My weekend in pictures...mostly

Got lots of this...like 12 inches overnight!

Stayed inside and made this to stay warm :)

Treated myself to one of these. Done at home, but still just as nice.

Worked on this a little, and got to ALMOST the half way point on finishing the binding.

I DID get this one finished...my girl is gonna be sooo excited!

Pulled out these blocks and bought fabric for the sashing and such so I can do some machine work and give my poor hands a break. 

Bought the backing and batting so I can get this one basted and be on my way toward finishing another UFO.

We also enjoyed the fact that we have a wood burning fireplace.  I love the smell of the fire and the heat it gives off. (Didn't get a picture of that one though :o( ) They have done a really good job of clearing the roads around here, and since I have the day off, and to myself, I think I am going to try and get out there and enjoy every second ;o) Got another busy week ahead of us. Hope you all have a great weekend! Warmest country wishes!

I think I have a new favorite block...

I remember when I was little, seeing all kinds of granny square afgans.  At the time I just thought "what a pretty blanket with lots of colors", now I love them for their nostalgic feeling.  I think just about everyone has seen or had one at one time or another.  I remember my mom making granny squares out of little bits of (what I now realize was) left over yarn, and trying to teach me how to crochet them.  She made it look sooooo easy, alas I could never get the hang of it. To this day I still don't know how to knit or crochet...both skills I would love to learn.  And knowing now that that is how those who work with yarn use up their scraps, they are even cooler. When I had to take my son to the library to choose a book for his first research project, I couldn't help but wander over to the quilting books.  Marsha McCloskey's Block Party caught my eye, and I went ahead and borrowed it. Glancing through the pages and remembering all my scraps, I thought about a 9" block scrappy sampler (which is still very much a project I plan to do), then I came across a block which is probably traditional, but was new to me.  I believe its called Grandmother's Favorite. Anyway, I looked at it, let out an excited giggle and made a couple...tell me what you see :)

do you see it?

Yup, to me it looks like a quilter's version of a granny square!  I am in love and thinking this is the perfect project for some of those scraps.  I think I am going to flip-flop the lights and darks and make them more scrappy by using more than the "light dark light dark" color layout here.  I'm thinking about just having fun and in the end, having a quilt that reminds me of the granny square afgans that make me think of when I was little and the world was all happy and good.  mmmmmm....I get warm fuzzies just thinking of it ;)

Oh, if only we could return to those days, or maybe just the mind set. Unfortunately life doesn't work that way, and things have been tough.  It always amazes me how life balences itsself out.  Things are going so well, then can crash and burn, then just when everything looks bleak and ominous the sun breaks through and life gets easier. Right now I'm in a bit of a valley and slowly but surely trying hike to make my way out of it. I guess my biggest thing right now is trying to understand why people do and act the way they do. Why some feel it is their place to be in control of everyone and everything and use the tactic of fear or condecention to get what they want. I'm sure its something I'll never fully understand, but continue to cope with and do my best to make the best of what I do have, and try to not let it get me too far down in that valley. Life, if nothing else, will always move foreward. I need to keep looking that way too.

Ok, sorry for that little side jaunt there, and I don't want to leave on a "down" note so I wanted to share just a couple more pictures with you. I did get another block done for the sampler besides the "granny square" one. I think its called Spinning Star.  Its another one with a partial seam. I'm getting better at them, but still have room for improvement.

I was also able to get the tesselating cats quilt all quilted and the binding is ready to attatch.  I think I see lots of binding in my future.  I am still working on hand sewing the binding to the behemoth and my carpal tunel has made the whole process slow going.  I am happy, though, to know that I have TWO quilts so close to finished.  Finally, I have heard it said keep your eyes open for quilt inspiration everywhere.  Well the other day I noticed this...

