My rest is half over

The good news is I have been lazy but the bad news is I have been lazy.  Any break from work goes so quick.  Here's what I have done.

1.  Finish Quilt for Kids Quilt - almost done. Did not touch

 

2.  Dog Coats for Roxie and Archer-  at least 2 each Did not touch

 

3.  Cross Stitch Birthday Announcements - 2 or 3 to go.  Then Frame. Nope

 

4.  Cross Stitch over one Face Yes!  I have been working on this everyday.  I didn't take a picture but it is coming along.

 

5.  Start refinishing the kitchen cabinets.  Start on prep work and call for estimate. Yes!  I have a cabinet of 3 drawers to fix or replace and one cabinet door.  I will be ready to get an estimate.

 

6.  New Book - Open Yale Class, Introduction to the Bible by Christine Hayes Has not happened

 

7.  New Book - The Last Passenger by Manel Loureiro Nope

 

8.  T-Shirt Quilt - This is started.  I cut the t-shirts in half  and then trimmed them again.  I'm just wanting a small lap quilt.  I took a completed quilt and laid the shirts out on that.  Still had shirts so I laid a piece of fabric over that and finished.  I have enough to make a double sided.  I haven't had time to sew anything but this is ready. 

 

9.  Frame finished Cross Stitch. - Have not even thought about.

 

So far it's been a great break!  I love having both of my kids home.  One more week to go! 

Finally

My oldest son, Thing 1, has arrived.  I'm so glad he is home with us.  It was the first night that Thing 1 and Thing 2 started arguing. I had hoped at 27 and 24 this would stop but no.  I'm ready to leave and they can both stay here.  I hope this will get better over the next too weeks.

The Hanukah presents, quilt and cross stitch,  have been given and were well received.   I was so relieved.  I was worried.

Not much was accomplished this week:

1.  Finish Quilt for Kids Quilt.  A Charity quilt that needs to be sent in December.  Almost done
I probably won't make December but I will try.

 

2.  Sew at least 2 dog coats for Roxie and Archer. - I will try to finish this before the end of the year

 

 

3.  Presents should be arriving.  Wrap and buy anything else that is needed. - Done!

 

4.  Cross Stitch Birthday Announcement - need to finish 2 of these. - Over Break

 

5.  Cross Stitch over one Face - Over Break

   

6.  Start refinishing the kitchen cabinets.  Start on the prep work and call for estimate. - Over Break

 

7.  New Book - Open Yale Class, Introduction to the Bible by Christine Hayes- Over Break

 

8.  New Book - The Last Passenger by Manel Loureiro- Over Break

 

9.  Pick another quilting project for Winter Break. - I have decided my new quilt will be Thing 2's t-shirt quilt.  That will empty a storage box I have been holding onto.

 

Hanukah started on Tuesday, Thing 1 arrived Wednesday, Hanukah Dinner Friday - no much got done.  Now the Break List.  It will be the same over the next 2 weeks.

 

1.  Finish Quilt for Kids Quilt - almost done.

 

2.  Dog Coats for Roxie and Archer-  at least 2 each

 

3.  Cross Stitch Birthday Announcements - 2 or 3 to go.  Then Frame.

 

4.  Cross Stitch over one Face

 

5.  Start refinishing the kitchen cabinets.  Start on prep work and call for estimate.

 

6.  New Book - Open Yale Class, Introduction to the Bible by Christine Hayes

 

7.  New Book - The Last Passenger by Manel Loureiro

 

8.  T-Shirt Quilt

 

9.  Frame finished Cross Stitch.

 

While I would love to cross everything off this list I really do not care it anything gets done.  I need to relax.  I have 2 more days to work before the winter break begins.  I can't wait. 

It's a countdown now!!

I'm in countdown mode now for Winter Break.  I love winter break.  My children come back home and fight and make messes and I pretend they act like the grownups they are and don't.  But most of all I relax.  For a week and a half I relax.  Thing 1 will have my car a lot visiting friends and I can quilt or cross stitch.  It's a wonderful time of year.  I'm trying to pick my winter break project but so far I haven't.  Still thinking, I have 1 more week.

What I did this week:

1.  Hanukkah Quilt - Quilt and Bind

 Done!!  I love it.  What I really love is the fact that I was able to start and finish something in a short time.  I hope it will be a welcomed gift.

 

2.  4 Applique Pillows - Waiting on forms, need to finish sewing, sew on backing

 

Done! 

