UFO's becoming finished objects!

I launched the new year with the completion of two quilt tops . . . applied the borders to my Old Tobacco Roads, a 2008 mystery from Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville site. Also put the borders on an old Block of the Month, Sweet Tea.

We had our annual Retreat at Miss Mary's Quilting Cottage, and I assembled my Santas of the World, including borders, and worked on my previously cut Double Delight . . . still lots of work to go on that one.

Over the weekend, I assembled Ode to the 1930's, a kit I purchased from Stitchin' Heaven in Quitman, Texas. The pattern by Lori Smith, had been a block of the month for them the year before. I started the blocks at the Guild Retreat in September. I finished all the pieced blocks in the interim, and then all the applique blocks. It has a "cottage" setting, with blocks in four sizes, 3-inch, 6-inch, 9-inch and 12-inch. It was time-consuming to assemble, but once that was done, the borders went on quickly. I have to highly recommend Stitchin' Heaven. The kits were so well done, and easy to follow. Each month's blocks came with a color chart indicating which fabric was to be used in each block. As I progressed, I put stickers on the overall design chart.

So, here it is, February 9, and I have four finished quilt tops! Big ones, too! Last night, I kind of looked around at some of my other projects to decide what to work on next. I have a complete set of blocks from the first Paducah Booth Hop, and had made an appliqued center for it. I was fiddling around trying to decide if I should try to find more of the fabrics, and make it larger. I laid it out on the floor with the blocks just abutting the applique center; I've decided to cut to the chase, and put it together as it is, with a plain and then a pieced border. It will be a nice cuddle quilt size, and with the snow coming all day today, that sounds very appealing.

I also looked over an Illiana Quilt Shop Hop kit where I have all the blocks assembled. I designed a Mariner's Compass to be part of that quilt, and just need to get busy and piece it. Have plenty of fabrics, so I need to pay some more attention to that one.

I've been in a bit of a knitting frenzy, too. Just keep looking at sock yarn sales, like I need to accumulate any more of that . . . currently OTN are a pair of olive drab Socks for Soldiers . . . i'm knitting those two at a time, and it seems to go more slowly that way. The yarn is Regia Stretch, and the pattern is a classic knit 2, purl 2. I'm really liking the texture of the knit. Also, working on a pair of Jaywalkers for my friend, the long-arm quilter, Viki. The yarn is On-line Savanne, and boy, are they bright. The zig-zags of the pattern really show off the yarn well. Viki has posted a picture of the pair I just finished for her . . . that I forgot to photograph for my sock journal, so her blog-post has been substituted.

I'm also working on a pair of "Sam" from Cookie A's book, "Innovative Sock Knitting" for Viki with a light blue and gray, with a metallic thread. That pattern requires a lot of attention. The other evening as I was working on them, DH asked if I was all right. I said, sure, why wouldn't I be? And he said I was counting out loud . . . so, obviously, I was really into what I was doing. I hate to frog socks or most any knitting, for that matter.

I'm off to set up my featherweight in front of the television, and put that Booth Hop quilt together. Then, I can have FIVE quilt tops to take to the next Guild Show and Tell!

My New Year's Resolution . . .

is to not make any New Year's Resolutions. They rarely make the cut, anyway. I'm just going to play it by ear, and make the things that appeal to me, and enjoy every stitch. I know I can live up to that resolution!

The movie we saw, "Blindside" with Sandra Bullock, was great. As polish on the apple, when I got home, there was story about Michael Oher, and the making of the film on 20/20. Seeing the real Leigh Anne Tuohy and having just seen Sandra Bullock's portrayal, I have to say her performance was dead on! What a dynamic and wonderful woman. I give this film ten stars! See it!

Gave Viki her next pair of socks. She gets so excited, and her whole face just sparkles. I wish everyone could get the kind of response to a hand-made item that she gives. She's just a very pretty little gal, anyway. Lots of sparkle and lots of substance.

Maybe I should just count my blessings of my friends here. They are all wonderful women.

First, my DSIL from Texas. One would think that we couldn't be as close as we are, since the only time we lived in the same town was for a couple months more than 40 years ago. We just have a great time together. We're the babies of the family, having married the two youngest sons. Her family commitments have recently begun to limit the amount of time we get to spend together, but we sure had a great run for several years, when she was able to fly free. Still, I do spend more time with her than all of my other in-laws combined!

Melanie is our strawberry blonde. Beautiful eyes and smile, great sense of humor, and just as cute as a button. Her needle skills are exemplary.

Her "twin", Marguerite, is a lovely blonde, very smart, energetic, thoughtful . . . an elegant beauty. She always describes herself as a slug, but she is extremely meticulous and everything she makes is perfect.

