Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Not Anything To Do With Quilting



I have always wanted a vegetable garden. For real. But it just isn't possible. Right now. 

Instead, we joined a CWS farm this summer. Our first delivery is tomorrow. We won't be getting a lot of anything this time, but I am expecting great things later this summer.

I love the idea of eating well. We do our best here but there are days when Subway meets our immediate dietary needs.

With the whole vegetables from the farm, lots of choice at the local Farmer's Market, and the tweets of Mrs McPorkchop (who makes things like blackberry lime freezer jam and vanilla peach butter ),  I have been inspired to try my hand at canning, jam making and the like.

Are you laughing yet?

I mean I have bought books and everything. Books like "Canning for a New Generation".

For sure you are laughing now. My husband is.

I'll let you know how it goes.

L xo

PS - that Everyday Food magazine pictured above is amazing. You should pick it up.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Music Monday - Babylon



Better late than never.

L xo

Friday, July 8, 2011

Instead of Sewing

I have been


making God's eyes and


making paper butterflies and ...


and weaving with paper and


and making tie dyed shirts.  Among a million other fun summer activities.

So there hasn't been much sewing.  Only 2 Farmer's Wife blocks.  That's it.

But we have had so much fun, that sewing has kinda been the last thing on my list.

L xo

Monday, July 4, 2011

Music Mondays - I and Love and You



One of my favourites.

L xo

PS - I have Farmer's Wife blocks to show you.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Ironing It Out



So I spent the weekend ironing and cutting rather than sewing. You see, I couldn't decide what to make my Farmer's Wife quilt (finally decided on Farmdale - thanks to my friend Greta who helped me choose).

Rather than just doing nothing, I ironed and cut for 2 quilts - a solid magic 9 patch and my Lou Lou Thi quilt.

Now just have to sew those up!

And work on my Farmer's Wife quilt ...

L xo

Monday, June 27, 2011

Music Mondays - Uncharted



Get out of your chair and dance.  Not all crazy and stuff.  But dance.  It will do you good.  Promise.

L xo

Friday, June 24, 2011

Where Was I?



Well, I couldn't tell you before I left.  Because even though there are only 24 of you out there reading this thing, I didn't want to announce that we would all be gone for 5 days and that would mean anyone could break into my house no problem during that time.

Not that I think the 24 readers I have would ever do that.

But the whole internet thing, you know?

Like do you ever think it is not so smart when people announce on Facebook that they are going away for 2 weeks and you won't be able to reach them ... Like that isn't a golden opportunity to break into someone's house.

Maybe it's just me, but I think you tell people when you get back.

But that's just me.  Maybe I am a little "glass 1/2 empty" on the whole thing.

Anyhow ...

We were in NYC for 5 fun filled days.  It was such a good time.  I am so so tired.

Needless to say, I have done absolutely nothing since we got back last night except work (there is no rest for the wicked) and try desperately to get through the 1000+ post on Google Reader.

You have all been very busy.  I am impressed.

L xo

PS - My dog went on a hunger strike while we were gone.  No lie.  He is a moody little fella, I tell you. (No idea who he gets that from).

PPS - Enough is enough, there will be sewing here shortly.  Promise.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Music Mondays - These Are The Days




For my sweet E who had such an amazing week. I can't tell you how much I love that little man.

L xo

Friday, June 17, 2011

I Am Making This Next



{photo courtesy of Stitched in Color}


I know what you are thinking.  Add this to the Along list and the list looks pretty much impossible.  But I just love this quilt.  I think Rachel has done an amazing job of putting this quilt together.  And there will be hand quilting (with AMH's new line of perle cotton), which I have never done before.

I've bought the fabric in a little package (how easy was that) and it is just waiting for me to cut into.

And I have to say, after not crushing so much on Innocent Crush (but it is growing on me), I am loving this line. So much so that I asked my friend Deirdre to order an entire bolt of this



for me to make curtains out of.  Which will be awesomeness if my house ever gets renovated.  Let's talk about that some other time.

