WiP Wed. & The New Baby!

Its been a crazy busy month around here! I had no idea how busy I was really going to be when school started- but I am getting the idea quickly!
A quick rundown of a typical day: up at 4ish, study/computer time till 5ish, gym, shower- maybe a little sewing and then off to work till 530ish. Then study for another 1.5 hrs- and then anything else that needs my attention. I sometimes feel like I don't have time to breath. I am trying my best to stay on top of my classes- better to be ahead than behind.
But, last night I suffered some leg cramps that are still very achy this morning- no gym. So, I get a chance to share with ya'll! (and do some laundry!)
First up- some housekeeping!

I want everyone to go over to Pam's blog and read about the Living Water Quilt fundraiser. You won't regret it. And, if you have some $$ to spare and are willing- follow the link on her blog to donate. Learning to be Me. The quilt is magnificient and you can have a chance to win it.

A sweet acquaintance at work was recently diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. I did manage to wrangle in a WiP and finish that bad boy- squishy backing and all. I delivered it yesterday morning- as she was in pre-op for a mediport placement. Please take a minute to pray for her (or sweet thoughts- if you don't pray.)

These are the pictures of my sweet friends quilt. It was just a layer cake I sliced and diced and then added some warm & natural and a minky-type backing. I basted it with about a 1000 safety pins and got to work. I quilted it myself. And it was a beast. But, the worst part was all the pink fuzzies that ended up all over the house! LOL. Please excuse all the fabric piles and messes.

 This is in my sewing room. I had just finished quilting it and was trying to get a true color pic- I love it and I hope she does too.

In this one it is draped over the sofa- covering my vintage pretties.


 

 These are some East Street shots. I really need to be focused on this but its just not working out. I have other things that keep calling to me- so I am doing a block, here and there, when I can. I love how it is coming together. 

I did make a change on the last step. I took out the pieced units that were 2 black-on-white strips and added yellow blocks of the same size. It needed yellow! I will admit- some of the blocks, on their own are UGLY! But when you put them all together- I love them! They are so me! And, the fabrics I included also make it so my DH too! Perfect for our bed!

I am compelled to share a little randomness too! This is a shot of my window in "my room." It is soo cheerful to me! Scentsy warmer, jar of buttons, vase of vintage wooden spools with thread of all colors, current thread, tomatoe pin cushion and selvafe scrap box! Love it!

Stupid Hibiscus. Blooming in Jan.

 Yep, my hibiscus is blooming in january! What a hoot! And, not just this one bloom- there are new ones everyday- I've had about 10 so far. That thing is crazy! The other shot is one of some of my favorite folks- the Dear Husband and neighbor kiddos! I love them!And, they adore him- it is rough when he is gone- even on them.
A while back I posted about starting a new adventure: Hexies! And, I am proud to announce that I completed my first Hexie project and I am super stoked. I think it looks great and I am proud of my own handi-work.

Yes, I am well aware that there are white polka dots on the wall.
Next up is a little quilt I am making for my Kayli-bug. She is my little cousin/niece and she is pregnant! I say she is my cousin/niece because she is actually my cousin- but I was the only grandchild for SO long that everyone is SO much younger than me- its like they are nieces/nephews instead of cousins. I thought on this project for a while- I am doing a version of a disappearing 9-patch. With Pezzy!

Sorted and stacked. I added in some white from the stash and evened out the groupings to 4 in each with some solids and fruit fabrics.

Lemons and cherries! They round out the red and yellow groups fine.

These fabrics all cut up and looking super modern are so my SBC block of the month. I promise that I finished the block- I thought I had a picture of it but cant find it. I'll post one in the next post. You can joing the Sugar Block Club too- if you wanna. Amy's blog has all the information you will need.

                                                             

Last, but certainly not least- are pictures taken this week of the new baby at the farm! Nothing sweeter or cuter than a new baby Llama. We have 4 llamas now. I haven't named her yet- but at least we know she is a girl! She is about a day old in this picture. I love how she stays so close to Momma Llama.

 

Sew, till next time!

Thanks for stopping by!

jess

Easy Street & Sugar Block Club

This is gonna be a less than wordy- more pictures post.
I am swamped with getting  things done before school starts on the 14th.
Including reading my brains out- I read my 30 pages of syllabi last night and wanted to cry: what am I getting myself into?! (Hopefully all that will be gone when I get started!)

First up: Easy Street! Which, by the way- keeping all those 4-patches turned correctly, isn't easy.

 Bits & pieces

Starting Corners

Corners- really all together.

 A corner made.

Corners all together.

