Process Pledge

Here it is: (thanks, Rossie!)

I, Jessica , pledge to talk more about my processes, even when I can’t quite put them in the in words or be sure I’m being totally clear.   I’m going to put my thinking and my gut feelings out there.

Monday-Make a list & Easy Street!

Its been a crazy couple of weeks around this house!
I worked on Thanksgiving, but just had to go in for a little while. The DH & I stayed home and had steaks on the grill as our dinner. It was awesome!
It was a little sad not being with our families but I'm over it now. So glad I didn't have to do all that prep & clean-up! I'll get my fair share of that come Christmas (we are having a big gathering of both of our families here!)
I am mighty proud of myself this week in the sewing/crafting front.
I got one stocking made; no picture (cause I am a dork!)
I got another set of borders pieced and on Momma's Sunshine, it basically just needs to go to the L-A-Q now; Nope, no picture of it either.
This past friday, was the release of Easy Street, part I from Bonnie Hunter over at Quiltville. Of course, nature is what it is and I had to work! But, that's ok, I got home around 230 and I was rearing to go!
I love these mysterys! There is something so cool about completeing these quilts one step at a time, not knowing what the final product will be. And, I love everything Bonnie Hunter! Her quilts are fabulous!
My goal this week is to 1.) finish easy street part 1 and 2.) finish up 3 more stockings! Should be an easy enough list to work on and complete!
So, I did snap a couple of pictures showing how my step 1 is progressing along. I feel like I am doing pretty good considering that the majority of the weekend was spent on the motorcycle with the DH.
We had a toy run & dinner meet with our great riding group! We put about 300 miles on the motorcycle on Sat & Sun combined. My bootie is a little sore. Just sayin'.


little paired twosies



I will say: my strip sets suck. They never seem to lay straight. So, i pulled out the accuquilt cutter to make my 4 patches!

It works pretty fast and is sooo accurate. But only for certain things. These were an easy dream to make.

I have about 90 4-patches completed. I think that is doing pretty well so far. Especially since I have until the next step comes out!
And, just for your viewing pleasure: (and cause its getting that time, Yep, Christmas time!)

Me & Santa & Sherrie at the Toy Run.

Today I am linking up with Bonnie over at Quiltville. And, Sarah at confessionsofafabricaddict.

WIP Wednesday!

This is the one when I finish the top of Momma's Sunshine. But, all progress stopped when she came to spend the night! Eeek.
I haven't worked on Dad's sailboats quilt any- I know, bad! But, it has been too easy to put it off to work on other things!
On another note, I ordered a Layer Cake (or 3) the other day and my order came in WRONG. So, the DH's Airplanes is on hold again too! I really am upset about that, because he finally comes home today! He will be here for 2 weeks! YEAH!
On to the pictures!

 I am not sure if you can see it but there are about 900 (rough estimate) pins in the center seam of this puppy. I am so glad this top is together. That was the final seam when I was piecing the sections together.
 And, then, TA DA! Momma's Sunshine. Sans borders.

Down here you can see I was playing around with using my extra units as borders. I am still doing that but with a solid inner border first. (Forgot to snap a pic of that!)

Those units are leftovers from what should have been more center. But, I just knew if I kept going I would never get it done. I am going to add enough in borders though to make it a nice useable lap quilt for Mom.

Fishy eating Fishy!

Maybe you can see the little pup with a bone?

Next up in My WIP world: Getting my fabrics together for the next Bonnie Mystery over at Quiltville.

The constant? Instead of Winter Flannel Gray.

Greens of all colors, instead of Limey Apple Greens?

Deep Chocolates, Instead of Purples?

Dark and Bright blues instead of Cool Aqua & Turquoise.

 The Farm, Football and Camping gear I am using for a back. Somehow I ended up with rather large cuts of these horrible fabrics. But, I plan to put them to good use!
I forget to get a snap of my Black on Whites. But, I have them- just probably not enough. Woo Hoo! That means I get to shop!

Ya'll have a good week!

I am linking up with Lee over at freshlypieced.

Random Thursday

It's kinda been a productive but lazy week around here.
I went to work on Monday and on Tuesday, but on that evening I started feeling pretty rotten.
The next morning, when I started having chills and backish-side pain along with this:

Yep, I was definitely feeling pretty rotten. And, I took myself to the doctor and looked all pitiful, like this:   (I even sent this to the Sweet DH, cause I was missin' him- bunches.)                            My sweet Scooter-Tooter climbed up in the recliner with me to cuddle and made me giggle at his funky ears.

My Momma was even worried about me and came for a visit. She brought Rutabagas. I've never eaten a Rutabaga or fixed one before. Interesting. She didn't get around to cooking them so I was left to my own devices: usually a stop over to Allrecipes.com (love that site!) I made this:

Its just diced Rutabaga, boiled until tender then drenched in homeade cheese/onion/garlic sauce and baked. I sprinkled some breadcrumbs on the top. It was ok. Nothing to write home about. But, I do think I will take the potato-masher to it and it will be just fine. Something about the texture didnt agree with my delicate palate. (maybe it was the canned ravioli that I ate for  dinner last night? hmmph.)

Then, from out of no-where, the doorbell rang! (ugh! I look like I've been in bed and not showered for 2 days!) But, thankfully it was my great neighbor, who was bringing me a great, GREAT packages. They were mistakenly dropped off at her house, kinda. I hadn't gotten the mail in so long the mail-lady thought we were on vacation. So, she just took them to Megan, cause that is who gets our stuff when we aren't home. And, cause she was worried someone would steal it- GREAT mail-Lady! I will be putting banana bread in the mailbox for her, for sure!

