Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes

I'm facing the changes. Because I have to.

A lot has changed for me since August. I had a bad job. It made me crazy. I was having panic attacks daily and I went to the doctor and she diagnosed me with Anxiety Disorder and gave me some meds.

I have been slowly healing and trying to adapt to a new way of life. I didn't really think that I had much stress in my life, but I'm finding out that I did. All the time.  So, I'm feeling better, I have a new job, I joined two quilt bees to keep me being creative. I'm trying to make time for knitting and yoga and reading and just a slower pace, less swirly lifestyle.

I did make those double heelix socks, though... here's a photo:

I started a pair for myself, but they are in the WIP bag that I've been carrying around with me for months. Those are black and lime.

I also made a bunch of different sized x and + blocks for a quilt that I want to make. I had the ladies of the We Bee With It bee make 12.5" x and + blocks and I have 24" blocks and 6.5" blocks. I think it will be a lovely quilt.

I'm also in a traveling bee and I can't wait to make my night sky quilt. It will be star blocks in dark, dusky colors. I'm super excited to do the traveling bee.

I really need want to make more time for sewing and crafts. I have a lot of plans for this year and I hope that I can make them happen. More on that at another time.

Have a good night and make something!

Green

Lazy Sunday

On Sunday mornings, I like to relax with my coffee and some Pinterest obsessing and plan out all of the things that I want to make. Does anyone else get so overwhelmed by Pinning all the things that you want to make and not actually make anything? There's so much! So many great ideas. So many innovative techniques. So. Much. Beauty. It's a mind swirl.

Last week I started knitting a pair of toe-up socks with Cat Bordhi's Sweet Tomato Heel. I didn't make these zebra socks shown on the pattern book, but definitely something that is calling me (I just Pinned it - the obsession continues).

Aren't these AWESOME?

 

 

 

I just picked up some gorgeous, cheap, sport weight wool yesterday and #2 circulars for my next big project, the Double Heelix socks:

 

This pattern has daunted me for years and the other day I looked it up and, to my surprise, it made some sense. My heelix socks will be periwinkle/yellow and black/lime green. I think I'm gonna make a pair for Penelope, too. I hope the nature spun sport yarn works well and knits up soft for our tootsies.

I have been obsessing about quilts and haven't done much sewing other than some bee blocks in the last month. I really want to make:

1. A log cabin quilt
2. a flying geese quilt
3. a snail's trail quilt
4. a storm at sea quilt
5. a drunkard's path quilt
6. a monkey wrench quilt
7. a quilt with a leaf motif
8. a plus quilt
9. a union jack quilt
10. and the list goes on...

So many quilts, so little time.

I have also just taken on a ton of new work at my job. One of the event coordinators has left and I've inherited all of her conferences. October - November weekends will be completely insane. I will probably get some knitting accomplished but I can't take my sewing machine with me (too bad). I suppose this will be the year of knitted gifts.

Make something today!

Green

 

Making and Doing and not making and not doing

It's hard to have a full-time job and be a full-time mom. I'm really discovering that now. It's really, extra hard to find time to do any crafting, whatsoever.

I'm trying to remedy that as stitching is something that relaxes me and enhances my life.

I have been doing more knitting, lately. Knitting is so easy to carry with me. I have yet to find a more practical, portable project than a sock or a hat. I also love knitting in public. I get so many comments and excited looks that it just satisfies that performer in me. I do a lot of knitting at work, on breaks, at lunch and when I can get away with it, at webinars at my desk. I just started a pair of toe-up socks and can't wait to try Cat Bordhi's Sweet Tomato Heel.

I have also managed a bit of time for the odd sewing project. I made a tote bag for my mother-in-law as a gift when she came to visit at the end of May. It turned out okay. I drew my own pattern and it was a little wonky on one side, but... hey... it's an original.

I recently joined a quilting bee: We Bee With It and this month's assignment was scrappy Greek Cross blocks. Here's how they turned out:

I can't wait to make more - I knew that joining a bee would force me to turn on the sewing machine at least once a month. I apparently need that kind of outside motivation to do something that I love to do. Sad.

I can't wait to have more to blog about. I'm gonna try to link up to some folks later, if I can remember how.

xoxo,
Green

April Goal Setting

Okay, so... A lot has happened since I posted last month. I started back to work. I wasn't really planning on going back now, but it just happened that a great opportunity appeared and I couldn't turn my back on it.

