Musings from my soul.....

Houston Quilt Market....

2011-10-29T21:40:00.000-07:00

Ricky Tims introducing his new fabric...

Jen Eskridge, of Reannalily Designs, with Colleen Eskridge and her mom, Karen Morello

Deb Tucker, who has some fabulous quilt tools to sell

Dear Daughter treated me to Wicked last weekend... wow have I had fun lately.!

I won this pattern by Karen Combs at her School House... she taught at my guild 2 weeks ago... Love her stuff.

Alex Anderson sharing some of her new fabrics

Ok, I have just previewed the Houston International Quilt Show...during Houston Quilt Market, the place looks amazing.... and although right now the wholesale vendors are there.... with the retail shops taking their place in a few days. Fabulous things to be purchased. I am so happy to share that my daughter in law, Jen Eskridge, of Reanallilly Designs, has a booth there, #2048. She has had her first book, Deploy that Fabric, published, full of some wonderful, sewing and quilted things, which is available through C&T publishers, Booth 2144 at Market or directly from Jen at her design website. But she also has many wonderful quilt patterns, and purse patterns to sell as well. There is another book that will be coming out next year.... and it has some wonderful, fresh quilts in there. I got sneak peaks on them, as I quilted 8 of her projects. I loved every one of them, even if she weren't one of my favorite designers.... and may someday help to choose my....er.... "retirement community"! The booth is cute, and she deserves Kudos for getting this accomplished. Now one of my quilts is hanging in the booth..... so does that count as a "quilt hanging at Houston?" I am saying it kindof sortof does! I did make and quilt the green and brown circle quilt in the picture.... I do love that combo! But she has several other quilts that I hope to make over the next little bit.... I need to stretch my traditional quilt legs a bit I think.... and try something with some clean lines. It was fun attending School House... Alex Anderson, was one that I chose to attend, Ricky Tims, Karen Combs...love her new fabric coming out, it is wonderful!!!! I loved Pat Sloan's presentations... but no pics....and Deb Tuckers tools were new to me and absolutely to die for. I see my Christmas list growing by leaps and bounds! What trip to Texas would be complete without multiple meals of Tex Mex.... I had 3..... and on top of all this fun.... got to enjoy sample spree!!!! What girl doesn't love a good quilting fabric bargain???? Its a good thing that doesnt' happen very often. My feet are tired, purse is pretty empty, the quilts are amazing, unbeleivably intricate and inspiring, though we were able to view them, no ribbons are up...so we can only pick our own favorites. It was a trip that once again has inspired me to get back to doing something that I love to do anyway..... play with fabric! Hope y'all have a chance to play as well...and if you are at Houston Market.... go by and see my wonderful daughter in law's booth.

Autumn is here.......

2011-10-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Our scarecrows in the front yard... wearing the school colors of Mississippi State.

My little "Spooky" Quilt on the porch bench

Our Scarecrow door greeter who stands on the old milk box...from my sisters front porch, see Birdie, I still use it !!!

And anyone who really knows me, knows this may be more true than not!!!!

Well today I sent off a box with two quilts to DS2 and his family. Hope the Princess likes hers. I am still behind, have a baby quilt owing to a neice...whose little darling is almost 1. The time has gotten away from me. Fall has hit...the leaves are all falling, and today for the first time, it turned cold...enough to wear a sweatshirt and need one. It may not last very long, but I feel winter creeping up on us. I have loved visiting blogs with their fall quilts displayed...mine sadly are not done. I only have two Halloween quilts.... and one is on the front porch on the bench, the other is a wall hanging with no place to hang at the moment! I have been trying to get caught up on quilting for others...but am not there yet. I did get to do two wonderful raffle quilts.... of course I forgot to take a photo of either...but I have purchased opportunities on both. I hope you all are enjoying your Autumn splendor... we are so fortunate to see the changing seasons. And Fall is one of my favorite ones! Oooohhhhh and how excited am I, I am flying out to Houston next week to see the Houston quilt market and assist my favorite designer, Jen of Reannalily Designs in her booth, 2148 I think..... come see us if you are there.Later, off to work on another quilt.

LuLu in her tutu and customer quilts....

2011-10-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

Little LuLu in her tutu..... this baby loves girly things... as does her adorable cousins, The Princess and Elisie-Pie. I was definitely a tomboy, and Dana was halfway in between.... so not sure how to respond????

A few more customer quilts to share.....

how was your summer vacation????

2011-08-22T18:10:00.000-07:00

How in the world could I let this much time go by???? Life, I guess. The Professor is madly writing the last of his dissertation, and working full time here at Mississippi State.

I have recovered from the bone graft surgery on my collar bone, still battling with some

numbness and small issues, but much improved.

We have filled our free time with sdome home improvement projects, a new floor in out dining area, and a little deck under the big tree in our back yard. Bob even built a big flower bed for me to plant some flowers in. He did a really good job.

We have had all the kids here for "Camp Grandbob", did a few renovatoin projects, in preparation for getting our home on the market next spring.... post Job offer hopefully. I also have begun to pack up the unecessary items, or not frequently used items in the dining room and kitchen, as I kno w how long it takes me to pack things. I am also back to quilting with lots of breaks.

I have missed the creative side of quilting for my buddies. Many girls have been p

atiently waiting for their quilt to come up in the queu. After Camp Grandbob was over, we drove the 3 oldest grands up to Pennsylvania to meet their other cousins, swim and enjoy the Whalen Family Reunion.

They had a ball...and what trip to Sharon would be complete,

without a trip to Daffin's Candy Store.... and see the chocolate room full of huge animals?

Then on to Pymatuming Dam to Linesville and the fish hatchery, the kids, including the Professor, were blown away.

We also couldn't pass up stopping at the Kids Mills Covered Bridge on the way home!! I think the bridge was a hit too. Aunt Birdie, my younger sister went with us, and we really enjoyed the day. Just wish we could have had a little more time to spend in PA. I so enjoy being around my brothers and sisters. Good times with family! Always a plus!

The kids at the "Punch Bowl", Linesville fish hatchery

Latest news.....the blues are gone!

2011-04-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

I haven't had the opportunity to blog much lately, been trying to catch up on home things and quilting. I had to have surgery on my broken collar bone, as it had never healed. The Dr. had to do a bone graft, by taking a piece from my hip to fit between the broken ends, then attach a plate and screws. I am most hopeful that this will make me better than new. I didn't get all the customer quilts finished, but the majority of them. We have painted the sheds, no more blue in our yard, just a pretty soft khaki. We also painted the built on addition white... so no more blue, and I painted the little computer room, a soft grey. No more hot pink!!! STill have slip covers to make for my chaise lounge, and some curtains for the bedrooms. But it will get done as soon as I am able to sit in front of the sewing machine. As usual I have managed to misplace my camera, probably with the paint brushes....or as the Professor says, in the oven! Why I can't keep up with some things, I may never know. But at least I have made some progress on the house. If all goes well, it will be on the market in a year, and we can enjoy the changes in the meantime.

The professor has sent out all survey materials for his dissertation, and has received about 25 % back thus far. His goal is about 100 more. So whilst I was in the surgery room, he was stuffing envelopes full of survey for the second mailing. This is very exciting as it means we are almost done, and can begin thinking about moving on with our lives. I believe it is time. These four quilts were made by my friend Judy Stokes, of Columbus MS, she is the president elect for the state guild and I had the privilege of quilting them for her.I adore scrappy quilts, and these were not only pretty, but well pieced also. I adore the balloon quilt made by Martha Dubard, it is so pretty. There are many more to share, if I can ever find my camera? Have a great day, I plan to... as long as the meds hold out. :o)

Some of our Holiday adventures.... and more

2011-01-17T17:21:00.000-08:00

It seems to be time to return to quilting. I have been piecing a simple turning twenty for DD, which has just been quilted on the frame and delivered. and working on a stack a posie, and another sister quilt. The professor and I have actually gone to see True Grit, the scene in the cave scared me to death.... I had to cover my eyes! Our son sent us a couple of games for Birthday and Anniversary gifts, so we have been playing those as well. He has just successfully defended his dissertation proposal....so now is officially a Doctoral candidate. Woo Hoo!. Its crazy to think that we have lived in Mississippi for about 2 1/2 years now. We had a very cold spell here, snow and all, no photos... but the kids here sure enjoyed the snow day, and making all those snowmen. I had a valve go bad in my studio...and water began spewing from under the sink, but luckily, I had just gone out there when it started, no damage, I called my hero to come home and help...and stood in the doorway sweeping the water out. I had fabric to throw on the floor to create a mote, and very little water didn't go outside. He managed to shut off the main water valve, then get the defective part repaired. So thankful. I guess all those days under freezing was just too much for the shut off valve to handle. My most exciting news is that I just finished quilting a small quilt designed by DD in LAW1 for a magazine, I believe it will be in the August issue of Quilters World, along with the larger version which I also quilted.Can't share photos until the issue is printed. But very fresh and fun quilt. My DDIL has a quilt in this months Quick Quilt magazine, I didn't quilt that one. And in the April issue of Quilter's World she will have a bag or tote. She is so busy. jEN, our Resident designer...also has a book coming out soon. Can't wait to get my very own autographed copy! Life has given me so many blessings, I adore my wonderful family, and my Grandchildren are divine! We had so much fun with them over the holidays. In Fayetteville, AR we went to see Christmas lights with the Princess and little True, they even rode in the Cinderella coach on the square. The lights were so much fun, we had cotton candy, and it being DS2's Birthday, ate a decadent mud slide dessert at the Market Street restaurant. Yum, I could go for one right now!Then on to Oklahoma for a visit with my mom in law. That was fun as well. We then headed up to Kansas to see another set of Grands, and they being a little older, its a whole different set of things to do. We did a Cookie house, and Elisie Pie made cookies for Santa, there w

ere games every night, and silly hats!!!! Even Grandbob gets into that act. And our sweet little Wee One and new little LuLu, we went to see them recently. Their dad has just deployed, the Wee One is missing his daddy, so DD ordered him a Daddy Doll, made from a photo of his Dad in his uniform.

He loves taking Daddy with him as you can see.

I also have several customer quilts done, these are a few custom ones I have just finished. I love them . I do enjoy seeing these wonderful creations, knowing I would never be able to piece them, but get to work on them just the same. Somethings in life to be truly thankful for, Health, loved ones and getting to do something I love. Thanks for sharing with me.

The latest customer quilts and grandbaby pictures....

2010-12-19T14:11:00.000-08:00

This is LuLu and her Grandbob and the Oklahoma State quilt I made for them, it is just a little picnic/tailgate quilt...but shows the school colors!!! These are a few of the quilts I have had the pleasure of quilting during the last 2 + months... I have quilted a lot more. But this is a start of the Christmas rush for me.......It was fun doing each of them...and seeing the lovely work each of these ladies did. I have more to share...and hope to post again soon. Did about 50....since I started back to quilting after the auto accident. In order t

this one is mine... and I wanted th hide the poor piecing with lots of quilting.... It didn't work...but I dont' really mind.

It has been forever and a day since I last posted...but have been very busy. Just spent a lovely couple of days with the grands. The Princess loves her chickens, so I had to get a photo. Also sharing several photos of customer quilts that were finished before Christmas... thankfully.

Updates... and pics of last guild quilts...

2010-09-26T00:41:00.000-07:00

The Professor is in the middle of taking his PHD comprehensive exams, so much gnashing of teeth and heavy concentration going on at our house. When he completes his last exam, assuming he gets a thumbs up on continuing.. he will have earned the PH of the PHD. We seem to celebrate every milestone ... in this lengthy process. So two more weeks of studying... and hoping I can get some of my little piles picked up...as he has been so busy with school, he hasn't had the opportunity to notice the many new piles of sewing I seem to have accumulated. :o) We did have a nice little respite today, when a neighbor shared football tickets with us to go and see Mississippi State play the Georgia Bulldogs. MSU was victorious and it was nice to be caught up in the whole SEC football entusiasm. I have been very carefully expanding my quilting time, easing into longer sessions...and paying attention to when I feel too fatiqued to continue. So with many breaks during the day, I am starting to get caught up with the many quilts I had to do when I was in the auto accident. I think I did about 5 since my last post. But have once again misplaced my camera..... so instead will share a few photos from our last guild meeting. We took a class from Beth Ferrier and she taught us machine applique tips. Katie did this wonderful little practice piece from the class. I did enjoy this time with the girls...although it was about 3 weeks after my accident, and I was still in a sling. I wonder how many quilt teachers have people show up in slings... with their sewing machine. I simply had to learn the techniques... and had already paid for the class... so I was going to learn. Fortunately had some wonderful neighbors who helped me press and keep my bits together. I have been given this lovely bullseye quilt to quilt, love the fact that she turned the bullseyes into pumpkins. It will be going on the machine in the next 2 weeks if all goes well. My friend Nancy is quilting this darling scrappy baby quilt. Love the look of this one. Then some snippets wall hangings from a work day we had recently. Very cute and both ladies

deserved credit with all those little bitty pieces. I think one used tweezers to place hers! But such fun results. And lastly, Janie is a new quilter.... and shared her t shirt quilts. Can you tell she is an Indians fan?

Hope to get some time to quilt tomorrow... I really want to do a quilt of mine, before the Mississippi Quilt Association fall gathering, which is coming up in mid. October. So need to use my time wisely. Have a lovely rest of the weekend.

Some more finishes.....

2010-09-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

Continued improvement on my shoulder and neck... maybe mentally too, actually driving myself now, which is such a blessing. I understand now, why so many seniors hate to lose that part of their life. I was going a bit stir crazy, must admit. But maybe the best therapy is that I have begun easing into quilting again. And so enjoying working on the various quilts my customers have gifted me to do for them. Have done several for customers during the past week or two. Love this adorable pink one for a customers grandaugther. The gold and burgundy is not very clear unfortunately, but it was a very pretty fall quilt. I hate

that I didnt' get a very clear photo of it. The hot pink fuschia x block quilt is next. I like that she didn't use black as I did in mine. But hers is finished, mine isn't quilted yet. Then this pretty log cabin, is next. It is done with wonderful Christmas fabrics. Lastly is a quilt that needs to be sent off to Northern MS for a customer. I loved the African fabrics she used, it isn't a panel though the piecing doesn't show in photo well. But she did use the animal strips very effectively. I do love the variety I get to see from my customers. So much fun for me, and I am not a very clever piecer, so its always fun to see something I would never piece for myself. I am blessed for sure. The professor is taking his comprehensive exams starting in about 10 days. They last 3 weeks, and then he will go to a conference in North Carolina and present a paper, that is to be published in a professional journal in the spring. I am so proud of him. Once he gets past this big exam I think our life will get a bit more normal for us. I am looking forward to that. Hope to get a few more quilts done soon. I have a couple that are needing to be completed by next weekend. So need to get busy. My DD in law has a pattern in a McCall's magazine this month, think it is Quilter's World, a purse pattern for a new feature in the magazine. She is a wonderful designer.

