Day 4 Nancy Drew Blog Hop

All rested up after the weekend----might be a little hard with the clock's moving forward.  I KNOW I'll be grumbling about that one for at least a week, LOL.  Pick a time, either one and just stick with it, I say!  Who's with me??

Well, it is back to blog hopping and seeing what those quilters/sewists have been up to!  Here is today's featured bloggers.

Monday, March 11, 2013
Dancing thru-threads
Traveling Quilter
Jane’s Quilting
More Stars in Comanche
Moose Stash Quilting
Quilt Doodle Designs
Cate’s Linens
Sew Incredibly Crazy
Grandmama’s Stories
Judy At That Other Blog     no show

checking in

I could be sewing---or quilting---but I am not, LOL I did finish up the Halloween button up on Friday and actually got it pinned.  I still need to add the buttons to the cupcake challenge piece and try to make a yo-yo with Bev's borrowed doo-dad.

I blew off today's grocery errands till tomorrow since I have a couple other stops along the way.
It being Sunday, the bank and post office is not available for what I need them to do. It is in the mid 60's so we can open the windows and air out the house a bit.  Skyler is sun bathing and has that nose going about 90 miles an hour sniffing the air.  Just enjoying a quiet afternoon.  Not a thing wrong with that!

 I think I told you that I am sharing web madam duties with another of the gals from guild??  If not, I am, LOL.  The girl that set it up had moved out of state and thought she could handle it long distance.  Donna and I had volunteered "just in case" earlier in the year and the executive board took us up on it.  Of course my husband is groaning when I tell him about it---"don't volunteer for things like this!"  I don't see why it matters to him if I am a little "computer nerd wanna be".

The group met yesterday and I was given a list of about 50 titles book that needed to be added to the guild's library page.  Donna and I discussed which areas we each should cover so we don't step on each others toes.  Library was on my list.   I also changed out the "featured quilt" widget pictures since the Historian had updated our photo pages and I could borrow her images.  Since I am also the guild secretary, I type up the show and tell lists and then pass a copy on to her for labeling purposes.  Actually that helps us both---I can't always see the person's work as I am taking notes and she can see the work but is too busy to make notes.   I had typed up the minutes last night showing an efficiency I may not normally possess.

They had displaced us from our normal meeting site as they were painting and putting tile down at the facility so we met at the Civic Center in the room where we have had a couple sew-in dates.  The parking lot was jammed as they had tennis matches going on outside and a beauty pageant going on in the gymnasium area.  It is a nice space but they had the thermostat set at 62 and said they could not adjust it upwards.  I imagine the cool is great for the walkers above the basketball court, the sweating basketball players or the folks in the weight room.  Quilters sitting in a chair listening to the speaker made THIS quilter wish for a few quilts off her bed, LOL.   Thankfully I had not worn a lighter top but I had left my sweater in the car when I met the girls in order to car pool.  We went to Cracker Barrel for lunch afterwards and we all wished they would have put us closer to the fireplace!  Chilly in there too.

We ended up taking two cars over and Aline asked if I wanted to make a run to the Ashville Quilt Shop after lunch.  Jane and Terri headed back but Aline and I went.  She had been asked to make some curtains for one of the Sunday school classrooms that had just been updated and was looking for non-girlie, not too juvenile fabric.  I got a brown that could be used for binding on the cupcake piece and a raspberry colored pink that might work on the other challenge fabric bit.  I didn't get home till after 3.  Next thing I knew it was time to fix supper.

I could be sewing this stuff. You are looking at binding for the Halloween button up and the rough cut sections of the shamrocks.  That is as far as that project got on Friday.  I still might get started sewing but so far it has not happened today.  One other person had done appliqued/embroidered shamrocks for her row of the month choice.  I know I saw another gal stitching some foundation pieced ones up at the sew-in last month but she must not have brought them for show and tell.  Like minds?  Belles is coming up on Tuesday and I will be looking for a project to take with me then.

