Trunk or Treat 2009-ETC

Friday Night was the Walla Walla Tri-Ward Trunk or Treat. Paul got home in time with the slip sheet, he cut the Jack-o-lantern face out and I painted it quick. Then he asked if I had just a hat he could wear for his costume. I told him he'd buried my Halloween boxes in the garage. He moved a table and the crib springs and got them out, found the Clown wig and I made him a red cape. We just leaned it up against the trunk of the blue car. Maybe next year we'll add some lights and let them them throw beanbags. Two boys asked if they could, I had some Beanbags but no bucket behind to catch them in. I put on the Purple Graduation Gown from NaDell's Graduation in the year 2000. Hers had the mortar board still with the gown. I have quite a collection of the gowns...I am graduated from being MOM to Grandma. Janessa brought Jackson in his Dr costume with stethoscope. Her friend and son were there so I had to take a Picture of them. It was fun to see all the children and even some of the bigger children in their costumes. Our Local FARVE fan.. The Holiday decorating Queen... 'The Wizard of Oz' family and "Toto" too... These young ones wore these costumes 8 years ago when they met...Ahhh how sweet! Foot note::: The Elders are moving into our house on Monday. That's why lots of things are being moved around and cleaned up. Today we, the Elders and Paul, moved a bunch of the big stuff to get ready for the big move on Monday. The guest bedroom is in the old toy room. Now, complete with the Queen sized bed that goes with the set that I got from my parents estate. The mattress and box springs are nice, Joe and Kori gave us their extra set when they finished school. Since I live downstairs most of the time we moved our bedroom to the basement. The Elders will be in our old Master Bedroom. Good thing I get to turn the clocks back tonight, I have an extra hour to clean and sort...I sure make a mess trying to clean up the sewing area. My sewing stuff is all over and soon will find a permanent place in the family room.

They're all here now.

Jes joined Janessa here in WW last evening. I'm glad he finished his Paramedic Course and they were able to come back to WW for a while. It's going to be fun to have them closer. Jackson came over to play while Janessa unpacked last Week. See what fun he and his "Papa" are having? Both have jobs that start this week-end, so life is good.

SBS BOW week ending November 1st

Here is my Block of the Week for my SBS group. D-1 Hands All Around. I made this one mostly by hand. Hand stitching doesn't hurt my wrist. Not the easy way at all but better than all those 'y' seams. I used some of the blue fabric from my Blue & Brown Swap blocks I made. I now have 34 Blocks left to make and I'm all done with the Scrappy version of the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. I have a lot of Paper-pieced Blocks left. Lynn encouraged me NOT to leave all of the PP blocks until the end, but alas here I am near the end with a bunch of them to do. I should be proficient at Paper Piecing by the time I finish them all. I've been slowed down by my wrist, but am determined to keep on using it a little so it doesn't get stiff. I'm such a wimp! In my spare time I've been re-reading "The Master Quilter". It is the Book where the story behind the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler is told.

Trick or Treat Tag

I was tagged by my dear Daughter 'by love' #3 so here are my 5 tips and a treat just in time for Halloween. Tip #1 I learned this one from my Mother 'by love'. When baking a layer cake, grease the pan with you butter wrapper and sprinkle some of the cake mix for the 'flour'. On Chocolate cakes especially, there isn't the white flour on the edges when you turn it out. Tip #2 Write the date on the light bulbs you replace often, with a permanent marker to check how long they last. Tip #3 Make a picture calendar with pictures of the people who have birthdays or anniversaries by month. Write the Family Birthdays in so no-one forgets. Tip #4 Use a squeegee in the shower to take the excess water off the surface. Tip #5 On picture frames with two hooks on the back, use a piece of wire through both and hang from the center so you only have to make one nail hole to hang it. If you do it tight enough the wire doesn't even show behind the frame. See the Collage Picture here. Treat: Quick Minestrone Soup 1 med onion chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 pound hamburger 5 slices bacon, sliced and cooked 15 oz Spaghetti sauce (Hunts) 6 cups water 1-2 stalks celery, chopped 2-3 carrots, peeled and chopped 2 cups cabbage, chopped 1 teas salt 1/4 teas pepper 2 small zucchini, chunked 1 16 oz can kidney beans 1/2 cup shell macaroni 1 T chopped parsley 1 T chopped oregano Brown the meat with the garlic and onion. Add next 8 ingredients and bring to boil. Simmer 30 minutes. Add zucchini, stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer 30 more minutes. Serve with Parmesan cheese and hard rolls. Great for the chilly nights ahead... I tag anyone who reads this... I'm a softie! I won't make you do it...

