Here is the Flower Wallhanging

Finished piecing the borders this afternoon - they are different than I originally planned. Actually, this didn't turn out like I thought it would but it's okay. The blue and green batik one is ready for the borders now and I am liking that one a lot. This is just the right size for a nice little tabletopper - and it is cheery! If I can find some deep turquoise rickrack (or red would work, also) I will sew that along the seamline between the body of the quilt and the border.

(Click to enlarge)

Tomorrow is the first of February - even January flew by. I don't think it got above freezing the entire month. We certainly have our fair share of snow! Spring will come, though.

Happy Birthday, Hannah

Hannah is 20 years old today! Where, or where did that time go? She spent that time growing up to be a lovely, smart, fun young woman as you can see in the final picture at the bottom of my sidebar. She is the youngest of my three lovely, smart, fun young granddaughters.Just how cute can a little girl be?

In the "princess" costume we got at a neighbor's garage sale. I found the tiara and wand at the Dollar store later. We sat on the front stoop one afternoon and she was resplendent in her lovely princess outfit. Hannah looked at me and said, "Grandma, won't people be surprised to see a princess sitting here?"

With so much love,

XXXOOOXXX

Grandma

For the Q2 Round Robin Exchange

Just finished the February block for the round robin quilt I am working on - they will all be unveiled at our next meeting. This one is a winter scene - it was fun to do. (Click to enlarge)

The Totebag

All done except for a hook and loop closing and either an antique button or a big covered button on the flap.

It's big - would be a great bag for a shophop. I put a pocket on each side of the lining for keys, phone, etc. Otherwise you would be fumbling around in the bottom of the bag looking for those things. It was fun to make and the instructions in the magazine are good. (Click to enlarge)

This is for my Friend Elvira in Munich, Germany

Elvira and I read each other's blogs despite the fact that I can read no German. She is able to figure out what I say. I have a translating program that I can put the posts she puts up in German and translate them into English. She wanted me to post a picture of me in the jacket I made about three years ago. I knew I had one that one of the girls (I think it was Earlene) had taken at our quilt show that year so here I am then - a "few" pounds lighter and hair shorter. I can explain the thing on my head! Our shows were based on Pass the Tiara and we made tiaras and wore them at the show. I don't usually run around with a pointed little hat!! :-)

The April McCall's Quilting Came Today

and in it are the directions for this cute tote bag. I don't have enough projects started (ha!) so I went downstairs and cut about 50 5" squares of batiks. The front and back are sewn together and next step is cutting and fusing fusible fleece (of which I have enough), making the lining (which is fused to fleece also), the handles and tab. Supposed to be a sturdy, big bag. I'm giving it a try and will post a picture when I get it done. (Click to enlarge)

Just Some Scarves

I can only knit a little bit - but I have crocheted quite a bit over the years and enjoy doing it. So I bought some yarn and set about making several scarves. The one above is just getting started and will look kind of stripy when it is done. A little hard to work with but so soft and I love the wild colors.

This one is snuggly soft and looks pinker in the photo than it actually is. It's finished. I am actually working on figuring out my challenge quilt for the quilt show and I'm closing in on that. Then I have everything gathered for my part in this month's round robin quilt and just need to do it. This is January - and everything is slow in January and February. No need to rush, right?It is also getting colder again so it's time to enjoy the cozy nest!

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A Jacket Made from a Sweatshirt

There is a jacket I made two or three years ago using a sweatshirt as the base. The centers of the flowers are fabric covered buttons. Love that look.

