Another sneak at a swap.

A couple weeks back, I showed you a sneak peek of the quilt I'm making for a swap.  Well, I keep looking at it and looking at it, and I just wasn't happy with it.  Or I should say, I'm not happy with sending it to someone.  I like it for myself.  I'm just not confident in my work enough to think someone else would like it.    Especially, when I look at my swaps blog site, oh my!  She'll probably use my quilt as a rug.  Her work is terrific.  I just need to be more confident in myself and my work.  I've always struggled with that.

So, anyway...........I'm also making this one.  So far, I do like it alot  better and feel much better about sending this to someone.  Hopefully, it will turn out great.

Also, I would like to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Say a Prayer...

It's been a busy couple of days.  Tuesday I took E to the Dr. for stomach pains.  He's always had bowel issues and was just released from a Children's hospital in Dec 08.  Just a month ago, we could see the problem was starting to show it's ugly head again.  We weren't in the Dr.'s office long till she sent us immediately to the hospital for further testing and rounds of enema's until clear.  We were there about 12 hours.  He got some relief.  However, there's still a "blockage" in the upper intestine's.   We're flushing meds this weekend and are to call her on Monday and we'll go from there.  

On the other hand, my mother has the first of two surgeries tomorrow.  Then 3 weeks from tomorrow she'll have the second surgery.  I'll be her care taker and E's.  Please pray for their recoveries and for my patience.  

Thanks in advance, I know I have great blogging buddies!

Quilt Labels

I've always struggled with what to use as quilt labels, how to stitch them one, and if I should hand sew or machine sew.  I've found an easy solution to that.  IRON on labels.  How cool is this?  I wished the picture below was better, it makes it look faded and it's really not.  You can write in the information with a permanent marker.  You can also color the label.  I'm not sure if I'll be coloring them or not.  Might have to try one out. 

The Book the labels came from.

 

10 Things that make me "terribly" happy!

This isn't one of those tag things.  You don't have to tag anyone or tell 10 people to do it or they and you will have bad luck.  I got this idea from another blog I read.  Just think about it, write it down.  10 things that make you really happy.  No matter how silly.  For me, it's alot of little things.  It's the little things in life, right?

1-a happy child 

2-the hubs

3-just laying in bed talking with the hubs (and i really do mean talking)

4-finding a good sale

5-completing my Pharmacy class

6-getting a new plant, i love house plants, love em'

7-fabric, sewing

8-loosing weight (if only just a pound)

9-when my brother calls

10-friends (and that's just a select few)

I could probably find 10 more, but these are the most important, and in no particular order.

Colorful Dots Purse

Ok, so first let me say.........mine don't look near as good as Gene's.   I got this from his post yesterday morning (Saturday) (I'm posting this ahead of time and just took a migraine pill and there's no telling what this post will say).  So, anyway....Gene got the pattern from another gal.  He has a link on his site to hers, and since I linked to his I'm not going to link to hers.  

I have a horrible problem following patterns.  I don't know why, I just do.  I've tried and tried and can't follow them at all.  So, once I got very confused, I finished it as I thought it would look best without messing it up.  There was an extra strip that should have went where I have the purple binding, but I just couldn't make it happen.  So..........I think it's cute and adorable.  I'll save it for a Christmas present or for the next birthday party E gets invited to. 

Penguins for "E"

This is by far the cutest little wall hanging I've seen in awhile.  I'm not partial, not at all.  This is 8x8, I said it was little. "E's" bathroom is in penguins.  This will make a great addition. He just ohhhh and ahhhh over it. This was on the bottom of a penguin panel I have.  I haven't did anything with the panel yet, but couldn't resist cutting this out and making a hanging.

The front, it says "THE PENGUIN REALLY IS A BIRD DON'T YOU WONDER WHY? THEY LEARNED TO SWIM SO VERY WELL, BUT THEN FORGOT TO FLY"

The back!

Where did those blocks go?

