Wading thorugh the UFOs

See Mary-Kate's quilt

2009-10-09T01:07:00Z

I hope I attached the picture correctly: Here is Mary-Kate's quilt all finishedwith a nivce binding. It is made from Winsome flannels by Nancy Halversen. It is a lovely fabric to sewon. Ihave TWO new babies to make quilts for. One is for a very special baby. His Dad and Mom were best friends with my son Josua. Rob had hust hung up the phone with Joshy and then saw the plane hot the buildings. At there wedding, my husband was the witness-signed the Ketuba, the Jewish wedding contract as Josh introduced Rob tO Rebecca.

Hope you like the quilt.

Finally home and back to work

2009-09-22T00:48:00Z

Dear husband and I spent September 11th on the road. we stopped early to go to synagogue as the date coincided exactly withthe Hebrew date for Josh's death. As tradition satese, we lit a candle and took it with us the next day, but we went to a beautiful synagogue in Savannah, GA. It was very healing to be able to put our pain into G-d's hands.

I have spent most of the last week trying to unpack and PUT AWAY everything we took from my parent's home. It is not an easy thing to do. Selling this home is very difficult and the buyers are extremely unpleasant to work with. Our agent is about to tear her hair out.

I am back to my "bucket" list of projects and hoping not to be sidtracted by all the wonderful new fabrics and ideas out there. Luckily <ggg> for me, I missed the Quilt expo in Philadelphia due to the Jewish High Holidays. I guess G-d knew I have too much to do to buy more fabric. I still have to fgure out what to do withthe second half of the Byside QAuiltling's Rosie panel I really don't want to make another quilt exactly the same as the first--the panel is says We can quilt it and the one I did says Keep on Quilting. but I don't really have anyone to give it to. I also need to buy the fabrics to finish it. Perhaps I will use it as the front of a tote bag. Any ideas?

I hope to have a few finished quilts pictures online next week.

Septmeber 11th-The day that changed my life forever

2009-09-12T01:33:00Z

I have not been quilting this week. First, I had to clean out my Mother and Father's home. There was so much I wanted to keep that my DH was about to just put me into a truck and take me to the nearest ward for unnecessary hoarders! Seriously, I did want the china and other art work that my parents had gotten over 60 years of marriage and travel. These are not "fancy' art but art done by local artists from every country they travelled to. One FULL Tahoe with a 6x8 Uhaul behind, we are on our way back home!

Of course today is the worst day for us. On Sep 10, 2001, my husband's good night to me was how lucky we were. Our 5 children were all healthy andhappy. What more could parent's ask for? Then came the call early on Sept 11th. "Some plne hit the WTC building and we can't get Josh! I'm so scared!" from Josh's college friends. Our beloved 23 year old Joshua was an international bod trader for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the Orth Towerl Before my eyes on live TV, he just disappeared. We later learned from a kind trader from Deutsche Bank, that our boy was on the phone makeing a trade with him when he cried that he thought a plane had hit the building and he was getting out,. that was the last enyone ever heard from our son.

This is a Mother's worst nightmare.In the days and weeks ahead we learned that he was alive for at least one and 3/4 hours unable to either get out or get any help. The emergency operators were clueless and it is suspected that he jumped. I have never really slept an eintire night since. BUT many kind quilters ssent beautiful quilts and teddy bears to the Cantor temporary offices. Local quilters brought quilts to my other children and my DH and me. These quiolts did help the hearts heal. I became a quilter one year later.

My DD and I made and were given 33 quilts that went to Israel the year of her Bat Mitzvah for victims of terrorism at Haddassah Hospital which treats all victims, Israeli, Arab and other. She delivered these herself withher 8th grade clasmates on her calss trip to Israel. It was difficult for us to let her go, but we knew it would help her to heal.

Today, I know many of you took a few minutes to think of the innocent victims. I ask you to give a minute to Josh and his co-workers, Tony, Frank and Tony, as well as DOn Havlish, BIll Gotshalk, Mr Berger and Mrl Bane and others in my nieghbor hood who lost their lives as well to Vic Saacinni, my neighbor who was the pilot that was hijacked and urdered as his plane wnt into the SOuth Tower. All loved ther families and their country and were loved by family and friends.

Jenn and I will be starting another quilts against Terror campaign this summer. The Joshua Reiss fund has donated to many children's charities especially those promoting lteracy-one of Joshy's true causes.

