Better but not great

The cold is starting to clear up but very slowly. I really haven't gotten much done this week at all. Just did what I had to do and watched TV. In a perkier phase I got the Christmas quilt basted and since I wasn't sure about how to quilt it I decided to go with hand quilting which has given me something easy to work on during the TV watching!

I am hoping that I will feel much better next week so I can work on getting out the Christmas decorations. Because we finally have our house remodeling finished (well, except for the trim work) I have decided to go through all my Christmas decorations and whatever I don't put out this year is just going away. Those festive items just take up too much space in the attic so it needs trimming down! There is talk of snow here tomorrow but if it holds off and it isn't raining either I hope to get my outdoor stuff done then.

Sick Sucks!

That bad cold turned into something I would rather not have had. Yesterday was awful. I was coughing, my nose was running, my breathing sounded much like Darth Vader and it felt like there was a 30 pound weight on my chest. I answered pages for the business, played on the computer some and sewed the backing seam for the Christmas quilt but that was all I had energy for. I was so glad I had one last bowl of leftover turkey soup in the fridge that just needed a quick zapping for lunch!

Today has been a bit better and after tidying up the sewing room a bit I managed to get my sister's little giftee almost done. I hope to finish it off in the next half hour and then when Jakob gets home from school I can head down to the post office to put it in the mail. I can't leave before that because Larry is expecting the delivery of a couple of electronic items today that might need signing for so someone has to be home all day. I probably should also run into town to Walgreens to get Jakob's passport photos for his VISA, student ID, etc. for New Zealand.

Almost a Week

I have just been busy this past week what with traveling, playing with the grandson, cooking turkey, eating, running around looking for a lab coat for the son, and getting a bad cold.

Today was busy with phone calls after a 5 day weekend from the business. I did get the fabric I need for a giftee for my sister and got a package off to one daughter.

I also finished ripping out part of a Christmas quilt top that I made ? years ago and got it back together. Here is a picture I just took of it. The circles are some candlewicking ornaments that I wasn't sure just how to finish so I just appliqued them to some muslin and then added the 9-patch blocks and put them together with the sashing - the gold parts are supposed to be stars but they don't stand out really well. I am hoping that quilting will help that. Looking at it hanging I realized I could have placed the blocks better but I am not ripping all the blocks apart and redoing the whole thing. I just want to get it finished! I figure if I just say I started it several years ago anyone who notices the strangeness of it will understand. Most people probably won't even notice. In my defense it was originally planned as more of a bedspread so there was some extra stuff between the top and second rows so none of the blocks would be hidden in the tuck under the pillows. I know, not much of a defense but it's all I've got!

I have the backing in the washer so once I sew one more seam I will be ready to get that quilted soon. Not tomorrow but soon. I would like to get my sister's gift done so that can get in the mail in the next few days. I am hoping she will like it.

I got my partner's name for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap so I am starting to think about what I am going to do for that. Winter is the theme and I think I am not going to do a holiday quilt but more wintery.

I've been TAGGED!

Yes, I was tagged by Knitted Gems. She and I have swapped comments on occasion and hers is on of the blogs I read when I should be doing other things!!! Not sure if it is an honor or a curse, this tagging, but here goes.

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
Jake, my son. He is a funny guy - at least at home.

2. What were you doing at 0800?
Sitting at my computer, getting caught up and drinking my morning coffee.

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Sitting at my computer, getting caught up after running errands m.ost of the day

4. What happened to you in 2006?
Finally got our remodeling mostly finished.

6. How many beverages did you have today?
Two so far. Coffee and light lemonade.

7. What color is your hairbrush?
Brown

8. What was the last thing you paid for?
A photo album for my son to use as a photography portfolio that is due tomorrow!

9. Where were you last night?
At home, watching Dancing with the Stars and hand-sewing some bindings.

10. What color is your front door?
White.

11. Where do you keep your change?
A Longaberger basket

12. What’s the weather like today?
Cold and gray

13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
Any flavor I have in my freezer.

14. What excites you?
Quilting and my grandson

15. Do you want to cut your hair?
No. I've finally found the right length.

16. Are you over the age of 25?
Yes, but not quite double it!

17. Do you talk a lot?
Most would say yes!!!

18. Do you watch the O.C.?
No.

19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
Yes, at least 3.

