My Weekend....

My weekend just wasn’t long enough. But I guess you worry about people say, ”Gee, I wish the weekend would hurry up and end…..” I’ve been working on my punchneedle project. It’s almost complete. Pictures coming soon.

Projects for the weekend…I’m always seeing those mismatched placemats. There’s got to be something to make with them. So I found a $2.00 bargin and made a case to keep my punch needle stuff in. I like it.

Don gave my sewing machine really well. It needed it badly. I was a nervous wreck while he worked on it, but I wouldn’t have trusted to anyone else. She’s back in service, purring like a kitten.

My birthday presents…I bought these mugs for myself. I love the birds. I got a set of four on sale.

My sister in law gave my quilt money and I purchased Summer Gatherings. There are several small projects in the book. I have no stash of wool fabrics..they’re pricey and I’ve been hesitant to commit. But I’m in love with the ease of them. I’m even kicking around taking a class to learn all the tricks using them. I got a small bag of scraps. Here’s hoping they’ll be used for pin cushions, journal covers, postcards, and a table runner or two. Honestly, I could just stack and fold and restack them and have fun doing it.

The skies have been beautiful, but the winds have been howling. Today things settled down and I worked on a project for Chelsey after church. She purchased a table and four chairs for $40.00. I finished the table—forgot to snap a photo. But I did get one of the mismatched chairs done. Should have gotten a before picture. Don added a couple of staples and a little wood glue. I found the fabric at Walmart – the only place in town to find any fabric at all. I think it turned out pretty darn cute….

My First Class...

It’s what got me through the winter. Back in November a friend and I scheduled a Punchneedle class at Primitive Gatherings in Menasha WI. It’s something we’d always wanted to learn to do and I had never taken any kind of sewing class so it was an opportunity to try something new.

On the day of the class we left early and stopped at a couple of shops on the way down. I kept remembering to pace myself because our destination was ..Primitive Gatherings. We arrived about 3 pm. We had the shop to ourselves so my friend and I thrived on being the center of attention. When we had signed up for the class they had put hoops, needles, and threaders aside for us. For the class, we could pick any needle punch design they had in stock. There must have been 30 samples to pick from. I picked the Blue canning jar. Tired of snowmen and pumpkins by February, I knew it was the right choice.

We literally knew NOTHING about needlepunch. The ladies talked to us about which patterns were easy and which were a little more challenging. There were three types of embroidery threads and we learned about each. Keep this in my this was like the “free’ class before the class.

We scooted out for a quick bite of supper and returned ten minutes before the class started There were six other ladies in the class. Everyone had a different project, so it made things really interesting.



Lisa Bongean, shop owner taught the class. She’s nothing like I thought she would be. But the real deal is even better. An Artist is the first thing that comes to mind. I tried to be quiet and poised… but about thirty minutes into the class I broke out like a TV reporter on a request for the evening news. She told us how she started. We learned how important family was to her. She has two sons and a husband that believe in her business, along with a houseful of uncles, brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins that all help. Perfection was never a word in her vocabulary. She even talked about how lack of perfection in Primitive crafts is what gives it its charm.



She told us of her travels and the seminars she does --- and all I kept thinking was…” Wow, and I’m getting all of this for $15.00…” We learned what is involved when she creates a pattern. She let us try different kinds of hoops with our projects. She talked to us about forgiving ourselves when you make a mistake. She even talked to us about different ways to use punchneedle projects.



I have to get busy on my project now.



When the class was over she even walked us to our vehicle. It was a chilly 19 degrees that evening and she said we should have let her known how far we were coming from…. We could have stay with her. Yep, she was inviting complete strangers to stay at her home, saying she has empty rooms with her sons grown up now.





