M.I.A.

Hmmmm, ever lose a cutting mat. One that is bigger than 16 X 24? I have, and it is driving me nuts. But that didn't stop me from going on a massive cutting spree, just took longer is all. I hate cutting on that white mat, but sometimes when I am cutting like this, I will cut on the white mat, and put the strips on the green mat, and subcut them over there. Makes it go so much faster.

I cut out all these blue and neutral 3 inch squares, and now for the life of me, I can't remember why. Crap! I hate it when I do that. Checked the two patterns I thought it might have been, but one uses 2 and 4 inch squares, and the other one is something else. Oh well I have hundreds if not thousands of 3 inch squares for something all ready to go. I am almost positive they were going to be HST's, so I will just use them as leaders and enders, and maybe when I am done I will have remembered what I needed them for.

While I was digging through Bonnie's books trying to find the pattern, I ran across the pattern for Orca Bay, remember that quilt don't you. Most of you have finished yours, I am still plugging along on it. So I got out all my parts and bits to see where I am on it.

 I can work on getting all the stars done. I still need some turquoise string blocks. I also seem to be missing some pink parts. I thought I had everything cut out. Maybe they are still buried on the table, if not the pink will get whacked next. Here is most of the parts sitting and waiting.

Been clearing out more scrap bins into strips and squares, and whacking up more ugly fat quarters too. Now I need to find some kind of storage for the strips, so I can get them off the tabletop. I am planning my 2013 sewing plan,( like I am really going to stick with it). But I do have a plan what I want to make sometime next year. I figure if I start gathering all the fabrics now, and start getting them all cut out, that is more than half the battle. Then it is power stitching and chain stitching time.

I finished my pink n orange mystery quilt! Well the top of it anyways. Now I will need to make a back for it, and get it quilted too. Didn't take long for Willow and Delilah to jump on top and then they started rolling all over it, funny cats. Just as I was pulling the quilt top out from under them, Merlin showed up too.

 Here it is hanging outside. It is a cloudy day today, and it looks like I might have smudged the lens too.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving, and I hope you are all as excited as I am about Friday. Bonnie's mystery starts, WOO HOO!!!! (still haven't decided on colors yet, have you???)

What a week...........

I finally got some sewing done today, lots of it too. I should have been doing other things, but after yesterday, (sanded all day long on the sheetrock mud) I didn't feel like it. Soooooooo, what did I accomplish today. For starters, trying to catch up on Kylie's mystery with my pink n orange:
Got all 40 of these done, didn't press them yet, cuz I am not sure which way I will want my seams to go yet.

 All these parts are in waiting to be sewn for 5 of these stars.

 I also did all 20 of these pieces in front, ready for assembly. Maybe tomorrow.

 I also had to catch up on last weeks Tetris, with the last block coming out this coming Tuesday. So here it is. I am going to let the pieces roll over into the top border when I put the borders on, instead of cutting off the pieces.

Then since my table is full of smiley face pieces, I did 4 more great granny blocks with the smileys.

Also all over my table are turquoise strings, so I finally sewed a few of those today, I started with doing just 2. Then I said try for 5. Well I got 4 done, and that was enough of those for one day. These are for my Orca Bay quilt, that I am slowly working on. I did finish pressing all those hour glass blocks a while back, I think I have way more than I need, but that is ok. I will save the extras for a rainy day or use them on the back.

Last weekend  I was on a cutting frenzy, here are some of the strips I cut. These are the 5 inch, and the 4 inch piles. That 5 inch pile is about 12 inches tall.

 Here are my recycles milk jugs holding my 1.5, 2 & 2.5 inch strips, don't know if you can see it or not in the pic, but look at the jug on the left. Each one of those blue fabrics you can count, actually has 8-12 strips folded inside of it too. I need more jugs! Two colors of the rainbow down, many many more to go.

Awhile back I had mentioned de-boning blue jeans, and had about 143 more pairs to go. Some of you emailed me and asked how many pairs I really had left............well here is a pic of some of them piled as high as the fabric shelf. There is a third pile hidden by the design board, and more on the floor. Another HUGE box down in the laundry room too, because this shelf is full. So when I said 143 more pairs to go, I might be 1-5 pairs off..........in either direction! :D

I have started this purple charity quilt too, but all of a sudden by brain is scrambling the instructions, crapola. Need to look them up before I start slicing and dicing.
I stitched the first two together, but then when I went to cut it, I stopped........looking for the directions or youtube video as soon as I am done here.

