More Prayer Quilts...........

Andrew loves baseball:





Carly likes Dolphins:








Wade "swims with the dolphins."







Irene

Celebrating Graduation!

MAY 26, 2008

Party Time!

In Memory of Cody

We pause to remember Cody Brackin, Michelle's classmate, who was killed in an auto accident October 10, 2008. We miss you lots buddy!

Mic Graduates High School

With mixed feelings I watched as my "baby" graduated from high school on May 25, 2008. She graduated with honors and we are so proud of her!

Irene

Landscaping Project

We bought and moved to this property Aug. 2005, just before winter so didn't get much of a chance to redo some of the landscaping. Then, with the passing of my In-Laws in the summer of 2006, it was pushed off again. Don't know where 2007 went but we finally have started!

before

after

before

after

I can hardly wait for all the flowers to bloom now! Just wish the rest of it was done!

Prayer Quilts

A while back I got involved with a group that makes prayer quilts for cancer patients (a lot of them being kids). Having lost my grandmother and both of my in-laws to cancer and being a cancer survivor, this is a project near and dear to my heart.

I really needed a "stress relief" day yesterday, so I sewed! Here is the quilt I came up with for a young man that likes bears~

Another last.......

Tonight before the last home softball game, the three seniors were honored.


(Lauren, Amy, Michelle)

Each received a scrapbook of their senior year in softball, a monogramed fleece blanket, a softball basket filled with candy, and a candy bouquet. Of course, none of the Mother's shed a tear--wrong! Now what will we do in the evenings since we won't be at the ballpark anymore?

Amy rules 1st base:

Third base belongs to Michelle:


Lauren doninates the mound:


Best wishes to each of you as you continue on life's journey. I will miss all thegreat times we had together!

Gotta Sew!

Just had to sew something even if it was a dreaded binding! Amazingly it calmed my nerves and another UFO is done! Nine patches came from swaps over the years....of course Mic gets this one (was there ever a doubt with it being orange??)

"The Wedding"

Today was Ryan's wedding...had a beautiful day! The occassional rain showers just made everything sparkle! All the endless hours of planning, etc. really paid off! Amber wanted "simple elegence" and I think it was pulled off! Had a lot of willing hands ready to help with the clean up, etc. Now that they are on their way to their hide-away for the weekend, I can kick up my feet and rest!!!!

Because I was kept busy most if the time, I didn't get a lot of pictures (will receive a disk later), but here are a few I managed to get.

Computer problems

We are having computer/server problems and are basically crashed. Only able to get on-line occassionaly......will be back on-line asap.

Until then, enjoy the wonderful spring weather!


Irene

Another Sad week

Another sad week for our family. Our dear friend, Sue Davenport, went to her Heavenly home Monday evening due to complications from open heart surgery. Many years ago Sue and her husband, Bill, helped us when our children wanted to raise and show rabbits. For ten plus years, they were there at our side through the wins and losses at the shows! Our two campers parked side by side was a familiar sight! Sue and I worked also worked together through 4-H for many years.

Now there will be an empty seat at the cook-outs and picnics and the campground will never be the same as "The Life of the Party" has moved on.....How she will be missed.

May she rest in peace.
Irene

Prom 2008

With mixed emotions, I watch Mic get ready and leave for her final high school prom last night.

How can it be that my baby was attending one of her final high school functions? Where have the years gone? Needless to say, we think she looks beautiful! A special thanks to Drew for being her escort since Ben couldn't be here! (gotta take those college finals!) My pictures are from home since it rained and "grand march" was held inside and my camera doesn't take nice pictures in our auditorium.

Following Grand March, the rest of us came back to the house for what to have been a cookout. Since it was still raining, we had our picnic indoors. Was a late night, but we were all happy!









Irene

Red-n-Black

I joined a birthday block swap at Ohio Quilters (http://www.ohioquilters.com/ ) in 2007. We send a focus fabric and pattern request to each swapper in our group. I sent out a Kona Black square and requested "red herrings" blocks be made for me using this pattern: http://www.quilterscache.com/R/RedHerringsBlock.html

I thought this would be a great way to get a quilt and not have to do all that paper-piecing myself! Sellecting reds with my black was a way to get a quilt for a graduation gift for Mic. Her school colors for high school are red and black.

My friend, Sheryl from Parkersburg Sewing & Quilting (http://www.sewwithsheryl.com/) quilted it for me using a metallic gold thread for me. Yesterday I got the binding done and now have one less thing to finish before May 25th!

Maybe Mic won't like it and I can keep it for myself????

Irene

Prayers for Lesa

Thoughts and prayers for my friend, Lesa (http://www.lesabame.blogspot.com/) today during surgery. May it be successful and may she have a speedy recovery!



Luv ya GF!
Irene

Got the bug.............

