Pink Lemonade

 #1

 #2

 #3

#4

Choices choices choices!   I finally took the time to look at my Civil War/Oldish Yardage. I had more to choose from than I thought.  Thanks in advance for the Comments.  Please help me choose. 

NewFo Link Up time

It's the last day of the Month and I've done really good with starting new projects...LOL  Today is the day to LINK up over at Cat Patches Blog.
Only one of them is on my NEWFO list in the "pages" above. That is the Farmer's Wife.  I have enjoyed reading the stories in the front of the Book. So far I have the 10 blocks made for January and 3 February Blocks cut out.  I'm ahead, but not enough to be ready for the next Small groups session out at Thread and Bolts Quilt Shop- in three more weeks. We will hopefully finish this quilt before the end of the year.

My Design Wall Monday Posts have shown most of these already, but I'll re-post the pictures here to show how far they are right now. These are the 3 projects I started because I saw them on my Blog-hopping and couldn't resist the cuteness.

 My 12 Days of Christmas that I saw over at Temecula Quilt Company Blog. I never thought 3.5" blocks could be so fun.  Notice that each block has the NUMBER of Pieces in it to go with the 12 days. I put them in order like the sample.  I added the sashing all around the small blocks.  I love the Civil War and Thimbleberries fabrics I have collected.  I still have my Civil War anniversary quilt marinating on the Design wall too. It has 20 of the 56 blocks completed. There's a Button at the Bottom of my Blog to go to the CW Blog and see all the different settings for this quilt.  I'm still dreaming of how I will finish mine.

These are the Pink Lemonade Blocks.  They don't have the 'Lemonade" added just yet.  And the Half Blocks and Quarter Blocks are waiting to be sewn. Some left those extra blocks off their quilts and I might just have to be a follower and do that too, see some of them HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE. you can clearly see I get inspired by all of the Quilty Blogs on my Sidebar. My stash of Civil War fabrics is mostly fat quarters and I don't have the color of 'double pink' I want to use yet... You can see more people who were inspired to do Lori's Quilt-a-Long when she has her LINKUP on Wednesday over at HUMBLE QUILTS. Click HERE.

My Just Takes 2 Blocks are done in my favorite Color!- Purple, and using my favorite fabric from my Hancock Fabrics days here in Walla Walla.  I may have to add in some other fabrics when the blocks have more than two tones or need more contrast. I have printed out the second set of blocks but still need to make them. Some are 6.5" and some are 12.5" blocks.  This will be a quilt that goes all year.
So it's time to get moving and stitching around here, no more napping all day and being in a FUNK!  There are too many fun quilts to make...
So click over HERE and see all the Linked up quilters this month.

Design Wall Monday, January 30, 2012

Last week was pretty much a Bust in the sewing room except for "tester" block I can't show and the Birthday Gifts I made for two of the four Grandchildren Birthdays coming up so far this year. I know by showing them on here the Parents know what I'm making for them.  Oh well, the surprise will still be how they actually look and the fabrics I will choose special  for each one.   I had hoped to make these all for Christmas and since the Plan 'D' went into effect in December, they did not get done. I'm hoping for a little more playing in the Quilt Zone this week. The letters are made using the techniques I learned from the "Word Play" class I took last fall at STASH.

 Seth got his in December for his Birthday.

Next is Abigail's - her sister's called it a quilt in the video my Daughter took.  LOL.

Saturday was Samuel's Birthday and he got this one.

What do you think?  Should I use all capital letters or go wonky with lower and upper case letters??

Check out more Design Wall's at Judy L's Blog HERE.

Frustrating Friday

It's almost Saturday but I have to write something.  I haven't posted since Design Wall Monday.  It's been a crazy week.  I knew I had to make the Birthday gifts for at least two of our Grandchildren this week. The Snow is all gone and the roads are clear- KNOCK ON WOOD!  Wednesday Paul got home in time for us to go and for some reason I thought it was at 6pm and I wasn't done with the gift yet.  He called to tell NaDell we would be late and she said it ok, the party wasn't starting until 7pm. That gave me the extra time to bake my bread that was almost ready and complete the gift and for us to get up there.  NaDell blogged about it all HERE.

