Goal #1. Use 50 more yards than I buy (and simply rein in the buying a little, too!). I have a baby due in April and hope to get back to quilting quickly, but I will have three children 4 and under and don't know yet when/if the Assistant will be attending pre-school. I originally typed in 25 yards, but I wrote in my journal 50, so why not try? Along with this, I would like to finish a project before I go out and buy more fabric. That will slow me down a little (as will hauling 3 kids through a quilt shop - do you think they will shudder when they see me coming?).
Goal #2. Donate a charity quilt. I don't often have a quilt on hand to give away, but it seems every time I finish a quilt and say, "I don't know what I'm doing with it," God provides a need. I'm sure in the coming year we will find plenty of needs.
Goal #3. Use up a box of yuckies. I picked another box of fabrics I bought and don't love or just am sick of seeing. Those will go towards things such as: door draft stoppers, charity quilts, test samples, and other things that need fabric but don't necessarily have to be matchy-matchy. There is a yard of fabric in the box that DH picked out and I can't for the life of me figure out what to do with it. I want to use it or lose it this year!
Goal #4. Learn and execute a new quilting skill. I am leaning towards paper-piecing but don't know if I will be that brave.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
On the 6th Day of Christmas
my true love gave to me "six" axes broken, five crazy kids, forty acres, three haircuts by Assistant, two new-old cars, and a baby boy named Q. Elm does not split nicely, so DH has broken several axes this year. After renting a log-splitter, we are well supplied with wood to use in our fireplace for toasty evenings. Someday we will have a wood stove, and then DH will already be a pro at splitting wood. I bought him a great new ax for his Christmas present, and it even splits elm!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
On the 5th Day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me five crazy kids, forty acres, three haircuts by Assistant, two new-old cars, and a baby boy named Q. We have visited DH's family cabin several times, most recently with 5 children aged 4 and under. It was quite a wild time, and DH had some fabulous orange camo chaps for chopping wood. Did you even know they made orange camouflage chaps?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
On the 4th Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me four(ty) acres, three haircuts by Assistant, two old-new cars, and a baby boy named Q. Sorry, folks, for missing a day. Withe some friends, we are purchasing 40 acres to build houses and have some serious gardens... and pastures, and orchards, and woodlots. It's quite exciting.
Yesterday, the 3 haircuts by the Assistant, discussed how she has her own pair of scissors and has used them (and Mommy's) for some less than lovely haircuts. Can we say mullet, anyone?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Yesterday, the 3 haircuts by the Assistant, discussed how she has her own pair of scissors and has used them (and Mommy's) for some less than lovely haircuts. Can we say mullet, anyone?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Stash Report Week #52
I finished the patriotic quilt! Woohoo! Now to find a camera... Maybe one of my goals for 2010 should be to keep a camera hidden from the girls...
DH gave me some lovely blue star fabric along with the book "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day."
I threw away some fabric that neither I nor anybody else was every going to use.
IN this week: 3 1/4 yards
IN YTD: 179 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 14 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 257 yards
YTD Total: 77 1/2 yards OUT!!!
I'm really surprised that I've done this well, as last year I believe I ended 28 yards in the hole. If I bust this much fabric next year, there are going to be some empty boxes in the closet. In fact, a few years of this and I won't have a stash. Maybe I shouldn't try to bust 50 yards next year...
I am glad to be home from Christmas with the in-laws. It was the most difficult trip we've ever had, I think, and very hard on DH. I just tried to laugh and smile when I was supposed to. (But please don't tell my in-laws I said that. Do you hear that, BiL?) The girls really enjoyed seeing all the grandparents, and my BiL is getting married in six weeks to a lovely, lovely girl, and we made it to Christmas Eve Mass, so the important things were there.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
DH gave me some lovely blue star fabric along with the book "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day."
I threw away some fabric that neither I nor anybody else was every going to use.
IN this week: 3 1/4 yards
IN YTD: 179 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 14 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 257 yards
YTD Total: 77 1/2 yards OUT!!!
I'm really surprised that I've done this well, as last year I believe I ended 28 yards in the hole. If I bust this much fabric next year, there are going to be some empty boxes in the closet. In fact, a few years of this and I won't have a stash. Maybe I shouldn't try to bust 50 yards next year...
I am glad to be home from Christmas with the in-laws. It was the most difficult trip we've ever had, I think, and very hard on DH. I just tried to laugh and smile when I was supposed to. (But please don't tell my in-laws I said that. Do you hear that, BiL?) The girls really enjoyed seeing all the grandparents, and my BiL is getting married in six weeks to a lovely, lovely girl, and we made it to Christmas Eve Mass, so the important things were there.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
On the Second Day of Christmas
my true love gave to me two old-new cars and a baby boy named "Q." We sold our one truck for an OLD truck and a minivan (not quite as old, but old). Can't fit three car seats and mommy in the back of DH's truck, and how else am I supposed to keep all of them quiet? The Assistant named them, continuing a tradition that began when DH named my old Saturn (long gone) Freda, and in return for such a hideous name, I named his truck Garglesplat. Nice, huh?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
On the First Day of Christmas
my true love gave to me a baby boy named "Q." That just doesn't sound right, but as I post none of the other kids names on here, I won't be posting the expected one. Over the next two weeks, I'll be reposting bits of our Christmas letter to family and friends. Today, we were announcing the long-anticipated (by my DH, anyway) first boy. I was excited about the girls too, but I think it must be a man-thing to be so hung up on having your first boy. Ah, well.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
2009 Stash Goals in Review
While I have time (the girls are still asleep with DH, which never happens!), I thought I would review my goals for the year from Judy's Stash Buster Pledge. I wanted to:
Goal #1. Use 50 yards more than I bought. Check. Right now, I've more than meet my goal, and I doubt I will receive 15 yards of fabric over the next week.
Goal # 2. Use up a box of "yuckies" that were mostly smaller than 1/2 yard and none that I loved. I was able to do that with the above scrap quilt, as well as other small projects. There are a few lingering, but have been cut for an ongoing strip twist, so I think I can count this as completed.
Goal #3. Buy it only if I love it, and stop buying 1/4 and 1/2 yard pieces. I didn't do so well here. I did buy significantly more yardage this year, but still found myself buying lots of smaller pieces, many for the Assistant and others just because I wanted to buy a variety of fabric, and didn't have much money to spend. I was, however, more conscious of this fact and am still working on reducing my purchase of small pieces.
Goal #4. Make one charity quilt. I finished one of Judy's quilts and gave it to a former student having a baby. I also finished a scrap quilt and gave it to my sister for a friend who was giving her baby up for adoption. So, I met and surpassed this goal too. That's good - if I can't give to others in need, what's the point?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Goal #1. Use 50 yards more than I bought. Check. Right now, I've more than meet my goal, and I doubt I will receive 15 yards of fabric over the next week.
Goal # 2. Use up a box of "yuckies" that were mostly smaller than 1/2 yard and none that I loved. I was able to do that with the above scrap quilt, as well as other small projects. There are a few lingering, but have been cut for an ongoing strip twist, so I think I can count this as completed.
Goal #3. Buy it only if I love it, and stop buying 1/4 and 1/2 yard pieces. I didn't do so well here. I did buy significantly more yardage this year, but still found myself buying lots of smaller pieces, many for the Assistant and others just because I wanted to buy a variety of fabric, and didn't have much money to spend. I was, however, more conscious of this fact and am still working on reducing my purchase of small pieces.
Goal #4. Make one charity quilt. I finished one of Judy's quilts and gave it to a former student having a baby. I also finished a scrap quilt and gave it to my sister for a friend who was giving her baby up for adoption. So, I met and surpassed this goal too. That's good - if I can't give to others in need, what's the point?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Stash Report Week #51
What a week! Our neighbors' house burned Monday and I think that made the week twice as long. Thank God they all made it out safely!This week, I finished Q's quilt as well as a few Christmas presents. You can see some hats, a scarf, and a door draft stopper on top of Q's quilt. I made another two door draft stoppers, two fleece scarves, and worked on ripping out all the meandering I had done on the patriotic quilt. I just don't do meandering on my machine, apparently, but I didn't decide it was TOO bad until I had done TOO much. I will stick to straight-line machine quilting for a while longer.
T
he turquoise quilt is now a top awaiting pinning. Woohoo! It will be handquilted as it is for my DYoungerSister, and I want it to be lovely. First, though, I need to finish the Unbaby Quilt for my older DSister.The pink fleece pictures above as hats has to be accounted for as I failed to count it in when it arrived after Thanksgiving (it was my ONLINE Black Friday shopping). Therefore...
IN this week: 2 yards
IN YTD: 176 1/4 yards
OUT this week: 10 yards
OUT YTD: 243 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 66 1/2 yards OUT!
I have surpassed my goal by 16 1/2 yards. This will be a quiet week as we leave for Christmas holiday traveling on Tuesday and I don't want to take quilting with me. I'll take some crocheting instead, and maybe some knitting. I am not a great knitter but would like to improve!
Next week, I'll work on the Unbaby Quilt, maybe pin the turquoise top, and hopefully rip the last of the quilting from the RWB quilt. Other than that, it's time to get Christmas letters out and pack!
Check out all the other stash reports at Judy's place.
Have a blessed Christmas even if you don't celebrate Christian holidays - have a blessed day!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Just checking... Who's paying attention?
So last week or so, my older sister introduced my parents to my blog. Now everyone knows, I think. It's a good thing I only say nice things about my family anyhow!
Now, who in my family is reading? Some of them don't know yet that our land hunt was successful... we will be closing on 40 acres in the next month or so! We will be splitting the land with a family of friends, so really only 20 will be ours. I am looking forward to moving (but it will be a while). The Assistant will like the big pumpkin patch and things like that. Just no 50+ pounds of cucumbers (I hope) this year!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Now, who in my family is reading? Some of them don't know yet that our land hunt was successful... we will be closing on 40 acres in the next month or so! We will be splitting the land with a family of friends, so really only 20 will be ours. I am looking forward to moving (but it will be a while). The Assistant will like the big pumpkin patch and things like that. Just no 50+ pounds of cucumbers (I hope) this year!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Monday, December 14, 2009
the House is On Fire...
Not mine, thank God.
I woke this morning to a smoke-smelling bedroom. First I thought maybe one of our vaporizers bit the dust, but not bones. Then we looked outside and realized a house was on fire... our back neighbors, to be exact. DH ran over to make sure everyone made it out, then found them at our next door neighbor's in their PJs. He promptly made a phone call and found a few sets of clothes for the girls, then volunteered me to make breakfast.
Breakfast for 11 is a long process when you're used to cooking for 3 or 4. Lunch was easier because I have been freezing meals for when the baby is born... there are 3 less meals in the freezer, but I didn't have to run to the store to make them a meal. Tonight it will be chicken soup - I already have broth and cooked chicken in the freezer, and I like to make BIG batches of soup already. Thank God (sincerely) that I had already frozen some meals. Their roof is caved in, and I don't know what will happen next for them, but at least I can feed them!
Too bad I don't have any extra quilts to give too.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I woke this morning to a smoke-smelling bedroom. First I thought maybe one of our vaporizers bit the dust, but not bones. Then we looked outside and realized a house was on fire... our back neighbors, to be exact. DH ran over to make sure everyone made it out, then found them at our next door neighbor's in their PJs. He promptly made a phone call and found a few sets of clothes for the girls, then volunteered me to make breakfast.
Breakfast for 11 is a long process when you're used to cooking for 3 or 4. Lunch was easier because I have been freezing meals for when the baby is born... there are 3 less meals in the freezer, but I didn't have to run to the store to make them a meal. Tonight it will be chicken soup - I already have broth and cooked chicken in the freezer, and I like to make BIG batches of soup already. Thank God (sincerely) that I had already frozen some meals. Their roof is caved in, and I don't know what will happen next for them, but at least I can feed them!
Too bad I don't have any extra quilts to give too.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Stash Report Week #50
I finally found a camera cord! Here are a few lovely pictures (long overdue, I know!). I should have taken before pictures of our kitchen, for soon it will be lovely and blue and not hideous! I will be sure to take after pictures, but only when it's DONE. I wouldn't want you to see the "oops" on the ceiling...
