Checking in

Look what came in the mail recently to tempt me!  My friend Pam sent on the leftover batiks from a Connecting Threads kit.  Those kits are really a good deal, cost wise even if you just want the fabrics and do not want to make up what they show especially when marked down!  She had made a table runner but is not so enamored with them.  I like about anything as I am more into color and colors in combination except really dark drab stuff.

Last time she did this it was layer cakes and I made a Billie Lauder "Reflections" throw for the couch.   This time I think they will be teamed with the batik leftovers from a kit Lois had gotten a guild garage sale and had made up into a WTIL sized quilt .  I also have some scraps that Rosa donated to the group when she moved north to Ohio.  For what exactly I don't know yet but I'll figure something out!  Also included were a couple of Kanzashi flower makers that Pam knew I was looking for.  THX so much!

Meanwhile, the sewing room is still looking a bit crowded with extra furniture as I am still working on quilting the 100 Good Wishes quilt.  I've been putting in a hour or two every day since I pinned it this past Friday.  One day it was just the vertical lines, the next the horizontals.  You may recall, that this quilt is essentially a large block Patience Corner bumped up to 15 inches to accomodate two special sections that had to be included in the top.  (Read about my design idea flash HERE.)   Progress is being made without doing in my shoulders and upper back in the process wrestling around the quilt.  I decided that the roller chair is hurting the back of my thighs too much so I'm back to the kitchen chair instead.   I'm swapping out the chair pad though!  Even in the kitchen I don't sit on the car pad but scoot it up against my back as more of a lumbar support.

So, 16 blocks plus two "half" block sections. 70 partial blocks to quilt, now whittled down to 16 if I counted correctly when I closed up shop yesterday afternoon.  Woohoo!  I am in the home stretch and will probably get it knocked out today.  Well, I still need to press this pile of binding but knowing me, that job waits till Friday.  Then I will be hand finishing the binding for several days after that.  I am shooting for a Tuesday the 12th completion date.

Other than quilting there is not a lot going on around here.  The usual household doings, I guess.  Hanging with my "boys" of the critter variety, LOL.

I promised you pictures of the quilts recently turned in to Bama Belles.   I was having a problem getting them uploaded right side up and will have to find my google album to delete the "wrong" ones.  Hard to believe that it is almost time for us to meet again!

The first two are ones the Shawnee brought.  This was a garage sale top I think she said and it is backed with a soft blue flannel.  Sweet quilt.

This was Linda C's challenge top with the little figures being the challenge fabric from a few years back.  I think that was a Michael Miller design.  I know I have some leftovers from my piece so they are apt to be showing up down then line.   Shawnee tied it and finished up the quilt.

This one is Bev's soccer themed quilt.  Cute, huh?

I better get myself into the sewing room while Oscar spends some time outside barking at the neighbors andn howling at sirens.  For that reason alone he should come back in!   It helps too if Skyler is napping in one or the other of his window seats as then he is not continually trying to hop on the quilt or worse, eat the thread.

 And sew it goes----

Sunday check-in

And another week went flying by.  Another day of binge cooking, two Christmas gatherings to attend.  The Belles and I met for breakfast at Cracker Barrel on Tuesday. Yesterday was the quilt guild's final meeting for 2014 and potluck.  It was so cool to see the walls decorated with all the quilts, challenge quilts and crafty items as well as catch up with the group a bit.  Oh, the food was good too, LOL.

I've gotten zero sewing done this week and every day I thought I might be able to carve out some time.  Didn't happen but a little knitting did get done.  The critters and I log some couch time in the evenings so I need something to keep my hands busy.  Sometimes, it is just playing free cell.  I had to get one more ball of yarn to finish up the dishcloth that lacked 1 inch of completion.  Of course, I started another with what remained.  I think it will have to be the last one for awhile as I counted 8 in the towel stack plus I have three to work in the yarn ends.  12 total once this last one is completed.  I should be working on my embroidery!

This next week I don't have anything scheduled so depending on the weather, whether Oscar needs to be more in than out, I am hopeful that I can start on the zip zip bags that I've wanted to try for weeks now!  I half expect Donna to call one of thesedays to tell me she has that last Christmas top ready for me to quilt.

Since I don't have anything of my own to show, I'll share the quilts that were turned in by Bama Belles, a little quilt show.  I had to get my butt in gear and get them all logged into the 2014 quilt document as 15 quilts were given away this last week.  3 to some needs here in our community, and 13 to a home in Gadsden that serves wards of the state of Alabama.  I'm not sure yet where the remaining ones are headed but will work it out.  The girls prefer that the quilts stay in the area if possible though we are part of the larger group, Wrap Them in Love based in Washington State and have been since our group formed in early 2000.


This is Lois' challenge quilt finished.  I had given them a choice of fabrics to work with this time and she picked the M&M fabric which she used on the back BUT she matched the M&M colors in the rail fence blocks.

