My Thursday To Do List...

*Measure the angel block...pack and mail if it's ok.
*Catch up on the Skill builder from last week.
*Piece the remaining bits of the 2nd Across the Sea QAL. (Come to a decision on the orange)
*Size up blocks.
*Catch up with alums.
*Call my knitting class, to teach or not to teach (ie. if no one new is signed up, cancel the class)

Yes, it's quite a list.


On the up side, I have mailed off my 3x6's for Hive 1 (hive 16 was mailed a long time ago), my FTLOS objects, and my block for Quilting for Kids.


On the downside...my kitteh is itching her face off. Well, not quite literally, but she's now got bald patches around her eyes. She's already been on allergy meds. She's not an outdoor kitty AND she is on Revolution. Any one out there got a similar problem/solution. Right now, I'm hoping it's just seasonal allergies and not a new food allergy.

Got a few things in the works...

I'm trying to finish up an angel block before I go to bed.
Right now, I'm packing up blocks to mail for tomorrow.
(The ones I posted pics of earlier.)

I'll try to add some other pics as well.

I got some charms from the Fussy Cut Charm Swap.
I got a Spoonflower sample (mmmm, piratey).

I had a BLAST with my afterschool drama kids. They were a hoot and oh so easy to work with. (INSERT JOYFUL DANCE HERE)

I will be VERY sore tomorrow from my chair tango/bellydance class tonight. Also, I've signed up for their Nov show. Wooooo.

I wanted to pass the word on another blogger who is trying to help a friend raise money for a Breast Cancer Marathon. Nope, I don't know her in person, but it's a cause I can get behind.
If you want to help sponsor Holly and Jess's friend Kate, Holly and Jess will give you one entry for a drawing for some lovely charm squares for every $5 you donate. If you are interested in helping her out, click here. If fighting breast cancer is one of your causes, (it's one of mine...I've got the breast cancer 3 day on my to do list in the next 2 years), check out Holly and Jess's post.

That is all...I'll try to get pics added later. Hope your day was as much fun as mine was!

Headache-y...

I think I've either got the fringe of a virus or the smog is getting the better of me.

I had a whopping headache most of the day. I didn't get the edge to dial back until dinner time, when I slept a bit.

So....all I accomplished was sewing on labels to my FTLOS swap items and packing up the box.

I started piecing together an angel block that I intended to mail out Wed, but I realized I was using two different whites. Oops.
I've taken it apart and will reattempt tomorrow...in the daylight, when I can actually see the white variations better.*

Yup...you heard right. I didn't finish my grading. Blarg.

*this plan may be revisited since I'm teaching drama tomorrow afterschool AND I have a dance class tomorrow eve.

Whelp, I got through SOME of the list....

Finished my 3x6 blocks (which will be sent off on Wed., assuming no one hates their block):


Sewed the blocks for one of my Across the Sea QAL quilts:
Now, WITH KRAKEN!!!!

without Kraken:


I cut the pieces out for, but did not sew my Skill Builder block.

Sewed my small object(s) for the FTLOS swap...but I still need to sew on labels to the big objects.

Going to grade now....

Rocking Sat night!

I got some bee blocks done (actually I finished them last night, but I photographed them today).


They will be pressed...I have a ton of ironing to do tomorrow.

I started sewing the arms on the Across the Sea Quiltalong quilts.



On tap for tomorrow:
*Mail off Quilting for Kids and finished bee blocks
*Finish bee blocks
*Sew Skill Builder block (cutting pieces tonight...maybe)
*Sew blocks together for at least one Quiltalong quilts. Probably the blue one. I have to make some choices with the purple one about that dusky print. It may leave in favor of an orange solid. For some reason, I cut more pieces than I needed.
*Sew labels on FTLOS objects.
*um....grade papers AND CLEAN.
Anyone got a time machine? I've ridden in a Delorean but I haven't seen any around lately.

Oh, here's the promised goofy dog pic. He was trying to smile at me because I was letting him snuggle with me on the bed.

any cool weekend plans?

I'm going to sew...a lot. And grade the first batch of writing assignments.
I also have to call a batch of parents about Math placements.

I've gotten 2 down for the new 3x6 hive. I have a third to finish after dinner.
I missed sewing this week....at least the quantity of sewing I was able to do over the summer.

