Dyed Quilting

Beading fun

2012-02-03T00:12:00.001-05:00

I've been working on a necklace pendant. I really like how it is turning out.

I haven't played too much at the sewing machine. Too busy with everything else. The original plan was to take the whole weekend and dare anyone to bother me. Dear husband stopped that. He surprised me with a weekend trip. I'm not complaining by any means, but sometimes too much is just too much. I will laugh and smile and enjoy our time together. There are so many I know who would give anything for a weekend with the one they love. I will sew next week.

Diane

Just a few minutes

2012-01-31T01:39:00.001-05:00

I have been working at cleaning this dump of a house today. UGH!
Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, laundry, etc.You know the drill.
All I wanted to do today was go into the sewing room and lock myself away, but I knew I had to get some work done.
I did take a few minutes to play with one of my new books. This block was really easy! I know I will be making more too.

I'm trying to post from my phone so I'm not real sure how this will work. Fingers crossed!

Diane

OMG!

2012-01-25T16:08:00.003-05:00

As Rosanna Rosanna Danna used to say..."It's always something!"

I was going to blog about the wonderful speed in which Amazon got my amazing new books to me, but before I could, I got an ugly message on my computer that said I didn't have enough disk space to do anything. I needed to delete some items to carry on. UGH! I don't know enough about computers to do that!!! If I did I would have a long time ago! (That is what I was thinking).

After begging my son to come help me "fix it", he click, click, click, got me to the place I needed to go and told me to click, delete, click to my heart's content. I deleted over 25 GIGS! That was just pictures too. If I did a real house cleaning and got rid of files I no longer needed or wanted I could probably do at least that much more.

Anyway, back to the original reason for my post. I got this today!! I was excited to hear it had been released finally after waiting for months. Judy's blog is one of the three that I look at everyday with only the occasional miss. I loved her previous books and didn't think anything could top them, until now.

If you need fresh ideas for borders, this is the book for you. Her instructions are clear and concise. Plus there are 15 quilt designs, how cool is that? She tells you how to make any border fit any top. I know where I will be after I post this!!

Another book by Judy that arrived today is one I have owned for a while. I had to replace it after loaning it out and like a lost sheep never came home.

This is a great book with great quilt designs. The instructions are divided into one hour increments. That way if you tend to have just a small amount of time to work you can still get a lot accomplished. Like the old saying, slow and steady wins the race. It is amazing what you can get done in an hour at a time.

The last book that came in the box is:

I have been interested in this one for a while, but never remembered to order it. This is going to be great! I want to make some quilts for family members and I want them to actually use them so I don't want to invest tons of time. Great quilts, just not time consuming. This will fit the bill!

Ok, I popped the top on a cold Coke, have my comfy chair with two chihuahuas in it and I am going to read for a bit.

Oh, I almost forgot, Amazon was super speedy on this order. I paid for 3-5 day shipping and got it in 2!! Maybe I should be praising the Post Office...Who ever got them to me so fast, thank you!

Later,

Diane

Returned

2012-01-23T20:50:00.002-05:00

Airline security, family, friends, more family, responsibilities, hugs, exhaustion, stress, tears, laughter, TSA clearance, long noisy flights. That just about sums up last week.

Laundry, grocery shopping, meat market, baking and menu writing. That is the goal for tomorrow.
I HOPE to go into my sewing room after that.

While away my MIL gave me some blocks her mother put together. I brought a few home and hope to carefully put them together into a wall quilt for her sister and a small sofa quilt for my MIL. She was surprised that I would want to do that for her, I don't know why.

Pictures coming as soon as I find where the camera landed after unpacking.

Diane

Another check mark!

2012-01-11T15:59:00.002-05:00

Another UFO bites the dust!
This feels great! Looking around at all of the "kits" I have ready to go I could do this a lot more, but I know I will not keep going at this rate. As a matter of fact next week I will get nothing done as I will be back checking on my parents. No sewing gets done when I am visiting so I have stopped even taking it with me. I used to take my Featherweight and something to work on just to schlep it all back home untouched. Now I don't even pack it.
But I am so pleased with all I have accomplished son far. Yeah me!

Today I have been hanging rulers near my cutting table. Tired of always searching through stacks of rulers to find the one I want I have hung them within reach. Hopefully this will help with the chips on the corners from dropping them off the cutting table while looking through them. Rulers are too expensive to ruin with being so unorganized.

Also I have been going through stacks of blocks. I don't know about anyone else, but I always, no matter how well I count, make one or two blocks too many. Probably has to do with my chaotic and spastic sewing attitude. :) Anyway I have a stack that has accumulated and I am trying to see if I can make a scrappy block top out of them. The jury is out but I am trying. Pictures to come later.

Diane

I figured it out!

2012-01-11T00:24:00.003-05:00

Have you ever been completely flummoxed by something and nothing you do will work right?

At the last retreat I went to with my Mobile friends I was trying to work on my star top. I got all of it ready to go together, but for the life of me couldn't make the math work. I couldn't see the answer. I was so confused by it I even confused a couple of gals who were trying to help me, (Karen and Lynn).

Last night as I was working on a Linus UFO I glanced up at the design wall where I had put the said top and instantly I knew what had to be done. it was a plain as day.
Today i tried all day to get in here and put my answer to work but the phone kept ringing and it was fires I had to put out. No way around it!

Tonight, I did it! I still need to trim it up to put the borders on but the math issue is DONE! WOO HOO!

Design Wall Monday

2012-01-09T13:06:00.000-05:00

I think the name of this one might be Ballybucklebo in my Heart. While sewing on this top I have been listening to a book on tape and have fallen in love with the town and it's citizens. If you love a good book without murder, mystery, sex or too much harsh language then try An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor. If you love to hear the Irish language spoken try the books on CD.
Diane

Think like it's an elephant

2012-01-09T12:33:00.000-05:00

I finished the top last night!! I am so pleased! I just sat staring at it for a long time. I tell you the truth I have loved this design since I first saw it on Keryn's blog. Now to decide how I want to quilt it. I am pretty sure I won't hand quilt it, but I would love it if I did. Who knows, I have surprised myself before.
Now what do to. Do I rush right in and work on something else or do I stew? I'm thinking I will go through my UFOs and find one I am still in love with and work on it. Wouldn't it be great if I did that? I know I would be very pleased if I completed something. I know my husband would be amazed if I completed something.

I was reading a blog today, that lead me to another blog, that lead me to Amazon, and to "Look Inside" of a Scrap Therapy book. Talk about surfing! Anyway, the book said something along these lines...She was going along happily buying fabric, making quilts and sorting her scraps when all of a sudden one day she was almost paralyzed by her stash. Not just her yardage, but her scraps. She had stored her scraps in a whole separate place from her stash and was shocked by how much she had when she focused on it.
I kind of think that is where I was for a bit. Paralyzed by the abundance. No longer sure of just what I had. Patterns and fabric both were just too much for me to put my head around. I used to think, no biggie! If I died with a large stash my SIL would take it all and use it. That may not be the answer either. She is not sure she can find her quilting joy either.
The answer...just like eating an elephant...one bite at a time! I will try to focus on one thing at a time. Not plan my future projects, just look at the one before me.

Now to go through my UFOs...I'll post what I find.

Later,
Diane

New year, new frame of mind...

2012-01-07T23:53:00.000-05:00

It has been silent here too long.
I have not been in the right frame of mind to do any sewing or blogging. I sincerely hope that is over with and along with a new year I will have a new drive to sew, quilt and create.

I went into my sewing room for the first time in many moons and didn't know what to do so I just sat and looked around and thought. That was enough for that day, I left.
The next day I decided it was too crowded and messy so I put away the machine I use for quilting and folded the fabric that has landed in the floor. During the straightening I spotted a plastic box with a UFO that I started at least two years ago. I opened the lid and remembered how much I loved the design. I wonder if I could get some of these little blocks made? Four patches and HST that finish 2". How cute!
I stayed up until 3 am. I was lost in the cotton.
The next morning Ray let me sleep in. I woke late and headed straight to the sewing machine. I sewed ALL day and until 3am again. Was I back in the saddle? I don't know but I was having fun. I dared not question too much or think too much I might jinx it, even though I don't believe in jinxes, but why chance it! LOL
Day three...I woke at 11am...went straight to the sewing room and played! At 4am I thought I might need to go to bed before I burnt another finger or dropped the rotary cutter one more time.

So far it looks like this:

I saw the original design on Keryn's blog back in 2008. I fell in love instantly. She made hers to be a table cloth and I thought I wanted to do the same thing. Needless to say over the past few days I made mine much larger. The components are small, so tons of piecing, tons of civil war scraps, just the way I like it.
So what do you think?

Diane

Big News

2011-10-30T12:43:00.000-04:00

I was told my Dad is supposed to go home tomorrow! After several months in one nursing home, therapy facility, mental ward (yep, not a fun story) and back to the nursing home he is supposed to go home tomorrow. I am not holding my breath since every time I am told one thing something different happens, but I am hopeful.
I leave here Tuesday morning. I will stop in Mobile to rest then on to Houston.

While in Houston I hope to get to enjoy the quilt show. I have my camera ready and I am pretty excited. I am going to try and get my Linda to go with me. We always have fun no matter where we are so this will be no different. I have no list to buy from. I have nothing I am looking for. I would like to see the quilts. Connect with vendor acquaintances and eat at Ninfa's. What more could you want in one day?

Maybe after I return from Houston I will visit my sewing room. I know I will have pictures to share.

Later,
Diane

Snap out of it!

2011-10-20T23:48:00.000-04:00

I don't know if I am alone, but I found myself in a strange state of mind when it came to my quilting. I found myself reading blogs, A LOT. Not working on any of my projects. Constantly reading Keepsake and Connecting Threads catalogs. Scanning the Sew It's For Sale and Quilters Flea Market on yahoo. Buying fabric or patterns and stacking them in my room and walking back out, shutting the door behind me. One day it dawned on me I was constantly looking for something to buy but not using anything and it didn't even bother me.
All of this happened about the same time everything started falling apart with my dad. So I decided until I worked on something to completion (it doesn't have to be big just finished) I will not look at any more online stores, Flea Market emails or catalogs. No more shopping in local stores and maybe even sell a few things I no longer need.

I have sold a few things. Thank you to those who bought them! I have stayed out of quilt shops and fabric stores. (I KNOW they feel the difference in their tills). I have even stopped reading blogs since reading what others were doing only made me think about buying that doo-dad or fabric.

I can report I am beginning to feel and see a difference. I am having no desire to look at what I can purchase. I looked at a couple of blogs today and found them enjoyable without feeling the need to buy. I am even thinking about a project I want to work on, and it's a UFO so mores the better!

I am headed to Houston to check on my parents and with a little cooperation from the husband I am going to be there during the International Quilt Festival. I know what you are thinking. You are thinking. "She is gonna break the bank!" I really don't think so. I won't lie and say I won't buy anything, but I think I realize I need nothing. I am sure I will buy something though.
This will be the first time since I closed my business that I have been to the show ans the first time in about 8 years that I have been as just a quilter and not a business owner. I think I will enjoy it.

Now, after I have said all of the above...I don't want anyone to think I am so strong, or determined or disciplined. Nope I have been depressed! When I get depressed I become a blob. A slug. A couch potato!
Tonight I went for a good walk with Ray and the dogs. I have cleaned rooms I haven't touched in a month.I even cooked a very good dinner. Mostly we have eaten easy fast meals or salad or cereal for supper. Maybe it means I am snapping out of it. I hope so!

Still here

2011-10-07T11:28:00.000-04:00

I'm still here, I haven't fallen off the earth, just wish I had.
Too much has happened. Too many things to whine about, you really don't want to hear.

I have only thought about the Texas flag quilt. Well to be honest I have tried to draw it up in EQ...forget it I will need to read the manual and who wants to do that? Not me today!

I have pulled piles of fabric but that is as far as it went.

I haven't even unpacked from the retreat in August!

Or put my machine back to working order!

The only fun thing I have done is I started playing around with a necklace for my daughter.

This is one of the eight scallops that go on the front of the necklace. It measures about 1 1/4" across. MAYBE I will get it made for her birthday. No promises.

When I get stressed I do two things I close myself off from other people and I get the WANTS.

I have all but stopped blogging, talking on the phone and not much email. If it wasn't for my SIL and her sweet daughter Hannah I wouldn't be doing the emails. My Linda calls to keep me talking but other people I tend to ignore.

The WANTS have been rampant. I want a new light for sewing. Why? I don't know! It isn't like I'm doing any! I found this one on clearance for $79! Regular price...$279!

this is a table lamp, I actually have the floor one in this model

I wanted a new bed spread and pillows...why? I don't know I don't even like making my bed!

I'll have to take a picture later of what I bought...did you get the Tuesady Morning flyer? The red comforter on the front!

**PERSONAL...stop reading if you don't care to know about...**

For those who have asked about my dad. It is getting worse, but better too. He has been moved twice since I spoke with you last. He can only have visitors two times a week for two hours a visit. My sister said he is a lot more pleasant, less paranoid and agitated. With their financial state I don't know how long he will be here, if he can (physically and emotionally) go home or if they do send him home if he will just go back to how he was. Being so far away causes a lot of the information to get garbled in the translation. Kind of like when we played gossip in elementary school. The first person heard the teacher has on a red dress with yellow flowers and the last person heard the red car got a flat tire.
I have a sister, a niece, and my mom that I am getting information from and none of the three say the same things. My plans are to go in about 3 weeks and stay for about 2 weeks. Maybe in that time I will be able to understand more.

