February Accomplishments

Well, I definitely did not get as much accomplished in February, but I did pick up more hours at the shop. A little more money in the pocket is nice considering the shop hopping that will be happening in April!

1. Finished the Milky Way top
2. Continued working on the binding for Lover’s Lane
3. Finished the Brand X Backpack
4. Pieced the backing for the Milky Way quilt
5. Sewed a little more on the purple log cabin blocks
6. 2 pillowcases for the shop
7. 4 blocks for Thimbleberries BOM
8. Sewed up some HSTs for some blocks for the shop
9. Taught my first class at the shop
10. Began receiving donations for the Quilt Retreat in April for St Jude Children's Research Hospital
11. Ended the month with 15.53 yards used for the year, but it was a bust month because I am lower than I started the month out at. It is NOT supposed to happen that way! Jen - STOP sending me fabric! :)

Oh, and I finished a few books, but I can't remember which ones. And I should be off of extra hours at the shop for a while now so maybe I can get something else done this month. Maybe.

So much excitement!

Last week, I mailed out over 200 letters requesting donations for our quilt retreat in April that benefits the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee. This is the 3rd year for the retreat and the 3rd year that I have sent out requests for donations and the number of letters mailed has grown each year.

Yesterday, I got a couple of emails and a phone call about the retreat. I think that this is the soonest that I have gotten any kind of responses. I was a little shocked.

Then, I got home from work tonight. This is what I found.



Your eyes are not deceiving you. This is a BOLT of batting! A BOLT! In the past, the Warm Company has always been good to us by sending a couple of packaged battings. This is 40 yards of batting. I am shocked!

I also got a delivery from Northcott. Some patterns, fabric, fat quarters (gorgeous!) and pins that say Quest for a Cure. Very appropriate!



I do plan on posting the donations on my blog again this year. It's gives my co-coordinators an idea of what has been received. It also gives the attendees who read my blog a chance to see what they can expect on the tables.

I do realize that with the economy in the dumps right now, that donations are usually the first things that are kicked to the curb by companies. I am hoping that, for the children of St. Jude's sake, the companies will still make a small effort for our event.

Attention, Susie!

You left a comment on this post, but I have no way of contacting you.

Some background - I belong to a philanthropic sorority, ESA, and for the last 2 Aprils, we have organized a Quilt Retreat to benefit St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Last year, we made around $2500 to donate.

This year, the retreat is April 24-26, 2009.

Part of my job is to gather donations from vendors, designers, stores, and anyone else who would like to make donations for our raffle table and door prizes.

So, Susie, I am starting to collect donations. Please contact me again and leave your email in the comments or turn your email on so that it will show up on your profile.

And if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask and I will answer what I can!

August Monthly Accomplishments

August was a bit of a resting month after the excitement of July and the Survivor Challenge. Here is what I got done:

1. Put together 9 take along bags for Jen, Dominique, Moniek, Regina in NY, Jennifer in Indy, and 4 for some quilting buddies in my small group.
2. Started a class for the Best Friends Courier bag. I also got all of my homework finished from the 2 classes.
3. Picked up a set of bed risers to make tables higher for ease while cutting
4. Quilted Maddy's retro quilt
5. Went to a retreat
6. Quilted my burgundy and ivory log cabin
7. Finished 3 runaround bags for my retreat buddies. I also showed 2 ladies how to make the runaround bags at the retreat.
8. Made a test pair of pants and cut fabric for 6 pairs
9. Finished 4 pairs of pants
10. Quilted a quilt for Kristie I still have to mil this out! :(
11. Got fabric for an ugly quilt challenge with the small group. I also picked up some leftovers that Jeanette didn't want.
12. Finally finished the binding on a quilt that had a heavy fabric for the binding and flannel for the backing. This took me almost all month!
13. Got some hand dyed fabric from my small group buddies when they went to a class while I was working.
14. Prepared fabric for a secret project that has to be done this month.

And other non-sewing items:

1. Listened to the F, G, H, I and J books by Sue Grafton. I am really enjoying re-reading this series!
2. Worked the phone lines for the St Jude Dream Home Giveaway.

Well, that's about it. I have just over a week before I head to Florida and I have a lot to get done. Hopefully, the Shop Hop this weekend won't wear me out too much and I will be able to get some quilts quilted before I leave. :)

Friday at the Retreat

So far, Bubba is cooperating. We have had a couple of trying times, but not enough to make me pull out the other machine. I got 2 more runaround bags completed. The ladies in the room where I am are all really nice. We are having a good time laughing and catching up. We also watched the Bucket List. The only bummer is that we are on the very back wall of the building and I can't keep the internet up on my laptop so I can't chat with anyone while sewing and I can't check or send emails. Tomorrow, I might have to make a little time to check emails and read some posts. I have 85 new emails and over 200 posts to read. :(

Here are the pictures of the 2 bags that I finished tonight. I forgot to get Carol's picture with hers so I will have to do that tomorrow.

