Another jar and what to do?

I have had the best time quilting (of course!) this past weekend at Stitch 'n Sisters club. I worked on a new pattern that we have the choice of doing for the month, Firecrackers by Two Sisters at Squirrel Hollow. I wanted to use something in my immense stash to feel like I am making progress in reducing it (HAHAHA!). I used 2 Calico Craze charm packs from Moda and designed by Brackman & Clothier Thompson. The quilt will have a more olden day look to it than the picture in the pattern. I ended up purchasing a neutral, a pinky mauve for the center squares and a brown for the firecrackers. I wasn't sure I was going to do the "firecracker" part only because of the size of the triangles and I saw the quilt done without them also looked great. I decided to go ahead and am glad I did...seems to tie colors together. Of course with just charm packs I did not have anything for the borders...yes the fabric line is old...so I did actually find some online and will be having that shipped to me soon...I am not sure using my stash "saved" me any money with the extras I have purchased for the quilt, but oh well, I will have a nice quilt to show for it.

Now the story about the jar...

In a recent quilt magazine I saw that someone made their bindings when they finished the tops and put them a clear jar so they knew where they were, didn't use the fabric for something else, and it was also decorative. This summer I have been organizing and making backings and bindings for quilts that I need to quilt. I really like making tops and it is very noticeable especially when I have already filled my binding jar (which is a good size) and now I need another one ;o)

Now with all this binding to put on a quilt, one would think that during the stitch in I would work on these...nope! I still have not decided what I will be doing tomorrow when I go to quilt for 12 hours with my Stitch 'n Sisters.

One last photo...I have had some friends ask about my other family members...furry or feathery... and I have taken a picture of the first parrot I have ever owned, Purl. She is a lilac crowned amazon with attitude. She helps me with my pirate stories at school and the kids love her. She is a vain girl because all she really says is "Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Purl" or "Purl's a good girl". She LOVES birdy bells and her eyes "pin" when she rings them. This means the pupil goes back and forth from little to big very fast because she is excited. She is a pretty girl!

Nurse Kristie

Well after today, I definitely know I do NOT have what it takes to be a nurse...I have too many phobias! My mom had cataract surgery today as an out patient and I was her "taxi"...the reverse of my younger days when she was my taxi...interesting how that happens. Anyway I almost got sick when they took the IV out and blood went gushing all over...yes...I am not a blood or needle person! Bless those who can do this job!

I get to discuss children books tomorrow with other media specialists! We are compiling questions for a Readers Rally for next year. It was interesting also that I received an email from ALA (American Library Association) where there was a podcast with the Director of the Intellectual Freedom Office. She had great points and I always wondered how they get the top 10 challenged books for the year...well come to find out that it is a "voluntary" poll that teachers/librarians send them when they know of one. She said that they probably get only 1 out of 4 books that get challenged for their poll....interesting....well for media specialists...maybe not nurses...heehee.

Here are the books that I had to read:

Friendship Braid Quilt

I am almost done with the piecing of the Moda Winter jelly roll purchased recently...just need to buy and put the borders on. This means another road trip to Sweet Home because I was not sure what border fabric I wanted at the time. I saw the UPS man there last time unloading and I bet there will be more goodies for me to buy.
I like the clear pictures and directions in the Jelly Roll book, but I do have a few tips if others are going to make the Friendship Braid Quilt. I did not have the exact ruler they said to use and modified one of my others...worked fine, but wonder if my pieces would have not been off a hair when joining. It also has you press all seams in the same way on all the braids. I hate not having opposing seams if it is at all possible. So for the 1st for "braids", starting with the light, I pressed them as was stated. For the 2nd set, I press the opposite way they said. It is not as "easy" to press, but I felt the time here was well worth the opposing seams when sewing. I first pressed from the back lightly to direct the seams and then did the right side. Also BIAS, BIAS, BIAS....if you are making this quilt, you will know what I mean! I am looking thru my stash to make a couple others in the book. Definitely a keeper of a book.

Poppy is so funny. She was exploring a bird bell today. Big deal...right? Let's just say it makes a nice hat...wish I had the camera. I also bought something today I really should not have...everyone will have to wait to see ;o). k

Time

Went to Sweet Home Quilts in Conyers today. It's Melisa's fault I bought the new Portugal bundle...yes it is her fault, no questions about it! I am deciding between 2 patterns for these wonderful fabrics. I also bought some batting for projects I need to quilt...just need the time.

I worked today on a couple of quilt projects. One was 'Twas the Night Before pattern by Crabapple Hill. I "cut" my borders and lining fabric for the embroidery, traced border 1 and 2 and hand basted these 2 borders to the lining fabric. I have never embroidered thru 2 fabrics for a quilt...something new to try. I bought the kit from Homestead Hearth online.I also worked on a jelly roll I bought from Melisa...yes that Melisa makes you spend money!! Too many wonderful fabrics and so close! It is from Moda Fabrics also...Winter Jelly Roll by Minnick & Simpson. I just had to buy a new jelly roll book to make a quilt with the jelly roll I was going to purchase...Right?
I am currently listening to a children's fantasy book called Endymion Spring by Matthew Skelton and must say I really like it. It has two storylines going right now...a past and a present that is connected to a book with no writing in it...or so we think.
My summer is winding down because I notice I do not have many "free" days left. Granted some of them are going to be at Stitch In (my first ever), but time is slipping away for all those things I had planned to do...such is life.

Another day...

Some days seem like you get so much done...this was one of those days. Yes, there were a few glitches, but forward ho! I needed to rise and shine at 7 am this morning for the first day of class registration at UGA for my EdS. All set and ready to plug in those numbers right at 7 on the dot so I know I am in the two classes I want...actually the only 2 that will fit my fall schedule. A message pops up..."you cannot register, see your advisor". AHHHHH! I email my advisor and she gets me all squared away (more than one person is involved in this "clearing" process) and I am registered later in the day...still getting the classes I want. ;o) Ordered the textbooks and paid for the classes...$$$ cha-ching

Next I bought "MONK" season 6 for DH. He loves that show and it was just released today. I hardly ever watch TV, but I do enjoy watching DVDs so I can decide when to watch them. I wonder if Monk was a quilter how his stash would look...bet very organized.

I finished installing the carpeting in 2 places in the bedroom that I avoided due to lots of cutting. I then "fixed" up my questions I was helping to write for the GRR (Gwinnett Readers Rally) competition for the coming year. Whew!

New carpet

Yesterday and today I've been laying carpet. 480 square feet of carpet! I think the worst part is ripping up the old stuff up and the second worst is cutting pieces to "fit" in weird spots. All in all the carpet needed replacing due to the 28 years it has been on this floor. As you see the new carpet has the seal of approval from one of my pugs (the baby of the family). It is hard to tell from the picture that the color is a sage green...not the pug, the carpet!! Maybe tomorrow I can quilt!!