Seriously? A Month?

It has seriously been a month since I logged on to my blog to update what is going on.  I can't believe how time gets away.
I have not had much time to sew, knit, embroider or any other hobby since I have moved in with my daughter and her family.
I have the most beautiful sewing room a gal could ask for.  My son in law worked out an area in their basement family room just for me.  He got it set up wtih tables, ironing board, a sewing table, cutting table, and you name it.  It is great!
But so much to be done at their home.  With two small children and a house to clean and wash to keep up with, besides my full time job I am lucky I get anything done at all.
So I am entering a blog to comment on how I am not blogging anymore since I am not sewing much anymore................
How's that?

BRRRRRRRR!!!!

Baby it's cold outside!  Definitely frost on the pumpkin.
Things are so busy around here lately, getting the house winterized and all the plants and yard decor packed away.
My daughter is set to have surgery this Friday and it will be a very long recovery.  So grandma to the rescue.  I will be moving in tomorrow to take care of her family while she is laid up.
She has such a beautiful home and my son in law has set up a make shift sewing room for me.  It is out of the way in their rec room in the basement so I will have some solitude away from the grandchildren from time to time.
We are all wishing for the best for her and I suspect it will be way after the beginning of the new year before she is back to work and I am back home in my little house.
So for now, I will be away from my blog, but I plan on plugging away at my sewing list.
I better, still have christmas gifts to finish.

Baby it's cold outside

Tonight is a great nite to just sit by the fireplace on do some hand work.
But first, I needed to get this poncho done for my daughter.  It is made with winter fleece and hopefully will be as warm as it feels.  It is all cut out and ready to be sewed together.  This pattern, the 90 minute poncho by Mary Mulari Designs, should be a breeze to put together.  After all, it took quite awile to cut out.  It has a attached pocket in front and when not in use, the poncho folds into the front pocket and makes a nice car pillow or stadium seat cushion.

My daughter is scheduled for surgery in about a month and she will be going thru a very difficult recovery that will include having her arm in a cast from her neck to her finger tips and held in place on a 90 degree angle.
I know doesn't sound comfortable to me either.

I am hopeful that this poncho will keep her warm for the ride home from the hospital and thru out the winter months.  She should be able to put it on herself.
Next, I have to cut some of her shirts open on the sides and attach Velcro.  This will help her out so she can still wear her clothes and get dressed herself.  So a long recovery process, but we all are hoping that this will help her out with her problems and cure her once and for all.

Now on to that couch in front of the fireplace for some relaxing time with my embroidery.

Sad Friday

Why is it such a sad Friday you ask???
Because this was suppose to be my day off and I should be in Madison right now.  And I am sitting here at the office thinking of how much I wish I could be at the Quilt Expo right now.  My problem is that I didn't want to go alone.  If I was more brave I would be there right now.  Oh well, no sense dwelling on it.  But it's still sad.

So much going on this weeknd and I am not sure how much sewing I will get done.  I really need to get these sweatshirt jackets done for my grandchildren.  They are christmas gifts and once I get to my daughter's house I won't be able to sew for quite awile.  I am certain I will have my hands full.

Still at office, counting down my time left here and then errands to run after work.  And so my weekend continues with errands and board meeting duties.

Labor Day Weekend 2011

Labor Day weekend is coming to a close. It was all a blur like any holiday weekend. And tomorrow it's back to work for me.
I am exausted!

Saturday was a parade in St. Francis where our organization, HolyLand Donkey Haven had three donkeys pulling carts. They were so cute, but donkeys are like two year olds, they don't know the meaning of patience either. Waiting in line for their turn to go was very hard on them. But the parade went well and by the time we all got back home it was after 4:30 in the afternoon and I took a well deserved nap.

Sunday I spent the day with my girl friend and we set up our own sewing day at my house. We sewed from 9 in morning till 4 in the afternoon.
I finished these two duffle bags for my grandsons. Sometimes I don't know what makes me think I can't put in zippers. Everything went fine.


Then I got this small dog bed made for my brother's dog. He had asked for one some time ago and I thought since I was on a roll with the zippers, why not.

Monday was spent with my grandchildren. We went to bay beach, had a picinic and then toured a wildlife sanctuary. What a great time.

And now I am setting up my quilt frame in my basement to try and get a quilt stretched out. I am exausted and really need to get to work so I can rest............

Disappointment for Me!!!!

