Happy Birthday!!!

Well today is the day another year older and non the wiser. I had lunch with my mom and husband then went and had my hair cut and highlighted in hopes to hide the few gray hairs that seem to be showing up. 35 what a very scary number, but it does not mean I'm over the hill or close to death.

I got a Ott-light for the dark corner of my sewing area, quilt kit, and a new Teflon pressing sheet. The most awesome pumpkin pie body lotion and sugar & spice from Bath and body works. All in all it was a good day. But really looking forward to my annual trip to Lincoln to spend my birthday money at the quilt stores there. My husband and I have been doing this trip for several years. It is great to get to the big city.

On the quilty front. I managed to finish my corn for the Farmers Market quilt. I found Angelina hair the fuses to itself then can be stitched down it made excellent silk for the corn. I also put together the bumble bee block for Times Remembered.

I have been working on a 5" charm quilt using the Scardy Cat line from Moda. I hope to find tomorrow what I want to use for the borders, then I will be able to finish the top.

Tomorrow also starts another class. Tough to believe that the two weeks I took off from class is already gone and I seemed to not get everything done that I wanted to do. But at least I had a chance to recoup and am now ready to study some more. Not really I could use a couple more weeks vacation, but then I would probably decide a permanent vacation from school was in order so I'll just go to class in the morning or evening (whenever I have time to get to class). Got to love class online, can go when you feel like it and is convenient for you.

Inspiration from Music

From the new album Point of Grace How You Live the song is How You Live . It seems to reflect on its not what we do but its how we live. This is how the chorus goes.

"Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances and let it all out

'Cause you won't regret it

Looking back from where you have been

'Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you live."

In my last class I had a classmate make this statement "As always, thank you for your patience, support, and everything. You are the best team member i have ever worked with and I am sure it reflects in everything you do in life." Now keep in mind we only communicate through an online class room. I feel that he truly got to see the real me, the one full of the Holy Spirit. Others have commented on things also; how do you seem so happy through lifes ups and downs. I have to remember its not what I do but "How I Live." This means not just our actions but the words we speak. This song reminds me that we need to live not sit inside our houses and hide, but spread the music in our souls to others which can be done online, over the phone or in person. But it says " This little light of mine I'm going to let it shine. Hide it under a bushel NO, I'm going to let it shine." Let's let our lights shine bright and turn up the music.

Quilt show pictures

I love it when a quilt show actually gives a person a book that has all the names of the quilts and creators along with important information. It helps when looking back to recall what a person liked.

As many already know I like fall. So it will not come of any surprise that I picked this one as my favorite in the applique division. This quilt is called "Fall Friends" by Connie Olson and is machine pieced, hand appliqued and is hand quilted by another guild member.

This other fall quilts use of batik in the border really made the design. This quilt is called "Autumn Glory" by Jean Mohanna and was hand appliqued and quilted.

Oh butterfly's they were my grandma's favorite. There were two great butterfly quilts and of course I forgot to take a picture of the other one. Linda Ebel made "Butterfly Dance" that measured 36"X45.

This next quilt is made by Cleo Skinner. It is the "Underground Railroad" made using Elanoer Burns book. Cleo has a small group in Hordville, that meets once a month and our challenge was to make two blocks for two quilts. One was auctioned for the Hordville's 100 year celebration and the other quilt was auctioned in Polk for their 100 year celebration. Of course we were also to make our own "Underground Railroad" quilts but so far I think Cleo is the only one to do this.

I found this Peacock to be extremely interesting, especially using really feathers. In my house the cats would be in trouble all the time trying to play with those feathers. I did not write down the number/nor did the camera catch it but I do believe this is by Debbie Krugman "Island Peacock."

The last quilt for the day is by Stella Schaffer and is a mini Lone Star measuring 15"X15".

I have to show you my Super Sadie.

Then the other night I was looking for Smokie and found him trapped by a little girls feet unable to move. This picture was taken in the dark using just the flash from the camera. I was so shocked that it came out so bright.

Finally pictures

The sunflower is by Debbie Beavers

I also have the witchy woman all ready to stitch down on a t-shirt. Both patterns came from the same lady in Iowa Bloomin’ Minds. I did manage to get my small quilt for guild quilted today and the binding stitched on I just need to do the hand work on the binding. So it for sure will be ready by Tuesday.