A FINISH..... finally to share.

2010-08-29T22:55:00.000-07:00

Finally finished the quilt started before the accident. A gorgeous applique quilt by Martha Dubard of Louisville, Mississippi. I adored this quilt. She calls it Mama's Garden as it reminded her of her mom's garden of many years ago. I did McTavishing behind all the applique. It turned out very well.I know that these photos were taken before I completed the outside border... I can't figure out where I hid the finished ones on the computer.... hmmmmm. No telling. I am also sharing a few other photos of finished quilts for others from before the accident as well. A grandmothers flower garden, and a darling Sudoku quilt. She wanted the numbers from the puzzle on the quilt to complete the theme. I loved her fabrics too. Most are from guild members from Louisville...as I had several to do for them. I also have just about completed another one for a gal. It is going into the Pine Belt quilt show...for the Log cabin challenge. Will post that one next time. No pictures. I think it is a very pretty quilt.

And how could I not share this silly photo of the wonderful rascal who has been stealing all the bird seed, he has even pried open the 5 gallon pail with all the seed inside...and emptied it! Quite the scavenger , he is. I am hoping to finish the other quilt on the machine tomorrow. Only quilting about an hour a day... so it is slow going. Have a great couple of days.

Another day in the life......

2010-08-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

I have been recovering from my accident slowly. Collar bone still not healed, still can't drive, but I did use my dsm this past week..to finally add the borders on two quilts.These have been waiting a long time. If fact, these blocks I have had as a friendship exchange, from my old guild in Pampa,Texas since 1999.Shame on me, they are from the last millenium! I had cut the border sashings and blocks several months ago at a sit and sew, but never put them together. I decided to add the inner sashings... and much to my chagrin, found out that I was about 1/4th yard short of the sashing material.... so hubby drove me to the fabric shop, which you know he adored, and thank goodness they still had a little left of this. So I bought the last 2 yds, and proceeded to cut the last 2 strips I needed. I think for a "tween " quilt...it turned out fine. No idea when I will get to the actual quilting of it, but it is a finish. DD and her family came for a quick visit, and

its amazing how quickly newborns change.The Wee one's sister is so much bigger. We had to take a photo of her by "Bully" on the MSU campus. Her big brother was about the same age, when we took his photo there. Time surely moves by quickly. Of course, Grandbob had to take the Wee One on a lawn mower ride... he calls it a tractor... so that must be the excitement. One of the girls from the Starkville guild made the cutest pumpkin Bullseye quilt. I thought it was adorable. More to share later. Hope to be back blogging more regularly.

Oh Happy Day.....

2010-07-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

My sling is off... for most of the day... Dr. approved! I start a little rehab on the shoulder... just light until the collar bone finishes healing...but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hate not being able to drive...but really couldn't do any turns safely... with one arm. It is getting old being stuck...with nothing but my thoughts...reminding me of everything that I'd like to get on with. Have to share one photo. taken by my dd in law. She thought it as funny as me. Since we live in Starkville, Mississippi, this is a TAXI(???) that sits in the parking lot of one of the shopping centers. Never seen it on the road...may have to call for a ride...just to prove they really drive it! Also...my dd' in law's photo of my lovely grandaughter doing free motion quilting. Can't wait for her to test drive my long arm... she is getting so grown up!

Still alive..... trying to catch up......

2010-07-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

It has certainly been a long time. Where to start. The professor has finished all classes...now

studying for his comprehensive exams. Yeah!

The fabric shop I work at is closing at the end of August. I had been trying to catch up on quilting... to no avail. I was blessed to be asked to teach a Machine Quilting class for the Mississippi Quilt Association's summer gathering... a wonderful opportunity, and loads of fun with some wonderful ladies. All of our wonderful children and grands arrived for "Camp Grandbob" last Friday.... for a week full of fun. In fact, the oldest Grand, designed T shirts for Camp Grandbob, full of memories from celebrations past. The hillbilly pool was in place, we made homemade ice cream, had Birthday cake for all of our babies, picked blueberries from the wonderful blueberry patch, and tomatoes and squash from the garden. We ate watermelon, ribs, burgers and pizza. Played games, including guitar Hero and the Wii fit. We even had outdoor movies in the back yard, thanks to DS1 and his projection tv set up. Fireworks were set off... most of them safely....but at least one landed on the deck! I missed that one...as I was in the Emergency Room. DH sent me to the store on July 3, to get more citronella oil for the tiki torches...and whilst on the way there, another car, ran the red light....and slammed into me. Broken collar bone and displaced something or other. I am mending but very sore. So won't be doing much quilting for a couple of weeks at least. I am most sad, because the kids arrived on Friday...and this occured on Sat. So not much time to cuddle the two newest babies pictured here. The last photo is post accident... the kids weren't all cooperating...but I love it just the same. No makeup, sling, ice pack and all. Shame. I am picking this out with one hand... so must keep it short.

Its been a long while.......an update on MOM

2010-05-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

Well the time has flown, I made it to Pennsylvania ok, and my dear Mom passed away that evening. I was able to spend a few hours with her while she was still able to speak, although she slept most of that time, but those things will be precious memories to me. Of course I hadn't brought any special clothes with me, just jeans and t shirts .... to which my DH said, " Hey, they have Goodwills up there. " He was only kidding, so I quickly purchsed funeral clothes, shoes, and helped take care of a small portion of thearrangements. It was something that I am thankful I was able to do for my brothers and sisters. DH arrived the next day, with some of my children also. Since I do come from a huge family there were a few little dramas. But nothing that couldn't be handled in order to make Mother's service an honor to her. I am thankful for that. It was healing to be with the sisters and brothers also, so I am thankful, I was able to be there and how blessed that I had an airline ticket that didn't have to be changed at the last minute. God certainly saw to my needs.
After returning to Mississippi, I didn't realize just how tired I was.... from all the emotions. I think I slept for a week. Then back to quilting, and last week I got to work in Philadelphia, PA with my sister. We do a conference together, always long hours, but I do enjoy it. I have quilted several quilts this past week, but left my digital camera at quilt guild, and hope to drive down on Tuesday to get it. Will share some pics when I get it. I appreciate all the prayers that came my way, for Mom and the family, they were definitely answered. I haven't even been on any blogs...so I am off to read all of your news. Have a great week.

2010-03-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful visit with our DS2 and family, Alas, I forgot my camera...so no pictures of our Little Princess. who is prettier every day. She was a delight..and her baby brother.... was a little darling. A very quick note..... Off to work. Mom is hanging in there...and I am flying up to visit her just after Easter. Pray that there are no late Snow storms.... with the weather you just don't know.

I have also, gotten back on track and finished up several customer quilts.... Still a bit behin

d. But can share these wonderful quilts..... I wish a few of them I had pieced, I so love the fact that my customers are so varied... and that I get to work on such different quilts. Although I do feel in a bit of a rut...they seem to be going toward the same quilt designs at the moment. I have become known as the feather queen as a result...but so enjoy doing feathers. I continue to slog through Piecing up some PIGS(projects in grocery sacks) to find a couple more to finish for the sisters. I have 3 cone for PA. and hope to finish one more.

Latest update about my mom.......

2010-03-12T22:57:00.000-08:00

It is spring break and the Professor and I will be visiting with DS2 and family for a few days, then its back to quilting, cleaning, studying for the professor and worrying about all of lifes tragedies and comedies, and the many trials of my extended family. I am so blessed to be part of such a large and crazy IRISH family, warts and all.... and there are plenty warts, let me assure you. Then without going into much detail, I have to apologize that I have been so behind in my posts. My mother is terminally ill, and has declined quickly since her birthday. I am going up to see her in a few weeks and I must admit, because of her weakened condition, this is distressing me. My dad suffered a lengthy battle with cancer and seeing him slip away so slowly was extremely tramatic and it has happened again to Mom. I know it is a part of life, but still not easy to experience. In fact, the people in the Card section where I was buying her birthday card last month, probably thought I was nuts...as I stood there in the middle of the aisle, reading cards, and crying my eyes out. My emotions are making me a bit crazy, although I know this is what happens in life. Mother knows this is coming, she has just finally agreed to let Hospice help her out. So she is preparing for this as well. I weep for her, and want to cheer her up, make her laugh, keep her strong, but know I need to let her go too.This has been a roller coaster of emotions for my whole family and I get frustrated knowing there is little I can say to comfort her or ease her suffering. I only explain that I just don't have much to say on the blog. I hope you will pray for my extended family as they all transition to this new phase of our life, for some it will be more difficult than ever. Families are such wonderfully complicated things. Kind of like piecing a difficult quilt. Sometimes, the pieces come together in a big bump in the middle and at other times, they form a perfectly smooth and perfect piece. I am sure I will post photos of the grands as soon as our visit is over. Thanks for stopping by.

A Mississippi snow man.....and more quilts......

2010-02-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

Like most parts of the country...we have had a cold winter...and even got some snow. Now this guy is a pretty pathetic looking snow man....but he made me laugh. Some college students in the neighborhood..probably from Florida....worked awfully hard to put him together. I had to snap the photo. I am growing weary of the cold, damp, gray days...as it has impeded my extra job, ie. quilting for others. It takes forever to heat up my building so that my machine will run. But I have done a couple of quilts since last post. One has already been delivered...a sweet vintage one, just simple squares. Looked like made from the grandmothers dresses. But I just finished a stunner.....made by Martha Dubard of Louisville Mississippi. Her applique is divine. I enjoyed the challenge of quilting this one. Not that I love super custom quilts.I actually enjoy doing what I call semi custom... ind. blocks..with borders. But the fine, super close quilting made me a bit nervous. I am still so new...lots of mistakes, stops and starts. But I am getting more comfortable all the time doing newer things to quilts. I am so excited to be able to see some of our grands in the next couple of weeks. Always a pleasure....now just need to get caught up on the quilting. I have a stack of customer quilts to finish, and a few more of my own, I'd love to get done. The red and gold quilt is a simple turning 20 quilt, gift for a sister.... she will get it soon, on the next visit to Pennsylvania. I need to finish at least 5 more..... before I go again, if I want to gift the sisters all at the same time. Sure wouldn't want any of them to think I was showing favoritism! Have a great day. I am off to watch olympics and work on some Dear Jane blocks. I am so behind.

My oldest Finished project for the year.....

2010-02-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

Well, because I didnt' travel to Pennsylvania this past weekend..... I did get more sewing in. I actually finished up a couple of quilts for sisters. As my goal this year is to gift all of my sisters a quilt...then start with the brothers. So far 3 of my siblings have a quilt from me...... Now this one was that had been a PIG (Project in Grocery Sack) since 1988, the fabric is a dead giveaway. Rust calico... and royal blue. The center was not very well done..the basket part. So it went into a sack, I took it out... found some similar shade of Kona cotton in the blue, then found some more fabric that would coordinate with it....and quilted the daylights out of it. If my sister hates the front.... the back will be a white on white quilt...and its fine. I have several customer quilts to share as well..... this lovely blue and yellow one... is so pretty, then this darling pink and green applique...that a wonderful grandma made for her grandaughter. I also just finished this french braid quilt.... It is so pretty in person. I can't wait for my next one.... it s gorgeous little custom number.... with a Geisha panel in the center..... Not sure where it is going to take me...but can't wait to get going on it. Hope you all have a great day..... I am going to watch the super bowl with the professor...and eat blue bell ice cream... the perfect end to a great day!

My mother's Birthday....via the internet!!!!

2010-02-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

Today my huge family...all my brothers and sisters celebrated my mother 's 75th Birthday..... unfortunately for me since they are all up in Pennsylvania, and I am in Mississippi, and I was to fly into Pittsburg today, via Baltimore...and we all know how that went. So I didn't make it in...much to my chagrin. I have to admit I cried.... I was upset when I got the call on Thursday evening telling me that my flight had been canceled...but my neice posted video of the birthday song and a few clips...as everyone else celebrated...so it was bittersweet...but almost as good as being there. Love you mom...... and am so glad that I was lucky enough to be born into a wonderful...large, never dull family! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

This photo was taken I believe in 1984 or so.

doesn't she look great...she had alreadydelivered 15 children.... she is an amazing woman!

Very Quick Post...... And Happy Birthday Lovey!

2010-01-19T10:56:00.000-08:00

The weather has turned warmer...and I am trying to get stuck into some quilts that need finishing. It is the Professors birthday today... and our Anniversary. Hard to believe we have been married for 36 years today! I don't have a lot of early photos, we were way too poor..but this is a blast from the past. I had to photograph it as I can't quite figure out this scanner. The Professor has always made me laugh.... more than cry.... and put up with all my evil ways. Thanks "lovey"! Hope we have another 36 years together. This was taken several years into our marriage..about 4, I think. The Professor was still in college...and we loved Stillwater, OK. If I am not mistaken we went to the Cowboy Mall across from campus and ate Pizza. What a splurge!Good times. Funny, but we still like takeout for this special day! Tonight is Chinese!

Now I did also work on a couple of little quilts this week, have been using my time to work on last years buc a block project...and this is how far I have been able to get to....the blocks...and I designed some star blocks to fit into the sashing to create another little interest block. I still have to add borders...but it is getting there.

I also am finishing up a little quilt made by my DD in law, the ever creative Jen. I quilted it and am doing the much hated binding for her. So that it can be sent onto Florida to a new niece.Jen wanted the feathers to follow the Zig Zag, I think that was a good idea...it worked out well.

I also did this adorable fairy quilt for a lovely Mississippi gal. It needs to be finished before they leave for the Carolinas. I love the feathers on this one...And it was fun to do too.You may notice the little roll up on the quilt, we made these yesterday at quilt guild. To roll up projects...like applique or redwork. I love the fact that it was quick to make and practical too. Our President keeps her DearJane blocks in it to take along. I am so behind on DJ at the moment. But loved this roll up. This last picture is it opened...carrying another mighty old UFO, it may be recognized by some of the Pampa Texas quilt gals...My Friendship blocks from 1999! Shame on me. But they are all now....sewed into blocks finally and about to become a Masterpiece!Until next time! Have a great day!

