Productive Day

Wow what a good day I had today. Headed for the sewing room first thing...worked on a quilt for BBD - (Batiks by Design) Patti should be home tomorrow and I only have another top AND 3 bags to make for her before she leaves for Des Moines. I sure hope that the trip north goes better than the trip south...rofl I typed up the Newsletter and laughed all the while I was writing it. (get a copy - go to http://www.batiksbydesign.com/)

So I think I changed thread on this one 10 times! In one row changed it FOUR times. Next top gets ONE color...lol...

dont know if these pictures will show up the square feathers - OMG they are so awesome!
I have this really neat friend on one of the groups I'm in. When I posted that picture of it as just a top and asked for suggestions. She posted pictures of these square feathers...and man they ROCK! easy to do... and I think they looks pretty good...much better than my curved feathers.

Yesterday (ok I know I said today was productive - but it started yesterday..)

The following is a quilt from the Guild. We do Kidney Komfort for people on dialysis. I usually take a couple home every month - this month they had 4 - I took 3 then someone said she didn't get any - so she took 2 of mine...that's ok - just need to get them finished.

So anyway - I ramble too much- I practiced the square feather on this one. (ok my secret is out - I use the guild quilts as practice for doing new patterns... ya found me out)

The last thing I finish I had today is this tote bag. Jen from another group I'm in - wanted to make this tote for her mother-in-law for Christmas. I told her I'd help her out and if she had any questions I'd be there for her. I figured if I'm going to look at the directions (they were on line) I might as well make one. Pretty easy - turned out pretty good. I like a couple others I've done for Patti and BBD (only 3 more to make for her...)

Sooo Hmmm? wonder what's up for tomorrow?

Saying Goodbye is Hard to Do...

We have some Dear Neighbors that are leaving us. For health reasons Janice and Charles are relocating to Atlanta to be closer to their daughter. In just a couple of weeks we will have new neighbors but we wanted to say good-bye to them so another neighbor and I planned a party. I thought of a wonderful gift. They have the neatest metal sculptures in their back yard - they are leaving them behind - so what better way to take their sculptures with them but in a quilt. While they were away I went to their house and took pictures of them, printed them and designed a quilt in EQ6. From start to finish it took me about 3 weeks. Sort of cutting it closer than I like...but with Bill's help with cleaning and cooking - I made my deadline.

Friday night was the party - we had so much food - neighbors brought in appetizers - we had shrimp and cheese balls and crackers and dip and veggies - After some great conversation and nibbles we progressed on to BBQ, slaw, beans, marinated tomatoes - THEN if we weren't full enough we moved on to desserts! PIES PIES and more PIES...we had Pumpkin, coconut cream, caramel, peanut butter, derby pie AND a berry cobbler! OH MY!!

This is just one of the sculptures - from the suggestion of one of my on-line quilter friends I took small squares and folded them. Sewing them in the seams I made like old time photo tabs. What a GREAT look. I Love my new group! They have the BEST ideas!! And are so giving!

So here are Janice and Chuck on Friday night opening the quilt. I could hardly wait until they saw it! I was holding my breath to see their reaction! LOOK at that smile! Janice had both hands and slapped each side of her face (just like in Home Alone!) She kept say OH MY OH MY

ROFLOL.... Maybe the upside-down view is better...Janice just couldn't believe it!

Everyone got into the picture - everyone wanted to see it..they asked me all sort of questions and how I did it.

Charles came up to me and hugged me - told me he doesn't get emotional and it usually takes a lot to get him to cry - Just I did it...He told me he would never forget me...that it was the best gift they have ever received...

Janice cried - telling me how beautiful it was - and how amazing I was - and how it would be so wonderful taking them with them - no matter where they lived... I was really a wonderful experience for me to have one of my creations so warmly received.

Two more neighbors (Jordon and Margaret holding it up)

As snug as a bug in a rug!

LOL more neighbors and more fun more pictures!

The end of the evening we ALL had a glorious time. Charles and Janice hugged on us saying how much they have enjoyed our neighborhood. We all agreed that Janice and Chuck are the BEST neighbors and how much we are going to miss them.

