A Southern Quilters Joy

Rethinking a Project

2012-02-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

I started the Farmers Wife quilt and have about 17 blocks completed. At this time in my life it is not a fun quilt to make. I prefer quilt instructions that give me measurements to cut. I prefer a page of many templates if templates are to be used. I prefer detailed instructions.

I used the block print outs from the Yahoo group and still found it frustrating having to remember in paper piecing you are working in the reverse.

So for now I am placing everything in a box and maybe at some later time I can pick it up again.

Mistake

2012-01-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

I kept looking at the picture of the first four blocks I have completed of the FWS quilt and something just looked odd. Finally it dawned on me. The rail fence block is not put together correctly. So tomorrow I will rip it apart and sew back together correctly. I have completed two additional blocks and working on another block.
When I have four additional blocks completed I will add a photo.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler

2012-01-08T05:08:00.000-08:00

I purchased this quilt book and CD before Christmas thinking what a fun project that would be for 2012. After Christmas I sat down and really started looking at the blocks and studying the CD. There are 100 blocks, size 6 x 6 finished. Most of the blocks will be done using a paper piecing method.
Now I do not enjoy paper piecing. But my Nicholson group uses another method of paper piecing that I think will make the process move along quicker. It is the freezer paper paper piecing method. Yesterday I used the freezer paper method and liked it very much as compared to the standard paper piecing method. If I can make one block a day or five a week then I should be finished by July. I selected fabrics that have a 1940 look. You can see the first few blocks that I have made.
Will keep you posted on how the project is going.

Christmas Picture

2011-12-28T15:18:00.000-08:00

Here we are with our two daughters laughing it up on Christmas day. Fun day for us to share.

Clean Up Day

2011-12-27T06:11:00.000-08:00

We had a good Christmas, not great, but good. We have so many family members who are ill or have issues until my heart was heavy this Christmas season. But we had three of our children for lunch on Christmas day and that was especially nice.

Last night I made my "to do" list for this morning. And every time I went by it today I had to add another "to do". Slowly I am marking off items on the list. My sweetman has been helping me this morning and I really appreciate that.

Decorations are down and put up, bathrooms cleaned and wash is going.

Today was my "Nicholson" quilt day but we awoke to heavy rains this morning and I just decided best to stay inside. So I working hard on that list and hopefully I will have it completed by lunch and get upstairs after lunch for some serious sewing.

Merry Christmas to All

2011-12-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

A very Merry Christmas to all. For unto you is born a Savior.

A New Quilt

2011-12-22T17:59:00.000-08:00

These are some of the beginning blocks for a new quilt I am making. I have 56 blocks finished and today decided that I needed 16 more. I have used all blues from very light to very dark and I think it will be a beautiful quilt when completed. The sashing will be the same white as used in the blocks with a dark blue for the cornerstones. Still undecided about the borders. Will post more as I get closer to the completion.

2011 Unfinished Quilts List

2011-12-20T04:52:00.000-08:00

At the end of 2010 I made a list of my unfinished quilts. Here is the list as of today. I will finished some of these quilts in 2012 but that Grandmothers Flower Garden may never get finished. It is my least favorite quilt in progress and I have lost interest. But maybe one day I will pick it up again and work on it. So here is the list.

UNFINISHED QUILTING PROJECTS TO FINISH IN 2011

Dresden Plate	Decided to	Rip apart	And redo	sashing

Baltimore Alb	Hand quilting	This and hope	To finish 2012

~~Basket Baby~~	Finished 2011

~~Xmas table runner~~	Finished 2011

B~~. Hunter Quilt~~	Completed	Jan 2011

~~String Quilt~~	Completed	May 2011	Dan’s quilt

Quilt Panel	Basted and	Ready to quilt

~~#1 Pinwheel~~	Completed	2011	Pat’s

~~#2 Pinwheel~~	Completed	Oct 2011	Pat’s

Beatitudes	Can’t find	Blocks but	I know they	Are someplace

Grandmothers Flower Garden	May never	Finish this	Quilt!

Wine Jelly

2011-11-27T15:05:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month I purchased a small jar of wine jelly at our town holiday craft fair. It was delicious.

After researching the Internet and finding recipes, I decided I would try to make my own. Here is a picture of the results. And it is very tasty.

Miniature Christmas Sampler

2011-11-19T10:10:00.000-08:00

This is a miniature Christmas sampler I finished this weekend. Originally I had intended to use it on my dining room table. But that table is now part of the "dining room quilting area". So I will hang it for the holiday season. But first it is being shown in our guilds Christmas quilt show at the Commerce, GA library.

I used lite heat and bond for the applique and then did a very narrow buttonhold stitch on the applique. It was machine quilted, by me, and since I am mostly a handquilter it was a learning experience.

I especially love the red fabric I used and went back and purchased more for my stash. Now I am going to watch for the quilt shops after Christmas sale and go back and buy even more if there is any left. It truly is a lush color of red.

Maybe this Christmas

2011-11-04T05:09:00.000-07:00

I am working on a Christmas runner/wall hanging. Sorry no pictures, maybe later. Last night after my Sweetman was in bed I was able to get in about an hour of sewing. This piece has applique that I did with Heat and Bond lite. Now I am appliqueing on the machine with a button hole stitch. Since I now have converted the dining room into a mini sewing area I may just hang the piece for this Christmas.

