Finally quilted!

I think I've posted a picture of this top before, but now it's quilted and bound. I decided to just do an overall stippling. I really would've liked to have done some fancy quilting, especially in the borders and windowpanes, but I knew it wouldn't be ready for Christmas if I did that. The lady that ordered this has been waiting almost a year for it. I put it off for so long and when I finally got around to working on it, guess how long it took me to finish? Yup, one evening. I just haven't had the energy to get it all together.

Now that's done, I can't decide what to work on next. Oh yeah, I have some fleece blankets I need to embroider for a client. I can't put those off too long. Time to shower and get ready for work.

Busy, but all is well

This is what I've been doing at night for the last week. I finished an entire set of the Nativity ornaments. They were fun to do but I don't know that I can make another set. Who knows, though. Tonight I also quilted a Windowpane Nativity scene that one of my customers wants for Christmas. I need to bind it and I'll post a picture.

It's been an exciting week what with Rob and April closing on their new home! It's beautiful and we hope to have pictures soon. They will be moving gradually until the end of the month.

Jim and I got our flu shots this afternoon. Sure hope our arms don't get too sore.

Time to hit the sack.

More surprises!

My stitching angel goodies arrived today. They are from Sandra in France. She sent a needle case with a pocket on the inside front. The front of the case is cross-stitched. I KNOW how much work went into that! Thanks, Sandra! The quilt magazine she sent is all in French. I can't read it, but the pictures are great! She also sent a fat eighth of fabric and a spool of beautiful red thread. There was also an unusual scent coming from the package. That is from incense sticks she included. I'm "smoldering" one right now. Smells very nice.
Judy and I had dinner at Red Lobster tonight. Sometimes I just crave fish. I ran to Dad's afterwards to take him his dinner, stopped to pick something up for Jim and when I got home, I got a call that one of the other Scentsy dealers had a bar that I'd been looking for. I ran to pick that up and then came home and called my step-daughter to help her enter another order. Yes, Brenda is a Scentsy dealer now and doing extremely well!

Obviously, there will be no sewing tonight. I need to transfer patterns onto fusible in order to make four more ornaments. Tomorrow will be another busy day at work, so, it's off to bed for me.

Hangin' around..

After deciding that three dollars is a bit much to spend on a hanger for these ornaments, I found these at Hobby Lobby. These hangers are $1.99 for twelve! Couldn't pass up the deal since I'm going to make a whole set.

I just can't seem to pull myself out of this "don't wanna quilt" mood. It's not that I don't want to quilt, I just don't have the energy, or the "want to" to pull out my bigger projects. And, while working on these smaller projects, my sewing room becomes a disaster area. Which, makes me want to work on my bigger projects even less! lol Vicious circle..

It's bedtime again. Seems like I get really sleepy around 5:30 or 6 and then by 10 p.m. I'm ready to sew! But, I'm tired so I'll go to bed since tomorrow is Friday and a busy day at work. It gets crazy at work these days since Scentsy is becoming so popular. People are coming to me to place orders so if I'm working on a hair client, I have to stop and take the order. I'm not complaining! Most of my clients are very understanding.

Finding treasure

When I got to work, I found this fabric sitting on my counter. Deborah has hit again! Thanks! I think I'll work on more Betty Boop wallhangings. They seem to be very popular.
This Quilt Diva bookcover came from Linda during our journal cover swap. Isn't it cute? I haven't found a book to fit it yet.

I hope to get back to sewing soon. I am still trying to recuperate from the weekend. In the meantime, I've entered another giveaway at Barb's blog. (click on her name) Check it out! It's her first blogiversary. Congratulations, Barb!

Lubbock Peddler Show

I am tired. What a busy weekend! Jim took me to Lubbock on Friday morning, left me there with Kym (pictured with me) and Natalie, our immediate Director. Friday afternoon was busier than I had thought it would be and Saturday was absolutely crazy. Sunday morning started a little slow and picked up before the show closed. I came back with less than half of all the product I took. Woo Hoo!! Now I can order more! LOL Judy joined us Friday night after work and was instrumental in helping us keep our finances in order. Thanks, Jude!


We really need to work on our booth display. The "flow" just didn't work. Customers lined up in front of the display and/or the scents that were set out and our stock was in boxes under the table. So, when we had to pull out something that someone wanted, we had to move folks out of the way. The tables should've been set out and we needed to have been standing behind them. But, we had a good turnout and it was a good experience.

I headed back to Lubbock today, Monday, to take Dad for his wound care app't. They say his legs look better and will not need any more antibiotics after this round is done. Poor guy. He's such a good sport. I don't know how he keeps his sense of humor through all of this.

I have finished the ornament and other goodies that will go to my ornament swap pal. I just need to find the hanger that I want to use. I sure hope Hobby Lobby has something to choose from.

I am beat! I think I mentioned that at the start of this post. Time to go to bed.

