Almost December 2011

My Army son has noticed that I haven't updated my Blog since Monday... I have been busy but have not much I can show on here until after the gift giving is all done.  Next week is Quilt Guild and I have a block to make for the Hearts and Flowers project- that is the Lotto for December.  It is a block with two 6.5 nine patches and two heart or flowers appliqued or stitched, then pieced into a four patch in alternating corners.  It is similar to the January Block Lotto we had at Guild.  The Link to the Pattern is HERE at Quilter's Cache. I  made these two Scrappy Trips from Bonnie Hunters' pattern for the Block Lotto Blog November Block last night.

Not a Winner this month... I'll be mailing these two out to one of the 9 winners drawn today.

I'll be drawing the name for my GIVEAWAY drawing tonight after the clock strikes the Midnight Hour.  There has been quite a few interested in winning the Magazine.  I had trouble finding it and bought two so I could get them signed.  I think I drove all over my little town and went to 8 places before I found it that night before we left to go see Jennifer.

EDIT:  The WINNER is:  James-Linda who commented #6 of the 25 that were entered in the drawing. Thanks for everyone who became a Follower and commented on this giveaway. 

 Another Fun Giveaway will be coming soon with the Blog hop Party at Quilting Gallery- keep reading and see how you can WIN!  See Button on the Sidebar- Click to read more about it.

My Christmas Gifts for the Grandchildren are Half-way done. Only 8-9 more to make and they are all done. I have one more project to finish before Jeff leaves to go to Cuba.  It might be the last minute to get that one made...it might have to get mailed! 

Design Wall Monday, November 28, 2011

I have nothing much to show on the Design Wall so I put my Civil War Blocks up to see how they look today.  I have 17 of the 48 Blocks finished.  There are some Setting Ideas being shown over at the Civil War Blog.  The time to put them together is not in my plan at this time but it is good to see other ideas so I can make an educated decision when I'm ready to set them together.  The time to finish these will have to wait until after the first of 2012.  This set of blocks will go into a tote for the new UFO list. Time is getting short to complete my Christmas gifts.  Time to sew will be squeezed in between Dr appts again this week.

These are the two blocks I will mail for the Fallen Soldier project. The deadline to send them was extended to the end of November, so today is the day to mail them to get to Florida  Tennessee on time. 

More things to get ready to mail this week are my Secret Stocking and the gifts for the Far away family and Grandchildren.  Jeff will deliver some for me so this is the week to get them finished.

Go HERE to check out more Design Wall Mondays this final Monday of November.

Stash Report, November 27, 2011

Fabric Added Last Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added YTD: 261.5 yards
Fabric Used Last Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 178 yards
Net Fabric Used YTD:  -83.5 yards


No change in the STATS this week!  Seems all I did was go to and from the Chiropractor.  He said to improve my posture and not hunch over my sewing machine...I have a tester block to do and my Blogger's Block of the month, so the headache has to GO AWAY!
Check out more Stash Reports HERE --only a few left this year.

My First Scrap Quilt

Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville fame has sent out a plea to see our First Quilts... Click her name to go over and see them.  She has set up a Mr Linky to share our first attempts at Quilting. 

In High School I made 3-4 quilts.  This one was the first Scrappy one I remember making.  I drew around a cardboard template then cut out the pieces with scissors.  It was tied with red, white and blue yarn. The first picture is how it looks after 38 years. Some of the fabrics have totally disintegrated and batting is showing through.  Not all of the fabrics were 100% cotton, There was some gingham and seersucker and the backing was a light weight denim printed with USA on it. I think I still have some of the fabrics and made my Pinwheel quilt with them recently a finished UFO in 2010. Click on the word "pinwheel" to see the posting of it.

 Here it is on my top bunk in the dorms at Rick's College. The colors were still bright and the ties weren't all fuzzed out.