My Sweetman is doing well. His disease has hit a status quo level and does not seem to be escalating for which I am delighted. We are having fun days getting out every day to go somewhere. His favorite trip is a drive up to the mountains. I want to go back during the Christmas holidays as I think he will really enjoy all of the decorations and lights.

Pinwheel #2

2011-10-14T05:13:00.000-07:00

This is the Pinwheel #2 quilt that I made in 2010 and finished quilting October 2011. My sister admired this quilt when she was here last year. (She also admired Pin Wheel #1). I gave her #1 and since she has several granddaughters I decided she needed #2 also.

Yesterday I pieced the backing for my Baltimore Album. My plans are to get it loaded onto the quilt frame and basted ASAP. I am really looking forward to handquilting the Album but it will take up all of this year and a large part of next year.

Sitting on the cutting table is fabric for a Christmas table runner. Do hope I can get started on that this week.

Fruit Basket Turn Over

2011-10-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

When we built our house eleven years ago I was blessed by having a sewing room upstairs in the bonus room. It has been wonderful and it ususally is a mess with all of my fabrics spread out all over the place.

Now, with my Sweetman being ill I cannot get up there very often to sew as he always wants me close by. After three months of very little sewing I made a decision. Today I took the leaf out of the dining room table and tuned the table to give me room in the dining room area to create a sewing area. Then I moved my sewing table and sewing machine down to the dining room. I now have a corner of the dining room as a sewing area.

Our dining room, kitchen and great room is a very open area and should work perfectly for me to sew and Sweetman to sit in the great room and watch TV.
Next week I am going to puchase a TV for the great room.

A little cluttered but a workable solution for now but workable.

Autumn In the Air

2011-09-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

Here in Georgia we have had several wonderful cool mornings. Fall is in the air. It won't be long before we will have fall colors all around us. I think this may call for a trip to the north Georgia mountains in a few weeks.

New Cell Phone--Goodby

2011-09-01T04:44:00.000-07:00

I was encouraged to get text messaging for my cell phone in case it was needed for an emergency. So I had text messaging added to my cell phone plan. But the phone I had was awkward to use for texting. Off I went to Walmart and purchased the above phone and just to make sure I did not miss anything I had an inexpensive data plan added to my plan. Brought the new phone home and attempted to learn how to use it. Viewed the CD that came with the new phone, went on line and viewed the manual. After more hours trying to learn how to use the new phone and one sleepless night I decided that my life is too short to spend anymore time dealing with a new cell phone and new plans. I think I have received less than five text messages and I never did learn how to get on the internet or get emails. Tomorrow the cell phone is being returned to Walmart and text messaging and data plan being dropped from my cell plan. All I need is a phone to make calls on.
Life is less stressful since making that decision.

Memories Not to be Forgotten

2011-07-26T04:16:00.000-07:00

What do you see in this picture? Woods, a gate, a neglected narrow road? A strange picture to post on your blog?

I see a road that winds through the woods to what use to be a house and farm that gave me love, security and peace. This is the entrance to what use to be my grandparents farm and is loving referred to as "The Farm" by our family.

Even today, forty years after my last visit to "The Farm" I could walk every acre and not get lost. As a child I roam over every cow path, hill, lake, creek and pasture by horseback, bicycle, and foot. I know every hiding place a person could hide on these 285 acres. I know where not to go because it is dangerous and I know every hill to sit on for the perfect view of sunrises and sunsets. My life has been pondered on those hills many times. The Farm was my haven from an insane world.

This summer Sweetman and I returned to our hometowns for a visit. I made a swing off the main highway and drove us through the backwoods of Mississippi and returned to the farm area in the middle of no where, where "The Farm" is located. The farming community has changed but I found that dusty road that led to the entrance of "The Farm". I got out of the car placing my feet on dusty, sweet Mississippi soil and took a few pictures of the entrance.

We could not get down to the old house, which is no longer standing so I am told, as the new owners have a locked gate. But is was so good to just stand there and let the good memories flow over my being.

The land is now owned by distance relatives who are commercial farmers.
Sweet, loving memories, a good trip, a trip down Memory Lane.

Pinwheel #1

2011-07-07T02:59:00.000-07:00

I tried a new method of cutting out this quilt. While the cutting and sewing went very fast it was not as accurate as I like. But it turned out to be a sweet quilt. Plus I used up more fabrics. This quilt is going to a special person who shall remain a mystery until delivered.

Our New Great Grandson

2011-06-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of our newest great grandson. Isn't he a cutie?
He is welcomed by big brother and all our family.

New Baby, New Quilt

2011-06-21T09:59:00.001-07:00

We are so excited as we are having a new baby in the family this week. Our only granddaughter is scheduled for delivery this week and we know it is a little boy.
This quilt was made for the newest great-gran. We may not see him for a while as he will live in Texas and we are in Georgia. But to Easton, we say welcome to a wonderful family filled with cousins, second-cousins, aunts, great aunts, uncles, great uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents. Lots of love to go around for you.

