Welcome To My Existential Crisis

Really, I haven't posted a blog since before Las Vegas?!  That seems like years ago already.  By the way, we had a great time.  Much better than I expected, if I'm honest.  And, I'm always just a little too honest...

So much has happened since then, I'm not sure where to start.  During the holidays, I painted the upstairs bathroom and did an Ireland theme, I guess you could say.  The color of the walls was supposed to represent Connemara marble.

I framed some of my photographs from the trip.  Made some cute curtains.  

 Repainted this old medallion that was laying around and stuck it to the ceiling.  The green was really dark for such a small space.

 Added some of my favorite art nouveau art.

 It was all just perfect and I loved it. Then Rich decided we should switch rooms... so none of it lasted.

So, here's what happened.  Rich woke up in a mood one day and announced he wanted to leave Illinois.  He was sick of the taxes, the cold, you name it, he was sick of it.  I believed him.  So, we researched where his employer had plants that he could be transferred to.  We landed on Beaumont, TX or Orangeburg, SC.  Well, my brother referred to Beaumont as hurricane bait, so we noped the heck out of that idea quickly.

That left Orangeburg.  I was looking at properties, redesigning kitchens in my head, picking out paint swatches.  Planning day trips to the ocean when my kids came to visit.  I'm an "all in" kind of girl.  Really long story, short, we aren't moving.  Rich is WAY too OCD for that.  But then, he had the idea of swapping rooms so that my studio was no longer over his head when he's trying to sleep.  It's one of the things that frustrated both of us.  (We have separate rooms because he works shift work and I didn't want to murder him for keeping me awake while snoring.)

So, he gets the cute green bathroom that has been turned into a man bathroom.  And my beautiful, large studio is now beige.  Beige!!  Ugh... Rich however, has been sleeping better than he has in years so, I guess it was all worth it.  I guess...  I'm still adjusting.  Perhaps just a little salty about the whole situation.

While all this was happening, I have also been struggling with what I think is arthritis.  I've been taking a B complex for years now to combat carpel tunnel.  For the last few months my fingers and wrists have been aching terribly.  Enough that holding a needle was painful.  So, I decided to take up painting.  Bethany and I had a day of paint pouring.  They're super cool but I don't know what I'm going to do with them.  Maybe new art for my new room?

There is a YouTuber by the name of Elle Byers that does abstract floral tutorials.  This is what I did following her lead.  It was a lot of fun.  Rich was not impressed...  Then I decided to take a class through the Edwardsville Art Center before prom season started and this cat was the class project.  Also fun.  Sierra liked it so much that she asked for it.  I'm still experimenting and have to remind myself that I sucked at quilting when I started that, too.  I'll post a picture later of my first landscape done in a class at Hobby Lobby.  So bad... for real.

 To improve my much smaller bedroom/ office/ studio situation, I decided to re-do my dresser in, what else, green.  This originally belonged to my grandparents.  My mom had it, then gave it to me.  It was a really dark walnut finish from maybe the '60s or '70s, then I painted it white in the '00s, then Cherry wood colored in the '10s, and now, POW, Kelly green.  We're in a bold new world.

 I also made a headboard.  This is pre-quilted minky type fabric that I found at Joann's for 60% off.  I'm super in love.  We used half of my old cutting station for the wood.  I upholstered it with a foam mattress pad and some batting.  The one I wanted to buy was $1000 online, I did this for under $100.

 In February, one of the girls I work with gave me this pre-printed tortilla warmer.  Her grandma brought some over from Mexico.  It was so sweet of her to share with me!  I made it in to a little wall hanging.  But no longer have a large wall to hang it on...still a little salty.

 I finally made this little candle mat.  Currently being used as a coaster in the living room.  I've had the kit for YEARS.

 Another project that was sitting around were these pillow cases.  They were started a couple years ago, and even came with me to Ireland but never touched while I was there.  Sierra has also confiscated these.

 Okay, that's all my crazy that I'll share today.  Believe me, the story continues.  Rich is currently painting the downstairs bathroom as part of our room swapping deal.  He's the salty one today... and yesterday... probably tomorrow, too. Let us all remember that it was his bad mood that started this in the first place!  I've started on glucosamine and picked up the needle yesterday for the first time in months.  Just like visiting with an old friend.

Stay safe, my lovelies!

The New Year Refocus

 

Bethany asked me to make a sun for her.  She sent me a picture of something a friend of hers saw in an art show/ museum and said "I want this, but your version."  So, Ta Da!  Thanks to my Crazy Quilt Group!  They pulled together & donated yellow fabrics from their stash.  My original thought was to use several fabrics but it turned out terrible.  This solid yellow with lots of stitching and beads is much better.  There are VERY few bright yellow fancy fabrics in the world...

I started this embroidery to put in a pillow but decided that I liked it all on it's own.  I've had this pattern saved for YEARS!

Since I've only been working 3 days a week since December, I've had lots of time to get my UFO's sorted.  This is my version of Beloved Baltimore, all quilted up.  These are 8" blocks.  I gave up at 20.  There are 5 more in the pattern but when I'm done, I'm done.