20. Do you make up your own words?
Yes, when the English language fails me!

21. Are you a jealous person?
No. Not really.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.
I have a cousin named Allison and an acquaintance named Amanda. But then, my name is Alicia, and I am fairly fond of myself.

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
My niece's name is Katie. I also have a sister (and friend) named Karla and a friend named Karen.

24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?
On my cell phone, my husband called me last.

25. What does the last text message you received say?
Other than work pages the last was from my son asking me to pick up the photo album for the portfolio that is due tomorrow!

26. Do you chew on your straw?
No.

27. Do you have curly hair?
No.

28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
My neighbor's for craft night.

29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
I try to avoid rude people.

30. What was the last thing you ate?
A lovely truffle.

31. Will you get married in the future?
No, I love the husband I have and twice married is more than enough!

32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
The best one I have seen for the first time was Door to Door. William H. Macy is excellent!

33. Is there anyone you like right now?
I like most people, unless they are rude!

34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
Yesterday afternoon

35. Are you currently depressed?
No.

36. Did you cry today?
No.

37. Why did you answer and post this?
Because I was tagged and this survey seemed easier than coming up with 7 random things about myself.

38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey.

Darlene
Chelsea
Rebecca
Toni
Megan

2-fer

I got my second quiltlet done last night but instead of just one I ended up with a second also. When I planned this little quilt out I must have been a little brain dead and so made a miscalculation and ended up making two 8.5" squares. I added borders and came up with two quiltets. I got them both quilted yesterday and got the bindings on but I wasn't satisfied with the quilting on one (the patchwork ended up crooked) so I ripped out the quilting on that one and redid this morning. Now I am pleased with both of them. Tonight I will give one of these and the toile one to my friends. Linnea will get to choose between these two since I think the borders are better on one but the patchwork is a little better on the other.

In case I don't get a chance to post tomorrow - have a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. We are heading over to see the grandson (and his parents).

Halfway there

I finished the first of the two little quilts yesterday. It turned out pretty well though it is fairly stiff. I think it is because I don't think the fabric was pre washed. I am torn - should I wash it before I give it to my friend or give it to her and she can wash it if she wants to. I am leaning toward the second option. Here is the quilt that these leftovers came from. I thought the back turned out quite well also.

I got started on the second little quilt yesterday also. It was inspired by this quilt by Jeanne. Once again I didn't look close enough so I made a miscalculation that might lead to me having a second little quilt. Hopefully I will be able to post a photo of that one tonight or tomorrow.

Back to the machine

Last night I finished getting caught up on the business books - a nice birthday present for my husband. It was his 50th and he actually took the day off - a first since he became self-employed.

After making a number of phone calls to set up service calls for Monday and Tuesday and an exciting trip to the dump and recycling facilities I finally got a chance to get some sewing done. I got started on the first of the little quilts I am making for my other two crafting friends. This first one I made out of leftovers that Nadine gave me from a quilt that I helped her get put together after some pattern issues. I made some Ohio Star blocks and got them put together with a pieced border. Then I put together a fun back out of more of the leftovers and I still ended up with this pile of pieces . Probably enough for a nice little doll quilt for myself. I hope to get this one quilted tomorrow and get a start on the second quilt so I will have them both done for craft night on Tuesday.

House Cleaning

Today I actually worked at cleaning the house. Between phone calls i managed to get the floors swept and vacuumed and got a little dusting done. I also did several loads of laundry and got some folded but the rest will wait for tomorrow - my feet are tired!

Before I got started on the cleaning I finished the binding on my grandson's twin size quilt so it is ready for his birthday or Christmas along with the matching pillowcase.

My next projects are a couple of small quilts, or quiltlets, as i like to call them. i think that will probably be tomorrow.

I am also almost caught up with the book work for the business. I am working on the September invoices and checks this evening and hope to get that done while watching TV. That just leaves the October stuff for me to get done this month and I can mark something off my to-do list!

Friday the old man is taking the day off for his 50th birthday so I am not sure what his plan is. so I am making no plans!

Other Things

I think I definitely get more sewing/crafting/quilting done during the week than I do on the weekends. Too many other things need to be done when the boys are home. I did get the twin size quilt pin basted but that is it!

