A mixed kind of day...

I've had to open a case file with the USPS to find out where the hell my package is.  I have no idea what will happen to the moolah I shelled on fabric if they can't figure it out.  Not super happy with the response given to me by the store.  It was kind of an "it happens...maybe it will come tomorrow" message.  I'm pretty sure the fault is the post office's, but still.
So much for spreading the love locally.

Anyway, bellydance was awesome tonight.  Got to see 2 more old dancer friends!
I finished the next installment of the Medallion quilt.  One more layer and then hand quilting!
I'm interested to see how the wonky as hell element plays out.  There is a seam or 2 I will stitch wizard just to make sure it doesn't fray.




I finished the Tree quilt, but I apparently forgot to take pictures.  I'll try it tomorrow.
I got 4 out of 5 Nubee blocks, a Neutral and Not bee block, and a Running with Scissors block done, as well as 2 mystery round robin installments.  (No pics of the last ones because they're a secret.)

Edit:  Tree quilt pics added

Today sucked a bit...

I am behind on my agenda because I had to deal with a freaked out dog and an electrical storm.
Not a good combo in our house as of late.

AND...I splurged and pre-ordered Tula from Whipstitch.  I was all excited because my package should have come today.
...and, it appears to have been routed to Florida.
Blarg.
And they wonder why folks don't jump at using the USPS?!
Bad bad mood.  Blarg.

A throwdown...

So, I tend to have a rather big mouth.
And, I'm new to twitter...so I tend to get a bit excited.

I'm still not entirely sure I know how this all happened.
I know I was talking to Rachael from Imaginegnats and Allegory from Sew Allegorical.  I can see myself getting into lots of fun trouble with Allegory.  Such is the danger of having coffee, apparently.

There was mention of a need to practice improv piecing.
Um, and then there was mention of a challenge (it might have been me?).
And, then, Rachael actually issued a challenge.

The terms:
An improv mini.  No bigger than 20" square.
Due by July 15th.
Winner to be determined by Rachael.

So, I bit.

I set up some rules for myself.
I could only use scraps....the bin was getting a bit out of control.
No real plan allowed.  I wanted to pick a special piece for the center, but beyond that, the scraps would tell me what to do.
I did it as a quilt as you go, no real reason other than I had never tried it before.

So, I did it.  I had a BLAST.
I used my last favorite scrap of Outfoxed.
I pieced together batting scraps for the insides.
The only thing that wasn't officially a scrap was the binding, as I really wanted it to be brown and didn't have any appropriate amounts.   It was from my stash.


I'm calling it "A Fox in the House."

(It's not really so rumpled, but I was afraid to press it to the damp bench.)

Here's the back:


Also awesome because it was created the same week I named my machine!
Thank you, big mouth, for getting me into something fun!

A happy thursday!

I had a weigh in today, down another pound!
I was, honestly, kind of hoping for more, but I'm counting it as a win because down is the direction my weight is going!

I also got on a clearing of UFO kick.  Two more down!

I did the snail bag:


and I did the hexy bag:


I'm kind of in love with both.  I can definitely see doing the tree bag for Xmas presents.


I also worked on the tree quilt (no pic) and got the mini top pieced.


Tomorrow is my errand day, so I don't know what I'll get cleared.

My goals for this weekend:
1.  Finish the tree quilt.
2.  Suck it up and trace the damn petals already.  (I've been majorly procrastinating on this one.)
If I don't get this done, I'll be behind in the QAL.  (Allegory, you have my permission to kick my butt if I don't.)
3.  Baste the Stained quilt.  It's got to be done.  I'm tired of it lurking.
4.  Figure out the layout for the fiance's quilt.
5.  Zumba at least once.
6.  Finish basting the hexies for Hexy MF.


Also, meet my new machine!  His name is Renardo, "The Fox."  I will undoubtedly end up with a bevy of nicknames for him, including Ren, Renny, Foxy, and, perhaps my favorite, Zorro.



Since I didn't pick any of the names offered me, I'll come up with some price anyway and Mr. Random will pick one of the suggesters' names.

A few finishes...wooo!

Well, I decided to try to tic a few things off the list, so I started with the three easiest.
(I have plans for two more in progress tomorrow.)

I got the next stage of the Medallion done.
It's a tad wonky, but I love it.
I also burned the crap out of a knuckle on the iron.  *sigh*



I made the dog two new beds.  Which gloriously removed 4 pillows that were lurking in our entry way/dining room.
He apparently loves them.  And, so does Kraken.  I'd make her a bed if I thought she'd actually use it and not steal his.



 Yes, that is a sock in the background. He steals mine and carries them around the house as trophies.

 My future Xmas present table runner is also done!

 I'm trying to keep on trucking. I have a Weightwatchers weigh in tomorrow. I'm hoping it will be good. I Zumba'd twice this week and bellydanced twice.

Phew...What's up with y'all?

 Also, the machine has a new name. Renardo. The Fox. Ren. I'm loving him.

UFO list, 3rd quarter Finish Along...

