January 2015 – Thimbleanna

Weekend ChitChat

27 Comments / January 31, 2015 January 31, 2015 / Chat

Well Shoot. I didn’t mean to be gone so long, but there just hasn’t been much to report lately. It’s not that I’m doing nothing, but I’ve just sort of been hibernating in the cold — doing not terribly exciting stuff like paperwork for taxes and the daily dinner grind. I’ve also spent too much time slurping around the internet — being inspired and pausing to think about stuff.

I did have a moment of fabric weakness when I bought some PamKittyGarden fabric, and I’ve been busy wrangling the tangles that result from pre-shrinking the fabric. Happy fabric has been a bright spot in these dreary January days!

I’ve also started a new sweater. I usually just want to knit all the time in the winter months, and this January has been no exception. (And, can you believe it? Today is the last day of January. Winter will be over before we know it! February is a short month — although, I don’t know how it could be any shorter than January, which seemed like it lasted all of about 4 days.)

I’ve watched with interest all of the swaps that are happening on Instagram. Just when I think I’d like to join in, I slap myself back into reality. Anjeanette wrote an interesting post about swaps a few weeks ago — if you have time, it’s well worth the read. How do you feel about them? I think it’s a fun way to get to know people, but I’m trying to pare down around here (and very unsuccessfully, I might add!) not add more stuff. (Haha, I hear you fabric police.) Plus, I don’t even have time to make all the projects that I want to make!

And, while we’re on topics seeking your input, how do you feel about fabric clubs? I’ve had a few people ask me if I’ll be having fabric clubs with my Liberty fabrics (oooh, a new order just went in yesterday (yay!) but it’s backordered (boo!)). I’ve never been a big fan of fabric clubs. I mean, they’re a great deal for me, as a seller, but for you? It seems to me that you’ll end up with fabrics that you wouldn’t have normally bought. Plus, they just seem so expensive to me when you add up all those months of being in the club. No? What do you think???

Well, those two paragraphs sure make me sound grumpy. Sorry. Really I’m not. Just trying to keep the hysteria in check — and if you could see this house, you’d realize that I’m not doing a very good job LOL. I started working on month four of The Aunts’ quilt today. First step is to use the magic light box and transfer the pattern.

Then pick some fun fabrics. I would say that I like that part the best, but I’m really loving this whole project!

Ok, enough chitchat. I’ll leave you with two things:

Here’s a link to a video that shows that Downton Abbey appeals to everyone. Can you say Tea Pong?

And I left my station for a moment and returned to find The Scruffster getting into a bit of trouble.

Luckily he realized that fabric isn’t a ribbon and he quit trying to eat it. Good Kitty.

Have a great weekend — we’re off to see Paddington and I. Can’t. Wait!

XOXO,
Anna

The Aunts’ Quilt – Month 3

31 Comments / January 16, 2015 April 15, 2015 / Cookie of the Month, The Aunts' Quilt

Yipee!!! It’s time for the Month 3 Aunts’ Quilt Report! Technically, yesterday was the official day, and technically, I DID finish my blocks just in the nick of time (finishing up around midnight), but it was just too late to take pictures and report in. Then today, there was work and dinner with MeMum and BigDaddy, so there you have it. I’m a day late but not a dollar short — I’m all caught up for this month!

Here are the two pieced blocks for this month:

And the applique block:

Ohmygosh! I’m having SO much fun with this project. I LOVE choosing the fabrics. I love second guessing and wondering what the heck was I thinking. In this case, I’m wondering about those red flower centers — not sure they will all stay. I thought it would be fun to give the flowers a little pizzazz. Then, I decided I really don’t like them. But now, they’re growing on me. We’ll see.

And, last month, I had so much fun with the little puppy, that I thought I’d play around with maybe tucking a wee little animal into each block. This month it’s a bunny. Sorry, the bunnies aren’t very clear, but I hope you get the idea.

And the cookie of the month? Well, it’s freezing cold January (sorry, to you Auntlets down under) and I wanted a good, hearty cookie to keep me warm. This months’ cookies are Karen’s Awesome White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies.

I’ve been making these cookies since 2008 when I first found them on Karen’s blog and they’re a big favorite. If you like the main ingredients, give them a try — I think you’ll love them! (As you can see, the Kitchen Pig was VERY interested the day I was baking them!)

For you little Auntlets, I hope you’re having a good time with this quilt. Once again, kudos to Karen R, our star pupil, for being the first one done this month. Some of you have been working very hard to catch up — Yay!!! Keep going and by next month, you’ll be all caught up. Some of you are struggling a bit. Clear your calendar — it’s worth it! If you haven’t started yet, don’t be afraid — it really is a lot of fun!

Ok, be good kids, and have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Anna

The End of the Weekend

19 Comments / January 11, 2015 January 11, 2015 / Around the House, Sewing

{Sigh} Another weekend is over. Why do they always fly by so quickly? Did you have a good one? Mine was pretty quiet. CuteNiece2 turned 18 so I went to her Hot Yoga class on her birthday with the other girls in the family. I’d been avoiding hot yoga like the plague, but it wasn’t so bad and CuteNiece2 is a great teacher.

I also did a bit of sewing — I even dusted off Hester’s embroidery parts and made some seasonal breadcloths for a friend. It took me three times as long as it should have — boy, am I ever rusty!

