Quilty Inspiration

Just in case you missed the ribbon winning quilts in my Slide Show... People's Choice Suzanne Young (My Local Long arm Quilter) - 1st Place Jess Berry (Our Guild's Best man who does applique) - 2nd place Marge Bongers - Best use of Garden Theme -A most beautiful Pink Dahlia Quilt... Click on photos to enlarge At the Quilt show this past week-end there was a lot of inspiration... Lynn and I got a bunch of Books and a few more BRIGHT Florals for our Quilts. The Books were bargains on the re-sale tables. Lynn made out like a bandit at the Silent Auction. We hovered over the tables to keep our bids on the stuff we really wanted. Note- I don't say Needed. The stuff was all WANTS!!! It was raining too hard to unload all of our goodies Saturday evening.

Argentina bound

We got to go and listen to Elder Lee yesterday. It was fun to go back to our old Ward in Connell. We moved from there over 20 years ago. Hugs and smiles to them! Lee's parents had a houseful afterwards. My Grandchildren that were there had fun playing with all their stuffed toys, riding the rocking horse and eating yummy sandwiches, chips and CAKE. Great Grandma even made her Raisin Squares. She and Great Grandpa went to a Baby Blessing after Lees talk, so we only saw them at Church. Mary W and I were missing our hubby's from the gathering this time. Four Generation of Crowther's at Church. We missed seeing Joe and Kori and sons too. Can hardly wait until EASTER! We woke up to SNOW again. Janessa drove me so it was really nice to just ride after driving to Tri-cities 3 days in a row for the Quilt Show. Only Walla Walla had snow. On the ride home it turned sunny! There is hope for spring... This week is Spring Break and I'm wishing to go on a Picnic one of the days that Colby is here. I can't take pictures in Church but I have to compliment the reverence of my older grandchildren! I was smiling because they were so good. Babies are allowed to be a bit noisy... It was fun to fill the whole pew. A little squishy, huh?

TRI-City Quilt Show- Winners ribbons added

I enjoyed going to see the hanging quilts at the Tri-City Quilt Show. Lynn and I spent the whole day there. Attending the demos and taking lots of pictures of the beautiful Quilts. I didn't take as many pictures as I have in past years. There were a lot of quilts that weren't my idea of quilting. I don't care for the feel of the BATIKS so they aren't a favorite of mine. I have several of my quilts I entered in the slideshow. Thanks to my two daughters entering them for me. I hope you enjoy... More on Saturday... Maybe some will have RIBBONS added... Lynn and I were in great company with the Winners from Walla Walla. Suzanne took Peoples Choice and Jess got 1st place. Most of the quilts I voted on won, so I think that means I know the right people - who are winners. It doesn't hurt to rub shoulders with greatness, does it?? We had fun but are ready to stay home a few days. Thankfully our busy week isn't for a while. Back to the Friendship Blocks on Tuesday.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!!!

Mary wants to Quilt today! I haven't been able to get in gear this week. Monday was a no-sewing day as was Tuesday due to my impatiently waiting for a Fed Ex Package. I was just out of sorts all day since I couldn't leave the house. I missed the delivery when I was napping upstairs on Saturday. My doorbell box is downstairs where I usually am. My Visiting Teachers helped pass part of the time. And I did get a FEW other phone calls. I didn't help that my YAHOO wasn't working all day! Talk about Frustration... I pressed some white shirts for Dear Hubby and made him some yummy Yukon Gold Potatoes and Pork Chop. I did get some new Florals washed and pressed, ready to cut up for my replica quilt that my Quilt Buddy and I are making. Tomorrow we get to take our quilt to enter the Tri-city Quilt Show. Friday is all the DEMOS and time to get some inspiration- not that I need any more "projects in my mind" [PIMM"S]. UMMMM, Guess I'd better get off the computer and try to sew a bit today... Sewing remotely until I hear from the quilt buddy... I think my sewing machines miss me when I don't get to sew. Here are pictures of them--- do they look lonely? My Favorite PURPLE Bernina, My Quilt Class Janome, and My 1980's original PFAFF (The one that has sewn a lot of CLOTHES for my Children) and an 'old' Singer that is a spare... It needs a table to sit in...

