Sleep? Who Needs It?

I wish Ernie's work schedule would go back to normal hours. Normal as in get up around 5 and go to bed around 9 or 10. We haven't had that most of the summer and I am so ready for normal again. Getting up at 3:15 in the morning just isn't right. I've tried to adjust myself to his hours but I can't do it on a daily basis. Maybe if I'd go to bed at night instead of watching mindless tv......but I've been crocheting and don't want to stop. This photo shows what I would find if I decided to go back to bed. Tony thinks if there is no one's head on the pillows, then they must be for him. At least someone can go back to sleep.

I remind myself of the Disneyland commercial......I'm too excited to sleep. Today is Binding Friends day and I have a project I need help with. I'm going to get the perfect layout for my bright stars. They don't know they are going to help but I've never asked for their help and not received it. My friends are the best! I put the camera in my bag so I wouldn't forget to take pictures of the layout~~~just in case.

I'm going in to sew for a little while this morning. I'll be very quiet so I don't wake up the dogs.

Farm Fun on Labor Day

We heat our old house with a wood stove. That means we have to have a very good supply of firewood. With Ernie's job, he is sometimes able to bring home wood chunks. Usually the chunks are brought home, dumped into a pile for a wood cutting day. Then there are the blow down trees and the trees that might blow down that we have right here on the property that need to be taken care of.

Nothing like celebrating Labor Day with some hard labor. Today was a good day to do wood. I filled the crockpot with the makings of taco soup and head outside to help. As Ernie is using the hydraulic wood splitter (no, that is not cheating!), I see him watching something inside the garage. I looked over and Big Momma had flew up onto the woodpile. She's hopping all over the place and all of the sudden a piece of wood falls. She jumped but looked irritated. He wondered how the wood was getting knocked off the pile but thought it was the stray tomcat. No, it was the Big Momma.

When he brought the tractor inside to unload the wood, she started squawking and giving us the what for!!! Silly girl, go lay me an egg! Better yet, get down here and help!

One of my daily reads in Mama Pea's blog, A Home Grown Journal and one day she wrote this post. Talk about woodshed envy!

Design Wall Monday

Yesterday I was in the mood to cut fabric. Although I want a GO! Cutter as bad as I want to win the lottery, I've resigned myself to the fact that I am not going to buy one. I'd rather spend that money on fabric. Now if Accuquilt wants to give me one, I would be jumping up and down with tears streaming from my eyes and be ever so grateful and advertise like a crazy woman for them. I am still entering all the contests to try to win one. Hopefully my luck will change one day soon. Wouldn't that be fabulous.

OK, now back to the design wall. I had 2 bins of flannel. Some was gifted to me, lots I've bought. I keep looking at it wondering what to do with it all. I decided it was time to cut it up and use it. So that is what I did. I spent hours cutting 10 1/2" squares, 5 1/2" x 10" rectangles. I have a kit cut for a Split Decision Quilt that includes the borders and the binding. There are at least 2 more groups of flannel for 2 more kid quilts. The backing pile squares and rectangles will get taller today as I empty out the bins. I need to decide which patterns to use for the other quilts and get them together in kits. I've decided I like being able to pull something out that is ready to sew when I get in the mood for something quick and easy.

I started putting these pieces up on the wall during the Nascar race..........it made me laugh to be working with 2 different Nascar fabrics while the race was on. (The wrinkled pink fabrics were pressed and trimmed but I didn't take a new picture.) I have 2 more rows to sew and this back will be done and put with the batting, this top and binding for the to be quilted mountain.

From the looks of all the links on Judy L's post today, you might want to fix yourself a lunch before you start blog hopping.

Stash Report 9.5.10

You all know the saying about the best laid plans..........well mine did go astray. I planned to finish this top and make the back so my stash report would look great. But corn came between me and my plan. I did get the top finished and I looked at the flannel bin but I didn't touch it. Maybe today...

