Needs vs. Wants

I am going to apologize for the philosophical post you are about to read. (chuckles)

 

I tend to say I 'need' something, but I guess I really just 'want' it.

 

There are definitely things we need, but those aren't the things I find myself 'needing'. We need food but we never really need the food we crave; pizza, chocolate, coffee, etc.  We need relationships to help us feel less lonely, but do we need certain people to be those friends or will anyone do?  I can think of a few people that I definitely feel like I need in my life. They make my life brighter, every day. Do we need the latest phone, car or toy? Or is it just fun to have? I need to clean my house, but do I really? It isn't dirty per say, just... cluttered.  A clean house would make me feel less stress, and more comfortable in my own home. So maybe I do need to clean my home. But I don't need that fancy tv. 

 

My boys asked me to make them quilts going on years ago... one is almost complete. The other, well, let's just say I have my work cut out on that one.  Then there is the anniversary quilt. All it needs (there is that word again) is some more quilting and a binding. The anniversary was in Aug, and the party where I presented the top to the couple (my parents) was in June. I think it is time to get it finished.  Sigh 

 

There are so many things I want to do and so many that I need to do.  How do I even begin?  I am so overwhelmed it is crazy!  So much so that I sit here at 12:30 at night and know that I should be sleeping because I have to get up in the morning and deal with my children, but instead my brain won't stop.  It just keeps running thousands of thoughts 'round and 'round.  I need sleep. I want sleep. But I can't.

 

What do you want? What do you need?

I want quilting time, I want a clean beautiful home, I want to see my friends more, I want....

I need air, water and food. Shelter. Wait... I have those things. I need to be thankful for them.

 

I want to finish my parents' and my boys' quilts so that I can start making more Angel Quilts. We need a cure for CF!!  That is a definite need.  But I have other things that I have made given priority to. When they are done, then I can quilt, then I can have 'me' time. Till then, I will continue to feel as though I need to do a better job at managing my time so I can do all I want to do and be the person I want to be. And that is... Happy.

In the mean time, I must not complain. I must not 'need' so much.  A very good friend of mine has taught me that. Live for today, not in the past. We cant change what has happened, we can only live for today and wait to see what tomorrow has in store for us.

 

(ok, maybe philosophical wasn't the best word)

  



These kids make me smile. Every. Single. Day.

Hard at work... but more like fun!

A few things I have been working on:

 

My parents' 50th Anniversary quilt finally got basted.

My Little Man's quilt top is finished!!!  Just waiting on the arrival of the backing fabric. Had to order it online because he couldn't find what he wanted at the local shop or Joann's.

 

This is one of 24 pinwheel blocks that is for my oldest son's quilt. It has a jungle theme.

 

 

I have started my own Trip Around the World quilt. I have decided to make a block with fabrics from each of the quilts I have made. Each block with only have the fabric from one quilt. Some quilts, like my Little Man's will have two blocks because there were so many different fabrics.

 

 

Here is one more block

 

 

And one final picture... probably one of my favorites.

 

 

He is so proud of this quilt. He and I both can not wait for the backing fabric so he can get it onto his bed.

 

Happy Sewing/Quilting!!

 

 

Linking up 

Summer

How does time get away from me so quickly?  I haven't posted in forever, and I can't keep up with the blogs I follow. I think I have over 400 posts to read.  No clue when I am going to find the time to do that.

 

Like most of us, I have had a crazy summer.  And it is about to get crazier, once football starts for my boys.

 

I did manage to make this

 

It is a horrible picture and all I have for now. I will tell you more about it later, but it is for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary.  I sent out squares to family around the country and had them write a message to them and send it back to me.  I had two empty squares and added the appliqued 5 and 0 (that was the hubby's idea - pretty cool, huh)

We had a surprise party for them in June (even though the actual day isn't till later this month), and managed to pull it off without them figuring it out. I was unable to finish the quilt in time so they got the top and gave it back to me to finish.  And no, I have not finished it yet.  I am horrible.

 

Here is a picture of the fabrics I used for the sashing (hmmm, I hope that is what it is called)

 

Some of that is from Happy Go Lucky.  Love. Love. Love this line of fabrics.

