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..............