Quilting Cowgirl

Great New Read

2012-01-26T12:23:00.000-05:00

I love to read books by Southern authors, and Terry Kay is one of my favorites. Most people are familiar with his book, To Dance With the White Dog, which was made into a movie several years ago. I have read all of his books and have been lucky enough to meet and talk with him several times. His new book, Bogmeadow's Wish, is a different type of book for him, not as serious as his last few have been; but very enjoyable. I just finished it this morning while eating breakfast, I tried to last night but was too tired. It makes you believe in magic again, I will definitely be looking for a leprechaun. I didn't write the summary below, cut and paste is a wonderful thing. I do highly recommend this book, and any of his other titles.

When Cooper Coghlan arrives in Ireland with the cremains of his grandfather, Finn Coghlan, he has one instruction: Let my ashes blow in the wind. You'll know the place when you come to it. I'll be there, telling you. He also has the tender memories of his grandfather's exaggerated stories of Irish wonder and magic – stories of leprechauns and legends and the mysterious power of fate. But he does not have the story of why his grandfather left Ireland as a young man. That is to be the wonder of his discovery.

Mesmerized by his romantic vision of Ireland, Cooper begins his search with the unknowing help of friends in America who have employed a charming, down-on-his-luck Irish actor named Sandy McAfee to con his way into Cooper's life as his guide. Yet neither is prepared for the presence of Kathleen O'Reilly, a public relations specialist whose tour on behalf of the NewTree campaign is eerily parallel to the travels that Sandy plots in leading Cooper on his hunt for his grandfather's ghost. And in those landmarks – Waterford, Youghal, Cork, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, Tralee, Kenmare, Dingle – the fate of the Irish that Finn Coghlan talked of, magically brings Cooper and Kathleen together.

Yet, there is a truth between the two of them that not even the enchanting tale of Finn McCool and Sally Cavanaugh, or of Patrick the Believer, can resolve. For that, Cooper must use the one gift bestowed on him as a child by his grandfather – Bogmeadow's wish.

Sunday Stash Report

2012-01-22T16:18:00.000-05:00

I am really trying to not add too much to my stash this year. I failed miserably this week. I found several online sales, however, I did only purchase fabric that I had plans for.

Stash in 10 yards
Stash out 3 yards

Stash In +7 yards

NewFO'S

2012-01-21T11:42:00.017-05:00

I discovered Cat Patches a few weeks ago and thought what a wonderful idea. Most of us usually focus on the quilts we want to finish each year and not the ones we want to make. I usually end up starting as many as I finish if not more. This year I have several on my NewFO list:
1. Comfort and Joy by Pat Wys
2. Jelly Stone
3. Northern Lights by Thimbleberries (this is a really, really old kit)
4. Cheaper By the Dozen
5. Several different Schnibbles
6. Tag Sale by Miss Rosie
7. Ruby Slippers
8. Emma from Two Sisters (hope to use the red and white charm squares from a swap last year)
9. Times Past ( a Christmas quilt, this is another really, really old kit from Moda).
10. Stargazing by Pat Wys
You can probably tell that I am cleaning out my sewing room from all of the old kits that I have listed. Wish me luck.

Christmas through the year

2012-01-19T21:25:00.003-05:00

From this to

this.

I just finished my January project for Christmas through the year. I am in the process of reorganizing my sewing room and found tons of Chrismtas fabric that I had forgotten all about. I pulled out enough to make pillowcases for my two great nephews and my great niece for Christmas this year. Now if I can just put them somewhere I won't loose them.

BRRRRR!

2012-01-17T21:24:00.000-05:00

It was a cold weekend at the cabin, the outdoor temp is 22 and the indoor temp is 34. NO HEAT. Thank goodness, Pat, Becky, Kristie, and I had cancelled our sewing trip to the mountains. We would have frozen! Thankfully it was a minor problem, but one that did take time to get repaired. Since we escaped frostbite, we now have to reschedule our trip.

Design Wall Monday

2012-01-16T18:50:00.000-05:00

I finally have something on my design wall. I am in the process of rearranging my sewing room and have been working on that instead of sewing. This is a Bonnie Blue pattern, The Long Road Home, that several of us Thimbles did as a trade last summer. I think that I am the only person who hasn't finished it. It is on my UFO list for the year, and I hope to get it done this month. I thought that I had all of the blocks sewn together but to my dismay I am short 20 of the pieced blocks. I wanted to work on them today, however I am having some sort of elbow problem and it is painful to use a rotary cutter. (and of course I needed to cut some more of the 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 pieces. DH came down while I was putting this on the design wall and made several positive comments about it. He said from a distance the little squares looked like marbles. I have to say after I looked at it from where he was standing I agreed with him. Wish me luck.

Most useful present

2012-01-11T11:37:00.000-05:00

My cowboy rain boots are one of my favorite and (this week) most useful Christmas presents. Do you have any idea how hard these things are to find? I told DH last summer that I wanted some for Christmas, I was giving him plenty of time to find them. I know he had been looking but with no success. A few weeks before Christmas we were at his favorite store, Bass Pro Shop when I happened to see these. I quickly pointed them out to him. He was definitely paying attention, because they were under the tree. They have really come in handy this week with all of the rain that we have had here in Atlanta.

Come on aboard!!

2012-01-09T11:58:00.000-05:00

Do you have the best intentions to make Christmas presents every year but get sidetracked? That happens to me sometimes. I hope not this year!! I am joining Cheryl over and Polk Dots and Rick Rack in her monthly Christmas club. It is really simple make one Christmas gift each month and blog about it by the end of the month. It doesn't have to be a huge gift, it could be something small like pillowcases or big like a quilt. I have already decided on some presents that I want to get made this year and this will definitely keep me on track.

My Brother did a great job!!

2012-01-05T12:27:00.000-05:00

Last fall I was lucky enough to attend the Houston Quilt Show and Market with 3 of my best buddies, Pat, Becky and Kristie. Kristie, Becky and I were actually there to help Pat out in her booth. As you can imagine market was wonderful!!! I had absolutely no trouble finding fabric and other sewing type things that I wanted to bring home with me, however; I wanted to buy a special book or something to remind me of my trip. The major thing stopping me was budget, I was really trying to be a good girl and not spend too much. While Kristie and I were walking around one afternoon looking at the quilts I noticed a book, Lone Stars III, A Legacy of Texas Quilts 1986-2011. I really, really wanted to buy it. I picked it up and looked at it, but decided that the price was just a little too much for me. I kept thinking about it after returning home and decided to put it on my Christmas list for my brother and niece. (I knew if anyone got it for me it would be my brother). Much to my surprise, he did get it for me. The book is absolutely wonderful. The prologue contains a brief timeline of U.S. history from 1986-2011, and the quilts are arranged by year. It is really interesting to see the style of quilts change over the years and to see how national events can influence our quilting. If you are looking for a great book to add to your library, I would definitely recommend this one.

UFO'S for 2012

2012-01-03T06:48:00.001-05:00

Snowman A-Z

I always have the best of intentions to finish all of my UFO's each year. Who doesn't?? Out of 11 UFO'S that I listed last year. I finished only 5 of them, and those were at the beginning of the year. I always get off to a great start, but about half way through the year, I loose steam, and fall behind. This year I vow to finish all of the UFO's that I list. (Hopefully, I can do it.) Last year I finished Snowman A-Z, Grandpa's Best, Buckeye Beauty, Turning Twenty, and Neighbor's Fence. Of the six UFO's left, they will go back on my list this year, plus six more, one for each month. My UFO'S for this year: Wrapped in Comfort ( I am determined to finish this one, it has been on my list for the last two years. ), Pinwheels and Patchwork, Neighbor's Fence, Scrappy Nines, Star Gazing, Carrie Hall Sampler, Blueberry Hill, Long Road Home, Orca Bay, Roll, Roll, Cotton 1Boll, Sassy Sixteen, and Jo Morton's Snowball. Wish me luck!

2012 Already???

2012-01-02T10:00:00.001-05:00

I can't beleive that it is already 2012, where did 2011 go? Wherever it went, it went quickly. Each new year I am always so ambitious, I don't think that I will be this year, usually I only get about 1/4 done of what I plan on. This year I am going to go with the flow, if it gets done, great if not that is great too. I just told DH that this was the most un-New Year's ever. I got up yesterday morning thinking that I would watch the Rose Parade, but no it wasn 't on until today, and of course I had to go back to work today. Oh, well. DH and I did the traditional southern New Year's day menu of Collard Green's, black eye peas, cornbread and we added smoked chicken.

DH wanted to play with the smoker that I gave him for Christmas. (He surprised me with a laptop, I think he just wanted me to not use his anymore.) The smoked chicken was wonderful. I think that there will probably be some smoked ribs when I get home this afternoon.

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-01T17:07:00.000-05:00

I hope that everyone has a wonderful safe and happy New Year.

Merry Chrismtas

2011-12-24T14:38:00.001-05:00

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday.

Its a Piggy Christmas

2011-12-21T14:38:00.000-05:00

Great new piggy items made their way to m y house for Christmas. Love the pig fabric!!! Will have to find something perfect for it. Plus a piggy spatula.

This is Arthur the Christmas pig, he was feeling left out, so I added a Christmas ribbon to him.