Later,
Diane

I can't get it off my mind

2011-09-27T11:23:00.000-04:00

I have a quilt that is percolating. I keep thinking about it. I've tried to draw it up in EQ but I have forgotten most everything I knew about EQ. I don't know why I forgot it all, but I did. It's true, use it or lose it!
Anyway I am constantly thinking about a Texas flag. Anyone who has known me for more than five minutes knows I am from Texas and proud of it. I would be there today except my husband and his job (and paycheck) are in Florida. That still feels and sounds so strange to say, I live in Florida. Off track again...
The last time I was in Houston, my friend and I wandered into a iron works shop and I found the wall art I had been looking for, for a long time. I may have already told you this, and if I did, I'm sorry. The wall art is made of what looks like re-bar (is that correct?) bent into a circle and a star welded in the middle. Then on another larger ring ...let me go take a picture...

Anyway ever since I brought this home and my husband hung it in the "formal" living room better known as the foo foo room around here I have had thoughts of a Texas quilt. I have a wonderful Texas block of the month that I bought to make but as yet haven't started, but that wasn't what I was thinking. I was thinking about a flag. I wanted to make a flag quilt. Sounds easy enough. Strips of red white and blue and a large white star. I have drawers of strips already cut. I had tons of red, white and blue until I made two quilts of valor, so the drawers are rather lacking in those colors. But wait! I have a stash! Woo Hoo! I knew I bought that fabric for a reason!

I better go quickly while the desire is still here. I seem to be easily distracted lately.

Later,
Diane

Live and Learn

2011-09-21T11:11:00.000-04:00

Every single stitch I made yesterday has to be unstitched! UGH!
It was too hot to sew in my sewing room so I moved my featherweight into the dining room to work on some little, easy, no brain type 9 patches. Me in my infinite wisdom didn't check my seam allowance because "I know it's right!". WRONG!
I had all of my little 9 patches made and was about to sew them to the solid alternating square when I noticed they almost 1/4" smaller. Ah man! No amount of pressing and stretching was gonna get that block big enough. GRRR!
I just wanted to (insert whining here) sew some and have some down time, and relax with no frustrations. yeah right!

:^(

Oh well what was I expecting? I'm glad it was only about 12 blocks, and they are small, and I don't mind ripping out!
Maybe I can get them right today.
Woo Hoo! More sewing!! AND everyone is OUT of the house today, another WOO HOO! My day is getting better and better.

Later,
Diane

Today is the day!

2011-09-19T10:47:00.000-04:00

Today I will go into my sewing room and knock the dust off my cutting mat and plug in my faithful sewing machine and try my hand at a 1/4" seam. I may fail terribly, but I need to try.
There has been so much bad news coming from Houston that I need to block my ears and try for a few minutes of pleasure.
I have sandwiches and salads planned for supper and fruit and yogurt for dessert. The kitchen is clean and the laundry (never ending) is at a good pausing point. The dogs have been walked, fed and played with and they have tons of chew toys and each other for entertainment.
I can hear my friends chanting and cheering me on (all in my head) so here I go. I will report if I make any progress!

Later,
Diane

Books for sale post #2

2011-09-09T13:07:00.004-04:00

POSTAGE (media rate) IS EXTRA & PAID BY BUYER

$3 Has ideas & PP patterns

$5 Sold!

$3 quilt as you go instructionsSOLD!

$5 machine applique and quilt at the same time

$3 lots of cute patternsSOLD!

$2 traditional with a twist Sold!

$2 great for using with stripesSOLD!

$2 lots of PP patterns

$2 Lots of PP patterns

$3 SOLD!

$3SOLD!

Still more to come!
Diane

For Sale

2011-09-08T12:34:00.002-04:00

I am pretty sure most of those who read my blog on a regular basis have left me due to my not posting in a long while but I will try this anyway.

I have been trying to cull books. That is VERY hard for me! While going through my books I found doubles of some and some that were won as door prizes and others that I don't have a clue about. I also have some books from the business I am ready to quit tripping over.
I thought I would take pictures and put them on here with a price and see if anyone was interested in them.
It will take several posts to get them all since there are so many.

Olde is New Again- Jo Morton $8

Judy Martin Log Cabin- Never used, signed by author $12 SOLD!

Vintage Charm - Jo Morton, never used $12

Turning Twenty #4- seven copies $7

Turning Twenty New Edition of first book- 5 copies $6

Be Attitudes - Art to Heart never used $8

Machine Stitched Cathedral Windows - New- $10

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The Quilters Companion - great condition- $10

Shipping to be paid by the buyer
If you are interested let me know.

More later,
Diane

Thanks, but keep praying

2011-09-05T11:48:00.000-04:00

I'm still here and kicking, but it is getting lower and lower each day.

I won't rehash my dad's plight, but he is still in the nursing home and I don't know much more than that.

Yesterday Ray got a call from his dad's wife and she was crying. We knew his dad was in the hospital having some tests run so Ray immediately thought the worst. Come to find out his dad has been taking Alzheimer's meds and since he has been in the hospital for a few days it was just too much for him. He is completely confused. He doesn't know exactly where he is, he thinks he has been moved to a nursing home (he hasn't). He thinks his wife and her son took his car and truck and left them somewhere, (they didn't). Ray spent a good hour last night trying to reassure him he was in the same place and safe and his wife was coming back up there as soon as she rested.

We spent the rest of the night trying to figure out if Ray needed to go to Arkansas since his dad has no one who can really take care of him. We have worried about this for a while and it has finally happened.

Maybe I should rename my blog, Dieing to Quilt!
Ray has taken a few days of vacation so you know I haven't had any time to even touch my sewing machine. Really I don't mind, since I am finally getting that old longing back to go in there. I guess I just needed some absence to make my heart grow fonder?! :)

Jumble of emotions, lots of thoughts

2011-08-24T00:32:00.000-04:00

I have just returned home from a two week trip. I went to Mobile to see my friends and attend a retreat with them. I had so much fun! I was so happy to see the faces of the ladies I have learned to love over the years. Ladies who I would have probably never met had it not been for my obsession with quilts. Since September 1998 I have had the pleasure of learning and laughing with the great members of Azalea City Quilters Guild. I hope I have at least another 50 years with them.

If I ever learn to get pictures off of my phone I will post some of the pictures I took.

After the retreat I left and went to Houston. My daddy has been put in a nursing home. The idea was he was too weak and needed to get some therapy for walking, balance and strength. Originally the goal was a few weeks and he would be home. My first thought when my sister TEXT me, was he will never come home. Can you tell I was not impressed by learning of his hospital stay and nursing home stay via text? There are just some things that should be done with your voice and not your fingers! I think telling someone their parent is ill would be one of them. I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, off of that tangent and back to the story.
I went to Houston to find out for myself what was going on. After about 5 days I came to realize my first thought just might be correct and Daddy may not come home. He fell three times in less than 30 hours. They can not convince him to stay still until someone can help him stand. He is adamant there is a conspiracy between my mother and the nursing home to keep him. He swears the sitter who sits with him when no family is with him, is hurting him. The man in the bed next to him (in a coma) makes too much noise and is rude to him.
Every time I would go see Daddy he asked if I had my fast red truck. He remembers that I have a Ford F250 with a big engine. Daddy always loved Ford trucks and used to street race in his younger days. Anyway he asked me if I would go get my truck and back up to his room window. He was going to climb out and I would "go fast, don't stop, not even for the police" and take him home. That was all fine and good until the fourth day and he told me he knew I wasn't ever going to bring the truck. He was so upset with me, then he just kept getting more and more agitated that I had to leave. I was afraid I was gonna make him have a heart attack or a stroke.

I know those of you who read my blog don't read to hear about family issues, but right now that is where I am. This is all I think of all day long.
Today was spent resting, unpacking, napping, laundry and thinking.
I hope tomorrow I can have a better day and maybe rip out the sewing I did at the retreat. I will explain more in detail later, but basically I wasted four yards of fabric. I cut it all up just to discover it was 1" too small! Setting triangles! UGH!

Later,
Diane

She's alive!

2011-08-08T19:15:00.000-04:00

Yes, I'm alive.
Shock!
I have had a fight with my Fibro and my RA. I have felt like a victim of a crash and deprived of sleep for at least a week. Man!
I am coming out of it now, but I tell you what I couldn't concentrate, walk, stand, or do much of anything.
I have no idea what happened to cause it to act up, but I haven't felt that bad for a LONG time.
I know I have been stressed about my dad so maybe that had something to do with it, but I don't know.

I am headed to see my parents so I can see for myself how Daddy is. He has been put in a "therapy facility" read nursing home. I have got to go see with my own eyes how he is doing.
I will stop in Mobile and see my friends and retreat a couple of days, then head on to Houston.

beaded needle case

Some of the ways I have passed the time is been playing with my beading. It is coming back to me pretty easily and I am enjoying sitting in the living room with Ray and bead weaving while he watched TV.

One night I was invited to watch my daughter in a mini dance competition. Try as I might I didn't get any good pictures but I wanted to share a few.

Introduction Dance

twirling

Dancing with Ms. Wanda

This was completely new to me. I have never seen Kari dance and didn't know exactly what to expect. I thought she looked nice and danced pretty.

Gotta start packing,

Diane

No title today...

2011-07-25T14:43:00.000-04:00

There has been no fun going on around here lately. There has been stifling heat and humidity although we have been better off than the central states. I haven't walked the dogs more than run out and run back in due to almost constant thunder (it causes Little Girl's bladder to close up tighter than a drum!) and lightening. We are in the season of the year of almost daily rain in the afternoons. I really don't like getting rained on, I guess it all stems from being told by my Papa I would melt if I got rained on. At least one person in my life thought I was sweet as sugar. Anyway with the afternoon rain I have to plan my activities around them or nothing gets done. So what do you think has happened? Nothing! I am not a good planner.

I have gone in the sewing room a couple of times but it needs cleaning so bad I usually turn and come right back out. I have not felt much like bending and moving stacks and putting away and the such. My F/A is giving me fits for the past week or so. Too much stiffness and pain.

Luckily I have less stiffness and pain in my hands (just my thumbs) so I have been learning to bead a new stitch. I am doing an odd count tubular peyote stitch.

This was going to be a large bangle bracelet. I have never done anything like this and have been using beads I have had for a long time. Once I got this far I discovered I could never finish it. See the large clear beads at the top of the ridge? I will run out of those beads in about two more rounds. I have no idea where I bought them or even what size they are. So I decided I will make it as far as it goes and then put it on my shelf. I love the way it looks. I like it so much I know I will make another one, but make sure I have enough beads to complete a full bracelet. I know at least two young ladies who would love to wear a wild bracelet like that.

Last night, I was really feeling bad, Ray was watching TV and I didn't want to go to bed. I put all of my beading stuff on a cookie sheet and sat in the living room with Ray and the pups.

It worked perfectly! See that wooden thing at the top left of the picture? That is a really pretty wooden thread and needle keeper Ray bought me in Wyoming. I have to be careful with it, as it has a very powerful magnet in it and it has already done a number on my iPod. I was able to reset it and it is fine, but lesson learned!
I think I will go get in the pool and try to work some of the stiffness out. I am tired of feeling bad so I must get pro-active!

Later,
Diane

I can't believe it!

2011-07-19T22:30:00.000-04:00

Do you remember when I was working on the group project where I made a small portion? Well Tommy entered it into the International Quilt Festival. She got the acceptance letter! Yes it is going to be in Houston! How cool is that? Now I KNOW I'm going to Houston!
In case you don't know, my portion is bottom row, third from the right. Not much color...beige and red.

I found out tonight my dad is being sent to a therapy center. I really don't know all the details but he has been in the hospital for 4 days for a severe UTI. Now I find out he is being sent to a place that he will NOT do well in. He can NOT stand to be separated from my mom. Right now they are keeping him pretty well drugged so they can keep him in the bed at the hospital. How much will they drug him to keep him this new place? It just doesn't feel good.

Later,
Diane

Nothing new

2011-07-19T15:01:00.000-04:00

Still not much going on. Dealing with a two day headache, two separate days of joint pain and tons of laundry has caused me to not get much accomplished.

I volunteered to help the LQS with making samples. It has taken me three days to make two pillowcases. Now that is slow! I am really glad I didn't get the other samples I considered as they were much more involved. The fabrics are really cute. I can see me buying some for sleep pants for my sons.

I thought I would share one of the beautiful sunsets from our recent trip to Colorado. I'm not very good with a camera, but God sure is good with the sunsets.

Diane

I just don't understand

2011-07-12T12:12:00.000-04:00

I learned to piece a quilt not too long after my youngest son was born. I learned all by myself, in the living room with a Georgia Bonesteel book in my lap. I picked the fabrics by looking at her pictures. The fabrics were ugly, although at the time I didn't think so, and they were not very good quality (read cheese cloth).
I'm am a visual learner. I don't do written instructions well, but I really wanted to know how to make a quilt so I stuck with it. I would call Granny on the phone and ask her questions. I asked Ray to read the instructions and see if I was doing it right. I made twelve 12" blocks, hand pieced. Then because not all of the blocks came out exactly 12" I had to put a small sash around each one to make them all the same size.
After about a month of seeing me struggle and fret, then smile and giggle over my accomplishments my husband asked if there was anyone besides his Granny who lived 8 hours away who could teach me. Now mind you, I had a very premature baby on my hands who needed 24 hour a day meds and oxygen and 3 doctor's appointments a week an hour from our house and two older children ages 5 and 8. Saying all of that to say, money was TIGHT.
I told him that one day while driving home from a doctor's appointment I noticed a sign advertising quilt classes. So after discussing it and assuring me we could afford it I signed up. I remember thinking $60 was OUTRAGEOUS! It was either 8 or 10 weeks of classes two hours a week. We learned block reading, template making, hand piecing, applique, basting, quilting and binding. The whole shebang. Beside all of that we learned about tools, fabric, color choices and anything else you could think of. I also learned "quilt shop etiquette", as in how to not put my foot in my mouth about buying fabric at another place and talking about it in the shop. Needless to say the quilt shop owner was very patient and kind.
Once we finished the class we knew everything we needed to know to make a quilt. We were not experts in anything, but we would get better.

