Slightly sidetracked with serial re-organization

It was one of those nights last night---- awake at 3 a.m. and never did go back to sleep.  I finally bailed at 5 a.m. when Skyler was wanting me to get up to feed him.  Poor kitty had only a few crunchies in his bowl but he had drug in Ms. Mouzie for a nosh sometime during the night, LOL as her tail was hanging in the food bowl.  I took care of a few things on the computer, checked facebook and once DJ was up switched out all the Christmas wall hangings for the January, snow themed things.  I still need to take down the nativity set and the wreath from the front door but that can wait till tomorrow or the next day.

Lois had called me yesterday to see if I planned to go over to our meeting place anytime soon.  We take most of December off so it is a month before we go back, sometimes longer if there are 5 Tuesdays in a month.  I had told the girls at the last meeting if anyone had a quilt/quilts that HAD to be pinned in between meetings to call me.  They could either borrow the key and go pin or if I was free, I would go help them.  Lois took me up on it.  Actually I was glad for a little break from the sewing machine!  Bev came to help us and we got 3 donation quilts pinned fairly quickly.  Even with running a couple of errands on the way home, I was back about 11:45, before lunch.  I have two tops in the closet we could have pinned but I told Bev and Lois that I wanted to preserve the notion that I was "caught up" a little longer.

How did I get sidetracked??  Well, I had to run to Walmart to pick up a prescription before I came home.  Right near that entrance they had seasonal snap and stack containers.  The 6 x 9 ish rectangular ones like I just bought recently but a lot cheaper!  Not just 2 sections either---these had 4!  The two section one I got earlier this month was like 9 or 10 bucks.  The 4 sections, same size but different colored lids (red and green) were 6 bucks.  Oh you know I had get some.  I got 3 of them but I may take the 3rd one back though I am debating about that. About as soon as I take it back I will find some use for it or wish I had it back.  I used all but one compartment sorting thread by color and by type. It is not such a jumbled up mess now with three or more colors in one container.   Now all but the cone thread can stay on the table as I moved the art supplies and perle cottons to where the containers I had been using had sat.

BEFORE while sorting

AFTER

So this area changed a bit too.  Most of the cone thread is in the big blue container.  The container above is bobbins for my various machines.  The present arrangement is okay but I almost drop the container every time I get it off the shelf, even with a big rubber band around it.  I know now that other snap and stack deal is staying, LOL.  The bobbins have a new home--show you in a minute.

Above the hinged container is one of 5 DMC floss containers that will not fit where the other 4 are.  I would love to have these all in some slotted shelf type unit but so far that is not happening.  Maybe once my brother retires and gets back into wood working we can work up a design.  I visualize something like an office "in and out" box deal.   LOL, maybe I just need to visit an office supply store??

Then I took down this pile..................BEFORE

Since I knew I had hinged containers available after emptying out the thread, I replaced the shoe box type. The lids don't stay on very well and I am probably going to drop them off at the thrift store donation box.  They may have a use for them unless one of you wants them.  I think I have 5 on hand.

   AFTER

Looks like a bit of an improvement.  There are 3 hinged containers that ride around in my car with various squares and strips in them too.  I can sew at a meeting a  minute's notice, LOL.

AFTER

The bobbin/accessories box looks like this now except that the Singer has a bunch of cams, foot pedal and other feet that will not fit in the sectioning but that stuff is in another blue topped container on the book shelf.  I'll change where this sits.  I guess it was a good thing I DID get three of these after all!

Next I think I am going to combine the stuff from the tote basket back to the fishing tackle box.  Lately when I go to a sew-in I don't even bring this and just sack up the cup with apron organizer I use here at home by the sewing machine.  I love the basket though and could have sold this many times over.  I think it might be put to use holding the ironing accessories if the fixed handle is not in the way.  It all works out in the end, right?

The room still looks like a wreck as I am semi set up for quilting and things are not sitting where they belong.  All three quilts are quilted as of last evening.  Woohoo there as that big one was a bit of a bear since it measures about 57 x 75.

The binding has been put on the last one I did----the big one that has 6 sections of what looks like jelly roll 1600's.  Today I had intended to glue down the binding in the back and attempt to machine stitch the binding.  That is not apt to happen with my going off on a tangent, LOL.

