Slightly Behind

Why is it always the month you have the most to do that you have the least amount of time to do it in?  Life has been so ridiculously busy that after a full week all I have to show for myself is one Skill Builder block. 

I did at least get Modern Beauty done today.  I used the "invisible" thread again only this time I used a different zigzag stitch on my machine, and it worked a bit better.  I'm still not a huge fan of this thread, but it wasn't quite as bad as last time. 

Next up is getting some of the kids' gifts done, and also I need to quilt this block.

Gettysburg Getaway

Joel's parents were kind enough to send us away for 24 hours while they and Aunt Liz watched the kiddos.  They live just 45 minutes away from Gettysburg, so it was the perfect distance.  We stayed at the cutest Bed and Breakfast.  It's called the Baladerry Inn.  The place is absolutely charming with the old brick fireplaces and 1800s decor.  The original part of the home (the brick section pictured above) was used as a hospital during the battle of Gettysburg.

I hadn't been to Gettysburg since my 5th grade field trip, so it's been a while.  They've really built up the place.  The new visitor center is huge!  Joel and I decided to spend the morning taking the self-guided car tour.  I've always found the Civil War very fascinating, so it was a very interesting visit.  The picture below is the view off of Little Round Top - the valley below is where "Pickett's Charge" took place.  Lee lost over 5,000 Confederate men in one hour charging across open fields.

Total casualties (killed, wounded, captured, and missing) for the 3 days of fighting in Gettysburg were 23,000 (Union Army) & 28,000 (Confederate Army).  It was pretty sobering to think of so many men fighting and dieing here.

How Can It Already Be December?

December always sneaks up on me.  Even though I was feeling good about myself for knocking a couple things off my list early I now find myself with quite a few things to do before Christmas.  What else is new?

1- I started prep work for another Skill Builder block:

I was supposed to be using this quilt as a Christmas gift, so I need to get my booty in gear and finish up the last couple of blocks. 

2- December Blocks for do.Good Stitches - this may have to be pushed back until after Christmas

3- I have a list of things to make for the Torres Cousins and the kiddos.  Once my Skill Builder block is finished I'm going to start ticking these off my list.

4- Eh...remember this quilt top from last year?  Oops- it's still sitting in my closet waiting to be finished.  I should probably work on that one of these days.

5- My Sisters' BOM blocks still need to be made into a quilt top, but that may also get pushed back until after Christmas.

Stats for the Week:
New projects - 0
Completed projects - 0
WIP- 5

Barbie Needs a Quilt, Too

We're on our second round of the stomach bug in under a week around here.  Little Man stayed home from school and the kiddos have been lounging around in their pajamas all day while I've been sanitizing the whole house...again.  There's nothing quite like a reoccurring illness to make you paranoid about germs.  I've got just about everything wiped down, washed and/or swept, so I can finally sit down and post this.

I haven't gotten much done so far this week, but I did manage to start a birthday gift for one of my nieces.  She's turning 5 and my sister requested that I make quilts and pillows for her Barbies since she's getting a Barbie house for Christmas.  I think it's always fun to work on mini-versions of things with scraps, so I was excited about this project. First thing's first - I had to borrow a Barbie from a friend to measure how big to make the quilts, because my daughter hasn't hit the Barbie phase yet.

Here's Barbie quilt top #1:

One of the reasons why I love using scraps so much is because each fabric reminds me of the previous quilts I used them for and the people I gave them to.  It makes every scrap bust a trip down memory lane while I piece the new project together. 

A while back I started saving all the triangles I cut off while making quilt bindings.  I kind of did it on a whim and didn't have any particular idea in mind when I started saving them.  As I was thinking about possibilities for these little quilts I thought, "Hey - I have all those triangles!  Let's do some mini pinwheels."  I wasn't very particular about cutting them down so not all of them line up, but somehow I don't think Barbie will mind. 

I made the two quilt tops coordinate by using matching borders.

Here's Barbie quilt top #2: 

 

Lots o' Projects

It's been a while since I went to the trouble of making the actual list for WIP, but I'm needing to get myself organized, so this is a good place to do it.

1- Receiving Blanket was started and completed this week.  Check that one off!

2- Sister's Modern BOM:  All of the blocks are completed, so now I need to make a quilt top.

3- Skill Builder:  I got one block done this week.  I'm about 5 behind...I think.  I've lost track at this point.  I'm not too sure I'm going to be able to get all of them done by the end of the year.  We'll see.

4- I've cut out what I need to make purses for my daughter and my niece (for Christmas).  That's the first thing to cross off my list this week.

Other projects

do.Good Stitches- need to do November blocks

Christmas quilt - really should be on the radar, but it's not

Upcoming projects

Stuffed Animal Sleeping bags for the kiddos
Mel's birthday gift
Madrid Temple Wholecloth quilt

Stats for the Week:
New projects - 3
Completed projects - 1
WIP- 7

The "Not-So Invisible" Invisible Thread

Anyone else love Princess Bride?  This is what came to mind when working with Invisible Sulky thread yesterday:

As part of a Skill Builder you are supposed to get outside of your comfort zone and try things you've never done before.  I tried "invisible" thread and boy is it a pain in the buh-tootie to work with.  It's super fine and very difficult to see, and the thread tension is crazy weird.  See all of those thread ends to work with?

I personally think that for the amount of pain it is to work with that this thread isn't really worth it.  I think it's still pretty visible.  Maybe if I used a smaller needle the punch marks wouldn't be so noticeable in the fabric.  I still have another Skill Builder block to do with this thread and I'm debating about just using regular thread for the applique. Anyone else worked with this stuff before?  

Sweet and Simple

This may sound silly, but I feel more comfortable making an intricate quilt than putting together a receiving blanket.  The simple reason would be because until today I had never made a receiving blanket.  My friend asked me if I would be willing to make one for her since she's hosting a baby shower and doesn't know how to sew.  Why not?

I found this tutorial and went to work.  It was easy, so I don't know why I was so nervous to make it.  I already had green thread in my machine from a previous project, so I didn't have to switch anything except the foot for my wavy stitch.  Easy peasy. 

Now I've got to return to my applique blocks and get 'em done. 

Brilliant Colors

I love the Fall.  I have been absolutely loving the gorgeous leaves all over.  Even our own bushes are making me smile these days.



I finished up the last blocks of Sister's Ten Modern today, and they fit right in with the changing trees.
These are called Aunt Lee's Frame:

Next up is to put all of the blocks together into a quilt top.  I'm excited to see what it looks like.