2015 Here I Come

I have so many projects planned for 2015 it isn't even funny.  I found some amazing train fabric and I am going to design a wall hanging for my Uncle Jim.  I found some beautiful Christmas fabric on sale Friday and I purchased a lot of it.  I plan on making a place setting of eight dinner napkins.  I'll make more if I have enough fabric.  I have at least fifteen paper embroidered patterns that I have picked out to create for friends this year.  I am part of a wool applique group at out The Christmas Goose Quilt Shoppe here in Las Vegas and I still have ten squares to finish from, "Summertime."

 

These are just the things I can come up with off the top of my head this afternoon.  I've been in my sewing room all morning and I'm finding more and more things I want to get started on.  Don't even get me started on all the things I have to finish....the pair of socks I'm making for Abby's father.  The Featherweight Top Down Cardigan I've been knitting for myself for months and months.

I also plan on completing these wonderful paper pieced squares.  If you do not already subscribe to Jennifer Ofenstein's blog I suggest you do so.  The purchase price for this monthly pattern was insanely affordable and beautiful.  Just go to www.sewhooked.com.

I have also joined Fandom in Stitches, The Project of Doom.   It is a Harry Potter Bookcase  Quilt Along.  I am not a Harry Potter fan but I'm not a hater, either:  I just never read the books for saw the movies.  I do, however, love the paper pieced bookcase quilt.

So, as you can see I have lots of plans for this year and I intend to try to keep current with all these projects through, "A Lovely Year of Finishes."

The End of 2014

 

I have been very busy over the past few months.  I made a Valor quilt for my brother who is a USMC veteran who served in the Gulf War in 1991.  I finished a pair of socks for my sister-in-law that were started by her mother before she passed away in July 2013.  I also had some of the sweaters her mother was working on completed by a local finisher.  They came out beautiful and all were given to Abby for Christmas this year.

Front of Sean Michael's Valor Quilt

 

Back of Valor Quilt

Laurel's Socks




 The bear below is wearing one of the sweaters Laurel started and I had finished for her by a wonderful finisher here in Las Vegas.



Laurel's Bear Cub

 I also designed and made the quilt below for my boss.  Her father was a minister and she is a very active member of her church and sings in the choir.


Denise's Christmas 2014 Quilt



 

Holy Purse Strings Batman!!

I have been working on this purse for so long now I honestly don't know for sure when I even started it.  The purse is finished now and it turned out lovely.

The Hitchhiker: Finally Finished

Well, it only took me all summer to complete a scarf that truly could have been finished over a long weekend.  But it is finished and it is lovely.  This is going to be a Christmas gift so I cannot give too many details but I hope she loves it as much as I do.  Aside from the shape, which is very different, I love the colors in this piece.  I wish I could find another Uberball in this color as I would make one for myself.

Sorry, nothing funny to report today.  We are renovating our master bath, ourselves, and my little Vanessa is quite ill.  So, there is a vet visit in our immediate future.

Completed October Goal - The Hitchhiker

Third Time is a Charm (if your glass if half full)

Well, I have entered this scarf twice now as something I will complete and each time, obviously, I have not.  So this time I mean it!!  I am going to complete this scarf before the end of October: No ifs ands or buts!

This is not a hard pattern.  It is an extremely easy pattern and I have knitted it before.  The designer, you can find her on Ralvelry, is fantastic.  I don't want anyone to think it has anything to do with the designer, it is all me.  And I have no idea why, I love the yarn I chose so it isn't that.  I'm at a loss.

Having said that, I WILL FINISH THIS SCARF BY OCTOBER 31, 2014!!

The picture to the right was the first time
I had this as my goal.

The picture above was the second time I had
this as my goal.

The next time you see this scarf it will be
completed!

Ta Da!!!!!!

I finished Mr. Chillingsworth!!  I mean completely finished.  It is quilted, thank you Jacque.  The binding is completed.  I have even wrapped the gift as it is a Christmas gift for my son.  Not that anyone will believe this but I actually finished it almost two weeks ago but I just kept forgetting to update my post.

I love the spider web quilting done by Jacque (you can see it in the second photo).  She does a fantastic job on all my quilts.

