Make-A-List Monday - Marathon Quilting & Babysitting!

Hi, all!

Monday has rolled around again, and it's the start of a very busy week for me - with another one to follow!  Lots of child care both weeks, and some marathon quilting to come.  First though, let's see how last week's list went...

1.  Complete a quilt top as part of a pattern test for a friend.

Done!  Unfortunately I can't show you this one until Quilt Market in October, but trust me, you are going to love it!

2.  Cut out at least one of the grandkids' annual quilts.

Woohoo!  I not only cut one out, I actually got the top sewn together!  I still have some embellishing to do on it, but I'm glad to have this much in the books...

3.  Start working on the t-shirt commission quilt.

Done!  I took pictures of all the t-shirts and arranged them the way I thought they should be laid out, then emailed it to the lady who commissioned it to be sure she likes the layout.  I'm still waiting for my sashing fabric to arrive, so there's not much I can do yet.  But at least it's started!

4.  Work on Nathanael's Christmas stocking.

Done!  I'm filling in the white of the snowmen, which is slow work, boring, and doesn't show up in pictures, but it is progress!

5.  Work on a dress for Emmy.

Done!  I made this cute Tinkerbell print dress for her pretty quickly - it's an easy pattern - to test the pattern before I used it on more expensive fabric.  She loved it!

6.  Find a pattern for nightgowns for my granddaughters.

Done!  I like this McCalls 1722, which I think I can use for both knits and woven.  It's not too fussy and looks very comfortable!

7.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Done!  

This pretty quilt went to a new baby girl...

This quilt went to a couple whose adult son committed suicide...

...and this quilt went to an 18 month old girl who is going through some emotional difficulties.

And this weeks' list should be fun...

1.  Make a lavender and gray quilt for a new baby coming soon at church.

2.  Marathon quilting day on Tuesday to quilt as many quilt tops for the ministry as I can in one day!

3.  Deconstruct the t-shirts for the commission quilt and make the blocks.

4.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

5.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

OK - it's a short list but I'm keeping the kids so much this week, I may not be able to get much more than this done.  But if I do, I'll be sure and share it with you next week!

So now the question is - - - what are you working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Make-A-List Monday - No Rest For the Wicked!

Hi, all!

I hope you've had a fabulous Labor Day weekend - it's been an exciting one around here, as we've been watching the numbers coming in related to the movie War Room.  As part of his job, my husband has been very involved with this movie (he even has a teeny-tiny part in it!) and in case you haven't heard, it is the number one movie in the country for the Labor Day weekend!  Woohoo!!  Lots of happy dances have been happening around here!

So now, let's see how last week's list went...

1.  Make a back for the "What's On The Bookshelf Wednesday" quilt.

2.  Quilt and bind the WOTBW quilt.

Done and done!  Come back this Wednesday to hear about a great new book and see the front of this quilt!

3.  Write up the "secret for now" pattern.

Done!  More about this one on September 18th!

4.  Pack up and mail the One Million Pageviews giveaway items.

Done and hopefully received!

5.  Quilt a friend's vintage quilt top.

Done!  Isn't this a beautiful feedback quilt?

6.  Quilt my niece's quilt top.

Partially done - but Jolene ate a piece of thread she shouldn't have, and I had to do some (hair raising) surgery today!  I finally got the piece of thread out, but the timing still isn't right.  I've got a good friend coming to help me fix it on Friday, thankfully!  But here's a pic of what I'm doing on my niece's quilt...

7.  Pull together all the parts needed for the quilt racks for the September 19th quilt show.

I was supposed to be working on that today, but instead I was doing major long arm surgery (see #6 above...)

8.  If the fabric arrives, start cutting out the "secret for now" quilt.

The fabric has arrived, and I've pressed it.  I plan to start cutting bright and early tomorrow morning!

9.  Order solids for Emmy's and Nathanael's annual quilts.

Done! Hancock's of Paducah had a great sale, so I got them for a very good price.  I can't wait to start working on them!

10.  Pull fabrics for Lilli's annual quilt.

As much as I wish I had, I haven't gotten to this one yet.  Bummer!

11.  Work on Nathanael's hospital.

I did get to do a little bit on this last night!

12.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Done!  We gave away several this week...

This quilt went to a 7-year old girl who had surgery for a tumor on her spine...

This one went to a baby born prematurely with many medical issues.  She isn't expected to live long...

