Sunday, January 01, 2012

Whatever you do on New Year's Day ...

... you do for the rest of the year!

Uh oh, I'm in b-i-g trouble.

I was watching TV waiting for the announcement of when the Stealth was going to fly over the Rose Parade. It flies over my house on the way home about two to three minutes after that. I got my coffee, my camera, a light jacket, and I went outside to wait. And wait. And wait.

The Rose Parade is tomorrow. January 2nd? Whose bright idea was that? And why didn't anyone consult ME about it?

But it's absolutely gorgeous outside. Well worth the effort to stroll around out there a day early.

Okay, so does this mean I'm going to be a doofus for all of 2012?

But while walking around on the outside of my patio, I discovered what was making the tapping noise for the past four hours. I mean, serious tapping.

This is an awful picture, but I was trying to zoom and crop and get the little thing to show up.



It's a little wren who fell in love with its reflection in that trash can sitting out there. Poor darling. It didn't even ease up on the tapping while I was around. I finally tossed a gumball at it and it flew away. I hope it doesn't have a bruised beak or something. Persistent little love-struck birdie!

The gray thing is the cover to my barbecue that blew off in the winds last week and nestled amongst all the leaves that were blown in that corner. Time to get out the broom and some garbage bags and clean up the patio, and a beautiful day to do it.

Okay. On to quilting news -- Friday I went to Ginger's Quilt Shop and spent all day sewing! Can you believe it?!! It felt SO good. I just grabbed a bunch of things that were sitting in a corner of my sewing room, and my Tutto bag with the smaller Bernina that had been sitting in the garage all summer, and off I went. I was so thankful the machine still worked!

I squared four quilts, made four bindings, and attached them all to their respective quilts!! Plenty of handwork to do in the coming week or two. And today, of course! Have to make some stitches today! Hooray!



I left my machine at the shop and went back yesterday and finished up the things I had hauled over there. I put the borders on a quilt. I was still wanting to sew, so I went out into the shop and purchased three yards of fabric to make the backing. Got that pieced and left it with Ginger to quilt for me. Hooray again!

Then I pulled out the little mini quilts that were in the pile and cut the backings for most of them. Two I didn't have back fabric, but had some leftover from the backing of the quilt I left with Ginger. It was the perfect amount!

So I bought three yards of fabric there and used it all up in the same day!

A really funny thing happened. A friend was there and was going over a small kit that she had purchased at a quilt show two or three years ago. She pulled out the fabric and saw that they had shorted her on the border fabric. She was so peeved as it was an older fabric and she said she would never be able to find it. I asked her how much she needed. You should have seen the look at her face when I whipped out a huge hunk of it and cut off a half yard for her. What were the odds that I would have that exact Prairie Paisley fabric with me on that day? I wish I had had a camera. She was absolutely speechless! A great moment! (This was the same fabric as the borders I had just put on my quilt. And since it was Minick & Simpson, you can bet I'll always have some of that with me!)

Now I'm off to unload the QuiltMobile, get the blackeye peas and cabbage going, get the ham in the oven, and then do a LOT of organizing in the sewing room.

I figure if I do that organizing today, I'll do it for the rest of the year!!!

Besides, I've gotten in enough trouble for one day, and it's only 9:30 a.m.!

Happy New Year!

19 comments:

Darlene said...

I'm jumping for joy and if I wasn't still in my jammies I'd dance across the desert for you! Why??? Because, because - well because you spent lots of time sewing. WooooHoooo!!!!

Pictures please!!! I need pictures. LOL

Vicki W said...

It sounds like you had a great sewing day! Good for you! I love your story of the morning. Guess you'll be out there again tomorrow> :)

JudyT said...

Wow, Vicky, you accomplished in one day what I accomplished all year! Your back-to-sewing happiness is shining through. I'm glad to hear you're back in the sewing mood and am looking forward to seeing all your accomplishments this year.

Darling Jill Quilts said...

Hooray for sewing!! I have big plans for today as well! I have already cleaned up my kitchen and folded some fabric. I can't wait to see what you got accomplished on your sewing days! :)

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Yeah for sewing! Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend! I can't wait to see the quilts you are binding. :-)

Poor little bird with the dented beak, hope it finds love and doesn't return.

Happy New Year!

Diane Kelsey said...

An impressive amount of sewing, what fun!

Penny said...

Vicky! After just reading your post I am so inspired! Today after spending the last month or so preparing for & celebrating holidays, etc. I am going to sew & quilt! No, I'm really not complaining I just need to get my quilting groove back! Thank you so much for the inspiration! Happy New Year to you & little Penny! I hope you, too have 2 more & organizing & quilting good days! Penny

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Can't wait for your M&S show and tell!

mascanlon said...

Oh yes! Doesn't it bring some peace to do do what we want to sometimes!. So happy this long weekend is yours to play. (And I turned on the TV at 7:45, going to sit down and start the hand work on a binding I put on yesterday..you weren't the only one who forgot the parade is never on Sunday!)

Connie said...

A great way to start the new year.

Judy Laquidara said...

How good did it feel to be sewing? Made me feel good just reading about it!

Jan W. said...

Happy New Year! The Tournament of Roses Parade is never held on a Sun-
day as years ago(120+ to be exact)the
organizers felt it was disrespectful
on the Sabbath and besides, it would
scare the horses and buggies hitched
outside the many churches on Colorado
Blvd.the parade route. Worked on floats and the parade for many years and never went to a party on N.Y.eve.
too busy with the parade! Happy quilting in 2012

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Vicky! Glad you have been sewing, glad, glad for you! The powers that be have really messed with the bowl game schedule, if you ask me.....but nobody did! Didn't check with you either, huh!! lol
Donna in KS, aka 2XS

Megan said...

That's awesome that you were able to get so much done! I hope you're able to enjoy many many more hours in front of the sewing machine in 2012!!

Laura said...

I know who to call if I need extra fabric to finish up that Prairie Paisley quilt that I have resolved to make in 2012! ;-) So glad to hear that you are quilting again.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Nope you are not a dufus - who knew there was a no Sunday Rule? So did you see it today!!?

Barb in Mi said...

Wohoo, she got some sewing in! Glad you could spend some time with like-minded sewing souls - and doesn't it feel good to surpise people?

Anonymous said...

WOW! I'm so excited for you that you had such a great sewing weekend! I'll say a few prayers that that continues for you this year. You have more than earned the right to enjoy your 'down' time.
I didn't do any sewing this weekend, was too busy knitting a gift. But I went today and quilted my niece's quilt on the longarm at my friend's house. Felt great to get that done!
Keep on stitching, Sweet Friend! Eve in GA

Carol said...

Oh I'm so glad you sewed...this is going to be a very good year for you! I've always lived by the same mantra...no laundry or cleaning for me on New Year's Day!