The Final Saga

Well, Christmas is over and I'm full of turkey and ham - just the thought of those two meats makes me go 'EEWWW"... what we have left is going in the trash... I'm thinking a good greasy burger would be wonderful!

We had a wonderful time at my son's house - it's big and roomy and everyone has room to move around and -- most important -- since The Most Amazing Grandson and The Most Precious Granddaughter live there, they don't have to completely be on their best behaviour! They are at home and it makes it SO much easier!

I won't go blow-by-blow of the gifts but the quilts for these two were big hits! The Most Precious Granddaughter fell in love with hers and I got a great big hug and kiss! Everyone oohhed and aahhhed when she opened it and she looked really really happy! See her pose!
The Most Amazing Grandson was so cute when he opened his... he reached into the big bag and pulled out the quilt and just hugged it to him saying "My turtule quilt!" brought tears to my eyes ( most things do nowadays ) I think he was very happy to have his quilt all done and he could wrap up in it... See the missing teeth!
Yes, they are truly amazing kids....
OH, I did put labels on both quilts, too! and I even named the quilts! Gee, I did good this time!
I printed them on Printed Treasure fabric sheets and sewed them to the backs. The labels were like these but a little different. I didn't like the purple background but couldn't figure out how to change it - the Turtle Quilt is named "Have you seen my turtle" and of course the other is Precious Little Princess. Thanks tirane for the name!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that Santa was good to all of you. New Year's is coming and there are a couple of mystery quilts I'm thinking of following - no nono no,,, I will not get them sewed this weekend, but I could start them I guess. Hey! what's one more unfinished project, hey?

till later


aka The Wonderful Grandmother

RETREAT TIME!!

gee, it's been a while since I have posted anything -- ya'll might think I was either REALLLLLYY busy or just nothing was fun and frivilous in my life. -- Well, we did have Thanksgiving ( which was great, by the way ) and then there is that thing called 'work' that I have to attend to on a daily basis but I did get to go to RETREAT!! I just love retreats!!

I belong to a pretty large bee - guess there is about 20 of us,, might be more but I haven't counted lately - and we are so lucky,,, yes, so very lucky,,, to have our own special retreat house! One of our founding members decided that her life calling was to open a retreat house,,, just about an hour away from where we all live, out in the country ( you can even see cows in the pasture sometimes! ). Well,,, it's called CREATE-AWAY COTTAGE -- click on the link and see what we get to go visit! It is just the most perfect place I know of to get with friends and relax and just escape from the daily life grind.

Ok,,, the retreat is Friday thru Sunday,,, I get lucky and take Friday off - (( that in itself is enough to make me jump with joy !! )),,, I have a hair appointment at 8, figure that takes about 2 hours, then the drive up to retreat,, aahh I should be there about 11. Great timing! AND I have ALL DAY to sew, nap, read eat,, whatever I want to do!
Well, to get there from the beauty shop,,, I decided to take a toll road. Now,,, I don't every have to drive a toll road, can count on one hand the times I have been on a toll road,,, I didn't know you have to pay money to GET ON the toll road!! I thought you paid when you got off!!

Oh MY,,, I screech to a stop at the little booth,,, no attendant,,, GADS do I have any change ??? OMG what do I do ??
Well, I found some change ( only needed 40 cents,,, had dollars but change was scarce ) SO,, found a quarter, two dimes,,, ok, that's too much but who cares,,, throw it in the basket -- DO YOU THINK I CAN HIT THE BASKET ??? NO BLOOMING WAY does it go in the basket !! AARRRGGHHH
by this time I have someone behind me,,, then this BELL starts making noise... can you see my frustration!! I NEED MORE CHANGE ( and thoughts of "what happens if I just drive thru this @@**#&# thing?" ) what a way to start off my perfect weekend!

ok,, I found some more change,,, feed that darn basket, light turns green, bell quits ringing,,, I"M OFF!!!

there were several more toll booths, they all had attendants,, my dollar bills worked just fine,, I got to retreat!!

