"Make what you want to make, and make it the way you want to make it." Gwen Marston

Saturday, January 18, 2014

My how time flies . . .

My how time flies when you’re having fun sewing!  Every time I think about blogging, I decide to sew instead.  And yet it doesn’t seem like I have much to show for my efforts.  I’m also working on cleaning and organizing my sewing room,  so I’ve been working on smaller projects, that are scattered around the room. 

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This little candle mat was made from a kit that I bought a couple of years ago, and this snowman is from a  pattern and wool that I bought from Cathi at Shakerwood Woolens when she had a booth at a nearby Quilt Show last year.  I placed another order with her right before Christmas, so there’s one more wool project to come.  Well, maybe two.

I made several Christmas gifts this year, but one was extremely late in arriving at its destination, so I couldn’t share them before now. 

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I made these for bloggy friends, and I liked them so well, I made a third for my sil and bil.  Another sil received this.

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It was a lot of fun to make, and I did most of the stitching in my car on lunch hours!  I really enjoy that hour every day, sitting in silence and decompressing.

I also received some lovely handmade gifts for Christmas.  Maria sent this beautiful bag.

It’s the perfect size to tuck one of those little lunchtime projects in.  From my friend Di, I received a fun assortment of snowman themed items.

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My name was drawn for a prize from the Christmas Quilt Along for participating in the challenge of making a quilt without using red or green.  Sue sent this beautiful wall hanging for my prize.

So, what am I working on now?  I’ve finished the seventh snowman of nine for a BOM.

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I now have number eight, and plan to prep it tonight.

I’m also working on this challenging piece.

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I have the center blocks made, but the medium green round is shared between blocks, and it’s taken me awhile, but I think I’ve finally figured out how to join it all together.  I don’t have a pattern, I’m just working from an advertisement in a magazine.

I’ve decided that I’m going to try my hand at hand quilting, so I made this little quilt, to give it a try.  I’m sure it won’t be great, but it’s made of leftover fabrics, so I really don’t have anything to lose.

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One last thing – I’m working on sewing hexies together for for my GFG while I watch TV in the evenings.  So I have been sewing like crazy!  Maybe not focusing on any one thing, but I am focusing on finishes.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!  I’ll try to be a little more regular so a post isn’t always this long.

Sunny

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Ringing in the New

I’m so far behind in blogging, that I don’t even know where to start.  I feel guilty, so I just keep putting it off.  Blogging is supposed to be fun, isn’t it?  So I’m moving forward and not going to try to cover November and December.

I had a very nice Christmas, although it was quiet with just Mr. QD and me.  I received some lovely gifts –hikey things, stitchy things, and travelly things.  Spellcheck does not like any of my adjectives, but I do!

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We stayed home for Christmas, and then headed for the shore for a few days afterwards.    We had a fun time, photographing Snow Geese, Tundra Swans, White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, and several Bald Eagles. 

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We walked on the beach, and we hiked.  We toured around a couple of small towns on the Eastern Shore, and found a fabulous new restaurant.  We also witnessed two fabulous sunsets over the water.

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And now somehow, it’s a new year.  I’ve noticed that many bloggers are setting goals this year instead of making resolutions, and I really like that idea.  My most important sewing goal is to stop buying fabric, and use what I have!  Things have gotten out of control in the QD sewing room, and it’s time to take control. I didn’t even get any fabric for Christmas!

I’ve found a new group to help with my problem.  My name is Sunny, and I’m a Fabriholic.  There are many of us out there, and I’m finally ready to admit that I have a problem.  I’ve been composing a list of all my UFO’s, WIP’s, and projects that have never been started although I bought the fabric.  I’ll be posting the list soon,

Pop over to the Elven Garden if you’d like to learn more about Fabriholics anonymous, or perhaps join us?  I plan to do another post in the next day or two listing the rules, and publicly stating any changes I might be making for myself. 

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I’ve also found my new WORD for the new year.  Actually, I think it found me.  FOCUS.  I plan to focus on getting healthier, and while I won’t list specifics here, I do have a specific list.  I plan to focus on my home, and making it a nicer place.  I plan to focus on sewing more and buying less. 

I think that’s enough for tonight.  I need sleep as I actually have to get up and go to work tomorrow! 

Sunny

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