So, if you're wondering what did I do with those blocks from the other day....wonder no more.  I made myself a purse/handbag from them.  I quilted the entire purse, even the handles.   I wanted the straps to be longer than most, so I can carry it on my shoulders.   It's stiff, I'll have to get to carrying it, gotta break it in.

Squares in a Block

How about these blocks?  I likey!

(talk about short and sweet)  lol

Send me your Capri Sun "pouches".

This seems to be fad crazy right now.  This is Capri Sun bag.  This bag would be a tote or beach bag.  I ran out of "pouches".  I tried to get TJ to drink some last night so I could finish the bag, I need to add the handles.  However, Evan is away for the weekend, so I'll have to wait for him to return and drink some.  haha

So, I want to ask for everyone's help.  I know these pouches are trash to some people.  However, I would like to have your trash.  If your child or grandchild drinks these, could you save them for me and send them my way.  They also have some from Kool-Aid, those will work as well.  They weigh next to nothing.  I'm even willing to pay for shipping.  I'd bet you could send a yellow envelope full for less than 2 bucks.  I'm going to link this to my sidebar so everyone can see it for awhile.  Please.......send me your trash!  

Purple Flower...

This is the flower pot block I won from A little of this and a little of Pat.  I added the purple border, and the yellow binding.  Not much quilting going on on this little beauty.  I quilted around the purple border with a decorative stitch called tree stitch.  It's my favorite all of all my decorative stitches.  Then I stitched around the flower pot and flower for a bit of a quilting look.  I had this hanger in my stash of quilt hangers.  I think it's perfect.  I'll be keeping this. 

Would you like to go on a Fieldtrip, or tour if you will?

No permission slips needed for this trip.  No packing your lunches, and no money need for gifts.  However, I will take special orders.  This is a tour of my sewing "space".  I say space, because it's all I have.  I have a 5x10 (roughly) in the corner of our family room.  It tends to look cluttered at times.  Although, I did clean up for this tour.

Here's the main space.  All jammed in.

This is the main machine I use.

I haven't had this pre 1960 Singer Spartan long.  But, I love it.  It sews great.

Here we have a fabric stash under the table in boxes and baskets.

Another fabric stash in the basket.  Scraps are in the rubbermaid, and two drawers of binding.

(and my new purse I got for Mother's day)

More fabric in drawers.

Even more fabric in drawers....

Yep, you guessed it......more fabric.

My books and patterns.  With another stack of books behind the new machine.

Here we have thread, part of the iron, a ribbon holder, and drawers full of needles, feet, templates, patches, straight pins, safety pins, and lots of ric-rac.

This is a stack of UFO's and finished items I'm racking up for Christmas.

And finally, the clutter of the area.  More thread, and even more thread.  Bobbin containers, which I just found at Wal-Mart, these are very cool.  Patterns in the

 bags, all cutting tools, and most importantly....MY IPOD.

So, there you have it.  Your tour is complete.  I do hope you enjoyed your tour and you all have a safe trip back home.  Please come back at any time.  Please let your tour guide know just how much you've enjoyed your tour.  Or not enjoyed your tour.

Sneak at a Swap.......

I joined a Spring mini quilt swap.  You can read about it by clicking on the button on my side bar.  She encouraged us to post pics on our blog.  However, without showing the entire quilt.  Then again, no one knows who my swap partner is, so it won't matter.  I've got the top completed for this mini quilt.  Just have to finish.  So, here ya go.........a sneak peek at my mini quilt.  Oh yeah, it's supposed to be Spring inspired.  I think I met that criteria.

Jen & Jill Hanging

This is a reproduction of a pattern I did earlier this year.  You can see it here.  It was called Country Breeze.  This one I've named Jen & Jill.  I love this one.  It's so bright and colorful.  I made this for my friend Jen.  I'm thinking she's going to love it.  I hope so anyway.  She's a great girl!

I especially loved how the binding turned out on this quilt.  SO CUTE!!  

I'm in love..........

