Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Hmm... I wasn't expecting it to be six months between posts. I really am a bad blogger. It's been a pretty crummy winter and spring, and I have finally been able to get back to quilting. I am still searching for a way to quilt as aerobic exercise, but in the mean time, I've been de-stressing by going for long walks/jogs using the fitness app Zombies, Run! You don't actually have to run, which is nice because I am by no means in shape. You can play the game walking, too, so I jokingly call it "Zombies, Walk Briskly!" I have improved my stamina, and even occasionally jog when I'm not being chased by zombies. It motivates me to get off the sofa and outside, so it was definitely worth the subscription! I love the irreverent Shaun of the Dead and Jonathan Coulton references. My winter and spring were pretty stressful, but I looked forward each day to coming home from work and running from zombies. Zombies are a problem, but they make me forget my real problems for 30 or 45 minutes. Here is a sampling of my "Zombies, Walk Briskly!" playlist:
1. "Camel Walk," by Southern Culture on the Skids
2. "Rollin' Over" by Skinny Lister
3. "From a Window Seat," by Dawes
4. "My House Has Wheels," by Southern Culture on the Skids
5. "Heartlite," by Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics
6. "Sinnerman," by Nina Simone
7. "Shut Up and Let Me Go," by The Ting Tings
8. "Do It Anyway," by Ben Folds Five
9. "Yes, Maria, Yes" by David Wax Museum
10. "Mambo Mexicano!" by Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta
11. "Glorious Day," by Overmountain Men
12. "The Road," by Frank Turner

In big news, I took my Bible Studies quilt to be long-arm quilted last night! I am very excited.

Quilts in Progress, as of June 3rd, 2014

1. Teal Single Irish Chain (hand quilting)
2. Secret project # 1 (shh- a present!)
3. Secret project # 2  (shh- a present!)
3. Mill Girls by Nancy Rink (still in time-out)
4. Bible Studies (at the long arm quilter!)
5. Mystery Quilt from Downton Abbey fabric for 2014 Historic Club.
6. Champions of the West (blocks finished, but not stitched together- I got creative block when it came to the border)
7. Civil War Sampler "cot" quilt by Karen Witt (haven't finished all the blocks yet)
8. Liberty of Londons sampler quilt (I honestly can't remember where this is in the process, but I definitely haven't got the quilt top finished)
8. Golden's Journal quilt (haven't finished all the blocks yet)
10. Peggy Martin-technique sampler quilt (ditto)
11. Crazy quilt (not your usual crazy quilt, but it is crazy! Quilt top finished, but needs sandwiching/quilting/binding)
12. Roses for Shiloh quilt by Painted Pony 'n Quilts (haven't finished all the blocks yet)
13. Amish with a Twist (haven't finished all the blocks yet)
14. Not quilting, but alter my dirndl to fit my new, smaller, self, and finish the heart-ruching trim for it.

Quilts in the "Some Day" Stage, as of January 3rd, 2014
1. Olivia the piglet quilt
2. A Baltimore Album quilt
3. A hexagon quilt
4. A chintz panel quilt
5. A quilt with the Metro Blues fabrics that I got in New Braunfels and Belleville
6. Various Rosemary Youngs Civil War Diary and Civil War Anniversary quilts
7. Barbara Brackman's Civil War Sampler
8. Barbara Brackman's Grandmother's Choice women's suffrage sampler
9. A botanical album quilt that I've had designed in my head for a long time
10. Away from Home by Nancy Rink (postponed indefinitely)
11. Mimi's Bloomers quilt by Erin Russek
12. Just Takes Two quilt by Sentimental Stitches
13. The Hazel Ilene quilts by Prairie Moon Quilts
14. Path to the Civil War: Aurelia's Journey Quilt
15. A Dear Jane quilt
16. A bed-runner designed by one of my kids
17. Miscellaneous quilts that I've downloaded from quilt-alongs and free patterns from textile companies.