Comfort and Joy

Well, I think Judy has forgotten all about Comfort and Joy, but I haven't! I have had a lot of fun with this pattern. When I first got it I just about panicked, but after quite a bit of obsessing about how to start, I have loved it.

I believe this is the block we were supposed to finish this month.  It was fun and easy.

I hadn't been able to figure out how to do the angel's hair or crown or whatever, so I just jumped into it and did it.  I'm going to embellish it anyway.

And here are the blocks sewn together. I got on the green outer border and have the appliqued outer borders ironed down.  I'm appliqueing a little every day.  Then I can worry about quilting it.....or not quilting it!!

I have several other things going that I can't talk about! Christmas is coming!

Free Motion Quilting

I'm soooooo over sending out my tops to be quilted. I never was really comfortable wit the people who did mine here in town, so I've just been saving tops. I have tons all ready. Some are even basted. Sometimes I just quit toward the end of making a quilt so I don't have another one, but I end up with UFOs.

 So a few weeks ago I took a free motion class. I think I may have mentioned it before. I enjoyed the class, and I learned a lot about thread and a start on patterns, but out of a class from 10:00 to 3:00, we only practiced about 20 minutes which was totally not enough. I was pretty darn disappointed. I was depressed a couple of days, but I practiced some, but never really found my rhythm.

 But I did find this wonderful site I want to share. It's by Leah Day and it's a Gallery of Free Motion Design.  It has 396 free motion designs with short videos to show you how to do them! It goes from Super Beginner (me) to difficult.  I've  been looking at the designs and practicing on paper.

Last week I went to the 70% close out sale (sob) of a nearby quilt shop, Sew Bee It.  I got the panel below and the coordinating fabric for a border and maybe the back, depending!  I'm going to go with some sort of spiral I think, practice a little, and just go for it.   I'll probably try different designs as I go.  My grandkids won't care what it looks like.  They don't even notice the quilting! Ha!  (As proof I could show you a favorite that is just a mutilated stitch in the ditch, but I won't.)

I'm really looking forward to get good enough to dig out all those tops!!

Handwork

Last year I was working on the Row quilt along with Patchwork Posse. One of the rows had a redwork snowman. I had so much fun sewing at night and listening to TV. So I went looking for a cute one to do for Spring.

I found the Rabbits Prefer Embroidery and went to work.  I enjoyed every stitch!  It's a Bunny Hill Design and cute as it can be.  So all I've done is the top row.  I have all the embroidery done, but haven't put any more together.  Soon!! Soon!!

Anyway, I found Hocuspocusville, and I feel in love with it!  I ordered it immediately from Crabapple Hill Studio.  I went to my favorite go-to shop and spent a small fortune on fabric, but I'm about ready to start on it!  I'm really looking forward to it.  To warm up, I'm going to work on the silly angel from Comfort and Joy.  I just have to get her hair done, and then I'll start this!  Yea!

Design Wall Monday

This is my first post for Monday in a long while. I have been sewing, but just haven't posted.

 I am so happy that Carole is feeling better and posted some Curly Tops blocks. This is for my granddaughter with her own curly top. Her hair falls in ringlets and I just love it. So this quilt just was begging to be sewn!

August with a surfboard, sun-bleached hair, and a sunburn and July with a flag

I changed the tractor block to a Gator since she loves ours so much!

I get several blocks that need the same color and then I applique that color on as many blocks as I can.  Today I did black and am slowly working on the hair now in brown.  All those wavy lines are slow going.

This is how I store my thread and the bobbin that goes with it so I can change threads easily.  Anyone have another idea that will work easier?  (See the red marker scribble on my machine instruction book?  That so easily could have been on blocks! Whew! A close one!)

And I am still plugging along on Comfort and Joy.  The last block is on the bottom right.  I am going to frog sew and take it apart.  It seems to have some waves in it and there's no wind!!!  The angel is still missing on the left because her hair isn't done.  I stopped because I didn't like how it looked and haven't ever started again.  Maybe soon.

I absolutely love to read on Mondays.  I haven't been commenting much lately, but hope to today.  I'd love to hear from you!  Have a great week.

Busy, busy!

Much has been going on around here, and, believe it or not, sewing has taken place!! Here's the list!

