Thursday To-Do's

Tonight my to-do's fall into one of 3 categories:
1. Bubby prep - I'm picking him up from daycare Friday and he's spending Sat. & Sun nights with me at my place :-D. So I need to Bubby proof the place.
2. Study group prep - at least 1 classmate is coming over for a study group during bubby's nap on sunday, so we need a place to work as a group
3. sewing room - sewing & organization

So here goes (in no particular order)
1. vacuum downstairs & upstairs
2. mop kitchen/bathrooms
3. clean bathrooms
4. clear off table/cover with table cloth
5. organize computer area
6. laundry
7. finish binding dino quilt - it will go to daycare on tuesday with the bubby :-D
8. grocery store/plan menus through next week - will do with the bubby
9. put spring flag/door decor out
10. nail backs in closetmaid shelving (assembly was all after midnight when neighbors were sleeping)
11. organize/unpack sewing stuff - at least 15 minutes worth did way more than 15 minutes :-D
12. elephant's trunk on zoo parade quilt/package for mailing
13. post retreat pictures - saved for another day

I've got tonight and the AM to do all this. Knowing me, I'll probably think of other things to add and then not finish most of them :-p

~qb29

The ball bounces ....

Woo hoo, I got my bouncing ball to bounce. My last homework for the semester is submitted and awaiting review :-). Now just comes the study time, lol.

Update on the Target/Closetmaid mess. I did return the junk to Target and purchased a real ClosetMaid at Meijer, just across the train tracks from Target. So far it's still sitting in the box upstairs - but hey, I did have a ball to bounce ;-P.

~QB29

trying to be good...

And organize my newly won FQ courtesy of Piwacket's suggestion - but no, not happening. I stopped by target this afternoon and picked up 3 organizers. First up, a 9 cube clearance closetmaid organizer - like the one here but in green. Not too happening about the green, but it was 50% off the regular Target price of $50.00. Next up was a cute little 2 shelf unit which I already have one of. I got one of these years ago to organize shoes when I was a teenager and it's served me well in every closet since.

Third, and my main reason for going, was a 15 cubby shoe organizer similar to Piwacket's. It was in with all the closetmaid stuff in a blue box similar to the closetmaid boxes. So you think it's a closetmaid? WRONG. It's Target's Ogranize-It brand and it's a piece of junk. I got it home and right out of the box one of the pieces is broken. Now, I've had stuff broken or missing in other products I've had to assemble and I've always been able to go to the website or call the comment line and order, free of charge, replacement parts. So I'm like, no biggie, I'll jump online and it'll be here in a few days. Did I mention this was the ONLY ONE on the shelf? So I couldn't just return it. Of course, after examining the packaging and the box - there is no phone number on the directions or packaging and the only website was http://www.target.com. So I call up the store and get shuffled to the guest services desk. They give me the 1-800 # to call for Target products. So I call that number and get a lady who totally gave me that "I'm suppose to be sympathetic and helpful but I really don't care" attitude in her voice and said to me, after I told her the problem, "Well do you have the receipt, if you bought it in the last 90 days you can just return it. Maybe the store can switch out the defective piece for you." DID SHE EVEN LISTEN TO ME??? I purchased it TODAY. It was the ONLY ONE on the shelf. Grr, so I'm taking it back tomorrow and will stick with Closet Maid at ANOTHER store, even if it costs me more!

It looks like Home Depot & Lowe's both carry it online. Tomorrow I'll check in store at Lowe's, Meijer's, Kmart, Walmart, Home Depot, and Bed Bath & Beyond. All are within a 5 minutes drive of my commute so other than frustration it's not bad. If I can't find one in store anywhere, I'll order online.
~QB29

to do list

Well, of course I had too much on my retreat list, but don't I always? Here's what I got accomplished. Some pictures will follow.
1. Finished Zoo Parade & Backing except for stitching elephant's trunk - I forgot my purple thread.
2. R/W/B star blocks for comfort quilt
3. Dog blocks
4. started first set of SBS blocks
5. Finished attaching binding to dinos (still needs stitched in back)
6. completed tulip blocks for baby quilt and got center and QST assembled.

And for another list ... my Monday to-do's (okay, maybe the weekly to-do)
1. Stop at store(s) and check out shoe organizer - after all, winning two rounds of LRC requires lots of FQ storage. purchased and awaiting assembly in the sewing room.
2. Spend about 30 minutes organizing sewing room.
3. Finish 1st set of SBS blocks
4. Finish piecing Baby Girl D - July top
5. School work - complete assignment for CSC815, Java Bouncing Ball & review for finals

Oh, and I can't forgot getting shot ;) - allergy shot that is.

