New FO - December

Well this is the last New FO.  At least until we catch up on our UFO's and WIP's.  Is that possible for a quilter.  :)


We didn't have Doll quilt swap this month so that isn't one of my New FO's - However I did create a couple other things this month. 


1.  I made a table runner.

2.  I made a needle keep for a friends birthday.  She likes to do red work so I put  a couple of skeins of red DMC  and some embroidery needles inside.

3.  I made a curtain for a sliding glass door.

4.  And low and behold after many many years of sewing I learned how to make pillow cases - So I made 2 pillow cases. 

And since I'm just now getting back into some routines I can't remember for sure if I started these in November or December but I definitely finished them in December so I am posting the finished picture of my Bird Mug rugs that I did all the thread painting and quilting on.  :) 

Thanks so much to Barbara at Cat Patches for hosting this fun New FO give away for so long.  It's been a great way to connect and keep us creating.  Thank you. 


Lynn

And Time Goes by...

Well not sure what has happened but as a new retiree, I feel like I have less time than I used to.  Or is it that because I have more time, I'm not as structured with my time.  I sleep in, I don't have to finish anything by a certain time.  I find myself saying oh no biggie I'll do that tomorrow.  :)  After all isn't that what retirement is supposed to be about. 
 But really - a lot has gone on and - we have been very busy - I just haven't got it posted.  I haven't even taken the time to post for the New FO's - Or the Let's Book it - Or anything really.  So here goes I'm going to try to catch up on what all is happening and then we'll see if I can keep this going.  :) 
Non sewing news:  We have traveled around a lot.  Living in a new state, we have had fun traveling around and seeing the sites. So much so that we traded in our big 4x4 Dodge Ram for a  more fuel efficient Hyundai Sonata. 

We've been to Las Vegas several times including a stay there with my Sister when she flew in from Oregon for my Birthday week.  We went to the Jersey Boys show here - It was awesome.

And since Laughlin NV, right across the river from Bullhead City AZ where we live is a gambling/vaction/resort area right next to Lake Mohave and Lake Mead recreational area - we have gone to several concerts, and sporting events including Rodeos, Bull Riding, Monster trucks...

We've gone to Hoover Dam - Wow that is awesome sight to see. Amazing what they did so many years ago with out the use of modern machinery. 

We've been to Yuma AZ to visit family, (and saw the Yuma Territorial Prision- sorry no pictures), Phoenix AZ a couple of times to visit family and friends. And then local places to sight see and just familiarize ourselves with whats available to us. Laughlin NV, (right across the river from us)  Kingman AZ, Lake Havasu City, Needles CA, Golden Shores, Topock, Search Light. 
Along with our travels we've also been fixing up our home, new awnings and roof repair thanks to a very rare "Micro Burst" class one hurricane that hit us only a couple of weeks after we moved here.

All better and fixed now. They removed the old swap cooler that hadn't worked in years and redid the roof, and we had new awnings put up. And now we even have Chirstmas lights up. 

It took about 2 1/2 months before it was fixed. Lots of repairs in the area and in Phoenix so we were on a waiting list.  

We've also had plumbing repairs, so many that we are on a first name basis and thinking of inviting the plumber for a BBQ.   LOL   New gas lines, a new electrical box, and the list goes on. So  this week we finally did something cosmetic. We put in new carpet in the bedrooms and living room.  And new vinyl in the bathrooms.  Here's a peek of the carpet and vinyl together. 

So where does the sewing come in - well sometimes if feels like it has taken the back burner, but I have managed to accomplish a few things.  I've joined a guild and have been doing some charity quilts for it, along with some projects they have offered. Here is one of the Projects we did.  This is a Judy Niemeyer quilt pattern.
Tea Leaf Table Runner 

Then also I do a weekly Sit n Sew at the Local Quilt Shop (Fabrics Unlimited) and have been getting into some other classes through them.  I have been using the Tuesday class to work on some of my many UFO's, trying to work through them one at a time. And then I'm also trying to practice and work on my Free Motion Quilting. So I'll show some of that too. 
The Birds are applique then used my free motion foot practicing and adding some "thread play" to give them some detail. 

