Design wall overload -Monday July 27

Is it Monday already? I have had a multitude of things to do this week...besides quilting. My 1st Green pepper this year. My Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Quilt beginnings. I have 9 blocks shown on the wall. Have done more but a few were over sized because I used a scant 1/4". There are 140 blocks total to make this quilt and they are 6.5". I've joined a Blue and Brown swap so will make 5 identical blocks for that and 1 for my quilt. The block I chose has some very tiny pieces. 11 in each of the 4 parts of the 6.5" block. Hubby says "If you didn't cut them up so small it wouldn't take so many to make a quilt." My 30's Repro's that were on the wall last week. I have added few, hahahaha, to the wall and have to make at least 10 more before adding borders. I have the HST's made to finish 26 more blocks just like the ones on the wall. So much for NO DEADLINE on the quilt. Quilt Buddy asks, "Will we have it done for the quilt show in September?" My Hubby with Samuel. Sam came to visit with his daddy; Joe and brother; Colby on Thursday. We ate green beans and Corn from our flowerbed garden. Colby helped snap the beans and husk the corn. I remember my kids singing, "This is the way we Husk the Corn" The boys were 'firemen' in the Pasco Kiddies parade last week. They came to show us their trophies. One is from last year, when Colby was a cowboy on his bike.

Blessed, Honored Pioneer

I can hardly compete with the cuteness of this but wanted to post about Pioneers this week-end. I hope that my children have done something to remember their Pioneer heritage this week. Today I was asked once again to talk in our Sacrament Meeting about... Pioneers! So dressed in my pioneer outfit from the trek two years ago, with added collar and DUP pin, and armed with my family's Genealogy book and "stories", I made my way to the Pulpit. This was after singing "They the Builders of the Nation" which ends, "...Blessed, Honored Pioneer". So I didn't need to read the words to the song. BYW- I didn't wear the bonnet at Church. The following is what I had written. However, I rarely say all that I write and ad-lib. I seem to always be talking about Pioneers… Belonging to the Daughter of Utah Pioneers gives me the charge to do this. "DUP was organized solely for historical, educational and public purposes and is completely non-political and non-sectarian. It is dedicated to perpetuating the names and achievements of those men, women, and children who founded Utah. We seek to encompass a broad scope of services, ranging from the preservation of historic landmarks to the education of thousands of school children and other citizens about their pioneer forebears." I read in a Eulogy of one of my ancestors, Cyril Call… “Tell your children of it and let their children tell their children and their children another generation.” Joel 1:3 It has also been said, “They who do not remember and revere their ancestors who have done worthy deeds, are not likely to leave a posterity that will be worthy of being remembered.” Many of my pioneer ancestors had Journals that were written, but I don’t know where they all are.I have typed some of the histories that I’ve received and passed them on to my children. I try to remember their goodly deeds that I’m aware of.My parents helped me compile their Histories shortly before they passed away. My maternal grandma, who I’m named after, had me get her history written and distributed at a family reunion. I went to a Call/ Mann family reunion once in Utah with my parents. Then the GENEALOGY was in a building and they didn’t really let the kids go in there to see. My mother bought a history from a descendant who claimed to have our line back to the beginning of time. I like to know the stories which is why I belong to an organization that ‘tells the stories”. I also have collected their pictures to put a face to the name. International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers Photo Department. We house and maintain a photographic collection of pioneers, their homes, communities, organizations, and artifacts. This collection provides a visual link to our pioneer ancestors and their era. Remember, a pioneer is an ancestor who came to the Utah Territory, died crossing the plains, or was born in the Utah Territory before May 10, 1869, the coming of the railroad. If your ancestors do not fit into these criteria, we will not have their photos. There are Family Organizations that are sharing the information about their ancestors on the INTERNET. You didn’t have to have Pioneers who crossed the plains to be a Pioneer.If you are the 1st in your family to join the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints- YOU ARE A Modern-day PIONEER. I included the reading of a long poem about the Burning of Cyril Call's home by mobs in Nauvoo the night before they left on the journey to cross the Plains. If you want to read it, just ask me, I'll get you a copy. I didn't know about it until searching for stories this week made me look in the Blue Genealogy book it is in. [Thanks to my Mom for buying the book from Michael L. Call]. I'm so glad I have it. Also noted that my brother, Derlyn called me after walking down "Parley Street" with 3 of their granddaughters in Nauvoo last Sunday. How cool is that? I have 'Cousins' in our Ward who come from some of the same ancestor, but a different polygamist wife. One is Marilee Capel who moved to Arizona. My new 'cousin' is Mignon Lim. It is fun to compare the familiar family names. We all are related somewhere.