...and so this quilt went to her parents in hopes that it will provide them some comfort in the hospital and after they return home.

This quilt went to a man who has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

So that's the result of last week's list.  Not completely done, but I didn't hold out much hope for that because it was so long.  And I added an extra quilt and a major long arm repair job to the list mid-week!  So I'm happy.  Here's what's on tap for this week...

1.  Piece the "secret for now" quilt.

2.  Purchase the parts for and assemble the quilt racks for the September 19th quilt show.

3.   Fix Jolene's timing.

4.  Finish my niece's quilt.

5.  Pull fabrics for Lilli's annual quilt.

6.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

7.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

That's plenty to keep me busy this week, when combined with a couple of mornings with the littles and two mornings sewing at church with the ministry members!  Looks like I really need to hit it hard tomorrow...

So now the question is - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Make-A-List Monday - Break's Over!

Hi, all!

Well, we had a lovely trip last week, in the mountains of North Carolina for a couple of days, and then visiting my father-in-law and other family members in Richmond.  The weather was great and it was a refreshing time away from our usual routine.  But now it's a new week and it's time to get back to work!

So let's see how last week's list (a short one, but still a list) went...

1.  Piece a quilt top to be part of a "What's On The Bookshelf Wednesday" coming up in September.

Done!  Here's a sneak peek - I'm loving the colors!

2.  Write up the pattern for the September 18th "secret for now"  project.

I haven't gotten to this one yet - I was having too much fun with the next item on my to-do list!

3.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

Done!  I got a lot done on his stocking - it looked like this before our trip...

...and here's what it looks like now!

Hooray for long road trips!!

4.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Fortunately, we only had one request last week - so this was an easy one.  This quilt is going to a 4-year old girl who was just diagnosed with Crohn's disease.

In addition to all the above, I also made some super cute coasters using a tutorial I found on Instagram!

 So at least I feel like I accomplished a little bit last week!

This week is already stacking up to be a busy one - lots of things that I've got to get started or finished!  So here's the list...

1.  Make a back for the "What's On The Bookshelf Wednesday" quilt.

2.  Quilt and bind the WOTBW quilt.

3.  Write up the "secret for now" pattern.

4.  Pack up and mail the One Million Pageviews giveaway items.

5.  Quilt a friend's vintage quilt top.

6.  Quilt my niece's quilt top.

7.  Pull together all the parts needed for the quilt racks for the September 19th quilt show.

8.  If the fabric arrives, start cutting out the "secret for now" quilt.

9.  Order solids for Emmy's and Nathanael's annual quilts.

10.  Pull fabrics for Lilli's annual quilt.

11.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

12.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Well that's way more than enough to keep me out of trouble for a while!  So now the question is - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Make-A-List Monday - The Tuesday, Poor Internet Service, Version

Hi, all!

Good morning from the mountains of North Carolina!  

Unfortunately, I'm posting this on Tuesday because internet service here was spotty at best (and non-existent at worst) last night, so no blogpost for me!  But it's good this morning - at least so far - so I'm going to write quickly to get this posted!!

So let's see how last week's list went...

1.  Tack down the blocks on the memory quilt.

Done!  I can't show any pics because this one is a gift for someone, but trust me, I finished it!  It's gone and delivered.  I'll blog about it in September sometime.

2.  Make a flyer for the quilt show.

Done!  I had fun making this, and it's been delivered to the local bank that sponsors the show for printing.

3.  Finalize a design for the quilt show racks.

I know exactly what I need to do, I just need to get some hardware to do it with!

4.  Come up with a design for a future (secret for now) project!

Done!  Here's a sneak peek...more to come on September 18th!

5.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

Done!  Little by little, it's getting there.  Two long car trips in one week really help move it along, although I had to pick out a big section because I miscounted. And get this - I miscounted sitting on my sofa at home, not while riding in a car!  Go figure!

6.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Done!  We gave away two quilts this week...

This one went to a woman who just had surgery for breast cancer...

And this one went to a young woman with serious kidney disease.

 And now for this week's list.  It will be much shorter, because we are traveling to visit family so not much time for sewing!  But I did bring a sewing machine with me for the days my husband is in meetings.... ;-)

1.  Piece a quilt top to be part of a "What's On The Bookshelf Wednesday" coming up in September.

2.  Write up the pattern for the September 18th "secret for now" project.

3.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

4.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

I don't think there's anything else I can do while traveling, but that should keep me from going nuts, at least!  And speaking of traveling, I saw this great picture on Facebook last week and think it's a fabulous idea!  Don't you?