Christmas Vacation

2011-12-19T08:20:00.000-05:00

I am so excited that we are out of school for Christmas vacation. I guess I should be politically correct and call it Winter Break, but to me it is Christmas vacation and that is what I am going to call it. Vacation got off to a great start on Friday night with Thimbles. Unfortunately I was too exhausted from such a busy week at work to stay too late, I did get to see some great quilts. Sarah is working on her version of Kitty's Baskets from Pat's book. Her version looks dramatically different from Pat's neutral one.

Teresa was getting in the spirit with her miniature Christmas hat.

Carmen's version of Scrappy Nines, another quilt from Pat's book. She is doing her version in grape and neutrals. I really like it.

Lynn a new member to our group totally wowed us with her log cabin quilt. It is a gift for her mom. It was absolutely beautiful. She did a really different setting and it looked like stars. If the front of the quilt wasn't enough, when we saw the letters on the back, several of us had tears in our eyes. She and her brothers and sisters had written letters to their mother, and Lyn had embroidered them for the back.

One reason I didn't stay too late at Thimbles was I had a busy weekend ahead of me. We were doing Christmas with DH's family on Sunday and I had to do some major house cleaning on Saturday, plus start preparing the food. The menu was lamb, roasted green beans with potatoes, cranberry apple casserole, bread, fruit salad, and an assortment of cookies and candies for dessert. Lamb is a big tradition in his family and not something that I am very comfortable cooking. I wanted to get it in the marinade on Saturday, plus get as much of the food prepared as I could. All in all I think everything turned out ok. The lamb appeared to be a big hit, I didn't eat any of it, that is one meat that I just can't bring myself to eat. After a late lunch it was present time. Way to many presents but it was very nice. DH racked up on the goodies. I got several books that I had asked for plus to gift certificates to the quilt shop up in blue Ridge. Can't wait to spend them!!

Joe's mom and niece opening presents.

Christmas Lunch

2011-12-16T12:50:00.000-05:00

The best people work in Elementary Schools. I am lucky enough to work with three of the most wonderful people in our office, Julie, Maryette, and Patrice. They prepared lunch for a number of us today for Christmas. Not only did they prepare lunch but they decorated too. I love the little snowman in the fern. There was soup, several different kinds of salads, (the fruit salad was wonderful), bread, and of course the desserts were yummy. It was a nice break from reading the Polar Express.

Lovely table in Patrice's office.

Yummy cornbread to go with Maryette's delicious potato soup.

Great Christmas Reads

2011-12-14T12:23:00.000-05:00

As most of you have figured out by now, I love Christmas, anything to do with the holiday, but especially Christmas books. I have several favorites. One of my favorite adult holiday books is by Truman Capote, A Christmas Memory. It tells the story of when Capote was a child living with relatives and the Christmas tradition they had of making fruitcakes for "special" people. This is a wonderful heartwarming book, not very long at all.

Another of my favorites is Clay's Quilt Silas House. I didn't think I could do justice to the summary so I borrowed from Amazon.

After his mother is killed, four-year-old Clay Sizemore finds himself alone in a small Appalachian mining town. At first, unsure of Free Creek, he slowly learns to lean on its residents as family. There’s Aunt Easter, who is always filled with a sense of foreboding, bound to her faith above all; quiltmaking Uncle Paul; untamable Evangeline; and Alma, the fiddler whose song wends it way into Clay’s heart. Together, they help Clay fashion a quilt of a life from what treasured pieces surround him. . .

One of my favorite books to read to little ones is Auntie Claus. Each year Sophie tries to figure out why her Aunt disappears to in October and doesn't return until March. It must have something to do with her favorie saying, "No matter what the holiday, remember it is better to give than receive." Will Sophie solve the mystery before Christmas?

I don't do this one justice when reading but I try really hard, a Cajun version of the classic Night Before Christmas.

You can't go wrong with Olivia helping out in the kitchen for the holidays.

The Polar Express, no need for words.

Olive, the Other Reindeer. What dog hasn't wanted to be a reindeer.

DH's Birthday

2011-12-13T12:36:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my DH's birthday, Happy Birthday. I usually take the day off and we do something together, but I since I don't have a clerk this year, and I have already taken several days off for unexpected events I decided to work. One reason I take the day off, is I cook him something special and I don't like to be rushed when I am doing it. Yesterday we had Shrimp Fettuccine with cream sauce, fresh croissants, salad with honey balsamic dressing and for dessert decadent Chocolate pudding. (his favorite dessert) For the first time I made him something (that he could actually wear out in public), I was inspired by a fellow blogger last year to make him a camo fleece top. It was my first experience sewing with fleece and it went together perfectly. I think that he liked it. I should have made it a tiny little big bigger but it fits.

Camo fleece shirt

The first year we were together I got him an ornament for his birthday and it has become a tradition. I usually get him an animal ornament or some type of outdoorsy one, this year he got a bear. I bought it because it had such a goofy look on its face.

I love Christmas!!

2011-12-12T11:52:00.000-05:00

When it comes to Christmas, I revert to childhood and get excited about everything, especially lights. Last night DH and I went to the Garden of Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. It was out of this world!! (well worth the price). This was the first year for this light show and I hope it will continue. If the crowds last night were anything to judge by it will definitely be back. The fountain to the right contains a one of a kind piece by Dale Chihuly, it is something to see, especially with all of the blue and green Christmas lights around it.

The light orbs that pulse in color to the Christmas songs.

Poinsettia Tree in the greenhouse.

One of my favorites, the red and white snowflakes.

Skyline of Midtown.

I can't believe that I won something!!!

2011-12-07T11:44:00.000-05:00

I never, and I mean never in anything. But I must be living right, I have won two things in the last month. Wooh!! My first win was a tub of cookie dough from school, (you don't see it here, so you can probably judge my enthusiasm for that item). What you do see, I am so excited about. I had a quilt on The Blogger's Quilt Festival and my number was picked for one of their wonderful prizes. I won the give away from Prairie Moon, (what could be better for the Quilting Cowgirl?) I was so excited the day the package came in the mail.

Festive, western inspired tissue paper, what's in it?

Oh, boy! A pattern, four fat quarters and a stocking kit.

Can't wait to get started on this stocking kit. Too bad it probably won't be finished for this Christmas.

It's beginning to look like Christmas

2011-12-06T11:50:00.000-05:00

It should start to look like Christmas, it took three days to get my tree up and decorated. I love real trees, but for the last few years I have caved into pressure for DH and gone the artificial way. ( I have to admit they are easier to put up and deal with). Here is DH putting an antique Santa ornament that belonged to his Grandfather on the tree. Our tree has all and I do mean all kinds of ornaments. Some are mine from when I was little and some are were DH's. I also buy ornaments anytime we go on vacation, they last longer than T-shirts and you can always find Christmas ornaments. It is fun to put them on the tree and remember where we go them.

Here is the tree all decorated, except for the scene and goes under it. That job belongs to DH.

Some of my many pillows. I have lots and lots of Christmas pillows, this one is my favorite, All Jolly Old Fat Men Welcome.

Snowman peeps add a special touch to hot chocolate.

Christmas Quilt Show

2011-11-29T11:50:00.000-05:00

I know I am late getting my quilt up, but better late than never. Christmas quilts are my absolute favorite, they are my favorite to make and to look at. I couldn't decide which one to post and finally decided to go with the last one that I finished. It is a stitchery pattern from Crabapple Hill, Snowman A-Z. It took me almost two years to get all of the blocks done, but I had a great time doing it. The one thing I wish I had done differently is buy more of the border fabric to use as the backing fabric. I love my candy cane inner border and binding.

The Truck Fairy Came

2011-11-27T17:46:00.001-05:00

My DH had been talking about getting either a new truck or a new car for the last few weeks. I really didn't think that he would get either one for a while. DH doesn't like to spend money. However after looking at only one truck he decided to purchase it. I couldn't believe it. It was a great deal, a 2011 with only 7,000 miles for a great price. I was told him that he would never get a deal like that again and he should definitely take it. It rides great, and DH looks pretty happy with it.

Reconnected

2011-11-26T17:46:00.000-05:00

I have been out of computer range for most of the last two weeks. That sounds really strange in this day but it is true. I was out of town unexpectectedly for my Uncle's funeral the week before Thanksgiving. I was at my mom's house and she doesn't have Internet access, which is not necessarily a bad thing. This was my mom's only brother, he had been sick for the last few months. so his death wasn't totally unexpected. It was a chance for the family to get together, a sad chance. We haven't all been together since my dad died three years ago. Here I am with my mom, my brother, (who looks just like my dad). and my niece. My great niece was trying to sneak into the photo, that is her bow that you can see in the lower right. It was a sad time but great to see everyone. My uncle was a WWII veteran and had a military funeral. I did ok, until they played Amazing Grace and a member of each branch of the service came in a saluted the casket. Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes always makes me cry there is just something about it.
After coming back from the funeral, I was only home for two days before heading up to our cabin for Thanksgiving. It was great to be away from everything for a few days but I did wonder what was going on in blog land. Hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

What I bought in Houston

2011-11-14T12:19:00.001-05:00

As you know I was lucky enough a few weeks ago to travel to Houston with my three best friends, Becky, Krisie, and Pat. It was the best time, I am still telling everyone about it. Yesterday I was going through my purchases again and realized that I hadn't posted about them. First, I can't even hardly to begin Spree, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to go. We got there just as they were letting people in, didn't even have to wait in line. Becky and I wanted to head to Moda, it wasn't hard to figure out where the were, all you had to do was look for the huge, and I do mean huge crowd. I knew exactly what I wanted, the new Primitive Gatherings Christmas line. I managed to make my way to the front and ask a fat quarter bundle. Luckily they still had them!! I got my bundle and my Moda collectors item bag and then when exploring to see what else I could find. There was so much to look at, I was in quilter's heaven. I could have bought much more than I did, but I had given myself a budget. ( I only went over little!!!!)