Blomming Flowers

2011-06-13T17:11:00.000-07:00

I had lots of help planting my whiskey barrels and pots this year from our two youngest grandsons. They did an excellent job as you can see from the massive blooms.
I always plant marigolds in hopes of keeping the deer out of the yard. And I love purple wave petunias. The pot that appears empty will have zinnias blooming a few weeks as they were just planted last week.

Grandson's Quilt

2011-06-07T02:32:00.000-07:00

This is the finished quilt for one of our grandsons. He has graduated from college and now is part of the real, working world. Many, many, many blocks in this quilt and I kept adding borders to make it long enough for him as he is very tall. Miss Ann did an awesome job quilting on her her long arm. It is bright and he loves it.

Bunny Hill Design

2011-05-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

This is a quilt I made from Bunny Hill Designs free Block of the Month 2008. Several of my quilting friends also made this quilt and it was very interesting to see how each of us used different colors and fabrics.

One day a very sweet little girl will receive this quilt.

Blogging and Quilting on Hold

2011-04-20T17:53:00.001-07:00

I haven't been blogging or quilting due to a big yard project. Part of our backyard is a small hill that dips toward the house. Beyond the other side of the hill is a beautiful wooded area that we have let remain natural. But that hill and backyard toward the house has been a thorn in our side. We have just had so many problems getting grass to grow and just when we had everything growing we had the problem with the yard caving in due to our wonderful builder digging a pit and burying stumps and building supplied in it. After spending mega bucks a couple of years ago to get that corrected we started trying to rebuild the back yard area. Then my wonderful Sweetman became ill and everything stopped. Last year it was just mowed and a little care by our lawn service company with fertilizer and weed killer.

This year was the year. That yard was going to have grass. I ordered 1 1/2 pallets of bermuda sod and started the process. The afternoon of the delivery I started laying sod (and had no idea what I was doing). But the yard had been aerated twice and top soil placed in many placed to even it out etc. Back to laying sod--I was so tired and still had 1/2 pallet to put down. Here comes my wonderful neighbor plus two other mutual friends and they started helping me. Finally, it was down and we were blessed with good rains for several day.

But I still had some bare spots. So I went and purchased 50 more pieces and that day Sweetman felt good and was able to help me. Now I have one more area that needs about 50 pieces and I hope to get that down this week or next week.

Yesterday two of our grandsons came to visit and they helped me get flowers planted in my barrels and pots and then some down in a bed by our mailbox. Aren't friends and relatives wonderful?

My goal is to get the yard where all I have to do is maintain it and not spend lots of time on it each year.

Hopefully I will be back at quilting very soon and have pictures to share with you.

One Less UFO

2011-02-13T18:26:00.001-08:00

This is one of my UFO's that I have completed. The pattern is Jared Takes a Wife from Bonnie Hunter's website.

Almost

2011-02-02T04:52:00.000-08:00

One of our adult grandsons asked for a quilt for his new bed. He wanted a quilt that was "modern" and bright. I invaded the quilt shop and came home with fabrics that I really like and thought were perfect. Then I pulled out a quilt pattern that I had purchased at the Quilt Expo last fall. Pattern was too small so I proceeded to try and enlarge for a queen size bed. Cut fabrics, sewed fabrics, put on design wall. A disaster! Terrible looking! So I ripped it apart and decided I would make a string quilt using all the purchased fabrics plus what I could pull from my stash. Now I am down to the last section and I can see daylight at the end of the tunnel. Maybe by March I will have it finished for that sweet young man.

January 11 2011 week of Snow and Ice

2011-01-12T06:19:00.001-08:00

As you can see we have had about 5-6 inches of snow and ice this week. We have not ventured outside except to put the daily garbage into the outside garbage can. It is truly beautiful! We live on a hill and our driveway is a sheet of ice so I am sure we will not be going out for another couple of days. But today the sun is shinning and there is some movement of vehicles in the subdivision. Today I woke up thinking how thankful I am, and blessed, that I did not have to get out in this icy condition to try and make it to work.

Yesterday I spent most of the day in the quilt room trying to finish quilting the borders on a quilt. And today I am trying to get caught up on the washing and then back to the quilt room.

Another Round

2011-01-09T10:01:00.001-08:00

From the most recent weather reports we are in for another round of messy weather. Expecting 3-5 inches of snow and 1/4 inch plus of ice. The ice will be rough as we will have tree limbs down on power lines and power will be out for many people. Our subdivision has underground utilities but the lines coming into our subdivision are all above ground on a road with hugh trees.

We made our mad dash to the grocery store yesterday morning, early, and purchased a few things to get us through the next 2-5 days. Fortunately we have propane logs in the great room but everything else in our house is electric. But we do have the propane grill if I can just get to it with ice on the walkway.

Sweetman and I have been through all of this before, several times, and I think we are as prepared as we can be. Good luck to all of our friends and family from Texas to South Carolina. Stay safe and warm.

