I won!!!!

I wanted to show you the sweet ornament I won from Regina at Creative Kismet. It's so cute!!! She asked her blog readers to leave a comment telling something that you learned from your granny or mother. Here is the comment I made on her blog:


It’s fitting that your give away ornament is an owl. My Granny had a “thing” for owls. While Granny taught me lots of practical things, the one I think has helped me most is “laughter does good like a medicine”. My Granny was poor and worked hard all her life, but each and everyday she found something laugh about. She had an amazing sense of humor and it helped her through many difficult days. Anytime I think about my Granny, I see her with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.

I have the ornament hanging in my sewing room so that I can enjoy it all year long. Thank you so much Regina for the great give away, and the dear reminder of my Granny!!

Regina's pic is SO much better than mine! Be sure and visit her blog.

Oh, and just wanted to mention....I have 14 Easy Spider Web blocks done now. Got another finished just a few moments ago. (I'm gonna blog this into the ground!!!)

Another block done....

but I am restraining myself from showing another picture of the quilt blocks!! Instead, I thought I'd show a pic of what I see from my sewing machine. Each morning (well, when I can), I walk into my sewing room, open the blinds and enjoy the trees while sitting at the machine. We live at the very end of the cul-de-sac and the mail boxes for our street are right behind that group of trees there on the right.

This morning it was wet and foggy outside. (Now it's over cast and dreary looking.) So, while that's not pretty, what I do love is keeping an eye on the neighbors. I see them coming and going while I'm sewing and it's nice to know I'm not home alone in this neighborhood. We have older neighbors who sit on their porch, neighbors with younger children who walk down to the mailbox area in the cul-de-sac while their little ones run around the cul-de-sac, and neighbors who are in their 50's apparently still working each day coming and going at the same time day after day, I can see who is having their carpets cleaned or having work done on their house. I know who does their own yards and who hires a crew to do it for them.

Our neighborhood is VERY quiet, it just sounds noisy from my description. If I wasn't watching, I'd never hear anyone coming and going around here. It's very quiet....

And, the funny thing is that I never knew any of this until about a month ago. My sewing room was the last room to get set up when we moved just 4 months ago. My sewing room is in the formal dining room and the formal living is right beside it, facing the front of the house. The living room has a bookcase, large armoire, a side chair, ficus tree and the piano in it. I don't use that room as much as the kids do. They all play piano, so they hang out in there with their friends, singing late into the night!!

Anyway, the rest of the house is toward the back of the house. Our house backs up to a wooded area, and since we are on a cul-de-sac, we have a large area beside the house that has woods too. We feel so alone, when we look out the back of the house....which we do all day long because we have LARGE windows across the back and we can enjoy the sunshine, birds, squirrels and at night, the raccoons.

So, now you have an idea of my sewing area, and my back yard. Since we moved in the middle of August, we haven't done anything to the yard. February will be the time to trim the bushes around the house, etc. and hopefully, we'll have enough money squirreled away to do some minor landscaping....nothing fancy or too expensive.
Happy Quilting!!!!!!

One More!!

I just have to do this to keep myself motivated. I know it's not exciting blog reading to see someone add one new block each day!!! Thanks for being patient.

I have a few errands to run and I'm hoping to get back in the sewing room this evening.



Happy Quilting!!!!!!

Back to the sewing room!

This has been a good day! I headed back to the sewing room this morning and made more Easy Spider Web blocks. I've added three complete blocks. I am working away at them, although it does take time. I now have 11 blocks! Woot, woot!

It's slow going, but I wanted to let you all know that I am faithfully retreating to my sewing room and slowly plugging along. I think I must be an awful S-L-O-W topper!! But, this much I know, I am a much S-L-O-W-E-R quilter!!!

Oh, and what keeps me happily plugging away at the monotonous sewing??? Here is the secret, my iPod touch plugged into my daughter's iPod speaker system. She doesn't mind if I borrow it! I need to get my own, don't you think?? This one was just $39. And, the music showing there is Keith Green, Christian musician from the 70's and 80's. Love it!!








Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas. May this Christmas bring the blessings of love, joy and peace to us all.



"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given...." Isaiah 9:6

Busy hands....