The new books were very tempting, however I only bought one, the new one from Edyta Sitar, Reasons for Quilts. It is a wonderful book and one that I would recommend to any quilter. The patterns are absolutely out of this world and the stories that go with each pattern are wonderful to read.

Here is my Primitive Gatherings bundle, plus a bundle called Serenity.

Before going to Spree we headed to Painted Pony, I had heard of this shop from Pat but wasn't prepared for all of the great fabrics and patterns they had. I bought some great fabric for a vest and a pattern. It is now cut out but not made yet, have to find some lining for it. I also got a few fat quarters of some diawabo fabrics for my Snow Day's stitchery that I am working on. Can't wait to cut into those pretties.

Diawabo fat quarters

Now I need to get busy and finish some projects.

New Stitchery project

2011-11-08T12:17:00.000-05:00

I always have some type of hand work project going, usually stitchery or applique. A couple of weeks ago I dug out the Snow Days pattern by Crab Apple Hill Designs. I purchased the pattern last winter and put it aside. I know that none of you would ever do that!! During the summer I found the fabric that I wanted to use for the background of all of the stitchery blocks, it is barely off white with tone on tone swirls. The swirls look like snow blowing in the wind. I am using one of my new favorite tools to mark the blocks off, the Frixon Pens from Pilot. I think I am in love with these pens, I have them in blue, black and red. They are absolutely wonderful for marking patterns off. It leaves a fine line and if you don't cover it up, all you have to do is iron it out. What could be easier?

I am also using one of my other new favorites, Cosmo thread. My friend Kristie had some of this thread last year but with my stock of DMC I wasn't going to buy any, even though it is really nice. I did decide that I wanted to use the recommended thread for this project. The color is really unusual, it is called Seasons and is a greenish, greyish, brown if that makes since. You can see the first block that I have completed below. The light isn't great, will try to take another photo or wait and show block #2.

Blogger's Quilt Festival

2011-11-02T12:02:00.001-04:00

I always look forward to seeing all of the wonderful quilts and reading the stories about them in the Bloggers Quilt Festival. This is my snowman stitchery quilt that I just finished. I purchased the fabric two years ago while on Christmas break. I usually go shopping with my friends Becky and Kristie sometime during our winter break. Kristie and I both saw this pattern and fell in love with it. I have to admit it took me a while to get going on it, but once I did I couldn't wait to finish it. I love the way Leisa quilted it. I should have taken a better picture of the quilting, she put snowflakes all through it. I had debated on if I should let my mom hand quilt it or let Leisa machine quilt it. Nothing against my mom, but I love what Leisa did. The only thing I have left to do is make a label for it.

Going to Market

2011-11-01T11:57:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday my friend Kristie and I flew to Houston for the Quilt Market. It was our "first time". (I hope it isn't my last). We were there to help out our friend Pat Wys of Silver Thimble Quilt Co, she was there to promote her new book, Spotlight on Neutrals, and her new pattern Glory Garden. On Friday, Kristie, Becky, Pat, and BJ headed to the market floor to start working on the booth. As I said this was my first trip and first time setting up a booth, everything was there waiting for us. It didn't take us long to get going. (when you have two current media specialist, and one retired media specialist there was lots of years experience setting up book fairs, this wasn't that different). After getting the booth started, we took a break to help Pat out at School House. Kristie, BJ, and I were quilt holders, Becky was the flyer lady and Pat did a great job talking about her neutral book and quilts. There was lots of positive response.

After School House, finishing up the booth.

Pat and BJ in the finished booth, ready to sell, sell, sell.

After getting the booth all ready to go, we made a trip out to Painted Pony. More on that tomorrow.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T11:44:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone has a Frightfully Happy Halloween. Just came back from Houston yesterday. Had a great time and will start posting about the trip tomorrow.

Great new book

2011-10-25T11:46:00.000-04:00

I got my copy of this book on Friday night at Thimbles. It is by our head thimble Pat Wys, I am so excited for her. This is a great book, even if my friend did write it. The projects in here are absolutely wonderful. I have made one, the White Chocolate Log Cabin, it was my very first thimble's project. I have the kit for the quilt on the front, I think this might inspire me to get it made sometime soon. One of the great things about this book is the fact that all of the quilts will go with any color scheme you happen to have. They would also make great gifts. But if you aren't into neutrals the patterns would be great made out of any color choice. Check out Pat's blog, if you haven't already discovered it, you are missing out a great and hilarious read.

Giveaway for favor

2011-10-20T10:48:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I made a post about our fourth grade teachers who were trying to get post cards from as many places as possible to help teach geography to their students. I have had several responses so far. Thanks so much. I decided that since I was asking for a favor I should give something in return.

I have two books that I am offering. One is The Civil War Sewing Circle by Kathleen Tracy and the other is Reproduction Quilts from the Civil War Period. If you send in a post card your name will go in once. If you blog about this your name will go in not once, not twice, not three times, but four times. The drawing will be on Friday, November 11, this will give your postcards plenty of time to get here. Can't wait to see how many postcards our students get.

Favor to Ask of Quilting Friends

2011-10-19T08:20:00.000-04:00

As most of you know I work in an elementary school. This morning one of our fourth grade teachers was talking about a project they are working on and the poor response they have had to it. Being a nosy media specialist I wanted to know what the project was in the hopes that I could help out. The teacher has posted a map of the US and a world map outside her classroom and is trying to get postcards from as many different places as possible to post alongside the maps. This is a great way to get the students interested in geography. So far she has very few postcards and they are from the eastern United States. She only has one international postcard so far. I told her that I was sure some blog readers would be more than happy to help her out. If you send in a post card your name will go into a drawing for a give away. Don't know what yet, since I just came up with this. Watch for info later on exactly what the give away is.

Address to send the postcards to:

Casey Dunaj

2400 Ross Road

Snellville, GA 30039

Lets see how many we can get for them!!!

Beautiful Saturday

2011-10-17T12:02:00.000-04:00

Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day. The leaves have started changing and falling, which means I was out there on Saturday raking leaves. My goal this year is to stay ahead of them and not let them get too bad. Luckily it didn't take too long to get them up. After my yard work, I went in and made a huge pot of chili. I never follow a recipe when making chili, so I never exactly how it will turn out. I have to admit this was one of the best batches I have ever made. DH loved it, he didn't even add additional hot sauce. While the chili was simmering I went back to the Farmer's Wife. I managed to get four blocks made. I am really enjoying making these, now that I am doing the paper piecing.

Contrary Wife, it was a contrary block, I made this one twice.

Bat Wing

Wrench

Friendship Star, this is my favorite from this week.

More Farmer's Wife Blocks

2011-10-12T11:54:00.000-04:00

While off from work on Monday I was determined to catch up on my Farmer's Wife blocks. (that didn't happen) I came to the conclusion that those templates were a pain in the ****. I remembered that when I got the book I also got the CD with the paper piecing foundation patterns, all I had to do was find it. It took a while, (that is one reason I did some cleaning in my sewing room). After finding the book, I had to figure out how to print the block patterns, that took awhile. By the time I had done all of this I was to over it and didn't feel like making very many blocks. I did get four made.

Bow Tie

Big Dipper

Attic Window, I really like this one.

Box, yes that is the name of it, and I can see that I need to pick some threads off of it.

What a great day!!

2011-10-11T12:00:00.000-04:00

There was no school yesterday, most people thought because of Columbus Day, but it was really a furlough day. I didn't care why there was no school, just really excited that I got to stay at home for the day. My DH left on Sunday afternoon for Savannah and wasn't going to come back until Monday night, that meant that I had the house to myself for a the day. I love my hubby and missed him a lot, but had a great day doing what I wanted. I finished a book, Crunch Time by Diane Mott Davidson. It was a part of her Goldy the caterer series, very entertaining. I did some cleaning in my sewing room, sometimes I feel like I do more cleaning that sewing. My friend Becky, over at the Quilting Booklady has inspired me to decorate. I decided on a color scheme, red, yellow, and turquoise. Not my usual colors except for red of course. It will probably be after the holidays before I do anything, but I can plan and decide on a new layout.

Then it was sewing time. I had three pair of boxer shorts cut out for my hubby and I made all three pair yesterday. Two were for Christmas, the ones from the money fabric were out for him when he came home. They were a big hit. Thanks to either Kristie or Becky for the fabric, I can't remember who gave it to me. After sewing I decided to make a dinner that I normally wouldn't have time to make after coming home from school. I made roasted chicken with potatoes, onions, and butternut squash. We also had green beans and homemade bread. The only thing missing was desert. All in all it was a great day, now I am counting the days to Houston!!