Winter Wonderland in Georgia

2010-12-27T06:19:00.001-08:00

We started having snow Christmas night about 10:00pm and it snowed all night and into the next morning. Fortunately we had our family Christmas lunch at 12:00 noon Christmas day and after eating and opening presents everybody agreed they needed to return home as soon as possible in anticipation of the coming snow.
It was just beautiful coming down with large flakes and covering everything in a mystical white veil. Another reminder of the the beauty of our earth that God has created for us to enjoy. And another thank you that we are retired and did not have to get out this morning to go to work. Today the wind is blowing strongly and another cold, cold day. But warming up later this week.

A good day to be quilt making.

Love this Quilt

2010-12-13T17:18:00.000-08:00

I love this quilt. The blocks were made for several years and then stored away. When I found fabric for the sashing and borders it took on a wonderful color scheme that I loved. But it now has a home with our youngest daughter and I know it will be loved and used.

I am Thankful

2010-11-25T06:47:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2010
November 25, 2010

I am THANKFUL

1. For grandparents and an aunt who loved me unconditionally, had Godly values and high moral standards. Without them my life could have been very differently.
2. For being born in America and most especially for being born and reared in the South.
3. For the First Baptist Church and Broadmoor Baptist Church in Jackson, MS who shaped my bible beliefs and helped shape my life here on earth and my life after death.
4. For the man who came into my life when I was a very young person and who chose me to be his wife. He has been here for 54 years and has loved me, protected me and laughed with me through it all.
5. For the four bright and shinning stars given to us. They have been my life and they have exceeded every expectation I have ever had for them. All have succeeded in life.
6. For the eight grandchildren those bright and shinning stars have given to us to spoil, love and brag on. All of them have been a blessing to our family.
7. For those two little great grand-sons who continue our family.
8. For allowing me to grow up on a farm and for the safety it provided for a shy little girl.
9. For allowing me to grow up in the best of times.
10. For giving me a hobby that I love and the joy it gives me to share with others.
11. For giving me good health.
12. For inheriting my grandfathers thick gray hair.
13. For always having a warm place to sleep in the winter and a cool place to sleep in the summer.
14. For always having enough food to eat.
15. For helping me to have a career and the “smarts” to participate in their savings program.
16. For helping me be able to retire early.
17. For friends.
18. For the love of books.
19. For my two sisters.
20. For sending us to Jefferson, GA to retire.

Stack and Whack Quilt

2010-11-09T04:37:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my one and only Stack and Whack quilt that I will ever make. I had always wanted to make one of these quilts. As I started this quilt I was so excited and by the end of sewing the pieces together all I could think of was getting to the end. My daughter loved this quilt so it has found a resting place in her home. Too much fabric, too many triangles and just rather boring sewing it together. But it did turn out to be a pretty quilt and I am glad it is happy at my daughters.

What I did Today

2010-10-21T14:16:00.001-07:00

For years my Sweetman could do anything. He could change diapers, fold diapers, feed babies, entertain kids, haul carloads of kids to ballfields, coach, cheer them on, provide everything a child needs and still love his wife and take care of her. The yard was his domain and I stayed out of it except to suggest where I wanted something planted. But now he has health issues and just can't do what he use to. I love working in the yard and consider it a great way to get much needed exercise. So today I headed for the yard early this morning. This is what I have cut away and hauled to the curb to be picked up on Monday. The one thing he will not let me do is use his chain saw. Darn, I know I could do it! So he did come out late this afternoon and with his foam knee pad on the ground he was able to cut away some very think hedges for me. My superman! I cut back my knockout roses and shaped up some other shrubs. And there is still more to do. There is still lots of sawdust from where we had the trees cut down and I need to get it spread. And I am still fighting that darn English Ivy that I spray with roundup everytime I walk by it.

New Project

2010-10-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

I have started purchasing fabrics for a new project. The request was to make it bright and modern. Today at the Georgia Quilt Expo I picked up these fabric and a pattern that I think will be perfect.

Speaking of the Quilt Expo, you could tell that we are in an economy slump. A large majority of the quilts on display were small art quilts. Regardless of the size I think all of them were winners. And many of vendors that we have seen at different quilting functions in the pass were not there this year. Hopefully things will turn around the economy and next years Expo will be even better than this years.

Quilts and Quiltmakers

2010-09-15T17:17:00.001-07:00

This is a block with sashing that I am using in a new quilt that I am in the process of making. And I have been thinking seriously about my passion for quiltmaking. I am slowly realizing that not all people like or enjoy quilts. To some they are "old fashion" and do not fit into their decorating scheme. To others they are loved and cherished and the more piled on a bed the happier they are. So the question is how do you decide who gets the quilts you are making. I don't have an answer, yet. So if you are my family or friend and see a quilt in my house or workroom and you would really like to have it, let me know. And if you are not interested in a quilt for your house, just don't accept one if it is offered to you. And to my seven grandsons, my quilts are not being made to take on hunting trips or change the oil in your car. They are made with love for all of my family and friends to enjoy.

The dear deer are not so dear any longer!

2010-08-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

We have lived in our home almost 10 years and never had a problem with the deer. But this summer they have found us! The hosta plants on the backside of the house have been tasty tidbits for them. Note, they just took out the tops.

