Month: December 2020

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

 

I am thinking about my 2021 New Years Resolution – Number 1 is to quit bitching complaining just because every company I deal with has a problem that falls on me to fix. (this one will be difficult).  Number 2 – Attempt to catch up with 2020 projects (probably some 2019 holdovers also).

WARNING:  Bitch Complaint paragraph:  I lost 5 days as far as quilting went this week (see already ending the year with a bitching statement complaint!   Apple was the choice of dealing with idiots. We purchased Mini iPads (love them) and upgraded my Apple Watch to the 6 and upgraded to the 12 Pro MAX iPhones – easy huh – not for me.  I traded in my 10XSMAX and some sweet idiot person evidently decided to take my phone and put theirs in my return box when they received it.  They want to dock me $70 on the return because they said I sent in the wrong phone.  Well, this will not happen – I have all the documents and the original box that the iPhone came in when we purchased them in 2018.  In 2019 Apple had to replace my original phone due to their stupid software that still has issues.  But of course the Trade In Department does not answer their phone, and after a 10 minute hold they disconnect.  Darn wish I worked for a company like that during my career when phones did not need to be answered (add my local Post Office to that complaint)!  (I will say that the upgraded Watch is OK (still has problems) and we do love the Mini iPads!  My Medicare problem is still not resolved – they still owe me corrected paperwork.   Other than this all is fine in the Cook Household!

Now yesterday was a lovely day for me – so peaceful and quiet.  Clay and I worked on getting ID Theft Protection – all went very smoothly!

I have completed 2 more blocks for OMIGOSH! – They are an olive green.

Here are the blocks I have completed so far…..

I started to cut strips for more blocks, but became distracted when I read Gretchen’s post on a new block she was trying out, I just could not help myself today from making a couple of the blocks to see if I would enjoy making a quilt using The Arrowhead Block pattern that she used. Susie did a great job in coming up with a different way to make the block (and easier),

Do you think that turned out great?  Well, I love the block, but Susie did not provide a critical step in making the blocks (you make 2 at a time) and that cost me time in figuring that problem out.  I am going to share with all on how I overcame that nice hiccup.   So here we go!

These are the fabrics I will be using to make the quilt.  They are Jenny Beyer fabrics that did not work well for the project I was making at the time.

I made 4 blocks using the Reds.   There are 2 ways to set the blocks for a Quilt. Here are they are – notice that the 4 patches sit 2 different ways!

I wanted to see how it would look if I kept the 4 Matches going in the same direction and came up with this setting.

I think this project will be fun to make.  Please go to The Arrowhead Block post for the basic information.  (Note:  I squared the blocks at 8 1/2″ to clean up the corners before I started Step 3 and 4). When you get to Step 4  (this was left off Susies post) here are the pictures and directions to have the 4 patch in the middle of the block.

This is how your blocks should look after Step 3.

Notice there is no 4 patch in the center at this step.  You have to cut each block again to make the 4 patch!  Susie indicates, “repeat this step to the other two diagonals”.  That statement left me scratching my head.  Hope this helps.

To get to this point, check the pictures below.

This is where I had to really study this part – maybe I was brain dead but it took me a little time to study her picture of the finished block to figure out what the next step would be.

 

I do hope that what I have posted makes sense.  Please let me know if it does.  I am a visual person – you know the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

Well, I am tired now, all in all it was a good day and I was able to stay focused which is my Number 3 New Years Goal for 2021 – STAY FOCUSED – DO NOT STRAY!

Have a great Sunday – Santa is coming soon!

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

 

Happy Sunday!  South Texas is going to be cold this week – yea!   Only 18 more days of this wonderful 2020!  I can hardly wait!

Of course, it is another Same Stuff Different Day (SSDD) around here while we just stay at home afraid to get the CV!  So here goes for my HQAL!  I have a finish – I cannot believe that it has taken me so long to finish this block!  Next step (whenever I get the urge) will be to decided how to put the blocks together!

I am also working on the Medallion for Stars Around the Garden.  Just have 5 leaves appliquéd so far.  I hope that I get with the program on this one because I could have another top finished by the end of December!

For something different to do this morning I sat with Clay while he was talking to the guys on the Radio.  That was different and I love talking to them.  I told Clay that we need to buy an old RV and put it under the shed and stay in it for a week – that would be different!

I need inspiration but just have not found it yet!  Maybe today!  It just has to be around here somewhere!  Does anyone out there have any left over that they are not using and can give it to me?  LOL

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post 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.

Have a great week!

Hugs, Nanette

I think I need to go back to bed!!!  Another weather change and I am trying to find my brain this morning.  UGH.    Looks like an 80 degrees today and tomorrow it might rain, then back to some steady cold weather.   Getting old is just not for sissy’s!  No excuse, but found out that my Candidia problem is what has been dragging me down – no more CASHEWS!!  I am feeling much better and blood work is coming up.

