Cutting the Blocks----

Last night I completed step two of the Love...Mamie quilt.  My fabrics are picked out and now they are cut out as well. This is a big step for me.  I love fabric for the sheer beauty of it.  Cutting into it is huge for me.  Yes I know-- if I use it-- I'll enjoy it more often, but I never want it wasted.  And there's nothing to cure a bad day at work like a stack of a couple of fat quarters sitting on the cornerof your desk.

Nightly I make rounds outside with the pups and I thought I show a couple of pictures.

This is a basket of Sweet potato vines and petunias.  There's a volunteer chrysanthemum that came back from last year that I couldn't bear to pull up.  If it can survive a U.P.winter is deserves another chance to produce flowers.

This is on my bird feeder post.  Looks like LSU flowers for my family back in Louisiana.

Time to get ready for work....Hopefully more quilting tonight....

Love...Mamie

I've got two projects on the counter in my sewing room--- Borders that just need completing.  But I'm doing this....Love...Mamie .

Here are my fabrics....
If they seem too dark I figure I can lighten it up some with the solid border pieces.  I may have to give up sleep to piece this together---But I've decided that's what I'll do without.... It's going to be fun.

I think the colors work for me...It's the right balance of Moda, Jo Morton, and Thimbleberries.  30's  prints would be tough--as I don't have any.  A cute little modern red and aqua piece would work, but it would just sit on the shelf as my home has none of those colors.  So my quilt will be the Northwoods version of --Love...Mamie.


Life's been crazy--- My father has been real sick. Gardens, flowers, kids, pups....I'll post more later-- But I just wanted to commit to this project....

Summer 2012 at Our House

We're taking in every second of warm weather we can.  This weekend was our 28th Wedding Anniversary.  Last weekend we Went to Chicago for the weekend. Don and I went to see JerseyBoys---

If you get the chance to see this musical-- It's the story of Frankie Valli-- I promise you'll love it.

We shopped, ate some great food, walked through Millienium Park.  I suddenly realized we had taken very few pictures.  At that exact moment... I walked upon this...

I considered it a sign....It's the first time I had ever seen a handcrank sewing machine.  I kind of lusted after them.  Don pointed out,"Why do I want something to just sit on a shelf...?"  He's completely right, but..... There's something about them that make my heart beat a little faster...

My favorite part of the weekend...Sleeping late-- (our pups seldom allow that) and having Don bringing me coffee in bed... He told me he could have save a ton of money if that's all I wanted...(with a wink...)

Sewing time is scarce, I finally got my flowers planted and my garden is planted now.There's a ton of graduation parties to attend. I did stitch all the way down and back on our trip.

The sprinklers need to be turned off...I'll close for now....

Weekend Wrap Up....

I set myself up for evening stitching for the coming week.  What looks like a blank canvas is turning into something that looks like home....

The leaves are just as green as they are in the woods right now.  The winters are long and quiet, but our summers are filled with the sounds of leaves rustling, birds, chipmunks, crickets and frogs. Noisy and I love it.

There will be a picket fence on this block, I'm just going to add it after the other pieces are down.  For my wool applique you can see, I use children's glue stick instead of steam a seam.  It works well for me and is somewhat of a time saver....plus my iron doesn't get gummy.

This block will have branches and leaves as well, but the blocks must be sewn together and in the interest of working with smaller pieces, I'm going to get as much completed before stitching them together.  This is the block of the month quilt Heart & Home, by Heart to hands.  I get my blocks from the Country loft.  They do a really nice job.

The quilt has a cat on this block.  Nothing against cats, I'm just a dog person. My dog Ransom is 11 years old.  He's got arthritis pretty bad, we're afraid he probably won't make it another winter..... Winters are hard on everyone in the North. So I decided to change it ---- not being morbid -- but because I'll always have that smile about him when  I look at it.  Basically my kids raised him from a pup.... or did He raise them???.... Tons of life's lessons were learned compliments of Ransom.  Now He kind of rules the house... I always say dogs look like their owners, " Look Don, his whiskers are white....yours like yours..."

