2013 NewFO Challenge

Since I know I'm going to start New Projects in the New Year and a few are already started...I'm joining the fun over HERE.  Barbara is hosting the NewFO again.  THANKS to her we can enable each other all year and Link-up with Blogger or Flicker.  She made it easy.  The Button will stay on my sidebar so I can click on over and so can you. Here's my list so far---

2013 NEWFO's
"Cruise" Challenge Quilt for Trends*
Temecula Row Quilt-CW 5" Blocks
The Romance Continues- Marti Michell BOM*
WWVQG Block Lotto (1 new Block per Month)*
Quiltmaker 4-part MYSTERY by Bonnie Hunter (March/ April Issue)
Midnight Flight- Bonnie Hunter Class 
Emily's Hand-pieced Baskets- Jo Morton Class 
Blockbase QAL- Started October 2012*
El's Quilts from the Kitchen- QIAD 2012 BOM- Eleanor Burns
The Giving Quilt- Jennifer Chiaverini*
Loyal Union Sampler- Jennifer Chiverini (October Release)
Feathered Star- Marsha McCluskey Book
Baby ? Quilt (Pink and /or Blue) 

*= started already, some blocks made

I made up a NEW acronym for my PIG's since they are mostly in Totes, I'll call them PIT's!  It is really the PITS when they stay in those totes and don't even see the light of Day.
One quilt hasn't made it into a Tote and I'm trying to get it to the TBQ stage by the time I go to the Block Party, so it is in it's own category.
EASY STREET- Bonnie Hunter Mystery 2012-2013 - ready to add borders

PIT's  (Projects in totes)
Scrappy Bow Tie 2011-2012 Bonnie Hunter Leader/Ender challenge- ready to SASH.
Moth in the Window (made from shirtings)- Bonnie Hunter November 2011 Quiltmaker Magazine
Mystery for Charity- Jack of Hearts #2
Just Takes 2  (10 blocks made)
Morning Glory Designs BOM- 3 blocks ready for Machine blanket stitching
Stitchin' Heaven "test" Quilt in BLUE
Tester quilts for Challenge #3 Pattern (2)
Bug Jars
Aloha (Fussy Cut)

WHIMM's or Kits I've purchased
ABC Panel Quilts
Double Wedding Ring
Jo Morton Basket Mini Quilt -KIT
Paper Dolls
Happy Birthday Banner- KIT
Grandchildren Names Quilt

You can click the Tab at the top of the Blog and see the NewFO's that I started and finished last year, too.
My January NewFO will be shown on Monday, then I will link up.

Design Wall Monday- January 28, 2013

I got out my Leader/Ender Bow ties from last year on Quiltville to add the sashings to the 9-1/2" blocks.  I dutifully cut the sashings at 9"- so I guess it's back to finding another sashing that I can cut to the correct size.  
I can't put my hands on the fabric I chose to use HERE, oh well...

There's always my Block of the Month that I need to sew on. You can see the first blocks from our class at Thread and Bolts HERE.

The 1st block is called "Champagne Toast".

I have my second Block ready to sew.  It's called "Waltzing Together".

I like that the blocks are named for events in a wedding.  Remember these are 12" blocks and I have Alternate Blocks to create the chain in the pattern. Lynn decided to give us the instructions for 2 Blocks a Month. I could have this one done before the end of the Year...at least to Flimsy, right?

DH brought home the Grandchildren sign I ordered at the Ransom-Made December event. I need to find a place to hang this and the "Crowther" Picture too.

Today is the 4th Birthday for my Grandson who celebrated on Saturday.  DS #2 did send home the black eye patch for me. Here I am wearing it- trying to be a good sport. It's really not as bad as it looks.  I'm not wearing the patch anymore.

I have another BIG Birthday party this week for 3 of the DD#1 Children.  There's a 10 yr, 5 yr and 2 yr old at their house celebrating together.

Click over to Judy L's HERE

Saturday Slowdown and Catch-up

It's been a long week and now that the family has all gone home I can take a deep breath!  I had to make way too many trips to the Tri-cites, Connell and Spokane with the family time and my body/back is screaming for me to stay at home. Janessa and Jacob at the Spokane Airport.

 I went to the Eye Dr on Thursday and he referred me to a new Eye specialist in town, who saw me on Friday.

I came home looking like this!  I posted it to Facebook and said Grandma was a Pirate. I got 24 comments and 8 people who liked it.  I'm not a fan of needles in the eye but that's what I got and a small mass removed.  It sounded like a BB when it hit the specimen cup.  Dr had to use the Microscope and I had to hold real still.  He gave me a A+ for being a good patient.  I'll see him for follow-up in a couple weeks and maybe find out what was in my eye lid.  I have ointment to put on the spot twice a day for the next week and I'm trying to keep out of bright light.  

Today I'm missing a trip to Tri-cites with DH to attend a sealing at the Columbia River Temple, a visit with his mother and a Pirate Birthday Party for Samuel who turns 4 on Monday.   Joseph says he'll save me a black pirate patch for my eye.  Thanks, I think.

