Set in seams....no problem!

I've figured out how to do "set in seams" on my sewing machine without too much hassle. I guess after all of those little Le Moyne stars in my AQ, that I did on my machine, it has finally stuck with me. This NI block has several of the above mentioned seams. I keep telling myself just do one block a day and you'll start to see the end very soon. Remember a few posts back and I thought I only had 16 or so blocks left....welllll I miss counted. I ran off papers last weekend and I had 25 blocks left to do. Talk about disappointed! Plus I have to sash them and pp the border. One thing at a time Ranette....one thing at a time!

 

I am feeling better now that I have an appointment with a specialist. That always happens to me. I feel like I'm dying and I break down, make a doctors appointment and then I feel better. Does that mean it's all in my head?! For the people that know me in real life, don't answer that...lol

I'm almost ready for my sewing marathon around here. The house is pretty clean, laundry done, project picked out (yes I decided to follow every one's advice) and food bought. Yeah....I am beyond excited! I wish you could all join me and my friends.

Okay....that's it for now! Happy hump day!

Ranette

Another NI block...but don't look too close!

Yes I know....I lost a point on my star. I didn't see it until I was done and I'm leaving it just like it is.

 

When it's all sewn in the quilt, you will never, ever see that a point is missing, unless I point it out to you, which I have been known to do...lol

Thanks for all of the kind words and good wishes on my previous post. I'm still not feeling great, but I have an appointment with a specialist on Monday and I'll probably feel great by then. I have 4 no work and all sew days scheduled and I'm going to sew like the wind! My dilemma is whether I should work on my current long term projects or start a new, finish in a couple of days quilt. I think I'm leaning towards making something new.

I received this quilty inspiration in the mail a few days ago.

 

I love, love, love this magazine! I always find inspiration in the quilts and photos. I just wish I had more time for making all of the quilts they show. I haven't been loving the American quilting magazines lately....I think it's because it all looks the same to me and it seems to be about selling the newest line of fabrics. Just my opinion.

I'm going to go and put my longjohns on now. It's been cold and the weatherman tells us that it's going to get colder, like single digit temps....yuck!

Ranette

Happy 2010 to everyone!

I know that it's the time to reflect over the past year and to look onward to the coming year, but I've found that I'm just not a very introspective person. I'm much more of a live for the moment kind of gal and I'm pretty happy most of the time, so it must work for me.

Last year wasn't a bad year, but it did bring about a major change in our lives around here. I haven't mentioned it before on my blog, but in October my husband's position was eliminated...at a company he has worked at for over 20 years. If you would have asked either one of us before October if we thought he had job security, we would have told you "of course, that above everything he had security." Well we are firm believer's that all things happen for a reason and I think God had different plans for this season of Jay's life. He has started his own consulting firm and he's happy and much lighter of spirit these days it seems to me. I am so proud of him and of all that he has accomplished!!!

 

Kara and Jay, two of my favorite people!

I have made some great blogging friends in the last year...I LOVE how quilting brings us all together. Miriam is one of those special friends that I have enjoyed getting to know and she always has wonderful, insightful council and she sends great gifts too....Thank you Miriam for being my friend.

 

Here's a closeup of the red scissors...

 

Miriam really gets me doesn't she....scissors and red....what could be better?!!!

Here is another NI block that I worked on all day yesterday....kind of a booger and not my favorite block, but I'm not doing it again.

 

Sorry this post is so rambling, I was nearly felled by a kidney stone a couple of days ago and I think some pain meds might still be in my system...lol My plans are to spend all day sewing....hopefully I'll feel like it :o)

Anyway here's to a great 2010 for us all!!!!

Ranette

Back on the NI bandwagon!

WooHoo....yes I am....I'm back on the Nearly Insane bandwagon. During the last week I was able to slip away to my downstairs sewing room (one half of the utility room) and whip out a few red & white blocks. This sewing room is right off of the kitchen, so if I had cookies in the oven or something simmering on the stove I could be right there in case I was needed. Here are the blocks that were made...

 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven't checked lately, but if my memory serves me right I've only got about 15 or 16 blocks lefts to make!!!! Then I'll have to sash and make the border....still a lot of work to do, but I'm closer than I was before!

The weather is gray and yucky and we had snow last night. Not much stuck, but we still have piles from last week. Tomorrow we take Emily to the airport....I'm going to miss having her around. It's been a pretty good holiday season so far and we'll finish up celebrating with Jay's Mom, sister and her family on Saturday.