I think that we had 16 total show up... one member came to visit and crochet and take us on a field trip to her new OMG cabin by the lake and see the OMG boat that they have,,, gee,,, talk about a RETREAT!! How much fun to have a place to go and sit by the lake, take the boat out,, aahhh,,, what a life!

There were lots of projects that were finished, worked on, started. Thought I would share some pictures



This is a pattern called "FRACTIONS" I think, done in batiks,,, this is a wall hanging that was made for a contest PAIR/PEAR,,, if you look closely, it is an outline of her daughters faces... now how cool and creative is this!

I just love this wall hanging,, I think the pattern was a Patrick Lose ( is that the right spelling?) raw edge machine applique,, she put some special stitches in places, you will have to look close to see. But she started it at retreat, finished it, quilted it and I think even got the binding on! Speedy Gonzales!
This one is made for a purple contest,,, I just love foundation piecing - and the book that this came from was something I would like to add to my library... This one is being made for someone who has an interest in space,,, cool focus fabric I didn't get a shot of the borders that she is going to use,,, we picked colors and laid some different things out ( a big design wall is great to work on! ) I think the layout of colors sorta looks like "day going into night"...
these two are great, aren't they!! and this one is made with batiks that have shots of gold in them,,, BEAUTIFUL! I like this one,,, I can see so many different color combinations -- gotta get that pattern OH and look at this one!!! Have you seen the Braid quilts?? this one is a little miniture ( is that how you spell it?),, so cool! This is one that was just started,,, I love the colors.. and this one is very spring'y... it was a jelly roll pattern and she finished the top on this -- why can't I sew that fast?? and this one was already finished and it is pinned for quilting - isn't it wonderful?? I just love the colors that she used - send it my way! I'm sure I missed some of the other great stuff that was being created... these are only shots of the things I saw on the design walls, or that was being displayed. I didn't even put in the one quilt I was working on! I had a kit that I bought at the local quilt shop at the last retreat, cut it out before I left, and spent all weekend sewing pieces together... almost all the blocks are finished - almost - but there is nothing yet to share.


One of our ladies decided that we all needed FRESH BAKED SUGAR COOKIES!! yyuuummmm !!! so she got the flour, sugar and all that stuff ( no manufactured roll cookies for us! ) and even made icing!! I think everyone had a hand in the decorating... well, fiddlesticks,,, I had these in the right order, then messed with them, now they are out of order, but you get the idea! We had some little bitty gingerbread men too,,, that were 'anatomically correct',,, but I thought I had better not post those! (( hehehe,,, little gingerbread men with little gingerbread thingys !! cute! )

We also had our annual Christmas gift exchange. We were given a name and we had to buy a gift that started with the letter of the person's first name... I saw this somewhere on the web, I think, and it was really fun. Like, if the name you get is Martha,,, buy something for Martha that starts with the letter "M"... it was a big hit.

Lots of fun was had by all,, we talked, sewed, ate, ate, sewed, talked, ate some more... I hope that when you go to retreat you have a great group to go with and that you have as much fun as we do!

When is the next one ????

Saturday Evening and I'm Tired

It's been a busy day - first I got up early and went to out Super WalMart -- well you know it takes for e-v-e-r to get thru one of those.... and of COURSe I had to buy stuff other than food ( like a new sweatshirt, new sweat pants, OH and I found a pair of Tinkerbell flannel pj bottoms on sale! -- had to get those of course)

well,,, a lot of money and 2-1/2 hours later, I had all the stuff my kitchen will hold and all the food I need for our family Thanksgiving tomorrow. Part of my family won't be in town on Thursday, so we are doing this early. I got the good deal,,, I cook and we all meet at my son's house! ( do you hear the laugh and giggle coming from me??? I would much rather cook and take to his house than cook AND clean mine!! wwhhhhaaaaa !!)

so,,, one pumpkin cheesecake and a triple batch of manicotti later,,, oh, and a green salad,,, I'm tired!!!