This week's report:
Used this Week: 5 yards
Used Year to Date: 181.5 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 143.5 yards
Net Used for 2010: 38

Go to Judy L's and check what she and others are doing to their stash.

More Kitchen Gadget Fun

Last month I wrote about my Kitchen Gadget Fun. I wrote about my dehydrator and food saver. Today I am loving on my Kuhn Rikon Wide Corn Zipper that I bought from Pleasant Hill Grain when I ordered the meat tenderizer. This little thing is the best $12 I have spent in a very long time. With Ernie helping me by using the zipper, we had the corn in the freezer in no time. He's a pretty good helper.

I did some math and figured I want to have corn for dinner 2 times per week, sometimes less, sometimes more with soups and stews. I'd like to have at least 100 dinner portions in the freezer. I'm packaging mine up in gallon Ziploc freezer bags with 5 dinners per bag. That means I want 20 bags in the freezer.

I put the open bag inside a 6 cup Rubbermaid canister (sad to see they have discontinues this line although I do like the look of the new line) and fill it with 6 cups of corn, press out the air, work it around so it will lay flat and stack it in a cardboard box for the freezer. Then when it's time, I'll bring a bag in to the kitchen freezer, break out what I need, reseal it and put it back in the freezer. Easy Peazy!!!

I have 10 bags now and I'm on my way in to town to get 8 or 10 dozen more ears. I will be done with corn tonight. I love having a freezer full of goodness. I don't care what the cost comparison is, I know mine will taste better than any corn that comes out of a can or a store's freezer.

Next Focus Project

This is my next focus project. I had been using this for my leader/ender that was started in June. It's now time to put it together. As you can see, I need to make 2 more sets and the fabric is laying by the machine. I like going to my bin and getting out the precut pieces that I need.

I love using the design wall and camera together. I can see a few blocks that need to be moved away from each other. I have a great floral print that will be the outer border and now that the bright star blocks are all done, I am going to use some of the yellow from that for an inner border. EQ7 says that with 6" outer borders, this will measure 48.5" x 59". Perfect for a donation quilt.

Again, diving into the bins, I will piece some flannel for the backing for this. I've been thinking of taking all the flannel out of the bin and cutting it into usable squares instead of putting it back in the bin in hunks. I'm starting to think a bit smarter on some of these things. ;0)

I've been spending a little bit of pre-sewing time cutting from my scrap basket. I don't know how it gets overflowing so darn fast! Maybe because I've been letting it. I keep thinking I'm going to win a GO! Cutter from someone and gosh, I would need to have stuff to cut up...........but that isn't working so I guess I'll just go back to the old way. Darn my rotten luck!

Now I need to set myself up with the next leader/ender project. All I know is that it is going to involve 1 1/2" squares........I need to get out my Bonnie Hunter book and see what jumps out at me.

Design Wall Monday

Who would have thought I'd be writing a DWM post at 4 in the morning while drinking coffee. I'm trying to get myself back on Ernie's schedule. My best time of day is first thing in the morning and going back to bed messes with my best time of day. I'm hoping I make it but a nap later may be in order.

28 blocks complete for the BOM-Quilt Addicts sampler quilt. Only 2 more to do. I'm getting pretty excited about sashing. I think after this is finished, I am going to gently place my Carol Doak 50 Fabulous Paper Pieced Stars book up on the shelf and leave it there for a while. That is right after I go through and make a note of which blocks I have made for this quilt.

Today's big plans include working on at least 1 of the blocks, baking zucchini bread and processing green beans. Sounds like a pretty full day to me.

Grab yourself a cup of something and go to Judy L's to see her fabulous project and then visit others.

Stash Report 8.29.10

This is not what our sky looks like this morning. The clouds are here and it's supposed to rain. I think I'll sew today. Yeah for rain.......guilt free sewing day.

According to the checkbook, it's been 2 months and 7 days since I've been inside JoAnn's. But yesterday I needed machine needles and rotary cutter blades (and it was the last day to use a 50% off coupon). I needed more Kona black to finish my star quilt. So we made a quick trip to town. I bought what was left on the bolt. I know I'll be ok using this because that's where I bought what I've been using from the beginning.

