What Day is it????

Crap, I seem to have lost a week somehow. No idea how that happened. Let's see if we can't figure out what happened to the week.

 I have my fabrics pulled for the beginning of my Fandom In Stitches Mini Quilt Swap.

 This past weekend was LDS General Conference, which is broadcast and we can watch from home. So I was able to get November's Hexies done for the swap I do with my best friend, in between being kicked in the head and trying to keep the boys relatively calm...I'm definitely open to suggestions on how to keep them calm.

 My Kindergartener who fights me on homework every day has discovered that he can read Green Eggs and Ham...so he now does...constantly. Because it is reading it counts as his daily homework chore, which is one of 5 things he has to do before he can watch tv every day.

 I attempted to dye my hair blue, but given how dark my hair is...it mostly just looks black unless the light hits it just right, then it kind of looks shiny black :)

 I also was really bad at keeping it from staining my scalp, so I've joked I colored my scalp more than my hair. And that I am part scalp.

 I've been working on my Long Time Gone quilt. These are all of my blocks so far. I was late posting my Crosses of the UK blocks to Instagram, so I don't think I'm eligible for prizes anymore, but I am still enjoying it, so I'm not stopping yet. I did the rainbow block today (and the Crosses of the UK yesterday).

The one who is hosting this Sew Along also shared on Instagram today that she will be hosting the 100blocks in 100days again starting on May 7th. This uses Tula Pink's 100 Modern Blocks, and with 2 of those on my to do list...it might be the perfect time to get going on those. Check it out at gnomeangel.com

 The weather has turned nice, and it is Spring Break, so the boys keep asking to go ride bikes. This is hard for me, since the only place for them to do it is in front of the house, and the 3 year old is obstinate, and doesn't like to listen or follow the rules, so I have to be out there with them to make sure he stays out of the road. This was one of those times they were successfully getting along...riding the scooter at the same time.

I've also been slowly chugging away at my En Provence blocks. My table isn't really big enough to lay out all of a block, so I'm just winging it making sure the same fabric in one unit isn't found in the unit(s) it's touching. It's been working so far.

It also dawned on me that I hadn't even looked to see what the RSC17 color was for the month of April. Turns out, it's Multicolor scraps. So this month will be a catch up month for the Tiny Jacob's Ladders (if I can get back to those), and I will do a super simple 4 patch quilt using the multi-color scrap bin. I also know there isn't a lot in that drawer, so I'm only going to aim for baby sized this month...especially since I've fallen behind on all the rest of what I had planned for this year.

I also need to declare what I want to finish for April for OMG. This month I'm going to try to push to finish the wedding top I started. The wedding is in 2 days, so it's going to be a little late...oops.

I do hope to get it all of the way quilted and bound by the end of the month, but I am also a little more aware of my own limitations right now (and how many other things I've started), so I'm only saying I have to have the top done by the end of April. Check out other people's goals at elmstreetquilts.com.

More to Share

Today's Block Count: 9 + 23

 The other day, I really started in earnest to work on this quilt. It is intended as a gift...and I have 10 days until W-Day. I think it will just be a top by then, so the actual present they open will be a text with a picture of the top :P I know I finished at least another 21 of these Half Square Triangles.

 The first section is officially together. Next up, section B.

I also got the 8 wonky improv log cabin blocks I decided on for the Play Quilt Along with Elm Street Quilts. So that project is ready for week 2...which was a few weeks ago. I finished 6 today and 2 yesterday.

Then I snuck in a few red HSTs for the Tiny Jacob's Ladder for this month's RSC blocks, which meant I could finish the 2 TJL blocks.

I also got 1 Black and White 365 Challenge Block done. It is the block for February 18...so it's a good thing it's only February 19th, right?

Tomorrow needs to be a massive clean in my room day. It's gotten a bit dangerous again. And I need to decide on what I want to take to Epic Sew Day... Strings are usually a great choice for that.

Just a few seams

Not much to report again. I have been sucked into a manga series again...and haven't wanted to put it down for the last 2 days.

I did manage to get myself to sew a few more seams on some improv log cabins. Tomorrow, I have to work on the wedding quilt. I have 13 days from today until they get married. This was supposed to be an easier quilt, so I don't know why I've delayed starting it...or I should say...continuing it, since I've sewn a few seams.

