Monday, November 23, 2009

Finding My Groove

This weekend I forced myself to buckle down. Last week I let the chaos of the week get to me. Maybe it's the upcoming holiday and the thought of 16 people around my table, and that's without either of my sons (insert sad mom face here). On the bright side, the shopping is done and my lists are made...I schedule what to do when...that way I'm sure to actually get dinner on the table.

I think I found at least part of my mind this weekend. Solutions came for a couple of perplexing quilty problems. I love when that happens.

Finished the 'Burning Embers' wall hanging. I wasn't sure I liked it...
...until I hung it where it belongs. It's perfect for that room.
My Fabricworm ordered arrived just in time to save the day...I have a new fav fabric...the new mingle was perfect for the binding.
I also came up with a solution for those 30 house blocks that I've made. I was going to make a BIG neighborhood quilt, but when I was laying out the quilt I sorted the houses by color to help me distribute them, and then it hit me....what about little color coordinated subdivisions? The orange and gray one was simply perfect for this room. Don't you adore that mirror ball dot binding? So far I have blue/brown, red/aqua, green, and pink subdivisions planned. What do you think of those for one of the 'Joy in the New Year' challenge prizes?
I quilted it with my fracture quilting...very modern and minimal. For me it gives just the right effect.
After almost a year and a half I hit on a solution for the 'Atomic Connections' quilt. That should be a top in the next couple of days. I can't even tell you how excited I am.
Still haven't found the tennis shoes. Made a new 'G' for the 'G Whiz' quilt. The UPS man delivered a new power cord for my mifi. I can't even say how much I NEED my internet. I found my groove, though I didn't really know that it was missing.

45 comments:

Lexilooo said...

The little houses are adorable! Oh, and I LOVE the Burning Embers. The colors are striking together! So, so gorgeous.

two hippos said...

I *love* the burnt embers quilt. The colors are so rich, the squares visually exciting, and the pebble quilting adds so much texture. How do you hang your wall quilts? Do you add a sleeve or do something else?

Jewel said...

I love Burning Embers... what a beautiful quilt. I love the house subdivisions... it would be cool to hang them in a group offset somehow... but as prizes wouldbe even better. I finished two on my "Jpy" list but added two too ... bad bad ne...

paulette said...

Your new wall hanging is just perfect for your guest room!! Just gorgeous!! Lucky guests!!
Paulette

Unknown said...

Jacquie, All are just beautiful! Aren't you glad you found your groove. I love the idea of the subdivisions, sweet. What a great prize that would be too. But how could you part with it? I love how the Burning Embers looks in the bedroom, just right. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am sure your sons will miss you as much as you are missing them.

Rene' said...

You have indeed found your groove!!! Love the idea of one of the subdivisions as a prize for the UFO Challenge. Makes me wish I was participating!!! Great ideas you've shared today.

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

looks like things are back in order for you!! nice job!

Cristin said...

Wow I love all of those quilted pieces you finished! I NEED to try pebble quilting soon... maybe on my next stroller quilt. (Start small eh?) Those pillows on your couch are to die for! But I'm sure you've heard that before =)
Yay for PROGRESS!!! I'm making some too, oddly enough!

Marjorie said...

Love the texture of the pebble quilting! Clever solution to subdivide the house blocks.

Anonymous said...

I got busy this weekend too and finished 3 WIPs! The new year is fast coming...and those dates are looming!!

Needled Mom said...

Wow...you did buckle down this weekend. Great job on everything!

Your Burning Embers is stunning!

carol said...

I'd say you found your grove...everything is amazing! As I was reading, I was anxious to get to the next picture. You are too much, girl! What an inspiration you are to others......thank you!!!

ilovebabyquilts said...

Love everything, but especially the fracture quilting. It just made that quilt.

elle said...

Glad you are grooving! The results are looking good. Subdivisions sounds super.
and me, I'm hoping to groove to the beat of the ufo's this afternoon! 8^)

Anna said...

Glad you're back to grooving! I love the houses wall hanging.

Cheryl Arkison said...

Love the subdivisions! I made a small house block as a sample for my class. The students thought it looked more like a lamp so I might have to revise the final plan.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Burning Embers is perfect in that very lovely room! Oh my gosh...how I love your subdivisions idea.

Helby said...

I love the Burning Embers quilt.
Wherever do you find the time?

Allie said...

I LOVE the little houses! They are just perfect finished that size. Great work as usual. :)

Amber said...