More little things

Working on smaller projects seems to keep my "sewing itch" satisfied for now. I have so many big quilts to work on that I feel overwhelmed when I think about them. So, I made another sewing pod with leftover half-square triangles.
I am in an ornament swap online and I decided to make this. It's part of a whole Nativity set, but I don't know if I'll get around to making the rest. I may make the Mary and Joseph ornament. Just depends on how the time goes. I made this one tonight so it's not very hard. I want to find the perfect hanger for it now. Maybe I can find something in Lubbock this weekend during the Peddler Show. I'll be set up, with two other girls, in a booth selling our Scentsy.

I've an early day tomorrow and a busy one. Since I'll be gone Friday and Saturday I'm seeing a lot of clients tomorrow. It'll be nice to go to Lubbock for fun.

Okay, three posts...

Only to show the bow I thought needed to go on this. I've had this black bow on the wall, just waiting to be used. I think it looks alright on this, right? It's stayin'. lol

Two posts today

This one is just to show the finished Betty Boop wallhanging. Look familiar? I made one similar to this one a few months ago. I still have a lot of work to do with these curvy borders. I didn't seem to have any problem with the curves on any of my DWR tablerunners or quilts, but this one was difficult. I couldn't seem to get the curves even. It's ok, though. If my client doesn't want it, I'll have a Betty Boop wallhanging! lol

A surprise for me

When I got to work this morning, I found this Betty Boop kitchen towel on my station. My friend, Anita, made it for me. It's a "thank you" for the pattern itself. Actually, she just looked at one I made and she took off making dresses on her own. Pretty nice, huh? Now I have my own towel dress. I've got it hanging on my oven door handle right now.

I want to finish the Betty Boop wallhanging I'm making for a client. I need to attach the binding and am trying to figure out the best way to apply a curved binding. I'll post a picture once I'm done. I've done curved bindings before, but this one is giving me fits.

Guess I'll listen to the debate while I work on the wallhanging.

Moda charm packs

Given all that's gone on in the past week and add work on top of that, I was so tired on Saturday night that I decided to do some mindless sewing. I thought I'd finish some projects that clients are waiting for but I was just too "fried" to think. So, the disappearing 9-patch made another appearance. I've had several 5" Moda charm packs sitting in the closet. When I ordered them, I thought they were pretty. I'm not lovin' them now, though. Maybe if I'd used them in a different block, they might be more striking. The fabrics used in the 9 patch are labeled "Dandelion Girl" and "Simplicity".
The Delectable Mountains you see here were an attempt to use up a third 5" charm pack. I sewed one dark and one light (sorta, as you can see that some of them don't have a lot of contrast). This pack was called "Sunbonnet Trail". Both of these patterns are so easy I was able to make what I did in about 3-4 hours last night. About the only real thought that went into it (and it wasn't much) was how to put colors together. I dunno, the colors really do look a lot better up on my wall. Photographs just don't do some of these projects justice. Okay, MY photos! lol
Here's a little "sewing pod". The instructions call it that because they show that you can put all sorts of little sewing items in it to carry around or keep handy at your machine. I used leftover strips from the Friendship Braid runner for this one. I have more strips left so I may make a few more of these. This is from a book I recently acquired titled "Lots of Scraps - It's Time to Quilt". Might just be another little gift item to add to my list.
It's early Sunday morning and my head is not pounding. But, my nose is running lol. This allergy stuff is for the birds! I can't ever remember having such a time with allergies but, then again, as I "mature" I find that there are a lot of things going on that haven't happened much in the past.

I told Dad I'd be over around 9 to fix breakfast so I'd better get dressed. Have a good Sunday.

Santa Fe Retreat

Now that I can think a bit straighter, here are some pics of the retreat in Santa Fe. I was able to meet up with Kate, one of my online quilting friends who lives in Wyoming. I had not been very vocal about what we were planning because I just couldn't bear having to cancel another retreat. But, Dad stayed healthy enough for both of us to get out of town for the weekend.
Seems Judy and I both came home with some serious upper respiratory and digestive problems. We broke down and went to the doc this afternoon and got the requisite antibiotics and nasal sprays. Can't wait to start feeling better.

We had the privilege to stay at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Retreat Center in Santa Fe. The picture on this page is the front of the church. Apparently, it's not used anymore. We got a personal tour of the chapel after I asked what that big lump of adobe was for. We never did figure it out. We found a door that we thought would lead us into the mound, but it didn't. Strange...

The other picture shows Judy, Kate and me holding our Friendship Braid tablerunners. It was one of the projects we made using Debbie Caffrey's methods. She was our gracious host and I hope she knows how appreciative we are that she went ahead with the retreat in light of her own tragedy. She lost her husband suddenly just a few months ago.

We also worked on a mystery quilt. I did finish the top but have not taken a picture of it. I'm not happy with the colors. It will probably become a comfort quilt. I'm sure once it's quilted it will be just fine. Judy's and Kate's are well on their way to completion.

All in all, we had a very nice time. I wish I had felt better during the stay, but just getting away was good. Like they say, "A bad day quilting beats a good day working!"

I'm getting awfully tired so I'd better close for the night.

