A finish for myself!

Well I am home sick today  I woke up with a terrible headache and well it has me down for the count.  My head is feeling better, but I try to do anything and I get very dizzy and extremely sick to my stomach.  I have wanted to sew so bad all day, but I just can't.  I hate this, but it is what it is.  At least they are getting less.  I go back to the clinic next Monday for a followup on the botox.  Then next month for the 2nd round.  I wish there was a cure or whatever for migraines, but not so much.  I pray that my daughter will not have to go through this.  I am the first in my family to have them, and "they" say they are genetic, but I suppose they had to start with someone at one time. 

So enough of that.  I did manage to uncover from my newly finished quilt long enough to walk to the deck and photo it.  So here it is a quilt I actually made for myself!  I am calling it the reversible quilt, the front is a jelly roll using the jelly roll jam II from the fat quarter shop.  The back is just a layer cake all sewn together.  The fabric line escapes me, but I do love all the colors.  I boarded the front in linen, and that is the 1st time I have mixed fabrics and I really liked it.  I quilted it in straight lines 1/2 apart.  I really like how that turned out.  It was bound with just a brown binding most likely Kona something.  So there it is:  

 

This is the front.  I love how it all worked out and the colors.  It is just fresh and crisp!  It is all country colors, which we all know how country this house it :).

 This is the back and I love how it looks as well. 

 The binding.  I have gotten so much better about binding.  I had put a quilt in the fair and actually won 1st place with and they picked me off about the binding so I have been practicing.  

I just noticed I never told you about my fair win.  First time ever enter a quilt into much of anything (I donated to a friends auction) and I got 1st place and $5.

This is the hemisphere quilt.  I tested this pattern and it can be purchased here.  This is the most challenging a favorite quilts I have done.  I love it!

Needless to say the $5 came about 2 months later, and I had no idea it was coming or anything about money at all.  In fact I literally thought it was a bill for an entry fee.  I say it and was so excited!  My husband laughed and laughed at me saying he bet I have never been excited about $5 before.  It was great and it made me feel good about my work.  I will enter more quilts, even thought the older crowed is not all that friendly to me about it up there, and it would appear that if you don't hand quilt well then you are not a quilter.  Well my $5 says different lol!  I don't look to ever win Grand Champion due to the aforementioned issues, since the judges are this particular older crowd.  These are the reasons I love the bloggy world because it is really my only support network on quilting.  Thank you all!!  Have a wonderful week!

Around the World Blog Hop

I was tagged by Zenia at A Quilted Passion.  Please stop by and visit her space on the net.  

You may have seen posts regarding the around the world hop, if not it is a way to meet and greet bloggers from, you guessed it around the world.  If you get tagged you then try to find 3 other bloggers to tag.  I could not find 3.  Most of the people I asked have already done the hop, some just didn't want to, and so I have one.  It doesn't matter how many you have.  I have seen where people just left it open to everyone who wanted to,so if you are reading this and the mood strikes then just roll with it!

 

The hop has 4 questions you answer so lets get to it!

 

 

1. What am I working on?

Oh me!  I am working on a mystery quilt, and stuff from 2012 lol!  Lets just leave it at that.  I am in the process of finishing up a jelly roll jam quilt.  I am calling it the reversible quilt since I am shopping my stash, I used a layer cake of the same line on the back and love it.  

 

 

I used linen on the boarder and love it.  I did straight line quilting 1/2in apart.  Here is the back:

 

 Not the best pic, but the sun was not working with me very well.  I am going to bind in a deep brown.  I have the binding sewn together but not pressed and all. 

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Humm that seems deep.  I am not sure it does differ except that it is my work, and I put my own spin on things.  

 

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

Because it is something that I hold dear to my heart.  My grandparents quilted, together even.  I just feel that it is a part of our family I do not want to fall by the way.  I love, love the quilts I have from them.  They are something I treasure.  I want to share that.

 

4. How does my writing/creating process work?

Well I tend to go about it, by thinking about the person I am making something for.  I think about them and look at my stash.  I find some fabric then I just start looking at the fabric and it just goes from there.  I am not sure I have done it the other way (find a pattern and go that way).  It has always been the person 1st.  Unless I am testing a pattern of course.  I actually have most of the items I have made pattern testing, so there ya go!  

 

So that is a little about me.  Please head over next Monday to find out about Leona at Leona's Quilting Adventure.  She also has another blog Quilters for Chemo, so please check that out as well! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, and that everyone is enjoying this shifting of seasons! 

Quick post

Happy Weekend!

Just a quick post!  I have been super productive today!  Finished my bee block:

How cute is that?  I am also quilting a quilt bigger than a baby quilt!  I was thinking I have not finished a quilt this year that was any bigger than crib size.  What a slacker!!!  So pics of that to come! 

