Let's All Wish for a HAPPY NEW YEAR in 2014!

What a six weeks it's been since my last post!  I'm looking forward to a New Year that hopefully will be better and more productive in many ways!

Some of our Texas bloggers have mentioned the ice storm that hit North Texas the week-end of Dec. 8, and believe me, it did HIT, and hard.  I didn't get out at all, and fortunately my family members were able to stay out of it for the most part, with no damage to anyone or anything, thank God!  Then it was back up to 60 degrees and then nice during Christmas, and now we are freezing again, but New Year's is to be back up to 60, and then freezing again the first Sunday in January.  The weather has been crazy!

I got the BFF quilt to my BFF just before Christmas, and indeed, she does love it.  She said, "We did every one of those things!", which is exactly what I had said when I first saw the panel.  She was thrilled.

I ended up hosting only three parties this year.  With weather complications, etc., two parties never materialized, but that's okay; three were quite enough for me this year.  First on Dec. 5, there were seven church quilters here for a luncheon/party; next on Dec. 14 there were 18 (9 couples) from my church for an evening of fun, food, and laughter; finally on Dec. 17, there were 18 of my school classmates here from about 1 PM to 7 PM.  (Some of THEM are getting too old to drive much at night! *giggle*)  We had more food than we could eat, and enjoyed all kinds of stories from long ago, some we would have been better off to have forgotten!  We did have a blast!

I went to my son's for both Christmas Eve's gift exchange and Santa, and then Christmas night for a big dinner.  Then the day after Christmas I got very sick with what I thought might be food poisoning, and my son got sick too.  I have never been so sick for 24 hours in all my life!  (Don't want to share TMI!)  When I mentioned possible food poisoning, my son said his wife's sister had arrived sick the day before Christmas Eve with a similar problem, before any of us ate anything.  He thinks she brought all of us a bad virus;  it was bad all right!  All I've done since Christmas is lie on the bed or the couch!  Haven't even been out to feed the birds!  But I'm feeling better today, and have been catching up on e-mails, etc. and reading lots of quilt blogs. *smile*

I'm wondering just how December could have been so bad in many ways, and yet so good!  I was able to be with so many of my friends, here in my home and at church, and with my family at my son's.  I am truly blessed!

My sewing machine cabinets have been covered with Christmas decorations since before Thanksgiving, so I have no quilty pictures to post.  You've seen all my decorations in past December posts, so I'll forego those again.
 
I'm looking forward to packing Christmas 2013 away later this week, and getting ready to start a new quilting project of some kind.  All of you have shown so many pretty things that have kept my creatives juices flowing, and for that I'm thankful, even if a little jealous!

I do hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends, and that 2014 will be happy and bright for all of us!  Have a safe New Year's Eve!

---"Love"

I Need a Dose of Time and Energy!

Busy, busy, that's what I've been, and the sad thing is, I see few results!  Something's got to change and soon!

I keep trying to finish my sewing/quilting ---- so I can begin cleaning house ---- so I can then decorate for Christmas!  Four parties are already set for my home, and there are two more possibilities.....And I'm still sewing!

I did finish this BFF quilt Monday for my Best Forever Friend from third grade. I had to have that panel for her when I saw it at a quilt show; I'm not sure I can wait until Christmas to give it to her!  My free motion, particularly in the tan border, leaves a lot to be desired, but I'm pleased with my hearts.  Maybe I didn't ruin this one too badly;  I think she will love it!

"Best Forever Friends"

We actually did all five of the things pictured in the panel.  We played doctor/nurse, we walked/played in the rain, we played dolls, we played dress-up!  We also did what's in the upper right frame (look at it closely)! Oh, we didn't have a guitar, and neither of us sung very much (though we did love music!), but we did JUMP ON THE BED a lot!  So much so, in fact, that we broke every slat but one in my bed upstairs.  That was not discovered until after my Daddy died many years later, and my brother and I went upstairs to break down that bed.   When he saw all the broken slats criss-crossed like braided hair, he couldn't believe it!  He asked what had happened there, and I had to tell him that my BFF and I jumped on the bed every time Mother went out the back door to hang clothes on the line, and that we had to do something to keep my springs and mattress in the bed frame.  I didn't know whether he was going to kill me, or die laughing himself. *giggle*

Now I'm involved in making red tablecloths to go under those pretty Holly Christmas dishes a friend gave me last year.  I found some 60" wide red suiting fabric (poly and rayon) that is perfect!  I want them all to match.  I have two cloths finished (did a blind-stitch on my new machine), but I'm worrying about how that foot is going to work when I try to hem the oval cloths.  I may have to do those two by hand, at least around the curve.  I've never done blind hem-stitching before, and I'm very pleased with the rectangular cloths, but I haven't figured out how I'll make it work around those curves!  Any ideas????

