Well everyone I am gone. Have a happy and safe Christmas. Remember the reason for this glorious holiday season.
Hugs and Blessings!
Traci
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
Thursday Night Photos
This is my Dirty Santa gift.....it is a candle warmer for small candles, votives. I have large Yankee Candle Jars.....I will have to search for the other one (that I lost!!). Isn't it pretty.
Here are some of the individual gifties....ornaments, luggage tags...great!
Here we have another group of gifties....a personalized fob, ornament and sewing organizer.
This group of gifties include a wreath ornament made of Hemlocks....no idea what they are...hmmm, need to read up on local plants. A great ornament made with buttons....and the cutest little hand embroidered pin cushion...so cute!!!This year there were 4 very popular items...a black and white bag, a black,white and red sewing set (both of which were handmade), a candle warmer (Jim Shore...I didn't get it) and a gift certificate to a local quilt shop.
Christmas Party number 3! Whew....didn't think I would make it through the week but I did. Three Christmas parties , making gifties, food preparation, cleaning house ( yes, cleaning house.)....working,working out..tooo much for a normal person.
Blessings to All!!!
T.
Promised Photos
This is from my Stitch Group party on Tuesday night. We had a ornament and fat quarter swap. Not really "Dirty Santa" you just picked a wrapped package and that was it. I really like my fat quarter and I am a snowman person for sure....so smiling really big!
The rule for the fat quarter is....I have to make something with it and bring it to the next Christmas party....hmm.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Amazing!
Well, my third Christmas party this week was tonight, had a great time with "Dirty Santa". The individual gifts were fantastic..will post pictures tomorrow. The food was amazing...ate too much again. But I will have these thighs in the gym tomorrow morning...yes, I will.
The most exciting segment was the "Quilter's Version of Twelve Days of Christmas"....so amazingly funny!
I arrived home to find this gadget in my email box. What???! Wow....it must be fantastic. I am so tempted to purchase one...why, just to see what the difference is and why does it cost more than double, no triple the price of the other rotary cutters. Maybe Santa will get me one...hehe!
Well...Grey's Anatomy is waiting for me on Tivo along with a nice cold bottle of Sugar Free Hawaiian Punch.
Hugs and Blessings!
T.
The most exciting segment was the "Quilter's Version of Twelve Days of Christmas"....so amazingly funny!
I arrived home to find this gadget in my email box. What???! Wow....it must be fantastic. I am so tempted to purchase one...why, just to see what the difference is and why does it cost more than double, no triple the price of the other rotary cutters. Maybe Santa will get me one...hehe!
Well...Grey's Anatomy is waiting for me on Tivo along with a nice cold bottle of Sugar Free Hawaiian Punch.
Hugs and Blessings!
T.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Christmas Party Number #1
Tonight was the start of my Christmas parties. Tonight's party was with my Stitchers Etc group....nice group, I really like the people and had a wonderful time. I wish I could attend more meetings....perhaps with the New Year, changes will happen.
We had great food (ate too much) and a wonderful fat quarter and ornament exchange. No Dirty Santa with this group. The rules for the fat quarter is that in 2008 you must bring back a completed project which includes the fat quarter. I picked a red on red snow flake print...love red, and love, love snowflakes. The fat quarter served as the wrapping for the cutest snowman ornament...so cute. Will post photo tomorrow.
Need to finish up gift tags for Christmas party #2.
Blessings to All!
T.
We had great food (ate too much) and a wonderful fat quarter and ornament exchange. No Dirty Santa with this group. The rules for the fat quarter is that in 2008 you must bring back a completed project which includes the fat quarter. I picked a red on red snow flake print...love red, and love, love snowflakes. The fat quarter served as the wrapping for the cutest snowman ornament...so cute. Will post photo tomorrow.
Need to finish up gift tags for Christmas party #2.
Blessings to All!
T.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Stash Reduction Effort
Stash reduction efforts for the week were good. I finished "Wild and Crazy" Stars which was completely from my stash. 32 fat quarters, 3 yards of background fabric, and 6 yards of fabric for backing....ALL FROM STASH!!!
Tablerunner...not completely finished was also from stash. This will be a gift..so no picture for now.
Cut up 36 fat quarters for next month's Stash busting quilt.
Purchased the book above. All patterns utilize 6 half yards...great quilts. I have several half yards sets that would work great.
Most importantly....no fabric...I purchased no fabric!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Hello
Nothing to report really. Signed up for the Charm swap on Quilted Table. I was a little doubtful about this swap since it is so close but if the plans are finalized by this weekend I will be able to get the charms in the mail by Monday at the latest.