The Birthday Girl with her Polka-dot cake

I have procrastinated and not done much sewing/quilting.  I've stayed home most of the week so there is really no excuse my UFO for January isn't going to be finished. I did get my Christmas Tree and Nativities all put away.  The Elders were coming for Dinner and I wanted to make Potato soup to go with my Homemade Bread I made on Wednesday.  I had to go out and fill up Paul's gas tank in his car, he came home early from work with a migraine.  I got my groceries and the gas and headed toward home and was nearly hit but a car changing lanes without checking their 'blind' spot.  I had to quickly react and avoided the impact, THANK HEAVENS! I have a "tester" Block that was due on Thursday.  BUT, I couldn't find my regular or my open-toed applique foot to finish that block. And the directions are a bit confusing.  Today I re-read the TESTER instructions that said I didn't have to use all of the same techniques as the designer used.  Tonight I decided to try to locate the feet and after 3 hours, was about ready to drag out one of my extra machines when I found the feet in a bag of cut off selvages,  Meanwhile, I  found my 8 GB Flash drive that has been missing for over a year and a few seam rippers that I'd forgotten I had.  I wound bobbins, and changed all the blades in my Rotary Cutters.  I found the extra NEW blades in my searching too.  I've had a problem with my favorite Rotary Cutter and when I opened it to change the blade I noticed I had 2 blades stuck together in it.  WEIRD!  That's why the fabric I cut with that cutter shredded no matter what ruler I used.  There was a bunch of thread and lint between the blades.  Maybe it's time to check the Machine for 'Dust Bunnies' too.
Saturday is another Grandchild's Birthday and I called it in to the Radio station- no winners this week :(

Design Wall Monday, January 23, 2012

I'm moving slower this Monday Morning.  Not much exciting or changed on the Design Wall but I have plans to PLAY in the sewing area today. I also have to make a little trip to delivery a fun Birthday wish to one of my Readers who is having a Birthday today.  I'm hoping she is getting ready to deliver her Birthday gift (her 3rd Son) soon. She's a very Busy MOM with two boys and two girls already. I remember a Birthday I had back in 1984 when my 3rd Son was due and arrived just 4 days later.  He turned our world upside down and has made life FUN since joining the family.  I didn't spotlight him on the BLOG for his Birthday, but he deserves a Shout Out today.  You see, He has earned his MASTER's degree and shared the news last week with us on Skype.  I'm so happy that he finished in time for his Birthday.  He is a 3rd grade teacher- I hope those kids know how lucky they are to have him as their teacher.  I'm told on HIS day, his wife and 3 cute little boys joined the class and they blew up their Volcanoes! He planned some good fun with his class. Love you my Bump and Bruise Boy, Brant... (he even admits to reading MOM's BLOG!)
It's Bonnie Hunter's 50th Birthday today and the mailman delivered my package to her just in time, in spite of the BAD Weather happening.  You can read about all the quilters wishing her a Happy Birthday- HERE

Back to the Purpose of this POST!  I have a few more Birthdays to get gifts made for between my Birthday and Pauls' Birthday there are several including four of our grandchildren.  These fabrics are for them.

And because the month is nearing the end... two BLOCK LOTTO Blocks. I finally got the templates to print out. That was the Challenge for me. They are supposed to be light and bright.  I think I will make the green one over so it is more square. These are 9" blocks.

There are plenty of Bow tie Blocks ready to stitch with my Projects thanks to Lynn's Scrap basket.

The last picture shows my new GO- Baby DIE-  I think I can do the border that is peeking out with this die.

It's from Judy L's new Book I blogged about HERE.

