Quilting In My Sleep

Off for awhile

2011-07-25T08:38:00.000-05:00

My DH was diagnosed with a brain tumor last Wed. which took us ALL COMPLETELY by surprise!! So needless to say, I have more important things on my mind right now and will most likely not be blogging for a time. If you're so inclined, please remember him in your prayers. His surgery is tomorrow morning. Thanks!!

2011-07-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Just a few items from last night's show & tell. First is Eileen's colorful quilt that she made for a friend's son's graduation. Must be a really good friend--LOL. Then there's Ruth showing off a quilt using one of Bonnie Hunter's patterns (Pineapple Blossom?) that she taught in a class in her neighborhood. Shawn's nearly finished with her Labyrinth quilt she made in a workshop with Debby Maddy and Rachel with two ITTY BITTY quilts she's finished. The Storm at Sea was a laser cut kit by John Flynn's daughter (NOT paper-pieced..WOW!!). Not sure about the other but both were fantastic!! Kathy's got a wedding quilt finished BEFORE the wedding (fancy THAT!) using a Judy Niemeyer pattern and Sandra has another beauty that was a BOM. Nice job, ladies!!

2011-07-19T21:01:00.000-05:00

This was the oh so pretty bear paw quilt that was put together by the lovely Kayleen Allen for our guild anniversary. I did NOT win the quilt (what's NEW?!! LOL) and my name did not even make it on the label as a contributor to the quilt!! I was not a happy camper as it really made me question if my name was even in the drawing. Hmph! Well, I know next time who NOT to give my blocks to (and I'm not namin' names). I'll have some show & tell tomorrow.

2011-07-19T16:59:00.000-05:00

Oh BOY!! My bowties are multiplying!! Today I made 19 more (and think I counted a total of 51). I've used all the stuff I'd cut so will have to get busy and cut some more. I also got two patriotic pillowcases HALF made (hence, no pictures! LOL).

Tonight is our guild's 20th anniversary celebration. I've been a member for around 14 years so I'm a 'long-timer'. We were asked a few months ago to make bear paw blocks (that's our 'symbol') and they would be put together in a quilt and given away at our anniversary meeting! So I'll hopefully have a picture of that (and maybe some additional show & tell) tomorrow. We're having a dinner which is always a good thing! HA

2011-07-18T12:14:00.000-05:00

Another 3rd Monday Quiltsitters meeting and more fantastic show & tell to share with you--

These first five are all VALERIE'S!!! She went on a retreat and got a LOT done!! The last two are a couple of gal's whose names escape me at the moment! Ohhh, so SORRY!!

2011-07-16T15:46:00.001-05:00

Whoo wee! I've really been busy today. I went to the grocery store first thing this morning, trying to be out and about BEFORE it gets so hot. That way I can stay in the rest of the day! LOL I'm having the family over tomorrow and am making pulled pork. I decided I'd do it in the crockpot today instead of tomorrow so it's been cooking (and smelling REAL GOOD) since about 11am.

I finally got all the rows in this sucker sewn together. Think I'll put one border on it and it'll be ready for the longarmer! YAY!!

Then I picked up the BOM Thur. when I was up at the LQS sewin' with the gals. Got it put together today (but did a pretty crappy job on it). I may just hafta re-do this one.

AND I did some more of these bowties (thanks again, Betty Lou!!). All the ones I did today had to be done twice though! Ticks me off I wasn't paying more attention!! I have lots more waiting to be done.

Last but not least I got one extra pillowcase done. Two down, eight to go. Probably won't get much done tomorrow with the company comin' over. I still have taco salad and ice cream to make ( and putting away all this sewing mess!!!).

That darned Betty Lou!!

2011-07-15T14:43:00.002-05:00

It's all her fault..I was innocently perusing Betty Lou's blog and she was yakking about Karen's summer Bow Tie quilt along. Like I don't have enough to work on right now!! Darn it, Betty Lou...

UGH, OK, so now she's got me started on these cute little things. I decided to do Christmas colors so MAYBE I'll have this done by Christmas-we'll see!!

And then I ALREADY had like 10 of these flannel pillowcases cut and ready to sew. At least I got ONE of these done (no thanks to Betty Lou!!).

(and just FYI, Betty Lou, I'm NOT reading your blog anymore. I don't need ANY more distractions!!! LOL)

2011-07-14T22:01:00.002-05:00

Would you look at this? No WIP is safe around this punk! LOL

2011-07-14T15:17:00.000-05:00

We had a fun day today sewing away..but I was in a bit of a stupor due to lack of sleep last night (NO sleep to be exact! LOL). That's my excuse for not getting more of my quilt sewn together. But half of it's together..maybe the other half'll get done tomorrow (if I can get some sleep tonight).

And that JoAnne's been a busy bee..she finished putting one QOV together and was working on putting another together.

And last but not least, Sheri was busy putting together the squares from another swap that she'd done. It's gonna be another beauty using the pretty civil war fabrics.

2011-07-13T19:39:00.000-05:00

See this quilt? I know I've shown it before and it IS in my header but it's just been blocks--until NOW! I've been working on trying to get a couple of UFO's finished up. The one I showed last just needs the two side sashing pieces sewn on and probably one more border and that's finished. This one needed quite a few more blocks to get it to the size I wanted and they are DONE. I'm having a sew day tomorrow with a couple of buds and plan on getting this puppy sewn together!! I started this in a workshop with Lynn Roddy Brown when she came to our guild ?? years ago. YIKES!

2011-07-10T20:14:00.000-05:00

OK, I got both my little rag quilts finished, snipped, washed & dried!! The little one on the left is for the county hospital and the one on the right is for Camp Crucis, a camp for kids with cancer. I just absolutely love the rag quilts--hope the kids/babies like em!!

2011-07-07T16:25:00.000-05:00

This is a UFO that's been in the works for some time now. I've always loved this block, the one I've made a gazillion times before in the making of the HOB quilts and QOV's. I decided to use some of my voluminous collection of civil war fabrics to make my own. These blocks are smaller than I normally make--9" as opposed to the usual 12". I have one more row to add to the right side then will most likely add the sashing and cornerstones around the outside followed by one more border. Ooo, I LOVE it!!

2011-07-06T15:32:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd post a couple more pix from the trip and then back to quilting!! We got home last night around 9pm--a LONG ride home. So nice to be back in my own little bed! Yesterday morning early, I took a couple of things out to the car and the sun was just coming up over the mountains. I didn't have the best vantage point from which to take a picture so there are a few things in the way but you get the 'picture', right?!! HA

Then, on the way out of town, I stopped to grab an earthcache. If you're not into geocaching, you have NO clue what I'm talking about but I kinda describe it as a scavenger hunt using a GPS. Boyscouts used to do it and called it orienteering (don't think they used GPS's though). I love it and it often takes you to the most interesting places and you see things you might not have otherwise. This is the mineral hot springs formation in the middle of downtown Pagosa.

I've been working on putting my civil war cross block quilt together today and hopefully will finish it off tomorrow and have a picture to show you (we'll see how that works out!!).

She's a grand old flag!!

2011-07-04T17:29:00.003-05:00

2011-07-04T17:18:00.000-05:00

What a GREAT small town Fourth of July parade it was....

Now for the FIREWORKS tonight!! YIPPEE!!

