Happy New Year

Just a couple of hours left in 2012, it has been a good year!! Hope 2013 is a good one too!!!  Wish everyone a happy and safe New Year.

2012 UFO's

I can believe that 2012 is almost over.  My mom was right, the older you get the faster the years go by!!!!  (I don't know if that is good or bad, nothing we can do about it anyway) For 2012 I had listed 10 different UFO's that I wanted to finish.  I got off to a great start, a finish in January, February, and March, then things started slowing down.  I did manage to finish 6 of my UFO's.  6 out of 10 isn't too bad, considering I started several new quilts and managed to finish a couple of them.  I realized while looking back at some of my photos that I need to make sure I always take a photo of my completed quilt.  Now to start thinking about UFO's for 2013.  I'm sure there won't be a shortage of things to choose from.

This is Neighbor's Fence.



This was my next finish, A long Road Home.  This was a trade.  Love this one.



March Finish, Lap Quilt in a Hurry, this was a Moda Bakeshop pattern.



This is a fat quarter friendly pattern, Short Stacks.  It was a Christmas present for my brother.

Huckleberry Pie, probably my one and only purple quilt.

 



Putting Christmas away

Anyone who knows me, knows that I absolutely love Christmas!!  For as long as I can remember I have been a Christmas fanatic. When growing up, I would start right after Halloween asking my mom when we could start decorating for  Christmas, she always made me wait until after Thanksgiving.  We always cut our tree from somewhere on our property, except for the few years we had one of those silver aluminum trees.  Since we had a real tree we usually waited until about a week before Christmas to put it up and it would come down the day after Christmas.  Now I put my tree up right after Thanksgiving, but still take it down the day after Christmas.  I always think a tree looks sad with no presents under it.  This year I had two trees to take down, the one to the right is in our house in Atlanta, it is an artificial tree, and I could leave it up but like I said it looks sad with no presents under it.  I took all day today but it is down.  Nothing is back where it should be, but it is down.

This was our tree at the cabin, where we actually spent Christmas, this one was real.  We put it up the weekend before Christmas, and it came  down the day after Christmas before we left to head back to Atlanta.  I loved decorating two trees, but don't like to undecorate them.  Once everything gets back in place tomorrow, I can get back to sewing and quilting.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone has a safe, happy, and healthy Christmas and New Year. 

New wools

I have been at it again and having a great time doing so.  This wool dyeing is a lot of fun!  I have  a  new logo that is much improved over my old one. (you can see my Pig in a blanket to the left)  After some trial and error with different types of fabric I have determined what dyes best and what to stay away from.  I have listed lots of new wools  on my etsy shop.  I hope to have some more spring colors available after Christmas. 

Country blues 4 9x12 pieces

Iris, 4 9 x 12 pieces

Mint, 4 9x12 pieces

Sunshine yellow textures 4 9x 12 pieces. 

Quilts of Love

Two of my favorite things together, Christmas and quilting.  During the Christmas season I love to read any type of holiday book (sometimes I even read them in the summer).  While at the browsing at the library a few weeks ago I came across a new series, Quilts of Love.  Each book is written by a different author, with a quilt somehow featuring in the story,  this one was A Wild Goose Chase Christmas.  It was a very quick read and very good.  I don't usually read books that are labeled inspirational but I am glad that I made an exception for this one.  I will definitely be on the lookout for other titles in this series.



12-12-12

Yesterday, 12-12-12 was a big birthday for my DH.   I wanted to do something really, really special for him (especially since the anniversary present quilt from earlier in the year was such a flop).  I thought long and hard on what to get him, talked to a couple of his friends and it finally came to me- a wild boar hunt.  He went on one several years ago and has been talking about going on another one.  I did some research and finally found one that didn't cost an arm and a leg.  I paid for the hunt and he will be able to call and make the arrangements to go whenever he wants.  I always give him a Christmas ornament, so I found a pig one, thinking that would be perfect.  Once he opened the ornament, he got this really strange glow on his face and started smiling.  I think he knew what was coming.  Yep, he guessed.  I think this was the best present I could have given him.  I have definitely redeemed myself from the quilt fiasco. 

Garden of Lights

Orbs pulsating to Christmas music.

Last year the Atlanta Botanical Gardens started a new tradition in Atlanta, Garden Lights, Holiday Nights.  We went last year loved it and decided to make it a tradition.  If you live in the Atlanta area I would highly recommend this for your family.  There are Christmas carolers, a smores station, two bars, a toy train display, you are also able to go into the Orchid House, and the Tropical House. 

Christmas tree made from poinsettias.

Orchids in full bloom.

This is my favorite photo, the tree of lights with the glowing orbs.

Kindergarten Fun

I love Christmas, and there is no better place to get in the Christmas spirit than an elementary school.  All of the kids and teachers are so excited about Christmas!!  All of our kindergarten teachers are using the elf on the shelf to bribe their students into being good.  Each kindergarten class has a special elf in the room, (you can't touch it or it looses its magical powers!)  the elf leaves after school each day to report to Santa and comes back in a different spot each morning.  The students in each room have named their elves.  This is Zoom, Zoom 

This is Max.

