More Time To Quilt

I am looking forward to more quilting time when school is out which is in two more weeks. The kdis at the school are getting louder and it's getting easier for me to get after them. If they get too loud I just point and they know they need to go to the end of the lunch line. It actually works. I am still quilting away tying to get my quilt done before my son Chris gets home. He will be getting home from Arizona by Sunday or Monday. I can't wait to see him. He will then go to CA to visit the Redwood Forest, visit his older brother, drive the coast and then come on back home. He will then go do his internship in New York for three months. I asked him if he ever got tired of flying and he said no. I get tired just by hearing him talk about it. I was wondering if any of you use the gloves for quilting. You know the ones that are suppose to keep your hands from hurting. My hand and fingers are begining to get sore after quilting. Please let me know if they do help. I have been looking over some very old quilting patterns that have no intructions for rotary cutting and that really makes me not want to even attempt it. I had been wondering the same thing Jeanne asked on one of her recent blogs about how to quilt a blanket stitch applique quilt. My neighbor just does the shadow quilting around each applique design and they look quite good. I'm talking hand quilting. It just amazes me how fast Linda and Jeanne turn out quilts. I think they have hyper active hands or something. I mean it as a compliment girls.

Quilting Update

What can I say, I haven't finished the small 54 inch quilt and it drives me crazy. I certainly am no Linda nor Jeanne. LOL!I really hate to work. It takes up so much of my quilting time. I have done a lot of progress though. I am now quilting the bottom edges. I would do some machine quilting on it but this small quilt will be for my first granddaughter so hand quilting it makes it more special. I had a hard time deciding on the quilting pattern for this little quilt because it's just made up of strips so I just went with straight lines. It also makes the quilting go faster.I made another trip to another LQS and bought some more thread for applique and some books. I bought some cotton silk finish thread. The time I appliqued I used some silk embroidery thread, so I don't know which is suppose to be best. I have used the silk embroidery thread for appliqueing but I didn't think it was strong enough. It was a sale day at the store and I kind of got distracted. You know how that is. I bought the Turning Twenty Around the Corner book and have decided to use that desing for my Sunbonnet blocks. If I use that design I won't have to make many more Sunbonnet blocks. I bought a pattern for a French quilt which is pretty much just quilting whole pieces of fabric with no piecing. I have so much pretty fabric that I don't want to cut up and have just decided to make them into whole cloth quilts. While I was looking at the notions at the quilting store I realized I pretty much have all of them, some that I bought back in the 80's and early 90's that aren't around anymore and that I'm glad I have. I just love quilting gadgets. I bought the really really small almost 1 inch iron for tiny pieces of fabric. I got that at 40% off. I can't resist those Joann's coupons so I may soon have all the quilting supplies they have at the store. I'm happy to report that my youngest son finally found a job. He will be working at Wal Mart and is quite excited. We didn't want him to work till he got done with high school, so, he is quite excited about earning his own money. Hubby and I are pretty excited about that part to.

Spring Break Quilting And Gardening

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since Feb. 21st. Time is going to fast for me. The school where I work will have all of next week for spring break and I am so looking forward to it. I am progressing nicely with my quilting and I better finish during that week off. Tonight I went to the book store and bought two new quilting magazines and an audio CD with a 15% off coupon. The name of the audiobook is Home to Big Stone Gap. I'll let you know how it is. I am so hooked on audio books. I just load them into my Ipod attach it to my ears and start quilting away. I usually get them at Half Price Books because audio books can be pricey. Oh, I would like to know what kind of quilting needles you guys like to use for any of you who hand quilt. I have a bad habit of getting about four different brands, thread four needles and then not remember which one is from what brand. I do that all the time. For the first time in a long time I finally went out to my backyard to do some gardening. The weather here has been in the 60's and it's just beautiful. I pruned my roses and fed them. I have several Angel Trumpet cuttings that need to go in the ground so I am planning on where to put them. I have a yellow one and had been wanting a pink one for a long time. When I found out one of my son's friend's parents had one I told him to try and get a cutting. He was sweet enough to remember to do so right before he went to Arizona. I let my hubby do all the planting since he's the one with the green thumb. I'm good with roses and herbs, but everything else just dies on me. Which reminds me I have to go herb shopping next week. I want to make a hypertufa elephant ear bird bath this summer. I even grew some elephant ears just for that purpose. Off to some more quilting.

