Is it Spring???

Today, when I went to pick up Dad to get a haircut, I was thinking, soon we can start looking for the robins. I could not believe my eyes as I looked out the car window, there were 2 robins sitting in the tree. I was able to get a couple of pictures of them. After I picked Dad up, I was able to show him too. The two robins were flying together. Dad said they were probably scouts. I think they got their directions mixed up. Did they forget to go south, or stayed around.

This last picture is a little harder to see. On the Fox River, on our way into Oswego, we saw one of our resident Eagles. On the computer screen you can see his white head. The battery on my new, longer range Lumix camera, had peetered out after taking the Robin pictures, so I had to use the Canon camera that does not have the long range. I wish I could have taken a better, closer picture. I'll keep trying.

Spring is coming!!!!

Christmas Stockings.

When I was a little girl, a friend to my Mom, made Christmas stockings for my sister and I. This is mine. Every Christmas I have hung this stocking, sometimes by the chimney with care, and sometimes on a door knob. I made sure it was ready for Santa. It is made of felt, and pieces of flannel, and Santa's beard is cotton. This Christmas I decided to make one for our son, Andrew and his girlfriend Alicia. The stocking is felt and all the figures are wool. I had fun adding the little touches of sequins and pom poms, and beads. I used my stocking as the pattern and found images I could applique to the surface. I had a lot of fun working on these too.

I haven't written much lately, as I, too, have been busy getting ready for the holidays. I am cooking dinner tomorrow, Christmas Eve. My Dad will be coming over to spend the afternoon and supervise, while I cook. On Christmas, my Dad, and Andy and Alicia will be stopping by around lunch time, so we will have the "left overs" then. They will be having dinner with her parents later in the afternoon.

Thank you to everyone that has stopped by. I appreciate the messages that have been left. It is a warm feeling knowing I have so many wonderful friends. It has been a wonderful year of making new friends and learning new things.

May Christmas

With it's magic spell,

Make all things happy

All things well.

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year

Two Finishes

This is the wool project I was working on from the workshop at Pride of the Prairie in November. I have finally gotten it finished. This is a smaller penny rug I had started this past winter, and pulled it out last week to finish it. I like how it turned out.

It was time to sit in the evening and do some hand work. During the day I have been working on cleaning the house. You know one of those cleaning top to bottom. One room at a time. I have been cleaning out closets and of course my sewing room. Some projects have been dismantled, to maybe turned into something else. The interest has been lost. I can see the floor in my sewing space now. There is going to be a retreat in February and I have bagged up some projects that won't take long to "finish". If I can cut out the patterns before I go, it makes finishing them so much quicker. I have been having fun making "Little Wallet", and the "Cash and Carry" coin purse, and the "Snap Happy" bag. For some reason, I love to make those little bags. You can find so many uses for them.

Christmas Present Received

Look what arrived in the mail on Saturday!! It is a lovely Christmas mug coaster, and a my first Christmas card of the season. They came all the way from Australia. "Aunty Henny", Helen McNaught and I became blogging friends earlier this year. It is so beautiful and so beautifully made. Thank you Helen.
I love that keeping my online journal has introduced me to so many wonderful quilters. These friendships are special. There are so many wonderful and creative quilters. I am pleased to be a part of this great community.

Christmas Presents

I had fun making the "Cash and Carry" by Atkinson Designs, and "Little Wallet" by Valori Wells. The senior community where my Dad lives is asking for prizes to be given to staff members at their Christmas party. So, thought this would be a fun way to share "time and talent", to the wonderful people that help to watch after Dad. Have been working on a present for my Sister for Christmas. The purse is"Little Jelly Bags," by Bunny Hill Designs. I made the "Little Wallet" and a "Cash and Carry" as added accessories. The notebook cover is just strips sewn together. When she visited earlier this year she had seen a cute patchwork purse made with pink and green fabrics. I hope she will like these.