The jacket back. Made this by laying the first strip down then sewing the rest down and pressing them over as in paper piecing. (Click to enlarge)

While Attending the Inauguration

I spent most of the day attending the inauguration but from time to time I worked on machine appliquing two different sets of blocks. Just did a couple of the ones below the other day and added some more - most of them still in need of centers. I like the colors in these. Below are some of the batik blocks that have been hanging on the wall in the basement for quite a long time now in need of applique. Most of them are finished now and will be ready to be sewn into rows and have a border added. Altogether there are twenty of these blocks.Tonight I also spent some time at the Neighborhood Ball. Did you see Barack and Michelle dance as Beyonce sang? They look like they are very much in love - a beautiful couple. I think this has been a very emotional day for so many people. It's like there is hope in the air - people are anticipating change. A truly historic day. (Click to enlarge)

Sugar Sack Blocks

Put together two blocks from one of the quilts in the book Sugar Sack Quilts. This is some of the fabric I got from Connecting Threads this week. It will just be a small hanging - I reduced the blocks from 9 inches to 6.

The new light that I bought is just absolutely wonderful. It makes all the difference in the world.

Wow! (Click to enlarge)

Fedex Brought Batiks Today

Here are the batiks I ordered that were on sale at Hancock's. There are some really pretty ones and I'm sure they will mingle in nicely with the ones I have downstairs. Like I said, I really need more fabric! Isn't there just something about fabric that makes you feel good? The last two days I have just been really goofing off but figure that doesn't hurt a thing once in a while. I had one wrestling match balancing my checkbook this afternoon after the bank statement came. Good grief, Charlie Brown, I finally figured out what the problem was. Usually, I come out almost to the penny. For quite a long time now, I have been using my ATM credit/debit card more and not writing many checks. So I finally realized that one of the checks I had written had came through as an electronic check and was not listed under the checks returned. That made a huge difference. I was beginning to think my brain was really going but think it has some time left to function at least at an acceptable level. Anyway, I give myself an Attagirl, Carol button for finally figuring out the checkbook.

It has been snowing all day and last time I peeked out it had not quit. This is a real winter.

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Brrrrrrrr! It's Still Cold!

Another cold evening and nothing much on television that I want to watch - so I was surfing the net to get ideas for my altered card for the quilt show. One thing leads to another, and I was into my file that I have the old magazine covers in. Thought I would pull some out for next month which I did. While browing through the file, I found these pictures that I had saved - I think they are just gorgeous. Such pretty ladies and beautiful clothes and lovely colors. Wouldn't they be wonderful printed out on fabric and incorporated into a wallhanging or pillow? I am sure there are countless ways to use them.

So I post them here and hope you enjoy looking at them. There is so much out there in cyberspace to see and enjoy! Stay warm! (Click to enlarge)

Lopsized Logs

Yet another challenge wallhanging for our 2004 quilt show. Don't even remember if this was a log cabin challenge for sure but it was a 20 x 24 piece. I used all batiks in this one and a really cool striped piece for the binding, in some of the logs, and the center strip. Batiks are so gorgeous. Let's face it, I don't think I have ever seen a piece of batik I didn't want! I am not quite sure what I was trying to get across with the little circles in the center of each block. Maybe I was thinking about happy little balloons on strings breaking free! Probably more like I felt that it just needed a little something more. (Click to enlarge)

Came in the Mail Yesterday

I do quite a bit of ordering from the internet. For quite a few years now, I have ordered from Connecting Threads.com. There is always a good discount on books and they carry quite a few. Also, you can look at quite a few pages on the inside of each book and that really can make you want it or decide it's not what you think it is. I ordered these two - the first is kind of cute and the other one deals with working on the computer with pictures which I really love to do. Haven't had a chance to really read it yet but the review they gave it was good.

They are now selling their own fabric for $5.90 something a yard and I have been going to try it. There was a new, bright collection this time so I sent for fat eighths - all 20 in the collection for about $15.00. Well, it's really nice - bright and silky.

You can get an idea from the pictures. Lots of their collections are more like thimbleberries or civil war - anyway, go take a peek at their website if you are interested. connectingthreads.com

Then the other package was the new light for my sewing machine - look at it shine!!! Wow, you can really see what is under the presser foot. Clothilde sent a catalog earlier and the $50 light was on sale for $39.95 - with free shipping. This is going to be one of my favorite things! Still waiting on one more package - I ordered a bunch of 1/2 yard pieces of batiks on sale from Hancock's of Paducah. Look forward to their arrival! Like, really, I need more fabric!!!!!!!