No quilt day- Thanks YW & YM

It's Thursday, I don't go and quilt with my buddy today. I could do some more here, but think I'll just hang out. I have to post the pictures of the Youth... and adults who came and 'served' us last night. We have been here 5 years this week. It was so nice of the leaders to bring the YM & YW and help us out. Paul is feeling a little better now that he's been to the 3rd Doctor and is doing Physical Therapy. He bought a new heating pad too which helps, he says. I'm told that they divided up and served in five different places last night. Since many of our youth graduated this past year, we don't have as many Young Men and Young Women. I had to take pictures, right? I don't think they minded me taking the pictures or the root beer floats I made to cool them off a little. It was 104 here in our lovely town yesterday. The 1st picture is of the YW Pres. She was doing the trimming. Her Hubby came and helped finish the hardest part in the front. Then he took his mower and trimmer home. Thanks Alison and Don! They brought an extra Lawn mower, so it really didn't take too long to mow our postage stamp sized area. Thanks Nick and Ashley. Last Picture is Sean, after he was weeding in the roses for us. Thanks Sean. You can't tell me the Youth today are not good! I will defend them even more after seeing them helping out and taking time out from their Movies and regular jobs. We have the best Youth in our Ward. Love ya lots!!

30's on my Design wall

This is the 30's project that my Quilting Buddy and I are presently working on. We have swapped all of our 30's reproduction fabrics and made the most of the starter blocks. I am behind her in that process. The blocks are made with Pat Speth's method from her "5 inch is a cinch" again. I won't be sewing this together until I get all my squares ready to do the final placement. It would be nice to only use each fabric once but that isn't the most important thing to me now. Looking at the picture I see many squares and Half square triangles that will need to be moved around so they don't Yell at me. I am liking the secondary pattern that this setting is making. I have wanted to make a 30's quilt all year as a reward for all the Christmas quilts I did last year. Then I got the bright idea to make Birthday quilts for all the grandchildren. I'm almost caught up with that and needed a "new" project to work on while I was at my quilt days. Having the "Quilt in a Day" half square triangle square up ruler has made this go really fast. If you don't have one you are working too hard. I can square up my Half Square Triangles in half the time it used to take to turn each block and trim. I still have lots of UFO's to have quilting done at home and handwork on the bindings. The deadline for entries for our local County Fair is coming up. I have several quilts ready to put in the fair. This one will be an on-going project with NO deadline.

100th post this year- nothing going on- YEA!!!

I am sorry to say that I let my kids down yesterday...I didn't take ANY pictures of them when we took our little road trip to the Pampered Chef luncheon/ apricot picking at Mesa. NaDell did her BLOG with no pictures last night. I forgot to leave what apricots we did pick with her, so I can at least put that picture here. I stopped by Kori and Joe's after dropping NaDell and her 3 kidlets off, Colby was playing on his big water toy. I also had to stop by Village Quiltworks to look for more 30's fabrics. I only have 161 Different 30's fabrics in this bundle of 2.5" squares. Lynn and I are collecting 30's. Here it is Friday and I'm glad I don't HAVE to go anywhere. Don't you love those days??? I was just sitting here at the computer and my friend who is serving with her husband in England got on the Yahoo Messenger. It was great to "talk" to her a bit. That was sooooo Fun! They e-mailed this morning and I am always happy to get their updates from England. Especially since my Grandma Brown came from there and my Grandpa Brown served his mission there. She told me they will be home before Thanksgiving this year. The time has flown! They left after Mother's day 2007. Their two children and 2 grandchildren are flying over to visit them. How fun will that be? I love Technology that lets me "talk" to my friends and family wherever they are. Idaho, Vancouver, Ohio and Missouri are still way too far away for this Grandma though! Check out this family picture with 70 descendants in it! Our friends, and former Bishop and Visiting Teaching partner- the Knights from Connell Ward had 12 children and just celebrated their 50th Anniversary. Oh yeah, and this picture was taken at 6:30 AM on a Saturday morning! I sure don't want to wait until our 50th to get our WHOLE family together, but I still try to get the picture of my dreams of my grandchildren with everyone looking in the same direction and looking happy. That shouldn't be impossible, but it hasn't happened yet! I might have to hire this Photographer take our picture... she is just Awesome! Look at the sketch she made for placing all the people too. Our family has only 28, I think there is hope. OK, Enough computer, it's time to get something done today. Lynn got THESE apricots from a fruit grower in Milton Free-water and shared with me...they need to have something done with them. Apricot and Pinapple jam? Maybe some "heavenly hash" like Paul's mother has made before. Paul is home resting from his neck pain also. Janessa and Jackson are on the road coming home to Walla Walla for the week-end too, so my day is filling up fast.

