I MET RUTH!

Hi, Everyone!  I have to tell you that I met the sweetest person last Saturday.  Ruth of Country Log Cabin.  She and her husband, DH (and yes, that's what I call/ed him) were traveling up the New Jersey turnpike on their way to visit family in New York.  With a little juggling, we agreed to meet at the James Fenimore Cooper rest stop on the Jersey turnpike.  I was so excited!  Then Ruth says, "Bring some of your projects, I would love to see them!"

The panic set in.  What should I bring?  Quickly cleaned out the car (I don't always bring everything in from my shopping trips, LOL) and started loading stuff.  By the time I was done, the whole back seat was covered and I wasn't sure I had brought enough!

I got to the rest stop early.  Ruth said they were driving a red truck with a white 5 wheel trailer.  I watched and watched and suddenly, there they were (kinda hard to miss).  Her vehicle was the only trailer hauled into the rest stop the whole time I was there!  There was no mistaking it!

After our initial meeting (I couldn't stop grinning), Ruth and I spent some time at my car looking over my stuff.  I had so much, LOL!  Then we went to her trailer.  I can't tell you how marvelous it is.  So compact yet so much room!  And she has a whole little quilting area all mapped out - sewing machine, cutting table and all!  One of her quilts graces the bed and it is absolutely gorgeous!  Then there are the other little touches, her own table runner, Love's Texas wall hanging, her grandchildren's artwork and the little stitchery of Texas bluebonnets I sent her!  A true home away from home.

DH, Ruth and I had lunch and gabbed about all sorts of things.  All too soon the time was gone.  So we took a couple of pictures and said our goodbyes!

Ruth, I can't thank you enough for this opportunity.  It was the highlight of my Labor Day weekend!  And, to all my other blogging buddies out there, if you are ever in my vicinity, let me know!

Love from Liri

Back Again!

Hello!  Lovely to see you again!  Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments and warm welcome back.  I must confess though, that I am much like Ruth.  Four AM seems to be wake up time for me.  The eyes just pop open, LOL!  And, like Ruth, I am also ready for bed around 9:00 PM.  I think it may have something to do with the season and body rhythms.  It also seems that I don't need as much sleep as I used to-or something like that. 

I promised you more pictures of completed projects, so here goes.  Do you remember this bag?  Something I picked up at a flea market that was originally a JoAnne's kit?

Well, I liked it so much, I kept the pattern and directions and reapplied them.  If you remember, many years ago all the fabric shops were selling printed pillow panels for 14 inch pillows.  They were so pretty and I, of course, picked up quite a few of them when I found them on sale.  Couldn't resist, you know?  (Of course you do, LOL!)  Since I am not really a throw pillow type, the panels went into my stash until I could find an alternative use for them.  This little bag pattern was the perfect alternative use.  Here's what I made.  The front and back on the first one were different.  I sandwiched the panels and quilted along the lines of the design to give it depth and texture.  I don't think it showed up well in the photos though.

This is a view of the side.  There was enough of the design to cut the bottom and sides.  Worked out quite nicely.

Here is another.  Both sides were the same on this one and the next..

 Side view.

 And the last-so far.

 Side panel.

I still have some panels left but no fabric that will work for the linings yet.  (Yes, the bags are fully lined inside.)  The actual size depends on the size of the front panels, but the side panels are cut at 4-1/2 inches wide.  If anyone is interested, I would be more than happy to share the pattern and instructions with you.  Once you get the hang of putting these little bags together, you can adjust the directions to just about any size you wish.  They were fun to make and I will use them as gifts, IF I can bear to part with them, LOL.

Love from Liri

HI, I'M STILL HERE!

Yes, still here, just not HERE!  Things have been a little tough since going back to work.  The adjustment has been a bit difficult because as much as I already knew what I was doing, I did not anticipate all the writing.  This company wants everything put down on paper and it has been exhausting.  Sometimes, once I get home, all I can manage is dinner.  All the summer heat doesn't help either 'cause I don't handle heat and humidity well.  It drains my energy.  Much of my time has been spent trying to figure out how to work in some machine time.  I never stopped the handwork, but that has slowed too.  It is hard to stitch when your eyes are closing of their own accord, LOL. 

But I have solved this little dilemma and quite simply.  I just get up an hour earlier for work-at 4:00 instead of 5:00.  I am really at my best in the morning.  I am usually ready to leave my house at 6:00 (breakfasted, dressed, etc.), so I spend the last hour sewing.  One hour every morning equals 5 hours by Friday.  Saturday and Sunday are spent in finishing and preparation for the next week.  Don't know why I didn't figure this out earlier!  It's been working out really well! 

So, here are some finishes.  I have alot of pictures of handwork and other sewing projects so I will have to split this post up.  So, let's start with the handwork.

I am sure you remember this one.  Started it in one corner many years ago and it is finally finshed.  I have a number of other large crewel projects to finish but will probably not start on any more until the weather cools because they are worked in wool thread.  It measures 20" by 18".

This next one was picked up at a flea market.  It was about 3/4 done and all the threads and instructions were with it.  It is a Jacobean design, a favored subject for me.  The kit was for a 14 x14 pillow so it will fit in with the other pillow tops I have.

Here is a really tiny one worked in thread.  It measures 6"x5".  The colors and stitches were my choice.

I don't know if you remember the Poodle transfers but I finally got those finished.  They are intended for a purple/pink quilt for my niece's little girl.  I think they turned out rather cute and I see them as pictures in a frame.  I am still mulling over the settings.

Ok, so that finishes up the handwork.  Next post I will show you a few smaller sewing projects. 

Love from Liri

HAPPY SNOOPY DANCE!