2011-07-03T23:03:00.000-05:00

Well, we've been in Colorado for a couple of days now and have already gone on a river rafting trip...

this is NOT our raft, merely a representation!! LOL We didn't have to wear helmets either cause it wasn't that rough. But the water was DARNED cold AND it started raining and hailing on us the last mile and a half or so. We were frozen by the time we got outta the water! But it was still fun and I saw some BEAUTIFUL birds. A Western Tanager, a golden (not gold) finch and a cute little American dipper. Oh yeah, and a red-headed merganser (sp?).

Now today, we drove over to Durango and did the Durango-Silverton train ride. We've done it many times but the family with us had never done it before and I think they really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, as we got into Silverton, it started raining (AGAIN) and was pretty chilly up there. So we really didn't get to stroll the streets and visit all the cute shops up there. We've always taken the train back down in the past but this time we took the bus. I was SO glad cause we'd been in an open air gondola and that would have been really chilly going back with rain at least part way.

Tomorrow, we're going to the parade in the morning and HOPEFULLY no rain tomorrow night so we can watch the fireworks!!

2011-06-29T14:03:00.000-05:00

I've gotten a few things finished up (or NEARLY finished up) today and there are still hours left in the day! WOOHOO! Got the box of Home of the Brave quilts mailed this morning so hopefully they'll arrive safe and sound. I ALWAYS worry til I hear from Robin that they've arrived. I put a rag quilt together for the county hospital (this one's NOT for Camp Crucis..it's next) but have not done all the snipping yet.

Then I got busy and polished off the luggage tags that I'd prepped. We have a nice little batch going with a few more to come. And last but not least I did the last two quilt tool caddies (thinkk that makes a total of 8 right now). They're pretty easy to crank out.

Think I'll go cut and press the binding for my neutrals BOM that I just got back from the longarmer last week!!

2011-06-28T14:20:00.000-05:00

I've been working on one of my many, MANY UFO's in addition to a rag quilt for Camp Crucis, binding a couple of quilts and putting labels on 7 more HOB quilts that were finished up by my church group. These ladies have been BUSY!! These quilts are boxed up and ready to be sent on their way--now I just need to get my butt to the post office. UGH! The picture is just all of the quilts together AND a picture of the super-cool label I put on each quilt (it's super-cool cause I actually figured out how to do it on the 'puter and designed it myself!! LOL).

Obviously this one's not stitched on yet!

Tonight is our night once again to serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald house here in Ft. Worth so I've also been cooking this morning. I'm making a chicken and black bean enchilada casserole. I haven't been for the past couple of months so I'm really looking forward to it!!

2011-06-25T17:20:00.001-05:00

This is not the BEST picture but you get the idea..I finally finished sewing all the blocks together. I'm kinda lookin' and thinkin' this needs a couple of borders. I don't think Betsy did borders in the book (I can't find mine right now to check) but, to me, it looks like maybe a smaller inner border and a larger (not GIANT) outer border. What do you think?

2011-06-24T14:52:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine at church has been battling cancer and has undergone the dreaded chemo and radiation treatments. Prior to all this starting, she had been working on a baby quilt for an expected great granddaughter. When she became ill and with all the treatments & side effects, she just didn't have the get up and go to get the quilt done. She asked me if I could help--of COURSE I could. Though all I had to do was find someone to do the longarm quilting. So I asked my bud, passed off the quilt to her on Mon. and picked it up TODAY. Is that great customer service or WHAT?!! LOL

She actually did the embroideried blocks FIFTY YEARS ago and intended to put them into a quilt for her DAUGHTER. This very same daughter is the grandmother of the new baby that will get the quilt. How awesome is THAT? I included a close-up of a couple of blocks to show you how cute they are. I bet this little quilt doesn't get used a whole lot as it's so special and has already been around a very long time!!

2011-06-23T19:44:00.000-05:00

WHOA, this summer is FLYIN' BY!! Is it for you, too? I can't believe next Fri. is JULY FIRST! We'll be heading up to CO in just a few days and I can't WAIT!! But in the meantime, I've been making more luggage tags, putting the binding on my Tree Farm quilt (from the Feb. quilt cruise) AND I finished another red & white paper-pieced block from Roaring Through the 20's. These babies are big-time labor intensive and I'm doing the 10" size. I cannot even IMAGINE doing them in the 4"--OMG! LOL

2011-06-20T14:38:00.000-05:00

OK-AYY, we had Quiltsitters today and LOTS and LOTS of gorgeous show and tell. First is Valerie's BEAUTIFUL Lone Star (or Bethlehem Star or whatever you wanna call it) that she made for her ENTRYWAY!! She has a BIG entryway! Then Leslie's beautiful row quilt, and a very pretty BOM, Sheri's fantastic starry quilt, Leslie's pineapple, Sheri's cross block quilt from a block swap and then her Judy Neimeyer that she took to the hospital to keep her cozy, a lovely green and white/cream (can't remember who made it), Mark's pretty beyond beginner quilt and his wife's lovely jelly roll quilt. Then finally Sherry's VERY bright and beautiful quilt. WOW, WOW!

I got my neutral BOM back from the longarmer so now have yet ANOTHER that needs it's binding. I think I'm not the only one with the binding problem. How many do YOU have waiting for binding? LOL

2011-06-18T16:18:00.000-05:00

I just finished putting the labels on a couple of the Home of the Brave quilts I have here at the house, readying them to be sent off. They're always SO pretty and I love each and every one of them. I think JoAnne finished up the one at the top and just gave it to me at our retreat. Think I have four more that need labels as well as a couple of QOV's also needing their labels. Better keep on 'labeling'! LOL

2011-06-17T15:45:00.000-05:00

I am so bad when I go on retreats and get all distracted and basically get NOTHING done! LOL Everyone else was focused and busily working away on their projects but me...not so much. I DID get the red and white block done while there and forgot to photograph and share it. It's still not trimmed but there it is in all it's glory! HA

I took my 9 patch and cross blocks on the retreat with me but NEVER got them out. Since I got home, I've put 5 of the 12 rows together. I LIKE it. And I've just about finished up 4 more pillowcases. Also been busy prepping more luggage tags--all this because I've had no one to distract me. HAHA Yeah, right!!

2011-06-16T01:00:00.001-05:00

Well, SHOOT! I didn't take as many pix as I thought I did or intended to do. I didn't get one shot of Maureen or Sheri's projects and they got a LOT done. I was the big slacker. I did get a couple of pillowcases made (I'd cut enough for EIGHT!!) and made some of the luggage tags and another quilt caddy like I showed a few days ago. Also put the binding on a Quilt of Valor and now just need to hand stitch it down. That JoAnne, the selvege QUEEN, made each of us a bottle koozie (or cozy or whatever you call them) out of selveges. They are SO cute and she made each of them in our colors. I LOVE red and she'd previously made a selvege bag for Sheri in orange so her koozie matches her bag.

I think JoAnne will be posting more about our get together on her blog.

2011-06-15T21:25:00.000-05:00

I know I just posted about this a few days ago but isn't this a GORGEOUS picture? You can read more about it here. Pure AWESOMENESS!!

2011-06-15T15:58:00.000-05:00

DANG!! I tried a couple of times to post our activites while at the lake on retreat and we had minimal internet service so wound up having to wait til I got home. So NOW we can get on with what we accomplished (me, not so much--HA).

I pressed the other 3 into service making the cute little luggage tags. These things are SO quick & easy they're really addicting. We got these whipped out in no time and they all said they were going to make more when they got home.

