DONE

And the "Not So Fat Lady" sang!

Finishing touches

The quilt is rapidly coming to completion. I thought I would hate the binding process, but I found it was not that difficult (with the exception of sewings the two joining ends four times before I actually got it right). Since I like handwork, I enjoyed putting the binding on. I plan to make and attach a label today to "officially" be finished with it. I made MANY mistakes on this one, but I am looking forward to making another one and "hopefully" I will do a better job.

Later . . .

Slight Detour

I took a slight detour from my quilt this morning to glue together some couches that were ready to be put together. I gave Jessie (from Ireland) a couple of the couches I had sitting around the house and it was time to replace them. Now there is kleenex EVERYWHERE!

I did move on to the binding for my quilt and have it sewn and pressed. I am very close to being actually finished with my quilt. I will have to make a label to attach - this will be an unforgettable project!
Later . . .

Progress

I actually have been working on the quilt and not on embroidery, but the embroidery is calling me. Whew - I liked doing the top for the quilt - it was fun watching it come together; however, the batting and backing are another story all together. I have gotten them together and did the "stitch in the ditch" thing. I was looking into free hand quilting and it is a bit of a thing. I decided that I would try practicing with my fabric mover and that is even a bigger thing. I think I may just go ahead and sew the binding together and "try" to put that on and call it quits for this quilt. I will say this is a learning experience and I am presently at the BOTTOM of the learning curve. I think I may resort to calling my friend, Lynn (aka the quilt master) for some tutoring. Making a finished project seems to be a major challenge for me. I do not want to try to do anything with my Hearts top or the Celtic Circles until I can figure out some of the more basics of putting the "sandwich" together.

I am determined to at least finish this Brick Road quilt before I bail and go back to doing embroidery. I do want to embroider squares for quilts so I will eventually have to learn how to put them together.

Later . . .

Progress Continues

The progression continues. I cut and sewed together the backing for my quilt and then started the process of layering and pinning. I purchased some clamps to hold the piece on my cutting board and I must say they work really well. I was a little annal on the pinning and ended up running of of pins. I was on strict orders not to leave the house until the FedEx truck showed up (Max's new lens was to be delivered today). So I was able to get some pins later in the day and will get back to work tomorrow.

While I was waiting for the FedEx truck I adapted a "bow tying" board into a thread holder for my embroidery thread. When I am doing an embroidery that requires a lot of thread I needed something to keep it in order. I found the bow tying board at a thrift store for $1 and drilled holes in it and put some cut off golf tees in the holes. It turned out really well and I am pleased with that accomplishment!

Later . . .

Top actually completed

The border has been added! I now must make a trip to JoAnns to get material to back the quilt. I have plenty of Warm & Natural for the batting. Feels really good to have gotten this far, but I know the real challenge will be with the batting, backing and actual quilting. I think the hardest part will probably be the binding - but I am determined!

Later . . .

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 . . .

New Watch

I found this watch face at K-Mart on sale with a really ugly pink band. I took it to Kathy and she made this beautiful, elegant beaded band and now I have the most beautiful watch in the world! It is quite the masterpiece and click on the picture to ger a better look at it. THANKS KATHY!

Later . . .

Finishing touches

Well I am almost there with what needs to be hung on the wall (not sure I will ever be finished organizing). We still have not connected the speakers to the surround sound and need to still trim the excess from the counter top.

I guess most of you know I was suppose to be in Idaho this week, but since the INCOMPETENT shuttle service failed to pick me up I am still at home. I had a non-refundable/non-exchangable ticket. I just decided when the car did not show up I was not meant to go. I know Wanda was very disappointed, as was I.

Later . . .

Catching Up

I have busy working around the house and the result is that the car now fits in the garage. We had some boxes and things left in the garage from when we moved everything out for the addition. It is actually nice to have everything put away. I am not sure when things will ever be back to completely "normal". We have so many "little" things to accomplish.

