Another Hexie Day and Another Star Completed

I never did the machine quilting I had planned yesterday afternoon. I got carried away with hexies! In fact, I kept sewing and sewing and sewing hexies and before you know it I had finished this star.

You'll remember, this is the first star I made... These things are gigantic, measuring 28 inches across at the widest point. I'm still not sure of my setting. I need to play a bit in Electric Quilt and figure it out.

I did stitch up two more little zippered bags. I'm going to a Ladies Club meeting in our neighborhood this evening and want to take a gift to the new friend who is hosting me. (And I'll have a spare...) I filled the bag with some candy and a Rodan and Fields mini facial kit.

Did you watch the Super Bowl? We had it on, though I mainly paid attention to the commercials. I really enjoyed Lady Gaga at halftime.

So, today I will machine quilt! Hopefully I'll knock another chunk out on Bliss.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Another Hexie Day!

I worked more on these yesterday. I stitched all the basted pieces into hexies and then started stitching them into three-sies. Almost ready to stitch them to the mother star!

And I worked on the next Farmer's Daughter block. This block will be finished in no time flat!

No machine sewing yesterday... BUT today I think I'll work a bit on machine quilting Bliss to get a head start on tomorrow. And maybe I'll make a zippered bag or two...

It was a bit chilly yesterday so we had a fire for a bit. And here's what happened...

Aren't they sweet together? You know, when I decided I wanted a yellow lab I told hubby it was for two reasons. The first was to have a lake dog who enjoyed swimming. The second was because I had a vision in my mind of a yellow lab sleeping in front of the fire. The swimming happened immediately when Cooper was just a puppy - he so loves to swim! But it took a few years for him to get out of puppy-hood and settle down. Now both of my lab goals have been met!

Lots of love to you all today!

Lots of Basting!

So much basting yesterday...I finished preparing the rest of the pieces for my current star for The Bee's Knee's! Now I can stitch them together and in place. Happy am I! This represents a few episodes of Downton Abbey and a Project Runway Junior. Ha!

Now are you ready for a little Before and After???

On left: the hubby and me less than a year ago

On right: the hubby and me yesterday!

Five months and more than 60 pounds gone. Hubby has pretty much reached his goal. I have not, but I'm getting closer. January was a slow month for me; I only lost 3 pounds. Ugh. But at least I'm still losing. I think the number one thing it takes to lose weight is PATIENCE. It doesn't happen fast. Grand total of 28 pounds gone for me.

I did finally break down and buy a new pair of jeans yesterday. I've been living in leggings (not a bad thing!), but I have been missing my jeans. Hubby has begun to buy new clothes for his new body - and he looks SO GOOD in them!

Today is Saturday? What? It feels like Sunday to me - that's retirement for you, I guess. I have no idea what I'll stitch today. But I can assure you I'll stitch SOMETHING! I might make another little zippered bag - I need a small gift for a friend and this would be perfect. 

Have a great day!

A Busy, Busy Day!

My stitching started bright and early yesterday. Hubby has joined a new group here in our neighborhood - ROMEO is what they call themselves. Retired Old Men Eating Out. (Hahahaha!) They go out for breakfast and then he played golf all day with one of them.

So his early departure got me up and going. It was so nice to have all the pieces for My Autumn Garden cut and stacked - and at the ready.

Once I got my my momentum up, I couldn't stop! I knew I wanted to sew until it was done. I usually machine sew for about 2 hours each morning, but I didn't stop for more than 4 hours! 

And I did it! It's ready for borders! Yippee!

Here is a quick peak at my Valentine bags for Rodan and Fields customers - the corners are nicely boxed with some pretty wool fabric.

And they are lined with fun little birds - lots of PINK! These were so much fun to make!

I also got my weekly grocery shopping done and hiked with Cooper.

In case you are wondering, I've settled into a routine with my Rodan and Fields business. I spend approximately 15 minutes per week - that's all! A Facebook post here, a sample mailed out there. There has been absolutely no interruption in my quilting fun, my swimming, my hiking, or anything. I'm a happy camper! (And my skin feel so good!)

Today is hexie day! Let's go HEXIE!

Special Discount at Rodan and Fields...

I wanted to post a special that just started today (and now you can see my Valentine project!):

If you love our regimens and want to try Lash Boost OR love our LASH BOOST and want to try a regimen this deal is incredible - bundle and save!
This deal saves you 20% when you purchase a regimen with Lash Boost...PLUS an additional 10% AND FREE shipping for Preferred Customers! 

And I'm offering a special gift to the first THREE people who sign up to be Preferred Customers: a handmade zippered Valentine bag (in which to keep your R&F products) AND a free full size R&F product that I select.

Also during this special...I'm offering 10 free sample sets to the first two people who want to join me as a Consultant. Let me know if you're interested!

juliacwood.myrandf.com

En Provence Progress

When I left you yesterday I wasn't exactly excited about working on En Provence. But I quickly figured out what I wanted to do for the sashing. I decided to put a darker purple square in the middle - simply making that decision made me feel better!

I had to make more of these little hourglass units.

And then away I went! Here is where I stopped. I have three blocks with sashing in between, at the top and on the left side. I was getting excited to see more so I added a bit of the next border at the top left corner.

And now - I'm actually loving it! So glad I left out all the yellow! And I'm so glad I've turned the corner to liking this project!

Here's a little Valentine project I'm making in my 'spare' time. It has only taken a small bit of time - I'll share details soon!

I had hiking duty with Cooper in the afternoon. We decided to walk over to the nearest lake since the weather was so warm and sunny. We both enjoyed our walk/hike.

You know the drill - today is UFO day! I'll be sewing winding ways blocks and sashing together. I already have them stacked in order and ready to go - mindless sewing! I think I'll watch a Hallmark Valentine movie while I stitch.

Sounds like a fun day! Have a great one yourself!

Dresdens...and More Photos of Vintage Hexie Quilt!

We'll get to the dresdens in a bit, but first I thought you might like to see more photos of the vintage quilt. Sweet little blossoms.

And here are the elephants.

Some graphic flowers.

And look at these sweet little girls touching their toes!

Sailboats...

And umbrellas!

Little kittens playing with a ball...

Fruit!

And little ladies...

And more flowers...

And more...

Are these fabrics not fun and fabulous?! Can you see why I'm so in love with this quilt? The maker really had fun with this. I haven't found any two units that are the same - lots of different fabrics!

Okay, so here are the dresdens! Was I in the mood to make them yesterday? NO! But I made them anyway! Are you like that? Sometimes I'm not feeling a project - not at all. That's one reason I have so many projects going at one time. But if I always put off a project I'm not feeling that day, I'd never move it forward. I do love the dresden plate project and I know I will love the finished quilt. So I work on it even when I'm not in the mood, if it comes up on my schedule.

Speaking of which...today is for En Provence. I'm kind of over this one. But I know I'll like it when it's done. Today I need to figure out the sashing. I've decided I don't like even a little yellow in my version, so I'll need to make more parts and pieces to fill in.

You know, this is why we all have so many UFO's...we get tired of a project and put it aside. The moral of the story is - keep plugging away. Someone will want that quilt! Though you may fall in love with it when it's done.

Okay, peeps - let's make it a wonderful day!