New Cutting Matt

Yesterday I took advantage of the sale on the huge cutting mats at Joann's and bought one. I love it because it's about 59 inches wide and it covers most of my cutting table. I have started hand quilting the small quilt and am enjoying every minute. Im really glad I bought that small pvc frame. It's so portable and light. It's perfect for my small quilts. I can sit and watch T.V till I'm ready to go to bed. It's when I get back to my quilting that I realize how much I really enjoy hand quilting. I basted the quilt on the floor and boy were my legs sore the next day, and that was just a 55 inch quilt. Well at least my legs got a work out.

What I'm Working On

This is the quilt I'm working on now. It's a top I finished last summer and now am working on the backing. I made this top from the Turning Twenty left over scraps. I cut four big pieces of floral fabric and will sew them up together today and use that for the backing. Might as well make it real girly, top and backing. I'm getting a little bored with just a plain backing so I'm venturing into piecing my backings. I've always liked the idea but by the time I got to the backing all I wanted to do is be done with it and didn't want to deal with anymore piecing. I will try and bast it on the new folding table I bought at JoAnn's, with a coupon of course. I am so tired of floor basting. I figured it's going to be a small 55 inch quilt so I think I can do it on the table. This quilt will go to any grand daughter I have in the future. It took me a long time to collect this rose fabric. This picture isn't showing the borders but they are they three inch floral strips. The picture on top is the backing already finished. It may look kind of weird but I like it. I just couldn't pass up paisley fabric with roses.

Quilt Is In Museum

Well I took two of my quilts to the museum on Friday. My neighbor went with me and she took two also. I am actually really missing those quilts. I have weird thoughts like, what if they get stolen, what if the place burns down, what if some kid puts bugurs on them. I know it's insane but those are my thoughts at times. I know that every visitor gets a pair of gloves as they enter just in case they want to examine the stitches of a quilt but I've never been without my quilts. I guess I need to start quilting another to keep my mind at ease. I was fighting a bad cold this pass week so didn't feel like basting anything. Then I'll be going to jury duty on the 26th and hopefully I won't get picked to stay on. That already stressing me out. I have to travel 35 miles and cross a big bridge to get to the court house. Been looking at some of Linda's eq patterns and I really like the pink and brown quilt she made up. That Linda is a busy bee. I wish I could get half as much as she does. Hope everyone has a great week.

Folk Star Quilt

I finally have something quilty to show. I took some pictures of the Folk Star quilt and I have to admit the pictures aren't that great but it'll do for now. I'll have to take some with my trusty 35. I really have become attached to this quilt.

Quilt Binding

I am happy to report that I will be done with the binding tonight. Now, how many times have I said that? I have about seven inches left to go. I'm getting bummed out about not being able to quilt as much as when I wasn't working. Working sucks more than a bucket of ticks. I want to start working on my SIL's grape quilt next. She has been patiently waiting for that quilt especially since she saw the finished top. I have to hurry since she sold me her car for a good price. I told her to give me a discount of about $500 since that about how much quilts go for now a days. LOL! Hubby and I went to pick up our son Chris at the airport today in the ugliest of weather. It was cold and raining cats, dogs, pigs, and cows. The kid was in Mexico for 4 weeks with his university. Lucky kid even went to Cancun and came back home with quite a tan. He will be going back to Arizona Saturday. Since I still can't post a picture of the quilt I am posting one of my Sunbonnet Sue's blocks. I have to make twenty more blocks for a twin size quilt and they are all different.

House Back To Normal

Now that my two older boys are gone I can continue my quilting again. I am still working on the binding for the star quilt. I have been working on the quilting on that quilt for three months now. If I wasn't working I would've be done a long time ago. I'm considering putting two of my quilts in a town museum not far from home. The museum has a quilt show every year that features quilts made by local quilters. The thing is they will be on display for almost two months and I don't know how I'd feel about having my quilts away from me. I know it's crazy but I do get attached to the quilts I make especially if I hand quilt them. You may find this hard to believe but I actually look forward to going to work now. I sure did get used to being home for the two week holiday I had though. I believe  Now, rumor has it the fabric department will be closing in all Wal Mart stores. I don't often shop there for fabric but I have purchased some. I heard they will still have the notions and sewing machines and some cut fabric but no fabric by the yard. I usually get my fabric at my LQS or at JoAnn's. If it weren't for the coupons I get from JoAnn's I wouldn't go very often. Well it's almost time to go to work and I must go eat some breakfast. Have a good one everyone.

