Design Wall Monday

Are you doing the Moda Be My Neighbor Block of the Week?

I was in the not starting any new projects mode when this first started.

Then my friend asked if I was doing it and I said no.

Then I looked at it.......

You all know what happened then.

I have been keeping up with the pattern printing.

I decided it was time to cut some block kits to work on at retreat.

I'm having fun digging into my bigger scraps and chunks.

Sorry Moda, I'm using what I have.

These Dresden Plates were started at the May 2016 retreat.

I haven't opened the box since then.

I am hoping to get all the plates complete this coming weekend.

I'll just have my featherweight so the applique will have to wait.

I'm hoping to have it to that point.

I just love all those batiks!!

Once my house blocks are all kitted up,

my retreat projects are ready to go.

Check out design walls from all over Blogland at

Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.

Retreat Prep

It all started very innocent.

I just needed some strips.

Just a few to get me started.

But I got distracted.

Like normal.

A little over a year ago, I started Bonnie's Garden Party Quilt.

You can see her's here and in her latest book. 

I made 45 blocks before I discovered I had the corners wrong.

Last weekend I took all those corners off.

Next trip to the beach, they will get replaced,

because I forgot them there.

I decided to work on the 9 patches at retreat.

So I started pulling what I needed.

I didn't have very many wide strips.

I have a drawer stuffed full of neutrals so I pulled those out.

And I got busy.

I decided to cut those pieces less that 1/2 yard into strips for all my sizes.

1 1/2", 2 1/2" and 3 1/2"

Sometimes I had barely anything left.

Other times, there were strings.

Glorious strings!!!

Now there is more room in the neutral drawer and more variety in my strips.

This morning I decided to stay quiet so the men of the house could sleep.

(Oh you goof--I'm talking about the husband and 3 male dogs.)

I need these for my On The Road Quilt.

Strings and crumb blocks to be turned into hexies.

I can't believe how many I made in just an hour.

What fun I had early this morning. 

These are now in their new homes.

Breakfast is over.

I made these muffins this morning.

 OMG Delicious!

Now to get real serious and get some stuff packed up.

Garden Party is ready to work on.

I have some Garlic Knot blocks to complete.

I need to pack at least one or 2 more just in case.

The sewing machine needs cleaned and bobbins filled.

It won't take long to be ready to go.

Is it Thursday yet???

Design Wall Monday

Not much sewing has been happening around here. 

I'm working on some Garlic Knots blocks made from 2 1/2" strips from batik swaps.

There is a group of us swapping.

I'm making 20 to swap and 18 more to keep for myself.

That will make a nice cuddle on the couch quilt.

I'm sewing all the squares into sets.

I'll almost ready for a good pressing session.

Then there will be the layout on the design boards

and on to sewing them into blocks.

We have been busy designing.

We bought a beach lot for our retirement gift to ourselves.

I've always wanted a place at the beach, 

Ernie, not so much until recently.

We have lots of work to do here.

We have lots of time to do the work.

The bus is parked in her home.

The shed has been cleaned out.

Their garbage and recycle has been taken away.

My sewing station is already set up.

Take some time to see what others have on their design wall at

Patchwork Times.

Design Wall Monday

I finally has some time to concentrate on this Lucy backpack.

Yes it is another Swoon pattern.

This one has grommets.

I've never done those before.

Three different hammers went into setting these things!

This bundle of bags.goes out in the mail today.

I added a little makeup bag because I know I will never use the extra fabric for anything else.

Now it's all gone. 

Next up is this cute owl wallet for my daughter.

The outside body is the gray print.

It's super cute!!!

I'm excited for what this week is bringing.

Have a good one.

Check out all the great design walls at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

I may have developed a bit of a Frankensock obsession. 

Just a little one. 

I am having so much fun with these. 

The other day when the grands were here.

While the boys played outside, 

Clella was inside cuddled up in the recliner. 

I gave her my bag of sock yarn and the little plastic bobbins and put her to work. 

She had so much fun and 

I have so many colors at my finger tips. 

She's pretty excited to wind more on her next visit.

