BOM #9 & #10

Well the christmas season was such a busy one for me as I am sure it is for everyone. I am finally able to show off my BOM's #9 & 10, because of a quiet afternoon to get some sewing done. These blocks were actually fun to make, however I still need work on my points. But I am pleased with how these are turning out and I am so looking forward to the end results.

Sister's Web site

I am adding a new web site to my favorites. To anyone who reads my blog, WeStitch is a web site of my sister's. She was embroidering for friends and family. And was such a sucess with it that now she is branching out into a home business. If you are reading my site, take the time to visit WeStitch and spread the word. She does such beautiful work. And Thanks for looking.

Friday night

What a great thanksgiving. Here is my youngest daughter Katie, and her fiance Heath. They just got engaged the night before thanksgiving. Another thing to be thankful for. My daughter is so happy, and I couldn't ask for a better son in law. We are so happy to welcome Heath to the family.

Thanksgiving was at their home in Green Bay and all the food was wonderful. There certainly was alot and it all was so delicious. Heath's family was also there for thanksgiving and it was a pleasure meeting them all. They too are very happy for Katie and Heath.

Tonight is my last night alone, Bill will be home from hunting tomorrow morning and then the long process of cleaning and cutting the deer begins. In all the hunting party got 15 deer, 5 of which are coming home with Bill. I have already made a huge pot of chili for the men, and made sure there is plenty of beverages cold and waiting for them. It will certainly be a long day and I am sure I have plenty of things to do to stay out of their way.

I made several dozen christmas cookies this evening and all are tucked away in the freezer. Still have more to make. I usually make trays of cookies up for some of Bill's older friends that are widowers with no one to cook or bake for them. They look forward to my cookies every year.

Sunday evening

Well it's time to call it a night. I did manage to complete a tablerunner, and a round christmas table top. They turned out fine, however I still am not happy with my binding work. I never am. I keep practicing and it just doesn't show any improvement.
Bill finally called. I guess they were having such a good time, no one thought to call the wifes. They have 13 deer hanging so far, and have the rest of the week and next weekend yet to hunt. I am used to being without Bill for Thanksgiving, and I am even used to the mess when he gets home. I just have a hard time getting used to the fact that the men will call home eventually, when they get around to it. Like it's no big deal to be gone for 9 days without contact with the family or spouses. Afterall, as long as they are having a good time, why worry about anything going on at home. It's not like they can do anything about it anyways.
Although I am starting to miss Bill, I am enjoying my quiet time. I think the tv just got turned on for the first time this weekend. What does that say???????????

More on Alone weekend

Here's Bill's quilt, finally done with label on. Here is Bill's quilt all wrapped for christmas. Yeah!!!! it's in the box and now on to other things.

Seems like I have been working on this quilt forever, sneaking around and working on it when he is gone. Now all my projects that I wanted done by christmas are done.

Ok, I worked on two more Bethelam blocks and I am on a break right now eating a salad and wondering why Bill hasn't called me yet. I mean you would think he would want to tell me how it is going so far right? And you would think that he misses me right? Hmmmmmmmm I think I will take that as a good sign. No news is good news.

Well break is over........................

Alone at Last!!!!!!!

Well here I am, all alone, by myself, just me and I. Damm it feels good. Don't get me wrong, Bill is the love of my life and I would be lost without him. But when he takes his hunting trips, something magical happens around here. Things that would take forever to do, or chores that go on the back burner for when you have time seem to get done.
My first night, I spent in front of a roaring fire wrapping christmas presents. They are all wrapped! Every last one of them. They are neatly stacked and organized in the spare bedroom. And then, I moved on to my christmas cards. All filled out and ready to mail within a week or two. Yup, got them all organized and done. And then, Bill had given me a new 2009 calendar to hang in the kitchen, so I deceided to fill out the months with all the birthdays, anniversarys, and special events throughout the new year of 2009. Did my dishes up, cleaned up the kitchen and then set up my sewing machine for a weekend of sewing. How's that for accomplishing things. I am pretty proud of myself. When I told my girl friend what I had done last nite, she just shook her head and said "you have some kind of sickness".
Today I slept in, how wonderful that felt. I slept till 8:00am, which is really sleeping in for me. I made a list for the grocery store and errands that needed to be run, and I was off. Home by 1pm putting stuff away, and now I am waiting on my girl friend to pick me up. We are spending the afternoon at a craft fair and then out for dinner tonight. Sounds like fun doesn't it?
I guess I won't get to that sewing machine today, but now I can just keep it out all week long. So any day I want to sew I can. I feel so liberated...........................