This is Belle.

 Sometimes the elf doesn't work and teachers have to change tactics.  This teacher uses a Frosty the snowman hat and when a student has Fabulous Frosty Behavior they get to wear the hat.  Too Cute. 

Finally Made it to Easy Street

I love it when Bonnie Hunter starts a new mystery, I don't always get them finished in a timely manner, but I get them started!!!  When the directions came out, I thought getting paint strips from the hardware store was a great idea to decide on color.  DH and I were at Ace and I picked up some stripes, very similar to the ones Bonnie is using.  Later that day while walking in the woods up at the cabin I noticed all of the great greens, reds, and cheddars.  It came to me, why not use those colors.  If they are found in nature they should work in a quilt.   When getting home I went through my stash and came up with some great reds, greens and cheddars.  I was stuck on the background color, didn't want to use gray.  I had a perfect piece of chocolate brown but didn't have two yards of it.  I guess I would have to go shopping, something I am trying really hard not to do.  I decided to for the lights to use shirting's in neutral colors.  After getting everything together except the constant, I was looking forward to the first set of instructions, well one thing lead to another and I didn't get started right away.  Lucky for me.  I saw in the second set of instructions that you really didn't need two yards of the constant fabric, which meant I could use the chocolate brown piece that I already had.  Yeah!!!!

Some of step one, these are the first ones I did.  It took me two nights to finish them.

Now on to step two.  Sometimes it pays to be behind. 

Back to Blogging

If it could go wrong this week it has.  Don't you hate weeks like that?  It has been a really long week at work.  One of our AP's at school was promoted to principal of his own school, today was his last day, he will really, really be missed.  Good Luck to Dave!  I have also had blogger problems loading photos, finally got that taken care of today.  Technology can be a wonderful think, but it can also be a huge pain.  I rushed to get the three advent calendars made and in the mail so they would arrive by December 1st.  Finally finished the last one on Monday night, the one for my great niece, and got them in the mail on Tuesday.  Thankfully they arrived on Wednesday, in time for the first of the month.  Leisa did a great job quilting them.  I also had to go to the doctor this week to have my foot looked at. I knew what was wrong with it before I went, I have bunions, one on each side of my foot. I had surgery on  my left foot for the same thing a couple of years ago, and now the right foot has decided that it wanted to have bunions also.  This time the doctor couldn't give me a steroid shot to help with the pain, so it looks like I will just have to deal with it until I can have surgery, which will probably be next summer.  I have wanted to get started on Easy Street all week, but the fabric is still stacked up in my sewing room, maybe tomorrow.

Last Advent Calendar (oops)

Why did I ever decide it would be a good idea to make not one, not two, but three advent calendars?  No clue.  Finished the last one on Monday night and in the mail they went on Tuesday.  Oh, no, what is this I am out of photo space.  That is not good!!! Will have to do some investigating on this.  How are the rest of you handling this?

A Primitive Christmas Blog Hop

Buttermilk Basin has started a great new Blog Hop for Primitives.  Each M, W, and F until Christmas there will be a different designer featured along with a recipe and a free pattern.  The designer for today is Tara Darr at Sew Unique Creations. 



Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

More wool dyeing

 

My friend Becky gave me a great looking plaid skirt on Friday that I couldn't wait to cut up and dye.  Saturday morning I got up when DH left to go deer hunting at 4:30 and started dyeing some fabric, including the great looking plaid.  Unfortunately my camera battery was dead, so I didn't get to take photos of most of the fabric I worked on and good for  me I sold everything that I dyed that moring later that day!!! Yeah me!  I dyed some blues, golds, and light boysenberry. (this is for spring)

Love the way the plaid turned out.  Can't wait to dye more.  Now I need to start some wool projects.

One down, two more to go

I don't usually wait until the last minute to get things made, but this fall I have just been unable to "get it together".  I decided back in the summer to make three advent calendars for the little people in my family, thought it would make great Christmas presents!!  I did get started, bought fabric and decided on patterns, but that was about it.  Then a couple of weeks ago I realized I was running out of time and needed to get in gear.  I finally got busy. Two are like the one you see to the right, the other is completely different.  Got the background to Leisa to get quilted for the two stocking advent calendars.  Amazingly she got it back to me in just a couple of days.  Finished one of them today, good thing since it is heading to Mississippi with me tomorrow.  The other one like this is almost finished.  It along with the other one will go in the mail next Monday. 

Closeup of stockings. This was really easy to make, don't know why I waited so  long.

Thanksgiving in Kindergarten Land

Yesterday was the annual Thanksgiving celebration in Kindergarten.  The kindergarten students dress either as a pilgrim or an Indian.  They are just too cute.