Ok enough pictures for today it has taken almost 2 hours to upload these two. Very frustrating.

I got through all 16 bags of fabric today. I have neatly sorted and filled 10 boxes that I did not want to keep and are ready for my friends to go through. Once they go through the fabric the I will start making cuddle quilts. I did keep roughly 3 to 4 large rubbermaid tots of fabric for myself and it is all in the laundry room to wash away all the cat smells from the previous owners home. Luckly it is just smells and nothing more. Then comes the fun of washing and sorting all of the fabric and trying to neatly organize it the newly purchased (garage sale) cabinets.

Progress pictures

I finally got the pictures taken of what I have been working on. And wouldn't you know I cannot get my pictures to upload.

Today I went to another local quilt show, Yes I took pictures, and picked up the perfect embelishment for the silt on my corn block from Farmers Market quilt. While at the quilt show I was asked if I wanted to join their guild. I politely declined because I already am in 3 local and 1 state guild. I do not want to stretch myself to thin. Of course had to do the grocery shopping while in town. Then finished piecing and stitching down the pieces on a small quilt for a guild auction being held next Saturday.

Tomorrow I have to get the small quilt, quilted and the binding on so that I can deliver to the guild meeting on Tuesday. Luckily it is a very small quilt 13X13. So it should not take very long to finish it.

I do plan on starting to go through the bags of fabric I received to get that done, and the extra fabric ready to give to the guilds for cuddle quilts. We make quilts and give them to Health and Human services for the kids when they are taken from their homes. It is a great cause and I know that there is no way I need all of that fabric given to me. I do want to get started on this huge task tomorrow.

Also I hope I can get those pictures posted.

Hope everyone is having a happy quilty weekend. ;-)

Thanks everyone

I know that I am tough on myself, but I have this silly perfectionist problem (which occasionally strikes me). I have been working on it especially with my quilting. I am no longer as picky if my corners do not align perfect, I will not rip and rerip. It is progress. Thanks everyone for the comments I do appreciate all the support. Now if I can slow down long enough to take the pictures of my accomplishments from the last couple of days. Instead I'll post some more of the quilts that were displayed at Threads across Nebraska.

I am still alive

I just finished my programming class, which took a lot to do especially this last week. I am still recouping, feeling like a semitruck ran me over and left me for dead. The instructor already has graded the our final programs (that were turned in Monday) and my great GPA will drop. I managed to get an A- for the class. My husband says that is a great grade considering 22 people started the class and by the end of the class 9 were left in the class and only 4 (including me) turned in the final program. It was a tough class and I should be happy with the grade, but I cannot get past the fact I was only 3.5pts from an A; which would have kept my GPA 3.96. I wonder if this is the correct path for me, I love computers and programming. Ok. I get stop the pity party I'm having. I did manage to see some yesterday as a reward for just getting the program written and turned in.

Check back later for pictures of what I got accomplished.

Farmers Market

I could not resist getting this Cherished Teddies Lila: Sweet & Colorful Just Like You to go along with the farmers market quilt that I am working on with Pat’s group. I have been collecting special Cherished Teddies for years and figured this one would commenurate the fun I am having and what got me quilting again after the loss of my mother-in-law.

New Iron

My darling husband told me to finally get a new iron. As the picture shows one of my naughty kitties has riddled the cord with their teeth. He orginally was going to get me one for my birthday, but realized I had two weeks off from school were I would appreciate having the iron before my birthday. Yeah me.

I really liked my old iron; but found one that has the retractable cord to prevent my new iron from having the same dismiss happen to it like my old one.

To find out a little more about the pumpkin swap thoughts visit http://groups.google.com/group/bloggerland-swappers?hl=en

Pumpkin swap

There seems to be a blogger land interest in doing a pumpkin swap. How many of us would want to do something like that? Just leave a comment or drop me an email so we can count the interest level. If there is enough interest I will get another blog/site dedicated just for the pumpkins and future swaps. Yes we would not have a long time to actually do this, but it still would be fun.

