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

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!

Snow, surprise parties, and Amish!!

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

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.

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

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.