Mini Finish

The Diva, through the insanity generosity of Gramma and Papa, will be getting an American Girl doll this Christmas.  This, for a child who firmly believes she's a boy...go figure!  Anyhoo, Wonder Mom (that'd be Gramma) is making clothes for the doll in question and I decided the doll needed a quilt.  Naturally.

I finished the flimsy a few minutes ago.  Hey, I'm having to pace myself since The Diva and I went out, against my better judgment, to Black Friday at Joann's.  Here's my finish...

I made it from scraps from the Christmas wreath I made.  It's wonky and imperfect and I love it. 

I'm linking up with the fine folks at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Richard Quilts and Sewing by Moonlight for TGIFF.

Happy quilting, y'all!

Report Cards: Quilting and Otherwise

I had to take a break from that dang airplane quilt that seems to have taken over my sewing corner, quilting time and life in general.  I don't ever want to see another plane after it's done!

Mom and I attended our quilting bee The Happy Stitchers last night.  I haven't been in forever...'Who are you again?' was a question I heard quite frequently and it was nice to catch up with the ladies.  I got this quilt top that's been languishing as a WIP for an eternity finished up...

You may recognize the pinwheels as being from my Thangles stage.  You know, the one where I lost my mind and sewed strip after strip of the little buggers.  I still have two baby quilts to make out of the remainder.  The fabric is Love U by Deb Strain...it's all nature and owls and makes me want to go out and hug a tree.

Yesterday was also Report Card Day (cue the dramatic music and nail-biting suspense).  I am happy to report that they will both live.  Co-Defendant #1 has come a loooong way in the academics department and is doing great.  Take that, you snarky naysayers..he can make farting noises and good grades at the same time!  He had an awesome down-the-court dribble and couple of free-throw shots at last night's basketball game as well.  Co-Def #2, although academically gifted is, in the words of my beloved Nana, developing her personality.  In English, this means she's a ringtailed tooter and believes rules are for others.  I see a future in politics or the law for her.

It's cold outside and I really should be cleaning my house....nah, I'm gonna link up to Can I Get a Whoop Whoop and Finish It Up Friday!

Happy quilting, y'all!

Success Depends On Your Perspective

I was starting to feel a tad down on myself because the urge to stitch seems to have abandoned me for a bit and this is FIUF, after all.  But, I said to myself, what else (if anything) have I managed to accomplish this fine Friday?  On that note, I give you my Non-Quilty version of Finish It Up Friday...

*I changed out the toilet seat in the front bath (hey, it's the little things, okay?)

*I walked 2 miles before picking up the Co-Defendants

*The dishwasher's emptied, the house is clean and the laundry's done...look quick 'cause it won't last

Which means I'll now have time to sew this weekend, guilt-free...and there's a ton of sewing to be done.  I keep a running list in my head of all the WIPs I want to complete hopefully before I die by year's end.

*Co-Def 1's airplane quilt

*Handquilting Mary Ellen's Sunflowers

*My obnoxiously colored placemats

Not to mention the Civil War quilt I haven't even started for my Dad.  I'm trying not to sweat it because it's a self-imposed deadline which in and of itself is just ridiculous.  Hopefully by this time next Friday, I'll have something fiber-related actually finished but for now, I'll be happy with what I've accomplished and call it good!  I'm linking up to Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts. 

Happy quilting, y'all!

Birthday Present...Done!

I confessed on Wednesday that I haven't been in much of a quilting mood lately.  Not sure if it's the crazy weather or the fact that I was in the process of coming down with a nasty cold.  All of which is to say I haven't gotten a whole lot done.  Last night, after it became apparent that my cold was now full-blown, Co-Def #2 decided she was going to take care of me: she propped me up on the sofa with a quilt, pillow and her favorite stuffed animal and proceeded to make me dinner.  Mind you, she's seven, so the make-mommy-feel-better-meal consisted of a diet soda (which she solemnly informed me killed her nails to open), dry ham sandwich and cheetos.  I couldn't taste a thing, but she sat beside me and rubbed my back and patted me and somehow I felt just a bit better.

So, this evening she has a birthday party to attend and I wasn't in any mood to buy yet another Barbie or My Pretty Pony.  And I just hate that I wind up spending almost as much on the gift wrap as I do the gift itself...so aggravating!  Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts had blogged about a pillow she'd made for a birthday party her daughter was attending.  What a cool idea...I have fabric, I can sew, looks pretty easy, and I won't have to leave the house to get it done. 