You may remember a friend gave me service for 12 of those pretty dishes last year.  I ran onto another 4 place settings at an antique store before last year's parties.  I decided to look online for more, and found them.  I ordered 8 more settings, and they came today; just beautiful!  But three of the footed teacups were shattered!  Not packed well!  I sent pictures to the seller tonight, and she said she will try to get them replaced next week.  She better!!!  My first party is Dec. 5!  (And I'm still sewing?????!!)

Well, I have been cleaning cabinets at night until midnight, and hopefully by Monday or Tuesday, I'll be ready to shampoo the carpet and get to dragging Christmas in from the garage and closets!  Help!!  *Whine!*

Guess I better hush rambling and get back to putting stuff back in the bottom of the kitchen cabinet!  Can someone tell me why I keep so many disposable plastic candy containers???  Or out of date spices/flavorings?  I filled the trash can full, and I'll have to break the bank to replace them all!

Hope all of you are having as much fun as I am!  (Yeah, right!)

Happy quilting,.......and Christmas prep!  Actually, I do hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

---"Love"

"Catch of the Day"

I was able to finish my son's quilt before he found out about it.  Last Friday afternoon he brought my grandson over to spend the week-end so he could work on his quilt.  Fortunately I had the quilt labeled and the storage pillow case made, and had both tucked under some other quilts on the guest bed.  GS wanted me to give it to him right then, rather than wait until Christmas, which I had considered a bit, but not too much.  I began showing them the stacked quilts one at a time, and when he saw the big mouthed bass, he said, "And that one's mine, right???!!  GS said he was claiming it, but Son said, "I don't think so!"  He loves it, as imperfect as it is!   Unfortunately, the fish I quilted in the borders don't show in this picture like they did in the last post picture.  The quilt is 72" x 54", a little large for a throw, but it will be great for the big guy to cover with on the couch!  I'm not sure whether the wife will like that or not.???  *giggle*  Maybe I've told you that he works at Cabelas in the fishing department, and goes bass fishing every day he's off duty, if the weather cooperates and the Honey-Do list isn't too long!  Several years he caught a very large bass, and had it mounted with a lure similar to the one in the quilt hanging from a small branch in front of the bass; looks almost like this one!

"Catch of the Day" 

Friday night I let my grandson play around with my new toy, which by the way, he named "Sunshine".  He was fascinated with it, and really learned a lot  about it.  Then on Saturday, he learned how to sandwich and pin his quilt, and he stitched through all the sashings to stabilize the star blocks for quilting the next time he can come over.  He went to church both services with me, and the church kids invited him to join them for a couple of hours of basketball Sunday afternoon, and then to join them again after the evening service for pizza at CiCi's.  Since he lives a several miles away and attends another school, he really doesn't know any of them well.  He has visited several times all right, but I was surprised, but glad that they invited him to join them both times.  He had a great time, but didn't get a lot of quilting done Sunday, but that's okay.  He will be back when he can again.   Here's another look at his progress.  He is really proud of it!  Me too!

I didn't get to sew any all week-end, but I did get a couple of new things last Friday!  New eye glasses, and a new cordless electric lawn mower.   I mowed Saturday while GS sewed, and loved it!  My old one (same type) had died a natural death about a week before, and the lawn was looking pretty bad, what with all the rain we've had lately.  More is coming Wednesday too.

Today I quilted a little bit on the other project I was working on as a decoy on the days my son was off duty from his job.  Maybe I can finish it this week; I surely hope so!

Hope everyone has a good week, stress-free, with lots of quilting time!

---"Love"

More Quilt Show Pictures and Some Quilt Progress

A couple of weeks ago I promised a few more quilt show pictures. These were from the Granbury Quilt Guild Show. There were many beautiful quilts. Again I cannot give proper credit, but I was impressed!

