Not a ton to report today...

The Pirate came into school with me (on his day off!) to help me assemble the three big boxes (think a fabric coated box kite like design) for my class play. Today was the first day in the theatre. Tomorrow, I meet with the man who manages the theatre to get a refresher on the light board and start programming it.

In sewing news, I've started working on my pouch for my Mouthy Stitches partner.
I test drove the boxy pattern I'm using.
Here's mine. (I think these would be really fun stash busters...I'm plotting these for Xmas this year.)





This one reminds me of a sushi roll!

Anywho, my car is in the shop. (AC making a weird cards in a bike wheel noise) I'm hoping it will be an easy (and cheap) fix.

Here is some animal cuteness:


He was snoring and she gave him the stink eye.


Also, it doesn't seem to matter which quilt I keep on the sofa. The Kraken has decided THEY ARE ALL HERS!!!

Just an update on my UFOs...

Here's the update on my UFO list:
1. The Monkey Quilt

2. The Pink Tile quilt...

3. The Across the Sea boy quilt...not touched yet.

4. Rockin Robin...bits chosen. I still have to piece some of the back and repress the top, adding borders to it. Perhaps on the to do list this weekend....

5. My 241 Noodlehead bag... 2 different ones.

6. Random square quilt...Since it's going to be small, I need to find the 9 needed squares and cut some borders...I think I have a backing that will work.

7. My long overdue Dead Simple QAL cross quilt.

8. My red, grey, & black bee block quilt (using blocks from my 3x6 rounds) The last block I was waiting for has arrived. I have to cut sashing, choose a layout and go. I've got the backing and the binding all chosen. This one will wait for sammiching, etc until Feb.

Catch up Tues....

On at least one project.

I worked on the Sew. Happy. Quilt. QAL today.

There was a new block posted today, so I had 3 to complete.

Friendship Star


Fireflies (the newest block)

I accidentally ripped apart a bunch I thought I had misassembled, only to discover the problem was I was missing 4 white triangles. *headdesk*

Star

I'm still not clear how I messed this one up. I think my printer altered the scale and I never thought to measure the templates....so I got a block that was about 11" square.
I improvised and added a frame. I like it ok.

Here are the blocks all together thus far:


Today was hilarity in choreographing a dance number with kids and Prince music. Yup, that's how I roll...

It's Monday, and I already feel behind...

The plan was to catch up, but it didn't entirely work.
How does time pass so quickly!

I have the three Cyclops hats done. I'll try to get pictures of them tomorrow. (They're living in my classroom.) I also painted three huge flats in faux wood panelling. It's not as good as I wanted it to be, but I ran out of brown paint.

I finished my first Swoon block today. I am thinking of making a small quilt with 4 blocks.
Here's #1:


I don't think I ever posted a pic of this Skillbuilder block. It's wonky as hell. I think I should have starched it.

Anyone out there got a good non scented starch to use? The perfume makes me hivey.

I repaired the popped binding on the Dead Simple Cross Quilt...which means I have 4 out of my 8 projects DONE for the first quarter.


My plan was to catch up on Sew. Happy. Quilt. blocks today...only got one done, but I like it:

As of tomorrow's new posting, I'll be 3 behind. I have the pieces cut out for one. The goal tomorrow....catch up on Sew. Happy. blocks and start the Sparkle. I have the pieces cut...and I have an intended home for it when it's done, I think...

What are y'all up to?

ps. didn't win the bundle over at Quokkaquilts...but I was/am really proud to have made it as far as I did.

Uggo...

No idea what is going on this morning. CRAZY flash flooding type rain.

Stinky, the Cocker, has never displayed fear of storms that I've seen. This morning, he was shaking like a leaf. There were even whimpering noises.

Then I had a headache kick in. It's like a weird sinus/migrainey feeling combo. Just when the headache dials back a bit, the nausea hit. Like a brick. I'm a big eater. Insanely sweet tooth. Right now, even chocolate sounds gross. I've been able to handle a piece and a half of plain toast.

Anyway....on more pleasant notes. I finished my Dead Simple Cross quilt. I'll post some pictures. My quilting is, frankly, terrible. The binding popped in a spot. I have to rip some seams and resew. I'm leaving it for a bit. I think it will be about 10 min to fix.

In other happy inducing news, my bundle for Quokka Quilts challenge made it to the top 8 finalists. Honestly, I was floored I made it. There were a lot of beautiful bundles. I'm in amazingly good company! Check out the top 8 here.

I have a ton of blocks to catch up on.
Send me happy sewing vibes...

Resolved to Sew...

Y'all may have already seen this, but Very Berry Handmade is having an amazing giveaway.
Go here to check it out.

