December 24, 2011

Attitude Adjustment and a Merry Christmas

First, Merry Christmas everyone!  My holiday has been very quiet and peaceful.  I have to say I'm feeling much, much better since my last blog post.  It's amazing what a couple of days off and sewing will do for your psyche.  Since I finally had time for myself, what did I do?  I went to the quilt store of course!  While I was cruising through, I found this wonderful tool.  If you ever want a quick gift, this pattern called Lil' Twister is the answer!


I literally put this together in a couple of days.  You sew 24 5" charm squares together and add a 3" border.  You then cut it apart using the tool in the pattern.  I used the one for 5" charm squares but they make one for 10" squares as well.  The small one is about the size of a small table topper or large doll quilt.

This is what I started with (I used Dilly Dally by Me and My Sister Designs):

Using the tool to cut them apart:

After the cutting and putting it back together - awesome pinwheels!


It turned out so cute, I might have to make a couple.  I still need to sew them together but you get the picture.  :-)

I hope everyone has a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Talk to you soon,

Tracey

December 18, 2011

AWOL


I know, I know, it's been almost a month.  But I have a really, really good excuse - work.  It's been kicking my butt since July.  But two weeks ago, our owner fired our coach and then, in the next breath, announced he was selling the team.  Our new owner was approved this past Wednesday and was in the office for an all staff meeting on Friday.  On top of that, we haven't been winning very many games and because of the losing season, I've been working overtime and it's about worn me out.  Our last game is January 1st and then it's finally off-season.  This work thing sure puts a crimp in my Christmas celebrating.  I'm not done shopping, I didn't send out any cards, I barely got my tree up, my blood pressure is up and now my migraines are kicking in.  Life is great!  My vacation can't come soon enough.

I hope to get back to some serious sewing in January.  I'm starting a commissioned baby quilt for my friend who's baby is due in March.  She picked out some seriously wonderful fabric and I'm itching to get started.

Ok, that about covers it.  I'll be back soon when I have some time off.

Talk to you soon,

Tracey

November 26, 2011

A Christmas Table Topper

I took my last Crazy Eight table topper class last Thursday and finished the top.  And, again, I forgot to take pictures of my class.  It was so much fun!  We laughed and laughed and some great stories were told.

Anyway, here's a picture of my topper.  It was fairly easy but the hardest part was putting it together.  It's like a puzzle.
I still have to sew up the little opening.  I'm trying to decide if I want to put some sort of batting in it in case someone wants to actually USE it on their table.  My DH thinks I should.  However, this pattern is the flip inside out kind.  I'd have to cut a piece of batting 30 x 30 and somehow work it in and then tack it all down so it won't move.  Hmmmmm.

I also finished some pillow cases for my Legal Secretaries' Christmas Dinner on the 1st.  We're having a little exchange and I thought pillow cases are easy enough.  I made them with the same fabric but one case got a polka dot border and one got the flower border.  No rules, right?
Speaking of Christmas, I bought the book Fast & Furious by Gudrun Erla a few months back.  Gudrun has a blog and she designs very easy quilts and table toppers using the quilt as you go method.
I decided I would try her Christmas ornaments out of the book.  VERY easy!  These are just test ornaments.  I just used scraps so I could see how easy it is to put them together.  I'm not done but here's what I threw together.

I'm off to shop at my local quilt shop today.  It's Small Business Saturday so be sure and visit your own small businesses.  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

See ya soon,

Tracey

November 15, 2011

Indianapolis/Football


I had a great time in Indianapolis over the weekend.  The team traveled there to play the Colts and not only did we win, the weather was warm!  Can you believe it?  The Midwest in November?  We stayed at the JW Marriott and it was wonderful!  Since it was 60 degrees, I decided to take a walk before we headed to the stadium.  This is the view from the walkway across the street.  It's actually White River State Park.  You can see on the bottom of the sign the before and after pictures.  I was amazed. 


We had GREAT seats (insert sarcasm here).  :-)  But it was still fun and the people around us were very good sports.  I LOVE the midwest.   


