20 Days?????

Block Count: Who Knows

Well...Apparently I'm suffering some Rip Van Winkle like time changes. I've hardly even been getting down to my sewing room before my computer shuts off...Many of my daily blocks are started at 10 when it shuts off...so my blog has been in the furthest points in my brain waves. Let's see what we find on my phone in the last 20???? days.


Time to Time Warp: June 8. Tried getting both boys to sit and write at the same time.

 Nate fought me...and Kyle loved it...Nate wrote "I will" in an hour and half...

 This was Kyle's sheet...which is pretty awesome for a first attempt.

I also basted the wedding quilt. I also ran out of batting by about 2 inches on about 20 inches of a corner...good thing I keep my batting scraps. I just butted another little piece in under that edge.

Kyle also declared that I have to make him a shark quilt, cuz he loved this grey color.

100 Blocks. Block 33

June 9

 The Wedding Quilt all basted...I'm still working on the quilting (ok...I just am not getting to it...darn kids).

 100 Days. Block 34

June 10

 We got to spend a couple hours at the dr (on a Saturday) because someone had short shallow breaths even while sleeping. Thankfully his body responded to nebulizing. We still have no idea what set it off, but he got to be a dragon for a few days. He wasn't thrilled with it in the beginning...He started to warm up to it, then decided he was done with it. He didn't like that he smoked. He had me hold him almost every time. He was a very cute dragon though.

100 Days. Block 35

June 11

I cut out my daily block and then it got lost on the chain on my machine because I was only half awake. I found it on the chain the next morning and kicked myself. I think I took a nap and struggled with being cognizant of anything going on most of the day...

June 12

 100 Days. Block 36

100 Days. Block 37

June 13

 This was a Long Time Gone Check in Day. I got these 2 of the Flying Geese blocks done. It's a good thing I only needed to check in with 1 because as I was looking through the hashtag (when I was supposed to be going to sleep of course) I wondered why everyone was doing just half of the first block. It was because there were 3 blocks for the week...ooops. I mean 64 divided by 8 is 6 sets right. 😉

100 Days. Block 38


June 14

 This was a Halloweenies Block of the Month night. I added the witch and the owl blocks that night. And yes these have names, too. Delilah - witch, Donald - Cat, Brett and Carl - Bats, Bert - Owl. I actually was looking through my browns in hopes of finding a good set for Bert, but he decided he wanted to be orange instead. But the browns did yield those absolutely adorable glasses on one of the browns. So I had to fussy cut a pair that looks perfect on him.

100 Days. Block 39

I will try to remember to get on tomorrow and add more...but alas, my computer is about to boot me off, so I want to make sure these at least get up to entertain you.

Big Decisions

Block Count: 9

 So because I was talking with my mom while trying to implement the writing for punishments thing for Nate, she said I had to write something 100 times. A few hours later, neither of us could remember what exactly it was supposed to be, but figured the gist was "I will obey my mom." So to be funny, I went ahead and wrote that 100 times so I could send her a picture of it. I did it while waiting for my kids to finish meals because they take forever because they are easily distracted. Now I'm going to try to utilize this method of cementing things in my brain as I do my scripture study. I'm going to write down the ones I want to try to remember, or I really think I need, and then during those times of waiting at the table, I will work on writing them a few extra times to really lodge them in my brain. Yeah, it probably is mostly busy work, but sometimes I get the feeling that I just want to write something and I don't know what to write, and I like the feel of the pen gliding over the paper. It also helped today to get Nate going on his writing that Mommy was doing it at the same time.

 100 Days. Block 31

 I made these 2 blocks last night for the Black and White 365 Challenge. They also led to some realizations and a pretty big decision. First off, that big block was supposed to be a 4 patch of matching bordered blocks using miters. Since the miters do not show up real well when using the same solid on both sides of the seam, I recalculated for straight uncomplicated seams. I also realized I'm getting really tired of the crazy number of seams in this quilt, especially since I have 2 quilts using the same pattern. So I told myself I could count the number of blocks I have and redesign the quilt based on that. It is a very rare thing for me to allow myself to make a quilt smaller than originally designed...and never this much smaller.

 100 Days. Block 31.

 This 6 inch block was another that I redesigned because I was tired of miters and that bottom right block is the block that was the final decision point. After this I counted 3 6 inch blocks and 72 3 inch blocks. And went to town drawing a layout during lunch.

 After lunch, I gave myself permission to go to Joann and use some coupons. First, (at the suggestion of my mom), to get a wide backing for the Wedding Quilt and I think this was a perfect grey for it. I have never bought wide backing fabric for a quilt. I usually piece my back, but I was really dreading it this time because I didn't think my fabrics really matched the front very well. I also got blue thread for quilting in the blue part of the quilt (which the top is actually done, I just haven't pressed or gotten a good picture of it yet), though I really am unsure how I will be quilting it. Then for the Black and White Quilt, I also decided it needed some bright pops of colors for sashing/borders. My inclinations were towards yellow or hot pink, and my mom suggested lime green, but the yellow won out because then I could give this as a gender neutral baby quilt at some point since it will be about 44 square.

