creative urges

Missouri Momma made my day

2011-12-20T19:30:00.000-05:00

I was feeling sort of down because my eyes aren't quite up to par yet. My eyes get rather tired when I use them for more than 15 or so minutes at a time so I have been very slow at working on any projects that I have planned.Quilting and reading are my favorite things to do.

But then, hubby came back from the mailbox with not just one but two boxes from my Secret Santa. The contents showed that the person who had my name really took time to learn about me. Look what was inside....chocolate covered cherries (my favorite candy), Chantilly body lotion and spray (my favorite scent), a book about Christmas, sea glass and a little vase to use with the sea glass, candles, fresh linen scent spray, a Christmas towel. The Christmas towel was right on target because we didn't have room to bring Christmas decorations with us. Thank you Secret Santa, THANK YOU!

Another good thing happened this week. I went to the villa office and put up a notice that we are going to get crafters together (knitters, crocheters, sewers, and QUILTERS one day a week starting in January in the meeting room.The group that has been meeting are really not quilters but said that the other lady that I met last year who is a quilter and I could meet with them. I put the notice on the bulletin board and before I could go out the door a lovely lady stopped me and told me she was so excited to hear about it....she is a quilter from New York state and has been looking for other quilters in the community. So now there are at least three of us.....Who knows there may be more as many of the residents don't arrive until after the holidays!!

Well, off to relax a little.....Happy Quilting

A little bird joins me in saying....

2011-12-14T13:30:00.000-05:00

Greetings from sunny Florida. It has been in the 80s since we got here and I don't miss the cold one little bit! This bird was enjoying our neighborhood the other day by stopping at each front door in our cluster. She was even kind enough to let me take some pictures.

I know it has been ages since I posted on my blog....not since I returned from Lancaster. I have been busy though. Since my last posting I have completed many projects including:
      three raggy throws for my grandchildren
      four purses - three to give away and one to keep for myself
      seven cosmetic bags - for gifts
      two sets of placemats for gifts
      seven sets of coasters for gifts
      a set of mug rugs for a gift

We had a family "Thanks-mas" the first weekend in December. Both of my sons and their families came for a holiday celebration. Since they both have jobs that require them to often work on holidays (and this year was no exception) it was the only time we had to get together. A great time was had by all....and I even got some dies for my GO cutter that I wanted from my hubby.

I did have a set back that threw me for a loop. I had an eye problem (vitreous detachment) in one eye. Unfortunately, it was in my "good" eye and my vision has been slightly impaired. Right now I am trying to rest my eyes as my "poor" eye has been trying to take on more of the work and thus is getting tired more easily. Hopefully all will balance out. I have a wonderful doctor who went the extra mile and found me a doctor here in FL who will handle my case while we are here.

I was so upset when this happened because I didn't want to spoil our trip. We had been looking forward to coming to FL for months. My hubby is going to have the opportunity to spend some time with his brother whom he hasn't seen in about five years. His sister also has a place near ours and it was planned to be a family reunion of a sorts. I do miss quilting every day but I found that if I take it easy, I can do some work. I have some projects in mind. I even brought my little Janome sewing machine with me.

I do have some good news though. Our Block of the Month quilt is hanging in Serendipity Quilt Shop. Check out the shop link to get a look at the quilt. We will also be having another great announcement in the near future featuring one of our other designs.....check out Pat's blog or mine to see a picture of the quilt.

Well, I am going to get off the computer as I need to take a little break...I will try to get more posts done in the near future.

Happy Quilting

Is it time to go home already?

2011-11-03T19:23:00.000-04:00

I arrived in Lancaster on Monday and immediately set to shopping and enjoying the company of my friends Pat, Sherry, and Prue..

We are staying in a lovely house, Amish Valley Vacation Home. These homes are owned by two great people, Daryl and Tina who make us feel so welcome. Our gang has stayed at other of their homes other years but this one is so super great for quilters!

Of course, we have spent lots of time shopping for all the wonderful fabric that is available here. I can't even count the number of yards of fabric that I have bought so far....and I will have to show that to you all later as it is still in bags.....

But this year we have been sewing up a storm. We have all completed at least one project and cut out lots more. Here is Pat at our sewing table. It wasn't this neat during all of our stay but we didn't dare post the mess we made!

This house was well suited for a group of quilters. The big kitchen table held our sewing machines, there was room for a special cutting table, and the counter had room for the GO! cutter that we used to make raggy rugs and throws. Sherry taught us how to make some little purses, rope table mats, and wine glass coasters. Pat taught how to make raggy rugs....I just was her helper! We all learned a lot from each other and had a lot of laughs. We have already made our reservations for the same house next year.

Tonight we will have our last night party where we do our mystery gift game and share our completed projects.

More about the trip later....

Happy Quilting

getting ready to go.....

2011-10-29T17:35:00.015-04:00

Each fall, a few of my quilting friends and I spend time in Lancaster, PA on a little informal quilting retreat. We do some shopping, quilting, and just have fun. We are leaving on Monday, Halloween, this year. My friend, Pat, does the organizing, makes the reservations, and collects our money. She deserves a big hug for all her work.

Before I go, I am trying to navigate this new format of posting and dealing with the "tricks" of the format. In my last two posts, I talked about uploading pictures. Here is another one that I successfully added although not in my normal way. This is a scrappy quilt that I made entirely with my GO! cutter. And I machine quilted it all by myself. You can't see on the picture but quilted a heart design in the larger blocoks and then did some squiggly lines along the sashing. It turned out pretty good if I say so myself.

Yesterday we had a gloomy, rainy, windy day while many others on the east coast had snow....I hate the thought of that. Today, I am packing my things, making soup to take, and figuring out what projects I will take with me to the retreat....I have so many UFOs that I should work on but I think I will take these blocks to add sashing. They were the prototype blocks for our Block of the Month. Surprise......I don't know how but this pic uploaded correctly!

Happy Halloween and Happy Quilting

another try

2011-10-28T14:18:00.000-04:00

In my last post I talked about having trouble uploading pictures. Now my posting site looks completely different. I was successful with this one but I really don't know how it happened. I went to html first, uploaded the picture, then clicked on compose....and the picture magically appeared going the right direction. I have noticed that since I have my new computer with the new Windows and Microsoft Office, I have been having trouble with blogspot. Sometimes I can't open blogs I follow and when I do, I can't seem to comment. So be patient with me.

While I have a picture here, I will tell you a little about it.

This quilt was designed by my quilting buddy, Pat, and I as a Block of the Month sampler for Serendipity Quilt Shop. It will be hanging in the shop very soon so you can see all of it (Those of you who live near Dagsboro, DE that is). We have been busy proofing the patterns that will be available at the shop. We have a lot of fun designing patterns and making quilts together.

As time goes by....

2011-10-28T11:06:00.000-04:00

I know it has been a long time since I posted....My excuses are not exciting....I did not go to Casablanca to spend time at Rick's. I will show you in pictures some of the things I have been up to.

First of all, I got a new computer. As you can see, the picture I inserted came out rotated....I have to figure out why this is happening. In my saved files, the picture was oriented the correct way but when it showed up in blogger, it was wrong. I spent all morning today trying to figure this out!

One of two quilts made for our place in FL

a baby quilt for my nephews' first

Raggy rugs made with my GO

Spent time with my grandson

I GIVE UP!!!!!
I am able to get some of the pictures in ....and for some reason the rest won't go. I have tried shutting down and starting all over; I have resaved the pictures multiple times; I have even tried rotating the pictures in my files and then trying to post them....

So, the rest of my updates will have to wait till another day. If anyone has any hints about why this frustrating experience with my pictures is happening, I'd be happy to hear. I never had this experience before when I had my old computer.... I think I will go sew.

Happy Quilting

Marking time....and a giveaway winner

2011-09-16T09:12:00.000-04:00

The end of my giveaway has come. The random number generator said #4 so that is .......

Sandie ~call me crazy said...

No Go here either. I love both of your little quilts. I love to make star blocks. Thanks for the fun!

September 8, 2011 8:39 PMI will be contacting her to get her choice of patterns.

It was fun to see what readers liked in block choices....and see that readers have so similar likes as I do.

Now for quilting chat...

Over the last few days I have been working on machine quilting and honing my skills. I have tried a few methods for marking a pattern.

1. Tissue paper pattern. On this one you draw your design on tissue paper and then quilt through this. I didn't like it because, in my opinion, it screwed up the stitch tension and I had to readjust. Also, I thought the paper moved and I didn't get a nice line.

2. Pounce with stencils. I thought this was messy and I didn't like the dust that pouncing created. I don't need any more pollution in my lungs.

3. Tracing with stencils. Of the three methods, I thought this was the easiest to mark and follow. Hmmm....old methods seem to be good.

What are your marking methods?

here's the scoop

2011-09-08T16:39:00.000-04:00

In my last post I mentioned a giveaway. Also in previous posts I mentioned that my quilting buddy, Pat, and I have been doing patterns and demos for Serendipity Quilt Shop. These patterns are for sale at Serendipity and from us..

For the giveaway, I am going to let the winner choose from two simple patterns we designed to introduce quilters to the GO cutter. Of course, one could use the patterns for rotary cutting but it is much simpler and quicker to use the GO. I will include fabric to use with the chosen pattern. You'll just need batting and backing. Both of these use the value die which comes with the GO and the 2 1/2 inch strip cutter. It is so easy to make half square triangles with the GO!

The first is a red, white, and blue wallhanging that is perfect for patriotic holidays. It is approximately 18"x18"

The second is a fall wallhanging using the popular maple leaf block. It is approximately 22"x22". Note the flying geese on the borders!

Here's what you need to do. You must be a follower (no international entries this time). If you have a GO cutter, leave a comment on this post that tells about your favorite die or a die you would like to try. If you do not have a GO, that's ok. Just leave a comment telling about the favorite block you like to make. Comments must be made by midnight (EST) September 15. That's one week from today!

It's exciting...

2011-09-02T18:14:00.000-04:00

It's exciting to design new quilts and projects. Today, my quilting buddy, PAT, and I had a long designing session. We are finishing up the details for the BOM we are doing for Serendipity Quilt Shop and a few other patterns that will be available soon. Sorry I can't share pictures of them yet but I will as soon as I can.

Because I like to post pictures, I will post a picture of a quilt I did a while ago. It was a gift for a friend.

Also, to celebrate fall, I am going to have a little giveaway. I will be posting the details within the next week so be sure to check back.

Happy Quilting

ready for some calm...

2011-08-30T19:24:00.000-04:00

OK gone through an earthquake, hurricane, and tornado in our area.....Soon the tourists will be gone and the beach traffic will lessen....so hopefully we will have some calm now for a while.

We went to my son's in PA when the hurricane warnings were announced. Some of my friends, including PAT, had to evacuate because they are closer to the beach than we are. We weren't going to but my son called and insisted that we come to his house. He has a master's degree in emergency management and said we should be cautious...hey, it gave us a weekend to spend with the grandkids. We did watch the progress of Irene on TV. It was a little scary to learn that a tornado damaged some homes about 2 miles from us. We didn't have any damage but there were several properties in our development that had trees come down. My heart goes out to those who really had and are still having damage.

I didn't get much quilting done but I hate to post without a picture. Here is a glimpse of a log cabin quilt I made several years ago.

Be sure to watch Extreme Homemakeover with Ty Pennington on Thanksgiving. They are building a house in Sussex County where we live and they went through the earthquake and hurricane during the build. The family that is getting the house runs a soup kitchen in our area and is very deserving. There was a lot of community support and they actually had to turn volunteers away.

Scrappy Days are here again

2011-08-25T09:43:00.001-04:00

I decided that I have too many scraps sitting around and I want to weed out my stash before our annual trip to Lancaster PA this fall to buy more fabric. So I pulled out some of my scraps and started to work with my GO cutter. I cut 2" strips from the scraps then sewed them together in long strips in a random way. Then I sewed 4 long strips together. This made a large strip 6 1/2 inches wide. From these I cut 6 1/2 blocks.

Then I cut 6 1/2 blocks from other scrappy fabric and sewed them together with the sqaures made with the the strips.

