Design Wall Monday- February 28, 2011

Here it is--- the awesome border was figured out with the help of EQ. Yea for Technology. I saw the border idea in a "Quilt" Magazine- April/May 2011 Issue. Looking at it makes me smile! My favorite color- plus a new pattern that I messed up but salvaged anyway with the sashing. I might need one more border so it will be easier to attach onto the leaders for the quilting table (less seams to come apart). I found another Violet fabric to go on the back. What do you think? Tomorrow a new color will be chosen and we will see if I do another. I think that I'm behind two more since I added two more UFOs with the past two months Monchroamatic Challenge. They only need quilting but somedays it's hard to choose- STITCH or Quilt! Hard choice. Onward and upward! I'm glad I tried the challenge. See more Design Walls by following the links HERE.

Stash Report - February 27, 2011

Used this week: 4 yards Used year to Date: 35.25 yards Added this Week: 0 yards Added Year to Date: 15.25 yards Net Used for 2011: 20 yards I've been calculating wrong all these weeks so I've corrected my Total used this year. This week most of what I used was for my Violet Challenge quilt. Sashing, Borders, backing and binding. I also have cut some fabric to share with a quilting friend and did my Civil War block. With the month ending on Monday I wanted to work on my Violet Challenge so yesterday was pedal to the metal and the top is FINISHED! I didn't get either of my #10 UFO's finished though. Big reveal tomorrow on the Design Wall Monday post. Click on the highlighted word to go see other Stash Reports at Patchwork times HERE.

Civil War Saturday February 26, 2011

Here is the week's Civil War Block. Bird's in the Air. I haven't finished all that I wanted to get done this month but I am not going to skip any more weeks if I can help it. I have two that I need to make still from week 3-4. Every little bit helps the Stash Report. Read more about the 150th Anniversary and Civil War History HERE

Mug Rugs

While I was at the Hospital my Mug Rugs came in the mail. They were made by Carol Klein from Bell Plain, MN. She has a few things in commmon with me. Decorating Cakes, Quilting, and loving Grand-daughters. She has more grand-daughters than I do though. She made me the two Mug Rugs and a dish towel to match. I don't drink Coffee, but my Cocoa will sit nice on my Mug Rug anyway. I don't really need two so if you comment on this post and tell me why you want the 2nd one, I'll draw a Random Number on Monday and send the winner my 2nd one. This swap was with the Quilting Gallery Thanks for all who have called and commented via the Facebook and Blog. We are all connected these days and it is nice when I have had to be good and stay home to rest.

Terrible Tuesday

I wasn't feeling good on Monday evening after driving to Tri-cities and back. I put off going to see why I was feeling bad and didn't sleep well Monday night. My left arm kept going to sleep and my chest and back were hurting. Knowing that my Father died of Heart issues, I know well the symptoms. When Lynn and Janessa called me on Tuesday, I told them I didn't feel well. Both said I should see a Dr. I really don't have a regular Dr since I had my babies and moving to Walla Walla. I've just used the urgent care as needed. But my daughter called and told her father to go home and take me to ER. I spent most of Tuesday waiting for results of all the Blood tests, chest x-rays and Cat scan. No blood clots found. It mostly hurt to take a deep breath. In the cat scan you have to take a deep breath and hold it. The Dr who came to admit me said it wasn't my heart but that he wanted to rule it out by having me take a "Stress Test". They shipped me upstairs to the 'Step-down ICU' where they could monitor me all night. I feel like a human pin cushion! Three times they took Blood and every hour or so they were in to check my vitals. (Blood Pressure, respirations and Temperature. I was hooked up to an IV and Oxygen and had a transponder unit attached to me as well, it transmitted the info to the Nurses station. If one of the leaders fell off they were there in a hurry to put it back on. Paul was invited to go eat Dinner with our good friends, the Turners and they came to visit me after and brought me a Symphony candy bar. Paul and Jay gave me a Priesthood blessing. Then Paul went to Mutual. He came home to find a "Heart Attack" on our Front lawn. This is the only kind I ever want to have. He said he told no one that I was in the Hospital. I didn't get much sleep with all the goings on with nurses and CNA's coming to check on me and make sure I had all that the Dr prescribed. A little baby aspirin and Tylenol. The pressure had subsided in the Er after 4 baby aspirin and 3 Nitro pills under my tongue. The stress test is aptly named! It 'STRESSED'ed me out. My legs and lungs felt just like they did when I climbed the hill on the TREK. That was way worse than the fact I hadn't had anything to drink or eat since the midnight. No signs of a heart attack. Nurse said it acted like Pleurisy that can mimic a heart attack. Paul sat and read to me and kept coming back to keep me company. Everyone was nice at St Mary's and I'm glad I didn't have to stay there longer. My bed will feel sooo good tonight. Janessa informed most of the family...Thanks for all your prayers and calls.

