Snippy Sews Sometimes

I've had enough!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-11T23:18:00.003-06:00

I know it's only February but I've had enough of winter already. Last week the big blizzard. OK the snow I can deal with but this darn cold weather I can't. I'm tired of being cold and bundling up so much when I go outside I'm afraid if I fall over I'll be like that little kid Randy from The Christmas Story and I won't be able to get up again.

No sewing here but lots of knitting going on. I'm on my second scarf already, I can't believe how much I'm enjoying just sitting and knitting.

Been rearranging my fabric and quilting supplies. I have two tops that someday need to be quilted and 5 kits that need to be cut and sewn. I thought I had alot more so that isn't so bad. Now if I could only find a pattern that I bought at the Madison quilt show I could start that quilt.

Thought for the day

2011-02-06T15:18:00.001-06:00

I live in Wisconsin. Is there anything else to say today?

GO PACK GO. HERE'S TO A PACKER SUPER BOWL WIN.................

TaDa first finish of the new year

2011-01-16T16:14:00.005-06:00

Well, I did it. I finished my first project of the new year. A bunch of quilting friends and I got together to sew and I started this new project. It was really quick and easy and I needed a wall quilt that was small for a special place in my livingroom. I searched my stash thinking I'd have some fabric to use but no luck. So I did what all good quilters do and off to my favorite quilt shop I went. Ever since this fabric came in I've wanted to make something using it because it's so colorful and fun. So I went with it. The Cat in The Hat. It was perfect for this pattern because you needed 6 fat quarters and then I bought some extra for the border and the backing. All total this project took me a total of 8 days with not alot of sewing last week.

The pattern I used is called Flipping Six and it's by Nichole Gould, quick and easy and fun.

Now I just need to hang it up and smile each time I see it.

I saw snow flakes

2010-11-19T16:18:00.003-06:00

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

2010-11-14T15:34:00.005-06:00

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

2010-06-12T12:49:00.005-05:00

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

2010-06-07T12:57:00.004-05:00

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

2010-05-23T23:28:00.002-05:00

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

2010-05-23T19:02:00.003-05:00

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

2010-04-28T13:06:00.003-05:00

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

It's finally here

2010-04-23T07:46:00.002-05:00

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

2010-04-21T16:12:00.003-05:00

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

2010-03-17T08:08:00.004-05:00

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

2010-03-17T08:05:00.004-05:00

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

2010-03-17T08:01:00.005-05:00

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

2010-03-17T07:48:00.003-05:00

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

2010-03-10T13:15:00.008-06:00

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

2010-03-03T07:24:00.004-06:00

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

2010-03-01T22:45:00.005-06:00

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

2010-02-22T20:26:00.003-06:00

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"

2010-02-22T15:13:00.004-06:00

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.

2010-02-14T22:13:00.004-06:00

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

2010-02-11T23:43:00.007-06:00

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.

Valentine's Day Hexagon Table Runner

2010-02-11T16:47:00.005-06:00

I can't believe that I finally got this runner finished in time for Valentine's Day. I got the kit as a Christmas gift and it's taken me this long to finish it. I can finally check this off of my list. Once they were all made then it was time to sew them all together. That was a job in itself. Then I wasn't sure what to do with them to finish them off so I laid the whole design on a piece of white on white and hand stitched the edges down. Next I was off to the machine to stitch a quarter of an inch on the inside of every couple of hexagons. It's not quite what I thought it would be but I am happy that it's done.

If you feed it she will grow.

2010-02-09T08:43:00.005-06:00

It's amazing what a little love, food and water will do to a puppy. Maggie is now just shy of 4 months old and how the time is flying. Every day is a new adventure. I had this feeder that happened to be Murphy's. It's great because it hold a bag of dog food. When I first got Maggie she wasn't anywhere near as tall as the feeder. Well, that changed and this week she is now using the feeder and is extremely proud of herself that she can walk right up to it and eat.

She's sporting a great looking bandana that her sister Jen made for her for Valentine's Day. I have no idea what size she's going to end up being but that's half the fun. The other half is watching her grow and develope. This week she's really found her voice and we're working on how you don't need to be constantly barking at me I'm here, I see you. It looks like I have a great little watch dog here. The girl hears everything and misses nothing. She's letting the neighbors know that she's here and will protect all of us even if sometimes she has to stand behind me and bark.

The top picture shows her on what I've titled the Princess and the Pea. I keep stacking up quilts on the end of the couch and she just keeps climbing up no matter how high and that's her favorite napping spot.

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler, Month 1

2010-02-09T07:57:00.007-06:00

I've been very busy sewing lately and always forgetting to blog about it. Anyway, a while back I decided to join a group at our local quilt shop The Patched Works, in a block of the month. Now this isn't just any ordinary BOM, this one is going to run for 3 years. We're doing the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler . The first Wednesday of each month you go in and they demonstrate and talk about the 4 blocks that you will make for the month. You get a challenge fat quarter that you can either use or not in your blocks and the patterns for your 4 blocks. I had been digging in my stash since I decided I didn't want to have to buy new fabric. I've pulled together alot of blues and yellows that I'll be using. This months challenge fabric was green. All but 1 of this months blocks were paper pieced. I have to admit I'm really enjoying that paper piecing of these blocks. I love the precision it give your blocks. So here is what I've accomplished for my first month.

Block 1 - Nine Patch (E1)

Block 4- Square and Star (D-5)

Block 3- Lady of the Lake (C-5)
Block 2- Bright Hopes (A-3)
I'm sorry they are out of order but I've been having a terrible time this morning with pictures. Now my question of the day. Since these are going to be sitting in a box for the next three years do I leave the paper on the back or is it better to remove it now?

My first snowballs have been thrown

2010-01-19T19:53:00.002-06:00

I'me participating with a group of others on line and we're doing a block of the month using a snowball pattern. I had originally picked out Christmas material to use from my stash. I changed my mind a little and I used some other fabrics from my stash. I think I'm still going to make a second one with the Christmas fabric since I have it out. All of my fabrics have been cut and tonight I sat and put together my first six blocks for the month of January. They went together so quickly that it was hard to stop and just make the six. Now I can't wait until February to make another six. I wish I had a design wall but I don't so this is their picture laying down. I love the colors and can't wait to see more of the blocks done.

Update on Maggie Mae

2010-01-12T14:23:00.003-06:00

As of yesterday Maggie has been with me for 3 weeks. On the 15th she's going to be 3 months old. She has been such a joy to have here. She's a very milk mannered little girl and very sweet. She started out so tiny and WOW add some love, food and water and she's growing by leaps and bounds. She weighed in today at 16.5 pounds. She's gaining a little over 2 pounds a week. She started out with tiny little feet, well they aren't so tiny anymore. Her speckling is move all over her body now and I can see that her tail is going to be a weapon. I guess the vets thought of her being a medium sized dog has gone out the window.

So, here's a few updated pictures of her. She's already outgrown the coat I bought her so from here on out she's going to be sporting ones that I'm going to make her. Notice that she is wearing little bandanas. I've been making all kinds of different ones and she seems to like having them on. The other night I took some pieces of fleece and just sewed and stuffed her a couple of little toys that we're calling fluffies. This way when she throws them they don't hurt as much as some of the other things she's got.

An Online Quilt

2010-01-12T14:15:00.005-06:00

I've decided to go ahead and start a quilt with a few of my on-line buddies. So far it's Linda, Regina and Patty. I know more will join in as we go along. I think I read Jen is going along sort of. Anyway I thought this was a good way to start to use more of my stash. I'm going to be making my quilt using Christmas fabrics. I didn't keep track of how much of my stash I used last year but I know it was quite a bit. My cabinet has some pretty good holes in it. I might end up using a few more pieces as I go along, maybe some white on whites to set a few pieces off. I've got a couple of other quilts that I want to cut up and get started on too. I'll just get everything ready and in project bags so I can grab and sew when I've got time.

We survived Christmas

2009-12-27T19:48:00.002-06:00

It seems like we wait all year for Christmas to come and then in the blink of an eye it's over with. I actually had thoughts of taking the tree down yesterday but decided instead to move it from in front of my window to the corner where it's more out of the way.

Maggie Mae celebrated in style. Christmas Eve we spent with my good friend Debbie and her parents. She was such a good girl and we had a blast. I brought home one very sleepy puppy. Christmas day the two of us slept in a little and then it was time to get up and let the celebrations begin. In the afternoon Jen and Holly came over and then later on Mike joined them. We had such a lovely day. Absolutely no drama of any kind, just a peaceful day. Holly is getting along better with Maggie and I think we'll see some playing going on in the near future. Of course Holly brought over some huge raw hides to chew on and the little one who has her own mini raw hides decided to take on the big ones and she did. I've found nothing so far that she's afraid of or won't tackle. OK there is one exception, I vacuumed yesterday and she his under my bed and fell asleep.

Now it's time to start thinking about next year and start sewing. My daughter gave me the coolest gift ever. She made me a coupon book full of different things from piecing backings together for me to quilting quilts and cutting out kits. I just love it and think it was a terrific idea. By this time in life we all pretty much have what we need or want so something homemade from the heart is really the best. I'll just leave you with a few pictures of Maggie on Christmas.