Almost over

2011-10-07T11:49:00.000-04:00

I have been so busy the last two weeks with our book fair at school that I haven't had time to do anything else. I had just started not being exhausted when I got home, then book fair happened. I go home every night and just crash. DH even did laundry last night!! Today is the last day, I start packing it all up to go away in a few hours, then hopefully I can get caught up on some other things that I desperately need to do. I haven't even touched my machine in the last week. I have managed to do some handwork, counted cross stitch. At one time counted cross stitch was "my thing", it was what I did to relax in the evenings (that was before I discovered applique and knitting). Years ago I decided to make everyone in my family a Christmas stocking. I thought that I wouldn't have to make anymore, but alas I had to make one more. I finished the name last night. This is the 20th stocking that I have made. It still has to be turned into a stocking but that won't be hard to do. I have to admit that I did not enjoy this one very much. Probably because I was thinking about all of the applique that I wanted to do.

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along

2011-09-26T11:40:00.000-04:00

#92 Streak of Lightning

Very busy weekend, my niece and her entire family was in town for her birthday. I spent most of Saturday with them and part of Sunday. Saturday was an experience we went to the American Girl Doll Store to buy my great niece a Bitty Baby. That was my first trip there, all I can say is too much. I had to do just a little bit of sewing yesterday to calm down. I managed to make three of the Farmer's Wife blocks, I really need to stop stressing so much over the fabric that I am using and just pick up fabrics. I just can't bring myself to do that.

#81 Snowball

#73 Rainbow Flowers

New Blog Background

2011-09-25T14:54:00.002-04:00

It has taken me three days but I finally got it the way I wanted it. I am so excited I finally learned to make a photo collage and use it as my header.

Autumnal Equinox

2011-09-23T05:45:00.002-04:00

Welcome Fall!!! I am definitely ready for some cooler weather. This has been a really hot summer in Atlanta, we totally skipped Spring and went directly into Summer. Last week I started talking to our kindergarten students about fall, and reading one of my favorite books, By the Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Ziefert. The illustrations, b y Mark Jones, are absolutely beautiful. The students are so excited that they get to learn the big fancy word for fall, autumnal equinox. There is nothing like hearing 20 kindergarten students try to pronounce those two words. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, it always has been. I love getting out in the woods and roaming about. Check out some of my Georgia mountain images of fall.

Hand turned wooden bowl with fall leaves.

Just looking at this makes me relax.

Pumpkin Time!

Don't know exactly what these things are but they reminded me of baby pumpkins.

Leaves are starting to turn in the mountains.

I see pumpkin pies in their future.

Great giveaway

2011-09-22T11:45:00.000-04:00

Check out the great giveaway over at Rogue Quilter. I shouldn't advertise it because I would really like to have this book, but if you are into scrap quilts this would be a great addition to your collection. Lynn Roddy Brown is the author of several other great books on scrap quilts, Simple Strategies for Scrap Quilts and Simple Strategies for block Swap Quilts. This one looks great!!

East Cobb Show

2011-09-19T12:00:00.000-04:00

The preview night for the East Cobb Quilt Show was last Thursday night. I was so excited, since it was my first quilt show and preview night. My friend Pat, was my date for the evening, (Becky got sick on me, hope you are feeling better). Before we could go into the show and look at the quilts there was an award ceremony, I felt like I was at the Oscar's!! I knew that I wouldn't win anything but it was great hearing everyone's names called out. There was a winner from the Silver Thimble Group, congratulations Linda and Leisa!!! Way to go. The Best of Show is the applique quilt to the right, I could never, never do anything like that, it was amazing. There were over 300 beautiful quilts, I tried to get photos of them all, here are some of my favorites. Melinda Fulkerson, and the East Cobb group did a great job with the show.

The insanity quilt, yes, those squares are that tiny.

Civil War quilt from Homestead hearth. Maybe this will motivate me to finish mine.

This was made by Amanda, a Little Quilts employee. Great Job Amanda!

I loved this quilt, the colors were so different.

Here I am with my quilt!!

Farmer's Wife

2011-09-13T19:37:00.000-04:00

I am a little late getting on the wagon with the Farmer's Wife, and I swore that I wasn't going to do it. When I saw Sarah's beautiful version of it I decided that I had to do it. I also found the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along group and thought I would try it. I already had the book so all that was left was to get started. I have made a few blocks just haven't shown them. The hardest part is deciding on the fabrics for each block. I think that I have gotten spoiled doing so many kits recently. Here are the three blocks that I made tonight.

Basket weave (this one looks a little off, might have to redo!)

"Economy"

"Flock"

That is a housewife?

2011-09-12T11:43:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I was showing DH, my newest purcahse, an antique housewife. He thought it was something that you put bullets in. I guess you could use it for that but I explained that this one was for sewing and it was given to soldiers in the Civil War in order for them to do their own mending. Until recently I had no idea that the soldiers did their own mending, I don't know who I thought did it for them, and probably in lots of cases it didn't get done. Most soldiers probably had more important things on their mind. After buying this housewife, I decided that I wanted to make my own. I have a cute Mary Englebret one, but homemade is always nicer. I found this pattern in Confederates in the Cornfield, probably could have made my own, but since I had the book with the pattern I decided to go with it.

This is my version of the housewife, not as big as the one I purchased.

Old and new side by side.

September, Already??

2011-09-08T11:44:00.000-04:00

Where did August go? Oh, wait, I know, I had to go back to work. That is why there isn't as much sewing time, or actually time for anything. This school year is really different for me. For the first time ever I don't have a clerk to help out in the media center. I go home exhausted very night. I keep thinking that it will get better, but so far it hasn't. It is times like this that I envy my friend Becky who retired a couple of years ago. The only sewing I have managed to do is this the second block from Heartfield Manor. I decided to step out of my box and mix batiks with prints, so far I like what I have done. Can't wait to see the other blocks. I really like the fact that with this BOM there is a mixture of applique and pieced blocks. Hopefully, I won't get too far behind on these.

End of the Garden

2011-08-29T12:10:00.000-04:00

Our garden has finally come to an end. We have been really lucky to get as much out of it as we did considering how hot and dry it has been this summer. The bell peppers were the last to go, so I decided to try something new. I have a new recipe book on preserving and canning and I found a recipe for roasted and canned bell peppers. I thought might as well give it a try. Here is the first batch of peppers roasting away.

Here they are roasted and cooling.

Cooled, seeded and sliced.

The first two cans of peppers!! This was really easy to do, time consuming. You had to wait for the peppers to cool before you could remove the skins, which took a while. After removing the skin, seeds and slicing them, you add olive oil, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Very easy. Would definitely do this again.

Finally some sewing

2011-08-25T11:39:00.000-04:00

After going over to the dark side and getting not one but two ereaders I decided I needed to make a case for my Kindle. When DH got me a Nook for our anniversary, he also got me a case which makes me feel like I am reading a book. When he won the Kindle, he didn't win a case. I looked at them but decided they were just too expensive and thought that surely I could make one. I had a had time deciding on the fabric to use, then remembered that I had cowgirl fabric left from a quilt I made last year. It took two tries for me to get the size right. The first one that I made was too small.

I made two inside pockets out of coordinating fabric. I love the way it turned out.

Pigs Everywhere

2011-08-24T12:11:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since I posted, probably because I am exhausted every night when I get home from school. That also means that there is little or no sewing happening at my house, hopefully this will change soon. Since there is no sewing to show, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to show off some of my pigs. It seems like pigs are everywhere, big pigs,small pigs, pink ones, blue ones, yellow ones, stuffed ones, painted ones, ceramic ones. They are every where. The pig painting at the left was in a restaurant we visiting while on vacation in Waynesville, North Carolina. Loved it but not at 250.00.

Piggy bank in a fabric shop in Dahalonega.

Stanley the Salt Pig

Collection of my pigs at school

Piggy Timer, thanks Kristie.

Piggies at my house.

Ceramic piggy that DH uses for his teabags.

I don't have pigs every where it just looks like it. I grew up on a farm where we had pigs, and I was always fascinated with them. I even sang to them. My brother always told me that is why the meat was sometimes tough. (and if you have ever heard me sing you would agree). When I became a media specialist and discovered Olivia, my love for pigs was reborn. I try to keep them all at school, it is something that I can keep there and share with the students. However, I do have a few at home that DH has given me over the years. My favorite one is a little one that was under our Christmas tree a few years ago, wearing a beautiful ring for a bracelet. I could get used to that kind of pig. Is there any animal that you notice where ever you are?

Going to the East Cobb

2011-08-17T11:48:00.000-04:00

Just found out last week that I will have a quilt in the East Cobb Quilt Show. I am so excited. This is the first time I have entered a quilt in a show and it was accepted. I am glad that friend, Becky, talked me into entering this one. The show is the third weekend in September if you are in the area check it out.

Newest member of the family

2011-08-09T12:01:00.001-04:00

Meet the newest member of the Debord family, Too Slow. (as in he was too slow and got shot). DH shot this one last fall and just picked him up from the taxidermist yesterday. He joins the other two at this house and two more at the cabin. I guess I have gotten used to them and really don't pay any attention to them anymore, only when someone comes over for the first time and I see their eyes getting wide to I think about them.