How we spent our Christmas vacation........

2010-01-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

Just a quick share. We had so much fun visiting our Children this past month. And saw a few fun things along the way. The trip began in Mississippi, Lousiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, then back to Mississippi. Now..... we got to have fun with the grands, baking cookies, watching movies, and even bowling. The kids got into all of it of course.Some, more than others. We also decided to give the bigger kids money... as part of their Christmas....now since cash is cash... we also had been saving our change for the past year..... and it just made sense to give them the whole jar..... let them count it all out..and then divide it three ways. They had almost as much fun counting it out as anything they could spend it on. And after much deliberation, it was decided to buy wood, to make a fort out of. Fun for a long time, I am sure. I also felt like I had to share this picture. As we were driving in Kansas, we spotted a neon signed Hippie van...advertising Chimineas... now , not a one was in sight..but they also seemed to be peddling another product!!!! The sign on the back of the van gave me a chuckle...but maybe it has something to do with growing up in the 60's! Then it was on to see the Princess and her baby brother. Here she is all dressed up...with no place in particular to go! Finally, have just a few quick quilts to share. Sorry for the quality of the photos...but cameras and I are just not on speaking terms. I quilted all of these and thought them all quite nice.

Snuggy's and good times.....

2009-12-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

We are with the grands... and made them all snuggy fleece blankets. They were a hit as you can imagine. We made cookies today...hope to frost and put sprinkles on later tonight. I am enjoying the games...... we have played more board games... and laughed so much. Always fun times. Hope you all are keeping warm. I was so happy when I finished my very last quilt for a customer two days before we left to come to Kansas. And the College "ball wars" are going well. Oklahoma State is at the top of the tree as we speak. We 'll have to see who is the winner on Christmas morning. More good times.

Lost but found... How we spent our Thanksgiving vacation.....

2009-12-08T13:43:00.001-08:00

I thought I had lost my digital camera...but lo and behold....this AM as I tried to do a quick clean between quilts...there it was under some trimmed batting. Maybe that is where my other lost things can be found???? May need to do a deep clean as soon as I finish up my Christmas rush. Almost caught up with that .Thanksgiving was a quick trip up to Tennessee for time with DD and the Wee One. He kept Grandbob and Honey busy, and of course we had to peruse every sale ad to see if we had to venture out in the wee hours of the morning. DD and I didn't get up until 6...then we went to a few places but not any place that was terribly crazy. I splurged on some new rubber mats for beneath my machine. They are so great on the feet. The very vintage quilt and the wonderful young vet student holding it...is such a wonderful story...I felt I had to share. Her very dearest friend' mother passed away when she was quite young...and she is having difficulty adjusting to her father's new person in his life. So this darling girl bought a vintage quilt, and had me quilt it for her, then she has added photos of her friend with her mother in theplain blocks. Hoping that this will assist her friend with her grief. I acutally cried when she told me the story. What a thoughtful friend Jenny is. I wish I had a photo of the "After" the photos had been added. But I am certain it will be cherished. I have been busy, since just before Thanksgiving, finished a Christmas table topper for my sister, and a Bargello for my friend. Then I put on this UFO.... for the third time.... to finally finish up the white sections. It seemed that every time I put in on my machine, I would get several quilts that needed to be done right away. So it would come back off.I wanted to try something new.

But the nice thing is that I can see some improvement on my quilting. The white sections...are just a practice of a non marked ...meandering kind of formal feathering. I really enjoyed doing it.... very freeing. I also did a few more customer quilts...love this Block of the month that I had the pleasure of doing. I also did two sweet little ones... that I feel like i had to share.

the last little one is a donation quilt for the Sheriff's dept. We provide them to ride along in the Sheriff's cars, so that if a child needs something for comfort, they can wrap up in something. I loved the Moda fabric my friend used. I wish you could see the quilting.... it is a swirl vine.... then feather bumps in the border.

Finally two finishes....

2009-11-19T17:05:00.000-08:00

I just finished....sort of ...piecing my x block quilt.... woo hoo! And I did finish a Thanksgiving topper.... but have already given it away...and forgot to take a photo. Maybe the girl I gave it to ...can send me a photo.

Here is the x block quilt. I am hoping to get it quilted before Christmas. We'll see.

Computer woes....and the x block.....

2009-11-18T16:44:00.000-08:00

This is my latest project in progress, I only have to get it quilted. It is called the x block. I really liked doing this one. No idea where it will go...but it used all scraps except for the blacks which I did purchase. I am so glad with the scrappiness of it. I have been stuck into quilting more than piecing...trying to get finished with my promised Christmas quilts. I am experiencing computer difficulties...so this post is quick.

Special thanks to all our Veterans...

2009-11-12T00:21:00.000-08:00

Just a quick aside. How thankful and appreciative I am of all the Veterans, current and past and their families who share in the service of our Country. We are so fortunate that they are prepared to serve for us. It isn't easy for the Veteran or their families with seperations and training, but I am so thankful they do it with honor and dignity. Thank you to each of them. About this time a few

years ago...myself and some Rotary Anns ( The ladies Auxiliary for Rotary) hosted some local elderly folks for a tea. The funny part was that some of the Rotary Ann volunteers were older than those being hosted for the tea. Such a lovely group of ladies..... I still think of them often. These are a few photos of the tea held in the Rotary Hall. These lovely little children dressed in their Indian costumes danced for part of the entertainment. They were well received as you can imagine.

Then these darling little school children who accompanied their teachers on pay day to the grocery store. They loved getting their picture taken.

The Noxubee refuge...latest works in Progess...

2009-11-04T06:33:00.000-08:00

This is the Noxubee refuge.... the Professor and I drove down to see the changes fall brings down there. It is such a tranquil place... sad to see the pretty trees almost bare but the place on the water was nice. And we just enjoyed a bag of peanuts and sitting in the sunshine. I loved being able to walk out over the water and Then back to the quilting machine and my latest customer quilts

, this pretty pink one, coming along nicely. and My friend Barbara did this wonderful baby quilt for her new grandson. Love it!

This Ohio State

quilt was made by a neighbor, Norma for her grandson who loves those Buckeyes. Another great quilt.

Another wonderful quilt made by my friend Gloria, it was so peaceful to work on this with the wonderfully soft colors. Reminds me of Robyn Pandolph colorations. Here it is finished up. I am on another one at the moment...with a music theme. I am so "chuffed" as they say in South Africa...to get to work on these wonderful quilts. All so different and the best part is I don't have to piece them! Happy sewing .

Misplaced camera..... and exciting news.....

2009-11-01T15:14:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in all this past week.... I have misplaced my camera. So can only add what is already on the computer. First off, what is wrong with this picture...dont' you always tell the old price if it was more???? I won this wonderful little panel and other fall goodies from Ellen's blog.... what a fun thing. Loved the little bag....and the goodies inside. I have used it every time I go to a quilt demo..... so it has come in handy so much. Look at this wonderful quilt made by Polly Yoder of Deleware.... and I believe it hung in Paducah. She and her two other sisters did a trunk show at our Mississippi Quilt Association's Fall gathering . The Wee One and his family sent us this wonderful photo.....notice the EPT test in the foreground. I missed it to the first time ........ So we are going to be blessed with grandchild number 7. Always good news! Hope you all have a great next couple of days. I have quilt guild in the morning...then the DJ club meets Tuesday. Can't wait.

More Houston quilt show photos, customer quilts and guild show and tell, The professor and his shoes....

2009-10-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

As I sat on the deck with the Professor this evening.... eating our freshly grilled hamburgers.... I heard him exclaim.... oh man, my shoes don't match.... He had inadvertenly put one brown flip flop...with a mismatched flip flop. I wanted to take a photo....but he was way too embarrassed... so I decided to blog about it anyway. He is getting his doctorate...but can't always match his clothes!Shame! In fact one of our younger grandsons...insists on wearing his little crocs on the opposite feet. Now I dont' think I will wonder just where that come from! The same feet visible in the summer picture above from our last family get together.

I have finished several customer quilts.... and felt I had to share, this one is made with Karen Combs fabric, shade casdade.... very pretty, and I told my friend Katy, who made it as a wedding gift for her niece, sure wish I was her niece! It was a huge king sized quilt....what a great gift. This next one was made by my friend Linda who made it for her

grandaughter, it was so cute...a turning twenty again pattern I think. This lovely rose quilt was made by another friend Marilyn, for herself, lucky girl. It is a pattern from Deloa Jones Scraps Organized Book...wonderful book from what I have seen of it. I didn't quilt the next couple, but this lovely dresden plate was made by my friend Nancy, and quilted by her as well. Then this adorable Paper Doll, was made by my friend, Luanne, what a dear little quilt. The incoming president of our guild, made this great Mississippi State T shirt Quilt for the new football coach, Dan Mullins.... it turned out great. I do love show and tell at Quilt guild. It always inspires me to get to work. Had to share this cute Apron from the Michael Miller schoolhouse....

love those colors. Then lastly.... as we are getting prepared to go watch Florida play at MSU's game in just a bit....will finish off with another color ways of Eleanor Burns Night and Day, that she shared with us during that schoolhouse class at the Houston quilt show. Have a great weekend. I am working on my latest class quilt.... the x block...it is addictive!!!

Houston quilt show..... Sample Spree and more

2009-10-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, I still haven't quite recovered from Houston...and The Professor isn't feeling well....but I have to share a few photos. Haven't checked out the Houston Quilt show winners...but did find out that this one won best of show....Wow was it a stunner. I wish it was in focus more.... I messed up about half of my pictures...not sure .... why or

how....but this was done... with thread painting by Caryl Breyer Fallert. I took the very poor photo...and someone else took the other...to post on the APQS board and sent it to me in an email. It shows the amazing detail of her quilting. It really was wonderful. My favorite, may have been this wonderful Black and white applique, which was really painted.... it is by Judy Coates Perez. I thought it was absolutely gorgeous. I don't know if it was a winner or not...but it was in my book. The quilting so inspired me..that I am about to embark on a Jacobean customer quilt...and may try to do a few extra things in there. It was so awesome seeing some of these up close. But I did forget to say that I got to attend Sample Spree.... and man was that a fun experience. The ladies started lining up at 4 PM, it seemed like more than a thousand..but maybe high hundreds.... although it didn't begin until 8PM....the vendors inside were setting up their booths with wonderful goodies to sell. This was the ART Gallery Fabrics booth.... and

my talented DIL worked for them during the Market. Aren't those little bags, filled with everything necessary to make a project, adorable??? NOw the ladies from the line up, were kind of like the "Brides" trying to get into the GOWN sale...... that we have all seen on tv.....they burst through the doors when they opened....looking for those bargains. Some of these ladies were much nicer than others.....but all in all...don't think anyone was seriously infured...no biting, kicking or tackling other quilt ladies to the ground. And it seemed like a pretty fun time to me.

Houston quilt show, my new BFF's.......

2009-10-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well...... I arrived home in the wee hours of the morning.... from Houston Quilt Market. What can I say. Amazing...... IT was totally different than Quilt festival. I think I took about 1200 photos.... the Quilt show had some amazing things in it.....loved the ones from JApan. I think it officially opens tomorrow...so don't think I better post any of my photos from the show...but .....the MARKET was even better! I had never before seen the preview of new lines....patterns.... etc. Although I am technically challenged. I decided the Professor should give me EQ6 for christmas and purchased it there. Can't wait to begin to explore the possibilities. Now I treated my self to a few books...and patterns. But the highlight...was rubbing elbows with many of the quilt world wonders. Since the market was venders and wholesalers, it wasn't crowded the way Quilt festival is...and you could see everyone there selling their latest things. Eleanor Burns sold out of her Night and day pattern...which is the gorgous black and white quilt I started with. As I I was walking through the actual quilt show... there is Marianne Fons walking through also. She was approached by someone way bolder than myself...and she turned and told the lady, "I know I look like the lady at your bank, I 'm Marianne Fons". I laughed and thought...well I recognised you just fine! Then My New BFF AMy Butler...was standing wearing some of her beautiful fabric in the Amy Butler booth..... I saw Kaffe Fassett as I got off the elevator in the hotel........ as the Moda banquet was about to begin. My other BFF Eleanor Burns...was standing in the line at the Starbucks coffee line, Ricky Tims was helping in a booth, Pat Sloan having a cuppa in the lounge area, I so tried to be nonchalant about it all...but at least a few of my quilting buddies got calls from me, with a .... "YOU won't believe who I just went into the restroom with???" I managed to take mini classes from Eleanor Burns, Pat Sloan, Harriet HArgrove, Penny Harin..... and saw some very cool schoolhouse classes about EQ 6...which is why I bought it, and the latest fabric lines from Art Gallery Fabrics. Michael Miller, Amy Butler, Helen Stubbings from Australia, Priscilla Bianchi from Guatemala, Sally Schneider, wonderful scrappy quilter and more fabric designers. I had so much fun with the quiltwoman.com girls, I even got to go to dinner with them.....they know how to have a good time!It was a dance contest at Joe's Crabshack.... good food and great fun! At one point the waiter was dancing on the table....but that photo is pretty out of focus...you can still tell we were having fun. There is an amazing part of the quilt show...about Chinese indigo dying..... I will share a photo from that.... it was gorgeous.

Newest Grandbaby and the Houston Quilt Expo.....

2009-10-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

This is an introduction to our newest grandbaby....little "True", he looks more like his mama than his dad...but that hair...all my kids looked like baby porcupines!!! I get to see him up close next weekend. Can't wait.

I am off to the Houston Quilt Market in the morning..... thanks to a wonderful DIL, and my bags are being packed now. I have Quilt guild this evening...delivering one quilt...and will pick up some more. Have to share this one I made for my son in laws Rakasaans 101st Airborne unit. Its the one with the Japanese symbol in the center. It is a raffle quilt.There are quite a few customer quilts that I have failed to share.... but I just am so behind on the computer these days. This adorable baby quilt was a hit at the baby shower...what better com

pliment than...
I am so going to use this!"

Then this darling picture of me walking with the wee one...in my brothers back yard. We had such a good day...by the lake. Have a great weekend.

A visit with the wee one..... another MSU - LSU football game...and mud up to the......