Parker County, Texas, Historical Quilt, From Permanent Collection

My grandson's school took a holiday on Columbus Day, and he spent the day with me to work on his quilt. He finished the top, and I'm really proud of him and his work!  It is totally his design, even the sashings.  It's not perfect, but he says, "I can live with it!"  He did really well on all those points --- Granny's opinion!  We didn't get it hung very well, but here it is. I don't know when he will be back to sandwich it and begin quilting.

Here's just a teaser of one of my new projects; hope to finish it within a couple of days.

  

You can't imagine what I've gone through to get this posted!  I think my computer is loaded down and very tired!  So am I!  But tomorrow's another quilting day, I hope!  

---"Love"

I Have a Couple of New Toys!

The past two or three weeks have been very busy for me. Almost every day, or at least every other day, I've been somewhere --- sometimes fun (quilt show and shopping; good times with friends), sometimes not (doctors and dentist), and lots of church activities. Hopefully life will slow down for at least a couple of weeks!  I need to get some sewing done!

 Last week a friend and I went to the Trinity Valley Guild Show in Fort Worth; there were lots of beautiful quilts. Here's a few of my favorites; unfortunately I cannot identify the makers, but I was impressed for sure!  Sorry, but I think my camera was not on the correct setting, but hopefully you can see much beauty here!  There's lots of work for sure!  I took lots of pictures, but too many to share them all.

The day before we went to the show, we went to a quilt store closing in a small nearby town and spent way too much money on fabric, but hey, it was on sale half-price; can't miss a deal like that!  I haven't taken pictures, but I got fabrics for at least four quilts.  I hope I live long enough to get them made! *grin*

Then as though we hadn't spent enough of the kids' inheritance, a couple of days later we both bought new machines on sale --- Janome 8900.  You know the kind of deal --- just like cars, just before the new models come out!  I know I'll love mine!  No more will I have to fight to squish a big quilt through;  the throat is 11" wide.  Of course, it has way too many other advantages, which I'll probably never use, but it's nice they are available.  It's been setting on a table in the sunroom, and I got to wondering where I would put it when Christmas parties time comes in just a few weeks!  So -----  last Saturday we went back to the store, and I bought a cabinet for it which was delivered Tuesday..  I had to re-arrange the sunroom, and I'm not yet happy with all that, but I can make it work.  Here are my new toys!

Tailormade Elise 

Empty Open Cabinet, with Janome 8900

The plastic insert around the machine came with the machine, and will serve as a temporary fix to cover the hole around the machine, but I've ordered the insert that fits both my machine and the cabinet.  It should arrive in two or three weeks.  I thought the store would have to order the cabinet, but they had one in stock, so I got it sooner that I had thought possible.  So far, I'm loving both the machine and the cabinet!  (Now if I can just stay home more so I can use it!!!)

I'm going to have to stop making excuses now, and get busy quilting that Underground Railroad quilt, and then get my Civil War blocks together!  First, I want to make a couple of smaller things for gifts, and I started one of them yesterday; more to come on that soon.  Also I need to make a runner for when the cabinet is closed.

Yesterday I went with three friends to another nearby quilt show and saw lots of pretty quilts.  I'll try to post a few of them in a few days, along with progress on my little quilt.

I hope I have finally figured out part of my posting problem, and I hope a solution as well.  I still haven't figured out what happened!

Hey, I just checked the thermometer on the patio, and at 5:30 PM, it was reading 60 degrees on October 4! That's a welcome change from what we've been having.  I turned off the AC and opened the windows and doors today ---- NICE!!

I really have enjoyed reading about what everyone's been working on; lots of pretty quilts out there!  Thanks, and do keep sharing!

---"Love"

This Is Another Simple Test!

Somehow I get the idea that things aren't working right here for me again. Nothing here is working! What to do?????? ---"Love"

Freedom's Stars Flag Quilt Finished Finally!

The piecing on this quilt was finished in June, 2012, and I finally finished quilting it last night! This is the companion quilt to the Freedom's Stars quilt finished recently. I think now I'm ready to move onto some other theme for a while! Again, my quilting is not perfect, but the design suits me okay. I'm glad I decided to quilt them both myself rather than sending them out. 

You won't believe what all I went through just to get that last picture posted!    This has not been my week for computers!  I had to buy a new printer, and it has so much more "stuff" on it than I need!  I thought I'd never get it installed; I'm just about computer illiterate I guess!  Anyway, I can now print again!

