Charming Girls August Christmas Sewing Party & Self Care Goal Report

 

This afternoon I was home alone!  I have "almost" finished my August Christmas Sew In Project. All that is left is to hand sew the binding and the label.  As far as I know now there are no more wedding in the near future that will require a  special wedding gift.  

I had run out of the multi color thread I was using for the machine quilting.  After searching Walmart and the internet,  I found it on Hancock Fabric's website.  I ordered it hoping it would arrive soon!!!!  This afternoon  I stopped at a local little variety store where they carry some thread, some fabric, and some craft items.  Thereit was--I bought both spools they had in stock.  Came home and finished the quilting and sewing on the binding.  Both daughters in law have been looking at the tree skirts to decide what color scheme and pattern they would like.

The reason I'm home alone is the DH had the chance to go the the BIG Farm Progress Show at Boone, Iowa.  DS-1 needed to go as part of his job at Tractor Central-the large John Deere dealerships in Northern & West Central Wisconsin. 

 So after attending a funeral this morning and looking for the thread. I also stopped at the local Curves and rejoined.  I belonged a couple of years ago--I like the work out.  When we were still milking cows I would come home from school and head to the barn.    As much as I enjoy having the dairy cows gone.  I did lose the two hours of physical work/ exercise that I had each night.  So starting Thursday night--I will go up at least three times a week.  Hopefully, I will lose weight, lose inches, and feel better!!

 

 Charming Girls Goal Report!

1.  Take time for myself.   I didn't do real well on this--but I am making progress.  I have continued my reading and studying of Beth Moore's "Breaking Free."  You could follow that journey on my Faith and Friends blog.

2.  Walk or other exercise at least three times a week-   I didn't do very well with this goal.  My joining Curves will take care of this!!

3.  Eat more nutritiously and not let my frustrations or stress control my eating habits.This I have worked on!  It must be working--my clothes are fitting better.  My Beth Moore study is helping with my frustrations and stress. 

Needs to be accomplished: 

1. Complete the wedding gifts for Dawn & Jason, and Becky & Travis.  Dawn & Jason's was given to them.  Today I have finished all the machine work on Becky & Travis'.

2.  Spend time preparing my stories/ object lessons for VBS.  It was a great week.  Lots of hours of prep--but was good!

3.   Work on cleaning out cupboards upstairs to use for my sewing/quilting  I didn't get to do this--I had the grandkids more than I expected--but I did love the time the kids were with me!

School starts for the Students in the morning!  I guess I am ready.

Update on Christmas In August Sewing Party!

I didn't finish the tree skirt--But!! I did make great progress.  It is all together and I almost finished the machine quilting. All that is left is where you see the pins.  I need to pick up more multi-colored thread to finish the quilting.  The binding is sewn together ready to be added as soon as I finish the quilting. 

I listened/ watched the "Christmas Box" while I was basting the top and then listened to Michael W. Smith's "Christmas Time" CD while I was quilting.

 Tomorrow our grandson, Cole is being dedicated at church.  We were invited over to DS-1's house tonight for pizza to see DIL-1's two sets of grandparents and her parents who are here for the dedication.   I decided that took priority over more sewing!

I'm anxious to see the projects you worked on during our Virtual Sewing Party!

My Own Friday Night Sew-In!

I was determined to finish my Amy's BOM squares in April. I made a quick trip after school to the closest Quilt Shop to purchase the Tri- Recs and Companion rulers. Amy had offered to let me borrow her's. But, when I saw the May squares I decided I wanted to add them to my ruler collection. I cut out the fabric-- and was on a roll . Finished these two with no problem. I must have been feeling to sure of myself--I did something WRONG with the Pennsylvania Parade. I have ripped--and I think it will be better to recut a few pieces and start over.
After a couple of weeks away from quilting--It was great to be back. I don't begin to accomplish what other quilters do--But I feel good about what I do!

Friday Night Sew-In

Tonight's the night! DH will be watching NCAA basketball--I will be relaxing at the sewing machine unwinding from the week. To join in you will find more information at Homemade By Heidi. So far 143 are signed in!

Mary, Did you know?

This is the 28th year I have set out this Nativity Set. I purchased it the year our four year old son was killed in a farming accident on our farm. It is one way we have for Travis to be a part of our Christmas. It makes the season a little easier. As Christmas gets closer I will share other things we do in his memory.

