December 6: Evening Thoughts

Before reading more, I need to state that the quilt was not the issue.  It was me and my lack of attention to my machinery.  The final outcome is that this quilt will be loved and appreciated.  The young man who is going to receive it will definitely be displaying it with pride!

After several glitches or maybe many glitches, I finished Alycia's quilt.  It is her first and was well done for a first one.  However, the applique technique she used on some of the t-shirts would have made it very hard to quilt from the back.  I had to have my right hand on the actual quilt all the time so that I would not raise any edges.  The appliques were not so much a design as a way of attaching parts of the t-shirts to each block so an overall meander really was a good choice, but still required attention.  It turned out great and even has a great binding attached.......

Now for the rest of the story.  My HQ was acting up so I had to do some unsewing, replace a bobbin, and also rethreaded the machine.  Finally figured out that it was due more the differences in quilt top thicknesses and the interface she chose, but once I realized that, everything went great.  I chose a different needle and just slowed way down on the thicker sections.  The quilt was then trimmed up and ready for me to add the binding.  This is where the next problem arose.  I have always fumbled around when I put the walking foot on my Bernina.  (Least favorite version of a walking foot, in my  humble opinion.  Love my machine, though!)  The quilt was not feeding well, so I first wanted to blame everything on the quilt but deep in my heart, I knew that was not fair.  The quilt WAS NOT the issue!!!  I did no have the arm that goes over the screw lined up so it was not doing its job.  MY FAULT entirely.  I had to unsew 1/2 of the short side and start over.  Still my goal was to finish quilting and binding by 2:00 and I actually finished about 2:30.
I would share the quilt, but it is a present, so you will just have to try to call an image up in your head.

Final thought:  In the past I would have gone to the kitchen and eaten whatever was available when I hit this stress level.  Instead, I chomped down on a juicy apple and went back to the studio.  Guess I really am learning how to eat better.

December 6 Good Morning

Yesterday I set some goals and accomplished all of them, but I had to stay up until 10:30 to make certain they were done.  I also helped Kevin with a bit of a project - putting a red velvet bottom lining and a cushioned ring holder into one of his boxes.  Feels good to get all my list taken care of and also be able to help him.

Today I am quilting a large twin t-shirt quilt made by new quilter.  That is the morning project because it is only going to be meandered.  I am also attaching the binding.  My Bernina is back in the studio, so my afternoon project will involve a bit of re-arranging to put a side table next to the machine to hold the weight of the quilt while I am attaching the binding, but all of this WILL be done by supper.  I also hope to do some piecing on my Twister, but that may have to wait until after supper when Kevin goes back to school to continue his efforts on finishing up this semester's projects.

I want to finish 2011 with a real sense of accomplishment, so during my downtime today, I am going to work on a list of what I have done and what I think I can finish by December 31.  There is no plan to drive myself to stress but rather to set a plan and follow through.  I don't really do new year's resolutions because I try to set goals throughout the year, but when the year is coming to an end, I do try to tie up the loose ends.  (IF UFOS DON'T COUNT!)

December 5: Update

I can now download more photos, so I thought I would share my new needle punch creation.  This one is called OH....Bright and Shiny!  It is to honor all my friends that are easily distracted by all the beautiful arts and crafts.  Connie can you see it yet?

Today is a very full day.  I got up a bit later than normal, so i am already feeling a little behind.  I had a baked apple wrap and am finishing up my computer time.  Then I am finishing recutting the last 4 rows of my Twister quilt, and then I am piecing a back and loading a large twin sized t-shirt quilt.  After that I am going to sew Twister blocks together until it is time for my carving class.  After class, Kevin and I need to run a few quick errands, that are never so quick because we have to drive into Burlington.  (Of course, we use the time to chat, so it is still a quality activity.)  Whatever is left of the evening will be used to work on this punch needle design.

Is this life stressful?  NO!  We are so blessed to have this year to spend enjoying being together and focusing on our gifts of creativity.

December 5: Have to Make a Change

Wanted to share a few more photos, but I guess I have been too prolific.  Have to add some paid storage space.  May not be able to use it for about 24 hours.  I will send photos when I am notified that I have received the space.  Guess I should have expected to pay for something, sometime, right?

December 2: What a Wonderful Life

Yesterday, I kind of started working on my newest snow person punch needle design.  BUT Sandi and I had not seen each other for a couple of weeks, so we did way more chatting that stitching.  Loved it!  So this morning I fit in about 25 minutes to finish off the first piece of this design.

Last night I did some woodworking.  Kevin and I bought 2x4s and a 2 x 4 foot sheet of plywood.  Then we went to his school and he used the chop saw and table saw to cut the boards to proper sizes.  I held the frame pieces in place while he screwed them together.  Then I drilled holes in the two pieces of plywood and we shared the task of screwing them down.  What did we make?  A craving bench for me to use at the apartment.  Will it travel back to South Dakota in May?  (Well, if I could get Hermoine's carry all bag maybe, but time will tell.)  I also purchased a fun mat to stand on as I carve.  Hope to do a little carving this afternoon, but I have other plans for the rest of my morning.  My next carving class is Monday afternoon.

I am working on my large Christmas Twister quilt.  I am not thinking it will be long before it is pieced, but I may not get it on the bed until MUCH closer to Christmas.  Once it is on the bed we will have exactly 4 Christmas decorations.  The Advent wall hanging needs about 2 hours of quilting and then it will be on the wall today.  Better late than never, right?

Off to recut and stitch.  Figure that if I work at this twister quilt steady for the next couple of days, I should have it on the frame by Wednesday.  I am always the optimist!

December 1: On Its Way

IT IS A RECORD!!!  This top arrived yesterday about noon and it is just 11:00 AM.  It is quilted and trimmed.  It will be in the mail tomorrow when Kevin heads for school.  There are some really fun fabrics in this one.  Cooper will love it!  There will be hours and hours of finding special items.

December 1: Finally Accomplished My Daily Goals

Yesterday, I made a short list of things I wanted to accomplish.  Short being the operative word.  I thought if I listed everything I want to do for the week or the month that it would just overwhelm me, so I stuck with finishing a binding, piecing my smaller Christmas lap quilt, paying a few bills, and reading 2 chapters in my current book.  Since Kevin went back to school for the evening, I did all these things and one more task.  Guess I feel like gloating about it.

This twister started at 70.5 inches square.  It is now 52 inches
square after the recutting and sewing.  I plan to add a border
but will wait until the large bed quilt is finished to see what
I have left to use.  NOT BUYING MORE FABRIC!

I remembered a trick that helped me to make the backing for this quilt be just large enough.   Jamie had added fabric because the original piece was not quite wide enough.  When I saw it, I realized that with a bit of extra sewing I could make the original backing fit because there was some extra at the bottom.  I unsewed the strips she had added.  Pieced two small strips of the original together and added them to the back.  Then I added back her extra strips so that I would have enough fabric for the clamps.  The measurement is very close, but PHEW! it will will work.  The quilt is for Cooper, my grandchildren's cousin.  He has tried unsuccessfully to liberate their "cousin quilts", so Jamie decided this is what he needs for Christmas. 

This kid's quilt arrived in the mail yesterday.  I decided to mount
it last night so that I can quilt it this morning and get it back to
my daughter to bind.  If all goes right it will be in the mail tomorrow.