Enjoying My Day to Myself

Today I played cribbage and came home to cleaning. lol I got my laundry caught up! Haven't done that in a long time. Feels good.

I worked on my embroidery first.

I got this much done last night. 

I got this much done today. I need to work on the french knots. I have a few more stitches to do but ran out of thread. I'm trying to figure out how to get more threads, but the websites are a pain to go through figuring out what one needs. 

I went outside to take a few more photos of the flowers in the yard. 

We've got some great flowers growing. Really pretty yard going around. 

Even the grape vine is growing pretty good.

 I worked on my baskets as well. I added some of the leaves to the baskets. I had three more blocks ready for the leaves. I finished up two of the handles that I hadn't finished. 

I also worked on the eagle block as well. I have quiet a bit done on all three projects. I thought I took a photo of the eagle. 

This is from yesterday, but I added the tips of the wings (basting) and the tail. 

It's going pretty fast. I need to applique the flower down and then I can work on more of the leaves. 

We bowled tonight and got home early because we were bowling the "vacant" team. It went really fast and I bowled really good. 

Patrick is getting ready to go to MI to be with his mom. Prayers are going out to her (Judie Wiltzius). It's been hard on his family going through all this. I wish I could be there to help. 

Guess you can say, I'm boring lately. Not much exciting going on. Other than - getting text'd at 4 am telling us my nephew and his wife were at the hospital. The texts went all day long. With 10 people in the circle, it was going back and forth all day. She still hasn't delivered at this writing but she is close. thought they would send her home because she wasn't far along. Now she's at the stage were the water broke. They are 3 hrs ahead of us. So, I've turned my phone down so I won't be hearing it all night long. I love my family, but group chats are a pain! LOL

All's well and back to Happy Quilting!

Enjoying The Day

Today I was skunked in cribbage. That's okay because I haven't been skunked in over a month. lol

I left at a good time to go to our Mt. St. Helens quilt group. I actually got a lot done today. I worked on the Brazilian embroidery piece. I had some threads "hanging" from the piece. I had left them like that while I was in the class. I worked on one thread and was given anther one.

I will work on the other leaves later this week. I'm happy to say I get to stay home the rest of the week so far. It's going pretty fast. I did send an email to our teacher to see where to buy the threads and other things I need.

I worked on this as well. I worked on the flag while at the meeting. It was pretty easy and went really fast.

After I got home I finished the flag. I also worked on the feet (that I wasn't going to do) and the wings. I basted the leaves on at the meeting. I took out the flower center piece last night and basted the outer and center piece of the flower. Now I just need to work on the flower as well as the leaves. The grapes will come later. I want to get most of it done before I do the grapes. There is embroidery on this block as well. The good news is that I have enough to do it with.

We're still waiting to see how my mother-in-law is doing. Prayers need to go out for her. It's not sounding good at all. Please keep Judy Wiltzius in your prayers as well.

I've been enjoying my time with these blocks. I will get back to the baskets tomorrow as well. I will be going back and forth like I have been.

Tonight we start another bowling league for a short time. It's the 9-pin-no-tap league. Should be fun, since I always get 9 pins when it doesn't strike. I'm looking forward to it. May you be as happy as I am Happy Quilting!

Brazilian Embroidery Class

This morning started out fast. I arrived at the church early to see if I could help. We started the Brazilian embroidery class right at 9:30 with about 13 people there to learn. I even got to see a couple friends from the guild that I haven't seen in over 5 years. We sat together and had a great time.

This is the pattern we are working on. It's really pretty.

We worked on the stems and leaves. We need to work on them for the next couple weeks, and be ready for the next class. I'm really enjoying working on these. I do love embroidery and to have Brazilian embroidery is even more fun. I can see a lot of this being used in quilting. I will be working off and on, on this design.

Class was about 3 hours. I was surprised at how easy it seemed to be for me. Others, not so easy. I do things a little different from our instructor, but that's normal in everything crafty.

Came home and started out on laundry. I've been so busy lately that laundry just didn't seem to be top of my list. Today, it was! I got a lot done, but still have more to go. While I was doing laundry, I decided to get caught up on some of my shows. Then I noticed NCIS was on (one after the other) and watched the run.

