Home Again

Sorry this is so late, and I haven’t posted in a few days…I’ve been in Denver with our youngest and her family. I brought them home last night, so we are all safely back in the Phoenix area. I didn’t get much done while I was gone, not nearly what I had planned, oh well! Nothing was needed for Christmas. The trip home was smooth after we finally arrived at the airport. We flew late at night with three very tired children and two tired adults.  We didn’t make it home till well after midnight. 

Today is Friday and if you are doing Bonnie Hunter’s mystery (Grand Illusion), today is the day to print clue four.  She told us between six and eight weeks. I think it is closer to six as she is shooting for just after the first of the year for the last clue. I will post pics after I finish with this clue. I didn’t have time to do the third clue with Hunter’s surgery. I will be playing catch up for a few weeks, but I will finish. Just in case you forgot…quiltville.blogspot.com and there is a tab called Grand Illusion.

I didn't get much done on this one, but I did get it all cut, fray stopped, and started sewing. That is progress, although slow!

I know this is short and I haven’t posted in a few days, but not much on the crafting front. Since it is Christmas time and a busy season, I may not be saying much each day, but I will try to post each day.  Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you. Please post pics (if you can) on our Facebook page, The Crafter’s Thread. I would love to see what you’ve been up to.

happy crafting and Merry Christmas,

Debi

Star Boy!

The pumpkin made it through his surgery perfectly. He was the star patient for the day.  He had a cranky afternoon, but didn't seem to be too bothered by it. He was a good patient before and after his surgery.

I worked on the teddy bear for one set of thread. Silly me in the rush to get out of here, I left the spool of thread at home and only had what was on my needle. It did give me time to pin the few pieces I needed to.  I'll have pics for you soon. 

I hope you have time to do something today that you enjoy. I will be hand stitching and looking after my babies. We will be traveling back to Arizona on Thursday.  A couple days hanging around the house will be nice.

Nine days till Christmas!

Debi

 

More Denver Days

Am I naughty for working on a bear while the children played at the birthday party today?? I got the pieces fray stopped, then got the darts in the body and the head and body is all pinned. Sunday was filled with birthday parties, little shopping trips, and eating. Fun was had by all. The party was at a trampoline place, I am not sure who had more fun, the children or the parents. This is Gage and Katelyn climbing out of the foam pit. It was way too fun to watch them play dodge ball, flip head over heels, and enjoy themselves. Precious memories.

Today will be filled with Hunter's surgery should the snow hold. It was drifting and blowing everywhere last night. We may not go. The children's schools have closed for the day. I'll keep you posted. He certainly loved the cake!

IF we go to the surgery here soon, I will be taking this wee guy along and stitching away. I have everything all sorted to go. Watch the facebook page for the updates.

I need to get this posted and get some things done before we make the decision. Thanks for stopping by, I truly appreciate you

Hope you have a fantastic day. Please post pics of your projects, I love to see what you're up to.

happy happy day,

Debi

Denver Days

I am sitting here listening to the sweetest noises in the entire world...what could be more precious than the slow steady breathing of three beautiful sleeping grandchildren? I say the only thing better, would be to have all ten of them with me and all sleeping soundly with Nana watching over them.

 

This little punkin has to have surgery Monday, poor wee baby. But for today there were smiles everywhere.... sweet memories! Nana came to be with him and his brother and sister for a few days. It's time for Nana fun!

 I didn't come empty-handed though, I brought a cross-stitch and a small bear to work on. I tried to cut the bear out on the plane, but for some reason it is always a bumpy flight from Phoenix to Denver! I did get some cross-stitching done, I'm happy! I finished cutting the bear while mommy and daddy when on a date so Nana could be with the punkins.

I decided to bring a bit of the warm weather with me. It is chilly here, but not as COLD as I thought it would be. I brought pics of my flowers currently blooming. Maybe tomorrow I'll post a pick of the cactus flower in my front yard. This hibiscus is right beside my family room window...two large bushes in full winter bloom... just beautiful.