 

I also started a dress for myself. But got stuck when I realized that the fabric I chose was going to need lining.  Ugh...Pattern doesn't call for lining.  Going to have to figure it out myself.  NEVER done that before. 

Yes, that is as far as I got.  I think after this and another that is similar, I may stick with quilts.  Is it crazy that they seem easier to me?

 

Not my best post, but I wanted to touch base with you.

 

Oh, one more picture...look what I got for about $30!!!

 Hehe

 

 

 

 

Blogger's Quilt Festival, #2

 

This is my second entry to the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

Thank you Amy from AmysCreativeSide for hosting and coordinating this amazing event.


This is my first Angel Quilt.  I made it to sell, and donate all of the profits to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  I am part of a group of family & friends called Joshua's Angels. The group name was created for the team walking in the Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis.  Joshua is a 5yr old boy, diagnosed with CF at 11 days old.
One weekend, while he was in the hospital for an infection he could not shake, I was feeling very helpless. I came up with the idea to make quilts and sell them to benefit him.  It would be my way of helping a little bit more.  With this quilt I was able to donate $110 to CFF.

 

 

It is machine pieced and quilted by me.  Measures approximately 45"x54". Made of 100% cotton, with 100% organic cotton batting.  The patchwork top is Comma by Zen Chic for Moda. The border, Kona Bone. The binding, Kona Tangerine.  It is backed in a moss green, with an almost paisley-like print, from Joanns.

 

Is he not the cutest kid ever?? And with my favorite quilt, makes these pictures all the more special to me.

 

He is an amazing little boy with a huge heart. With a family that is doing all they can to find a cure for him.

 

I ended up making a second quilt just like this one, but a different patchwork layout.  It was to be given to Joshua's family the day of the walk, but I was unable to finish it.  What ended up happening, a long, complicated story, is that I gave this quilt to them.  They were so suprised and so happy. Joshua's Dad absolutely loves this one.  And his Mom too.

 

 

Look at the smile on Dad's face.  Priceless.

 

I am so blessed to have such amazing friends.  So much love was sewn into this quilt.

Blogger's Quilt Festival

It has been a while since I have posted.  I have been very busy making my Angel Quilts.  It is time for the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  What a better time to get back to blogging!! 

This year we are allowed to enter two quilts. And I know just the two.  Here is the first, entered into the  Baby Quilt catagory: 

 I made this quilt for a friend who had a baby six weeks early.  When I heard, I just had to make something for her.  So I asked her what her favorite colors were (pink and orange, oh and green she said), bought fabric and got to work. I was able to put this together in four days.  Tried to get it to her before they left the hospital but with the baby in the NICU it was difficult.  I ended up giving it to her at a baby shower that our work had for her.  Mom and Dad love it. 

 

It is very simple but love how it came out.  I used the pattern Around the Block that I found on pinterest.

 

The back is a pill free fleece. It will be super cozy when she gets a little bit bigger and can snuggle with it.  

 

  This picture isn't that great. I think I took it on my cell phone, but I wanted to you be able to see the target quilting design that I used, a little bit better. The binding isnt even on it here.

 

And a quilt roll, one of my favorite pictures...

 

 And how can we not have a picture with Baby E?

(hehe - that's what mom calls her on fb)

 And check out this smile.  She is a doll.



Sewing Machines

I need a little help please.  I have a very basic sewing machine, actually got it for $50 on Black Friday. Yeah, I know, crazy. It works and I am happy with it but would love something better and more heavy duty. So....

 

A friend found this Singer 9960 and posted it on my fb.  Told the husband I was thinking of looking into getting a new one and he was ok with it. Yay!! Started looking a bit and got totally overwelmed.  I can't go crazy money wise, but dont want to waste my money on something either.  Do I really need 600 stitches? Probably not.  I found this Brother HC185 too... Are either of them any good? I definitely want an extension table, and love that they come with a good number of feet. 

 

I have seen a lot of bloggers talk about Janome machines too.  Singer, Brother (the maker I currently have), Janome, and more... which should I choose?

