L-6

It's off to the funny farm I go!! hehehehehaha!! So I had to set tis one down last night! There is something wrong when you have to change to another pieces after only 4 stitches!! You know the more I thougth about this square the more I thought that it would almost come together nicer if I had appliqued bias stripping into the right pattern... anyone with me on that one!! Again my machine really did not like the little bitty bits! I udes strips and cut them down to size as I went, but the were still only 3/4" strips!! What do you do!! hehe Yes you just lose a little more of you sanity (if you ever had any to begin with)!

So with this one I celebrate teh finishing of my pink squares!! YAY!!
hhmmmmm now what to do... I only need one more brown and I will have all of my brown fabrics! But alas I am going shoping today!! Maybe i could get lucky and find the rest of my blues, too!! But there is also the dilema I have NONE of my reds or oranges!! very few yellows, but over half of my greens and blues!! oh the choices!!
I hope everyone is hitting teh big memorial day sales, or grilling out with your family! (my Honeyman is on a 48 hour stretch)
Happy holiday weekend!
J
Squares: 48
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 929 (wait I just hit over 800 the begingin of last week and now you got it!!)

B-8

So I think I have to choose a few here for the next week with no hand work! Aurthor is killing me (that wretch I get in my hand when I have done to much hand work!) This is one of the reasons I decided to do some quliting instead of crocheting!!my hands were giving me such trouble I was not able to move them in the morning....well I guess four of these littel tiny squares is my limit! And it pains me greatly to admit that I have limits!!
Anyway! This is another sweet little square!!

J
Squares:47
Triangles:0
Kites:0
Pieces:882

F-12

This one went together well thanks again for getting those pesky inset seams out of the way!! I would much rather applique them!

Just a little off with my points there! But I think I was having an off day!! Yes that was it an off day!! I'm stickin to that!! hehe
J
squares:46
Triangles:0
Kites:0
Pieces: 866

H-2

I think after these next four my insanity is very well covered!! hehe!! Got three finished uesterday and then finished up the last one this morning!! Looking forward to getting material today! yay memorial day sales! Truth be told most of my purchase will be new fabric to recover my outdoor chairs!! Poor things are hanging together by strings!! Me to the rescue!!

Will someone tell me why this blog insists on sitting my pics on their sides... oh well!!
J
Squares: 45
Triangles:0
Kites:0
Pieces:850

G-1

All I can say is LOVEIN it!!

Sweet, basic, and simple! Sometimes those are the best!
J
Squares: 44
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 826

G-13

OK can I just say How sweet are these next two!! I love the delicate pattern of the pink and think that they fit in beautifully! and for me that was such a relief after how upset I was over the last material!

First day of summer vacation and no extra kids! Vegin for all!!
J
Squares: 43
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 818

Sad but true

So today is kind of one of those days. It is my oldest daughters 16th birthday.

She loves to take pics!

She and I had a falling out and we do not speak. We live in the same house and live very seperate lives. It is one of those days that just wants to rip my heart out. I was very close to my Mother and never did (until now) understand how a Mother and a Daughter could not speak to each other. My Husband is very understanding and he takes on the responsibility of her.
Now my friends find it very hard to imagine me not speaking to my own daugther. I like to play the hard role, but I am the one who tries to keep my friends in good spirits. Whenever someone is in a difficult way they call up Mama Jo and I always have advice for them! Or I have an ear to bend, or I have a shoulder to cry on. They all say that this is very out of character for me.
Truth be told it was her decision. She was in the hospital a while back and said that she did not want me there. I am not one to intrude where I am not wanted. So I walked home. 5 1/2 miles in the middle of the winter. We have never been that close and she and her Father are very much alike.
I cry over this, but know that right now there is nothing I can do to fix the situation. So I have done as she has. I opted out.

Kaelynn in her Prom dress

So, today to the quite of this blog I say happy birthday to my beautiful, intelligent, strong, and vibrant daughter.
All my love,
Mama

F-2

A littel off with the points, but not to bad! Maybe it is the whole colour thing that is still making me angry!

I did have fun with this square and it went together easier than I thought it was going to! So I have to call it a win!
J
Squares:42
Triangles:0
Kites:0
Pieces:805 (WOW I am up over 800!! That is just nuts!!)

H-12

So, on these next two blocks i think I kind of blew it! I have been very careful when I pick out my colours! This one I picked out as a pink and the more I was working on it the more I found it to be either a blue or even an orange!!! It does have big pink flowers and I guess I was going to chop into it to grab out the pibkj, but the more I get working on this the harder I find it to chop the bejeebers out of a good piece of material!! A quilter I guess I am not and my mother's daughter I am!! I like the square, just do not think it matches the colour I was going for!! Oh, and i was going to make the eight 'tear drops' and then went for the hearts instead! hells bells!! LOL

Another easy applique!
J
Squares:41
Triangles:0
Kites:0
Pieces: 777

D-10

Glad I did an easy one to prepare for this one!! My machine does NOT like little pieces! I had to pull the little corner guys apart a few times because it kept getting eaten by my machine! well, it is what it is!!

Not sure how I will fix the corner, but I know when it comes to pulling everything together there might be an addidtion of a few pieces!!
J
Squares:40
Triangles:0
Kites:0
Pieces:772

J-4

An easy one! whooped together while listening to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat!!

Nice!!
J
Squares:39
Triangles:0
kites:0
Peices:730

E-11

Another one that was made SOOOOO simple by 'That Quilt'!! I do wonder in the end how many pieces this cuts down by doing a square this way. and I do think in the end it uses a lot more material!! But I have to say for someone like me the simpler the better!! I can tell you this took two and a half episodes of Law and Order (that includes cutting, tracing, ironing and sewing) and I can assure you it would have been double that time if I had to sew on eight melons!!

I decided since my oops on the other one with the 'bamboo' I did intentionally make the inside go one way and the outside go the other direction!! I know it is a minor thing, but to me it is those things that put your personality into something like this! And after all I am VERY off center and a LOT querky!! hehe
Now if only I can work on not stitching so very tightly!! I am heavy handed in everything I do!! I crochet VERy tightly!! I decided I cannot knit because my tention was so tight that i was having a difficult time picking it up! And when playing my instrument the instructor who put together the wedding asked if I was mad at my Flute!! LOL I am working on lightening up!! But I do not forsee this happening any time soon!! Even as I type the poor keyboard is asking why I am so angry with it!!
Maybe two more today while my Honeyman is on shift!!
J
Squares: 38
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 723

I-3

so I have made it through yet another season of Law and order!! hehe I have to say after my difficulty with the last square that had a 'jail' in it (C-4 tic-tac-toe) I was very happy when this one came together much bettter!!

I did choose to add the outer border that is shown in the origianal block, but not whritten into the pattern!! I did however error in my cutting... So I cut strips for the outer border and when I went to put them together realized that the way I cut them one edge of teh 'bamboo' waws not going to go with the others!! I decided it was a nice juxtaposition!! (and when you see the next one... I played with the lines there so this one would look a little more intentional!!)
I do have to say I was just as proud that the back of this one was just a pretty as the front!!

My Mother would be so proud!! LOL

OK one more and then I am off to start on more!!
J
Squares: 37
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 720

K-5

I tell you this one should have been much easier than I made it out to be!!! Those silly diamonds just agave me the most trouble!! I could not for the life of me get the darn things to go together right!! Tore them apart A LOT!! I can't even remember how many times!! Probably after the fourth time I tore one apart I should have quit, but at that point i was so mad that i was not about to let it get the best of me!! LOL

But when it is all said and done...finished is better than perfect!! LOL
J
Squares: 36
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 699
So when all is said and done I have TWO rows (not consecutively...but) completed!!

C-9

So this is another that I 'cheated'!! hehe Instead of cutting four triangles... I cut my square folded it in half (cross wise) sewed in a 1/4 inch and snipped my ends apart!! then repeated!! It just seemed so silly to me to cut triangles and hope I could line them up and well you know!! I am just silly that way!!

So I guess today all of my pics are meant to be turned on their sides!! I'm glad I am not putting pics of people on!! LOL
J
Squares: 35
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 687

I-11

This was kind of nice I sat outside and stitched the diamonds in!! I do hope we get more nice days when I can sit outside with the kids and take my hand work out there!!

Cool, cool!!
J
Squares: 34
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 679

E-3

OK!! So the wedding is done!! Thank the lord!! Now I have to be truthful and say I have been sneaking a square in here and there!! I just had to take a break from that VERY brutal music!! Don't get me wrong I LOVE playing, but it was just such a stress reliever to put down the music and do something else! Pluss I cannot play while the kids are sleeping!! So I have a few to update!! Plus I sat in front of the TV last night (till midnight) and whooped out TWO squares!! My Husband fell asleep on the couch, it was thundering and lightening and POURING down rain!! I loved the 'quite'!!
Anyway, this square was a sinch to put together, however for some reason my finished product ended up smaller than it should be!! I forsee some unexpected edges in my future!! LOL

I did not want to redo this one, because other than it being a little smaller than it should be (ended up right at 4 1/2 inches) My pinwheel lined up, my corners are fairly close to where they need to be!! So a white boarder it shall be!! hehe
J
Squares: 33
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 667

Lillian into Middle School!!

This month has just been NUTZ!! The kids are going on field trips and wrapping up the school year. Lil's IEP is done, she has been preparing for the transition into Middle School ( I think she is much more prepared than I)!!

My Lillian getting ready for her leg of the QC marathon with an Iron Man pushing her!! She was SO proud!!

I walked the halls with one of her 'handlers' and just cannot imagine her making it from one class to the... oh look shiny object, hey I know you, how you doin!! My Lovely Lillian is so distractable!! I do think they need to send out a news bulletin to the entire staff and let them know that if stoped in the hall by my 'chatty cathy' to encourage her to move along!! She is so friendly she will stop and talk to EVERYONE she knows! And let me just say the teachers at the Elementary tell me she knows all of them and their names even the two janitors! LOL We did agree on early dismissal from each class to allow her a little more ease of movement in empty halls, and those stairs... can I just tell you my heart drops every time I think of all those stairs!! It is a three story building!! And my Lil does not do the best on a flat surface... they did say there is an elevator, but bless my Lil's heart, the other kids don't use it and she does not want to either!! I will get through this, I will get through this, I will, I will, I will!!
Thank you for letting me get this out!!
J

Happy Mothers Day and my two week Insanity Defense

I know I will miss these young days! I got a marigold  from my 9 year old son, a beatiful paper basket with home made flowers from my 10 year old daughter (she has special needs and sometimes her gifts are the sweetest) and my husband got me bracelets and earrings I have been asking for for a year now. He had to work on Sunday so I got my gifts on Saturday.
My oldest Daughter and I do not speak. Yes we live in the same house but we speak not a word. It really breaks my heart that I get not even a Happy Mothers Day from her.
I did get to get out of the house on Sunday. My Sister and Dad came over to watch my children. I had to go out of town for a rehersal! Playing in a Flute quartet at a wedding in 2 weeks and this was our first rehersal!! AHHHHH I like to be a little more prepared than that!! I drive almost an hour to where our rehersal is! But I love the time to reflect and just be! I have to say that for the mext two weeks this music is going to be my 'insanity defense' !!! He really hit me with some hum dingers this time!! The bride wants all upbeat and 'happy
 music!! One of the requests was Mozarts Eine Kleine Nachtmusik!! And Jay (the band director) decided we are gonna try to do ALL of the movements!!

Now I do have to be fair and say some of it we have played before! But WOW!! Nine pages for one song is just!! OK I guess the last wedding it was Pachelbel's Cannon in D!! And if you don't think you know that one you do!! Even my non-classical Honeyman knew that one!! LOL But is ia a bear to play in a flute quartet!! I do play with some VERY amazing musicians and am just flattered they would let me particapate!!!
Well, i'm off for now for my morning run through and figure out what I can write down as good enough and what I have to sleep with under my pillow so I can learn it!! LOL
Have a great day!!
J

D-4

My other one I worked on with the melons...

Came together beautifully!
J
Squares: 32
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 647

J-10

If I never see another melon again!! LOL So these next two blocks I did something I don't normaly do! Both fo these squares had machine piecing and melons to be sewn on. So I did all of the machine on both and then set forth working on the melons!! WOW!! I am meloned out! I am pretty sure that is not a word! But it is now!! Loved to look that this one ended up with!

I was affraid of distortion, but I think it can together quite nicely!!
Oh, and I did another thing I loathe...the material this came from is a patchwork looking with green and white and pink and the more I look at it the more I think the darker colour is really red and not pink! Not really sure though, anyway I MUTILATED that material to get to where I wanted!! Maybe I can revisit it when it comes to my green!! (truth be told I have a LOT of greens already selected) We will see!!
J
Squares: 31
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 630

K-9

a sweet little 9 patch! I think I even got the little guys close to the right size with very little distortion! yay me!!

WooHoo!! Whiping through them this week!
J
Squares:30
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 609

C-5

I See looking forward there are a few squares with this same tequnique! I love that ti has been simplified so even I can work it over! Again the more I work it the more I love applique!
This material is one of my bargain buys! It is a Valentine material that I got at 70% off the week after! I love that I was able to pull out litte spots of it and it is barely recognizable!!

Love it!!
J
Squares: 29
Trianlges: 0
Kites:0
Pieces: 588

B-6

Thank the lord it is over! That is all I can say! I knew I was going to be in trouble when 'This Quilt" was asking for advice!! All I can say is kudos to all who attempt this and an even higher mark to those who can keep those little boogers even and a 1/4 of an inch! You know what I'm talking about!! LOL I do love a challenge! Even if it defeats me! At least I try!!

43 tiny pieces! No wonder I am crazy!! LOL

Some days this site is nutz! I did not take this pic sideways and it is not that way in my computer, but for some reason when I put it on here it decides to sit on its side! I guess it's a good thing top bottom left right...very litttle difference!!
J
Squares:28
Triangles: 0
Kites:
Pieces: 571

L-8

Well, I decided vegitation was a great state fro last night! So squares did not get made! So I made up for it today!! It is chilly outside and I know we are looking forward to a high of 65 for the weekend! So I probably will be outside! YAY
This was a pretty easy straight forward piece!

but wait there's more,
J
Squares: 27
Triangles:0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 528

A-7

I really love this material! I know I keep saying that and I also know if I did not like it I guess I would never have bought them! LOL
Lot of hand work in this but a very easy square! thank goodness for Netflix! My best friend as I am stitching away! I am kind of a slow worker (I often set down and am here and there as I work) I love watching Law and Order as I stitch away! It is one of those shows I can watch and listen, but not really have to pay that much attention to!

Maybe if I work hard I can get through one more tonight! Honeyman is on shift! A late night of sitting here by myself!
J
Squares: 26
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 513

M-7

OK I have (kind of) moved on to pink!!! Well there's the story...my purple are done, save for one!! I have done, redone, sworn, and trown in the trash more of B-9, or as I call it 'stinker toy'!! (It is Tinker Toy in the book)
This has made me decide that I am REALLY not ready to do that square! My Honeyman says that I am not really done with the purple and should finish it!! Well when he has the patience to sit down and figure it out more power to him!! LOL He is a man of very little patience!!
So this all being said!! I have once again amazed myself and decided that I truely love my applique work! I sometimes think the blocks that I applique look better than the ones that I have tried to machine piece!! *(maybe I should be doing the whole thing by hand LOL)
Again to That Quilt (If I knew how to link on the shout out I would, but I don't so I won't) She made this piece SOOOOOO much simpler than it looked!!

Here's to the start of the pinks!!!
J
Squares: 25
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 505

F-1

I was so please with my pinwheel ( I am not always the best at matching that many little points and this one came together on the first try!!) And my 2nd round was awsome, too...and then those darn corner triangles just ould not line up! They kept coming out wobbly! I know it will work itself out inh quilting, but it was just a downer after the amazing high of what I thought was going to be the worst part of the square! I have to say, because I am not sure I have mentioned it before, I don't know how I would do this without the tutorials from That Quilt! Her blow by blows are amazing!!!
Anyway!! Here she is...

Big Top!! I do kind of love it!!

I would NEVER have figured out how to make this piece that much eisier without That quilt! Again A HUGE thanks!!
But wait do I see pink in my future...
J
Squares: 24
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 495

H-13

Ok so this one was my audible!!

This was going to be my material...

I decided I am going to hold off and use it either for a pink or a yellow! It is not that it would not work for my purple...but when Kim sent me the AMAZING material there was a beautiful deep purple in there that I just could not pass up!! It is much more appealing in person as is has almost a dyed effect I guess is a good discription!!
Any way this was a straight forward! Again while watching wedding stuff...

I know I really should press and size before I take the pic, but I am just so darn happy...

Love the result of this material!!! So happy I made the change and now have to figure out if the yellow flowers stick out more or the pink!! (I think I am leaning a little more to the pink!)
But wait there's more,
J
Squares: 23
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Pieces: 471