Got the wing done last night and put the flower part on - just now realizing I put the wrong one on first. This is supposed to be second! lol - I seem to be good at that lately.

Donna noticed the noise yesterday. I didn't plan for it to work out, but it was perfect! The dots in the fabric just happen to be in the right spot when I appliqued this in. There were a lot of dots. Funny how it works perfectly for the noise.

I appliqued the top of the flag down. I basted the flag lower half and realized I should have done it the other way around. Good thing I realized that. I left the bottom of the red part open so I can tuck it in. Don't know why I wasn't paying attention yesterday to placements. I did the same on the rod. I had to take part of the wing out to tuck the rod in there. I'm still wondering if I will put the feet on. Jeannie's pattern has "goofy" looking legs. I may do one of them but I probably won't do both sides. Then again, I may not do either and let the bird look like it's hiding it's feet.

Patrick got a phone call about his mom. Not sounding good. I told him he may need to go see her. He's not sure if he will, cause he doesn't want her to think he things she's die-ing. I don't think she would. So, the house is in a somber mood right now. Hard to say what will be coming.

We start bowling tomorrow night - 9 pin no-tap. I love that because I get more 9 pins then 10 pins. (Don't strike much, but spare a lot)

Life is good, considering. Take each day and hope for the best. I have my crafts to keep me going. So, if all goes well, I'll still be Happy Quilting!

Awesome Day for Applique

I played some games this morning while I waited for Patrick to get up. He enjoys sleeping in on the weekend. I just can't get there. I remember as a kid I would sleep till 1 pm. Today I can't sleep any longer than 8 am. Oh, well.

I cleaned up the kitchen by emptying the dishwasher. Had lunch and then went off to my cousin's house to do some sewing together. I had an awesome time! We talked about different quilts, and she has a lot to teach me when it comes to mixing fabrics together. She is more "scrappy" than I am but her scraps are awesome!

I marked and started work on another eagle pattern.

This is a Jeannie Austin pattern. Jeannie has a lot of eagle patterns that are so pretty. I'm doing this one for QOV. I'll probably do another one to make into another quilt for myself. I gave Donna my quilt block of the other eagle so she can put it into a quilt.

I'm going to work on it some more tonight. I really do want to get the wings done. The lighter brown is for the body and part of the wings. I need to bate some leave on here. There are leaves and grapes. The "legs" of the eagle looked a little off, so I decided to go without them. It shouldn't be a big thing.

I worked on this block and finished it last night.

I am happy with this, but I just noticed in the photo that one of the pedals looks bigger than the rest. Oh, well. The embroidery was quick and easy. This gives me 7 or 8 blocks that are done.

Here are three of the others done. I'll have to check my flowers and see which ones I missed taking a photo of. I'll add them tomorrow. I realized in one of my baskets I basted the leaves on, but forgot to baste the stem. Which means I need to take the basting out and put the stem in. 

I'm getting there. I'm enjoying every step of applique. I'm hoping to get back to quilting on the quilts as well. Donna has a PVC pipe quilt frame she loves. I may have her bring it so we can do quilting at the retreat as well. We even talked about getting a group together that would be quilting bees. I would love that. We'd get more quilts done faster. - All hand quilted too!

Okay, time to call it good and get back to applique. Happy Quilting!

Usual Saturday

Today I haven't had the chance to do anything in way of quilting. Patrick slept in. Then decided to go through our stuff and see what we could get rid of. I gave him a box full of clothes that I haven't worn or needed. We then took all the stuff we collected over the last few months along with a few new stuff, and took them to Visiting Nurses in town. Next we took the desk to Good Will because Visiting Nurses said they had a hold on desks.

Off we went to the movie. Adeline something was the movie and I recommend it. It was a good movie and makes one thing of what one would do if that happened. lol I did enjoy the movie.

Got home and I'm sitting here trying to decide what I want to work on. I did do part of a basket last night as well as putting two move 9 patch variations on the row. Have 3 more to go then will have 3 rows on the quilt.