New Applique BOM

2011-08-04T12:38:00.000-04:00

Dawn over at Linen Closet Quilts has started another great block of the month, it is called Heartfield and I couldn't help myself. I loved the last one that she did and immediately knew that I wanted to do this one. I am even branching out of my comfort zone. I decided to mix batiks and traditional prints. I hope it comes out ok. I finished the first block last night and I am very pleased with it. The stem, and the flower backgrounds are batiks and the other pieces are traditional prints. The background is a white tone on tone. I have decided that for all of block backgrounds I am going to use a different white tone on tone fabric. I will either really like it or not.

Back to Work

2011-08-02T19:58:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that it is already time to go back to work. It seems like every year the summer goes by more quickly. DH and I were able to get away for part of last week to North Carolina. We had a great time, just getting away from everything. One thing, however, that we didn't get away from was the heat, it was very hot there. We spent the first night away in Waynesville, NC. It is a very neat little town. The photo to the left is of the museum there. I loved the quilt on the wall, there are quilts like this all through North Carolina. We spent one night in Waynesville, then headed to Boone, NC. We did some hiking there. We had to check out the newest state park, Elk Knob, there are some great hiking trails there.

We stopped at Linville Caverns on the way to Boone. It was very interesting and very cold, which felt great.

View from the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is so beautiful.

This is the Moses Cone house off of the parkway around Blowing Rock. It was beautiful. The house was built in the late 1800's by Moses Cone, the denim baron. It is incredible to me the wealth that some of the people of that time had. To imagine that this house was built as a summer home in what at that time was the wilds of North Carolina just astounds me.

From Boone we headed to Asheville, for Belle Chere the arts and music festival. It was a lot of fun, too bad I had to come back and head off to work on Monday morning. I guess DH and I were not ready to head back to the real world we both forgot to set the alarm clock, and I just barely made it to work on time. I am exhausted now, and there probably won't be any sewing in my future this week.

July UFO finish

2011-07-27T18:19:00.000-04:00

This is my UFO finish for July, Neighbor's Fence. I started this several, and I do mean several years ago. It is made from all of my flannel scraps. The only thing that I had to buy was the border fabric. I have pieced the backing from some of the flannel scraps that I had left. The really sad thing is that I have another one of these that is on my UFO list for the year, the good thing is that it is almost finished. All I have to do is add the borders. I really feel like I am really accomplishing something this year.

And the Winner is

2011-07-25T18:19:00.002-04:00

The lucky winner of the Christmas cat fabric is Michele Hester from quilting Tutorials. Please send me your address and I will get your package in the mail. Congratulations.

You've got mail

2011-07-24T14:36:00.000-04:00

Several weeks ago I signed up for the red and white fabric swap sponsored by Sew Many Ways, not that I need more fabric but it was red after all. You had to send in 125 5 inch squares of red and white fabric. That was not hard for me to do. I think that I bought two new fat quarters but the rest of it came from my stash. I had started to wonder when it would arrive, apparently there were a few people late mailing in their fabrics. On Friday, when I went to the mailbox there it was.

125 beautiful squares of red and white fabric, along with a golf tee painted white with a little red flower on the end to use as a spool and bobbin holder. It is too cute. I haven't decided exactly what to do with the squares, but I have a few thoughts. I am thinking about a tablecloth or a table runner, I could also add some fabric to it and do a throw. Guess I will have to think about it.

Dont' forget about my Christmas in July give away

2011-07-22T09:42:00.001-04:00

Don't forget there are a few days left in my Christmas in July give away.

Cucumbers, tomatoes, and figs oh my!!!

2011-07-21T09:42:00.000-04:00

This week has been packed with just toooooo much to do. It was the week of our Silver Thimble Stitch-in, which I was signed up for four wonderful days of sewing with friends. Well life got in the way, big time. This gardening stuff is lots of work. On Tuesday night we picked not one but two five gallon buckets of figs and you know that figs wait for no quilter. This is my first batch of fig preserves. While this was cooking I also had almost a bushel of corn to deal with, okra, and jalapeno peppers. In the midst of all of this my brother (who is moving to Atlanta today) called and wanted to know if I could go pick up the house key from the realtor. I need to learn to say no, with a capital N.

The fig preserves finished and ready to eat. I made three batches, two are fig/strawberry, the other is fig/raspberry. I also put two gallon bags of figs in the freezer. I found a great recipe for a Fig Upside down cake in this month's issue of Paula Deen's magazine. It is wonderful.

Can't forget about the cucumbers. These are the 14 day pickles that I have been working on for 14 days. Now today maybe I can get back to sewing. But first I am meeting a good friend for lunch, then heading back to the stitch in.

Great skirt pattern

2011-07-18T20:11:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago several of us went to the East Cobb Guild to hear Sue Spargo lecture. It was wonderful. I came away so inspired. Of course after the guild meeting we has to go quilt shop hopping. While at Little Quilts I saw this great skirt pattern. (you have to remember I started sewing with clothing, so I clothing patterns always catch my eye.) The name of the pattern is Formula Skirts by Serendipity Studios, there are no pattern pieces, just directions on the length and width to cut the pieces. I thought this would be a great skirt for back to school, and I am one of those people who really likes to wear skirts or dresses. I had planned on buying fabric for it, but remember "less is more" and while doing some cleaning I found four pieces of coordinating fabric that who knows what I had in mind when I bought it, and lucky for me there was enough to make the skirt. It is in process now, very easy!!!

Christmas in July

2011-07-16T20:11:00.001-04:00

Christmas is my most favorite holiday. I buy and make Christmas presents year around. At this point I have over half of my shopping done for this Christmas. By doing my shopping early I can actually enjoy the holiday season and not be stressed out by shopping. I am also in the "less is more" frame of mind. I bought this fabric last year to make a Christmas quilt and have decided that I am never going to make it. There are 6 yards of coordinating Christmas fabric, some of the fabric features cats. I am not a cat lover so I have no idea why I bought this. This falls into the category of it is on sale so I must buy it. I am doing a Christmas in July give away with this bundle of fabric. All you have to do is leave a message telling one thing that you only bought because it was on sale. The lucky winner will be chosen on July 25. Good Luck! me a

Arts Council Quilt Show

2011-07-14T18:52:00.002-04:00

Each year the Blue Ridge Arts Council sponsors a quilt show during the summer. This year the show happened to fall over the Fourth of July weekend. I convinced DH that we just had to go. There were some wonderful quilts. (I plan on having some of my quilts in the show next year). It is a small show but there are some wonderful quilts. I always enjoy going to this show, however, the lighting leaves a lot to be desired. The quilts really aren't show to their best advantage.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-13T18:43:00.000-04:00

I'm back

2011-07-12T18:43:00.000-04:00

It seems like forever since I have sat down to do a post on my blog, it has been a couple of weeks. We were out of town for the fourth. We went up to the cabin to relax a little. Had a great time, even went out on the lake on Sunday morning. It has been a long time since we have done that and we had a great time. On Tuesday after coming back from the mountains, I headed to Mississippi to spend some time with my mom. This was my first trip over there this summer. We had a really good visit. It was also time for her annual doctor's appointments, and those went great. This is her second year of being cancer free.

My mom keeps busy with her flowers.

More of mom's flowers.

After coming back on Monday, I have been busy catching up on "stuff". I had my annual checkup today, that was good. I have also been making pickles. I feel like I am going to turn into a pickle. I want to get back to sewing!!!!

Design Wall Monday on Tuesday

2011-06-28T17:22:00.000-04:00

I always think that during the summer I will have plenty of time to do everything that I want to, and I usually don't. This summer is turning out to be no exception. I have been helping my brother, who is moving here next month, find a place to live. We finally found a place yesterday. I didn't realize just how tight the rental market was in Atlanta. That is why I am behind on my Huckleberry Pie. I had hoped by now that it would be finished but no it isn't. I have also decided to make it bigger than the pattern so that means that I am going to have to make a trip to Little Quilts to get some more fabric. I have plenty of the light purples, but need more of the dark ones. I guess I will also have to get more of the backing fabric. I love the way it is turning out. I am off to my friend Becky's tomorrow for a sewing day, I need to decide what to take there. Something that I have started or something new? What will it be?

What next????

2011-06-24T18:54:00.000-04:00

Bad things usually come in threes, well we have two down and one to go. Last Wednesday after coming home from a day out doing quilting things we had a tree come down in our back yard. It was the last dogwood tree in our backyard and luckily it wasn't too big and didn't do a lot of damage. It was just a lot of working getting it cut up and off of the deck. Mishap number two was a little bit harder to take care of. On Wednesday I went down in the part of our basement that isn't finished and found that one of our pipes was leaking. Without thinking I starting moving things so they wouldn't get wet. I called DH down and he informed me that is was one of the pipes that carries sewage out to the septic tank, Oh Joy, and here I had been walking all in it with no shoes on. Ick!!!!!! Needless to say I took a hot shower immediately. The plumber came today to take care of it, and found another leak, so he will be back next week. Our house was build in the early 1960's and we still have the original pipes. More money, more money. I can't wait to see what the next catastrophe is going to be.

