Missing Retreat

In a past life I belonged to a "B" (a Quilting Bee").  We use to meet on the opposite Wednesday's of our quilt guild meetings.  Most of the member's moved away, and we just sort of fell apart.  Well fast forward to November 2015, and a retreat was planned.  I was invited to join in all the quilty fun, but life got in the way, and I wasn't abel to get myself together to join in on the fun with my B.  And then I went back to work at the LQS, and met with old friends who were planning on retreating this weekend.

A thoughtful gesture, for retreating fun.

I immediately jumped on the "retreat" bandwagon.  But then quickly realized that 1. My house is a wreck, and 2.  Thanksgiving is this coming this Thursday.  So needless to say I will not be retreating, and probably very little sewing will be going on around here.  (sad face)

Thank you for the invite, and thank you for the sweet gift's.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,
Sheila

Satisfaction

Making fabric. Straight lines and angles.

Piecing scrapes, making blocks. 

Mindless sewing. 

Satisfaction.  

Stuffed Elephant for Mommy to be.  

Sunday drive with the top down?  Satisfaction...

 

Indian Summer

The weather in Maryland has been amazing!  This is making it a little very difficult to get down in the dungeon  to sew. Walking the dog, and spending time with my man (who is home after 45 days of working down in Florida).  Me and my Remy Girl, aka our pound puppy are both over the top happy to have him home.

Afternoon walks, the "pack" is together again.

Blue Skys, and Autumn.

Can't get enough of this

Weather forecast for this coming weekend includes a chance of rain.  Sew, theres always tomorrow!  

Happy Sewing, happy piecing,

Sheila

Time sure does fly

Here it is November 1st already.  Today would have been my big brothers 61st birthday.  Heading over to my other big brothers house (I am the baby of the family) to pick up a bed that use to belong to my big brother who passed away back in August.  Since it's his birthday I stopped by his and my mother's grave site.

Happy Birthday to the ultimate sports fan, Kenny Breen 

His name hasn't been added to the headstone, but we the five remaining siblings know where he, and our Mom are laid to rest.  R.I.P. birthday boy, and my sweet mother.  I miss you both so very much.

A beautiful Autumn Day to honor my loved one's

Living in the DMV

Living in the DMV (aka Delmarva) (aka DC, MD, VA) is such a fun place to be.  Last year at this time my man was working in DC, and invited me and our youngest daughter down for dinner.  It was the Tuesday before Halloween.  After dinner we walked to the 17th Street High Heel Race, and we had a blast.  Well fast forward to today, and it's once again the Tuesday before Halloween.  My man is down in Florida working, but our baby girl and I decided that last year was so much fun that we had to go down to Washington for the 29th annual 17th Street High Heel Race.  And I'm happy to report that we were not disappointed with our decision.  I drove down, parked for $8.00 in public parking (can this qualify as a cheap date?) at 21street and M street, and then we walked up to 17th street.  Meryl Streep, Michael Jackson, Joan Crawford, Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, (just to name a few) were there too.

Michael Jackson (not sure what happened to the lighting

Michael and a neat kid watching the parade.

Meryl Streep

My best friends daughter came with us, and I'm happy that we are close enough to DC to hop in the car, and have a fun evening with very little cost.

It's nothing to do with quilting, but I did get some sewing time today before we left for the parade.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,
Sheila

Memory Quilts

With the sudden death of my big brother this year, two days before my youngest daughter's wedding, life has been very emotional for me.  So many memories, so many tears, so many conversations.  So much to sort through, my brother's life, his accomplishments, and my relationship with my brother.  He is my big brother, I am his baby sister.  I will miss him.

My plan is to make quilts.  Quilts from his T-shirs for my brother and sisters.  Memory quilts if you will.

Five shirts, five siblings

Of course there are more shirts than these five, but I thought it appropriate that there are five shirts, and five siblings.  Cutting, planning, memory quilts.  

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Moving right along

I didn't finish this today, more like September 22, 2015

Sisters

Frozen sisters Elsa and  Anna. Just need to put a label on it.  I really love the way this turned out.