I will begin quilting and blagging next week after returning from Florida.

In love and for peace Judi

Tuesday and Wednesday

2009-09-04T04:25:00Z

Yesterday I actually spent most of my day regrouting the bath inthe condo that we own and my two sons use. We would like to sell and I thought that regrouting the bath would perk it up. It did and I wasn't that hard. BUT it was messy and it took time and muscles I did not know I still had! Then I cleaned up most of the pig sty they live in!

Today I had my darling and adorable granddaughter, Addison Joshua, age 20 months, for the day. We first went to "stage the condo as someone wantd to see it that evening. I bought new towels, bath rug and shower curtain at Target. Then I also bought and set out a table lcoth, napkins, my fall pear napkin rings and set the table. I added candles, straighten out the kitchen, rolled the towels and staged the bath. THEN the fools cancelled!

Addsion and I went to lunch like those ladies who lunch! She was so well behaved, I almost forgive my oldest son (her father) for all the trouble he was as a teen! We then went to A C Moore as I had a coupon that I wanted touse before it ran out as well as $10 in bonus bucks. SHe seemed to like the craft shop. Then we went to the mall to pick up her pictures. I am attaching one as she is so cute. Then onthe way to see her great grand mother, she promptly fell asleep.

I now know why young people have babies. I have aches all over from lifting her. I did manage to find part of my double wedding ring and cut out about 24 triangles for a stars quilt.

Tomorrow is another day and I am meeting a friend from high school that I haven't seen in 40 years. We knew eachother since about the 2nd grade! I will be going to quilt til midnight however and will have help getting paper dolls quilt worked on and hopefully will start the BOM that has been accumulating for 6 months!

Monday and another panel quilt done!

2009-09-01T02:23:00Z

First--Thanks Althea--I did not know that EB suggests the metal foot. Now I am sure that is what it must be. I also appreciate all the encouragement.

After cleaning my studio, some what, I now can't find my pattern for the Rosie the Quilter kilt. I usually keep the pattern with the kit in a bag, but the pattern was not in the kit and came later. I know that as soon as I but or get another one, it will be right there in plain sight! Must be one of those moments that say "DUH?"

Anyway, instead of starting that quilt today, I took a panel from Sandy Jervis of hears. i realized after I got it together, that it really could have been separated into two panels. BUT since I had finally figured out how to use the jelly roll that matched, I just did it as a long wall hanging. The jelly roll had only one of each fabric except for three of the designs. I made piano key border and then figured out a 4 patch for the corners.I am going to try and quilt this one myself. This will really be a trick. I think I am going to try and use machine embroidery for quilting. I only need a small heart pattern.

Since I just left 3 quilts. A bay sized, a table runner and a Wall hanging with one of the long arm quilters here, I just really can't afford another now. Anyway, I am not thrilled with this wall hanging so If I mess it up, I won't be too heart broken.class in Philly. I have lost 36 pounds so far and want to lose about 10 more - OK, I would love to lose 20 more, but I am being realistic about having to keep that much weight off. Learned about being realistic about keeping it off at class! I hope I lost something this week.

When I get home I think I will start milking That magic vine quilt.

Tomorrow is my weight management

Sunday's journey

2009-08-31T01:16:00Z

Today I actually began to clean up my studio. It still isn't what anyone would call neata, but I did make a dent in the chaos. I sorted my fat quarter and 10" 30'S. I didn't realize I had so many! I took out my Eleanor Burns Magic VIne book, found the preprinted interfacing and made a real list of what I need to make the top. I think I am going to make a queensozed quilt to cover a bed in one of my kid's ex-room. He has moved out!! (He's going to be 29) I painted he room Pwttery Barn's Spring Green and this seems like it would look good on the light oak four poster.

I really also got very lucky. I found the green grass fabric I was looking for! I found it at Tennesee Quilts by sheer luck. It was not listed with Google, but it was on Yahoo. It pays to use more than one search engine. When it arrives, I can quickly make up the Lacrosse wall hanging.

I had a problem while testing out the preprinted interfacing. I used an open toe foot in plastic. All the fabric puckered. I used several differnt settings ( I have a VIking Designer Diamond) This never happened before when I used peprinted interfacing. C uld it be the Plastic foot? I also have a metal one. Advice is always welcome.

