Confession is Good for the Soul

After looking at the new catalogs I looked for my sock yarn.........
Here it is...
All kitted and ready travel. Directions included in most bags.

The next expedition in the Nether Regions will be to gather together my sock books and patterns. Perhaps I can get this portion of life organized.

There are 34 future pairs of socks here. If I did knit one pair a week I could be finished in 8 1/2 months. I cannot knit one a week so it will take me a bit longer........... Maybe I should print this picture and take it with me when I shop?
I am adding my sock list to the side bar.........This is such a great way to keep on track. A daily reminder that I need to be more in control of my spending.

Here is the list.....

Pink Broadripple
Blue Fortissima
Carnival
Red Railroad Rib
Red Railroad Rib
Fuschia RailroadRib
Pink Easy Worsted Weight
Mother Lode
Mixed Berries
AquaGrayPurple with Flecks
Primary Colors
Primary Colors
Purple Many Diamonds
Blue with colors
Regia
Navy Many Diamonds
Periwinkle Little Arrows
Pastel Little Arrows
Pastel Little Arrows
Grape Little Arrows
Primary Colors Applause
Florida Colors Sockatta
Green/Purple/Pink Sockatta
Gray/Green/Pink Sockatta
Blue/Aqua/Gray Sockatta
Blue RegiaSalmon
Almost Argyle
Autum Socks
Purple Socks
Green Autumn Leaves
Green Many Diamonds
Gray Mock Croc
Burgundy Twisted Socks
Purple/Gray/White Sockatta

Where Did the Day Go

I had such great plans for today....They went to naught....... I had two goals - finish my Care Quilt and finish my Fields and Fences top.........Neither are done.........

I did buy groceries, cook lunch, take a walk with DH, take a nap, wash the sheets on two beds, dried them and made the beds. Cleaned two bird cages and vacummed part of the living room. I wrapped the two wedding samplers and got them packed to mail........ I also packed up a box of surprises for Jason & Kim, two boxes for Rebekah and one for Robert. Now the coffee table in the living room is cleared of all the excess items I had placed there in anticipation of mailing them. Rebekah called and chatted for 45 minutes. Using my handy head set I managed to knit a bit on a sock while we talked.

I got a Lion Brands catalog and a PatternWorks Catalog today. Obsession takes over if you aren't careful........ They even have knitting needles with batteries that light up while you knit so you can knit in the dark...... I must save up for a pair...... Oh, the Oat Coutour patterns look like something I am up to these days.......... Fitting can be a bear so I started knitting socks and shawls......... There are some really great sock yarns these days....... I should know, I have gone overboard already. Just as a reminder of what I have ( and hopefully to reming me why I do not need more) I brought up my PLASTIC TOTE of socks. Already kitted and ready to knit..... I think I will make a list on the side bar.......That should dampen any purchase urges I have. I will take pictures later..............

The Guild Meeting

My dear friend Peg invited me to go along with her to the Cape Cod Quilters Guild meeting. I was a member once before but they moved the meeting place farther away. I don't see well to drive at night so I stay near to home if I need to go out.

One of the members showed a quilt she made this year "ALL FROM STASH" (except for the blue section on the back). She established 2006 as a stash clearing year and this is what she got from the experience.

Holiday Swap

Yes, I signed up for the Holiday Swap on the Dear Jane list. I have such a lovely quilt (not yet quilted but layered and pinned and waiting) from 2004 and I wanted to do this again. I already have the fabric and I got the blocks I wanted to do and I have done them so many times that they are easy to me now.............. I suppose I just like swaps.......... For me it is a connection with other quilters and I don't have to clean up before they arrive............ Eight more blocks and I will have all my other promised DJ blocks done................ Yes, I can do this..........

Warmsies

I keep a pair of socks going all the time. Sometimes more than one pair. It is a great thing to grab on my way out the door when DH wants to take a ride. I can knit them while I watch TV and most evenings I put in a few rows as a way to wind down before bed. Here is the pair I finished this morning. The knitting has been done for weeks but they needed the ends run. That has been done and they are ready to wear.