I am not supervising at work right now, so I went back to working my old job. What a change, hadn't done this in almost a year. But I now have weekends off again, which is nice. Helps get the remodel finished. But then again I use to have Thursdays off, so it was hard to wake up and go to work this past Thursday. Also Thursday was my birthday,so it sucked that much more to go to work. I had plans for that day, and going to work wasn't part of them. I turned the big ol 44. Really? I am really 44?........doing math in my head. Crap, yes I am really 44. I don't feel like I am 44 now. Guild meeting was on Thursday so look what I got......
a fat quarter cupcake, calorie free too! It is bright pink, but the flash washed it out.

 My husband had asked me last weekend what I wanted for my Bday, I told him the usual. (fabric) and these two books from Bonnie Hunter and I had also given him a hint the day before. He told me to go online and order my books and some fabric for my present, like I made him order his watch he wanted for his birthday and Father's Day too. So I ordered the books, I am still waiting on the them, and the fabric I finally ordered it today. Good thing I waited, I got bday emails with coupon codes!!! Well he also caught my hint. I got the Trilogy of the "Shades of Grey" books on my bday. Now to break open the plastic and start reading the so called smut filled books. Don't know how dirty they are, but I will let you know if you want to read them or not if your into reading good books.

Speaking of Shades of Grey, if you want to join in the Shades of Grey charm square swap, go HERE! There is still room to join on in.

3rd qtr pre linky post

For the Finish A Long, this is my 3rd quarter pre linky post. As I didn't finish anything last quarter that was on my list, here goes this months list. First off, lets see what was on last month.........

So I haven't finished my yellow one yet, still need the binding on it.

I haven't even touched the Turtle Bay one.

The snowman one still is sitting in the chair where it was a month ago.

You can see those three in last qtr's post HERE!

I received in the mail this week the quilt kit for the Quilt for Kids foundation ( go there then click the volunteer button on the bottom left). I HAVE to finish that one and mail it back, so this may be the only thing on this whole list I finish. But it is the most important too. These are the fabrics they sent some 6.5" sq, 3.5" strips to sew together and subcut the sew into 4-patches, an inner border, and outer border and backing fabric too. I have to provide batting, and I should have backing fabric leftover for binding it. Bright colors for sure, right up my alley.

I am adding to the list my Ugly Fabric Quilt challenge that I am still sewing flying geese for, lots and lots of geese. Then I have to start making the other blocks to go in it as well.

I am starting a Tetris QAL, so I hope to have it finished by the end of this quarter. Just got all my charm swap squares back in the mail.

I am also doing a QAL on FB with Kylie, I hope to have that one finished by the end of the quarter too. Clue 4 goes out this weekend. I don't know how many clues there are. This is a pic of clue 3 in waiting.

I am cruising along with the Orca Bay, I doubt I will have it done, but I am putting it on my list anyway. Haven't started the bigger string blocks yet, and I am still pressing all those small hour glass blacks, urgh.

Oh and I am going to start the Great Granny Square QAL too. Hadn't even cut the fabrics yet, we will see. Trying to decide which set of fabrics I want to use, or both. I am a glutton for punishment.

I sure do seem to think I am going to get a lot done don't I??? Probably none of it since hubby goes back to day shift in 2 weeks, and we will be working on the other house every evening after work to get it done. That does have it's priority, but I will still have to have MY sewing time to keep my sanity.

C S P S P S P P P P Repeat

Wow, I have been off work now for more than 2 weeks. Even though I know I have done a lot of stuff during that time frame, it hasn't really felt like it until these past few days.

My schedule consists of, waking before dear hubby and heading to my sewing room, when he gets up, then we head over to the other house and work on that until he has to start getting ready for work around 1pm. Then I go back to my sewing room, and then it is Cut, Sew, Press, Sew, Press, Sew, Press, Purge, Purge, Purge, Repeat...........Whew. I think I have gotten more sewing done in the past few days than I have the past few months around here. Feels GREAT too!

My major projects:

1. Kylie's mystery she put the next step out today instead of waiting till Sunday the 1st, I am all done with that.

2. My Ugly Fabric challenge, look how many more geese I have done.

I have these sitting there waiting to be sewn together.

