Black and White con't:

Another snow (ice) day and I spent more time sewing! T wenty-seven blocks made to swap--all pressed and ready to go into the envelopes as soon as I make the trip to the store to get them!

Made a few extra blocks for myself so I played a little with the layout that is in my head:


From this:


To This:

Another day off work....

...due to the ice storm that came through overnight and they are calling for more ice and snow plus it's windy and cold!! Not very thrilled about it! Staying home and inside as long as the power doesn't go off.

I did get Michelle's taxes filed and ours started.....will finish later as the numbers were getting blurry! Needed a break so headed to the sewing studio..

Have 30 9-patch blocks made. Need to finish pressing them. Think tonight I'll sit and do some hand-work while watching TV......

Sure hope we can go to school tomorrow--I need people!!

Black and White

I am working on some black and white 9-patch blocks. Each fabric must be a white-on-black or a black-on-white and all will have a touch of bright in them--the center square to be exact. Fabrics may be repeated. (another way to use up stash!!) I am swapping some of these so will have a variety. Once I have all the 9-patches, I have another plan in mind so stay tuned!

More Snow!

Am about tired of the cold and snow!! But this morning we got up to more snow! I admit, it looks beautiful, but am so ready for spring!

Cold! Snow! Flannel!!

It's been cold and snowy here in Ohio, so what a better time than this to work with flannel??? A top gets made into a quilt and it keeps me warm while working on it! I've had a slow start since I had the flu then the Holidays, but decided this week I absolutely have to get motivated!

Michelle was home a few days over the Holidays and she and Hubby were fighting over the one flannel quilt in the house! Ok, now why do we only have one flannel quilt if I've been doing flannel block swaps since 1998?????? (didn't swap in 2010). Eleven years of blocks have added up to six quilts. Had to combine some years to get enough to make the quilt big enough.

Anyway, this week has been "flannel" week so far. The blocks were set and borders added...digging in the flannel tub, I found a piece big enough for the backing. Now, do I have a batting? Can I possibly quilt this on my machine???? Found a bat that was earmarked for another quilt--but decided to borrow it for the flannel quilt. Thread? O NO!! I don't have yellow thread???? Wait, there's that box of thread Jan gave me---so off to the garage I go. YIPPEEEE found a "yellow" that will work. Took me three days but the quilt is DONE!!!!!!

Good-bye 2010, Hello 2011!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

From Our House to Yours!

Busy Friday!

Michelle was home a few days, which I really enjoyed, and needed a few gifts for friends. She had ideas of what she wanted, but we kinda kept putting off making them! Finally Friday we knew we had to get busy!

First, she assembled a few gift baskets for gift exchanges:

Next she pulled two quilts from the "finished" cupboard to give to her break "hosts" as thank you gifts.

She also wanted to make some bulliten boards for her roommates:

We also made a "body pillow" but I forgot to take a picture--will get one on Christmas.

Busy but productive 2.5 hours!!! (and it was FUN!!)

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

Finished another quilt!!! Another UFO bites the dust! Snow day and 2 hour delay motivated me to actually "do" something!

I will have to find the pattern again so I can tell you the name of it.....came from a magazine..but best of all it's made from my stash and it's done!

Rhapsody in Blue

Awhile back I was looking through some of my saved quilt magazines and I found this pattern. What a great way to use up some of my blues in that tub on the shelf!! Finished the top today since we have a "Snow Day" and are off of work.

Simple 9-patches and squares make up a neat Single Irish Chain!

(Quilts and More Winter 2009)

Happier with the added borders!

Back in October, I finished, or so I thought, a Civil War fabric top. I wasn't very happy with it as I felt it wasn't complete. It needed "something." After looking at different websites and pictures, pulling and discarding fabrics, I was pretty sure I'd found a solution. Took the top and fabrics and went to Ann's ( http://granfrysquiltingchaos.blogspot.com/ ). We "played" with a few ideas and finally came up with a solution--it definately needed borders!!!


before: no borders


after: added dk blue/cream/dk green


Now the next challege is to get it quilted!

A New Project.........

