Putting the Big Boys to Bed

It's been more than a littel chilly here in Middle TN, lately! Below freezing most nights.
I have been bringing in the "big boys" from outside. Bourbon (the Springer) just got a hair cut, so he needs to be brought in the most. Bourbon will lay on his little "bed" all night & not move unless called to. Briscoe (the Shepherd), on the other hand, will chew up everything, mess on the floor and tear up anything that is fabric. So? Briscoe has to be crated. He crates without problem. They both stay quiet, and they both stay warm.
Disregard all the mess, it is, after all, our basement garage. right now, we are using it for everything except parking cars!

Sam

Small & Handy Projects / Not Sewing!

My Prince Charming finished a few projects for me in my Long Arm Studio. The largest project was a shelf that he put up on our "dividing wall". I now have 16 feet of shelf space in my studio. It's sort of blank right now, but I will remedy that as soon as I find some baskets that I like. The second "big" project was hanging my storage cabinets on the wall. That was harder than it sounds because the wall that they are hanging on is cement blocks so every hole had to be drilled & then little metal inserts put in & THEN the bolts were driven through the cabinets to hold them onto the wall. He also put the peg board up too - actually attached it to the wall. In my old house the peg board was only leaning up against the wall under those cabinets. So it's an upgrade! The last project we did was to put up an extra peice of pegboard on the wall, it is mounted on 1 X 2's that are screwed to the wall. Voila! i now have a place to hang my stencils. I didn't have that before. These were projects that I have been wanting done, but they were not on the TOP of the list. I'm glad that they are done! See? This is why I call him Prince Charming!

Sam

Home Made Ornaments

Darn it, this is the 2nd attempt to publish this post!

Maybe this time it will take...

You can "BOO" me now, but I have not put up a tree for Christmas in 5 years. maybe more.

On Saturday 12/6 we went to find our tree. DD#1 did her research on the web to find the closest Christmas Tree Farm. Found one in Clarksville. An hour away. We all got up early to trek to Clarksville to cut down our tree. packed work gloves, saw 7 battery powered chain saw. We get to the farm & there MIGHT have been 20 trees. And they all looked like Charlie Brown planted them! No joke! DD#! was hugely disappointed. Pouted like a 4 year old. We didn't even get out of the truck. We ended up going to home Depot & got a Frasier Fir. Nice tree...

We did not decorate the tree until this past weekend. DD#2 was home from college & both decorated the tree.

This evening I am showing you all some of my prized ornaments.

One is a beaded ball that DD#2 made for a 4H competition when she was in grade school. She won 1st place with that ball!

One is a clear glass heart that I glued beads, roses & ribbon onto. Very victorian!

One is a Snowflake made from beads. We made several of them, some in clear glass beads & some in solid white beads. They REALLY look like Snowflakes.

One is part of a set of ornaments that my DSD (Dear Sister Debi) made for me. There are 4 , each with our names on them. mine is the Santa that you see in the top photo.... I hope she makes some more, because the ones she made with the girls names on them will go to them when they set up house for themselves.

All of these ornaments are treasures, and they would likely look better in daylight instead of the flash of the camera!

See Ya !
Sam

Quilt for Christmas - Not For Me !

I still lack putting borders on this quilt. I made it as a commission.

My customer wants the borders to be Orange & Burgundy.

There are 144 blocks in this top! I didn't think I'd ever get them all done.

Pattern is Antique Checks / 9 Patch Reunion byAtkinson Designs.

I didn't have anywhere large enough to display it out flat that I could get a whole photo, except in my longarm studio. I have 3 florescent lights in there (so I can see while quilting) and the lights make this quilt seem brighter than it actually is. there ARE some bright prints in it, but it isn't in the crayon-y looking colors like it appears in the photos. The top photo is the border choices. And I have to choose quickly in order to get them onto the quilt, quilted & bound by this time next week.......

