Monday, August 31, 2009

ACCOMPLISHED!!! 3 Christmas in August!!!!

Nothing like going down to the wire. BUT I am done. Thank you Di for the motivating challenge. Now I must keep it up and try to get more things done--and not wait until December!!!! Don't I have the cutest little quilt holder?
Now it is time to get back to Joy and Alice's 2-Week Sew-a-thon!!!
We should have many, many, many more pictures of our projects to post soon.
Hope everyone is having a great Monday!!!!
A-

Friday, August 28, 2009

NO MORE SLEEPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joy's plane lands in 2 1/2 hours. WOO HOO!!!!!!!!
Let the sew-a-thon begin!!!!
It is going to be a fun two weeks.
Even better because the binding is on my Christmas quilt, so I am on the final lap of the challenge.
Happy, Happy, Happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I Just Might Finish

This is the part that my knees absolutely hate but it must be done. Then on to the quilting. Nothing too exciting--a little stippling in the middle and in the ditch for the blocks. I am not great at stippling yet but I know I must practice to improve.

I have 6 days including today. Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! The good news is Joy will be here on Saturday and she will motivate me. We will not move out of the sewing room for two days. Well maybe long enough for the season finale of Bones, but I will be stitching down the binding by then right? Right!!! Strangely enough I still like challenges. OK back to work, A-

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

I Believe...

.....I am getting somewhere. I fiinished the sixth block in Gail Pan's - A Christmas Wish


AND.......................................

I finished the center piece for Debbie Mumm Christmas Wishes. Hmmm I see a wish theme happening. I wish I could get finished????

Now it is time for sleeping. I am really, really, really going to try to get the top all put together tomorrow. Really, really!!!!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

One Milestone Complete!!!!!

Now I just have to make the centerpiece and put it all together. I can do this right???? Right!!!!
And I will get back to it just as soon as I reward myself with some chocolate!!!
Hope everyone is having a great day!!!!
A-

Friday, August 14, 2009

Sweets and Wishes

I had to take a little time out from sewing and turn into the other mother. The one that bakes goodies and makes tummies happy. I got a wee bit carried away, but it was fun. I tried out a new muffin recipe that called for raspberries and white chocolate, but I didn't have raspberries so I used blueberries. Then I made my favorite--Mountain Dew cake. Sounds weird but oh so yummy. Any kind of lemony soda will do. And then I made chocolate chip cookie bars just because who doesn't like chocolate chip cookie bars????And then I whipped up several chicken recipes to rewarm as the week goes on so everyone should be happy. And then...I got back to the business of sewing. I decided I would be ambitious and try to complete Debbie Mumm Christmas Wishes before the end of the month. I wasn't going to...not sure if I can...but I am going to try. I need to figure out another simple Christmas project to do in case I don't get done, but it will be something easy so I can do it in a flash if things are not going well with the Wishes. Here is what I have done so far...

I still have to put these cute little heart buttons on the basket...

and do the stitching around the leaves, but I have decided to leave that for TV time and start working on the gazillion half square triangles in the next block. I have four blocks left to do and the large Christmas flower in the center. I can do this!!! As long as I don't get distracted by the other gazillion projects I have going. Must put my blinders on. And on that note I should get back to work. Hope everyone has had a great day!! A-

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Two Down--One To Go!

Two posts in one day. I was just so happy that I finished my second Christmas project; I had to post a picture.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Making my sewing room bigger!

I seem to have spent a lot of time the last couple of days sorting through fabric-Christmas especially-and it has migrated to many parts of the house. The lounge has become my audition room. There is stuff everywhere. At least I believe I have accomplished a few things, decision wise anyway.
I have lots of little two inch squares cut out for baskets. It was easier to decide which ones looked good when I had lots to choose from. Besides they will all get used eventually. This batch will soon be a simple version of the basket from Pink Penquin. I am still playing at this point, but I will stop thinking and start sewing soon.
And this one will have the cute little stithery patterns that Cheryl from Willowberry Designs created. It will take me a bit longer to finish with all those cute little designs but I will get there.
Since I was at one with the rotary cutter, I also cut out the next four blocks in the Debbie Mumm Christmas Wishes from 2008. I really do have far too many things going at the same time, but at least I won't get bored! I hope!! I have finished sewing blocks 1-5 and 6-9 are ready to go. No excuses!! This not one of the projects I plan on finishing for Di's challenge. It would be a nice thought, but I am not that fast and obviously I get distracted. I am going to set my own challenge and try to get it done by Christmas. Should be doable. On that note I suppose I should start turning all these little pieces into finished projects. It is cloudy and rainy outside--the perfect day for hiding and sewing. Hopefully I can get lots done. Hopefully everyone else out there will too. A-

Saturday, August 8, 2009

1 Christmas Project Complete


I am so impressed with myself. I have finished a Christmas project and it is only the 8th of August. Hopefully this is a good sign and I will get at least two more done this month and successfully complete Di's challenge.

Here is my set of coasters:

I made two each of three different designs.

Not sure what I will do next. Possibly a little basket like the one Cheryl at Willowberry Designs made. I have made the basket before in purple, but it is really cute with her little stitchery designs incorporated into it. We shall see how quick I am at stitching. In the meantime I must work on some of my BOMs. Must catch up!!! So back to work! Hope everyone is having a great weekend and getting lots of sewing done. A-

Monday, August 3, 2009

Motivation

I think I have finally recovered my rhythm around here. Vacation is over and everyone has finally recovered from the flu for the second or third time. Now--Inspection is Thursday and the place is relatively neat and tidy. Not that I won't stress anyway, but I have made my way to the doc this morning to refill my blood pressure medicine so I should be right! I think it is definitely time to start sewing. I have joined Di's Christmas in August challenge just to get me even more motivated. Or insane--not sure which??? And I have actually started my first project.

I found these cute little coasters in a copy of Handmade and thought they would make great use of these little trees. So I have them all cut out and will get busy on them soon. I have also started on my list of BOMs that I am behind on. I am working on Debbie Mumm's Natural Wonders right at the moment. June is done and July is cut out. I would love to get caught up on all of them. So here is June and all the rest. Hopefully I will be able to pop up July and August soon.

These have taken me out of my comfort zone sometimes. All the little triangles and matching bits and tiny applique, but it has been fun. I still have most of my hair, even if it is a little grayer. That could just be from the inspector lady!!!!! OK, a little more scrubbing and a whole bunch more sewing!! Later, A-