Should finish up here and publish. Want to rest while I can! Birthday parties and mall visits to make. The children want to learn how to stitch like Nana, so we will stop some place where I can buy them some plastic canvas and yarn to make their projects.

Hope you have time to enjoy the things you love. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you.

happy crafting,

Debi

Still busy

 I have been pretty busy with the test quilt and step two and three of Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt. Since being down with the flu put me out of service for a few days    :-(   I only have about half of the second clue finished. I will move on to the third and use the others as leaders and enders. I will get them done, but with the busy-ness of the season and Hunter's surgery, I know I will not catch up for a couple weeks. The test quilt and teddy bear must take priority as they have deadlines....as does the wedding ring quilt. I love being busy.

I have been hiding out in my studio for so long, I got cabin fever. I had to get out and go to the fabric store. I don't know about you, but if I can just touch or smell fabric, I feel better!! I got some blacks and rose colored fabrics. I use the "frequent buyer" program and got one yard free, I'm pleased! Really happy with my purchases!!

The light is wrong in this pic, but you can see baggie 1 on the bag, there are 33 bags for this (re)test quilt, I love organization!!!! When it is time to put it all together, I just pull from the bags and sew the strips to each other. She re-designed this one for ease and size. I love the way Jessica designs her quilts. She is the creative brains and hands of The Quilt and Needle, she designs beautiful stuff!

Have a fantastic weekend and I hope you take time to do the things you love, I need to take some time out and do fun stuff just for my sanity!!

happy crafting!

Debi

 

Mr. Crooked Ears (or is it his eyes??)

HI!! It's been a while since I've been here.  I missed writing while I was sick, but I couldn't even think through that headache and icky belly.  Enough about that, just want to get better!!

Last time you saw this guy, he was in pieces. Thursday I finally felt good enough to put him together. He gave me fits, my hands didn't want to work on the joints, but I persevered and he's jointed. His belly is not full in this pic, he's sitting on my lap waiting for dinner!

As soon as he was full, I sat him on the cutting table and pinned his ears on. I tested a few different size eyes and decided on 14mm. I sewed his ears on CROOKED!! I looked at him several times and knew something was wrong, just couldn't figure it out! Finally took him to Shane and he figured it out with his very scientific methods! (He closed one eye and squinted!!)

Now that I see the picture, I can see the left ear is back farther on his head. It's as plain as the nose on MY face (since he doesn't have one yet)! Oh well, I took it off and placed it closer to his eye and it is much better. I'm looking forward to my favorite part now....his character! I think I may try a cheeky look as he has been a naughty bear!

 

Here he is with his ears and eyes straight. I have begun plucking to embroider his nose and mouth. I hope to get to that today. I keep calling this one a him, I guess because he is so cheeky, but we will see when it's finished which it is...girl or boy.

Are you ready for Christmas? I'm not, there is still so much to do. I fly tomorrow for Denver. Our littlest man has surgery on Monday, Nana won't miss that. The others need to catch the bus and be picked up. Nana will be filling in the gaps while daddy and mommy are with the little punkin.

Enjoy your day, hope you are not too stressed and have some time to do the things you love. I have seen some nice projects on Facebook. Thanks for sharing.  Thank you so much for stopping by, I appreciate you.

happy end of the week!

Debi

Slow Progress

As much as I would like to say I got everything done I wanted to over the weekend, I did not. I made slow progress on the teddy bear, even slower on the test quilt, but I have a large pile of blocks to iron for the mystery quilt. I am most excited with that progress.  Since I don't want to show you the ironing pile...here is the bits to the teddy bear, all I have to finish is that foot you see. Then I can start jointing and filling...too much fun!

I don't know if you remember when I was looking after the iguana, but his family sent me a picture this morning. Here he is with his new doggie friend. Their older dog died recently and "Pepper" filled the hole. I think Zeus and Pepper are really enjoying each other. I'm told they play all day! Made me miss looking after him. I am such an animal person!

