Tired, So Tired

Hubby has had some late nights this week and I've been staying up until he gets home.  What is worse is that I've been getting up at 5:30am and I'm not able to go back to sleep.  That is giving me anywhere from 4-6 hours of sleep a night.  And, it is only 6 hours if it is a good night.  What's worse is that when I sleep, it isn't a very good sleep.  It seems that I am just on the edge and any little noise wakes me up.  The heat wave hasn't helped either.  **SIGH**

I'm so tired that this song from Blazing Saddles just won't leave my mind....

Don't you just love Lilly Von Schtupp?  I just crack every time I hear this song!

I hope your weekend is full of more sleep than mine!

Happy Stitches!

And She's Off!!

That's right ladies and gents, the "ABCD" Traveling Pattern has begun her journey!  The travels will start with Maggee over at Stitching Devotee.  I can't wait to see what Maggee has in mind!

Everyone who has signed up should have received an email by now with details.  If you haven't, be sure to let me know.  (My email is in my profile.)
In the next few days I will post a list in my sidebar of those who are participating along with links to their blogs.  That way you can follow the pattern as well.

This is going to be so much fun!!!!

Happy Stitches!

The Heat Made Me Do It

At least the heat was my excuse yesterday!  It was in the upper 90's here.  Combine that with 60% or more humidity and the heat index made it into the lower 100's.  Today isn't going to be any better.  The temperature is supposed to climb into the low 100's which will push the heat index to 115 degrees or more.  All you have to do is step outside and you immediately become soaking wet.   It was/is like a sauna!  Even the air conditioner can't cut through all that humidity, which makes it miserable inside as well.  So, I'm attributing yesterday's antics to the heat.

I started my morning with what I thought would be a quick trip to the car dealership for some minor warranty work.  Well, an hour and a half later they told me that I had a problem with my front brakes and it would require another two hours.  They told me I could come back since they had to order parts for another issue and they would fix them both at the same time.  Seeing that these were my brakes and I need my brakes to work properly to stop the car, I opted to have them fixed.  Of course that meat that I wouldn't get to work until after lunch.  And, what's the point in going in that late???  So..........of course I had to call into work and take the whole day off.  *Snicker*

The good thing about being stuck at the car dealership was that I got to spend some quality time with my stitching.  Remember this piece from January?

I managed to turn it from that to this........

I know it doesn't look like much, but there are lots of little stitches there!  Hopefully the words will go pretty quick.  I may even make this my next fifteen minute project.

Speaking of fifteen minute projects, I worked on that one yesterday (and this morning) too.  I guess you could say that the heat gave me a little bit of ADD.  My attention was so limited yesterday, so maybe it was a good thing that I had the day off.  I couldn't really stick with any one thing yesterday.

After I had it with stitching I went to a LQS that is a few blocks from my house.  (I'm lucky with the quilting......there are three shops close by!)  You see, the other day I purchased a Groupon for $34 that would allow me $69 worth of classes and/or supplies and it was burning a hole in my pocket.  I've been thinking about taking another class and I felt that this Groupon gave me the perfect opportunity to do so.  I started off asking about the one session binding class and instead I was talked into a six session Quilting 101 class.  Since the class was already well on their way to part three, the owner of the shop offered to catch me up on the classes so that I didn't have to wait until next quarter.  So, I spent the afternoon with her yesterday.  Once I'm done I will have a 60" x 60" rail step quilt.  All I have to do is cut 17 strips from each of these three fabrics.

Oh, my!  Looks like I'm in trouble now!  See......I told you the heat made me do it!


Happy Stitches!

Extended Travels

I'm currently finalizing the itinerary for our traveling pattern "ABCD" by La-D-Da.  There is still room if you want to join.  Just remember, you must have a blog.  After all, we want to see your progress. 

Also, don't forget to include your mailing address.  I can't send it to you otherwise!

Oh, and Peggy Lee......watch for an email from me.

Happy Stitches!

Busy Baby Bee

This weekend was really a crazy one!  Hubby's cousin was here on Saturday and my Uncle was here on Sunday.  Each day was a big "family day affair" and we had tons of fun.  Still, I was a little bit sad that I wasn't able to stitch at all over the weekend.

I knew that my stitching would lack over the weekend, so I left work a few minutes early on Friday afternoon and stopped by my LQS on the way home.  Lo and behold, this cute little Moda fabric came home with me.

Lily & Will II by Moda Fabrics

As soon as I walked in my front door I dropped everything and went straight to the cutting/sewing table (aka the dining room table).  I broke the Go! Baby free from the boxed constraints and got to work.  In a couple of hours I had these babies all ready to go......

Rag Squares cut by my new Go! Baby

Then I set up the sewing machine with color coordinating threads and viola.......

