No, I haven't stopped sewing.....

Just haven't take time to update my blog for a while.  After the tablecloth was done, I decided I wanted to have some place mats to use so the tablecloth won't get dirty right away.  I had some fabric left over so used it to make place mats.

I made two of each of these:

And yesterday I decided I needed another wallet, so decided to make one to match my purse (of course, lol).  It took me ALL DAY, but I designed one that had everything I wanted - mainly a zippered pocket for bills and coins, enough slots for debit cards, etc, and a pen holder.  This is what I came up with:

 Drivers license

So now my set includes:  purse, coin purse, kleenex holder, cosmetic bag, laptop bag, wallet (this one), travel wallet, credit card holder, sunglass holder, book cover, notebook cover and a few other small pouches to hold things in in my purse.  But I still have some fabric left, so we'll see what else I make!! :D

I've also started working on the quilt I made for our bed again.  I've found Nel's (MIL) sewing machine quilts much better with the walking foot than my machine with the walking foot.  Hopefully it will be done soon, but here is the picture I took today.

Happy Veterans Day, everyone!  Take time to thank a veteran for their service to this country!

Our quilt!!! (Block in a Box)

I decided to machine quilt the quilt I made at the quilt class. LOL I had to really clean up my sewing area since I needed the whole table to be empty except the sewing machine because the quilt is so BIG. I ended up taking everything to work to put the sandwich together. We have an empty room there that has a tile floor and our house is almost all carpet, so the tile floor worked better to pin (baste) it. I did it in a hurry late Sunday afternoon and found out later I didn't do a very good job. I didn't get the back (muslin) as flat/tight as I wanted to. You'll see why later.

I started quilting it on Sunday night. I have all of the long straight lines done, but still have to do the small squares, then I have to figure out if I want to put any "designs" on it. I have a few stencils that I could use in the borders. Then put the binding on and it will be done. I think the squares are going to take a long time to do, though.

Here are the pictures so far:
On the bed (it looks like I could have shortened it by a couple rows):


Close up:


The back:


I have a few of the small squares done:


This corner is all bunched up because I didn't do a good job in my basting. Next time I'll need to take more time..... I need to rip a little of the seam out and re-do it, I hope that will fix it!


I haven't worked on it the last couple of nights, but hopefully this weekend I'll get a chance to.

Tomorrow night we are going to the Travis County (or is it the Austin) Rodeo to see Kellie Pickler. I haven't been to a concert in 20 years!!!!! And NEVER with Todd. It should be fun, if we can stay awake long enough. We're usually in bed by 9 pm.

Quilt top is DONE!

Last night I finished the quilt top!!!!! Added the boarders and serged around the edges since it will be after the first of the year before I can put it in and start quilting it. I quilt by hand, so it will take up our entire living room and with Christmas so soon, I need to wait.

Here is the final result - the boarders add a lot! I made the boarder at the top of the quilt smaller so I'll be able to tell what goes on the top of the bed - a trick my mom uses.


I also took pictures of the Christmas tree and fireplace "mantel" - practically the only Christmas stuff we have up.

Todd put the stocking up this year.

And the fireplace with the lights on (sorry it's blurry, you get the idea).


Today the girls and grandkids are supposed to come over to decorate Christmas cookies and to celebrate Angel's birthday. It will be fun, but I still have a bunch of cookies to make, so I'm up early.

I also decided I'm going to make a purse for my sister for Christmas since we are heading to Nebraska on Christmas Day. I bought some more fabric at Kinsey Interiors Friday, so will use one of those. I'll post pictures if I get it done early enough.

I will have to work Christmas Eve, probably until 1 or so, then we'll have the girls and grandkids over to celebrate Christmas. I'm planning on a casual supper of Chili and grilled cheese sandwiches, then opening presents. Todd and I will get up really early the next morning (Thursday) to start our long drive to Falls City, Nebraska. We are taking both dogs and driving the pickup so that we can meet my parents sometime while we are there to get mom's old commercial sewing machine. I can't wait!

While in Falls City, we'll stay at Todd's parents and get to spend lots of time with Todd's grandma. Megan and family will come up sometime so we can get a 5 generation picture. We'll head home either Saturday or Sunday (at the latest) since we both have to work again Monday. It will be a quick trip, but at least this year I don't have to drive it by myself.

Better get those cookies in the oven.... :D

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving went very well. All the food was delicious. My new electric roaster exceeded my expectations! And it was nice to get together with Tab, Sam and their families. It would have been nice to also be able to see Megan and Kate. Todd and I are STILL eating leftovers! Most of the new recipes will be in my recipe book from now on.

Yesterday and today I worked on my quilt. I decided to make it the size of our bed, so we can actually use it. Todd helped me with the design and this is what we came up with:


Here it is on our bed, I think I could have made it with one less row on the bottom, but I've got time to decide if I want to take a row or two off. :D


I need to add the boarders, then make the sandwich (quilt top, batting and backing), then it will be ready to quilt! That will be done later, first I need to make Mom's purse and get it in the mail for Christmas.

Our next quilt class is on December 15 (I think). I may go for a little, then skip the classes until they get to boarders, quilting and binding.