"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 (NIV)

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Weekend Progress......Row by Row quilt


My row-by-row quilt for 2019 is now together.   For some reason the rows just didn't want to cooperate when I was putting the section together............which is why one block ended up not quite full size in width and why there is a filler strip on the left hand side of the bottom section.   Oh well......it's together and this is how it's going to stay...lol.

Would love to get this quilted by this weekend but that isn't likely, so I'm aiming to get it done early next week so I can get it turned in somewhere for a win.   Will be working on this and the commissioned stockings that need to be finished up the rest of this week and weekend.

Gratitudes -
1. That the section finally went together, even if not quite as I had initially planned.

2. That there are still shops waiting for a winning quilt to be turned in.



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And the reason why.....

....my scrap bins never seem to go down......would be because I can almost never seem to resist buying more yummy scraps.

Bags as I had them filled.  The 2 left-most bags on the bottom row are filled with strips cut for kits that were never used. 

These were for a QuiltWorx kit and are for two sections of the same pp'd block.  Unfortunately the patterns are in only one of the bags......however, I have figured out how to deal with that issue so that I can make an adapted version of the blocks.

Should be able to make at least a wall-hanging or table topper sized quilt from these two bags.
Fabrics as unpacked covering the top of my cutting table.  If you look at the top row, second pile of fabric from the right ( the pile with the oranges, reds, yellow and greens) - that is large scraps, strips, and a little yardage in matching fabrics to those kit leftovers from above.  they will go some where in that same quilt.

The triangles in the upper right will be a second quilt top.  There are enough of them for at least a baby quilt from them.  Or a good sized lap quilt if I added a background to them.  Got lots of dk cream TOT background squares, some purple batik yardage that had been for binding (2 - 1/2 yd pieces), other large batik scraps and some patriotic scraps.

Lots of yummy stuff that now needs to be packed away......

Gratitudes:
1. For knowing that there will be a way forward even when I don't see how things will improve

2. For the cooler temps the last couple of days
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Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Finished Commission

A friend commissioned me to make a purse for her to use when she goes on vacation in a week or so.   And I finished it this morning.....woohoo!!!!!!   It will be going into the mail this afternoon after I get off work.


Not a great picture, but the inside of the bag.  There are three pockets on one side and two on the other side of the linking.

I adapted the top zipper panel a little to make it easier to apply, and was fairly satisfied with it.  Not perfect, but definitely better than the first time I tried putting something like this into a bag.


Gratitudes:
1. This purse is done and headed back to the buyer today

2. I'm seeing progress on the to-do list!
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Wash Cloth Bibs - a little tutorial

Need a baby gift that is easy to make, every parent will use for years, and is useful not just decorative?   Baby bibs made from nice looking wash cloths are an easy gift and one that typically isn't duplicated by anyone else.

Materials needed for one bib -

1 standard wash cloth - with printed/woven design or plain
Bias tape to match the wash cloth, approximately 1.25 yds -
     you can either use the extra wide, double-fold bias tape by Coats and Clark (this is what i use)
     or make your own.   If the later, then you want it to finish at about 1/2" to 5/8" when finished.
If using a plain bib, then add any ribbons, lace, appliques, etc that are desired


General process -

1. Lay the wash cloth flat and mark the middle of the top edge.

2. Using the template below to cut the neck opening. Use the V to center the template on the washcloth.  Top edge of the template should be approximately 6" in width.

3. Cut (or make) a length of bias tape or binding (this needs to be on the bias to go around the opening smoothly) that is approximately 1 to 1.25 yds long.  Mark the center of it.

4. Pin the bias tape/binding down matching centers of the tape and washcloth.  Stitch it down from end to end.   And you're done with the bib.


Gratitudes:

1. Report from Osteo doc was that he thinks the knee pain is nothing major (arthritis aggravated by the months on prednisone) and that it is treatable.

2. For the cortisone shot seeming to have helped a lot in controlling the pain.   May it continue to!


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Sunday, July 21, 2019

Christmas in July Blog Hop Continues

The Christmas in July blog hop continues this week through Thursday.   Have fun checking out what everyone has done for Christmas in July.


