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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Oh how I miss sewing!

I just don't get enough sewing time in lately.  It's really too bad since my sewing time is directly related to mood!  I have finished one baby quilt top, need to add some applique to another and have 2 blocks done for yet another.  I also made this little gift for a Secret Santa exchange at work.
2 pillow cases and a throw pillow.  Why don't I make more pillows?  I really like how quick and easy it is and then of course the feeling of having accomplished something! 

Wishing you a very blessed Christmas!
Cari

Sunday, November 13, 2011

I've really been wanting to blog lately, I promise I have!  But. . . I hate blogging without pictures and the computer isn't reading my camera card :(  Check back soon!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Oh for the love of work!

I can't believe its been over a month since I've blogged.  I have been super busy with work, kids and kids' sports.  I'm hoping after getting all my certifications for work this month, I'll have plenty more time to sew.  It'll be great to work ourselves into a better schedule too.  I've been working hard on my 36 patch quilt (quilt along with crazy mom quilts) and I'm loving it but it has a long way to go because I loved it sooo much that I decided to make it a queen size!  I managed to make a baby quilt top that I can't wait to share.  My log cabin quilt is in the binding stage and I can't wait to get it done and sent off to the recipients - they really need something happy in their lives right now.  I promise pics next time!

Until then!

Monday, July 25, 2011

36

I turned 36 yesterday.  I'm amazed that I (along with so many others) managed to go to school and change careers after having 3 children.  I'm in a place I never thought I'd be in and I'm loving it!  The hubs was waaay good to me and got a Happy Birthday/Happy Graduation/Congrats you got a job gift.



What do you think?  Yep, I do have a pretty good husband!  I knew it wouldn't be very family friendly but today that was the only car I had to drive and after getting Liam in and out of his car seat 3 times . . . well, I think we'll be taking the van next time we run errands. 

I spent last week in orientation and tomorrow is my first day in the ER.  Guess I better get some quilting done before the kids get home from the pool.

Until next time friends!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Busy Bee

I've been really busy quilting.  My "stay at home" time ends Monday, so I've challenged myself to get as much done as possible before then.  Here's what I've been working on (since I obviously have not been blogging!)


This is a block for the Bumble Beans quilt along.  I didn't plan my layout too well so my colors are off but I am still pleased with how it turned out!


This is a little quilt I dreamt up about a year ago.  I had a some difficulty finding the perfect gray so it got put away for awhile but I decided to pull it out again and get it finished.  It is much more striking in person!  The HST are cut from 4" squares I purchased off E-bay during my 4" square addiction.


This is from 2 Christmas charm packs - Ready, Set, Snow and leftovers from another one I forgot the name of :(.  The border is a red with white snowflakes that I picked up at Joann's.  (I'll post a better pic after it's quilted).

LOVE how this turned out!

Box of Chocolates - I had a bundle of Chocolate fat quarters in my stash and decided it was time to do something with them.  I kept it simple as I didn't want to take away from the fabric.  I just love these colors!



Spirited - about a year ago I won a charm pack - Spirited - and thought it would make a funky little baby quilt.  I like all the coin/charm quilts I've been seeing on flickr so I followed suit and made one!

This was supposed to be a "Turning Twenty" quilt but I pieced most of the blocks wrong so this is what we ended up with.  It's for my daughter Caitlyn and she wants softball fabric on the back.  I don't think it's big enough for her bed so it might get another border when I decide on a color.

Wow!  That was a lot.  I start my new job on Monday. . . it's kinda of bitter sweet.  I've sure enjoyed having 3 years at home with the kids but its high time I start contributing to the bank account.  At least 12hr shifts will still allow some quilting time!

Until next time!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Japanese + and blocks

My oldest daughter says, "That's ugly!"  I have to agree but these babies are addictive!