I finished the Screamer's doll quilt. You can see her quilt in blue and the Assistant's in pink. The small nine patch and the lovely red in the center of the log cabin were a gifty from a week or two ago. The Assistant's pink dress is done, just in time for the 3rd Sunday in Advent (where rose is the color worn!). The ABC's are finito. I took a picture of a few turned backwards so you can see the back of them too. (I just discovered someone else has made these and written a tutorial, but I made it up all by my lonesome. I use the same letter templates for my "ABC" baby quilts where each letter is made with fabric starting with that letter - Y is for Yoda, Q is for quilt...) I made a scarf last night, so I had a total of 3 3/4 yards out.
I bought some lovely blue snowflake and fleece for 2 1/2 yards in. The Assistant promptly claimed the blue snowflake and chopped it up. Grr. I was able to rescue about a yard of it, and I made a scarf from the fleece before she began chopping that. Good thing that when she's done, I'll count it as out!
So...
IN this week: 2 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 174 1/4 yards
OUT this week: 3 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 232 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 58 1/2 yards OUT!!!
Be sure to check out everyone else's stash reports (see who bought the most this week and who's showing the most restraint) by visiting Judy's blog.
This week, I hope to finish Q's quilt, work on the quilting of the Patriotic scraps, finish another block of the Unbaby Quilt, make the turquoise quilt into a top, and make a door draft stopper for DH! That sounds like plenty, don't you think?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I finished the Screamer's doll quilt. You can see her quilt in blue and the Assistant's in pink. The small nine patch and the lovely red in the center of the log cabin were a gifty from a week or two ago. The Assistant's pink dress is done, just in time for the 3rd Sunday in Advent (where rose is the color worn!). The ABC's are finito. I took a picture of a few turned backwards so you can see the back of them too. (I just discovered someone else has made these and written a tutorial, but I made it up all by my lonesome. I use the same letter templates for my "ABC" baby quilts where each letter is made with fabric starting with that letter - Y is for Yoda, Q is for quilt...) I made a scarf last night, so I had a total of 3 3/4 yards out.
I bought some lovely blue snowflake and fleece for 2 1/2 yards in. The Assistant promptly claimed the blue snowflake and chopped it up. Grr. I was able to rescue about a yard of it, and I made a scarf from the fleece before she began chopping that. Good thing that when she's done, I'll count it as out!
So...
IN this week: 2 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 174 1/4 yards
OUT this week: 3 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 232 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 58 1/2 yards OUT!!!
Be sure to check out everyone else's stash reports (see who bought the most this week and who's showing the most restraint) by visiting Judy's blog.
This week, I hope to finish Q's quilt, work on the quilting of the Patriotic scraps, finish another block of the Unbaby Quilt, make the turquoise quilt into a top, and make a door draft stopper for DH! That sounds like plenty, don't you think?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Stash Report Week #49
Do you know that we have 3 cameras in this house and I can't find a single one to take a picture? I happen to know the Assistant kidnaps the cameras and hides them from me when she gets a chance!
This week has been a sewing frenzy as I only had to work (briefly) on Monday and Thursday. The girls and I have spent most of the day upstairs sewing until nap time, when we adjourn to the fireplace for some warmth.
I received a lovely gift (sorry, no pic thanks to the Assistant!) of 1/4 yard fabric for some selvedges I sent out a while ago. I also used it this week!
I also purchased 1 1/2 yards shopping (1 yard for me, 1/2 yard for the Assistant). I've used 6" of her fabric so far.
DH needed a "blanket" for the fridge - weird, I know, but I like to humor him when I can. That was 6 yards out.
I am teaching a friend to sew, and we finished her apron this week, so 2 1/2 yards out. (Lori, did you notice the A word there? How are yours coming?!)
For the Assistant for a Christmas present, I made her a doll quilt. I was able to finish it without her seeing the top - hurrah! That was an Advent miracle for sure. 1/2 yard out.
IN this week: 1 3/4 yards
IN YTD: 171 3/4 yards
OUT this week: 9 yards
OUT YTD: 229 yards
YTD Total: 57 1/4 yards OUT
This week we had seven projects to work on: some denim ABCs, Q's quilt, the Unbaby Quilt, the Patriotic quilt, "blooming nine-patch," a dress for the Assistant (a reward for a potty victory), a doll quilt for the Assistant and a doll quilt for the Screamer. The ABCs are cut out and 6 are sewn. Q's quilt is being machine quilted with straight lines. I've almost finished another block on the U.Q. The Patriotic quilt is a top with a backing pieced and reading to be ironed. The BNP is growing. The dress has sleeves but not skirt. The Assistant's doll quilt is done and the Screamer's is ready for binding. I don't like working on so many projects at once, but it seemed like every time I blinked, there was another one on the list. My hope for next week is to narrow down the remaining 6 to 5 (4 would be lovely!). I will be busting some serious stash, as I haven't bought anything new for the above projects!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
This week has been a sewing frenzy as I only had to work (briefly) on Monday and Thursday. The girls and I have spent most of the day upstairs sewing until nap time, when we adjourn to the fireplace for some warmth.
I received a lovely gift (sorry, no pic thanks to the Assistant!) of 1/4 yard fabric for some selvedges I sent out a while ago. I also used it this week!
I also purchased 1 1/2 yards shopping (1 yard for me, 1/2 yard for the Assistant). I've used 6" of her fabric so far.
DH needed a "blanket" for the fridge - weird, I know, but I like to humor him when I can. That was 6 yards out.
I am teaching a friend to sew, and we finished her apron this week, so 2 1/2 yards out. (Lori, did you notice the A word there? How are yours coming?!)
For the Assistant for a Christmas present, I made her a doll quilt. I was able to finish it without her seeing the top - hurrah! That was an Advent miracle for sure. 1/2 yard out.
IN this week: 1 3/4 yards
IN YTD: 171 3/4 yards
OUT this week: 9 yards
OUT YTD: 229 yards
YTD Total: 57 1/4 yards OUT
This week we had seven projects to work on: some denim ABCs, Q's quilt, the Unbaby Quilt, the Patriotic quilt, "blooming nine-patch," a dress for the Assistant (a reward for a potty victory), a doll quilt for the Assistant and a doll quilt for the Screamer. The ABCs are cut out and 6 are sewn. Q's quilt is being machine quilted with straight lines. I've almost finished another block on the U.Q. The Patriotic quilt is a top with a backing pieced and reading to be ironed. The BNP is growing. The dress has sleeves but not skirt. The Assistant's doll quilt is done and the Screamer's is ready for binding. I don't like working on so many projects at once, but it seemed like every time I blinked, there was another one on the list. My hope for next week is to narrow down the remaining 6 to 5 (4 would be lovely!). I will be busting some serious stash, as I haven't bought anything new for the above projects!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Good News!
Happy, happy, joy, joy!
Monday was my last official day of work! I still will help the new gal transition in, but won't be required to put in any set hours - just as needed...
Mending is done for another week. Ah, mending...
I managed to sneak in a doll quilt for the Assistant, even as she was trying to figure out what I was doing. Now if I can just sew down the binding without her seeing it. She saw the other doll quilts that are for Christmas, but as least she's only seen the backing of this one...
The wallpaper in the kitchen is all peeled. Now to sand, prime, and paint!
We had unexpected guests last night, and my house was actually clean...
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Monday was my last official day of work! I still will help the new gal transition in, but won't be required to put in any set hours - just as needed...
Mending is done for another week. Ah, mending...
I managed to sneak in a doll quilt for the Assistant, even as she was trying to figure out what I was doing. Now if I can just sew down the binding without her seeing it. She saw the other doll quilts that are for Christmas, but as least she's only seen the backing of this one...
The wallpaper in the kitchen is all peeled. Now to sand, prime, and paint!
We had unexpected guests last night, and my house was actually clean...
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Stash Report Week #48
I finished quilting one block, put the borders on Q's 9-patch, emptied my scrap drawer, and completed some mending.
This week, I hope to quilt another block, do more mending (it appeared AFTER I completed the originally scheduled mending!), and perhaps layout the 9-patch for quilting.
I used 6 1/4 yards this week: donated and trash. I purchased 3 yards of pink for the Assistant (my first purchase since the middle of August!) and there was another purchase, but since it might become my Christmas present, I don't have to report it!
IN this week: 3 yards
IN YTD: 170 yards
OUT this week: 6 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 220 yards
Total YTD: 50 yards OUT!
I've met my goal! Now just to keep ahead of DH and his gift-giving, and I'll be set for the next month!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
This week, I hope to quilt another block, do more mending (it appeared AFTER I completed the originally scheduled mending!), and perhaps layout the 9-patch for quilting.
I used 6 1/4 yards this week: donated and trash. I purchased 3 yards of pink for the Assistant (my first purchase since the middle of August!) and there was another purchase, but since it might become my Christmas present, I don't have to report it!
IN this week: 3 yards
IN YTD: 170 yards
OUT this week: 6 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 220 yards
Total YTD: 50 yards OUT!
I've met my goal! Now just to keep ahead of DH and his gift-giving, and I'll be set for the next month!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving Day
Today, I am grateful to be with my DH, children, parents, and siblings. It should be a relatively quiet day.
We attended Mass this morning; what a nice way to start a holiday! I made pumpkin bars, and that's all the cooking I had to do.
I hope you all have a relaxing, thankful Thanksgiving.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
We attended Mass this morning; what a nice way to start a holiday! I made pumpkin bars, and that's all the cooking I had to do.
I hope you all have a relaxing, thankful Thanksgiving.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Stash Report Week #47
Nothing in (that's the important thing!) and nothing out.
I'm hand quilting the "Unbaby" quilt, finished the top for Q's 9-patch except borders, and will start cutting for my "blooming 9-patch" sort of quilt next week. I also hope to tame the scrap drawer again. The Assistant likes to "help " with such efforts, which means I don't get it done!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I'm hand quilting the "Unbaby" quilt, finished the top for Q's 9-patch except borders, and will start cutting for my "blooming 9-patch" sort of quilt next week. I also hope to tame the scrap drawer again. The Assistant likes to "help " with such efforts, which means I don't get it done!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
There was a mouse in my house...
This past weekend, we journeyed to the cabin again. No mice! Only wasps that were the very devil to squash. They liked to dive bomb people and land on their back. But no mice.
So we arrived home with loads of laundry, as goes for any trip with small children (and there were 5 small children on this trip). I took the laundry down to the basement Monday morning and began sorting. Then, I happened to look over into the washer, and there was a mouse!
I managed not to scream. Then I called my sister because I didn't really want to pick up a dead mouse without someone convincing me that was better than leaving it for DH. Unfortunately, the washer already stunk, so it was thoroughly washed out in a load of bleach water when I was done.
What I really want to know is: how did the mouse fall in my washer, and how did it die so quickly? I did laundry Thursday evening, so it was only in the washer a few days. At least it's gone - we've been finding traces of this lovely mouse under our kitchen sink for a few months.
So the mouse went out to the trash, and I hope I don't see any more for a LONG time! (At least not in my house.)
Now, the girls have a nasty cold/allergy attack/some kind of nastiness, so we will be doing nothing today!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
So we arrived home with loads of laundry, as goes for any trip with small children (and there were 5 small children on this trip). I took the laundry down to the basement Monday morning and began sorting. Then, I happened to look over into the washer, and there was a mouse!
I managed not to scream. Then I called my sister because I didn't really want to pick up a dead mouse without someone convincing me that was better than leaving it for DH. Unfortunately, the washer already stunk, so it was thoroughly washed out in a load of bleach water when I was done.
What I really want to know is: how did the mouse fall in my washer, and how did it die so quickly? I did laundry Thursday evening, so it was only in the washer a few days. At least it's gone - we've been finding traces of this lovely mouse under our kitchen sink for a few months.
So the mouse went out to the trash, and I hope I don't see any more for a LONG time! (At least not in my house.)
Now, the girls have a nasty cold/allergy attack/some kind of nastiness, so we will be doing nothing today!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Stash Report Week #46
This week, I finished cutting some T-shirts into rags, finished binding a quilt I quilted for my mom, and make two pillow cases.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 3 1/2 yards
OUT YTD: 213 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 46 3/4 yards OUT
I only need to use 3 1/4 more yards to reach my goal of 50 yards out for the year! I'm already thinking about next years goals. I know plenty of it will include baby quilts to be finished.
The assistant is currently sitting next to me with fabric on her head that is left from hemming DH's new suit pants. She looks great, doesn't she?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 3 1/2 yards
OUT YTD: 213 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 46 3/4 yards OUT
I only need to use 3 1/4 more yards to reach my goal of 50 yards out for the year! I'm already thinking about next years goals. I know plenty of it will include baby quilts to be finished.