(Click to enlarge)

Very Productive Guild Meeting Tonight

On a previous post, I showed pictures that Melissa took of little still life groups that we set up. She was able to get them printed today and tonight brought along the pictures and the packages of cards and envelopes our members have donated. These notes will be packaged and sold at our quilt show bazaar in March - the bazaar has proved to be really successful for our guild. Above are three of our members working on gluing the pictures on the card fronts.

Julie is all smiles as she works doing her part of getting the cards ready.

More of our girls working diligently at their assigned task. The members also glued all the hints to the bookmarks and did the hole punching and ribbon attaching for our giveaways. How great that all that is now done - many hands get work done in record time. We had a great attendance for such a cold night.

The January ATC's. Debbie and Claire weren't there tonight so we will exchange with them next month. Mine is on the left and to the right is Julie's - our theme was Time. (Click to enlarge)

Something Bright for a Snowy Day

The weather today is really cold, snow and windy. Hope it slows down so we can have a meeting tonight since there are only two before the quilt show. I think this may be the snowiest winter that we have had since I have lived in Michigan.

Every year at our guild's quilt show, we are given a challenge to take if one wishes. In 2007, this was my entry which I called Flying to the Fiesta. This year we are challenged to do an altered playing card and the one I drew was the 5 of hearts. Have an idea and fabrics gathered, but I have to get my act together and get it started. That should be a fun display - all of the pieces are to be 20 x 24 with rounded corners. (Click to enlarge)

Note: Just had a phone call from Kathy who has organized the challenge quilts for a long time and I had the wrong dimensions - the correct ones are 21 high x 15 wide. All of the others have been the larger size so glad she caught that!!

And, Kathy, your comment came through great!! Good for you!

An Old Pillow Cover

When I was gathering things up before Melissa came the other day, I took some pictures of the things I had put on the dining room table. This is a pillow cover that does not have the pillow form in it. It is done on yellow organdy and the ruffle and trim on the dress and bonnet are black on yellow polka dot organdy. I just love the embroidery and the color of this. Found it in some antique store in Overland Park, I think. Whenever I find something like this, I wonder about the woman (probably was a woman) who made it and about what thoughts she was thinking as she stitched this sweet little piece. The flowers are just precious - and so is the little kitty. Sorry, think it is actually a little doggie. (Click to enlarge)

A New Way to Leave a Comment

I just found an article offering a new method for posting comments and thought I would give it a try. When you click on Comments, the form will pop up right below the post. You will see an empty box in which you will type your message. I will now post this and hopefully be able to demonstrate how to leave a message if you would want to. (I love to get the comments!)

Finally Figured It Out

Usually when we are working on our round robin quilts for our yearly quilt show, we slide by the month of December and don't have to bring them in until our February meeting. This year that has changed since we are having our show in March instead of April so we needed the full five months to get them done. This is the fourth round and in January we will do our fifth and final one for the February meeting when each one will get back her own little quilt after the final reveal. Then they have to be sewn together - some of the girls even get them quilted. However, they will all hang together quilted or not. We always see all except our own at each meeting. I have been kind of stewing about the one I have this time and had not figured out what to add. Today, I got down to business and finally figured it out and now have it finished. I won't show any of the quilt I have except for what I have done - don't know if the owner of this quilt looks at my blog or not. Don't want to spoil anything for her.

Next inspiration I need is for the little trading cards the four of us do. The theme this month is "Time" - so I am mulling that around in my mind. Eventually the light bulb over my head will light up! I have until Tuesday. (Click to enlarge)

Photo Taking Session

Melissa came over this afternoon and our task was to take pictures to be used on note cards to be sold at our quilt show coming up in March. She has one wonderful camera. I had scrounged around and found all kinds of old things that we used to set up little groups of still life plus some that she had brought along with her.

I took some pictures, too, with my Sony and here are a few to give you an idea of how we carried out our assignment. We also got some wonderful old Egyptian wall hangings that Alice has and Melissa photographed those, also. They will make lovely cards, too. Do you think people will buy these? I know that Melissa will get pictures that are much better. However, this gives you an idea of how they will be.

