Happy New Year!

C’mon 2015!  I’m ready to say goodbye to 2014.  Too much drama crammed into one year for me.  So, Hello new beginnings!  Updates in my house are mostly complete, my sewing machine has made its way out of the case and I’m ready to hit the ground running.  

New Year’s Resolution?  I normally don’t make them, then I don’t feel the disappointment of not following through.  Easy way out, right? 

New year, new beginnings and a new approach this year……I’m going to try to focus more on “me”.  Not selfishly, but I need to take care of myself better.  I’ll let you know how that goes….

I miss him....

Look how lonely he looks…;o(   Sitting, silently just waiting…. Waiting for me to rev up his engine, push his buttons and slam on the foot pedal for some serious sewing!  

That’s right, I’m talking about Sven, my Scandinavian Viking.  I’ve ignored him the past few months and I’m going through withdrawal.  Let me tell you how bad it is….. while I don’t have time to quilt or sew lately (due to my move), I attended our monthly quilt guild meeting (you know, vicariously living through others).  I sat next to a woman who had brought her “show-n-tell”.   Barely able to concentrate on the guest speaker, my eyes kept roaming to her quilt and wanting to touch it.   Before I started to drool, I reminded myself I was new to the group and shouldn’t show my “weirdo” so soon.  It’s maddening with my sewing room still in boxes.  It’s gonna be ok, right?

The action around my new house….

I’ve got Naked Ladies!  Up until now, the only perennial I thought I had is one lone peony.  Soon they will be joined by my perennials I’m storing at my daughters. 

We’re gettin’ the Fiber – this is big stuff in the neighborhood. 

Now, does this mean much to me?  Not really.  My sons look at me like I’m crazy.  I don’t understand this need for speed, I think my currant provider does just fine.  I’m a product of dial-up internet.  Remember when you could run to the bathroom, come back and still not be linked to the internet!  

Popcorn and a movie? Not even...

Who invented popcorn ceilings?  Who thought spraying crumbly crap all over the ceiling was a good idea?  A textured ceiling is nice, it’s flat and paintable.  One swipe of a paintbrush/roller on popcorn and you’re wearing half of it.  Since I’m staying with family, I’m fortunate to be able to do painting and upgrades before moving in.  So I thought, hey – let’s remove this nasty popcorn and repaint the ceilings!  Watch what you say out loud, for fear of being asked to help remove popcorn, my friends and family stopped answering my calls. So hurtful – just sayin’.  No worries, I’ve done this before (about 16 yrs ago) so this should be a cake walk – I mean, I only have every room in the house but the bathroom……I’ll carve out a week for removal.  Three weeks later, plus an emotional break-down over the kitchen sink and I finally finished.  I think my recent divorce was easier than the three weeks of torture I just put myself through. 

Geared up and ready to strip some ceilings….

Living room partially stripped.  

By far, this is the nastiest job I’ve ever done.

Once the ceilings were painted, my family thought it was time to start clearing out their garages of all my stuff.  They’re bringing loads over much faster than I’m getting the walls and trim painted.  I mean I’m climbing over boxes just to get to the bathroom.  There is sooo much stuff - Once I’m arranged and settled in, I see a huge garage sale in my future.

Ah-hum….sturdy apron, pretty gloves? Yeah, that would have helped with my move, a good sturdy apron!  

The Leaker

It’s going to be ok…..I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve said that to myself over the past few months.  I’m three days into being a home owner.  Just THREE shorts days - when I notice a trickle of water flowing down the street, upon investigating I realize the trickle is coming from my yard.  MY YARD.  You’ve got to be kidding me!  The moving Pod hasn’t arrived with my stuff yet and I’ve already got problems.  While I’m on HOLD with the water company I’m stomping around the yard with thoughts of the movie “Money Pit” spinning in my mind (except there’s no Tom Hanks to snuggle up too).  