The assistant is currently sitting next to me with fabric on her head that is left from hemming DH's new suit pants. She looks great, doesn't she?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Stash Report Week #45
Nothing in, nothing out...
Busy week, having a sonogram, interviewing someone to take my position at work, preparing for work most of the weekend, working outside while the weather is glorious (there are still some tomato plants to chop for the compost!), and not as much sewing as I would like.
I realized I need to make/finish 7 baby quilts and 1 toddler quilt before April. Good thing I'm started on 3 and picked patterns for several of the others. I should get some good busts in.
We found out we're having a boy. I'll have to come up with a name for him - let's call him Q for now (my DH and sister will get the joke). Q is going to get a blue and white quilt from a nine-patch swap I did on the HGTV boards with Bingo~bonnie. It was my first swap and lovely fun.
I examined my purchases from the year and discovered over half were attributable to DH, the Assistant, or special purchases for a family project (wedding gift DH and I both gave, curtains for the house, etc.), so that really brings down the total of MY purchases to less than 85 yards. Still too much for my budget, probably, but with a new baby next spring, who knows what I'll have the ability to purchase!
Now to get ready for work.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Busy week, having a sonogram, interviewing someone to take my position at work, preparing for work most of the weekend, working outside while the weather is glorious (there are still some tomato plants to chop for the compost!), and not as much sewing as I would like.
I realized I need to make/finish 7 baby quilts and 1 toddler quilt before April. Good thing I'm started on 3 and picked patterns for several of the others. I should get some good busts in.
We found out we're having a boy. I'll have to come up with a name for him - let's call him Q for now (my DH and sister will get the joke). Q is going to get a blue and white quilt from a nine-patch swap I did on the HGTV boards with Bingo~bonnie. It was my first swap and lovely fun.
I examined my purchases from the year and discovered over half were attributable to DH, the Assistant, or special purchases for a family project (wedding gift DH and I both gave, curtains for the house, etc.), so that really brings down the total of MY purchases to less than 85 yards. Still too much for my budget, probably, but with a new baby next spring, who knows what I'll have the ability to purchase!
Now to get ready for work.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
It's a boy!
In case you were wondering, like DH, I am pregnant with a boy. He was pretty excited...
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming...
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming...
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Stash Report Week #44
Nothing in, nothing out!
I did finish the top for my older sister's baby/wall hanging quilt. Well, maybe not finished. Do you think it needs more borders, or is it okay where it's at? It's approx. 48" square. I don't have much of the white left, but could do a narrow border to separate the blue from whatever comes next, but I don't know! There are two blues and one gold left, but the other gold (with blue in it) is mostly gone.
Judy asked if we'd be trying to bust a lot for the rest of the year or if we'd go ahead and buy everything we want since we've blown it...
I was thinking about how much fabric I've bought this year (167 yards). Last year I bought/received 211 yards by years' end, but I think I'm more determined this year to stay in the busting category. Last year I busted 183 yards, and this year I'm already at 210 yards busted, so that's good too... Still, 167 yards of fabric, even if I didn't pay full quilt-shop price, is way more than I could possibly have purchased on my "allowance." That means there were plenty of buys from the budget, and that wasn't supposed to happen - I'm always giving DH a hard time when he wants to buy an expensive tool, and obviously I've busted the budget a few times too. I know some was gifts and one was a major trip to a closing quilt shop, but 167 yards, even at $4-5 a yard is $668-835, way more than I had in allowance. This is going to take some thinking about... I want to get hard and fast numbers on gifts, and then we'll see how much extra money I spent. It's definitely going to keep me from buying more for a little bit! My job ends in the next month (God willing), and that means less leeway in the budget for SURE! Plus, we're thinking about buying land - NO leeway in the budget after that!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I did finish the top for my older sister's baby/wall hanging quilt. Well, maybe not finished. Do you think it needs more borders, or is it okay where it's at? It's approx. 48" square. I don't have much of the white left, but could do a narrow border to separate the blue from whatever comes next, but I don't know! There are two blues and one gold left, but the other gold (with blue in it) is mostly gone.
Judy asked if we'd be trying to bust a lot for the rest of the year or if we'd go ahead and buy everything we want since we've blown it...
I was thinking about how much fabric I've bought this year (167 yards). Last year I bought/received 211 yards by years' end, but I think I'm more determined this year to stay in the busting category. Last year I busted 183 yards, and this year I'm already at 210 yards busted, so that's good too... Still, 167 yards of fabric, even if I didn't pay full quilt-shop price, is way more than I could possibly have purchased on my "allowance." That means there were plenty of buys from the budget, and that wasn't supposed to happen - I'm always giving DH a hard time when he wants to buy an expensive tool, and obviously I've busted the budget a few times too. I know some was gifts and one was a major trip to a closing quilt shop, but 167 yards, even at $4-5 a yard is $668-835, way more than I had in allowance. This is going to take some thinking about... I want to get hard and fast numbers on gifts, and then we'll see how much extra money I spent. It's definitely going to keep me from buying more for a little bit! My job ends in the next month (God willing), and that means less leeway in the budget for SURE! Plus, we're thinking about buying land - NO leeway in the budget after that!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Stash Report Week #43
Jury duty is over! Two days of purgatory... I don't object to jury duty, per se, but the nature of the case, my lack of babysitting, and my all-day "morning" sickness made this a really bad idea. If I could have sat in a trial those two days and been done, fine.
I made a temporary cover for the Assistant's bunk bed a while back but didn't count it... 3 yards out.
The Halloween dress is done except for a tulle underskirt. It's a little big, but since it's supposed to be cold, she can wear a shirt or sweater underneath. 4 yards out.
I made a scrappy pillow case for DH's grandmother using the red-white-blue fabrics I used for the star quilt Judy had instructions to earlier this summer. 1 1/4 yards out.
I realized Screamer doesn't have a trick-or-treat bag, so I whipped one up. It didn't work quite as I planned, but she won't care! 1/2 yard out.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 8 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 210 3/4 yards
YTD total: 43 3/4 yards OUT
I only need to bust 6 1/4 yards for the rest of the year (and buy nothing... gulp) to bust my goal of 50 yards! I'm working on a baby quilt for my lovely older sister (she's not expecting - her husband had the kidney transplant, but she picked out the fabric that inspired the quilt), and hope to finish it this year. Beyond that, I'm sure the Assistant will come up with plenty of things to finish. I also want to use the last of my RWBlue scraps as I don't want them any more!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I made a temporary cover for the Assistant's bunk bed a while back but didn't count it... 3 yards out.
The Halloween dress is done except for a tulle underskirt. It's a little big, but since it's supposed to be cold, she can wear a shirt or sweater underneath. 4 yards out.
I made a scrappy pillow case for DH's grandmother using the red-white-blue fabrics I used for the star quilt Judy had instructions to earlier this summer. 1 1/4 yards out.
I realized Screamer doesn't have a trick-or-treat bag, so I whipped one up. It didn't work quite as I planned, but she won't care! 1/2 yard out.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 8 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 210 3/4 yards
YTD total: 43 3/4 yards OUT
I only need to bust 6 1/4 yards for the rest of the year (and buy nothing... gulp) to bust my goal of 50 yards! I'm working on a baby quilt for my lovely older sister (she's not expecting - her husband had the kidney transplant, but she picked out the fabric that inspired the quilt), and hope to finish it this year. Beyond that, I'm sure the Assistant will come up with plenty of things to finish. I also want to use the last of my RWBlue scraps as I don't want them any more!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Fabric Giveaway
Brenda at Pumpkin Patch Primitives is having a delicious giveaway of some luscious Pumpkin and Spice fabrics. Now, I need more fabric like I need more scraps in my scrap drawer, but these would be lovely and different. Be sure to stop by and enter. She already has 366 entries, and her drawing isn't until November 1!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday is my Friday!
Jury duty is done (praise God). It made for a horribly stressful two days due to the case matter. Fortunately I was not chosen for the jury and was sent home. Why couldn't it have been embezzlement or theft? I could have handled that. But no more!
The girls are home from Dallas, where DH took them during a business trip as we expected me to have duty all week. Screamer is making sure I know she didn't appreciate me not coming for the trip - but she had a blast while she was gone (she just won't admit it!).
I've been working on the Assistant's halloween costume, but it's too big. Dang. I'm waiting for some tulle from my mom. Maybe I can puff up the skirt enough that I don't need to hem it 8 inches! The Assistant likes it, so that's all that matters. Pictures will follow when it's done.
I just finished work for the week and am ready to do some fun sewing and relaxing. This pregnancy is really getting to me, but we're back to cooler weather. It's going to be a glorious day!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
The girls are home from Dallas, where DH took them during a business trip as we expected me to have duty all week. Screamer is making sure I know she didn't appreciate me not coming for the trip - but she had a blast while she was gone (she just won't admit it!).
I've been working on the Assistant's halloween costume, but it's too big. Dang. I'm waiting for some tulle from my mom. Maybe I can puff up the skirt enough that I don't need to hem it 8 inches! The Assistant likes it, so that's all that matters. Pictures will follow when it's done.
I just finished work for the week and am ready to do some fun sewing and relaxing. This pregnancy is really getting to me, but we're back to cooler weather. It's going to be a glorious day!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Stash Report Week #42
I finished Judy's quilt, just in time to have someone to give it to! Overall, I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out. It's all handquilted with stars, and I finally cut into some of my star and snowflake fabrics that I'd been saiving.
I also made a pillow case for the Assistant, who doesn't even care now that it's done! She does want her halloween costume finished soon, but I figure I have two weeks still.
If you used fabric to cover something (in this case, the bottom of the top bunk), does that count as out, even though it's not a permanent use? Do you have to count it back in when you take it off the bunk? Depending on what I decide, that may be 3 more yards out...
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 9 yards
OUT YTD: 202 yards
YTD Total: 35 yards out!
I only have 15 yards to go before I make my goal. The Assistant's costume will help quite a bit with that!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Stash Report Week #41
Nothing in, nothing out, although not by any help of DH.
We went to a food store that has a quilt shop next door. I had no intention of going to the quilt shop, even when I saw "Sale! Sale! Sale!" plastered on their windows. I want to bust 50 yards. So DH says, "I think we should go to the sale after the food store."
"Nope," said I. "You're no help in stash busting!" He just laughed and tried to tell me we should go when we left the other store. Bad, DH, bad!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
We went to a food store that has a quilt shop next door. I had no intention of going to the quilt shop, even when I saw "Sale! Sale! Sale!" plastered on their windows. I want to bust 50 yards. So DH says, "I think we should go to the sale after the food store."
"Nope," said I. "You're no help in stash busting!" He just laughed and tried to tell me we should go when we left the other store. Bad, DH, bad!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Stash Report Week #40
You should hear the acorns hitting the house right now! When we sit in the living room, I sometimes jump when they hit the porch or roof. Right now, from the sewing room, I can hear the "plunk, plunk, plunk" on the driveway. Walking barefoot out there is dangerous for your health and comfort!
This week I made another apron, longer than my others, for kids in K-1. They were all too tall for my "toddler" aprons, so they needed one to protect their legs! I'm glad I found a use for that sun fabric. I wanted to use it for a pillow case, but there wasn't quite enough.
I also made a pillow case for my best friend. I forgot her birthday, so I will NOT forget her at Christmas. I did mess up on the enclosed seam on the side and bottom, but am happy with the tight zigzag that's covering the threads.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 2 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 193 yards
YTD Total: 26 yards OUT!
I only need to use 24 more yards to meet my goal. I've also used 17 spools of thread, and am running low on grey, white, tan, and black. There's only one problem...
Swine flu. Right now, in the high school where my mom works, 20% of kids are absent, the vast majority due to flu symptoms. It's so bad that they aren't testing for swine flu if they find out it flu type A because pretty much, if you have the flu, it's the swine flu. My husband works at another high school, and it's just about as bad there. I'm 3 months pregnant and REALLY don't want to get the flu, so the girls and I went to the grocery store for the only time for October and plan to sit tight except for church on Sundays. That also explains why I didn't get to go to the Quilt Shop Hop this weekend.
I am due for jury duty on October 19. Dang. I have two small kids and no money for a babysitter - and I don't want to get sick. We'll see what happens.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Stash Report Week #39
Next week is the shop hop... will I be able to resist?
