Surviving so far!

It's been just over 3 weeks since my brother and his dog moved in with me..... 168 days, it seems like! There has only been one instance of blood drawn between the dogs. Lula was excited to have a new friend... Stewie was excited to ignore all things smaller than him.

Things are moving along with the renovation... I think. Cabinets have been ordered, a new contractor acquired, counter tops chosen but can't be measured until the cabinets are installed. Flooring and carpet have been ordered. It's really all a waiting game at this point. Next, I have to shop for lighting, sink, faucet, tile for the back splash....

I had another BOM class for the Ohio stars Deb Tucker rulers BOM. This is March's block.

And this is all three blocks so far.

My friends Barb and KT came over to sew for National Quilting Day and I assembled this top. I have decided to just had 4 borders and not do a pieced border, but I haven't started those yet. This is my #1 BOM for the year.

I also got awesome news in February that my AC unit was no longer functioning so on my birthday last week, I got a whole new system. Happy birthday to me!

Last year, I found the S'mores snack balls at Aldi's and ran into the store a couple of weeks ago to see if they were back. They were! And I found this cheddar and caramel popcorn mix. I grabbed all of the S'mores balls and a couple of the popcorns. They will be much enjoyed at retreat next month!

I am working on getting myself set back up with my machine and space. It's been tough, but I am hopeful that I will make some time to sew this weekend! No more blog breaks!

I am linking up with Lynette for BOM's Away.

BOMs away - Big Updates Coming

I haven't been sewing a lot the last couple of weeks for a few reasons. In January, I had a water leak in my kitchen and I am stressing about the fact that almost the entire first floor is ripped up at the moment.

And my brother is moving back to the area from out of state and will be moving in with me for a while. The past couple of weeks, I have been concentrating on decluttering some spaces to make room for him. This week, I will be finishing up the changes in the house because he will be here next weekend.

So now that those updates are out there, here is the sewing that I have gotten done.

The Deb Tucker ruler classes have continued at the shop and I have gotten a couple of blocks done with during the Tucker University classes. These classes are designed to help us get more experiences with using the rulers that we got with last year's BOM.



This block was made using the Square Squared ruler and was one of the examples on our handouts.

Yesterday, we used the Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star ruler. This was the first time I have used this ruler and made this bock without making HSTs. It so easy!



I've also been working on the sock monkey blocks. I have 6 assembled into rows and ready for the rows to be assembled.



I need to keep plugging away at these blocks. I think there are at least 8 more that need to get to this stage.

And finally, this is the February Ohio star block that was made in class this month.



Here are the January and February blocks together. I really like them!



I am linking up with...
Lynette for BOMs Away
Sarah for Whoop Whopp Friday

Whoop Whoop and Q1 Finish-A-Long goals

I didn't get a lot of sewing this week. I'm not sure why but I was very sleepy all week.

After shuffling things around on the shelves earlier this week, I did spend a little time trying to identify the table runner pattern for the kit that seems to be cut out, but I didn't have any success with that. I even asked 3 of the ladies that I used to work with at the shop, but they don't remember either. I think it was a runner that was made up and I used the pattern but bought different fabric. There is still a fair amount of yardage so I might just give up on the runner idea and use the yardage for backing on other runners that are backing-less. I will not be moving the fabric back to my UFO shelves. That is certain!

This morning, after a scare with my little dog, Max, I medicated him up and set to work on an easy sew fleece blanket kit from Joann's. This was when those kits first came out so this was several years old. I had 3 waiting to be sewn up and it would've been one for each of the pups, but we sadly lost Maisy last March. She was able to enjoy her blanket for a while though. So the other 2 will be crate blankets because.... well, dachshunds.... and this one will reside in the studio. It is already being put to good use by Max.

Somehow, I messed up my camera SD card and I can't get this picture to flip to right side up. The print is dogs.

Today was the first day of the 2018 Block of the Month at one of my local quilt shops using the Deb Tucker rulers. I switched out a couple of fabrics from the kit I bought at the shop and I am really happy with the changes I made. I was able to get the block done during the class and then I worked on some of my strip sets.

This week, I was able to use command velcro type strips to re-hang my white board in my studio. I'm very happy to have it off of the floor and out of the way! Now, I can keep reminding myself of the quilting that I have to do.

I have made my list of my Finish A Long goals for the first quarter and I wrote them out and will hang them from the white board as well. Best way to make sure they get done is to have them in my face all the time!