I hope you have a productive day and that your week is fantastic. I also hope you have time to do some of the things you love most. I will finish up this bear and make progress on the test quilt hopefully!!). I also plan to finish all the blocks for the mystery today or tomorrow. Best laid plans of mice and men......

Have a fantastic day,

Debi

Nana's Snowballs!

Yesterday I got a surprise, an early Christmas present from one of our children. I have to say as I opened it, there were tears free-flowing down these old cheeks of mine.  It is such a darling mug (I drink A LOT of tea) with Nana's Lil Snowballs on it. Each snowman has the name of one of our ten grandchildren on the brim! HOW SWEET! My tea and Oreos were sure lovely, sharing it with my little snowballs. 

I LOVE IT!

These are the first few blocks hot off the ironing board for part two of the Grand Illusion mystery quilt. Of course, with the hospital visit on Friday (when the clues are given) I didn't get to sew. I did however, get to cut all 600 pieces. I am a bit of a trivia nut, I like to keep track of how many scraps I am using when I do Bonnie's quilts.  In just two clues, we have used 1,360 scraps! I think the most I have ever used is around 5,500 pieces, that was an entire quilt though. For that one, I could have used several more...Bonnie used "strings" (any strip of useable fabric wide enough to sew to another <same color>) and probably used at least double my count! I'll keep you posted on our count!

Today is our third grandson's 8th birthday...woo hoo!! Happy Birthday Gage, Grandad and Nana really love you. Can't wait to see you at Christmas. Hope you liked your gift!

And I hope YOU enjoy your day, taking some time to do something you love. For those of you starting your work or school week, have a great one. For those of us where it is Sunday, have a great day in church and relax for the end of your weekend. I'll be working on the last of these Double Diamond Units for the Grand Illusion between services. Please take the time to post on our Facebook page. I love seeing your projects. Thank you so much for stopping by, I truly appreciate you.

18 days till Christmas,

Debi 

ALL SMILES :-D

After a rough go Thursday night with the prep for a colonoscopy Friday morning, we are very thankful to say we have an ALL CLEAR. There wasn't even a polyp. The prior surgeries are healing beautifully and there is NO cancer whatsoever in there. We are breathing so nicely and smiling a lot now! This was Shane's first colonoscopy after the 18 month battle with radiation, chemo, and surgeries for colo-rectal cancer. Thank you LORD for your healing and strength. Thank you FRIENDS for your prayers, love, and support over the past 18 months. I couldn't have done it without you.

I did get a bit done on the bear during prep and procedure. The ears and darts in the body got sewn. When I hand stitch it takes a while to finish. I also had quite a few distractions  :-( 

This one is going to be nice and fluffy....so cool! The backing is soft which makes it easier to mold....fun, fun, fun!

 

The quilt I am testing for Jessica is all laid out under my computer. I have all the strips from the jelly rolls counted and in their proper order, just need to get busy sewing! Twenty colors took a while to sort out, and the layout she left up to me...color placement was the hardest!

 

 

And finally I got all the diamonds and triangles cut for my version of Bonnie Hunter's mystery "Grand Illusion" part 2, which we received Friday morning. I am amazed at how much I accomplished in one afternoon. After all the power cutting and sorting, I will be sewing away today! Can't wait to get started...a teddy bear and three quilts all at the same time...I LOVE being busy.

I hope you enjoy your weekend and have some time to do something you love. Christmas is right around the corner, less than three weeks now...I don't know about you, but I need to keep busy! Thanks for stopping by, I truly appreciate you.

smiling from ear to ear...

Debi

 

Test Day

GOOD NEWS!!!!!....Shane's platelets are up. They are not where they are supposed to be, but they are good enough for the test!! The day started very early, I hope to post later the results of the test.

