Mags....the scrappy quilter

Spelling Test....

2012-01-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

Geeze I thought I could spell but according to the last post title I cannot :-)
Anyway, my machine would not fit in the new roll cart (generously donated by my brother) but it does hold all the little stuff I normally cart along like pins, extention cords, lights, rulers....ya know...all the "gadgets" a quilter needs....or any other crafter for that matter.

Currently is it a rain/snow mix outside which means a good day to stay inside. I have a good friend visiting around the noon hour. Afterwards I may venture to the quilt studio and later a trip to the hospital to visit my buddy.

Rolling tool cart for ogranization

2012-01-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

Well I am hoping 2012 will bring plenty of organizing on my part. This past year left me with little time to play in what I call my "quilt studio" ,let alone keep it clean and tidy. Seems I tossed alot of the "I don't want to deal with this right now" items in there. I have before photos that I will post when I get over the embarassment of how it looks right now!!

My brother felt the rolling cart below no longer suited his needs so we both felt it just might suit mine. I am on the never ending search for ways to make traveling with my machine and projects easier.

So off to the basement I go today. My goal is that the machine will fit into one of the two containers.

The end of December 2011

2011-12-27T07:08:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that 2011 is almost over. I think we all know what made the year go so fast so I just won't repeat myself but I am happy to report the doc let Ed start walking with one crutch last week, it hurts but that's expected, we go back to the doc this Thursday 12/29 and if all is still well his final surgery will be scheduled and life will get back to some kind of normal ....yeah!!!

Anyway, I did find the time to finish a lap quilt for a Christmas gift. I like how it turned out. Christmas was wonderful this year. I was surrounded by most of the people I love dearly...some too far away but still in my heart.

My goal for 2012 is to organize (yes again) my sewing room and possibly even let go of more items I am not using or have not used in some time. I REALLY need to get my UFO's in some kind of order and get them completed.

Today is lounge and enjoy my last day off of work. We were closed Monday and Tuesday which was much needed time off. Today I am cleaning the DVR of movies that I have not had time to watch, drink some hot tea and/or hot cocoa and work on a crochet afghan for my son's girlfriends birthday that is in about 3 weeks.

December already

2011-12-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

Well the part time job is DONE so today I get to actually play in my quilt room. Filter my way through it would probably be a more accurate statement. It was a little more picked up and then it was time to dig out the Christmas decorations. The "basement" part of the downstairs is on the other side of the family room which is my quilt studio. I have to drag the totes of decorations in that room to have better lighting to see what I am doing.........you can imagine the mess that makes :-)
My New Year's goal is to be more oganized at putting the Christmas decorations away in a more organized manner. There are about 12 totes and I usually have no idea what is in the totes. That will be taken care of this season which also means I will go through all the totes and weed out the things I no longer use.
To the room to organize .....

Time with friends

2011-11-19T06:20:00.000-08:00

It was so nice to be able to spend some time with Vickie while she is here and cannot wait for more time. She is very busy with visiting family and friends but it is nice to have her "home" for awhile. We went to sit with my sleeping grandchildren for awhile so Kristin to go to Joe's work for an early Thanksgiving lunch. Lunch for us afterwards was at Max & Erma's...yummm I have not had their chicken tortilla soup in ages...not to mention the fried pickle chips...yummo!!

Then of course we were off to The Glass Thimble. Too much money was left behind at that store but ohhhhh did I get the cutest pattern for a Christmas wall hanging. I cannot wait to start cutting the pieces for it....will be sure to post pictures as I go :-)

Ok...off to get some work done. Not much more to go on the Toldeo project....time to buckle down, stop procrastinating and get it done!!!

A new dawn a new day.........

2011-11-14T04:58:00.000-08:00

I am off work today as I was not not sure when I would be back from my visit to TN. Mom's chemo went ok and a visit with a good friend did wonders for me. I always love a visit with her......she grounds me and I ususally come back ready to tackle things I would have otherwise ignored.

I also came home to find out there had been a death in my family. A cousin, at the age of 48 from a heart attack. I have so many fun childhood memories with him. As usual we grew apart as adults but when we would see each other at a function we picked up right where we left off. May he rest in peace.

The stash mound will get more attention this week. Even if only 15 minutes, it will get some time on a daily basis. I may even cut a Baltimore Album top while managing that stash........I am having a ball making "kits" as I go. It makes the bust go slower but I feel like more is accomplished.

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T07:58:00.000-08:00

It will only come once in this lifetime...........11/11/11. My heartfelt "thank you's" go out to all who have served, including my two brothers, father, cousins, uncles, grandpas and numerous friends.
I am spending a few days in TN while my mom undergoes a chemo treatment. I brought a quilt top I am piecing to work on. Did not get much done...but enough to make me feel like I actually accomplished something.
Spoke to my son who had a follow up doctor appointment. It seems his leg as seen it's shadow so there is 6 more weeks of IV antibiotics and the leg contraption...no walking, weight baring or anything. It puts alot of things on hold for him again but I agree with the doc that with all the problems he has had this is the best. It will promote more healing and stability.
Off to do some work. Brought a little with me to try and get the part time job completed...it is almost done...yeah! About 10-12 more hours of work and it will be DONE!!! The hospital project is also DONE so life may actually get a little bit back to normal around the first of the year...yeah.

End of October

2011-10-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

Where did the year go? Where did winter and summer go? Now fall is upon us and will soon turn into winter. It seems my past year has come and gone in a blur. My son is finally on his way to recovery which is absolutely and finally time. He is no where near healed and ready to be on his own 100% yet but there is much improvement which is a good thing. His leg is looking better. I know there is at least 1 maybe 2 more surgeries ahead for him but that really is a good thing because it means the external hardware will come off and a graft will be done to cover all of the damaged area on the leg. Major yet minor compared to what he has been dealing with and also the final healing point.

Between family issues and work I think my body finally hit the point of exhaustion this past week. I thought my allergies were kicking up but ends up I had a really bad cold that worked it's way through my body so after 3 days off work and just kicking back at home in bed or on the couch with the TV remote and a bottle of NyQuil I started feeling better.

My poor quilt room has been neglected since Feburary so I finally ventured in there yesterday for about an hour or two. Put a few things away and mainly sat in the chair staring. I spent some time last year ridding the room of unwanted items and there is still just too much stuff and I am at a loss as to how to organize. I had started scrap management which was going well but came to a small hault while dealing with the kid's injury. Perhaps that is where I need to restart and just not worry about the rest??? Maybe one issue at a time is a good start??? My kids got me the nice 3 drawer storage system for my birthday as that is what I wanted. The drawers are labeled and as I cut down I toss the strips into the drawers. My mom also gave me a shelf she was going to toss out which fit perfectly out of the way and is just wide enough to stash FQ's. My goal is that if it is yardage it gets organized by color, less than a yard gets a FQ cut out and the rest cut into strips of various sizes.

Off to a wedding with my cousin...I am her date :-) Maybe when we are done I may venture to the quilt room again.

The weekend

2011-10-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

Well I decided to make yesterday my day. Ed was in good hands with his girlfriend and younger brother and his girlfriend. I spent the morning at Knitter Merchantile with old and new friends and then the evening with another friend. It was my day for R&R. Today brings chores and some consulting work I need to get done.
No yarn work this weekend. Tried a new pattern that was way over my head. I need to learn more stitches before tackling it. No quiting as the time is just no there. All the business will be over by mid November and then my time will be mine again..........just in time to make a few small Christmas gifts.

A completed project

2011-09-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

My oldest son is back in the hospital yet again with another infection of the fracture that happened Super Bowl weekend way back in Feburary. Poor kid just cannot catch a break. He had surgery this past Thursday and is hooked up to a wound vac and a bunch of other tubes and hoses. He will go back for more surgery on Monday to see of the wound can be closed and will hopefully go home Tuesday and will do 6 weeks of IV infustions 2 times a day .............just like the last time. His spirits were pretty good Thursday but today he is a cranky boy so I am home to work and start cleaning my sewing room to keep my mind off things. Work an hour...tidy an hour.....or that is at least the plan :-)

I have finished 2 scarves while sitting at the hospital. I miss my quilting but yarn projects are so much easier to transport and are not so hard to put away if you have to jump when he "needs you" as he is completely immobile again.

