Last Week...

My two monkeys had Spring Break last week, and they headed back to school today. Finally, some peace! I don't know if it's just being boys, or being brothers?... I just don't remember being so crazy and loud and hyper with my sister, perhaps my memory just fails me. Maybe it's just the difference between boys and girls.

During the week, we did some extra activities to keep them busy and occupied. Besides baseball practice, we had gone roller skating (which was hilarious), attempted to see "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (didn't happen because of a rain storm), and a visit to a Asian restaurant. I know, the last one isn't a place where the boys are looking forward to visit. I think it's funny because my boys (and I) are Asian, my mom was from South Korea. Yet, my boys dislike Asian food, any kind of Asian food (well, they will eat plain white rice). It's the food that I ate primarily when I was young, and from time to time, I try to introduce it to them again to remind them just where we all came from. But all in all, it turned out okay because we were at a buffet that served American food also.

While they were home, I found time to "sandwich" my Dresden plate quilt. And remember, this will be my first "real" attempt in machine-quilting. I will be using Quilters' Dream Wool. It works wonderfully with my hand-quilting, and I heard it does just as well with machine.

I will be using YLI silk thread (100 weight- very thin) and I want to try to use a template to help me with the meandering stitches. Although, it may seem that everything is ready to start, I am still very apprehensive. I just might quilt another quilt top just for practice.

It's something new, something very unfamiliar. I know that I'll put it off for a while. But I know I can find other quilty projects to work on in the mean time.

Until next time,

Jane

Sampler Quilt Progress

Yesterday, being National Quilting Day, I tried to reserve as much time to my sewing as I could. Besides the quick trip to the pharmacy to pick up my son's antibiotics, I think I got a lot done.

This is the Quiltmaking 101 sampler quilt that I am trying to finish. I was wanting to use the last of my scraps in the sashing and cornerstones, so a patchy version was what I thought would work. Well... I think the blocks get lost in the patckwork sashing. I'm thinking about placing a thin bias strip around the blocks to frame them. Maybe they won't fade into the quilt. I may have to set it aside for a while and then see if I have the same opinion in a few days.

I'm planning on framing a couple of the blocks to see what they look like.

Be back with the photos.

Jane

Oh, Happy Day

Today, it is officially the first day of spring. And it is also National Quilting Day!! How could it get any better!

Well, two days ago, wasn't so good. It was a beautiful day and since my older son finished his homework, he wanted to go outside and ride his bike. He was waiting for the neighbor boy to finish his homework when the neighbor boy's dog had bitten him - right around his right eye. I thank God that it wasn't as bad as it was, and it was pretty bad. I think his eyeglasses shielded his eye or else it would have been so much worse. By that time, the doctor's office was closed and, after cleaning it and bandaging it, it didn't look E.R. worthy. Plus he was begging not to go to the hospital.

Yesterday, he went to school, showing off his wounds- just like a boy!! The school nurse had notified me that a dog's mouth is filthy. Since the wounds were so close to his eye, he should get antibiotics for it. So after school, we made a trip to the hospital (his pediatrician doesn't look at dog bites, he wanted us to go to the E.R.) and after the 3 hour visit, a prescription and a shot of antibiotics, he is on his way to a good recovery, besides the wounds.

So, knowing that my baby boy is now safe and healing, I am so thankful the outcome wasn't as severe as it could have been. He now has 7 days of spring break to recuperate.

I'm planning to celebrate National Quilting Day, well, working on my quilts. Will have some photos soon.

Enjoy your Quilting holiday,

Jane

I Forgot...

During the hoopla of trying to the quilt tops done, I had forgotten to mention that I had received my giveaway prize from Brye Lynn, from sewstitchcreate.com a week ago today. I got so caught up with the piecing that lost track of time. Thank you, Brye!!

I'll be back with photos of my progress. Then I'll have try to machine-quilt them! Agghhhh!!!