 First, Grace, my almost 10 year old granddaughter,  made a quilt from a jelly roll. She sewed her little heart out. She wanted her name on it, so I found some letters on the web that she liked and we are now ready to quilt. There is a little problem there. I don't know exactly how and what I'm going to do, but here it is all sandwiched.  She even helped me do this!

Which leads me to the 2nd thing....I took a class in free-motion quilting.  It was an all day class, and to be honest, I was disappointed.  We only practiced about 20 minutes in all the time we were there.  I did learn a lot about thread and weights, tension, and more, but really felt I wanted to practice a lot more with someone there.  I did get help with my darning foot, and I've been practicing a little every day.

Carole at Ewe's Quilting got to feeling better after her cancer treatment, and she got caught up with Curly Top.  I was so excited.  I have one more block to iron down before I start the applique.  I changed the tractor to look like our Gator since little Ruby loves the Gator like crazy.  I am using all stash for this, and it hurts my feelings sometimes since there are so many bright fabrics I'd like to use.

Here is what I want to work on now....

• Finish the Curly Top blocks and begin the machine applique
• Finish the quilt that Holly and I are making and get it sandwiched.
• Do 3 more rows for the Row by Row quilt (see upper right margin) and call it a day on that one.  This might be the first one I try to quilt.
• Get the last Comfort and Joy block done and start on borders
• Practice the free motion patterns I've decided to try.
• Start some secret Christmas stuff!!!  

I've really been enjoying sewing.  We've been busy with company, grandkids, and yardwork, but there is still time for quilting.  I'm so grateful for my blessings!

I'm planning a trip to Atlanta to the quilt show in September.  I'm going to check out the longarms, but something tells me I'm not going to want to pay what they cost.  Does anyone have one they just love?  I'd love to hear about it!  Pretty please!

Comfort and Joy for June

I don't think too many of us that started this quilt together are up to date, but I am.  I enjoy doing it!

I had never laid the whole quilt out before, so when I finished June, I had a look! I really love it.   The first picture is a close up of the block I did for this month, and the 2nd is a view of the whole quilt.  Everything is appliqued, but still have to finish the black angel hair on the bottom left.  I have really enjoyed it, and I'm doing two more applique quilts in the near future.  Will finish this one first!!!

Sorry!

I have been sewing, but just not much. It's the pain thing. It is sporadic and I never know when I'm going to have it, so it basically turns my life sporadic! I do things when I feel like it. We may actually have a diagnosis soon. Hooray!

 This is what I'm working on when I get the chance. It has a lot of parts. I have everything done but the HST. Today I am going to try to finish them and then sew some of the applique. This is just the cutest quilt. I just love it. If I had it to do over again (and I just might) I'd make all the pieced parts before I started the quilt.  I could make sure it was scrappy and it would go much faster.  This is the June block, so I'm not behind, but I wish I was moving more quickly.  I'll post a picture of mine when I finish.

I have 4 quilts going.  This is where I stand on them:

1.  See above
2.  The row quilt...I like the design, but my colors aren't my favorite.  And the designers really got into paper piecing, which did me in.  I am on my 2nd row of trees from that one, and I'm skipping the gifts row.  It's pretty and everything, but I'm wanting a winter, not Christmas quilt.
3. The Bunny Hill rabbit quilt is another one.  I've finished all the embroidery, but haven't put it all together.
4.  Curly Top is on hold indefinitely, and it's not even my fault.  The designer has cancer and isn't posting anything.  I have the 3 posted blocks done.

I'm also doing some hand quilting which is fun, but tiring.

Hopefully I will get back to normal soon, and so will the quilting!

So not much happening on the quilting front. First, after husband's surgery and dog's illness, we took out two 10 year olds to Washington DC for a week. It is so much fun to watch them start to see the world. We had a wonderful time. We met our senators,toured and toured, and saw everything we could possibly squeeze in.

Mt. Vernon

Freedom statue in the capitol visitor center.

In front of the capitol and the visitor's center.

So I came home ready to sew and excited to get some stuff done.  And in the car coming home the kidney infection hit.  My back has been hurting since last Wednesday.  I'm on antibiotics, but I'm still having pain.  Don't know what the deal is.

So I haven't sewn a stitch.  I've ordered the fabric from Fat Quarters Shop to make this....

  

I got the pattern from Crabapple Hill Studio.  I am excited to start doing some handwork again.  I could have done some of that.

I also added a button because I'm thinking about starting another sew along with Christa.  I just keep starting and never finishing.  Hopefully I can get down and sew a little today.  I am getting behind.

