Chopin – A Passionate Quilter From Texas

I decided in late December that I needed something to spark my desire to continue on with quilting or sell it all and do NOTHING or do something really different after such a horrible 15 months of BAD for Clay and I.  Well, I did not sell all my books and fabrics, it was just a bad day!

I have been watching the resurgence of Counted Cross Stitching becoming popular again, so I decided that I would give it a try.   I am glad I did.  I sought the advice from a couple of great cross stitchers and a lady at Herrschners as to the best way to approach this new hobby.  I was provided with a couple of on-line shops to purchase the Aida Cloth or Linen and other supplies, which proved to be extremely useful sites.  They are Stitcher and Everything Cross Stitch.

The first order of business was to order a pre-printed Kitty Cat Kit from Amazon (for beginners).    When I received it I realized that I did not want a pre-printed kit from China and returned it, as the thread and cloth were horrible.  Next step was to find some good books to guide me through the technique.   I looked for books on Amazon and found some great buys on used books.  The 2001 was a big bargain – used for $6.00.  The Readers Digest book was about $16.00.

I placed an order for another book that was recommended to me from Jaydee.  This is a fantastic book if and when I become proficient in Counted Cross Stitch!  Blackbird Designs is a great place for quilting and cross stitch advocates. If not guess Jaydee will get it for Christmas next year!  LOL

Next step was to order samples of different cross stitch cloth to work with and  a couple of little patterns to play with while learning.  I ordered a yard of Aida cloth from Amazon – another big mistake on that one – more China stuff – and it was returned.  That is when I went to the 3 on line places to purchase some better Aida cloth and needles.  I am pleased with this purchase.

I visited one of the other shops and came away with this little project!   I also purchased a Minnie Mouse Kit which will be a great way to learn the craft  – small and easy.  What I did not pay attention to when I ordered it was the fact it came from China.   I threw everything away in this package except for the pattern and the little hoop which you use as a frame when finished! The cloth was like hard paper!

I am blessed to have an extensive collection of DMC embroidery thread that was made in France before another company bought them out, so I did not need to purchase any embroidery thread.

There was another little kit, but that one will be gifted so I do not want to show it.  (Notice DongGuan, China – no thank you!

I purchased this little pattern to practice on.  Great Challenge!

We love the Southwest so this is on my list to make some day!

So now I am ready to play with Counted Cross Stitch in the evenings along with my work on Stars Around the Garden (SAG) Medallion – I am just about half of the way finished with it.  3 Flowers and a 2 stems and then I will do a mirror image of this and will be able to put my quilt together!  Yea!  

If life will just start calming down now 2021 is looking good for me to have a lot of fun with UFOs and Hand work.  I do want to sell my Z44 hand quilter frame, but it would have to be someone local.  I will probably advertise it in the local paper.  It has never been used.  I do not believe they sell it anymore.

Another tip – I read where the gold needles are better to work with so I went shopping for John James gold plated.  Most of the shops do not have the Number 28 Tapestery JJ Gold, but Everything Cross Stitch does have Sizes 22, 24, and 26 so I scooped them up!  Hopefully they are as good as they say they are!

I must get to work now on OMIGOSH goal for the week, so have a great week-end!

Hugs, Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away;  Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party; Design Wall Monday, For the Love of Geese,Scrap Happy Days, Quilting Patch Linky Party To-Do-Tuesdays;PHD in 2021. 

Yesterday Kathy and I scheduled a Face Time visit and sew along.  She worked on embroidery and I worked on my hand quilting project!  It was so neat to be able to visit with another quilter face to face while we worked on individual projects.  I am open to anyone else who is interested in doing a Face Time QAL.

I am playing with some pre-printed blocks to practice my hand quilting.  I finished the inner circle while visiting with Kathy!

