I'll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours.

My sewing room that is! LOL.  I can't even remember who I promised this photo to but I had my Jelly Roll QAL quilt all spread out on my design wall couch and it hit me that I should take a photo of this insanity!   As usual, I have my kitty helpers.  I don't know how I manage to get anything done with out their help!  Hope you enjoy the pics!!

My quilting space is in the middle of my living room!  When you walk in my front door this is the sight that greets you.  Sad I know, but I love having the space.
I should have photos of Jessie's quilt tomorrow night and also, I got the tumbler quilt back so I should have some pics of that one for you too. 

Things are busy as I am gearing up to leave for spring market in 7 more sleeps!!!  ~XOP~

What I Have Been Up To Recently

I have managed to finish 2 more blocks.  One is for the second time around in the Jellyroll QAL and the other one is for the Layer Cake QAL.  I didn't particularly car for the block 11 in the LCQAL so I decided to look for a substitute block.  We have a basket and a flower and so this is what I came up with for my block 11.  I'd like to know what you think of it.  I used some Presencia perle cotton size 12 for the embroidery.  It is the first time I have worked with this thread.  I had to use a much larger needle than I usually use for embroidery, and even

I found the block pattern on the Quilter's Cache website.  If you have not discovered them yet you should go and take a look.  Their patterns are great!

For the Jelly roll QAL block, I loved making this block the first time and loved it just as much the second time.  I am super pleased with how the block came out too.  It was so easy and looks so great!


 I joined a group on Flickr that swaps designer fabrics.  I needed some Heather Ross fabric for a block I am making for another group I am in and I didn't happen to have any.  So a new friend of mine on Flickr sent me these in the mail.  Wasn't that sweet of her?


I really need to work on the two HR blocks so I may not go to quilting tomorrow and go instead to QQ's house since she needs to do the same 2 blocks for the same 2 projects.  Then I could finish laying out the tumbler quilt (and maybe take some photos of that too).  I would like to work on my Dreamy Stars and finish that top too, if not this week, then maybe this weekend.  We only have 1 more block to go in the LCQAL and then I can begin putting those 2 quilts together.  I need one of them by the end of May!  Sooo much to do.

I hope you enjoyed the post about making buttons for your blog that I posted yesterday.  I was able to do the whole thing using Flickr instead of Photobucket too just in case some of you would rather use your Flickr account.  I know that's what I will be using in the future.

I still have 3 things available for purchase from 2 days ago.  The patterns, the brown fabrics and the fabric and pattern, and bag sides for May, all in Thimbleberries fabric.  If you are interested let me know.   Well, back to work.  Have a great Tuesday and we'll talk soon.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you are up to too.  ~XOP~

Quilt Alongs and Some Other Stuff

The other day I was working on my latest Layer Cake Quilt Along block and then doing two of the Jelly Roll QAL blocks so I was caught up with that one too.  Here is my latest Layer Cake block.  Don't you just love the little bunny?!

Now you might want to see the jelly roll QAL blocks too.

I am pretty happy with how they came out.  I had to go over to my friend Cori's today to have her mail off the quilt I made for my niece's new baby.  I found this apron that I happened to have laying around so I thought I would give it to Cori, since I know she loves her some aprons!!  Wanna see Cori and her apron??

Isn't she just the cutest little thing?!  You might want to stop in to her online quilt shop and visit her.  She has the new Sherbet Pips line!!!  Stop over and tell her "HI".  You should look around too, her prices are great and her customer service is amazing!! 







I thought you might like to see the quilt that I am sending off to the new baby.  I had posted about it before and just recently I posted the label, but here it is too.

I love how this little quilt turned out.  I used the softest flannel on the back too.  I hope the new baby loves it!!

Last but not least are any of you going to Lancaster next week for the AQS quilt show??  If so please email me as Pauline and I are planning on attending.  We would love to meet up with any of you that might be there!!  I took the day off work today to get some stuff done before I go, but ended up doing other stuff.  I will probably do some laundry tonight and make some banana bread.

