Setting sail...

After a long time in dry dock, I've finally managed to finish another couple of blocks for the Ladies of the Sea (LOTS) quilt I'm working on.  The pattern is by the very talented Sue Garman.  I'm making this quilt for Mr. Quilting Bug and it's all hand appliqued.  So far, I've been working on it (off and on) for about 3 years.  I'm guessing it'll take another 2 or 3 years to complete the top.

These latest blocks are #11 and 12.  The first one is called the Oseberg and was a fun one to stitch.

The Oseberg

I debated about using Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Circles on the ship, but instead just did my regular back-basting applique.  I still think they turned out pretty round.

The Lilies of the Valley were also a pretty quick stitch...

Lilies of the Valley on the Oseberg

The second block I finished is called the Constitution.  Because of all the sails and rigging, this one was a much bigger labor of love.

The Constitution

I didn't realize until I'd finished all the applique that the eagle's beak was supposed to be done with embroidery.  I had gone ahead and appliqued it.  It's a tiny piece, but really wasn't that hard to do.

I thought it was ironic that I started this block just after finishing my last Baltimore Halloween block that had all the acorns.  I was so tired of appliqueing acorns, but these were really much simpler.

Acorns and leaves on the Constitution

These ships will go back into dry dock for a while now.  Next up for hand work is to start on the Snowmen A to ZZZZ quilt that my mom and I are each making.  Then I need to finish the borders for Baltimore Halloween so I can get the top done and quilted.  I really do love doing both hand applique and hand embroidery.  If only there were enough hours in the day to get all the projects I want to make done!

I thought this was a sweet picture of Jack.  Her eyes are so wide in it.  I was waving my hand over her head and I think she was hoping for a treat.

Jack

Until later...

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 

Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

Forts...

Note:  I'm still working on quilting the cobblestones, but will share progress pics when I'm done with them.

Did you ever build a fort in your house when you were a child?  Arranging all the available chairs around the room and draping sheets and blankets across them.  I'd crawl under and pretend that it was my very own house and I was in charge.  (I was always a little bit bossy.)

This weekend Mr. Quilting Bug and I went down to Lowe's to buy a new chest freezer.  While we were trying to unpack and set it up, we threw the big box it came in off to the side.  It was only a matter of seconds before the cats laid claim to it.

After seeing how much fun they were having with it, we decided to leave it for them to play with.  Mr. Quilting Bug even cut a hole in the front for the cats to enter.  He had to enlarge it after the first time David went sliding from across the room into it and got stuck in the hole.  (He's such a large boy!)

The cat's new fort

Since then, they've been taking turns hiding in it and attacking passers by.  They've also found it's a great place for a nap, especially when it was placed directly over a heating vent.  And they're having a great time hanging out on top of it...

Jack on the box (pun intended)

I don't think it'll be too long before David falls through it though...

David on the fort

Sam has also found that it makes a great bridge, allowing her to get to the high calorie cat food that has been out of reach.

Sam hanging out on the fort

That brings me to a question.  Why is it that the 3 cats who are not on a diet insist on eating the expensive prescription low calorie food, while the only one it's prescribed for spends all her time trying to get to the fattening stuff?  It's like they're trying to mess with me.

In any case, I think we'll leave the fort up for a few more days.  I'm sure the novelty will wear off quickly enough!  Or David will break it...

No pictures of Moses in or on the fort.  She's a bit too refined for that.

Until later...

If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 

Ecc. 4:10 (NLT)

Stash Report Week #3 & 4...

January 22 - February 4, 2012

Not much change this week.  Most recently I finished the top for La Maison.  I used 2.5 yards for this little quilt.

La Maison Quilt Top

I had really hoped to have it quilted by now, but several things have gotten in the way.  Most notably, I came up with what I now realize is an insane quilting plan that will literally take me forever.  OK, that's a slight exaggeration.  I thought that quilting a stone walkway in the cream sashing would set off the 'garden' part of the quilt.  My intention is to do this in the center of the quilt as well as each corner.  I started with one of the corners...

Quilting a cobblestone path

The quilting isn't particularly challenging, just very, very time consuming.  It took me 45 minutes to do the first block - which is only about 6" big.

One corner down, 3 more to go

It's exactly the look I was going for, so I know once I'm done, I'll be so pleased I spent the extra time on it.  Until then, I'll probably dream about quilting stones in my dreams.  So far, I've finished all of the corners and am now working on the center.

