. (Honestly, this one needs the services of a long arm quilter...but I still need to piece the back.)

3. The Prayer Flag quilt. (It's a mirror of mom's, but was originally meant for me. Ditto on the long armer..unless I make it an abbreviated version. I have to revisit the fabric, maybe it's not for me anymore.)

4. 241 bag for me in Loulouthi. (I have one piece cut out...ran out of time making a 241 for a bday present and shelved mine.)

5. 241 bag in Outfoxed.

6. Random charm quilt. (I started this out of charms I got that didn't work with any projects I had.)

7. HST quilt. (I made a ton of HSTs but pooped out on trimming them.)

8. 2nd apron for The Pirate. (The fabric for his Xmas present came too late for me to make one before I left for my parents.)

9. Swoon in City Weekend (I have had the stack there for months.)

10. Finish the boy version of the Across the Sea QAL quilt. The top is done. The pieced back is not.

11. My Dead Simple QAL cross quilt. I've got the fabric partially cut (in strips, but not squares yet), and the design is done....just needs cutting and assemblage. I think I even have the back pieces somewhere....

12. Pink girlie quilt for Project Linus.

Eep. I didn't think I had 12 projects...
Add to the list:

Sew. Happy. Quilt. QAL 2012
Sparkle Quilt QAL 2012

A bunch of finishes...

I finished my mom's quilt before Friday, but I didn't take pictures of it until later.

Here it is before washing. (I didn't take any pics post washing for crinkly goodness, but I have already packed it up to come to my parents with me.)





The handquilting was really time consuming. I'm not sure I'll be doing it again soon.

I finished my Charmed Prints quilt.
Originally, it had a pink border (the pink I used for the binding).
Unfortunately, I did the math wrong somewhere and the piece of flannel I had to use wasn't wide enough. (It was long enough, but not in both directions.) So, I took off the pink border and used it for binding.)



It's going to a best friend from college who has had a hard year. I wanted to make her a lovey quilt...so if she's having a bad day, she can snuggle up to it with chocolate or Chinese food. It will also act as a visual cue for her sweet hubby to give her a big cuddle.
I hope she likes it.

I finished my string blocks for Val over at PinkPlease! for her Heroes quilt.


I made a super secret present for Trollop (my best girlfriend).
I have to check and see if she's been reading this blog before I post pictures.
Needless to say, I practiced my free motion in a really random and awesome manner.
Pics will be forthcoming once I check in with her.
I am incredibly (ridiculously) proud of solving a design challenge.
It involved bacon. I'll leave it at that for the moment.

I have to finish my pouch for the giveaway and will finish my quilts for kids blocks tonight.
I'm 2 blocks behind in my skill builder, but I'm not a huge applique fan, so I'm not sure if I'll do them. The circle one is bringing back bad flashbacks to a quilt block I did for a school bee.

Is it weird that I just realized that most of my friends don't read this? Do y'all live in the quilting closet or do all your BFFs read your blogs?

Giveaway winner!

Mr. Randomizer picked #75, which is Tamie.

I'll be contacting you via email to confirm you color preference and mailing address.
Congratulations!

In other news, I finished the quilt for my mom.
I'll post pics tomorrow. It's, I think, my all time favorite ever....love love.
What I didn't love, however, was the hand quilting. The back is really bad.
It took HOURS and HOURS. I'm glad it's going to my mom, because she'll be ok with an imperfect back and will "get" how long it took to make.

Giveaway!!!

I'm hooking up with

I'm giving away a pouch! It will be custom made for you in your favorite color.

Note: It's not going to be one of these pouches, but you can get the idea of what I mean by the picture....


The giveaway closes at 5pm PST on Dec 16.
You don't have to be a follower!
I would love to have you join if you are so inclined, but no pressure.
(Although, *cough* I'm planning another give away when I hit the 100 follower mark.)
For one entry, just leave me a comment. Please make sure I have a way of reaching you.
If you are a no reply commenter, PLEASE include your email. For fun, tell me your favorite song.

For those of you following the progress on the wonky star for mom, I've got 16 out of 25 stars handquilted...
Oooo...bonus entry if you have advice for washing hand quilted quilts.

Be sure to check out the other giveaways at SewMawaSew.

Paying it forward...

You may have seen this around.
I think I've signed up for this at least once around..but I just did it over at Hitch and Thread..and I've done something similar with a group of journally blogger folks at one point (we were all crafters of varying kinds).

I'm picking three folks (the first three who comment that I can contact) to make something for.
It will come some time in 2012. I'll ask you for some hints about likes/dislikes.
In return, you need to post your Pay it Forward button within 48 hours and pass it on...

