Finished and on to the next project

Well I finished sewing the binding on the Christmas wall hanging or table topper that I was working on and showing the words too. It turned out really neat, anyway I think it did. I hope the person I have in mind to receive it does also. Here a couple pictures of the goofy looking red work elves. I planned the piece around these elves.

Here is a picture of the completed piece. I figure it could be used as a wall hanging or a table topper, whichever the person chooses. I do need to sew a hanging sleeve on the back and find a rod for hanging it.

I am almost temped to keep it for myself but that would not be prudent. I kept singing the song while making the piece. I think my husband is not sick of the song. I must also let you know I can not carry a tune at all. Oh but it is fun to sing anyway.

I hope everyone had or is having a good Halloween. We did not get very many trick-or-treaters. I am saddened by that. I like seeing the little ones, they are so cute. It was a very pleasant evening but hardly anyone came on our street. It sure was not like that when my kids were young. One of my daughters friends stopped by with her three little ones, what a pleasant surprise. It is so odd to see them as parents.

Well I am going to close up the Halloween shop and do some sewing. Have a good evening. Dot

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Just some pictures of Halloween quilts I have made through the years. This is an original pattern I made up 7 years ago. This is my favorite. My husband loves this quilt, it stays on our couch year round. I followed this pattern out of a Fons and Porter quilt magazine a few years ago. It was not made with Halloween themed fabric but I thought it would work up great with that fabric. Unfortunately I used a horrible batting on it and I don't really like it because of that. I think of remaking the pattern and using a good batting but I have already made it once and I have other quilts I want to make.

Another original. I made this using some embroidery pumpkins I found free on the internet about 3 years ago. I gave this quilt to charity.

This is a baby rag quilt I made. It is an original idea. I am saving this quilt for when I have a grand baby. I love it. It is so fall and so Halloween. I hope whichever one of my children receives this for their child will use it and like it. I do not have any grandchildren yet and there are not any expected in the near future but I am certainly ready with this quilt.

This is a quilt I made after watching an episode of Simply Quilts. I can't remember what this technique was called but thought I would try it out. I don't know if I really like it but I still have it in the closet. I can't seem to part with it yet for some reason. I never use it, take it out every year and wonder if I should donate it this year but it goes back into the closet. I guess I will continue to do that until I think it should go.

Well that is my collection of Halloween quilts for this year. I did make you Boo-quet but did not post another picture of that because I just posted it a few weeks ago.

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween and I will post again next month.

Dot

Quilt in a Can completed

Well here it is, the quilt in a can, all done. It is very busy, but I like it. This is the second quilt I made with my broken arms. When I was working on broken wings and reached the point where my hands would not allow me to do anymore until more healing occurred, I started this top. This will make a great kick around quilt. A quilt that you really don't care if it is on the ground, on the floor in the car, or on the beach. It will also work really good as a campfire quilt. A quilt you can use around the campfire and not care if a spark lands on it. It will be fun to have. Once again I will keep this quilt just because of the period of time in which it was made.

And as promised here is the back. It actually turned out pretty neat for a slap together back. There are some spots on the 80's looking sheeting but who cares. As I stated above, this is just a kick around quilt.

Well I am off to work on the Holiday Quilt. Enjoy the day. Root for USC and the Rockies. They are the underdogs of the World Series and they deserve the win. Just for you Red Sox fans who might read this blog. I just heard the Red Sox are the Yankee's of this series. They have a payroll well double of the Rockies. Just a thought, maybe you should check into the payroll of your team before you start trashing the Yankee's for their payroll.

FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dot

Boo-Hoo USC lost. They are having so many problems this year. Now I will watch the Rockies.

Still here but slower than usual

Being back to work full time really cuts into my quilting time. Not that I am complaining, I am just stating a fact. I have been working on the letters for my Christmas project. I have one more word to make then I can start putting the project together. My son called last Sunday and said they woke up to 8 inches of snow. The felted slippers I made him last winter have shrunk to were they don't fit him anymore so he asked me to knit him a new pair. I started working on them while watching the World Series, here is the first one and I have started the second.

They look so large. It is amazing to me how big they are until you felt them. I hope he likes the color. I am just using yarn I have on hand. Oh well, they are so warm I am sure he will wear them even if he doesn't care for the color.

Hopefully I will have more to post later. Dot

P.S. If I don't post tomorrow don't forget to root for USC. They play the Oregon Ducks. FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Making a backing

Many, many, many years ago, well over a decade, I purchased these long strips of fabric from a local craft store. I have sewn them together for the back of quilts, probably 4 or 5 by now, and I do believe this will be the last of this material. I think it is fabric from sheets. As you can tell from the pattern on the fabric it is most likely sheet fabric from the eighties. It works for what I want and I think I paid about $5.00 for all this. I think it was a pretty good deal, considering I probably got about 6 quilt backs out of it. I don't know if it will be enough for the quilt in mind.