I don't think this quilt will take a long time to do since the tiles are so big.  To showcase the fabric and all.  I can't start it for a week or so.

I'll let you know how it goes.

L xo

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Get Along

How about a list of the "alongs" that I have my eye on?




{photo courtesy of Lee at Freshly Pieced}


I started this one right when it started but I didn't get passed sewing part of 1 block.  Not because I didn't like the block or I wanted to give up, but because I had the two school quilts to do.  Those 2 quilts kinda threw a wrench into everything.  I'll get back to this eventually.






I think that this is going to be a great quilt along.  I have never done a quilt like this so am looking forward to the challenge.  And there will be templates!  So no need to buy a new ruler.  No idea what fabric to use but I am thinking solids (which I have never used before).





This might be a good one to use solids with, don't you think?  I have been wanting to make a zig zag quilt for a long time - probably since I started quilting.  And wouldn't this quilt match so nicely with my rainbow pillows that I can't seem to stop making.  My only worry is half square triangles - I think this one has them.  Not so good at those.





I would love to do a value quilt.  And Jenn at In Color Order is amazing at explaining all about how you go about choosing fabrics and colors.  Again, there is the whole half square triangle thing but it may just be worth it for a beautiful quilt like the ones Jenn has done.  





{photo courtesy of Lily's Quilts}

This quilt along finished up a little while ago but it is a type of quilt I would love to try.  And the instructions on the Lily's Quilts blog are really good.  And I have a whole fat quarter set of the Sherbet Pips ...





{photo courtesy of Bad Skirt Amy}


This is a flickr quilt along based on Bad Skirt Amy's tutorial based on a Setsuko Inagawa quilt.  

I am in love with the this quilt
{photo courtesy of Where the Orchids Grow}

so I may have to give it a go.





{Photo courtesy of PS I Quilt}


Let's talk about Rachel and her quilt alongs.  I missed the Postage Stamp along but used her tutorials and made an awesome quilt for E's principal.  Rachel is super good with instructions.  I am all over this because I know I can get it done and I have some Hullabaloo from Urban Chiks that needs to become this quilt.







Farmer's Wife Along

{photo courtesy of Fussy Cut blog}

Well if this hasn't caught on like wild fire, I don't know what has.  I have had this book for a long time.  Amanda and Angela started this up and it seems like everyone and their dog is doing it.  I am all in.  I saw pictures of Camilla Roskelley's blocks in her Bliss and Ruby lines ... gorgeous.  No idea what fabric to use.  Scrappy like the ones on the Twin Fibers Blog?  Dark with Liberty prints like the ones on I'm a Ginger Monkey?  Just using a few colours like A Life in Lists?  (the Life in Lists one is my favourite after Camilla's ... but Ruby doesn't come out until the fall and you can't find any Bliss to save your life ...)

I am going to be behind before I even start because of all the goings on over the next week.  But I am going to catch up and stay caught up (which is in no small part thanks to my friend Deirdre who got me started with the templates ... I am following her lead and doing this by paper piecing) by the end of June.


L xo

PS - "Get along" is a phrase used once and awhile in this house.  Some weeks are better than others.  Having children 15 months apart means that the boys do not know of an existence without each other.  This is more of a blessing than a curse but still has its challenges.  I wonder though, why we think siblings should always "get along".  I don't get along with everyone all the time (understatement).  I mean, I am not advocating all out brawling or anything, but the expectation that the boys will always get along is crazy.  I mean they drive me crazy and I love them to bits so how can I expect them to always be friends?  Maybe they have each other to learn how to get along with others - like having an almost twin sibling is practice or something for the big wide world out there.  Just thinking out loud here. 

I'll get back to you if I come up with anything good.

PPS - Are you still here?  This is the longest post EVER.




Wednesday, June 15, 2011

I Made This Too




I made this for the Goody Bag Swap on Flickr. 

I know I said "no swaps" etc. awhile back but my friend Greta told me about it so I thought I would give it a go.