I am getting a little excited! In less than two weeks I will be in California...yippeee! I know, I go all the time but I haven't been there in almost 6 months, that's half a year people.
Have I done my Christmas shopping....ahhh, no! Am I concerned about it....ahhh, no!
Most people here will get their items after Christmas...let us call them New Year presents.
On the Stashbusting front...I am still working on my tablerunner. I really want to use a certain red fabric so I am asking a friend if it is in her stash. If she has it...I will swap some of my fabric with her. I am still determined not to buy any additional fabric until my stash is under control.
I will complete Block 3 of the Quilt-A-Long and my BOMs from Patches all tomorrow.
I will be heading South for the weekend ....so no sewing for me.
Will post some quilty pictures tomorrow.
Stay warm everyone....it is cold outside.
Hugs,
T.
I am getting a little excited! In less than two weeks I will be in California...yippeee! I know, I go all the time but I haven't been there in almost 6 months, that's half a year people.
Have I done my Christmas shopping....ahhh, no! Am I concerned about it....ahhh, no!
Most people here will get their items after Christmas...let us call them New Year presents.
On the Stashbusting front...I am still working on my tablerunner. I really want to use a certain red fabric so I am asking a friend if it is in her stash. If she has it...I will swap some of my fabric with her. I am still determined not to buy any additional fabric until my stash is under control.
I will complete Block 3 of the Quilt-A-Long and my BOMs from Patches all tomorrow.
I will be heading South for the weekend ....so no sewing for me.
Will post some quilty pictures tomorrow.
Stay warm everyone....it is cold outside.
Hugs,
T.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Quilt-A-Long and Stash busting!
Quilt-A-long block #2 was extremely hard for me..I sewed and re-sewed that block at least 5 times! For some reason I wanted the center blocks to be reversed, smile! Well, now hopefully I have them correctly placed.
See sidebar for block picture.
With all the holiday traveling...I wasn't able to sew much.
Stashbusting Effort:
1. I didn't make any "new" fabric purchases this week. (I did have a delivery of fabric I purchased from Connecting Threads, before making this Stash reduction Pledge) I resisted temptation... a black and white sale at Equilter.com.
2. I started a Christmas tablerunner, completely from Stash....I will hopefully finish up the blocks today before moving on to my gifties for my TNT sewing friends.
3. Found a great stash reduction pattern that will be perfect for my batiks...which I have tons of, Rhythm and Blues. I also saw a quilt on Crazymoms blog that I will make that too will bust some stash.
I know I haven't done much...but I haven't purchased anything this week. One day at a time for sure.
Hugs and Blessings.
See sidebar for block picture.
With all the holiday traveling...I wasn't able to sew much.
Stashbusting Effort:
1. I didn't make any "new" fabric purchases this week. (I did have a delivery of fabric I purchased from Connecting Threads, before making this Stash reduction Pledge) I resisted temptation... a black and white sale at Equilter.com.
2. I started a Christmas tablerunner, completely from Stash....I will hopefully finish up the blocks today before moving on to my gifties for my TNT sewing friends.
3. Found a great stash reduction pattern that will be perfect for my batiks...which I have tons of, Rhythm and Blues. I also saw a quilt on Crazymoms blog that I will make that too will bust some stash.
I know I haven't done much...but I haven't purchased anything this week. One day at a time for sure.
Hugs and Blessings.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Stash Reduction Effort Vow
In an effort to bring my stash and getting my sewing room under control....I have joined http://judylaquidara.blogspot.com/2007/11/quilters-who-want-to-reduce-stash.html"Quilter's who want to reduce their stash".
I have too much stuff...I know it and everyone who knows me knows it.
I need to cut back on my spending period! Due to life changes that are fast approaching and also because no one needs this much stuff!!!
Really sad when quilting friends and quilt shops call me when they are in search of a certain fabric! That should have been my first clue....the inability to open my sewing room door or lastly, not being able to "sew" in the sewing room due to lack on space...all important clues.
When your "sewing room"...consists of three rooms...also not good.
So this is my plan. I have pledged to making a "comfy" quilt every month using only my stash. This is a charity quilt either for a baby or for someone else in need. I recently cut up some of my stash into kits...5 kits to make quilts for friends and family.
Oops...time to eat breakfast....I love Thanksgiving!
Wish me luck!
Traci
I have too much stuff...I know it and everyone who knows me knows it.