.............is on the design wall! Finishing three quilts last month that have been in the UFO bin,I allowed myself to start a new one. This time I'm working out of the "blue" bin.....I did buy two yards of fabric to be used as setting blocks and a possible border. If all works out, this quilt will become a gift for a "special" friend.

Thanks for a great Sunday!

Hubby has been gone for nine days now......I've tried to keep busy and the kids have been a great help! After the fun Saturday Stacy and I had, I was sure Sunday would be a loooong day for me? NOT!

Amber (DIL) and Rylee (GD) came and got me and off we went! Headed to Canton. Met up with Michelle and Coty for lunch at . All the soup/salad/bread sticks you can eat just can't be beat, especially since it was still chilly outside!

After lunch we all headed over to Sam's Club---stocked up on some essentials then we were off for some dessert! Yummy ice cream at (Michelle works here).

All to soon it was time to head south again towards home :( but wait, the day isn't over yet! Stopped in at Amber's grandmother's--Ryan met us there--more relatives were gathered around so we started playing games...sure made time go fast! Had fun and a lot of laughs especially when Ryan decided we needed to play CandyLand!

THANKS to my awesome kids for keeping me company, especially when the days seem so long!

Saturday's fun in the Studio!

Altho the snow prevented us from doing the (hopefully) final leaf/lawn clean-up on Saturday, the day was successful!


Not often does Stacy get to come and just sew, so we took advantage of her free time! Went to town taking care of my errands, then back to the studio!
She worked on her Pineapple blocks.....................

I worked on a binding then paper-pieced ..

I love spending time with my kids! This was a real treat for me and helped the time pass more quickly! THANKS Stacy!!!!

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! SNOW!

Woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground this morning--UCK!!! It's not that I don't like snow, it's just I'm never ready for it to come! With my job, I'd love for someone to invent "road heaters" to keep the snow off the roads! But, not having to work today, it was ok! Even got me out of raking the leaves in the front yard!

Mall Trick-or-Treat

Went to the mall last night with Amber and Rylee.....of course Rylee was a "ham"
as always!

Bustin' UFO's!!!

Decided this week I have to start getting some of my tops quilted! I am not the best quilter using my sewing machine, but I am learning!!!

Today I busted this Holiday String Quilt. Instead of buying a jelly roll, I made my own strings from my and Lesa's stash...

Third Week In October.......

............I started this quilt in 2007 as a "sew-a-long" with some gals over at http://www.quiltingaroundtheworld.com/ ...shame on me for letting this one sit for so long!!!! I finally got the binding on this week and it's done! Washed and dried, ready to be used or gifted! It's far from perfect, but I learned so much making this quilt! Definately need to work on color/fabric selection when attempting a pattern this involved! But, I do have a great feeling of accomplishment!

Lone Star Top:

This weekend at retreat I decided to work on my Lone Star quilt top---

the center

the top

So peaceful...........

This past weekend I was privilaged enough to attend a "multi-arts" retreat in beautiful southeastern Ohio! Altho it was raining as I drove into the drive, a feeling of peace just enveloped me after the fairly stressful week I had....I love this place and can't wait to go back in the spring!

Busting Stash!

Another quilt from the "stash" bin! Hopefully I'll get it quilted soon!





The "Civil War" bin is now empty except for some shirtings and fabrics kept for bindings! :)

Michelle Update:

Michelle had her surgery Oct. 12th. All went well and on the follow up appt. she could actually read the eye chart with her right eye!! So happy for her! Another appt. this week but so far so good!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

Medallion-Border 3

Today I felt better than I have for a week so actually sewed!! I had the blocks for the next border made but not attacked. They were set and attached today between bus routes!

Gma has been "ucky!"

As Ms. Rylee says: "Gma has ucky!" The yearly fall allergies have hit me! Been dragging around with the "gunkies" now for two weeks! Hopefully on the mend if only the nasty "Yoder" after-illness-cough would go away! My Dad's family almost all have a cough for a week after being sick, and yep, I follow the trend! Have coughed so much my ribs hurt! Each day seems to be better so hopefully by the time the Swiss Festival rolls around this weekend I'll be able to join some of the festivities! So have been going to work then back on the recliner for downtime....time to kick this and get back on track!