I am back to "no swapping" now.  Not because I didn't like making the bag.  I did.  I sent lots of goodies too.

I am just not good with deadlines.  I want to be good with deadlines but I am not.  At least when it comes to this stuff.

I am good with deadlines when it comes to getting stuff done for the children (and let me tell you, June has been full of stuff to do for the children).  I am good with deadlines with work (although I missed a few last week because I was sick-ish).  

But when it comes to sewing, deadlines are not my thing.  Because of all of the other deadlines I have.  

I like to sew because I like to sew.  Putting pressure on to sew because I have left it to last minute because I have done 12 files, baked 7 dozen cookies, taken the dog to the vet, helped with school projects ... not so good.  And not so fun.

And I know that there are lots of people who sew like crazy, meet swap deadlines and do more than I do in a day.  I tip my hat.  Seriously.


L xo

PS - I am pretty impressed with myself with the quilt deadlines I had this month though.  The school quilts were done in advance of the dates and there was no rushing.  Even the pillow was a rainy Saturday afternoon thing.  All done with more than enough time.  I think that was a first for me.

PPS - I may not be good with the swaps and all, but the "alongs', let me tell you ... there are sooo many I want to join.  I have a list for you that I'll post tomorrow.  

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Look What I Made



Yep.  I made a pillow.  And I love it!  I just wish it was for me.  It isn't.  I couldn't end the school year without making something for S's Grade 2 teacher.  She is beyond wonderful.  And it didn't seem fair to make something for the principal and E's Grade 3 teacher and leave her out.   Just couldn't do it.

I am not sure if she will like it but if she doesn't, she can always just leave it in the classroom.  Unless the classroom gets lice THREE TIMES IN ONE YEAR like they did this year.  Then she will have to burn it.  Let's hope that doesn't happen - and not just for the pillow's sake.

I took my inspiration from a pillow I saw on flickr.  Super easy to do.  It is a 19.5" pillow with a 20" pillow form because I like overstuffed pillows, yes I do.

If I didn't have piles of work to do today, I would be making another one of these pillows.  I plan on making a lot of them.  Have a birthday?  You are getting a pillow.  A baby?  A pillow.  Anniversary?  A pillow ... you get where I am going?

One of the things I noticed when I was putting together the fabric for the pillow (I cut a lot of extra - see above for pillow making factory reason) is that I have almost no red or purple in my stash.  And it isn't easy finding red or purple that I like either.  

Strange, but true.

L xo

PS - I also made a skirt this weekend.  You will never ever see it.  Ever.  Not good.  Not good at all.  I don't think I am cut out for clothes making.  Unless it is pj's.  I am pretty good at those.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Music Monday - Bananarama



Cruel summer?  Really ?  I would take that over no summer.  While it isn't raining right this minute, the weatherman says there is more in store.

Rain, rain go away.  If you don't, I may have to move.  Seriously.

L xo

PS - I am old enough to have loved this when it came out.  Hard to believe, I am sure.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Another Reason for the Lack of Posting


Another quilt done.  Except that this one was done a long, long time ago.  I did have plans for another quilt to make and give but that one did not come together very well.  At all.  We probably shouldn't talk about that one.  Maybe some of those blocks will become pillows one day.  Or not.

And this one just needed a binding.  

And we needed another quilt because we just had to give one to E's grade 3 teacher.  Because she is getting married in a month and is just the most amazing teacher ever. 

So we decided this was the way to go.  And I am so glad.  I love this quilt. 

Binding was pretty easy.  I think I am getting better at it.


We had a surprise shower for E's sweet teacher (which is another reason for the lack of blogging - so many parties to plan, end of year and all).  

I think the quilt was well received, don't you?

L xo

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

One of the Reasons for my Lack of Posting



I have been busy.  Quilting.  Among a million other things.

You see, I had this plan to make my sweet E's Grade 3 teacher a quilt for an end of year/getting married present.  I had the planning done, the timing all in order.  Things were going to be great.