Well, I need to get moving on my list.
~QB29

Retreat With My Peeps

Well, I'm home from my retreat. I had an awesome time. It was simply wonderful and I'm counting down until next year :-D. I'll post more later this week about it all. I just wanted to jump on and say "I'm home!".

~QB29

packin' for retreat

So how many of you actually thought I'd have everything ready to go before 11:03 PM night before retreat? Yeah, right, I just now started a load of laundry. I've been upstairs slicing and packing. Here's my official project list ('cause it's what's packed, lol)
1. Baby girl D - July quilt - finish piecing top (all cut, need to assemble 12 blocks and put together)
2. Baby boy D - june - piece top (cut except for borders)
3. Thangles blocks - whew, at the last minute I found my Thangles, though I'm almost out of 3". I'll hopefully swing by mom's and grab hers since mine did get used on her BOM from last year :-). she owes me, lol.
4. Happy scrappy - not cut or anything. I've even managed to lose a pattern :-(. Maybe mom will let me have her fan pattern. Again I can pick it up on the way :-D. But I have my background fabric and ALL of my 1930's FQ :-). So I'll be in the same boat as I was before - which ones should I use?
5. Zoo Parade - pieces for backing (not counting sashing/border) cut, green sashing/border fabrics in bag, top in bag, along with zebra stuff & book. Will need to fuse zebra block, zig-zag zebra/lion blocks, and finish piecing top.
6. SBS blocks - I only got pieces for 4 or 5 cut, but have fabrics along for the rest.
7. And if that's not enough, I have a baby quilt ready to bind - binding's sewn onto front, just needs hand stitching on back.
8. FQ - they did say to bring extra for Left, Right, Center


Projects not coming....
1. Bubba's football quilt - hey, he's getting my zoo parade, so football can wait :-).
2. Other quilts needing binding: sea life, pastels, dino
3. Big C's denim/flannel rag quilt
4. obviously rest of baby quilts - not even going to go there.

So now I need to decide what clothes to wear - at least they'll be clean since laundry's in now :-). I also need to pack shampoo/etc, let my iron cool down (after ironing tomorrow's outfit) & load my car. And yes, my sewing machine was the first thing to go into a travel case. Including extra needles & the pedal. So i'm good there. I've also got my cushion to sit on packed with it. I think I may quickly switch bags and use a suitcase like someone else suggested. I'm up to too many already with just my sewing stuff.

Tomorrow I hope to get out before 12. I need to stop by mom's on the way and maybe I can run into a quilt store????? I'll need to check google maps in the AM if I get a chance. I'm going to stop by a store someplace and pick up snacks to share with everyone :-). Probably chocolate chip cookies??? I was going to try to make brownie cups, but yea, i'm not baking at 11:32 PM.

I'm debating on whether to bring lappie. I'm going to sew, but it would be nice to have if internet is available up there. I'm not sure. I also have to modify a C++ buffer overflow program as well as write a JAVA bouncing ball program. Both are due next week and are the final assignments for their respective classes. Good news is that the Tuesday class is cancelled as the professor is out of town, so I'll have then to work on them if I need to. I'll decide in the morning.

Well, laundry's changed, so I'm going to go load the car with sewing stuff. I wanted to jump on here to make sure I packed everything :-). Looks like I got enough.

~QB29

Heading to the Post Office , Gonna send some mail :-)

Well, I got the April blocks finished for the PClassic BOM. We did a pattern called "Tea Leaf" - similar to a maple leaf, but without a stem. I'm getting ready to head out to the post office/run some errands, so these and the March blocks will be on their merry way.

The 2nd picture is better, colorwise.














~QB29

Accomplishments!

Can anyone guess what these are?



If you guessed envelopes containing one million dollars apiece - you're wrong :-). They are cards ready to address & mail with my March BOM for the online group.



So I did get something done tonight :-) I also got Mr. Tractor Quilt (for Baby Boy M - March) about half way bound. If I work on it tomorrow it should be finished and ready to give. :-)

Well, I'd better get off and get to bed :-)zzzzzz
~QB29

Weekend To Do List

Here's what I'm working on this weekend - realistically
1. Bind/label/give tractor quilt
2. Cut SBS fabrics/package w/ directions for retreat
3. Cut/attach binding to scrappy pastels
4. cut/attach binding to dino quilt
5. PClassic BOM blocks
6. Start packing projects for retreate

And nonquilty
1. Homework!!!! - Perl Script #1, #2, or #3
2. Laundry - wash/put away/plan for week
3. Clean downstairs
4. Go roller skating - haven't been but once or twice for church activities since I was a teen, but I still have my skates and figure this is a good way to get exercise :-) - so not happening, lol
5. Some stuff for work :-(

Another Picture

I am calling this one "tilted animals". I believe there are 9 different animals altogether - I'll be using 25 fof them. The center will be laid out 5 X 5, with a 2" white print border, and then a 4" border. The backing will be more of the animal fabric with probably blue binding. Here is my sample block:


This is for Baby Boy D - due in June.

