Birthday's

We have 9-10 Birthdays in just our immediate Family between January 15th and February 15th. There are 20 if I count all the relatives on my calendar. If I posted on each one, my quilts wouldn't get done. So this year I didn't do a "tribute" post on their 'special days'. I'll leave that to their MOMS... I want to share the Lucky thing that happened this week concerning Birthdays. This Crazy Grandma likes her "KORD" Country Music Radio Station. So each day they do a Birthday spot, if you call in by 7:30 am and tell them who in your family is having a birthday they mention their names and the names go in a drawing for a FREE cake from "Yokes". I was so anxious to wish Samuel a Happy 1st Birthday this last Thursday that I called in on Wednesday, only to realize that I was a day early. Embarrassed at my "airhead" mistake, thankfully I was up early enough, that I called back and had them not mention his name that day. So the next morning I set the alarm and called in again. HE WON THE CAKE! I emailed to tell the parents they needed to go get the coupon for the FREE Cake, since I know they wouldn't be listening for the Birthday's on the radio. The birthdays for the weekend get recognized on Fridays if you call in, so Friday I was up again to call in Vincent's 2nd Birthday, that is TODAY! When they called his name as the winner of the Free Cake I was jumping up and down wishing that my Daughter was listening to the radio to hear it. But alas I knew she wasn't going to up and listening to "country" any day. I called and left a message that they had a coupon for the Free Cake at KORD studios. I had to go to my Applique class so I was in town. Then before I left town I called again to make sure she got the message. She said the kids were taking naps and not feeling the best so I went to get the Coupon and took it to Sam's B-day Party last night. I'd planned to have a picture of the two lucky grandchildren to put on the BLOG, but Vincent had to stay home with his mom. They missed the yummy Elmo and Cookie Monster Cupcakes. I got to bring a few home with us, which I shared since Grandpa and I really don't need them... Here's a picture from their family BLOG of them. I have Lucky Grandkids, don't I. See I really am a Crazy Grandma!!! SO, the moral of the story is, Listen to KORD at 7:50 am in the morning of your birthday if you are a Crowther grandchild and you might just hear your name and win a Free Birthday CAKE. I'll be calling in a few more times this week for February Birthdays. Joe, Elizabeth, will you be winners this week?

SBS Updated Wall Photo

I have been busy sewing on my SBS (Sylvia's Bridal Sampler) blocks this month. I have made 24 blocks total, two were ones that I needed to make over for various reasons (ie: too small, not enough contrast). I have made it to the less than 10 to do stage so I thought Id post a recent picture. I have 131 on the WALL! That leaves 9 to do...(except for the Handy Andy that I'm dreading the re-do on). I count that the top 3 rows (A,B,& C) across are all DONE and there are 4 other rows all DONE (F,I,J&N). WHOO HOO!!! I'm so thankful that I can sew again and cut with my rotary cutter without my hand hurting! I am grateful to a Quilt buddy who challenges me to do the harder blocks. I couldn't have gotten even this far without Lynn W's encouragement. I have many who are cheering me on from Blogland also. Thanks! The possibility of having this to 'Quilt Top' stage in time for Quilt Guild in February is seeming more possible every Day. Soon it will be "DONE". See those crossed off blocks on the right sidebar. I am so happy to keep crossing them off my lists.

New project -Design Wall 1-25-10

As promised - I'm showing the 12" Blocks that are part of the new Guild Block of the Month on the Design Wall. It is called "American Beauty" Designed by Marti Michell using her Templates. This Wall is at the Quilt Studio where I go 1-3 days a week. My quilt is made with some Robyn Pandolph fabrics I bought and have saved for a special project. Lynn wanted a scrappier version to show as well so I chose these fabrics to make mine We'd like to have the top done in time to show it at Guild in February. We aren't as fast as Judy L... Check out other Design Walls by following the links from Patchworktimes Lynn has worked on the Pieced borders since I was at her studio. I will get to see how the Templates work for the them when I go out there today. Below are the Blocks done in Batik fabric by her. I worked on the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler the rest of last week. I tried to do at least 1 block a day. Some nights I got it done and posted to the SBS list before midnight and a couple posted the next day in the wee hours of the morning. I have 16 Blocks left to make. 2 of which are Applique and I'll be taking a class this week to help me do those two.

Birthday Prize

I got the book that I ordered from Stitchin Heaven They gave me a $10 gift for my Birthday and I found this book that was on sale for that amount almost. I had to pay the shipping. It came just in time to take an Applique class this coming week. I'm excited for the June block... It's Roses! There are 12 different Appliqued Wall Hangings to make. Perfect for stitching on roads trips and while watching TV.