And then we got an announcement.  The boys most amazing principal was retiring at the end of the year.  Now let me tell you, Mrs. Kenny is amazing.  She is a kind and compassionate leader who isn't afraid to set the children on the right path, even if that means a little tough love every once and awhile.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate her and how much my boys have benefitted from having her in their lives.

So what could I do but make her a quilt too.  Two quilts, one month, no problem.  But just to make things interesting, I decided that the quilt had to be from everyone.  And that meant getting all 130 students and staff to sign the back of the quilt.  On the sly, mind you.  And then have enough time to get it to the quilter's.

And we did it.  And this Monday, we had a surprise assembly for Mrs. Kenny and my sweet boys presented her with the quilt on behalf of everyone.  I choked up.  It was so touching to see E, who wouldn't even approach a stage when he was little, speak in front of everyone to let Mrs. Kenny know about the quilt and how we made it because we love her so.



The quilt is the Postage Stamp Quilt from Rachel at PS I Quilt.  I mean I couldn't have whipped this one up without her amazing instructions for the quilt-along.  I pretty much love the pattern and have plans to make more of these quilts (let's be honest, they look like they are a lot more work than they are - not that they aren't work, but you know what I mean).

The back was some older Cosmo Cricket that looks like an exercise book.  Not sure what line it is from but it was perfect and fit our theme perfectly.  The signatures (which you can barely see) are so sweet, it is really just something else.



So, there you go.  One of the gazillion reasons why it was so hard to get to the computer for the last 5 weeks.

L xo

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Start Spreading the News



So I have had a secret for a little while.  And given that I have been erratic with my blogging (to say the least), it wasn't so hard to keep a secret.  But, as of June 1st, we were given the go ahead to let the world know about this AMAZING book and our blocks in it.  So, you see that book cover there ... I am in that book.  For reals.

I am so over the moon excited about this, I cannot tell you.

You see, most days I feel like I am the beginner's beginner with this sewing and quilting stuff.  I don't often get discouraged and pretty much always love learning new things but everything is new to me.  And I have to learn things over and over again.  I am not a "get it the first time round" kinda gal.  I have to say I am beyond lucky that I have friends who are willing to teach me over and over again (Hello, Deirdre!).

But even though I am the beginner's beginner, I am in BOOK!  That is such awesomeness.  And my block is a favourite of mine.  I mean I love it.  Not as much as my kids, husband or dog, but pretty close.

And even if I wasn't in Modern Quilt Blocks: 99 Quilt Blocks From Your Favourite Designers, I would buy this book.  99 different blocks!  All amazing!  Stash Publishing will have it available in October but I think I am getting an advance copy in August.  If I do, I will share.  Promise.

I am not sure if I can share my block but I'll give you a hint ... if you like working with all the different fabrics out there, you will like making this block.  Yes, you will.

L xo


PS - Others in the book, to name a few, are ... Fresh Lemons Faith, Thornberry, The Long Thread and Patchwork Duck Designs


Monday, June 6, 2011

Music Monday - One Republic




And we are back ...

L xo

PS - And, without a doubt, this is a good life.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Music Monday - Betty



Well, that was some weekend.  I mean, it was a sewing marathon.  Ask my friend Greta.  We were emailing back and forth all weekend.  It is nice to have someone to chat with while quilting.  Greta started and finished a whole quilt over the weekend.  Pretty awesome.

I am hoping to have a little post about all I did by tomorrow.

L xo


Thursday, April 21, 2011

So Much



It has been quite the week here.  I mean everything from taxes, to a death in the family, to Passover, field trips ... the list was endless.

I am exhausted.  

This may sound ridiculous, but one of the things that has kept me going is sewing.  Because we added 2 quilts to the list of things that must get done.  

And these quilts must get done.  

One is for the boys' principal who is leaving the school at the end of the school year (June 16th). 