Journal covers

These are so easy to make. What are they, you say? You know those composition books you used in school? Or, maybe some of you use one to keep a diary or journal. We are having a journal cover swap in one of my online groups. I wanted to do something "cool" but, instead, it's "hot"! LOL I had to hurry and make a cover since I hadn't taken the time to do it and we have to post a picture by the end of the month. And, since I'm leaving early in the morning, I thought I'd better get it done now.
The second cover is actually the first one I made a month or so ago. I gave it to my dad covering a book that he uses now to write in. I was hoping he'd keep a daily journal of sorts, but I don't think he's been keeping it up. Maybe he writes in it every now and then. That's good, too.

Is it Christmas?

It sure looks like it in my living room! This is what I found in a box on top of the kitchen counter when I got home from work. My aunt Dolores sent me this Indian Nativity Scene. Yes, I am a collector of Nativities. I have never seen one like this, though. I set it up on my round glass-top table where it will stay until after Christmas this year. It's sitting on cloths she also sent. Thanks, Tia! She also sent Judy some beautiful little Indian angel ornaments and a Dallas Cowboy towel. What else is so heartwarming than to come home to an unexpected gift??

I have my first REAL Scentsy party tomorrow so I'd better get busy and get my stuff together. I've only had basket and catalog parties. I'm looking forward to actually being able to display and talk about Scentsy to a group. I had a lot of fun in Amarillo this past Sunday at the Peddler show. It was the first time I've been able to display and sell. Wish me luck!

Mug Bag!

It was my turn to come home to a "squishy"! And, look what was inside! The cutest little "mug bag", a mug mat, chocolates and a package of hot chocolate mix. All this from my pal in Australia, Narelle. She also included some beautiful postcards depicting the Australian landscape. The applique is just beautiful! One of my favorite quilt designs is Sunbonnet Sue. How did she know? And, chocolate! Oh my...Thank you, Narelle!

Our trip to Lubbock was uneventful, thank You, Lord. Dad's legs are healing, slowly. The right leg is looking much better but that left one...just keep on praying. Actually, the left leg is showing improvement but it's the bigger one and it's just taking a bit longer.

Time to get back to working on swap projects.

Betty makes another appearance

A client decided he really liked my first Betty Boop quiltlet to give as a gift to his secretary so I am making another one. Sorry for the lightness of the pic. This was a hurry-up job this morning only because time got away from me and I didn't do a lighting check. Time to shower and get to work. I will be busy until at least 4 p.m. today! I'm already tired...lol

A "magnificent" bag!

Could not resist making another one of May Britt's bag. Instead of the stitchery, though, I used a little panel that Deborah gave me a while back. These will make great gift bags. Yes, I spent the night just doing this. Oh, the front panel is actually a little pocket on the outside of the bag.

I have been having some pretty good hot flashes and everyone around me tells me it's cold! lol Well, they're not really flashes because I seem to stay hot all the time. Maybe it's the fact that I've been trying to lose some weight. Maybe my metabolism is revving up! lol I can dream, can't I?

Easy, peasy...

If you go to www.sewing.org you can find this easy to make sewing caddy. I think you may have to register first though, so you can access all the free projects. It's free, though! When you get there, click on fun projects and then look for sewing room accessories. I made the red section last night (lots of different stitches which made the diamonds) and then I put it together this morning in like, 15 minutes! lol I told you, easy, peasy. The thread catcher and pincushion is a gift from one of my clients. She found it at some craft show, I think. I've got this set up at my dad's house where I have my Sears Kenmore. Click on the picture to read the words.

So many projects...

and so little time! The dresses are so easy to make that I am slipping into a lazy mode these days. So, I thought I'd work on the pinwheels for a while. The design wall is occupied with the kiddie blocks (still) so I had to lay the pinwheels on the basket under the ironing board. Pretty bad, huh? If I'd finish the kiddie block quilt, I'd be able to get more done since the design wall would be free. I just can't decide how to finish off the KQ! My brain just won't cooperate with that project right now. All I want to do is make more stitchery items. The pincushion I made on Sunday night because, again, I didn't want to work on anything bigger. But, I needed to make another stitching project for my swap pal.
The bag/bucket swap went out in the mail last week. It is going out of the country. As soon as it arrives at it's destination, I hope my swap partner will take a picture of herself holding the bag. I'll keep you informed.

I spent the night at Dad's last night to give Joe a break. The night girl is out of town. I'm not sure we'll even have her back since Dad seems to be doing so well. He's been a bit out of sorts lately, but I think he's a little worried about Chris not being there at night. Although, he did very well last night. He got himself up only twice and he didn't even call me. I heard him as he was returning to his room. Once he peeked into my room and asked, "Are you okay?" LOL

Time to work on dinner and maybe some stitching.

I hit pay dirt!

Wow! One of my clients was so generous today! She has been cleaning out her closets and drawers and brought me this pile of goodies. There are zippers, buttons, lace, sequins, etc., etc... And, in the bag, there are kits to make those felt Christmas stockings as well as other pieces of different fabrics. The quilt you see under it all is one I've been entrusted to quilt for a friend. I haven't even begun to think about that yet. Soon...

Back to the goodies...all this "stuff" will aid in helping me make gifts for the upcoming Christmas season. I can't wait to start working with it all! Thanks, Lila!