 

I mainly quilt, have made 2 dresses for my daughter and hope to make more clothes for myself, boys and daughter.  

 

Please help!  Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated

Angel Quilt #2

I finished the top of my second Angel Quilt.  It is a bright and beautiful day here. The colors kind of get washed out in the sun.  They are greys, blues and yellows.  I am not totally loving it yet but think once I get it finished with a dark blue binding I will feel better about it.

 

 

On another note. Today is my oldest's 10th birthday.  I can't believe it. Time flies so fast!!!  He is an amazing boy.  Smart, loving, caring, and a great kid.  He has decided this year that in lieu of gifts from his friends and family, he would like donations to the Cystic Fibrosis walk we are walking in later this month. I am so proud of all he has become and look forward to seeing where he goes in life (just as long as he takes him time getting there for now :). 

Angel Quilts

 

 

 

I am so proud of this quilt.  I have put so much love into this quilt.

 

 

 

I will be having a silent auction to sell this quilt.  I am donating all profits to the Great Strides Walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 

 

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States.  The disease causes mucus to build up and clog some of the organs in the body, particularly the lungs and pancreas.  There is no cure.  (source: www.cff.org)

 

I am part of an amazing group of people, Joshua's Angels. Together we walk to raise money to help find a cure for this disease. 

 

 

Is he not the cutest little boy you have ever seen?!?

 

 

If you are interested in bidding on this quilt or donating to Joshua's Angels and Cystic Fibrosis please leave a comment and I will get in touch with you on how you can.

 

Thank you so very much!

 

 

 

Linking up with randi at i have to say 



Bloglovin

Not sure what the deal is with this but....

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I am claiming my blog.

Don't like that they are getting rid of Google Reader...makes me sad.

Basting Fail

I have been sewing for about 2 years.  I am working on my 5th and 6th quilts. One is for my son and the other is my Joshua's Angels/Cystic Fibrosis quilt.  I have been on the hunt for the perfect fabric to back this...

Sorry for the repeat photo from my last post.

After searching my local fabric store and the internet, I still couldn't commit to a fabric let alone a color.  I had moved on to grey instead of orange. (That I planned on using that for the binding now, thanks to Randi from i have to say 's recommendation.)

 

I took another trip to my local JoAnn's and finally found this...

 

Not the greatest picture of it, but I was sure this was perfect. Well, ok, I was sure after I spoke with two random ladies I saw in the store and heard them talking about backings and bindings...I knew they work working on a quilt too.  They loved it.  And I was even able to help them out with a suggestion for the backing of what they were planning.  Yay!

I hadn't considered green before.

 

I'm sure you notice the four little charm patches on it...I had those left over from the front and thanks to my oldest son's idea decided to place them randomly on the back.  I love it.

 

I almost forgot to tell you... I got a phone call from a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Development Manager last week.  She wanted to meet with me! Me! Can you believe it?  I was so excited. She thanked me for being such a great fundraiser and wanted to get me some posters for this years upcoming walk and chat.

 

Now I had a goal in mind, I wanted to bring my first finished Joshua's Angels/CF quilt with me and share with her the idea, finish this quilt by Tuesday night. Totally doable for me.

 

So I started...  you know how it goes...taped my backing to floor, them put down my batting and them laid on the top.  I had forgotten to get more spray adhesive again.  So I took out the safety pins and pinned away.

 

 

Unfortunately my tape was not sticking to the backing very well.  I found myself reapplying it at times.  Uh Oh...

 

I kept on plugging along though.  Thinking that it would be ok.  It was looking great on top.

 

 

I finished, pulled up the tape and turned my quilt over.  Boy was I wrong.

 

Look at all those bumps.  I was so disappointed.

 

 

Horrible angle, but you get the point.

 

Major FAIL!

 

My first major fail.  I was so disappointed.  All that time wasted.  I picked up the quilt, sat on the sofa and proceeded to take all the pins out and separate my layers. 

 

I was done for the day. I had other things that need to get done and I was so frustrated to look at this...

