Started Another Project

This morning, I was up and a little miffed with the neighbor cutting down a tree at 7:30 am. 

Patrick went to his meeting/coffee with his other management friends who are all retired. While he was gone, I went through my project bags and put away my BE floss. I didn't realize I had so much out and about. I added more to the bars and found that I had to add more bars to hold the floss. Now it's about to the point where I can only add one or two more bars. Then I wouldn't be able to fit anything else in there. 

Went to the mailbox to get my fabric for my cross stitching. I decided to cut the fabric in half and work with just half of it. I didn't need to have all that fabric when the piece was half the size. 

Next, I decided I wanted to do the stair step method, so I counted down from the middle to get it started there. Once I was able to do that, I was able to work the piece to get ready with the stair step method. 

I have a little more to do, then I will be able to continue with the stair step method. 

When I started to work on this, we had to take a break and go get my Santa Claus piece from the framers. I was shocked at all the green, but I do like it.

 Patrick put it up on the wall already. It turned out really pretty. 

I worked on the new piece most of the afternoon. I really like working on it, and it felt good to get back to cross stitching. I know when the beads come in, I will be back to working on the cat, but in the meantime, I will enjoy working on my cross stitch. Guess you can say, I'm Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

An Awesome Day With Awesome Friends

Before I start this - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRIS! Today is my brother's 70th birthday. I wish the best for him!

My day started with me heading out the door and getting a few things done before joining Sandy and Geralyn. First was Rite Aid, but what I needed wasn't ready so, I opted to go back after our meeting. Then I headed to the post office to drop off the family group sheets for Bryan. I need to send him a message that it's on the way. After that, went back to Micheals to find the DMC floss I needed. Of course, they were still out. I may have order online. Sandy said she could look at Acorn Threads in Portland if she goes. I sent her the number, but I think I may have to just order it online. I couldn't believe Amazon has it for $5.95. No way am I paying that for a skein of crappy floss. 

Arrived at the grange to find Geralyn already there and Sandy right behind me. We worked and chatted about everything!

I worked on the beads here. I am surprised at how much I am getting done. 

After the grange, I headed to Rite Aid but then Patrick suggested that I stop and get the car washed. So, I stopped at the Duck Wash now that it's open. I got the car vacuumed as well, but their vacuum wasn't that great.  Once that was done, went to Rite Aid and since Phil is right there, I stopped to say hi to him as well. We had a good chat.

Came home and played my games. Then I decided I wanted to finish this piece once and for all. 

I finally finished it. I put my name in the bottom of the bowl, but I'm not crazy about doing that. The bowl almost needs more to it. But then I'm finished with this and don't need to add more to it. 

My day was fun, and I enjoyed being at our meeting. I really had fun. Sandy will be headed to Seminar on Thursday. Can't wait to see what she's doing. I decided not to go, so I will just have to be here enjoying my time and working on being Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Trip To Vancouver For Father's Day

 Today we spend the day down in Vancouver (WA) with my brother and his family. We took a fruit salad. Brother Patrick fixed ribs for supper with corn on the cob. Supper was awesome. We spend the day checking out his "new" place and walking around the yard seeing all the cleanup he's been doing. They have put a lot into the yard. The house will come next. 

Mom enjoyed her time with the new baby girl. This is the 13th great granddaughter who was born on the 13th of May. I believe her lucky number will be 13! 

We all sat and chatted in the back yard, then had supper. We then left around 6 pm and finally made it home by 8 pm after dropping mom off. 

I didn't find the time to work on my projects even though I took them along. I decided to just sit and enjoy my family. It went well. We had a good time, no arguments between my brother and me. So, life is good. We took some chairs with us but only needed to us one. The other 4 stayed in the car. 

Patrick messed up his finger and Nate told him he needed to go in and have it looked at. So, when I go for my eye appointment, he will go into Urgent Care to have it looked at. We will do that on Wednesday. 