Two UFO's finished

2011-06-23T09:37:00.001-04:00

So far I am on track with my UFO list for the year. I am really trying hard to work with what I have on hand and not buy new kits or fabric, although sometimes you just can't help yourself. The pineapple quilt here is a kit that I bought in 2005 or 2006, can't remember which one, but a long time ago. It had been so long ago that I was pleasantly surprised when I pulled it out and found that I had finished 7 of the 9 blocks that were needed. I also discovered that I didn't have enough of the fabric to finish the other two blocks. Luckily, Pat had some that she gave me. This is the project that I worked on at Thimbles last weekend. I finished the outer border yesterday. This one isn't on my "official" list, but it is a UFO that is finished and waiting to go to the quilters.

My official UFO finish for June is the Bonnie Hunter trade that we did last winter, Patches and Pinwheels. I would have been finished with it long ago, but I put together some of the pinwheels the wrong way and it bothered me so I too them apart. I really like this quilt and can't wait to see it quilted, which will be while. Thanks to Kiristie, Pat, and Becky for helping me pick out the border fabric.

More gardening news

2011-06-21T09:37:00.000-04:00

Saturday was a super busy day, DH and I worked in the garden all morning. We picked enough beans that I was able to can 11 quarts. We hope to get about about 20 more quarts, that would give us 30 all together, which would definitley see us through the winter.

How my garden has grown!!!

2011-06-17T10:08:00.000-04:00

Remember our garden from about 6 weeks ago, not much there.

This is our garden today. I just picked our first green beans, cucumbers, and dug some potatoes. Just call me Farmer Cowgirl.

A very long day

2011-06-15T22:06:00.000-04:00

This has been a very long, but very fun day. I left home this morning around 9:00 to drive to one of the fairly local quilt shops, Quilts and Fixins in Jonesboro. I spent the day with Holly Anderson the quilt appraiser for the state of Georgia. It was great to work with someone "in the field" after taking the appraisal classes in Paducah earlier this year. The variety of quilts we saw was huge, everything from an 1884 Crazy Quilt to a just off the machine rag quilt. I am really getting excited about this new venture that I am about to start. I feel more confident now, and plan on working with Holly some more in the near future. I also hope to plan some appraisal days on my own in the next few months.

I didn't even go home before I went to my next stop, another quilt shop, Little Quilts, in Marietta. I was taking a Featherweight TLC class. I had taken this class years ago about a week after I got my machine and had no clue what I was doing. Now, after sewing on it for several years I decided it was time I took it again.(it will also keep me from having to pay to have it serviced every year) Sharon Henderson, the teacher, is a hoot. I love taking her classes. There were only six of us in the class, which meant we got lots of personal attention. My little machine was so happy after being cleaned, greased, and lubed. Can't wait to sew on it this weekend at Thimbles.

Huckleberry Pie anyone???

2011-06-13T18:58:00.000-04:00

I am not normally a purple person, but for some reason I am going through a purple period. The two quilts I finished while in the mountains both had purple borders, now I am doing one in all purples. A couple of months ago at Thimbles, Pat decided to "redo" on of her patterns, Blueberry Pie . You could have your choice of pie, Lemon, Blackberry, or Mixed Berry, well leave it to me to be different. I started thinking about one of our best vacations out west. We were in Glacier National Park and huckleberries were "the thing", Huckleberry pie, ice cream, margaritas, martinis, daiquiris, you name it they had it. I decided then that I had to make a Huckleberry Pie. Mary Ellen from Little Quilts was putting the kits together and I explained that I wanted Huckleberry. She did a great job putting the kit together. Look at all of those yummy purples. I cut the quilt out yesterday but just couldn't get into sewing on it.

Pat's Blueberry Pie Pattern

I am loving this quilt. I had to put one block together so that I could see how it was going to look. The picture actually doesn't do it justice. This is one quilt that will not, and I mean will not go into the UFO pile. It will be finished and finished soon. I love it.

A bag kind of day

2011-06-12T18:58:00.000-04:00

Do you ever have one of those days where you want to sew, but you don't know what you want to work on? I had one today, DH is out of town, so I had all day to do "my thing". I started cutting out a new quilt, but I didn't want to work on it. I cut out a pair of pants, but didn't want to work on those. I started digging through my stash and found some cute fabric and a bag pattern that I had bought last year. I decided to work on those, it must have been fate, since I had the zippers and interfacing that I needed. I think they turned out pretty good. The bags came in three sizes, but I decided to make the two larger ones. I ran out of fabric on the orange one. I am thinking these will make great Christmas presents.

Great Anniversary Present

2011-06-10T14:28:00.000-04:00

First DH surprised me with two dozen roses. I love roses, I get them twice a year, usually, for my birthday and for our anniversary. We celebrated 14 years on Wednesday. I doens' seem like it at all, but DH disagrees with me. I had a hard time deciding what to get him this year, he doesn't need anything or really want anything. The only thing he said he wanted was socks. I got him 12 pair of socks, 4 each of black, blue and tan. I knew I had to get him something else. Luckily a few weeks ago a shooting range opened down the street from our house. I made three trips in there to check it out. I know those men were so glad to see the last of me. I decided to buy DH 10 hours of shooting time. He loved it. Almost as much as I loved the Nook that he surprised me with. I had swore that I would not go to the "dark side" and I would always just be a book person, but I love it. I have downloaded my first book, the new Marie Bostwick and am having so much fun.

New nook, and case. I have the best hubby

Yippe, school is out

2011-06-06T18:32:00.000-04:00

School is finally out, and I have been making the best of it so far. Last Tuesday was my last day of school and I wasted no time in heading to the mountains for what has become our annual quilting getaway in the mountains. Becky, Kristie, and Pat were at my house last Wednesday morning about 9:30, we wasted no time in getting the cars loaded and taking off. Our first stop was the quilt shop in Ellijay, I had never been there before and was really impressed. We also did lunch while there at the Caterberry Cafe, their tomato basil soup was wonderful. Next stop was Food Lion in Blue Ridge to pick up more provisions. I could do an entire post on our trip to Food Lion, but I will refrain. Next we headed to the quilt shop in Blue Ridge, I was looking for a border for Bonnie Hunter quilt that I was determined to finish. Thanks to Kristie for finding the perfect border for me. ( I must be in my purple period, both quilts that I finished at the cabin have a purple border.) Within 30 minutes of getting to the cabin we had everything unloaded, sewing machines up and we sewing away.

Sewing away!!!

Kristie at work on her minuscule project

Snack time

Is this really a school?

2011-05-28T14:05:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it is hard to tell if I work in a school, a pet store or a zoo. We are very much a pet friendly place and you never know what kind of animals you will see when you go into a classroom. The chicks are in a special ed. classroom, the class watched them hatch. Unfortunately, the ones that hatched died and the teacher went out and found the same kind of chicks that were just a day old. He is one of the best teachers.

Jack is the granddog of our retiring health teacher.

I was looking forward to our PE teacher bringing in his goat, but the weather was just too bad. Can't wait to see what kind of animals show up.

Red and White Swap

2011-05-27T11:47:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I stumbled across a red/white fabric swap sponsored by Karen over at Sew Many Ways. I have been trying not to do too many swaps, just because I am trying to sew what I have not get more, but I couldn't pass this one up. This one is my favorite colors red/white. I can't wait to see what I get and decide what to do with it. I need to get busy cutting the fabric for the swap I am doing at Thimbles next month. Wish me luck!!!

What will I do?

2011-05-25T10:06:00.001-04:00

I don't know what I am going to do next year without my clerk. Neva and I have worked together for the last four years, we came to Shiloh and started in the media center at the same time. It has been the best working relationship. Neva is always there ready and willing to do whatever I ask of her, I don't even have to ask most of the time. It is like she can read my mind and know what has to be done. After much soul searching she and her family are moving to Dothan, AL to take care of her parents. I completely understand this, but I am going to miss her. I decided to make her a quilt as a going away present. I wanted it to be one that was very girly looking, so her DH and DS wouldn't want to use it. I used a Moda jelly roll pack since I didn't have a lot of time to get it made. Lisa quilted it for me and she did a wonderful job on it. (I actually thought about keeping it) I couldn't wait until the last day of school, I gave it to her last week. Neva emailed me this photo of Cody, her poodle, on the quilt. It has the Cody stamp of approval. I am glad that this is our last week of school, but I am very sad that it is the last week that Neva and I will be working together. I already miss her.

How does my garden grow?

2011-05-20T11:47:00.002-04:00

Three weeks ago

Yesterday

Yes, our garden is growing!! While growing up we always had a garden, and I swore that I would never ever have one and do all of that work when I grew up, well I am eating those words. (hopefully, will soon be eating other stuff.) DH has really gotten into this gardening thing. I am really glad that he has found something to keep him busy. The potatoes are blooming, the watermelons and yesterday I picked the collards, and mustard. Now we just need some rain, for everyting to keep growing. In addition to all of the veggies, we also have a healthy crop of posion ivy, which I can just look at and break out.

Classes in Paducah

2011-05-19T16:09:00.001-04:00

Several months ago, I started thinking about my job and my future. I love my job, but to be honest jobs in the school system aren't as secure as they once were. In addition this is my second career, so I still have lots, and I do mean lots more years to go. Sometimes I wonder if I can make it. I thought about what I could do after retirement or if I happened to lose my job. I love quilting, but don't want to do it for other people, I also love reading but don't think there is a career in reading for other people. After some thinking I realized I could put together two of my loves, quilting and history. I knew that there were people out there who appraised quilts and decided to pursue quilt appraisal as a third career. I was advised to start reading about history of quilts which I have been doing. I was also advised to take the skills classes in Paducah. I did and had the best time.I had three days of classes taught by Mr. Gerald Roy (of the Pilgrim Roy collection) and two wonderful ladies, Carol and Linda. I never knew how much there was to know about quilt appraising. This is not something that you become an expert at overnight. I have a long way to go, but am definitely working on it.

