I saw snow flakes

I was out early this morning and it sure was cold out. So I'm standing there looking at the trees and something falls in front of my face. OMG it was snow. Now I know I live in Wisconsin and it's almost Thanksgiving but I'm never ready for snow. There were just a few flakes floating around but that didn't make me a happy camper at all.

What it did make me is anxious to start decorating for Christmas. Now I know it's early for that too but why not get an early start. So, out came the big CD player, I loaded it up with Christmas CD's and I've been listening ever since. Then out came my small tree that is in a pot. I fluffed and fluffed the branches and turned it on. So far nothing but white lights but it sure looks nice. Next up were the three pillar candles that I have on the entertainment center. Well, they looked plain. While I was looking for some pretty ribbon to wrap around their middles I came across some red beads instead. I like the look of that now I just need some greenery to go around them.

Now, I think I'm finally in the mood to do some Christmas quilting. Off I go.

Tis The Season

Well, I'm back. As they say, long time no post. Summer just flew by and now fall is doing the same thing. I wasn't doing any sewing this past summer so absolutely nothing to post about. Actually I was tired of people criticizing my blogging so I stopped for a while. But, now I've decided to heck with those who love to pick on me and I'm back.

Like I said I've been really busy helping out different family members with different projects. They ranged from helping get ready for a huge rummage sale and doing the rummage days in very hot weather. Running back and forth helping others out and just a couple of weeks ago doing a lot of painting and clearing out of clutter for my brother. It felt good to have something to do. Recently my Mom fell and broke her ankle so now I'm helping out there. Inbetween I've made a total of 5 pairs of pillow cases and I just finished up a small turkey wallhanging. I took down the Halloween decorations and have decided to go straight to Christmas.

Last night some of my dear friends came over for a fun night of eating, drinking and then shooting some dice. I can safely say we all had a great time. Bring on the holidays. My friend Maureen brought me what I think is going to be my Christmas Tree for this year so I just need to take it's picture to post it here.

Here are some of the pillowcases that I've made recently. I didn't want to bore you with all of them. I also made a neat pair of Green Bay Packer pillowcases for my sister. The top picture is the cutest flannel that I've ever seen. It's jumping frogs that have hot pink scarves, hats and mittens on, those I made for two very special little girls for their birthdays.

So, now it's time to work on Christmas presents most of which I won't be able to show here because my friends read my blog. Off to do a little stitching and it hopefully won't be so long before my next post.

Cindy has her MOJO back

YIPPEEEEEEEE I finally have my quilting Mojo back....... I was getting worried. Since I came back from retreat at the end of April I just haven't wanted to sit down and sew. Oh, the ideas that went through my head on what I could make were wonderful. I'd get all excited about quilting and then I'l go sit at my machine and ick it just wasn't happening. Oh sure I made a couple of Sylvia's Bridal Quilt blocks and a couple of pillowcases but that was it.

On Friday morning I woke up around 4AM, couldn't sleep anymore so I thought what the heck I'll see if I can sew. My bursitis in my hip is acting up again and laying for any length of time just is to painful so I got up. My good friend Marge is having a birthday next week and we're celebrating it tonight. I had already made up my mind that I would just give her a gift card and be done with it. Well, that isn't going to happen because out of the blue my MOJO came back. I pulled out a quilt book and a charm pack and next thing I knew I was sewing up a storm. I used the book " Let's Do Lunch" by Atkinson Designs. I had picked up the book because a dear friend Moniek has made some runners from it and I fell in love with one of them called Ribbon Candy. I had a charm pack by Moda called Whimsy and all of a sudden I was cutting and piecing. By around 8 I had the top together and then I was sleepy. Friday night I stopped for the right color thread to machine quilt my runner. I layered her up and then, I went to bed. I was still thinking that maybe the gift card was still a good idea. Well, I woke up again but this time around 4:30AM and I machine quilted it. Had a little trouble and ripped it out and started over and I love how it turned out. Oh how I'd love to keep it but I can and will make another one for me. I'm sitting on some fat quarters for about the last 15 years that are red, cream and blue. Yep, it's time to bust them out and make myself a runner.

Well, part of the reason I need to sew is I fell in love with a block called Hour Glass last week on one of the blogs that I read but thought oh I have too many things started and I need to finish lots before I start that block. I thought I was being reasonable but it's been nagging at the back of my head. Then my good quilting friends Regina and Patti started making the blocks and I swore I wasn't going to start. I even said so on both of their blogs. Oh but I so want to so hopefully in the next couple of days I'll get started. I just need to make sure I have the right ruler and I'm not sure I do. Darn you ONE I.

I'm off to wrap Marge's present and then who knows what else I'll get into. There are quilts to finish, lots of blocks to be made and new projects that are just calling out to me. It feels good to be " BACK AGAIN".

I just know Marge is going to love this since she is the one in our group of 3 that is totally non crafty and love anything that I've ever made her. Sorry the pictures aren't the best but my digital I think is getting old and to be honest I stink at picture taking.