Today, I blanched the green beans, made some Maple Walnut Fudge, some Peppermint Thins and baked the cornbread for the cornbread dressing. I cleaned out the fridge and did some laundry, went over my menu again, double checked my recipes, wrapped some gifts and added a few items to a last minute grocery list.... all while listening to my tunes. I didn't get to the sewing room today, but had a great day, regardless.

Tomorrow, another friend is coming by for a visit.....so nice to have Christmas visits.

Lots of smiles and anticipation. I'll have all my kids home for Christmas and my mother in law will be joining us for dinner too.

How are your Christmas plans going?????

Christmas Cookie Exchange and blessings....

Dear Friends came over yesterday and the hubby of the couple installed two ramps leading to our deck, so that Dear Hubby can roll outside and enjoy a cup of coffee with me! Today, the temperature is 71 degrees. That may still a bit cool for Dear Hubby, he's so sensitive to temperature, but maybe we can slip outside this afternoon for a warm cup of coffee! It's supposed to warm up to 74 or 75. Living in the Houston area allows us to enjoy the outdoors even in the winter!!

And, a friend invited Dear Older Daughter and I over last night for a Christmas Cookie Exchange. Each person was to bring 6 dz. cookies to swap. We actually made 18 dz. cookies and took 1/2 of them over to another friend who is expecting twins, and she already has three little ones!! She and her hubby THOUGHT they were through having babies!! (Babies have a way of happening, but twins can be twice as shocking!!!!) Anyway, she can't do as much this year to prepare for Christmas, so we took her half of the cookies we swapped. Dear Daughter and I had a really nice time. And we came home with some wonderful recipes.

Here is a pic of our loot from the party. There is a lovely little container of broken cookies, ones that didn't make it home intact, sitting beside the coffee pot. Perfect for enjoying while all the other preparations are going on. And, I won't tell how many disappeared shortly after arriving home last night!!!

And, today, another friend is coming by to visit with Dear Hubby. I'm hoping while he's visiting, I can spend some time at the sewing machine. Today will probably be my last day to be able to sneak in some time sewing. Tomorrow I begin cutting up celery, onion, bell peppers, etc. preparing for the Christmas meal. I think I can even make the cheeseball and I really need to blanch the green beans I purchased yesterday. Busy, busy, busy!!!

Hope you are enjoying your Christmas preparations and finding blessings amid the busy-ness!

Happy Quilting and Merry Christmas!!!!

Eight Spider Web Blocks Done!!

I showed this pic to my Dear Hubby and he said, "Yeah, they look just like they did before." He just doesn't get it. There are three more than there were the other day!!!! Good grief.

I know.....I'm slow and don't have much to show for all the hard work, but I am glad I've got three more made! Yay me!!!

Oh, and I took a three hour nap today, so I did get something accomplished!!! LOL

Edited to add link to Quilter's Cache and the Spider Web paper pieced pattern.

Happy Quilting!!!

Needed to mention.....

that I have a new background for my blog.....

and, I'm working away on the Spider Web blocks. Will post pics later.

Spider Web Quilt Blocks

I went to bed at 1:00 this morning, and woke up wide awake at 5:00. I hate it when that happens. I blame it on nightmares. I have them frequently....and they always revolve around my immediate family being in danger, and I have to protect them. I have started dreaming about my daughter in law and grandson now being with us when things go crazy. And, Dear Hubby is always in his wheelchair. This morning the dream involved three men outside our house, with guns, trying to get in while we all slept.

So, what did I do?? What every quilter would do, I got up and .....I started sewing. I made some more Spider Web blocks. These things do not go really fast. Two hours of sewing and I made about (13) seven inch blocks. With the others I had made up already, I was able to get (5) of the large 14 inch blocks put together.

I am using my scrap bucket for the dark fabrics. Because of the weird shape of the light piece, I am pulling my 4 inch strips of lights to make this block. It's not hard, just a bit time consuming, but a great way to use up those scraps in the scrap bucket.

The pattern is a free paper pieced block from Quilter's Cache. You can find the Spider Web block here. When I use my odd shaped bit and pieces from the scrap bucket I will either use a paper pieced block or a foundation pieced block. These pieces are just easier to deal with using some sort of foundation.