Design walls -Monday 10-26-09

This is my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Design wall at Lynn W's. I think I'll be taking a little break from my SBS quilts. I'm almost done with this one, so I may try and still do at least a few a week to finish it. I could spend a week at Lynn's and do the remaining Blocks, but Holiday Projects are calling me. I made only 3 blocks this week other than the Blue & Brown and Christmas SWAP blocks I finished and mailed ... a week before the deadline, I might add. I posted about them here. The blocks I did enable me to sew some strips together. Yea!!! Scrappy SBS count 107/140 (36 left to do) 30's SBS 33/140 and holding... The following is the design wall of my quilt buddy Lynn W. She asked that I post this for her. This is a "Hearts and Flowers" quilt she is designing for a member of our Local Quilt Guild who lost her father recently. It just needs borders then it will go to be quilted and presented at the November Guild mtg. Lynn can't get into her Blog to do it and since I'm the 'Quilt Studio photographer'... here you go. Be sure to go to Patchwork times and check out the other Design Walls.

Rearranging things around here

Great-Grandma Crowther got some pictures of Ben from his mom in Ohio. She shared a couple with me so I could get copies. Most of the pictures I've seen have him with a Binky in his mouth. I haven't seen his great big smile. At Kori's Mother's Memorial service I couldn't resist taking a picture of this cute little grandson's curls. Great Grandma Crowther says he got the curls from Great Grandpa Crowther. I see a little red there. My father had red hair as a boy and I saw that Kori's mom had red hair as a child in the slideshow. Then before leaving Colby told me what his part on the Primary program is and I took a picture of him with his father. Joe did a great job on the slideshow and both Kori and Paul's talks and Joe's reading of her life sketch were well done. I couldn't even pray without losing my composure. Debra will be sorely missed by her family and friends. One thing that sticks out to me from her service was that she didn't complain. Oh that we all could live our lives like that...without complaining. I finally had a chance to put up the collage frame that Paul gave me a few years ago for my b-day. I updated with some pictures I had. It hangs on the right side as you come down stairs now. About time I decorated the stairs. We've been here over 5 years. When I made this Purple 'Flower Pots' wall hanging -I saw that it would fit perfectly here on the overhang of the stairs. I don't know what else to call it. We used the Removable hangers -Command strips from 3M ...Paul even says it looks good and leads me to "my area" downstairs. While he had the ladder in I asked about the light way up there. He said he didn't think it wasn't wired in, he'd checked it before. I said check and lets try a new light bulb "...and there was Light." It's connected to the one at the bottom of the stairs which is very, very good! Since getting the Church Pew, I've wanted to move things in the Living room around. Yes, I am still am glad that we removed the carpet almost a year ago...THANKS BRANT!!! Love the hard wood when it's shiny and Orange Glo clean. Last night Paul was home so we shuffled things around. I must be needing to nest some more. I'm not sure where the Christmas tree will fit though...I want to make a cushion for the Pew too. The fabric for new curtains is in the utility room... more shuffling needs to happen. I've been sorting the Scrapbooking area today. Found some pictures, separated the Photo CD's from the prints and am still looking for the ones from April-May. Maybe I didn't make photo CD's that Month. Jes, Jackson & Janessa are moving back to Walla Walla this week. YEA!

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Swap Blocks

Here are the Blue and Brown blocks I mailed to Virginia for the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Swap. I did 5 of the L-8 Kansas Troubles and 6 of the N-5 Windblown Square. All packaged and labeled ready to be mailed. I mailed in 10 for the Swap so I'll get 10 different blocks in return. Here are two of the four sets I mailed on Tuesday for the Christmas SBS Swap. They went to Florida. I'll get 20 different H-3 Sarah's Choice blocks in return. The deadline is Halloween, so I am in good time for them to arrive for the swapping. When they come back I have a few blocks from Lynn W that she made extra for her Swap Blocks to go with them. She had more cut out so I helped her finish those and they went in the mail with my name on them. We will share the different ones we get. It's fun to get these blocks back. Last year I did a Red and White Swap and I got blocks from France, Australia, Canada and England, as well as a few from the US.

Design wall -Monday 10-19-09

Since my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler is on the wall at my Quilt Buddies,it isn't getting too many blocks added to it. I only did two blocks this past week. SBS Count - 104 done of 140 30's SBS - 33 done of 140 I did put some UFO Blocks on my wall here at home though. This is one from a Block of the Month in 2002 at Hancock Fabrics with Jo Fox. It needs 4 more 6.5" blocks and 3 more 12" Blocks to finish. I unearthed the extra fabrics for it when I re-folded my stash. Then I can add the sashings and get this one to the Flimsy stage. I have to change my wall, I get bored easy... Check out the other design walls at July L's Blog

Happy Birthday Christopher Brant!!

