Amber's Quilt

I had part a whole whack of Buggy Barn to make my son's girlfriend this quilt. She wanted pink~ white and brown. Well I had it mostly done...and I hated it..just hated it..could not continue working on it..it was just too blah ... wrong fabrics...so I went and bought different fabrics..I needed more bright colours to work with. The Object of Desire is more a coral then pink but I love it. Then the centres are charm squares Swanky by Chez Moi. and I can't think of who the brown with coloured dots belongs to right now but I think it's Timeless Treasures. I have been using white by Northcott Fabrics and love it..it has the look of linen..to me anyhow. I like these colours. Hopefully she will also. I have alot more then this done so I can pick and choose blocks but I had this picture on my camera.

Already Here

I received my winnings from kimsbigquiltingadventure when I got home yesterday. Wow, that was so quick. I will be working on those when the snow flies..no time before Christmas this year, Then again you never know! Thanks Kim!

Going Crazy

This quilt drove me bonkers putting it together. What I thought were good flat seems..uhhmm..not so much. When I had it up on the wall- my daughter and I had it all sorted out so no two colours ended up side by side but somewhow I managed to screw all that up when I was sewing them together. That's o.k. Then I go to the quilt store to p/u the backing. Well I don't usually pay $9.00 a metre for backing but, it was the only Joel Dewberry left. I love Joel. He was worth it. So that was o.k. too. Now most of these fat quarters I got for 2 - 3 dollars (which is a good deal here). However this quilt is not fat quarter friendly...at all. Alot of waste. But so worth it. So that was o.k. too. Allison never claimed it to be fat quarter friendly. She said to use strips. It was a great tutorial. I didn't listen...

So Sunday I am stippling happily away so I could sew the binding on while in front of  the TV  while watching Amazing Race~Desperate Housewifes and Brothers & Sisters. Yeah......like that was going to happen. I was almost done stippling and my machine started getting a little ALOT pissy with me ..jumping .. sticking... hopping...I broke 5 needles..I re-threaded..I cleaned...I begged..I pleaded. This was so not O.K. So I did what any frustrated quilter would do... I went bat shit crazy. I actually sat in front of that machine and yelled obscenities at it.. I think I am over my temper tantrum now and I will check tonight to see if it needs a doctor or a damn good smack.
Did I say how much I just love this quilt and I am so making one in traditional fabrics...soon. Oh..and from strips.

BFF...

No idea if you are interested in these prints I picked up. I had to be careful in case you do not like any of them...because I would have to use them! One is gold on cream, gold on green, red-green and goldie colour, and some snowmen. You are more girlie girlie and huggy huggy then me..You are more artistic then me. We do not see the same. I do not like any traditional christmas fabric..so I just winced and picked some Xmas colours that arn't so out and out christmasy. Though the green has trees...and there are snowmen. I do not know really what you want to make..I don't know much because you do not send me any pictures of anything you are working on. I have been forgotten. Sniff...Sniff..take a moment.
Okay...so the fourth picture is the ONLY two blues in the place with gold in it. One is navy and the other is a brighter blue. Hell if I know. But the numbers are not the same. The girl said the numbers could be different then yours because it is a different pattern. The numbers are not inclusive to a line.

C60-20-615 is the navy one. Let me know. Do you want me to take a picture of all the Xmas fabric that is on sale??? I will..just let me know...sale ends sometime..don't know when.

Excuse Me......

Excuse me....check THIS out. Oh Yes..that would be ME she is looking for. How awesome are those patterns. Thanks Kim.

I Have Lost

my son. Oh yes, he has been taken over by this lovely girl that he is living with. Enough said.
On to better news: I had my cholestrol taken on Oct 21st at a clinic held at the pharmacy. My total cholestrol was down from 9.3 to 4.08..... Oh yeah baby.... mama has been getting her fat smaller ass out of bed Mon - Friday at 5:15 and working it. I cannot wait to see how low it is after the 6 weeks. I actually really enjoy it and next week we will start doing the machines every second day....and that may very well be a different story. The only problem is ..... staying awake at night for some sewing time.
Did I ever mention that I never thought I would live to see the day that I no  longer smoked..
I am so so thrilled that I no longer smoke. I hope I never ever never ever put another smoke in my mouth.
Have a great day!

