Design Wall Monday and Weekly Goals

This is what I'm working on--

DeeDee's Star is on the Princess ready to quilt.  The pieces--those are my green cake stand blocks.  First I cut one piece 1/2" too small.  I recut those pieces and redid my HST's.  Laid them out--Hmmm.  Now I've cut them 1/2" too big!  They are waiting for me to trim them down.   See what everyone is working on at Patchwork Times.

Weekly Goals--

1. Quilt DeeDee's Star
2. Bind one quilt
3. Finish green cake stand blocks
4. Make green 30's blocks
5. Sew more Trip Around the World blocks together

That's more than enough for this week.  Tomorrow we hope to set our camper up for the summer, I'm ready to start volunteering.  

Sunday we met Laura Beth and family--Mason, Nick, and Laura Beth went to the circus.  Asher, Ken and I did a couple of errands and then to the park.   But--Asher fell asleep on the way and instead he and Ken napped.  

It was a beautiful day--the park was full of people. 

The weather forecast is for cooler weather, possibly SNOW FLURRIES later this week.  Sheesh!  

This week I made some PVC Bluebird houses, I hope to get them set out tomorrow too.  I know there are some bluebird couples looking for new quality housing!  

What are you doing this week?  

 

Sunday Stash Report and Check on Progress

Yippee--I have TWO finishes this week.  39 yards of stash used.

Stash In This Week--0 yards
Stash Out This Week--39 yards
Stash In YTD--65.5
Stash Out YTD--56.5 yards

Stash is ahead--9 yards!!

This week I finished my "Snowgate" quilt and one I've named "Ode to Vincent".  The pattern is Swoon by Camille Roskelley.  See everyone's stash report at Patchwork Times.

Ode To Vincent

Its hard to photograph--the blocks finish at 24" so its a big quilt.  Here's different picture taken outside hanging off the deck--

How did I do with my goals? 

1. Bind one quilt--two quilts done
2. Finish Cake Stand Blocks--no
3. 30's Blocks for Rainbow Scrap Challenge--no
4. Load a top--yes
5. One yoyo center--no

I've been making bluebird houses out of PVC pipe.  I better get them done and put up if I want any bluebirds to nest in them!  We've been packing the camper, its parked out front and we'd like to get it set up for the year on Tuesday. 

Today we're going to meet Nick, Laura Beth and boys.  They're taking Mason to the circus, and Ken and I are taking Asher to the park.  At 18 months we doubt he'd enjoy the circus. 

Spring is finally here.  What do you have planned for your week?

Weekly Goals and How We Spent the Weekend

First my goals for the week--

1. Bind one quilt
2. Finish Cake Stand Blocks
3. 30's Blocks for Rainbow Scrap Challenge
4. Load a top
5. One yoyo center

That will keep me busy.

Ken and I spent the weekend in Mankato with Laura Beth, Nick, Mason and Asher.  Mason and I frosted some "Lamingtons".

Lamingtons

Mason liked eating the coconut and chocolate sauce best--

Mason eating coconut with chocolate sauce

Mason always helps Grandma cook--

Making yellow split pea soup

We dyed Easter eggs--

Laura Beth and Mason with gloves on

The kit promised it would be "easy and mess free".  Yeah--we didn't believe it either--Nick covered everything with several layers of newspapers.   I don't think we dyed anything we weren't supposed to--our clothes, the table, Mason and Laura Beth were free from any extra dye. 

Nick will be eating eggs all week.   Three at lunch each day are planned

There is a great carousel at the Mall in Mankato, Mason loves it and Asher, well--he looks solemn but I think he enjoyed it.

Nick and Asher

Mason and Laura Beth

Take a close look at the pictures.  Asher is riding a goat and Mason a rabbit.  I am crushed--what happened to HORSES you guys??!!

The roads were miserable driving home.  A greater part of the trip had this view--

Following a snowplow

Visibility was poor at times

Lots of one path traffic on the interstate--frozen slush and blowing snow.  We were so glad to get home.  

I worked on binding this weekend and have a finish--

"Snowgate"

This is a free pattern from Andover Fabrics called Garden Gate Plaids.

Weather forecast is cold for a few days but warmer by the weekend.  I hope Spring is on its way!  Remember going outside without a coat?  Having the windows open?  Flowers and green grass? 

Design Wall Monday and Weekly Goals

All the blocks to the Scrappy Trip Around the World (done with controlled color repeats ala Carol) are made---

Some of the blocks need to be moved but I think the pattern is showing up quite well--what do you think??  It doesn't use any background fabric and you can make this entirely from stash so its a keeper for a pattern.  See what everyone else has on their wall at Patchwork Times.

The last week I've been working sewing binding on the quilted tops.  

I've added two more to the pile tonight--that makes seven.

Weekly Goals--

1. Two crib sheets 
2. Two bibs
3. Borders on DeeDee's Star (yes--I KNOW I've been procrastinating)
4. Load another top on the Princess
5. Play with Rainbow Scrappy Blocks--this month the color is GREEN

That's enough for this week.  Weatherman says we might have another winter storm (BUMMER).   I'm ready to pack the camper--but somehow the snowbanks dampen my enthusiasm.  Maybe in another week or so.  Is spring EVER going to arrive?? 