Any takers?
Also, I have a giveaway coming for SewMamaSew giveaway day.

I can't believe it's Friday.

I haven't gotten nearly as much done this week as I intended to.

I sammiched mom's wonky star quilt.
I'm hand quilting around the stars. I have 4 out of 25 stars done. Um...three took me about 4 hours.
This is not going to be pretty...well, it is.... but.......you know what I mean.


I still have 2 sets of charms from the Black, White & Grey swap to mail out, but it seems like they are getting where they need to go and folks seem happy with them.
I may run another swap, but probably not until March. This one took a long long time.


I got home today from work (kids be crazy approaching winter break).
A lovely lovely package (in addition to some bee blocks) was waiting for me.
It was an AMAZING pillow from the lovely Jacey from Jaceycraft.
She blew this one out of the universe. I love the Middle Eastern vibe.
She used 1001 Peeps, which is the line I used for my Across the Sea quilt. It's one of my favorite lines.
She also included some fabric lovelies!



I'm off tonight to see a Santa Lucia celebration and try to make a bff's birthday party afterwards. I hate it when two loved events are the same time slots.
I made her a 241 bag for her bday.


Oh...and I had a shark in my classroom today. It was a shark dirigible. The kids had a blast with it...um...after we got it down from the rafters...twice.
Much love, y'all.
I've got a giveaway coming Monday, Dec 12.
Assuming I can get my mom's quilt and a technology assignment done this weekend.
Phew.

Wrapping up Nov. Also, proud.

I finished up a LOT of work in Nov.


I am also kind of proud today...
Even though I didn't get a callback, I auditioned for a play today.
I haven't done that for years.
I have to say, I do kind of wish I had gotten at least a callback, but I am proud I at least took the risk of trying.
It's been years since I've auditioned.
I'm not sure I'll be doing it again any time soon, but at least I tried.
God, it was terrifying.

Phew...

Today was a bit of a whirlwind...
Packaged up all the Black, White & Grey swap packages.
Drove to a dance studio to check out the place for a performance tonight.
Drove to a theatre to find out where auditions are tomorrow.
Came home to finish some laundry.
Dolled self up and tried to get into bellydance head space.
(I was wearing the pieces from the Japanese Scrap Bag challenge from Pings and Needles.)
Danced in a show. (Did not wipe out going from stage to floor. Woo!)
Stopped by post office after show (WHILE STILL IN GEAR).
Attempt to mail packages thwarted by broken slot/handle thingie.
Came home to scarf some dinner.

I am going to have to mail out the packages tomorrow.
On a totally unrelated note, my house is so dirty right now that it looks like hoarders live here.
It is particularly bad since my complex does not have recycling, but, because I believe in it, I collect it and drive it to a center. I just haven't had time in over a week.
Also, there are Xmas packages I need to mail lingering around the dining room, as well as boots that need to be mailed back and bags that still need to be unpacked.
That is my confessional for the day....I am spent now.
I missed y'all.

Charmed Prints catch up.

Uh...yeah. You may have noticed I had a button for the charmed prints QAL.
Yes, I'm a QAL whore.
And I'm behind.
I picked out my fabric.
In attempt to deal with my travel stress, I sewed tonight.


I caught up, but I don't like the pinwheel block. I have to redo those.
They came out too small.


This one is going as a belated birthday/Xmas present to a dear one who needs some love right now.


I still have a lot of catching up to do...see I never cut the pieces the week we were supposed to..and this is supposed to be the quilt assembly week. I'll try to make it up next week.
Tonight I spent:
packing
panic attacking (not quite, but my anxiety level is definitely up)
making lists
sewing
making more lists
photo-editing headshots for an audition
pretending to write my resume for the audition
sewing
doing laundry
trying to figure out how to cram all my allergy related needs into one small roller bag
and to also stuff in a pair of winter boots
I am going to pack knitting bc I have to keep my hands busy at the airport....

it's a monday again.

I'm kind of tired. Indoor break at all the normal outside times will do that.

Plus I had to run errands. I went to the post office to mail off my Nov New Bee Block.
I to find a copy of Tartuffe for an audition. (Which will be followed by updating my resume and head shots today.)

I was hoping to mail off my charm swap packages...but I'm still waiting on one package.
Tomorrow I mail off my cut up Spoonflower charms. Which I have to cut up tonight.
I may try to do my hero block as well.

