Happy New Year!!

     I haven't written a post in a while, but to start 2016 I need to change that!   A lot has changed in my life, from my job to my house and soon to change again. Good things have happened in 2015 but the roads been really rocky, mixed with steep hills and deep pot holes.  2016 is going to change that with a new house and new education on the way!!

     As far as quilting, I have been deep in a slump and have had a hard time digging out. So much to do and so little time.  Added to the fact that I have now realized I am less productive working 8 hours then 12.  It has been years since I have worked a 5 day work week and I am still not sure if it's completely for me, but we will see where 2016 takes me! 

     My resolution for this year is a simple but hard one for me!  I need to try to live an organized life with a clean house.  Hoping to start fresh in the new place and keep it that way!

    Happy new year to all!! Let's make 2016 the greatest!!

Midnight Snow!

     Better photos tomorrow!  And a blog. Mo haven't done one in a while...

Spinning 9's!!

  

 (More photos to come tomorrow)

  This months block for the Project Quilt   Focas Through the Prism Challenge is the "Nine Patch".  I knew just what I was going to do and it befit the Host of the Challenge; Kim!!

     Some months ago I bought a pattern called "Spinning Nines".  It was designed by Kim Lapeck from the Persimmon Dreams blog.   I used it once in another project and loved it!  So I decide to alter it to fit this challenge! 

     I have been using a tone on tone or a neutral in this challenge each month.  This time I reached out a bit and allowed just a hint of purple in it.   I vowed to use just the fabric I had, so it worked! 

     I cut all the original squares to 3 inches and made this base. 

     I then cut apart the pieces to make the second squares

     I then played with the different Layouts Kim put in her pattern and decided on this!! 

     I quilted the squares with curled.  In the half square triangles I did a feather type pattern. 

     To bind it I used the the batik fabric from the layout. 

     The backing I used a scrap peace that matched the colors. 

     This is one of my favorite ones yet!! 

Flying Geese In The Great Blue Sky

 

    This months Focus Through the Prism Challenge is Flying Geese.   I knew my color and knew I had a good selection of scraps in blue this month.  Just didn't have an idea of what to do except a basic set of flying geese.  But of course I wanted to go a little out of the box. 

     I decided to look on Pinterest and pinned lots and lots of flying geese ideas!  I found 2 videos I really liked.  One was on a quilt as you go method and the other was a Missouri star video.  I decided to go with the Missouri star video and to adapt it to fit my needs.   The pattern is "Flying Geese Log Cabin".

     The video made a small block.  The block is made of 2.5 inch strips and 2.5 inch squares.  The block finished at like 8 inches, but I continued to make a 20 inch block. 

     For the fabric I used all blue scraps and the hand dyed blue fabric. I tried not to be picky about what I choose to go out on a limb and make it more scrappy.

     The pattern is easy.  You start by cutting 2.5 inch squares of the color you are going to use as your "geese".  Draw a line from one corner across the square to the other corner of all of these.  Then you cut 2.5 inch strips of the background fabric. 

     The first square is 2.5 inches.  Lay the geese square on top.  Make a half square triangle with these 2 squares.   Then with the next row, start the next row on the upper side, like a log cabin.  You will build this one in just one direction.  When you finish the 2 sides of the block, add another geese block. Sewing on the line across the corner. This creates another geese. 

     Do this with every row sewing on just 2 sides and adding a geese to the corner until you get to the size you desire.   I added 10 sets until I reached 20 inches.  I made the last row the same color as my geese. 

     The backing is a big piece of blue dotted I used on the front.   The free motion quilting is a little messy.  I originally forgot to change the settings on my machine and the back stitches are a little loose. So I fixed the settings and continued to finish it in time.  I stitched triangles like geese for 3 rows then added curved lines in the other rows like clouds.  In the geese I made a 3 loop design.   

     For the binding, I made it scrappy.  I hand sewed it on.  I originally sewed it by machine to the wrong side.  I did not have time to take it off and resew it, so I went ahead and hand sewed it down to the front. 

     I hate when I have to rush to finish something.  Maybe this month,  I will start early and be able to take my time with the mini quilt. 

Never the wrong time of year for a Patriotic Wreath!!