So, thought I would browse the net and some blogs and just wanted to share what I found - no they aren't quilty at all,,, but oh so delicious!!

First, for a good laugh go here http://despair.com/viewall.html
read all the posters and things,,, my sides hurt from laughing...

Then, when you are done there,,, don't forget The Pioneer Woman! WWHHOOAAA !! she has a video of The Marlboro Man !! go here http://thepioneerwoman.com/confessions/ it should be the one for November 21.

Ok, I'm done,,, enjoy!

HOLIDAY TABLE TOPPER

I went to bee last nite and took the table topper, fusible stuff that I had traced the pattern pieces onto, the fabric I wanted to use for the holly and berries, my iron and an ironing pad. It is so relaxing to sit with good friends and work on simple things, like ironing the fusible to the fabric back... mindless work is good for the soul - but chatting with good friends is better! gee, wish there had been some wine to go with it!

Betsy helped me cut out the shapes then I started placing them. I got one side ironed on last nite and just finished up the other three sides. LOOKEY LOOKEY!!

Well, it's coming along. I'm thinking satin stitch the berries in red and the leaves in green - nice shiney glittery red and green. Then I can put the border on it,,,,

but that will have to wait until tomorrow,,,

Table Toppers

Last year at the Houston Quilt Show, I bought a book from Kim Schaefer ( yep, she even signed it ) called
A COZY QUILTED CHRISTMAS.. ,,, I have been looking at the quilts and toppers in this book for a year! I thought it was about time to make something - they look really fast and easy to do. And besides, I need something on my new dining table that will -- maybe -- keep all the stuff that seems to collect on tables from collecting.. maybe.

So last nite I cut all the 4-1/2 in blocks in tans, all the 4-1/2 inch blocks in greens and the 2-1/2 in blocks in greens for the border. Like I said,, the designs/patterns are really easy. I had a good time sorting thru all my Christmas and non-Christmas fabrics! ( and I've been collecting Christmas fabrics - boy! have I been collecting! because you know, they just are not going to make any more of this stuff, so I have to have some JUST IN CASE they stop making it, and it's on sale and it's pretty and they just might not have any more !!)

so this is what I got together last night....

I'm not sure I like it,,, the dark golds seem to jump at me and that ONE darn square in the greens melts into the tans. The green 2-1/2 inch border isn't on yet so that might help a little and... I don't have the holly on it yet. OH YES,,, there are holly leaves and berries that go around the the tan part... this is my -- do you hear the drum roll (grin) ADVENTURES IN MACHINE APPLIQUE..
The holly leaves are pretty big, the berries are pretty good size so - I figure I CAN DO THIS!!! ( Do you hear my Tarzan yell! ) I think there about 36 leaves, 24 berries - a LOT of practice! I have them traced on the fusible web, got my stabilizer out,...

Oh fun! I get to pick some more fabrics !!

Till later,

Precious LIttle Princess Quilt

The Amazing Granma has been very very busy! The quilt for the Most Beautiful Granddaughter is finished, too! WHEW! Two Quilts Done!!

Here is the front and this is the back ( thank you dear husband for holding them up! ) I'm happy with how this came out, too! And the quilting is all swirley hearts... my bestest buddy did the quilting for me and it really goes with the PRECIOUS LITTLE PRINCESS .. all pinks and flowers and hearts... oh so Girly-Girl!

My friend who did the quilting has this quilt posted on her web site ( http://www.quiltifications.blogspot.com/ see November 5 post ) and it got picked up and posted on this site http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/page/2/ .... Vicki 'trips' thru the web and finds some cool things to see. Look for "PRECIOUS LITTLE PRINCESS'

It feels good to be noticed!

Well, the Most Amazing Granma is going to work on some of her own stuff now! HHMM,, what projects need finishing,, or ---- do I want to start something new??

Decisions, decisions, decisions,,, LOL ( in a maniacal laugh ) !

The Amazing Turtle Quilt _ FINISHED

It's done! The Amazine Turtle Quilt is finished!! well,,, aahhmm,,, I do have to make the label...

