Happy Dance In The Quilt Shop!!!

A milestone moment here...this is the first time that a block (6.5") has turned out dead nuts, the extact size that it's suppose to be!  YAHOOO!

I'm usually at least an 1/8" short on one corner or side, but not this time! I used Jo Morton's technique to piece the Ohio Star (used walking foot) and her pressing method (nice and flat).  The first two blocks (12.5") were OK, but just a tad undersized.  Of course, my fabric was sized and pressed before I cut (I still can screw that up), Aurfil thread top and bottom, and I made sure I didn't wander off at the end of my seams.

I see an Ohio Star table topper/wall hanging in my future...made out of reproduction fabric. Now to ponder(obsess) over my fabric selections.

DD's Wallhanging Destined To Be Table Topper!

After a certain point in the block construction, I knew this was going to be a bit wonky in the end. I ran out of some of the fabrics and wasn't able to redo all the blocks in the non-pattern method that gave me square blocks. When I looked at the digital photo, I noticed even more wonkiness...so DD will be instructed to use this on her table...wonkiness should be less noticeable there. I really love the design and colors, so I will be making DD another one for her wall. Like I said, I ran out of some fabrics and didn't have anymore of the solid black left, so I'll probably use one of the two fabrics hanging there on the side for the binding.

These are the fabrics that I'm going to piece for the backing and she will end up with a double sided table topper.

The Shop

Here it is as virgin space!

Then Sweetie set up his shop.

 

In July, he had the shell put up,did the finishing details and then moved his shop in here....need to paint that white eye sore now.

 

My storage/stash closet....

 

....that mainly came about to hide the wooden box that houses the PS3,DVR and tuner for the surround sound in the pool room. There are more shells to the left of the door from floor to ceiling.

 

After I have spent some time in here, I'll have Sweetie build counters for me.

 

 

Eventually, I will double the size of my design wall.

 

My cutting table rolls around so much better on the cement floor. When I do cutting, I'll roll it right under a light.

 

Sweetie built these shelves for me...it took him a while to get his head around what I was wanting. A picture ledge is a new concept for him.

Great Wisconsin Sports Weekend

My son just sent this to me and I thought I would share!

During lulls in the action (when the other teams were in posession of the ball or at bat) I was moving my stuff down to my new quilting area, which will be referred to from here on out as just "The Shop".

Pictures to follow.

My Winners At The Fair

I'm really pleased...I've never won a ribbon before...squeal!!!





Ok...full disclosure here...I didn't have any competition. I had only taken it along to show the ladies because I had talked about it at the last meeting and the Division that it fit in didn't have any entrants.




We're heading out camping now...won't have internet (I thinks) for 5 days.

It's TIme For The County Fair

Maxine Update: She's still missing...Sweetie went to the shelter in response to a picture posted of a female Black Lab (with what looked like Georgia clay on her feet) that looked so much like her. As it turned out, that wasn't clay on her feet...it was Rottweiler like brown hair and she was really a he! Sweetie was so disappointed!

This afternoon I am heading over to the Fair Grounds, where the Guild in doing the quilt intake for the fair. It's so much fun to see the quilts up close and talk to the people bringing them in.

For the first time ever (even when I was in 4-H) that I am entering somethings (not quilt related) into the fair.



Wolfie is off the UFO List and the bird house should have been on the UFO List (waited for years for a coat of sealer) and could have been taken off. I'm not sure if all the items will be entered because I think there is a limit to how many things you can enter in a category.

Tomorrow, I go back to the fair to help with the judging...also very much fun and educational!!!!

Where Did July Go?

July has been a long, and emotionally draining month for the both of us. Let's see...it started off with major water damage to a bedroom of the lower unit of the duplex that I own in Milwaukee. It's troublesome enough being a long distance landlord and you only have to deal with late rent checks ands squabblilng tenants...more than once I've wanted to say..."people...don't make me come up there!" Fortunately, the kids have handled some of the leg work, but the stress has been all mine.

Then, Sweetie's dog Maxine ran off. She's been gone 29 days and as I am writing this, Sweetie is at the pound (Gilmer County Animal Shelter) checking to see if a dog posted on their website is Maxine. This will be continued in another post.

My daughter was down from Milwaukee (New Berlin to be exact) for 5 days in the middle of the month...another post.

The building in the picture is Sweetie's new shop that was started at the beginning of the month. A crew came in and put up the shell (all in 3 days) and then Sweetie was out in the sweltering heat staining it. After that, he put on the deck and then did the wiring for outlets and lighting inside. As I'm writing this, I'm waiting for the county building inspector to show up to give his final blessing. There were 4 permits issued for Gilmer County this month...hopefully he won't be to strapped to make it here today.

And last but not least...I'm waiting to hear back from the attorney's office that handled my divorce back in the late 90's, to see if I really am happily divorced. He's suppose to get back to me tomorrow. This will also be another post.

Well, that was all the major stuff and there is light at the end of the tunnel!