Now to what I wanted to jump on here and post about.  Aylssa at Pile-O-Fabric posted today about a lovely project she is starting.  I immediately signed up so go here and read about it and join in!

Have a great weekend!!!

Life beyond Quilting

It has been on my mind for sometime the commonality I see and feel about the change that takes place when people get married.  I am married to a wonderful man, and we love each other dearly, but I know that I have become lazy and comfortable around him.  I asked myself recently, "why am I such a slob and don't care that he sees me in my less than fabulous self?"  Now I have a small child and I had her when we were dating so that hasn't changed.  We did build a new house last year, but really I had a house before so that really hasn't changed.  I have always worked so that hasn't changed.  So what is it that has changed?  An example of the change of marriage I refer to is this:  I can't see, like really can't see.  Without contacts or glasses I can not see the BIG E on the eye chart!  Don't get me wrong I am oh so grateful to have corrective lenses, but, my hideous glasses are huge and thick and make my eyes look way too small for my face.  I DO NOT wear these in public at all for anyone, but I will just rock them all day at home and not care.  Which is the comfort part of marriage I refer too.  The lazy part, and I am totally telling on myself, is shaving my legs!  I am very tall and have long legs and it is a process to smooth these babies out!  I am not saying I am a woolly mammoth, but I for sure push it especially during the winter months!  When we were dating I was really up on this and would be so embarrassed if I noticed I missed a spot.    This is somewhat comfort but mostly lazy.  So I say all that, to ask, What is it about marriage that totally changes ones behavior in regards to the the relationship we are in and the effort we put into ourselves? 
For me, and I may be the only one, it was like a oh we are married now so where are my nappy sweat pants and ratty t-shit!  I have been trying to track this down as to when exactly I became a marriage slob!  I think in my case it was gradual, with increasing intensity.  Now don't get me wrong not all of this is a bad thing.  It is a blessing to have someone who loves you and thinks you are beautiful as a slob, but should that make me put forth no effort at all.  Now if we get a date (rare) then I dress up do my hair and actually wear makeup.  I do this on Sundays for church also.  To continue with the rare date, why so rare, as I said we don't have any extra kids that we didn't have while dating, so why can't we date anymore. Oh we don't want to spend money on that, but why we did before.  So I hope you see the pattern of what I am calling the marriage slob transformation, has taken for me.  Now we have no actual marriage problems, at all.  We rarely even argue, we are best friends, and I truly believe soul mates (you can throw up now if you want).  He totally gets me and is ok with that lol! Rare find indeed.  So I had always seen these "oh marriage is hard work" statements, and Lord knows I have been there before and it didn't work out.  I don't really feel like we "work" hard to be happy, but maybe I have missed something.  Maybe this work I always heard about isn't working at the marriage as a whole, but working on keeping yourself from becoming the lazy, comfortable, complacent marriage slob.  Hummm LIGHT BULB moment for me, as I was shaving my legs this morning, for church tomorrow  (not with my husband in mind)!  For me specifically,  I don't want to speak for him, the work I need to do is to make myself feel sexier, so I am more receptive to his perception of me as being sexy.  He says I am all the time, and when I am in my miss matched pjs, glasses and crazy hair, I can't help but think LIAR!  I know in my heart that he does see me that way, although I don't know why. So if I was to work on myself and not being a slob and feeling like a slob then I think we could be teenage loves again lol!  That is what we always said while dating we had teenage love.  The kind where you  have to be up each other's butts, touching each other,  and making everyone else sick to watch kind of love.  We are still that way to a point, but it too has become lazy and comfortable.  So does anyone else feel this way?  Am I alone in my marriage slobbery?  Now I know if you have new kiddos and other responsibilities different than when it was all fun and games dating it would be a different deal.  We are not in that situation at this time, so if we ever do decide to have a baby I don't want to fall further into slobbery.  I need to "work" on my marriage by working on myself! 


Side note:
I know this post has absolutely nothing to do with quilting or anything, but most of us are wives and mothers, and I have really been wondering if I was just a mess.  I figured this was an issue with others, and like me you may have never even thought about it like this.  It could totally just be me I am a weirdo so that is ok too! 

I have been sewing and am actually about to finish up a quilt soon so more on that another time!!!