Rag Squares!

I still have quite a few more squares to make before I can work on the layout, but I can honestly say that I'm having fun.  I can see how much easier it is to work with the Go! Baby for this type of project.  I can only imagine how tired my hands would get while trying to fray all of the layers of fabric and fleece.

I hope to devote my time to stitching this week, so I will be putting this on the back burner until the weekend rolls around again.  I can assure you that I will be taking some time out of the sun this upcoming weekend.  I don't want to deal with this again:

I never burn while beaching it, but I got so burnt on Saturday that even the tops of my feet hurt!

Have a great week!  Happy Stitches!

Jumping For Joy

It's here!  It's here!  My GO! Baby is here!

As you can see, I opted for the hexies, the circles and the rag squares.  I will be stopping by the LQS later today to pick up some fleece or brushed cotton (and probably some more fabric......as if I really need any after last week!) so that I can begin my first project using my new toy.

I had great plans to spend time with this beauty this weekend, but now family obligations have overruled my quilting.  I guess I'll just have to be happy with the time I have this evening while Hubby is at work.  Wish me luck!

Happy Stitches!

Big Progress , Small Finish and the Traveling Pattern

Happy Monday All!  I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.  I divided my Saturday between stitching and a little bit of quilting.  My Sunday on the other hand was pure "Hubby Time". 

We spent the morning catching up on HBO's True Blood series.  Hubby just got interested this year, but I've been reading the books for sometime.  We are currently on the last half of season three and I've got season four saved on the DVR.  Only one more marathon session and we will be all caught up.

As for my stitching I thought I'd catch you up on some of my Crazy January Challenge pieces.  First up is the Letter H.  I've been working on this during my "Saturday Stitch Time" with my stitching buddies.

Letter H by Nora Corbett

I also spent a great deal of time on this project a couple of Fridays ago.  That Friday was "Forgiveness Friday".  An old stitching friend and I met at the local Barnes & Noble.  We talked and let many old "issues" go.  As as result of the forgiveness, I'm really looking forward to stitching with my friend again.  (Forgive the picture......the fabby looks grey, but it is a really great shade of purple in real life.)

This Heart of Mine by Ink Circles

I'm also keeping up with my fifteen minute piece.  Here's it is as of this morning.  At the rate I'm going, I may be able to finish this one up by month's end.

Saturday evening also brought me closer to my sewing machine.  I had such wonderful compliments on my color choices for my pillow that I decided to use the same fabric for these two little pincushions.  I learned so much while sewing these up.  They aren't too bad for my first try, but I'll be sure to change things up a bit for future pincushions like these.  (They came out much smaller than I expected.)

Last, but not least let's talk about the Traveling Pattern, "ABCD" by La-D-Da.

Remember this post?  It seems that we have had quite a bit of interest and that excites me so very much!  Originally I was just going to send this pattern off and let flit from place to place.  However, I want to be sure that Peggy Lee gets it back someday.  So, in that vein, I'm going to switch things up a bit.  I'm going to limit the number of people so that the last person can send the pattern back to Peggy along with the autograph book that I have purchased so that she will know where her pattern has been. 

Based on the original post there were about 30 interested people.  If you are still interested, please drop me an email (it's in my profile) and let me know.  Also let me know if you are willing to mail to an overseas/foreign address.  That way I can make up a mailing list.  You will know who you are receiving the pattern from and who you are sending it to.  As for stitching this timely, it took me a weekend to finish this up, so I feel like three weeks should be plenty of time to finish this pattern.

I can't wait to hear from everyone!

Happy Stitches!

20 Yards + 1 Batik Jelly Roll

Oh yes, I'm crazy!  I guess it was the excitement of winning the GO! Baby from Craft Buds.  Or maybe it was because my local Bernina dealer had their "50% off all in stock fabric" annual sale.  I don't know, but someone has to take the blame. (And it can't be me.....tee hee hee!)

At 50% off original prices, I feel like I got the bargain of a lifetime!  I'm so glad that I got there a half hour before the store closed yesterday.  Otherwise I could have been in there for hours and who knows how much more fabric I would have come home with.  Hubby would have killed me!  I'm still trying to figure out a way to incorporate the new fabric into my stash without him really noticing.  (Don't tell, but right now the bag is under the sofa!)

I know, I should quit yapping and just show you what I've added to my ever growing fabric stash.  So, here goes!

First up is "Hab-i-tat (a philosophy...a refuge...)" by Michele D'Amore for Benartex.    I liked it so much I added two yards of each print in the picture.  However, after looking at the whole line, I do see one more print I would like to add to what I purchased yesterday. You can see the whole line here.