What I deem as an emergency, the water company peeps didn’t.  If it’s not spewing water about 8ft in the air, it’s considered a “leaker”.  Let’s just hope I’m not billed for this “leaker”!  Long story short, they sent a guy out (an unfriendly guy at that), he did his survey, said the water was coming from a main going to the fire hydrant. Since it's not a spewer, I’d be added to “the list” and could be several days before it was repaired.  I have to think because it’s a fire hydrant, the troops showed up bright and early the next morning.  

With my keen investigating skills, I find a “leaker”……

The troops assessing the problem…..that’s a lot of eyes on that hole….just sayin’.

My brother (in khaki’s) talking “man speak” about the process.

We got us a hole…. 

Not long after the pipe was fixed, I was told I’d be contacted by a Sod company for grass replacement.  Perfect!  Half way into the phone call, I should have put my bossy brother on the phone, as the sod dude repeated about 15 times how I would have to water the sod 4-5 times a day depending on the weather.  And, It would die if I didn’t care for it properly.  This sounds like serious business….(had I been a man, I don’t think the repetition of watering would have been so extreme)….so I ask if I should quit my job to insure the sod’s survival?  Ah no, but make sure you water!  This is worse than having a pet….now when I have dinner plans after work, instead of saying I’m letting the dog out, I say “I’ll be late, I have to water the sod”.

I'm baaaackk!

After a long search, I've found my new little house!  The size might be about a third of what I had before, but it has a garage, basement and family room for my sewing area...what more could a middle aged chick ask for....right?  

 As you can expect I was nervous and excited all at the same time.  Once a contract was drawn up, I made appointments for the house mechanical and termite inspections.  At times, I’ll admit my maturity level is in question – but I can’t tell you how intrigued I was to find out my “termite inspector” is a dog!   I had to Google termite dogs to make sure I had heard the Exterminator correctly.  The company owns two dogs – Crockett & Tubbs.  You gotta love the Miami Vice reference! 

 Tubbs and "what’s his name"….!

Once papers were signed on the dotted line, moving commenced.  The Pod moving/storage unit arrived, and with the promise of pizza my family began showing up for the big day.  It was a great day, but I had mixed feelings – wondering if I would be able to keep my emotions in check after my marriage ended and having to move on…..and then it happened…..I’m carrying a somewhat heavy box up 7 steps from the family room and I turn my ankle, something pops and I tumble back down the stairs with the box landing on my shoulder.  Back story: It’s quad level house, you can’t get any place in that house without having to go up or down stairs.  The Ex looooved the house, but then again he didn’t have to vacuum it either.  Me, I talked about moving to a ranch all the time (dream come true right?) Oh yeah, if I had any sentimental thoughts swirling around in my head, they were gone now.

X-rayed and ready to go home.  Nothing broken, but it hurts like the devil.

 Normally, I wouldn’t post pics of my feet - especially since I’m in need of a pedi!  But a few hours later I removed the bandage and couldn’t believe the swelling and bruising.  From then on I was forced to sit on a kitchen chair and “oversee” the movers my family. I'm sure they'll make me "pay" for this later! 

When did it get so complicated?

Nothing should be this complicated…..as we speak, my Viking Designer 1 is making its’ way to Iowa to be repaired.  The bobbin rewinder has been broken for months.  Knowing how difficult it was to find service (JoAnn’s Viking service rep only stops by 1 day a month, really? like I'm that organized to hit that ONE day?) I had purchased a stand-alone bobbin rewinder to hold me over until the planets aligned and I could catch the Viking rep on his ‘day’.  Those rinky-dink things only last for so long and after 40 bobbins the rewinder bit the dust.  As much as I didn’t want to, I needed to part with my machine for repair.  My dessert buddy Sue, was telling me she knows an authorized Viking tech “back home” and she’d take when she made her next visit.  So now, Sven is on his first road trip without me….

 

Not that I don’t enjoy the bells and whistles of my Viking, but these machines were built with some stamina!  And budget conscience too!

