Hop to it—Last Garden Block…..

Jumping a little ahead of the posting date--- here is my last block of My Garden Block that May, Sue and I worked on together.

It was cold, snowy, and windy—This is as good as it is going to get on the photo opt. When I chose the wool for February’s block my heart might have been think pink and red with Valentine’s day…but my sight and mind knew in the U.P. Garden weather doesn’t look like that.

It pretty dark and cloudy most days.
I start getting spring fever this time of year--- memories of growing up in Louisiana start creeping up that I have to fight to tuck away. Thank goodness for quilting.
I have about ten inches left to quilt on Penny Garden.  When I was at JJ Stitches back in October, I found fabric clearanced for the borders for this project


With no blocks with me when I purchased—I’m leaning on Faith that it will look nice.  I’m using background fabric scraps for the other half of the triangles.
This project will be put on the back burner because I’m going to start a quilt for Eric.  He graduates in May. I want him to have a quilt to mark the occasion. I wrote a friend the other day stating I don’t make lists of quilt projects because I start realizing I don’t get them all completed.  Chelsey’s Christmas quilt turned into a birthday quilt.  Eric’s Christmas quilt will hopefully be there for graduation… He has two close friends that I would like to remember with something…but one project at a time and we’ll see how it goes.
Homemade chicken noodle soup is just about ready--- I better close.  Have a good week….

Lesson I learned today.....

Makes you glad about who you are and who you aren't.....

It’s Your Quilt…Change Your Plans…..

 

It all started last summer.  I saw Lisa Bongean’s first block of a Summer block of the week program and I was hooked.  I encourage everyone to take part in them this summer.  It made me slow down and “smell the roses” so to speak.  I would swing out on the “Covered Porch” and work on my blocks. I was either cutting them out, stitching or writing about them throughout the summer. I signed up without knowing what the quilt would look like.  With Lisa Bongean—Blind faith takes over and you know it’s going to be good.

Well, the finishing kit came out and it was predictably charming—but not what I had pictured in my head.  The quilt blocks were a little pricey(but worth it). I just didn’t want to spend more for the finishing kit.  I waited around to see what other quilters were doing—no luck… Weekly, I googled images for pictures of the quilt and never saw one.

I so I ordered fabric for my own game plan.  I still was hesitant to pull the trigger on the project.  A quilter had even blogged that she had seen the quilt in person--- and the finishing kit was completely worth it….Great--- gorgeous blocks and I was about to destroy them with ugly borders.  So—I went to see the quilt.

I loved it.  But finally—I was finally content that I wanted a different version.  I did however, change my game plan and I love how it turned out.

So the quilt started going together last weekend.  I pulled scraps from my stash.  Anything too bright got coffee/tea/vanilla dyed and the cut into pieces.

My family’s pool table became the design board—and again things laid around for a week--- scared of ruining beautiful blocks that a lot of hard work went into….

Well, I decided it doesn’t need the final border--- I love it just like it is…..

It’s going to have a dark brown binding….No more applique--- the blocks will stand on their on….As far as quilting patterns….I’m quilting it myself. I just going to do a small meandering stipple all over.  The strength of the quilt in my opinion is the blocks.  The minute I finish typing it’s going on the frame…It’s a big project…But it’s going to be an awesome display for this summer….

Valentine's Day 2012

Binding is complete on My Heart to Hands Garden Quilt.  It's a little early for Gardening, but the block makes a nice break from the Winter snow.

We had friends over Friday for dinner. While the company was great... After working all week the best part was leftovers for the weekend and all the housework was done so We could play all weekend.  Laughter of ten people fill the house, ate from my dishes, loved Don's Lasagna and these napkins....

Working on another garden piece-- I pull out more pieces from the Fabric cupboard....

While it does look like much sewing.  There are seventeen sets -- Thimbleberries, Jo Morton, and a pieces of Tea dyed piece by Brenda Riddle... I never have the right shade of pink-- what is that??? There was not much strip piecing as I pressed really carefully not wanting to stretch the rectangles.  I found myself wanting to hurry-- but kept pulling the reins in, "You're having fun-- don't rush....."