Now ole JoAnne was a BUSY bee. She's been working on her second Dear Jane and is assembling rows and doing a sort of quilt as you go method then going back in each block and doing hand quilting according to that particular block. ANOTHER beauty there, JoAnne.

I have more but will share in a post tomorrow. We had a GREAT time!!

2011-06-12T22:07:00.001-05:00

WOOHOO!!!!!

DALLAS MAVS---NBA CHAMPIONS!!

105

95

2011-06-12T13:54:00.000-05:00

Ya know the other day I said I only had the daylilies and coneflowers...what a SNUB to my other beauties. They're on the side of the house so often overlooked. My hardy hibiscus are such prolific bloomers! Aren't they pretty? The hydrangea is not lookin' so hot right now--should've taken pix a couple of weeks ago when they were pretty in pink (I, for the life of me, canNOT get them to change to blue even though I've tried all the hints & tips!).

Tomorrow's retreat time..better git cookin' and packin' a few more projects so I don't run out. HAHAHA!

2011-06-12T02:08:00.001-05:00

OH, I meant to share this with you the other day when I saw----

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/2011/06/just-one-star-update.html

WOW!!! Isn't that AWESOME?!! We did GOOD!!

2011-06-11T20:10:00.000-05:00

Well, I drove ALL THE WAY over to Tyler and back today for my workshop with Kim Diehl. Wasn't much to take pictures of in the workshop so there's just one of a group listening to her explanation of her methods and then one of me with Kim (I look AWFUL but it's a good picture of Kim!!). I picked up some REALLY good hints for making machine applique MUCH easier so am looking forward to doing some more (did very little in class cause I needed to get home early).

Now I need to get busy making a little chow for the retreat at the lake AND getting a few more projects together to work on while there. Can't WAIT!!

2011-06-10T08:49:00.003-05:00

Here's my little quilt caddy..isn't it cute?!! Will write more later, gotta run.

I had to run and take my DH for his back injection this am but was up early enough to stitch up one of the little caddys (AND I wanted to be the first to post a picture of my finished product--LOL). It was quick, simple and (I think) turned out pretty darned cute. I had several cut and ready to go. Will take this one to my Kim Diehl workshop tomorrow and show it off. LOL And will probably take the rest to our retreat next week to finish them off. Dawn showed one on her blog and several wanted to know how to make them (including me). So she graciously put together a nice little supply list and tutorial. I thought they'd be great for our quilt show 'boutique' so will be making a few for that. Thanks, Dawn!!

2011-06-07T09:42:00.000-05:00

Here's my 3rd BOM--they're all stars and the color scheme is red and cream/tan. I like it!

And a couple of shots of flowers from my garden. Don't have too much else other than this right now. But those daylilies are GORGEOUS and I have a ton of em!

2011-06-05T07:44:00.000-05:00

With crow...is that better? HA

I'm just happy I finished at least ONE donation quilt for our quilt show silent auction. I have a couple more I WANT to make to help the guild. We've been struggling financially and really having to watch our nickels and dimes. So we're really hoping for a GREAT show in 2012 (we've found a BEAUTIFUL new venue) with lots of guests attending. We're also going to have a little store where members can sell sewn/quilted items they've made and donate a percentage of the sale price to the guild. Think a couple of us will make some luggage tags and just donate 100% to the guild.

Now I need to start gathering supplies for my Kim Diehl workshop next weekend then the fun lake retreat the following week!! YIPPEE!!

2011-06-03T08:59:00.000-05:00

WOOHOO!!! I got all the blocks finished for the growing, enlarging quilt I've shown the past few posts. But I SAID I wouldn't show it again til it's finished so I won't. I've laid it all out, liked the way it looked so I gathered all the blocks into their respective piles and numbered them. I'm going on a mini-retreat with 3 other buds in a couple of weeks and that will be one of my projects--to sew that puppy together. THEN I can show you the finished product.

In the meantime, I saw a cute little project over at Mary's and thought it would be perfect for our guild's silent auction. The top is done and I'll take that on my retreat also..still pondering whether I should add a cute little crow like Mary did or not. Will ask the buds. What do YOU think?

2011-05-31T10:44:00.000-05:00

I promise this is the last photo I'll show in the progress of this quilt until it's finished!! LOL I'm at exactly 80 blocks now and think there are plenty of the 'X' or cross blocks so will just concentrate on making 40 more 9 patches. Think that will finish it off nicely and THEN see what kind of borders, if any, it needs.

2011-05-30T02:00:00.003-05:00

I took my DGD over to my niece's last night. My niece has a 'mini-farm' and DGD wanted to visit the chickens (her FAVORITES)! I had cut up a watermelon for our Memorial Day get-together and saved the rind for the chickens..I never KNEW they ate anything and everything!! They were so excited to see that watermelon. As a bonus, we got two fresh eggs. AWESOME!!

Here's one of the chickens attacking the watermelon we just gave her.

And a couple more members of the farm--the 'horse' is Radar and one of the turtles (Speedy, maybe?)..

Remembering our war heros

2011-05-29T16:23:00.000-05:00

I saw this on another blog and wanted to share it here. Please remember what tomorrow's really about..not cookouts, swimming, boating or time with family. That's all wonderful and a great way to spend the day. But take at least a few moments to reflect--

2011-05-28T13:40:00.002-05:00

This is why I must leave part of my stash out on the kitchen table--my 'precious' needs a pillow for his little head. HAHA What a GOOF!

2011-05-27T19:24:00.000-05:00

It's GROWING...but I still need a bunch more blocks. Think I'll make it 10 by 12 and right now I have 61 blocks completed plus a few more cross blocks that aren't trimmed yet. The unnamed blogger that got me started on this is Kathie over at Inspired by Antique Quilts. She also has a quilt in the most recent issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. Love that one, too!! OH NO!!

2011-05-26T12:49:00.000-05:00

Well, I have yet another STALKER and it's not Judy this time. My own DH informed me yesterday that I needed to update my blog as he was tired of looking at the 'old stuff'!!! What the...? I've been BUSY but not to the point of picture taking. So anyway, THIS is what I did Monday night--

my #1 son and nephew and I drove up to OKC to see the Mavs take on the OKC Thunder. It was a raucous, LOUD (can I say LOUD again?) arena and my eardrums were split multiple times during the evening. But the Mavs overcame and got their 3rd win. We left the arena about 11:30, made it to the house around 2:45 am, I rolled into bed around 3am and the alarm went off at 7am so that I could take my DGD to school. That was a VERY short night! I didn't try to take a nap, instead trying to get some things done. And we had tickets TUES. night for the Rangers game. That was the night we had rain, hail, tornadoes and probably other weather-related things going on. We headed out to the ballpark (I was EXHAUSTED) and wound up leaving after the 3rd inning. We stayed dry but the hail got us on the way home. THAT game was rain-delayed and when they finally resumed, it was real late. The game was over around 1:30am and they LOST!!! Glad I didn't stick around for that one!

So thought I better show you one of the things I've been working on. Another blogger was showing HER quilt like this and I just HAD to start it, dontcha know? This is from Betsy Chutchian's book "Gone to Texas". I've had it since it first came out and have a few pages bookmarked but hadn't started anything.

I LOVE the cross block and use it when making the Home of the Brave quilts as well as the Quilts of Valor. This one is 1/2 the size I normally make at 6 1/2". Not sure how big I'll wind up making it but probably bed-sized as I like to have quilts that can actually be used.

