Make-A-List Monday

The Week of September 2, 2013
(in review)

This was a great week.  My day with Ryder turned into a sleepover.  Then we were able to spend Saturday evening with him as well.  He is growing so much and he is developing quite a personality.  He is adventurous and confident.  He loves music and cuddle time.  He loves when I read to him and he loves our beagle puppy, Brody.

He loves to help his granddad mow the grass.  Don't worry, the lawnmower was not on...haha.

Now, on to my list......

1.  Continue to work on the Dinosaur Cuddle Quilt that I started last week.

This was such a fun quilt to design.  I thought it would be so easy when I first pictured it in my mind.  But as I started working on it I discovered it to be a tricky undertaking.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  It has been added to my Git-R-Done list.

2.   Work on the September paper-pieced heart sampler block.

The September block is a house at night time...so cute!

3.  Work on Lesson 11 for the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along sponsored by The Quilting Gallery.

This quilt is coming along so nicely.  I've loved participating in this quilt-along.  Michele Foster of The Quilting Gallery has done a phenomenal job with designing this quilt and writing the directions.  Thanks Michele! 

4.  Get LOTS of practice on my new treadle machine, Tess.

I've had lots of fun playing with Tess.  I have definitely underestimated the difficulty of treadling.  Because modern day needles are different then needles from 1922, I have been having a little trouble getting the needle positioned just right.  With my Red Eye machine the flat side of the needle has to be to the right.  That is the easy part.  It gets more difficult determining the position of the needle in the needle shaft.  

The first hurdle was coordinating my feet so that the wheel moves in a forward direction and not backwards.  I was able to master this technique fairly quickly.

The second  hurdle was bringing the bobbin thread up.  With some finagling of the needle I was able to get over that hurdle.

The third hurdle was making some stitches.  This is one time when needle position is extremely important.  I've made some stitches but not consistently.  There are some issues with the tension of the stitches I've been able to make.  I've adjusted the top tension without success.  My next step will be to adjust the bobbin tension.  I've done this on my long-arm, Annie, but never on any other machine.  

I have a VERY busy week so I'm not sure if I will be able to play with Tess much this week.  The tension adjustment might have to wait until next week.  

5.  Work on the following BRODY Projects:

Lazy Sunday

Blue Dresden Plate Quilt

*Log Cabin Christmas Quilt

Six Little Charmer II Table Runners

*Christmas Charm Tree Skirt

*Crazy Eight

*Four Baby Sampler Quilts

I've worked on four of my BRODY projects this week.  I was able to finish two of them.  

Crazy Eight

Baby Sampler Quilt

I had enough 4" blocks to make four baby quilts.  The four quilts are very similar.  They are all the same setting but with different blocks and different borders.

I prepared more BRODY Projects to take the place of the projects that are complete or almost complete.

6.  Spend a day with sweet little Ryder.

He loves playing with the play dough I made for him.

Wanna' play Hide & Go Seek?

7.  Continue to work on the quilt currently loaded on Annie...the PQW 2011 Saturday Sampler, Stella colorway,

I finished the PQW 2011 Saturday Sampler, Stella Colorway.  Now to add a binding and label.  

8.  Add some more hexies to my Bonnie Hunter inspired

 Christmas Hexie Quilt.

No progress this week.

9.  Organize all the pictures from my lost blog page

 and start to reproduce the page.

No progress this week.

10.  Start to work on two watermelon quilts made from fabric I gathered on a trip to Phoenix and San Diego two summers ago.

No progress this week.


The Week of September 9, 2013

1.  Work on Lesson 12 for the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along sponsored by The Quilting Gallery.

2.  Spend four (yes, I said four!) days with my sweet Ryder.  I am definitely a lucky Grammy!

3.  Attend the Quilts for Kids workshop at Pennington Quilt Works.

4.  Work on the following BRODY Projects:

Lazy Sunday

Blue Dresden Plate Quilt

Log Cabin Christmas Quilt

Six Little Charmer II Table Runners

Christmas Charm Tree Skirt

Four Across Hearts Table Runner

Four-Patch Stacked Posies...Small Print

Four-Patch Stacked Posies...Large Print

Slice Twice - Isn't That Nice

5.  Work on the quilt currently loaded on Annie - June 2011 Stash Club 1930's Braid

6.  Begin working on the center medallion for the Pieceful Nights Quilt Along sponsored by Jo Kramer of Jo's Country Junction.