The Burning Embers quilt is so perfect! And yes, I love those little squares and the new dots from Mingle - they are SO great.
And that little house quilt is the cutest thing ever - oh my goodness - I love it and love the idea of subdivisions - glad you are back on top of things :-)
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and it isn't too sad without your boys!

Angela Nash said...

ALL of that is just awesome! I love your subdivisions - especially here in Naperville, the land of the cul-de-sac filled subdivisons. Your quiltings remided me of sidewalks joining the homes. Just perfect.

CitricSugar said...

This post was filled with things I find wonderful. Like orange and grey. I feel cozy and inspired.

em's scrapbag said...

So sorry your sons won't be with you for Thanksgiving. My oldest won't be with us either. Bummer they have to grow up and get busy. Love the subdivisions! What a great idea!

Audrie said...

I've needed to find my groove too... sick for a week and a half and everything came to a grinding halt. I finally returned to my studio yesterday (whee!) so I'm a happy girl. I love what you did with houses... goes great with the pillows below.

Andi said...

Such a lot of gorgeous stitching!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love those little houses. I have been pondering a birthday table runner for the family and haven't been able to figure out something for both the male and female members of the family. But a runner of little tiny wonky presents with little wonky bows will be GREAT!. thanks again! for the inspiration. now off to finish my xmas presents before starting something new.
cheers,
sherry

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I'll say you are in a grove, but I never thought you were out!!

Meg said...

Ok, I'm impressed all to death here. All I've managed to do is paint and give myself an ulcer this week! However this Saturday I'm off, and my quilty to-do list is hopefully going to be shortened!

That little house hanging is adorable--I love the idea of doing them in color groupings! What a cool idea for a give-away!

ps--Burning Embers turned out beautifully, and that new mingle looks awesome!!

Dorrie said...

Everything looks wonderful! I've done the same thing with my little houses, grouped them into sets of six~so pretty! I'm sure your boys will miss being home for Thanksgiving~but they'll be there in spirit. I'll be thinking of you~have a good holiday.

henny said...

Thanks for sharing all those gorgeous quilt and colors with us. Really made my morning real good:)

Theresa said...

I love the little houses wall hanging - what a great idea. And the burning embers is awesome in that room.

bonnie said...

your burning embers wall hanging looks great. i also like the tiny village, i will have to try making those tiny houses. pretty impressive your shopping is done and lists made. what is your secret.

Esch House Quilts said...

Glad you found your groove!

I love the color coordinated subdivisions idea. That wall hanging is darling.

Anne D said...

Love Burning Embers.
Love the tiny houses wall hanging.
So glad you found your groove.

Twisted Quilts said...

You are so organized and full of energy. None of our kids are coming home so we are running away. We are taking the dogs and going to stay in our daughter's condo. I really like the tiny houses. How do you come up with such neat ideas for your quilting.

Rebekah said...

the burning embers quilt is gorgeous! It's the perfect name with those colors and that pebble quilting too.

Your subdivision quilt looks great above your couch.

Anina said...

Love it all!
Burning Embers is such a perfect name for that little quilt.

Kelly O. said...

So glad things are looking up for you...
however I can't believe you didn't find that G and you had to make a new one! watch you'll quilt and bind that sucker and then find the G!
Those subdivisions are darling- and yes I DO love that mirrorball fabric!

Amanda Jean said...

the burning embers quilt looks PERFECT in it's spot.
i'm LOVING THAT ORANGE in the bottom photo. can't wait to see the rest.

Suzanne said...

You have so much patience to do the pebble quilting. It made the quilt pop!

Thimbleanna said...

Your burning embers room looks awesome and I LOVE the way you quilted your little subdivision. Those wonky houses are a.d.d.i.c.t.i.n.g! I feel your Thanksgiving pain -- one of my boys will be missing this year. Hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving!

patty a. said...

So glad you are finding your groove! UFO report - two done out of 15. I will be hitting the sewing machine hard over Thanksgiving and will report on Monday what I accomplished.

Unknown said...

wow - the quilting on burning embers is amazing, it really does look like little burning coals. Beautiful.

The house subdivisions are perfect - I think if I won one of those I'd be screaming for weeks with excitement.

Jennifer said...

I love your burning embers quilt -- I'm a Virginia Tech alum and it has our school colors!

MightyMom said...

groove on sister.


and yeah, I didn't like it either, but it's perfect with that comforter/room.

I could sooo use a green subdivision.....but why does the Mr Rogers song start going through my head every time I see those houses????