Our home is in a subdivision but backs up to a farm. Even with an electric fence the sweet deer managed to find hosta plants in our subdivision. Apparently they went from house to house enjoying the hosta plants in the subdivision as most all of the hosta plants of my neighbors were eaten also.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

2010-08-19T07:20:00.006-07:00

Do you remember The Andy Griffith show with Jim Nabors. One of his favorite sayings was "Surprise, surprise, surprise"
Well let me tell you about my wonderful surprise! My birthday was August 16. Our oldest daughter had called the week before and invited Sweetman and me out for lunch on Saturday at Olive Garden. Nice birthday gift! The Thursday night before that Saturday I was sitting in our sitting room watching TV and doing a little hand quilting when I had a telephone call from my Mississippi sister, Pat. We were just chatting away and she asked the strangest question; what are you doing and which room are you in. Just then the door bell started ringing. I loudly asked Sweetman to answer the door. He did and there stood two ladies asking for me. So Sweetman being a sweetie asked "Are you from the church?" The said no. He then asked if they were from one of my quilting groups. And about that time my sister Pat just ran into the house and my baby sister from Texas, Edwina, was trying to get Sweetman to be quiet long enough for her to tell him who they were. I heard Sweetman say "She is going to have a heart attack". Then I looked up and there stood this woman in the doorway of the sitting room and I did not recognized her at first. Then I did and I almost did have a heart attack. I had not seen my sisters in almost seven years. Yet, we email and talk most every week. They had driven from Mississippi to help celebrate my birthday. What wonderful, sweet sisters I have.
We celebrated all weekend and they graciously treated all of my Georgia family to lunch at Olive Garden on Saturday. This is a birthday that will be remembered forever. All of my children and grans called to wish me a special birthday and I loved every minute. I am one of the luckiest ladies in the world to have such a loving and caring family.

Fig Preserves

2010-08-11T10:18:00.001-07:00

A friend brought us a small bag of fresh figs yesterday. Neither of us eat figs except as fig preserves. Last night I washed the figs and then added sugar for them to sit overnight. Then this morning I started the cooking process. This is what I ended up with. Of course, Sweetman wanted biscuits for lunch so he could start eating on them today. But we decided we would not open a jar until after the first frost of the season. If you have fresh figs send them my way!

Baptist Fan Quilting Pattern

2010-08-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

Are you a hand quilter? Have you ever wondered how to quilt using the Baptist Fan pattern? Bonnie Hunter over on the Quiltville blog, www.quiltville.blogspot.com, has a great tutorial on how to quilt the Baptist fan. Go to http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2010/05/questions-on-fans.html or go to her blog and scroll down on the right and click on the Baptist Fan tutorial.

Friendships

2010-08-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

When we first married I worked and Sweetman went to collage. Then he went to work and I stayed home for eleven years and took care of our four sweet blessings. When baby boy was eighteen months there were career changes for Sweetman and I returned to work for a few years. Returned home for about a year and then decided to return to the work force. And for almost twenty five years I worked for a major corporation and enjoyed every minute of my career. With a career, a husband and four sweet blessings I had no time left to develop real friendships. But when we retired and moved to our small town my life changed. I had the time and energy to connect with some wonderful people and started developing friendships that I consider to be real gifts. This group of friends are from the Nicholson Quilt Group that meet on Tuesday mornings. The quilts hanging on the walls were made by the leader of this group "Miss Susan". You want to have fun and laughs, join a quilt group.

The Sewing Room

2010-06-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

There has been lots of activity in the sewing room the past few weeks. I have spent lots of my time at home and really enjoyed getting some of my UFO finished or close to being finished.
The Pinwheel is one of two pinwheel quilt tops that I am working on. The pastel colored fabric came from the stash and had been in the stash for a very long time.
The Dresden Plate are fabrics that I had been collecting for the past few years.
The third quilt is a quilt our Jefferson Library group has been working on to give to library for a wallhanging in the media room.

Fabric Gift

2010-05-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

This fabric was given to our Monday Methodist Quilting group along with a pattern. So I pieced and quilted this cute quilt for them to raffle off. Blues and yellows are great colors for a bright quilt.

Spring is Here

2010-05-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

Spring is really here. These are some snapshots of a few of the iris that are growing in our yard. I love the spring! Now I want to go to the Iris-Daylilly farm and purchase more iris while they are in bloom.

Left Over Blocks

2010-04-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

When I was making a quilt I call my red double star quilt, I had a number of left over blocks. I had made these blocks thinking they would go into the red star quilt but they just didn't work out. So I took the blocks and made this small quilt. And it really does look nice on the end of the bed where the double star quilt is being used. It is a nice quilt to get under for an afternoon nap. Hope you enjoy.

Fabric Resolution

2010-03-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

I have been sewing over 40 years and making quilts for over 20 years. I have purchased many fabrics over these years! So I have made a decision to start cutting some of my "unwanted" and "what was I thinking when I purchased that fabric" into 2 inch wide strips. From these strips I am going to start making log cabin quilts. In the past week I took some left over scrapes and made a 9 patch quilt. When I have completed this quilt it will measure about 70 x 90---and all from left over scrapes. I am really excited about turning out as many quilt tops as possible this year. What are you doing with your scrapes. I would love to hear from you.