Quilt from Alabama in appraisal class.

Quilt blocks from Montana in our appraisal class.

I am still doing lots of reading and have started trying to put together a collection of antique quilts. Wish me luck.

Sixties Day at School

2011-05-17T11:42:00.000-04:00

Last Friday was Sixties Day for one of our fifth grade classes. It was a class that I had worked with a lot during the year and they wanted me to participate with them. One of our teachers had just purchased this van which was a perfect background for photos for the kids. Unfortunately, they thought that it was mine from the 1960's. I guess I made a pretty convincing hippy.

Blogger's Spring Quilt Festival

2011-05-15T16:33:00.000-04:00

I always look forward to Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival. There are always the some of the most beautiful quilts on display. I wanted to show something new, but really dont' have anything new that I haven't blogged about recently. I looked back thorough some of my quits and decided to show one of my all time favorites that I did a couple of years ago. This was a kit that we

did in Silver Thimbles, put together by Mary Ellen over at Little Quilts. (she outdid herself on this one). The pattern is Glory Bound by Bonnie Blue Quilts. There isn't anything about this quilt that I don't like. I am thinking about taking it to our cabin and hanging it on one of the walls. If DH can have his hobby hanging up (deer heads) I can too!!

It called my name

2011-05-06T11:55:00.001-04:00

I am trying really, really hard to not start any new projects, but I couldn't help myself with this one. A coulple of months ago I saw this pattern in a magazine and couldn't get it out of my mind. The name of the quilt is Stars of the Olde West, (perfect for the quilting cowgirl, right). It has a lot of applique and I am trying to finish my Carrie Hall applique blocks but had to put them aside and start this one.

The background blocks are four neutrals sewn together with large circles appliqued on them, then there is a star added to the top of the circle. I am trying to get all of the circles done before I start adding stars. I have finihsed three of the circles so far. It is a good thing I have a collection of neutrals.

Great Funny Read

2011-05-05T11:17:00.000-04:00

My clerk said yesterday that since I read such a variety of books how did I decide what to read? I thought about it before I answered and then said, I did lots of window shopping a the public library. In some cases the books are wonderful and I discover a new author, in some cases the books don't do it for me and I don't even finish them. Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter by Lisa Patton is one of those books that I devoured and didn't want to end. It has been a long time since I laughed out loud while reading a book. My husband kept asking me what I was laughing at, and it just didn't translate well. The main character Leelee Satterfield leaves her home in Memphis, TN to help hubby run an Inn in Vermont. Needless to say, things don't go very smoothly for this Southern Bell in Yankee land. I think one reason I loved it is because I grew up about 90 miles from Memphis, so I could relate. If you are looking for a quick funny read I would definitely recommend this one. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel this fall.

I met Quilt Man

2011-05-03T11:31:00.000-04:00

While in Paducah last week I ran into Quilt Man at the Museum. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pose with him. Later that same day Becky and I saw him and his new sidekick Bobbin

Bobbin was having a little trouble staying on his skateboard.

Great time in Paducah

2011-05-02T20:22:00.001-04:00

I can't believe that it has already been a week since my friend Becky and I headed to Paducah for the Quilt Show. We had a great time catching up on everything in the world on the drive up. Our first stop once reaching Paducah, even before heading to our hotel, was Hancock's of Paducah. It was just our luck that it was closing just as we pulled up in front of the door. Since we couldn't fabric shop we decided to head to the hotel, it the best hotel I have ever stayed in but at least we had a room. Several hotels were flooded and people had to find other rooms. Hotels weren't the only things flooded, this photo shows a park that was down the street from our hotel.

The Ohio River just beyond the flood walls in Paducah.

The bubble or marshmallow where the award winning quilts and some vendors were located due to flooding.

Aside from the weather Becky and I had a great time. I had three days of Quilt Appraisal classes while Becky had fun looking at quilts and shopping. I did find time to see all of the award winning quilts and do some shopping. I was very lucky to be in the bubble and meet Pat Holly with her Best of Show Quilt. It isn't a great photo, but I did ask her permission to use it and she graciously gave it. Her quilt is absolutely outstanding. I understand why it was awarded Best of Show.

Pat Holly and her award winning quilt.

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T18:49:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter.

New Stitchchery Project

2011-04-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

One of

my favorite quilting magazines is American Patchwork and Quilting. When I see it in mailbox, I know that I can have a nice relaxing evening going through it and picking out new projects. The problem is that I don't need to pick out new projects, I need to finish projects that I already have started. However, in the latest issue there was a cute stitchery pattern that I wanted to do.

The stitchery is Sweet Sachets and is a perfect spring time project. There were three different versions shown, so of course I automatically traced two of each one, so that gave me six new pieces to work on. I have finished two an almost have the others complete. They are going to be backed with 30's fabric and there is white rick rack trim. I even have home grown Lavender to fill them with. I had wanted to get them finished for Administrative Professionals Day, but that isn't going to happen. I will keep a couple and give the rest to friends.

Early finish for April UFO

2011-04-21T19:52:00.001-04:00

Finally a UFO finish before the end of the month. I started this Turning 20 last summer from a fat quarter pack that I had in my stash for ages. I always knew that I would probably give it to someone, just didn't know who. When my principal announced earlier this year that she was retiring, I knew exactly who I would give it to. She has always wanted one of the quilts that I donate to Relay for Life each year. I had always told her I would make her one when she retired, not realizing just how soon that would be. I can't wait to see the look on her face when she gets it.

Time to work on the wardrobe

2011-04-18T17:38:00.001-04:00

The first type of sewing I ever did was fashion sewing, and I still really enjoy it. When I was growing up my mom made our clothes to save money, that really isn't the reason today. As expensive as fabric is, you could probably buy most things for less than you could make them. I still prefer to make my pants, because I can get a much better fit, and can get what I want. I just finished a pair of navy blue linen pants and have the blue textured linen fabric to the left to make a vest. I am making the long buttoned version. It shouldn't take too long, it is a Vogue Very Easy pattern, but sometimes those can me misleading.

I just finished the black rayon dress to the right, I know the photo

is awful. It looks like a black and white sack hanging there. It was a new pattern from company that I have never used before and I was hesitant about making it. I have to admit that it fits better than a lot of dresses I have made and was really easy to make. Once I finish the vest, above, I have another pair of pants and a shirt to make. That will probably be it for my summer wardrobe sewing.

Look out Webster's

2011-04-17T17:10:00.000-04:00

This weekend was Thimbles weekend, and I needed it so much. I had been looking forward to it all week, when I got there after school, Kristie was already there, and Becky had been there all day. It took a while for the rest of the regulars to trickle in. I was trying to finish up my patches and pinwheels from Bonnie Hunter that I started last year, it is one UFO that I am determined will be finished before the end of the year. While working on it, I had to take time out to visit with everyone and see what they were working on, plus all of the wonderful show and tell. Here is Kristie with one of her finished quilts. She is showing off her very own quilting. Way to go Kristie.

Karen's quilt made with the twister ruler.

The back of Karen's quilt, with its very own Schnibbles backing.Who would have thought?

Sarah's paper piecing blocks, they are gorgeous.

Karen's beautiful jelly roll Lilac Hill, and of course she is making a Schnibble to go on the back of it.

It is thanks to Karen that we can be on the look out for a new word. If you read Karen's blog, you will know all about her aversion to applique. When our leader, Pat, was showing one of her new patterns (I can't show that) and Karen saw the applique she said she couldn't start it until she found the right stapler. I quickly coined the new quilting method, staplaque. I think she might be on to something if she can just figure out what to do with those rough edges from the stapler. I am anxious to see her first finished piece.

Surprise find

2011-04-12T11:46:00.000-04:00

Last week while at home with my mom I was surprised to find a quilt top made by my great grandmother. The blocks were hand stitched in the 1930's by my great grandmother and stitched together in the 50's on the machine by my mom. I had no idea that my mom had this. It was really neat to listen to her tell me about all of the fabrics that were used in the quilt. Each block was made from fabric that originally had been used in clothing or was left over from making a piece of clothing. After seeing this I asked my mom if there were any other quilts and she brought out a huge stack of blocks. There were about 50 blocks, you can see the stacks below. I asked my mom why she didn't sew them together, but she said she wasn't going to waste her time. I then asked if I could have them and she said of course she wasn't going to do anything with them. How lucky!! I did leave them at her house, to pick up the next time I go home. I made sure to wrap them in tissue and put them in a box with my name on it, just in case something happens.

I love the plaid and floral fabric in the block on the right. There were about 10 from that same fabric.