My doctor's office called about my test results for my cholestrol levels. I was not surprised how high they were but my Doctor was. She upped my dose of Lipitor but really it is not an "up" dose because I haven't been taking my Lipitor for about 2 years because I did not want to pay for them. But don't think I wouldn't spend that 45 per month on quilting.. There are heart issues every which way in my family so it was actually a stupid thing to do. Regardless, I quit smoking 4 months ago...so that will help..I am taking my Lipitor at the "upped" dose for 6 weeks and then I will get re-tested.... and since Oct 1st - four mornings a week I get to see this:

I joined the YMCA with my friend Trudy. This is usually what we see when we are LEAVING. We meet there at 6:00 am and we have started with swimming to help build our endurance and flex our muscles. This weekend I am going out to get me some cute workout clothes for the machines that we will start on next week. I am excited...Wonder how long that will last? Already I feel so much better..Who knew??

So when I am not hauling my fat ass in the pool I am working on this quilt:

I am so addicted to making these blocks. I made another 10 last night and I think I may have enough for a good size lap or twin. You can make this quilt too if you follow this tutorial http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/09/tutorial-double-hourglass-blocks-easy.html. She tells you to try one block first, and for me to get it to work I had to cut the square 7 5/8 x 7 5/8. But do try one..they are addicting.

Have a good day.

Sick

Just wanted to note that on here so when I get sick next time I can see how little time in between illnesses are becoming.

No words needed

Tornado Pictures

These are pictures sent to me of the tornado that went through near Orangeville Ontario. That would be no more then 1/2 hour drive from me. Time to go to work . I will post more tonight.

      

Basicgrey

Well " Basicgrey Figgy Pudding" distributed by Moda just may be my all time favorite fabric.

And this place http://www.fabricsquareshop.com/ could cause me serious financial trouble.

When to say NO!

It is the long weekend...Luv it. Need it. Want it. Then my friend calls and says she is having a garage sale this Sun. and Mon. and would I want to put anything in it. HUH? That is short notice since I work tonight, Sat night and Sun night...so...uhmm...NO. Okay..will you help? HUH? ... so uhmm.. I guess so.  Now I know she works hard..she has her own little lunch cafe'..but she is done each day at 4 pm and she closes Sunday's and Monday's. She is now only doing it to put in time- or to ignore her husband, I am not sure which anymore.
We became friends just after I moved to this town. Marie's daughter played baseball with my daughter and that is how we met. Marie worked for Carmen at a (then larger) restaurant that Carmen owned and asked me to come work with them. I was told by many that "I" would not get along with Carmen because the two of us would butt heads. I remember the first thing Carmen said to me " Just because you managed at a big restaurant with a head office - don't think you can bring that "chain restaurant" attitude in here"  I looked at her and said "Wow, you really can be a bitch". She said - YOU ARE HIRED!.
We got along great and we have been friends now for 16 yrs.
But I still don't want to help her with the garage sale.

Have a great weekend.

It's How I Roll

Well my favorite designer is having her first Blogiversary! To have additional chances of winning any of her give aways, I had to post about it. As I wrote to her, I said it was a good thing not too many people read my blog because that reduces my chances. I am selfish like that.
But if my BFF from out of province reads this then I know she will be over there toot sweet!.
So go on over and check out her wonderful blog http://ankastreasures.wordpress.com

How much say do designer's have?

My son's girlfriend asked me to make her a quilt. Well " I most certainly will". However, it will be for Christmas. So I sent her a bunch of choices and she ended up choosing this one. It was a mystery quilt they did. I can't tell you how pleased I am that she chose a very easy one. She said she is just a simple girl...but I think its because down deep she knew these designer's are from Manitoba and so is she. She wanted pink - brown - white. I chose "In the Pink II" from Buggy Barn. I haven't decided if I am using white or cream fabric yet though. I will make a block of each and then decide.