Time travel twenty years later and I am sitting here confused. As a lot of quilters, I am on a few "lists" that talk about quilting. Some of these lists are about particular types of quilting and some are about hand work, some are about particular books or patterns. This week one of the lists I am on is all in a dither about the book not having instructions about block construction. Really? Didn't they open the book and look through it before they purchased it? Why are you fussing and whining because you purchased a book that you don't know how to use? If you want to make this quilt, figure it out. Don't wait to be spoon fed.
I guess what I am saying is what I told my children when they would ask me how to do something they were too lazy to troubleshoot. Engage your own brain, instead of mine. Look at it, think about it, try something, if it doesn't work try something else.

I guess I should step down from my soap box. I have more to say, but it comes out mean so I keep deleting it.
If you don't hate me by now maybe I will see you next time.

Later,
Diane

Coming out of the funk

2011-07-11T13:06:00.000-04:00

I hope the "funk" is about over. Ray and I attribute it to too much travel and not enough rest. I have been unfocused and tired and until last night haven't even ventured down the hall to my sewing room. After a couple of days of aches and pains and headaches I am finally feeling human again.

The most fun I have had is playing with my sweet puppies, who both turn one year old this month. Boo turned one on the 5th and Little Girl will on the 23rd.

Can this be comfortable? Her bum on his shoulder and her shoulder holding all her weight, which is a LOT!

While travelling I bought a beading magazine. Do not ask me why, because I don't know. Something sparkly caught my eye I guess. So when I got home I pulled out my beads from when the kids were young and doing arts and crafts. I had forgotten how much I liked playing with beads. I have made a few bracelets and a ring which looks goofy and is too big, but it was fun. I also discovered that going to a bead store is just as dangerous as going to the quilt shop. The purchase is the same $ amount but you come out with a tiny bag you can slip into your purse.

This one needs help

Lots of fun to make

first in a long time, FUN

needs help!

Ray is off on another trip this week so I went into the sewing room and sat and stared for a long time. I finally said to myself. "Self you have to just do it" so I did. I grabbed some strips and made a couple of log cabin blocks. Nothing fancy, nothing hard, just dipping my toes; getting reacquainted. Feeling my way around. It felt good. The blocks came out square and the correct size which is always a good thing.

Maybe I will make a few more today, since these turned out so nice. But first my youngest want to go grab a pizza, YUM!

Later,
Diane

what to do?

2011-07-05T16:14:00.000-04:00

I am at a complete stand still. I don't know what to do. This always happens after a lot of travel. I go in my sewing room and look at everything. I look through projects I had been working on before leaving, trying to remember where I was, but put them aside.
I look though my stack of UFO bins trying to get interested, but close them back up. I dig out magazines trying to spark an interest...nothing. I look through my hundreds of patterns, put them back. I start to clean up thinking that usually gets me interested in something I touch, not this time.
I hate this feeling. I feel overwhelmed, underwhelmed and disconnected.
Overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I have.
Underwhelmed by the projects that had me on fire just a few short weeks ago.
Disconnected because I have not ventured out to make quilting friends even after living here for almost three years. What is my problem? Really I know what my problem is there. I have always been afraid of putting myself out there. If I have a friend to go with I am pretty much OK, but when I am alone I am the biggest scaredy cat!

So here I sit...what to do?

Diane

Home, laundry and rules

2011-07-01T00:50:00.000-04:00

We got home late last night. I was so glad to finally sleep in my own bed! I like travelling, but I love coming home.
Today is busy with laundry, vaccuming, unpacking, playing with the pups and trying to stay out of the sewing room. I have to make strict rules about the sewing room when I get home from a trip or I will drop the suitcases in the doorway and head straight in there. There will be no clean clothes, no food and very upset dogs.
I must go to the grocery store today. The only food left is milk and a half box of cereal.

While travelling this year, my attention was directed to beads. Do not ask me why, I don't know. I guess the sparkle or something like that. I bought a couple of beading magazines and saw all of the fun stuff that was being made. I used to bead on a loom years ago so I have beads and several tools. I still like bead weaving on and off loom better than just beading one bead after another. Maybe I will just pull out my loom and see what I can come up with.
I visited a couple of bead shops but bought very little. Fortunaltly there has been no head over heels falling for sparkly things like for fabric. Ray is relieved. He did ask me if I was starting a new addiction or if I was mildly interested. He was worried what room the beads would take up in the already stuffed quilt house. I assured him it was a mild interest, but he did need to take me to the sporting goods store. I'm not sure what he was thinking when I bought the new Berkley Fireline. He started looking at new rods and reels. He told me he needed heavier line than the 6# test I bought. I just shook my head. Poor man, when will he learn?

Ok, I am off to the grocery store.
More later,
Diane

Colorado

2011-06-21T16:42:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning we took off to Colorado for a few days of meetings for my husband and a few days of relaxing for me. We landed and headed straight for Estes Park, one of my favorite places. We went into Rocky Mountain National Park and took the drive looking at all of the beauty. We had been warned that the weather up at the Alpine Visitor's Center was cold and there was problems with a bike rally, but that was the extent of the warning. We talked about it and decided to continue up to the visitor's center since the warning sounded more like casual conversation and not warning like at all. We got not too far from the visitor's center and the weather changed in the blink of an eye! Almost total white out from the clouds, ice/rain and high winds. We turned in to the visitor's center to see hundreds of bikes all over the place. Not many riders were to be seen, but bikes were everywhere!

We decided we didn't need to stay up there so ran over to the restrooms so we could make it down the mountain with one less thing on our minds. Ray went first so he could tell me if the wind was too much. He came back and reported everything was fine go ahead. HE LIED!
Apparently he didn't listen in anatomy class about the differences in boys and girls. Boys stand and girls sit. Cold air coming up the barely civilized potties don't affect boys. Girls have to actually sit on the barely civilized potties and ice cold, gale force winds shooting UP the potty is a problem. It took full forced heat, heated seats in the truck and several minutes for me to feel my bottom again.

We headed down the mountain and the ice/rain had turned to huge snow drops and low visibility. We kept passing U haul moving vans going up the mountain to retrieve the bikes. We followed an ambulance that was transporting a couple of bikers suffering from hypothermia. I have several question going through my mind but I'm afraid someone will think I am being rude or mean. Questions like...have you ever been on top of this mountain before? If you are a local biker, don't you know the weather changes in an instant on this mountain? Why would you ride your bike up here, and only wear the skimpy clothes you have on?
I completely understand they couldn't ride back down no matter what clothes they wore. The weather was just too bad, but the ones we saw huddled in the center were in skimpy biker clothes like the kind they wear in Florida. I'm confused.

Anyway, I'm in the room now recovering from the precious 8 year old Henry that was in the pool when I went down there earlier. He took a shine to me and nearly made me want to scream. He was celebrating his birthday today. I am not sure if he is ever disciplined or if since today was his day off due to the celebration. He managed to tell me I wasn't in the pool because I was too old. Called me "mam" at least 187 times in the 30 minutes I sat there waiting for my room to be tidied up. Finally his mother called him over and told him he was being rude. I thought she was telling him to play with his sisters and leave me alone, but no she told him to ask my name. She said it was rude to call me "mam". So now precious Henry asks me my name and I tell him, and he says Hey "mam" count how long I can stay under water. I asked if he needed help staying under longer but he said no. I decided to go to my room no matter if it was tidied up or not since I wasn't prepared to go to jail in Colorado.

Tomorrow I pick up my rental car so I can go visit fun places.

Later,
Diane

No sewing

2011-06-18T12:53:00.000-04:00

Lots of yard work being done around here. Today is sprinkler system repair day. We have put it off until the absolute hottest day, which sounds just about right for us! Dear, sweet, love of my life doesn't know his own strength so first thing right off the bat he broke a whole head, stem, thing-a-ma-bob. Water gushing everywhere but on the dry, parched grass.
So while he runs to Lowe's I'm home trying not to touch my beige furniture because of the sun screen all over me. I can't even go into my sewing room since I am afraid of getting the goop on my fabric or machine or chair. I guess the safest place for me would be scrubbing the bathtub but who wants to do that? Not this red hen!
I hope I get to sew some tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath.

Later,
Diane

The insanity is catching!

2011-06-16T17:30:00.001-04:00

I received a couple of emails asking particulars so I thought I would show what I was doing.

The so called Giant Thimble was made from a template I drew. It is 2" at the base, 2" high and 1" at the top. I don't know if this is the correct dimensions, top to bottom measurement, but it's what I drew.

This is the ruler I used to make my tiny thimbles.

I cut on the 1 1/2" line.

small lunch box

Many times.
I decided I would make these my leader ender patches.
There is just one question that keeps nagging me. If I keep using smaller and smaller scraps...

How will I ever use all of this?


Old picture, it's actually worse now!

It's official

2011-06-15T13:12:00.000-04:00

I'm nuts!
No really, I'm positive I'm nuts!

Example:

Some friend's are moving to Texas next week and I wanted to make them a house warming gift. She likes antiques and stuff so I thought I would make her a small quilt to put on her grandmothers treadle machine. I started out making thimble patches or at least I thought they were thimbles and was quite happy. Then for some strange reason my mind said, "that is too big for a thimble, that would be a thimble for a giant".

I should have told myself to shut up and run screaming from the room, but NOOOOO!

I kept that thought.

Do you see how small these are?

If I did the math correctly the patches on the right, all sewn up will be about 9" X 12" (144 patches!). Do you see the stacks on the left?
Call the men in the white jackets!
I'll be in the sewing room mumbling to myself.

Diane

Thirty years

2011-06-13T11:21:00.000-04:00

June 13, 1981 The first day of the rest of my life

Sounds like such a long time and yet it went by so fast. I have spent the last thirty years being married. As a matter of fact at 6:22pm tonight it will be thirty years since I said my vows.

To be perfectly honest if I had been older, (I was barely eighteen) or more intelligent, (how smart is your 18 year old?) I might have waited or not married at all. BUT...God had a plan. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I wasn't wise enough to know the plan, I wasn't old enough to understand, but I had faith.

God sent me Ray. I remember telling Penny, my across the street, best friend of my childhood that I was going to marry Ray not many hours after meeting him. She laughed at me and I told her I was serious.
Her response was "He's too good for you, he won't look twice at you."
So much for loyalty!
But she was right. I was basically self raised after the age of twelve. That is another story for another day. Suffice it to say I didn't raise myself very well. I had baggage!

I met Ray's mother just a few months later. She was my room mother at church camp (Not by plan). I had never been to church camp. I was 17 years old and had only been going to church for a few months. I instantly loved her! She was kind and encouraging and loved Jesus more than anything in the world. She listened to me and cried with me and loved on me.

Ray had a few rough edges (that is like the pot calling the kettle black!) but he was such a gentleman to me. I had never known a guy to be interested in what I thought. He asked me questions and was really interested in what I had to say. I told him everything. He told me about his life and his work and his dreams. Most nights our dates consisted of sitting in my living room or on the porch, or in his truck in the driveway just talking.

Our first date was going to the pizza joint after church. One of the other guys from church needed a ride so Ray said he would take him. Tim climbed in the truck and sat in the middle...LOL! Ray and I still laugh about that when we think of it. If it had been anyone else besides Tim, Ray would have made him get out and switch places with me, but Tim was loved by everyone so he stayed in the middle since it was just about a two mile drive. On the way home, Ray took Tim to the side and told him he would take him home, but he needed to sit on the passenger side.

Our second date he said jokingly "let's get married" I said, "OK!" Little did either of us know we were both serious. From that evening on we have never gone a day without talking. We have been separated by jobs and illness and such, but we always talked.

There is so much more to my 30+ years with Ray. When he calls on the phone I am still excited to hear his voice. When he comes home in the evening I am still happy to see him.

The way we are now

Speaking of...Ray is coming home early, I need to go get dressed!

Later,
Diane

Charleston, South Carolina

2011-06-11T16:23:00.000-04:00

Charleston was a beautiful town with so much to see. We definitely plan on going back there during a cooler time of the year. We walked miles and saw great things and met sweet people. Ray and I think we would like to retire to a town similar to this where you don't drive your car unless you are going far. Where everything you need is within walking distance. We had a great time.

Peyote bracelet

While travelling I saw a magazine that reignited an interest in beading. I love the feel of beads. I played around with some that I have had stored for years and made a bracelet. All I need to do is put a clasp on it, but I didn't remember to pack one. Typical.

While exploring in South Carolina we found this

and the HOT light was on! Of course we stopped.
On one of my daily walks while Ray was in meetings I found the nicest little quilt shop. People Places and Quilts was such a friendly place to visit. This quilt on display was the answer to so many "little" quilts made by one of the workers. She made many of the Lori Smith quilts and didn't really want so many little quilts. She put them all together into a usable size. I thought that was terrific!

I already own a series of Lori Smith patterns but never made them. I like looking at other people little quilts but never wanted to make my own. Never saw the practicality. Now not only do I want to make a couple small quilts for decorations, I want to make some to put together like this one.