And last but not least, a gratuitous cat pix. Don't let the looks fool you--he can be MEAN!! But usually to non-family members (although he absolutely DETESTS DGD!! LOL). I was trying to get a good photo of his beautiful blue eyes. Turned out pretty good, methinks.

OK, back to work!

2011-05-20T19:44:00.000-05:00

We played tourist a little today and visited the home of President Benjamin Harrison, our 23rd president. It was very interesting and a lovely home.

The front of the house and the LARGE red maple out in front.

The first photo is a crazy quilt that was on his daughter's bed (I think) and the 2nd was made by the ladies of a church and give to the president (don't remember whose bed it was on). There was no flash photography so some of the photos are dark...sorry.

This was the crazy quilt on the president's bed and one up close photo of a shield in the quilt.

Just a couple of pretty flowers pictures from the grounds of the house.

2011-05-19T19:35:00.001-05:00

Well, SHOOT, I am SO MAD! I'm a really bad photojournalist! LOL I stopped at the CUTEST quilt shop today in Lafayette, IN. It's in an old church and was really neat looking from the outside. So I stopped and took a couple of pix of the pretty flowers AND a picture of the quilt shop. Guess which one DIDN'T turn out? You guessed it. SOO I had to steal a photo from their website..and when I DID, I noticed the shop's for SALE!! So here's your chance to live your dream if you've ever wanted to own a quilt shop. HA And here's the picture

and here are the beautiful flowers

And, while I was waiting on my son, I noticed the coolest 'graffiti' on the back side of a liquor store. I had to take pictures--

I was trying to remember the name of the masked horse character and couldn't remember. Asked DH and he came up with it right away. Can YOU?!!

2011-05-16T12:49:00.000-05:00

Today was our monthly quiltsitters meeting so you know what that means, right?!! SHOW & TELL!!! Don't wanna make you wait.

The first two on the left side are what we did as a 'non'-mystery in our group. I BARELY started mine and stalled. Mine was going to be fall colors..we'll see if I ever get back to it. But it's really cool. Then Bonnie's quilt that looks like a crocheted afghan is BEAUTIFUL. The others are wonderful also. I'm just amazed at what all people get accomplished. I need to get more done!!

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2011-05-14T17:33:00.001-05:00

I think I did this last year or the year before (but definitely only once before) and I KNOW I love looking at everyone's beautiful creations! So decided I'd share again. I actually posted this a few months ago when Mary over at Quilt Hollow had quilted one for a customer and I commented to her that I'd made one just like it. She asked to see a picture of it and I obliged.

This is one of my most FAVORITE quilts and knew the minute I saw it in the magazine that I HAD to make it!!
I love it and the longarmer did a splendiferous job.

Thanks, Amy, for once again hosting the online quilt festival so that we can get even more items to add to our bucket list!! LOL

2011-05-14T08:34:00.000-05:00

I am pretty excited this morning!! I get to take a workshop with KIM DIEHL!!! How I LOVE her designs and drool over them while browsing through "Simple Comforts", "Simple Graces" and the other (can't remember the name since it's not right here in front of me!!). The Quilter's Guild of East Texas is hosting Kim next month and had to add an additional workshop so I got in! YAY!! They JUST had Bonnie Hunter (when you read about her SCARY flight, that's where she was headed) and absolutely loved her..but then what's not to love with Bonnie. I think they will equally love Kim. I know I will.

2011-05-11T15:18:00.002-05:00

I've had several pieces of fabric set aside for quite some time now to make pillowcases. I FINALLY decided to start working on them and wound up getting 8 made today! YAY!! Half are patriotic and half are not. Not sure yet where the non-patriotics will go (most likely the battered women's shelter) but I think I'll include the patriotics with the next box of QOVs I send to Alycia. She just emailed earlier today that she'd received the box I sent about a week ago--it's always a relief to know they made it safe and sound!!

2011-05-09T10:19:00.000-05:00

Judy B. never fails to harrass me if the content on my blog isn't updated at LEAST every 27.5 hours!! LOL Just KIDDING. But it has been awhile and that's almost always because I've gotten VERY little done (at least to a point where I have anything to show!!). So just to get Judy off my case, here's a LITTLE something new. Some beautiful lilies blooming in my yard. And then I did manage to get the 2nd in our newest BOM series done. Don't know if I mentioned last month but these will all be stars and my chosen colorway is tan and red.

And over at Sew Cal Gal's blog is a challenge for blocks that will be made into Quilts Of Valor. There are some FABULOUS prizes that will be awarded for various and sundry things all to benefit a terrific cause. Hope you'll take a peek and consider donating a block, blocks, maybe even a top or completed quilt. Our servicemen and women deserve it for SURE!!

2011-05-03T09:18:00.000-05:00

It got chilly here a couple of nights ago (after many, many days in the 70's & 80's) and, of course, I'd long ago removed extra blankies from my bed. Soo, with the temps going down into the 40's, there came a need for extra warmth to snuggle under. While in my closet looking for a quilt to temporarily serve the purpose, I came across an old friend I hadn't seen in awhile. I really like this pattern from Pat Sloan and love the way it turned out. But it definitely shows why quilts need to be refolded from time to time to prevent permanent creases in them!! I also wondered why the longarmer didn't do any quilting in the green border--kinda poufs a little there.

2011-04-30T15:40:00.000-05:00

I had two shops to finish for the shop hop this weekend so ran out this morning and polished it off. Now I'm hoping to hear from multiple shops that I'm the winner of either one of their $25 GC's or perhaps a couple of the gift baskets valued at $300!!! HAHAHA I know, dreamer! But a gal's gotta have some hope after driving that many miles and putting that much gas (at TODAY'S PRICES) in the ole tank, right?!! Anyway, while there, I decided to take a picture of the sample quilt of the Christmas quilt class I've signed up for. I think we're doing the classes by section so like upper left 1/3, upper middle 1/3, etc.

I doing mine more dark, not bright, Christmas colors but so far I've only done a few 1/2 sq. tri's. Missed the 2nd class while in San Fran. so I better get busy!!

2011-04-28T18:57:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a few days and that's because I've gotten very little done. I've worked on my Buggy Barn pineapple quilt that I saw Nedra doing over a Cactus Needle but still haven't gotten it put together. I DID pick up my beautiful Tree Farm quilt by Edyta Sitar that was started on the Stitchin' Heaven quilt cruise. Susan Corbett is my longarmer and she ALWAYS does the most GORGEOUS work on my quilts. This one was NO exception and I'll post a couple of photos later.

Today I did half of the N. Texas shop hop and made a stop along the way to see Lissa Alexander at Moda. I delivered IN PERSON some of the Just One Star blocks made by members of my guild (Bear Creek Quilt Guild) and of course HAD to get a picture with Lissa. She was a really busy bee as she's getting ready for market in Salt Lake in a couple of weeks so I didn't want to detain her too long.

I wished we'd held up a few more of the blocks but, oh well, too late now. And the second picture is for Monica over at Happy Zombie and this is some sort of secret gestures she and Lissa make when they see each other--don't ask me! LOL

Each shop on the hop is giving a different log cabin pattern. This was the quilt made using their pattern at Lone Star and was my favorite on today's part of the hop. I have 5 more shops to finish up so I'm sure I'll see at least a couple more 'favorites'!

2011-04-25T01:14:00.001-05:00

Just thought I'd share a few more photos from California since we're home now--made it in just ahead of some HUGE storms and boy was I GLAD!! I HATE taking off or landing in rain or wind (probably everyone else does, too..LOL).