Wish me luck,

Jane

Work Update

It has been just over a week since my last post. I have working on the Quiltmaking 101 Sampler quilt. I think I got the sashing and cornerstones the way I like them (it always seems funny how it comes out a little different from how I pictured it in my head and in my drawings). I have been piecing them together and I hope to have it all of them with the blocks pieced soon. My son's baseball coach had just called about practice this week, so that may take away some of my time. I'll have to figure out something different I can take with me- something with applique.


I had purchased fatquarters and 1/4 yard cuts for this quilt, I had used a lot of some and a little of others. I've cut out so many 1/2 inch squares from those scraps that I am beginning to see them in my dreams.


Then I'm having to make different lengths of sashing. It is easy work but it the tedious, small work like this...doing it over and over again...that's what runs me down. I'm ready to work on something new, but I'm going to stick with it. I'm going to have to get this top finished!

I had picked up the wool quilt batting for the Dresden plate quilt on Friday, so it can be "sandwiched" at any time. Maybe I'll do that when I need to take a break from the above quilt.

I can't wait to get these quilts done, because I am already visualizing the next UFO quilts I want to work on. In a past post titled "Summertime," there is a floral-type quilt that has been calling me. Probably sparked by the warmer temperatures and sunshine. And when I got the batting, I had a talk with the quilt shop owner about my "Dear Jane" quilt. She had asked, "Have you finished it yet?" I had to tell her that I hadn't worked on it for awhile, seems more like forever. But I pulled it out again and I bet I can work a few more blocks from time to time.

Okay, gotta get back to work! ; )

Jane

Easter Eggs Done!

Well, it took me a day later than I thought to finish them, but I think they turned out really cute! I didn't need to make as many eggs as I, did but once my kids saw them, they insisted that I make some for them too.

Seriously, now. I'm going to have to go back to work on my quilts. I've got this big urge to finish one so, hopefully, I'll be back soon with those photos.

See you then,

Jane

A Little Sidetracked

I had every intention on working on my quilts. I just need to dedicate some time on each and they will be ready for quilting.

But last night.... on Brye Lynn's website, sewstitchcreate.com, she is offering a Fabric Easter Egg Swap. And you know me, I had to do it.
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I had some of Heather Bailey's fabric that I had purchased two years ago for a project she had featured in a magazine. Til this day, the fabric was remained untouched, but the colors would be perfect for Easter.

I started cutting the fabric pieces last night. I had two eggs stuffed by this morning. If I'm not distracted too much, I may just get them done tonight! Then back to the original plan.

Diligently sewing,

Jane

Black and White and...

I've been working on this black and white optical illusion quilt. I'm still not sure if the illusion will work on such a grand scale. I guess it'll be another learning experience. I have been able to do a little, I had only purchased a 1/2 yard of each of the black and white/off-white fabrics.

I'm going to have to put this quilt aside because I received the backing fabric for the Dresden plate quilt yesterday. I'm not sure if I'll get the quilt sandwiched tonight, I may work on the Quilt Making 101 quilt. I don't know why, but I'm anxious to get that quilt top done and out of the way!

I don't know about you, but I feel a little guilt when making a quilt when I think about how much $$ can go into the fabric. Once the quilt top is complete, I feel a little better seeing the finish product. Yet, I haven't purchased the quilt backing yet. There can be a lot of yardage in backing a quilt (in my own experiences, it can be 6-8 yards, depending on the size of the quilt). Now, add that up and there goes more $$$.

Lately, I have been visiting eBay and quiltshops.com to look for my backing fabric. I can usually find some great deals. I had just purchased 7 3/4 yard of fabric for my Sunflower sampler quilt that was just $2.99/yard! It helps me feel a little better. I love supporting my local quilt shops, but I did find the fabric for a price that was about 70 % cheaper!

Gonna work on some tops so that they will be ready once their backing fabric arrive. And then, it' time for machine quilting!! AGGGHHHHH! I've gotta conquer that part of it, too!

Wish me luck!

Jane