Excuses, excuses, excuses...

It seems I've always got an excuse as to why I haven't completed a quilt or a knitting project.  I NEVER miss cleaning something or putting something away.   I have friends who tease me and say my house is like the house of the guy from, "Sleeping with the Enemy."  I need to try to make myself stop with the compulsive cleaning and put some of that energy toward the fun things that I love to do.

Having said that I am going to make my goal for September a small one.  My goal for September is to finish the binding on this wall hanging for my son, Michael.

 

I was having problems with my flying geese so I only put them on one side of the panel.  I have already completed that part and I have already had the piece quilted.  Miss Jacque quilted spider webs into the piece and they look fantastic.  I will be doing the binding in a plain, solid black.








I did start another item while I was in Idaho visiting my brother and his wife, Abby.  I made a project bag which only needs to be bound and it too will be completed.  And then when I got back I attended a, "Sew-in" with friends and I completed an apron made out of old blue jeans.  The apron is actually complete if you can believe it.



Project Bag

Blue Jean Apron

 

If things only went as planned....

I had planned to complete my Hitchhiker scarf for my June 2014 ALYOF...planned.  What happened was I missed it by that much.  There are 41 rounds with eight rows to each round.  I figured, "I've got this.  I'll do one round per day at the minimum and there's no way I won't have this done in time.  Yes, I'm laughing so hard now I'm peeing my pants.  As you can see from the photos below, I am a little less than half finished.  I just completed round 18.  So, I am going to attempt to be a Miss Smarty Pants and see if I can get my act together to finish this beautiful scarf for my July 2014 ALYOF project. 

 

Now don't think I've been idle, au contraire mon frere.  I was at my quilting sew-in a few weekends ago and was so inspired by a contest entry to a, "Build a Snowman" quilt contest.  It was just the kick in the pants I needed.  Lately I feel like Dr. Evil stole my Mojo and I just have not been inspired to do anything creative. 

Hula Snowgirl

Biker Snowman

Let Me In Snowman
 

But this lovely little Hula Snow Girl was entered while I was at the shop.  I just could not stop looking at her.  And then I thought she needs a MAN.  Then this guy shows up at the window begging to be let in.  Oh no, she needs a tough guy.  So I created a biker for her.  





 

Here are a few close ups of the details on this mini quilt.  Now, I would love to say this was all me but it was not.  Carolyn crafted the Do Rag for me and it was her idea to add the tiny motorcycle charm I had as a necklace.  Scott's idea was to add the cigarettes.  You can see the tiny beginning of his tattoo, over his heart:  It says, "Mom."  I had such a good time that I plan on getting back into the sewing room today after I finish this post. 

 

I just love how this turned out.

I am so proud of the creativity and the group

ideas.  It was a lot of fun.

                              

Did You Miss Me?

I knew things hadn't been right lately.  I knew I had been neglecting certain things.  I had no idea I hadn't posted since April:  Man, where does the time go.

I could make all sorts of excuses but that's all they would be.  If I had really wanted to be here, I would have been here.

Remember the picture of my son a few months ago?  Well, sixteen has NOT been very kind.  My son has been replaced by a monster I do not recognize.  The last day of school was Wednesday and I think I am even more happy about it than he is. 

What was I saying.....Oh yes, "I'm back."  I may not have been here but that does not mean I have not been thinking about all the wonderful things I want to do.  I did make a lovely wreath for our dear friend, Ronnie aka Ronzo for Memorial Day.  He is a Vietnam Veteran and I just wanted to let him know he was remembered.  I want to make another one for our front door before July 4 gets here. 

For the month of June 2014 ALYOF I am going to try to complete, "The Hitchhiker."  It is a lovely scarf/shawl that I have made before and I found this amazing yarn for this time around.  The author of this pattern can be found on Ravelry.  I have knit a number of her patterns and they are not only easy to read but easy to work and they turn out beautiful.

I know you cannot really see this very well and I'm having issues
with the camera on my phone but I promise I'll take some really
great pictures when I finish the scarf.  Here is the yarn I will be using
and I have already started. 