Isn't that ferny thing cool? I loved that detail along the stem. That big heron was SO far away that I had to super-zoom it on the camera and was really surprised at how well it came out. And I got a little bonus critter in the lower left--funny!!

2011-04-24T01:07:00.001-05:00

He is risen--Hallelujah!!

2011-04-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Well, I spent part of the day ridin' the Skunk Train (no really, that's it's name!!), part of the day pickin' up glass on Glass Beach, visiting the Port Cabrillo lighthouse and part of the day twisting, winding and weaving along CA-1..was BEAUTIFUL!!

First, the little skunk train we rode on today and then what we were told was a 1,000 year old redwood. WOW! Then Frank is amongst a stand of huge trees, a view of glass beach (from Fort Bragg's website about the beach "Beginning in 1949, the area around Glass Beach became a public dump. It is hard to believe these days, but back then people dumped all kinds of refuse straight into the ocean, including old cars, and their household garbage, which of course included lots of glass. By the early sixties, some attempts were made to control what was dumped, and dumping of any toxic items was banned. Finally in 1967, the North Coast Water Quality Board realized what a mistake it was and plans were begun for a new dump away from the ocean." And some of the glass I collected on the beach. Then on the walk to the lighthouse, I saw some beautiful wild iris, near that rock in the water were some bobbing seal heads but doesn't look like I got them in the picture and finally the beautiful lighthouse!! Was chilly today but no rain, thank heavens.

2011-04-21T23:10:00.000-05:00

Well, we're having a good time and good weather so far in San Francisco. Yesterday, I stopped at one quilt shop, Thimblecreek I think, and it was very nice! Today, I stopped at the one in Danville (can't remember the name but will look it up later) and it was another cute shop. We also did a few touristy things like visit Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate bridge. I was SO PO'd that the Alcatraz tours were booked up so I probably won't get to get out there! When I checked at home, they had availability but not so today. BOO! So I just took pictures of it. Hmph!

WHAT the HECK is that rocket thingy? LOL We were just driving along and I saw it and snapped the picture out the car window. No clue what it is or why it's there..just thought it was funny.

2011-04-19T21:11:00.000-05:00

It's GROWING (I actually added one more gray block and one more color block after I took this picture). I'm liking it more each time I add a little. I do need to dig out the lighter gray that will be the setting triangles but that will have to wait til I get back. I also worked on my of my Buggy Barn crazy pineapples. It'll be a nice wall hanging when completed.

I took a few show & tell pictures at guild tonight but for some reason they came so dark (probably cause I was at the back of the room) and then my stupid battery died! UGH! But there were some good ones, as always.

Moda's Just One Star

2011-04-18T12:30:00.000-05:00

I meant to tell you in the earlier post that our LQS' owner told us today at Quiltsitters that Moda has already WAAYY surpassed their goal of 1800 star blocks for the 100 quilts they were wanting to make. They've received over THREE THOUSAND!! WOW!! She was told they were going to just keep making quilts til the stars run out but are still shooting for finishing 100 quilts by the middle of June. If you're a local longarmer or are willing to help with binding, they'd LOVE to hear from you.

Here's the info once more and I'm sure you'll be able to find contact info if you're able to help at all! That is AWESOME!!

2011-04-18T11:39:00.000-05:00

Show & tell from Quiltsitters today....

Brenda's 'The Generals and their Women' (or something like that), a couple
from Scrap Basket Sensations, a Kansas Troubles and a Blooming 9 Patch.

Our spring shop hop is coming up in a couple of weeks and each shop is providing a pattern for a different 9 patch. The first one is Beverly's sample and finally our non-mystery mystery quilt revealed. I haven't been doing much as we've gone along. Better get busy!

2011-04-16T14:44:00.000-05:00

Just had to post a couple of photos of my beautiful clematis--

2011-04-15T11:27:00.000-05:00

I've been working on this UFO the past couple of days. It's a design by Lynn Roddy Brown in her book "Simple Strategies For Block-Swap Quilts". She came to our guild a couple of years ago (?!) and taught us the Texas Two Step (quilt not dance, HA). We were supposed to use scrappy but I wanted to do scrappy in just red, white and blue. I'm getting close to finishing up the blocks for that one but this one just kept calling to me. I really love how it's looking up to this point and will try to keep pluggin' away. Lynn's got some other neat settings for blocks but I shy away from swapping so hafta get the swappy, scrappy look from my own stash! LOL

I'm feeling better every day but have to keep telling myself not to push it. Don't wanna relapse!!

2011-04-13T13:45:00.000-05:00

MAN, I HATE this pneumonia thing. You feel like you've got a cold but you wear out in no time flat! And I'm really not pushing myself or overextending..just trying to get a small thing or two done here & there. So I couldn't find a good picture on the 'net and just took a picture from the book. Since I had to miss Gwen Marston's workshop last weekend, I decided this was going to be my next project (I actually think this was Freddy's quilt)....

These are not my usual colors but I LOVE it! The blocks are BIG (at 20") so just a few will make a nice-sized quilt. I worked on making a few of the 1/2 sq. triangles but am too tired to trim them so that will wait.

And this was my companion as I rested on the couch last evening. He couldn't squeeze all of his fat little body on all of the soft blankie so part of him was laying on my foot. Too funny, goofy boy.

2011-04-12T17:55:00.000-05:00

Well, I actually did not ever feel like sewing yesterday so cut a little so that I COULD sew today, which I did! Cara over at Cara Quilts posted awhile back asking for blocks for Canadian Quilts of Valor after seeing all the hubbub over Moda's Just One Star project. I volunteered to do one block (which right now I'm glad is all I said I'd do given the way I feel) plus send an extra piece of white for setting triangles. Here is my ONE maple leaf block. Very quick & easy which is my kinda project right now!

2011-04-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

I have felt SO BAD the last several days to the point of not feeling like doing ANYTHING! Finally yesterday morning, I dragged myself to the local CareNow clinic and found the reason for my feeling poorly. I have double pneumonia!! Good GRIEF!! No wonder I felt so bad! So now that I've got a couple of doses of mega-strong antibiotics in my system and several shots of an inhaler AND a cough syrup, I'm feeling a tad better. I might even take a stitch or two later.

We had a pretty good storm blow through last night and got a little much-needed rain. I've been meaning to take some pix of my beautiful iris but just hadn't felt like it. So this morning, I sauntered VERY SLOWLY (cause that's about the only way I'm moving right now! LOL) out and snapped one picture. Not the best to be sure, but still...

and, on the way back inside, I noticed the first ever morning glory of the season. These pups reseed like CRAZY which is nice as they cover my trellis in the summer. But they really crap out kinda early in the season which I DON'T like. Guess you gotta take the good with the bad, huh? LOL

start of new BOM

2011-04-01T15:50:00.000-05:00

Today is the start of a new year's BOM and the color choices this year were tan & red or summer brights..and NO, I haven't finished last year's yet. I haven't done the final block from the black & white & bright but I DO know how I want to set it. So that's just another (among MANY) UFO. I'll get it done here pretty quick, I hope, as I really like it and want to have it on the 'finished' list.

And today is the start of baseball season here in Dallas/Ft. Worth so

GO RANGERS!!!

2011-03-30T16:04:00.001-05:00

Still haven't decided on what to do with the finishing of the sunflower quilt. I've had lots of ideas..will just hafta play with it. Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions.

I had a GREAT day today playin', visiting and stitching with a few good buddies.

Maureen & JoAnne were working on their projects from Bonnie Hunter's workshop. Making good progress there, girlies! And Sheri was working on putting together some blocks she received through a swap. They're actually a smaller (5") version of the blocks in the HOB shown below. They're BEAUTIFUL in any size!

And I managed to put together another Home of the Brave quilt. I say it every time I post another picture..I just LOVE these quilts!

2011-03-28T15:57:00.000-05:00

OK, tell me what you think about another border. I'm thinking maybe one small darker one then a medium final. Maybe a leafy vine in the opposite corners on the final? I'm really not good with this kinda stuff..usually just follow the pattern to a "T". I basically have no design OR color sense. Just follow others' lead..I like what I see and make it pretty much exactly that way! LOL

2011-03-25T20:43:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd share a few more photos from the Dallas show. I've been working on finishing up a project and need to put the first border on then get some advice from buds on whether or not a second is needed. Maybe after the first border's on, I'll post a photo and get advise from you guys, too!!

2011-03-22T15:50:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Quiltsitters day and, as usual, lots of wonderful show & tell which I must share (right?!!).

2011-03-19T22:11:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, it's National Quilting Day and I DID do some sewing today. Got the backing done for my "Tree Farm" quilt and it will go off to the longarmer's on Monday. I'm taking a workshop in April with Gwen Marston (YIPPEE!!) and she wants you to make some components beforehand. So I made one maverick star ala Bonnie and it turned out adorable (if I do say so myself! LOL). Also worked on making some ruching for my Baltimore album class but really NOTHING to show you. So I wanted to show you this---

no, I did NOT take this gorgeous picture. I waited too late (instead of getting a pix when it was low on the horizon) and my pix didn't come out this good. Did you know this is the biggest full moon since 1993?!! They only happen like once in every 18 years and are called perigean moons. A very gorgeous site up there in the clear, dark sky (here anyway) and you can read more about it at http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/16mar_supermoon/.

2011-03-17T01:18:00.001-05:00

I won a giveaway over at Annie's blog awhile back and have been patiently waiting for it to arrive. And today, it DID! YAY!! It's so pretty and is perfect on my table--like it was made JUST for my table.

And look at all of the cute little EXTRAS she included...as if the beautiful table runner wasn't enough!!! WOW, Annie, thanks so much! I will treasure it always.

2011-03-16T11:08:00.000-05:00

---Just One Star--

Here's what was collected at last night's guild meeting--not bad but I was hoping for a few more. I know at least one gal who'd asked ME (HAHAHA) to remind her to bring hers and I didn't. So those will be coming next month as, I'm sure, a few others as well. What a beautiful assortment! I cannot WAIT to see all the quilts that are made with all these blocks that are being turned in. SO EXCITING!

And this is where I'm at with the red & white blocks. I just noticed when I was taking the picture that I'd made TWO with the exact same fabrics!! HORRORS!! LOL One of them I was thinking I'd probably have to remake anyway so it might've just worked itself out.

2011-03-15T01:00:00.001-05:00

Another day, more quilts! LOL Tonight is guild and I'm collecting the "Just One Star" blocks..sure hope there are a LOT. I'll post a picture tomorrow of all I get.

WOW, just WOW!! And that pretty pink one up there, made by Linda..she was on the quilting cruise with me and I got to see photos of that beauty BEFORE the Dallas show! LOL And she won a BLUE RIBBON. It was AWESOME!

2011-03-14T16:44:00.000-05:00

Just poppin' in to share a few more from yesterday's show...

Dallas Quilt Show

2011-03-13T19:40:00.000-05:00

MAN, as usual, there were some GORGEOUS quilts there. I'll share a few over the next few days so as not to overwhelm you!!

2011-03-12T11:50:00.000-06:00

Yikkers, it's been several days since my last post. I've been busy working on different little things here and there with nothing worth showing so didn't! I've finished 3 more of the red & white blocks (some of these puppies are really LABOR intensive!!). But here's what I've done--

And I did get the final two borders on my Kansas Troubles project from the cruise. Just simply two 5" borders. Now I'll get the backing done and off to the longarmers it will go.

I think I'll probably go to the Dallas quilt show either this afternoon or most likely tomorrow and will have pix from there to show.

2011-03-07T11:46:00.000-06:00

These are my star blocks for the "Just One Star" campaign that Moda's promoting right now. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I had 'challenged' my fellow guild members at our Feb. meeting to help out this most worthy cause and volunteered to personally deliver any blocks that were brought to our Mar. & Apr. guild meetings. Our newsletter editor put the info in the newsletter as well as a link to United Notions where the directions can be found.

I'd be willing to bet big bucks that they will receive way more than the 1800 blocks they're looking for knowing how generous quilters are. Who's with me?!! LOL

2011-03-05T22:28:00.001-06:00

There's a BIG red & white quilt exhibit in New York City at the end of the month. Much as I'd love to go, I most likely won't make it (the cost of airfare at present is one BIG reason!!). So, for those of us not going, there's an online show and the more, the merrier. So I pulled my one and only red and white off the ole quilt ladder and took a picture.

I made this quilt AGES ago, long before I really knew how to quilt. I hadn't a CLUE what I was doing, just saw a picture in a magazine (if I remember correctly) and proceeded to follow the instructions. I cut all those out with SCISSORS and didn't even use the 'connecting corner' method. I sewed triangle to triangle to make all those geese! YIKES, I probably wouldn't have started it if I'd known what I was getting into!! But she got finished and quilted (no idea WHEN as I didn't put a label on it) and, when washed, ran red in places. But I still love it!! If you want to see lots of other red & white quilts all in one place (and not even have to go to NY to see them), check here for the show. And if YOU have a red & white quilt, add yours so others can enjoy.

2011-03-03T15:22:00.000-06:00

I really feel like I've been making good progress on some of my PhD's (projects half done..HA) and have put together the 2nd project from the cruise. Now all it needs are the borders and backing and it'll be ready to ship off to the longarmer--

This is Lynne Hagemeier's project using a layer cake, charm pack and her 'five and dime' ruler. Such a quick, easy project that'd be a nice gift when one is needed on short notice! Sandy Klop's project will probably be a LONG time in the works (if I ever get around to finishing it..YIKES!).

And finally, TADA, borders on and backing is cut, ready to be sewn together and this'll be off to the longarmer's also. I did get another red & white block done but will wait til I get a couple more before posting another picture. Tomorrow is the final day of the black, white & bright BOM. I like the setting they did but think I'll do mine differently.

2011-03-02T17:27:00.000-06:00

Here are the first 5 blocks I've finished up for the "Roaring Through the 20's" group. I worked on #6 but didn't get it completely finished as I was also working on putting the borders on yesterday's quilt. Both are almost done!!

I have a meeting tonight for our next quilt show--it's just under a year away but will be here before we all know it (as I've come to find in years past)!! I'm admissions chairwoman so hopefully that will be much easier than my last job which was putting the program together. You need to be REALLY computer saavy for that job and saavy I ain't! LOL

I also noticed the info's up on Moda's website about their "Just One Star" program. They'll be collecting star blocks until May 1 and hope to get 100 quilts in 100 days to give to soldiers. If you're interested, the info's all here.

2011-03-01T20:30:00.000-06:00

YESSSS, a UFO almost finished! Just needs a couple of borders and this pup's done! It's only from a couple of years ago (I think) but I was inspired by a couple of finished ones I saw and got my rear in gear! I like it (except for that ONE block that stands out like a sore thumb) but I think I'll have to paint a wall so it'll show up..my walls are all about the same color as the quilt! LOL

On another note, we had our monthly meeting of the "Roaring Through The 20's" group (using the book of the same name) and I intended to take pictures. I got distracted but will take a pix of the 5 I got done and post those tomorrow.

2011-02-25T15:38:00.000-06:00

Today was a GREAT day! My friend, JoAnne, and I spent the day with our bud Sheri who's been battling multiple myeloma. She's been through a stem cell transplant and is in the process of getting back to her 'old' self! She's still got immunity issues so doesn't get out in crowds and such. So instead WE went to HER!! Just sitting stitching and chatting was so nice as much for us (if not more so) as for her. She has the most beautiful backyard and she has FINCHES!! I'm so JEALOUS! Finches don't visit my house even though I've tried.

THEN our buddy JoAnne had show and tell! She's been BUSY!! She's finishing up the binding on the LQS' BOM (love the batiks & black), binding a little mini and had a completed clam shell mini (look how TINY) and finally a Kim Diehl design. WUNDERBAR!! I finished up one little crocheted baby cap for the county hospital and Sheri did a DJ block (I did NOT get a picture of that...POOH!). It was a VERY good day.

2011-02-22T01:00:00.001-06:00

My 'Tree Farm' is FINISHED!! I LOVE it!! Don't think I woulda tackled it all by myself but so glad it was a class on the cruise. Now I want to do her smaller version with the applique around the border.

2011-02-21T13:34:00.000-06:00

Today was Quiltsitters so lots of show & tell--Brenda is the big show-off this month! LOL Just last month, we started a monthly club called "Roaring thru the 20's" using the book of the same name. We were supposed to make two blocks for our assignment. Obviously Brenda did WAY more than the assignment as she finished her entire red & white quilt! Not sure what she'll be doing the rest of the year..maybe a finished top each month?!! Then Leslie showed her top using a BOM from a different shop. The next was made using the kaleidoscope ruler and LOVE the two color combo she used. Carolyn was signed up for the class but it got cancelled due to the ice storm. She couldn't wait so went ahead and did it on her own (using the tri-recs ruler). A different Leslie figured out the 'mystery' we were doing and put it together her way. So pretty. Last but not least, Val finished her cute little 'winter' quilt with the snowmen and trees and cabins done in flannel. LOVE IT!

2011-02-20T22:55:00.000-06:00

Last week during our guild meeting with Bonnie, we were all set to draw the name of our raffle quilt winner. Since Bonnie was our honored speaker and we were SO happy she came, she was asked to draw the winner. We had a HUGE plastic tub full of ticket stubs and Bonnie mixed and turned to make sure each and every ticket had the same opportunity to be fished out! She reached in, grabbed a ticket and checked to see if she might possibly recognize the name. She got the most shocked look on her face and gasped, "OH MY GOSH", re-read it, shouted "OH MY GOSH" again and handed it off to our raffle ticket chairlady. She read the winning name -- CHARNA GRAY!! WOW, not only a member of our guild but our VP in charge of programs and the woman who had JUST taken Bonnie out to dinner!! What are the odds?!! And she was even dressed to match the quilt she'd just won.

Now, on to the next raffle quilt. LOL

2011-02-16T16:09:00.000-06:00

Here are a few photos from our workshop today with Bonnie. We had so much fun and I'm looking forward to working on this project (AFTER I finish my tree quilt--it just needs assembly!!). Bonnie'll have another lecture tomorrow night in Denton, after a daytime workshop with TVQG, then a lecture Friday morning with TVQG and a workshop on Sat. with Denton. WOW, she's gonna be BUSY!! But then I think she pretty much always is. LOL

2011-02-15T21:54:00.000-06:00

Oh my GOSH!! Bonnie Hunter's HERE! She does the most AWESOME guild presentation and I'm REALLY looking forward to her workshop tomorrow. I couldn't believe it when she walked in with one of those duffel bags FULL of quilts slung over her shoulder!! LOL I just carried in a couple of the boxes of her books and those were heavy. Can't imagine slinging the duffel bag over the ole shoulder.

A lot of her quilts are ones that we've seen everywhere..on her blog, on Flickr, in her books--lots of places. So I just put a few up. Pretty sure the last two are from her newest book (which, by the way, I plan on buying tomorrow at the workshop!!). Will take pix tomorrow and share the fun we had.

Lissa Alexander from Moda showed up (remember she was with us on the quilting cruise) and that was another fun surprise. Poor thing, she was visiting US and wound up working as one of the quilt holders for Bonnie's presentation. We are SO BAD!! HI LISSA, thanks for coming to visit..we'll be better hostesses next time!!

2011-02-15T13:31:00.000-06:00

This is my 11th block in the LQS' first Friday BOM (I picked it up late this month due to the cruise). She had the 2 colorways all put together in a top and I LOVED the setting for these brights. Can't wait for the final block so I can put it all together. Then, along with the neutral that I'm still working on, I'll have at least 3 of these BOM tops together. YAY!

AND---wait for it---I'm working on my final tree block. HALLELUJAH! BUT Bonnie's coming tonight and tomorrow will be the workshop so that takes precedence at the moment. I'm really looking forward to hearing her tonight and working in the workshop with her tomorrow. Will have pix later of tonight and tomorrow.

2011-02-14T01:02:00.001-06:00

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day and your sweetie brings you flowers, chocolates, candy hearts, JEWELRY or whatever else your little heart desires! LOL

I'm STILL prepping for Bonnie's workshop on Wed. as well as working on my tree blocks--time is RACING by!!

2011-02-12T20:23:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited!! Bonnie Hunter's comin' next week--YIPPEE!! She'll speak at our guild on Tues. evening and then do a workshop on Wed. We're doing Cathedral Stars so I've been cutting my strips as instructed. Lissa Alexander from Moda (who was on our cruise with us) said she was coming to our guild to see Bonnie. Double yippee!!

This is the picture ~~stolen~~ borrowed from Bonnie's site. Not sure how big mine'll wind up as I have not had very good success with the tri-recs & easy angle rulers in the past. We'll see if Bonnie's tips for success work with me this time around.

I'm the show & tell gal for the guild so I'd asked anyone who'd done any of Bonnie's quilts to bring them. I think I've dragged 4 or 5 out but haven't located one and need to borrow another from my sister (that I gave to her a couple of years ago).

2011-02-10T15:44:00.000-06:00

Woo-wee, since getting home from our trip (and AFTER doing laundry and putting some things away), I've been workin' like crazy on Edyta's 'Tree Farm' quilt. This is what I've managed to accomplish the past couple of days.

There is a TON of sewing in this quilt!! I noticed a couple of boo boo's after taking this picture so will have to do a little reverse sewing (DARN IT!). There are 18 total trees in the quilt so I'm a third of the way there (approximately). She has another kinda like this one with not as many trees and applique around the outside edge which I'd like to do, too. We'll see...

2011-02-06T16:44:00.000-06:00

We drove down to Key West today and did a little geocaching while down there (I know a lot of you have no clue what that is--you can google it. It's FUN!). The weather is SO GORGEOUS! There are wild chickens running around all over Key West..did you know that? I've been before but didn't know it. And of course, pelicans!

A mile marker showing how far it is from Key West to a TON of different places and Frank's big catch (HAHA, yeah right!). Sorry to have nothing about quilting but I don't have a machine and would just rather leave everything neatly packed away til we get back home. Then I'll be a sewing MACHINE!! Later gators.