IT'S A GIRL

2009-12-21T14:07:00.004-06:00

As most of you who follow my blog know I'm a dog lover. I had to put my Murphy down last January 4th. Since then I've been going back and forth between do I want another dog or don't I. If I get one what kind do I want. The only thing I knew for sure was I wanted a female and her name was going to be Maggie Mae. I've searched the Humane Society web sits around here on a daily basis and I knew that once the right little face came up I'd know it. Well, this morning I was again checking the site and taaaa daaaaa. Up came a little face that just yelled to me. Within half an hour I was walking in the front door of our Humane Society. I was there to see if the little girl they were calling Lizzie was still there. She was and right now she's asleep in the livingroom in her new crate. She is part Terrier and part Labrador Retreiver. She's fawn colored and was born on October 15th and she weighs in at 9 pounds. She's just adorable. So far she's played with toys, thinks running around the bottom of my Christmas tree is really fun and can find her food and water bowls. OK so she doesn't like to walk on a leash but that will come with time. Right now she's just getting used to my house and me. She thinks it's really cool when you lay on the floor with her and she can crawl all over you. I'll leave you with a few pictures of my newest family member. We go for our first vet visit this afternoon and then of course to the pet store for a pretty new collar and leash and a couple of toys......Merry Christmas to me.

We saw Santa

2009-12-20T21:43:00.003-06:00

Last night I decided that I needed to take my Grand-dog Holly to see Santa and have her picture taken with him. I emailed Holly through her Mom Jen's email address. I waited and the response was yes she'd love to go. Jen made her a new Christmas bandana with what else on it but Holly Berries. Off we went to Pet Smart. It was a really good deal you got a digital picture that is about a 5X7 in a really cute frame all for $9.95 and $5.00 of that goes to local animal shelters. We were the next ones in line so she was busy looking around while we waited. OK, it was her turn. So far not too bad. The "Elf" took her up to Santa. The "Elf" gave her a treat, I'm thinking so far so good. Until Santa put his hand on her head. Her eyes just about bugged out of her head, she was so scared. Then Santa asked if she wanted to sit on his lap? Was this Santa on crack?????? No way was she going to sit on his lap. She didn't even want to sit next to him. We got her in position, Jen quickly moved away and snap went the picture. I think it turned out really cute. It even looks like she's sticking her tongue out at us. Next up we took her shopping in the store but nothing really caught her eye. She did meet up with several other dogs and they talked over this whole Santa thing. Then the fun really began. Holly was trying on winter coats. She is now the proud owner of a great pink winter coat. It's made out of waterproof material and was cozy flannel on the inside. She just loves it and just walked all over the store with it on. I asked Jen when we got to the check out if we could just run her across the scanner but she took the coat off of her. All in all it was a pretty fun day and I even got some time in sewing with Jen and Holly.

Is it really December already???????

2009-12-01T01:32:00.003-06:00

Wow, I can't believe that it is already December. Where did the time go? I remember not that long ago, back in July I said to myself that it was time to start my holiday sewing. Well, here I am and now I'm sewing like a crazy woman trying to get a few things done. I am still in need of ideas of what to make for my Mom and of course my daughter. Any and all suggestions appreciated.

Right now I'm almost finished with a quilt top that I started last Wednesday. It's completely out of my comfort zone but I'm working away on it. I'm using the pattern Peaches N Dreams and I'm doing it in all 30s fabrics. The person I'm making it for just loved the last one I made and told me it reminded her of the quilts that her Grandmother used to make. I made her a quilt 10 years ago and she's used it every day since and it's been washed so many times that it's starting to really show it's age. I guess it really is time for a new one. Once I get the top made it's off to Jen's frame so I can quilt it and get the binding on it. By the end of this week I'd like to do that quilt and one other that I have waiting to finish, backings just need to be made. Pictures to follow I promise.

I am going to leave you with another picture from my trip to Arizona. This is one of my favorite pictures of Ethan with a silly little felt reindeer headband I had picked up at JoAnn's.

We made a slip cover

2009-11-18T23:02:00.003-06:00

While on vacation my Mom, sister and I made a slip cover for an old upholstered rocker that is to go in Hannah's room. This rocker was ours when we were kids and then it was covered and passed on to my nephew Sean when he was little. It was still in great shape bit it didn't look like it belonged in a little girls bedroom. We shopped for fabric then first day we were in Arizona. We found this really cute flannel with little frogs wearing little pink checked skirts. This was going to fit perfectly in Hannah's room. One night we just jumped in and started to figure out how to make a slip cover. In the end I think we all did a really great job on it. I just wanted to share a picture of it and the special little girl who is going to spend hours rocking in it.

I'm home

2009-11-18T22:50:00.002-06:00

Well, I got home from my fantastic trip to Arizona to visit my sister yesterday afternoon. The flight home was nothing special and I passed the time listening to a book on my Ipod. What a shock when we stepped out of the terminal and it was COLD, DRIZZLING and already dark and it was only 4:30. I wanted to turn right around and get back on that plane and go back. I already miss everyone there. It was so nice and special to be able to see my family that has relocated to Arizona and of course to get to meet and play with Ethan and Hannah.

I spent the day today putting things away and doing some odd laundry. Then I decided since it was so gloomy out I'd start decorating for the holidays. The little tree is up and all I need to do is figure out why the lights in the middle of it are off. It's just a little table top tree but I love just sitting with the lights on and watching TV. A few Christmas decorations are out and more are waiting to be put in place tomorrow. I know I'm jumping the gun but why not do it while a person has the time. I came home with this cool talking parrot that my sister Karen gave me so he's the new "pet" in my house. So I placed him on the entertainment center last night and turned him on. He talks and I can also record things for him to say. Anyway I forgot about him there and when it was time to go to bed I shut off the lights and then jumped when he started talking. I have to remember that he's there.

While I was on vacation I made my sister a great purse. I have to admit it turned out really pretty and she's thrilled with it. I was also able to show her how to make pillow cases so I hope she gives them a try. We also did criss cross coasters. I had such a great time just hanging out at her house. This was the best rest I've ever had and boy did I need it. I'm now totally refreshed and feel like my old self again. Thanks Karen for a wonderful time.

I'm alive and having fun

2009-11-13T01:39:00.003-06:00

Yes, I'm alive and doing well. I'm in sunny Arizona visiting with my sister and having a great time. I even extended my stay for another week since I've got the time. We've gone a few places shopping. All I wanted to do was sit and do nothing and I'm loving it. I've been doing a little sewing here making my sister a new quilted purse and I'll post a picture of it when it's finished which I think will be tomorrow. The weather has been great and I've been busy playing with my great nephew, Ethan and my great niece, Hannah. These kids are great and keeping me busy but I'm loving it. Tomorrow Ethan and I are going to draw and doing finger painting outside. I just wanted to stop in and say hello and I'll leave you with a few pictures from sunny Maricopa, Arizona.

I just had to share with everyone a great sunset I saw here last week. The rest of the pictures are of the kids and my sister Karen. Sorry for the duplicate but for some reason I'm having problems and I can't delete it.

Sewing Like the Wind

2009-10-30T20:35:00.003-05:00

Since Sunday afternoon I've been sewing like a crazed person. I found out Sunday afternoon that I was going to Arizona to see my sister and I'm leaving next Tuesday. The machine starting going with the wind. First up was my tote bag to use on the plane. It's a cross between a Charm Party tote and a regular tote but I added a larger outside pocket and a large zipper in the top. I had this cute bumble bee fabric from the Patched Works so I was good to go.

Next up was a pair of pillow cases from some sock monkey fabric that I had been sitting on for a while. I think they turned out really cute and I can't wait to use them.

A while ago I made quite a few cloth books for the babies in Arizona. Those got mailed out and then Jen gave me this one to make since I had been on a roll. Well I finally made it today so I can take it along with me. These are so easy and fun to make I think I'm going to see what other ones the stores have. Maybe I can add a few for Christmas. So far I've been able to find them at my local WalMart.

At the last minute I decided that I needed to make a larger bag to carry all my toiletries in. I use two pieces of batiks that came from my friend Sherry a couple of weeks ago. I think the bag turned our really nice and it's going to be very useful.

Last but not least I made a tote bag for my Mom who is also going on the trip with me. Well, actually I'm going with her. She needed something lighter than the big heavy bag she usually carries on the plane. I had these great batiks that I had been sitting on for a while and decided to use them. There are 4 different fabric patterns on this bag. On the front she wanted a large pocket to put her air line ticket in. I added the two buttons to the flap so she would be able to feel where the flap is since her vision isn't the best. I also added a large zipper to the top so her bag would be closed up tight. I took lots of pictures of this bag but just couldn't get the colors to come out right. It's very right looking in person.

Next up I'm going to make myself a few new watch bands to take along and hopefully tomorrow morning I'll run to the Patched Works to buy some more fabric for pillow cases so I can make a few to take along for my sister. I've done alot of sewing in a short time yet I've enjoyed every bit of it.

Barn Hopping

2009-10-18T23:45:00.003-05:00

Today was just a wonderful day in the world of Cindy. This afternoon Jen and I went on a Quilt Square Barn Hop in Walworth County. It was a beautiful sunny day and just a tad on the cool side. Off we headed complete with a map, a list of the addresses for the barns we wanted to see and of course a GPS. The directions were relatively easy to follow and we had no trouble coming across our first barn. I was so excited because I hadn't seen these on barns around Wisconsin before. It was a great block. We also talked to the barns owner a wonderful woman who explained how she was on the committee that got all of this started and how they went about picking out their block and the colors for it. She even explained how it took a huge front end loader to lift the panels up high enough so they could be attatched to the barn. While we were visiting this farm we also got some Indian Corn and a couple of really pretty and different looking gourds. I'm a little leary about hanging my Indian Corn outside because I have a squirrel here that will for sure steal it and take off with it. He likes to sit at my livingroom window and stare in at me in hopes that I'll give him something.

I want to just show you a few of my favorite barn squares and of course a cow that I made friends with. She even licked my finger and I wasn't expecting such a rough tongue. We did have one farm dog, very gentle, who did stand up at the open car window while Jen was taking pictures of their block. We didn't want to get out of the car because of the dog so the dog came to us. All in all it was a wonderful day. Thanks Jen for taking me along on the adventure.