It's still MONDAY and there is plenty of time to click HERE and see all the fun things on Design Wall's.

Cabin Fever...

I had to get out!  I stayed home - SNOWED in and Iced over since my Farmer's Wife Group meeting on Tuesday Morning.  The snows came and the freeing rain coated it over with ice. The roads  were still snow-packed- Walla Walla doesn't do the residential areas very well.  Sylvia came to take me to Lunch, for my late Birthday. We went to a new place downtown called the "Maple Counter"  They are only open for Breakfast and Lunch. It was pretty good, we split the Gobbler sandwich and I still had leftovers.  She didn't eat her Waffle Fries.  The breakfast and dessert menus have us thinking we need to go back just for a treat. Thanks Sylvia!

Here's my Car- Friday afternoon when I went out to try and scrape it off. I used the edge of the ice scraper to chisel around the driver's side door to get it open so I could start it and run the DEFROST. See how thick it was on top of the door.

The ice coating on the windows took a while to slide off when I was able to roll the window down after stopping at the BANK drive-through. YEA, for Pay Day!  I needed to go out and Pay Lynn for the Templates and Books for the Farmer's wife.  I was lucky that she had a GO Die that she ordered two of that I could buy to try out my new Go-Baby fabric Cutter.  Just for my 2 Daughters Information- I spent the amount of $$ from my Birthday to get that Go Baby HST Die to make 3" Half square Triangles.  SPENDY!

It was good to get out of the House, but I was so glad to get back home unscathed!  Freezing Rain coated the highways and even Hwy 12 was closed for the night.

Today out the front door it looks like this!

I had to keep going out to scrape the walkway so I could get newspapers and mail and packages from the Outside world... This package came with the Mail lady as I got home from Lunch with Sylvia.

Judy Laquidara's New Book of Borders! I got it pre-ordered so she would Autograph it personally for me.
She wrote: "Mary -the Quilting Grandma  Enjoy the Borders!  Judy Laquidara".  There's a reason I call her the 'Border Queen'.  Watch to see which border I use first...

Olivia's D9P Pinwheel Quilt

Designed and made by Quiltingrandma 2009

I entered my Grand-daughter Olivia's quilt that I made for her 4th birthday in the Weekly Contest over at the Quilting Gallery.  I had fun making this quilt.  The Olivia the Pig panel was purchased while I was at the EXPO in Puyallup, Washington.  It isn't a reflection on my grand-daughter, she isn't a Pig.  She is all about the frills and purses and jewelry like Olivia the pig though.  It was shown at Trends in the Fall that year.  I bound it en-route to deliver it to the EE Schenck's warehouse. I wished I had used a Black batting when I quilted it. The white migrated badly with the Black Kona backing. The quilt earned a Blue Ribbon at the Walla Walla Frontier Days Fair that year and was shown also at the Walla Walla Valley Quilt Festival. I liked putting the Yo-Yo's in the center of the Pinwheels of the Disappearing 9-Patch Blocks and making the checker-board border.  Voting goes though Sunday Night over at the Quilting Gallery. You can choose 3 quilts this week.

Be Careful what you ask for....

No!!! It wasn't me who asked for this WHITE STUFF!

 My front yard this morning.  I had to go out and clear the path to the Door and Mailbox so I can get my Mail and the UPS Package that is coming today. Paul did the front walkway before he went to work.  Note- the Garbage trucks have already passed by on our street.  I got word yesterday via the Texas Finalist LINDA, from the McCall's Quilt Design Star Contest, that we are getting the GO baby as our final gift from the Sponsors of the Contest.  That is why I'm waiting for the guy in the Brown Truck... Do you think he will be wearing the 'trademark' shorts? I've been so tempted to buy this every time I've seen it at "Trends" since it came out.

This is how a "quilter" measures the white stuff...