Here's hoping you all are healthy and enjoying the early fall weather!

Cateract update:

After spending a looooooong time with the Doctor today, Michelle is scheduled to have a physical to make sure she's in good health (shouldn't have a problem there), and an appoitment with a doctor who will check out her Retina, etc. If all these tests come back clear, she will then have her cateract removed on October 12th. It was also discovered today that she can see almost nothing clearly with her right eye--totally bombed the eye chart test and that really scared me!

Everyone seems puzzled why a 20 year old developed a cateract????? No one seems to be able to explain this....

Continued prayers for her as this is all happening during mid-terms at school....She only has one professor that is giving her some grief over this, but hey, my kids' eyesight comes first!!!! We are tired! Need rest, sleep but don't rest..............

Am I sewing/quilting? Trying but not going so great....."Jack" has been very busy the last days so have walked away from the machine for now. Maybe in a day or so.........

A Cateract? At 20?????

Yes, it's possible! We found out Tuesday afternoon that Shellz has a cateract in her right eye. She went to get her eye exam thinking contacts were in order, but was told after the exam that the doc can't help her as she has a cateract. :( Phone calls were made, ideas/suggestions were given, professional advise was given, and prayers were said.......and off to work I went.

Late Tuesday evening we decided to have Dr. Clemmens office notified and by noon on Wednesday were given an appointment. Monday, we will go see what he has to say and what our next steps are.......We truely would appreciate your prayers!!

Baked Potato Bags

A change of pace for a day. I've been making Baked Potato Bags. Here are a few of them.

So......

I started a new quilt top! I know, I'm bad! But, as you know, I have been working on using up my stash...I think this is the last kit I cut using my Civil War fabric! The blocks are make--used them as L&E's--so now I can start sewing the rows together.......

Back in the "swing" of things

I think! Nothing has been normal for a few weeks so we shall see! Had a fairly rough start to the new school year but hopefully we are all back in the groove by now! I actually got three new students added to my bus list yesterday, so maybe I can finalize my paperwork and turn it in???

• roster #1--done
• am & pm directions #1--done
• seating chart #1--done
• roster #2--done
• am & pm directions #2--done
• seating chart #2--done
• milage & time chart--done

Wahoo, they are all printed so will be turned in this afternoon! This is a huge weight off my shoulders!

Quilting wise--anything accomplished?????

1. Puzzle Play--working on the borders (my project I have been taking to Ann's)
2. Medallion--working on the 36 three inch blocks for the next border
3. Celtic--still hand stitching the bias strips

I also need to sort through the batting closet and see what I have in there! I would like to get a top into the hand-quilting frame and also need to send a few out to be quilted and maybe machine quilt a few of the smaller ones myself............Yep, I have enough to keep me busy, but.....

It's Growing--the Medallion Quilt that is.......

It's too HOT outside to do anything (and the school bus is REALLY HOT in the afternoons) so I have been inside as much as possible!

I finally caved and cut the pieces for the next border of the Medallion Quilt. I actually had to force myself to start sewing again! Being in this slump just isn't going to accomplish anything! It has pretty much taken me all week but the next border is attached!

Long weekend coming up and not sure what I'm going to do. Shellz has to work so won't be coming home. Hubby on a two week run that MIGHT bring him home on Monday....Maybe I'll go play in a Rook tournament one day? or just hide out at home alone? or..............

Stuck!

Yep, I'm stuck! No desire to sew/quilt,nor do I want to do any housework, laundry, etc.! HELP!!!! I'm pretty sure this all came about with the starting of school and returning to work, but come on, I can usually at least sew! But this past week--nada,nothing! Well, I did hem a pair of work pants for Shellz, but that really doesn't count! Took all of maybe 2 minutes!

I did have a highlight this past week! My friend,Pat, and her sister-in-law were passing through the area so they stayed with me one night. (happy to have the rooms now to host overnight guests! Altho, I miss my kids!) Park Street pizza was requested for dinner Tuesday evening--so yummy! Wednesday we did some "cheese" shopping followed by lunch at Mrs.Yoder's where Ann joined us. All to soon it was time for them to continue on to PA. :(

So, here's to hoping I can get back into the 4:30am wake up call, work 6-9 and 2:30-5 routine real quickly! If not, it's gonna be a loooooong winter!