Men & Sewing

Men and sewing don't go together. If it does for one of you out there, I don't think this pertains to you.
Bill, the love of my life, bless his heart means well. But gosh darn it, when I haul out the sewing machine and set up all my materials for the day, that should be a sign that I am about to get involve with a project. Well most people could take that kind of hint. But guys, either they don't know, or they don't think it is something that really takes all of your attention and you have time for other things. Bill deceided he was just spending the day doing nothing, and sat his butt in the recliner to watch the football game and relax.
My quiltathon sunday went something like this:
Bill: Honey can you come here a minute, I want to show you something.
Me: (get up and see what he wants, then go back and sit down)
Bill: Honey, are you sitting, cause if you are next time you get up would you bring me a soda?
Me: (get up and bring him a soda -- go back and sit down)
Bill: Honey, Honey you got to come and see the dogs they are so cute.........
Me: (get up and go into the other room) "Bill they always do that, and yes it is cute" (go back and sit down)
Bill: Hey Sweetie, come see what happens when I press these buttons on the TV
Me" (get up to go into the other room) "Bill, what do you want now, I am trying to concentrate here, can't you see that I am spending the day sewing. That's the kind of thing I like to do to relax. I just want to sew in quiet today and see how much I can acomplish, OK?"
Bill: What did I do now? Why are you mad at me?
Me: (go back to the sewing machine) "I just want to get some sewing done ok Honey?"
Bill: Sure Honey I understand
10 minutes later.........................
Bill: Hey honey, when you get time can you look something up on the computer for me?
And this is how the day went on and on and on................until finally I got the tension on my machine all wonky and finally gave up. (Too much tension everywhere today I guess)
Bill is leaving next weekend to go deer hunting for 9 days...................so do you think I am looking forward to that? I will miss him but yet............. hmmmmmmmmmmmm

BOM 8

Well here is BOM 8 finished. I certainly didn't enjoy doing this block at all. First of all, I know nothing about paper pieceing. Remember I am a newbie. So while I started it yesterday afternoon, my frustration with it didn't allow me to finish till this morning. But it is done.

Cookie making day

Well here we are making puppy chow. This was a great hit with my grand children. They loved mixing it up in their individual bags and shaking them up. We sang silly songs and shook the bags to the beat. Over all cookie making day went very well. We manage to decorate a few dozen sugar and reindeer cookies, and of course my grand babies as well. They got just as much frosting and cookies on the outside as they got in the inside. We all had a great time.

BOM #7

BOM #7

I don't think I like it. Maybe it will grow on me, but something is wrong. It just doesn't look right. Here is all of the BOM's so far. The colors look so great together. Gosh for a while there I didn't think I was going to get a chance to get at this BOM. Time is getting pretty tied up lately for me, and with the holidays fast approaching, there is even less time. I have to finish Bill's quilt for christmas...................I think I will try to stay up late tonight to see how much I get done.

Christmas Shopping Officially Started!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whew, what a day. It was all a blur. I can't even remember if we ate. My god, that mall was hugh and full. Very very very full with lots and lots and lots of people. We must of been a site, pulling three carts through the mall trying to find the exit to get out to the parking lot. The girls and I did our annual christmas shopping trip to kick off the holiday season. And we got a very good start too. I know I was able to cross alot off my christmas shopping list. We had such a good time.
Now today, I don't even want to think about stepping foot in a store of any kind. I just want to relax and see how much of this hand sewing on Bill's quilt I can get done today before bill gets home. I expect quite a mess when he gets here, I received full warning of three deer that are coming home with him. And the cleaning will have to be done this afternoon, so I plan on staying out of the way. Working on a big pot of chili right now, so hopfully the guys will be hungry.
I am excited to start my next BOM. I downloaded the directions this morning, but just haven't go the energy to pull the sewing machine out right now. We will see.

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Pillowcases

Oh yes, I had to make time to make some more pillowcases. I really think they are adicting. I made three more for my other grandchildren to go with their cuddle quilts for christmas. And I managed to make one from the scraps left over from Bill's quilt. So he will have one to match his christmas quilt. Now I find myself looking around my stash of material to see if I can make more. And who will I give them too????????? Hmmmmmm. I have been spending my evenings hand sewing the binding on the green quilt, and I am just about there. Bill will be gone hunting again this weekend so I will see how much work I can put in on his quilt to get it closer to finish.
I am spending the day Saturday with the girls christmas shopping. Yes, you heard me right, christmas shopping. We do more playing around in the stores more than anything else. We always look forward to it. Every year it is to a different mall or city. This year the destination is Gurnee Mills in Illinois. So looking forward to it.....................

