Pile Project Progress

Yesterday I got to get a lot of sewing in... I was surprised. But after I got a little tired of small pieces and started looking at my Piles.   ( The piles behind my sewing machine) And since one of my 2012 goals is to reduce some piles.... I grabbed a quilt and - *gasp* measured it, and

*gasp* made the binding for it.... and *double gasp*  BOUND it.... can you believe it?

I bought this kit.... its flannel... its yummy....

And my friend Denise V. pieced it for me.... and I added a flannel backing... and - did I say its Yummy.....

I chose pink striped flannel for the binding.... and its really really Yummy!!!

I used it all last night while I was watching TV with the kiddos....

So - look at me - its not even really 2012 and I have already started in on something. Maybe thats a sign for the new year? 

Design wall Monday Dec 26th

I don't have much on my design floor, as it has been inhabited by Boys!!! Lots of Boys!! Boys doing fun things, and playing Madden Wii Football, and opening presents, and wrestling.  5 boys between 16 and 10 take up a lot of space ;-)

But here is what I have been working on:  Step 5 of orca Bay. And truthfully - I thought I was done with these units looking just like this... and got ready to move on, and something in my brain said.... look again...

Glad I looked again, because if I had left them like this... who know. So I am working on adding the other side to them now.

Fred came back to visit us yesterday. Fred is our resident eagle, He dive bombs our house and thinks its funny to see us all come running... 

See all the boys? After they got tired of in the house...we went out!! To the sledding hill. Grandma gave the cousins the toboggan from the days of old, and they brought it. Oh man - does it run!!!

Two to the toboggan!!!

Then the hill got boring, so they tied onto the 4Wheeler.... the 5th child was out there for a while, then decided he would rather ride... so he is hiding behind wrangler man.

Hope you all had a great Christmas day.

To see other Design Walls go to:

http://www.patchworktimes.com/2011/12/26/design-wall-monday-december-26-2011/

To see more Orca Bay

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2011/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-6.html

Stash Report - last one of 2011

So first - I have a question. This is the first year I have done the stash report over at Judy's . Since this is the last one of the year - does that mean that this week is *free*?  So anything I buy doesn't count?  Or does it get reported on the first stash report of 2012?

Not that I am planning on buying anything - but you never know.........


Okay so for the last one of 2011

Fabric in this week:   0
Fabric Donated YTD:      164 Yards
Fabric Purchased YTD:    56.795 yards
Total In:                                220.795

Fabric Used this week:    2 yards - this is for step 5 and 6 in Orca Bay
Fabric Used YTD:           463.559 yards

Total Stash Busted for 2011     242.764

I am quite proud. All the fabrics that were Donated for Quilts of Valor are in the quilts!!! There is nothing left - so I am quite tickled.  And that I only bought 57 yds is kind of impressive... I have never tracked what I purchased - but I would have assumed that it was more.... just cuz of the piles I have ( seen  here  )

For other year end stash reports go to Judy's
http://www.patchworktimes.com/2011/12/25/stash-report-week-52-2011/

A Day of Thank You's

My family is arriving today, and Wrangler Man's is coming tomorrow. But I really, really wanted to share these with you....   ( many quilts have been presented this month)
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To All That Were Involved:


I wanted to say, "Thank You," for the beautiful quilt that I have
received. My family and I greatly appreciate all the loving thoughts that were put into creating such a special gift.


Wishing all of you a Happy Holiday Season and the very best for the new year!


Thank You,


The Jay Family
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From the New Commander on post ( he took his command the week after we dedicated the New Barracks   this post  )
 
Dear Quilters:
I was on a tour of our  Warrior Transition Battalion Barracks last week and I was awed by the charm of the numerous quilts on each bed of our Wounded Warriors. I was informed that these Quilts of Valor were made possible by you and your fellow quilters. I am glad that I had the opportunity to see firsthand what you are doing for our Soldiers and their families.
 
Thank you all so much for both your generousity and thoughtfulness. The quilts are absolutely beautiful, and I know how special they are for our Soldiers in the WTB.
 
Take Care, Sincerely
Major General Anderson
Commanding
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Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt presented to my father on Veterans day. You will never know how much that meant to him. Your quilters are to be commended for your effort and talent.
Sincerely K
daughter of Robert
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Thank you all for your hard work and support. It is a great blessing to have this quilt.
MG ( Female combat unit)
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Thank you SO much for the quilt, I will use it every night. - G.O.  ( female combat unit))
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Thank you so much. I'll always think of you all thinking of us and giving me the quilt - J.B ( TBI floor)
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Thank you so much for the quilt. It brought a smile to my face. -L.B (TBI floor)
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Thank you from me too ( Alycia) The smiles that are brought to the faces of one who recieves a quilt are priceless, but knowing that you are sharing your love through the quilt, makes my heart warm.... I love it!!!

A Quilt from Cricket

So I recieved a box with a gorgeous Log Cabin Quilt of Valor in it, and no paper...so I looked on the outside and the shipping label said Jeff.... I hunted down a way to contact Jeff to let him know his quilt arrived.... only to find out.....  He was just the shipper.  His wife Cricket had made it.

It made me laugh though - because each thought the other had enclosed something. 