Hello

Well it seems like every time I post it has always been a long time.  I have struggled with posting lately because I wasn't sure if I wanted to throw all my baggage out there.  But here it goes:

I am a migraine sufferer.  It has been on going since I was about 17.  I have tried lots and lots and lots of things.  I am not a good pill taker (not as in a pill popper);  I do not like taking pills, and I can never take more than one a day.  I just can't keep up with it, and am on the go so much.  The headaches have become increasing worse of the past few years.  I had been going to the only specialty clinic in AR, and well they closed.  They closed due to Obomacare.  I am not getting into politics just stating facts, as that was from the horses mouth as to why they closed.  All the Doctors in that office could retire and did.  My specific Dr told me I would have a hard time finding someone and see more and more specialist retire or stop practicing all together.  Well he sent me to a friend of his and I went to 1 office visit and got the letter; he too was retiring.  I was crushed.  So now I drive 3.5 hrs to another state to the closest headache specialist clinic, and well I have made him promise with a blood oath he would not retire soon!    So now what.  Well we talked about a lot of stuff and all the meds I have tired, normal visit stuff.  He wants me to try Botox injections.  I was like I don't know about that.  We discussed this for at least an hr.  I then have researched and quizzed people who take them, and well fast forward I go tomorrow.  31 shots in my head!!!!  yes that is a 3 before the 1!  I am pretty nervous about the whole thing to say the least.  Oh and he put me on a Gluten free, low carb diet, so yeah I eat nothing!  So I have been dealing with all that for a while now.

I haven't gotten to sew very much with all this driving and regular summer type stuff.  I remain a month behind on my mystery quilt-a-long, which I am pretty proud of.  I have been doing my bee blocks, and Oh I won a whole bundle of dreaming vintage fabric and aurifil box with Jeni Baker's favorite things collection.  I am loving that!!  I have started knitting, or tried to start.  I have also been canning like there is no tomorrow.  We have 80 quarts of pickles.  We are still picking about 80 tomatoes every other day!  I even made 12 half pints of pear jelly.  I guess we are on a roll.  I just can't stand to waste anything out there!

Well that about catches you up on things here.  I am hoping to actually finish something soon.  I have two tops that need to be quilted.  I just feel like I am so terrible at that and don't even want too!  lol

Aug Bee Block

July Bee Block

June bee block:  My month

Mystery Quilt block July

Awwe Summer!

Wow it has been awhile!  I just haven't felt interesting or interested at all lately!  I think with my daughter's illness I have just been blah ya know.  She is better, but something is still off to me.  I can't place it really, but a mother knows.  We go back Monday to Children's Hospital and will discuss more I guess.  I have done some sewing this whole time.  I am really enjoying doing the quilting bee.  It is super fun and I have seen a lot of really cute blocks.  This is my month to be Queen and I am super excited.  Here is the block I did:

We also got the 1st clue in our mystery quilt along, and this is what I have so far:

Super bad picture I know!  We get our next clue tomorrow!!!

I have another quilt I pattern tested!  Wall hanging size.  I really need to quilt these and do something with them!  I just hate my FMQ skills (or lack of) and it is hard to motivate.  I have been toying with sending one off, but just can't make myself do it when I am just being lazy!

 I am learning how to knit also.  Wow who knew how hard that is?  I am finally getting a little smoother at it and just doing one stitch (knit stitch).  My sweety pie doesn't like me in my sewing room all the time and "ignoring" him, so now I can sit with him and knit.  Bless his heart he just likes us in the same room :).   I crochet already but found a whole knitting mother load at a yard sale for a dollar, so boom!   I am learning with Craftsy.  I think the course is called knit lab.  I love Craftsy!  I have decided to also not over extend myself on sewing.  I got a little overwhelmed when I tested 3 patterns back to back and overlapped.  I also had a baby present and such all at the same time.  It kinda stopped being fun for a min.  I also desperately and let me just bold that for effect DESPERATELY need to reorganize my sewing room. 

OH how could I have forgot (well because it is still in the box because of the above statement)  I got a new sewing machine.  Well a new old one.  I believe it is  featherweight, but I need to research it.  I will post all about it sometime. 

Well if you are still out there reading my ramble thank you!  Also I was wondering how you other bloggy folks went about getting sponsors.  Did you contact them or other way around?  I have had a couple contacts that seem pretty fishy and not any place I know, so I didn't respond. 

I also have been gardening, work is busy, and we just moved our horses from the other farm to here.  I also have been canning some jam:

I almost for got I pattern tested this for Pile O Fabric and Love it as my machine cover!!! 

Well what else.  Oh personal best at couponing last night saved $140!  We had literally not been to the store since February and we were so low in the stock pile! We were so low in fact the sweet one decided he wanted to go and kept asking me when we were going shopping.  HE HATES coupon shopping and wanted to go!  It is a family event we all go and all clip and sort coupons.  I am the one who organizes the coupons and makes the list and matches with ads etc, but everyone has to play their part. 

