barbara hudak’s blog

A weekend a way...

Hubby and I spend the last weekend in Fargo, ND. We had so much fun! We planned the weekend around the Kid Rock/Bob Seger concert...the weekend went something like this:

Friday
Arrived in Fargo; only after they had re-opened Interstate 94 because of weather related accidents. Here's a pic of a semi trailer on it's side...with a tow truck ready to haul it off.

After we got checked into the hotel, we walked over to the Fargo Air Museum;

We walked because the snow was falling so hard...and it was only a block or so away...

Went out to dinner with Tim's daughters family...here's a pic of Eric and Brittany's...adorable girls!

Saturday
Odessa came with us; so Saturday we took her to a couple Dog Parks in the Fargo area. We loved the Dike East Dog Park...located down by the river. She had a lot of fun playing with a couple of dogs which were there when we arrived.

Then we went to a second hand store; here's what I found:

Then Tim took me to Nordic Needle; it was the first time I've been there...I had a lot of fun...because of the $$$ I spent...Here's what I got:

fabric to start the Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow

found these patterns in the clearance room!

Also, found these 7 Gypsies for scrapbooking in the clearance room! and scissors...because I wanted to start a collection...and the polka dot case was free when I spent 30$ dollars.

This picture on the pattern doesn't do it any good; the sample has hanging in the store...I saw it...and loved it! Can't wait to do it up!

Odessa was pooped...she walked herself into her kennel...which never happens...

Sunday
Headed home...ah, home sweet home...

The last ones are completed....

Yep! The last ones are completed! Yippeeee! Now for the part process which I dislike greatly....the cutting of fabric! Here's a pic of the last three blocks:

Just a relaxing day...

Today...was just a relaxing day...I've been working on the embroidery baby quilt blocks...I would like to finish...or get a start on sewing the quilt blocks together, but I still need to finish a couple of the blocks, cut the fabric for the blocks and sew everything together....might be a tall order...but I remain hopeful!

Any today was relaxing because I got a chance to Skype with my BF to work on a scrapbook album; we've get working on it for the last three or so weeks....and it's turned out really cute...so I'll post pics when I'm finished! Cool beans?!

But here's the pics of the blocks which are finished:

Getting ready for the sidelights...

As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I purchased Moda's Fruitcake fabric from eBay. I've picked out the fabric which I want to use in the Sidelights pattern; and I knew that I'd had leftovers...but I didn't know I'd have so much....Yippee! And I have no idea what I'm going to do with it, but I don't need to know that right now...so I've tucked it away for a later day!

Anyho, I showcased each of the fabrics and here's what I'm going to use:

I think it's going to be pretty...however, I'm not sure I'll have enough of the turquoise, so I'm going to stop by the local quilt shop in St. Cloud...to see if I can find the fabric or something close to it. Cross my fingers....I hope I find the same stuff!

I'm excited to get this quilt going, but I have to finish the embroidery quilt first! I'm off this weekend, so I'm going to see if I can get it done!

I know...I know...I know

I know...I know...I know...these embroidery blocks aren't on my list of 2013 projects, but I found them the other day...and thought, "I'm sooo close to being finished..." I just need to embroider a running stitch around the images, then I can sew the quilt blocks together.

These blocks are my first embroidery project; it was so much fun...I would do this project again!

Anyhow, here's a pic of the pattern and where I am:

And so I added a border....

So remember I made this quilt for my darling husband...and it was a kit he picked out for me, while on a fishing trip. Well, I laid out the quilt to show him that it was finished! And what did he say...."where's the border?" I said, "there's no border..." He says, "Well, can you add a border?" I said, "Um, sure..." And in the back of my mind...I'm thinking I don't have any matching fabric....it isn't some thing I have in my stash....and crap, I'm not done with it....if he wants me to add a border....