Her prizes are fab. I think I'd choose the Fat quarter bundle (10 FQ) from Erin McMorris’s Summersault!

My resolution for 2012 is to finish what I start (and try to not be so ADHD).
I've joined the Finish-Along in attempt to follow through. So far, I'm on my fourth out of 8 projects listed for the quarter.

I'd also like to stretch myself some...do some improv, create a pattern or two, and FINALLY try out free motion quilting.

I also need to woman up in March (when there's an Expo) and either put my current new machine budget to use (or reassess and keep adding to it).

What about you? Any resolutions you want to join in and announce?

It's Monday...

We didn't have school and all, it being MLK day.

Somehow, I hurt my back. I could blame Zumba, but the last time I went was Wed.

I had planned on working on my Dead Simple. I got the thread I wanted, but I wasn't sure I was up to wrangling with a fair amount of weight.
So, instead, I worked on my 241 bags.

Two done!





I'm happy to have the orange one. I had some winter blah this weekend, after the parents left.
I'll be bringing the happy, shiny to class with me tomorrow.

I have one more Skill Builder done, but I forgot to take a picture of it.

The plan for tomorrow, post dance class:
finish the 3 Sew. Happy. Quilt blocks I will need to be caught up
Quilt the Dead Simple


I can't get to the red, grey, and black until one more bee block comes.
Chipping away at the UFO list. It's so wrong that I started another project and I have a plan for a Tangerine mini.

back to working...

My parents have headed home.
Engagement officially celebrated!
Much eating!
Shopping! (munki munki pjs purchased)

I'm trying to get back in the swing of things.

Here's the update on my UFO list:
1. The Monkey Quilt

2. The Pink Tile quilt...

3. The Across the Sea boy quilt...not touched yet.

4. Rockin Robin...bits chosen. I still have to piece some of the back and repress the top, adding borders to it.

5. My 241 Noodlehead bag...planning on cutting out pieces tomorrow for 2 different ones.

6. Random square quilt...I have to dig out 9 more squares. This one is going to be small, probably 36x42 for Project Linus.

7. My long overdue Dead Simple QAL cross quilt. Sammiched. I have to get the right variegated thread to quilt it. Quilting it tomorrow if the store is open.

8. My red, grey, & black bee block quilt (using blocks from my 3x6 rounds) I'm waiting on one more block to arrive to do the layout of this one. I've got the backing and the binding all chosen.

Other things that need doing:
2 Sew. Happy. Quilt blocks
Blocks 22 and 23 for the Skill Builder. I think I'm letting the applique one go.
Decide whether or not to add the bird to the Neutral or Not block
Mail Bee blocks to the UK
eyeballs for Cyclops hats

I'm feeling distracted...

I really really just want a few days to sew...
but that isn't happening until Monday.

This week is action packed. I've had a meeting with a teacher group, 2 afterschool classes, Zumba tomorrow, and my parent arrive for a visit (and an engagement dinner!) on Thursday. They'll be here for the weekend.

I ordered new glasses today. My old lenses had gotten really scratched up because I stupidly left them on the nightstand and The Kraken decided to play hockey with them.

All I got done today, other than grading and some tidying, ... bee blocks.

Sew Bee Blissful blocks:


I love the Echo!


Neutral and Not block:


I still need to add a bird. Applique is not my best skill....

Here's some progress on my UFO Dead Simple Cross quilt:


It's halfway done. I have 4 more rows pieced, but I haven't had time to sew them together yet.
I hope to get it done tomorrow, maybe....if I have time before or after Zumba.

Then the machine goes into hiding and the sewing room resumes its status as a guest room.
*sad face*

On tap today:

Zumba--DONE...kicked my butt again. This time I brought 2 friends. A good time was had by all.
We're going again this week.

First Cyclops hat---begun.

Dead Simple Cross quilt--still working on it. Pics when the top is done!

Finished two yesterday...

and here are the pictures, finally...

Pink Tile Quilt



Monkey Quilt



These will be headed to a charity...maybe Project Linus.

I finished my bee blocks for New Bee on the Block.
For January, Diane chose the Japanese + and X quilt.
She sent lots of scrappy goodness.

Here are all three, headed to the mail tomorrow:




I can see how these would be addictive.
I started playing with the snowbally part of the block (the non cross) with a bunch of leftovers.

I've got 3 out of the 16 rows done on the Dead Simple Cross quilt top.

I also broke out the Janome (I think it's a 11554) that The Pirate got me. Wow. I knew my Brother was kind of crappy, but this one is so much quieter...and the bobbin doesn't run out as fast...and I can actually use a large spool of thread on the machine, rather than having to rely on a makeshift method of keeping it on.