Here is Brenda. She loves the Wizard of Oz!



And here is Maddy. She likes hers, too.



Tomorrow, Maddy and I are working on bindings. She has 3 quilts to bind and I have 2. Hopefully, I will be able to get mine done quickly and start working on my pants while I help Maddy finish hers. OK, I am off to bed so that I can get up and get to work early! We get monkey bread for breakfast! Yippee!!

One more thing - we have also had some discussion on the next year's St Jude Quilt Retreat. We have some great ideas! I am very excited!

Catch up post - Last weekend in July

**Note - join us for Finish it Up Month! Join the Prolific Quilters Yahoo group for support and post entries on your blogs of what you are working on! And when you have a Finish, post a picture! And you don't have to have a blog to participate. You can leave a comment with your email and I will contact you.**

Since I was busy sewing the last weekend in July, I didn't have time to post about what I was working on. Here is the update from the last weekend.

Friday night, I added a binding onto a Kid Komfort charity quilt for my Guild. I had loaded a quilt onto Lenny and had issues with the backing being loaded upside down so I had corrected that error and quilted the quilt with loops. I really enjoy the meandering loops and it just gives the quilts a little more ooomph, I think. I had some issues with the blue thread that I was going to use, so I just used a light brown variegated and the tan Bottom Line on the back. The quilting shows up a little more than the last quilt, but I think it looks nice.





The rest of Friday night, I ironed and read through patterns.

On Saturday, I packed up 2 quilts that needed binding sewn down and headed out to work at the St Jude Dream Home again. I was able to finish one quilt and start on the other while we sold tickets and answered questions. After we worked, Amy, Lynn and I headed to Don Pablo's for dinner. Yum!

Once I got home from working and dinner, I cut out pieces for my secret projects and got them quilted on Bubba.



On Sunday, I finished my projects. Now here is where the idea came from. A couple of weeks ago, I met Jeanette and Patrice at one of the Guild's small groups meeting and I had my binding supplies in a plastic bag sitting in front of me. Patrice was teasing about me not having a quilted bag to carry my supplies in and said how she had done the same thing and Jeanette gave her a bag. She held it up and showed it off. Then, Patrice said that if she was a real friend, she would make one for me, but I could make one for myself and make sure to put on my blog that she made it for me! We had a good laugh out of that so I set to work.

Here are the first 2 that I finished.. I mean, here is the first one that I made on the left and the one that Patrice 'made' on the right. Of course, the pink one is for me.



Patrice did a great job on the quilting!



And here are all of the bags that were made. This is the Lazy Girl Purse-Nickities pattern - the Nickole - and I made some small adjustments. I stitched the zipper flap on the inside of the bag down with a top stitch on each side of the bag. I also made a box bottom so that it can sit up.



And even though they aren't quilts, Maisy still had to test them out. Notice that she isn't making eye contact with me. She knows that she shouldn't be on them!



Now, 2 have already been claimed - mine and Dominique's. And the other 2 will be mailed out this week. Anyone have ideas who will be getting them?

Once I got these 4 things done, I worked on the Lover's Lane quilt. Now, I have already posted some pictures of the finished quilt, but these are other pictures that I had taken during the day when I was assembling the quilt top.

Here are the first 2 rows sewn together and hanging on my design wall.



And the rows all sewn together and laying on the floor so that I could see how cool it looked!



And someone getting into trouble after the inside border was sewn on. She just can't help herself!



So, after 15 hours and 15 minutes, I gave up and went to bed. I had the first border on and the second border cut and ready to be sewn on. But it was a very productive day!

July Monthly Accomplishments

July was a very busy month. Reading through my list, I really got A TON done!


Here's the list:

1. Finished piecing the block and assembled the top for the Wagon Wheels quilt. Also made the binding.
2. 3 blocks for the Block of Month that I am doing through Best Friends
3. Completed a Cars quilt from a Joann's kit for Ethan
4. Completed a Christmas quilt top and prepared the binding. I bought it because the Santas reminded me of my grandparents' house at Christmas when I was little. When I showed my aunt and grandma, they totally agreed!
5. Finished a very old UFO - Mom's Halloween Big Shirt
6. Watched part of the Pajama Quilter Reloaded DVD and practiced quilting designs a lot on a white board.
7. Loaded, quilted and buried the thread ends on Hip to be Square, formerly known as the first Stash Pot Pie. I also got the binding attached and completely sewn down. It just needs a label now.
8. Completed a Spiderman quilt from a Joann's kit for Spencer
9. Fixed Bubba when he was acting ornery from over-use and wanted to suck the fabric in when I wanted him to cut the threads.
10. Completely finished the fruit table runner and place mats. I just had to finish hand stitching the binding down on most of the pieces.
11. Completed the entire top of the Lover's Lane UFO. When I started, I only had one block of 20 completed and about 15 4-patches and half square triangle units of 180 each that were needed for the top. I got all of the units done, the blocks assembled and the entire quilt with borders put together. I also have to say thanks the members of Quilted Chaos, the Guild small group that I belong to. They helped me lay out most of the blocks when the units were finished. Thanks so much, Ladies! I'm so glad that you could have a hand in helping me with this quilt! (Note - See pictures of my sweat shop here.)
12. Quilted a funky block Kid Komfort with meandering loops and sewed the binding on. Am still working on stitching the binding down.
13. Stitched a binding down fora quilt from one of the Guild small groups that is going to Alaska. The quilt, not the small group. :)
14. Finished the Lover's Lane top! I know that this was mentioned before, but it was a HUGE undertaking with all of the piecing and ironing that had to be done!
15. Quilted a blue Kids Komfort
16. Completed 4 of my secret projects. Well, I finished 3 and Patrice 'finished' 1. When I post about the projects, this will all make sense. I promise!
17. Finished a paper pieced star block for Heather.
18. Oh, and I got in 160 hours of quilting/sewing. How cool is that? I didn't win the July Challenge, but I still did A LOT!!!

Other non-sewing items:

1. Picked up a gooseneck lamp for Squiggy. It's wonderful to be able to see while I quilt!
2. Tried the ice cream at The Dip. It's good! I'm in trouble!
3. Got my shirts that I ordered with our July Challenge logo on them. Very cool!
4. Picked up a large white board to practice my quilting designs on.
5. Worked at the St Jude Dream Home selling tickets at the open houses for 2 afternoons.
6. Read D is for Deadbeat and E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton
7. Read The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen - great author!

So, it was a very, very productive month for me! August is looking like it will be almost as productive! I am going on a retreat next weekend for 2 days. I have already started thinking about what I need to get done before I leave and what I should take with me. Decisions, decisions! :)

Don't forget about the Finish it Up Month this month! Read about it here and come and join us! And if your not already a part of the Prolific Quilter's Yahoo Group, join us here!

Don't worry

I know that I am still going to be in last place, but I needed to get some sleep the last 2 nights. And I don't have much going on this weekend so I know that I will be making a come back.

Sunday, I worked with my chapter sisters at the St Jude Dream Home from 12-5. I was able to work on binding for a baby quilt most of the time. The house itself is really neat, but there is no furniture! From 11:45 until 5, we had just under 400 people walk through the house.

When I got home, I was sort of beat and figured that I could take the evening off. I ended up working with my white board practicing quilting designs for an hour. I have a few of them down pat and worked on a couple of others that I would like to use, but I still need more practice.

Also, Max's back is bothering him again. I started with the baby aspirin and the muscle relaxer again and hope that he will be good as new in a couple of days.

Last night, I went to my Guild small group and worked on my secret project. I am coming up with my own little pattern and I think that I have the dimensions ready for the pieces to cut. When I got home, I checked email and started yawning so I went to bed. I am now feeling very well rested.

Tonight, I have to stop at the grocery store because the dogs and I can't wait any longer for food! Darn it! I am going to make a list and set a timer and get in and out quickly and then get myself dinner on the way home and that should help me get back home and back to the sewing so that I can start making up some time. Wish me luck!

Want to win a house?

Got your attention didn't I? St Jude Children's Research Hospital is giving away a house in Northern Kentucky August 24, 2008. Tickets are $100 and there are other prizes to win, too.

Go to www.stjudedreamhome.org to get information on house and the giveaway and to buy your tickets!

April Accomplishments

It's that time again to list everything that I got done in the last month. And since I am up-to-date on my postings, this should be a relatively easy list to make!

1. Cleaned and organized the spare bedroom where my stash is kept. It looks awesome, even if I do say so myself!
2. Learned that I have way too many kits and projects started and that I should not be buying anything else!
3. Treated myself to a shopping spree at my LQS, Best Friends, after realizing that I hadn't been into the shop the entire month of March. Shame on me!
4. Went to a Bunco charity even for St Jude Hospital and won an evening out for two. Maybe I can just have 2 evenings out with myself... :D
5. Received my first Quilter's Home from my subscription that my parents got me for my birthday. Yeah!
6. Received and organized lots of donations for the Quilt Retreat.
7. Finished my taxes and filed well in advance 2 days before the deadline.
8. Assembled the blocks for the Stash Pot Pie quilt. I even bought fabric and attached the borders to finish the top!
9. Got an awesome prezzie from Michelle! I love it!!
10. Met Jen! Finally!!!
11. Took Jen on a mini shop hop around Cincinnati.
12. Went on the Second Annual Quilt of Dreams Quilt Retreat.
13. Pimped Jen out at the retreat
14. Had IHOP 2 days in a row with Jen and had Beezlenut Splashes. Yum!
15. Finished one BOM block
16. Made 6 pillowcases - 2 What would Jill Do, 2 Star Wars, 1 Crab and 1 stars and clouds.
17. Stitched the binding to the front of my Spools quilt that Jen quilted for me.
18. Finished the final book in the Harry Potter series.
19. Won the Grand Prize at the Quilt Retreat - the Rowenta Pressure Iron and Steamer
20. Broke the Rowenta Pressure Iron and Steamer during it's first use. Am a total tool! I was able to fix it though! Woo hoo!
21. Raised over $2800 for St Jude Children's Research hospital from the Retreat!
22. Went on a date
23. Almost finished a comfort quilt for a co-worker's son. I just have to finish the quilting and then bind it.
24. Made a design wall. No more poor man's design wall for me.
25. Finally got meds for my allergies. Am feeling great now, thanks!