The Monster wins!

For like 6 years I've had an on-going battle with my quilting machine. Last week while doing a quilt that will be in a booth at Houston - and having 2 or 3 or 4 more that COULD be there - I broke a needle. OK so it was a PP top and all those seams intersect...but then another one broke on the border???? WHAT THE???? I stopped...it was time to walk away. But yesterday morning the time had come - I have like 4 tops that need quilting yesterday! So I prepared for BATTLE...coffee cup in hand I marched into battle. New needle - timed it - started it....the thread broke...2 stitches and snap! Ok thread again - work some more - well NOT THAT long...snap...timed it again - snap - changed threads - snap - changed bobbins - snap - cuss - snap - changed to different thread in bobbin snap - more cuss - started watching it - Hmmm looked like the hole in the cover plate had a burr on it...Bill sanded it - thread machine - snap - more cuss (stronger words) - didnt help snap snap snap...sand more - more snap. Watched more it wasn't breaking at the plate - was wrapping around the bobbin casing - snap - thread - watch - catches IN the bobbin case - snap - take pictures - snap snap ... WHAT THE ! snap - walk away - email Sally - pray for answer... TODAY new day - let's see if I can come up with something... Seems like hook has burr on it - sand - snap... I swear the damn machine has a mind of it's own. It now is sitting with the power off... You win Machine... I'll look for a new one and you can be kicked to the curb!

Funny thing was about 3 weeks ago we went to watch our grandchildren swim (long story - we missed watching them) but we went out for breakfast. While waiting for our food the kids started playing a game..."If I had one wish what would it be" When it was my turn it went around the table... - - world peace...million dollars.... yeah right - whatever - hmm - then it came to Bill...he said...if I had one wish - it would be for a new quilting machine....BINGO that was it...maybe my wish will now come true....

To the CURB PRODIGY!

Defeat from Blogger

Ok I admit I gave up last night. Blogger defeated me - I was way too tired to care.

Here are the pictures I couldn't add yesterday - They are of Heather's quilts she asked me to do for her. The Blue /green/yellow one is a yellow brick road...with turtles in the teal fabric. She wondered if I could make it look like water...and then I suggested turtles quilted into it also. I don't know if you can see the turtle in it...but I did 4 of them "swimming" around . lol I think she will receive it today I hope she likes it.













This morning I finish fighting with a quilt that had nothing but bias edges..when I loaded it I noticed the borders were pretty loose...so I made a mental note to make sure I worked it in. All went fine until the last row and the final border...OMG I had a LOT to work in and knew it wouldn't work. I went on-line and asked for suggestions. One lady told me to get this special starch - (which I will order) but knew I didn't have time. So I thought I'd wet it and see what happened (couldn't hurt) I was quite pleased that the fabric started to behave. I did have to make 2 "darts" in it and now (tada) it is finished.

check that off the list!

The rest of today I'm switching over to Cathedral Stars. I'm making this one for Buddy for Christmas. AND I need to work on the backing for Mandy's. I need to get off here and get busy!

Sept 22!!!! already!!!

Wow hard to believe...the corn fields are a golden brown...mornings are cooler...and today is the first day of fall! Time to get busy quilting and sewing. Not much time left until Christmas.


I've not worked too much on my stuff...BUT I have worked on things for others. Heather sent me 2 for her...Patti has had me working hard on 4 and the Guild is having their Fall Bazaar this weekend!

Here are Heather's two Baby quilts. Seems the pastel baby colors are a thing of the past. All the
Young ladies are favoring the bright colorful colors for their little one. I guess I see their point. Babies are precious wonderful bundles of joy - so why not celebrate them with COLOR!

Can't seem to post the 2nd one. Will work on it so that you can see the 2nd one.

