...I'm still here...

 

I'm still here..

 

Was talking to my mom a few days ago

& she mentioned that I haven't posted lately..

 

Little Possum had his one month Dr's appointment on Tuesday..

It went really well..

He went from 5lbs 15oz to 7lbs 8oz.

They told us that we no long have to wake him up to feed

him every 3 hrs..

But, only when he wakes up & is hungry..

I feel like I'm venturing into uncharted territory...

I've called Mom many times since Tuesday.

Figured, she raised 5 girls she knows a thing or two about babies..

 

Brian stayed up with baby on his days off..

And now I know what he meant..

Little Possum was wide awake last night..

And I feel like night of the living dead..

The schedule we had was as much for us as it was for him..

Now what??

As a first time mom I'm really at a loss to what I should be doing..

Laundry is done (for the most part)

Dishes are done (for the most part..)

Fish is in the fridge to thaw for dinner tonight..

 

Dare I dream of slipping into the basement to sew when Brian gets home??

Or shall I be realistic & assume I'll be napping...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Mary's Quilt



mayo foundation house

I got a phone call a couple months ago from a friend of mine. We worked together at the Mayo Foundation House in Rochester,Mn.  I was surprised when she called me to do a quilt for her.

I took her quilt over to mom&dad's and laid it out on their basement floor. Mary said she used all scraps for this project that it took her 2 yrs to finish. Not because the pattern takes two years but more so she's a busy gal. She only could put bits&pieces of time into it. it's PERFECT. All the points are perfect.. She does such good work.

So, I placed her quilt on 'betty' and away we went. It took me a shorter amount of time to quilt it than I thought. And wonderfully, nothing happened with my machine.. it ran very smoothly.

When I quilted it I went around the middle squares, then around the 2nd block and then around the outer block. I think it turned out rather nicely. I didn't want to take away from her design. 


Happy Sewing!!!
~Laura

Shopping

Sew.. I convinced my husband into a quickie run into Rochester today.. :) Minus the traffic and road work it was a pretty good trip. I wanted to visit the local Sewing Machine shop. They moved recently from Barlow's Plaza to the Sam's Club Shopping Center.. 

http://www.kelleysqualitysewingcenter.com/Home_Page.html

They have everything a quilter or knitter could possibly want and then some. I needed quilting needles and pre-wound bobbins. I wish I could have looked around more. The new space is so big its Sew wonderful.. :)   I spy ed a few long arm quilting machines in the back. Looking at my hubby I hinted that one would be nice.. eventually.. hopefully before I die.. someday. :)  They are incredibly helpful and are knowledgeable of the products they sell. Betty, my Babylock Quilters Dream came from Quality. :)

We also snuck into my FAVORITE store of all time.. I love target.. I found alot of fun finds in their $1.00 section.. Got some cute little things for my nieces. <3 I love window shopping..

Happy Stitches~
 Laura




Shattered...

So, I'm so clumsy...  Went into my sewing room a couple days ago.. Needed to cut a few more pieces of fabric for the pink & brown quilt I'm doing. Which is something I need to get done by MOTHERS DAY.. I've always been better under pressure.. Always..   SO... I had a stack I was carrying into my fabric haven.. Included Cell phone, fabric and a pad of paper.. Not in that order..  I must have moved just right and smack....

   There goes my phone...

So.. Uh mm... Thank God I have insurance on it.. But still..  Funny thing is.. They don't make my htc H2 anymore.. So I'd have to get a different phone as soon as I pay the deductible.. So.. I better get back to sewing the Pink & Brown Quilt..

Wish me luck~

 Happy Stitches~

 Laura

Quilt Retreat March 2012 Part1

So this year at retreat I didnt get as much done as I thought I would.. I remember in past years that I could stay up much later than I can now before my eyes would go double and heavy. I blame this on old age. I got to working on the "Simply Stars'' pattern.

 I really thought at first glace that I would be harder than It acctually was.. Funny how you can be sew intimadated in something but really REALLY its so much easier than meets the eye.. Funny..

First, I started by sewing my strips.. The pattern had it greens,purples, red, darker red, blue and tan.. I sometimes *not all the time* will follow the pattern colors.. This isnt one of those times.. I chose pink, blue, green and purples. I love bright vibrant colors- jewel tones.  Then, I cut templates (you can find the template fabric at like Michaels or Hobby Lobby- I would guess that Joanns would have it as well)

I sewed 6 of each color only because I was switching it up and only doing 4 colors and black borders.

The blocks themselves are sewing Y seams.. Its really not as hard as you think and don't pych yourself you, IT WILL TURN OUT.. And if it doesn't pull Jack the Ripper out and Start over..

They reminds me of paper airplanes..

The quilt is sewn on point at a diagional.. I rarely if ever put things on Point.. I may love a quilt or pattern but won't make it if its on point. (I made this one to prove to myself that YES! I CAN make it!! Mostly because T wants it.. and I needed to KNOW I could!!  I didn't use the template for the borders- didnt think that far- but cut a 4'' strip of fabric and winged it like I always do...

Thursday..

...So yes, I know I haven't been blogging lately.. I haven't been sewing lately due to my wrist has been bothering me. Last time I visited the Dr, he said I may have the onset of carpel tunnel not an excuse I know but, I've been dreaming of sewing.. does that count?  So, Today was my day off so I went into my sewing room, looking at the quilt J wanted me to do for her.. Its been over a year since she gave me fabric & payment for said quilt. But, I've been waiting for pictures so there was little I could do without them. Now, after being given the go ahead minus the pictures.. I've to figure out what I was thinking with the colors

pretty little colors.. pinks & browns

 would have been a good idea to mark the pieces even though I wasn't going to sew them yet.. 

