Over thinking and over extending

I stalled all last week in the sewing room. Instead of working on anything I was second guessing and over thinking everything.

For the Splendid Sampler I haven't gotten anywhere regarding choosing fabric yet and just a little over a week until the first block is released. I don't do choose as go well but that's where this one is headed. I've been collecting Kona solid fat quarters (112 FQ's in piccture above) for quite awhile through Sew Sisters fabric block of the month club. I've been thinking maybe pull some brights and use white and black as contrast. Or what about picking out a fat quarter from my stash in light or medium and buy a coordinating patterned fat quarter the opposite value using black as the dark to keep it consitent. This last idea has been playing over in my head the past week and is what I was leaning towards. Then I added up the cost. $5 per FQ at my LQS, average of 8 FQ's needed per month is $40. Not so bad thinking about it that way but added up over the course of the entire quilt along 100 ×$5 .... 500!?! I could buy 3 full price collection bundles and a mini bolt for that. That puts a whole different spin on things. More thinking needed.
******EDITED my numbers were off - we need 30-35 FQ's in total not 1 FQ per block that's 5×35 175 Huge difference!!******

On to D's stars who's birthday is a month almost to the day away. I didn't give her mom a sneak peak when we were at dinner last weekend because there was very little to show. Here are the questions I'm going over and over - The patches are they too similar? Should I use a solid cream or the light fabrics from the line for background? Is this going to turn out the way I want it to?? I've wasted enough time, I need to get off the pot and just do it. I'm going with solid kona - decision made!

This week I also joined the farmers wife quilt revival challenge on Fb (check out http://chezstitches.blogspot.com if you are interested).  Karen M Walker has taken all the blocks and transferred them from templates to rotary cutting instructions. 10 blocks for $8.50 USD (total of 12 lessons/patterns) but you need to own the book which I have. I'm all over this!! I've wanted to start over on my farmers wife for awhile  - I loved how the blocks looked individually, but there wasn't any cohesiveness to tie the blocks together (refer to my earlier comment... I don't do choose as you go well). I've learned some lessons along the way about what I don't like so hopefully I can make better choices. I'm considering using Sandy Gervais Rambling Rose FQ bundle pictured above with Kona white or snow as the background.

I've really added a lot of personal sewing commitments to myself in the past few weeks on top of my 8-5 workdays. Was this the smartest move.. possibly not but I'm eternally hopeful I'll get myself into routine and figure out a better method of stress  time managment.

Earlier this week my son announced he needs a place by April 1st. One of his coworkers is moving back to Netherlands at the end of March and isn't taking his furnishings with him and offered them to my son. I wish I could say we have enough space to store them here but we don't. Without that extra cost of buying new essential furniture MT's move out budget just eased up considerably.  I'm excited for him but also dreading the day he flies the coop - he's ready but I don't think I am!!! His quilt needs to be quilted and bound (pictured - I love this quilt) as soon as D's Stars is done.

Lastly, did I mention we are having a superbowl thing on Sunday. Saturday will be cleaning day and Sunday cooking then entertaining .... hmm if start cleaning first thing tomorrow morning I should be done by noon which will leave the rest of the day for some much needed sewing time.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Starting January off with a top and a join

MT got his final marks back a few days before Christmas. He made the dean's list for the last time and has graduated. He started his new job the first week of Jan and is loving it, what he's not loving is the 2 hour bus ride each way. He had planned to move into his own apartment after he has banked a good nest egg but with 4 hours of travel time (2 hours there and 2 hours back home) every day I suspect that his move into town will happen sooner than later. Again the girls quilts are temporarily on hold and his got first priority.

Deckade the halls has been put away for now. Using Fat Quarters shop Layers of Charm pattern and Zen Chic Reel Time fabric I whipped this up. I would absolutely make this again. I love how it turned out. I saw it on the FQ top 10 videos of 2015 hop and a few said they had this top done in about an hour, it took me an entire weekend. Granted, I didn't use charms for the diamonds but that really wouldn't have shaved much time off. A quilt top in a weekend, that's really incredible for me.  Now for a little hiccup, I originally picked a different pattern and had cut up 90% of a layer cake into 4.5 blocks when I showed MT the two patterns I had been looking at. He picked the other one (Layers of Charm) that uses the full 10' he thought this one was more modern and would suit him more. Thank goodness I had two layer cakes for this fabric. I played around with it and came up with a layout I liked and added a black border while we watched season 2 of grey's anatomy on Netflix (9 more seasons to catch up). I have the material for the backing, just need to decide how I'm going to quilt it.

Next up because I am the queen of procrastination on the girls quilts, my goddaughter D turns 21 in early March. She loves blue, I bought Laundry Basket Quilts Cold Spell batiks. I was leaning towards rail fence type pattern but kept eyeing my wall hanging I made with 3 Sisters - Paris Flea Market (pictured above) using Katie's Quilt pattern by Missouri Star. I really enjoyed making this last year and anyone who knows D would agree that she needs stars in her quilt. I have made a few of the patches and will be changing it up so the the stars are one of the blue fabrics instead of patchy so they stand out. I hope to get some progress on it before this weekend. We are going out to dinner with her parents Jackie & Tom on Saturday night so I'm hoping to give Jackie a sneak peek.