My Mom Turned 90

2009-10-10T23:22:00.004-05:00

Back on October 2nd my Mom turned 90 years old. What a milestone that is for anyone but for my Mom it meant alot. Three years ago after her heartattacks we didn't think we'd ever make it this far, but here she is still going strong. I just wanted to share her picture with everyone. Just think of all the things that happen in someones life by the time they are 90. She was married to my Dad for 65 of those years, another feat. Mom has 6 kids and 15 grandkids and countless greatgrandkids. Some of us were able to go out to dinner with her for her birthday and tomorrow is another party for her. So Mom, here's to many more years to come and many more birthdays that we'll all celebrate with you. I love you.

My Mom is the one where I got my love of quilting from and she also inspired my daughter Jen and look at the quilter she's become. Mom no longer sews because of her vision but I know just looking at her that she'd love to still be doing it right along with Jen and I.

Jack O'Lantern is finished

2009-09-22T00:28:00.002-05:00

Last October I was making a few wall hangings for Halloween when I decided to make this one. Putting it together wasn't hard at all. My friend and fellow quilter Sherry sat and make ours together. They turned out really cute and then in the end all I had left to do was to put on the binding and hand stitch it down. Well, when Halloween was over I put it away and forgot about it. During our UFO Finish It Summer, I pulled it out and added the binding and then it sat again. Finally tonight I stitched the binding down and hung it on the door. I guess now this means I have to do the rest of my decorating for Halloween. I might as well start early and be done with it. It just feels so good to have one more UFO finished.

English Paper Piecing, Oh My!

2009-09-17T00:57:00.002-05:00

Last Saturday I went with a group of friends to the Madison Quilt Expo. We had a great time as always. I didn't come home with much but what I did bring home I know I can accomplish. I did pick up several small pattern of paper piecing so I'll need to get started on those soon. While we were walking around checking out the vendors we came across one booth that was strictly English Paper Piecing. I glanced at the booth and thought no way would I ever be doing that. OK, we stopped and watched the demonstration, I was being reeled in slowly. They had these tiny little paper pieces I think they were 1/4 inch and you needed to make 56,000 to have a queen sized quilt. First off there is no way I'd even consider something so small and to think of making thousands of them, NO. We watched and listened and then moved on. Towards the end of the day we were going through the aisles one more time. We stopped at the booth again and the next think you know I was buying 3/4 inch hexagons to give it a try.

I looked at these for a couple of days because I really wasn't feeling well so I couldn't get myself to start on them. I made one and stopped. Last night Jen and Holly came to visit and I started on my hexagons. I'm using the 1930's fabrics and so far it's going along just fine. It's a little addicting. I have one flower going now and hopefully when it's just a tad bigger I'm going to turn it into a table topper for my Mom for her birthday. I've really improved since last night and they don't take me nearly as long to make. I've also improved on my sewing them together. It's a great project for when you're watching TV and it keeps your hands busy.

Last Start to Finish for the summer, Notebook cover

2009-09-07T23:32:00.004-05:00

I just finished my final Start to Finish for the summer. It's a notebook cover that I made to use at work. I had this Campbell's Soup fabric that Jen got for me a couple of years ago and thought it would be great to make to use at work. So, here's my last start to finish for the summer. I finished this just in time to make the deadline. I have gotton so many projects done this summer it's feels great.

August Accomplishments

2009-09-02T10:53:00.003-05:00

I thought I'd give posting my monthly accomplishments a try since I've never done it before. The list isn't all that long but I feel great about what I did get done.

1. Finished and quilted a Christmas Table topper that was a UFO

2. Started and finished a birthday banner for Ethan's 1st birthday.

3. Made a quilt as you go notebook cover for Linda's birthday.

4. Finished my Flying Geese quilt top.

5. Did a start to finish Peaches and Dreams scrappy quilt top.

6. Did a start to finish Maggie Mae quilt top.

7. Made a small drawstring bag for my purse.

Not bad for the month of August. I did things I've never done before like the scrappy quilt top and the quilt as you go notebook cover.

Flying Geese UFO top DONE

2009-08-30T01:08:00.006-05:00

I finished this top a few weeks ago and just needed someone to hold it so a picture could be taken of it. This fabric is what was left over from the wedding double wedding ring quilt I made when Jen and Mike were married. I had gone to Arizona to visit my sister and of course to pick up this fabric. I wasn't sure at the time what quilt I was going to make so I bought alot of each one. One queen sized quilt made and still I had lots left over. Then I did my bedroom in Southwestern and decided to make myself a quilt for my bed. It got many starts but never a finish until now. Now that the top is finished it will have to wait a little longer until I make the backing for it. Again I'm using the same prints to piece together the back and then I'm finally done with that fabric. I can't wait to use it on my bed.

You can see a little bit of the double wedding ring on the right side of the quilt I'm holding. I just happened to notice that. When it's done I think I need a picture with the two quilts together.

Peaches and Dreams Start to finish DONE

2009-08-30T01:05:00.005-05:00

A while ago" ONE I" challenged Jen to make a scrappy quilt. I of course was sucked into making one too. Now we all know I'm not a scrappy person when it comes to quilting so this was something TOTALLY out of the box for me to try. I checked all my scraps and decided the biggest selection of scraps I had were all in the purple family. I put all the purple scraps in a box and set it next to my sewing chair on the floor. OK, I got brave and pulled out the first scrap. That wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but the next move was a real challenge for me. Next up I had to put my hand in the box again and pull out the next piece. If I wanted this to be totally at random I had to do it this way. Out came the second piece to be sewn to the first and all I could think of is what had I gotton myself into. This went along for the entire middle of the quilt. Could it be I was actually relaxing and enjoying my new scrappy quilt? The more I put together the more I couldn't wait for this to be done. I stood back and loved the middle section but to me it needed some punch for the first border. Some of the purples I had did have a little red in them and I had a great piece of red with a tiny pin dot of white in it. The first border was born and I couldn't wait to finish the top. Now I love the whole scrappy thing and of course I love this pattern and can't wait to make another one. Of course the top is finally done and had it's picture taken and I still have enough purples to make a scrappy back of I think ten and a half in squares.

Maggie Mae UFO DONE

2009-08-30T00:59:00.006-05:00

Last year I picked up this kit at the shop where I work. I fell in love with the quilt because of it's bright colors but I also loved it's name Maggie Mae. When the finish it up summer was about to start I started cutting out the top and then stopped. Well, within the last couple of weeks I started working on it again since it was on my UFO list. Last night I finshed up the top. Next up I'll take it into the shop to find it a backing since I know we have some of the fabrics left. I really enjoyed making this quilt. I've been saying at our Friday night sewins at the shop that I'm making it for someday when I'm in the nursing home. I'll be the little old lady with the really bright quilt.

Note book cover Start to Finish

2009-08-28T01:53:00.002-05:00

One of my good quilting friends Linda just happens to have the same birthday as I do. We get together at the Patched Works on the 4th Friday of the month and a group of us sew together. Last month Linda and I decided that we'd celebrate our birthdays together since we'd be sewing. I'm going to do the cake and she's going to do the punch. We know that this is going to be a great time and I'll be sure to take pictures of the party.

Anyway for her birthday present I decided to try something new. Jen showed me how to do a method called quilt as you go. I made a cover for a spiral notebook. This was so much fun to do and so totally out of the box for me. I made the cover last night out of Batik strips that I cut from my stash. I finished the last bit of hand sewing on it tonight. I really love how it turned out and I know she's going to love her's. I plan on making a few more to put aside as gifts since it was so easy.

Ethan's Cloth Books Start to Finishs- 3

2009-08-22T00:56:00.004-05:00

A while ago I finally made my first child's cloth story book. Little did I know then I would be hooked and having the time of my life making these books. The first book was the Pokey Little Puppy but I did show you a picture of that a while ago. Next up were some book panels I found at our local WalMart. These were Mother Goose Nursery Rymes. The first one was The Three Little Pigs, Next up were two volumes of nursery rymes. I had so much fun making these books and have already found more panels that I'll be making. It also looks like there is a series of books because they have volume numbers on them. So these and the birthday banner are now on their way to my Great Nephew Ethan who is turning one soon. Happy Birthday kiddo....... Make sure Grandma Karen reads these to you all the time. More will be on their way.

Ethan's Birthday Banner Start to Finish

2009-08-22T00:44:00.003-05:00

A while back my sister Karen asked if at our shop we had any birthday panels since her grandson Ethan is turning 1. Well we didn't but I did have this pattern for a birthday banner. I went ahead and emailed her a copy of the picture and said I'd love to make it for him. This was such a fun project to work on. Today off went the banner so it's there in time for his first birthday party. I just thought I'd share what we hope will be something that will be used for each of his many birthdays to come.

Christmas UFO table topper DONE

2009-08-11T00:06:00.003-05:00

I'm still very busy sewing away. I have quite a few things done that I need to take pictures of so I can post my finishes. While I was looking for something else last week I came across this table topper that I made last year and never finished. I don't remember the name of the charm pack I used but I just needed to make a backing and then I quilted it on my Janome 6600P. I think it turned out pretty good and then I sewed the binding on and sat and hand stitched it down. It's going to fit perfectly over my round kitchen table during the holidays. It feels good to have another UFO finished.

A great day sewing.

2009-07-29T00:50:00.002-05:00

I just had the best day sewing that a person could have. Not only did Jen come over with Holly to sew but my sister Kitty came to sew with us too. A lot of sewing got done in my livingroom. I'm actually working on a SCRAP quilt. For those of you who don't know me this is way out of my safe zone. I don't do scrappy and never have done scrappy. Well I do now. I'm doing the Peaches and Dreams that Regina 1I sucked Jen into doing. Sorry, no picture until the top is done. I did however get the blocks made and assembled and the first two borders on and the third one goes on tomorrow. Then I have to start making the blocks that will be another border and then I think it gets two or three more small borders and it's finished. This scrappy business is very nerve wracking.