 I am using the no waste method. I will more than likely need more off white squares, I just cut a bunch and keep going till they are gone. If I have extras no biggie, I will put them in my sorting system. Which I have been working on that too, cutting squares to add to my jars. All different sizes.

3. Orca Bay. I have these hour glasses awaiting pressing.....

These are awaiting to be sewn then pressed.

And then the bigger string blocks are in waiting. Papers all cut, all scraps pressed, now cutting into strings or squares. The pile on the left still needs cutting, when that is done, then I will start sewing the string blocks.

By then I should be done with the hourglasses, and maybe the geese from number 2.

I finished the practice quilt I had on the long arm today, after I spent 30 minutes putting in a new needle from when I broke it some 6-8 maybe 12 weeks ago. I found me a good coverage pace to run the bobbin out of thread at the end, reload and run out on the other end again. Makes it nice. Forward the quilt and reload the bobbin at the same time. :D I thought I used up a lot of bobbins on the domestic machine, NOT! My oh My. I might have to invest in a bobbin winder or get the two machines closer together.

I purged 4 big bags of trash out of the kids stuff they have had stashed on the 3rd floor today. Boxed up another box to give away, and another one to sell. Woo Hoo, I actually made it to the corner. Found a chair I had been looking for, for quite some time now. I can do this, I can do this. Wow and it wasn't even 9pm yet.

4th load of laundry in too. But I am not washing the dishes today. My back is killing me after all this, and I didn't even drag all the little tree limbs to the curb yet either. Too hot outside for me. No wonder the Dr. said I was Vitamin D deficient, I never see the sun during the summertime. I live in Florida and I am white as a ghost. Been too hot to even ride the motorcycle too. Plus when you stay as busy as I am, your too tired to chance it.

Have I ever told you that my sewing room is on the 3rd floor of the house, laundry and the dog in dog out door is on the first floor. I do a LOT of stair climbing, I mean a LOT too!!! My legs hurt today like I have been doing squats or something. I just want to veg in front of the TV and catch up on the shows that are on the DVR, but nope.....TV is broke. I am letting dear hubby buy a new one this weekend for his Birthday, even though I told him we were not getting a new one till we got to Utah. He will be a very happy camper come Sunday!!! Maybe I will go read today...........I haven't done that in ages either.

What have you been up to lately? Doing any sewing?? Let me know, I like to hear of others adventures in life too. Seems a lot of people are moving right now, which I know what they are going through, and I am taking notes to make my move as pleasant as possible. Night night y'all.

Cat scan

Got me a cat scan today........all went well even if you can't tell head or tail in the scan it is all good.

Usually Merlin sleeps on top of the scanner/printer. I guess I left it open yesterday, and he likes this better cuz it is flat and doesn't put a big bump in his side when he is trying to sleep. LOL

Ever have one of those times where it seems the universe is out to get you. I am there, and have been for the past 2 weeks, But I am moving forward with everything that I can. I am not a quitter so pftttt! Let's see, the water heater went out, a few days before everyone arrived for the wedding. Then the day everyone left a tree fell on the house, left minimal damage but did smash dear hubbies BBQ grill to pieces and ruined the patio set too. We got it all off the house, and hired someone to remove the rest of it today. Will clean up the rest of the mess tomorrow. The Big TV broke. All of this in one week. Oh well. Life goes on. I have been handed a week of lemons, so I am having a lemonade party, and everyone is invited!!! We have been getting some stuff done with the renovation, even if all this other stuff keeps setting us behind. Two steps forward, one step backwards.......urgh. Since I am still on vacation till the end of the week, the past 2 days I have found time to go to my sewing room to unwind, since there isn't anything I can do my myself for the renovation at this point. So off to the sewing room I have gone.

First up, I have gotten caught up with Kylie Kenny's mystery quilt she is doing on Facebook.

Then my fabric came in for the charm square swap, and I got them all cut up, now I just have to get to the Post Office, I am on vacation, so I really don't want to go till I have to and I can get paid. So it is sitting on my desk waiting.