And in case you didn't get to check out the stops on the hop last week, here are the ones from last week -

Sunday, July 14th


Monday, July 15th


Tuesday, July 16th


Wednesday, July 17th


Thursday, July 18th


Friday, July 19th


Saturday, July 20th

Anja Quilts

Gratitudes:

1. For AC even tho financially I can't run it as cool as I might like, and for fans to help keep the temps bearable.

2. For the upcoming house-sitting job, the funds that will come in as a result of it and the chance to cuddle with at least one of the cats.
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Friday, July 19, 2019

Updating my to-do list

Updating my to-do lists so that I can keep myself on track with projects.......thankful to see progress, need to make more tho.

Current commissions-

  1. Pair of custom Christmas Stockings (Due by the end of July) - Bodies together, need to make/attach embroidered cuffs and lining
  2. Target T-Shirt Quilt (due at end of Sept) - Design figured out, need to quote price to buyer
  3. Taggie Quilt (12") - Completed and delivered
  4. Wedding Dress Pillow (no due date)
  5. Ring Bearer Pillows (no due date)
  6. Purse (Due end of July) - fabric and pattern arrived, remaining fabric pulled.  Scheduled to be worked on this weekend.

Coming Commissions-

  1. T-shirt Quilt for friend in an online group (no due date, waiting for shirts and specs)
  2. Multiple memory quilts from friend at church (no due date, waiting on shirts/clothing; they are in the middle of wedding prep at the moment)
  3. Memory Teddy Bears from button-down shirts (12 of them)

Possible Commissions -

  1. Airplane quilt - need to make sample blocks before getting back with friend to see if she's interested (most likely for Christmas if she decides to do it)
  2. Music Quilt - long time possibility....rumblings about it happening again - Designed, waiting on down payment
  3. 2 "Floor" mats - 24" by 18" size, same person as #2 rumbling about these, time will tell if they happen - Designed, waiting on down payment
  4. Second purse for same friend as first one

Other projects that need to be done -

  1. 2019 Row by Row quilt - All rows have been completed, the last 4 need to be assembled and added  to the first half.   Three of the first 4 rows have been quilted.  On track for finishing up no later than the first week of August.
  2. Border onto snail quilt so I can send it off for quilting - Completed
  3. Final snail block onto the wide backing for snail quilt so I can use it as a label
  4. Embellished pair of Kitchen towels for a shower gift - Completed and gifted
  5. Mini Wallhanging for adoption shower gift - Completed and hanger for it has been ordered, need to add hanging sleeve now that I know what size is needed
  6. Additional work for the PT job - First website reviewed and feedback sent, second website review, part one accomplished, more to go
Lots of progress made, most likely will slow down as I'm due to begin house-sitting for friends on the 27th.  

Gratitudes:
1. For having been able to get a haircut earlier in the week....even if I'd forgotten what it's like to have my hair down on the back of my neck.

2. For being able to get in quickly to the orthopedic doc to see what is going on with my knee after the flare on Wed.
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Thursday, July 18, 2019

Christmas in July Blog Hop - Pieced Christmas Stockings

I had a friend place an order for two pieced Christmas stockings but didn't know what she wanted in the way of a pattern for them.   So I made several options for her to choose from.

First thing I did was to make myself a pattern for the stocking from one that I already had made where I liked the size and shape. 

To do this I first bought a yard of Pellon 810 Tru-Grid from the interfacing section at Joann's.  Then layed my stocking on top of the gridded material and traced around it after adding a 1/2" seam allowance.
Next up was piecing what i called my stocking "Blanks".  I was working from scraps but still wanted to have some sort of cohesive design to the stockings.
Once the fronts were all cut out, then I laid each stocking front, right-side down, on top of the right-side of the backing fabric.  Cut each matching back out and then pinned together so that they would stay together.











The backs and fronts were then backed with a corresponding section of fusible fleece.


Some light  quilting was added to each section to make sure they held together.













A 4" section of 3/8" wide ribbon was then stitched to the top of the back sections near the corner farthest from the to of the stocking.

The top seam of the outer layers and the corresponding lining sections were then stitched together.


Both sections were then stitched together with the seam going around the entire outside - EXCEPT for an area wide enough to slip your hand through.  For me, that is about a 4" wide area    It is through this opening that the stocking is turned right side out.   Clip the curves before turning the stocking.





Once turned right side out and the seams are smooth, stitch the opening closed.

Press the stocking seams so that they lie flatter and you're finished.
















And now - Don't forget to fill in the form below to sign up for the FQ set that is being given away at the end of this blog hop.  The giveaway will close on Tuesday July 30th and the winner will be announced here on July 31st.