Quilting Status

Here are a couple of pictures of my boys. Top one is of my oldest, JR sitting next to my baby, Ben sitting next to dad. The other is of JR right after arriving from CA. Just in case you're wondering why the stocking is above the door. That was Ben's crazy idea. I don't know why I can't post a picture of Chris. Oh well. Well Christmas has come and gone and now it's 2007 and I still haven't finished the quilt. I know, it's terrible. I asked my son if he wanted another quilt and he said he has such little room in his apartment closet that he would prefer for me to give it later just in case he moves so I'm not rushing it anymore. I am about done though. I'm working on the binding right now. It was great having my three sons together again. Chris left for New Orleans on the 29th and will be coming in tonight to leave for Mexico tomorrow. JR left on the 31st back to CA but was stopping at the Grand Canyon and Vegas. I can't keep up with their schedules anymore. A funny thing happened on Christmas morning that took me back to when my kids were small. I gave my oldest money and a sheet set to go with the quilt I was hoping to give him. Well, as he opened the box with the sheets he got a confused look on his face and asked why he got sheets. He then looked at what my hubby gave me, Ipod and other computer geek stuff which is what I wanted and he says, "Man, that's what I really want, you want to trade mom? I'll trade you the sheets for that USB drive." Chris laughed and said, "JR is jealous of what you got mom." I couldn't believe this was coming from my almost 28 and 26 year old. I swear it was like going back to Christmas 1986. Chris was happy with money and tyes I got him and my youngest Ben was over the moon with his new amp for his guitar. He was so happy to get it. My husband told him to play it as loud as he wanted as long as the dogs weren't standing next to it. I think this is the first Christmas I don't bake Christmas cookies. I can't figure out why. Time just went by too fast. I went to JoAnn's yesterday and bought some baby flannel and quilting books that were 50% off. My resolution for the year is to start quilting on News Year's day and do some sort of quilting everyday of 2007.

Christmas Wall Hanging

Since I don't have photos of the finished quilt I thought I'd post a picture of a wall hanging I made last year in honor of my two Chihuahuas, Minnie and Chiquita. Is it any wonder why I haven't finished the quilt I'm suppose to give to my son who will make his way to Texas tomorrow from California. I'm ready to pull my hair out. I probably won't sleep at all tonight so I can do as much as possbile before he gets here. I am being kicked over to the dining room so my boys can put up the tree in the living room. Heck at this point we might as well have a decorating tree party when all my boys are together.

Look What I Bought

I went shopping Wednesday and stopped at my LQS. I hadn't stopped in a while so I stayed for about 2 hours. I bought the quilt book, Frills, after seeing a display quilt made with the pattern in the book. I just fell in love with the quilt. It's very feminine and very fast to make, which is the main reason I liked it so much. I also bought some more southwest fabric for the quilt I want to make for Chris who is in Arizona. I just need a good pattern. I always shop without any pattern in mind. I know I shouldn't do that but it's not often I find nice southwest fabric. I'm thinking more of a lap quilt than a full size. I'm still working on the folk star quilt and sometimes I get over whelmed and think maybe I won't be able to finish it by Christmas. Now that I'm on a dead line I have to be careful I don't chew my nails more than I quilt. LOL! Today we had temps in the 70's but will experience 30's temps by Thursday. I know some of you living up north are probably laughing but to us Texans living in the Southeast, 30's weather is way too cold. Now that I know my son's are coming for two weeks, I'm considering planning out menu's while they are here so I won't go crazy trying to figure out what to feed them. I just know they want homecooked meals. Chris' ex boss is giving him a chance to work at the Space Center while he's here for the two weeks so he can have extra money when he goes to Mexico. I'm glad I'll be off for the two weeks they will be here. By the way, I went to sub at another cafeteria and almost choked. I now have a cough due to the cold I had last week and for some reason my throat got so dry I started coughing and then couldn't catch my breath. I had all them ladies asking if i was alright and one wanted to hit me on the back and another asked if I wanted the nurse. I just stayed calmed and kept coughing till I was O.K. That was so not cool. Hopefully, I won't have to go sub there again even though compared to my school, the work was a piece of cake, but way to far.