Mug Rugs

This weekend I tried my hand at a few more mug rugs. If you have precut 2 inch squares, sew together, and quilt using some of those fancy stitches on your sewing machine. If you have a bunch of premade half square triangles, they too make a quick and easy mug rug.

This one was paper pieced using Christmas fabrics. The cookies were part of 5 batches that I made this weekend too.

Mini projects and a Prize

This was a busy weekend. On Saturday, I took a workshop with Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings. Her shop is in Menasha, Wisconsin. Pride of the Prairie Quilt Guild hosted her as a speaker and teacher. We all worked on this cute Pumpkin Table Mat. If you can ever get to her shop, it is wonderful. Full of inspiration. Plus, she has an on-line business too. I have all my pumpkins stitched down and some of my leaves. Would like to have it done for my table on Thanksgiving Day. We'll see how that goes. Sunday I worked on a couple small projects. You know, those kits you purchase and finally get to them. These are 2 Holiday Cones. Ok so they are Halloween. But now that I know how cute and fast they work up, I can see using some Christmas fabrics, then there is Valentines, Easter, oh the possibilies.

I made 3 mug rugs. They seem to be all the rage. They have shown up on several bloggers sites. They are so cute. I just did a couple simple ones. Now there is a great way to use some precut l 1/2 inch strips from your stash. I just pulled some Christmas strips, and sewed them to batting, cut a piece for backing and bound. The tree one, I had some Christmas fabric that I cut into a tree shape, top stitched it down, on my backing fabric, and batting. Added a star to the top of the tree, cut backing, bound and I was done. I have seen so many cute ones, and now want to try some others. Quick and cute Christmas presents, or a birthday gift, or thank you to a hostess. Now I need to add these to my to do list!!!!

And last but definately no least, I won a prize! and a wonderful prize at that. Checked out the 100 Blocks Designers from Quiltmaker Magazine. Every day there were featured block designers. There were prizes offered, by both Quiltmaker Magazine, and designers. Well I won a first prize from "Miss Rosie's Quilt Company". Carrie Nelson made block # 187, Chunky Monkey on page 65. (She autographed her block for me, too.) How cool is that. I received a neat project bag. Two layer cakes by French General for Moda. The new book by Kim Diehl, Simple Graces, which I was hoping to get for Christmas. The Mini Fit to be Geese pattern and ruler by Open Gate, Monique Dillard and the Perfect Piecing Seam Guice, from Perkins Dry Goods. (Did someone tell Carrie that I have a hard time with those quarter inch seams?) All wonderful things to play with!!

I could not believe it. I always say I never win anything, but I sure can't say that anymore. This was just too fabulous. I am still smiling. I keep checking everything out. What fun. Thank you, thank you. I have also, gotten the two quilts bound and done that I wanted to., No pictures yet. It was a good weekend. Weather wasn't so great. Is it Spring yet??

It is finished!!! Farmer's Wife

It's done, it's done!!!Yesturday I was on a "Mini Retreat" with the Pride of the Prairie Quilt Guild. It was an all day event. (9 am to 9 pm) I finished my Farmers Wife quilt. I am so pleased with it. Now off to be quilted. What a feeling of satisfaction.

I arrived at the retreat about 10:00 and set to work on the finishing of this quilt. I had a lot of it set together already, There were still 25 blocks to add on. Then I just decided to put only a blue border on it. Nothing fancy. I like how it turned out.

The rest of the evening I bound two quilts. Now to do the hand stitching on the binding. Also, worked on some block pieces for another 30's scrap quilt. What a day, no phones, no interruptions, just sewing. It was great. Quilt bee is on Tuesday night and Pride of the Prairie Quild is on Thursday night. I have show and tell!!!!

Presents, I got presents

Look what I received in the mail! Beautiful pieces of French Provencal fabrics. My friend Isabelle from France sent them to me along with 7 Klosjes that she made for me, for my quilt. These are beautiful. They are going to be a wonderful addition to my quilt. I have over 350 blocks done. I did not make as many on the trip as I planned. But have been making up for it since I have been home.

And, I finished the 12 present blocks I made for the Christmas block exchange. They are done and in the mail. It is nice to have one project off my list. I just hope they will be ok. Me and the quarter inch sometimes have a hard time.

Next project is to make the last block of my Farmers Wife quilt, finish adding the remaining blocks to the top, and put the borders on. I'm going to work on it tomorrow at the Thursday sew day at the quilt shop.

Christmas blocks

Look what I am working on!! I am in a Christmas block exchange with Aunt Petty Pat and have 12 presents blocks to make. Today I got five of them done. I have the packages made, now to work on the bows for the rest of the presents. It feels good to be sewing again.Yesturday, I picked up two quilts I had quilted while I was gone. Just have to put the binding on now. One is the Carolina Christmas from Bonnie Hunters site, and the other is the sampler style from Moose on the Front Porch site. (The brown and turquoise Japanese fabric quilt.)

Also, made more signature blocks for Annelies, International Siggie Swap. I really love swapping the siggie blocks. It is interesting receiving them from quilters from around the world. We all have at least one thing in common, QUILTING!!

Honolulu

We took a VIP tour with a company called "Home of the Brave". This is the young man that took us on the tour. This family has collected WWII memorabilia for many years. They have a museum set up in downtown Honolulu.

A view of Honolulu, and Diamond Head in the distance.

The Punch Bowl. It over looks the city and was very beautiful. It is a fitting monument and resting place for the men and women of the service.

The Arizona. The memorial for the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is beautiful and very quiet.

This was the last stop in the Hawaiian Islands. Four days, four islands. It would have been nice to spend more time. They is so many wonderful things to see and do. Each time we go, one more thing is crossed off my list. I had never visited the Punch Bowl. It was a beautiful visit, even though it was short.

I am still catching up. When you are gone for 30 days so many things change. My husband was great in taking care of the bills. Yea!!! Have to catchup on my siggies. Now I can send e-mails to see of more ladies would like to trade with me. I loved reading the letters and receiving the siggies from about 20 ladies while I was gone. I am so glad I am participating in the "International Siggie Exchange". Several magazine have come while I was gone, so have a lot of reading material. The dining room table is a mess with my mail sorted all over it.

I feel like I want to clean out and up my sewing room. Christmas is coming. I have Christmas cards to make, and all my card things to organize. I even found some scrapbooking things from Hawaii and the South Pacific. I still have to go through my pictures to see which ones I would like to print and put in an album.

Enough for tonight. Now to sort through the things from the South Pacific Islands. ( I am still unpacking my suitcase, and working on laundry.)

Lihue, Kauai

Hawaiian Children. I have this pattern from a previous trip to Maui. They added a lot more children and all sorts of fun embellishments. Right up my alley.

Hawaiian quilting. There were so many patterns and beautiful fabric at the Kapaia Stitchery, that I wanted to take it all home. There was a pattern that looked fun. Postcards from Hawaii. I had met another couple from the ship that were buying fabric too. We all kept walking around trying to decide which ones to purchase. We did decide we would each make the postcards quilt. From here on the hunt would be on to get fabric for the quilt.

My purchase at Kapaia Stitchery. It is a fantastic store. I spent way too much money. They have three signature fabrics, exclusive to them. I did purchase the flower print, but could not get the two batiks. They were out, but were expecting a new shipment. (They called last week, and it was in. So more fabric is coming.)

The ladies here were wonderful. I got mixed up. I was supposed to take a bus to the Walmart, which was down the road from them. I got it in my head that I was to take the K-mart bus. When I called, they were so nice they came and picked me up. Quilter's they are wonderful no matter where they are.

Lahaina, Maui

Quilts and Fabric, on Front Street is where I aquired these fabrics. It is close to the harbor.