This is a coaster I've had for a while, made of small peices of inlaid wood and never noticed the pattern its self.  I think it would make a nice quilt...a wall hanging maybe? Possibly different colors?  I'm still thinking on this one (lots of other projects to be working on right now) but it goes to show there is inspiration everywhere :)
Well, that's about all that's exciting from this end of the world, so I am off again to enjoy a day off and get some sewing done in between all the other "need to dos" of the day.  Hope you all have a great one. Warmest country wishes.
Country Mouse
p.s. I apologize for any misspellings, spelling is NOT my strong suit.  Does anyone out there know if they got rid of the spell checker on the post tool bar, or tell me where it is?  ( Yes my computer illiteracy is nice and strong today )Thanks!

My month in review....is it really the end of the month already?

Hi out there in blogland! I can't believe the month is almost gone. It never ceases to amaze me how the time flies.  I remember being a kid and time seemed to crawl and now that I'm older I wish it would slow down! I was looking back on my goals for the month and have to admit that I have fallen short on some. I'm not going to get down about it, I am going to look at the new month as a fresh start and give it another go.  I have done well as far as my quilting goals go. I have one finish, the binding is on the string quilt (hand sewing will probably be slow going, but its nice to know its at that point, finally) I turned one stack of blocks into a quilt top and it is basted and ready for quilting.  Not too bad :)  I have been able to get on and blog pretty consistantly so I'm happy about that too.  I also got up enough guts to enter a quilt in the Quilting Bloggers Weekly Themed Contest.  You can check out the contest rules and get to their blog, see the quilts and vote by clicking on the button here
.  
I would love for you to vote for my quilt, but vote for your favorite.  They are all beautiful.  I haven't bought any fabric yet this year either.  I think I am going to save up for a shop hop that is going on in Amish country in March.  Maybe by then I'll have a few more finishes and more of my stash used up ;)
   As far as some of my more personal goals, well, I still have to work on those.  I'm thinking in addition to my quilting, I am going to focus on exercising next month.  I have very much let myself go since my LCE and feel that is the next big area to get back on track.  I've thought about joining a walking program sponsered by the parks, but am still not sure. It would defintly be a motivator.  Or if any of you out there are in the same boat as me, maybe we could help to motivate each other.  Maybe a weekly check in?  Anyhoo, that's big focus for February.
   Other than that, life has been pretty quiet...don't know weather to breathe a sigh of relief or start to worry what's about to go down next.  I think I am going to pick the first.  We all know tomorrow will worry about itself, no need to borrow tomorrow's worries for today.  So with that I look at the beautiful blue skies above me today, take a deep breath and head out the door for some fresh air.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  Warmest country wishes.

A little of this and a little of that

Good morning everyone! Well, I'm happy to report that my carpal tunel has calmed down a bit. I am very thankful that it can be dealt with by just resting!  I have been doing a little of everything to still be working on my quilting and not stress my hands too much.  First off, I have been trying to get things organized. Organization seems to be a constant battle waged in my sewing area. And no matter how dilligently and valiently I try to fight, the foe of clutter just seems to end up kicking my butt!  Not that I'm not going to keep trying, especially as I am getting things done it makes for less I need to try to find a place for.  I have gone through my huge box of scraps and sorted them into lights and darks and put them in clear boxes so I know what I have and where.  I also went through some of the stuff in DD's closet and tried to condense things. Since I have been working on that UFO list there is less clutter, and now its finally starting to show :D

I did break down and get started on my 9 inch scrappy sampler here are the first two block I've made. The one above is called Westland and has inset seams, so it was a bit of a challenge, but enjoyable! The one below is just a Flying Geese block.  Both of these helped me to use up a few of those scraps in the "light" and "dark" bins.  I'm not sure how big I am going to make this quilt, but I am going to do some calculating and figure out how many blocks in what size setting I would like to end up with.

Finally, I did get the tying on the behemoth done and the binding made.  For the binding I just went into my 2 1/2 inch scrap bin and started sewing strips together.  I figured if I had extra, great, if I am a little short I have a whole drawer of peices I can add.