ACK!!! To much to do,to little time!

So, school starts tomorrow and there are alot of "things" not done that I wanted to do this summer!! Have no idea how it got to be August 23rd already!!!



Since we attended an in-service on Friday, we don't have our ususal "day-before-school-starts" one. Not sure I like this since there are usually last minute changes, but will just gowiththeflow tomorrow morning! A nice quiet smooth start would be great!!!







I finally got my border on my Medallion Quit on this morning--now to get the next one cut, which again consists of "geese."






Also need to keep working on a few other UFO's but as you know--staring new projects is soooo much fun!

Visitor

This morning we had a visitor on our back deck. Very friendly and wants to be in the house with us. Don't know where he came from, but he's beautiful and friendly. Only problem is, his long hair is causing the girls' allergies to flair up. So, do I keep him in or make him stay outside? Also, so far my other kitty hasn't accepted him........

Coasters--

are on the agenda for a few days! I would like to have ten sets (4 per set) made by the first of October. Have most of them cut, just need to buckle down and get them finished.

Went to the

Holmes County fair this evening. Michelle came home late afternoon and brought her friend, Mandi, along. Hubby is home for a three day weekend (gasp!) and we also had Ms.Rylee for the afternoon so"things" were hopin' around here. It's been a loooong time since we did anything together, so we decided to go to the fair! Altho it was kinda hot and humid, we had fun! Ate food we probably shouldn't of, looked at the animals, and caught up with what's happening in the lives of a lot of friend's we hadn't seen in a while! But, I am sooooo glad my kids are out of 4-H, etc. Just don't think I could still do the "all week camp out" at the fair anymore!

Flying Geese

....OH how I dislike making them!!!! The Medallion Quilt takes 72 of them! Today I got them all make and one border added:




Also made seven blocks to help out a friend-



AND.............did a little shopping!!! Only bought a few yards of WOW since it was on sale...always seem to need white-on-white!

Now, my sewing machine and projects bags are all packed and ready to load....hate the drive home but summer vacations are over and I have to be at work around 3:45.....so need to get an early start in the morning.

Progress-

on my new medallion quilt.The center is done!!! It measure 24" x 24". Tomorrow I will be deciding on the "geese" fabrics that create the first border.

Reminisee: A Medallion Sampler Quilt

ok....I know I have quilts to quilt and quite a few to finish...but.............

A small group of friends have decided to do a challenge but it involves A LOT of applique! Don't get me wrong, I love seeing applique and would love an appliqued quilt, but I just don't enjoy the handwork! I do some embroidery/counted cross-stitch and am working on a Celtic but to do a WHOLE BIG quilt--not gonna happen for now!

Anyway, another gal doesn't "do" applique either so while out shop-hopping a few weeks ago, we came across a pattern that would challenge us. The two of us will be working on this:

I am not using KT/CW fabrics...just whatever "speaks" to me! My center is made of batik fabrics (yes, I actually cut them--hear me crying??)

I hope to get Pat to "blog" her progress too! I'll post a link to her blog if she agrees!

Update on Crossing Ohio

I have finished the Crossing Ohio top! Actually thought I'd add another border, but just can't find a fabric to add that pleases me so am letting this stay a "sofa"quilt......now to get it quilted! Am sure it will be on the "to quilt" pile for awhile!

Lone Star.........

I've wanted a "Lone Star" quilt for a loooong time but was scared-to-death of the pattern! A few years ago I purchased a foundation pattern from QuiltSmart thinking I could "do" this! I auditioned a lot of fabrics and color palettes before I found the "perfect" one for me!

Finally, a few weeks ago, I got brave enough to cut the fabrics into the triangles I needed! Ok...now what? I went to a mini-retreat this past weekend and took this project with me...knowing that if I got brave enough to attempt starting and got "stuck" I'd have plenty of help! Yep, I was right! Not only did I get the encouragement I needed to start, they were right by my side until I totally understood the pattern and process! I am sooooo thankful for my quilting friends!!!!

I'm also loving what's one my design wall!