Need a vacation, from my vacation

2011-04-11T19:46:00.000-04:00

Last week our spring break finally arrived, and not a day too soon. We had not had any time off since our unexpected week off in January due to the snow. I headed to Mississippi to see my mom on Saturday, DH drove over in his car to help do some odd jobs around my mom's house. It turned out to be more than odd jobs, her deck needed rebuilding, along with work on a fence, a door, and numerous other odd jobs. One thing my mom doesn't need help with is gardening, she has beautiful plants. Her azaleas were in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous. Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday were spent in manual labor. I have the best DH in the world to drive all the way to Mississippi to do work for his mother in law. He was well fed, my mom had made two pies, his favorites: chocolate and coconut cream, plus lots of other goodies for him to eat. Monday was stormy which meant we didn't work outside. Hubby and I went to the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center. It opened about 5 years ago, and this was our second visit. Corinth was the site of a major battle during the war, and is only about 20 miles from where the Battle of Shiloh took place. If you are ever in the area and enjoy Civil War sites this is a great one.

This is at the entrance to the museum.

This is the tranquility pool that features a marble block with the name of each major battle during the war.

Flags flying in front of the incoming storm clouds.

On Tuesday, DH headed home. I kept busy doing some other odd jobs for my mom. My original plan was to head back on Thursday, however a cousin was killed on Thursday morning which changed all of my plans. I didn't get back until Sunday, which means that I didn't do anything that I had planned at my house. Oh well, there is only seven more weeks of school, plenty of time this summer.

International Tatting Day

2011-04-01T11:56:00.000-04:00

April 1st, in addition to being April Fool's Day, is also International Tatting Day. Tatting is another one of my hobbies. I have always admired tatting, and several years ago was presented with the opportunity to take lessons. I will admit it was one of the most frustrating things I have ever learned how to do. Once I go the hang of it, I really enjoyed it. I have made lace for sheets, pillowcases, and tea towels. It is very portable and inexpensive, compared to some of my other hobbies. If you ever have the opportunity to take a tatting class I would highly recommend it.

Carrie Hall

2011-03-30T11:41:00.000-04:00

One of my UFO's for this year is the Carrie Hall sampler from Homestead Hearth from a couple of years ago. I got off to a great start but then haven't done much on it. Now that I have finished the Snowmen A-Z blocks I can get back to work on my applique. This is one of the less complicated larger blocks, for some reason the blocks that I have left to do are the really complicated ones. I am going to finish this before the year is out. I am going to finish this before the year is out. (I have to keep telling myself that.)

Show and Tell at Thimbles

2011-03-21T11:52:00.009-04:00

I am always inspired by Thimbles weekend. The last few weeks, I have been unable to get motivated to do any sewing, but my creative juices are flowing once again. Thimbles was last weekend, and there were some beautiful quilts for show and tell. Suzanne finally finished the hundreds of flying geese necessary for the beauty above.

Sandra and her version of Sylvia's Bridal Quilt.

Kristie's miniature Jo Morton.

Kristie's Jelly Roll Block of the month from Moose on the Porch.

And last but not least Carmen's fan quilt. I worked on my Bonnie Hunter Patches and Pinwheels. I almost have all of the blocks sewn together, now to decide on a border.

Farming Cowgirl

2011-03-21T11:51:00.000-04:00

I grew up on a farm in Mississippi, and the entire time I swore that I would never, ever work in a garden when I became an adult. Well I am eating those words, and hopefully some veggies later in the year. On Saturday, hubby and I started clearning off our new garden venture. (our neighbor who passed away recently had given us permission to use his garden). The plot is much bigger than we originally thought, Hubby is really excited. We plan on planting potatoes, corn, tomoatoes, okra, beans, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, and watermelons.

It is too early to plant most things, but we did plant two rows of potatoes. Don't know if they will come up or not but we are giving them a try. Wish us luck.

Quiet Week

2011-03-16T12:02:00.000-04:00

Not much has been going on the last week. For some reason I can't seem to get into the sewing mode. I did go the the Sewing Expo last weekend, you would think that would have motivated me, not so much. I did buy a new dress pattern and fabric to go with it. I have cut it out, but haven't started it. I also bought a piece of yellow knit for a dress, a pale sea foam green cotton for a dress, and a "bark" color of linen for a pair of pants. I need to get busy making some spring and summer clothes.

The only quilt sewing that I have done is to put the borders on my March UFO, Grandpa's Best. It is going off to the quilter on Friday. I love this quilt, it is a pattern that I would definitely make again, but bigger.

Folk Art Tribute

2011-03-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

Here is the latest in the Folk Art Tribute BOM from
Linen Closet Quilts. I am definitely loving this quilt. The blocks are big and the applique is easy. This is one BOM that I have been able to keep up with. I think that there are only two more blocks to go, can't wait to see them.

Eventide

2011-03-05T21:42:00.000-05:00

I know I am a little late getting started with the Eventide Quilt Along from Cupcakes and Dasies. I love this quilt pattern, I like any pattern that has stars in it. I know I wasn't going to start a new quilt, but I just couldn't help myself. It took me a while to decide on the fabric that I wanted to used, I have been looking through my stash but couldn't really come up with fabrics that got my juices flowing. I decided that I would just have to buy a few new pieces to go along with some of the ones from my stash. I decided to pick up some of the Moda Luna Notte line, there are some wonderful dark prints that I could use with fabrics that I already had.

Here are some of the fabrics that I am using. I think I still need to get another couple of darker pieces for the Ohio Star blocks.

I have most of the pieces cut, and started working on the large triangle blocks. I decided to use peach as the constant fabric in these blocks.

World Book Day

2011-03-03T19:36:00.000-05:00

Today is World Book Day. I never actually realized there was a World Book Day until this year. I knew there was a Read Across America, which was yesterday and the birthday of Dr. Seuss. We are celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday tomorrow at school, with the studnets wearing their pj's and doing special activities in the classroom. I will be dressed as the Cat in the Hat. I hope to plan ahead and have an entire week of celebrations next year to cover both World Book Day and Read Across America Day. At school I will be reading Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?, one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books. The kids have a great time making all of the noises with me. I have been branching out in my at home reading. I usually don't read biographies or authbiographies but my friend Becky, recommended The Glass Castle, a memoir by Jeannette Walls. I just finished it today and have to say it was wonderful. It is one of those books that really makes you think, and makes you thankful for everything that you have. I know that after finishing this I will think twice before I complain about something in my house or not having something. For purely entertainment purposes, I have just started The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverinni, this book is set during the Civil War and relates the story of how the women of Pennsylvania manged without their loved ones. I enjoy most of her books, some are better than others (in my opinion) and so far this one is a winner. Celebrate World Book day by reading a book!!!

National Pig Day, Oh, my!!

2011-03-02T11:52:00.000-05:00

How did I miss this yesterday? I have no idea. My only excuse is that it has been one of those weeks, if it could go wrong it has. Not only have things gone wrong at home but at school. My big problem has been a scheduled author visit for today that has been planned for months, and she didn't show. Do you have any idea what it is like to have 100 second grade students sitting in front of you waiting for a "famous author" who never shows up? It is not pleasant!! I did everything but stand on my head to entertain them, thinking that she was just running late and would show up any minute. She did finally call, 40 minutes after her first program was to start. It was not east explaining to an entire school that the program was cancelled because the author got lost. Trying to get it rescheduled. The only bright spot in the week has been the delivery of a box from the Fat Quarter Shop. (more on that tomorrow)

Three P's

2011-02-28T20:06:00.000-05:00

Three P's: Patches, Pinwheels, and Pineapple. What a strange combination!!! The first two P's, Patches & Pinwheels, is a Bonnie Hunter quilt that I started last year. Several of us decided to do a swap of Civil War repro fabrics and make this very, very scrappy quilt. I think I am one of the few that hasn't finished mine. I would have but, I didn't pay attention and put together all of the pinwheel blocks the same way, when in reality they should have been in two different ways. I started not to worry about it, especially since I had already started sewing the rows together. I kept looking at it and decided I had to take half of the pinwheel blocks apart. I decided last week to finish taking them apart and sewing them together the right way. I am so glad that I did. I have just a few more to go then the blocks will be all ready to sew together again. I keep looking at the blocks trying to decide what kind of borders I want to use, but I think I will have to wait until the blocks are all sewn together before I decide what to use for the borders.

Now for the last P, Pineapple. For Christmas, my hubby wanted a cast iron dutch oven. He has been looking at them for several years, really ever since we were in Cheyenne for Frontier Days and went to the Chuck Wagon Cook off. We had the best bread pudding that we have ever tasted. This inspired hubby to try his hand at cooking the old fashioned way. He decided his first effort would be a Pineapple upside down cake. He lit the charcoal, poured in the batter and sat back to watch it cook.

After 30 minutes he removed the lid.

His first try was a huge success, the cake was delicious. I have decided that he can do all of the baking now!

February UFO Finish

2011-02-24T18:29:00.001-05:00

I finished my February UFO project with a few days to spare. I mean finished as in quilted, with a label, and on the bed. Woohoo!!! I have been working on this quilt off and on for almost two years. That is a record even for me. The pattern is Buckeye Beauty, the fabric is Chocolat from Moda. I am pleased with the way it turned out, the only problem came with the backing. Remember I have had this fabric for two years, and I just knew that I had enough for the backing. Not! I didn't know what to do, I didn't want to get another fabric and wasn't able to locate enough to make it work. After digging through my stash I found several fat quarters that I had not used in the top. I took four of those and put them in the middle of the backing. It looks like I planned it. It feels great to finally finish something.