The photo does not do the colors justice. The green is silk and varigated shades of green and a lemon green/yello color... very pretty with glass beeds and sequines spread throughout. The blue one is lightly varigated and almost looks like denim. It was for someone else but Ed watched me work on it and wants it so he will probably end up with it.

Mini Flower Garden

2011-09-09T16:58:00.000-07:00

So this is my mini flower garden. I have no idea how big or small it will end up to be. When I get tired of working on the size will be determined. The glare is kind of bad but I am not looking down my nose at a sunny 75 degree day....will take them all!!

One pic is how much I have done so far. The other is my little pencil box I carry the goodies in. My scraps, scissors, thread, needles and seam ripper all fit in this box and will fit into my purse for traveling when necessary.

OMG I cannot believe it

2011-09-09T05:42:00.000-07:00

I just cannot believe it has been over a month since I posted!! Will need to fix that this weekend. Life has been busy with work at work, work at home, spending time with the kids and grandbabies etc...\
I did make it to a small quilt show last week and will post some photos from that. I gained inspiration so the desire to get back to the machine has bitten me.....

I have been busy trying to tidy up my quilt studio. It is in the family room which is in the basement. Lots of space but dark...even though there are windows. It's cold in the winter and cool in the summer. I had thought about moving things upstairs where there are more windows but the spare bedroom gets so warm in the summer months that it does not make sense to do this.

So the thought has crossed my mind to turn a tiny corner of the dining room into a sewing station. Only the machine and a box lid with the blocks to be sewn can be there (those who know me know I cannot do the clutter). Anyway, the stairs to the basement is off the dining room so it would work. I could chain piece, go downstairs to iron then back up. Not only would I be able to view the outside world from the french door but I would get the exercise from going up and down the stairs (which I need) AND some UFO's would get done...yeah!

Back from vacation

2011-08-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Well I have returned from a wonderful week away from work and home. I decided I was not sitting home staring at the 4 walls for the week so I packed my car and traveled/visited family and friends. I spent time in TN, KY and Cincinnati. While unpacking the care I pulled the old sciatica nerve so I spent the majoirty of the day on the couch with the remote and a heating pad. It is better today but I was still bummed as I planned to spend most of yesterday in the basement doing scrap management but once again it will wait.

Today the kids are taking me on a pic nic at Madison Lake...sure hope the rain holds off!!!! We are celebrating my big 50 birthday and my sons 29th birthday.

When I return this evening I will do a little of some much needed work/work...tomorrow is basement day.

While In KY I visited a new quilt shop.....spent a little money but $1.50 fat quarters were hard to pass up. I also bought a very cute watermelon table runner kit (I usually do not buy kits).....very cute so I would like to work on it so I can still use it a bit this summer.

That's all for now. I worked on a mini grandmothers flower garden while away. I stole the ide from Ann Fry. Everything I needed fit into a little case that fit into my purse. Will post some pics of that later.

Scrappy Sunday

2011-07-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Hello blog world :-)
I spent the better part of last Sunday and this Sunday doing "scrap management" and while doing so I cut for a new block I ran across in an old magazine and fell in love with. It's a scrappy hour glass. There are 4 small hourglasses in th center of what I call a log cabin block. It's from Bonnie Hunter so I am amazed I never saw it before. Anyway, I was trying REALLY hard to not have any two pieces from the same fabric but since I was getting tired of cutting down there may be a few (no more than 2) pieces cut from maybe 5 difference fabrics. I did them in different sizes so they will blend in. I was going to lay out at least one block to get on the design wall and post but other things are calling so time in the sewing room needed to come to an end........I am usually in there during laundry time...which is done.
Off to clean the kitchen, tidy up the pantry......I have just been tossing things in there the past few weeks and it is driving me crazy. Then I need to get veggies and fruits cut up for the work week. After that I need to put about 2 hours in on the part time job...need to get that job done!!!

My son is up and walking which is good news. He still has to wear his boot but at least he is mobile and can take care of himself. I don't think a person ever thought a shower felt so good. Poor kid. Good thing is it frees up my time.............just in time for the hours at my real job to get crazy. Lots of changes, some I am NOT so happy about, until mid November. Lots of thinking to do as work will never be the same as it was and I am not so sure I am happy about that.

Off to dice watermelon...yum!! I hope to have a block done, or at least laid out next week to post.

Cool Sunday morning on the patio

2011-07-10T06:33:00.000-07:00

My patio is almost where I want it. Still seems to be missing something. More flowers, another chair on the stoop by the french door......not sure.
Anyway, I enjoyed a quiet hour this morning while it was still cool outside and finished reading the "eat this not that" book. Very interesting read. It's amazing how much sodium, sugars and fillers are in our foods.

So this is my patio garden. Any suggestions for what it may be missing would be greatly appreciated, These are just pictures of the seating area. There are 2 flower beds, one had a water fountain and hostas, the other has a hot house made out of old farmhouse windows, and a pot of flowers. The two seating areas are my largest venture............what is missing??????

Happy 4th of July!!!

2011-07-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

The holiday not only makes me think of all those who serve our country and gave their lives for our freedom. There is always a moment of silence in my house to remember and give thanks.
July also make me think of CHRISTMAS..........yes I said it, Christmas in July. The time when most crafters start holiday projects. I have a few in mind but have not even thought about getting them started. While my oldest son was in the hospital (the second time) I picked up yarn and needle again as quilting projects are just too cumbersome in a hospital room. I completed an afgan for Shaylie Jo and started another large adult size cream colored afghan. No idea how big it will be or who it will be for. I think Ed's girlfriend Amanda was hinting that she would like to have it. Does this mean I need to make two more for the Sheena and Kristin? Probably :-)
Anyway, I started my fall quilt. My goal is a quilt for every season to cover my bed. I got one whole block done today...yeah!! The pictures below are of the one block I completed as well as a picture from the pattern as to what the blocks will look like. It will take 4 of the block I made to make one large block. I am using scrappy batiks and a controled smooth creamy white background.

Jukly 4th weekend

2011-07-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

I started my holiday weekend at Ann Fry's. It was wonderful to spend to days with her. Irene paid us a visit on Friday so we shopped, sewed and had a GREAT taco salad from one of Holmesville's fine pizza shops. Today is visit grandbaby day and meet up with another friend (Mel) who will deliver a wonderful bag of Half Square Triangles to me for a swap we are doing.
Will write more later..my fuzzy mind needs some tea and breakfast.

Monday updates

2011-06-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well I have already lapsed on my "design wall Sunday". I am behind :-( One picture is of rows A&B of Dear Jane. I planned to have more done over the weekend but that didn't happen.......and it's OK. I also managed to purchase about 6 yards of neutrals (we can alway use them...right???) The price was too good to pass up. And well..........I also bought about 7 yards of Civil War repos but the price was too good as well. All purchases were $2.29-$2.99 a yard. Just could not leave them behind. I also came home to some yummy strawberries on my plants. They are starting to populate and ripen. Just enough for my cereal in the mornings.........or at night.

My lazy scrappy Sunday

2011-06-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

Today has been spent being extremely lazy ......well I did do one load of laundry and will need to make dinner and wash dishes.........but I really have played in my fabric and enjoyed myself today AND I am still in my jammies!!! I did sweep the storm debri up in my jammies this morning though :-)

Below is a box of scraps sent to me by a gal from stashbusters ...thank you Barbara!!! I have to decide what I want to do with them. I have made many quilts but two that I have always wanted and have yet to do are a log cabin and irish chain. I would like to make my entire quilt from the scraps (how cool would that be) so it may be a log cabin.

What do you think?????????

Dear Jane Yahoo Group

2011-06-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday to all my quilting buddies!!

I have opened a yahoo group site for the Janeaholics who want to start, finish or just admire the beautiful exciting quilt. I started mine in 2003 and have 90 of the center blocks done which I think leaves me 79 more blocks to do as well as ALL the triangles and corners. I may copy my friend Vickie and make the triangles for the rows as I go so I can start putting it together and admire the progress.

Anyone is welcome to join. You can look us up at:

dearjanergals on the yahoo groups tab.

Goals

2011-06-03T05:02:00.000-07:00

I see goals that most of my friends have posted. I had them.........once :-)

Since the winter and spring have pretty much vanished for me with little to no progress I think I will change to fiscal year plans.....ha.....the fiscal year runs July through June.