From the Sears, Roebuck & Co. 1907 catalogue

It's official, I'm behind....

Fussy 14

 

Fussy 15 

 



 

Argh…..Temecula quilt blog is on Week 18 of the fussy stars.  Between over indulging in ice cream, packing and trying to find a new sewing room (oh, and maybe a kitchen and bedroom), there’s just not enough time in the day for a little hand sewing.  Maybe a smidge less ice cream?  Nah… I’ll deal with being behind.

My latest Hexie

Reach for the Stars

Unless I’ve lost the ability to count, I’m a total of 2 Fussy Stars behind.  Temecula Quilt blog has posted week 15.  If I don’t step it up, by this Friday I could be 3 fussies down.  Gotta get movin’. 

Fussy #11

 

 

 Fussy #12

Fussy #13

 

First sign of spring, my tiger lilies are making an appearance.

Temecula Quilt

Who needs a man, right?

A major relationship in my life is ending, which is something I’m struggling to deal with.  Without too much detail, I’m trying to get my head on straight and move on.  As much as I’ve tried, there is not a positive result waiting for me.  Instead of dwelling on what I can’t have in my life – I’m trying to stay positive and think about the wonderful, loving family and friends I do have.

So I’m wiping the tears, putting on my big girl panties and looking for a new house to create an awesome new sewing room.  I’ve boohoo’d enough and I need to get it together…….

Not a lot of sewing for me, but I’m “sorta” caught up on my Fussy Friday stars….well, maybe one or two behind… I’ll have pics on Monday.

But what I do have, is my wonderful friend Sue – who tried to make things all better – at least for one evening! 

Mmmm, a warm Chocolate Molten Lava Brownie with

caramel and chocolate sauce alamode - Sue is a great friend! 

Retreatin'

I can’t say enough wonderful things about my Whistlestop Quilt Retreat in Sweetwater, Tennessee.  Jodi – the owner, visited several retreats before opening her own business.  I must say, she’s got it down!  Accommodations were great, food was wonderful and the other local retreaters were very warm and friendly.  Being from the northwest part of Missouri and driving to east Tennessee meant we were the farthest group (so far) to visit the Whistlestop.  My rear end can vouch for that - I enjoyed the drive, but I was feelin’ it. 

This is our room.  My pics do not do the retreat justice, you should

really click the link for a better look.

Jen, Jodi (Retreat Queen) and me

 

 

If you ever get to western Kentucky, a MUST stop is Paula’s Quilting Pantry in East Bernstadt – it’s an itty bitty town off of I-75.  Every yard of fabric is $6.  New fabric, not seconds or old stuff but the latest fabrics - 30’s repros, Civil War, Moda, RJR…..EVERYTHING!  Paula is located in a farmhouse (1 mile) right outside of town.  GPS took us all over town so we finally stopped at the post office – they pointed us in the right direction.

 

The south is big on Barn Quilt Blocks – I think I’ve found a new summer project for my shed out back.

 

Ok, so this might be a Purina manufacturing plant –

but I’m seeing a Nine-Patch.

This would be our drive home through the ice packed highways of Tennessee.  We from Kansas and Missouri, aren’t used to ice/snow packed highways.  Oh sure, we get tons of snow and ice, but within a few hours KDot and MoDot are strapped in the big trucks, scrapping and salting like nobody’s business.  We sat in the hotel for 2 1/2 days waiting to see such action in Clarksville.  Didn’t happen, so we took a chance and tried to make our way home. 

Don’t think for a minute 3 inches of sleet kept us from stopping in Paducah.  What were we to do?….we were in the neighborhood!  We had lunch at d.Starnes Restaurant downtown and then visited the Quilt Museum gift shop. 

 

 

 

The Fussy catch-up

Just getting back from my retreat -but I thought I’d catch-up on my Fussy Friday Stars before posting my retreat quilt and other fabulous memories. 