And sew it goes---------

almost there/Day 3 Nancy Drew Hop

Here is today's schedule for the blog hop.

Friday, March 8, 2013
That’s Sew Julie-----moved to next Thursday
Scrapbook-ChickADoodle
Lily Patch Quilts
Cherry’s Prairie Primitives
The Thimble Room---post not up??
The Treehouse
The German Mom
Stitch, Stitch, Stitch.
Quiltin’ Jenny
Blackberry Creek Home Arts

I forgot to mention that there is a clue given each day, hidden in one of the blogger's project featured that day.  To find the clue (and any you may have missed) see cheerleader Carol at Just Let Me Quilt.  There will be prizes awarded at the end!  Then roll on over to Sew We Quilt to see the spotlighted Top 3.  Fun to see such creative things made from the same fabrics but looking oh, so different with each participants spin on them.

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So what is going on around here?

Laundry is started, breakfast consumed, dishwasher still needs unloaded.  I'm still schlepping around in my jammies and bathrobe, because I CAN.  Tomorrow, I can't. I will be buzzing out the door to meet up with my pals for quilt guild day.   The sun is shining, supposed to hit 60 so maybe I can pop a window or two open to let some fresh air in later.  Skyler would love it----so would I!!   I feel better this morning than yesterday and got more than 3 1/2 hours of sleep.  That helps.

Only one more row of the Halloween piece to button hole applique.  I could have possibly pushed this last night but it was getting late when I closed up "shop".   I am getting closer but not quite there yet!  I may be pinning this soon and adding it to the ever growing pile atop the armoire.  Machine quilting should be added to the "to-do" but there is another guild challenge fabric piece to do yet.  Promised tree skirts times two. Long range plans there.

Back to TODAY and short term goals.  The fabric came yesterday for the shamrock row I want to substitute for the "Seasons in a Row" choice of kites.  I've got the foundation piecing sheets all printed off from Sew Precise 1-2 software.  My scrawled notes are just what sizes I need to rough cut the fabrics first.  No way will I be able to get it done in time for guild showing tomorrow--a block or two maybe, LOL.  But I have a feeling none of us will be able display them in the usual manner anyway.  They are working on the flooring at our normal meeting site resulting in a quick change of venue.  Somehow I don't think anyone will be hauling the quilt display frames over to the Civic Center for just one day!

My mom and I are doing a bit of a fabric swap.   I had a turquoise-teal moda marble she needed for a stack and whack project.   It needed to be the shade either lighter or darker than what I had cut up for matching quilt kits for both of us, the Prairie Stroll top shown HERE   There was no more of the light fabric left though I did look just in case.  This was one time where it helped to have a pile of pinned quilts on the armoire as I was able to pull it down and see if the moda marble was even close to what she was considering.  Then took a picture and emailed to see if she wanted it or not.  I need some blue appropriate for sky for a few of these rows.  That was part of the reason for not doing kites in the first place.  But I still will do shamrocks!   

And sew it goes------I'll blog hop in between sewing, LOL.

checking in/Nancy Drew Blog Hop day two

I managed to get my my cupcake challenge moved forward but only by locating  a package of button findings in the "right" shade at Walmart.  The selection is getting a bit slim in that area but if you buy more than you need, you might hit pay dirt.   Odd way of shopping, perhaps.  Cross your fingers that it contains 7 identical buttons in it as I would hate to have to buy another package.   DJ complains about hardware items the same way.  More for the button collection and a better selection on the next big hunt.

I also got started on the button hole applique on the Halloween Button up shown here back in November prior to any additional stitching.   Well, come to think of it, the piece will not look appreciably different even if the button hole was done and the piece quilted till you see the binding and hanging tabs on it, LOL.  Whatever. You can take my word for it.  Those scary looking Jack-o-lanterns are done as are the bats and spider.  I'll be moving down the quilt top today, onto the lettering dead center.  Keep it up and this might just be ready for pin basting soon, LOL.  I am only about 6 months behind at this point and should be thinking of the May basket one I would like to have done some year!!   Some of you commented about the cats in the bottom?  Well, here is the whole piece, courtesy of Joined at the Hop with my own idea about the sashing.   

