HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Holidays to all!
Christmas was wonderful and good health for the whole family
It has been a wonderful year, but I certainly hope that 2011 will be much better for me. I won't complain, there were some good moments in 2010 and some bad.
But if you only focus on the good, then you won't feel depressed about the bad.
As far as New Year's resolutions, there are the usual. Lose weight, exercise more, get organized etc. etc. etc.............
I never manage to keep those New Year's resolutions. So Instead I promise to live my life! Experience what is in store for me in 2011.

I will be babysitting over the New Year Holiday, and right now my grand daughters are planning a New Year's Eve party. The oldest, Emma has already made a list. So a party it is. Actually I never remember celebrating the new year this way, but I am sure it will be the best one I have had in my life.
Here is wishing all a great new year and may you all live you life to the fullest in 2011.

Cold Snowy Blizzard weekend

So cold outside! So much snow outside! So much wind outside!

Good thing the coffee pot was on and it was nice and warm in here. And since the snow plow has shut my driveway opening shut, I might as well sew, right?

We must of gotten at least 12 inches with this storm. And I did have to get out of my pj's long enough to go outside to shovel. What a mess!
I finally got the black and white yellow brick road quilt done. Well, maybe not. I have been collecting black and white material for over two years to make this. And now I think it needs a border. Need to pick up a small mount of black for a border.

This wool wall hanging got this far. And now I am feeling a little lazy. Welll it is after 7 at night. But it should be done sometime this week. I hope. I was excited when I started it, but where my enthusiasm went to I don't know............

I did get the rest of my christmas gifts all wrapped. And did some cleaning too. And my grandson turned 6 this weekend, so grandma had to take time out for his birthday party. Such a big boy.

But when the weekend was over, maggie was begging for some me time. I got her this little breathing puppy to keep her company while I am gone. The jury is still out on that one. She doesn't understand why the puppy isn't running around with her. She will figure it out yet.

Thanksgiving Weekend

I certainly hope everyone had a wonderful and enjoyable Thansgiving. I hope you all were able to spend it with family and friends like I did. A huge feast and wonderful family and their families made for a blessed day.
And the days that followed, I hope you were able to be off of work as I was to enjoy a very long weekend.

Now, I am not the type of person to do the black friday thing. In my younger days I was out there shopping with all the other maniacs, but not anymore.

I had a more productive weekend.............
I got the sawtooth borders done for my thimbelberries quilt. You can only make out the bottome border on this picture, actually I only attached the top and bottom borders because the side borders need to have corner blocks attached to them. And I won't get those directions till december when the 12th month BOM is handed out.


This is a wool wall hanging I have started. All pieces cut out and fused to wool backing. Now comes the relaxing part of embroidering. No hurry, nothing special planned for this piece.


This lap quilt was an easy pieced project. It starts out with a panel and then multiple borders. So quick and easy to put together. Now all it needs is a backing and the binding. But for now, it really adds something to my livingroom on this quilt rack.

And now, as evening nears, and tomorrow morning it's back to the office, I am sitting here thinking...................man oh man am I tired!!!!!!!

Hard to concentrate

Well I got the snowman table runner done.
And just in time to, because my oldest daughter has fallen in love with it from early on in the production stage. She has a spot picked out for it in her dinning room already.
How funny.

This weekend was a hard one to concentrate. Or maybe just hard to keep my attention long enough on one project.
I did have my share of running and errands to do this weekend, and ofcourse there was the sleeping in part that I loved.
But sewing, well I couldn't keep myself focus on one thing.
I did get the flannel outdoors man quilt all done complete with hand binding work. And I got all materials cut out for the BOM for November for my quilt club. This month's BOM is four sawtooth strips that make up a border. Thank goodness for the thangles, because these small 2"triangle squares would be very difficult for me. I am just terriable with triangles.
I need to make 196 squares to be sewed together and border a 4 1/2 inch strip. I have some squares done but lots more to go.
And then I quickly put a christmas lap quilt together for an adopted elderly lady for christmas. It was very quick and easy, it's made with a panel and three borders. Very cute. All I need now to do is attatch the binding.

I just seemed to go back and forth to different projects, first the 2 1/2 inch triangles, then back to the christmas quilt, then fiinish the binding work on the outdoors man quilt, then press some squares, back to the triangles. Just back and forth.
So I quit for the day. Nothing is keeping my attention other than the couch, which by the way has my knitting sitting on it. Oops, first I need to take the binding off this mini snowman quilt, it looks terriable.......See what I mean

Too much to do!