We had traveled the farthest so we got first pick at a drawing of free punch needle patterns… I couldn’t help myself… It’s probably an addiction – I picked the crow on a pumpkin piece :)

I'm Blushing Quilt

Not posting as often as I should, Busy living I guess. It’s like every quilt catalog and every quilt magazine I see something that Chelsey needs. It’s fun. It’s a chance at playing with fabrics and styles I don’t normally get to sew with. I believe it’s one of the reasons God gave me Chelsey.

Here’s the piece I just completed. I’ve never made anything with a jelly roll. I used a gift certificate and purchased the fabric line Blush on a jelly roll. I used muslin as the alternating fabric. I pieced the ’I’m Blushing’ quilt from the Moda Bake Shop line of free patterns. The instructions and photos made it easy.

My needle turn applique skills are not the best in the world. I wanted this piece to withstand years of machine washings and along with tugs and hugs from popcorn, movies, and late night study sessions. I tried a new way of stitching the applique. I used dryer sheets as a backing and stitched and flipped the pieces. It made the applique a breeze.

Maybe it’ll be on the quilting frame by this weekend.




OK---- when your son walks in wearing this:

What do you say??????? He got it at a relay for life event he worked at and raised $300.00 for the cause….I was just--- well a lot---surprised. But the shirt is eye catching and makes a point.. I think????



Kids…..

I cleaned up my garden for spring planting. I just let if fall by the wayside last fall, deeming that it would be someone else’s garden this spring. It looks like it’s still my garden. I really love that garden – weeds and all. It was a lot easier to rid the dead plants after a winter of rotting. It seemed like the Good Lord was just checking to see if I was willing to give it all up ---only to say, “Nahhhh, you don’t have to…”

I’ve got tulips, chives, oregano, and lavender coming up….. just another sign life goes on……

My Luck is Changing...

My Grandmother all told me, “If you need to change your luck playing cards… stand up and walk around your chair. Then sit back down. Your luck is about to change…”

I don’t know that the chair strategy necessarily works, but things have been pretty good lately. I won Bonnie’s drawing for treats right around my birthday. There are great fabrics for surprises for my daughter. She omitted the pattern book and emailed apologizing.

I was so thrilled with the bag, pen, and fabrics I hadn’t noticed, so getting mail this week made the gift last that much longer.

Saturday I received this pattern set from Melissa who was doing her spring cleaning getting ready for a move. I spent the afternoon on Saturday with my coffee studying each pattern like they were novels. I have some of them—I guess we like the same things—so in keeping in the spirit of giving. My favorite is on top. I’m going through my cabinet and will set up some to pass on next week.

I drove downstate to Eric’s ‘White Coat’ ceremony for Pharmacy school last weekend. Chelsey is moving into her own apartment—no roommates. She came and got her brass bed out of her room. It kind of left me with a lump in my throat. I guess I always knew the kids would move out. They have sort of moved out already. But it was one of those defining moments when you say---‘This is it’….

We’ve had a couple of hammock days (judging by the photos). Temps reached 75 degrees today. Robins are everywhere.

Thanks again Bonnie and Melissa… your friendship is pretty important.

I’ve been quilting up a storm for Chelsey’s apartment. I used a gift certificate to get a Blush Jelly Roll. Here’s the pattern to use it on. Photos coming soon.

Gratitudes:

Bonnie

Melissa

That Hammock on the Covered Porch

Old Keys

One person’s trash…another’s treasure. This was what I found in an old Ziploc bag in my church mailbox. Old-keys…a valued commodity in my heart. In today’s world on push button combinations for pass keys and card scanners for door openers…they are becoming more and more scarce. I even love the old keyring attached. They remind me of my Mom…I can remember as a kid playing with her keys with a key ring just like those.

No quilting in this post because I’ve spent the past two evenings ripping out stitches on the project I’m working on. You know it happens. I get frustrated because I want to complete my quilt and begin another. But I step back and tell myself it’s a hobby. It’s supposed to be fun--- low stress. So with Ransom on one side and Bruno on the other and a seam ripper in my hand I work.