I purchased 12 of these blocks (2 different patterns) and thought I would sew them together and hand quilt, but appears I forgot that I needed to sew them together before I started quilting – Hum must have been a Senior Moment when I loaded this one block in my lap frame!   Shame on me!  But no worries I have plenty left over – maybe I will make 2 different quilts!  Who knows what I will do with them!

OMIGOSH is still waiting and I am going to have a quiet day for sewing and plan on getting them started.  I would love to have the next 4 days to finish the 12 blocks so I can work on another UFO for a change of pace!

Closing out 2020 –  The Medicare problem has now been resolved and the package is in the hands of Clays Secondary Insurance.  As soon as they finish I have the 3rd package going to our Tertiary Insurance and hopefully by the end of April we should have recouped the majority of that $$$.

Starting 2021 – We started off the year with a great positive bang by paying off the Navigator.  We paid it off in 3 years interest free!  YEA.  Then the fun started – you know how it goes – Fast Trac lawn mower motor went belly up!  We thought – OK – we can handle that.  So the first week of January was to order a new one.  On to week 2 of January 2021 another issue.   Tuesday Clay checked into a problem with a spot on the siding (outside) of the Music Room – BINGO – TERMITES!  The good thing is that it can be fixed – but not for free or low cost!  NOPE  – this is how to drain your savings!  Next Thursday our Exterminator will come and treat the house (they feel it is isolated) and Studio.     This will mean we get to try out the Best Western in our little town of 1200 people next week for one night!  Guess I can consider that it will be a mini vacation!   I certainly hope that there is not a 3rd week of surprises!  I remain positive as this is just life and I can handle it better than what we went through last year.

On a few words of how exercise can really help in our mind set for each day!  As all know, I walk each morning for 30 minutes and can do 1.5 miles in that time.  Some days are harder (I am 76)  but I still do my exercise and have done this my entire life!  I downloaded an App in October 2017 that allows me to track my steps (this was before I purchased an Apple Watch).  Here is my tally of steps since that month in 2017!

Using the Watch and this Pedometer keeps me challenged and motivates me to continue each day to meet my goals.

Have a great week-end – Holiday Week-End!

Hugs, Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away;  Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party; Design Wall Monday, For the Love of Geese,Scrap Happy Days, Quilting Patch Linky Party To-Do-Tuesdays;PHD in 2021. 

Greetings from a wonderful winter time in South Texas.  I have lost an entire week as far as my projects go.  BUT, I am finished with Medicare, the package was delivered to the Secondary Insurance yesterday (by hand) and hopefully will be processed within a month.  Then on to the Tertiary Insurance and it will take them 2 months.  Hey – may have some $$ by the end of April 2021 over a year later!

Here were my goals for this last week

To-Do’s from 4 January to 11 January:

• 
  Complete 12 blocks for OMIGOSH.  The only accomplishment here is that all pieces for the blocks are ready for sewing. ⇓ NOT DONE

• Continue working on SAG Medallion.  I have been working on leaves and progressing working on the applique in the evening!  I have added 4 more leaves on the bottom right and would like to finish this half by Thursday..

• Load my a quilt  in the Longarm and get it quilted this month! ⇓ Not Done 

I had good excuses that caused the wipe out of fun with quilting – Medicare, purchasing a new Lawn Mower,  Doctor Appointment, more Medicare, and 2 days spent preparing the Part B packages for the Secondary and Tertiary Insurances.

Life is still good, and I only had 2 unhappy days this week.  So I did achieve staying Happy the rest of the week!  Today is a day to just go slow, enjoy the winter time, and sew blocks!

Have a great week!  Maybe next week there will be some new little goals.

Hugs, Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away;  Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party; Design Wall Monday, For the Love of Geese,Scrap Happy Days, Quilting Patch Linky Party To-Do-Tuesdays;PHD in 2021. 

Greetings from South Texas where we are having a nice winter for a change.  We need rain badly, but there is some coming this week-end, along with more cold fronts.  So much better than the 100+ this summer!

