Ending 2013.....

These are the first shoes I put on every morning and for 50 hard minutes they are worn.

Here's the elliptical machine that is the exercise machine of choice....and a treadmill in the background.  It's not the most glamorous of workouts, but it's good for my heart and easy on my knees.

My 2013 calendar looks like this:

Everyday I recorded Miles, calories and time of the workout.  The red marks are Puppy runs-- either snow shoeing or hiking in the woods.  The green scratch marks are reminders to myself everyday I have a needle and thread in my hands.  It reminds me that I do get to quilt-- more than most, and exercising doesn't take away quilt time.  If anything it gives me the energy to do it.

It's been a good year.  2014's calendar is waiting  to be tacked up.....

Change of Quilt Plans...

While I would like to think Quilting was my "full-time" job. But I realize that I work 45-50 hours a week behind a desk in an office building. Though there's a quilt picture or two pinned on my partition and a fat quarter or two stacked on one desk corner ... I have to constantly focus with gratitude that the job supports my quilting habit...my quilting hobby.

That being said, I have been doing deep cleaning in my sewing room.  I worked like crazy to get 3 Christmas quilts made by the calendar date I knew 364 days ahead of time.  I worked diligently at cleaning because I wanted to start a new project for myself -- a reward for things gifted away.  I had even narrowed the project down to two quilts (narrowed down from about twenty!!!).

As I cleaned I started folding and re-folding fabric.  I thought about colors and that quilt I was about to begin.  And then my plans changed. I saw blocks that I had begun -- The deal I made with myself is they are made from my scrap box-exclusively.

After I get about 24 of these babies complete I want to purchase solid color fabrics for the sashing and borders--- just like my Grandmother used to make. A couple at a time-- they are real easy -- and I'll have a great piece.

Back to the new project.  I have this bucket list of Quilters that I want to make one of their patterns--- Some people have towns they want to visit. I have quilters and their patterns to make.  Lynda Hall is one of them. I had pinned this quilt a while back.

  She had even responded to the pin.  I told her that if I made one basket a month -- in 12 months I'd have the quilt done.  Her response---" I can't wait to see what you make! No pressure lol!!"  I saw that pattern Saturday and decided it was something was going to try this year. It was fabrics that are being pulled from the stash, so there's no added purchases....maybe a backing is the very distant future. It's one basket a month.  My own Block of the month plan.

Tonight I cut out triangles.  The thought of sewing them together makes me nervous.  Triangle are incredibly tough for me. The practice should do me good.

The best part of winter..... quilting.

Merry Christmas 2013

Like the song....Here's hoping  Everyone gets to be Home for Christmas...

'if only in your dreams...'

Blessings to everyone....

Merry Christmas....

Chelsey's Quilt for Christmas.....

A plain brown and cream piece---- don't give up on this quilt, I'm really proud of this. It's similar to one we saw on Pinterest and she commented that it would be perfect colors for her home.   She had just landed a new job in a new town. A perfect timing for a Christmas gift.

As time went on the Quilt began to mean more.  The boyfriend of over a year decided long distance relationships weren't working.  So the patchwork heart shows that the pieces can be sewn back together.

Moving to a new town can mean a new start but it can also mean alot of loneliness kind of like the single tree on this piece.  But the strength she's gained and the things she's learned has made her stronger.

Just like a tree changing, those green leaves come out in the Spring, change to gold, and even brown before falling to the ground -- She's changed into a great adult. And she weathers storms much better-- bending instead of breaking.

Merry Christmas 2013 - Chelsey..... You've got a great year ahead.

Christmas Thread....

Never thought thread made a difference.  It was always a chance to cut corners and save a little.  Then  a quilter shared a spool of Aurifil thread with me and life in the quilting world has never been the same.  So every year when an online sale comes out, the thread is a treat to myself for Christmas.

We're having a small warming trend in temperatures--- by that I mean it's getting above the 20 degree mark.  But I am faithful to remember those little guys out there with feathers.

I don't know how they do it....

Stocking.....

Stockings hang on the quilt ladder at our house.  I wanted Carolyn to have the perfect one.  I set off to the Goodwill store and with luck on my side found a second hand purple sweater with a single snow flake.  I brought it home and transformed with into a muslin lined stocking to fill with surprises...

Lucy, Carolyn's pup also came for the holiday.  Here's a photo reminding everyone, 

Happiness is that warm puppy'.

Carolyn, Lucy, Eric, Ripley, Bruno, and Chelsey.

Carolyn's Quilt...

We went hiking in the snow for quilt photos...Here is the quilt I made for My new Friend Carolyn...

I've never made quilts with purple.  Don gave me a stack of purple pieces for my birthday back in March.  When I met Carolyn -- a couple of months ago -- I new the fabric was meant for her.  Carolyn is dating Eric...

She's a special girl... 

I have all my kids home and we're celebrating Christmas with them.  It's not a date on a calendar, It's a date in your heart.

Two months later.....

No posting for two months....Life is busy.  But Christmas is here along with Quilts.   More posting to come.

For Eric....

For Carolyn...

and Chelsey's Quilt is on the frame.

Big photos when they are unwrapped.

Christmas photos too.