In between working on the breadcloths, I decided it was time to clean up the mess I’ve made in other parts of the house. Since I started the Aunts’ Quilt, most horizontal surfaces in the house have been covered with fabric. The dining room table, the kitchen table, the couch . . . I make a big mess while I’m making choices for all those little flowers.

Part of the problem has been dragging the fabrics from room to room, so I decided I needed a helper. Can you tell what it is?

If you guessed one of those little Ikea carts, you’re right. I know you’re used to seeing them in aqua in blogland, but I decided to get the cream colored one. The trays are the perfect width for the way I fold my fat quarters.

Hopefully, after the current block I’m sewing, I can narrow my fabric choices. That way I’ll have room for the actual block and scissors and thread in the top tray.

So, that was the weekend — I’m pretty sure you don’t want to hear about the cooking and cleaning and more boring stuff. I hope your weekend was fun — and have a great start to your week!

XOXO,
Anna

The Aunts’ Quilt and More

24 Comments / January 5, 2015 January 5, 2015 / Quilting

Hey Hey — Guess What??? I think the problem with my comments not being forwarded to my e-mail has been fixed {crosses fingers}! Now I can respond to your comments. Thank you so much to all of you who have been commenting and been so patient when not hearing from me. {Smooches!}

Don’t you love this time of year? I love reading everyone’s plans for the new year. Are you a person who chooses a word? I’m not — although, one year I chose “chocolate” for my word. How could a year with chocolate in it go wrong? Jodi has chosen a funny word this year. I admit, I wasn’t sure I understood when she posted it on instagram, but she’s provided more detail in her latest post. And did you read Suzanne’s phrase for the new year? I LOVE it. If I had a phrase, that’s what I’d want it to be!

So, it was back to work today {insert tantrum throwing, screaming child here}, but I did manage a little sewing before re-entry. I finished the Aunts’ Quilt blocks for month 2 — woohoo, I’m officially caught up! (And by the way — a standing ovation to Lina and Karen R for actually finishing their blocks on time this month — you ladies get big brownie points for keeping on schedule during the holidays! Check their blocks out — they’re all so pretty!)

Here are my two pieced blocks for the month:

And the applique block:

I LOVE doing these applique blocks. I’m having so much fun choosing the fabrics. Did you notice my favorite little part of this block?

He reminds me of Winston. I’m well on my way with the Month 3 blocks — only 10 more days to stay on schedule — how are the rest of you Auntlets doing? Hmmmm?

Before I go — Downton Abbey is back — WooHoo!!! Have you seen the fun Downton Abbey segments with George Clooney (the Marquess of Hollywood haha)? See Part 1 HERE and Part 2 HERE. If you’re a Downton fan, go check it out!

XOXO,
Anna

Happy New Year!

21 Comments / January 1, 2015 January 1, 2015 / Holidays, Store

Once again, the kitties of ThimbleannaLand are here to wish you a Happy Happy New Year! They’re looking a little like they have a hangover from the New Year’s Eve celebrations, but rest assured, we run an alcohol-free kitty hotel around here.

Can you believe it??? 2015??? Wow. We joke about how the weeks and months fly by and now, the years are flying by too! I’m pretty happy to kick 2014 out the door — it wasn’t a spectacular year. We all managed to survive, and I’m really grateful for that, but, I’m hoping that 2015 will be a lot more fun.

It’s been really busy around here these last few days, but I managed to have a little look back on the blog. It wasn’t a great year project-wise — especially when I see some of you over-achievers out there who have a bajillion quilts done in a year. My pace is definitely more like a turtle, but that’s ok, I guess. I’ve been doing a lot more hand work — it takes a lot of time but I really, really love it.

The really exciting part about January 1st is that the new Spring/Summer 2015 line of fabric from Liberty of London can finally be listed for sale. They have pretty strict rules about their campaigns — you can’t show or sell the fabric before the date (even though I saw a lot of sneak peeks) and, the killer for me, you can’t sell the fabric on etsy (even though Hello! — there’s lots of Liberty on Etsy!) So, I’ve been busy re-vamping the little Thimbleanna.com shop here on the blog so that I can sell the Liberty that arrived here last week.

It’s a small shipment to start, but Oh. SO. Pretty! It’s all about Alice in Wonderland this spring — have you seen the adorable little print with all of the characters from the story? I love love love it! I only have the gray colorway so far, but it’s a start! I hope you’ll have fun oggling the fabric — and I think you’ll find the prices VERY friendly for Liberty ;-D!

Ok, kids — must run. Time to get back in the kitchen. I hope you’re having a wonderful New Year’s Day. We’re having our traditional New Year’s Day dinner, even though we’re a teeny little crowd here this year. Thanks so much for hanging in there for another year — you guys are THE. BEST. readers anywhere and I can’t even tell you how much your invisible friendship means to me.

I Heart You.

XOXO,
Anna

P.S. I had to add a little human verification checkbox after the comment form. Tech Support wanted me to add some word verification stuff to solve the comments not being forwarded to my email problem, so I compromised with the checkbox. Sorry. It’s pretty quick though — just click on the little box when commenting and be on your way. It really has nothing to do with the problem I’m having, but they’re Tech Support and I’m trying to make them happy. Even though it didn’t solve the problem. ;-8

Month: January 2015