I had to take my Edge Ruler out with the bright numbers to measure the snow in the back yard.  A little over 4".  This was after the rain compressed it a little.  No Sledding or Slipping and Sliding for this grandma.  I missed going out to the 3rd Farmer's Wife class at Thread and Bolts.  The class on Tuesday was mostly spent cutting out the 10 Blocks and learning a few tricks.  Next month we will see a few more finished blocks.  And I will post pictures on the T and B Blog. I started cutting out the blocks for Feburary.  I'll wait to sew them while I finish up a couple other Blocks of the Month and Tester blocks for the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks.  These are so fun to make and when the Summer 2012 edition is on news stands I'll be able to share the blocks I got to make.

Here's what the UPS Truck just delivered at 5:15pm Wednesday. Yes, he was wearing his Shorts but was quick to point out he had on his BOOTS too.  Thanks to Accuquilt and McCall's QDS contest!  Not the BIG Prize but a nice prize anyway.  Now to get a few of the cutting dies to try it out...

55th Birthday continues...

 My Birthday loaf from Friends at Church complete with a candle. Thanks Crains!  Paul made my Birthday Dinner before he went to Church and left the Box of Chocolates and a Fun Musical Toy on the table for me to see when I came up to go to Church.  The grandchildren liked playing with it.  I took a video of it and posted it on Facebook- HERE is the Picture- sorry it is sideways.

Like my Children always liked to do- I have celebrated for almost the whole week  It started before Guild last week and into the Monday Holiday.  There was no School for Richland so NaDell brought her 4 children over to take me to Lunch.  We went to the Cookie Tree downtown Walla Walla.  A favorite place in our town to get a great sandwich made with fresh homemade bread. The kids would not let us leave before buying a cookie or two.  Even with that they said they were "hungry still" at Grandma's house.  I had the mini Cupcakes left from my Sunday School class and I think they each had two.  I am so glad that the snow didn't keep them from coming. Late Sunday evening it snowed and the temperature was sub zero all day. 

 We forgot to take pictures at Cookie Tree and at Lynn's where we went to visit, so NaDell could see the re-modeled Shop, and Lynn could see how big the Grandchildren are growing. Here are Andy and NaDell's 4 children with Me at our house just before they went out to play in what was left of the snow.

Abigail with an outfit that I made for the Oldest Ransom Daughter in 2003.  She only smiles for her Mother...or I should say she smiles BEST for her Mom.

NaDell and Andy's Son- growing up. He picked up the Jenga tiles by color -counting them for us.

 Grandpa came home in time to visit a bit and share the Bread I brought home from the Cookie Tree for him with some butter and jam.  NaDell took the pictures of the older girls outside in the snow.

Not too cold outside to still wear her skirt.

Thanks for coming and helping my Birthday last a little longer.  I think I can safely take down the Christmas Tree now.  LOL

Design Wall Monday- January 16, 2012

I finished 3 of the 6 Blocks for "JUST Takes 2".  Half way there for January.  5 New Blocks were posted on Sunday, HERE. The Sentimental Stitches blog will send you on to the Dear Jane Blog HERE for the patterns. With the snow falling and a NO mail day today, I have time to work on these this week. BIG Surprise that I'm using "PURPLE", right? This will be a fun quilt using the Bolt of the background WOW (White on White) and my favorite fabric line (Quilter's Shades Plus) that is discontinued now from Hancock Fabrics. More 6.5" blocks.  So much bigger than the 3.5" ones and 5" ones I made last week.
The final step of "Pink Lemonade" was posted on Sunday.  I get to choose my setting squares, while I catch up on the Half and Quarter Blocks. Thanks, Lori for a fun Civil War Mini quilt.
The Farmer's Wife Starts this week and my 10 Blocks are made for the Month. See them at the bottom of the post HERE.  It helps to know the Quilt shop Owner in charge of the class. I hope the snow doesn't stop us from meeting on Tuesday.
I only need to cut out and make my Tester blocks and the BOM blocks for Morning Glory Designs Applique quilt. Yes, I'm busy, but that is how I like it!