Sunday Stash Report and Week in Review

Additions to Stash this week.  16.5 yards of various blacks and oranges and a wide backing arrived.  That brings my yearly numbers to--

Stash In--16.5 yards
Stash Out--0 yards
Stash In YTD--65.5 yards
Stash Out YTD--17.5 yards

Stash is ahead--48 yards 

The numbers look bleak you say?  NAY!!!  This week I machine sewed binding to 5 tops!   They are ready for final hand stitching.  One small quilt, and the rest are anywhere from 72" square to queen size.  I have two more to sew the binding on while I have the extra table set up behind my DSM.  The Stash numbers are heading the other way!  See how everyone's done this week at Patchwork Times.

This week we had a winter storm--rain, sleet, ice, and snow.  We lost power for a few hours--Ken and I got out the propane heater, butane camp stove and antique kerosene lamp.  Then we took showers before the water heater cooled off.  (Can you tell we've done this before??)  Power was restored in a couple of hours--but about 30 miles east of us it began to get worse.  Much more freezing rain and lots of damage.  The news says there are still some areas without power Saturday (4 days later).   

I hate the cold, I leaned out the door and took this picture the other morning--

See the snow pile?   The snow was so wet and heavy our snowblower could not move it.  Dan the tractor man plowed the snow by the vehicles.  

Weatherman said another winter storm possible next week.   I don't think I'll be working in the flower beds any time soon.  One internet friend said it had been 74F and the air smelled wonderful.  She said it smelled like SPRING!  It smelled like spring here too.  Spring is when everyone cleans their cow lots and hog barns!   Its just part of life here and it doesn't last long.  Soon we'll smell fresh dirt and newly mown hay.   

Besides sewing on bindings this week I put together a yoyo block center and completed all the blocks to my Scrappy Trip Around the world.  One binding made.  Finished quilting Henrietta's 30s top and then I quilted Little Boxes.  Didn't follow my goal list but did lots of sewing.  

How was your week?  Was the weather nice?  Did you follow a list or were you distracted??

 

Design Wall Monday and Weekly Goals

A new project on my wall--

Its a Scrappy Trip Around the World (Quiltville.com) but I'm using a planned color repeat I saw on The Polka Dot Chicken blog.  Thank you Carol!   I'm planning on making mine 6X8--one more row at the top and two at the bottom.  The color repeat is--

black
red (and pink)
blue (and purples)
orange
green
yellow

My blocks are a bit too dark--I'm adding more lights to the last 18 blocks.  I think they'll balance out.  See everyone's Design Walls at Patchwork Times.

While finding fabrics for this project, I refolded and sorted 5 fabric cubes.  I can really tell the difference in my stash--what were stuffed cubes now have plenty of breathing room.  

Weekly Goals--

1. Quilt Henrietta's 30's top
2. Borders on DeeDee's Star
3. 2 crib sheets
4. binding on one quilt
5. 2 yoyo centers
6. trace 2 cherry tree blocks

I'm waiting for Ken to finish taxes--right now he's spread out on the big table that I use for some of my sewing.  Another few days and that will be done.  

More pictures from Sertoma Butterfly House--which is not all butterflies!  Fish--all with steps along the tanks so kids could be eye to eye with the fish.

Sometimes I pose

 

Sometimes I'm shy

I may bring a friend

Or match the background

I might be famous!!

The fish were very popular with the kids.  I sat and laughed and watched everyone "find Nemo".  In all these pictures the plants/animals in the background ARE ALIVE!!  The silvery white background behind Nemo waved and wiggled.  I was fascinated!   I didn't get pictures of them--but there were small manta rays in a large tank--there were steps all around it and kids were encouraged to reach in and touch them.  (towels were furnished)  There were also small sharks in another section--yes--the kids could touch them too.  They were a non-biting shark and only about a foot long. 

My week is full, I'm not sure how much sewing I'll get done.  

Have you started a new project?  

Design Wall Monday and Weekly Goals

April showers bring May flowers!  Meet Miss April--

Miss April with the dreaded borders

Raggy edge applique flower blocks on yellows from an online swap many years ago.   Each flower was sliced into quarters and then randomly reassembled  Leaves sewn on after the blocks were sewn together.  I stalled on the borders--I need to miter them and its not a favorite method.  But--I SHALL get them on this month.  Perhaps pulling it out again will provoke spring weather.   See everyone's design walls at Patcwork Times.

Weekly Goals--

1. Last border on Little Boxes
2. Load another quilt
3. Trace two more Cherry Tree blocks
4. Sew one binding on SOMETHING
5. One yoyo center

Today is Ruby the Quilting Dog's birthday--she's 13 yo today.   I've always wanted her to "play ball" but she looked at me like I was crazy.  What a surprise a few days ago when I rolled the ball across the floor (yes, I'm still trying) and she brought it back.  Twice.  Maybe she's decided to humor me.  I'm going to keep trying.  