Max will be extremely happy come this winter when she does not have to scrape ice off the windows. She has been wanting to have something that will fit in the garage and the Saturn seems to be the answer. We are still loving the car and having fun with the OnStar!

Later . . .

Finishing touches

Wow - the cabinets are hung on the wall and the pegboard is in place. I have almost finished moving everything from the other room into the new room. We will get the surround sound set up and all should be done. I know that I will have to move things and change things, but it is really nice to have all the room (I have empty drawers). Thank godness I will be situated when the hot weather hits and all I want to do is stay in the house.

Max has been tying some really cute little Humming Birds. They are quite adorable. They are not for fishing with, but make sweet decorations. Later . . .

New Car!

Max has been talking new car for quite some time. We don't really need two 4x4 vehicles and are not in much need of a truck. She has been wanting a "trunk" and something that gets better gas mileage than the Xterra and the Frontier. She has said for years that she wanted a Lexus, but could afford a Saturn. We are now the proud owners of a grey with grey interior Saturn Ion. It gets 24 town and 32 highway and is a very comfortable and cool car. We chose the 4 cylinder engine for better response and better gas mileage. The cost of the car was $16k with a $1500 rebate. Nice car, good mileage and an affordable price. I even got the manager to "deal" a little and got an additional $400 knocked off (Saturn's have a set price).

Later . . .

Weather

I am not even going to try to upload any pictures - and we did not take many today. We have had the most wide range of weather today. We had beautiful snow. We had lovely sunshine and warmth. We had heavy rain. We had pellet size hail. In spite of the weather, we had a great day! We messed around Sisters doing some shopping and then went out to the Metolius river. I even did some fly fishing and it was a kick in the butt. I want to do some more and we are planning to go back tomorrow. The lake that we wanted to go to is out - the ICE is just beginning to melt! I have no intention of getting out in a tube in that kind of water and they are really only catching bass and Max is not interested in catching bass.

The heavy rain hit us at the river and Max did not have her rain jacket and was soaked to the bone. Kathy and I messed around feeding the fish at the hatchery and they had some beauties. Everyone was pretty soaked except for Paul who had his rain jacket. After we left the river we headed back into Bend and hit an Italian place with EXCELLENT food.

Even though we have had some difficult weather, this has been a fun vacation. If we plan to come back (which is probably likely) we will make it a little later in the season and have more lakes open and not so much snow.

Later . . .

Vacation in the snow

We are having a wonderful time, but did not think that we would be experiencing snow! Of course for dedicated fishing persons a little snow can't stop the fun. We actually took the float tubes out on the lake yesterday. The water was absolutely FREEZING, but with proper gear it was not so bad. Paul hooked up a couple fish (small), but Max and I had no luck.

It is snowing right now and we are planning a drive into Sisters and then Max and Paul are going to do some fly fishing on a river. Unfortunately, we are a little ahead of the fishing curve. Almost all the lakes are closed because of the altitude and snow and the rivers are all fly fish only, which is not really a problem cause Kathy and I read or iPod or whatever. This is a wonderful spot and we are having a good time (I love the big snow flakes and the cold weather).

The internet connection is sometimes snail slow and it is really hard to get connected and almost impossible to upload pictures.

Later . . .

Check it out . . .

I picked out the counter top I wanted for my work space and it really looks nice and is VERY workable! I decided I wanted to have all three cabinets under the work top and took the one from the corner, which I will replace when I get a chance to go to OSH. I almost have everything moved into my new sewing room and hopefully will be sewing soon. I am getting the old sewing room in order and hopefully will be able to find the daybed I want in the near future. I am making a trip to the Grandkids to help out while Denise does the lazer surgery eye correction thing - so no working on the room until I get back. I will have a week to do things before taking off to Oregon for our fishing trip. By summer I should be ready to stay put with the air conditioning and sew and craft to my heart's content.

Later . . .

