Summer Fun!

I'm doing a huge catch-up post on the main highlights of my life the last few months.  As this blog is a journal of sorts, for me, I want to make sure I can look back on what's happened during my year.  Going back to April...I celebrated my birthday.  This is what I woke up too in the kitchen!  I have an awesome husband,  He really spoiled me this year. 

Here is what was inside those packages.  I'm pretty happy with his choices.  I haven't had a chance to even think about starting these, but one day...

My Sister-in-law gave me a wonderful gift of scissors, my favorite thread, and a whole pack of Frixion pens.  (Have  you discovered how great these are?  They disappear with the touch of an iron.)  It was wrapped inside an awesome project tote. 

Imagine my surprise after going to dinner to find this gift on my porch from my dear friend Jolene.  Jolene's presents are amazing.  I'm still in shock over this gift.  I've always wanted a little sewing machine, and could never  justify buying one.  Well she surprised me!  The pincushion and bag she made are adorable too.  I think she should start a business putting baskets together, as she has a real talent for it.  Thanks JoJo...I love it all!!!!

We went traveling to Las Vegas for Memorial Day.  The weather was rainy and cold where we live in Utah, but that same cold front, made the usually scalding dessert area south of us, the perfect temperature.  We went to Red Rock Canyon for the day.  What a pleasant day to hike all over these rocks. 

My daughter found a great rock formation for a picture.

There were some narrow spots. 

That night we went and saw Phantom of the Opera.  It did not disappoint!  The music was fabulous, and so were the special effects.  If you have a chance to go...then don't hesitate.  The finale is on Sept 2nd.  We put in the offer code Mezz59 on the Phantom/Venetian website, and got tickets for $59.00.  With taxes and fees it was around $72.00.  The seats were awesome, and I would definitely recommend doing that, if you go. The reason I'm mentioning it, is that I had a really hard time finding out reviews on the Mezzanine tickets.  Maybe this will help someone else.

Sorry for the blurry photo, but I love how the Venetian was decorated for Memorial day.  Beautiful, Red,White, and Blue flags were everywhere.  So patriotic! 

This week I went to the annual Wasatch Shop Hop with my mom.  What a fun day!  All of the stores had an "old" television theme.  We were whisked back to the days of Cheers, Gunsmoke, I Love Lucy, and Brady Bunch...just to name a few.  I loved this quilt at Broadbent's.  I hope to reproduce it someday. 

This had to be one of my favorite stores, Elaine's Quilt Block.  Can you guess their theme?  Well, it was M*A*S*H, and they had rented a military ambulance and equipment to decorate their lawn and store.  They gave away granola bars and pop.  So cleaver!

This was the quilt from Quilter's Haven.  They were "The Andy Griffith Show" and they served cookies that looked like hamburgers.  Everyone was dressed like Aunt Bea.    

Loved this wreath made out of rows of ruffles.  This was from Quilter's Haven as well. 

This was my stash haul for the day.  I bought some clearance fabrics to finish up my UFO's and some patterns.  Can't wait to make the skirt and bag! 

I finished the stitching on my Random Thought's by Drawn Thread, but I still  need to finish the hemstitching.  I'm a little intimidated by it!  I've read the directions a million times, but I still haven't tackled it yet.  Maybe this week. 

I took a twisted pinwheel block class at Quilt Guild last month, and we made these simple little quilts.  I liked making this so much that I bought the 1" template.  This quilt is sitting below my child size sewing machine, and it matches perfectly.  

I'm working on Shores again.  Yesterday I started filling in the blue section, which is long and boring.   I have a lot of eye strain today, and can't get motivated to work on it, so I may need to take a break for a day or two.  Also, I think I am going to run out of blue silk, and if that happens, then I'm not sure what to do.  Chances are the dye lots will be tricky to match!  UUUUUGGGGHHH!!!

We survived the many hours of practices and costume making for my daughter's ballet company.  Here she is with her friend celebrating their final ballet performance of "The Little Pagoda".  I'm so happy that it went well, and that she still loves it. 

Yesterday I went to a quilt show, and I had to show some of my favorite quilts.  I have this quilt kit, and after seeing this done in person, I'm really excited to get working on mine.  This is by City Stitcher and I think it's called The Village Square. 

The detail on this quilt was amazing.  This is by P3 Quilt Company.  If only I could sit and sew all day long!

I think this quilt is by The Rabbit Factory, and it's called Jacob's Ladder.  I love the dimension that the wool adds to the border. 

I have no idea what this quilt is called, but it was amazing too.  I'll leave you to admire the talent.  Hope you are having as great of a summer, as I am...Until next time, Happy Sewing, and Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there too!