Lunch Date with 8 yr old

Today was the day, no school for the grandchildren and time to spend with our oldest grand-daughter. I woke up and headed to Tri-cities this morning. Elizabeth had told her mother she wanted to eat at Mc Donald's. NaDell said she tried to convince her otherwise knowing that I'm not fond of the "Golden Arches". It was her choice so that is where we went. I ate fries and a yummy Chocolate Milkshake. She had a double cheeseburger with pickles and a strawberry shake and shared fries with me between playing in the play area. Oh, the energy is wasted on the young.

I took her to the Church Bookstore to get her a Journal. Had a "senior moment" and her name engraved on it WRONG, OPPS! Then we went to the Columbia River Temple to take her picture. The Temple is closed for repairs right now and on Monday it isn't too busy anyway. Our former Stake President and 2nd Counselor in the Temple Presidency was just locking the gates as we were leaving. It nice to visit with him and he gave Elizabeth a sneak peek inside the doors. In four more years she can get a recommend to do Baptisms in the Temple. She asked if I would bring her with her older cousins to the Temple sometime. I hope she had fun. It was nice to spend the "one on one" time with her.

Design Wall Monday- February 21, 2011

It's Monday again and I have my Violet/Purple Challenge quilt well into the flimsy stage. I am ready to sew the blocks together this week and put on some awesome borders I created on EQ. I am learning how to use the program more and more every day. I have two pictures to show how they looked on the wall. In the first one we see multiple sewing and cutting errors. The link to see how it is supposed to be made is HERE.

In the second picture by changing the layout -the errors are less evident. So this is how I'm sewing it together. But I might change the right lower corner block and make it less obvious it has errors in the block. It is the problem block but with this layout the other errors are hidden. The issue with the Mis-cut blocks was not fun. Here I can show you what I have done to solve the problem. I sewed the blocks back together and will use them on the back. The first block is just another variation. the second block is a Real D4P (Disappearing 4-patch).

I'm happy to have my Mug Rugs gone in the Mail. Here is how they looked before I put the bindings on and mailed them.I did the Free-motion on my old Janome since the Bernina is still on the Quilting Table. I hope to finish the quilt that is on it so I can quilt my UFO #10 and the Violet Challenge quilts later this week.

Click HERE to see other Design Walls at Patchworktimes.

Stash Report February 20, 2011

Used this week: 2.75 yards Used year to Date: 31.25 yards Added this Week: 0 yards Added Year to Date: 15.25 yards Net Used for 2011: 31.25 yards This week I worked on the Violet Challenge so I used some fabric. I traded 1/3 of a Yard with Lynn so I calculated it out. I made my Civil War Block and finished the Mug Rugs (backing) and mailed them. They were supposed to be mailed by Monday, but it's a NO-Mail day. Doing good for February. One week left to find the backing fabric for my UFO #10. Click HERE to check out the other Stash Reports.

Civil War Saturday

Yea, another easy block to make for the Civil War 150th Anniversary Quilt! Named "Cotton Boll". #4103 in the Blockbase. Thank you Barbara Brackman. Click HERE to read about the History behind the block. Now I'm going back to finishing the swap stuff...

Time to VOTE again...

Abigail's Pink Bouquet is up for the Two-color quilt contest at the Quilting Gallery. I would appreciate your Votes. Voting goes until Sunday night. One vote per IP address. THANK YOU!