OMgosh I almost forgot to tell you all, remember DD2 and all the drama?  Well, she has been offered positions for grad school at all 3 of the schools she applied to!!  Now she needs to make a decision.  One of many life altering decisions eh?  She also spent time with the ex boyfriend and they are going to try to make things work.  They are not  back together but they are giving themselves another chance, so keep them in your prayers. 
XOP

New Blocks in the QAL's

I was able to finish my blocks for the Layer Cake QAL and the Jelly Roll QAL last night at quilting. I like how they came out.



Is anyone else having trouble with Blogger today? I scheduled a post for tomorrow and it posted today!!! I took it down and will re-post tomorrow sorry for any confusion.

I thought I would update you on the DD situation too. Apparently it is over and they have decided to try to remain friends. I don't see how that is going to work but whatever it's their choice. This is going to be so difficult for her but I know God has an amazing plan for her and her life. I have known from the beginning she was destined to do great things. She has an interview at North Carolina State University tomorrow for graduate school. I have to drive her to the airport today. Please keep her in your prayers. This school is her number one choice for grad school.

I hope you will all join me over at Stash Manicure tomorrow. I am looking forward to the visit over there with all of you!

Day To Myself...What?

DH had to fly yesterday and was overnight so I had last night and today all to myself. What did I do today, I hear you ask? More laundry, dishes and vacuuming as well as cleaning cat boxes, but I got a lot of sewing done today too. Wanna see?

First thing done was block 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas. I made 2 blocks from the kit sent to me.


I needed to get the next Layer Cake block done too and here it is.


Then I decided to make the next Jelly Roll block too. I really like how this one came out.


I was watching and listening to the Tudors while I was sewing all afternoon. Now I need to finish up the laundry and a few things. I finished a baby quilt top too which I will show you tomorrow, not spilling the beans today!

Oh yes, I will be on Stash Manicure on Wednesday so come back and cuz' in addition to that I will be having a little giveaway too.

I hope you all had a good weekend too!! XOP

JRQAL Block 6

I did manage to get something else finished this weekend. I made block 6 in the Jelly Roll Quilt Along. I had to laugh, I made the inner part and forgot the borders, thought I was finished until I put it with the other blocks. Then I realized I had forgotten the borders! Fixed that and now it really is done.

I just adore that little bunny in the center don't you? I used it last time I made this quilt in this block too.

I managed to get the next 12 Days of Christmas block(s) cut out too but not sewn. It is always interesting to try to put the sewing room back to the way it was before Christmas, so I spent time doing that as well as making lists of things I need "to do". I will show you the blocks once they are finished.

If you have read this blog for awhile you know that we have 5 cats. On Saturday night DH was trying to enjoy a bowl of ice cream when 3 moochers showed up to eyeball his ice cream! I managed to snap this pic while they were paying attention to him instead of me!


Went with DD1 to see the Harry Potter movie last night. I have to say I thought it was pretty good. I will be sad to have them end. Work today, bummer, but kind of a slow day which is nice for a Monday.

Happiness: On Saturday, I suggested DH might like to go to Cabela's while I was at LTW's. That made him happy! Sunday, I went to the movie with DD1 and that made us both happy. Today, PTM and I ordered a pattern I have wanted for a long time and it was on sale (still WAY too much) but we will both use it. This made us both happy.

What did you do to make someone happy this weekend?
XOP

Near Miss, Mid Air Collision Eminent

Really?? Why didn't you all *tell* me that my geese were going to have a mid air collision??? You wouldn't hurt my feelings, you really wouldn't! No worries though, PTM told me ever so gently yesterday and now all the geese have straightened up and are flying right, whew, thank goodness!

Before and After:


Now I can do the happy dance. I am in love with this little quilt and can't wait to go to LTW's on Sat and use her machine to quilt it up! Stay tuned for that fun time, I'm trying to get PTM (aka Louise) to go with me.

I was thinking about my word last night on my way home from PTM's house and decided that I will put a little something in this blog each time I post about how I added happiness to someone else's life or someone made me happy. So to that end, I went to my friend, Karen's baby shower last night after work. She is the one I made the chenille blanket for. I didn't get to stay for the entire thing as DD1 was with me and demanded to be dropped off at the grocery so she could shop while I was at the shower. I tried to get her to take the car, but NO. I told her it would be at least 2 hours if not longer, but no. Right about 2 hours into the shower DD1 calls to tell me she is done and can we go home? UGH, I asked my friend to open my gift as I had to leave. I'd say she was pretty happy wouldn't you?