I need to cut back on my spending period! Due to life changes that are fast approaching and also because no one needs this much stuff!!!
Really sad when quilting friends and quilt shops call me when they are in search of a certain fabric! That should have been my first clue....the inability to open my sewing room door or lastly, not being able to "sew" in the sewing room due to lack on space...all important clues.
When your "sewing room"...consists of three rooms...also not good.
So this is my plan. I have pledged to making a "comfy" quilt every month using only my stash. This is a charity quilt either for a baby or for someone else in need. I recently cut up some of my stash into kits...5 kits to make quilts for friends and family.
Oops...time to eat breakfast....I love Thanksgiving!
Wish me luck!
Traci
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
May your Thanksgiving be filled with love and happiness...and a lot of FOOD.
Hugs and Blessings!
T.L.C.
Hugs and Blessings!
T.L.C.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Connecting Threads Order
I took the plunge and ordered from Connecting Threads. This is my first time ordering fabric from them. I am an Equilter.com girl. But after many praises from other bloggers..I took the plunge and ordered some of their strip sets.
Placed the order and received email confirmation that they had received it and it was now on its way....will take 5 - 14 days to get here (interesting time line). I reviewed the order and WHAT! they substituted 3 yards of fabric with 12 fat quarters...obviously someone who doesn't sew was working in the order room.
I quickly email them...what are you doing??? I wanted that fabric for a border and fat quarters just won't do it! Just the thought of piecing all those fat quarter for a border makes me cringe. Still haven't received a response yet. Needless to say...not too happy about that substitution.
Will wait to pass judgement on the rest of the order.
Have a great day!
Me
Placed the order and received email confirmation that they had received it and it was now on its way....will take 5 - 14 days to get here (interesting time line). I reviewed the order and WHAT! they substituted 3 yards of fabric with 12 fat quarters...obviously someone who doesn't sew was working in the order room.
I quickly email them...what are you doing??? I wanted that fabric for a border and fat quarters just won't do it! Just the thought of piecing all those fat quarter for a border makes me cringe. Still haven't received a response yet. Needless to say...not too happy about that substitution.
Will wait to pass judgement on the rest of the order.
Have a great day!
Me
Guild Night
Above is a picture of the class sample by Sue Nickels. Isn't it gorgeous! I did buy the pattern for this one. Love, love the colors.
We were very happy to brave the cold to see Sue Nickels on Thursday night. She was our guest speaker this month. The presentation was about her "Beatles" Quilt which is fantastic!
I wish I had a sister who shared my love of quilting like Sue does. Both she and her sister, Pat Holly, are very talented.
She also spoke about the Space Quilt which is very appropriate for this area...smile.
I wore my newly made name badge (aka the "pot holder"). I was very surprised that no one pointed and laughed at me...but I looked around the room and low and behold...there were a lot of "pot holders" being worn. Maybe on vacation I will try again with a smaller version.
Purchases for the night were few...NO FABRIC! A book and a pattern...that is it, nothing more. I really wanted the thread set but didn't do it.
Hugs and Blessings!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
What I did Tonight!
WEll, tonight I worked on something I have not done in 5 years! Made myself a name badge for Quilt Guild...hehe! I stitched up my name as a practice piece..turned out okay but still need to practice some. I decided to use that little practice piece for a name badge...waste not want not, right! WEll, it turned out a little big! Hmmm.....I guess I should have thought about the size a little more than I did. It measures 6 1/2 inches...looks like a pot holder...smile.
I also worked on the Quilt-A-Long Block from http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/. Block number one is in the sidebar. Made completely from scraps....don't plan on purchasing anything for this project...just yet.
I also trimmed up the rest of the "Wild and Crazy" Stars...may stay up tonight and piece them.
Hugs and Blessings All!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Quilters
Quilter's Horoscope
Capricorn - December 22 and January 20
When shopping for fabric it is always wise to take a Capricorn, as they are very good at calculating the required amount needed for patterns. ( This is so funny. I will help a person figure out how much fabric is needed for a pattern but I always buy more than needed...a lot more).
Being prudent and practical they will not over estimate the quantity needed and therefore are cost effective to have along, especially if you are on a budget. (Totally untrue...at least for me)They are also extremely organized and disciplined(Totally untrue...until recently my sewing room was awful! I do enjoy the organization now but as far as being disciplined...hehe)
They take as much care in the storage of their stash as they do in the quality of their work. They see themselves as sensible and perform a regular clear out of supplies and materials. They are not the type to horde anything and do not own more than one type of any tool.(Totally untrue for me...I horde, I own more than two of all tools, I buy every new and exciting tool..I need to do a regular clean out...but I don't).