So that about does it for me.  It really sounds like I have been super busy lol!  Well I hope all is well with each of you and thanks for hanging around!  Blessings to you all!

Finally Breathing

Well since I last spoke with you we have been to the hospital yet again.  We still have no idea what went on with my daughter, but she is a least doing better, so thank God for that.  Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. 

So I have actually gotten some sewing done.  A few items I had to hurry and get them done and sent out so I forgot to take pictures :(!

I do have a project that I can show you now.  I have been patterning testing my rear end off lately.  I have to say I really like that.  It challenges me and forces me to have to do things I might not have tried.  Also love the quilts I have done.  Here is one that I can show you:

This is the front

 Ok so looking at these pics you really can't tell the colors.  It was a snowy day when these were taken.  The background is Kona Snow and the other is a bundle I won from the hemisphere quilt along.  Awesome!

back

 

 

Although the backing looks blue here is is a lovely purple color and I used Kona snow as the focus on the back. 

This pattern is called Modern Morocco by Aria Lane and designed by Tara Knight.   Very lovely pattern, and after the cutting it comes together pretty fast. 

These next ones are some bee blocks I have finished and actually got pictures of before sending lol.

I know you have seen me talk about my FB group I belong to Sew Swap it, well, we are starting a mystery quilt and there lovelies are my  fabric choice (super excited):

So that is what has been going on here.  I did just finish FMQing a baby quilt, but alas I can't reveal it, as it is another pattern I am testing.  I am not at all good or even decent at FMQing.  It is so sad really!

Please love on your kiddos!  I tell you, you do not know what a blessing it is to have a healthy child!  God bless you all on this lovely (here anyway) Easter Sunday! 

Hardest week of my Life!

Well this has been hands down the hardest week of my life.  My daughter was taken by ambulance to the hospital on Monday the 24th and we made it home last night.  She had all the stomach issues (up and out) and 103 fever with sever abdominal pains.  We went to our semilocal hospital and was then transferred 3 hrs away to out states Children's Hospital.  We still do not know exactly what the issue was/is.  Her symptoms have gotten less sever and her fever finally stopped.  They believe it was a sever viral infections that hit her extremely hard, damaging her stomach lining.  There were several moments they believed it was the gall bladder and a surgical team was on standby.  There was one very serious moment when we were waiting on a red blood cell test for something very serious.  I did not see outside for 6 days, and slept in what has to be the most uncomfortable chair ever made for 5 nights.  I got very frustrated with drs (to the point they sent a psychiatrist to talk to me, and begged my parents to take me to a hotel to rest).  I was a mother on a mission and I wanted to know in detail everything that was being done and why.  Apparently that is not the norm.  Needless to say we all got on the same page and I feel great about what it is not.  They have sent samples off for test that will take a couple weeks to get back hoping to find what caused this and if it will ever return.  I will tell you if you ever think you have a tough time of things take a trip to a Children's Hospital and you will hate yourself for ever thinking you had it bad.  We met a woman who's child has been there 12 years.  I then for the 1st time realized there are several kids who never know a life outside a hospital and that breaks my heart.  My child was very sick but we did leave there, and seem to be improving.  We are hugging tighter, and slowing down a lot more.  We are enjoying each other and not worrying about the small stuff.  Things do not have to get done I assure you.  I have been stuck in a hospital for 6 days and the world has went on fine without me.  I can chill and let stuff go because all that matters is what was right there with me.  Family and friends!   I have never seen so may people call, text, visit, and pray for us!  It was so nice to know I didn't have to worry about work, or home and I could focus on my daughter.  I also know exactly how long my brain can work on no sleep at all and that is 3 nights/4 days.  It then will not process things correctly and I was not at all on my game.  But alas we are home and we are resting.  We have some follow up appointments and some recovery time needed.  She became very anemic with all the blood that was drawn.  She still has pain and is not at all 100% but we don't have fever and we are home which makes rest possible and we all need that.  So please don't get stressed out about work or even sewing just love and laugh and let the small stuff go!  I promise the world will not stop!  Blessing to you all

I haven't vanished

I am sorry I have not been on here for a while.  I am working on 3 projects that I can't reveal yet, and my two Craft it Forwards I had.  I have a few more openings for the CIF (info here) if your interested you can comment here.  I can't wait to show you my WIPs I think you will like them!  I hope all is well with everyone, and you are enjoying nice weather. 

Winner and a few more opening in the Craft it Forward

 Kate: 

glad to see that you are back -- I'd love to win this TSB as it looks like you put some great stuff in there. 

is the lucky winner of the stash box.  I have emailed you Kate and the box will be on its way soon.

