Saturday, August 20, 2011

Gettin' the Groove Back

All I can say is -- WOW, thank you all so very much for your kind comments. I got up this morning thinking I was going to answer every single one of them and quickly got overwhelmed. Just know that I appreciate you, and hope to get to know each of you better! You all are truly remarkable! I mean that!

I got a haircut and color this morning a/k/a the dip and clip. Had a ton of errands to run, but must have fazed out because the next thing I knew I was back home. Oh, well, will just have to do those tomorrow.

But sitting at the hair salon while Kathy worked her magic, I started thinking about a new project. Okay, I know, I have tons of UFOs going, and definitely want to work on the Brrrrr Winter next up, but something was bouncing around in my almost empty head.

This.



The book is "Summer Gatherings" by Lisa Bongean and Carole Charles of Primitive Gatherings fame. The fabric is an old Judy Rothermel line called Colonial Christmas. I'm not sure exactly how old it is but I'd say five years, probably more than that. I ran across the fabric while Kathie had me rummaging around in the Civil War stash a few months ago.

When I bought the book, I went ahead and picked up the 1.250" triangle paper because I was immediately drawn to the quilt. I figured sooner or later I'd find the perfect fabric for it. I think I've done that.

So this quilt will enable me to place a few check marks on my to-do list.

* Make a Christmas quilt every year
* Make more quilts using Civil War fabrics
* Use that stash!!

Well, *you know who* didn't think too much of it. In fact, she wouldn't even pose by the fabric. I grabbed this shot just as she was about to make her get-away. She looks so fat there. The camera must really add ten pounds. :) But, no, she's nice and trim. I haven't weighed her lately, but I'd say 10.5 lbs. Right where she should be for a two and a half year old doxie.



Such a woosie!

Oh, oh, speaking of doxies, I'm going to Jane's this afternoon. We're all going out to dinner. And I get to meet the newest member of their family - a black and tan doxie! She was given to them by someone who couldn't care for her any more. Jane said she's about eight years old. Her name is Teeny, but they've been calling her Penny! LOL. We decided that she should be Peeny Weeny! I can't wait to meet her. Penny will have to meet her, though, another time. Don't want to overwhelm poor Skippy with two little black and tan hellions today! I'm taking my camera. I'm SURE she'll be easier to photograph than *you know who*!!

I feel really good today. Next week will be another bear week, but I've decided to quit looking at the big picture, just take it a week at a time.

Small goals are more easily attainable, aren't they?

19 comments:

dortha said...

Love the Penny pictures. I think those fabrics would make a beautiful quilt like in the book you showed us. Again, glad you are back.

Anonymous said...

I hadn't seen those fabrics before and do believe you chose perfectly for that pattern! I'll look forward to seeing your progress. It is so good to see you back...

Gretchen said...

So happy you are getting back in the groove!! Your blog is an inspiration to me every post. And i mean it with all my quilty heart.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Love the photo's~ the fabric and that pattern look perfect for each other! Penny in escape mode~ LOL, just wait until you want to take a few block photo's~ she'll be there! Have fun tonight!

ytsmom said...

I didn't comment yesterday, but I am so glad you decided to come back. I have a project started with Colonial Christmas. I think the pattern name is Let It Snow, by Farmhouse Threads. A UFO, of course!! I am trying to work on them (the UFOs)!!

mascanlon said...

Oh my gosh, I'd say you've more than got your groove back if your tackling another big quilt with many. many small blocks. Don't think I've seen that fabric before either then I kind of moved off of civil war for 3-4 yrs but that itch is back with a vengence. Hugs to Penny from Spike...

Cathy said...

You sound more like yourself! Lovely!

JoAnne in southern California said...

This is my first visit to your blog and I am enjoying it. It sure is too bad that some write awful things to you. It's not like we are forced to read what you write. Thank you for keeping on.

I see that, according to Mapquest, your city and my city are only 15 miles apart! It's very nice to have such a nice neighbor!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you're back. :) That pattern looks totally great...and totally intimidating, LOL. Excited to see where you go with it...

Darlene said...

Wonderful planned project!!!

Love sweet Penny!

Hugs!!!

antique quilter said...

oh great fabrics see it was good for you to look thru those civil war repros! I love that quilt , just may have to make one too
yes I always had a goal of making a Christmas Quilt each year, nope haven't accomplished that , yet ;)
happy to see you back in blogland and sewing when you can...its only a few more months hopefully then you will be sewing everyday!
Kathie

Carol said...

Vicky that's going to be a wonderful quilt...love Colonial Christmas, what are you going to use for the light? Look at that sweet Penny!
How fun, Jane got a doxie too...Penny will have twice as much fun when she goes to Jane's.
You're so right...small goals...that's the way to go! I'm so glad you're back!

Diane aka cameldiva said...

Aaah, love the gratuitous shot of Penny, and Penny news as well. And happy that you are finding your way back to inspiring the rest of us. We aren't all superhuman crazies that can whip up quilts on a whim. And UFOs? Who doesn't have UFO? Bring them on, I say :)

Beverly said...

Vicki, I am happy you and Penny are back with us! Hope you can catch your breath soon at work! Hang in there--we will be here rooting for you! I think your fabrics and pattern will make a lovely quilt. Good plan. Oh, I have my eye on the American Banner Rose as well! Thanks for letting us know the box content! And Vicki thank you so much for your generosity of ALL you give away!!!
Take care and God bless you!
Beverly in WA state

Laura said...

Love the way you're thinking, Vicky - about your quilt projects and everything else! I want to make one Christmas quilt every year, too ... I certainly have the stash for it! Instead of more Civil War quilts, it would be more batik quilts for me. And "use the stash" - well, see above. LOL!

Julia said...

That's a lot of little half-square triangles! It is going to be gorgeous!

suz said...

Welcome back! Love the quilt and the fabrics. This will be a great quilt. I'm looking forward to watching your progress on it. Penny cracks me up! She's a sweetheart.

Katie Z. said...

The fabrics look great! Enjoy every minute of your new project... there's plenty of time to work on those UFOs, right (wink!)?

Kim Brackett said...

I'm so glad you came back. To tell you the truth, I'm so dang behind in my blog reading that I didn't actually know you were gone. :-) I'm really horrible about keeping up with everyone, but wanted to tell you that I've always enjoyed your blog, your stash reports, and anything else you write about. I love the Penny stories, and I'm not even a dog person. :-) She's just too cute. All that to say that there are many, many, people who appreciate what you do and think, and appreciate the time you spend keeping up your blog. Hope to see you around for many more years.

Hugs!