Now it is almost supper time and I still want to take care of that stuff above.  It is a lead pipe cinch that I am NOT going to sew tonight.  However, it is a tradition for the group of Wrap Them in Love listers to spend some time sewing, quilting or whatever for Wrap 'Em tomorrow.   We believe what you do on NYD, you will do all year.  Lord knows, I do not want to do binding all year but I will try to finish up the half started one and pull out something to piece, old and new.  DJ wanted pizza for lunch today, ordered it and picked it up.  No cooking since I have leftovers from yesterday for our evening meal.  My energy is going to be lagging soon enough from that very short night I had so I can't say that I am unhappy NOT to be spending time out in the kitchen, LOL.

The other thing?  I am supposed to doing the guild newsletter this coming year but find I am in a holding pattern waiting for the stuff I need to include.  I will need to start at least the shell of it, I guess, while I hold for the items that need to be included.

So in closing let me wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2014.  Find a fun way to welcome in the new year or do something YOU love.

Between Holidays

I trust those that celebrate it had a Merry Christmas?  Now we are into the gap between holidays switching from the "eating events" to reflecting on the past year and making plans for the next one to come.  I know I am trying to wrap up those long pending quilting items so I can make a new list.  Really I could put quotation marks around new since many are carry over items or UFOs of various vintage.  While I work on these donation quilts, I will ponder the weightier matters, LOL.

As I have stated previously, I received some holiday shopping money from both my husband and my quilt group.  Bless them both! It is easier for DJ to let me pick out my own stuff as he hates to shop though he often will get me a little something to stuff in my stocking.  With his surgery two weeks ago, that didn't happen.  (He had not driven until today actually.)  I have a few of my shopping choices here to use and enjoy but others are going to be shipped.

From DJ:

• The Kay Buckley medium sized applique scissors.  I hope these will eliminate some of those itty bitty hairs that drive me nuts with fusible applique. 
• Mary Ellen's Best Press---you can see that I have already refilled my spray bottles, LOL.  Joann's dot com had it for 21 bucks a gallon and even though a little leaked out in transport I went for it. I recently paid 8 buck for a 16 oz. sized Lavender fields at the quilt shop.  While I would have preferred the other scent, at this price, Linen Fresh will be just fine! 
•  My stocking stuffer gift was the glue bottles and metal tips which I have already pressed into service.  Make a note there though----I was squeezing for all I was worth and even cut a tad off the tip of the applicator.  They stuck a piece of bottle topper type stuff in there and I didn't see it till I tried to put a pipe cleaner down from the top of the applicator and hit resistance.  I need not have poured the glue out of the Elmer's bottle after all. 
• Ordered is a more substantial Hemline Studio sewing machine hand tote  for the Singer machine. It is supposed to be dropped shipped from the manufacturer.  I have a Cotton Ginny machine cover but the machine itself has no handle on it so handling it is a bit awkward, picking it up and carrying it on my arm near the opening part. (whatever it is called, LOL).   I'll still use the cover when any of my machines are in use on the sewing table. 

From the Bama Belles---

• in the first picture, the Set G Perfect Patchwork Templates from Marti Michell but Joann's had them for about 5 dollars cheaper.  This is for 1 and 2 inch sided hexagons and related bits.  Set H is for larger ones with measured sides 1 1/2 and 3 inches and their companion templates.  Maybe come birthday time??
• 2nd picture, I got one of the Snapware Snap 'n Stack units 6 x 9 to hold a recent addition of threads when Connecting Thread had the sets on markdown.
• Ordered---oh how I love Connecting Threads!  I have a Pow-Wow Quilt kit on the way---apparently one of the last ones as they are selling the pattern download now but not the kit. This will probably be a pro bono for next year although..........we have recently learned there will be an addition to the family so you never know!  The fabrics may show up in a different configuration but I still like the pattern!
•  Also a set of Karen Buckley perfect circles in the smaller size are coming.  I already have the larger ones on hand.  
• Just a little bit of fabric is coming---Nana's Pantry Stack layer cake of 30's repros.  There is a pattern in one of the Carrie Nelson books that has captured my eye that I may try but it will require augmentation from my stash to complete.   This adds a bit more ammo, so to speak.

So anyway, I feel more blessed any one person should be.  Thank you so much to my husband and my dear Belle buddies.  You sure know how to shop!

I also had to order a replacement to my phone charger----you'll see why below!  Vacuuming and me are never a good mix.