I get to test another quilt for The Quilt and Needle. I think this is one Jessica Smith designed a couple years ago. She redesigned it for a larger size and easier put together. I chose a couple jelly rolls for this project. It is bargello, one that looks like little pieces all sewn together to form a wavy pattern. It is a beautiful design, you should do it!!  thequiltandneedle.com, the name of the quilt is Past Tense...go have a look!

As I sat in the hotel room feeling helpless about my baby preparing for the test today, I pulled the project bag out and got busy on this bear. I love my little "go" bag, it is small enough to be light and large enough to hold everything I need to make a bear (except the filling)! I made a bit of progress, but should make a bit more this morning during the test.

 

 

Here we go!! Can't wait to see it finished. I always say that, but by the time it gets to this point, I have done a lot of work (well, not really WORK, more play!). This one should be around 13-14 inches tall. I'll try to post pics on the Facebook page as I go today, don't know about the internet availability :-( 

Have a fantastic day, I hope you have some time to do something you love. Please post your pics on the page, I love seeing your projects. Thanks for stopping in today, I appreciate you.

happy happy crafting,

Debi 

 

Bear Feet

YAY!! Even though it was a busy day, I got the bear drawn, put on the fabric, cut out, and fray stopped. I am rapt with my progress.  The morning was spent having a bit of fun, the afternoon at the foot doctor. I have arthritis as you know and it has now affected my feet. The bones in the middle of my left foot are almost rubbing together, this is where we have a branch of nerves go through and every time I walk, I have pain and a "shock wave" go through my foot. It is shoes all day for me, I am never allowed to put a barefoot on the ground. If you know me well, you know this is going to be VERY HARD as I am a barefoot kinda gal! I got online and ordered some Crocs that the doctor suggested, this was the less expensive route, otherwise it was very expensive walking shoes or worse: surgery and a walking boot.

 

Enough complaining, on to the good stuff!! I drew this bear a bit on the big side because I wanted to exaggerate some of the features. I was going to have Shane reduce it for me (takes scanning and printing at a lower percentage), but he suggested making it full size first. I'm down with that!!! Just means I can make another bear, right?? So here we go!

I will be taking this and a few other projects with me today. We head to Mayo Clinic for a few more tests for Shane. We are praying tomorrow will be our ALL CLEAR on the cancer front. He has more blood tests today about the platelets and his prep for the colon check tomorrow morning. We will be staying the night in the Phoenix area because the prep is so brutal. I hope to post very good news tomorrow. :-D  Our four-legged furry buddies will be looked after by their granddaddy, they love that!

I'm sorry this post was so un-crafty...

I hope you have a wonderfully crafty day and have plenty of time to do something you love. Please share on our Facebook page (The Crafter's Thread) so we can oohhh and aawww over your work and be inspired to try new things. 

happy crafting,

Debi

Teddy Bear Tea Party

Thanks for the kind comments yesterday. I am feeling some better today. The 5K run was fantastic, there were 21 runners...I had to time them, but it was fun. Everyone that had run in previous years ran a better time, maybe his office will bring the trophy back this year. His boss bought them pizza afterward, they all enjoyed the day. The weather was perfect, a little overcast so the sun wasn't beating down on them. Perfect day pretty much. 

I didn't have much time to play after the run and a supermarket trip, so I am working on designing another bear today. This one is for a friend. She bought a kit, but is too ill to complete it. She sent it back and I am going to make a special teddy bear for her. I'm excited!! For inspiration, I set the little guys (Miss Juliette, Walter III, and Sallymae) beside me for a wee tea party. They make me smile.

 

I had a little time to try a little block. The squares in this one are 3/8" or 1cm finished. The total block is 2 inches (just over 5cm) as it is, once it goes into the quilt, it will measure 1-1/2 inches (3.8cm). Too much fun!! Don't ask me where I am going to use it...maybe a teddy bear or doll quilt. This is a super good way to use up the crumbs and strings in my "I don't know what to do with these small things" bin.

We stopped at Hobby Lobby on the way home, I got some new things to help my teddy bears with their "bling-bling" issues, so fun :-)    I love the clearance section...these were all under $3, which makes pennies for each bear! YAY!