I am a fan of Jan Patek designs and saw this and recognized her "look".

I spoke with the owner of People Places and Quilts and co designer of this pattern Diane Frankenberger. She told me a little history of this pattern, I hope I remember it correctly. Eliza Lucas Pickney was responsible for Indigo plants in South Carolina. Her father sent her some from the West Indies. She struggled for many years but was successful in a crop and then gave away seeds.
This pattern named Eliza was a tribute to her.

I have so much more to share, but I have catching up to do with the laundry and the puppies and yard work so I will post more tomorrow.

Later,

Diane

Charleston Museum, Charleston SC

2011-06-07T13:04:00.000-04:00

Album quilt

Ray and I had the opportunity to see the Civil War Textiles exhibit at the Charleston Museum. I loved it! It didn't have a lot of quilts, but there were several. There were woven coverlets, a whole cloth quilt, a chintz applique quilt and an English paper piecing top and a beautiful Star of Bethlehem quilt.

English Paper Pieced top

Star of Bethlehem

Chintz applique

There was lots of women's clothing and under clothing and children's clothes along with several Civil war uniforms.
We spent a couple of hours and had a great time. if you happen to be near Charleston before the end of September try to see the exhibit.

Back home

2011-06-01T21:34:00.000-04:00

First Landing Cross at Fort Story
click for info

We got home last night from a wonderful week long visit with dear friends. In about three weeks their lives will change drastically and we wanted to have a chance to see them before that happens. Mid June, on their 25th anniversary and their daughters 18th birthday, the father will be deployed to Afghanistan.
We had a wonderful visit. We had the chance to do lots of sightseeing. We cooked out, played games and watched the youngest son's baseball game. The visit was too short.

Today while the washing machine and dryer were chugging along, I ran out to the quilt shop to buy some Poke A Dots by Jillily Studio Quilting.

I have tried for years to wear a thimble but I am just not able. I have tried everything to keep from putting a hole in my finger from the eye of the needle when I applique. Well, to tell the truth, I need help every time I use a needle. I have the ability to run a hole in my finger in just a few short minutes. I'm sure it's a talent.

I hope these work, I'll let you know.

While I was away a dear blogger, Jo from Jo's Country Junction did me a great favor. She cut me a large stack of small thimble (tumbler) patches with her Go! cutter. I planned on them being my leader ender project but I'm not sure I can hold back.

The dryer buzzed!

Later,

Diane

What day is today?

2011-05-21T23:39:00.000-04:00

All day long I thought today was Friday! Goodness, I'm all messed up. Last Sunday I thought it was Monday. I hate it when I get messed up on days and dates, but it seems to happy a lot. I could be that I never read a newspaper or watch TV anymore.

I didn't know until today the world was supposed to end! I heard the radio DJ ( are they still called that?) say something about needing to pay a bill but was gonna wait to see if the world ended or not. HUH? I had to ask Joseph what he was talking about. Apparently it didn't happen so I guess he needs to pay the bill.

I went to take some items to the Post Office, but since it is Saturday they were closed by the time I got there. I don't know about everywhere, but our PO closes REAL early on Saturday. That was when I discovered it was Saturday and not Friday. GRRR!

In the sewing room all I have been doing is cutting scraps to a usable size.

From the scrap box under the cutting table to ...

nice strips ready for the strip boxes.

I have also been playing in the Civil War fabrics deciding if I want a brown Birds in the Air top or a Red...

Birds in the Air

What do you think? I'm always a brown fan, but for some reason the red is calling my name. I don't have enough 1/2 yard pieces so I will be making mine a bit more scrappy than the pattern is. I don't have a problem with that. The more the merrier is my motto.

I wonder though, if I should sew some of the UFOs I have already waiting for me or start cutting this? Linda G would tell me to get busy with those I have cut! Maybe I will just pick the fabric and set them aside for a while until I get some more work done. I can hear Linda in my head...yes mam.

Diane

A good quilter...

2011-05-17T22:55:00.000-04:00

"Being a quilter is 3% talent, and 97% not being distracted by the Internet!"

How true is this?
I saw this today and knew it had to be shared.

Diane
Who has been distracted most of the day.

Reflection

2011-05-17T10:45:00.000-04:00

reflection or reflexion (rɪˈflɛkʃən)


1.	the act of reflecting or the state of being reflected
2.	something reflected or the image so produced, as by a mirror
3.	careful or long consideration or thought

I had a horrible phone call first thing this morning. I knew it was bad news as soon as the phone rang. Do you ever just know when a call comes in that it will be bad news? A former co-worker of my husband's lost his teen aged son last night. We have no news as to how, just that it happened. I ache in my heart for the man. His wife died several years ago, and now his son. I can not even imagine the pain.
I feel guilty too. This is the same man who never took call outs from work, and there were a lot in those years. My husband always had to take them because this man was always spending time with his family. He was always at a motocross meet, or fishing, or baseball game with his son. There were times I was pretty vocal about my husband not having family time because he had to cover for "Family Man". My children also voiced their opinions at times. For some reason my husband always seemed to handle it with and an even temper. Now I feel guilty. After the fact I see that he only had a limited amount of time with his wife and son. I am thankful this morning that he has all the memories to hold on to. I still feel like my husband missed out on a lot, but it was for a reason. We still have our children and each other.

Another thing that I am reflecting on today is something my daddy said to me last night. Daddy has started calling me and being very vocal about his wants and needs. He said to me that he needs people to call him and talk to him and to come by and sit and talk to him. I say "to" him because since the stroke he stutters and can't always say what he wants.
I have dealt with a lot of bitterness in my heart from the way my family was and is. I did over and above for most of my adult life trying for a relationship. Never got one. Now that he is older and bad health he wants a relationship? He demands a relationship? I live in Florida so any relationship will be long distance so I don't have a problem calling and chatting. He never wants to talk more than 10 minutes anyway so even if we only chat about the weather I can do 10 minutes several times a week. My issue is, NOW he wants the relationship. We couldn't have one when my children were small and needed a Grandpa and not when I was a new wife and could have used some advice on being married. Now when I am grown and finally got used to him not wanting/needing me, now he wants/needs me.

I can see I will need some therapy on this one! My friend will be hearing from me this week.
Parts of this post may be edited and removed later but typing this has helped.
Off to the sewing room for scrap therapy!

Diane

I am so happy!

2011-05-16T01:45:00.000-04:00

The pattern was correct! It is a super easy dress to make! I can't believe I spent less than 7 hours making this dress. I think I started working on this around 6:30 and didn't work on it constantly since I did about 5 loads of laundry, played with the dogs, took them for a walk, made my dinner, etc. So maybe I worked on this about 5 1/2 hours?
I am impressed!
All I have to do to finish it is put a button on the back of the neck to close it. I may even get it in the mail in the morning! Won't Hannah be surprised? I know her moma will be!

Now to clean up my mess and try for sleep.
Later,
Diane

I am just this way

2011-05-14T12:59:00.000-04:00

Any time there is a change in my routine it takes me several days to get "normal" again. You understand "normal" is a relative term too.
It takes at least one full day and a lot of times two just for me to get out of the fog. I tend to do a lot of nothing. My mind wanders a lot and I can't concentrate on much.
Then it is like I wake up. I feel more awake now.

Today I am getting my husband packed and ready for a 10 days of travel. It has been a long time since we have spent that much time apart. I'm not sure how I will handle him being away. I just hope I sleep!

Playing around with my SIL's original design.

I will be back later (maybe today) with some EQ ideas I have been playing with, but right now while I have a husband I have to run to the mall and Lowe's.

Later,
Diane

I'm here, I'm here!

2011-05-09T12:23:00.000-04:00

I'm home. I haven't lost my way. I have been away for a few days with the husband. It was a lot of fun to see new places and meet new people. The only real bad part was I couldn't get my computer to connect to the Internet. I have always had trouble with this computer letting me send emails while I was away but this time it wouldn't connect to the Internet no matter where we were or whether I was connected by Ethernet or wifi. Very frustrating!

So, where was I? I went to Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. All of the places were within 2-3 hours of Minneapolis so it wasn't much driving once we landed. It is just turning Spring there so there was still a lot of brown, but green was trying so hard to pop out. I say in the next week it will really be leafing out around there.

Of course I HAD to find a quilt shop or two, or three. The first shop was in Wisconsin and we found it by accident. Are there any accidents? Anyway I had left my Quilter's Travel book at home since we were trying to travel in the small suitcase (never again!) and it didn't fit. So we are driving along and we see on a sign QUILTS-> so we exit and low and behold it is a wonderful shop! I will have to find my receipt to tell you the name because I forgot already. There were more samples in that shop that in the other two shops combined. WOW! It was great. Of course I didn't have my camera at this shop either and really could kick myself.
While there Ray found a small framed quilt he liked and bought the kit for me to make it for his office. As soon as I unpack everything I will take a picture. He has one on his phone, but alas I don't have it.

The next day we went to two shops.

The first shop was in Shakopee, Minnesota in an old railroad station. The name was Eagle Creek Quilt shop. Beautiful shop! This time I had my camera and my memory cap so I remembered the name.

I bought a kit of 3" thimbles. I love thimble quilts and since they were already cut I thought it was a good idea. I just wish I knew someone who had an Accuquilt Go! so I could get some more cut. I really would like this to be just a tad bigger but couldn't see paying for another kit. I have too much fabric as it is!

Then we went to Glad Creations. I didn't put the name with the design company, but was pleasantly surprised when I walked in and found all of the beautiful patterns I have loved for so long. I own a couple of these patterns and I made a couple too. I bought the two newest patterns, Birds in the Air and Wishing Star.

Birds in the Air

Wishing Star

Once again not a lot of buying here. I bought a couple of Kaffe FQs, a Suzi pattern by Lazy Girl and also the Maggie. I also bought a pattern by Vanilla House Designs to make my niece a dress. I am NOT a maker of clothes. I have made clothes in the past, but not for at least 20 years, so it had better be as easy to make as the pattern says.

Also one of my favorite applique designers Patricia Cox teaches there. I just love her patterns. You can click on her name and go to her website and see all of her many many applique quilts and patterns.

Today is going to be spent trying to get back into the routine. It will be hard since all I want to do is sleep.

Later,

Diane

How many quilts do you need?

2011-05-02T23:03:00.000-04:00

That was asked of me the other day. I was asked why I make so many quilts(tops). My answer was simple. I make quilts (tops) because love them.
I have been pondering the question since then. I think I have an answer besides loving them.

I have tried other creative outlets over the years. I learned to embroidery years ago from my Grandma. I was never very good at it, but I made a small dresser scarf. After I married I learned to cross stitch and got pretty good. I made a beautiful Indian Chief for my FIL. I took a few painting classes and made a few items for family members. I went back to cross stitching after my last child was born since painting and a small baby didn't go together well. After my youngest was about 3 years old I took a quilt class. I was introduced to quilts when I met my husband's grandmother, Dora. She made the most beautiful quilts. She was very meticulous in picking colors. I think she loved applique the most since most of her quilts were appliqued. The fancy lady with the parasol, butterflies, kittens in hats just to name a few.

When Dora told me about quilts, there was a sparkle in her eye. She tried her best to teach me, but I wasn't ready yet. I loved them, but wasn't ready to make them. The seed of quilting was planted. I thought about it and dreamed for many years.

Back to the question and the pondering and the answer. I make quilts (tops) because I like to. I like to play with the fabrics, pick a pattern, iron and cut. I love all the parts of making the quilt top. I wish I loved the quilting part, but I don't. Today I don't love the quilting part, but maybe I will learn to at least like it. Right now I will continue to make tops until I run out of fabric, and that will take a very long time.

How about you? How many quilts do you need?

Still quilting...

2011-05-01T22:15:00.000-04:00

Not having fun!
1. Sore neck
2. Sore shoulders
3. PUCKERS
4. more puckers

Really don't like this!

Diane

Yep!

2011-04-28T16:29:00.000-04:00

Well, not so much, gone quilting, but quilting.

BBL,
with pictures,
Diane

Design wall Monday

2011-04-25T13:08:00.002-04:00

is all about the design wall...and the mess it caused.

Right before I posted this picture I had decided the next project was to be put new design walls up. I was sick of the ever falling flannel backed plastic table cloth. It held stuff on it's terms.

But you know how it is, when you move one item you almost invariably have to move the whole room.

This is how the room looks now. I had just cleaned it! Ah Man!

I moved the book shelves from the corner into the hallway. The only people who will ever have to deal with this will be me and my daughter so it will be fine. It only took about 11" from the 38" hall.

I managed to get 4 pretty big stacks of books and magazines I feel comfortable getting shed of.

This is a huge pile of papers I can send to the recyclers.

I even had to resort the tall book shelf behind my sewing area. BTW don't ever mistake this as a true bookshelf . Most of the stuff on the shelves are light weight papers and binders. The books made the shelves warp in about 15 minutes.

So now that I have finished feeding all of the mouths in the family lunch I can resume my sewing room redo.
If everything goes as planned I will show you how I installed my design walls with no nails or screws.

Later,
Diane

Happy days!

2011-04-23T17:48:00.000-04:00

Or is that daze?I am so happy that I finally finished the last bit of my Crab Apple (Bonnie Hunter) top.

This top was made entirely from my stash, and the bag of 1.5" squares that Linda G. gave me a very long time ago. It makes me very happy that I was able to use some fabrics that were in my stash that I kept thinking would never work with anything. Last night I pulled about 27 fabrics to try and find the perfect border. I kept passing over the one I eventually used thinking ti might not look right. After all of the fabrics were auditioned the only one left in the pile still folded was this one and it was the perfect one. I

I've already decided how I want to quilt it, yep you heard right. I am going to quilt this one. Shock shock! I may eventually become a quilter after all! :)

Now to go check dinner...

