why does it take so long?

I'm home from work today with a migraine and cold.  I'm feeling much better than the last two days where I did go to school.  I finally finished the binding on the quilt for Matt McQuinn's family in the Aurora Colorado shooting.  I'm hoping to get it in the mail today along with two boxes of quilts for New York and Superstorm Sandy.  I have 20 quilts boxed up and lots more to send, but need to get some more boxes.

We have a nice three day weekend and adding in the sick day was a great idea.  Maybe a little nap is in order soon.

another one quilted

Did this one with one of my favorite patterns, Baptist Fan.  I like that quilting design on the traditional quilts.  I will definitely be making more of these types of quilts in the near future.

Chargers Fans?

I think that is a football team right?  Well, all I really know is I had about 2 yards of the Chargers fabric and used the Take 5 die from my Accuquilt Studio cutter and whipped up these twin quilts (about 54x68 inches).  One will go to the Aurora Colorado quilt cause and the other will be donated locally to my friend who visits the returning wounded.  I think my friend can find a Chargers fan who would like one of these.  Now to work on the Dolphins quilt that is cut out the same way.

Chargers fans?

I'm hoping there are some Chargers fans out in Colorado.  I had a couple of yards of Chargers fabric and made three quilt tops.  This is the first one quilted.  I hope it finds a good home :)  This is also my 85th quilt since starting my 60 quilts in 60 days.  I have 9 days of summer vacation left.  I wonder if I will hit 100?

How long to make a quilt?

This one only took 5 years!  I made the quilt top 5 years ago when I was on the Sudoku kick.  I probably made 10 of them and I think this is the last one.  Why did I wait around so long to finish it up? Who knows, but probably some other new, fun, quick quilt pattern came along and distracted me.  But, now it is done and ready for binding so it can be sent to the Aurora Colorado Emergency Responders.  I love the colors on this one.  Maybe I should make another :)

for a friend

These three quilts were quilted for a friend who made the tops for the Aurora Colorado group.  She had no way to quilt them herself, so asked me if I could quilt them.  She does such a great job on her piecing, I was a little afraid I would mess them up, but they all turned out great.  She also did a 4th quilt that I posted yesterday.  I know some people in Colorado are going to love these quilts!

Making a list

 So for the last two days, I have made a list of quilting things I wanted to accomplish before the day was over.  It seems to be helping keep me on track.  When I get into the sewing room, I get so distracted by all of the projects I'm working on.  Yesterday I got everything done except pinning the 2nd Charger's quilt I'm making, so of course that went on today's list and got done first thing.  I'm almost done with today's list and BAM my migraine is back.  I've had a couple of good mornings.  My doctor gave me the injectible imitrex and I had the hardest time giving myself a shot.  I finally had to get my husband to do it for me.  It didn't hurt as much as I feared so I think the next time I could maybe do it myself???  So far, it isn't working and I think because I worked myself up so much being afraid of the shot and waited too long.  Ugh.

On a funny note, we got a new fridge a few weeks ago.  It has been a comedy of errors to say the least.  The repair guy has been back 5 times to fix the ice maker.  It makes ice, just wouldn't dump it.  The repair company working for Samsung has come to fix it without any parts.  They write things down and then go away.  Today finally the guy came and said he didn't have the part.  I told him I was pretty frustrated that they kept coming back to fix it, but didn't seem to know what they were doing.  He left and called me back about 15 minutes later saying he actually did have the part in his truck and would be right back.  As I was writing this blog post, I finally heard the ice maker dump the ice all by itself.  Maybe it is fixed?

Now, if only I could get my new dishwasher, stove and microwave delivered.  That has been another nightmare of phone calls and people not knowing what was going on.  One day I will look back and laugh at the comedy in the situation.  I wonder how these people stay in business!

Trying to be productive

As the summer winds to an end, I'm finding it harder and harder to be productive every day.  The past two days I've felt like I was going to die, most likely from doing yoga and walking every day.  So, I mostly just laid around on the couch watching the Olympics.  Good excuse to sit still, but so unlike me.

This morning I woke up feeling a little better, but with a massive headache.  Not the typical migraine, but all across the top of my head.  I can't win for losing :(

So, I made a list of everything I wanted to accomplish today and so far have about half of the things done. Two more quilts just need binding for the Aurora Colorado Emergency Responders.

Feeling funky

I've been in a funk the last couple of days and haven't done any quilting.  I'm working on a couple of quilt tops for the Colorado Emergency Responders but between my headaches and being sore from doing yoga and walking in the evenings, I've mostly just sat around and watched the Olympics or taken a nap.  Last night after my walk, I decided I'd had enough and quilted up this pink and green quilt.  The colors are terrible in the bottom picture and are more true to life in the top one.  My quilt helper had to get in on the action yesterday :)  He is usually my photographer, but wanted to try this quilt out and see if it was warm or cool.  Oh, the stories he will tell his children!

More quilts for Colorado

If you are here for the blog hop, scroll down the page :)

Here's a scrappy quilt using 6 1//2 and 4 1/2 inch leftovers.  Just sew them end to end and then into the quilt.