Moving into the new sewing room

Have started to move into my new sewing room and finally moved my sewing machine and computer in. I was waiting for the window replacement, but they showed up today with the WRONG window. It will take another week to order the correct one and I told the guy I am going to go ahead with putting my desk, sewing machine and computer under the window and when they come out to replace it we will move the desk away from the window. I cannot believe how BIG the room is and how much extra space I have. Of course with all the shelves and cabinets I have abundant space for storage. I have not moved my material out of the closet in the other room and right now I plan to just leave it there. We are going to hang some additional wall cabinets and purchase a counter top to sit on the two short cabinets to give me a cool working space. I know that I will probably be changing and changing until I get things right, but I am loving it. I need to get a new chair and perhaps eventually get a different sewing table. I like the table I have, but it could use a bit more surface space to handle sewing and the computer. Pictures do not do it justice, but at least this gives everyone an idea of what I have and what we have done. I still have all my thread holders to hang on the wall to add that much needed color and find a place for my bulletin board.

Allmost back to normal

We received the final inspection on the addition (which was a piece of cake considering the inspector only looked at the stove and the back step). We have a couple of things that need to be replaced/fixed and then the final payment to the contractor. It will be nice not to have all the intrusion in our life. I have slowly been working on getting things put away, but it is no easy task. I have not moved anything into my new sewing room as we are still waiting for them to replace the window. If I put stuff in there under the window, I will just have to move it. I think I may go shopping for some cabinets or shelves to go on either side of the door. I would then at lease be able to start transfering some of the things I have on the shelves now. I would like to have most of what I put in there match, but I am moving my colored drawers in there cause I really like them. I actually was pretty happy with the way I had my room before, but was just to cramped for space.

I broke down and went to a beauty salon a couple of days ago and had my hair trimmed - AFTER I had a body perm. I think I am happy with it and it seems to be the easiest way to let my hair grow a little. I was at that point that it had to be CUT or CURLED to survive. I am not sure summer is the time to have longer hair, but at least if I keep letting it grow then it will be winter by the time it is actually heavy on my neck. I have not been in a beauty salon in years. but I think it was worth it.

I have not been taking any pictures, so there will be none uploaded tonight. Just thought I should at least make a posting.

Later . . .

Back Step Completed

The brick guy finished the back step this afternoon. We still have to put some sand on it and water it to soak the sand in, but essentially we are DONE! I am assuming the contractor will call for a final inspection the beginning of the week.

We messed around in the back and cleaned things up a bit. I then decided it was time to give Kodi a good brushing. After getter a bag full of hair, he and Darci had fun running and playing. I think they are both very happy to have their complete backyard back! Needless to say, I am very happy to have our yard back. We have to do a dump run and some general clean up, but it is going to be very nice to get things back to normal.

Later . . .

Reaching the end

We are reaching the end of the whole addition process. The last thing to be completed is the brick step at the sliding glass door. The brick layer positioned the bricks and is now in the process of doing the mortar/sand thing. Once that is completed, we can get the final inspection and finally be rid of people in and around our house. We will be able to start doing some work in the back yard (planting season is upon us) and the doors will be able to roam freely and not have to worry about someone leaving the gate open or Darci having a snack!

Later . . .

Happy Dog

Now that is one HAPPY DOG!

Finished Floor

Kathy and I laid the LAST piece of the floor after which Kathy, Max and Paul cut and placed the molding. The room is great and the floor is awesome. Now I have to start the project of moving my stuff into the room and deciding how I want to arrange it.

Later . . .

Coming together

The stove guy showed up on Saturday and we are very happy with the installation. I am pleased with the stove as I bought it sight unseen (I saw a picture, but I did not get to see the flame and sometimes the pictures lie). I did check out a stove made by the same people and the flame was nice - so I just took the chance. I now have clothes actually hanging in my closet, but I have more shelving that needs to be added. Kathy and Max almost finished the floor on Saturday, but lost the light to do cutting. They plan to finish it tonight - it is gorgeous! We are actually VERY close to getting the final inspection.

Later . . .