I shall have my 2011-2012 goals defined by July 1st...yeah

Dear Jane

2011-06-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

So this quilt shall be done!! It has been in "progress" since 2003. I am insanely trying to organize my sewing room and the first thing on the list is to get some sort of order in the UFO department. This beauty is first on the list of must regroup and finish. I like to have a quilt in the frame, an applique' project and piecing project going at the same time. It keeps me from going insane with one project as well as my moods change as to what I want to work on. And there is probably some sort of yarn projects as well.

When I laid all the blocks out this is what I have so far. Time to organize the box and dig in..........anyone can join and start their own :-) Oh BTW I am using Civil War repos.

Design Wall Sunday

2011-05-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

I see so many posts for Design Wall Monday's but that is a day that does not work for me so I am doing Sunday...yeah.

This is the beginning of Shaylie Jo's quilt. I wanted brights and boy are they bright. I saw a picture of a quilt that just seemed to call her name. In my mind the top was brights with applique'd white daisies. Well I bought the fabric, cut it out (twice because I discovered I cut 4.5 x 4 instead of 4.5 x 4.5 oops). I get the background up on my "design wall" only to finally locate the magazine I saw the picture in and it is not brights but is 30 repos...........how could I make that mistake!!! I already have the borders etc..for this so it will stay brights. Babies like brights anyway...right?????

So anyway, this is it so far. I will do a 1.5 inch pale yellow border to tone down the brights and the last border will be either a bright green or a lavender with mini bright hearts on it. I bought both because I could not decide in the store.

Sunday Project Management

2011-05-29T05:53:00.000-07:00

Well today brings MORE work but this part time job will bring a little extra cash in for those "necessary" items AND I am trying not to spend it on fabric :-) I have goals so it makes it a little easier to spend my down time working.

However, my goal in the sewing room today is project management. I figure if I do one work audit, tackle one UFO then by the time the sun goes down I will have achieved something in all arenas of my life today. It is not to work on th UFO but rather to get them under some sort of order. I recently read a book on organzing the quilt room and WISH I had written the name and author to share but didn't, however I did take notes.

The plan is to pull each UFO out...regardless of the stage it is in. Stare at it and then decide if it stays or goes. This even includes some of those JoAnn Fabric blocks of the month from 10 years ago sitting in totes. If the project still calls to me it will go on a tracking chart I plan to design for myself using some hints from the book I read. If it no longer calls to me it will either be given away/donated or tossed into the scrap bin to be included in scrap management.

Everyone enjoy their Sunday. I just turned the AC on as it's going to be a warm one today and I don't want to sweat on my fabric :-)

Grapevine Wallhanging First Block

2011-05-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

Well I worked on my first block a bit today. I have all the vines, leaves and center grapes on. I still need to add the grapes around the outside leaves. The bias turned out a little wide for the vines but I am not taking it apart........they will just have to be thick vines :-) I am also not sure I bought enough fabric for the grapes so before I go any further I think I will make all 680 grapes in case I need to add some scrappy purples here and there. Cannot have one oddball block. This will halt progress a bit but that's ok. I would rather halt than have odd blocks.

End of May

2011-05-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

Well the end of May is here and not much has been accomplished. My son was back in the hospital last week. The fracture has healed but once the swelling went down there was a lump. The lump, muscle and bone were biopsied. Biopsy came back with an infection in the bone. I don't need to tell you how that went. Long hospital stay and he is now home with 6 weeks of antibiotic infusions twice a day. I am not sure how he is staying patient through this ordeal.

Enough of that bandwagon!!

Anyway, I have started my grapevine wallhanging that will go in my dining room. I really did not want to start anything new but there are two projects I HAD to start. The grapevine needs to be completed because as some point I want to redecorate my dining room and this will be the focal point. I am a little unhappy that my vines ended up wider than I wanted but I think it will till be OK.........I am not taking it apart :-) My goal is to get some grapes on it this weeken and will then post a photo.

The second project is Shaylie Jo's quilt. My new granddaughter cannot wait until I am done with the 5000 UFO's haunting me so her projects needs to get underway as well. I don't have to tell you to wait until you are rested to cut fabric. I was so excited that the blocks were cut. I laid them out and realized I cut half the blocks at 4.5 x 4 inches instead of 4,5 x 4.5 NEVER cut when you are tired. So a weekend goal (after much needed work is done) is to cut them all to 4 x 4. It will be OK as the size can adjust. It will be a scrappy background of brights with white daisy's appliqued'. I got the idea when Hunter picked out a pink rabbit with white daisy's as her "welcome baby sister" present.

So to work I go. I have a few audits to get done and will then treat myself to an hour of quilting...then a few more audits.............that's the game plan for the weekend.

May Flowers

2011-05-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Well the April showers sure did bring alot of May flowers............and more showers :-) as I sit here typing it is starting to rain. It's ok. I think we actually went through 3 days without rain and as I planted flowers today I REALLY wanted some rain.

I have completed my Album of Memories center block. It was so large I decided it was going to end up as a wallhanging instead of a full quilt. As beautiful as the entire quilt is and as much as I LOVE the hand work of applique' the quilt just wasn't talking to me anymore. I believe if you are going to quilt something you should like/love it. Anyway, it is bound and on the wall. ....yeah.

I think tomorrow is a "me day"...no appointments that I know of so I plan to do some a little work (business work not the fun work) and mix in a little quilting. I am working on a new wallhanging for my dining room. It will have 4-6 blocks that have applique' stems, leaves and grapes......I think with the Tuscan theme in the kitchen and dining room it will blend in nicely. So I need to get the blocks and borders cut then work in the bias for the stems and all 680 little grapes :-) yeah.........TV work that little chore will be.

April showers

2011-04-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

Are bringing early flowers......my attempt at humor. Well Ms. Shaylie Jo (granddaughter) made her appearance to our family on 4/21/2011...weighing in at 8.1 pounds and 20.5 inches long. She is a beauty...yes I am pretty partial.

Not much in the quilt arena has been completed but I am starting to work on some WIP's to get the progression moving along. I even went down to the quilt room and organized a bit. I can walk through the room which was a disaster after Christmas and the little family matters but it is now clean. The cutting table has a few items cluttering it that I need to either pack away for later use or donate to a charity garage sale..then life will begin again.

Pics are posted below. I am still toting yarn projects along on various trips I need to make. The afgan will go to a friend of mine for her birthday. The other pics are of the new family member :-)

Completed Projects

2011-03-18T05:58:00.000-07:00

I finally had time to download two of my latest completed projects. The quilt is Bonnie Hunter's mystery from November 2009 called Carolina Christmas. It was supposed to have borders but I was done cutting and sewing fabric. As it is so big anyway I figure it just didn't matter.

The crochet afghan is for Shaylie Jo. My granddaughter who is making her entrance to the world 4/21/2011. I will get a quilt made for her and have the pattern picked out. I just have not had the time to work on it with everything going on. A ball of yarn and hook is so much easier to cart around than a box of quilt notions, fabric etc....

March Rain

2011-03-09T14:17:00.000-08:00

OMG.......will the rain ever stop? But then again, rain is much better than snow at the moment. My heart goes out to all of those in areas where rain is overflowing into their personal spaces. The Scioto River runs through Columbus and suburbs so depending on where one lives depends on how safe your home is. I think my sump pump is running on overtime.

I am not sure where last month even went but March is here and roaring like a lion on steroids. The middle child who had the disc surgery is back to work and doing well. The oldest who has the broken leg is doing so so. He is in good spirits but tired of being laid up and I cannot say I blame him. Thanks to all of you who sent out prayers.

March has brough a lovely little weight loss for me. The thyroid is FINALLY at a controllable level. I started attending Weight Watchers meetings as it is a program that works, for most, if you follow it. I dabbled in the program before but was not successful as I was never in the mind set to stick with it NOW I am...yeah and I am down 14 pounds!!!!

No quilts have been finished.......oh wait, the Carolina Christmas did so I will have to get the pics loaded for viewing. The crochet baby afghan is done....so much more portable to drag to the kids than my quilt projects. My knitting has been perfected, thanks to my dear friend Denise Hall...........I would not have been able to do it if not for her. I have two projects going.........OMG I will now have yarn UFO'S ...oh no!!!