What a disappointment! The Quilt Expo has been canceled. At least for me. My sister called and said she just couldn't afford to go. And here I sit with the tickets for the event, hotel room and the lecture tickets. I don't want to go alone, and I don't know of anyone else that would be interested. Hopefully I can get a refund for the tickets, and I already cancelled the hotel rooms.
I am so upset, and so sad. We go every year. But the ecomony effects us all I guess.

So now I have this free weekend in my future. Hmm, maybe it will be a sewing weekend for me. I have alot I need to get done before the end of October.
My daughter is having surgery at the end of October, and I will move in with them for a couple of months to help out with the recovery and her family.
So maybe having this weekend to sew sew sew is a blessing in disguise.

But I am still sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quilt Expo

Yes it is that time again!!!!!!!!!!! The Madison Quilt Expo. I got my tickets, I got my hotel room, and I got the time off of work. All set! And my sister is going with me for the weekend naturally!!
So excited to go and see all the vendors. I have scheduled myself for some lectures as well. Hoping to learn some new things. And I am sure I will probably be bringing home way too many items that I have to find room and the time for.
Still working on this t-shirt quilt, and so far no end in site. I spend a few minutes sometimes in the evening on it and should be devoting more time to it so it can get done.
My daughter has asked for three things to be sewed and that adds more to my to do list. I need to complete four jackets in time for christmas and now trying to put together another quilt quickly before christmas as well. Again, my mind says I can do it, but it's my time that seems to argue the point.

Hot day, inside work only!

It is so unbelievably hot outside. My goodness, the weather man keeps telling us the humidity will stop soon, but as of yet I haven't noticed it.
It certainly is a good day to stay inside with the air conditioner.

The camera connection with the computer is fixed. And here is what you have been missing.
This is a wall hanging I made as a birthday gift for my boss' wife. It really isn't her birthday till December, but I always get ahead of myself. And besides, I get to enjoy it for a couple of months till I give it to her.


This is the 2nd turning twenty quilt I made with some fat quarters from my stash. It is an addictive quilt to make. It does livin up the sewing room.

And this afternoon I managed to finish up the t-shirt squares. Now I am ready for the sashing and borders to be added. But all I have to do is wait till the gal I am making it for deceides on her material. So I get a break from it for awile.
So what new thing am I starting???? I started the Hobo quilt. I have four squares done, and just putsing around with some more cutting. Not a big hurry, cause I have no idea where it will be going yet.

Where's the picture???????

No pictures?????? No way to add pictures! At least for the time being till I figure some other way of transferring my pictures to my blog.

But I did want to let you all know that I am back to myself again. Yup. I spent the whole day today working on projects. I finished the binding on the homespun quilt and got the label on it. I did a small wall hanging I plan on packing away for a christmas gift. Such a cute quilt, need to find a nice hanger to go with it when it is given away.

My daughter is so busy telling all of her friends about her mother's quilts, that now I got tricked into makeing a t-shirt quilt for one of her friends. A scary project indeed since I have never made one of these before. I was lucky to find a t-shirt quilt pattern onine free. (thank you google)
I got all the t-shirts cut out and ready to get the interfacing ironed on so the blocks will be easy to sew together. Need to confirm with her friend as to what kind of material/pattern she wants for the borders.

Wish I could post a picture. Hopefully by the time the quilt is done I can get a picture loaded on this site.

Where have I been???????

Where have I been??? I would love to be able to say that I was just lying around the beach and basking in the sunset.



Nope not so much. Just been so busy. Between my job and my house and the dogs, I have little time lately for myself. The weather is so nice now so I tend to spend alot of time outside. The dogs love to go for walks and seem to be waiting form me when I get home from the office. I started giving plasma twice a week also and that is a squeeze in of my time. and there still is the babysitting do for my children.
I did have a vacation, really! A short one for the fourth of July up by my sister in Michigan. A wonderful relaxing weekend just visiting, and touring around and fishing. So relaxing!

You know, I had all the time in the world for my quilting and now I have become very lazy. I have finished the quilts that I wanted done for christmas gifts this year and right now I just need to finish the hand binding work on this last one and they will be all complete. I want to start the sweatshirt jacket I am making for my grandbabies for christmas gifts. Don't want to leave anything to the last minute.

So I need to kick myself in the butt and get a move on. My goodness, I ended up buying more material and patterns on my trip to Michigan. So now I have more on my to do list. I better get going. Just have to learn to say no to some of these things that make me waver. LOL

Home again home again jig a dee jig!