Maybe by this weekend, I'll have the borders complete.....

My Valentines Went in the mail----Yesterday....

They may arrive at their destination late....I just put a note..."Everyday is Valentine's Day when Somebody Loves you..."

I'm Covered....

Have a good day......

Dyed Threads---

Coffee is serious business in our house. It's not just the coffee taste...It's the quantity(we have a 14 cup pot that gets used mulitple time in a day) it's the flavored creme---- and it's the fact that it's our time together...
I was home alone and had a half a pot left.  I had forgotten and made a full pot last Friday.  Sitting there staring at the pot...not too impressed about wasting it I decided to try it.  I pulled some DMC floss colors I didn't think I would  use. I made sure I could show you before and after. I let the threads soak for about an hour. I left the paper on the skeins.  I don't know that I would use these threads on something that will get washed over and over again, but I love the look.  I even tested the threads as for as threading needles and gliding in fabric.  The threads passed with flying colors.

So for those girls that can't make it to the store every time you need a color---get creative.

I try to get this finished for Christmas.  Fail.  I tried to finish it for out of town company the third week in January. Fail.  The moral is that sometimes you just need to finish things for the love of finishing them.  Do it for yourself and no one else.... Here's my finish.  A free pattern to be framed.

In the Pink…..

 

I’ve never posted a photo on my blog.  It kind of ‘geeked’ me out….Pinterest really shot that down, posting my picture out there.  Because today’s post is about my daughter and her 22nd birthday--- This is us…. A photo of us at my first ice fishing expedition two weeks ago.

This is us sledding the night before It was 9 degrees--- Sledding when you are over 30 should be considered an ’extreme sport’. All I kept thinking is, “I have to do this--- I may be too old to do it next time I have a chance!!!!” Yes—Chelsey is way too cool for a snow hat….

I finished her quilt.  I did not have binding fabric.  I considered ordering more and remembered my commitment to cut down on the ordering. I blundered through the quilt cabinet and found a leftover piece of Jo Morton fabric that works perfectly----

  I’m calling it, “In the Pink…”.  It got it’s name because I’ve quilted in words on the horizontal pink blocks of the quilt.

Smile
Have Faith
Love
Care
Have Hope
Share
Laugh
Be Kind
Believe
Be  Brave
Effort
Courage
Wisdom
Honesty
Strength
Compassion
Happy Birthday
Chelsey

These are the words doodled somewhere among the stitches of the quilt for my daughter’s 22nd birthday.

I’ve always said the great part of quilting is making something that comforts someone and hangs around long after you’re gone….

Death and dying don’t really bother me any more—I’m at that point in my life and I have every intention on going to heaven for bigger and better things—I just really don’t want to hurt.  I think my biggest fear is being forgotten--- I want to be remembered and leave a mark after I’m gone…..

Here’s a mark for Chelsey to remember--- the words written---

“In the Pink….”

Happy Birthday Chelsey…..

An Inspiration....

It started with this post....I couldn't get it out of my head .... The wheels in my brain were just turning....for my Sunday school kids I made these--

I send them a letter every other week.  They were easy and fun.  The night before I left for Nebraska-- I pulled out my tea-dyed Walmart fabric

and cut out postcards---4 x 6.  I pulled out those wool scraps I'm always preaching about saving and this is what I came up with.....Valentines....

I stitched all the way to Nebraska and back on the airplane.  I got a hug from every stewardess.  My Mom is getting the first one.  She's having cataract surgery on February 8th.  I know her sight will be better and all the pluses for her having it--- I just don't want her to be scared.  Wish I was there-- she said positively not...Your prayers will be treasured.

My rubber stamp will hold the address- an old and well loved gift from my sister-in- law.

I've got to decide if I'm going to put a bead stitched in for the eye....I still see another snow bird project.  A couple of journal covers with the little chickadee in the corner--- can you picture it....?