My intentions were to baste the baby quilt this weekend. But, I never left the house....so no basting pins. I'm taking Dear Younger Daughter out today for some Mama and Me time, so we'll try to make a stop at Hobby Lobby for some pins. I have been through every single item in my sewing room, setting the place up, and cannot find my basting pins. I have about 100 of them, and I even know which container they are in, but I cannot find them. Does anyone else have problems like this??? So frustrating. Fortunately, they aren't too expensive, and I do have a coupon.

Ok.....so off the computer and on to my day. Hmmmm....maybe I need a 45 minute snooze first!

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!

News!!!! And my newest project!!!

Before I show any pics, I have some news to share with you. You may remember, Dear Older Son married April 4th this year. I have pics of the happy couple posted about 7 posts back. I slowed down my quilting and then stopped.....and it all started because of the wedding plans, caregiving and then the move just a few months ago.

Well, Dear Older Son and Dear Daughter in Law are now expecting a baby boy!!!! Things have been a whirlwind and I wanted to share the news, but just haven't had the time to get it all together.

So, even though I probably don't have to tell you this, now I've been bitten by the grandbaby bug and I'm wanting to make some things for this sweet little one. He is due April 10th, just one year and 6 days after his mommy and daddy's first anniversary. She is a bit over the half way point!!! They are excited and we are absolutely thrilled!!!!

He is a pic of the sweet parents to be.

And, a pic of all my sweet children, taken at Thanksgiving.....left to right, Dear Younger Daughter (who is growing up so quickly), Dear Younger Son, Dear Older Daughter, Dear Daughter in Law and Dear Older Son.

And, lastly, a pic of the quilt I made last year from scraps leftover from two other projects. I put it away and told Dear Hubby that I liked it so well, I would save it for our first grandson. I had no idea it would be needed so soon!!!

I added the blue border last night. I have sewn the backing together, and have it layered, but for some reason I have misplaced my basting pins!!! Looks like I need to make a trip to Hobby Lobby or the quilt shop for some pins. I need to get this basted and start on the hand quilting. This is going to be a fun project to work on!!!!

I'm going to be a grandma!!!! Woot woot!!!!!

Happy Quilting!!!!!!

Edited: here is the link to a previously posted pic of the baby's quilt.

I'm back!!!!!

Whew. All moved in. Everything settled......and it's feels, oh so GOOD!

As of November 23rd, my sewing room is all set up!!! Yay!!!! I've even started sewing again. I pulled out my "Spider Web" blocks and am in the process of making more. I am enjoying touching my fabric, digging through scraps, etc. It's been a fun process, and I'm beginning to see just how much I've missed quilting.

We've had a lot going on here. Dear Hubby has had a difficult time adjusting. We absolutely LOVE our new home, and the location, etc. It just seems that he is not bouncing back as easily as he once did and major changes and "hiccups" cause us to slowly readjust everything. But, we're starting to feel like we're back in the groove.

I still don't have all my software installed on my new laptop....since the hard drive crash this summer, so posting pics that are sized correctly has been a challenge. Thought I'd share them regardless.......

Please comment and let me know you are reading. I'm hoping I haven't lost ALL my readers!

And, I'm hoping this next week to have a celebration give away!!!! So stay tuned.......

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!

Where have I been??? Where am I going???

I've been busy, just like everyone else....but, since my son's wedding, I haven't touched a piece of fabric. And, now......we're moving, this Saturday. I am assuming that it will take a few weeks to get the house set up and ready for life, and then, maybe I'll have time to start on the sewing room, and maybe then, I'll get back to sewing!!!

Thanks so much for reading and visiting my blog. I'm really hoping to start blogging again soon!

Winners of the Random Give Away!!!!!

Thanks for all the comments!! I loved reading all about why you quilt. There are so many different reasons, and I enjoy many of the same wonderful things about quilting that you do. Thanks for sharing.

Here are the two winners of the Random Give Away!!! I think it's interesting that they both have blogs with the word "book" in the title! And, yes, I did use a random number generator!!!!

And here are the winners:

Sara, of The Quilting Bookworm, said: Wow, great giveaway!

Why do I quilt? I quilt for many reasons. One, it relaxes me. Just being in my own little world doing something I enjoy. 2. The challenge - I love puzzles and making quilts can be like putting together a puzzle. 3. The people you meet - I have met so many awesome people through blogs and quilts! 4. the people you touch - when I give a quilt away I can tell that the person who received it will cherish it and that makes it more special and warms my heart, and when its to a great organization that helps those in need it makes it even more special!
5. Its an art - a lost art. And while I can't draw or paint, I can sew and enjoy it!
That is why I quilt!