On the sewing front, I didn't do anything last month. I don't think I got my machine out once in March with the exception of trying to fix my daughter's teeny, tiny Elsa skirt and mangling it completely.

This month I will finish my single girl quilt. Maybe it should be called procrastination girl. I can't wait to cuddle up with it once it's finished. That's going to have to be the inspiration that I need to get it done.

I want to start some projects, I was going to make a quilt for a family member that I've been meaning to do something nice for. I did promise her a quilt this year, so I really shouldn't squelch - seeing as I already said something to her about it.

Okay... So, I'm gonna finish up the single girl. I really will. I promise.

Green

March Goal Setting

This month I'm finally going to finish my Single Girl quilt. I was calling it Lazy girl, but I might have to change that to Procrastination Girl since it has taken me quite a while to get it finished. I have the whole top pieced and the main part of the backing cut and the batting cut. I just have to piece a section onto the back and make the sandwich and quilt that sucker and bind and then... then, I will be finished! I can't wait to have my own quilt to snuggle on the sofa with.

Set your goals for the month and don't forget to link up at the Lovely Year of Finishes.

Green

A February Finish!!!

My first finish of the year. I remember it fondly.... it was a few weeks ago, February 13th, the day before Valentine's Day. I had been planning to post about it when it happened, but I had a special date with my husband and the girl was going to her Bubbe's house for the evening.

wearing my heart on the wall

I love how it turned out. It's so scrappy - not a style that I usually work in, but I had purchased a lot of charms when I first started out, that I haven't been using, so I thought I would make something with them that I could have to look at, seeing as I like these fabrics so, so much. I did add some words in the quilting. Along the top and bottom edges there are English words like "love" and "kiss me" and on the left and right edges there are French and Spanish words like "j'taime" and "te amo" "da me un beso". I really enjoyed making this my own.

Linking up with the Lovely Year of Finishes.

Lacking focus - Lacking enthusiasm

I've been lacking focus lately. I have about four projects in the works that I haven't been working on. I have about three books that I'm reading and not finishing. I keep looking at Pinterest and want to make new things, more things, better things... And now I'm obsessed with LATTE ART!

Beautiful Rosetta

I have a fancy espresso machine and make a nice latte everyday, but I just haven't had the patience to learn to make pictures in my coffee - but I want to. Watching YouTube last night only got me more obsessed. I hope it wears off soon, because I really need to get to finishing some quilts.

I picked up some fabrics on Saturday to finish my heart and lazy girl backs/bindings. I think I have enough batting to finish. I hope to post photos of those on WIP Wednesday. I hope to start quilting on those today.

As a life long battler with insomnia, I have been getting to sleep unusually early and getting enough sleep for the last few weeks - I think it has something to do with drastically cutting down on my sugar and processed food intake. It's amazing how little caffeine I need, as well. I haven't been able to go through a drive-thru because my driver's side window is broken - that has made a huge difference in my life. Not being able to grab some unhealthy, sugary, caffeine-loaded, albeit, delicious snack when I'm driving my four-year-old around the city is just about the best thing that ever happened - ever!

So, today I will continue on my quest to get some sewing in and also for the perfection of microfoam for the top of my latte.

I hope you can get some work(fun) in today, too.

February Goals

A short month, and a lot of projects that I want to work on, with, hopefully, a few finishes.

I still need to finish up my lazy girl quilt - since it's for me, I'm not in a hurry, but it would be nice to have it completed. I did add some scrappy flying geese to two sides and I'm trying to decide what to use as a border for the whole quilt - I wasn't intending to add a border, but it kinda needs it.

I started some x&+ blocks today, and I'm quite pleased with how they are turning out.

 

The only thing that I'm not liking is that I wish I had cut some different fabrics. I have enough for nine blocks, but it has occurred to me that I may need to exchange some fabrics for others and I probably want to have about 35 of these blocks for a quilt. Not sure yet, though. 

I'm really enjoying making flying geese and I also want to make some more bags. I just need to purchase some lobster clips. I haven't been able to get them from any of the fabric shops that I frequent or Wal-Mart. What's up with that? Oh well.

I have to finish up some bee blocks that I'm behind on and I'm not going to commit to any bees this year. I did sign up for a swap, since I've only done a couple of fabric swaps - this is a pin cushion swap, so I'm kinda excited to see what I get and what I make. I am totally up to making things for swaps and hope to do some more this year.

That's all for today. Gotta get the girl outta the bath and the pizza outta the oven. YUM!