2009-10-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

I have been "abroad" again, as in visiting my mom in Pennsylvania...it was also an opportunity to meet the wee one and DD as well visiting also. Now, the wee ones reaction to my brothers borrowed mustang convertable...was about the same as his much older grandbob!!!! He was trying to figure out where to put the key in this photo! We also had to take him to Santa's workshop at the Kraynak's nursery .... a wonderful place to see beautiful Christmas trees and winter scenes. The wee one especially loved the elmo tree...but they all were wonderfully decorated. Then it was off to Daffin's candy shop....for their delectable chocolates..... don't think he fully appreciated this...but we sent off goodie boxes to the rest of the family..... and KNOW they all loved theirs. It was a wonderful visit with my mother and most of my brothers and sisters. Always a treat. Then back to Mississippi for another wet n rainy football game. This time ..... I thought I was better prepared. Had rain ponchos..... and we drove in to park in the student parking area. It was a big SEC game against LSU.... and we do have LSU connections.... as DS1 and DDil both granduated from LSU..... so had to be kind to the visiting fans.... It was a Mississippi State "white Out", fun to see and be a part of. BUt the real fun began

when we returned to the "grassy " parking area...only to have our truck stuck up to its hub caps in the mud!!! So we walked home......The Professor was not happy ....and sure didn't want me to take photos......but I sneaked in one on the way home...(sorry big guy) He was muddy, wet and ..... well we will leave it at that. We did manage to go back much later in the day...after the sun came out...and there were fewer cars in the lot..... and get it UNSTUCK.... so it is just another adventure to remember! ANother fun day in the life of an OLD college couple. We are off to another game here in a few minutes...and I am so hoping ....no rain... NONE is forecast for today. Many more quilts to share....and will do so much more quickly ...in next few days.Hope you all have a great weekend.

Football is in the air, and the rest of my crazy week...

2009-09-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

The Professor ..... totally wet from downpour at the game
I was hoping my mascara hadn't run everywhere.Since my eyes are closed... guess it had already run off me!

Ok, it was definitely football this past weekend. I love college football, there were so many good games to see this past weekend. The professor and I went to a Mississippi STate game, and the traffic was the worst. It was backed up for miles coming into the stadium. It took me longer to drive to the parking area, than it took us to walk to the campus last year. I will have to rethink whether to drive or walk in for the future. Anyway, we got to our seats on the upper deck...just in time to enjoy the downpour, that actually delayed the game by 30 min. Yes they announced that there was lightning within 3 miles of the stadium so they took the players off the field for their safety..but left a stadium full of people with no where to go... and it took us 15 min. of delay to get down to the covered area, so many people were standing in the only dry area. Now this heavy downpour left me with not 1 inch of dry ..... anywhere. So I made the best of it. The Professor and I were soaked, but enjoyed the first 2 quarters....when it started to rain again... I told him my school spirit was gone..with the sunshine...and he graciously took me home....where we watched even more football. It was a great day for the family alma maters.... Oklahoma State , Louisiana State, Texas A&M, MSU,Texas TEch all were winners this week. HAd to post a few photos of the wet us at the football game. I also finished a raffle quilt for the cancer society. It was appliqued by my guild members, then quilted

by me. I also finished several customer quilts, this darling blue and yellow one, was so bright and cheerful. And the black and beige one is so pretty up close. The photo doesn't do it justice I am afraid. I have been busy with a few more customer quilts, trying to get things finished as I have an upcoming visit...so will be away from the quilting studio. That plus I am afraid I will get buried the closer we get to Christmas holidays. I have almost finished another raffle

quilt for my sil and the Rakasaans out of Ft. Campbell, and he asked me last week to do a raffle quilt for him. I loaded it this afternoon. I just did a simple applique of their emblem in the center of a large block and did simple turning twenty blocks around it. Will share the photos later...after I have it quilted. Holding thumbs it turns out fabulous to raise money for their fundraiser. Hope you all have a great week.... I plan to.

A quickie Post.....Giveaway at my DDin laws blog

2009-09-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie post... My talented DD in law's blog is having a wonderful giveaway. Go and check it out. And the photo has nothing to do with the giveaway...but wanted to share a photo taken in Africa just about this time of year two years ago.... of a large herd of Elephants crossing the road in the Kruger Park. A wonderful place to see many different wild animals in their habitat.... roaming across miles of terrain. It still may be the highlight of my trip for things to see in Africa. I will never look at animals the same way again. And some of the gorgeous

vistas that were an everyday thing to see. This lovely mountain view was found near Clarens where we stayed at a wonderful B&B with our dear friends.

A happy little helper.... and using his power tools.... and the Houston Quilt show!!!

2009-08-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, its been a busy time... getting the Professor ready for school again! He is keeping very busy, and so am I, I had to share a photo of the wee one.... I took. He was helping with the vacuuming. His parents have to spell the word out...if they say vacuum, he demands that they use it...and hold him to "help" push. He is a funny little boy. Then these funny little kids were trying to get people to go to their garage sale.

I had to snap their picture .
The little "box head" was too funny. And the Professor and I are hosting a little get together for the graduate students in his program this coming weekend...so of course he decided that the deck needed to be power washed and resealed before winter...so might as well do it now. Had to snap a photo of him "playing" with his power tools.... He is so focused when he has a project that he has to get done. Of course I have been quite busy with quilts..... just finished a really fun one. A quilt totally made from Crown Royal bags. I just did interlocking circles in all of the squares and it turned out cute I thought. But I also did a couple of more involved quilts. One just glowed and was such fun to do.... I enjoyed looking at it the whole time I quilted the design. Then there was a darling little Moda quilt my friend Angela left for me to work on. I adored those colors!!! I trust you all will have a great day.... I am loading another quilt in the morning.... always something to do .... and I even have almost finished my little orphan 9 patch. Will share photos soon. OH, I almost forgot...thanks to my daughter in law... I am being given the opportunity to go to Houston Quilt Market ..... I am sOOOOOOO excited!!! Now I really have to save some of my quilt money to pick up a few little somethings while I am there.

Family Reunion, the Grands and a few quilts....

2009-08-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone? I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. We just had a whirlwind trip to see my mother, and saw all of my brothers and sisters as well. On top of that, there was a wonderful get together, reunion for my fathers side of the family, saw my aunts and many cousins. What a wonderful time...even with the rain!!Many of these cousins I hadn't seen in several years, nobody lives close! Shame as it was such fun catching up on their lives. I had to post a few more pics from our visit with the grands.... the little boys had to take a drive on the lawn mower, they really enjoyed the drive!

We had a terrible wind storm come up here and the next door neighbor's 75 foot tree...uprooted and landed in the other neighbors yard. Terrible for them...but I was certainly glad it didn't fall my way on one of our cars. The other night as we sat on the deck, I happened to look up.... and just above our head, it was like a scene from the movie, THE BIRDS!!! Above us on the electric lines there were gathered black birds... and not just a few! In fact I ran into the house to get my camera...and there were so many when I came back...it looked like swarms of flies in the air...but all those black spots are birds who took off from the roof and wires!!!! It really creeped me out... just a bit!!!Maybe they are the ones that have been pecking my tomatoes. Whilst visiting my mom.... one of my brothers lent me....or maybe I should have said the Professor and myself, his Mustang convertable. I had to snap the Professor driving it....... He had just looked over at me and said, " this car wants to go fast!" Of course he resisted the urge...but it was a fun car to drive! I think you can tell we enjoyed driving it.

Have to post a few pics of the actual reunion. These are the cousins, or some of the crazy ones anyway. And of course a picture of 10 of my brothers

and sisters with my mother. A few had left and some hadn't arrived yet, but we took a break in the rain as our photo opp. One of my aunts and her family.... always an opportunity for devil horns!And another cousin, with her family. It was such a good time. this photo...one of my brothers had just fallen into the lake...with his clothes on.... I had to snap it. Just wish I had been down at the lake to get that shot!

I have to finish with one of my quilt guild ladies quilts....isn't it stunning. .One of the ladies, a wonderful quilter, Martha Dubard, did a quilt trunk show for us... she shared some lovely quilts with us. This was my favorite.... or maybe this one.... well ...I really likes all of her quilts. I have quilted 3 quilts and part of another since Monday when we got home...but not taken photos yet. Have a great weekend.

Noxubee Wildlife Refuge.... didn't see any aligators though!!

2009-07-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was up to my eyeballs in quilts to quilt....but the Professor decided to take me away for a quick day trip to the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge. Having lived in South Africa, I must admit...seeing the odd deer or armadillo isn't usually exciting.... and we did see those on the drive into the refuge. But I was pleasantly surprised at the beauty of this place...and it is only a few miles from our town. It had lots of info at the Visitor center...including ideal times to see Egrets and cranes.... and where the Aligators hang out ...usually. It was very interesting. So I am wondering what else is around here that I don't know about. Instead of hankering after that long trip to Yosemite...maybe I better explore my back yard..... before we get moved away from here. We will definitely go back there again.... I really would like to see some Gators... and see how they compare to African crocodiles.... which we did see many times while looking for animals in the Game Parks of South Africa. One reason..... I can not understand anyone wanting to "walk" or camp near the rivers there.... I mean.... crocs can swim.... so who knows where they might end up???? The Professor did a good thing for me.... he got me to take a break from the wonderful quilts I had the privilege of finishing this past week. I have to share Toni Brenker's from Pennsylvania , it is from a Quiltville. com pattern, the Old TObacco Road Quilt.... really a lovely quilt. She is a wonderful piecer, and superb at color combinations! I just wish the quilting would show up more, as it really finished up nicely. Then this next one... is one of my regular girls...I seem to love her color combinations.... this Bargello turned out beautiful. So far.... every color combo, I like better

than her last one. Last, I have to share this stunner .... hand appliqued by one of the girls in my guild.... she does divine hand work. This is certainly no exception! It was lots of fun to plan for. I tried to do echo quilting for the first time. It was a lot harder than I realized...and

this picture doesn't do her beautiful quilt justice. But it is a beauty. A massive quilt, king sized . But such a pleasure to do for her. I am winding down with a few more quilts this week...before we make a quick trip to see my 13 brothers and sisters and mom. Can't wait to see them all. Happy sewing!!!

A very sad day indeed........

2009-07-19T17:52:00.000-07:00

Well it was a sad day here at the homestead. In preparing to go on a quick visit to see my mom, we decided to take down the redneck pool.... The professor had to get into the pool to unplug the valve inside the pool. Then after getting out.... he had to dawn his lovely kilt towel.... a special pressie from friends in the UK.

Doesn't he look....Scottish???? I finished up a lovely quilt ....and even tried "McTavishing" or at least my perversion of it. The photos don't show well, but it is pretty in person. I am delivering it tomorrow..... I have also finished another quilt to be sent off...but can't share it...until she has seen it first. Hope you have a great day.... I am off to see a spectacular trunk show tomorrow.... more pics to follow.

2009-07-18T13:00:00.001-07:00

Create your own visitor map!

The 4th, more redneck pool shots...and family fun.

2009-07-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well, Happy Belated 4th to everyone. We had all the kids and the grands..and what fun. We even enjoyed phone calls from our special Italian exchange student, Francesco. It was fun hearing from our UK buddies and texts from South Africa. It really is a smaller world we live in. June and July saw many family members birthdays...so we had to have cake...and a cookie cake...er...well ....lets just say the kids "really got into it!" And leave it at that.

Now the redneck Pool was a huge hit. All of the kids and babies loved it! Even most of the grownups made a dip or two. The Princess and Wee One, had their own little paddling pool...but seemed to enjoy being in the big pool too. While we had the kids all here...we went through some of the many stored things of our grown up kids...and DS2 found some of his swimming medals.... Michael Phelps.... probably looked like this after the last Olympics... the kids were sure impressed with the medals... and now they are no longer at my house....more room for fabric!

Since it was the fourth of July... we had sparklers and glow sticks.... I even found these very cool glow stick balls that the dads put together quick quick. And because I don't want anyone to get in trouble...but a certain Aunt and Uncle.... set off some pretty awesome fireworks.... and sparklers and charcoal snakes. We ate and grilled and sat out on the deck every night until quite late. The fireflies were fun for the kids to try and catch. WE even managed a couple of games of horse shoes! It is the best 4th I have had in years. And all thanks to my family. I did manage to do a few quilts... this week after all the company left

The pictures don't do them justice...but they were both lovely quilts. I also completed a sweet baby quilt for one of these gals..but the photo is way out of focus... I have that affect on many things. Hope you all had a great weekend. I am off to a visit a new quilt group... tomorrow.... new to me...hope they show some pretty things.

Garden goodies, More quilts and Birmingham quilt show....

2009-06-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

The garden has been producing some yummy things finally. I picked fresh blueberries, this morning for lunch and some fresh grape tomatoes, with a few tomatoes for slicing. I love fresh tomatoes. The peppers are finally growing..in that I can see them... a couple of inches. The only peppers going great are the cayenne. I have no idea why I planted them...except they sounded good that day at the garden center. We are preparing for family to come for a get together. So have loads to do..extra baking. But have finished up a few more quilts for customers. Two sisters sent me similar colored lone star quilts. I wanted to do them slightly different...but still keep them similar. They actually turned out so well...that I really want a red, white and blue one of my own. I love these quilts..but don't think I have the patience to do one of my own. For myself. I have finally finished a simple little bargello style flag for Independence day. Now I had never done my own pattern...and these were scraps...so they didnt turn out exactly as I planned, in fact...I forgot about cutting the pieces apart to sew back together...so it is narrower than a waving flag should be...but Its finished. Yeah. I started this quite a while back...so that is another UFO done. I also had the pleasure to go to the Birmingham quilt show in Alabama last weekend with some other quilters. Let me tell you it is a very small world... while standing in the Altzeimer's exhibition looking at the quilts another lady and I began chatting...and somehow having a longarm machine came up.... come to find out we have emailed and chatted online. What are the chances.... I had no idea ...it was definitely fun seeing a face to put to a name. It also was a lovely show. Lots of beautiful quilts. I really enjoyed seeing each of them. I loved this chicken applique, pieced wall hanging. It was lovely and so beautifully quilted. And today is my darling Elisie-Pie's birthday... she is growing up so quickly. This photo was taken by her mom at the "Broadway" evening at her school. She of course was one of the performers. She is so talented... making quilts... I am going to recieve one very soon of her very own creations! I can hardly wait.

Quilts for Africa, Warm Feelings and being Blessed and more ...

