Nine Patch and Snowball Blocks

I needed a little diversion this morning so I made a pastel nine patch block and a pastel snowball block. These blocks are 9 1/2" blocks and came out really cute. I may make more and make a baby quilt. This quilt will have to wait for a week or so however.

I am preparing for DMIL funeral and helping DH for the next few day. Paulette was a wonderful women and my family will miss her, however, in the last few year she has had Alzheimer's and did not know us most of the time. It is a blessing for her to finally go to be with the Lord!

Slow down life - let me quilt!

Life is getting in the way of quilting at this time and all I will get accomplished today is to mail off my swap blocks. I forgot them until I saw a envelope on the counter and realized they are still here. Off to the PO to mail them, they should still arrive at the destination by Monday.

Elf Day

Since I try to do something for Christmas at least once a month I always make sure on the 25th of the month I work on Christmas. I call it elf day so I know it means Christmas related.

Today I decided to work on our advent plans. My family always does scripture reading during advent as well as other things such as reading a children's book, playing a game, doing puzzles or answering trivia questions. It is just a special time we set aside at dinner time to spend as a family. Last year I was ill prior to Christmas and did not do anything special but the scripture reading and DH and DS were both disappointed. So I thought this year I would be an "early bird" and have everything planned and ready to go. Both told me how much they missed our dinner activities.

I picked out the scripture readings as well as items to read related to customs, traditions, or symbols we use at Christmas. I do try to make this time educational as well as fun. I also selected word finds, crossword puzzles, same and different pictures, as well as sentence starters.

I wrapped the children's Christmas books and put them in the basket. I made sure the advent candles were ready to go and added them to the basket as well. I placed the readings in the basket too and have placed it all in a bag so it will remain together and dust free. This was a productive Elf Day.

I looked at my to make list for Christmas and will start sewing some of them next month.

Oh, I listened to Christmas music while I was do this and even had a cup of hot chocolate.
It really did seem to be a little bit like Christmas here to.

Wind and Power Outage

The wind has be blowing today and the power has fluctuated on and off so I have been afraid to have my computerized sewing machine on. I hope by late afternoon the wind will slow down and I can get back to sewing. Guess I need to get a surge protector for my sewing machine like I have for the computer.

Working on Fall Quilt

Life caught up with my yesterday and I did not get to sew or blog. Today I did get a few minutes of sewing done and I have started sewing together the fall quilt. I have a long way to go to get it finished and still need to sandwich and quilt the beach quilt. My goal is to get it done by Wednesday. I am still hoping to get the beach, fall and Christmas lap quilts done by June 1.

Boy, does time slip away.

Swap Blocks Completed

I now have both swap blocks completed. I like the second block better, but both are really cute.
I do not often make 9 1/2" blocks so it was fun to do a smaller block. I usually do 12 1/2" blocks since they make into a quilt sooner.

I want to make some 6 1/2 " blocks with the 9 patch and snowball patterns. I think these would make a really cute baby quilt in pastel colors. Oh no is this a new project? Will have to see if I have much pastel in the stash!

Swap Block

I got sidetracked yesterday and did not get the second block made. I did get the fabric cut for the second block.

I did some planning on the gifts I need to make and started pulling fabric from my stash for the gifts so hopefully I can begin sewing this afternoon after I pick up DS.

It is hard to find time to sew some days. Never realized it until I actively want to make a effort to sew each and every day.

One Swap Block Completed

I finished the first swap block early this morning, but did not like the 30's repro fabric I used in the block. I will make the second block with a different 30's repro and hope it looks better.

I got some sashing fabric yesterday afternoon so can now finish the Beach quilt.

I have some wedding and graduation gifts to make so will need to spend more time in the sewing room.

Swap Blocks

I have not had too much time to sew today since I still need to work in the yard and the weather is to turn rainy by tomorrow. I want to get the rest planted.

I did start sewing the swap blocks together. I hope to get to the fabric store when I pick DS up from school so I can get some sashing for the beach quilt. I really want to get it finished. I probably need to get some batting too so I know I have enough for the other two quilts I am trying to finish by June 1.