Then, of course there is the Sugar Block Club-  I haven't started on the block for this month yet. I plan to start it possibly Sunday. I should have some free time on Sunday. Should. I am on-call all weekend and Sundays are very unpredicatble. Sucks, sometimes, being a nurse.

Ok, so I feel like a complete dunce. I kept getting online and tracking my wonderful, fabulous fabrics. And, then, cause of the New Year holiday- it didn't update.  But, on Wed- while I was at work- I checked and it said that it had been delivered! On the 31st!!! O.M.G. I guess I really should check the mail more often! It had been there the whole time.  

The charms are what Julies threw in to surprise and utterly seal-the-deal on my next purchase! EEEk! I love them. Notting Hill: poppy colorway. They can be found at the Intrepid Thread. As for the bundle I purchased, Sun on Sea I absolutely love it. I love the SUN and I love the SEA. And, I did add a couple of dark, popping tasty bits too! I know I will use them! There is no compensation for this ad! LOL- really. But, I will tell you: I emailed Julie at The Intrepid Thread and I told her my fav colors and what lines I really liked and she immediately hit the nail on the head with this bundle. Wonderful works!

 

Sew, till next time!

Thanks for stopping in!

jess

 

Obligatory (after) New Year Post

This is going to be a BIG year for us at the Rusty Nail Farm!
There is already so much going on. Or that we are waiting to start.
I start Grad school in less than 2 weeks. My life as I know it is going to completely change- its hard coming to terms with that.
I might or might not have time to blog about it- please be forgiving.
That also means that I might have to change my hours/status at work- its hard coming to terms with that too. I am so devoted to my team/work. I LOVE what I do. And, work has always been my scapegoat- I go there and don't have to think about anything but work. Actually, it is essential that I don't think about anything else when I am working. Goes with the whole saving lives thing.

Also, my Sweet DH may have some changes coming up too: super excited about the possibility he'll be home more! or closer!

I didn't really do a year end or year beginning post- there are plenty out there. And, that whole "doing __________ or __________ without obligation" thing has bitten me. I kinda felt obligated to write one- so I didn't. I am trying to teach myself not to obligate myself too thin. Home, School, Work. Those can be my ONLY obligations while I am a grad student.
There are a couple of other things I would like to obligate myself to do- get healthier and finish somethings that need finishing, be a better me, be a better friend etc. Ya'll get it. But, no resolutions- those are broken too easily.I don't need to set myself up for failure.
I also want to spend less time Facebooking and more time face-to-face with those I love.

Without further a-do: here are my lists of things. I added them to my sidebar too! (pat on my own back.) This is just a listing of the quilty/sewing things.

A listing of projects for me to complete  (doubtful in 2013): (WiPs)

• Easy Street: almost to the last clue- I think this one is for our bed. I am so excited.
• Momma's Sunshine: just need to finish up borders on this one and get a back ready- mom wants to hand quilt it.
• Sugar Block Club: I know this will be good for me.
• Dad's Sailboat: need to finish piecing this, borders are negotiable. Want to make it snuggle worthy for a big man. All the units are ready to be joined.
• Russell's Airplanes: awaiting shipment of main fabric choice. Airplanes all ready. Deciding on borders very difficult.
• Hexies: out the wahzoo! Big & Small.
• Disappearing 9-patch. Just need to join units and add borders.
• Slice & Dice: have squishy backing ready. Join units and border to be complete. This has a home it needs to go to.
• Lazy Sunday: Have a large majority cut and some piecing done. Will be a WiP for a little bit.
• Etsy Shop quilt: Just need to finish adding borders to this one and get it on the shop page. Not very excited about this one. This one may have  a home, possibly
• Colourbox Quilt of Oakshots: have some piecing done- 8 blocks or so. I love this quilt but not sure how to go about doing it except as leader-ender project.  

What I want to start:

• Bits: a quilt of pieces. Random units/blocks and mess-ups. Lord knows I have plenty of mess-ups. I want this one for the couch- thinking snuggly soft flannel backing- large enough for 2 to snuggle. (yep, missing my Honey.)
• Mama said Sew quilt. This is in my minds-eye.
• Goosy Strings quilt: I could work on this intermittenly until it is completed. I actually think I have some perfect-size foundation papers already cut.

I also want to figure out more about this whole "blogger" thing- like how to work the thing better! How to make my pictures show up where I want them and such. I just recently figured out how to make sidebars and add things to them. I would like to add a picture to my sidebar too though.

Sew, till next time.
jess
(yep, no picture or linkys today- I am headed to the gym and ain't got time for them now.)