Grandma didn't get the card in the mail in time for you :( I need a 48 hour day... Christopher's quilt was delivered when his baby Brother; Caleb was born. He's pictured here on it. We love seeing pictures of him and hearing him on the phone. He speaks so clearly! Wish they didn't live so far away. It's a long day's ride for them to come see us. Thanks for coming as often and you do, we love you all!!

Busy Week

I have been very busy this week...and not all Quilting. I have cut out parts and pieces for 20 Nativity Puppet Kits for our "Soup"er Saturday. I had my monthly Quilt Guild Meeting also this week. I guess I did do a little sewing... My 'Secret Pal' must really love me. This Rosie Panel is the giftie I got on Tuesday from her. I can hardly wait to see who has been giving me all the goodies this year. It will be revealed at our December Meeting along with the Raffle Quilt Drawing and our Potluck. We are having a Pin cushion exchange this year, and Decorating a Mini-Tree for the Junior Club- that should be fun. I made a mad dash to Tri-cities to deliver Coy's birthday quilt and to try and find more of the materials for the kits. Needless to say I came home upset that I couldn't find everything I needed. When I did the Puppets last I worked at Hancocks and there isn't one in Tri-cities or Walla Walla anymore...(you've heard me on this soapbox before)! I went out to see NaDell and asked Olivia what she was going to be for Halloween. She said, "a mermaid". I made this Costume for her big sister while working at the Hancocks. NaDell got it out so Olivia could try it on. Isn't she the cutest Mermaid? We had our first Primary Program Practice in the Chapel. I took a picture to send to Wendy, the Primary President who is in Virginia. We can't take one during the actual Program. I know she is having fun. She will be missing the Program...:( We will miss her melting into a puddle. I always feel the Spirit when the Children sing for the Program. It is one of the best Sacrament Meetings we have in the Church. Stressful for those who are leading the Children though. Must have been a MAN who thought up doing this yearly Program. We appreciate all the Teachers and Leaders who help us with the Primary. We couldn't do it without them. Today they got the Ice Cream they worked hard to earn singing their best in Primary for the "scoops". It's time for me to be asleep. Tomorrow is another busy day.

Another Birthday Boy in the Crowther Family

We are so glad that Coy joined the family 6 years ago. It seems like just yesterday that I got to go and stay with Jared and Seth so Christen and Milton could go to the Hospital. He has a impish little grin that tells you exactly what he is thinking. Watch out, he is a tease! We love him and are so glad he likes school. He was very ready to go this year and I'm sure he's learning a lot.

DESIGN WALL 10-12-09

Here is my wall this week. I had to wait until I was done sewing today to take the picture. I quilt at my quilt buddies house and my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler is on her wall there. She is being so kind to cut and press for me. Tonight before I took the picture I sewed the Vertical sashing strips together and pinned them in place. It shows a lot of places where I need to make the BLOCKS. It's looking better... not too many new blocks done though after not getting to sew all week last week. Here's hoping I get more blocks done this week... There are alot more quilts and Design Walls to see Here Linked to July L's Blog.

Saturday company

Grandpa got to try out the Church pew with three of the grandchildren tonight. We couldn't not give Vincent a treat of Ice Cream when he found the cones in the shelf and brought them to us. NaDell got a cute video of his first reaction to the coldness of the ice cream. It will be on her BLOG later. I spent the day at my Quilt Buddy's house. She has been under the weather all week so I haven't even turned on my sewing machine or iron all week. I was going crazy not sewing. I got all the blocks sewn to sashings that were in the rows. Where there was a missing block there is a separation in the string of blocks pinned to the wall. I filled in a couple spaces also. And made the BOW for my SBS group. H-7 The Odd fellows Chain I got two good books read this week. I'd borrowed Marilee's book "The Undaunted" and needed to finish it before November. The second book "The Christmas List" was a much shorter one. I found it at our Hasting's store and was elated to get it without a trip to Tri-cities. It was discounted a little also, which always is a good thing. I highly recommend both books. I was going to loan "The Christmas List" to Wendy who is leaving on a long airplane ride, but NaDell saw it and started reading it, so she has it this week. Who is next??? I cried reading both of them. It could be that my tear ducts are a little close to the surface this week with Kori's Mom's passing. Our Prayers are with her family. I'm so relieved that she could be with her mom and say "goodbye". She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Kori posted a tribute to her mom on thier Blog already. We have Birthdays in the family in October so I need to wish Christen "Happy Birthday" a day late and Coy "Happy 6th Birthday" on Tuesday! A week from Sunday will be Christopher's 2nd birthday. He lives in Idaho so I don't get to eat any of his B-day cake...maybe it will be B-day pie again, who knows...