Here's a quick strippie from maryquilt.com with side borders to make it wider for an adult.  I had the backing fabric already loaded and needed a top to fit.  This one fits the bill

The top was made by a friend.  I added the borders and quilted it up today.

I love the colors on this modern baby quilt.  Not your typical color choice for a baby, but the browns all play so well with each other.

Christmas in July Blog Hop...my day

Contest is now over...thanks for stopping by!

Here's the list of all of the bloggers.  I hope you have a chance to check out what everyone else is up to.


These lovely ladies share the day with me:
Grandmama's Stories
Sandra Kaye Designs
North Hills Quilter==that's me :)
Lv2sew
Quilty Doodads
Quilting in South Carolina
The Raspberry Rabbits
Charise Creates
Traveling Quilter
Nancy B at That Other Blog
Selina Quilts

Here is a super easy quilt to make for when you need that last minute Christmas gift.  I know you aren't like me and wait until the last second to get everything checked off your list!  You probably make all of your Christmas gifts during the summer, so you can take your time and relax!  Ha :)

For this project you will need at least 6 different fabrics.  More is better because it is easier to lay out the blocks so things don't match.  I used up pieces and scraps so there isn't an even number of anything.  I am the area coordinator for Binky Patrol (www.binkypatrol.org) and we get donations of Christmas fabrics all the time.  I have two big boxes right now that are waiting to be made into Christmas stockings for the troops.  Last year the local high school partnered with us and we made over 300 stockings in a single day!  The National Honor Society kids filled them and then delivered them to the returning wounded soldiers that come through Travis Air Force Base.

Ok, back to the quilt...
You need to cut 4 1/2 inch squares and 4 1/2 inch by 8 1/2 inch rectangles.  You will need three sets of these per 12 1/2 inch block so just do a little math (it's ok, you can use a calculator, I won't tell anyone) and figure out how big you want the finished quilt.  I make a ton of kid size quilts so I would go with either 12 or 20 blocks.  This one was made with 24 blocks set 4x6 so it is big enough for a tall guy.  But, it you are really ambitious, you can make it King Size.  I made a King Size quilt once.  Yeah, once...

 Start by sewing one square to the end of the rectangle.  You can press these, or not.  I'm not a presser.  If I can make a quilt without having to get out of my chair, I'm a happy camper :)

 Then, sew two strips together, flipping so the squares are on opposite ends.

Now, sew the last strip on, with the square next to the rectangle.  This is your basic block.  I have no idea if this block has a name or not, but I just came up with it while trying to clean out some of my scrap boxes.  I had some 4 1/2 inch squares and was making 9 patch blocks.  Then, I came across the 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangles and started playing around

Begin the layout of the quilt.  This can be the fun part or can drive you crazy.  I love having my kids help me with this as we all gather around the quilt and move blocks until they are perfect.  I'm sure they will tell their children about making quilts (or how I tortured them!)


Sew the blocks together, add a border and quilt!  I added 4 1/2 inch borders all the way around, but you can make them any size you want.  Finished size of my quilt is 56x80 inches.  Great for cudding up on the couch with and would be perfect in Red, White and Blues for a Quilt of Valor or any color you like.  This quilt took me about 4 hours to complete.  Like I said, I love making quick and easy quilts.

This quilt, along with many others will be going to the Emergency Responders and those recovering from the Aurora Colorado shooting.  If you would like to help out, join the Facebook page for more information.  We are trying to collect about 400 quilts to cover everyone involved in the tragedy.  Can you make up a quilt quickly and get it sent?
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora-Colorado-Emergency-Responder-Quilts/401592493230782

We'd love to have you join us!

I promised a prize for this blog hop since it is Christmas :)

How about a $25 gift card to JoAnn's?  I love shopping at my local JoAnn's and shopping online.   It's where I get all of my batting for the many quilts I make.  I use the 50 yard roll of Kodel brand and with a 50% off coupon can get it shipped to me for about $38.  I love the poly batting because it is thin and makes the quilts lightweight.  Perfect for cuddle quilts.
http://www.joann.com/kodel-traditional-loft-polyester-batting-48-x50yds/prd14437/

Here are the rules for the Gift Card Giveaway:
1. Leave a comment letting me know if you are a last minute gift maker or you work on Christmas gifts all year long.
2.  Leave a second comment and let me know if you've ever made charity quilts.  What is your favorite charity to give them to?
3.  Leave a comment if you are a follower of my blog.

Three comments, three chances to win.



Merry Christmas everyone!

another one for Colorado

I gotta get my binding buddies busy because if I take the time to bind these, I have less time to make and quilt.  Today was the last day of my teacher training and I'm beat!  I've had a headache all three days and today was the worst by far.  Tomorrow I take my oldest to the airport so she can begin her next adventure.  I'll have some more time for quilting and with only 18 days left before I have to go back full time, I'm going to need all of the quilting time I can get :)

I have another neurology appointment Friday afternoon but don't have much hope that anything will happen.  I have to say I am learning patience and compassion for anyone who has pain on a daily basis.