Well, I took the quilt to my local quilt store, Quilted Treasures. Mary, the owner, was great....she helped me find this border fabric. Hoping my darling husband likes it! And I won't openly admit it, but I like it better with the border. Well, I'm OFFICIALLY done with this quilt...and moving on!

A weekend getaway....

Tim and I managed to getaway this past weekend to spend time with family. However, on Saturday, we snuck off for a drive to Walker; he went to a local sportsmen store...and I went to the Front Porch Quilt Store!! I hadn't been to this quilt store, so it was exciting to visit! My conclusion, I loved the store; they carried smaller wool projects, their own patterns as well as lots of beautiful fabric! Here's a couple of the things I purchased:

I, also, sweet talked my darling husband to stop by the Piecemaker's Quilt Store in Hackensack, MN! They have a great collection of civil war fabrics, so I love stopping there anytime we are in a 50 mile radius! I can't wait to get home to create my own kit from my fabric stash! Anyho, here's some of the goodies, I got there:

Vintage Redwork Snowmen by Buttermilk Basin

Warm Woolen Mittens by All Through the Night

Under the Stars Kit by Cotton Tale Patterns

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!

So if you read my posting about my 2013 projects...you noticed this beauty....

and these were the only two fabrics I had from this Moda Fruitcake collection! Yes, I could have found other fabric to go with it, but I really LOVE Basic Grey who created this collection...and....I really love Moda fabrics....so I thought I would start looking on E-Bay for a Fat Eighth collection or a Fat Quarter collection from it. I've been looking for about three months...I will admit I did panic when I didn't find anything of the such...but then last night....just by chance....and look what I found! I bought it! very quickly! I'm very excited...and can't wait to get them!

And even better....there will be some left over for some things else!

A Farmer's Wife....

I did manage to sew a little today...I finished the 4th block of the Farmer's Wife quilt. And as I've heard from other quilters, I need to pay closer attention to the printing of the templates for the blocks...cuz this block is 1/8 inch smaller than the other blocks...I've ironed the crap out it...and I think I gained 1/24 inch...that's it. I may have to remake, but for now I'm going to leave it...and mark it as completed.

Block #4: Basket Weave

Today was a card making day...

Today was definitely card making day....as well as movie day. I participated in the Paper Players sketch challenge...it's been way too long since I was able to partake in the fun on their blog!

This blog, Paper Players, is great! I love their challenges; they rotate them...they are a one stop shop for keeping your mind creatively functioning! Check the schedule out:

Week One: Theme Challenge with Pinterest Inspiration

Week Two: Colour Challenge

Week Three: Clean and Simple Challenge

Week Four: Sketch Challenge

Week Five: Tic Tac Toe

What I really love is...they accept all stamping products for participation...even though the blog is heavy on Stampin Up! stuff, which I LOVE!, but I have a lot of other products! Hats off to them! Thank you for including all of our creativity! I appreciate it! Here's the guidelines for participation:

Anyho, here's my card for the challenge:

One down...a zillion left to go...

Well, since I'm on a stay-cation (stay at home vacation) until Wednesday...I thought I would work on my 2013 projects which I posted the other day...and Tim, my darling hubby, had been wondering if I had time to sew on the quilt he got me a couple of years ago...which I hadn't until this weekend. It's done...I'm not going to sew the 1 3/4 inch border which was the final step...so I'll call it done!

Here's a couple of pics of the quilt: (please keep in mind...Tim picked it out...he went up to my mom and dad's summer retreat for the fishing opener, and I stayed home because of work...I told him he needed to pick out something at the local quilt store before he came home...so he picked out something for him...which makes sense.)

Pattern: free pattern with release of fabric
Fabric: Friendly Visitors by SouthSea Imports, Inc.

Looking for flowers in the snow....

It seems the last time I worked on the embroidery flower baskets...it was snowy outside, too...perhaps I'm longing for the spring weather which comes with the new flower growth...regardless if it's snowy or not I'll enjoy the time spent working on projects on my days off of work!

