Blueberry Surprise is done.

I'm going to mark this top done for the CGQC.

It's a great day!

Well, today we are decorating for Halloween & Fall.  And I don't know who is more excited, me or my little man...hehehe!

Did I mention that I just LOVE the fall season?

So between the decorating and watching football (and some sewing) - it's turning out to be a great day!  Hope everyone is enjoying their day too!

Two gifts...

So first thing this morning, over coffee, my DH says he's going to take our little guy out to the woods to take a look.  Between being sick, hot weather, rain and everything else that has happened - today was a perfect day to go exploring.  All we were waiting for was our little guy to wake up and I was anxious (know what I mean? hehehe!).  Eventually they were out the door around 9:15am.  I whipped out the Dinosaur Uproar quilt - my secret mission quilt, and started to go to work.  I had about 4 hours for myself and I would have gotten more done but I had 'Beaches' (a good chick flick) on and got side tracked here & there.  But over all I was happy with what I had completed.  I consider getting time for myself a gift and am always thankful.  Maybe tonight, when their in bed, I'll be able to work on it some more.  If I do, I will remember to take some pictures.

So, I thought one gift was nice but when they got home, I got a second gift...flowers.

 I just love it when my little man does sweet things like this.  I can't stop smiling!  I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

It's Friday night & we have PUMPKIN PIE ICE CREAM!

The weekend before October 1st is when we decorate our house for Halloween.  Okay, so it's a new tradition I started this year.  But I want to make sure we get the WHOLE month to celebrate the most funniest & goofiest & festive month of the year.  And just for clarification, Christmas is always first but Halloween is just Halloween.  Anyhoo, I love the costumes, candy, color changing leaves, weather - the entire ambiance of the start of the fall season.  It just puts a smile on my face.  And if you want to get really analytical, it is the start of the EATING SEASON.  Think about it, it starts with Halloween and the candy and pumpkins.  Which leads to pies and sweet things to eat.  It just goes down hill from there.  You do not need to be on a diet during this season - it's just not right.  So, what was I talking about?  Who knows & who cares...hope everyone has a wonderful weekend sewing!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!! 

Waiting...

I love my wonky log cabin blocks but I have an ISSUE with the teal sashing.  So much so that I've stopped looking at them & have put them up.  So I remembered, way back, when I was window shopping I saw this...It's a Moda Bella Solid Color Card.

and I remember thinking 'Why would someone want this?'.  (DUH!!!) I'm laughing right now, because I've answered my own question.  It's on back order so I'm going to have to wait.  I don't mind waiting to complete my wonky log cabin quilt because I just love the pattern/fabric and I want to do it right.  Anyhoo, I am hoping it comes in time for our quilt along, I want to see what backround color I can use for my quilt.  Which makes me want to ask...first - this is the CGQC quilt for the quilt along...

• 
  
  Can you use a different color for the back round or do you have to use white?
  
  
  
• 
  
  Has anyone ever used a different color?
  
  
  
• 
  
  Or is it a rule that you have to use white?
  
  
  
• 
  
  Or is white used because it's the best color to use?
  
  
  

Any thoughts/input would be much appreciated!

Gobble! Gobble!

Well here is my first block.  It's the Gobble Gobble line by Sandy Gervais for the mini quilt swap.  It's very 'HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!'.  The colors are very rich, much prettier in person.

I finally started on it last night, and after reading the directions for the 4th time, I realize that I will need starch.  I've never used it but I want to follow the directions and in the process try something new.  I'm hoping to have all the blocks sewed up by tomorrow night.  I can't wait to make my disappearing 9-patch blocks.  I can feel the excitement as I am typing this!  Ok, enough talk, I need to get to work...and then the dishes.

AWESOME! Good job Momma!

Those were words of approval from my little man.  Besides completing one of my CGQC projects for September, it was the first time I used my darning foot. I thought it went okay.  I practiced on some scraps and then I went ahead and quilted my Halloween wall hanging.  Even though it was a small piece to quilt, I could see why you would want to wear gloves. Not bad for my first wall hanging - if I do say so myself, at least now I can cross it off my list!

Teal.

I like the color but I don't know if I like it with my wonky blocks.  It's very bold.  I've been staring at this for over a week...

I still haven't figured out if I like it or not.  It is very teal.  Ya know, I love being able to shop on the internet but the only draw back is not being able to see the true color/feel of fabric.  So I have a couple of issues I have been thinking about when it comes to my wonky quilt:

1. I don't know if I like this color being used on this quilt.
2. If I go ahead and use this color, I under estimated the yardage so I would need to order more.
3. Do I try another color?
4. Do I not use any sashing at all and just put the blocks together?

For now, I'm going to let it rest.  I really like how the blocks have turned out and I just love the pattern.  So, I don't want to rush it.  Well, I do have other projects that NEED to get done so for now I'll just work on those.  Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend!

Time to assess the damage - I mean list.

