Frustration...

First off...I'm really frustrated.  I've been visting blogs and trying to comment and I cannot get my comments to post.  I have a feeling it has something to do with the last upgrade we did with Internet Explorer because when we did that everything kind of fell apart.  All the things we used to know how to do we can no longer do.  It isn't just me who is frustrated, it's the whole family.  Hopefully I can get this figured out soon. 

This is my latest "PROJECT."  I knew I could really make it neat when I said I would take it, however, what I didn't realize was how much work it was going to need to make it neat.  Let's just say it is a work in progess.  My husband did get it painted this weekend and that looks really nice.  I'm still working on the cushions.  We did sit on them last night...all three of us, and we swung, it just isn't finished yet. 

To put it nicely, I had nightmares about this fabric last night. --Kristen

Another Saturday and a long weekend.

Thank goodness I have a three-day weekend, hopefully a lot of sewing will be going on.  I've got big plans, now hopefully they will come to fruition. 

Here are my April blocks for the This and That block of the month.  We received the finishing kits last month and this quilt is really going to be neat when it is finished. 

And of course I've been making more flowers.  I did find the yellow glue refills today and this afternoon was spent outside basting more hexagons.  I think I need to get started on my Vignette mystery quilt though as the June magazine should be out any day.  I certainly never seem to have a shortage of large projects to work on. I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend, and hopefully I will be back tomorrow with another update.  The sewing machine is all warmed up and ready for some serious sewing tonight.  Happy stitching--Kristen.

Friday night finish...

So, it is late Saturday and I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures.  I had big plans for last night and what did I do?  I did prep work rather than sewing.

I was surprised at how much could be accomplished when I set my mind to it.  There is no final tally yet for basted hexagons, but a dent was made in my uncut fabric. And then I couldn't just let them sit and not sew at least one flower...

Being that I can never just keep working and not keep track, I did have to look and see how many are needed (973 hexagons and 140 flowers).  Only 113 flowers to go. ;)  Happy Stitching!  --Kristen

Finally, it's Friday!!!

It's Friday again...and although this week has flown by, it feels like it has been three years long.  Isn't that odd how that happens?  I did get outside to enjoy the apple blossoms and the lilacs, so I can't say I didn't enjoy the week. 

I did get five more flowers done during a track and field day and soccer practice.  :)  Tonight I will be joining in the Friday Night Sew In.  I'm planning to piece a few blocks and get some more flowers done.  If you'd like to join us, you can sign up at http://www.handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/. If you don't have a blog and would like to join me stitching tonight, leave me a comment and let me know what you are working on.  I'll be thinking of you as I sew.  I can't wait to see what everyone can accomplish tonight!  Enjoy your Friday and Happy Stitching! --Kristen

Tuesday hexagon info

I've had a lot of questions about using the Go! to make hexies, so I thought I'd share how I used it.

I started out cutting my fabric into 3-1/8" strips and then cutting again into 2-3/4" rectangles.

I then used the 3" x 2-5/8" hexagon...(it's the one in the middle)

I also used the 1 inch paper hexagon shapes.  You do have a little bit bigger seam allowance, but it is so easy to work with.

I cannot believe I am actually showing you the backside of this... :)  Have a great Tuesday.  I hope this answers some of your questions.  Happy Stitching!  --Kristen

Ever have one of those days?

I'm on jury duty this week and I just realized I never called to see if I have to report in the morning.  It is 11 p.m. if that gives you any indication of what today has been like. 

I finished this quilt tonight...just before the contest deadline.  I went to add my pictures to the album and their program wouldn't let me.  After trying for an hour, I'm guessing there are a lot of other people trying too.  It was so fun to make and the fabric is all from my stash again.  They are all flannels on the front with minkie on the back.  The three of use are all deciding who gets it and it is sounding like at least one more is going to need to be made.

The name of the pattern for this contest was Mango Tango.  I decided it would be fun to put mangoes on mine.  I did add extra batting in them before blanket stitching around them. 

I do have more, but it will have to wait until tomorrow.  I'm extremely tired tonight AND I still have to see if I have to report for jury duty...let's hope not!  I'm going to try and link to http://www.patchworktimes.com/ for design wall Monday.  Happy Stitching...and good night!  --Kristen

More hexies....