This is one of those quilts that if it could talk it could tell you of all the clothes I made for myself in Jr High and High School. I see some fabric from the Smocks that were popular, some summer outfits, culottes that were made to wear when we went back East in 1969 and fabric from one of the long granny dresses I used to  wear. The binding was the backing pulled to the front and hand stitched.  The shirt I'm wearing was homemade and I embroidered the lazy daisies on the yoke.  Don't ask what I'm looking up at? I think I was pretending to be dreaming.  I've come a long way --Baby!
My other two quilts were also tied.  One was flannel that we bought new at J.C. Penney's and the other was from Velour shirts my Boyfriend Danny and I got at the Thrift stores in Moses Lake and Spokane when the EXPO was there. The Velour was heavy so there isn't a batting in it. That Boyfriend didn't last and I don't use the quilt because it would be too hard to wash. I think He thought I'd give it to him when we broke up, but he kept the Cedar chest he made for me so were we even- I don't know.

Black Friday??

I said I wasn't going to miss my sleep and go to shop at Freddies in Tri-cities this year and I kept that promise to myself.  While we, Tina the Boys, Jeff and I slept -Paul took Brant out for a few bargains.  My blender didn't work to make a smoothie on the day before Thanksgiving so that's what Paul bought for my Anniversary gift. I won't divulge the bargains that Brant found.

Nor will I tell what Tina and I had in our cart at the store we ventured out to after breakfast.  My Niece, Danette called to say she finally made it to Walla Walla and was at the store that Tina wanted to go to anyway so we went to see her there.

Danette and her daughter Brittney looking at cute stuff for the twins.

 Ready to make the purchases we posed for a picture taken by Brittney to save the memory of our Black Friday Trip... We only got went to one store because I had a Chiropractor appt that I had to get to.  Danette and Brittany came by the house while I was gone and we had a better visit.  Thanks, Danette - for calling to say you were in town and for coming over.  And Thanks to Tina for going with me to shop a bit. It' more fun with someone to share it with.  Most will be putting up their Christmas Trees and Christmas Lights this week-end.  Janessa's already ahead of the game, her tree was up last week-end.  Mine will wait until after the first Sunday of DECEMBER as usual.  Not sure when or if  the Christmas lights  will go up.

35 Years!!!!

I thought I'd start making this list of why I'm so glad I have such a great Husband on the occasion of our 35th Anniversary. Today is September 26th, but you won't see this for a while.  I'm feeling very grateful...
#1 He loves me!
#2 He took me to the TEMPLE to be married.
#3 He is a Worthy Holder of the Priesthood
#4 He is a HARD worker.
#5 He is a great Father.
#6 He is a Fun Grandpa!
#7 He loves his Parents and MINE (even though he didn't get to really know them)
#8 He Likes to WEED, MOW and Grow a Garden.
#9 He enjoys my Cooking, Candy Making, Baking, and Canning- even though I've been slacking lately...
#10 He has supported my many Crazy hobbies through the years.
#11 He Teases me, I know where that trait comes from... our Boys have it too!
#12 He takes me to UTAH almost everytime I ask to go.
#13 He lets me cut his hair, what is left of it anyway...
#14 He washes the Big Dishes, I tend to leave them soaking too long.
#15 He sets a great example to his posterity.
#16 He has always loved to play with the Kids.
#17 He doesn't complain when I stay up all night sewing.
#18 He STILL takes me to the Temple.
#19 He Drives me Safely when it's Dark and Rainy, except for that one time in Missouri...
#20 He isn't afraid to learn to Make cookies or Jam when he wants some.
#21 He changes the Lightbulbs.
#22 He climbs up on the roof to put up the Christmas Lights.
#23 He lets me Decorate with all my Stuff!
#24 He likes CHOCOLATE and Cashews too...
#25 He is always willing to get behind the camera, and take my Picture with Grandchildren, Quilts.
#26 He has built things for me -ie: the PVC Frame for my Big Quilts, a Knife holder, a Bookcase for a Christmas gift late on Christmas eve Day and many other things I can't remember.
#27 He remembers the Family Birthdays, with a little help from the Calendar M & C made for us.
#28 He Celebrates with me!
29- He saves me the last brownie or serving of Chicken Alfredo, cause he knows I like it!
30- He goes with me to the Movies.
31- He doesn't make me get up to cook his breakfast or his lunch.
32- He tries to buy me meaningful and useful gifts.
33- He lets me sing in the car...
34- He doesn't COMPLAIN!
35- He gives great Hugs!

Thanksgiving - the DAY!