Had a call from my aunt, and she loves the little 30's throw.  She just couldn't believe I would send it to her; she was so excited, she could hardly talk.  It did put a little sunshine in her life for a change.

Grandson hasn't had opportunity to work on his quilt since my last post, so that's still in limbo. 

I haven't decided what's next for me, but I'll be coming up with something soon I'm sure.

Have a great week-end, and pray for rain in Texas!  We're about cooked!

---"Love"

Scrappy Arrows from '30's Fabrics

I've enjoyed more time at home alone this past week, and have had fun on this little project.

The pattern, by Nancy Kiman came from a book named "Easy Four-Patch Quilting". I've had it for a long time. I've had the '30's fabrics since I first started quilting --- indeed, from my first BOM project, which I never finished! This is the first time I've made a pieced binding, but I like the look for this one. This quilt, and the little pillow on the table, are going to Spokane, WA to my aunt, soon to be 95. She called last week while I was working on the quilt. I told her I was quilting at the time, but she has no idea it is for her. She mentioned that she needed something to cover her knees in her wheel chair, so I thought these fabrics would be great for her. I'll be mailing it to her probably Friday. In 1993 she mailed a little greeting card which I framed, and I've kept it on my dresser as a daily reminder, not only of her, but life in general. (I've tried four times to get the picture here, and as usual, Blogger shows it to be downloaded, but it never shows up! It says: " Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." Quote by James Barrie) I'll be sending a picture of it back to her with the quilt. Through the years she has brought a lot of sunshine into the lives of others, and I decided it is time to send some sunshine into her life. She had lived in Dallas for many years, but after my uncle died, her daughter moved her to a nursing home in Spokane. She wants to come back to Dallas, but it wouldn't be the same for her because she has outlived all her friends there. (Just so you know, Blogger won't let me put in paragraphs either!) You may remember the two Scripture quilts I made for my pastor and his wife in early 2012, February I think. Today I finally made pillows to match their quilts. They are retiring very soon, and I wanted them to have a pillow on which to lay their heads. Don't know what's up next for me. I think maybe a day or two of rest! Have a good week. ---"Love"

This is a Test! (Freedom's Star Finish)



I'm just wondering whether I can now post the pictures that should have been in my last post. Here they are, hopefully.

I have no idea what my problem is! It has taken me forever to get these two pictures to appear. It may be my computer, but maybe not. Anyway, I'm outta here! *frown* Hope your day is going better than mine! ---"Love"

Am I Getting Faster? --- Another Finish!

After delaying a finish on my Stack and Whack for 3-4 years, I now have a "Finish" on my "Freedom's Star" quilt! I was amused when I saw the date on the finished top picture, as compared to the date on the finished quilt picture. There's just about a year's difference in the two dates! That's got to be a first for me, on a fairly large quilt. Here's a close-up of the corner and simple quilting. "GS Quilter" is back this week and making good progress on his quilt. We are both tired tonight, but had fun today! I've been fighting with this computer again in order to post tonight, Hope it goes this time! ---"Love" Update: Even after two pictures were included, they do not show up in the Preview or Post! I have no idea what I'm doing wrong! ---"Love"

Beautiful Quilts!

Seven of our church quilters thoroughly enjoyed the day together last Friday at the Ellis County Quilt Guild Show at Midlothian, Texas.  There were so many beautiful quilts; I took far more pictures than I could show here, but I'll include a few.  If any of the makers see this blog, just know that I was so in awe with your expertise; sorry I cannot give the names where credit is due.  Space just does not allow me to include all my favorites!

Best of Show - 2013



Best of Show - 2012 -  Also shown again





Just look at that quilting!



Gorgeous Handquilting!

Just a portion of a Crazy Bedrunner

Gorgeous, but certainly not "simply"!

Perhaps the most meaningful to me,
as you will see from the description below.
(Sorry my photo is not more focused.)

What a trip that must have been!
What a treasure the quilt is!


Of course, we had to visit a couple of quilt shops along the way too; it truly was a fun day!

Today I began quilting on one of my patriotic quilt tops from last year.  So far, it's going okay. I'm really slow, but I'm determined to finish it someday.  

Hope your quilting time has been enjoyable!