Seeing Red

I am really getting into dyeing wool it is so much fun!!!  I have dyed several different colors but I think these are some of my best and of course they are red.  I have solid red and five different textures.  Can't wait to  start a holiday project with some of these. 

New Elm Creek Quilts Novel

Last night I took advantage of one of the wonderful programs offered by the Georgia Center for the Book, a visit from author Jennifer Chiaverini.  I have read everyone of her books and was really excited about going to see her.  My friend Becky  and I had planned on going together, but she had a change in some travel plans and was unable to go with me.  I thought about not going but decided that I would go on my own.  I asked a few people from work but no one was interested in going with  me.  She was very entertaining, and easy to listen to.  Her new book, The Giving Quilt was just released and of course I bought one.  I plan on giving it to my mom for her birthday (after I read it first). 

On this trip Jennifer is traveling with her husband, Matt.  They were both extremely nice and very easy to talk to.  I can't wait to start reading The Giving Quilt.  If you live in the Atlanta area and aren't familiar with the Georgia Center for the Book they have some wonderful programs and most are free.

Chilly, my first wool project

I don't know why I am just now discovering the joys of working with wool applique.  I have friends that have done this for years, I always thought it was beautiful just had no desire to do any.  Until now!!  I am so getting into this, even dyeing my own wool.  ( and selling some too!!).  While in Houston a couple of weeks ago, I found this wonderful book that had some great projects, both wool and other.  I really want to make the quilt shown on the front, but decided to start with a wool project.  I decided on the door hanger, called Chilly. 

Here is the background with my basic snowman.

Here is the finished product.  I did make a couple of changes, the pattern has the year on the tree to the left and black dots instead of buttons for ornaments.  I decided that I didn't want the year, and to use purple buttons to match the band on his hat.  Can't wait to ge this sewn up and on the door.  If you are interested in a kit for this project check out my etsy store.  Here is the link:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/114307069/wool-applique-kit-for-chilly    (The  kit  has the wool to make the pattern as it is in the book.) 






The back has a snowman too!!

Here is the pattern from the book.

Bloggers Fall Quilt Festival

Amy at Amy's Creative Side is once again hosting a bloggers quilt festival.  I am always so inspired by all of the beautiful quilts.  I decided to show my "Huckleberry Pie".  This quilt was made using the pattern "Blueberry Pie"  from Silver Thimble Quilt Co.  I started it last year from a kit that was put together by Little Quilts, in addition to the fabrics in the kit I added some of my own. This is the first purple quilt I have ever made, not sure what inspired me to do it, but I love it.  I decided to make the larger size, it is 64 x 80.  I had it quilted by Leisa Wiggley and as usual she did a great job.  Can't wait to see what everyone else is putting in the show.

Houston Quilt Market

I was lucky enough to be invited to go to the Houston Quilt market for the second year in a row by my good friend Pat over at Silver Thimble Quilt Co.  There were seven of us there this year and it was a blast, however, it got of to a rocky start.  Pat had shipped the actual booth and it was late in reaching the convention center for some reason.  Not Good!!  This meant that we were delayed in setting up the booth.  We went with plan B which was shopping at Painted Pony then setting up the booth.

Marti, Pat, Kristie, and BJ working on the booth.

Just before the doors to market open, me, BJ, and Kristie.

Ready to sell, sell, sell

After shopping and getting the booth set up, we went out for a quick dinner, then back for shopping at Spree.  Spree is absolutely crazy, especially the Moda table!!! It is a free for all, with fat quarter bundles flying everywhere.  I went to Moda first got what I wanted, then to Valdani for my first thread purchase.  I also bought a cute stitchery pattern, Kristie thought it was cute too, since she bought the same one.  After Spree we went back to the hotel for show and tell then off to bed to get ready for the first day of the show on Saturday.  More about that later.

New Project

New Project???  Like a I really need one.  I haven't been doing much sewing recently for lots of reasons, work, visiting my mom, having my MIL visit me, sinus infection, and my new project.  A couple of months ago, I decided that dyeing wool would probably be a lot of fun.  Big Mistake, it is too much fun.  I started out  buying skirts at the Salvation Army, I always go on Wednesday since that is 1/2 price day for clothes.  It is amazing the wool skirts I have found, one skirt had over a yard in one piece, all you have to do is be willing to cut them apart and felt them.  Then I decided to branch out and actually buy a piece of off white wool at JoAnn's with a coupon. 

My next stop was Big Lots to buy some canning jars, yes canning jars.  ( The first batch I dyed was with Koolaide, I have now moved on to "real dye".  When you use the canning jars you are able to dye a range of colors. 

I felt like a mad scientist.  I had already dyed some yellows with Koolaide, but wanted to try real dye.  I really like the way they turned out.  The only thing I will do differently with the next batch is try to make the colors vary a little more.  Some of the yellows were very similar.  I am getting so into this that I am setting up my own etsy shop.  Watch for more details.