Also I have a few more spots open for the Craft it Forward: I have 2 from the last post

1. I will make a crafty gift for the first three people to comment on this post and say that they would like to be a part of Craft it Forward! This little gift is a surprise, and will arrive to you anytime within the next 9 months. 

2. To sign up to Craft it Forward, you need to commit to the project yourself. Once you receive the item from me, just post this (or something similar) on your blog so others can get involved. You then make them something and Craft it Forward continues on and on! 

3. Leave a comment on this post telling me that you want to participate in Craft it Forward. Also, please be sure that I have a way to contact you so I can get your postal address (do not leave your postal address in the comment!) so I can get your crafty gift in the mail.

If you are interested in a surprise gift and giving one then please let me know.  Thanks  

I'm Back with a giveaway! revised

Edit:  I totally forgot to put the details of the stash box in lol!  It is freezing rain, sleeting, thundering, and lightening.  What is up with that?  Anyway here are the details of the stash box and don't forget One comment for stash box and one for Craft it Forward.   Thanks

 Stash Box Rules and Regs:

• Be an active blogger -- post about receiving the box and the giveaway in a timely manner
• Update the travel log in the box to let others know where the box has been.
• There is a list of rules and guidelines in the box -- be sure to follow these to keep the box full of quality items and the experience positive for everyone.
• You may take any items from the box just be sure that you are replacing them with quality and comparable items. 
• Ship box to the next person timely -- and communicate tracking information with recipient.
• Shipping is within the US only

Important Things to Remember:

• Please ensure that items in the box are quality. If items in the box are poor quality they should be removed. Items that are being removed can be offered for optional inclusion to the next recipient. Poor quality items can be discarded but this should be done with digression.
• Only include items that you would be proud to own -- this is not a dumping ground for outdated or worn item.  
• Items should be free of smoke, odors and pet hair
• You must replace all items that you take with items of equal value and replacing with more than you take is welcome.

Wow have yall ever had one of those weeks that you thought would never end!  I had went through 4 internet providers and finally have one.  After finally getting internet I pull up at my parents house and all my dad's hay is on fire.  So we have been dealing with that, plus the usual running around.  So anyway hello again!!!!

Ok some things I have to get out there the remaining stashbox.

This is what was in the stash box

This is what I kept

This is what I added! There are half yard cuts, FQs and charm packs.

 I  have had this box for longer than I needed to have it.  I will leave it open till March 4th, choosing the winner March 5th.  It is a lovely box that has had a slight makeover.  I believe there are a couple vintage sheet pieces in there as well!  Please just comment that you want to have your name in for the box.  

Craft it Forward!

I received this lovely item from Terry at Terry's Treasures.  She was  doing a CIF and I was lucky enough to be included.  The details are below:

1. I will make a crafty gift for the first five people to comment on this post and say that they would like to be a part of Craft it Forward! This little gift is a surprise, and will arrive to you anytime within the next 9 months. 

2. To sign up to Craft it Forward, you need to commit to the project yourself. Once you receive the item from me, just post this (or something similar) on your blog so others can get involved. You then make them something and Craft it Forward continues on and on! 

3. Leave a comment on this post telling me that you want to participate in Craft it Forward. Also, please be sure that I have a way to contact you so I can get your postal address (do not leave your postal address in the comment!) so I can get your crafty gift in the mail.

So please leave a separate comment if you want to be in CIF and the stash box you will need to leave 2 comments.   


And Finally a WIP:

Look at those scrap pieces.  I can't yet revel this project but it is super cute and I am actually almost done.  Well I was ahead until this week.  Deadline is next week so I better get back on track! 

The internet hates me!

Well fine folks!  Yet another internet provider has left while shakin his head in shame!  They cant do it either!  I one final option and they will be here wed!  The last 2 weeks have been various meetings between 8-12 or 1-5 to no avail!  Where do I live you ask that a person in 2014 cannot get internet!  BFE!  Well BFA (arkansas)!  I love where I live so much!  Way out off the grid so to speak!  BUT!  This internet is givig me grays!  So either I will not have internet and rethink some things or I will be back in business by Wed!  I still have a stash box, and a craft it forward I need get out there!  Bare with me please!  Pray for my sanity also!  I have missed 6 hrs of work for nothing and it will end up at least another half day if they can do it wed!  The joys of country life!!! 

Winner and news

Uggh have yall delt with internet providers?  Hours of phone calls...  Anyway after 3 days and numerous calls.  I wont have internet till Monday.  I live in the middle of nowhere and my cellular internet was not working so satelite is it!  So I will have lots to post come Monday. Another stash box, a craft it forward, and I am sure random jargon!  Ok winner of stash box...

Sowing Stitches!  Congrats and  I will be email you!   