Will post some pics and more details later.

Sleep and sew well my friends.

Where has the time gone???

2011-02-17T15:31:00.000-08:00

I have not vanished.....life just got in the way.

Not much to post....tired is not even a word I know how to say at the moment. My middle son, Joe, had surgery on Friday February 4 for a bulging C-6-7 disc.......he was released Saturday February 5 and we got him all tucked in at home where his wife could care for him by about 2pm....bad weather with ice coming down made it a not so fun day.

So then my oldest son, Ed, decides later that evening to take a tumble on some ice and break his right leg in 4 places ...and it was an open fracture at that. I cannot even imagine the pain. So back the hospital I go.......surgery to set the fractures finally took place late Sunday afternoon. As Ed was pumped up on morphine for the pain I don't think he really even noticed. At 6:30 pm they finally come to tell me that the surgery took longer than expected because of debridement and the difficulty in setting all the breaks but he was in recovery and would be back in his room in about 30 minutes...........at 9pm there was still no Ed and no information....a nurse finally told those of us who were waiting that his oxygen levels were low and he was not breathing on his own so they had placed him in ICU..........SHOCKER!! I had planned on kissing my son goodnight and telling him I would see him in the morning. Soooooooo off to the ICU wing we go..only 2 can go so everyone else went home. Three days later he is ok and goes home with an oxygen tank. He is casted from toe to mid thigh and will have sleep studies performed when the fracture is healed.

He is home but the family is taking turns staying with him when his girlfriend works as he cannot be alone as he is pretty much on bed rest for 9 weeks.

So I am working full time, part time and rotating with the kid when needed.

I cannot even spell tired right now ...yeah. No quilting has been done so there are no new pics to post, however, I did start a crochet afgan. I wanted to make something for the new baby and a quilt is just not going to get done...knitting I am not good enough with yet but crochet I can do at a pretty good pace and it's portable enough that I can get it done in plenty of time.

So that's my story for this month...it's almost over and I don't even remember it getting here :-)

Guild meeting goodies

2011-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

I stated yesterday that I came home with a cute iron bag. Below (or somewhere in this post) is a pic...and a close up of the wonderful embrodery one of the gals in the group does. The bag in insulated to carry a hot iron from meeting to home with nothing getting burned or melting....for those who forget to unplug until they are ready to go home :-)
The other pic is of the stash of books I brought home. One of the gals had a friend pass away awhile back and her family is now "cleaning house"............6 HUGE boxes of books were brought in as well as boxes of fabric and misc. notions. This is what I brought home with me. I was so happy that a Celtic book I reserved at the library was in this stash of books...now I don't have to decided if I want to spend $30 on the book. I had also been wanting to make the 12 Days of Christmas and guess what pattern book was in the stash...you got it. Must be an omen???
Anyway, there was so much left but I was not about to bring it all home...............

Happy sewing ladies. My laundry is almost done and oatmeal is cooking. Not sure what the rest of my day will bring....as there is no work tomorrow due to the holiday I may find this to be a lounge in the jammies, watch movies and get that Carolina Christmas finished.

Sew in day

2011-01-15T12:29:00.000-08:00

Just returned home from my guilds sew in day. We made iron bags........they have the thensolate or whatever it is called on the inside so that you can carry a hot iron home from a sewing day. I already took it downstairs before I posted this so I will take a pic later and share.

One of the gals brought in 6 HUGE boxes of fabric, gadgets and quilt books/magazines. Someone she knew died a long time ago and her children are just now getting to the sewing room to box things up. I came home with about 20-30 books/magazine to rumage throught, some neutral fabrics and a box of really nice templates that were made from the nice thick plexiglass.

Hunter is on his way to visit grandma while mommy takes daddy to dinner for his birthday ...will post more later.

A Long Weekend

2011-01-14T05:31:00.000-08:00

Hmmmmmmmm ... not sure why my photo is hiding in the last post. Will have to see what that is all about.

Yeah for the long holiday weekend. As I don't work Fridays and Martin Luther King day is Monday it gives me 4 days to quilt and work in the sewing room. I am determined to get it organized one way or the other. I have some ideas so until next month I plan to sketch and window shop. May scout the second hand stores for sturdy furniture.

With Christmas and three kids birthdays right afterwards it leaves my credit card gasping for air so shopping will have to wait :-) and that's ok.

A friend is doing a retreat at the end of Feburary and if the weather holds out I plan to attend. I NEED girl time with fabric, friends and food :-) yeah.............

Weight loss is going well so far. My goal is 50 pounds by the 50th birthday so I am 5 pounds closer which is good for me. Battleling the thyroid issue has been a curse the past few years but even though it will be slow loss there will be loss............I AM DETERMINED!

Today I am off to the grocery for a few things, mailing a package to my adopted soldier, getting the key f rom the library for my guilds sew in day tomorrow, spending time with a friend and then home to read more of my Earlene Fowler book. Nice Friday.

Everyone have a good day.

Album of Memories Center

2011-01-09T05:37:00.000-08:00

This is the center of my Album of Memories by Robert Callaham. I am at a stand still on this center...not sure how to do the berries. There is to be a stem of berries by each slate blue feather (if you enlarge you can see better). I have tried fusible web and didn't like the look so I took them off. I tried buttons (which I did on another quilt by Robert) and it looked really nice but this one does not. The berries are really teeny tiny and I think there are 80 just in this center. Maybe it's the color. I am using burgandy....or maybe the buttons need to be smaller? At a loss so I will just stare at it for another month and see what I decide to do. In the meantime I am quilting my Carolina Christmas (which was posted a few blogs back in the Fall).

Jan 2011 Mystery Fabric

2010-12-31T09:53:00.000-08:00

These are the fabrics I have chosen to possibly be in the Ohio Quilters New Year 2011 Mystery Quilt. I really wanted to do scrappy to "bust that stash" but I found these fall fabrics while tidying up yesterday. I have always wanted a fall quilt but for some reason have never made one.

I have not yet started to cut my strips because I am still deciding what to do. I think planned will win out as it is out of the norm for me and I want to use this fabric in something. The goal this year is actually two fall quilts. One for couch snuggling and one for the bed. The other one I will make will be in batiks I have been collecting as well as some I snagged from Ann Fry's stash when she so generously allowed me to go through her lovely fabrics. A piece her and a piece there with what I have I think will net me a nice snuggle quilt.

As the New Year rolls in

2010-12-30T05:34:00.000-08:00

Well another New Year is rolling in very soon. I have no new photos to post as I did not get alot done through December. My Carolina Christmas (a Bonnie Hunter mystery) is in the frame. I finally decided NO border. I love big quilts but as this one had SO many pieces in it already the thought of a pieced border was more than I could handle to do...........at one point I looked at it and said "it's done". I do that at times. Anyway it really is pretty so hopefully over the next month the quilting will be done and I can decide on binding.

I am not sure I have "fun" resolutions for 2011. I want peace in my life which has pretty much been accomplished. Love.......I would like to find it but not sure that is in the cards for me as men sure have changed over the years and I find I get to irritated with most of their "ways"....it's almost like they are out for themselves and anyone else be damned. If they don't have a bad attitude they are looking for a nursemaid and mommy.......that I won't be either. An equal would be nice. Nuff of that bandwagon!

The sensible resolution would be to get my sewing room organized AGAIN and try to maintiain it. It seems to go really good for awhile and then BAM it will look like a tornado when through it. I think the main problem is that I cannot and will not put holes in the walls to hang items. The walls are covered in a really pretty wood type material...not paneling.......and I don't want to ruin it. So nothing heavier than what those little commands can hold gets hung up. I think if I can get my stash and scraps in a managable position it will work well. Oddly the rest of my house is organized....it's just that room. Could be because it is in the family room with the laundry room/basement being on the other side of the wall so anything that needs done gets dragged into that room.....................

I also think that "notion" type items are just going to get dumped in together in one clear tote. I can see what I have and figure out storge for those types of items later.

Ok............cinnamon rolls are out of the oven. Time to chow.

I hope this year also brings me the strength to cook healthier than my southern roots have taught me. I need to let go of the comfort food and bring in more veggies, fruits etc....AND more exercise :-) yuk but with another grandbaby on the way I think going into my 50's this year I need to be in better shape.

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL New Year!!!