Right now I'm just trying to chill...and to figure out how to fit all my crap in my roller suitcase for the conference this week. See...crazy food allergies means I pack lots of snack.
Detergent allergies mean I pack a sleep sack, a travel pillow, and a towel.
Really travel for me has now become an endeavor. Which kind of sucketh since I LOVE to travel.
I'm feeling like making fragments into sentences today.
Either that or I've read too many kid journals today.

Oooo...Stuff came in the mail today.
I got a Nubee block. I decided to take pics of all the ones I've gotten so far:


A package from The Intrepid Thread. (holy speediness...I ordered it on Friday)




A win!

I entered a drawing from Hopeful Threads.
She was giving away A Valori Wells Little Wallet Sewing Kit from Sarah at Fabric Seeds.
Not only did that come, but she included in the giveaway a half a pound each of Bizzee Bee Gourmet Caramels in original and Pumpkin Spice. The Pirate will get to share in my booty!

Also, in my shopping spree for the trip, I discovered Target has TIM TAMS.
I may be exhausted, but it's been a pretty good day.

chipping away at the list...

Mom's quilt top is done!
I decided to go wonky stars.



I broke into my Tula Pink Prince Charming stash. It is much beloved, but it fit mom's color requests (coral and chartreuse) perfectly. I had fun trying to hide little details in the stars.

I love the snail face!

This is quilt top #2.
#1 was done a few months ago but it was too large for me to quilt on my wimpy machine. It it currently hanging in a closet, waiting for me to find a long arm quilting person.
This one is about 60 by 6o. I can manage this size.
I'm ordering flannel today.
I am planning on machine quilting in the ditch around the star squares, then hand quilting around the stars themselves.
How does that sound?

I FINALLY got my Nov New Bee block done.
The Nov Bee Queen asked us to make blocks inspired by Mondrian.
For some reason, it was really daunting me.
I like how it turned out, though.


I also worked on a prototype of a doggie fleece for Stinky.
I have FABULOUS piratey fabric for him.
I need to hunt up some velcro.

That's it. I cut pieces for a 241 bag. It took forever. I just couldn't make myself sew it today. Mom's quilt took too long.
I'm exhausted.

Oh, and yesterday, two lovely things to recommend, especially to any locals.
#1. Pumpkin cheesecake french toast at Radial. Mmmmmm. (I had gingerbread vegan pancakes and ended up coveting The Pirate's breakfast.)
#2. Hugo. The Pirate and I went to see it yesterday. It's based on a book (Hugo Cabret) which I also loved. Pirate put it really well. It was, in part, a love letter to films and film-making. I loved it. I wasn't sure they would be able to pull off a movie from the book but it worked.

I hope y'all had a fabulous weekend. I'm trying to mentally gear up for the school week and an upcoming conference. Cross your fingers that my last charm swap package comes tomorrow and that my boots do as well!

Friday finish!

I got a quilt in Wrenly done for The Pirate's BFF.
Here it is in all its glory!



The rest of the sewing/Xmas list (inspired by Jacey):
*Wonky Star Quilt for mom (progress: fabric is now cut)
*SuperSecret project for Trollop
*Belated bday for the two girls
*241 bag for Robin
*Cook's Apron for The Pirate
*Doggie jacket for Stinky
*241 bag for me
*New Bee Block for Nov. (awaiting quilting foot replacement...maybe coming tomorrow?)
*Black, white, & grey swap (sorted...awaiting one more package)
*Journal covers (5)
*Cowl to knit
*Mittens to finish (*cough* still on mitten one)
*Present for dancing queen

Phew.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

aka non-Turkey Day for me.
The Pirate made some super yummy dishes (including a roast chicken since I'm allergic to turkey), and I made an apple pie to bring to a friend's house for Thanksgiving.
It was lovely.

Here are the pictures I promised.

Three Stockings for Kids stockings:



I'll be mailing them out tomorrow.

A Wrenly quilt for the Pirate's BFF.
It just needs binding.
That's on tap for tomorrow.


As is my mom's quilt.
I've cut a ton of squares. I'll be sorting them before bed. Maybe.

I still have to cut out pieces for 2 241 bags.
I still have a New Bee block to sew.
I still haven't found my quilting foot.
I may try it tomorrow...I'm afraid of wonky where it's not intended.

Oh...here were the two other pouches:



It's been a yummy and productive day!

Woohoo!

Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm finally going to bed, but I will post pics in the morning.

Finished 3 stocking for Stockings for Kids!
Almost finished quilt top in Wrenly for The Pirate's BFF.
I've washed the flannel for the back.
Tomorrow the front will get ironed and borders will be added.
Then batting cut and sammiching done while The Pirate cooks.