And, Becky, of The Quilting Booklady said, Why do I quilt? I love the preciseness of piecing. I love seeing the fabric under the needle. I love picking fabrics to go with a project. I love the friends that I have met through quilting. I love the generous spirit of quilters like you!

Sara will receive the quilting book, Quilts from Lavender Hill Farm and Becky will receive the five fat quarters. I'll get this in the mail early next week, ladies. I'm flying home on Sunday night, so I probably won't get them in the mail until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Happy Quilting!!!!!

Happy 80th Birthday Daddy!!!!

Well, I really thought I'd be home on the 24th to announce the winner of the Random Give Away....but, I decided to take a last minute trip to see my dad. My brother and sister will be traveling to see Dad too!! We're having a birthday party, of sorts.

My dad was hoping to come to the wedding and celebrate his birthday early, but driving is getting harder on him and his wife. We live a little over 400 miles away from Dad. My brother and sister are driving and I'm flying so I can go the days that are most convenient for me and my family. Things worked out, and Dear Younger Son is going to be home all weekend to stay with his dad, so that I can go. Thanks Son!!!! *squeeze*

I will make an effort to announce a winner on the 24th. I can't remember if my dad has wireless internet access, and I'm not asking him because he doesn't know I'm coming. He knows my brother and sister and their families will be there. He asked if I'd be able to make it, and I told him I really didn't think so, because it's so hard to leave Dear Hubby!!! He sounded disappointed, but the surprise will be so much FUN!!! I can't wait to see his face.

So, as you read this, I will have just arrived and surprised my dad. I'll be in touch with everyone, as soon as I can. Keep leaving comments, and I promise I will moderate them and get them posted BEFORE the drawing!!!

(Pic of my dad, taken in front of his house, several years ago.)

Happy Quilting!!!!!

Random Give Away

How about a random give away???? Sounds like fun to me!!!

This drawing will be for two different prizes. The first prize is this awesome quilt book entitled, "Quilts from Lavender Hill Farm" by Darlene Zimmerman.

There is a quilt in this book called Frosty Morning....a two color quilt, in blue and white. So pretty. You could get started now and have this one ready for January's cold days. There is a log cabin quilt, a Depression Era quilt, a Pineapple quilt, a pumpkin quilt......one quilt a month. Nice book.


The other gift is a set of random Fat Quarters that I've picked up here and there at some of my favorite local quilt shops. A red wavy stripe, a Fig Tree floral, a blue print by Nancy Halvorsen, a muddy gold print and a Moda print from the line Nell's Flower Shop. Great quilt shop quality fabrics.

All you have to do is answer this question:

Why do you quilt???

Not as easy to answer as you might think!! I'm looking forward to reading your responses.

The drawing will close April 23rd at 10:00 p.m. Central Time. I will announce the two winners on April 24th....sometime during the day. I'll do my best to get the prizes out in the mail on the 27th, but no promises. We roll with the punches around here and hold all plans loosely!!

This drawing is open to everyone. I'll be glad to ship internationally, so everyone join in the fun!!!


Happy Random Give Away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it!!!

I sat down at the sewing machine for about an hour this morning and actually sewed two blocks!! Rather exciting. Of course, I had to drag out tons of fabric to do it...but it's worth it. The sewing room isn't clean looking anymore, but I have an actual project out and I'm working on it, and that feels really good.



Lots to do today....better get busy. I'm hoping to spend a few minutes here and there as I can sewing a seam or two.

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!

Baby steps back into sewing....

I really wanted to sew, but this made it impossible!!!! What a mess.



During the six weeks (or so) I was away from my blog, I was busily working on wedding stuff. Making invitations for the Rehearsal Dinner, purchasing stuff (and stashing receipts so I'd have an idea of just how much I spent!!), rearranging, and throwing stuff on the cutting and sewing tables. And, this is what I ended up with! Oh my!!

After a day of piddling and moving, throwing away, refiling, cleaning, shredding and stashing....now I can think about sewing. I still need to dust and vacuum, but you have to admit, it's so much better!! That stack of fabric is a quilt I started before the wedding, just for fun. I don't know if I'll start with that (it had started getting on my nerves and that's why it's still there) or if I'll start on those wonderful Geese in the Forest.