Another Table Runner

Since the last one I made was not great and it is supposed to be a gift, I cut out another one. I am sewing this one on the Duchess and perhaps it will be better. 

Chain Event Mystery Quilt

The mystery quilt I made this weekend was so awful that I felt the need to redeem myself by making a better looking one. This is the fabric I found this morning. It is cut and ready to go........ 

Fields and Fences Completed Blocks

Here are the blocks I have complete. I had a few minutes left this morning before I had to come to work and began stitching the four patch units with the red you see there. This is going to be a great quilt. 

Fields and Fences

While looking around at the McCalls Quilt site, I came across this quilt. It really spoke to me and I went immediatly to the fabric shop for Homespun. It has been sitting around since.

When I got home from work yesterday, I began cutting the fabric. There are 49 blocks and I thought that if I did 10 a day, I could have the quilt top done in one week.

You know that feeling you get with a new project and you don't want to stop working on it. Drat, I had to visit the grocery store and then come home to cook. Began stitching again after we ate. I have 1/2 of the blocks cut out and 18 of them stitched............... I can see this puppy done by Sunday. 

Close Up

Here is a close up of the block on the table runner. 

Table Runner

I also pieced a table runner for a swap. You can't tell here but it has "issues". I am hoping they will "quilt out". I stitched this downstairs on the Janome........... I cut out another one and I am going to sew it upstairs on the Duchess. I think it will do much better. I have not been able to get consistant quarter inch seam on the Janome.

Chain Event - Mystery Quilt Top

Here it is folks. The finished top from the mystery quilt........ DH said "That's nice" I said that I thought it was ugly. Then he admits"Well, it is not the best one you have made" When it is done, it will be warm.... So there.............

Close Up of Quilts

Here are some close up shots. I did not even look at the price. The log cabin was not in the best shape, 

Antique Shop

Yesterday DH wanted to take a ride just to get out of the house. Even though I wanted to stay at home and stitch, I did go with him. We passed an antique shop in Brewster and it had two quilts on the front porch. 

Blocks for Gay

I have so much to report this morning. I will begin with the Dear Jane blocks I did for a Row Jane. I marked this off the list several weeks ago but did not get a good picture till recently.

Whew

I feel so much better now...........I have made a coporate decision............... I wanted to finish my nine patch quilt by the first week in November. I realize now that was an unrealistic goal in light of my other obligations and normal day to day living................. I will still finish that project but I am removing the deadline. Now I can stitch it with the joy that was there at the beginning of the project......... That being said I am much relieved....

On September 11th Carol Honderich is beginning the Women of the Bible quilt again and I really want to participate in that project. That will mean spending some of the time each morning in Bible study instead of sewing....... I know this is the right decision and I will share each week's block with you as they are done.

My friend Lu came for breakfast this morning. I was so tired after she left that I just had a wee toes up. Now back to my quilt............... But it is raining and cold and dreary and I am just to muddle headed to sew. I will knit instead and finish the Mystery Quilt in the morning. I am sure you can stand the suspense............ I saw that Peachy Quilter has a Fabric Depression going for September. I am trying to learn how to get it on my sidebar. Wish me luck.

Clue 8

This one is done.........Yes, you were right about the direction we were going in..........

The next step is cutting. Off to the Nether Regions for that step. Then I must come back upstairs and clear the dining room table and get it set for guest. Lu is coming for breakfast and we are celebrating the end of summer with Mimosa's. Like to join us?

Clue 7

I went to bed one clue behind. This morning I am three behind. I must sew fastly. By now you have a good idea where this is heading but we aren't there yet..........

Clue 6

Here it is, the last post for the night. The next clue has been printed but it is too late to work any longer. I should have had time but decided to complete a few home chores instead. Also did a few errands with DH and cooked lunch and dinner. Aren't I such a good wife?

Clue 5

Clue 5 is done and I am on to the next step. I will confess that it helps to read the instructions. I did not read carefully and it took me longer on that step than it should have.