Sunday afternoon

What a weekend!!!!!! It went so fast! I was so involved with the grandchildren and the halloween festivals around our town. They enjoyed all the events. Momma did too, because when grandma brought them home, they took very long naps...............
I worked on bill's quilt and finished the hand stiching on the binding. It needs a little more ties and it is done and ready to be wrapped for christmas. I sewed the binding on the green quilt I am making for my girl friend for christmas. I am terrible sewing binding on. Even with the help of my sister long distance by phone, I still manage to screw it up. I took it apart twice. I was so upset, I had to walk away from it for awhile. Late last night I deceided to give it a try again. It will work, but still is not exactly great. I am not being that hard on myself, I really think it is bad. I have such a phobia about putting binding on and getting those corners just right. The binding is actually fine, it's the corners that I am upset about. Tonight I am just going to sit here and hand sew that binding and hopefully my blood pressure will come back to normal.
It is trick or treating here in town tonight, so I plan on doing alot of jumping up and down. Bill is home from hunting, however he is very tired and already in his recliner. So I can't rely on him for any help.
Well one thing that turned out great this weekend, while sewing I managed to cook Gina's Italian Sausage Soup. The smells from my kitchen are wonderful. Even bill noticed when he got home. I can hardly wait to try it.

BOM #6

Here is # 6!!!!!!!

This was very easy, but I think I am getting comfortable with making these stars. Thank you again for the easy to follow instructions. I am ready for the next one!

These little cuties are my granddaughters. Hailie and Emma. They are all ready for trick or treating. Emma has chosen a princess costume and with the help of grandma she is ready. She has even been practicing her "trick or treat!' and "thank you". Hailie, grandma's little bug, is all excited to be going trick or treating with her big sister. Hailie can say "Please" so she is practicing also. The girls have no problems with wearing their costumes, and actually momma has a hard time getting them to take them off. This sunday, Papa Bill has promised to be home from hunting early so he can show his two little angles how to make a jack o lantern. We will see how that goes.

Sister's weekend

This is Jessica my niece and her son Teddy. Jessica was kind enough to open her house for the sister's weekend. Her house was filled with sewing machines, ironing boards and cutting boards. We just sort of took over. Jessica had to work the weekend and didn't get to spend much time with us as we sewed and babysat her son. We managed to get a few things done but spent time just visiting more. It was a great weekend, and thank you so much Jessica for opening your lovely new home for us and making me feel welcome. And Teddy, you still are my favorite great nephew as I am your favorite Auntie Mutz.

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Friday afternoon

I will be leaving shortly for Green Bay. My niece has been kind enough to open up her house for me and her mother to spend the weekend in a sewing marathon. My sister has traveled from her home in Michigan and brings with her some projects that have long sat in her stash. I too have a few new items I would like to start, and one big project that needs to be finished. The quilt I made for Bill's christmas present needs to be sandwich and the binding sewed on. We will see how much actually gets acomplished this weekend.
My youngest daughter recently moved to Green Bay, and I have no idea where the house is. She has been calling on the adverage of once a day this week, just to make sure I take time out to stop and visit her. She has a motive in mind. She needs curtains for the master bedroom and she is hopeing mom will come to the rescure. So I am sure there needs to be some time in my busy schedule this weekend to measure windows and shop for fabric for these curtains. (oh my god, shop for fabric, that could be dangerous)
I am so looking forward to this trip. Lots of fabrics, lots of projects and lots of chocolate!

Sunday evening

What a relaxing sunday. Very cool and rainy most of the day. But it was perfect for sewing. Bill was still gone and was not due to be home from his hunting weekend till later in the afternoon. So with a quiet house I got alot of work done. I finished up four more grocery totes for relatives for christmas. And then I found in my stash a pillow case kit that I bought at the quilt expo last month. I had to laugh at myself as I was sewing away on this dinosaur pillow case. Hopefully Ivan will be happy with this pillow case. Very easy to put together, my goodness it just took a matter of minutes. So here goes my mind again, thinking oh maybe I will have time to make a few more for the rest of the grandchilden in between everything else that needs to be done. I started a tablerunner that was in my stash too. I actually got the top done so maybe one night this week I will have time to sandwich it and quilt. This pattern also was very easy to do.

