Again!?

My sewing machines are ready to run away from home due to neglect!  It's not that I haven't been busy, I have.  But I am really missing my machines.  Maybe by Wed I will make it back to the sewing room. 
So why am I neglecting my babies?  DH!  Well not really, it's sort of my fault.  First some history - our house was built in 1953 and has very little renovation done.  It's a small house and that's okay with me - who wants to spend all their time cleaning a big house? - not me!  A little over 3 years ago we did totally renovate our bathrooms and in that process acquired some tile from DH's brother.  We have had that ceramic floor tile all this time with every intention of using it in our kitchen.   I finally told DH that I was going to buy more tile for the dining room and we were going to get this done - and I did!  Friday afternoon I started ripping out the old vinyl tile.  Sat &  Sun was devoted to laying the new tile - and I certainly am not as young as I used to be!  My knees and back are still screaming......  But we're in the home stretch and hoping that by tomorrow afternoon I can put my rooms back in order.   It already looks so much nicer and more up-to-date.
I have to say here that quilting skills have come in handy with the measuring for cutting tiles.... these old houses are certainly NOT square. 
So 'til next time..... and hopefully by then I'll have a picture or two :-)

Katie

And sew what?!

And that's the way I've felt lately - sew what?  I go into the sewing room.  I look at my fabric.  I pull out different project patterns and think "what should I sew?" and invariably, I will leave without sewing.  I finally figured out how to print out the Farmer's Wife templates, etc.. from EQ - It's not the right way but for some reason it's not working with EQ the way it should, so I do it 'my' way.  Oh, sorry, got sidetracked..... Worked on a couple of those blocks.  I'd thought I'd do those little blocks in coordinating fabrics but I'm thinking the pieces are small enough to use up some of my scraps.  And.... because I started thinking, the whole thing got put in a baggie and put away so I could think about it a little more :-)  Then I pulled out some paper piecing to work on:

These are 6" blocks and go together quickly but after I completed 3 more, I just didn't feel like sewing anymore.

So, I'm thinking it's the room (I know, there I go thinking again!)  Time to change it up a bit.  I'm trying to figure out a way to spruce it up without any major expense.  Because it's also my office area in there, I have to work around that.  Also, my corner desk:

Is very permanent.   It's braces are attached to the block wall with anchor bolts.  (this is an older picture - that right corner of the room has changed and my skirted cutting table is now in the corner with the file cabinet having been moved to the quilting room)  Maybe I have a picture...

My DH made me that ruler rack and I did a post awhile back about that.  Anyway, that corner isn't quite as cluttered now.  But... with the table in the corner, and because as you can see, I tend to pile stuff on it, I think I'd be better off with an enclosed cabinet/ cupboard that has shelving and doors underneath.   Also, I'm wanting to clear the space where the plastic bins are.  Next to them is the bookcase where I 'house' my larger fabric pieces and that will also

 have to stay in the room.  I think it's time for me to visit the thrift store and take a look around to see what I can reinvent!   I did cut my table skirt this week also - cutting strips and didn't realize I was off the mat - now if I keep this table (and probably will) I need to make a new skirt, but I think instead of making it to go 'over' the table, I'll use sticky velcro and just attach it around the edge of the table.  Yes, there is storage under that table but because of the fold out legs, not alot of space.

So, I guess I need to be asking for some inspiration to come my way and see if I can get my mojo back! 

The rest of this week is a busy one for me.  DH has doctor appointments both today and tomorrow to have some laser procedures done for his glaucoma - so 2 days in a row in Tucson (50 miles from here!)  Then I have a potluck dinner to go to Thurs. evening that I had originally thought I'd have at my house - thank goodness someone else took it at theirs.  Then Saturday is a tenative sew day with a friend.  That will be great if that works out!

So, if I'm MIA for awhile - not to worry, I'm just out looking for my lost ambition.