Spring is so close in the U.P. There are parts of Lower Michigan that have had more snow that we’ve had. I’m tired of snowmen, mittens, and anything brown and gray. My Mom always taught me the merits of cloth napkins. I could say I doing my part to take care of the environment, but I love them for the simple reason that they’re made of fabric --- having plaid ones is a perk. Chelsey has been trained well to hit the clearance table and scarf up the markdown napkins. Even the out of season ones… Because sooner or later – the season they fit will come around….

Gratitudes:
People have patience with me at work—learning new things
No cavities—the dreaded dentist appt
The warm puppy in my lap

Angels to watch over me.......

I’m still here. I’m older. I had a birthday last Monday. It was a special week. That’s right, in our house, they’re not just birthdays—they’re birth festivals…just to make them last longer. I was queen for the week.

In the mailbox, Darlene sent me a gift “just because”—it was perfect timing. These angels have to make you smile. With the tiniest of stitches, I have a tough time picking out my favorite. I’m just a little partial to the Angel with grapevine wings, but they are all beautiful.

Flowers were left on my doorstep by some close friends…The card, “Because you believe in happy endings…”
My family gave me dishes….I know it’s a sickness, but I’m completely in love with them, and food tastes better in them.

On the quilting front¬- I completed my bluebird wool project.

A week ago we went to Green Bay for the day. It was cloudy, windy, and wet. Might as well be in the stores. We came home at the end of the day and it was like someone had hauled off all the snow. It had vanished. It’s dirty and kind of lifeless outside. But the sun shining puts a brighter twist on it. It’s a rare year to have spring come so early in the year. We had a week of 50 to 68 degree temps. I’ve had some long work days, but I’ll take what I can get.
I better get to quilting. I’ve got a project on the frame.

Gratitudes:
Birth Festivals
Grilled Green Beans
Sunshine

Baskets of Life Completed

It got up in the upper 40’s today as predicted. I went out while it was still below freezing to the back part of our snow shoe trail. There’s been on old fallen pine tree there all winter begging for a quilt opt.

So with camera and clothes pins in tow, the pups and I went on a mission.

The photos do not show the details of the quilt well. It figures.

As I was sewing the blocks into one piece last night I realized that other than the last five blocks I’ve sewn since Christmas, I didn’t even remember the others. 2009 was a tough year and many parts of it seem kind of like a blur in time-- but I'm realizing everyone has times in their lives like this and hey-- at least I got a quilt out of the deal....

JoAnn Mulally did a great job in designing the piece. The Country loft did an excellent job in packaging it with beautiful fabrics and the instructions were like receiving a gift every month.


I’ve done two of her block of the month pieces. I did not sign up this year. It’s a snowman quilt--- I’ve got too many of the real thing and just didn’t want 12 months of them. But I still recommend it to others, It’s a darling quilt.

Close ups show more detail. Where her Seasons BOM was mostly browns, this quilt has brighter colors with wool stars sprinkled throughout.

I have one quilt on the frame now, but it won’t be long till this one is quilted. I can’t wait to use it.

Gratitudes:
Hot Water Heater
My daughter dating a nice guy (for the moment)
Phone call from Florida – Needed prayers are always a blessing

Basket Blocks

If the quilt blocks really grew on trees….. I have to work late tonight, so I opted for sleeping in and traipsing through the snow for some photos.

These are the last of the Basket blocks for the Baskets of Life BOM. I got behind (life happens).

So after Christmas I drew out all six blocks and got busy. I counted myself complete when I finished the stitching, but there’s still lots of work sewing on the borders.

This one is my favorite.

I’ve been sewing almost 30 minutes a day.

I have this mindset that sooner or later Don’s going to get a job and I need to have this stuff completed.

But there’s always one more quilt to make.
Here are photos of my assistants in to snow. Nothing slows them down….

Working late, there probably won’t be time for fun tonight.

Kids are doing well. Life is good.

Blue Birds in a Row....