So I started making my flying geese segments. She picked a quilt from 'Miss Rosie's Spice of Life' (I think that's what the book is called)

gizmo and Rosie..

When, our babies would have none of it.. Brian was upstairs making dinner when I was sewing and our little puppies decided to start to play between my legs, right under the sewing machine..  Uhmm.. ya.. right..   So, I only got 4 of my flying geese units done but its a start.. 

Been dreaming of quilt retreat.. its less than 3 weeks away..  Last weekend I have Dorothy (the sweetest older woman ever) and T over. I had a few new books I've been hoarding and had them out to show them.. T's been talking about me making a project for her. And wouldn't you know it she picked a quilt out of 'Simply triangles' going I WANT THIS ONE!! I'm unsure scared about anything that doesn't have square corners or is on point..

So I'm going to attempt it at quilt retreat.. Now to debate on a trip to the fabric store.. :) I want to try and make one before I attempt on for T.. 

spring cleaning...

Sew.. instead of sewing on my 2 days off.. I cleaned instead..MY old sewing room and the bedroom both got makeovers.. now all I want to do is paint & decorate... My old sewing room will evenutally be a bedroom for our *future* child. Was thinking of painting it yellow so when we do get with baby then if its a girl we can do pink and if we have it boy then blue...

I've been dreaming of my projects...  When I get the borders on it I'll post a picture.. ;)

Manic Monday

Reminds me of mom, me and Cindy while we are at quilt retreats..

Its been a hectic Monday.. So much to do at the Bakery.. I didn't sew yesterday..which wasn't what I had planned but you know.. such is life.. right?

So, today after looking through many of quilt magazines looking for some sort of inspiration.. Something to spark the 'I NEED TO MAKE THIS'  until, this block..  I need to sew in the vines with thread but i sketched them in.. I think I'm going to make a table runner out of it..

Yay!! Finally a WEEKEND off!!!!

Finally, after one hell of a week at the JOB.. I get a weekend off.. Oh what to do...

Day 28 of the Drop and give me 20 quilting challenge I got a little side tracked.. not by something sparkly but by an idea I'd had seen on pinterest.. Oh how I can spend hours on pinterest..   I went to the local 5&dime after work Thursday to pick out the border fabric for the Horse quilt.. The little lady who helped me was SO nice.. Armed with my fabric I headed towards the front to then get side tracked with the felt.. I saw these cute little heart bookmarks on Pinterest and thought ''I'm here, I should get this'' So...

 I made myself a little template out of some cardboard and away I went..  I don't know who I'll give them too.. I know a few people who still read actual books.. not just nooks. :)  I even hand embroidered them.. something I rarely do..  They are so so cute..              

Sew.. On day 27 of the Drop and give me 20 quilt challenge.. I was sitting in my sewing room in a bit of a funk.. You know what 'funk' you get into when you have things you SHOULD be doing but don't want to do them but yet don't really know what you WANT to work on???

Sew.. I went through my UFO box and found this wall hanging kit I've had FOREVER.. At first I wasn't really fond of the colors because they aren't colors that I would do.. you know? I switch out the drab purple they had in the kit for a more purple that I liked..  and started to sew, applique and quilt..

By 10ish I was done.. I even embellished it.. :) I have no idea where I'm going to put it or if it will be a gift but I got it done!!! I'm so proud of myself!! I even have a little hanger for it..

Now what to do today.. :-P I have the WHOLE day off.. Hubby it here too.. We don't have plans until this evening when we will go to T's for dinner.. I have a french silk pie to make.. if it works the Hubby will get one for his birthday coming up.. ;)

Happy sewing!!

Quilter's Snowday...

Armed with a doctored up mug of Double Black Diamond Extra Bold Coffee and the puppies I set off into my sewing oblivion.. :)  I got sew much done!! Its snowy and cold here in Minnesota (finally, but mother nature can take another holiday and bring back the 50's) I have entered my happy place. :)   I worked on my January Project, Black Urban Cabin.. I cut 2 quilts out. *yay me* and worked on a few mug mats that are belated Christmas gifts for a few friends.  Oh, and I started building houses from scraps thanks to Sister C who started doing these as well.. :)



Thurs 1/12/2012 block..

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Friday 1/13/2012 block.. see its 3"

I don't know about anyone else but to sew is like to breathe for me.. :)


my mug mats.. :) and binding options..



Urban Cabin..



Urban Cabin.. its SO pretty.. I'm so happy with the colors..





Happy Belated 2012

Happy Belated 2012..  

My Resolutions are as follows:  Be Healthier, Walk, Be Happy, Find the Good in all People, Don*t Gossip, Be Switzerland, Sew everyday, Make one quilt: start to finish every month, Smile, Have better faith,  Stop drinking soda... I figure if I have many then it won't be as easy to break them all.. The soda stoppage lasted all of 3 days. But, hey I tried!


it hasn't been THIS clean in ...



I've spent my Sunday in my sewing room cleaning the scraps and papers up off the floor. I've some what organized my fabric stash. Tho, I may say I'll use what I have before I buy more. It seems I can't stay away from my favorite fabric stores and online shops. Even if its just to look. Does one ever really JUST look? 



quilt I did for a co-worker

This month I'm going to do the same quilt I did for a co-worker of mine but this time I'm going to do blacks and batiks. I figured in cleaning my sewing room and getting organized. I'm never really am That it will be easy to stay on track.. :)  Wish me luck :)


I do hope you've set some reasonable goals for yourself and I wish you a sew very happy 2012..