 Thanksgiving Morning - Paul was fixing the Turkey to take up to Richland for Dinner at 5 pm.  Only Sgt Jeffery was home with the old folks, so I handed him the camera.  It has been far too many years since he was home for Thanksgiving.  Having family home to Celebrate a Day of Thanks with is a great blessing! I'm glad that NaDell and Andy offered to host the family meal this year.  Even if it meant moving half of my house to get us set up there with the Plaid Tablecloths, and the main course fixings. We; Paul and I, provided the Turkey, Gravy, Rolls, Jam, Pickles, Jigglers, and a Pumpkin pie.

 This is the double rainbow that shone over our trip out of Walla Walla that morning. Jeffery drove us in his BIG Dodge Ram Truck.

 The bar/counter at the Ranson's works great for the Buffet laid out by the family. I think everyone found something special to eat. Lined up front to back- Tina, Olivia, NaDell, Jeffery, Kori, Mom and Brant. Pictures taken by Paul.

Every time I ask Paul to get the camera he takes a picture of me. Not all of the flattering, Thank heavens I can delete and not use the ones that I don't like.

Jeffery, Kori, Joe and Brant dishing up their plates.

 The kids sat at our old family Table that came from our Neighbor in Umatilla.  Many Thanksgiving meals were eaten at that table over at least 16-20 years.The Table lives at the Ransoms since the dining area at the grandma house is limited. I teased NaDell that because she had the table she got to host a few years ago.

 The Nieces and Nephews ganged up on Uncle Jeff.  Mom was not the only one who was happy to have him home for the Holiday.

Playing Mario after the tables were cleared...

Grandpa used a special baby blanket to give two of Brant's kids a ride until he thought he heard stitches popping. The baby enjoyed it while it lasted. A great time was had by all and the house is back to being TOO quiet after a bit of Black Friday shopping by Paul, Brant,Tina and I. Leftover Turkey, rolls and pumpkin pie for Breakfast Lunch and dinner for the next few days.

Pre-Turkey Day

Because not everyone is on the same rotation schedule we get to Celebrate Family togetherness a few times this week. Today started out with a trip up to the Homestead- where it all started in Mesa.

Tina, Brant & Boys with Grandparents

Sgt Jeffery and his Paternal Grandparents.

Jeff drove from Missouri by way of Brant and Tina's and traveled the last leg of the journey with them.

We were too slow to get in our invite to have Grandpa and Grandma join the Paul Crowther Family   for Thanksgiving this year.  Jeff and Brant drove us up to Mesa for a quick visit.  It was good to see Lee and Diana there when we arrived.  The day was full of Family Plans so we had to get started early.

Kori invited the 'Girls' to Craft at her grandma Fish's house where they live.  She volunteered the Guys to watch all of the Children. So with 14 Grandchildren being watched by Joe, Brant and Jeffery the girls and I had some time to chat and they made some cute flowers and bows.   My crafting is still all 'Surprises for Christmas' so I mostly sat and rested. 

  Here are the guys with some of the Children watching "Cars 2".  Joe made Colby safe- Popcorn for them. Don't they look excited.

As my usual request - Grandma got a picture of almost all of the grandchildren there.  Derek was sleeping... Milton and Christen hosted an evening of finger foods and snacks so we could have 5 of the 6 families together.  Christen's mom and grandma helped them re-decorate their living room area just in time.

 I am so Grateful that my children want to be together!  The cousins enjoy each other and we all get to have time to visit.   What more could Grandma ask for? I Love my Family! It seems we always will have a few missing chairs at the table since our family lives in many different states.  Tomorrow we gather for Turkey and the trimmings at the Ransom's home, so this is To be Continued...

Another Giveaway for Jennifer fans...

I found some extra copies of the Quilt Maker Small Quilts & Gifts Magazine and took them with me to have Jennifer sign when I was in Utah last week.  Her new Quilt pattern for Caroline's Bouquet is inside, it is pictured on the front.  Jennifer was so kind to sign all the books and magazines that I took.  Since I have two signed copies- I wanted to share...  Just comment on this posting and tell me the name of your favorite Elm Creek Quilt Book.  I'll put the names in the Random Generator again and have it choose a number on December 1st so I can send it to the Winner before the Christmas Mail rush.