Until next time!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Scrap Buster #3

As I cruise the blogs I've been seeing a lot of coin quilts and with my love for scraps thought I should try a scrappy coin quilt.  I decided to go with blue but didn't think I had enough for a quilt.  I asked 3 of my friends to trade me some of their blue scraps.  AFTER I asked for scraps, I sorted all of my scraps.  I had one grocery bag and 2 gallon zip log bags packed FULL of blue.  I guess I didn't need all their scraps but they sure added character to the quilt.  They all sent scraps but 2 of them wouldn't accept anything in exchange.  One box I got was pretty much cut into strips for me at 2.5" - How perfect!  And most of the fabrics in there were sooo my style!  I cut and I sewed and I ironed and I cut and I sewed and I ironed (refer to pics in last post) and Wa La!


Hopefully this gets off to the quilter this week.  I had a few leftovers from this and am already working on another layout!  Yay for scraps!

Until next time!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Back home and time to sew

We're back from Colorado!  My machine took a little trip to the spa while I was gone so I'm heading out to get her back. 

Before we left, I took a whole bunch of this:


And turned it into this



Which is now becoming this


Maybe by early next week I will have a coin quilt top done.

Here are some of my quilt along Japanese + and x bocks - not very pretty but we'll see how they turn out



and this is my bounty from last weeks shopping trip!  There's even some designer fabric in there.

Until next time friends!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

It's time for a short vacation

I am having problems with my other computer so I can't share any pictures :(

I took the log cabin quilt to the quilter today and can't wait to get it back and to its new owner.

I joined another quilt-along at http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/ - it's a real scrappy one so it should be lots of fun!

No quilt along blocks got done today but I managed to cut a whole bunch of blue strips for my coin quilt.  I hope to have time tomorrow to lay them out and see if I have enough.

My to do list (before vacation)
-manicure and pedicure (an absolute must!)
-laundry
-pack
-take sewing machine in to get serviced
-get house picked up

Enjoy your weekend - - - - Until next time!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Busy Little Bee

I really wanted to post some pics tonight but the computer I need for that is occupied by a teenager.  I had a very successful shopping trip yesterday.  I had to run to Omaha to get some airplane parts for the hubs and decided to make a day out of it.  Liam wasn't too impressed but we managed to stop at Country Sampler, The Quilted Moose and of course JoAnn's.  I ONLY purchased 24 yards of fabric, one charm pack and one book.

Today I added the last border to the log cabin quilt and pieced the back - it's off to the quilter tomorrow.  I made one complete quilt along block (woo hoo I now have a total of 4 done).  I did manage to start 5 others though, they just need pieced together.  Tonight I ironed for 30 minutes straight on some blue strips that I'll show you next time (stay tuned for another great and easy scrap buster).  My house is a disaster and I have company coming tomorrow - I'm hoping that since she's my bestie she'll understand that quilting comes before cleaning!

Do you remember the last post when I had that picture of Liam in his underwear?  Well I was outside today trying to take a picture of the Log Cabin quilt hanging from the fence.  He had just gotten done swimming and was running around naked (we're potty training and naked is the only way that has worked so far).  He came outside with an umbrella of all things, and wanted to pose - completely naked with an umbrella - in the picture of my quilt!  I talked him out of it but as he walked away I was able to snap a picture of an umbrella and a baby butt!  I would love to share but I think there are laws against that

I hate to post without pics soo. . .


This is a pic from last years trip to Vail, Co.  We go every year so Bill can do the annual inspection on an airplane owned by a friend.  They have a beautiful log cabin home and a bunkhouse over the garage (where we stay).  This stream runs behind the house and is the kids' favorite attraction.  We're headed there this weekend and while we're gone I plan to fix the binding on Aaron's graduation quilt - I must quilt everywhere I go!

Until next time!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

A quilt top almost done and a creative little man!

I've been trying really hard to get my Log Cabin quilt finished and to the quilter this weekend but I'm about out of time.  My darker color choices were a little too dark but I like the secondary pattern they create!  I plan on putting on two borders and then taking it to my wonderful quilter.



I really need to plan a little better with my pictures and maybe pick up before taking the picture.  But. . . what fun would it be if you couldn't see how we really live?  Yep, it's usually a house full of  teenagers and a little guy in his underwear.  I'm just shocked my vacuum didn't make it into this picture cuz its sure in a lot of them.  Caitlyn didn't like the quilt when I showed it to her.  Then I showed her this picture and she got a whole different view of it and now likes it.  My husband really likes it and actually thought it was for us (its commissioned).  He was so sad that I decided to make us a Log Cabin quilt in the star burst layout.

I had planned on doing a scrappy blue coin quilt for our bed but I guess I'll go with the (much more difficult) Starburst one instead.  Oh the things we do for those we love!

Liam's new favorite thing is painting.  This week he painted a bird feeder and a small bird house (and the table, and his shirt, and himself, and anything else within 10 feet!).  He's quite the little artist.  I asked him what color these were and he said, "Every color" and indeed they are!  What a great little artist!




Tomorrow we have one softball game (so far we're 2-0 in this tournament!!!!) then I have a date with my sewing machine for the rest of the day. 

I want to do a sew-a-long with Laura .   The block she is using is the Japanese + and x block.  I'm not crazy about the block at all and almost thought about not doing it.  Instead I'm gonna forge on, use some of those scraps and try to make it a block I love!  I'll let you know how it goes.  I wanted to start yesterday but still haven't gotten to it.  I'll make a few blocks tomorrow and let you know what I think.

Until next time!

Monday, May 30, 2011

A little bit organized

Yesterday I decided to sort through my scraps that were sitting next to my sewing machine.  You see, my machine is in the living room because the basement is just too dark and I wasn't sewing.  The hubs thinks quilting helps with my depression so he moved my best friend upstairs and wa la!  I've been sewing since.  So, anyway, the scraps and mess I make are very visible and very much in the way.  I decided to clean it up a little and I think I ended up sorting through just about all the fabric I own.  That took a lot of trips up and down the stairs but I now have a very tidy corner in the basement of all my fabric, magazines, supplies, etc.  Last week the basement flooded and I learned my lesson so now it is no longer in boxes or on the floor!  
This is what it looked like about 2hours in.  The laundry basket on the floor and two bags in front of it are all small scraps divided by color.  I hope to make a few string quilts and maybe some coin quilts out of and maybe some other scrap quilts I've seen out of all those scraps!

Saturday we went to my nephews graduation in Omaha.  It's always fun to see family and friends.  I haven't seen his mother in years.  Even though his parents are divorced, they did an awesome job of raising him together!  This is Aaron's t-shirt quilt.  He was very involved in band and drama.  In the top row is an Orange Bowl shirt because his band performed at halftime that year.

wasn't it nice of my brother to dress to match the quilt?

Aaron's grandmother also made him a quilt.  When I heard she was going to I told Aaron that he just needed to let her make one and I would do something different.  He told me no!  He'd been saving t-shirts so I could make him a quilt and his grandma was going to do something different anyway.  Here's what she did!


29 pictures of Aaron through the last 17.5 years!  Wow!  This had to be sooo much work but it's beautiful.  Did you notice it's hanging out the window?  That's cuz it's 10ft long!  It's hard to see but the upper left of the middle section of the quilt is a picture of Aaron and my mom.  She died 11yrs ago when Aaron was 6.  How special to include her!

Tonight I've been working on my log cabin quilt.  I'm so close to joining my blocks I can almost taste it!  I'll finish the last of the blocks tomorrow and hopefully have a quilt top tomorrow or Wednesday so stay tuned!

Until next time!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

A new American Idol!