---"Love" 

Stack and Whack Finally Finished!

Based on the date on pictures, I think I started piecing my first Stack and Whack quilt back in August, 2009.  Then sandwiched it, but never quilted it, for reasons explained recently.  When I finally got started on the quilting, I was encouraged, and finally finished the binding yesterday!  My quilting isn't perfect, but as I often say, it's good enough for who it's for --- ME!  Actually, I'm a little proud (surprised might be a better word) of the cable quilting in the border.  *big grin*



Fabric before cutting blocks



My First Cable Border

I like the back almost as much as the top!

Sorry about so many pictures, but I figure if it took years to complete, maybe I should show why! *giggle*

Had both grandsons here earlier this week.  The younger one now has six blocks completed and more underway.  His brother traced the Indian Chief for him and printed his name on the headband.  Notice how well the seams and points are done; not bad for a beginner, and a teen-aged boy at that!  He did all the cutting and sewing; I did a little pinning and pressing.  There will be more to come, but not for a couple of weeks.  I'm proud of both of them!

After all the cutting and quilting, my entire house was covered with lint and "stuff"!  So I spent literally all day today cleaning everything from ceiling fans to every floor in the house, and lots of laundry!  I'm bone tired, but should sleep well tonight, with clean pj's, and clean sheets, and a clean me! 

Don't know for sure what's next.  While my quilting courage is up, I may try one of those two big patriotic quilts I've laid aside for a while, or I may start a smaller gift quilt.

Friday I'll go to a quilt show with the church quilters!  That will be a fun day!  Pictures will follow.

---"Love"

Ever Seen Anything Like This?

A few days after my last post, I decided to empty three cedar chests and sort the contents.  Mixed in with lots of beautiful crochet and embroidery, there were a couple of pillow cases crammed with odd crochet and embroidery pieces, and even some with tatting, all of which came from my mother's to my sister's home, and mine.  Most of the items were damaged, and had been bagged by my sister just in case she or I ever wanted to use portions to make something else someday.  When I got my sister's things, I glanced in the pillow cases and then stashed them in my cedar chest and forgot about them until a few days ago.

I was in awe when I came across the piece pictured above mixed in one of the pillow cases! Except for a two-inch long damaged place in the crochet edging on the flap at the top, it is in near perfect condition.  I had never seen it at any time in my life.  It is a diaper bag, with an inset on one side of a stork holding a baby, as you can see.  I'm told it is filet crochet.  It has flaps at the top on both sides, edged with crochet, and the "handle" is crocheted round and is strong but soft.  I'm really not sure whether it was intended to be carried, or to hang on the wall.

 I have no proof, but I'm almost positive my aunt, who did beautiful crochet, made it for my mother when my brother was born in 1925, or maybe for the birth of my sister in 1928.  There's no one left I can ask.  Neither of my siblings had children, so it would not have been given to them.  It had a slight stain at the top, and I was able to remove the it with care, and now it is beautiful.  A friend suggested my aunt might have filled it with new folded cloth diapers to give to my mother.  In any case, it is a treasure to me!  It won't be going back in that pillow case with damaged goods!  

When I got everything sorted out, I totally filled the cedar chest, made and given to me by the firemen when I retired,  with nothing but crochet made by my aunt --- three bedspreads, three full tablecloths, 4-5 afghans, and numerous doilies, dresser scarves, etc.   Then in the cedar chest that had been my grandmother's, made by my uncle in 1916, I packed away family keepsakes, like crocheted baby bonnets made for my sister and me, and even some things I've kept from my sons and grandsons; that chest is full too!  Next, I put all my Christmas wallhangings and table mats, and lots of embroidery pieces, mostly done by my aunt, my mother, and some of her friends, in a cedar chest that had been my aunt's.  It too is full!  At least, now I know where to find the things I want to get out; before I had to look through everything!  All that took the better part of thee days!

This past week, I finally got around to quilting on the stack and whack quilt.  Eight blocks are finished, and I still have four more to go before I can start on the borders.   It's not perfect, but it's looking pretty good to me so far.

I also worked in the yard almost three days while the weather was cooler a few days in Texas.  The heat is on now!  100 degrees, plus! 

The week before that, I got the binding on our church group quilt; I didn't do much of the quilting, but I always put the binding on.  It is really pretty, with hand-embroidered 16" cross stitch blocks, alternating with pieced blocks.  It is king sized!  It should bring in a tidy sum for the youth program in the Fall.  Here's the two kinds of blocks. 