7.   Start to work on two watermelon quilts made from fabric I gathered on a trip to Phoenix and San Diego two summers ago.

8.  Add some more hexies to my Bonnie Hunter inspired

 Christmas Hexie Quilt.

9.  Organize all the pictures from my lost blog page -
 My Christmas Hexie Journey
 and start to reproduce the page.

10.  Plan, shop for, cook and host an End of Summer BBQ.

11.  Go to Six Flags Great Adventure with my DH,
 my DDIL and my DGS, Ryder.

12.  Bind the PQW 2011 Saturday Sampler, Stella Colorway that I just finished quilting.

Okay, I know I am crazy.  With all the Ryder Time I have this week, Quilts for Kids Workshop,  Great Adventure and a BBQ to host, there is no way I will complete all the things on my list.  That's alright.  I will just move all the unfinished things to next week.

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

Sharyn

Make-A-List Monday

This was a week of surprises. 

 A trip to Washington DC and Luray, VA turned into a trip to Trumbull, CT and NYC. 

 The outcome was very similar but the means to the end was quite different.

I will explain more later in this post.

My DH and I spent a lot of time this week going through 19 years of accumulated stuff in the attic and deciding what to keep, what to throw away and what to donate.

It was a lot of work but it feels good to have a cleaned out attic.

Now, let's see how I did with my list this week:

The Week of August 26, 2013

(in review)

1.  Spend a day with my Ryder.  

Ryder loves the swings.  I think he would stay on them all day long if I let him.

Now I know where he gets the bruises on his shins.

2.  Work on Lesson 10 for the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along sponsored by The Quilting Gallery.

The blocks in this quilt are coming together quite nicely.

3.  Quilt the "Kayden Quilt," add applique and binding.

I made a very simple little boy quilt for Kayden

4.  Work on the following BRODY Projects:

Lazy Sunday

Blue Dresden Plate Quilt

Log Cabin Christmas Quilt

Six Little Charmer II Table Runners

Christmas Charm Tree Skirt

Crazy Eight

Four Baby Sampler Quilts

I made some progress on Lazy Sunday, Christmas Charm Tree Skirt, 
Crazy Eight and the Four Baby Sampler Quilts.  I did not complete any of these projects, though.

5.  Work on hand piecing one block for Skill Builder Block of the Month

sponsored by Alyssa Lichner of Pile O' Fabric. 

This is the second hand pieced block for this quilt.  I made the background over-sized.  I will trim it down later when I decide whether or not I am going to frame each block.

6.  Work on quilting the PQW 2011 Saturday Sampler - Stella Colorway.

I did a little quilting on this top.  It is approximately half done.


7.  Add some more hexies to my Bonnie Hunter inspired 

Christmas Hexie Quilt. 

I've added a few hexies but I did not finish any section.

8.  Try to organize all the pictures of the hexie quilt that I've taken so that I can attempt to recreate the "My Christmas Hexie Quilt Journey" page on the blog that I lost last week.

I was able to find the hexie pictures in my jumble of photographs.  That is as far as I have gotten in reproducing the lost blog page.  

9.  Design a Dinosaur Cuddle Quilt from a panel I picked up last year at the Oaks quilt show.

Here are all the dinosaurs cut out.  I am going to frame and sash each dino and then add borders.  The tricky part is that each dinosaur is a different size.  I will have to adjust the frames and sashing to get everything to fit.

10.  Make a quick trip to Washington, DC to catch a few Mets/Nationals games and hunt for a Singer Red Eye treadle sewing machine.

I began the week planning a trip to Virginia to buy a treadle machine that I saw on eBay.  The machine and cabinet had great potential but there was really no guarantee that it would be a functioning sewing machine.  I use all of my vintage machines.  They are not just pretty furniture to me so it is important that the machine has been professionally restored by someone who loves the machine as much as I will.     