Here is the front....

and here is the back I like how it turned out and I love the quilting! Big loops and it loops around to each turtle head and give them eyes....

I already showed it to the Amazing Grandson and he says he really likes it. I could not let him have it yet until there is a label on it.

So, finally, FINI !

Sunday Morning Musings

I'm browsing around on the net this morning, still working on waking up. I signed up for the new Quilt Dash so I'm seeing lots of new quilting sites with lots of new patterns and ideas. Oh Golly Molly,,, I DO NOT, repeat DO NOT need new ideas! I'm doing pretty good at finishing up what I have started ( at least getting tops done and back to go with them ) and I have lots and lots of stash I want to use up - so NO NEW IDEAS !! (( LOL sorta sounds like 'no wire hangers" from that movie about Joan Crawford, doesn't it ))

Went to my Saturday Bee yesterday,,, we were all there but one ( we missed you! ) I took the quilt for the Beautiful Granddaughter to my bestest friend for quilting, just something easy and flow-ey ( is that a word? ). I pieced part of the back, she'll finish the rest. Got the Turtle Quilt back all quilted and cute. Guess tonite maybe while watching TV I"ll do the binding...

I'm such a bad Granma,,, I saw the Most Amazing Grandson and the Most Beautiful Granddaughter yesterday and told them I had a surprise for them... that was bad! They went crazy trying to figure out what it was - I'm a big tease. But being kids, something else came up and they forgot..... I hope! I'll see them again today,,, wonder if they ask?

Anyway,,, I have two quilts here that have been sandwiched and pinned for the longest time! One is a bug jar quilt that I was in an online swap for. I could never collect so many different fabrics by myself! So I've been thinking about how to quilt this myself. I have a Janome MC6600P and it has a big enough throat that I should be able to do something with free-motion quilting. Now, I KNOW I won't be as good as my bestest friend with her long-arm but it will be fun to do this one. at least give it a try!

I think I'll do a bug in the middle of each jar, like an easy butterfly or bee or lady bug and then do some small vine thingy in the black parts between the jars. Something easy in the borders. Yea, I can do this!

LOL,,, it was funny last nite! I tested and practiced my quilting on a play sandwich and I was doing pretty good but the tension just didn't seem right, top thead and bobbin thread not hitting right. I belong to a Yahoo group for Janome owners cause they have LOTS of hints and ideas and figured out how to set the tension better.

So I'm off! Yipee,,, bugs and outlines are being quilted. The quilt is by no means finished,,, I started this experience about 10pm, gave up about 1230...

think I'll go play!

The Most Beautiful Granddaughter needs a quilt

The Most Wonderful Granma thought "Now how can I make quilts for the Most Amazing Grandson and not make one for the Most Beautiful Granddaughter? How silly of me!" So the Granma went thru her stash cause she KNEW that she had the perfect fabrics to make just the RIGHT quilt and this is what she found



"just perfect for a Girly-Girl quilt! Pinks and Yellows and Greens and Purples... Just Perfect!" Said the Wonderful Granma

"So just what pattern will do the best or these fabrics - it can't be too fussy or too detailed," thought the Granma, and she looked in her books and searched the internet and she found Meadow Morning at the QuiltMaker web site http://quiltmaker.com/patterns/patt51/ it would do just fine! ( Now you have to imagine this quilt in the colors that Granma picked, ok?)The Wonderful Granma has been very busy this week! She has the quilt all cut out and most of the pieces put together,, it's time to put the 4-patch blocks together and lay it out! Girly-Girl!!! The Wonderful Granma is thinking about how fun this will be for her bestest friend to quilt! Granma put together a couple of the blocks just to see how it might look when it is all together.......... Granma thought to herself,,, "hhmm,,, think it will be more interesting if I twist some of these blocks around and not have them all going the same direction the same colors" So that is what the Wonderful Granma is going to do this afternoon! ( after she makes the Handsome and Strong Granpa take her out to lunch! )

I found a new Blog

I was at my son's house last nite, needed a little Grammy time with the 3 year old! It was SUPPOSED to be bed time,,, but of course, he had other ideas (see my sneaky grin)... anyway, I was browsing on the computer while I waited for the Most Adorable Grandson ( not to be confused with the Most Amazing Grandson who is 6 ) to finally get tired and call it quits and found this cool website http://patsythompsondesigns.com/. She has really great quilting designs that are free to use. Oh, and a really cool blog, too!