2009-06-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

When I left Africa about 15 1/2 months ago.... I thought it would be like most moves.... YOu leave, then slowly but surely your new home takes over your thoughts...but I find that hasn't exactly happened. I am not sure if it was because of the caliber of ladies whom I felt privileged to call my friends...or just because I did volunteer work with them, and had no close family or job to distract me. I love these ladies because of their wonderful hearts.... never thinking anything is too big to get accomplished, or not important enough to do. I have to post this photo...as of course ..being a quilter, and living there for 4 years, I did accumulate a stash. I had to leave much more behind than I was able to bring back with me.Just before I left, a dear lady donated some more fabric to me, so I bequeathed them to my dear quilting ladies. Well, they have outdone themselves. They made 24 quilts...with the bits and pieces and have delivered them to the Komani Hospital in Queenstown South Africa. The email and photo I received said they were snatched up, by the long term patients there. More will hopefully be made in the future for the rest of the mental health patients there. They live very sub-standard with little more than a bed in their rooms, and It is very cold there at the moment, so I know they were appreciated. How could I not be nostalgiac for these dear, caring ladies. And I am so privileged to have known them, even for a short time.

I also can now share the finished photos of Toni Brenker from PA's quilts... she has received them now. One is the Orange Crush and the other is the Double Delight quilt from Quiltville. com .

We are preparing for our children to come for a visit over the 4th. Of course, we wanted to have someplace to cool off..so last year at the end of the season we purchased a large pool..... and tried to set it up this week...only to find out that the ground needs to be way more level than our back yard is.... a dilemma...it capsized... ( I wish I would have had a photo of that one!) So undaunted we went back to the store to see if there was a slightly smaller one... well we didn't find one that would work...or that wouldn't break the bank...so back home...and after much swearing and gnashing of teeth...we decided to go redneck!!! It is only temporary...( or will it be????) but here it is...... set up on the only level area we have.... ON the CARPORT! I know.... now I am thinking of hanging some mosquito curtaining..... along the front just to give us a little privacy while the kids are here.... I really don't want to expose my bits and pieces to the neighbors either!!!!! But it will be wet for the grands when they come. Until we sort something else out.

Family travel in South AFrica, Gardening in the jungle....more quilts and the princess!

2009-06-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

Where does time seem to go. In between, working, quilting for customers...trying to make something for me, visiting and loving every moment of being with the grands, and every day life, I can't seem to keep up with posts! Had to post a photo sent to me by a dear friend from South Africa...now this is family togetherness. Scary but a real reality if you don't want to walk. And the little garden has become semi- jungle.... !!!! I have lots of tomatoes, both large and grape sized.... but the peppers seem to be taking forever. Now, when we visited the princess, she loved helping in her Mom's strawberry patch...Some of the water ended up on the plants even. I have

quilt guild this week...and have been busily working on my challenge quilt. We were given this "Ugly" lime green fabric with little alien people on it and instructed to make a small quilt...many of which will be donated to the Sheriff's dept. for our charity project.( so sorry to the designer of it) Well the more I looked at it...I decided I needed to think outside the box...and oila.... an applique quilt was born. It is fun,

and I have made another to donate to the Sheriff's dept...but will probably use this for Halloween ....it is the proper colors after all.They say that you just have to cut the pieces small enough to overcome ugly fabric.... I think you just have to use it in an unusual way. I also have done several customer quilts..... Here are two that I can share. I have a few more, but don't want to spoil the surprise when TONI from PA, gets hers in the mail.

More later! Unfortunately, maybe much later!

Another visit with the Wee one, water fun, The princess in her Pillowcase dress and more quilts.....

2009-05-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

We had the wee one here with his folks,this past weekend, and he enjoyed the pool we had for him. The Princess wore her little pillowcase dress and don't you love those red shoes????!

I had the opportunity to take a Bargello quilt from Dorinda Evans a couple of weeks ago, and although my quilt is still in strips.... a real shame, these ladies did finish theirs and several had the same Kaffe Fassett fabrics, yet they are so unique! I loved seeing them.

Another two finishers from the class.

Then at quilt guild I loved this quilt. It was a simple but effective quilt.

I also am happy to post a couple of photos of finished customer quilts from the past week or two. I have another on the longarm, and a stack to finish in the next couple of weeks. Where has the time gone??? I can't beleive it is June almost, and I am just not ready for summer yet. My garden has baby tomatoes and peppers, but forgot to grab a photo of them. DD and I did take a stack and whack class this past weekend while she was here on her visit...and it was so much fun.

Her blocks are gorgeous..but I didn't get any photos.

I will snap a few of mine very soon. I only had 4 blocks done, but she finished about 12. I guess she just used her time more wisely than I did.

Don't you love this vintage quilt. It was sewn by hand, by a customers great gran, and I loved seeing the vintage fabrics up close. Really a fun quilt to do.

Arkansas,Oklahoma, Texas and Tennesee...man am I bushed!

2009-05-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

Grandbob with our Little Ballerina "princess"

Been gone for quite a while... and happy to be home. Saw all of our grandchildren and was that wonderful!First we saw

the Princess...and she loved the tutu...it was the first thing she put on in the morning, as she grabbed toothbrushes!

Then it was on to Oklahoma and three other grands! Not sure how I managed to not get a close up of my gorgeous Elisie-Pie, but she is in the soccer picture. We watched soccer practice and movies! Gave out a few "just because we love you" things...( not the water pistols or water balloons...as I promised DDIL) I know some people, think their grands are smart, beautiful and

talented...but MINE really ARE!!!!We so en

joyed seeing each of them...and the little boys, carried on the long standing tradition of playing with Great Grandma's curlers.... when we drove over to see DH's mom. I loved driving back through Texas, seeing the Texas flag flying everywhere along with the USA's of course and especially to see friends from long ago...and look what my buddy Dodi had hiding in the spare room. I am so jealous!!! Loved this old machine. It is a very old treadle...think she said it was her grandma's. LOvley.

Then is was on to Tennessee to see the "Wee one" while his folks went to a concert. Isn't he getting big????

We had some great times this past couple of weeks...but I did manage to do a couple of really cute college quilts this week, one Alabama and one Divided between Bama and Mississippi State.I so have to do one of these. Have a stack of other quilts waiting to jump on the longarm ..so better get off this computer.

Have a great day!!!

Tornados, a No sew tutu and a pillow case dress for the Princess....

2009-05-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

We woke this AM to the wail of the tornado sirens going off.... but thankfully nothing landed on us..... not the way I want to wake up in the morning I can assure you. It kind of reminds me of waking in the middle of the night to the burglar alarm going off... which happened way too often in South Africa! But thankfully it was a fast moving storm, which left just as quickly as it came. Now on to the sewing front, although I have been sewing .... actually started my scrappy bargello, from a class I took on Sat. which is still in strips... and have made progress on a customer quilt, if there are no thunder storms this afternoon, I may finish up a sunflower illusion quilt. Very pretty, and fun to do. I have made a darling little no sew tutu for the Princess to wear, Just wish I could have found some lavender tulle... as it would have added the right amount of color. I also made a sweet little pillow case dress. We are traveling to see 4 of the grands this coming weekend, with another trip to see DH 's MOM, and I wanted to take a little something for them. I have some fun things for the "older" ones, but needed something for the Princess. Since she probably isn't ready for water balloons and squirt guns. ( No Jen, I will probably wait for the family get together to share those with the kids!) Now, I had never sewn a pillow case dress before...but figured it had to be similar to the little halters made for DD when she was just a little girl.... and rightly so.... it was very similar. I did find some adorable spaghetti strap( remember those ???) trim already made up in a similar color to the polka dots of this dress, at the fabric shop I work in. My boss bought out a shop going out of business, and we have a cupboard ( a large closet really ) full of lace and trims. I found some green gingham trim that I am hoping to do another pillow case dress for the Princess, using the same shade of green in polka dots. Its been a long time since I sewed for a little girl. But summer things have always been my favorite thing to sew up. I still may add a little pink ric rac on the bottom of the yellow dress. But otherwise it is finished. So had to share I am sewing something....just not something I usually sew up.

Construction... has begun... and finished. And floating bubbles too!!!

2009-04-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

We have been planning on building a deck for many months...in fact since we bought the house we live in. Please note, we didn't paint the addition on the house blue, I would have chosen a more neutral color..but it is what it is...and I sure don't want to repaint if I can help it. Anyways, this past weekend... DD and her dear hubby came to assist, between the expertise and the brute force... we have a new deck. And although it didn't quite get finished while all the strong help was here, Bob and I managed to put the last 2/3 of the decking on and do we love it. Have to admit, it seriously cut into my time, but I did get to chase the wee one around... shame, I was so busy, forgot to take even one photo of the gang. But did get a " I am just going to sit here and have a cold drink " when we finished the decking. Since this was taken the PRofessor has added another built on bench along the back of the deck. I did splurge and buy some plants for pots to set out and we will break it in officially this weekend, when the gradutate students and several professors are invited over for the end of semester party. I can hardly believe that the Professor has completed his first year of classes.... so we figure he has just about earned the "P" of the PHD program.
Woohoo!!!!

And I am finally showing the Designer, DD in laws finished quilt, Floating bubbles, hanging in the quilt shop. It should have more circles or bubbles, but I lost a few...then forgot to cut a few more... and I liked it anyway! Just the way it was! I am also posting a few of the quilts from our last guild meeting. I do love these also. The string

quilt is too pretty. And the Christmas quilt is also lovely. I had to share this quilt ...the brilliant one, that came with a traveling trunk show...to a Bernina school house show.... at a quilt shop up in Tupelo I was able to attend last week. What a pleasure to see some really cool quilting. I am going to try some of these on a quilt I am working on this week. Just loaded it this afternoon. Our quilt guild is bringing in a quilt teacher to teach some kind of jelly roll bargello class this weekend. I will so get some pictures. It is my mothers day gift! I have never tried one before, and can't wait to try. Thanks for stopping by.

My favorite quilt for the online quilt festival..... gone but not forgotten....

2009-04-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

The online quilt festival...just found it at Park city Girls blog...and have to post my favorite quilt. It is the one pictured in my heading.... it was the first quilt I made in South Africa,and the first quilt that the girl I taught to hand quilt did for me while I lived there. It unfortunately was stolen when our home was burglarized. I offered a reward and the local paper kindly ran a featured article about the missing quilt, but to no avail.... I console myself with the fact that it is most likely keeping someone in South Africa warm, expecially now that winter is coming on in the Southern hemisphere. It was made using South African schwe-schwe, printed and produced by the Da Gama fabric company. I loved those geometric prints. And absolutely loved having this quilt on my bed...for the short time it was in my possession. PS- Don't forget the GIVEAWAY at JEN's Blog.

A giveaway, quilts, Amish photos and South African garden

2009-04-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

It has been such crazy weather here.... but finally spring is definitely here. We are preparing to build a deck on the back of the house over the next month or so ... and today the Professor replaced a missing bench on the side porch. The end of classes doctoral student bash is scheduled for our house in a couple of weeks, a good way to wind down after the Professors classes for the semester. There is also one doctoral student who is finishing up and moving away...so all of the professors ( the real ones... :o) ) are invited also to say goodbye. Crawfish is on the menu... I have to admit...I have never eaten them...but I am game. Now, there is a giveaway over at Jen's blog where you can win a gift certificate. Go by and enter. I felt compelled to show the photos of a local school bus, which was parked, running, in the parking lot of a local strip mall. It was there for over an hour that I shopped. But the funny thing was that apparently they picked up their laundry/dry cleaning too... You can see it hanging in the window of the bus. Maybe I am just being gritchy, but this so reminded me of South Africa, where the school buses would be parked...at the grocery store...on teachers paydays. But they didn't just go to the store, they took the kids out of school.... too!!!! Kind of like a field trip... except it was to the grocery store. Several teachers would go together....and leave one teacher watching the children out in the parking lot. A bit of a shock, to see...till I saw this bus. I guess some things just are the same...no matter where they happen. Ok, off my soap box and onto a few quilt photos. I forgot to get a photo of the quilt hanging at the quilt shop, but do have a few photos to share of finished customer quilts. First up is a sweet little charity quilt, I volunteered to quilt for my guild.We are donating this one and a bed sized quilt to the cancer drive fundraiser. It didn't have to be done until October...but thought it best to try to do at least one donation quilt a month... the second photo shows the back side. It turned out really well. I love this red white and blue Carolina Crossroads quilt.It is scrappy...and very well done. Her mini patch squares...were perfect. What a pleasure to quilt. Next up is a cowboy quilt I did for a customer, it was a lot of fun to do.

Then a photo of my summer garden in South AFrica. It was walled in...and so pretty in early summer...this is later in the summer, after many plants had bloomed out. I sure enjoyed having Majuba keep it looking so nice. The first gardener's name was July, I adored him...but he left the landlords employ and was replaced with Majuba, who enjoyed building much more than gardening. I can say that I miss having them water and dig up the garden for me. The Professor has been filling those shoes...and when I laid all the plants out where I wanted them planted, the Professor pointed out that "Majuba" wouldn't be planting them anymore for me, so I might want to get a shovel! He is cheeky! Lastly I had to post this photo of the Amish lady and little girl putting their groceries into their buggy. I shot this when traveling in Pennsylvania last summer. This grocery store has a hitching post at the end of the parking lot...for the buggies.

African books, Mississippi Delta and more quilt photos.....

2009-04-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

School girls looking at newly donated books at the Ezebeleni Library in Ezebeleni South AFrica.

More donated books for the SA library

Children at a Library resource day during the School holidays.