My Quilt Buddy, Lynn is getting in some of the Caroline's Collection fabrics from Red Rooster and they should be here in Walla Walla soon! Watch this Blog or become a follower over at the Thread and Bolts Quilting Blog to know when it arrives. I'll enter your name an extra time in the random drawing for each NEW Follower over there.

Design Wall Monday, November 21, 2011

Since I was out of town part of the week and still suffering the effects of my long ride and Chiropractic visit. I can only show the Bindings that will be applied to some projects in the works. They are ready to be sewn together, folded and pressed.   My Challenge Quilt should be returning from Utah this week also!  I'll maybe have it to show on next week's Design Wall.   I have much more that can't be shown on the ol' Blog until after Christmas.  It's going to be pretty boring- really.  I'm glad that I'll have company this week. That means a bit less time to play with my quilts and Christmas Gifts.  It would be nice if I could finish some and wrap them to send with my Idaho family, since they aren't coming back for Christmas Day.  Not much time tomorrow to do that with Dr appts and such. Just for fun I thought I'd post my Christmas Fabric STASH.  I'll be digging into this tote A LOT in the next 4 weeks.  Wish me luck in finishing all my projects in time for mailing and the Big day.

Click over HERE to see more crazy quilt ladies who have linked up with Judy L. You might see some who are working on Bonnie Hunter's mystery "Orca Bay".

Stash Report, November 20, 2011

Fabric Added Last Week:1.5 yards
Fabric Added YTD: 261.5 yards
Fabric Used Last Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 178 yards
Net Fabric Used YTD:  -83.5 yards

I didn't stitch much this week.  I had a lot of fun going to Utah and finding some Civil War fabrics in Woods Cross.  The best part of my week was meeting Janet O and seeing Jennifer Chiaverini again.  I'm so lucky to have so many friends, both online and here in my town.  This week is Thanksgiving and I will continue to COUNT my Blessings.  I hope to get some Christmas gifts made and use a bunch of fabric.  It would be nice to end the year in the Black...  I didn't start the NEW Bonnie Hunter Mystery either so I can spend my weeks that I have left working on Christmas gifts. 4 weeks until Christmas!

Go to Judy L's and Check on the other Stash Reports linked there.

Thread and Bolts Open House

Thread and Bolts Remodel Open House is going on... Lynn is there waiting for you to come and see the changes and all the NEW STUFF at Thread and Bolts.  She's making a list to start a small group of ladies who want to work on the Farmers Wife Quilt. Templates and the book are available at the shop.
Many of the fabrics available aren't found anywhere else in Walla Walla, so please go out and look around, you might something you need to finish that project for Christmas.  She just purchased more Fat backs (108" wide) to use on the Long arm to complete quilts for customers - the turn around/wait time is less than a week.
Her newest surprise acquisition is the "GO" cutter and Dies with many more coming on Monday.  At least I was surprised that she got it in the shop already.

November Utah Trip -part 2

Mary Paul Greg & Janet

 The Olsen's and the Crowther's meet face to face for the first time at Texas Roadhouse in Bountiful.  Janet and I have been visiting via our Blogs and E-mail since July.  Visiting we find that we were at Ricks' College the same year before Paul and I were married.  I lived in the Dorms and she lived in an Apartment complex that some of my Moses Lake girlfriends lived in. 36 years later we get acquainted.


I mailed her a postcard for the Book signing and she asked her husband to bring her to meet me in Bountiful for the event.  We celebrated our Anniversary and she celebrated her Birthday early. We have a couple of Keepers!  They visited upstairs for the hour and a half while we listened to Jennifer.

Jennifer reads an excerpt from The Wedding Quilt

We didn't get to sit on the front row.  There were a few ladies ahead of us in line when we arrived at the Davis County Library. Janet's Husband was ushered downstairs when he came in and he saved us a place to sit. The quilts on display are from some of the employees of the library.  I heard a count of 160!  She said we were the largest and happiest crowd next to her hometown.

I wore my collection of pins from Jennifer with my Quilt Guild Name tag that I wear each month.

Jennifer signed all the books I brought to have signed and a few magazines as well. She even mentioned Walla Walla in her speaking and answering questions time.  Her mother Geraldine came with her again.  I showed my SBS to the Library ladies and had to sign a release form so they can use my pictures. I think I was the person who traveled the furthest.  