 I also have had these 3 blocks sitting on my pressing table already done for a few days, so I need to add them to my count.

I also finished this happy little flower at church today. The sides of the hexies are 1/2 inches.

Not much

Not much to report for today. I did finally get started on some blocks following the first prompt for the Play Quilt Along which is Log Cabin. This is an improv quilt along, so I cut some 5 inch centers and am using my strings to bring it up to 9.5 inches. I decided on just doing 8 of this block simply because that is how many center squares I could get from 1 strip.

Crazy Kid Instincts

Today's Block Count: 1

I got to start off my morning with some awesome quiet time as I worked on a few pen and paper puzzles before the boys woke up. I always forget how much I love doing those...until the stack resurfaces. I also forget how easy it is to get drawn away into working on them and forget what time it is...

 Then as it was time to head downstairs for the rest of the morning (we try to keep all toys downstairs), Kyle was pulling an old Gamecube controller around by the cord and calling it his puppy. He was not happy when Daddy took it away to put it away, so I finally convinced him to pick a stuffed animal to be his puppy, and I would make a leash for it. He settled on his dinosaur, that he has called his dragon, and baby, and I proceeded to make a leash for it. It was fun to hear him play with it "Mommy made me a puppy, Nate." Later, he also pulled the leash up over his shoulder with the dinosaur in back and said it was his purse. I love his imagination. I also think it's a little funny that he started on this whole puppy thing today, and then I logged on to Instagram and Facebook, and apparently it was National Puppy Day. I think this kid is going to be sorely disappointed when he finds out we can't have a dog because it would make me sick.

I also managed to get this block made for the Long Time Gone Sew Along. I am just absolutely in love with it...such that I have been contemplating finding these colors and making a bigger version, or several and making a big quilt just of these. The colors are a little off, it's Royal Blue, Light Blue, Light Purple, and Dark Purple.

I knowingly turned the flying geese in the middle of the sides because I wanted the points on the outside.

I also realized today (for the first time) that this quilt will be considerably smaller than I usually make...I don't know what I'm going to do about that yet...

Redstone Device

Got some cutting

Today's Block Count: 0

I got the next block cut for my Solid Long Time Gone Quilt.

I also managed to finish figuring out a complex redstone device and tried recording an introductory video for it...and apparently, I still need a ton of practice because I sound nervous and Spencer says I have weird inflections in my voice. If you have any tips, I'd love to hear them.

I may even try to post the video here tomorrow when my computer is on again.

Moving On

Today's Block Count: 1 and 2 Monsters

 I got my second Bow Tie Block Done today. The Solids came as a rainbow, so I'm just following the rainbow.

 I already counted this one in my last blog post, but I got my 2 grey corners added, so it's REALLY done this time.

 The boys, specifically Nate, has been bugging me about wanting their own monsters constantly since I made one for Nate's friend's birthday. So I finally got them made today. The boys love them. Spencer took the boys to Walmart tonight and I guess was telling everyone about his monster and showing it off. I chose to try to make things easier for myself and just did all the seams raw edge. I also didn't stuff the arms and legs, just the hands and feet. I actually did the curviest part of the stitching on the appendages, then stuffed them, and then stitched up the rest of the arm or leg.

My happy monsters hugging their monsters. Nate, who has never really been one to want to sleep with a stuffed animal, even took his to bed with him.

Waylayed

Today's Block Count: 0
Other Blocks: 12 and a binding

It's been a few days, so let's see if we can figure out what's been going on. I feel like I've been in a bit of a blank zone brainwise, but I'm sure a few things got done.

 Friday night or about 1:15 Saturday morning, I finished the binding on my Vomit Quilt, which shall now take the official name of Discovered Gems. I'm super excited to have it done. It was my One Monthly Goal for March, so I can link up when the time comes. It was one of my yearly UFO goals for my guild. And it was one of the first projects I ever undertook. It was a 5" ugly fabric swap that I joined less than a year after I began quilting. So it's numbering as far as when it was actually started gets a little hazy because I started on the Christmas 9 patch quilts I did, while waiting for my squares to come back for this one.

EDIT: check out the other finishes here.

 I've been following along with #igquiltfest on Instagram, and this was for yesterday's prompt of mini quilts. This is my mini wall which is in our downstairs hallway between hub's computer room and my sewing room. It is a bright happy wall of color. Most are from swaps, and ut is amazing how each one I get from a swap, fits me perfectly.