Have a great day and try to get some sewing time in!
Ranette

The Oklahoma Blizzard 2009

Yes it was a big one....the biggest snow on record (or that's what the news says) for Oklahoma City, ever. I'm pretty sure I can remember deeper snows, but the wind was pretty epic on Christmas Eve for sure. Here are a couple of pictures taken out of my back door which is as far as I strayed outside for a couple of days :o)

 

 

During the day the visibility was just nil. There were times when you couldn't see the houses in the neighborhood very well. If you travel just north of Stillwater there is hardly any snow...this was a picky blizzard, skipping around where it wanted to dump snow. The roads in Stillwater are terrible still, but the highways and interstates are clear.

I cooked a lot and we all ate a lot. The kids kept busy building gingerbread houses.

 

 

Uh oh, since you couldn't see Kara and Jacob in the other picture here is one of them.

 

Here's a picture of my house and I can't remember if Jay took this Christmas day or the day after that. Somehow the days have all run together for me...anyone else have that problem?!

 

When I wasn't cooking or cleaning or watching good movies, I was making a few Nearly Insane blocks. I'll show those in tomorrows post as I have to get ready for work now. It's that time of year when inventory needs to be taken and that's a pretty big job. Luckily I'll have some great help to do it.

Have a terrific Monday!

Ranette

Just checking in....

Again, I've been such a bad blogger....I've just been busy, exhausted and overwhelmed. Same as most everyone this time of year I'll bet! I am looking forward to a little down time with family soon.

Emily and her boyfriend Joe will arrive this afternoon for the week and then Kara and her boyfriend Jacob will be here off and on as well. They live in Stillwater, so we see them quite a bit. I think I've got enough groceries to feed an army, but at least we won't starve :o) Most of the presents are wrapped and the house is nice and clean. Allie goes to the doctor this afternoon for a follow-up visit on her leg/ankle and she's hoping for a release to be able to drive. If the doctor tells her it's okay she'll be getting her license this week...woohoo! Jay had new tires put on her truck so it would be all ready for her.

Dear Jane night at the Quilting Post was last Thursday and that meant that I needed to prep a block to work on. Now I hadn't even looked at my JanieBright blocks in a couple of months, so I drug that box out and made 5 blocks this week (one was already done.) I forgot how nice it is to have a couple prepped and ready to pull out to work on when I had a minute.

I'm also working on the second round border for my Antique Quilt, when I have a little snippet of time. More set in seams on these blocks....whew, by the time I finish this quilt I'll be an expert on set in seams.

I do love how this quilt is coming together though.

I also received a wonderful package in the mail from a fellow blogger, Brandie. She sent the cutest little stocking and a wonderful dark chocolate candy bar.

Brandie made the stocking from fabric samples and I LOVE it. Thank you so much Brandie for thinking of me. And thank Pugslie for the licks as well...lol

My sister Pamela also sent a box of goodies. I didn't take pictures of everything, but will you look at this cute Eiffel Tower pincushion kit and the spool with ribbons?! Pam knows exactly what I like...sisters are the BEST!!! Thank you Pam.

 

I am still going to have a giveaway, I just need to do it. Check back later in the week to see what I come up with.

I am sending Christmas wishes out to all of my blogging friends, all over the world. Have a save, warm (not too warm for you Aussies) and Merry Christmas everyone!

Ranette

Another week has gone by in a flash!

Can you believe how fast time goes by these days?!!!! When I was a kid the month of December seemed to last a lifetime. I wonder if that means I'm getting old...lol...probably it does, but oh well.

I've done very little sewing, but I have been to Kansas City! Jay and I drove up to his sister Lana's house Friday afternoon for a little visit. Emily came from Lawrence and her boyfriend joined us from St. Louis. It was fun to see everyone!
Here is a picture of the quilt that I made for Lana a few years ago. Sampler quilts are always a favorite with me and this one is made from all Batik fabric.

 

I kind of wish that I would have kept it because Lana isn't really a "quilt" type of person, but oh well I can always make another one, right ;o)

Emily and I were able to sneak away for a little quilt shop therapy. We always stop at Harpers in Overland Park. We didn't buy much there (this trip), but I just love looking at all the cute stuff they carry. Then we headed over to Quilter's Station in Lee's Summit, Missouri. I had a plan when I walked in the door of this shop and I stuck to it for the most part. I needed border fabric for my Antique Quilt and here are my purchases.

 

I've ordered online from both of these stores in the past and they both have my stamp of approval...lol

Well it's 18 degrees outside today and with the windchill it's 2degrees....brrrrr....I'd better save some time to bundle up. I'm thinking about having a giveaway soon so stay posted!

Have a Blessed day!
Ranette