Okay Okay!

Blogger fail! I haven't been here for almost a month--but I was on travel for work and have just been crazy busy as usual.

I'm still hand quilting...I took another pic and it looks very much like the last post! But I think I am past the halfway point. Just keep stitching!!

I found if I stay off social media I get more stitching done!

I did finish the Color Theory Quilt.  My husband said the plaid fabric border was ugly, but I kinda of like it. I bought the entire bolt of that stuff-- for $15 at a storage unit sale, which equaled $1 a yard. Also used it on the back and binding. 

I'm just happy I finished something!!

Back in the groove?

Hopefully.  I did my house chores first, then sewed all afternoon.  Fabulous!!! I have not spent that much quality time in my sewing room for a while.  I pieced the top of my guild's Color Theory Challenge. I've done a little free motion quilting practice and think I will just stipple the top.

I know you quilt from the inside to the edges, but  practiced a bit on the border--I think I've still got it!  I'm hoping to power through and get it done this week.  Maybe a little at a time.

I also brought out a hand quilting project, and worked on it most of the morning.  I removed the hoop and found it is so much easier for me to quilt. I think I'll just work on it like that. I know the hoop keeps the fabric taught, but it was just so cumbersome. I haven't hand quilted in many years and the clumsiness was holding me back. It is supposed to be a Christmas gift for my sister in law.  The top was an 8th grade graduation present for her mother (my MIL). I don't know if Kristine will really appreciate it or not, but I think it will make her mother, Judy, very happy to see it finished.

It is just a simple nine patch so I am doing straight line quilting. 

I'm excited to be quilting again. Now to see if I can keep up with this blogging business. :)

Trying to end the funk!

Yes! It is true...I have been in kind of a quilting/sewing/blogging funk. I do it to myself.  I want to do so many things and get frustrated when I can't get it all done. Work has been crazy. Life has been busy. You get it.

I have been knitting. Knitting in the evening really calms me down and I love to knit.  I didn't know that when I learned 7-8 years ago, but I do.  I love it.

Sewing jazzes me up. If I sew at night, I am too revved up to sleep.  I can't really see as well at night, so I have been balking at any type of hand sewing. I need to get over that.

I have also been somewhat intimidated by my ever growing pile of UFO's.  I did make a huge step though--I bought the Washi Dress pattern and fabric on a trip to Indianapolis 6-7 years ago.  A few years ago I finally started it.  I was almost finished, except for the cap sleeves.  It has been hanging in my sewing room for at least two years, waiting on those sleeves. I want to sew clothes for the grands, but wanted to finish the dress first. And the dress was still not finished, so I'm not sewing for the grands. I got everything out and realized I had lost the instructions.  Rats!!!  I emailed the kind designer, Rae Hoekstra, and her assistant sent me the directions.  So yes! The dress is in the process of sleeves!!!

I think I will be finished tonight!!!  Woohooo!!!

Maybe I am finally breaking out of my sewing funk!!!

Check out smallquiltsanddollquilts.com  to see what everyone else is up to today.

Life Happens, But It's All Good

Do you ever think you have your world under control and then find out how crazy it can be? March was nuts.

We bought a house. We did it. We've been talking about it for a while and decided to go for it. And  then we found a great one we couldn't pass up. I was a bit worried about moving my world to the next town, but I really love it.  I love the space, I love the calm. Our work commute increased by about 20 minutes, but I'm ok with that.

Oh yay!  I thought I lost my post...

I did get a top pieced. It is a graduation gift for my niece.  It is currently at the quilter's.  I'm making matching pillow cases too.  I used a Moda Bake Shop pattern, "Sunset Ridge".

I also caught up on our guild color challenge, which is to use the Handy Andy pattern to make two blocks each month in a prescribed color palette. So far, it has been a challenge to use colors I 

normally don't use.    Check out https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/2019/05/design-wall-monday-may-27-2019.html and see other great possts!

Good Fortune Top is done!

Wow!  Where have I been???  I have been so busy I haven't posted in a while..like 3 months!!!

Life has just been crazy here.  I have been trying to sneak in a little sew time and today I finally got to sit still long enough ...... I finished Bonnie Hunter's Good  Mystery Quilt!! I decided this year I wanted to use Christmas fabrics instead of the color scheme Bonnie had suggested.  I think it will be fabulous to wrap up the grandkids each Christmas!

Unfortunately it was pouring rain this afternoon and I couldn't go outside to get a good picture, but I will post one soon. 

I even pieced the back.  I had this fabulous Christmas cookie recipe themed fabric.  I added a row of pieced leftover four patch blocks down the center.  Why did I make so many of these anyway??

And speaking of extra blocks, today I found the stack of green and white HSTs I thought I was missing.  Wish I had found them sooner, when I needed them!! Well, hopefully I can hand the quilt off this week to my quilter friend and let her work her long arm magic and quilt this baby for me.  I am just so happy I finished!!!  Now on to something else!

I'm linking with SmallquiltsandDoll quilts: Check her site out!

Good Fortune Part 6

Well, I'm not finished with Part 6, but I've made good progress.  I finished Part 5 and I think I'm doing pretty good considering I had to catch up and I've been at work all week.

Part 6 progress shot:

I'm going to go to Texas tomorrow to help Mom as she broke her leg and can use a little assistance, so I will be back sewing in a week or two.

For more info on Bonnie Hunter's Mystery quilt, link here

To check out Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, link here

Good Fortune Catch Up Time!

Wow! With the holidays and visiting family I became a little behind on the Quiltville Mystery Good Fortune! I knew I would have to wait to catch up, and thankfully Parts 2-4 were not too complicated. I know this project is not a race, and I will not be upset if I am a bit behind. I chose a Christmas fabric color scheme.

Part 3: I wonder what Bonnie has planned for those bonus half square triangles?

Part 4: I love string piecing!

Next up: Part 5!!