If you are into doing your own quilting... check her out!

The NO-NAME Orange and Black Quilt

The Saga of the Orange and Black Quilt
(it's not a new quilt, its not an old quilt either,,, just a work-in-progress that has taken a couple of years and I've just never showed it before, I guess ?)

Well, as the story starts, as it usually starts,,,, One day, at the quilt store (LOL) ( do you see where this is going??) I found this collection of fabrics... ( can you relate?) that just intrigued me. The main focus color is ORANGE,,, not usually one of my color choices and especially not for the focus.. but, like I said,, the collection intrigued me.

So I bought some of all of them.

Yes, I bet you know the feeling... all these pretty fabrics that look good together. Pretty pretty fabrics and no idea just what to do with them.


I'm SURE you have been there!


Well, the pretty fabrics sat on my shelf for quite awhile - orange, and black, and gold,,, what was I thinking?? There has to be the perfect quilt pattern for these. .... just can't figure it out.

Well, somewhere ( aahhaa! I just remembered! ) It was in my QUILTS FROM THE QUILTMAKER'S GIFT . I have always loved the story and by golly, someday maybe I'll do all the quilts!





Anyway,,, the pattern is PUSS N BOOTS,,, very basic and a great way to show case some fabrics with medium to small prints ... and EASY! and .. my 'inner eye' said " OOHH a Great way to use the Orange and Black and Gold Fabrics" ( see, the older I get the more my "inner eye" talks to me! LOL )


I haven't shown a picture of the quilt yet.. are you curious?? Orange, black, gold,,, hhmm,,, wonder how this turned out? Halloween!! Lions and tigers and bears ?? Oh MY!

Well, I'm not the fastest quilter and I am easily distracted but yes, I truly finished it,, binding and all ( oops, no label yet ).


This is my masterpiece TA_DA!!
(Webster just has to check everything out! and do you see the round circle floating in the picture? hhmm,,, wonder what that is?,,, )

The pictures are not that great and I didn't think about the old rifle case that my "dear" husband had out there (arrgghh ) but I'm right proud of it! The orange is 'orange' and there is golds and rusts and .. well, I'm pleased with the results. . This is the back.... My bestest friend pieced the back for me,,, a great use of all the leftovers! She takes good care of me!

You should see the quilting! Since the top is all SQUARES,,, my bestest friend, who does the bestest quilting, did CIRCLES --- random circles all in different sizes. This one was done before she got her longarm so it was quite a project... I just love how it came out. Maybe by zooming in on the pictures you can see the circles.

I don't have a name for this one yet,, but CROP CIRCLES something is coming to mind ( inner eye is talking again! )

I was showing my son and his ladyfriend some of the finished things and he really liked this one. They have just bought a brand new house so I thought that this would go to them.

Gotta get a label done. Gotta come up with a name!

The Turtle Quilt - part three

Well, the wonderful and talented Granma has been busy! All the blocks are done, all 20 of them! Let's see, 9 pieces per block x 20 blocks -- Whew! That is a lot of pieces!

Granma said she was very pleased! The most amazing Grandson has not seen them yet -- LOL He would be very excited! So tonite, the Granma put them up on the design wall and this is what she saw How Fun!! Of course the color on this is lousy,,, but Granma said to post it anyway. It shouldn't take long to put them all together... there is an inner border of about 2 inchesin an orange and then the same blue as the background will be the borders. HHMM wonder if a small blue inner border and then the orange border would be a good thing. Might set the turtle blocks off very well...

Well, the wonderful and talented Granma is a big Dancing With The Stars fan so time to go!