Well, Sunday through Tuesday and part of Wednesday was given to ordering iPad Mini’s for us.  We thought what the heck since there is no way to go and have fun at the Casino or anywhere else for that matter, so I upgraded my Apple Watch to the 6 and we upgraded phones to the iPhone 12 MAX PRO.  Love all but the mini’s will arrive next week (I guess).

There was not a lot of quilting going on.  I do hope that I find some inspiration to get with the program.  The rest of the month looks like it will be calm with the new exception, I upgraded to the new system for my iMAC – shock this morning on that one…. I will gimp along for awhile as I am tired of sitting at this computer and working on learning new software!  I need to start limiting my time on Blogs!

I wonder if any other quilters are tired of making quilts while we are in the China Virus – China wanted to control us and the certainly have along with some rank Politicians who need to be fired from their elected positions!  Will this madness ever stop?

So here goes my To-Do-Tuesday from last week (goals – LOL)

• Finish Sweet Stitches October Block. √
• Work on Stonefields remaining Sections – Preparing blocks for applique and piecing blocks.  (This is getting to be a joke!)
• OMIGOSH Blocks – Finished one complete block – on the way to finish the next
• Blue and Beige Reproduction Quilt. (This is getting to be a joke Number 2)
• There are 2 more free on-line BOMs that I want to do a block a week – these will be called “diversions from boredom” projects
  • Melva’s Pieces from the Past.  Really?
  • Jen’s Monthly Color Challenge – This one may be done in December I would like to start on it this week-end.   Well, I still want to do this one!

OK – Here is what I have to show for a week of being a pretend quilter (think I am sarcastic this morning)

 

You know – the block is 9 1/2″ unfinished – the 4 individual blocks are 5″ unfinished.  Told you I have no brain – evidently I did not have one the day I took the picture!   – OK back to hybernation for me! 

AND I started on appliquéing the Medallion for Stars Around the Garden.

Let’s try this again for 7 December through 14 December!

• Work on Stonefields remaining Sections – Preparing blocks for applique and piecing blocks.  (This is getting to be a joke Number 1)
• OMIGOSH Blocks – Continue on with more blocks
• Blue and Beige Reproduction Quilt. (This is getting to be a joke Number 2)
• There are 2 more free on-line BOMs that I want to do a block a week – these will be called “diversions from boredom” projects
  • Melva’s Pieces from the Past.  Really?
  • Jen’s Monthly Color Challenge – This one is going to be started for sure!

OK,  I will now go get an attitude adjustment for the rest of the week – I obtain this by eating as many chocolate Kisses that I can tolerate, drink my coffee, and just look out the window.

Have a great Thursday, Friday, and the week-end.  I wonder if I will reach any goals between now and Tuesday.

Hugs, Nanette

PS – I having issues with the new software with iMAC and WordPress!  

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 from South Texas!  The weather is great – 30’s at night and 50-60 during the day – My kind of weather!

This week was not the best, but I did complete the last block for Sweet Stitches!  YEA!!  Now I will start thinking about the setting.  Each block was designed as a  stand alone block and fabric was provided to do that with the kit.  I will have to study the fabrics, and decide how I want to incorporate it into the setting.  Should be fun.

I have worked on OMIGOSH (as time and energy permitted) and yesterday I started on more blocks.  I would really like to get moving on this one,  just need to focus more.

While watching President Trump’s rally in Georgia last evening I started working on the applique on Stars Around the Garden Medallion.  I appliqued 2 leaves and was about to start on 2 more, until I realized that I had placed them in the wrong area.   I finally remembered that I had taken a picture of where to place these specific leaves as a reference point.   I corrected my error very carefully as I applique less than 1/8″ between stitches – very tiny stitches.

My plan was to place the 4 leaves with a  golden brown background, mixed with  green and yellow, by the Daisies.  But no, I put them close to the center flower – DUH!    The complete Medallion design is a mirror image of what you see in the picture. I even had  separated the 8 leaves in a small plastic bag which was marked, but not good enough to tweak my memory about the picture.   Taking a picture is a great way to be able to refer back to but one must remember they took a picture!  LOL

Well, this is all I have to show so far for this week.  It is a relief to have Sweet Stitches completed so I can work on my Stars Around the Garden Medallion.  It is not a difficult project, just time consuming doing all the leaves (think are over 50).

Have a great week and I will be glad when the election is over with along with the Chinese Virus.  The vaccine would help reduce the spread of it.

My energy level is getting somewhat better so hopefully I can become more productive with my quilting projects.  I believe that the events of this year has left me with a run down immune system that I am dealing with while I try to get back to where I was in August 2019!

