More UFO's

Also from this basket of UFO's.....

I think this was a class in April of 2007. Gail am I right? I forced Gail to take this Feather Star class with me. This class was taught by Goldie. She taught us how to do this new paper piecing technique with freezer paper. It was a great technique that I have continued to use. I liked this pattern so much that I made two stars. I loved the other and this one not so much. Until I discover it again. WHAT WAS I THINKING? It's gorgeous! So now is the time to finish it.

This was another class, taught by Jozette. Do you all remember the sunflowers on batiks from my early posts? She made that quilt and taught me these new applique techniques for this quilt. Click on the pic to enlarge and look at the woven basket. That's why I took this class, I was "like how did she do that?" I did start to add some quilting designs to this quilt and I have the backing for it, so what's the holdup? Now the question will be, which one to start with.

I'll be back with more tomorrow, Brandie

UFO Basket

Just a few pics after the rain. Doesn't the picture above look like a secret garden? I love it.

Have I told you about our Guild's new challenge? How this next year we are to finish up those UFO's? Well, this is my UFO basket. I keep all my projects in here. Though I did find 3 elsewhere. I'm totally ashamed! I have 18 UFO's. So I'm going to show a couple at a time.
In the summer of 2008, our county had a couple of terrible fires, at the same time. I knew of 3 family's that lost their homes. I myself was only inconvenienced by being locked out of my own town for 2 days. Luckily my Best-Friend took care of my animals and transported them to safety.

After the fires my friend Gail and I thought it would be nice to give back, by giving quilts to these families. One of the quilts was some water lily blocks that I made, thinking the opposite of fire. I gave them to Gail to piece a quilt around them. I liked the blocks so much, I made my own set on green. So I made up a pattern and let them sit, till now. This is a pattern from Brandywine, called the New England Sampler. I think I stared this in 1998. I haven't finished borders and have no idea how to quilt it. Well now is the time to think up a design and get it finished.

Have a great day, Brandie

Festive and Fun

Do you all remember these fabric samples? Well I've been in them again.

I thought I would send out these instead of Christmas cards.

It will probably take me years to use up those fabric samples. Again, if you have any ideas on how to use them up, let me know.

They are a little big on my little tree, but cute, don't you think?

Have a great weekend, Brandie

Read or Sew

I have been with "Kinsey" since the early days. Not quite the beginning, but since about "D". I lied and finished the book yesterday morning. Didn't get much sewing done, the book was more interesting. If any one you read Sue Grafton, her new book is definitely worth it.

I don't think I have introduced you to Victoria. She is an 11 year old female, large sulphur crested cockatoo. She came to live with us after we spent a year in Australia. Australia's native birds are everywhere. They would come down to the ground and forage in the dirt. After seeing them everywhere, I wanted to bring one home. I could buy a cockatoo for $10 Australian dollars. At that time our American dollar was worth twice as much as theirs. But the down sides were, the birds were wild, and the birds had to spend 3 months in quarantine, at a great cost. Not all animals in quarantine survived. We came home and within a mouth, we heard of a breeder who was selling an adolescent cockatoo. Long story short, we bought her and she has been living with us all these years. She's a good bird and very personable and friendly, not what we would have with a wild bird. She was hand feed from birth and I don't think she knows that she is a bird. She is a great amusement in our house.

Today, Victoria is going to help me remove pins. This is one of her favorite things, that and button removal.

Keep warm, Brandie

Style vs Comfort

I was sidetracked yesterday. I had to read my new book. It was too cold to sew. If I don't read this book, Kinsey will be left hanging. I haven't finished it yet, maybe Friday.
All of yesterdays plans will have to be done today. I'm meeting Gail this afternoon, so I should get a lot done.
Last night was wonderful, the temp was higher (29) and the bed cozy. The Princess in me has retired. I think I put aside style for comfort. I've already given up heels for flats, at 5-8, heels makes me too tall anyway. Unless they're cute. I've traded thread count for warmth. I've given up on contacts and always wear glasses. What is next? No more hair appointments? No more makeup? Mascara is something I wont leave the house without, I wouldn't want anyone to know that my eyelashes are invisible. Will I start wearing grandma clothes? Moo-moos and elastic waist pants?

Today I hope to finish up all the Christmas gifts and start on my William Morris blocks. Of course our Guild is starting a UFO challenge to finish up all those projects. I should start working on those. I really don't know how this happened. I've always prided my self on finishing something before starting anything new. But I suddenly have about 10 UFO's, and that's without looking too hard. If I can lose my way here, I could lose all sense of stlye. It could happen.
Hopefully I will still be the same stlyish person tomorrow, as I sit here in my unmachting flannel Pj's and bed head. Too late, It's already happened!
Take care, and stay warm, Brandie

Night time temp, 25

My 500 count sheets have failed me. I go into shock every night at bedtime. Those crisp sheets are to cool. So I went to town and this is what I found at Costco.
Last night I was toasty warm. No more crisp, cool sheets. I've replaced them with flannel. What a night. I oversleep, I was so warm.
Keep warm, Brandie

We Had Snow

It snowed for about 2 hours yesterday afternoon. Not a lot, maybe about an inch at our house. We don't usually get a ton of snow, but we do have it. It doesn't snow often enough for the people around here to learn to drive in it. There are always accidents and yesterday was no exception.

I stayed home curled up by the fire, in my PJ's.

Today's goal is to finish up that crushed panne throw. Just the thought makes me want to run away, that stuff is not easy to work with!

Take care and keep warm, Brandie