Quilting Gallery - Weekly Contest

Weekly Contest Link This week the Contest was for quilts made with Charms. I had one I made with Charms that I gave away. I've wanted to re-create it, but haven't found the time... It was fun to make and one of the first D9P's I ever made. Please go and VOTE for your favorite. Mine is the first one on the list, just FYI, in case you care to Vote for mine. Just Click the Link at the top of this Post. (INSERT Shameless PLUG here)

THANKS for looking!

I think I need a Nap today. Sad to say I fell asleep before the "Royal Kiss". I was sure I'd see it later! I heard the Vows, saw the DRESS, all the "fasinators" ie: Hats, and listened to the Pretty music! Glad I can say I have British ancestors who crossed the pond...

Too much on the Calendar

I went back and read last year around this time in my Blog. Interestingly, I have the same conflict this year as last year. Choices, Choices! I would be nice if I didn't have these events over an hour away each direction and happening around the same time. Today I went to Pendleton to deliver my quilts with Marlene of KISSed Quilts. It was a wild ride but Fun to go and see parts of the town I'd not visited before, even a new place to eat! Yummy Sandwiches at the Great Pacific. I was stitching down the binding all the way and a half hour after we got there. I had to quit Wednesday night because my pain in my back was so intense. A PINCHED NERVE! OUCH!!! Spending the whole day at the sewing machine was NOT what my back needed. I'm glad I got it all done and will get to go and see it at the Krazy Horse Quilt show on Saturday sometime. Look for the pictures here on the ol' Blog after I go. I entered my Bouquet of Friendship, Jacob's V-Room, V-Room, My Sweet 16 Twin Sister, and the Challenge quilt I named "Stars Americana". I quilted stars and loops all over it-- Free-Motion. I enjoy that much more than the panto that I was doing a week ago. It went quickly too. I'll show it fully on Design Wall Monday next week. Small quilts take almost longer to load than to quilt. As for my UFO #4's for the month- nothing is getting worked on, as far as they got was out of the tote. I didn't even start on the ORANGE Monochromatic challenge quilt. I bought special orange fabric for it too! April is a month that needed two extra weeks, since I missed two being out of town. My Yellow Monochromatic Challenge Quilt from January is on the quilt table now. I got it to a Top stage during the challenge. I think the baskets need some quilted flowers in them... What do you think? My time will be limited this week-end but it is ready for when my back stops hurting and I don't have far away grandchildren visiting. Gotta get my cuddles in!

Design Wall Monday, April 25, 2011

Thank heavens it is DONE...at least the quilting is all done.Finished before the end of the Movie "The Ten Commandments". It will be sent to my friend before I can show it at guild. I've had it long enough. I put it on the table back at the end of January. I posted about it HERE. As you can see I'm concentrating on where the needle is going. I learned a lot from doing this. #1- I can't do BIG quilts on my home machine. The throat of my Bernina wouldn't hold all of the quilt with the batting and backing. I had to turn the whole quilt around to finish the last 6 passes. That meant waiting for DH to come home and help me. Basically rotating the poles and re-pinning the top of the quilt to the leader and rolling the other side opposite to make it flat across. #2 If I do a quilt for someone- it becomes more stressful and means WORK! #3 I don't want to WORK! Quilting is suppose to be my stress reliever-- ie:FUN! But it is done. And I am a happy camper! Click HERE to go to the links for Design Wall Monday this week.