Whimsical Santa

2010-12-12T06:58:00.000-08:00

Whimsical Santa

This is a cross stitch project I made a long time ago. When I visited my mom this year it was no longer hanging in her home as she "had nowhere to hang it".......my oldest son said "well I sure do" so it went to him and it now hangs in his home. The picture does not do it justice. It has metallic threads and glass beads of many vibrant colors in it as wel as little fur floss.........it was wonderful to make and I just love looking at it. I am sure my son will enjoy it for many Christmas's to come.

Mini Snowman Wallhanging

2010-12-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

This is a wallhanging I did as a gift this year. As usual I hurried so for me it is not "perfect" but I know the recepient will still love it.
It is only about 17 x 18 but so adorable.
NOW I feel like I have posted something :-)

Has it been that long???

2010-12-02T15:18:00.000-08:00

Has it really been over a month since I have posted anything new????? Wow does the time fly. Not much is really happening except the ususal holiday rush of "hurry up to get it done and wait in line to shop"........Most of October was spent traveling then it seemed like Thanksgiving was here.......more traveling but to be somewhere 75 and sunny for a few days was GREAT...........now it's time to get ready for Christmas........rest....I need rest :-)

Nothing much going on

2010-10-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

Nothing new to report. I think I am FINALLY done traveling for the month which is a good thing because it's the end of the month. I planned so many get aways that I was gone every weekend. My house needs cleaned and stuff needs put away. I think my sewing machine will be able to stay put until Spring.......no retreats planned for awhile........though more weekend (non quilting) get aways will happen I am certain.
I do have all the blocks done for my stack-n-wack but too pooped to take a pic to post right now.
Time to do some laundry and catch up on some programs DVR'd............

Fall is here

2010-10-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Well I do believe fall is officially here and I am loving it! Just returned from a long weekend with some gal pals and had a GREAT time..........time I was so much in need of. I have a few projects that are gaining on the completion status........let the drum roll begin:

Carolina Christmas is first. I have been working on this beauty since 2009....I think the mystery directions came out in late November (too long for me to remember exactly when). I have to admit I am about done working on it. I am sure the pieced border is not going to be done. Perhaps a pretty single border so it can get quilted and on the bed for the upcoming holiday.

Orion's Star is next. I trimmed it up this weekend and did the binding. I saw some areas in the red that I forget to stitch so I need to do that section. The last black border has not been quilted. It was the final vote that the black is so pretty that it needs a little something special quilted so that it stands out. Will need to think of a pattern...maybe some pretty swirls.

This picture of this one is not real clear as it was taken with my cel phone. It is the center for my new project, Album of Memories by Robert Callaham. It was the end of the day and I had my sewing machine packed away when I remembered I needed to make some bias strips. So I just played with it. My fabrics of choice will be scraps from my Civil War tote. The colors are much prettier up close. Once I get the center medallion on that needs appliqued I will post a better photo.

Overcast Sunday

2010-09-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

Well it is an overcast day in Columbus. At first my kids did not really want to deal with Sunday family dinner due to FOOTBALL.......then that idea passed but somehow I am cooking the entire dinner?? Good thing I had enough burger thawed out (was making myself a meatloaf for the workweek) now they will get my meatloaf, fresh greenbeans that had been in the freezer with new potatoes and cornbread. Not too bad for a last minute throw together and I so love having the kids all in one place, even if just for a few hours.

My guilde, the West Jefferson Heirloom Quilters, is doing a Christmas block of the month for this next year. I actually had a hard time choosing fabric for some reason. Absolutely nothing was appealing to me. Typically I am a scrappy quilter but just was not feeling it for this quilt. I had spent the day in the sewing room organzing...maybe my eyes were tired of looking at fabric?? NAH...that will never happen :-)
So anyway, this is the fabric that jumped out at me. It will be planned with 3 different fabrics. There is one gal in charge of the patterns so until we meet each month we will have no idea what the patter of the month will be. Kind of fun.

Time to check the meatloaf and make a call to a friend. I think I was a little snippy but there is alot on my mind. Need to call and make ammends. Thank goodness I have friends who are forgiving.....

Where did the day go?

2010-09-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Well today ended up being as beautiful as I thought it would. It was really good to just putt around doing nothing. Had a few "moments" but all in all it was a good day. I spend alot of time in my sewing room trying to organize more. It's amazing how fast the time can go when doing that. But a HUGE bag of trash went out and that was good. I had a desk in the room which my son removed for me 2 weeks ago. As I no longer use a desk top computer it seemed pointless to have it down there when that space could be used for more quilt organizing. It's amazing how much junk was on and in the desk that you think is important until you stare at it for awhile. All of a sudden you realize you don't need most of it and off to the trash it goes :-) yeah.... I bought a new shelf, put it together and all projects (that I could find) have a home on the shelf. All "want to make" projects have the pattern and fabrics for it in ziploc bags, now I need to find a large tote to put those in and it will have a home as well.
In between organizing I talked to Ann for about 2 hours...yeah we chatted :-), the sun finally warmed up the patio enough that I had lunch and dinner on the patio while reading a good Danielle Steel novel. I love her work.
As I am tired from all of the above it's time to cozy up with a good movie (DVR'd 4 today) and do some work on Orion's Star.
And the good news is that the bad news stayed out of my brain for awhile. That was the blessing of the day.

Beautiful Day

2010-09-25T05:17:00.000-07:00

No new pics to post this morning.......but it sounds like a beautiful day is in store for us. I was going to have breafast outside this morning but it's actually too cold!!!!
Plans for today to spend time in the basement. First I want to find the tote of fall decorations and bring them up to be set out. After.........it will be to get the sewing room organized. My basement is split, one side is a finished family room........thus it is my sewing room. The other side is unfinished and is the laundry room and storage. I don't really care what that side looks like as long as it is cleaned and functional.
However, the sewing room needs an overhaul!!! I bought shelving so once I get it put together I think the process will be that much easier. Then I can get to sewing again. My quilt guild is doing a Christmas block of the month so I need to have that done before the next meeting......which is in 2 weeks.

One more block down

2010-09-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

It's a warm and rainy day in Columbus. It's about 90 but I believe this is our last warm day. It sounds like it will be in the 70's from here out. Fall is officially here which makes me want to drag the box of fall decor from the basement and set some cute things out.
One more block for Robert's Floral Garden is done. There should have been one more round on the "dalia" but I was tired of working on it, thought the blue was a nice last round so I covered the seams with buttons. I like how it turned out. Today was a quiet day. Putted around the house, had lunch with a friend, ran some errands and had a few misty moments over my mom. Won't do details here but things just don't look good, though I am trying to stay positive. Anyway, losing myself in my quilt blocks helps to take my mind off things.
I have plenty of shows and movies taped from the past week so I think this weekend will be one to stay home, veg, watch some tube and work on my Orion's Star which is in the frame. I am almost done and with the chilly weather coming it will be a wonderful work of art to snuggle under.

Robert's Floral Garden

2010-09-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

It has been a beautiful week in Columbus. I had lunch with the family and the remainder of the day has been spent relaxing and working on this top. It has been in the works for a few years now so I am excited that it is almost complete.
These are the last 2 applique' blocks. The remaining 2 blocks are pieced..still not sure why he does this in his patterns but I am sure there is a method to his thoughts.
I was not sure if I was going to do the pieced blocks but have decided to do them .......so I am hoping by next weekend they are done and the assembling can begin. Each block will be bordered in a gold/yellow fabric and then sashing will be scraps that are left over from all the blocks. Should be interesting.

Robert's Floral Garden

2010-09-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

Well, one more block is done and another is in the works. I thought I only had 2 more blocks to go and actually had 4...ugh!!! Although, there is light at the end of the tunnel as those 4 blocks do not look as complicated as the past ones have been. I hope today is as pretty as the past few have been. If the wind dies down a little I may do the last blocks on the patio with some ice tea and sunshine!!!!

Saturday Sew Day

2010-09-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

What a BEAUTIFUL day in central Ohio. The AC was turned off yesterday and it's COLD today. Temp registers 70 in my house!!!!
Had a great day with two friends, Deb and Denise, came for a day of sewing. I completed the final bits of one block for Robert's Floral Garden and go a second one started. I think I have 4 blocks to go and can then start setting them...yeah...........will post pics soon.