One is for sweet E's grade 3 teacher.  E's teacher is super amazing and is getting married this summer. Also must be done for 

The principal quilt (for lack of a better name) is the postage stamp quilt that was on PS I Quilt recently.  I am already sewing up the blocks (there are 48) and the backing is done (I am having all the staff and students sign the back so am covertly getting that done too!).  I am using an American Jane Punctuation jelly roll from my stash for the quilt.

The teacher quilt (I am so original) is a pinwheel type thing called Summer Dreamin from Miss Print and Moda Bake Shop.  I am not sure what happened but I have a lot of Dream On fabric.  I mean a lot.  So I am using some of it up on this.  Using up a layer cake or two on this one.

I really am doing my best to use up my stash.  I cleaned up my sewing room last week (it took forever) and the amount of fabric I have was overwhelming.  Not that I don't love it, just that it has to be used.

And I have 2 quilts that need to make their way over to the quilters.  If I can get these other 2 done asap, it will be a record month.

But there is still all that binding ...

L xo





Monday, April 18, 2011

Music Monday



I know, I know,  this has nothing to do with music but c'mon, seriously, if this video doesn't make your Monday, well, I just don't know ...

I just adore this.  Hope you do too.

L xo

PS - Greta, I am going to get you more than an autograph.  Stay tuned.

PPS - What is all this craziness over Denyse Schmidt's DS Quilts line at Joann's.  We don't have Joann's in Canada.  Maybe that's a good thing?

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Oh Yes I Am

loulouthi.sneak.peek

going to make curtains for my dining room out of the fabric with the huge print in the middle of the picture.  

I wasn't sold on AMH's last collection but I have seen some very nice quilts made with Innocent Crush lately and I am using a lot of IC in my Supernova quilt so I'd say that I am warming to it.

This new collection looks like it takes a little from the IC line but that print in the middle is amazing.  And has exactly what I want for my dining room. 

Because I have nothing to do and more than enough time to get everything done, we have decided to renovate the house.  Just paint and flooring.  Just.  

Knowing that I will have bright curtains eventually may help me through the renovation craziness (it hasn't even started and already it is nutso).

Did I tell you that I get to meet AMH when I am at the Heather Ross workshop in New York in October?  And Denyse Schmidt.  You read that right.

The reno will be over by then, I will have hopefully survived my first summer as a WAHM and the kids will be back at school.

I am thinking that I will more than deserve the time away,  if I do say so myself.

L xo

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

What 9 Looks Like











Our last year of single digits for our sweet E.  A day filled with homemade cakes for home and school.  And exactly what was wanted for a birthday presents.  And a neighbourhood/family cake party with a school party to follow later in the month.  Oh to be 9 again.

My baby is 9.  Incredible.  I am so honour to be this wonderful boy's mom.  I can't begin to tell you how much I learn every single day just by being around this wunderkid.

I am one lucky girl.  Best day ever.

Happy Birthday, my darling boy.

L xo

PS - After the craziness settles (let's say Thursday), I have so much to tell you.  About quilting.


Monday, April 11, 2011

Music Mondays - A Somewhat Oldie but Goodie


I love this song.  Yes, I do.  I also love the fact that my boys are back at school after 2 weeks of Spring Break.

Enjoy.

L xo

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Chester

Chester

You haven't seen Chester in awhile and since I am visiting my mum with the boys and only brought miles of binding to sew, I have no really quilty pics to show you.  

Instead, you get Chester.

Chester has been with us for almost a year.  He pretty much rocks our world.  How could he not?  Take a look at that dog.  Awesomeness.

My friend Ruth started a flickr group about Pets and Quilts.  As soon as I actually get a quilt finished, Chester will model it for you so I can add a picture to the group.

L xo

PS - Staying with my parents affords me computer time.  A good and bad thing.  A good thing because I get to get caught up on all things quilting related.  A bad thing because my "want to do that too" list grows ever larger.

