New projects and swaps and quilting bees for 2010

I've gotten myself into several new projects. Of course, I can't help buying fabric for every Moda Bake Shop recipe and every new idea that comes across in Quilting BlogLand....
But I did finish my January block for Katie and got it mailed.

Then I started my N cross stitch for the Prairie Schooler ABC Sampler...very slow start!

And I did the Pink Green No Sew SWAP with Kathleen. It was fun. Hope the girls will enjoy the fabrics I chose. I love fabrics and always am looking for the latest and greatest. My IKEA shelves are filled and I have boxes of more projects. But at least I know where the fabrics are and what project they were bought for....now to sew!

2010 The Year of the House

I hope I have been doing something since I last posted. Oh yea, I have!

I decorated my living room and got organized--somewhat! I reclaimed my bathroom from being misused.
I made plans for finishing the hallway, the laundry room has a new plan in the works as does the remodel of the back bath. Looks like a busy spring!

I went to London to visit my daughter/son-in-law. What a great trip! I took my son and we had a wonderful time. They showed us everything....and we walked and walked and walked.

I have many quilting projects in the lineup and even a return to a cross-stich SAL.
I joined a virtual bee and a few swaps. A great way to get motivated!

I am still waiting on Cynthia Circle, but this year looks promising to finish some long awaited projects and even do that addition. And to actually take time to do some crafty, quilty projects and even finish some WIPs.

This is it! 2010....let's get started!

New Bernina

Let's hope this one is for real and it ships in a timely manner. My friend loves hers and I just want a great PIECING machine. I'll keep you updated on this latest ebay adventure.

What we've been up to this fall!

Here are some pictures of my favorite place to be on Cynthia Circle right now.. When I get that new kitchen, that will be my favorite place--but this wins now. The sewing room in my son's old bedroom with a new coat of paint and some Anna Maria Horner fabric. The Gracie has found home in the garage. It took all summer, but we finally made room for it AND one car.

Me and My Gracie

I have been busy getting my sewing and quilting space ready for some real crafting.
It makes me feel better. I found a LGII (for non-quilters a quilting frame) a year ago last Christmas. My husband drove over a hundred miles to get it for me from a quilter who was upgrading her systems...and I mean systems. It sat in my husband's office for a year. I tried using it but it was too cozy in there. Then my MIL came to live in there, so it went to the storage unit. I found a JUKI on a message board so now my quilting plan is coming into view. We put in two shop lights over the frame plus a floor heater to keep my toes warm out here in the garage. My sewing room is looking fun and a great place to sew.
I took some pictures so they are coming soon.
The weather has turned cool and the leaves changes colors this week. I love fall! The days are nice and the mornings are cool; you get to wear sweaters and Sooner Red!

Beware!

I thought I had "won" a Bernina 801 on ebay--to find out that after she took my money she never shipped the sewing machine. After a month I decided to chat with ebay about it and they sent me to paypal...Always Pay with PayPal. Paypal was GREAT!
They let me file a claim and after 10 days with no response from the seller, they refunded my money...but I still wanted that machine. I am on the hunt again. My friend loves hers for piecing and I want one.
I have got a JUKI 98QE and got it on my Little Gracie II in the garage. A wonderful experience with a quilter in California who was selling hers. It was a quick exchange, easy setup in the garage (my new studio space) and I have even loaded a quilt to practice on. I have a sewing room, pretty and ready for piecing and fun, and a new quilting setup in the garage. All is well.
I love love love my new sewing room. My husband was wonderful, helping with the painting and new texture, put together an IKEA dresser I got off craiglist, helping me unpack all the fabric I have collected the past few years. I can now be at peace when I am sewing and I can actually FIND everything I need for a project..and I have plenty of projects. I put up pictures and moved in my upholstered chair/ottoman. I am ready to craft, as my husband says.
On the house front--my architect came and did some measuring. Hope that means he is working on drawings. I think I might look up my old buddy from PVHS to help me figure out the costs for this remodel and even hire him to do some of the contract work.

Yes, my MIL is still with us...see other blog for more on that..I try to keep those two lives separate. hehehehe!
Pictures to follow.

A great weekend

I got a chance to get away and play with my friends. My quilting buddy invited me to her family's cabin for some "me" time. So we quilted and laughed and had a great time.
I pieced a hedgerow quilt out of Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks to hang on my sewing room wall. It will be the first one that I actually piece and then quilt on my LGrace II. I have decided to purchase a Juki TL98Q for the quilt frame I got a year ago. Slow moving --but always moving.
Oh, I "won" a Bernina 801 on ebay. It ships next week. My friend has one and I love love love it when she sews during our quilt weekends. I hope it pieces my quilts with a perfect 1/4 inch. Wouldn't that be great!
Oh, we are getting a water well. The guy comes tomorrow to tell us how much, when and where. I think it will make the lawn green for free and that will make my neighbors happy.
Off to a quilt class tomorrow. The class description said, "set, slash and sew"--my kind of quilt.
Short weeks make me happy!