Hey everyone
Stephanie ( http://www.loftcreations.blogspot.com ) has created a great list of people or places that you can go through to help out with the wildfire relief. There is a wonderful shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6902734 where artists are donating items for sale and all of the money will go to the Australian Red Cross - not just the profits. I picked up a gorgeous owl print (and also found an equally gorgeous peacock print at the artist's individual store as well) There is a wide variety of items there in a wide range of prices - definitely something for every taste and budget and it helps a great cause, so go check it out.
Australia is definitely in our thoughts and prayers.
-Abby
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Time for the monthly update ...
Maybe a once a month update works for me .... I really don't know how people do it! I just can't manage to blog more than that. If I really pushed it, I might be able to handle once a week, but seriously! I work full time, I have 2 90 minute dance classes + home practice and workouts, my quilting and Lord knows what else .... blogging really has fallen by the wayside!
Anyways, I have been working on a project, a quilted wall hanging for one of the dad's in my dance studio. He's a bagpiper and wanted a wall quilt with shirts from some of last year's highland games.
The middle row features 2 quilt blocks of my own design - I loosely replicated the tartan that the band wears for their kilts and the middle square is the band logo. It just needs to be sandwiched, quilted and bound. Then I'll also put a hanging sleeve on as well.
Anyways, I have been working on a project, a quilted wall hanging for one of the dad's in my dance studio. He's a bagpiper and wanted a wall quilt with shirts from some of last year's highland games.
The middle row features 2 quilt blocks of my own design - I loosely replicated the tartan that the band wears for their kilts and the middle square is the band logo. It just needs to be sandwiched, quilted and bound. Then I'll also put a hanging sleeve on as well.
After that, I have 3 baby quilts - friends of mine are expecting triplets. I have the fabric and have started cutting. I'm using the 5 funky monkeys line moda came out with a while ago - I was able to score a ton of it on eBay, so here's hoping those go together quickly. The babies will probably arrive in Mid-April.
I did break my resolution of not buying fabric without purchase. I wandered into a new quilt shop over the weekend and they just happened to be celebrating the Super Bowl weekend by offering 10% off EVERYTHING. A layer cake of Urban Couture by Basic Grey and a yard and a half of matching yardage (I got 20% off of it for finishing the bolt) came home with me.
Anyone know any good layer cake patterns? oops!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Happy New Year!
At least I hope it will be. 2008 won't really go down as my favorite year, though there definitely were some highlights. The biggest highlight for me was definitely my trip to China in March.
Craftiness-wise, I finished 3 quilts. I also bought a Cricut Expression on Black Friday - which is now getting some use as the Christmas sewing is done with.
2008 will also mark the year of my return to highland dancing. I will be returning to competing this spring after a 14 year "trial retirement", haha. By summer, I will probably start studying for my teacher's certification. It's nice to be back in something that was such a huge part of my life ... I guess you really CAN go 'home' again.
I wasn't particularly smart with my money in 2008, so my goals for 2009 will mostly be related to rectifying that! I have 2 student loans (one big, one little), a car loan and a credit card balance. I will be posting their as of 1/1/2009 balance on my fridge. This is a small way of keeping me honest, but I also want to be able to gauge my process through the year and have something to compare it to come December 31, 2009. I'm the type of person who needs to see progress :)
Sewing wise, I will be buying very little this year. First and foremost this is for money reasons - I don't need to spend an afternoon loitering in JoAnn Fabrics and buying fabric with no purpose or intention. I have a "stash" that fills a 3 drawer sterilite container and a couple photo storage boxes - in a small one bedroom apartment, that is PLENTY! I have enough supplies for projects to keep me busy for at least a year or two. I am not going cold turkey - if I am working on a project and need something to finish it, I'll buy. I am sewing 3 of my dance costumes and will need to make some purchases for those and am working on a comissioned t-shirt quilt that will also need some additional fabric. Beyond that, I am quite sure that I have a pretty wide variety of things to keep myself entertained. This school of thought is also going to apply to my scrapbooking items - I should really only need to buy adhesive this year. I have a lot of supplies on hand!
