Make-A-List Monday

Make-A-List Monday

This has been an incredible week for everyone living in the New Jersey/New York area.  Our states, along with many others, have suffered through the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.  

The loss of lives and property has been immense.  We were extremely fortunate.  We only lost a lot of tree branches.  Many people in our town have been without electricity for over a week because the high winds knocked down trees and power lines.  They have taken refuge at friends, neighbors, local houses of worship and government buildings.  

My DS, Kyle, and his family sought refuge with us for a few days while he waited for the electricity to be returned to his house.  

We were able to spend Halloween with them even though celebration of the holiday was canceled throughout the state.

Happily his power was restored on Friday so they were able to return home.  I was thrilled for them but my arms are so empty.

Today my prayers turn toward our neighbors who will survey the damage at their vacation home on LBI for the first time.  They know the house is still standing but the extent of water and sand damage is still a mystery.  I pray that the damage is minimal and that they will be able to enjoy their beautiful beach house again soon.

Now on to my list......

The Week of October 29, 2012

(in review)

1.  Spend Halloween with Ryder. I had a wonderful time with Ryder on Halloween.  It didn't exactly happen the way I thought it would but it was special just the same.  

2.  Work on the PQW Saturday Sampler block for November.

Class is this coming weekend.  My blocks are done and I am ready for the next pattern.

3.  Attend class at The Village Quilter to make a Christmas Stocking for Ryder.

Class was canceled because of the Hurricane.  Hopefully it will be rescheduled for a day I am free.  I was able to get all the prep work done so I am ready when they are.

4. Complete the folded fabric table mat I started at The Village Quilter.

All piecing is done.  I just need to finish the binding.  I will post a picture when the binding is done. 

5.  Continue working on the Heather Spence Mystery Quilt.

This is what I have done so far.  I changed the pattern a little bit to one I like a little more.  After rereading the clue we received last Friday, I may have done a little more than I was supposed to do.  I guess I will find out on November 9th if I have to do a little "frog-stitching."

6.  Embroider some more Christmas presents.

I did not get to this again.

7.  Finish designing my Hexagon quilt to be English Paper Pieced.

This is my final design.  Each little colored box will be a 3/4" Hexagon. I started to gather my fabric.

I will have to cut thousands and thousands of 2" squares for this project.  I have decided to do it in greens, reds and creams.  Last Christmas, when I was decorating, I realized that I did not have a Christmas quilt.  This hexagon quilt will be perfect.  I just hope it doesn't take me ten years to complete.

Even with the hurricane and house guests I was able to accomplish a lot last week.  Now, to plan this week.....

Thanks Bonnie Hunter for the inspiration for this hexagon quilt.

The Week of November 5, 2012

1.  Complete the folded fabric table mat I started at The Village Quilter. 

  All that is left is the binding.

2.  Finish quilting the top that is currently on Annie.  When I made the quilt for Ryder that I gave to him for his Christening I had so much left over fabric. Instead of just throwing it back into my stash I decided to make another quilt very similar to the one I gave Ryder.  That is the quilt that is on Annie, now.

I have sooooo many quilt tops that need to be quilted, probably between 15 and 20.  I find that if I get out of the habit of working on my long-arm a little each day I keep putting it off.  Annie is in my unfinished basement and it is a little creepy down there.  If I force myself to go down and start working I really enjoy it and don't want to stop.  

My plan is to try to get at least one quilt top quilted each week.  Then they will be ready for binding.  I also plan to take these quilts that need binding  when I have my Ryder Time.  There is always time to work on them while he is napping.  

3.  Continue Working on the Heather Spence Mystery Quilt.

I will find out Friday if I need to do any "frog stitching."  For those unfamiliar with this informal sewing term, "frog stitching" is when you have to "rip-it, rip-it."  HaHa!

4.  Finish choosing and preparing fabric for my Christmas Hexagon Quilt.

I started doing this already but then I stopped.  Since I am using soooo many red fabrics I was nervous that maybe I should have pre-washed all the fabric. But after practical consideration I have decided to not wash the fabric.  Since I am planning on using so many squares from my 2" drawer, it would be virtually impossible to pre-wash them all without major shrinkage and distortion.  I will just have to use a lot of Shout Color Catchers and a few prayers when I wash it.

5.  Continue to work on the pieced binding for the 2011 NJ Shop Hop quilt as a Leader/Ender project.

This is a partial view of the pieced top.  I am making a pieced pinwheel border which requires a lot of HST.  

6.  Continue to gather fabric for the new Quiltville mystery quilt called Easy Street by Bonnie K. Hunter.

This is what I have gathered so far.  I have plenty of "Limey Apple Green" and Purple.  I still need to find about 2 1/2 yards of Aqua/Turquoise, 1 yard of Black on White and 2 yards of a grey constant fabric.  Bonnie Hunter's quilts are always very scrappy so I hope a find a variety of these fabrics.  The quilt will have so much more texture and depth if I am able to find a great blend of fabrics.  I have until November 23rd to gather my fabric because that is when the mystery begins.  I am soooo excited.  I can't wait!

7.  Make labels for 6 quilts that are in need.

Here are some of the quilts that need labels.  I don't like to share my quilts on "Show & Tell Tuesday" without labels.  These are just a few that need labels.  Once they are done I will be sure to share them.  

8.  Make some Christmas napkins. 

 We always host a large gathering of family and friends for Christmas and I never seem to have enough napkins.   I got these pretty Christmas fabrics last year and now it is time to get busy making the napkins.

9.  Attend Quilts for Kids at PQW.  I am working on a Christmas quilt.  I hope to quilt it on my DSM this week at class.  

10..Attend Saturday Sampler at PQW.  After class I want to go check out Tomato Factory Antiques in Hopewell, NJ.  I am in search of a Featherweight sewing machine or possibly a treadle machine.  I hope to continue my search on this day.

11.  RYDER TIME!!!

12.  Attend my friend's surprise 50th birthday party.

Again...I'm sure I have over-planned but it will be great to see what I can accomplish.

Until Next Time.....Happy Stitching!!!

Sharyn