2011 Easter Sunday

Easter Message from President Monson and MOM/Grandma. If you haven't viewed this please take a moment today to do it. I've had the song that is my Dear husband's favorite Hymn playing in my head since I heard it sung on Friday evening by Carrie Underwood.How Great Thou Art. This morning I heard her sing it again and I sang it with her as I got ready for Church this Easter Sunday. Nobody was home so only I could hear the angels in heaven joining me. I have to tell the REST of the story like Paul Harvey used to do. When I was around 13 my Parents took me to Pocatello. We stayed with my mother's Uncle Theron and Aunt Alice. Uncle Theron is Grandma Mary Waite's Brother. The only surviving Triplet born to Harriet Louisa Call Mann. She was the second wife of William Charles Mann. His wife Alice we called "Aunt Allie" is where the recipe for the Hamburger Cassarole you all love so much came from, just FYI. I believe this was when I first heard a Player Piano and also the first time I hear Uncle Theron sing "How Great Thou Art". I wish I could play it for all to hear. I do have a recording on 'reel to reel' tape. I'm so glad I got to hear his beautiful Tenor/baritone voice belt out the words in person. I still get goosebumps when I hear a man sing it well. My mother loved to sing and she sings in my ear on days like today. When you see me cry when a hymn is sung, it's usually because she's singing in my ear one of the hymns we used to sing in Moses Lake 2nd Ward. How Great thou Art wasn't in the Hymn book when my mother was alive. Neither was "I Believe in Christ". She would have loved to lead the congregation in those Hymns. Her Uncle Theron died the year she did and someone said he called her to sing with him in the Heavenly Choir. They needed another Soprano. I want all my Grandchildren to know that I Believe in Christ! Easter is the day we celebrate his rising from the tomb. I'm happy to know why the tomb is empty on Easter Morning. Because He lives and He loves us all. So much he died for our sins and sorrows. He died to fullfill all righteousness and to be OBEDIENT to His Father. May we all be OBEDIENT and remember the things we are taught so we can truly follow Jesus Christ. He is our Example and asks us daily to "Come Follow Me".

Stash Report April 24, 2011

Used this week: 3 yards Used year to Date: 60.5 yards Added this week: 3 Yards Added Year to date: 61.75 yards Net used to Date: -.75 yards Once again I had a weak moment while staying home this week. I thought it might not arrive and have to be counted this week. I added 3 yards of some Purple stuff that I have been wanting. I've resisted it for the past year. There's that WANT and NEED thing again. The yards used are for a Quilt show challenge that I have to turn in this week. I'll show it for the Design Wall next week, it will be on display at the Krazy Horse Quilt show in Pendleton. This week will be the quilt of my Alabama friend that I finally got off the Quilt Table on Saturday while watching The Ten Commandments. Paul took my picture on the 3rd to last row so I can put it up tomorrow. HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! Click HERE to check out more Stash Reports.

Easter Feast

Today was our Ward's Easter dinner. The Ward Council planned it while Paul and I were visiting grandchildren. The Young Women decorated with pretty Spring flowers. Yummy stuff was eaten and there was beautiful music too. The Primary Children sang. Here are the cupcakes our table decorated. The Young men passed them around with frosting and sprinkles. At my table I heard someone say "We sure have a lot of good cooks in our Ward". Thanks to all who made it such a success. Since we no longer have an Activities Committee. We just signed up for what we wanted to bring. It was also Elder Keeler's Birthday. His days here in Walla Walla are numbered. He will be missed. I know his family, especially his twin brother will be happy to be together. Feliz Cupleanos, Elder Keeler... 'Preacher' Paul, my Dear Hubby, Bishop, and Father of our Ward said a few words to remind us of why we have Easter. Sorry his picture is blurry. Remembering the "Passover" and last days of Christ time on Earth. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have that he rose on the third day and we can worship a Living Christ. He Lives and because He lives, I have hope to see all those I loved who are no longer with us in Heaven. A place of "peace and rest" as the song my family sang once in Moses Lake 2nd Ward.

Waiting for Announcement

Alliance Quilt announcement is coming soon! I wish I could be in Paducah when they make it but I am so not ready for a trip again. It's not too late to join the Alliance and Vote. Just one more day of voting. Click HERE to read more about the Alliance for American Quilts and/or Join. You can like them on Facebook Click HERE. The announcement is on April 27th in Paducah. the Grand prize is a choice of a Handi-Quilter like this one-

Design Wall Monday - April 18,2011

As promised here are the Lotto Blocks I won from the BLOCK LOTTO Blog. There are 48 blocks here - two are mine. 6x8 makes 48 as I learned in the 3rd grade. I have them matched into pairs and am ready to sew them together. Then I get to decide what to do for the borders...

I never imagined that I would win the first month I participated. It was so fun to have so many squishies waiting for me when I got home from my journey. I have to show them on my wood floor upstairs because my SWAP blocks are on my Wall downstairs. So many shades of red in there, don't you think?