It was a fun day, just not my day for Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Long Day - Looking For Something To Do

 It's been a long day. I played my game for a bit, then I wanted to find something to do. I had till 1 pm when the "war" game was on. 

I decided to put my beading stuff together. I laid everything out and thought I could do a row or two. OH NO! Not in my lifetime! I had to count the rows to make sure I was on track - that was. As it turned out, I was missing a bead. Not sure where the tube was or if I used that color for something else. I went looking in all my beads, digging for the beads I had for other stuff. Just not my luck today. 

Put my bead boxes in order and went through the beads by number. Put them in the holder (top right) and looked for the color I needed. NOPE! Still not there. So, I gave up. Then I went and ordered more beads. I had a list of beads I needed and ordered those. They didn't have 2 of the beads, so I ended up ordering them from another bead company. UGH! Now I have to wait about a week before I can set and add rows. 

Gave up on that and decided to start the puzzle. Just my luck that I have to wait for the fabric to come in on the cross stitch I want to do, now I have to wait on the beads before I can do that. Yep! My lucky day!

Decided that was enough for today and just went to play my games and watch TV. Our shows were on, so we watched those as well. 

As much as I wanted - It didn't turn out for me to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Power Out Yesterday - Trip To Olympia Today

Yesterday when I was ready to post my blog, we lost power. It was out for 6 hours due to a truck hitting the power pole. 

So, yesterday started out with me going to Dutch Brothers for tea and coffee. We had a presentation that went very well. The ones we honored were a lot of fun. We did have one guy that didn't show though. He will hopefully be there in July. 

Frederick Fuller    Army        1971 - 1078     

George Friedman   Air Force   1965 - 1969    

Edward Finley        Air Force    1965 - 1969   

Mark Zufall           Navy            1980 - 1986

Not in that order, but those are the gentlemen that we honored. Frederick Fuller is on the right and served in Vietnam. The others were during that time but didn't go into Vietnam. 

On my way home Debbie and I went to Burgerville to check on a day for fundraising. When the manager wasn't there, I headed to Safeway for chicken. We decided on fried chicken for supper. I also picked up some fruit for Father's Day at my brothers. I'm going to make a fruit salad. 

Then I was getting my cross stitch ready to work on and changed my mind. So, I took it off the frame and put it away. 

This was all ready to go. I took it apart. Then I went downstairs and pulled 3 others out for Patrick to look at. He picked the pattern and then ordered the fabric that goes with it. I had it in 28 ct. and he wanted it in 32 ct to keep it small. UGH

Today, I worked on the floss to go with the pattern. 

I have the beads and things that go with this. I worked on getting my floss for it. Even pulled out my favorite brand to match it with the DMC floss. I found that DMC is cheaper and isn't made as good as it used to be. So, I will go through and fix what colors I will be using with Madera floss. 

Then I headed over to the copy place and had the pattern copies - with bigger print so I can use it to mark up. Once that was done, I headed to Michaels and got all but 1 floss. The one I needed they were out of and so was I. I will check on it Monday. The fabric isn't due till Tuesday. I will hopefully be able to start it soon. 

Came home and headed out the door to Olympia. Had to see the oncologist for something and then we came home. 

Cousin Bryan called to chat. I have printed out the family tree for him. It's a good 176 pages. I will have to break it up into 3 or 4 envelopes to send to him. Oh, well. I will work on it tomorrow. 

Now I'm beat and calling it a night! At least I can pretend to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Casino Day And Quilt Labels

Today Patrick went golfing. While he was golfing, I was doing trips in town. First, I took the batting and quilt to the church for Rita. Next to Safeway because I had 2 free coupons that expired today. Next trip was to Phil's to drop a few things off. And lastly a trip to PUD to pay the bill for Gunderson. 

Once all that was done, came home and set a message to everyone letting them know about tomorrow. 

