Projectus Interuptus

As I mentioned in my last post, this summer seems like it has started to fly by all of a sudden!  I think because I had a list of quilty things I was going to get done this summer and it's looking like that's not going to happen.  I had it all planned out and now it feels like it's all just blown out the window.  Why?  Because we're leaving for vacation at the end of the week and by the time we get back, summer's over!  One of my goals set in Spring was to make a "summery" quilt this summer.  I guess I'm going to have to say Beach Cottage was my summery quilt because that top is done (though not quilted yet).  However, I wanted it to be Seaside Cotillion...

No the greatest photo of the quilt pattern, but it very lovely.  Really.  So, I started, as you see above.  Made all of my strips and even got two of the blocks done.  I was very organized, had all the strips laid out in order on my cutting table so I could easily put them together to sew my blocks.  Then I realized, OH MY GOODNESS, it's August!  Before I go on vacation I need to not only get my Jelly Roll Sampler block #12 finished, but I've got to get the whole top together so I can put it in the contest!  And, I've got to get my A Year of Schnibbles August quilt finished.  It's not even started.  I don't even have the fabric for it.  So, I hop right on the internet and quickly decide I'm using Prayer Flag..I've got to tell you, I am loving this fabric for my quilt...

I'm doing the Plan C Schnibble this month.  The other choice was Short Story, but I'm doing the larger version of that (already have the two layer cakes of Sultry by Basic Grey) in Carrie Nelson's Schnibbles Times Two book, and I certainly don't have time to make a larger quilt at this point!  So, Plan C it is!  Luckily, I had the fabric in two days and started right in.  However, that meant that my grand plan to catch up on my Snowbound BOM by making 4 blocks in August also flew right out the window.  Along with quilting Madeline, Joy Luck, Cameos and Beach Cottage.  (I also have to fess up - I won another gift certificate in the A Year of Schnibbles contest for Joy Luck - this has been most lucrative - LOL!  Not only am I getting all of these awesome quilts that I probably wouldn't have made, but I can keep buying more fabric!)  Also, off the radar until fall is the Dresden Plate quilt that has been itching to go from my mind to fabric.  Even got the handy-dandy EZ Dresden Ruler and this lovely Lecien fabric - Flower Sugar.  On clearance no less!

(Turn your head to the side now - sorry about that!)

I am quilt-stressed.  As I said, we leave at the end of next week.  And I have to work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.  Last weekend, as I mentioned not one stitch got sewn.  Putting aside everything else, I still have to get the JRS quilt put together and my Plan C Schnibble top completed and posted before I go.  Now, what happens if they don't get done and I don't post them?  Nothing.  I just don't get to be in the contests that month. (And I probably should be in either because I've already won two prizes in Schnibbles and a prize in JRS).  Not the end of the world, not even a big deal.  Except I hate to have committed to something (even in my mind) and not follow through.  But, it really remains to be seen if I do finish.  Because things like, oh, maybe packing for the big trip, definitely have to take precedence!  Stay tuned!

An unexpected day off /JRS #11 and Schnibbles!

I got a 7am phone call this morning from my boss - of course my stomach immediately fell as I thought, oh no, who died (even though our families are friendly, he doesn't generally give me good morning wake-up calls!).  Luckily, the first thing he said was "nobody died."  Then he said "the good news is you don't have to go into work today."  Since it was only a blown transformer (meaning we'll have no a/c, servers, phones, or lights all day) and nothing bad happened to the building, it's a bonus day off for me!  So, I'm declaring this Quilting Day at Denise's house!  Wish you could join me o:)

So, I thought I'd take the time to get a little blogging in.  Here's is the next to last Jelly  Roll Sampler block - number 11.  One more to go.  When it's finished, I think I'm going to donate this very colorful quilt to one of the children's charities.

I have to say something about the jelly roll I used for this quilt.  Last year I made these as Christmas gifts...