My husband seems a little hesitant about putting one in the front of his car.....

Just a reminder, too - I'm having a One Million Page Views giveaway this week!  Entries close Thursday at noon, so there's still time to enter.  Click on this link to go to the blogpost for entries!!

So now, the question is - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Make-A-List Monday - Best Laid Plans Seldom Work Out...

Hi, all!

Monday has rolled around again, and caught me completely off guard!  Last week was hectic, and it seems like I should have gotten more done, but it is what it is - so let's see how last week's list went....

1.  Tack down the photo blocks on the commission memory quilt.

Not done, but I have made a template and plan to start working on this tonight.  If I don't finish it by Thursday morning, I'll take it with me to Atlanta and work on it in the car while we drive!

2.  Piece the signature quilt.

Done!  Here's a pic of what the top looks like...

3.  Piece the back for the signature quilt.

Done!  I love how colorful the back is, in contrast to the front.  Lots of 5" squares and strips of one of my favorite DSQuilts prints.

4.  Work on making racks for the quilt show.

This is still stuck in my head.  I have GOT to get on this one this week!

5.  Create a flyer for the quilt show.

Also still in my head.  Hopefully this is something else I can work on in the car while riding to Atlanta...

6.  Quilt the signature quilt (if time allows).

Done!  I'm glad to have this one off my plate - it was really worrying me that it wouldn't be finished in time!

7.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

I did get to this one - at least a bit.  It's something I like to pick up in the evening when we're watching tv.

8.  Pick up more of the kids' quilts and sew the labels on them.

I didn't have a chance to get the quilts from my daughter, so this one is still on the list!

9.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Done!  We only gave away a few this week, which I guess is good, considering!

This quilt went to a woman in our church who is living with lupus. The beautiful top was donated to us by our wonderful friend, Gayle, who sends us several tops at a time.

This quilt went to a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer this week.

This quilt is for a new baby girl, the granddaughter of one of our church members!

We also gave another quilt to a woman who was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but I forgot to take a picture of it! (Boo...)

OK, so I didn't do so well on last week's list - maybe I shouldn't say that there are things I absolutely have to get done again!  This week is a short week for me - my husband and I are going to Atlanta for the premier of the movie War Room on Thursday!  So here's what's on my list for this week...

1.  Tack down the blocks on the photo memory quilt.

2.  Make a flyer for the quilt show.

3.  Finalize a design for the quilt show racks.

4.  Come up with a design for a future (secret for now) project!

5.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

6.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Fortunately, some of this can be done while riding, so I'll be working on this list hard this week!

And now, here's a life lesson/warning for all of us...

My mailman left this box on my porch chair this afternoon.  I have to say, he came up quietly, left it and didn't ring the doorbell.  (New mailman - my old one was great!)  When I went outside to get it a few minutes later, the underside of the box was soaking wet.  It had apparently been dropped in a puddle and allowed to sit there for a while.  I opened the box (with my thumb, rather easily because it was falling apart) and pulled out the contents.  Fortunately, there was a large ziploc bag of blocks in the bottom of the box, which protected most of the contents.  A flimsy on top of that bag was a little damp, but a run through the dryer took care of that problem.

My life lesson/warning?  Always put fabric in a plastic trash bag before you put it in a box you are shipping - you never know when that box is going to meet up with the elements!  I was lucky with this one - I think he just dropped it today.  If it had been dropped in water earlier in its journey, the fabric would probably have been moldy/mildewed and possibly ruined.  And that would have been a tragedy!

So now the question is - - - what are YOU working on this week!

Hugs!

Sarah

PS Be sure to come back by here on Friday - I'm doing a lot of whooping and celebrating, and there just might be a giveaway involved...

Make-A-List Monday - How Time Flies!!

Hi, all!

August??? How did that happen?  This year is just flying by, isn't it?  And take a look at what I saw on Facebook the other day....

Say what???  Well, actually it's 20 Fridays - somebody jumped the gun - but even so... time is going by so quickly!  Time to get my ducks in a row...

So first, let's see what happened with last week's list.  (By the way, I really appreciate all of you keeping me accountable - I get so much more done this way!!)

1.  Make a garter to go with the wedding dress quilt and pillow.

Done and delivered!  And she loved it all - which makes me very very happy!!