Why we do this? We start many projects and then try to get them all done at once.
Ok, so maybe it's just me that does it. Here is what I have been busy doing since my last blog.

This is the BOM for November Thimbleberries quilt. Actually it is a border made up of 96 triangle blocks that make a sawtooth border. Doesn't that sound like fun!
I invested in a package of Thangles to help me out with this 2 inch triangle square. And that blue piece in the upper left corner of the picture is my fat quarter for the month that needs to be turned into a block by the next quilt club meeting in December.

And then I have finally gotten around to cutting and sewing my yellow brick road quilt that I have been saving black and white material for the past two years. Here is a container filled with all the blocks, just waiting to be sewed together into the quilt. I even got the binding done for this project already. I know it is going to need a border once it is sewed together, but since I don't know where this quilt is going, I can take my time with it.

And then grandma drops whatever she is doing when the grandchildren need something. Here are four pairs of polar fleece pj bottoms for the kiddo's. These are a snap to make so I really didn't have to stop everything...........
And I am happy to help out keeping them warm this winter.

And this is a wool table runner that I have been sitting in the evening doing the hand work on. I need to get the backing on and it should be done. I just love these three guys. I think I will have to make another one, such a cute project and very relaxing to do.

And ofcourse the deer flannel quilt is still sitting around waiting for the handwork on the binding to be done. Got to finish that.

I have been setting my alarm for an hour earlier each morning before I start getting ready for work. I am using this time to catch up on some of these projects. And a couple of these are christmas gifts. So I am hopeful to finish these soon, cause there is more waiting in the wings.

Overwhelmed !!!!!

Don't you sometimes feel overwhelmed with all the material, kits and patterns sitting in your sewing room?
Well I am feeling like that lately, I feel like I will never get to it all.
I have a few projects started at one time, and every day it is a challege to pick which one I will work on today.
And in between all of this, I am learning how to knit. Yup, I still have not given up. This time I have needles and am practicing my kniting skills.

I look at everything around me and think, why did I buy that? What was I thinking? And who is going to get that quilt.

This weekend my girlfriend will help me sandwich the outdoors quilt I made for my nephew for christmas. Then I can spend my evenings working on the binding and that quilt will be done.
I started a black and white yellow brick road quilt. I have been collecting back and white material for two years now so it was time to start this quilt. I work on it one hour a day and slowly it is coming together.

I also have a christmas wool table runner that I started a couple nights ago and I try to spend some time in the evening doing the hand work on that in front of the tv.

Now that the weather is getting colder, I spend more time indoors, so maybe I will get to it. All my projects for christmas are finished,,,,,,,,,I think! You never know.

Stranded!!!

The car was acting funny friday night when I drove home from work. But I tried not to think about, afterall it was friday night, and I had a whole weekend with nothing planned to do.
But during the night I awoke with a thought about the car and why it acted so weird and what would happen if it died.
I got up bright and early to run out to check out my car, and sure enough it was dead.
My poor car. Luckly I had a friend that owns a auto repair shop. I called him up and it just took minutes before he was here with a battery charger. And after a couple of hours on the charger it started right up. But I was warned not to take it anywhere exept his auto shop. Bummer, now my car is sitting at the garage and I am sitting at home.
Well....................let's see what we can do when stranded.

First thing I did was finish my nephew's quilt top. All done and now ready to be sandwiched and quilted. How's that?
But that's not all, the house got cleaned, floors vaccum, furniture dusted, dishes done, etc etc etc......


And then I worked on my BOM for the month of October. It needs to be joined in on the quilt. So far this is what it looks like and it is starting to look like a great quilt.
And then I took a break and deceided to cover some of my windows in plastic. Need to get ready for that cooler weather. So I tackled a few windows, not the best job but it will work for keeping the cool air out from the cracks.


Oh yes, and then there was maggie. Poor little gal, momma is running around and not paying attention to me. Play with me momma please!!! So I took a break and played awile with my little girl.

the next morning when I got up
I cleaned out my scrap box, and deceided to cut some into 21/2 inch strips and 4x4 squares. I mail these to my girlfriend so she has something to play with while she is learning how to quilt. So far she has made three huge quilts and some baby quilts with my scraps. She is learning and having fun at it.

Then I sat down to work on this little snowman quilt. It needed some embroidery work done before I could start to assemble it.

My brother showed up for a visit, so we sat and watched the football game and ordered a pizza. I was able to finish the hand work on this little hanging......

after my brother left I finished most of it up. Here it is still needing the binding on it. But you get the idea.

Whew!!!!!!!!!!! See what you can all accomplish when you are unable to leave the house!