Earlier in the year we had explored the 4 patch stacked posie technique which produces a kaleidoscope effect with the four pieces in the block identical.  This sweet little quilt was made by Aline.  Lois has one also  below--watch for it.

"Fiddlesticks" from The Teacher's Pet is another one we played around with using some fabric donated by one of our members who was relocating to OH.  Aline chose to use some fabric in her stash for this quilt with a Southwest vibe.  Actually I barely got this one logged in; it was one of the 13 I pulled for the group home, thinking that one of the older kids might need a bigger quilt.

This is Lois' Log Cabin in the Straight Furrows set

Lois' Log Cabin Medallion set.  I didn't see the turned block till I took the picture. 

Lois' 4 patch posie simply sashed and cornerstoned with complimentary fabric.  Lovely!

An old favorite, Pineapple Blossom

This is a little something that was sent to me from a fellow blogger.  Barb had commented about something I had made for a blog hop a few months back.  I had decided I was done with the pattern and offered to pass it on to her if she wanted it.  She sent me the cute cup cozy.  I looked at the package thinking "who do I know in Oklahoma?" but it came to me BEFORE I hit the house after the trip across the lane to get the mail, LOL.

AND one last picture!  Lily is 5 months old now,  Each month Mama gets a picture of her on the blanket her Nana (my sister Diane) made for her and wearing the little tutu.  She is also stylin' in her seasonal hat.    She has also modeled a pumpkin hat and last month a a turkey one!  My sister usually watches her once a week so I kept supplied in adorable pictures of this precious one.

Guess that's it for this post.    Oscar has been patiently waiting for me to claim my part of the couch, LOL.

a little of this and that

Well, I took two "holiday" days off, Friday and Saturday, more or less.  By Sunday afternoon, I was back at it.  I finally got DJ's closet emptied and vacuumed out.  Then I had to wonder how in the world that his closet rod had not snapped in two.  Mine certainly did and in a New York minute too!!   I have a ton of stuff on the shelf, and always have only now the closet is no longer stuffed with clothing but quilting supplies, completed tops and some large lengths for backings.   DJ got about 5 support bracket/rod deals and a nice metal rod and those puppies are screwed into the studs.  He did not repair his own, my guess is that he was waiting till HIS rod snapped like a twig and he had to do it, LOL.

Now take a look at this jerry rigged thing.  The bracket is NOT flush with the shelf.  The rod support does not support the rod.  Thankfully, I am basically just putting donation quilts up there and two small boxes of mementoes and banking materials.

What supports the rod and the shelf??  Well, the two ends of this 7 foot wooden pole are attached to shelf and I hope are attached in back to the studs.  Then we have this board propping it up vertically.  This end seems fairly secure but the other end is loose at the top but backs up into the linen closet area in some manner.  I put something on the floor near it to brace it for now.  BUT what a stupid way to do assembly work.

I took a break from the cleaning project and did a recon run out to Lowe's closet section.  They have what I would need if I were to try to fix it properly.  That is provided I can find the studs (they are supposed to be 16 inches apart, right?)  OR I learn how to properly do a hollow wall anchor.  Remember, I still have a hole to patch in the living room from my last effort when I lost one in the wall?  Oopsie!  I got the stuff to do it--on the to-do list.

Anyway-----here is what it looked like in there after I finally was able to log in all the on hand donation quilts on the 2014 document.   That was my Monday afternoon job.  I was taking pictures of the ones that I was not sure I had taken.  DJ is not here to reluctantly help me out with the quilt holding job so the first pictures were taken on the back of the shed where I had left some command hooks.  Then I guess with my fiddling with the rod and the extreme heat, one of the hooks fell off to who knows where.  I know I lost some curtain rings in the weeds under the shed as well.  I came in and hung a few hooks on the master bedroom wall that I want to use in some way as a design wall and finished up the job.

 Hooray!  It is going to be far easier to get at these things from here versus the old spot of the coat closet/out of season clothes in my bedroom.  Even better, they are no longer stacked up and sitting in the bedroom.   PLUS the vacuum cleaner finally has a home, like, NOT in the bathroom.

And speaking of bathrooms, I emptied out his bathroom and cleaned the best I could in there too, and then did my own.  DJ had that surgical procedure in early December and really was still on some activity restrictions when he passed away.  What I am getting at, was that he had not been able to keep up the tub/shower cleaning like he normally would.  I did my best but that soap scum, hard water scale is more challenging that my normal go-to cleaning routine.   A friend had made a suggestion of her home grown recipe that I will try---can't hurt, right?   I think part of the thing is he still has a shower door that makes it hard to physically get in there and clean unless you are naked in the shower itself.  My shower unit was broken when we moved in and I took it off preferring a shower curtain.  Easier to get at mine.  The other thing?  He has a low pressure shower nozzle.  I don't think it got enough oomph to rinse as well as it should.  Just a theory but I don't have near the problem with mine.   I know I'll have to get in there again at some point.