2012 Goals

Hi to all my blog friends.  It's hard to believe that it has been so long since my last post!  A lot has happened in my life the past 6 months.  My daughter's ballet and school schedule have been responsible for most of my absence, but I also have been put in charge of the 14-15 year old girls at my church.  Teaching on Sunday and having an activity every Wednesday for10 girls, has been really fun and exhausting at the same time.  I have not done a lot of stitching in the past 6 months, which makes for one cranky mom!  The reason I started this blog in the first place, was to be able to post some stitching and sewing goals.  It was a great bonus to meet some wonderful friends and be able to be inspired by your work.  I found myself buying 2 projects to every one I finished. I even found my stitching style changing as I looked at everything out there.  I definitely started to do harder projects, and found myself buying 40 count linen!  Yikes, my eyes are regretting that!  Well, I have a closet that is pretty much out of control, and a stitching drawer that cannot handle one more project!  It's time to make some goals to finish what I have, and hopefully I can be happy with my stash and not be tempted to add to it every week!   
I have been noticing a lot of challenges going on for finishing WIP's, and am going to add my list here. If anyone is working on the same projects and wants to do a SAL, please let me know.  It's always more fun to work on something with someone else.Sorry I didn't bother to iron all my linen before pictures.  You get to see my goals, wrinkles and all.

I really, really want to get this one done soon.  I love this project, but it doesn't love me!  I have had to unpick a great deal on this, for some reason.  Despite that, it's still one of my favorite samplers, and I want to see it hanging in my living room real soon.  This is a sampler called Mary Allen.  I am doing a SAL with Deb.  What do you say Deb, are you ready for more? 

I showed incredible restraint at the Shepherd's Bush sale last Saturday, and this was the extent of my purchases.  The frames were only $7.00 for both!  Can you believe that?  I could not pass them up.  Jolene gave me the little kit in the stocking for one of my fabulous Christmas presents, and I bought the other one at the sale.  One of my goals this year is to start a collection of small pincushions to rest in a bowl.  So many of you have these, and I just love them!

I want to finish Shores this year if it kills me!  Why I put it down in the first place, I will never know, but picking it back up again has been so hard.  My goal is to get one block a month done until it is finished.  My Mom and SIL are going to start a SAL with Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow, so I hope to finish this before starting that OWB  (overwhelming Beast!)

I started this on a plane ride to Philadelphia a year and a half ago.  I'd love to have it framed and displayed by July. 

This is Drawn Threads, Random Thoughts.   I realized that I stitched the center words in the wrong colors, and I haven't been real happy with it since. I don't think it would take long to finish, so it's on the list.  I'll have to get the whole thing done before I decide if I need to frog  the center. 

I started this on Thanksgiving, thinking I could get it done by Christmas (yea, right!)  It's such a cute design.  It's called Joy to the World by Heartstring Sampling, and those cleaver ladies at the  Shepherd's Bush changed the linen and thread colors.  It's wonderful in person.  I want this hanging up for Christmas next year.

I took this class from the Swan Sampler Guild several years ago.  I love this design from Ellen Chester, and I have no idea why I put this away.  I have all of the things in it to make it into a huswife, but it would be lovely framed as well.  I will have to finish the stitching and decide what to do with it. 

This is Little House Needlework's, Hillside Traveler.  This is the one that has been getting most of my attention this week.  I love working on it.  My husband took the kids out for a couple of hours on Monday, and the house was quiet for the first time in months!  I filled in most of the green hill and stitched the little people, and watched  "The African Queen" with Kathryn Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.  It recharged my stitching batteries.  I forgot how much stitching can calm the nerves!

This is a Round Robin that my local stitching group did in 2007.  I have been waiting to have one more friend stitch on it, but I think I will complete the last section so I can get it up on the wall.  This was really fun to do, and each motif was stitched by a dear friend which makes it special.

I think this is my oldest WIP.  I don't know what possessed me to buy this other than I was dazzled by the pretty colors.  This is stitching for the crazy person!  Better get it done before my eyes are completely shot.  I love this design, but it is very tedious to work on.  The Heart's Content, English Carpet.

I had the pleasure of attending the Swan's Sampler Guild retreat this summer.  I intended to post about it, but never got around to it.  It was a wonderful event, and I met new stitching friends, and got acquainted with old friends as well.  Betsy Morgan was a fabulous teacher.  I would love to finish this before next Christmas so I can display it with my antique toys. 

This is another class that I took at a retreat in Park City several years ago.  It's a lovely needle case, and a girl can't have too many of those, right?

I bought this from The Silver Needle, the minute it came out.  I love Halloween, and this Etui by Just Nan was so clever.  I stitched the first section on the way to Quilt market in Houston, and then got sidetracked by quilts, and didn't get back to it.  I want this done by Halloween this year!

I have been doing some mystery quilts with a darling, new shop near my home called"My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe".  The designer is the twin sister of the owner.  So far I have completed the Halloween, and Christmas quilts.  This is the January quilt that should be on my wall right now, but I didn't get it to the quilter's in time.  I start the Valentine one this week.  So I need to get this one completed first.

I worked on this over Christmas.  This is from American Patchwork and Quilting August 2004.   It's a beautiful table runner, and I just need to sew on the tabs and the back.  It's a Blackbird Design.

Bunny Hill's, Vintage Christmas.  I worked on this at the last quilting retreat that I attended.  I am so close to finishing it, just need to do the embroidery, and put it together for the quilter.  If I get it in soon, she should be able to get it back to me before next Christmas. 