Tendering into Lahaina.The view was gorgeous. We had a wonderful day there. We checked out Hilo Hattie's. Dad bought a new shirt. I just bought fabric.

The Banyan Tree. It used to be the largest in the world, but recently it was moved to second. It practically covers the whole city block. It is where everyone meets. Across the street is the Pioneer Inn, where Dad and I had lunch. Everything is open air. We could watch the boats coming and going in the harbor, and people walking along the street.

When we sailed away that evening we had a barbeque on the lido deck. Gorgeous scenery, food, and Maui sunset, what more can you ask for.

First Stop, Hilo

Fabric Impressions was the quilt shop I visited in Hilo. This is my purchase. I took a shuttle van into town from the cruise ship. Also, visited another shop "Dragon Mama's". Beautiful Japanese fabrics.

Rainbow Falls, Mani-Mau Gardens

Mauna Loa facility

Our first stop was Hilo. It was an interesting town with lots of history. We did visit the Mauna Loa factory. Naturally we had to sample and purchase nuts!!

We visited the Nani-Mau Gardens. It was beautiful. The flowers and the setting for the Gardens was gorgeous. I took lots of pictures. We took a tour of the gardens and had a mini rest stop.

The Akaka Falls were so pretty. I love to stand and watch them. It seems strange that they are not far from the downtown area of Hilo. Somehow I always expect them to be in an out of the way place. These are close for everyone to enjoy.

Home Again, Home Again

Just as an update, I am home. We (Dad and I) arrived at Midway Airport last evening at 9:00 p.m. It was a long day. It was a wonderful trip, a once in a lifetime. We had a great time, the weather was wonderful, the seas were calm, most days the skies were blue. I have lots of pictures to sort through. Lots of everything to do, mail, laundry, sorting through all my treasures from the trip. As soon as I can I will start posting about the trip.

I am going to start a new quilt "Postcards from Hawaii and the South Pacific". I purchase fabric from to make the quilt, and naturally collected "things" to put on it.

Looks like I am going to have to clean up the sewing room, so much to catch up on.

Cruising South Pacific

It is a Good Evening here, but still have not figured what time it is back home. All is well. We had a stop at Raratonga yesturday. It was a rainy misty day. But it did not stop anyone from going ashore in the tenders, let alone shop!! I did find a couple of pieces of fabric. I did get a pattern "Hawaiian Postcards" So naturally it will have fabric from the places we visit. Plus I have been picking up "dodads" to put on the quilt. I have gotten coconut buttons. I think I can make "postcards" from some of the pictures I have been taking.

Tomorrow, we arrive at Raiatea & Taha'a. Then on to Bora Bora. We are in the French Polynesia Islands for several days. I have excursions set up for ways to see the islands. The color of the water is deep blue right now. Holland America, gives info everyday about the places we are visiting. There is a lot of interesting history. I am enjoying all of it very much.

Still not a lot of sewing, but sure have gotten the reading done. I haven't read this much in years. It has been good.

Sorry there aren't any pictures, that has to wait until I get back. The flowers have been beautiful, as well as the scenery.

Cruising the South Pacific

No pictures, As I have not figured how to load them from the ship. I have been on the water and land already. Hawaiian Islands were beautiful. Last evening we crossed the International Dateline at midnight. It is Sunday, Oct 3. For everyone at home it is Saturday, Oct 2. Today the sea was like glass when my Dad and I woke up.

We have been having a great time. We went on a land trip when we were at Hilo, and one at Honolulu. The crossing was beautiful. We have not had any bad weather. Sleeping is perfect. I have already read 2 books. Today I have been doing some handwork.

The food is wonderful. We don't miss any of the meals. I have been walking the stairs and around the ship. We reach Fanning Island tomorrow at 10:00 am. It is always good to get off the ship and walk around on land. I have taken lots of pictures. Trying out the new camera, and still using the old for some. I think we have a full ship. There are still people showing up that I had not seen.

