Funny How Time Slips Away

I can't believe how fast the tie is going by,.

Almost a month since I last posted. 

Not because I had nothing to say,

I just didn't write it.

Here is another UFO marked off the list.

I sure love my new to me Sweet Sixteen! 

This is Friends and Companions Designers Sew Along by Marcus Fabrics. (2014)

Here is the link to Marcus Fabrics page about the quilt but I didn't go down the rabbit hole to see if the links to the designers leads to the blocks. 

I do remember it was a fun quilt to make. 

I was ready to quilt a smaller quilt so I jumped ahead on my Judy L Challenge.

I used flannel for the back. 

Daughter Crystal and I attended our retreat last weekend.

I decided to focus on this UFO designed by Judy L and the September project for her challenge. 

I did a quick search of her page and found it here.

I had the center complete and the framing pieced border was on and border 3 was pieced.

I cut fabric for all the other borders and made this my first project.

I took all the extra fabric thinking I could piece the back.

Wrong, so  I pulled out a new project that I can't share yet. 

When I came home at night, I went into the backing stash 

and found a 6 yard piece of flannel. 

That wasn't enough so I grabbed all my flannel that went with my flannel.

That was my project for because I wanted to pass it to my long arm quilter friend Jane.

I take a picture of this old snag at each retreat. 

I had a blast hanging out with my daughter and my friends. 

I love these gals!!

Today my dear sweat friend Pam (Hey Pam!) read me a text from a high school friend Ruth.

So here's a message for you Ruth.

Heeeyyyy.  I am so jealous of your planned trip. 

Thanks for reading my blog.
One of these days we have to get together! 

Design Wall Monday

After finishing the Hearts and Flowers From Friends quilt,

I decided to work on Oklahoma Backroads.

This is a free Quiltville pattern.

This is my UFO #4 for Judy L's 2019 UFO Challenge.

I needed to add the borders, make the binding and the back.

 That is all done, 

I need to give these both a good pressing

and piece up some batting leftovers from the last few quilts.

I laughed at myself.

Evidently I can't read my tape measure because look how much extra backing I have.

That will be trimmed up for the scrap user bins after basting.

I don't need the extra to get under my quilting and

as well as I know myself, that is pretty much guaranteed to happen. 😎😏😒

Check out the great design walls at 

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday

2019 UFO Challenge--March

I am on a mission to cross 32 projects off my UFO list.

I have a list of 20 Finishes Before 2020 where I am listing my finished and

Judy L's 2019 UFO Challenge where my 12 projects are listed and updated.

(both lists are in the tab section above)

For March, Judy L chose #4 which is my Oklahoma  Backroads.

This is a free pattern from Quiltville.

I used this as my 2017 leader/ender project.

There is a story behind my wanting this quilt. As a young child, my dad told me about coming from Oklahoma in the back of a covered wagon. One day, maybe I was 10 or so, I asked my Gramma to tell me about that trip. She had a look on her face that I will never forget. When she asked me what I meant, I told her the story I had heard numerous times. All of the sudden she glared at dad and said

"Charles! How dare you lie to these children!" She was serious. I chuckled out loud because dad got in trouble from his mom. Oh she was mad! 

I'm sorry Gramma but that this had become a funny story that has been shared over the years. 

I'm sure you still don't think it's as funny as I do.

So I had wanted to make this quilt and finally started.

I had asked daughter Crystal if she ever saw covered wagon fabric to buy me a couple yards.

She just happened to have this in her stash and gifted it to me.

Then dad got sick.

I couldn't work on the quilt.

Then dad passed away last year,

I couldn't look at the quilt.

I decided to work my way through it and put it on my list.

I lovingly put it in the UFO bin.

When I took it out, it brought a few tears to my eyes.

But I think I'll be OK working on it.

If not, I'll work on it when I can.

2019 UFO Challenge-February Update

Here it is, the last day of the month and

Granddaughter Estella's 7th birthday and

I have February's UFO almost finished.

The binding is on,  ready to stitch down.

Ernie has hunter's ed class tonight so I decided
to rent Bohemian Rhapsody and bind.

I used up quite a bit of older stash fabric to make the back.

The cherry fabric has aged enough, the chicken panels too.

A friend gave the me navy fabric.