Check out more links over at JUDY L's Blog HERE.

"Alive at 55..."

I looked and looked for the song that was playing around the time I was Born and the closest I could find with a little help from a Facebook Friend was...Guy Mitchell "Singin' the Blues".  It's played on youtube HERE. I was hoping for one by Elvis...

the only Baby Picture I have.

My 16th B-day, My Mom made me this cake and I got my first pair of REAL LEVI's

Yes, I might have been 'Singing the Blues' about my Birthday on Friday the 13th.  Even the weather man this year was threatening the "S' word.  I am too old to ask for a "White Birthday". It's NOT my idea of FUN. Things don't always go my way and the Best plans I try to make often don't work out.  I'm a BIG dreamer and have lots of 'things' I want to do and places I would LOVE to go this year.  Even my plans to meet my sister went awry on Saturday. Paul pops my Bubble and brings me back to the "real world". He asks me "Is it a "want" or a  "need"?  YES, I WANT it and I Want to NEED it!   So, I play the "Glad Game" again and I'll put a smile on my face and take all the Hugs I can from my Grandchildren, Count My Blessings, Teach my Sunday School Class and EAT Cake!  I know I am so Blessed.

Saturday Afternoon I delivered a little treat to my Birthday Buddies from Church.  Two ladies who share the same Birthdate.  My Oldest came to visit with his cute family.  I tried out the Cupcake maker I got for Christmas.  The grandchildren tested the finished ones for me.

They helped finish the Nativity Puzzle! Only one piece is missing since Christmas shuffling and trying not to lose pieces.  And brought me a "Count Your Blessings" plaque and a book by Pres Uchtdorf.  THANKS!

I got invited to go Chaperon the YOUTH Dance at the Church Saturday night.  Then the Bishop said he would be interviewing and handing out the dance cards so I stayed home.
My Friend turned 55 just a couple days ago and she said "Alive at 55".  I'm liking that mantra! I'm in good company turning 55 this year.  My Childhood friend turned 55 on the 10th and I told him "The more Birthdays you have, they longer you live".  Happy 55th Birthday to Me!

I couldn't choose just one...

Making up for missed Quilting time...

Tuesday night was our Quilt Guild meeting and it was full of lots of FUN and there was a great turnout.

The Winner, with the Quilt. She said her family has lived in Walla Walla for 4 generations and she only bought one ticket.  Kay, on the left- sold her the Raffle ticket.

The Winner of the Guild's Raffle quilt came and brought this quilt to share with us too.

18 King's Crown Lotto Blocks- I didn't WIN.

Goodies from my New Secret Pal

My Secret Pal remembered my Birthday too.  It was fun to read her Get Well Poem she wrote for me.

"Mary had a little lamb, 

a little Pork, 

a little jam, 

ice cream soda topped with fizz.  

Oh, how sick our Mary is.

Feel Better Soon!"

I never liked the song in Kindergarten but I do like Lambs and collect them.  The cute Lamb and other surprises she gave me are pictured a bit further down in the post. I can tell I'm going to get spoiled again this year. ( The magazine was mine already.)

 A Hearts and Flowers Quilt was presented and we got to 'sign' it for the Fellow Member who received it.  You can read more about it HERE.  I'm on the H & F Committee but didn't know we were making this one.

Show and share I had to take my "Lady" that I had made for myself for Christmas.  The Guild thought it was hilarious and said it made me look 20.  Mamacjt says she doesn't do 'wrinkles".  Lynn forgot to bring hers for the Double reveal. There is always Next Month or they will see it at Thread and Bolts Quilt Shop.

This week, as usual, has been my Busy WEEK!  On Tuesday, before Guild, I honored my mother by going Visiting Teaching.  Mom would have been 90 this year.  My VT partner and I are resolved to making a better effort to make our monthly visits, not on the last day of the month.