I was able to finish the final t-shirt quilt for my DIL, Carmen.  Her grandfather had one of the largest tractor collections in N. America, or something like that.  It was lots, and lots of tractors.  The family divied up his t-shirt collection one Christmas.  Carmen asked me to make quilts for her mom, brother and self.  It took a year, but I did it!  Now, to remember to never do t-shirt quilts again.  ALWAYS give them Kim K's #... Domestic machines don't do well with the rubber printing.

Another finish was this Rita Verroca's pattern, Stevie's Quilt.  I'm calling it Daughters Three because I embroidered a butterfly for each of my daughters.  They got to choose what color butterfly they wanted to be.  It's all quilted and hanging in my loft library.

Last but not least, I finished my half of the Splendid Sampler.  I did it in reds and pinks so I thought I could use it as a Valentine quilt.  The quilting is really minimal, possibly too minimal.  After the 2 wall hangings and t-shirt quilt, I couldn't get my machine to free motion quilt without skipping stitches or breaking thread.  I guess if it had to happen, at least I got the applique ones done first.

Truman wanted to know why we weren't under the quilt having a cuddle.

I've been rethinking how I spend my time, lately.  After so many years of going, going, going with the kids, I just want to slow down.  I started last year by closing my shop.  I've stopped teaching.  I'll probably thin out my schedule more by not attending as many meetings.  If you don't see me around as much, know that I'm still around, just refocusing.

Rich and I are headed to Vegas this weekend to celebrate his 50th birthday!  Not sure if I'm going to enjoy it that much since I don't drink or gamble but, I'll give it a good try!

Dude, That's A Lot Of Butter

Hello, and happy early holidays!  I've only been working part time lately but working harder than usual.  We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas a week apart.  Then I jumped head first in to Christmas cookies and gifts.  Bethany asked for these stockings a few years ago.  I'm pretty sure she's forgotten all about them by now but they're finally finished.  She's not on FB and doesn't read my blog, so no squealing, please.

My pillow mania continues.  The Santa Belly was finished last year.  I did the candy cane and "snowflake" this year.  Sierra does not think it looks much like a snowflake.  It took 2 weeks to sew all those damn buttons on.  So, I'm still calling it a snowflake, and I'm determined to love it regardless.

Last but not least, I finished block 8 of Hospital Sketches.  I also finished 9 but didn't get a picture yet.  She's adding to the quilt and I think changing the name but I haven't decided if I'm done or not.  I'm running out of purples and background so there will be shopping involved.  Did I mention I'm only working part time?

In other news, I've done 14 batches of cookies, 2 birthday cakes, birthday cupcakes and cupcakes for a cooking contest that Rich entered on my behalf.  So, 14 pounds of butter later... I only have 5 more batches left.  Just this morning, my oven's clock randomly reset itself.  I hope that doesn't mean I broke it again.

Zero to Sixty in 27

I don't have lay off this year but I did go down to part time for a few months.  Not as good of a set up for me but I'll take it.  That basically means more time for sewing and baking.  Lots and lots has happened lately so, I'll try to get you caught up.  I got the borders put on my Beloved Baltimore.  I thought I might add an inner border but when all was said and done, I didn't think it added anything to it.

I also got Stevie's Quilt borders on.  I'm calling it "Daughters, Three".  I embroidered a butterfly for each of my girls.  This did get an inner border.  I mitered the corners and cut those mother truckers too short.  Not once, but twice...  Good thing I had 5 yards of the fabric!  Also, you can't really tell, but the tips are pieced.  Yeah.  My computer really needs a face to palm emoji.  The good news is, Rich walked past this one and I got a "Wow, that's really pretty."  He never does that.  Fist pump.

I think I mentioned my attempts to improve my holiday decor.  Well, I went gang busters on pillows.  I've never done throw pillows before because with 4 kids and lots of dogs over the years, they would be trashed in no time.  Well, I'm making up for it now!  I went from zero to sixty throw pillows in 27 years.

I FINALLY finished the patriotic pillow from Julie Craig's class over the summer.  I thought it was fun but I don't think I'm going to glue things on like she does in the future.  I can't really explain why I didn't care for it but I didn't.  The fringe isn't how she does it.  I improvised with what I had.

I recently cleaned out some drawers in my studio when I came across this embroidery from years ago.  I did it in a class with Catherine Redford.  I didn't learn much from the class except that I don't like mustard yellow as a background.  What was I thinking with that color palette?!  However, I did think it had a fall look and decided to put it with some fun fabric.  That way it's not ugly, it's funky...

Also, I wanted to use up this really old pumpkin fabric.  Bethany helped my choose the vintage leather buttons.

