Everyone Deserves Music

I love this song by Michael Franti & Spearhead.  Last night was the first night I thought I could actually play some music while quilting.  It started when the kids turned on their music out in the playroom.  I was in the sewing room and got into a nice rhythm while the music was on and thought I should bring the laptop up and turn on pandora.  As I'm finishing up all the blocks for the zig zag quilt Everyone Deserves Music came on and I was reminded this is probably my favorite song right now.  What a great way to complete and fun night of Friday Night Sew In.   I should really thank the FNSI ladies.  Without them I really doubt I would have sewed last night.  Even though this was a short work week, it seemed like one that would never end.  After dinner I think I should start catching up on Project Runway all stars and then think I should go up and sew, since I do sign up and say I would.  The music and sewing made for a fun night and as time flew I was able to complete all 41 blocks for the quilt plus 2 extras!

I used a jelly roll for these blocks.  I haven't used many of moda's cuts of fabric.  I have used one set of charm packs to make coasters and I'm still using a layer cake to do a BOM quilt, which I'm a bit behind on but hope to get completed soon.  The line was Ruby by Bonnie & Camille.  I had brought this as a gift for someone but then changed my mind and gave her another gift.  Then I saw the zig zag quilt on moda's bakeshop.  They used a layer cake but one of the comments asked why not use a jellyroll that is when the idea to use the jellyroll I had to make this quilt.  I love the look of fabic "waving"throughout a quilt.  Here's a look at a possible layout for my blocks and all the fun blocks I was able to finish last night. 

I think this will be my Valentine's Day quilt.  The colors are perfect for this up coming holiday. 

Happy Quilting 

CDC

Martin Luther King Jr Day

I hope everyone had a nice Martin Luther King Jr Day.  I hope you had at little a time today to remember his dream and did your part to keep his dream going.  We did take some time out this weekend to talk to the kids about him.  It's tough explaining this to kids ages 3,4 and 6.  Thankfully they are able to understand wanting peace for everyone and also able to understand he had a dream.  I think if you look back on things he did so much to help improve things around here, we still have quite a way to go but things are still so much better.

I did get in some sewing this weekend.  I already showed off the two blocks for my new BOM quilt.  I think it should be quite a fun quilt with a nice modern edge.  I also enjoy surprises so I'm excited to see what February's blocks look like.  I did get the rock and roll table runner quilted.  I just need to get the binding on and then I'll show it off.  I also got started on the zig-zag quilt.  I have all 48 blocks cut out and was able to sew together 8 of them.  I still have away to go but having most of the cutting complete so really help improve my time.

I also took a huge jump and decided to make a fun retro dress.  I have very little dress making under my belt so I think I'll need to brush up on some skills before I start the dress.  It should be fun and I have really been wanting to try something like this since I first brought my sewing machine.  Blame Project Runway but making a really great tailored dress is something I have been dreaming about making so soon enough I'll do it!  It is a craftsy class.  What can I say but I'm becoming a Craftsy addict.  

This dress also got me into a new to me local fabric store.  Really how one so close to me opened quite a few months ago and I knew nothing about it seems crazy.  The French Seam is a great little shop.  They even had quite a great sale going on so I was able to get the dress fabric and the lining for quite an amazing low price.  I might even sign up for a couple of classes.  I also went to Jo Ann fabrics for the muslin and a few other things.  While there girl 1 asks if I will make her and her sister a dress.  Why not I think.  I need to brush up on some skills and now is as good a time as any.  So I got a simple pattern and let her pick out the fabrics.  Overall it has been a great weekend, hope that is true for all of you as well.

Happy Quilting

CDC

Craftsy

I'm really not 100% sure how I got started with Craftsy.  I know one day they sent me a discount deal of a Kona solid fat quarter set in purple. 

Purple is girl 2's favorite and also my sisters so I thought not a bad set to have on hand.  I bought the set and wasn't surprised to get more emails from them.  Many good deals were sent out but really I try and buy fabric only when I have a project in mind, so I didn't buy anything else on impulse.  

Then one day around Jan 1 I get an email about a free block of the month lesson. I was curious about Craftsy's classes and thought a free one was a great chance to see if I liked it.  I signed up and watched the lesson.  Amy of Stitchery Dickory Dock  is teaching the class and she seems very comfortable on camera and has a great style.  The first two blocks look quite simple so I decide I'll give this a try.  Oh then I had to pick out fabric.  Of course mind my goes right to the purple set.  I go up to the sewing room and look to see what fabrics to contrast.  Once up there I can't get my mind off of using orange but I really don't like the oranges I have with those purples.  Leave it to craftsy, I think it was the very next day I get an email for a blue/green Kona solid set.

Blue is my favorite and I love blue and orange together.  Alright I was sold.  Then worry sets in.  I have not actually seen these fabrics what if it really doesn't work and also the set goes into green so I need to move my oranges toward magenta.  I pull a few more fabrics and just hope it all looks good together.  A few days later the fat quarter set arrives and I love it!  I fall asleep that night and wake up hating the fabrics.  I go straight to the sewing room, I loved these fabrics when I went to bed so why do I wake up hating them.  I look back at my fabrics and relax, I do really like them together.

Last night I finally make January's blocks.  They are really easy and fun modern blocks.  Each month will well learn a new technique.  This should be a great quilting experience.  Here's a look at my first two blocks.