Design Wall Monday

So I haven't posted in quite a while. Things have been pretty crazy here, but I sew when I can. Today I am waiting on my next row for the row quilt. I hope it's something that is easy to pull some fabrics in that I've already used.

 I've been a little discombobulated about the quilting. I was recovering from that stomach virus when our sweet little poodle got very sick. Be careful what you put on your lawn! She was throwing up blood from Scott's Weed and Feed that we put out. It didn't say anything about being harmful to dogs, but she was throwing up blood. On their site is says to water it in and wait until it dries before dogs get on it. There was nothing on the bag. She was a sick little girl, but she's ok now.

 Then my husband had a pain in his side that wouldn't go away, and after a long ER visit, it was diagnosed as gall bladder. So hurt on Tuesday. Final diagnosis on Wednesday. Surgery on Thursday. We don't waste any time around here. He is recovering nicely. This is the 3rd May in a row he's had surgery. In fact, this one was one year to the day since his last one. I'm starting to dread May!

I've not been able to get down to the sewing room, so I grabbed some handwork.  I'm quilting this wedding quilt.  It is pretty small, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem.  Ha.  Once I get going I enjoy it, but hate having to move the hoop all around to find a comfortable position to quilt.  I am going to be very proud of this when I am done.  I am trying to get it finished by November, their anniversary.  Did I mention this was wedding quilt signed by family?  Well, it's their 10th anniversary.

There are some empty snowballs around the outside.  I've been thinking about a motif for those, but I am still quilting around the edges.  Any ideas?

This shows how long I've put this off.  Peyton is a Sophomore in high school.  I am so bad.

I'm using this hoop and the quarter inch tape.  I tried not using tape, but my judgement itsn't very good!  This just makes it easier to mindlessly quilt.

I finished all the pink bunnies for my little Bunny Hill quilt.  I took them to the hospital with me and it made the time go faster.

In other news, we are actually having a spring here in Tennessee.  My  hummingbirds have migrated on, though, and I hope a new batch shows up soon!

Comfort and Joy (and Trees!)

I love working on my Comfort and Joy quilt. It is so much fun for me. I'm pretty sure my machine applique is bad, but I am still having a great time. In fact, I'm a month ahead!! I hope to start June block very soon, maybe today! I just love picking out the fabrics!

And in case anyone is doing the row quilt, here are my 3 trees from yesterday. I had a horrible time at first since I printed the pp pattern way too big. No wonder things wouldn't fit! Five more to go! I'm really enjoying this quilt!

Here's the whole thing.  My cardinals aren't the pattern that was put up by the designer.  I couldn't do the paper piecing.  It was just too hard for this beginner.  This row's trees are much easier for someone learning.  I just did the best I could by finding a cardinal on the web, doing my own branches, and embroidering pine needles.  I tried to stay in the spirit of the design, but with my own twist.

                                  .

Well, I've been a little out of the loop. We've been running around and had to cuddle some grandbabies in Charlotte this weekend. I thought about going to Mary Jo's, but I really didn't need anything, and I'd just add to the stash. I'd like to see the store now that they've changed some things.

I finished my row for the row quilt just this morning.  They don't show up very well, but I embroidered some pine needles for a little more interest.  I'm ok with it, but feel a little bad about not being able to paper piece.

The next row to the quit is paper piecing, too, but I think I might be able to handle just the triangle tops of trees.  And it will be a good start for me.  I've been down in my sewing room hunting for greens and putting together some scraps for trees.

I am ahead in my Comfort and Joy, but still need to do something about the angel hair.  I don't like it so far.  I'm going to start the gingerbread basket later.

This is my major cuddler, Ruby.  She just happens to be the one who is getting the Curly Top quilt from Ewe's Quilting.  I hope that Carole is doing ok from her chemo as the April block has not been posted.  Does anyone know how she is doing?  I haven't had time to check out the Monday design wall posts, but hope to do so today.  It's one of my favorite things to do on the net.

Happy quilting to all!  I'd love to hear from you!

Paper Piecing Melt Down!

I am finally feeling a little better about my quilt row. This is the row quilt that I'm doing with Patchwork Posse, and I've really enjoyed the quilt. Last week was hexies, and after a little stress, I managed it. It was the printing on the card stock that had me the most worried. Technology related! And, I ended up ironing the print out on the card stock to get the hexie patterns.