Mary J. is bright and brash. She always has a funny comment, and is ready for anything.

Laura keeps her light hidden under a basket. She's a very strong mother, and wonderful friend. She's perky and cute with short dark hair, a slender figure, and a great laugh. She's the one who got several of us started putting words on our quilts. She finds the most touching quotes, and inspires us all with her efforts in quilting.

Ginny is really sweet and lots of fun. Her back problems have slowed her body, but not her spirit. She loves to play along, and no one gets a bigger kick out of it when we all get silly.

Mary M. is our quiet observant one. She's supposedly retired, but she really hasn't quit working at Habitat for Humanity. I think she might have tended to be a project person, but we broke her of that! Now, she usually has several projects going at the same time. She is meticulous in her efforts, and her work is lovely.

Lela is our great audience. She's full of sparkle and laughter and is drop-dead gorgeous. Her only problem is that she denigrates her work . . . she makes lovely things all the time, not just her efforts in quilt making. She gives from her heart, and makes one feel so loved.

Michelle is one of our "baby girls". She was previously married to Melanie's son; after they split up, I think she might have been afraid that we would hold that against her, but she's learned that we love her because of who she is, not who she might marry. When she gives you a big smile, her eyes squeeze shut, and her whole face lights up. She's working her way through school, too, and we're all so proud of her strengths as a mother to Blaine, and admire her ability to keep "all the balls in the air".

Sossity joined us a few years back, and she's just a joy. She's very enthusiastic at every thing she approaches. She wants to learn it all, and is very productive. She just jumps in wherever she's needed and does a great job. Another beautiful young woman, and marvelous mother to Donovan.

Lanna is our lovey-dovey. Talk about having a boat-load of health problems, in the last several years. She's faced kidney cancer, brain aneurysms, and various other assaults that would have broken most people. But, she still approaches everything with a smile, and is another dedicated mother. We don't get to see enough of her is our only complaint.

Patti lives in Georgia now, but will always be part of this group. We suffer not seeing her for several months, and then, we just pick up where we left off when she joins us. She's got an irreverant wit, and is our world traveler, with her husband, an economics expert. When she's queen, we're all going to be in high clover.

Linda G. is too funny for words. I've known her the longest, since she was a student and later, a colleague of my husband. This one just sparkles! And, she's educational, too. How many people do you know that have read the biography of Mr. Ed . . . the talking horse. She's going to be a wonderful grandma for her first grandchild, because she will be ready to play at the drop of a hat. At least she always is with us!

Dawn has never lived near us, but once Laura introduced her to the group, she just fit right in. We don't know how we ever did without her. Our first meeting with her was a trip to Paducah one April. By the time autumn rolled around, we talked her into teaching at Retreat, and now she's one of our regulars. We were extra lucky, too, because her daughter, Holly, was at Purdue, and that sometimes gave her an extra chance to be with us, and we got to know Holly, too. Too bad Holly had to graduate and move to Oklahoma! She's ours now and we're not giving her up.

Can't mention my wonderful friends without mentioning Roseanna, and the loss we all feel since she passed away. We'll always miss her. She was the best kind of friend one could ever have. She just filled in any spot that needed attention; she was enthusiastic about any ideas that were presented. We're always going to have a little hole in our hearts, but know that her spirit will always be with us.

There now . . . I like counting my blessings much more than making resolutions. My wish to all for the new year is to be surrounded by soulmates, as I am. I love them all very much.

Christmas is past . . . .

This was one of those whirlwind years. I can't quite believe Christmas has come and gone. For one thing, we changed our plans for a trip to Virginia at the last minute. The weather scared us off for the first time. We've never seen a flake of snow on any of our previous Christmas trips to Virginia . . . but before we departed Indiana, the kids got two feet of snow. They didn't get out of the house until Monday, late afternoon. We started talking about it, and on Tuesday morning, it was snowing to beat the band here at home. We decided we've always had such good luck, that we didn't need to be stupid in our advancing years, and put ourselves at risk.

It's probably the most laid-back Christmas we have ever had. We hadn't put the tree up, since we were going to leave, and it seemed silly to put it up for two days. DH decided he wanted meatloaf for dinner . . . I love cold meatloaf sandwiches, too, so that was fine with me. Our niece came for dinner, since she was across the street visiting her mother at the nursing home.