It was all I could do to squeeze the binding out of the rest of that chunk of fabric.

I had to piece some to get the strip wide enough for the last few inches and by golly, 

it worked out great! 

I'm pretty excited to mark this one off the list

and see which number Judy L pulls tomorrow morning.

UFO Challenge Report

Holy Cow! How did it get to be August so fast.

Wasn't it just Christmas?

Judy L has pulled the new UFO number for August.

Lucky me, my #3 is Millifiore. 

I'm excited to get this finished but terrified at the same time.

There is a bit of irony for me about this selection.

You know on Facebook how your memories show up?

One of my memories this morning is this photo.

It was 2 years ago today that I was at this step.

I have however reached the point in my life of just get it finished.

Don't worry so much about it.

No one can use or appreciate all the work if you don't get it finished.

So Millifiore, you're next.

The first step in to add the outer borders.

Thank goodness the fabric is with the quilt top.

Then I'll cut the batting for all 3 tops in this post.

(Once the roll is out, may as well cut them all.)

I previously bought a wide back for this so I'll be ready to baste.

The quilting design is already layed out on paper.

That will help a lot!

Wish I could say I made progress on Grandmother's Choice.

This is all the progress I made, I pulled it off Mt. ToBeQuilted.

That's as far as I got with her.

It's been super hot here so we've spent a lot of time at the beach.

Not much room for quilt basting there.

Instead I finished this sweet quilt top.

Take a top off the mountain, add another. 

Cross your fingers that this can be a 2 or 3 month UFO finish month.

I'm certainly going to try.

February UFO Progress

Patchwork Times UFO Number for February was 9.

I was pretty thrilled when I was what my #9 was.

With all of the distractions in the month,

I'm happy to report all my pieces and parts for Jamestown Landing have been used

and have created a pretty darn fabulous quilt top.

I think Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville designs the most fabulous quilts.

I really do want to make them all. 

I'm going to keep at it and hopefully get it into a quilt before the end of March.

I'm going to call this month a success. 

I'm anxious to see what number is pulled for March. 

Quiltathon Day Two

Like Judy L, my day 2 quiltathon was a bust. I had forgotten that we were going with the Grands to the Sportsman Show. They got out of school early so off we went.

My body is tired!  Walking around for hours on concrete is exhausting!!  We just got home at 9 pm. That's pj time for this ole gal.

Hoping Day 3 is more productive.

February Quiltathon-Day 1

It's Quiltathon Day!!!

Judy L at Patchwork Times is hosting another Quiltathon.

My plan for these quiltathons is to quilt.

For the first part of the year, 

I'm choosing Quiltville tops.

I need to get these quilted before I retreat with Bonnie in May.

Less than 100 days. 

Here is Grand Illusion with the thread I couldn't make up my mind about last night.

I have since chosen the verigated green.

The quilt is all basted and ready to go.

I have most of the day to myself so that will make it easy.

Lasagna was pulled from the freezer to put in the oven for dinner.

Let the quilting begin.

\
4:30 update

I have about 2/3rds of my quilt quilted.
I don't know if I'll do any more tonight or not.
I'm thinking a nap sounds like a good idea.

It's been a very productive day.
Plans for tomorrow are to finish the quilting, trim and sew on the binding.

2017 Finish #2

Yeah! 

Tumalo Trail is finished and being used.

I took a nap under it this afternoon before it was finished.

Then I stitched and stitched on the binding.

I was determined it would be finished today.

Thanks to Judy L of Patchwork Times for a great Quiltathon over the weekend 

and to Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville for a fabulous design.

This quilt goes to my dear husband.

I have never made him his own cuddle quilt.

I think he likes it.  

UFO busting feels pretty darn good.

I'm hoping to get a good outside in the snow picture one day soon.

Tell It To The Stars

(Please forgive my horrible photos.

Poor lighting and cell phones combine to make this happen.

And me, I broke my camera.)

I have Tell It To The Stars sewn together.

Quilt Inspector, Shirley approves.

Next up are the borders.

Knowing Judy L, she is going to have an amazing pieced border to add to this.

I will sit back and wait for November's mystery clue.

It feels good to be ahead of the game.

There is no place in my house to lay out the quilt top and get a full picture.