I’ve about had my fill of winter. The novelty has worn off. We’re at the part of the season where your vehicle stays in a state of permanent filth. You’re pretty tired of your winter clothes. And realistically, we’re still talking about six more weeks of winter. Suck it up..right!?!?

Have you ever seen a quilt that the pattern cover just didn’t do it justice? Colleen showed me in her posting Bluebirds in a Row—I thought ‘cute’. But I didn’t give it much thought. But I went to Primitive Gatherings last Wednesday and saw the display….

I knew it meant an end to winter. Maybe it was the colors of their hand-dyed wool (lots better than the pattern photo). I kind of have the Cabin- Northwoods thing going on in my house so I thought it was perfect. I traced it and cut it out tonight. I needed a handwork project since I finished my Baskets of life stitching.

I guess quilts are like books…they shouldn’t be judged by their covers---(even pattern covers..:)

Gratitudes:
The dishwasher
New Needles
Cheese Toast

F A I T H . . . . . .

I needed a reminder a few months ago--- so I got this for myself.  I'm not a big jewelry wearer. I think I have four pairs of earrings total.  Every piece of jewelry I own means something.  It's
F-A-I-T-H... as in...'Never lose it...'... I guess at the time I was thinking, " As long as it was around my neck-- I wouldn't..."  Don still is not working, but I have optimism and hope...enough for both of us......

This has hung in my sewing room just like this for a while.  It was a friendship gift from Amy.  She even included scraps so I could make it bigger.  Chelsey has decided that hopefully she will have her own place next semester and wants a brown couch for a pink and brown living room.  This was the first thing I thought of.  I guess there is always a reason for a quilt.  So I took my scraps and added a couple of fat quarters and created

16 more blocks.

It's a nice size now.  I found some fabric on clearance for backing--- maybe tomorrow I'll post it.  I'm thinking a brown patchwork border and it will be ready for quilting.  It looks like Chelsey.

I had a great weekend--- It just wasn't long enough. 

Gratitudes:

Pink thread

Mackinac Bridge - Makes it easier to get to Eric

Never losing...Faith.

Baby Blankets

I have to work late tonight…. The bright side is I don’t have to go in so early. The pups wake up at the usual time so I leave Don sleeping and get up with them. I’m a morning person anyway so no complaints. A friend over at V & Co. is requesting baby receiving blankets

so I printed out the instructions and made a couple this morning to send. I just love working with flannel. I’m in no hurry--- but I’m going to be an awesome gramma one day….

We’ve missed out on the last two snowstorms that have hit the Midwest. I guess there is a perk to living in the “Way Up North” of the U. S. .

I’m finishing up a 2009 BOM project with only 1 ½ blocks left. Hopefully it will be completed by this weekend. We’re having dinner with friends Saturday night and a quilter will be there. We usually slip off unnoticed and share the projects we’re working on right now….

Chelsey’s learning life lessons--- the Radio station she’s working at was sold. The new owners came in and fired everyone and rehired some (including her). Tough lessons….hard lessons, but life lessons she’s learning first hand. I told her she needs to write down ' Life lessons they don’t teach in college textbooks.' But she presses on…..

Eric's is learning cool stuff -- has a class on herbal remedies. I just love talking with him. We're going to see him in March. The weather is too unpredictable for him to come home right now. Plus the heavy load of classes. I stress over him, but he and Chels talk daily so she's the thermometer for Eric--- "Mom, he's fine..."

I better load up the jeep and get to work…..

Gratitudes:
Baby flannel
Ruffles—my new thing
Phone call from a friend

Her Birthday----

Chelsey turned twenty on Thursday. The two radio stations in the college town she lives in announced every hour throughout the day. The entire city had to of known it was her birthday---- she ate it up…..


Wow… she’s twenty….no tears. It’s not what you lost it’s what you had. I loved the little girl….Managed the teenager…And completely adore her as an adult.