This is the basic layout for the Black and White Quilt. I wanted each of the blocks to be able to stand on it's own since some of them had a lot of little pieces and with only 2 colors many of them would kind of blend in to each other.

I also got the boys and I signed up for the Summer Reading Program at the library which is a time based system. Their push is for 1,000,000 minutes read during the summer, so the boys are supposed to read 20 minutes a day (can be family reading) and they get a prize for every 100 minutes, and the adults get a prize/drawing entry and a special task on a scratch card for every 250 minutes read. I got one to start off with and it was to read a book with an ugly cover. That was really hard for me, but thankfully the librarian said it could just be kind of a beat up book, too, since ugly is in the eye of the beholder. So I have started the first Hardy Boys book, because it has been well used. I think this will be a good way to get me more motivated to read. I like timers, so I will be able to mark off a circle on my sheet for every 25 minutes :) .

Then tomorrow, I have to kick my butt in gear and clean my living room, so I can get my quilt frame set up. Then I can get the Wedding Quilt on and Basted. Hopefully, by the time I'm done with that I will have a good idea of how to quilt it.

Happy Progress

Today's Block Count: 4
Yesterday's Block Count: 6

 While waiting for meds at Walmart today, the boys and I went for a walk. They thought these were hilarious, so we got them and some Koolaid to make them some poopscicles. They were thrilled. Of course the Koolaid is in the same aisle as the Jello, so they wanted both for lunch. It took a bit of convincing to get them to believe that neither would be ready until Dinnertime. They were soooo happy to get both with dinner.

 100 Days. Block 29

 March 9-11 for the Black and White 365 Challenge. Not too thrilled with the one in the top right. But maybe it will look ok if put in to the mix.

 I tried a new thing today for when Nate "earns" extra chores. Several of these are things we have been trying many different ways to get him to understand. So I told him today that he would have to write. He was all for it at first because he thought he was going to be drawing pictures (still not sure how he thought that).  So he was supposed to write them each 10 times. I figured it would help them sink in, as well as work on keeping his finger strength and writing up during the summer. Instead, he spent 3 hours, screaming, crying, yelling and bargaining to try to get out of doing them. That backfired for him, as Mommy added 1 that had "I will not argue with Mommy." He has now managed to write "Get out does not" and that is it. If he thinks he is going to get out of doing these...he is dead wrong. He also managed to get another one assigned that says "I will not lock Kyle in his closet." We had a child proof lock on the outside of Kyle's closet to work on discouraging him from taking all his clothes out of his drawers all the time. Well Nate didn't lock it correctly, so it was rather tricky to get it undone enough to get Kyle out. He was a bit freaked out, but handled it well as Mommy reassured him that I was right there and was going to do whatever I had to to get him out.

 100 Days. Block 30

 Getting steadily closer on this wedding quilt. Just 1 more section/row to go and then it will be ready for a serious pressing and a backing. I love how it is turning out. I've just struggled with the non-repetitive nature of it. (Please ignore the wrinkles and hidden toy bumps...this room was considerably cleaner than the bed in the playroom I cleared off the other day for pictures...)

 Here are the blocks for March 12-14 for the Black and White 365 Challenge. And with this I am caught up on blocks for rewards for drinking water. I haven't enough water today again...I don't know if I'm ever really going to be able to keep both at a good level...But it is nice that this quilt is progressing nicely again. Soon I'll be able to add in some green blocks for the Rainbow version I started last year.

Every now and then I let myself trim a few 1.5 inch HSTs for my Ocean Waves Quilt. I also told myself that it would be a good project to work on while talking to my mom because my machine wouldn't make it hard to hear. (Really it was just an excuse to get to trim triangles :P ). My baggie is getting quite full. I also have a bag of bonus triangles that were given to me that haven't been sewn yet, and so those have been my Leaders and Enders the most, which gives me a few more to trim.

I also managed to finish my June Hexies, yesterday at a meeting. Which means I have run out of hand piecing that has to be done that can be taken with me. My mom and I discussed it today, part of me wanted to cut diamonds from a Jelly Roll...but she suggested (and I think it is a great suggestion), to go ahead and make the Hexies for the rest of the Year. That will give me 12 more Hexie Flowers to make for the year, especially since I foresee several more meetings, Tee Ball Games, and doctors appointments in the near future (and possibly bus rides to get to said doctors appointments). Of course, that may mean that I need to come up with a new Hand piecing project soon, since my Hexie projects are not really good for taking with me right now. I really need to sit and add greens and flowers to my first hexie project, but they are all pretty made. So maybe we'll have another movie day soon.