Mary Brown Crowther and Janet Kidd Olsen

I am so glad I had the chance to go to Utah so we could meet each other in 'real life"

 I had to talk really nice to get Paul to stop at Ellen Bailey's on our way out of town.  He said I could only  stay 10 minutes! That was long enough to show her My SBS and get the paper she saved for me and take this picture.  We were a bit too early to see Nick and Amy's two daughters who come and play at Grandma's on Friday.

The foreboding clouds ahead leaving Utah.

Snow flying near Tollgate- almost home

Anniversary trip day- part 1

Leaves falling in Pioneer Park- Walla Walla

My Dear Hubby and I will celebrate 35 years of wedded bliss next Friday. I had to make an appointment with him during a NON-BUSY time at his work so we could go somewhere.  I tell him I never go anywhere with him.  He reminds me we took a 2 week trip in Late March/Early April.  Ya, That was fun too.  Welcoming two new grandsons is always fun.  The LONG ride- not so much.  Because the Thanksgiving holiday always is around our Anniversary time having gotten married on Thanksgiving day all those years ago...I suggested we go a week early to Utah.  Yes, I had ulterior motives- to see Jennifer Chiaverini in Bountiful on her Book tour for "The Wedding Quilt".  As time to go got closer and I didn't see much change in my headache situation, I finally went to the Chiropractor and got adjusted before we left.  I think it helped a little, especially the Ice pack.  It has been over 2 years since I had to go get adjusted.   So off we drove to Utah Wednesday afternoon.  The roads were mostly clear except for a light snow near Baker City and just before Snowville, Utah. We got to Salt Lake City late that evening and stayed two blocks from Temple Square.  Paul didn't want me to make any set plans or reservations since we weren't sure how long it would take to get there with the weather.  There was no Hot tub and the pool was closed for the Winter.  :(

Thursday Morning- after breakfast we walked down to the LDS Church Museum.  It has been re-modeled and we haven't been there in a while.  I knew there were quilts on display.  I didn't expect all the Nativities- at least not until after Thanksgiving.

Upstairs was the quilts on display. There was a place to record your Quilt story.  If you click HERE on the link you can hear the stories of the quilts there and sometime in the future my Double Wedding Ring Quilt Story will be there too. 

Telling My Quilt story

 They had an Inter-active wall for kids to build their own blocks. There were also places to dance and learn about other cultures. It was very interesting.










After the Church Museum we went to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers museum so I could purchase the new books for our Camp in Walla Walla. As we drove past the State Capital I said that I'd never been inside there so off we walked up and down the many marbled stairs.

Paul with statue of Brigham Young

Mary on the 4th floor of Utah State Capital

It wasn't time to go up to Bountiful yet so I asked to go see the Heritage Park up by the This is the Place Monument.  We rode the train for the Heritage Park tour and saw Brigham Youngs' Experimental Farm Home.  It was a lot like the Brigham Young Winter home in St George. This is only part of the fun we had on that BUSY Thursday!  To be continued...

"Momma's Rose" Quilt

My "Momma's Rose" Quilt that I made for the Alliance for American Quilter's last spring is now up for AUCTION on E-bay. Starting @ 9 pm EST --- THIS WEEK ONLY!  Available for a minimum bid of $50. You can hear my voice telling about the quilt in the Artist Statement found on the Alliance page with the gallery of all 119 quilts that were made for 2011 Contest. I get emotional so be forewarned...
Direct Link to Bid is HERE.

.

I was so excited to have this quilt shown at Paducah, Kentucky (Quilt City USA) last spring and again in Detroit, Kansas City and many other well-known places with the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo Exhibition.
I figure the chances of having one of my quilts shown at Paducah or Houston are apt to be just another Dream unfulfilled.  This one was first shown in the Alliance display at Paducah.
The theme has been chosen for next year and I can't wait to read all of the guidelines.  For one, the quilts will be judged by selected Celebrity Quilters, not by a POPULARITY Viewers choice vote.  Viewers will get your chance after the judges have declared the Winners.

