2011: The Year in Review

Actual – 8 quilts and 6 baby afghans done

Participating in the PhD challenge was a good way to start the year. I always have too many projects going, so this was a good way to make myself get some of them done and out of the house.

#1 Double 4-patch that went to Binky Patrol

#2 Triangles for Libee

#3 Wonky 9-patch that went to Binky Patrol

#4 Random Triangles that I didn’t have a home for until the day I was binding it and my dil came in and asked if I could make her a quilt that she could take to work so her clients would have something to sit on if they forgot to bring a chair to outdoor events.

#5 D & T’s Wedding Quilt

#6 Oh My Stars mystery quilt – wedding gift for J and S

I also managed to finish 2 others

#7 – Stained Glass – wedding gift for Waldo and his bride

#8 – Argyle – wedding gift for J & M

After finishing #8 which took 2 months to make, and J & M’s wedding at the end of September I was wiped out and didn’t touch my sewing machine again for 4 months. Finally started A’s baby quilt last nite. He’s only 4 days old so it should get there soon enough, right? I want to get this top together this weekend so it will actually be my first quilt of 2012

What else is on the list for 2012?

Wedding quilt for M & J and I would like to make each of my kids a quilt for their birthday. I have some of these started. L’s (school time) is all cut out, J’s (pretty in pink) partially. They are all getting the same quilt, just different fabric which completely changes the look of the quilt. I have used this fat-quarter friendly pattern before and it goes together so fast. The only problem is picking fabrics.

Frustration!

We had the wedding all planned. We had the place, the caterer, the dress, the minister, the DJ. Then came the email saying “Sorry, you have to find a new place, I’m selling.” Not even a phone call but an email!

I was on the train on my way back from Colorado and the wedding of nephew #1 when J called to tell me of the email she had just gotten on a Monday morning while she was getting ready for work. Not a nice way to start the week. 

She was planning on coming anyway to look for flowers and cake. Instead we hunted for a new venue. Found one but we had to change the date and the caterer. Glad we didn’t have the invites printed yet.

Now to get working on the quilt!

Family Time

I spent last week at my sister’s house in Colorado. It was a great time.

One nephew graduated from HS in the rain.

His older brother got married on the only (mostly) sunny day last week. 

 

A fabulous week was had by all even if it was rainy. Dad, his wife and three daughters went wine tasting and it was so much fun. Because of the rain most of the places had no one else in them. I have never had wine that tasted of chocolate before but it was wonderful! The next day was for shopping, so of course I picked FABRIC! My sisters preferred clothes so we left them behind and went on a shop hop. I got almost enough fabric to fill the hole in my suitcase left from the quilt I brought them. My sister (mother of the groom) was so excited for them to see the quilt that she made them open it at the reception so everyone could see it. The week ended too soon. I love spending time with my family! 

I suppose returning to work is inevitable. And now the rain has followed me home. Boo

Family Time

This has been an amazing week with family. Last Thursday my son spent the night before he left for his last (he will be out of the army in July!) long drill weekend. Friday an old friend who now lives in NY came with her husband and daughter and we had a marvelous time catching up on what the other has been up to lately. Saturday they left for her 2 youngest children's college graduations. Sunday they stopped back by for lunch on their way through town. Monday I landed in Colorado to visit my sister. Tuesday my nephew graduated from HS. Wednesday we (Dad, Diane, Patti, Ruth & me) went wine tasting. Thursday was shopping day. There are lots of really great quilt shops in Grand Junction CO. Today is the rehearsal/dinner for the wedding tomorrow. What a terrific week it has been. But... I can't wait to get back home to my sewing machine!

Today is an Indiana Jones marathon. I have Phd quilt number 6 in the frame. I like the quilting pattern but it isn’t easy to make it even. 

I really should be working on my to do list of things that I have to get done this week but… I would rather sew than do laundry. I also need to make cookies. C & J will be stopping by on Thursday. I promised cookies for his birthday so I really need to make them soon. The house also needs cleaned before Paula & Tim come on Friday. It will be good to see them, even if it is only for one night. Then it will be off to Colorado for graduation and a wedding. It should be a good time. Now if only the quilt bindings would put themselves on the quilts!

Grumbles and Groans

I hate steroids! They make me feel so awful. I know they are supposed to help but it takes way to long for the bad to go away. After spending the last month laying on the couch getting not much of anything done I am ready to have some energy again. I have 2 quilts that need to be done (quilted and bound) for weddings that are coming up and I just can’t seem to find any enthusiasm to stand at the frame to get the quilting done. I also have 3 quilts that are quilted and just need the binding. At least I can see to drive again so I can get fabric for that – hopefully tomorrow. I was hoping to L’s to her before her birthday. Oh, well. Someday…