Step 1...

Now it really begins. Off to the left you can see the pattern page. There are 9 11x17 pages of pieces to trace onto fusible web. This I buy sort of in bulk so I have it on hand all the time. I ran out last night so had to stop for the night.

I just went to Joann's this morning to buy more. I handed the bolt to the cutter and said I wasn't sure how much was there but thought I wanted the whole thing. She started to check and said it hadn't been used yet so there was 20 yards. Well it was 1.89 a yard and I had a 50% coupon so I took the whole thing. I have an old hard tube that I bought the fusible on years ago that I keep with maybe a couple yards at a time. This way I can put the bolt away and just have a little out at a time. it keeps it from getting all shredded on the ends too.

In the box is what I've traced so far. I think I'm going to do it in several steps. Tracing out a bunch then fusing it and at least cutting out the pieces. Then doing more. That way I don't have a huge box of the fusible. Once I get it fused to the fabric then I can do the more final detailed cutting.

The posting of pictures might not be as often since I think this Step will be a long one but I'll still try to post a little now and then. I like having something to do with my hands in the evening, otherwise I'll sit and fall asleep as soon as I sit down.

Well it's early yet but I'm off to make chili so I can work on it while it's still light out. We don't usually do much on the weekends but for a while now I'll have something to look forward to at the end of a crappy week. Later

It begins...

The colors don't show up as well as I'd like but you get the drift of what they sort of look like. Buying a Kit to make a project used to make me think it was cheating but to tell the truth, I could never make the selection they do and with limited quilt shops the time it saves is amazing.

New project

Here is a picture of the Moose. I might be good at producing a quilt but those that create the pattern are outstanding.

We'll see how long it takes to put it together. I guess this is a good way to do it. By blogging my progress sort of forces me to keep going and not slack off.

Hope everyone enjoys my stuff. I really like writing about it.

Lucy's done

Well, I finally got my camera back from Ethan and took pictures. It is a rather busy looking quilt for me but I love it. If you look closer at the top you can see Lucy on the candy line.

It's started....

Well, I ran to Costco after work last night for a new bed for Chase...she had chewed holes all over the last one so it was time. Picked up a couple other things and hot dogs all around. Really cheap dinner and everyone loves them.

After dinner we sat around for a bit before I said I was going to my room to work. I started tracing the pattern and managed to get through the first 4 pages. They are about the size of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper folded and there are 9 pages. I said it would take a bit to get them all done. The smaller pieces aren't to tough but the large pieces take longer because you have to be careful when you shift that you stay aligned with what you have already done. Because the fusible likes to come loose, I'm trying to trim the excess off as close to the outside line as possible so i can just fuse it to the fabric. Cutting out all the points out only once would be nice.

I did have to stop about 10:30 to clean Chase's ears. She's a lab and has had ear problem since she was little. Most of the time she is okay but once in a while she has stages where they bother her and she looks lopsided. Of course after I clean, mom has to love so that took a bit. Then back to work.

I think I must have stopped for a few to watch what was on TV because the next thing I knew it was almost 11:15. Well I knew if I went to bed then I'd be awake off and on...that's what little naps do to me. So I worked on the tracing til about 12:30 and decided it was time for bed. Now Friday night if I work on it, who knows when I'll go to bed because I don't have anywhere to be Saturday. Just plan on messing around the house and I already have Chili planned for dinner so I'll be in 7th heaven most of the weekend.

Don't know, but is it still illegal (copywrite stuff) to take pictures of projects like this as you go. I mean you aren't going to really be able to see the pattern well enough to copy it and pictures of my work in progress won't probably tell you anything either. I just might do it, just to have pictures to post with my progress or frustration (I'm sure there will be plenty). If anyone hollers, I'll stop.

Again...so excited to get home and work.... having leftover homemade lasagna. It's amazing what quick meals you can come up with when you want to work on something exciting.

New Project

Well, last night I decided to get out the moose kit. I put my cutting table back in the bedroom and took out my card table for better height. Laid out the fabric and it is wild and will make him very good looking. Then I took out the pattern and unfolded and unfolded and unfolded. Even though it tells you on the front of the pattern how large it will be (30.5 x 28.5) you don't really realize how big that is until you see it all laid out. I pinned it up on my design wall for now and started reading the instructions. I'm definitely going to be doing a lot of tracing and cutting. Having to take breaks in the tracing and fine cuttiing, I have a feeling it will take me several months from start to finish. It's sort of scary looking at the pieces I need to trace on fusible but excited to see it come together too.
I"m taking a break from my postings at work and just thinking about it makes me want to go home and get started.

Lucy's done

Well, I finally finished the binding last night and if I'm not tooting my own horn, it looks pretty good. Busy but good. I need to take a picture and post next. My son was using the camera to take pictures of his model for school.. That does come first.

Now to decide what will be next. I bought a kit called Summer Serenity designed by Toni Whittney from Big Fork Bay Cotton Company of a Moose Head a couple years ago but have not been into working on it. I want something to do with my hands at night and I think this might be time to make my moose.

If you want to see what the pattern really looks like you can go into Quiltshops.com and type in moose applique patterns or Summer Serenity and it will bring up a bunch. Will have to really see how brave I am when it comes down to getting started.

Almost finished

I keep saying that but I have the binding sewn on, now to just trim off the excess. I was sick last weekend and missed two day of work . Not what I wanted to do for my 3 day weekend. I have a couple errands to run this morning then home to do laundry before my daughter and son get back from the movie and photo run. She wants to take picture of a small town near us. It has an old section of town...brick buildings and such. She's really into photography and gets some really great shots. Anyway I should get mine done before she gets home that way I can get it trimmed and pinned down. It will probably take me all day tomorrow to get the binding stitched down but didn't have anything else planned. Will post another picture when it's done.

Proud Mom

Part of the Heroes and Heroines exhibit at the U of O's Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

Ethan was one of few who were selected to have their work shown at the exhibit. It was pretty neat to have his art work at another show.

Lucy's Almost Finished

Well, my Lucy quilt is almost finished. Here it is all laid out on the table. I got all the pins in the first go round. Now to unclamp and close the pins so I can shift and pin the remaining sections. It shouldn't take to long since it's not quite a big as my usual Lap Quilts. I wanted it a little bigger but ran out of the 9 patch squares. It will be big enough to cover my leggs while I'm watching TV at night.

You can't see the back but it a furry piece. I had intended to get a piece of fleece but it all was very childish or the wrong solid color. I finally found a piece that's on the pink/flesh color that goes really well. The picture doesn't show the actual color. Furry on one side and smooth on the other. I'm putting the furry inside instead of batting. It will be heavy enough and will keep me warm.