Patrick came in the door as I finished up with my email. Then we headed out to the casino, where we stayed till 5 pm. We were having fun and winning and losing. But we were having fun, so we decided to stay and play. Then we had a French Dip that we shared. It was really good. I like the fries as well. lol 

Came home and I played for a bit. Then I needed to get the quilts names on the labels. One quilt didn't have it, so I had to sew it on the back. 

The sew group did this one. It's really pretty. 

Debbie did this one. It's for a WSP officer who served in the military. I really like this. She made it for him because he's a friend. She has one more to make as well, since they both are getting a quilt next month.

I did one more, but didn't get a photo of it. I will try and remember before I leave tomorrow for our presentation. I have a few things I need to remember and hope I do!

I don't think that counts as being Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

A Little Of This, A Little Of That

Today, Patrick headed to play golf, and I went downstairs to work on the quilt on the floor. Mom came over about the time I was squaring up Georgie's blocks. 

Mom and I went through the stack of fabric for her to take some smaller pieces to cut for the variation 9-patch quilt. She likes that one and loves to do 9-patches. She also got some white and off-white fabric as well. I'm sure she will have a quilt in no time, just knowing her. 

I was thinking before she came that I would put a challenge to our group and have them help work on a quilt. I will have a box of strips and have them put 2 1/2" white squares on them, then cut it to 15". We can get a quilt out of them if enough members work on it. I'm going to get it ready for our meeting. Kind of like passing the box in quilt groups to get members to make a block. 

After mom left, I finished squaring off the blocks. 

I was able to sew the blocks together. They are far from perfect. But they are done and ready for the border. 

Then we had to head out to Olympia for my doctor "sports med" appointment. He was different. He seemed to talk to me through closed eyes. Almost like it hurt him to look at me. Just weird. He told me "It could be this but doesn't look like it. Or it could be this but again doesn't look like it." He did say a sprain could take up to 6-12 months to heal. I'm thinking that's what it was or is. So, I'm getting an MRI done and will go to a PT to strengthen the ankle. We'll see. 

Came home and went back downstairs to work on getting this quilt done. I have the quilt ready for the church and I'm giving them some batting we got from Ann. She will be happy we put it to good use. 

I have a bad habit of changing my original idea for these quilts! I was figuring the size as I was going thinking I was on top of it. Then I second guessed myself and added the red border. Come to find out, if I would have measured the star blocks, I would have been fine with the original idea. So, now it's a bit bigger than I planned for the border. Oh, well. I think it will look fine. Once I get the last 2 borders on, it will be done. I'm not adding another border to frame the star. At least it's the right size now either way. 

I will work on the panel on the wall after this one. We need more tops, and I needed to get back to making them. I will work on being Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

 

Worked On A Couple Things Today

Seems like I'm getting back to working on stuff. Geralyn called and asked if I wanted a ride to the grange. Told her I would, and we went to get iced tea at McD's. 

We then went to the grange and had a good visit, visiting all the way there and back too. She worked on her quilt, and I worked on my bonsai tree. 

I got a little ahead of myself. I was able to get this far and stopped. I thought it was close to time to leave - it wasn't. So, I added more. I thought I was in trouble because my beading thread wasn't in my bag. I took it out before going, thinking it was for the bead work I was working on, on Friday. Nope, it wasn't. I did find some white floss that would work with the beading needle and the best part is that the beads are bigger than what I usually work with. So, it worked out great. 

Since I was early, I went back to adding more beads. I'm getting closer. It wasn't easy getting around the hair. I'm going to end up doing that behind the lady as well. 

Before I even left for embroidery, I went downstairs and set up 2 quilt tops that should be quick and easy to do. 

I laid the blocks out and put up the panel on the board before leaving. 

Ann Busby started working on this one. So, I'm going to finish it as well. After I got home, I went down to look for some fabrics that might work other than what I put out for Patrick to look at. he liked my ideas and said he would go down with me to figure it out after we got back from the framers. 