I then made large 4 patches. After that I simply sashed them with 2 1/2 strips cut on the GO and joining squares made from the 2' square on the value die. In just two days, I had a 72 x 72 top finished. Click on the picture to see an enlarged version.

In the middle of this, I was rockin and rollin in my sewing chair.....literally. We clearly felt the earthquake here. I was sewing along, curtains blowing in the wind, and thought I heard construction vehicles from the house that is being built on the street behind us. Then the suncatcher on the window started jingling and I thought that the wind was really picking up....but then realized that my chair was actually moving on the floor. I could see the room moving....I had the msnbc news station on in the background and heard the breaking news that they were feeling an earthquake.....I figured out that I wasn't nuts!

I won't be sewing too much today. I have to clean up the mess that I made while sewing....I try to clean after every project or it gets overwhelming....then I have to run to the grocery store as hurricane Irene is predicted to hit over us here in DE...One of the lines on the projected path runs right over us in Sussex County.

An added note to those who have been asking about my son who is fighting fires in the Great Dismal Swamp. I talked to him last night ....he is tired but doing well. They felt the earthquake too. The team from DE is heading home tomorrow. Officials feel that the rains from the hurrican will really help keep the fire in check.

Happy Quilting

family, fabric, friends, fun and Shrek

2011-08-22T21:08:00.003-04:00

Hello my online quilting friends.

A serious note first ---

My son, Matt, is now fighting fires at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Preserve on the VA/NC border. The fire is only about 15% contained.....please ...prayers and thoughts for all the firefighters.

Over the last few weeks I have taken a breather from blogging but I have been busy doing quilty things. On August 8th, my quilting buddy. Pat, and I taught a class at Serendipity Quilt shop during which the quilters had a chance to make a fall wallhanging using the GO cutter. We had a great time with the ladies and we have a great time at the shop. Kathy is selling our patterns there for the fall wallhanging and a red/white/ and blue hanging we made for the GO demo we did when the new shop opened.

Pat and I also worked on practice blocks for the Block of the Month Quilt we are doing for Serendipity. These blocks in the picture are samples made from scrappy fabric. The actual quilt has different colors, more blocks, and a special border. The whole quilt was made using only dies with the GO cutter. The final result is finished and is at Jackie's, the woman who does much of my long arm work. I will post a picture after we get it back and iet is ready to show

In the meantime, I thought I would share pictures of what has been happening in my sewing/guest room. We removed the old carpet and hubby put down a new tile floor. I just love it. It is so much easier to keep clean than the berber carpet that was there.

He also built me some new cubbies to store fabric. I have a big walkin closet but that was getting mighty crowded. Now I can bring fabric out into the light and store batting and other supplies in the closet. Note that he made it a good size so that my GO cutter fits nicely on top. The cubbies are actually about 8 feet long. I like that I can store my quilting books in the cubbies and not in mix matched book shelves that I had previously

I also have a nice place for my machine.

Normally, I have risers underneath the table to make it comfortable for cutting.Before my new cubbies were made, I had so much junk under and on top of the table, I barely had room to cut. Now I can turn the table around when I want to use it to hold quilts while I am machine quilting and even fold and store it when we have company since this room is also our guest room.

Since my last post, I spent a lot of time with family. My son, his wife, and son came to spend a few days. While they were here, hubby's sister and her family came for an evening as they were renting a beach house nearby. Then my brother and wife from PA came to visit for a few days.....wonderful times!!

And now Shrek

A young friend of ours, Lukas Poost, is rehearsing now for the lead role in the national tour of the Broadway show Shrek.We have know him since his high school days and watched him grow as an actor. Be sure to click on his name to read his blog about his experiences.

Also if you check out the tour of Spamalot you will see another one of our young friends, Kassidy Devlin. We also know him from our community theater days in Towanda, PA.

We are really proud of these young actors. If you happen to see either of the shows on tour, be sure to let me know.

Well, it's getting late and I have much to do.

Happy Quilting

Summertime and the livin' is....

2011-07-29T21:21:00.001-04:00

BUSY.

My quilting buddy, Pat, and I did GO demonstrations at Serendipity Quilt Shop. Kathy had a great re-opening and is planning a grand opening for late August.

We worked on prototype samples for the Block of the Month project we are doing for the shop. These blocks were made from scraps and are being tested out for the design. We are also going to be teaching a class there on August 8th. It will be a fall wallhanging which is made entirely on the GO.

My 9 year old granddaughter visited us for a week. Of course, we had to go to the quilt shop. She made a pumpkin project using fusible applique. She did blanket stitches around the applique and did all the quilting herself. I think her embroidery is better than mine! I did the binding for her. We were running out of time and I did it while she was sleeping the last night of her visit.

I finished the binding on one of the twin quilts I have been working on.

We went to NE PA to my husband's high school reunion for a weekend. We had a great time and had a chance to watch a rehearsal of Hairspray, the summer musical being put on by the community theater group there to which we used to belong. At home we attended a dinner theater play, Barefoot in the Park, by Milford Delaware's Second Street Players.

Oh yes. My guest/sewing room has been torn up the last week but I am not complaining. Hubby is putting new flooring in the room. I was so tired of the berber carpet that was in there when we bought the house. Four years of dropping pins and then trying to find them in the carpet was just too much. I think the room will be so much easier to keep clean now.
Hopefully, the room will be put back together by the beginning of next week. By the way, he is building me cubbies to keep supplies that will go along one wall.

And last but not least, workmen finished our patio addition but it has been so hot outside we really haven't had a chance to use it much!

Hmmm...did I forget anything...probably. YES. We also celebrated my birthday.

Happy Quilting!

one under my belt

2011-07-11T17:24:00.000-04:00

Last post I talked about machine quilting on the matching twin quilts I am making. I have one done now except the binding. Here are some things I learned:

Relax
A fan helps. Even with the air conditioner it gets hot holding all that fabric in this 90 degree weather we have been having lately. I sat with the fan sitting near the a/c vent with the fan blowing on me
Start with a meandering or an easy flow pattern. I started with some straight line quilting and I found it hard to stay in line while I was learning to handle the bulk (the perfectionist that I am )
It takes more thread than one would think....especially when one rips out
The clips to keep the quilt in a roll are nice but they do tend to get caught on edges of the table - I finished the quilt without them and just rolled the quilt.
I kept a lot of the bulk on my lap as I was quilting. The table behind the machine kept a lot of the rest.
I turned the speed on my machine slower. It was easier to control.
The super slider (teflon) sheet really helps when moving the fabric through.
Once I got the hang of it, it really didn't take that long.

Today my quilting buddy and I did demos at Serendipity Quilt Shop. It was a lot of fun to show the GO cutter to customers. We will be returning on Wednesday morning for more demos and sharing. and having a class on August 8th to make a fall wall hanging. If you look closely on the table top, you can see the red, white, and blue hanging that we designed especially for the shop. Kathy, the owner, gave it free to those who attended the demo and bought the fabric pack. She has a few left to sell.

Over the last week or so, I learned to machine applique (an old dog can learn new tricks)....I am a needle turn applique person so this was a new experience for me. For this little hanging I used a GO applique die..then I used a decorative stitch on my machine to go around the shape. The eyes, nose, and mouth were made from other decorative stitches. My 9 year old grand daughter is here this week and she is making one like it with hand stitches and buttons....when hers is done, I'll have to post a picture. The hanging is 6 x 10

I also took some time to make a small topper to try out a triangle in a square die. We have a round bistro table in our kitchen and I am always looking to make new toppers. This one turns out to be about 20 inches square.

Hubby is building some new cubbies for my sewing area so my room is a great big mess. Now he says that he thinks he will go ahead and remove the carpeting and put down a new floor (I have been wanting this for a couple of years). So I guess my quilting will be rather hap hazard over the next couple of weeks. I told him it needs to be done before company comes in August...hope it is! I hate having the berber carpeting. I can't hear pins drop (and I drop a lot!) and they always seem to get caught in the carpet.

Have a great summer day....I am

first time for everything

2011-07-03T11:30:00.000-04:00

I have done machine quilting on my machine on little things like wall hangings but never a bed sized quilt. So I am attempting a larger piece for the first time. Over the last week, I have made some progress on one of my twin sized quilts. The biggest issue has been handling all the bulk. I rearranged my sewing area so that I could have a table to handle some of the weight. I started using the clips that you can see in this photo but I found that they often got hung up on the edges of the tables....so I just dispensed with them. I still kept the quilt rolled. I have it about 1/3 done.

Last weekend, I went to my 45th high school reunion. It was wonderful to see some friends I hadn't seen in many years....and I found that one of my high school friends is also a quilter!!! I also was able to see my brother and give him his special retirement quilt. Great weekend but much too short. It was back to reality on Monday.

Monday night I had a chance to go to Dover to hear Karen Kay Buckley speak about borders on quilts. Her applique work is fantastic and the topic was interesting even for those who don't applique. Borders often end up being an afterthought when one is making a quilt. She had great information and is a great speaker. If you get a chance, you should go to one of her lectures. She was giving a class on Tuesday but my friends and I aren't members of Helping Hands Guild so we didn't know about it until the last minute and it was full.

I had a chance to get a sneak peak at Serendipity Quilt Shop's new home on Friday. It is going to be a wonderful place. It has the character of the old shop but has much more room and light. The new fabric she has in is beautiful. I have already picked out some I want to buy. The new store will open on July 7th. My quilting buddy, Pat, and I will be some demos of Accuquilt GO on Monday, July 11th and later be doing some classees there. Kathy has lots of classes scheduled so be sure to check out the website for the announcements.

This weekend, I am lucky to have my son and his family spend a couple of days with us. My son has to work on the 4th so we are having our picnic today. The sun is out so they are heading to the pool for a little while before we barbeque.

Happy 4th and Happy Quilting

got it to work

2011-06-22T14:28:00.000-04:00

On my earlier post I said that I was having trouble uploading the pic of one of the twin quilt tops I am making....
I got blogger to work!

two fer

2011-06-22T09:55:00.001-04:00

In my last post, I showed fabric that I bought in Lancaster, PA. That fabric was bought for a purpose. I have been trying to find twin quilts to use in our FL villa....but I wasn't having much luck. Before we went to Lancaster, I found a quilt in a local furniture store...but wasn't going to pay $140 apiece for them. Then we went to an outlet store where I found one that was almost identical for $135. But when we looked closely we saw that they were cheaply made (and not in the USA). My husband said, "You could make quilts like that"...love his confidence in me. So we stood at the store and slyly figured out the measurements of the blocks and the fabric styles....7 coordinating fabrics, simple blocks and sashing. So I came home and did some figuring before we went on our trip. We needed a stripe, 3 plain colors, and prints. (The ones in the stores had swirly type prints.) We chose dots. I already had the white from a previous Lancaster trip.

When I got home, it only took me a couple of hours to cut fabric for two quilts on my GO. I used the 5" square and the 3 1/2 inch strip cutter. I haven't spent that much time sewing. Monday I had my quilt bee and spent most of the day with my quilting friends.

Yesterday we went to Serendipity Quilt Shop to buy backing and binding fabrics and batting (I wanted white and of course I have a closet full of Warm and Natural.) I was able to find some yellow fabric that I will combine with fabric I have in my stash to make a pieced backing. Kathy is getting ready to move her shop to her new place so her stock was low and she didn't have the batting. I went on line to Joanne Fabric and what I wanted was on sale and out of stock (Boo hoo and I even had a free shipping coupon!) I'll have to look elsewhere for the batting.

Anyway, even adding in the cost of the batting, I will have made two twin quilts for less that the cost of one cheaply made one. I have tried four times to upload a picture but blogger is giving me trouble or maybe it is my computer....so I will just post and try again later..

Back from the Lancaster PA area

2011-06-17T14:35:00.001-04:00

We arrived home today from our quick trip to the Lancaster Area. While we were there we stayed at the Carriage Corner Bed and Breakfast in Intercourse, PA. The room was lovely and our host, Gordon, was a great cook. We met a couple that lives just a few miles from our place in Florida. They were lots of fun and we exchanged contact information so we can meet up with them next winter. There were two other couples from the Pittsburgh, PA area who were traveling together. They were loads of fun. We enjoyed their jokes and stories. They found out that we were celebrating our 38th anniversary and said they beat us...Both couples were married over 50 years! We also met Doris, who works at Mary's Quilt Shop in Bedford, PA. I've added that shop to my list of those I want to visit. I understand she has quite a display of antique quilts.