To sew or not to sew that's my problem

Does anyone besides me ever get to the point where they just don't want to sew? I've been in that slump since I've come back from Quilt Retreat at the end of April. I can sit and look at my machine and come up with so many things that I'd like to sew and yet I can't get motivated to actually sit at the machine and do it. I'm hoping this is something that will change soon.

So, of course yesterday being Sunday and I having absolutely nothing to do and no one to do it with I sat and sewed. I made myself a pair of pillowcases using the Rosie the Riveter fabric. I think they turned our really nice and can't wait to use them. Then I was going to start a table runner and just couldn't bring myself to do it.

So, here's the progress so far and I know they are only pillowcases but atleast I did have fun working on them.

Now I remember what I wanted to blog about

I knew there was something that I wanted to blog about this afternoon. I've been reading alot of blogs lately and everyone is carrying on about using "vintage sheets" for quilting. They are picking them up at garage sales, and thrift stores. OK, I know I'll get alot of flak for this but here's my opinion and I am entitled to one. How in the world can you use USED sheets in a quilt. Be it for the front of the quilt or the backing???????? Do you have any idea where that sheet has been or what's been done on that sheet??????? I don't care if it's been used a bazillion times to me it's just sick and wrong. That ranks right up there with buying used underwear at Goodwill. There are just some things that shouldn't be used in my opinion.

I understand that there is alot of yardage in a sheet but that doesn't make it right. Most quilters spend decent money on the fabric for the top so why would you want to buy a used old sheet and then put it on the back of your quilt????????

Oh well, like I said it's just my opinion but this has really been bugging me lately and I needed to say it. When I have a sheet that's old it's either torn up and becomes a dust rag or sometimes it's a nice pressing sheet or it simply gets tossed out. I wouldn't even use mine for a backing and I know what's happened on those sheets.

Long time, no post

I've been busy reading posts and just realized it's been forever since I last posted. So much has happened during that time. First, I went to quilt retreat and had the best time ever. We had 16 of us, we should have had 18 but two were sick. The house that we rented was awesome. Sorry to say I really didn't take that many pictures because I was so busy having a great time. I'd highly recommend the retreat house though. It was huge and wonderful. Everything was there that we needed, it was a place where we couldn't have asked for more. I did alot of sewing and I have to see what happened to my pictures. I made some barn blocks, some SBQ blocks and I started a new quilt top.

This was the first time I left Maggie home and I had a great puppy sitter named Jesse. She was the best and Maggie looked happy and healthy when I got home. Of course she didn't look at me for a while but then she snuggled up, let out a big sigh and fell asleep with her head on my lap. Both of us, if she could talk would say we had great weekends.

Once home I've been busy job searching but that isn't going as well as I'd hoped. Most of the time I get back how I'm over qualified. I think it's my age not my qualifications. I'm still looking all the time but it's time to shift gears and maybe find a couple of part time jobs. My problem is I need health insurance or I need to make enough to supply my own. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I've been sewing but not as much as I'd like to. After retreat it seems I just don't have the get up and go, I think it got up and went and I can't wait for it to come back. I've been doing things around my apartment instead. This weekend I've been grilling out on my new gas grill. Wow it's been a long time and I need to really learn to control the heat. Sometimes a little bit of burnt offering isn't really all that bad.

Peer pressure took over a couple of weeks ago and I got talked into a challenge to make my Victory Quilt by Eleanore Burns and have it done by the 4th of July. OK I've got three blocks done so far and lots more to go. Hopefully in the next week or two I can get more of those finished.

Block 17 Evergreen, Green County

This was such a fun block to make. I could see a small wallhanging made out of these blocks.

It's finally here

Today is the day it's finally RETREAT DAY. I'm so excited and I hardly slept at all last night. I'd wake up thinking of something get up and do it. I'm finally all packed with the exception of my tooth brush and that will be as soon as I sign off. I don't think I have too many things to sew just a nice variety of things. I'm so looking forward to this. Unfortunately that sad thing is my sister Kitty won't be going since she has the flu. That just really stinks because I was so waiting to spend this time with her oh well, next year. So off I go and I'll have lots of pictures and stores once we're back.

Cindy

It's a long time a comin

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last blog. I've been busy with life and of course quilting. I really need to post the pictures of all the barn blocks and the Sylvia Bridal Blocks that I've been making.

This week I've been in high gear getting ready for a retreat that a group of us are going to. I've made up a wall hanging that I'll use as a signature square for this retreat and I still need to cut some other blocks so I have things ready to take. I'm so excited about going and the group of ladies we're going to be with is wonderful. Plus, it's less than two hours from here. So here are just a few pictures of updates and then I'm off to cut more squares and think about what else I'm taking.

I just couldn't resist adding an updated picture of Maggie Mae. She's now 6 months old and a whole 49.5 lbs.

Wisconsin Barn Blocks, #18 Cedar Bend Star

Cedar Bend Star was one of the first barn blocks that I got to see when I went out with Jen one Sunday to take pictures. It's just so exciting to be driving along and suddenly spot one of the barns. The blocks are huge in person.

Wisconsin Barn Blocks, #13 Cornucopia

Cornucopia was such a fun and easy block to put together. I did this one during one of our Friday night sews at the quilt shop.