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

Stash Report - April 17, 2011

I feel like a member of Fabriholics Anonymous... I'm Mary, Quiltin' Grandma and it's been 3 weeks since my last report... Used this week: 1 yards Used year to Date: 57.5 yards Added this week: 7.5 Yards (4 yards were Flannel) Added Year to date: 58.75 yards Net used to Date: -.75 yards While on my trip I thought long and hard about my purchases. I didn't just buy to bring it home. I'm grateful for my Stash and the many colors I have there. The Color chosen for the Monochromatic Challenge in April however isn't one of them I have an abundance of ...so I bought 1- 1/4th yards of ORANGE this week. The 1 yard used was part of the flannel. It's been a slow week getting back into the 'real' world. Go checkout the links at Judy L's Blog HERE to see other Stash Reports.

Happy Surprise Birthday - WENDY

My Friend; Wendy is having a momentous birthday coming up this week. Our friends decided to SURPRISE her. I got her the Hat and some fun toys to play with... no black balloons for her, just on the cake.Sylvia and Steve hosted We got pictures of Wendy with the Girls... And with the Guys. What a fun way to spend a Saturday evening in Walla Walla!

"Miles to go"

Last week at this time we were in 'snow' and traveling toward home from our LONG road trip. Paul figured that we drove over 3600 miles to see two grandchildren and a few other things along the way. Today I finished my book- "Miles to Go" by Richard Paul Evans. I haven't Blogged about meeting him last Saturday. My dear friend; Ellen took me to the Costco in Murray, where he was signing his newest book. He was so kind and shook my hand before signing both of my "Walk" series books. I was glad to meet his wife Keri and daughter, Jenna. His neice was also there helping stamp the books, because this is a 'First signing'. See below... Paul wanted to go to the Salt Lake Temple so Ellen took me to meet RPE. The line was long waiting to see him. I thanked him for his "GRATI-TUESDAY" that he does on FB. It's good to be 'Grateful'. Ellen kindly took my pictures for me. The snowy weather didn't stop us. UTAHNS know all about driving in SNOW! My visit with Ellen was far too short, but we needed to get to Idaho Falls and the sidetrip to meet RPE was a "WANT" not a "Need" according to my DH. As I always say I WANT to NEED it! The only bad thing about finishing my book is I HAVE to wait another whole year before the next part of the Walk series and now I want to go see MT Rushmore...

IRONIC - B & W Pictures from the past

I was in Arizona in April 31 years after my father was there. I didn't pick any Grapefruits or see the Trailer Park where he stayed...I knew the trip would bring up a multiple of emotions. That's why I wanted to go to the Mesa Temple so bad. Going to Zion's National Park was my husband's idea. My brother; Derlyn said I should not miss a chance to see Hoover Dam! Little did I know until I got home that my father had taken pictures of Hoover Dam as it was under construction. I copied these pictures a while ago and didnt' know what I was looking at. My brothers and sister grew up knowing our father worked in Zion's and Bryce Canyons in the CCC'sThe CCC's. I photocopied the pictures to have a copy of them in my "BROWN" album. Thanks to the FLIP PAL that I won from posting comments on the Blogs during the Flip Pal projects I saw by linking from Pat Sloan's Blog--- I scanned the pictures in my book and copied the pictures to share online. Ironic, I think not! I felt compelled to go and be in the Temple of my parents dreams. It was a dream of my mother's to go a live near the Mesa Temple and do Temple work. Dad spent his last days doing just that.

UFO Challenge for April

While I was in Idaho/Arizona/Nevada/California...Judy L chose the UFO for April. #4 for the 4th month of the year. See it there- the overflowing tote? Let me see... My #4 UFO is mostly a quilt that got messed up in the quilting on my domestic machine. I liked the top- it was the backing that didn't work. The backing fabric has polyester in it and just slipped and slided and puckered! So...it needs some UN-sewing-frogging- RIP-It, Rip-it done to it before it can be finished. UGGGG, do I want to finish it? That is the major ? at the point! Should I just finish the binding and give it away? I've heard of burning ugly UFO's... HELP me decide. My 4-A UFO is a Swap from 2009 with the SBS offline Yahoo group. It just needs sashing and borders put on it. Sounds much more promising... This is how they looked the day I recieved them in the mail. 21 -6.5" blocks. I'll need to make a few more to make a top out of these. I have debated combining another set of Swap stars to this. I need to hurry and decide since it's almost the 15th.