Scatter brained comes to mind when I think about this month.  Of course having my DH in a head on car wreck about 3 weeks ago - did not help.  But no sense in dwelling with the 'WHAT IF's', life is too short and projects need to get done, right? CHRISTMAS IS COMING!  So, it's been said it helps to write things down, I'm a firm believer in that, so here is what I have on my list I would like to complete (one day):

1. Simplicity - still needs to be quilted & binded.
2. Blueberry Surprise - need to quilt & bind.  I've completed the top so that counts as 1 UFO done.
3. Complete Halloween wall hanging - top is done, it's the rest of it that's holding me back.
4. Dinosaur Uproar (secret mission quilt) - slowly making progress, that sounds good, ya know come to think of it...never mind - I'm still working on it.
   

Looking at my list, the only thing I've done is complete the blueberry top.  Oh, and I did practice some quilting on the Simplicity quilt...I'm still trying to figure out Bessie.  I just wish I had more time to spend on her. I guess I better get the lead out.  Ok, time to focus and get to work...I'm on a mission!  Have fun sewing ladies!!!

This is a happy place - for me.

So, I will only say this once 'NO, BUTT HEADS ALLOWED!'.  Like I stated, this is a happy place - for me.  I love the idea that I can share my quilting adventures/screw ups/progress with other people and vice versa.  But there are a few people out there who are poo-poo heads...so, I went ahead and followed Allie's lead to review comments before they are published.  I don't like it but I prefer to review any not-so nice comments before someone else sees them...know what I mean?  I'm gonna try it and see how it goes...

CGQC September Tag

Well, we've been tagged.  We just have 2 things to answer this time around.

1. I'd like to suggest 'SPECKLES' for our quilt along.  It reminds me of speckles of light.

2. Use the letters in your first name to list characteristics about yourself, so here is goes:

• M - merry.
• I - independent.
• C - chubby but that's what you get when you have a Korean woman trapped in a Polish woman's body.  If I was full Korean I'd be shorter and MUCH thinner.  Maybe they should have named me Helga?
  
• H - happy.
  
• E -excitable.
• L - likable.
• L - loves to laugh - it's good for the soul.
• E - easy going.
  

NO SEWING for 3 Days!!!

Like everyone, I hate being sick.  It hit Tuesday morning and I was finally able to leave the house today to go to the doctor's.  And the funny thing is (because you gotta laugh) my husband is also off from work (still having chest pains) this week so he was able to take care of our kid...or our kid was able to take care of us.  I was able to get on the internet some but due to the storms it's been hit or miss.  So I'm sure I have lots of catching up to do.  I guess before I start sewing again, I am going to need to go over my CGQC list and reorganize.  I'll worry about that this weekend.  I hope everyone is doing well.  Talk to y'all later...

The decision has been made.

After going through my 'patterns of quilts I would like to make' binder, I decided on making a Christmas Thanksgiving Table Topper for my swap buddy.  I just ordered some fabric from the Gobble Gobble line (very HAPPY FALL Y'ALL) and am excited about working on it.  After reading everyone's comments (which I really do appreciate everyone's opinions)...I'm just going to let my hair down & have a grand time with the whole process.  Oh, and the icing on the cake, getting to know everyone more.  So let the fun begin!!!

CGQC Mini Quilt 'SURPRISE' Swap!?!?!

Well, we received our information about our swap.  Due to the odd number of members - it's going to be a SURPRISE swap!  Now that the swap has been put into motion, I'm feeling really nervous.  I mean, I've never done a swap & everyone in the CGQC are like totally awesome, talented, crafty ladies.  And they will probably do amazing stuff and here I am fretting over 'How am I going to keep up?'.  I feel like dropping to my knees, arms extended, bending over and saying 'I'm not worthy!'.  I just want to do a great job...know what I mean?

I got it, while I'm having a nice cup of (Keurig) coffee, I can start thinking, planning about my project.  Hopefully, it won't turn into a nightmare...talk to y'all later!

September 11, 2001 (Never forget...)

Evil.  It is everywhere and can strike anyone.  I just wanted to acknowledge a sad day in our history.  I don't stay bitter too long because I believe that what comes around goes around.  I will never forget.  And I will leave it at that...

God Bless America.

What a lunch hour!

It was last week when I told you about me & 2 of my friends (Melinda & Teresa (I got permission to use their real names)) were going to do a Halloween wall hanging together.  Well, the ball has started to roll!  We were able to lay out our fabric the way we wanted (well most of us did)...

By doing this on our lunch our, with no interuptions (ie...kids, tv, phone, ect.), helped us shorten the time we will spend on this project at home.  I mean half of the project is planning...is it not?  So now we can start sewing...hopefully we can at least commit to 10-15 minutes a night? Every other day?  Anyhoo, I figure we should be done by the end of Sept. - if not sooner.  That is the plan for now...I am soooo freakin' excited to get this done, I just can't stand it!  I love Halloween!  And I know, deep (real deep) down, they feel the same way!

Wonky Log Cabin Blocks - DONE!

