Snow Snow and more Snow

We have had the pleasure of receiving a lot of snow within the last couple of days here in Kansas and we are getting some more tonight and tomorrow with a Blizzard.  I say that we have had the pleasure a bit sarcastically because I don't like the snow and cold but I say it in all seriousness too because we are in dire need of moisture around here, so it's kind of welcome.
I haven't been at work since Tues because of the last snow storm and we are already out on Monday because of the one that is hitting tonight.  I work in a school as you know, so that means my kids are home too.
This unexpected time at home has given us a chance to spend some time together as well as given me time to catch up on some school work for my college classes. 
I am missing the kids in the class I work in, but enjoying this time with my family too.

stay warm and stay safe
Kristi

What to do??

Yesterday I spent most of the morning with 6 ladies from my quilt group at one of the ladies cabin.  And what were we doing you may ask.....Well, we were cutting all the strips needed to make 12 log cabin blocks so that we could have a whole top already cut and ready to be sewn together.  We used three of the ladies Accuquilt Go!...have to say, I have to have one of these now (or something similar).

So, now that I have a new project to work on I thought I would take a moment to gather my thoughts and figure out where I stand with some of my projects.

Project #1 - Hexi Quilt - Been working on this one for awhile now just while at quilt meetings or sitting in bed or watching tv.  Not something that needs to be done in any timely manner since it's mine and just something for me to have handwork to do.

Project #2 - Log Cabin Quilt - As stated above, pieces are cut out.  I want to get this sewn together soon but not a pressing matter.

Project #3 - My daughter's Half Square Triangle Quilt - Was really flying through this one until I ran out of fabric.  Then I had to wait until I got more and haven't picked it up since.  Really need to finish this one.

Project #4 - Christmas Table Runner - Top is done....looking for backing to match the colors better then what I have.

Project #5 - Oh My Stars QA - This poor quilt.  I have some blocks done and at first I was keeping up with the quilt along because they were going at a reasonable pace....then they picked up the pace and with work and kids and all, I couldn't keep up.  Now I only work on it occasionally but I want to work on this one more.

Project #6 - Charity Quilt - My sister has asked me to make a quilt for a charity auction she is involved with.  I told her I would try but if I can't get it done by the time it's needed I will just end up giving it to her.  It's going to be a twister quilt of a large Cross done in blues and browns.  The pieces are cut and pinned together in strips....now just need to sew, twist it and resew it.

Project #7 - Modifies Jelly Roll Quilt - What once was a jelly roll race quilt that I wasn't happy with, has now been cut apart and resewn into a different pattern.  I love the blocks...now just trying to figure out what to do with them as a layout.

So....That is it!!!!  Seems daunting to me to have so many considering I have only been quilting a couple of years.....but I am determined to get a few of these out of the way this year. (some of these were on last years list of things to do....goodness!)

Happy Quilting!!!
Kristi

Doll coat

Well, I have not really ever made doll cloths but decided I would give it a try for my 8 year old daughter's 18" doll (like an American Girl Doll ) named Leah. 
We (my daughter and I) decided to start with a coat for her baby doll made out of knit fabric.  No pattern was used, I just traced around the baby and preyed it would work the way I thought it would in my head.

I didn't sew a hem on the bottom or the sleeves but didn't figure I would need to with it being made out of knit.
I did buy some doll cloths patterns and some material just for my daughter's doll....since the coat didn't turn out too bad, will have to try them next (even though an actual pattern is a bit scary.....lol)

 My mother when she saw the pic said it looked kind of like a Harry Potter coat.....lol....now that she mentions it, it kind of does.  lol

Year in Review 2012

The year of 2012 has been a good one overall.  I have felt happy and more or less healthy even with the flu running wild in the school I work at.  I started back going to college in Aug. and only took 3 classes knowing I still had two kids at home with their own activities, a husband who works a lot of hours as a teacher as well as helping his grandfather on the family farm.  I also work a full time job, so I figured 3 classes was a good number to start with.  Little did I know that one of my classes would cause me such heartache, headache, and nearly an emotional breakdown worrying about what I would do if I failed the class.  It was needed for me to continue on with the elem. education degree and if I didn't pass, all I kept thinking was, "What will I do?".  Luckily, I did pass.  Two A's on two of my classes and the class I was stressing, well, lets just say I passed enough to not take the class again.  I am not happy with my grade considering how much work and time I put into it but I am happy I no longer have to worry about it.   Anyways.....because of these classes, I didn't get very many quilts accomplished, but the ones I did do I'm pretty happy with.

These are not in order of when they were made.

Geese in a Circle - This was a project I introduced to my quilt guild, asking the ladies to participate if they wanted to.  Each lady who wanted to do it was asked to make 4 sections a month for four months.  When we got together each month, you traded two of your 4 sections with someone else who was participating.  When the four months were up, we combined the 8 sections we kept with the 8 sections that were given to us.  As you can see, I made my sections in like pairs so it was more uniform, however some of the ladies did not do that and it made a different look, you can see the unmatched pair I received in the lower right corner.  I still love this quilt...what a great way to combine our skills and love of quilting.

