Friday, August 12, 2011

A Little Stitching And Some Boo


Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. 
~William James
I'm in the middle of three projects and two of them need to be completed within a week.  I have no fear that I will get them done but it is going slower than I anticipated.  I don't know why I don't start these projects earlier in the month - it's not like I don't know they have to be done.  I guess because what I'm working with does not excite me.  I'm a great procrastinator when it comes to un-fun things.  I am already looking forward to next month's Loving Hands quilts as I will be working with new little squares but this month I did a repeat of last month with the jelly roll race quilt and I'm not all that fond of the fabrics I selected.  They still need to be made as there are always new preemies in the NICU, so I'm off to finish up the three little quilts I'm making. 

=============================

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

National Navajo Code Talkers Day - August 14

Sunday is the day chosen to honor the Navajo Code Talkers.  Code talkers was a term used to describe people who talk using a coded language. It is frequently used to describe Native Americans who served in the United States Marine Corps whose primary job was the transmission of secret tactical messages. Code talkers transmitted these messages over military telephone or radio communications nets using formal or informally developed codes built upon their native languages. Their service was very valuable because it enhanced the communications security of vital front line operations during World War II.
The name code talkers is strongly associated with bilingual Navajo speakers specially recruited during World War II by the Marines to serve in their standard communications units in the Pacific Theater. Code talking, however, was pioneered by Choctaw Indians serving in the U.S. Army during World War I. These soldiers are referred to as Choctaw Code Talkers.

==============================

LINT REMOVAL


I forgot to share this pictures of the lint and thread that I removed from my sewing machine after I finished with the Colors Thru The Window quilt.  Would you believe most of this was under the bobbin case and from just one quilt?  This just goes to show you how important it is to remove your bobbin case and clean out underneath it.  Don't just brush out the top of the case and call it good.  It wouldn't take long at all for this lint mess to clog up your machine.

================================

TABLE RUNNER SWAP

Wednesday I finished up a table runner for the Quilted Table Fall/Halloween swap that I'm involved in.  For this swap, you send your swap partner 9 fat quarters of your fabric and they in turn will make you a table topper or table runner.  Joan sent me some wonderful fat quarters to work with and I created this table runner.....

Joan included a note with the fabric that stated Halloween is one of her most favorite time of year.

The colors are bit off in this picture (took it inside under artificial light) but you can see the quilting I did.  For the body of the runner I just stitched 1/4" away from the seam allowance.  In the border and border triangles, I did a echo straight stitch.

Again with the poor color and inside lighting but this shows the fussy cut I did for the center block.  I hope Joan likes what I created with her fat quarters.  I need to buy a couple of little extras and put a label on the back and then this will go out in the mail next week.

==================================

A COUPLE OF STITCHERIES

I have been diligently working on the Gardener's Journal stitchery blocks.

This block is called Potting Plants and will end up to be 4 1/2" X 5 1/2".  I have been over sizing the blocks so that they fit in my hoop easier and will cut them down when it is time to assemble the quilt.

These three little seed packets were fun to stitch.  And, not surprisingly, this is called Seed Packets.  This block will be 2 1/2" X 4 1/2" when cut down to size.
Annie Downs includes a fun little story with each block that has me giggling each time I read them.

==================================

TWO MORE PRACTICES

You are probably getting bored with all of these FMQ squares.  But I want to document them so I can look back and see how I've progressed or regressed, depending on the situation.

Wednesday was Hardwood Floors (I almost wrote/sewed Hardwood Floods).  Some of my wood planks were rather rough cut and you could probably lose something valuable in some of the spaces between the boards.  Oh, and I wouldn't have to worry about water puddling with the slope I ended up with - LOL!  At least it didn't tax my brain and I felt rather comfortable with this practice.

Yesterday was Dresden Daisy.  This was a fun practice.  Some of my daisies are really original in their shapes but it was still fun to make and my lines across ended up fairly straight.
I have decided to skip some of the designs that I know I will never use and seem to be repeats with just a slight variation.  I want to practice but I don't want to be bored.

==============================

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish quilting the three Loving Hands quilts so that I can maybe sew the binding on over the weekend.

=============================

GIVEAWAYS

Everyday Beautiful is having a giveaway.  You could win a bundle of Heirloom fabrics in the Amethyst colorway.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 17.

The House on the Side of the HillWant it Need It Quilt.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 17.

Hawthorne Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win a Farm Fresh layer cake.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 17.

A Quilting Reader's Garden is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Poster Quilts by Patrick Lose.  A winner will be selected Wednesday, August 17.

Country Creations by Denise is having a giveaway.  You could win one of Denise's Happy Halloween trees.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 1.

The Drawing Board is having a giveaway.  Here is another chance for you to win a GO! Baby cutter.  The winner will be drawn on Monday, August 15.

Jackie's Art Quilts is having a giveaway!  You could win a surprise bundle of fat quarters.  This giveaway ends ?

Random Thoughts do or "di" is having a giveaway.  You could win a Little Apples Jelly Roll from the Intrepid Thread.  This giveaway ends Thursday, August 18, at midnight PST.

Woolie Mammoth is having a giveaway.  You could win a sweet kit I put together with Coffee fabrics.  This giveaway ends possibly Saturday, August 13.

Have you entered my Blogiversary Giveaway?  You only have a couple of days left to enter.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 14, at 8:00 pm PST.