I think there is enough of just these yarns to make at least 6 socks, 

maybe more. 

I am all about life's simple pleasures and

this is certainly one of them for me.

See what others have on their needles at

Patchwork Times-On the Needles

Design Wall Monday

We interrupt sewing every day for tuna canning.

Thursday and Saturday was spent canning.

All. Day. Long.

There was no sewing.

There were very few thoughts of sewing on those days.

Except for a little Piece Hexi prep work.

Our family has their year supply of tuna.

The good tuna.

2 tables this size covered in jars of fresh from the ocean tuna.

I'm glad is done!

On the days canning or running around didn't happen, 

I worked on the Swoon Lucy Backpack.

I'm working hard on the fussy cutting.

Some of the gals do this with perfection.

I strive.

I followed the cutting instructions for this.

Maybe with different prints the contrast would work

but for the size of this print, it didn't

My client would not have been happy at all.

So out came the seam ripper and the reverse tweezers and a little tv watching.

It wouldn't be fun without spending time with Mr. Ripper.

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On The Needles

I'm making Frankensocks!

I saw them on Instagram and I've seen them at The Polka Dot Chicken and other places.

I have always wanted to use up my leftover sock yarn for more socks.

So I pulled out some of my sock yarn balls and got started.

Then I remembered I saw where Carol wound her yarn on little plastic bobbins,

so I had to go get mine out and make myself some little bobbins.

It took over my tv/knitting time last night. 

I am ready to make a really fun pair of socks.

Or 2 or 3.

This kind of stuff can get out of control for me.

 But that's ok, I always need socks.

And this goofy boy wanted his robot/alien hat so bad.

His Gramma kept messing it up and when you are 4 

and everyone else has their new hat,

you must hound Gramma to get it done.

I don't know how many times he asked.

5 times I started this hat,

4 times I pulled the needles.

My last On The Needles post,

(seriously Gramma!!!)

was July 8th and this hat was finished but 

waaaayyy tooooo tight!

I said this was the last time.

if it didn't fit, he'd get one like the other boys.

Thank goodness it fit.

After trying it on him and getting the funny face picture,

I sat down and finished it.

The pompom that he didn't want, oh wait, yes I do!,

is now made and attached.

He is one happy little man. 

I'm sure glad I finished his hat before Frankensocks took over!!!

I am not going to go digging to see what else I have on my needles.

I'm just happy my sock Mojo is back so that's what I'll work on. 

Check out Judy L's fabulous projects and see what other knitters are working on at

Patchwork Times-On The Needles.

Design Wall Monday

I'm sitting here making plans for the day when I realized it was Monday!

Holiday weekends really mess with my brain.

It was a good sewing week and I have been able to sew every day so far this month.

It is after all, National Sewing Month and 

my goal is to sew every day.

I finished this wallet for my sister's friend

and started on her bag.

I made some these strip sets into square for my On The Road Quilt.

I was able to use a few leader/enders while doing so.

I need to replenish my green strips.

Yesterday we took a trip to the beach.

I sewed a of strips sets before we left.

snicker, snicker

This is the Astoria-Megler Bridge that connects Oregon and Washington at Astoria, Oregon.

This 4 mile bridge usually terrifies me

but not yesterday.

I was cool as a cucumber.

What is happening to me!

Time to visit Blogland friends from Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday. 

Hello September

Well, hello September.

You snuck right up on me.

That's OK, I like you.

Our 44th Anniversary is this month.

Fall is almost here-seems like it today as it's chilly and rainy out.

Perfect for sewing because

it's National Sewing Month!!!

The month in which I strive to sew every day.

Even if I have to hop out of bed and sew a couple things together.

Yes, I have done that.

My husband swears I'm nuts!!

Yesterday I prepared and sewed a few strips together.

Today I sewed all I had prepared and see that cute tumbler on the bottom,

that's my leader/ender that I'd love to finish this month.

I'm preparing more kits for the On The Road Quilt from MD Quilts.

That's what I've decided to call it because it will be on the road with me.

I'll tell you all about that when it's set in stone.

My M&Ms are ready for a quick snack.