It's a good thing Amanda was here to use some fabric so the used number went up a tiny bit. I can't wait to report the usage for the star quilt. I have it all drawn up in EQ7 but I haven't looked at the numbers yet.

This week's report:
Used this Week: .5 yards
Used Year to Date: 176.5 yards
Added this Week: 4.5 yards
Added Year to Date: 143.5 yards
Net Used for 2010: 33

Go to Judy L's and check what she and others are doing to their stash.

Friday Focus

Remember way back to August 16, 2010? Neither did I, so I looked it up. I said I was hoping to make one of these paper pieced star blocks a day. Really, I thought it was do-able. I am a dreamer, I had big plans. I'm sure glad there is no real deadline for this quilt top.

The only deadline is the one I have self imposed. I'd really, really like to get this quilted before retreat in October. With only 4 more blocks to make, I am hoping to achieve this goal. I just need to make my focus list and pay attention to it.

Next topic--organizing my stash.........today at Stash Manicure is a very motivating post. Is it possible to create order from my chaos? Of course it is! I just need to set aside some time and get to it. Just like eating an elephant, take one small bite at a time. (When looking for a link for elephant eating, I came across this great post about goal setting.) I will be like the Little Engine That Could. I think I can, I think I can.

So now I will get off the computer, restart the washer, fold that load of laundry, make my list and get busy. On that list will be some sewing time! I only have 4 more blocks to make and they are already cut and ready to sew!!!

Design Wall Monday

Here it is Sunday night, I should be in bed but I have 2 girls here and they are quite chatty tonight. So I thought I may as well do my DWM post now.

The first photo shows the completed block from last Monday's DWM post. I'm going to leave it on the wall because I'd rather see a 12" spot of color than a white wall with strings all over it. I have started another one but it only has 2 pieces sewn on each of the 4 A sections.

The second photo shows the bag Amanda made using her embroidered butterfly. I started to make it for her then decided she really should do it herself. I did put in the zipper but other than that, I just told what the next step was. She did a great job and already has it full of her stuff.

This afternoon, she wanted to use this knifty knitter loom and made this fun, funky scarf. (Edited to add that she used Bernat Boa yarn.) As soon as her Aunt DeeDee saw it, she wanted it but I don't think it's up for grabs. :) She's had a very full day because she also made cookies for her Grampa. That scored some major points!!

With 2 of them here tomorrow, I'm not sure what we will do but I'm sure it will be fun. I love that my granddaughters love to do the things I love to do. I love teaching them.

Stash Report 8.22.10

The last half of the week has not had much quilting going on. Friday I picked up 13 yo Granddaughter Amanda, had a visit from my mom, sister and 2 nephews and went to Dee and Crystal's homes to visit. Saturday was our family reunion. Sometime today I will have to take Amanda home. :( My social packed weekend is coming to an end.

While she was here, she wanted to do some embroidery. I think I am going to take this in and turn it into a little bag for her. While she stitched, I crocheted. I have 2 more of this set to finish and then I can do the last set and turn these into an afghan.

On the quilting side, I made a back for the Scrappy Bento Box and it is loaded on the frame with 2 passes of the panto done. My big plan for Monday is to get the quilting finished!

This week's report:
Used this Week: 5.5 yards
Used Year to Date: 176 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 139 yards
Net Used for 2010: 37

Visit Judy L's and see how others are doing with their stash.

Rough Morning

I'm feeling a lot like this deconstructed sewing machine that was on display at the Clark County Fair last week. I've caught the quilting bug and I've been quilting up a storm, having my own quiltathon. Last night I had spasms in my lower back that about sent me through the roof.

My friend has these all the time and I don't know how she manages to get through the day. So really, I'm only whining for a bit!! Then I'll suck it up and stop my sniveling.