Before I called it quits for the day on Sunday, I swept and mopped the kitchen and utility room and vacuumed most of the house.   Wore myself out!   Yesterday in comparison was more the errand and cooking day, LOL.  Other than getting overheated walking the dog and running in and out in the afternoon heat with those quilts it was a much less physically taxing day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today was Bama Belles day.   Just 6 of there.  Family situations and member illnesses are keeping a few away right now.  Still, we had a good day though short breaking up around noon.  A couple of the gals share a ride so when one leaves, they all leave.   Donna was working on personal project, a Snuggle Up. Eventually she will have 3 done up but each in a different color grouping.  Valera and I were both working on the Rail blocks from last time and getting started on the top assembly.   I know she had blocks make for one maybe two quilts  (we didn't count up and I left them at the church).   I made the 4 little blocks that I was needing to reach the 70 we needed for WTIL sized quilts and then started making rows.  Here is what mine looked like by the time I packed it up.  7 more rows to go, LOL but I left it at the church as I have some personal sewing to tend in coming weeks.

Lois had two rail tops done---one in the Fiddlesticks setting and one in the more traditional coloration.  That one is actually a fabric challenge type project.  I had three bits of yardage and said pick the one you want to try to use.  She picked the M & M fabric so the rail block colors are the shades of M & M's.  I think both tops are pretty!  Beverly liked the more traditional brighter one better but they each have their own charms, I think.   I still have a stack of blue strips cut from donation fabric so I see more of these in our future, LOL.  Really it is a nice ongoing project which I why I put my up in the closet till next time.  Beverly and Marilyn were helping Lois pin though Marilyn had pulled out a Dresden Plate project and prepping the background fabric for those too.

Here are a couple of other quilts that Beverly shared with us today.  First, a Block of the Month from the JOY group.  A friend hand quilted it for her.

This Pineapple Blossom is one for the kids.  Beverly said that the blue fabrics in it were fabrics that were given to us from our friend Theramae's estate.  We all knew how much Beverly loved blues so many of them were set aside for her.  I am happy to see them live on in this project. Theramae would love it too!  She and Jane's mom Sarah were both in their early 80's when they died and they were two of our most prolific quilters.  We miss both these dear ladies.

Beverly hand embroidered these cute redwork blocks that she said represent the 4 seasons.  She was getting some ideas on how she might quilt it.  I suggested cross hatching through the whole block as it sort of historically accurate for embroidery blocks.   She may be hand quilting it but I told her she probably should mark it before pinning. no matter what design she might choose.  Another quilt to add to the other 21 on the shelf!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What else?  My great niece (to be named Lily) should be here any day now.  AND, it looks like I will be going to Colorado next month for niece's wedding after all.  A gift from my sisters, the flights are arranged after a bit of back and forth via messaging.  Plans are, I will be heading back to Illinois with my sister and BIL who still live in the area for a few days.  That way I will get to see my folks and visit with any available family.    Meet my great niece in person!   Diane still owes me a Schooner burger and onion rings, LOL or a trip to Avanti's, either one is fine.

I see "baby drag along"quilt and Christmas tree skirts being moved up to a more immediate place on the list.  Neither is cut out but I should have all the fabric for both projects on hand.  Now that I have the Singer back I may try to finish up that little see through bag I had started.  Get one thing finished anyway.  I already gave myself permission not to do the guild challenge quilt as it had to be totally done and turned it.  It was not happening.  I'll make the quilt at some point but it will stay here for WTIL.

Well, I need to walk Oscar one more time before he comes in for the evening.  Poor doggie had to wait for me to get back from my meeting, and back from a little lunch out,  before we headed into the park for our laps.  There were a lot more people at the park including two women walking a female dog.  Between her and the squirrel sightings, he was one dog chomping at the bit so to speak.  It was plenty warm and he was really, really panting.  Now the sun should be below the tree line a bit plus we have some cloud cover moving in as our rain chances increase a bit tomorrow.  The yard is beginning to crisp up a bit and I don't think we really have had a decent rainfall in a couple of weeks.

Skyler meanwhile is in his window perch, napping intermittently.  Or he will until I bring the dog in which case, he has to be sure that he is not being left out of anything.  He needs his rest of he can get me up at 5 in the morning, or earlier!

THX for stopping by-----never know what you might find me doing lately, do you?

I promised you quilts from the last meeting...........

............and tomorrow it is time for us to meet again. Boy I dropped the ball on that one but we'll go "better late, than never".  These were ones that Lois turned in.  Some I know what the pattern is and others, not.  Lois cracks me up because if you ask HER  what it might be she just says she "had too many scraps"   They are still stacked up waiting for me to enter them in a document and number them.   I was busy with other things and am not sure what closet I am going to put them in.  If someone asked for quilts because there was a need in the community for us to fill right away, it might light a fire under me.  It has just been one less thing to worry about at this point.