I have managed to get to a couple of quilt shops in the Hawaiian Island. The most amazing one was on Kauai. Now I have another quilt project in the works. Have met several quilters on board. Seems like we are all doing different things. There are folks on board from around the world.

Oh, I did play the slots the second night out, and won $540.00. I could not believe it. So, what should I spend it on????? I am sad that my husband and son are not here with me, but I am having a good time. 30 days is a long time to be gone.

This is it in a nutshell so far. Off to lunch.

Cruise

Here it is!! The Rotterdam, the ship Dad and I will be sailing on Wednesday September 22. We will be cruising to Hawaii with stops at Hilo, Lahaina, Nawiliwili, and Honolulu. We will be crossing the International Dateline and the Equator. Dad tells me there are big doings when we do. There is a stop at Fanning Island, Rarotonga, Cook Islands then on to the "South Pacific" We have stops at Raiatea, Bora Bora, Papeete, Tahita, Moorea, and Rangiroa in the Society Islands. One last stop at Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands. From there we will be sailing back to San Diego. Holland America is the cruise line. Dad is a 4 Star Mariner. He has over 400 days at sea. Can you tell he loves to sail?

We are on countdown. Dad is packed and ready to go. I am almost packed. Still have to make sure we have out medicine, him in particular. I have handwork, books and magazine ready to catchup on. We have a couple of shore excursions planned. We are looking forward to the trip.

I will say, I am going to miss my husband and son. The last time I was gone this long, I was in Florida taking care of Dad. I have 2 chips for my digital camera each 4 gigs? Oh, and the journal is ready, too. I like to keep track of what we do while gone.

Excitement is mounting!!!

Sandwich Fair 2010

Today was the last day of the Sandwich Fair, the best fair in Illinois as far as I am concerned. It is also the last fair of the season. Once we moved to Oswego, I decided to enter some of my quilting and craft items. This year was no exception. I entered 19 catagories, mostly sewing items and came away with 12 prizes. I am beside myself. I hoped for maybe one ribbon, but 12!!!!

When I got home I laid my"prize winning" items on the floor. Princess our kitty decided she needed to get right in the middle of them and check them out. I think she approved!! My husband, son and dad were all pleased with my success. (Well so was I.)

Now to start working on next years projects!

Upper Peninsula of Michigan

I have been gone again. This time to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

When we go there the weather was cool and ready to sleep under quilts. My friend Pat and I planned on sewing all week. We each had projects we wanted to work on. We did get a lot accomplished.

I finally got the back to my jelly roll quilt made, and borders on my Bonnie Hunter, Carolina Christmas, as well as the back. Now 2 quilts can go out to be quilted.

Pat finished a quilt top and got a wool and cotton top ready to work on.

We did take time to play cards with our husbands.

This is the miniature quilt I made for Pat. It is Jo Morton's "Sisters". Pat and I have known each other for a lot of years. It is a wonderful friendship. We met for a few hours this year at the Quilt Festival in Rosemont, when this picture was taken.

We got to watch the hummingbirds, upclose and personal. They are so much fun to watch.

We arrived home on Wednesday after a wonderful week. My husband had shoulder surgery scheduled for Thursday am. He is doing wonderfully. Surgery went fine and wasn't as serious as thought. Recovery will go well.

I will post more after things settle down?? My Dad and I are at 2 1/2 weeks and counting for our big adventure. So much to do, so little time!!!! We leave on the 22nd.

Klosjes, update: 300 down 132 to go!!

Klosjes progress

Progress!!! While on the drive, and where time allowed, I worked on my Klosjes. As you can see I have 4 rows almost done. I finally decided to make it 18 by 24, so am going to need 432 individual Klosjes. To date I have 238 completed. I have found there are a couple of duplicates. Oh well!! This is all being made with scraps, as well as. a variety of background fabrics . I have used some of those small pieces I have been saving. It has been a great pick up and go project. I have already used one spool of thread, and I am sewing it all by hand.