Isn't she a beautiful pregnant woman? I wish I had looked so good pregnant!

After I got home DH was looking for his money clip. I found it, he was happy! I sat down to rip out my errant flying geese (not so happy), and I talked to PTM. She had her DIL's quilt ready to go to LTW's but I needed to go and get it so LTW could have it and work on it over the weekend. Let me tell you, it was such a hardship to go over to PTM's and sew in the basement! LOL. I brought my red and white quilt and tamed those geese. All is well with me now, I am happy. On top of that PTM let me use her red thread and I was able to get the rick rack handles sewn down too. I asked LTW if I could go to her place this weekend and use her machine to quilt this wee quilt. I am going on Sat, hopefully with PTM!!

On top of all that I got my next block for the JR QAL finished too, bonus!!


All in all a pretty good night! Tonight DD2 is coming over to go out for dinner, so I must head to the gym as soon as I get home, especially since I missed yesterday and Wed. (GACK...experiencing gym withdrawl...) I am hoping to get caught up on my 12 Days of Christmas BOM. I have the most recent block to cut out and sew. Maybe a trip to the Sally Ann, we'll see. I have to decide which project to begin working on next. I want to work on one of my UFO, for sure but which one? This is the question, any suggestions? The list is on my sidebar.
XOP

Blocks Made and Caught Up

I have been on this computer wayyyyy too long this morning afternoon already so this will be short and sweet. I wanted to share with you the layer cake block 3 that I finished.

I can't say that I have been as excited about the Layer Cake blocks as I was the jelly roll blocks. I am also making another one of those at the same time so, since I had to put my machine away, I made block 3 and 4 of the JRQAL blocks and I love how they came out!!

The fabric line I am using is Soiree by Lila Tueller. I am planning on giving one of these quilts as a graduation present to my niece. I still have some baby quilts to get on when Christmas is over. I will have to get right to work! Also a wedding quilt for someone.

Ok, no more procrastination, must go and decorate (EW). Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!
XOP

FNSI

First I apologize in advance for the brevity of this post. DH and I are getting ready to go to Frankenmuth and the outlets at Birch Run this morning and I have too much to say about my shopping extravaganza with my BFF PTM to write it all down right now. This means you will have to settle for a quick post about the only thing I got done last night. I know I was supposed to sew all night but DH ended up home rather than away and so since he had been gone all week I kind of felt like I needed to spend some time in the same room as he was. I did manage to put my JRQAL block 2 together though and although it is a little busy I really love it. I clearly need to re-press the center square but you get the idea.

So what do you think??

I have to run and go and dry my hair. DH is making us some eggs and stuff for breakfast so I'll talk to you later. Have a wonderful Saturday and GO STATE!!
XOP

Layer Cake Quilt Along

First I want to let you all know that everything went well yesterday. There were 3 small polyps and they removed them and sent them off for pathology. If all is well I won't have to go back for 3-5 years. Once they gave me the drugs I just remember waking up and getting dressed and then I went home and slept for a long time! I was a little crampy from the air they put in there but I bet you can guess how that comes back out, LOL!!

I thought I would share my first block in the layer cake quilt along. I chose Soiree as my fabric. I also decided to make another Jelly Roll Quilt Along at the same time.


I really love how these came out. Tell me what you think. Can't wait for the next ones.

I also got both of my 12 Days of Christmas block finished.


I'm kind of on a roll. Today I went on a shop hop with PTM, Joann and Christa. I will tell you all about it tomorrow when I can photograph my loot and download my pictures.
I need to spend some time with my DH tonight, as he has been gone all week. Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight!! Extra sleep, Woo Hoo!!

How was your Saturday??
XOP

The Engagement Party

Wowee, yesterday was a B-U-S-Y one!! I got up, weighed in (lost 1.6 pounds), went to Zumba. I love me some Zumba! Came home showered and had lunch. Went shopping. First to Khols for a new pair of jeans, size 12!! I can't even remember the last time I could fit into a 12. Then I met up with PTM at JAF to try to use our 50% off coupons. Bought some Kona cottons, coal, purple, lime green and a royal blue. Then I came home to watch my Spartans whomp number 11 Wisconsin!! Good job Spartans!! Also when I got home I had this waiting for me.

