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

Here I Am!

Hi All!
Bet you thought I dropped off the face of the earth, huh? For a while there, so did I. After I finished the quilt sandwich tutorial, I sort of lost my quilting mojo. Felt like I was out in limbo somewhere. The desire was there but the motivation was missing. I think Flit took off , too! She probably couldn’t stand me.  She's back now and I missed her!

In June, I re-signed with the temp agency I worked for when I got my last job (which lasted for nine years), but things were so slow through the summer I didn’t actually go back to work until the beginning of August. I think that period between June and August was when the funk really hit. I lost interest in everything, not just the quilting. Now that I am putting it on paper, this sounds a great deal like depression, doesn’t it? Funny, but it never struck me that way when I was in the middle of it.

But I knew if I stuck it out, the right job would find me (or vice versa)--and it did! I have been working as a temp for Aramark since mid-August and it has been a “hand-in-glove” fit since the first day. They needed my talents and skills and I needed the freedom to exercise them. I love the job and the people and things are in the works to make it permanent.

It hasn’t been easy. Things were really hard when I first started. I came home at night exhausted and everything hurt, especially my back. Pretty much all I was doing was making dinner, taking ibuprofen and vegging on the sofa. Felt like I had been run over by a Mack truck. But things are much better now and they still love me, LOL.

Well, that sorta brings you all up-to-date on the mental situation. I have completed some projects and I will tell you about them in my next post. It feels really good to be back!

Love from Liri