Funny thing about these little candies,

usually a couple are enough for me.

This may or may not last all month, 

depending on who knows I have them.

My goals for the month:

• sew every day
• kit up more On The Road pieces
• finish tumbler leader/ender top
• baste one quilt top
• make backpack for customer

It's time to get this party started.

Will you be celebrating National Sewing Month with me?

Design Wall Monday

What a full, busy week!

My cousins had a housewarming party Sunday so I made a gift bag for them.

I used some gifted blocks to make a bright, cheery table runner.

I use orphan blocks to play with quilting so I grabbed one of those to add to the bag

along with a jar of spicy peach jam.

They were thrilled with the gifties, that makes me happy.

We had a really good time.

My friend Shane gifted me with a jar of peach, rhubarb, habanero jam. 

OMG, it was soooo good.

I told him our jar was empty so I either needed a new jar or the recipe.

He gave me the recipe.

Stinker!

I made my own.

I will make more.

But first I have an order for a San Diego Chargers wallet.

My sister showed off her's to her friend and she order one for herself.

She also ordered a bag using the same fabric.

Good thing because I was unsure what to do with the remaining fabric.

So I have a busy next few days.

I am going to add recovering my ironing board to my list.

That thing is embarrassing!

See what others are working on at Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.

Design Wall Monday

It feels great to be spending a little time in the sewing room again.

My sister had a birthday last week.

I surprised her with a new wallet.

As soon as I saw the Betty Boop fabric,

I knew what I was going to use it for.

She loves Betty Boop!

It was so darn hot last week.

I barely moved off the couch from about noon on.

Our house stays pretty cool until the late afternoon but not this week.

Those little window air conditioner units worked overtime.

That worked out good for me.

I got 2 blue rosettes almost completed.

Along with several more orange and yellows.

I'm deciding whether or not to use variations on these rosettes 

or keep them all the same design.

I only did 2 different so it won't be a big deal to redo them.

I started some Garlic Knot blocks using my 2 1/2" batik strips for a block swap.  

I always forget that not everyone measures the same so this block will go into my personal pile.

.

I cut fabrics for a 1 1/2" strip swap.

They are all bundled up and ready to go.

I can't wait to check other projects at Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.

Slow Stitching on Sunday-All Week Long

I am having so much fun with this new project from MD Quilts!

Mickey calls it her On The Road Project,

I am still thinking of a name for mine.

On The Couch???

Beat The Heat???

I would not have made this much progress on this if it hadn't been so stinking HOT this week.

Or would I?

Because there is really nothing like a new project to light the fire!!

My real plan is to get this second blue rosette design complete so I have a guide.

I forgot the purple hexies that go on the top and bottom.

Before I give it the final sew, I have to lay it all out again to double check

 that everything is in it's proper place.

Then I want to get busy with the kitting of the individual designs again.

See what others are Slow Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.

Design Wall Monday

Yesterday I wrote about my lack of control. 

Today I show you more proof. 

The plan was to work on more kits.

Then I talked to daughter Crystal.

She was going to run in to town.

Her oldest-he's 10-is like his Gramma and not a fan of going to town.

Anyone that wants can stay at Gramma's.

We'll just hang out, eat ice cream and watch movies.

And stitch hexies.

So we did.

After they went home, I went back in and worked on more kits.

The pile on the right needs to be pressed

and then I'll add 2 sides stacks to each kit.

I need to make more kits today while it's cooler.

Tomorrow it starts a week worth of hot, Hot, HOT!

This is Mickey Depre's 2016-17 OTR project.

I need to think of a new name for mine since

 I'm doing most of this on my couch.

Check out other design walls at Patchwork Times.

Slow Stitching--not just on Sunday

Millefiore is almost finished!!

I needed a new project.

And then the clouds parted and the sun came shing through and

Mickey Depre of MD Quilts and Pieced Hexi fame

shared her 2016 On The Road Project.

(Just click the tab at the top of her blog page.)

As soon as I saw this, 

I knew it would be my next hexi project.

Thanks Mickey!

It started out very innocent.

I was just going to make up a few kits to have ready to go once Mille was finished.

