A Year of Photos

28 of 52…Deliveries

So there was another trip to North Carolina for the annual family beach weekend, and that meant quilt deliveries. Since you’ve seen the tops, please allow me this opportunity to show off some of my kids and grandkids! This is my middle son, holding up his nephew’s quilt.

And this is my grandson, playing peek-a-boo with me using that same quilt. I think he likes it!

Middle daughter, mother of…

27 of 52…. I’ve Been Busy

Since we last spoke, I’ve made this:

And this:

And I’ve spent 2 days longarming, which resulted in six quilts ready for binding.

And I’ve taken stock of my UFOs. Please note that this only accounts for the downstairs projects. I’ve got more hidden in the attic. The six stacked quilts are included, because they aren’t finished until the binding is done.

26 of 52….Finishing and Starting

In the past 10 days…. I finished this top for my grandson as soon as I got my design wall up.

Then I made him some fancy pants to wear at his birthday party.

I used BOGO coupons at Joann to buy delicious precuts for grandchildren.

I drove to North Carolina to attend that birthday party. I stopped to eat seafood and deliver the finished third Fourth Doctor Scarf.

I failed to take a single…

25 of 52….Making Space

On Wednesday night, I decided to build myself a studio, and I started before 7am Thursday.

The first step was dividing my current bedroom into two sections by rearranging. I finished tidying the bedroom side this morning.

I am well pleased! Next up, the studio side.

It looks like a six month project, I know, but I’ll have a usable space here before the day is over.

24 of 52….Reading Causes Trouble

So, it all started with this book:

It ended with bringing this antique sewing cabinet out of my room and into the common area. It was my grandmother’s and possibly my great-grandmother’s.

And then the folding and organizing of fabrics.

When I’m ready to sew, I’ll bring the tall table out of my room to serve as a cutting and pressing station, if the project is too big for the sewing machine…

23 of 52….Shit got done

Warning, many pictures ahead! It was a very productive weekend.

Project 1: Run seams around the edges of this top to prepare it for the longarm.

Project 2A: Rip out these 15 year old lines of quilting to prepare this quilt for the longarm. The backing could not be saved. I’m not heartbroken, it was just polyester sheeting.

Project 3A: Self-bind my first quilt.

Project 4A: Bind this quilt in a…

22 of 52….Questionable Decisions

This past Saturday morning, I went to Patti’s and had a lesson on the long arm.  If you haven’t used/seen/heard of a long arm, it is a huge sewing machine on rails that allows you to quilt.  You use it by standing and basically driving the machine across the quilt.  It’s a bit like drawing with your whole torso.  And it’s FAST.  I quilted these two in about 5 and a half hours, and that included a…

21 of 52….Updates

Not much has happened since my last post, except that my energy levels have bumped up again with the elimination of almonds and grapes. Yeah, that means wine.  And since malt is also off the table, no beer either.  It’s been a dry 10 days for me, and I really don’t miss it.  I feel good and I’ve lost another 1.5 pounds.

I’ve added occasional pasta and a decent amount of dairy back into my diet…

20 of 52….So what happened was

I basically eliminated the foods I am sensitive to by accident.  Because I am not sensitive to yogurt and other dairy, except for mozzarella cheese.  But I am sensitive to grapes, a prime ingredient in fruit juices and smoothies.  Grape juice concentrate anyone?  And I’m not sensitive to wheat or gluten, but I am sensitive to malt, which is an ingredient in most baked goods and grain products,…

19 of 52….I Got Nothing

It’s true.  I got (basically) nothing.

On Sunday: I finished a book.  It was good, and took far too long to read.  I think it would have been even better if I’d read it quicker.

On Monday: I worked, went for an ultrasound, watched half a movie, knit, had a brandy and went to bed.

On Tuesday:  I worked, ordered 3 charm packs in lime green and black*, along with a pattern and template, watched half…

18 of 52….Saturday Shenanigans

Yesterday began, as my Saturdays do, with quilty goodness. I started sewing strips to squares for the back of the last quilt I showed you. I got about half way done. I also took a few minutes to sketch out my basic plan, lest I forget what I’m doing.  It’s not exactly a beautiful picture, and probably not clear to anyone but me, but I understand it, and it’s safely tucked under the ironing pad…

17 of 52…. My Belly Hurts (Not For The Squeamish)

So yesterday, we went out to dinner at the local Chinese buffet, which is a long time family favorite.  I only ate food I thought was safe.  This morning, my guts were in an uproar and my belly hurt so badly that I almost turned around on the way to work.  I decided to press on, because hurting is hurting and where I’m located doesn’t really matter unless I start throwing up.  Then it matters…

16 of 52….First exception

Or, How I Came To Find Myself In My Local Quilt Store In Spite Of “Not Needing Any Fabric.”  Yeah, even after asked my partner to help hold me accountable.  Because I also created an exception clause.  If I need fabric to complete a project that I’m using current stash for, I am allowed to buy fabric.  So I did.  Buy fabric I mean.  But only 2.5 yards to create sashing and borders for these…

15 of 52….Assorted Thoughts

 I started piecing and cutting for the quilt back yesterday.  I was unsure of where I was going, so I stopped.  I have a decent idea now, so I’ll pick that back up again tonight.  Or tomorrow.  Sometime this week.  I’m going with on point charms, some pieced, some not.

Moving your retirement savings is a huge pain in the ass.  Forms, meetings, calls.  Bleh.  Not sure why I am bothering.  It’s not…

14 of 52….I finished it!

Sewed the last few seams on this queen-sized top this morning.  It’s for Daughter Number Three in fabric she selected and a pattern she approved.

  I had to stand on the upstairs balcony to get the picture, because huge! I’m planning to do some piecing on the back, and here are the leftovers I’ll start with.  It joins the stack of finished tops, so I’ve scheduled a long arm quilting lesson for…