August is here

2010-08-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

The last month of summer...well not the "official month" but I call it the last month as all the kids are heading back to school. I have no new photos to post as I am determined to hammer down on Robert's Floral Garden until it is complete. Thought I would at least post something so all my friends in quiltland know I am still here and particpating in life :-)
Had a great day today with Ann, Frannie, Irene and Pat. Always have a great time with these ladies. Such talent all together in one room. It's inspiring to see what others are working on.

Robert's Floral Garden

2010-07-22T04:53:00.000-07:00

Block 7 is complete. This week I will be cutting for blocks 8 and 9. After that I am not sure what I will do. The pattern screams applique to me BUT the author, for some reason, placed 3 pieced blocks in the top and I just do not understand why. I do not like them but I am not sure I want to design 3 blocks to insert in their places. It may just end up being a smaller quilt or a wall hanging........not sure yet.

Double Wedding Ring

2010-07-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Well I found it...the lost tote. I have not worked on this top in a long time. I cut it from scraps about 10 years ago. The recipient has since passed away and I could not bring myself to work on it. A few friends are now working on their own DWR top so I figured it was time to dig mine out. When I went to get it I was so dissapointed that I could not find it. I have moved more times than I have cared to the past few years and was afraid it had been lost in one of the moves...even though I was certain I had seen it. Well, it ended up being placed under the far back of a shelf for some reason. I was looking for something else and found it................it's time it was completed and put to use.

Dear Jane

2010-07-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well this is what it looks like so far. The pic is not that great as it's kind of dark in my living room, the batteries died in my camera so I took the pics with my camcorder...I need to figure lighting on it.... I started to lap quilt the top 8 blocks but I am not sure I am going to like this method. Before going any further I REALLY need to think about it. I like the idea of doing small sections but I know the further I go the heavier it is going to get sooooooo the stitches may come out of that small section so that I can just put the entire top in the frame.
My choice of fabrics are Civil War repos.

My goal this summer is to kick butt on UFO's. I am REALLY tired of all the projects sitting around staring at me and my quilt room could be better organized if all the totes were empty :-) I think I have about 1/2 to 3/4 of the inside blocks completed. I have none of the triangle borders even started yet.

VACATION

2010-07-10T04:43:00.000-07:00

Ohhhhhhh how I love time away from work :-) Don't get me wrong, I love my job and I work with a great bunch of gals but at times I feel like I have been working most all of my life and am just ready to retire...or at least find a job in the quilting industry....but oh wait...........I would work for fabric and bills would not get paid. Guess no retirement yet............so I will just vacation...and do it often. Opening my own bakery is in the back of my mind as well...........oh to dream.
I am heading to TN...to see my mom and hit the quilt show in Knoxville.....lots of girlfriends will be there so it will be nice to catch up with them as well.
No pics to post today. I hope when I return I will have at least 1-2 UFO's completed and ready to put in the frame....yeah.

Happy 4th of July & Hunter's first birthday celebration

2010-07-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

Summer is here........

2010-07-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

Pics of my patio. I enjoyed the past week SO much. The weather could not have been more perfect. The AC was turned off and the fantastic breeze was blowing curtains in all the open windows. My kind of weather. My patio is coming along. I have the waterfountain hooked up but can't seem to come up with a good way to keep all the leaves from getting in the water..........have to think on that one. I tried laying some screen over it but all it did was sink down in the water. I need something more stable. Maybe a trellis?? I just don't know.
The little "glass house" on the porch is a greenhouse I found in Berlin. It is SO cute. There is a man across from Zink's (where we do quilt retreats in May) ........his yard is full of crafy items. Anyway....the house came home with me. Not sure where it will go next Spring but I would like to put it in the flowerbed...maybe.

Grandmothers Fan.........finally done!!!

2010-07-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

Well the Grandmother's Fan is DONE!!! Pics are below. I have to say I am very pleased with the outcome. I have not officially measured it but from the looks of it laying on my queen bed I would say it is a generous queen or would fit nicely on a king. And per my dear friend Ann....as the label is on it is DONE!!! My stitching may not be perfect but I am smitten with the way it turned out. As the fabrics are originals and not repo's I would really like to find someone to do an appraisal. I saw the same fabrics in a top at a quilt show several years ago. Unquilted, just the top alone, was appraised at $850.00 so I am pretty curious as to what the completed product would net. Not that I could part with it, not now at least. I want to enjoy it for awhile.
Having breakfast with my dad and extended family today..brother, SIL, kids, their better halves and Hunter, who celebrated his first birthday this weekend. Then I think the remainder of the day will be spent relaxing...........and thinking of the next quilt project to complete. I am on a roll to complete those projects that have been hanging around. Maybe Robert's Floral Garden is next???????

Enjoy!

Yummylicious

2010-07-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

Well this past Monday was the last of a 4 week cake decorating class. First week was cookies, I missed the second, third was cupcakes (which flopped at it was so hot and the icing basically melted but the taste was good)........fourth was a cake...........pictured here. Took the pic with my phone camera so the pic may not be great..........but the cake was yummy. Chocolate with cherry filling and buttercream icing.

Back to quilting and relaxation......what a PERFECT day for it. The weather could not be more perfect ....

Connecting Threads Warehouse Rummage Sale

2010-06-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

Or.........whatever you want to call it, that's what it seemed like to me! Made 2 trips, second was more productive than the first as more fabric was available and there were only 2 people there.
Went with Frannie the first time and pretty much picked out some neutrals. Went back later withe Denise and added some color to the stash :-)

Our pics are below...........I added 10 pounds of fabric, I think Denise bought maybe 3.5.

Father's Day

2010-06-20T05:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dad's out there. I have not posted in awhile. At times there are alot of things going on and then there are times that absolutely nothing is going on.....I am ok with those days :-)
Today will be spent getting ready for tomorrow's cake decorating class, breakfast with my aunt and uncle who are in town, then a trip to JoAnn's, Giant Eagle and then dinner with my kids later....busy day!!!

No pics to post with this post. I am set on completing the grandmother's fan. It's almost done. I am doing basic stitches on the borders and then the binding will go on. Once it is entirely done I will post a pic of the final product. Not sure if I am keeping this one or handing it off.

Relaxing Sunday

2010-06-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

The pulled BBQ is in the crock pot staying warm for dinner later with the kids. Simple dinner...pulled pork sandwiches, salad and chips......can't get any easier. Eddie usually does the grilling but with the rain being so unpredictable this week I told him simple sandwiches would be just fine........plus they love mamma's yummy pulled pork that has simmered for 2 days.

The fabric pic is the latest project in my head. I have an empty wall in the living room that is screaming for something to be hung on it. What it will look like is in the picture posted below. Now that I have new carpet and paint I want something new for the wall. I was going for a pop of color with a slate blue ......which it looked like in the fabric store but in my house it looks like turquoise. I am just going to use it for flower buds so it may be ok. I will have to think on that one.

Remembering

2010-05-31T07:25:00.000-07:00

The grandmothers fan is back in the frame. I am REALLY trying to force myself to leave it in the frame until the quilting is complete. It has been probably 5-7 years in the works and it is time it is done and snuggled under or sent to a new home. Not sure what is going to happen to it yet.
The picture below is a close up of the plaque in KY that my grandfather's name is on. A full picture of the wall is in the post below. I never did get to meet him but I am proud of him for serving his country in WWl from 1917-1918. There are also two other relatives listed but I am not sure what relation they were, I need to research that.

Memorial Day weekend

2010-05-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

While in Kentucky enjoying a family reunion my brothers, sister in law and I stopped in town to take photos at the memorial park where a brick was placed with my dads name and dates...though he did not serve long he did serve . We also took a pick of the memorial wall where my grandfather and some other relatives are listed from WAYYYYYYY back when. Imagine my surprise when I walked away, looked to my left and there stood the biggest quilt block I have ever seen on board..............so of course I had to share and remember those who have fallen for our right to freedom.

Scott's Orange Quilt...the final product!!

2010-05-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

Well it is finally done!!! I do have to admit that once I started actually quilting the top it started to take on a new life and I almost like it. Scott loves it but then all three boys love all of mom's quilts. He took it home with him today. Posted is a picture of him and his happy smile.