I was lucky enough to be able to go onfield for pre-game.  What a beautiful site!


I took more pictures but they're on my camera so they will be on another post. 

My final table topper quilt class is Thursday and I need to get on it and finish my strips before then!  I promise to take pictures at this class. 

November 12, 2011

The Fair

The Fair has been in town for the last couple of weeks.  Since it's pretty much in the parking lot of the stadium, my friend, Sandy, and I were able to sneak over yesterday and take a peek at the animals.  LOVE the animals.

The piglets - so cute!!

The white doves - it's nap time.


And of course, the VERY curious goose.  Notice he's got his foot in his food bowl.

November 11, 2011

Veterans

http://wordplay.hubpages.com/hub/veterans-day-clip-art
To those who serve and who have served, thank you for your sacrifice.

I'm Still Here

I'm still here and I've actually been sewing.  Can you believe it?  I just don't have a lot of pictures to show for it.  I'm working on finishing the binding on these.  Almost done with one, two more to go. 


Had a GREAT time at my Crazy Eight Table Topper (by Jae's Attic) class at my local quilt shop, Cinnamon's, last night.  There were about 17 of us, but wouldn't you know, I was so busy talking, sewing and eating, I didn't get any pictures.  I did manage to get all but 2 of my strip sets sewn together.  Next week we sew the top so I have homework to do this week.
Headed to Indianapolis with the team this weekend, so no sewing until next week.  I'll update you when I get back.  Fingers crossed we win! 

October 23, 2011

My Friend

My friend, Teresa, had a birthday on Friday.  This is her birthday card.  Happy Birthday T!  I hope you're enjoying your weekend.  Rest up, Monday Night Football tomorrow night.  

October 22, 2011

Winner!

Congratulations to ChasinRainbows2 who is the winner of the MyMemories software!  I'll email you with your download code.  Be sure and check out her blog.  She's an awesome polymer clay artist!

Thank you so much for leaving a comment!

I've been trying to get some table runners done in time for Halloween.  Here is one I started quilting today.  I used Bonnie Hunter's Strip Twist pattern, it's free on her site.   Thanks Bonnie!

I've traced little ghosts in the border.  Can you see?


The one below actually has a purple border with spider webs!  I love it!

One of these is going to my friend who is a 2nd grade teacher.  I really, really need to get on it!

Have a great weekend and I'll update you with final photos.

Don't Forget

I'll be picking a winner for the MyMemories Digital Scrapbooking Software today.  Be sure and leave a comment!

October 15, 2011

My Memories and a Giveaway!



I received an email from the MyMemories folks about hosting a giveaway for their digital scrapbooking software.  I know, I usually just quilt but really, don't we all wear many hats when it comes to creativity?

I was pretty excited about getting started.  The program was super easy to use.  It lets you choose from already created templates or you can make your own.  (There are also many, many more templates and paper backs to choose from on the MyMemories site that are free or for sale.)

After you choose your album template, just drag and drop your photos onto the album pages.  Here are a couple I created in less than five minutes.  Seriously, it took me longer to choose my pictures than to put the pages together.   I think it would be great if, instead of printing out on paper, print the album pages on fabric and make a photo quilt!!  How cool would that be??  I think I might have to try that.


Photos by Daniel B. Van Slyke, Jr.
The only negative I found was the download process.  It took more than a half hour to download and I'm working on a fairly new iMac.  After the download though, it was easy.

Ok!  If you would like to win a copy of the MyMemories software, leave me a comment about which album template is your favorite from their site and I'll pick a winner on Saturday, October 22nd.   Additionally, the My Memories folks are graciously offering a $10 discount if you would like to purchase the software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store.  Use promo code:  STMMMS41959.

Make sure if you leave me a comment that your email is visible so I can contact you.  I don't want to leave anyone out.

Have a great weekend!



October 13, 2011

Welcome to the New Normal

I grew up my whole life in a town called Normal. I know, I know, I've heard all the jokes.  It's actually located in Central Illinois in the middle of the corn belt. My brothers and friends are still there. The Mitsubishi plant was built a couple of years before I moved to Florida. Check out the new commercial!