Snow in Georgia February 12 2010

2010-02-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

We had a very large snow in Georgia on Friday. And more is expected tonight. We usually do not have this much snow but it has been a very strange winter in our area. It was beautiful and today most of it will be gone as the temperture is in the fifties. But while it was on the ground it was just beautiful.

How Much Longer?

2010-01-30T13:17:00.000-08:00

How much long can winter last? I am tired of the cold and rain.

Don't you love this beautiful quince bloom? I'm dreaming of an early spring, please, please, please. Beautiful spring pictures can be seen over at Southern Lagniappe's blog which you can access from my blog list.

Southern Matriarch Give Away

2010-01-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

If you go over to http://southernmatriarch.blogspot.com/ blog you will see these beautiful quilted coathangers that are being given away. So go over and enter and enjoy her delightful blog. Don't you love her baby outfit?

Vacuum Cleaners

2010-01-19T06:32:00.000-08:00

Sorry, no picture today. But I want to vent on vaccum cleaners. Why did they go to bagless cleaners? They are so messy! And oh those poor people who have asthma, how do they handle cleaning them out. And why is a HEPA filter needed. Why not a washable filter. And why do HEPA filters cost enought to go out and enjoy lunch?

I am on my third cleaner in less than ten years. One of those I did break myself! But now the one I am using is slowly going bad. So I am looking for a replacement. But who sells a cleaner with a throw away bag?

I do not need a $500 cleaner. I want something that has a long cord, will do a great suction and light weight so I can handle it if I have to carry it upstairs.

Not too much to ask So if you have a recommendation, please post it on my blog.
I need help!

Happy Quilting (when I am not cleaning out the dumb cleaner)

What is on your Design Wall?

2010-01-02T06:12:00.001-08:00

On my design wall are blocks that I am working on from the quilt book Be Attitudes by Nancy Halvorsen. All of the blocks are sewn and now I am doing the fusible applique and machine blanket stitch on the blocks. So what is on your design wall? What are you working on at the beginning of a new year?

To all of my blog friends I wish you a very Happy New Year.

The True Meaning of Christmas

2009-12-24T05:46:00.001-08:00

To each of you I wish a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told

Joy

2009-12-23T05:04:00.000-08:00

This drawing is from the blog Homegrown Hospitality.

Christmas should be a time of JOY. But for many it is a time of sadness and depression because of events that have happened in their pass. I love the blog site Homegrown Hospitality,http://www.homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/, who can just boost my spirits when I may be feeling down. Hope you will enjoy it also.

A Very Merry Christmas to all.

Christmas Tote Bag

2009-12-02T04:38:00.000-08:00

I love to sew Tote Bags. Sweetman calls me "the bag Lady" when we are getting ready to go someplace as I always have a bag full of projects or reading material to carry along. I found these two embroidery designs at Embroidery Library and incorporated them into these Christmas Totes. I love lime green. Never wear it but love to use it in quilts. These totes will carry groceries, books and quilt projects for the season

Blessing #3

2009-12-01T13:32:00.001-08:00

This is the oldest of these three brothers. And he brought his friend, who happens to be a girl, to share Thanksgiving with us. Cute couple. These three young men are the children of our youngest son. Great kids who are so fortunate to have great parents.

We have truly been blessed with four exceptionally unique children who have given us two wonderful daughter in laws, eight wonderful grandchildren and from those eight we now have two great grandchildren. Blessings have been poured on us abundantly!

Blessing #2

2009-12-01T13:23:00.001-08:00

This is another of our blessings. This young man is next to our youngest grandchild. Just a delight to be around him. He is a wrestler for his school and very, very good at it. Smart, good looking and we loved sharing Thanksgiving with him also.

Blessings

2009-12-01T13:18:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love cooking for my family and sharing the day with them. This young man is our youngest grandchild. He is just a great person with a smile to melt your heart and those eyes will get him most anything from his Nana and Papa. He has been a joy to our family.

Celtic 9 Patch Workshop

2009-11-13T14:25:00.000-08:00

Our guild had a workshop last weekend for the Celtic Nine Patch. In this picture the teacher is showing us how to use our bias bindings to create the celtic designs.
In the other picture you can see the three block table runner. The celtic binding is suppose to go around the oval inserts. The original quilt pattern is from Scarlett Rose and we only made three of the blocks rather than a wall hanging quilt.

Disappearing Nine Patch

2009-11-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

I loved sewing this Disappearing Nine Patch design. So much fun sewing, cutting and resewing. And then I used it to experiment with the Baptist Fan quilt design and that was even more fun. This little quilt will be donated to our Cuddle Quilt program at the guild.

Blairsville Quilt Show

2009-10-17T04:31:00.000-07:00

What fun we had yesterday in Blairsville. We, ten from our quilt guild, drove up to Blairsville for the day and attended the Misty Mountain Quilt Guild's quilt show. Beautiful quilts! Great company going and coming. And of course we just had to go by the local quilt shop. While looking at the quilts I spotted a face I recognized. I had never met this person, yet I knew her from her blog. It was Val from Life's Little Garden blog http://lifeslittlegarden.blogspot.com/. One of my favorite blogs with her stories of her sweet Granny. Val's sweet mom was with her and I also had the pleasure of meeting her. Val's blog is always an inspiration to me and just gives my day a little boost each morning when I read her writings. A pleasure to meet you Val and maybe we will see each other again.

