A jump start

I have all the pieces cut for Evan's Funky Monkey quilt. I've been procrastinating sewing them together. Actually, I have been super busy. Between all the stuff I do it's hard to get a moment to set up my machine, have the head space to sew and then break down my sewing camp in the same day.

I've needed a jump start. In steps another project. Don't worry...it's funky monkey related!

Ella likes this project just as much as I do! This is a sample of the 85 inches it took to make the semi-ruffled curtains.

All the pieces for Funky Monkey quilt separated into blocks. 

Completed curtains. I originally sewed in a ruffle. Once I started to put them up on the wall the thread broke. S**t! So, I just tacked them to the wall and made them like a ribbon candy.

Open curtains. I made a very short brown tie. I really like them. Evan does, too!

I have the whole day off today. My machine is plugged in and ready to work. I'm going to knock out some of the blocks this afternoon. Mad Madd has to work this afternoon...kind of stinky. But every  cloud has a silver lining. Mine is that I have more time to be crafty.

To being crafty! (knock your needle and rotary cutter together) :)

What a great weekend!

My brother, his wife and their son came to Denver for the weekend. It was originally to see Ray LaMontange in concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. We ended up making a whole weekend full of fun and fabric! Friday we went to the zoo, sans Mad Madd. He had to work. Saturday was the best part! Teresa and I hooked up with one of her friends from high school that lives in Denver. We created a fabric crawl. It all started with breakfast in Parker. We headed a little north and went to High Prairie Quilts. I picked up 3 fat quarters in hopes of making my first bag...some day! We hopped in blue bell (Julie's car) and headed west to Holly's Quilt Cabin. I like that store a lot. Didn't pick up anything though. Next on the list was The Creative Needle. They sell sewing machine's as well as fabric and notions. I bought more green sashing for my KING. I figured since it was there it should be bought! Onto Emily's Basket which was really sad. They are closing largely due to the fact that JoAnn's is going in just a few blocks away. Ummmm...no quilt shop can ever compare to JoAnn's. They just don't sell the same stuff. We all know that! I bought 3 panel sets that were a steal! We stopped for lunch at a Pho restaurant, which I had never had. Well, I ended up getting sesame chicken. I can't remember exactly when we stopped for lunch because I was on a bit of a high. I start to get focused, sweaty and excited all at the same time when I fabric shop. And, I usually do this alone. Julie took us by her oh so cute carriage house apartment. She showed us her stash. Teresa and I were dualy impressed! She gets to move into the main house pretty soon. She'll have a large table that we have already reserved for sewing nights! We arrived at Harriet's Treadle Arts which was super cool! They had all their 1930's reproductions in one area. Teresa was very impressed. Then she started to twist my arm to do the latest quilt-a-long online-The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt. It's all template based and takes us back to the heritage of quilting. Okay...confession...Teresa didn't twist my arm. I willing jumped head first into the 1930's reproductions. I bought a lot...I counted but forgot *wink*. It's going to be super pretty! Our last stop was The Fancy Tiger in Denver. I love this shop. They have tons of modern fabrics and knitting supplies. Their staff is always gracious and very helpful. I bought a remnant that I thought would be fun to have around and a tape measure.

Teresa has a ton of pictures on her post.

My loot:

1930's reproductions for Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt

From Top to Bottom: 3 fat quarters for bags, a tape measure, a remnant.

This is a panel fabric. It makes a set which includes a growth chart and a book. I thought it would be super cute as baby gifts!

Needless to say it was a great day for all! Thanks for shopping with me girls.

Saturday night we went to the Rockies/Tigers game at Coors Field. I haven't been there since I stopped working for the sports station. The boys did great considering they are 2 and 3 years old. Sunday morning we had breakfast and it was time for my family to leave. Lots of hugs and pictures.

Evan's Funky Monkey

Wow...it has almost been two months since something has been posted. I have been a little busy, to say the least. We went to Florida, had a visit from my mom, brother, sister-in-law and nephew, celebrated Evan's 2nd birthday, first day of preschool, quit a job, got hired and started teaching yoga again! That's a lot of stuff.
Last week I started to cut out the fabric for Evan's Funky Monkey quilt. It feels great to be back to fabric. It seems I need a break in between projects.

All the fabric cut into blocks. I paired them so they would compliment each other.

Elizabeth Hartman's book...great patterns!

I love this pattern. This is the one that I orignally had in mind for Evan's quilt.

I decided to craft a pattern myself. The quilt will be made up of 12 inch square blocks. I haven't decided if I am going to use sashing or not. I guess it depends on how big it is.

Basic layout of the quilt top

The nitty gritty!

Now I just have to decide how the blocks will be comprised. See below.

Option 1: Using only the complementary fabrics

Option 2: using two sets of complentary fabrics

Option 3: using 3 sets of complimentary fabrics

I'm leaning towards doing a combo of option 1 and 2. That way there will be some visual interest.

What do you think?