1. Finish up to step 5 on Road to Llano (#1)
2. Finish Halloween quilt top (#10)
3. Cut out squares for Santa Rag quilt (#15)
4. keep blogging!!
5. Sock monkey tops
6. Finish llama pillow
7. Finish RV placemats
8. Finish poinsettia table runners
9. Finish cardinal table runners
10. Finish teal table runners

This list is going to keep me busy! I will have to keep working on my customer quilts simultaneously. I can handle it!

Linking up with...
Sarah for Whoop Whoop Friday
Tish for UFO Busting

WIP Wednesday and OMG

It seems that there are so many challenges going on with the start of the new year. I would like to continue feeling like I am progressing on my projects and making some sort of headway and I want to join all of these challenges, but I am trying to be realistic and trying to not overwhelm myself because that could result in my giving up. If the last couple of days are any indication of my UFOs and kits that are hiding in my sewing studio, I can't afford to give up!

I am going to join in with the One Month Goal (OMG), but I missed the January link up. This will still help me with focusing on what I want to accomplish.

1. Work on steps 1-3 of Road to Llano (#1)
2. Cut out and piece blocks for Come Sit a Spell (#10)
3. Work on the Sock Monkey HSTs
4. Quilt 2 personal things on To Be Quilted list

This week, I spent a bit of time straightening up my studio and trying to condense the shelves where I pulled my 18 in 2018 projects out. My big idea was to move more of these projects to the shelves that I face when I sew so that they will be sort of in my face as I am sewing. In doing this, I found 3 bags of scraps and only one was identified, but it was with a person's name and not a pattern name. My guess is that this bag was scraps to be made into a Chinese coins quilt to donate to my local guild.

I also found a couple of fabric book panels to be made; what looks like a table runner for Christmas that was already cut out, but I am not sure of the pattern although I have a pretty good idea; and a kit for a small tote from Connecting Threads. Things that I should be able to knock out rather quickly instead of putting them back on the shelves to be lost again.

In moving the kits around, I found a small container with the HSTs from sock monkey fabric that I made from leftovers from a quilt top I made last year. I need to layout a baby size quilt and see how many HSTs I have left. I am hoping that I can use this as a leaders/enders project.

And this easy sew rag quilt has been hanging out in the studio for too long. This morning, I assembled the first 2 rows. Since the fleece will gum up the machine and the seam allowance is for 1", this will be sewn to completion before anything else is worked on.

And I cut the strips for step 2 of Road to Llano. This step does not result in 120 units so I am hoping it goes together quickly!

 Tonight, I stopped in at my quilt shop and picked up my kit for the 2018 BOM which is the Ohio star Deb Tucker BOM that Michelle Renee Hiatt put together. The classes start on Saturday as long as the weather cooperates and I am very excited about this class and most of these colors. (The yellow doesn't excite me so much.)

Last weekend, I went to a new local quilt shop with my pals, Barb and Katy, and picked up these gems. Doxies with balloons and a coordinating dot print! I have no idea what I will do with them, but they make me smile!

I am linking up with Tish's UFO Busting Party.

BOM and quilt class

The last time I posted was the day of my first BOM. This Saturday, is a quilt class using the ruler from the BOM class 10 days ago. It's about time that I share some pics!

Tina, my partner in crime who is taking the BOM and classes with me, had her block made by 8 PM the day of the class. Over achiever! lol

This is the fabric kit that the shop was offering and Tina and I got the same color variation - speckled white background and bright fabrics.

After seeing another friend's finished block the next day (seriously, they make me feel like a slacker!!), I decided that I needed a black for my background.

I chose an old fabric from my stash - Water Drops by P&B Textiles.

And here is my finished block. It was so easy with the Deb Tucker ruler, the Tucker Trimmer!

This Saturday, we taking the Solitaire class to get  more familiar with the Tucker Trimmer. The pattern is a Card Trick design with 4 colors and a background. I am trying to use fabrics from stash and had the pink and purple. I matched it with the light mustard and green from the shop. I figured that I would see what background would work between gray and black.

I think the black is the clear winner! Time to get the fabric cut for class!

Design Wall Monday, BOM Rehab - 11/26

If you are looking for the Modern Designs for Classic Quilts book giveaway, that is in this post.

There is still time to enter! I am drawing the winner tonight!