 

3.  Finish Quilt for Kids Quilt.  A Charity quilt that needs to be sent in December.  Almost done

This is moving to the top of the list.

 

4.  Sew at least 2 dog coats for Roxie and Archer.

Nope.  Not this week.

 

5.  Presents should be arriving.  Wrap and buy anything else that is needed.

I have been keeping up with this.  Very unlike me but I have actually been organized.  I need to do 8 more things and I'm done.  I will finish wrapping what I have today.  Hanukah starts Tuesday so I really need to finish up quick! 

 

6.  Cross Stitch Shalom for present.  Finish stitching and frame.

 

 

Oh yeah, Done!  One is framed, the other one needs ironed and framed.

 

7.  Cross Stitch Birthday Announcement - need to finish 2 of these.

Looked at but no.

 

8.  Cross Stitch over one Face

Winter Break project

 

9.  Clean Thing 1's Room in preparation of his December visit.  Almost done. 

Done!

 

10.  Take Thing 2 to dentist and adventure.

Done!

 

11.  Finish reading  Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King.

Done!

 

12.  Start refinishing the kitchen cabinets.  Start on the prep work and call for estimate. 

Winter Break Project and Beyond

 

What a Week.  I'm feeling good so far.  I'm ready for both holidays and really ready for Winter Break!  For next week:

 

 

1.  Finish Quilt for Kids Quilt.  A Charity quilt that needs to be sent in December.  Almost done

 

2.  Sew at least 2 dog coats for Roxie and Archer.

 

3.  Presents should be arriving.  Wrap and buy anything else that is needed.

 

4.  Cross Stitch Birthday Announcement - need to finish 2 of these.

 

5.  Cross Stitch over one Face

   

6.  Start refinishing the kitchen cabinets.  Start on the prep work and call for estimate.

 

7.  New Book - Open Yale Class, Introduction to the Bible by Christine Hayes

 

8.  New Book - The Last Passenger by Manel Loureiro

 

9.  Pick another quilting project for Winter Break.

 

The list is looking much better!

Getting ready

What a busy, depressing, exciting week.  It's exhausting crazy at work and then you get home to more things that have to be completed.  My crazy life.

Last Sunday's to do list:


1.  Hanukkah Quilt - I can't believe it but I was able to piece this together and pin it.  It is ready to quilt and bind.  Hopefully I will make progress on this today.  My plan is to sew a straight stitch in white on the white lines.  My hope is the blue will really pop out.  I'm going to bind the quilt by turning over the backing.  I'm doing this for several reasons but mainly for speed. 

 

2.  4 Applique Pillows - I have not completed the sewing on the pillows yet.  I did buy the backing and pillow forms.

 

3.  Finish Quilt for Kids Quilt.  A Charity quilt that needs to be sent in December.  Did not touch

 

4.  Sew at least 2 dog coats for Roxie and Archer. Did not touch

 

5.  Presents should be arriving.  Wrap and buy anything else that is needed.  I have not wrapped anything but boxes have been arriving all week.  I'm still waiting on several things but I need to get moving on this.

 

6.  Cross Stitch Shalom for present.  Working on this.  1 is complete and the other is in progress.  I also ordered the frames.

 

 

 

7.  Cross Stitch Birthday Announcement - need to finish 2 of these.  Didn't start

 

8.  Cross Stitch over one Face Did not even think about

 

9.  Clean Thing 1's Room in preparation of his December visit.  Almost completed.  I just need to wash the sheets and blankets.  This will be done today.

 

10.  Turn 50 on Friday!  Completed.  Hopefully I did this with grace.

 

11.  Pick a book and read it.  I have changed books nearly daily lately.  Currently attempting to read Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King.  Finally!  I found a book. 

 

12.  Start refinishing the kitchen cabinets  I didn't start anything but I have a plan. 

 

Wow!  Finished a lot more than I even thought was possible.  I already know not as much will be completed next week but I'm still trying.