 These are piles of books (in case you couldn't tell). There is a certain set of books that I want physical copies for (it's a Japanese Manga set, so the pictures are very important). Hubs was a little worried about the space issue, since these book shelves are really the only book space we have in the house (kids books have their own shelf up in the living room) and the were full with books in front of books, and some still hiding in the storage room because there was no room for them on these. So I decided to start going through my books and wishlisting the books that I would be ok having on my Kindle since that is the most common way for me to read. I love being able to read and knit at the same time. These piles are all the ones that have been wishlisted, and I have another half a shelf, ready to be looked up. Tomorrow, I hope to finish these up, move the other books from the storage room, and get these to my car to go to DI.

 This week I started a Block of the Month with my friend Machelle Preston. Each month she will give us the instructions and tips for the next block. She was really excited when I said I wanted to join but to use my own fabrics instead because the quilt was very pink. I'm thinking I may give it to Kyle. I still got the printed fabric packet from Machelle and will be pulling all of the colors from there. It is awesome to see how different and yet how similar the block can be. I'm especially tickled about the tree, because it came from a John Deere Fabric.

 The pattern just calked for eyes and a nose for this little bunny, but I had some fun with thread painting and even gave him a little pink bowtie.

 This is what the original block looks like. I do still need to add the top 2 corners, which will be grey grunge...but that is not a big deal.

 I also began the Long Time Gone Quilt Along this week. This is my first bowtie for the solids version. That just means 5 more to go, I'm hoping for some good progress on these tomorrow. They are simple enough, I think that there should be no problem getting them done.

I also managed 10 bonus 4-patch blocks as leaders and enders while I sewed the bunny block togther.

Hard to sit still

Today's Block Count: 0

My little helpers decided I needed to get back to work on my sewing room today (for some reason they like to help me clean in there, but will fight me when I tell them to pick up toys). So I can safely make it back to my sorted scraps again. Hopefully, a little every day will make it easier.

I also got a little more binding done today because Kyle took a nice nap and I felt I could watch some Netflix. It's hard to try new shows if I have the boys around because I have no idea what might show up or prompt questions.

I also was supposed to work on a block for the Long Time Gone Sew Along, but instead I seem to have gotten it stuck in my head that I also need to do one in Cotton and Steel Fabrics. I have a large selection thanks to a mystery box from Craftsy that my mom got me. But I also had another plan to use those. I also know that I won't use a ton of each fat quarters so I could easily use the leftover bits for one. Of course, I should have at least started on my original solids one, or even the second desired one out of scraps...Instead I had to recalculate the pieces for the other Cotton and Steel Quilt, so I can cut the necessary pieces an begin to use the leftovers for a Long Time Gone quilt...Because "Why start 1 when you can start 3?"

I also have been working on figuring out how to debut into the YouTube world, I'm still leaning towards Minecraft, but at this point I'm not sure if I want to do tutorials or start with talking through the way I play...

Then,I went to a Block of the Month class. I'm actually hyperly excited about this. I am going to be using my fabrics for it, rather than the kitted fabrics simply because I have a hard time with as much pink as that quilt had. The wheels started turning the minute I was given the first block pattern and the preprinted fabric packet. So I actually came home and picked nearly all of the fabrics for the first block. I'm feeling mighty clever with a few of the fabrics I chose. I will share it when I get it done, just have to actually finish it first.

Not much

My room exploded so I bought more containers. I had the wire cube things for a lot of my sewing room closet...But they decided to collapse as I was trying to find the stuffing for the monster. Organization, of course, just makes a bigger mess unless you can follow through to the end. I also got going on the binding of my Vomit Quilt. So it's on track for being done by Saturday. Long Time Gone also starts on Wednesday....Which is actually tomorrow at some point since she is in Australia...I might have to unbury that soon.

Making a Monster

Today's Block Count: 0

To decide what to get for the neighbor boy who was having a birthday party and invited Nate, I decided to ask Nate. He said he wanted me to make a monster like I had for another friend's birthday. I agreed and let him go through my fat quarters to pick the fabrics he wanted. Then I spent the morning making it, and Kyle spent the morning picking fat quarters for his own "itsy bitsy spiderman" (because of the spider fabric) and asking me every 2 minutes if I was making his yet. I think I'm going to have to hunt up more of that fabric if I can because it is one of my favorites. Anyway, this Itsy Bitsy Spiderman clip is one of the boys' favorite YouTube videos right now. They are obsessed with the whole Cool School channel. It's great for kids and has crafts and factoids and fun twists on common fairy tales.