Sam

Christmas Fabric

last month I quilted 2 Log Cabin Quilts for a lady that was giving them as Christmas Gifts this year. I am not real big one theme quilts, but Christmas Quilts stuck a chord with me. I don't know why, it just seemed like a good idea. So I decided that for 2009 I wanted to make 3. That sounds pretty agressive, but the 3 I want ot do are just going to be simple Log Cabins. 2" strips. I'm fairly certain I can crank those babies out in plenty of time. ha! It will give me an excuse to get a few more Christmas themed Pantographs! I have 2. One is a super simple Christmas Tree & I have another one that is a Snow Flake. I'll have to hunt the web-sites for a 3rd.
anyway- I really, really thought it would be soemthing very nice to have, especially for my girls, to have a Christmas Quilt , that they can drag out once a year & display year after year. Me Too!
Well, I have attached photos of the fabrics that I have gathered so far. I need more "lights". I am trying NOT to buy any cartoon or kitchy prints. I want timeless designs. Most of what you are seeing I bought from Stitcher's Garden in Franklin, TN. They are moving thier store this month. They have the largest store I have ever been in. it sure lacks ambiance (sp?) but what they lack in looks is made up in selection. bolts & bolts & more bolts. Stacks, scads & bunches. they do NOT have discounted prices. Most of what you're seeing here is $7 - $9 per yard stuff. It all feels delcious and looks even better.
The photos are more rich in daylight, but I took these photos at night in our bonus room in my sewing area & only had the clamp lights to work with.
the "squares" are an old Thimbleberries print called Candy Coated Christmas. I bought this yardage several years ago. I cut out all these blocks last weekend. I think I have 221 of them. I figured I could use them as the center of a Courthouse Steps block , or the center of a Log Cabin block or even the center of a modified Square in a Square. THAT print was EXPENSIVE. it's selfish, but whatever block those squares end up in, is a quilt that will STAY at MY house. it won't be a gifter.
I thought my BFF, Kat, would like to see what I have accumulated!

Sam

Recent Sewing

You might ask, how come my blog is named "Sam Quilts" and I dont' show too many QUILTS on my blog......well, I been busy!
I AM sewing right now, just not for myself. And since it's not for me (or my family) I just don't care to post all the photos until the quilts are completely finished.

I am making a TN Volunteers Quilt (commissioned by my neighbor) that is a lap size for her son. It's BRIGHT. It's turning out really nice too. I have it on the rails right now.

The 2nd quilt that I am making is a king size. I am using the "Antique Checks" pattern from the "9 Patch Reunion" Book by Atkinson Designs. The commission comes from someone I work with. It's intended as a gift for his wife for Christmas. He requested FALL colors, so this quilt is not hard for me to make. I like the pattern & I like the colors. He wants orange & burgundy borders. I have the border fabric (got it last weekend) but I bought 2 different bugundies & 2 different oranges. Soon as I have the body of the quilt finished, I will make him choose which 2 colors he likes best. Since it's King Size, I don't feel like I am ever making any headway on all the blocks!!! Well, today I have all the blocks 75% completed. it's going to be a very nice quilt.

So ? Just so my readers don't think I DON'T any make quilts, I DO !! Once I get these 2 done for Christmas, I have about 6 that I have started & are in various stages of completion & once I get BACK to them, You'll think I can crank them out quicker than Bonnie Hunter....I'm only good for about one every 6 or 8 weeks!

Oh, yeh, if anyone needs "TITANS" fabric, I have about 9 yards.

See Ya ! The sewing machine beckons!

Sam

Making the Bed

I didn't make the bed today because I got up to have a cup of coffee with Prince Charming and then when I went back to the bedroom to jump in the shower & make the bed, the CAT had jumped up there & looked really cozy in my quilts.
I went back twice later in the morning to amke it up & he was still there.
He must have been cold....I gave up after about 1 PM.
Oh, yeh, the cat is turning 14 soon & his name is Smelly.
He's named after a song off a Sit Com.

Sam

Thanksgiving Cupcakes

These are my rendition of "Pumpkin cupcakes".

The idea is from the book I got earlier this month : "Hello Cupcake"

Thiers look nicer, I don't have as much experience in decorating as they do...

I think they came out really cute! And they are super sweet. I "made" the orange sugar. I couldn't find any & I didn't want to order any - so I put 2 cups of sugar (much more than I needed, as it turns out) into a zip-lock bag & then added the gel frosting tint & mashed it until the color was uniform. Worked like a charm.

The cake part of the cupcakes is a French Vanilla box mix with a can of pumpkin added & pumpkin pie spice too. I am anxious to EAT THEM.

Whatcha Think?

