Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

Monday, November 25, 2013

Turkey Week

It's only Monday and I'm already tired! 
I've spent the morning getting some turkey fixins and a bit of Christmas shopping done. 
Is it just me or did this year pass by quickly? Not just that but I feel rushed for Christmas. And poor. 
I may not have a lot but I'm very Thankful for what I do have. This is the season we make the most out of being Thankful. With the year our family has had, everyday becomes a blessing. 
I'm Thankful for all my blogger friends and I'd like to wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving. And hopefully we all get some sewing time!

Take care, Brandie

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Cat Problems

If you have a cat you'll understand my problem. I can't keep him out of my way!
All I wanted to do was test and see if a frame looked good, but I had help! Cat help!
Anyway, I liked it better without a frame (so far) and I'm pretty sure I know which direction I'm heading. More blocks are needed as you can see and less cat. 

Take care!
Brandie

Monday, November 18, 2013

Red UFO

Back in February I had started this red "idea". 
Today I'm going to try to complete my "idea" and make a few blocks. 
I'm hoping I do these fabrics justice. I'm loving them!

Take care, Brandie 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Leftovers Finished

I think I accidentally made a modern quilt.
This wasn't the plan.  The plan was to use up my leftover strips. 
I'm pleased with the way it turned. But I'm still a traditional quilter at heart. 
For those that missed this the first time, there is no pattern. This is just a happy accident on how it came out. Sorry, no pattern. 
I had fun putting this together and it has renewed an interest in finishing my UFOs. I have another lined up, after I finish my alphabet quilt. And I have finally understood the meaning of a "leader and ender" quilt. This is going to help me use up my box of blue and white squares, someday. 

Time to get my hands dirty and clean up! Have a wonderful day!
Take care , Brandie

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Leftovers

Do you like leftovers? Do you use your leftovers or do you get rid of them? Me, I like leftovers. Sometimes they turn into something kind of amazing. 
Like this quilt below. These use to be strips and I used parts of three. But that left the rest of the jelly roll taking up space on my shelf. 
So one day I just started sewing them together. Then after I had these three unit strips I cut them into squares. Then I thought those squares were too boring so I cut them into triangles and sewed them back into squares. 
After several attempts to turn them into a pleasing order, this is what I came up with. I'm amazed, I am surprised and I like it!
So do you like leftovers?

I've also been working on my alphabet quilt. I added a border and started the quilting. But what I love is that I used up some stash fabric for the backing. 
This makes me happy! Not only to be frugal but because it also frees up shelf space for more fabric! Christmas is coming!
Now I'm hoping to find a backing for my leftovers too. That would make this a great day. Clean frig, two quilts more or less done and I'm feeling great. It's going to be a great day!

Take care, Brandie

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Purple and Green 2

I have a flimsy! A really long flimsy!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Purple and Green

I had a couple of hours before my eye appointment yesterday and I used it wisely. I added a frame around each of my embroidered letters. 
I had six purples and six greens that matched so I now have a colorful array of blocks. 
They will be set on a diagonal. At least that is my plan so far. 
I sketched out a design a month or so back.  
Don't laugh at my silly drawing it helped me keep track of my colors and letters. 

I ran out off yellow so I have to put it off till I get some more. 
All in all I was pleased with what I accomplished, especially as I had to have my eyes dilated and I knew I'd be out of commission all evening. 

 Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Take care, Brandie

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Faithful

I finished Lori's quilt along! This makes me sew happy. It may not be a very big quilt but I finished it just the same. Lately I just don't have the drive and that makes me sad. But this quilt is finished and that makes me happy!
I started with a practice middle from those scrappy pumpkins. Than I added all the borders. 
Now I have to say, I picked some dull fabrics. Even Hubby said "it looks a bit holly hobby ish". That's code for "70's". 
So with my next row of Half square triangles I tried to use fabrics with a bit more color. Still 70's. 
My brilliant plan was to quilt it with Thanksgiving sayings and then say " I meant for it to look this way".

Anyway I had fun and it was a quick, fun project. Thank you Lori for hosting this quilt along!

I had so much fun with these HSTs that I'm going to be doing more. I harassed my friend Jo about her tree of life pattern and I'm anxious to start it! It'll be another small quilt. Something for the holidays. At least that's the plan now. 

Have a wonderful day!
Take care, Brandie

Monday, November 4, 2013

Scrappy Pumpkins 5

The pumpkins are finally finished! 
Next I need to cut out the sashing. 
They are all different and I love that!
After I finished them yesterday evening, I then needed to clean up my sewing space. I had scraps everywhere! 
That's one thing I hate about using scraps. You have a huge pile to go through and then to put away. But I do love a scrappy look. 

Now I have to finish Lori's quilt along, using some of the same scraps. 

Have a Happy Monday!
Take care, Brandie

Friday, November 1, 2013

Boy Blue Done

It's a finish and I now have hours to play before the shower. 
It started with a panel. Mom to be is doing a cowboy theme and this was the only cowboy-ish fabric I could find on such short notice. 
But because I still feel like I've cheated, I add a pieced border of leftover scraps. 
I also added a Minky backing. I really like that feel and I think a baby would too. BUT I had a bit of a hard time quilting this time. It seemed to stick to my machine base. So the quilting isn't my finest but it works. 
Now I can get back to my last three pumpkins. Maybe I'll even finish them by Thanksgiving. 

Have a Wonderful weekend!
Take care, Brandie