Since returning to the US I have continued to focus on books for my African library. These are pictures of children using the Library facility I adopted as my own. All of the books pictured in these photos were sent by very generous Americans. About 8000 pounds of books have been sent to date for which, the library and myself are truly grateful. I haven't posted in so long...that I felt I had to post something. And these pictures of the children in the library and some of the books, say it all. A wonderful gesture.But since living here in Mississippi, I have become aware of some needs down in the Delta area. So I may continue to do what I can for South AFrica, but I can't beleive that there are schools and small rural communities who would love good used childrens books. So I am hunting down the info...and hoping to begin an awareness program, and hope to get something going for children in our own country. I have only heard stories from a doctoral student who taught school down in the delta, but am investigating further. I mean, people can't give away books at a garage sale...so there has to be a way to get something done. More updates will be forthcoming. Had to add this funny sign from Africa.... The Baboon sign...was located in a picnic area at the Kruger Park...apparently there was a problem with baboons and monkeys stealing food in the picnic area... grabbing things they shouldn't ...so it was a warning to be cautious and not to encourage them. Not something you see every day in your local park or picnic grounds. In other news, I have done some sewing. Finished a few customer quilts... need to take photos.... and have quilted a tester quilt pattern called Floating bubbles, a pattern available at Reanalilydesigns, ( my very talented DD in law)I forgot to get a good photo and it is already on a quilt rack at the quilt shop. I will try to remember to take a pic tomorrow to post. But I have made progress with my DD mystery, this was taken before I sewed the blocks together, since the photo, I have sewn them all together, now I just have to sew up a border treatment. Then can quilt it up. I had to add a photo of at least a couple of quilts. This baseball quilt was made by a wonderful lady in one of my quilt guilds, Sarah . She is a prolific quilter with a very dry wit. I love her Mississippi accent...and could listen to her talk for hours. Then this lovely quilt by another amazing lady, Martha Dubard, another one I could listen to all day. They are lovely ladies...and I really look forward to every other Monday morning.... and seeing them. Then the last is the "in progress" DD mystery. I will post another when I finally get to those borders. Thanks for stopping by.

America the beautiful, the buzz of the bees...Being thankful and being blessed!

2009-03-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

What a great country we live in, I am reminded daily of the freedoms we enjoy, and so appreciate all of it.I know I am so fortunate to live in a clean community, with safe water to drink, one which is relatively crime free, where I can walk at night without fear, and am never afraid of the noises in the night! Something I will probably never take for granted again.

Well this month has flown by, not enough done, more plans that I'd like to get accomplished...but I am so thankful for the blessings in my life. In the past month or two, we have reconnected with friends from over 35 years ago, seen our two youngest grandchildren reach new milestones, first birthdays, walking, learning new tricks and DS2 and his Emmikins are expecting another bundle for us to love. Life is pretty grand at the moment. Have to share, a photo of the Professor in wonderment at all the bees buzzing in the trees while still in bloom. Then my friend showing the table topper she made and I quilted for her. She also did a charity quilt which I quilted for her. There is also a photo of another friends "Farmers Daughter" quilt.... I adored the colors of this scrappy quilt. I had the privilege of quilting it for her.

Then this wonderful applique quilt, an extremely talented lady here did and permitted me to quilt for her. I enjoyed each of these projects... for different reasons. Loved the color combinations, or the pattern...or just looking at the beautiful quilts while I put a design on them. I really am a blessed woman.

My little leprechauns and ducks in the garden...

2009-03-24T18:54:00.001-07:00

Well better late than never...in sharing these pics of the kiddos in their St. Paddy's day finery....they look too cute...or am I biased. I am missing one of the Princess in her finery...but had to post these anyway. Of course we had to have some comic relief.... those bigger kids are so funny. I had to post a photo of the ducks who used to raid my garden regularly when I lived in South AFrica!!! I miss them.... and if I thought I could keep them from wandering off... as i don't have a fence around my home now, I might get one or two. I have done a couple of customer quilts this past week...but no pics to post. I can't figure out which folder I put them in... ah technology. I am hoping to quilt for me tomorrow after work, I have two I have been working on... maybe can finally put my DD blocks together. I only did a throw of 18 blocks, but only got round to cutting the setting triangles today. I was lucky enough to go to a quilting time with another guild,they did Bugs in a jar. I opted to do only 20 of the jars..and did small ones at that. It is partially assembled so hope to put that together and get it quilted. And in other exciting news...my DD in law's Seamingly accurate is featured in Quilters Home magazine for April/May. And to think I knew her when..... Hope you all had a great weekend. I certainly did! PS-- Hunny Bunny over at her new place is having a giveaway. Go have a visit!

Spring break getaway, Irish memories, Oklahoma State fans and the Wee One....

2009-03-17T22:58:00.001-07:00

I have been away for a couple of days and seem like I haven't been able to catch up on my tasks... but had to share a photo of the Professor, wee one and his dad all showing their support for the Cowboys, Oklahoma State Cowboys of course!And the Wee

one is definitely growing up...he is over a year. We were able to see his this past weekend as the PRofessor and Son in law are planning on the deck we hope to add to the house in the next few months. It is spring break and a weekend away was the best staycation we could get. It was fun, to see him walking and all sorts of new tricks. But it was back to the grind today...for both of us. I have just pinned in another quilt, and wanted to share a photo of another finished one, the simple triangle block was started in South Africa with a Craft friend, Anike's, discarded curtaining squares. I received about 30 of the mostly red ones. I was nice and waited for all the other girls to choose first. I initially thought to make a little picnic quilt...but as I decided to use another friends discarded jaquard pieces, leftovers from curtaining, it became bedsized and none of the outer borders which I quilted with a feather border, match, but they are all similar curtaining fabrics. I really had fun doing this one, but now I need to find some of the burgundy fabric, to make binding. It is on display at the fabric shop. But took this photo at quilt guild a couple of weeks ago. I also finished this customer quilt.It is quite contemporary so I did something a little different in each block, these stylized feathers that "circle" each block. It is a queen sized quilt...and took a bit longer than I had initially thought, but she liked it and I did too. Finished another two, but forgot to get photos... so will have to post those later. Have a few more to complete but the pace is just where I want it to be. I am wishing each of you a Happy St. Patrick's Day, I have asked the children to send me photos of the grandkids in their Irish finery, I had to send all of them hats or headbands to wear.... to celebrate their Irish heritage. Although I couldn't see them in person.... so still waiting on those pics. Had to add a few photos taken in Ireland where we went for our honeymoon...even if it was 31 years late! This next photo was taken looking from the top of Blarney Castle, I so enjoyed every day we spent in Ireland. My favorite place may have been Kilarney. But loved Galoway and all the quaint villages we visited away from the touristy areas. The Professor went above and beyond to make it special for me. He even drove the Ring of Kerry, and took me to the Dingle Peninsula. It was all fabulous. Had to kiss the Blarney stone... of course.

It was every bit as I pictured it.Even to the heavier accent of the people who live in the west. We drove all the way to the western coast. The Cliffs of Moher were stunning. I loved it all..... so thanks for sharing my little trip memory..... and top of the morning to y'all!

Me and Shaka Zulu the Big Pineapple and "Burning down the house!"

2009-03-04T19:59:00.000-08:00

Here are some lovley high school girls wearing their school uniforms. They were in line behind me at the Post office in South AFrica when we still lived there. Had to post a photo of me and Shaka, taken in front of the Elengeni Sun Hotel in Durban, South AFrica. He was a tourist "attractioin". But what a funny guy, and he did enjoy having his photo taken. And the Big Pineapple, located at the Pineapple farm near Bathurst South Africa, This pineapple is three stories high...with homemade Pineapple items on the ground floor, and almost a mini museum of photos and pineapple growing paraphanalia. It was so much fun to visit. It is located in the Eastern Cape Province of South AFrica, a bit of a drive from Port Elizabeth South AFrica. We had spent a lovely weekend at a beach house of friends, at Canon Rocks. Equally gorgeous. Good times and memories and one of the things we miss so much...the wonderful fresh pineapples from South Africa. But the real reason for my post is yet ANOTHER almost burning down the house...and for those of you who know me, no, this time didn't involve making french fries, or forgetting boiling eggs on top of the stove until they exploded! All over the ceiling, counters and cabinets in the kitchen. No, not this time.....but I did put on a pan of potatoes to boil for Potato salad...about 11:30 AM.... and then the PRofessor did come home about 12 and remind me we had dentist appointments in a small town about 3o minutes away...so we headed out the door.... sat in the waiting room, before we both had a dental checkup... and teeth cleaning...visit with the dentist.The professor needed a filling...and I needed way more than that...but it ended up being a consultation for WAY more.... we hit our home town about 3 and decided we were hungry...so stopped for a bite. And as we stood waiting to place our order, it hit me, .....er.... "had I turned off those potatoes?" Well the professor has been married to me for a long time, and lived through a small fire or "near" fire incident enough..that he just said to me, "Oh, crap, lets go !!!!!" So we drove as quickly and safely to our neighborhood.... and as we rounded the curve, we didn't see any firetrucks in the driveway....and I couldn't see smoke billowing out of the windows. We didn't hear the snoke detectors going off , so I ran to the door and threw it open...only to be hit in the face with a disqusting burnt food smell.... the pan was smoking...no water, potatoes burnt at leasts 1/4 the way through... so I grabbed the pan, and we took it outside .... but let me assure you, that the smell of burnt food is still there. In fact, I opened windows today, and turned on the attic fan...to suck in clean air...all day while I was at work. The Professor suggested ...burning candles.... now is that really what you suggest to someone who almost burned down the House!?????? I instead turned on the electric candle warmer...ooops almost forgot...it is still on. Until later!

A pattern giveaway.... over at Reanalily Designs...

2009-03-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note, There is a great giveaway...over at my DIL's design blog, I have tested one of these patterns, Floating Bubbles... a very fun quilt and quick to make, and posted a photo of my work in progress in previous post. To sign up for an opportunity to win several of her patterns.... go to Reannalily designs and leave a comment.

More South Africa photos.... Another good day... snow in Mississippi

2009-03-01T18:53:00.000-08:00

First a wonderful photo taken in Africa, showing how many people travel...to and from work, or to the grocery store...to town. They just cram into the backs of a bakkie( pickup truck) and they actually pay someone for this privilege. I always got a laugh when I spotted one of these crowded vehicles. They usually waved and smiled when I grabbed my camera. You will note that they drive on the opposite side of the road from us... a difficult thing to learn... and then relearn when I arrived home for good. I only drove on the wrong side of the road a few times here....but thankfully no one was coming... so all was well. Next up, I had to share a photo taken from the game reserve at the edge of Queenstown, where we lived. The little round mountain...was just behind our house..a couple of blocks away.The reserve had some wonderful giraffes and zebra. They also had several Rhino there. Always fun to see.

On the local front, we had a wonderful change of pace this morning.... woke up to snow... ON THE GROUND! Which isn't a common occurence here. The first we have had since we moved here last summer. And although we have had some wonderful warm weather, it actually snowed enough that it stuck. What a treat... and it had melted by this evening. So can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Its a good thing it happened yesterday evening...as I have quilt guild in the morning... hope to get some wonderful pictures of those talented ladies quilts! I also practiced more feathering on a customers quilt.IT is a darling Sunbonnet Sue quilt. She is an amazing embroiderer and appliquer. And let me quilt for her. I don't think she has ever had a machine quilted quilt before. I did feathers, SID( stitch in ditch) and outlined each little sunbonnet girl in blocks. My talented DIL, of Reannalily Designs, is launching two new quilt patterns...and I tested one for her. I did "forget" to cut all of the circles... I think I left out 6.... but this was a pretty quick quilt to do. I sewed it in an evening....and a couple of hours on the circles. She has a very cool technique to use, for the applique circles. I machine stitched mine on. and haven't added the border that she recommended ....YET, as I am thinking of putting another fabric, that I have to go and buy. But this was quick and easy to sew up. It makes a twin size with the border.

Memories from South Korea and ..... What a way to sew????

2009-02-23T20:14:00.000-08:00

First it was only two years ago...when the Professor and I had the opportunity to visit South Korea, during Cherry blossom time, to see our wonderful son, the Major, and his spouse...the Designer and all of our grandchildren at that time. What a treat. I had to share a photo of us taken at the Cultural Village in Seoul. You can see the tower, Wubang tower in the hazy background. What a lovely city to visit. I couldn't get over everything to see while we were there. And aren't those the cutest kids, trying to read the map...so that they could tell us the way to go???? Now it was all in Korean...but there were some very cool pictures to see on that map. We had a great time riding the bullet train... to Seoul. Fast and clean and smooth. I so wish we had a train like that to ride on here in the US. It was fabulous. On to other things, It got really cold here the other night...and I decided rather than turn the heat way up.... I would just snuggle under the cover.... and do a little sewing... what better way than to sew ...UNDER... a QUILT!!!The quilt is not complete...but it is my When oh When as per Tonya, I am hand quilting it in my spare time... the center is almost complete....finally. So when I get tired of sewing on the little featherweight... I can pick up the hoop...and hand quilt on that one. Well the Professor caught me like this when he got home from his evening class... and snapped the photo. What a guy!!!! I don't know if you can see it or not...but my DD .... first large block is in the lower left corner of the "Bed sewing". I still need to finish all the pink 9 patches... I am about halfway through with those... before I can finish the DD mystery from Bonnie at Quiltville.com. Had to post this photo of a fungly quilt a friend asked me to quilt for her. It is very old, looks like late 30's and 40's fabrics to me.... not sure who pieced it, but the fabric was very thin...and the backing fabric was actually pieced from old flour sacks! Some had even been mended... er darned. I wanted to try feathers as I am still learning them... and she was cool with whatever I wanted to try. And they turned out pretty well. I had to leave a photo of the back as well. Hope you enjoy seeing them.

Africa memories, Cape of Good Hope, Cricket... quilts and a gun toter too!!!

2009-02-18T17:12:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite memories from a little over two years ago.... all part of a fabulous trip to Cape Town.... we had to go to the Cape of Good Hope with our dear friends, Frank and Jayne. And another photo of one of the wonderfully natural mountainous regions in the area we lived in for 4 years. This was taken from the veranda on the game reserve... it was a lovely place. This was Winter but so much fun to be there with friends. Then the beautiful giraffes we saw up close at the Kruger Park over the Christmas break..... Some very good times. Of course there has to be at least one humorous photo of the Professor in his Sport gear.... he wore this at the cricket match between Australia and South AFrica.... SA won huge..... at the Newlands Cricket grounds... What a match!!!!

The shanties I saw every time I delivered a box of books to the township Library in Ezebeleni as they were across the street from the library.

The man holding the machine gun...crouching in the parking lot of the mall... very scary the first time we saw this..but after a while.... you just get used to this ... kind of a "funny/crazy" thing!