Anyway, now it looks like both boys want their own monsters...so I guess that will be jumping up towards the top of my to do list. Still at the very top is the binding on my quilt, and my November-March Hexies to swap with my best friend. I should also see if I can get a little further on Gypsy Wife this week since I start Long Time Gone on Wednesday, as well as a block of the month being hosted by one of my friends.

Rice Packs

Today's Block Count: 0

I did successfully attach my binding to my Vomit quilt. So now I just have to get myself to sit down and watch something while I hand stitch it. Then I also chatted with my mom. And since I didn't want to just sit there, I pulled out 2 fat quarters and made 5 more rice packs.

I've been wanting a bigger one, and I also wanted to make it 2 layers of cotton so it wouldn't feel like it was burning me straight out of the microwave. I love these as hot packs because they conform nicely, and the smell of warm rice is actually comforting to me. I used 1 fat quarter and just folded it together for the pink one, and made 4 out of the blue fat quarter in hopes that I will be able to find one once in a while. My boys love to play with my original one, it has definitely seen better days. I've had it for more than 10 years. On the pink one I also put an extra line of stitching down the middle to create 2 pockets. This will be nice to hold it on to a shoulder or fold over a waistband if I am having abdominal pain.

I also discovered that the pink one (slightly over filled with rice so nice and heavy) also works to hold down a button for an AFK Fish Farm in Minecraft (Away from Keyboard). I set this up tonight because I need lily pads to cover some water blocks that are going to hydrate a new farm I'm setting up. Lily pads can only be obtained by fishing or by finding them in a swamp area...and I didn't feel like exploring tonight. Now I can work on trying to get them while sewing, or reading...or watching April the Giraffe.

Tomorrow, will start off with a monster making session. When I asked Nate what he wanted to give his friend that was his request. I think he liked that I made one for the last birthday party he went to. I have enlarged the pattern this time because the arms and legs were annoying to turn last time.

Pillowcases

Today's Block Count: 1

I have had 1 Tiny Jacob's Ladder Block (red) sitting on my little ironing table waiting for me to actually press it for days. So it got to be my lone block for today.

I also finished up a batch of 6 pillowcases, including the Zelda pillowcase that is Spencer's Valentine's Day gift. I know it's late... and he would have been just fine without it, but it was nice to do something nice for him. And I used the little bit of leftover fabric for the cuff of another pillowcase for me.

I also prepped my binding for my Vomit Quilt, so hopefully I will get that attached tomorrow. I've been dragging my feet on it, and I'm not really sure why. But I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I also think I'm going to be doing some and piecing for a bit bit after I get that binding attached. My hexie project has been taunting me. Plus, I have been swapping hexie flowers with my best friend for 2 years and am now 5 months behind. I think that warrants some hand time.

Odds and Ends

Today's Block Count: A LOT 49+5+6+4+24+2+16+3= 109 Thanks Google.

It's too late for math. 😛

In addition to all the random blocks I got done today I also created a new cover for my son's Snap Bracelet. A toddler at his friends' house got a hold of it the other day and broke the plastic cover it came with...which of course was the end of the world for Nate. I let him pick the fabric from my scraps and he is quite happy with it.

 It is amazing how much of a difference a day can have on my sewing space. Today's prompt for #igquiltfest was "On the Cutting Mat." So my response was a mess. There were confiscated toys and leftover strip sets awaiting use, and trimmings...and several parts of several projects. I managed to get the trimmings thrown away and a bit more space on my cutting mat to cut out the pillowcase parts for Spencer's Valentine's present...yeah, I'm a little behind. While I've finally pulled that out, I also pulled the other extra pillowcases I have ready to go, so I can quick knock those off my list tomorrow. Then since my sewing table has been cleared of pretty much all small block parts, I will be able to attach the binding to my vomit quilt and enjoy some handwork time this week.

In this picture, I have scrappy 4-patches in 2 inch squares (49) and 2.5 inch squares (5), scrappy 9-patches in 2 inch squares (6) and 2.5 inch squares (2), Teal 16-patches for my February RSC17 quilt (4), and Half Square Triangles for a gift quilt (16) and the Teal Patches and Furrows Quilt (3).