After a long day of teacher training

I came home and quilted this.  I sewed the top together yesterday.  It is just 8 1/2 inch squares with a 6 1/2 inch border and it made up really quickly.  The pieces were cut on the Accuquilt Studio last December and cleared out a box.  Just enough for a quilt.  This one will go to Colorado when it is finished.

I have several 'must do' quilts that I really should be working on.  One for my sister in law out of my mother in law's shirts, one for a teacher friend's daughter.  My friend died last year in a canoe accident and I finally got her clothes a couple weeks ago.  I offered to make a memory quilt for her grand kids.  The blood donor shirt.  I keep collecting more shirts but I need to just say, "ENOUGH" and make the quilt.  If I get more shirts, I can either wear them or make another quilt.  I only have 3 weeks left before I go back to school, so I had better get busy.  The next two days will be taken up with more training.  We haven't had any paid training in at least 10 years, so I figured I'd check it out.  It is a cooperative learning strategies that is 'bigger and better' than all the rest, but it really just takes stuff I learned in teacher credential school and puts new names on it.  Why didn't I come up with something like this?  It's also geared towards elementary students, but I've gotten a couple of good ideas out of it, plus they fed us breakfast and lunch.  Can't complain too much.  If only they let me cut fabric while listening.  I really can multi task :)

Another strip quilt for Colorado

Here's another strip quilt, this one was made with 2 1/2 inch strips.  It is like the jelly roll race quilts, but the strips are much shorter and I really love the colors on it.  It will be bound tomorrow hopefully and on its way to Colorado.  Is anyone else out there planning on sending out a quilt or two?  You can join the Facebook page to get the shipping address.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora-Colorado-Emergency-Responder-Quilts/401592493230782

A different kind of strip quilt

This one was made using up some 3 1/2 inch strips I had leftover from other things.  It's like the Jelly Roll Race quilts that were all the rage last summer, but goes together faster because of the wider strips.  Although I'm not a big fan of the Jelly Roll Race quilts, I do like this quilt, maybe because of the colors, or the wider strips, or just something about this one.  It didn't take very long to put together, cleaned out my 3 1/2 inch strip bin (about 6 months ago!) and is a nice size about 52x70 and will be headed to Colorado hopefully on Friday.  I have three quilts to bind now.  I've overloaded my binding buddies with my 60 quilts this summer and they are having a hard time keeping up with me.  I think I need to pull out a sewing machine, sit in the living room and put a video on and do some binding myself :)

quilt number 60

My goal of 60 quilts in 60 days is complete and I still have 26 days left to go.  I wonder if I can get 100 quilts done by the time I go back to school.  My headache was really, really bad today, but rather than sit and feel sorry for myself, I had a friend over and helped her quilt up a quilt she is making for a friend and then quilted up the stretched stars quilt for Colorado.  I did have a couple of pity parties for myself and emailed the doctor to get my medicine switched again.  Here's hoping this new one does something different. It's another anti seizure medicine (like the Topamax that worked really well for several years) so fingers are crossed.

I also tried yoga with my TV and found out that my carpet smells really bad. :)  It's good to keep your sense of humor.  They do say laughter is the best medicine.  That and quilting I think.

Just needs binding

and this one will be ready to send to Colorado. Have you joined the Aurora Colorado Emergency Response Quilts Facebook page yet?  They have a big goal and can use all the help from lots of quilters.  I sorted through all of my larger quilt tops and have another 5 that will be quilted this week and boxed up to send out.  I have a bunch of these types of scrappy squares that will be made into at least two more quilts to be sent as well.  The Accuquilt Studio will be seeing some more action and cutting up more scraps very soon.  Plus I will be working on my Christmas in July quilt inbetween projects.

If only my headache would go away.

The fridge repair guy is supposed to be coming this afternoon...or is it tomorrow.  They called yesterday and said he would come today, but then sent an email saying he was coming on July 25.  So, I'm not sure if they got the date wrong or the day of the week wrong.  It's ok, I've been waiting for the roof repair guy to show up for 2 1/2 weeks now.  He said he was coming on July 6 and I haven't heard back from him since.  I should just call another company, but that would require me to look up another company and then make another phone call.  Too much work and it isn't raining.

I'd rather spend my time quilting :)

Aurora Colorado Emergency Responder Quilts

Here's the address if you are wanting to help out the first responders in Colorado.  The goal is 3-400 quilts and I'm sure that will be easily reached by the quilting community.  The lady who is organizng this has started a facebook page that you can join here

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Aurora-Colorado-Emergency-Responder-Quilts/401592493230782



Aurora Communications
Dispatch Ctr
Attn: Julie Buck
23911 E Arapahoe Rd,
Aurora, CO 80016

Here's another quilt I did last night.  I can't say how much I just love these quick stripie quilts from maryquilts.com that not only sew up quickly (thanks to the ladies in my Binky Patrol group) but quilt up fast too.  They take about 15 minutes to quilt.  Then, off to my binding buddies for a quick binding and you have a finished quilt in about 2 hours.  Need a quick baby shower gift?  Nothing could be more easy than one of these guys.  I am betting you could even quilt these on a sit down machine, just do straight lines along the skinny strips.  I haven't tried that yet, but maybe I should, just to see if it could be done.