It's raining outside. Boo.

I love the colors I chose for this.

It will be a wonderful fall quilt when it's finished.

Check out other Tell It To The Stars participants that are linking up with Patchwork Times. 

Tell It To The Stars Blocks

February Tell It To The Stars Blocks

January Tell It To The Stars Blocks

Information on Tell It To The Stars project can be found here at Patchwork Times.

Thanks Judy L for another fabulous year long project. 

January Scrappy Challenge

Judy L at Patchwork Times is doing a Scrappy Challenge this year--you can read about it here. I have no problem being scrappy or using scraps so this will be fun for me. She first talked about it here.  When I read hot pads, I thought that would be a good idea for me. I need new ones. I need a  large one for the table.

Today I had planned to finish the borders on Celtic Solstice but I just wasn't in the border mood. I needed something quick and easy. That's when I spotted my print out of the block for January. Perfect! All of the sudden, I had my scraps cut and ready to sew!

A new 12 inch hot pad was born. Chopped off points and all!  I love the vintage green and yellow fabrics. I might be a little sad when they are all gone. I quilted it with a squiggle stitch-it's fun to play with the stitches on the machine. Then I narrowed the stitch and used it to stitch down the binding. Not fancy just fun and functional.

Yarn Report

When Judy L posted about her Loopy Legend yarn at Loopy Ewe, I had to rush over and order my own skein. I'm glad I did as I just saw it is gone. How could you not order special yarn that was make to honor your friend??? Will they make more? I don't know.  My husband shakes his head at my reasoning...I don't understand why he does that.

 It came yesterday and I love, love, love it! The kiddos saw the drawing but I had to be selfish and keep it for myself. I'll pin it to my bulletin because it makes me happy. I thought I was going to make a pair of socks with this yarn but after seeing it, I'm not going to. I think I'll make a scarf instead so I can show it off more.  Now to find the perfect one skein pattern! Oh Ravelry............
Wingspan would work, or maybe Noro Bias Lace Scarf. I don't know, I need to look more.

Since this is the only yarn that has come in and I haven't finished anything in the last two weeks, I'm changing my yarn report. My numbers don't look very impressive at all! Maybe I need to knit more. 

• Used this week--0 skein
• Used since mid August--4.5 skein
• Added this week--1 skein
• Added since mid August--2 skein
• Total Net since mid August--2.5 skein

I'm linking up to Patchwork Times and OMG, look at Judy L's gorgeous yarns.......I'm kind of jealous right now. 

Pooling Sock Yarn Challenge

Judy L has issued the Pooling Sock Yarn Challenge.

Per the requirements set, 

here's my photo of my fabulous yarn from The Loop Ewe,

the needles I'm using, size 2 dpns

and today's date.

My yarn is called Darkshore.

Sweet Georgia, Tough Love Sock Yarn.

the tag says 

sweetgeorgia

passionate + relentless + unapologetic colour

My note says they are so glad to have me there.

You know who is getting the blame for my first order from The Loopy Ewe.

It's just gorgeous!!!

Chocolate brown, deep purple and aquas.

I have until June 1, 2013 to get these finished.

October Quiltathon Final Report

I can't believe how much I accomplished in the last 4 days.

Day 1--I made 1 block and cut all the sashings and border fabrics for the Grandmother's Choice Sampler.

Day 2--Baking, knitting and 3 more GCS blocks.

Day 3--2 more GCS blocks and a Carol Doak paper pieced BOM and time spent laying out the Sow-A-Long pink and brown blocks, sewed a few of them together.  More time spent knitting.

Day 4--today......I baked more zucchini bread and a really good apple crisp.  Then about 11, I headed to the sewing room and worked on sewing more blocks into rows.  I've got the top half sewn together. I don't know how much longer I'm going to work on this today. I'm tired and thinking about taking a nap...or knitting.  Maybe I'll sew later tonight or maybe not.

Thanks Judy L for another fun Quiltathon.  Can we do it again next month?? You can see how others spent their Quiltathon time here.

October Quiltathon Day 1

Judy L is hosting the October Quiltathon beginning today.  I don't have much time today for sewing but I did get started on the Grandmother's Choice: Votes for Women sampler.  I ordered my fabrics from Connecting Threads. They have the whole line of Charlottesville on clearance so I took advantage of that.  I even bought the wide backing.