Well, I finally got out the GO! and the Sewline glue pen and got to work.  It is amazing what you can accomplish in a few hours.  Now I have to say that because my other grandmother's flower garden quilt has been in the works for over 10 years, and hundreds of hours have been spent cutting, basting, and sewing those hexagons together.

This is just a fraction of the fabrics so far, and I'm trying to decide if the plain middles would be better or should some of the prints be in the middle.  Any suggestions?  Looking back now, I'm wishing I would have gotten more of the blues...but while going through the fabric I'm realizing what a hunt I was on to even find most of them.  There are some fat quarters and some 1/4 yard cuts.  There are even some 1/8 yard cuts.  I remember going from shop to shop just to find the fabric.  I do have to say I'm glad I saved them. The GO! and the Sewline glue pen are really easy to use.

Hope you have a wonderful and productive Wednesday. We are linking with Work in Progress Wednesday at http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/.  There are some amazing projects posted on there.

Hello sun!!!

It is such a gorgeous day here today and I've already been outside in the sun.  Having it be warm and sunny and Friday means it just has to be a great day.

I finished this www.littlemissshabby.com April pattern last night and guess what??? You can see it!  I used the sun to my advantage already.  There is only May to get caught up on and hopefully that will be soon.  I'm planning on being outside after work and stitching (that would be at approximately 2:31 p.m. central time).  Have a wonderful, sunny day!  --Kristen

Slowly, but surely

Yesterday was a beautiful day, it could have been warmer, but the sun was out and it was fairly warm so I had to enjoy it.  It seems winter will never end, and that brief taste of a nice day was wonderful. We are back to windy and chilly, but the sun is out.  Have to love that!

I did finish my March block from www.littlemissshabby.com.  I have April and May and then I will be caught up.  All this is in preparation for my Vignette quilt...polishing up on my embroidery skills as there is so much on that quilt, and I really want to do the pattern justice.

I also got in at the last minute on an applique class last evening.  The last applique class I took was years and years ago.  I learned a lot even though it doesn't look like much was accomplished.  Hopefully my hearts will be smooth and crisp on the Vignette quilt also.  Cutting is on the agenda for this weekend.  The fabric is all here staring at me, now to get to work.

Hope you have a wonderful and productive May 5! :)  Happy stitching!  --Kristen

Tuesday..and I'm back :)

I know, I know...two days in a row...can you believe it?  Here is what I finished, and it is literally steaming hot....

The cross stitch pattern is Bless Our Home by Country Cottage Needleworks.  I don't know which took longer, to do the stitching or make the pillow...at any rate, I'm happy with the finished product.

The reason my pillow is steaming is because of my new Rowenta iron...My mom has used a Rowenta for years and I've had many, but does this one have steam.  I could steam all the wrinkles out from inserting the pillow form after it was already in...love it!  No, I have no association with Rowenta, I just love my new iron.  My son loves it because it says Mercedes Benz on it as it was a special fashion week iron. 

We are linking up with  http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/ for Fabric Tuesday.  You'll have to see all the neat things people have finished this week!  See you tomorrow...

Happy Stitching--Kristen

It's Monday again...

Wow, this week has just flown by....and you'd think with as hard as I've been working there would be more to show for it.  I've been cutting and cutting and cutting and there are hundreds of squares all over the place, I just need to get them all into one big piece.  I do have a couple of things to share today.

This fun block of the month is from www.littlemissshabby.com.  I have been collecting the monthly patterns since January, and I finally had a chance to start cutting and cutting and cutting all those squares.  I have four of the blocks ready to stitch and all the rest of the squares are in piles of two...Hopefully tonight I will get them all sewn around the blocks and will be able to just pull one out, draw the pattern on, and sew each month.  The May pattern came out yesterday and is it cute.  Make sure you go and check it out!

And not to worry, I have been working on my Christmas ornaments too...my mom had made felt ornaments when were little and they were always my favorite.  I just love this gingerbred man and so does our dog Benny.  I had just finished him and heard a terrible noise in the living room with a lot of "shhhh" and "hurry up" being heard.  When I got out there I had three sheepish looking boys and one gingerbread man.  Benny thought it was a toy for him, and my husband and son were trying to get it away from him before it was destroyed.  Benny is only 8 pounds, but can chew up any toy in a second.

We are linking up again today with http://www.patchworktimes.com/ for Design Wall Monday.  If you have a chance, you should see what these talented people have been working on.  I will be back tomorrow, I will (should) have more to show! 

Happy Stitching!  --Kristen