Alliances: People, Patterns, Passion
The Alliance for American Quilts
Get a pre-auction look at 119 small quilts from the Alliances: People, Patterns, Passion contest, sponsored by The Alliance for American Quilts. This dynamic collection showcases much of what is going on in mainstream quiltmaking today. The 2011 theme is “Alliances: People, Patterns, Passion,” a broad theme that celebrates cooperative relationships that work towards a common goal. 
 The pictures posted here are the top 4 winning quilts. ---->>

Design Wall Monday, November 14, 2011

After spending most of my time with this dumb headache and trying to rid myself of it, it came back on Sunday. I had Friday and most of Saturday reprieve from the intense pan and got a few CW blocks done. I made some Civil war fabric stars for John'alee's Fallen Soldier project too.  I did get the Mariner's Compass finally loaded and stitched some free-motion quilting on it  I have been trying to implement some of the filler designs I've seen over on the Free Motion Quilting Project Blog that Leah Day writes and shows videos on.  She does her beautiful quilting on her home machine without a Quilting Table. You can check out some of her work by clicking on the highlighted link.

Here's a peek at it on the quilting table.  There's no change on the wall since last week.  I'm debating on what color of Binding to use on the Mariner's Compass RR when I get the quilting done.  I need a quilt to stitch binding on while my hubby drives me to see Jennifer. I'd really like to have this one ready to show her. I'm thinking of taking my SBS (Sylvia's Bridal Sampler)now that it is finished too. I can't show the Christmas Projects I'm working on- some of my children and Friends do READ my Blog. I even caught my hubby reading it today.  For those who followed my McCall's Quilt Design Star postings- I was not the winner.  I don't consider that I lost, just not the winner of the BIG Prize.  I have four more quilts made that might not have been made or seen by as many people as they were. Thanks to all my friends and family who have called and come over to check on me.  I wish I was better company...

Go click over HERE and see the Design walls linked to Judy L's Design Wall Monday Post

Stash Report- November 13, 2011

Fabric Added Last Week: 7.75 yards (5 yds Backing fabric)
Fabric Added YTD: 260 yards
Fabric Used Last Week: 18 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 178 yards
Net Fabric Used YTD:  -82 yards
My numbers are changing every week, but not fast enough. I have decide to not keep track of what I buy next year, and do the stash reporting weekly. I don't need the extra guilt and stress I have come to realize. I will keep track of how much I use and keep a running total. I have many UFO's to finish and will concentrate on that. I'm working on my UFO list and checking it twice. 42 Days until Christmas...

Go to Judy L's and Check on the other Stash Reports linked there.

De-Stressing Saturday

After feeling the pain of a BAD headache all week, I needed to DE-Stress on Saturday. Quilting and sewing does that for me!  I quilted a bit on my Mariner's Compass Round Robin Quilt last night when the headache seemed to be under control. I even got dressed and went out for a couple errands. I wanted to catch up on some Civil War Blocks  and do the Blogger's BOM before the 25th.  The New Blogger's BOM Quilt Along Block comes on the 25th of each month.  This is month 3 coming up and I'm trying not to get behind on this one like I have the Civil War Block of the Week. Today I used the Blogger's BOM Block from October to make a Civil War fabric block and one that was bright fabrics.  I'll need a few extras to go with the 52 weeks of BOW's.
I took pictures as I went it was kinda fun.

 This is how I laid it all out with the HST squares marked on the lighter fabric.  I used the Sew and Flip method to assemble the different HST's and Flying geese in this block. It  will give me some Bonus HST'S, but I can always use them in a smaller Hovering Hawks or Bear Paw type block, right?

 I thought it would be interesting to see if the Add-A Quarter ruler would work to cut off the bonus triangles.  Had to get the DH to take a picture with my hand's ready to cut. This how the chin sewing looked before the Cutting and pressing. Using this method there are no dog ears to trim off of the HST's.

 Flying geese ready for second Sew and Flip square.

 With the Add-a-Quarter ruler placed - just so...  I had to sew the corner squares to each HST and then the block parts were ready for assembly. making four units the same and turning them like the picture shows.

 Here is the Civil War Block with the Bonus HST's

Union Square

I had the "UNION'' fabric in Brown so I had to reverse the colors in the HST's and FG units in this Block. I like using the fussy-cut Eagle in the center.  I'm only a couple dozen blocks behind still but it feels good to do whatever I want to do for a DAY!

Blogger's BOM Quilt A long Block #2

My Canadian -Fellow Finalist- friend reminds me every day - there is only a few days til CHRISTMAS...