I am worki from my phone so dont judge misspellings and weird words lol! 

Blessig to you all!  

Giveaway

There has not been a lot of interest in the recent stash box.  I wanted to include this box is sent in a Large priority box and the others I have gotten are medium.  This is a lovely box with something for everyone so please comment on the previous post if you are interested.  Giveaway Open till Monday evening.  If you would like different pictures let me know!

Traveling Stash Box #1

Can you believe it!!!  Another Stash Box!!!!  I am so excited. Before we get into that, if you were checking by the blog and noticed it changed about 20 times today, sorry.  I know I change all the time, but I get restless and I don't think I found my grove yet.  This one feels better for me, but don't be surprised if it changes again lol. 

Ok the real reason your reading; the Stash Box.  Here is what all came in the box:

I know your loving my cute sock in the photo!

Add here is what I snagged from the box:

You have no idea how long I have been looking for a grid sheet notebook!  I just have not found one in these hills!Also loving the duck panel, if you follow this blog you know we are hunters!

What I added to this box:

I am telling ya this box is super duper full! 

Lets leave this open till the 17th ole presidents day, which means I will pick on the 17th probably that evening, so I can mail it out on Tuesday if all is right with the world!  Good luck and please read the rules.  Also make sure I can contact you.  Just leave a comment maybe tell me your Valentine's Day plans if you have any.  Good Luck!

  Stash Box Rules and Regs:

• Be an active blogger -- post about receiving the box and the giveaway in a timely manner
• Update the travel log in the box to let others know where the box has been.
• There is a list of rules and guidelines in the box -- be sure to follow these to keep the box full of quality items and the experience positive for everyone.
• You may take any items from the box just be sure that you are replacing them with quality and comparable items. 
• Ship box to the next person timely -- and communicate tracking information with recipient.
• Shipping is within the US only

Important Things to Remember:

• Please ensure that items in the box are quality. If items in the box are poor quality they should be removed. Items that are being removed can be offered for optional inclusion to the next recipient. Poor quality items can be discarded but this should be done with digression.
• Only include items that you would be proud to own -- this is not a dumping ground for outdated or worn items
• Items should be free of smoke, odors and pet hair
• You must replace all items that you take with items of equal value and replacing with more than you take is welcome.

Winner and Finishes

Well it is Sunday and we have winter weather in the forecast again!  Shocker!  Mr Random # has Chosen :

MoneikFebruary 7, 2014 at 6:55 AM

Ohhhh it sounds like so much fun. I would sure enjoy having a chance at the box. It's been below zero here in SD all week. It was -17 yesterday and this morning I went out thinking boy it is warmer today. It was -7, so I guess those few degrees helped. It's supposed to get to a high of 0 today. Maybe next week we'll see the sun and get some warmer (20's) weather. 

Congrats and I have sent you an email.  Everyone be on the lookout I have another box headed my way! 

So I have a couple of finishes in this snow weather:

The turkey quilt is for a dear friend of the family.  The I am calling it a table mat, as it is too small to be a runner is for me.  I practiced some FMQ on it.  I need practice lol!  It was fun to make; a lot of small piecing.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend. 

 

Traveling Stash Box #3

I won traveling Stash Box #3 from the lovely Terry!   I have been totally stalking these boxes and this is the very 1st one I have ever won!!  I have been trying for over a year to win one here and there.  I have to say these are great ideas to shop and not feel guilty.  This is the box as I received it (today that is how excited I am):

Not the best picture, but natural light is on hold until above freezing temps, well and it was night time.  None the less you can see it has a lot of lovely items.

These are the items I kept out!

I want to make another jelly roll race quilt and thought these were super cute.  My daughter really wanted me to keep the St Patty fabric so of course I had to oblige. 

This is what I added to the box!  It is super full for the next person let me tell ya!

These are 1/2+ yd cuts, a few FQs, charm packs, and a 10" hexi template I loved so much I accidentally bought 2 so this is brand new never used still had the backing tape on it.  

So if you would love for this box to visit you then please leave me a comment.  How about whats going on in your neck of the woods.  We are having a winter like never before.  I even saw a post on FB from a local friend proclaiming Hell has officially frozen over lol!  We are also having rival school closing announcements with rhymes, songs, and funny stories.  We have missed 15 days of school I believe so far, and it is not looking good anytime soon.  So please if you are in a lovely warm sunny spot a description would be appreciated!  :)  

I will leave this open through Sunday the 9th, since we are expected to get another winter storm on Tuesday I can get it sent out Monday.  Again just a comment will do you don't have to be a follower or anything like that. Make sure I can contact you if you are the winner!  Please see the rules and guidelines.  US shipments only, sorry it is a heavy box and would break a persons bank to send it out of country!  

