Behind the Seams

Here's to 2008!

2008-01-01T07:43:00.000-08:00

No, I have not forgotten to blog, I just haven't had much to blog about. BUT, 2008 will be a better year...I have several projects started/all but completed/many want to do, but my first project for the year will be to move my sewing room into Molly's old bedroom. Have to paint, build shelves, make it someplace I want to be! Any recommendations for ideas I should consider before I get started? I helped a friend make her family quilts for Christmas - which they loved - but had my kids quilts pieced and ready to sandwich, but never managed to get done. Oh well...I figure I will have them for another day - like a birthday or something. I definitely need to manage my time better. I'm still somewhat in a slump, but hope my new sewing room will give me that boost I need! Joe and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in Sept and my goal is to make us a double wedding ring - I have 9 months to get it done - surely I can do that!

Hope everyone has a great 2008 and manages to finish all their projects whatever they may be!

By the way Chris, does that mean I have to call you Dr. Ditzler?

Long Summer...

2007-10-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

Need I say more? This is how I feel these days. Not much to show for or talk about, but I have been pooped! I'm hoping now that fall has arrived, I will get that much needed boost of energy and motivation. My husband and son keep reminding me that I haven't made them a quilt (they think I've made EVERYONE else one except them). I will try to keep up with my blog better than I have been. Please keep checking back...

Help me PLEASE!

2007-07-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

About 13 years ago I bought a spinning wheel because I always thought it was a beautiful piece of furniture, and I figured I might one day learn how to "spin". Well, that day has come. My problem is I need a new hobby like I need another kid! My neighbor Shirley, spins and looms and knits and crochets and does ceramics. When she saw I had a spinning wheel, she offered to show me how. I went with her to a guild meeting this past monday and was amazed watching some of the women spin. Some raise their own sheep and alpacas and shear them to spin. My problem is I would really like to spin, but I don't really have a desire to knit or crochet...what to do with the fibers when I'm done. I also feel like I don't have enough time to quilt and embroider - why would I start another hobby?!

Molly - my baby!

2007-05-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while since I posted last, but it has been hectic to say the least. I got Molly's graduation quilt finished - she didn't think I'd get it done - and we got her graduated! My baby is all grown up. It was held outside and was beautiful weather! My folks, Joseph and Joe's sister and her husband came in for the "event". Molly LOVES her quilt - my friend Alma quilted iguanas, kissing gekko's, turtles, stars, swirly-q's, really neat quilting. It's definitely a bright quilt and lots of orange! The back is done in orange, red and yellow stripes. It came out really neat if I say so myself! Hopefully things slowdown a bit...now, just have to get her moved out in mid-June. Joe wants me to take over her room as part of my sewing rooms - I think it's a bit soon, but we'll see.

Finally Done!

2007-04-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally finished the lower level bathroom! I have to admit, it came out much better than we expected (the pictures don't do it justice). We put ceramic tile down (never done that before) wainscotting, painted, moved electrical and plumbing - it's really a brand new bathroom. I went to my folks in Oklahoma this past week and Joe managed to get the toilet and sink installed. Also put the wainscotting up, though we started it before I left. We have an empty wall and as you can see, no storage, but we want to get an armoire or a big hutch of some kind to put "stuff" in. Let's see another project down, too many more to go to count!

I've given up sewing...

2007-03-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

This is my life these days. We found a water leak in our downstairs bathroom (by chance) and are now re-doing it all. We just started out tearing out wallpaper only to find the leak. We are moving plumbing, electric, putting down tile, wainscotting, new fixtures, new sink, new toilet, etc...numerous trips to town for supplies and our changing ideas are really putting a strain on the checking account! My house stays a mess these days - I have until the 18th of May (Molly's graduation) to get it back together. I have too many house projects going on at once...sound familiar? By the way, yes, that is mold on the bottom of the vanity. Thank goodness we found it. We planned on re-doing the bathroom anyway - just not this soon.

Take Five to Wyoming

2007-02-04T03:57:00.000-08:00

The day after I arrived in Wyoming we hit the wonderful fabric stores there and in Montana...I found this fabric and had to have it. Chris and her mom also found fabric and we cut out and started piecing that night! Wish I could do that all the time...anyway, my friend Kelly, the one I gave the yellow brick road quilt to, saw this one and wants it so bad - those are her living room/kitchen colors. Have looked for fabric but no luck...she wants it JUST LIKE this one!

Yellow Brick Road

2007-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

This was my first "non-traditional" quilt for me. (I was used to bow ties and samplers) My best friend Chris brought me the pattern and fabric when she came for a visit a couple of years ago. I think it really turned out nice. I have a neighbor that had her dream house built - it's a yellow 2-story farmhouse with a wrap around porch. Her upstairs is a bright yellow bathroom (white claw foot tub also), green sewing room and blue bedroom. It's an open floor plan like mine so you see the colors when you come in. Anyway, I gave her the quilt for a house warming gift and she loves it! My friend Alma, who has the long arm, quilted a flower and sun pattern on the quilt.

Double My Trouble

2007-01-28T06:58:00.000-08:00

We hadn't been here but a few months and a neighbor asked me if I would make his wife a double wedding ring for her birthday...I, being ignorant, said sure! I found the fabric in November, cut out and pieced in December, put it together in January, sent it off in Feb, but didn't get it back until end of May...her birthday was beginning of May. Anyway, whatever possessed me to think I could make such a difficult quilt - I didn't even know how to make one - but being during the holidays and not having a clue what I was doing and being on what seemed like such a short time schedule - I really should be questioning my judgement. I was never so sick of looking at fabric - it was my every waking moment on that quilt. I also realized, I WAY, WAY undercharged him. That said, I have to say, the quilt came out beautiful! I literally cried when he came to pick it up - my husband asked me if I could come up with some excuse that it got ruined or something. No, I don't have a double wedding ring on my bed...yet

Dover Quilt

2007-01-27T17:18:00.000-08:00

Well, this is the quilt we did while in Dover. As I said before, I really didn't like the theme fabric, but I love the way the quilt came out. It is one of my most favorites and one that I have a lot of compliments on! It's actuall bigger than it looks here - I have it hanging across the bannister.

Finally...

2006-12-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

Well, This is my first post here. I just wanted to tell everyone Merry Christmas. I will be updating this often so be sure to check back soon!