New Guild/pumpkin blocks

Well I choose today to finishing stitching down the pumpkin blocks that I am doing for a swap. I actually did get them done and ready to go in the mail tomorrow. I did take some pictures before they went into the envelope. As one can see Reese wanted to help me get the blocks arranged for pictures. I managed to get her to move briefly so I could get the picture taken. Below is the pumpkins being sent into the swap.I went to check out a new quilt guild that is starting in my home town. Not only do I think I am going to join but I plan on doing the Christmas fabric challenge. There was a raffle for an item and I managed to pull my own name out of the basket.

Threads across Nebraksa

This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!

Here is my list for this week. I got 3 of 6 done last week.

1. Quilt the wall hanging for the office "Pat's Butterfly Garden."

2. Stain quilt rack.

3. Finishing stitching the rest of the pumpkins for the pumpkin swap.

4. Do my tackle it Tuesday spot.

5. Get the small quilt for auction finished and quilted.

If you want to participate in A Commitment To Loveliness, just stop by Emma's blog and join in. It is a great way to set weekly goals for yourself.

Below are a few of the pictures I took at the quilt show. I will post some more in the next couple of days. Sorry about the clarity of these pictures. I am a short person and all the quilts were hung well over my head.

This quilts flowers were completley paper pieced. If I remeber correctly. This one is called purple pansies
This quilt was one passed from one state guild memeber to another getting another piece of the picture placed onto it. I like elephants and this one was so well designed and put together. It truly was traffic stopping detailed.

Quilt Show Saturday

I went to Threads across Nebraska state guild quilt show. There were a lot of great vendors there today, and some truly inspiring quilts. I was so busy I forgot to each lunch, I did not realize this until 5 tonight, boy was I one hungry person. But I was quilt and fabric satisfied.
I managed to keep up Pat Sloans Machine quilting book, and did see a vendors rendition of her Bluebirds of Happiness quilt.

One great new find and company is Fig Tree Quilts. I just could not resist this pattern. I left the fabric kit there, but made sure to get a phone number in case I changed my mind later.

Stay tuned till tomorrow for pictures of quilts from the show and some of my other great finds.

Invisible Applque class

I signed up today to take an invisible applique class that is being taught by Sandi McMillan. Sandi and her friend Laura Franchini made the Nebraska Rising Sun that was pictured on the cover of Quilters newletter July/Aug 2006 issue. This quilt was made as a raffle quilt for the Nebraska State Guild. So I jumped all over the chance to learn this technique from such a gifted woman. This class is being held October 27 in Fullerton, NE. I think this is a great way to celebrate getting older by taking a whole saturday away from my family to enhance my quilting database (brain).

I spent part of today trying to get a room cleaned out so that I can bring in two cabinets to help organize all the black garbage bags I aquired from a friend before she moves.

Tackle it Tuesday Sewing

My tackle it tuesday item was to make 33 blocks before guild meeting. 3 blocks per guild member. The picture is off the colors I took to guild. Then we did an exchange and I got 33 different blocks back. We will continue to do this for several more meetings, because the pattern we are making calls for 440 of these blocks. This is what the setting will look like when all the blocks are made. The pattern we are using came from McCall's quilting August 2007 called Trading Patches.

Pat Sloan posted the new Farmer's Market block for October and I got it also done in time to take to guild meeting.
Sew I decided that my Project for Tuesday was actually to reward myself at the same time of getting guild sewing done. And that is one more project done.

Count down to being older

Today is the first of October and my daughter has started the monthly countdown for birthdays. Her daddy's birthday is the 11th and her mommy's is the 29th. When did the feeling of excitement to have your birthday to hurry up and get here turn into almost dread for turning another year older. 35 seems like such a foreign number. I can distinctly remember when I was 20 that 35 was ancient now that I am approaching this milestone I wonder what ancient is. My grandma who's birthday was 3 days after mine lived to be 96 and you never could tell her age because she never slowed down. What a woman of faith and it never fails this time of year that her passing still leaves me missing my best friend. My mentor and the woman who inspired my love of quilting and creativity. So I guess with age comes the ability to understand ones connection to their past and have a sense of how to continue on putting your faith in the Almighty, because you witnessed first hand His hand in your grandma's life and without it life becomes a number that we dread. But if we look ahead we can see the future we have in store.