Purse Workshop

2009-10-13T10:30:00.001-07:00

We recently had a purse workshop for our guild members. Two of our members taught two very different purses. And this is the class I took. This is really a cute purse and by following Miss Ann's detailed instructions, everything went together perfectly. I have Miss Teresa's instructions for her purse and will get to it just as soon as time permits. Thanks ladies for doing a great job and thank you guild members for great participation.

Baptist Fan

2009-09-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I don't have a picture for this blog. I have always like the Baptist Fan quilting stencil. I purchased several sizes when I went to Paducah several years ago and just never did anything with them. Then I made a small quilt, disappearing nine patch, and decided I would try to learn how to use the stencil. My friend Susan, gave me a quick lesson. I started the quilting and found out how to mark the top with a washable pen. After the first row across it just came in place and is looking great. I know I will be using this quilting pattern many times in the future. Will post a picture when the quilt top is completed.
Happy Quilting to all.

New Great Grandson

2009-09-08T05:54:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of our newest great grandson, Vikter. He doesn't live close to us but we are able to keep in touch with his Mom and Dad in facebook. This makes two great grandsons for us. And I know there will be many more since we have eight grandchildren, seven boys and one girl. And now speaking of quilting, I finally finished the Bethany Reynolds Stack and Whack quilt top. It is hugh! And so heavy! I don't know if I will ever get it quilted. Picture will follow later. Now I am trying to finish up my UFO's. The Baltimore Album quilt top needs six more blocks before it will be ready to sew together. But this will be more of a lap quilt than a bed quilt. Hope you have a joyful day with lots of quilting.

A Blue Ribbon Winner in Knoxville

2009-08-17T04:04:00.000-07:00

This is another picture from the Knoxville Quilt Expo. I love the colors the maker of this quilt used. And it won a Blue Ribbon! She did great work.

Another Knoxville Quilt

2009-08-16T16:38:00.001-07:00

I enjoyed this quilt. It appears the centers were machine embroidered. The colors are wonderful. A great idea to use our embroidery machines and incorporate the designs into a quilt.

Knoxville Expo

2009-08-15T06:36:00.001-07:00

Back in July a group of us drove to Knoxville, TN to attend the Knoxville Quilting Expo. Had a great time and saw many beautiful quilts. Some of the quilts we were not allowed to photograph. But many did allow photos. So over the next few days or weeks I will be sharing some of the pictures I took and hope you enjoy them. We loved the Expo in Knoxville because it was much closer to where we live than Paducah. But someday I would love to go back to Paducah. Enjoy.

The House Across the Street

2009-08-06T17:04:00.001-07:00

This is the house across the street from my house. The house went into foreclosure several years ago and ended up being puchased by a retired couple from Florida. They did extensive remolding to the house and it was a very nice looking home. Well, there was that problem on the front where they took out the window in the bonus room to get sheet rock up to the bonus room for part of the remolding. The hardiplank boards they put back on the outside of the house when they reinstalled the bonus room window, some boards were new and they just never did get around to painting them. So the couple moved in with their seven cats and four dogs. Now the Mrs. did not want to leave Florida. So she was never very happy. And then there were other problems in our small town that she didn't like and then she had a run in with a neighbor, that would my household, when the pit in our backyard was being dug up. So this delightful, unhappy Mrs., couple bought some land and a house south of Atlanta and have been moving there for the past month. Now she decided to do something to cover those unpainted boards. So she had the front of the house and one side painted. She had a new roof put on after a hail storm. All of the roofs in our subdivision are black, her new roof is blue. And when she repainted the front of her house she painted the shutters, the front door, the porch, the railings and the bannisters ROYAL BLUE! So each morning I get up and said Good Morning World to a Royal Blue porch across the street. I hope it filled her with great joy. It is her house and she can do what she chooses to do with it. It is now up for rent and I cannot wait to see who my new neighbors are going to be. Maybe she will be a quilter and we can sit and quilt on that beautiful royal blue porch.

I think I Am Going Crazy

2009-08-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

I think I will go crazy if we don't finish getting the sewing room moved downstairs.
The big hold up is getting the sewing machine cabinet moved from upstairs to downstairs. It is big and it is heavy. Too much for two senior citizens. We are waiting for our grandson to come up for a visit on Monday and I am sure the three of us can slide it down the stairs to the kitchen and then roll it out to the sewing room. No carpet once downstairs. Then I have to get everything in order. Right now I cannot even see the sewing machine with all the junk piled up on the table I am temporarily using.
Today, Sweetman put together a small computer desk for me to put in my bedroom to have a place for the laptop and a printer. Then we have purchased shelves to install in the sewing room to hold some of my fabric stash.
When my house and sewing area is messy I just feel like my life is going crazy. I like order and a plan of what to do next. Hopefully, when Timothy gets here Monday we can get everything straighten out and start getting some order to this mess.
Oh, and wait until I tell you about the house across the street. Must get a picture first. I need some Joy in my life.