Off to stitch.... It's going to be a great week.....

Mother's Day-- A little Late....

Hot off the Ironing Board....quilt blocks are coming along nicely.  With it warming up outside, these did not even get started until 8 p.m. Thursday night. It's been a tough week at work, but that's why they call it 'work'... otherwise everyday you would go to 'fun'.....

This is Eric's Mother's day gift to me.  He mailed it as he couldn't come home..I love the message and the puppy prints.  My pups are great company.

Chelsey and Kaina (a.k.a boyfriend) gave me a great pair of tongs that aren't photographed as they are constantly being used.  I loved their  card...All Mother's understand.  There will always be that moment--- that kid's dirty face....when you have no rag, no tissue, no water....The "mommy thing" inside you kicks in...Without thinking you lick your thumb and give what we affectionately call the "kitty wash" to the dirty spot on the kid's face....

I can remember at four years old, my kids would run up---"Mom, I need a Kitty wash..."

By nine years old---"Mom, ooh gross---you're Kitty washing me!!!"

I'm off to run the pups this morning and play in the flower beds the rest of the day.

Living in the U.P. when you get days above 80 degrees you have to embrace them...

Sewing Therapy

My Edyta Sitar Quilt blocks are bordered in 128 hourglass blocks. Precision in quilting is a real weakness of mine.  I get the concepts, but crisp pressing to preserve the bias and matching points without stretching the fabric are pretty tough.  So I was looking for an easier way to make hourglass blocks.  No pressure, no timetable, no stress..... Sunday evening I pulled a couple of pieces from the scrap box and looked on Pinterest for a better way.  After a couple attempts, I have found the way I want to make them.  I want to test it out a few more times and I'll share it.  May take a while--- but remember, right now--- I'm in no hurry......(Gosh, I love typing that....)

I wrote earlier that my Sister in law and Mother in law both came for a visit a week ago. They have been sending me photos for a couple of weeks.  Their hometown now has a quilt shop---Good for them--even better for me.  When family comes to visit they always bring surprises.  Here's what they brought me.  Bonnie Blue quilt fabric, a quilt book and jelly roll.

I spent a couple of evenings cleaning my sewing room before they got here--- when I probably should have been working on grad gifts---.  I cleaned it becuase I wanted to explain quilting my style.  What they best parts of quilting are to me....because now--- I just may have a pair of personal shoppers!!!! How I wished they quilted.....

On the gardening front--It was 81 degrees today-- I thinned out my hostas and pulled weeds from my flower beds.  Still too early to plant, but I did take soil samples to the feed store.  What I really know about gardening you could put in a thimble, so I decided I need some professional help.  Too busy as a kid planning a "briefcase" future....Sometimes I really wish I was closer to my folks.

Eric's Post.

I've completed Eric's Quilt. I stuggled getting a photo so this is it.  I used straight line quilting for that "Pottery Barn" look.  My favorite part is the borders.  I called it the Gees Bend method. Truthfully I wish the entire quilt was made that way.  The label on the back had words of wisdom from Mom and the finish line...

‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss,
 you'll land among the stars.....’

Quilt made by your Mom---

We had family Don's Mom and sister come from out of town. We travelled downstate together.  With Don's sister there it was like having a personal photographer.  We even facebooked the dean calling out Eric's Name.  He's officially a Pharmacist--with a job.  And we count our blessings everyday.  Short of the day he was born--- this was right up there....

Here's a photo with a couple of his close friends.  I made quilted journals for them--- and yes I was stitching on the way down across the Mackinac Bridge and wrapping gifts in hotel rooms. I did not take photos, but here are the fabrics I used.  While I never knew Krista and Aimee that well, we've become Pinterest and facebook friends and email back and forth.  I chose fabrics that reminded me of each girl.

I also got each this necklace....

http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/sterling-my-treasure-necklace-P215C45.aspx

Lisa's jewelery just fit the occaision.  I had a tag with the word "faith" enscribed, hoping both girls have the brightest of futures.

Next- quilt therapy.  I need to garden and sew quilt blocks.  I need to quilt without obligation-- without a timeline of a holiday or gift due date.  I want to make quilt block for the shear fun of doing it.  I want to work on sharp corners and straight borders. I feel like I've gotten sloppy in all the rushes….

Hoping for a summer slow down--- Thanks for all the notes checking on me.  I ready to find a balance in life again....

The Weekend at Our House.....

I came home from work on Friday with my Magazine and a gift from my son. Like I've said before--- birthdays just last longer in our house, "Mom, it was backordered..."

A cup of coffee and a porch swing and I killed two hours.  Now the magazine has ruffled corners because I literally carry it wherever I go,  Great issue---get it.

I went to Green Bay and Appleton on Saturday.  Stopped in at Primitive Gatherings.  They are remodelling-- but it's really going to be nice.  The staff was nice and helpful---kind of rolling with the construction. I can't believe I just walked out of there with a spool of thread and 2 balls of perle cotton.

At a shop I found a snow hat on clearance---While I won't appreciate now, I'll tuck it away for snow days ahead.

I found a pair of shoes-- I'm showing them because they look like lace fabric... I can't wait to wear them.

We have warm days-- and then snow flurries--The weather is real hard on Ransom, my pup.  Who am I kidding-- this time of year the weather is hard on everyone!! My Hostas, Tulips, and Lily of the Valley are poking up... I just have to hang on....

I'm not much of a Pottery Barn girl---well, I am, but the pocket book is not.  Satuday I went in to wish and found a seventy dollar basket clearance for 27.00. 

It will be perfect for the buggy this summer.  It's about 30 inches tall and 28 inches wide.  And a bargin...

Eric's quilt is on the frame... I just might get it done before he graduates May 4th. Speaking of which, I have extra minutes this morning, I need to go quilt.....

Not the Blues-- But the Grays---

Hopefuly tonight Eric's Quilt will be in all in one piece where I can decide on backing fabric...Kind of different--- I even like it....

College kids came in by storm.  They left the same same way...My dishwasher got a major work out.  It really felt like a holiday.

It's April-- The start of a new quarter of 2012.  It also marks a workout anniversary.  One year ago I realized that the only way to lose weight was to burn more calories than you take in...

I keep a calendar.  It may look like chicken scratch to the average person But it records miles, calories, time, if I did my weights, If I did sprints.  I take business trips.   I have out of town company. I have sleepless nights.  But I refocus and get back on track. I shoot for 5 days a week.

  I know that it's about my health and not about a body for swimsuits--I too old for that...It's about Lifestyle changes and not for a day or two.

I laugh and tell myself that I'm going to start putting stars on days I have needles and thread in my hands.  I work full time.  I have two really high-maintenance dogs and most days I talk to my mom amd MIL along with both kids.  That doesn't give me permission not to take care of myself. I realized I wouldn't exercise after working all day. 

 I'm not a gym person--(I have this fantasy that people think I never sweat when it comes to ANYTHING!!!)

We all have the same 24 hours in a day.  I analyzed my day and set my clock up 15 minutes ahead, then 20, then 30.  I exercise on an ellyptical machine  or treadmill the minute my feet hit the floor where I don't have to think and talk myself out of it.

If I don't have time for weights, they can be done while I swap laundry--

I'd rather exercise than do laundry. 

 I'd rather do just about anything but laundry... I realize this doesn't guarantee me long life--- I probably won't last as long as most...

But I do want to look back and say I did what I could to live the fullest life possible....in spite of laundry....

It's Tuesday----

Tuesdays are usually pretty tough for me---but Today ranked pretty great as far as Tuesdays go.  Above is a gift from Chelsey-- a jar opener that she said,'Just fit...'