My creative heritage

Grannie McMath (my dad's mom) She cross stitches. She made me a pillow and sewing box. She also has a huge passion for gardening. I've always wanted to learn from her. Her and my grandpa lived in this really cool house on a lake in Michigan. It had 4 rooms upstairs and they all had special names; the pink room, the present room, the toy room and the other room that we never went it. I liked the pink room, for obvious reason. When she sold the house we got to pick out items that she was getting rid off. I picked out a Chinese tea tin and a secretary that were in the pink room.

Grammie Stevens (my mom's mom) She was a ferocious quilter. She mostly did applique and it's completely beautiful! She now has Alzheimer's and hasn't picked up a needle in some time. She made a baby and wedding quilt for me. She has made countless other creations. My sister's wedding quilt is a blue double ring...capital G gorgeous! She also cooks delicious food. I love this picture of us at my wedding. My grandpa sent her out to CO with my mom so she could attend.

Grandpa Stevens (my mom's dad) He started to carve after he retired. I think he did wood working most of his life. He's made several animals, Santa Clauses and other things. I personally have 4 of his carvings. Marc and I have requested a cane with our dog's head on the front. I can't wait for it to be done. He was an iron worker and I can remember him coming home in this navy blue jump suit. He would give us candy and then my Grammie would make us wash our hands for dinner. Oh, and we always watched Pinwheel on Nickelodeon at their house.

Aunt Pat (my mom's SIL) She's not related by blood. She use to paint a lot of ceramics when we were little. I still have this little Xmas tree that has a light in the bottom. When you plug it in it lights up the little lights on the tree. I still use it at Xmas. She is also a gracious host and can recreate anything she sees in a magazine.

My mom: She sewed a lot of clothes when we were little. Her mother taught her how to sew when she was little. I use to wear this crazy plaid skirt she made in the sixties. She has most recently gotten into quilting. She made me a Xmas runner for the table. It's very pretty. She has many other projects on her docket, but is a huge procrastinator. I tell her almost every day she should be quilting.

Teresa (my sister in law) This woman can sew! She has her own blog and is quit funny. She made Evan a play size quilt and a beach/diaper bag. I sure am glad my brother married her! They are a fun couple and have a 3 year old son...the monster! They lived in Japan for 4 years and are now stationed in ND. It's so nice to have them close. It's even more fun that we share our projects and encourage each other. Well, she does most of the encouraging since she is a veteran machine quilter compared to me!

Teresa hosted my baby shower in MI. She did a wonderful job. 

My mom told me about all the women in her parents' family. Most of them knit or crocheted out of necessity. I think there is a distant Aunt some where that sold lace work way back when.

Finally, there is my history. I can remember always liking to create things. Art class was my thing. My mom said that she made me an easel. She would catch me drawing on the wallpaper behind the couch. She said that I would stand at that easel for hours and just paint. And, what do you know...I ended up studying oil painting in college. I have a few pieces of my work from that time. I threw a bunch of it away, which is something I really regret. Someday I hope to have a space for painting. Something about it just lets my heart sing. I love to bake and don't do it as often as I like. Those yummy treats are a downer for my health quest. I have been quilting since I was 17...only completing a handful of projects which are all documented on this blog. Other creative things that I enjoy...photography, attending the symphony, home decor, graphic design projects and staring into visual art pieces.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post. It was fun to put together. Where does your creativity come from?

A week of rest

I plan to take a few days off from my creative projects...or at least take it easy.

The weather here has been really beautiful and Evan has been itching to get to the park. That's what I plan on doing for today.

Signing off...

PS. I did get the funky monkey fabric washed and dried. Plus one for me!

Was that a flying pig?

Seriously! Pinka is done! DOOOOONE! It feels so good. I was obsessing over the quality of my machine work. Now that it's all done I think it looks really good.

Into the washer she goes! Date: 4/8/10 Time: 10:40 PM

Ahhhh...

I've always wanted to take a drappy photo of my projects.

All wrapped up!

I didn't see the little girl open the box. I'm pretty sure she will like it. If she's anything like most girls, she loves anything pink!

Onto the next project...Evan's 5 Funky Monkey. Stay tuned!

Time warp

I've been hard at work on Pinka. I need to put the binding together, sew it to the quilt, hand sew the back of the binding, put in some ties and wash! All that before 9:45 am this Saturday. Yes, I said THIS Saturday. Goodness. Where did the time go?

1. Went to the botanic gardens with my girlfriend and her daughter. The kids had so much fun so it was worth it!
2. Spent 2 days in the hospital over the weekend
3. Took 3 daytime naps (on separate days) due to hospital bed and crappy sleep
4. Bobbin thread problems
5. Worked at the retail store
6. Doctor visit yesterday
7. Plain old procrastination

I've got a good chunk of time today and tomorrow. I'll probably pull the quilt out of the dryer Saturday morning. Hail Mary!

Evan is a 'buggy'. That's what he calls it. 

Of course I need another project. Maybe this would be good for a baby doll blanket.

"Mom, stop playing dress up and work on your quilt!" Well, I don't think that's why he is upset. At least it gives me motivation.

I couldn't get the stitches in focus on my point and shoot digital camera. Someday I will update my rebel to a digital version.