Category Archives: House

Compass Lone Star Progress

May 8, 2025 7:30 am ⋅ Pam

Yesterday I was able to finish all of the Lemoyne Star blocks that I previously cut. It’s now time to figure out a layout. I prefer a quilt that is longer than it is wide, but I’m also fighting the lack of the background fabric. I sent the picture to my sister and asked her how she felt about square quilts. She prefers rectangles, but said this one needs to be square.

That’s good as it will be easier to finish. I found 2 more Lemoyne Star halves, so I just need to make 3 more. I’ll use the shirting in the bottom right of the fabric picture. Given that I’m going for a square quilt, there might be enough left in the shirt to use in sashing or whatever I do to finish this quilt.

My pile of little 9-patches are growing as my Leader/Enders. I think I have 2 more brown pair left to make, then it will be time to move to another color.

The paint is up on the wall. I’m not sure what is next. The general contractor will be here this morning. I think all that is left are installing the cabinet inserts & door/drawer pulls, floor, backsplash, countertops, appliances, electric, and plumbing.

Posted in: Charm Challenge, Compass Star, House, Leaders & Enders, Uncategorized

What I’m Working on Wednesday – 5/7/25

May 7, 2025 10:43 am ⋅ Pam

Since all the binding is done, my current focus is the Compass Lone Star. There has to be a better way to make those Lemoyne Star blocks, but I’m working with what I started with back in 2006. Pieces are already cut and there’s been some assembly.

While I’m stitching these blocks, I’m making 9-patches as my leader and enders.

At Quilters By Hearts Desire a couple of years ago we had an ongoing color theory program and we swapped 5″ squares of a specified color each month. I’m using my squares and some muslin to make these little 9-patches. I have a vague idea of what I’m going to do with them, but I need to get them made first.

Both the Compass Lone Star and the Rainbow Charm Swap quilts are on my 2025 Brandon Quilters UFO list. The star is also on my Mississippi Quilt Association UFO list as well.

In other news, my cabinet are painted and now they are working on the rest of the kitchen/breakfast room/laundry room. I love the color, but can’t wait to see it finished.

Posted in: 2025 Brandon Quilters UFO, charms, Compass Star, designwall, House, Rainbow Challenge

What I’m Working on Wednesday – 4/23/2025

April 23, 2025 9:31 am ⋅ Pam

Last night I made a little progress on the Blooming 9-Patch. When I originally sewed the strips for the most recent 9-patches my seam allowance was off and I had to fix it. I was also distracted by the long arm. I thought I’d put a quilt on the frame and while it was stitching I’d be piecing.

I opted for gold thread – specifically Military Gold from Glide on this scrappy red, white and blue quilt. It’s about 60″ wide and the E2E design I picked stitched quickly, so I didn’t have much time between passes.

The gold thread makes the quilting stand out. This E2E design is Calista Stars from My Creative Stitches. It is currently on sale for $5.

The quilt top was finished in April 2011. It was a mystery quilt I wrote for a retreat I attended. It’s been sitting in the box of quilt tops — with the backing and binding strips cut – since then. I wonder how long it will take me to bind it? I’ve got 2 more quilts that need binding.

I got the gold paint on the back of my backsplash.

I need to clean up the edges, but it is ready to be installed when the kitchen gets that far.

Posted in: 2011 Mystery Quilt, Blooming 9-patch, House

Goals for the Week of April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025 3:48 pm ⋅ Pam

It looks like it’s been a couple of months since I set out a list of goals. I think all of my immediate deadlines are done, so it’s time to reflect on my next few goals.

Pictured above is the backsplash that will go behind my stovetop. But Pam, this is not quilting. I agree, but it is fabric, specifically, a piece of Northcott Midas Wide Backing in colorway # 67. This is the wide backing that I bought 9 yards of back in February. I found out the manufacturer of the tile I picked does not recommend it be used behind a stovetop, so it was back to square one to find something just as amazing. I found a number of blog posts where fabric is used and next thing I know I’m ordering a piece of 1/4″ thick tempered glass and more of the backing fabric. I am using Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe-Gloss to decoupage the fabric to the glass. I’ve got either 4 or 5 coats of glue on the fabric and will finish with gold spray paint. Not because it will be seen, but so the thin set doesn’t inadvertently shadow through. I’m going with gold paint so if for some reason I don’t have enough glue on the fabric the gold will look like it belongs. I used white paint on my trial run and I didn’t have enough Mod Podge on the fabric originally.

Next up is my Blooming 9-patch. I want to finish this because if I pull it off the design wall to work on something else, who knows when I’ll get back to it.