Pillow, quilt and garter made from grandmother's wedding
dress for a new granddaughter.

2.  Finish editing the pictures for the commission memory quilt.

Not only did I finish editing them, I printed them and made the blocks for the quilt today!  

3.  Work out a final estimate for another quilt commission.

This isn't finished, mainly because the lady who wants the quilt hasn't made a final decision on which quilt she wants.  I have other quilts to finish before I can start on hers, so I'm giving her a little time to think about it.

4.  Make more blocks for the signature quilt.

Done!  Hopefully we'll finish getting these signed this weekend and I can start putting the quilt together!

5.  Start piecing the signature quilt.

I've decided to wait until all the signed blocks are turned in just in case I need to work some blanks into the design.

6.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

Still in progress - but I'm making some headway!  

7.  Make labels for any of the grandkids' quilts that don't have one yet, since they're being stored at my house until the kids move into their new house at Christmas.

I've written them, but still need to reduce the size, print them out on fabric, and sew them on!

8.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Done!  Just one quilt request this week, so it was simple...

This quilt went to a woman who had quadruple bypass heart surgery and is now recovering.

I also took Grace, the ministry's new Block Rocket, for a spin - I quilted up a beautiful quilt and she did a great job!!  I can't wait for our regulars who have been gone for the summer to come back and take their own turn - I bet we'll have a line of people waiting to use her - so we'd better get some more quilt tops done!

And now here's what's on my plate for this week...

1.  Finish piecing the photo commission quilt.

2.  Make a back for the photo commission quilt.

3.  Start piecing the signature quilt.

4.  Make a lavender baby quilt for a new baby coming soon!

5.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

6.  Print out and sew on the kids' quilt labels.

7.  Start planning the kids' quilts for Christmas this year.

8.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

That's enough to keep me out of trouble, I think, although I may find some more things that need to be done!  I keep thinking about that 20 Fridays reminder - oh my......

So now the question is - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Make-A-List Monday - Not Enough Hours In The Day!

Hi, all!

Where did last week go?  Between babysitting, helping my daughter pack and clean her house before moving, and working on quilt-y projects, the week has just flown by!  So let's see how much of last week's list I actually managed to get done...

1.  Piece the wedding quilt top.
Finished!!!  I am so happy to say that this is completed!!  More pictures to come on Friday....

2.  Do the hand stitching on the wedding quilt pillow.
Not only did I do the hand stitching, but I finished it!  Also, more pics to come on Friday...

3. Work on editing the photos for the commission memory quilt.
Started!  I'll be cropping them to square and adjusting the color to sepia tone.  

4.  Write a book review for the What's on the Bookshelf Wednesday post.
Done!  If you missed it, I reviewed Amanda Jean Nyberg's Sunday Morning Quilts - definitely worth looking at if you've never seen it before!  Click here to read the review...

5.  Work on Nathanael's stocking. Just for fun, here's a shot of how much stitching is done so far - something to gauge next week's progress against!

And here's what I did on the stocking last week - not much, but any progress is good!

6.  Finish setting up the BlockRockIt!
Done!  And it's not only set up, we've been playing with it already! Here's a video of the first run.  And we've named her Grace - because Grace covers a multitude of sins!!

7.  Work on the plans for a September quilt show.
Not so good on this one - I've got a lot of info in my head, but none on paper (or iPhone list) yet.  

8.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Done!  We gave away a few quilts this week - 

This quilt went to a woman whose mother was abducted and murdered...

This one went to a young woman who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and given a year to live...

This quilt went to an older gentleman who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and told he has only a few months left to live...

And this one went to a gentleman who has had a series of debilitating mini-strokes.

So what's on tap for this week?  Lots more than I can possibly get done!!  Here goes the short list...

1.  Make a garter to go with the wedding dress quilt and pillow.

2.  Finish editing the pictures for the commission memory quilt.

3.  Work out a final estimate for another quilt commission.

4.  Make more blocks for the signature quilt.

5.  Start piecing the signature quilt.

6.  Work on Nathanael's stocking.

7.  Make labels for any of the grandkids' quilts that don't have one yet, since they're being stored at my house until the kids move into their new one at Christmas.

8.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

That's more than enough to keep me out of trouble, I think!  And I imagine there are more things that I need to do, I just can't remember them at the moment.  Out of sight, out of mind!

So now the question is - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah