Co-workers quilt

A co-worker of mine asked me to make a quilt for her parents as a 50th wedding anniversary gift.  Now you all know that I am great at making tops of quilts but to put it all together and actually finish a quilt -- well, not so much.  Anyway, this woman was the first (and for a while, only) person to be nice to me when I started my job (I went in as a temp and, apparently, everyone is afraid you are going to take their jobs) so I had to say "yes".  I am happy to report that I finished her quilt/wall hanging and with two weeks to spare.  I am posting a picture here because I don't think anyone besides me reads this blog so no worries about spoiling the surprise.

This isn't the best picture, but I think that it came out pretty darn good!

Not much quilting this weekend -- but plenty of sewing

I didn't get much quilting done this weekend - just some binding strips cut - but I did get plenty of sewing done.  I was on a roll and made an apron, chef hat, oven mitt, and crayon carrier for my granddaughter, Hannah, and her friend, Penelope - so that means I made 8 things.  I also made myself a little coolly (for the hot flashes).  Told you I was busy!!!  Below are the pictures.

Apron

Chef's hat

Oven Mitt

Crayon and doodle pad carrier

Coolly - for me!!

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Back from Italy

I am back from my trip to Italy.  We had a blast.  Got to visit with my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter.  Love that little baby girl!!!  We did a lot of traveling around and saw lots of sites.  Stayed for a few days in Rome which was wonderful.  We rented an apartment that was literally across the street from the Colosseum. Made it a lot easier with the baby.  We had a little terrace that we could sit out on --it was wonderful. 

Not much done this week

So, I was sick all week and out of work.  I thought I'd get some serious sewing done.  Wrong!  Just didn't feel up to it.  Laid around most of the week -- but I guess that's what I needed to do to get better.  I am now ready to get back to work. 

Getting some sewing done

I went to the dr's yesterday and was diagnosed with pneumonia.  I have been wheezing for about 3 weeks, but thought it was just a cold and would eventually go away.  I was wrong.  It was getting worse and I was not sleeping (nor was my husband because the wheezing was so loud).  Anyway she put me on a z-pack, steroids to open my airways and two inhalers.  I am feeling better already.  I am supposed to take it easy for a few days and go back to see her on Tuesday so I guess this means I will have more time to sew in the next couple of days.  Not sure this is how I would choose to get more sewing time, but it will work!

Making cloth diapers

I have been busy making cloth diapers for my granddaughter.  These diapers can be so expensive to buy that I figured I would try my hand at it.  They really aren't that hard to make if you have some basic sewing skills.  I have already made a few and sent them over to Italy (where my son is stationed) and they say they really aren't all that different from the ones they bought.  So, if you know someone who is going to be using cloth diapers why not surprise them and whip up a few?

Here is the front and back of the ones I made for St. Patty's Day and Easter.  I wasn't sure if you could see the little Peter Rabbits on the Easter one, but they are cute

Speaking of my baby!

Speaking of my baby (I can't believe she is a senior in college) -- her school put together this cute little video.  Check it out.  My son is also a graduate of BC and is in the video with his friends. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_8I_w5v18I

So cute!

My baby is going on spring break with her college roommates.  I am happy for her -- I know she will have a great time.  Just hope she stays safe!  Anyway, I made this cute lingerie bag for her to take along.  The pattern came from Sew4Home.  I love it.  Her roommates did too -- now they all want one.

Getting rid of scraps

I started making some string blocks. I have been organizing my stash and I have found lots of fabrics I didn't even remember buying. I also have bags and bags of scraps that I couldn't throw away -- so the other day I started making string blocks. I am not really being picky about what fabrics go next to each other -- its scrappy after all. I have made 12 blocks and think I will need another 68 to make a quilt that will measure 64 x 80 without borders.  Wonder how long this project will take me?   I will post some pictures of the blocks as soon as possible.

Finished up the Celtic Wallhanging

I finished up the Celtic wall hanging I was making for my sister. It came out pretty good. I am slowly but surely crossing things off my list to get done!

5th Annual Fabric Extravaganza in NH

Is anyone going to this? I have gone the last 2 years and loved it. I'll be going again this year -- even though I really don't need any more fabric. I believe the dates are February 20 - 22nd. Great deals on fabrics and we always have a great time. If you can go -- definitely do!

Mystery blocks up to date

I finished up all the blocks for the 24 month mystery. I am all caught up!!! I am posting a picture of all the blocks that I've done. Don't mind the yellow color - I didn't have very good lighting when I took the picture. I'm pretty happy with them . . . all except one. See the one in the second row, second from the right? I'm not sure I like all that green. What do you think? I may have to make up another one but I will wait and see how they all come together. Remember these fabrics were all fabrics given to me not fabric I bought.

My mystery blocks continue

I worked on two more blocks last night. Only a few more before I'm caught up. I will post some pictures when I get a chance.

Mystery quilt website

This is the site that I am following for the 24 month mystery quilt. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/. I want to be sure to give her recognition.

Mom's quilt

I forgot to post a picture of the quilts my sister and I made for our siblings for Christmas. As I mentioned in a previous post, my mom passed away at the end of April and we thought it would be nice to make quilts for our siblings out of her clothes. So we set to work!! Here is a picture of two of my sisters, a brother and a cousin (who is like a sister) with their quilts on Christmas Eve. We put a nice little label on the back and had my cousin read it. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Although mom wasn't a fashion plate, we think these came out pretty good. We tied the quilts rather than quilt them because ... well because we had to make 9 of them! I come from a very large family.

Moving along on my projects

I have been sewing for at least an hour every night. Makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. I made a list of my "to do" and have been trying to scratch things off. I had wanted to do a mystery quilt that was running for 24 months, but as life goes I didn't do any of the blocks and they are now on month 13. I am happy to say that I have finished 8 of the blocks so far. I am using only fabric that is in my stash (the fabric I am using was actually given to me by my friend's mother-in-law, its not something I would have purchased, but I am using it anyway) and have been trying to do at least one block a night. I have managed to get a couple of them done each night. Hopefully, I will continue going! I also managed to get a diaper made for my granddaughter for Valentine's Day -- and then last night threw one together for her doll. So cute!

I am still here!

Hi everyone!  I'm back again.  I have started a list of what I need to finish.  No more fooling around!  I have moved into a new sewing room and am still trying to get organized.  The cleanup of this room just showed me all the projects I've started and not finished.  Soooo -- I am determined to finish (or at least give it my best shot) one top a week.  You see -  have the tops done, they all need to be quilted.  I almost wrote they all just need to be quilted - but that is my biggest problem -- the quilting.  I love the actual sewing of the tops not so much the quilting part.  Anyway, that's my new new years resolution.  Hopefully it will last past one week.