Slowdown

 Every time someone comes to visit, my quilting hits a huge speed bump!  I am more than happy to put things away to enjoy my company!  But getting things started again, can sometimes be a huge challenge for me.  I'm not sure why!  I would think that the cleaned up work space would get me excited to have a fresh start, but instead its like an uphill battle to get going again.  I'm grateful, I had just finished up my barn raising quilt before my folks came to visit, atleast a project didn't get lost in the shutdown/start-up battle that goes on in my head.

And after my parents left, I hurriedly started quilting and binding this one.  Its done, which should make me geeked!  And OLD project checked off...but still I'm still stuck!

I have slowly started cutting up my new project.  I just wish I didn't have this thing looming over me, getting in my way.  I have been so excited about this project, I honestly have had dreams about this quilt.  Maybe after our weekend guests head home, I will feel free to open up and start running a little faster.  But maybe not.  I have more company coming soon afterwards, so I might hold off to keep things from getting too complicated before I have to clean up again.  Its times like this I really wish I had my own room to sew in.  So maybe I wouldn't have these big breaks.  It's not even a big deal to clean up and put things away, its getting started again that is the problem.  WOOF! I think I need quilt therapy.

on the home front

When my husband left last month I started a new quilt project to keep me busy and sane.  I didn't have a patriotic quilt, and considering we have been a military family for ten years now that was a little silly.  So I set my sights on making a red white and blue quilt.  Patriotic eh?

Finished red white & blue barn raising.  

It took me less than 5 weeks from start to finish.  I'm pretty happy its done, and I think I might finish an old project and start another new project.  There is something about new projects that makes me happy. And when your pooped from being Mom and Dad, a little quilt project to brighten your day is a big deal.  

Ruby

Look what arrived today!  

aaahhhhh.  Now I need to figure out the perfect project....

sewing along

Since the Hubs left for the sandbox, I have been working on my first patriotic quilt.  My mother in law is making one also!  We have been keeping track of our progress in a Facebook group.  Its been really fun to watch her's come together.  She is using DS fabrics that she hunted for.  This is her top laid out into 4 sections.  Its a nice wall hanging size, and I think she is probably sewing it together today, or soon.  Don't you just love it??

She took quilting up quite recently.  I think she did really really well with the HST and her quilt top looks great, even though I know she had a hard time doing 'random.'  I'm so proud of her!  I also have a tough time with random, but this pattern was a great way to let go a little bit and it turned out great!  

The Hub's sister is also making a barn raising... a baby gift using lots of yummy Central Park.  Her's is a little more complicated because she is laying the prints out in order.  But its going to be gorgeous!  

It has been extra fun to work on a project while others are too.  Seeing the different fabrics going into the same pattern is exciting, and watching their progress makes me inspired to keep working on mine!  Three quilts in three different states, all different sizes, using the same pattern.  FUN!

I'm still quilting mine... luckily I haven't had any troubles since that ugly incident...

the good the great and the UGLY

 I got two quilts basted today.  

 My friend Kristen finished her first quilt, and brought it over for me to see.  She did a really great job!

 Happy jolly ol me went to get some quilting rolling on my barn raising.  Something UGLY happened.  This happened to me once before on a much smaller scale while I was FMQing....

Sometimes I just can feel bulky catastrophe when I have my quilting gloves on.  

I have stepped away from the quilt for the rest of the evening.  I think its best I try again tomorrow.

BDU Bag

 I made something this evening after supper.  I should have been sewing earlier today while it was storming and raining, I love sewing while it rains, but I opted for a nap instead.  I don't regret my choice, it was a good nap!

Anyhow my hubs found this BDU shirt before he left, and gave it to me, since he knew I wanted to make one into a bag.  It had his PACAF patches on it, which kind of made me homesick, because sometimes I get homesick when I think of our life in Misawa. ANYHOW, I whipped this together, and Im pretty pleased.  Although I didn't have enough shirt to make two shoulder straps, and I sewed the strap upside down the first time, but it was an easy fix.  My husband also had the pockets sewed down, so I had to seam rip them, so it could have functioning pockets.  Lucky for him he happened to call to tell the monster goodnight right as I was finished picking those stitched out... so I asked him how much he paid to have those pockets sewn down, there was a pause and then he cursed. Eight bucks down the crapper, and he had to listen to his wife chatter about the time she spent seam ripping.  LOL  He loves me.  

The inside is Nicey Jane, I had in my stash.  I think its a nice statement to explain the ying and yang of a husband and wife ya know?  Boy on one side, girl on the other.  Battle Dress Uniform on one side, girly pink Nicey Jane on the inside.  I used a pocket that was cut off the lower part of his shirt on the inside... of course I had to unpick the stitches that had it sewn down... but oh well.  It was a fun after supper project.  

barn raised

Is the barn considered to be raised if the quilt top is finished?  Backing is in the dryer, perhaps basting tomorrow... and then on to quilt the barn raising. 

 Last night I covered that bolster pillow.  Whatta pain in the neck, but it doesn't look like butt, so I'm pretty pleased.  I'm not recovering it for another six years!

GO me!

Sea Glass Knockoff

Okay okay okay, this is the last time you will have to suffer through a million photos of this quilt!(I know I went a little crazy after the quilting was finished)  It is finally FINISHED!

 I've decided, it's one of my favorites.  So simple but completely cheers me up!

 And it crinkled up SO nicely in the wash!  Super fun to pet

 ahh I love a stripe binding! Just love it!

Stormy Sunday

 Ya gotta love a rainy stormy day!  It just feels right to sit at the sewing machine and sew!  That's what I did today.(Along with my parental duties of course!)

I quilted for my friend.  Isn't her quilt beautiful?  I'm pretty sure this quilt is a gift, and the recipient sure is lucky!

And I finished another quarter section of my barn raising!  This quilt makes me happy happy happy!  Three happys on a rainy day! Not to shabby!!  I'm starting to consider how I should quilt it, several ideas are buzzing around in my head!

Placemat Palooza Year 2

Remember last year when I made two dozen placemats... but didn't make a single one for my house?  I have been working on that for the past few months... I made St Patty's, Patriotic, and then a summery set of placemats for my table.   Today I went to the HOLO for some thread... I haven't been there in awhile.. I went a little wild...Oops

 To be Halloween placemats

 To be Thanksgiving placemats

 To be general Fall/winter placemats.   Craziness I know, but I will be shut in for the next week and a half or so until the bike rally is over and some of these non helmet wearing bikers head out of town.  They make me nervous with my big minivan blind spot.  So since it was my last trip to town until after Sturgis, I got enough to do for a little while.  (I speak as though I don't have a dozen quilts going.)

 I also have some quilting to do for a friend which is exciting.  

 And I made a couple fat quarter bundles for a couple friends.  I hope they will like them.  They are kinda folded a bit ghetto... but I'm not Moda for pete sake

Thumbs up from me today!  I'm giddy.

1/4

1/4 of the top done...I sure am loving this quilt so far!

Piecing

 I've been spending a lot of time playing games with the monster...

 But I have been squeezing in a bit of work on my Half Square Triangles...they are split, pressed, and corners have been clipped

Piecing has begun, and I love this quilt already...LOVE