Of course their restraint is what causes them to take an inordinate amount of time in the planning stage of a project, which they feel is of vital importance to the outcome of the finished product (Now I am beginning to wonder...am I a Capricorn...perhaps I was adopted, this would explain so much. But unfortunately, this doesn't hold up because I look just like my mother. I am a great planner of projects but the followthrough leaves a lot to be desired. And, I have no retraint...at all.)
Tonight I had dinner with a dear friend.Carolyn. I had a great time and can talk to her about anything. Due to my work schedule I am unable to attend my Tuesday night stitch group...but tonight I was free...and had such a good time.
What a great group of woman! I learned so much and enjoyed myself so.
Still trying to practice my stitchery....my new name badge looks okay but my stitching needs help, smile. Will post a picture tomorrow.
Today I also did my 15 minutes of "sewing"....I trimmed some of the "Wild and Crazy Stars" Blocks...will hopefully finish that up tomorrow.
Hugs and Blessings!
Traci
Capricorn - December 22 and January 20
When shopping for fabric it is always wise to take a Capricorn, as they are very good at calculating the required amount needed for patterns. ( This is so funny. I will help a person figure out how much fabric is needed for a pattern but I always buy more than needed...a lot more).
Being prudent and practical they will not over estimate the quantity needed and therefore are cost effective to have along, especially if you are on a budget. (Totally untrue...at least for me)They are also extremely organized and disciplined(Totally untrue...until recently my sewing room was awful! I do enjoy the organization now but as far as being disciplined...hehe)
They take as much care in the storage of their stash as they do in the quality of their work. They see themselves as sensible and perform a regular clear out of supplies and materials. They are not the type to horde anything and do not own more than one type of any tool.(Totally untrue for me...I horde, I own more than two of all tools, I buy every new and exciting tool..I need to do a regular clean out...but I don't).
Of course their restraint is what causes them to take an inordinate amount of time in the planning stage of a project, which they feel is of vital importance to the outcome of the finished product (Now I am beginning to wonder...am I a Capricorn...perhaps I was adopted, this would explain so much. But unfortunately, this doesn't hold up because I look just like my mother. I am a great planner of projects but the followthrough leaves a lot to be desired. And, I have no retraint...at all.)
Tonight I had dinner with a dear friend.Carolyn. I had a great time and can talk to her about anything. Due to my work schedule I am unable to attend my Tuesday night stitch group...but tonight I was free...and had such a good time.
What a great group of woman! I learned so much and enjoyed myself so.
Still trying to practice my stitchery....my new name badge looks okay but my stitching needs help, smile. Will post a picture tomorrow.
Today I also did my 15 minutes of "sewing"....I trimmed some of the "Wild and Crazy Stars" Blocks...will hopefully finish that up tomorrow.
Hugs and Blessings!
Traci
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Hancocks Fabric
Went to Hancocks Fabric today for rotary blades...50% off. I think I have enough to last for the next few months.
The local Hancocks has changed! I saw signs for the Grand Opening. I thought...what! That Hancocks has been open for years...what is going on. Well, was a really surprised! It has completely been revamped! And there is a Bernina dealer in the center...where did that come from!
I was completely lost and wondered around the entire store....it looked wonderful!
After Hancocks...I decided I really needed to go to the gym so off I went for 1 hour of cardio...really needed it badly!
Now I am home...lunch on board and now I am headed to the sewing room.
I was reading Stashbusters this morning....Sandra really brought it home....we have to decrease. I know I have a problem....I know I have to use my stash and stop buying...but it is so much fun.
Hugs and Blessings!
Traci
The local Hancocks has changed! I saw signs for the Grand Opening. I thought...what! That Hancocks has been open for years...what is going on. Well, was a really surprised! It has completely been revamped! And there is a Bernina dealer in the center...where did that come from!
I was completely lost and wondered around the entire store....it looked wonderful!
After Hancocks...I decided I really needed to go to the gym so off I went for 1 hour of cardio...really needed it badly!
Now I am home...lunch on board and now I am headed to the sewing room.
I was reading Stashbusters this morning....Sandra really brought it home....we have to decrease. I know I have a problem....I know I have to use my stash and stop buying...but it is so much fun.
Hugs and Blessings!
Traci
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Stash Buster Sew In Weekend
This weekend is the Stashbuster Yahoo group sew in weekend.