On tap for this weekend:
new 3x6 blocks (4 remaining)
mail out Quilting for Kids block
Sew on my Across the Sea quiltalong
Finish and pack my FTLOS objects
Start pondering a new bee block

I'll post pics of the bee blocks later tonight!
Sending safe and lovey thoughts to those of you effected by Irene

still loving the first week.

but I'm trying to find enough time to sew, nap, and dance. Gotta get back into the swing of things.
Anyhow...the dog has a fabulously horrible haircut. I shall post a pic of him tomorrow for everyone's amusement.
I sewed a bit on the FTLOS items. Almost done, assuming my partner doesn't hate the pillow cover I did and I need to start over.


The horrible blob was right smack in the middle, but there appears to be no sign of it now. Any advice on how to decrinkle it a bit if my partner wants it smoother?

I finished a block for a foster child's quilt:

I realized I don't have much pink left in my stash.
I'm waiting for some orange to arrive.

I just joined another hive (as a sub) in the 3x6 bee. I pulled and cut fabric for 3.5 out of the 6 blocks. I am going to sew them this weekend. I've also cut up all my bits for the Across the Sea quiltalong. I may or may not sew on it this weekend as there is a class camping trip (not my forte) looming on the horizon and no sewing will be done that week.
Happy Thursday, y'all!

First day of school....

was fab. I walked home elated.
And realized how exhausted I was about an hour later.
I planned on napping for 30 minutes and ended up having to run to make dance class *cough* almost 2 hours later.*cough*

Had a blast there, too.
How are things in your neck of the world?
Also, I'm planning on a project toward the end of Sept.
And a possible giveaway once I hit a milestone in terms of followers.

Hrm...advice?

It appears to have washed out...THANK BOB.
Is it bad if the pillow cover has that crinkly quilt feel now? If it is, any advice on how to smooth it out again?

Seriously, I was so terrified I would have to start again, that I'm just glad it doesn't have a huge black mark on it.

On the other hand, I don't want to give my partner something disappointing.
Any advice?

I started cutting up prints for 2 baby quilts in the Across the Sea Quiltalong.
I still have to cut background material.
If you want to join, check it out here:
http://ellisonlane.blogspot.com/2011/08/quilt-along-cutting-fabric.html

Lessee....I spent most of the day at school. My room is sooooo lovely.
Just thought I'd share a bit of it with ya.

Almost cried...

still waiting to see if I should.
I was working on my For the Love of Solids object, that is largely white, when my machine somehow kicked out a wad of grease...
which left a black yucky mark right smack in the middle of my item.
I have no idea from whence came the grease blob.
Somewhere from the machine.
If anyone knows where to look to make sure it's not still lingering, waiting to spit more on my sewing, please let me know.
I've never had a machine do that before.
Ugh.

Sloooooow Saturday...

as in me. Not the actual day.

I planned on:
1. finishing at least one swap item for the For the Love of Solids swap.
didn't...did quilt part of it...and unpicked it 3 times.
2. doing a block for a quilt the school quilting group is doing for an auction.
sewed 3 out of 9 or 10 circles. (It's hand sewing...and circles. I think there's a reason I don't do applique that often.)
3. my block 8 for the skill builder
did it. Unpicked it 3 times. Settled for done.

4. organize stash.
um...sort of. Given the arrival of the box o fabric yesterday on my bday, the stash is a BIT out of control. *cough*
5. Investigate a long arm quilter to send mom's quilt off to.
So far, no decisions. Anyone have someone you love to recommend?
6. Repaint my toes.
Um...didn't even get that done.
*sigh* Slooooooooow today.

Twas my bday today...

and it was a fine one.
I met some new students...got most of the room done.
I went for high tea at Dr. Bombay's with The Pirate (who also woke up early to make my blueberry pancakes for breakfast). I forgot to take pictures.
Had a HUGE box of fabric that I ordered arrive.
Got a new Tom Tom (from The Pirate) so my Garmin can't try to kill me anymore.

Got a box of quilt books from my mom (and a quilted totebag).

Kraken approves:


Got a gorgeous topiary (with an air plant) from my quilting buddy (as well as a tiny piece of pottery).
Finally, went to the Folk Art Festival.
I'm beat. But it was a fabulous day!

Happy pre-bday to me!

I got my Make Mine Modern swap item today!
So amazing!



I love the fabric...(how could I not have any of this skull fabric before?!)
I was kind of sad that I slated all my 1001 peeps stash to go for (albeit loved) friends' babies.
NOW I HAVE SOME FOR ME!!! The purple starburst is my favorite.