Online Quilt Festival

Park City Girl is hosting an Online Quilt Festival during the Houston market week. She asked us to post our favorite quilt. You can click on the link in my sidebar to go and look at other "favorite" quilts. I've made many, many quilts since I started quilting but have never made a "Double Wedding Ring". I already have this one... An elderly neighbor asked my mother for some fabric scraps when I was a little girl. She lived near us and I would stop and visit her on my way home from School. I remember taking a grocery sack over to her full of scraps. When I was engaged- my mother and grandmother hand quilted it. I didn't know about it until it was presented to me. It is very precious. I have only one picture of the dear lady that hand pieced the quilt top. My older/only sister says I can/should make her one ---California King-sized and hand quilted. She is still dreaming!

DESIGN WALL 10-5-09

Here is Colby's Quilt. I used the ABC panel squares in the D9P and made this the center. It needs a few borders. First will be a thin black border to frame it then I'm thinking of 3-D flying Geese. I found the fence fabric for another border. We will see what the quilt tells me to do next. And I welcome any comments or ideas here. I'll be checking Judy L's Borders on her BLOG for more border ideas. Meanwhile go check out other Design Walls linked from her blog... She challenged us to "Show our Stash" and since I couldn't do much else while watching General Conference, I emptied a BUNCH of fabric bolts and totes and folded the fabric using the 'ruler' method. I took a picture of the empty bolts, but that is pretty boring so visualize a BIG stack [60] of them. A LOT of fabric fits in the space now! I see many new quilts in there...but I need to finish a few other UFOs first. I have a little room to add one more stack, when I find another place for my basting spray and canned air stuff. I'll be chanting Dorothy's mantra from Stashbusters... "I MUST not start anything new..."

How about TAN!

I chose the sashing fabric and it ended up being the fabric that Lynn had two bolts of. I tried to buy a third bolt of it in Portland last month when we were there. I'm happy with the way it is looking with all the varied background fabrics that I'm using in this quilt. I like the scrappiness of it all. So, when I get back to sewing at Lynn's this week I can get more blocks sewn together with at least the vertical sashings. Meanwhile I'm doing some un-sewing and fixing a few blocks that needed different fabrics in them because of where they go in the quilt. Lynn is cutting out blocks for me to sew on at home. She cut all my sashing strips for me and I'm thankful that she could do that for me. The wrist is ok, but I can't quit using it completely and keep messing it up when I take the brace off for even a little while. It's kinda hard to wash hair left-handed too. I can deal with it, other friends and family have much worse health issues than a hurt wrist. My prayer-bones are getting sore for a good reason... We enjoyed some time this weekend with our family - playing games at Milton and Christen's Friday night, I think I won the game too... Lydia has her quilt on the double bed in her room now! And I got a picture of Jared's on his bed. Sorry it is sideways...had to raise the camera way up above my head to get the shot of the top bunk. Colby's Quilt is still in the works. It won't take as long as from May and June to get to him, I hope. I need to put the borders on it and am thinking some 3-D flying geese would be good. Pictures of that work in progress will be on my Design Wall Monday post. I enjoyed not having to leave home to enjoy Conference. Paul had to work Saturday so I watched it solo. While watching since I couldn't write and take notes, I re-folded the fabric in my Stash closet. I found some fabric with farm animals on it that will work for Colby's quilt. Thanks to Janessa for making my day calling me when she heard Elder Bednar speaking. Joe brought Colby and Sam over to visit Saturday evening. He went to the Priesthood session with his father, they were late, but that was better than not going. Colby is a good helper with Sam. He doesn't know this Grandma too well. I was busy keeping them entertained and didn't take any pictures. Hope Kori got some needed rest. We love all of our family and hope they had a good Conference week-end with their families. I remember having our picnics between sessions when all the kids were home. AHHHH, the memories.

SBS DESIGN WALLS 9-30-09

My quilt buddy is nearly done with her Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt. She made over 100 blocks in the month of September. Some were Christmas Swap blocks so the main quilt didn't get all done to the 'flimsy' stage as she would have liked. She has about 30 blocks left to do. The first picture is the picture I took of her wall today. My wall here at home is not as wide as the one I use at Lynn's. It is tipped sideways. The right side is the top row of mine. I have about 40 blocks left to do on my scrappy quilt. I will take my blocks out and take a better picture of them tomorrow. I'll change the picture here, after I take it. Meanwhile... Please leave me a comment to help me decide what color to use for the sashing. Thanks a bunch! [the new photo shows dark blue strips and tan strips on the wall- I like the tan fabric better].