It is also a sew in day for a local quilt group that I belong to. So...off I went to drop off my block swap and then to quilt with friends. I will do a little sewing tomorrow also after laundry and an attempt to clean some.
I worked on the October Mystery blocks and also on the September Mystery. I have some of the October blocks pictured below and will post a picture of the September Mystery tomorrow.
Hope everyone is sewing! Now it is football time.
Hugs,
Traci
It is also a sew in day for a local quilt group that I belong to. So...off I went to drop off my block swap and then to quilt with friends. I will do a little sewing tomorrow also after laundry and an attempt to clean some.
I worked on the October Mystery blocks and also on the September Mystery. I have some of the October blocks pictured below and will post a picture of the September Mystery tomorrow.
Hope everyone is sewing! Now it is football time.
Hugs,
Traci
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Exhausted
I am completely exhausted! So it is early to bed for me for sure.
I wanted to do my 15 minutes of sewing today but that will have to be in my mind only. I did order some items online....does that count for 15 minutes of sewing time?? Probably not since I am supposed to be stash busting instead of stash establishing...smile!
I was heading south this weekend but I am staying close to home. I will go to a Sew In with a group of sewing buddies on Saturday....come back and watch football, maybe even cook a little soup or chili.
Hopefully after a full night of sleep I will be back to my normal self. Need to hit the gym really hard this weekend...Halloween was hard!! Didn't buy any candy but somehow I have consumed a huge amount of it.
Good Night All!
Traci
I wanted to do my 15 minutes of sewing today but that will have to be in my mind only. I did order some items online....does that count for 15 minutes of sewing time?? Probably not since I am supposed to be stash busting instead of stash establishing...smile!
I was heading south this weekend but I am staying close to home. I will go to a Sew In with a group of sewing buddies on Saturday....come back and watch football, maybe even cook a little soup or chili.
Hopefully after a full night of sleep I will be back to my normal self. Need to hit the gym really hard this weekend...Halloween was hard!! Didn't buy any candy but somehow I have consumed a huge amount of it.
Good Night All!
Traci
Sisters Shoebox Swap
This is the first internet swap I have participated in. I am so happy that Monica let me play.
Here is what is in the package:
2 skeins of handpainted merino wool yarn
1 package of milk chocolate covered oreo cookies
1 package of dark chocolate hot chocolate
1 package of fall/Thanksgiving themed M & Ms
5 tea bags
Pumpkin Spice scented candle
American Cook Book
Faith silver bookmarker
Santa Ornament
Snowman Magnetic Photo frame
"J" embroidered beverage coozie
Above is a picture of what I sent my swap partner Judy. Hope she like chocolate.
Hugs and Blessings!
Traci
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Update
Hello...I get this question all the time. So, how is the sewing room cleanup going.
Well for so long I could only say...."okay", then hang my head down. Or I could just fib and say...great!
Now honestly I can say....really good. I only have three areas of disarray compared to an entire room of total ciaos.
I am a container girl...I love containers...big ones, little one...you name it I have it. Now I have a huge set of drawers and cabinets organized by fabric colors. I have a huge cutting table with storage below....my containers have multiplied....what is a girl to do?
I spent three hours organizing and cleaning again with great results...more empty containers.
Here are the plans for next weekend.
1. Cut scraps into 2.5 inch strips.
2. Start Christmas exchange gifts.
3. Continue with the sewing room cleanup.
4. Go to Sew in on Saturday.
5. Sleep...smile.
Tomorrow the work week starts again....so I will have very limit time to blog. Need to send off my Shoebox Gift Exchange in the morning before I hit the gym.
Have a happy and blessed week.
T.
Well for so long I could only say...."okay", then hang my head down. Or I could just fib and say...great!
Now honestly I can say....really good. I only have three areas of disarray compared to an entire room of total ciaos.
I am a container girl...I love containers...big ones, little one...you name it I have it. Now I have a huge set of drawers and cabinets organized by fabric colors. I have a huge cutting table with storage below....my containers have multiplied....what is a girl to do?
I spent three hours organizing and cleaning again with great results...more empty containers.
Here are the plans for next weekend.
1. Cut scraps into 2.5 inch strips.
2. Start Christmas exchange gifts.
3. Continue with the sewing room cleanup.
4. Go to Sew in on Saturday.
5. Sleep...smile.
Tomorrow the work week starts again....so I will have very limit time to blog. Need to send off my Shoebox Gift Exchange in the morning before I hit the gym.
Have a happy and blessed week.
T.
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