Block Swap Blocks

Today I am working on the two blocks I am making for the block swap. The colors are blue, yellow and WOW. I picked a small blue print, a 30's repro fabric in yellow and a simple WOW. I have the pieces cut out and now need to sew them together. This should make cute blocks. I need to get my block swap blocks out the door this week.

I am continuing to work on the other UFO's also still hoping to have them done by June 1.

The weather today was beautiful and I spent much of the day working in my garden. I have all the cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash plants planted in the earth now, they were outgrowing their starter pots. The tomatoes are out of the containers and into the earth. I do still have walls of water around them to keep them warm. I have made rows for the beans, peas, lettuce, spinach and radishes. Will plant my seeds tomorrow. I have the planters at the front door planted as well as the pots of plants on the patio.

Now if the weather does not decide to freeze again I should be off to a good start for the garden. Grass is mowed and trees trimmed so yard is looking good. Need to get the outside sprinkler systems working again always hard to get everything back working after the long Colorado winters.

Spinning my Wheels a bit- Beach Quilt

Today I spun my wheels a little. I did get all the Beach quilt sewn together and sashed just to remove the outside sash as DH thought the bright red drew the attention to the sashing and not the blocks. I will need to look for a tan/blue/ or white fabric for the outer sashing. He thinks binding it with the red would be better.

I have begun to sew both the fall and Christmas blocks together too. I want to finish my black and white and red and black blocks by the end of May so they too are out of the sewing room.

I need a couple of children's gifts so may make a couple of quilted crayon holders. I need to figure out what to make/give to a graduate too!

Beach Happy Block Quilt and Tent Stake Bag

Well today I was side tracked a bit due to DS asking me if I would make a bag for his tent stakes so he would not loose them during his Boy Scout event this weekend. I dug through my fabric closet and found some cordura and make a drawstring bag. It took me longer to find the fabric than it did to make the bag, but now he has a container for the tent stakes. He asked me this afternoon before he left if I could make him a new toiletries bag since his old one is falling apart. I was going to make him one for summer camp anyway so may try to make it this weekend.

All the beach blocks have the sashing sewn on and tomorrow I will sandwich it together. I don't know if I will get it quilted or not.

If the weather is good here tomorrow I really need to work in the yard. We have had snow and rain for over a week and my plants really need to be put into the earth. They are exploding their containers. Since there is no freeze expected tonight I will leave them on the porch so they can get used to the cold again. Half of my garden is already planted and I have had to cover it up to protect the new shoots. When will I finally start seeing summer. I am ready, come on summer!

Beach Happy Block Quilt

Today I finished making the two additional blocks I needed for the beach quilt. I will sash it with fabric with bubbles and back it with Pirates. I think I will make a red binding for it. I will sew it together tomorrow and then sandwich it together.

I shopped out of my fabric stash and have everything I need for the fall and Christmas Happy Block quilts. I have cut the pieces I need to make the additional blocks and will cut the sashing for these quilts hopefully later today. I still want to have all these done by June 1.

All these quilts are lap size.

Organizing UFO's

I arrived in the sewing room this morning and could not believe the mess it was in. I have decided that I must organize the room and not start any more projects until I have the UFO's finished. I will be putting all the UFO's in different bags and containers and label what they are and if there is anything I need to finish the project. Then I will make a list of which I feel is of highest priority. I then can get to work and get them done. I have more UFO's than I thought and really need to finish them.

So off to organize.

Cleaning Sewing Machine

I will spend my quilting time today cleaning the lint from my sewing machine. I used a medium weight poly batting for my last quilt and it left a lot of fuzz. I don't want to have tension problems. I am so glad I can take the bobbin shuttle out so easily since I have a lot of lint and fuzz in there. Well off to clean the sewing machine so I can get on to the next quilt project.

Now what will that be.......