So, I've never posted twice in one day, and probably never will again.  (at least, I don't' think I have).  I'm in love and I'm not talking about my hubs either.  (well, I'm in love with him as well).  This is my new love.  I've never felt so much love for something in my life.  It makes my heart go pitter patter.  This is the real thing.  I know there has to be someone else out there that feels the same way I do.  OK ok.............I'm in love with free motion quilting.  I know I've blogged free motion before.  However, what's a girl to do with so much emotion and feeling.  

PS-I just hope free motion feels the same about me.  I'll update you all on wedding details with free motion.  lol

I won my FIRST giveaway!

This is what I won.  How cute, a flower pot block.  I'm not sure how I'll finish this, but the wheels are turning in my head.  

I won this from the darling Pat's blog. She has to be the nicest person I know.  She took me right under her "blogging" wing.  She has helped me so much.  I know if I have a sewing, blogging or anything question, I can ask her.  If she don't know, she'll find out.  She's the BEST!  Thanks so much Pat.

There's a thief in our church.

Yeah, I know...........bet you had to read that title again.  Well, here's what happened.  We have a secret pal program at our church.  I'm sure we all know what that is.  I am my mom's secret pal.  (we draw names and I just happened to get hers)  Last night the hubs and I took a card with a gift card inside the card to the church.  No one was there.  We put her card on her pew where she sits.  Before, one of her gifts was misplaced, so I wanted to be certain she got this.  So, I called her later in the day and casually asked "what did you get from your secret pal"?  She said "nothing".  I was like WHAT?  Then I had to tell her I was her secret pal, and I dropped the card off last night.  Well, she went back to the church to "search" and see if someone picked it up and left it somewhere.  Sure enough, she found the card shredded in the women's bathroom trash can.  She was in tears.  Someone had opened her card, took out the gift card and then shredded the card and envelope.  I AM LIVID!!!!  How dare someone take something that isn't theirs.  We have it narrowed down to 2 people and are pretty certain we know which one took the gift card.  I'll update you all later on what happens, because we have a plan!  I did call the pastor and let him know there's a thief in his church.

Let me also add.........I've always attended church.  Here recently I've seen the "bad" things church people do.  I'm very discouraged.  Some of these people I really look up too as to how to live my life right.  What do you do when your "leaders" are bad?  When the elders in your own church are not good people??  We've long been thinking about finding a new church.  I think it's finally time. 

Black & White purse for MOM

My mom is very much the "girly" type and will change her purse according to what she's wearing.  (I don't do that).  haha  So, here I've made her a black and white purse for church.  She has brown and plain white and several others I've made.  However, she didn't have black and white.  I called her this morning to wish her Happy Mother's Day and to ask what color she was wearing to church.  She said blue and white, and I said, how about black and white.  She said she thinks she can do that. ;)   Yesterday we had lunch together, just her and I, then I took her to Lowe's and she picked out her some flowers.  She liked that.  Today my brother and I will have a cook out for her at his place.  We tend to smother her with love and attention.  She loves it though.   HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHER'S  especially to my blog mom, PAT.  I love her!!

Retro Stars Completed

WOW, I could not put this quilt down till it was all done.  I worked on it all day yesterday and finished around 7pm.  I sooooo wanted to blog it last night, but didn't since I had already blogged.  I liked this picture below so much I added it to my sidebar.  Just thought it was a good pic.

I originally started making this quilt/wall hanging for my brother.  It matches his couch.  When I showed it to him, it was obvious to me, he didn't like it at all.  He wouldn't know good taste if it bit him in the butt.  So, it will now remain in my home.  I'll hang it somewhere.  I love it.  Although the border is sooo different from the blocks, I still love it.  AND......it's my first free motion complete.  WOOHOO.  GO ME!!

Sneak Peek at Border and "real" free motion.

Yes, I did realize my other free motion quilt wasn't "real" free motion.  It was kinda big and crazy and all over the place.  My goal on that other quilt was not to hit any of the objects on the fabric.  Anyway.......check out this free motion.  I'm so proud of me!  (I'm patting myself on the back as we speak, or type)  As you also can see, I choose the stripe fabric.  I'm not going to quilt over the stars.  I'm hoping it will make them POP out.  We'll see. This is really going to be a "wonky" quilt.  But hey!!  I like it.

Border help needed!

No, not at the US/Mexico border. (Sorry, not funny!)  In my sewing room would be where I'm enlisting your help.  So, I've finally completed the retro blocks.  I now have the small wall hanging complete, well all except the border and binding and backing.  WOW, I'm not complete at all.   Ok, anyway.........I need your help on choosing a border.  I kinda like the stripes, because it looks retro as well.  Then I kinda like the pink beside the stripes.  Who knows, none of them might not work.  However, these are my only "close" options.  So........taking all votes, please let me know which you would use as a border?

UPDATE 5/8/09 **I went with the striped fabric.  I was still not sure I would like it even as I am sewing it on.  But, I have two sides on, and LOVE it.  I think you will to.  **

Free Motion Small Quilt Finished

Instead of practicing on that fabric and discarding, I decided to finish it out.  I quilted the front and back separately.  I know that's not how you do it.  It's just, the front and back would have never lined up and it gave me even more free motion practice.  I'm not sure what I'll do with this one.    It's properly named "All Balls".  lol  The hubs got a kick out of that.  

Pharmacy Class Completed!!

With a 93 I might add.  I'm so proud of ME!  I was really worried about this class and how I would perform.  The math really worried me.  It's not just regular math, it's PHARMACY math.  It was so hard.  We still have to go back Thursday and finish some more math, but all the grades are in.  I think they wouldn't even say anything if you didn't show up Thursday.  However, if I'm going to pass the state exam, I have to know the math.  Therefore, I'll be there will bells on Thursday night.  GO ME!!

I can free motion........uh huh!

Thought you were done seeing this hexie table runner?  Well, I found a way to add even more thread to this beauty.  I did some free motions "circles" on it.  If I would have done I was going to free motion it, I wouldn't have used the other thicker decorative stitch.  However, I think it looks good.  I like my attempt of free motion.  The back doesn't look as impressive, but for a first time.  It will be ok.

Patches gets a Promotion!

If you know my blog, you'll remember "Patches" along with the hubs and child are at the bottom of my blog.  Her dwelling place has always been above our bed.  Not really displayed properly.  It was hanging half folded over only displaying half of the quilt.  So, we promoted her to the front family room. This is my favorite quilt!  The back is made just like the front, just different colors, same pattern. 

So, hubs made me this quilt hanger.  (This is a horrible picture, I apologize).  It looks un even, however it's even.  We also realize the hanger is really too small for the quilt.  But, right now it's going to stay put.  It's right where everyone that comes in our front door can see it.  I'm going to show it off awhile.

Practice Free Motion

So, I found a great piece of fabic from my stash to practice free motion on.  It has lots of letters and balls.  My goal was to not sew over any letters or balls.  haha.........everytime I hit one "oops".  The hubs would say "r u ok"?  haha..........."I'm good"!!  Then another "oops".  He finally stopped asking.  See pic, I didn't do too terribly bad.  

I really think quilting it made the balls look 3-d.  I think I'm alone in thinking this.  The hubs didn't think so.

In quilting.........

Shouldn't your stitches look as good on the back as they do on the front?  I've always been terrible at setting the tension.  I always just play with it till I get the right thing.  And maybe that's what you do??  For my new free motion quilting foot, I set the tension and width to 2.5 like my book said.  I've also played with moving that around.  Still no luck.....any suggestions from my great blogging buddies?

Front of practice quilting..

Back....

Today 5/2/09 I've been practicing more with this, and I've got a big panel I'm practicing against.  However, I was going to free motion both sides, but seperatly, cause in no way will it line up.  Well, wouldn't you know, because these backs won't be seen, the stitching looks great.  Think I finally found the correct setting, 4 & 5.  yah