Happy Quilting 

CDC

A few things I would like to make.

There are so many things I would like to make.  As I mentioned in an earlier post I have a hard time staying focused on just one project right now.  I thought I would go ahead and show all of you a few projects I really would love to do.  Hopefully soon enough I will do them and come back and tell y'all the good, the bad and the ugly. 

• Fabric storage boxes
• Tea time apron
• Braided scarf
• Zig zag quilt

Happy Quilting

CDC

A few things I did today.

The day started with some really yummy sausage gravy and homemade biscuits.  The sausage was from a local producer, Smoking Goose.  It makes great gravy but I also think it will be great on a pizza so that will probably be the way I use it next time I get it.  I made the biscuits just a tad sweeter than I normally would since the sausage was a sage, apple one.  Overall a very rich but tasty was to start the day.
Next I was in the sewing room but not to sew.  I needed to clean this space.  Fabric was really everywhere.  Christmas fabric in piles, fabric pulled for the zillions of ideas going through my head.  There are so many I'm having a hard time staying focus.  I needed to get those fabrics out of the way and work with more focus.   I called my sister up because she has plans for a patchwork cape.  I thought while organizing the fabric she could see what I have for her to work with.  Of course that got her mind working in overdrive as well.  She was great and really helped me fold fabric.  I have the fabric all back on my shelves!  Now there is nothing fancy about my sewing area but I will show you a picture of this area in it's okay not really that neat but still 95% better condition than it was this morning.    This shelving was meant to be used in the closet but do to bad planning on my part it really doesn't fit that well in the closet and now is used in the corner of the room. 

My sister and I also worked on one other project today, wine making.  I started wine making just a little over 1 year ago.  Groupon had a deal for a wine making kit Dec 30, 2010.  This is easy to remember because it is also dear J's birthday.  The first one we made was a Chianti, then we made a Pinot Gris and a green apple Riesling.  The next one which is still being made is a Cabernet Sauvignon from fresh grapes.  Now we are also making a Zinfandel Shiraz blend.  This has been a fun hobby but plans are plans are in the works for quite a few more to be made and storage will soon be a problem.  J is planning to make some shelving so soon enough that will need to happen.  In 2 weeks the Zin blend will be bottled and then will we start a limited release South African Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon.  That will be about 60 bottles of wine with plans to make a California Petite Sirah/Zinfandel and also Spanish Matador Trio Red which will quickly push that total to 120 bottles and then the Cabernet Sauvignon should be really to bottle making that total closer to 150.  Oh my the tally is getting up there but that I will only need a few other styles and I should have a nice wine to match nearly every style I would want to serve on hand.  

Here's a look at the 2 wines we are currently making.

 And a look at the kit we used for the Zinfandel/Shiraz. 

Happy Quilting

CDC

 

New Year's resolutions.

As I mentioned on New Years day last year I made a fun resolution to start a blog.  This did lead to many new projects and friends!  This year I have a couple of things I'm doing.
First I'm cleaning out the house.  I will go slowly and work one room at a time and sometimes a closet will count as a room.  I will remove all the things I know we don't use or really don't need anymore.  I will donate everything in good condition, recycle everything else and if it can't be recycled then it's headed to the dump. 
The next thing I will try and do is finish some UFOs.  My goal hopefully is simple.  I'm just trying to finish one a month, if I do more than that it's a bonus.  I think I have 8 or 9 unfinished projects and many of those a really close to completion.  Here's a look at the first two, these should be really quick.

This one just need a binding and I will certainly accept some help picking out a good fabric for that.

 This one is a rock and roll table runner and it's just needs quilted.  The tan fabric is the back and the stripe is the binding. 

Happy Quilting

CDC

Another set of pillowcases!

Alright I know I have been showing off pillowcases a few times already, so you may be getting bored seeing the same project over and over but I am loving making pillowcases.  Dec 30 was my dear J's birthday and since they actual birthday party did not happen until yesterday I made him a set of pillowcases.  The girls didn't want to give uncle J his "real" gift until the party so I thought we should make him something he could open on his actual birthday. 

Dinner Dec 30 was meatloaf hamburgers, broccoli and cheese, mashed potatoes and apple upside down cake.  The kids didn't want meatloaf, one of J's favorites, but they gladly ate meatloaf hamburgers.  I think the pillowcases turned out pretty well.  It's hard to pick out good guy's fabric sometimes.  I couldn't help but love all the new spring fabrics out but certainly most of those had a feminine feel.  He thinks they look retro so maybe it's a good retro feel, maybe.  Take a look and see what you think.

Happy Quilting

CDC

Happy New Year.

Welcome 2012!  I want to take some time today to thank everyone for such a first great year of blogging.  Last year trying this blog was my new year's resolution and unlike many years in the past I completed my resolution goal.  It has been a great year and I am certainly excited for what 2012 will bring.  This year will be full of changes.  One big one is that the 3 kids I talk about are really my nieces and nephew.  I have been taking care of them for the last 2 years and this year they will be moving back home with mom and dad.  I am so excited for the kids but once they leave this spring I know I will have some sadness.  I know there will be many more moments of sadness and happiness throughout the year so lets all get through it together!

 Happy New Year!

 Happy Quilting

CDC