I can not believe the crazy weather. we are experiencing here... yesterday.... we were cuddled under quilts... as in multiples of quilts in order to keep warm, then today.... it was shorts and 77 degrees...with another cold front coming in tonight...so back to coats and sweaters tomorrow. I wish we could have 8 months of todays weather...then some really hot...and some cold weather. Just not changing every other day. I shared some scrapbooking tips at our bi monthly quilt guild this week.... and what fun. Loved watching the ladies stamp on their pages...to enhance some of the quilt journal pages they are saving. They also shared some lovely quilts as well. I missed a few of the especially wonderful hand quilted ones that were there. The president of the guild is an award winning hand quilter. The quilt was pieced by someone else..but it hung at the Houston quilt show. It is stunning. I have never quilted a quilt like that one...so gorgeous. It was just published in a book.I can't remember the name...but think the quilt was called midnight in the garden. I really liked the Notre Dame T shirt quilt... It is really cool. ANd I adore hex quilts...this one is in progress... She does beautiful work.

I also had to include this navy,red and gold quilt that I had the privilege of quilting. And this super bright quilt that a friend made and permitted me to quilt for her. It is so vibrant... I don't think the photo does it justice. She also made this adorable table topper.... and I quilted it for her as well.

She also made this adorable table topper .... and I quilted it for her. I completed a UFO.... but it is already hanging at the fabric store...so will have to post a photo after I get a photo. I have one loaded on the frame now for a friend...Hope to finish it off tomorrow evening. I seem to be behind on all my projects at the moment. Just sewing step 3 on the DD mystery...but here is the stack of completed part 1 and 2's. I am doing a smaller wall hanging...Only committed to doing 1/2 of the blocks. So will be a throw for me. I am hoping to finish a new pattern of my DD in law. She is launching on March 1st. I am lucky to be a tester. I have only committed to 4 new projects this year...still determined to finish some from last year...and or past years. The professor has asked if my sitting under a quilt...with a sewing machine perched on a lap tray...sewing while sitting in bed has become the norm for me in the evenings. It has been some nights! On really cold nights I am hand quilting my "When oh When" quilt..... those pictures will be coming soon. Maybe when I finish the when oh when.... showing the progress I am making.

Snow, surprise parties, and Amish!!

2009-02-11T22:47:00.000-08:00

I couldn't reveal where I was off to last week, but flew up to surprise my mother for her birthday. I wish I could have had a photo of her much surprised face when I walked into the dining room carrying birthday cake. I am so glad no one spilled the beans that I was coming. I flew through Chicago..which kind of prepared me for all the snow on the ground still in Pennsylvania.I had to get a photo.... or two since I haven't seen any up close this winter.... yet.

A sweet photo of Mom and one of the many great grandchildren who were at her party. There were over 50 of us therefor the party. What a time we had. It is always such a joy for me to see and visit with my many brothers and sisters and their families. I just can't believe that I didn't get photos of any of them, guess too much fun for photos. I was able to deliver my blue and white quilt to my brother. I had owed it to him for quite some time, as he sent many boxes of books to my South african library. He loved it. But who doesnt' love quilts??? I now have requests from several other members of the family....they will be completed in time, remember I do have 14 brothers and sisters! I have to admit that this quilt has been in progress for over a year...so a UFO finished and delivered. Now...many of you are avid fans of quiltville.com, I do love Bonnie's quilts. .... and she suggests shopping thrift stores for men's shirts to do scrappy quilts, but whilst visiting the local goodwill....what did I spy...something many of you may not have found at your Goodwill???? An Amish buggy!!!!! I had to get this photo.... always fun seeing them around. Guess they were looking for some bargains too! Last but not least my adorable neice, the lovely Miss M, who wasn't feeling well...and I played cards with her and did a puzzle or two just to pass the time. I think I enjoyed it more than she did. She loves crafts, I think she could become a quilter very easily!!!What a sweety pie.

UFO's and completed things....Men in kilts and babboons in South Africa

2009-02-02T18:51:00.000-08:00

I had to put a photo of the Professor in his kilt at a friends wedding. Our friend was a Scot, whose mum said the Professor had the legs for a kilt. I agree. He looked pretty grand that day.

Thought you might enjoy seeing the lovely little babboons in the trees...I do miss seeing these guys hanging out literally, they were more common close to the coast, not sure why, but we did see them often, when driving about. And I have to admit...that I did succomb to a few fabric "spends" this week. Shame on me, nothing major, but I did buy 4 yds of fabric to complete my 2009 BOM at the fabric store. I also quilted 3 quilts this past week and finished this flimsy, which will be loaded tomorrow on "Rosie" the longarm. I have to get it quilted ready to deliver to a family member. I have owed it to him for a long time. The first was a UFO quilt

of a friend, I have never made a lonestar quilt, but always wanted one, this one turned out so well, wish it was mine. This lovely green quilt is

a first quilt of one of our new guild members, I quilted it using the terry twist method.Man I do love her little stencils.They worked so well. I forgot to take a photo of quilt No. 3, will have to post that after I get a photo of it at show and tell next week. I would like to add that I purchased some silicon lubricant for thread...as I had thread issues on my longarm. It so helped me, the site is called Time and Again quilters. It was simple to use, and worked wonders for my thread. So if you have thread issues check out the site and give it a try. It was fairly inexpensive and clear, no residue on the quilt. Seems like it will last a long time too, so economical as well. On a totally other vane, I am so missing cricket .... it is the season in South Africa but we don't seem to get any coverage here. I loved it on TV and in person. I find myself watching BBC news so I can get a glimpse of the English cricket ...just to satisfy my itch! Hope you all have fun sewing.

More memories and another completed longarm quilt...

2009-01-28T18:07:00.000-08:00

I have to post a picture or two of one of the guild ladies quilts, Martha is a wonderful quilter. I love every quilt she has showed since I joined the guild. More of her lovely quilts. Then another girl brought this lovely applique on black. She has only been working on it since June I believe. I loved it. The lavender and green quilt is one I have just completed for a customer. It turned out quite nicely. I included a little close up of one of the blocks. It was a challenge...to get the longarm to go over the seam where all of the pieces met in middle. I have never learned the technique to press that flat. If you have a link on how to...please send it to me. I have another of these quilts on the machine now....and two more arrived today to be quilted. I hope to be able to get the current one done tomorrow after work, then on to the next one, a lone star quilt. Very exciting. I have been so busy I have nothing to show for show n tell at guild next week...need to get a move on. Lastly, is a little basket full of part 1's for the DD mystery quilt over at Quiltville.com and also in the basket are my part 2's waiting to be sewed. I did press a strip or two for part 3.... maybe this weekend. I can get to a few of those parts. It looks like the Professor is having so other graduate students in for the Super Bowl...so I will only be able to do handwork during the game. I am so excited...I won't have to get up at 2 AM to watch the superbowl...like I did last year in South Africa, and .....WE WILL get to see the commercials.THey bleeped them out...and we haven't seen a superbowl commercial in 4 years. So looking forward to that. I will have some kind of handwork to do.Maybe it will be my wonky 9 patch...I am sewing sunflowers on at the moment...as per Libby's from a Simple Girl, suggestion. ITs coming along nicely.Lastly, another picture from South AFrica, of the burning mountain behind our house, someone was cooking out in the open... a squatter, and started a fire...which burned the whole mountain vegetation, and the next mountain also. In fact, it burned things so badly...a friend found a cobra in her file cabinet...they apparently had been forced from their habitat! Now that would scare me to death! A picture of me and the librarian for my little South aFrican library. Happy rest of the week.....

Some of my Favorite South African things.....

2009-01-26T21:37:00.000-08:00

Although it has been many months since I left South AFrica, I started thinking today of some of the things I miss at the moment...... the unusual sights.... firstly. I never knew what I would see...when out and about. The traffic queues behind the VERY SLOW trucks in traffic on the highways..... my favorite street vendors.... when I would walk out of Chippy's dry goods store. I did enjoy seeing the unusual things....they always made me smile. The traditinal clothing you sometimes saw on the ladies...for special occasions. I even miss the car guards

who "watched" my car..... and special friends..like my buddy Jean who helped in getting this wheel chair for an amputee living on the beach in East London. I still remember him popping a wheelee when we gave it to him. Some special times to remember. Today has been a day for nostalgia...and reflecting on good memories. Hope you all had some too.

New Job, UFO 9 patches, finished Longarm quilts....

2009-01-20T18:52:00.000-08:00

I have been offered a very part time job...at a fabric store. I am so excited about this. It won't interfere with my quilting, it is only a few mornings...no weekends. I can promote my quilting...and .... although I am hoping to remain true to my fabric "diet", I receive a discount on fabric It isn't just a quilt shop...it actually has more...decorator fabrics....but a nice little quilting section. I am excited about this. It will let me be out with people...but still give me plenty of time to do what I also enjoy. I was given a wonderful opportunity to quilt this wonderful quilt...which is this years block of the month for the fabric store, it was made by Gloria Reeves, the soon to be appointed President of the Mississippi Quilt guild association. I was scared.... of the ruler work...there has to be some tricks...but she wanted the paisley flourish in all the setting blocks...which I can almost do in my sleep now. I think it turned out pretty well. Up next is an Alabama lap quilt, that a friend of mine, Linda made for her son who graduated from Alabama...it is based on the taxi quilt pattern, by Heidi Pridemore available free on the web. I really enjoyed doing this one. I think I need to make one of these for our family. I also am working on the UFO 9 patches.... I actually have them sewed together..but discovered that I had cut one sashing piece.... bigger than the others so it is wonky. I am now determined to sew something....prim...on it. Any suggestions. I figure Libby will probably have some. Thanks for stopping by.

Latest .... UFO's and first finishes for the year!

2009-01-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

Have been trying to work on the Quilville DD mystery quilt..... way behind the others I suspect. But in addition to the part one parts..... I have been finishing up a few things. I just finished the little baby quilt for a neices baby, born just after Christmas. I just did a simple little meander...but it allowed me to quilt his name into the quilt. I also did this little quilt for a customer a while ago...but it was brought to our quilt guild so now I have a photo. DD did her first quilt.... and stuck it in a closet, I asked for the pieces....( she didn't know that you could cut border pieces in strips...and had pieced all of the border strips out of 4 " squares) I finished the last little bit...and sewed them on. Then it was quilted. I think it is darling....way better than my first quilt, I might add. Have a few customer quilts to do...but waiting on a specefic stencil to use on them... so not ready for photos. They are both very pretty....now just anticipating the quilting! Also have been trying to finish up a little UFO from some very orphan blocks.... It was a UFO because I had accidentally cut one border strip 1/2 inch larger.... and only figured it out after I had already pieced the large laptop. I learned my lesson the hard way...now I do actually stack up my sashing strips to double check the sizes...but this one will be fine. I am not that into ripping it out...since it may become a picnic blanket anyway.... besides I love quirky! I have now decided that I may applique something over the most obvious parts...... but will share that homespun UFO later...maybe much later!

SSCS and another finish! Happy New Year to all....

2009-01-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

I had to share my wonderful SSCS gift from Lynn in Australia, I was blown away by all of it, but adored the journal that she included which documented her journey in making this for me. How special is that.As a scrapbooker... I so appreciate that! Never done it myself...but this is so special. There were two

little wall quilts..including the adorable stars to hang them on...and a journal and a little packet of pre-cut fabric squares, a stitchery pattern...darling little buttons and little decorated clips! I have already

hung the quilts up...had to share them as well. They are too cute and I had just the place in the breakfast area! They are the perfect color too!

I also wanted to share my own little SSCS swap to Judith in the Netherlands.She has already opened it...and this is what she

received...and once opened... this was the contents.

It was a lot of fun to do..and I adore what I received. I waited until Christmas day to open...and that was very hard. I am happy to announce that the winner of the "ball wars" was DS in law, how he managed to keep it at the top...I will never know. It wasn't near the top, then as we unwrapped gifts I saw it there! He was photo-ing most of the time....so still stumped as to how West Texas A&M beat out the 4 other schools! But congrats to him.... he sure had to earn it. The Oklahoma State cowboys finished second, maybe because he is married to DD ...and it is her alma mater. One last little thing to share..... This is the little table topper I finished to use for Christmas.... we did use it...and I have finished piecing a baby quilt for my neice..but it is unquilted. Maybe tomorrow?????

the children are nestled all snug in their beds.......Have a blessed Christmas!

2008-12-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

As I write, the children are still up and playing Rock Band 2....er....at least their parents are! We are enjoying the festive time with them.....today for breakfast we made doughnuts.... and they kept out a few doughnut holes for Santa. Then DS1 made Turkey Gumbo for supper...while the Professor made his enchiladas for tomorrows Mexican fiesta dinner. DD is en route with her family and mom in law....so we will have a full house for the next couple of days. I wish I could say we have finished everything I had planned...but no... I still have a Christmas gift to hem... and will need to wrap all for the kids. But not too worry.... my pies are baked...and candy and the house smells good. Wish you all a joyful Christmas....I will try to blog this after the kids have been put on their pallets for the evening. So I can post at least one picture.

(DD and her hubby as the elf and his reindeer)

Okay we have had some silly traditions In our home...but ever since I was a kid, we always received Christmas eve pajamas...and of course , it all started when my parents were gifted with a movie camera.... My mom was so proud of it...she immediately began photo-ing...the family on Christmas morning. Now we had about 9 kids at the time...I think I was about 10. And we waited for the film to be developed....and my folks purchased a projector...I think we even popped popcorn to watch our home movies! My mother was horrified after the first 3 minute reel....to see girls in boys pajamas..and vise versa, and some missing bottoms...and a patch here and there...so she made a decision that every Christmas we would get new pajamas on Christmas eve so there would be no more ruined home movies. Unfortunately we discovered the next Christmas that some of the bedwetters.... would have to wait until the morning to put theirs on! And a tradition is born. OVer the years.... my own family adopted this tradition...and we began to collect the odd Christmas hat.... or two...and before we knew it... we now have a rubbermaid tub full of hats...which everyone rummages through to decide which hat will be perfect for that particular Christmas. It changes every year and as the grandkids have emerged onto the scene...we now let each choose for themself....the kids always have to see who can go through the tub first in order to get the best pick ..... had to share the extended family hat photos!

Our designer ....in her bobblety hat......