Clue 4

Clue four is complete and the next one does not come out for 15 more minutes. I even had time to take a walk with DH and start boiling a hambone for split pea soup......... It sure is smelling good....

Holiday Weekend

Peg and I thought it would be great fun to work on a mystery quilt this weekend. This is the fabric I selected.

Most of the tourist will be leaving. The Cape is changing and we have more and more people that live somewhere else, buying a second home here. They come for holidays and weekends as well as all summer long. Grocery shopping is impossible except for early in the morning or late at night. It is raining today and since it it not good "beach" weather, folks will be in their cars, driving around looking for places to shop. DH failed to pick up his blood pressure medication yesterday and he thinks I will go with him to get it today. He is wrong. I will be stitching.

Backing For My Quilt

At last a good nights sleep. Such a blessing that was………

I found some fabric for the background of my Hour a Day quilt. Not as exactly what I wanted but it is going to suffice.

I have been giving much thought to the re-organization of my stash………. In comparison to most people I know I really have very little. I tend to see a quilt I want to make and but the fabric to make it. Then the fabric is washed and placed in a plastic tote or bag with the instructions and there it marinates in thyme……….. I made a list of them all but I have not looked at the list lately. I have added to it also.

I want to be a part of all the excitement that is happening in the cyber world around me. I tend to sign on to what ever comes my way. Now I have Promises to Keep and they are dragging me down and keeping me from other things I would like to do.

My “Name it – Claim it” list is posted under “10 Hour Rotation” to the right. These are the projects that I work on upstairs at night. I have to be careful because the projects multiply if I do not watch them….. I am trying to finish the things with a deadline first and then I can get back to working on the items on my list.

One Hour a Day Challenge Quilt

Ta Da.................Here it is...............My quilt top. Judy, thank you for taking the time in your hectic schedule to plan such a fun adventure for all of us.........It was a great experience. I look at this quilt and see the things I have learned that will help make the next one better...... No, I will not confess at this time what they are. Mostly design decisions that I should have done differently. That will not matter. This quilt will still be so warm when it is finished.................

Wednesday Already

Boy, this week is flying by................ I am posting a picture of a Wedding Sampler I finished earlier this month. Only one more to do and I will have them all done. I will be thinking long and hard before I do another one. My best friends daughter, three precious neices and a dear friend were/are the recipients (the dear friend is still waiting for hers). DH is safely home and if all goes well I can get a picture of my hour a day quilt taken for tomorrow. I did manage to get some sewing done this morning on the Care Quilt for the Cyber Guild. I am going to try to machine quilt that one myself..... A holiday is coming up in a bit and I have signed on for a Mystery Quilt. Real problems finding the right fabric in my stash..... I finally came across the skirt taken from a dress I made years ago and outgrew. I would not part with the fabric and it will be in this quilt............... See me smile?

Monday, Monday

This is a picture of the wee cap and socks I am making as part of a set for premature infants.

The weekend has come and gone and I did not finish all I set out to do. I did get the bathroom floor painted and my hour a day quilt top completed. I did not get the grills painted for the pseudo-headboard I wanted to make for DH. He will be home tomorrow and in light of the rainy weather the headboard will have to wait. I did get 7 leaf bags of shredded paper taken to the trash…………..I shredded all of them this weekend… I plan to set up a “shredding station” in the guest room and keep chipping away at that task.

I did have dinner with a dear friend and was it delicious……….Home made chicken pot pie, biscuits, tossed salad and carrot cake for dessert. I also got a dessert made for a friend whose family is visiting.

I am looking forward to the return of DH and my laptop and camera tomorrow afternoon.

Another Finish

Thought I would show the latest pair of socks I have completed. I began them when DD was here and we were having lessons in "Heel Turning".

This will probably be my last post until Monday. The computer that I have to use at home is so slow that I have decided to spend the weekend on other projects.

I had dinner with a friend last night and came home to knit a few more tassels. The count is at 15 now. I am in the frame of mind to make them so I will as long as the muse is with me.

