Carved Out of Wood Quilts

Fraser Smith's art. Wow!
http://www.gofraser.com/photos.htm

How to Make a Wood Quilt

Needle in the ....

The other night I had a lot of trouble keeping up with my needles while I was working on hand quilting.  Within a span of about an hour I lost three needles.  It is like I would turn my head and they would be gone.  After a couple of days I found two of the three needles, and I might have found the third one tonight. 

I came home between work and my TOPS meeting to take out the garbage and recycling bins and to sit on the couch and catch up on some emails.  I was home for about 30 minutes before heading back out again.

When I sat down in the car to drive to my meeting, I felt a sharp pain in my upper right rear cheek.  Like a needle pricking me. When I got to meeting I checked but did not see a needle.  The pain went away when I was standing, but it came back when I was sitting with Loni at dinner and again driving back home.  After I dropped Loni off at her car, I drove to Walgreens to pick up a couple of items and the pain continued on and off while I was walking around the store.  I finally grabbed the back of my jeans and gave them a good shake and kind of bounced up and down.  The pain went went away after that and did not come back.

Now I have no proof I had a needle in my pants sticking me in what my dad always called my "arse," but if there are any shoppers running around barefoot in Walgreens they might want to be careful.   I am still missing one very small hand quilting needle, but my arse no longer has a stabbing pain. 

If it was only that easy to get rid of all pains in the arse. 

Embroidery Class Night

I signed up for an embroidery class at church.  Tonight was the first class.  Not sure I like embroidery, but I did learn a stitch that I had been trying to learn for hand quilting and had not conquered so that is a plus.  

Hopefully I will learn other stitches that will help me in quilting.  

At least I am getting out of the house and trying something new.

Where Did All This Fabric Come From????

Today I had to tell Jill she has to find another place for her quilting items.  It was tough for me to do that, but I am simply out of room. 

I spent the last week marking all my fabric as to size and preparing it to go back on my shelf.  That included the fabric in my wardrobe, closet, and other hidden places. Once I was finished I realized that the only way for me to know what I have is for it to be out in the open in my room, but the only space left in my room is the space I had given Jill.  

Fortunately she was very generous in her understanding.  I told her she could still keep it here at my house if she could find the space...I just don't know where she would find the space.  

So Jill will move her items out, and she said I could keep the bookcase, but we will discuss that some more.  I will be able to put all my fabric out in the open so I can keep up with what I have and make some long term plans. 

Great Productive Weekend

I had a great weekend, that was also very productive, for many of us.

Saturday BFF, Loni and I really worked on our different projects. BFF is making me a quilt. It is absolutely gorgeous.  Reminds me of a dark version of Monet's Water Lilies.  Loni sewed all the labels on her quilts, washed and dried them.  I sorted through my different projects trying to find one that was ready to work on since I still have trouble holding the ruler down with my left hand.

I decided to work on one I cut out for Loni at least two years ago, but wasn't real happy with some of the fabric selections. I decided to throw out the ones I hated and go with more of some of the other selections.

We took a break to go to BJ's for dinner and then to Wal-Mart so BFF could look at baby quilt kits.  Loni found a couple of projects there too.

Once we were home BFF and I worked on projects while Loni was looking at her projects she purchased.  We watched "Guarding Tess" while working.  BFF was able to get her project ready for sandwiching, and I pinned all my blocks together.  After Loni and BFF left, I started piecing my blocks together.  I worked until about 1:30 A.M.

Today, Sunday, Mina stopped by to visit before heading to the airport.  It was great to see her, even if it was for just a few minutes.  We planned our 4th of July weekend.

After Mina left I continued piecing the blocks until it was time for Loni and I to go run errands.  We went to JoAnn's, Aaron Bros. (buy a frame, get one for a penny sale), and Target.  Once home I started piecing again until it was time to grill the chicken quarters for dinner.

Once we cleaned up the kitchen after dinner it was pool time.  I spent an hour in the pool giving my shoulder a good work out.  Then it was back into the house for more piecing while watching reruns of "The Closer."

This is going to be one bright quilt.  It is so bright I am having trouble getting my camera to take a picture of it.  I have all the blocks pieced and ironed, but I made a mistake in putting it on the design wall.  I thought I figured out the mistake, but then I found out I hadn't, so now I will have to start over again tomorrow.  I bet Loni is sorry she told me she likes bright colors.