This 12 months of Chrismtmas wall hanging was from Temecula Quilt Co.
 We call it 12 weeks of summer however and were given the blocks to complete over the summer break.  I love the way it looks.

This paper piece table runner was made for my quilt guild secret sister.  She collects tea cups and loves to read.  She is also a horse lover.  She loved getting the table runner in her Christmas gift on the last day we exchanged things for the year.  She was a fun secret sister to buy for. Pattern from http://www.fandominstitches.com

This table runner was made for my 18year old cousin who loves lime green.  I had problems buying lime green online (no quilt shops here in my town) but I think this table runner looks cool, fresh, and will grow up with her I hope.  She has it laying on the foot of her bed actually and Loved it.  It made me happy that she appreciated it so much.

This owl baby quilt is for my new niece.  She is such a little doll and I loved making this half square triangle quilt for her.

This table topper was a gift for one of my best friends who is also a cousin.  She is into western things so the table topper was made with fabric that had a tooled leather look and some fabric with barbed wire and subtle western motifs.  I really like it and so did she.

This quilt is also for another best friend.  It's a friendship star lap quilt and she loves it.   

And  finally this table topper is made for the teacher I work with.  She loves purple and said the little table topper would be cherished by her and her family.  Glad she liked it.

Thanks for visiting me and hope you had a wonderful 2012 and 2013 is even better.  Happy New Years Eve.

  Kristi 

Quilt Guild Secret Pal

This weekend our quilt guild is having their Christmas party.  All year I have participated in the secret pal gift exchange and we are giving our final gift on Sunday and guessing who our secret pal is.  I have really enjoyed all the wonderful gifts I have received.  I have also very much enjoyed the things I have given to my secret pal.  For her Christmas gift I have gotten her several small Christmas related items as well as making her this table runner. 
The table runner is paper pieced using a few blocks from the Harry Potter bookcase paper piece quilt (believe it or not).  My secret pal loves horses and collects tea cups.  I really hope she likes it.  Here is a picture of the full table topper as well as a few close ups.

Well....happy quilting!!!

So busy

The urge to quilt has been getting to me lately but I have been so busy with work, kids, husband, house and college classwork that I haven't had anytime to.  I have been able to work on a few hexies while laying in bed and I did avoid homework and housework for about 30 min. yesterday to do some machine quilting on a christmas present....but I have a quilting itch that won't go away.  You can bet your buttons I will be spending lots of time in my sewing room over Christmas break.

I have been buying some fabric though......some lovely stuff that I can't wait to play with.  Here are a few pictures.

 From Pink Castle Fabrics....here is the stash builder bundle for the month of Oct.  Suppose to be lime green but a lot of these have a mustard yellow ting to them and I don't really care for the shade that well....  but the lime green ones sure are pretty.

 Here is the gothic line...a few of each.....love them.  Didn't get to work with them at halloween but maybe for next halloween I will have something done with them.

 Here is a variety of things I picked up.  The raven fabric (can't remember the line) The grey print and the black print are from Parson's line and then the fat quarter bundle which I can't remember the name of at the moment (all of which I got from Intrepid Thread)

I already had the print fabric, which I am dying to cut into even though I don't know what quilt pattern I want to use.  But  I picked up the solids on the top of the bundle to add with the prints.  Think whatever I do will turn into a super cute quilt for me to snuggle under!!!  Love the foxes on the prints!!


**oh, on a side note....I have made a new friend which is saying a lot since I am friendly to everyone but have very few close friends.  Think she and I will be good friends for sometime which makes me happy!

not much going on

I haven't done a whole lot of sewing lately......I did make two pillow covers for my new sofa throw pillows and I sewed the binding on a wall hanging, now I just need to find time to finish sewing it on.
I have gotten some new fabric recently....pictures will be posted below.

What has kept me so occupied that I haven't had time to sew.....well a few things.  I started back to work after having the summer off.  I am a teacher's assistant and summer school started.  So, I have been working mornings the past two weeks helping with summer school.  Then school starts on Wed. so I've been gearing up to head back to work full time.
Also, I have started back to school to finish up my elem. education degree.  I am taking virtual classes so I can continue to work and be home with my family in the evenings.  I am taking 3 classes (9 credit hours) and I have to admit, I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment.  It has kept me from blogging much lately as well as kept me from sewing much and it's kept me from the last three quilt guild meetings because I am just trying to swim and not sink at the moment.
I am excited about going back......but it's taking some adjustments for me.

Anyways....wanted to post a quick little blog letting you know what's up in my little world!!!  Hope this blog finds you all doing well!

                    *just love this drawing of this little fox relaxing on a comfy cute chair**smile*

Okay....first here is some machine on the wall hanging I just put the binding on

                                 Secondly....here is some of my new fabric

 **All this yummy goodness is organic from the website FabricWorm....it's mainly all Fox Hollow but there are a few other prints thrown in that looked good with the super cute foxes!!!!  Love me some foxes....would really love to collect a bunch of fox prints and do a strictly FOX QUILT....that's my ultimate dream....lol*

**All this beautiful blue lovely fabric is from the Fabric Stash Club through the website Pink Castle Fabrics*