Working on changing the family room to a studio - update 1

This weekend I was really into working on the family room. I put together a table that I bought two years ago for the studio and started using it. (The table actually is meant for a patio, but it works very well as a place to sort things as I clean up the family room.)

I moved all the Christmas wrapping stuff into the storage area in the basement. I found an old vaporizer for cold vapor and took it upstairs (we are in a bi-level) to clean and set up as the static electricity is getting bad. I found a box of old papers and sorted it. I have about 1/2" of papers to file and the rest is going into the recycle bin for next week's garbage pick up. I put some gardening things together in one box instead of two. When the snow gets a little easier to walk through I will move the box to the shed. On second thought I think I will move all the gardening things into the garage. I think we will have to do some major remodeling of the shed this spring and I don't need to move things more than twice!

This may not sound like a lot, but my family room is 65F degrees and that is cold compared to the 69 to 71 upstairs. Once I get a space cleared out for the heater it will be better, but I want it in the open for safety. I also want to move the couch from where DH thought it was best (with the back to the fireplace) and start a fire. That will also help heat the family room.

There still isn't enough room for the quilting frame. I cannot make up my mind whether to set it up for a king size quilt or set it up for a queen size quilt. There is a difference in the length of the rails and ultimately the width of the frame. This is a decision I have to make before I order it and also it depends on where I set it up in the studio. Decisions!

Have a great day

Working on changing the family room to a studio

DH moved several things out of the family room and I organized things that were stashed on the love seat.

All of the Christmas Wrap has been organized and is ready to be placed in the closet for next year. My Design Sewing Center that I received as a Christmas present was excellent for wrapping gifts. I could sit down and wrap without hurting my back.

Last night was a knitting night and I didn't get much done in the family room. But I will keep working on it until it becomes a studio!

Have not forgetten posting

Sorry about the length between posts. I have been doing a lot of knitting since mid December and the quilting fell by the way side.

You will never guess what I am getting. I am getting my quilting frame. I will buy one that can be used with a home sewing machine and if I ever get the money I will buy a mid or short arm machine.

This weekend DH and I will be making a space for the frame. Until that space is available I will not allow myself to order the frame. The money is tucked into a savings account specifically for the purchase.

Have a great weekend, Karen

2010 Block of the Month: Civil War Tribute

The first package of my 2010 block of the month club arrived today. I have a delema. Do I keep to my one project at a time plan? Or is the bom like homework from a class. I have to make a decision.

I so would like to start the bom and continue it through the year. Maybe it is like a class.

Have a great day.

New Years Resolution (rather goal)

Recently on a quilter's blog I found a process that I would like to start in my quilting. One project at a time. What a concept!

I will take one UFO from my list and complete it. I will start nothing new until I have at least one accomplishment. The only exception to this will be when I take a class. These class projects will go into the UFO list, but only homework for the next session will be done.

This is a major challenge as you can see by the list of UFO's and USO's that I have. My goal is to get these two lists to a managable size and ultimately only be working on one project at a time.

Since I knit, sew clothes and quilt that will be three projects working on concurrently. I think this is a nice way to simplify my life.

MIL wall hanging

Today is my last day at work before Christmas. Tonight I intend to sit down at my sewing machine and finish the wall hanging. Most of the pieces are cut out and all I have to do is place each piece and then tack down before machine applique with a blanket stitch. I am looking forward to doing this tonight.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Saturday morning Breakfast Club

The third Saturday of each month is Breakfast Club at my local quilt shop. In November we started a pattern called Fiesta Eggs. This is supposed to be a simple pattern that a beginner can use.

Well we learned different about 1/2 hour before we were scheduled to be wrapping up. Therefore, we scheduled a December third Saturday to complete the project.

In December we all thought things were going well and basically they were, but we made slow progress. Since there are only four regulars we decided to continue with the project in January.

I do have my homework cut out for me. Since my project is in red and green I decided to make the corner stones of the shashing into an eight pointed star in gold and the shashing in blue. I need to get all my shashing done before the January Breakfast Club meeting