I am going to put it on the back of quilt in a can (search down to Sept. 9th) I made while recovering from the accident. If it is not enough I will add more remnants from other backings and have a very interesting back on

this very interesting quilt. You don't have to ask, you know, I will post a picture when done. I will promise I will also post a picture of the back so you can see how it turns out.

I must go to get this almost done before the USC game at 12:30. FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!! Dot

Chugging Along

I am slowly chugging along on my new project. I finished this today. It seems like it took a long time to make just one word. I have slowed a bit now that I am back to work full days. I am very tired when I get home, I want to continue with my physical therapy, walking 1 mile and carrying a 5lb dumbbell at the same time. I know this will end soon, the days are getting shorter and the weather is turning. I think I can get pretty much the same workout riding my stationary bike for 30 minutes and holding the weight while doing that when I can no longer walk outdoors. I would rather be walking outdoors so I continue to take advantage of that while I can. I have been going to bed very early also. I am way past my bedtime right now. I have been in bed by 7:30 and it is now 8:30. I know this will change as I heal more and my strength and endurance improve but that is what I have to do right now.

I will say good night to all. I just wanted to get a quick post in to show some progress on my new project. Good Evening. Dot

New Starts

I started two new projects this week-end. I started sewing the blocks I got from Finn together and triming them down. I have not decided on a setting yet. I might go with a traditional setting, on point with a solid color between or I was thinking.........(you might have guessed by now, when I think it could be dangerous) but I was thinking I just might try a setting like Judy at Quilting with Ragdolls posted on October 12th. I really like that concept and thought the blocks might look good like that with warm country colors. I will see what happens and of course I will let you all know what I decide. Any comments will be welcome. Another project, it is never fun to work on just one. Yes I am starting a Christmas wall hanging. I have an idea in my mind for a wall hanging and I am going for it. I hope it turns out as well as I can see it in my minds eye, time will tell. I do not have EQ5 or 6 and I just have to make things up as I go along as I see them in my mind. Stay tuned for the finished wall hanging or table topper, whichever the recipient chooses to use it for.

I also crocheted two and a half hats this week-end. I will tell you I did to much, my hands are aching today and I have been taking it easy. One of the things I did was dig through my fabric tubs, which meant I was moving heavy tubs and lifting, probably to much to soon. I have been really good today though and have hardly done anything.

Well good evening to all and I pray everyone has a good week. I don't know if I will get anything done to share during the week so this just might be the only post until next week-end. Time will tell. Dot

Broken Wings completed

Well here it is the completed "Broken Wings" quilt. I finished sewing the binding on it Monday and I will say I pushed myself hard. I paid for it on Tuesday with aching in my arms but I do think by Wednesday it was a good thing. What I mean by that is working full days on Wednesday and Thursday were very tolerable.
After pinning to take the pictures I noticed I probably did not sew the squarest quilt top ever, oh well, what can one expect when sewing with broken arms. I am very pleased with this quilt and I will keep this on for myself. There is a history behind this quilt that is just to strong for me to let go. It will look really good on a twin size bed. I put it on my queen and it just covers the top.

You have seen this top before also. I made this top three years ago and just completed the binding on it recently. I had actually quilted and started sewing the binding down before the accident and had to wait to finish until I could hold my hands, quilt, and sewing needle just right to finish sewing down the binding. I named this quilt "Geese to the Rescue" I was making another quilt using different shades of blues, it just wasn't working out so I decided to change to this design. Why this design, because I could use all the blue without much waste and come out with a very useful quilt. I like it.

Posts most likely will dwindle after this, I start back to work 5 days a week on Monday. I don't know if I will fell like doing much quilting in the evenings. I'll see how my hands feel. It is the tops of my hands that ache now at the end of the day. Everyday gets better and I am starting to get my strength back. The doctor at Job Corps checked out my recovery and was very pleased with the progress. That was good news to me.

We are still working with the insurance and motorcycle collision center. Repairs will begin soon. The crazy thing, the insurance wants the gas tank and front fender sent to them when they are replaced. They will be waiting, these are on the bottom on my list. I am debating getting a larger tank and this will slow the process down. I could also have custom paint done on my tank before a new one is put on so many decisions to make. I have all winter to think and ponder, my main concern now is getting it road worthy and home to make other decisions.

Have a good day. Dot

Cocoa Mix

Somewhere along the line I posted about making cocoa mix for the winter. English Cocoa Lover asked for the recipe so here it is. It is so easy and so good. I have been making this for about 23 years and got the recipe from my mom so who knows how long she made it.

Cocoa Mix

2lb can Hershey Cocoa (Nesquick or the like)

8 quarts powder milk (left in the powder form)

medium size coffee creamer (powder form)

2 cups powder sugar (optional)

I never have added the powder sugar. It just makes it sweeter and I think it is sweet enough. Mix all these ingredients together, it makes a lot!!!!! Store in a large container. Add to hot water or hot coffee, to taste. I usually use 2-3 scoops (coffee size scoops) according to how I want the chocolate taste to be. You will never buy store mix again. This stuff is good.