Machine Apron Start to Finish

2009-07-25T18:06:00.003-05:00

The other night when I was sewing with Jen at my house I was set up on the kitchen table which is a short distance from where she was sewing. She suggested that I turn my threadle machine around and put my FeatherWeight on top to sew. It worked out really well and I liked the look of my two antique Singers being used together.

Today I decided that my Featherweight needed a new machine apron to help protect the top of the treadle and to hold small sewing notions in. I had this fabric in my stash for quite sometime so I took this afternoon when I should have been cleaning and made myself a new one.

Now, it's time to stop sewing for a little while and get my cleaning done.

Turning 20 Again is finished

2009-07-22T14:40:00.003-05:00

Well I promised another photo when my Turning 20 Again quilt was finished and it is so here is the picture. I went by Jen's last night and got it on the frame with a little help from her. It took me about 2 hours to quilt it and that was with stopping a few times to sit and to pet Holly. I really like the way it turned out. I came home and worked on the binding and just finished it up. Now it's on to finishing a few more projects. I'm really happy with the quilting I did. No thread breaks at all. The binding is perfect and I really enjoyed the hand sewing of the binding. Well I'm off to another Dr's appointment. Maybe there is some more sewing in my future for tonight.

Update on Holly's Wallhanging

2009-07-20T00:31:00.003-05:00

Earlier in the week I showed a picture of a special wallhanging that I made for my very special Granddog, Holly Berry. She happened to be over while I was working on it but she really wasn't allthat interested in it at that time. Saturday night I got to take it over to her house and her Mom, Jen, hung it up right away. It was really cute watching Holly as she walked right up to it and actually checked it out. Now when she eats she doesn't have to look at a blank white wall. I'd have a picture of her with the artwork but of course she can be stubborn and she was in no mood to sit and let me take her picture.

Turning Twenty Again Top is Finished

2009-07-20T00:23:00.003-05:00

I finished another top today and that makes me really happy. Last Sunday I started with a batch of 1/2 yard pieces from Moda called Bistro. I've had these fabrics for a while and just wasn't sure what to do with them. I tossed so many ideas around for months and not knowing what to make was driving me crazy. in I finally decided on doing a Turning Twenty Again quilt. I finished it early in the week but still needed to buy fabric for the borders so I got that yesterday. Since my plans for tonight fell through I went ahead and put the borders on the top. I already have the binding made so next it's just pick out a backing from my stash and get her on the quilt frame. I really do like the fabric colors and it was such a simple quilt top to make. Too bad I'm not a coffee drinker but I still like the quilt.

No finishes but lots getting done

2009-07-19T15:55:00.004-05:00

I wanted to stop in to let everyone know I'm still sewing up a storm. In the last week I made one quilt top from Turning Twenty Again. All it needs are it's borders and then the quilting and binding done. I picked up the border fabric yesterday now I just need to put it on. I also have been working really hard on one of my UFO's. This is ready to have the backing pieced and then I can put it on the frame and quilt away. I have the bindings made already for both quilts. I just keep on sewing as if I'm obsessed. The next project up is a scrap quilt which will be a first for me. As soon as I get the cutting directions I'm ready to cut and start piecing.

The picture is of the UFO done completely in Southwestern fabrics. I bought this fabric 10 years ago while on a trip to Arizona to visit my sister Karen. Jen and Mike were engaged and I knew I wanted to make them a quilt for a wedding present. They both liked Southwestern colors so I chose these to make an unconventional double wedding ring quilt. I had purchsed so much fabric that not only did I make the wedding quilt but I had tons left over. It sat in my stash for years and since my bedroom has a somewhat Southwestern theme I decided to use it for my quilt. The flying geese panels had been made and just sitting so the other night I dug it all out and didn't go to bed until the top was finished. I promise a picture when it's completed with quilting and it's binding attatched.

Holly's Wallhanging UFO Finished

2009-07-16T00:29:00.003-05:00

Quite sometime ago I made a wallhanging for the wall infront of Murphy's dishes. I thought just because he's a dog doesn't mean he should stare at a blank wall while he eats dinner. I had purchased enough fabric and an extra panel and I kept promising my Granddog Holly that I would make her one too. So here we are years later and I came across her panel with the borders and the binding all cut and ready to go. Tonight I decided it was finally time to finish off this UFO. It just so happened that Holly was here with me tonight while I was sewing. I didn't quite get it done before she went home but I'll drop it off for her tomorrow night.

I think it turned out really cute and I even changed it from what Murphy's looked like. I decided to border Holly's in orange so that it would go with the quilt that her Mom, Jen has hanging on the wall in the kitchen. I even did free motion quilting on the wallhanging. Then when I was finished I wanted to personalize it just a little bit more so I decided to embroider by hand a special title on the top. So here it is and it's called "HOLLY'S DINER:. I think it turned out really neat and I can't wait to see it hanging on her wall.

Apron, UFO Finish

2009-07-13T23:51:00.004-05:00

Quite a while back I had the bright idea to use these fabrics to make another apron for work. I used all the charm squares I had and then realized that I still needed a pocket on the apron so the apron sat unfinished. I have this thing about having a pocket in everything. Another UFO in my stack of UFO's. A couple of weeks ago I was at Jen's and we were straightening out her sewing studio and she came across the fabrics that I had used in my apron in her scraps. She gathered them all together and told me to take them home and make a pocket so I could use that apron. It took me probably less than 5 minutes to add the pocket and declare the apron finished. It feels great to be finishing up UFO's and getting them out of my stash. One more down but many more to go.

Does anyone out there have a thing about pockets like I do? Maybe it was the era I was brought up in. You always had to have a hankie or a kleenex in your pocket just incase you needed it. I mean how could I use an apron that didn't have a pocket to hold a kleenex? What if I needed to sneeze or blow my nose and I reached for a kleenex and I didn't have one because I didn't have a pocket? What if I needed a place to put a pen and again I had no pocket. Life just isn't complete unless you have pockets...........

Anniversary Half Apron - Start to Finish

2009-07-10T23:21:00.005-05:00

Well I've got another start to finish to share with you for this week. I am in true awe of myself and all the sewing that I've done this past week. Something has to be wrong with me. Anyway tomorrow is the 3rd Anniversary of The Patched Works. We're have a big celebration weekend and since I work tomorrow I thought I'd make myself a new apron for the occasion. I used one of the new summer lines we have in the shop. Next time I'd make it a tad wider but I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Update on my cupcake placemats.

I delivered the placemats to my sister Kitty last night and she'll hand them off to the special little girls I made them for. Everyone liked them so much and now I can't wait to make some extra ones to have on hand. We laid them out different ways so there are some table runners in my future too.

Cup Cake Placemats, Start to Finish

2009-07-08T17:43:00.003-05:00

Back when we were on retreat in Ohio I was able to buy this great pattern in the quilt shop that Jill and Linda work at. I picked up great fabric to use for the frosting on the cupcakes at our shop last week. Monday night I started to make these great cupcakes for two of my Great Nieces, Cassidy and McKenzie. It's so much fun making things for little ones. The pattern was very easy to follow and I can't wait to make more of them to put aside for gifts and maybe even a table runner. I did some free motion quilting on the frosting part of the cupcake and it really brought it to life. Next up a little straight stitching down the lines in the cupcake paper. Last night I made the leaves and they were just to be tacked down but I thought since they are going to get so much use I'd just go ahead and sew them down, add a little stitching on the leaves and then instead of making a yo yo to be the cherry on top I had these great big red buttons that I sewed on. I just know these are going to bring smiles to my Great Niece's and of course they are totally washable.

Pokey Little Puppy book, start to finish

2009-07-08T17:34:00.004-05:00

About a week or two ago we got in the new line called The Pokey Little Puppy. I immediately bought the panel that turns into a Golden Book. So, last Friday when a group of us got together at Maureen's house to quilt I took along the panel. I've never made a fabric book before and after reading the directions realized that it wasn't going to be hard to do at all. This book is going to be sent to Ethan who is a very special little Great Nephew who happens to live in Arizona. Now I can't wait to find more panels and make a few more books. Ethan is 9 months old so I hope he enjoys chewing on the book, dragging it around and maybe even throwing it in his grandma's swimming pool. The good thing is it's totally washable and meant to be used, loved and abused. I can always make more........

Scrap Quilt UFO - DONE

2009-07-08T17:25:00.003-05:00

A couple of years ago I got all kinds of scraps from one of our MODA lines. I just couldn't throw them away so I took them and thought I could make something out of them. I decided on the Split Rail Fence block and got 19 blocks out of the scraps. The fabric was like I said from Moda and it was called "Peace On Earth. Then I was able to get my hands on a little more fabric so that I could add borders and make one more block. I finished hand sewing the binding on last night so it's another UFO finish. It's not huge by any means but it's going to look great over the back of the sofa during the holidays.

One night last week I was able to go over to Jen's and load the quilt on the frame. I did most of it myself with only a little technical advice from YODA. I then quilted it with only a couple of thread breaks doing a large stipple. It is actually getting easier each time I use the frame. I'm even getting somewhat relaxed while I'm quilting.

Baby Hannah's quilt UFO finish

2009-07-06T20:04:00.004-05:00

I've been busy busy sewing up a storm. This baby quilt I finished for my Great Niece that was born two weeks ago. Hannah is my Nephew Sean and his wife's Hennriets first little girl. She is certainly a cutie.