 

My new to-do list:

 

1.  Hanukkah Quilt - Quilt and Bind

 

2.  4 Applique Pillows - Waiting on forms, need to finish sewing, sew on backing

 

3.  Finish Quilt for Kids Quilt.  A Charity quilt that needs to be sent in December.  Almost done

 

4.  Sew at least 2 dog coats for Roxie and Archer.

 

5.  Presents should be arriving.  Wrap and buy anything else that is needed.

 

6.  Cross Stitch Shalom for present.  Finish stitching and frame.

 

7.  Cross Stitch Birthday Announcement - need to finish 2 of these.

 

8.  Cross Stitch over one Face

 

9.  Clean Thing 1's Room in preparation of his December visit.  Almost done. 

 

10.  Take Thing 2 to dentist and adventure.

 

11.  Finish reading  Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King.

 

12.  Start refinishing the kitchen cabinets.  Start on the prep work and call for estimate.

 

Once again.  Enough!

 

What a to-do list!

This week flew by!  Time always flies when I have days off.  I want to go back to Friday, to take advantage of every minute of everyday.  Since I can not do that this is what I did get done.

1.  Started a Hanukkah quilt.
     Since I quit smoking I have to stay busy.  I was thinking about the gifts I needed to buy and make and decided that I had time to whip up a quick quilt for a present.  I choose my fabric on Wednesday, cut and prepared pieces on Thursday, sewed on Friday, cut and trimmed on Saturday.  It's ready to start sewing again.  I'm very happy with how quickly this has come together.

2.  Started to sew matching pillows for 6-8 year deer applique quilt.
I had left over squares so I have enough to make 4 18in pillow.  I have started sewing those together and have ironed the seams open.  They are ready to sew again.

3.  Buy Hanukkah and Christmas presents.
I did this.  Or at least started.  Friday morning when all of the crazy people were out fighting over stuff I sat in my pjs and ordered online.  Now I'm waiting for deliveries.

4.  Cookies and Sweets
I got all of the box mixes out of the pantry.  Everything.  I started looking at the dates and threw a few things away.  Looking at what I have left I decided that I will use all of this before I buy more!  So I actually used 2 of them.  I took the funfetti cake mix, found a recipe on the internet and made cookies.  They are really good, not too sweet. 

 

There are still things I need to do today but I'm surprised and pleased with what has been completed this very short 4 day weekend.

 

I have picked one of the quilting magazines from the pile and decided I will make the quilts that I want and get this pile out of my life.  I chose American Patchwork Quilting October 2011.  The Hanukkah quilt I'm making is inspired by one of those.

 

I chose a different layout but I actually did the half square triangles.  I had never tried this before but it was simple so I will use it again.  So I'm counting page 79 as almost completed.

 

 

Next week to do list:

 

1.  Hanukkah Quilt - I need to piece together the quilt top.  If possible I need to sandwich and quilt.

 

2.  4 Applique Pillows - I'm going today to see if the backing I used on the quilt is still available.  Finish sewing and order pillow forms.

 

3.  Finish Quilt for Kids Quilt.  A Charity quilt that needs to be sent in December.  Almost done

 

4.  Sew at least 2 dog coats for Roxie and Archer.

 

5.  Presents should be arriving.  Wrap and buy anything else that is needed.

 

6.  Cross Stitch Shalom for present. 

 

7.  Cross Stitch Birthday Announcement - need to finish 2 of these.

 

8.  Cross Stitch over one Face

 

9.  Clean Thing 1's Room in preparation of his December visit.

 

10.  Turn 50 on Friday!

 

11.  Pick a book and read it.  I have changed books nearly daily lately.  Currently attempting to read Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King.

 

12.  Start refinishing the kitchen cabinets

 

That's enough.

 





Happy Mini Thanksgiving

For the past 20 years, since I divorced, my children and I have celebrated mini Thanksgiving.  It was our time, our leftovers, our family.  We always celebrate the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  Over the years we have had many guests, people we consider family not by blood but by love. 

Thing 1 is in a different state and deeply missed.  Thing 2 and I and 4 other people had Mini-Thanksgiving today.  I hope everyone takes the time out of their busy schedules to be thankful for the special people in their lives.   Happy Mini Thanksgiving!

The best finish ever!!

I have the best finish ever to report.  I have finished the applique quilt.  It took 6 years.  Kind of based on Moose Country Quilts #212 Antlers, Hooves and Horns.  The pattern (I bought 3 times) is for a wall hanging.  I wanted a much bigger quilt.  I also did not like the design of the pattern. I liked the animals.  I bought the fabric I wanted to use with the different animals and lost the pattern.  I looked everywhere.  Gone.  Used some of the fabric for something else.  Bought another pattern.  Started cutting out animals.  Put it away.  I got this out again last year determined to finish.  Could not find pattern, bought another one.  Made half of the animal blocks by December last so gave that as a Christmas present.  Put away.  Tired of looking at so I actually finished.