CONFESSION TIME:  Amanda Jean, I apologize profusely for stealing your awesomely awesome gift idea.  I should probably feel a little guilty, but it turned out so cute and my daughter's gushed over how much her friend will love it so I hope you're going to be supremely flattered rather than exceptionally put out that I copied you!

I found the tutorial on YouTube (where else?) from The Crafty Gemini.  The lady gave really good, clear instructions through the eight minute long video.  I embroidered the little girl's name by hand since my Featherweight doesn't do anything beyond a good old straight stitch.  It went together very quickly and I think it turned out really cute!  Crossing my fingers in hopes that she likes it.

I'm linking up to finish it up Friday with Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts.

Happy quilting, y'all!

Tortoise or Hare?

Ask me how long it's been since I started working on this piece and I won't be able to tell you because I haven't got the foggiest notion.  Funny how now that the holidays are through, I want to work on gifts and goodies where before it just didn't have much appeal.  So depending on your perspective, I'm either really far behind or shockingly far ahead.  What do you think?

The pattern, Crazy Jack, is from pieces from my heart and used one Pumpkins Gone Wild charm pack from Moda and came with the extra wide rick rack for the mouth.  I'm going to use it as a table topper, mainly because who knows how long it'd take me to make a hanging sleeve.  Speed is not my forte. 

Oh, I see the pattern copyright date now...2008.  Gulp.  Golly, it doesn't seem like it took quite that long to make.  Sigh.  Does anyone else quilt like they're a tortoise or are the rest of y'all like the hare?

I'm linking to FIUF from Crazy Mom Quilts.

Happy quilting, y'all!

P.S.  Don't forget to leave your comment on the Birthday Giveaway post if you'd like a chance at the tablerunner pattern and fabrics.  I'll pick a name on Monday the 9th.

So Many UFOs

Will...it...never...end?  Who knew one quilter could have so much unfinished business!  I keep finding in progress projects everywhere.  Eeeek!!

I started binding the popsicle quilt last night down at Mom's and finished up while waiting in the pickup line at school this afternoon.  Sorry the picture's so bad, but it's been dreary, rainy and nasty.  I'm beginning to think the sun has gone on vacation.

Here's my quilt model, Co Def #2.  For someone who scowls so much otherwise, she certainly finds her way into many of my quilt pictures.  I think this makes a nice sized baby quilt and I backed it with flannel to make it extra snuggly.

Mom and I took a little road trip south to Salado this morning.  I needed (yes, needed) navy blue with stars fabric for Co Def #1's airplane quilt.  And no, I couldn't get it here in town...very frustrating!  I picked up a couple of patterns and books and oh yes, the fabric, so I'm happy.  The shop ladies wished me luck on my no fabric/patterns/books buying for 2012 resolution.  Actually, they snickered and did the eyeball roll thing, but that's okay because they made up for it by giving each of us a little fat quarter pack as a Christmas gift.  Yay, us!!  If you're ever that-a-way, be sure to stop in at A Sewing Basket in Salado.

I'm linking up with Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday.

Happy quilting, y'all!

Finished: Batiks Sampler

It's not 'done' until the binding's on I always say.  Boy, do I ever have a lot to get done!  I managed to finish this piece before Co Def #2's dental adventure...this is why she's smiling.

All paper-pieced (love, love, love paper piecing) blocks with added sashing and borders for interest.  Not sure what this is exactly...wall hanging, table topper, who knows!  It'll probably wind up disappearing from my sewing area only to turn up as a doll quilt...not that I'm naming names, mind you.  Paper piecing is awesome because everything turns out 'just so' with points matching.  For those of us Type A personalities, it's divine! 

I'm linking up with Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts.

Happy quilting, y'all!
   

I Finished Something!

Oh, dreary, rainy, nasty day...thank you, Lord for perfect quilting weather!  While it's cold and wet outside, I'm inside with my doggie companion, a cup of Starbucks and my faithful Featherweight.

And (drumroll, please) I finally have something for Finish It Up Friday to link with Amanda Jean from crazymomquilts!  Whohoo!!

I'm making I made this cute little bag for my tomboy daughter for Christmas.  And it's not even Christmas yet!!  The picture does not do justice to the truly gaudy silver and hot pink snakeskin fabric, yes I said snakeskin and the silver flame wings of the hearts.  She'll love it!

 
Can't you tell I'm excited?  I think I have quilter's ADD because it takes forever for me to get anything done since I hop from one project to the next...and I'm always missing out on Finish It Up Friday.

Here's the pattern I used from Atkinson Designs.  Whatever Terry Atkinson does is always super-easy and I love her patterns.  This is the first bag I've made that's been totally devoid of cursing.  Shocking, I know.

What are you working on today?

Happy quilting, y'all!