Finally I want to work on this pile. I felt so much better after I dealt with the scraps from the Dragon quilt which had gotten piled up on the table I want to keep the momentum going. I’m just going for the table in front of the window.

I will be thrilled to get these 3 things accomplished. I have a few more things queued up, but I’m not going to get a head of myself.

Posted in: Blooming 9-patch, goals, House

What I’m Working on Wednesday 4-9-2025

April 10, 2025 8:12 am ⋅ Pam

I started this post yesterday, but between work and the kitchen it never got past the title.

I have 3 project I’m actively working on. Over the chair is the center of the shop sample I’m working on. I need to get the borders added. Ideally, that will be done by Sunday.

On the design wall is the Blooming 9-Patch. I had all of the fabric for the current two rounds cut out, but I think I used some of it to make flying geese samples. Fortunately I have more fabric.

Tuck in beside the quilt are 2 of the 3 Lotto blocks for GSQA. I’ll make the 3rd one tonight.

Tonight I’ll start a new project. It’s for the kitchen, but has a fabric element. I’m going to attempt to decoupage a piece of this fabric to a piece of glass. If it works, then next week I’ll order some tempered glass and repeat the process to make the backsplash behind my range. Turns out the manufacturer of the tiles I picked out do not recommend using them behind the range due to potential fading. So, I’m going to make my own backsplash.

Posted in: Blooming 9-patch, designwall, House

The Rest of March and into April

April 6, 2025 1:36 pm ⋅ Pam

The day my brother left after installing my bathroom vanity, I headed to AQS Branson. I got home the following Sunday evening and immediately went into Kitchen Remodel mode. Everything had to be removed from the kitchen and laundry room as the contractors were showing up the next morning.

The space was striped to the studs! Everything is getting replaced. While my brother was here I picked my cabinet and wall color, so I spent a day picking out the rest of the finishes. Fell in love with this slab of quartizite. My contractor says I just need one slab, which is good as this is the only one they had.

Then I had to pick the backsplash. I’ve opted for white squashed hexagons for the most of the backsplash with a this gorgeous purple and blue tile to go behind the range. I’m putting the same flooring down in the kitchen that I have in the rest of the house. There’s a small piece of it under the hexie tiles.

I don’t have a picture of the kitchen at the end of the first week or 2nd week, but here is week three.

The Electricians have been in. They’ve done all the wiring and have installed the can lights. The Plumber installed the water line for the ice maker, added a gas line for my new range and installed new spigots for the sink. Finally the Sheetrock guy has been in and the walls are ready for paint, but first cabinets.

The color I picked for my cabinets is Rolling Surf by Krylon. It’s an all-in-one spray can. So I had to get it color matched. While the paint was still wet, Butterscotch decided she needed to help. Needless to say, I had to wash a cat’s paw. You may be able to see in the background the color does not match, so another trip back to the store was necessary.

The 2nd time they got it right. While I was there I also picked up a quart of Spangle. This will be the wall color. I think it will tie nicely with the White Lilac I have in my living room and dining room and the Brave Purple that’s in my den.

It’s not all been kitchen. There has been some quilting. I taught Quilted Sneakers at Ritzy Quilting the last weekend of March. If there is enough interest, I’ll teach this class again August 16th.

As for what I’ve been working on….

There is a shop sample which still needs borders…

and for myself as part of the Gulf States Quilt Association Quilt along my version of Blooming 9-patch pulled from my stash.

I’m going to try to get back on schedule with my posts. We’ll see if that happens.

Posted in: Blooming 9-patch, House, Quilted Sneakers, Shop Sample

My Brother’s Visit – February 2025

March 25, 2025 6:43 am ⋅ Pam

I have the best brother. Last month he visited for a week and worked his tail off helping me with odd jobs around the house and installing the custom vanity he made for me. He discovered when he opened his trailer, Bluing had stowed away for the trip. Needless to say, Butterscotch was not a happy camper when she saw him. Bluing stayed in the trailer all week, but got to ride up front on the way home.

If the vanity and odd jobs were not enough, he came bearing gifts. Coasters and a cutting board made from scrap lumber for both me and my sister-in-law.

He suggest olive oil for the board and the colors just popped.

The first order of business was getting the vanity installed. This included removing the old vanity and cutting a wall access to cut the water off to the shower if needed.

Then we called the countertop folks to have them come measure and fabricate the top. This left 4 days to do odd jobs around the house.

Two wall hooks were made. One is in my closet and the other in my bathroom. He milled and shaped the wood at home then attached the dragonflies when he got here. They are from Lowe’s. Have I mentioned the wood is from a walnut log he cut himself?

It’s the same log that my mantle was made from. Another odd job was hanging the pictures over my mantel. That’s Gracie on the left and Butterscotch on the right. The photo in them middle is from my trip to Scotland last year.