 This is the quilt top.  I finished piecing the quilt last night about 8:00 p.m.  I was so very happy! 

 I tied the quilt this morning.  It has a furry back so I wanted to use that as the binding.

 I just found the backing over the quilt for the binding

Although I have grown to hate this quilt I do love how it turned out.  It does look manly.  My friend's wife helped me with the binding.  I'm sure she was tired of hearing about this quilt too.  She was happy her husband is nice and warm  now. 

 

I used the quilt as you go for the first time and liked it a lot.  I tied this quilt for the effect.  This is a big one off my to-do list.  I am happy.  I still have some fabric and animals left over so I think I will make several pillows before Christmas of 2014.  I'm so happy!!!

It's winter now!

 Fall lasted for about one week and today it has turned to winter.  The high for tomorrow is the upper 20s/low 30s.  As usual, my life is crazy busy.

The cooler weather makes me feel very creative.  The problem I have had for quite some time is the applique quilt.  But pushing through the pain of dealing with that problem has really paid off.  All 80 blocks were finished on Friday.  They were all trimmed on Saturday.  The placement was decided on and the layout was totally changed, including cutting one row and column.  So the extra 18 blocks are going to be made into pillows.  Tomorrow I start on the sewing, into pairs.  I hope to have it all sewn by next weekend.  I'm so excited!

I took a 2-3 hour break on Sunday and made 2 dog coats.  I looked at different free patterns and made my own.  It turned out really cute.   The dogs hate them but they look so cute.  I have only managed to get one picture so far.

 

I took a sweatshirt hoodie and cut it half.  Archer (shown above) got the back side.   He hates the hood and the coat itself.  I put a blanket in as the liner but it made the bottom curl.  Roxie, the dog on the couch got the other half of the sweatshirt .  I made that one double sided.  I hope to get her picture soon.

 

So I did get something done this week.  I'm finally getting something done!

Finally! It's Fall

The temperature has finally fallen below 70.  The leaves are starting to fall.   I'm starting to cook and bake.  I love this time of year.  I missed last week so let's start there.  On October 25 Thing 2 and I went on a ghost tour.  It was fun.  We ate at Café Moderne.  We enjoyed the food and the tour.  We didn't see ghosts but other people did.  We just shrugged our shoulders because it was just the history of buildings but it was interesting. 

I tend to deep clean the house in the spring and fall.  Before the house will be shut up tight it so I think it should be cleaned.   This past weekend it was time to clean the kitchen.  4 bags of trash!  Anything open was trashed.  It looks so good.  I'm so pleased.  I will post pictures of the kitchen when I decide what I'm going to do with the cabinets.

Updates on Quilts and Cross Stitch:

The deer applique quilt has 20 blocks left to quilt.  I want this quilt finished!  It's one of those things that I am not finding enjoyable.  I just want to finish.  My plan is to finish the last 20 this week.  Then I will trim and square and give to my friend for placement.

I also had time to finish two threads last week.  This is such a slow project.

My big news is that I quit smoking.  Or at least I'm trying to quit.  With lots of luck I will be successful.

No pictures this week but many pictures will follow.  Have a great week!

We all look better with a new coat of paint

It was been a weekend of preparation for winter.  The house was painted and the trim will be painted over the next week.  That took most of Saturday.  The siding that needed replace was and 2 guys painted the house in hours.  We were taped in for a while but it was fun.  Today I packed away the potting bench and started storing all of the garden equipment in the greenhouse.  I filled up a big trash bag and stopped.  Enough work for the weekend.

This past week I started bring the plants inside from the greenhouse and yard.  Some went in the living room window with a light and the rest went in the 2 small indoor greenhouses.  I still need to buy a light for those.  The plants seems much happier.  It has not froze yet but it's been getting down in the 40s at night.  That took quite a while.  I love the way the plants make the livingroom and kitchen look.  Quick update: The lemons and cherries have not sprouted.

I did find a little time to cross stitch.  I only got 2 threads in but I can see a difference.  I was able to quilt today.  I finished 2 more rows which takes me to 5 rows finished, 50% of the quilt.  Only five more rows to go.  I have worked on this for almost 2 years, promised I would make it for more than that.  I can not wait to finish it!!