Eleanor Burns' Twin Sister.  I like the mixed blue sashing that she used for this.  This is one of those "two blocks at once" deals so you usually see the opposite coloration pinwheel and background pairs somewhere in the quilt.  A child could play a matching game with it.

I really like the fall toned hour glass blocks on this one and the yellow is so vibrant.  It had a fall backing too---I think.  It is down on the bottom of the stack so I am not toppling it to verify, LOL.

This is one of those 2 1/2 inch strip patterns from G. E. Designs  Strip Stack I believe this one is called

Hunter's Star using Deb Tucker's Rapid Fire Ruler.  See THIS VIDEO on you-tube for the technique.  I bought one recently but turns out I should have gotten the slightly smaller one and then we could have shared them.

She has made several quilts like this in the past.  I think I could call it Squares and Rails and that would work

This is probably a form of Broken Dishes but a scrappy version it and dressed up with the consistent pieced sashing and plain cornerstones.  Very effective and a good way to use half square triangle units perhaps left over  from another quilt.  Who knows?  It might be something Bonnie Hunter did in one of her Quiltmaker columns.

I would call this one 9 in 4 patch or something like that.  Good use of some of those scraps!

The girls pinned another bunch of quilts at the last meeting so there will be more coming.  Thankfully, I remembered to take the other half of the batting roll with me.  We get it by the 60 some yard roll 48 wide but when open the package there is no enough room in the closet (behind where the quilt is hanging) to store that much of it.   We roll off about half of it onto a cardboard tube and I take the rest back home to store in the utility shed till needed.

 Speaking of no room in the closet, when Bev and I first got there and were getting stuff out of the closet for our use at the meeting, I was greeted by a replacement window.  How they even got that in there past the library cart and such I do not know.  We had to get at the table risers, pins, tape, scissors, etc.  Before we moved it though we asked the church secretary about it so someone would know where it went, LOL.    It IS their building to use as they see fit but it was a little surprising is all!   I know they had a Easter Sunrise service with a breakfast right after this past Sunday so we'll see what configuration the room is in tomorrow.  Regardless, we work around it and try to leave things as we found them.

I could take my Brioche and Baguette sections with me tomorrow and sew but probably won't.  Friendship Quilters have their sew-in later in the week but I am not sure which day/days Jane and maybe Terri will want to go over but I will need something to work on then.  Handwork or knitting,  it is.   I got as far as all three columns being stitched as well as the vertical sashing and borders.  I might take those with me to cut to size as it would be easier to do that at the meeting place.   We normally set up the cutting mats in the pass through from the kitchen to the fellowship hall or I could use the pinning table if it measures 6 foot as my strips measure about 70 inches.

 I sewed a bit yesterday just to keep busy but honestly, my heart was not it.  It was not a good day emotionally.  I suppose that is to be expected.  Any holiday is rough when you have lost a loved one.  Try as I might to focus on the religious implications of the day, determination was not enough and I was feeling a bit sorry for myself.  His birthday would be next Monday and I don't expect that is going to be any easier.  I ended up just doing a lot of reading more than anything else.  Nothing wrong with that.   Glynda did invite me to join them for dinner when I talked to her while out walking Oscar but honestly, I would not have been good company and passed.  Emily, Robbie's wife came down later to see if I wanted them to give Oscar a bath as they were doing the other 4 dogs.  Yes, thank you! He smells so much better, LOL.

I've been busy with other things here at home though.  The blog hop, writing emails on Thursday. Oh and I went to a small quilt show at a nearby church where they were exhibiting some Hawaiian quilts.  I'll post about that later as I have the owner's permission to share that on my blog.  I had posted some of it on Facebook but that was mostly so the local folks could go over that afternoon or Saturday.   Friday, I joined some of the girls for lunch up in Jacksonville.

 Of course, the critters keep me hopping too.  Oscar and I walk 3 or 4 times a day even though he is in a fenced in yard.   Today I loaded him up in the cat carrier which he hated and we did a lap and half around the local park which he loved.  I had in the car once before NOT contained and that was NOT a good idea.  He can whimper and all that but he is not staying loose.

 Mamacita comes charging over to be fed usually about the time I am out with Oscar. She watches for the door to open from the neighbor's yard up the street.  I don't always see her but sometimes she is visible from my house and comes running.  Of course, Skyler HAS to know what is going on outside with those others when he is supposed to be the center of the universe.  Then I have to keep him from trying to get out and her from coming in plus fill up that food bowl.  I don't know that anyone has figured out where her babies are.  

The yard seems to be proofed against Oscar digging out and I got a few heavy, heavy brick like things from Lowe's to be sure he doesn't get any bright ideas back in that corner he had been using as an escape route.  That, and he comes in at night to sleep.  He is good as gold in his crate in the evening.  I don't think he was really ready to go out this morning because he wanted right back in the house once he did his business and ate, LOL.   I think he does spend a little time in his dog house too especially if it is a bit drippy outside.  I was very quiet in leaving the house and going around the fence to check a bit ago.  He spotted me and came running just as I was about even with the opening.

