Journal

Starting Soon

Lucy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:11:54 +0000

Skimpy post I know, but it was time for an update. I am so eager to get this done. Looks ready to begin - eh? It is. Now if I could just fix my constant procrastination ailment. I fear it is getting worse with age.

Parade of Quilts

Lucy — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:16:45 +0000

Two quilt designer extraordinarees (Camille and Carrie) are holding a parade of quilts event to allow others to share their first and most recent quilt projects and what they’ve learned since then. What the heck I love a parade and I figure it might need some diversity. Age wise. So here goes…

My first “finished” quilt was this rag quilt for my step daughter Amy. A bit blurry of a picture — in all the wrong places. What can I say — that’s what you get cuz Camille and her camera do not live here. giggle

It was 2005 and I was over 1/2 century old (just a tad) and wanted to learn how to quilt. I attempted to make a traditional quilt (on my own) a few weeks prior to this, but was failing miserably. So off to the local quilt store I went secretly hoping someone would cast a spell on me and cure all my quilt-making problems disasters.

The gal @ the store suggested I tackle a rag quilt. I accepted her lack of magic skills (yep I was hoping for the spell) and the rest was history. I actually made 2 more for the boys and all three got these for xmas gifts that year.

They were fun and fast — perfect. I was on my way. Magic after all?

Fast forward to 2009 and I’ve learned a lot, but have much more to master. It’s OK — I’ve learned to take baby steps — make improvements over time. My last finished project was a doll quilt from a Moda Bake Shop project.

I love projects like this — they are a nice sanity break from the bigger projects and a great way to practice my stippling. Though saving my sanity is pretty high on the list. I truly must be able to see my carpet thru the fabric at least twice a year. Some days I just want to go get the leaf blower to help. Don’t tell Tom.

Finally I seemed to have figured out the right combination to smooth swirls and consistent stitches. I wanted to shout from the mountain tops to all the sewing goddesses of the world, but I’m saving that shout out til I can do this on a big quilt. Pray for me. All 2,354,368,700 of you goddesses. I need lots prayers.

Since the doll quilt was such a tiny project I’m sharing one more.

Play Me A Symphony is my last “big” finished project. I love to name my quilts and this one was named after the fabric line - Symphony by Sentimental Studios for Moda. I don’t have an original bone in my body, but I can copy anything. Well sometimes.

My piecing is now easier and I’ve learned a few goddess tricks to make my fabric fluid. Yep to fix those wonky blocks I can spritz on some water and make a corner grow just a tad. Or I learn to live with miniscule mistakes. Usually the later.

But my favorite acquired talent (I count everything) is the benefit of buying Layer Cakes to finalize which fabrics to use in a quilt. They are like big paint swatches. I love them. I sit on the floor and play with different scenarios and can cut the swatches into smaller sizes if necessary. Then I order the exact fabric I need. Exact = what I need and the rest is stuffed into a drawer. Guilty. I’m a wanted women. I like that.

This Click to Enlargefabric line had so many gorgeous fabrics, but in the end I wanted to keep it simple and stuck with just 7 fabrics in a very symmetrical layout. I used Heather Peterson’s Double Takes II pattern.

I sent this out to the LAQer cuz I’m not confident enough with my stippling to tackle something so large and the prayers are still pending. Obviously not enough goddesses know me yet. Plus I love picking out fancy pantos. My LAQer (aka favorite goddess) has a Gamill Statler Stitcher. She is fabulous and will sit with me for as long as I want to get the perfect design, scale, and thread.

Play Me A Symphony sits here when not in use - which is not often.

I’m ready to watch the parade. I suspect it will be long. May take days. grin

Dining Room Project

Lucy — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:20:55 +0000

I am re-igniting my plan to make dining room drapes. Some readers may remember that plan was shelved last year after a little snafu with the fabric. Long story short I think I found a solution which I’ll explain later once I confirm it works.

Soooo.. assuming I move forward with this I drew up a plan. Click on pics to enlarge.

Yikes - yep this is costly, but these are costs I can spread out over a couple of months. I can wait on the new wood blinds and even delay buying rods til I’m ready to hang them. I know me it will take me a few weeks to get these done.

The style - cuff top panels like these. This is a pattern I bought several months ago is from Pate Meadows.

The fabric — same as the dining room chairs. I have 9 yards already, but I need 4 more. Plus I’ll need a couple of yards of a contrasting fabric for the cuff.

The blinds — 2” wood blinds. $180 — which is the cheapest custom solution I can find online. I could go with a slightly better quality, but then the price gets close to $300. I don’t think it’s necessary. This window is too wide to buy these @ a box store. sigh

The rods — 2” diameter with chunky finials and rings. I want the bigger size since these drapes will be 10’5” long. They have to be big enough to carry the look. I was actually pleased I found these for the price I did although these are wood. I prefer metal, but that would be more costly for sure.

Both the blinds and rods are available thru American Wallpaper and Blind Co. We’ve used them before and I’ve had great luck with them.