Make something, today.

Green

January 2014 goals

I missed posting my goals on the Lovely Year of Finishes - I missed January last year, too.  I decided to hold myself to making, at least, one quilt a month. This month, I would like to complete my lazy girl quilt.

These are the circles before I sewed them together.

Trying out different layouts.

I really enjoyed making these ring segments. My problem is that the quilt isn't as large as I would like it. I want to be able to snuggle under it on the sofa. I'm going to make some flying geese blocks to be the border.

It's so great to see all the scraps of things that I've made through the years.

I hope that I can finish this quilt this month. I'm also working on starting some other quilts to help my monthly finishes. It's a lot of fun to challenge myself to finish some works.

In more personal matters, I've given up sugar this month - it has been difficult, but not impossible. It's been two weeks today and I've only had one minor cheat - I had a bite of cake. It was chocolate mousse cake so it really couldn't be avoided. Linking up to Lee at Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday.

Make something awesome today!

Sistah's got a brand new bag!

I'm a little behind in my X-mas sewing. I just finished my sister's present. I've decided that I'm not going to be ruled by the calendar anymore (at least that's what I'm telling everyone). She got an ipad air and I made her a cute, little, zippered, sleeping bag for it and a messenger bag for her to put that into, too.

I love this fabric, Piper by Dear Stella, I mean, these colors? C'mon. Gorgeous. My sister loves purple, orange and green - I usually buy fabric for her around Halloween time. The green on the inside is a different line and I also had to use the glasses from Geekly Chic - so geeky and awesome. I used straight line quilting to add interest and the pattern is... well, there is no pattern. I made both items from my mind. I did look at some patterns and other designs, of course, but I didn't use a pattern to construct the bags. I just need to iron the whole thing and have her come and pick it up.

As I was struggling with making an adjustable strap, I found ChrisW Designs blog and her Bag Brag Tuesday posts. Great blog about bags - I enjoyed checking out all of the tutorials and there was a lot of helpful posts there, check it out. I will be linking up to her and to Sew Much Ado's We Did It Wednesday. I'll probably link up to Crazy Mom on Friday, too - since it is a finish (Whoo-hoo!!)

Make something today!

End of 2013

I can't believe that this year is almost over. I've been having such a great time. I have definitely gotten a little slack lately in writing my blog, but that's just the holidays, man. I've actually completed quite a few projects. I have two quilts finished in the last month and two embroidery projects (I love my new sewing machine) and I've started a bag and another two quilts. I'm busy, busy, busy - apparently, too busy to blog about anything.

Also, my daughter is turning four years old on Monday. I can't believe it. She's getting so big. Where have these four years gone?

I will post again for an end of the year wrap up along with my goals for next year. I'm gonna tear it up this coming year. I can't wait. This is gonna be  my year - I just have that feeling. So, stay tuned for greatness, folks. It's gonna happen.

Green

XMas WIP

I'm frantically trying to finish up some XMas gifts to ship out. I have completed the quilting on my butterfly garden quilt. I just need to bind it and make a label and then wash and ship to my MIL in Illinois.

Each section has it's own quilting design, so it took a little while to finish this one up. Plus, I was originally making this for myself and decided to give it to my MIL a while ago, so I thought I had infinite time to finish.

I used two layers of cotton batting in this quilt and I love the trapunto effect that it gives, especially when the quilting is close together - it really stands out. I also tried to do some new fmq designs that I was not used to doing.

My new machine is great at fmq, but today I was having a problem with the bobbin thread. It would get caught and then I would have to stop and cut the threads. I looked and there wasn't anything caught in the bobbin case. I dunno. I guess I'll figure it out later, seeing as I finished quilting. I can't wait to bind it and actually finish this one, tomorrow.

I'm also working on becoming a blonde, again. It is a process, seeing as my hair is very dark brown. I'm at the yellow stage right now after bleaching twice. I might have to bleach again, I just hope not for a few days to give my hair a rest.

Linking up to Freshly Pieced.

Make some Christmas.