I took the Santa I made to be professionally framed. Patrick and Connie (Taylor) where pulling things out that look good. I'm not that good at it, because I can't see the end result till after. Dennis (Taylor) who is framing it, will send an estimate, as Patrick asked for one. I hope it's not too expensive, but I think it needs to be done. 

Came back home, ate, and then went downstairs to figure out what I would do for both quilt tops. We talked about what I can do, which won't take a lot of time, and I can get them down sooner. 

Mary dropped off a quilt top at the grange and I'm going to take that to the church on Wednesday. The quilt I finished will go to Colleen. I warned her it may pucker a bit in the inside. I cut the backing and batting and washed the backing as well. So, 2 quilts tops are ready to be quilted. 

With all that happened today, it turned out as usual, Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

I Finished Another Quilt Top

Today, I was up and cleaning. Then I decided to go downstairs and work on the quilt top before we headed to the play in Centralia. 

I was able to get the center area almost done before we left at 1 pm. 

We went to Panda for supper. I got a birthday promotion that I used. We finally got back home around 5:30 pm.

I decided I wanted to keep the reds on one side and the blue on the other. So, when we got home, I went downstairs and worked on finishing this. First, I had to take out the 2 strips on the left because they were the wrong order. I was taking out a lot, partly because I don't like sewing, partly because I wasn't paying attention. Don't tell anyone, but I think the "not paying attention" is more like it. 

After 2 hours I finally finished it. It's okay. Patrick picked the yellow, but I think it's too bright. At this point I'm not going to argue and try to find another yellow less "in your face." it worked for what I did. 

I put a panel that Ann Busby started on the wall. I'm going to finish it and hopefully have another quilt ready for next month. We need tops and I'm going to have to make sure I work on a few. 

As HOT as it is today, it was cooler downstairs which made it easy to be Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

What A Day!

Today, of all days, was hot and awful!

I decided to get my tail moving and get some quilts done for QOV. It's time I got moving again and finished a couple tops. So, I headed downstairs. Before I did, I called Debbie to talk over all that is going on with our group. I filled her in on a few things and we talked about Kristi being head of Mossyrock. We are not going to do anything about it, nor will I help her after what she put me through and then called me a liar. So, it is what it is and I'm moving on as if nothing happened. 

This is the way I originally planned to have the quilt go. Now I am second guessing it. Patrick wonders why I didn't make the blocks bordered all the way around. I told him it would be way to wide, and I wanted to get it a connection idea. 

 

I had accidently had the block this way. Then after I looked at it on the camera, I am going to this design better than the top one. This way all the reds are on the left and the blue is on the right. Patrick likes the one above this, but I'm kind of going this way. I need to add more to the sides in the middle and then I will see where to go from there. Patrick thinks I need to add a solid color around it when I'm done. I'm not crazy about that idea, but then I'm not crazy about my idea either. I will have to think on this. Once I get the center part done, I can sew the pieces together. I really do want to get this done. 

Came upstairs and we watched an old movie. It had Jack Elim, James (from Rockford Files) in it. It was really good. "Support your Sheriff" which I saw when I was a teenager. I still love that movie!

I worked on a little bit of family history. I was able to check a few things out in findagrave.com. And now, I''m going to just sit and listen to my books while playing a game. 

It was busy, fun, and frustrating all in one day. But at least my day was Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Quilting At Mom's

This morning, I collected everything I needed for mom's place. We were doing a Birthday lunch for Carmen. It's funny how that works. I had my Birthday last month and no one said a word. Then I get an email asking to bring stuff for her luncheon. Weird how that works. 

I gave Nancy the stuff she needed to do the certificates for our presentations. I hope it works out okay. 

I ended up ironing Ethel's quilt top that we need to get moving on. Mom didn't want to do it, of course. So, she had me do it. Now she needs to take it to Kathleen to be basted. She also wanted me to help her move the quilt on the frame. So, we rolled it so she could do the next "row" of quilting. 