So many quilters are talking about and making strip quilts and it sparked an interest. So this week I have been going through my stash and sorting it. The smaller pieces in red, white, and blue have been cut into 1" - 2.5" strips. I now have 20 10.5" blocks made and still have a pile of strips! I plan on using all of them before I quit! Will see how many blocks I get for a quilt! Here are a few of the blocks.

irene a few of them.

Sewing Frenzy

I was disappointed that the Mini-Retreat I was to attend last weekend didn't happen due to a lot of illness. Ok, so now what? I already had some projects ready to go and really needed to get some of them done. Ummmmmmmmm, yep, gonna have my own min-retreat at home! Since I had planned on leaving on Thursday, I began my home-retreat after lunch. On Friday Lesa (http://www.lesabame.blogspot.com/) joined me! We had a lot of fun and Wednesday rolled around way to quick! I did return to work on Monday but sewed between routes and evenings.
So, what did I get accomplished?

First on my list was a crib quilt for my friend, Maria, who is expecting a baby boy. "Baby Boy Blue" was made by adding sashing and borders to some embroidered blocks. It is ready for the shower we are having later this month.

Have you ever lost a quilt top? I have been seaching for my purple/white log cabin twin top for three weeks now and still can't find it! Since I wanted this quilt for a graduation gift, I gave up finding it and created "Churnin' Purple." Rebeka is redoing her room in purples, so this will be her graduation gift.




Next I finished (with Lesa'a help) a sample, "Nancy's Glory," for Sheryl's quilt shop (http://www.sewwithsheryl.com/).

Time to have some fun and try something new (well,new for me!). It seems like everyone is making bags and totes. I wanted to make one but didn't trust myself! But I DID it! I made the "Professional Tote" by the Creative Thimble. I love love love it! It will be a wonderful carry-on bag when I travel this summer!

At a retreat a few years ago, a demo was done on making the "Traveling Case" by P3Designs. I didn't make one then, but made one over the weekend (no pictures yet). Now Michelle thinks we should each have one to use as a MP3, cell phone, etc. organizer. Not a bad idea! She can keep it her purse, sports bag, etc. as she travels to/from softball games, visits friends and if I add a handle, it will be a great way to carry everything when we travel to Hawaii in June. Smart kid!

When I was looking for my missing top, I found some patterns I forgot I had. One of them was the pattern for the "Whimsy Bag" by Lazy Girl Designs. So I had to make one of these too!


Also finished up my Ohio Star blocks that will be swapped at the June retreat--The twelve red/white ones and the twelve blue/white ones look rather lovely sitting here awaitin' their new owners! Then I made my black-n-white pinwheel blocks for this quarters exchange. Feels great to be ahead of the game for a change!

A very productive 5 days! Too bad life and work won't let me extend my home-retreat, but maybe I can have another one soon! Wanna join me?

Irene

In Memory Of Jan

In Memory Of You

We want to always remember
The beautiful life you lived
And keep alive the memories we have
Through remembering what you did
For you’re so special to all of us
A wonderful person indeed
Your love, laughter and warm smile
Reflected a heart that believed
Just in the everyday things we do
We remember your faith and love
In the words you spoke to help us through
Is a continued reminder for us
Although we miss you so very much
We know we’ll see you once more
For this is the hope we have in God
Being re-united in the Lord
And as we gather we’ll continue to share
Special times we went through
For these are memories that warm our hearts
As we honour the memory of you

By M.S.Lowndes

Sad.....

Tonight I am so sad. My friend Jan has been ill and in the hospital for a while now. ( http://jansquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/) News tonight is not good as she has been diagnosed with advanced liver cancer and the cancer has metastasized in her heart. There is no treatment due to the advanced stage. They have given her days to a couple of weeks. She will be discarged tomorrow into Hospice care.

Friends, please pray with me for Jan, her hubby, Travis, her daughters and grandchildren.

Irene

Which Way

do I turn first??? It's spring break and I have so many "things" I wanted to get done, so many places I wanted to go.......Now here it is half way over and what have I accomplished??????

I must admit that Anna (from Germany) is a joy to have here, but I am not used to having anyone around during the day and most evenings! Let alone, someone who can't drive! I (we) have adjusted and some daily chores just get pushed aside!

Haven't accomplished any quilting this week! I've been looking for a top I had stored away, wanting to finish it for a graduation gift, and after cleaning/rearranging three rooms, I still can't find it! But, my quilting supplies and fabrics are organized now! I've decided to start a new quilt and see if I can get most of it (maybe all) pieced this coming weekend? Am going to a mini-retreat and will have 3 days of blissful sewing/quilting without someone wanting something! Gosh, I need to get my "stuff" packed...I leave in the morning!