We did get the propane stove into position in the corner. We are liking it more all the time. It will be really nice once the propane is connected! That involves digging an 18" ditch from the house to wherever we put the propane tank. We might wish it was all done today if the wind keeps up and knocks out the power again. It was out for a while during the night. Luckily DH and I got most of the leaves picked up from inside the yard before it started raining. The wind was picking up already but it didn't stop us from getting things raked up.

It was a little quieter around here over the weekend since my little boy went on a road trip with a friend and her mom to visit a couple of colleges including WSU and they spent the night the grandbaby and his parents. Brittany is excited about applying to WSU and fell further in love with my little grand son. He is such a cutie! Jakob wasn't as excited about the college tours since right now he is focused on his upcoming year in New Zealand.

With the wind blowing today I am not sure if I will be able to get much quilting done, I may have to resort to using the laptop to do the business books if the power goes out again.

Not much left!

Yesterday I finished the top of the grandson's twin size quilt. Today I made a pillowcase to match and cut the binding and then used up the rest of the fabric for the back. Well, almost all the fabric, this piece is what is left over. Figuring out how to get those pieces together without cutting them up too much seemed to take almost as much time and planning as making the whole quilt top. My sewing table is almost completely cleaned off so I think I will work on getting this project basted so I can get it off the WIP list! Besides, then I have a Christmas/birthday present all finished.

Speaking of Christmas, I think I have that all figured out. Our oldest daughter and her husband already got theirs, I know what I am getting for the second daughter but that will be ordered and shipped to her in Alaska later and the son gets to go to New Zealand for a year so really doesn't need anything more! I have most of the supplies for the Christmas ornaments that I am making this year so I just need to get going on that. I am in pretty good shape - well, gift-wise, anyway!

I am now the owner of an iMac. It isn't too bad though I would never admit that to my son! I have quite a bit moved onto it from my old computer but still have a bit more to do. I am taking my time so I can sort through the stuff I don't really want anymore.

Technicalities

Thank you all for your supportive comments! After Rebecca's comment and a quick re-read of my last post, I sound like such an over-achiever! I don't feel like one though. It seems to me that, technically, you have to be trying to be an over-achiever. I don't try, I just sew a lot! As I have said before, it is my therapy and I am pretty sure quilting is still cheaper than counseling!

Here are my two latest achievements. They are about 16.5" square and are birthday gifts for a couple of friends. I hope they like the colors I chose for them. I got the pattern idea from here. It is a pretty easy pattern but you do have to do some thinking in the planning and pay attention as you sew it! I do want to point out that I used all scraps for the quilt except for borders, backs, batting and binding which all came from my stash.

I had a great time with my little grandbaby this weekend. The adage "If I had know how great grandkids were I would have had them first" was proven once again! When he arrived I got a 10 minute hug! He wouldn't let go even to switch hips! Then following his 6 hour drive over here (with no sleep) and a short half hour break at the house, he chose to come with Grammy to run some errands and was a little angel! Between visits I always wonder (read worry) if he will remember me when we are together again and each time I am pleasantly surprised. I think that as grandparents we instantly love that little child, even before they are born, but when you only see them about once a month it is hard to be sure about whether the feeling is mutual. I think I got enough reassurance this weekend to last even two months!

50 finished products!

Many bloggers celebrate 50, 100, 200 or more posts; I celebrate finished products and Thursday I completed the binding on another crazy quilt and changed the tally on my blog to 50 FINISHED PRODUCTS! Now not all of those are huge quilts, some are very small but they all got finished since the 1/1/07! That is pretty exciting to me! And even better is the fact that some of those were projects that have been sitting around unfinished for months, or more likely, years!

Here is wishing all of you many finished projects in the coming months!

Blocks together

I did get the 9-patch blocks together yesterday and then I went on to finish the May business computer work. I even started on the June work since we don't ever get any Trick or Treaters out here in the country. Today I finished June and got the blocks all together. I still have a couple of borders to add before the top is done and I will have to decide if I use the leftover fabrics for the back or make some throw pillows for his bed or maybe pillowcases.

It is time to tidy the sewing room for a few days since the little boy in question is coming for a visit with Grammy, Grandpa and Juncle for the weekend and they need somewhere to sleep!