I'd like to get to the point where I don't really have a "stash." I know this goes against most crafters' instincts, but it has been bothering me lately to have this much STUFF just sitting around. Granted, I do think that it is in part due to being in a one bedroom apartment. My craft storage and work area is also my dining room alcove and kitchen counter. There isn't space for a whole lot, so the amount I have makes the situation even more cramped.
So we'll see how I do.
I am also resolving not to go to Target this year. I can't seem to get out of Target for less than $20. If you think about it, there really isn't a reason to go to Target specifically. Mine don't have grocery and all the other items are non-necessary. So no Target for me this year (hopefully) - and that should help with the money saving as well!
How about you all? Any major resolutions to share?
At least I hope it will be. 2008 won't really go down as my favorite year, though there definitely were some highlights. The biggest highlight for me was definitely my trip to China in March.
Craftiness-wise, I finished 3 quilts. I also bought a Cricut Expression on Black Friday - which is now getting some use as the Christmas sewing is done with.
2008 will also mark the year of my return to highland dancing. I will be returning to competing this spring after a 14 year "trial retirement", haha. By summer, I will probably start studying for my teacher's certification. It's nice to be back in something that was such a huge part of my life ... I guess you really CAN go 'home' again.
I wasn't particularly smart with my money in 2008, so my goals for 2009 will mostly be related to rectifying that! I have 2 student loans (one big, one little), a car loan and a credit card balance. I will be posting their as of 1/1/2009 balance on my fridge. This is a small way of keeping me honest, but I also want to be able to gauge my process through the year and have something to compare it to come December 31, 2009. I'm the type of person who needs to see progress :)
Sewing wise, I will be buying very little this year. First and foremost this is for money reasons - I don't need to spend an afternoon loitering in JoAnn Fabrics and buying fabric with no purpose or intention. I have a "stash" that fills a 3 drawer sterilite container and a couple photo storage boxes - in a small one bedroom apartment, that is PLENTY! I have enough supplies for projects to keep me busy for at least a year or two. I am not going cold turkey - if I am working on a project and need something to finish it, I'll buy. I am sewing 3 of my dance costumes and will need to make some purchases for those and am working on a comissioned t-shirt quilt that will also need some additional fabric. Beyond that, I am quite sure that I have a pretty wide variety of things to keep myself entertained. This school of thought is also going to apply to my scrapbooking items - I should really only need to buy adhesive this year. I have a lot of supplies on hand!
I'd like to get to the point where I don't really have a "stash." I know this goes against most crafters' instincts, but it has been bothering me lately to have this much STUFF just sitting around. Granted, I do think that it is in part due to being in a one bedroom apartment. My craft storage and work area is also my dining room alcove and kitchen counter. There isn't space for a whole lot, so the amount I have makes the situation even more cramped.
So we'll see how I do.
I am also resolving not to go to Target this year. I can't seem to get out of Target for less than $20. If you think about it, there really isn't a reason to go to Target specifically. Mine don't have grocery and all the other items are non-necessary. So no Target for me this year (hopefully) - and that should help with the money saving as well!
How about you all? Any major resolutions to share?
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Happy 1 Week 'Til Christmas!
Things have been very, very busy around here. Most of which I can't post about or just haven't had time to post about.
My big project is in the final finishing stages .... I'm on the last side! Unforunately, that's all the info I can reveal. If you have other blogs on your list, you've seen it. Otherwise it'll be posted here after Christmas. Not taking chance on this one.
I took yesterday off of work to bake cookies. My dance teacher hosts a cookie swap party each year and it's tonight. I had 10 dozen cookies to bake and decorate, so that's what I did yesterday. I also started and finished a quilted wall hanging for her from a pre-printed panel kit I picked up at Keepsake Quilting. Yesterday was very busy.
Apparently my heat also decided to crap out yesterday too - I must not have noticed initially because of all the baking, but when I went to bed, I saw that the temp was a good 15 degrees below what I had it set for .... I thought maybe it still hadn't kicked on because of the oven, so I gave it til this morning and called my complex's maintenace. A couple hours later, it was all fixed and I was able to head off to work. Oh heat, how I love you!
So what's left then, as the final panicky countdown to the big day speeds on?
