Status at the end of 2018...Mostly UFOs!

Here is the design for the quilt I am currently working on.  I hope to make a great deal of progress on it today and get it at least to the flimsy stage before I have to go back to work next week.

Now, a parade of UFOs that I hope to get finished this year- and these are only the ones that I did some major work on in 2018...

I designed this one because I won some blocks from the BlockLotto.  If I remember correctly, it is about half way sewn together and I have place mats started with the scraps???

Cosy stripe- from Attic 24- to fit my King size bed.  Not very far along on it.  It got put aside for smaller projects but I really want to get back to it.  Pattern can be found at Attic 24.  She is about to start another CAL that I would love to do but I just can't at this point.

A pillow top made from upholstery scraps.  it needs to be completed!

This one is hanging in the closet as a completed flimsy.  I will need to buy a backing and get it finished!

I think this one just needs a border...

This one needs a lot of work but I would love to get it done ASAP!  It is for my daughter who is studying Opera at University.  She is in her junior year and has a big recital coming up.  It would be cool- but impossible- to get it done for her by then.

This started as a row along with my quilt guild years ago.  I would love to get it completed.

This is my very ugly Halloween attempt this year.  It is still on the design wall but definitely coming down today for something more promising and pleasant to look at.

Another one I am not crazy about but, won the blocks from Block Lotto.  I hope I will like it better when I get it quilted.  I was excited about it when I started it so maybe that feeling will return.

Started this one for my son's graduation but neither of us was thrilled with it.  Guess it will get done eventually.

This one is for my daughter.  I am thinking a different lay out possibly.  I originally wanted it on point but did not have enough fabric.  I found more of it at the store though...

This one I love and is hanging up as a flimsy, just waiting for its turn on the quilting machine.

Another afghan just waiting to be finished.  It is further along than in this picture.

I did actually have some finishes though...
This is denim and flannel for my son.  He chose the flannel himself and he really likes this quilt.

Graduation quilts for cousins.  I was really happy with these when they were done so I hope they are enjoying them.

 I also finished this 10 k at the beginning of December and a half marathon in October- pictured below.
The training takes a lot of time and dedication.  It is a priority for me to continue this year, with another half marathon goal in May as well as an attempt to be able to do a pull up or two by Christmas next year.  Which reminds me, I need to get my tail to the gym today...

Can't forget this finish that hangs in my office at work.  I am a librarian :)  I did read more than 30 books this year too...

So, goals for 2019
Running
Pull ups/strength training
15 minutes to sew per day- which might actually work out to 2-3 days per week but we will see.
Get the office and my daughter's room cleaned and hopefully painted
Somehow save some money for a vacation, despite the fact that the 2 kids are in college...


Happy stitching and best to you and yours in the new year!

Scrappy Project started

Today, after perusing Pinterest for ideas for scrappy star quilts, I sat down and created this pattern in EQ7.  It is a 16 inch block using 2.5 strips and 4 & 7/8 inch squares for the triangles.

I have to give all the basic design credit to Amber at GiGi's Thimble.
http://www.gigisthimble.com/2012/06/scrap-jar-stars-quilt-done.html- though her block is much smaller and I am setting mine a little differently.  Her quilt is beautiful!

My quilt will be 9 blocks (3X3) and will have two borders.  I think it will finish at around 88 inches square.

I am trying to cut most of my stash into 2.5 inch strips and 5 inch squares so my patterns must use those sizes.  Its the only way I have come up with to try to tame my stash that is OUT OF CONTROL! I have a large number of autumn themed and colored fabrics so this one is all oranges, brown, green, gold and burgundy on a variety of neutral backgrounds.

Here are the strips I am using with the main neutral though I ended up using 4 different ones.

Today I got the 9- 16 patch blocks for the stars finished and the 4- 16 patch all color blocks for the corners of the outer border. There are many more four patches ready to go- even more than will be used in the quilt.  I also got the corner squares of the blocks finished and my half square triangles are ready to sew, with diagonal lines drawn.
I can't believe how much progress I made on this quilt today.  From planning to about half way put together in about 5-6 hours.

Playing Catch Up

I got 3 more of the scrappy place mats finished today- just four more to do.  But, at least we have enough for when the kids come to dinner, like tonight. 

I also got the binding machine sewn onto two long overdue quilts. 

This quilt has been waiting for ever!  I even managed to find the green fabric I bought to bind it with years ago!  The floral print in this quilt is from a dress I wore in High School. 

And this is a quilt that a friend brought me to quilt for him.  It was made by his grandmother and probably dates back to the 1940s. 

Looks like there's some hand stitching in my near future.  However, yesterday I started myself a crochet poncho- yes, just like your grandmother made you back in the 70's. 
I also went back to the gym today after 2 weeks of being a couch potato- I had an excuse-I was sick!  I did okay considering the long absence.  I need to hit it hard before my running group starts back up at the end of January. 

I hope to make a little more progress on unfinished objects in the next few days.  I am itching to start something new but there is really no point until I clear out some of theses old projects!!!!

Happy end of the year stitching!

Christmas 2018

Here are my kiddos under the weighted blankets I made for them.  They have both wanted a weighted blanket for years.  They love it when they get covered with the lead apron at the dentist for x-rays.Since they are both in college and experiencing some pretty serious stress and lack of sleep for the first time, I decided these would help. 