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 from semi cool South Texas.  We were blessed with 3 1/2″ of rain  Saturday.   It was wonderful since it has been 3 months since the last rain.  Today we get a real shot of cold air that will stay around until next week, maybe through December – I hope!  Morning walk was a little warmer but once the cold front hits it will be in the 40’s when I do my morning walk.

I have finally fixed my blog site – not sure what happened to it, but it caused me some issues.  Monday I cleaned the house (done for the month) and  we watched the Arizona hearings – quite eye opening event – while I just sat and worked on Sweet Stitches.  Tuesday all problems came back yanking at my pant leg to do something with the pests!  Nothing seemed to go easy, but by the end of the day all were taken care of.  But then up jumped the Devil about 8 PM when the darn internet went belly up again.  This time it was another blown Router!   This had happened in April so we decided to purchase 2 extra Routers in case it happened again.  An hour of discussions with Rise Broadband from 8 PM to 9 PM was a waste because by 9:20 or so  I was changing out the main Router in my network and by 10:00 all was well!  Of course I was totally brain dead and wired!  We have decided that their Network is really blowing out our Routers more than usual so we are having them send one of theirs (free) and see how fast it gets fried!  At least have a back up ready  to go if and when it happens again.  We made it to bed around  11:30 just worn out!  Slept great though!

Today is much quieter as all issues are resolved (of course not Medicare, but Senator Cornyn’s Caseworker called and she is on the move to slap Medicare around – they are all idiots). I wish they would revamp this system like they did the VA.  They need to fire some people who leave their brains elsewhere or just do not have one!

One of the Tuesday problems was with a bolt of Bella Solids Natural from the Fat Quarter Shop (great on-line shop).  When I received the bolt I immediately knew something was wrong.   The selvage had blue in it and the fabric was not a good run of Bella Solids.  Fat Quarter Shop sent me a paid return label and will let me know when they get things checked out and a better run of the Natural Bella Solids comes in.  Great shop to work with.  I am using this color in OMIGOSH.  I have plenty to continue on but will need the new bolt for future projects.

Back to quilting!  I had to go back to 2 November to find out what goals I had last identified on To Do Tuesdays!  WOW where did November go? Here they are.

• Finish appliquéing stems on the bottom 2 corner units for Mary Brown. √ Finished!!!
• Sweet Stitches October Block.  Just about finished
• Work on Stonefields remaining Sections – Preparing blocks for applique and piecing blocks. No Progress
• OMIGOSH Blocks   Added 2 more blocks 
• Blue and Beige Reproduction Quilt . No Progress
• There are 3 fee on-line BOMs that I want to do a block a week – these will be called “diversions from boredom” projects   1/3 Progress
  • Melva’s Pieces from the Past.  Really?
  • Autumn Jubilee. Completed!
  • Jen’s Monthly Color Challenge – I purchased fabric for this project in December 2019! This one may be done in December

Saturday and Sunday I did work on OMIGOSH.  I have 6 (blocks) finished now that measure 9 1/2″ (unfinished).  A block consists of 4 – 5″ (unfinished) blocks.  The little nine patches measure at 2″!  There are 2 of those blocks in each large block.  The 2 Shoo Fly blocks have 4 Square in a Square blocks that measures  2″ along with the HSTs.  I know I must be nuts, but I really like this project!  I am using fat quarters from  Barbara Brackman Reproduction from her fabric lines Richmond Reds, Union Blues, and Ladies’ Album.   I make 2 “blocks” from each color.  Next color up will be an olive green with some flowers.

The blocks are made with 1″, 2″, and 2 1/2″ strips.  You have to like tiny to make this puppy!

I wanted to do a post for Slow Sunday Stitching, but when the Internet and a messed up Blog happened, my plans got upended.  I am just about finished with the last Block of Sweet Stitches!  YEA!  Just one evening’s work and it will be finished!

I believe that I am supposed to fill in the eyes and mouth with heavy embroidery, but have decided I like it the way it is now.  Just some stitches on the Stars and the one cuff and we can call it done!  I have an idea on how I will put this quilt together, but that is for later in the month.

My goals for 30 Nov – 7 Dec will be:

• Finish Sweet Stitches October Block.
• Work on Stonefields remaining Sections – Preparing blocks for applique and piecing blocks.
• OMIGOSH Blocks
• Blue and Beige Reproduction Quilt
• There are 2 more free on-line BOMs that I want to do a block a week – these will be called “diversions from boredom” projects
  • Melva’s Pieces from the Past.  Really?
  • Jen’s Monthly Color Challenge – This one may be done in December I would like to start on it this week-end.  

I know that I will not complete the entire list (a little long) but maybe I will be able to do a little each day on some of them,  but setting a goal tends to keep me grounded and on a path to completion of some UFOs!

Have a great week and 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