Diane

Now what was I doing?

2011-04-21T20:45:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah, I was working on hexagons.

I can't decide what to do. My original idea was to do like my friend Linda G. and just what ever hexi I picked out of the bag would be the one I sewed next, with no rhyme or reason. But I also thought it would be fun to have a few flowers thrown in here and there. Or do I want to make the whole thing flowers? I don't know, but I am enjoying making them so I don't have to decide right now.

Here is a picture of our Little Girl. She was being still for once so I got a picture. Boo was at the food bowl playing soccer with his food. I couldn't get him to be still and I couldn't figure out how to take a video with this camera. I am a slow learner.

Last night was a long night of no sleep. I am not sure why, but I couldn't close my eyes. I needed to be quiet so as to not keep anyone else awake, so I cleaned my sewing room. Boy it needed it too after several weeks of spastic cutting and sewing with no picking up, just stacking and shoving to make room for the next idea.

Ray told me last night he has to make a fast unexpected trip back to Iowa for some work stuff. I have never been so he invited me to go along. Sounds fun! I will get to see the Mall of America since that is where we will fly in and out. I don't think I will have to worry about what to do while he is working.

Ok, more later...
Diane

PTL!!!

2011-04-20T20:08:00.001-04:00

DONE!
Before deadline!
I am so relieved!
I have no idea what the whole thing will look like as I just have 1/24th of the picture. I know it has something to do with daikons on a table as that just about all my part had in it. It did have possibly green beans in the top right corner, but I'm not real sure since I only have a tiny bit of green. It could really be anything.
I always talk myself into doing these things then fuss and gripe the whole time making myself and everyone around me miserable. Usually I learn something though. this time I learned a couple of things.

1. I learned how to do a really good job machine appliqueing. I should have learned to do it well after about 6 attempts. I really hate to throw fabric out, and I have a huge pile of fabrics that I used in the attempts that couldn't be used again. I'm not sure I can get more than maybe 1.5" squares out of a couple of the pieces. Good thing I bought 1/4 yard pieces to begin with.

2. I learned I do not like glue sticks. YUCK! Too gooey! I do like using the Roxanne's glue. I bought the bottle years ago for a class. Looking online at the price of the stuff I am not sure I will buy it again, but I hear that Elmer's school glue works the same way. I will have to do some tests.

3. I learned if I ask for opinions from family they usually will tell me what they think I want to hear instead of telling the truth. That is until I ask specific questions, then they will usually tell me exactly what they think.

4. Bottom Line thread by Superior Threads is great stuff. I need to get more. I used to sell it, and thought I had set some aside for myself but found out I didn't. I had about 3/4 of a bobbin of one color and it made it almost to the end of the project. I had to substitute another close color but you can hardly tell the difference.

5. I like how the quilting made it look. Usually I'm a topper and the quilting is not important. This had to be quilted and I saw the whole thing come alive as I quilted. now honestly I did simplistic quilting since I am a novice, but I think it looks pretty good.

Now I can work on fun stuff!! YIPPEE!

Later,
Diane

Trying...

2011-04-19T19:02:00.000-04:00

I am trying to work on a limping computer.

I am trying to finish my challenge. I have tried so many different ways and they all have had major problems. So far this technique is working the best.

I am trying to improve a technique that is just a tat messy.

I like the results of this technique, I just hate the messy gooey glue fingers you get.

I made this today, trying to reacquaint myself with the book. It turned out pretty good.

The pictures are not the best, but I still had sticky hands and was doing three things at once so I took just snapped it.

Again bad picture, but you get the idea that it is stitched. I used all of the glue stick I had, so I have to go and buy more before tomorrow. My goal is to have this finished and in the mail by Friday. That means I HAVE to concentrate tomorrow and do nothing but this. I got the reminder email today saying it is due soon.
No pressure!

Diane

Offline

2011-04-18T10:28:00.000-04:00

My computer crashed. My dear live in computer expert is working on it, but...it will probably be a few days.I don't like it but I may get my challenge finished if I don't get distracted by the Internet.

Be back soon,
Diane

Another one is gone

2011-04-12T00:46:00.000-04:00

I went quilt shop hopping yesterday. I didn't set out to do that, but when one shop doesn't have what you need you hit the next one and next one and so on until you find what you want. I went to three shops all within about 25 minutes of the house. The last shop I went into, which was also the closest, is closing their doors. She was the local Bernina dealer too!
She said with the bad economy, price of gas, price of cotton and her rent going up she could no longer stay open. This makes me sad. This is the only Bernina dealer for about 30 miles. That is not a far drive, since I used to have to drive over an hour to get to a dealer. I am just whining because I was getting used to a three minute drive.
The sad part is, if it was just one or two of the issues she said she might have been able to stay open. She was trying to resist raising prices on the fabric, but when she had a $4,000 a year rent increase on top of the cotton prices and then gas prices keep inching up and yada yada yada...you all know the story.
I am not one who thinks it is my responsibility to keep all the quilt shops in business, but I do believe I should shop local first. It just makes sense to let my $ help keep my neighbors in beans and rice.
I'm rambling now...
I'm sad to see another one close...

Design wall...and tables...

2011-04-11T10:51:00.000-04:00

This is my design wall. Nothing different from last time. That is only because I have been working at my tables.

Picking threads for the All around the Town pattern.

Picking threads for a challenge that is due in about two weeks. I realized for the first time I really don't care for challenges. Too much stress. I really don't care to stretch myself. Too much pain in stretching.

Stacks of fabrics for my All around the Town. I am enjoying this one so far, maybe because I can do some machine work and some hand work.
I had a dream the other night my Bernina 1230 that I love so much died. I woke up sad. It was so real I was depressed all day. So I had to go sew some to try and convince myself it wasn't real. Now all I can do is think about IF it dies what will happen. I am hopeless!

Later,
Diane

Better

2011-04-10T17:24:00.000-04:00

Looking at the front you can no longer see my stitches. I like this a lot better!

Pretty impressed!

Looking on the back my stitches are pretty much invisible too.

I started using the ladder stitch that I learned from reading Ami Simms hand applique book. It took a little bit to get used to it, but after a couple of lines I was pretty good. After two flowers I can do it a bit faster. I think this may turn into a fun project.
Now just to make this clear, not to anyone else but to me; this is not a project I am in a hurry to finish. This is busy handwork for on planes and in hotels and when we are taking long trips on the road. No hurry! Repeating to myself...NO HURRY. I have enough projects that I started because I wanted handwork for trips but liked them so much I rushed to finish them. Then I was back to no handwork. Not this time! I WILL only work on this during the trips. Well maybe I need to practise on another flower or two.

Later,
Diane

Knock me over with a feather!

2011-04-08T02:06:00.000-04:00

I mentioned I went to the doctor to figure out about a rash that I was sure was from my RA meds. My doctor doesn't think it is from the medicine, but possibly something I got in my yard work. She gave me a cream to try. All of that was the boring part of the visit. the exciting part of the visit was...drum roll here....I LOST 15 POUNDS!!!!! Not even trying! I NEED to lose weight, but for such a long time I felt so bad the last thing I ever thought about was moving any more than I had to.
I knew I had been feeling better, and I knew I was working more. Just looking at my yard showed the work. I have complained lately about my pants feeling like they were falling off, but dummy me never imagined I had lost weight. Losing weight is not what I do, I gain it! LOL

I immediately called my husband then my BFF. When you have good news you have to share!

I don't see a lot of sewing since Ray is home for the next three days. I need to see about getting him a part time job! LOL Not really.

Later,
Diane

Out of pocket

2011-04-07T13:58:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a blur (insomnia) and today I am at the doctor's all day. I have developed a rash that is making me crazy. I just know it is from the new rheumatoid arthritis medicine I am on and I am going to cry if they take me off of it since it works so well. But I will scream if they don't take me off of it since I can't take much more of this rash.

Report later on happenings in the sewing room...

Diane

Productive day

2011-04-05T01:38:00.000-04:00

I got three blocks for the All Around the Town pattern prepped and ready to stitch down.

I want to find a way to carry them on the plane and in the car that will keep them flat and all together. I think I have an idea of what I want, but I need to let it percolate for a little bit to make sure it will work and not be too big to carry.

After doing as much prep as I did the the applique will be pretty simple. The white with green stripes on it is a house (incase you couldn't tell) and I did all of that with strip piecing. Now all I will have to applique will be the big unit of the house. That cut a lot of hand stitching out and I think it cateres to my, I like things that are meant to be straight to actually be straight tendancies.

later,

Diane

New way to play an old game...

2011-04-04T15:42:00.000-04:00

Did I tell you I was basting my hexies on the sewing machine? Well I have been since I didn't like the way they looked when I did it by hand. It is really fast too.

Then I read on a blog a couple of days ago to hold them in your hand like this instead of the usualy way I had been told to hold them. I thought, Hey if I can break the rules by basting on the machine I will bend the rule by holding them different. I had to see if it kept my ugly stitches from showing on top.

These are my underside ugly stitches. I hope they get better with time.

Here is the top side...LOOK! No ugly stitches! Now I need to find which blogger I read and give her credit.

YEAH!!!

Later,

Diane

Design wall...

2011-04-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

How about what I'm up to?

I am busy getting hand work ready for the busy travel season that starts in a few weeks. I will be spending time with Ray on a few business trips and a just for fun trip and I will need hand work for the plane rides and the hotel stays.

I'm prepping some hexies while watching Lost with Ray in the evenings. We never watched it while it was on and we are trying Net-Flix free for a month so we are watching all sorts of stuff. I feel guilty playing in my sewing room when Ray is home and I don't care much about TV, so I am prepping while listening.

Here is block #1 and #2 of the All Around the Town BOM. I bought some sky fabric and decided it was TOO blue. Now I am playing aroudn with bleach and other options. I just hope I don't ruin that $9 a yard fabric! I must be nuts!

Later,
Diane

WHEW!

2011-04-01T18:36:00.001-04:00

We have had three days of BAD weather. Tuesday it stormed all day. Lightening, thunder, rain...lots!
Wednesday it wasn't as bad but it was black outside and windy all day. I mean WINDY ! Yesterday, Thursday we had 13 consecutive hours of tornado warnings. The wind was horrendous and the rain almost washed us away. The pool, previous to Tuesday was ready to have water added it was right on the mark of being too low. Today I had to let about 4 inches out. Amazing. Low and behold as we went to Lakeland for a day out ( more on that in a bit) we saw houses and businesses that didn't turn of their sprinklers and they were adding to the already soggy ground. DUH!
As we drove we saw lots of acreage that looked like lakes, several feet under water. It came down, as my Dad always said. we needed it, but maybe more spread out than in a 48 hour period. :)

While in Lakeland I stopped by The Patchwork Pig quilt shop. I needed some sky fabric to start a quilt I am dying to work on. I found the fabric and some more ( you knew that didn't you?) to go with it. When I checked out the worker told me that the owner is having a 25% off sale INDEFINITELY! I asked her why, hoping it wasn't a going out of business sale. Her answer...Until the economy picks up the owner wants to help her customers continue quilting. How cool is that? So if you have the chance, go by there. I really like that shop. They are always so friendly and have so much, I never leave empty handed.

Pictures of the fabrics coming up...but I am out by the pool and my camera is in the house...too lazy to go get it. Just being honest.

Later,
Diane

****EDIT****

Chopped wood

Roof Tiles

Gravel

Sky

Sue Garman's quilt

All around the Town by Sue Garman. I have had this pattern for a few years and keep putting it off feeling I couldn't do a good job.
After reading Theresa's blog Fabric Therapy she has lit the fire under me. Go look at her quilt, it is great!

Yummo!

2011-03-28T16:02:00.000-04:00

Years ago I LOVED milk chocolate. I could easily sit and eat a half bag of Dove chocolates...ALONE. Then I fell sick and discovered chocolate and my next dearest love coffee had to go from my diet. Since then I have lost all desire for milk chocolate. God is good like that. He took the taste from me and I am so grateful. I really didn't have the horrible pangs wanting something I loved so dearly.
But with new meds and time I can now drink coffee in moderation and I have discovered I like a little dark chocolate. I discovered these at the grocery store and tried them and Oh MY MY!

Yum!

Slow, but sure

2011-03-28T00:24:00.000-04:00

I thought I would get the blocks made Saturday, but didn't get time until tonight.

Like I said I was playing in EQ7 and Block Base and liked this block.

Then I saw this block and liked it too.

Easy piecing. Nothing fancy. Fabrics I love. Sounds good.

As I was looking for smaller pieces of fabric to use so I didn't have to cut into my yardage I found a big box of civil war fabrics I didn't remember having. Apparently I put them in there for a reason, but for the life of me I don't remember. That is what happens every time I clean my sewing room. I mentioned earlier that I had moved my sewing table across the room hoping to stay cooler this summer. As everyone knows if you move one thing you usually end up moving everything. The only thing I didn't move this time was the fabric closet (obviously) and the large bookcase. Everything else was shuffled.

Shuffling often keeps things sorted and the unwanted items to a minimum.