Happy Birthday Grandson #8

It's my far-away grandson's birthday today and I am wishing Ohio wasn't so far across this big country of ours. I haven't seen him since after he was first born and it's a bummer. I am always grateful for the pictures I get to see of him. He's a cutie with his daddy's big blue eyes. His daddy is in the Army and lives in Missouri now. I heard he's walking... Yea for him!!!

Hanging out at Mom/Grandma's

NaDell wanted to come and hang out today. I started the day early -drove across town 3 times, delivering the Raffle quilt to the EXPO, paid some bills, ordered some pics at Walgreens, picked up a friend's son at the WWCC, and then came home and they were here. We visited a minute or so, Looked at the new Pictures that she brought me of Elizabeth and decided it was time for Lunch. I've bragged about the Cookie Tree that we have here in town. It is only open for Lunch so we HAD to go there... Elizabeth asked if they had anything else besides 'cookies'. We all ate and got the yummy treats, plus brought home some day old crusts for Grandpa. We like the homemade Whole wheat bread that they make each morning. Even the day old is still good!

Olivia took a tumble on her way to the vehicle. Even the cookie didn't make it better. Thankfully "Miss Prepared" had some band-aids in her glove compartment. When we got home the girls went outside and Vincent took a nap. NaDell and I laid out her blocks that she has been working on, on the double bed to see what it will look like.

Counted and figured she needed a few more blocks so we didn't get it all sewn together like she had hoped. I'm very pleased with her desire to make a quilt. She has learned some good tricks and I tried to show her a couple more. I couldn't find my 1/2 square Triangle ruler though so I couldn't help her to use her fabric that she cut too narrow. She even showed me how to link other peoples sites to the message in my Blog. That will help when I do more of the quilt-a-thons and Mystery quilts. I edited the previous post to link to Cindy's blog site.

Grandpa came home from work earlier than usual so there was time to take a walk to Pioneer Park. It was a fun day and the girls tired grandpa and grandma out. Youth is wasted on the young!

Quilting Projects

I forgot to post the picture taken of Tambri Hanson and I when she stopped by to visit a minute last week. She served part of her Mission here in Walla Walla and came back to see some of the people here. I finished the little quilt for Benjamin's 1st Birthday and the next birthday isn't until mid May. There was the picture of the Label. It's still in the mail and I don't want to spoil his surprise... ( it arrived in Ohio Thursday) so here's the whole picture, Janessa! I am working on two new projects right now. I'm doing the Happy String Flowers from Cindy Carter's Blog for Lydia. it takes ALOT of strip cutting, so I will have to collect more pastels. I am also re-making/duplicating the Raffle quilt. Today I worked 11am-5pm and finished/made over 20 blocks. I have 23 total right now and Lynn has 21. I had reversed the strips on most of them so I had to Frog a bunch. Lynn and I are each making blocks and our pattern makes two so we will have identical quilts when we are done. Next week is the Tri-city Quilters Quilt Show at the Convention center. The raffle quilt will be there on display. It is to be shown at the EXPO this week-end at the Community College too. Tickets are only a dollar and anyone, over 18, can buy one from any Walla Walla Valley Quilt Guild member.This picture is sideways, opps, I forgot to rotate it.

Pardon my Preaching...