Then I sat down to work on my earrings. I was wearing the ones I did yesterday, and no one said a word. 

As I work trying to figure out the next row after lunch, I found that I did 3 rows backwards. I need to take the top 3 rows off. I couldn't believe I had done that, but then under the circumstances, I can. I didn't want to do it, so I put it away and came home. 

I stopped and got Patrick and I a drink. Then I sat and played my games. I was tired of doing stuff for everyone else. 

As I came on to do my blog, I got a message from Cindy, our state coordinator, that Kristi is now the group leader for Mossyrock. That is going to be interesting. She threw such a fit with me and complained about everything, that I am wondering how that's going to work with QOV. I know she's going to cause problems for our group, but I will just do what I need to do and act as if she isn't here. All I can do. If I have to work with her again, I will tell Cindy flat out, it's not going to happen. 

At least I had part of the day to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

A Trip To Olympia And A Finish

 This morning, we stayed pretty quiet. I did get some work on getting the word chart going. I haven't finished the deer part and wanted to get moving on it. So, I was able to get another 11 rows done before we had to leave. 

We were meeting Kelsey at Jeremy's in town. I had a quilt for her to quilt. Then we stopped at Colleen's, and she was waiting to see if I had anything. Told her no, gave it to Kelsey. So, she can work on a quilt top with those blocks I gave her. Told her we are behind on tops. She gave me a quilt, so we have one more. I need to go downstairs and work on mine. Maybe this weekend. 

Then we headed to Olympia because my doctor asked me to get a blood test done. I did the iron test for her. I also collected the stuff I need for later. Once that was done and I learned a little more, we came home. 

I tried to decide what I wanted to do, after supper. I started cooking almost as soon as we got home. 

Then I went and got my beading. I wanted to finish the earrings. 

I really like these. I got the pattern from Etsy, Snowy Egret Fringe Earrings. The designer is Fringe Benefits Beading Co. and I like her patterns. I had to learn the brick stitch, but now that I know it, I can do more earrings. I have a couple I want to do and will work on those later. 

I then started another set of earrings that are from another designer on Etsy - Lubaro, They are really pretty too. 

It's a single brick stitch that took me a bit, but I finally got it. I'm glad I learned the double layer first, as this is a single row.  I think they might be a little more elegant. We will see when I'm done. 

Then I had to get a thumb drive for Nancy. She's going to do my certificates for me. I have them ready to take tomorrow. It's Carmen's Birthday tomorrow. Funny, but they didn't do anything for me and my Birthday! lol 

Now I'm done, finished. I need to sit and play my games. At least I found the time to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quiltling!

Casino And Beading

This morning, we decided to go to the casino today. We are not doing the Tuesday and Friday thing. Even though Friday has the money, we didn't get as much this time, and we were getting tired of going. So, we decided since there is extra money on Wednesdays, we would go then. Like Patrick said, it's a gimmick and with something going on every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, it's not worth our going all three days. I agree. So, we played for a while today. This time we did use up some of our money, but it's entertainment to us. We were there a good 4 hours, so I'm not going to complain. We stayed another hour since Patrick won $400 about the time we were ready to quit. 

Came home and I wanted to work on my earrings. I worked on my genealogy first. I had to add my great grandmother's daughter to findagrave.com. I was going to add some information on my great granddad but will do that tomorrow or this weekend. 

I finished one, and started to finish the other, but then it's time to call it a night. I will finish it tomorrow. I like the way they came out. I will work on this last one and then I have another one I want to do. So, I pulled out the beads for the next set. Chances are Katt might want the next set. Don't think she will want to wear these. 

At least I was able to get some time in on being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Beading Bug

This morning, I wanted to sleep in. I did for a bit, but not as much as I wanted to. 

I got to work on washing my Santa Claus. I have someone to frame it and need to get the size. I will work on that this week. 