Ernie has been getting up at 3:OMG30 because of the fire danger in the woods. Normally I can go back to bed and go right back to sleep. But not this morning. After a long night of clock watching and then a short sleep, you'd think I would cuddle right down under the quilt and sleep like a baby. No, I have a quilt that needs the back made and that's all I could think about. So I got up, made coffee, cruised through BlogLand then went in and made the back, cut the batting, loaded the quilt and have one row of a very dense pantograph done.

I'd like to go in now and take a nap but today is Binding Friends day and I need some friend time. The best part of this is my stash report will show fabric out this week.

Design Wall Monday

There is nothing on my big design wall. After catching up with the Pat Sloan BOM, I took out the final paper pieced block for the BOM-Quilt Addicts yahoo group. I last showed you my progress on this DWM post. I have the other 6 blocks (I want to make my quilt with 30 blocks instead of 24) cut and ready to sew.

My focus this week is standing at the long arm. But when I need sit down time, I plan to work on these blocks until I have them all finished. Am I being realistic when I say I can do one a day??? Maybe half a block a day will be more like it.

Visit Judy L's blog and see what other quilters have on their design walls.

Stash Report 8.15.10

This is a photo of one of the displays from last weeks quilt show. Aren't those little quilts fabulous!!

This week's stash report is sad. No stash used, nothing added. Very little sewing except for working on the BOM. Some weeks are like that.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used Year to Date: 170.5 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 139 yards
Net Used for 2010: 31.5

Visit Judy L at Patchwork Times on Sundays to check other stash reports.

Yeah!

I can put my Summer Breeze project away for a few days. I am all caught up!!!

I've uploaded my photo to the Flickr Pool. I'm bamma-judy. This weekend I've done this twice. This is new to me. It kind of makes me a bit nervous. Why??? I don't know. I'm sure I'll get over it soon.

Next up are 3 quilts that need quilted. Maybe I'll get one loaded this afternoon before we go bbq-ing with friends.

Hope you are having a great Saturday afternoon.

The Hurrier I Go...

...the behinder I get. My Gramma Maple used to say that all the time and now I understand what she meant.

My onion adventure has been put on hold. I spent one day this week super sick. I dehydrated myself instead of onions. When you are working in the kitchen, right next to the sink, you probably should drink water. I didn't, not one drop all day until I had a small glass at bedtime. Silly, stupid me.

The photo shows some of my scissors. Pat Sloan is having a fun scissor challenge over at flickr. She's giving away a pretty cool prize and I would love to win!!! Quilters have some pretty serious scissor collections. I'm envious of a couple of them.

Not a lot of quilting has gone on. I have been working on my Summer Breeze BOM. I redid the one applique block and have 2 more finished and the last one is almost finished. Can you believe I'm almost caught up and ready for the next clue! Pat Sloan is also challenging us to CATCHUP on the Summer Breeze project. Would I be if there wasn't a prize involved? Probably because that was my plan and I always stick to my plan....... ;-)

Onion Processing-Day 1 Results

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be blogging about onions. Not just any old onions, these are Walla Walla Sweet Onions from Walla Walla, Washington. Isn't that fun to say?? My friends live in Walla Walla, Washington. Hi Marilee, Hi Mary C!!

I remember as a kid when Walla Wallas were first in season, mom would peel one and eat it like an apple. To this day, that still makes me shudder. I love them but I can't eat one like that.

So the first photo shows one of eight trays after they have been dried. I loaded them up pretty good. 16 chopped onions yielded 3+ pints dry. Time in the dehydrator--20 hours. I think I will rotate the trays tonight though. The bottom 2 trays weren't quite as dry as the other 6. I'm giving them another couple hours while I prepare the next round.