I had received this panel and the backing fabric and the binding when I was at retreat. When I first saw it I knew I just had to make it for Hannah. The front is a whimsical flower pot with big flowers and on the back is a butterfly fabric. The binding matches the front colors and it's purple with dots on it. I added the borders a while ago but all I needed to do was go to Jen's and put it on the frame and quilt away I had alot of fun quilting this one.

UFO Finish, Wall Hanging

2009-07-06T19:56:00.004-05:00

I finished this top for a wall hanging when we were at retreat in April. Finally I put it on the quilt frame, quilted it and then put on the binding and hand stitched it down. I really like the colors.
One of these days I need to hang a quilt rack on the wall that I have so I get these wall hangings straight. I believe that sometimes this pattern is called Chinese Coins. Quick and easy to make and I would think you could make it all different sizes.

Start to finish Batik Tote Bag

2009-07-06T18:52:00.002-05:00

The last time we all went to a sew in at the Patched Works I took along quite a few different pieces of batiks that I had. I knew I wanted to make one of my sisters a tote bag for helping me out. I pulled out all of the fabric and asked the ladies what combination they thought would look best and this is what we all came up with. I really like the colors on this bag and the picture just doesn't do it justice. The pattern is the all time favorite "Charm Party Tote".

I had so much fun making it and I was really happy that when I gave it to my sister she really liked it and changed her purse right away. I have so much fun making these totes. I think I'm turning into a bag lady.

4th of July Tote Start to Finish

2009-06-24T16:35:00.004-05:00

One of my fellow Peeps wanted to know where I've been lately and what I've been up to. I've been busy sewing.

A quick update on the last two projects I posted about. My Mom absolutely loved her chair pads and they fit her chairs perfectly. We celebrated Marge's birthday and she loved her new tote bag. It's always puts a smile on my face when I give someone something I've made and they truly like it. Both projects were a success but I didn't think to take pictures of the recipients.

Soooooo here are a couple of pictures of the latest Charm Party Tote that I just made for myself. I had picked up this charm pack when we were in Ohio. I decided I needed a new purse for the upcoming holiday. I changed up the pockets and did some decorative stitching on the handles using a star design my machine has. I put ties on the sides to help to shape the bag and sewed in a clip so I won't keep loosing my keys.

Next up I'm making myself another purse and then I need to put the binding on a baby quilt and binding on a wall hanging. I want all of these finishes done by the end of this week. Pictures to follow.

Charm Party Tote Start to FInish

2009-06-11T23:25:00.003-05:00

It seems all my Peeps have a different goal lately so I've decided that I needed to start watching less senseless TV. I have cable yet there are many nights I'm watching junk because I just can't find anything to watch. I've turned into pretty much of a couch potatoe and that needs to stop. I need a birthday present for one of my good friends and she's always admiring my hand made bags so a bag it will be.

The other night I decided on the Charm Party Tote with a little bit of a variance to it. I had this great charm pack from Moda called Fig and Plum and I decided to use that one. It was really alot of fun putting it together and tonight I finished it off. Now all I need is a card and I'm good to go for her birthday. I like it so much I'll need another charm pack to make one for myself. I know she's going to just love it so it's headed to a great new home.

UFO List Posted

2009-06-05T01:04:00.001-05:00

Well I finally got around to posting my UFO list. I know there are probably more items but right off the bat I can't think of anymore. Hopefully with atleast 3 or 4 finishes a month I'll make a great dent in the list.

4 finished UFO's

2009-06-04T22:33:00.002-05:00

My first 4 finished UFO's are done. I started thinking about these before retreat. My Mom recently bought a new dining set and she was looking for new pads for the chairs. She started out trying to crochet the pads by herself. A little history here, my Mom has Macular Degeneration in one eye and age degeneration in the other. She used to be a whiz when it came to sewing and it's been really hard on her that she can't see well enough to sew anymore. Her love of sewing and quilting is where I got my love for quilting and of course where her Granddaughter Jen got her love for it too. I suggested to her that I make her chair pads out of strips of fabric wrapped around clothes line and she jumped at the idea. So, I started looking for fabrics and I even looked while we were on retreat but didn't find anything. Once home I started going through my stash and came up with some dark browns and beiges that she was looking for. I added a piece or two more and made her a small sample to see how she liked the colors. She saw this on Mother's Day and really liked the combinations so Iwas good to go. I started out OK but every now and then I'd stop and just put them aside. I had the first three almost done by the time our challenge came about to finish UFO's. Those three just had to be finished off and odd threads cut off. Tonight I finished the fourth chair pad, finished off the other three and did the snipping of threads and now they get to go to their new home. I talked to her yesterday because I thought she wanted ties put on them but she didn't. I still have some strips left over so I might just try and make her a few coasters for the table top and later on a table topper since heaven forbid anything sits directly on the table. So, here are my first 4 finishes.

Bad Blogger - Farmer Cindy Plants

2009-05-31T18:49:00.004-05:00

I realize it's been a very long time, one month since my last post. I read posts everyday but I always say I'm going to blog and I never get around to it. So, todays the day. Not much has been happening with me since retreat. My ribs and back are finally on the mend from my little retreat mishap. I've done very little sewing just finishing off a tote bag that I started during retreat and I've been making my Mom some chair cushions for her kitchen chairs. Other than that I sit and look at fabric, read my patterns and then don't start anything. So, starting tomorrow I vow to post regularly and sew. I have quite a few UFO's that I want to get finished this summer so that's where I'll start.

For any of you who know me really well know that I'm no green thumb. This is the reason I live in an apartment so I don't have to deal with the outdoors. This year I decided to change things a little bit. I have a very small patio set that hasn't been out of the garage in two years. Today it came out and got cleaned off and put on the patio. Next up was planting some tomatoes and zuccini in the upside down planting bags. Not an easy task for one person but I managed to do it. Just another small bag of dirt and I'm good to go. I might have planted a few too many tomatoe plants in the bag but hey, they come in 2's when you buy them and I wanted cherry tomatoes and big tomatoes. Then I also bought a really cute planter for on the table and put some johnny jump ups in it and some panseys. A new outfit on Gertie the goose and bring on summer because I'm done. Now if I can just remember to water things I hope to be eating tomatoes and making zuccini bread by the end of summer.

Peeps Retreat Day 2

2009-05-01T21:48:00.002-05:00

Day 2 started out early since we had lots to get done. We got up, ate breakfast and were ready when Jennifer got to Jill's. It was so good to meet her finally. Off we all went to start our own little shop hop. We went to so many different quilt shops. It was so neat to see all the different shops and what they carry and how they display things. I was totally overwhelmed with the Quilt Shack. I didn't know where to look first there was just so much to see. I ended up buying a charm pack and a pack of triangles and a pattern for a table topper. When things get made I'll show them off. We could have looked in that shop for hours. I'm just really glad that they have a web site. Then it was off to lunch we went great food and a great blackberry pie. Then if I'm correct it was off to Jill's shop Best Friends. What a great shop and everyone was so friendly there. I didn't end up with anything because we were going to be going back on Sunday for a big sale they were having.

Our next stop was WalMart where we loaded up on snacks for the retreat. Wow, we had a cart full and way too many snacks. I also bought a chair cushion since I wasn't able to take my chair along to retreat, no room. We were going to be sitting on metal folding chairs so a cushion was a great idea and it sure did come in handy. Back to Jill's we went and with us we took Regina who we met up with at the Fabric Shack and of course Jennifer. The Ninja's were waiting for us and we had to show them everything that we bought. What a great show and tell. Lots of talking and laughing and helping Jill get things ready for the retreat the next day. The girls were all sewing and Sherry and I were in charge of making the name tags for retreat. Then it was time for bed since it had already been a long day with not much sleep the night before. I'm trying to figure out how to get Max and Maisy out of Jill's and take them home with me Max is such a little character I woke up in the morning with what I thought was Max crawling between my two pillows. When I went to move the top pillow I was wrong and he was in my pillowcase just looking around.

Jill's livingroom looked like it threw up a sewing center. We all took our machines inside so there they were all lined up in the hallway. Lots of bags of goodies everywhere. In the morning once we're up and running we're leaving for Retreat after we pack up all the cars. Jill had a ton of raffle items that were all donated by different vendors. My pictures will be posted once I actually get to the retreat days. Look out Ohio the Peeps are in town and raring to go.

Peeps Retreat Day 1

2009-04-30T23:38:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe that last week at this time I was surrounded by a great group of ladies and laughing until I hurt.

Our trip to retreat started last Wednesday when Jen, Sherry and I left around 1:30PM. I was the only one who had to work in the morning but I had taken my things over to Jen's the night before so we could start to pack the truck. I left work and off I went to meet up with my fellow travelers. We were so ready and it's really something how much we took with us. So, like I said off we went. First stop was at Speed Way where we topped off our gas tank. Then it was off to a quick drive through at Mickey D's since we hadn't had lunch yet. Look out Ohio here we come. We did have a list of stops that we wanted to make and the first one was at Mar's Cheese Castle to pick up cheese curds. There was going to be a taste testing of New York Curds and Wisconsin Curds. Back in the truck and time for some serious driving. Our next stop was at a huge Oasis since I'd never been to one. Wow those places are cool. I actually bought a fine piece of "china" from one of the fast food places. I'll give you a hint it has a certain clown with big red shoes and a giraff on it. Then it was a stop at Auntie Annie's pretzels for a cinnamon pretzel. Back in the truck we went and off we went. The drive went very well and we stopped in Indiana at a great little quilt shop called Bit's and Pieces. Very friendly ladies who own the shop greeted us and really made us feel at home. Back in the truck and away we went again. It was so great to see all the trees in full leaf and all the flowering trees in full bloom. The grass was green the tulips were open and it was warm. There is hope for our weather yet. A couple of more quick pit stops and one of them had to do with a hand dryer that really moves the skin around. Jen has the video of that. Finally we were in Ohio and close to Jill's. We pulled in around 10:30-11:00PM. Jill, Moniek and the Ninja's were outside when we got there. It was so nice to finally get to meet Moniek. She had flown in earlier and it already felt like I knew here for ages. We went inside and just sat and talked and most of all laughed. Finally went to sleep in the wee hours of the morning.