SBS (Sylvia's Bridal Sampler) BOW 1-24-10

Ok, I know that Debbie M is looking at my Wall on my Blog to choose the Block of the Week for the SBS list! Here is the BOW for this week- due by midnight Sunday- done on Tuesday... along with the other 5-6 I made before I went to bed last night. I keep going through my list and finding more blocks not on it...DRATS! I have got an actual count- this is the REAL count... 21 blocks of 140 to go! 22 if I re-do the Handy Andy block. I re-did my Courthouse steps, see... Yesterday, I made 6 blocks total. That makes 12 total just this year so far. The crossed off blocks look so good on the sidebar! At that rate I could have the blocks done in about 4 days, right? UGGG, I'm looking at the two applique blocks to do, I don't want to save them for last. Should I cheat and do them in Fusible???

That's my Boy!

Brant Alma Crowther Joined the family 26 years ago. He was our $10,000 baby that spent the first 9 days on earth in the NICU. Living out of town wasn't fun and driving in to visit was very interesting in January. This picture shows how he felt about the whole ordeal. This picture taken when he was dressed,ready to go home to Mesa. Paul brought the kids to see their new little brother through the window. The lady at the Florist gave them each a rose to give to me. I'll never forget how happy I was to see their sweet faces. We are blessed to have him. He is always smiling and happy to play any sport that you want to play. His nephew called him "Uncle Ball". He aspired to grow up and teach school and coach because of a great 5th grade teacher. I'm sure his 3rd grade class is happy he did! Have a great day. We love you!

2010 Monday Design Wall #3

I have sewn 7 blocks in 2010 so far. I have 25 blocks left to make and then I'm DONE with this Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. I started sewing the rows together more and adding the sashing strips where there are missing blocks so I can see which blocks I need to use certain fabrics to spread the colors around. I seems I go in streaks using the same combination. I am trying to not introduce any new fabrics to the mix at this point. I am doing more paper piecing at the end than I'd hoped to be doing. I like the precision in doing them but they aren't my favorite method of piecing. Quilt Buddy, Lynn W and I are starting a new quilt for the local Guild's 2010 Block of the Month. I will have some of those blocks on the design wall soon. They are 12" blocks and there are only 12 in the quilt. YEA!!! Maybe next week I'll have a few done to give everyone a sneak peek... Check out other Design walls over at Judy L's

Birthday cards, SBS update, Swap FQ's

It's been a good day. My Facebook Wall posts have been updating all day. I have heard from all of my children at least once, some twice if you count online greetings. I feel very much loved. I mentioned to Paul last night that I didn't have a banana for my Smoothie and woke up to a bunch of Bananas, a Birthday Card and my favorite Candy Bar on my Computer chair. He knew where I would go first this morning. The Elders who live here even made and wrote in a Card for me! I decided to put the cards up where I could look at them... It was a busy day with phone calls and going out for Lunch and Dinner. I finally got a chance to complete a block for my SBS, (just so I could say I sewed today). This year to date I have made 6 blocks total. I figured out that scanning them to my computer made a better picture to post them to the SBS website. I took a digital picture to post on here. So I now have 24-26 blocks left to make...that is if I re-do a few... Lastly I had to look at my FQ's and cards from the FQ SWAP that I host. There are a couple missing still, but of those that have sent them, the Swap is ready to go.

It's almost my Birthday...

Since tomorrow is my Birthday and I am not making too many other plans...I will open up the packages and boxes today and do the Fat Quarter Swapping that has been waiting. I do like to see all of the FQ's and surprises that come from all my fellow swappers. I can wait to read the cards tomorrow. This is a SWAP on my WASIQ online Quilt Guild list that I am hostess for. Last year I laid them all out on the bed and left them there. This year I'm sleeping in That bed so I will do it all at once and it will stay in the tote until the package or box is mailed for each Birthday. We even have a SWAPPER from Australia this year. I got my wish for Christmas to go to Las Vegas so more gifts from my Hubby aren't necessary. I am a SPOILED woman but we both needed the get-away! My DD #2 has invited me to lunch, I will have dinner with DH using our Christmas gift for Applebees. My Quilt buddy gave me some FQ's and Marti Michell Templates that we need to do the Block of the Month at Guild this year. I have received cards from my dear in-laws and a fun game and Chocolate... THANKS to the two ladies at Church that share the day. I have a Niece that I'd hoped to see on New Years Day who was born on my Birthday. Another Niece was married on the date in 1995. I have pictures of the Birthday buddies, but will resist sharing their pictures on here. This year I don't share the day with Martin Luther King Day. His B-day is the 15th too. I do get the 3-day week-end however along with all AMERICANS.