We did a few touristy things like the tour of Intercourse Pretzel Factory where we actually got to twist pretzels. We also had to stop by Zimmerman's Grocery Store which is 102 years old. If you remember the movie Witness, there is a scene that showed Harrison Ford in front of this store.

Thursday evening we attended a dinner theater at Rainbow Dinner Theatre. The meal was wonderful and the play was hilarious. We were seated with a couple from near Pittsburgh, PA who made a special trip just to come to the theater (they had been there many times before) and a couple from Lynchburg, VA who also had been to the theater many times. This dinner theater does only comedy and they sure are good at it! The Rainbow Dinner Theatre is is Paradise, PA. Regular followers will remember that we are very interested in small and community theaters.

Now for those of you who have never traveled to the Lancaster area - The names of those towns are real! As is the town of Bird-in-Hand....check them out!

Of course, I had to spend some time fabric shopping. I was able to find exactly what I was seeking two quilts that I have planned. The fabric came from Zooks and the Old Country Store both in Intercourse. A funny thing happened just as we were going to the Old Country Store. I heard my name called and lo and behold, two friends from DE appeared. They had made a special trip to the store to buy fabric....

I also found a great little basket that will be wonderful to use when I hand applique. I also bought another little basket for tea bags but I forgot to put it in this picture. I found a hanger that is just the right size for a small piece that I made. And I found a deer call for my brother who is a hunter (the same one that is getting his retirement quilt next week). The baskets were made by the Amish as was the deer call. Too many stores are tourist traps but the store where I bought the baskets and call carried only things that were American made mostly by the Amish.

I've been to the Lancaster area many more times than Hubby so I had fun showing him around. He actually helped me pick out the fabric that I bought....imagine that....so I decided to treat him. Hubby had never had a whoopie pie so we had to stop by a store in Kitchen Kettle Village that sold them.

Well, now back to putting away the suitcase and doing laundry....can't wait to start with my new fabric!

garden glimpse

2011-06-13T19:38:00.001-04:00

I've been doing some quilting but I am not at liberty to show you the projects right now...so instead I am showing a glimpse of one of my flower gardens. This shot is of the front garden just as the sun is getting ready to go behind the trees across the way. Over the weekend my grandson was with me and he loves watering my garden so I spent a good time outdoors.

Wednesday, I am heading for Lancaster PA. Thursday is our anniversary and 38 years ago, we had our honeymoon in Lancaster. Of course, I plan to visit some quilt shops while we are there.

it's been a while

2011-06-06T08:40:00.001-04:00

It's been a while I know but the weather has been wonderful and I don't get to the computer to blog or check out blogs very often. I love to garden and walk outside. My indoor time has been spent quilting and getting samples ready for demos and classes that are coming up and finishing up some designs that I am not quite at liberty to show right now. I did finish this little wall hanginng. It finishes at 6 1/2 inches. I think if I were to do it again, I might shift elements of the design a little.

I also finished up the quilt for my brother's retirement. He has a mountain cabin so the blocks in the quilt are log cabin and delectible mountain....I will be giving it to him later this month. I don't have a full picture of it but will try to get one later.

Kathy, at Serendipity Quilt Shop, is getting ready to move into her new shop and will soon have online shopping. The new shop will be bigger and better with more classroom space. Be sure to check out her site. My quilting buddy, Pat, and I will be doing some demos there during her grand opening.

Last Friday, I went to the Chantilly VA quilt show on a bus trip with one of my guilds, Delmarvelous....and had a marvelous time.

I'm heading back into my sewing room right now ....have to meet some deadlines.

Happy Quilting

proud mama and EMS week

2011-05-16T08:59:00.002-04:00

Sunday we had a great day in our family as we watched my son's graduation for his Master of Science in Disaster Medicine and Management. He is a flight nurse and volunteers for the local ambulance association and fire company. (My other son drives medical transports as a second job and is a volunteer firefighter and also is certified to fight wildfires so we are awfully proud of him, too.)

This coming week is

Emergency Medical Services Week (May 15th to 21st) so be sure to support those in your community who are there to help when you need them.

Last week I tried to post but for some reason Blogger wasn't working. I wanted to show you the latest little applique project that I finished. It finished at 6.5 inches. There are a couple of things I would have done differently, and I might just make another one.

Well, off to my bee this morning so must run! Happy quilting.

I'll have to admit...

2011-05-07T20:58:00.003-04:00

I have been neglecting blogland lately! During the last few weeks, I have been busy...taking a quilt class, going to guild meetings having fun with my bee friends, making samples for classes I am going to teach, and working on my garden. At our last bee meeting, we spent most of the morning going through 10 tubs of fabric and other assorted craft supplies we were given. We decided to donate some to our guilds and other crafters because we knew we could not use it all. Here we are at the sorting table.

Needleturn aplique is my favorite technique. I just finished this little bluebird that I made in the class I took. It was set up as a beginner class but I figure that I can learn hints from any class I take.

My old bones sure felt the gardening and were mighty sore! The end of April and beginning of May were just wonderful here and so right for planting. Last fall, I was having trouble walking so I didn't get my flower beds cleaned. That meant double work this spring. But it is worth the trouble when the flowers are all in bloom. My "vegetable" garden consists of a tomato plant and cucumbers in a pot on my deck alongside a pot of herbs and a few perennial herbs mixed in with the flowers.

Well, back to my quilt works....I go the quilt I made for my brother's retirement back from the long arm quilter and have to do the binding.

Happy Mother's Day tomorrow to all you mothers and grandmothers!

.

What a fun greeting

2011-04-13T19:44:00.001-04:00

We made it home....and we already miss the warm weather...when we left FL it was in the 90s...got home to the 50s...oh well, such is life. I was greeted though by my tulips and daffodils that were in full bloom...I love spring.

BUT
I had another surprise when I got home.

When I opened the fridg to put away things from the cooler, I found that cans of Pepsi and diet Pepsi we left in the fridg before we left had frozen and exploded.....all over the inside. SO, I had to clean out the entire fridg....just what I wanted to do. It is amazing that nothing else was frozen....Does anyone have a theory about why just the sodas froze? The other items included a bottle of V8 juice, a jar of mayonaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, jelly, beer, wine, and assorted other condiments.

Memoir time.....

I have been thinking about my quilting lately. I have been pretty lucky to have had some recent recognition for my efforts (The McCall's Quick Quilt publication and the Accuquilt Barn Quilt Contest Finalist). I think about my grandmother who was my inspiration. I have one of her quilts hanging on a rack in my living room right now. She died over 30 years ago at the age of 90 but I feel so close to her even now.

Happy quilting

Wonderful news.

2011-04-12T18:45:00.002-04:00

I was feeling a little depressed because my vacation is coming to an end. THEN, I got an email from Accuquilt...my design was chosed as a finalist in the 2nd Annual Barn Quilt Contest. You can view my design (and vote for it, I hope) by visiting http://www.accuquiltcom/. When you get to the page, wait till the banner that says help our celebrities choose....my design is listed under Kathy C....thanks in advance!

UPDATE....THERE ARE TWO KATHY C ENTRIES....THIS ONE IS MINE

some nice shops in FL

2011-04-10T12:08:00.001-04:00

My trip to Florida is quickly coming to an end so I thought I'd share some information about two quilt shops that I visited during my stay. Both are on Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte. I have to say that the people in both shops were extremely friendly. There were actually classes going on at both shops when I visited.

The first picture shows a view of the Charlotte Sewing Center. This shop holds lots of classes and had a nice newsletter to announce the variety of classes. They focus on Viking and Bernina machines but assured me that my Janome was welcome at the classes. The fabric selection wasn't quite what I am used to (remember I visit Lancaster PA and my favorite shop, Serendipity, where I have thousands of bolts from which to choose.). Charlotte Sewing Center did have a great selection of threads which I really appreciated.

The second picture shows a view of Quilts n More. This shop had a little more fabric, especially fabrics that were bright and colorful. What I liked about this shop was the selection of books and patterns. They sell Janome machines so I was able to buy some new needles there.

I had a chance to meet a fellow quilter who, like me, is a snowbird in our villa community. We had a couple of times to chat and show a little of what we are doing in quilting. She likes to piece quilts but doesn't do applique so it was fun to compare our interests. We also found that we called some techniques by different names. She used the term column quilting to what I refer to as quilt on the go. She also didn't use the term English Paper Piecing but when I described it, that was exactly what she was doing! She is from Upstate New York and it wasfun to talk about what is happening in quilting in each of our home areas. We agreed to bring our quilting projects next year!

vacation report

2011-04-05T10:16:00.002-04:00

It's been a while since I posted but this picture shows why. We spent some time at Blind Pass Beach in Englewood, Florida. The weather has been absolutetly beautiful...in the 80s almost every day. I love to people watch at the beach!

Needless to say, I haven't done much quilting! I have collected quite a few shells and shark teeth.

the winner is

2011-03-21T14:26:00.000-04:00

The winner of my giveaway is Happy Cottage Quilter. Her comment was the lucky number picked by the random number generator. I will be sending her an email. Thanks for all who commented. It was fun to hear about all the quilting buddies...both close by and blogger buddies!

Last chance

2011-03-19T19:17:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is the last time you will be able to enter my giveaway announced in my March 8th post. As promised, I am posting a picture of the gifts.
The winner will receive a wallhanging pattern I bought in Florida, a pressing bar I bought at a quilt show, an Amish decoration from one of my favorite places (Lancaster, PA), a spool of 100% cotton thread from Connecting Threads, a 4 1/2 inch square ruler ( because I have 2), and a fat quarter of blue fabric I bought in Florida because it reminded me of the water at the Gulf Coast beaches. Remember to comment on the MARCH 8th post and tell me about your quilting buddies if you have any. If you don't have a special quilting buddy, I am glad you are joining in on the blogging fun.

Also, be sure to visit SewCalGal's blog to learn about the 2011 Golden Quilters' Awards. You can vote for your favorites in several different categories. If you don't have a special Quilt Shop - Physical of your own, it would be nice if you would check out Serendipity Quilt shop in Dagsboro, DE. Kathy, the owner, has developed such a great shop. The shop opened a little over 2 years old and already she has outgrown her shop and is moving to a bigger and better one. People travel for miles just to get to the shop. You can check it out a by clicking http://www.serendipityquiltshop.com/. Nevertheless, be sure to check out the voting site as there are opportunities for prizes you can win!

By the way, what did you do today on NATIONAL QUILTING DAY? I worked on some applique pieces.

Seriously....

2011-03-18T21:35:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I taught the ladies of Seaside Applique Society a technique to make your applique look like trapunto...look how seriously they are working. The ladies all did a fantastic job. I can't wait to see their finished products when we have show and tell the next time!

We had wonderful weather here in DE today and I am having a great weekend. My son and family are here! Next week will be very busy. Monday I am hosting our quilt bee here and Wednesday I am taking a class in applique. Then Wednesday, after my quilting class of course, we are leaving for FL!

Don't forget to check out my March 8th blog...time is running out. Tomorrow I will reveal the giveaway gifts but here is another hint....some of the gifts are brand new, never out of the package!

Top of the mornin' to you

2011-03-17T08:31:00.000-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Hope you have good luck. Be sure to check my March 8th post if you feel lucky.

Off to my guild meeting, Seaside Applique.

opportunity knocks

2011-03-15T16:37:00.001-04:00

Be sure to check out my quilting buddy, Pat's, blog today! Her blog is called A Little of This and a Little of Pat. She has exciting news about a design opportunity. When you go to her blog, you can click on a logo to reach the design opportunity details!

It is a good day for me today...we had our taxes done and we are actually getting money back....it was hard to believe as we usually have to pay in!

And another little hint about my giveaway. One of the gifts was bought in Florida and should help the winner think of summer and the ocean. Be sure to check out my March 8th post.