All in all it was a great weekend, and I am looking forward to the next one.

For right now I am calling this quilt, Bright Cat Quilt

Close Up

On design wall, but not correctly

Earthen Angel Quilt Top - Completed 6-25-11

I found this kit on clearance.  The pattern is really too traditional for my tastes, but there are turtles in the fabric and I need practice on keeping my points.

Earthen Angel Quilt Top

Earthen Angel - Center of Quilt Top

My Friend Laura Made Me a Purse

My friend Laura made this purse for me using fat quarters.  It is really cute.

Enjoyed the Day with my Friend

I spent today with my friend Laurie.

We met by chance through some City meetings, and then email.  She is a quilter too, but she manages to get a lot more done than I do when it comes to quilting.  She makes beautiful quilts.

Today we went to Fabric Fanatics and Quilter's Connection.  We topped at WalMart to see what they had in the way of precuts, and to get me some new sandals.  We also went to Entertainmart.

She introduced me to the Mexican food at Chitos.  Very good, but unless you want real fire in your belly stay away from the orange salsa in the bottle they bring when they give you your food.

We stopped back at my house so I could give Laurie some fabric for a baby quilt.  I couldn't find it (see a previous post about my memory), but Loni came in and she knew just where the fabric was located.  Laurie loved the fabric.  She was worried what to tell me if she didn't want the fabric.  I told her that she would have said "No, I don't like it."  Or at least I would have hoped she would.  

After that Loni and I took her home and Loni had a chance to see some of Laurie's quilts. 

Her is the t-shirt quilt Laurie made for her son.

Table Runner - Using Modern Charm Runner Pattern

Jill gave me two batik charm packs and Laura gave me the Modern Charm Runner, quilt as you go pattern by G.E. Designs, so I made this table runner for my antique table.

Let's Finish Year 51 Before We Get to 52 - Volume Two - We Are There

Once at The Old Craft Store in downtown Carrollton, TX, I started scouting out the fabric I needed for my next gift project immediately, while Loni mailed a package from the post office located in the quilt shop. 

I was able to find several bolts that matched perfectly right off, but there were a couple of others that I was having trouble settling in on, but one of the women working there set out to help me and we found the last two bolts without too much trouble.  I am quite excited about this project for a friend's birthday.

Loni was looking for a lining to her Fair Isle project that she is making into a purse for her "Little Princess."  She found a set of fat quarters on sale, that will also help fill in on my stash as I continue to open Celebration packages as I have good losses at TOPS. 

Loni also made another purchase, but I was good because I knew there might be more to come later in the afternoon.  

I enjoyed myself in the shop and was thrilled to be able to find just what I needed.  

Storm at Sea Quilt

This is my current quilting project. "Storm at Sea" quilt kit from Benartex with triple dyed bali batiks by John Flynn.  This fabric is hand dyed.  The project is for intermediate to advanced, which I am not, plus I did the piecing pretty much one handed.  It did not turn out too bad, I am pretty pleased with some of the points, others I don't think will be noticed once I finish with the quilting.  I plan on using this quilt on my porch swing.

April 9, a Saturday

Started today off with a trip to Blue Ribbon Quilt Shoppe in Wylie, TX to get a backing for the "Storm at Sea" quilt I am making from a pre-cut kit I bought on clearance over a year ago, in fact, maybe closer to two years ago.

Jill purchased fabrics to finish several pillowcases she has in queue.

We stopped for a nice lunch at  a Taste of Home before heading back to the house.  Mina arrived almost immediately after we settled into the house and then it was Mina on baby quilts for triplets, Jill cutting out fabrics for pillowcases, and me encasing my shoulder in constantly flowing ice water and STIM treatments.

Once Mina had all three quilts backed and stitched closed, Mina took me on a little shopping trip to JCP so I could take advantage of their sale.  I was able to get 4 tops, and a new green purse from Cabin Creek.  Did I need a new green purse? No, but I don't have one this color and it said Cabin Creek, it was a must.  

Jill was not feeling her best so she went home when we left for JCP.  