Until later,

Diane

I'm sorry

2011-03-26T14:59:00.000-04:00

I really do live here still. I just have let life invade and haven't paid attention to blogging.
I finally got the yard done. Well about 95% done. I still have 5 bags of mulch and one bush to trim. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Ray went to a meeting out of town and I actually got some sewing done. WOO HOO! It was a fast one day trip, so it was only a small amount of sewing but I was so pleased.
Used to when Ray was on trips I couldn't/wouldn't sleep at night. Now that the doctors have convinced me a regular bedtime with a minimum of 8 hours of sleep helps keep my symptoms at bay I really try to obey. I stayed up till 4am and have dearly paid for it. Besides little sleep I missed a whole day of meds; BAD MOVE! It has taken two full days to get back to feeling decent. I hope I have learned my lesson, but probably not. I am hard headed.

I have been playing on Electric Quilt 7 and designed a quilt that I love. It is a two block quilt with lots of pieces. While Ray was away I gathered some fabrics and pieced one of the blocks. I think I am going to love it. If it turns out as well I will share the pattern if there is any interest. I am using civil war fabrics but I think it might look good with anything.

I hope to finish the second block and hopefully have pictures in a little bit.

Later,
Diane

I'm still around

2011-03-21T11:42:00.000-04:00

I have been trying to clean my house (deep clean) and finish my yard before the hot summer heat starts ( this week) and rearrange my sewing room also before the hot summer heat begins.

My house was fine, but when Kari moved back in things got shifted again and so I had to find a home for them. Whew, this house my be larger than my last house but it has much less storage space. Strange how that worked out. I am getting close to having everything in it's place. I just have to force myself to finish.

The yard is a MUST FINISH project. Once the hot summer hits I know I will not be working in the yard but just a few minutes in the evenings. So I have to get the last flower bed trimmed and mulched. I will have pictures soon.

My sewing room last year got so hot I wouldn't work in it. This year I decided to move my sewing table from the window to the opposite wall (interior wall). My hopes being if I got away from the window, I might stay a bit cooler. The new spot also allows me to sit closer to the ceiling fan which helps a lot. Fingers crossed.

Little Girl and her sock

Little Girl's incision has not healed as well as Boo's. I discovered that Boo was "helping" her. He has always been very attentive to her. Now he is licking her incision. So we put the leg of one of Ray's socks on her. I hope this helps. She doesn't seem to mind it being there, but Boo thinks it is just one more way to grab her when they wrestle. I don't know why he doesn't stop, he always loses.

Ok, back to work or I will never get to sew again!

Diane

What is going on?

2011-03-15T14:29:00.000-04:00

While at the quilt show over the weekend I spoke with a quilt shop owner who told me they were closing out their civil war fabrics. Made me kind of sad, but I knew of another shop just a few more minutes down the road. I go to that second shop yesterday to find out they are discontinuing their civil war fabrics also. HUH? Why? That means there will be no shop within an hour of my house that will carry civil war fabrics. Is this a trend? Are civil war fabrics on the way out? Are the fabric companies going to stop making it?

If you can't tell I am having sort of a crisis here. I have loved civil war reproduction fabrics since I saw the first one many many years ago. I think I need some time alone with my fabric...

Later,
Diane

Quilt Show

2011-03-11T18:24:00.000-05:00

After closing The Chicken Tree where I would go to as many as 10 quilt shows a year, now I attend maybe one a year. That is a big change. The way I look at quilt shows has changed too. I was always in business mode. Looking at vendors booths and what they had to offer so I could improve my business. Some quilt shows were so busy I never got to look at the quilts.
Today I went to a quilt show in Sarasota and enjoyed it so much. I saw quilts that made me smile, that inspired me and some that knocked my socks off! I did very little shopping. As a matter of fact, I bought from only one vendor. They were closing out their civil war fabrics and had them for a good price. I didn't buy a lot, just a few FQs and a couple one yard cuts.

Here is a sampling of the quilts:

interesting art quilt

Cat

lovely traditional

love this!

traditional

I have this pattern, I even have parts made

My Granny would love this

love this

really like this

This won best of show

If you can't tell I prefer traditional quilts. I am learning to like more arty quilts or non traditional, but I don't think I could make one, I don't have that kind of talent.

After The quilt show we went Borders book store to see if they had anything left. They are closing the doors soon and everything is for sale. I got a couple of cookbooks.

I can't wait to make something gooey!

Later,
Diane

Inspired!

2011-03-10T20:08:00.000-05:00

I don't know if it is because I have been away from my stash for so long or because my son bought me two books and they arrived yesterday. It could be a little of both. I am so impressed with these books.

I have Kim's previous book and really like it, but this book is twice as good! I want to make them all!

I met Kim last year at our guild retreat. Kim and her dear friend Karen Williamson were there for Kim to teach a workshop. While there Kim and Karen had so much fun they joined our guild! How fun is that?

I don't own Bonnie's previous Scraps and Shirttails book. I wasn't impressed with the quilts. I'm not sure why but I just wasn't sold on them. This book is a whole other story!! I love the quilts. I love the pictures and I especially love the "at a glance" directions. I don't do written instructions very well. Usually I read enough of the instructions to find the size to cut and then I draw a piecing map on paper and place it beside my machine. Bonnie did it for me in this book! How nice! It is like she realized there are many different ways we "read " instructions and she tried to please us all. I am pleased!

If you like scrappy and you don't mind using a bazillion little pieces this is a book you need to look for. Don't think you have to use old clothing. I will be using my stash of fabrics. I DO NOT need to start another collection. I don't have enough room! But if you feel the need, go right ahead.

Later,

Diane

Will I ever sew again?

2011-03-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

Yard work, doggies, children, husband, splinter, complete exhaustion...too much!

I wanted to work in the yard a few minutes Wednesday and ended up reshaping two hedges. Thursday I wasa going to go out and reshape the last small hedge and ended up working for 7 hours. I ended up heavily trimming a Crepe Myrtle tree that looked like it had never been shaped. I have been slowly cleaning up the property line that has been taken over by the woods. I think I may never get it done. Ray came home right as I finished loading all the yard debris into the truck. Timing!

Friday I dropped the puppies off at the vet to have their surgeries. Boo Came home last night and he slept all night, until about 4:30 am. He woke up and was WIDE AWAKE! He wanted to play and go for a walk and lick my face. Silly boy!

Little Girl I picked up first thing this morning and she was pretty much alert. They both are sleeping alot but they seem to be doing good.

Children are a gift from God. I keep reminding myself of that. Nuff said!
Husband, he is also a gift.

I got a splinter and Ray almost cut my thumb off trying to remove it.

I am pretty sure I did too much Thursday and Friday. I am exhausted! My doctor told me I would feel better and be careful to not over do. Apparently I forgot.

Later,
Diane

I've been doing a little sewing

2011-03-02T23:48:00.000-05:00

What?

Scraps...are you surprised?

Inside I have tiny pieces...why?

A surprise...

Tons of tiny 4-patches

An almost finished top. I just need the last border.

Ray is gone again so I was able to spend a little time in the sewing room. I have too many projects that I am working on and need to finish a few. Too many little pieces!
Working in the yard takes up time but things never seem to stop growing around here. Fortunately I bought an electric hedge trimmer that is worth it's weight in gold! It took me about 30 minutes to do what took me about 1-1/2 hrs a few months ago. Between having to reach over my head to cut about 30 feet of hedge and being chased by red wasps I got a work out. Tomorrow I have the other side of the house with even more hedges than the first side. I hope I can get it done. I want to surprise Ray.

Trail Mix from pattern in magazine

I am debating putting this quilt in to be judges at my guild's quilt show in June. This would be the first time I have ever done that, so I am not sure. I have never wanted any of my quilts judged; not because I was worried about what the judge would say, I just never felt the need. I have shown a couple of quilts but never had someone tell me what they thought of my work. Am I making too much of this? Plus I may not get it completed in time. I am reworking the borders and I already enlarged it. But if it is to be in the show in any capacity I have to GET BUSY!

I need sleep so,
Later,
Diane

Man! I'm glad I got my Flu shot!

2011-02-25T11:25:00.000-05:00

I have been sick for the past 5 days! Not too bad really but mostly just nausea and exhaustion. I mean EXHAUSTION. I have done little more than sleep. No eating, only sips of liquids, just sleeping. I'm very thankful since everyone at my husband's office have been very sick. All the grown men who are too tough and "don't need no flu shot"...have missed a week of work with unmentionable illness. I am so glad I got my flu shot.

Yesterday I got up and showered...SO NEEDED...and tried to put some clothes on. My pants were way too big. Not a good way to loose weight, but I will take any weight loss! :)

No sewing since my eyes have been closed, but I did dream of sewing. Does that count? It will have to.

Today I will reacquaint myself with my sewing room. The last time I was in there I had just straightened all of my fabrics and moved shelves around. Since then more stuff has been dumped in there so I will have to wade through and reshuffle...again. Man I want to play not work!

I have shopped online for fabrics and do dads that are on sale at Connecting Threads and Fabrics.com, then deleted the carts since I am overflowing with fabric. Sometimes a gal just needs to shop.

Off to put on my hip waders!

Diane

Accomplishments, confessions, cleaning and youth

2011-02-17T12:00:00.000-05:00

The Trip around the Stash is actually all sewn up into a top but this is the last picture I took...

I just KNEW I NEEDED new rotary blades. I KNEW I was out. So in Houston I bought some.

Here comes the confession part...I cleaned out the bottom drawer of my "stuff" cabinet, and I found LOTS of blades. Shhhh don't tell Ray!

I have been re-working my stash closet into a more usable arrangement. I put the blacks and white and white on whites that I use less often on the top shelf that I can only get to with a step stool. The I put the civil war fabrics on the shelf the blacks and whites were on. I also cleaned up the ever growing pile that I tend to get in front of my shelves. :)

I put on the design wall a turning twenty again set of blocks that I finished while in the hotel last week.

I emptied 5 count them FIVE plastic boxes! Woo Hoo! These were scraps and pieces that had been shoved into these boxes before the move. They are the sizes I hate to deal with. Not really enough to put back on the shelves, but too big to put in the scrap pile. So what did I do with them? I returned most to the shelves and put the rest in the scrap pile! Smart.

This is what the young ones do on their day off when the don't feel well.

Now I have to sweep my lanai as it is gross. How do leaves and sticks and dirt get into a totally screened in area?

Later,
Diane

One of these things is not like the other...

2011-02-15T09:22:00.000-05:00

You know the song from Sesame Street, long ago...sing along with me...

This is what arrived yesterday for my daughter....

This is what my dear husband of 30 years brought me last night...

The contents spilled out to show...

I asked him what it was and he said it was left over at the office from Christmas....

Some women I know would be upset with this...but not me.
You might be curious as to what I got him for Valentine's Day.... A freshly mowed lawn. We are so romantic huh?

Back home

2011-02-14T10:42:00.000-05:00

I am back home after a trip to Houston with my husband. I got to spend two and a half fun filled days with my bff Linda. :)
We had fun walking the aisles of a nifty antique mall. Trying to stay warm on the coldest day I have ever witnessed in Houston. Blowing rain and ice makes for cold toes, but it stop us from visiting Sonic for happy hour!
I got to see the cutest little boys in the world! I have no grand children (yet!) so I love to visit her little ones and get some "aunt" time. Right now they are in the throws of a war in pre-school. Star Wars war that is. The class gets to dress up like any fairy tale character they want. The only criteria was the story had to start with "Once upon a time". Well B4 (the oldest grandson) raised his hand and asked if he could be Darth Vador. The teacher asked if the story started with "Once upon a time" and B4 replied...it starts with "Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away..." He figured that was a modern version of "Once upon a time". LOL! This is a FIVE year old! How cool is that?? The jury is still out on if he wins his case.

The little brother Benjamin (2 yrs) is pretty well read on Curious George. He didn't fall for the changing George's name to Micheal or Edward. He is a pretty great guy with a wonderful smile and laugh. Just makes you want to hug him.

I came home to a strange house. Right before we left our daughter moved back in. Not too big of a problem, it is just she tends to do stuff, then tell you about it later. I came home to my sewing room being a dumping ground. Stuff I had put in the middle bedroom closet (her room) for storage managed to be put in my sewing room. The house is still in an uproar from the last time she moved in. I am not sure I will survive if I don't get my sewing room sorted out quickly.
I guess I better get started.

Later,
Diane

More changes

2011-02-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

I have been away, not really by choice but I really have don't have a reason I can state here.
Still very little sewing going on. I have been doing a bit of work in the garage trying to get the rest of the boxes from the move emptied and put away. I think 15 months is long enough to have boxes in the garage.

My daughter showed up last night just before midnight. She has moved back in. I hope this time she stays long enough to accomplish the goals she has set. She is pretty sure she has a job, she finds out tomorrow.

I hope to have more to blog about tomorrow...we will see.

Diane

Alive but...

2011-01-24T15:06:00.000-05:00

not much sewing. I have been preparing some applique and sewing a few pieces on my trip around the world that I have been working on forever.
I went back to my rheumatologist and have to go back next week. Some issues with blood work and pain so haven't felt much like typing or sewing. Very little house work and no walking has happened here.
Lots of my energy has been used up on house breaking the dogs. From the time we brought them home they have spent any time they were not under our eagle eyes in their play/exercise pen. Now that they are 6 months old and have more mature bladders it is time to be diligent. They are progressing well with very few mistakes. :)
I hope to get more accomplished this week. Ray is out of town and I don't have to cook unless I want to (I won't I assure you!) so I should get lots of alone time in the sewing room.

Later, but hopefully not too much later,
Diane

They grow so fast

2011-01-13T23:58:00.000-05:00

This was taken today. I still break out in a smile every time I see these cute little faces. They are looking at me like this because I was trying to whistle to get their attention and I can't whistle. They always turn their heads that way when I do that. Poor dears I probably hurt their ears. I've have been looking through fabrics trying to decide if I had what I needed in case I decide to to the My Tweets BOM over at One Piece at a Time. Last year she did a BOM called Florabunda and it was BEAUTIFUL! I printed all the patterns and put them all in page protectors and even made the templates but couldn't start it due to fear. I loved her color choices but it was so far removed from anything I own I was frozen.