This picture is kind of a salute to my late husband - his shoes, book and wooden toy are in that one. His mom kept so many things and I am eternally grateful to her for that. (Click to enlarge)

Need to Get Back to This One

About two years ago, I pieced this wall hanging with oriental fabrics. It is partially quilted and I want to get it finished this winter. As you can see, I am doing circles or stones and then just straight stitching down the center of each row. It is very repetitious and hard to stick with for too long but it does look nice.

The way it was pieced and trimmed out, there were enough pieces left over for another small quilt and I used most of them to make this tablerunner, which I gave as a gift.

I was pleased with the way it turned out. Oriental fabrics are a big favorite of mine. Come to think of it, I sure have a lot of favorite fabrics! (Click to enlarge)

I Had a Complaint!

Today was another "Sit and Sew Day" for our quilt guild at the civic arena. A nice group of quilters showed up to spend time sewing on projects and enjoying each other's company. This time I just took along some crocheting to work on so I would not have to tote my sewing machine. Several of the gals follow this blog and this pretty lady was complaining to me that I had not added to my blog for awhile. I replied that it was sometimes kind of hard finding something to post - and she said how about the scarf I had crocheted. So I made her model it for me and here is a new picture - Leslie and my scarf! We have a fun group of gals!!
(Click to enlarge)

Rocking Christmas Eve

Bill had a great setup in his basement for the X Box thing (I'm not sure just what it is called) and he had Guitar Hero and a Rock Band deal. Let me tell you, everyone loved it! He works with videos and all things high-tech so has a great space for this. Above, you can see the big screen he had stretched on a frame. Below you can see how intense everyone is trying to keep up with what is going on for each of them. They actually are a pretty talented bunch. Two on guitars, one drummer and a vocalist. Lots and lots of fun. However, none of my family got their musical talents from me since I have none!! The only lessons I ever had was tapdancing - not much call for that!Everyone took turns on different positions - such fun to watch. They took it over to Norah and Chad's Christmas Day and played it a while then, too, on the tv. (Click to enlarge)

Jigsaw Puzzle Fans

Working the "leglamp" puzzle from "The Christmas Story". Jigsaw puzzles have always been one of my favorite things (especially right after Christmas). That seems to have been passed down to Sherry and now to her girls. This is such a cute puzzle - and kind of a difficult one - but they got it done in record time. Hannah, I am sorry I didn't get your pretty little head in the picture!!I remember working puzzles with my Dad on the dining room table and keeping them under the tablecloth between times we worked them. (Click to enlarge)

Another Book of Applique Patterns

The last time I was in Joann's, I had a coupon that was burning a hole in my pocket. Finding something to buy that isn't on sale (can't use coupons on sale items) is a formidable task sometimes since there are always so many sale items. Generally, I check out the book section to see if there is a new book that wants to come live at my house. That is another story since the way they have the books displayed is a challenge sometimes, too. It is easy to knock something down when you pick something else up. (Even if I complain a little, I love Joann's for lots of things!) I saw this book and leafed through it - it came home with me.

Some really nice patterns that can be reduced, enlarged or used as is. Applique is and always has been probably my favorite part of quilting.

Love the motif on the right. I can see if in batiks, brights, Aunt Grace, etc. Great patterns - great book. (Click to enlarge)

Happy New Year!

My very best wishes for a healthy and happy 2009. There are resolutions that I should make but probably won't. However, I will try to stay as healthy as I can and hope my mind continues to function in a reasonable manner.

Since I will be putting things away that I got out for Christmas and getting back to normal, I thought I would take pictures of a couple of pieces that I use on the dining room table and the old round coffee table in the middle of my living room. This first piece was from a picture in a magazine someplace. I hand buttonholed the centers. Takes a while, doesn't it? I do like the colors. The bottom piece was taken from a pattern in Quiltmaker a few years ago. That one was machine buttonhole applique. (Click to enlarge)