UFO's I'm working on currently: 

One of the other ladies that comes to the Tuesday sit n sew needed to get this quilt top finished and was having trouble and then got called away and had to leave for an hour or so. So the shop owner and I took her blocks and got them all sewn together for her while she was gone.  She was so happy and thankful for all the help.  :)  It's done in Halloween fabric. 

Next are my Doll Quilts for the Monthly swap that I haven't posted here yet:  

Other random things I've done in the last few 

months. 

Above is the 1st row of a baby quilt I'm making for my new great grandson who's going to be here in February sometime. This pattern was offered by AJ Padilla as block of the month.  And the wall hanging above it was also a pattern that I got from AJ Padilla.  

Below is a class I took at the local Quit Shop (Fabrics Unlimited) its a pattern by Toni Whittney. 

Below is a runner that I made from a Table runner book called "More of my Runners"  by Disa Designs  

I got it at my local Quilt Store:  Fabrics Unlimited Fort Mohave Az 

This only summarizes - both in life and in sewing but at least this catches up on the majority of what has happened in my first 5 months of retirement in my new home.  I'm hoping that now I can keep on top of these posts which and in turn will also keep me focused on what I want to accomplish. Which means that one of my next posts will be my plans and goals for the upcoming year.  

If you made it this far - thanks for stopping by and reading to the end.  

Blessings, Lynn 

October 2014 New FO

Well it has been literally forever since I posted -  okay just since June but there has been so much going on in my life - I feel like a lifetime has passed.  I'll give you a quick 10,000 foot view and then get on with the New FO's and leave the rest for a different post.  
We retired in June and July (me then hubby) by August 2nd we moved from Oregon and relocated to Arizona.  We've had cousins, brothers and my sister already visit.  I've joined a guild and a sewing group at the local quilt shop.... and we are living in OUR house, but with my in-laws helping them.  As I posted in June, we both have our own living areas which is nice - but it is still together so we can help them out.  

Okay enough of that for now... What all have I sewn?   Well not as much as I've wanted since we are still getting settled, but still quite a bit.  :) And now that I'm retired and haven't posted in so long I have to make sure it's not all running together and I post only October's New FO's.  

#1.  Turkey Wall hanging.  

We did this as a workshop in our guild.  This is the first time I've belonged to a guild and so far I'm really enjoying it.  

#2.   Christmas Stockings.  

Another Project for the guild.  We make and donate as many as we want.  In the November business meeting we will take quarters and put a quarter in the ones we like as a way of voting for the best one.  The one with the most quarters wins something.  But more importantly, the quarters are used to buy items to stuff them with and we donate them to persons in need. 

#3.  My October Doll Quilt Swap

My partner has not received this yet so can't show the whole thing, but here is a sneak peek.  


#4.  Lil Monsters.  This pattern is a BOM from AJ Padilla.  We are expecting our 2nd Great Grandson "Benji"  in February and so I am using this pattern to create a "Lil Monster"  Baby quilt.  I have only just fused these on  - but no finishes are required int the New FO's so I'm okay.  :)   

#5  Monday Mystery -  

At the local Quilt Shop they have a monthly class called "Mystery Monday" and you make and finish a project that is a mystery.   This Month we made these cute little Pumpkins.  

So Even though with everything going on I felt like I wasn't sewing much - I guess I was.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I'll update you all on the "Rest of the Story"  hopefully really soon.  

Hugs, 
Lynn 

June 2014 New FO

It's time for another month of NewFO's - and I'm thankful about that because it makes me do at least one post a month so that I can see what all I've been up to.  The fact that you all get to see it and comment and there's a chance for a prize is just a bonus.  (But don't stop commenting I like them. ) And although life isn't slowing down, I may be able to post more than once a month for the NewFO's.

Big news -   I have retired, yes early and my husband and I are relocating from Oregon USA to Arizona. 

So once we get settled in a little - I'm hoping that I will have more time to journal my plans, goals and accomplishments.  I have good intentions of that now - but life got in the way.  So enough of that for now.  

My NewFO's:  

First up I was in the Doll Quilt Swap again this month -

My Partner was Mary Chow from Canada - the optional theme was "In my Garden" and so this is what I made for her. 

My next NewFO was for my granddaughter.  She requested a few months ago that I make a pillow for her that had "Whosville" stuff on it.  She knew exactly how she wanted it and so after getting just the right fabric and pictures this is her pillow. 

