What I Am Working On

This is my Matchstick Marimba. It is one of my UFOs that had only been cut. I was concerned that it would take a long time to piece it so decided to get a jump on it before it's number was drawn for Judy L's UFO challenge. What I am NOT working on is the UFO that Judy DID choose for this months challenge. I will work on that tonight now that I know this one will not take long to finish up.

This is my Hydrangea Shawl. I finished crocheting it last week. I wove in the ends last night and washed it. I had to soak it as I had a spot of something on there. I think it was dog slobber as my dog loved this yarn for some reason and would not leave it alone. I blocked it this a.m. and have the fan blowing on it. Can't wait to see how it looks tonight! I will probably fluff it in the dryer too.

A VERY Grand Day!

Bonnie was in Louisiana recently. Of course I was in Texas at the time. Then I heard Bonnie was in Texas this week and I was as well. I checked all the spots she was speaking at and giving classes and decided to make a go of seeing her in Fort Worth.

You know how you build people up in your mind and then you are disappointed when you meet them sometimes? Bonnie was more than I could have hoped for. I moderate her yahoogroup and I am a regular commenter on her blog. When I said swooze she leapt out of her chair and gave me the biggest hug. A sincere hug at that! She asked me to join her and some other for lunch as well. I offered to be a quilt holder for her during her program. She happily accepted.

The Trinity Valley Quilters Guild had their program then it was Bonnie's turn to speak. She spoke about her Scrap User System and then invited the quilt holders and folders up. I enjoyed holding the quilts. Getting to feel and smell them. I could smell the wood fire that she has written about on her blog. I thought I saw a pet hair and thought about Oscar. I studied her quilting and the backs.Thinking of all her tutorials and stories from her blog. I felt priveleged to experience Bonnie's lecture in a way that many others would not.

I was not able to make the lunch since I have a couple people at home under the weather and they needed me. Alas I went and had my picture taken with Bonnie and pledged to see her when she came back to Texas. She promised we could have time to play then! I so look forward to it! Bonnie you are a WONDERFUL lady but we all already knew that!

Hydrangea Shawl



I bought this yarn several years ago and started playing with it. I wanted the "confetti" pieces to be visible. It makes me think of a Hydrangea. I am almost done and will show a full size picture then.

Guess What Came to Stay at My House!

Thanks Mare!!

Busy Girl!

UFO #10 from Judy L's challenge. Just need to quilt and bind it.

Strip Stacks in primary colors. I have made one in these colors already. This one will have a purple border.




















Matchstick Marimba. Piece parts are in progress. I have just a little more subcutting to do then I can get to the assembly.



















Pot Holder front and back. I wanted a quick and easy project. I could never remember the instructions that the gal at the LQS gave me so I broke down and bought her $10 kit just for the instructions. It took longer to choose the fabric to put it together than to sew it together.

My Version Of Organized

I am not a very organized person. I am one of those people that can stack things on a desk three feet high and know exactly where everything is. But as soon I as "organize" it everything is lost. If I work at and think on something long enough I can usually figure out how to organize it. This would take a really long time to get my sewing room in order. Trust me, I have been working on my kitchen for months now.

I want to get into my sewing room so that I can sew more when I am in TX. In order to do this I need to get things put away and get it organized. What I have decided to do now for starters is to group things and then to put it away, not necessarily neatly but away.

Part of this process was to come up with a plan of what I wanted to sew or crochet or whatever this year. I have added tabbed pages to my blog listing UFOs, PIGS and WHIMMS that I want to work on this year. These things will be left out, readily at hand. The rest is going to be grouped and tucked away the best that I know how. When I am putting away I will also be culling and coming up with my list for 2012.

Hey, it's a start!

UFOs and PIGS

Jill of Ramblings of A Fabric and Yarn Obsessor asked what are the main reason(s) you put PIGS and UFOs to the side.

I started quilting in 1989 or so. About two or three years ago I finished all my UFOs. I was part of the Stashbuster challenge and worked and worked at them until they were all done. I didn’t have any UFOs for a year or so. I started making lots of new things. It seems that if I was making multiples and one was for me mine was set aside. I also made some things just because I wanted to try the pattern but didn’t have a recipient in mind. Most of these are topped but not quilted. I am not calling these UFOs at this point but we know they are. I have at least 12 items in this category.

I do have several items that I started with an intended recipient but travelled so much that I didn’t finish them. A time issue. I don’t think I have ever fallen out of like with something I have started and will eventually finish everything. I have 5 items in this category.

PIGS purely fall into the reason of not getting to them due to other time bound things taking precedence. I easily have 2 dozen in this category.

I assessed my accomplishments last year in the quilting category. I made 6 complete quilts from start to bound finish. I also made 2 aprons and 2 pillow cases. I made 6 tops that are in the flimsy stage. Using this information I hope to do the same or better this year. I made a list of items I really want to make this year in addition to participating in Judy L’s UFO challenge. When I get through those things I really want to make I will work on those PIGS.

Judy L's UFO Challenge

Judy picked #10 for her UFO challenge. For me it is a Super Size 9 Patch that I made in 2008. Click on the link for the pattern. I will be quilting this one for the challenge.