In a little bit of fun news, my eldest mouseling turns 9 today!  I can't believe its been 9 years since I welcomed a precious bundle of joy into the world!  He will be spending his birthday with his dad today, but we had fun and celebrated a little bit all week, so that's cool. Happy birthday, buddy!!

Well, I am going to get on my way, I need to run and make sure I have a photo downloaded (which I thought I already had) because I am going to try to enter the weekly contest the Quilting Bloggers site is doing. I am also hoping to get the binding on the behemoth before I have to go to work today.  I hope you all have a wonderful day, and get to make some time for yourself.  Warmest country wishes!!

And number one is.....

Good morning everyone.  It is bitter and chilly here, but I think we missed the brunt of the new snow today.  Listening to the radio on the way to taking my mouselings to school I heard there were several delays and a few closings south of us, so I am thankful we only got a dusting of the white stuff.  I also found a new background for my blog.  I think its cute and fitting for my style of quilting.  I almost didn't get it to work, my computer illiteracy was really showing this morning :( and had a couple unsuccessful tries, but here it is, and I'm happy!
   Now to my post title and why I don't have any quilty pictures to share just yet....
COUNTRY MOUSE'S TOP 5 LIST OF THINGS THAT MAKE A QUILTER WANT TO CRY....
5. Waking up sick on your day off...when you planned to sew all day.
4. Having car trouble while you're quilt shop hopping.
3. Running out of thread a mere 2" before you finish the last seam you're working on.
2. Running out of the fabric you thought you had enough of for your quilt's border...then not being able to find any more of it. (Oh my, have I been there done that!!)
And number one on the list of things that make a quilter want to cry.....
1. Three words "CARPAL TUNEL SYNDROME" !!!!

Yup, my carpal has been flaring horrendously.  I have been able to get a little work done on the behemoth (its about half way tied) and I did get the tessellating cats basted, but thats about it other than organizing.(I"ll post on that another day)  And all I can say is I'll never doubt a person when they say they're in pain.  People joke about carpal tunel, and I uesd to think "Yeah, right, how bad can it be?" but now I know first hand how painful it is and how it can affect what you do.  The sad part....I developed it when I was working as a baker, not from excessive ammounts of hand quilting or typing, but that is what it affects now.  Anyhow, no point in stewing over it, just though y'all should know why there isn't anything pretty to look at this time.

I do hope to have some pictures next time.  I was at the library last week and borrowed the Block Party book and am starting to think hmmmm.....9 inch scrappy sampler?  I think I am going to cut and piece a few blocks here today yet.  Not that I need another new project, but hey, I have a finish for the year already and two others that are getting close. And to be completely honest, I'm kinda getting tired of looking at the same quilts day in and day out, I'm ready for something new and fun (for just a little bit).  After a little break, its back to tackling that list of UFOs ;)

Well, I'm off to do some blog hopping then to enjoy the rest of my day.  I hope you all have a wonderful afternoon.  Warmest country wishes!

Finally tally for my quiltathon

Hi everyone, hope your week has been good so far. I have had a relatively relaxing week, I did end up with 4 days off in a row, so I was able to get a lot done...ok, "a lot" is a relative term, but I'm happy with what I accomplished. I got lots of sewing time in, plenty of time with the kids, and my house still looks like a house, so how can I not be happy ;)

Since my last post I did go ahead and finish the tessellating cats top the way I had originally started to. DD loved the squares and now that the border is on, I think I like it too. It finished at 44" x 56", a nice size to carry around. I have a piece of flannel that I think will work as a backing, I just have to wash and iron it and see if will still be the right size. Then I need to get some batting and this one will be ready for quilting. I did get some of the behemoth tied, about 1/3 of it. Sometimes I don't realize how big something is until I'm sitting under it. This one is HUGE! I know I keep saying that, but honestly every time I go to drag this (probably)6 lb giant out, I still can't get over the size of it :O I was also able to get a couple quilt labels done. The kitty one is for the quilt above and the other is just one that goes into the collection ready to be used once I get a quilt finished. Ok, and I just realized the picture loaded sideways, sorry :S

Even had time to make one of these.....yummy!

