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!