Next Big Project

Okay, here is my next "big" project that I've started - but it's sort of cheating, as it is a Block of the Month, so I just have to pick up my sweet batik fabrics (in blues), and build it little by little each month. (Speaking of which, I pick up my 2nd pack in two days and I haven't done my first pack!!)

Quilt Festival was fabulous! My classes were lots of fun and I learned about designing quilts (I will master EQ 7!), a new paper-piecing method, scrap storage and usage, a little needle-turned applique and I felt like the star in the "Organizing your Quilt Space" class, because the teacher came and took photos of my very own, beautiful, remodeled studio for her slide presentation.  She saved it for last and when she showed it, people actually gave a little gasp, because it is so gorgeous. Lots of people came up and said how pretty it was after class, (I felt so popular). I enjoyed the yummy lunches, my wonderful quilting friends, etc.
Since it was not too far from home, Mr. Handsome came up a couple of times to visit, once with some of the sweet grandbabies for a little swim.
AND, so excited, my car comes tomorrow night!!!!! So, my plan is to get lots of quilting done tomorrow, since I will probably be tooling around all creation after that!

And the pictures

Here is my eight year old granddaughter's quilt:

 

 

 

 



Gotta Love Quilting Season!

     I have been a busy girl, spent a wonderful week in Missouri, visiting my daughter and meeting my newest granddaughter, Holland Danielle, she is beautiful, but perhaps a wee bit crabby at times.  Here is the quilt I took for her (gray minky on the back)

     Our oldest wonderful granddaughter was baptized, so I took her a quilt too, I meant it to be a throw, but it seems to have turned out more twin-sized-ish: (For some reason, blogger won't let me post it!!!)
Next time...
     Tomorrow I head out to Quilt Festival!!!! So excited, 4 days of classes, friends, and fun - all revolving around quilting, of course!  My new car still has not made an appearance, so that will be a few more days that I won't need a car, it has been promised for next week, I surely will be appreciating it when it comes, having "done without" for 2 months, if you can believe it (I hardly can).
     Looking forward to learning lots of new quilt techniques, or at least one. I am taking several lecture classes, my favorite, no prep work, just sitting back and enjoying the quiltiness. Hopefully I will be able to get my pictures up when I get back - toodles!

Quilting and Life

     I finally finished my Eye-fooler quilt, after three long years of working on it on and off. I think it looks amazing! BUT, if you look at it up close, there are many, many imperfections - points cut off (my nemesis), corners not quite matching up, etc. 

    
     That is my life in a nutshell - every day I make mistakes, today for example - it's not even noon and I've already done something I regret. I was riding my bike this morning and a dog (note - I am not a dog lover) came running after me, barking like a fool, I was scared! The owner came out of her house after I'd passed it (riding like a madwoman, wondering, rather desperately if could I out-pedal a medium sized dog) She called the dog back and I was safe, but I meanly yelled back "There is a leash law!". I did not need to do that, she was probably already worried/embarrassed enough about her dog.
That is pretty much how it goes around here!
     BUT, I look at the whole of my life - my amazing, handsome husband who still loves me madly after 32 years of marriage, my wonderful, beautiful children (including the in-law kids), and of course my stupendous grand children that give me joy each day. I have my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ which gives my life great meaning and I could go on and on, as I'm sure each of you could about your own blessings in your own lives.
     I am learning and getting better at quilting - when I first started, I would be quilting a quilt and notice that some of my seams weren't quite closed, that doesn't happen any more, I guess it's true practice makes perfect (eventually, I hope). My life is like that too, I don't judge myself or others as harshly as I used to when I was younger, I see things more clearly now as my experience and faith grow. I watch the people in my life and my gratitude and amazement are increased as I see the wonder and beauty that is in this world and my experience in it.
     Well, those are my deep thoughts for today, hope you have a great one and if not, as I like to remind myself when those bad days come (as they do for ALL of us), they don't last forever! Happy Quilting!

More Pictures

I finally have downloaded some pictures from my phone:  Here are the two quilts I made for my niece's twins: (They are much cuter with the twins on them!)

 

 

 Here is the nifty little table I got from IKEA (my absolute favorite place for sewing studio furniture!) This is a little secondary (or even tertiary with the flaps up) sewing spot, for when my friends come and sew with me:

 This little beauty is perfect for storing my quilting thread, and it rolls along my machine, holding pins, etc. - very handy - also from IKEA:

 

The Big 5-0

  So, I have been remiss about blogging (obviously). BUT, I am now officially "retired" - when I say retired, it makes it look like I was at the same job for 30 years instead of 3...  First day off, two calls from the office, second day, 3 calls and an email, third day 1 email - excellent!!!
    Had a FABULOUS birthday yesterday, quilting, yummy lunch, more quilting, volleyball and a nice soak in the jacuzzi.  Visiting with family and friends, all in all a wonderful day! My son, Jeff cracked me up, he left me a message "Happy Birthday Mom, 50, you're half way there" - Hahaha, funny family! 
    Our family was blessed with grandchild #8, Holland Danielle, the 4th baby of Brooke and Ben.  We are going to see her later this month! 
    I only have one picture to post, of the quilt in progress I posted last time, a close up of my favorite block - it's all quilted, bound and given to my sweet neighbor in Hurricane.  I need to get my phone pics uploaded to my computer, then I will have a plethora of photos to share - stay posted.

The Dust

     I have a favorite cereal I pretty much eat every morning, "Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds". I buy it at Costco, where it comes in a big box with two bags inside. It is inconvenient to pour from the bags, so I have a nifty Tupperware-type plastic container I dump the bags into and pour into my bowl from there. The problem is, when it's nearly gone, it's just "the dust" at the bottom, which I do not like, I like my flakes nice and big.  So - I just dump in another bag when it gets like that. The problem is, that now that I've done this multiple times  I swear, half the container is now "the dust".  I just want to throw it away, but Mr. Handsome (who, incidentally doesn't eat carbs and hasn't for MONTHS) has forbidden me, saying he will eat it, just save it! Yes, he is sort of a penny pincher in odd ways.  So - I keep wondering, would he even notice? Is it worth an argument? Should I do it on trash day, like I used to toss the kids papers, hoping they wouldn't notice that I did not keep every precious word they'd written?  We'll see...
     My "old car" is officially sold and gone. So we are a one car family for 3 weeks or so, until the "Mini-Quilter" arrives.  That is the same time frame that I should be done working!!!!! And it's also my birthday!!!!  Yay! 
     On the quilting front, I have added a couple more fabulous IKEA pieces to the studio and they are working out great! (I love IKEA). I will post pictures soon, but for now, down to enjoy them! Happy Quilting to you too!