~QB29

Picture Time!!!!

Really! I actually took some pictures. Let's see if I can post them :-).









Tractor quilt - going to Baby Boy M - March. I was working on attaching the binding when I stopped to get on here. The binding is the yellow-gold color in some of the blocks. This was a kit that I got online and the colors were darker and less brighter than I anticipated. Still it turned out good. My aunt quilted it for me over the summer. It was one of the ones I did not get too. It is a panel. 10 of the small squares were cut from the panel and framed by tone on tones.

And a close up of one of the blocks:

projects list

Okay, here's what I want to accomplish at retreat (or like to think I would if retreat were longer and sleep wasn't a necessity :-))

1. Thangles - I have 6 blocks for this year, and I think 11 from last year to do.
2. Scrappy Happy - BOM at LQS - need to do ALL 9 blocks so far.
3. PClassicBOM - online BOM group, I am a month behind, need to do March & April blocks.
4. Bubba's Football Quilt - need to Applique football & name (will baste @ home for hand quilting).
5. Zoo Parade - need to cut & fuse Zebra block, zig-zag zebra & lion blocks, finish piecing top, and piece back. This will be sent to my Aunt's for machine quilting.
6. SBS blocks - online swap, I signed up to make 10 each of 9 blocks, plus I am making an 11th one for me to keep - need to do all 99!!!!!! Due June 1.
7. Prep 5 quilts for binding & bind (pastels, pinks, tractors, dino, & sea life)
8. Big C's flannel/denim rag quilt - need to pick up again - have some blocks cut, need to cut rest and start piecing.
9. Church baby quilts - EEK - we have 12 babies coming!!!! (or just arrived)
* Baby Girl C - feb - just needs binding (pastels)
* Baby Boy M - mar - just needs binding (tractor)
* Baby Girl B - apr - needs quiting (sleepytime)
* Baby Boy M - apr - just needs binding (sea life)
* Baby Girl D - may - needs center appliqued (stash pot pie quilt) - do @ retreat
* Baby Boy E - may - want to do top @ retreat (sheep applique)
* Baby Boy D - jun - want to do top @ retreat (tilted animals)
* Baby Girl D - july - must have top finished - will probably start first - must be done before baby comes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sheep/heart/pinks
* Baby Boy W - july
* Baby Boy F - aug
* Baby T - aug
* Baby A - aug
* Baby Y - aug
* Baby D - late summer/early fall
** list includes 2 not at our church - so 14 quilts to make!!!! I'm gonna be busy :-)

Of course, you know me, so I will add to the list so that it can never be finsihed :-).

~QB29

update

I can't believe it's mid April already. I have been so busy with school. School is going well. Finals are the first week of May and then I'm done for all of a week :-). I'm taking two summer classes: each meets two nights a week for 8 weeks. It will be a long start to my summer, but will so be worth it because I'll be able to take 3 classes each semester next year and finish next May :-).

I'm looking forward to a quilt retreat in a week and a half. It's a Friday - Sunday retreat in Palestine, OH (west of Dayton, North of Cincinnati). The organizer works at the quilt store I frequent in Cincinnati. The retreat is a fundraiser for St. Jude'S Children's Hospital in Memphis. A portion of our fee goes to them as well as any class fees. I believe there will be some other fund-raising or maybe charity quilting while we're there - I'm not sure, it's my first time attending.

So the rest of this week/this weekend/beginning of next week I'm working on getting stuff ready to go. So I can focus on sewing I am trying to make up kits of all the projects I want to do. For each project, my goal is to package pre-cut pieces and directions and, if necessary, matching thread, in a Ziploc baggie so all I have to do is pull out a baggie, thread my machine, and off I go :-). I need to get caught up on my Thangles and my other BOM that I'm doing this year. I also need to finish a zoo parade quilt (from Kim Schaefer's book "Quilts, Bibs, Blankies, Oh my", piece a backing for it, and make about a gazillion baby quilts.

Okay, maybe that's a gazillion less one :-). Between church & friends I have 13 or so baby quilts to do (or least to make in my head, lol). That's babies born since February through ones expected in August. I do have some quilts that just need binding that I can use for some of the babies and some tops ready for quilting that can be used for the others. My hope is to get 2 or 3 more tops completed by the end of retreat. I have 5 vacation days to take in May, so I plan on doing lots of quilting then :-). That will hopefully take care of the first batch of babies (February - April)

So my next two weeks consist of cutting, cutting, and a little sewing :-) Then lots of sewing :-).

~QB29