Scotty wins!  I was going for Lauren but oh well, they both have a huge career in front of them.  I managed to sew and iron during the commercial and actually got a lot done.  Sorry no pics for today!  I'm hoping to get Aaron's quilt back from the quilter early tomorrow so I can get the binding done.  She got behind due to a funeral so I'm gonna have to hurry.  I think I might machine stitch it to the front and the back this time.  I alway hand stitch my binding to the back but since I need to have this ready to present Saturday AM I might need to try something new!

Until next time friends!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Some new quilt blocks and a catcher

I've been enjoying quite a bit of sewing time lately.  I started a new quilt for me that didn't turn out the way I wanted it to.  I put it away for now but I have a plan.  I think I'll add some more white and then it'll be better.  Right now its just too busy!



I started a new commissioned quilt.  It was actually commissioned quite a while ago but then my friend lost his job.  Things are looking up for him so the quilt is back on!  It's a Log Cabin with a Barn
Raising layout.  We chose cream, blue and green.  I'm using Eleanor Burn's quit in a day and even though its taking a lot longer than a day, I love the technique!  Here's a sneak peak of "The Good Life"


We had a very busy Thursday thru Sunday with softball.  When Caitlyn started on this team last year she was supposed to be a catcher but was never given the chance.  They finally put her in for the double header on Thursday and she did AWESOME!  So awesome in fact, they put in her in for the first two tournament games on Saturday!  She had some great base hits and a great catch in left field (the 3rd game of the day Saturday).  They didn't place in the tournament but they did well and finally started hitting the ball!
That's my Caitlyn!

Today was somewhat of an exciting day.  E got a state writing award which only 3 students in her school got!  She's not into sports like her sister but she's sure a smartie!  I also got a job today!  I will be an ER nurse as soon as I pass my boards.  Yay for happy days!

Until next time friends!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Happy Tuesday to You!

Here's Brett's graduation quilt and a rare picture of me

I love being someplace and having people admire my quilts (i.e. graduation receptions) it just makes it so worth it.  Memorial day weekend is the last of the graduations for this year so I'll show Aaron's quilt after that.

I started a new quilt with some fabric I bought at, where else?, Joann's.  LOVE the fabric, hate what I did with it.  I think I can still salvage the quilt if I make some new blocks but I must say I think this is the first quilt (actually blocks waiting to be a quilt) that I haven't liked - enough to put it away until I found a fix.  Oh well, we'll see where it goes.  Tomorrow I start a queen sized log cabin quilt, it should be pretty.

Until Next Time!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Where have I been?

Wow!  I can't believe its been so long.  Life has really gotten in the way of my quilting.  I finally finished nursing school and now I'm job hunting.  The kids are keeping me busy with all their activities too.  After a bout with depression this winter, I'm FINALLY quilting again!  Two nephews and one niece are graduating from highschool so most of my time has been dedicated to making their quilts.

This is Tayler's quilt.  She didn't want a t-shirt quilt because she wasn't really involved in much and doesn't like her school.  Instead, I made this to match her personality.  The back is a red bandana fabric which I also used for the binding.  Since I love scrap quilts, this one turned out spledidly!  My quilter was on the mend from her 2nd knee replacement so I had to find someone else.  Her prices were A LOT higher and I'm not so sure I'm in love her quilting style, but she came to my rescue and got this done on time for Tayler's graduation so I am thankful for that!


This quilt was a request from a friend.  She is using it as a raffle quilt to raise money for her local Republican Party.  I had a really hard time getting this one done thanks to that awful winter depression but I finally finished it.  I ordered the stars from Keepsake Quilting a few years ago and added fabric I had on hand along with the beautiful red and patriotic blue fabrics I found at Joann's.  My quilter did a wonderful job quilting it and made the stars stand out.  I'm happy with the end result! (unfortunately I think this pic was before it was quilted.  I really need to take the process pledge and take pics as I go!)



The 3rd quilt (also the 2nd graduation quilt) is in the dryer as I type so I'll post pics of that one next.

Until next time!