I am back home as of today. I had to go to my daughter's house for a couple of days since there was no electricity at my house. Honestly, doesn't my landlord get it! Oh well. things are finally fixed now.



I finished the binding on this quilt last nite. All ready for the label and just in time for my boss' birthday next month.
Nice and quiet at my daughter's, no one to bother me except the dogs from time to time that need to go outside.

This weekend is a full one for me, and I doubt any sewing will be done. But you never know what I can sneak in.

Hope all of you are staying cool, we finally have a break from our 98 degree weather. Wow and the storms. Hope everyone is safe.

Hot Hot and really Hot

Ok, I don't know about you, but it is really hot here. I mean really really hot. We just had a huge storm this morning and now the humidity is creeping in. It is 94 degrees out and the humidity makes it feel like 194! Just awful.
I am taking a break from sewing as it is just too darn hot.
But I did get the quilting done on the lap from fats quilt and the turning twenty again quilt this weekend. They look just beautiful and the binding is on the lap quilt and the hand work started. But, wow way too hot to have that on my lap doing the hand work on the binding.
I actually have to go to my daughters for a couple days. I can't use my air conditioner cause of a electrical problem in the house. My landlord is working on it and it seems like it is taking forever.

My four little grandchildren figured out a way to cool off. On memorial day they enjoyed everything and anything that had to do with water. Here we are all dryed off waiting to eat lunch. Trust me, soon after this picture was taken they were soaking wet again. Oh to be a child again........................

Still relaxing

Nice quiet weekend. But then I knew it was going to be, where would I go?

I made this little donkey doll give to a friend of mine. She collects donkeys of all kinds and her apartment is full of donkey items. Such a sweet lady. I met her thru another friend of mine that runs a donkey rescue ranch, of which I am on the board of directors now. They have donkey of every size and breed and rehabilitate them and them find new homes for them. They also educate the public about donkeys. A great non profit organization.


This is another Turning Twenty Again quilt. I had some fat quarters in my stash that I thought would look great together. Such a simple quilt to put together and it's fun too.
Like I said a relaxing weekend. No place to go and no one to bother me.

Where am I?

So this was suppose to be my vacation to Michigan to join my sister for a little quilt retreat. So why am I home??? Why did my vacation get cancelled???
Long story, and really not worth going over again.
It got canceled, long and short of it. Bummer!
So here I sit, thinking where am I? What should I be doing? What was I planning on doing on my retreat?
Its friday afternoon, and I am about to leave the office for home. I have this whole weekend to figure out what to do.
It has been really hard lately to get myself going after work to get any sewing done. I have been doing hand work late into the evening so at least I am doing something. The vacation was going to be with all the girls doing their different things but all of us together. And I had some things packed to work on. But I have no energy to work on it by myself.
So what to do, what to do. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Hopefully there will be some pics later this weekend so you can see what I did finally accomplish.

Must be lazy

I am really feeling lazy these days. Just can't get going with anything.
Here I go again starting and stoping projects. I have been coming home from work and doing nothing. Absolutly nothing.
Just can't get motivated.
Next week I leave for Michigan do pick up my sis and travel to lower Michigan for a quilt retreat with her sister in law. So there is lots of packing to do.
The plans are right now to get some of that done this weekend. But given my mood lately, I doublt that will get done till the last minute. I have this whole weekend free, no where to go and nothing to do. So you would think I would be excited about working on some project or two. Nope............not sure what gives but I am sure I can get myself out of this funk soon.

It's been awile

I know, I know.......I've been busy! Not will sewing either.
So here is the Turning Twenty again quilt I made useing all homespuns. I just love it!

So quick and easy to do I am already planning out my next one. I have the back done for this quilt and it will go with me to green bay next month to be long armed along with the black and cream lap quilt that I have deceided to give to my boss for his birthday in July.
I have a donkey stuff animal that I want to put together for a friend of mine that collects anything donkey. But need to get motivated. Can you believe that? Me having to get motivated to sew...........wow that surprises even me!
Just a laid back weekend and I am using it to putter on some of my embroider hand work and cleaning up my sewing room.
I am sure something will happen today, just what I am not sure. It's still early on sunday morning and you never know.

What UFO's ?????