For the last few months I have been in a round robin that is a "Row by Row"  and since we are on a two week turn around, I had two more quilts come to me in June that needed a new row.  Since some of these ladies are connected to me on Facebook and such, and since we are only giving peeks in the round robin, I can only give you peeks of what I did.  But when this is all over I hope to have full pictures of all the quilts and then I can share them with all of you.  

Here is the first one that I added to - and the sneak peeks she got. 

And here is the 2nd one that I added to and the peek she got. 

If you could see the whole thing - it would probably make more sense, but that's all I can give you for now. 

The other thing I worked on is a present for a dear friends birthday - so I can't show that either - so I guess that's all I have for June that I can share or talk about for now.  

In July I am still doing a Doll Quilt Swap, and I will have two more rounds of the Round Robin and then it's done. :)  :(  It's been a lot of fun, and I'm sorry to see it be over.  So with packing and getting ready to move, that is probably all I will have time to do.   We will be in Arizona the first part of August - but with trying to settle in and get things organized, not sure how much sewing will happen.  

My Father-in-law is 88 and my Mother-in-law is 84,  and although my husband and I always knew we would someday move to AZ, we are moving in to help my aging In-laws.  We will each have our own living areas however there will still be some adjustments and arranging to do. Mom (in-law)  is looking forward to having me there to help with doctor appointments, medications and cooking and over all organization.  Although I know it will be work at times, I feel blessed that she has that much trust and faith in me to take over, and I hope I can bless her as well. 

Thanks all for stopping by - Leave a comment if you have time I'd love to hear from you. 

Lynn 

May NewFO

It's time for the May NewFO....  

I find it quite odd that some months drag on - but others seem to end and you're really not sure they were ever here.  You know that feeling of "Where did May go?" - "Did I do anything in May?"  Well I'm not sure if you do that, but I do.  And as always each month I tell myself that I am going to do more blogging, because really, it's been a whole month since I wrote a post. :)  But I have a solution to that and some exciting news.......... I am retiring and moving from Oregon to Arizona - so I should have more time to blog. The jury is still out on that, because who knows what I'll be doing with all that time, maybe some of my many UFO's.  (No promises) 

So with out further delay - here are my NewFO's for May, that is why you came here right? 

#1.  My Monthly Doll Quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap 

My Partner Aileen and I decided to go with the theme of "Go Modern" But she then was having quilters block so I said I was fine with anything.  Here is the quilt I made her. 

And here is what she made me. Very Bright and Pretty. 

#2.  I did some more Mug Rugs for a swap hosted by Michele at Quilting Gallery. 

#3. I did two more additions to the Round Robin row by row quilts that I'm involved in. I'm not sure if they read my blog or not so I should probably only show the sneak peeks. Each person had their own fabric and that fabric is sent along with their quilt. The first one is for Patrice, she was going a little with Amish themed blocks so I did some log cabins.  I have to say I'm not sure they are my favorite.  I'll give them another try some day but for now - not the fav. I also did a couple Jacob Ladders.  Here is her peek. 

The next was for Betty my sweet friend from Mississippi, whom even though I've never met has become like a 2nd Sister to me and a very dear friend. She loves Butterflies, Ladybugs and Angels. Others have concentrated on the Butterflies so I did something a little different. Here is a peek of hers. 

#4. On Memorial Day I went over to my quilt teacher and friends house/studio and she showed a couple of us how to me make cloth chalk boards. I haven't finished the hand stitching of the binding, but here are the ones I made.  I want to make one for each of the grand kids, and I thought a smaller one would be great for the fridge. Here they are. 

#5. And the only other thing worked on that warrants any mentioning is I made a block for the months Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I am using a free pattern that is from "Fat Cat patterns". May's color was Green so here is my green purse. I've been adding a pocket on each one and this time I made it a real pocket. And then each one has buttons on the handle. 

Well that's it for me for May. I am not sure what all June - August will hold. I am working until June 19th. Then packing in the month of July and on July 30th we will be moving.  August will be a time of settling in and getting into new routines. We will be helping out my aging in-laws and so I'm sure there will be new things to fill my day - but I'm sure I'll find a little time to sew somewhere in the day. 

Hope you all have a great month, thanks for stopping by. 

Blessings, 

Lynn