Something new for 2011

This year I will focus on completing projects.

Not just new projects that I start in the New Year but projects that I have already started. Many things work against me in this goal; one, that I am the world’s biggest procrastinator. (There I said it…. But it doesn’t make me feel any better.) Two, I have yet to clean out or establish any sort of order in my sewing rooms. Yes, rooms. I have made such a mess of my sewing room that I have expanded (exploded) into our bedroom. See above picture of the mess in my bedroom ;)

My modes of inspiration and encouragement will come from two online places; Patchwork Times by Judy L and Stashbuster’s yahoo group. Both are hosting 2011 UFO Challenges. By participating in one, I can easily qualify for the other. The big question is, can I commit to it and finish it?

When finishing these said UFO’s I will be trying out a “no buy” on fabric. I will however be able to purchase some neutral backgrounds, solids, backing and binding fabric, but only fabric to complete the UFO currently being worked on/finished. I must shop my stash first before going to the store.

I can only start something new after I have finished two UFO’s. Finishing includes machine quilting, binding and label. (I have a huge habit of starting and bagging projects, right now I am close to running out of bags, should be a clear warning sign but somehow I keep missing the signs...)

Cue the song (Tesla version) “Oh, Signs, Signs, everywhere there’s signs, blocking up the scenery breaking my mind, do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?”

The best intentions....

Sometimes go without happening. In my case my best intentions for a homemade Christmas were a bust. So I am leaving the Christmas countdown header to remind us of what is ahead. The pictures above are gifts that I did manage to make.

While looking back I think of the highs and lows of 2010. Highs - Finishing grad school and walking across that stage, my brother's wedding, Graham coming home for Thanksgiving, Uncle Jim, Savannah and Tiffany visiting twice! Lows - Grandpa's health, Brian's dad's health, losing Amos to cancer RIP my furry friend.

So here is to a Happy and Healthy 2011.

I have lots of great plans for the New Year starting with a couple of challenges to complete things from the past and get on with the future! I will be posting these new and exciting things starting New Years Eve.

Handmade Holidays 2010... My Challenge.

This year I fully intend to make everything I need from gifts to decorations for Christmas. There are so many wonderful free patterns and tutorials that I don't even need to spend money on patterns. I have tons of fabric but not a lot of time.



From Aprons to bags to purses to kitchen acccessories to book covers.... do you see my dilema now??? How do I organize myself so that I can accomplish this handmade holiday without killing myself or my husband???



Then I have a list of must have holiday decorations such as holiday buntings, new stockings to hang by the fireplace and the dogbed makeovers....



As of today there are 24 days until Christmas. I have a gift list of at least 12 people as of today. That gives me at least two days per person to get it all done! Yikes.

Things I'm working on...

I have been working on lots of things lately. I have an ever growing list of things I want to make and I need to force myself into making a list of what I need to make. Because we all know what we want is not always what we need.... These are some fall pillows that I finished this weekend. I hand embroidered the center blocks and just added strips around them. I then practiced my free motion quilting. Feels good to get somethings done in one day.

Family happenings...

What a roller coaster ride September has been... A report on Grandpa: he is home now resting and recovering in his own house. Yay!

A couple weekends ago I attended the bridal shower of my Sister-in-law to be. I have been slaving away on a quilt for her for the last few months. It is still not finished but I did have it done enough to present it to her at the shower, then bashfully take it back to finish it. It is called Deep Blue Sea and was designed by Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt and is available as a free tutorial on the Moda Bake Shop.

This is a picture of me with my Cousin Ashley. It seems like yesterday that I was changing her diapers, now we share glasses of champagne. Boy do I feel old!

Grandparents Day

A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart. ~Author Unknown

My Brother and I spent last evening with our Grandfather, Marshall, who is in the hospital. Last night he was telling us funny stories, swapping information on cholesterol points and telling bad jokes to every nurse who came in to check on him. Today he is in surgery to unblock all those clogged arteries that have kept him in his chair and out of the sunlight. It has been 19 years since his first by-pass surgery and we have cherished everyday of that 19 years.

He has been able to see us grand kids graduate high school, and our first round of college. He partied the night away at my wedding 4 years ago. He will miss my second graduation this Saturday but we hope he will be at my Brother's wedding in 4 weeks. Even if we have to wheel him down the isle in a wheelchair, he will be there.

So to Dr. Longoria and his wonderful surgery team, "work your magic!" And to Grandpa Marshall we will see you roaming the ranch soon..... We love you.

The Hive Virtual Quilting Bee Quilt

Finally Finished!

I started off the Hive Virtual Quilting Bee back in May with Kristi's very pink quilt. I am glad to say that it is finished.

I even finished the binding with my machine. I still need some practicing but I loved that it only took me a couple of hours instead of days. I used a great tutorial video by Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara.

You can see that I also broke out of my comfort zone on the quilting and quilted large free motion flowers instead of stippling. I love the affect it has on the back of the quilt. I will definately be using this one again.