First quilt-Last quilt

I thought I'd done already done the first quilt post, but it was my favorite Quilt for Park City Girl's BLOG. That definitely isn't my first quilt. My first quilt was tied also. It was made of many different types of fabrics, which is why it is in need of repair, not from being loved by an animal. I just folded the backing over to the front and it wasn't even straight or even. I used it when I was in High school and at College on my bed in the Dorm when I was on the top bunk. I had to take a picture of a picture, it is hidden too far back in the piles today. (picture is sideways) Back in the 70's -80's I used sheets for the backing too. Now I'm a quilt snob, I won't use inferior backing or Polyester or tie my quilts. I don't like to use Polyester batting either, but I will in a kids quilt so it can be washed a lot. The last quilt is the last one that I have bound and labeled. I didn't use the pieced borders that were with the original pattern, my flowers are made not as scrappy and my leaves don't all go the same way. Now I call it a design choice not a mistake. The Pattern is a 2009 Mystery by Cindy Carter. The link takes you to her Flicker photo of the way it was designed to look. Go to her website for the Pattern, it will be available until September. This one might just go down in history. I did the Feathers, free-motion, in the inner border using my trusty Bernina Patchwork edition 140. I'm glad this one didn't have a chance to becme a UFO! Started it in March completed it in July. Not too bad for me. Lydia will get her quilt after I show it off a my Guild Meeting Tuesday. Not that she will get to use it much, her mom likes it and might try to fit it on her bed...

What's on my design wall - July 13

I am patriotic on my wall for July!!! These are the LOTTO blocks I have made for Guild meeting this week. Just testing an arrangement. The block makes up super quick and is habit forming like Lay's potato chips- you can't just have one! The block is called Tam's Patch from Marcia Hohn's quilter's cache... These blocks are made with the Pat Speth 'small wonders' method from 5 inch is a cinch pattern "Star and Crown". The block starts with a light and dark 5 1/2" square. It makes an 8" block. I had to try this method and it was so fun, I think I'll make more... I have some squares from charm swaps that I want to use.

Flowerbed Garden

In our yard instead of Flowers we have some garden produce growing, tomatoes and green peppers. Behind the garage and fence in the alley is even more stuff growing; green beans and corn, . The tomatoes are set on and the corn is tasseling! Today I picked our 3rd huge picking of Green Beans. I added some of our fresh green beans to my hamburger dinner from the other night. Yummier than just carrots and potatoes with it. I had to share some with my buddies (Wendy T and Sylvia B) who came to take me to the Farmer's Market. Thanks gals, that was fun. We tasted the granola and listened to the musci, visited with some young families that were there and saw some other friends too. Wendy and I split a seedless Hermiston Watermelon and bought some Zuchinni 3/$1. They had some that had crossed with the yellow squash and called it "Cueball" squash. Sylvia got some salad from a Lebanese lady and some zuchinni. Sylvia and I both got some of the homemade Soap that smells soooo good. They had some that was Red, white and Blue... Today I felt like a "Farmer". Now I know why my grandmas wore aprons with big pockets. I picked my 5 qt ice cream bucket full and had to use my shirt. Paul took my picture by the garden sign my sister gave my for my 50th b-day a few years ago. It says, "Garden sweet Garden" . Paul isn't up to doing much out side this week, so it's all mine to do. I watered the lawn other night and checked on the garden stuff. Our Home Teacher offered to come and mow the lawn, but it will wait until next week I think... So go ahead and sing the song..."Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow?" I don't mind it a bit, because I enjoy my flowerbed garden very much! Thanks to my Husband who was a farmer when I met him. I swore to my Mother I'd never marry a farmer... famous last words. I'm so grateful for him and his hard work attitude that he taught all of our children. You can take the farmer off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the farmer. Hahahahaha