Steady Progress

Yesterday's Block Count: 5
Today's Block Count: 1

 100 Days. Block 28.

 I managed to get 4 more blocks done for the Black and White 365. I'm up ready for March 9...which is actually already under my needle along with the next section for the Wedding Quilt. Woohoo.

This is another hand pieced block. I finished it up at church today. It really helps me to sit still and stay away to have something simple to work on. I love that I still get the fantastic new tools like rotary cutters and little rulers for marking seams. It really does make it super simple and surprisingly fast to work on these hand pieced blocks. Now I have a dilemma, I'm almost done with my Hexies for June, and all of the hand pieced blocks I had prepped, which means I need to figure out another project I can put in my hand piecing kit. I'm thinking of using the 60 degree diamond that I picked up at Joann's on sale. But that would also mean starting another project...that seems a little off to me. :P What do you think? That would be Jelly Roll Friendly, and I do have a few that are unclaimed for projects right now...hmmm...

Finally a Day of Rest

Yesterday's Block Count: 6

 100 Days. Block 27. I'm keeping up and I'm loving how easy that has been for me. It helps me feel accomplished.

 Here is my Center Medallion for the Black and White 365. It has been so much fun to see the difference between the original block plans and what I'm doing for this quilt.

This was her original plan. It's pretty, too. It helps that it's in blue, and I love blue.

And for another comparison; Here I used Red for the Center Medallion for this quilt last year. It's so fun to see how things change when all you do is change the colors.

I also managed to get 4 of these blocks sewn together last night. They are super fast, but I'm still drinking water faster than I'm making the blocks...But between all the walking to get places, I was reduced in how much time I've had at home to sew. But today...I have no where to go, so I can sit at home and relax...I'm also hoping to get some laundry done, and make progress on the wedding quilt...and I have a machine to clean. Wish me luck on a productive day.

End of May and Beginning of June

Final May Blocks: 64
June Blocks: 2

 100 Days. Block 23

 Getting much closer on this wedding quilt. Just have to get the last 2 "rows" together and then it will be ready to pick a backing. Once again, this will be my One Monthly Goal for June. I really think I can get it done this month. I'm not planning on any major disruptions that would throw it out of line again.

 I received my Fandom in Stitches Swap package. It was this cute rose for Beauty and the Beast, which is still my favorite movie of all time. It might have something to do with a brunette with brown eyes who loves to read :P ...maybe just a little.

 100 Days. Block 24.

 100 Days. Block 25.

 Nate's first Tee Ball game was kind of comical to watch. He's making friends on his team...which leads to some distraction... And you'll notice Kyle's head at the bottom of the picture...He had a blast climbing up and down the bleachers. Here he was sitting on the bottom bleacher while Hubs and I were sitting up top. There was also a point where he slipped backwards on the bleachers and landed on one of the feet ones...and all the other mom's worried and I started chuckling. Of course, part of why I did was that he was crying like he was scared...not hurt. I'm sure I looked rather callous at that point, but this kid in particular would have me in constant fear if I didn't laugh most of his comical accidents off...

 This week's Long Time Gone Block is the third Half Square Triangle block. I'm feeling really good about myself since I got it done on the first day of the week rather than waiting until the last.

 This is a hand pieced block that was mostly pieced on the bus and waiting for the waterpark to open today. I'm on some pain meds that make it so I can't/shouldn't drive, so the boys and I tried out taking the bus to go swimming with my best friend...I think it worked out well. And it was sooo nice not to have to drive, hence, the finished hand pieced block. Thus began my June block count.

 100 Days. Block 26.

 This is only a part of a block. It is the first half of the center Medallion for the 365 Challenge. I just love how it is turning out in the 2 colors. It has been a little trickier to make this one as I have to be very careful about which color goes where since some of them are opposites of what she designed (dark vs light). But I really like that this is very one of a kind. I had told myself I could work on a block for this quilt for every 32 oz of water I drink, to try to get myself drinking more water....Now I'm drinking water faster than I can sew these blocks. It doesn't help that this is a big, involved block, and I've been super busy with a few things. I'm looking forward to some nice calm sewing tomorrow, if the boys will let me.

These go in May's count. I got them done yesterday at a meeting, which got me caught up on my swap hexies for the first time since October...then of course, today is the first of June. So I decided on fabrics for this month.

I did manage to get the 3 Black and White Blocks before the Center Medallion done to celebrate my water drinking, as well as 55 half square triangles for the wedding quilt. I've got a few mpre to make, but I'm nearing the end of those.

The RSC17 color for June is Yellow. I have decided on the quilt that will use a ton of yellow. For some reason, the picture is not showing up in my gallery right now, but I will use 2.5 x 4.5 inch yellow flying geese to make a spiral from the center. I think it's going to be fun...and will be a cute addition to my Leader/Ender Queue.