I had spent a bit of time doing some researching for another blog hop coming up at the end of April called "Shake Your Pom Poms"    The link will take you to the information for sign-ups if you are interested in participating.  I mentioned it on facebook yesterday and my friend and fellow Bama Belle Teresa asked  "What has gotten you into doing all these blog hops?"  Fair question there.  It is only three, it was fun the first round, I like the challenge, it is doing something not necessarily quilty and I am a little nuts?  Before I got so heavily involved in quilting I used to do other crafty, home dec items and I miss that a bit.  Besides, what I am doing for my choice is something practical and a replacement of a worn out tossed item----but fun!  Pinterest, surfing---The supplies are ordered

I had planned to go up to the JOY group today as I had been invited along with a couple other area quilt groups to a program they were doing on Lucille Ball.  (She quilted?)  Apparently their guest speaker dresses up in costume as Lucy?  Sounded interesting.  The same person visited last year and did a program as Martha Washington.  I think that is right?  But I am not feeling well and got little sleep last night due to that temporary (I hope anyway)  health issue.  Of course my boys still maintain their schedules in spite of how I feel---up at 6, 6:30.  Best if I stay home, just in case.  Guild is on Saturday so I'll find out about it then on the ride over.

Meanwhile day 2 of the Nancy Drew Blog Hop continues and I only made it through the first site yesterday so I am already behind., LOL.   Here is today's schedule----------when you are ready!  I may have to get caught up on the weekend. at this rate!   I have personally met one of the participants in the hop today----Melinda.  She teaches quilting so I bet she has a wonderful piece in the hop!  Till next time-----

Thursday, March 7, 2013 
Simple Sew
Sewing By Moonlight
Beaquilter
Pat Sloan’s Place
A Stitch In Time
Judith Handmade Treasures
Gingersnaps Fabrics and Quilts
Judy At That Other Blog  moved to Monday
Fabric-ating
Melinda Quilts Etc

a start

Yesterday afternoon I got busy on my first fabric challenge piece for quilt guild.  During the blog hop I had the pleasure of visiting Quilt Doodle Designs and then her design pages when I spotted a penguin motif a quilting friend might be interested in for one her projects.  She wanted seahorses and/or penguins.  Odd combo but apparently a baby on the way and my friend was looking for possibilities.  Anyway, my search led me to her etsy page where I found a cute cupcake design.  I had originally thought I would use a foundation pieced one I had found through craftsy designed by Cyrile at Bubblestitch Quilts.  Here is the location of her pattern.

It could have gone either way but I guess I felt more like doing applique instead of foundation piecing.  The cupcake print and the daisy print are Michael Miller prints and I believe from the "It's A Girl Thing" collection.  The retreat committee had sample pieces sent as giveaways this past fall but it arrived too late for that purpose so it was passed out as a fabric challenge instead.    Loose rules: Use some of the fabric. Make something, anything. 

It is always fun to dig around in your stash and see if you have anything that will work.  The pink needed to be of a more blue-y pink than an orange-y coral pink or grayed down version.   I looked at some of the leftovers from my sewing machine cover and through a couple might work---the stripe and paisley anyway.  I am obviously not done with it.  It still needs a yo-yo on top of the cupcake and little buttons on the aqua-turquoise piece.  I dug through my button box and of the two colors I would consider using for this, I only had 5 buttons and I need 7.  Quilting is not done either.  I am thinking that this could be used as a standalone wall hanging for our birthdays OR it could be one of the Amy Bradley quiltlets from "Seasonal Quilter"  I checked the size and this will be close.  I didn't get it quite centered so "it is what it "  half done, LOL.  Not starting over.