Did you notice the new button over to the right? I joined The Splendid Sampler. Can you believe it?? I can't, a week later I'm still feeling a bit numb abut it. I sat on the main page for hours, read the page countless times, checked out the Fb page, thought about it some more... then about 11:30 Sunday night I decided it's time to take the big leap and signed up. Will my blocks be the best ones, nope not by a long shot (not to worry I have no illusions on that front). Will I struggle to complete the blocks, yep and and I may not even be able to complete a number of them. So why join? Because I know I'll gain some really great skills along the way. If i want to keep up I'll need to get in a routine (which is a resolution for this year). I especially need a routine during the work week when I know I should sew to help ease some stress but just can't get it together. Lastly, (and its a doozy) while I do post on my blog - I don't really share my hobby outside of this little white text box and occasionally a block or two on instagram. I don't have a sewing buddy, haven't joined any classes, guilds, swaps, charity blocks, BOMs or even the new blogger hops that were taking place at the time I started.

Why now? The timing seemed right, first block will available Feb 14th. On the 7th of Feb 2013 a few months after discovering quilting blogs I took the plunge and ordered my Brother SE400. My machine was received on the 13th. The next few days were spent making simple blocks and since then I have learned a lot about myself and am bit more comfortable (I can finally sew a 1/4 inch seam somewhat consistently). With all of that in mind, it seemed it was time to finally get over the hurdle. My email confirmation was received and verified, the Fb request was accepted within minutes of sending, so there's no backing out. I am now officially a joiner!

Resolutions for 2016

We had a wonderful Christmas. Pictured our 'Fabulous five' left to right Cj, MT, B, M & R (funny enough they are lined up by age oldest to youngest which I didn't realize until now). We are so proud of each and every one of them. They've all grown into incredible people I'm so delighted to call my family.

I can't believe 2016 is already here. The past few years have flown, it feels like life is on super speed. I don't think I've been living life to the fullest. Resolutions for the New Year - I need to find a life balance. This year it's time to make some changes. I need to get organized, set a routine and stick to it while finding a way to stop and smell the roses. I want to accomplish the goals I set for myself. I had whopping 2 finishes in 2015 Not very impressive  - 2015 seems to have been the year of procrastination. I really love the two I finished but I spent most of the year waffling and putting off the girls quilts.  2016 is the year I will finish the girls quilts which have been in progress in one form or another since 2014. I have my incredible powerquilter waiting for me to put it to work and a nice stash begging to be used. Time to get cracking!

Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year!

Christmas 2015 post

Christmas is almost here. It will be a green Christmas this year, 9 (48 F) today, 16 (60 F) Christmas Eve and 5 (41 F) Christmas Day. No snow for Christmas in Canada's capital city ... crazy!   Our shopping is almost done, just a few odds and ends left. We did things a bit differently this year, we wrapped as we went and added the presents to the tree. Usually we spend Christmas Eve wrapping and we don't put any presents under the tree until then. Looking at that pile it boggles my mind I was ever worried/stressed what to buy. We are having Christmas dinner at my mother's on Christmas day. I don't know how she does it a hot meal with all the trimmings for 20. I love having Christmas dinner at her house, they have lived in the house over 50 years, and no matter where I've lived or the memories built in my own life, her house is home. My mom is the heart of our family, she watched my kids when I went back to work and is always there for any of us in any way she can. She has an incredible relationship with all her grandchildren, she is my inspiration.

I haven't gotten much done on my Christmas quilt, I'm working on the stockings, the wreaths are done. I love how this is turning out. Hoping to get some time today after a bit of cleaning.

Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday.

Trees, new phones and a Christmas lists rant

Monday's come around much too fast, especially at this time of year. This weekend I planned to get the wreaths and trees completed at minimum but life got in the way. Here's where I am... Trees are done. I'm thinking I better get a move on or this is not going to get done by Christmas and will most likely end up in my ever growing ufo pile.

Last time I briefly mentioned spray starch, it's not really any extra effort but I can't believe what a huge difference it's making in accuracy. Blocks are coming out to the correct size which is really encouraging! I'm really happy with how this is coming together.