I know many designers let us into their creative space, offer free designs, tutorials and advice, and we all appreciate it, probably more then they will ever know. That said ... I still go bat shit crazy when I buy fabric with an obvious straight pattern like this one


Now this is only a fat quarter and look how much waste there is. When I see an obvious "straight" design sewn on to the sides of a block ...it is the first thing I notice when it has been cut crooked and sewn on. It sticks out like a sore thumb and takes away from the quilt.

So do you think designers have a say with the fabric manufactures that would correct this problem or not?

Check this beauty out

How do you like that picture eh? Well you can either purchase the 7 month BOM or try to win (like I am trying to) by visiting this wonderful blog: http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com.

I Really Don't Want To

Share this link with anyone. I figure the more people that visit and comment on their sites will lessen my chance to win. I know not many read my blog..I am a blogging virgin after all...and am not consistent and not a sewing machine fanatic as some others are, but sharing the info to even one reader lessens my chance to win because when you go and read what is going on you will be following also and piling up your to-do-list. But I cannot be selfish..that is not the right thing to do. So if you read this you can follow this link http://gudrun.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/06/minnesota-designer-blog-hop.html and see some great designers.
If anyone reads this and knows how to make my links smaller please let me know!!
Have a good day

Easiest Zig Zag Ever

When I first discovered blogs..one of the first I began to visit on a regular basis was crazymomquilts.blogspot.com. I really liked her style. Then I seen this blog aquiltisnice.blogspot.com and really like her style also. She had made this quilt http://aquiltisnice.blogspot.com/2008/09/zig-zag-quilt-kit-tutorial.html and I really wanted to make it ~though I was dreading (just a bit) the triangles. BUT then Crazy Mom Quilts made a zig zag quilt WITHOUT TRIANGLES and posted her tutorial here: http://beesquarefabrics.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-make-zig-zag-quilt-without.html. Well I knew I was going to go to the Creative Sewing Festival in April and had no doubt I would find some bright and different fabric from what I usually use. I LOVE IT!!!..and easy easy easy...so I am on my way to make another one..just a bit bigger. It is my favorite quilt...It was also the first time I had actually did a pieced back..Love it ... The striped fabric was to be used for binding but I totally screwed that up so I used the leftover pieces to sew together and put on a binding with all the colours of the quilt in it. So thanks crazy mom quilts for showing yours!!

QUILT QUA

I was contacted to join Quilt Qua by a lady named Connie who has this great quilty website with just tons of links to blogs ~guilds~ quilt websites~ manufacturers and a section with great hints and ideas. Go check it out...you won't be disappointed!

Busy Busy

Well my Gentle Grace fabric arrived. All cut up ... almost all sewn together.

Does anyone else press the back of their blocks like this to reduce the bulk at seams?

While I was waiting for my fabric to arrive I started cleaning out the scrap bin to make this simple nine patch. They are 4 1/2 squares.

That's all for now..Survivor is coming on and then Grey's Anatomy!!

Most Canadians Want Him

I know I should be updating soon....but Obama is coming to Ottawa today. I am so excited I could pee my pants...oops..I may have already...! If Obama had of driven in motorcade from Washington to Ottawa (I know-not feasible) just saying..if he did..you could bet that Hwy 401 would have lineups like we have never seen- just so we would witness a part of history. It would have nothing to do with thinking "Obama walks on water" it would be for what he represents ...CHANGE ... because we need it too. Enough said.

Are they really your friends?

When you admit to your friends that you have an addiction and they still encourage you to pursue that addiction are they really your friend?
Hmmm..out of province BFF just had to call me today to tell me the fabric that I covet was on sale for 3.00 a yard. How am I to overcome or even manage my addiction when they provide me with this information?
I am weak..I had to order it..I love it...and now I shall wait for it to come..from Honey Fork Fabric. It is Gentle Grace by Danhui Nai and is an older line from last year but I love it as much this year as I did last.
Addictions are not easy to overcome.
Thanks BFF.

Please stop me!

I am still down and out and feel like pond scum. Does that stop me from starting something new? Absolutely not. Can't sit at the machine but I can sit in the recliner and make these little suckers. I am starting to realize I may have a problem...you know what that's like don't you? Something tells me that I am not alone.

1 1/2 inch hexagons..I am making a zillion from leftover "Hanky Panky" line by Ro Gregg for Northcott, and another zillion out of batiks. Have no idea what they will become. But I sure like making them.

Meet my new best friends-

I do not like honey, but we have a guy that keeps bees at the back of our property at work - in fact - he sells his bees all around the world. He brought us some honey he had made and I remembered that he said 1 tsp. of this honey a day kills all bacteria in your mouth. So I have been sucking back on that and then putting it in this tea. I swear it has helped me ALOT. Now I just need to go back to work to get some more - just in case!

Punishment sucks!

I snuck a day off work last Friday and I am sure I am now being punished. I had a sore throat and burning eyes that hit me out of nowhere. Stopped at the quilt store on Thursday after work and grabbed some deals and came home and was in bed by 6:30 ... and that is where I stayed until Friday morning. Got up and called into work (both jobs) and off I went back to bed until 8 p.m. Knocked me on my butt. I have now been up for 1 1/2 hrs and going for a nap when I am done this post. I am itching to go to IKEA with my daughter. Maybe Wednesday night but I do not know if 4 hours is enough time in IKEA for either of us.

So here is my grab from Thursday night..Buggy Barn and Heather Mulder Peterson for $5.00 a metre.

I didn't post the my finish the other day. This is the first time I did not wash before I made, to see what the final wrinkled look would be. Gotta tell you - I like that look for lap quilts.

It was stippled (of course) as that is all I am comfortable doing right now.

And the back. Love that wrinkled look!!

Next up is a Cottage Blossom by Kim Schaefer for Andover Fabrics. The pattern is really simple and little waste which I wanted as the pack only had 15 fat qtr's in it. Enough for lap size.

I really only do throw size ..I do not want a full size quilt on my bed. ( I know some think that is wierd) and I like to make lots of different ones so the throw size works for me. I have seen this pattern for sale..in quilt magazines and on blogs. So I really do not know who this pattern originally belongs to..but alot of people are doing it..probably for its simplicity and the different looks you can achieve.

The colours look much nicer in person and really nice fabric to work with.

That is it for today..have fun sewing!

What Money Can Buy

Last Friday I took the day off work and was able to go to the LQS that is always closed when I am home. She always has some good deals in there and I was not disappointed. It is wierd but she only accepts cash or cheques. I use debit ALOT so I only had about $15.00 on me. I meant to go back on Saturday but I never made it before I left to go out of town. So there is 2 yards and 1 fat quarter of (Northcott Bella line) 1 yard and 1 fat quarter of Northcott (Heaven on Earth). Yardage was $3.00 and fat quarters were .99 cents. Now in the States you may find deals like that all the time..but we do not here in Ontario. I will endulge even more this Saturday.


I started on the BOM from http://elliesquiltplace.web-log.nl/ that I mentioned in the last post. The snowman's arms do not show up that well on camera but show up just fine off camera. I made two in case I want to keep one, and I did not want to go and buy fabric for it. I have lots of fabric in these colourways that would work for the entire quilt. Now I did not finish the blocks off yet as I want to wait and see what the next month will bring. I like to plan my scraps...but I set aside the fabric for the border of this block.



I started on the Bunny Hill BOM, it is all ready to be sewn to the background but I am waiting for the next block of that one too.
Such a procrastinator!!!

THIS IS WHY I AM STRESSED !!

Because I spend too much time on the computer and then find another Free BOM from Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs. Click on link in the sidebar or go to her blog: http://bunnyhill.blogspot.com/ Wow...I certainly hope I can follow through with both and become an overacheiver. So out of province BFF are you going to do this one also??
I am behind in my work now..so must get busy so I do not have to stay late...I have some sewing to do!!