BAD Rotary Cutting Day

I went to sew at Lynn's on Tuesday and she had a new pattern variation for me to try. I have been slow getting a design for my Violet/Purple challenge for the Month. I had taken the Violet/Purple fabrics with me. She had a Violet/Purple Polka Dot that matched. I traded her for some plum toned fabric I had. It starts out as a Four-Patch and ends up with a Pinwheel 4 disappearing 4 patch. The Link for this pattern is found HERE. I started with 6.5" squares and ended up with a square that was 10.5". Just FYI! Lynn's big 6.5" ruler has the 1/2 inch mark on one side. I mis-cut the block above on Tuesday. I also Mis-sewed it! Today I mis-cut this block. It was supposed to be cut twice diagonally and sewn back together after switching the triangles around... Some days, I should stay in Bed...no, I didn't cut anything vital or bleed on the fabrics. Monday's Design Wall should have pictures of how I solve the issue of multiple mis-cut blocks.

Design Wall Monday- February 14, 2011

Here are my Two Mug Rugs that I get to mail by next week to an undisclosed destination...in the USA! She likes these colors and I used some hearts because it's February. These will be quick to finish once I find the right backing fabric to use. The Swap is with the Quilting Gallery. Then I can work on my Purple Challenge, Alliance quilt and other Swaps I'm in. Check out the many Design Walls at Patchworktimes.

2011 Stash Report

Used this week: 1.5 yards Used year to Date: 28.5 yards Added this Week: 0 yards Added Year to Date: 15.25 yards Net Used for 2011: 28.5 yards No fabric Purchased again this week. I used a minimal amount to make the Friendship Blocks and Lotto Block for guild, Civil War block and two Mug Rug tops for a Swap. I need to cut out another quilt for Testing a pattern one more time. That will count next week. I also have my Alliance quilt that needs borders still. Deadlines are calling in this short month of February. Check out other Stash Reports at Patchwork times

Honest Abe

I woke this morning thinking about "Honest Abe Lincoln". When I saw the Block of the week was Log Cabin I wasn't too happy. Since I have to be 'honest'...I don't like to do Log Cabin Blocks! I mess them up every time I try. I did the ones for the guild "Raffle" Quilt on foundation paper and messed them up too. They were used as background and I can't pick out the ones I made. I guess I got them fixed enough and they don't stick out too bad in there. A picture that I took at Guild is posted on my Blog HERE. Anyway, today I will make a Log Cabin block in the 8" size for my Civil War Block of the week. You can click the link below and read more about the history from that era that Barbara shares each week. http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/2011/02/7-log-cabin.html

Even my new Only Doll Quilts Blogging Friend is making Log Cabins today. Some times I have to do things I really don't want to. Even in my Craft that I dearly LOVE! Maybe I'll make a wonky heart block too since it's Valentine's day on Monday. Quilter Kathy gave the Link to Bonnie Hunter's Crumb Hearts block pattern today. This can be my LABEL.

SBS Round Robin is HOME

LOOK what was in my mail today? I have been waiting for the next row for me to work on and thought this was it. I wasn't going to open it until I mailed out my last row that I did. Curiousity got to me and I had to see whose RR I got to work on next. I was totally surprised! It's double nice that I have it before I go to the next Book Signing to meet Jennifer Chiaverini again. I can have her sign a corner somewhere. So fun to get her stamp of approval. Janessa is already claiming it. I told her she could have it when I'm dead. But I'm not going anywhere...I should say when I'm done with it... Now I get to decide how to quilt it. The Label is done, it went along with the Round Robin to be signed by those who worked on it.

Jackson and G-ma walk to the Park

Usually Grandpa is the one who takes the grandchildren to Pioneer Park. On Wednesday while Janessa went for her pedicure Jackson stayed here with me. Because the sun was shining...we had to use the Bubbles and I showed him how to spin around to make them easier. He didn't spill any bubbles doing this. I was afraid he might. He is wearing the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Sweatshirt that Jeffery used to wear. He called himself "Agent Turtle" all day. Maybe Brant wore it before him. After playing on the plastic slide here we decided to walk to the park. This one we call Grandma's Park because it is closer. There are only swings here, we carried the Frizbee but never threw it.Then we went to Pioneer Park- this is the first thing he wanted to do once we got to the toys. I thought he would want to go and see the birds but after seeing 3 ducks he said he wanted me to hold him so I carried him to the toys...ouch, my aching back... he's gotten heavy and I'm not used to carrying my grandchildren for any distance. I'm out of shape.Here he is jumping on the bridge where we took the Grandkids picture back in July. I remembered to take my phone and soon as we started to walk home Janessa called to ask where we went. She and Bobi came in the Jeep and picked us up to go to lunch at the Cookie Tree in College Place. We had a yummy lunch and took this picture of us in the back seat of the Jeep on the way home.