 My grandson will be coming Tuesday to stay a few days.  If he still wants to, we may start on the quilt he thinks he wants to make.  We'll see.  Not sure yet what we might do for sure. 

Hope everyone had a great July 4 celebration.  I think this is the first year I didn't finish a patriotic quilt on July 4, but I had recently made that table runner, and decided that was enough for this year.  At least I got them out all over the house!

Happy quilting, and stay cool ---- or warm, wherever you are!

---"Love"

 

Stack and Whack Quilting Has Begun!

I've probably started all wrong, but all the sashings are quilted!

Today I quilted one of the center blocks, and it was push, pull, and shove all the way, but again, it's good enough for who it's for --- ME! *grin*  It's going to be a slow go, but now there's only 11 blocks more to go! *wink*  I promise I won't bore you with each block, but I just had to show you this first one.  Don't go looking for perfection!  The front has a slight problem, (I think I stretched one of the points --- it was flat when I started), but I love how the back looks!

All the while, I was wishing for a machine with a wider throat!

I'm afraid life will be getting in the way for two or three days, so I may not get much done until next week. 

I was wondering why I waited so long to get started.  Now I'm wondering whether I'll live long enough to finish it!

Enjoy working on your projects!  I think I'll enjoy this one, but will be glad when it's finished --- next year???!

---"Love"

Let's Try This Again!

Prior to March, 2010, I finished a Stack and Whack quilt top; I even blogged back then about how I sandwiched it, but I never got the nerve to quilt it!

Remember this???

It hung over a quilt rack for a long time, and in the meantime I decided I would never be happy with the polyester batting, so I took it all apart a while back, and  hung the top and backing over the quilt rack again, in the back bedroom!  Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Then I read Joanne's post (Canuck Quilter) about feeling guilty about unfinished projects, and it plugged me in the eyes.  I decided to sandwich my Stack and Whack again and try to quilt it myself.  I'm not using that method of sandwiching this time.  It will probably be a long running project; I'm still marking and pinning on it!  I'm sure my quilting (and ripping!) will go on forever!  I'll have to have some relief on smaller projects along the way no doubt.   Here's proof that I have begun; it's almost finished.  Hopefully I can start quilting within a couple of days.  Please be patient with me! *sigh*

"What Cancer Cannot Do" was raffled at the Relay for Life last Friday, and it brought in $179 for the cause.  I had hoped it would bring in more, but I'm told the crowd was not as large as in years past, and they also had lots of other things on hand to purchase.  I'm glad it did as well as it did.  It was quite a surprise for my grandsons and their mother when the winning number was drawn and announced:  their maternal grandmother was the winner! *grin*  They and she were all thrilled.  My "quilting" GS said, "Well, at least it stayed in the family, and I'm glad of that.  Granny said she's leaving it to me when she's gone."   He said he told her all about watching me quilting it.  (I think he was a little proud maybe.)

Again, I want to say "Thank You" to all of you who participated in m APQ gift quilt.  Still somewhat stunned, I'm enjoying it on the back of the den couch where I see it often.  It truly is a treasure!  How blessed I am with great blogging buddies! 

Well, tomorrow's a new day, and it will be near 100 degrees here, so I'll stay under the AC and get started quilting, unless some other phase of life gets in the way! 

---"Love"

Sunday's Visitor Knocked Me Speechless!

I was expecting a pleasant visit last Sunday from Jennifer, and indeed, I got exactly that!  As planned, she arrived about ten minutes after I arrived home from church.  I suggested we wait a few minutes before going out for lunch in order to avoid the after-church rush, and she agreed. 

We went out to the sunroom where she showed me a couple of her projects, and then she handed me a quilt, told me to unfold it and tell her what I thought about it.  First I noticed it was backed  with my favorite colors:  pink and green.  It was sort of a scrappy quilt, with a variety of colors and fabrics, but well arranged with what appeared to be a white sashing at first glance.  The quilting was beautiful, and hearts were quilted in the pink border.  As I looked closer, I realized there was some handwritten words scattered around on the white fabrics.  A closer examination of those words revealed my own name "---Love", with several other names.  I looked at the label on the back, and.......yes!  The quilt was made especially for me --- by several of my APQ blogging buddies!  I was stunned and speechless!  I still have difficulty believing it!  I'm not very often on the receiving end of such a gift!  But I'll tell you now, I love being there!  *big grin*

Here's the top; double click to see the lovely quilting:

And here's the back (both pictures are sideways):  I love these hugs and kisses, and the quilting is beautiful!