If you are considering making one, my advice is JUST DON"T!!!!  Pay the price and get the boring grey ones.  Save yourself the trouble and broken sewing needles as well as stab wounds from all the pins you must use. 

From a mom point of view- I really hope they enjoy them, and I am glad they have nice pretty ones, but- as a seamstress- I wish I had just paid the double cost and bought them. 

I am very pleased that she is VERY happy to have one.  Now I am just afraid they will never get out of bed again...

This is my sister modeling the cowl I made for her.  It was mentioned in my previous post and I modeled it myself. 

Here are my two Rock Climbers with their t shirts.  they also got membership renewals to the climbing gym and chalk bags.  They love it and I am so happy for them to have the quality time together!  Its awesome that they rely on each other and work together to enjoy their new passion. 

Here is my daughter looking at the knife her father received.  She was a little freaked out by its vicious appearance and handed it back to him quite quickly!  It actually was a lovely novelty knife with a mermaid on the handle and ocean artwork on the blade.  He collects knives and Santa brings him one almost every year.  He rarely gets a chance to use them- camping and helping people open packages...

We had a lovely day!  It is so exciting to watch my kids grow into adults, following their passions!  They are the most perfect people.  I am so blessed to have them in my life!


So, now it's the day after Christmas... my husband is back to work, the kids will be sleeping late-at their house, and while I am anxious to head out to pick up some desperately needed sewing needles, and to check out some of the clearance sales (Joann's- yarn), it also sounds perfect to just stay home alone and sew or read or sleep...

Happy Christmas!

Closing out the year...

I can't believe I haven't posted since school started!  I am not doing well keeping up with things as you can see.  However, I wanted to make sure I get a post in for celebrating all that I am blessed with in my daily life.  So, we are starting out with this lovely picture of my amazing husband.  This is taken at his office Christmas party which is always a lot of fun!

Here we are together.  This is our 24th Christmas together, 23 of them as husband and wife.  Our marriage is so blessed!

One of the things that I managed to conquer this year is crochet.  I have been attempting it for a few years but this year I feel like I actually have a grip on what I am doing.  Usually my edges come out sorta straight so I feel good!  I completed this wrap earlier on that same afternoon though I think I would have liked it to be a little longer.  

Here is a hat I made, in one evening, so that I could sport it for the Grinch Vs. Santa day at the High School where I am Librarian.  A friend who crochets as well said my seams were awesome!  so that made me feel pretty good... a white pom pom was attached the next morning.  

Here are some scarves and a cowl that I made for Christmas gifts.  The two scarves went to two of my favorite people - the girls down in the book keeping office at work.  They make coming to work worth while, even though I only get to see them about once per week.  I know I can always head down when I need some love and a smile. 













 This cowl is for my sister.  Hopefully I will get a better picture when she opens it later today.  I hope she likes it.  This is my first experience with bulky yarn and I am not sure there is any reason to ever use anything else, except that I have a huge stash of regular weight...
As you can see, I love a good Snapchat filter to make me look 20 years younger...

I made a few coffee cup cozies.  They are fun and speedy!

Our family Christmas tree pictured above, is actually up at the kids' house this year.  My daughter really wanted a big one and I did not want to purchase a new one so I was happy for her to take ours.  I made her a few ornaments though most remain unfinished at this time.  The clear balls contain pages from Harry Potter books.  Don't panic, they were really worn out and had to be replaced for my library so I am giving them new life here and I know my daughter will enjoy them.  

Here is the little Christmas trees I am using at my house this year.  I have always loved the idea of using the wagon which has been in our attic for years.  I finally pulled it down this year and put it to good use.  

Here is Jack helping me get it set up.  The reason I have the small trees to begin with is because the year he was a puppy we had to have the trees up on the piano, out of his reach.  He would have pulled the big one down for sure.  He has calmed quite a bit since then and hasn't disturbed the tree at all this year even though it is perfectly at his height.  He is a bit interested in the stockings that got placed with the presents last night at the foot of the tree.  Gonna have to watch him closely until the kids get here to open things.  This is the first year since they were born that my kids are not sleeping under my roof on Christmas Eve.  One of the toughest things about this year is that I have moved to an empty nest.  Good thing my poodles are still around.  I am lucky though, I get to see my kids at least once a week.  

Here is some of the very little sewing/quilting I have done.  The towel and potholder are on display in my kitchen, though I had big plans to make one for all my friends, that never came to fruition. 

The quilt is not one I made, I just quilted it for a cousin who made it for her boyfriend for Christmas out of his high school track and football t shirts.   

I have been doing a lot of running this year, though my stubborn middle age body is holding on to every extra pound anyway.  I am looking forward to a year of running, quilting, crocheting, and family!  I have so many blessings to be thankful for this Holiday!  I hope you all do too!  

Merry Christmas!

Back to work...

Back to work in my library.  Here is the decoration for my office door.  We do a different decoration on each door so that we can tell students easily which office to go to -there are four doors in a row on one side of my library.  We still have two of the four doors to go this year...

Once you go through the portal, this is what you see...The Dumbledore quote says "Words are an inexhaustible sort of magic capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it."

Harry Potter quilt finished and hung in its permanent home.  I have had lots of great comments on it.  I may never leave my office again...

I actually finished the two graduation quilts -finally -so after they are gifted today, I will post pictures!

Last week, I had a very unique running buddy on my trail run...