My Alygatr Day

Yesterday was the day of OMG surprises all the way around and they almost all had Alygatr’s name on them. First, I opened my valentine swap and found out my blogging buddy was my valentine partner (more about my beautiful gift a little later on); then I found out I had received the Kreativ Blogging Award (again compliments of Alygatr) and as I was reading her blog – OMG there was my Peter Rabbit quilt featured on her Etsy favorites. Last, but not least, Big T bought the quilt wall ‘board’ and screws today. Today should be THE DAY!

From now on days full of surprises around my house will be called “alygatr days”. What fun for an entire day.

Last Thursday I lost all my ‘followers’ on my blog. I was sad as if I had lost my best friends. I kept checking back every once in awhile to see if they had magically reappeared or if they had fallen into the black hole of blogging. Today, you are all back and seemingly in good health. Don’t scare me like that.

Big T and the Dude crashed their big model airplane on its first flight (which went nowhere but down). The smaller but much cheaper plane flew higher and further than they thought it would. The Dude had to chase it across the soccer field with the remote to control(?) it. They spent the last 45 minutes throwing rocks and sticks into a pine tree that had eaten the plane. Persistence paid off and the small plane returned home with them. The large plane has assumed a place of honor in a corner of the garage – future to be determined.



I have the fabric cut for the diaper bag and have memorized the directions. Now I need to let my subconscious put it together in my sleep before I put needle to fabric. Don’t laugh - I save myself a lot of headaches that way. My subconscious makes the mistakes so I don’t have to. Of course, this does tend to cause a few sleepless nights just lying there letting my mind wonder where it may. I need to finish this by the end of this coming week (self-imposed deadline) so I start to work on machine embroidering her reversible bedspread.

Tomorrow will be dedicated to the sharing the Kreativ Blogging Award. I have to think of seven things you would want to know about me. The Dude thinks I should let him write that list. That might be kind of fun but I reserve the right to edit his list.

And now (drum roll please) my gift from Alygatr in the infamous valentine swap. Isn’t it beautiful!! I love it. It is hanging in a place of honor for all to see as soon as they come in. I do not have anything else like it. She is a very talented and creative lady. Please visit her shop on Etsy to see that talent for yourself.

From me to you, lots of hugs and thanks for joining me in my new adventures of learning to be creative and artistic.

Marie

January Continues

Thanks to Audrey’s organization of the valentine swap, I have received the name and address of my swap partner. My item is ready to be wrapped and will be in the mail tomorrow. This is so exciting. I feel like a little girl waiting for a present in the mail.

I have nailed down the pattern to be used for the custom diaper bag I am making for a friend to give as a gift. Next a trip to Linderella’s and she can pick the exact fabric she desires from their delightful collection. It will be complementing and contrasting shades of yellow since that’s the color of the nursery décor. More on this to come as it progresses.

We are going to Joann’s today to get the batting to cover the quilt wall. Daughter #1 got a 50% off coupon in the mail so that will certainly help since I need a solid piece to cover a 4’ by 8’ area (plus the edges and overlap in back). The question is – will I make it out of there without buying anything else? (The answer is – no I didn’t. I found the neatest covered box that will fit perfectly in my new shelving unit.)

I think my contemporary quilt art prototype project will also qualify as an entry in the “no strings attached challenge”. According to the instructions, this will meet all the criteria. This may provide just a little more incentive to keep working on this project and not let it slide into the UFO stack. I think I may be stuck in the planning phase. Time to quit planning and DO!!

Actually, I only have four items in the UFO’s. I managed to get a lot cleared up between Thanksgiving and Christmas. (I was actually targeting 100% completion, but I’m happy with just 4 left – it’s kind of like sourdough starter – you have to leave a little in the jar to make more.)

I made the string quilt blocks last night. I could really get hooked on these. I like the fact that you see an end product so quickly. Now to get busy and finish them and get them posted. Stay tuned. I did post my patchwork heart mini-quilt on Etsy this morning. That’s my first new posting of the year. Wow – I need to get busy. It’s already the 19th of January and I have only finished one item??? Well, not exactly, I also finished the valentine swap item so that counts for two. The count for 2010 as of this posting is:

Number of UFO’s – 4 (carry overs)
Number of Projects started – 4
Number of Finished Projects - 2

The Dude is here (finally). He is out of school until Thursday so he will be here until Wednesday evening. Sure makes a difference in the noise level around here. It was beginning to sound like a mausoleum before he got here. He manages to keep both of us on our toes at all times. By the way, I lost the Wii bowling tournament – no surprise there. I don’t think I’ve won one yet. I wonder if they make quilting for the Wii? Maybe I could at least place in that one.

