Enablers!

That's what you all are - a bunch of enablers! LOL. Thank you for helping me find excuses for my fall from grace! My friend, Mar, called me yesterday. When I answered the phone, she said, "Just exactly how many FQs did you buy?" And an email from my :) :) :) friend wondering the same thing! Geez ........ I don't get no respect! I guess I now have to extend my no-buy for two more weeks just to keep them happy!

But here's the best excuse of all for buying those FQs! I got the UGLY quilt done! I finished it yesterday, pieced the backing, made the binding, and delivered it all to Ginger at the quilt shop. She was laughing when I pulled it out and told her I thought it was ugly. Then another employee walked up and said how much she liked it. Go figure! Oh, well, it's done! I'm going start sewing on the blasted giterdun in about 15 minutes. Yep! Very soon I hope to rename that quilt the "gotitdun"! After doing the ducks and all those geese, the Irish chain suddenly doesn't seem so bad!

I just love the Nancy Halvorsen books and fabrics. I've been buying the books for years but have never made a single thing from them. The four FQs pictured just below the book are from her last line. I love it when fabric designers coordinate things so we can use our leftovers from one project in another. I guess it would be boring if they all did that, but every once in a while would be great! You could do that with a lot of the old Robyn Pandolph Moda lines. There are a couple of small projects in this book that I want to attempt. They involve fusibles and blanket stitching. I can do it! It'll be fun to try something new! In her Christmas book last year, there was a reindeer quilt that's adorable. Another one on my to-do list!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone. I think Jane and I are getting together a little later today. That's always fun! Daisy loves Jane, and totally ignores me when Jane's around! That little snooker! Thinking of Mom a lot today. I just might do the hokey-pokey for her!

Gratitudes:

~ A peaceful, productive weekend

~ A trip to the market last night for under 100 bucks!

~ "Mary Ellen's Best Press, the Clear Starch Alternative"

~ Finishing the Applique Club proposal

~ Smelling the wonderful jasmine in bloom!

Hanging my Head in Shame

I stopped by Ginger's last night-- just to visit with Jane, honestly! I don't know how it happened, but some FQs followed me home. I went in righteous and came out feeling like a quitter. But, oh, my, they are pretty.

So do I get kicked outta here? I think perhaps this fall off of the wagon won't count against me -- it was Christmas fabric, after all! Oh, wait, you're not buying that? How about it's a whole lot less than I would have gotten last month? Not that either, huh?

Nancy, what's my penance here? Because I can't think of a single rule that would give me special dispensation in this instance. (sigh) My name is Vicky; I'm a fabricholic.

The new A/C unit was installed yesterday, along with a thermostat that looks like it ought to be in the cockpit of a fighter jet. It was so hot yesterday, and when I got home the unit was completely off. I fumbled with it for half an hour before I figured out how to get it turned on. It ran wide open until about 10:00 when I got up and went to downstairs to turn it up some. At 1:00 I woke up sweating bullets. So back downstairs to turn it down. Again, up at 3:00 to adjust it again. I'm going to have to get them over here tomorrow to give me instructions. It makes no sense to me. Of course, this is the person who hasn't figured out how to work her message machine after two years. It's amazing that I can operate a sewing machine!

The smoke here is horrible. The fires at Griffith Park and at Catalina Island this week have really smoked up our valley. A good weekend to stay inside and sew!

I'll post a picture tomorrow of Ginger's shop sample. I think it's looking nice, although I'm not much into ducks. LOL. (Note to Vicky: Blog the mallard duck dance recital story some day.)

Gratitudes:

~ It's Friday
~ A Tiger tail from LSU! Thanks N!!
~ Tomorrow is giterdun day~
~ It's Friday (wait, I already said that)

May No-Buy Report

Proof positive that Daisy is a bad dog! She's got her 10th birthday coming up this month. You'd a-thunk she'd be over this! LOL

I'm still hanging in here. Nancy is counting down the days for us -- eight down, a gazillion to go! :) So far the only fabric purchase was that background last week. I feel guilty about that, but I know I'll use it for a specific project for which I already have the other fabrics. I'll just have to extend my no-buy for a week. Gasp!