I hope you enjoy this. Let me know. Dot

A night for BOOOS

I finished my Boo-quet. I am really happy with the outcome. I can not say I am happy with my photography skills. I took about 5 pictures and this is the best one. As you can see I didn't get the edges in the photo. It finished at 32.5 by 38. I trupunto'ed (I don't know if this is a word or if I spelled it right but quilters you know what I mean) the flowers, rat, and cat, left everything else as is. I think this is one of the projects I have made that I have had the most fun with. My motorcycle quilt (march 10th entry) and the Sex and the City quilt would probably be next in line. I am going to make another one like this. I already have a couple ideas floating around in my head, but like usual I have other things I need to get done first. Maybe that will be the push to complete those others obligations so I can get on with more of the fun stuff.

My other boo for the night, USC lost. What a shame. Not that they deserved to win, they did not play well at all, but it is just disappointing when the team you want to win looses. Oh well, it doesn't really affect my life at all, things will still go on, and it gives hubby and me something to talk about for the week.

Well, I am going to start working on the backing for my broken wings quilt. Now that I know I can get a quilt loaded on the longarm, I have decided that will be the next quilt to be done. Have a good evening. Dot.

More quilts for Bren

Some more pictures of the Quilt Expo. These two little quilts were made from the extras (trimmings) from a large auction quilt. They auction quilt was beautiful, I did not get a picture of it. Never thought of taking a picture of that quilt, brain fart I guess. Pictures of some really nice quilts.

This was at a vendor booth. I liked the concept and might just make my own rendition of this.

This is a Harry Potter quilt. What I liked about this is the sweater on Harry is actually knit.

Just a train quilt I thought was cute and would be a clever idea for a baby gift. Maybe not in black though.

I will go through and post more tomorrow. Have a good day. Dot.

Oh I almost forgot. FIGHT ON!!!! Remember to root for USC today. They play Stanford.

Radiographs

I just figured out how to capture the radiographs of my left arm onto my computer. You can see where my thumb was dislocated and the fractures in the bones at the wrist. If you read the bottom of my last post, you read where I was released from my doctor today. What a good feeling. Dr. B was very pleased with my recovery, he was happy with the results of physical therapy. He said he is done seeing me until the next accident. I laughed. I figure the first time I saw him was 14 years ago when I blew my leg apart, now when I blew my arm apart, so in 14 years he will be retired and I probably won't be riding anymore.

I will contact the Harley repair shop and make an appointment to discuss the repairs on my bike. I really want to continue to ride, but when I consider the cost, financial and how I have put others in a bind, (with this mishap) do I really want to take the chance again. I will repair my bike and make that decision next spring. If I quit riding it will be because I don't want to be out of work for 8 weeks and tally up the cost of no income during the recovery. Of coarse one can not continue to live and enjoy life with the looming fear of mishaps. I could break a bone doing just about any thing. Let me see, the first time (my leg) jumping off a roof.

I will say I look like I have pretty good looking bones for an almost 50 year old. My arms look kind of fat, but then again I did have a long sleeve shirt on at the time of the radiographs.

Have a great evening. Dot

For Bren

Bren asked for more pictures so here they are. I hope you are not getting sick of this yet. I will have you know some of the pictures of duplicates so I might have taken 100 pictures but maybe two of the same quilt, focusing on different aspects, like the over all quilt and the close up, or maybe my angle was off. Oh well, any way here are more pictures.

Doctor appointment went well today. I don't have to see him again. I have been released. He said he would see me after my next accident. I pray that never happens. He was very pleased with my recovery and how well the physical therapy worked. I am happy also. I still have some tenderness but am getting better all the time. Time certainly heals things. I guess God knows how long we can stand to be cooped up and seems like 8 weeks is about it.

Have a good evening. Dot

More pictures

Orange, of course I liked this one. This quilt was Best of Show. It is a beautiful quilt.

I liked this, it reminded me of the horse sculptures when leaving the Portland Airport.

Another beautiful quilt.

Now if any of you read And Sew it Goes, Teri Grants blog, you will recognize this piece. What a pleasant surprise to see this piece in person. Beautiful work.

That's about it, the rest of the pictures I took were mostly just for ideas on quilting. I hope you liked looking at these and who knows maybe I will throw a few more in as time goes on.

I loaded my Boo-quet on the longarm tonight and will start to quilt it. When completed I will post a picture.

Good evening to all.

Dot

More Pictures

Not a lot of text today, mostly just pictures from the Expo. This was in a vendors booth, sorry I didn't realize I had picked this one until it uploaded. Sorry.

I thought this one went along with my predicament.

More to come later in the week.

Dot