 I had to uses my stairs to show all the goodies that have arrived in the mail and from Guild for my Birthday Week, and it's only Thursday...

From the Bottom row right to left: A cute "Sophie" charm pack & Birthday/Get Well card from Janet O, Birthday gifts from my Quilt Buddy, Lynn - A Pin holder with a Mariner's Compass on top form Fons and Porter and purple paper clips,  The Lamb and snap and store with fabric, a Purple Tape Measure, thimble, thread cutter ring, and needles w/threader.

Middle row is 3 of the 9 packages for the WASIQ Fat Quarter Birthday SWAP I host each year. 

And at the TOP is my "Doggy" quilt -Home at last!!!!  I'm sooooo happy to finally have it home.

I have been very busy since the strike of Midnight -Monday morning.  This is the rest of the story for the Title of this Post.  Sorry if you're tired of reading already...

I finished sewing the sashing and borders on this cute Civil War Mini Quilt. I showed on my DMW (Design Wall Monday) and made 24 Bowties as Leader/enders.  

 The last Picture is a sneak peek at the first 10 Blocks for my Farmer's Wife Quilt. I went out to Lynn's on Wednesday to cut them out and couldn't go to bed until they were stitched and done.  I'm using my 30's collection with some modern re-pros mixed in.  WHEW!!!! I'm tired!  I counted how many Blocks I've made since last Saturday and the total is 55. 12 Days of Christmas 3", 2 Civil War, 1 King's Crown, 6 Pink Lemonade, 24 Bow ties, and 10 Farmer's Wife Blocks.  I think I'm back to my 'OLD" self, Janet!

 I thought that it was funny considering it's my 55th Birthday this week. I'm turning the age my mother was when she passed away.  My Dr said there was no cancer in my Tonsils, I had wondered about that.  It is reason to CELEBRATE.  Paul and I went to see "We Bought a ZOO" on Monday Night with the Bushmans'.  A good Movie even though it was a bit sad and a reminder too of my Mom, it has a HAPPY ENDING!  I was glad to feel good enough to go and the movie POPCORN tasted so Yummy!  We are still puttering at the Nativity Puzzle.  When I went to bed at 3 AM last night Paul got up to go to work and was cooking bacon, so I got back up and worked on the Puzzle until 6 am. I woke up again at 10 when DD #2 called, and went back to sleep until 2 after that.  If you are still reading--- I have to say a BIG Thanks for all the Comments.   I read them all and feel so Blessed! 

Pink Lemonade-part 1, BOM, and mail

 Lori over at Humble Quilts put up Part 2 of the Quilt a-long for "Pink Lemonade" yesterday.  I'm already using my Civil War fabrics catching up on last year's Civil War (Block of the week)BOW and took the chance to get Part 1 done.

 I also cut out part 2, it is ready to assemble.  One block at a time these worked up fairly quick.  They are 5" finished blocks. I used my Bow ties as true Leader/Enders. I have 33 total Bow ties made now.

As I made my Block Lotto BOM for Guild tonight I thought I'd use the Easy Angle that Bonnie Hunter highly recommends.  The link is to one of her patterns ( Nine Patch Split) that shows how she uses the Easy Angle.

It sure makes it easy to make those HST's for the Kings Crown there are only 8 of them. Squaring up not needed. Today is the 90th anniversary of my Mother's Birth. Do I feel Lucky tonight?  We shall see...

This is the prize that came in my Mail on Saturday. I won it on Pat Sloan's Blog on New Years.  It is a panel of Labels to put on my finished quilts. And cool ear buds to listen to her radio shows on Monday's at All People Quilt.
I have the Block of the Month from Morning Glory Designs and the Just takes 2 over at Sentimental Stitches to play with the rest of the month. The Farmer's Wife workshop starts next week at Thread and Bolts and my UFO for January to finish.