I finished a mini laundry bag and a place mat for 1 yard out this week, and I didn't buy anything!
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 1 yard
OUT YTD: 190 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 23 3/4 yards out
I am still plugging away at my hand quilting. Maybe I should take a picture of it... at least I found the camera cord now!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I finished a mini laundry bag and a place mat for 1 yard out this week, and I didn't buy anything!
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 1 yard
OUT YTD: 190 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 23 3/4 yards out
I am still plugging away at my hand quilting. Maybe I should take a picture of it... at least I found the camera cord now!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Mini Laundry Bag Complete!
Today I made a mini-laundry bag for the atrium where I teach on Sundays. We needed a bag for dirty rags from when the kids spill or dust. I had planned to use some charm squares that have been laying around for almost a year, but the Assistant made those disappear and I haven't found them yet!
Oh, well...
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Countdowns Begin...
Less than 100 days left until I am a full time stay at home mom again. I just couldn't manage the work load and be 13 weeks pregnant. All-day morning sickness really saps me. Therefore
27 weeks until the baby is born! Approximately 7 weeks until the ultrasound (DH really wants to know if the baby's a boy!).
Just thought you'd like to know.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
27 weeks until the baby is born! Approximately 7 weeks until the ultrasound (DH really wants to know if the baby's a boy!).
Just thought you'd like to know.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
It's Tuesday
I finished a place mat for our atrium today, for 1/2 yard out.
Everyday I'm trying to hand quilt a star or two on my quilt that has been waiting since spring! I would like to finish it before the end of the year - wouldn't it be nice to count out the yardage? But I've got to quilt and bind it first! I'm almost a 1/4 done quilting it, which is farther than I thought.
I may have more time for quilting in the near future, as I have decided to quit my job by the end of the year. Reasons to follow...
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Everyday I'm trying to hand quilt a star or two on my quilt that has been waiting since spring! I would like to finish it before the end of the year - wouldn't it be nice to count out the yardage? But I've got to quilt and bind it first! I'm almost a 1/4 done quilting it, which is farther than I thought.
I may have more time for quilting in the near future, as I have decided to quit my job by the end of the year. Reasons to follow...
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Stash Report Week #38
Week number 38? What? Where have the last 8 weeks gone?
Oh, I remember... not to quilting.
This week, I did, however, finally sew some curtains for my older sis, who probably thought I would never get to them. Now what to do with the leftovers... I might just get rid of them, and then I can count them out too! That's 10 yards out.
The Assistant tried to persuade me to buy fabric today while we were buying her a halloween costume pattern, but she didn't like what I picked out, so we found some fabric at home that will work for her "princess" dress. It's cotton, but since she only will wear it a few times, why spend the money on expensive costume fabric?
Unfortunately, my older sister (whose husband is recovering well, but they are all overwhelmed with stress) gave me some fabric from... my mom maybe, originally - I'm not sure! Anyway, that 2 1/2 yards in.
I also took my Singer to the shop for cleaning. It hasn't been working for almost a year, and I've been using a Brother. Only problem with my Brother is that I finally realized it doesn't have an accurate 1/4" foot, so no wonder everything I've made lately is the wrong size!
IN this week: 2 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 10 yards
OUT YTD: 189 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 22 3/4 yards out
I'm almost halfway to my goal. There is a quilt shop hop coming in October. Shall I be able to resist?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Oh, I remember... not to quilting.
This week, I did, however, finally sew some curtains for my older sis, who probably thought I would never get to them. Now what to do with the leftovers... I might just get rid of them, and then I can count them out too! That's 10 yards out.
The Assistant tried to persuade me to buy fabric today while we were buying her a halloween costume pattern, but she didn't like what I picked out, so we found some fabric at home that will work for her "princess" dress. It's cotton, but since she only will wear it a few times, why spend the money on expensive costume fabric?
Unfortunately, my older sister (whose husband is recovering well, but they are all overwhelmed with stress) gave me some fabric from... my mom maybe, originally - I'm not sure! Anyway, that 2 1/2 yards in.
I also took my Singer to the shop for cleaning. It hasn't been working for almost a year, and I've been using a Brother. Only problem with my Brother is that I finally realized it doesn't have an accurate 1/4" foot, so no wonder everything I've made lately is the wrong size!
IN this week: 2 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 167 yards
OUT this week: 10 yards
OUT YTD: 189 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 22 3/4 yards out
I'm almost halfway to my goal. There is a quilt shop hop coming in October. Shall I be able to resist?
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Week ?? Stash Report
I'm late, but I'll squeeze it in...
In the last two weeks, I used 4 yards and brought in nothing!
In the last two weeks, I used 4 yards and brought in nothing!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Wedding Weekend
This is my 100th post! How fun.
Tomorrow my younger sister is getting married. Last night was our "non-rowdy" bachelorette party. It was nice - quiet, lots of visiting and laughing, a good Jane Austin movie, and little girls running around. Who would have thought that the Assistant could love sparkling grape juice. "Just a little more, please? Please?"
I'm going to miss my sister when she moves away Sunday afternoon. Sigh.
Today my older sister and I made a frantic mall run. We are the matrons of honor, and neither of us had shoes to match our red dresses! Not to mention, I needed a shawl to cover my shoulders during the Mass. Mission accomplished for less than $40. Now we just won't show my younger sister my shoes until we're at Church in case she doesn't like them. I'm done shopping!
Tomorrow my younger sister is getting married. Last night was our "non-rowdy" bachelorette party. It was nice - quiet, lots of visiting and laughing, a good Jane Austin movie, and little girls running around. Who would have thought that the Assistant could love sparkling grape juice. "Just a little more, please? Please?"
I'm going to miss my sister when she moves away Sunday afternoon. Sigh.
Today my older sister and I made a frantic mall run. We are the matrons of honor, and neither of us had shoes to match our red dresses! Not to mention, I needed a shawl to cover my shoulders during the Mass. Mission accomplished for less than $40. Now we just won't show my younger sister my shoes until we're at Church in case she doesn't like them. I'm done shopping!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Stash Report Week #35
This week I used 6 3/4 yards of fabric to make bags for my sister's "bachelorette party." Hmm... It needs a new name because a party at my house with my girls around is not nearly rowdy enough to be a bachelorette party. Anyway, that was 6 3/4 yards out. I still need to make 7 more bags.
OUT this week: 6 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 175 3/4 yards
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 164 1/2 yards
YTD Total: 11 1/4 yards OUT!!!
BiL is home from his transplant surgery and recovery. I won't get to see him for a while as the girls have runny noses, but praise God that he's home!
OUT this week: 6 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 175 3/4 yards
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 164 1/2 yards
YTD Total: 11 1/4 yards OUT!!!
BiL is home from his transplant surgery and recovery. I won't get to see him for a while as the girls have runny noses, but praise God that he's home!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
BiL's New Kidney
My BiL is out of surgery and in surgical ICU. His "new" kidney is working well. His sister was so brave to donate it.
Fr. Kapaun, pray for us!
Now a long road to recovery and feeling better.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Fr. Kapaun, pray for us!
Now a long road to recovery and feeling better.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Stash Report Week #34
It's been a long week!
I finished 2 more place mats (I do have a purpose for these!), a skirt for the Assistant (I should take a picture!), and a pillow case for the Screamer. After all these pillow cases, the Assistant wants to know when I'm going to make one for her. That's for next week.
Next week, BiL is having his kidney transplant, so it may be a crazy week.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 164 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 2 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 169
Total YTD: 4 1/2 yards OUT!
I finished 2 more place mats (I do have a purpose for these!), a skirt for the Assistant (I should take a picture!), and a pillow case for the Screamer. After all these pillow cases, the Assistant wants to know when I'm going to make one for her. That's for next week.
Next week, BiL is having his kidney transplant, so it may be a crazy week.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 164 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 2 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 169
Total YTD: 4 1/2 yards OUT!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Rain, rain, go away...
It's been raining for two days. The girls like to go outside but the Assistant doesn't like to get muddy, so this is challenging! The Screamer is half eaten by mosquitoes, the poor girl. I think the mosquitoes like her even more than they like me, and I didn't think anyone would ever get more bites than me.
We've picked only a few tomatoes so far. I clearly started my seeds much too late this year. Hey, at least I didn't kill all my seedlings like last year! After more than 50 pounds of cucumbers, I think our cukes are finally nearly done. I certainly don't want any more!
Now I just need to figure out how to use 2 1/2 yards of fabric for the rest of the year (without buying any more) to meet my goal. I don't work too fast with two little girls, so I'm not sure how we're going to do this, but I'll try.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
We've picked only a few tomatoes so far. I clearly started my seeds much too late this year. Hey, at least I didn't kill all my seedlings like last year! After more than 50 pounds of cucumbers, I think our cukes are finally nearly done. I certainly don't want any more!
Now I just need to figure out how to use 2 1/2 yards of fabric for the rest of the year (without buying any more) to meet my goal. I don't work too fast with two little girls, so I'm not sure how we're going to do this, but I'll try.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Stash Report Week #31-33
We've been out of town two weekend in a row, so...
I made a sewing cover for my machine to keep Screamer out of the thread on it! If only it were that easy to keep the Assistant out of the scissors.
There was more trash...
I made some zipper pouches for keeping track of our cash over the month.
Many pillow cases.
I also bought some fabric (can you tell I'm on a time crunch?). We visited a new-to-me quilt shop in Tulsa that was quite nice. I hope to go back again.
Made more pillow cases. I decided to make pillow cases for Christmas presents as I won't be making anyone a quilt this year. There just isn't time.
OUT these weeks: 16 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 166 1/4 yards
IN these weeks: 8 1/4 yards
IN YTD: 164 1/2
YTD Total: 1 3/4 yards out!!!! I'm finally going in the right direction.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I made a sewing cover for my machine to keep Screamer out of the thread on it! If only it were that easy to keep the Assistant out of the scissors.
There was more trash...
I made some zipper pouches for keeping track of our cash over the month.
Many pillow cases.
I also bought some fabric (can you tell I'm on a time crunch?). We visited a new-to-me quilt shop in Tulsa that was quite nice. I hope to go back again.
Made more pillow cases. I decided to make pillow cases for Christmas presents as I won't be making anyone a quilt this year. There just isn't time.
OUT these weeks: 16 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 166 1/4 yards
IN these weeks: 8 1/4 yards
IN YTD: 164 1/2
YTD Total: 1 3/4 yards out!!!! I'm finally going in the right direction.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Things that Make You Go Hmmm...
The Assistant announced to her grammie a few weeks ago:
"Mommy and Daddy need to have a new baby."
Grammie: "Why? Isn't the Screamer a baby?"
"No, she's a monster."
Grammie: "Isn't cousin L. a baby?"
"No, she's L."
Where did she come up with that?
"Mommy and Daddy need to have a new baby."
Grammie: "Why? Isn't the Screamer a baby?"
"No, she's a monster."
Grammie: "Isn't cousin L. a baby?"
"No, she's L."
Where did she come up with that?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Stash Report Week #30
This week was certainly more productive than last week. (I still am owed 1/2 yard of fabric, but I'll wait until I am actually using more than I buy!)
I made a set of placemats for a couple that is getting married next month. 1 3/4 yards
Over the weekend, more trimming of the Assistant's fabric and more sorting of mine for a total of 1/2 yard out.
Here she is before her self-administered haircut - o, wait, she gave herself 2 haircuts, so it's really short now! No more ponytails for my cute little girl - but she tried to give herself a mullet, and I just couldn't leave her like that.
And after (this doesn't link to anything - don't know what I did!). They shared some dried blueberries and found an entire bag of chocolate chips. Oops. They've been sick this week, so I can't complain about the mess. At least they were eating!
I also gave away some broadcloth for 3/4 yards out.
I finished the Gordian Knot quilt (pattern by Mary Whitehead) for another 5 yards out. I machine quilted it, am not thrilled, but think I am improving as long as I don't expect much!
I also finally finished a shirt I cut out for myself at the beginning of June! I wish it were more fitted, but this will work. That's 1 3/4 yards out.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 156 1/4 yards
OUT this week: 9 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 150 yards
YTD total: 6 1/4 yards IN
I might actually bust some fabric this year!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I made a set of placemats for a couple that is getting married next month. 1 3/4 yards
Over the weekend, more trimming of the Assistant's fabric and more sorting of mine for a total of 1/2 yard out.