In other news, Hunter installed a new kitchen island for me.  I will share picks when the drawer handles arrive and get installed.  Then, I purchased paint to redo one of the bathrooms.  My in-laws are coming for Christmas this Friday.  I've got a Birthday cake and cupcakes due this Saturday.  Bethany wants a crazy quilt sun wall art piece.  And, and, and, and it never ends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fabulous From A Distance

We've been meeting at my friend, Carol P's house for our Crazy Quilt meetings.  She always decorates her home beautifully for the holidays and it's inspired me to up my game a bit.  I've had the same decorations for years and most of it was cheap and childish.  So, this year, I've decided to rethink my fall decor.  First on my agenda was a new pillow.  This is from Kathy Schmitz.  Love her!  The acorn sash is supposed to say something sappy like "in all things be Thankful" but that's not my style, so I made an adjustment.  I like monogramming things and Mantzing things.  I call it Mantzgiving, Mantzmas, Mantzter... you get the idea. 

I was able to finish all of the Beloved Baltimore blocks (for my particular project) and put them together.  My final block was the bottom right.  I used French silk ribbon to make rushed flowers.  I'm waiting on a possible second border in the mail but I have the final border already.

The last time I saw my mother-in-law, she asked me to fix a baby quilt that was made by Rich's Grandma Betty.  How could I say no?  Rich thought she hung the moon...  I'm sure Betty had no clue that her Great Grand Daughter-In-law would someday try to restore this quilt.  She used the absolute smallest stitch setting I've ever seen in my life.  Those seams were going to outlive us all.  I had to cut out the embroidery and then used some modern cotton gingham to replace the original poly.  The embroidery blocks were poly as well but she used a cotton thread.  So, the thread and the fabric shrunk at different rates.  This was a MUCH loved and washed quilt.  After some very nervous trimming, pressing and sizing, I ended up with a smaller version of the original.  It's a really sweet little quilt.  Now I want to do one like it for my future grand babies. 

I found this swirl in my pile of unfinished projects.  I'd taken the class last year some time thinking it was divine intervention for me to find a new artistic style.  It was not.  However, I did finish the class project.  I did a terrible job, but I finished it.  Believe me when I tell you that this photographed much better than it's  reality.  This is now quilted and bound and hanging in my studio, looking fabulous from a distance...

Bird Blocks

At the beginning of this year, our local Crazy Quilt group decided on a theme for the year.  We agreed to do one bird per month.  There was a lot of discussion on which birds would make the list but most of us lost interest as the year progressed.  I think there's only 2 out of about a dozen left actively working on them.

I didn't really do a block a month.  I just did stuff when the inspiration hit.  I had a few of Gerry Kruger's buttons from her Etsy shop Olderrose.  I also bought some hand dyed laces from RavioleeDreams on Etsy.  Many of them were too large and are now a part of my stash.

I got a few beads from Michaels, 75% off, like these stars and the crow feather.

I tried to use brocade ribbon on each block.  A lot of my seams are more simple than my usual but that's how I've been feeling this year.

Lots of little purchases from the Bead Place in Fairview.  The pictures of the birds were all duty free downloads from the internet.  I just printed them on fabric.

Lots of Pinterest inspiration.

I got a little desperate for inspiration on the turkey block.  I had a beautiful lace that I wanted to use but decided on the felt turkey because the subject was turkeys.  The lace was classier, though.

One month during our meeting, we made several different kinds of nests.  My initial idea was to do a book.  I finished them each individually but then realized that would be a giant book.  So, now they're just stand alone, things.

This one was finished and refinished, a couple of times.  I like this final version.  I've got 2 more that I'm still working on.  I ordered some charms that have been on the slow boat from China for a month now.  Hopefully, they will arrive soon.  I want to finish this by the end of the year.

 

At our last Applique Society meeting, Katie M showed us how to make these cute mug rugs.  Love it!

Pretend Deadlines

I just found out that our local Applique Society chapter is hosting the TAS Annual Meeting on my birthday this year.  I think it will be fabulous celebrating one of my passions on my B-day!  So, I decided to use it as a "deadline" to get some of my projects done before then.  You know, I'll have to represent during Show and Tell. 

First on my list was Beloved Baltimore. These 8" blocks almost made me lose my mind, so I put it in time out for awhile.  I thought I only had one left to do, but I was wrong.  Again.  I finished the flag and eagle block, which was a killer.  Those split leaves, please!  Went to work on the lay out only to realize, I miscounted again.  So, I looked to see what was the easiest block that I hadn't done yet and chose that for my final block.  It's done but I forgot to take a picture.  I've purchased a green fabric for the sashing and I've got a great border picked out for it also.  Fingers crossed that I can get it put together and quilted by May.

On a totally different patriotic note, I managed to put the base of Rich's Marine Corps quilt together.  It's a miracle that this thing went together.  I am NOT an expert piecer.  Now, I have to decide on borders and how big to make it.

This block was horrible.  I had to make a freezer paper template.  Horrible.  All my points got cut off.  Luckily, Rich couldn't care less.

I've had Marine Corps fabrics saved for this project for 10-15 years that I fussy cut.

That's that.  I'll have an update on my bird crazy quilt project next.