Joy in the sunshine

Am so excited to be out of the rain and soaking up the sun in S. California .   It always takes days for me to recover from traveling.  Not doing anything special except soaking up the vitamin D.  I was exited to find the Urban Scandinavian book at the shop that I adore here.  Trying to have a year of finishing UFO's ...but have already added several new projects to the list.   Still having issues posting pictures I take withmy IPad to blogger.   May go to the Apple Store while I am here to figure it out, as I have two finishes to post, just this year alone.

Southern CA treasures

Found two great books on my Palm Springs trip.   One is "kitchen stitches" and the other "urban Scndinavian ".  After living in Denmark for a year, I love anything Scandinavian.   Kitchen stiches has a Great carry all for a crock pot..... So here's my delimia.

Got a call this week from a store in the Palm Springs area, the Kitchen stiches book is in...do I want it?

Yes I want it but don't want to pay the crazy 8 percent tax.   Most times when I order online there is no tax, shipping to Oregon, the land of no sales tax.

Am I crazy to not want to pay an extra 8 perecent?   I don't mind paying shipping...it is just the crazy tax.

I'm not really this stupid!

Here is a picture of an antique quilt I found when cleaning out my mother in law's house a few years ago.  She knew I loved quilts and never told me about this one...really sad.  It is quite fragile, faded and dirty.   Wish I knew the story behind this one.  This photo is from several years ago and is on my phone.

Now for the not stupid part...I took a picture of what is on the design wall a few minutes ago, on my IPad, to write this posting.   I can see the picture on my iPad but when I try to find it to post it doesn't appear anywhere.  It also appears in the photos on my iPhone.   Checked the photos and cameras settings on both devices and they are set alike. Then I took a photo wih my phone and can't see that one as I try to post!!

Anyone have any suggestions or comments?

Frustrating morning

Working on calm and peaceful thoughts this morning...this a stock photo from a project I did years ago...it is the only one I can get to upload into this blog...now the rest of the story...

  I know It has been months since I last posted....somehow I can connect to my blog on my iPad but not on my home desktop.  So today I  spent an hour trying to login...no luck and result was more chest pain!  That is the story of my last seven months!  I usually don't whine about the negative things in my life but today is an exception. Sorry!   I prefer my desktop as that is where I store all my photos and don have the tiny picture issue.

In the last seven months, I have slowly been working on multiple projects making a little progress by working for 15 minutes a day then resting.  Hopefully I can add some pictures next.  Oh rats!   Just realized I don't have the right cord to go from iPhone to iPad!!!  Ok that is the next step so no pictures today.

So here is the list: (many of these were in block stages the last time I posted)
Mango tango-blocks together and borders on
Dr. Seuss 1- top done (2&3 are cut ready to sew
Autumn flannel leaves-blocks set into top and borders ready
Fall layer cake half square triangles--on the design wall  ready to sew together.

So my goal is to figure this all out over the weekend and post pictures next week!  Have a wonderful  weekend.

English houses

Still haven't resolved the tiny picture issue....sorry...

Anyone remember these from the 90's.   They are a block of the month series from a Quilt shop in Oregon (no longer available).   My new goal  is one a month for the next six months so I can get them off the UFO list.

Did you see that it is National sewing month?  Check out the great prizes at www.allfreesewing.com

Working on labels and sleeves for the Jefferson Guild show on Sept 27 and 28.

Spent last week in Olympia, took a short Long arm class, just the basics.  While it was fun, it is way to physical for me, so I don't see a long arm in my future:-(. Love the quilt shop there...Bayside quilts...great selections, friendly staff, definitely worth a visit!!

Janet Fogg at Mary's River

Am about scream...still having photo issues.   This is a quilt on my design wall...   A smaller version of the Raffle quilt I have made for Spring Hill Women's Association for the Albany Cancer Center fund Raiser.

Not much happening here.  Going to Physical therapy, aka the torture chamber, is taking all my energy.

This is the forth time I have written this post as it froze saving the other ones.   Thinking it is time to look at options for posting with an IPad.   Any suggestions?  Check out the previous post for an improved photo...not sure why the photo posted correctly this time, except I am back to working on my PC rather than and IPad.

Made it to Marys River Guild this week, to see Janet Fogg speak and share her incredible quilts. Check out her work at JanetFoggquilts.com   She now is making patterns for some smaller works, which I was tempted to buy.  But managed to resist until I finish some UFO's.

It is  a great rainy Saturday here in Oregon.  A welcome change from all the sun and heat we have had.  That is as long as it doesn't last more than a day or so.  To make it even better, it is OSU Beaver first football game day.  What more could you want?  Enjoy the long weekend!