Tonight they will come replace my ceiling fan in my living room. The motor burned up Monday night and we are thankful I found it before a fire started or other major damage was done!

Now, won't you join me in wishing Debi a Happy Birthday? See her blog here:
http://debiquilts.blogspot.com/2008/03/birthday-blog-giveaway.html

Happy Birthday Debi!


~Irene~

This-n-that

Once again time has flown by! Spent a weekend snowed in in Columbus awaiting the arrival of our German exchange student. Her Friday evening arrival was delayed until Sunday noon, but was well worth the wait. Anna-Lena is fitting in with our family and I will hate to see her leave again in two weeks!

Haven't been sewing or quilting much, jus a little here and a little there. Accomplishments this month include: 3 blocks for a QOV quilt, 3 friendship star blocks for a comfort quilt for our friend "Tippy" whose husband passed away this past week, and 25 4" blocks for a QS sample for a friend's shop.

Part of yesterday and today were spent doing a little "touristy" things with Anna, and some remodeling and rearranging in our family room. Am very tired, but happy with the results so far. Now to get everything completed? Hopefully before the May 17th wedding of DS and the May 25th graduation of DD! I'll just keep working at it a little at a time!

Happy Easter to each of you!

~Irene~

Still quilting

Even though I have limited time right now, I try to steal a few minutes eash day. After unquilting this quilt twice, I finally finished it! Not throughly thrilled with my quilting but Mic loves it so will be satisfied.

Now, which UFO do I finish next or do I start a new quilt?? With all the chatter of quilted bags, I may try one.....will have to see what the new week bring? (as long as it's NOT more snow and ice!)

~Irene~

February blues?

Even though we haven't been having schoool, ie work for me, I am not getting much of anything accomplished! All the snow/ice/wind/cold has me hiding in the house, but no energy to quilt. Seems all we get done is shovel snow and then shovel again!

Did manage to find a small car that Mic will drive to replace the Explorer. Her dk. green Neon arrives next week. Not exactly what she wanted, but the price was right and we got a great deal on it, so.............

Did get the taxes done and the wedding rehearsal dinner menu made. Since the wedding has been moved up to 5/17 and Mic graduates the next weekend, I needed to get started on menus, etc. Have part of the graduation party menu done.......thinking on the line of appitizers/finger foods so suggestions appreciated!

All to soon it is time to head back out the door....have to readjust to the "normal" schedule again! Maybe I will feel like quilting this evening? Sure hope so because my machine is calling my name! Can you hear it too?

~Irene~

Another UFO completed!

Time marches on.....winter is still with us! The cold wind chills, ice, & snow gave us three days off last week but I still didn't get much quilting done! Mic and I did get a room ready for our exchange student arriving from Germany on March 7th. Since we were cleaning and moving furniture around, we did our spring cleaning early. Just have to do the drapes/curtains and windows when it decides to warm up outside!

Ry & Amber have decided to move their wedding date up to May 17th! With Mic graduating on the 25th, I will be extra busy the next few months! I did get a chance to go visit Lesa over the long weekend. Met up with Janet and Kris for some fabric shopping and lunch on Saturday. Sure was fun!

I also got the quilt quilted (and the binding on) that will be given to Ry & Amber as a wedding gift. Another UFO crossed off the list! Also got my Autumn Tints blocks into a top. Then I cut out 4 more of my "God's Eye" blocks. All to soon it was time to head back east! At least I beat the sleet/snow home!
(Ripple Effect pattern)

Am thrilled we only have a four day week this week. I find it harder and harder to go to work each day, but alas, if I don't work, I can't play! (and I love my hobby and traveling to visit other quilters!)

~Irene~

This-N-That

Another day off school due to the sub-zero wind chills. bbbrrrrrrrrrrr! Was all to happy to crawl back into my warm bed this morning! Finally about noon, Mic and I ventured out. First stop was the local sherriff's department to pick up a copy of the accident report she was involved in last Wednesday. We are thanking God she wasn't hurt more than bumps and bruises! Can't say the same about my Explorer! After twelve years, I have to say good-bye to my old faithful! Then again, cars can be replaced, my kid can't! Mic was not at fault, the driver of the other car blew a tire and came left of center, side-swiping her.

We stopped at the bank, depositing paychecks, then went on another prom dress hunt! Finally after three shops and trying on A LOT of dresses, she found the dress she liked! So one more thing I can cross off my list! YEAH!

Haven't been doing any sewing/quilting! Just to darn busy with everyday stuff. I am hoping to get back to my machine this week sometime, I hear it calling my name. Can you heard it too???

IF we get another car by Friday, I would like to go see Kris and Lesa over the weekend since we have a long weekend again. Will see what happens as the week goes along.

Stay safe and warm! They tell me spring IS just around the corner!
~Irene~