 Woo Hoo! Quilty fabric goodies!
The smaller box is from Missouri Star Quilt Company!
And, the larger one is from Jo @ joscountryjunction! Oh how I have been waiting for these things!
First off, I decided to make up a couple of simple quilts with layer-cakes for a couple of people that I know will love and appreciate them and who least expect them. (More on that later.) And, I decided that to make a more manly, hunter- , protecter- type quilt for the DH I was going to have to revamp my idea a little about his quilt. I needed plaids!!! More than I already have in my stash. Thankfully, Jo participated in the Garage Sale Saturday, hosted by Suzanne, over at ColoradoLady. I got a huge box of great shirt-sleeves! Plaids, check.

Sweet Box of Sleeves and a rockin' card! Straight to the fridge it went!

I am going to have a blast, slicin' and dicin' these puppies up!

On another note, I learned yesterday that a Dear Sweet Lady I know has just been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. About 3 years ago she was diagnosed with Naso-pharangeal cancer, but beat that. I am sure, in my heart, that her treatment for the first cancer, caused the second. I am so sad. But, I got straight to work on her a cuddly for chemo, that starts next week. Its bright, fun and cheerful- the way she always was to work with. She was my original charge nurse when I started at the current "real job." Its nothing fancy, just a layer cake but I have the top together minus borders and I am going to back it with Minky or fleece and call it done. It will be really cuddly, for when she needs it.

I am sure I am boring ya'll to death with all the words and pictures this week! Eeek! I will be so glad to get back to work tomorrow. Sad thing is that it is not really a work day for me. I am actually scheduled off so that I can attend the annual Trauma Symposium. Yes, thats me. Trauma Nurse extraordinaire! LOL.

I also have been working on Momma's Sunshine and am happy to say that I have most of the top, sans borders pieced. I didnt get a good picture of it, but here is one about 1/2 way finished. Next up, is figuring out what to do about borders!

Until next time! See ya'll later!

Oh and I am linking up over at Live a Colorful Life for Really Random Thursday!

Freshly Pieced: WIP Wednesday: Guest-Hosted by Svetlana

Freshly Pieced: WIP Wednesday: Guest-Hosted by Svetlana


Not sure how this thing works. It says to create a link- but its not the normal linky thing...I have a feeling this is all wrong.
I am just trying to use my "Listy Monday" post as my WIP Wednesday post too. Damn it.
Sometimes I think this blogger business is just too complicated!

Listy Monday

I am working hard and heavy on this list- so much so that I dont have time to make a whole new post for WIP Wed. So, here is my Make a list Monday post- converted.
And, can i just say: Blah. I should have slept through the elections. I am just going to continue to pray that our "leaders" will see the light and turn to the One, True, God. Only then will America be saved.
On a brighter note: it passed (finally) that we will be able to buy beer/wine in our city!!! Now I dont have to drive to "the line" to get that much needed bottle of wine!Yeah!

It's really that time of year when I need to hold myself more accountable if I want to finish up gifts for everyone and spend some time for myself too (on the quilty things I wanna work on!)
I have done surprisingly well this week, but I am still not  where I need to be and I know it.

I decided to try the "Make-a-list-Monday."

First up:
I need to finish making the sailboat blocks for Dad's quilt. My goal is to get at least the blocks cut in and situated that are the actual sailboats.

The right picture is one corner that needs to be finished. The left picture is the one corner I have completed.
Secondly:
Finish the blocks for Momma's Sunshine and get the top together sans borders.
I have actually been working on the string blocks that I lack but I am still at odds over what to do with borders.

I have it all laid out and ready to be put together. I just have a couple of the blue string triangles that need corner bits. I should have those finished this afternoon and then I will start assembly!

Third:
I am second guessing the airplane quilt as it is now (just a few blocks done, maybe 5.) I started with a charm pack base and I think that the blocks need to be bigger as a base. I am getting a lot of ripples as I applique those buggers down and it is causing uneven blocks- I need to be able to put them on the block and trim to a uniform size. I may make a top from an easy-peazy pattern and then applique the planes onto the quilt top after it is completed.
I know, this really shouldn't be added to the list. Unless, of course, thinking can actually be added to the list ;)

Fourth:
I need to make more cathedral window squares to finish my "Follow the yellow brick road" quilt for Amy. She really needs it. And, I really need to make it for her!
Is there anyone out there that can tell me how to finish the outside edge? or is it just left as is?

I am hoping to get some more squares folded up and ready to put windows into in the morning. My biggest issue with that is cutting and making sure they are square as I am folding. I really dont want to screw this one up. Even a little bit.
There are my goals for this week. Up until Saturday. Lets see if a little accountability will help.
I also wanted to share my Fall wreath that I finished up and hung. I love it! And, because I am always Thankful for the company that this little guy is for me I thought I would share a picture of Scooter-Tooter. He & I are one in the same- we both love the "Bootie Warmer" car seats!

I am linking up with Lee at freshlypieced
I am linking up with Sarah at confessionsofafabricaddict

Have a great day, Ya'll!
jess

Secret Santa!

Secret Santa??!?
Why YES!
I would love to!

I am going to have a ball!

Suzanne over at Coloradolady has graciously decided to host the SSS again this year! Thank you, Suzanne.
I didn't get to participate because I was not actively blogging at the time, but I was reading and enjoying everyone's excitement.
So, I am thrilled to be a part this year and I am already thinking of nifty things to gift!