"Hot" AZ Rescue

Finished up a donation quilt for the AZ Weimaraner Rescue to be raffled off - or outright purchased, which was done last year.

The center was done on tapestry weight fabric.  The red and black are Kona solids and the doggie print is a flannel I had left from a couple prior projects.  Measures 28 3/4" by 30 1/2".

 

Below embroideries were done in anticipation of putting them in the corners with another red border but hubby thought the quilt would be too busy so I'll just hang on to them for another project for the Rescue. 

And look who I found on the freshly changed bed.......Nope, not changing it again...LOL

We had more patio put down - out from under the patio roof....No, that's  not a snake in the center.

The "HOT" part of this post:  We purchased a hot tub. That "snake-y" looking thingie was the conduit buried in the ground and brought up where it is now covered.

Yes, I really DID have a cup of morning coffee in it at 6 AM.

I have another embroidery project I hope to finish up this week. Then I plan on ironing the pieces from  a FQS kit that I got this week: Deck-ade the Halls.  You can read about here on the Jolly Jabber.

Hope you have a wonderful evening.

Hugs.

Schnibbles Gentle Art & CTTY

For the month of May, Sinta from the Pink Pincushion and Sherri from A Quilting Life have participants making Carrie Nelson's Schnibbles pattern called "Gentle Art".  

I headed to the Magic Closet and decided on Mistletow Manor.  Little did I realize until pulling it out that this line is also from 3 Sisters - who does Chocolat and Double Chocolat (two of my all-time favorite lines).  I guess I liked 3 Sisters "way back when" because I've had these charms and FQs for quite sometime.

Below was my inspiration for Gentle Art.  Since it is a "spool" pattern,  I knew I had to incorporate it into my newly arranged sewing room...somehow using this sewing machine quilt hanger.

I set off to make short work of the spool blocks using my Angler 2...which I use quite often.

I combined 2 charm packs as Carrie's pattern instructs.  I actually pulled out the "pinks" to use with any left over little blocks to make "something" else....not knowing what at this point.  I see I could only use 16 of the blocks for the hanger's size.

So with the left over blocks and the pinks from the charm packs, I was able to make 2 more little tops.

I ended up not liking the second pink(ish) top so, as you see below, I used it for the back of the first pink(ish) top....thus creating a "Christmas Through The Year" (CTTY) monthly May project for my Christmas box.  Nope, didn't even bind it - just put the 2 together with batting.... sewed it, turned it inside out, two lines of topstitching and it's done...except to crinkle it in the wash.

And below is what now hangs in my sewing room.  I even changed the thread color on the hanger from the yellow to a green to match the border.

Along with Sinta's and Sherri's monthly Schnibbles' pattern, they host a parade at the end of the month for those that have finished their Schnibbles.  My name was drawn for last month's parade from Sinta's blog.  And below is what Carrie "personally" sent out as a gift.  Carrie is an AMAZINGLY generous and considerate person.  Thank you so much!

For those not knowing about CTTY, Kim of Lily Patch Quilts hosts a monthly Christmas project.  Make what you'd like, share it on your blog and put it back for Christmas.  I have done this for years so this was a no-brainer for me.  I add to my Christmas box often so if I'm ever in need of a quickie gift,  a thank-you gift or just a RAK (random act of kindness) gift, I have a homemade box to pull from.

Even the grandkids know about Mimi's "Closet Goodie Box".  LOL

We have a AZ Weimaraner Rescue house inspection to make tomorrow, but hopefully I can find some time to spend in the sewing room on Sunday.  We have 2 Weimaraners from the AZ Weimaraner Rescue and try to do what time allows to help support the Rescue, both financially and personally like checking in on homes as we'll do tomorrow.  I am working on another donation quilt for the Rescue to auction...which I'll share soon.  Last year's donation quilt brought $500 for the Rescue.

Below is our Bailey who we adopted a year and a half ago.  She was afraid to be left alone, terrified of people and was found left alone outside in the 100+ temps without food or water in Palm Desert, CA.  The neighbors called Pet Patrol and she ended up being transported to the Rescue here in AZ.  She now is a muscular, busy and happy girl - walking with me every day.  She LOVES to lay under the counter as I sew.

