Driving legal

Usually I post about quilts, but maybe my experience might help someone.


Lucky me I had an appointment at the local DMV this morning to get a current tag/sticker on my car, so I can drive legal.

Wait time:
15 minute wait for customers with appointments
2 hr wait for no appointments


Interesting enough, the lady I sat next to had the same problem. She had paid her car registration fee and had the smog test; but no tags came in the mail. We both thought the smog check must have been the problem since they are transmitted electronically.

My number was called (A231) and the clerk explained that yes, my registration was in the pending file. BUT... since my payment came in from AAA, and the smog test was transmitted, I needed to pickup my tags at AAA or at the DMV office; they would never be automatically sent by the DMV, and next years registration would not go out because of the pending status. If I had paid the DMV directly (office or mail), they would have sent sticker/registration card.

I didn't go back to AAA because I thought the sticker would come and AAA started charging $4 for any DMV transaction.

Does this make any sense? Seems like this makes more foot traffic at the DMV.


Oh well, won't get stopped for unregistered car. Just got to watch the old lead foot.

Big Crumb Quilt

When I first read about Operation Wood Hollow on Sarah's blog, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, my “Big Crumb” quilt came to mind. I'm not a pink/pastel person but back in 2010 I had decided to clean out larger pink scraps from my growing piles. It started with 9” blocks and 4 square blocks and it quickly regressed into scrappy rails and big crumb blocks. Added other pastels, including some fabric samples I had received from a friend.

I loved how this quilt was coming along. It looks inviting and comfortable. But... I'm not really a pink person, and my DH is definitely not.

It has sat in the UFO pile for 20 months or more, and I have pulled it out and sent it to Julie. It measures 63”x81”.

Also pulled out this flimsy, measures 40”x60”. I immediately saw why it had sat for so long. It had 4 blocks with white background that just blared “I do not belong here”. Looks better after replacing them. Most blocks are 4½”x7½”.

Dropped off the box for Julie at the post office yesterday. Had the two flimsies and fabric. I didn't really have any backs that match, but sent yardage that she can use for other backs.


It feels good to get these tops out of my UFO pile and on their way to comfort people. Thank you Julie!


Operation Wood Hollow has change it's name to Phoenix Quilts.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4^th of July! What does that bring to mind? Family, friends, BBQ, watermelon, root beer floats, parades, fireworks, freedom, patriotic thoughts and RWB quilts.

I always try to make a few RWB quilts or flimsies in July, for TAPS.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, an organization that provides support to the Families of fallen service members. RWB quilts or crocheted blankets are always needed for the “Good Grief Camp”. For more info: http://www.taps.org/

Project Linus made it easy to make the first one. At the last meeting kits were available using the Double Slice Layer Cake pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Co. http://quiltingtutorials.com/all/double-slice-layer-cake-quilt-tutorial/


Hope you have a Great and safe Happy 4^th of July!


Linking up to Quilts are for Giving.

Half Log Cabin or Wonky Bento Box

This quilt was so fun and quick. Used the tutorial from Love Laugh Quilt 

blog, Half Log Cabin – Free Style. Thanks Beth!  I didn't use the paper 

foundation for my blocks but followed her method.  

Went to the Project Linus meeting yesterday and delivered the quilt. 

Forgot to take a final picture so these are pictures of the flimsy. I had 

picked up the black & white polka dot at a past meeting, 4 yards, 18” wide, 

so perfect for this scrap busting project.
 

I also took two flimsies I sewed together from orphan blocks I came 

home with at another meeting. The coordinator is planning a “sandwich” 

day, not an eating party, but a workshop to sandwich quilts from flimsies 

given to PL. Select a back, layer, sandwich, and baste the quilts as needed. 

Some are sewn at the workshop, some taken home. Some are taken to a 

retirement home where residents tie quilts. Lots of work gets done by 

many hands.

Thanks again Beth for the tutorial. Check out the other charity quilts at 

Quilts are for Giving. 

Framed boxes and more

Started looking at some of my ugly unusual fabric, and thought I should do a stack and slash quilt; thought framed boxes.

Started with 11”-12” squares. Added in some of my scraps and solid strips to the blocks. Can you tell some of it is stretch denim? 

The large black & white flower and orange and pink print. Yes, rules are for breaking sometimes. There are some decorator fabrics, but they just fit in. Some of the black and white polka dot was sewn inside out, but I am leaving it. It is really hard to tell.

Need to finish squaring up the blocks to 10½”. Then work on a final arrangement of the blocks. Final size should be, 40” x 60”, nice size throw.

I'm linking over to Confessions of a Fabric Addict for "Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP?"   (or What I've been working on!)

A quick bag!

Didn't think my blog post would begin about “size 6 stretch pants”, but here we are with the first picture. One of my purchases at the local garage sales (paid $.50).

Wearing size 6 is long over for me, at 5'8½” I think it must have been over in 7^th grade. But the bright stripes caught my eye and I thought this would make a great bag. I need a few extra shopping bags. Local city ordinance requires all large retailers to charge $.10  per bag unless you bring your own. March 2013 will be all retailers, and fee increases to $.25 in 2014. Cutting the legs off at 18”, leaving the side seams intact, cutting up the inside seam and piecing 2 straps.

This was a very quick bag. Very happy with my shopping bag. I have another pair of stretch pants from the same garage sale, so back to the sewing machine.



I love garage sales!

100 Orphan Blocks

Attended another Project Linus meeting last month. A bag of 100 Orphan 

blocks jumped in the car and came home with me. Oh dear, oh my, and 

how lovely. It's fun playing with other people's stuff! Here a sample of 

what's in the bag.

Got 50+ crumb blocks, 7”-7½”.  

Cut one side off and added to the top, then cut them 5½” x 7 ½” to 

match some blocks I had from another project. Think I will add a 

pink border so will finish at a 45” square. 

One 17” x 18” piece: 

Several pieces like this, almost seems like a “trip around the world”, then 

got side tracked on another project. Do I do this? Absolutely; I must 

work on finishing projects instead of letting them sit. 

 There must be 20+ blocks, 16”-20”, wonderful, colorful fun blocks: 

I would have loved to have met this creative women whose husband 

brings us some bags of her fabric stash and UFOs every couple months. 

It would be interesting to know the time line on her work and if she took 

classes, which ones. We have been able to finish and make many quilts 

because of his generosity and thoughtfulness. 

Bless them both!