Quilting My Way Through Chaos....

So, as I said, my project for the FNS was the Quilts for Kids project I had just recieved. It arrived like this... all purrrrty.

So I get to town....

Mind you I started late and so tickled with my efforts ready to finish border and make me a quilt sandwich. I look at the design wall and wa la.... FNS has become SAF (Saturday Afternoon Fix). Notice the last row... see it... yea... got to flip that baby. I guess I should have stopped 30 minutes sooner.


OH well.... what can ya do?

If I can get the flash on my camera working I'll post a picture of what I did last night. I had run into Quilts for Kids somewhere in my web travels on Tuesday afternoon. I filled out the info and expected to hear some further information. So Mr. UPS man arrives yesterday afternoon, running down the snowy driveway carrying a package. My first thought was "who bought something on line?". What a surprise! I was so excited!!! I'd read that they send you discontinued or throw away fabric that had been saved from ending up in landfills. I didn't know what to expect but finding a pre-cut kit and pattern was a bonus!

My own teen is challenging my patience so making a quilt for a kid in need seemed like the perfect thing for me to do. I flipped on the ITunes and drifted off to fabric land. I'll try to post later the cute little 4 patch that will soon be shipped out to a child in need. They ask you to fill it with love..... What a fabulous thing to do!!

Someone emailed me this wonderful picture. They do look a little mad don't they? We are still buried under mounds and mounds of snow. I'm not looking forward to the mass melting.

Tonight is the Friday Night Sew In so I'm going to take the day to prepare. I'm going to be working on the 1930's quilt top. I have to say it has been a breath of fresh air with it's bright colors. See a quilter does have a method to their madness when they save fabric. Every scrap and FQ has a purpose! I'll head down to the sewing room and watch the design wall fill up with yumminess and forget those little snowmen planning a take over outside my window.

Happy Stitches everyone!
TGIF

I'm determined to make today a better day! Yes, it will be a better day. Do you think if I say it enough it will happen?
I'm going to work today... most people would not find that such a good thing, but around here it is! I caught up on sleep, attempted to counteract the damage done by the latest adventure in teenage love/hate land and bought fun "quilty" stuff for my own personal therapy. I will get to work today, my 10 hours and return home to machine. It's been calling my name softly, sweetly and encouraging me all the way.

Thank God for fabric! I recommend fabric shopping therapy to all!!

UPDATE: Well, as much as I thought I had it together and shopping therapy took care of the stress, exhausted look on my face... I must have failed miserably. When my boss came to work she took me aside and gave me a gift certificate to a spa and send me on my way. Now, I'm all for fabric therapy zen but I have to admit nothing beats a manicure, pedicure and a hot stone massage.

In the never ending challenge to promote a "happy healthy home" I find the chaos getting to me. I've had to miss 2 days this week, one last week from work and countless hours of sleep to help manage things here at home. I've tried the soft sell, setting rules and now I guess it's tough love time. Boys and girls shouldn't date until they pass mental health screening and Facebook shouldn't be for anyone under 30 is all I'm going to say. I've seen the viciousness of a teenage girl on a level I could have never expected these last few months that doesn't seem to be ending. Technology is wonderful but not at the hands of an emotional teen with 24/7 access. I did learn how to block cell phone numbers from texting. She gone and she's still taking a tole on my family. Can you say EXHAUSTED!!! How does one young girl single handedly come up with such plans to try to destroy someone? I wonder if she knows or cares that she's helping to destroy more relationships than she expected?

I'm planning on getting some much needed sleep today. I missed my HoopSisters class this past Saturday so maybe I'll have time to run in the shop and pick up the designs for the month. Of course, while I'm there I'll explore shopping therapy. I ran into Red Brolly and the cats of the month stitchery. I know I'll need some background fabric for it. I also need to pick up some yummy pink solid for my 1930's piece and in my mood I might need a few blots of fabric, any and all new items on the market, a dozen or so new thread spools, and who knows what else I might see. -wink-

I need a vacation!!!

Oh, sorry about the photo quality. I think there is something wrong with my camera. Believe me, the eye candy is stunning.... all the yellow, pink, green and soft yummy blue.