It certainly was a productive weekend. I manage to get the house cleaning done, all my errands done, some sewing projects done or started, and I managed to get some BBQ ribs cooking in the slow cooker so Bill had a nice big warm meal when he returned home.

The weekend went fast and monday will be here all too soon, and back to work we must go.

Dinosaur Costume

I guess there will be one less dinosaur out and about trick or treating this year. Poor Ivan. He just was not happy at all with his dinosaur costume. He said "I don't wanta momma!"

Now his little brother Nickolas, well there was a brave little guy. He wore the costume and just pranced around the house with it. Too bad it was too big for him. Oh well, there is always next year. At least grandma got the costume done in time.

BOM #5

Well this BOM was a joy to do. I just zipped thru it. I am either getting better, or the BOM's are getting easier. It still is not perfect, but for me it is good. I mean really good, I surprise myself with how these blocks are turning out. I am ready for the next one.

End of weekend

Well it is the end to another weekend. I am very pleased with myself for what I got accomplish. I was able to get my BOM done on friday night and got the wash started at the same time. I did some work on Bill's christmas quilt and made it to bed at a reasonable time.

Saturday was spent with my favorite grand sons, and I managed to go on a little shopping trip to find the material needed to make the dinosaur costume. Ivan wants to be a green and yellow dinosaur. And grandma promise to have it ready for the first try on within two weeks.

I was back home by sunday morning, and finished my wash. I manage to continue working on Bill's quilt and just finished the top when he came rolling in. So I finished up the ironing and finished the binding on my rail fence quilt. It is now offically done, and has the lable sewed on as well. I am so happy that I finally got that quilt done. And equally happy that Bill's quilt has a good start. Now that hunting season has started, I have to work on it when he isn't home. Don't want to spoil the suprise.

BOM #4

Very quiet evening. Bill has left for the weekend to go bow hunting. It is not a nice thing to say, but I get so much more accomplished when he is gone and out of my way. I am working on his christmas throw quilt and it is coming along very nicely. It is a wild-life flannel quilt, and should be about 59 x 70 when finished. I have secretly been cutting it out when he is gone, and now finally get a chance to start putting it together. I know I will have more time to work on it now that hunting season has started.

I needed to get the BOM done first and here it is. This went together very well. However, I still need practicing with my points. I probably will get it by the time I make my last BOM for this quilt.

I have been spending my evenings this week sewing the binding on a quilt I made with the help of my sister, I started it in March of this year and finally can say it is near completion. A couple of more evenings and it should be done.

Tomorrow I am babysitting for my two grandsons. I promised the oldest, Ivan, that grandma would take him shopping for the material for his dinosaur costume he wants for halloween. I spoke with him briefly on the phone tonight and he informed grandma that he wants to be a big green dinosaur. He is so excited about the costume. Lets just hope he actually wears it. Last year he thought it was more fun to go trick or treating without a costume. He is 4 this year, so maybe the age will make a difference.

Ok, break is over, time to get back to the sewing machine.

2008 Quilt Expo

I can not begin to explain my emotions regarding the Quilt Expo. I learned so many new things I didn't know about Quilting and I saw so many beautiful quilts.
I learn so many shortcuts and tips and tricks of the trade and I met so many wonderful women in different stages of learning.
I met some authors of well known quilt books, and heard many presentations from women who have their own quilting shows on PBS. Actually, Sue Hausmann took the time to sit down and show me how to meader on a sewing machine, much like mine. I did get her autograph on that piece of material!!
I had hands on time with long arm machines, and several high end sewing machines. I saw so many many wonderful materials and crafts, my head is still spinning. To say I have found more interests and ideas about quilts, is a understatement. I took lots and lots of pictures, and while I did have permission from the ladies to take pictures of their quilts and crafts, I don't think it would be appropriate to put them on the internet. But trust me, it was a wonderful weekend, with new and exciting moments and memories. My sister and I had such a good time together, and we were very sad to see the weekend end. Because of course, we are now back to reality, and the wash needs to be done, tomatoes to can, shirts to iron, and it goes on and on. As nice as it is to go away for a weekend, it just means more work for when you get home. Where were those little housework faries when I needed them. I am quite lucky though, Bill did clean some things around the house while I was gone. So he was a big help.

BOM #3

Well today has ended up to be a pretty nice day for sewing. I managed to get a few things accomplished, one of which was the BOM. It was the easiest of the three to do, however, I don't know if I wasn't paying attention or if it just wasn't my day. I did have to take it apart a couple times. And now that I look at it, it really didn't turn out so nice and neat afterall. I don't think the points line up. I guess I need more practice.