 Skyler is so funny though.  He tried to sneak up on Oscar the other night to see what was going on in that crate.  Oscar looked like he was sleeping and here is Skyler in stealth mode till Oscar let out one bark.  He could not get any traction on that laminate floor and those back claws were just skittering.  He also sneaks into the open door of the crate to nose around when Oscar is outside.  Sniff, sniff, sniff.  He will follow me into the kitchen for food but stays close to me in the evenings, giving him a wide berth.

Well, I plan on making some chicken enchiladas for supper so best close this up and head out to the kitchen.  Oscar is barking and that often means that Mamacita is here for a nosh.  Next time, pics of the Hawaiian quilts.  +

I promised you quilt pictures

I guess with having to cancel two meetings due to horrid winter weather, someone (Lois in particular) got a lot of quilting and binding done!

These were the quilts that were turned in for donation at the meeting on Tuesday.  

Bev's panel quilt.  It is backed with flannel and perfect for a little one.  Bev has a long arm quilting machine that she is learning to use and these quilts are an excellent way to practice.

These 6 blocks were from a BOM project that the JOY group did.  I want to say from Sentimental Stitches maybe?  Lois said she lost interest in the project and used what she had done to make this top.

Lois Scrappy Squares #1

Lois Batik Squares and Triangles.  This was part of a quilt kit she got at the guild "garage sale" and she gave me the leftovers though I don't know that I will do the same thing with it.

No, you are not seeing double.  She made two very similar quilts, LOL

Lois Bridgecreek Blossom using a jelly roll.  Terry Atkinson Design.

A group favorite,  Lois' Pineapple Blossom.  Quiltville pattern

Lois' Hunter Star.  I know that she used a Deb Tucker ruler and technique to make this quilt.

Lois' Chiclets or whatever you want to call it, LOL.  There are about 5 ways to make this quilt.

This is Bridget's personal quilt that she is made for her husband.  Sorry I do not remember the pattern name though she did mention it.  The girls were getting ready to pin it.

And there you go-------

Another finish

I got the binding machine finished on this "Revised Chantal" which originally a Debby Kratovil pattern for Blank Quilting.  It is still on her free patterns page HERE but I will not link directly to it as it will open a pdf file.

I admit that this is not that pretty a quilt in pictures.  It looks better close up though when you can see the colors a bit better.  Perhaps it will make someone happy though.  One can hope.

I did a better job on the binding this time putting the binding on the back and pulling it to the front.  I still am not sure just where to set up the walking foot however.  On the back some of the stitching goes into the binding, some in the ditch and some about an 1/8 inch (or gasp, slightly more!) away.  I don't know that I would do this on my own personal quilts but the one good thing is that it is finished.  I laundered it and truthfully, it looks a bit better plus removed the stiffness I had created with the glue process.

SO what is next?   There is a third donation quilt to bind but I am going to do by hand and over time--some quilt meetings coming up after all.   I will re-do the modified Puss in the Corner block for my Farmers Wife Inspired Sampler.  Then I will get busy on my blog hop items.  Both hops actually.  I have a good reason to get them moved along and shut down the "shop" for a bit.

Recently DJ and I were talking and I mentioned not for the first time, that I would love to carpet removed from my sewing room and laminate or that type of flooring put down.  He said "you have some money to pay for it" so essence I could go for it.  Then did he think he and I could do the job or hire it out?  He is still recovering from surgery and that might be pushing it a bit.  Then there is all the stuff that is in every nook and cranny of this 10 x 10 foot room.  That part is a little daunting plus I would not want to have to move this big office desk out of the room.  The rest I could deal with finding other nooks and crannies here in the house or in the utility shed.  We already talked my taking things out there and stacking them before lawn mowing season would start.

This afternoon I went across the lane to talk to our neighbor.  I know that his wife had said that Robert had laid their flooring when they first moved in.  Since he does seasonal work, would he be interested in a business proposition?  We worked out the details, I showed him the room and said I would get it all emptied out except for maybe the desk--scoot it from one side to the other---as the floor goes down.  He'll rip up the carpet and dispose of it.  I'll purchase the supplies.  His son and his bride had recently finished putting down flooring in their kitchen and living room so we went over to see it and talked to them about it.

I moved a few things tonight already, LOL.  DJ knows me and said that I would probably want to do it all in one day or do it all "right now"  Well, not quite but I did need to see what exactly would fit in one corner of my bedroom that I was counting on. I can still go up higher though!!  I see that this gives me the opportunity to do a bit of purging at least of my desk.  Some other surfaces were cleared off for other smaller items. Some things will be moved at the last minute, like the computer.  I know DJ is not going to want stuff piled up in his bedroom or blocking his TV access.  He may have no choice, LOL.

So that's the story---lots of work but worth it.