Isn't that a cool quilt. and the black fabric has grey cats on it!! And the Baptist Fan quilting.... Thanks Cricket!!!

Quilts from Sharon and Joan

Sharon in Wyoming... over here  Made some great quilt tops, and my dear Joan in Kersey Quilted teo of them for us!!!  I love how many Longarm quilters are just stepping up to the plate to keep up with these awesome toppers!!!  You all rock!!!

The boys decorated for Christmas - my Contibution? The Carolina Crossroads Mystery quilt from Bonnie hunter years ago...

Alright - the first top from Sharon... Isn't it beautiful? I am positive those star blocks were paper pieced. They are so amazing!!

And here's a close up of her quilting.

A second quilt from Sharon. I just love the star fabric that she used in the sahsing. It really sets the blocks off so nicely!!

Sharon you did a wonderful job on these quilts of valor - and Joan your quilting is just perfect!!
Thanks ladies!!

Quilts from Alabama

I got up early this morning, got ready to blog, and looked outside and there was SNOW!!  A lot of it!! Yay... except I had to go to town. From my house ( high up on the hill) I can see the highway, and I noticed the semi trucks going veeeerrrrry very very slow.... so I hopped in my car and headed off. Good choice. Took me a little over an hour .....  oh well. Such beauty is worth it.

But I am back now and ready to blog!!!

So - these beautiful quilts come from Alabama!!!   All the quilters are Patchworktimes.com readers.

This one - I believe is a Scrappy Trip quilt ( from quiltville.com) is made by Ada N.  And a close up is in order... I love these quilts!

This green 4 patch one is also made by Ada!! Thank you SO much Ada!!!

This pretty Blue one is made by Teresa H from Alabama.... isn't it a soothing quilt?

 This is from Teresa too - is it a snowball quilt, or a puzzle quilt? I don't know this pattern - but I sure LOVE it!!!

The last quilt this morning ( and yes it is still morning in my book!!!) Is from Cathy O in Alabama!!  I LOVE how those stars spin right in the middle of the blocks!!

Quilters!! These Quilts are wonderful Quilts of Valor!!! I sure appreciate you!!

From Debbie of Florida

This Quilt was made by Debbie in Florida - and it totally makes sense. The name of it is called Siesta Sunset, and oh boy..... I can see these colors happening in Florida.... Its just a beauty!!

Thank you Thank you Debbie.... another one on my bucket list.... this is why I have UFO's people!!!!

Quilts from Marsha and Doris

of Texas!!! I love Texas... back in the olden days when I travelled a LOT for my job I spent a fair amount of time in Texas... from Amarillo, to San Antonio, and Canadian to El Paso.... I liked it!!

So these Quilts are made by Marsha and quilted by Doris.... they are Patchwork Times readers too .... and get this... Doris lives in.... Brownwood!!! 

Thank you Ladies!! These Quilts of Valor are so wonderful!! And I know they are being loved on!!!!

2012 UFO List

for 2011 I participated in the UFO Challenge over at http://www.patchworktimes.com/ And here are my results:

Out of the 10 UFO's I listed - I finished 6...

2 of the unfinished ones were just fabric is a bucket with the plan hidden in my mind.... and they are still there - hidden...

1 needs to be quilted

and 1 needs my son to sit down with me an finish it.... so all in all not too bad!




I also participated in the Color challenge...., which leads to this years UFO List!

Here are all the tops, plus some, that I made during that challenge. So they move on to be my 2012 UFO list.

Here is the list that is in that beautiful, colorful, pile....

1. Lime Black Quilt (left from 2011 UFO)  DONE FEB
2. Betty Quilt ( the top was on the 2011 UFO list) Here
3. Quilt Lime Violet Pineapple ( from the Violet challenge)
4. Quilt Blindigo color challenge top Here
5. Quilt Red Color Challenge top Here    DONE JAN
6. Orange Color Challenge Top Here
7. Quilt Orange Creamsicle Top ( left overs of the orange challenge) Here
8. Quilt Halloween Jelly Roll Quilt  here  Done June
9. Quilt Blue and Yellow String Quilt ( I think this is from 2010 oops)
10. Quilt Red QUilt that had to grow found here  DONE MAY
11. Quilt Original Yellow challenge quilt Here  Done August
12. Quilt Orca Bay Quilt ( assuming I finish it along with Bonnies clues)

I have also decided to start my own project. It is called

The Pile Project!!

Here is proof that I pile things ;-)

My goal for 2012 is to reduce this pile. Note - that I did not say finish this *pile* area. Because that would be just WAY to ambitious. And then I would feel guilty if I added to the piles, and I am all about NO GUILT!!

I am starting with the Jacobs Ladder pile first - just cuz I wanna - and its probably the closest top to being done..... so you know - you need the motivation right!

In full disclosure mode - here is another pile....

And the last pile. There are a couple of quilts to be bound, and under those 36 patch blocks from http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ ;s sew along - well, I am not tellin' whats under there....!

Truthfully - its really because I don't want to know LOL - I know it is about 4 inches high... so it must be something good!

There you have it - my 2012 UFO/Pile Project List....  and of course I will be checking out the color challenge that Judy and Vicki http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/#tp  are designing for 2012...

as well as try really hard to keep up with Judy's UFO challenge ( http://www.patchworktimes.com/ )