 

 

I also made my first cheesecake so the season.  I love cheese cake.  My favorite food ever. I wished I had taken a picture.  Tasted wonderful.  

It's starting to feel like fall

What a great weekend!  I love Fall so it's so exciting to have the temperatures drop below 80 for a great change.  But like usual in Kansas it went from the 80s to the 50s on Friday then warmed up to 70s on Saturday and Sunday and back to 50s on Monday.  I would prefer the gradual cool down but no one has asked me.

I did a lot of cleaning this weekend, hired a painter, and quilted.  Yes, I quilted.  Only for 2 hours but it felt great.  I have completed 3 of 10 rows for the Applique Deer quilt.  I have high hopes for more sewing in the days to come.  It turning out really nice.  I will get this done this year!

I'm quilting as I go.  This is the first time I have tried this so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I'm hoping in the long run it will save time.  I have trimmed the batting but the blocks still need to be trimmed and squared.

My helper cat

 Other updates: I'm changing books on the to-do list.   No cross stitching was completed with past week, not even one thread.  The cooler temperatures really put me in a crafting mood so high hopes something will happen this week!

Girl Power

Weekend update is made with tired arms and a blister on one hand.  No, its not from sewing either.  This busy weekend started with Yom Kippur and my housemates getting a rescue dog.  She is the sweetest dog.  Someone moved and left her tied to a tree.  Some people should not be allowed the privilege of owning animals. 

Sunday was a working day.  I would like to paint the house this fall.  As I was looking at the house to make a to do list for paint preparation I noticed a couple of siding boards that needed to be replaced.  In closer inspection there were more than a couple.  My housemate and I did this ourselves.  We looked at many sites to learn how and just went for it.  So 5 - 16ft boards later we are almost done with the south side of the house.  We still have 2 board more to do but now that we know how to hammer it should go much quicker.  Only one repair is needed on the back of the house.  Then the north side and an over hang on the roof.  I'm running out of time to get the painting done this fall but things are starting to get crossed off the list!

Getaway and Gambling but not much else

Weekend update:

My youngest son and I went away (13 miles) to the new casino and stayed in their new hotel.  The hotel was very nice.  Clean and nicely decorated. We ate well and had fun but didn't win any money.  The hotel was full of bull riders.  Everyone was so nice.  It was nice to get away and do something different.

Stack of Deer Blocks

My first inspiration weekend and I got nothing done.   These are the projects I have chosen to start working on.

Quilting:
1) John Applique Deer Quilt - I have told my friend for over 5 years that I would make this quilt for him.  I bought the backing in December of 2012.  I started working fast and furious in the fall of 2013 and gave him the finished blocks Christmas of 2013.  Of course I promised that I would finish the quilt right away.  Recently I was asked again if I was planning on finishing it.  Of course I answered!  So I really need to finish this!! 

2)I need to finish a quilt for Quilt for Kids.  It's a great organization to provide quilts for kids in hospitals.  It's almost done - just need to sandwich, quilt and bind.

Yard/Gardening:

Cherry and Lemon Seeds

I need to get the yard really for fall and paint the house.  I didn't do any of that this weekend.  It's the last week of September and is still mid 80s.  I'm so really for the 60s.  I did get the cherry pits and lemon seeds planted that I have been saving.  They are wrapped in plastic.  I put the apple seeds in the frig for "winter".  I will plant them in 2 weeks.  There is so much to do yet in the yard.  I really need to get moving on this.




Cross Stitch:


1)  I have been working on a started project to finish it.  I started this so long ago I don't remember when.  That just tells us just how organized I am.  I pulled this out 2 weeks ago because I didn't have enough all going on.  The Northwood quilt is cute.  Stamped cross stitch which I have never been a fan of.

 The picture on the right is of one of the evergreens.  I hate it.  Don't like it at all!  So I thought it might look better as a punch needle quilt.  I think it does.

 2)  My other cross stitch project I have chosen to finish is Family of Birds.  I'm stitching this over one so it is taking a very long time.

 

 

Reading:

Days of Awe by Agnon.  I have been so tired lately that if I get a half of page in before I fall asleep I'm doing great.  Yom Kippur is next weekend so I need to get reading.

 

 

That's it!  This is where I'm choosing to start.  I think that's enough!

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog!   I hope this blog will give me the inspiration to complete all of my projects or at least some of them.  Scratch that - maybe I can just catch up.