Well, I have several other quilts and small projects that need attention, but I think this is enough for the goals this year.  A goal unwritten is just a wish, so hopefully this will propel me to complete these things this year.  If you are still with me, I thank you so much for your comments and support!  I miss all my blog friends, and hope you have a wonderful and great stitching year!  Until next time.

Summertime catch up!

Hi to all my blog friends!  I have to share an update on what's going on in my life.  As I was taking pictures, it became apparent to me why I am so busy!  I've been making up for lost time this year, and really cranking through the projects.   First up,my favorite obsession at the moment!  This is the beautiful Mary Allen Sampler that I am stitching with my dear friend, Deb.  We e-mail back and forth and she has become my kindred spirit.  We met through blogging, and going to the Shepherd's Bush retreat.  When Deb told me she wanted to start working on this, I jumped at the chance to do a SAL with her.  My other SB, blogging friend, Terri ,gifted the pattern to me and I have been dreaming about it ever since! (Thanks sweet Terri!)   I just finished my first page today.  (I know I like to push deadlines).  We are stitching a page a month, and I am happy that I can start stitching page two tomorrow.  I am stitching on 35 count French Vanilla by R&R Reproductions, with one strand of NPI silks.  I debated on doing 2 strands, but with 35 count, I opted to do one.  Also, knowing me, I'll have to unpick a lot, so I don't want to worry about buying more silk.  :)

Just in time for the 4th of July, this is a quilt guild block exchange that we did last year.  I decided to make it my picnic blanket, so I added one more row to make it bigger.  It's an expensive little picnic blanket.  When it comes back from the quilters, I may change my mind about putting it on the ground!

So sorry for the blurry photo.  I took this picture a while ago, and the quilt is now at the quilters, so I couldn't shoot it again.  This is another block exchange we did in my quilt guild.  This one was a couple of years ago, and it's called, Cracker Crumb.  When we were exchanging blocks, I thought it was going to be a homely looking quilt, but I really like it now that it's put together.  I appliqued big stars on the corners.  This quilt is for my son's room. 

I was so happy to finally get this finished.  I put it away for a few months, because I wasn't happy with the orange colors I had going on.  I bought some different fabrics for the filler blocks, and I am really happy with the way it turned out.  This is Fig Tree's Garden Fence.  This one was tricky with the checker board border.  I spent several hours getting that to fit just right.  I think it was worth the effort.  Love this quilt!

This one was simple, just add the boarder.  What I didn't show you, is the bag of clothes that go on the dolls!  I loved the idea of a quilt you could actually play with.  I think my daughter and I will have fun dressing the paper dolls up during the Christmas holidays.

Since I finished my big Alphabet Village, I decide to start about 5 new projects.   Seriously, isn't that the way it goes?  I have so many things I want to do.  This is Weeping Tree by the City Stitcher.  I started this in May and haven't looked at it since.  I do hope to get back to it soon, as I loved working on it!

My SIL Melanie and I are doing a SAL with Random Thoughts by The Drawn Thread.  A nice easy piece to work on when I'm tired.   

Sweet Jolene was my partner in crime at Shop Hop.  She surprised me with this paper doll quilt!  How I love it!!!  I dream about working on it.  She is such a wonderful enabler!

Another Start, LHN Hillside Traveler.  This is a SAL with my Mom and SIL, Melanie.  We are doing so much together this year, and it's really fun.  I have until July 26th to stitch the brown house and the 2 trees.  I better get crossing my x's!

If stitching wasn't enough, My mom and SIL and I are also working on Farm Fresh by Buggy Barn.    My mom has spent hours on end cutting kits for us, and I have spent hours on end tracing and ironing.  Can you see my enormous pile that I have to prep?  I like to use the spray starch method for my appliques.  It goes fairly quick, if my kids help me paint the spray starch on.  This will be on the agenda after sewing for my DD's birthday is done.  Yikes!  I have a lot to do, it's only 2 weeks away. 

I got the urge to cut out this project a few weeks ago.  It's from the book "Simple Graces" by Kim Diehl.  I thought I would make this a "car project" this summer.  My last car project got left in there for 4 years.  I guess that means that I drive most of the time.   I don't plan on waiting that long for this one to be finished.  At least I hope not!

Another project from the Simple Graces book.   This is a yo yo quilt.  I have been cutting little circles to do this one day. After seeing Deb's last post about her wonderful Go machine, I think I may get one, just to cut my circles!  This quilt is a lot smaller in person than it looks in the book, and it was the first yo yo quilt project that inspired me to make one.  It was stunning in person!

Last but not least, I have to share my sweet little daughter's photo from her ballet recital.  It was a play based on the story of Madeline, and she played a "Petit Sailor" in the park.  She was so cute!  It was a wonderful performance.  Since then DD has tried out for the ballet company which is a small group of 30 girls, out of 150 that will perform more during the year.   We were so proud of her that she made it, and now our lives are going to be centered on ballet, because she starts taking lessons 3 times a week in August.  I may need more car projects!  

   

Thank you for stopping by to see me!  I appreciate every single comment. They make my day.  Have a wonderful 4h of July holiday.  Until next time, Happy Sewing.