 Anyway, I tried and tried to get the pp row done. And I was just hopeless. So, even though I really, really want to learn to paper piece, it's going to have to wait. I looked and found these two appliqued cardinals. I really love them, and there is some embroidery if I get my act together and decide to do it. It has pine needles embroidered, and I really like it. I think I may even put an appliqued birdhouse in the middle somewhere. A very easy birdhouse!!  Or maybe I'll just do pine branches.  But at least I am on the move again and not just stressing.

I'm trying to stay with the feel of the quilt, but just couldn't do the row below.

I've not had a chance to look at many of the design walls posted on Judy's site. For some reason I had lots of energy today and cleaned a lot instead of looking. But I'm off to do that now! I love to see what you all are doing!

EDIT!  I think I didn't make it clear about the cardinals I ended up doing.  They are appliqued and free on the web courtesy of Wee Folk Art.  I'm sorry if I assumed you could read my mind and would know that is what I did!  My bad!

Design Wall Monday

This has been a weird couple of weeks. You didn't see any designs from me last week because it was also stomach virus Monday, and it was a rough one. The older I get, the longer it takes to get back to normal after something like that.

 Anyway, I was also traumatized by the English paper piecing snowflakes that we did on the row quilt. I need to learn to do them since I have a whole darn quilt waiting for me to do, but it was still hard. And I was preparing for our Easter blow-out and then recovering from the virus, so I didn't have much time. I didn't finish my row until Sunday afternoon.  I hope next week is a little easier.

Then I finished the first row of the pinkwork bunny quilt and I have more finished to work on.  I need to do more of the patchwork, but I'm also machine appliquing.

EDIT:  Oh no!!! This week is paper piecing!!! I've never done that in my life.  

Well, I'm off to look for some paper piecing tutorials.  I joined this to expand my horizons, so I'm expanding.  Good grief!!!!

Good News!

I always have so many! I am glad 4 out of my 7 grandkids were here for a fun Easter lunch and egg hunts.  Fun was had!

I am happy that the birds have finally found the feeders and we have found a way to keep them from hitting the windows but can still watch them.

But, most of all, I am glad that I am over the horrible stomach virus I got Sunday night that just about killed me!!!  OMG.  That's all I'll say about that.  The older I get, the longer it takes to recover my strength, so I am happy that I finally felt like doing a little handwork yesterday.  I got my hexies ready to sew for my row quilt.

Hope you have lots of blessings in your life.

My Gracie!

This week is spring break here, and my Gracie and her family came for a slumber party. Even though they live here in town, they come spend the night sometimes and we visit and have a big breakfast in the morning. After her parents and little sister left, Grace and I made bunnies. She was a little hesitant at first, but that pride of making something really kicked in and it didn't take long.

She'd say things like, "It's really great to be able to make your own stuffed animals!"  and many other cute comments.  I told her I thought she was a natural, and she said, "That's cause I've been watching you so much."  I kept her when she was a baby, and she would point to my machine and say "Play dat, Onnie"  and she would take my blocks and put them on the floor.  She'd move them around and stand back and look just like I did.  She also loved to go fabric shopping and had to feel every one I did.

We agonized over fabric and buttons for eyes which almost made me impatient until I realized I do the same thing.  I helped her make the pink one, and we were about halfway through when she wanted to make one for her sister.  She totally did the white one on her own.  I just sewed on the button and sewed the bottom shut.

We got the bunny pattern from a collection on Patchwork Posse.  We are now looking for a cat softie pattern as she has decided we need to make her cousin and best friend Riley (here, too!) a cat.

I am so blessed!  (Oh, she chose her blanket for the photo shoot.  We don't really have much leopard around here!)

Design Floor Monday

So this is spring break week for my grandkids and we were supposed to be in the Smokey Mountains on a camping trip, but when snow is forecast, I think it's a better time to stay home and sew.  There is some disappointment around, but it is what it is.  We'll have time later.

I am having a lot of fun doing lots of different things, which makes all the difference for me. I wake up thinking what I'll get done that day. Sometimes, I even get it done. First, I'm almost done with the April Comfort and Joy block. I brought this up to embroider while I listen to hubby's news shows. I almost never have to look up!

Here is my precious curly haired granddaughter who is my inspiration for doing Curly Top! I have sweeter pictures of my Ruby, but this one really shows that beautiful hair. This is from Christmas. 