Katie





Scrappy Saturday

As I posted earlier in the week - I've been a Slacker!  And for today, I still am.  Sorry.....  I simply have not been in the mood to be quilting.  I've putzed around in the sewing room this week, but have not done anything of substance to speak about.  I tried doing one of those little snap bags - the ones made with an old metal tape measure.  Got some ideas on how I want to do them.  I started on the bag for a friend.  Smart Handbag is a bag you make that has a removable cover - so you can change your cover to match your mood, seasons, whatever......  I'm making my friend's in a black leatherette and have embroidered a cover with a design that she's chosen - pictures later!  Whenever I make a handbag, tote, etc... I add tons of inside pockets and usually an outside pocket to throw my keys in - I'm always losing my keys on the bottom of my bag!  I've looked at making one of those handbag organizers - which I think is really a great idea for anyone who changes their bags frequently - but with as many pockets as I add to my bags, I probably don't need one.  But... I will probably make an organizer eventually :-)
Busy weekend ahead for me.  so guess I'd better get moving.  Will help my grandson celebrate his 8th b-day today!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone - grandkids are the best!

Hope all is having more creative times than me!

Katie

Slacking

Started with a picture from my archives because I've simply been a slacker!  Ever have days like that?  Mine seem to be more like weeks than days.  Whenever that happens, I know it's time to do something different, but right now, I simply don't know what that 'something different' is .  I thought about pulling out my knitting - but because of the carpal tunnel, it's not something I can do very long.  I've recently won a couple books from some give-aways and they're really nice (I should show pictures, huh?!) and they both have some really cute projects in them that have caught my eye.  Then I decided I really liked the Farmer's Wives blocks that I've seen out there in blogland and bought the book.  I don't care for templates, so now I've bought the CD that is in conjunction with EQ so I can print out for paper piecing and I do really enjoy paper piecing!  ummm maybe I'll work on that!  I also have a handbag cut out that I want to get sewn up for a dear friend - she's been asking for one for awhile now.  I've got this incredible urge to reupholster something (I know, I must be nuts!)  Maybe I should go hit some second hand / thrift shops and see what I can find.......

Okay, guess you don't really want to read about all my indecisions.  Maybe I'll have a picture or two available in a few days - if not,   not to worry...... I'll be back before you know it :-)  and boring you to more tears!

Katie



Maybe Later

 So today is Saturday and that means "Scrappy"..... but first I want to promote "LHQ - International Left-Handed Quilters Anonymous Day - 8/13/11"  Just click on the pink button to the right that is "Right-Handed friend of a Left-Handed Quilter".  I am not left-handed but my DH is and so I do understand (a little) about how difficult it is to be the 'odd one' when trying to find tools - in the case of quilting, think scissors, rotary cutters and most of all directions or patterns!!!  But seriously, if you ARE a 'lefty', check out Kitty's blog.  She does some great tutorials for left-handed quilters and she is a joy to read!  In my case, I  have to reverse all her directions...... something left-handed quilters are told to do all the time ..... not as easy as it sounds.
I hope you will take the time to check out A Left-Handed Quilter blog.

Katie who will post a Scrappy Saturday on Sunday :-)

TA DA!

My Special Project - Hubby's Veteran Quilt.  He is a veteran of the VietNam conflict and with all the Patriotic Themed quilts I've done for QFC SewFest, he had yet to receive one.  This year the making of his quilt was my priority at SewFest.  I know the fabric around the white embroidered squares look like it's polka dots, but it is actually drums - I'd liken it to Civil War style drums.

Yesterday was his birthday and we had family over to celebrate.  Here my 7 year old grandson is reading the label:

The 5 year old is just happy being apart of helping Grandpa open his birthday present :-)

My granddaughter looks on as she actually helped do some of the quilting and her name is included on the label.  Her dad is sitting behind her and my son is looking on from the sofa.  My hubby loves his quilt and feels it was worth 'the wait'.  If you have a veteran in your life, I hope you take the time to make him something special and let him know he is appreciated.

Katie







Followers.....