Great plans for tomorrow. I do not have to go anywhere..... I plan to stay at home and paint the bathroom floor, shred 4 bankers boxes of tax returns and complete the house blessing. At the same time I will be completing my Hour a Day quilt from Judy. As you might know she has been having problems with her blog. Here is the latest word on that front.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

MESSAGE FROM JUDY

I just received the following email from Judy at SunshineQuilts. She's having major blogger problems and has had to start a new blog. The link is in her note below.

"I suppose a few of you have noticed that I've been rather quiet and it was not by choice! Last Friday, after a second notice from Blogger that I should switch my blog over to the new beta version, and assurances that it would be a smooth transaction, I did it. It was NOT a smooth transaction and I cannot sign in to my blog. It seems that if you have a google account (gmail) which is the same name as your blog, then everything went wrong. I have a sunshinequilts@gmail.com account and the name of my blog is sunshinequilts and . . it just didn't work. Google's customer service has to make the worst customer service in the history of the world look good. They are just awful!
I have pretty much given up on getting back into the old blog so I started a new one and it is http://judylaquidara.blogspot.com. I hated using my name because the last name is so hard to spell but I guess in the back of my mind, I'm still hoping this is a temporary blog.

So, if you have the time (and desire), could you please mention on your blog how readers can find me.

I have the codes up but I do not have much else over there right now. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I was, at how lost I was without the blog and how unmotivated I felt. I just wanted it to work and it will not!

Life goes on . .

Thanks for your help in getting the word out about the new blog.

Judy L."

Taking an Oath

A fellow stitcher called last night to ask if we could work together for the evening. “Of course” I reply, “Which do you prefer coffee or wine”. Wine was the choice and I mentally reviewed my cupboard contents for something to serve with it. “Aha”, I have the vegetable cream cheese spread and a box of Town House crackers….All is well.

We stitched and chatted till late but had a wonderful time. I am knitting beaded tassels as wee gifties for the members of a local quilt guild. The pattern can be found at: http://www.swallowhillcreations.com/BeadedTasselwithpic.htm I will need 100 of them. I have 11 knitted but not sewn together. It takes one hour to spin the beads on the thread and knit the tassel. Our reasoning is that if I adhere to that schedule I can have them knitted by Columbus Day (Oct. 12^th). Then I should be able to stitch them together and finish them in a few evenings. I have a small tree with lights to hang them on and the members can take the one of their choice.

My quilt bee is having a table runner exchange. That needs to be complete and mailed by November 1^st. We are also participating in a Care Project and I need a small quilt complete by Oct 1^st.

The deadlines for the two Row Janes I have in my studio has long since passed. It was discovered too late that most of us are Postally Challenged and the dates for completion have been discarded in favor of “Just getting the one you have” mailed.

I will finish the Hour a Day quilt top before Monday. Then I will have another quilt top to fret over. Do I quilt it myself or do I send it away. I might just start collecting the finished tops until I work up the courage to learn to machine quilt.

I joined the Nine Patch Nutters in April and I would really like to have that quilt finished by Nov. 9^th. So far I have completed the nine patch blocks for 8 rows and I need 32. A wee bit short don’t you think.

Now that I have put it on paper I will be able to see what is possible and what is a dream.

Not to mention that all the talk of “Use Your Stash” is starting to permeate my thick skull. I saw a pattern in a magazine this morning that I knew I had to make. YES, YES, YES I have just what I need to make that quilt right at hand.

So, here’s the plan…………… I will add this information to the side bar on the blog. I will put blinders on until I have made some forward progress on the items listed above. Well, here is my promise in writing.

Our Tray

DD and I like to have a tray to put all our implements on. Then when we move to another spot we can take it all with us. We found these trays at a local store and since they had the Adirondack chairs on them we knew they were for us. We also purchased the container on the left to hold bits of thread and the toothpicks on the right to help poke the stray bits in place that are reluctant to behave. I bought a set for her and she bought a set for me. Even though she is far away, we can sit together in spirit and stitch.