From me to you, lots of hugs and thanks for joining me in my new adventures of learning to be creative and artistic.

Marie

January Blahs

I think the January blahs have set in at our house. It’s much quieter than normal. Of course I think it is also because the Dude hasn’t been over since going back to school. Big T has had some kind of laryngitis(?) and a terrible cough so the Dude has not been allowed over until he is better. One good dose of the Dude and all should be back to normal. Also, it has been too cold here to go outside and the house gets smaller every day. (I know, but remember we live in North Carolina – this is supposed to be the south.)

My needlecraft club asked me to speak last night about my “adventures” of learning how to set up an on-line store and sell homemade items over the internet. We had a fun couple of hours and I probably discouraged them all with my stories. It was interesting to sit and think through the process and the challenges of the last 8 months. One of my friends suggested I write a book – now where do you think I could fit that in?

A friend was giving away copies of some old quilting magazines last night. They all made their round of the table with the favorites disappearing before they were passed on. (I managed to snag a few – I was at the front of the table.) Most of the quilts shown were in the more traditional patterns. A few of the earlier contemporary quilts were displayed, but not highlighted. A common topic around the table was the exorbitant cost of magazines lately. All were in agreement that it was too much but we keep buying them anyway.

I have the strips cut for my first venture into a more contemporary quilt art project. This is definitely a prototype project - probably a prototype of the prototype. I’m starting on a small scale and will keep it a deep, dark secret until I am finished. I can see in my head what I want the end product to be, but I have no guidelines to help me get there. More on this later.

My valentine swap item is ready to go. I’m just waiting on the info of where to send it. I’m very anxious to see what I receive in return. This is the first “swap” I have entered and it’s been fun to participate. I made two items and now the big decision – which one do I send. Hopefully, this will gain some exposure to both my blog and my shop.

We found the perfect quilt wall for my home studio. We went to this really neat fabric store we found in Pinehurst and there it was hanging back in the classroom. Carl and Linda were so helpful they gave us the dimensions and how to do it. If you are close at all, stop in at Linderella’s and enjoy the brightness and displays of color. It makes me feel good to just go in their shop. Be sure and mention this blog when you do go in the shop. It’s a good hour's drive for us, but it is well worth it.

And now, to build the quilt wall! Big T still isn’t to sure of the purpose of the quilt wall, but he is willing to put it up for me. I told him it is not for display purposes but is an essential tool for design, lay out and provide the ability to see it all at once. While he nodded, I don’t think he is 100% convinced yet.

From me to you, lots of hugs and thanks for joining me in my new adventures of learning to be creative and artistic.

Marie

Christmas Decorations

Bah humbug! I hate taking down Christmas decorations and this time I waited as long as possible before tackling the hated job. Big T helped pack them all up and they are stored in their little secure corner of the attic. It makes me so sad that I usually end up shedding a tear or so before it’s over.

The question of the day – when you buy new Christmas decorations, do you get rid of the old ones? Or at least quit using them? When I make new placemats, do I pass some old ones on to someone? No?? I thought not. How can you throw Christmas decorations away? I’m sure there must be a law against it somewhere. I feel guilty when I throw used Christmas cards away. I’m sure the Christmas card police are waiting to go through my trash.

The house looks so empty and sterile now. All my Christmas quilts are put away and I don’t have anything out now. (I have to dust first. After all I couldn’t dust while the decorations were out, now could I?) And to top it all off, Big T has found an “oldies but goodies” radio station and listening to music from the 60’s makes me even sadder. These are the same songs we listened to while we were dating – boy that was a long time ago.

My new home studio (aka sewing room) is coming along beautifully. I broke down and made something yesterday before it is 100% finished and I loved working in it. I have to hurry and take a picture to post. The last part of the make-over is my quilt wall. Hopefully, we get that finished before too much longer.

My first project in my new room was a mini-quilt with a patchwork heart on it. I think I will use this as my “valentine swap item”. It’s so cute, I may make several to post on my Etsy shop.

We talked to Little Miss on the phone last night (which means we talked and she just made adorable sounds and giggled). She has learned to say Grandma even if it does sound like “Bob”. After all, The Dude called me “Adam” for several years.

The homemade potato soup was absolutely fantastic (and the second bowl was too much). I love hot soup on a cold night. Actually, I love soups in general. I would rather eat soup than a salad. My grandmother always had a pot of soup simmering on the back burner of her stove. Many years later, we discovered that she simply opened a can and poured it in the pan. She was a terrible cook - I should have known something was up when we could eat the soup.

Hooray - I'm starting to get proof that someone is reading this. I'm so excited. Thank you! I'm no longer just talking to myself.

From me to you, lots of hugs and thanks for joining me in my new adventures of learning to be creative and artistic.

Marie