I still have my Paris in the Fall blocks on my Design Wall. I finished up the 6th block this past week.



Here are all the blocks.



I will probably put these blocks away for the time being. I have the finishing kit for the top, but way too many other things on my plate right now. I really like how these blocks turned out!

I am linking up at Judy's blog, Lynette's blog and Sinta's blog.

WIP Wednesday - 11/21

If you are looking for the Modern Designs for Classic Quilts book giveaway, that is in this post.

There is still time to enter!

This past week was pretty productive, but I am not working enough on my projects. I have decided that I am taking this holiday weekend and spending it mostly on my projects since there are deadlines looming.

I made a Midget block.



I made the last set of blocks for the Paris in the Fall BOM. I actually just finished up the blocks about 45 minutes ago.



I quilted 2 customer quilts last week. More pictures of the quilting can be see here and here or on my Facebook page.

I am ready to start on the 6th Scrap Squad tomorrow morning before heading out for turkey dinner. I'm hoping to get far enough that I can take my iron, cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter with me to trim my pieces while I visit with the family.



And still no progress on the Challenge quilt. Sigh... I'm paring down my focus for next week.

Last week...
One Midget block
Make next set of BOM blocks
Make goodies for the Blog Hop Giveaway
Finish quilting quilt on frame and 1 more
Start on 6th Scrap Squad
Start CMQG challenge quilt

Next week...
One Midget block
Make goodies for the Blog Hop Giveaway
Start on 6th Scrap Squad
Start CMQG challenge quilt

I linked up at Freshly Pieced.

Design Wall Monday - 11/12

If you are looking for the Modern Designs for Classic Quilts book giveaway, it is in this post.

Quite a bit to report for this weekend!

I made the binding, sewed it on this quilt and hand stitched it onto this quilt on Friday night and Saturday morning. It is now on it's way back to it's home and I can't wait for my customer to see it and her other quilt.



I quilted a smaller quilt with a butter yellow Coats & Clark and the Cotton panto. I don't know if I can show the whole quilt off, but I can show parts. :)





And I quilted a slightly larger quilt with an off white and the Ebb and Flow panto. Pardon the wrinkle - the quilt was folded for a while before I could get to burying my threads.



I also made the block 5 blocks for the Paris in the Fall BOM. Just one set of blocks left to make.





I also worked on a magic trick with Lula. This is the disembodied head. She has the facial expression down pat!



I'm linking up at Judy's blog, Sinta's blog and Lynette's blog.

WIP Wednesday - 11/7

I didn't report last week because I didn't have anything to report. But last weekend, I went gangbusters and have a ton to catch up on!

I didn't get 2 midget blocks done, but I did get fabric pulled for the rest of this set of 10.




I only got one set of BOM blocks made.



And the 5th Scrap Squad is in the hand stitching the binding phase. Woo hoo! Maisy likes to help with this phase.



I also got a Texas quilt quilted, but I still have to get the binding made and attached to it so that I can finish it up and ship it back.



And I need to make the giveaway items for Debbie. I haven't forgotten!!! If nothing else, they will definitely be done in time for Christmas!

Last week... 
Two Midget blocks and pull fabrics for next 10 - and just one block done
Make next 2 sets of BOM blocks - just one set done
Make goodies for the Blog Hop Giveaway
Make great progress on the next Scrap Squad

Next week...
Two Midget blocks
Make next set of BOM blocks
Make goodies for the Blog Hop Giveaway
Finish 5th Scrap Squad
Quilt at least 4 quilts
Binding on Texas quilt
Start on 6th Scrap Squad
Decide on fabrics for Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild challenge - time is running out!

And click on my header to see my newer post - a special blog tour post with a giveaway!

I linked up at Freshly Pieced.

Design Wall Monday - 11/5

A very productive weekend! I feel like I got so much accomplished!!

I finished the next 2 Paris in the Fall BOM blocks. The fourth set. Just 2 more to go!



Here are all the blocks together.



I also got another quilt finished. I used a royal blue Connecting Threads thread on the top and a royal blue Bottom Line in the bobbin. And the Square Spiral panto. Love how this panto turns out and I think it was the perfect choice for this quilt. I need to trim the quilt and get the binding attached and stitched down before I can send it back.



Here is a close up.



I'm linking up at Judy's blog, Sinta's blog and Lynette's blog.