The Green is Always Green

Green is always green has sashing, and I have an idea for the border in my head.

Raffle Quilt Label

Test stitch for the label for my guilds 2016 raffle quilt.  This baby took almost three hours to stitch out.

The Olaf quilt is ready for quilting.  My plan this weekend with a Nor'Easter, and hurricane Joaquin headed to my area I should get some quilting time in.  Stay safe, and dry.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Weekend fun

Daughter #1 called to tell me she's starting a new job, and this weekend will be a pratice run, (but hasn't given her two week notice at the old job, shh!), and someone from work gave her 4 tickets to Hershey Park, and dear Son in Law has to work. (Darn!)  What's a "Nan" to do?  Pack a bag for her and her pound puppy, and jump in the car, and head up to PA on Friday evening.  Saturday was up and at em to the very first Flag Football practice for both boy's.  The big boy first at 9:00am, the little boy at 10:20am.  Note to Mommy "little brother take it easy".  Playing on the school playground for an hour and 15 minutes before his pratice will tire him out!  It was a long morning, but real fun, and the cool sunny morning made life grand.

Even though he's tired, he still caught the ball!  Way to go Action!

My mind isn't always functioning in the early morning hours either.  I Totally forgot to take pictures of big brother's practice.  Saturday finished out with pick up dinner from Red Robin "Yum" for me and my guys (Mommy & Daddy had an evening outing).  And movies on the comfort of the couch for me and my boy's.  Dozing always welcome.  

Sunday morning breakfast lovingly made Daughter #1, for me and those two adorable little boy's.  Packed some lunches, and off to Hershey Park.

We're here!  Hershey Park,  PA Look out Hershey, here we come!

Ready for some rides, and fun!

Comet Roller Coaster, front seat.

Even weekend fun has to come to an end...

As usual, the weekend flew by way too quick.  Quilting in my mind only for this weekend.  

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Pope in DC

What a beautiful Day to sit and watch the Pope on NBC news!  Amazing, so many people just want to be blessed and be in his presences.  The Spirtual energy is something to behold.  So heartwarming.

Happy piecing, Happy sewing,
Sheila

And the Beat goes on...

Well, here it is September 17th, and my first blog post of the month.  I've been on a bit of a roller coaster ride.  The wedding that we have been planning for almost two years is now down in the history books.

My Beautiful Baby and her Man

A beautiful day spent with family and friends.  The weather couldn't have been better, and the day was joyful, and every piece of the puzzle fell into place, seamlessly.  There was laughter, and tears, and wishes for a happily ever after.   Their future is bright.
Three days before I received a text from daughter #1 telling me to call a hospital in New Port News, VA. something has happened to my brother.  Somehow the "crafty nurses" found daughter #1 on my brother's Facebook page...too much to go into here.  My older brother passed away on August 27th, two days before this joyous day.  The emotions are overwhelming, one moment so much happiness for the wedding, and all the fun of family and friends getting together to celebrate love and happiness.  And next so much sorrow, should have, would have's and could have's.
As usual life goes on, and quilting helps me make it through the days.

Happy sewing, Happy piecing,
Sheila

Wedding plans

Wedding plans, wedding plans, wedding plans! That is what consumes me, and my baby girl.  We talk almost everyday.  It's such an exciting time.  Currently I am working on embroideries for said wedding. I can't post pictures yet, but I'm having sew much fun!  I can hardly believe that in one week from tomorrow they will be saying their "I do's".  And then after the wedding there will be life in my sewing room for some much needed "Sheila's Sew Time".

Sister's for Madi

 These two sister's are pinned and ready for quilting.  I have the quilting design saved on my Brother PR 1000, and can't wait to get started.  And I know my friend Mary can't wait for me to finish this and the Olaf quilt.  Both are for her adorable Grands, and I'm sure they will be loved so I need to get to work.

Olaf for Brantley

My second Olaf quilt.  He's a little different than my Grandson's.  But he is also pinned and ready for quilting.