Well, back to quilting.

more hints

2011-03-13T20:10:00.000-04:00

I spent the weekend with my grandchildren so I didn't get much quilting done...however, I was thinking about you, my followers. So...here are a couple more hints about things in my giveaway (see March 8 post)

something in the packet is one of my favorite colors
something else is a duplicate of something I have

A little hint...

2011-03-09T19:09:00.002-05:00

some of my giveaway gift was bought at a quilt show... (see yesterday's post)

So busy yakking

2011-03-08T19:44:00.002-05:00

My quilting buddy, PAT, came today and we spent hours today talking quilts. We even talked quilts over lunch. We had such fun talking that I forgot to take a picture so I had to find one in my picture files. We talked fabric, patterns, sewing machines, colors, techniques, magazines we like ....the time just went so fast!!!! I get so inspired when we get together.

Pat is quite good with her GO cutter. She can whip out projects so quickly. She also uses her EQ7 to help come up with quilt designs. Me, I love to do hand applique and I am trying to learn free motion quilting. SO, even though we have some different interests, we do well when we get together.

I have decided to have a special little surprise giveaway to celebrate our friendship. While doing my cleaning, I found some things that I hope another quilter will like....I will keep you in suspense for a little while before I reveal what I uncovered in the big clean!

Do any of you have a special quilting partner?

Here's what you need to do: Become a follower or be sure to tell me you are already a follower. Leave a comment on this post that tells 1) you are a follower and 2) tells about another quilter you know personally...even though you don't necessarily quilt together. How does this person influence your quilting? Leave a comment before midnight (EST) Sunday, March 20th. (sorry, but limited to USA addresses). I used green in the instructions because green is a favorite color of Pat's.

Now for some other tidbits

I have been busy the this past week. I finally got rid of a dresser in the room where I do my sewing. It just took up so much space and I really didn't need it for storage thus it just filled with junk. ( I have a walk in closet to store my craft things.) But of course, when the big, heavy thing was moved, I ended up rearranging, cleaning, and dusting. At least now I have my spring cleaning done in one room!

I also spent time with an applique design I am working on. I just love those Collins template marking pencils! They are on my shopping list for my next visit to quilt shops. I did find that some shops don't carry them. I found them on-line but I hate to order them and pay shipping since they aren't that expensive and I would just have to force myself to order other things.

I am also looking for an 8.5 inch square ruler. I have most of the other sizes. I love square rulers when squaring up applique blocks. The 8.5 inch rulers aren't that easy to find either. That surprises me as 8 inch blocks are quite common. I know you don't have to have the square rulers but I have a technique that makes squaring up so easy with them.

Enough for today......don't forget to comment on this post to enter the giveaway.

Happy quilting.

long time comin'

2011-03-02T07:53:00.001-05:00

Last year about this time, my brother was SUPPOSED to announce his retirement and I was busy making him a retirement quilt. He postponed the retirement for another year and the quilt was put in the UFO basket. I was having some trouble with it and I needed a break so it worked out well. NOW he is preparing to really retire and I got the quilt out again. I fixed the problem and am ready to attach the border. I used Delectable Mountain and Log Cabin blocks because the quilt is for his mountain cabin. I also used different duck fabrics because his cabin is called the Duck Inn. I want to get it ready to quilt in the next week or so. He is planning on retiring on June 30th and I hope to see him before then.

ALSO..be sure to check out this great giveaway at Vignette in Stitches

Toys Story

2011-02-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, my grandson came to visit (and of course I got no quilting done). He loves to play with his toys.

And I like to play with my new toys, too. I came into the new world of smart phones with this new Droid. Even the salesperson remarked that I was really making a jump from the basic phone that I have had for years. My old ones didn't even take photos or do texting. I surprised myself by learning how to send and save photos. The picture of my grandson was taken by my Droid and sent to my email so that I could upload and save it to my computer and then upload it to my blog.....The camera does take great pictures but my grandson moved just as I snapped this one. I like being able to check my email and facebook with a quick little swipe. I am able to see my blog but haven't learned how to post or comment on blogs yet so I came back to my trusty computer to do this post.

But I love my quilting tools, too. Here is one that I have had for ages and find so useful for pressing little things as I sew. I don't have to jump up and heft the heavy iron ( or have it sitting hot) to press a little seam. This week I did get a few things accomplished that I am not really at liberty to post about yet.

Do you have a special little tool that you find useful?

Yoyo winner

2011-02-21T16:07:00.000-05:00

BillieBee was the lucky one to get the 100 purple yoyos that I offered. Billie, please email me with your snail mail address and I will get them out to you.

We had our bee this morning. It was so much fun to see what everyone has been working on. Rachael shared a bed runner project she is making. Carole reported on the retreat she attended and Bette showed us some winter stockings she is embroidering...she is always working ahead. We missed two of our members. Joan is in Mexico and Pat is in Florida. Next month we are meeting at my house. The Irish in me is thinking up a little leprechaun treat.....tee hee.

I pulled out this fabric for a project that I am dreaming up...guess I will put it in the to do pile! Now back to work!!

Putting away the snowmen

2011-02-16T09:25:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I cleaned and put away all the decorative snowmen I have sitting around the house. I am certainly ready for spring. On Monday we had 60+ degree weather and I took the opportunity to get outside and do a little cleaning in my flower garden. I hadn't cut down some spent flowers last fall because I was having so much trouble with my feet and hip. I have decided that I am definitely a beach babe. I do not like cold weather!

This week I have been busy with quilty things. Tuesday I went to my quilting buddy Pat's to do some more planning of quilts. I enjoy planning quilts together because it is fun to bounce ideas around and it is amazing how one little crazy idea can transform into a great design. Our friend Kaye gave us an EQIII Track System from Easy Quilter that will be set up at my house. It will be a while before it is set up because I need to make room for it in my sewing area and find a 2'x4' table to use for attaching it. Do any of you use on? I would really like some feedback.

If you are interested in yoyos be sure to check my previous post by this Saturday.

Think spring....and cleaning

2011-02-12T13:39:00.000-05:00

Some great news...we signed the papers. We did everything by FedEx and the place in FL will be officially ours on Monday. We have been searching for a place since last March and now I can officially think of myself as a "snowbird."It is in a small community of villas near the Gulf of Mexico. I learned that in the community there is someone who is a "heavy duty" quilter. Can't wait to meet her when we go back sometime in March.

Did you get your copy of the Feb/March McCall's Quick Quilts? I was very happy about the way they showed the Woolen Whimsy designs that my quilting buddy, Pat, and I designed. If you happen to make something from the pattern, I'd sure like to see it.

original runner

Now thinking about spring. ...I redid a bunny runner that I showed quite a while ago to make it a little smaller. The original was 48 inches long to use on my sofa table. It featured Aunt Grace repo fabric. The ladies at Seaside Applique asked me to do a demo and I decide to work up a smaller version that is only 36 inches long which features springy fabric. I also used a special technique that makes the bunny be puffier.

36 inch runner

As for the cleaning....I looked in my stash closet and found that it is quite full so I decided that I would give away some extra yoyos. A year or so a friend gave me a bunch of yoyos that she and her mother had made. I decided that I liked to make them, too. They inspired me to do a yoyo quilt but I have lots of them left over. So, I will giveaway 100 assorted purple yoyos to anyone who would like to use them in a project. So here is what you need to do. Make a comment on this post by midnight February 19 EST and tell me what you would like to do with the yoyos....will you make a wallhanging, add them to a project you are already doing?....be creative. I will draw a name randomly from all the posts. Make sure that you have an email address where I can contact you. I am anxious to pass on the enthusiasm. For my international friends, I'm sorry to leave you out this time. You don't have to be a follower but it sure would be nice if you were.

My yoyo bedcover before I added the backing

getting back in the groove

2011-02-09T10:03:00.000-05:00

A week ago we were enjoying the warm sunny days of Florida. Now we are back to the 30 degree weather. The first picture shows family members eating at Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda. The second shows a beach in Englewood. The temperature was in the 70s and 80s every day we were there. The time just went too fast!

But I did hear some good news this morning. A "heavy duty" quilter lives in the villa community where we are buying. I spent a long time talking to the community manager by phone this morning and she really filled me in. We can't wait now to go back. The inspection is this afternoon so keep your fingers crossed. As soon as that is done, we will schedule the closing.

While I was in FL I found the tray I was looking for that goes on my Ott light. The Joanne's here in DE didn't have any but the one in Port Charlotte did. The ladies in the store were really nice. There weren't any of the trays left on the shelf but one of the ladies dug around and found one for me. I do like it but I am glad I was able to buy it at 50% off.

I also visited Quilts N More quilt shop in
port Charlotte while we were in FL. I didn't have alot of time to spend there but I did pick up a few fat quarters and a pattern. This shop is only about 3 miles from where we are buying. It is a cute little shop which also sells Janome machines. I got one of their frequent buyer's cards and I am sure I will be visiting them again~

It didn't take me long to get back to my favorite local quilt shop, Serendipity, after I got home. My quilting buddy, Pat, and I made a trip yesterday. I picked up some new fabrics (spent more than I should have) and had a great time talking to the owner, Kathy, about the progress of her new shop building. The new shop is going to be great - more room and more classroom space.

I am working on a smaller version of my Easter Bunny table runner. I hope to get it quilted today so that it will be ready to show soon. This version will be 36" long. The earlier version was much longer as it was made to fit the table in my entryway.

Happy Quilting

I'm baaaack!

2011-02-05T12:25:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist this postcard by Senic Florida Distributors..... We did find a place and now are just waiting for the closing. Hopefully, there won't be any glitches with the inspection this time and all will go through OK.

I had a great time in North Port and Punta Gorda. I will post some pics soon. I didn't have great computer access there and had no way to upload pics to my computer from my camera.

We got home last night. Now the laundry is going and I am trying to get things organized here. I hope to post more soon and get caught up on all the bloggers I follow.

Happy Quilting

Not counting my chickens

2011-01-30T10:25:00.000-05:00

I'm not missing the snow in DE but I do miss regularly having internet access so my postings and reading other blogs have been sporatic. I did have a chance to visit a Joanne's here in FL and I found exactly what I was looking for. We also had our offer accepted on a villa we were looking to buy. Now we have to wait for all the inspections, etc. I am not counting my chickens as we were at this stage before on another place and then we had to back out of the deal because of some issues that popped up...so I will be holding my breath for a little while longer.

Until later.....happy quilting

charity

2011-01-20T16:19:00.000-05:00

I'm busy getting ready for our vacation to FL but did take time out to go to my Seaside Applique guild today. Each January, the meeting focuses on doing charity projects. This year, we made fleece shawls to be donated to a dialysis unit. We mad 20 shawls today. We had an assembly line type of operation with cutters, sewers, and "fringers." Often times, dialysis patients get cold during their treatmets. These shawls will be given to patients who do not bring blankets or covers with them. This donation had a special meeting for me as about 30 years ago, my mother died of kidney disease had many dialysis sessions her last couple of years. It is amazing how the treatments have improved over the years but those who must have dialysis still have quite a struggle. These pictures show members of the guild.

loco about motion

2011-01-18T11:28:00.000-05:00

I don't have a picture to show you but just wanted to say that I have become crazy about free motion quilting. I have been practicing a bunch and just have to get busy with a project to quilt! Hmm. Maybe it is time to get out some of those UFOs I have stashed...or maybe start one of the ideas I have floating around in my head. FMQ is so much easier now that I have the new bobbin case and I have become relaxed about it.
I do need to spend time packing this week for my big Florida trip so I really can't start something new so I guess I will just go and practice some more!

no more eyelashes

2011-01-16T08:46:00.001-05:00

Some call them eyelashes, others call them feathers or ladders...they are the nasty things on the back of free motion quilting that have plagued me and kept me from doing a lot of free motion.

Finally, I think I have them licked. I tried just about everything but then I got on the Janome forum site and saw posts about a special bobbin case. I had heard before about adjusting the tension on the bobbin case but I didn't want to mess with that. This special bobbin case comes pre-adjusted and with a special free motion foot, it does make the back come out just right. It took a little practice and adjusting the top tension but I finally got the hang of it. This picture just shows the top of a practice piece but I am so thrilled. There wasn't any use of showing the back as the fabric was printed and the stitches don't really show.