The funny thing is that I really did go through the cyber newsletters that have been hitting my email inbox. None of the new fabric from market is singing to me. Now the new books and patterns - that's a whole nuther story. I keep telling myself they'll be there next month. I'm just going to hokey-pokey my way through May and feel righteous at the end. (rolls eyes here)

I've been working on this shop sample. I don't like it. It's a panel cut apart, sashed, with 92 flying geese on the border. That's where I am right now, geesing it. I cut the fabric per instructions before I really read through the pattern. The quick method they have printed is different than what I would have done, and involves an extra step that's driving me bonkers. I do think it's important, though, to follow the pattern on a sample. Another night or two should have those finished, and I can assemble this thing and get it out of my life. I want the giterdun to be finished this month. I'm exhausted thinking about my procrastination on it. Won't it be nice to be free to work on my stuff finally!

Alex's retreat in November -- I've been pondering whether I want to do the neutral quilt project. I've already got a neutral quilt, and I've got the White Christmas applique project in the works. That may be enough for me. No decisions need to be made now, but it's sort of bugging me that for the first time, I won't be doing the retreat project. Want to bet an FQ that I change my mind before then?

I've gotten some decorating done on the cabinet and quilt hanger that were hung last weekend. I tried to get pix last night, but all I kept getting was my reflection in the glass. Maybe this weekend with the lights off and the windows opened. I will say that there is a picture of Judy and friends taken at the quilt museum in Paducah that has been displayed up there. It's one of my favorite pictures of friends.

Approaching Mother's Day has me thinking about Mom. I miss her.

Gratitudes:

~ The daylilies are almost through blooming here. Such happy plants!

~ Checked the tire and it was just low; no nail in it.

~ It's hump day!

Lazy Sunday

I've been making flying geese all afternoon for a shop sample. I'm following the instructions on the pattern for their version of the quick piecing method, and it's real wonky. There are 92 geese. I'm about a third of the way done. But the task is much more pleasant sitting in my newly decorated sewing room! :)

A friend of mine designs applique patterns under the name LadyBaltimore Designs. This quilt is called "Birthstone Teacups." Each month uses the birthstone color for that month. She does beautiful applique. After being online friends for a couple of years, we finally met in person at Road to California about three years ago. And her husband is from Louisiana!! If anyone is interested in this pattern or any others, you can contact her at LBaltimoreDesign@aol.com. A really delightful lady!

Back to the grindstone tomorrow. Why is it that fun and relaxing weekends zoom by, and the weekends when I'm not feeling well or really busy seem to drag on forever? I realized today we have Memorial Day off this month, so I have one long weekend to look forward to.

Gratitudes:

~ That extra steak on the grill last night for dinner tonight.

~ Leftover strawberry shortcake! :)

~ Cool weather today!

New in My Sewing Room

I'm so excited that the wall above my sewing table has finally been decorated!

The gorgeous cabinet was made by Jace Weber. Judy has mentioned Jace and his fabulous workworking, and I've also talked about his work in a prior post on the Nelly table. (Scroll down for the Nelly story.) Jace and Sally's church holds an annual Lord's Acre Sale and auction. Jace donated this cabinet to that auction. Although we're half a country apart, I was the lucky winner of the auction! I asked Jace if I could order a quilt hanger to match the cabinet. Imagine my surprise when the quilt hanger arrived -- with a beautiful wallhanging by Sally! I'm just the luckiest gal alive!

Last night my friend, Jane, and her sweet husband, Jim, came over to hang these for me. Bless his heart, he pulled out the sewing cabinet and crammed himself between the table and the wall to get these hung! I'm thrilled that they are hanging just as I envisioned them. I had been saving that wall for something special! And they also helped me turn that thick mattress on my bed.

We had a great dinner. Grilled steaks, baked beans, potatoes, salad, bread, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Also andouille sausage and apple/chicken sausage. I was stuffed! What a fun day!

I've been so blessed with having these special people in my life. Sally and Jace , Jane and Jim - I love you!

Tomorrow I clean off the sewing table, arrange the cabinet and shelf, and I sew!!