3 of 12 Shops done

Lynn and I went on a short (???) road trip today. I was itching to go somewhere and a short trip was just the thing to do. We started in Pasco at Janean's where we found some new sewing machine feet for Lynn and got our 4.5" squares cut to get siggy blocks today. I had some Kona White in my trunk to cut the squares. Janean's wasn't on the Sagebrush Shop Hop list... After getting gas, we went on to Richland- Quiltmania for our 'passport', a free stitchery pattern of a sewing machine from Crabapple Hill, and directions to the Meg Hawley studio. We got a free FQ and threw a dart for other prizes. Our's hit just on the board so we got 1 more FQ each. There were snacks and ice cold water for the road trip. Saw a panel I had to buy and Lynn bought some beautiful fabric for a secret project. I promised not to say what color it was... Deb was out of the Shop Hop bags so we had to go to Hermiston to get one. But first we went to take the TOUR of Crabapple Hill Studio. If you have ever seen their patterns you can imagine how fun it is to see their studio. Bought a couple Kits and got some $2 grab bags there. Lynn got a neat Snowman stitchery pattern. Hermiston and Aunty Ida's was next on the agenda. We got to Hermiston in time to stop by the bank before going to the Quilt shoppe. They had the Shop Hop bags and the same sewing machine stitchery pattern plus one other stitchery pattern. Found some scraps in their 'sale baskets' and some 30's FQ's. Since I don't like driving the river road so much I decided we'd go on to Pendleton before going home. Pendleton Quilt works had a Twister board to spin for a prize and I got a Free Pattern Book, plus a FQ and some 'sale' fabric that had Farm ABC's on it. And see those 17, count them, selvage dots! Wowwie! I'm still on the lookout for more than 18. If we had time next week to go for a very long ride we could see the other 9 shops. It is our Guild week so that more than likely will not happen. We ate at DQ on the way home, should have stopped for Lunch earlier, but didn't see a place we could agree on... that was on the correct side of the road, therefore easy to make an exit for. The Girl Scout Blizzard is highly recommended by Lynn. And their Onion Rings are pretty good too!

What's for Dinner???

I had to spoil my Dear Hubby tonight since he is suffering from a strained neck. He said at 4pm what's for dinner? I asked what he wanted and he replied hamburger, potatoes, & onions. That sounded like the tinfoil dinners I made in the pie plates wrapped in the foil, for the scout trips my hubby and son's went on and like we had when I went to Girl's Camp. Remember those? I thought I had all the stuff to make tinfoil dinner. I thought... I can make it and cook it in the Oven in about an hour or so. While his RX were getting filled I went to the grocery store an got some fresh hamburger, since mine was all frozen. I came home peeled the potatoes, carrots and sliced onion to put on top of the meat patties. I made three patties and placed them in the bottom of the pan. Then put the onion and potatoes, carrots and a can of cream of Celery soup over the top. It cooked for about 2 hours while Paul rested. It tasted almost as good as the ones from Camp... I have done my quilt days and am all caught up on the Row Robins now. I wish I could post pictures, but they are still secret. I will post pictures as soon as my own Row Robin comes home and the others are at their respective homes as well. I will be home this week-end finishing my 3 quilts that were off the design wall last Monday. I had dreamed a bit about attending the Outdoor Quilt Show at Sisters but the plans to make a quick trip with my quilt buddy got quashed when we really thought about the LONG ride and only one day to do it in. Maybe next year we can make a better plan... I hope that someone on my Wasiq or Stashbuster Lists takes some pictures...

My 4th son is 24!!!!

