Working on the quilt

I used my felt in the garage, as you can see, to get the pattern of my squares. It was really amazing how well the felt worked to hold the fabric in place. However, I seemed to get a little confused when I was sewing the squares together because the finished top does not look exactly like the layout. It really does not matter how they went together anyway because it is just a huge mix of fabrics and colors. If any one wants to look closely at the finished top and compare - feel free to do so (the bottom picture is the top in finished form). I will next be working on the borders. My real fear comes with the batting and backing and of course the binding. I am determined to actually FINISH this project.

Quilting

I tackled my quilt kit today! I now have 40 9 1/2 squares that I need to arrange for my top. I have not cut the border or binding - one thing at a time. I will say quilting is much more work than embroidery. I was standing doing cutting and ironing most of the day. It was iron, cut, sew, iron. Made for a lot of standing on my part and the knee is pretty swollen. Tomorrow I will get to use the felt material which I bought over the weekend and hung in the garage to arrange my squares. I will try to take a picture of this process - IF it works.

Later . . .

Little more embriodery

I decided to mess around with my embroidery a little this evening. I had been sorting through designs and downloading other designs most of the day - just trying to get things cleaned up and ready to work with. I had some stuff this morning and had to take Kodi to the vet for a blood test this afternoon (which turned into a THING). Most of the time I guess I get appointments when there are not a lot of other dogs there, but today there were dogs everywhere. For the most part it was not a problem except listening to Kodi whine becuase he wanted to personally visit each and every dog that was there. However, when a pit bull rounded the corner - thank God I had a good grip on Kodi and the pit bull's owner had the same. Kodi is NOT fond of pits (he has been attacked by one too many) and the pit was VERY aggressive. It all turned out basically well, but I hate that kind of hassle and especially when my knee is messed up. Went to our weight watchers meeting and am still doing well (total loss so far is 22.4). The day was basically shot by the time we finished dinner (did get all the laundry done though). I am planning on starting on my quilt kit tomorrow - so finishing a little more embriodery seemed to be the way to transition into quilting. I used my software to cut the small tulips on the collar from another design. That worked out well and I am really happy with the way the shirt turned out.

Will see how the quilting goes tomorrow.

Later . . .

Hummingbirds

I cleaned all my feeders and mixed up the sugar and water and the little critters are all over the place. It is especially fun to be able to sit in my sewing room and watch them feed and play. We have identified four separate birds and according to the article I read about hummingbirds is you are suppose to count how many you see at one time and multiply that by three. I am enjoying all the birds in the back yard. I had to eliminate some of my bird feeders because of the squirrels. I have two squirrel proof feeders, but now they are coming into the yard to eat the seeds from the ground. They don't get too brave considering the dogs are not pleased with them being in the yard. We end up with a yard full of birds playing and eating. I am hoping it will soon be hot enough for them to start bathing - that is a kick to watch.

Max is getting a lot of practice with her new camera trying to get good pictures of the hummingbirds and the other birds as well. I can see the telephoto lens in the works!

Later . . .

The Fear Won

The fear of the unknown gave way to doing what I "know" how to do. I decided to enjoy myself a little longer playing in my sewing room and did some embroidery work on one of my denim shirts. The daffodils are really pretty and I wanted to add some tulips to the bottom, but could not find the design that I wanted. I know I had it in the past because I did embroidery on a tea towel. My mother's favorite flowers were daffodils and tulips and I wanted to have them both on my shirt. I will be able to find another tulip design, but you know how it is when you get your mind set on something. I spent HOURS searching my computer and just could not find it.

I then decided that I was going to make some coaster sets. I made four sets with four coasters each. Now all I have to do is put the insulation and the back on and sew them. After sewing comes the cutting of the edges (which is actually the most difficult part) and then into the washing machine to let the edges do their unraveling. I have a quilt kit that I am going to try work on tomorrow.

Used Sewing Room

I had fun yesterday in my sewing room and decided today it was time to work on the never ending denim squares. I really want to get a quilt made from all the jeans I have stored in the closets. I listened to podcasts on my iPod and quite enjoyed myself.

I also made a few coasters - just messing around with different designs. I am motivated about doing quilts, but have the fear factor working considering I have never actually made a quilt before. I have two completed tops, but have yet to add the batting, back and binding. No time like the present to forge ahead and see what happens.

Later . . .

FINALLY

I finally found myself in my sewing room with nothing else to do but sew! It is completely finished and I took the opportunity to do some embroidery. It seems like it has been WAY to long since I have been able to play with my sewing machine. I just recently received an update for my software and I must admit I haven't figure out half of the old stuff and now I am faced with new stuff. It does seem that the 4D software is much more user friendly - so maybe it won't take me years to learn how to use it.

Feels good to have accomplished something - new tea towels are always nice.

Later . . .

Knee update

Had a doctor's appointment on Friday to discuss the changes in my knee and the pain situation. My surgeon said it is time to replace the knee. I knew that was coming from what she had said before, but I really do tend to live in denial. She is pretty backed up on surgeries and I do not have a date as yet. I do not want to have the total knee replacement, but I also am seriously tired of the pain and limitations my knee is giving me. I had to laugh when I asked her if my knocked knee would be gone on the leg with the surgery and that answer was "yes". Not sure how strange that will be considering I am VERY knocked kneed. I am going to try to loose some weight and build up some muscle tone to make the recovery a little easier. She said I have great flexion and range of motion right now and that is a very good sign for a good recovery. It will be a three day hospital stay and then some serious physical therapy, but hopefully in about three months I should see substantial improvement. I am tired of having surgeries, but maybe this will be the last (one can hope).

Later . . .

New Camera

Well Max decided it was time for her to step into the world SLR digital cameras. After much research the Cannon Rebel XTi was here camera of choice. I took a good look at her after the purchase because considering all the instructions and such, I will probably be looking at her nose in the instruction book or her eye to the view finder. She loves to take pictures and this will give her the opportunity to have some fun and not be so limited.

Later . . .

Long Time

Whoa, it has been a while since I have posted, but I have been a bit busy. I spent a week at Duane and Denise's taking care of the grandkids while they flew back to Oklahoma for Denise's father's funeral. Needless to say, I was a bit exhausted every night and plenty busy during the day. Desirae was sick Tuesday through Friday, so I had both Desirae and Deanna and then had to get Devin to school everyday. We did manage to have some fun and I stirred up my "video thumb" killing the Lizard King for Devin (not an easy task). Deanna was a very good girl, but she let me know right away that it might be okay for me to be taking care of her, but I was NOT replacing Mommy. As soon as Denise was home, it was then okay to give me big hugs and let me cuddle and hold her, but it was not okay prior. I had a wonderful time with the kids, but it was an eye opening experience - I am too old (with a disabled knee) to handle three kids on a full time basis. Everyone that knows me well, knows getting up to an alarm at 6:00 AM is NOT my idea of a good time.

Anyway, while I was gone Max hooked up the speakers for my surround sound in the sewing room and it is GREAT. I got a connection for my iPod and I could live in there.

We are looking forward to a quiet three day weekend of catching up on our missed TV shows, playing around with our toys (sewing, tying flies, etc). Max has tomorrow off and the only thing scheduled is an appointment with my surgeon to discuss this "total knee replacement" surgery. I will let you know how that goes. I have very mixed feelings about it. The recovery is brutal, but worth it if I get movement without pain. Sure wish surgeries came with guarantees!

Later . . .