This is on page 22 of the latest McCall's magazine!! My first time in a magazine, even though it is basically just an ad. It's still kind of exciting!

Next up was getting ready for the engagement party. I decided to write on the back of the quilt and make it personal too. I put a Gaelic blessing on it as well. Hey, go big or go home right? But let me back up. I don't know how many of you know that PTM does all my bindings for me. I have trouble with my hands when I do too much hand work and the hand sewing of the bindings just about cripples me, so being the BFF that she is she does them for me. I have to show you how amazing they really are too just look at this,

Can you see those teenie tiny stitches? And her mitered corners are always perfect!! I am working on getting her to do a tutorial, she really is Pauline the Magnificent!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, PTM!
I know you are all dying to see the label right? OK here it is.


Really LONG but I totally LOVE how it came out. You can really see the beautiful quilting LTW did on it in that last picture too.
"But how did they like it?" I hear you all saying, right? They loved it.

She is just adorable. What a nice girl and what a great couple they make. You should have seen her diamond, OMG knock your sox off. It was probably a carat of canary (light yellow) surrounded by white diamonds. BEAUTIFUL! And Matt? His arm is healing and he can see again. They did a cornea transplant and cleared out his eye and gave him a lens implant. He said his vision is not perfect but he can at least see out of the eye now. It was such a fun night. Matt has seen his share of rough times in his short life and he so deserves to be happy! Oh and here is a pic of me and Matt's mom, Terry.

We have been friends for a LONG time and she is so happy to have Kahli in the family.
Congratulations Matt and Kahli!

Wednesday Night Quuilting

You are NOT going to believe how much I have to tell you today. Remember I said that LTW got the Curious George quilt all quilted? Well she did. It is adorably quilted with monkeys and bananas all over it. Then I handed it off to PTM and guess what? She handed it back to me all bound last night. I just need to make a label and sew it on tonight and it will be ready to gift to Mason tomorrow (I hope).

I don't know how well you can see the quilting but trust me it is too cute!

Yesterday at work LTW handed me back the JRQAL quilt ALL FINISHED!!! I squared it up last night at home and then brought it along with the binding to quilting and handed it over to PTM. She really does do the most wonderful job with those bindings. You should see her perfect little mitered corners!! Maybe I will go over to her house in the near future and have her make a binding tutorial. I know I learned a few new things from this perfectionist!! She's the BEST!! I thought you might like to see it quilted, front and back so here ya go.

See that strip through the middle? I really needed some more length and thought, now how will I do that? So I measured the top to see how much I needed and cut the green in half. I had already made the binding so I used all the left over bits from the JR to make the strips that you see on either side of the Kona Snow strip. I love the fact that I used all but about 8" from that jelly roll to make this quilt! LOVE IT!!

Now I have a question for you all. I need some advice. I am going to give this quilt to Matt (the young Marine that was injured in the war that you all helped me make a quilt for) as he is getting married. Here comes the part I need advice for. He has been married before, so this is the second marriage. Good so far. The engagement party is this Sat, they are actually getting married in Dec in Vegas. When possible I like to label my quilts by writing directly on the quilt somewhere on the back but...what if this is called off before the wedding or they split up and the label is permanently written on the back? Would you make a label and sew it on instead? I was really excited to be able to write it in a line on the Kona just above the second strip of the Verna. What would you do? I like the look of the writing directly on the quilt over a label, but I sure would hate for the quilt to not be used if something happens. YIKES!!! I guess I should add that I am planning on giving it to them on Sat since I doubt I will be able to attend the wedding. So I need to figure it out soon. Let me know what you all think.

In addition to all this, PTM and I worked on our Fall into Fall giveaway stuff. Let me tell you that you will not be disappointed!! We have an added twist for you to win along with the "stuff", so I hope you will all check back tomorrow when all will be revealed!! Tease, I know. You are not the first ones to call me that!! Until tomorrow...XOP