Then I have been purging in between sewing and pressing and cutting, gives the body a break. I just need trash pickup more than once a week at this point. Or more than one HUGE can per week. Looks like I am going to have to start hauling stuff to the other house and using that trash can too. I have been doing so good at purging. While trying to clean stuff out, I got sick of the one cutting table in my studio that has been really full of fabric since November when Bonnie Hunter started her Orca Bay mystery. I did the little string blocks and hadn't touched it since. Well, I went on a cutting marathon yesterday for that one. Got most of the table cleaned off. What didn't get cut up for that quilt, I cut it into squares of all sizes and put into the sort buckets I have going right now, so nothing went back into the scrap bins.

First up after I cut all these black and pink squares, I sewed them together, here is the mess of them. This pile is huge.

 Then when I cut them and press them, I get these (sorry the flash washed it out)

 Then when I sew two of those together, using different ones, I get this little 2.5 inch beauty. I think I need something like 224 of these. Tomorrow.............I am done for the day.

 I also cut all these stacks........each stack is about 3 inches tall.

Oh I didn't stop there either. More purging in between of course, it kinda acts like permission to keep going. I am doing the ugly quilt challenge. So I cut all my fabrics up in this stack in the back along with bunches of others. and then some off white in the front *flash too bright again*

 I am making LOTS of these..........:D  Something over 600 if I remember.

 Then the scraps got cut into binding strips, that will all get sewn together in one looonnnggggg piece, and what ever is leftover, I will put it in a pile with the left over red scrappy binding I have. For a future project. I think I cut up something like 20-30 fat quarters total for all this blue, well what was left of them.

 This little cubby used to hold quilt magazines. double stacked side by side. I have flipped through every last one of them and saved what I wanted and the rest went into a bag. Very heavy bag. That will be going to the quilt guild meeting so they can take what they want, and I will see what to do with the rest of them. (Oh that reminds me, I need to go pickup the newsletter and get them put together so I can get them mailed too) I can't remember if there are 20 or 24 cubbies in this shelf unit. One cleared out. I don't know if I can empty any more or not.

I also managed to put together some quilt tops with the backs that I have found to put in the "needs to be quilted" pile, and emptied a chair. Well two chairs got combined. But the chair is empty, that has to count for something, right? I also managed to get all the laundry done today, and got all the bills paid too. The dishes can wait till tomorrow, I am not doing them tonight. Nope, nope, nope. Not gonna happen tonight.

Day 23, 22, 21, and 20, plus some more too

I am doing a countdown to Christmas, but it is a pain without my own computer to post anything...........so here are the past 4 days worth...........plus some more too.

Here are actually 5 more to add to the one I did on the 1st.

Here are all 6 of them sewn together.

My helpers, if you want to call them that. I know which fabric will be all over the house when I get home tomorrow.......

Then there is Orca Bay, part 3 is started.

OH about 300 or so more to go. Should be done by the end of the week.

A finish and a start............

The past 10 days have been out of the ordinary, haven't gotten hardly any sewing done whatsoever till today. Things are back to normal. (But not for long) So now that hubby is back at work, and I wasn't toting a box of tissues around with me, I got me some sewing done. First off the list...........I finished Myra's mystery quilt! Well the top of it is done.

The colors look a little muted in this pic. I did mine controlled scrappy. Thanks for hosting a wonderful mystery Myra, I love this quilt!!!

So now that I was able to get that one finished, now I can move on to Bonnie's Orca Bay mystery! So first up is to make a final decision on colors.............this is what I ended up with.

I am substituting turquoise for her red, purple for her blue, black is black, and pink is my neutral. This quilt is going to be LOUD and in your face! yippee!!!!!!!
So step one..........

Since I am not yet a Slash and Stash Queen like Bonnie, (that is a complement) I had to cut all my strips from my scrap baskets. I am glad to have them at least sorted by color, I think I finally got all the bags and baskets done since last year when I started. I will slowly start sorting them by size, and leave them done by color for pieces to be used in strings. So here is a pile sitting waiting to be ironed, then cut and sewn back together.
Then there is step two already out there................

These are the few I got done today before I start cutting all those black and pink strips out. Tomorrow is another day.

Now I am going to sit in front of the television for a few and work on a project that I am making for my Secret Santa, Shhhhhhhh I can give you a sneak peak................

They have other fabric fused to the back and they are starched pretty heavily, now I need to cut them up a bit, and then hand stitch them a bit too................
I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays, and made it home safe and sound. Till next weekend.......