Today was "Invitation Sunday" in our area. Paul approached me and asked me to speak. He had several topics and let me choose. I chose the one "The Gospel Blesses Families". it's an easy one for me. I promised Janessa I would BLOG about my talk so here goes... Mind you this is not everything I said, my memory isn't that good... From the time our Children are small, in Primary they are taught, "I am a Child of God". This year in Primary the theme is "My Eternal Family". They are taught each month about families and how we can be Eternal families. In Acts 17:29 we read, "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and man's device." We know that being a Child of God means that Jesus Christ is our Elder brother. Jesus came to earth to set the example for us. We can follow His example by following the commandments. In Hymn #116 "Come Follow Me" In the last verse it reads, "Not only shall we emulate, His course while in this Earthly state; but when we're freed from present cares, If with our Lord we would be heirs." In Jesus' intercessory prayer recorded in John 17:21-23 it says, in part ...that the world may know thou hast sent me and that thou lovest me. As a mother I remember how as each child joined our family our hearts grew- our ability to love increased. Now as each grandchild joins the family our heart is still growing. When I went to help after our second son (Joe and Kori) had his second son, I watched as he took the small infant into the older boys room to read and when they were done they called everyone to have Family prayer and a "Happy Family Hug". My heart swelled with love to know that they read and pray. Hugs are the best! I'm glad that we are able to live on this earth as Families and that if we follow Jesus we can live with our Heavenly Father again. I'm grateful for the gospel teachings and that we can be a part of this 'Ward Family". I have grown to love each of the families in this Ward and am grateful for my friends. I know if we pray and believe that we will be blessed in our trials. I know these things are true. In the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN. Then we went into Primary where Sister Stott was in charge of the sharing/singing time. She had Julia Marley come in to teach the sign language for the song "As I Have Loved You". She had Sister Dalgliesh teach us the song in Spanish too. It was fun to re-learn the song in different ways. I love the Primary Children, because of their faith and the way they sing and bring the Spirit into the room.

March Guild - Raffle Quilt 2009

"A Bouquet of Friendship" designed by Mary Crowther and Lynn Wilson of Walla Walla, Washington... Quilting day was a Busy Tuesday. I'm pleased to post the WW Valley Raffle quilt !!! Here are Former Guild Co- Chair Jan Eaton and I showing it to the guild. The label was made by a member of our guild; Barbara Larson. The blocks were made by several members of the guild. I can hardly wait to have it shown at the Tri-City Quilt show the end of March. It will be at the Three Rivers Convention Center again this year. March 27th 10am-7pm and 28th 10am-5pm. (Click on the picture to view it larger) There will be several quilts that are not to be missed...come and see!!!

As promised- Judy L's Stash Project

This the finished top for my Stash Project. No fabric was purchased to make this quilt and I am liking how well it goes together. THANKS Judy! I showed this at my guild meeting tonight and I was asked how I can get so many quilts done. ??? Today was my "Quilt Day so I got the borders on it and was going to get it pin basted, but the fabric I took to use for the backing wasn't the right size. Not enough to piece it either. Back to the Stash!!! Then I will be free-motion quilting a fun design to practice on this quilt. I did get two other quilts pin basted so I have plenty to do!

Daughters of Utah Pioneers & HAIL

Today we had our monthly meeting of the Walla Walla Company, Narcissa Camp- Daughters of Utah Pioneers. We had the biggest number of attendees so far this year so had the captain's husband take our picture. A couple of eyes were closed from all the flashes. Seated l-r: Lila Blackburn, Wendy Turner, Mary Crowther, Eula Sindon, Marilyn Sjoberg. Standing l-r: Betty England, Marilee McQuarrie, Alice Rietz, Echo Dell Hadley. Janessa called to tell me it was hailing in Vancouver. After I got home I looked out my window and what did I see... HAIL! So I hurried to get it on film before it quit. Since Joe showed me that my Olympus camera does video too, I took a quick video of it coming down and rolling off the garage roof. Wierd weather for March!

Happy Birthday to...