Then I lost all control because

it got hot! 

Stinking hot! 

Can't breath outside, it's so HOT!

I am a whimp!!!

When I wasn't watching The Olympics in the living room

and basting red flower centers,

I was in the sewing room piecing neutral crumbs into squares to make Crackle hexies.

And piecing the yellows and oranges for the hexi flower block kits.

Kits, these were just for kits!

I was only going to baste the centers.

As you can see, I lost all control!

It was too hot to work on Millefiore's last 2 sides of fill in blocks.

So I stitched hexi flowers.

Just to see what they look like.

Good thing I had some kits made up.

snicker, snicker

I'm excited to see what everyone else is sharing at Kathy's Quilts:Slow Sunday Stitching.

Design Wall Monday

Guess what!!

I've got Millefiore almost all done.

I was pretty excited when I got the final rosette stitched on Monday.

After last week's DWM post, 

I parked myself on the couch with the tv remote and

went to town on her.

By 4 pm, she was ready for the outside fill in pieces.

As of Saturday night,

one edge has been completed.

I chose to do the half hexies first because I like instant gratification.

She says after a whole year + working on this quilt.

I needed something a little smaller than Millefiore to take to my

Wednesday Binding Friends group.

Mickey Depre of MD Quilts has a new On The Road project for 2016.

You can find the link for it in a tab at the top of her page.

I have been thinking for a long time what I would do next with hexagons.

Since I have already done one Pieced Hexi quilt for Taylor,

I wanted one for myself.

This new design is right up my alley.

Scrappy, pieced hexies and fun.

Back in March, My friend Mary of Quiltin' Grandma fame,

won this batik and posted that she didn't like it.

I commented that it would be perfect for my next hexi project I was planning.

Guess what showed up in my mailbox!!!

Quilty friends are the best!

So I've been basting centers for one of the steps.

So this is all I've worked on this past week.

I have a couple things planned for this week.

I want to pull a quilt top off Mt. ToBeQuilted and get it basted.

But first,

I need a new swim suit.

It's time to pull out some of that fabric out of the stash and sew it up.

Head over to Patchwork Times to see what others are working on.

Design Wall Monday

It feels sew good to have the sewing mojo back again!

I've had this Harriet bag cut out for weeks.

I splurged and bought myself a steam press

 and was happy to have something already cut out and ready to use it with.

It made ironing the interfacing a breeze.

Once that was done, 

it was all about the sewing!

I absolutely love Swoon patterns and have bought almost every one of them.

I still need to put the rivets (an optional feature) on the handles.

I can't wait to use her!

I have a Brooklyn handbag almost all cut out.

Welcome home Mojo!

I finished up 5 more Splendid Sampler blocks.

I kept wondering how I could have gotten so far behind.

I only have to finish an embroidery block and do the current block, #49 to be current again.

Here is the final block for Millifiore.

I was so excited to be this close to finishing that I sewed the top 2 hexies on wrong.

It won't take long to take them off and sew them right.

One to finish sewing and 2 to fix, sew this to the mothership and then on to the side pieces.

I don't think those will take too long.

Being this close to finished, I will work on it every night until she's a completed top.

In my head I hear Lady threat your needles 

in Drivers start your engines tones. 

I'm such a goof!

This morning I'm going to take a little stroll through Blogland.

I'll start at Judy L's Design Wall Monday post and go from there.

Have a great week.

Design Wall Monday

Sunday was a Splendid Sampler sewing day.

I have put this cute little paper pieced ball block off for so long.

It was so easy and fun.

I was terrified of those itty bitty little pieces.

I don't know why.

It's just like all the other paper piecing I've done,

one line at a time. 

Then I make the pencil blocks.

Sometimes I want to break away from my 3 colors.

But then I work through it and I love it.

This one was a piece of cake!

Hahahaha

I had fun digging for selvages.

I was surprised at how few I had.

I didn't find any on my greens.

I'm almost caught up.

It's nice finding my sewing mojo again.

I thought it had run away but it was just taking a little vacation.

See other design walls at Patchwork Times.