I'm doing the Happy Snoopy Dance because it finally happened!  As of February 27, 2012, I became a full-time employee of ARAMARK (yes, that's how they spell it all the time)!  I am still doing the same work I did as a temp but with all the benefits and compensations of full-time employment.  I still love the job and the people and they still love me!

Liri

TIME FOR AN UPDATE

Hi all!  I know this is a late post but better late than never, LOL!  My progress so far:

Rita's Water Ice is quilted.  I have to trim and bind.  I have some white-on-white fabric but I am vascillating between binding the quilt or doing the shams.  I don't have enough fabric to do both and need to make a run to JoAnnes.  Finishing the quilt may take priority.  That way I can label the back and then work on quilting the shams.

To Ann (A Good Yarn):  Since I only mostly do stitch-in-the-ditch quilting, the "mess" in the last post identified as Rita's Water Ice was in quilting process.  I have a heavy machine that sits in the middle of a 6 foot long table.  I roll the sides of the quilt and pass it back and forth through the machine.  It involves having to swing the whole quilt around when time for another pass.  The quilts are usually larger than the table and have to be folded to support the weight.  It would be so nice to have the room to spread everything without folding, but one works with what one has!

The borders for Patriotic Denim are complete but I can't attach them until I am finished with Rita.  One more narrow denim border still needs to be added and then I can bast and quilt.  I don't think this will be too much of a problem because there will be no batting in this quilt.  Too much weight!  I still need to put the shams together which will involve making more blocks.

This is my progress on the handwork piece:

Still have a little more than half to complete, but most of the real heavy needlework is done.

I made this little carryall bag in summer during my "finishing" phase.  I've gotten so many compliments I've decided to make some more.

The pattern was so simple and easy to make.  I am sure you have seen printed panels for pillows at the fabric shops.  Those panels are just the right size for the front of the bags.  A little quilting and a little cutting is all it takes.  The one I am working on now is still in pieces, so I will have pictures in the next post.  Maybe more than one!

Remember this little guy? 

I stitched this lion so long ago, I think I was in my late teens or early 20's.  Someone saw it on my blog and made an offer.  Turns out that someone has the mate!  Different pose with a purple mane but definitely the same lion.  The two belong together, so I accepted the offer.  Never, ever considered anyone would want to purchase my needlework!  Do I get a feather for my cap?  LOL!

Last, I am making another dress for Autumn. Not because she needs it but because I had the perfect pattern and the perfect fabric and I just couldn't help myself. A picture of the completed dress will be forthcoming.


That's all for now!  Ta ta!

Love from Liri

BEST LAID PLANS FOR JANUARY, 2012

These are the projects I would like to get finished this month. 

1.  Patriotic Denim

The middle has been done for awhile, but I have been struggling with the borders.  Here it is on my design wall:

I have two more border units to make because I took two out to use in the shams.  The shams have not yet been started.  This will not be quilted with batting due to weight.  I have the backing.  It is for my nephew.

2.  Rita's Water Ice

This mess is Rita's Water Ice.  It is 1/3 quilted (all the verticals are done).  The horizontals and the diagonals need to be finished.  I think I have binding but it is not yet cut.  The shams are done but not quilted.  This is for one of my sisters.

This is what the top looks like in case you forgot.

3.  Handwork

This kit is at least 30 years old.  One small corner was finished and then I put it aside.  I pulled this out before Christmas and started working on it again.  Not sure this will get finished this month because it is so heavily embroidered.  Here is as it stands now.

This is what it will look like when completed.  The picture on the package was taken in reverse.

So, there you have my January projects.  I want to finish all three but I am itching to start some new ones.  So I am thinking I may start the new ones as leaders/enders. 

What say you, Katie?  Will this do?

Love from Liri

2011 FINISHES

It seems everyone is showing a list of finishes for 2011 so I figured I would join in and bring you up-to-date on what was finished during my blogging absence.
Finished Quilts

Koala Redwork – Quilted, sham finished and delivered to My Dear Luis’ little boy. He didn’t seem to be impressed, but Mom and Dad loved it. They now have three of my quilts – Tessellated Wedding, Pink Ladies and Koala Redwork.

Pinwheel Parade – Quilted, sham finished and delivered to my nieces’ little boy. He loved it! Seems he has been on a black/white/red kick lately. He wanted to paint his room black, but Mom turned him down, LOL. Now they can work around the quilt!

Summer Breezes – Quilted, sham finished and delivered to my Aunt Sis. It made her cry! She loved the quilt and found it hard to believe that I made it specifically for her. She has an efficiency apartment in an assisted living facility and is very particular about her room. Now I have to make sure that she actually uses the quilt and doesn’t put it away for a “Special Day”. That’s something my Grandmother always did and it drove me crazy. I told her she had to use it, if only for a bedspread, because every day is a “Special Day”. She is in her early 80’s.

Here are two pieces of handwork that I finished. Remember, I don’t do needlepoint? These look like needlepoint but are actually counted cross stitch. I picked up both these pieces as kits at my local thrift store for $1.00 each. They have been getting a lot of these in, so I have several stashed for the future (as if I needed any more, LOL).

Finally I have a picture of Autumn and Mara in their Easter dresses.  Sorry, I never did get one of Kayla.

I am still working on my list of WIP’s (works in progress) or UFO’s (as everyone else knows them). I am going to try and match Katie May for finishes this year. She is signed up with Judy Laquidara of Patchwork Times. I am going to fly on her coattails, LOL.

Love from Liri

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To all my blogging buddies and friends, my wish for all of you this New Year!

May there always be work for your hands to do.

May your purse always hold a coin or two.

May the sun always shine on your windowpane.

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you.

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

 

This is an old Irish blessing and it just so fits!

 

Love from Liri