Speaking of which, did I understand correctly??? I need to make 29 of Block 2? Is anyone else doing this? I can't find the block requirements anywhere online anymore. Can someone enlighten me????

I think I'm going to put on some music and see what happens. Oh, I forgot, I need to pick up some groceries too. Maybe I'll sew a bit later this afternoon?????

Edited to add: Please do some research, Paula!!! Ughhh. What do you know??? Visit the blog and read "Block 2 is called "Friendly Flock". Why? Because you have to make 27 of them and I thought it would help to think of them as amicable geese."

Happy Resurrection Day!!

Photo: FreeFoto.com

I'm back!!!!!

Thank you so much for your patience during my absence. I missed hearing from each of you!! And, honestly, I'm ready for things to settle down and get back to a somewhat normal routine. I can't wait to read your blogs and catch up on what has been going on in your quilting lives!!!!

Wow!!! What a whirlwind of activity a wedding is!! It has been an exciting time in our lives. Shopping, planning, meeting, arranging, decorating, showers, dinners. Busy, busy, busy. But, I will say, I have had the time of my life. No stress....at least until the very day. But, I never should have been concerned. My dear friends who did all the leg work had everything organized and it went SOOOOO smoothly. Everything got finished on time, well, all except the secret project! But, there is still time for that. The Rehearsal Dinner was gorgeous and the food was outstanding! Oh, I hope someone got pics!! I was so busy and a bit flustered that night, I never even took my camera out!!

Our first child has married and is happily enjoying his honeymoon with his new bride. We received a text from them last night that they arrived safely. So glad that they let us know. (They spent two nights here in town before leaving on Monday for a two week stay in Hawaii.)

There were lots of photographers and just one has posted a few pics, which I will share with you. There will be millions of pics because literally, there were 5 photographers (all professional, and friends of the couple, who wanted to be part of the wedding) and 2 videographers (also professionals and friends)!!!

The couple did an amazing job on the planning of the actual ceremony and it reflected them both. There were 18 voices and about the same amount of instruments. Piano, organ, clarinet, trumpets, violins, viola, oboe, and a flute. The music was outstanding. The vows were written and memorized, and said with conviction and passion. The service was Christ honoring and just so special.

Now, on with life. The three girls in the family, me, Dear Older Daughter and Dear Younger Daughter all got sick right before the wedding. Colds, bronchitis, wheezing, ear infection and crackling lungs. We're off to the Dr. today for follow up visits, but it seems as if we are doing a bit better.

As soon as I'm back on my feet, I'm going to go into the sewing room and I'm going to straighten things up. I think touching my fabric again will bring on a new zeal for quilting. I am looking forward to catching up on the Geese in the Forest quilt blocks.

Maybe tomorrow??

Gratitudes...

Yesterday, my plans were to spend time working on the secret project, but life interrupted. I got a phone call that Dear Older Daughter was in a wreck. I went to pick her up and call the wrecker service, set up the repair, etc. As we pulled away from it all, I decided she needed to go to the hospital.

She banged her head and shoulder pretty badly, and while she was dazed at first, she seemed to be better. Once we got into the van and started driving, she became dizzy and nauseous. A quick (6 hour) stop at the ER, one CAT scan and some x-rays....we're a tired bunch around here today. Thankfully, Dear Older Daughter has some bruising and is REALLY sore, but honestly, we have so much to be thankful for!!!

We will find out over the next week the total damages to the car. Hopefully, it can be repaired.....and not totaled. Aren't we grateful we have full coverage?? Wow....insurance is really worth it, not to mention the fact, required!! LOL

Off to get a haircut today, and I'll be enjoying some wonderful singing this afternoon. Dear Older Daughter, Dear Younger Son, Dear Friend of the Family and Dear Future Daughter in Law are having quartet practice here at our house!! Yay, I love hearing them sing. They will be singing at a local church tomorrow.....so glad I'll be able to hear them, even if I can't go to the service with them. Life is good.

Happy Quilting!!!!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that the reason I'm not blogging right now, is because I'm not sewing right now!!! This is a quilting blog, after all, and I haven't had time to sew a stitch. Yikes.