Next up Day 2

I'm such a klutz, update

2009-04-29T21:07:00.002-05:00

OK , we all know that I'm a klutz and last weekend at retreat was no different. For those of you who weren't with us I had a slight mishap coming down from the top bunk. OK I misjudged and down I went. The fall was nothing it was the sudden stop once I hit the floor that was the problem. So bruises everywhere but they really don't hurt. The ribs are the problem. The ride home was uncomfortable to say the least. At one stop Jen got out a pillow and a quilt from the back and I was then able to press those against my ribs to hold them in place. Can you say ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Tuesday I went in for what seemed like dozens of xrays. I personally don't think the x ray tech was very good at her job. It was then determined that I needed at CAT scan of liver and ribs. I had that today and am waiting for the results. I'm OK if I don't make any sudden moves or pick anything up. No problem, I can pamper myself.

After the CAT scan I stopped at my local quilting store and picked up a few notions. When I got home I thought I'd sew a little finishing up the tote bag I started Sunday afternoon. One serious problem here, I didn't have my big machine. Tracked it down at Jen's so instead I took a nap. I've been putting things away little by little. Putting things away after a trip isn't half as much fun as getting it all ready to leave on the trip. I'm now counting down the days until our next Quilting with the Peeps weekend. Everytime I think of the weekend it makes me smile. Now when I read a post I can see the persons face and hear their voice.

I am also starting a list of what I don't need to take along next time.

Peeps Retreat

2009-04-28T00:06:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to check in and say what a FANTASTIC time I had meeting all my Peeps this past weekend. I don't think it's possible to have more fun than we had. Lots of pictures of projects completed and what I did and of course what I all won to follow. The drive home was long and for all of you who were with me this weekend yes, it was a painful ride home. I guess I'm going to have to give in and tomorrow go and have my ribs xrayed. Even with the little mishap I wouldn't have traded this time for anything. I just want to say I so enjoyed meeting everyone and being able to now place a face with a name. I don't think there is a greater gift of women than the ones I spent my weekend with. OK I'm off to bed, more posting to follow I promise.

It's almost time

2009-04-20T22:26:00.003-05:00

It's almost time to head out for retreat. I'm getting so excited about going I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep for the next two nights. I spent tonight getting all of my sewing things packed. I was trying to make it as easy as possible so I packed it all into a huge suitcase that I have. This way it's one case and it's on wheels. I added a few kits and then I took a few things out. I'd rather finished up the things I'm taking than not touch them. Next it was time to think about what I would wear for the sewing weekend. That took all of about 10 minutes because it's really not that important I just want to be comfortable. I even have my blow up bed and pump in that suitcase for when we stay at Jill's. I just need to finish up with a few things tomorrow night and I'll be packed.

After work tomorrow it's a few errands and then home to make a batch of chex mix that I promised Jen I'd make for the trip. I just can't wait to meet all my Peeps. I promise lots of pictures when I get back.

Look out Ohio here I come

2009-04-17T22:30:00.002-05:00

It's been forever since I last posted but I've been having computer problems. Now most of the problems have been solved but the new security system I had to put on my computer has made it so slow I'm wondering why I'm paying for road runner when I could go back to dial up. Oh well this too will get fixed, but, not until after I get back from OHIO and Quilting with my Peeps.

I'm getting so excited to be going next week to retreat. First off I haven't been anywhere in ye ars and this is just plain exciting. I get to go with my wonderful daughter Jen and my good friend Sherry and we get to meet up with so many great quilting ladies. Of course I also get to visit again with the Ninja's, Max and Maisy.

I am still putting together things to take on retreat. I'll probably overpack and won't get half of what I'm taking to sew done but that's OK Jen has a big truck that we're taking. I have a few more things to sew and then I can start to put it all together. I've designated a spot in my spare room where I put the things as I think of them. WOW it's a pretty big pile.

So I promise pictures of our journey and I also promised Jen that I wouldn't take along a harmonica and learn how to play while she's driving. To most of you I'll see you in a few days. I'll be the one trying to keep everyone straight. Maybe I should change my name tag every now and then just to keep everyone else confused.......

Happy National Quilting Day

2009-03-21T17:17:00.002-05:00

It's been so long since I last posted I almost forgot how to do it. I haven't been doing all that much sewing lately but it's time to get back into the swing of it. Winter has been rough for me with my asthma but I'm on the mend, finally. I have been reading and keeping up with what everyone has been doing on a daily basis.

Last night I discovered that my good friend is turning 50 on April 2nd. I could have sworn she was only going to be 49. Sooooo I had to jump into action and figure out what to get her. In the end I took Jen's advice and decided it's time to make her a new quilt. Pictures to follow in the next week. I have until the party on April 4th so plenty of time.

The little sewing I've been doing doesn't really amount to much. A few pillow cases and for St Pat's Day I made a great table runner. I ended up using it on the inside of my door and it looks great. The pattern I have has a runner for each month so it's time to get going on Easter before it's here and I'm late.

I just wanted to stop in and wish everyone a Happy National Quilting Day. Go out and quilt something today or atleast do something nice for your machine like give it a good cleaning. Enjoy the day and I'll keep my eyes open for what everyone is doing on this great day.

I was going to post a picture of my St Pat's wallhanging but I just spent all kinds of time trying to find the picture in my computer. I think it's time to get all my pictures ORGANIZED.

Doggie Sleep Over

2009-02-21T08:15:00.003-06:00

It's been quite sometime since my last post. It's not that I've been busy it's just that I've been having trouble with my asthma. Last night I picked up my Grandpuppy Holly and brought her to my house for a sleep over. We're having a great time together. She was so excited when I picked her up. When we left her house it sure looked like her Mom, Jen, was going to cry. I on the other hand was very happy and excited to have a fur kid in my house again. I just wanted to share this picture that I took of her this morning. She'd already been outside, had her breakfast, took her pill and I put the drops in her ear for her infection. We've been busy. Later on I'll try to remember to take her picture when she goes out because it's snowing here and she looked like a walking snowdog.

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January's Accomplishments

2009-02-03T10:17:00.002-06:00

I'v been reading everyone's blogs and it seems like most are posting lists of what they quilted for the month of January. OK, so I didn't do as much as I would have liked to but it was a very rough month for me. So here goes my short list of things worked on or finished.

1. Finished the I Love Lucy tote bag sample for the shop.
2. Made four criss cross coasters for the shop with the left over I Love Lucy fabric.
3. Started and finished a work apron for the shop using another of the I Love Lucy fabrics
customizing it complete with lace.
4. Made a pattern and sewed one "body bib" for baby Ethan. I have to mail it out yet.
5. Completed my blocks for the Smore wallhanging that I'm doing for myself.
6. Completed folding and moving all of my fabric to it's new location.
7. Completely redid my sewing area.
8. Cleaned out my spare room.
9. Organized my scraps by color.
10. Organized all my scraps of left over batting. Little pieces are great for small projects.
11. Made a charm pack apron to wear at the shop using batiks.

Murphy Update

2009-01-25T21:55:00.002-06:00

Well, it's almost two weeks since I lost my best fur friend Murphy. I have to be honest and say that things haven't been all that easy for me. I wanted to take the time to thank all of my blog world friends who had such kind words, thoughts and prayers that they sent my way. That has helped me quite a bit. I've spent alot of time with Jen and Mike and Holly. When I do come home it is so unbearably quiet in here I don't like to be home. I know with time that will improve or atleast I hope so.

So, in the mean time I've taken to rearranging my spare room and again I'm on a tossing out mode. I'm still folding fabric and getting my cabinet in order. Even if I could stick with it for say a half hour each night I could get alot done. I think I finally have all of the fabric folded so soon it will just be arranging it by color. I've stuck my quilting books inbetween the fabric stacks and I"m amazed at how many Eleanor Burns books I own.

I'm off to do a little more organzing yet tonight but I just wanted to say Thank You again to all of my friends for their kind words. Things will get better.

My fur friend is gone

2009-01-13T06:58:00.004-06:00

For those of you who know me you'll understand what this post means to me. Last night my fur child Murphy had to be put down. He was in congestive heart failure and since it is very common in his breed I had to put him down.

Murphy came into my life 7 years ago. I had been wanting to get another dog and I was on the web one Saturday morning and searching the dog pounds. Up popped this cute picture of Murphy and it was puppy love at first sight. The rest is history and we've been together ever since. He filled my heart and my heart and my home with unconditional love. Almost two years ago he was diagnosed with Diabetes. This was a shock to all of us but we got through it and he was such a trooper. We got on a regular schedule of feeding and insulin injections. Needless to say I watched him like a hawk.

He had a rough weekend so I called and got him into the vet last night. Luckily my son inlaw, Mike met me there and later Jen came. To make a long story short they did x rays and discovered he was in congestive heart failure. There was no hope for a recovery so the decision was made to end his suffering and put him down. I know that someday he'll be waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. But for now it's no more twice daily injections and he can eat whatever he wants to. Give all of your fur kids a hug today in memory of mine, Murphy.