Sam

Christmas Customer Quilt

This is a Christmas Quilt that belongs to a customer. It is showing more yellow than it really is, but that's because my walls in my studio are yellow... This is the 2nd one I did this weekend. Both of them were busy Christmas Themed prints so I chose a very simple pantograph for them both. I used "Tannenbaum" by "Willowleaf Studios". I quilted the one in the photos (here) in dark green thread & the other one in red thread. I think my customer will be pleased. She had asked me to do something super simple.

Gotta go - I hear my pillow calling me & I have to fold 4 loads of laundry before I can sleep!!

Sam

Hutch / Curio Cabinet / Knick Knack Shelf

It's finished! Finally. This cabinet is a replica that Prince Charming & I saw at an antique store over 12 years ago. The original was painted black and they wanted over $350. Well my Prince started this cabinet when we lived in Fayetteville (TN) and that was before we moved to Cedar Bluff (AL). That, my readers, was in 1998. it sat in our "shop" in Cedar Bluff for 10 years. We moved back to TN 6 months ago and my Prince finished it today. It turned out beautifully. I am going to put all my Fitz & Floyd Rabbits/Bunnies in it. So I guess I could call it my bunny Hutch ???
I asked him to stain it dark. It's solid oak. And I simply love it.

Sam

Biggest Pot

Prince Charming requested clam chowder today. Well, I wanted to make a bunch, so while I was at Wally World last night I bought a 16 quart pot. I would have bought the 22 quart pot, but thought that since the microwave is over the stove, the 22 quart would be too tall....I tripled my recipe (probably quadrupled the clams) and this pot is 75% full. Yum, Yum.

Sam

Win, Lose, or Compromise?

I was cooking this afternoon. Special request from Prince Charming. He wanted Clam Chowder. Well - the favorite Fat Dog will not stay out of the kitchen while I cook. Ever. She will , however, stay on a rug if there is one. Well there ISN'T one. So I got "her" blanket from the bedroom & laid it on the floor . She plunked herself down on it & there she stayed all afternoon, while I cooked. She was probably waiting for me to drop something...I did, some potatoes....
That's my baby!

Took the big dogs for rabies & booster shots yesterday. WOW ! I am now $80 less wealthy. They behaved so well. Bourbon only growled once & that's because one of the doctors came out & hollered someone's name...he growled big time. Some lady grabbed up her kid & made him stay close to her. Good thing, Bourbon doesn't appreciate children. Briscoe cried when the doctor stabbed him with his first shot. Since they were both so well behaved, I took them through the drive through @ Mickey D's & got them chicken nuts. They loved them!

Sam

Hello Cupcake!

I bought the cutest book at Books A Million on Saturday while shopping w/ both DD's....it's called "Hello Cucake".
It has the most creative, custest decorating desings for CUPCAKES. I LOVE cupcakes. They are the perfect portion & a portable snack.
I amso excited about some of these designs.
If you go to amazon.com , you can see pages from the book.
I want to make PANDA cupcakes, SUNFLOWER cupcakes, BUTTERFLY cupcakes, CIRCUS cupcakes, BUNNY BUTT cupcakes, you really need to see this book. It opens up a whole new realm of decorating cupcakes!!!

Sam

Table Decorations

DD#2 was home from college this weekend. I didn't tell you all, but she had a car accident on Sept 29th. her car was totalled. This is accident #3 in 14 months. Anyway, this accident was not her fault (as was NOT the first one a year ago...) DD#1 & I have badgered her to come home for longer than 24 hours. It was a nice visit & she got to see the car that we got for her. she is still driving my station wagon & had to drive it back to college. i could not allow her the *new* car because I still lack getting tags on it. Oh ! She wasn't hurt in her accident either.
Anyway - both DD's & I went to lunch in West Nashville @ Red Robin (over rated...) and then we went to "World Market" I bought the table runner & the candle sticks. I am ashamed to say I spent 1/2 of what I normally spend on groceries in a week...just on those 5 candle sticks & the table runner. Ashamed! I am ! they better last YEARS....then we went to Target. DD#2 needed a blowdryer. got a really nice one for $20. that blowdryer was the whole purpose of the whole trip.
Sunday, the DH took us all to breakfast. I like Cracker Barrel. I got vetoed, and the DD's wanted this new place that is called "Farmer's" it's a buffett place. No lack of food, but definately a loack of ambience, service & style. BUT ! The food was very good & they had lots of fruit too. I still want Cracker Barrel. maybe I'll order CRACKERS the next time I'm there.
Later on Sunday, DD#1 & I went to K-Mart & I bought the berry/pinecone garland & candles there. It all turned out very pretty. Even the DH likes it a lot.
As you can tell, I still can not decide what color curtains to hang in the dining table room. Yes, you read it right. "The Dining Table Room" - why? Well, because that's all the room has, a ding table. We have YET to eat in there. Thanksgiving will be the first meal in there. I like the red walls. More than I thought I would, and the old gold seat covers have GOT to go. I need to find a place that has drapery fabric. I really need to recover the seats, but I know for sure I'll have to do them again WHEN I find what I want for the window. I don't want anything heavy or dark because I really LIKE all the light that window affords in the afternoon.