PPS - As of today, the "want to do that too" list includes:
  1. The Urban Lattice Quilt Along.  Long since finished but after seeing Lee's quilt, it is a must do too.  As an aside, in re-organizing my sewing room, I realized that I have a bazillion yards of Far Far Away II so I am just going to copy Lee and make the same quilt.  Why mess with a good thing, especially when you have a copious amount of the same fabric.
  2. Have a quilt quilted like One Shabby Chick's.  Have quilted not quilt it myself.  Let's be reasonable here.
  3. Make a quilt like Jolene did - I pretty much love everything she does so I could put all of her quilts on this list but let's just add 1 for now.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Music Monday - Mindy Gledhill



I am not going to lie.  Sunday morning was not fun.  I had this whole work issue completely blow up.  I am exhausted.  I was going to put some dreary music here for Music Monday in honour of my terribly foul mood but what good would that do?

Instead, let's start Monday off on the right foot.  Only a week of Spring Break left.  All is good.  No one is dying.  Work is just work.  All will be well.  Just breathe.  

(Can you tell I am talking to myself as I write this - blogging as therapy, who knew?)

Let's talk soon.

L xo

PS - Let's not talk about how the boys and their friends got to one of the sewing machines and now it only sews backwards.

PPS - My dad rocks.  He could talk me through anything.  I have the most amazing family ever.  

PPPS - Going to sew my first Supernova block together.  On the sewing machine that sews forward.  Wish me luck.

PPPPS - And how about all that nonsense going around on the quilting blogs about what quilting is.  Half square triangles, modern quilts not hard enough, need more tradition ... while I probably could add a ton of my opinion to the whole debate, I think we should all just sew.  Sew what we want and for whatever reasons we want, and not worry about the rest of it.  Just my two cents.

Friday, April 1, 2011

All Cut Up


This Supernova Quilt Along has a lot of cutting going on.  And because I am a little late to the party, I seem to be doing nothing but cutting fabric in hopes of catching up.

I have started cutting this stack up into the pieces I need to sew.  Instructions for sewing the blocks are already up so I have to get at it, don't you think?

I think all the cutting is going to be worth it though.  From what I have seen already, this Supernova quilt pattern rocks.

L xo

PS - Through all this cutting, it has come to light that my cutting skills are sorely lacking.  I mean crooked.  Not sure what I am doing wrong but I can tell you what isn't right.

PPS - I don't know how many fabrics I have going on with this project but I can tell you that I am not looking forward to refolding and putting away all the fabric I pulled to put this together.  How do people keep their sewing rooms so clean and organized?  It seems that the minute I get everything back where it belongs, I am back at it making a big mess.  I think that is the only not fun thing about quilting.  (Cleaning is the not fun about everything, pretty much).

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Choices

My creation

Pulling these fabrics was a lot of work.  They are for the Supernova Quilt Along.  I am a little behind but seeing as I just joined this week, I am cutting my self some slack.  And doing a tremendous amount of cutting.  All this fabric.

I have been thinking about choices lately.  Pulling a gazillion fabrics and trying to make them fit together gives one a little time to ponder.  But just a little time.  Because I don't have much time these days.  You see, it is Spring Break at our house.  That means children 24/7.  Which is awesome ...

But also a lot of work.  

We have played marble games, painted huge canvases, baked birthday cakes for neighbours and brownies for ourselves.  We have played in the sunshine, played Angry Birds on my new Iphone, read chapters of Harry Potter and lost mail keys on bike rides (we found them).  All in the last 3 days.

Leaving my job last summer and working from home has been amazing.  It took a lot of adjusting but I would not trade it for anything.  I think it was easier going to work 4 days a week than my present gig of working at home, full time caregiver, all the time grocery shopper, supreme dog walker and all round fun time gal.  Choices, right?

You'll have to give me your opinion on my fabric choices.  There are 9 supernovas in the quilt and I have chosen 7 fabrics for each supernova.  I have tried to keep my colour choices to just a few, tried to use some of the same fabrics throughout, one print in different colours throughout (Henna something or another) ... 

I am not sure that it all works but it is my plan for now.  I'll let you know how it goes.