My room is just about ready...I should take pics to show y'all.
I'm working on my For the Love of Solids swap item(s) tonight. I'll try to post progress pics later. My memory card reader is being weird.

Edit: Worked on my swap idea...

WIP Wed 8.17.11

it's been small things.
I joined the Across the Sea QAL.
I think I'm doing it twice. (I have a bunch of friends having babies.)
Version #1 will use:


Version #2 will use this:


or this (though the orange may come from 1001 rather than be a solid):


I'm still working on my Make Mine Modern stuff....haven't gotten very far.
I'm seriously worn out from painting and moving furniture at school...plus trying to shift my sleeping pattern back to school mode isn't working so well. Blarg.

No sewing today...

but I did get loot from a pinata.
and my classroom is looking FABULOUS.
wooooooo.....

Just one block...

today:


I saw "The Help" today. Loved it...but I loved the book, too.
Y'all should see it...or, you know, read it.

Not a whole lot of finishes today.

I cut up squares for the Feeling Fussy swap.


I still plan on cutting up at least one yard's worth of charms for the Charm Wheel swap before I go to bed.

I'm just feeling wiped out.
I didn't eat enough this morning, sweated like crazy in my classroom (the AC tripped the breaker so it was dead dead dead), and got realigned by the chiro.

I napped this afternoon but just woke up feeling more tired.

I blame dehydration and whatever is clearing from the realignment.
Oh, and I still have to do my skill builder, but the pieces are cut.

Not a ton of sewing...

today, at least.
I spent much of it making my classroom spiffier. (Yes, I do treat that as if it is a word, even if it isn't.)
I'm uber sore from dancing two nights in a row. My foot keeps cramping up.

I sewed this today:


I am really proud because I designed it myself...and I had to problem solve some sewing since it's NOT all symmetrical.

It's a work in progress part of the For the Love of Solids swap. I still have a lot of work to do on it. I didn't get as far as I thought I would.

Dogs and cats, living together....(WIP Wed)

I caught her trying to play with him yesterday:

He was too tired to be interested so she tortured him by repeatedly licking his foot (which he HATES).


I've put my original For the Love of Solids swap idea on hold. I'm playing with something else:


We'll see how it plays out.

I still need to cut a bunch of charms up and send them out.

What are y'all up to? I'm linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced.

Tuesday (wait, it's NOT a Monday)?!

Yeah. I'm still picking off paint from painting part of my classroom. The most glorious moment was when I got paint on both sides of my head, in my hair.
White Paint.
Maybe I should have borrowed the dog's look:

(He's got stitches in his head from getting a wart removed, but he also desperately needed a bath to be a bed dog.)

Any whooo...it got better/worse/more hilarious as the day progressed.
I went to my friend's to quilt, but forgot to go over our plan for a round robin.
And, I left my dance pants on the ironing board at home.
*cough*
so I had to do a chair dance routine...in a short skirt.
*cough*
One of the moves involves having to swing your leg over the chair. Um...not so much.
I still have to seal up my Make Mine Modern swap item.
I've got bee blocks (3x6 and Sew Bee Blissful) ready to mail out, as well as a quilt top that is headed to Joplin.

Phew. It's been HILARIOUS today. I have more painting tomorrow. Red. My head may look like a peppermint before the day is done.

Monday Madness...

Whelp, I spent like 4 hours back in my classroom, ripping old fabric off the walls..admiring the new cushions on our sofas, pulling out staples, moving the new cubbies around. My co was painting.
Tomorrow is another painting day...we anticipate at least 2 more days of sporadic painting.
I am itching to organize folders and packets of stuff we hand out to kids on the first day.

The classroom is all shiny and fab.

*cough* unlike the house.

I didn't get much sewing done this weekend. I *still* have to label up and pack my swap to mail out Wed.
I finished my Sew Bee Blissful blocks for Jenna:



I hope she likes them.

I went to a bellydance show with friends (those who were dancing and those I ate with). It was fun. I got to dance with the August birthday folk.

I have a project in the works. If I can get the button and link done, I'll be posting it and the details this week.

Friday Finishes...

My head is still throbbing. The stupid vent thingie on top of the microwave fell off (it's been broken for an unknown amount of time...I wasn't aware it was always this way bc it never fell off before this year) and hit me in the face. I can empathize with him:

Although he's on doggie tranquilizers. Is that like horse tranquilizers?
Poor boober's mouth hurts...it's now short a few teeth.