How do like the table decorations?

Sam

This is ME ! (And my Fat Dog)

That's me in red. You all don't get to see many photos of me. Sort of hard to take your own picture. i know it can be done, but I can't figure it out on my digital camera & I am too lazy to take the time to read the instructions.

The Fat Dog looks like she's barely tolerating my request to reamin still until DD#1 can snap our photo.

For those of you wanting to see "ME", here I am.

I don't have a bunch of counter space - so 'squooze the mess. the house is no show place - we LIVE in it!

Sam

My Fat Dog

Nooooo...ooooo, she's NOT dead. she's sunning herself in the yard.
That's my baby!
Fat Dog is having a lot of separation anxiety lately. Soon as I leave for work, she fusses, cries & today even howled.
when DD#1 works from home, she gets very upset with my Fat Dog. poor chelsea - her misses her momma!

Sam

Oct 31 st

I thought that we'd get a bunch of trick-or-treaters. We didn't. The door bell rang twice. They were all so cute. Nothing gorrie this year! Princesses & Fairies and boxers...they were SO cute! I made up little gift baggies. the kids were happy to get them.

Here are the "little boys". They are DD#1's dogs. In costume!

Sam

Checking In

Been a few weeks since I posted. lazy that's all

I got to visit with one of my brothers last weekend. I brought my camera, but left it in the truck when we swapped cars. I drove to Mobile to visit with him. Do you have any clue how far away Mobile is from Nashville? I got home at 4 am on Saturday. I don't regret seeing my brother. Nobody died, so that's always a good visit.

I have been horribly UN-PRODUCTIVE lately. I have done very little sewing & I lack getting customer quilts done too. maybe if I didn't need sleep, I would be better off.....

I woke up yesterday with a wrenched back. I have NO CLUE how I did it, sore, sore , sore....I stayed home from work today & laid in bed all day. I feel much better & can actually get out of a chair. Monumenatl , I assure you.

I reconnected with an old freind. She unfortuneatley lost her Mother recently. I know how that is. I hope that whatever past differences that we may have had, can be put behind us. Life is too short. It really is.

Need to go, while I'm feeling better, I need to take care of the "big dogs".
Sam

Weekend Project

As any homeowner knows, there is always a never ending list of "projects".

2 "projects" on our list were to install gutter guards and seal the cement. the technical term for the cement that we have is exposed aggregate. Or so the pros at Lowe's said....

DH installed the gutter guards on Saturday. Our roof is so steep, it's a one person job. I held the ladder, fetched, cut and handed. His fingers were so raw by the time we got done! BEFORE we started installing the gutter guards - we pressure washed the porch, the walkway & the whole driveway.

Sunday we got up & started masking off the porch & columns in preparation for the sealant. the stuff has to be applied every 2 years. It took 5 hours, 25 gallons, 2 rollers, a leaf blower and DH's persistance to get it done!

That's 2 HUGE projects out of the way. I WISH it had been cheaper, but at least it's done.

Next week? We run conduit in the basement to install electrical outlets in the shop side of the basement. then we get to move all that heavy stuff back into place.

These pictures don't show you the finsihed areas of the sealing , where it looks like it's wet, it's been sealed. It hought you could get a good idea of how MUCH there was to do!

Sam

Welcome To My Home

This is my front porch as of this afternoon. I would like to add some artificial fall colored leaves & some artificial acorms too & then I'll be done. Can you tell which pumkins are artificial?
I have some pumkins & Jack-O-Lanterns spread around the living room too - but I don't have all my quilts put up from the weekend & the living room is a mess...no photos in there!
It's supposed be 44 degrees tonight. Blissful sleeping weather.

Sam