L xo

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

So Much to Tell You

So here's the problem. I have too much to tell you.  Not all of it quilting.  But lots to tell. And I try to keep my posts to one or two things.  I can get overwhelming.  Shocking, but true.

Today's two things aren't really mine at all.  But they must be shared.  First up,  S's "in progress" quilt block.  We are just putting this thing together as we go.  I must say, I am loving it.   We have plans to make a few big, big blocks and sew them together and call it a quilt.  I bet this becomes my favourite of all time.



I also love the fabric scrap "wish" bracelet thingy.  This little scrap was just begging to be wrapped around a wrist.  We put it on, S made a wish and we are sure it will come true when the fabric finally falls off.  I am betting it will be late July before that little scrap gets tired of hanging around S's wrist.



Second up, E's art piece.  It is Spring Break here and we have 2 weeks of togetherness.  We made a wish list last week and at the top of my list was to do a big canvas painting.  I am not the world's best artist, by any means, but I thought painting something big would be fun.  E and S picked up canvases too and E got right at it when we got home.  From what he tells me, there are many layers to go and this is only the beginning of the painting.  I love it so much now and am sure I will love it even more when it is done.



It is so hard to keep it to two things today.

L xo

PS - I got an Iphone.  I used to have a Blackberry.  Big learning curve.  Seeing as I taught myself to sew 2 short years ago, I am thinking I'll get this Iphone thing done too.

PPS - I am thinking of doing the Supernova quilt-along.  Awesomeness.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Music Monday - Telephone



I lost my Blackberry.  In the snow.  While skiing.  Saturday.  I hadn't backed it up maybe ever.  It had pictures of the boys that I loved and now they are gone.  And some of Chester.  There has been some (okay, maybe a lot) of crying.  Not for the phone but for the photos.  Phone, smone.  Losing the photos is kinda breaking my heart right now.

Seeing as it is Music Monday, I had no choice but to put Telephone by Lady Gaga on.  But I couldn't actually put Lady Gaga's video on my blog.  Too racy!  So we get Glee.

L xo

PS - So much quilt binding on Sunday (official day of mourning for lost blackberry).  Will have lots to show soon.  Or tomorrow.

PPS - Is it okay to tell you all that I just loved my blog comments last week.  Thanks so so much.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Let's See What I Have Been Up To ..

DSC_0133.JPG

There has been a little sewing over the last couple of weeks.  I am mainly sewing up the Bee blocks that were completed for me for a few of my bees.  I was a couple of blocks short on most of my Bee blocks, but, given that I, too, was a non-completer, I have just made due with what I have and am just grateful for all the hard work and effort that my fellow bee-rs put into my blocks (wow, if that isn't a run on sentence, what is?).

The photo above is actually the boarder around one of my Bee quilts.  The quilt itself was a little small so needed a little something.  A piano key large boarder seems to have done the trick.  It was also suppose to have a smaller inner boarder.  Suppose to.  Forgot about that.  No biggie.

Here's the thing though.  I seem to forget a lot lately.  Not big things mostly.  Little things.  There is a reason for it and I am in the process of fixing it but, in the meantime, I just try to not let it get to me.  Easier said than done for the Type A personality I have.

Anyhow, along with this quilt, I have my Modern Tradition quilt to bind.  It is gorgeous.  Can't wait to show you that.

And I have 2 itty bits of a boarder to finish on this Japenese-y quilt.  Just need to get some help figuring out how to make a few things work.

I have pieces cut but not sewn on an Oh Fransson quilt too.

But before I do that, I am going to pull out some more Bee blocks and get it done!

L xo


Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Let's Make a List ...