Martina Behm is the author/creator.  Check her out on www.ravelry.com I promise you'll love her patterns.

Hitchhiker Scarf

 

April ALYOF Goal

Yeee Hawwww!!  I made it!

I woke up this morning and realized I had not entered my April goal for ALYOF and believe it or not, I was upset.  I have enjoyed these past few months and the challenges I have set for myself.  And of course, the lovely things I have finished.

So, when I was finally able to sit down for a moment without hearing, "Mom, mom, mom, mom or Hey babe, I need........" and discovered I still have two hours to submit my April goal well let's just say I was giddy.

I took a class two years ago but never did anything with the project after the class.  I pulled out the bag and the fabric was all still there, the pieces I had previously cut were still there as well.  Oh, I did make a small knitting bag out of a couple of the squares I had actually completed in the class. 

Tiny Dresden Plate

 

This class was offered again this weekend so I attended and now I have all sorts of ideas on how to move forward.  So, after two years of being idle with this project I plan to design and finish a wall hanging of Tiny Dresden Plates.

 

 

 

 

What was I Thinking....?

I was thinking, "I am going to ROCK this b*tch!!!"

Now I realize it is two hours until the deadline so I don't know if it really qualifies as rocking but I DID finish all three projects that I set as my goal for March 2014 ALYOF. So I.'m going to take that and run with it.

I gave all the ladies their cute little wallets and they all seemed to like them.  Or they were just pretending because their are afraid of me:  Either way, I'm happy.  And the wallets all match quilted knitting bags I gave them all for Christmas a few years ago and then the matching Zippy Strip bags I made them last year for Christmas.  I'll post them all soon so you can see how lovely they all are.

Knitting Ladies Wallets

I went on a fabric buying trip to Utah a few weeks ago with some friends and I purchased fabrics that look like house building materials.  I am currently working on a, "1st Saturday Quilt" through my lovely quilt shop, Fabric Boutique.  Each month is a new square inside the house.  Most people are not taking it so literally but my Type A personality won't let me have a purple sky and a green house.  I think I purchased enough fabrics so that every house will be different.  It will be like when I was a kid and off base no two houses looked the same.  I loved that each home had its own personality.

February 2014 1st Saturday Block
 

                                                                             These are what I made for the quilt group exchange..

Friendship Stars Quilt Group Exchange







 

"...if I woke up nailed to the floor."

Surprised.  That's right, I'm surprised.  I gave myself three goals for the month of March and tonight I finished number two.  No, I didn't come here and report the finish of number one but I have pictures so I can prove it. 

My job right now is insane.  I know what you're thinking, "Shut up and be happy you have a job."  Well, I am not complaining I'm just stating a fact.  I am a contract negotiator and we are converting an entire state from one form of contract to another.  I have been working from 0400 hours to 2230 hours A LOT.  But I'm learning things I could have never learned without this conversion and my boss is great.  BUT, my job is getting in the way of my quilting/knitting/paper embroidery and so on and so forth.  So, I'm sneaking in time in the sewing room here and there. 

I think these wallets came out quite lovely but then again, I haven't slept for a while so maybe I'm just punchy from being tired and they really look like ass.  Should you tell me?  Not if you're standing in front of me.  Be brave from a distance.

So, I finished all the wallets I cut when I was in CA back in December training for this new position.


 And tonight I finished the first block in our, "First Saturday" BOM.  I know, I know, I'm still a block behind but I'm getting there.  Again, brave from a distance...

I know the roof looks smaller than the house but remember when I sew all the blocks together the quarter inch seam allowance will be in full affect.  LOL  Crikey....that means my points are going to be cut off on the right.  Dang it all anyway!  I don't care, I still love it.

Goals for March (Yes, goal is plural)

Here is a summary so the ladies from ALYOF don't have to read all that's below:  I am going to complete my wallets, First Saturday square and Friendship Stars exchange.  If you need more information keep reading below.

So I was supposed to finish my wallets for February.  Ask me if I did. Go ahead, ask me.  Nooooo, I failed miserably.  I even carried them with me to a Sew-In at my favorite local quilt shop, "Fabric Boutique."  And I still did not get them done.  So, being the self-hater that I am, I am not only going to set my sights on completing these pesky little wallets I am going to endeavor to complete a few more things in March.  So, I WILL complete my wallets...