Onward ho.... I just thought I'd share the yummy 1930's prints I'm working on now. These are just what I need under the winter gloom. Come on Spring!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

Table topper finished and actually it's better sized for a wall hanging. I might have to put my Valentine to work. :)

Of course, after I go and purchase more quilting pins..... I find mine!!! Bonus, now I have extra. Any excuse to be in a quilt shop is a good one.... wonder what I might loose next week.

So, yea, today I have time on my hands, real time to do real quilting. I get my quilt sandwich ready and what.... where.... are my pins?!? I searched high and low, in this basket and that shelf and no quilting pins. I mean really, that's like a baker without flower after the cake batter is made. Can't make a cake without flower or a quilt a quilt without basting pins. That's what I get for cleaning!

I contemplated going to the quilt shop for more but we have 2 feet of snow out there and it's still falling. I'm not even afraid of looking insane. I am a quilter and I have no doubt a quilter would understand. But, I'm not sure hubby would be to happy with me if I wrecked the car. I guess I'll wait. I have to work tomorrow and I'll just swing by on my way home. Hey, if I'm out anyway right?

Soup stock on the stove, Super Bowl party to attend and Sewing on my mind. Oh a few more S's for the day.... Sunshine and Snow!

So, I'm diving back in the Charming Guys and Girls Quilt Club this month. Because winter is such a gloomy time in my neck of the woods I'm going soft spring like colors!!


I've moved this box of 1930's fabric around numerous times. I actually won it and it came in this lovely basket. I've saved it for just the right thing. Well, time to pick the right thing. I'd seen a pattern in one of my magazines I wanted to make with it and those magazines got moved around also. I thought I'd lost it. Last night, during the snow storm I pulled them all out and went through each and everyone.... drooling the whole time.

I even found the "Grandma's Country Album" from McCalls Quilting circa. 1998. I've completed most of the blocks, also moved around for years. Maybe that will be my March project.

So, not to overwhelm myself with the day to day chaos I'm shooting for the Gentle Moments by Darlene Zimmerman 2001. I'm also going to complete the Valentine project I started before Valentine's Day.

Hubby is plowing the 12 inches of snow and I'm tucked in nice and warm with fabric.

Happy Stiching Everyone!

Kat

As I sit here, feeling Monday tired, cup of tea and curled up under a quilt I long for fabric in my hands. I have the urge to do some applique but dread the whole threading the needle thing. These eyes that have done a lot of viewing aren't what they used to be. Even with a needle threader I can't seem to thread the needle without being so frustrated it isn't fun, relaxing or producing of a pretty result. Oh how I love my quilter's betweens but dislike that tiny little eye!

Anyone out there in bloggy world have a needle you love for your eyes that have done a lot of viewing?

What a busy weekend! Nice busy, but busy just the same. I am anxious to get the table topper done(yes, officially designed) but yet another busy day. I'm going to try to squeeze in some machine time while I finish up laundry, take MIL to a calling hours and then to dinner for FIL birthday.

Another week has flown by, I love my 4 days a week work schedule!!! I don't expect too many calls from the staff today.

The question - will the day be mine or will the teenager need me because he knows I'm home? We are working hard to keep him on track and help him over the blues of the earlier part of the school year. I always start my days off with a plan in the hope today is a good day for him. Today WILL be a good day - saying it over and over trying to make it happen.

Sooooo, my plans are finish up the Valentine project (most likely a table topper my new found passion) and figure out my CGQC project for February. I've got a few ideas brewing. Oh yea, it's 8 degrees outside with a high of 17 so I have no plan to step foot outside!! Notice, there is no housework included in those plans. I still think I have J fooled when I do the last minute dash clean up. I'm sure he sees right through it, but he never says a word. :)

**Update: I made it through the entire day without a call from the boy. I finalized the Valentine project and should finish it off tomorrow! Today was a good day!!

I decided the cold, gloomy, mid-west weather isn't going to get me today!!! I'm back to the sewing den and the Valentine project. I thought I'd share what's on my sewing machine today.

In my virtual travels I ran across another fun "quilt in". On 2/19/10, Handmade by Heidi will hosting a "Friday Night Sew In". Sounds like cozy warm fun! (can you tell I'm still cold!!)

Hello again cold and snow!