It's been fun to have them home for a while and to see how much Jackson has grown. Janessa has grown too, but it's mostly Jacob. Today we made sugar cookies to take to the Potluck at Milton and Christen's.

They fly home soon so it's our 'Goodbye" for a while. I'll see them when Jacob is born. He's a tired boy, they've been very busy visiting all the people they could while they were home.

Ready for February Guild

Here are the blocks I will take to my Guild Meeting tonight. 2 -"Thank You" Friendship Star Blocks for the Past Presidents and 1 - Card Trick block for the Block Lotto. She asked for a novelty print in the Card Trick and I thought that the Fish were cute and could represent the card game of GO FISH. I know it's a PUN but I'll have to see who gets it. I have one completed quilt to show and one top that I can show. Tonight the Raffle Quilt committee will reveal the Guild Raffle/Opportunity Quilt. I'll get a picture of it and add it to this post after Guild. I made a few Log Cabin blocks for it so I'm going to be looking to see where they are, of course.

Design Wall Monday February 7, 2011

This week I have 3 "flimsies" on the walls. I'm auditioning backing for the Yellow challenge quilt. I know it doesn't have just Yellow in it, but it is the right yellow to be backing, I think. And these two quilts are works in progress that I can't show the whole thing for a while. They will be quilted sometime before April... for a grandbaby and Maybe my Sister so no peeking!

The flower underneath on the wall is halfway appliqued on for the "Alliance" Challenge that I blogged about HERE. The deadline for having the quilt done in time to mail so it can be at Paducah is coming up fast. I've made a list of all my deadlines and I'm checking it twice just like Santa Claus...

Go to Judy L's Blog to see other Design Walls HERE.

Extra Special Sunday

Today was a special day, being the first Sunday in February and not just for having Janessa and Jackson here to go to Church with me. She flew into Pasco Friday and has been here to go to sleep early each night. I'm happy to have her come and stay. YUMA is just too far away. I gave Jackson his Birthday Super-me cape so I could see him in it. I'm grateful that Jes would share his family with us for a whole week.Grandpa isn't too big to play with the kids trucks and toys when the grandchildren come... Here is Jackson meeting his newest Cousin, Abigail. so sweet. Today is our Oldest Granddaughter's birthday and she got baptized. What a great thing to be baptized on your actual Birthday. She is wearing the White dress I bought for her Mother back when she was baptized. Janessa also wore this dress after she was baptized.Abigail is wearing a dress I made for when Olivia was born.And Olivia is wearing the Pink Tricot dress I made for NaDell back in 1988.NaDell knew how to make my evening. I love seeing these dresses passed down to her younger girls. I was honored to be asked by Elizabeth to give a talk at the Baptism on the Holy Ghost. I used a couple of examples from Milton and Joe that probably embarrassed them, but I can do that because I'm their MOM. I was happy to do it and prayed that I wouldn't blubber while I talked. My prayers were answered and I was able to get through it - reading the scriptures I'd read and studied. 12 of the 15 grandchildren were there. We didn't take any big group pictures, there wasn't room with all the family and friends who came to witness her Baptism. I hope she knows how much she is loved! I gave her her Super-me cape and she put it on over her dress. The Ransom Children have been waiting a long time for their Capes. I made them for 5 of the grandsons for Christmas a few years ago. I didn't make them for the girls. I will have to buy some more red fabric since I used up what I had in the stash. More birthdays and grandchildren who need a Super-Me Cape this year. All in all a wonderful day. Great Grandpa and Grandma got to come too and meet their newest Great grandchild. We are truly blessed as a family to have the example of Pauls' parents in our lives. Paul and I have a few more "Special Sundays" coming this year and look forward to attending each one...