Now I am going to order some of the clamps that keep your quilt from unrolling while you are quilting on your machine. I found them in a Nancy's Notions catalog. After I play with them, I will let you know how that turns out.

I will do it...

2011-01-11T08:45:00.000-05:00

I am between projects so I WILL clean my sewing room! I WILL clean my sewing room? I WILL clean my sewing room! If I say it enough, maybe I will do it.

Don't forget to check out the Feb/Mar issue of McCall's Quick Quilts!

will be missed..

2011-01-08T20:09:00.002-05:00

It was just a couple of weeks ago that I posted a picture of my bee at Christmastime. We were all smiling and had such a good time. I feel so badly now that yesterday, Jeanne passed away. She was a wonderful artist, not only with quilting but also painting. She was one of the first people who greeted me and made me welcome when I joined the quilt guild here in Rehoboth. I will miss her

A Beachy new year

2011-01-01T13:06:00.000-05:00

Today it was a beautiful 57 degrees at the beach...such a blessing after the cold spell we just had. The beach was rather crowded and we even saw some people going into the water! Not me though.

I am not a football fan (even though my alma mater Penn State is playing in a bowl game in Florida where we planned to be today) so I guess I will go in and do a little quilting.

Happy New Year!

WHEW

2010-12-30T11:33:00.000-05:00

It has been a whirlwind the last week or so...but I suppose that is true for many readers. After tomorrow night, I will be taking down all the decorations and trying to stay away from junk food! LOL...I say that every New Years.

I did have the chance to finish up a scrappy quilt that I have been working on. On the chair, you will see the back of the Scrappy Sunbonnet Sue I posted about months ago. I chose to use blue scraps because the border and the sashing sqaures were blue. I did use some of the same fabric on the back to give the quilt some cohesion. It is quilted with a machine decorative stitch in the ditch of the front sashing which gives it a pattern on the back. The back is embellished with small buttons from the TUB of old buttons that I have. It was fun to put the back together like a jigsaw puzzle. It finished at 62" sqaure.

Santa brought me the 2 1/2 inch strip cutter for my GO so I have been playing with that too. I actually used it to cut the binding for this quilt.

There are certainly things I would do differently on this quilt but it was an experimental quilt. I experimented with different applique techniques on the front. This was also the first time I attempted to machine quilt a larger quilt. Before I had only done some table runners and baby quilts. The challenges I identified for myself included the difficulty in handling the bulkiness. I did roll the quilt and start in the middle. Rolling the quilt worked well as there is plenty of room on the machine but the roll kept unrolling. I also will have to move my machine away from the wall as the roll kept bunching when it hit the wall. I had plenty of room on the left as my machine table is large. I will probably have to put some kind of a table between the wall and the machine to catch the quilt roll. If I do decide to use a decorative stitch again I may choose a different one. This one seemed to pucker the fabric a little on the back. It is really not that noticable but I am really picky. I laughed when the quilting was done because I am so anal when it comes to matching seams....the stitching hid the corners so you really couldn't see them....

I am determined to use up many of the scraps that I have accumulated over the years. I still have to figure out what I will do with the large scrappy star quilt.

As for my new year, I am going to finish UFOS and use lots of the fabric that I have....until I go to the Lancaster PA area again....which will be sometime this spring. My son and daughter-in-law gave us a gift certificate for a B&B there which is within walking distance of some of my favorite fabric shops in Intercourse, PA.

Well, off to bake some banana bread for dinner with company tomorrow night....Have a great New Year, y'all.

orphan Christmas runner

2010-12-22T18:31:00.000-05:00

I looked at the pile I have stacked in my UFO basket and decided I really should do something with them now that the year is coming to an end. I found these two blocks that I made in a class taught by Biker Dude quite a while ago. I knew I wasn't going to make the whole quilt but took the class anyway. So I just put them together to make a Christmasy runner. You can't see the quilting very well but I made three rows of decorative stitches in the center white spots. The links are quilted in the ditch. It is all quilted with gold colored thread. It does make a nice piece when I put a candle in the middle where the colors meet. It ended up being about 24x12. Didn't take very long and I feel like I accomplished something.

bee-utiful ladies

2010-12-20T18:03:00.000-05:00

Today the Seaside Quilters bee had our Christmas luncheon...Here are the ladies I quilt with each month. Left to right, Carole...the organizer (she keeps us organized and does our calendar), Bette...the chuckler (she has such a great laugh and was our hostess today), Rachael...the story teller (she always has so many funny stories to tell), Pat...the tipster (she gives us so many quilting tips)...and sitting, Jeanne...the artist (not only is she a great quilter, she excels in painting, doll-making, and just about any craft you can think of). I was so blessed when they invited me to join their bee. It has been a continuous group for about 12 years. Pat and I are the only newbies..the other ladies are original members.

friendship rocks

2010-12-19T09:42:00.000-05:00

A while ago, bee-friend Jeanne's daughter came to visit at one of our bees. While she was here, she showed us some of the crafts that she has been doing. Among the crafts were some rocks she had decorated to make cute little garden ornaments. Later, I bemoaned the fact that here in DE one cannot go outside and pick up rocks easily as our soil here near the beach is quilte sandy and I wanted to make some of those decorations for my garden. When I lived in NE PA I thought all my gardens were rock gardens as I couldn't dig without finding rocks. I told my dear friend who lives in central PA that I was discouraged and certainly wouldn't go and BUY rocks. This week, I received a box of Christmas presents from her and she sent me rocks from her yard! She doesn't quilt but knows me well so she also included Mimi Deitrich's A Quiter's Diary book. I always open her presents while talking to her on the phone so we had some wonderful laughs this week. She said she and her husband have been giggling for weeks just waiting for me to open my presents. Yes, our friendship rocks!

o-o-o-oliso

2010-12-14T13:30:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, we had our family Christmas gathering. We had it early as my sons have jobs that often have them working on holidays...one is a medi-vac nurse (and people do get sick on holidays) and the other is an environmental officer (and toxic things often get spilled). This picture was taken after we had a delicious meal and opened our presents and were ready to go our separate ways.

A while ago, I blogged about winning an Oliso iron from Accuquilt. Here it is....It is fun to use. It lifts up when you are finished all by itself so that you don't burn or scorch anything. Another thing I like about it is that the cord is very long.

Some other good news...my machine is ready to get picked up. Evidently it wasn't anything serious. After they took it apart and cleaned it, it worked fine. It seems that something was clogging it up and making a thumping sound. I really missed my machine. I wandered around the house. I am so used to going in to sew whenever I have a few minutes.
Our train tickets came for our trip to Florida in January! We went by train last year and had a great experience. While we are there, we are going to continue our search for a vacation home.

boo hoo

2010-12-09T08:01:00.001-05:00

the house in FL fell through. Some issues turned up with an inspection and since we couldn't make a deal with the sellers (and we had an "out" in the contract) we walked away....oh well, we'll keep looking.

My sewing machine had to go to be repaired right in the middle of my Christmas sewing...but it should be back in a week so I still may be able to finish on time. This is a simple wallhanging I made a couple of years ago.

You'll have to forgive me...

2010-12-06T18:30:00.000-05:00

....if I don't comment or post much during the next couple of weeks. So much has been going on. Probably like the rest of you, I am up to my elbows in holiday preparations. This coming weekend will be our "family" Christmas celebration. Since both of my sons have professions that often call for them to work on holidays, this seems to be the only weekend when we are all available. On top of that, we found out that we can close on the house in Florida that we put a bid on four months ago. The closing date is December 23. Scurry, scurry, hurry, hurry! Thank goodness we have a good agent and don't need to be present to close.

Brrrr...it's cold outside....weather report said we are about 10-15 degrees below normal...I want to be warm.

Gift on the GO and another good thing!

2010-12-05T05:00:00.001-05:00

Did you ever need a quick hostess gift? Here is a gift I made up for a non-quilting friend this holiday season. It is a basket of 12 sets of seasonal coasters -a different set of four for each month of the year. They were so easy to make with my GO cutter and the value die. Cut 4 1/2 inch squares of fabric and batting. Put 2 squares of fabric right sides together and add a square of batting. (My coasters are different fabrics on the front and back but you could make them the same.) Sew around the edges with a 1/4 inch seam leaving a small opening to turn the coaster right side out.Before turning, clip the corners. I used a bodkin to get my corners squared out. Press. I don't like to slip stitch the opening closed so I used Fabric Tac, a permanent fabric glue. Just be careful to keep the gluing neat so it doesn't get on the coaster. Be sure the glue dries thoroughly. Then topstitch all around. This was a great way to use up scraps of fabric and batting - and it didn't take long at all! If you want, you could use the decorative stitches or embroidery on your machine to make the coasters a little fancier. I spray my coasters with Scotch Guard to make them stain resistant.

Now for the big announcement....several months ago my quilting buddy, Pat, and I submitted some designs to McCall's Quick Quilts magazine. Two of our designs will appear in the Feb/March 2011 issue which will be on the newstands and sent to subscribers in December. Be sure to check them out. The article is called Woolen Whimsies. Here is a little picture of one of the designs.

Well, back to the machine - still making Christmas gifts!

Tisn't the season....

2010-11-27T17:58:00.001-05:00

for bunnies. But that is what I worked on this past week. Actually, I took time to finish up some things in my UFO basket. I worked on a spring table runner that I started very early this year. It is an original design with hand appliqued bunnies and carrots. I embroidered the carrot tops and eyes. The runner is 10x48. The center squares are done with Aunt Grace repro fabrics. I had it all done but the backing and quilting. Hey, I guess I am just early for Spring 2011.

Then I worked on this 18x24 wall hanging. The bird was designed by a quilting friend and I designed the setting. It is hand appliqued. On both pieces I tried my hand at meandering machine quilting. I am still a novice at machine quilting but I am determined to learn! The piece was done except the backing and quilting, too. I have a bad habit of doing that. I just get excited about new projects and put the tops in my UFO basket "for later."

I also finished the scrappy top that I made with my GO cutter. The quilt will finish at about 92x104. I wanted it big enough to cover a queen sized bed with a good sized drop. You can't really see in the picture, but there are three brown stripes that frame the center. I am not sure how I will have it quilted. It will go in the FTs pile.

Speaking of my GO cutter. I follow Accuquilt on facebook and they have the greatest Fun Friday contests. I was notified that I won November 12th and won an Oliso Smart Iron Pro. I was a little late finding out that I won because I was having some trouble getting to my messages and didn't have much time this week to work on the computer. I saw the irons at a quilt show and thought they were so great.

In between quiliting, I spent some wonderful time with family. We had dinner and lunch early in the week with my cousin and his wife who came to the beach from Texas. Our grandson spent two days with us and then we went to my son's for a great Thanksgiving dinner.

I didn't go shopping as I steer clear of stores on Black Friday and the stores and outlets here at the beach this weekend were crowded.

Oh, an update on my Physical Therapy. I go three times a week for about 2 hours. It seems to be working.

So that's a quick update of the week....hope yours went well.

Bag it

2010-11-19T18:49:00.002-05:00

This week I have been busy working on the sashing of my scrappy quilt. I was having a lot of problems with my seams matching...and I obsess about this. Finally today, I figured out what the problem was. I used one of those ruler/cutters that has slots in it to cut strips. But unfortunately, my cuts were still not accurate. Some of them were the 2 1/2 inches that they were supposed to be; others were actually about 1/8 inch bigger. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps when cutting, my rotary cutter leaned in the slot or the slot spread while I was cutting. Now that I figured out what was wrong, I am able to make adjustments in the quilt. Some seams still are not the greatest but at least the quilt is beginning to look better. Oh, I can't wait for Santa to bring me that GO strip cutter.

(Oh, please disregard the spray bottle and stained ironing board in the following picture. Just look at the bag!)

At the October meeting for my applique guild, one of the members, Marion, showed us a purse she had made and mentioned how simple it was. It was her own pattern. She agreed to show us after this month's meeting so a bunch of us stayed after the meeting and made purses. I had this fabric in my stash and decided to use it up as a trial. Now, I think I will make more since the purse was simple. Her samples had beaded trim but this fabric did not go with any of the trim that she brought to share. So I was just going to leave the trim off. But one other member had this trim that went so well with the fabric. Thanks, Joan. It was fun to see everyone's fabric and how the purses turned out.