I'm very proud to have grown up there.

Apple

I meant to post this last week but time got away from me:

It was a sad week with the passing of Steve Jobs.  My husband said to me the other day, "People have no idea how much he changed our culture and way of living".  So true.  We are a Mac family.  My husband does all his photography on a Mac and I use it on a daily basis to download pictures, keep my financials, and I even use EQ7.  The quote from Steve that seems to be making the rounds on the internet is part of his 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech.  It does seem fitting:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

So true, so true.  Thank you for making our world a little better place.  Rest in Peace.

On a lighter note, keep a look out because I'll be having a giveaway! 

Have a great day!

September 25, 2011

New York - Well, Actually, New Jersey and a Quilt Show

We had a great time at the Jets game last weekend!  The fans were super nice, we had great seats, and the day couldn't have been nicer.  Unfortunately, the game was awful (for us anyway).  But we'll bounce  back. 

This is my friend, Teresa.  All of these years working together, we've never gotten to travel to the same away game.  I'm so happy we had the chance this year.  We also had a celebrity siting while we were there, Kelly Bensimon of the Real Housewives of New York.  I don't watch the show but Teresa was very excited!!



This weekend was Quilt Fest of Jacksonville.  I ran over on my lunch hour on Friday and then went back yesterday to look at all the fabulous quilts.  The quilt below won Best of Show for Hand Quilting.  The lady who won is a friend of my mother-in-law.
There were so many beautiful quilts!  Obviously, everyone else was as in awe as I was.
This quilt is the Tree of Life by Mark Sherman.  I couldn't stop looking at it.
The Blue Butterfly.  I loved how the quilter radiated the material and quilting out from the center.
Of course, you can't have a quilt show in September without a Halloween quilt.  This is Spooky Hollow made by Jean Kass.
I'm not sure what the name of this one is but the blocks were all cross-stitched.  Amazing amount of work!
Up close view of one of the blocks:
I'm off to finish breakfast.  My friends are coming in from Georgia next Thursday for our home game on Sunday.  Have a great weekend everyone!

September 22, 2011

Correction

Sorry, I said last week that Quilt Fest was Thursday through Sunday but it's actually Thursday through Saturday. 

September 17, 2011

QuiltFest Jacksonville


Next weekend is QuiltFest here in Jacksonville.  It starts Thursday and goes through Sunday.  I'm very excited because we have an away game that weekend so I will be free to roam.  If you're in the area, don't miss it!

I'm on my way out the door to catch a plane for East Rutherford, NJ for our game against the Jets tomorrow.   I'm really looking forward to some Fall weather.  It's supposed to be a high of 70 and low of 51 this weekend!  Yay!

Be back in a couple of days!  Have a great weekend.

September 10, 2011

P.S.

The table topper underneath the goodies in the previous post is one I'm in the process of making as a present.

Christmas in September

As promised, here are the wonderful things Bethany sent me in our Christmas fabric swap.  I love, love, love everything!
Check out the awesomely cute box that she used to pack the buttons and Christmas ribbon!  It's all hand made!
Can't wait to use these buttons on a table runner or tree skirt.
Another shot of the buttons.
Check out the candy fabric.  Love it!

Thanks Bethany!  I had a blast on this swap and it was really great meeting you.


September 8, 2011

I'm Here!


This will be a short post since I don't have many pics to show.  I took this one last night on our way home from dinner.  The weather has been beautiful!  It was in the 60's this morning, which compared to most mornings when it's about 80 at 7:00, it feels pretty darned good.

Work has been pretty busy.  Fred Taylor, our franchise's leading rusher, retired a Jaguar on September 2nd.  He was not only popular with the fans, he was very popular with Staff.  We wish you luck Freddy T.  On another work related note, we released our starting quarterback on Tuesday.  Our first regular season game is Sunday against the Tennessee Titans and Luke McCown will be starting. 

I got my wonderful Christmas fabric from Bethany at Sweet Bee Buzzings the other day!  I'm so excited.  I'll take pictures this weekend so you can see.  I can't wait to get started on some Christmas Table Toppers!  Thanks Bethany!