Alliance Quilts- LIVE

My alliance Quilt is now LIVE online. Click here to listen to my "Artist" statement and here to view all of the quilts. There are 119 of them this year. Mine is #104 If you're a Member you can VOTE for your favorite. It's only $25 to Join Click HERE. April 27-30: Quilt entries debut at the American Quilter's Society's 27th annual show in Paducah, Kentucky. May 1: Quilt entries debut online www.AllianceforAmericanQuilts.org. June 16-18: Quilts exhibited at the 42nd Annual National Quilting Association Quilt Show in Columbus, Ohio. Contest quilts will also be exhibited at the these Original Sewing & Quilt Expo shows: September 29, 30 and October 1, 2011 Chantilly, Virginia October 13, 14 & 15, 2011: Kansas City, Missouri October 20, 21 & 22, 2011: Georgia Quilt Show in Atlanta, Georgia November 10, 11 & 12, 2011: Minneapolis, Minnesota

I won March's Block Lotto!

I joined the Blog at Block Lotto last month and I found out while I was gone visiting family that I had won! What a nice surprise to come home and see all the squishies in my mail! THANK YOU: (in no particular order) Pat Harrell, Michelle Lynch, Sandi Price, Mary McMillen, Cheryl Sullivan, Julie Post, Elizabeth LeMay, Mary Jane Cardwell, Elana Aud, Balinda Washington, and two anonymous packages from Texas and Norway. 36 Blocks total. I will be putting them on the Design Wall Next Monday so everyone can see them. RED comes in all shades and intensities.

Design Wall Monday - April 11, 2011

Here is the big Reveal for the Mystery Quilt that I made for Janessa and Jes' baby boy. Jacob's mom; Janessa is shown here when she came in February and I made it.

I tested the pattern for Pam from Kansas City aka: Knitoid. I told her I flunked on my first try to follow the directions. She fixed the directions to clarify them for the Retreat where she is presenting the Mystery in April. I got a whole different look and will make it again later, maybe in some pink colors...This is how it looks now that it is quilted and almost ready for Jacob to be cuddled in. By the time this DWM posts he should be born! The meander quilting looks like 'roads' for the cars to drive on. V-Room, V- ROOM! Check out other Design Walls HERE with Judy L.

The 'rest of the story'

There wasn't too much time to "rest" on this trip. It was hurry up and wait all the time we were waiting to go and once we got to Idaho, we got to wait some more. Plus helping watch the older siblings of the new babies kept Grandpa and I busy we were tuckered out by bedtime. I didn't stay up into the late hours like I do at home. Thursday afternoon we were in St George, Utah. I had to at least drive by the Temple for a picture.We found the Winter Home of Brigham Young there and a Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum to visit. We were told that the green paint was sent by mistake when they ordered paint for the Temple. Not to be one to waste, the Prophet Brigham Young painted houses in St George with it. This is Paul by the Mulberry tree planted to feed the silk worms. It was hit by lightning and then had 'tree surgery' to put the bolt in it so it stayed together. In the back yard there were almond trees growing and a garden where they grow cotton to show visitors. These two quilts and the desk were in the "Helpers room". The tour guide said that Brigham Young didn't like to refer to them as "maids". In Zion's National Park we saw deer when we got off the Shuttle at "Weeping Rock". Here is where we left our footprints...on the banks of the "Virgin River". The Civil Conservation Corps that my father joined in the Depression built "rock cribs" to hold the river banks. There are Rock Cribs in Bryce Canyon too. We didn't have enough daylight to go there this time. Last stop of the Shuttle in the park. We weren't dressed to take the mile hike to the top. We spent a few nights in Hotels, twice we stayed at Cedar City. Friday Morning this was the scene outside the window... 3" of snow and more falling.My ever willing driver, not worried about a little snow. He wasn't wearing a coat, showing off.On our way Friday, we called and left a message with Grandpa Crowther's Nephew, (Paul's cousin) to go and visit my FIL's only sister, Valeea. She was walking to her room and saw us in the hall. She said to my husband "You look familiar". I think that her son was surprised by her saying that. We also stopped at Paul's mother's sister's home to pick up a package to bring home for her. She offered us any of the remaining books or videos that are left, she has sold her home and is downsizing. Paul got an Olsen family -bound diary and I chose the video of "Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat" starring Donny, of course...