This one is Angie's. It is a disappearing 9 patch. In oh so rich colors (I predict a disappearing 9 patch on my to do list for next year)

Procrastinated long enough and I have started my 3 Christmas quilt. Mandy's is a top now...Buddy's have a few Cathedral Star blocks ( On my to-do list for this week is to make more) and Aaron's...sigh...his memory quilt is all in my memory! BUT It will be done by Christmas. My goal for tonight is to order a box of 50 sheets of the photo fabric. Since I'll need at least 12 for Aaron's - I'm thinking more like 16 and have decided to make a small lap throw for a neighbors who are moving...I've taken pictures of their Music Men in their back yard...and will put it on the throw. Sort of a KY memory...

Well I'd better get busy if things are going to be done tonight.

Have a great evening everyone...watch Biggest Loser! love Jillian

OOPS where did August go to?

MAN what happened??? I swore to do so good at blogging and here I put my life in pause I guess! I'm sooo bad!

August got good news for Tom - last Chemo and blood test showed NO CANCER! So now it is time to move on. I'm relieved for him - he says he is going back to Atlanta for a visit - now THAT is a good sign.

Bill and I celebrated our 45 anniversary...and THAT is a good sign...only one thing troubles me - on our 25 anniversary I told him our marriage contract can only be renewed every 25 years...ya know what - in 5 more years he get to choose again...hmmmm guess I'd better be nice to him for the next few years...lol

Aaron is all enrolled - got his books and has been attending classes for 3 weeks. By HIS account all is going well - but - well this isn't high school and there is no emailing his teachers and see how he is doing. We told him in the beginning that his is ALL on his shoulders. He can either make it the best he can or coast...I hope he is doing well. He has a new job - another pizza place but is getting a lot more hours.

This weekend is Memorial Day holiday. I see on facebook that Bill jr and family are heading to Cumberland lake. Mandy (granddaughter) started her senior year AND is taking 2 classes at the local community college! She is not only beautiful - but SMART to....now WHERE did those traits come from? Buddy (youngest g.son) is in his last year of home schooling.

Younger son Bob has a friend who is on dialysis - So I grabbed up a UFO switched it around to make it more square...He wouldn't need one that is so long - I quilted it last week and today put the binding on it...

Patti (the girl I went with to quilt shows last year) is getting on the road again (only without me)

She is leaving for PA next Sunday and I have a disappearing 9 patch to do for her AND in an email she said she will have 2 more by the first of the week. Now add to this it being a short week - and I'm wondering if I should be called Mircle Worker if I can pull off quilting 3 in one week? I might need a cheering squad...anyone around to encourage me?

I'm off to load a disappearing 9 patch!!

Update - July 22, 2009

ROFL...here you are Gwen...just what you ordered...an update from me!!!

It seems like I've been so busy - but when I sit down to write WHAT has been keeping me busy

- hmmmm I can't remember what has kept me hopping??? Is it a sign of old age that I'm as busy as I think I am...or am I forgetting that I'm not that busy and just think I am??? Hmmmmm

I have been sewing a lot lately. I've been working on the Quilts of Valor from our on line group Quilters Anonymous. The girls get together and all chip in - making blocks, sending in border fabric, one girl puts them together...and sends to me. I quilt it, bind it, put the label on it, write up the letter to go with it, and send it off.

This is one that Jen put together.
Worked out really well and is very pretty!

And this is another one that Jen made
I love the red and white together

These two are completely done and ready to go. I now have 2 mystery QOV to finish up. One has been ready for binding for a couple of weeks now and one I just quilted today and is now ready for binding to. I have one last one that was a round robin. Has an eagle medallion in the center and shows great workmanship by the ladies in our group. I will take pictures and post the two mystery ones tomorrow...OR later Gwen - Ya never know! rofl.

Same Jen as above challenged our group to a summer project. We all had to use what we had laying around. One gal found some great fabrics in her stash - I found scraps...lol...but we all used the same pattern block and we have all come up with completely different projects.

Here are Helen's BRIGHT blocks here is Heathers GREAT top

And here is the table cloth I'm making.

Hard to believe they are all the same pattern!!

Ok I have a few other projects...but I'm tired of uploading pictures and having to redo the entire format of this post...Hmmm I must be blog challenged...lol

Ok all - going to check this to make sure you can read it - Gwen...this one's for you!