So now the frame has the vintage 30's grandmothers fan back onto it for

Life

2010-05-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

Nothing exciting to report for the week. I finished my first stack n wack block but the batteries are dead in my camera........I think I would like to get a few more blocks together before posting more anyway. The orange quilt is coming along and it is sort of my priorty a the moment so that I can be rid of it :-) I think the child has waited long enough for it. The binding is on so now I am just going along the edges and tidying up where the edges are butted against the frame and can't be stitched. It's something I can do in the evening while watching a movie. I hope the entire process will be over by the end of the week........or maybe even tomorrow if I can get some chores done and sit for a movie or two.

Stack N Wack Blocks/Fabrics

2010-05-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

The fabric is cut......pretty scarey. Pic 2 shows the main fabric as a whole, pic 1 shows all blocks cut, stacked and ready to sew, pic 3 shows one block laid out. Frannie, Pat and I were so excited to see what one would look like. A little of the "effect" will be lost in the seam allowance but I think all will be ok in the end. Now to some domestic chores so I can sew with a clean mind and a clean house :-)

Quilting Completed

2010-05-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

This is Scott's orange quilt...it is out of the maching. TJ had to of course check it out, as usual.

Binding needs to be cut and made today.

Orange quilt

2010-05-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

The orange quilt is out of the frame, the quilting is DONE. The goal this weekend is to get the binding made as well as sewn on.....as well as clean, do laundry etc....
A morning spent with Frannie and Pat netted a great lunch with friends, good movie and my stack n wack being cut out......time to start working on that as well. I was scared to death to make that first cut as one wrong move and the fabric will not take on the design you want. We laid out the blocks to take a peek and I do believe it will be stunning. A typical stack n wack is made from bold bright colors, a picture of my fabric is a few posts below, some were skeptical that the muted colors would not work so well but I think it will be stunning.

My dad is in town so we'll do a family dinner tomorrow evening.

Wednesday May 12

2010-05-12T15:15:00.000-07:00

One more work day completed.........with a big plop of yellow mustard hitting me square on the front of my blouse ............and I had a 4pm meeting....no hiding that big blob of yellow on a white blouse!!
Still trying to do a little work each evening on Scott's orange quilt. I want it DONE and out of my frame, hopefully while the evenings are still cool enough that he can enjoy it.

It is about 3/4 of the way done. The the binding will go on and it can go away. I must say, I did not like it and the pic above really does not do it justice. I left the frame in the middle of the living room floor last night when I was done. I came home from work today and walking through the back door..I have to say.........it really is pretty. The side that is completely quilting was face the door............the stitches really do make an ugly quilt pretty :-)

Mother's Day flowers

2010-05-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

From my family:

Monday May 10, 2010

2010-05-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

My kids made Mother's Day so very special yesterday. I asked for time and a movie with all of them and I got it........along with so much more.
No pics to post today as I did not make any progress on anything other than the "orange quilt"..I had plans to work on other things but I am tired of seeing this one in the frame. I am ready for it to be done and in my sons hands. So no more partial work on ANYTHING until this one is done. I think maybe a weeks worth of quilting (by hand) and it can be removed so the binding can be added. I think a brown binding will just make the colors pop and come to life.............because right now it is NOT my favorite work of art but it's what the kid wants.

Stack n Wack Fabric

2010-05-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

Well my trip to Berlin for some quilting fun found this bag of fabric coming back home with me. I have been wanting to do a stack n wack quilt. I have seen 3 or 4 done and they are SO PRETTY!! However I am not into bold and bright colors. I decided on this floral print in burgany and green. Hopefully I made a good choice.......can't wait to get it started. I seem be like a surgeon with a scapel in his had for the first time...I find I am afraid to cut. The fabric is SO beautiful and I am so afraid I will cut it wrong and the blocks will not come out right............I plan to read and reread the directions.

Bullseye Project

2010-05-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is a bullseye swap I am working on. There are 48 blocks completed but I think I will do at least 35 more. When I first the pattern on paper I did not like it and actually thought it an ugly quilt. Ann made one and I FELL IN LOVE with it. It is just so colorful and "fun"...so I had to have one....of course.

Monday 5/3

2010-05-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

Had a GREAT time at a quilt retreat this past weekend. I got alot done on my Carolina Christmas but no pics yet as the puzzle has not yet started to go together. I did get a pic of another Christmas challange quilt I am doing with Frannie.

Saturday April 24

2010-04-24T05:33:00.000-07:00

So far it has been a beautiful weekend....the rain came for a little while Thurday evening. No rain came at all yesterday, that I know of, even though the weather man called for it. It does look a little like rain this morning. Retreat is coming next week. I am so excited to spend 3-4 days with old friends as well as make some new friends. We eat, sew, talk, share hopes and dreams of the future.
My machine is still packed from an event last weekend so that's out of the way. I am not sure yet what I am taking to work on. More than likely the Christmas challange that I am doing with Frannie and the Carolina Christmas from Bonnie Hunter's website. Some kind of hand work and that may be it. Not too many projects but enough to keep me busy.
Today will be packing day, laundry etc....just veg and relax as it feels like I have done nothing but run, run, run the past few weeks.

Stash Add

2010-04-19T03:40:00.000-07:00

Frannie and I went to Michelle's...........WV Quilts and yesssssss I added 3 yards to my stash. Just could not help it. Have not unpacked it yet as I have been out and about since getting home late Friday night. Didn't even turn the TV on until about 9pm last night and still didn't watch it, it was for noise.........
Spent alot of time with family this weekend. My oldest son helped me get my patio ready for summer etc...lots to do and still more to do. Never ends.

Scrappy Civil War

2010-04-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

This little lap quilt was made at a retreat with some friends. I knew I wanted to make something with some of the civil war repo scraps I had. So I tossed my tote of fabric in the car, while at retreat I was reading a quilt magazine and this pattern popped out at me. So thus, this is what the weekend brought about. It's just big enough to throw across my lap while watching a movie and of course....working on the next quilt top!

Grandmothers Flower Garden

2010-04-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday Morning!!! Here comes another project :-) While organizing a little more in the quilt room I came across this Moda Moonlight fabric I had purchased several years ago. Not enough to really do a major quilt with and the floral is so pretty I really did not want to give it too much competition with other fabrics. So I chose the flower garden pattern. Anyone who really knows me knows I LOVE hand work, not too much into machine work. I love these little flowers as they just pack up to go wherever I am going so easily. The picture does not do the fabric justice, the colors are a little more vibrant in person. If I tried to do a pic in good lighing it looked too pale, in a darker room it was even more pale.......I don't know how big it will end up being, it will be done when I run out of the floral fabric. I think I have 2 yards :-)

Block 6-Roberts Floral Garden

2010-04-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

Block 6 is now complete. I do need to put the little vines and tindrels on as well as beads for the bird eyes but those I won't add until I am quilting it so that they do not get lost in the design.

Robert's Floral Garden

2010-04-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

I dug this project out to work on while still being laid up with the on and off fever?? Not sure what's up with that but oh well, it can't hang around forever. Anyway, I think is this why I love hand work... I can veg on the couch or bed and toss it aside if I feel the need to doze...which I do feel coming any minute.
Thank GOD for laptops. Those little things can go anywhere. I wonder how I ever survived without one!!

Anyway, I started this project back in 2003, I think. I am working on block number 6. I think I have 4 or 5 more blocks to finish before I can put it all together. Each block will be bordered with a goldish color fabric, which I have not purchased yet, and then a scappy sashing will go between each block. I think so far the lower right block is my favorite. You cannot tell in the photo but the vase is actual lattice work done in 2 different fabrics. I love the effect. When done I will post a close up of each block...some day :-)

Saturday

2010-04-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

Well my quilting buddies, not much is going on in this household today. I had big plans to get some spring cleaning done on the patio, in the house as well as the quilt room. Time to clean out those unfinished projects!!! I have many things in many phases and I bet most can be used as Christmas gifts this year...if I get them done. BUT I feel too crappy. Took my son to the hospital for a procedure yesterday, felt like crap most of the time there, started running a fever later and coughing which makes my head feel like it's rady to explode and still feel crappy today...........so much for accomplishing things inside and outside today!!!!
Been trying to do a little work on Scott's quilt, since I am mostly sitting, but that's not going so well either. Tried to surf the web and that's not so good either. I just want to sleep. Is that so bad on a nice day???????
And tomorrow is Easter...........it's a good thing my oldest son Eddie loves to cook. I think he'll be pulling it off this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ann's Quilt Top

2010-03-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

This is a top given to me by a dear friend, Ms. Ann Fry. I loved it from the moment I saw it. I just love all the colors/scraps of fabrics. She was not happy with how it turned out so I inheritated the top BUT I have to quilt it myself.........which is OK with me. There is no better gift than a quilt from a quilting buddy!!
There are two pictures posted, one of the entire top and one close up to show the colors of the blocks. All scrappy. I love it and cannot wait to get it quilted. I will cherish it. Thank you Ann.