Do you do this?  I have an online dictionary/thersaurus/quote bookmark on my toolbar.   When I used the work "provoke" in my post--I first used "prompt".  But it didn't sound quite right.  

Provoke--Verb--cause to happen, cause an action

Yes, I think "provoke" was a better choice.  I'm influenced by my maternal grandmother (crosswords and scrabble) and my high school English teacher.  

Sunday Stash Report and Happy Easter!

Packages have arrived at my house!  14 yards of wide backing fabric.   I don't like to piece backings for large quilts, its much easier to use wide backing on them. 

Stash In--14 yards
Stash Out--0 yards
Stash in YTD--49 yards
Stash Out YTD--17.5 yards

Stash is ahead--31.5 yards

I'm feeling quite good about my stash reports.  Several finished tops waiting for me to quilt them.   And the goal of "moving ONE UFO ONE step each month is working.  Monday I will pick an April project.  See everyone's stash report at Patchwork Times.

Wishing you a Happy Easter!

Rainbow Scrap Challenge and Checking My Goals

This week 8 Cake Stand blocks (4 purple from last month) and 4 Double Nine Patches completed.

I love orange, I enjoyed this month!  Check out everyone's orange blocks at soscrappy.

Time to check my progress--

1. Load and begin to quilt another top--no
2. Borders on Little Boxes--two borders on, one to go
3. 2 bibs--3 bibs done
4. Borders on Dee's Star--no
5. Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks--yes
6. Prepare two more Beyond the Cherry Tree blocks--background prepared but design not traced
7. Machine sew one binding on a top--no

I made 8 more wedding ring arcs--I have 125 done.   The yoyo's aren't forgotten, (Toni called me to ask) the centers to two yoyo blocks were put together this week.

Monday starts a new month--I've been looking at my UFO's picking my April project.  Maybe next week I will start my seeds.  Spring HAS to be coming soon!

 
 

Design Wall Monday and Weekly Goals

All the Birds in Air blocks are sewn together---

Do you think it needs a narrow border?  Something dark and TOT maybe?  The plain white on the edges where you grip the quilt might become grubby quickly--so perhaps a 3" or so border would be good?   It finishes at 80" square--no matter how wonky the picture looks!   I was standing on a step stool trying to include the bottom of the quilt over the edge of the long arm and the picture is a bit skewed--but in real life its square!  The pattern had random appliqued simple bird shapes on it, I'm considering adding some.  It would make the quilt more unique.  Hmmmmmm  See what everyone has on their wall at Patchwork Times.

Weekly Goals--

1. Load and begin to quilt another top
2. Borders on Little Boxes
3. 2 bibs
4. Borders on Dee's Star 
5. Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks
6. Prepare two more Beyond the Cherry Tree blocks
7. Machine sew one binding on a top

That's plenty for one week, I'll never do them all but I like a lot of choices.  

And a few more pictures from Sertoma Butterfly House---

Everywhere you looked there were butterflies--on the wall, flitting through the air, on bushes, and sometimes they landed on you!

Golden Birdwing

A Swallowtail--not sure which species

Don't I look like a dead leaf??

Don't you think that brown butterfly looks exactly like a dead leaf?  Everywhere I looked there were all these "dead leaves".  But the room was filled with the most BEAUTIFUL bright blue butterflies.  Theywere the dead leaves--when they opened their wings they were so beautiful, an electric neon blue--but I could not capture them in flight for the camera.  

I found this picture on the internet--

Blue Morpho Butterflies are some of the largest in the world--5-8" across. 

Have a great week!

Motivation Saturday

This shouldn't be called a Motivation post.  Perhaps a Slacker post?  Nah--I've just veered from my goals.   How am I doing--

1. Quilt brown 4 patch--I'll work on it this weekend
2. Sew binding on one quilt--no
3. Finish applique block 16--yes
4. Sew 2 more bibs--no
5. Make 9 patches for Little Boxes--yes
6. Sew one more row of Birds in Air together--yes
7. Borders on DeeDee's Star--no

Well, maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought.  First--here's block #16

Beyond the Cherry Tree #16

Still needs a bit of embroidery--but I'm doing the embroidery when all the blocks are finished. 

This week I've been playing with the Little Boxes pattern.  Mindless chain piecing, I needed some of that.  Here it is so far--

Looks a bit confusing, the birds in air blocks are peeking out from underneath.   The pattern used 2" strips, but I resized it to use 2.5" strips from my noodle box. 

No borders for DeeDee's Star quilt.  Inspiration has not stuck.

Last week Henrietta and I road tripped--visited Sertoma Butterfly House.   There were lots of butterflies.  Thousands.  But Henrietta made sure I met "Lucy". 

Lucy--A Mexican Tarantula

Lucy is very docile and would ride around all day on the volunteer clinging to her shoulder or back.  Children would hold her.  Henrietta said her abdomen felt like soft leather, and the hairs on her legs soft like cat fur.  Lucy can live to be 40 years old!  She was a "rescue spider"--donated by someone who knew Lucy would be enjoyed by many at the butterfly house.   

I better get busy, I'm running out of weekend!  How did you spend your week?