Three more days of PT this week. It does seem to be helping some. The people at PT are so fun to be with, I almost think I will miss them when this is over...but that will be a while yet.

Lights, Camera.....

2010-11-14T18:15:00.000-05:00

Action. Finally, my camera works! Apparently the battery was old and wasn't making good contact. A new battery and fiddling around with the camera seemed to do the trick.

As promised I am going to upload pictures from my Lancaster quilting retreat. Remember though, my camera pooped out on the trip so I really don't have pictures taken there except this one that came out OK. It was taken outside Zook's fabric shop.

I have been busy. This past week I had physical therapy three times for my feet. Each session lasted about 1hr and 45 minutes. It does seem to be helping some.

I washed and ironed all the fabric that I bought. I always do this before it is put into my closet. There are about 23 yards here not counting the fat quarters. Mostly I buy one yard pieces but some of the fabric spoke to me and I bought 2 yards.

Then I finished the pillow top that I started on the retreat. It made a 16" pillow top. The pieces are made with a GO cutter. The quilting is a decorative stitch on my machine. We were challenged to buy 2 fat quarters and make something from them with the GO. For some reason, pillow tops were popular with everyone this time.

I appliqued my part for a guild raffle quilt. I had to do four of these sections.I needed to have them done by next Thursday so I am ahead on this project! Another person is going to add more to the pieces and then the appliqued parts will be put together with pieced blocks to make a queen sized quilt.

I worked on my scrappy star quilt and got two more rows sewed together. Just three more rows to go. There are no pictures of this. AND, I cleaned in my sewing room.

In between, I worked on my family genealogy. One of my cousins contacted me about a question that I could answer in just a few minutes. So of course I spent hours leafing through notebooks just because I opened them.

Tomorrow is my bee and more PT. I know I am behind on reading and commenting on the blogs I follow but I am trying to catch up.

Have a good week.

Bummer

2010-11-10T08:21:00.000-05:00

After several days at home, I still cannot get my camera to work so the pictures I took in Lancaster PA are still sitting in it waiting to be uploaded. I so wanted to show you my bargains and some great scenes of the area. The best I can do right now is send you the the blog of my quilting partner who was with me on the trip.
So please visit Pat by clicking here.
To give a little recap of our trip, we spent Tuesday and Wednesday shopping. They were beautiful, sunny days. Thursday it rained and we spent most of the day sewing. We each bought two fat quarters for a challenge project while shopping. Our challenge was to use just the two fat quarters and the GO cutter to make a table topper or pillow top. It was great to see what each of us created. If I can get the camera working, I will show you mine.

Well, off to Physical Therapy for my foot and then back to sewing this afternoon.

day 2 in Amish Country

2010-11-03T15:32:00.000-04:00

Another beautiful fall day spent shopping. I outdid yesterday in the fabric shopping ---- 15 yards today. We went to Zook's and The Old Country Store. I got some fabulous deals on great fabrics. Coming to Lancaster to buy fabric is certainly worth the trip. We hit a few other stores too where I bought little some little quilt hangers and such but the highlight was going to an actual working farm where I bought some homemade rootbeer and handmade soaps. We saw a sign at the side of the road advertising the rootbeer and decided to stop. We were sure glad we did!
Each evening we have a Show and Tell where each of us shows our bargains of the day...can't wait to see what everyone bought....we oooh and ahhhh.....
Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy but luckily we planned it for a full day of sewing.
No pictures to post today but I will have some after I return to Delaware. Be sure to check Pat's blog where she is sharing about our trip too.

Hello from Amish Country

2010-11-02T18:56:00.000-04:00

We are sitting and relaxing after our first full day in Lancaster PA. We did a lot of shopping. We went to a shop I had never visited before called the Hayloft and then we went to Burkholders. Be sure to check out their links. We also visited several other little shops. I bought a total of 13 yards of fabric. Tomorrow, we are off to Zook's!
Sorry no pictures but I promise to upload some when I get home.

how sweet it is

2010-10-31T09:27:00.000-04:00

After a great evening with friends, campfire and conversation, I am packing for a week of quilting in Lancaster PA with my quilting buddies....can't get better than this. I am sure I will have some pictures to upload from that trip...must get packing

Wanted to post a picture.This is just a little quilt that I made a while ago and donated to an auction.

my left foot...

2010-10-26T09:52:00.000-04:00

and the right too....have been having foot problems lately which has cramped my style but a trip to the podiatrist is scheduled for this afternoon,

It has been busy lately though and I haven't even had much time to post or even visit blog friends. In the last week I hosted my quilt beeand went to a guild meeting. In between times I have been working on my scrappy quilt. I so enjoy the ladies in my bee. Hubby says that we are quite noisy and only stop talking and laughing when we are eating. We start with a little coffee/tea treat, sew a little, eat lunch, sew a little more, snack, and sew a little more!

Thursday my Seaside Applique guild went to lunch and had a tour of Lavender Fields. If you ever visit southern Delaware it is a place you might like to put on your tour. There are gardens you can tour and of course all kinds of lavender related products including relaxing soaps and culinary lavender. Be sure to click on the link. Thinking about purples and lavender, I was reminded that I was really into purple for a while. At the right is a picture of a yoyo quilt that I put together. I have some backing for it but just haven't gotten around to doing the finishing. Perhaps that will be a winter project. My problem is that I get new ideas and want to begin them and sometimes let other projects fall by the wayside.

wonderful week and a winner

2010-10-16T10:18:00.001-04:00

How can one top the miracle of the Chilean Rescue this week? The weather here was nice and I had a phone call from a dear friend....

The wonderful gifts I received this week

But on the quilting side of things I was so happy to receive packages from two previous giveaways that I had won.

The first was an assortment of Halloween fabrics cut with a GO cutter die that I do not have from Darlene at SewCalGal. She even included three lovely notecards in the package!Her site is wonderful and I was so happy to be a winner in her giveaway.
The second was several beautiful crocheted items from Jeannie at Jeannie's Place. This was exciting because it was her very first giveaway.

Then this morning, I was notified by Linda at Living4Quilting that I won her Fall into Fall giveaway. What a great way to start a new week.

I do have 82 of the 90 blocks I need for my star quilt done. I was reminded something about myself. I do not like to make so many of the same blocks.At least the fabrics are all different and that provides variety.

In the beginning, my blocks look great but as I go along, I get complacent and I am not so careful about my 1/4 inch seams....thank goodness the GO cutter makes the pieces accurate! But I just remind myself to slow down and take care then the blocks turn out fine.

I have really enjoyed the giveaway. I have met so many new bloggers and have enjoyed the inspiration that I got from reading their blogs. I was so busy that I didn't have much time to comment or even post this week during my "computer time" but I did find so many blogs that I am going to follow!

Now for the great announcement about the winner of my Fall into Fall giveaway. I used a random number generator and the winner is Tonya. Be sure to check out her blog and her Project Linus blog.

I think I will plan a new giveaway....watch for upcoming details

Special Update: I just heard from Cathy at Pine Freckled Blog that I won her giveaway too...a selection of fat quarters....this has been a great day indeed!

really hoppin'

2010-10-09T15:34:00.001-04:00

The FALL INTO FALL giveaway is really hopping...There have been lots of visitors to my site and I am trying to keep up with answering the comments...and trying to continue commenting on the blogs I follow. It has been a busy week and I am enjoying meeting new blogging friends.I haven't even had time to post. There is still time to enter if you haven't already...be sure to click on the scarecrow for more information!

It is a beautiful fall day and I spent a little time cleaning up the flower garden this afternoon. There are still a few marigolds blooming and the mums are just bursting with flowers. Foliage looks good on the flowers that are done blooming but I have decided that next year I must plant more things that will bloom into the fall.

I am also working on the stars I am making from the pieces I cut on my GO cutter. I had a little delay as I did a job on the bobbin case on my machine and had to wait until I could go to the sewing center to get a new case. Also, I am a slow piecer and, as my quilting friends will attest, a perfectionist. I can't stand to have points cut off or seams that don't meet. These stars are all made from my scraps and I am about half way done. I will add some sashing and should have a queen sized quilt when I am finished....these are 8 inch blocks when finished. The blocks will not be in the order they are on the design wall but I am putting them there to keep track of what I have done. It has been fun thinking back on quilts I have made as I go through the scraps.

Well, off to dinner and the theater with hubby tonight.

Service with a smile

2010-10-05T20:29:00.000-04:00

I know I have been talking about my GO cutter a lot lately, but I do have to share just one more thing....I had a little problem with the value die that came with it...nothing drastic. I emailed Accuquilt and got a very prompt and nice response...to make my story short, they are replacing the die for me...no hassle, no problems....It is so nice to deal with a company that 1 - gets back to you promptly 2- doesn't give you the run around 3- understands what good service is!

Now for the quilt in the picture. I have to admit I made it about 3 years ago. I don't like to post without a picture and I don't have any good ones of my current projects. This was made for the "kids" room and my grand daughter uses it when she comes to visit. It is a very simple friendship star block with center blocks fussy cut to show the mermaids in the fabric (we live near the beach). Then to spice it up, I scattered appliqued hearts randomly on the quilt.

Don't forget the Fall into Fall Giveaway...click on the scarecrow on my sidebar.

Fun times

2010-10-03T21:46:00.000-04:00

Since I got my GO cutter on Thursday, I have been busy making blocks....One of my favorite blocks is a star block...and I found these to be quick and easy to make with the die that comes with the GO. They end up being 8 inch blocks...I made these and have about twice as many cut out and ready to sew. I went through some of my scrap tubs and just cut away. It won't take me long to have enough blocks for a queen sized quilt. I will probably add sashing that will not be cut with the GO but that won't take long to cut.

I did more than just sew over the last couple of days. Earlier today we went to Coast Day sponsored by the U of DE. We went early, thankfully, before it started to rain. I pity those who were there later in the day. At least most of the displays were under big tents.

Last night we went to a dinner theater to see "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" presented by Second Street Players in Milford, DE. This is the community theater to which the Snowman wall hanging is being donated for a raffle (see an earlier post).

I have also been having fun "meeting" new blogging friends through the FALL INTO FALL GIVEAWAY. It has been a challenge to keep up with all the comments and new blogs that I have been visiting. If I haven't commented on your blog be assured that I have at least looked at your posts. My computer has been rebelling a little.

Until next time.....

Are you ready to hop?

2010-10-01T19:21:00.000-04:00

Today begins the Fall into Fall blog hop. Be sure to click the scarecrow on my sidebar to see all the bloggers who are having giveaways.

I feel that I have been really hopping this week...and by now I am exhausted but I have had so much fun. On Wednesday, I left the house at 6:15 a.m. and returned at 10:15 p.m. It was our guild shop hop in Lancaster, PA. I bought 22+ yards of fabric, a pattern, and some small notions and still spent under $100 (not counting dinner!). There are so many great shops there that have quality fabric at wonderful prices...some even gave us a special discount because we came by bus!

Thursday hubby and I took a little time in the afternoon to go to the casino. I'm not a big gambler but it is fun to play the penny slots. When I got home I saw that my GO cutter came...I was so tired but not too tired to play with it.

Today seven of us got together and played with a GO cutter and had a delicious lunch at our friend Joan's house.

Then I came home and played with my GO again. Maybe tomorrow I will post some pictures.

My giveaway is simple. You can win a selection of six fall fat quarters (sorry about the thread in the picture-just noticed it),a surprise pattern, and some other little goodies. All you need to do is become a follower and comment on at least one other of my posts between now and October 15th to have your name in the drawing. I will draw at 5 p.m. EST on the 15th and notify the winner on Saturday.

Be sure to visit the other bloggers in the Giveaway.

new addition

2010-09-28T11:18:00.000-04:00

I hoped to win one but decided not to depend on Lady Luck so I ordered a GO cutter yesterday.. My good quilting partner, PAT, has generously shared hers with me but now it is time to get my own. It should arrive sometime this week...I can't wait...already dreaming up what I will cut and sew.

Today I went out to the quilt shop to pick up my backup sewing machine which was being cleaned. I resisted temptation and DID NOT buy any fabric. Tomorrow I am going on a shop hop in Lancaster PA with one of my guilds so I needed to save my cash.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2010-09-27T10:30:00.000-04:00

well, outside it is beginning to look like fall but my quilting design board looks like Christmas. I just finished this little man...(21x28)...and all from my stash except the little black beads for his eyes. I couldn't believe that there were no black beads the right size in the boxes of beads I have in the closet. He is going to be offered to the community theater for a raffle so I won't have him too long....

Don't forget to click on the scarecrow on my sidebar to get information about the blog hops and giveaways starting Oct. 1.

remembering

2010-09-24T15:57:00.000-04:00

Today I have been thinking about a dear friend who lives far away. Before I moved, she and I spent time together almost every day. We often had tea after work. I made this quilt for her when she retired. It features butterfly fabric...butterflies symbolize freedom and rebirth....I often wish that we could just pop over to each other's houses like we used to do....but now we are too many miles apart.
She planned to visit us here at the beach this fall but her back has not healed well from her surgery...maybe we can get together soon.

I know it's fall but....

2010-09-23T08:40:00.000-04:00

I have started on some winter projects.

I realized that it has been a while since I actually posted anything that I was quilting! This is a wallhanging that is almost done...but still has all the basting and markings. I hope to finish it this week and then add embellishments and binding. It is an original design. I was frustrated because the white marking pencil kept rubbing off the border. I know you are supposed to do all your markings before adding the batting and starting to quilt, but I ended up spending extra time trying to remark the borders. Do you have a good white marker that doesn't tend to wear off as you quilt? The same brand red and blue markers are ok ...it's just the white.

Yesterday, at Serendipity Quilt Shop, I saw such beautiful fabric but I controlled myself and only bought 12 fat quarters and a yard of flannel for myself. Next week I am going on a guild shop hop in Lancaster, PA so I wanted to save my stash cash. (I needed the flannel to use a batting for a couple of table runner UFOs that are calling to me wanting to be finished and the fat quarters were on a great sale and I really have plans for them.) I actually went to drop of my backup sewing machine for cleaning. My quilting buddy, Pat, went along.

Later today, I am going to a guild meeting and hope to get inspired by all the creative energy that will fill the room. I find that going to bees and guilds motivates me.

Don't forget to check out the scarecrow on my blog and see what is coming shortly.

trick or treat

2010-09-22T12:27:00.000-04:00

How would you like to have lots of treats in October??? On October 1st bloggers who are participating in the Fall into Fall bloggers giveaway will be posting their prizes...don't you want to see? Be sure to check my blog on October 1st to see what I am giving away. I went to my favorite quilt shop this morning to find some more goodies for the treat. All you need to do is be a follower and comment on at least two posts between October 1 and 15. The drawing will be at 5 p.m. EST on the 15th...

Be sure to click on the scarecrow on my blog to find a list of the other bloggers who are participating.

oh my aching feet

2010-09-17T12:48:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, I spent the day (up at 4 a.m. and home at 9 p.m.) taking a bus trip to a quilt show near Philadelphia, PA. It was a great day with some great gals, but I am really tired today! I'm showing a picture of my finds there. Unfortunately, I cut off the title of the children's book, The Quilt Story, which Pokey recommended in one of her comments on my blog. She said she loves to read it to the children in her classroom. I also found some lovely fabric and the YLI silk thread I like to use for applique....picked up a pattern and some needles too.

If I haven't been commenting much on other blogs this week, the quilt show was one reason...another was that I was scrambling to meet some deadlines and just didn't take time to comment although I tried to read some blogs.... I will try to catch up over the weekend...Grandson is coming for the weekend but I should have some "me" time...Enjoy your weekend.

TA DA...A Winner!!

2010-09-13T19:35:00.000-04:00

#200

First, let me thank all of you who have commented on my blog! I have enjoyed your comments and learned so much about my fellow quilting bloggers....we have some of the same concerns about quilting and quilters are so willing to share ideas and techniques. I have also had the chance to follow new blogs and have enjoyed learning about you.

The winner is someone I have learned to love just by her posts! Her posts are thoughtful and humorous...she has set some great goals for herself and is embarking on a new career after raising her three children...she finished grad school and now has a special education classroom....just starting this fall....isn't that great!!!
As a retired educator, I really wish her well....

So without any more words, I'd like to announce that

Shelia C whose blog is My Empty Nest is Full of Cat Hair is my giveaway winner....Shelia - Please email me with your preferences for color and/or theme of fabric you would like me to buy for you at the Quilt Show! If you haven't visited her blog, be sure to stop by!

So after all that, I should talk a little about my quilting day....first, I went to my guild to see Gylene Fitzgerald. If you haven't seen Gylene, be sure to check out her website. She is entertaining and works wonders with color. She exemplifies the idea that you should enjoy your quilting and not be afraid to just sew!

Then I came home to find that my hubby had hooked up a new Hi Def TV in my sewing room....my old tv was really bad and it had an annoying hum/hiss that interfered with the sound.....and I do love to listen to Turner Classic Movies while I am sewing....wasn't he a dear!!

So, here I sit, computer on my lap, tv going in the background...and planning what to do next on my quilting~

Happy quilting.

in the dark

2010-09-11T18:23:00.000-04:00

#199

I just did an inventory of my stash...here is a picture of one of the shelves. I noticed that I seem to have an awful lot of dark fabrics,,,and more than enough browns! I have an abundance of florals. During the next couple of weeks, I am going to a quilt show near Philadelphia and on a guild shop hop...so now I know what to look for. I definitely need some light prints, yellows, and greens.

In my next post, I will be announcing the winner of my 200th post giveaway. Those of you who have been following and commenting should be thinking about your stash. The winner will tell me what color and /or theme of fabric he/she needs and wants and I will buy some at the show.

Well, back to work using up more of my stash to make more room on the shelves!

AQS winner

2010-09-09T19:37:00.001-04:00

#198

No....I did not win the grand prize of a dream studio and trip to the big AQS show....But I was notified that I did win something...and it looks to be a nice gift. When I think of the number of people who must have entered that drawing, I consider myself very lucky! And remember my recent post about how I love to read quilting books!!!!!

Third Prize

One hundred (100) Third-Prize Winners will each receive one (1) copy of “Sunflower: New Quilts from an Old Favorite” edited by Linda Baxter Lasco, published by the American Quilter’s Society.

It does look like a great book...can't wait till it comes. The American Quilters' Society is a great site and they always have such good information. My membership sure pays for itself with the discounts and other information I get. Now this is just icing on the cake.

In addition getting a new book, my day was great. I had a lovely time with my quilting partner, Pat, at her house. Then I came home and did a little hand applique....my relaxing activity.

it's official

2010-09-08T16:55:00.001-04:00

#197

It's official ...beach tourist season is over, kids are back in school, and it is time to hang my fall quilt. But that means getting out the stepstool and having hubby help me....he is resting on the couch now so I suppose I will wait until this evening... This is a close up of one of the blocks.
Instead, I will go in and clean up my quilting space....it really needs to be cleaned!!!

The next production at Second Street Players (our community theater) is Cat on a Hot Tin Roof....Bill and I are taking a break for this performance but we are going to attend and usher. It will be the first and second weekends in October. The cast is great..... Just to get you in the theater mood, here is a little wall hanging I made for hubby last Christmas.

OK...putting the books back

2010-09-06T08:51:00.001-04:00

#196

I am certainly going to put books back on the shelf and do more quilting today but I had to finish up by sharing some of the older books that I have.

The one on the left was my aunt's. It was published in 1935. It has a price written in it...$2.98

The one on the right was my grandmother's. It was published in 1949. The price on the cover is $2.00.

The center one was published in 1956 and was free from Mountain Mist.

I have bunches of quilt magazines and patterns from the 1930s also.

It is fun to look at the old patterns and directions to get inspiration.

Thinking of inspiration...What inspired your last quilt?

Note to followers....four more to go!! See August 11th post.

wormy

2010-09-05T18:38:00.000-04:00

#195

Yesterday I blogged about children's books about quilting and I was happy to hear from fellow quilters about their favorites. I think I might have to go book shopping!

Today I am going to share information about books I have for me....as you can see, I have quite a few of them. These shelves hold some but others are scattered around the house, anywhere I might like to sit and read.

I enjoy quilting and the history of quilting thus I am showing two of my books that are full of information.

This next one is one I like to go through when I am trying to figure out what blocks I would like to make in a new quilt.

Of course, I have scads of pattern books. My latest is the new Eleanor Burns book about barn quilts. It is more than a pattern book. It also tells the stories of barn quilts found around the country.

What is your favorite quilt book?

bookworm

2010-09-04T11:32:00.000-04:00

#194

I've always been a bookworm and I just love children's books. These are a few of the books I have collected over the years "for the grandchildren." Just kidding, I would have bought them anyway. I do like to cuddle up with children to read them though. It's hard to say which ones are my favorites because they each say something important. For instance, in Rueben and the Quilt, the idea of a quilt sandwich is put into children's terms. Stitchin' and Pullin' was inspired by the quilters of Gee's Bend. The Quiltmaker's Gift was given to me by a dear friend (the same one who gave me the teapot) years ago. Do you have a children's book about quilting that you think is just great? I'd love to hear your ideas.

His name was EARL

2010-09-03T09:20:00.002-04:00

#193
Sorry no picture today....

Unless the weather changes dramatically in the next couple of hours, Earl isn't going to be much of a threat here. ....after we spent yesterday putting all the outside furniture that could be moved into the garage, used a bungee cord to tie down the glider to the deck, made sure all flashlights and radios had new batteries, made sure we had food that didn't need to be cooked, and in general did our emergency preps that are recommended.

It is raining and the trees are blowing. Since we are just a couple of miles from the ocean, we are getting some of the outside edge of the storm. I do feel for those who are (or will be) impacted by the storm. I shouldn't complain, but the preps did keep me from quilting as much as I wanted to .

I have had some fun the last couple of days though....spent some time with my quilting buddy, Pat. It is so much fun to shop in a buddy's stash. I was looking for a few small pieces of fabric that would be just the right color for a little project I am making and she had fat quarters that just fit the bill!

Since my last post, Hubby and I went to the casino near our house...we are not very big spenders and have an "allowance" for each month. Yesterday was the first time for this month and I doubled my money. So the winnings go in my cash stash for buying more fabric when I go to Lancaster, PA later this month....have to have one vice, right?

Must get busy....Happy quilting.

almost to goal

2010-08-31T09:14:00.001-04:00

#192

The goal I set in the last post was to do four bindings....I have three done. Two are bias bindings. The lavender quilt has a wavy edge border so it definitely needed bias. The brown one has bias because I wanted the plaid (even though it's hard to see in the picture) to be on an angle in the binding. The green one was just straight binding. I have the binding cut for the fourth project but just didn't have time to get it sewed on over the weekend. Too many interuptions. I ended up rearranging my sewing area (again) trying to find just the right arrangement since it is in the guest room. I used a folding table and putting it on bed risers to make it the right heighth for cutting. Everything is in one corner of the room and the light from two windows comes in. That seems to be the best arrangement in the room...until I think of something better!

It is going to be a beautiful day today so I really need to get outside. This weekend we are supposed to get rain from EARL so I suppose it will be dreary and a good time to be inside. Happy quilting!

In the mood...

2010-08-27T11:43:00.000-04:00

#191

note to followers...just 9 more to go (see my post from August 11th)

On Tuesday, this lovely teapot came in the mail from one of my dearest friends who knows I just love to sip tea and quilt. She gave me a mug that matches it last Christmas...isn't she just a dear!

I am finishing the hand quilting on a table runner today but then I must really get in the mood for doing bindings...I have four projects sitting here waiting to have bindings done. Sometimes, by the time I get to the binding step I already have inspiration for a new project and want to get it started. I think that I'll do the binding some evening while watching TV but for some reason I just don't. This weekend must really be a binding weekend. I am going to stick with that goal....but I am dying to start a new wall hanging with some super fabric I bought....Is there one step of the quilting process that you tend to put off thus increase your UFO pile?

retrospective

2010-08-24T10:08:00.000-04:00

#190

I started to think about other quilts that I have made over the years - the different patterns and colors that I have used. This is one I made about 3 years ago when we first moved into our house here in DE. I have a large blank wall in the den and wanted a quilt to hang there. I think it is fun to go back and look at older quilts and, think about what was going on in my life when I made them. Do you have any quilts that bring back memories?

Enough of the mind wandering. The weekend with the grandkids is over. The beds have all been changed, dishes put away, rooms vacuumed. It is now time for me and my quilting. I am working on some applique pieces, not very exciting but calming as I can just sit with my feet up and let my hands do the work.

By the way, over the last few posts, I have asked some questions about your quilting....it has been so much fun reading your comments.

GO Cutter

2010-08-21T15:17:00.000-04:00

#189
Today I am not gettting any quilting done....the grandkids and parents have gone to the community pool and so now I just have a few minutes to check up on my blogging friends. I just found out that Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway of a go cutter. Of course, I would love one for myself but it is very selfish of me not to mention it....be sure to check it out ...click here.
Followers....note just 11 more posts to go!

a different look

2010-08-20T08:24:00.001-04:00

#188

Here is a picture that shows the area of the sunroom that I posted last time. We hurried to get the room back together before company comes today! Last night I got some hand applique things ready to work on while company is here because it is certain that I won't get anytime to work at the sewing machine.

Saying "a different look" makes me ponder about quilting patterns and such. I don't usually follow a pattern, even if I like the look. I always change things and design my own. I was talking about this with some quilting friends and they felt that designing ones own is very intimidating. What do you think? Do you like to design your own or do you like to have a pattern with definite directions so you end up with a project like the one you saw?

almost done - the room and the quilts

2010-08-17T20:22:00.000-04:00

#187

The sunroom is almost finished...just the base molding to put down. Soon I will be back relaxing in it again.

Now for the quilting news....Since my last post, I visited JoAnn fabrics on Sunday and picked up a couple pieces of fabric...not sure what I will do with them, but they just might come in handy someday...you know the fabric stores really need my business in this economy...must circulate that money around!

Monday I went to my bee again....just love those ladies. This time, Carole couldn't be with us because she is in Maine but she called us just to check up on us....she stopped at Keepsake Quilting and told us that the store is just wonderful!

I was thinking about finishing things and the many ways to put bindings on quilts. I am trying to decide what kind to put on some of the ones that I have waiting to be finished. I remembered a time when I was reading a pattern in a magazine and the directions said to make a French fold binding...I was in a panic because I didn't know what that was....then finally found out it was the way I was making bindings all along! Don't you hate it when directions aren't clear or the writer assumes that you know what is meant? I guess it is all my school teaching days that make me understand how important giving good directions is. I always told students in my methods classes to assume that the students at the beginning of the year don't know anything and when they do, you will be so relieved and will have saved yourself a lot of trouble!

lucky 13th

2010-08-13T20:34:00.000-04:00

#186 - Today was a lucky day. The mail brought a box from Tonya filled with lovely decorator fabric. The picture doesn't show the colors very well but they are beautiful ...and some of them coordinate so well and will go with some decorating schemes I have in mind. I have a couple of ideas about what to make with the fabric. I will have to ponder and make my decision. The pieces are large enough for several types of projects. Sometimes fabric that someone else picked out spurs one's creativity and encourages different kinds of thinking. Have you ever done something different from your usual things because someone gave you fabric you wouldn't have picked out yourself?

You might have noticed the number at the beginning of this post...that is the count toward my 200th post - see my post from the 11th. While I am talking about that, I do have to make a correction. I said I was going to Lancaster PA's Amish country on the 16th of September for a fabric buying trip. The trip is actually on the 29th. On the 16th, I am going to a quilt show in PA near Philadelphia. Both of the opportunities were made available through my membership in Seaside Applique. The pocket calendar I was using just had quilt trip written in the little block - I should have double checked before posting . The giveaway prize will be bought on one of those trips...whichever is closest to my 200th post.

I am continuing work on my red white and blue project....it will be a long time before that is done and ready to show. Maybe I can show little bits now and then. I have been slightly delayed because hubby is being a dear and putting tile in our sunroom and at times I have to be his gopher... but the sunroom will look great when he is done. I love to sit on the couch in that room and read my quilting magazines while I look out at the flowers and bird feeders that surround our patio.

here's the scoop

2010-08-11T18:09:00.000-04:00

My grandson has gone home so I am back at quilting.

I found that the pieces that I cut with the GO cutter on Monday went together so well. The corners matched up easily...and as you know I am a perfectionist. I only took apart a couple of seams when I made 18 blocks. The triangles were cut with the little dog ears trimmed so matching the points was a snap. The squares were cut so accurately that putting them together just seemed to be automatic.

The seams I ripped out probably didn't need to be redone but having the littlest seam off drives me nuts. The design on the light blue fabric would have hidden them, I'm sure.

In just 15 more posts, I'll hit 200 posts. I have been trying to figure out how to celebrate so I decided to have a giveaway prize....for my followers. So here is what I will do. Followers who comment on at least three of my posts between now and then will have their names put in a drawing. Those who are followers as of today get one extra chance in the drawing. This doesn't eliminate new followers and it thanks those who have been with me for some time and contine to visit. Since I post on the average about 2-3 times a week, it should be about the middle of September when I have posted enough because I am really going to try to post at least 3 times a week.

One of my guilds, Seaside Applique, is planning a fabric buying trip to Lancaster PA's Amish country on September 16th so I will buy special fabric on that trip for the winner. In one of your comments, be sure to tell me your favorite color of fabric or the color you really would like to add to your stash in case you are the winner.

So friends, until then, let's quilt!

time flies

2010-08-10T06:51:00.002-04:00

Yesterday as I was sitting at my sewing machine, I pondered how quilting has changed in the 30 years since I started my first quilt. That quilt, like my newest one, was red, white, and blue.
For that first one, I cut each piece with a template and hand pieced each block. The queen sized quilt was hand quilted.
On my newest quilt the pieces were cut with a GO cutter thanks to my friend, Pat.http://www.alittleofthisandalittleofpat.blogspot.com/ Then I sat and chain pieced some of the blocks. It is amazing how fast the quilt is moving along.
Thirty years ago, rotary cutters weren't used and now we have the Go cutters...what will make quilting faster in the future?

Nothing can take the place of feeling the needle move through the fabric when hand piecing.
I love to do needle turn applique ....but now machine applique and fused pieces are all the rage.....
What are your thoughts about changes in quilting?

Today my grandson is coming so I probably won't get much done but I can't wait to get back to my newest creation.

beautiful day in the neighborhood

2010-08-06T08:41:00.000-04:00

Mr. Rogers used to sing that little ditty on his morning children's show...but it certainly is going to be a beautiful day today. The sun is shining already and it isn't supposed to be so unbearably hot. Each day when I get up I am so thankful ....

Yesterday I traveled to my favorite quilt shop, Serendipity, with a quilting pal. It is about a half hour drive so we usually try to find someone to go along. I really wasn't shopping for anything in particular but did realize that my stash was a little low on greens. These are the fabrics I found on the bargain shelves. I really didn't need the blue water fabric as I have one that is similar, but I couldn't pass up a sale and since I live near the beach I am sure I will probably find a special project to use it

Now today, I have to get busy quilting.

Also, a big thank you goes to those who commented about my question a few posts back. I was worried about each applique block being exactly the same as the others in the quilt -perfectionist that I am. I realized from their comments that quilts are individual artistic works and slight variations make them interesting and unique....
Oh by the way, those who follow my blog may hear a big announcement soon....can't say much now but regular readers will likely be interested.

you tube video

2010-08-03T19:08:00.000-04:00

You really must check out the video done by my quilting buddy, Pat, (A Little of This and a Little of Pat) that is on You Tube. She demonstrates the Go Cutter from Accuquilt. Just go to You tube and then search for Accuquilt Go - Spool Block. The video should turn up! Isn't she a great teacher...now you know why I like to do projects with her.

question

2010-08-01T09:03:00.000-04:00

I haven't blogged for a while as I was away and then had company....they came the day after I got home!
I had a wonderful time with visiting and guests but now it is time to get back to quilting.

I have searched for an answer to this question to no avail. Maybe some of you who have had experience judging and being judged can offer some advice.

When repeating an applique block throughout a whole quilt, are slight differences in the blocks acceptable? For instance, a stem is placed in a slightly different position on a second block but the block is overall the same pattern. Most of the judging criteria I have found stress construction....thread invisibility, stitch size, color choices, etc. Nothing is ever mentioned about this topic.

I am such a perfectionist that I get discouraged when one block is not exactly like another.

Busy as a Bee

2010-07-20T09:31:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I met with my lovely bee. We always have logs of fun and chatter. It was my pleasure to share with them a project based upon the technique that Pat and I have developed.

Of course, you will notice we don't go without snacks!

But we work real hard!

After a work session, we have lunch and work some more!

This bee has been buzzing for a long time....well over 10 years. I was so happy that they asked me to join when they had an opening.

Thanks bunches...and back to work

2010-07-16T12:06:00.000-04:00

I'd like to thank all those who visited my blog to wish me happy birthday....it was great to find some new blogger friends!

I had a wonderful birthday. Hubby took me to the casino at Harrington DE...we had a nice dinner then he gave me $40 to play the slots. I came home with $41.26 after several hours of play....so I guess I'll just have more money for fabric!!

Pat is such a good friend to send people to my blog...you should check out her blog. She is giving away a GO CUTTER!!!

Pat and I had a work session this morning. We have such fun working on our projects together. Right now we are doing some special projects that incorporate applique. I like to do the hand work and Pat is so efficient with her Go Cutter. She can do the borders and sashing so quickly. She helps by designing with her EQ7. Pat also does a lot of the hand quilting on our small projects. We try to get together every week or so but we email and talk all the time...Someday, when we are ready, we will have to show you some of our projects but they are not quite ready for prime time yet!

It's been a wonderful week

2010-07-12T09:38:00.000-04:00

Since my last post I have had the pleasure of seeing old friends and family.

We had a guest from MD for a couple of days. He and my husband have kept in touch since they served together in Vietnam in 1970-71. We get to see each other every few years.

Then I went to a family reunion in western PA where I got to see family from as far away as Wyoming and Texas...what a great time we had! It was held in the town where my grandmother lived.

After the reunion, we went to the mountains of PA near Tionesta and Cook Forest State Park to my brother's mountain cabin where we stayed the night. ....then home again to DE. What a whirlwind trip but oh so much fun.

To add to my fun, I also was the winner of a great giveaway gift from Kelly at I Have a Notion. I am a great fan of Eleanor Burns and was so happy to win her latest book....I had a little time to scan through it and I already have some wonderful ideas! Today she is telling about another fantastic giveaway.

Going and coming...

2010-07-05T08:18:00.000-04:00

Tis the season at the beach....last week we had company who left on Thursday...now more coming tomorrow...today doing up sheets, making beds, going grocery shopping! Don't get me wrong...I love to entertain.

Today I am going to find time cutting more pieces for the applique that I am doing because my sewing room is also the guest room and I am about to go into withdrawl as all the pieces I have cut are just about used. Here are some of the fabrics I am using...I just love batiks for applique

Blue about the red and white...

2010-07-03T09:49:00.000-04:00

Here at the beach, we stay away from the beach on the fourth....tourists tie up traffic and if we want to go anywhere, we go by public transportation. The roads are already backed up....so staying at home gives me a chance to quilt!

This past week we had company for a couple of days but I still managed to get a little work done on some projects - that is advantage of hand applique.

Anyway, I hand washed a block to take out my markings and when it dried I noticed that the red color had bled some onto the white background...I was sick about it since I had already washed and dried the red fabric... with some careful work with a Qtip and some weak bleach solution, I was able to get it out...
My quilting buddy Pat suggested that the next time I use a product in the washer call Color Catch...when this project is done, I will wash the whole thing in that to hopefully avert another catastrophe.

Have a happy fourth!