Retired Husband

I got this e-mail from a friend and thought it was so funny that I just had to share. I can't imagine this being true. Dear Mrs. Abel, Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and may ban both of you from our stores. We have documented all incidents on our video surveillance equipment. All complaints against Mr. Abel are listed below. Things Mr. Abel has done while his spouse was shopping in Wally World: 1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking. 2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals. 3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the restrooms. 4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official tone, 'Code 3' in housewares..... and watched what happened. 5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and asked to put a bag of M&M's on layaway. 6. September 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area. 7. September 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they'll bring pillows from the bedding department. 8. September 23: When a clerk asks if they can help him, he begins to cry and asks, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' 9. October 4: Looked right into the security camera; used it as a mirror, and picked his nose. 10. November 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, asked the clerk if he knows where the antidepressants are. 11. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme. 12. December 6: In the auto department, practiced his "Madonna look" using different size funnels. 13. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browse through, yelled "PICK ME!" "PICK ME!" 14. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumes the fetal position and screams "NO ! NO! It's those voices again!!!!" And last, but not least .... 15. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here!" Sincerely, Wally World

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloween, everyone. I have the Halloween lights, lighted pumpkin and candy ready for any trick-or-treaters that might show up. I think I'll give out handfuls of candy just so there won't be any left in the house. I'm not crazy about having so much sugar around. I've been thinking about when I use to make my kids there costumes and how excited we all use to get. The picture you see above is of my two older ones back in the 80's when Yoda was popular and there was an Ernie wearing pajamas. I made the clown outfit and boy did I have a time making that wig.My son still has that Ernie and is in a safe place in his room. Yesterday, I was sent to another school to sub for a server who didn't show up and I hated that school. The lights were dim, the lay out was weird and none of the workers were talking to one another. I was actually bored without Crazy and Slacker around. LOL! The school serves 300 kids and the one I work in serves 550. One of the entrees was Popcorn Chicken and oh my gosh most of those kids wanted double servings. You teachers out there, be nice to your cafeteria workers .Yesterday I was talking to a worker at the school where I subed and she said she worked there because her husband had passed away and she had to provide insurance for her son who was 21 and already an amputee due to diabetes. She liked the fact that she was able to get out early and go check on him. Made me count my blessings that's for sure. I will now go sit and watch all of the Halloween movies.

Candy Shopping

I finally went shopping for some Halloween candy and decorations on Friday. I don't usually decorate but there are so many kids living on this street that go to the school where I work that my hubby convinced me to decorate the front porch. I just moved the patio bench to the front porch and sat two scare crows on each side then sat a huge plastic pumpkin next to the bench. I know it's not much but believe me that's more than what I do on any Halloween. I did decorate when my boys were young but now that there are no more kiddos in the house I no longer do. When the neighborhood kids get off the bus they actually stop in front of my house in the middle of the street, and call out for me. Those crazy kids. They're stalking me. LOL! I didn't do much quilting at all yesterday but will today for sure. I'm beginning to get impatient with my quilting. My son, Chris, just informed me that he will be done with studying on the 18th of December and will be coming home for the holidays on the 19th, his birthday. He will be home for 3 weeks and I'm so happy. I'm glad he'll be home for his BD and Christmas. My son in CA isn't sure if he'll be able to get away from work. I really miss that boy. He hasn't been home for Christmas in two years.