Then I played my game for a bit. I had to get a few things done, and came into the computer room to send out 48 emails letting the veterans know when to expect receiving a quilt. I had done some yesterday and finished it up today. That takes a lot of time to get all those emails out. I even copied the message and sent them out but had to make about 4 different messages to them all. 

Then I decided to cook a potato soup. I got the idea from YouTube of what I needed. I didn't want to make near as much as they did. So, I worked it thinking of how to cut the recipe. I did okay but the taste really wasn't there. I needed to add something. 

It turned out okay, I just need to work on it. 

Then I decided I wanted to make the earrings that I bought the patterns for. I started them while Patrick watched his shows. Not anything I wanted to watch. So, I worked on them in the computer room.

They are easier than I thought they would be. I had to watch YouTube to see how to do brick stitch. It was so easy. I just needed to think of how to start it. I would get the colors mixed up. I'm getting there. I can't wait to work on the other ones that I bought as well. These are fun! I may end up with a couple pairs of earrings before the weekend is out. lol 

That's what I like - being Happy Stitching/Happy Cooking!

A Day In Puyallup

At 7:45 am, Geralyn picked me up. We headed to DB to get coffee and tea. Then went on to moms to take her up to Puyallup to the "Wooly Group" that does wool applique and quilting. I took along my embroidery for this trip. We all met at the library up there. It's the first Monday of the month. Geralyn goes there every month. I'm not interested in going every month. But since mom knows Jeanne Austin, she wants to go every month. 

Geralyn was working on her quilt there. It's a wool quilt that has a lot of embroidery. 

I was able to fill in the bowl some. I got a lot of beads in there. It's a lot of work, and I'm betting it will take a while before this is finished. Time will tell. 

We stopped at the Puyallup library to see the quilts that the Comfort Quilters did. There were 20 quilts there. Not as many as last year, but the library was under some construction work. They are remodeling in the upstairs. 

Then we came home. Stopped at the car wash before taking mom home. Then Geralyn dropped me off. It was 3:30 by then. I had to get some work done. So, I went on the computer to send out bills. After that I worked on getting messages sent to the QOV request we have. There are 50 now, and we need to get about 20 of them done by the end of the year. We are so close to having some go over a year of waiting. I have more messages to send out. 

So, today was pretty busy. I just thankful I was able to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Busy Finishing Stuff

This morning, I really didn't make plans. I wanted to but then remembered my cousin would be calling me again. I was ready for him today. 

So, I started the day playing games. Then I cleaned up a bit. I worked on the laundry to get it done. I wanted to have less to do this week. Then I vacuumed. Was tired of seeing stuff on the floor. I found some drops as well, that I needed to clean since they wouldn't come up with the vacuum. 

After all that, I took the embroidery piece downstairs to make it into a pillow. I wanted to get it done and out of my pile of "what to do with." One less thing to worry about. 

It didn't take long. I do things off the "cuff." 

Patrick liked the fabric I used on the back. I should have overlapped it just a little more. But I'm okay with it. The pillow is now done and waiting to see who likes it. I'm thinking of giving it away. lol 

Then I decided it was time to finish my cross-stitch work. 

The gold was a pain in my rear! I had to do more gold around the cuffs. I put the lines in that needed to be in, and now it's completely done. I will get it framed and see how it looks in a frame. Patrick really likes it, and I said getting it frame will cost a lot, but he said it didn't matter because it's too good not to. I was surprised about that. As to who gets it, I don't know. Kat will have the quilter one, so I guess this will go to Phil. I really love this piece. I have a few more I want to do, but I'm going to do a kit next. It's all ready to go and is set up. I have a few kits that I want to do, and 2 of them will go with the 2 on the wall. Those will have to wait till this next one is done. 

Once all this was done, I was done trying to find things to do. I have 2 projects done, which is a record for me in one day, I think. I might be able to check my past finished projects and find more, but I haven't been this busy in a long time. It turned out to be a great day for being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!