But over the last year I have managed to pick up a few fabrics that might look good. I found the two multi colored spot fabrics on top and loved them. I have bought pieces here and there that kinda go with them. Neither fabric has enough colors in them for a whole selection, but if I put both of them together I can get enough.
What do you think? Seriously I need opinions. Do I need to pull more? Do I need to get rid of any? I have two or three solids in there just because I didn't have enough greens but if I can find some prints to replace them with I will.

Later,
Diane

Week #2 Civil War Blocks

2011-01-10T23:58:00.000-05:00

Fun, fun, fun!

Design wall of chaos

2011-01-10T10:50:00.000-05:00

This is what you get when you find ANOTHER box with all kinds of practise blocks. The sad part is, this isn't all that I found in the box. I plopped them up there to see what I had and see what I could do with them. So far I think I am going to quilt the Amish looking block and put it in my formal living room as a small table topper. The card trick block was used as a mitered border lesson so I am up in the air about it. I may put it in my orphan block box for later use. The bird applique will be made into a pillow at some point. Maybe I will give it to a sister. The leaves that are so gracefully tumbling down the left side will be set aside so I can add a few more, well maybe more than a few. That is my favorite leaf block design so I want to make an autumn quilt with them. The stuff in the middle is the center strips to my trip around the world. The top left is my civil war block from Barbara Brackman's new website and block of the week. I need to make this weeks block but was having too much fun digging in the box. The top right block is one my SIL made and it is a bit wonky. She hated it and gave it to me since I loved it. I think I will quilt it and hang it on the wall just for looks.

I got some rulers in on Saturday that I have been playing around with for a few minutes last night. I want to go play some more and report back. Have you heard of Deb Tucker at Studio 180 designs? She designed the Tucker Trimmer, the Wing Clipper and the Square squared rulers along with some more. The three I mentioned at the ones I ordered to give a whirl. So far I have made some 1 1/2 "X1" flying geese that are perfect and I square in a square that is spot on! I am impressed. Today I want to play with the Tucker Trimmer and see how I like it.
These rulers are designed to do something I have never advocated before. They let you make the block over sized then trim them down. I used to say that was a waste of time, just sew it correctly the first time. That was when I was younger and a bit arrogant. That attitude came when I had one machine, one ruler and no eyesight issues. Now that I am older and use more than one machine (seam allowance may vary), I use different rulers for different things, and I can't always see where my needle is going to come down I don't see a thing wrong with making them a skosh bigger and trimming them down. Now I know any ruler can be used to trim stuff down, but these rulers have Xs and Vs and diagonal lines to line up the points and lines that no other ruler has. So far it has been a good use of money. But I still have one more to try so I will post pictures and comments later.

Diane

You have not because you ask not...

2011-01-08T00:59:00.000-05:00

My Pastor told me that once and it was true then and still true today. Back in early December I asked at the retreat if anyone had any Chocolat fabric by Moda. No one had any, but my friend Linda G. remembered and found someone on the internet that had some for sale. Long story short Linda told me about it I contacted the lady and here it is. I love that!

There is a quilt I found in a Miss Rosie book that I think this Chocolat would be perfect for but I didn't have quite enough, now I do. :^) Thanks Linda!!!

Along the same thought, my guys and I were at the Amish furniture store after having a fabulous meal at Yoder's (in Sarasota). We were stuffed! Anyway back to the story. Ray and I went to look at curio type cabinets for our formal living room. We knew we would find beautiful stuff at Miller's so we went. While there I just happened to ask Ella if they made sewing furniture. She informed me that 2 or 3 years ago a lady came in and order one special made and they kept the drawing and they could make another one.

This is exactly what I have been telling Ray I wanted. Something that looks like a teacher's desk but with a lift for a sewing machine. They make quality furniture that I would be handing down to my grandchildren. The price is right in the same range as the stuff you can buy at the sewing machine centers only this wouldn't be particle board with veneer.
I want to do some tweaking of the drawing since I'd like to have the leg space a bit wider, since I'm a bit wider. I want slide out board on both sides above the drawers. I like that better than the flip up piece they show on the left side. They have the measurements of the top as 20"x51 1/2" , I think I want it a bit deeper, maybe 30" of so. Maybe by the time I tweak it it won't look anything like the original drawing. :)

Ok I need to go to bed. Ray, the doggies and I went for a walk tonight and I am beat! Boo walked 3/4 of the way, Little Girl hardly walked at all, and Ray and I walked 1.5 miles. I know, it isn't much, but you have to start somewhere.

later,
Diane

So much going on...

2011-01-06T13:04:00.000-05:00

Do you remember when I was making the shepherd and sheep quilt and I lost the brown I was using to make the staff? As i was looking to pull some civil war fabrics I looked down in a stack I have in from of my ~~neatly~~ folded fabrics on the shelf, and what do I see sitting right up on top??

Yep, there it is! I told you it would show up after I finished the whole quilt! UGH! Oh well, at least I have it back. it is one of my favorite very dark fabrics.

I was looking up here. On the top shelf. The top shelf that holds the civil war fabrics. The fabrics I look through almost every day. Now tell me, why did I put them on the TOP shelf? The one I need a stool to climb up there to have a good look. Wouldn't it make sense to pull those fabrics down to a lower shelf? Oh, but that would be smart! I'm so goofy sometimes.

I pulled these fabrics so I could make the block Barbara Brackman put up on her new blog. Go check it out and see all the pretty blocks others have made. I make no promises, but I would love to make a block a week and end up with a wonderful quilt at the end of the year.

Let's see if I have sticking power and win over my ADD battle.

Diane

New and Old

2011-01-04T23:01:00.000-05:00

New: Yesterday the mail person delivered my needles. This makes me so happy! I have done a lot of research on needles and discovered that I really like the Topstitch needle the best. It makes my stitching line really straight and pretty.

The Universal needle is rounded on the tip and it will jump over to miss piercing a thread in the fabric, thus making your stitching line not be perfectly straight. Now for the average person this is no big deal but for someone who is an ADD quilter with perfectionistic tendencies it made me even more nuts than I usually am, and some of you know that can be pretty nuts! I was so happy to get the delivery I cleaned and oiled my machine and promptly replaced the needle.

Old: Today while looking for a book I found this OLD UFO. It was one of the first classes I took while I lived in Mobile. I was making it for my youngest when he was in elementary school. He is now 20 years old...I am so ashamed.

After laying it out I remembered why I never finished it. First I can't seem to follow the instructions in the book. I have tried reading it many times but I just can't seem to get it. I'm sure it is me and not the author, Bethany Reynolds since millions of these quilts have been made. Second I don't have a background fabric. I remembered I wanted to make it with a lime or yellow background, but never bought any.

Here is a close up of one of the blocks. This may gross you out, but it is parrot heads. EEWWWW!

Here are the bodies of the parrots from the above picture.

Both things, old and new make me very happy. Joseph just came in from work and told me he still likes it and wants me to finish it for him. I guess I need to go shopping. I was trying to not buy much this year, but this is too far along to set it aside again.

Later,

Diane

Internet issues

2011-01-03T10:46:00.000-05:00

I have had the hardest time staying connected to the Internet!
My husband and son entered into an agreement. My son wanted fasted Internet speed and my husband told him if he wanted to pay for it we would get it. Joseph jumped at the chance. For $10 a month investment he felt it was a good deal. I think it stinks! Ever since we got the "faster" speeds I keep getting knocked off line. GRRR!

I'll show them! I'll go to my sewing room and not come out!

So I did!

Uh oh! I still need some blocks...

This is what happens to your new ironing pad when you iron over paper piece patterns that have gone through a laser printer. :(

Finally! I have them all made...but I have to put them together and rip the paper...doesn't sound fun...

TA DA!!!! This was always meant to be a table quilt for my dining room, but since them we have moved twice and I no longer know what exactly I will do with it. I may put a small birder and put it on the breakfast table, and I may make it a dual duty. Who knows? :)

I'm just happy I emptied another UFO box! Now to get it quilted.
Blogger and the Internet seem to be cooperating right now so I had better get this published before it all acts up again.
Later
Diane

What a wonderful day!

2010-12-30T16:09:00.000-05:00

One of the quilt shops I visited was Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City FL. I love that shop and I will be going back! They were having a whole store sale. I can't believe I was so lucky to wander into the shop on the day everything was 30% off! I found these wonderful scissors that I have wanted ever since I saw them on Karen Kay Buckley's website.

The two Fig Tree patterns I bought to make my niece some summer dresses and a floppy hat to match.

We went to Disney after 5 quilt shops and 4 gun shops. We didn't get home until 2am and I was wiped out! I have some pictures, but once again Blogger is acting up. Maybe later.

I have spent over 3 hours trying to get this post made and have lost several pictures in the process. I sure hope Blogger gets it all working right soon.
Gonna go play in the sewing room!

Later
Diane

hopping, pretty, a camera and a challenge

2010-12-27T23:06:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow the plans are to go quilt shop hopping.
My husband wants to go to a few gun shops and look at things I don't necessarily love to look at and in return I get to go to some new quilt shops I haven't visited before. I think that sounds like a fair trade off.
I'm sure he feels the same way about quilt shops that I feel about gun stores. Once you have seen one Glock you've pretty much seen them all. They are all black or OD green, they all hold bullets, and they all are not interesting to me. There, pretty much described it all!
I on the other hand am going to go to quilt shops that have fabric in every color and style. I will be able to fondle it and maybe even find a bargain.

Today I went to Ikea and did some research on a new cutting/ironing table. Right now I am using some tables that I had left over from my business. They are adjustable to cabinet height and they make cutting and ironing enjoyable. They server the purpose, but they are VERY ugly and they squeak. I guess I would be ugly and scarred up and squeak if I was loaded in the back of a truck and driven across the country, loaded with heavy fabric and had the process repeated umpteen times a year for several years. Oh that's right! I was, and I do! Scarred and squeak that is! Anyway my sewing room is not very pretty, but it is functional. I would like pretty too. I had a picture to show of the cabinet I am thinking about but Blogger is being contrary.
For Christmas I received a camera. Perfect timing, since my 14 year old Sony is just barely limping along. Ray bought me a pink Canon PowerShot and I love it so far! I hope to learn more so I can take better pictures. I will post a picture tomorrow since I can't tonight.

Today in the mail I received a package I have been nervously looking for. I joined in a group challenge with some ladies I have never met. I am going to make a quilt that resembles a portion of a picture. The picture was cut into 16 pieces and I got piece 14. I have never done such a thing before so I am nervous, but I know ladies who did this and they had so much fun I wished I had joined in. Now is my chance.

I'm not very intelligent when it comes to vegetables so I'm assuming this is some type of potato. It doesn't really matter, I am suppose to make a quilt that looks like the picture. Hmmm, interesting.

Have to get in bed, Ray is driving tomorrow and he likes to leave early.

Diane

UFOs and challenges

2010-12-20T12:46:00.000-05:00

I have UFOs picked for the coming year's challenge with Judy at Patchwork Times. I have 13 laid out so far but there might be one or three more before it's over with.

In no particular order here they are.

Scrappy Trip Around the World

Tail Mix

Aussie Table Topper

Hexagon Log Cabin

30's Table Cloth

Friends in the Woods

Hand Dyes Mini Trips

Crab Apple Cove

Nancy's Irish Chain

One Fabric Penguin top

4-patch Star

Texas Star

Christmas blocks

I still need to figure out just what I want to accomplish on them. Some I will want to complete all the way to quilted and bound and some I just want to get the top completed.

If I get these done this year I will be proud of myself. I have major QADD (quilter's attention deficit disorder). That is part of the reason I have so many of these UFOs sitting in the cut out stage with only one block made. I will plan it, get it all cut out and something will happen to distract me, usually a new magazine, a trip to the quilt shop or maybe even a two week trip with my husband. When I wake up from what ever I just experienced I have completely forgotten everything that I am suppose to be doing. I won't tell you how many times I have cut a project out and then misplaced the pattern and so I box the fabric up and put it away. Then three weeks later I find the pattern and can't lay my hands on the fabric! UGH! And everything is in my one small room!

You know they say a sign of ADD is never being able to stay organized...hello! :)

How do I know so much about ADD you ask? My youngest was diagnosed when he was young and we have had many sessions with counselors and teachers. Some of the stuff we learned was basic, but if you (the parent) stand on the edge of the same disorder it is not common knowledge. So it helped both of us. Some of it I probably could go back and read over again. :)

Husband just called and said DISNEY! So I am off to dress for a visit and to see all of the beautiful decorations and lights.

Have a great day!

Diane

It is like this every year

2010-12-19T14:59:00.000-05:00

Every year at this same time I realize just how close Christmas is. We don't do much decorating. As a matter of fact I usually only put a couple of snow people on the porch and my Precious Moments nativity set on the mantle. We used to put up a tree, but it really was only for the kids. Now that all of my kids are grown and two live far away we don't even put up a tree. I hope when/if we have grandchildren that changes. I'm pretty sure it will since Ray and I both become rather crazy when we have a child to buy for.
We buy for our two year old niece, but we gave her presents to her when we got to see her at Thanksgiving. We still have a few more for her, but we are shipping those.