Now as I sit here quietly on the couch watching tv, I am thinking of what else I could do before bed.............lol

Something new

Sometimes you just have to try something new. Get outside your comfort zone.

This table mat was one of the new items I bought at the Quilt Expo. I was so excited after taking a lecture on "Working with Wool" that I started this project in the hotel room later in the evening.

Now it is finished! I am so proud of it that I will keep it for myself.
But I will have to start one more. There goes the pocket book, and a reason to go to the wool store.

Finally an update on the Quilt Expo!!!!!

I am finally getting around to blogging about the Quilt Expo! (what? I've been busy)
It was fantastic!!!! Wonderful!!!! And very expensive to my pocket book.

These are just some of the many many quilts we saw. I took a ton of pics but can't put them all on my blog. Where would I have room to write?

I found alot of new things to try and took a class and went to two lectures. Tricks and tips to bindings, and working with wool, and free motion quilting. What a weekend!

The quilts were just stunning, the workmanship exquisite. Words can not describe the quilts that were on show.

They estimated about 15,000 people that went thru the doors during the three day event. It sure was crowed as the day went on.

And now I have more items in my stash. Now I have to live longer to accomplish it all!

Madison Quilt Expo

Yes Yes Yes!!!! It's that time of year again!
The Madison Quilt Expo with Nancy Zieman. I will be heading there tomorrow after work. I will be able to meet my sister there. This year we will have a new gal with us. My sister's sister in law is joining us for the weekend.

I am all packed, the car is gased up, and ready to go. Just have to get thru the day at the office.
Honestly I am just like a littel kid that knows christmas is coming. My wallet along with the credit cards are already shaking with fear.

I don't need anything else for my quilting stash, but I am sure I will find a thing or two that I know I will just need. And I am always open to new tools. Who knows what I will find.
Stay tuned............................

Labor Day weekend 2010

Words can not begin to explain this weekend. Alot to do and all that got done.
Imagine that!

And play time with my favorite playmates.

We are at the Fun Set Blvd in Appleton for the day. So much to see and so much to do. I am sure you can imagine what it was like trying to keep up with four toddlers. And the bumper cars were the biggest hit. A wonderful day, and who cared that it rained and stormed outside. We had fun and stay warm and dry.


And this is a fall quilt top I finished this weekend also. I believe it is a queen size, so it will make a nice gift. For now it is resting on my quilt rack for the autumm season. The colors are great and seem to match everything in my house.
Oh and I got the house cleaning done too!

Weekend visitor

My brother came for a weekend visit to my new home. It wasn't that difficult to think of things to do since there was so much work around the place that needed to be done.
But we kinda picked and choose. Here is my brother, learning how to tie a quilt.

Ok, I thought it was funny, he didn't. He kinda got confused as to which way the needle and yarn went thru the quilt, but that's ok Jerome, it was your first time.

We went shopping to pick up some fabric paint and some sun visors so my brother would be able to relax and do some of his artist work. This is the sun visor he make me. I love it!!!!!!!

He worked very hard trying to figure out how it would fit on the brim but after careful thought he worked it out.

I worked on a few projects myself on saturday afternoon. This is a purse that I got put together in no time at all. Now I just need to add the straps and it is ready to fill.

These three blocks are my august BOM's for the quilt club meeting. All done two weeks ahead of time. Don't get too excited, that won't happen again.

A very busy, but relaxing weekend spent with my brother. Well, when I talked him into washing windows it was not relaxing for him, but hey we had fun and now my house windows sparkle!

Settling In.....

This home is starting to feel like home. Always so much to do and I know it has been awhile since I blogged. I will try to be better.

I have been able to get some curtains sewed and up in a few rooms, still looks pretty naked in the living room without curtains.

I worked on cutting for some projects today. Nothing I can say that is finished. Well I did have a tablerunner that I had done quite awhile ago and just needed some free motion quilting done on it, and that got finished. But mostly I cut material today for four projects and also needed to cut and make 15" square sandwiches for my free motion machine quilting class that will be coming up in a couple of weeks. The Madison Quilt Expo is September 9th thru the 11th. I am soooooo excited! It has been two years since I have been there and my boss has been generous enough to let me off of work so I can go.

Well anyways, the cutting of the material is always the longest part of a new project. At least it feels that way to me. So I always love to get that part over with. Now that I have four projects sitting here waiting in piles for me, it seems easier to get to them.

Of course one of the projects is the backing for the boheimian quilt and the plans are to get that sandwiched and quilted this week.

No sewing!!!!!!!!!!!