We're in the 6 week countdown to Dear Older Son's wedding and things are picking up around here! I spent the day today at lunch with a friend discussing the Rehearsal Dinner...I'm SOOOO grateful for all the wonderful friends who are helping me get this dinner and the decorations together. Exciting times!!!!

I'm afraid there won't be much sewing going on here for a while, but I'll do my best to pop in and say hello! Between the wedding preparations and care giving, I'm certainly staying busy!! But, hey, it's all good!!!

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day
Dear Bloggy Friends!!!!!

Black and White Challenge

See my Black and White Challenge fabric. I finally settled on my one additional color!!!

Black and White Challenge Blog

Geese in the Forest = FUN!!

Can you tell my mom is doing better?? I've had time to sew!! Whoo hoo. She's still taking it easy, but doing so much better. The swelling is down and she's going to see her Dr. tomorrow. Arthritis isn't for sissies!!!!

Geese in the Forest Block 1, anyone want to join me???

Happy Quilting!!!!!!

Red Strings Top - DONE!!!

I ended up with 96 blocks and I'm happy with this one. It measures 48x72. I think it will be the perfect lap sized quilt. One of the problems with most lap sized quilts, in my opinion anyway, is that they just aren't long enough. I want my arms and my feet covered when I'm watching a movie!!

Actually, I put this on my husband's hospital bed and it's just about perfect. He's rather spoiled to his white blanket, but the red sure brightens things up.

As a reward for finally finishing this one up, I am going to start making the other five Geese in the Forest blocks!! I love them!!!! I think I'm pumped about this quilt because I just have to make a few blocks here and there, and I'm using my favorite fabrics....Civil War Reproductions!!

Happy Quilting!!!!

I'm making a mess!

I'm home today, playing nurse, housekeeper, cook and general cleaning woman. Today is Dear Niece's first birthday party, but sadly we weren't able to go to her party. I'm holding back tears, but sometimes things like this happen. It's been a trying week and today, I'm keeping my hands busy.

My mom, who is living with us, is having knee trouble and is under Doctors orders to keep her knee above her heart. She is NOT to walk on it!!! (Except for certain trips to another room!) So, I am caring for her and my Dear Hubby, while my "kids" have gone to the birthday party. So we are at least represented at the party!!! Since I've gotten the house straightened, the laundry done, my patients fed and in bed, I sat at my machine for a while this afternoon.



I pulled out my red strings and quickly got twelve 12 inch blocks put together. I laid them out to see what they are going to look like. I've got ninety 6 inch blocks made now, and I'm determined to get this quilt together! It goes quickly, but it makes a mess!! Red strings all over the place, snips and bits, and trimmings!!!



And, Anina at Twiddletails has started a BOM that I just cannot resist!! I know, please no one tell me I don't need to do this, because I really do!!! This quilt is called Geese in the Forest. She is doing hers in green with a touch of red. While I really love that colorway, I decided to do this totally scrappy in Civil War fabrics. It's not my fault......my bloggy friend sent me Civil War fabrics and I couldn't wait to cut into them!!!!

Here is my first block. There will be five more of these....so over the next few days, I'll take a few minutes and make some more. They went really fast!! And, you know I love paper piecing!!!

Happy Quilting!!!!

How many people read your blog?

Have you ever wondered? Well, I discovered a way to find out how many subscribe to your blog through Google Reader, have you???

Subscribe to your own blog....Click to show details. If you do that on my blog in Google Reader, you'll see that I have 106 people who have subscribed to my blog in Google Reader. And, I have another 38 followers, look in my side bar. Now, maybe they overlap some, but I had no idea that many were reading.

There may be some who have book marked my blog and I can't see them that way. And, I know, there are other ways to see who is reading, etc. But, I'm not very tech savvy! LOL You can always comment and tell me ways you've figured out how many read your blog. Teach me a few things here!!! LOL

Happy Blogging and Quilting!!

Bloggy Friends!!!!

I met a wonderful quilter through blogging and we've enjoyed many friendly e-mails. She has been an inspiration to me in so many ways. She's an awesome quilter and a wonderful woman! She recently asked for my snail mail address and told me she wanted to share some of her Civil War fabrics with me! I was totally surprised, but wanting to be gracious (LOL), I promptly e-mailed the address with a huge thank you!!

The only stipulation to the gift? She didn't want to be blogged about or thanked publicly. This shows the heart of this fine woman. I did ask her if it would be ok to share with you the wonderful fabrics she sent me.....and she agreed to that.