Ok, that's all for now.  Talk to you soon!

August 25, 2011

A Few Fun Blogs and Irene

When I agreed to do the Christmas Fabric Swap on Paula's Crafty Boutique, I had no idea I would meet such a wonderful blogger.  Let me introduce Bethany from Sweet Bee Buzzings.  I'm so excited to do the swap with her and I really, really hope she likes what I give her.  She's being interviewed on Suzy's Artsy-Craftsy Sitcom this week.  Please stop by all three blogs and have a peek.  

Oh, and on a weather related note, Irene is making her way up the Atlantic to the East of us.  They are forecasting gusty winds and rain even though she's about 200 miles offshore.  It's good, we need the rain.


What can I say, I'm a weather junkie!!  LOL!


August 23, 2011

That Time of Year

Yep, that's Hurricane Irene.  We haven't had a big storm hit Florida in a couple of years and hopefully, this one will pass us by.  It's pretty darn big.  As my husband calls it "another one of those bigger than Florida type storms". 

On another note, I can't believe there was an earthquake in Virginia today!  My niece said things were shaking, falling off desks and cracks were forming on the walls.  Yikes!!!  Happily, everyone is ok and safe. 

It's been pretty quiet on the sewing front.  I hemmed some curtains for a friend at work on Sunday and worked on my Christmas Table Topper but that's about it.  It was nice to get back to sewing, though.  I've been so busy at work I was afraid I'd never feel like sewing again.  Thank goodness things are slowing down and I could spend most of the day in my sewing room. 

Ok, I'm off to see what else is going to happen today.  Have a great day guys!

August 14, 2011

Christmas Swap



I'm participating in a Christmas fabric swap from Paula's Crafty Boutique.  I'm excited.  I wasn't sure I wanted to do this because of the new work schedule and all, but it's not making any blocks, just swapping fabric.  Hey, I can do that!  Thanks for the invite Paula.


August 7, 2011

Irish Chain Quilt

I finally finished my friend's quilt.  I hope she likes it and better yet, I hope her daughter likes it.  The pattern is from Eleanor Burns Quilt In A Day Irish Chain book.  It was very easy and very quick to put together.

Work has calmed down a bit.  I was able to be home for dinner a couple of nights last week and had the whole weekend off.  We have one more big push coming in September when we cut the roster down to 53 but I'm starting to get the hang of everything and although it will be busy, it won't be anywhere near what it was a week ago.  Everyone assures me that it will never be that bad again.  Oky doky.

I'm off to sew something so everyone have a great weekend!

 

July 30, 2011

That Was Only The Beginning

So, after my 4:00 am marathon on Monday, I had a 12 hour day on Tuesday and another 19 hour day on Wednesday.  But there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, thank god.  I got home today at 6.  Just in time to mow my yard that looks like a jungle.  Pretty fitting since the Jaguars are back to football.

As you can guess, no sewing this week or weekend.  Hopefully, next week I will have time to put the finishing touches on Bonita's quilt.

Off to have a glass of wine!  A well deserved one at that.

Night Everyone!

July 26, 2011

Back To Football

I have not been lazy or absent, just BUSY.  This is what I've been up to in the last 24 hours.


Jaguars agree to terms with 24 undrafted rookies



Worked until 4:00 a.m. this morning, slept for a couple of hours and then worked until 8pm.  I'm too old for this!  LOL!  Anyway, it's been seriously challenging.   I'll be glad when things get back to a little bit of normal.

Off to bed!  Have a great week!

July 16, 2011

Sneak Peek

Got the quilt back from Joanie and as usual, she did an AWESOME job!  She quilted it with a flower pattern that's a perfect match.  I think you can see a little of it in the second picture.

I'm working on the binding now so you just get a little peek.   The backing fabric and inside chain is Pretty Bird by Pillow & Maxfield for Michael Miller.  Here's the back:

And, the front (just a little bit):

More pics when I'm done with the binding.  Night everyone!