We just finished a burst of semi warm, rainy and gloomy days. Mr. Mid West Winter didn't want us to forget him so today he bustled up some white fluffy stuff and a whole lot of cold windy breeze. I think I've seen 60 minutes of sun total in the last 5 days. Ugh!

I've curled up under my "Bluebird Dreams" quilt, grabbed a cup of tea and settled in with some stitchery. Wonder if I can find a good Lifetime or Hallmark movie? Now that sounds like a plan.

Happy Stitches -

It's true when "they" say raising teens isn't for whimps. What happens to those precious children when they become teenagers? Oh, I've heard the science of it all... but watching it is a different story. I swear, in this house the brain of teens go on vacation for the junior year of high school. It feels like being held hostage by an emotional creature waiting to explode at the first sign of fear. I've made it through this mission once, with a great outcome. I know better than to toss and turn trying to figure how to navigate those wonderful teen years but just can't seem to help myself.

I have figured out one of the reasons I am so slow at quilting. I don't follow patterns but design as I go. I spent my sewing hours yesterday staring at and manipulating the hearts I'd made, thinking what to add, how to border and how large to make the table runner/table topper. If I make a table runner do I have enough fabric to make a matching valance? Do I really need a matching valance? Why do I make it harder on myself? Why, because I like the challenge. I should go back to pattern design. I sold a few of my designs a few years ago. Come to think of it, I think that was when my oldest was a junior in high school. I see a pattern here.....

I decided to make a Valentine table runner today. Just something simple, hearts and maybe a red embroidery boarder. I wanted to join the Charming Girls Quilt Club but I think because of my inactivity I've been booted. :(

Well, as usual, others had plans for my planned activities day off. So after working the other days of the week, today looks like cleaning sewing room day. I love my family, but they put a wrench in plans in a quick second.
The new HOOPSISTERS club will start the new block tomorrow and I've not even picked my fabrics or threads. So sometime today I'm going to run to the shop and get my supplies. I joined a class - now I just have to participate.
ORGANIZATION: FIND IT!!!

I attended a weekend conference so I've taken today off. Today is MY day.... not answering the phone if work calls, not stressing over the laundry or the house. Today is MY day and I'm going to clean up the sewing room so I can get busy. It's really a section of our oh so messy basement that I cut out for myself. Everyone throws "stuff" at the bottom of the basement that seems to end up being toed into my area as they travel to the dark zone. We have become collectors of not putting this away, not throwing things away and well basement slobs. Sadly, that basement slobbery hinders my desire to venture to my sewing "room" and I do what they do, sit around waiting for someone else to clean it up. Not very productive! As I said, J got me a new computer so I could use my old one specifically for sewing/computing needs so today I will start with finding it's home. I will pick up the done with fabric all over the cutting table and make a Good Will bag for the clothes I can't fit in or wear that is piled right in front of my design wall. Today is MY day .....

Okay, so it's a new year.... a new day......and a chance to do the things I say I'm going to do. This year, no resolution, just a plan. I plan to quilt my way through the chaos of life more this year. I plan to finally get a grip on my every growing size 16, 40DD body. So, lets make goals.

Goal #1. Stop thinking negative. "I'm to tired", "there is much to do", "what will I do with another quilt I make?", "it (I) doesn't matter".
Goal #2. Organize the sewing room!!! Can't sew if I can't find the machines that are buried under tons of stuff!! J bought me a new laptop for Christmas so I can take the big laptop (without a battery) to the sewing room and leave it there. Wasn't that sweet of him? I have the perfect spot for it, my external floppy drive, my read writer, and all the business that goes along with making my computing/sewing easy..... just have to organize.
Goal #3. Stop thinking "if I quit smoking I'll find out I have lung cancer so why did I bother?" (very very dumb I know!!) Stop thinking "I'm not as fat as I think" (I am and I have pictures to prove it). So, back on the nicotine gum, back to Weight Watchers. I've lost weight before but never really tried to quit smoking.

So,those are my goals for my life, not resolutions mind you, to much pressure with a resolution, these are just plans......... plans to make myself more motivated, feel better, and enjoy life instead of a brown leather recliner. Although I'm blogging about my life, part of the plans can't be accomplished on the computer. So, less sitting with my feet up claiming I'm to tired to do things, admit I've become lazy and a Face Book junkie!!! Wish me luck!