Gratitudes:

1. For getting things made ahead of schedule  =)

2. For the 30 yrs in the Phx area which means I'm not overwhelmed by the heat here in this area this summer, even tho I can't run the AC much
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Wednesday, July 17, 2019

More commissions coming

Coming not too far in the future is another commission.   This will be a bittersweet one because it's for my adopted niece.   Her FIL is fading fast from the effects of brain cancer, and she has commissioned me to make 12 memory teddy bears for all of the grand-kids from his shirts. 

I had one teddy pattern that has 4 pieces to it (left hand one) and ordered an older one that has two pieces (one on the right).   One of these two patterns will be used for the bears. 

To help figure out which one it will be, I  plan on buying a men's shirt from a second-hand store and then making a sample up.  This will let me know if it's possible to get it out of a shirt and how long it'll take me to make one along with materials needed.   Once the sample is done I can then quote the project.

While I don't like the reason for the project, I'm happy to know that I'll be able to give a little bit of comfort with my sewing skills.

If I have enough left over, then I'm thinking I'll put the scraps together into a quilt for my niece's MIL as an extra blessing for the family.

Gratitudes -

1. for getting the name of an ortho doc since I just did something again to my injured knee and it's hurting like crazy at the moment.

2. for ibuprofen and the help it hopefully will give in controlling the pain.


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Monday, July 15, 2019

Christmas in July Blog Hop

The Christmas in July blog hop started yesterday and  there is a nice little prize for those check out the blogs on the hop.  My post will go live on the 19th, meanwhile check out the great Christmas ideas that will be posted over the next two weeks.


Gratitudes:

1. For all of the commissions that God is opening the door for, they may be the difference between the bills being paid and them not being paid if we don't get paid for an extended period of time (again....).

2. For a cooperative little critter yesterday as i learned how to give him his inhaler medication.   Now let's hope he behaves while i'm house-sitting!
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Sunday, July 14, 2019

Scrap Happy July

Lots of scraps in various projects this month -

 This Baby bib used the scrappy portion that had been cut out from the another project.
 These 4 scrappy stockings were finished.
Scraps of cotton and ribbon were used to make this little taggie for my great niece.


Head Over to Kate's blog to see what she has been up to and to find links to what the others have been up to this month.


Gratitudes:

1. I've been able to get an appt for a haircut.....and have the money to pay for it.....

2. Good weekend in spite of nee pain that I was dealing with even tho I didn't get all I'd hoped to done.
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Thursday, July 11, 2019

Coming Commissions

I'm almost through the early stages for the next big commission.    The only real thing left in planning is to find the fabric for the backing and that can wait. 

This will be a t-shirt quilt made from Target t-shirts (yes, as in the store).   I'll cut 15" squares from most of them, and piece a few to get the layout as shown here.   They will be sashed in black Kona, and there will be a narrow border around it in more of the Kona.

Backing will be in a red/black print if I can find one, if not then in black. 

This will finish out at about 89" by 108", so a king-size.    So thankful that the backing is not going to be completely pieced.

Quilt is due by October, so time to start working on it.


And looking like this design might actually make it into reality as a commission......well, I'll believe it when I see it, but more noise is being made about it.

I am thinking that I'll go ahead and start making the blocks for it, so that I can start working on a pattern for it.  This will finish out at approx. 60" by 80".

Gratitudes:
1. Time with a quilting friend over supper last night

2. Job possibilities that occasionally pop up.
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Monday, July 8, 2019

4th Of July Holiday Weekend Progress

Lots of projects were worked on and progress was made.

The remaining UFO bibs were completed.
This bib has a UFO block appliqued to the front of it.
Denim and cotton purse finally finished after it sitting around for about 3 yrs.
Inside of Purse.......Lining had to be hand-stitched to the seam allowances for the sides........won't be making this purse again.
Rows 5 & 6 were finished for my 2019 Row by Row quilt.  Bottom row I bought as a kit because I didn't want to have to cut all those teensy pieces.

Top has 3-D grapes made with yo-yos.
Made this commissioned taggie for my niece for her 8-month old daughter.  Most of the ribbons were from stash (only 3 were not), and the minky backing was bought for this.  (Now have minky for 3 more of these.)
Finished all 4 Christmas stockings that will be listed for sale.

There were several other projects that I worked on that I did not get pics of ---

Put the border onto the snail quilt so it is almost ready to mail out for quilting.  Need to applique the last remaining block onto the wide backing and everything will be ready to send off.  Did not get a pic of the quilt with the border on.