Below: Bailey is with our other rescue, Willy.  When Willy was turned in by his owners, he weighed 151 lbs - NO KIDDING. How sad for him.  His owners just didn't want him anymore after having had him for 7 years.  He was viciously attacked by another dog after being turned in and couldn't even fend for himself.  Willy now weighs 100 lbs - walks 2 miles every day and is our "Gentle Giant".  He's the biggest bone Weimaraner we have ever seen.  Notice even his head is bigger than Bailey's.  They are truly best friends.

So sorry this blog post got so long.  And to think I didn't even post all the news and pics I have.....for another post.  LOL

Check out what DD, Kelli, finished a couple days ago on her blog, Barr Tac.  I'm so proud of you, Kelli.  Having a quilting daughter is so much fun!!  You make my heart smile.

Wishing you all a happy weekend.

Hugs.

Saturday Marathon Finish

Heading down to the Finish Line - accompanied by Ty (grandson) and Katie (DGD) for the last 30 yds

Made the  "turn" to cross the timing mats....

Finally - after a grueling marathon, I get to rest the weary bones!!!!!

The marathon's motto:  "ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH"

Reason for their motto:  During this 26.2 mile marathon, you climb up to 7000' for the first half of the marathon - a very tough, grueling endurance task.  YES - over 13 miles of mountain climbing.

I can now wear their T-shirt:  "I AM TOUGH ENOUGH"

This was a test of "me against me"...against the odds.
Starting time temp: 40 degrees.
At 5000"...COLDER
At 6500"...COLDER again....
Coming down the mountain....better....LOL

Thank you, Lord, for enpowering me to lose the weight, to endure the test and to do things I never even  would have dared dream.

What did you do Saturday?

Hugs.

Now.....back to the sewing room.....

Whimsy, Simply Charming and Dilemma

Wiggly Whimsy

Got right to work this morning since the house was empty (except for my 4-legged friends).  I loaded this one up last night. It is Wiggly Whimsy from Moda Bake Shop.

Just a meander stitch...

Time to bind.

This was a sew-a-long by Terry of Terry's Treasure Blog.  Finished @ 57' by 59 1/2".  I did add a 2" border which it did not call for.

The Wiggly Whimsy will go into the 2013 Christmas box for CTTY hosted by Kim of Lily Patch Quilts.

SIMPLY CHARMING for April

Another finish today:  Teresa's Treasure for the bi-monthly sew-a-long with Darlene of Quilting Daze and Karen of Kindred Quilts. I made this one a tad bigger, measuring @ 27" by 32 1/2". (Sorry about the "wrinkle" in the photo.

The quilting is big whirly gigs.

DILEMMA

I have emailed Tara @ Sew Unique Creations website as well as posted the same dilemma on her Yahoo site.  The book several of us are using is:

EMAIL:

Hoping to get some help. I am using the template on page 96 to make "Stars Over the Mountain".  I've already seen where the template was made accidentally "bigger" by adding the cutting line outside the sewing line, thus making the finished quilt a tad bigger if using the template "as is". No problem there.

 Problem: When sewing the triangles together and placing them as pictured on page 103, I keep getting nice points - however - my rows look just like yours as pictured on page 98 and 103.  When I sew those pointed rows together, I lose the point altogether  (in other words - there would be no seam allowance to sew rows together to maintain the points). I must be missing something but cannot figure out what.  I would appreciate any help that you might offer.  Thank you.

If anyone might offer a solution on what I'm doing wrong, I'd truly appreciate it.   ALL the triangles have been cut, 4 rows stitched with no luck on the "points" and I even cut all the triangles for  "Hidden Treasure" small quilt using the same template.    I must be missing something.  Thus, my earlier "Detours can Work" post.  

Sending you good thoughts on this Thursday.

I  "could" seriously use some Red Velvet cupcakes...but I don't want to spend anytime in the kitchen to make them when I have the house to myself.  Maybe I'll settle for a Hershey Candy bar.

Hugs.