BTW, I did update my tabs showing the finished items for 2013 in retrospect and also my quilting plans for 2014 with personal, pro bonos and gifties.  If you are interested in any of that, click on the tabs atop the posts.

some output

Getting a bit done on these pillowcases and smaller bags for quilt show items. Here are the Christmas themed ones with the one on the left going to my niece for her tree skirt.  The other one can house the Christmas Patience Corner, come show time.

Then this stack of 4 are using up some recent quilt back yardage for some of the small wall hangings I have entered.  I may need two more for "Juggle" and "Reflections" but will check the supply of old pillowcases first.  I seamed them on the serger but they need the "cuff" edge stitched down on a regular machine.  There is no room to have both machines up so that task will wait till I switch out the serger.

Then this one is Halloween themed.  All prepped and ready to go in for the first seam on the cuff.  I am liking the "glue pinning" idea I shared yesterday.  You may not see this one completed as it may show up in Wicked Blog Hop #4 in 2014.  LOL  I have several ideas for that one!

On another note relating to my quilting group, the Bama Belles.
Recently I had delivered a total of 14 quilts that were to go to Gene's Quilt Angel project.  He delivered these to Ogden House this past Saturday.  I am going to refer you to his two recent posts about this. Links below but as explanation.
 
In the first post and video, Lois name was pulled for the drawing.   I did not tell the girls that they were entered in a sponsored drawing for just for having a quilt they shared for this project.  (Gene had 5 sponsors and they are listed in the tab area.)  He emailed me to ask about her contact information since I am the go-between.  I told him I should probably call her first to tell her she was entered in the first place and get permission to share her information.  I spot Bev's "Owl in the Garden" quilt in one of the still photos.  A couple of Lois' contributions (the Split Nine Patch is one that Lois just turned in) and even the back of one of mine are in the shots.

The 2nd post has video of a young man thanking the person who made his quilt who I know is our Bev.  Gene said he was thrilled to have a fishing quilt.  Well, you can read what Gene posted about the story behind it.  Apparently there will be another video in a few days.  Wonder if that might show a familiar to the group quilts?

http://blog.geneblack.com/2013/12/angel-quilts-delivery-and-winners.html

http://blog.geneblack.com/2013/12/quilt-angels-teen-speaks.html

I am glad that we could help Gene out this year. Though the ones I had made were going there anyway, we had enough of hand to do more.   The girls leave it up to me where to donate the quilts and sometimes make suggestions but they do prefer that they stay here in the area or the state of Alabama if we can.  I am so proud of this group of ladies who are kind to each other as well as people unknown to them.   Pro bono quilting is not a membership requirement, by any means.   Some participate by finishing binding, donating to cover the batting costs and helping to pin.  One gal made my week and year by asking if we had any tops that she could practice her free motion quilting lessons on.  Do I ever!!!  Three quilts in my stack that I had not originated were gone, just like that!  Love you all.  

Just talking about a task does not get it completed and besides, I have laundry to do, a bed that needs made, etc etc etc.  THX for dropping by---------

check in

Bama Belles met yesterday.  Several quilts were pinned, maybe three or four of them.

A few others are waiting---Donna had put borders on her chevron quilt but she wanted to make a pieced back.  Beverly had finished up this wonderful scrappy 3-D bowtie but we were not sure that she had enough batting.  A polyester allergy precludes her getting anywhere neat the roll that we use.

Aline, Jane and I were all working on binding.

Nancy is moving up to the neighboring county and had brought some things to share plus needed me to help her with the join on her binding on a large king sized quilt she had hand quilted.  She also brought in a large pile and bags of scraps that Marilyn and Donna primarily were sorting through.  She had brought "thank you" notes from the family--4 kids and a mom who had recently lost their husband/dad---that we had given quilts to earlier this year.  It was about all we could do to get through reading them without crying.  Nancy was puddling up and handed it to me---like anyone who knows me knows how easily I am moved to tears.  Still, I didn't expect to get those notes in the first place.

Marilyn reported that her church group had gotten 30 quilts completed that will be delivered to a mission field in Mexico.  The Belles had helped by providing some tops, backings, and even had gone over to help.

Earlier Bev had shown a double heart string top she had made and needed a little advise on something she was working on.  Her husband's dead car battery made for an early exit though---that and they had just returned from vacation and needed to do laundry, get groceries, etc.  You know how that goes!

The top here on the right is one that Lois whipped up from a batik kit she had gotten for 10 bucks at a guild garage sale.  She says she has enough for two or three more quilts but I am going to take the extras off her hands---next time.

A few folks were missing as usual for various reasons.  When are we ever all together in one spot though?  LOL  Some of us went over to Panera Bread for lunch. YUMMO!  I had the other half of my sandwich today for lunch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a personal level, Project 1 for the HO HO HO blog hop is just about completed.  Just needs borders.  I got the top finished up on Monday evening.   I had intended to get the borders added today and I still might but I need to rest up and cool off first.