Judi

Saturday-Finished piecing Halloween

2009-08-30T05:30:00Z

i did it! I got that cute Halloween wall hanging finished today on schedule. It is Midnight Mischief. I did not have the binding fabric so I spent all evening on the Fabshophop search site to find the binding to go with this. I found it and several other fabris from this collection. I will be sending this off to a long arm quilter this week. I can only stitch in the ditch well so I think I want something a little fancier.

If you are interested in makeing this quilt, look on the FabshopHop search and there are several shops that have ither kits or the panels and the other fabric needed. Some shops have this on sale, but you may need to shop several shops to get all the fabrics you will need. Of course, you can always use your stash.

I do need a bit of advice. I have been stitching away (as well as hand piecing and knitting) and my back was really sore. I try to sit properly and I have a great chair, but I am really hurting when I finish sewing each day. Any suggestions for easing this would be greatfully accepted and appreciated.

Are there any of you that are also trying to finish your UFO's, undone planned projects, or tryig to use your stash? Please post your lists and progress. Inquiring quiolters would like to know!

I can't decide what to start next. I am searching for Red Rooster's Sports World green grass. the attchment is a picture of the fabric. I want to use it for the background of the Lacrosse quilt fo rmy nephew. If anyone happen to have about a half a yard or even more. I will be happy to buy it from you. I have listed it on Missingfabrics.com. I have tried looking for it online, but no luck. If you see it at your local shop, please let me know where andhow to getin touch with the shop.

I will pick the next project and start finishing it tomorrow!

halloween quilt is about half way finished

2009-08-28T04:21:00Z

Had a good day today. I finished cutting out the Halloween quilt and even started getting it together. Have you ever had a pattern that is just too silly with the instructions? well this one is. It starts out great and then skips to a third pieced border without adding the second border. It instructs you to check the fit withthe second border!! I was not quite withthe prgram until I read further and reaized what The darned thing was supposed to fit to. A few choice words came out of my mouth, but since no one was around, it doesn't count!!
One other thing I learned was : When you put away a "kitted" pattern, remember that you may not get a round to it until after the fabric is no longer available. SOme how, I never got the binding fabric called forl i guess I can substitute this, but I haveno clue what I will use for a backing.

isn't it funny how we are so fussy with our backing? Our Mothers and grandmothers used muslin or whatever they could find or piece together for the backs. <GGG> Considering that they used what ever fabric they could find or afford, all the fussiness we have is too wierd. How would they react to all the fabric, time and "quilt police" among us.

I will have my adorable granddaughter with me tomorrow. As she is almost 20 months, I doubt she will be much help. AND since the panel isn't quite the size that is specified, I will have to adjust the piano key border. Still, all in all, I hope to finish this wall hanging tomorrow.

Keep up the great encouragement. My husband thinks I have just flipped out !

Got one finished

2009-08-27T00:24:00Z

I did it. I finished piecing the WInsome Baby flannel for new baby, Mary-Kate. I used my buttonhole stitch to attach the name and now all it needs is longarm quiolting by one of two fabulous quilters in my area. I just don't have the energy to quilt this myself, and their work is so professional and creative! Then all I need to do is bind! YEAH!! Flannel would just about do me in to quilt. Sorry and mea culpa to those among us who do their oen quilting.

I also finish and have ready to quilt a Timbleberries' table runner. This I will attempt to quilt myself. Please understand that I am NOT a great machine quilter. Matter of act, I have trouble just getting the things pinned properly. I love the piecing of all kinds, but the quilting is so tedious to me.

I started cutting out the Halloween wall hanging. My DH came home and actually wanted dinner .<GGG> I will get it all cut and hopefully started tomorrow. I plan to start early so I may get all or most of it done. Wish me luck

By the way, I am searching for a yard of Red Rooster All Sports green grass texture fabric. It is not made any longer. I am willing to pay anything reasonable.

Big weekend and big day

2009-08-25T03:57:00Z

I now have most of the baby quilt finished. It is a Winsome Baby by Nancy Halverson. It is the 2nd one that I have made. I just have ot zigzag around the name and one seam. I will put the borders on and finish it up hopefully by tomorrow night! I will post a photo as soon as I ge the top completed.