Sorry no photos today, as I said, I didn't do any quilting today. Will go to Donna's tomorrow and should have something to show when I get back. Happy Quilting!

Rainy Friday and Quilt Day

Today I played cribbage and won one game. I went to the garage to get some food out of the freezer. While I was out there, it smelled like poop. So, I looked around and sure enough, there it was, by the garage door. I had to pull the hose around and spray it out of the garage. UGH

I then had to head to quilting. Stopped at Walmart. Trust me, I HATE going there. Since it was early enough, I was able to get in and get out fast. My hot pot broke the other day. Patrick didn't like my tea pot on the new stove and told me to go get another hot pot. I got the cheaper one all because I know it will go out just as fast as the other one I had that cost me around $30. This one was $12. I wanted the red one that was $19 but they were out of stock. So, I decided to buy this one. I actually like it - with one exception - it's a right handed pot! The cord is on the right side, the water level is on the left side, and the handle is on the right side. UGH....I can deal with this.

I was able to get this basket done today at moms house. I called the folks while I was at the meeting and they were on the road. Said they would call when they arrived at Las Vegas. Then mom told me she hadn't gotten a hold of her cousins to tell them of the passing of their Uncle. I ended up having to call them to let them know. Wasn't too thrilled I had to do that, but it seems to be me that does.

We had a good meeting but everyone left early again. We had lunch and then the rest of us left. I at least got the basket done. Then on the way home I needed to get a container to hold my stuff for the Brazilian embroidery class I'm taking on Monday. I stopped at the Dollar Store because I really, really didn't want to pay more than I had to. They didn't have any pencil boxes but I did find a snap box that will work great. I need to set that all up with scissors and other stuff I need.

I poured rain when I went to moms and it poured on the way home. Right now NO rain. Figures.

I finally came home and pulled out my box of the variation nine patch pieces.

I put one on the third row and worked on two of the nine patches to get ready to add as well.

The two at the top - green and red flowers on white - are the two I'm working on to add to the row. I need to iron this. I also need to trim some of the back. I was piecing pieces and noticed the seam allowance was more than 1/4". I'll be trimming the before I get them ready to quilt. Or as I go.

I'm going to try and get some more basting done on the baskets.

Funeral is tomorrow and not sure if I'll make it. I probably should, but not that close to the family. I have photos and things I need to give to them. I'll wait and see how it goes.

In the meantime, I'm still working on different things at the same time. We're all Happy Quilting!

A Good Day...A Busy Day

Today started out sleeping in for a little while. After getting up, got ready for the quilt meeting at the shop. Even with all that "prep" work, I forgot my water and check book. I stopped off at Safeway and got a bottle of water (bigger size at a less price) and then went to Chehalis Deli to get a sandwich. I had to go to the doctors, so ended up getting lunch on the way to our meeting.

I arrived to find three other members already there. I was surprised because I'm usually the first one there. I arrive around 10:30 am. We had a good meeting. I borrowed the shops light box and marked 7 of my Bountiful Baskets blocks. I had to remark two of them because I had put the marks on the front of the block and not the back. Good think I use pencil! I basted one of the baskets on the block.

I had to leave early because of my doctors appointment. It was my one year check  up on my back. I was surprised that I was called into the office quickly. I was able to work on this block.

I had this much done by the time I left the doctors. I didn't get the best report though. Good news is that I go back in 3 years. Bad news is that if I don't exercise or keep active I will need back surgery. I have 4 of my "bones" not working together. If I can stay away from pain, I'll be fine. Not what I wanted to hear. Not what I was looking for. I had hoped I could leave the office with A+ report, and I got more like a C report. I'm going to keep doing what I need to do to keep away from surgery.

I will finish up this block. I don't know if I'll start another one or if I will work on more basting so I can get more applique done. Quilting at moms is tomorrow.

The folks left around 10 am this morning. They called to say goodbye. They will be back in a couple weeks.

I'll be busy tomorrow at moms. I'm looking forward to being Happy Quilting!