Here she is before her self-administered haircut - o, wait, she gave herself 2 haircuts, so it's really short now! No more ponytails for my cute little girl - but she tried to give herself a mullet, and I just couldn't leave her like that.
And after (this doesn't link to anything - don't know what I did!). They shared some dried blueberries and found an entire bag of chocolate chips. Oops. They've been sick this week, so I can't complain about the mess. At least they were eating!
I also gave away some broadcloth for 3/4 yards out.
I finished the Gordian Knot quilt (pattern by Mary Whitehead) for another 5 yards out. I machine quilted it, am not thrilled, but think I am improving as long as I don't expect much!
I also finally finished a shirt I cut out for myself at the beginning of June! I wish it were more fitted, but this will work. That's 1 3/4 yards out.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 156 1/4 yards
OUT this week: 9 3/4 yards
OUT YTD: 150 yards
YTD total: 6 1/4 yards IN
I might actually bust some fabric this year!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Stash Report Week #29
Nothing out...
4 yards in. DH accidentally taught the Assistant a 4-letter word, so every time he says it, he owes me a 1/4 yard of fabric. Today he owed me 2 1/4 yards, and the Assistant picked out some fabric for herself!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
4 yards in. DH accidentally taught the Assistant a 4-letter word, so every time he says it, he owes me a 1/4 yard of fabric. Today he owed me 2 1/4 yards, and the Assistant picked out some fabric for herself!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Garden Produce
What do you do with 14 1/2 pounds of cucumbers? I'm waiting for my pressure canner to arrive, and I will be attempting some pickles, but then what? I read you could slice and freeze them, so I sliced two. I also read you could dehydrate them and use them as salad crumbles or chips, so we're drying some now. That still leaves... too many, with more expected. We're giving some away, but I must say, I think we planted too many cucumber plants. Oh, wait, that was DH and the Assistant, who are seed planting fools!
I just hope our pumpkins do as well!
After a good rain storm last night, most of my potato plants are laying on the ground. It might be time to dig them up and weigh that harvest too!
In other news, my first quilt (shudder) has been bought home for its yearly check-up. It needs some serious work. Obviously I knew a lot less about quilting when I made it!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I just hope our pumpkins do as well!
After a good rain storm last night, most of my potato plants are laying on the ground. It might be time to dig them up and weigh that harvest too!
In other news, my first quilt (shudder) has been bought home for its yearly check-up. It needs some serious work. Obviously I knew a lot less about quilting when I made it!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Stash Report Week #28
A busy week! I did well the beginning of the week, then ran out of steam (and time!) by the weekend).
I cleared out my stash and reorganized it. I have a tub full of jeans to deal with, but I'm not prepared for doing that. I found plenty of other polyester/polyester blend stuff to get rid of, so 11 yards went to charity. Here is my entire stash, including scraps. Not so bad, right?
I used one piece of fabric I found to make a quick skirt, and that was another 1 1/4 yards out.
Then I made Roman shades for our bedroom. It's black in there now at night! Our lovely neighbor (she really is) tends to leave a light on in her living room, and that always makes our room a bit lighter than we like. Not anymore! That would be another 5 yards out.
Finally, I made an apron from scraps. It's for the garden, when I dig up potatoes, pick cukes, dig up onions - I can't always find a bucket when I need one. It's reversible, so that's another 3 yards out.
I used my new cutting board for the first time. My old cutting board was 6+ years old, and I had not idea how different it would feel to cut on a new board. Oops. I'll try to replace it more frequently.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 152 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 20 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 140 1/4 yards
YTD Total: 12 1/4 yards IN
I'm finally approaching 0. Let's just hope there are no new purchases for DH this week!
I'm working on a wedding gift for a friend that must be quick (she's getting married August 8). I wasn't sure she'd invite me (limited list), so I hadn't planned anything to make her. Oops.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I cleared out my stash and reorganized it. I have a tub full of jeans to deal with, but I'm not prepared for doing that. I found plenty of other polyester/polyester blend stuff to get rid of, so 11 yards went to charity. Here is my entire stash, including scraps. Not so bad, right?
I used one piece of fabric I found to make a quick skirt, and that was another 1 1/4 yards out.
Then I made Roman shades for our bedroom. It's black in there now at night! Our lovely neighbor (she really is) tends to leave a light on in her living room, and that always makes our room a bit lighter than we like. Not anymore! That would be another 5 yards out.
Finally, I made an apron from scraps. It's for the garden, when I dig up potatoes, pick cukes, dig up onions - I can't always find a bucket when I need one. It's reversible, so that's another 3 yards out.
I used my new cutting board for the first time. My old cutting board was 6+ years old, and I had not idea how different it would feel to cut on a new board. Oops. I'll try to replace it more frequently.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 152 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 20 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 140 1/4 yards
YTD Total: 12 1/4 yards IN
I'm finally approaching 0. Let's just hope there are no new purchases for DH this week!
I'm working on a wedding gift for a friend that must be quick (she's getting married August 8). I wasn't sure she'd invite me (limited list), so I hadn't planned anything to make her. Oops.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Cleaning
I checked out a Peter Walsh book from the library today. DH is going to regret it.
We don't have a "cluttered" house - guests can definitely come over whenever, and I'd only have toys and crumbs to clean up! Still, we have a lot of stuff that is neither beautiful nor useful. How much do you think I can make disappear before DH gets exasperated? He likes to keep everything, and I want to trash almost everything - except fabric!
... and I have chigger and mosquito bites everywhere!
We don't have a "cluttered" house - guests can definitely come over whenever, and I'd only have toys and crumbs to clean up! Still, we have a lot of stuff that is neither beautiful nor useful. How much do you think I can make disappear before DH gets exasperated? He likes to keep everything, and I want to trash almost everything - except fabric!
... and I have chigger and mosquito bites everywhere!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Stash Report Week # 27
(Meet the Screamer. She's watching you!)
I had a very messy sewing table as of Thursday night, so my goal this week was to finish some projects and put away excess.
I really finished the girls' wedding dresses (DH is my hero and found the cord!) by sewing down the elastic in the sleeves. Whew!
I made 7 sets of folding exercises for my daughter and for various atria around town. I bought 6 1/4 more yards to cut out all the 12" squares I needed, but not that they are totally finished, that's 8 1/2 yards out.
When I bought more fabric to finish the above-mentioned folding exercises, of course the Assistant had to help herself. I was trying to be good, and I didn't want any more fat quarters, so I encouraged her to buy a pink polka dot remnant of about a yard, and I bought a lovely sun & star fabric of about 3/4 yard.
Then there was this lady who likes to live in two states, and she send some noodles and a fun fat quarter. Thanks, Lori! That was another 1/2 yard. I really think I need to send her some fabric back!
I had a several pieces of large-print fabrics that I never could find a project for. That's always the problem with buying fabric for DH - sometimes I think he'll like it, and it's not quite his style. Last week, I decided to cut up 3 yards of large prints and of small prints that feel yucky. This week I tried to learn to use my narrow hem foot and decided I liked a wide zig zag better! The narrow hem foot gave me fits, even after hours of practice, but the practice came in handy later. That's 3 yards out.
I tried to cut out a summer shirt for myself, but when the Assistant figured out what I was doing, she decided we needed to "nini" a shirt for her. I had some cutting issues (you know, cutting things on a fold. oops). The shirt is finished and very cute, although she promptly smeared fresh blackberry on the shoulder! 3/4 yard out.
I will be working on roman shades and a shirt for myself this week since I'm "off" work for the summer (not really, but we can pretend!). I would also like to take all of my fabric out of drawers, shelves, and bins to see what I actually have and assess my strengths. I have a feeling I will find some fabric that I will never use, and I really don't need to keep it in one of my boxes. Wouldn't it be nice for me to write "20 yards out" next week? Unfortunately, it won't work that way.
The police have been patrolling our street almost hourly after our "visitor." I hope the poor man gets caught so he can get some help/supervision!
IN this week: 8 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 152 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 11 3/4 yards
OUT YTD:120 yards
Total YTD: 32 1/2 yards IN
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I had a very messy sewing table as of Thursday night, so my goal this week was to finish some projects and put away excess.
I really finished the girls' wedding dresses (DH is my hero and found the cord!) by sewing down the elastic in the sleeves. Whew!
I made 7 sets of folding exercises for my daughter and for various atria around town. I bought 6 1/4 more yards to cut out all the 12" squares I needed, but not that they are totally finished, that's 8 1/2 yards out.
When I bought more fabric to finish the above-mentioned folding exercises, of course the Assistant had to help herself. I was trying to be good, and I didn't want any more fat quarters, so I encouraged her to buy a pink polka dot remnant of about a yard, and I bought a lovely sun & star fabric of about 3/4 yard.
Then there was this lady who likes to live in two states, and she send some noodles and a fun fat quarter. Thanks, Lori! That was another 1/2 yard. I really think I need to send her some fabric back!
I had a several pieces of large-print fabrics that I never could find a project for. That's always the problem with buying fabric for DH - sometimes I think he'll like it, and it's not quite his style. Last week, I decided to cut up 3 yards of large prints and of small prints that feel yucky. This week I tried to learn to use my narrow hem foot and decided I liked a wide zig zag better! The narrow hem foot gave me fits, even after hours of practice, but the practice came in handy later. That's 3 yards out.
I tried to cut out a summer shirt for myself, but when the Assistant figured out what I was doing, she decided we needed to "nini" a shirt for her. I had some cutting issues (you know, cutting things on a fold. oops). The shirt is finished and very cute, although she promptly smeared fresh blackberry on the shoulder! 3/4 yard out.
I will be working on roman shades and a shirt for myself this week since I'm "off" work for the summer (not really, but we can pretend!). I would also like to take all of my fabric out of drawers, shelves, and bins to see what I actually have and assess my strengths. I have a feeling I will find some fabric that I will never use, and I really don't need to keep it in one of my boxes. Wouldn't it be nice for me to write "20 yards out" next week? Unfortunately, it won't work that way.
The police have been patrolling our street almost hourly after our "visitor." I hope the poor man gets caught so he can get some help/supervision!
IN this week: 8 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 152 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 11 3/4 yards
OUT YTD:120 yards
Total YTD: 32 1/2 yards IN
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
There was a Stranger in my House...
Let's call him an intruder to clarify.
Today while I was at my training and the girls were at my mom's, DH was upstairs working on his philosophy syllabus for next year. Much to his surprise, shortly after lunch, he hear the back door rattle open and water begin running in the sink. As I wasn't due home until 5 and it was around 1, he yelled down, "Katie, are you there?" No answer.
Thoroughly concerned at this point, he ran down the stairs yelling (not very nice words, I understand), and heard someone run through the house, unlock the front door, and run down the porch steps.
Can I just say I feel a little insecure about going to bed tonight? I'm glad I wasn't home, and nothing is missing, but AAHH!
DH called the police and went to talk to our neighbors. Someone was in our south neighbor's back yard before ours, and our north neighbors heard someone, but assumed it was DH. Whoever it was had put the dirty dishes in the sink and started to run water. Weird. Creepy. Really creepy. And the poor man must be mentally ill to want to wash a total stranger's dishes.
At least I can expect that he won't return, but a similar incident happened to an acquaintance in April, so you can be sure I will be checking the doors whenever James isn't home. Maybe the next time he wanders in, he won't be so nice.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Today while I was at my training and the girls were at my mom's, DH was upstairs working on his philosophy syllabus for next year. Much to his surprise, shortly after lunch, he hear the back door rattle open and water begin running in the sink. As I wasn't due home until 5 and it was around 1, he yelled down, "Katie, are you there?" No answer.
Thoroughly concerned at this point, he ran down the stairs yelling (not very nice words, I understand), and heard someone run through the house, unlock the front door, and run down the porch steps.
Can I just say I feel a little insecure about going to bed tonight? I'm glad I wasn't home, and nothing is missing, but AAHH!
DH called the police and went to talk to our neighbors. Someone was in our south neighbor's back yard before ours, and our north neighbors heard someone, but assumed it was DH. Whoever it was had put the dirty dishes in the sink and started to run water. Weird. Creepy. Really creepy. And the poor man must be mentally ill to want to wash a total stranger's dishes.
At least I can expect that he won't return, but a similar incident happened to an acquaintance in April, so you can be sure I will be checking the doors whenever James isn't home. Maybe the next time he wanders in, he won't be so nice.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Week # 26 Stash Report
If this half of the year is a prediction for the next six months, I'm in deep trouble.