No sewing has been done for quite a while. Unless you count a kitchen swag that I whipped together. It was just a endless moving day. Each day was something to do. I do have all the boxes emptied now, but still things to put away and to do. No curtains up in some of the rooms yet, thank god for mini blinds.

A few pictures on the walls, just enough to make it start feeling like home. Maggie is not ajusting very well at all. I am sure that will take time. My sewing room is coming together. No curtains in there either. But in time I am sure it will get there. I will be sure to post a picture when it's done.

The weather is very warm, no air conditioner in this house, so that gets in the way of getting things done too. Things are starting to get back to normal, so hopefully by this coming weekend I will have time to do some sewing.

Always Something

If it isn't one thing it's another.
No sewing this weekend. I did manage to get the binding done on the wildlife quilt for my brother in law's christmas gift. Just needs a lable. I also finished the binding work on the baby eistein quilt.

I need to go to green bay tomorrow for the weekend and visit with my daughter and son in law. A few details to take care of.

And then when I return home, I have some moving to do. I always hate that. But it has to be done. Maybe I need to get some boxes.

Finished Projects

Today was my day for getting some things done. I deceided to takle a few projects that still need a few things done to them to get them to the finjished stage.

This is the Baby Eisteing quilt I put together just me and my imagination. Well, that and the pineapple square instructions. I did some free motion quilting and attached the binding and volia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


And this quilt, which is to be my brother in laws christmas present needed to be tied and the binding added to it as well. But now it is going to have to wait till it gets cooler for the hand work on the binding. 80 degree temps just won't due for sitting long periods of time with this on my lap.
I am very pleased with myself for accomplishing two finished quilts. Especially when you add in the my DH was hanging around the house all weekend, it's a miracle in it's self that I got anything done.

Clueless!

Saturday, and all is peaceful. Well I think it is. I really didn't pay any attention to anything going on. I worked on sewing projects all day as the world went by around me. This is the buggy barn quilt with another border on it. Now I am happy with it. It was alot of work and I have to really think about it before I make another one.




This is the bohemian quilt I made with the disappearing nine patch. I just added some borders. Now I am happy with it as well.




Here is an owl table runner that I really wasn't planning on making but you know how that goes. Looking around in my sewing room and thinking of what next. It is overwelming when you look around my sewing room.
Way too much material and projects. I find it hard to figure out what I am going to do next.

These are the BOM's for July from the Thimbleberries Quilt Club. I like these, very easy to make. And so cheerful.

And I made four of these blocks from the free fat quarter from the quilt club meeting. I really had enough of those pinwheels, needed to focus on something else for a change.

Tomorrow is another day, and the plans right now are to try and get some more sewing done. Many many many projects, and so little time.

A free weekend is hard to come by, so got to take advantage when I can.

Whew!!!!!!!!!! Another fast weekend

Babysitting weekend! The girls just kept me so busy. Here we are with our new aprons grandma made us so let's get baking. And they did! We baked a peach upside cake for Papa.



I did get pj shorts done for the girls on friday night, just in time for bed on saturday. I think the grandchildren are pretty well set with pj's for awhile

This is a close up of Haillie Bug's apron. A little big right now, but at the rate she is growing she soon will fit better in it.


The tickets for the Madison Quilt show in September went on sale this week. I made sure I got my tickets and signed up for my classes and lectures first thing. They fill up so fast. My sister and I already got our hotel room for that weekend. In fact, my sister called to tell me she extended the hotel room for another night, so plan on staying longer.........

Wow, I just hope I don't get too carried away!

Busy Busy Busy..................

Such a busy weekend. And ofcourse, it flew by way too fast.
Here is a apron I made for one of my grand daughters, she just loves Maisey.
I was able to get all my buggy barn blocks together, and a small border so far attached. It certainly needs something else.

These flannel shorts I also finished for my grandson. He is learning how to play soccer and actually enjoys the game. He was so proud of these.

These three house blocks are the BOM's for the month of June and needed to be done by monday night for the quilt club meeting. Aren't they cute? So easy to make, I could see an entire quilt done with house blocks.

And every month, as you know, I get a fat quarter at the Thimbleberries club meetings. This is the block I made. And that makes 15 now, which is what I need to make a scrappy quilt I have in mind. And my sunday was spent in Oshkosh doing a table show for my sister's business.

This is my booth and it attracted alot of visitors. Alot of people were out for the art and craft fair today. However, things ended quite fast when a large storm rolled in.