I have always had a hard time at Christmas. I have never been able to get a good balance in my head about the whole celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with a tree and presents and tons of stress and debt and all the stuff that comes with the way everyone celebrates the season. I'm not judging, not in the least. I am glad most can really enjoy the season and the gift giving and the time spent together. We have always only spent the money we had set aside for gifts, so never a debt there. We usually sing in the church choir musical but not this year.

I will spend this time of the year inside my head and heart mostly. I will buy a few gifts. I will send money. I will cook. Mostly I will try to think about His birth, His life, and His gift.

Just thinking,
Diane

Do I?

2010-12-18T08:32:00.000-05:00

Judy Laquidara over at Patchwork Times is doing a UFO challenge next year. Everyone knows I have a ton of UFOs. I want to finish the UFOs, at least most of them. My only problem is, I have commitment issues. Well besides my 29 year marriage and my friendship with Linda that is about that same length of time I hate to commit myself. I KNOW myself. I always lose stuff, or forget things, or get sidetracked and lost. So I don't commit so no one really knows I'm a total ditz, except that I just told everyone.
Oh well.
The question remains.
I have more than enough to choose from. The best part about doing Judy's challenge is there is so little pressure. Judy's rules are easy to follow. There are no UFO police if I fall off the wagon. She won't plaster my picture on her blog for all to see if I quit.
Ok so I have just about convinced myself...then I realized I started this entry last night and got sidetracked with the dogs and went to bed with the computer still running. I had to wake up the computer this morning and read the entry to remember what I was typing about.
I may be setting myself up for failure.

I think I will!
What is the worst that could happen? I work on some UFOs but don't finish them. Big whoop!

I will choose the UFOs and post pictures later today if I can get my old decrepit camera to work again. I have so many to choose from this may take a while.

Diane

Another top!

2010-12-14T10:41:00.000-05:00

Linus top

I don't know why but this is my least favorite Linus top I have made so far. I think it was the fabric choices. Since I didn't pick the fabric I will say that is the reason. :^)

For those who wondered what I was talking about on the strip pieced blanket, here is how I covered the seam allowances on the back.

Take a 2.5" strip and fold in half and press with iron.

Unfold and bring raw edges to the center fold line

Do the same with the other raw edge and press

I laid the strips along the pressed open seam allowances on the back of the blanket and stitched them down. The first ones I stitched with four stitching lines but soon thought that was over kill and the last ones I just stitched with two lines.

I'm home

2010-12-13T11:09:00.000-05:00

I went to a retreat with many ladies from my quilt guild in Mobile and had a fantastic time. I stayed a few extra days with my friend Nancy. I love Nancy. We have great talks and lots of fun in the sewing room. She is a really good cook so I had good food too.

When I got home I spent lots of time with Ray since he said he missed me so much. We went shopping and bought a television console (finally!) and then spent yesterday untangling wires and cords to move everything. Honestly I didn't do much of that since I don't know one cord or wire from another and don't care to learn. I did the Diet DP runs and the cheering. Whew, exhausting! :)

Last night was the first time in the sewing room since returning home. Nancy sent me home with some sewing for Linus and I managed to get some blocks sewn together.

The back looks like this. In the south there are more days we would like to lay under a light blanket or sheet than a quilt so this has no batting.
Today I want to get the strips applied to the seam allowances.

Ok, off to do a bit of house straightening so I won't feel guilty going to the sewing room.

Later,
Diane

My bags are packed...

2010-12-02T08:44:00.000-05:00

It's retreatin' time again, I'm gonna leave you...
You can see that far away look, in my eyes...
You can tell by the way I'm packing, darlin'
That it won't be long before it's quiltin' time...
(squeaked to the tune of "It's crying' time Again" by Buck Owens)

I'm headed out to my retreat. I know I know, I just got back from a whirl wind tour last weekend but that was family and THIS is quilting!!! BIG difference! :^)

I hope to have pictures when I return, but you never know if I will shut my mouth long enough to take a picture!

Later,
Diane

How time flies...

2010-11-28T18:55:00.001-05:00

Names have finally been picked.

Boo Radley

Little Girl

After 137 pictures I had exactly 7 to choose from to post! Getting them to sit still and get a focused picture was like trying to hold water in your hands!
When we first brought them home he was rather active and she was shy and quiet. Boy after seven weeks their personalities have sure changed. Boo is still active, but he is much calmer and very attached to me. Little Girl on the other hand is FAR from shy.
At the last weigh in two weeks ago she weighed 2.7 pounds and he weighed 2.8 pounds. I'm sure they have grown. I can look at his long legs and see he has.

Now I have to get in the sewing room and pack for the retreat!!!

Diane

What a ride and finally a picture

2010-11-27T09:59:00.000-05:00

I bet you thought I forgot I had a blog!
I remembered, I just was not in range of an internet that would let my computer work properly.
Once again we did the whole Thanksgiving loop. Our house to Papa's, then to Grandma's then home again. You know that song Over the Rver and through the Woods? Well we had many many rivers and huge woods plus a few aunts, uncle and cousins to add to the song. This was a bittersweet loop this time. There were lots of tears, some frustrations, lots of hugs and kisses and prayers.
It is hard to realize just how old our parents are and that we will not have them forever. My husband's father is over 80 and just starting have memory issues. He has always had a really amazing memory. Seriously amazing. Almost maddening. Now, not so much. He couldn't find his truck last week in the Wal Mart parking lot. Not that, that is a such a horrific thing, but his age is starting to show.

My father is at the stage of his life with is dementia and Parkinson's and stroke and ... he is becoming almost like a child again. Only a child with great strength. I have arthritis and he squeezed my hand so hard I cried. Man, he has always been so strong and still is, he just can't walk very well and he can't remember if he took his medicine or if he ate or took a bath.
I took my new doggies to see my daddy. he has always been a lover of Chihuahua's so I knew he would love a visit. Sure enough, he did! But the problem is he wants one of his own. Moma is not pleased with me. I really didn't intend for that to happen. He is pretty adamant about it too. He IS gonna have a dog! Oh I am so glad I live 17 hours away!

I'm home for a few days. I hope to get some sewing done with pictures to post.
I do have the red border on the Shepherd's quilt top. Do you think the red border should have been wider?

design floor used instead of wall

Later,
Diane

Meeting the surgeon

2010-11-17T10:38:00.000-05:00

What a stressful day. Not only is EVERY street in Florida named with a number, but whoever the city planner was at the time , had a wicked sense of humor. they names ALL the streets around the hospital the SAME TEN NUMBERS!
At one point I was on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street. Of course Google maps nor my GPS differentiated between the two just called both 3rd. After I drove around looking for the office at 200 3rd St, I discovered there was no 200. I found some nice nurses who were out taking a smoke break and asked them where I needed to go. The answer was...
Go down the street, around the curve to the other side of the hospital and you will find ...wait for it...wait for it...3rd Blvd! Grrr!
So I do this...grumbling the whole way.
Next I call the Dr's office because I still can't find the building. The answer was, "We are in the new building."
Me: "I'm new to the area I don't know new from old, what does it look like."
Her:" It is the new terra cotta building on the left."
Me:" Uh, Mam, ALL the buildings are terra cotta colored."
Her:" Yes, but we are the new one."
GRRRR! Honestly that was the conversation. My confidence of ever finding this doctor was going way down, along with his abilities to cut on my child if he couldn't hire staff who gave better information than that.

I know, it really was my fault I should have made sure I knew where I was going before I left home, but I just figured with a GPS, Google maps, and a cell phone I would be fine. Apparently I was wrong.

Finally we found the office. Joseph meets the doctor and is examined and told he will not need surgery...yet.
He has pulled or strained the groin muscle and pulled one in his back. The doctor said since he has had a hernia in the past, and now he has a strain he could possibly get another hernia but at this moment in time it was not a hernia and he couldn't fix something that wasn't broke.
Praise the LORD! I am thankful my son does not have to have surgery. That he doesn't have to be put under.

Anyway, I am thanking everyone for their prayers and emails. Thank you , thank you!!!

I may, now that he isn't going into the hospital, go to Houston. Ray said he needs to stay home and work as there are tons of things he needs to finish before the end of the year and no time to do it. He said if I would go away he could work 20 hours a day and not feel guilty.
Let me think about it...this was just told to me about 15 minutes ago...

Design Wall Monday

2010-11-15T09:51:00.000-05:00

No work done at all!
Surprised?

I will remedy that today I hope. I found some border fabric that I think will work so hopefully I can get dinner in the slow cooker and sneak in the sewing room.
Tomorrow Joseph has a consult with the surgeon.
Wednesday Ray starts two weeks of vacation.
I may not get another chance to visit my sewing room so I had better hop to it!

Later,
Diane

Joseph update

2010-11-15T08:52:00.000-05:00

Joseph is feeling much better today. Praise the Lord!
He had managed to pull a muscle in his back at work when he was trying to not bend or move wrong, protecting his hernia. Poor baby!
In the ER they assessed him and decided to try something. The doctor said if it was his hernia or a kidney stone (due to the location of the back pain) this wouldn't affect him, but if it wasn't the two and was a possible pulled muscle he would feel relief in minutes. They gave him a shot of something, and in 5 minutes he was felling relief. In 15 minutes he was relaxing and in 30 minutes he was asleep on the ER bed.
The doctor talked with Ray and after watching him and examining the hernia again released him to come home and rest.
Ray said he slept the whole way home. He slept for 6 hour on the couch with hardly a movement. Ray and I both found spots and slept too.

This morning Joseph is feeling human again!
Thank you for the comments and emails.

Diane

If one more thing...

2010-11-14T09:22:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me knows I don't handle change well. I like a solid schedule. I like knowing I get up at the same time each day, eat at the same time, etc. Sounds boring to most people but I do better that way.
Since bringing the puppies home my schedule has been more like when I brought my babies home. Total chaos!
I'm starting to get a schedule going for them, finally! Two nights in a row Joseph wakes me up in the middle of the night. He is having pain in is lower right abdomen. No fever, no nausea, just pain. "Do you want to go to the hospital"?
"NO"!
"Ok, so what do you want me to do".
"I don't know, make it quit"!?
Thursday he got to feeling better and went on to work and said it never hurt again. Ok, this is good. Friday when he wakes me up at 3am hurting we all started trying to figure this out. Pulled muscle? Appendicitis? Gas?
I called the doctor as soon as she opened and was told to bring him on in.

He has a hernia. :^(

That was Friday. We have a surgery consult on Tuesday but Ray has just taken Joseph to the ER. He is in a lot of pain and hasn't slept well in days. He just can't stand the pain any more. I hope and pray someone can help him. It is so hard to watch him in pain and not be able to help.
later,
Diane

It wasn't so bad

2010-11-10T00:30:00.001-05:00

I don't want to do it again, but I took off the brown staff and replaced it. I managed it but I grumbled the whole time. Now you watch, the original brown will show up tomorrow in plain sight!
No matter, I like the new brown better I think. I went ahead and appliqued the staff curl before I misplaced this one. The star came out a bit more curved than the pattern called for, but I never claimed to be good at applique. LOL I would love to be, but that is not my talent.

Now off to bed!

Later,
Diane

Word of advice

2010-11-09T15:31:00.000-05:00

No matter how bad your sewing room looks, no matter what shape your cutting table is, don't ever, let me repeat that, DON'T EVER clean up your room/area in the middle of a project!
I have lost a piece of brown fabric that I need to finish the shepherd's staff! UGH! I have looked everywhere...well not everywhere apparently because I can't locate that stupid piece of brown fabric! But I have searched and searched and can't seem to find it.
I could rip the border off and then rip the brown out and start with a new one but I really don't want to do that.
Please learn from my mistake, don't clean an area until you are finished with the project.

I'm going back in. If you don't hear from me in an hour send the search dogs as there has probably been an avalanche and I am on the bottom.

Wish me luck,
Diane

Ta Da!

2010-11-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

I got busy today and while chatting with my friend Linda on the phone I got all of my sheep made. :)

I'm having so much fun!

Now to decide about the borders. Since I am using only my stash fabrics I am having just a bit of an issue...of the fabrics I like I don't have enough...the fabrics that are just a bit off I have plenty. Isn't that how it always works? Ok so I found a green for the first border. The pattern calls for another lighter green for the next border but I don't have one that looks good so I am looking at a gold piece that looks promising. Then the red is a whole other issue. I have three reds that I have plenty to do the last border and binding but each one is either too pink, or grey or wrong style. That is the problem with buying for your stash and only buying a yard. I have learned if I like it and have no plans for it buy 2 yards, that way I can do most anything with it.

What do you think so far?

More later,
Diane

Superior

2010-11-08T11:27:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of what Kelly at I have a Notion is doing? She is offering a needle exchange program. No not that kind of needle exchange! She and Superior Threads partnered up and are offering to exchange one of your old sewing machine needles in exchange for one of the new Superior Needles. What an great way to get to try it out before you buy! Head over there before the promotion ends and give one a try! I received mine in the mail Saturday and I'm putting it in the machine as soon as I finish this post. Sadly this is the first chance to get to sew. I tried to do some last night and today I am ripping every seam I sewed. :^( Pitiful!

Off to sew!
Diane

Design Wall Monday

2010-11-08T08:18:00.000-05:00

Can you believe? I actually have something for this Monday! I never make Christmas specific items, choosing to make winter items instead so they can be out longer. I love this quilt though so I decided to make one and choose colors that make it more "everyday" and not so Christmasy.

The yellow and orange to the right is a Linus quilt I have not finished putting together.

This is from the Star of Wonder book from Heart to Art by Nancy Halvorsen. I just love her designs...so much so that twice I have bought duplicates of her books. DUH!

What's on your design wall?
Diane