Back from Knoxville

2009-07-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

The trip to Knoxville for the Quilt Expo was wonderful. Had lots of fun, saw many, many vendors with beautiful merchandise. This was the first year for Knoxville to be the host city. Next year should be even better. No large purchases were made but did pick up more embroidery thread and a beautiful Baltimore Album block series which I am going to share with a friend. She also pick up six of the blocks which she will share with me. This Expo is only about a sixth as large as Paducah but still saw many new quilt patterns. Saw lots of tie-dyed wool fabric. Beautiful colors! Long arm quilting companies were everywhere selling their machines. One vendor was a man who had build a longarm in his garage and now is producing to sell at the expos. Next year I will make it a two night trip as one night just was not long enough to take classes etc. But had a great time, great company and a terrific driver.

Off we Go to Knoxville

2009-07-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning we are off to Knoxville to the Quilt Expo. There are six from our Quilt Guild who will be attending and oohing and aahing over the beautiful quilts. I am anxious over how large or small this Expo will be in comparison to the Paducah Quilt Show. The Paducah show was just wonderful! I had never been to Paducah and to be honest I was overwhelmed. I wanted to buy one of everything! This trip to Knoxville I have a list. After quilting as long as I have, there aren't too many gadgets I need or want. But I do want a Q foot for my Designer 1 USB and there are a couple of books I would like to purchase, also. So I go with a plan. Will report back this weekend. Fabric is like Joy, it makes you feel happy on the inside.

2009-07-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

This is a quilt, or part of a quilt, that I am currently working on. Seems to last forever sewing it together! It is from Bethany Reynolds, Magic Stack and Whack, book. I fell in love with the fabric and have really enjoyed sewing it together. But you really have to be careful sewing the blocks together as you have different blocks for different positions on the quilt. I study the block, lay it out to sew, sew it together, study the block instructions again (just to make sure it has been sewn correctly) and then label the block. I think I have six more rows and it will be sewn together. I will then measure the quilt and determine if I am going to add a border. It is turning out to be another monster quilt for the high queen size bed. Hey Ann---put me on your list for the longarm. A joyful noise is pleasing to His ear.

Mississippi Fern

2009-07-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in the 70's my Dad and aunt drove from Mississippi to Georgia to visit us and Dad brought me a pot full of fern from his yard. One pot. We planted this one pot on the side yard of our house in Clarkston and it grew and spread all along the side of the house. Then we moved to Lawrenceville and in the contract to sell the Clarkston house we stated that we would have the right to dig up some of the fern to move to Lawrenceville. From Lawrenceville to Jefferson, the same thing. When we moved to our house in Jefferson in 2000 we hauled fern and planted it on the backside of the house that gets morning sun and evening shade. It has spread along this space. And this year, with all the rains it is taller than it has ever been. Sweetman measured a piece the other day--48 inches tall. This fern comes back every year and can be dug up and planted most any place that gets afternoon shade. I asked my Dad where he got this fern. With a grin on his face he said, "Some place where you are not suppose to remove plants from". Now he had that fern for years at his house so I am sure he "borrowed" it in the early 50-60's. In his later years I asked again and he told me the Natchez Trace north of where we lived. Today, you can go to jail for removing anything from a Federal or State park. Do you think that applies to the second generation? Need fern--call me.

Ohio Star Quilt

2009-07-04T07:31:00.001-07:00

Finished, at last. This quilt is rather large as I wanted it to fit my high queen sized bed. My friend, Ann, at Circle Square Quilting Co. did the quilting for me and I just love the way she quilted the top. I loved making this quilt and have enough fabric left over to make a smaller quilt for the back of my wicker chair in the bedroom. Happy Quilting and may you have much joy in your life.

Sweetman Needs New Work Shoes???

2009-07-04T07:26:00.001-07:00

Sweetman has a shoe problem. He has worked so hard until his shoes are coming apart. When I inquired about another pair he insisted there was no need to spend money on new workshoes he could just put duct tape around the shoe and it would last at least another year. O.K. (more money for quilt fabric!!!)

Cooler Sewing Room

2009-06-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

We purchased an A/C for the sunroom/sewing room this weekend. After much discussion, reading and rereading instructions, taking in and out of window several times, the A/C is in the window and working. Yeah--a cool room to sew in. Thanks Sweetman for hanging in there to get it installed ASAP.

More Information Than You Want to Know

2009-06-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

I am a retired mother, grandmother and wife of one sweet man. Quilting is my passion as far as my hobbies. I also love to machine embroidery. Life isn't interesting unless I have four or five projects going at the same time. Quilting has taken over our house. Sweetman asked that I leave him a bed to sleep in and a bathroom to use. So far, quilting is in the bonus room upstairs, the sitting room, my bedroom, the living room (for the quilt frame) and the sunporch.

When we moved into this house I claimed the bonus room as my sewing room. After 10 years it is full of fabric etc. Then I broke my foot several years ago and ever since my sweetman is scared that I am going to fall down the stairs and break the other foot. So this summer I agreed to move my sewing machine and quilting necessities to the sunroom to see how I liked using it as a quilting room. It's nice, bright and I have a design wall. But it is hot as there is no A/C. So I think we will buy a window unit and then this winter I can buy a portable heater.

Haven't moved the embroidery machine down, yet. But may do so later on this summer.

Have a joyful day.