2015 Update and start of 2016

I had difficulities with both the camera and the computer in 2015 and I didn't post very much.  So, here is a brief summary before I try to begin posting activities for 2016

Family gathered for last goodbyes to my mother-in-law in January

We survived the ice storms of February..

We redid my sewing studio and under-stair storage area after heavy rains caused water damage in April ... and reorganized my scrap stash... although it needs a lot more work!

 

 

In the spring, I wanted to plant a rose garden near where the big trees were removed in 2014... unfortunately... there were way too many roots and we began the big dig in July...

I finished the Savannah Squares quilt for Sr. Doris in September... and the niece it was gifted to was thrilled!

I finished my grandson's Big Brother quilt in October

     

It turned out totally different than the orginal plan.  I had laid the blue/white pieced blocks out on the floor for grandson to see... and his only comment was... but Nana.. there's not enough red.. red is my FAVORITE color! there has to be more red!  So I added red bandana fabric sashings and cornerstones and borders and it grew to nearly king size!  It is draped over the queen size bed he sleeps in and he pulls down one corner and snuggles in.

In September I started work on Little Monkey for a new grand-niece born in July

Activities with our grandson included a week of cabin camping with a waterslide near our cabin, a visit to dinosaurland, exploring caverns in KY, visiting several local county fairs, and a trip to Disney, SeaWorld and Sanibel Island and a trip to Nashville to see the Christmas lights and eat at the Aquarium restaurant in December.

    

 

An online friend from Alaska stopped in for a visit  ... and I met other online friends at at a retreat in Virginia Beach...

Matthew and I won ribbons at the fair....

And I had a very successful booths at Rugby and Santa's Workshop...

 

Other activities throughout the year included working the church rummage sale, working with Cookeville Jr. Women's Club at Santa's Workshop,  various activities with TTU college students, making woven placemats  and christmas trees with Matthew and his friends at Hope Academy.

 

I'm sure there is a lot I've forgotten but these are the highlights.  I hope to be better at posting, maybe monthly in 2016.

I hope you had a good 2015 and are looking forward to 2016.

Projects Update

I am really enjoying working in my redone studio.
Firstly, what's not to like... it's PURPLE!  (well lavender, but close enough)

The added lighting makes it bright and easy to see what I'm doing.

Cutting board, pressing table and sewing machines are all in a nice proximity
 and my stash is beginning to be sorted and stored for maximum visibility!

My word of for the year is
ACCOMPLISH
and I believe I have accomplished quite a bit so far this year.

I've not had a lot of free time for sewing, as I've been keeping busy with the studio repair and quilting customer tops (25 so far).  I have another dozen waiting their turn.  I'm a bit behind due to the repair work but hope to be caught up in the next by month end.
Here is an update on what I have accomplished in my personal sewing this past month.

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Back in November I agreed to help Sr. Doris by making a quilt for her from a pattern that she had used in the past... Savannah Squares.  Health issues prevent her from sewing any more, but she really wanted this quilt for herself.  In the past, she sewed all the time and has given away much of her work to those in need. It is now time for her to have a quilt of her own.

  

It's not a difficult block to make, but it has 8 squares in it with that sewn-in arc.... something I'm not accustomed to making.  

So, I dug into my scraps and made a sample block to show her.  

She loved it!  

But then she wasn't happy with her fabric choices.  

So I went shopping (both in my stash and at Hobby Lobby) and I think I've found something she will be happier with.

I'm in the process of making 3 more blocks.. 

One, like that pictured above, and two with the red and green blocks swapped.

I think it will be nice to alternate them and as soon as I get those arc blocks made (it's slow going!) I'll take the results to her for approval before proceeding.

*******

Another project I have been working on is the Big Brother quilt.  

I think I finally have enough HST strips to surround my fifty-six!! 8in squares.  With his birthday fast approaching I must really get busy on this to get it done in time.

Here are the first 10 completed blocks laid out. I know for sure I am going to need more of that red bandana fabric and hope to find it this week.

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I started a place mat project back in February with the students from 

Hope Academy.  

They have done their part.... 

weaving strips of fabric through the cardboard looms I made.

Tomorrow, I plan to work with my friend Janice, 

removing them from the looms, stitching and finishing the edges.  

We plan to teach this project together during the FCE retreat the end of May,

 so this will give us an opportunity to perfect our method

and reload the looms!

*******

I have a new knitting project to work on too,

but that will wait for another post when I get some pictures taken.

Hope Academy Placemat Project

I am prepping for a new project with my son's group Hope Academy.  Beginning February 4th, we are going help the kids make placemats for their mom's for Mother's Day.

My idea is to weave strips of fabric and quilt/sew them to a quilt sandwich.

I've collected a dozen or so flannel shirts and the teachers are in the process of helping me debone the shirts.  Once done, I will run them through my Studio cutter and make 2.5in strips

While they are doing that I am making weaving looms and quilt sandwiches.

 

I am cutting 18x22in cardboard frames.  Then marking and cutting 1/2in slats and 13x18 placemat center.

 
Then I'm making 15x18 quilt sandwiches using muslin, cotton batting and spray adhesive.

Next I center the quilt sandwich on the loom and trim to fit 1/2-1 inch past the placemat markings.

Using blue masking tape the sandwich is taped to the loom.

Finally, I use #10 cotton thread and load the loom.

One done... nine more to go.

Hope Academy Banner

It's finally complete!

I put the last stitches in and delivered the banner to class this morning!  Everyone is thrilled with the results!  and we have been asked to make a "formal" presentation to the church pastor during services after Easter.  It will be hung somewhere in the church as a reminder to parishioners of how much good their donations are doing!

 

Hope Banner

Several years ago, retired members of a local church realized that there was a need for a safe and supervised environment for post-high school students with disabilities.  These former teachers, nurses and businessmen gathered together, and with funding from their parish, formed Hope Academy.  Every Wednesday during the school year these 20-something individuals, with a variety of disabilities, gather together for a day of fun activities, crafts, games and meals.  This also provided a much needed break for parents of these special young adults.

The program began in a small house behind the church with four students, two volunteers (retired teacher and a nurse) with at one parent required to take a turn to attend each week to help.  This year we expanded to 6 students and added two more permanent adult volunteer and moved into the large activity room in the church basement.

We wanted to decorate the bare walls of the room with something that the kids could make.  The decision was made to make a banner to hang on the back wall of the meeting room.  I spent the first half of the school year working with each child, parent, and volunteer choosing, fusing and blanket-stitching applique blocks. 

Trey

Blake

Olivia

Suzie

Ashley E

Ashley W

Matthew

Carole

Margena

Becky

Barbara

Brenda

Carl

 

HelenMarie

Julie

 

Janey

I am playing with the layout and sashing right now.  
The two original "teachers" are in the top row on the left.  
The two new "teachers" joined us this year will be on the right.  
There are six current students in the second row.
The third and fourth rows are parents.
 

There are two blocks still being worked on by teacher/parent and I still need to cut cornerstones and applique "Hope Academy" on the blue panel in the top middle.  But I am finally making visible progress on this project!