Fun mindless quilt for sewing

I am participating in a Fun Mindless Quilt Day. Thank you Stashbusters and Sandy Cook! I just finished cutting the Christmas fabric. Still need to cut the black squares. Some fabric have 1993 date on them and some don't even have a date.

My dd said "why did you collect all this Christmas fabric?" Good question. I said. "look at this Christmas mouse, How could you NOT buy it!" Guess that sums up MY buying mentality!

I am excited to do this. When Preparing for the first cut, I unfolded the 2+ yards, ironed,cut, refolded the fabric and started the "used" pile. When I made my first 3-4 cuts,I measured so carefully. At about the 4th piece and still seeing 13 more pieces to handle. I measured about 2" more than I needed, cut it off, refolded, and THEN ironed the piece. THEN, I got smarter. :) I just eyeballed what I needed, cut up the rest of the stack, then ironed and cut to size. VERY freeing. Plus I have a stack of christmas strips to use for another quilt :)
Maybe a lap quilt for dd.. hee hee hee.

ok, off to iron and cut the black :)

Yeah!, I have laid out the large squares in the final layout and have sewn one (only one, sob, sniff, sniff) square. Had to take time out to go make Rum Balls for NYE party we are going to tonight.

Ok, maybe I can sew a few more blocks before we have to leave.

Straight No Chaser: The 12 Days of Christmas (2008 Version)

Love this. I think I should get their Christmas Cd? I'll give it some thought.
Very interesting finding out about them, too!

Straight No Chaser - The Christmas Can-Can (With A Special Greeting)

Christmas Morning

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

I can't believe that I woke up this morning at 3:30am. Why??? Why?? There are no small children and no reason whatsoever to get up early. I even stayed up until about 10pm last night.
Oh well. I'll try to write more later. Maybe I can even go back to sleep? Doubt it.

The tree is all lit and the gifts are under and ready to be opened. :)

Chester came about 10:30. I forgot that he gets hungry earlier than we do. Good thing the Turkey was done a bit early and we ate around 12 noon. I meant to take a picture, but all that is left is food in the Fridge and a few dirty dishes waiting to go into the dishwasher!

Freckles

Our dog is 16 years old. She is the best, best dog!! Smart. Oh yes, I am bragging!! My daughter wanted to take her for dog training classes and enter her in the fair. We did the classes although I wondered if Freckles (the dog) was too young. Ok, maybe it was because she was young that I agreed to the class. It was 16 years ago, you try remembering specifics from that long ago. Freckles was such a good and quick learner that the teacher thought she was about 3-5 years older than her actual age :)

Freckles caught on quickly that she wasn't to growl and snap at the kittie cats when I put food out for all of them. She had to wait until they had eaten alot before she could have her part. Smartie pants figured out that if she did the "vulture" thing (hanging her head down above the cats heads and making them nervous, thus making them "finish" faster) or if she was really impatient, she would just gently move her nose in between the cats until they finally moved out of the way, then she could eat quicker!!

Another memories that stands out is how, to this day, she will snag wasps right out of the air. SNAP!! then spit the dead bug out, and keep looking for more. Odd?? oh yeah. My daughter, Jocelyn, and I realized that she is "protecting Jocelyn". As a child she hated bugs, didn't want them around, and would scream (when outside) and there was a wasp around. I'm sure Freckles doesn't remember why, but even when nobody is around, she will go after wasps.

Rabbits. Jocelyn had lots of rabbits. :) I think this happened either her first or second year of having these rabbits. Big white rabbits, New Zealands. We had gone to town and when we came back, there was Freckles out in the yard. Not running to great us, but intently watching something White in the yard. What was it?? Rabbit. How did that big rabbit get out of the cage? maybe the door wasn't secured enough? But Freckles was guarding her! We saw the rabbit try to hop away and Freckles just got up and blocked the rabbit from moving too much and kept an eye on her!! What a good dog!

Another time, one of the cats was trying to bring her kittens up under the back porch and apparently Freckles took a shine to this baby. Near as we can figure, either the baby wandered out, or Freckles when in the picked her up and was guarding her out in the back yard. Well, Mamma cat came back with another kitten and then saw Freckles with the first one!! Freckles just laid between Mamma and Baby! When the cat would go around and try to approach her baby from another angle, Freckles just got up and blocked the way to the baby. Oh my, we watched that poor Mamma try about 5 times to get her poor baby. I know, but it was rather funny and nobody was hurt!! We finally had to distract Freckles away with a bone so Momma and baby could be together!!

Both out children are grown and gone from the house, but Freckles is still here and until last year, going strong. Isn't it funny how demanding they get as they get older. A few years ago, she discovered how to "shiver" as a means to TRY to get into the house. Then awhile after that, she learned how to make her teeth chatter! So funny to see. She will actually do a shiver and teeth chatter routine to try to get into the house! The other day, she forgot she was inside and instead of begging for scrap of food, she did the teeth chattering.. this was way too funny, because it was about 72 in the house!!

We love our Freckles and spoil her. She comes in and "visits" us in the evening. When she gets too warm in the house, out she goes. I fixed her a nice warm house. Hay bales, Board roof, Straw and yes, even a "blankie". I used an older bedspread to help insulate and control the wind. And, of course, she has her kitties. They all snuggle down in there for the night! Oh yes, her house is not open to the weather. It is up under an overhang and well protected from the weather!

I'll have to get a couple of pictures. :) Here she is eating. Notice she is spoiled. Her Food bowl is raised up for her!

Judy's UFO 2011 Challenge

Finally Friday!!! I thought I was off for the weekend, but I have to work on Sunday. At first I was disappointed, but then I found out that I will have Thursday - Sunday off next week!! (Saturday being Christmas this year)

Judy's UFO 2011 Challenge is gearing up. So I am starting my list and will just add to it as I come across quilts that need completing. Go here for Judy's Home page:
http://www.patchworktimes.com/

1. Halloween Wall Hanging - Find/buy
black binding and bind.

2. Orange Cruse Sent to Becky - Bind

3. Carpenters Wheel sent to Becky - Bind.

4. Paper Pieced Table Top - find a border piece, backing, quilt & bind.

5. Red/White/Blue Sampler - count blocks, finish more if necessary, Figure out backing, quilt and bind.

6. Red/Yellow Table Top - finish hand
quilting and binding on

7. Christmas Braid - Quilt and Bind.


8. Chick Sampler - decide final size, make more blocks, find backing, quilt & bind.
 

9. Christmas Quick Quilt

10. Bright Quilt - Binding

11. Baby Boy Quilt

12. Fall Handbag

Wow, I am surprised that I could list 8 quilts without even searching for those that are "hidden" away!

ok, Heading for bed. Silly me woke up at 3am, when I could have slept in until 6am this morning. I hate when I do that. Night all!

Ok, almost a year later and I am writing on the blog again. But I know it will not be consistent since this is a busy, busy time at work. Thanks to Mary Hopkins directions on how to add a button, I have successfully added Judy L's UFO Challenge 2011 Button!! Alright, here are the directions, in case I need them again!!

OK-I figured it out! Copy the text underneath the button on Judy’s page. Go into your blog page. Go to design-it is at the top of your blog page. Go to Add a Gadget. Go to HTML/Java script. Paste in the text and write in a title. Hit Save. This is what worked for me anyway!

Thank you Mary!!

I need to pull my UFO's out and list the twelve that I Realistically think that I can finish. Oh, boy, my SIL has two of my quilts that she is going to quilt for me. I believe that I will list those, because once I get them back, I will still have to bind them!! :)

Alright, Off to do more cleaning, I need to get ready for Christmas!! Hugs!!

Sunday Stash Report

Thank you Judy for encouraging us to keep track of our stash. It doesn't look like much, but keeping track is the main issue for me. This Net Used of 4.5 yards is what I have used for the Twin size Spinning Frogs Quilt! The top is done!! Judy's Site is: http://www.patchworktimes.com/

Used This Week 1.5

Used Year To Date 4.5

Added This Week 10

Added This Year 41

Net Used in 2010 -36.5

I purchased some more fabric and have added it to the total as it comes into the house. I know that I have one more order of fabric coming in and that should be it for awhile. (Keeping my fingers crossed and keeping my mouse away from fabric stores!! If that is possible)

Now I need to get it quilted. This is a struggle for me. I need to get the background fabric lined up and the batting and then decide how to quilt it. I think simple would be best (and quicker). I mention quicker, because I think some finished quilts will just encourage me to work on my UFOs. I also need to figure out what fabric to use for the binding. I am leaning toward the red for it, what do you think? My other option is the Green.

Close up of this cute Frog fabric that Mom choose many years ago.

I am

Lazy Saturday

Still at home with all the snow and the wind and the cold. I really don't like cold weather. I did do some housework. I have all the laundry washed and dried. Notice that I didnt' say DONE.. lol I still have a basket to fold up. Will definitely do that today.

I worked on the Spinning Frogs quilt. Mom had a great suggestion for the border. Instead of having the Green/White/Green strips for the border be the same width, to make them different widths. Here it is! I have the Top and Bottom borders sewn together. Now to get the sides done today!

I started watching Hulu yesterday. It was great. I watched Bones and Glee. I just wish they had all the episodes. It was frustrating that I was only able to see certain ones. I may have to purchase the box sets of Bones.

Still Stuck

I am still at home today. Finally bladed the road. Worked a bit on the Spinning Frogs quilt, but it was just too cold here. House stayed at 63-64 degrees. All that is good for is snuggling under a quilt and drinking hot tea! So that is basically what I did. Hope everyone else is staying warm.

Snowday Thursday

Yep, I'm stuck at home. Tom headed to work and I talked to him after he made it in. He said "you'd never make it in". Hopefully the snowplows will get to the country roads. Of course, even if they do make it, what will it be like tomorrow morning? I leave the house about 5:00am and it is REALLY hard to tell if you are about the drive into a drift in the dark. I found with this snow that I can't tell where the side of the road is. Since the prior snow is still on the ground and nothing has melted enough to throw dirty snow up on the side of the road this new snow just blends right in. (hopefully this is a clear explanation) It is even hard to see the tracks of another car that has gone thru. I feel really bad about not making it to work. But it would be worse if I got stuck.

Boring time, just getting caught up on laundry and housework. But after that, I can quilt!!

I have signed up for a Weight loss competion at work. I need to buckle down and focus on this.. maybe tomorrow.. hee hee We still have lots of goodies left in the house from the holidays.

I attempted the Pizza rollups again. Little bit better. Not what I want though, I'll have to keep trying. Put the sauce on the dough, added more pepperoni and cheese and sliced them before baking. Was rather messy and they didn't hold their shape, but this was more what I was looking for.

This is a side view of the front of the house. Unusal drifting going on here.

Tom came home wayyy early. He arrived home around 2pm. What is going on? Well, he came home early so that he could get thru the drifts. He said it was a good thing he came home when he did. There was one other guy stuck around the County Line. He got High-Centered :( Tom came home to get the heavier farm truck to help pull him out, but we saw several trucks heading that direction. Luckily he had his cell phone and found out that he was getting some help, and we also found out that there were other cars stuck there as well. ewwwwww. Glad I stayed home, now.

I HAD to go out, though. I had to feed the dog and her cats! I know that there was enough food, but well, just in case there wasn't I had best go out. I did remember to take the camera. Have you ever tried to take pictures with thick gloves on??? Let me tell you that it is not easy.


This is the path I take to go to the overhang to take care of them. Shhhhhh.... we want to sneak up on Freckles!!!

There she is. I should have had the zoom part ready. But you can click on the picture and see it enlarged.

She is so funny. She is getting out of there quickly so she can run up to the front door and bark so that I will let her in. Even though I stay back there for awhile putting the food out and petting Miss Fluffbucket, she will be at the door barking for me to hurry up and let her in!

Here is a close up of her dog house and Miss Fluffbucket. Now those silly kitties cant jump up on her house and collapse it down!!!

Tom is out pushing snow again.

Good thing he has that plow on his 4 wheeler!

I wonder if he is tired of me taking his picture? Does he even know that I am taking it???

Miss Fluffbucket has to follow me to the house. Don't know why, she has never been allowed in the house! Look at all that snow!

Wacky Wednesday

Ok, not too original. But I am wiped out. Hectic at work and then they are calling for snow.

Yep, started snowing in the morning and it is a light and powdery snow. Soooo easy to wipe off the car windshield. That is the good news. Bad news is that the winds are to pick up tonight and blow all this wonderful snow around. Did I mention that this year we have had snowdrifts on our road?.. well we have. Drifts where there have never been drifts before. Sooo I am stressed about that. Will I be able to get to work tomorrow? who knows. I am going to have to wait until Tom gets up and drives to work before I can find out if I can get thru. I hate having this decision so 'up in the air'.

The good news is that the Dog house stayed up!! BIG YEAH!! I was actually able to sneak up on her and see her sleeping so prettily in there. Awwwwwww. lol I wish that I had taken the camera outside with me. But, then I would have had to take my gloves off. Yeah, not happening right now! Way tooooo cold, but I will take a pic soon.

Hectic Tuesday

Bad day today. Work was a pain. I worked from 5am -4:45pm Yuck, yuck, yuck. Finally made it home after stopping at the library for a few books on tape. There is another snowstorm coming and if I am stuck at home, I WANT TAPES!!

Silly Freckles.. or the silly cats... demolished the little house I put together for Freckles. Not sure how/where she slept on the old bedspread, because alot of the rabbit carriers fell down on it. I had used them to supposidly hold the blanket up and for Freckles to crawl UNDER the bedspread and sleep in her little tent *sigh*

Made it stronger and HOPEFULLY made it so that she/or cats can't pull it down again. Also threw an old blanket on the bottom for her to sleep on. I sure hope this works!!
Ok, I am trying to write something every day, here it is... lol... now, off to make dinner and then CRASH!!

Design Wall Monday

No Sewing Today :( Wish I could, but that is ok. There is always tomorrow. Below is a picture of what is in my wall. Isn't it great!

Have 'stuff' to do. Feed the animals..brrrrr..it is cold out there still. Visit with Jocelyn. She has to go back tomorrow. Very sad. But she will come back again :) !

Spinning Top

I am so excited, I have finished the middle section on the Spinning Frogs Quilt!! The blocks are 8" Square. And I have 4x7 rows. Now, unfortunately, I have to do the dreaded housework and plan dinner and generally get ready for another week of work. But.. The middle section is done!

I also took some time to snap a few picture of the beautiful scenes outside our house. We had more snow again last night and this morning. It sure softens things up, even the tracks Tom made from the last snow.

I am still working on the recipe. This time I sort of forgot about having the bread dough rising in the refrigerator. When I spotted this:

I decided that I had best make it up.
Simple. Peperoni and Cheese to go inside the bread and then the pizza sauce for dipping. Yummm. Hope this works!
Here it is ready to be all rolled up. The directions I found said to leave it as a log and bake it 350 for 25 minutes. Here I go.
Tastes ok. I added more cheese. Not what I want though. But I will take the leftovers to work tomorrow and finish it up there. I need use a different bread dough, I think. I maybe pre-slice them. The dough was not quite done in the center. I will heat them up in the microwave at work to cook it some more.

Spinning Top

I need to sew only 4 more pinwheel blocks to have the center of the quilt done!!! I have been calculating the center plus borders to figure out what I need to add to make this a twin size quilt. Or should I just make this a throw? This is a very frustrating part for me. I don't have any specific bed or person in mind for this and so I am not sure what I want to do.

I originally was going to put a thin border of red (2"), then wider borders of the white and green to total 8". And if enough of the frog fabric, put them as cornerstones for the outside border. Sounds good. The red would be a nice accent. However, I got to thinking (which seems to get me in trouble every time!) What if I "finished" up the spin on the outside edge of the quilt? What color would I use? I don't have enough of the Frog fabric. :( I have a couple of yellows. One is softer, one is more gold. What about red? Then I wouldn't have to add the thin red border. OR I could do red and then still add the thin red border? (I can create this look by using 4x6 rectangles and sew the white triangle on one corner. Take another 4x6 rectangle and sew the green triangle on the other corner. Then cut a 6x8 rectangle for the laternative blocks, thus giving it the finished spin look, surrounded with the red. ) Ok, test it out on the wall and take a picture.

Yellow. Just not the right shade. The gold is worse.

Wow. Yeah, definitely over kill. The red just dominates this now :(

But wait!! I found another yellow. Hmmm I put this up on wall. Placed the spinners, then found an odd red strip in the bin (close to the solid red used in this picture) and took the picture. This is a great way for me to get another perspective on the quilt.

Nope. Maybe because the spin is 4" this idea just won't work.

Maybe I don't need to finish the spin. Maybe I should just keep with the original idea. See, thinking gets me into trouble!!

Stash Report

Thank you Judy for sending me to google for the spreadsheet. I finally figured out how to get it done and have saved it to my desktop for easy access.

Used this week: 3
Added this week: 31
Net Used for 2010: -28

Hmm this doesn't look good. I can definitely see how this is going to help me with using my stash and curb my purchasing!! Although, I have more fabric coming in, and will report it as it enters my house, I can see that this will encourage me to Use That Stash!!

Cold, cold cold

I had to work today. But Oh my, was it cold. 15 Degrees Cold!! After work I stopped at the grocery store because they have Pork Roast and Cheese on sale. I loaded the groceries into the back of the truck... ha ha... they won't get too warm back there!!! and headed home. It was sooo cold when I went to feed Freckles and her cats. brrrrrrr. I took an old bedspread out and created a tent for her. I had to make her go in and call her out several times so she won't be afraid of it tonight. I will have to check tomorrow and be sure it stayed up all night. I'm going to have Tom secure it better. He is so handy!! and as an added bonus, he doesn't mind the cold like I do!! I'll have to take a picture. Note to self. Too cold in the house to sew, I am snuggling up with a Crossword book (easy of course) and only getting up to work on dinner or pet Freckles. Hope everyone else is staying warm.

New Years Day

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!!

I didn't do much, just relaxed mostly. Sewed a few blocks half square triangles together and hope to get them sewn into blocks tomorrow. Read a bit, played with Freckles INSIDE, because it is way toooo cold outside today. Read alot of other blogs, always fun to see what other industrious people are doing. Well, I'm off to relax, this blogging is wayyy to much work for me today!! lol