I'm still dreaming of a Bernina. I think the fund is more than halfway there...What do y'all sew on? Any dream machines that you currently own or want?

Two down....

I finished hand sewing the binding on the Pink Tile quilt and the monkey quilt.

Pics are forthcoming as soon as they have been through the wash. (The Monkey quilt is in the washer right now.)

The class play is cast. Most of the kids were just plain excited. I had a couple of sad faces, a few tears. I hate those moments. I love my kids. I'm hoping Monday everyone will get into the swing of things and just have fun with it. (That's usually how it goes.) Can't believe this is my 11th play written and directed with kids!


New projects added to my to do list:

3 knitted hats for cyclopses (is that the proper plural?)
2 sets of wings for the kung fu peacocks

There will be more....

Holy Crap...

In an attempt to get in better shape and lose weight, I bought a Zumba card for 15 classes.
Tried the first one today.
(I took one of my best friend's daughters who is on break from college.)
It was ridiculously hard.
And ridiculously fun.
Even when I messed up, I was laughing.
My partner in crime (who I think is WAY fitter than I am) was smiling the whole time and commented that this was a ZONE 5 (which I think is the highest level) of workout.

We're going back for more Sun, only this time we're taking her mom with us.
I'm thinking I'm going to be feeling this tomorrow....
EEP.

just pics and captions today...

Block #1 for jan, New Bee on the Block (2 left to complete)


Skill Builder Circle Block


Sew. Happy. Quilt. Week 1


Sew. Happy. Quilt. Week 2


Oh...and random announcement, internet peoples. The Pirate popped the question and I said yes!!! I'm now sporting a lovely amethyst engagement ring!

Been sewing today...

with a brief interlude of continued cleaning and running to a Staples to get The Pirate the file cabinet of his choice. (His preliminary choice at the Pottery Barn was not available any where in the SE.)

Updates on UFOS:
1. Monkey quilt is done except for hand sewing binding.
2. Tile quilt is done except for hand sewing binding.
3. Across the Sea untouched, back being plotted...I don't think I'm doing the level of piecing I did on the back of the girl version.
4. Rockin Robin...I'm debating on doing either a green or orange sashing. I have a tomato red back and more navy for binding. I have no idea what kind of quilting I'll do on it.
5. No progress on the 241..I'm not sure I have all the pieces cut. (Cough...stuffed in a drawer while "cleaning"..cough)
6. Scrap squares sewn into bigger rectangle...not big enough for a lap quilt...ideas being pondered.
7. Located my design for crosses and cut strips into squares. (I have a piece for the back, but I still have to locate the binding.
8. I picked some of the blocks, but I may wait for the 2 remaining blocks headed my way, I hope, from my hive in the 3x6. I've got a backing coming and binding chosen.


Woooooo....
I'm pondering my design for the Tangerine Tango.

Still needs to be done:
Bee blocks for New Bee on the block
2 new blocks for Sew. Happy. (tomorrow)
I still haven't tried the applique block for the Skillbuilder (I have two done that also need to be photographed and posted.)....Honestly, I HATE applique. I'm just not patient enough for it. However, the guilt laden chick in me feels badly about skipping a block. Blarg.

Finish-a-long, first quarter...

Rhonda, over at Quilter in the Gap, is hosting a Finish-a-Long for 2012.

I'm joining in the fun.

UFOs I pledge to complete in the first quarter:

1. The Monkey Quilt...I started in a LONG time ago, it seems, but I haven't finished it.
As of right now, I have the top done, the back pieced but not trimmed. It needs
sammiching, quilting and binding.


2. The Pink Tile quilt...I've got the pieces for the top cut, but not sewn.
No idea what I'll use for the back yet.


3. The Across the Sea boy quilt...the back still needs cutting and piecing, etc.


4. Rockin Robin...the top is done, the back needs to be pieced..and it needs sammiching and quilting and binding.


5. My 241 Noodlehead bag...some of the pieces are cut, but that's it. I ended up postponing the sewing on it in order to finish some Xmas presents.


6. Random square quilt...it's a scrap busting project. I haven't gotten far.


7. My long overdue Dead Simple QAL cross quilt. I got as far as cutting the fabric into 6 in wide WOF strips...


8. My red, grey, & black bee block quilt (using blocks from my 3x6 rounds)



Projects that I hope to start and finish:

1. My. Sew. Happy. Quilt. QAL quilt

2. My For the Love of Solids swap item

3. Lap quilt for Aunt.

4. 2nd apron for The Pirate


5. Tangerine Tango Challenge




Whew...that's a lot. Add to that bee blocks from Neutral and Not, New Bee on the Block, 3x6, 4x5, Sew Bee Blissful, and possibly a few others...

I better get sewing!