I made pumpkin bread and pumpkin pies, too. Our grandson came to spend the night, and had a buddy come over to play on Saturday. Sunday, I bundled the boys all up, and sent them down to Murdock Park to go sledding. I went to check on them after about 45 minutes; they were all aglow and happy, so I told them they could sled a few more minutes. Finally, at about 1 1/2 hours, I had to practically drag them to the van to go back to the house. Fed them hot chocolate and cookies, and got them warmed up, while I threw their wet jeans in the dryer. Neither of them had ever worn long-johns before, so they thought running around the house in their long-johns was great fun, too. Then, later, we took them to Pizza Hut where they both devoured a personal pizza each. I hope that these will be fun memories for them someday.

I went through some of the junk in my studio. What a mess! But, I put away lots of fabrics that were strung around the room, and organized a couple of my projects toward completion. I'm on the last block of Lori Smith's "Ode to the 30's" pattern, a flower pot with hexagonal blooms. The leaves and stems are all in place; just the pot and the blooms to finish. This may make the cut to go to Miss Mary's at the end of January, and become a finished top.

I actually cut the first borders for my Old Tobacco Roads, and need to trim the top before pinning them on and sewing them. I'm determined to have that one in all one piece before the clock strikes for the New Year on Thursday night.

DH is working an auction on January 1. He made the mistake of looking at the sale ad last night. They have about 65 lots of coins, and 27 guns, not to mention numerous antique toys, and other antiques. With the quantity of items, it's going to be an all day, and into the early evening kind of sale. He'll be beat when he gets home. It's the only auction all weekend, so they are sure to have a big crowd, and with the quality of items, lots of high prices. I'll have to make an appearance, but I'm going to try to stay home and sew!

It's Tuesday, and that's when our little group gets together. We're all going out to eat and then to the movie this evening for a change. We always have a good time, so I'm sure it will be fun.

Promise to post pictures with my next comments!

Still on target . . . sort of!

I've been making my planned pillowcases as gifts. Last Saturday, my grandson, Drew, helped me pick out a few more fabrics. Made one last night, and hopefully, Saturday will provide me with an adequate block of time to make a few more. If not, I'll just put my Featherweight in the car, and sew in the motel room on the way to Virginia. Driving time is reserved for knitting.

As is usual, with my quilting friends, our focus isn't on the approaching holidays, but on our planned retreat at Miss Mary's Quilting Cottage, at the end of January. I think I could easily gather at least 142 projects to work on that weekend . . . culling it down to a smaller number, but none the less, unreasonable quantities for the time available to us!

It's going to be very different without our dear friend, Roseanna, this year. She kept us all straight, and organized. She was younger than I, but still acted the part of our "group mom". Maybe we'll ask her brothers to come join us for lunch one day. We'll have to re-organize our usual menu; Roseanna always made her wonderful chicken rice soup. I think all of us will have trouble sitting any place but our usual spots, probably leaving her sewing station open. She will be with us in our hearts.

I've been collecting the clues for Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville Mystery, "Carolina Christmas". I peeked at Clue #6 this morning, and I'm in love. The quilt is stunning; might have to gather my fabrics, so I can sew on that one at Miss Mary's. I've got to put the borders on a previous mystery, Old Tobacco Roads, which I loved, as well; and I have Double Delight completely cut and ready to sew.

One thing I have learned in recent years is that preparing a project by getting as much cutting done in advance frees up lots of sewing time. One can really make a lot of progress when it's all ready to sew. Pre-cut projects in the "on-deck circle" are an Anita Shackelford Christmas quilt which appeared in Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting. I have blocks to finish for two of my grandsons, and blocks to re-cut for a quilt for my grand-daughter. As I mentioned previously, I started cutting some applique to be assembled with those blocks, and the blocks are too bold for the applique. Also, I found some fabrics that I think are better suited. Will probably put the blocks already assembled together for a NICU quilt. They will be darling for a little baby girl quilt, just not compatible with my applique work for Lisey.

My friend, Viki, quilted the Halloween quilt which was project with my grandson, Ben. He's going to be over the moon for it. A couple of the fabrics have glow-in-the-dark eyes. If he follows his brother's example, from a few years ago, he will be hauling people into the bathroom to turn out the lights, and see his quilt glow. It's just a simple quilt; some ten-inch squares of Halloween fabric surrounding a Halloween panel. But, I told him that I was having trouble figuring out the best way to put it together, and he just took the blocks and dealt them out on the floor, looked at them, rearranged them a bit and said it was done. I sewed it together in my motel room that night, and the next day, he had to take the top, and "try it on" laying down on the couch. He pronounced that it would fit, and it will be going back to Virginia with me. Viki did a great job, as usual, quilting it all over with spider-webs in orange thread. It's just adorable.