Got the commissioned stockings assembled and waiting on the cuff.   Need to practice doing the name before doing them on the "real thing".

Finished up an adoption shower gift.  Just need to find a nice looking hanger for it.





Gratitudes:

1. Heat wasn't too bad over the holiday weekend and it was dry!

2. Found a possible cousin thru a mutual friend on FB
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Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Eek............aka I looked at what is on my plate......

So I started writing down the commissioned projects that I've got in hand, those that will be coming, and the possible; along with the handful of non-commission projects that need to be done as well......and did a big "Eeek" as I looked at the number of things that I need to be working on.  Needless to say I need to get my tail in gear and get to working on them....lol.

Current commissions-

  1. Pair of custom Christmas Stockings (in progress) - Due by the end of July
  2. Target T-Shirt Quilt - due at end of Sept
  3. Taggie Quilt (12") - due in July
  4. Wedding Dress Pillow (no due date)
  5. Ring Bearer Pillows (no due date)
  6. Purse - Due before end of July, waiting on fabric and pattern to arrive from customer

Coming Commissions-

  1. T-shirt Quilt for friend in an online group (no due date, waiting for shirts and specs)
  2. Multiple memory quilts from friend at church (no due date, waiting on shirts/clothing; they are in the middle of wedding prep at the moment)

Possible Commissions -

  1. Airplane quilt - need to make sample blocks before getting back with friend to see if she's interested (most likely for Christmas if she decides to do it)
  2. Music Quilt - long time possibility....rumblings about it happening again
  3. 2 "Floor" mats - 24" by 18" size, same person as #2 rumbling about these, time will tell if they happen

Other projects that need to be done -

  1. 2019 Row by Row quilt - aiming for an end of July finish
  2. Border onto snail quilt so I can send it off for quilting - need to pull fabric from stash for border
  3. Final snail block onto the wide backing for snail quilt so I can use it as a label
  4. Embellished pair of Kitchen towels for a shower gift - due for shower on July 14th
  5. Mini Wallhanging for adoption shower gift - due by end of July for early Aug shower
  6. Work for the PT job -have new project that needs to be done asap
Me thinks I need to not take anything else on unless it has a long due date until I get some of these things done....lol

Gratitudes:
1. For having just paid off another bill, and being able to increase the payment I'm making on the next one in order to pay it off this year.

2. For the extra income that I have coming in that will help pay down bills.

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Monday, July 1, 2019

Row-by-row 2019 Progress #2

Another of this years rows has been completed and assembly of the top half of my quilt has commenced.

First up - the 4th row completed is this one from Stitchin' Heaven in Mineola, Tx.  The original pattern used a fabric panel which I didn't realize until I got home and read the pattern.     I used a black-on-black and a WOW fabrics to make the row.   The lettering was done with a fabric paint pen..  I think the block has the feel of a blackboard in some one's kitchen.  I like how it turned out.


I have the first 4 rows completed sewn together.  The open area will filled in with a checkerboard section made with 1.5" finished squares of dotted teal and a WOW.  Strip sets have been made so this is in the works.  Buttons also need to be sewn onto the watermelon (for seeds) and the ice cream shakes (cherries on top).

Gratitudes:

1. Thankful that the lightning (and resulting thunder clap) that apparently hit the transformer behind the neighbor's house did only minor damage, even tho it scared the you-know-what out of me when it struck.

2. For having made it home before the storm hit on Saturday afternoon.


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One Monthly Goal for July

I'm linking up for the first time with Elm Street Quilts and stating my one monthly goal for July.


My goal this month has three parts to it because I've got two projects that I either have to finish or want to finish for myself.

The first one is getting a border onto my snail quilt so that I can send it off for quilting.


The second part is getting the stockings being made from these panels into their completed states.  All parts except the cuffs are prepped now.   So making the cuff and appliqueing the recipient names onto them are the next step and then sewing everything together.  These are a commission and a must finish in the month of July.


The final part of this month's goal is figuring out whether I need to cut 12" or 15" squares from these t-shirts for the quilt I've been commissioned to make from them.  And then figuring out the price for the quilt so I can tell my customer.  This quilt doesn't need to be finished till September so the estimate of price is all that I need to do this coming weekend.


I'm sure that these won't be the only things I work on this month since I've had two more commissioned orders come in that have to be done in the month of July as well.

Gratitudes:

1. For being paid on time today.

2. For a much drier weather forecast for this week.
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