Last Finish

I surprised myself and finished my stars before Tuesday and before the end of the year. I'm feeling pretty happy with myself. 

I'm feeling pretty good about getting rid of those tiny 2 inch squares too. 

It's not fancy but I like it and I think it matches my cobalt glassware pretty good. 

It's a good way to end the year. 

Have a happy New Years Eve and day!

Take care, Brandie

Bye Bye Blues

I'm happy to say that I've meet my goal of using up all those blue squares and finishing the top!

I've been distracted with family and movies but there was a few minutes between distractions to finish the top. 

Also I had time to piece a back with some of the smaller (imperfect) squares. 

I've had the beautiful blue toile (French General) on my shelf for awhile. I debated using it because if I used it I might regret it. It's stupid but that was what was going through my mind. I finally decided to use it, that's why I bought it. 

How I'm going to get a few quilting line through it. I'm not doing anything fancy, just straight line quilting. 

Thanks for stopping by and for all your encouragement. 

Take care, Brandie

Middle Age

I think I've hit it, middle age that is. 

These last couple of months have been filled with blood work, tests, exams and unmentionables. 

I'm going to try not to bore you with mundane details. I'm just sharing that its new to me and has been good and bad. First with the good. I just heard back that the genetic disease that my brother and mother have, does not effect me! I've been holding my breath for quite awhile waiting to hear about these results. Yesterday I was over joyed to get the news. I even shed a tear or two of joy, just a tear or two. 

And speaking of tears, that's another issue but we are working on this. Lets just say I have now joined the group of daily med users. But it's a good thing so far and I have my fingers crossed that my energy, ambition and strength will return along with my hormones. 

Now for some quilting news. I haven't done much but I have started a project. All others have fallen into a box and have been stacked in a corner. 

But back to the new project. I've set a deadline for next Monday to be finished with a new top. Why Monday? Because I'm determined to have it finished before the end of the year and Monday is my last day. Tuesday I will be going in for a out patient surgery, my first ever. I'm not sure how I'll feel and I think having a beautiful quilt top will cheer me up and make me feel better. 

This quilt is made from leftovers of my cousins wedding quilt. I've have a box of two inch squares taking up too much room in my sewing space and I want them out of my way!

This pattern came from a picture I saw in the "Keepsake Quilting" catalog. I believe it's called "Nantucket". 

I just used those two inch squares and drafted my pattern from there. 

I love it so much I'm going to keep it! It'll be beautiful with all my cobalt glass. I may even redecorate to display it. But we will see how much energy I have in the new year. 

Anyhow, being as this is the day before Christmas, I sincerely wish you all a happy, blessed week and a very happy New Year!

Take care, Brandie

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

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

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 

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

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

Purple and Green 2

I have a flimsy! A really long flimsy!

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

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

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

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

Little Boy Blue

It seems more often than not, I'm starting things at the last minute. Today is no different. 

Friday night I have a baby shower to attend and what else would I bring but a quilt? 

So I'm sewing up a bunch of left over pre cut two inch squares and I will then add them to a panel I bought. Yes, I'm cheating. 

I'll be back later this week. 

Take care, Brandie

Alphabet

This weekend wasn't as productive as I had hoped, but I did finish my alphabet stitches. One more half-done quilt to add to my UFO basket. 

Now I did clean out two closets, under the kitchen sink and my laundry/storage room.

It's a great feeling to have a bit more space and lots more organization. Almost as good a feeling as new undies!

As cool as it is now, I think it's time to pull out my hand quilting. I could quilt and keep warm. 

Or I can just stay wrapped up with Max and a book. That's probably today's plan. I deserve a rest after fall cleaning. Right? And some chocolates. I deserve some chocolate. 

Have a happy Monday!

Take care, Brandie

Scrappy 4

I finally sat down and finished a few more pumpkins. 

There are only four more to complete before I add sashing. 

I'm feeling a bit slow so don't hold your breath on seeing this finished anytime soon. 

I did a bit of hand work. It was procrastination. I should have started it weeks ago but I forgot. 

It needed to be done for a party last night and amazingly I finished it just in time. 

I hadn't done reverse appliqué in awhile but it went smoothly. 

I made an awfully ugly cake but I was in a hurry and ran out of cream cheese. I had already made three batches of Maple Cream Cheese frosting and I was pressed for time. 

I listen to Hubby and wished what he said would be true, "It doesn't have to look good to taste good".

I think he was right again because I came home with less than I brought!

Have a Happy day!

Take care, Brandie

What I did during my summer vacation

All things change. One minute you have a spare bedroom for when your daughter visits. Then suddenly that room is no longer your daughters but her uncles. Not really a fair trade but I'll adapt. 

Most of you know that my daughter had moved to San Luis Obispo. I of course was hoping it was a flight of fancy and she'd move right back home. But after a year, she made it permanent by moving all her belongings from home to her new apartment. 

So this summer started with loading then unloading a Uhaul. 

It wasn't all work and no play. We spent lots of time with our feet in the sand and our tummys full. 

The summer ended with a train ride home. I decided I needed an adventure and boy did I get one. A 12 hour ride home. But the plus side was I could visit the restroom (tiny) as often as I needed. And another plus was that with the middle of the week being slow I had a lot of room to move and stretch without having my back go out. Big plus!

Now that I'm home, it's time to return to my scrappy pumpkins. Wish me luck! Hopefully I'll be back with some pumpkins to share on Monday. 

Take care, Brandie

Quilt Show Post 3

This post is all about the goodies. Quilt shows and vendors go hand in hand and not even the most disciplined of us can't resist those booths of goodies. And I certainly did not! This year we had 17 fabulous vendors and I did my part to make them happy.

I found a flour sack at our guilds mercantile booth, along with someone's left over civil war strips. I thought they'd be a good match for a someday project. (This is all Thanks to Barb who inspires me with  political fabrics and fabulous presidential quilts)

I couldn't resist these 6" solid strips. What for? I don't have a clue but they seemed like something that would be good to hold the dust.
Those lavender half yards will go good with my embroidered alphabet blocks, when I finish them that is.

Tis the season for all things orange, so I picked up a few of those. I just couldn't help myself!
Then I found a few fat quarters that may find their way into my hexie quilt, when I get back to it. (Story of my life!)

I really, really couldn't resist the linens! I love them all! But I especially love those putty colored linens and white embroidery.

Then there were all the hankies. Someday (someday) I'll get around to putting them together.

I just can't leave a monogramed hankie behind. This are the staples of my collection. Do I have a plan for them? No, but I'll give them a good home.

And how could I leave this lady behind! She matches my framed mermaid, they could be sisters or cousins!
One of our guild members (Judy P) had a booth and was selling her "girls". When I came around the corner and saw her mermaids, I bought one immediately! Then I came back and saw a new mermaid and traded. It really was a hard decision to make, they were all fabulous!

I wasn't lucky enough to win a basket of pumpkins, but I did win a jar of batik scraps for appliquéing. As you can see, Dorian loved the presentation!

And what better way to celebrate the beginning of October than with a black cat. I brought out a few decorations and Sheba made herself right at home completing the perfect look.

So there is my economy stimulating post. It was the most fun I've had in months! After all the work, all the standing, the swollen ankles, bruised toe nails and blisters, I really had a great weekend. But after heading two shows, I'm done! I want to be in the background from now on. Go back to being a wall flower, I'm really good at that.

Today I finally get back to a "normal" day. I have the laundry going and next it's time to reacquaint my bottom to my sewing chair. Those scrappy pumpkins are calling.

Take care, Brandie