Time for a lunch break, and some knitting. I was to the toe on the second sock for Viki's current pair, when I realized I had way too many stitches. Had to rip it back to the finish of the heel gusset, and work down a few more stitches. I'm anxious to cast on my first pair of Socks for Soldiers, but won't until I get this pair complete!

Holiday Spin

It's the time of year when my imagination overdrives the amount of time available, and I end up spinning in circles, trying to accomplish last minute Christmas gifts, etc. I have some sewing planned, but mostly, it's going to be a bit laid back this year.



I finished knitting a pair of bedsocks for a girl who was in a serious automobile accident. Parents of one of her friends asked if I would make her some because she moves around a lot in her hospital bed, and doesn't keep covers on. Hopefully, her feet will remain warm! Also working on a pair for my quilting buddy, Viki; first sock is done, and I'm nearing the heel on the second. I signed up for Socks for Soldiers, and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of those supplies.



Our trip to Florida came and went in a big hurry. It was great, just too fast. Kathi and Sherri joined us from Oregon, and they are new to knitting. Sherri is brand new . . . still was working on her first dishcloth. She caught on quickly, and steamed right through that project, and on to a couple more. Kathi was knitting patterned dishcloths, with a bee hive and a lady bug on each. We did a little scouting on the internet, and found TONS of dishcloth patterns. Since we were in Florida, we found many that would follow a beach vacation theme . . . flamingo, hibiscus blossom, dolphins, palm trees. Made me want to knit dishcloths, but I have to finish the socks I have going first!



As usual, we made the trip to Dunedin, for lunch at Bon Appetit on the Marina, and then to Rainbow's End. I was remarkably well-behaved! I bought a batik scrap bag, a pattern, and some fat quarters. Stops at Patches Galore and Quilt Haven yielded some scrap bags, and the fabrics to make pillow cases as Christmas gifts. We went to Kneedles and Knobs, too, and I got the yarn for some Harry Potter items for grandson, Ben. He's just six, but he is reading the Harry Potter series by himself. He loves them, and knows all the finite details about the characters. I'm anxious to see how he will like his Harry Potter sweater and scarf.



We were able to attend Ribfest in Vinoy Park in Saint Petersburg on Sunday late afternoon. We saw Zac Brown's Band. The place was so packed, you couldn't even get near the booths to try the ribs. Multiple lines at each booth were 30 to 40 people deep. We ended up picking up pizzas on the way home! Glad I didn't try to get a Ribfest t-shirt as a souvenir . . . seems sort of like it should be against the law to go to a big food festival and not be able to get any of the food! I was with my friends, though, so I had a great time.



We caught the flea market one day, too, and while I didn't spend much on fabric, I scored quite a few books. I found lots of bargains on clothing at the outlet mall, so when it was time to think about packing to go home, we made a quick stop at the Pack and Send to launch my books, fabric, and dirty laundry toward home. I put my new clothing purchases and gifts in my suitcase, and off we went.



We had plenty of leisure time, too. I did a little knitting, a little sun-worshipping, and a lot of reading. Ate my fill of seafood while close to the source, too. We have some places that we love to go . . . Crabby Bill's on the Beach, for shrimp and a very tasty Margarita; then Back Fin Blue in Gulfport for wonderful crab cakes, with corn and crab chowder. Always ready to go back for those!

12/15/09: I intended to add pictures and post this sooner. Better to post now, than wait any longer!

Where does the time go?

As usual, I'm astounded at how long it has been since I posted last. Actually, I started to post, and paused to include some pictures . . . then forgot to photograph the NICU quilt top I made before giving it away. It was a variable star in purples with a rose bud applique over one block, in memory of my dear friend, Roseanna. We're all still reeling from the loss. Marguerite mentioned a little project for us for the Christmas season; she suggested we all hunt for a Christmas ornament that reminds us of Roseanna, to be placed on a wreath for her grave marker every Christmas. I suspect it will have lots of purple flowers, and some hummingbirds. One of her long-time projects has been a pattern by Patricia Cox, with hummingbirds and flowers. All the blocks are made and ready to assemble, so that will probably be one of our first projects to finish for her brothers. We volunteered to complete her quilts in progress, and Viki has offered to quilt them on her long-arm.

Roseanna's brothers asked if we would come out to the house and clear out her sewing room. Also, just come out some evenings and sew as we did when Roseanna was still with us. We said we would be happy to do that, and I suggested we could bring dessert. The "boys" were insistent that they would make dessert for us. We've all been talking about the task of her sewing room. We don't want to descend like locusts anxious to grab it all. Discussion has centered on each of us having a keepsake, and using the fabrics to make NICU quilts. Another suggestion was auction her books at a Guild meeting once evening, with the proceeds going to the Guild, as that has been a wish of the boys, too.

As far as own projects go, I just have four applique blocks to complete from my Lori Smith "Ode to the 30's". I finished the piecing last weekend, while my grandson played with his X-Box 360. Through the week, I made flying geese blocks for the border of my Bonnie Hunter "Old Tobacco Road" mystery. Next up is a quilt for my granddaughter, with Pinwheel Sampler blocks from Sindy Rodenmayer's Fat Cat Patterns. I pulled out an old QNM pattern called, "Victorian Medley" from Leman Publishing that I have had for years, to make a center applique medallion. Blocks chosen are a glove, a flowered hat, high button shoe, and parasol.

I also have blocks cut for two grandsons using Sindy's Bear Paw Sampler blocks. Addison's will have some applique jungle animals, again from Fat Cat Patterns, as a center applique to commemorate his performance in an opera, Noah's Flood. I haven't made a choice of the applique for Drew's quilt, but am considering something with planets. He's very interested in science.

On the knitting needles, I have cast on the second sock in a pair from Cookie A's Book Innovative Socks, for Viki. I have some Regia Silk (a merino wool, silk, nylon blend) to be made into a pair of Cookie's Monkey pattern which will be my knitting project on the upcoming Florida trip with Melanie, Marguerite and Patti. (Only 12 days to wait!) Will probably take some applique, too.

To top it all off, I have been on a reading binge, too. I really need to thin down the ranks of books I want to read. Read two last weekend, and I'm nearly done with another. Working interferes with my play time . . . but it also funds it . . . a conundrum if ever I've seen one.

Tomorrow, several of us are getting together again to make NICU quilts in memory of Roseanna. Her quilts will be featured at our Guild Show in the spring, with a special exhibit of all the NICU quilts made to honor her memory. Have to get my toys packed up for sewing at Mary J's tomorrow!

Good Grief! Almost two months . . .

. . since I last posted. Well, I have been busy! Mostly, I was getting ready to go to Retreat. I sort of have double duty because I am the program chair for the Retreat. And, my DSIL flies in from Texas, so I make sure her sewing machine and tools here are ready to go to Camp. This year, Dawn brought her friend, Joan, and came to my house the night before we went to Camp. We had a great dinner at The Smokehouse, and then Jan was delivered from the Indianapolis Airport by Marguerite. DH thought he was in a sorority house!

The next morning, we got going and loaded up the cars, and made a side trip to Rossville Quilts on the way to Camp Tecumseh, where we all acquired something we couldn't possibly live without.

In the weeks before Camp, since Ruthie took care of most of the hand-out work at her job . . . boy, I can't thank her enough . . . I almost didn't know what to do with myself. Usually, I'm making copies, and sitting down in front of the idiot box, punching holes and collating. I had just a few pages that I added, and those went very quickly. I managed to fill up my time by cutting lots of things, so they would be ready to sew at Camp. The inventory looked something like this:

1) Remaining blocks for grand-daughters Pinwheel Quilt, as well as applique blocks for center medallion.

2) Remaining blocks for two grandson's Bear Paw Samplers. Found an applique of a giraffe that I can add to one of these quilts for my grandson's performance in the Opera, Noah's Flood.

3) All the pieced blocks and applique blocks for Ode to the 1930's, a BOM that I purchased all at once . . . just adore it!

4) Christmas quilt by Anita Shackelford that appeared in Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting; cut all the pieced blocks, templates for applique, and all the applique pieces.

5) Bonnie Hunter's mystery, Double Delight . . . it's all cut, so I used some of it as leaders/enders as I sewed.

6) Beach umbrellas for my Florida sunglass quilt. The sunglass blocks were my own design based on a notepad I found in the shape of sunglasses. I used conversation prints in the lenses to commemorate one of my fun trips to Tierra Verde with my quilting friends. I pieced the umbrellas as leaders/enders, too. They are fun to do; it's basically a kaleidoscope block, and all the umbrellas are cut from bright striped fabrics.

7) My applique box had three or four blocks in it to work on, too.

I should have done what another friend did . . . signed up for the week-long Camp Tecumseh Retreat that followed our Guild Retreat, and kept sewing for another week. I think I might have had enough projects to carry me through . . . obviously, I couldn't possibly have made all those things in three days! However, they are all nicely organized, and I can follow through at home on lunch hours, and evenings, and one of these days, I'll have more quilt tops ready!

Overly-enthusiastic, under-achiever had a great time being with old friends, and making a few new ones, too!