Next up are three whimsical, coordinating patterns by Keri Schneider for Blank Quilting.  I only purchased one yard of each.  There was no pattern name, but they all had pattern numbers and a copyright date of 2008. I'm going to assume that this has been out of print for sometime....especially since I can't seem to find it online and the copyright is 2008.  I would have loved to find more of this line, but I'm sure that I can easily find some other bright fabrics to go along with them instead.

I also picked up a couple of Batiks.  I just couldn't resist a yard of each of these.  Unfortunately, the salvage didn't tell me anything about the designer.  If you know which group these belong to, I would love to know.

Finally, for my last yard, I picked up a wonderful neutral called Apple Cider by P&B Textiles.  Again, I think this was an older patter as well because I can't seem to find this one either.  Still, I think it was a great pick.  You never know when you will need a good neutral.  Plus, I loved the pattern.  I also included the Artisan Batik Roll-Up by Robert Kaufman Fabrics in this picture as well.  It has lots of yummy colors, doesn't it?

Well, I guess that's it for now........especially since I still need to figure out what I'm going to make with all of these new goodies.  My mind is just spinning!

I guess I'll be pretty busy this weekend.

Happy Stitches!

One Lucky Girl

I just can't believe it!  Look what I won from Lindsay over at Craft Buds:

Accuquilt Go! Baby plus three dies

I've been watching Deb over at Threadgatherer work with hers and I started drooling.  Just look at what she did with her GO! Baby.  After seeing the hexi pincushion and the tumbler quilt I knew that I must have this.  I was just about to put it on my birthday wish list when I saw the giveaway on Lindsay's blog.  I took a chance and posted a comment.  Lo and behold, out of 357 valid entries, Lindsay picked my name!!  I still can't believe it!

If you want to try and win one for yourself, just check out this post at Threadgatherer.  She's giving one away right now.  You won't even have to worry about competing against me! 

It will be a few days before mine comes in, but I already have some big plans for this little machine.  I will be sure to keep you updated.

Happy Stitches!

The Letter "F" (Picutre Heavy)

Today's post is brought to you by the letter "F". (Oh yes.....I'm still stuck on Sesame Street for some reason.)

Our first "F" is for FINISHES.  I was a good girl this week and put my finishing skills into overdrive.  I managed to finish two pieces.  (Which is pretty darn good in my book!) 

ABCD by La-D-Da
on 40ct Lakeside Linen Vintage Dark Ltd Run

Up first is "ABCD" by La-D-Da.  My first intention was to make this into a cube rectangle finish.  I found the perfect ribbon at my local Michael's.  It was wired and would have made the perfect bow.  But, by the time I got home I changed my mind and decided that I would rather turn this project into a pincushion.  It is a mighty long one, but it is a cute one!  I had the perfect fabric in my stash for backing this one which is always a plus.  The dragonflies have all the same hues as the Belle Soie Peacock.  I currently have this one sitting on the arm of the couch and it is holding all my pre-threaded needles for my fifteen minute project.

Delivering Fleurs
by
Homespun Elegance

Next up is "Delivering Fleurs" by Homespun Elegance.  You may remember that I put a poll up on my side bar asking how you thought I should finish it.  Only 43 of you voted, but the clear hands down winner with 22 votes was a flatfold finish.  While I like the flatfold finish, I wanted to go with something different, so I went with the third place winner, a "cube" finish.

I just knew that this design would lend itself perfectly to this type of finish.  I would like to thank Vonna of The Twisted Stitcher for her wonderful tutorial.  It was so easy to follow!  However, I did make one change.  She has fabric wrapped around her piece while I chose to wrap mine with coordinating ribbons.  I really love how this came out and I know that I will be using this finish again.  Here is a close up of the front and another of the back.

The letter "F" is also for FIRSTS.  In fact, it is for my first quilting project finish!  WOO-HOO!!!

 While I am very pleased with how this came out, I know that I still have much to learn.  Practice makes progress don't you know.  I'm just hoping that next time I can line up my triangles a little better than this:

Our third "F" is for FIFTEEN.  I've been making lots of progress in my self imposed fifteen minute challenge.  I've been able to stitch on "ABC's of Aging Artfully" by Lizzie*Kate all week.  Each morning, after a wake up cup of coffee, I spend at least fifteen minutes stitching while I watch the news.  Sometimes I get lucky and I can stitch for almost a half hour.  I even managed to get a second fifteen minute session in last night.  I even plan on keeping my fifteen minutes on this project over the holiday weekend even though I will be giving most of my attentions to other projects.  So, here's my progress as of this morning. (Sorry for the bad picture, it was hazy this morning so I didn't have good light.)

Finally for my last "F", I would like to wish all my fellow Americans a Happy Fourth of July!  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  Stay safe and enjoy some fireworks!

Happy Stitches!