Crabby/Personalized Apron for the Bride

This apron I made for the Bride to be for her birthday back in June, but didn't get the monogram on until last week.  Oh well, I know where she live's, and she know's how I roll.

Bingo quilt needs binding

This quilt is for my guilds annual Bingo coming up in October.  It just needs the binding.  Sew for now I will get to the last few things I have to do for the wedding.  

Until next time, happy piecing, happy sewing.

Sheila

Sewing before the Wedding

Summer vacation is over, and my man is back to a busy work schedule.  Wedding plans are being finalized, all final alterations have been made to the Brides dress.  Whice were sewing bra-cups into a backless dress, and sash beading complete, thank you to Designs by Nicole. http://designsbynicole-md.com what a talented lady.

The bachellorette party is this weekend, we will be doing a wine tour and stepping out on the town of Annapolis night life after the wine tour.

Before I went on vacation I wanted to finish a beach pouch, the frist was an epic fail!  Here it is, I finished it!

Beach Pouch

I'm finally down in my sewing room during the day after morning grass and garden watering, and dog walking. A high school friend saw the Olaf quilt I made for my Grandson, and asked if I would make her two for her Grandchildren.  She has a Granddaughter and Grandson, so I suggested an Olaf quil for the boy, and a Sister's quilt for the girl.  The Olaf is all cut out, just need to sew him together.  Then both will be quilted on my trusted embroidery machine.

Sister's 

Vacation was a blast, and I have lots of wonderful memories, but for now I'm glad to be back home and getting some sewing in before the wedding.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Not so much!

Salvaging this beach pouch "not so much" that zipper is staying backwards! 😢 So now I'll just call this a "test"!

Never going to be a Beach Pouch! 

Second try is in the hoop now, crossing fingers I get it right this time.

Lt. Blue pouch, batting, blue polka dot is the lining fabric

Hopefully I can post a picture of the finished pouch tomorrow.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

 

Embroidery

Have I ever mentioned that I love my embroidery machine?  Well if I haven't I DO! I really, really do! I'm obsessed with in the hoop projects, and I'm getting ready to go on vacation so I'm trying out some new ideas.  

This is an in the hoop beach pouch. It sews the zipper in and sews it together, all in the hoop.  There's just one problem I put the zipper in backwards! Oh!  After over an hour of stitching out the design.  I'm crushed!  But, I'm hopeful I can salvage it once I take it out of the hoop, and sew the back and front together by my machine.  Wish me luck.

Happy piecing, happy sewing, 

Sheila 

The Green is Always Green

Remember this?  This was a guild swap from 2014 "The Green is alway Green".  We exchanged half square units, and four patch units to make sixteen 12 1/2 unfinished Jacob's Ladder blocks.  I put mine together, and didn't think it was going to be big enough, so I put it away thinking I would make it bigger, and give it to my daughter as a wedding gift.  That was back in April 2014, and her wedding wasn't until August 2015.  Plenty of time, right?  Not!  So here it is, out of the box, and still not big enough!

Jacob's Ladder

So since it's been raining here all day I have been down in my sewing room most of the day making more half square, and four patch unit's.  It's the perfect weather, I have no desire to leave to go to the pool, or work out in the yard.  I did take a break to watch a movie with my man, another perfect rainy day activity.

Jacob's Ladder Block 

One block down, nineteen more to go.  Also another Olaf quilt and a Sister's Quilt for a friend's Grandbabies.

Olaf Frozen

Sister's Frozen

But for now, all sewing must stop!  Off to get ready for a graduation party, it's that time of year too. I'l be sure to wear my rain gear.  

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Frozen in the Summertime

Olaf for the littlest Grandson is done!  Still needs a label, but that's just a little thing.

Snowflakes quilting

 Close up of the quilting,  (http://ameliescott.com Edge to Edge Quilting) which was done in the embroidery hoop, such a fun little quilt.

The Avengers, back of the quilt

Here's a view of the back, " The Avengers".  