First, let me state that I'm not insane enough to think I can actually get all of these UFOs done.
Also, let me apologize for some of my crappy phone pics.  I've been having trouble with iphoto when I try to upload pics to my folders.  So, I had to reshoot some of these because the ones on my camera show up as black boxes.  Blarg.

Anway, back to the UFOs.  I figure, I'll get at least part of them done.  And, this way, I'll have my list all in one place.

So, here goes my insane list of UFOs, with appropriate photo documentation.

1.  Postage Stamp quilt.  This one has been lingering for at least one, maybe two quarters.  I now have an idea of what I'm going to do with this one.  It will probably be heading over to either Project Linus or a quilt drive for the wildfires.



2.  Red, Black, and White/Grey quilt.  It's been living in a snap frame for longer than is good for it.  I had decided to hand quilt it, and it's trapped in quilting limbo.  It needs to get done.


3.  The Stained Quilt.  This poor top has been lingering since the QAL ended.  I want it to be done.  I really love it.  And I'm scared of ruining it.  I need to woman up (or maybe Chelsea will pick me) and finish it.


4.  The Tree Quilt.  I was in a swap with the Misfit quilters.  My trees have arrived.  Now I need to make the quilt.



5.  The Pirate's apron.  It finally made it to the "cut out" phase, but it's been sitting in a bag unfinished.  My fiance is incredibly patient, since this was originally intended as a Valentine's present, then an anniversary, then a bday present...and all of those dates are LONG past.


6.  My Soda Pop quilt.  I've gotten as far as the background top and stalled out on tracing and cutting all those petals.


7.  The Hexy MF quilt.  I've got stacks and stacks of hexies basted.  I need to not fade out and finish it.


8.  The Across the Sea boy quilt.  It's been living in a box.  I need to finish it and find a friend's boy who needs a quilt.  It's gotta be someone special as I've used up my blue 1001 peeps on it.


9.  Hexy Bag.  I started this with Rachel's hand stitched class and then postponed finishing it because the other paper piecing took me longer than I thought it would.


10.  Snail bag.  I finished the paper piecing and have the pieces of the bag, but haven't sewn it all up yet.


11.  Medallion quilt.  It's in process.  I've stalled out for the moment on the paper piecing.


12.  Red Wonky stars.  I collected these for the Sew Bee Blissful quilting bee.  I need to make the few that went AWOL and sew it all up.



13.  Green and Blue quilt.  I've been collecting blocks from the 4x5, 3x6, and Nubees to make the fiance a quilt.  It now needs to happen.



14.  Do.Good.Quilt.  I was the quilter for June.  I have to make a few missing blocks and sew that puppy up for delivery.


15.  Coaster Set.  Another Hand stitching project that fizzled because the embroidery on the Medallion Quilt took me longer than I thought it would.


16. Dog bed #1.  Stinky needs him a new bed.  The old one is kinda gross.  I promised him one in winter, and I have all the supplies taking up space.


17.  Dog bed #2.  He needs a second one because Kraken steals his...and he likes to sleep upstairs and downstairs.  Ditto on the supplies still living in a bag.


18.  Quilt for B.  I was gifted some Ghastlies to make a quilt for a friend in the in vitro process.  This one is a priority finish.  I started a few framing blocks, but haven't gotten further.


19.  Converging Corners quilt.  I started this as a baby quilt with a bundle I couldn't figure out what else to do with  (Thanks, Allegory, for suggesting this one!)...and I was procrastinating on another project to start this one.


20.  Orange and Purple quilt.  I'm not sure I have enough blocks to finish this one.  If not, I hope to get it a bit further along this round.



21.  Swoon.  I don't think I have it in me right now to do a whole quilt yet. I have a stack of stash saved for one, but this is a solo block.  I think it needs to be made into a mini or a pillow.



22.  Table Runner for R.  This has to be done before Thanksgiving anyway...



23.  Secret project for Sept.  (I'm ok if this one doesn't count.  Someone special asked me to help out on a very special cause...and I'm glad to help!)

Add to this list bee blocks for a BUNCH of bees, at least one other QAL I've joined, and more blocks for the Heal circle...and I know there will be more...and it's likely whatever doesn't get done this quarter will roll into the next.  Plus, I have a bunch of Christmas projects to put in here as well as more work for Rachel's hand sewing class....so, wish me luck.

Me and my new machine (yes, crap grammar, I know) got a LOT of work to do.

Go ahead and laugh at my list...I know I am.

Help me out, Chelsea!

I don't know if I'm still eligible, but I've got a quilt I've been stuck on for a while.
I'm hoping that maybe Chelsea will pick me and help me out of my rut.



See, I made this quilt MONTHS ago as part of a QAL.  (The Stained QAL run by Sarah over at Narcoleptic in a Cupboard.)
It is currently one of my all time favorite tops.  (Yes, I can say that, the other one I think may top it isn't actually done yet.)  It's sitting in a chair, unfinished.

It was, perhaps, the beginning of my love of fuschia and lime together.



I think it's about 45 by 55 ish.  I just don't know how to quilt it,  and I'm terrified of ruining it.
I was thinking maybe bubbles in the pinks, following the diagonals in the ironwork, straightlines? I'm open.  I really just want something that will ADD to it, not take away from it.

Help me, Chelsea!