Finishing an ornament wreath in pink and purple for a coworker
Finished aforementioned "big project" in first paragraph
Possibly try to finish a project for my mom, but thta's not a huge deal - I managed to pick up more for her through the year than I thought and when I pull it all off of the "present shelf" I was surprised. So that can be rainchecked for her birthday if need be.
I also have to make my friend Eren's presents, but I won't see her until the weekend of January 3rd, so that buys me some time.
I have a busy weekend ahead of me as well, I have plans Saturday night to go out with some people from work as kind of a going away party for a coworker who is also a good friend and then on Sunday I'm going to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra with the guy I'm seeing. I'll probably end up with plans on Friday as well. Busy, Busy, Busy!
My big project is in the final finishing stages .... I'm on the last side! Unforunately, that's all the info I can reveal. If you have other blogs on your list, you've seen it. Otherwise it'll be posted here after Christmas. Not taking chance on this one.
I took yesterday off of work to bake cookies. My dance teacher hosts a cookie swap party each year and it's tonight. I had 10 dozen cookies to bake and decorate, so that's what I did yesterday. I also started and finished a quilted wall hanging for her from a pre-printed panel kit I picked up at Keepsake Quilting. Yesterday was very busy.
Apparently my heat also decided to crap out yesterday too - I must not have noticed initially because of all the baking, but when I went to bed, I saw that the temp was a good 15 degrees below what I had it set for .... I thought maybe it still hadn't kicked on because of the oven, so I gave it til this morning and called my complex's maintenace. A couple hours later, it was all fixed and I was able to head off to work. Oh heat, how I love you!
So what's left then, as the final panicky countdown to the big day speeds on?
Finishing an ornament wreath in pink and purple for a coworker
Finished aforementioned "big project" in first paragraph
Possibly try to finish a project for my mom, but thta's not a huge deal - I managed to pick up more for her through the year than I thought and when I pull it all off of the "present shelf" I was surprised. So that can be rainchecked for her birthday if need be.
I also have to make my friend Eren's presents, but I won't see her until the weekend of January 3rd, so that buys me some time.
I have a busy weekend ahead of me as well, I have plans Saturday night to go out with some people from work as kind of a going away party for a coworker who is also a good friend and then on Sunday I'm going to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra with the guy I'm seeing. I'll probably end up with plans on Friday as well. Busy, Busy, Busy!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Hanging in there ...
Apparently I only blog once a month now ..... sorry! Work is just now winding down to the point where I'm only working 40 or so hours a week and I've been feverishly sewing on a top secret Christmas project in my "free time" I am please to report that the sewing is complete and boxed up and will be on it's way to Sharon www.redgeraniumcottage.typepad.com for some quilting :) I can't post pictures because I don't want to risk the intended receiver coming across them. That'll have to wait til after Christmas I'm afraid!
I did start cutting out my next project - a small wallhanging for my dance teacher from the Scottie Christmas line. Highland dance teacher + scotties = good idea!
I have a few things left to make for my mom's Christmas present and have to start in on my friend Eren's. Eren and I made a deal that we would buy for birthdays and make for Christmas - so I stil have a lot of work ahead of me! I'm also trying to clean out things and eBay to try to bring in some extra money to go towards bills, so life is keeping me running for the moment.
Hope all of you are well!
-Abby
I did start cutting out my next project - a small wallhanging for my dance teacher from the Scottie Christmas line. Highland dance teacher + scotties = good idea!
I have a few things left to make for my mom's Christmas present and have to start in on my friend Eren's. Eren and I made a deal that we would buy for birthdays and make for Christmas - so I stil have a lot of work ahead of me! I'm also trying to clean out things and eBay to try to bring in some extra money to go towards bills, so life is keeping me running for the moment.
Hope all of you are well!
-Abby
Friday, October 10, 2008
Another year older ...
Well, my birthday was yesterday - the big 2-5. Here's hoping that this is the year for cheap car insurance! I'm on the phone right now to see if my rate will go down *fingers crossed*
Other than that, I've just been working. A LOT. Very long hours means not much time for quilting or much of anything else unfortunately. Hopefully as things begin to wind down in November I can have some more time to work on the fun stuff.
In turn, no time for fun equals no pictures, though I'm getting my hair cut this afternoon, so maybe I'll take a picture of that!