I was a fabric basket-making fool for a couple of months last Fall.  They were fun, but I was basketed-out by the time I was finished-LOL!  I decided I wasn't going to spend the money to purchase the "good" Jelly Rolls for these, but I found the chain craft stores carried generic jelly rolls and with your 40 or 50% off coupons, I could get them for about $6.  Sweet!  So, I stocked up.  Now, they were fine for basket making, but as I found out when making this quilt, they are not all cut precisely at 2-1/2", not even in one strip.  I was wondering why some of my JRS blocks weren't coming out right.  I've been piecing for more than 16 years, I am a fairly good piecer, not perfect, but I know I'm not THAT bad!  I finally decided to measure the strips and, my oh my, quality control is really missing there!  I have a few of those jelly rolls left over and I think I'll just keep them for basket making!  Or, I guess I could cut them down to 1.5" strips.  Anyway, just a warning!

I also finished my Joy Luck, the July "A Year of Schnibbles", quilt.  Not very creative of me and it looks just like the cover...

since I used the same fabric.  I really liked the original, so decided to be a lemming again and just follow along o:) since I had a FQ bundle of Verna.  So, I just cut my own charm squares.  Now, originally, I was planning on using just two different Asian prints from stash along with a background, but when I pulled out what I had, I wasn't feeling it.  Since I didn't want to buy new fabric, I just decided to go ahead with the Verna.  And I'm glad I did!  I'm still deciding how I want to quilt it.  I'd like to do some sort of Asian design, but I'm not sure what that is yet!  I've got to get some backing for this and I think I'm going to do a Kona solid for the binding.  Maybe a hot pink.

Now, I'm off to quilt for the day - - Yippee!!!

I'm a Charming Girl!

I was thrilled to find that Kelly of Cotton Charm Quilts was opening up membership in

I had learned of The Charming Girls Club  a few months ago and eagerly read all of the members' updates.  It was fun and I wanted to be a "Charming Girl", but membership was closed and I had to be content to just be on the outside looking in.  But I knew I was a Charming Girl at heart and when I read that the club was opened to new members for its second year, I jumped!  I commented on Kelly's post and asked to join and she said yes!  I can now proudly display the button on blog.

This year, Kelly made a few changes to the club.  Not only will we post our quilting goals, but some life goals as well!  I like that.  There are things that I've been wanting to do, meaning to do and should be doing that are not quilt related and this will help me be somewhat more accountable.

Each month will have a different theme.  This month's theme is

So, here are my self-care and quilting goals for the month:

1.  I've been trying to be better about exercise.  I feel better when I do it and at my age, I really need it!
And, since I sit at a desk all day, I get just about no exercise if I don't really make an effort.  The problem is it is a time-sucker!  And I so hate to waste good quilting time.  But, it is necessary for my health so I can quilt for many years to come (and also so I can wear more than the 5 pairs of stretch pant in my closet that fit!). So, my goal is to do weight training 3 days a week and at least two days of aerobic exercise.  I have no excuse, I have a treadmill, weights, a step, videos, bands, etc. at home.  I just need to get my butt out of bed in the mornings and do it!!

2.  Along with the exercise, a good diet is also key.  I don't have too much trouble with that - I'd say that I've been able to overhaul my diet over the years to be about 75% healthy/25% really yummy.  Fortunately, I love fruits and veggies.  I've pretty much got breakfast and lunch down - but dinner can be a downfall.  I eat lots of whole grains cereals, greens, no soda, chips or snacky type foods for the most part.  My big problem is portion control. I can eat a lot of food. And, I hate to be hungry.  I also have a love affair with pasta and rice.  I am trying to learn to love whole-grain pasta and brown rice.  So, I'll be watching even more carefully what I eat this month.

3. A big quilty goal is to finish my Lady Madonna applique quilt.  It's huge, the biggest applique I've done and the pieces just need to be fused and then I can do the machine applique.  I like the machine applique part, but I'm procrastinating about getting the fusing done.  If I don't make myself do it, it will just keep getting put on the back burner.  So, I'm putting it out there so I'll have to hang my head in shame if I don't get it done!

4.  I've also decided to participate in A Year of Schnibbles for July - I've just ordered my Joy Luck pattern and will get that done (Schnibbles are so fun and quick, I don't think that will be a problem).

[photo courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop]

Thanks, Kelly, for letting me be charming!