Thursday, July 12, 2012

Fingers crossed...

 If you have read my blog for awhile, I'm sure you know that I work and work on projects but don't seem to get them finished.  I always seem to jump from project to project because I get sidetracked or loose interest.  I'm not sure why I do this because I use to not do this.  I can remember several years ago when mom worked for the railroad and she came home on Thursday evenings and left out again on Sunday evening.  I would always try to have a new quilt top ready to show her on Thursday night when she came home.  Most weeks I had something new to show her.  Now.....I just can't seem to get things done.  I thought about this last night as I was trying to fall asleep and decided that most of the quilts that I work on now are a little more detailed than the big 12-14 inch blocks before and most of those were simple blocks at that.  


Soooooo.....since I could not sleep last night and got up because Richard was not laying right!  Giggle!  His back was hurting him so he said he needed to lay on his right side and I kept feeling like he was right in my face since I am on his right side and I have to lay on my left side due to nerve damage in my hip.  I know....confusing....anyway.....he was in my face and I had to get up!!  LOL!  So I went to digging around in my UFO's.  I've decided that I would like to work on my red/white star quilt.  


This is a quilt that I started back in October and really didn't get that much of it done.  I have 32 of these units finished and I think that pattern calls for 128 of them.  So my goal for today is to finish up all 128 of them.  I think that is possible, if I try.  
Here is a photo of the pattern in the magazine.  I would like to get this one finished.  As far as I can tell, I should have all of the fabrics needed, if not it will be real close.  So keep your fingers crossed that I can get this one done.
Of course this has to be worked on between machine quilting.  I know it is just a little after 6am but Richard is already out and about so I decided to start machine quilting for the morning.  That did not last but a few minutes.  I wasn't paying attention and hit a button on the quilt.  :(  Now my machine is skipping so I will wait for Richard to come back in later in the morning or afternoon and help me adjust it.  He is so good at doing that for me.  


Oh and here are some of my string blocks that I had been working on.  I still have several more to do but there are 130 of them here.  They are all trimmed and the papers removed from the backs.  
 In my last post I mentioned that I was trying to clean the house up. Do you know how hard it is to clean a house that is not finished and have it looking neat and clean?  It is almost impossible.  Things just don't look put together and neat, but I'm still grateful that we are living in it and we will finish things as we can.  


So here are a few photos of my clean unfinished house, or at least part of it.  :)  My camera batteries were dying so some of them are dark.  This is part of my living room and yes that is Richard's boots beside his chair.  
 Here is the kitchen.  This is the room that I can't wait to finish.  I want cabinet doors, upper cabinets, my island, new appliances, and everything.  I just can't wait to get this room done.  
 This is the other side of the kitchen.  I did move that picture out of the floor.  This is the picture that I took down in the living room to put up the horse picture.  This one will be moved upstairs in the guest room when I get ready to set it up.  
 The main bathroom.  Not much to say about it other than I can't wait to get the cabinet doors on.  :)  
 Last but not least, part of the master bedroom.  
 Giggle, there is a reason that I did not show you Hunter's room.  :)  He was still cleaning on it when I took the photos.  And then there is the upstairs.  My sewing room is a mess as usual, Andrew's room stays pretty clean because he is just in and out so much that it doesn't have time to get dirty.  The guest room and bath #3 are not finished so there is not really anything to show.  


Anyway, all of this cleaning was done because my grandmother came for a short visit.  She had not seen the house since we had before we had moved in.  


I'm off to get some sewing and chores done.  Hunter has a friend coming over today.  His mother is dropping him off somewhere around 8:30am on her way to work...
Kristie

10 comments:

Deb A said...

Love the pictures and I'm sure your Grandmother was impressed with the house. The red/white quilt is going to be lovely. Sometimes the more intricate quilts do take longer to do, but as long as you enjoy the process of putting them together it's all good. Hope Richard is able to fix the machine so you can finish up your customer quilt.
Hugs

Texan said...

The red and white quilt will be great when done. I am not saying a word about starting projects and then moving to another one before that one is done LOL :O)

The last house we lived in we lived in it and remodeled it down to 2x4 in some rooms at the same time. So I know how living and working on a house at the same time goes. But like ya say you guys are in! :O)

Yvette said...

I think your house looks great! Don't worry what granny thinks, you are very blessed and happy.

I am with you. I used to finish things I started. Now I have so many UFO's that I am frustrated. It is so hard to work on one thing at a time, I get too bored.

Janet O. said...

When I started quilting it was one project at a time. I didn't know there was any other way to do it. As I became exposed to more quilting "stuff" (magazines, classes, shows) I started picking up projects here and there and the UFOs started to pile up. I think that is more the norm for quilters than not.
Red/White quilt will be a sparkler--very pretty. Good luck with your goal today. Remember, life happens! : )Having lived in an unfinished home, finishing as we could afford it, for much of my married life, I had to LOL at your comment about trying to make it look clean. Been there, done that--I feel your pain. But you did well. The house is coming along! We just got our third bathroom done (well, almost--still needs some trim work) this year, and we have been in our home 28 years. Does that scare you? But we never had a mortgage payment. If the money was needed for braces, replacing an appliance, or taking a much needed family vacation, it was our choice--not something the bank decided for us. The house could wait. It was so worth it.

Average Quilter said...

I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't the one writing this post. You will get there - the journey is half the fun

bernie said...

The house is coming along nicely. I think when you own a home the work never completely ends. It is amazing how much you accomplish, you do finish quilts, it just takes awhile. This year I have found myself actually trying out patterns and completing the quilt top, but am lagging behind on the quilting. Can't wait to see the red and white quilt top - Bernie

Regina said...

LOL - this could be my blog post, too....

Love that quilt - which magazine is that??? Will have to look for that one!!

Michelle said...

Your house is coming along beautifully! Thanks for sharing the pictures. Good luck with the red & white quilt...can't wait to see your progress. :)

Darling Jill Quilts said...

I have to say first that Regina is finishing things left and right. She doesn't seem to be letting anything sit long enough to even get dust on them! Lol

I feel the same as you. The only thing I am finishing is the scrap squad quilts. Ugh!

needlesandpins said...

The red and white quilt will be great. I am fond of these kind of quilts and I am really impressed by all of your other beautiful works.