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!