Lots going on this week, but I still think it will be a relatively low-key week. Tomorrow is the PTA meeting which includes a free lunch. Thursday the boys and I have dentist appointments. And then Saturday, Spencer is going with some of the guys from church, and Nate has a birthday party to go to. Now I need to come up with a gift for a 7 year old boy. Would a pillowcase be too lame a gift? He's part of a big family...and I could get some pretty cool licensed fabric for it...

Anyway, I'm off to bed, good night.

Start of another quilt

Today's Block Count: 2

Technically I started this new quilt yesterday, but I didn't dechain until today. Today was mostly a deal with leftover strip set kind of day, so there are still a lot of things under the needle because I was trying to tackle the ones on my cutting table, which had me reaching for the square box, which then had more sets I had just shoved in on top of the squares...So all those had to come out too. Which means, my table is messier than when I started. I've got more bonus blocks chained under my needle than what I had planned on working on, and I didn't do a lot of dechaining today.

I wonder what tomorrow will hold.

Title?

Today's Block Count: 2

Today I worked on more parts for my Black and White 365 (finished 1) and my Tiny Jacob's Ladder Blocks in red and teal. I got 1 teal done.

Productive Sew Day

Today's Block Count: 56

I had a super productive day at a Sew Day hosted by my friend, Machelle Preston. She runs a Block of the Month (BOM) regularly and this was kind of a finish up day for the most recent one. She was kind enough to extend an invite to some of her other friends (like myself) who didn't actually take her BOM class. I will actually be taking her next class, if all goes well. It is a really cute Bunny quilt, and I will be using scraps for it. That will work nicely for me too since it was a very pastel color palate so I may just brighten it up a touch :)

At the sew day, I managed to get 31 Red Blocks for my monthly quilt (will be the quilt that will look like O's). I also decided to change my original size idea from 8.5 to 6.5 which means I'll have more scraps in the usable size. The ones that are too small will, of course, be cut down for this month's Tiny Jacob's Ladders. I also got 6 red Tiny Jacob's Ladder Blocks done at the sew day. Then I came home and pressed all 16 of the teal Tiny Jacob's Ladder Blocks from yesterday, and managed to get 2 more Black and White Blocks, and 1 more teal 16-patch.

All in all, it was a good day.

Homemade Tomato Soup

Today's Block Count: 0

I have several Tiny Jacob's Ladders in teal ready for pressing, so I should have several blocks for tomorrow's count.

Tomorrow, I'm headed to a sew day. My plan is to take some teal fabrics and red fabrics to work on RSC17 blocks.

I also attempted to make homemade Tomato Soup tonight, using tomatoes I got from a friend's garden and froze. It turned out quite yummy, albeit a little thin, probably because I used milk instead of heavy cream. I actually decided to be brave enough to try today because I happened to stop by Walmart to get milk this morning after getting my stitches out and the marked down bakery item cart is right next to the milk. There were several of the bags of rolls and I always feel like I have to justify the fancy breads, so I said I would try making tomato soup tonight. I actually have been planning on trying it since I froze the baggies of tomatoes at the end of the summer. It's been really nice that there are so many people here who keep gardens. I was able to stock my freezer with tomatoes and zucchini and some peaches without having to garden myself. (I seem to have a brown thumb....or a blanking brain...neither of which are good for plants.)

Hasta Manana

Ready for Red

Today's Block Count: 0

I've been doing some Minecraft building the last 2 days. It's been a lot of fun. I've got new Micro Farms set up for my animals (cows, sheep, and pigs) that actually sends the babies into a holding yard so they can grow up, and then I drop them into my slime spawner to die by drowning. I'm pretty tickled with the setup. I watched several videos and then set it up in the way that fits what I wanted best. I love being able to solve problems and come up with solutions for Minecraft.

Anyway, the RSC17 color for March is Red, so I can adjust my progress bars accordingly.

Tomorrow, I get my stitches out. I will also be doing some more sewing and need to start seriously attacking the playroom again. And for periodic reward times (really going to keep it to rewards only), I'm going to use a farm concept that Mumbo Jumbo (favorite Minecraft Youtuber)  had in one/several of his videos. Hasta Manana.