And here's the label, listing all those special people who had a part:

THANK YOU TO EACH ONE OF YOU!

As you know, I had been experiencing some health problems over the past several months, and these sweet quilters were concerned about me.  I'll be having another test Wednesday to see if those pesky ulcers are healed enough for me to get back on my needed blood thinners and something for all my joint aches and pains!   It's been a long three or four months!  I've tried to keep on doing everything I can that's necessary, including my yard work, though I pay the price for that the next day or two!  

Joanne, our Canuck Quilter, came up with the idea that a quilt from my APQ friends would cheer me up, and so she organized it all, got all the blocks from everyone and put them together, and then did the beautiful quilting.  Then she mailed the quilt to Jennifer of Purpleheart Orijennals, who made arrangements to visit me for the delivery of the quilt last Sunday.  (I kept wondering why Jennifer was insisting on coming for a visit with Ruth out of Texas. ???  Now I know:  she couldn't keep the secret any longer! *grin*)  Now all of that took a lot of coordination from everyone!  Thank you so very much to each one of you involved!  The quilt, and especially your friendship and thoughtfulness certainly cheered my heart.  The quilt will be a treasure always, as will my friendship with each one of you! 

Aren't quilters wonderful?  I have yet to meet one who is not a really special person!  Even though I'll never get to meet most of you in person, I'm sure we will be "Friends Forever"!   I do wish we could all meet together at least once, but I'm sure that will never happen.  We'll just have to depend on Ruth's reports of such meetings along her travels. 

Thanks again so very much to each one of you, (even if you did knock me speechless, Jennifer)! *wink*

I guess I'll keep on trying to quilt a while longer, with your encouragement, and for sure, I'll be watching for pictures of your projects.

---"Love"

For Me Only!

Last Sunday I began cutting out another table mat for me from the fabrics I showed in a recent post.
I finished the binding Thursday night.  That has got to be some kind of record for me!  Of course, I used the same pattern as the one I originally had planned for the Relay for Life donation quilt, with the purple fabric.  This one is in my colors!

My 18-year old GS has always had an appreciation for my quilts, and he and my son were waiting at my home while son's car was in the shop.  GS, who is ALL boy,  kept watching me as I quilted on this quilt on my Singer, and finally he asked if he could try sewing on my Viking.  I was surprised, but I got some muslin and batting, made a sandwich, and gave him about five minutes instruction on the machine's operation.  He had never touched a machine before.  He stitched some very straight lines, turned the fabric, and made a box, and then back up parallel to the straight line.  Then he asked how he could stitch some curvy lines, so I lowered the feed dogs, and made a few other adjustments.  He watched all that very closely, and then began "free motion" quilting, and also some hearts.  He did much better his first try than I did after several tries!  Then he wanted to go back to straight stitching so he could stitch his name, with "Aggie" maroon thread, I should add.   He used my Frixion pen to draw it, then stitched it.  He was amazed that the hot iron removed his marks.  He may never want to try it again, but he had fun, and it kept him occupied for a while.  He took it with him to show his mom.  I told him there are lots of guys who make lots of money with their quilting, and he was impressed.  Maybe he will try it again sometime, but I don't really expect him to become a quilter.  We did both enjoy the afternoon anyway. 

I worked in the yard about seven hours today, and I'm dog tired!  Finally got some begonias around the tree in the front yard, and all the lawn, front and back, mowed!  Also planted some sweet potato vines in the hanging wash pot in the back yard.  Hopefully all the hail and wind is over for a while here! 

While I was mowing, a large white-winged dove flew directly into the sunroom window, fell down in the rose garden, and died.  The partner made it over the roof, but that one didn't get high enough quickly enough.  Made me very sad, because I do love those birds!  Later it seemed several birds were sitting on the electric lines and making their soft, sad sound, as though in mourning. 

Hope all of you have a great weekend.  I may --- maybe--- try to sandwich that stack and whack again.  I'm still dreading doing that!

---"Love"