Friday night, Chris's cell phone decided to stop working. Since handing over my Samsung when M lost her phone a year ago and buying a second hand iphone 4 for me, my phone has become nothing more than something to make quick texts to the kids with, take an occasional picture or make a call when in the car (Bluetooth hands free through radio was a must when I bought my car). My samsung tablet has been doing double time since I made that switch. I just never 'took' to the iphone, while we have friends who swear they are the best phone it just wasn't for me. Using the ever growing cracked screen as justification (too much in my hands one evening I dropped my phone screen down under the car) I decided it was time for me to upgrade as well. We did some research and decided on LG G4's. Off to Rogers we go Saturday afternoon, an hour later Chris has LG and I have a Blackberry Priv its a bit pricey compared to the LG.  I tried really hard to convince myself to stick with the LG but Priv is Android AND with a quick slide of the screen there's the old blackbery keyboard!! I loved my blackberry but the biggest thing I missed when we went from a household of blackberries over to androids was that keyboard. Within 5 minutes I was back to double thumbing correctly spelled texts instead of the finger pecked autocorrect nightmares my texting had become in the past few years - this wasn't just iphone issues, i had same issue with my samsung s4 I blame it on fat fingers.

The rest of the day was spent playing setting up my new phone, grocery shopping and cooking then more acquainting myself with my new phone. I made shopping plans with my mom for Sunday. I didn't get much but really enjoyed spending time with my mom. I have to say since the kids first hit mid teens Christmas has gotten more and more difficult. With the youngest R turning 18 in Feb and the older kids working or in college, I really miss the days when 90% of our shopping could be done in Toys R Us and every third commercial 1 (or more) of the 5 kids would yell excitedly I Want That! Getting ideas out of them is like pulling teeth these days. 

Hopefully R can help me out with M who wants nothing except a hedgehog (last year I said No to a ferret). That is the picture she sent cause she knows I'm a sucker softie and I'm working really hard to stay firm to my no more pets policy - we already have 3 dogs, a pair of lovebirds, a rat and a guinea pig.... R is very particular so she makes detailed lists. As long as it hasnt sold out by the time I get there, its usually good. I have ideas for MT who graduates from college next week, starts his new job first week of Jan and is planning on moving out in the spring . He needs almost everything to setup his own place so this year anything I buy will be great, not exciting but needed.

CJ and B are both working full time and are already living on their own, CJ can only come up with a list on boxing day. I guess getting a bunch of stuff he didn't want makes him realise what he was really hoping for!?! I'm not going to think too hard on that in case there is more truth to that than I want to admit. B's lists are one or two things if we are lucky and again this year their mom (we're a blended family) texts us she bought it (it as in one great gift idea and a video game) within an hour of getting the list. BLahhhh!

The most exciting time has turned into a stressful season! I will get through it, we always do and by the time the last present is opened Christmas day my worries will be replaced by the joy of being surrounded by the people I love most of all which I need to remember is the most important part of the season. And on that note the rant is over.

Next week I'm hoping to have wreaths and ornaments blocks to show and some presents bought and under the tree. Wishing everyone has a fabulous week!

Spray starch and a not so terrible mistake.

Last weekend I tidied up my sewing area and put away the girls quilts, I don't know what is up with me and making progress on their quilts. I need get serious about them in the new year.

What I'm working on now:
Chris printed out the instructions for Fat Quarters shop Deck-ade the Halls  last week and we picked out the fabrics for each block and away I went. I pulled out my never used spray starch to see if it helped with accuracy. Best decision ever!!

I started with the gingerbread men. Something wasn't right, the heads were noticably different sizes. I had noticed the strip was 2 inches longer on the first before joining them together but thought I cut the white wrong. Nope! That said, Chris's initial impression was I cut the second too small. We both agreed the oversized head was more gingerbread'ish so I measured the original to figure out what went wrong and recut the second  and then the third to match.

I do find the fabric a bit busy on the first (I guess I don't need to mention thats middle one above), the bow tie and buttons get lost and may remake him but the decision doesn't need to be made until much later. Theres going to be plenty of leftover fabric.

I've been brain burned after work lately and have picked up my hexies while watching tv in the evenings. Not sure what I'll do with these but just enjoying it.

One last thing to share - for over a year I've drooled over a quilt at the local quilt shop. I happened to ask if there is a pattern for it when I was last in, they had sold out but ordered it for me. While I have seriously contained my shoe fetish the last 20 or so years, this will be a quilt just for me.

Your Powerquilter has arrived

Less than a week after we ordered the machine we got the call saying it was in. Chris was already out so he went and paid the balance and picked it up. We had it set up by lunch time. I played around while figuring out the tension issues (nested threads on bottom). Free motion is sooo much easier on this machine. I still have lots of practicing to do but I really love this machine. In my limited playing I found the speed that works for me (very slow), the biggest issue is my own jerky motions.

I had made a few black on black with white thread for play and testing. Then I started on the printed halloween placemats I bought a few months ago. I made the decision that if they tuned out a a mess that's OK but they have a ready made pattern to follow working on control.

There are a few little hiccups but overall I'm pretty happy with how the placemat turned out. I love this machine!! Chris is asking for his turn so I need to make something up for him to give him a chance to play as well.

This has given me a renewed surge. I've put the girls quilts away for now, I want to start on Fat Quarters shop Deck-ade-halls. I doubt I will have it done by Christmas but no harm trying.