I have been listening to Christmas Music as I set up my Nativity Scene. This is one of my very favorite Christmas songs. The title link is sung by Clay Aiken with scenes from The Passion. The second link is Mark Lowry singing. His version always sends chills while I listen to it. How thankful I am that Christ was sent at Christmas for each of us!

Mary did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am

Oh Mary did you know?

Linda

I finally finished something!

My projects are extremely small compared to quilt tops that most of you are doing--However, I am pleased to keep plugging along!

I have finished the Christmas Table runner that I started in a Community Ed. class the first of November. Due to combining, feeding the guys in the field and helping to move equipment from one field to another I missed the second week. I had wanted to learn new methods of quilting the finished product. Each class I take--I learn more and find out there is so much more I need learn.

We celebrated Granddaughter Kasey's second birthday Saturday evening. In attendance were 3 great grandma's and 1 great grandpa in addition to the grandmas, papas, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

I was disappointed that I hadn't been able to finish Kasey's Fuzzy Flowers in time for her birthday. I was short fabric to finish the sashing strips so I had do some ripping and changing of the plan.
I am changing from having strips with setting posts around the outside to have a smaller border and a larger border. I started clipping some of the flowers this afternoon. That is going to take time.

I had allowed a sales clerk talk me into greens instead of blues when I purchased the fabric. After sewing the green on to the yellow squares I wasn't happy with it. So I took 16 squares apart and replaced them with the blues I found at Busy Bobbin. I really like it now!

We are heading down to our son, Chad's home tonight to cut up the two bucks that he and DH shot yesterday and today. I would rather stay here and work on Kasey's Fuzzy Flowers!

Take Care!

Linda

One more finished--and a question!

Next week I am attending an Orton-Gillingham Comprehensive Training in
Minneapolis for five days. I will be staying at a Holiday Inn in Bloomington. Now for my question--Would it be totally weird to take my sewing machine with me to work on projects at night? All I can think of is uninterrupted time to quilt!!!!!!!

What do you think?

Thank you! Happy Friday,

Linda
gpfarms@centurytel.net

I finished one more project! This is for me to use now! It is a purse tote. I found the pattern in a Fons and Porter mini mag which I received when I subscribed to their magazine. I made a few changes in it--But I like it. DH is going to cut a piece of something to give the bottom stiffness.

WIP's and UFO's

WIP--UFO--or also know as TOO MANY IDEAS!

I think those are the terms: WIP (Work in Progress) or UFO (Unfinished Objects)-
Yes-- I have a few of those too!
2 baby boy tops--one needs the binding , one needs the back and both need quilting
1 long table runner--needs the hand sewing on the binding-(Wildflower Serenade II fabric)
1 Christmas tote bag needs the lining sewn and put together-Figgy Christmas-Moda
1 Purse type bag needs the back and lining finished (Wildflower Serenade II)
2 Christmas table runners--need backs, batting, and binding (From my collection)
1 Christmas table runner--only needs to have the hand sewing finished (from stash)

Almost finished a Moda Pinwheel Baby quilt for Baby Schrankel due in July if its a girl!! (Emma Louise by Northcutt)
Need to start a quilt for Baby Schrankel if its a boy!!!

Quilt for Kasey when she moves to a bigger bed--(I have the fabric- Little Lady from Lakehouse Dry Goods )by Holly Holderman

Conner's Quilt:

Before my quilting class, I had purchased the fabric to make a quilt for Conner. I had tried cutting squares and a plan. After the class--I changed my pattern and sewed the quilt. It was a major learning experience with cutting, sewing, and discovering how to use my machine!

Two years ago I purchased a Janome Memory Craft 6500. It has several quilting stitches. I experimented with a variety of stitches. I found a quilting stitch that looks like tire tread to sew across the blocks. Using an applique stitch I sewed around the large machines in the panel. After it was finished and I looked it over I found layout problems. But I decided it was OK for my first independent project.
At least Conner loves it!

New Quilter:

My love of quilting officially started in January. I needed a stress reliever and always had wanted to learn to quilt. I had good intentions of learning from a book--after all I have sewn for years. Then I learned that the Shell Lake Community Education was offering a beginning quilter class being taught by a junior high teacher-Amy. There were 5 gals in the class quilting for the first time. We made a lap quilt designed by Amy. We each came away with a new confidence , wanting to learn more and five new friends! This is my almost finished quilt. I finished the binding and machine quilting after this pic.