I should get back to it and finish designing this bear. I can't wait to get it started (actually sewing it). I love making teddy bears. I also love to make quilts and scrapbooks, never enough time to do everything I want!!!! I hope you have time in this crazy busy time of the year to do something you love. I think I need to schedule some "studio" time everyday. Enjoy your day. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you.

happy crafting,

Debi

 

100 and Counting!

Who would have thought I had enough hot air to make ONE HUNDRED blog posts? I knew it and my close friends know I can talk their ear off....but I am pleased that I have been consistent with it and have made it this far! Even if no one reads it, it makes me happy!!!!! Thanks for hanging with me for these 100 days, let's make the next few hundred really fun!

 

And, here is the big guy I finally finished today. My sinuses and joints didn't want me to play, but I won the battle and worked through the pain. I knew the end result would make me happy too! He does, I am sure he's happy to be finished!

  He went through several stages throughout the day. In the morning, he looked like yesterday's blog post, all in pieces. I filled the legs, arms, and head, put the joints in, and put everything in the body for a complete bear. He is pretty flexible with no insides! He has his nose on his toe!

 

He is enjoying life with a full tummy now. He now has a character on his face, his profile pic is on the top of the post. For those of you who helped with the color of the paw pads...black it was. Now I am really excited to get his accessories finished, I have several ideas. Who knows, maybe I will decide he isn't a he but a she! This one is 13 inches and the biggest one I have made recently. I loved working with this fabric, I could mold it easily to get the exact look I wanted.  He even has a "tail"! So cute.

I almost have all the pics taken for the tutorials. I am really excited to get them posted. I know it is going to take a while to write the posts and I don't want to take up play time, but I think it will be good for me to get it done. I will learn a lot about the capabilities of my computer then!!

Well, I need to get started on my day... we leave early, Shane has his company 5K run today and I am the time keeper. His boss springs for pizza after the run, so we will be in Phoenix most of the day. I need to pack a project  bag to keep me busy during the run. I hope you have a great day and have time to do something you love. Thanks for stopping by, I truly appreciate you hanging in there for this long.

THANK YOU,

Debi

Just Keep Swimming....~Dorie

I had hoped to introduce you to a new bear today, but I didn't make it. I have the bits all sewn together, but that's as far as I made it. I have had an icky couple of days with sinuses and these ole bones aching and my hands aren't working quite the way I would like. Oh well!! hopefully in the next couple of hours, we can see what it looks like. This pile of body parts will be something awesome!

I have seen many new ideas come across my Facebook page from friends. You all are staying very busy for Christmas. I am re-posting as many as I can, in hopes to encourage those of us who seem to do the same thing everyday, day in and day out, to branch out and try other things. Thank you ladies for your willingness to share your craftiness with us. If you don't want your pictures re-posted until after Christmas, please let me know. I will hold the pics to post until then. There are always birthdays and Christmases we can be preparing for!!

If you are working on Bonnie Hunter's mystery with me, today is Monday Link-up and you can link your blog or other free account to hers and show your progress. I plan to do that as soon as this post is published. If you are not working with me and want to... quiltville.blogspot.com, there is a tab for Grand Illusion Mystery. It uses scraps and I am finding I can use a lot of binding ends from other quilts. So far we have only used 2-1/2" strips. (I ALWAYS use a 2-1/2 inch binding.)  FUN, FUN, FUN!!!  Shane is really proud I am using the scraps I so meticulously saved, cut, and shoe-boxed by color. Nothing goes to waste around here!!!!! I am even saving all the mohair scraps from my teddy bears! Mini bears can be made from them. If the scraps are too small, I can always use them as stuffing. I have a bag for the slivers too small to re-use to stuff pet beds for my local humane society as well. There are no fabric scraps in my rubbish!

Time to get this published and do the link up. Hope your day is fantastic. Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate you. Thanks for sharing your pics and projects, you inspire me.

happy crafting,

Debi