==============================

FINAL THOUGHT

The weekend is once again upon us.  So much for the relaxing weekend like we had last week.  Saturday is a go-go day.  Many little errands that have to be done along with an ALS Support Group meeting and getting some blood work done (hopefully I'll get somebody that can draw blood with the first stick).  Sunday will probably be a stay at home day but then there's those loads of wash to do and general picking up around the house that I let slide during the week.  I hope to get some hand sewing time in - it might be a must just to keep me awake in front of the TV.  Do you have big plans for the weekend?  Are you going to do something fun?

There aren't enough days in the weekend. 
~Rod Schmidt



25 comments:

Barbara said...

Love the little table runner! Halloween is indeed just around the corner. Walked into JoAnn's and was amazed that summer is nowhere to be found. It's all fall colors and pumpkins now. Also love your FMQ, but I promise, no more gushing about it. It just gets better and better, which has become a given, so I'll just enjoy it quietly. :)

Melody said...

I just adore those little garden stitcheries. Have a great weekend.

Little Penpen said...

You are a busy little bee! I love the table runner you made for the swap. I'll bet the NICU quilts are adorable. I worked in NICU when I was a young nurse, and we used to have so much fun making clothes for the babies. Quilts would be even more fun! :o)

Maria said...

Yep I am like you at present. Working on a project that does not excite me but I must finish it.
Halloween is not a big thing in Aussie. Enjoy your swap.
Lovely stitcheries and your FMQ is getting better.

Cheryl said...

You have been busy as usual! I love the table runner and you did a great job on the quilting.
There is a code talkers exhibit at the Burger King in Kayenta, AZ...worth stopping to see.
Have a good weekend. It will be our last here in Colorado. Heading home on Monday for 2 weeks, so I'll be busy getting organized.

Sarah Craig said...

You have been so busy this week! I'm having a sleepover with my granddaughter tonight, then hopefully, since it's cooler, we'll be able to get the boat out this weekend! Then it's the County Fair Sunday night for a huge worship service with our church!! Busy days.....

Needled Mom said...

You did a great job on the table runners. I love the pattern.

Your FMQ is great. I love the flowers.

Your garden stitcheries are so sweet. You are doing a terrific job on them.

Good luck on the blood draw. I hope the weekend is better after that.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Love the fussy cut table runner. Cute stitcheries going. Daisies on a strand is always a good FMQ filler.

My weekend will be the x-mas quilt along and some housecleaning. Boxing more blocks,fabrics and flimsies to send off to Sarah - I will never use them all.

Quiet Quilter said...

Good for you, Linda! You keep churning out those projects and all look so good! You are so with it!

Barb said...

Good luck getting what you need to done....I know you said you would get it done but sometimes when I know I have to have something finished, well...makes it a chore. Love your FMQ

Cheryll said...

You did a wonderful job with the fabric... the runner is fantasic!
And as I haven't visited for awhile I've noticed a definite improvement in your quilting practise. You'll be able to teach soon..you'll be THAT good! LOL! Keep it up..I'll have to go home and follow your lead I think!
Cheers

Megan Harmeyer said...

You're getting so much better at free-motion quilting! That table runner is CUTE!! How do you get anything else done with all this work? Saturday will be fun for me...we'll see how I feel about it on Sunday. And I'm looking forward to seeing C&B for lunch on Sunday - I'm kinda glad it's only a few hours. LOL Talk to you Sunday afternoon!

Char said...

I love your stitchery.

I think your FMQ looks wonderful. I can see lots of improvement. Way to go!

Lynda said...

We have been so busy at work this summer that I seldom have time to look at blogs. Today I have had a blast reading blogs for the past week! It has been good to catch up.

The Halloween table runner turned out so cute. Love how you fussy cut the pumpkin in the middle block.

Your little stitcheris are so cute. I gave up a long time ago doing that. My last project with Tonya at Hillbilly changed from hand stitching to paint!

I can really see the progression of your FMQ. Looking great.

As always, I love all your hexie flowers. Someday.......

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

What a cute table runner! And I love your stitcheries. Good luck with the blood draw!

Joanna said...

I love the face on the gardener in your embroidery - she is too cute! And so is the Boo runner.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Your stitchery is so cute and your quilting is really looking good.

Fiona said...

I had to do a bobbin clean this week too.... amazing how the lint gathers up quickly..... I can see improvements in your FMQ.... and the stitcheries are great..
Hugz

Miss Hillbilly said...

You did really good on that dresden daisy. I am impressed!

Barbara said...

I don't get tired of your FM at all! I think you're doing great!

quilterliz said...

G'day. The tablerunner is so lovely. It's a great design. I am a big fan of Annie Downs. I have made a few of her patterns. Take care. Liz...

Unknown said...

Linda, that stitchery is darling! You do have many projects going. Love the Navajo Code Talkers history. Had heard a wee bit of this.

Would you be so kind to leave a comment on my BLOG ONLY, for the Miracle Makeover fund drive. Charlie, 8 yr. old, & his story are fabulous. Every comment brings us a $1 for the next person that will be sponsored.

Have a beautiful weekend.
Hugs,
TTFN ~
Marydon

Jessica Defibaugh said...

I LOVE the Halloween projects! Great Job with the quilting. I am also in love with at home Quilting on my domestic sewing machine.

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

I love your table runner. Hope you've had a lovely weekend.

Bev C said...

Hello Lindi,

You have been busy sewing. Love the tablerunner especially the fussy cutting. Your fmq is moving right along isn't it.Good job on that.
Hope you had a great weekend too.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...