She sent me half yard cuts of most of these fabrics and a few of these are a bit smaller. Lots of wonderful fabrics to add to my stash of Civil War fabrics, just waiting to be sewn into a wonderful quilt or two!!! She also sent along some dark chocolate...with mint!! How did she know??? And some wonderful trail mix. I was a bit confused about the mint tin, until I read the note!! So smart!!! It is for storing old rotary blades, broken pins and needles in so that when you do throw them away, no one cuts themselves in the trash. What a great idea!

So, Dear Bloggy Friend, thank you SOOO much for the wonderful gift!! I LOVE it all. Keep on sewing and inspiring!!! Quilty hugs to YOU!!!!!

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!

Award winning???? Well, Millie thinks so!

I received an award from Millie at Millie's Quilting......this award says:

"This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are extremely charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award."

Thank you so much Millie. I am supposed to pick out eight bloggers and give this award. I just can't. I have met so many wonderful bloggers over the past year and a few months. I've enjoyed our chatty e-mails back and forth, your kind words to me and your inspiring blogs and projects. The world is full of AWESOME quilting bloggers.

So.....Happy Award Day Quilty Bloggers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8 Random Facts About Me!!

Eileen, at Eileen's Attic, tagged me.....so here are 8 random facts.




1. I have schooled all of my children at home, since they were born. (Three are graduated, productive adults, the last one is still being schooled at home.)

2. I enjoy cooking, and people tell me they love to eat at our house. We don't have fancy meals, but you won't leave hungry!!

3. I adore Civil War Reproduction fabrics.

4. Our church sponsored a Bike-A-Thon to raise money for missions when I was in high school. Several people participating were afraid to approach the richest man in our church to ask him to sponsor them. We were riding for 20 miles. I decided that the worst he could do was say no. He told me that he would give me $25 a mile, if I rode my bike with training wheels. LOL.....I really wanted to raise the most money, so I agreed. I got my older brother to put training wheels on my bike and turn them up in the air. When he showed up the day of the Bike-A-Thon to see if I kept my end of the bargain, he laughed and said, "Here's the money. I really didn't think you would do it. And, I didn't clarify "how" to put the training wheels on your bike." With his donation and the others I collected, I raised the most money!

5. I have a short story published in a book. It was a collection of miracle stories. Sadly, the book is no longer available.

6. I am pigeon toed....but not as bad as I once was. When the Dr. told me that, I started making myself walk differently.

7. My two favorite beverages are coffee and Dr. Pepper....but I drink lots of water too!

8. I'm 43 and I need bifocals!! I am doing the trick my mother once did. I hold something and move it back and forth, closer and further away until I can see what I'm looking at!!

You're it!! Take this tag and post 8 random things about YOU! Let me know you did it, so that I can find out more about you.

Everlasting Quilt

When my kids were little, we went shopping with grandma one day and found a book entitled, "Gilbert's Gobstopper". The book tells the story of a little boy and his gobstopper (jawbreaker).

The library of Congress describes it this way: This book follows the adventures of Gilbert's amazing gobstopper as it travels from his mouth to the bottom of the sea to the wilds of outer space.

My kids loved this book about the everlasting gobstopper!!

And, the title of this post? Yeah, the Everlasting Quilt. Lots of little pieces and seems to be taking me forever!!! It's actually called Everlasting Wreath.....scroll down on the linked page to find the pattern. I am enjoying seeing it come together, but I am SOOOO far from near the end of this one! I suppose this one qualifies for a WISP (Works In Slow Progress). Yeah, definitely. But, I'm keeping the project container near the machine and having it there makes me remember to sew a block here and there. I've got 19 of them done. And, let's see.....I need just 91 more!

I precut the fabric pieces and sorted them well, but it seems that I keep picking up the same fabrics over and over again. I know there will be more variety when I reach the end of the blocks, but for now it looks like I've only used 6 different fabrics!! Crazy!

Over the weekend, I also made 10 more red string blocks. Hmmm.....I need to decide how big I want this quilt. Maybe until I run out of red strings??? I don't know, that bucket was awful deep! LOL

And, I've been working away on my secret project. My goal was to sew an hour a day each day. Well, I'm almost half way done and I've spent 32 hours on it. Hmmmm, doing the math, I'd better sew for two hours a day to get this baby done in a timely manner! Not going to happen, I'm afraid. But, I'm plugging away at it!