This is a great New Year for me with tons of UFOs projects to complete!  I will be working on all of my COPs this year instead of starting any new quilts.  I am trying desperately to not put myself under any stress in completing them because I want to enjoy the procerss

I will also participate in the RSC Challenge this year, but may not start until later in the month.  I have 3 different patterns that I would like to do with this Challenge.  But can decide next week or so on that.

I will be selecting from my 2021 list for my To-Do Tuesdays Challenges.

My goals for 28 December 2020 – 4 January 2021 were:

• Be Happy and enjoy the day!    √ Done
• List all of the UFOs that have been started but not completed!   √ Done
• Do a Post on my 2021 quilting projects! √ Done
• Cut out fabric for 12 OMIGOSH blocks – ready for sewing!   All blocks in zip lock bags ready for sewing! √ Done
• Order Cross Stitch book and supplies! √ Done

To-Do’s from 4 January to 11 January:

• Complete 12 blocks for OMIGOSH.

• Continue working on SAG Medallion.

• Load my first applique quilt in the Longarm and get it quilted this month!

I am looking forward to achieving these 3 goals for the week.  I want to enjoy the process, not beat the clock!

Have a great week!

Hugs, Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away;  Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party; Design Wall Monday, For the Love of Geese,Scrap Happy Days, Quilting Patch Linky Party To-Do-Tuesdays;PHD in 2021. 

Greetings and here we are in 2021 and things are wonderful compared to the last year!  I set my Goals (COPs) in a different manner this year.  Instead of monthly finishes, I am working from a “to do” list of unfinished projects and will do weekly shorter goals.  I believe that this will be less stressful than having an entire month to do something.  I believe I work better under shorter deadlines! I participate in To-Do-Tuesdayshosted by Roseanne!

Quilting Projects will continue to be one (1) per month maybe two (2) if things go well.  It would be great to reduce the quilt tops hanging on the rack!

Here is where I am on Stars Around the Garden (SAG) since last posting.

I am getting back in the swing of things and life seems simple now – I love it!

Today I will be working on OMIGOSH.   I have working on another 12 blocks and hope to have them done by Tuesday.

Hugs, Nanette

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piercers to share and motivate one another.  We pot every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.  

Kathy, Margaret, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Susan,  Nanette,  Edith, Sharon, Karrin, Connie, Bella, Gretchen, Daisey ,Connie, Monica, Sherrie.

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away;  Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party; Design Wall Monday, For the Love of Geese,Scrap Happy Days, Quilting Patch Linky Party To-Do-Tuesdays;PHD in 2021.

 

So far so good for 2021!  Slept great!  Weather is wonderful (cold)! And I am working on developing my Quilting Goals for the year!  First Goal – NO NEGATIVES – only Positive Thoughts!  No looking back at where we have been – only forward and asking God to protect us from negative thoughts that so often creep into our minds!!!

On to Quilting:  I have more than enough projects that are anywhere from  2%, to 90% finished that have been laying around since December 2019!  I started making my ‘goal’ list for the year yesterday and quickly became overwhelmed! LOL.  So I am going to do what Linda  is doing – Breaking my leftovers down to “techniques”.

This year I am joining Gail in PHD 2021!  (PHD=Projects Half Done) (I call them Piled High and Deeper) that need to be quilted on the Longarm!  Gail provided a neat chart for tracking!  This Section is for Quilts to Be Quilted in 2021!  I have 30 quilts that have been patiently been hanging around since 2004 and ended in 2019!

There are approximately 4 that I will send out for special quilting, but the remaining are for me to quilt.  I have scheduled 12 quilts to have completed by the end of the year.  I will attempt to do 2 a month, but no promises as I will be working on other projects during this time also.  (I am very computer literate, but not on Numbers (iMAC) yet – So I sent the chart to myself in an email, took a picture and here it is.

Have a wonderful New Years Day and the remaining 364 days of 2021 – Now on to my list of PHD’s to complete in 2021.