Rules and Guidelines 

• Be an active blogger -- post about receiving the box and the giveaway in a timely manner 
• Update the travel log in the box to let others know where the box has been.
• There is a list of rules and guidelines in the box -- be sure to follow these to keep the box full of quality items and the experience positive for everyone. 
• You may take any items from the box just be sure that you are replacing them with quality and comparable items. 
• Ship box to the next person timely -- and communicate tracking information with recipient.
• Shipping is within the US only 

 Important Things to Remember

• Please ensure that items in the box are quality. If items in the box are poor quality they should be removed. Items that are being removed can be offered for optional inclusion to the next recipient. Poor quality items can be discarded but this should be done with digression. 
• Only include items that you would be proud to own -- this is not a dumping ground for outdated or worn items
• Items should be free of smoke, odors  and pet hair 
• You must replace all items that you take with items of equal value and replacing with more than you take is welcome.

Rest and Reflection

Hello fine followers!

Well I have been as lazy as a person could possible be today.  Today is Martin Luther King Jr day in the USA, and as a federal employee we get the day off.  I have literally just gotten out of my pjs (it is 3:30 pm) just to drive to get my small child from the ole grandparents (she had school today).  I have watched movies, done a little (very little) quilting, and laundry.  I have to say it has been great!

We had a big weekend.  Small child had another small child over, and if you have had a little girls sleep over before you are totally feeling me!  Really they were very good and played outside a lot (thank the good Lord)!  Then we decided to burn off our place.  Let me tell you if you ever want to meet all of your neighbors with in a 5-10 mile radius burn your place off!  Me and my sweety are Wildlife Biologists and we do this for a living.  I used to be a wildland firefighter and traveled all over putting fires out, and he is good at lighting fire for habitat restoration so we are perfect :)  We called in some help and lit it up!  We got a wonderful burn on about 105 ac of our property, and you would have thought the Apocalypse had come to our neighborhood!  We did alert the powers that be that you are supposed to alert when doing a prescribed or controlled burn so no emergency personnel had to waste their precious time with us, but the neighbors were concerned, and couldn't understand why we would do this on purpose.  Needless to say most of them tried to hire us to burn their place off by the end of it  lol!  We live in a very very rural area so not at all in the city or any type of subdivision so please don't take this as a burn off your back yard deal cause you may have some law or code against it, and we are professionals (I couldn't even type that with a straight face)!

It was a great time and family bonding as my father is a pyro and this made my mother feel better that he was somewhat supervised in this burning situation.  He had the best time ever!  The whole family said they had fun and I would say learned a thing or two about fire management and what it can be used for.  Also and most importantly how proper planning can be key to having a safe fire and burn.  These are lessons you can't teach someone, they have to see them in place and work to appreciate!  So we have other places to burn now lol!  Funny how that works.  We will help not something we want to do for business or anything.  We don't need that kind of pressure! I got a lovely shot of the sunset thru the smoke last night!

Cool huh?! 

Well I have another quilty project complete for my Valentine swap.  It is a cute little project and I was pretty excited how it turned out.  It is a cute little 9-patch I made from diary of a quilter  I pretty much followed it except I used two mini charm packs.  I used Moda Surrounded by Love fabric.  It is super cute.  Here it is!

It is a mini quilt to use how ever my partner would like.  I have tried it out as a center piece on my table and have to say it works nice :)!  

I hope all of you have had a wonderful day off or on whichever it is. 

 

Finishes for 2014

Wow I have really been doing pretty good with my resolution.  I wanted to finish more projects.  I have a bad habit of starting a new 2 or 3 projects while the last 2 or 3 have not been completed.  I went out and made a list of all my WIP (works in progress)  and put them on my dry erase board I have in my sewing room.  This is usually where I list out what needs to be done and when the deadline is.   I already have 2 finishes to show you!  I am just so excited about actually doing it! 

The Hemisphere Quilt you have seen me working on a couple times.  It is finally done!  I have to say I just love this quilt!  It challenged me so much and I am proud of myself, I guess for actually not just saying forget it!

This is a jelly roll race quilt from like 2 years ago.  Maybe like the 2nd or 3rd quilt top I ever made.  It now has a back, binding and finished!  I will be gifting this to a very good friend of mine whose birthday is this week.  The video to make one of these is here!  Very quick and fun to make.  A really good beginner project!

I am working on my Valentines swap from my FB group Sew Swapit!  I also have all the stuff cut out for a man quilt I am working on.  I still have several items on my finish from forever ago list.  I just love checking those things off as done!  Oh another finish was my Bee Block For January! 