Quilting with Dear Daughter

DH is going out of town for a week. This afternoon I will have to help him pack instead of stitching. He is taking the camera and my laptop with him. I will be able to check in using his computer but it will not be the same as having the one I am accustom to using.

I have taken pictures ahead in order to have something to show while he is gone. I should finish my Hour a Day Challenge quilt and one of my Row Jane projects before he returns so those pictures will have to wait till next week to share.

While DD was visiting we indulged ourselves with pink fabric. We are using the pattern on the front of the book “Quilts from the Henry Ford” by Fons and Porter. It is shown in Red and White but we are doing Pinks………… We divided the fabric and she will do ½ of the blocks twice and I will do ½ of the blocks twice. When we swap, we will each have a quilt. Our deadline to have the blocks done is February 14, 2007. Then my task will be to assemble both quilts while she is appliquéing hearts on the borders for both quilts. How fun is that?

One Hour a Day Challenge Quilt

This picture is not the greatest but it is the one I have. Yes, there is a block missing. One had an oops.... and needs repair. This project is really moving along.

Not much sleep last night. Awake at 2:30 AM. Decided at 3:30 to give up chasing Morpheus and got up to stitch for awhile. Slept again for a couple more hours after 5:00AM and then got up for the day.

I have my morning routine complete, and even an item or two on the evening routine. The laundry is done for the day and lunch is fixed for DH for today and tomorrow. He will leave on Wednesday morning for a week and I will not have that task to do again till next week…………

I have the sashing and cornerstones cut for my Judy Challenge quilt and I can stitch on it this afternoon.

Love Needle Art

Love Needle Art

I am still having difficulties navigating the Blogs. I will catch on, but it may take a while. DH and I had an Advisory Board Meeting today. It lasted longer than we hoped but that isn't uncommon. We had Fried Chicken and veggies for supper. I am back to cooking tomorrow. I plan to get up in the morning to cook his breakfast and prepare his lunch. Right now DH is helping me apply for jobs. Completing resumes is no fun. I have my Sitting Room set up and everything laid out to prepare blocks to complete tomorrow. I look forward to the time in my Sitting Room to get blocks ready to work on during the evenings. More Calico Garden and Pink Quilt to Follow.

A Quiet Day

Almost time to add the vegetables to the beef stew but DH has been showing me how to add clip art. I hope I get this right.

I worked some on my Judy Challenge Quilt, I knit a bit on a sock. Mostly DH and I just hung out together today and watched the race. Tomorrow is time enough to get back on track and begin accomplishing again.

My Honey and His Honey

I have been attempting all day to accomplish one goal. To put the next border on 20 blocks. To no avail........

I did get to work in the studio this morning for about 3 hours. That time was spent making one PP block and prepping one other block for a Row Jane. If I get that prepped block sewn tonight, I will have one more set ready to mail.........Oh happy day...............

Then I began the house blessing. Well, two rooms were blessed. I had promised DH that I would help him with some data entry and we got it all done.

7:00 PM and I can officially stop all the duties I had assigned to today and stitch. After I hem a pair of pants for DH that is.

Since I did not get my blocks finished and could not get a picture of them, I went through my files and found one of DH and our Jack Russell, Honey taken Christmas 2005

Love Needle Art

Love Needle Art

We are up this morning and I rebooted laundry, made the bed and cooked breakfast for DH. He had a fried egg and bacon sandwich. I had apricots. I finished painting yesterday and DH is going to help me hang shelves and arrange the furniture. As soon as we get the shelves up I will send pictures. I will still have to apply the glaze coat. I plan to take that on one wall at the time.

My Hour a Day Quilt

I did complete all of my blocks for the Hour a Day Quilt. Tomorrow morning I will cut the fabric for the sashing and cornerstones for each block and with the help of the Duchess I will get them sewn on. I will also get out a magnifier and try to see the print in the tiny book that came with her. She might need a drop of oil and I do want her running smoothly. I am going to use a solid strip of deep rose with cornerstones for my blocks. The fabric will look so much better on my bed in quilt form than it does in a stack in my studio.