Green

Craftsy

What is Craftsy? Craftsy is a worldwide craft community offering online classes. It also has a patterns marketplace where independent designers can sell their patterns; a supplies shop with great deals on yarn, fabric, and class kits; and a projects section where members share pictures of their latest craft successes. With over two million members and counting, Craftsy has something for just about everyone, in categories ranging from quilting, sewing, knitting, painting, photography, cooking, and more. Behind the Scenes: The Making of a Craftsy Class Before filming even begins, hours and hours are spent determining what content will be covered in each class, and how to best teach specific techniques to the camera. Instructors work with an instructional designer to create an in-depth outline of each lesson, and decide how to best prepare props or “step-outs” that show what your project should like at different steps. Instead of a scripted class, instructors follow their outlines on camera to create an authentic and engaging teaching experience. Most Craftsy classes are filmed in one of five Craftsy studios in Denver, CO, assuring that every part of the production process goes off without a hitch. They fly in instructors from all over the world to spend several days filming, then spend several weeks turning hours of footage into a two to three hour class experience that has been watched, rewatched, and reviewed by industry experts. The final result is an HD-quality video that takes you in-depth into specific topics in any given craft category- from cooking and fine art to sewing and knitting. What IS the Craftsy experience? Craftsy classes are designed to have all the benefits of an in-person class, with none of the drawbacks. Available online and on-demand, you always have world-class instructors at the tip of your fingers. You can retake the class as many times as you want, and the 30-second repeat feature allows you to watch the same section over and over again until you get every technique just right. Watching a Craftsy class is like having a first-row seat with some of the best instructors in the world. Even better, classes have a 100% money-back guarantee. Try online learning today with a free mini-class from Craftsy! Choose from 23 Free Craftsy Classes ranging from drawing and painting to sewing and quilting, from knitting to cake decorating and more.

So wotcha workin on?

WIP Wednesday in da house!!!

finishing up (backing/quilting/binding) this plus baby quilt.

finishing putting together my frugal girl top.  I have all the ring strips finished. Just need to cut the white and sew the circles together. Here's hoping that goes well.

Linking up with Freshly Pieced.

Make things.

Two weeks off - OVER. New leaf turned.

I recently took some time off from sewing and blogging. I just needed to clear my head (I think I actually came up with more things to do) and get away from things for a little while.

Today, I come to sewing with a new attitude and a new quilt.
My new attitude is: I need to sew/knit/stitch/create something everyday. If something is bogging me down that I don't want to work on - work on something else. The worst thing that can happen is that I make more quilts. I'm also trying to come up with ways to have my daughter help me. She is at an age now where she wants to help with everything and I get so down on myself when I just want to do my work (laundry, dishes, sewing, cooking) alone. I want her to do all of these things later on, so I need to encourage her eagerness to help and learn - it's just hard, sometimes.

Today I worked on two projects that my daughter helped me with. We are making a Single Girl quilt using our own template. I'm calling it our Frugal Girl quilt. It's made with scraps from all the other quilts that I've made and a few bits from bees and stuff along with a few charms that I've been hoarding. Penelope helps me by choosing the order of the scraps for the rings. It's looking pretty good, so far. I'm not usually a fan of scrap quilts, but I like seeing all of the small pieces of other quilts that I've made and remembering those quilts, etc... It's really like a scrapbook for me.

scraps in a heap

two quarter rings.

four quarter rings stacked and the rest of the scrap heap

We have had so much fun making this today. Just 12 more quarter rings to go and I'll have an 48-ish" x 48-ish" quilt. I'm hoping to have this one finished next week. We will probably start another top before this one is done. I'm planning a girl baby quilt for a friend of mine. I think I know what I want to make, but I'm not sure - I've been pinning like crazy the last few weeks.

Oh, I've also been using my new Brother machine and it is a dream. It basically sews by itself. I just have to line up the fabric. I'm so not used to this. Penelope likes to push the button to make it sew and she likes to cut the thread.

Another project that we finished is a blanket for Camp Snowball/Project Linus. Since I learned to knit 12 years ago, I've wanted to make blankets for Project Linus. It just takes me a while to knit a  blanket, but sewing a fleece blanket takes no time at all. I made my blanket in about an hour and I will drop it in the mail tomorrow. I sure hope a kid gets it and likes it. I'll have photos tomorrow (it's in the dryer right now).

Linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation (Hi, Kelly!)

Make some stuff with a good attitude.

Finish Friday - I Fixed My Sewing Machine

I wanted to post about fixing my sewing machine. It was a labor of love that I did out of frugality. I have never been afraid of looking inside of machines and figuring out how they work - I'm a bit of a grokker. I like to understand the "why" and the "how" of things. Once I opened up the sewing machine I was a little surprised - it is such a simple machine.

I thought I needed to open the whole case, but I just needed to open the bottom.

This was such a learning experience for me - and I forgot how accomplished I feel when I can understand something that many others do not.

