Reviewed – Satisfied- Looking Forward

I have reviewed my work for 2016.  I admit to straying from my list of goals with profound satisfaction.  No regrets!  I got started on my A Boy and A Girl BOM and am thoroughly enjoying  myself in each step of the process  of each block.

I am satisfied with the projects I completed this year.  I have learned to set realistic goals.  No more pie in the sky.  I ask myself, is this doable, if not, scale back expectations.

Now, I am looking forward to 2017 with my eye on finishing more old UFO’s and my beloved A Boy and A Girl BOM.

My year in photos:

 

And also a round of applause for my helpers.  They kept urging me on when I stumbled.

Happy New Year everyone.  My wish is that everyone’s hopes and dreams come true in 2017.

I am finishing up 2016 by cleaning and organizing my sewing room so I can start the new year in an inspiring place.  Fingers crossed I get it completed today.  Sadly, there is much work to be done.  🙂 But what a wonderful day to be able to spend it in my happy place.

Happy Stitches.

Sissy

 

 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It’s Christmas Eve here in Missouri and the rain has stopped and the sun is shining.  It’s a beautiful day.  I can remember past Christmases where there was a least a foot of snow on the ground and it was below zero outside.  I am very thankful for this beautiful day.

I have been busy working on Block # 5 of A Boy and A Girl and am determined to have it completely sewn by Monday.  Keeping fingers crossed!

I just wanted to stop for a moment and wish everyone a very Happy Holiday season!

Happy Stitches

Sissy

High Hopes

I’m on a roll.  I finished prepping Block # 4.

I belong to a Hand Applique Group on Facebook and posted a photo of WIP of this block.  I had a question asked how I placed my pieces so I decided to illustrate in photos a step by step.

The squares for this pattern are cut 24″ and will later be trimmed to 20.5″.  I place my ruler along one side and mark 12″ from the edge with a water soluable pen.  I then rotate the block 90 degrees and do the same.  I then take it to my sewing machine and using a 4.0 stitch length stitch the lines.  This creates a center placement guide

I tape my pattern to my light box  Right Side Up.

Then using my stiching lines I match them to the pattern centering lines and tape my background fabric to my light box.

I then trace the pattern to my block background using a blue water soluable pen.

I generally reverse the pattern on the light box and trace my patterns on my freezer paper with the dull side up on the freezer paper.  Some people just leave the pattern Right Side Up and trace their pattern with the shiny side of the freezer paper up.  Either way works just fine.  I typically iron a second layer of freezer paper to my traced patterns for more stability.

Then the fun begins…. cutting out all those patterns.

And then I find out I had a senior moment while tracing.  I have 2 number 40’s and no number 22.  Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Progress so far..

I have to put away my play things right now and get ready to head to Branson, MO to see the theatrical production of Moses.  I have been so looking forward to seeing this.

Happy Stitches Everyone

Sissy

Next Up Block 4

It took me longer than I had anticipated to complete hand sewing block # 3 but I am pleased to say it is finished and hanging on the design wall in good company with Blocks 1 and 2.

I am always surprised when I soak and hand wash the block after I have completed hand appliqueing it just how filthy, not just dirty, but filthy the water is.  Now, I expect it to be milky in color due to the spray starch and the glue I use to hold the pieces in place, but this time the water was dark and filthy.  Makes me wonder where my hands have been.  Note to self, wash hands more frequently before picking up hand work.

I had a nice break at Thanksgiving that allowed me to finish Block # 3 on time.  Thanksgiving spent with family and traditional trimmings.  Yikes but it was good.  I also had 2 vacation days where one was spent in my sewing room pushing myself to finish my block.  The second day I spent cleaning the garage so I would be able to park my car in there out of the weather.  I suppose winter will rear it’s ugly head at some point and I do not want to spend time scraping my windshield.  Domestic duties are always getting in the way of my Utopian Bliss.  Patting myself on the back for clearing the garage I am back to prepping Block # 4.  What I have accomplished so far…

Here is Block # 3

I have such high hopes for this month.  I am hoping to complete 2 blocks.  Ambitious but what are goals if not to push ourselves.

Happy Holidays

Sissy