The fabric is coming via Inside Fabric.com. You can get decorator fabrics @ discount prices thru them. Kravet, Robert Allen, Osborne and Little. etc…

I’m waiting on fabric samples to proceed. If it all works out it will probably take at least a week or more to get all my supplies. Til then I’ll be quilting… though slowly. That seems to be my pace lately.

Anyway I really want to get these window treatments updated. If I can pull off these dining room drapes I may tackle the family room though that may put me in the funny farm as there are more windows in there. gulp

Christmas Crayons

Lucy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:59:06 +0000

It’s time to call this something other than Crazy Mom’s 9 patch… so I proclaim it Christmas Crayons. It reminds me of school days and shopping for supplies. Many moons ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

Remember Crayola’s big box of 64 with the pencil sharpener in the back? Only the rich kids got those — me I usually got the 24 or 48. But I was happy to have them. Who knows what kids get today … I suppose there are bigger boxes or fancy cases now.

Anyway I digress. I’ve started assembling this baby (finally) and playing with border options. This is scenario one.

And scenario two.

Decisions, decisions. Which do you like? I’m too tired to think about it anymore tonight.

Other things … Look what came today? thump thump… be still my h.e.a.r.t

I’m loving this fabric which is for the snowball quilt (in post below). Makes me want to shove all my other projects to the side and dig in. Literally. But of course I won’t.

These are from Bonnie Sullivan’s Winter Wonderland line. Last year’s fabrics. I think I’ll need more green. And maybe another accent?? The inspiration quilt included purple. I don’t think I’ll do that, but may add another color. Any suggestions??? Maybe some solid flannels?

These fabrics are so darn cute I may need to make more than one quilt and they definitely must be bigger than a wall hanging. Am I right???

A Sewing Day

Lucy — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:51:22 +0000

And a rainy day. This is a typical day in South Florida in the Summer. Although this usually occurs in the afternoon along with storms not @ 8:30 a.m. Oh well fine by me - I’m just going to sit and sew.

Today’s plan will be devoted to Crazy Mom’s 9 patch. I’m almost over the hump — 35 squares done. Though it has been painful. I’ve had so many mess ups making these blocks that it is driving me crazy. Really stupid mistakes. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but if I have any more problems I’m going to call it d.o.n.e. Just begin assembling what I have done and it becomes whatever size it becomes.

I’m so ready to move onto my scrappy quit for the Bus and some other xmas quilts like this one.

I’ve had my eye on this snowball quilt for some time. It’s from BHG’s February American Patchwork & Quilting issue. I’m addicted to wovens plaids, wools, flannels. So wrong for South Florida but so me and I just love these woolies and flannels from Bonnie Sullivan. The whimsy ones in the quilt on the right.

I’m also shopping at the Fat Quarter Shop today —- they sent me a 20% coupon that must be used by midnight tonight. How can I NOT buy something???

Here’s what in my basket at the moment.

How cute is that itty bitty dog cushion? Woof Woof. Of course I’m not done shopping. 20% off — I can do more damage for sure.

I’m also in love with this new line from Sandy Gervais. But it’s not available yet. October I think. That’s OK — it can wait plus I’m not sure what to do with it yet but the pattern hunt begins.

What are you doing today???

A Coat

Lucy — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:35:07 +0000

My Best Press bottle now has a coat. LOL

I stumbled onto the tutorial today while browsing the Minnesota Designer Blog Hop links. Several designers are offering free projects every day this week thru their blogs. Heather Peterson’s project was posted today — so darling — I definitely plan to make it.

Anyway this Best Press project is not part of this week’s freebie projects — just something the gal posted last year. I thought this was so cute and being prone to distractions I dropped everything to make it. She calls it a bag. Of course it is, but I decided mine was a coat. he he.

Checkout those Blog Hop links for more projects. Me - I’m going to browse thru more of their older posts and see what other goodies I can find.

Little Things

Lucy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:59:00 +0000

We are back home and fortunately it did not rain on the Bus after all our hard work. We really got lucky there. Overall a productive week for us. A little work and a little relaxation.

I had a bunch of packages waiting for me @ the front door. grin Results of some internet shopping. I’m trying to update a few areas in the home without spending big bucks.

New area rug in front of patio door. From Plow and Hearth. Previous rug — a green/black purple flowered rug we got @ Kmart. Probably 10 years ago. Time for its funeral for sure.

New hats for this chandelier. Also from Plow and Hearth. I wanted the round ones but they were out of stock.

These were on sale — like $7/each. Before Now I know why. The fabric was added a little wonky. Slanted plaid. grrrr

I considered returning them, but oh what the heck — from a distance who will notice besides me and now you.

Last thing .. new door knobs.

BeforeThese are Schlage handles - $13-17 each. From Door Hardware Central. Just be sure you know exactly what you want before you order because they have a restocking fee.

This month - the interior doors. In a couple more months - the the exterior doors. What I like is this company will re-key all the exterior locks to the same key prior to shipping. For a fee of course, but that beats having a locksmith visit. All our hinges are white so I’m leaving those as is.

Tom wonders how I come up with these things. giggle I just think when we resell this home these little things will add up. Women notice this stuff. Am I right???