Labor Day is over

Well the labor day weekend is over, and what a wonderful way to end the summer. My sister's home was so lovely and comfortable as always. We had such a wonderful time and really hated to leave. This picture is actually across the lake. What a breath taking sunset.

The fishing was not that good, but the company was great along with the weather. We could not have asked for better weather for the Labor Day weekend.

I did get a chance to go thru my sister's stash. Actually she sent some of if home with me, so now I guess it becomes my stash. And also some new projects that went by the wayside in her closet are now making their way into mine. My sister is so talented, and the new projects she has finished since I was at her home last March, well let's just say I bow to the master.

I learned some tips from her regarding binding, and she showed off her new Bernina machine. It was a great time just going thru her sewing room.

And ofcourse, when we got home the tomatoes didn't stop growing. So tonight will be a canning night after work. My goodness, I thought I pawned off all the tomatoes on my sister. Wrong again!

Now I have to get down to some serious sewing. Halloween is coming up soon enough, and I have a couple of costumes to make for my grandchildren. While I was involved with the long drive home, my sister was already working on her grandchildren's costumes. She always gets a jump on me.

Already counting off the days till I and my sister go to the Quilt Expo in Madison. Really looking forward to that.

Labor Day Weekend

Well we are off. Spending Labor Day weekend with my big sister. The drive to MI will be interesting since Bill has never been there before. My sister and her boyfriend live on Lake Manistque and have a beautiful cabin. It is always so lovey to visit her, and relax in the beautiful surroundings. And of course it is always hard to leave.

We have alot of fishing planned for now. However, my sister plans on going over her stash with me. So there might be some trades going on. (I hope)

And ofcourse we will have to stop at some quilt shops while there. (Bill will be so excited about that, not!)

I am so excited, I haven't seen my sister since March of this year. So this will be a busy weekend. She has two of my quilts that she has been working on for me. She does such a nice job of meandering. I need to learn how to do that, there is that possibility that she can spend some time teaching me.

Either way, I am sure this Labor Day weekend will bring some new knowledge.

Sunday evening

Well the weekend is coming to a close, and I feel like I did quite alot during my quiltathon weekend. I don't get weekends like this often, so I try to take advanage of them when I can. This morning was full with errands, but this afternoon I thought I would go through my stash and find something new to start. There was this pattern and material that I picked up about a month ago while visiting my sister in MI. Why I bought this one, I can't remeber. I am sure it had something to do with my sister saying, "Oh you can do it, it's not that hard" Well let me tell you, it took all afternoon and I finally got one block done. I am so thankful I have a seam ripper. It was quite a challege and I am proud that I stuck with. I am sure this is probably one of those patterns that drive quilters insane, and seeing as I am already just about there, I didn't think it would hurt to give it a try. We will see when and if I get a chance to sew another one.

What a beautiful weekend. And I am caught up on all my housework, so I deceided to spend the time sewing. I started making some grocery bags for myself, the ones they sell at the store are so small, I mean really what do they think you are going to get in those bags. And then I got the idea to make one for each of my three daughters. I thought it would be cool to fill it with groceries when I present it to each of them. Well my sister thought she would help me by embroidering something on each bag. So I sent her four. She loved them so much she sent me material to make her three, and then called later to say "can you make two more, camo type please for my honey" So I sit down this morning to make them, and next thing you know Bill says to me "you are making me one in camo aren't you?" And then my girlfriend poped in and saw what I was doing....................well you get the picture, 11 grocery totes later I deceided to take a break. I still have some mending to do and a baby quilt that needs it's binding. So hopefully I will get to that yet today. Like a said, it is a beautiful weekend, I think I need to go outside for some fresh air before I go back to the sewing machine.

BOM #2

Ok I have to admit, this one was a bit tougher than the first. I actually took it apart quite a few times. It just didn't seem right. And if still doesn't, but I have run out of patience. So it is done! I am not sure exactly what the problem was, other than the fact that I can't miter corners. So maybe that kinda threw it off once the border was on the middle square. Nothing seemed to match up after that. Oh well, I sure hope the next one is easier.

First Day

Good evening every one. This is my first day on my new blog. I have just spent a quiltathon weekend. Some projects finished, some projects started. Not sure if I gained any ground there. LOL
I have enclosed my 1st BOM from the patchworktimes BOM quilt project. As you can see I have chosen to do this project in pink and browns. This is the first time I ever did a BOM and I have to admit that I did have to use the seam ripper once. As you can see, it's not perfect, but then again I am a newbie and still learning.