Backside of the quilt

I also have big plans for the rest of the quilting.  I just need to make sure I have enough energy after finishing this portion to continue working on it.  Realistically I don't expect to finish this one for several weeks now.

I sure hope Mr. Quilting Bug lets me hang it in the sun room when I'm done!  That's the only place in the house where it could possibly go and I don't want to fold this one away in a closet after this much effort.  It will easily take me more than twice as long to quilt it as it did to piece it, but I keep reminding myself that it will be worth it!

So...
Purchased-this-week: 0 yards
Used-this-week: 2.5 yards
Purchased-to-date: 4.75 yards
Used-to-date: 16.25 yards
Net used: 11.5 yards

As usual, Sam has been keeping me company while I'm quilting.  She's such a good egg.

Sam napping in the sewing room

Until later...

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” 

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)

Blessed sunshine...

It's been unseasonably warm here in North Carolina this winter.  Today's temperatures were almost 60 degrees and we should hit 70 by Wednesday.  The pets have been taking advantage of the bright spots of sunshine in the house to do some sunbathing (aka napping).

Sam in the sun room.

Jack in the sun room.

David in the living room.
(It's hard to tell, but he's also in a spot of sunshine.)

Gabriel in the bedroom.

Moses is the only one who didn't follow along.  She'd much rather have her privacy than bask in the sun.  She loves napping behind this little pillow.

Moses in the bedroom.

I hope your enjoying some nice weather wherever you are!

Until later...

“You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” 

Psalm 16:11 (NLT)

La Maison...

Guess what?  It's done.  And just in time.  At least the top is.  I've been working hard on my Full House quilt for AYOS (Another Year of Schnibbles).  I had also hoped to have it quilted by the end of the month.  I spent a couple of hours stitching in the ditch, but the free motion work I want to do is going to take longer than a couple of days.  I'm calling mine La Maison, which means 'home' in French.  (Or at least that's what Google Translate told me.)

La Maison Quilt Top

I used 2 charm packs of Pom Pom de Paris to make the houses and gardens and a mystery background fabric I had in my stash.  I had a yard of it and figured that would be enough.  When all was said and done, I only had a few scraps left over.  It was very, very close.

Leftover background fabric

I had to result to some pretty creative cutting to make it work.  I made all of the houses just as Carrie details in the pattern.  Then I deviated from the rest of the pattern and made a bunch of 4 patches for the center.  I was picturing a garden with pathways around the different parts.

The quilt turned out to be 41" square, which I'm hoping will be perfect to hand in my sun room.  All in all, it was an easy and fun pattern to make.  I can't wait to see what they pick for February!

Until later...

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 

1 John 4:7 (NLT)

Moving along...

After a wonderful nap today, I found a few spare cycles to spend in my sewing room.  I managed to finish my Full Houses top, but will have to share it in another post.  As usual, I had lots of company with me in there, but unfortunately, I wasn't paying them much attention.  When I turned around, I saw this...

Moses on a quilt

I keep the door shut when I'm not in there for exactly this reason.  They always seem to think a quilt on the frame makes a perfect hammock.  However, they stretch it out and misalign the leaders.  I think I'd better get busy and quilt this, so I can take it off.  No telling how wonky it might end up being now.

In other household news, we've had a bunch of squirrels come looking for food lately, so we've been putting black sunflower seeds out on the deck for them.  The cats are loving watching them from the sun room...

Jack, Moses and David

They have fun watching the squirrels and I have fun watching them!  It's a win, win.

Until later...

The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me. 

Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

Stash Report Week #2 & 3...

January 8 - 21, 2012

This will be short and sweet.  I bought the backing for Winter Wonderland about a week ago.  It's been pieced and is ready for quilting.

Backing Fabric for Winter Wonderland - 4.75 yards

I haven't finished anything, but I'm pretty close to completing the Full House top (no progress on quilting anything though).  It needs to be done by January 31st, so not much time left.

So...
Purchased-this-week: 4.75 yards
Used-this-week: 0 yards
Purchased-to-date: 4.75 yards
Used-to-date: 13.75 yards
Net used: 9 yards

I was feeling rather unproductive until I read today's Scripture.  It was a nice and necessary reminder of God's priorities.  I know the quilting will still be there whenever other things are no longer the focus of my attention.

Until later...

Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive. 

Titus 3:14 (NLT)