Long time coming

Oh, this finish feels so great! Several years ago I decided to participate in an online quilt along. Quilt alongs and I have a love/hate relationship. I love that I am doing something with others but I just can't seem to keep up.

This top has hung in my closet for quite some time now. I decided that my sewing room need some cleaning. For me, cleaning usually means finishing up projects. So cleaning is the goal for the rest of the year.

Linking to Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts

Summer is Here!

Despite the cool weather outside, summer is finally here! Today is the first day of summer vacation and I am so glad to have my kids home. With end of school year activities, not much has been accomplished around here.

 I did sneak in some sewing time early in the week. My cute "helper" made it a bit challenging. I almost sewed her paw. We have only had her a week and she like people a LOT.

I decided to try my hand at free motion quilting. So far it isn't nearly as beautiful as when I send a quilt to the long arm quilter. But it is getting better as I go. I hear that the only way to learn it is to just do it and practice. The goal is for a finish next friday!

A finish!!

I have stalked "Friday finish" linky parties for some time now and have never joined in. It is time to join in the fun! Thanks for all your inspiration.

This week I finally finished up and shipped off my niece's graduation quilt. This is the first neice or nephew to graduate. I am so proud of her and excited for the new adventures she has ahead of her.

Three months ago I had an unfortunate fall that left me sitting around for many weeks. I quickly learned to drive my sewing machine with my left foot. 😉 What else was I supposed to do with my down time? So my sewing machine relocated to the living room (because down the hall to the sewing room was just way to far to hobble).

In my 8 weeks of down time I quickly put together four quilt tops and two backs. I also took lot of naps and pain killers. This one is the only one finished. I volunteered to make this neice her graduation quilt because I was just sitting around. I might as well be productive, right? I can only handle Netflix for a short time.

The top has MANY flying geese blocks. It felt like I would never make enough. Once those geese were done, the rest came together and I felt like I was finally making progress.

I sent it off to the quilter who quickly returned it so I had plenty of time to bind it. We chose a fabulous star quilting design that was so beautifully done! I couldn't believe how beautiful it turned out. I am a little sad I didn't get a close up photo of it.

I added the binding and we were ready to deliver it (she lives 4 hours away) when I got the phone call that she was super sick and we probably shouldn't come. Turns out she had pneumonia. I hurriedly shipped it off instead of waiting till we could make the trip. I am certainly glad I did!

The pattern for this quilt is from Modern One-Block Quilts by Natalia Bonner and Katheen Whiting

Linking to: Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts

Tuesday Already!

So I missed a week on my goal. Bummer! I am slowly getting the hang of it. The last two weeks flew by. But I did get Mi Mi's quilt finished and delivered, the Christmas put away and a few other distractions accomplished.

This week I have very little planned. Over the weekend my husband was asked to accept a new responsibility within our church community. We willing accepted. So this week the goal is to keep my head above water. He will be gone most of the week learning his new tasks.

Among all this, I do hope to get some 18" doll dresses made for my nieces. The three of them got dolls for Christmas and they need clothes.

Here is to a wonderful and fabulous week!

Make a List Monday

What a strange weather pattern we have been experiencing!  The weather has definately been on everyone's mind. Here in southwest Oregon, we had an extra week of winter break. Never before have I seen 9" of snow fall all at once. Our town shut down and we played and played.

Tonight the rain just keeps falling. What a muddy mess we have.

I was very excited to have a list to work on, a place to focus and accomplish. Then the snow fell and things shifted. Having four kids at home for an extra week really changed my plans.

Lets see how I did.

1. Quilt and bind Mi Mi's quilt
I got the quilting done and part of the binding. So not quite done but well on the way.

2. Take down Christmas decor and put away
Here is another half done task. Darn!

3. Cut flannel scraps for quilt
Done done done! Such a pretty stack of squares, ready to go.

All in all, with kids home and plenty of distractions, not horrible. Here is to a new week.

1. Finish binding Mi Mi's quilt
2. Major paperwork organization
3. Finish putting Christmas away
4. Start alterations on red dress

Wow! Already that seems like a lot. But totally do able at the same time.

Make a List Monday...on Wednesday

A new year, new goals, a new blog. Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict has inspired me. Each week she posts a list of things she plans to accomplish that week. We are in very different phases of life, but I can see how it could help me focus a little more on my plans.

So, here goes. My first list, a few days late. Hey, the kids haven't gone back to school. We are in an abnormal winter wonderland. It is beautiful!

1. Quilt and bind Mi Mi's quilt
2. Take down Christmas decor and put away
3. Cut flannel scraps for quilt

This is a small list but large in its own way. Especially because the kids are home again today. I do love having them home!