I had a bit of a restless night so when I finally did get up it was about 2 hrs later than I had been rising.  Trust me, Skyler did try to get me up but I was not being too receptive to that idea!

Since I had come home with  cukes, tomatoes, a few yellow squash and peppers I knew I had to do something with that stuff.  DJ had run into our across the lane neighbors at the hardware store and they had squash to share and told me that when I got home.  I have no clue what to do with the banana type peppers that are in the bag and was going to swap the peppers for a bit more squash and left a message on their answering machine.  Meanwhile, Robert came by with several zucchini but did not take the peppers----DJ let him get away too.  I still have them and remain clueless.

That started off another kitchen siege---about 4 hours straight in the kitchen again today.  Worst part is that DJ was trying to replace the weather stripping on the front door so it would close better.    Translation:  no a/c and the sun was beating in that part of the house.   ( Old door, they don't make or measure them the same way, I guess.)  I had the oven on and it just kept getting hotter and hotter in here.  By the time he got the weather stripping in (had to go back to the old stuff as the door would not shut) it had hit 85 in here.  I need to cool off before I even attempt to get in the shower and drive off.   It has dropped to 82 and I have two fans blowing in here to help it along.

So what did I do/make?

• a large container of Easy Refrigerator Pickles.  Nicked my right hand 3rd finger on the mandolin too.  Time out for bandaid break. 
• I grated up several of the zucchini and made two loaves of Mom's Zucchini Bread.  I'll use the yellow squash, some of the zukes along with some carrots and onions for a veggie stir fry along with a pasta dish tomorrow night.
• I put some London Broil in the crockpot for Italian beef sandwiches for tonight's meal.  No recipe I just dump the meat, beef broth, some pepperoncini, sliced onions and minced garlic in the pot.  Had I known if those peppers I have were mild or hot I suppose I could have tossed them in there????
•  I sliced up all the tomatoes though initially I thought I might peel and chop them up to put them in the freezer.  We need some of the tomatoes for the sandwiches though.
• While I had the electric knife out, I sliced up both loaves of zuke bread to quick flash freeze for coffee break time.  I offered DJ a taste but when I said it was zucchini bread he didn't want it.  I had to reassure him that the zukes just made it moist but it was a cinnamon, nut deal.  He took some but made no comment. 
• I made a Mocha Fudge Pie----actually that is the only thing I had planned on actually making this week other than the Italian Beef.    This is actually a recipe from Cooking Light back in 98 or 99 but I did find it online HERE,  It has been a long, long time since we had this.  Seemed like something light for dessert.  
• I have washed and re-washed some of those bowls and such twice today and tried to keep the kitchen cleaned up.  
• I still would like to try cold brewing some coffee for iced coffee--love that!---but need to track down some cheesecloth first.  The paper had an article about this in the paper but Pioneer Woman tells how to do it in this post  http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/perfect-iced-coffee/

Would you be surprised to hear that I never did get dressed today?  Oh I put on clean undies but stayed in the nightgown externally.  Why get my clothes full of batter, flour, oil, etc?  I don't care as much about my nightgown, LOL.  Wouldn't you know though---the mail lady honked because I had a package delivery (backing fabric for PRJ 1 was part of it).  Here is DJ minus his shirt and me not technically dressed.  I went out anyway.  It looks like a house dress, why not?

If I can get a bit of ambition after I get out of the shower, I may go ahead and cut the borders for PRJ 1.  I am guessing that I may just finish up the binding on the donation quilt though.  I had one short side and most of the first long side done at the meeting.   I need to show it at guild (we meet on Saturday) in order to get credit for the mandatory donation quilt. My guess is that standing at the cutting table, like more standing at the kitchen counter, is NOT going to happen.   I will start fresh tomorrow and cut out what I need for project 2 while I am at it.  Yep, I have an action plan.  

There is another blog hop starting after the HO HO HO---this one is hexies and yes, I signed up though I almost forgot in all that kitchen flurry that today was the signup day.  They book up quick!  I have a couple of ideas and I know this will light a fire under my rear for one of them.  See sewwequilt.com for details!

Okay, shower---fresh clothes.  

Check in/ Day 4 "Stitch Me Up" Blog Hop

Tada!  Shamrock row is done,  my weekend project as it turned out.   I pulled the quilt back to lay the three existing rows on the bed and get an idea of what this is looking like.  Naturally Skyler had to hop on over from his perch to give it the kitty roll of approval! 

The next row is bunnies (for April) but I am still thinking about doing an applique version---possibly similar to the ones shown HERE but will need to get some measurements first.  I may also get started on my entry for the "Shake Your Pom Poms" hop later due in late April. 

I'll also be picking out a project to work on at the Belles sewing day tomorrow.  I had asked the girls to bring their machines so we could so some string blocks, work with abandoned blocks, whatever trips their trigger for a mission field project.  The plan being to crank out some blocks that we can combine and help make up some tops for the other group to finish up.