Just that quickly the cord completely tore loose, stripped the wires and wrapped around the beater bar before I even knew that I had sucked it up.  The receptacle case broke in half and I found wired section about 2 feet away under the night stand.   Had I not just charged up the phone, it would have been stashed away in the drawer.   I debated about replacing my tracfone with a newer model just to get the charger but it turned out to be cheaper just to order one online even with the shipping costs.  I also didn't want to risk losing my existing number or transferring all the numbers I have programmed into it.   Till the new charger comes, I am going to limit how much I have the phone on.  Translation: use the house line, LOL.  One of us is almost always home so it rarely has to roll over to the cell. 

DJ and I had a fairly traditional Christmas meal though he was hoping for turkey and trimmings.  I insisted it was ham and scalloped potatoes, LOL.  He was also hoping for pecan pie.  Never my favorite but I promised him that sometime in January, maybe around our anniversary even, we would have the "spoil your husband" meal.  I've been stocking up on cranberries and pumpkin so I'll be ready!  He was with me when we picked up 3 turkey breasts so he knows we've got them!

I spent part of the day yesterday quilting on the first pro bono in the stack Modified Chantal after seaming two sets of binding.  I had cut two out for the quilt thinking I would use the darker of the two prints.  Oh oh, short about about half a strip and no leftovers to be had or if there were, I sent it in the scrap bag box that I shared with my left handed quilter friend.  Striped binding, it is then.  I also had to do some minor marking on it.  I finished the quilting about 9 last night and called it quits with trimming and binding to go.  I think I'll wait to bind and label the quilts till the end.   So today, I'll plan on quilting up the Prairie Stroll.  After lunch---DJ is apt to be asking me if we are going to eat soon about any minute.  Best quit blabbering and get lunch rolling.  Stay on task to reach my self imposed goals.  

And sew it goes-------

glamour shot time

PopStix complete with kitty tester.  He was being particularly silly since he had been in the catnip shortly before, LOL.

The quilting showed up quite well without the overhead light on.  Denise did a great job in on it and the swirly quilting panto was a good choice with all these strips!

Now what do I want to do first?  Vacuum up the floors or go bake a cake for tomorrow?

A finish!

Woohoo! I've got my Popsicle Sticks quilt completed. The binding is done but get this. I had optimistically put "completed Sept 2013" on the label when I added it to the binding of the quilt. My friend and fellow guild member Denise had long arm quilted it for me and she returned it in early August. I did one long side and the sleeve and then it just sat, till yesterday afternoon.

I think you can see why I am not going to put it on my bed to get its picture taken. The matching pillowcases were made already, back in early September  HERE.

I also got the friendship block done this past weekend and it is winging its way to the person assigned to piece the top.  Nope, cannot share that one yet!  In addition the cuffs were finished on the quilt cases.  In fact, I pulled out the list of my submitted items and bagged them up.  No, the show is not until March but I cannot remember when they are supposed to be turned in. The only ones not in that stack are the Christmas quilt  on my bed and PopStix.   Well you see why---Christmas quilt waits till I take the decorations down.  Skyler will have to eventually get up, LOL.

So what is next?  I have those three pro bono quilts to quilt so sometime between now and the end of the year-----------

•  A modified "Chantal" quilt using Debby Kratovil's design for fabric company.  Circa Oct 2012
• Prairie Stroll. Actually I have two of these but one is not pinned.  I don't think that one is going to be a pro bono quilt.  Circa Aug 2012 .
• A strippy quilt of Aline's that I said I would quilt for Bama Belles---been awhile since I had it unfolded.

Of course it being year's end I am thinking about what projects I would like to do.   Which UFOs do I want to see moved along?  Two or three spring to mind.  What new projects are tempting me?  A few more are on that mental list.  I know I will be participating in the "Please Don't Stop Me" blog at the end of January and plan on joining in more.  Also there are a couple promised items---a thread catcher for Cher and a purse for my mom.  You know I don't ever have too much down time, LOL but I'll probably just concentrate on a little embroidery on Christmas Eve and Christmas if I do anything creative besides cook.  Those quilts can wait a few more days, after all.

Merry Christmas!

some output

Getting a bit done on these pillowcases and smaller bags for quilt show items. Here are the Christmas themed ones with the one on the left going to my niece for her tree skirt.  The other one can house the Christmas Patience Corner, come show time.