January 11th Design Wall- SBS is Back up there (picture changed)

January 11th, and my SBS is back on the Design Wall- this time at my house. It's too hard to choose the fabrics for the block I need to do without seeing all the rows at once. I'm on the countdown. 30 Blocks to go. I need to just sit and cut out the remaining blocks so they are ready to sew when I get a few moments. Enjoy the other Design wall Monday Posts at www.patchworktimes.com I saw a lot of visit from Patchwork times last week, but not many comments. Please leave a comment when you visit if you are a Blogger. EDITED: I was looking at the wall and realized there were blocks I made in November that weren't on it and the bottom of row one was turned upside-down. So I shifted all the totes aside and got a better/new picture. Good thing I wasn't sewing those rows together this week. Rows 2 and 9 are almost all sewn. So nice to have only 1 pin holding the row up there. Thanks for all the comments. Sometimes we all need those "atta-girl" verbal pats on the back!

I have a Family Tree

I have a Family Tree With branches by the dozens I have Grandmas, I have Grandpas. I have uncles Aunts and Cousins... (from a Primary song we used to sing) Yesterday was a reminder of the fact! This year celebrates the time my Mother would have been 88 years old. She is in the picture second from the left. I'll have to find the exact year it was taken. I'm guessing the 1940's. Only three of the 7 children are still living. Two were at the Funeral on Saturday, January 9th. Uncle John Waite and Aunt Thelda Squires. When the grandchildren were singing "Teach me to Walk in the Light" I heard a sweet voice from behind me singing too. I turned to look at my sweet Aunt Thelda singing. I remember that I first learned that song when I was visiting Nampa 1st Ward Primary when I was a little girl... My Uncle spoke of the "Plan of Happiness". He told us all to "stay together as a Family." There is a lot more he said but that is what hit home. It was one of the things my Aunt LaWana told us our own Mother feared would happen to our family when our Mother passed away. This is the family of My late Aunt and Uncle Lynn. Taken in Middleton after the Memorial services for their Mother; Lucille Waite. Here are my sister and I with some of our Cousins... Left to right: Candice Waite Young, Carla Waite Hill, David Squires, Mary Brown Crowther, and Roma Brown Cornelsen. It was a very quick trip but we are glad we could go. Our Cousin Candice said we should all get together this Summer for a "Cousins Reunion" and David has offered to let us 'camp' on their property in Donnelly. If I remember right there are about 40 of us Cousins. We tried to find the old farmstead in Star, but noone could lead us there and things have changed A LOT! The picture below shows just a few of us at Grandma & Grandpa's Dairy Farm in Star Idaho in 1967.

1st SBS Block of the week - due 1-10-10

I did it! I made the F-9 block for my SBS BOW. One more block done for the SBS quilt. It wasn't easy and I had to get some encouraging and tips from KNITOID. I did a bit of "frog stitching" to make the points come out the right colors. Mine isn't perfect but it measures up to the 6.5" needed for the quilt. So don't look too close. I have almost finished my first project of the New Year too. I quilted the QFK (Quilts for Kids) quilt that was on my Design Wall Monday post. It needs the binding and it is "DONE". The Spools quilt is "DONE" and it did fit on the window just right. YEA! I'll need to take it down to take to guild for show and tell along with the other quilts that get finished this week. Vincent's Train panel is almost quilted and I'll be crossing it off soon! It's only a year late, or a couple weeks early, whichever way you want to look at it. I have played with my Bernina doing the Free-motion quilting and I think I figured out a way to do it better now. YEA!!!

I "Heart" my Design Wall!