By chance I stumbled upon an ETSY shop called Black Swan Sewing located in Trumbull, CT.

They have beautiful vintage sewing machines, completely restored and in working order.  

This is the gorgeous machine that came home with me.

I have named her Mary Theresa after my dear mom...Tess for short.

The decals are in great shape!

The cabinet is gorgeous as well!

I've been playing with her a lot and I am now able to treadle fairly well without thread.  My next step will be to thread Tess and try to get her going without breaking the thread.  I've been told that this can be a little tricky so we'll see how that goes.

On our way home to New Jersey from Connecticut we decided to stop at Yankee Stadium to catch the Yankee/Orioles game on Saturday afternoon. 

 Our wonderful son, Kyle, (a Yankee employee) was able to get us VERY good seats to the game. We were in section 123 under the overhang so we didn't have to worry about the sun. 




This is the captain, Derek Jeter, connecting but he did not reach base on the play.

Ivan Nova pitched a complete game shut-out!

We enjoyed watching the Yankees win and then were able to come home and watch the Mets beat up on the Nationals.  


A very good day, indeed!!! 

The Week of September 2, 2013

1.  Continue to work on the Dinosaur Cuddle Quilt that I started last week.

2.   Work on the September paper-pieced heart sampler block.

3.  Work on Lesson 11 for the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along sponsored by The Quilting Gallery.

4.  Get LOTS of practice on my new treadle machine, Tess.

5.  Work on the following BRODY Projects:

Lazy Sunday

Blue Dresden Plate Quilt

Log Cabin Christmas Quilt

Six Little Charmer II Table Runners

Christmas Charm Tree Skirt

Crazy Eight

Four Baby Sampler Quilts

6.  Spend a day with sweet little Ryder.

(Okay, I admit it...just an excuse to add a few pictures!)

7.  Continue to work on the quilt currently loaded on Annie...the PQW 2011 Saturday Sampler, Stella colorway,

8.  Add some more hexies to my Bonnie Hunter inspired

 Christmas Hexie Quilt.

9.  Organize all the pictures from my lost blog page

 and start to reproduce the page.

10.  Start to work on two watermelon quilts made from fabric I gathered on a trip to Phoenix and San Diego two summers ago.

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

Sharyn

Show & Tell Tuesday

Show & Tell Tuesday

I have two quilts to share today...well, actually they are more like

 table toppers or wall hangings.

June Rag Quilt

This is my sixth quilt in my Rag Quilt collection.

The pattern can be found in the book:




and can be purchased HERE

I finished this table topper/wall hanging in 2012.



Stars and Stripes

I made this quilt from a kit that I purchased at Michael's in 2007. 

 I was unable to find any more info on the company "Quilt Simply!" that manufactured the kit.

Here is a picture of the kit that I found at abyquilts:



After reading the blog post it seems that Aby designed this wall quilt.  

It was originally named "Long May She Wave"

I finished my quilt in 2008 and it measures 18" X 28".

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

Sharyn

Make-A-List Monday

I am totally frustrated with my computer.  This is the third time I have written this post. 




 For some reason every time I try to write a post or update a page it disappears. 

 My daughter says it has to be there somewhere but for the life of me I can't find any of it.   

I am seriously considering switching to a MAC.  I do worry that it will be hard to learn or that I will lose all the documents and pictures I have stored on the computer I currently use.  

In the mean time, here is a look back at my list from last week...I hope :) 

The Week of August 19, 2013

(in review)

1.  Cut up a pile of scraps into my Scrap Users System.

All the scraps I've made in the last few weeks have been cut up and added to my Scrap Users System.  I've cut 3 1/2" strips, 2 1/2" strips, 2" strips and 1 1/2" strips.  I've also cut 2", 2 1/2", 3 1/2" and 5" squares.

2.  Make the next block for the Byrne Sewing Connection 2013

 $5 block quilt.

3.  Work on Lesson 9 for the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along sponsored by The Quilting Gallery.