My 2 Sons- by LOVE!!!! Saturday is Jestin's 22nd and he is married to my youngest Daughter. The picture is 2 years old. We had a Snickers cake with our Chicken Enchiladas that day. What are you cooking up today, Daughter dear???Andy will be 36 on Monday. He is married to my oldest Daughter. Eat some yummy Cake for me! What kind will you have this year???? I had a co-worker back in 2001 who told me that she didn't like the term "IN-Law" so she called her childrens spouses "Sons and Daughters - by love". That is because they Loved her Children. I have been blessed with 6 such children... I am grateful to their parents who endured their 'teenage' years and made them the good people they are today. So my DH and I have 12 children and 13 Grandchildren at the moment and are patiently awaiting the new Grandson coming in May. That is 26 reasons I'm up quilting into the Late hours and having all this FUN!!!

2 more borders to go

I have had an evening to myself sewing... I have my Stash Project almost to the 'Flimsy' stage. I found a Border and setting fabric that I liked in my stash and even with my mistakes in cutting I had enough to get it to this stage. I need to decide what color for the narrow border now. HUMMMMMM, any suggestions are welcome except---YELLOW! I don't hate yellow it just isn't a color that I have an abundance of in my stash. It needs to make a good contrast. The corner squares floral has to match it also. Since that will be the fabric in the final border. It has some purple in it and a bit of the dreaded color (yellow) and green. I'm liking this quilt a lot. I don't usually just randomly pull from my stash like I had to for this one. If I did the pattern again I think I would like to make it a two color quilt using only fat quarters. When I pulled the fabric I didn't know how much of each I would need for the inner blocks. Judy L of patchwork times is the designer. She has asked us to post our completed tops by Friday the 13th. I hope to have mine done well before that! As a side note the Guild Raffle Quilt is DONE! It is more stunning and beautiful than I ever could imagine. Suzanne designed a beautiful feather for the white spaces and did a feather in the 4" Borders also. The binding is on and just needs to be tacked down by hand. We have a member of the guild making an embroidered label that we will sew on at guild. I'll post the picture of it after guild next Tuesday evening. It has been a pretty good week of sewing. Now to work on a UFO before Guild so I can have something else to show. We are challenged to make quilts for the 1st steps program at the Hospitals in town. Two members of the guild have already turned in their 12 baby quilts for the year. We also make House blocks to make quilts for the "Habitat for Humanity" families.

Stash Project

Here are my Stash Project blocks. I have spent the day between making Chili and running to the Church, sewing on them. It shouldn't take all day to make just 28 blocks. This quilt takes less than a Fat Quarter of each fabric to make...so far. It gave me a good lesson on 'values' and colors as I pulled the fabrics from my stash. Thanks to Judy L. at patchworktimes.com I have made this new pattern. I don't have a good design wall so the guest bed has to work. Now to decide what color to make the setting triangles and borders. I'm open for suggestions of the color to use. I used my other quilt project (A Bouquet of Friendship) for a 'leader/ender' while I sewed these blocks. There are 61 blocks in that quilt.

Saying Goodbye is hard

Jeffery left this morning after a little over a week visit. He hugged me 4 times at least. He said it gets harder every time he leaves. He's not just kidding. My heart breaks to think that he won't be back for a very long time. The miles between us are not as many as they were and he has a phone Stateside, so we will be able to talk to him more frequently. That's makes the pictures even more important to me. Back to the way too quiet house, except for the whirring of the Bernina and clicking of the keyboard.

Crowther Gathering Finally

Here are the 6 Children after 2.5 years. Good looking even if I say so! Suitable for framing... Here's Uncle Jeffery with 10 of the 13 grandchildren at Ransom's Sunday evening. Proof positive that he was really here. His nieces and nephews will miss him when he leaves Tuesday. So will the rest of us... Safe travels Army boy! This is the family without all the spouses, some who couldn't be here and some who were manning the many cameras and children. Thanks NaDell & Andy for letting us come to your home for our gathering. Thanks for cooperating {all you Crowther boys}, I know how much you all hate my KODAK Moments. I'm so glad we made the effort to get a picture, in spite of all the illnesses and miles that had to be driven. I'm going to bed now before I melt into a puddle of tears!