Of all the "new to me" quilty things out there in the blogosphere that I am in love with ...
  1. This quilt pattern (wish it was available as a download).
  2. This chevron pillow.  I will make these FOR SURE.  And while we are on the topic of Oh Fransson, let's just talk about Elizabeth's book - The Practical Guide to Patchwork.  It kept me going through the sewing drought.  I didn't have time to sew so I would read about quilting.  At stop lights.  In bed.  While making dinner.  Wherever I could find an extra 30 seconds.  
  3. Rounded corners!  Binding is my arch nemesis.  Well, binding and a certain mother at my children's school but you don't want to get me started on that.  I am completely in love with rounded corners though.  I am going to give this a try.  I may also give this binding tutorial a try.
  4. My friend Greta's Postage Stamp quilt.  I mean, c'mon, it is amazing!  Quite jealous of that quilt. [Edit - Greta's quilt is back from the quilters.  Even more gorgeous than before.  Jealous.]
  5. This Hexagon Park quilt pattern.  I've seen it done up in AMH's Innocent Crush (which, if I am being completely honest, I do not crush on all that much - please don't hate me AMH, especially since we will be together in NYC in October).  I have a lot of that Innocent Crush fabric in my stash so I think this is an option to put it to good use.
  6. A Single Girl Quilt-along.  Awesomeness.  Nothing I am going to do, like, tomorrow but so amazed by what is shaking down there. 
  7. What I might do though, is a Single Girl pillow like the one on Fussy Cuts.  C'mon, seriously, how cute is the pom pom trim.  Fussy Cuts is a new to me blog that I am loving, loving, loving.  
  8. Red Pepper Quilts (can't pick one quilt).  Really?  I am not sure how all those quilts get done.  I have quilt finishing envy pouring out of me.  This is one of the reasons why.  You should see the back too.  Fabulous.
Flower Sugar Quilt

[photo courtesy of red pepper quilts awesomeness]


The list goes on and on.

L xo

PS - Another amazing thing.  How the arts and crafts community has bonded over disaster relief for Japan.  People have come up with so so so many amazing ways to raise money for those in need.  It is beyond amazing.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Let's Get Caught Up

  1. First, I am an epic fail in the virtual bee department.  Blogging isn't the only thing that didn't happen over the last 6, 7, 8 months (how long have I been gone).  I didn't sew.  I mean nothing.  I absolutely hated going downstairs because downstairs = all the sewing I wasn't getting done.  And all the sewing I wasn't getting done = all the people I was disappointing.  Not so fun.  I didn't even read a quilting blog the whole time.  It made me feel so so bad that I couldn't do what I committed to.  Same goes for Flickr.  Haven't been on in ages.  Probably have missed too much to mention.
  2. I didn't buy much fabric at all while on hiatus.  It doesn't seem like I missed much.  Correct me if I am wrong.  While there doesn't seem to be much doing with fabric, it does seem like the quilting blogger universe has been very busy.  So many amazing quilts!  I want to make pretty much every quilt I see.  I am not going to make every quilt I see ... how do you think I got into this mess?
  3. I didn't go to the Heather Ross Sewing Workshop in Palm Springs in January, as I had planned.  I am going to the Workshop in New York in October though.  The Workshop is the same time as Canadian Thanksgiving, Yom Kippur and the Sewing Summit in Salt Lake City.  My planning skills aren't what they used to me.  Obviously nor are my calendar reading skills.  Still going to New York.
  4. When I had to cancel the Palm Springs Workshop, I talked to the Heather Ross on the phone.  It was my first brush with sewing/quilting stardom.  She is very nice.  
  5. Since starting to sew again (and by again, I mean in the last 2 weeks), I have gotten a little bit finished.  I haven't trusted myself to sew anything but a straight line.  While sewing again is kinda like riding a bike, I have been making a lot of mistakes.  Thank goodness I have a seam ripper.  The seam ripper and I are new best friends.
  6. I can't seem to find more than 5 things. Oh, I am charging my camera RIGHT NOW so hopefully this will be the only picture free post you have to read through.
  7. I turned 40 about a month ago.  It has been nothing but great so far.  
  8. I made it to 8.  I'll take 8.

L xo


Monday, March 21, 2011

Let's Stay Together



Well.  It has been quite a while, hasn't it?  I have so much to tell you.  I have so much to show you.

So.

Let's stay together.

L xo
 
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