Wisconsin Barn Blocks, #12 Blazing Star

Blazing Star is another block where the colors on my picture just don't do it justice. This is the first block where I decided after I took all kinds of pictures that I needed to take the paper off the back. Once I did that everything laid out nice and flat and then I squared it up and it's really pretty. Another pretty easy block to do and all the points come out so nice.

Wisconsin Barn Blocks, #11 Swing on a Star

I had so much fun making this block. There is just something about it's colors that I really like. They are more brilliant in person. I had a bit of trouble on some of my seams so this is one that I've marked to remake since I do have two places I'm not that happy with.

Wisconsin Barn Block, #10 Saw Tooth 16 Patch

I've been just moving along working on these barn blocks. I'm the official tester for Jen's patterns and I never thought I would admit it but I'm really enjoying Paper Piecing. It really is alot easier than I ever thought it would be. So, here is the latest one and it was so much fun to make. I love the colors and it just reminds me of sunshine. If you like this block why don't you join us in making the Wisconsin Barn Blocks, they aren't hard at all. http://www.cre8tivequilter.blogspot.com/ Click on the link and that will take you directly to Jen's blog and all the barn blocks that we've done so far.

Wisconsin Barn Blocks, Block #9 Star Puzzle

I've been really busy lately with of all things Paper Piecing. I'm really into it now with all of these barn blocks. I'm the unofficial tester for Jen's blocks. I have to confess I made this block last week and have been stalking her waiting for her to put it up this morning. I was on really late last night and I waited and waited for her to post it. Finally I gave up and went to bed. But here is this weeks block in all it's glory. Once you get going on these you realize how easy they are. I just go step by step. I have found they lay much nicer for pictures if you take the paper off the back. So if some of my are a little out of shape looking I haven't taken their paper off yet. From now on I'm going to do this right after making the block or once we come to the end it will be overwhelming to do. So here it is the Star Puzzle from Green County.

Wisconsin Barn Blocks, BEARS PAW

Well, I did it I finished the Bears Paw from Walworth County. I did all 109 tiny pieces in a block that is 6 inches. Now I figure I can take on any paper piecing. It really wasn't all that hard just took some time to sew. The colors are really pretty together just a little off in the picture. Now on to easier blocks.

Update on Maggie Mae's

Well I moved the quilt from the chair to the sofa and bam I got some photo's. Just had to share a couple. I think she's just adorable but then I'm prejudice.

Introducing " The Maggies"

A while back I think it was late summer I finished up a quilt kit that I had that was called Maggie Mae by Me and My Sister Designs. It's a nice bright quilt but I have to admit I made it because of it's name. I love the name Maggie Mae and I knew I had to have the quilt. As part of a present to me Jen quilts so many tops for me each year. I got it from her last week and sat down and finished off the binding.

As most of you know my puppies name is also Maggie Mae. Today I decided to take some scraps from the quilt and make her a patched works bandana. It turned out really cute. My next thought was to put the quilt on the chair, position the dog with her bandana on the chair and take a picture of all three Maggies. Not so much. I'd get her all set quickly step back and bammm off the chair she'd go. I think this photo shoot may have to be another day and with help. This is as close as I got. Check out the quilt on the chair you can atleast see her tail in the picture.

Use your imaginations and picture the dog sitting on the quilt, I tried......

Another block and the girls in my life.

I had a great weekend and I just wanted to share a few pictures as to the goings on in my world. On Friday night after dinner with some great quilting friends, Jen dropped me at home and came in to say hello to her little sister Maggie. Oh my Maggie was so thrilled to see her. She is such a happy puppie. They played for a couple of hours and most of the time it looked like Maggie was kicking Jen's butt.

Saturday night Jen and Holly came over to play with Miss Maggie. Again Maggie was thrilled to be able to play with her happy family. Maggie just always looks up to Holly and looks like she just worships the ground she walks on. A little snarling here and there but in a playful sort of way.

While the girls were playing Jen and I were watching the Olympics and picking out the next round of blocks for the barn block series. I got to pick out a bunch of blocks and I'm not sure in what order they are going to be in. One of my all time favorite quilt blocks is the BEARS PAW. I have always loved that block and never made it until now. I'm so happy with my results and now I can't wait to make another one. At some point they will be in the barn series.

Wisconsin Barn Blocks

I've joined up with a group of quilters who are doing the Wisconsin Barn Blocks that are put out weekly by my daughter Jen, Crea8tive Quilter. She's been going around and finding the Wisconsin barns and photographing them and then working them up in EQ. So far all the ones that I've done are paper pieced and I was a little afraid of it but not anymore. So here are my blocks that we've made so far. Please excuse my wonky looking design wall. I don't have room for one so I took a piece of batting and draped it over a quilt hanging in my livingroom. They don't hang the best and in places you can see the quilt behind them but it's that or the floor.

The top block is block 5 Churn Dash

The second block is block 6 Wild Goose Chase

The third block is block 4 Spinning Spools

The fourth block is block 3 Milky Way

The fifth block is block 2 Square in a Square

And last but not least is block 1 Log Cabin.

Like I said I've had fun doing these and look forward to each Wednesday when the next block comes out.