I stayed at home with him and sewed today.
I did this last night:

I was doing a test block for the Sew Bee Blissful block this month. I fluffed it a bit in terms of sewing two fabrics together that I didn't intend to. Now i know what to avoid when I sew Jenna's block.

I FINALLY finished mom's quilt top:

I love it, but it's WAY bigger than anything I've tried to straight line quilt. I wish I could free motion on my machine. *sigh*

I finished a girl's twin quilt....very 80s...that I hope will be headed to Joplin soon.


Edit: July Modern Block of the Month, now complete:


Still not worked on:
My July Modern Block of the month (i may do it tonight)
the Sew Bee Blissful block for Jenna (her fabrics came today but the envelope was opened...I'm waiting to see if I'm missing any important bits)
my prayer flag quilt (same pattern as the one for my mom)
For the Love of Solid swap item
Label that needs attaching to my Make Mine Modern swap item...(and then pretty packing)

I've been killing time...

waiting to get the call from the vet to get the doggie.
He had to get teeth pulled (and the rest cleaned).
*sad face*
I have his bed prepped with a fuzzy towel. He's going to be on pain meds.
I finished my 3x6 bee blocks. I hope my hive mates like them.


I really like this square. I'm pondering using it for my Sew Bee Blissful crew in November. We'll see.
I got freezer paper to make a label for the pillow for my swapmate. Gonna try to finish that up and wrap prettily and pack up that parcel to go out next week.

Left to do:
my July Modern block of the month (pieces cut out)
my test block for the August Sew Bee Blissful block (still waiting on fabric from the UK, fabric cut)
decide on a design for the For the Love of Solid swap...i keep waffling on the project in general. Pillow? Wall hanging? Something else entirely?
mom's quilt (sew the freaking borders that are ALREADY cut out)
assemble the pieces (not rows yet) of the prayer flag quilt

Hrm...I'm feeling slow because of the rain...

Works in Progress 8.3.11

I haven't done any sewing today. I painted part of my classroom.
I'm "organizing". Really, I'm trying not to freak out while waiting for the electrician.
I'm nervous about what he might tell me. We're starting to wonder if either everything in the house was miswired or a local lightning strike caused some kind of damage.

So, I took pictures:

My finished big item for my Make Mine Modern swap partner. (I don't think she reads my blog, so I think it's ok to post here.)


3x6 blocks for half of the hive (I did a 4th but made a boo boo and have to seam rip):


Here's my in progress Skill Builder (caught up as of right now):


Kona I pulled for my Modern Block of the Month:


I still need to start my Love of Solids swap item....
And put borders on mom's quilt.
I'm going to be home most of the day either waiting for the dog or watching the dog post tooth pulling....I'm going to sew a lot tomorrow.

Also, because I refuse to take myself too seriously...someone asked about how you organize your projects. Here's my method:

PILES...

linking up over at Freshly Pieced...

Blarg. Having a funk day...

Just needed to vent. I promise to keep it short.
Blarg. just Blarg. Went to the derm this morning for repeatedly peeling skin that should not be peeling based on the medicine I was already on. Now have to add in more medicine and another visit.
Light switch in hall (where I use the iron) is buzzing and flickering. Have cut power to that outlet.
I'm worried that the washing and dryer are entering the hospice stage of functioning.
I'll be 37 in a few weeks. And I hoped to be in better shape by then, but I'm not.
I think I've got the blues (and likely PMS).
Blarg. I'm going to go to try to snuggle The Kraken.

PIcking up steam again?!

Just an intro because I'm linking up to this:

I'm Ella! I just rediscovered quilting this summer on my vacation from teaching (which shall be over very very soon...already restocking my room). I've been going at it hardcore. Joined a few bees and swaps. Having a blast thus far...mostly. It's hot in Atlanta. I'm enjoying staying in the A/C, sewing with a best friend, wallowing in fabrics...and occasionally self doubt about my design choices (especially for swaps).

Am I picking up steam again?
I'm not sure, but I finished Row 5 on the Rockin Robin quilt along. I won't lie. I like looking at hexagons, but I am not a huge fan of basting.


I even got excited and finished the top.

I really really like it.
I'm thinking probably a solid back. I don't have much left of my gaudy fabrics. I'm not even sure I have enough to make scrappy bias tape....which I would love. It's a bummer that my machine only straight line quilts. Hrm. Must ponder.


I also started my 3x6 blocks. I have 3 done and the forth sitting in my sewing area, waiting to be assembled. But right now, I'm going to snag some dinner.