Organization and tossing

2009-01-11T22:20:00.002-06:00

Today was finally the day for organizing and folding all of my fabric and switching it to another cabinet in my house. What a chore this was and it's still not done. Jen said she'd come and help me out and she did. I'd bring an arm load of fabric out and she'd laugh at alot of it but we'd folded for hours. This cabinet is actually in my bedroom and had odd clothes in it un til early this afternoon. I'm getting really excited about my fabric since it's all nicely folded and stacked. Right now it's not in there according to color but once it's all in I can change that around. Inbetween the stacks of fabric Jen suggested I put in quilting books so I moved quite a few of those too.

This is going to be my work in progress for the rest of the week and I'll take more pictures as I go along. The top shelf is all my "good" quilt store fabric. The two shelves on the left under the top shelf are my batiks and then other " good" fat quarters. The very bottom left is all Christmas and the rest are all cottons from other places. I have one bag that is just plain junk that is going to be tossed out and I need to get a rubbermaid tub for my scraps. So if anyone asks how I spent my Sunday I can show them this picture. Now I'm getting excited about what projects I can do because I can see what I actually have.

New Years Eve FUN

2009-01-01T22:13:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year everyone. Last night I got together with 19 other quilters at our local quilt shop The Patched Works and we had the first annual Rockin New Years Eve. What a great time was had by all. We had a pot luck and there was so much food and such a variety it was fantastic. I had my camera out on the table with me but I was so busy talking, laughing and sewing that I totally forgot to take any pictures. Around 10 we got party hats and noise makers and we had a champagne toast. The owners of the shop Julie and Frank couldn't have been better hosts for the event. Everyone there had so much fun sewing. You just took your machine and supplies and sewed whatever it was you wanted to and if you needed a notion or fabric well there it was.

If any of you are looking for something fun to do next year stop at your local quilt store and see what you can work out. Even with all the talking and carrying on I did manage to get 5 pillow cases made.

28 year old UFO is FINISHED

2008-12-30T22:18:00.003-06:00

I probably have the oldest UFO of anyone out there. This is the very first quilt that I ever made. 28 years ago I took a quilting class at Lee Wards, now Michaels on quilting. I had no idea what I was getting into but my Mom and I were going to take this together. We met for twelve weeks once a week and made our blocks. These were made back in the day when you made templates for cutting out your pieces. Then each block was layered and I hand quilted each one as I went along. This is where my dislike for hand quilting came from. The way it was constructed was odd since we put borders on some of the sides and not the others. They were to be added later. OK so advance 28 years and enough was enough. I was never going to add the other borders so I decided to cut off the borders that were on the quilt and simply bind it and call it done. I tossed it in the wash first and it came out great with the exception of the quilting thread on the back of some of the blocks where the color bled. Some of the blocks were done in a burgondy quilting thread and on the back since it's all white there is a little discoloration along the quilting. Who cares it's finally finished and for a while it's going to take the place of honor on one of my quilting racks.

Christmas is over

2008-12-30T22:05:00.002-06:00

The Christmas season is over and again we all survived it. I had a great Christmas Eve spent with my two best friends. We started this tradition the first year that I was alone and have done it most of the years since. We get together and have dinner, exchange gifts and in general have a great time together. This year was no different. I had made my two friends each what is called a Stitch N Chicks bag. Both were loved and that always makes me feel good. We even sat for a couple of hours and played Yahtzee which I hadn't done in probably 30 years.

Christmas Day was spent with my daughter, Jen. My girl is so good to me. For Christmas this year she took some of my quilt tops I had made and quilted them for me. Then all I had to do was put the binding on them. I had decided to give my Mom the BOM quilt that I had been working on and Jen kindly quilted that one for me too. She brought it along on Christmas and I put the binding on so I could give it to my Mom. Needless to say Mom loved her new quilt. Jen had made Grandma a wallhanging and a table runner that she also loved. We ended up tracking her down at my sisters and spent an enjoyable afternoon with her family. I just love Christmas's that aren't stressful and this was one of them.

Mad rush is over with for now

2008-12-24T16:09:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to take a minute or two to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanaka, Happy Kwanza or whatever it is that you celebrate oh and I can't forget Happy Festivus.

Things here aren't done but that's OK I'm not stressing over them. I'll just finish the gifts after Christmas.

10 year old UFO is finally done

2008-12-19T23:41:00.002-06:00

Ten years ago I went to my first quilt retreat. This was with a great bunch of ladies that I had met on line and they were getting together for one week to sew. I could only take a long weekend but I went. We were told there would be a mystery quilt if we wanted to make it and how much fabric to buy. I'd never done one before so didn't know what to expect. We were also only to buy 4 fabrics that went together. I gathered up everything and off I went. I had a great time. We laughed and talked more than we actually sewed. In the end this is what my mystery quilt turned out to be. I hated it. I have no idea what the pattern was called and if I had known what it was going to look like I would have chosen different fabrics.
All of these years it sat as a finished top in my sewing cabinet. Every now and then I'd pull it out and look at it and say to Jen how much I hated it. I think a couple of times I tried to toss it out and she kept putting it back. So, this year for Christmas she is quilting a bunch of my UFO's for me. Three things came back to me last night and this is the first one. After 10 years I still had one of the fabrics so I could use it for a binding. Today I put on the binding and I absolutely love it now. When I first gave it to her to quilt I told her dog Holly that it would be her quilt. Now, no way I'll make Holly a different quilt. Would I do a mystery quilt again, NO. If I'm going to put the time and money into a quilt I want to know what it's going to look like before I start it. I think it is going to be used as a table quilt for my dining room table.

So far I think I'm the winner ! ! ! ! ! !

2008-12-19T23:11:00.003-06:00

In my family we have a yearly Amarillis growing competition this time of year. This started a few years back and it was a ton of fun. You've all probably seen the bulbs in the stores at this time of year. Around here you can usually pick up a bulb, dirt and a pot for around $4.99. So on a set date whoever wants to enter plants their bulbs and then we wait to see whose flowers open first, how many flowers you get and how tall your plant is. This year the set date to plant was Nov.22. I picked up my bulb at our Target and spent a little more this year because I wanted the heavy ceramic pot. I spent $9.99 instead of the $4.99 thinking then next year I can buy the cheaper one because I'll have the better pot. I waited for the day to come and planted my bulb. I watered my plant only to see that my pot was cracked in a couple of places and it leaked like a sieve. So much for the ceramic pot.

It grew like wild. Last night I took it's picture and posted it for the family to see. Mine is 23.5 inches tall and I have 4 big flowers on it. It's white with pink running through it. This is much better than last years that had great greenery but not a single flower. I haven't seen pictures of anyone elses yet. It's a fun thing to do with family and friends, think about giving it a try next year.

The weather outside is frightful

2008-12-15T23:18:00.002-06:00

I don't understand how we could go from warm breezes and melting snow yesterday to barley above 0 today. It is so cold out there it hurts to be out. When I went to bed lastnight it had to be near 40. Sure it had rained most of the day but the snow was melting. I saw patches of grass again. Then it happened, I went to sleep and everything changed. I got up at 5 to let Murphy out and what a shock when I opened the door, Cold and wind hit me. The only good thing was we didn't get any snow out of it. First my apartment was so warm over the weekend and tonight no matter what I do I can't warm it up any.

After work tonight I had a haircut appointment and the woman who cuts my hair told me to bring Murphy along. I wasn't going to take him because it was so cold oute but I really think dogs remember what you tell them because before I left for work this morning I told him after I got home and he ate his dinner we were going for a hair cut. There was no getting out of the house without him. The car heated up quick and I had a blanket on the back seat for him. So off the two of us went. He usually knows where he is going but this really confused him. Then when we got out of the car and went inside he was so excited. He was so good while we were there. Of course he laid right on the mat by the chair and Kathy kept having to step over him but a good time was had by all. There were two little children there and all he wanted to do was be pet by them. He even got hugs when it was time for them to leave. Fun was had by all and it helped lift up his spirits.

I've done a little sewing tonight and now I discovered I did some things wrong so it's rip rip rip. To be continued tomorrow night. Once my project is done I can show a picture or two. Time to go and curl up with a few good quilts and drift off to sleep.

Asthma, Bah Humbug

2008-12-11T14:13:00.002-06:00

Well I've been down and out due to my asthma since Tuesday. I had two unreal attacks between Tuesday and Wednesday. I've been doing nothing but sleeping moving from my bed to the couch trying to build my strength back up again. In the process of the second attack I pulled some muscles in my lower back from all the hard coughing. A while back I had gone to the DR for a back problem and got some muscle relaxers and pain killers and didn't use that many of them. Today or actually last night I started taking them faithfully Since I'm taking them that means I'm not doing much and still not back to work. This is a bummer because I hate to let others down. I thought I'd try a little sewing today but enough is enough. Besides I don't think it's such a great idea to sew with those drugs in me who knows what I'll produce. Christmas is getting closer and I'm so far behind I don't know if I'll make it or not.

Someone I know is having a birthday

2008-12-09T07:06:00.004-06:00

Someone very special to me is having a birthday today. If you guessed Jen my daughter you're right. Why not hop on over to her blog and wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. www.cre8tivequilter.blogspot.com

Christmas is close

2008-12-08T22:12:00.003-06:00

I had one of those moments tonight when all of a sudden I was in a panick because Christmas is really really close. The moment passed and I got down to business. First off it was time to rearrange the furniture in the livingroom. That's done and Idug out a few more Christmas decorations. Tomorrow night I think I'll see about adding another string of lights to my little tree and then maybe some ornaments and of course my yo yo garland if it's easy to find.

Now it's time to clean up the mess that I made trying to straighten up things. That always seems to happen.

Hopefully sewing can be next on my agenda. My thought to myself is what gets done gets done and I'm not going to go crazy over undone projects.