Both my kids and Kaina and Krista are coming home for Easter.  There will be Easter Baskets for everyone-- The rule is' as long as you believe --- The Easter Bunny comes..' My kids swear that even at 22 and 23 they still believe....

Hand stitching at night is my permission slip to watch television.  I have finish the first quarter of blocks for my Home sweet Home Quilt.  The BOM is from Country Loft. It may be similar to a quilt I made last year, but this way--- the kids won't fight over them one day;)

I must have hand sewing even though I still working away on Eric's quilt.  Sometimes I just need to rest. Curling up on the couch with my sewing basket is my idea of resting.  This is a pretty important picture because if you look closely you can see the green buds popping out.

Carol @ Brown quilts parted with some of her wool-- I loved the colors so I used some of my birthday funds to send it up North from Florida. I never purchased much flannel, but I do love the wool.  I've decided I have enough for it's own shelf-- maybe this weekend I'm going to get it set up.

The weather has been in the low 50's daily-- Amazing how warm it feels in March and April as compared to the chill of Fall in September... Looks like most of my perennials survived the winter.  It was a pretty mild one.  I've almost got all of the yard raked.  The pups and I hit the woods daily.  It won't be long until we'll have to stop because of woodticks.

Gratitudes:

Gunne Sax Night Gowns
Cinnamon Toast

A brand new Pumplkin Candle-- found on clearance- never goes out of season in my book.

Spring Has Arrived... Officially

She's not vintage 1990--- she's brand new and I made her myself---I love the pillow ticking legs and the carrot necklace.  Blue and Green are a great combination for a Northwoods Spring and that's the color of her clothes coupled with her coffee dyed ears. Don picks at me about hanging dead rabbits in the kitchen, but I think she's pretty darn sweet. She hangs on a quilt rack next to the bunny quilt....

This wool piece is almost complete.  The kit was a Christmas gift from my mother-in-law. It's Called 'Patiently Waiting' and it's designed by Lisa Bongean.  You can get it at Primitive Gatherings on-line.  Here again Spring Pastels just don't work in my house, but Spring still comes....

Don's been in and out with his job and so I've been manning the fort on my own alot this month.  Exhausting---but I married for love instead of maid service so I'll be fine.

I'm steadily working on Eric's quilt.  He has two close friends also graduating.  I had dreams of getting them a quilt ready to give at graduation, but the pressure started overpowering me-- and I was afraid of being chained to the sewing machine and missing Spring.  So I have a gift-- I'll show later, and I'll make them something smaller to go with it. It's the thought-- and I think the world of both of them...

We've had 80 degree days and tonight a probability of 3 inches of snow tonight.  Every warm day is a gift in the U.P.  .....especially in March.  The snow has melted from an 18 inch blizzard earlier in the month and there's a green haze through the woods... The pups keep the screen door flapping-- never content to be in or out-- everything is coming back to life around here.....

My Birthday----

Yesterday was my birthday...My kids are coming home from school to celebrate tonight.  It was a nice birthday, quiet like I like it.  My gift from Don--- My quilt journal in print for 2006-2009. 

We've had 18 inch snow storms and 70 degree temperatures since my last post.  Work, Kids and pups are all doing well.  We have Saint Patrick's Day tomorrow.  Though I feel it's a pretty safe bet that we still have more snow in store for us-- I have taken down all the snowmen quilts.  I'm completely ready for spring.



Last fall I finished this quilt and binding it in October I was really unimpressed..but for Spring...I love it in my Kitchen.

Eric Graduates in May.  I had told Don that I was planning a quilt for him. Chelsey had told me that since he lives in the same town with her now he's realized the quilts I have made her.

"Mom, he knows-- He's keeping track..."

So I thought I better get busy.  Don asked if I had talked to him about what he wants---In true Melanie fashion--- I had not.  I was just going to make him what I wanted him to have.  I had even pulled fabrics...

I had been saving gray prints, but now they were going to be Eric's quilt.  I thought about what Don had said--- Maybe I should talk with him.  So I did.  His response:

"Really Mom-- could you make me one of those Monochromatic quilts???"

OK--- after I picked myself up off the floor that he even knew what a Monochromatic quilt was.... I was fine.  I broke the fabric purchasing rule because I felt like this was important enough.  I'm totally out of my comfort zone but this is what I purchased:

We'll keep you posted on the progress....

Gratitudes ---

The green grass under the snow

A reason to tuck away the wool jackets

My first Robin of the season....

Hop to it—Last Garden Block…..

Jumping a little ahead of the posting date--- here is my last block of My Garden Block that May, Sue and I worked on together.

It was cold, snowy, and windy—This is as good as it is going to get on the photo opt. When I chose the wool for February’s block my heart might have been think pink and red with Valentine’s day…but my sight and mind knew in the U.P. Garden weather doesn’t look like that.

It pretty dark and cloudy most days.
I start getting spring fever this time of year--- memories of growing up in Louisiana start creeping up that I have to fight to tuck away. Thank goodness for quilting.
I have about ten inches left to quilt on Penny Garden.  When I was at JJ Stitches back in October, I found fabric clearanced for the borders for this project


With no blocks with me when I purchased—I’m leaning on Faith that it will look nice.  I’m using background fabric scraps for the other half of the triangles.
This project will be put on the back burner because I’m going to start a quilt for Eric.  He graduates in May. I want him to have a quilt to mark the occasion. I wrote a friend the other day stating I don’t make lists of quilt projects because I start realizing I don’t get them all completed.  Chelsey’s Christmas quilt turned into a birthday quilt.  Eric’s Christmas quilt will hopefully be there for graduation… He has two close friends that I would like to remember with something…but one project at a time and we’ll see how it goes.
Homemade chicken noodle soup is just about ready--- I better close.  Have a good week….

Lesson I learned today.....

Makes you glad about who you are and who you aren't.....

It’s Your Quilt…Change Your Plans…..

 

It all started last summer.  I saw Lisa Bongean’s first block of a Summer block of the week program and I was hooked.  I encourage everyone to take part in them this summer.  It made me slow down and “smell the roses” so to speak.  I would swing out on the “Covered Porch” and work on my blocks. I was either cutting them out, stitching or writing about them throughout the summer. I signed up without knowing what the quilt would look like.  With Lisa Bongean—Blind faith takes over and you know it’s going to be good.

Well, the finishing kit came out and it was predictably charming—but not what I had pictured in my head.  The quilt blocks were a little pricey(but worth it). I just didn’t want to spend more for the finishing kit.  I waited around to see what other quilters were doing—no luck… Weekly, I googled images for pictures of the quilt and never saw one.

I so I ordered fabric for my own game plan.  I still was hesitant to pull the trigger on the project.  A quilter had even blogged that she had seen the quilt in person--- and the finishing kit was completely worth it….Great--- gorgeous blocks and I was about to destroy them with ugly borders.  So—I went to see the quilt.

I loved it.  But finally—I was finally content that I wanted a different version.  I did however, change my game plan and I love how it turned out.

So the quilt started going together last weekend.  I pulled scraps from my stash.  Anything too bright got coffee/tea/vanilla dyed and the cut into pieces.

My family’s pool table became the design board—and again things laid around for a week--- scared of ruining beautiful blocks that a lot of hard work went into….

Well, I decided it doesn’t need the final border--- I love it just like it is…..

It’s going to have a dark brown binding….No more applique--- the blocks will stand on their on….As far as quilting patterns….I’m quilting it myself. I just going to do a small meandering stipple all over.  The strength of the quilt in my opinion is the blocks.  The minute I finish typing it’s going on the frame…It’s a big project…But it’s going to be an awesome display for this summer….