Hugs, Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away;  Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party; Design Wall Monday, For the Love of Geese,Scrap Happy Days, Quilting Patch Linky Party To-Do-Tuesdays;PHD in 2021.

Greetings from South Texas where we are having a pleasant winter!  Life is getting so much better for Clay and I – even with the staying at home, curbside for groceries and orders from Walmart along with good ole’ Amazon.  All of these companies have really benefited from the CV this year.   We all pray that things change quickly and we can become free people again and enjoy normal lives.   I am happily looking forward to 2021.  Starting a new year is a wonderful experience, it allows us to bury all the negative things in the previous year and look forward for positive things coming in the new year.  There are times and years  we have no control what happens and it is so difficult to live through those years, but thank goodness we have a new year a coming!

I have given up on planning weekly to-do lists until 1 Jan 2021 for my quilting goals.  So far I have completed 2 more blocks for OMIGOSH and made 4 blocks for The OMIGOSH and The Arrowhead Project.  Click on the link for background information on both projects.

OMIGOSH Blocks

The Arrowhead Blocks – Setting 1

The Arrowhead Blocks – Setting 2

My Medallion for Stars Around the Garden (SAG) has begun.  This is the layout for the colors.

I am getting a slow start but hopefully I will get with the applique program quickly – I would love to have it finished by the New Years Eve!!! (Oops just made a goal for myself!)

I do my stems different than most quilters.  I cut fabric bias strips at 1/2” or 3/4” depending on the size of each pattern stems.  I stitch the outside of the stem and then if I need to trim the strip I can, and then turn the strip under.  I find that this is the fastest way to make the stems.  I am a traditional appliquer and use freezer paper and no glue on my projects.

OK so here are a few easy goals for the remainder of the year:

• BE HAPPY for a New Year coming!
• Finish the applique for SAG Medallion
• Continue to work on OMGOSH blocks
• Continue to make more blocks for The Arrowhead Block quilt.

I am getting over the stress related skin breakout!  Thankfully – I am trying to get this over with before New Years Eve also.

Apple problem has been resolved, but the lesson from this is – NEVER SEND IN A TRADE IN IPHONE OR APPLE WATCH WITHOUT HAVING PICTURES AND PAPERWORK SAVED!  Someone did take my trade in and replaced it with their iPhone.  I no longer trust Apple in handling trade in items honestly.  I had complete documentation (to include the original box) to back me up and was successful to get it resolved – but it did take 6 days to do so!

Medicare is still unresolved but it will be what it will be!  I have to control the stress they are causing – so I am playing Scarlett O’Hara – I will worry about it tomorrow!  LOL

Have a very Merry Christmas and remember, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus.  We can all do that while at home with our families.  Take care and Stay healthy!

Hugs, Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away;  Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party; Design Wall Monday, For the Love of Geese,Scrap Happy Days, Quilting Patch Linky Party To-Do-Tuesdays

Greetings all Slow Sunday Stitchers!  I have not achieved most of my goals for this month so far.  BUT I have done 6 leaves (shock shock) for my Stars Around the Garden Medallion!  You can barely see the traced pattern, but it will come together soon!

Aren’t you impressed?  I think I will take some time today while changing iPhones and do leaves!  Otherwise they will never get done!

I have been working on some other projects (not hand work).   We get up at 6:00 AM and before we know it the day is over and I have not completed my “to do” list for my quilting projects.    Anyone else feel that way?

Hoping all are well and staying away from the CV and healthy!

Have a great week – and a Merry Christmas and we will work on the New Year!

AND THANK YOU KATHY FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF SLOW SUNDAY STITCHING!  LOTS OF WORK IN HOSTING THIS LINKY PARTY FOR US!

Hugs, Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away;  Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party; Design Wall Monday, For the Love of Geese,Scrap Happy Days, Quilting Patch Linky Party To-Do-Tuesdays