Week 9

 

As you can see, the grands could hardly wait for me get back in town.  I no more had my bags unpacked and they showed up for a sleepover.   

 

Week 10  

 

 

 

Only one Fussy star and one additional scrappy hexie to add to the mix.

It’s Go Time….

I’ve picked my pattern and fabrics for the quilt retreat.  Since this is an “open retreat”, the participants bring whatever project they want to work on.  I wanted a new project I could start and complete for this retreat (good excuse to justify a new project, right?) 

Even though Jenny Doan’s 15 minute bag took me 2 days, I’m willing to try another JDoan speed-of-lightening-tutorial/patterns.  After Jenny visited one of our Quilt Guild meetings, I bow down to her mad quilt skills.  But seriously, I need to shave a little time off of my projects, I’m embarrassing myself.

Instead of using the white background, I’ve chose a 30’s green to go along with my 30’s reproduction fabric. 

 

 

Fancy Fussy Friday

Week 8, again. (I think I got ahead of myself last week)

I’m really pleased with this Fussy Star.  

Stars to Hexies.   

My Brag Bag

I think you’ll agree I’ve been deprived…..I’ve never ever attended an over-night quilting retreat.  Any workshops or sew-days have been just that “a day” in length.  Next week, I’ll pack my machine, gadgets and snacks for my first all-night-stay-up-as-late-as-I-can-quilt-retreat.  Yes!

But, dragging my rulers and cutting mat around to previous workshops became a complete pain in the backside.  Normally I’d have the mat and rulers sticking out of the top of my rolling sewing tote – sliding around and poking things they shouldn’t be.  Since this is a monumental moment for me, I thought I needed a Mat/Ruler Bag.  Jenny Doan whipped up a big bag in a 15 minute youtube video, so this should be easy peasy.  Well, kind of.  My bag took and entire weekend to make…..clearly, I do not possess the same bag skill as Jenny.  Regardless, I’ve got a snazzy new bag to tote all my crap much needed supplies to the retreat!

Ms. Nosey checking out my bag.  I used a variegated thread on the entire tote, but only shows up well on the burnt orange side pocket. I also added an interior pocket for smaller rulers. 

A Fussy Moment

Another “Fussy” find!  I ran across another pattern using the Hexie Stars and scrappy hexies.  It’s from another blog in Australia – which is about the only place I’ve seen these quilts.  I should add, the pattern I'm trying to achieve was featured in an Australian Quilt Magazine about 3 years ago - but is no longer in print.  Not sure if my hexies will take me in this direction, but I really like the lay-out. 

 Fussy Friday Star, week 8

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

Gotta show Kansas some love…..

 

But my personal fav…..

 

Demise of Sun Bonnet Sue

Are you a Sun Bonnet Sue lover?  I’ve found people either love the pattern or hate with a passion dislike SB Sue.  My bud Jennifer is a lover.  Myself..…not so much.  I have a soft spot for the Bonnet Girls, which are taller and more “life-like” applique and embroidered patterns.  With Jen having a birthday coming up, I wanted to make her a Sue Bonnet Sue related “something”.  Keeping it simple, I decided on a dish towel.  After pattern searching, I couldn’t bring myself to make the traditional “Sue”.  Sorry Jen. I knocked the dust off of an old pattern book and found what I thought was most fitting for Jen. 

 

To make it my own, I added the patch on her backside. 

 

The “Sue” Tribute:

I couldn’t complete this post without delving more into SB Sue.  A few years ago I attended a quilt show in the KC Star building.  Lots of gorgeous quilts, but one in particular stood out.  The quilt owner - Barbara Brackman, and it’s a collection of blocks made by a quilt guild (I believe out of Lawrence, KS).  I could only get a few pics, but for those not-so-in-love-with-Sue, you’ll find them enjoyable.

 

These ladies are very creative, so detailed!

 

 

No disrespect Sue, all in good fun!