So all told for my quiltathon days, here is my tally:

1. Finished the Irish Chain quilt

2. finished one quilt top

3. Made considerable progress in tying the string quilt

4. Made one quilt backing

5. Made two quilt lables

..... and made one yummy winterberry pie ;) I'm also proud to report that as of yet, I have not bought any new fabric this year. One of my big goals is to use up what I have on hand before I start buying new. I went to the library Tuesday and picked up the Block Party book and am going to try something Eileen mentioned in her blog. As I am sorting through everything I am going to cut pieces to make blocks and make them into kits and set them aside for when I am ready to move on to something new. That way I just pull out the kit and everything is ready to sew. I think its a pretty cool idea. At this point, though, I think I am just going to relax today. I have been feeling a little down the last day or so. I wish I could explain it, sometimes I just feel overwhelmed and some of the feelings I had before my LCE creep back. Its been tough, but I know this too, will pass. Just been tough to keep my eyes forward, and not fear the "what ifs", but I know I can't let that fear overwhelm me. I need to focus on what I can do, what I can change, what is positive and where I am going so I can reach the goal I want to reach :)

I can't believe the weekend is upon us already! I am going to try to get out there and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. Its appearance has been pretty fleeting around here lately. I hope you all have a good one, and find a little time for friends, family and all the things that make you happy. Warmest country wishes!!

Checking in :)

Good morning everyone! Its an absolutely yucky, gray, dreary day here. I heard on the radio this morning that we are in for more snow. Not that I don't like snow, but I hate the pressure shifts that come with the changing weather. Lets me know I'm getting older...can't believe the aches and pains I can get sometimes...oh, well. I still like the saying, "I may grow old, but I'll never grow up." No matter how "old" I get, I hope I always keep a young spirit :)

Yesterday the mouselings were off from school. We decided to just have a pajama day and hung out at home and watched movies and played. We watched everything from Nickelodeon movies, to Veggie Tales to the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was especially fun since my little ones have only seen the newer version with Johnny Depp. It was fun to listen to them compare the two. I also got to spend plenty of time sewing, although judging by what I've actually accomplished so far, it doesn't seem that way :S

First off, who has a pile of this laying around? Yup, its a big pile of scrap muslin. I like to back my quilts with muslin sometimes (not too expensive and can give me one big solid backing) but I end up with all this scrap, and hate to waste it. Ok now, who has this around the house too? Shame on you if you didn't raise your hand...or maybe lucky or well organized you ;) Yes, this is just one box of the many scrap boxes I have.

Wanna see what happens at my house when the two of these things get together?

Ta Daaaa! One creative quilt backing! This one used up most of my bleached muslin scraps. Ok, I think this would be a pretty cool quilt in its own right, so I may develop a pattern for one kind of like it. I was thinking that if this were an actual quilt top I would call it "On a Wing and a Prayer" because that's pretty much how it came together. Just starting sewing and sewing and half way measuring then sewing some more.... and the shocking thing to me was that it came out pretty square! I really like it though so this one will have to go on the back of something I know I'm keeping. I still have enough scraps to make another one too.

Oh happy day the binding is done on the triple Irish Chain too!! Somebody do the happy dance with me, celebrating my first finish of 2010!! (I figured y'all have seen enough pictures of this one that I just wanted to show one more of four pretty, bound corners)
Finally, I got a good start on the tessellating cats top. This one is going to be a cuddle/car quilt for my daugheter so she can have one she can carry around, take in the car, and feel free to use for anything. I don't know if I'm crazy about the squares at the top (there is going to be another row at the bottom as well) but she likes them. And if she likes them, that's all that matters.

I still have today off, and possibly tomorrow (there was a death in my babysitter's family) so I am going to try to get more done today while I still have some time to myself. My goals for today are to get the kitty top finished and to start tying the string quilt. So with that I am heading on my way. I hope you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do what you love. Warmest country wishes!