I learned that when you think your machine is broken, it probably just needs cleaning and oiling. It is unlikely that a part is broken, but it can happen. The part that would break most often is the belt, or a plastic gear.
I learned about the timing of the machine and that is a simple adjustment of a screw lining up the needle and the hook, so that the hook is grabbing the thread after the needle is leaving the race. In fact, most new machines have a timing notch or lines marking the timing on the needle bar so that you can see the position the needle should be in as it's leaving the race.

My problem wasn't the timing, but I had a gear that needed cleaning near the race - there was a lot of cotton fluff that I blew out with a can of air. Then I removed the old grease with WD-40 and cleaned the gear really well and then I reoiled the gears and the race and it's working great, now.

If you ever need help with your machine, just let me know, I may be able to troubleshoot with you. Linking up with crazy mom quilts.

Now, make something - but clean your machine first!

My hat

So... I fixed my sewing machine!!!!! But that is not the point of this post - that will be the point of my next post, but right now, I want to enter my "Everyday Dishes" quilt in the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

Everyday Dishes

Nice collage

Back detail

I made this quilt for my three-year-old daughter. I have only made five quilts - this is the fifth. Everytime I was working on a quilt, Penelope would ask if it was for her. I finally started working on this quilt in October 2012. It didn't take very long to make the blocks and piece the top, but it seemed to take forever to finish a complete quilt. After making three more tops in the time that it took to baste, quilt and bind Penn's quilt, she stated thinking that I had forgotten to make her quilt. I finally finished it over the summer and she loves, loves, loves it. It is also nice to get to have a quilt in the house that I made.

I'm entering this quilt in the Throw category and I'm curled up under it as I type this post. Be sure to visit all the other lovely quilts in the festival. You'll be super inspired to create something for the next festival or finish up and enter in this one.

Keep on making stuff!!!

New sewing machine and Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies!

I'm dying to work on a sewing project and my machine is still broken. I did order my new machine and it should arrive in a few days - I'm very excited.

This will look lovely on my workspace.

I'm thinking about taking a class on sewing machine repair so that this will never happen to me again. It may also be a way for me to fix other machines and get some income going that way, too.

Last night, my husband and I went to see They Might Be Giants. I loved it. I have loved that band since I was about 10 years old. Very cool experience. We got right up to the front of the stage and I sang right along with the Johns. So awesome.

It's a cold, rainy day. We hardly ever get these in the desert. I think we will make some rainbow sprinkle cookies and spend the day in our pajamas. I just need to make a quick trip to Wal-Mart to pay for my sewing machine. YIPPEEE!

Once I figure out how to make these gluten free, we are having them.

Make something - if you can.

Green

RIP

My lovely sewing machine that I do all of my projects on has died. I have been trying to resuscitate her for the last week to no avail. My biggest problem is that I am cheap frugal cheap and I only paid $80 for the machine. If I take it into the shop, they will probably charge me that just to open the case.

I'm pretty handy and I've taken most of the machine apart several times, but I can't see any problems, there isn't any thread stuck anywhere that I can see and the timing doesn't seem to be off. I can't turn the hand wheel without using an incredible amount of force. The motor is working, but the machine is just stuck somewhere. I will continue to look for the problem, and I'm also ordering a new machine. That new Brother machine won't be here for about five days.

UGH! I have so many things I need to work on and want to work on. I guess I'm just on hold until I fix my Singer or get my new Brother machine.

If anyone has any ideas on how to fix my current machine, I would greatly appreciate any tips.

Thanks!
Green

Wednesday stuff

Hola! I have been trying to get to the sewing machine all day to no avail. I cut some strips last night:

because I wanted to make this, or something like it.

But I just can't get to the machine.

The quilting on my butterfly garden quilt is stalled. I did four blocks and couldn't do anymore.

I helped a friend make her Halloween costume over the weekend. I sewed up a hood thing for her Ezio Auditore costume. When I get photos of her in it, I will post.

I've got a bag of tulle and satiney material for a fairy princess costume to be worked on as well. When am I going to do any of this? Tonight. I promise. Tonight I will work on... something.

I saw this cool black widow spider yesterday. It caught a grasshopper. It's not there today, I don't know if my husband killed it or not. But it was quite Halloweeny

a good shot of the red on it's belly

she kept lifting the grasshopper up - amazingly strong creature

scary spider, beautiful, but scary

Linking up with Lee@Freshly Pieced.

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