I had 2 sick guys on my hands over the holiday weekend.  They are doing much better now and I appreciate everyone's thoughtful emails - it just puts a smile on my face thinking about it.  And in the muck of my husband being instructed not to lift one finger over the weekend & my little man's fever episode - I was able to find some comfort in sewing.  So much so, that I finished 15 (12.5 x 12.5) wonky blocks.  The only problem is...is that I couldn't finish trimming my blocks until my ruler came in...and  guess what??? My ruler came in today, along with some fabric for sashing.  Here is a picture of 4 of my blocks...I love the wonky style - it fits me.  I also think by doing this pattern my butt has toned up a bit, thanks to the way you have to assemble a wonky log cabin block:  sew a strip, get up & press, then cut excess fabric...sit down to sew a strip, get up & press, then cut excess fabric and so on.  It's was a vicious cycle but I loved every minute of it!

I am no longer a closet blogger!

I've just told my friends about my quilting blog.  I have to admit, it was a little difficult for me because everyone who knows me, knows that I'm a private person.  I would be the last one in the world to start a blog.  If you were to ask any of them, they would tell you the same thing.  I hate to say it but I felt a little embarrassed. (don't ask me why)  I guess I'm just being silly.  Granted they could give a flip about quilting but I'm glad I told because I wanted to let them to know how excited I am about 'EVERYTHING' when it comes to quilts/quilting... 

Now I won't be telling my mom or sister until after Christmas because I've made a quilt for my mom.  I want it to be a surprise.  I also might quilt a quilt for my sister so I don't want her to know yet either.  So besides those 2 people, everyone I know knows that I have a blog about quilting and I LOVE it!

Blueberry Surprise Quilt Top

I'm pretty much done.  Not sure if I want to add a border or not...I have time to figure that one out.  This is from the jellyroll my husband got me - not bad.  I like the colors, I just don't care for the fabric.  It reminds me of that batik stuff.  I would never say anything to my husband because I am always grateful/thankful for gifts I receive.  I just wouldn't buy that kind of fabric on my own, it's not my style.

Anyhoo, I have 2 sick guys on my hands this weekend...one with still some chest pains & was told by the doctor to do nothing over the holiday weekend.  The other little one, woke up with a 101.1 fever Saturday morning and is still sick.  So yesterday (& today) I was able to relax with some sewing when they took their naps.  I hate it for both of them because they love to be outside.  I'm just the opposite.  Til next time...have fun sewing!

'Your driving like a bat out of hell.'

Do you know that saying?  Well, if you do - I wasn't driving, I was sewing like a bat out of hell!  And for good reason, I wanted to complete my Blueberry Surprise quilt top.  I used a very simple pattern & I'm thrilled to announce that it's done.  I worked on it after I finished my Simplicity quilt top last month.  But I do reserve the right to add a border if I chose/choose...I have til the end of Sept. to finish, right?  Anyhoo, it's about 12:25 AM but who cares, we are on a 3 day holiday weekend! SWEET!!! So hopefully, I will be posting a picture of it sometime this weekend.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

It's way past my bedtime...I've got to go.  Til next time...

Didn't take that much time

to decide I wanted to do the Wonky quilt along.  Imagine that!  I couldn't stop thinking about it last night and all day today.  I was racking my brain trying to figure out what fabric I could use.  I'm still a little new so I don't have a very big stash.  Most of my stash is from Kelly and I won it.  So here I am thinking about what I could use and I had left overs from the Recipe for Friendship line - a jelly roll (minus 7 strips), some spare charms and a few pieces of fabric.  If I end up with a table topper - I will be extremely happy.  I'm trying to quilt on a budget...know what I mean?  So, I'm officially adding 1 more CGQC project for September. Thank you.

FOR THE LOVE OF MARY!!!

I must be out of my mind!  A couple of months back, I joined the ORB quilt along when they did the fence rail pattern, then they did a zig zag quilt along - I opted out on that one, BUT NOW they are starting on a Wonky Log Cabin quilt along.  The patchwork, string & wonky log cabin are my kind of patterns.  I just can't stand it!  Do I join?  If I step back and look at the big picture, I would be happy with just finishing the top.  That would mean I could have my own 'Lonely Tops Club' (like Kelly). WHAT TO DO!!!  I know - I'll let it roll around a little before I decide.

It's on!

For those of you in the Charming Girls' Quilt Club, we need to submit our UFO's by the 7th (I think.) of this month and I have picked 4 projects to put on my September UFO list (2 of them are from last month).

1. Quilt & bind the Simplicity quilt.
2. Piece, quilt & bind the Blueberry Suprize quilt.
3. Crazy Jack wall hanging.
4. Dinosaur Uproar (my secret mission quilt - I just want it to be done in time for Christmas)

I'm on a mission!  I would like to get the first 3 projects done this month.  The dinosaur quilt is being done behind my little man's back.  I even have to make sure any scraps of the fabric are put up because even at his age he will notice the different color/patterns.  I should have named him Chickenhawk.

If you are not a member, you have til the 7th (I think) to join (to be included in the Sept. UFO group).  There are a lot of talented ladies in this group.  Oh, and the best part is - for each project done, you get an entry into that months drawing for a chance at (2) $25.00 gift certificates to Kelly's store!  If that's not enough incentive, I don't know what is!