2011-02-05T18:01:00.000-06:00

We got off the boat this morning around 9:15 and went to the airport to get our rental car. Headed south and hit some heavy traffic. I'm thinking because it's winter (and there's a TON of northerners down here) AND it's Sat. We had to do laundry BAD so stopped in Marathon, got a hotel room and did a little geocaching. Here's a pix from one of our stops...

isn't this lovely? Much better than what I hear is back home. Ooo, I'll be back there on Tues. and I don't wanna go!!

When we stopped at the laundromat, this is what greeted us! HA He said 'what's goin' on?' and made a kissing sound and, poor thing, looks like he's molting! But look at that green head!

And finally, this was a sunset photo taken from our balcony on the ship. It probably woulda been prettier if there weren't so many clouds. But it was still pretty!

2011-02-04T20:59:00.000-06:00

Well, tomorrow we're OFF THIS SHIP! I'm kinda glad even though we've had a GREAT time! Didn't spend nearly enough time in the sun as we were workin' in the sweat shop. And I did NOT get to zip line (I'm SO MAD!). I went up there this afternoon and they cut off the line with ME! BOO HISS! It really looked like fine..oh well, guess I'll hafta take a trip to Costa Rica to zip line. HAHA

Here are a couple of photos from our class today with Edyta--I LOVE her! She is totally awesome and issued a challenge to all of us taking this class. She said if we finish this quilt top by the end of Feb., send her an email and we'll be in a drawing to have her quilt it! WOW! I'm so IN for this challenge!

I got ONE tree block completed in class so I have 17 more to do when I get home. I'll have to do a couple a day I think to get it done. And here's Bev, my table mate and classmate, with her top she made from Edyta's patterns..so pretty!

2011-02-03T22:47:00.000-06:00

Awright, so I haven't done much on my first day's project. We got skeerd when we saw Edyta's project and thought we better jump ahead and start working on 9 million 1/2 square triangles. OK, not quite that many but pretty darned close. So we had Lynne Hagemire (SP?) from Kansas Troubles today and that was a quick and dirty project.

Just a couple of quilts she brought to show. SO cute and easy! We can DO this! I got my rows together but the top's not together yet. Maybe for show & tell at quiltsitters next time. Not tomorrow with Edyta then we are gonna be kicked outta the classroom as 3 so they can get all the machines and stuff packed up

I also HOPE to be doing a little ziplining tomorrow. I want Frank up there to video tape this for posterity. Sure hope he doesn't capture a face of HORROR!! EEK! But I am BOUND & DETERMINED!!!

2011-02-02T14:31:00.000-06:00

WHOA! We've had several ships in port with us everywhere we've stopped so the crowds have been TERRIBLE! I didn't get off the ship in St. Thomas since Frank was golfing. Today we got off for a little bit in St. Maarten but didn't go far. It was HOT! Sorry for all you at home, I know you're freezin' your butts off! So we got back on the ship and lazed around by the pool! HA

I'll post more photos tomorrow as the download was takin' WAAYY too long. The first is us HARD AT WORK and the 2nd is the project we were working on. Sandy Klopp's cute little quilt. Then our view out our balcony at St. Thomas and lastly dessert last night! YUMMERS! I actually ordered two (I'm SOO bad) and the 2nd pix will be tomorrow. Our class tomorrow is Lynne Hagemeier's Five and Dime then the next day is Edyta Sitar's tree quilt. SO PRETTY but very labor intensive. I'm getting a head start with my triangles. LOL Later--

2011-01-30T12:00:00.000-06:00

We left yesterday from Port Everglades. I think there were at least 5 or 6 ships in port!! WOW, hope they're not all going to the same place as us..that'll be CROWDED!! We had our quilt meeting/get acquainted thingy last night and Deb gave away the first quilt (I didn't WIN, what a surprise!).

We were being followed as we left the port last night, YIKES! LOL Then the view of Atlantis in Nassau off our balcony. In the other direction, a lighthouse at the end of the strip of land and lastly our beautiful, HUGE ship (docked next to some really PUNK ships! HAHA) taken as we got off in Nassau. We didn't have any shore excursions here so got off briefly then back on to laze around the pool.

A little sewing this after to familiarize ourselves with the machines. Guess we'll find out then who are teacher is for the first day of sewing. Can't WAIT! More later...

2011-01-27T14:47:00.000-06:00

Mary over at Quilt Hollow had asked me a few days ago to post a picture of a quilt I'd made. She had shown a picture of this quilt she'd recently quilted and I had commented that I'd made the same quilt!! It was in one of the quilt magazines back in 06 or 07 and I was instantly smitten when I saw it. It was in our guild's 2008 show and, as usual, there was tons of competition. I can't remember if it was a 2nd place or 3rd but I was pleased. It was FABULOUSLY quilted by the greatly talented Susan Corbett. She's FANTASTIC. So, without further adieu, this is for Mary--

Isn't that quilting to DIE for?!!

2011-01-26T20:32:00.000-06:00

Well, I had this brilliant idea this evening to drive down to Cowboys Stadium and take a picture in front of the big XLV they had erected outside the stadium. NOT! They have the stadium fenced in, locked up, surrounded and security'd to the hilt. There was no even getting close unless, of course, you wanted to anty up $40 a pop for a stadium tour. We decided against that & went to dinner instead.

We ate at El Chico's and, as I headed to the restroom, overheard the hostess telling a guy at the bar that they were selling their parking spots for $200 each on Super Bowl Sunday...WHAT?!!! So as we were leaving, I had to ask her if I'd heard correctly. Yep, she said, and that was a bargain! She said several places around there were going for $500 and up?! WHAT?!!! The Wal Mart next door was going to be closed that Sunday--the NFL paid them to be closed so they could sell their parking spots? I had NO IDEA!! GEEZ!! She told me I shouldn't come anywhere near that area unless I had tickets. I told her not to worry, I would be on my cruise! She thought that sounded like a much better idea! Me, too.

I've been working on my 24 log cabin blocks to finish up that BOM ufo. Slowly, but surely. What I REALLY need to be doing is getting some more stuff gathered up and packed. Don't know why I wait til the last minute! HA Anyone else like that?

2011-01-23T15:06:00.000-06:00

The one on the left is the one made for the kids' camp and the smaller one on right is for the county hospital. I actually made the blocks for the small one and another larger one yesterday and got the smaller one all put together. I was on a ROLL!!

I've got this week and then Sat. we head out on our quilting cruise! In the meantime, I'm bound and determined to make some headway on my neutral BOM. Seeing Margie's at quiltsitters the other day (see post a few days back) made me realize that wouldn't be too terribly hard to get finished up. So that's my plan (for now anyway...LOL).

2011-01-21T17:00:00.001-06:00

I've about got this QOV finished..started this eons ago just using scraps outta my scrap bag. For whatever reason, I got re-motivated (maybe it was seeing JoAnne's rail fence) and think I'll just put a single border on to make it a tad bigger. When my DH was looking at it, he asked 'is it crooked'? I said well yeah, kinda, it's WONKY! HAHA

At guild the other night, there was a request for members of our guild to provide 25 quilts (45X54 specifically) for kids with cancer (I think I heard that right) when they attend camp this summer. So I thought I can do a rag quilt (or two or three) and went to Joann's. I got one COMPLETELY done today and it's in the dryer as we speak. I'll take a picture of it later. I've got one more cut and flannel for a third so I'm pretty pumped!! I really HATE waiting til the last minute.