Murphy Update

2008-12-04T17:53:00.002-06:00

Most of you who have read my blog on a regular basis know that my fur child is Murphy. Murphy was diagnosed as a diabetic almost two years ago and this has been quite a learning experience. Once we got him initially stabalized things have gone along smoothly. OK until this past Sunday. All was well early in the morning and then all of a sudden he wobbled and down he went. I reacted very quickly and called the ER clinic. I told them his history and they told me to bring him in ASAP. Next call was to Jen and Mike for help. They came a running and we got him up and in the car thanks to Mike and then Jen and I took him to the ER. Let me just talk a little about the pet ER. What a fantastic place. There are times when I wish I had doctors who were as nice as the ones for our pets. The girls came out with the guerney and got him out of the car for us and in he went. Jen and I had to wait in the waiting room for a little while but they kept us updated. His glucose level was down to 38. That is dangerously low. I'm just greatful that I was home and able to take him in right away or I don't think I'd still have my fur child with me. They decided that they needed to keep him to monitor him and they would keep me informed. They did everything they said they would and then more. I got a phone call from the vet every couple of hours with his updates. It was then decided that they would keep him overnight to monitor him more. Everyone knows that Murphy suffers from severe seperation anxiety so this wasn't going to be an easy thing. Later we found out they sedated him so he wouldn't hurt himself and so that he'd be able to get some rest. I sure wish I was sedated I was worried sick about him and didn't sleep at all that night. By 5 the next morning I was on the phone with them for an update. He was doing much better and they had removed the glucose IV around midnight and he has slept. Oh sure he got some sleep. Later while I was getting ready for work the vet called me with her update. He was stable and ready to be discharged. Being that it was the first day back to work after the holiday I had to go to work or loose two days holiday pay. I hate that it always comes down to money in this world. It was a very long day at work until I could leave and pick up Jen so she could go with me. He was so happy to be home but was really mad at me. He has since forgiven me and we've made up. My next problem was he didn't want to eat and that for a diabetic isn't good. So today I took off of work early and took him to his own vet. I'm happy to anounce that this is just a little glitch in life and all is well. His glucose is now at 58 and we're going to experiment with food and insulin. This dog already can't make a move without me knowing it and now I'll have him under a microscope.

I just want to thank my daughter Jen and my son in law Mike for all of their help and support. They were going to host a Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday for friends and they called it off because of him. I spent most of the day with them cuddling with my granddogter Holly. It didn't dawn on me until the next day that Sunday was the anniversary of the day we had to put our special Sherman down. No wonder my daughter was so weepy. I think Sherman was definetly watching over Murphy, Thanks Sherman.

Murphy and I want to send out our thanks to all of you who care.

What I'm Thankful for

2008-11-26T21:58:00.003-06:00

In our family Thanksgiving happens to be the all time favorite holiday. Being that it is Thanksgiving Eve I'd like to say what I'm thankful for.

First off I'd like to thank Heather who just got back from deployment for keeping us safe. She is a great young woman who has devoted her life to the Navy. Thank you Heather for keeping my freedom free.

I'd also like to say that I'm thankful that I have the best daughter, Jen. She's the light of my life and always has been and always will be.

I have great family and wonderful friends. So to all of you Happy Turkey Day.

Black Ice

2008-11-17T22:20:00.002-06:00

Tonights ride home took forever. We experienced our first "black ice" of the season right at rush hour tonight. My ride home started out normal until I got about half way home. I came up to one of the large intersections and noticed up ahead a ton of red lights flashing. Well, I sat at that light for 4 lights and we never moved. I had the chance to switch lanes and thought what the heck I'll just turn right and go a little further and then I'll be on my path home again WRONG. Oh I turned right only to find another sea of red flashing lights in front of me again. The over passes were so iced over that traffic was be taken off the roads before the bridges. I ended up going in the direction that I had just come from. At one point I was on a bridge and had to stop for traffic. When I went to go again there was this awful sensation, my tires were spinning and I was going no where fast. Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive. I popped that on and it gave me just enough extra traction that I could move. In all my 20 minute peaceful trip home took me about an hour and 15 minutes. Now I live at the top of a pretty steep hill so of course at the bottom I stopped to pick up my mail and sure enough it was time for 4 wheel drive again just to get up my hill. I'd rather drive in a foot of snow any day rather than "BLACK ICE". I just woke up and it's time for bed. I was so exhausted, mentally, from my drive I just missed the entire night.
This just reminds me that we never know what our weather is going to be like and best of luck this winter driving wherever you are.

My tree is up

2008-11-16T22:36:00.002-06:00

Last week one night when I was with Jen at the J store I came across this really cute little Christmas tree and fell in love with it. I've wanted one in a pot for a few years now but never bought it until the other night. The tree was on sale for 30% off plus Jen had another coupon for an additional 10% off. That good of a deal I just couldn't pass up. Then on top of that I had a gift card that I'd gotton for my birthday so I was in really grate shape. Home I came with my little tree. My plans this year were to put up the tree on Thanksgiving weekend. I'm headed into some really busy weeks ahead at work and there won't be much time to do these kinds of things. I either would have had to store the tree or I figured what the heck and I put it up. Now all I need to do is swap out the table it's sitting on for a lower one and then after Thanksgiving hang some ornaments, the lights were already on it complete with pine comes and groups of red berries. This is the perfect size for my livingroom. The days of the big tree are over for me, small and simple is the way to go. Anyway I just had to share that my tree was up. I haven't given a thought to shopping for Christmas but Hey I've got a tree already.

My first stroller quilt

2008-11-16T22:08:00.003-06:00

About a week or so ago I received the best email ever. It was from my great nephew Ethan written with help by his Grandma Karen, my sister. Let me just say Ethan is a very smart little guy and knew just how to get to me and I went willingly. They live in Arizona and it's the time of year when they say it's getting cold out. Now Ethan's problem was an easy one to help with. He needed a quilt smaller than a regular crib quilt so that when he's out in his stroller it's not as big and bulky. I went right into action. First I picked out a great charm pack at the quilt store and some even better backing. I'm terrible at remembering fabric lines I just know that I loved it and made a quilt from it. At first the blocks made the quilt to small so I added so sashing and a few borders. Then I layered it up and tonight I quilted it on my machine and added the binding. I think it turned out pretty darn cute. I might have to make a few more of them for him. I just washed it and it's in the dryer and one night this week I can send out the package that I have that will go to Ethan with all kinds of goodies in it.

I can't believe it

2008-11-13T20:40:00.002-06:00

I can't believe it but I've become a fabric snob. I would have never thought it possible but it's happened. I went through life buying fabric from Joann's. I bought fabric from WalMart and now I'm a fabric snob.

Tonight for the first time in ages I went into a Joann's. I haven't bought fabric there since way before I started working at the quilt store. I think the last fabric I bought from there was probably a year or more ago. While I was shopping with Jen we went into the store looking for styrofoam trees but that's a whole different post. I can't believe how small the quilting department has become in our store. We looked around and I realized that I'm a snob an out and out fabric snob. I don't buy alot of fabric but what I did purchase comes from quilt stores. I love the feel of the fabrics, the colors, the quality. When did all this happen to me? Thinking about it I haven't even purchased thread there in a very long time. Now it's not that I have tons of money. It's just the opposite I have to really watch my spending so I buy fabric for specific projects. I lusted over a fabric kit for about two months while I saved up to buy it. Now I look at it and it's so pretty I'm afraid to cut into it but I will.

Now before anyone gets their feathers ruffled I'm not cutting anyone who purchases fabric in places other than quilt stores. But since I've been using better fabrics I really do notice the difference. It's unreal how times change a person. I've made so many quilts with fabrics from other places. They are still holding up great.

Has anyone else had this revalation? Oh and while we were looking around we came across some great fleece that would have made great lounge pants but then I started thinking the huge candy canes just wouldn't look that great across my butt. The fleece stayed in the store. Wow what a night it's been.

Another Halloween Finish

2008-10-26T11:38:00.004-05:00

Last night I finally finished my Charm Party Tote Bag. This was a two weekend project for me. I don't think I was in the right frame of mind last weekend to do the bag. I got to the pocket last weekend and I was lost. In the end I discovered that I was thinking of a totally different tote bag with way different pocket on the front. With some help from Maureen last night, thank you Maureen I was able to finish the tote and now I know I can go on and make more for different holidays. I think this would make a great " Christmas" gift for someone so I'd better take out fabric and get started.

The charm pack I used for this tote was on that my secret sister gave to me at our last BOM. The inside lining is the bright orange that the handles are made out of.

I also have a new look to my blog compliments of my daughter Jen, thanks Jen. Today the two of us are going to a quilt show and then to her house for trick or treat. In the complex that I live in I never have any kids so I get to go there and help hand out candy and of course sew.

JJ the fun begins

2008-10-18T07:42:00.005-05:00

Last night around 5:30 I got a call from Jen and Jill had arrived safely and I needed to get my butt over there. So my machine and I went. It was so nice to finally meet Jill and her fur kids. I just have to say I feel so TALL next to Jill. Now I'm only 5'2" but this is so cool. We hung out for a little while and then off to IHop to eat we went. Great food as always and then off to the Lang Store. We have a great Lang outlet store by us and we each found some great things. Then back to Jen's to start our sewing.
I promised pictures so here they are.

Jen was the first one who started to sew. She's finishing up her Halloween Quilt and let me just say it's beautiful and really LARGE. Oh we decided to sew in her kitchen for more space.
Jill was tired from the drive so she took out her lap top and started playing with that.
Max and Maisy are both just adorable and here are two very tired pups from their long day of traveling. Maisy is on the right and Max on the left sleeping away.
Holly is trying out her Mom's Halloween Quilt a bit early.

All of the fur kids are playing and having a great time together.

I'm off to work at my quilt shop today but I'll join up with the sewers tonight after they get back from their ROAD TRIP today.