I don't believe I've taken the time recently to thank all my followers for being here.  I don't know what I've written or shown that drew you but if you'd leave a comment to let me know, I'd appreciate it.  I try not to write too many personal things as far as my family is concerned as I believe this is more about my creative processes (when they're working!)  I don't post tons of pictures, but if you'd like to see more, let me know - I'm sure I could come up with something :-)  But, for now, it's a beautiful Sunday morning here in SE Arizona, the birds are chirping, DH is snoring and I'm antsy to get to work on DH's quilt but have some ripping of stitches to do first - so guess I could be doing that while he still sleeps :-)
Again, a big THANK YOU to my followers,

Katie

Scrappy Saturday

I bummed out 2 weeks in a row now!  Last Saturday, I was enroute coming home from SewFest in Kansas.  And this week was my 'recovery' week with lots of interruptions (see previous post).  So, I'll share with you a quilt that was created from Swapped Blocks:

Sorry about the quality of this photo (old camera!)

This was a swap of black & White with redwork embroidery as the center square.

a little closer look

This needed to be made longer, so I just took some scraps of black & white and made a 'sort of' sawtooth top and bottom border, then bordered with other fabric from stash.  Note:  No new fabric was bought for the making of this quilt :-)

I will make a point of having a true "Scrappy" project for next Saturday!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Katie



Can we add some time to the clock?

Seriously.....  Maybe if the clock had more time, I'd get more done.  Well, maybe.  Home from SewFest and I was renewed and ready to rock.  Got a quilt on the frame, then looked at it and wasn't sure how I wanted to quilt it.  I did get it started, but with time with family, it ended up taking me 3 days to quilt it - and it wasn't that big!  But love my time with my G-kids and wouldn't trade it for anything.  I can post here that I have special project - a veteran quilt for my hubby.  I've been going to SewFest for 4 years (that's all of them :-)  )  , making quilts for veterans and active duty service men and women, and my Vietnam veteran still doesn't have a patriotic themed quilt.  His B-day is Tues and I went to SewFest on a mission - to make him his quilt.  I did manage to get the bulk of it assembled - I'd already had the blocks done.  I didn't have the fabric I wanted for borders.  I have put the first border on it (a solid gold) and I wanted a red for the outer border.  Did I have that red?  Of course not.  I went into Hancocks and couldn't find a red to go with, either.   I shipped some fabric home from SewFest and thankfully, there's a fabric in there I can use.  Now to get it done!  He knows I brought quilts home to quilt, so I'm really hoping that he won't pay any attention to what I'm doing.    I'll post pictures when I get it completed!  Guess,  I'd better get at it - but he's still snoring.......

Katie

A few more

We worked poor Paula so hard that we had to do something....

So off to a the local quilt guilds show in Hutchinson, KS

I loved this quilt.  It's made with grandmother's fans and half square triangles with a circle appliqued for the head.  Might be something even I could do!  I love, love, love the little angles border!

This quilt caught my eye because of all the embroidered detail.  It's simply awesome.  I very rarely do hand work, but I certainly appreciate the time someone had to take for this quilt.  It's gorgeous!

A close up of the embroidery.  And hand quilted, too!

This quilt is dimensional.  The little aprons actually stand away from the quilt a bit.

The butterflies stand off the quilt as well.  And look at the hand in the pocket.  

This small child's quilt was so cute.... but look at that quilting.  All hand quilted and animals were quilted all around the border.  Such talent!

are these just the best!?



 Hope you've enjoyed the quilt show and a bit of narrative about the QFC SewFest.  Now I will be spending some time with my quilter getting some of the quilt tops that I brought home quilted.    You'd think that being unemployed, I'd have all sorts of time - Nope, I just find too many more things I'd like to do......and still not enough time to get them all done!

Katie

A wonderful week

Meet "Marsha, too"!  Doesn't she look lovely in her craft apron (made from a feed sack!) and ready to free motion quilt with her gloves.   She was a bit on the quiet side, but her smile is simply awesome :-)

This is Jade's first quilt!  She took some blocks that were sent in from others and with the help of her "Granny" Paula, she made this top.  Job well done, Jade!

And speaking of Paula, look at this!  Can you see the butterflies that she quilted in blue corners!?  What an artist!

We strung clothes line and started hanging quilts for display and picture taking.  It was fun to watch people slow down as they drove down the street to see what was going on.

Here's a few more!

Mary has a friend who gave her a box of scraps - the center of this quilt was in the scraps (yes, already assembled)  This is Mary with the quilt.

Be on the look out for a few more pictures!

Katie