I finished some VERY cute wedding dresses for the girls and their cousin, so 5 yards out. I love them! I wasn't sure red and cream would turn out as lovely as it did, and you will see pictures once I can kidnap a camera cord...
Just a piece of advice for myself - don't take the Assistant fabric shopping. This week we bought a lot of fabric... 17 yards for lining for roman shades (but that's not even a drop in the bucket for what I need. We have 44 windows in our house, and most need new blinds!). Then the Assistant picked out 5 fat quarters of blue patterns.
Yesterday, I bought rings, etc., for the roman shades, and she picked another fat quarter bundle of pink. What am I going to do with pink?????
So the totals...
OUT this week: 5 yards
OUT YTD: 108 1/4 yards
IN this week: 23 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 144 yards
YTD Total: 35 3/4 yards IN
That would mean I might end the year 76 1/2 yards in the hole! Oh, my!
I finished some VERY cute wedding dresses for the girls and their cousin, so 5 yards out. I love them! I wasn't sure red and cream would turn out as lovely as it did, and you will see pictures once I can kidnap a camera cord...
Just a piece of advice for myself - don't take the Assistant fabric shopping. This week we bought a lot of fabric... 17 yards for lining for roman shades (but that's not even a drop in the bucket for what I need. We have 44 windows in our house, and most need new blinds!). Then the Assistant picked out 5 fat quarters of blue patterns.
Yesterday, I bought rings, etc., for the roman shades, and she picked another fat quarter bundle of pink. What am I going to do with pink?????
So the totals...
OUT this week: 5 yards
OUT YTD: 108 1/4 yards
IN this week: 23 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 144 yards
YTD Total: 35 3/4 yards IN
That would mean I might end the year 76 1/2 yards in the hole! Oh, my!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Fresh Veggies!
I'm preparing to leave for my 4th day of training now, and just finished taking care of the garden. Even with the bug bites, picking fresh produce makes me feel... at peace.
I pulled lots of weeks - bindweed, some talk weed that grows right under my nose, grass, mimosa tree sprouts... It's my mom's birthday tonight, so I picked fresh goodies for a salad. I picked mesclun (sp?), although it's not really a mix - just one type of green, thinned my turnips, picked peas, dying baby onions, and my first 3 cukes! Two will go in the salad and one will stay at home for DH to eat. The three cukes aren't very big, but they weighed a pound total!
I'm still seriously behind in weeding, but it won't be caught up today. I do look forward to tomatoes (I see flowers!) and lots of potatoes in the coming weeks. The beans are growing like crazy, and there are vines everywhere!
Now to wait on tests for my sister to be her husband's kidney donor. I pray the results are in today!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I pulled lots of weeks - bindweed, some talk weed that grows right under my nose, grass, mimosa tree sprouts... It's my mom's birthday tonight, so I picked fresh goodies for a salad. I picked mesclun (sp?), although it's not really a mix - just one type of green, thinned my turnips, picked peas, dying baby onions, and my first 3 cukes! Two will go in the salad and one will stay at home for DH to eat. The three cukes aren't very big, but they weighed a pound total!
I'm still seriously behind in weeding, but it won't be caught up today. I do look forward to tomatoes (I see flowers!) and lots of potatoes in the coming weeks. The beans are growing like crazy, and there are vines everywhere!
Now to wait on tests for my sister to be her husband's kidney donor. I pray the results are in today!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Stash Report Week #25
What a week!
I worked 30+ hours this week running our Vacation Bible School program. For a mommy who's used to working 15 hours a week (mostly from home) this was a long week. My legs still hurt! But it was a success, I think.
I finished my mini-9-patches that are due in September to Bingo-Bonnie from the HGTV message boards, finished my mending for a week or two, and whittled down the scraps in the scrap drawer from the last several quilts - some are in the noodle bags and some have a plan.
I worked on the wedding dresses. The Screamer's dress needs to be sewn at the waist, zipper, collar, and sleeves finished, but the Assistant's and their cousin's just need the sash and trim added. I don't know if those will happen this week, but I now know what I need to work on next.
This week I am attending four full days of training for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The girls might be crazy by the time I get home on Friday. I didn't intend for all the long days to be three weeks in a row, but I guess it's better than going into July too much.
After the wedding dresses, I'm going to work on trimming down the Assistant's scraps. She has too many in odd sizes that I can't even teach her to sew using htem, so I'm decided I have a rough plan to help her SLOWLY make a quilt (as in, years slowly).
We visited a new-to-me little quilt shop this week after one of our errands. Most of the fabrics were calicos, so I didn't buy any fabric, but the Assistant found 1 1/4 yards of flannels and remnants. I bought a stencil cutter (do these things actually work?) and some snowflake napkins because I am a sucker for snowflakes!
IN this week: 1 1/4 yards (the Assistant needs her own stash. Seriously.)
IN YTD: 120 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 2 yards
OUT YTD: 103 1/4 yards
YTD Total: 17 1/4 yards IN
I can't seem to get my totals any lower. Maybe I can finish these dresses and get one step closer to the positive territory. I can still may 50 yards out by the end of the year, but the Assistant's shopping habits sure hold me back! Maybe I should count up all her yardage and subtract it next week!
We've had lots of rain, so there will be pletny of weeding to do this week. I may not visit the sewing room at all, but I'll be thinking about it plenty!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I worked 30+ hours this week running our Vacation Bible School program. For a mommy who's used to working 15 hours a week (mostly from home) this was a long week. My legs still hurt! But it was a success, I think.
I finished my mini-9-patches that are due in September to Bingo-Bonnie from the HGTV message boards, finished my mending for a week or two, and whittled down the scraps in the scrap drawer from the last several quilts - some are in the noodle bags and some have a plan.
I worked on the wedding dresses. The Screamer's dress needs to be sewn at the waist, zipper, collar, and sleeves finished, but the Assistant's and their cousin's just need the sash and trim added. I don't know if those will happen this week, but I now know what I need to work on next.
This week I am attending four full days of training for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The girls might be crazy by the time I get home on Friday. I didn't intend for all the long days to be three weeks in a row, but I guess it's better than going into July too much.
After the wedding dresses, I'm going to work on trimming down the Assistant's scraps. She has too many in odd sizes that I can't even teach her to sew using htem, so I'm decided I have a rough plan to help her SLOWLY make a quilt (as in, years slowly).
We visited a new-to-me little quilt shop this week after one of our errands. Most of the fabrics were calicos, so I didn't buy any fabric, but the Assistant found 1 1/4 yards of flannels and remnants. I bought a stencil cutter (do these things actually work?) and some snowflake napkins because I am a sucker for snowflakes!
IN this week: 1 1/4 yards (the Assistant needs her own stash. Seriously.)
IN YTD: 120 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 2 yards
OUT YTD: 103 1/4 yards
YTD Total: 17 1/4 yards IN
I can't seem to get my totals any lower. Maybe I can finish these dresses and get one step closer to the positive territory. I can still may 50 yards out by the end of the year, but the Assistant's shopping habits sure hold me back! Maybe I should count up all her yardage and subtract it next week!
We've had lots of rain, so there will be pletny of weeding to do this week. I may not visit the sewing room at all, but I'll be thinking about it plenty!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Week #24 Stash Report
IN this week: 1 yard (gifted fat quarters)
IN YTD: 119 1/4 yards
OUT this week: 1/4 yard (trash)
OUT YTD: 101 1/4 yards
YTD Total: 18 yards IN
I'm going to work on the girls' wedding dresses and on the 9-patches, plus mending and trimming the scraps in the scrap drawer. That's enough for the busy week ahead.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
IN YTD: 119 1/4 yards
OUT this week: 1/4 yard (trash)
OUT YTD: 101 1/4 yards
YTD Total: 18 yards IN
I'm going to work on the girls' wedding dresses and on the 9-patches, plus mending and trimming the scraps in the scrap drawer. That's enough for the busy week ahead.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Week #23 Stash Report
Nada in. Nada out. That will be the mantra for a few weeks as it gets crazy here with "part time" work taking over my life "full time."
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Pictures!
The Life and Times of...
DH uploaded my picture for me, albeit sideways, so here is my adaptation of Judy's scrappy stars! I'll be taking it to Memaw, DH's grandmother who recently had surgery. I definitely feel for her after my own surgery! This is not in my usual range of color choices, and some of the contrast is pretty low, but I think it really works out. I wasn't sure as I was piecing some of the stars together - I realized how many of my "neutrals" were much darker than others, and some not particularly neutral at all. Still, I am glad to have used most of a tub of patrioc star prints that I wasn't wanting around anymore, and Memaw, I hope, will appreciate it, as my FiL, her son, is retired military. I machine quilted it, which went much better with the cotton batting than it did when I used to use only polyester (how little I knew then!). I'm still not thrilled with my straight-line quilting, but I think I need a different machine to quilt well. Both of my machines require a plate over the feed dogs, and that just seems to drag the fabric horribly. That's okay - I don't have the money for another machine, so I'll make do, and I do prefer hand-quilting!
I may also be delivering my T-shirt quilt, if DH's takes care of the contacting of his cousin.
I will be delivering an apron as a gift to BiL's girl (DH's brother, not my sick BiL).
The garden is growing! Our yard is not. In the L-shaped bed (in the back), there are peas, onions, tomatoes, spinach, and mesclun (sp?) growning. Maybe a tomatillo or two, but I don't remember. I started all the tomatoes from seed this year, and I'm pretty chuffed, as last year I didn't have a single seedling survive my attempts.The next bed is mostly empty, so it's hard to tell it's there, but it contains horseradish, garlich, and failed attempts at cabbage, broccoli, and carrots.
There is an entire bed of potatoes and onions, doing well, although I fear we have potato beetles. We will have to do something about that! Finally, the front bed is red beans and pinto beans, with some turnips on one side. Our rain barrels (on the left) are nearly empty, so I'm hoping for rain while we are gone!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Week #22 Stash Report
I finished my version of Judy's scrappy stars! (I ran out of background, so I had to skip the borders). I have a picture, but I think the Assistant kidnapped the camera cord, so posting the picture will have to wait!
I didn't buy anything in OK because I didn't stop at any quilt shops. (A little sadness, but we were on a time crunch on the way home - I had to work!)
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 118 1/4 yards
OUT this week: 7 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 101 yards
YTD Totals: 17 1/4 yards IN
I'm making progress! I also worked on my mini-9-patches for a swap due in September, and I am almost finished with the Assistant's dress for my sister's wedding in September. I have 3 dresses to make, and I'm trying to do a nice job gathering, so they take time...
This Thursday we leave for TX for a few days, so my goals will be limited:
Quilt 1 block of Judy's "mystery" quilt
Finish the Assistant's dress
Finish another set of 9-patches
NO BUYING...
I didn't buy anything in OK because I didn't stop at any quilt shops. (A little sadness, but we were on a time crunch on the way home - I had to work!)
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 118 1/4 yards
OUT this week: 7 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 101 yards
YTD Totals: 17 1/4 yards IN
I'm making progress! I also worked on my mini-9-patches for a swap due in September, and I am almost finished with the Assistant's dress for my sister's wedding in September. I have 3 dresses to make, and I'm trying to do a nice job gathering, so they take time...
This Thursday we leave for TX for a few days, so my goals will be limited:
Quilt 1 block of Judy's "mystery" quilt
Finish the Assistant's dress
Finish another set of 9-patches
NO BUYING...
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Week #21 Stash Report
3 3/4 yards in, so 25 yards in for the year.
One of my goals was not buying fat quarters anymore, but since the Assistant chooses only fat quarters, I guess that's not going to be a successful goal for 2009. I'll just have to use them!
We're leaving today for Oklahoma with my best friend, so I hope we have some fun!
I finished the T-shirt quilt, but won't post anymore pictures since it's not for me. I learned a lot about quilting on the plasticy logos on T-shirts! (Grr!)
This week, I hope to finish the patriotic quilt, and then my numbers will start moving in the right direction!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
One of my goals was not buying fat quarters anymore, but since the Assistant chooses only fat quarters, I guess that's not going to be a successful goal for 2009. I'll just have to use them!
We're leaving today for Oklahoma with my best friend, so I hope we have some fun!
I finished the T-shirt quilt, but won't post anymore pictures since it's not for me. I learned a lot about quilting on the plasticy logos on T-shirts! (Grr!)