Then this stack of 4 are using up some recent quilt back yardage for some of the small wall hangings I have entered.  I may need two more for "Juggle" and "Reflections" but will check the supply of old pillowcases first.  I seamed them on the serger but they need the "cuff" edge stitched down on a regular machine.  There is no room to have both machines up so that task will wait till I switch out the serger.

Then this one is Halloween themed.  All prepped and ready to go in for the first seam on the cuff.  I am liking the "glue pinning" idea I shared yesterday.  You may not see this one completed as it may show up in Wicked Blog Hop #4 in 2014.  LOL  I have several ideas for that one!

On another note relating to my quilting group, the Bama Belles.
Recently I had delivered a total of 14 quilts that were to go to Gene's Quilt Angel project.  He delivered these to Ogden House this past Saturday.  I am going to refer you to his two recent posts about this. Links below but as explanation.
 
In the first post and video, Lois name was pulled for the drawing.   I did not tell the girls that they were entered in a sponsored drawing for just for having a quilt they shared for this project.  (Gene had 5 sponsors and they are listed in the tab area.)  He emailed me to ask about her contact information since I am the go-between.  I told him I should probably call her first to tell her she was entered in the first place and get permission to share her information.  I spot Bev's "Owl in the Garden" quilt in one of the still photos.  A couple of Lois' contributions (the Split Nine Patch is one that Lois just turned in) and even the back of one of mine are in the shots.

The 2nd post has video of a young man thanking the person who made his quilt who I know is our Bev.  Gene said he was thrilled to have a fishing quilt.  Well, you can read what Gene posted about the story behind it.  Apparently there will be another video in a few days.  Wonder if that might show a familiar to the group quilts?

http://blog.geneblack.com/2013/12/angel-quilts-delivery-and-winners.html

http://blog.geneblack.com/2013/12/quilt-angels-teen-speaks.html

I am glad that we could help Gene out this year. Though the ones I had made were going there anyway, we had enough of hand to do more.   The girls leave it up to me where to donate the quilts and sometimes make suggestions but they do prefer that they stay here in the area or the state of Alabama if we can.  I am so proud of this group of ladies who are kind to each other as well as people unknown to them.   Pro bono quilting is not a membership requirement, by any means.   Some participate by finishing binding, donating to cover the batting costs and helping to pin.  One gal made my week and year by asking if we had any tops that she could practice her free motion quilting lessons on.  Do I ever!!!  Three quilts in my stack that I had not originated were gone, just like that!  Love you all.  

Just talking about a task does not get it completed and besides, I have laundry to do, a bed that needs made, etc etc etc.  THX for dropping by---------

trying something

Yesterday I mentioned needing to make a pillow case for my niece to store the recently made tree skirt.  I had sent a note that I "owed" her one, LOL.

I pulled the written instructions from an area quilt shop and I guess enough time had elapsed that I forgot how to do the cuff and the rolling up of the body.   All I knew is that I wanted to sew it on the serger so the edges would be finished nicely.

Off to you tube land.  Cynthia Dickerson has an instructional video posted HERE but minus the accent strip. Because I was not clear on the directions, I thought I would make a trial run pillow case and Kristine would get the better of the two.  I am going to need extra cases anyway come quilt show time so no loss of time or effort, right?

I got the job done but I had to pin twice and actually reach in and pull the pins I had just placed.  Pins and the serger do not really mix close to the edge anyway---or you pin parallel to the edge and back a good bit from the presser foot.

Fast forward to today but still side tracking, LOL.   Sharon Schamber advocates using little dots of glue in doing her binding and uses Elmer's glue but replaces the applicator with a very fine tip metal set up.  DJ had repaid me for one of the Christmas gifts I ordered and said maybe there was some other little thing that I wanted to get with the re-payment.  There was actually.  A Passionate Quilter had a post that she had found a 14 pc bottle and tip set at Michael's made by Loew and Cornell.  Joann's had them online as well---and for a reduced rate.  I knew that my area Walmart didn't have anything like this on hand so I ordered it. Well, I also found a Marti Michell set G hexagon and companion pieces template set that I had my eye on for some time and cheaper than directly from marti.  My sweet Bama Belles had given me some mad money so the template set will be from them.