I am also going to complete the February block for my, "First Saturday" project.  Yes, that means I'm still a month behind.  I still have not picked up the March block so for now February will have to do.  I did cut it out so I'm half way there already.

And finally, I am going to make six of something.  Yes, I know that is extremely vague but right now I have no idea.  My Monday night quilt group, "Friendship Stars" had six people that wanted to do a fabric exchange and then make something using the fabrics.  I think I know what I'm going to make but I'm not sure and I have to ask a few questions.  But here at the fabrics...

How Did I Get a Sixteen Year Old?

My son turned sixteen yesterday.  I have no idea how that happened.  Where did the time go?  If I close my eyes I can still smell my little boy:  Dirt and Oreos.  I loved that smell.  Now he smells like Axe and B.O.  Ewwwwwww.  I cannot wait to be out of this phase.  I cannot even imagine what sixteen year old girls smell like.  I think I'm going to be sick...

I asked, "Stinky," what he wanted for his birthday and he said he just wanted cash.  He said he didn't want a party and he didn't want a cake.  My husband told him, "Oh, there will be cake.  The cake isn't just for you, you know?"  So, I put some cash together and purchased a cake that my husband would like and then we had the birthday dinner, just the three of us.  As Stinky cut into his birthday cake I started crying.  I blamed it on my hormones from last year's hysterectomy and of course they bought it because that's what guys do:  It's either your period or lack of one that makes us cry, fight, do anything they don't like.  I have no idea why I cried.  Maybe I was mourning the smell of dirt and oreos.

I'm very proud of my son and I am looking forward to what the next sixteen years brings.

Getting ready for the Sadie Hawkins Dance Feb. 2014

Eleanor

Meet Eleanor.  I've always liked, "Old Fashioned" names.  Does Eleanor look like a Brittany or Cheyenne to you? Of course not.  This is just my first try.  As you can see Eleanor is missing a tail and ears.  I made them, even cut them out, but I screwed up when sewing together.  You cannot see it because I put the wrong side away from the camera.  I didn't want Eleanor to be embarrassed so I took the picture from her very best angle.

Toot Toot

Okay, one last thing since I'm tooting my horn.

In my last post I showed you the bag I made for Michele, my cousin.  Well, then I was asked to make another bag for Michele's daughter, Madeline.  I made this larger Tulip bag for her but then we found out she doesn't carry a purse anymore.  Darn those finicky teenagers.  BUT, I had asked about cousin Brian's daughter, Abby and it turns out Abby not only carries a purse but has legs all the way up to there so these long shoulder straps will most likely work better for her.

Why am I not worried they will see this post?  Seriously?  They are teenagers.  I'm not tweeting about the lost "Jackass" tapes or on TMZ so I highly doubt these girls are looking for my blog.  And aside from that they are lovely, intelligent girls involved in sports and school.  They have bigger fish to fry than Aunt Leigh and her quilting blog.

I wish you could see this bag in person because the photos absolutely do not do it justice.  But I don't want you all tracking up my hardwood floors so this will have to do.

Lining/Pocket

Abby's Tulip Bag

Abby's Matching Wallet - Button reminds me of Russian Doll



Abby's Tulip Bag and Matching Wallet

Really Michele, Celery and Lavendar?

I have wanted to post this for a month now but I had to wait until my Aunt Linda gave this gift to my cousin, Michele.  Well, Michele now has her bag so I can post my blog.

My aunt asked me to sew a bag for my cousin's birthday and all she wanted was for the colors to be celery and lavender.  I decided to toss in the wallet since it I seem to be addicted to the wallets right now.  You need to strike while the iron is hot, right?

I am a lot like a guy in many ways including seeing colors:  Celery = green and lavender = purple.  So, I had to enlisted Sharon's help and she picked fabulous colors.  If you need Sharon to help you pick colors go see her at Fabric Boutique in Las Vegas, NV.

Anyway, Linda gave Michele the bag and Michele loves it so I'm, "Happy, Happy, Happy."