WIPs with Friends Thursday

Sorry for missing WIP Wednesday but I was out of town.  

My sister was having some surgery and I had to be there to make sure she was alright.  

I was and she was so here we are on WIP Thursday instead.

I am freaking out a little bit about all of the commitments I have for this month.  

What is wrong with me?  I know the word no but rarely use it, LOL.  

So what have I been working on?

I managed to sew my May bee blocks up and put them in the mail.

Every month I try to sew at least 2 Scrappy Triangles and this month I got 4 done!  

Two in each color way!

So that's it for me for this week.  I have been at the hospital or driving the rest of the time.

What are YOU working on?  Please post your current projects for us to see!  

~XOP~

WIP Wednesday

I have not had any time for the past 2 weeks or so to have many WIP's to talk about.  

I did manage to trace the label for the next wedding quilt onto the fabric.  

I thought I would have time to work on it while we were in Florida.  

I chose to read a book instead.  

(Outlander, so who can blame me?)

Actually, once I begin a book that I like I have exactly ZERO self control to do anything else until that book is finished.

Here is the progress I actually did make on this though.

I know it is difficult to tell but the thread is a very dark green.  

The quilt will be greens and grays with a little Kona Snow thrown in.

For some reason I am having some difficulty getting into a new project.  

Maybe because I still need to get all the travel things put away, or do the copious amounts of laundry from the trip, or clean up my messy room, or get the tax stuff together or snuggle the cats.  

Maybe I'm completely exhausted from getting up so early again after vacation. 

 Whatever it is, I need to get over it and get back to my sewing.

I was supposed to get some business stuff done for a friend and that has not been done yet either 

(sorry Kim)

I'm hoping that maybe this weekend, I will have that burst of energy and get back into making again.  I have no shortage of things to do that's for sure!

I will link up with Let's Bee Social and WIP Wednesday.

Enjoy your day!

~XOP~

WIP Wednesday

I have hauled out "the mermaid" cross stitch that I began a million years ago. 

 I sincerely desire to finish this project.  This is what it is supposed to look like when finished.

This is what it actually looks like.  See all the "green" there in the middle? 

 That's what I managed to get done in about 2 hours last night.  

This is gonna take a LONG time!  

I also realized that, my old eyes do NOT like working on linen.  

Those uneven holes are killer, even with bright light and cheater glasses!

So this is my current WIP along with this new project that I can't really show much of right now.

These will be turning into a great swap project!

This was my stitching partner for the counted cross stitch.  

She sits on one side and Aiden on the other.  No lack of cat helpers at my house!

Linking up to WIP Wednesday and Let's Bee Social.

~XOP~

WIP Wednesday

I also managed to get some paper piecing done for another project. 

 I needed to make a flower and a leaf.  

The pattern is from Ayumi's book Patchwork Please. 

 It is a great book. 

 I think you saw the hot pads I was making last Christmas and they were from this book! 

 I love her patterns!

This one is called Swedish Bloom Time and it is adorable!  

The flower is larger than I expected it to be for some reason.  

I have learned that I like paper piecing smaller things, like 1/4" geese, LOL, 

MUCH better then bigger things like this.  

All in all I am happy with how it turned out though. 

 So it needs to go into a larger project so...another WIP.

Linking to Lee's WIP Wednesday post.

It took some major brain power to figure out how to get the cats to come out like that though. 

 I have read that quilting is good for your brain as it causes you to do a lot of calculations 

and thinking, so good for us!!!

I had some adorable supervision while working too.  

How do cats make every place seem like the most comfortable place in the world to sleep?

You can see the tippy top of my sewing machine there on the bottom of the picture. 

 That was the view I had over the top of my machine while I was working.  

I love Autumn!

I have decided to work with a really dear friend of mine on another quilt. 

 First it was planned and then I decided

 I was not going to do it as I was running out of time for the "deadline".  

I have personally extended my deadline and enlisted help! 

 I can't say much about it other than to say I am making this pattern.  

No more about it for the moment though.  

If you want to purchase the same pattern and quilt along with me that would be fun, right? 

 Who's in??

~XOP~

WIP Wednesday

I have a couple of bee blocks that I need to do.  I finally got started on them last night. 

 I got the individual components done, now I just need to assemble and then pop them in the mail!

I don't think they will look a lot different once they are finished,

 but will show them to you once I get them sewn. 

 I am not sure they will stay like this though!  LOL.  Love to play with them. 

 Some of the other bee members mixed prints in 

but I found that I really loved them made up with all solids.  I think it really shows the arrows off.

Linking up over at Lee's blog too.

What are you working on?

~XOP~

WIP Wednesday

I want to take a few minutes to thank everyone that took a minute to reassure my insecure self that you are indeed out there and still reading what I write. 

 You made my heart glad!

  I would mention that probably around half of those that commented did not have a way for me to contact them in return! 

 That made me sad. 

 I did reply to your comments on the post if you are interested. 

 If you are only commenting via Google + I can't seem to figure out how to find your email address.  It is not linked to your comment and when I click through to your account I don't see it there either.  In case you were wondering why you are not getting emails back when you comment 

that may be why.  

I have no intention of leaving blogging. 

 I was just wondering what folks thought and if anyone was out there.  

My comments had dwindled to maybe 2 or 3 of the same people commenting (thank you) 

so I was wondering if maybe they were the only ones reading! 

 Obviously you all proved that theory to be incorrect. 

 I always seem to have a lot to say and need a way to express it so

 no plans to stop blogging for awhile anyway.

I did finish the "muslin" (which I actually made using Peacock Kona instead of muslin) last night.  Now I have to pack it for the trip to NC on Friday and have my DD try it on.  

I have to remember to pack pins and marking pencils too so I can get a good fit.  

When we return home from Florida, 

I will be able to make the adjustments and cut out the "real" dress.  

What a lot of work! 

 I think when you factor in my time this was a really pricey endeavor!!! 

 Here is what it looked like when I got it to the try on point.

  Sorry for the bad lighting but it was night time.

Yes, all the seams are on the outside. 

 It was so weird to do that but will make it easier to work on. 

 They had me sew it all together with basting stitches, so I think I will make the adjustments 

and then take it all apart and 

re-sew it together (or in this case adjust the pattern, cut out the real dress and then re-make this one).  Probably the last time I want to do this.  

Maybe if I make anything again it will be for me and probably just a skirt! 

 LOL  good thing I love that kid!

I miss quilting though.  

I now officially have WAY too many things floating around in my head and

this dress business needs to end so I can get them all out of my head and made up!

Blogging may be intermittent while I am on vacation so please bear with me.  

We leave for NC on Friday and stay with our daughter for a few days.  

We will leave her place on Sunday morning and head to Sarasota. 

 If anyone lives in the area and wants to meet up, please email me and I can give you my cell phone number so we can do that! 

 I love to meet new people!

I am going to link up to WIP Wednesday over on the Freshly Pieced blog.  

Have a great rest of the week and thanks again for the sweet comments!

~XOP~

Wip Wednesday

I want to share what I am working on at the moment. 

I have a mini quilt I need to finish for my Bitches get stitches swap partner.  

You have all seen Mr Peacock and his attitude!  

Well I am working on the quilting part of this now.  

I decided that I wanted to quilt a grid on the center of the quilt, approximately 1 1/2" apart.  

What is the easiest way to do this?  

Well, if you ask me? Tape.  Here is what I mean.  

I measured and then put down the tape.  I used the edge of the tape to guide my quilting.  

No marking to remove and I can re-use the tape many times.

You can see the grid is emerging nicely. 

The first piece of tape I put on was corner to corner diagonally to begin the grid.

That also anchored the three layers together. 

I did spray baste this as it was a small piece.

I will usually pin baste larger quilts.

This is my helper.  

Although she is really more of a pest than a help!

How do you get things done with your pets "helping"?

Oh Autumn!

You can see what the grid looks like all quilted up.  

If you look at the corners you can see the purple marking pen I used to mark the quilting.

I made quarter square triangles for the corners.

This is the back and you can see the quilting around the geese better in this photo.

Now all I have to do is trim it up and bind it!

Linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

What are your WIP's?

~XOP~

WIP Wednesday and Other Stuff

I am one of the charity chair people for the A2MQG.  

We are participating in the MCG charity project and making a couple of quilts. 

 I am on the "Let's make blocks" team.  

Debbie Grifka generously provided a copy of one of her Think Positive quilt patterns and 

we are all making blocks from the prescribed colors that were chosen by the national guild.  

I got the aqua and lime green ones.  

Here is my progress.

We can't add the sides/top/bottom until we get them all laid out so we can see where they need to be but I LOVE them!!

Another project that I am in the middle of is this one.  I just used pearle cotton to do a blanket stitch around the applique.  I even hand appliqued the scallopped edges down!  I NEVER do that!  One more week and it will be a gift!  So only a sneak peek for now.

The last thing I bought were some needle minders as gifts (maybe)   = )

I think you know who the one is for, but not sure if I am keeping the other or gifting it.  

Time will tell.  

If you want your own or want to see what other goodies are available check out 

Gina's Unique Boutique on ETSY

Fatty McFatty says it is getting cold here in Michigan so you should totally curl up and quilt! 

 (or nap as the case must be)

I will be linking up to Lee's WIP Wednesday.

~XOP~

Giveaway Winner and WIP Wednesday

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post the winner of the scrap pack. 

 It is Collette!  

So Collette, please email me your mailing address and I will get those scraps out to you!

I have been working a wedding quilt for friends of my husband's. 

 I decided to use my Daisy Field pattern (available here).  

I made some progress over the weekend, as you saw in my previous post. 

Here is what the block looks like before being put all together.  

I am loving the use of the Pearl Bracelets!

Ah that pesky helper again too!

The color palette I was given was white and cream with gray.  I added the bits of blue.  

 I have also been working on my Secret Stalker Swap quilt.  

I got the embroidery pattern drawn and then traced on to my fabric.  Now I need to get stitching!

I have decided to try to submit this to a magazine as the design will be my own s

o I can't show it to you just yet.  

I am linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Lee's blog.

Hope you are having a great hump day!!

~XOP~

WIP Wednesday

I joined the Kitty Mini Quilt swap last week and had to decide what to do for my partner.  I finally narrowed it down and now have to get crackin!  I traced my embroidery pattern out and made a few adjustments but last night I decided I needed to begin the stitching.  Here is what I have so far.

My WIP is to get this embroidery finished so I can put it into a mini quilt for my partner.  

I hope she will like it. 

 I customized the design too but for obvious reasons I can't show you that since our partner is supposed to be a secret!

I am linking up to the WIP post over at Freshly Pieced.  

Go check out the other projects, maybe inspiration will hit you too!

I finished the chenille blanket and put it into the wash last night.  Such retro colors and I LOVE it!!

Today is my 31st wedding anniversary too.  

Seems like just yesterday I was getting married to my best friend. 

 Thirty one years have passed so quickly.  

Happy Anniversary to the best guy out there!

Have a wonderful day!

~XOP~

WIP Wednesday

I am linking up to Lee's WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced. 

 It seems like I have been working on Patchwork napkins forever!!  

I now have 50 fronts sewn, pressed and trimmed.  

No thanks to my helper!

Autumn thought this pile of napkins made a great place to nap! 

 GREAT, now I will have to de-fur them too. 

 I hope no one at the wedding reception is allergic to cats!!

I also have 50 backs cut and corners trimmed. 

 All I need to do is put them together and sew the edging. 

 It takes some time to press and sew the edging. 

 I practiced and it goes much easier using Elmer's washable school glue and a hot iron. 

 I need to press and glue all the edges then top stitch them down.  

The gray fabric is from Allissa Haight Carlton's new line of Modern Solids,

 or so my friend Judith tells me, and it was wonderful to work with! 

 You can find it at Marmalade Fabrics and probably other places too.  

The patchwork and backs are all Kaffe Fassett fabrics.

I am hoping to get my 50 (of the total 200) finished this weekend. 

 Hey a person can dream right?

What is your current WIP?

~XOP~

WIP Wednesday

I am linking up with Lee's WIP Wednesday today.  

After all the stuff that has been happening with my dad I needed some distraction so I started working on that Sloth Halloween costume yesterday.  

I managed to get all but the top done!  

Here are some pics of my progress.

First up is the arm cover.  

I was so nervous to work with the fur but other than the mess it really was not awful to work with at all.  I am planning on sewing the fingers on a pair of gloves together 

to make the 3 "toes" to wear under the arm part too.

Leg warmers. 

 These were interesting to make.  

The bottom is just hemmed and the top has a fleece casing for the elastic.

This is the head piece and I wish I had made one that came together in the front.  

This is more like a hat. 

 It is lined with fleece.  

It might be nice though as it would com off more easily.  

I am still considering making a different one. 

 It will be a time thing I think whether I do it or not.

Here is the skirt.  

It is more of a Loin cloth deal with a front and back panel that ties on both sides.  

I did put it on but will spare you *that* photo!  

Suffice it to say I realized I needed to anchor the ribbon somehow 

so they would not slip out of the casing.  

I sewed a few stitches, vertically in the center of the casing. 

 That way she could still gather it and tie it to make it fit her better.

The top part really had me stumped.  

I went back to the store to look at patterns.  

I am not going to spill the beans here but I will tell you I am attempting something crazy for the top.  Hopefully I will have that bad baby done tonight. 

 It is partially sewn right now. 

 I thought I was being clever and sewed it how I thought it should be sewn only to realize I was wrong and had to rip it all out!!! 

 Ripping out your stitching 

(especially when I forgot to lengthen my stitches on this one)

 on fake fur is NOT FUN!!!

It will be waiting for me to work on when I get home from work tonight though and 

I hope to have it complete soon.

The floor of my sewing room looks like I murdered a small animal!! 

 I can't wait to be finished with all this fake fur so I can vacuum and get on to the next project. 

 It is something I promised a friend I would make for her kids.  

It needs to be done in time for Christmas but I would really like to have it done and 

out of my hair sooner than later. 

 I won't be able to show it to you until after Christmas though as it is a surprise for the kids and they read my blog!  

Did I say they are grown up kids?  

LOL

What have you been up to?  

If you have a WIP head over to Lee's blog and link up too!  

She is another Spartan!!

Go Green!!

~XOP~