Quilt Label

I designed my first quilt label on the computer today. I used the June Taylor Sew-In Computer Printer Fabric. I then attached iron on fusible web to the back and attached it to the quilt. It looks really cute. This was really fun. I love when I can use several mediums to make one project.

Flower Garden Quilt Is Finished

Well today is Mother's Day and my Mom's Flower Garden Quilt is finished. I was not able to get it to her today but she will received it in the next day or two. It turned out really cute. It looks so much like spring and how her garden will look in a month or two. I sent warm thoughts her way as I was making every part of the quilt and I hope she will enjoy the quilt as much as I enjoyed making it.

Sandwich and Pinning Flower Garden Quilt

I was busy this morning getting the backing and batting ready for the top. It is all sandwiched together and I have even pinned it all. By tonight I will have it quilted. I had to stop for awhile my DS was getting hungry and I couldn't get him to feed himself. So I will finish up a little later.

Dish Towel Sets

I realized last night I needed a couple of birthday gifts. So I got up this morning and made some simple towel sets. They are easy to make with FQ's and a few minutes of time. I like to make prairie points and will often have a baggie full of them waiting for a project. So that was the inspiration today. I have made towels before so this was a very quick gift.

Continuing to work on the Flower Garden Quilt!

Quilting Today

I have had a very mixed up day today with appointments, meetings, etc. I have a few minutes to actually work on my Flower Garden Quilt and will get the blocks sewn together. Then hopefully the rows sew also. I have cut out the two outer borders and have the batting and backing ready to go. I still need to decide on what I will bind with. I am thinking of using the bright pink from the flowers.

I was thinking about the Hawaiian Quilt again and since I know I do not enjoy needle turn applique I will not work on that project at the moment. I know it will set and be a UFO for a long time, so I have decided to spend my time on something else.

I need to work on two blocks for a swap due at the end of the month. The colors that are to be used are medium blue, yellow and WOW. I am thinking of making a modified churn dash block. I think I have also hear it called Prairie Queen.

Well off to quilting so I can finish the Mother's Day gift.

Flower Garden Quilt

I have now sewn down the flower appliques with my snowflake stitch on the machine. It looks cute with the variegated thread I used. I am now ready to sew the applique blocks to the strip blocks. I think I will be ready to sandwich the quilt by tomorrow. I will then have Friday and Saturday to quilt and bind it and have it ready to give to my Mom for Mother's Day. She will be so surprised since she knows I have been having trouble with my leg and every time I talk to her I tell he I am setting in my chair. She does not know it is really my sewing chair.

Hope you all are able to take time to sew a little each day. It is such a mind cleaner for me. Ohhh, my therapy.

The Aloha Quilt

Today, due to a knee problem, I can hardly walk so have spent much of the day in my chair. Yesterday I got from the library the newest Elm Creek Quilt Novel #15, The Aloha Quilt. It is good so far and as a celebration of the book I may try to make my own Hawaiian Block design and 2 color block in a bright bold color. I am not very good at needle turn applique so will have to think about it for a day or two and see if I am up for the challenge.

Fall Happy Block Lap Quilt

I was involved in a fall Happy Block Swap and at the time did not know what to do with my blocks. I have now decided to make a lap quilt for the cool fall months. I "shopped" out of my fabric boxes again and found fabric for the sashings and borders. This should go together rather quickly. I will need to find some fabric for the backing.

Well off to quilt!

Pinwheel Blocks and Flower Garden Quilt

I cut out my blocks for the pinwheel quilt. I havethem marked I need to sew them together. I think this will be a cute quilt. I decided on a beige star for the solid part of the pinwheels. Should be cute and I now have several choices for the borders and backing.

Flower Garden is still coming along and I hope to be sewing the quilt together tomorrow.

Catching Up Today

I am doing some odds and ends in the sewing room today. I hope to work more on the Flower Garden Quilt, but I also need to do some mending. I need to sandwich a quilt so I can get it quilted. Perhaps if I talk nicely to DH he will help me. I also need to go through my box of squares and see what I can make out them. I know I have too many UFO's and should do something with them.