This week, I hope to finish the patriotic quilt, and then my numbers will start moving in the right direction!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Stash Report Week #20
Nada in. Nada out. 4 graduations this weekend with 2 little girls (and a niece...)... Not much happening here.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Paper-Piecing
Let's just say that SOMEDAY I would like to make an amazing paper-pieced rose like this. I guess that means I should practice first, right? I believe the pattern is by Ula Lenz.
But not today. I quilted more on the T-shirt quilt - it will be finished next week. In a few hours, I will take to the road to see my younger sister graduate from college. We'll get to see some college friends that live there too, and the Assistant wants to swim at the hotel pool.
And she's going on the potty by herself!!!!!!!
Right now, she's telling me she wants to "borrow" a stack of hand-dyed fabric and put it in her drawer. I don't think borrow means the same thing to her as it does to me!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Miracle needed!
It's been a crazy two weeks in the "nini" room. My BiL has finally been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, caused by IgA nephropathy. He will start dialysis next week, my poor nephew thinks he, too, should experience kidney failure and have a transplant so he understands what's wrong with Daddy, and my sister will have to work next year since my BiL might be unable for a while if he has a transplant. Whew!
My DH brought a relic of Chaplain Kapaun to my BiL, so we are praying for one of two miracles - that his kidney function return (truly, a miracle) or that we quickly find a willing, compatible donor locally so that when school resumes in the fall, BiL might be able to work again within months. He's so young (just 33), but he's apparently been ill for years, even decades.
I'm grateful a diagnosis was given so quickly after he became seriously ill. At least he'll start to feel better with a diet overhaul, dialysis, and medications, and only time and God can tell if a transplant is in the future. It definitely made my own (minor) surgery take a back seat, and I haven't had time to feel sorry for my own discomfort - it's nothing compared to his!
So if you are of the praying sort (which I am), would you remember my BiL? And if you are Catholic (which I am), maybe ask Chaplain Kapaun for a miracle... then one day soon Chaplain Kapaun might be declared a Saint!
A little quiltiness here and there, but the garden is demanding lots of time... Away I go!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
My DH brought a relic of Chaplain Kapaun to my BiL, so we are praying for one of two miracles - that his kidney function return (truly, a miracle) or that we quickly find a willing, compatible donor locally so that when school resumes in the fall, BiL might be able to work again within months. He's so young (just 33), but he's apparently been ill for years, even decades.
I'm grateful a diagnosis was given so quickly after he became seriously ill. At least he'll start to feel better with a diet overhaul, dialysis, and medications, and only time and God can tell if a transplant is in the future. It definitely made my own (minor) surgery take a back seat, and I haven't had time to feel sorry for my own discomfort - it's nothing compared to his!
So if you are of the praying sort (which I am), would you remember my BiL? And if you are Catholic (which I am), maybe ask Chaplain Kapaun for a miracle... then one day soon Chaplain Kapaun might be declared a Saint!
A little quiltiness here and there, but the garden is demanding lots of time... Away I go!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Stash Report Week 19
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 114 1/2
OUT this week: 1/2 yard
OUT YTD: 93 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 20 3/4 IN
Hey, I'm making progress. It's been a long week of recovery. My poor BiL was diagnosed with kidney failure, so not much was accomplished in terms of quilting. Soon!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
IN YTD: 114 1/2
OUT this week: 1/2 yard
OUT YTD: 93 3/4 yards
YTD Total: 20 3/4 IN
Hey, I'm making progress. It's been a long week of recovery. My poor BiL was diagnosed with kidney failure, so not much was accomplished in terms of quilting. Soon!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Week #18 Stash Report
Whew! Surgery is over and recovery is commenced. Now to wait the biopsy results, and then it will all be behind me! I figure I'll write my stash report while I have the peace and energy.
I sewed some curtains for our unfinished basement in an attempt to hide our food stores. That's 14 1/2 yards out!
I finished the Japanese quilt (and if I could find the camera cord, you would see a picture!). It's quite lovely - DH wishes I weren't giving it away! 14 3/4 yards out.
Today, I went to a quilt shop in search of a suitable quilting template for the T-shirt quilt, but didn't find one. Instead, I bought template plastic to buy my own. DH picked out a yard of purple batik, and I picked up two fat quarters with stars on them.
IN this week: 1 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 114 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 29 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 93 1/4 yards
Total YTD: 21 1/4 yards IN
I am making progress - my total hasn't been this low since January 6. I bought the fabric today as a bit of a joke - when I was in labor with the assistant, I went fabric shopping with my mom to get the fabric to finish a few quilts. The day before I was induced with the screamer, I'm pretty sure I bought fabric. Today, to celebrate surgery being over, I had to buy something!
Now for a few days of recuperation, then back to work. It's good to have time to rest.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I sewed some curtains for our unfinished basement in an attempt to hide our food stores. That's 14 1/2 yards out!
I finished the Japanese quilt (and if I could find the camera cord, you would see a picture!). It's quite lovely - DH wishes I weren't giving it away! 14 3/4 yards out.
Today, I went to a quilt shop in search of a suitable quilting template for the T-shirt quilt, but didn't find one. Instead, I bought template plastic to buy my own. DH picked out a yard of purple batik, and I picked up two fat quarters with stars on them.
IN this week: 1 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 114 1/2 yards
OUT this week: 29 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 93 1/4 yards
Total YTD: 21 1/4 yards IN
I am making progress - my total hasn't been this low since January 6. I bought the fabric today as a bit of a joke - when I was in labor with the assistant, I went fabric shopping with my mom to get the fabric to finish a few quilts. The day before I was induced with the screamer, I'm pretty sure I bought fabric. Today, to celebrate surgery being over, I had to buy something!
Now for a few days of recuperation, then back to work. It's good to have time to rest.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Always look on the bright side of life...
... That would mean... God is granting me an extensive lesson in patience today!
I finished some curtains today (whew!) and am almost finished with hand-stitching the third side of the Japanese quilt, so I will finish before surgery on Friday BUT
My office decided to move the staff meeting that is supposed to be tomorrow at 8:30 to tomorrow at 10... then changed it to TODAY AT 3:00. Did I mention no one bothered to tell me until 2:00 (10 minutes ago)? How do I find a babysitter in an hour when all the kids are in school? And I'm already working tonight from 6:00-9:00, so I'm not going to see DH or the girls much tonight.
Oh, yeah, and I'm preparing for surgery on Friday. We're making good progress on preparing for that in the house. I just baked bread, did my 8th load of laundry for the week (you know, nobody warned me that ALL laundry multiplies when you have potty training going on. I mean, even things that are not even remotely related to potty accidents are multiplying in their filthiness. That's why DH and 2 little girls have produced 8 loads of laundry!!!!).
The assistant has been victorious twice in using the potty. She was so proud of herself. I was so proud of her.
Okay, we'll end on that positive note. The assistant is learning to be potty trained.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I finished some curtains today (whew!) and am almost finished with hand-stitching the third side of the Japanese quilt, so I will finish before surgery on Friday BUT
My office decided to move the staff meeting that is supposed to be tomorrow at 8:30 to tomorrow at 10... then changed it to TODAY AT 3:00. Did I mention no one bothered to tell me until 2:00 (10 minutes ago)? How do I find a babysitter in an hour when all the kids are in school? And I'm already working tonight from 6:00-9:00, so I'm not going to see DH or the girls much tonight.
Oh, yeah, and I'm preparing for surgery on Friday. We're making good progress on preparing for that in the house. I just baked bread, did my 8th load of laundry for the week (you know, nobody warned me that ALL laundry multiplies when you have potty training going on. I mean, even things that are not even remotely related to potty accidents are multiplying in their filthiness. That's why DH and 2 little girls have produced 8 loads of laundry!!!!).
The assistant has been victorious twice in using the potty. She was so proud of herself. I was so proud of her.
Okay, we'll end on that positive note. The assistant is learning to be potty trained.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Week #17 Stash Report
I finished quilting the Japanese quilt! This week I'll bind it, and that'll be more yardage out, but for now I'll settle for finishing my rag rug (10 1/2 yards).
The Assistant bought a yard of funky fat quarters yesterday, but I only bought 3 yards of extra-wide backing for a commissioned T-shirt quilt, so I'm not counting my T-shirt.
So...
IN this week: 1 yard
IN YTD: 113
OUT this week: 10 1/2 yards
OUT YTD: 64 yards
YTD Totals: 49 yards IN
I'm making progress!
This week, I hope to finish the Japanese quilt and catch up on Judy's scrap quilt. I also have some basement curtains to work on, but since I have surgery on Friday (gulp), I'm not pushing myself too much. I have lots of work-work and house-work to complete by then!
The Assistant bought a yard of funky fat quarters yesterday, but I only bought 3 yards of extra-wide backing for a commissioned T-shirt quilt, so I'm not counting my T-shirt.
So...
IN this week: 1 yard
IN YTD: 113
OUT this week: 10 1/2 yards
OUT YTD: 64 yards
YTD Totals: 49 yards IN
I'm making progress!
This week, I hope to finish the Japanese quilt and catch up on Judy's scrap quilt. I also have some basement curtains to work on, but since I have surgery on Friday (gulp), I'm not pushing myself too much. I have lots of work-work and house-work to complete by then!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
T-shirt Quilt
This is the T-shirt quilt top I finished this week. The backing I bought is the same color as the red T-shirts. Since it's for a cousin as work, I didn't count the backing in. Like it?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Stash Report Week #16
This week, I finished a sewing carryall for myself. The pictures here aren't great, but you get 
the idea. It fits nicely in my purse, and it's nice not to worry about losing fabric or being poked by a stray needle. 1/2 yard out.
My sister and I went shopping for fabric to make the girls' flowergirl dresses. 6 yards in.
The assistant turned 3 yesterday, and what a day it was! She's still not old enough to skip naps, no matter what she says. She wore her new birthday dress until she had an accident (we're not officially potty training, but she removes her diaper most of the day!), so no picture of the dress I made for her. She's such a grown-up little girl sometimes, and she gave me the BEST hug this morning!
I've been working on the T-shirt quilt (you can see parts of it in the background of my picture)
I also caught up on mending and made some flying geese for Judy's newest stash quilt. I also quilted 6 rows on my Japanese quilt! I might be able to finish quilting it next week.
Report:
OUT this week: 1/2 yard
OUT YTD: 53 1/2 yards
IN this week: 6 yards
IN YTD: 112 yards
YTD Totals: 58 1/2 yards
This week, I hope to finish quilting the Japanese quilt, trim it, assemble the T-shirt top, work on the rag-rug, and maybe finish my flying geese.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
the idea. It fits nicely in my purse, and it's nice not to worry about losing fabric or being poked by a stray needle. 1/2 yard out.My sister and I went shopping for fabric to make the girls' flowergirl dresses. 6 yards in.
The assistant turned 3 yesterday, and what a day it was! She's still not old enough to skip naps, no matter what she says. She wore her new birthday dress until she had an accident (we're not officially potty training, but she removes her diaper most of the day!), so no picture of the dress I made for her. She's such a grown-up little girl sometimes, and she gave me the BEST hug this morning!
I've been working on the T-shirt quilt (you can see parts of it in the background of my picture)
I also caught up on mending and made some flying geese for Judy's newest stash quilt. I also quilted 6 rows on my Japanese quilt! I might be able to finish quilting it next week.
Report:
OUT this week: 1/2 yard
OUT YTD: 53 1/2 yards
IN this week: 6 yards
IN YTD: 112 yards
YTD Totals: 58 1/2 yards
This week, I hope to finish quilting the Japanese quilt, trim it, assemble the T-shirt top, work on the rag-rug, and maybe finish my flying geese.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
I keep deleting what I write because it's all so NEGATIVE!!!! That's the kind of day it's been. Enough said.
I thought I'd throw out a picture of something cheerful that I made for a coworker of DH when she married. (Hey, the picture was not sideways on my computer. Whatever!)
I killed most of my strawberry plants while waiting to plant them. Oops. The horseradish wintered over well, and is the greenest thing in the year. There's garlic and wild garlic growing, and I think I see my first potato sprouts. Hurrah! I can grow things (I think I can, I think I can...). The peas are sprouting also, and we ate our first spinach a few nights ago. It's still very early, but I've been pulling dandelions, and that makes me want to plant too.