Finished - Spring Cleaning - Quilt Room

Today was my day to finish up what I started. I found more things I've been looking for and I found things I forgot I started. Overall it was a good thing I did my spring cleaning!

I started the day off playing cribbage and won 3 games. Then came home and put the fireplace on so I could work on my quilt room.

Was down to this much of a mess on the cabinet.

And more on my quilt frame.

I started on the boxes that were out of place.I cleaned up the quilt frame. Then I hit the cabinet and put all my mess away. I did put the Affairs of the Heart quilt that needs to be quilted and the quilt I found the other day on the cabinet for me to work on.

I wanted to keep the cabinet as clean as I could. I added a few things to the peg board.

I moved my quilt frame closer to my sewing table. That way I can move it when I work on it. The bigger boxes against the wall have a quilt that I'm machine quilting (forgot I had). The other box has my genealogy in it. I can pull stuff out as I go. The serger is there as well. I took my "white" sewing machine to the pantry since I haven't used it in years. I should think of selling it or trading it in, but not there yet.

I have the cutting board working great at the end of the table. My guilt wall is working with stuff I need to get done. That's why I call it "guilt wall." I guilt myself into getting them done! lol

Last night I finished this block. I would have used brighter fabrics but the others are on the "dark" side compared to what I would do. I think it turned out pretty good. Now I have 12 blocks. I need to figure out what I'm going to do next. Still trying to decide if I want to make the other smaller blocks. May do it anyway to see if they can go into this quilt.

Last night I hand pieced the football pieces on these blocks. I'll add them to the rows I have already done - on the guilt wall. This is a Variation Nine Patch pattern. I always liked the looks of it. I'm hoping that the extra fabric in the box is enough to make a big enough quilt. I've even been thinking of doing the boarder with applique. - Just thinking!

I made some mini pies. I did both blueberry and apple. It took a little while to figure out how I wanted to do the pie crust. I finally figured it out when I did the apple ones. I was surprised at how well they turned out!

While I was waiting to bowl tonight, I checked out Karen's blog. I checked out another blog - The Road to Oklahoma. Awesome blog and adding her to my blog list. I enjoyed seeing her star quilt. It is awesome! I don't do much piecing, but I do appreciate a pretty quilt! Well worth reading.

Tomorrow is another quilt meeting. It's Haven't Missed A Stitch group. I have a doctors appointment in the afternoon up in Olympia, so I'll have to leave early. Wish I could stay longer. I will take my book of baskets and work on those. It would be easier to do the baskets then it would to take some of my other blocks. I still have to baste some pieces on my other blocks.

I bowled pretty good tonight! I bowled 183, 181, 193. More where I want to be. I'm getting more relaxed with my ball. I'm not happy I didn't get a 600 series this year, but part of that was the old ball, and getting used to the new one. I'm comfortable now, so it will help when we start back up in September.

Looking forward to quilting with the group tomorrow and being Happy Quilting!

Meeting Day

Today was our Mt. St. Helen's group meeting. I got up early (right after Patrick) and got ready to do my runs on the way. I took the bookmarks and Kleenex cases to the quilt shop. Wanted her to have them before the retreat. I still need to get the other 5 from Rose. She was thrilled to get them. We talked about the retreat. Found out Donna and I were close to the bathroom area, and Donna didn't like that anymore than I did. So, I asked to be moved to the other end of the floor. Donna and I were text'ing back and forth about what we will be doing for our room. We have a night of decorating the room and another night of "dressing up." The dressing up is in any "era" that we want. I'm not sure I have anything but will think about what I have.

After the visit with Evelyna, I headed to the meeting. I was happy to say I worked on the Baltimore Liberty block. I did get a lot done. I need to work on more basting. Had a good visit with the group. Missed Betty. I had her stuff for her but she wasn't there.

Found out today that moms Uncle passed last night. They are trying to get the funeral for Saturday. Mom and dad are leaving for Vegas, so chances are it won't stop them from going. I think dad should wait, but he really wants to go. They will be driving. So, I'm hoping they aren't expecting me to fill in for them. I'm getting tired of making excuses for why they haven't been attending funerals for family members.