Not alot to show for what I've done recently....but that happens sometimes. Working on blocks is really rather boring to blog about, but putting a quilt top together is exciting news! The only problem is you have to make blocks to make quilts!!

Happy Quilting!!!!!

Blogger and Word Verification

Read to the end to see the pattern I ordered today!!

Mrs. Noodles posted today about Blogger issues. I rarely have issues with Blogger, but it got me to thinking....

I set my blog up to allow only registered users to comment. Then, I decided that I needed to have word verification to prevent spam comments. And, lastly, I moderate my comments. In other words, when you leave a comment, I reserve the right to delete it. My reason for that was so that no one could leave ugly comments or language that I personally find offensive. I don't think quilting should lead any of us to be mean or ugly, unless I write something argumentative and mean, giving you reason to lash back. And, really, I try to avoid contention in my posts and in my comments on other's blogs.

Since I started blogging in November 2007, I have only deleted a few comments and they were because they were duplicate comments. You know how sometimes you aren't sure if you clicked to leave the comment or hit preview or the computer is taking too long and just out of frustration, you click it twice. Yeah, I delete those duplicates. I don't want people thinking I have readers who are impatient!! LOL

I've never gotten an ugly comment or language that I've found offensive. I'm so grateful that the people who read my blog are wonderful, kind and encouraging!! Thank you all!

But, I do realize that if you visit a lot of blogs, commenting can get annoying - having to jump through all the hoops!! So, I decided to make a few changes to see if I could make it easier for my readers to comment.

Because I left the moderation on, I have allowed anonymous comments. If you say something ugly, and can't own up to it, I'm certainly not going to publish it. And, I've also turned off the word verification. I realize I may live to regret this one when I get dozens, perhaps hundreds of spam comments! But, I'll chance it. I'll be moderating anyway.....we'll see how long this one lasts!!

Hopefully, these changes will make it easier for you to leave comments.

Finally, because no post is really fun without talking about quilting....here is what I ordered today. I put the quilty blame on Chris at Cats On My Quilts! She is making this quilt and I fell in quilty love and within 3 minutes, I had it ordered and on it's way. I just got the pattern, I've got loads of fabric. I may make it the same colors.....and I may go completely scrappy!!! I ordered it from Country Threads. Click the link to see their completed quilt!! It's sooo pretty.


Happy Commenting and Quilting!!!!

I like change

If you are reading this through Google Reader or something similar, you won't notice the change. But those of you reading my actual blog might. I think I might change my background once a month. With all the options available at "The Cutest Blog on the Block", why not???

It's really super simple, easy to do and so much prettier than the standard Blogger backgrounds. If you haven't tried it yet, check it out. Yes, you can do this...if you set up your own blog, this will be simple. Just read the instructions and do what they say. Simple.

It's DONE!!!! Woot woot, again!!

Ok, the other day, after working on the Zig Zag quilt, I was not happy with it's size. I wrote about adding borders, not adding borders, making more blocks, etc. I could not figure out what to do. As I was replying to a comment, inspiration hit! I was too busy to start that day, but here is what I came up with .....and the top is complete! Now, the quilt finishes at 66x84, which is a great size. Not too big, or too small...





I love the way this turned out. You know, if you've been reading for long, that I LOVE scrappy quilts. And, I've been using Bonnie's Scrap User's System for a while. Here is the result of trying to clear out some drawers. The only problem??? They are still full! I got a quilt out of this drawer and it's still full! (And, so is the one above it....and it's spilling out!!)

Back to inspiration station!!!!

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!

Goodies in the mail Day 2!!!!

I know! Imagine that! Two days of having goodies in the mail from Quilty Bloggers.

Yesterday, I received a package from Darlene at Quilting Daze. Be sure and visit her blog....she's finished lots of cute tops recently! Darlene had a "can we talk" drawing. I was one of the FIVE winners, but I'm sure I got the BEST prize!!!! LOL


Darlene sent me TWO charms packs, TWO patterns and was TOO generous!! Don't you think???

Thank you SOOOO much Darlene. I can't wait to get started on this Schnibbles pattern!


Happy Blogging and Quilting!!!!!!