2011 Stash Report February 6, 2011

Used this week: 8 yards Used year to Date: 27 yards Added this Week: 0 yards Added Year to Date: 15.25 yards Net Used for 2011: 27 yards NO fabric purchased again this week. I look differently at just going and buying fabric willy-nilly this year. My STASH looks good to me for choosing fabrics for the quilts I'm doing. And it helped a lot that I tested a pattern for Pam in KC. It is a fun baby sized quilt. That was nearly 5 yards of what I used last week and this week. And the DD that is having the baby in April likes it too. I have cut 3 small backings for the quilts I got to the Flimsy stage. I had plans to cut another quilt out to put on the Design Wall Monday, but my energy level is NIL with my late nights this week. Check out the other Stash Reports Here. Thanks to Judy L for sponsoring the Stash Report.

VIOLET challenge--testing, testing...

I had to go to the Paint store and find some VIOLET cards to check my Stash. I had a few to choose from but am still pondering what to make for the challenge. It's a short month so no waiting for the last minute. I have been busy this week getting a Mystery quilt that I tested the pattern for finished to the 'flimsy' stage and testing my own pattern from the Animas challenge I did last year. I'm encouraged to make more quilts from the pattern with the fabric from my Mom that I found. I did the Blue and will try the Purple roses next. My 2nd "Alliance" block is almost appliqued too. Border design is next to work on.

Alliance People, Patterns and Passion Quilt

I had to go with my thoughts on this project quickly. The quilts that call to me are fleeting if I don't hurry and begin the drawing and stitching. I have this Vintage fabric that was my mother, NaOla's. She made a quilt out of some similar that was red and black. I really can't choose which I should use the "Robin egg" blue or the purple, that is really My favorite! If I make this block to be about my mother and grandmother the blue is it. Grandma Waite loved "Robin Egg Blue", as she called it.. Their type of quilts were mostly "Whole Cloth quilts" made of Tricot and brushed Nylon and ones made with scraps from the "Barbizon" in Utah. I have both types in my collection. Perhaps I should make two quilts, one for each of them. This is my Sample "practice" block...needle-turned appliqued with silk thread onto a piece of White on White rose fabric that I found as a remnant while shopping at Fabric Depot. I fussy cut the rose out and put it on the vase. The vase fabric has dots that remind me of the Milk Glass vases my Grandmother and mother had. I am still thinking of what to do for a 2" border. I hope to have something on my Design Wall by next Monday. Many other quilt ideas are boggling my head as I look at this Vintage fabric. Especially since the color for February is Violet.

Alliance for American Quilts

This Organization is about Documenting, Preserving and Sharing the History of Quilts and Quiltmakers. I want to make a quilt to go in the traveling show that starts in Paducah. The quilts from last year's contest were at the Kansas City EXPO in October. I know there isn't much time to get one done, but it is only 16" square and I think I can get it done in plenty of time. I have ideas to go with the theme already. I saw the announcement on Pat Sloan's Blog this morning. This year's theme, "Alliances: People, Patterns, Passion," is as open-ended as the last and celebrates cooperative relationships that work towards a common goal. Important: This year's deadline is much earlier: March 7, 2011. The reason: all entries will be exhibited at the American Quilter's Society show in Paducah, April 27-30. Our grand prize winner this year will have their choice of any Handi Quilter quilting machine!! Visit the "Alliances" homepage for full details and the downloadable entry form. http://www.allianceforamericanquilts.org/projects/galleries/Alliances/guidelines/ Check out the link if you want to join in the fun. Watch me make my entry.

2011 Monchromatic Challenge- YELLOW

Here is the "Fimsy" of My Monochromatic Challenge Quilt, as promised. Completed in the Month of January. I used my Eleanor Burns HST Square-up ruler to make the Baskets. Quilting to be done ASAP. I'll replace this picture with the real one after it is quilted. I've had many suggestions for putting handles on and adding yoyo flowers. I thank you for your comments. I look forward to designing a quilt in February using my favorite color -"VIOLET". Judy Laquidara is keeping us all busy making quilts this year and finishing up UFO's. Click HERE to see a bunch of other YELLOW Quilts.