Lemon Paper-On the design wall

Here is what is on the design wall this week.  The blocks have been done for some time, it was just a matter of getting back upstairs.  It was a kit I picked up in Sisters several years ago.  Trying to decide the final placement of the blocks.  Seem to be having problems with loading pictures--this one seems so small, any suggestions?

Japanese Block #3

I'm finding a little distraction project is a good thing.  These blocks are a quick and fun diversion from some of the other projects I've been working on, like binding a queen size quilt.  They are from Susan Briscoe's book.

I've been walking with a walker for over a week.  I'm still using the wheelchair when my knee gets cranky, but progress is definitely being made.  Yesterday, I went to the Jefferson Threadheads Guild in the morning and after a nap to a friends house for dinner.   Biggest day out so far!

Another beautiful summer day here in Oregon!   Enjoy!

Leftovers for mini quilt

Working on a mini quilt to donate to the sale area for our guild show in September.  These are left over half square triangles that measure 1 1/2 square!   This design is not working as I am short some blocks.  Will try another layout today.

Only 1 day to go till my next X-ray and doctor visit... Hoping to start weight bearing tomorrow!!

Finished "A thread so thin" by Marie Bostwick yesterday.  Good light summer reading, especially after Anna Karinina, which is my previous reading finish... All 800 pages of it!  Hoping for an Amazon delivery any day with several new books, including at least one quilt book.

Autumn Leaves Blocks finished

Autumn leaves blocks are all finished and ready for the design wall.  It will be at least a week before I can think about climbing the stairs where the design wall is located.  After 12 weeks of no weight bearing on my right leg, I can't wait!!

We've finally had a day or two of rain here in Oregon.  It sure was nice to have everything cool off and see the yard move back to green.  But now we are going back to 90 degree days!

Reading all the information about Houston...wishing I was going this year!  I'll be excited if I make it to the two Portland shows, in August and September.

Japanese Blocks

Hoping to break out of the boredom of half square triangles, I am trying to make one block out of this book by Susan Briscoe each day. I found this awesome book in one of the stores in the French Embassy section  of Toyko.

All of the fabrics were purchased  during a shopping trip to Nippori in Toyko several years ago.  For more information on our Toyko adventures checkout the labels,on the right hand lower section.

At least I can sew for a few minutes, rest and come back to it later, while staying cool inside.  It is going over 90 here in Oregon!

Half Square Triangles

208 half square triangles are need for the project--Autumn Leaves, by Bonnie Sullivan--that I am working on.  A slow and tedious process, but fits my speed these days!  I do a few, take a break and come back to it later, so the picture shows what my kitchen table looks like.  It was a kit, purchased in Bend, Oregon, several years ago during our annual trip to Sisters outdoor show.  Will post a picture when it is finished.

If you are near Oregon, don't miss the Sisters show this Saturday.  Be prepared for heat of 90 degrees or more, including a hat, sunblock and a cooler of refreshments! Unfortunately, I won't be traveling this year.

So what have I been up to since March 2013?  First 9 months of a computer conversion of Epic proportions, 12 hour days, 6&7 days a week!  My health has continued to decline...several trips to the cath lab and a new stent, still not able to keep up with Cardiac Rehab, just extremely tired.  Then in May I fractured my Tibia...2 weeks in the hospital...2 weeks in rehab...8 weeks of no weight bearing-living in a wheelchair.  More about that another time.

My son has been great at bringing projects from my studio, machines, tools, etc., since I am limited to the first floor of my house.

Since I am not able to work anymore, I am going to try blogging again.  This one is via my IPAD as a trial.  Seems a bit clumsy...but going to give it a try a few more times. Trying to figure out lots!  Let me know what you think.

Quick update

Sorry, once again no pictures as my computer area is completely disassembled due to painting going on in that room.  So after a 10 days in bed with pneumonia, working 23 out of 25 days due to a computer conversion there is not much progress to report.

Feb
-no finishes
-actually no work in the quilting studio
-3 quilts back from the long arm quilter needing bindings
-6 yards purchased for African animal project, which later was returned to the project box, as it just isn't coming together ...Need to work on changing out some fabrics, too many small prints and similar values

March
-no finishes
-just a few hours playing with fabric and patterns, preparing for cutting
-3 quilts back from the long arm quilter needing bindings
-22 yards purchased
--16 to go along with some Kaffe type prints picked up in Houston, for 2 different projects
--6 for a new project mango tango pattern...I already have lots of black and white I had hope to use up...but yes this breaks the no new projects rule!