To that end I am thinking that any of these boxed up quilt kits but the top one (personal project there) would work for this mission  And if I don't feel like stitching then up, then I may drag a few with me and offer them to the others.   I will probably give myself a concussion dragging some of it out of the closet shelf, LOL, but we'll see!  Never a shortage of things to do around here!  Seldom bored, that is for sure!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ready to start hopping again?  Here is the list for today's participants.   Such clever works of art have already been featured!

MONDAY MARCH 25th

Beverly @That Other Blog

Betty@That Other Blog

Stitches to Sprinkles

Stitch Duchess' Crazy and Sane Quilting World     not up?

Bejeweled Quilts by Barb

Kathy's Quilts

Mountain Delights

Tea and Quilts

Charlottes Creations

Quilt Obsession

The Slow Quilter

Cali Quilter

Little Pieces of My Life

Creating My Comforts     blog not updated since Jan---not up

another finish

I have been working on binding again for a few days.  This Faux RR Crossing is the one I did last week but I waited to launder out the marks from the double hearts I had quilted in the light squares till today------

Pattern source:  I attribute it to Marti Michell and her book Quilting for People Who Still Don't Have Time to Quilt.  What makes it a Faux version is that I did not piece the sashing bits---use stripe fabric!

This is the other one that hit the laundry room.  Bridgecreek Blossom #2.  Pattern:  Atkinson Designs.  I made enough blocks for a queen sized quilt but made two smaller donation quilts instead.  The first one had a jigsaw puzzle border but a pair to the same blocks.

Note who managed to get into the shot with those glow in the dark eyes.  Minutes before when the quilt was laid on the couch he was trying to hid under it or on it or whatever.  It was still warm from the dryer and we all know how cats love warm laundry!

Yesterday was our Friendship Quilters meeting in Pell City.  Aline and I were the only ones of the Calhoun County contingent that went this time.  Life happens.  Our program was on miniature quilts and was presented by Donna who will be coordinating the guild's biannual quilt show.  Her sister was visiting from KS and she assisted with the program as we will be borrowing something for her guild there.  They do a miniature auction as a fund raiser donating part of the proceeds to local charities.   When they mentioned resources for mini patterns and such, someone mentioned "Miniature Quilts" magazine but Donna said they no longer print it.  I knew I had a stack of the magazine currently residing under my bed.  To be truthful I did not remember just how many!  Issues #40 thru #69.    My mom passed them on to me.  Someone in her town donated them to her when his wife had to be admitted to a nursing home.  We have some sew-in days next week again so I may take these with me, especially if I know Donna is going to be there.  Some will be looking for additional ideas down the line.  Meantime I have something to look at for bedtime reading. 

The day before the guild took the quilts from the coordinator's home and their other storage places to the Veteran's Home.  They finally had the ribbon cutting on November 1st.  The girls caravaned over and delivered 211 quilts.   Just in time for Veteran's Day.   The CBS and ABC TV affiliates were there and they either interviewed the guild president or the project coordinator.  The paper was there as well so I have a link I can send you to
http://dailyhome.com/view/full_story/20797824/article-Guild-donates-quilts-to-Veterans-Home?   

Our guild historian Beth got some good pictures too that are on facebook.  If you are on Facebook, try entering "Friendship Quilters Guild Alabama"  and see if you can access them. In one of them you will see
Margaret's (the coordinator) dining room table piled high with quilts and then she and her husband smiling that it was finally cleared off!   Hard to say which of them had the bigger smile, LOL.

 They still say we have more to make but those are for the domiciliary beds, like temporary housing apparently.  The first patients are scheduled to be transferred in soon, about 20 to start with.  Then apparently they have to do some sort of certification or inspection before more come in---from what the guild has been told. 
When I was out on the WM run today, I picked up a couple more skeins of yarn to make a few more knit hats.  I thought these looked a bit more boy especially the one labeled "Woodsy" .  It has an Army, camo feel, don't you think?  I have a routine doctor's appointment tomorrow so I already have my stuff packed to knit while I wait.  Mid morning app't and I know I will be lucky to be out of there by noon.  Might as well keep busy while I have to be parked.

Other than that, not much going on.  Just stitching that binding.  Thursday evening Norma has told me that she mailed off my Christmas Patience Corner that she had offered to long arm quilt for me.  She wanted to be sure to miss the holiday mailing season and be sure it would be on my bed for the Christmas decorating season.   When mailing from BC, Canada to clear down south in Alabama you just never know how long it might take.   Woohoo!  I can't wait to see what panto she used.  Get this though:  she still has to quilt her own!   What a pal!  I knew she had been working on one for her brother and sister-in-law but when she was talking about doing one for another client I never dreamed she meant ME!

I guess that is it for this edition though I still have a feeling that I had planned on mentioning one other thing, just what escapes me now.  It happens--------