I'm so happy!

Sewing Forward

Since I've been reverse sewing on this thing for two months, I'm looking forward to sewing forward for a change!

This was a mystery quilt from about four years ago. I think I blogged before about how the thread was looped on the back when I got it back from a quilter. I should have just chucked it in the garbage can, but I wanted a red/white/blue quilt. I'm going to get it requilted, and then wash it to get the first quilting holes out of it. It's not an important quilt in my life, but I was determined to get it done right. It's one step closer now to being marked off my UFO list! LOL

The Applique Club at my LCS that I mentioned last week -- this is something I suggested, and so I was told to put a proposal together. I've been pondering it. I think we need to see how many people would be interested, and then have a first meeting to discuss how to proceed. I was thinking that we could have a project that we all work on, or we could just have a stitch session once a month. All skill levels. I think it would be a great way to exchange ideas and to advance our applique skills. I'll try to get the proposal drafted this weekend.

I'm going to sew this weekend, probably Sunday. Jane and her DH might come over on Saturday. DH is going to hang a beautiful cabinet and quilt hanger that my friend, Jace, made. I can't wait to get those up. I'll be sure to blog a picture of them. Sally sent a gorgeous wallhanging on the quilt hanger, and I'm about to 'splode to get them hung!

Apparently I didn't shut Daisy's kennel door very snugly last night. About 2:00 this morning I heard a loud banging coming from downstairs. It woke me, and, frankly, scared me. That is, until I figured out what the noise was. You see, Miss Daisy Dog was out of water, and was banging her water bowl against the kitchen cabinets. Impatient little cuss! So I had to get up and troop downstairs, stand there while she drank, take her outside, and then securely shut her in the kennel. What was so funny that look on her face when I turned on the kitchen light. Jane knows that look ..... :)

May no-buy is progressing. I admit to buying a background yesterday, but I needed it so I won't count that. And I knew it would sell out quickly at the quilt shop. Jane okayed that special dispensation! But that's it. I'm good for the remainder of the month! Of course, I won't go look again at all the new patterns I want. You know the ones -- Bunny Hill Designs, etc. I just won't look at them until next month. Maybe I won't want them then. Yeah, right.

Matt, if you read this, I remembered how to post a picture! LOL

Gratitudes:

~ So tired that I'll surely sleep the night through
~ A notice from the condo management that I'm getting a new A/C and furnace next week. I'm sure they're more energy efficient than what I have, so therefore less utility bills/more quilty money! :) For June .......
~ "The Queen" on DVD
~ Stunning roses in full bloom everywhere!

I'm fixed!!!

Matt came and installed my fixed computer tonight, and also fixed the camera card/printer problem. So I'm all ready to start taking pix and, hopefully, have a much more interesting blog!

A couple of months ago, Jace and Sally gifted me with a quilt hanger that Jace made. The hanger along with a gorgeous matching cabinet will be hung this weekend, and I'll post pictures of them. But the night the box arrived, I heard Daisy making funny sounds. I discovered her with her head stuck in the batting that they used to wrap the ends of the hanger. Silly dog!

I just realized, doggone it, that I'm fixed just in time for the start of the May no-buy month! Whose bright idea was this, anyway? I've been reading a really thick book for the third time ("And Ladies of the Club") and I plan on reading in the middle of the night instead of coming downstairs and poking on the order buttons! That's my plan anyway! And when I'm done with that book, I'm going to reread "Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance." That's another thousand pages or so! (vbg)

Along with May being a no-buy month, it's also a sewing month for me. I've got the giterdun cut out and ready to work on this weekend, and another shop sample cut out for the quilt shop. When these two quilts are done, I'm going to quilt just for me for the rest of the year!!! Yeah, yeah, I know. I always say that. But I mean it this time!

I've been pondering an Applique Club for the quilt shop. I don't know. It might be fun to have a set day or night a month to meet up and sit and stitch. I'm still pondering that ...

Gratitudes:

~ Special thanks to my hero, Matt!!

~ Peaceful sleep tonight!

~ Checking in with friends I've missed for the past week!

~ Getting the A/C gassed up in my car just in time for the hot weather!