Now I know the vertical blinds are still a big problem. I can’t stand them and definitely want to get rid of them. It’s just going to cost a small fortune to do that. A quote I got about a year ago — $2500 and that’s just for the family room windows. ugh

Making drapes would be nearly as expensive. I’d need major yardage for 12 foot high ceilings. The rods would need to be a significant size to carry the look so those would be very pricey. Then I’d have to hire out installation. I get a headache just thinking about this - so I try not to.

~~~

Oh well - time to retreat to the sewing room…do laundry … Oh yea - my other package @ my door yesterday — the Fat Quarter Shop BOM with the Glacee fabrics. Love that layout — love the fabrics. Perfect.

A Day @ Ortona - The Labor Camp

Lucy — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:57:08 +0000

This is hard work — especially this time of year.

Passenger side — nearly done.

The wheels… starting to look better. We don’t do these all the time and it shows. And we forgot to bring our drill so we are unable to use our polisher attachments — which makes it easier.

Clean wheel fanatics will notice the inside holes are not shiny. That’s cuz I’m the one doing these. Personally I’d like the strangle the guy who invented holes that need to be shined.

Here’s Tom scrubbing down the other side. All that is left to do — polish this side and the back and two more wheels. Soooo we are staying one extra day. It’s too hot to be out here in the afternoon and well it’s time to watch g.o.l.f.

~~~~

Other stuff … Ali and any other RVers who are interested here are some extra pictures of our current site — # 28.

Below the patio view. Not the best (imo) unless you turn your chairs away from the locks. Tom likes being close to the locks as he can get over to them quickly to watch boats go thru. The pile of grasses and weeds in the water is usually not there…probably a build up due to all the rain.

The grass around the sites needs to be mowed. It’s unusual for it to be so high. Course all the rain is one reason, but I suspect they’ll let it go since the loop closes July 1 for those renovations.

Below is a broader perspective. The first site on the left is # 30. Has the nice empty space on the patio side, but it’s even closer to the locks and it’s like sitting under spotlights @ night with all the security lights.

And the picture below shows how far the bath house is from us. About 3 sites away.

I did take some more individual site pics (upper loop) this a.m so I’ll add those to the photo album as soon as I get them all sorted out. And before we leave I’ll get more shots of some lower loop sites. Stay tuned.

Campfires

Lucy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:51:48 +0000

Today we got the roof and all the awnings cleaned B.I.G. job. We were pooped. Note to self — hire that done next time. lol

By evening we were ready to relax and enjoy a campfire.

Cocktails ready

Logs started

Then the clouds rolled in.

Very quickly.

Not looking good - eh?

You’d be right. Within 5 minutes the wind was blowing fiercly. Our chairs and rugs started to blow away. Tom raced to put all the stuff away….threw a bucket of water on the fire and we got indoors before the downpour.

The wind gusts were so high causing the slide toppers to flap too much so we brought in the slides. We don’t do that very often. Then we lost the satellite - so No TV, but the WiFi worked so I checked the weather map.

Here is what we were experiencing. Yikes! We are sitting where you see the circled plus sign.

So it goes in South Florida. In the Summer.

Tomorrow’s task — cleaning the outside of the Bus. The walls and windows.

I’m thinking we should try a morning campfire. With our coffee. It’s always beautiful in the mornings.

We're Camping!

Lucy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:43:39 +0000

One of the “to do” tasks during Tom’s week off was to wash the Bus. Mainly he wants to get the roof clean — I believe things might be growing up there. lol The plan was to take it to a local CG for a couple of days. I could do some inside cleaning and he’d do the outside.

Cleaning is still the plan, but we decided to make a trip out of it. Packed all our things Monday night and left Tuesday a.m. We are now @ Ortona South and all alone in the upper loop. I have some info to share on this CG…..

The grass is back! The camphost tells us they’ve had 23 inches of rain in the last couple of months. Actually more weeds than grass, but who cares — green is good. Last trip it was scorched due to lack of rain. That was April, the trip Tom saved me from the armadillo.

The host also told us the upper loop will be closed for 2 months starting July 1. Apparently there is some Obama money to spend so several contractors have been thru to assess the area and create their estimates. Rumor is they are expanding the site length and possibly adding a laundry to the bath house up here. I can’t wait to see the result. This is the loop we like best and usually spend several days over Xmas.

Reccreation.gov lists these sites to be 30-35 feet long (most of them), but our 40’ Bus fits on the paved area easily. We could back up further as there is gravel behind the paved area, but we don’t usually do that. I’m guessing that’s the area they intend to add new cement. Depending on the site that would add about 2-5 extra feet.

The extra laundry machines would be a great addition. Currently there is only 1 washer/dryer and it’s in the lower loop. During snowbird season it is always busy. I sure hope this rumor is true. It’s probably the only way we’ll benefit from any Obama money. giggle

This trip will put me even further behind on Crazy Mom’s quit-a-long as I did not bring my machine, but I did bring the Xmas tree skirt project to cut out. In case we get stuck inside due to storms. Which is pretty likely this time of year.

Anyway, I digress. We’ll be getting to that cleaning soon.

But first …

Back home by the weekend — to catch the end of the U.S. open.