We took our darling (?) daughter back to college at WVU this weekend. She moved into an apartment that is on the third floor with no elevator! And she wondered why we were tired I am now 60--need I say more! Then we went to this fabulous wedding. It really was my BIg Fat Greek Wedding! I never (and I did event and party planning for years) saw quite that much and varied food! There were 8 stations of hot items and tow or three items on those. Four huge buffet tables with hot and cold seafood, cheeses, caviar, sushi bar, potato bar, a rost pig, and that was just the hors d'ouerves!!! then we had a four course emal. We had to leave before the VIennese tables was brought out for dessert! There were 12 bridesmads and at least 150 guests! The service was at a gorgeous Greek Orthodox Church and very beautiful. The couple are just darling.

The brides gown was a Penina from Kleinfeld's--Say Yes to the Dress Store! She is beautiful and so sweet and lovely. The groom i's father is a friend of my husband and he is adorable. WOW!

Today, I had my granddaughter for the day. Why didn't I have a grandchild first? It was so much fun. She is 19 months and so good!

Well I will be bakc to sewing and working on my Bucket List of to do's by Morch!

judi

I found the pattern

2009-08-14T02:20:00Z

I really looked hard at the picture and printed it out. When the leetering was legible, I saw that the pattern is sold by the designer, Bonnies Sullivan and is called All THrough the Night. I googled her name and went to her site and have ordered the pattern. I still am disappointed that Maywood does not offer any free patterns for this fabric line. They only offer a few of the patterns and use free lancers who charge for the patterns. I guess this is a sign of the times to keep fabric prices somewhat level. Well, that's another wuilt to ad to my list of things to do!

New day, still can't get going

2009-08-13T19:16:00Z

Well, it's a new day and I still haven't gotten any of my UFOs worked on! Is this something any of you have trouble with? i quilted and sewed everyday for years and due to turmoil in my oife, I began missing my Friday Nite group and my Saturday morning quiolting groups as well.

Now, I just can't seem to get started again. Once I start working, I am so happy. What is the matter? I know this summer here in SE Pennsylvania has been so cloudy band rainy and cool. Is it the summer with no summer that has me down?

Well, I must finish a baby quilt. I have only the embroidery and some finishing before it goes off to a machine quilter. I have used Nancy Halvorsen's Winsome Baby and am using her flannels this time. I made this for my granddaughter in the original WInsome. I made a acalloped border for that one, but this one will get a plain straight border as shown.

I did finish the embroidered ABC quilt but I used only one of the many square designs. I hope to embroider another set of ABCs and do the original one this winter. I can set up my Viking DSe or my Diamond to emborider and then sew on the other one. I also plan on making up a few of the kits that I have waiting for me. I also plan to finally conquer my fear of serging this winter.

Well, if I have to post my progress, I think it will get me back on the quiolting job! here's my list of quilts to be finished by next spring:

1, King-sized quilt seen in Quick AQuiolts using Lakehouse toile and bugundies

2. The Halloween quilt left over from last year will; hang this year!!

3.Hand finish the binding on my Rambling Rose King sized

4. Make that Chanukah wall hanging that I have been s]wearing to do for three years

5. Make the easy Mother GOose baby quilt

6. FINISH my DD's double wedding ring!!

7. Make my *** and Jane quilt..

8. FInish the BOM i have all the fabrics cut for!

9. Finish the flannel Ro Gregg that has been waiting for 5 years to finish

10. Finish the Paper Dolls quilt and find the missing BOM pattern for the costumed girl!

I think that is a big challenge for me. I will keep everyone posted and post pictures as I go along. I need your encouragement!

BIG GRIPE!

2009-08-13T03:53:00Z

I just saw a group of great fabrics, but not being much of a designer, I looked for a pattern using them. Well, I went to Maywood Studios web page and lo and gehold they have T=hree (3) patterns for their fabric line. BUT, while there are pictures, and the yardage amounts needed, there are NO diretins at all for any of the patterns,. I have nno idea what the finished squares are least of all even fair and sketchy directions.

How is this going to help most of the quilters? SO farm I cannot even find a pattern online at any shop. Is this any way to sell fabric?

Need some ideas

2009-08-02T00:59:00Z

I need some ideas. SO I figure many of the quilters out there are in the same canoe I am. I have lots of fabric and now I need some ideas how to use it.

Okay, I have a panel of Candy Kisses and a jelly roll to match. The jelly roll only has One strip of each fabric and that is not enough to do what I planned when I bought it. Guess what, I can't find more strips and I really don't want to spend any money.

Any ideas?

Post your answers and any ufo fabircs you need ideas for.