Half my house is a disaster as everything is moved around for painting over half the rooms.  Carpet cleaners in next week then new furniture in the family and bonus rooms first of April.  Can't wait to settle back in and work on sewing projects.  Taking my old Bernina to Olympia this weekend to work on bindings while we wait for the moving truck to arrive from N. Carolina with my sisters furniture . Will be great to have her so close.

2013 2 PAM and 20

I can't believe my last post was heading to Houston...that trip needs it's own post!  January has come and flown by!!  My first two projects of the year were completed in January, meeting my personal 2 Projects A Month, aka 2 PAM goal. 

I am having an awful time uploading pictures, so am doing a text only post and hope to get back later to add pictures.

First is my autumn MODA jelly roll, fabric purchased in Indiana, pattern is Shortcake by CluckCluuckSewPatterns.com.  For a first Jelly Roll quilt it was quite easy and fun.  Here it is on the design wall. 






Here is Warren's knee surgery quilt.   I traveled in September to N.  Carolina to help my sister while her husband recovered from knee surgery.  Of course, we had to stop by the local quilt store, thistlebeesquiltshoppe.com, while out doing errands.   What do you know, but this little kit came home with me to her house.  Since we were house bound most of the two weeks, I finished all of the blocks before returning home.  So, my January work was setting the row to finish the top.




I have always wanted to join a OPAM (one project a month) group, but they all require the top to be quilted and bound.  Since I send most of mine out to be long armed, that just doesn't work for me.  So here are my rules:  project complete and ready to send out for quilting!    I currently have 4 project out to Jean and Wendy to be quilted and two waiting for binding.

Oh what about the 20?  That is my goal to sew 20 minutes a day...didn't do we'll on that in January.   Already two days behind in Feb....hmmm....wonder if I should include buying fabric in those 20 minutes...dangerous thought, since I am on a fabric diet!

Heading to Houston!

I am so excited, we are driving from Fredericksburg to Houston today.  Had lots of birthday fun yesterday with my dear friends Dave and Leslie and the best news of the day is that my suitcase arrived after a several day trip to Kansas and other locations, thanks to a ticket counter agent that put the wrong tag on my bag.   So Houston here we come!

26 days to go

Lists, lists everywhere. 26 days to go till wedding day for my son and fiancé. Not a lot of quilting going on...hoping to get back to it after wedding. Still haven't figured out how to add pictures from my iPad ...will be back to my laptop, net time I post.

Pumpkins gone wild

Designed a quilt around the center panel, trying to play a bit more...ended up with a much larger quilt than expected. Trying to decide if I am going to trim the outer borders down or if I should just leave it large.

Home today to prepare for cooking Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. If you need some great cooking tips check out Ms Glaze's Pommes d'amour in the reading list on the right. Also check out the Lego quilt by lazy gal quilting. What a great idea for all those scrap.

Got a new camera for my birthday and will be trying to take photos of the quilt later today.

NW Quilt EXPO

Yes, I am still here...that a long story to come in a future post!  Spent last Saturday enjoying the NW Quilt Expo in Portland  I especially enjoyed Marjorie Post's Elephants and the several exhibits by book club.


Finished a Flannel Star this weekend and started to work on a fall pumpkin quilt.  I'm having issues uploading photos, so check back for more, later today!

Distracted

Not a lot of quilting going on around here, as my weekend mornings seem to revolve around a precious little boy hanging out with grandma.  He's now six months old and so much fun!!  I did make two minkie quilts for Christmas presents, but am still working on getting the binding on them UGH!

Here are some recent shots from our morning...he's learned to roll over, both directions and creep towards toys. Then it's time to crash on the blanket, so grandma can update her blog.  I'll be back to to quilting soon!

Asian Cranes FINISHED!

Decided on the more copperish colored fabric for the smaller borders.  Probably not my most favorite quilt ever...not really sure why. But it will great on my walls during the fall.  In my house I always have at least five quilts hanging on the walls and one to two over the stairway railings.  For several years, I've been working on having enough quilts to change them all out during different seasons or holidays.  That is how I started working on this quilt due to the fall colors and trying to find something to use the outer border fabric on.

Since I had plenty of fabric for this, I convinced my sister to buy an extra panel, when we saw them on sale this summer.  Now there is a pre-cut kit waiting just for her in my sewing room to make this same quilt, but with the gold smaller border next time she is here!

Enjoyed the long Thanksgiving Holiday, but little sewing due to a great visit with my niece!  I am so thankful for the many blessings in my life!