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Quilted Block

This is how I'm quilting the Star quilt. I am quilting 1/2 inch away from every seam. Some of you are probably wondering why I am quilting such a small space in the small triangles, and the reason is that's just how it came out when I was measuring 1/2 inch from the seams. I know it looks a little weird especially to a quilter but that's just the way it is. I was thinking about quilting around every star but if I did that there is no way I can be finished by Christmas and besides I think it looks OK. The reason I went with the 1/2 inch instead of the 1/4 is that not all the seams go in the same direction and I didn't want to have trouble quilting through those bumpy seams. I am on my fourth row right now so I have six more to go. I think I'll be done for Christmas. The job is going well, I am actually gaining strength in my arms. HA! Thursday we served Pizza, Sloppy Joes and Steak Fingers. Well, when I was getting ready to serve I asked where the buns for the Joes were and the 25 year old, assistant manager in training, freaked out screaming, "The buns, where are the freakin buns, oh my gosh, we have no freakin buns, oh man, I'm dead meat!" She had to call the manager who was at another school to bring some buns, so the manager drives back like a lunatic to deliver the buns. I tell you it gets hectic in that cafeteria. What can you do when the delivery truck doesn't deliver the buns. Friday, this crazy girl fell over the big box of styrofoam trays in front of all the kids. One kid told her, "There, that's what you get." It took everything in me not to laugh. Another thing, every time a teacher places an order for tuna salad I have open up a big can of tuna, which makes a lot of tuna. Well, yesterday, the teacher who ordered it decided she didn't want to eat at school and didn't even pick it up. Augh!!!!!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's been raining for two days straight. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow morning because I hate to drive when it rains. My two Chi's were in their beds all day. I wonder if they think they will get wet if they get out of bed. My backyard is flooded,so, hopefully my roses will get a boost. HA! I am still working on the star quilt but not as fast as I should be if I want to finish it by Christmas. Augh!! I can only quilt as fast as my fingers and time allow me. I'm feeling the pressure of the holidays. My son, Chris, just informed me he will be coming home for three weeks before he goes to the Yucatan. I am so happy! I can't wait to see him again. He enjoyed his visit with his brother in LA. My oldest took him to a media party and meeting, and thought that was pretty cool. Oh, I think everyone in my neighborhood knows where I work now. I pass the bus stop on my way to work and there are always a bunch of kids there. They all go to the school where I work, so, every time I stop at the stop sign they all yell,"Hi, lunch lady, see you at school, bye lunch lady." That puts a smile on my face everyday. It's pretty funny .

Yard Work Today

I am quilting every chance I get. I am able to complete one row of stars per week, so, I figured I should be able to finish it for Christmas to give to my son in CA. I am happy to report the waves you see on each block in the picture are coming out as I quilt. Today, I was going to get my hair cut but the lady who cuts my hair was doing a perm and I didn't stick around till she finished. I just came back home and attacked the back yard, it was like a jungle out there. No kidding! I trimmed my rose bushes, bouganvilla, everything that has thorns, and boy do I have evidence of that on my body. I was so tired afterwards. Hubby did the picking up of the branches and throwing them away. I fed my roses, so, hopefully they will bloom again at least two more times before any freezing weather. They are really enjoying this cooler weather right now. Hubby and I just sat on the couch and every time either of us got up my son could hear us. We hurt everywhere. I told our 18 year old he would have to help us get up when we got older and he said he would attach ropes in front of the couch so we could grab and get up. That stinker. My husband wants a fanny lifter type of chair. Heck, I don't have to get up. HA! Chris, my son who is going to school in Arizona is visiting with his brother in CA, he took his roommate who is from France with him. I'm so glad my boys are spending time together since they probably won't see each other again till after Chris is done with college. I sure do miss my big boys. My oldest in CA lives with his girlfriend and she decided to stay with friends so the guys could have the apartment to themselves. I think that was very thoughtful.

Quilt On Frame

The Folk Star quilt is finally on the quilting frame. The frame is one that my hubby built for me many, many years ago, and I love it. It has crayon marks from my kids when they were young and dog teeth marks on the lower legs from when my doggies were teething. It actually looks funny with so much history on it, but it's still very sturdy. I will start the quilting process today as yesterday I was pretty wiped out from the basting. I do all my quilting in the living room since it's the room with the most light and I like looking outside towards the street. Some blocks have some waves that bother the heck out of me but I was in no frame of mind to do them over, I know I will manage to quilt them out. Hubby and son had to roll it on to the frame three times before I was certain it was straight. Yesterday, hubby and I did go into Houston to one of my favorite little shops, Lucia's Garden, she has the best stuff, stuff you can't find at the mall or anywhere else. I bought a CD, wind chime, patchouli plant, and some herbs. Will have to go back for the Christmas open house in November. Oh, I temporarily covered the cushion to the bench/chest my hubby made for me, that will have to do until I make a cover for it. Now, to my quilting.