Free BOM

Browsing some sites this morning (while at work) I came upon this ladies site http://elliesquiltplace.web-log.nl/ At the bottom of each post she also translates her posts in English. She does beautiful work. So she is doing a FREE BOM calendar project and it can be done with stitchery or applique. I just may do one in both and turn it into a quilt for each of my kids rather then a calendar. Yes sireee..I will do that. I do not usually participate in BOM projects but this seems simple enough....so far.
Go visit her site..you will enjoy it.

Ask and you shall receive

When I was asked what I wanted for Christmas..I said...fabric spray adhesive and batting..lots of batting, so I could get the quilt tops stitched up. So my daughter spoiled me with spray..gift certificate for batting and gift certificate for more fabric to use only after I finish what I have she said!

So tonight I prepared this one.

She got this fabric spray from the LQS. It had came in by mistake, price was good, so she bought me all 3 cans. Have you heard of it. I liked it. It is from France.

Occupied Japan Sewing Machine

Good morning...My friend gave me an old sewing machine for Christmas. He hunts this old stuff down whether it is worth anything or not. So this machine has a plate on it that says "Admiral" and made in "Occupied Japan" so I will have to check it out on the net..one of these days. If anyone reads this post and could tell me anything about Admiral, etc..I would appreciate it.

The cards below (one from last year and one from this year) are made by my sister in law in Nova Scotia. I think they are the cutest things but I am not going to make them. When I was visiting there in October - she has an entire room filled with products - stamps -card stock - embellishments..it just went on and on. And you know you can fit alot more scrapbooking stuff into a room then you can fit fabric. We all have our stash eh, in some sort or another.

Bad Start - Good Finish

Well it is New Years Day and I have been surfing and catching up on some blog reading. I decided that I would (should) check my stat counter because I am rather new at this blogging thing and do not have much traffic like many others do. Then again..I haven't had much interesting to say either. Hmmmm. Not usual at all for me. I have an opinion on EVERYTHING! Anyhow, my counter says that 2,903 people have been through here. So either I am a very very boring blogger (probably true) or I do not blog enough (probably true also). So either I chat it up like I am good at or I post more quilting stuff which I am bad at. (a.k.a. LAZY) So I decided I will do both. Just not today.
This morning at 6 am the phone woke me up. It's my son.
Son: Mom, the ambulance is on its way
Me: WHAT? What happened
Son: My bowel movements (a.k.a. bum urine as he calls it) has too much blood in it and I am having trouble breathing
Me: WHAT? Why did you not call me...I am getting dressed..I am leaving and I will meet you at the hospital.
Son: I don't know what hospital they will take me to.
Me: I will find you - no worries...(Mothers just know that stuff)

Get dressed in 30 seconds flat..go to the car..OH MY GOD..I forgot(too lazy) to get gas last night. It is New Years Day and there are no gas stations open until 9 am.
So wake up friend who drives me to daugters and took her to work and made it to Cambridge Hospital by 7 am. Not bad timing actually.
In the meantime his girlfriend had been at work (she is a prison guard) and since she was on escort duty she was also able to leave an hour early since she would not be escorting anyone in the next hour.
He was put on IV for the day with antibiotics and to get fluids in him as he was dehydrated. He has had the diaherra since Sunday but just gradually got worse. So he did not actually have trouble breathing it is just that whatever illness he has and the dehydration caused him to be so weak and it was exhausting for him to walk from the bed to the bathroom so many times during the night. The doctor says he probably felt like he was running marathons due to dehydration.
While I was driving over I had checked my cell phone and he had left me a text message at 4:30 am that said "Mom - I need to go to the hospital" Seriously, a text message? You called me at 6 am - you could have called me at 4:30 and saved yourself $85.00.
So they let him go around 4 p.m. without knowing what it is. Nothing showed up in his blood work and they will test his usual urine and his "bum urine" as he calls it. They will call if something significant shows up, and of course..if you get worse - come back to the hospital.
So at 11:00 tonight I called him and he said he had woke up around 8 completely soaked, so that would mean at least his fever broke.
So I am puppy sitting for a few days so he can rest and get better.

Did I read somewhere " a bad start to the new year means a good finish"? Hope so.