 

 

We had another big storm here on Tuesday.  My local fabric store closed for the day due to the snow.  No getting adhesive spray there on Tuesday.  My husband could tell I was feeling down and out about the whole thing and told me to make the trip to JoAnn's.  Would you believe it if I told you they closed early because of the storm.  It wasn't that bad out!!

 

Now I was feeling totally defeated.

 

I had my meeting the next morning (this morning actually) and brought my finished quilt top and she loved it.  Wish I could have shown her the whole thing.  Shrug. Oh well, next time.

 

Please tell me this happens to you. 

 

 

 

P.S. I bought spray adhesive today...never again will I not use it. 

 

 

 

Linking up with i have to say...



Comma

I am excited to share with you that I completed the top of my first quilt for my Great Strides/Joshua's Angels project!!  You can look here if you don't know what it is.

 

 

Now I need to figure out what to do for the backing and the binding...

 

And it is here that I ask for your help!!

 

Backing: 

 

I originally wanted to use mini chevron in orange, but the border is Kona Bone (it matches the Comma collection perfectly)... I don't want to combine bone with the white of the chevron.  What do you think?

 

After a trip to my local fabric store to get my Kona Bone, and hunting for an orange fabric to back it with (no luck), I thought maybe I could find yardage of the Comma Nigella - Multi online. (It is the tiny little square of fabric on the bone below).  I love how it has all the colors. But I kind of wanted to bring in a different print. Definitely hoping to go with something orange.

 

 I need your help.

 

I am don't know what to do.

 

I find that the Comma collection doesnt really go with flowers. I could maybe do a polka dot but I will run into the white issue again.  Is it really an issue?  Would you use bone and white in the same quilt, one on the front and on on the back?

  

Binding:

Then there is the binding.  I haven't given it much thought yet because I have been too worried about the backing. Sigh.

 

What do you think about a black print? But again, I run into the same thing with most having white in them rather than the bone color.

 

So there is my problem...

I am such a perfectionist.  And I am finding even more so with this quilt since I plan on selling it.  I want it to be perfect (as perfect as I can get for it only being my 5th quilt ever).  So I beg you..

 

Yes, I am down on my knees begging...

 

Please, please help me.

 

Can you give me any suggestions as to what you would use?

 

Thank you so much.

 

Linking up...

 

Next step

It has been a week since I have posted.

 

Life has been amazing.

 

I am happy. Truly happy.

 

After making the decision to try to sell some quilts, I couldn't wait to get started. I told my boys (who have been very patiently waiting for me to make their quilts) and they were ok with me fitting some other projects in between working on theirs... again.

Didn't want my Little Man to think I was completely forgetting his so I pull out all his blocks and we started laying them out.  This was our first try:

 

 

Pretty random. Tried to keep colors away from each other, but something about it wasn't feeling right.  Even with the Little Man. So we picked them up and tried again.

 

(Yup, I am short a few squares...good thing I have more fabric.)

 

 

We are liking this much better.

 

And I realized that I don't only need 3 more blocks on the right but I need a whole other row.  Then I think it will be big enough for a twin size. 

 

Since taking these pictures, I have sewn one row together.  Turns out it is further from done than I was thinking.  The finished blocks are suppose to be 8x8 and mine are bigger than that so I have to square up each of them before sewing them into rows.  Oiy, this is a lot of cutting...and measuring...not something I have had to worry much about in my other quilts. But this one I want perfect (surprise, surprise...I am a perfectionist).

 

I also went out and bought some charm packs of Comma for moda to make my first Joshua's Angels quilt.  I have been eyeing this collection since I first saw it.  I have 6 rows done and need to get a solid for a border to make it a little bigger.

 

Here is a peek at 3 of the rows.

 

 

Not the best picture, sorry.  I promise to have better when it is all done.

 

I am trying to keep track of the amount of time I work on it and definitely the amount of $ that goes into it.  I may ask for a little help on how to price it when I finish.  I want it to be reasonable especially since it is going to the CF Foundation.  But I don't want to sell myself short either.  This may be my biggest struggle with selling quilts.  Will there be a market for what I do and do people have the money to spend. Even if it is for charity...

 

 

 

Linking up again

 

 

 

  Wow....it is Wednesday not Tuesday!   Guess I will link up here too then.