Then feasting.
Pondering of binding.
More pieces cut for my mom's quilt.
(I cut 200 white squares for a wonky quilt, but I still have to press and cut the other bits)

Night night!
Twill add pics in the morn.

I've got a WIP post coming as soon as my pie is done...

but Sarah over at Pings & Needles is having a giveaway that y'all need to check out!
She's giving away an Accuquilt Go! Baby.
I really want it, but it's the holidays and I know lots of you might.
Good Luck!

whelp..the list remains.

I didn't get as much done as I planned today.
I sort felt like I was running in circles.

I did get most of the charms for the swap sorted. I'm still waiting on three bunches to add. If that happens early in the week, I'll mail them out by Friday.

I pulled fabrics for mom's quilt but haven't cut into them yet.
I worked on pouches today instead.
I danced with a lovely group of ladies in a restaurant last weekend.
It was a tango fusion piece inspired by Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
I still have one more to make...I missed someone's colors...
which is kind of a YAY! as I get to keep my favorite of the 4.
Tuesday may be the last time I see them in a while.
(We're also in a class together but class will end tomorrow for the holidays.)
Here's the pouchie goodness. (In case one of the ladies is reading, I'm not posting who is getting which one...)

oooo...books!

Chronicle Books is hosted a $500 giveaway in *swoon* books!

Here's the haul I would get with the winnings:

World of Geek Craft (19.95)
1->2->3 Sew (24.95)
Amy Butler’s Style Stitches (29.95)
Whip Up Mini Quilts (24.95)
Subversive Cross Stitch (14.95)
The Exquisite Book (29.95)
The Orphan of Awkward Falls (16.99)
Little Bits Quilting Bee (24.95)
Denyse Schmidt Quilts (24.95)
Microworlds (19.95)
The Big Book of Casseroles (19.95)
Plenty (35.00)
Noodles Every Day (22.95)
Show and Tell (24.99)
Chuck Dugan is AWOL (19.95)
The Golden Mean (17.95)
The Doorbells of Florence (18.95)
Alexandria (19.95)
Sabine’s Notebook (17.95)
Griffin & Sabine (19.95)
Ten Little Zombies (9.95)
Food Play (16.95)
D.I.Y Delicious (24.95)

Total: $500.98

They'll also give $500 to the charity of the winner's choosing.
I'd choose it to go First Book. They give new books to kids in need.
Having seen schools as a student teacher that barely had a library and having been blessed with parents who rarely had to say no to a book purchase or a a visit to a well stocked library, I know how much of an impact having books can have. Anyway, First Book is active both in the US and Canada and has given away over 85 million books so far.

Oh..and as if that wasn't awesome enough, they will pick a winner from the folks who comment on the winner's post.
So, comment, y'all! I might win, and so might you!

overdue post...

Well, I *meant* to post my finish on Friday.

I actually had finished it on Thursday.

Here's my Dead Simple:


I caught up (very late last night) on my Skill Builder blocks:


Here they all all together:


I got my last Nubee block done and mailed:



I've gotten some lovely packages this week.

My pincushion from the Sewn Spaces swap came from edyB1 with added goodies

(It's kind of hard to see in my pic, but she used this really cute cricket fabric!)

A while back I won a gift certificate to Marmalade Fabrics.
I finally decided what to get:



I had been lusting after the viewmaster fabric for a while now, and it was on sale!

Gen X sponsored a Japanese charm swap...I shall be petting these pretties for a while.


Craft Buds sponsored an Aqua, Yellow, and Gray swap.


Still on tap for this weekend:
cutting fabric for mom's quilt
cutting the pieces (and making the fronts) of 5 pouches for friends
New Bee on the Block block
cut into fabric (catch up 4 blocks) with the Gen X QAL
cut fabric for at least 2 241 bags to sew on Friday
sort packages for my Black, White, and Gray swap...AS SOON AS TWO PACKAGES GET HERE. (I'm impatient to sort and want to get them out on Friday)

*sigh* There is probably more.

Still not done. WIP Wed. 9.16.11

Well, I was hoping to be done.
I got distracted by having to go pick up cat food at the vet.
And then trying to find the dining room table....
among other pieces of furniture which were buried.

So, I got a later start than intended.
I only made it 3/4 of the way done.
I'm calling uncle.

I've had a headache for a couple of hours.
The antibiotic I'm on seems to be amplifying it.
Plus I'm just plain tired.

So...bummer...no finish today.
Here's some teasers:



I still have 3 skill builder blocks to do,
one Nubee block,
and a New Bee block.
...is it me (and my slap happy headache) or does that remind ya of the Twelve Days of Xmas song?

Um...yeah...going to bed.