Just Nesting

Today I finished a new project.  Jenny from Elefantz sent me some Aussie mags [bless her heart!] and this was in one - it's her project - the magazine is Creating Country Threads Vol 10 No 6.  You can see her post here.   All my organizing and punch needle practicing came to a screeching halt when I saw this - the fabric scraps were flying and I had to hunt down my fusible.  The fabric I used for the borders was something I had in my stash, one of those that you have to have but no idea why.  This was perfect!



But of course, it has some oops.  I got all the pieces fused on and realized I'd forgotten to trace the stitchery part.  Jenny has the words in the lower branch - my fabric decision for it was too dark to show stitching, so I decided to do it in the nest.  Unfortunately, I couldn't see through it, so I had to draw it myself.  It's ok, but Jenny's would have been better.



This is the border fabric.




I really love this little wallhanging, thank you Jenny for another fabulous design - and for sending those magazines!

Did you see the US/Canada hockey game?  *sob*  There's only one player I really, really dislike in the entire roster - and that's Crosby.  Even before he scored the gold medal goal.  [If you know any history of the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins you'll understand.]
The closing ceremonies should be good tonight!  And on that note, I would like to say a great big

THANK YOU CANADA!

Canada, you are an amazing country - kudos for doing such a grand job hosting the Olympics.  The absolute nicest people on the planet.  I'm so glad we're neighbors.


*EDIT*  Jenny has now made the Just Nesting pattern available HERE, in her Etsy shop!

All Fixed?

I can't believe it, but I think I'm good.  For the last few days, my computer wouldn't turn off - I had to turn it off at the power switch.  It also wouldn't log me offline, although it said it did.  Turned out to be a couple of incompatible programs, not a virus like I thought.  Thank goodness!  Now I'm going to go play catch-up with blogs and email, I'll take pics and post my project tomorrow - it's SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Problems

I'm having serious computer issues - I'll have to disappear for a few days or as long as it takes to figure out, and hopefully do a complete back-up of all my files, it's been a month since the last one.  I won't be able to approve comments or get online at all - and it's going to drive me nuts.  Of course, trying to fix the computer will do that too.  Darn it, and I have something to show you!  Behave while I'm gone. :)

The Verdict Is In

And embedded comments, the way it is now, is the winner.  So no more changes!  For now.

I've been busy all week running around, I'll be staying home tomorrow to work on projects - including PUNCH NEEDLE thanks to Carrie - and will hopefully have something to show soon! The plan tomorrow is to get all the projects I want to work on organized and ready to go.   I really wish I had more hands!  I hope you all get to spend some time today doing what you love.

Your Favorite?

What is your favorite way to post a comment?  As I travel around the blogs, I think mine is the full page where, when you comment, the post still shows....or the pop-up where you can still see the post.  I'm debating on changing the way you do comments on my blog, and would love to have your opinion - so I'm taking a poll!

Shabby Love

It's done!  Well, almost...I finally finished my Shabby Roses quilt from Jenny of Elefantz, a free BOM last year.  I still have to stitch and apply the label, but the front is done, it's quilted, and I love it.  Here's a really bad picture of it hanging on the wall:



And some better pics.






I used the same fabric for the sashing that I used for the appliques.  For the border and backing, I used  a vintage sheet - I wish you could feel it, it's so so soft that it makes me wish this was bed size.



Thank you Jenny dear for such a wonderful BOM - now to start on this year's!

On Sunday, my friend Cathy and I went to Joann's Fabric.  I still had some money left on my gift card - and couldn't think of a thing I needed.  But I had quite a few coupons, including a 10% off the entire purchase.  I got some much needed pins -



and something to start a new hobby!



It's all Carrie's fault, she sent me the darlingest ornament for Christmas and I fell in love with punch needle.  Now I can try it myself!

I also finished another stitchery, just have to find some autumn fabric in my stash to border it with.



That one is from Kaaren at The Painted Quilt, one of her First Friday Freebies [button on sidebar!].  I love it!

I have a million projects I want to get done.  I've been watching the Olympics and loving every moment.  Last night, I had to watch the two hours of Lost, so ended up staying up til 4am to watch the Olympic coverage I had missed.  SO glad they repeat the broadcast.  It's lovely for us insomniacs.  I was so happy to see Canada get their gold medal!  Now if they can just take gold in the hockey!  Our Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is coaching the team.  I like the Winter Games much better than the summer, how about you?  Are you watching endless coverage like I am?  It sure is good for getting sewing done, I have every table in my sewing room facing the tv right now!

A Very Long Post

With lots of pics (clickable for larger view).  I finished my beach quilt, and wanted to show you how badly it all went, lol - misery loves company!  I'm keeping it anyway, and plan to embellish it.



This pic was about the truest on the colors.  As I said in my previous post, I used the spray adhesive and tulle on top.  I started to quilt the waves, using my walking foot, and it wasn't going well - things were shifting.  I decided the only way to do this would be free-motion, something I've tried and never been successful at.  I started with the sand.



I was having a BLAST!  This was hugely fun.  I was totally impressed with myself until....the thread broke.  And broke.  And broke again.  It turned into a battle of wills.



When I finally got to the sky, I was frustrated beyond belief.  I scribbled with abandon, not even caring how it looked, just trying to stick things down with the thread.  It's a real good thing the telephone didn't ring just then.





Can you see the knots?  Where the thread nested up and broke?  Seems like every few inches it was happening.  I was using rayon thread, I have it in every color for my machine embroidery - maybe that's why it was breaking, I don't know.  I scoured the internet for clues and tips, did everything I was told, and still......sigh.

Here's the back:





Pretty awful.  I'm looking at this as a total learning experience, and one I probably won't repeat.  I did finish the water with the walking foot, by this time I had no control over where the needle was going.

I also did things different on the binding. 



Mary had done a quilt where she sewed the binding to the back first, then brought it around and finished it with a small zigzag on the front.   So I tried it and it worked a treat!  It's not as straight as I would like but you don't want to know my frame of mind by then.  This thing was lucky it didn't end up out the window.  But for all the trouble I had with it, I still like it, and will still embellish it  - I need to add some yarn for the kites, buttons on the houses, sea shells and whatever else I find.


In other news, Midge has been at it again.....




She sent me another wonderful, soft, luxurious pair of wristwarmers.  Oh they are amazing - and I had to threaten to cut Sam's hair to get them back from him.  Midge, you are a darling!!!!