He fixed the bedframe. Originally he thought there was an issue with bed rails, but it turns out only shims were needed between the bed rail and the footboard and headboard. He says it no longer feels like the bed is going to collapse.

One of the last things he did was paint my cabinet doors using various shades of turquoise/teal paint to help decide what color my new kitchen cabinets will be.

Also while waiting for the vanity top to arrive he did the following odd jobs:

Stabilized my IKEA fabric cabinets. They are now connected to each other and to the wall.
Reattached the gutter flashing
Cleaned the gutters
Fixed my mailbox
Put up 2 ceiling AC vents
Stopped the toilet from rocking
Deepened the grooves in my file drawers
Fixed the loose curtain rod in my bedroom
Replace a smoke detector
Re-assembled a desk in my sunroom
Moved a file cabinet for my sister in law
Cut some 2 x 4s for my shoe class

The marble top arrived on Thursday afternoon, then he finished the vanity area.

installed the backsplash – the tile matches the shower which he installed last year.
added the walnut trim to the top of the tile and marble
installed the faucet
Installed the mirror, including making the frame
installed the magnifying mirror
installed the towel ring
touched up the wall paint – apparently my walls are not square so the cabinet was a tighter fit than expected.

The final thing he did was drop me off at Walmart at 6:00 AM Sunday morning on his way out of town so I could catch a ride to AQS Branson.

Posted in: House

What I’m Working on Wednesday – 2/26/2025

February 26, 2025 1:40 pm ⋅ Pam

I’ve fallen behind in my blogging. Next week my brother is bringing and installing this custom vanity he made me! So, things have been a bit busy around here. I’ve had to prepare notes for my Vice President since I won’t be at the meeting next week. My brother said he didn’t see why I couldn’t go — then I sent him the list of things I want us to accomplish. He threatened to just ship me the vanity.

So as far as my Goals for last week — I missed all of them. I don’t have any quilting goals for this week. Although, I will be folding the quilts which are currently on the guest bed. After I get that done, I need to start on my sunroom and kitchen.

My brother will be here for a week, then I’m going to AQS Branson. When I get back, my kitchen renovation starts. So, in the next 10 day – I need to clear my kitchen and utility room and before that I need to make space elsewhere in my house to everything.

Stash Report for 2/28/2025

I’ve mentioned I’m making 2 quilts for my SIL to give to her sisters this Christmas. Well this is the backing for the 2nd quilt.

Fabric Added Since Last Report: 8 yards (I converted my wide back to 45″)
Fabric Added to Date: 40 yards

Fabric Used Since Last Report: 0 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 10.825 yards

Net Fabric Stash: 29.175 yards

Maybe I’ll get off another post before I leave for Branson, but if not, I’ll aim to post something on March 21st.

Posted in: designwall, goals, House, Stash Busting Report

Stash Busting Report – February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025 10:49 pm ⋅ Pam

Although the yellow might make you think of my Quilt Studio, this is in my brother’s wood shop. He sent me this picture this afternoon of the doors of the vanity he is making me. Aren’t they gorgeous? They are walnut and most if not all of the wood came from the same tree/log that my fireplace mantel did. My brother kiln dried the wood then milled it.

Now the stash report.

Saturday on my way home from the MQA meeting I stopped in at Ritzy Quilting Company and picked up another Dahila layer cake for my Living on Cornbread quilt. I really need to get back to that. Per my calculations, a layer cake contains about 3 yards of fabric.

On the usage side, I pulled 1 3/4 yard of fabric from my stash for the backing of the President’s Challenge quilt. I’m still ahead, but i saw a gorgeous piece of backing earlier today. I don’t have a quilt for it yet, but it’s my colors. I may be making the drive to Crystal Springs and bringing home 2 new backings for quilts I haven’t even conceived of yet, they are that beautiful.

Fabric Added Since Last Report: 3 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 4 yards

Fabric Used Since Last Report: 1.75 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 9.625 yards

Net Fabric Stash: -5.625 yard

Posted in: House, Stash Busting Report

My New Vanity

February 6, 2025 9:05 am ⋅ Pam

My brother is building the vanities for my bathrooms. I was expecting him to bring the larger one to me towards the end of this month. Imagine my surprise when I get a the following message from him:

I can have both your vanities delivered to you 2 days

I freaked out a bit. I have a busy weekend with the state quilt guild, the big football game and hosting Bunco. He then sent me this picture.

and told me some assembly required. He’s still planning on delivering by the end of the month. I’ve ordered the sink and faucet. They are arriving today, but I didn’t have drawer/door pulls. So I ordered them last night.