And Pobbs and Elisiepie styling for the camera.....

right:Ryno, The Wee ONe and the other grandma, and DS in law

left: DS1 and Pobbs in yet another of his hat choices

. DS had to sport his College Alma mater hat...but then so did the Professor.The children decorated crowns to wear at Christmas breakfast.... and also note that DS has on his very own Nelson Mandela bar bQ apron. That was a hit from our Africa stash stuff. I had to prove that I was so good I didn't even open my gift for the SSCS swap early...and have documented the fact pictorially. I can only say that I was blown away by my swap partner. Those pictures will be posted in the next couple of days. Lynn from Australia was my partnet...and I was truly gifted way beyond my expectations! Will post, when company is all gone. We had 11 people in the house...and it was wonderful!!!! It will be hard to go back to just us..... again. When everyone leaves. It has been such a fun time. The grandkids woke us up about 5:15 AM and by 8 we had eaten breakfast and the kids were all playing happily. The grandbabies all had matching Pajamas this year...and all the girls had team shirts and the guys matching ones as well....a bit cheesy...but again lots of fun. I trust you all had a blessed Holiday with loads of fun. I did get a bit of sewing in...finished a quilt top that my daughter did... forgot to photograph.???? and a dear little table topper...then worked on DDin laws quilt....she did one of her own on the machine...and so enjoyed the process. Have a few more to get to, and more churning away in my head! Its almost new years...and I'd really like to knock out a few more UFO's. More ...later.... maybe much later!

Little Rabbits.... Las Noches de las Luminarias and a luittle finished quilt.....

2008-12-16T17:44:00.000-08:00

I finished this sweet paper doll quilt for a friend. It turned out cute. I must admit I could hardly wait to start it...as the colors just spoke to me. There are hidden pockets to hold the clothes.... located around the quilt.

Then these wonderful glass sculptures.....

My sister and I took one night off from working...and went to see Las Noches de las Luminarias..... at the Sybill Harrington Botanical Gardens. It was such a treat....all the luminaries lit up the cactus grounds and they had spotlighted Glass sculptures .... live music. If you ever get a chance to go.... absolutely wonderful.

While staying in Phoenix this past week.... at a Marriott hotel...I found out that these little rabbits used to live on the land...so when the hotel was finished being built....they returned. They are all over the place...and very cute. This little boy was so intent on sneaking up on them..... but they let him get super close before hopping away. My family is coming...soon....as in 2 days.... yippee. So may not get much done before then. Still have a little baking to get done. Hope you all have a blessed Christmas. I sure am blessed being able to spend it with the family who is going to be able to come. I have been oh so good...and not opened my gift.....from Australia.... for the SSCS swap....but every time I walk past the tree I have to stop and think of the wonderful lady who sent it to me.

When life gives you scraps.... you make orphans! Orphans complete....so two more 2 Ufo's too!

2008-12-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

I am off to Phoenix tomorrow, to work for my sister at a conference out there...no time to play, but with lots of sitting in airports...I decided to take some orphan strips..... the messy pile in the top photo, and began sewing them together similar to the many fat quarter lap quilts I have seen. But I had a few extra squares...so they became a little block strip near the outer border....but still had more strips....so made another lap quilt. These together are about the size of a queen...and I did have two names in our family exchange...so they are off to Pennsylvania for the Family Christmas party. I will be spending my time in the airports wisely sewing down the bindings. I am so pleased.... two Orphan UFO's..... kind of like a two for one! HAd to include a photo or two of the Princess and the Wee One from Thanksgiving..... we did so have a good time...but I forgot to have backup power..for my camera and missed some good shots! And My SSCS swap has been received in the Netherlands.... so here is what she will be opening on Christmas Day. All the little goodies are inside this huge stocking.... can't share the contents until after Christmas. Don't you love the cool wood carved bowl from Africa in the background? I keep Bread or fruit in it...depending on the need at the moment. And the candy thermometer I use to make Christmas candy....in this case ....Pralines. Yummmy. Still have some baking to do...but almost caught up with where I wanted to be at this time. The professor and I put up our outside lights ...all our little iron trees...and the blowup snowman. So I feel like that is complete...except for the greenery lining the driveway. The Professor says we need to put some lights in the back yard...for the kids.... we will have 4 of our grandkids here for Christmas. Good times ahead. Hope you all had a great weekend...and a good week to come.

These are a few of my favorite things..... last Christmas in South Africa

2008-12-03T17:56:00.001-08:00

I had to share a picture of a little girls baby quilt, I just did for one of the local girls.It is hard to see the water stipple behind the turtles, which she had already hand quilted. Then added a little flower border. It surely is a sweet little quilt.

As I began to decorate the outside of the house...just the front porch so far.... I began to ponder....on what things I enjoyed putting out year after year...and why some things stayed in the boxes.... year after year. I guess it is that some have stronger memories about some things than others. As I put up the tree ornamnents....and for years I have traditionally used shaped ornaments.... some from my folks tree, others I discovered at thrift stores..or after Christmas sales. Some of these have absolutely no value...except in my memories..of the kids hanging them up...or the walnut shaped ones that we found still in the Neiman Marcus box..at the Goodwill store..which my youngest had called Neiman Marcus, ( we kind of taught him that so he wouldn't blurt out we had bought his older siblings something at Goodwill... so he just always said it came from Neiman's...the little guy was too young to read!) Or the Waterford ornaments I bought to remember my trip to Ireland, or the bowling mouse, my oldest chose as his ornament one year to buy for the Christmas tree. I just can 't seem to let them stay in the box. It certainly has been fun taking them out of their boxes... as this is the first time in 4 Christmases we had our own things to hang on the tree. I am so looking forward to having the children and Grandkids here, good times are ahead. ONe of the

traditions that began several years ago...were the "Ball Wars". I had purchased DS 1's College alma mater Christmas ornament...and also had DH and DD's alma mater. Well the kids came home...and suddenly the balls began to move around the tree. Every time someone walked through the living room, they would shift their alma maters ball to the top and shift all others down below. We need to add two new balls this year...but DD has suggesested, we go by BCS rankings...so her school will be on top! We'll see when they all arrive what happens! I had to post this photo of me sitting in a taxi in South Africa, this was a bakki taxi, basically a little pickup with seating for four or more in the back of the camper part. I rode through the parking lot with these lovely ladies. That is what I was doing in South Africa last Christmas! Had to include a front picture of the vehicle...for your enjoyment. Note the wire holding the hood shut! Good times. Happy sewing to you. I have another quilt to get out tomorrow, and one to finish before I go to Phoenix next week. I get to work with my sister at a Conference...so it should be fun. Have a good one. Hope to post again before I fly out.

100 th Post and Gratefulness.......

2008-11-26T12:42:00.000-08:00

No pictures...but real musings. I have had a wonderful blessed life, a great spouse, wonderful children and grandchildren. Fabulous mom and mom in law, sisters and brothers and in laws. My son in law is home from Iraq and we are all thrilled. The professor is almost finished with the first semester of studying for his doctorate, I have a wonderful longarm machine,"Rosie ( for hardworking Rosie the riviter...) and my business is starting to grow. How fortunate in difficult times I feel. We have our health and I have a nice warm roof over my head, enough to eat and a place to rest these old bones. God has certainly blessed me and my family. We have fond memories of friends overseas and people we don't see everyday. There really isn't much more than that that anyone could want. I wish the same for each of you. Have a wonderful holiday. I will be posting pics of the good holiday times..... so stay tuned.

More UFO's....Longarm practice and the Kitchen redo is done!

2008-11-22T16:48:00.000-08:00

When the professor and I bought our home this past summer....we decided two things we had to do, was put in additional kitchen cabinetry as kitchen was cute but lacking... and a deck onto the back of the house.Well, we found a very talented in law family member who could take my measurements.... ( which could have turned out very badly) but because of his talent...he made a custom cabinet for our kitchen... giving us about 70 % more cabinets and room in the kitchen area! Can you believe the first time he saw my kitchen was yesterday when he brought the cabinet to my home to be installed. And he only did the figures about 6 weeks ago. I took photos of the existing cabinets...and requested that they be painted to match the other ones. Just not going to have all new cabinets put inot a temporary dwelling. They turned out fabulous. I am so lucky...it is a delight to be in that kitchen. So happy it is here before Christmas when 2/3 of our family will be with us. I haven't decided where to hang a little quilt or two yet in there...but I am thinking about it. The quilt on the counter...is a little practice Harvest topper...done when practicing doing the free form flowers...for a customer quilt. Think I will do the same thing for a Christmas topper. Libby showed off her special bowl...so I had to include a photo of my favorite mixing bowl...quite the antique.... and one of the first things completed for the holidays is the Chex mix we always have to eat .... perfectly mixed in that big old bowl. I also finished up another UFO, which was begun while still living in South Africa, it is quilted, and finished binding it as well. I used some of the new techniques I learned in my longarm class. This was done free hand..... with minimal marking. I had to show the front and back...as I did it in a bright lime green.... and it is pretty fun on the back too! Lots of fun to do. I think it turned out pretty well. This dear little picture of the wee one...sitting amongst the pumpkins.... loved it. Hope you all have a lovely holiday...I will try to post again before we leave for the Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy your families.... I have so much to be thankful for this year. I will probably have to include a tic list of all my gratefulness.

My ship has come in!!!!! and more UFO's .... semi completed,SSCS SWAP

2008-11-14T15:32:00.000-08:00

First a wonderfully mysterious Parcel arrived....sometime whilst I was away last weekend. Hmmmmmm I resisted the temptation to open it...but am looking forward to it with anticipation! I am about to send my own Swap out.... for Chooky Blue's SSCS swap. I have not divulged any of the contents.... Also, the delivery of my Ship items took place on Saturday while I was in Atlanta learning lots of fun things to do on the longarm. I have gone through it all, it seems to be all there..... a few damaged items which are the South Africa branch of the moving company...so won't hold my breath about getting any of the damage reimbursed for. But at least it is here...and I am now planning where to hang paintings, and other decor items. It felt like Christmas opening up all of the boxes...and of course brought back wonderful memories of where we purchased much of it! In fact, I was so nostalgic that I immediately called a few SA friends to hear their wonderful accents! Will post more about that stuff as it gets put out! Now about my wonderful longarm class....I learned a lot. Not mastered it yet...but wonderful class. Well worth the long drive over. The Teacher

at Pat's Calico Cottage is part of a group of longarmers...several award winners, and they did this wonderful quilt. I adored it. I also loved the batik 9 patch.... it was so well done. I really learned quite a bit. My machine seems to be humming perfectly at the moment...thanks to her husband... who sorted the few problems I have been having. I have to share a little photo of the leaders and enders quilt in progress...I am about out of red and white fabric bits...from my African quilts..but had enough to do this one. Now how to make it just a wee bit bigger...to a full bed size???? I already bought a Baptist fan template to quilt it with.... just have to make it a bit bigger. I hope you all have a lovely weekend. I am going to finish up a few things, I am binding two charity quilts to donate to the Sheriff's Dept. for our quilt guild...and have binding on a little Thanksgiving table topper to sew on this evening, whilst watching tv. Keep warm. It is getting colder here tomorrow...and we have wood being delivered tomorrow for the fire box in our Family room. Enjoy your weekend.I so am going to!

We have a winner...... Halloween fun, and other things....

2008-11-05T07:47:00.000-08:00

There is a giveaway over at Once Upon A time

to celebrate her blogiversary. So check it out, Here are a few of our Family Halloween Photos,

Homer and little skelly,

Jenga fett, of Star Wars fame, along with the "mum" teenager

Lovely Hermione is our Elisie Pie, with her Nimbus 2000, and the lovely little princess as a Penguin.

DD as 1/5 of the Village People, all the ladies dressed up as Village People for work! How fun is that?

I have done little besides travel the past week, Arkansas, then Tennessee, in on Monday...out to Atlanta tomorrow...for my first longarm class! Woo Hoo. Hoping I learn more quickly than the pantographs took me. Now had to share these divine pics of the lovely grandbabies/kids ( sorry to the older ones) and family members. Those who know us...know that the oldest children live far, far away and their parents got into the act.... Dad as Homer ( of course this could have been the Professor...sometimes I think I AM married to Homer! And DD in law was a High school Girl, not all that far removed from those days it seems. DD and the wee one, gave out candy. Wee One and I passed out the goodies, sitting out on the porch, he had to have his horse costume on of course. Now, I have been doing a bit of hand applique...while traveling, but DD gave me her UFO quilt blocks.... and I pieced the camo looking quilt together for her. I wonder can I count the UFO as an unfinished thing for me, since it isn't mine , but I will be finishing that up????May have to ask our Judge, Finn, to get her take on that question? It will be quilted next week, and she also passed on to me her other UFO.... quilt, with incomplete borders. I will piece those on....and "get her done" next week. Want to return them for Thanksgiving.... can't wait to see 2/3 of the family. Then we will have another 2/3 for Christmas. I am so looking forward to that. I may have to post photos of the Professor and I putting my longarm into my car...to make the trip to Atlanta. That should be an interesting drive?? Now concerning the longarm, I loved several names...so may have to do one with middle names too! But I did draw for a winner. Jackie was the lucky winner. Congratulations Jackie, please email me your details...and I will be back next week. Y'all have a great one! How could I not...with learning new and better tricks on my machine. Good times ahead!

Seamingly Accurate giveaway...from none other than my DD in law!!!

2008-10-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

My DD in law, has just returned from the Houston Quilt Festival..... and launching her Seamingly Accurate as a sewing notion.....and in honor of that has decided to do a giveaway, at ReannaLilly designs, please go to her web site for a quick comment and look see. Also a peek at the quiltwoman.com booth where she was launched! I am a proud mother in law. And it has helped me with both my quilting AND making curtains for my bedrooms. A very practical tool, with many sewing applications. So I am a satisfied user also. And had to post some lovely photos..... of yet another..... look at the Princess! She is so adorable!Happiness is found in Beans and Cornbread...even with only 3 teeth! This a a photo of another DD in law, Emikins, at the War Eagle Mill....an actual grist mill in Benton county Arkansas. A lovely setting for a nice walk, across the old....working bridge... 100 yrs young, and the original sight of a grist mill. It has burned down 4 times, but the foundations are still original.Lots of charm, a few quilts made from their little feed sacks, and a warm inviting Beanery in the attic. We had a lovely lunch and browse of the premises. Crisp Autumn weather and fun! The trees are just starting to change color...very pretty!Just found another giveaway f at Sue Daleys blog, featuring lovely patterns. Loved this Halloween decor set outside the Piggly Wiggly in Starkville, MS. Love all things Autumn! I got some lovely things from the Houston Quilt Festival for my new soon to be named longarm machine, thanks to my crack monkey DD in law! They are "in the mail" ...who knows they may beat the items from my Ship!!!!Be sure and leave a comment for my giveaway, explained on previous post. Don't you love Fall, Y'all?????