A Little Sidetracked and a Sneak Peek

So I got a little sidetracked from my goals...

Sew many of the blogs I've been visiting are showing off their fall/Halloween quilts.  I saw this cute little quilt on Stash Manicure posted by Polly of Aunt Polly's Porch.  I just loved it and couldn't seem to get him out of my mind.  So I just had to do it!  I cleared away the wedding quilt and the Frosty Flakes (the commission bags are waiting hardware) and started cutting away.  Here he is!  Hanging around outside.

but it was chilly outside so on the table seemed more comfortable.

It's not bad to have a diversion now and then...

As for my daughter's wedding quilt, I have finished 1/2 of the blocks!  

Now normally I'd wait to finish all the blocks before sewing the rows together to finish the top. 

Do you do that or do you put together the rows as you finish? Hmmm! Just wondering. 

But I just needed to see how the knots were going to come together.  

As I promised, I was given permission from my daughter to just give a peek.  

[She reads my blog and she wants it to be a surprise although she knows the colors and pattern.]

That's what I've been up to...what about you?

Coming Soon! Fall O Ween Blog Hop!

Come join the fun!  

Hop on over to Gudrun's blog as she is hosting this Fall O Ween Blog Hop!  It sounds like fun with free projects, giveaways, and topics of interest!  She has 10 designers lined up for this amazing opportunity!  

Go now and check it out!

Are you ready to hop?

The results are in....FNSI

Last night was the Friday Night Sew-In!  It was a busy week for me so I didn't have time to remind you.  Did you remember to join us?  Hope so!  

This is now my FNSI went....

Right after school, a friend and I headed off to the fabric store to pick out some fabric and supplies for wristlets that she has commissioned me to make for her bridesmaids and a few other special ladies in her wedding.  

After playing with color combinations and fabric choices, she made her selection.  

We then headed to the zippers to match the fabrics. Next was thread and then interfacing.  

We headed to the cutting table to finish up.  We were on our way!

  

I was anxious to get started [especially knowing it was FNSI]!

After a quick bite to eat I was ready to settle in for a night of sewing!

Press fabrics.  Cut out patterns.  Sew, Sew Sew!

And the results...

Aren't they cute!

I will be making a total of 12 wristlets.  The 2 green ones are one of a kind. There will be 10 of the yellow and purple wristlets. The rest are all cut out and prepped for sewing...

Here are 2 more Frosty Flakes that I finished but haven't had time to show you all.  

Block 5

Block 6

Only 3 more to go!

Hope you had a great FNSI!  I did!

Charming Girl's Club Aspirations for Sept and Oct

Somehow with all the time away from home recently, I missed the announcement of the Charming Girl's Club new theme and setting of new goals.  Not sure how that happened as I tried to keep up as best I could.  So here is the Charming Theme:

We are to share how we quilt our quilts, tips and tricks we use, books to recommend, and pictures to show.   I can't wait to hear what my charming friends have to say.  I'll just have to think on this one a bit more.  

My July/August goals were just about completed.  Our vacation/family times were wonderful!  I finished all my quilting goals with the exception of Happy Camper 2 quilt.  This was intentionally put on the 'back burner' due to the 3 wedding and a new baby announcements we received over the summer.  My stitchery quilt layout was designed but I will not be putting it together yet [for the same reasons].  

My reading goals were surpassed as mentioned here.  I also finished reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, read 3 books in the Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber and I'm currently reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  That's 9 books finished and one on the way!

My aspirations for Sept/Aug are:

Reading: continue reading although the pace will slow as I'm back in school.

Exercise: I joined a local health club and my goal is to get there 4-5 times a week.  I actually joined with my D1 so she could push me there, literally.  But she got a job teaching [yay!] and needed to move closer to school.  I am on my own to get there unless she is visiting.  She is still encouraging me as she has given me pep talks on the phone!

Quilting: ~ I have joined a Free Motion QAL.  I hope to practice my free motion quilting so I can feel more confident in my quilting.  

~ I have begun the piecing for my D2's wedding quilt.  I need to continue piecing the blocks.

~ Plan and prepare wedding quilts for close friend's daughter's wedding and nephew's wedding.

~ Plan and prepare baby quilt for another nephew's first baby.

~ Continue Frosty Flakes BOM and making hexies from my scraps box when I am away from my machine.

Family and Friends: ~ assist D2 in wedding plans as needed.

~ learn to Skype to make communication easier with daughters.

~ clean and organize newly spare bedrooms

~ time with hubby and friends: local HS football games, camping one last time over Columbus Day

I really like setting goals and working to get those check marks ~ DONE! Seems to be a great motivator for me...let's hope it continues as the weather cools off and fall begins.  [hint: I am a warm weather gal!] 

Another great motivator is Friday Night Sew-In!  The September FNSI is on September 17th.  If you would like to join us, hop over to Heidi's blog and sign right up!  It is a lot of fun!

I'm off to read some Charming Friends goals and quilting ideas then off to the gym!

Catching Up to Do!

After the Christmas in July Sewing Party on the last Saturday in August, we packed up and took our D3 back to school.  I took along 2 more Frosty Flakes hexies to work on while on the road.

Block 3

Block 4

I love the way they are turning out! I think I'm addicted.  

Hubby & I were home for a day when we headed out the door once again.  I need to make sure I had plenty to do so I grabbed my box of 2" squares [that I have been cutting from my overflowing scrap bin], some hexi templates that I purchased awhile back (I just couldn't resist anymore), some thread and my new needlecase and off we went.  I jumped on the hexi bandwagon and started sewing hexies!  I got quite a few done so far!  

Here are a couple of other projects I have finished...and sent off to Gran at Knot-Y Embroidery Lady.

I also been practicing free motion quilting with Christina at A Few Scraps.  Here is my practice pad.

Finally, I have begun my D2 and future SIL's wedding quilt.  I am using Eden by Lila Tueller for Moda. I do have permission to show a glimpse but that is all.  The reveal will have to be after the wedding next year!  I'll be back with a peek.