I am so glad to shout the news... Jeffery Gordon Crowther is 24!!!! I remember well the evening spent waiting for Jeffery to make his appearance. His older Brothers and sister were helping me deliver Tupperware orders from a Party I'd hosted. Driving around I felt a bit 'in-labor' all day. I won't go into the details but finally Paul came in from "farming' and had time to take me in to Richland where our fourth baby boy was delivered safely by Dr Felton. He wasn't named after the famous race car driver, #24 NASCAR, but he likes him and has quite a good collection of Jeff Gordon memorabilia from birthdays past. It has been such fun to have him in our family. Every year at his birthday time the fireworks stands would appear and there were parades and all the hoopla that comes with the 4th of July. Maybe that's why he always loved fireworks. One year the Circus came to Umatilla and we got to go. He thought it came just for him, I'm sure. See how glad his Big Brother Milton was to have him home. Even then you could see the 'red' hair. This picture was taken at Grandpa & Grandma Crowthers' house. I could never have survived all the pregnancies without my MIL's help! She even made the quilt for him with 'red' hair and 'blue' eyes. Here he is on Graduation Day with his little sister, Janessa! It was a day well worth the waiting for, right Jeff? Later that same year he graduated again from his BOOT Camp Training at Ft Leonardwood. We were happy to share that day with him too!After his return in March from being stationed at GITMO in Cuba--- We had to get a picture with him and all his Neices and Nephews. There are two more that he hasn't met... As I said in a previous post, I'm grateful he's back in the USA! Too far away from Mom and Dad, but on USA terra firma.

On and OFF the "Design Wall"

My week was busy, but I still got 3 quilts OFF the design walls. One is quilted, ready for Binding, here it is when I checked to see my handiwork. First time trying to do FEATHERS like Judy L in an inner border. Click on the picture to see closer up, but remember I'm using my DSM not a Longarm and I am still an amateur.the second one is shown here with my oldest grandson who loves Superman. I went with just one border on his since when I measured it and realized it was big enough. Time to get it quilted this week. For the third quilt I went with the darker of the two choices per request of the Mom of Grandson getting the train quilt. Thanks for all your comments last week. YEA, I'm making progress. I will be free to start on another project when these three are finished. I'll be caught up! No Grandchildren born in July and the next birthday isn't until mid August.I took time to clear off my table of the many selvages I'd collected over retreat and making these quilts, to add them to my selvage ball. I had to do some un-sewing when some of them got under the backing of my string flower quilting. That was NOT fun!!!

Happy Birthday AMERICA!

Today was spent listening to Patriotic music in our own Pioneer Park. I was there all day with our Guild Raffle quilt. Thanks to Lynn W, Jerry M and Armida G for sharing time with me in the Park also. If you missed seeing me, it's not my fault. It was extremely HOT but I was glad I could be there to enjoy the music and see the good people of our city come out to spend the day in the park. Thanks for my husband who helped me put up the quilt and brought me a fresh Icepack to help cool me down late in the day. He made the PVC frame for me when Brant and Tina were married, it works great for the Raffle quilt. I didn't realized how shaded the quilt was on the side when I took this picture. I watched and listened tonight to Neil Diamond and the Boston Pops. After being in the heat all day, I was happy to stay at home tonight. It brought back memories of my teenage years listening to Neil Diamond and the trips to Spokane to see the Lilac Parade and family. I'm so grateful for my many ancestors and my husbands ancestors who came to America for a better life. They left a heritage of hard work and being thankful for the freedoms we have living in this great country. I'm thankful my son is back on USA soil serving our Country also this year! He will celebrate his 24th Birthday this week. Happy Birthday, on Monday... Jeffery! I'll Blog more about that on Monday.

Thursday- Familytime

Caleb McKay Crowther 4 0f our 6 Children brought their families to be with Brant and Tina for Caleb's blessing in Pasco. That meant that 12 of the 14 grandchildren were there too. I always thought it was hard to get 6 children to look good in a picture- 12 is nearly impossible. We had one sad and one who wanted to get-away. I thought if Grandpa and I held some of the babies it would help. Tina's parents and grandparents came from Idaho too. Paul's younger sister, Anne and a brother, Jed came with their families also. Great- Grandpa and Grandma Crowther were there to record the blessing. Grandma does shorthand. It is always good to be together. We had a baked Potato bar afterward. YUMMY!