I changed my mind about what I am going to do with the heart samples I pulled from the bag. ( Jackie had one left and I took it too.)  More of the recently pulled fabric for the machine cover factors in on the new plan.  I'll tell you more about it when I get started on it.

But first I thought I  might finally get the button hole applique done on the Halloween piece before I change out the machine foot to quilt.  We had some thunderstorms blow through so I didn't get started on it yet.   I have had one mother board blow out and do not care to replace another!

Maybe after supper?  Mostly I have been working in the computer updating software, drivers, cleaning up my start menu etc, not even leaving the house today unless you count a couple of trips out to my storage area, LOL.   For now, it is time to start supper and I'll aspire only to that. Yesterday I got so busy on the applique piece that I realized too late that I should have started the pizza dough an hour or so earlier.  I sent DJ out for one instead.  I won't get away with that two nights in a row!!   Also I still have a bit of paperwork to tend to so this might be a knitting day today and sew tomorrow instead.   No giant rush to complete, after all.

New hop coming! March 6-15

I am not entirely sure how this one will work out but a Nancy Drew clue that involves a particular bit of fabric is involved? It's a mystery so maybe MY cluelessness is by design.  Madame Samm is leading another of the bi-monthly blog hops she has come up with and is assisted by cheerleader Carol from Just Let me Quilt this round.  I will follow along with you to see just what this might be--- the schedule is down below. 

Since I had so much fun with the last round, I hope to sign up for a hop that Madam Samm is announcing tomorrow but we'll see!  They book up QUICK!

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Michelle's Romantic Tangle
Life in the Scrapatch
Debby Kratovil Quilts
Selina Quilts
Meadowbrook
Hilltop House Creative Works
My Sister Made Me Do It
Whims and Fancies
Pieced Brain
Just Let Me Quilt

Thursday, March 7, 2013
Simple Sew
Sewing By Moonlight
Beaquilter
Pat Sloan’s Place
A Stitch In Time
Judith Handmade Treasures
Gingersnaps Fabrics and Quilts
Judy At That Other Blog
Fabric-ating
Melinda Quilts Etc


Friday, March 8, 2013
That’s Sew Julie
Scrapbook-ChickADoodle
Lily Patch Quilts
Cherry’s Prairie Primitives
The Thimble Room
The Treehouse
The German Mom
Stitch, Stitch, Stitch.
Quiltin’ Jenny
Blackberry Creek Home Arts

Monday, March 11, 2013
Dancing thru-threads
Traveling Quilter
Jane’s Quilting
More Stars in Comanche
Moose Stash Quilting
Quilt Doodle Designs
Cate’s Linens
Sew Incredibly Crazy
Grandmama’s Stories

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Marjorie’s Busy Corner
Kris Loves Fabric
The Slow Quilter
Accio Fabric!
Sew Many Yarns
Lixie Makes It
Betty at That Other Blog
Marcy M. at That Other Blog
Pigtales and Quilts

Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Gracie Oliver Arts
Life In Every Breath
Made By Me In Red
Agnes At That Other Blog
Words and Stitches
Rose Creations
Retired to Quilt
Leslie Tucker Jenison
Feathered Nest Studio

Thursday, March 14, 2013
Rose Prairie Quilts and Farm
Quilt ‘n Queen
Our Busy Little Bunch
Just Quilt It
Hilachas
Loves to Quilt
Sew. Darn. Quilt.
From This To That
LynMarie At That Other Blog


Friday, March 15, 2013
Little Mushroom Cap
Why-Knot-Kwilt
Daisy Days
Julia P. at That Other Blog
The Day Before This Day
Sew Far
Rainbows. Bunnies. Cupcakes.
That's Sew Julie (moved from 3/8)
Les passions de Cliodana
Sew We Quilt  our fearless leader

thank you and what's next?