Time to Stitch at Last

The day is drawing to a close and I have time to stitch. I usually start each day with an hour of sewing but today I had a friend in for breakfast before we went off to work.

Did errands after work. DH was supposed to cook but he forgot....... Oops........ I started a couple of potatoes baking and we walked to the local butcher shop for a couple of chops. Yes, WALKED. It is only 1/2 mile round trip but I am very out of condition. He is so good to drag me along even when I grumble. I suppose he really wants me to be around longer.

Tonight I will be appliquing a block for a swap and working on the heart blocks that DD and I will be trading. I might even get to knit on the Blue Socks for an hour and get another star on my card.

The weather is mild so the windows are open. The sounds of summer are filtering in to keep us company. I can hear the band at a near by eatery and children playing in the yard next door. Here I sit with my tea and a good book on tape.

So many blessings from God today that I cannot even count...............

Ready for Hour 3

The Duchess (my new featherweight) and I will have tea together this afternoon and work on Hour Three together. She is all set up and ready to go. It will be our first time of working together.

I had planned to begin the House Blessing this morning but that did not occur. Instead I got all of DD's things ready to mail to her.

I also finished and began another block for a Row Jane. I did not get to work in the studio this morning. I am hoping to get all my chores complete so that I can spend Saturday stitching. I should be able to complete at least the two Care Quilt tops for my cyber quilt group. I need to get the Priority list complete so I can begin anew on the other projects.

We will go to the grocery store after I get off work so I cannot begin sewing till about 4:30 but at least I can sew until time to cook. Manwich tonight. What could be easier?

My First Hour

I saw on Hanne's blog that she was working an hour a day on a quilt with Judy of Sunshine Quilts. Naturally I wanted to play with them also.

I checked my stash as soon as I got home from work. I found three fabrics that I was "SAVING". I have a lot of fabric in that category. I wonder now what I am saving it for......... I made an immediate decision not to SAVE fabric any longer. I plan to use what I have starting right now. Here are my blocks for the quilt we are working on. I have a deep rose to add to that as the strips in the quilt. It is going to be lovely.

I am also pleased to report that I prepped 2 more blocks for a Row Jane I am in need of completing and cut out strips for 2 care quilts for my cyper quilt group.

DD and I committed to get ourselves in order by Flying - www.flylady.net

Along that path, I can report that the house is straight, my sink in shining, I completed the morning routine and even a couple of steps from the evening routine. My meal for tonight is planned, I wiped out the refrigerator, and I know where my laundry is. This means that when I get home I can get some wonderful stitching accomplished...............

Celine's Blocks Completed

You might have noticed that I have marked through Celine's Row Jane Blocks. Well, here they are. No, I did not attach them. I tried to attach Bridgitte's 3 times to no avail. I just was not able to get it right. I chose not to even try to attach Celine's blocks. I am however most pleased with how they turned out. Now I am stitching Gay's blocks.

My wonderful daughter and son-in-law found and purchased a Singer Featherweight for me. Isn't it the sweetest machine you have ever seen? It sews like a dream.............. It will be great to have this winter when it is too cold to sew in the studio.

We had cousins for Saturday. I even cooked a meal. I do this so rarely that it was quite beside myself much of the time. All went well and we had a grand time together.

Sunday was spent recovering..... and a little stitching also. I am pleased to report that I was able to knit 2 more beaded tassels for the quilt guild and work on a block for a quilt DD and I are making as a swap.

This morning I finished the blocks for a Row Jane I am a member of. Pictures to be taken later. I also was able to prep 6 blocks for the next one that needs to get out..................

Where did July disappear to? DD came to stay for several weeks and we were out and about the entire time. Here is DD on Nauset Beach in Orleans, Massachusetts. We had summer while she was here. 3 full days of it. Checked out the local quilt shops, took a class in applique and learned how to turn a heel on a sock. In general, just all those wonderful things we can do together.