I remembered that I used to have a Roxanne Glue Baste It set up at one time.  Did I still have it?  Where is it?  Not with the applique/hand quilting bag.  Not in the cart around supply basket where it had once been.  I found it in the applique tote that holds the templar, the teflon pressing sheet etc  The Roxanne set up is like a 20 gauge syringe that has been whacked off so there is no beveled edge as a real needle would. It does clog up.  Ask me how I know!  It will still be good to have a back up option if one is soaking or unclogging or one to carry along with me on quilting days.

So back to the story of what I am trying----I am sticking down the accent strip with the little glue dots and heat setting it with the iron as Sharon advises.  I had not stuck any glue dots between the layers of the accent strip but I think it looks like there is enough glue that it seeped up to the top layer anyway.  Sharon does glue her binding together first so the accent strip IS like binding since you double it with the wrong sides together.  My plan is to dot glue the wrong side of cuff to the accent strip right side up, roll up the body and then only have to pin that last edge.  Or maybe glue the whole deal and skip the pins all together on the cuff part anyway.  Takes time to pin and remove them after all.

I DO want to try that binding deal at some point, maybe when I get around to quilting up the 3 pro bono quilts I have on hand though the binding is already pressed and rolled.  It can be un-done.  Mainly I just want to be able to do a better job of it in the machine for the donation quilts anyway.  My own personal projects I would probably continue to do it by hand-----unless I get really, really good at it, LOL.  Like wayyyyy better than I do now.

Well, back to the prep work.  Pictures to follow of both pillow cases and whatever else I manage to get done.

check in

There is absolutely nothing quilt-y going on around here.  Oh there are things I need to, yes but it has just not happened yet.  I got as far as digging around in one of the three containers that holds Christmas fabric.  This large hinged however many quart container (32, maybe 40 some?) is one container of holiday fabric to check first, more recent additions Then there is a large 15 x 21 x 16 Rubbermaid tote has been sitting by the TV stand next to the sewing table for well over a year--loaded to the gills.  There is also a small basket 12 x 6 x 9.5 that is overflowing with yardage and small pieces suitable from some log cabin blocks etc.  Some is Christmas prints and tree skirt leftovers.  Wish it could be combined but it just won't fit or if it did, the container would not stash away.

 I was previewing fabrics to make a pillowcase to hold Kristine and Andy's tree skirt.  I think the one on the left will do just fine.  I'll track down my pattern and cut it out in a bit.  The serger is already out and set up though I think my tension may need some adjusting judging by something I stitched a few days ago.  Kristine  posted a picture of the tree skirt along with their dog Sydney and their cat Franklin. I borrowed the image.  Sidney is named after Sidney Crosby the Pittsburgh hockey player as Andy's family has connections to the area.  Franklin remind you of anyone of the feline persuasion?  LOL  Kristine said she had to take the lower branches off to accommodate the pets.

DJ seems to be doing fairly well post surgery.  I brought him home from the hospital Saturday afternoon.  He is on some activity restrictions, like no driving for a couple weeks.  No lifting or exercise bike and floor exercises.  He is not ready to be too far from home either or I would suggest a drive just to get out of the house.  The weather has finally cleared and while still a bit on the cold side, at least the wind and rain are gone.  They had projected highs in the low 50s but that did not happen.  Maybe tomorrow?

I did a bit of stitchery on Bird Brain Designs "Snow Happens"  table runner while I waited at the hospital with DJ.  Very little completed.  I had the bird house top done once with #8 perle cotton but did not like it that thick and took it out.  Had I had 311 DMC on hand before I did that stitching I would used it to begin with!  I'm stocked now.  I know from doing other Bird Brain Designs that two strands of floss is enough to suit me and sometimes the more intricate areas I drop down to one strand.  I traced this off late Wednesday evening and serge the edge to keep it from raveling.  I had gotten this as a kit with some of my Bama Belles gift monies last year so I am sure that they would like to see me work on it!


I've been busy today but not entirely sure with just what, LOL. I had the typical errands to run today plus a few things to pick up for DJ.  As it was I forgot to run by the pharmacy and will need to do that tomorrow sometime.  I also needed to come to some decision about my health insurance, get enrolled online and such.  Now it is almost time to think about what to do for dinner.  Time is just slipping away today but I have not been goofing off and playing Solitaire or anything.  Pillow case, cutting it is.  Maybe it can get mailed out with tomorrow's run?