I want to thank everyone that stopped by my little spot in the blogsphere the past few days.  Many of you left such sweet comments about my Amy Bradley included ME on my new sewing machine cover.

The range of talent and imaginations of the participants was wonderful to see.  I am happy that I was allowed to play along with such a creative bunch. Imagine how thrilled I was to have it selected by Madam Samm for "most creative" that day!  You picked me??   I know that sounds a bit like Sally Field's infamous Oscar speech, LOL.   After seeing all the variations of the basic design, new words, some without bias, etc. I was afraid that I had stayed "too close" to the pattern, that I had missed the point.  Commenter LJ probably said it best when she said "You may not have changed your "ME" as much as others but that didn't affect your ability to "change" the pattern to fit the cover".  

Oh that I can do!  I am so used to tweaking existing patterns to get the size I want for donation quilts. Or playing in EQ to change block sizes or the block itself even if it doesn't always make it to cloth.  Switch out the fabrics to fit my stash---all of that.  I very rarely want to make an exact replica of an existing quilt.  I am wear the badge of "traditional quilter" proudly and I hope that shows in my work.  So thank you!

There will be a drawing for the giveaways on Monday but of course, I don't expect anything there but I am proud to be among 24 people chosen as top 3's.  Oh Lord, now I sound like I am saying "it is an honor to be nominated."  (But it's true)

As far as any creative work, I am still working on my embroidered piece for the "Stitch Me Up" blog hop coming in late March.  I am almost done---just a couple little bushes to go!  Today's goal, or maybe the weekend goal, more like.

A friend asked me what I was working on, what was next----of course, as one project winds down you start thinking about the next ones.  I will probably be a little late doing my "Seasons In a Row" for March as I want to do shamrocks rather than kites. Part of the reason I didn't want to do kites is I have/had no decent blue for sky so I ordered a little bit and a possible green choice for the shamrocks.  There is a flower row coming up so none of it will go to waste.  If I use the two different greens I have now then I won't have them for a later row---it is a trade-off.

What is calling me more is the guild challenge projects that are due in April.  Not sure where the pictures will land on the page but here are the two pieces of challenge fabrics.  I know exactly what I want to do with the cupcake stuff and will start there.  I have a plan for the other heart fabric though not etched in stone.  Mentioned it the other day when I had a flash of inspiration.  Unfortunately that flash did not include a way to include BOTH in some project---- like something reversible, LOL.

It has been cold and blustery lately with March coming in as a lion.  I had to laugh when a long time quilt list pal said on facebook "March came in like a lion for sure. and by the way, that groundhog is just a lying rat....probably in Fla. by now....."   She may be right as here in NE Central Alabama we were under at winter weather advisory with snow/rain mix in the forecast possibly till noon today.  I didn't see any snow, not even a dusting on the grass, when I got up.  I don't THINK we have flurries either.  Ordinarily I would just stay in and house mouse it but I am invited to an event this afternoon.  It will involve driving up over the hilly elevations on winding 2 lane road.  Wondering about the advisability of that.  Wait and see I guess.

One last picture to show you.  Yesterday Skyler had been asleep in DJs recliner after lunch.  It came time for DJ to take his nap but rather than displacing the cat, he hit the loveseat---not the couch or his bed.  Doesn't look comfortable to me but I don't have the forward head posture deal that DJ does.    Legs hanging off the end would kill my low back and hip.  Anyway, DJ was snoring away.  Eventually he woke and found Skyler sitting on his lap sharing the wool blanket.  He told me to get the camera-----awwwwww.

But of course, Skyler left as soon as he saw the camera so all you see is a black blob with one of the back paws.  Silly, silly boys!  At the moment I am writing this, DJ has full claim to the recliner and Skyler is window watching but give them a half hour and they'll be sharing the chair again.  The process continues when he takes over said chair when I tell kitty daddy that lunch is ready.  Crack me up.

And sew it goes--------