Hunter's Star Quilt

2010-03-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is a quilt made for my grandson, Hunter William Colley. The pattern was suggested by a quilting buddy, due to the name of my grandson, so the pattern fit and thus..........this is the result,

Friendships Links Top

2010-03-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

This is a top made from 2.5 inch strips of fabric that were swaped with some quilting friends. The top is pieced but still needs quilted. I have NO idea when that will happen. Some day..........

Spring

2010-03-28T06:19:00.000-07:00

Spring is trying to break loose here in Columbus, Ohio. I was "told" by some friends that I needed to update my blog :-)
Nothing much has really been going on around here. Just enjoying the first signs of Spring. The greenery of the flowers are starting to burst through the soil and mulch. Daffodils are actually up and looked so pretty peeking through the little bit of snow that fell Thursday night.
I do have some quilty updates to make and will post pics as soon as I find my camera bag. Had to pack up alot of things for the painters and carpet guys to come. Having both done at the same time was like packing to move BUT it looks so much homier and cozy here. A great job was done and the place is really pretty now BUT I am not unpacked...but I am also in no hurry. It's been too pretty outside to be inside unpacking. Trying to get the health in order, enjoy a few quilting retreats and wait for Spring/Summer to arrive so the patio can be opened up to enjoy ice tea and a good book in the sunshine.

Snowed in/Orange Quilt

2010-02-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

It's a snowy weekend in Columbus, Ohio. Without stepping outdoors to snap a pic with a ruler I would say there is maybe 7 inches of snow. It's pretty deep but beautiful!

Which prompted a day of making cookies for my son (for his birthday), laudry, almost cutting my finger off making chicken salad and FINALLY the orange quilt top is done!!! It has not been quilted but the top, after several years, is finally complete. I cannot say this was one of my favorites to make but birthday boy wanted orange, all orange. I tossed in some cream and brown to offset so much orange. The pic is taken in the basement with so/so lighting. In the daylight it really is kind of pretty. I have discovered, over the years, that most quilts take on their life and beauty once they are sandwiched and quilted. I hope to have a pretty scrappy back completed and it sandwiched before the weekend is over.

Sew In

2010-01-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

Had a GREAT day with the girls today. Lunch and some quilting...........no better way to spend a cold winter Saturday.

Holidays

2009-12-27T08:09:00.000-08:00

Not too much is going on at the moment, all is peaceful and quiet. Spent Christmas Eve with my kids and then Christmas Day was brunch with my cousin and then dinner with friends.........everything was just wonderful. The remainder of the weekend is just a lazy recouperation. Sadly I forgot to take my camera to my sons on Christmas Eve so there are no photos!!! There are lots of video's but no "pics"...oh well. Time to do some domestic chores and then relax with some movies and more projects that need to be completed. Hunter's quilt is on the slate for todays hand work. I hear snow is coming so it will be ther perfect day to be inside!!!

Monday

2009-12-14T18:58:00.000-08:00

It's late, I am pooped and ready for bed!! I finally got the borders on Hunter's quilt and it is in the lap hoop for quilting so no photo until it is out of the hoop. Then on to wrapping presents. Sitting on the floor for the past 2 hours wrapping is sooooooooooo hard on the behind, even with all the padding I have!!! The more I wrap the more I get the feeling I am forgetting someone............oh wait...........was it me?? Heavens no. I bought my usual present(s) for myself :-) An MP3 player that I will need to figure out how to load music into as I get SO tired of nothing on the radio that I like and my freebie Sirus timeframe is up, new jammies and season 4 of Sex and the City.

Mafia Snowman

2009-12-13T16:29:00.000-08:00

My stick snowman is DONE and has been delivered to the lucky recepient, my friend in Cinci. I call him the Mafia Snowman, he looks like a drunk hit man, or perhaps I had too much wine while putting his face together :-) She loved him though and I guess that's all that matters.

One project down

2009-12-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

This is a snowman wall hanging I completed last week. Today the label will go on as well as the hanging sleeve. It is a gift so it will go into a bag to go to it's new owner. My lovely brother said it looks like a robot...............that's just WRONG :-)

Quilters Christmas Poem

2009-12-06T05:05:00.000-08:00

Finished some quilted Christmas gifts this weekend and have one minor thing left to do on another. Will post photos later as I needed to wait for daylight for better lighting. I think I am quilted out for the weekend. I think I will stop for hot cocoa to drink on the drive to visit kids. then later, domestic goddess needs to appear to do laundry etc....after that I think it will be movie night and working on a Christmas cross stitch pattern I put up several years ago when I was having vision issues. Forgot where I put the project and recently found it. Will post pics of that too, maybe.

I read this on line by another quilter and thought it was SO cute and fitting :

Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be fat quarters or a pattern or lace?
Or a quilt kit, I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa," I said
"You know....good little girls should be in their beds ".
"I know I should Santa, and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited to see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work."
He shook his head quickly, And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough stuff, I'll see you next year!"

author unknown
ps I better clean my quilting room before he checks mine!

Saturday

2009-12-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

Just putting around the homestead today, no major plans which is kind of nice for a change. A day at home is good for the soul!! I worked on some Christmas projects. Once the paint is dry I may post some pics. I am pleased with my work...yeah.
I did figure out that I hung my lights up outside backwards, which is the reason they will not light as there is NOTHING to plug into. Not sure if I will take them down and restart or just take them down and forget it for this year. Depends on if it is too cold tomorrow to deal with it.

Carolina Christmas Quilt = In progress

2009-11-29T13:25:00.000-08:00

I decided to take on the challenge of Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt. I chose my colors....they look kind of bland by the phone camera but they really are kind of pretty. It will be scrappy reds, greens, creams and a gold to pull it all together. No fabric has been purchased (so far). All fabrics are coming from my stash so it will be pretty scrappy. I did not want to do Christmas fabrics as I have other plans for that stash.

Black Friday

2009-11-27T05:21:00.000-08:00

Everyone is out shopping. You could not PAY me to step foot into a store today :-) There are tiny wispy snowflakes falling. Good day to be inside putting up the Christmas tree. Outside decorations can wait until tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-26T06:07:00.000-08:00

The top photo is my Granny and Grandpa, John and Thelma Taylor. I miss holiday dinners at my grandma's house. You were expected to be there. I never met my grandpa, he died before I was born.
The bottom photo is a quilt from the Vintage days that I have been hand quilting for the past 5-6 years. It's been a long haul as I take it out and put it away depending on what's happening in life at the time. It's very tedious work but it is also almost done.

The turkey is in the oven and will be transported to my son's later this afternoon for a family dinner. He takes his cooking skills after his mommy so dinner should be pretty tasty.

Baby Day

2009-11-22T10:42:00.000-08:00

Today was baby morning with Hunter. Droped some formula and diapers off. He had friends his age coming to visit so it was time for grandma to exit :-) A house full of babies and baby toys can just make your heart melt and also make you break your neck at the same time.
The rest of the day will be spent trying to finish hooking up electronics in the house as well as work on some Christmas projects, will post those pics when they are complete. It's a pretty day and I should be out hanging up Christmas lights but that can wait until the kids are here next week, they can do it and I will keep the coffee pot full to warm their cold hands..........that's mamma's job!!!

Orion Star Quilt

2009-11-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

I made this top this past week. The star is made using the flying geese technique which I have never done. It was pretty easy and I think the colors all turned out well.

Projects

2009-11-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

Enjoyed my 5 days off visiting with friends and getting some things done at home. One more project is complete.

Life

2009-11-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

Nothing major going on. Have a few more projects in the works but can't seem to get my photos to download into the computer, for some reason.
Life is good, baby Hunter is growing by the day and such a happy baby.