My girlfriend had come later in the afternoon to keep me company and got stuck in the sotrm with me. So many vendors went running to their vehicles and trucks and trying to tear down quickly. There was no room to park my vehicle close to my booth, and no time to do it either. So we closed the side walls on the tent, and held on inside while the storm was going on. Not going to do that again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Home Sweet Home

Home from vacation. What a nice relaxing time. But I did pay for all that relaxing time. We are sunburnt beyond belief.
And now that I am home, the wash is stareing at me, the house wants some dusting, and I won't even start about the office upon my return.

As wonderful as it is to get away, it is just as wonderful to be home.

I think my sewing machine missed me. Really! I better get some sewing done this week so we can continue our bonding. Lots sitting in the sewing room that needs my attention.

I have a art show this coming sunday I am doing for my sister and her embroidery business. Lots to get ready for that.
My brother is coming from out of town the nite before to help me set up. It has been awile since I was able to spend some time with him so it was so thoughtful of him to volunteer his services. Should be a big show, they estimate 10,000 people and 175 vendors.............how exciting

Too Busy or Forgetfullness??????

Have I been that busy that it has been ages since I blogged.
Well yes, I have some projects done.
Have I forgoten to take time out of my busy schedule to blog?
Well yes, there is that too.

The benefit for my nephew's daughter went well and we raised alot of money for the medical bills. She has since had her open heart surgery. Olivia is still in the ICU unit at Children's Hospital and all prayers are welcome.

My to do list has expanded again, (like that is a surprise!) The grandchildren are asking for more pj bottoms, and even picked out the material from grandma's stash.
And I fell in love with a 4th of July table runner on the internet and just had to purchase it to make.
I have gotten some projects farther along or finished since I blogged last, pictures will follow soon (if I don't forget)

And now, my DH and I are getting ready for our vacation. We leave tomorrow moring for 8 days of camping and relaxing. This trip usually includes a trip to the casino so I can lose some money, and also a trip to the local crafts/quilt shops..........(which means more money spendt, LOL)
This past week has been filled with grocery shopping, packing, and laundry. Oh yes and I have still managed to get to the gym twice this week.
No sewing done :(

More to report when I get home.............

Peacefully Quiet Sunday morning

Sunday morning, and I am sitting here with a cup of coffee just surfing the web.
How quiet, how peaceful, and no place to go. I am not running around this weekend, and I even manage to sleep in late.

I did get that scrap quilt finally finished tied and binding on. Put the label on it last nite so it is officially done. I have the backings ready for the baby einstein quilt and the wild life quilt. Just need to get some assistance in sandwiching them.

I worked on cleaning and organizing the sewing room. That is an ongoing battle. It will get messed up again before long or I will change my mind on the container system I have, or the room I am storing my stash in. Currently they are in two rooms (not enough room in the sewing room)and are threatening to spill out more. I have to stop buying material and kits.

The plans for today are trying to finish the Buggy Barn squares. Another one of my projects that has been sitting around too long. We will see how much progress I make on them today.
The problem might be my DH, who is not feeling well. You know how those men get when they are feeling ill, and mine is no different. Always needing assistance with something.

Memorial Weekend is Over!!!

What a nice relaxing weekend. Bill came home on saturday as expected and brought home way too much fish. It is a good thing we love to eat fish cause we will be eating lots of fish for the next year.

I manage to finish some projects this weekend. Now I didn't do all of these this weekend, just finished them. I was able to get alot done during the week and a half that bill was gone fishing.
This darling baby girl quilt is a cheater panel, but it gave me practice at free motion quilting. I can never have enough practice.

My grandson Ivan instructed grandma to take this t shirt home and put something on it. I bought this shirt for him to wear with a pair of pj pants I made him. He wanted something on it, so I traced a train from a coloring book complete with the steam to put on this shirt. I will mail it out to him tomorrow and wait to see what he says.

I was able to spend this afternoon putting this wildlife quilt together for my brother in law. I think it is not quite big enough, better add another border before this gets sandwiched and quilted. Pretty easy to put togher when you use a panel that you cut your blocks from.

And I finshed this top this week. Used up blocks I found in a clearance bin at a out of the way quilt shop. I followed a pattern called pineapple squares. You can put a square in a square in a square.....as many times as you want. Just need to sandwich and quilt this up and it is another baby quilt to be added to my stash. You never know when you get invited to a baby shower of someone you knows is expecting.

These are my blocks for the thimbleberries club. Had to make 2 BOM's

I like these!

And my pin wheels from the free fat quarter I get at each club meeting. You would think I would get these pinwheels straight by now. I think I should just give it up and try some other pattern for blocks.