Here's another flower baskets finish...believe it or not I haven't worked on this project for a little under 2 years...it's time to get it finished...don't you think!

It's not ironed yet...but it's pretty nevertheless! If you would like to view the other baskets which I've completed prior to this posting, here's a link: http://barbarahudak.blogspot.com/2011/07/little-progress.html

Have a great day!

Block 1

Look what I found...

OMG, look what I found....in my stash...of things to do! I only have 3 more blocks to finish...will be getting done by the end of the month...fo sure!

Um....it's really cold outside...

Um...it's really cold outside....honestly...there isn't anything that could get me outside today! Here's a cute winter weather joke: Enjoy your day! Check out the blog later...I'll be posting some thing more!

60 above zero: Floridians turn on the heat. Minnesotans plant gardens.

50 above zero: Californians shiver uncontrollably. People are sunbathing in Duluth.

40 above zero: Import cars won’t start. Minnesotans drive with the sunroof open.

32 above zero: Distilled water freezes. The water in Bemidji gets thicker.

20 above zero: New Mexicans don long johns, parkas and wool hats & mittens. Minnesotans throw on a flannel shirt.

15 above zero: New York landlords finally turn on the heat. People in Minnesota have one last cookout before it gets cold.

Zero: People in Miami all die. Minnesotans close the windows.

10 below zero: Californians fly away to Mexico Minnesotans dig their winter coats out of storage.

25 below zero: Hollywood disintegrates. Girl Scouts in Minnesota still selling cookies door to door.

40 below zero: Washington, D.C. finally runs out of hot air. People in Minnesota let their dogs sleep indoors.

100 below zero: Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Minnesotans get upset because the Mini-Van won’t start.

460 below zero: ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero on the Kelvin scale). People in Minnesota can be heard to say, “Cold ’nuff fer ya?”

500 below zero: Hell freezes over. Minnesota public schools open 2 hours lat

Some things for 2013....

I usually don't like making lists of things to get done when it comes to my crafts...I get overwhelmed by the many projects which I've started and haven't finished...it's like cement on my feet...I get nothing done....but I dug into the many tubs of projects I have in my craft room. I thought I would simply lay out some projects which seemed interesting to me....plus I have a long weekend coming up...I thought I would have a mini quilting retreat...and yes, I'm ordering pizza for lunch!

Anyho, here's the pics of my "unofficial" list of 2013 projects:

I'm already overwhelmed....because there are several other projects from books which I haven't pictured...I need to remind myself to just breeth...one thing at a time...and enjoy the time spent sewing....can't wait from my long weekend!

Little Bits by Lynn Dash; Pattern: Itty Bitty Bear's Paw
Seriously, what was I thinking....the bear paw block measure 2 INCHES!

American Patchwork & Quilting magazine (December 2010); Pattern: Small Steps

Indygo Junction, Inc.; Book: Handle with Style Pattern: The Basic Tote (large)

Lizzie Kate; Pattern: Christmas Rules

Farmer's Wife Quilt; fabric selection from Moda's Bonnie & Camille

Miss Rosie's Spice of Life; Pattern: Elizabeth

Wood 'n Peg Designs; Pattern: Stow and Go Green Bag
One for me...and one for Abigail!

No pattern...just random 3 inch blocks with fabric scraps

Pattern: Enjoy the Little Things

Moutainpeek Creations; Pattern: Sidelights
I need to find some Moda's Fruitcake fabric to get with it...the search begins! E-bay here...I..come!

Jackie's Animas Quilts; Pattern: Yule Logs

Perkins Dry Goods; Pattern: Village Crossing
The snowman are fussy cut to create the finished blocks...need to know if I have enough of the snowman!
Oh...I hope so! Otherwise, Ebay here I come!

Starry Pines Pattern Co; Pattern: Wooly Basket Sampler
Most of the blocks are completed; I just need to embroider and add some final touches