Olaf

I will give this quilt to the little guy the next time he comes for a visit, because I can't wait for him to see it!  So for now, I'm frozen in the summertime.

So until next time, happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Azalea's and Wisteria

I haven't been down in my sewing room much latley.  So not too much quilting has been going on around here.  A very dear friend had surgery two Tuesday's ago, and I have been sitting and watching over her.  Strong meds kept her out of it most of the time, and I've told her on several occasion's that we are going to have lots to laugh about down the road!  I have walked the dog, and the biggest thing I notice on my walks is Azalea's and Wisteria with some Iris for good measure.  Though, I didn't take any pictures of the Iris.  My Remy Girl gets going, and doesn't want to stop for photo shoots.

Azalea's

Wisteris

And in my Dear friends back yard are some beautiful pink flowers.  I think they are Philodendron?  I Love this time of year.  

Pretty Pink Flowers

This week-end is being spent with my two Grandson's.  Dinner and Ice Cream, and Happy Birthday to Nan were at Friendly's.  Tomorrow will be Breakfast buffet at Chesapeake Beach Rod N Reel.  Best Pre-Birthday celebration ever. So I'm good with not being down in the sewing room.

My two Superhero's!

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Managing Me time, Family time and Spring time

Oh, how I love Spring.  I also love quilting and embroidery, but these two are not Spring weather friendly. Watching my almost 8year old Grandson play baseball, and planting flowers, and anything done outdoors is what I would rather do, so quilting and embroidery have been put on the back burner for me.  So on Thursday, April 30th I wanted to get this finished, so that was first on my to do list. 

Bingo Quilt Top Finished layout # 2 (thanks Misty)

Then started this knowing that Friday would be a no sew day since I was planning on driving up to PA for an evening baseball game.

Olaf for the littlest Grandson

The top and bottom borders aren't sewn on yet, but it's an almost finished quilt top, and I will quilt it in the hoop on my Brother PR 1000.  

Friday afternoon, I drove up to PA for Baseball. 

Let's go Gator's!

Saturday was spent with my man.  First stop Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, MD. Oh the Beautiful flowers!  And I put all my housplants out on the front porch for the rest of spring, and through summer.  They love being out there, but I had to wait a little longer this year for warmer weather.

Sunday was more beautifu weather, so a drive overe to my Dear Mother in Laws house for a surprise visit, and impromptu dinner outside finished out the weekend.  So here's to managing my me time, family time and spring time.

Happy Spring, Happy piecing,
Sheila

Quilt layout

My current project is this Bingo quilt top that will be a prize at my guilds "Quilt Bingo" coming up in October.   The nice ladies in the Southern Comforters of Bowie put together this kit with all the fabric's, and the pattern.  All I had to do was cut it out, and sew it together.   I have all the units, and there are two layouts.  Please help me decide on the best layout.  Layout 1, or layout 2?  That is the question.

Layout #1

Layout #2

I'm leaning towards layout one. I will have this top finished to take to the guild meeting next Wednesday the 22nd.

So until next time, happy piecing, happy sewing.
Sheila

Breathe...

So today, the first full day of Spring, my plan was to Breathe...

Between getting the one quilt I registrared for the quilt show finished, and finishing the commissioned clergy stole's, this has been a very "self induced" " stressed "desserts" kinda week.  I have a tendency to procrastinate so that is why I say self induced. I also tend to be very critical of my own work, and felt like the finished stole's weren't up to par.  That was not the reaction I got from the customer.  (Thank Heaven).  She loved everything I made for her, and now I can Breathe, and enjoy our quilt show.

Clergy Stole

I made two of these along with the ring bearer's pillow, and flower girls basket. http://quiltingnan.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-tisket-tasket I can now call them "done".

Candy Corn/South of the Border

This quit was finished on Wednesday, and I was super duper relieved to have this done in time to work on just the wedding items.  The stoles will be a gift to the Rev. and Pastor who will preform the wedding.

So now for me and you, happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila