Monday, June 14, 2010

For a little guy

Pin It I got a commission project, and it showed up on my doorstep today (thank you fabric.com)

I think I'm going to use Julie's Circle Around design... at least for one side.  I'm going to leave the other side a surprise.

It will be twin-size, and I have more fabric than I need, but I (and the mama ordering) wanted scrappy and reversible, (and Hawaiian of course).  (But you know... on second figuring, I don't think I'm going to have too much extra!)

So here I am showing it off to the little recipient's mama (and the rest of you). :)

Not my typical fabric choices (what, Tracey...surfin' monkeys aren't your thing?)... but I think it's going to be so cute!

Now to get to work!





Friday, June 11, 2010

Doll Quilt swap 9 - Dear Partner

Pin It Here's my Inspiration mosaic!

DQS9 Inspiration

1. Doll Quilt Swap 8, 2. the back - full shot, 3. Lila's Quilt - Front, 4. scrappy crazy quilt, 5. dqs8 received, 6. Little Bouquet Quilt Along, 7. My Doll Quilt from katiejeanbags, 8. Circular logic ~ PTS3, 9. quilt dreams for spiced coffee, 10. option 3 raw edge DQS8, 11. Scrap block for Dorrie, 12. If it's a boy quilt - front, 13. Bridie's Zig Zag Quilt, 14. ruffle quilt, 15. tick tock, 16. Marion's Puppy, 17. Summer Bling quilt, 18. picking up the pieces 1, 19. Half Square Triangle Quilt, 20. Double Wedding Ring Quilt, 21. French General Pumpkin Seed, 22. dqs8 ALSO made by Nanci, received!, 23. Finished Cushion, 24. in a world full of quilts, 25. finished and all quilted

As you can see, I like circles, and circular things.  And I also love HSTs in a diamond design.

I think I will put your quilt in my sewing room area, so fun and colorful and handmade would be wonderful!

I love value quilts, and linen mixed with solids or pretty prints.

I'm not usually wild about zig-zags or what I think of as harsh geometry, but if it has the cool value/tonal changes like the one in the middle, then I love it!

I think of myself as sort of a happy blend between modern and traditional.  So have fun!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

WIP Wednesday - massive reorganizing...

Pin It ...is in progress!

I mentioned here (#26) that S and I went to Ikea on Saturday...

Here's some of what I'm up to.

Jay needed a dresser.  I planned on building it for him.  That is quite difficult with an almost 14 month old around (though I did build the new toy shelf organizer that I can't show you because it's in his room and he's asleep).  So Jay built it last night, and I will fill it with his clothes.  My husband's a pretty big guy, so we got the biggest dresser we could (I should have stood next to it...it's almost as tall as I am)  :)

I'm also going to be decorating (sadly, for the first time) our bedroom.  I went to the hardware store and got some pieces of plywood to cover and hang as a faux headboard.  Anyone have any good tips on how to do that?

In the living room:

This lovely pile of French General...



...will be added to this wall (sorry for the terrible picture, it was dark).

And my favorite of the changes!  To the office sewing room!

Those are most of my WIPs that are in the piecing/cutting phase on that shelf.  (I know...way too many)  But look at my rulers hanging there!  (the ones that are hanging).

And from another angle...'cause it makes me so happy. :)


I put this little bar up myself (Jay did the rest).

I've still got totes to sort, and my dresdie color wheel to add, but it's coming together nicely.  I've got plans for a design wall above the sewing machine.  
Organizing and decorating is not my gift, but this feels good. 

Another thing that feels good is friends!  I mentioned here (# 97) that a friend (and her 2 boys) moved back to the area.  She stopped by to use the computer the other day.  The boys had cookies. :)


S has been up for a while now.  He needs me.  Until later...

Monday, June 7, 2010

101 things about me.

Pin It I just had my 100th post (that's 1) and one of my online friends teased me about not doing a "100 things about me."  It honestly didn't even occur to me!  So, Fuschia, I'm making it up to you now!  Enjoy reading, and let the list begin!  (I claim no semblance of order to these)

2 - I lost 1 1/2 pounds last week on my carb-restriction!  (I'm a really slow weight-loser...but I'll take it!)

3 - Had I been born during the era where this kind of art was popular; I totally would have been considered hot.

art met women

4 - I hope no one is offended by my art picture.

5 - I am 31 years old.

6 - My husband is a farmer who works with my Dad.  They farm rice; they work hard... too hard usually.  (pictured in order: husband, Dad, sister-in-law's dad, Grandpa)


7 - I whine when the hubs is working too much... I like him for more than 1 day off every 5-ish weeks.

8 - I appreciate him ridiculously so.  (Thank you honey for allowing me to quit my pay-check job so I can be with our little S-man).

9 - I used to be a High School English teacher.  I love words. 

10 - College was the second greatest time in my life (second to being a wife and mama).

11 - I traveled to Mombasa, Kenya and Tibetan China while I was in college.

12 - I lived and worked in Taipei, Taiwan when I was 22 to 23.  

13 - I learned how to get around in Basic Mandarin while I was there.  My students told me I sounded like a Kindergartener; I thought that was a compliment. :)  My accent has become pretty terrible now, but I still remember a lot.

14 - During our Spring Break (I was a teacher), I traveled to mainland China with some good friends.  I saw this in real life.

15 - I've been to China twice, and haven't seen the Great Wall.

16 - I've been to Kenya, and didn't go on a safari.  

17 - My parents got married when they were 18 and 19 (we kind of have something in common, huh Michelle?)... and started dating in Junior High.  They're still married today, and still actually really like each other.



18 - When I was in high school, I got to go on this really cool conference where I met a lot of famous actors, scientists, athletes, musicians, etc.  I ate lunch with James Earl Jones.  He poured my drink and pulled out my chair.  I got irritated when the other students talked because I just wanted to listen to him for hours and hours.

james earl jones

19 - My son is currently squealing from his room, calling me.  I'll have to come back to you. :)

20 - I have a horrible sense of direction.  My husband got me a GPS for Christmas.  When I lived in Taiwan, it was honestly easier for me to learn Chinese so I could ask for help than to learn my way around.

21 - If I were to give new moms a piece of advice, it would be to invest in a good baby-sling/carrier.  
I used an Ergo, and a beco.  Love them both...though they are a bit pricey. 

Here is a teeny-tiny Steiger in his.
2009 05 20 005

And here is a bigger Steiger.



22 - If I were to give new laboring moms a piece of advice, it would be to hire a doula, or a really hands-on midwife.  

23 - I miss this face.
177

24 - I have mixed feelings about weaning.  We're all weaned as of a week ago, but I don't have much snuggle time with the boy these days. :(  (Anyone know how long it takes for the milk to disappear?)

25 - I love though being able to hand him a snack cup and listen to him parade around the house chatting away while nibbling on cereal.

26 - On Saturday, my mom took S and I to Ikea.  He only slept 20 minutes of the 1 1/2 hour drive.  He was tired, but still was a trooper while I bought a coffee table, new dresser for Daddy, shelf for his room, organizing shelves for the office sewing room, and a few other items.  He was on the flat-bed in the check out line and fell off while I grabbed my wallet.  Horrible feeling (but he was fine and got a frozen yogurt out of the ordeal).

27 - I met my husband at work.  We worked at a radiology company.  This was after I had returned from Taiwan and before I had my teaching credential.  

28 - At one point, one of my coworkers asked me if I would ever date Jay... I adamantly refused.

29 - I don't know what I was thinking.
I love him

30 - It's OK though, because he never thought he'd like/date me either.

31 - I'm only 5' tall. 

32 - I always wanted to marry a tall guy.  It didn't take much with me; my husband is 6' though.

33 - I loved everything about my wedding.

first dance

34 - My anniversary is 11.11.

35 - I don't know what my favorite dessert is -- I love so many of them... coffee ice cream, strawberry shortcake, and creme bruleé.  

36 - I have an older and a younger brother.  Each year since my older brother and his family moved 2 states away, we go on vacation in the summer.  Here we are last year... Little S was 3 months old (and sleeping), and little Molly (you've seen her quilt) was about a week old.



37 - I still have the same legs as when I was 2.

Tyler and I  

38 - My favorite color is red.

39 - I eat meat, but feel like I should be a vegetarian...or at least not eat mammals (they nurse their young for goodness' sake!).  But many birds mate for life... so I feel like I should give them up too.  I think that it would be very difficult on my husband if I did.

40 - According to the Myer's-Briggs personality type indicator, I'm an INFP.  (though my E and I are very close).  If you're curious for yourself...  

41 - I really like personality tests.  But not the silly ones like on myspace... unless I'm exceptionally bored.  Really, I don't need to know which Disney Princess (Ariel) or type of footwear (cute ballet flats) I am. 

42 - I also really like semi-colons.  They're quite handy if you know how to use them; however, most people don't.  I over-use them probably; I don't mind though.

43 - I graduated high school 13 years ago.  That seems like a long time.

44 - Some of my students (before I quit my job), I had baby-sat...that was kind of weird.

45 - I don't look my age though, so it's OK.  People often came in to my class and asked where the teacher was.  

46 - I don't believe in assigning homework; it should only be what the student didn't finish in class (so long as they were given adequate time).

47 - My next MBS project uses Fruitcake.  I should be working on it now rather than typing this.



48 - I just got hired for my first commission quilt.  It's a twin-size for a little boy. I think I'm going to use Julie's  Circle Around design.  The fabrics are a surfer theme.




49 - I'm also making a baby quilt with this design; the baby was born a month ago, and it's not finished yet.  

50 - My husband is a pretty bad speller; he even misspelled his marriage proposal.  It made me want to say yes even more.  (I have a picture, but it's not on this computer... I hope he doesn't mind me telling you!)

51 - This is my wedding ring.  I love it.  Jay's wedding ring is a size 14 1/2!!  We call it the "One Ring."

IMG_7189

52 - Here's another picture of it.  Jay thinks this picture is goofy, but I like it (as do most women).  S was 6 weeks old here)
IMG_4888

53 - I haven't made a quilt for myself yet (not a real size one).

54 - I had no idea when I started this it would be so difficult.

55 - I like to cook.

56 - One of my favorite recipes is Orange Chicken.
- chicken thighs
- 2 envelopes Lipton Onion soup mix
- 1 can frozen pine orange concentrate

Sprinkle chicken with garlic salt; pour soup mix/concentrate over chicken and bake it for an hour-ish

57 - I really like to eat vegetables.  Kale is one of my favorites.


(image courtesy of the lovely Kate Spain)

58 - Folding and putting away laundry is my least favorite chore.

59 - Dishes are probably my favorite chore...if there is such a thing.

60 - I signed up for the Doll Quilt Swap, and I'm looking forward to it.

61 - This is my oldest WIP/UFO.  I started this when I thought I was carrying a she in my tummy, and before I had discovered designer fabrics.  It's about 1/2 way done.

DSC_0843

62 - I'm seriously contemplating changing the title of this post to "62 things about me."

63 - But I don't normally quit at anything.  Like the above WIP -- I'll get to it one day.

64 - I do quit at running.  I really hate running.  I justify not doing it by saying that it's hard on your joints.

65 - I probably only lost 1 1/2 pounds last week because I don't run.

66 - I try to take stuff to work on when I go outside with the boy.  Here's what my kit looks like.



67 - I sometimes think I'd like to be a photographer.  I really like this picture of Steiger I snapped a few months ago.

2009 10 06 Steiger 005 edit 2

68 - I absolutely don't consider myself an artist; however...

69 - When I was little, I used to sit for hours and make stuff.  I think I've reconnected to this part of me now.

70 - I probably wouldn't make as much if I had people who lived nearby; I love to be with friends.

71 - I really miss the church in the town I used to live.

72 - I need to go "church shopping," but I hate it.  And it screws up the little man's nap-time.

73 - I'd love to go on a Mediterranean cruise one day.  It's my dream vacation.

74 - I've never been on a cruise.

75 - I only have 2 of last year's Designer Mystery BOM done



76 - I plan to do better with this year's




77 - Remember how I told you I hadn't made a quilt for myself yet -- I have a hard time getting blocks for myself done too.  They always get put off.

78 - My husband would like me to make some pillows for our couch.  (We currently have none).

79 - I posted on facebook today that I'll be starting a major redecorating/organizing project.  One of my friends offered to come help.

80 - I am the kind of person who will take her up on that offer.

81 - I think we're going to name our next boy (if we have one), Case.

82 - I'm not pregnant yet; you'll know when that time comes.

83 - One of the biggest conflicts in my marriage was over whether or not to peek between the legs during the ultrasound.  

84 - We looked.

85 - I am determined to give Jay his way for the next one, but I know I'll want to find out...we'll probably have to skip the ultrasounds all together.

86 - I suppose I will cope by making 2 baby quilts.

87 - I hope we don't have twins.

88 - My dad is a fraternal twin.

89 - My favorite quilt is the next one I'm making.  I love dreaming them up... too much I think.

90 - I mentioned before that I usually quilt during nap-time.  This is what happens when I don't. 



91 - I used to journal a lot; I suppose I've replaced it with blogging.

92 - I'm not really in to celebrities.  I like the people I know.

93 - We don't have cable TV, so we do Netflix.  I am currently trying to ration myself with Season 3 of Big Love.  Season 4 isn't out yet.

94 - I haven't got my hair cut in almost a year... I'd love a makeover (Oprah?  are you reading?).

95 - I love Musicals. I recently saw Wicked.  ♥



96 - Jay wouldn't want me to tell you that he loves watching Glee with me.

97 - S and I have our second real play-date this week.  One of my friends from high school moved back to the area, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

98 - I'm pretty good at math.  It's a good thing too, because quilting has so much math in it.

99 - I'm not as good at figuring out yardage... it usually goes like this: "Let's see, I need 1 6" x WOF strip -- better get 1/2 yard."  Hmmm... maybe I'm better at figuring it out than I thought.

100 - I challenge my other bloggy friends to make a list like this.

101 - If you didn't already know, I am ridiculously grateful for my life.  With all its quirks and frustrations, it is most definitely blessed, and I will always thank God for his grace.  




Congrats if you hung in here!  I totally just wasted a nap-time (and feel as egocentric as my son with all those "I's"! )  ;)

Saturday, June 5, 2010

100 posts giveaway game. :)

Pin It 100 posts!  Yippee!


(We already have a winner... Congratulations KarrieLyne!  Apparently I'm not the only one who likes to browse fabric...) ;)


This blog was originally at tigers4trace.blogspot.com, and started out, I think, as a weight loss blog.  Then it became a pregnancy blog.  Then it transformed to what it is today... a quilty blog.  This is the one that suits me best.


A little more about me, and answers to the questions I most frequently hear:


- How do you find the time to quilt with a little one?
2 words -- nap time; another 2 words -- neglected laundry.


- How do you pronounce your son's name?  Where did you come up with that?
It's like "Tiger" with an S in front... he is named after a tractor.

- When did you start quilting?
I bought my sewing machine when I was pregnant with Steiger.  These were my first quilts... this is me the night before our "big sono."  Before we found out that who I thought was a "she" was actually a "he." 
DSC_0860

We don't have a real set-up for sewing (I used the dining room table for months), but I put it all away when I got too big to sit there comfortably.  The funny part is that my husband gave me a bad time about the money we spent on the machine, and the fact that it "wasn't getting used."  On the nights when I'm sewing away, and he's playing the computer, I laugh and ask him if he thinks it's getting enough use now. :)  (I've moved in to the office...with portable tables set up and a kitchen stool).  

Jay actually got my first real size quilt-top.  
Jay's Redskins quilt

Since then, it has become quite a habit  hobby.

Fabric and sewing and making quilts and learning and blogging and looking at pictures was and is really therapeutic for me, and so much fun now.  

- Why do you blog Tracey?

I'm a sensitive soul (for you familiar with Myers-Briggs, I'm an INFP), and we live out in the middle of nowhere, and my husband works ridiculously long hours during the busy seasons, and I need a way to connect.  This works for me... I get to *talk* to people and share common interests despite my geographical isolation.  Please leave comments and links back to your blogs!

-------------------------------

To celebrate my 100 posts, I'm going to have a little "name that fabric" game/giveaway.  (As mentioned above -- we have a winner!...but you can keep reading if you'd like)


But before I tell y'all how to play, I'm going to tell you what you can win!


I made that little color wheel dresdie last week... just because.  And no, I'm not giving it away, but I AM giving away what I call a "tracey-cake*."


DSC_0938




These are 8.5" squares... about 20 of them.  This goes to the winner! **



rainbow


In this stack, there are 17 (or maybe 18) different fabric collections represented.  The first person to email me with 10 of them named, wins.  Please put "100 posts fabric" or something of the like in the subject line, and leave a comment too.


This was Karrie's winning email...the girl's good...I didn't even need specifics!




Riley Blake Flowering vines in cayenne
Patty young Flora and Fauna Dandelion in Lime
Carolyn Gavin Wild Thyme in Green
heather bailey nicey jane hop dot in tangerine
sandy henderson meadowsweet paper snowflake in pumpkin
joel dewberry cool stream in floral fields lake
joel dewberry cool stream in dogwood bloom
joel dewberry first bloom in nap sack berry
Denyse Schmidt hope valley Thistle leave in fiesta
Denyse Schmidt hope valley Wall Flower in new day
tula pink plume in red key tree
Mo Mo Freebird Eggs in Melon



Thank you for reading!  I so appreciate getting to know you all. :)
And thank you for all the love on my Spring to Finish report, and little clutch!


I wanted to show you my outdoors shot of it... since outdoors photos are usually always better.
DSC_0965


*"tracey-cake" is thus named because it's smaller than a layer-cake; at only 5' tall, I'm smaller than the average person too


**  The collections are - in order:
- Blush, Birds and the Bees by Keri Beyer, Bloom and Grow, Freebird, Meadowsweet, Nicey Jane, Botany, Midwest Modern, Flora and Fauna, Birds of a Feather, Wild Thyme, Cherish Nature, Modern Meadow, Hope Valley, Birds and Bees, Modern Meadow, Modern Meadow, Hope Valley, Summer Solstice, Plume

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Spring to Finish report

Pin It (This is post #99... *hint hint* ... *wink wink*)

I made this last night.
It was quite a process.
Sad to say, my lack of spatial intelligence gave my seam ripper an exercise.
But it's cute.

I modified it by chubbifying up the corners... using fusible fleece for the interfacing (it was what I had), and sewing down the appliqué petals.  I only decided I needed to sew them down after I had constructed the bag, and I saw the corners on a couple of them peeling up.

It wasn't easy (sewing down those little petals with the walking foot and the bag constructed).

But it's still cute.


(This is my Show'n Tell for Show 'n Tell Fridays... go see the rest)


On to why I'm really here...I signed up for Jacquie's Spring to Finish.


And here is my report.

1- back, baste, quilt and bind Rouenneries couch quilt

Much to the husband's chagrin, this didn't happen.  I think I'm going to send it to Natalia.  I can't decide on a quilting motif, and I am procrastinating on sewing that last little edge of sashing around the outside.  I just hate doing that for some reason.

2- Start to finish Plume mini


In the binding stage.  I've thought about ripping out the quilting... but I don't know what to do instead, so I'm not.


3- Finish piecing Crazy Hunky Dory 9-patch; back, baste, quilt, bind


This one is finished!  Complete with tutorial.

4- Make 10 blocks for Aster Manor appliqué


Didn't happen.  Which makes me sad... but I DID learn a better appliqué technique, which I will employ.  This quilt is being made for a dear friend.

5- Start to finish Garden stars



Done!  I even made 2 of them!  You can find the tutorial here.
One of these was also auctioned off to support Operation Family Fund. :)


6- Make all pinwheel sampler blocks

Didn't happen yet. :(

7- Stay caught up on Hexagon quilt-along blocks.

Got the ruler, but haven't done all the blocks. 


8- Finish Verna paint-box blocks




Change of plans for this one.  
Made this and this.

Other stuff I finished!

(That pillow right above me)
.  




And something I'll show you soon (*hint hint* *wink wink*)







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