     I couldn't sleep last night,  had the supplies, so I got creative. 

     I tried this wreath a few ways.  I did not have the right stuff to do it the way I wanted, but this is how it came about.  

     It's made of one roll of the burlap colored deco mesh,  one roll of striped burlap and one roll of star burlap. 

Sewing to keep from going crazy!

    

     Sometimes you have to find a distraction to cover up the fact that your nervous!!  And mine has been to get back to work on my Ahhhhs!  My younger son Waylon got his permit last month. That means he wants to drive home after school everyday.  As a semi experienced new driver he is doing well, but that doesn't keep me from being nervous!   So I am working on Ahhhh number 3 in the last month!! 

     Here is the finished Ahhhh from today.  It is called Diamond walls and was another simple one with only 16 pieces!  I hope to finish another one with weekend and possibly start a Mystery EPP quilt!   

Pinwheel Mini Quilt

     As you well know I I have been participating in the Focus Through The Prism monthly quilt challenge.  The challenge is to use a different color of ROYGBIV to complete the theme of each month.  To participate you must order a batch of hand dyed Fabric from Cherrywood Fabrics.  The theme is a different quilt block every month, announced on the 1st.  It's hosted by Persimon Dreams Blog. 

  

     Of course I decided to go in color order and this month is green!  I ordered an extra set of different dyed fabric.  It had 2 other pieces in it that were green.  So I went with them and a green on green print from my stash.

     I then googled on Pinterest, pinwheel patterns and found a bunch I liked!   Because I started the day before the project was due, I was strapped for time and went with one large one.  Here is the blog I went with:  http://www.sewmamasew.com/2011/06/summer-sewing-pinwheels-in-the-park-pattern-tutorial/

    I decided to do a one inch border around the pinwheel block of the Green fabric.  Then a 3 inch border of the patterned fabric. 

     To bind it,  I used the hand dyed green again.  And did the most challenging part of hand sewing the binding down.  

    For the backing I used the green on green fabric. 

     I Freemotion quilted it by trying to make the curves of the pinwheel match the lines in the quilt.  In the first border I did miniature swirls.  I hurried threw them so they are not as pretty as I would like.  In the outer boarder I just did a small simple wave.  I thought about doing a second wave, but I liked the simplicity of this. 

     So after taking every second of time I had as a break on my night shift,  I was able to hand sew the binding on!! To excited that I could finish!!

     This mini quilt is so simple, but I actually like it.  I really am enjoying the creativity and ease of these challenges!

Wade's Next Adventure

  

    Today is college move in day for my oldest son Wade.   A new adventure for my family.  Wade has only been away from us to go to church camp during the summer.  So say a prayer to lead him in the right direction.  And another for us, so I don't freak out that I am loosing my first born.  

     Wade is going to Horry Georgetown Tech where he is going to the forestry program.  It's just a little over an hour drive there.  The problem is that the roads that direction are all country, bumpy and not the safest.  We have decided to let Wade stay in the dorms at Hobcaw Barony.  A wonderful plantation!! 

     Wade will be staying in the University of South Carolina Dorm.  To bad there is no room in the Clemson dorm!  Just hoping he doesn't try to change sides!  The good thing is there only is a few students staying there and that they are mostly Clemson Grad students!!

     I was discouraged when I went with him to visit the dorm.  It was a true typical bachelors pad.  And most of the guys rooms were a mess.  A big mess!! The kitchen counters were covered and I was overwhelmed.  Good thing is Wade gets his own room and Bathroom this semester!! 

     Came home and discussed the trip with my mother in law.  Her response was,  I will just go there and clean the place up!  I knew Wade would be mad if I did that, but Wade won't say anything to His grandma!

     So we headed to Georgetown today  with a truck load of Wade's stuff and a bunch of cleaning supplies!  

     We cleaned his room which consisted of a bunkbed, closet and desk.  Then we moved on the the bathroom.  The real cleaning project!!  But not long later we were done!! 

     Then we ventured over to Walmart to pick up a shower curtain, rugs and food. Yeah, grandma wanted to make sure his feet stayed clean! 

     Oh, I forgot to tell you that Wade gets his own fridge for the semester, and it's full size! My thought is we will load him up with food monthly!!  One of my big worries is that he won't get enough real food, but with this fridge we can send him meals for a week! 

  Wade will come home on the weekends so he won't be gone all the time.  Wish him luck starting tomorrow!! 

Back To My Ahhhh's

     It's been a while since I finished an Ahhhh.  Ahhhh's are Hexies designed by Hillbilly Quilt Shop.  I have decided I need to get back to them, so I can finally finish my quily.  

     Here is Ahhhh #57 "The Carriage". It's really neat how the Ahhhh looks different each way you turn it!!

     I did this Ahhhh in Jason Yenter Deco.  I am doing an entire collection of them that I am almost finished with.  I am kind of excited.  It's been over 2 years in the making!!

My Tuffet Is Finally Finished!!!

     In May 2014 I met one of my favorite quilting friends, her name is Carolyn Harris.  She is from the SC Upstate.  I met her at the Quilters of South Carolina Spring Retreat. I love her personality and wish I lived closer to her.  I met her again at the beginning of this year at our Spring Meeting, we decided at the retreat she would show me how to make a tuffet.  I was so excited!!!

     I got everything for my supply list and was ready when I arrived!  On night one I did the lonest part, drawing the outlines out on muslin.  Then I started picking out and sewing my strips.  I decide to do a light to dark method.  Another long and repetitive process. 

     Later that afternoon I was able to put the sections together. This part really went quickly. 

     After that I chose the fabric for the button cover.  I love the swirls!!  Of course we padded it.  It snapped into place easily!! 

     Then came the big strong Carolyn's help. We stuffed the top of the Tuffet.   This all went on a round cut piece of plywood.  Then we had to wrestle to pull the fabric top over the stuffing!  Carolyn was a pro at this!  

     The electric stapler was pulled out next!!  You staple the layers to the bottom of the wood.  Again using those muscles to tug on the fabric all the way around to make it tight. My first time using an electric one and will never go back to those other one!! Did I say never?? Seriously needs to be added to anyone's craft room!! 

     Next big step with the longest upholstery needle you can find, is sewing the button on!  It actually is the step that helps the tuffet to take shape.  Carolyn used some thick thread and pulled tight!  There are 2 predrilled holes in the bottom of the wood. 

     The next part was glueing the fabric to the bottom.  For this I used 3D permanent fabric glue.  The fabric doesn't match the top the best but I bought it on sale and didn't want to use something that cost a lot.   I decide instead of doing the cheater way and tacking down the edges, I would hand see them.  Weeks later it was done! 

     For the feet I painted them an aqua color I had at the house and screwed them in the holes that were provided.  Carolyn also provided the feet. 

     While visiting a fabric store with Carolyn I saw a Tuffet that had fringe on it.  Once I saw it, I knew that I wanted to do the same!   It took me a few weeks to find the exact one I want but I decided on a dark blue.  On to hand sewing the fringe on.  This took what seemed like forever too.  But I am done!! 

     I then took it outside and sprayed it with Scotchgard really well!! Hoping that it will be sealed for life! 

     I think I will be making a few more tuffets in the future! Minus the hand sewing!   Thank you to Carolyn for teaching me!!  I really love it and know this piece will stay with me for years to come! 

How To Get The Plastic Off A New Door

     

     We had a new door put in our rental house.  Of course I was given the job of painting it.  After 2 days of putting multiple coats on the door it was time to take the plastic coating off the windows.   This coating is placed to protect the windows during instullation but is wonderful to leave on while painting!!  

     The first window was not a good experience. I slit a hole in the piece of plastic.  It pulled out as a stretched piece of plastic mess.   I decided I needed to find a better way.  

     I turned to my craft shelf where I found a razor!  

     I slit along the glass on the edge of each piece of molding.   Pressing just hard enough to cut the paint and plastic.  

     Make sure you cut up to the corner of each window.  Making sure to be careful and not knock the paint. 

     I then cut a small gentle slit in the middle of the glass. 

     Then gently peal a hole with your finger.

     Then pull the plastic off in one direction.  

     After you hit the corner peel it around in a circle.  The plastic will come off in one piece.

     And look, the windows are done!!  I love the white door!! Now time to paint the trim!!