4.  Spend a day with little Ryder. 

Ryder and I had a wonderful day.  We went to Gymboree and the park.

I forgot to take pictures so I've recycled one from a few months ago.

5.  Work on hand piecing two blocks for Skill Builder Block of the Month

sponsored by Alyssa Lichner of Pile O' Fabric.  

Here is one of the blocks before it is squared down.

Here it is all squared down to a perfect 12 1/2" square.  I know it looks a little wonky but it is not supposed to be centered.

I am still working on the second block.

6.  Work on quilting the Byrne 2011 $5 Quilt - Batik Colorway and the three Quilts for Kids quilts that I pieced this past week on Annie.

This is the Byrne 2011 $5 quilt that I just finished quilting on Annie.

I will write more about this quilt in a future Show & Tell Tuesday post.

Here are the three quilts I just finished for Quilts for Kids.
I started with the framed four-patches.  When I was done making them I had enough to make all three quilts.  They should make three seriously ill little girls just a little happier.

7.  Work on the following BRODY Projects:

Lazy Sunday

Blue Dresden Plate Quilt

Log Cabin Christmas Quilt

Six Little Charmer II Table Runners

Christmas Charm Tree Skirt

Crazy Eight

Four Baby Sampler Quilts

I was able to make some progress on Lazy Sunday and the Log Cabin Christmas Quilt.  I finished four of the Six Little Charmer II Table Runner tops.

8.  Attend Strip Club at The Village Quilter in Mt. Holly, NJ.

These are the strips we will use this month.



The quilt pattern is called Sugar Pop N Change

 by Melissa Corry of Happy Quilting.

I am going to use green fabric for the sashing.  I plan on adding a white print inner border and a red print outer border.

9.  Make a Charm Quilt for Ryder's new cousin, Kayden.

I've pieced a simple quilt top for little Kayden.  It is now loaded on Annie.

10.   Add some more hexies to my Bonnie Hunter inspired 

Christmas Hexie Quilt.  

I have some personally devastating news to report.  In my attempt to update my Christmas Hexie Page last night I inadvertently erased the entire page.  After some ranting and raving (and a few things being thrown) I went to sleep hoping that by some miracle it would all be back in the morning.  
Well, unfortunately that didn't happen.   

The good news is...I did not delete the quilt top itself (haha.)  

Here is my hexie quilt as it looks today.  I added 36 hexagons this week.

757 Hexies

I will eventually try to reproduce the page I lost. 

 I still have the pictures -- somewhere.  At least I think I do.  My pictures are really a jumbled mess in a variety of locations.  What I really need is someone to come help me get them all organized...a girl can wish, can't she?

The Week of August 26, 2013

1.  Spend a day with my Ryder.  

2.  Work on Lesson 10 for the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along sponsored by The Quilting Gallery.

3.  Quilt the "Kayden Quilt," add applique and binding.

4.  Work on the following BRODY Projects:

Lazy Sunday

Blue Dresden Plate Quilt

Log Cabin Christmas Quilt

Six Little Charmer II Table Runners

Christmas Charm Tree Skirt

Crazy Eight

Four Baby Sampler Quilts

5.  Work on hand piecing one block for Skill Builder Block of the Month

sponsored by Alyssa Lichner of Pile O' Fabric. 

6.  Work on quilting the PQW 2011 Saturday Sampler - Stella Colorway.

7.  Add some more hexies to my Bonnie Hunter inspired 
Christmas Hexie Quilt. 

8.  Try to organize all the pictures of the hexie quilt that I've taken so that I can attempt to recreate the "My Christmas Hexie Quilt Journey" page on the blog that I lost last week.

9.  Design a Dinosaur Cuddle Quilt from a panel I picked up last year at the Oaks quilt show.

10.  Make a quick trip to Washington, DC to catch a few Mets/Nationals games and hunt for a Singer Red Eye treadle sewing machine.

I've had my eye (no pun intended) on a beautiful Singer Red-Eye machine on eBay.  If all goes as planned she will be coming home with me.  I can't wait!

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

Sharyn