Last night I worked on the pincushion I had unfinished.

I decided it needed to be finished. Can NEVER have too many pincushions.

It's a small one so it will be here at my chair since the other two I was using was too small.

Got my fabric in today. This is the fabric I ordered from Connecting Threads. When I got it, I was disappointed because the green (first one) was NOT the same color as the leaves I was using on my blocks. I had a feeling that would happen. So, while talking to mom today, I was telling her of what I was looking for. Then it hit me! I went downstairs while she was on the phone, and pulled out the box that had a sticker on it "Baltimore Liberty fabrics." Guess what was in that box!! Oh, yeah! I found the fabric. After a month of looking, sure enough it was there. UGH

After supper today, I went downstairs for an hour and worked on the quilt room. It's getting there. I have the cabinet almost cleared off. I need to vacuum when I'm done. I have to move the quilt frame back. I'm happy with the way it's going. I found scissors I forgot I had and scissors I couldn't find. I had more threads that I don't use and put them in a jar. I cleaned out the basket on the cabinet. I moved my magazines into the spare bedroom closet. I put the empty boxes into the cabinet. I even threw out a few things. I found yet another UFO that I need to finish. I have more fabric to roll on the boards. I think I'm running out of the boards.

Two more meeting this week. Next week I have one.  I can't wait for the Thursday and Friday group to be one a week again. The quarter should be over soon. I seem to have them back to back more often then usual.

Tonight I'm going to finish the Japanese doll block. I'm not too crazy about it, because it's dark. I wanted bright but bright wouldn't go with the other blocks. So, I think. Happy Quilting!

Spring Cleaning - Quilt Room - Day 2

I can call it progress.....I'm getting there. I think I was nuts when I thought I would do an overhaul of my quilt room. I will say, I am glad I did. I hate all those spiderwebs.

Of course this is where I started today....

I cleaned out my buckets. One has my cross stitch and floss stuff. The other has been emptied. I was surprised at how easy it was to empty the bucket. I also cleaned them up by washing them.

Since I was going through all my boxes as I was deciding what to do with them, it took longer. I found a few more UFO's that I completely forgot I had.

This was one of the blocks I was talking about. It's used with really light material. The more I look at them, the more I'm thinking I will throw them away. I don't think the fabric will last a couple washes there so thin.

I'm loading this up for the retreat. There are three different projects in there. The green has some blocks that are 5 patches. The rest of the block is there also. I need to finish up the blocks and then I can put them all together. I think it will go fast at the retreat if I do them. The red blocks are blocks that I embroidered years ago of snowmen. I was doing two different sets for my two nieces on my hubby's side.

And then there is this one.

I found the pieces for this quilt. It is all hand pieced. I have pieces all marked and ready to be put together. So, this is another project I can work on at night or take with me. I completely forgot about this one and the one in the box that is green. Of all things - more things to work on!

I cleaned out my sewing cabinet. When I mean cleaned out - I mean took everything out and washed it down. I decided I will put things in as I go. I need to put stuff in there that I will be using when sewing.

As the day has gone by, I am happy to say I'm getting closer to being done. I'm amazed at how many containers/boxes that I have emptied. I put the variation of the nine patch on my guilt wall. Maybe the more I see it the more I will grab it to work on.

I was thinking of putting my sewing machine cabinet here. After talking with Patrick and telling him what I would like to do, he and I agreed to put it back where it was. There is a change though.

It's going to face this way. That way I can at least see the TV when I'm sewing. The quilt frame is going to be in front of this as well. There will be room between the table and the quilt frame to get around. I have a lot of "stuff" on the cabinet now to put away. I have gone through my magazines and put a few off to the side to give away. I have also gone through my copies of patterns. I've thrown out a few and keeping others. I found old time applique patterns that I think would be awesome to make. So, I guess going through all this "stuff" I found things I can do without buying more books or patterns.

I took a lunch break today and went out to take photos of the flowers in the yard. I just love the flowers.

Check out my photo page for more pictures. In the meantime, enjoy my photos.

While I'm enjoying our flowers I'm still Happy Quilting!