We celebrated last weekend, with a girl’s day out to Green Bay and Appleton. No quilt stores or department stores—except Kohls. We laughed about fun “on a budget”. Our first stop was a meat market. Only Chelsey would Reggae the “happy dance” over a Smoked Chicken and her own pound of beef brisket to take back to school. The market is huge and there were 30 people—literally ---in front of us--- but we picked out son-in-laws while we waited…..

Like her Mother—ruled by her stomach—we had lunch and started shopping. She had Christmas money left over and a ton of birthday money from relatives. Being the only grand-daughter on both sides of the family, she’s completely spoiled.

With dreams of having her own apartment this summer, we had our shopping focus. We purchased things for her bathroom, a shower curtain, rug, toothbrush holder. While she’s completely the “UP TOWN” girl, DNA proves without a doubt we have a link. The obsession with dishes(she’s picked out solid yellow ones), dishtowels, and cloth napkins is an undeniable link. She purchased some and I threw in a couple.

A great day—we sang in the car all the way home….

I sent her this for her birthday --- Telling her when she one day writes for the New York Times, or A Great American Novel she’ll remember me.

I did some sewing for her—that she’s coming home for today. I don’t know that I can picture her carrying the purse, but I definitely see it hanging on a hook in her apartment. The journal is a pattern from V and Co. I just made it an inch bigger than the directions and added batting for some quilting.

The fabric….I know Chelsey, while she appreciate my colors, has a style of her own. Looking in the quilt cabinet I seemed a little lean on her “colors”.   I had some Moda Faded Memories in a Miss Rosies Quilt Co. kit that I had saved for 3 years for a dream of making that “Southern” quilt my grandmother would have exactly made—colors and all. I looked at it. And Looked at it again. Time, a place shop and $$$ were all factors. I dove in and used the fabrics. The Pastel quilt would have to wait….it wasn’t even on the list anyway…

I think my Grandmother would have approved…….

Happy Birthday Chels----

Gratitudes….

Pups sleeping in until 7 am
Covered buttons
Chinese Takeout

Thank You-----

--- for the pattern below…

I had a fun coffee break, studying the photo and going over the instructions more than once. A friend from Lower Michigan sent it to me. I’ve tried emailing her again and again since Friday and Yahoo keeps sending her email back to me. I’ve even replied to emails she’s sent me and they come back. I finally decided this was the best way to get the message across. I never want it said that quilters are ungrateful. Many times, I've stated that I read more about quilting than actually using the needle and thread. But it’s all worth it…
The history lessons you learn,
the warm covers you make,
and the friends you meet along the way---
Denise keep in touch….I’d love to see photos of your progress….

Pinwheels

Thanks for checking on me….I’ve been busy. Life has been in the front seat lately.
But I have been quilting. It all started with a friend losing her father suddenly. How many times have I wanted to quilt something for someone to sit back and say, I don’t have time. I can’t get it done fast enough. Well, the familiar responses crept up again on this occasion.

But I took a different attitude this time. I told myself she’d have tons of people offering support at first. She’d probably need the quilted piece later--- after everyone else’s lives had gone back to normal and she was still there, without her Dad.

So I opened up the quilt cabinet and took out this and a couple of fat quarters, along with some muslin. I stitched away. I backed out on giving it to her two or three times. It wasn’t perfect…. Mistakes in it stood out like sore thumbs. But I continued on working on it daily for 15- 20 minutes a day.

The minute the binding was complete.

I stamped a card and left it along with hot chocolate mix on her doorstep. I knew if I kept it a minute longer, I feel like it wasn’t good enough to pass on. “ Just do it…. Melanie… just do it…” And it was done… no regrets.

I’d been to her house a few times, but for the life of me I could not tell you what colors her house was done in. I settled on red, thinking she could use the piece, Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Summer, Christmas.

Karen found it when she got home and …loved it….
Stressing over nothing, I was.
It was worth it….

Gratitudes:
A gift that cost nothing but time – I even used scrap batting.
Working late, but learning new stuff
Don, that loves me.