Now, if I can hurry up and get this posted, I may be able to start my accomplishments for May!

Retreat - Almost forgot

We are at just over $2,800 raised for the Hospital from the Retreat! Last year, we made just over $1200 and I was hoping that we would at least double that for this year. Right now, we are so close to $3,000!

If anyone would like to make a donation to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital for our retreat, that would be awesome! We have a couple of more weeks before we have to turn our money information in and I know that Brenda and I would love to be at $3000.

Checks can be made out to St Jude and mailed to me if you are intersted. And your check would be your receipt for the charitable donation. Please send me an email and let me know if this is something that you can do.

Thanks, ladies!

Also, this is not meant to offend anyone by asking for help to get to our goal. Please don't take offense! :)

A great day!

Work was good today. Not too hectic or at least I didn't let anything get to me or make me feel like I had to rush. I missed the IT meeting, but I am really not concerned about that.

After work, I met Maddy at Max & Irma's where we had our meeting about the St Jude's Dream Home. We were going to meet early and have a drink while we waited for the other ladies, but I got there after her and we ended up just waiting for the other ladies to be seated and then we ordered drinks.

I had a daiquiri!! It was yummy!



The meeting went well and I got home around 8:30. I had a very nice surprise in my mailbox!



My first magazine from the birthday subscription! I was very excited to see Mark's face peeking out at my as I scanned through my mail! I am going to have to save it for a rainy day though because I have lots to do before the retreat that is in 10 days! I can't believe that we are running that short on time now!

Manic Monday?

Not really. Today was pretty low key for me. Work wasn't as hectic as it was last week. Or maybe it was and I just didn't let it get me down.

After work, I went to our monthly Guild meeting. We had 3 speakers. Two speakers work together to give quilt appraisals. For some reason, the speakers and microphone weren't working so we couldn't hear them very well and they kept trying to talk over the murmuring in the audience. I wasn't really impressed. I mean, I couldn't hear what they were saying and I was bored. I do think that appraising quilts is very interesting, but I have no idea what they look at and why even after this talk.

The last speaker was Meg Cox. She has a new book out - The Quilter's Catalog. Click here for a write up by the one and only Mark Lipinski. Now, I think that we can establish a trend here - if it has Mark's approval, it's a must have! I thumbed through the book last night and it looks pretty good and very informative.

After I got home and checked emails, the dogs wanted to go outside so we went. My neighbor, Aaron, was out and we started chatting. I asked him what all of the noise was over the weekend. On Saturday, there was some pounding in the basement of their condo that prevented me and the dogs from napping. And we heard it on and off on Sunday, too. He is putting in a sump pump and it is going in next to the wall that is common to me. He said that they had 6" of water in their basement because their drain clogged up during the big rain a couple of weeks ago. He also said that he is getting on the Home Owner's Association to re-grade the backyard because the yard slopes towards the house on our end of the building. He also said that the the next neighbor is putting in a sump pump, too, and that with the 2 of theirs that our building should not have any more problems with water. And he confirmed my thoughts about where the water was coming from - the cracks in the middle of the floor. That was where they could see theirs coming in.

Aaron also said that if there was ever anything that I needed help with to let him know and that he was usually around. I had asked him about a problem that I was having with an outlet in my bedroom, but Ryan took care of it when he was over helping with the carpet. Aaron asked about it last night and said if there was anything else that I should just let him know since he is so close. We also talked about the insulation that he added to their attic and he said that he could do that for me and it only cost about $300 and they could definitely see a difference. And they are looking at replacing the windows. I am going to have to get my taxes done and see how much is coming back and see if he thinks that we could get a discount if we got windows at the same time.

Well, this morning is my too much fun IT meeting so I have to get going to work. Tonight is a sorority meeting with people from other chapters to discuss this year's St Jude's Dream Home. I will have more information after our meeting.