Other than that, I've just been working. A LOT. Very long hours means not much time for quilting or much of anything else unfortunately. Hopefully as things begin to wind down in November I can have some more time to work on the fun stuff.
In turn, no time for fun equals no pictures, though I'm getting my hair cut this afternoon, so maybe I'll take a picture of that!
Monday, September 29, 2008
The down side ...
Wow - where have I been, huh?
When I last left off I was on cloud nine over the bag swap, but alluded to some bad news. I've been having computer problems not of my own doing. If you know someone living in an apartment complex, please pass this on.
The memory was stolen out of my laptop. I started having computer problems immediately after maintenance had been in my apartment and couldn't figure out why. I waited until the weekend and took it to my parents house. My dad is extremely computer knowledgeable - has even built his own computers - and when he opened the memory compartment, there was nothing there. Just the memory that was sodered to the motherboard. What's more is that there are 2 little metal clips that hold the removeable memory in place. One was damaged by whoever stole my memory and now won't hold the new memory securely in place so my computer still doesn't function correctly. The only person other than me who had been in that apartment was maintenance. I spoke with the complex, they assured me that their maintenance staff wasn't smart enough to know how to turn on a computer (pretty much her exact words) and told me to file a police report. I filed the report, but they weren't going to finger print the computer or anything since this was a low price point crime. (tell that to my bank account)
So I'm trying to tell everyone I can - and hopefully other people can avoid having this happen to them. If you're in a complex, don't leave anything out even though it's technically your "home" - don't ever allow maintenance in if you or a designated person are also present. My dad came the next weekend and installed a new locking door knob for me, so I'm feeling a bit more secure, but talk about feeling violated. They are also loaning me one of their desktops so I do have a computer and internet again, but will probably need to see if my renter's insurance can do anything for me because I definitely can't afford a new laptop right now.
In other news, I fell down the stairs at my apartment complex on Friday (their stairs have raised metal edges to keep the carpet from fraying and my shoe got caught) My left shin is bruised literally along the entire length and I have a smaller bruise on my right shin. They're still surfacing ... once they get dark I'll take a picture and post ....
Let's hope this week is a better one ... though my work schedule is crappy.
Sorry I haven't been around much - now that the desktop is set up I should be able to do more.
Abby
When I last left off I was on cloud nine over the bag swap, but alluded to some bad news. I've been having computer problems not of my own doing. If you know someone living in an apartment complex, please pass this on.
The memory was stolen out of my laptop. I started having computer problems immediately after maintenance had been in my apartment and couldn't figure out why. I waited until the weekend and took it to my parents house. My dad is extremely computer knowledgeable - has even built his own computers - and when he opened the memory compartment, there was nothing there. Just the memory that was sodered to the motherboard. What's more is that there are 2 little metal clips that hold the removeable memory in place. One was damaged by whoever stole my memory and now won't hold the new memory securely in place so my computer still doesn't function correctly. The only person other than me who had been in that apartment was maintenance. I spoke with the complex, they assured me that their maintenance staff wasn't smart enough to know how to turn on a computer (pretty much her exact words) and told me to file a police report. I filed the report, but they weren't going to finger print the computer or anything since this was a low price point crime. (tell that to my bank account)
So I'm trying to tell everyone I can - and hopefully other people can avoid having this happen to them. If you're in a complex, don't leave anything out even though it's technically your "home" - don't ever allow maintenance in if you or a designated person are also present. My dad came the next weekend and installed a new locking door knob for me, so I'm feeling a bit more secure, but talk about feeling violated. They are also loaning me one of their desktops so I do have a computer and internet again, but will probably need to see if my renter's insurance can do anything for me because I definitely can't afford a new laptop right now.
In other news, I fell down the stairs at my apartment complex on Friday (their stairs have raised metal edges to keep the carpet from fraying and my shoe got caught) My left shin is bruised literally along the entire length and I have a smaller bruise on my right shin. They're still surfacing ... once they get dark I'll take a picture and post ....
Let's hope this week is a better one ... though my work schedule is crappy.
Sorry I haven't been around much - now that the desktop is set up I should be able to do more.
Abby
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