Here's my first UFO crossed off the list. I spray basted three quilts yesterday. I am really trying to get some Quilting "Done" this year and since the Weather is so 'frightful' outside... I'm hunkered down in my basement playing with and trying to locate all my UFO's I listed. I even learned from a fellow Quilt Blogger how to make the UFO name get crossed off and still be on the UFO list. Thanks Mel! Quilt Shows start in March and EXPO is in February so I need something to do before that. I found in my searching the partial top of Spools that I was given after serving as Co-chair of our Local Guild in 2007. I got about 15 signed and one of the nice members gave me a few extras to go along with the ones I got. It's an older UFO than I thought. I had some quilt related fabrics in my stash and knew I'd bought it for some good reason. One of the Spools is made from a spool fabric that is different. I wonder where she bought hers??? I put both the flange and border on at the same time. I need to get all warmed up to Free-motion stitch some of my other UFOs. For this one I stitched in the ditch around the spools and meandered/scribbled in the border. I have to finish stitching down the binding and 4" hanging sleeve. 20 - 6" Spool Blocks make a nice wall hanging with borders...or a substitute curtain in my bedroom... HAHAHA I think it will fit the window in my bedroom better than this. I like looking at it because it looks like a Springtime window. I made the "Flowers" for a BOM (Block of the Month) at Hancocks in 2006. I chose the Hydrangea fabric to go with the appliqued Hydrangeas and had to make it! Thanks to my nice boss, Jadean for feeding my habit and letting me make projects for the store. DH (Paul) keeps walking by as I'm sewing and saying, "It's so nice that you feel like doing your sewing again". I know am a happier person when I do get to do my sewing/quilting. I have a PIM (Project in Mind) to make matching ones for the two windows since the gingham ones were slightly see-through. I'm glad we noticed while we were moving stuff downstairs. I was prepared since I have a few Wall hangings 'hanging' around. Maybe I need them for each season?? Oh no, I feel a SUI (shopping under the influence) experience coming on... And there is a quilt show to go see at the Allied Arts in Richland all month so a Road trip is in my near future. When I see some sunshine, I'll venture out... I went out to visit my Quilt Buddy on Monday. She had more "gifts for me". She is always on the search for things I collect. She found two more cute Nativity Ornaments and a water ball that is musical and has a Nativity in it. I have collections of Musicals, Waterballs and Nativities, so it was a perfect thing to get. She put it all in the cute snowglobe bag too. She said she had to find me some fun socks, since I give them to others. We are looking for "quilty" socks that don't cost more than a yard of fabric...and we all know how much I need more fabric.

Design Wall Monday 1-4-10

It's the First Monday in January 2010. Time for "Design Wall Monday" with Judy L. Late Saturday evening I finished the top for a "Quilt for Kids" that Lynn W gave me to do. I have posted the picture in my WASIQ files for the Cyber Sew-in retreat they had over the New Year's week-end. There were several Mysteries I printed clues from and I hope to do a few after I finish the grandchildren's quilts. Creative people online who shared their designs. I did my UFO accounting from 2009 and it it posted. I can hardly wait to go and start back in earnest working on my SBS. It is sooo close to being done. There's my 'word' of the year..."DONE"! It feels so good to just say it out loud. Check out other Design Walls through the links on Judy L's Blog. Happy New Year!

2009 Counting of the Quilts

I looked through my little book and counted that I started 30 New Quilts last year. Each one is listed on a page in that book. Here's my count of completed quilts for 2009. Here's a picture of the book and what a finished quilt page looks like. I completed 17 quilts (the picture shows only 13 of them) 15 went to family or were made in time for quilt shows 2 were made for Charity and donated to the Local Quilt Guild That leaves 13 quilts that are in the "to do" piles. I also counted a few that I want to get done this year that were started in 2008 and left UN-done last year. If I list them I can refer back and cross those UFO's off the list. And mark them "DONE"!!!! In no particular order...from 2009 1-SBS- Scrappy 2-SBS 30's 3-30's Row Robin- WASIQ 4-Star & Crown 5-Hidden star 6-Big Star- Judy L 7-Bouquet of Friendship #2 8-Stash Project - Judy L 9-Charity D9P 10-Colby's Farm D9P 11-Vincent's Train Panel 12-Seth's Spiderman D9P 13-Check out Spiderman #2 - Carried over UFO's from 2008 14-Lone Star Table topper RW&B 15-Round Robin- WASIQ 16-Siggy Squares - WASIQ 17-Crayon's - Charity 18-Election Quilt-Slanted Star RW&B 19-RW&B D9P 20-Churn Dash & Applique- Kim Diehl Workshop quilt 21-Christmas Lone Star- Eddie Walker Workshop 22-Primary Colors Lone Star- Eddie Walker Workshop That is quite a LIST! I have many, Many more that are from WAY BACK in my quilting days... I hope my quilting days are more productive in the near future. The Tri-City quilt show is in March and I will want to have something new to submit.

Crowther New Year - 2010 Here we are!

We gathered for our Annual family gathering in Pasco this year. Joe and Kori opened their Church building for us to meet in. Paul cooked the Pork all night in the oven and we put BBQ sauce in it. I think it was a hit. I made "Colby" Rolls and he ate the meat off and got refills of the meat leaving the roll. Judy L says a 'tradition in the South' is that if you eat cabbage, blacked eyed peas and pork on New Year's Day, we should be healthy, happy, lucky, prosperous and all that good stuff! We had the Pork and Cabbage there so 2 out of 3 isn't bad! We love our extended family and thanks to the wonders of timed cameras we got a picture of all of us to save for posterity! We all gather to honor the Matriarch and Patriarch of the Crowther Family. Great-Grandpa Gordon and Great-Grandma Zora started all of this by falling in love in the 1950's and having their family grow in love. We love them so much that the family comes together from near and far to be here on New Years Day. A great family to be a part of...