And here are the 3 curly top blocks ironed down and partially appliqued.  I have bought a ton of the cutest buttons to embellish this quilt.  I think she's going to love it.

I enjoyed embroidering the snowman on the row quilt from Patchwork Posse so much, that I decided to find a pattern I liked.  I actually found some 'antique' ones of my mom's, but decided I'd like a spring one.  I found this bunny pattern at Erica's and it has been very enjoyable.  Another one of those projects while I listen to TV.  And I am very proud I am using up a lot of the pinks from my Valentine quilt.

And this is my Comfort and Joy for March.  I am embroidering her whatever the black stuff is that sticks down from her hair.  I'm not really liking her look.  I've been thinking about making is a crown or something instead.  I'll work on it more and decided.

I see that Judy has her links up for Design Wall and C&J.  They will have to link to the same post!!

I'd really enjoy a comment from you.  First, I can go see your stuff and we'll be friends!!!  And second, when I get over 150 looks and two comments, I think my stuff must suck! LOL!!

Haven't had time to look at everyone's projects.  I'm off to do that now!

I'm back!

It wasn't my fault..really. That thing that we use to connect to the internet has been very squirrelly of late. Sometimes I could get online, sometimes I couldn't. But it seems to be healing itself because the company sure didn't help much! I guess my grateful for today should be that I'm married to a computer guy!!

This is what I've been doing lately....screwing up.  I was totally finished with this block and then I pressed it one last time....and BAM!!!  Glue on the iron.  So I did it over and was thankful that I had enjoyed it the first time!
 
The bad news was I didn't have anymore snowflake fabric left so I went with swirly stars that I hope will remind people of snowflakes.  And there is my quilt with 4 rows done.  I'm really enjoying the surprise I get when I see the row.  Next row is on Monday.


So my grateful post starts here..... I have a charmed life, I swear. I'm the luckiest woman ever! I have a wonderful husband who loves me even though the years have not been kind (especially in the weight department!). I have 4 children who seem to like us still and enjoy spending time with us. Our sons and daughters-in-law are wonderful people and great parents and we have 7 beautiful and gifted grandchildren! Ha! We have our beautiful new dream house. We are basically healthy and have enough money to get along just fine and travel every now and then. I can sleep late and drink coffee while I watch Morning Joe and stay in my gown as long as I want. I can sew and read and do other things I enjoy so much! I'm almost afraid to post this for fear it will jinx me!

 I am so grateful.

Empty Design Wall!!

Well, not really, but still.... We had a house full of grandkids and family all weekend so nothing got done except in my mind. Last week I spent a lot of time planning the Curly Top quilt and shopping for fabric and buttons. I'm waiting on a shipment from the Fat Quarter Shop that is supposed to be here tomorrow, and I'll start that! Yea!

So most of last week I did a lot of machine applique, trying to get the hang of it.  I'm getting better, but it sure makes me tired quickly!  And how in the heck am I supposed to do those skinny arms!  I've been working on all 3 big blocks I have done, and have started working on April's C&J!

Then today was row quilt day. I love the new row, but boy those snowflakes about drove me nuts. When I was complaining about messing them up while cutting out my snowflakes, my husband (sweetest guy ever) says that the beauty of the quilt is that it's not machine made, but each should be different. Isn't that nice of him?? It's probably a self-preservation tool, but I still appreciate it.

I'm auditioning fabrics to surround the snowflake to tie it in to the rest of the quilt.  don't know if I'll leave the green, but it was in the preceding row.

Now here is the guy who caused the problem.  I was adding a piece and appliqueing away when I needed black thread.  Now I know I've got black thread.  I used it to sew a quilt for my son and I know there's some left.  Looked everywhere!!!  So I got to his hat and had to stop.

This sent me on a search for the black thread, though.  Everything I found made me wish I read closer to the Cyberquilter conversation about storing thread!  Anyway, I found the tin below.  It was my momma's!

And this bag, too! All filled with thread and a lot on wooden spools, so you know how old they are.

I decided I'd give a spool a try since I was desperate.  It felt very sturdy, but I knew I had a problem when the bobbin was done in barely a heartbeat!  This thread is so thick I couldn't thread the needle.  But I loved finding all the old thread and having nice memories of my mom.

So tomorrow I will try to find my way to a store with thread!  So frustrating!

I've already been looking at everyone's work.  Such beautiful quilts are up this week!