Ok, so I am sitting here on a saturday afternoon thinking to myself. I got all my chores done for the weekend and now it is time to enjoy some sewing time. Wonder what project I should start this weekend? And that's when I stopped myself and said "Hey what about those projects that just aren't quite finished? Well I know alot of you probably have more UFO's than me. I try not to leave a project unfinished. But some do slip by. So the black and white quilt got the binding sewed on and is completly done. The pink baby quilt has it's binding sewed on and is completly done. And the wizard of oz quilt has the binding sewed on and almost done. I am taking a break right now between the hand work to put this on my blog. Oh and yes, I did manage to get material all cut out for my next project, "Turning Twenty....Again" But I promised myself that the binding work on this oz quilt will be done first before I do anymore work on this new project. How's that for a Saturday??? Oh yeah, did I mention the lawn got raked and the house cleaned???? Well, yes of course it's done!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long Weekend

What a long weekend! I guess because it was so quiet, no interruptions, and nothing but sewing to do that made it long. Not even a phone call to interrupt me. I made the third tote out of my stash of material from the strip tote pattern. They really are adicting. Three done for now, and The pattern put away for now. Don't you love these colors??? And for easter, I made my two granddaughter sun dresses to put in their easter baskets. Just a fun sundress pattern with a little smocking and some ribbons for the ties. And sunday was just that lazy kind of day that you sit in front of the tv mindlessly watching what ever is on while you finish tieing a quilt. The black and white quilt is now ready to have the binding put on. Not much else, just a rainy cold day that you just sit inside and do nothing.........

April Fool's!!!

Yes, this is a cruel joke. The weather men are all predicting rain mix with snow for today. I just keep hoping that someone comes back on the news and says "April fool's!" But no such luck. It is dreary and very cloudy. Very cold too. You can actually feel it in the air. Ick! Plans were to be out and about this weekend, but windshield wiper on car is broken so if it rains or snows, I guess I stay home. Not a big deal, lots of sewing to do. Working on easter dresses for the grand daughters right now, just about finished. Then on to one of many projects in the stash.

Me Weekend Part II

The fat quarter quilt, three's company is finished. I got the top and the backing done and ready to be free motion quilted.

I liked the quilt better when I saw it in the quilt shop. Of course it was in different colors, and that is probably the reason. But I wanted it to be more of a masculine pattern. I am sure I can think of some man that would apprieciate this quilt.


This is the strip totes that was in my stash. It is made from jelly roll strips. I really like it. And it wasn't that bad to make. So I had to start another one.

These colors are a little brighter. I think this one will be a great looking tote too. Taking a break right now, but I am sure there is some more totes in my stash.

Finally the camera is back home!!!!!

Ok so this is what you have been missing. The 2010 BOM quilt top is done and will be long armed next month by yours truley. Renting the long arm machine in Green bay for the day in April. So it is getting closer and closer to being done.


This is a project that will take the rest of the year and some of next to finish. This is the start of Crab Apple Grove "over the River" It is my eveing relaxation.



And this is hard to see, but it is a Three's Company Quilt from Ellen Replogle's More Laps from Fats book. Very fast to put together since it only has 12 blocks and then a 4 1/2" border. Hopeing to have it done by the end of this weekend.

Just got back from one of my grandson's birthday party. Such a good time, and he is getting so big. My big boy is now 4. And I wonder why sometimes I feel old since his mom is 32.

New Sewing Machine!!!!!!!!11

Don't you just love it. The Baby Lock Symphony! And she is all mine! So excited to get it and play with it. This has been a long drawn out deceision. But once I made up my mind, it didn't take long to purchase it.
My poor old Viking is only 3 years old, but it was time to get somthing a little more advance for me.
So far my projects have been getting done, and I started more since my last posting. Now I am working on a black and cream fat quarter quilt as a birthday gift for my boss.
Also started the Crab Apple Gove pattern over the river quilt. That one will take awile to complete since there is so much hand work to be done.
And now, I promised my youngest granddaughter I would take her shopping so she can pick out some princess material for a Beauty and the Beast quilt she wants in time for her birthday this June. And ofcourse grandma can never say no.
I finally got my camera back from my daughter's house where I left it over a month ago. Now I can post some pics.
Right now, need to focus my attention on learning my new sewing machine. I am hopeful that this weekend will bring me plenty of sewing time.

Putsy Work!!!

This weekend is the weekend I get more of these blocks done for the piece border on my 2010 Thimbleberries BOM. Sorry, my camera got lost and one of my children's house so no pictures to show.
You will just have to envision it.

Well I was down to 16 more blocks to make and I got 9 done. They are so putsy to do. I am suprised I got that many done before I was bored. Once they are all done then I can sew them together into the border. I don't know why this quilt bores me. But I can only work on it for so long and then I lose interest.