Once Mina dropped me off, I started pinning and sewing the rows of the "Storms at Sea" quilt.  Takes me a long time with this shoulder like it is, but I managed to get four rows done.  This is a quilt kit for intermediate or advanced quilters, I am neither of those, but I think I am doing an okay job under the circumstances.  Here it is with the first four rows together, but not pressed.

I Love This Fabric!

Loni Is

Loni is a knitter that can make beautiful things out of yarn.  Now she can do a darn fine job of piecing a quilt and soon will be quilting some placemats.  That girl has talent!  I have even heard her humming while using the Baby Bernina. 

She also enjoys cutting fabric, so I am going to put her to work cutting out some of my kits so I can actually do the part I like which is putting them together.  

Having Fun!

I am having the best time hand quilting the cat quilt I have been making for Loni. 

I am learning some new stitches tonight.  I think I finally mastered one of them.  

One of the reasons it is so much fun is that the quilt is so colorful that I get to use  many different colored threads. 

The other plus is that I am so happy quilting the cats that there is a lot of good mojo going into the quilt.

Perfect Ice Storm Activity

Almost done with this quilt for Mina.

Out of My Comfort Zone

BFF and I went to help out at "Operation Quilted Comfort" yesterday at Happiness Is ...Quilting. 

I was happy to help out, but definitely out of my comfort zone.  I am so used to my own quilting tools that is was difficult for me to use other tools and it felt very awkward.  I also did not feel like I was doing my best work because I was having so much trouble adjusting to using cutters that did not fit right in my hand.

BFF and I did cut two quilts kits out to piece, and we brought home kits to piece. 

I would probably do this again, but I would definitely take my own cutter and rulers. 

All Is Right in My World Tonight

I have laughed so much today that my side hurts.

BFF J and I went to lunch today and then did a little shopping without buying anything. We also stopped at the library and picked up some books. I am so glad she went in and found something to read. I think everyone should enjoy the library. Sis is going there more now, and if I could get BFF to make it a regular stop it would make me almost giddy with delight. Libraries are really special to me.

Once home I worked on designing the rest of the back to the cat quilt so I could make sure she approved before finishing it up. I'm glad she had the chance to do that, because I really want her to like the completed quilt. She read while I finished up on the EQ6.

After we had made the final decision on the quilt, we played Quirkle. We played three games in a row!!! I was on cloud nine.

We chatted a little after that and then she was on her way home to her hubby.

While we were playing Quirkle the oldest came home and so after BFF left I told the boys I would take them to dinner. So off we went to Chili's. They have some very nice lighter dishes on the menu that are not very expensive so I was able to find something for my not too hungry self. While we were there, my oldest said something that added to something the youngest had said that cracked me up, so I went into a laughing fit that I thought would never end. Then the youngest had missed the oldest's comment and he said it again, which made the youngest crack up and the whole thing started over again. It was a terrific dinner.

The next stop was the new Super Target. We had not been there yet, so of course I had to check everything out. The youngest wants to redo his bathroom so he was looking at the bathroom colors. His bathroom has been frogs forever. I was very pleased with his choices. He found towels he liked first, then the matching rug, and then a soap dispenser and garage can.

I wanted to still walk around after we found the bathroom items and ended up buying a beautiful green bird feeder, and a green doormat from recycled rubber. We also found some food stuff that was $2.00 cheaper than Krogers (and not because it was on sale). I could have stayed in the frozen food section for hours looking at all the different items they had, but I knew I needed to leave before I got in over my head.

We stopped at Walgreen's on the way home to pick up a couple of chocolate bunnies for the boys' Easter basket, and that is when we really got rowdy laughing. It seems that every year they get stranger and stranger items for Easter baskets. I guess I didn't realize how loud we were becoming until one of the sales clerks came over and said that we needed to tell her what was so funny because she needed a few laughs herself. We were afraid to tell her until she asked us if we found some of the the Easter stuff weird and then we were all pointing and laughing. It was fun. I am sure the other shoppers were annoyed, but then they all looked stress trying to put together Easter baskets from what little was left.

We came home and the boys carried everything in for me. I checked my email and there was a message from Sis. Then I checked on my girls using their Facebook pages and I know they are both good. Now I am in my chair with my feet up, listening to the boys play in the other room, a good book by my side, and a smile on my face.

All is right in my world tonight.