It is a wonky star using this tutorial!  Very fun to make.  It will be on its way home next week!  I really think I am going to enjoy being in a quilting bee!  If you are interested; it is the Newbee Quilters group on Threadbias, and the waiting list is up for Hive 8 click here to check it out!

I was thinking about my blog the other day and what is missing.  I don't really do any tutorials, but I think they are all out there, and I like linking back to ones that are already there.  Why reinvent the wheel ya know.  I am also not at any state of goodness to try and tell someone else how to do something.  I need all the help I can get!  I hope that is not a bummer for any of you out there, but I do like to give credit where it is due, and wouldn't want to do a tutorial mirroring someones like it was my own.  I just don't think that is very nice! 

I do have a OMG story for you about my just regular crazyness.  It isn't quilty related so I thought I would put it at the end.

Ok so just to set up the scene; picture it (golden girl reference) a regular Wednesday heading to the Head Dr (what I loving refer to my headache Dr as) which is 2 hrs away.  Just as we are pulling into the parking lot it starts sleeting, but it is 33 degrees so we do not fret.  Get that done and go to Lowe's.  We are at town and thought might as well look at some blinds. Two hours there cutting blinds to fit our windows.  Still raining and randomly sleeting during all this time.  Phone rings school back home is letting out.  Call my mother, who is Johnny on the spot with weather, she says its raining but still 33.  So we again do not fret.  We head back north, but need to stop at our cattle farm to feed cows and horses since winter weather is coming.  Wait what is that I must have ran over something.  Hummm probably nothing.  Feed and put out hay.  Huh my oil light is on, better check that .  Oil is pouring out of my car and there is a hole in the oil pan.  Oh and temps are now below freezing.  So call road side assistance.  1.5 hrs later (temps 28 and can't turn the car on) the tow truck pulls up.  Now it is dark and folks are sliding all over the place.  Well we take what is usually an hr drive to the dealership, yes in the tow truck who the driver; "yeah they call me beaner" is hating our guts since he has to drive us that far on solid ice.  That surprisingly only took us 1.5 hrs.  Get there get a loner and head back now it is like 26 and so icy.  The hour trip takes 3 hours we about flip the loner in the ditch but finally make it home.  Thursday I don't leave or go anywhere.  Work is closed and school is closed.  Solid ice out there.  Friday I leave to go to work and slide off into the ditch in the loner about 100 yds out of my drive.  Even though it is like 46 degrees the ground has been frozen so long only the ice on the trees is melting and so you have solid ice on the road with water on top!  Have to get the tractor to pull the loner out.  It goes back in the garage and I don't even try it anymore!  Ugg!  What a mess it was.  Such a lovely week!  Just thought you could get a kick out of my story.  The rest of the community had found humor in it lol!  Love those small towns!

Please have a wonderful week and bee safe out there!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from Imperfectly Perfect Quilts!

As you can see I changed a few colors and such, nothing major.  I just wanted a slight upgrade with a new year and all :)!  I hope the new year has found you all safe and sound.  I did nothing special, well I actually did.  I just hung out at home with my family and we pretended that New York time was our time and celebrated about an hour early.  We laughed at ourselves as we usually do and were happy, so that to me is special! 

So some finishes I haven't posted yet.  Well I did my tree skirt for the santa swap with my lovely swap group sew swapit on FB!  Love that group so much!!!   Since I do not have anything else finished that I actually took pictures of here are several lol!  I have to say I did love this!  My family however gave me nonstop crap about it being square and not round, but I love that it is square.  I really want to make one for our tree like this as well.  The pattern came from here. 

This is the back, but it is reversible. 

I have to say I hate the bias binding in the center.  I have never done it before, and well I need some real practice!  I hate how it looks, but it was literally the best I could do, and the tree will cover it, if not then the presents.  My swapee said she loved it and I sure hope it was ok.  I did love making the rest of it for sure!

Up next projects:

• A quilt for a friend.  I am using a top I have had finished for like a year lol!  I actually have it sandwiched and ready to quilt!
• Another quilt for a friend.  It will be two panels with flannel on the back and no batting.  That should be fairly doable I hope!
• Bee blocks for my very 1st bee on threadbias the Neebee quilter site.  I am in Hive 7!  Very excited about that!
• Valentines swap for my FB group.
• All the other unfinished projects from the last couple years, 2012 and 2013 BOM on craftsy, I have a baby quilt top that needs something done, I am in desperate need of some wall hangings for my house.  I also have a new embroidery machine I got myself for Christmas (lol) and I want to make some things and support my fabric habit with that income lol! 

Wow I need to get busy!  What are yall working on?  I need more things to add to my list lol!