Unique, Special and ever so Thankful

Oh my word - this package arrived in Saturday's mail.  It is so Unique and Special.  I am truly Thankful to Carol from Carol's Crafty Creations.  

Recently Carol celebrated a special birthday and had a giveaway on her fun blog. No one had to enter, no one had to comment.  Carol literally took her followers and picked someone.  And that lucky someone was me.   I had NO idea what the giveaway would be. There were "5" packages of "5", so nicely wrapped and tied.

And pictured below are the following:

5  Star blocks

5  Quilting notecards

5   All different colors of zippers (which I'll be using in small pouches soon!)

5  Mini Charm packs: 

     Enchanted Pond by Holly Taylor

     Old Glory Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings

     Tapestry by Joanna Figueroa

     Cinnamon Spice by Blackbird Designs

     Field Notes by Blackbird Designs

5  WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL patterns

     Petite Fleurs  by Fig Tree & Co.  (a Honey Bun pattern - and I have several honey buns on hand)

     Pinwheels by The Pattern Basket (a Layer Cake pattern - and, yes, I have several of those too)

     Flower Box by The Pattern Basket (a Charm pattern - and you KNOW I have those!!)

     Juice Boxes by Cluck, Cluck, Sew

     Paris Flea Market Find by It's Sew Emma...I literally had this pattern in my "to order box" at      FQS to purchase next time I place an order.

Isn't this the most fun package?  "5" of  "5".  Guess you know how Carol is now....LOL  Again, what a unique idea for a giveaway.

Thank you so much Carol.  Your kindness is so appreciated.  I truly was awed by your generosity.  Please, hop over to Carol's blog here and take a look at what she's been up to. You'll be glad you did.

I'm truly humbled.  

My hugs go out to Carol with special thoughts.

Detours can Work

I had to take a detour in the "Simply Charming" quilt I was doing.....about that in a future post.  

On my detour I had to make quick decisions so I went to the mighty Magic Closet and pulled out a container of Sandy Gervais's "leftovers" from past Fall projects.

Cut the "new" Simply Charming quilt out:

And now have the top sewn together: Teresa's Treasure.  I made it bigger than what it called for and now I believe I'll  add a brown border all around to fit "the space" I will hang it come Fall.  

I guess sometimes "detours" do work out.

I will post a pic of the finished piece after I "remake" my HQ leaders to be able to quilt this little ditty.

Sherri of A Quilting Life is hosting a "Solids Along" where every two weeks she'll be announcing three blocks for us to complete in solids. Go HERE to read about it. 

When Sherri originally suggested the Solids Along I immediately  purchased what I would be using.

Below you can actually see the numbers of the Bella Solids that will be in the blocks.

And.....my first 3 blocks:

I put up an OWL wall clock in my sewing room that DD, Kelli, brought over to me - for no reason other than to say "Here, Mom, this is for you."   Ah, Kelli - I adore it - he's watching me sew.

She brought me this door mat a few weeks ago when their family was down in the City.

Check out Kelli's latest crazy photo block here.  She's on a "crazy" roll.

Next is a surprise I received in the mail from Darlene of Quilts by Darlene blog.  Thank you Darlene, for such a fun package.

And this small, tiny inch square quilter's pin is a wonderful giveaway I won from Michelle of L7 Quilt Co.  Michelle had several winners from her giveaway who received these little beauties.  NOTE:  The two little candies that were in the package - well, those darned things jumped right into my mouth before I knew it.

I did some serious reorganizing in my sewing room again this morning - working on the closet and bins.  I am somewhat of an organizational fanatic one might say.  I now know that I do NOT need to buy anymore Double Chocolat by 3 sisters......don't ask.

No, I do NOT need to buy anymore Park Avenue by 3 sisters.....don't ask.

No, I do NOT need to buy anymore Glace by 3 sisters....don't ask.

IS there a theme here? 

No, I do NOT need to buy anymore "Fall" lines from Sandy Gervais.........EVER !!!!!!!...don't ask.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Health Challenge:   When you're at the kitchen sink (or kitchen counter) step in place for five minutes.  You'd be surprised how many extra steps you could get in.

Happy Thursday.

Hugs.