The second photo shows the Sweet Onion Relish. With my adjustments to the recipe, instead of 3 pints, I ended up with 5 1/2 pints. You know that happens sometimes when you make relish. It isn't like when making jams or jellies, the recipe doesn't have to be exactly the way it is written. Of course I had to try the relish for breakfast. I want to keep my family safe. Just let me say OMG!!! The Ritz with relish is delicious but now I'm thinking gourmet. This needs to be put on some cream cheese and eaten with Wheat Thins. Watch out Top Chef, here I come!!!

Onion Processing Day 2 begins now. More relish and more drying. And Ernie wants onion rings with dinner. Yes, I do live an exciting life!

Kitchen Gadget Fun

While at the produce market yesterday, I bought a $1 bag of 5 apples and a pear from the discount bin. They didn't look too bad, a bruise here and there but not pretty like the apples and pear we like to buy.

I cut them up last night and loaded up the dehydrator. This morning the little bits were all nice and crispy. I can't throw away a perfectly good jar, not when I have a Food Saver and a large canister. Did you know you can seal up these jars if you put them inside the canister and seal the canister? When you release the vacuum seal from the canister, the jar lid pops and it's sealed!

This mix of apple and pear bits are labeled and put in the cupboard until its time for oatmeal cookies. Or maybe just as a snack!

Now I just have to figure out how to get the pickle smell out of some other lids. After a trip through the dishwasher, the smell remained. I thought soaking them in baking soda would do the trick but after they were closed up for a while and then opened, I could still smell the pickles. Any suggestions?

Now to tackle that bag of onions!

Edit 11:30 am: 16 onions peeled and chopped to fill the 8 dehydrator trays. Turned it on at 10:30 am, will check it around 4, again before bed. Then again in the morning around 6 or so. That will give it about 18 hours. Hope I don't have to get up in the night to go out to the shop--it could be scary out there. :) I'm very curious as to how much this will yield.

Design Wall Monday

Here she is, Miss Meadow Breeze. All the blocks are made. I just have applique to do on 3 of them and I will be caught up.

I have decided to take the applique off the green block on the bottom and remake it to put it on a block with the stripes going in the right direction so the placement will be like Pat Sloan has it in the original design. I will only take off the flower parts as the curve stem is showing up in the other green sections. Shouldn't take too long.

I have the applique shapes drawn onto the fusible for the next step. I don't know how much I will be working on it this week but I'm sure I'll squeeze some time in.

We went to the fair yesterday and stopped at the produce stand on the way home. After a quilt show Saturday and the quilt display on Sunday, I want to hide away in the sewing room. But I bought 50 pounds of fresh Walla Walla sweet onions and they need to be taken care of first. The dehydrator will be set up in the shop away from the house and I found a recipe for Sweet Onion Relish from Paula Deen that I will start soon. It looks like today will be a kitchen day instead.

Grab yourself something to drink and maybe a snack because when you visit Patchwork Times and start blog hopping, you are going to be there for a while. With all the inspiring Design Wall Monday posts, it really makes me want to hide away but I can't, I have onions....enjoy your visits.

Stash Report 8.8.10

I love old barns. At the Pomeroy Farm, the big old barn is still a barn in use. They hang several quilts inside and I peeked behind one to see this scene. This reminds me of dad's barn back in the day. When I was in dad's barn the other day, it was all different. He's changed it around a lot since I was a kid. And the smell of the hay! Oh, I love that smell!

There were a few vendors at the quilt show and I felt the need to support one of them. I think she was cleaning out her whole quilt room.....and I helped! She had 2 Brooklyn Revolver cutting mats, one large, one small. They are now mine and she had some flannel. I had to get it, one piece had moose on it and all I could think of was pillowcases so I had to buy a coordinating solid. Hopefully pillowcases will be made soon.

So with the flannel in and the Bento Box fabric out, I am only a half yard up on my net total. But a half yard is better than nothing.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 6.5 yards
Used Year to Date: 170.5 yards
Added this Week: 6 yards
Added Year to Date: 139 yards
Net Used for 2010: 31.5

Poor Judy L is without internet but she was able to post the Mr. Linky box. So head over to Patchwork Times and see how others are doing with their stash.