So I got the fat quarters all cut out for my next fat quarter project. Too bad there is no pictures, such a great bunch of fat quarters, black, beige and off white. I promise there will be a picture soon. Just as soon as I find my camera.

It is snowing just terriably bad outside today. It started around 10 this morning and should last into tomorrow. Just when everything was melting and I was starting to see green. What a shame, but alas it is still winter and we do live in Wisconsin. Anything can happen in Wisconsin.

Pictures soon.

The Quilt is getting there!

So I am making some progress with my Thimbleberries BOM from 2010. There is a series of blocks that need to be pieced and attached as the border on this quilt.
Here are some of those blocks.
I got Fourteen stars and four heart squares done. Still need to do 16 more tree squares and then I am ready to get the border on. Its friday nite, and I am feeling lazy, (so what else is new) and tomorrow will be another busy day.
I am going to see my girl friend in Chilton. She is wheel chair bound but doesn't let that stop her from learning how to quilt.
We need to stretch out and pin some of my quilt tops. She has a wonderful quilt frame that she inherited from her mother. So that will work fine, and at the same time give us some girl time. I need to take a look at her projects to see what kind of help she needs.
Should be a great day...........

All I can say is "WOW!"

My first Quilt Retreat was a success! How great of a weekend! Words can not describe!
Wonderful company, great house, good food and the attention that the staff provided everyone to make sure their stay was wonderful.

This is my Wizard of Oz Quilt.

This quilt has been sitting in my stash for over two years, waiting for a weekend that I would have time and the patience to do this. Well this weekend was the right time.

I learned some tips, some with sewing some with pressing................made some new friends and had such a wonderful time.

Lisa at the Primitive Gatherings in Menasha has just opened this Quilt Retreat down the road from her store. The details that went into this house, the choices for decor, and the decision to have her mother be the cook, maid, and all around spoiler mom was just spectacular!

I loved it and already put in my reservations for the same weekend next year. What a great way to spend my birthday.

TIME AWAY

Do you feel like you need to get away to regain yourself? Do you feel like the world is closing in on you and you just have to do something different.
Well that is me. Not sure what my problem is, but just don't feel like sewing or quilting or anything lately. I just need to get away.
So what would be the best place to go??????????
How about a quilt retreat. A home away from home. Someone caters to you and all your needs while you create. Or if you just want quiet time, you can do that too.
I am leaving to meet up with my sister this Friday for a weekend retreat (wish it was longer) in Menasha. And to top it off, from what I understand us two will be the only gals at the retreat. How much better can it get.
There will be the house cook there to make sure we take breaks to eat. We will have the run of this huge house. That in it's self might be a mistake, but whatever happens on sister's weekends stays with the sisters....................So excited! Need some time away. Need this me time!

Slow moving winter.......

Don't you feel like this snow will never go away. Does it give you that chilled to the bone feeling? We are experiencing snowstorm Bella right now and it just chills me to the bone. The cold wind blowing all the snow around. The thought of going home from a day of work to shoveling out. Oh my, just the thought of stepping outside from this nice warm office.

I am currently staying at my daughter and son in law's house babysitting the pets and the house. They are on a second honeymoon in Australia. So much fun for them, but for me.....................
Well two driveways and sidewalks to shovel. What a pain!

And I am not getting anything accomplished. No sewing what so ever. I did manage to stretch a quilt and pin so it is ready to quilt, but not at home by my sewing machine, not much I can do.
The quilt retreat is 10 days away and I have so much more to prepare for. Not to mention the packing involved with this trip. I am counting my days.

Got to get Motivated!

You know here it is the 5th of January, 2011 and I really don't have anything to show as far as my quilts.
Well I did get the borders on the Thimble-berries BOM, but there is a huge pieced border that needs to go on now to get it to its' finished stage. I did get the black and white yellow brick road quilt done so now it is ready to be sandwiched. I also did a baby boy's dinosaur quilt that needs to be sandwiched also. But that's where they sit.
I need to get my Wizard of Oz quilt all cut out and ready for my quilt retreat at the end of the month. I am sure that will probably be done in a rush and at the last minute.
Just haven't had the urge or energy to sew or knit. Not sure what is wrong, I know I am getting over a cold but that shouldn't add to my mood.
I seem to want to go home from work and just sit in front of the tv, not even any hand work going. Hmmmm, something is wrong.
My children keep me busy with babysitting. I babysat last weekend and will again this saturday. Maybe that is taking up my time. Not sure.
Got to get myself motivated.