The Japanese quilt is coming along well. I think I'll have it finished before my surgery. Another hurrah!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I thought I'd throw out a picture of something cheerful that I made for a coworker of DH when she married. (Hey, the picture was not sideways on my computer. Whatever!)
I killed most of my strawberry plants while waiting to plant them. Oops. The horseradish wintered over well, and is the greenest thing in the year. There's garlic and wild garlic growing, and I think I see my first potato sprouts. Hurrah! I can grow things (I think I can, I think I can...). The peas are sprouting also, and we ate our first spinach a few nights ago. It's still very early, but I've been pulling dandelions, and that makes me want to plant too.
The Japanese quilt is coming along well. I think I'll have it finished before my surgery. Another hurrah!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Week #15 Stash Report
I used 1 yard this week: 1/2 of lousy fabric to mop up messes, and 1/2 yard to make tea towel rags.
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 106 yards
OUT this week: 1 yard
OUT YTD: 53 yards
YTD Total: 53 yards IN
I finished my Japanese quilt top last night and now need to make plans to quilt it. DH accidentally deleted the picture of the whole top, but I think you can see from this one what it looks like. How would you (simply) quilt this if it were yours? (The book is Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match by Susan Briscoe.)
We went for a long drive today to look at some land for sale. We're not seriously looking, but we want to know what's out there so when we can, we know what we can afford. I wish we could move today!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Week #14 Stash Report & Goals
A finish! A finish! I finally finished a quilt! I love it, too!
Last night, I finished hand-stitching the binding down on Bonnie's Star Struck pattern for my BiL. I'm not sure I ever want to work with a pattern that ever piece has a triangle, but it's a great pattern! I bought her book, but decided against using the sashing as I didn't have the right colors. I think this is amazing as is. (I apologize for the blurry picture - this was the third, and it's still a little shaky!) My BiL requested soft red, and I had to pick a palette from there. The colors are a little more yellow than in real life, but not too far off. It's very different from my usual choices, but everytime someone new sees it, they saw, "Wow!" so I guess it worked. Good colors, Chris!
I also sent away 3/4 yards to someone across the ocean, so with the quilt, I managed to use 16 yards this week.
IN this week: 0 yards (whew!)
IN YTD: 106 yards
OUT this week: 16 yards
OUT YTD: 52 yards
Total YTD: 54 yards IN
At least I'm digging out of my hole. Now if I can just keep DH's itchy fingers from buying purple fabric to cover all the statues in our house for the last week of Lent (because I don't have time to make that purple fabric into properly seamed covers), I will be doing well next week!
Goals this week:
Finish sashiko blocks
Finish last 30 Japanese blocks
Assemble Japanese top
Tame scraps (the little drawer is overflowing)
Charity: work on rag rug
Trim interfacing for T-shirt quilt to 15 1/2"
Judy asked if our stashes were looking any smaller. I'm in the hole, so it doesn't look smaller, but it doesn look different. Since the first of the year, I have been buying more yardage and less small pieces, so I have a stack of yardage that doesn't fit in my little boxes. Maybe I might need a new storage solution?
from the room of Zana's Ninis
Friday, April 3, 2009
Long-Overdue pictures
of my haul from the closing quilt shop. The Assistant and the Screamer tried to make a nest out of the big pieces! The stripe I already had - I'm just showing you how nicely the fat quarters play.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Antsy
I feel antsy this week. There's so much to be done!
I need to finish BiL's quilt for a special deadline and...
I need to finish my Japanese quilt for a couple getting married in May, but I am not finished with the blocks. (Aak!) I also can't quilt it until BiL's quilt is off the frame.
I have a T-shirt quilt that needs to be finished by the beginning of June.
I must work 15 hours this week (more if possible, to get hours together for taking a week off in May/June).
I need to start my seedlings - done!
The basement has a stream running through it since we had 8+ inches of snow, ice, and rain over the weekend. Our driveway doesn't funnel water to the street.
The girls need attention.
I want to research homesteading. Did I ever mention I want to move to a farm? The plan is in 13 years, but we are both itching to move earlier. However, I need to get off the computer.
There is baking to be done.
There is laundry. At least I cleaned!
Off to be busy.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I figured out the source of my antsiness... (is that a word?)... I had a doctor's appointment today and learned I will have to have minor surgery in the not-so-distant future. It should be fine, but I'm worried anyhow... anesthetic makes me sick, and I don't like scalpels near me! If you are of the praying type, please pray for me!
I need to finish BiL's quilt for a special deadline and...
I need to finish my Japanese quilt for a couple getting married in May, but I am not finished with the blocks. (Aak!) I also can't quilt it until BiL's quilt is off the frame.
I have a T-shirt quilt that needs to be finished by the beginning of June.
I must work 15 hours this week (more if possible, to get hours together for taking a week off in May/June).
I need to start my seedlings - done!
The basement has a stream running through it since we had 8+ inches of snow, ice, and rain over the weekend. Our driveway doesn't funnel water to the street.
The girls need attention.
I want to research homesteading. Did I ever mention I want to move to a farm? The plan is in 13 years, but we are both itching to move earlier. However, I need to get off the computer.
There is baking to be done.
There is laundry. At least I cleaned!
Off to be busy.
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
I figured out the source of my antsiness... (is that a word?)... I had a doctor's appointment today and learned I will have to have minor surgery in the not-so-distant future. It should be fine, but I'm worried anyhow... anesthetic makes me sick, and I don't like scalpels near me! If you are of the praying type, please pray for me!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Stash Report Week #13
The Buttonhole in McPherson, Kansas (not TOO far away, but a long drive with two little girls) is going out of business, so we made a journey to see what trouble we could get into.
How does almost 30 yards sound? I am going backwards this year, but it's mostly good purchases, and I have 3 quilts that need to be finished by June, so I may get closer to breaking even.
IN this week: 29 3/4 yards
IN YTD: 106 yards
OUT this week: 0 yards
OUT YTD: 35 3/4
YTD total: 70 1/4 IN
I'm on DH's computer, so pictures will follow later. I did post about my vacation and bike bag, for those that are interested.
I need to finish quilting BiL's quilt this week, seriously make a dent in my Japanese blocks, and cut out the T-shirts for my cousin's quilt. Only problem with cutting T-shirts is my hands hurt terribly after. I'm too young for that!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
How does almost 30 yards sound? I am going backwards this year, but it's mostly good purchases, and I have 3 quilts that need to be finished by June, so I may get closer to breaking even.
IN this week: 29 3/4 yards
IN YTD: 106 yards
OUT this week: 0 yards
OUT YTD: 35 3/4
YTD total: 70 1/4 IN
I'm on DH's computer, so pictures will follow later. I did post about my vacation and bike bag, for those that are interested.
I need to finish quilting BiL's quilt this week, seriously make a dent in my Japanese blocks, and cut out the T-shirts for my cousin's quilt. Only problem with cutting T-shirts is my hands hurt terribly after. I'm too young for that!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Vacation
First off, one should always understand that traveling with small children does not count as a vacation. I did not have to work, however, and that was GLORIOUS!
We arrived at our cabin near Poteau, OK in the early afternoon. The cabin looked tiny after DH's stories of his cousins' exploits as a child. I couldn't see how more than 2 or 3 people could stay there. O
f course, I didn't know I couldn't see the basement, which was as large as the room above, and the cabin can comfortably sleep 12, more if desired.
It is deep in the woods, not near a public road, and surrounded by trees. I understand from DH that the trees are young, as tree poachers came through a while back and cleared all the good trees. Why do people have to be so selfish?
Upon opening the door, I should have been greeted by a full-wall spectacle of the valley betwe
en us and the next mountain. Instead, I was captivated by the carnage of dead and dying wasps. Apparently, the wasps have set up housekeeping somewhere in the ceiling, and once they got inside, couldn't get back out. Needless to say, there was plenty of sweeping and swatting with brooms and shoes. DH broke the fly swatter with one ferocious swat. Now I understand why his family had a "wasp dance." Oh, my. Fortunately, there were no wasps in the sleeping areas, so we didn't have to worry about them at night, and the wasps only moved much when the sun or the furnace warmed the room. Late afternoon was a busy time of "cook, kill wasps, set table, kill wasps, eat, kill wasps..." You get the picture, right?
The view, however, is amazing. I was so blessed to enjoy it for 3 days.
I did spend the better part of 2 days killing wasps and cleaning mouse poop out of the silverware drawer, the utensil drawer, from under the kitchen sink, out of the bathroom cupboards, etc., etc., etc. If I never see mouse poop again, HALLELUJAH! That's what happens when no one is in a cabin for a while, so I know it's just par for the course. The last time a cousin was up, he did set out poison for the mice, but they must have taken their time eating it! There was a bonfire of bedding that was so badly chewed and soiled that DH and his friends built. Later, after the nasty burning was done, they enjoyed a real bonfire (one you didn't worry that the smoke might make you ill!). If it had been EITHER mice or wasps, I think I would have enjoyed our time better, but either way I think we intend to go back again.
I hiked down to the river with the girls and the other two wives. The assistant was captivated by moving water. I ended up carrying both girls up the bluff, mostly by myself, as Screamer was on my back and the Assistant couldn't climb well. One of the other men joked that he had to redeem himself after hearing of my heroic feat. You know, when you gotta climb a bluff, you gotta climb a bluff. You just get it done. Needless to say, my feet were tired afterward.
Oh, yes, and on our way down, I stopped at a quilt shop in Sand Springs, OK. The owner was terribly unfriendly, so we won't go back again. And in Poteau, we randomly found a quilt shop. After seeing it's unkempt interior, I understand why Poteau quilters go to Fort Smith for fabric!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
We arrived at our cabin near Poteau, OK in the early afternoon. The cabin looked tiny after DH's stories of his cousins' exploits as a child. I couldn't see how more than 2 or 3 people could stay there. O
f course, I didn't know I couldn't see the basement, which was as large as the room above, and the cabin can comfortably sleep 12, more if desired.It is deep in the woods, not near a public road, and surrounded by trees. I understand from DH that the trees are young, as tree poachers came through a while back and cleared all the good trees. Why do people have to be so selfish?
Upon opening the door, I should have been greeted by a full-wall spectacle of the valley betwe
en us and the next mountain. Instead, I was captivated by the carnage of dead and dying wasps. Apparently, the wasps have set up housekeeping somewhere in the ceiling, and once they got inside, couldn't get back out. Needless to say, there was plenty of sweeping and swatting with brooms and shoes. DH broke the fly swatter with one ferocious swat. Now I understand why his family had a "wasp dance." Oh, my. Fortunately, there were no wasps in the sleeping areas, so we didn't have to worry about them at night, and the wasps only moved much when the sun or the furnace warmed the room. Late afternoon was a busy time of "cook, kill wasps, set table, kill wasps, eat, kill wasps..." You get the picture, right?
The view, however, is amazing. I was so blessed to enjoy it for 3 days.
I did spend the better part of 2 days killing wasps and cleaning mouse poop out of the silverware drawer, the utensil drawer, from under the kitchen sink, out of the bathroom cupboards, etc., etc., etc. If I never see mouse poop again, HALLELUJAH! That's what happens when no one is in a cabin for a while, so I know it's just par for the course. The last time a cousin was up, he did set out poison for the mice, but they must have taken their time eating it! There was a bonfire of bedding that was so badly chewed and soiled that DH and his friends built. Later, after the nasty burning was done, they enjoyed a real bonfire (one you didn't worry that the smoke might make you ill!). If it had been EITHER mice or wasps, I think I would have enjoyed our time better, but either way I think we intend to go back again.
I hiked down to the river with the girls and the other two wives. The assistant was captivated by moving water. I ended up carrying both girls up the bluff, mostly by myself, as Screamer was on my back and the Assistant couldn't climb well. One of the other men joked that he had to redeem himself after hearing of my heroic feat. You know, when you gotta climb a bluff, you gotta climb a bluff. You just get it done. Needless to say, my feet were tired afterward.Oh, yes, and on our way down, I stopped at a quilt shop in Sand Springs, OK. The owner was terribly unfriendly, so we won't go back again. And in Poteau, we randomly found a quilt shop. After seeing it's unkempt interior, I understand why Poteau quilters go to Fort Smith for fabric!
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
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I will no longer be accepting comments. The 3 winners have been drawn. The first name my assistant drew was: Jan of Quilter Jan ! Thes...
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The winner of my drawing is littlepeepsmom! Your package will be winging to you this afternoon! It's winter, and I love winter because I...