Family Reunions outside Buffalo New York

You notice I said reunions. My husband has two families. His stepfather is Carl Baker, and their family gets together every year. Saturday was the designated day. It starts early and ends late. It is always a fun time catching up with what everyone has been doing for the past year. There is extended family, and the fiances, girlfriends, boyfriends, as well as friends that come by to talk, play games, (cards are big), and eat all day on Saturday. Then as the evening begins the DJ sets up and the family sings and dances the night away. There is always too much food, and lots to drink, beer, wine, soda and coffee. It all helps to loosen everyone up for the karaoke. The picture below shows, some of the group doing "Elvira". The second family is the Winegar's. Some of us got together for lunch on Friday, and dinner that evening. This year two cousins were visiting in the area and asked if we can all get together. They had brought pictures and newspaper articles and family memorabilia. Everyone was identifying whoes who in the pictures. We had so much fun. One of the cousins I had never met, and my husband had not seen in many years. They all had stories to tell of their days growing up.

The weather was perfect for both events. We all ate too much and had a great time. Some of us are not as limber for volleyball playing. as we once were. Now there is a new generation to carry on the tradition.

On Monday there was one more gathering for lunch, this time to celebrate Ron's Mothers 86th birthday. A good time was had by all

Jelly Roll Sampler

Here are the last 2 blocks

Ok, so the picture is on its side. I love how it turned out. Just have to make the back and send it out to be quilted. It feels so good to have another quilt top done.

Happy Quilting!!

Latest Happenings!!

Where does the time go? Summer is slipping by. Even though it has been hot, I still enjoy it. Now comes the fresh vegetables. I have already had fresh corn on the cob, and tomatoes. There is nothing like the taste of fresh produce!

Above is the darling tote and presents I received from Laurie Grant, in the "Summer Tote Swap". I love the"quilt" fabric. Laurie did a very nice job on picking the fabric and making the tote. I love the "goodies" she sent along. I will be going on a trip soon, and will take the tote and stitchery with me. Thank you again Laurie, I love it!!

Last evening at our "Scrap Club" we were all to bring one block string pieced for a drawing. I could not believe it when they drew my number!! As soon as I got home I sewed them together, and made 16 more. Sandy said I needed to bring a completed quilt by next month. Oh, do I love a challenge! We have been seeing quilts, and pictures of string quilts set in different ways. What a great way to use stash. Sandy asked if we could see any dent in the fabric we are using for our scrap quilts. I know I have been using my stash, but I think I have replaced it with new fabric. We have gotten so many ideas for scrap quilts. I want to make them all. We are also doing a 9 patch exchange, I need to get busy on that.Now for my siggie update. The above 2 are from Virginia, in Washington and Kris in Utah.

Rose Marie of Canada, Betty of West Virginia, and Cora of Ohio.

Monique of Canada, Nell of Virginia,Saka of Washington, and Frieda of Texas

Beth of Georgia, Carol of Florida, and Renat of Germany sent 2. I am loving receiving these wonderful siggies. If any of you that do read my blog would like to exchange, please let me know. This is so much fun. Another quilt in the making!!

I have 225 Klosjes made and counting. I figure I need at least 312 for a lap quilt. I have started to sew some of them together in sets of 2 and 4. Since I am using a variety of backgrounds, I don't want the same one showing up all in one place. I have enjoyed this process so much.

I will be going on a cruise with my Dad in September. Dad signed up for this cruise back in December before his stroke in January. He is doing so well, and wants to continue his adventures. He and I will be gone for 30 days. We are sailing to the Hawaiian Islands then on to the Society Islands. I have been gathering several projects to take with me to work on. The Klosjes are going with me, who knows maybe I will have a quilt top done by the time I return

Happy Quilting.