I cut the sashing and cornerstones and cut the backing to size so I can use the remainder of those fabrics, I still need to cut the outer border strips and binding strips. I read on someone's blog that she was going to set her's with the sashing in rows as she made them. So when the last block is done, she will have a quilt top almost finished.  I think that's a great idea and thinking about doing the same thing.

Block 1 is complete.  I hope to get caught up as block 6 will be posted Saturday.

The remainder of Day 1 will be spent celebrating Corbin's first birthday.  It sure doesn't seem like a year since he was born.  Time sure flies~~~~~~~~

September Quiltathon Final Report

 What a wonderful Quiltathon weekend this was for me.  Even with all the other things going on this weekend, I managed to get so many Hawaiian Sunset flying geese done.  There are 420!  I can't believe it.

I ran out of chunks yesterday so I had to cut more this morning and cut more pink squares.  It's so hard to judge when you aren't counting.  I know I don't have 180 chunks cut but now I'm going to wait until these are done and then I'll just cut what I need.

Thanks Judy L for hosting a great weekend.  Can't wait until next month.  Check Judy's post here to see what others did this weekend.

Quiltathon Day 2

Quiltathon Day 2 started early for me.  I have a dr. appt this morning so I decided to go into the sewing room and finish up the flock of geese that I never returned to yesterday.  There were 93 geese in that pile.

As of 7:30 this morning, I have a total of 240 geese and 3 more to start the next flock with.  See those scissors on the right side there?  Those are Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Scissors. On QuiltCam the other night, Bonnie Hunter was saying how great they are and let me tell you, they are!!!  I am so glad I ordered them.  I think I have finally found the perfect scissors! 

I'm linking up with Judy L's progress post here.  I'll be back later.

6:30 pm   

Dr appt. went well.  No more sewing has gone on yet.  Had a great visit with daughter DeeDee.  Not too often does she get to come out on a weekday.  Then dinner went into the oven and while it was cooking, more pink strips were cut to make squares.  Then a few more strips of goose fabric was chunked up and added to the pile.  I think I'm real close to the 600 needed if I guesstimated right.  I'm not going to cut any more until I get all those chunks turned into geese just to see how close I am.  I love to play simple, silly games with myself.

Now that dinner is over, I'm going to head in and sew for just a while.  I'll tell you about that later.

Oh, and my National Sewing Month goal to sew every day???  I haven't missed a day!  That makes me happy.  

September Quiltathon

Judy L at Patchwork Times is hosting a Quiltathon.  I love a good Quiltathon!  And she is posting progress updates throughout the day.  That sounds fun.

So here is my sewing table.  Grey's Anatomy is on the tablet.  I'm making scrappy flying geese for the Hawaiian Sunset quilt.  In the background you can see my bow tie twosies that I'm using for l/e.

I had 83 finished this morning before I started sewing.  I now have 151 complete.  I'm having a gooseathon instead of a quiltathon.  LOL........sometimes I crack myself up!

This pile is waiting for pressing and trimming and the second side sewn on.  I have no clue how many are here.  From the looks of my pink squares pile, I'm going to have to cut more.

But first.......I have a load of laundry to hang out, I am going on a short walk about and then fix some lunch.  Then I better dance with the vacuum cleaner before I go back and sew.

3:30  hung out clothes, went for short walk, ate lunch, napped   :0)  Hubster just got home from work......he's gonna want dinner.

Feather Lesson Results in a Finish

Judy L is posting feather lessons on her blog, find them under her tutorial tab.  I have a feather phobia that I am trying to overcome.  I am going to make feathers.

I made the Carpenter's Star top for the lessons but when it came down to starting to quilt on the quilt top, I just couldn't do it.  So I got out this UFO which just happens to be the UFO for May in the 2012 UFO Challenge. I decided to just do it and quilted feathers in the border.  Then I did a swirly meander in the center.  I pulled out  the binding pieces bag and made a binding and now this is finished.

And I made feathers!  One corner looks pretty good, the other 3, not so much.  My feathers look better on the bottom border than on the top.  I do better going in one direction that in the other.  I have lots of practice to do.  I think I may just conquer this phobia.