I've received many cards and gifts for my Birthday and wanted to acknowledge them. The Body wash, puff and lapel pin are from Wendy T, the scrubbies from Judy R, the notepad and Candy Bar from Linda A, Quiznos gift card from Milton's family, the Necklace from Ransoms, and the Homemade soap and pin cushion from Janet O.  Janessa sent me an Apron with Jackson and Jacob's hand prints on it.  I haven't gotten a picture of me in it just yet.

 These two friends, my Visiting Teacher and former VT took me out to the "Maple Counter" for Breakfast the day after my birthdate.  The waitress took our picture when she brought me the FREE  Birthday Blintz.

I ordered the silver dollar pancakes, Karen got the Apple souffle pancake, and Noel ordered the Apple/ Cinnamon pancake with a side of bacon that we all shared.  I tried some of the Apple Syrup and made some at home this week for the morning Brant's family left.  Janessa joined us for Breakfast too.  It was a HIT!  I just used Apple juice instead of Water. 1 part juice, 2 parts sugar and brought it to a boil.  YUMMY STUFF, it thickened when cooled because of the pectin in apples.

I have to add a few more pictures from the funeral... The 6 Casket Bearers with their Boutineers on.

The 5 oldest Grandsons and the youngest grandson. The other grandsons were Honorary Casket Bearers. I hadn't counted before, but realized that there are 13 grandsons of Gordon and Zora. 12 Grand-daughters.

  I handed my camera to Kari's dad who was there and he took this picture of our families side, while we were waiting for the rest of the cousins to get there. We met at 8:45am before the final viewing and Family prayer for a BIG family picture.  All but 3 of my family here. More pictures are posted HERE.

 Pictures of my sons who had a part of the final program for Grandpa Gordon at the gravesite. My Husband Paul dedicated the grave, Shannon played "Taps" and Sgt Jeffery and Staff Sgt Shawn did the honor guard and folding of the Flag.  Sgt Jeffery Gordon Crowther presented the Flag to Grandma with the recitation that goes with it.  " From a Grateful nation..."  Grandma has given the Flag to our family to keep for now.  (She wanted to give it back to the mortuary). It's an HONOR to have it in my home.

 Four of my grandsons eating at Grandmas. I sure miss them when they all leave. I'll try and get something ready for Design Wall Monday this coming week.

My Family, all together. (except for Jestin, Jackson and Ben)

Crowther Family Time

Brant, Tina and sons arrived in the weee hours of Sunday night. They drove through 'pea soup' on Cabbage hill to be here.  What a way to spend his 29th birthday.

 I stayed up uploading and scanning pictures so I could give him his gift to open when they got here.

 On the way into the building we stopped to have the 3 Crowther boys pose in front of the sign at Connell.
 After the meetings the rest of the cousins joined in the tradition.
We have taken several pictures of the older Crowther Grandchildren posed here. Sunday there was 9 Grandson's- 1 Grand-daughter.

 My four handsome sons!

 Brant and Lee share the Birthday so we got a cake for the meal after the Church Meetings.  Thanks Jed and Diana for feeding us so we could make it through the rest of the day...

 The hobby horse with Big and Little kids on it...

  Uncle Jed's BIG Teeter-Totter was a hit with the little ones too.

Later that evening was the viewing for Paul's father at the Funeral home in Pasco.  It was an honor to greet all those who came. Many Family and Friends attended the viewing. Paul's Nash, Israelson, Neeley and Mangum Cousins were all represented.  Even Aunt Berniece made the trip. We were glad that Grandma felt good enough to be there.

 I wanted to take a picture with all the pretty flowers that were sent to honor him. 

I took it from a distance- I know some don't like to see the open casket.

One of my assignments was to put a few pictures out by the guestbook sign in.

The slideshow in the digital frame didn't work as good as I'd hoped but I have the pictures all scanned and saved in one place now. It's been a busy week and I didn't have time to BLOG with all the early morning departure times. This was just Sunday.  ...NaDell, DD #! BLOGGED about Monday- HERE.

Just Another Day...

I have to put down some thoughts into words today.  Yesterday was my 56th Birthday. I had things on the calendar so I kept busy.  That meant when I laid down to rest, my mind didn't stop thinking.

The day started with an early Birthday greeting from my dear husband followed by the news that his father, the quiet, giant of a man who with his loving mother raised him to be the man he is, had spent his last night on this mortal plain.

 For the past 36 years he's been my Father too.  I'm grateful for his example of perseverance and gratitude for all that he was blessed with. I cannot remember many times that he didn't express his gratitude to all of us for the many blessings he enjoyed.  He told us that Family and our Testimony of the Savior was the most important part of  life.  Being  part of an Eternal Family is a blessing that remains with us.  There will be an empty chair at our gatherings from now on, but the memories will linger. All we take from this life is our intelligence and the relationships we had.  He didn't go to College but he was taught through all his life the importance of an Education. He was a well read, hard working man.  One of the saddest parts of growing old was losing his ability to read. I remember we gave him books for his birthday and Christmas among other things. He loved reading the Scriptures and Historical books.  

We'll gather as a Family to say our last goodbyes for a while.  Gone from this world- Forever in our hearts.

Design Wall Monday- January 14, 2013

It's a MONDAY at my house.  I didn't pre-write and schedule my DWM post like usual.  I was busy watching my DVR-ed  "Downton Abbey".  And any other sappy show that I have DVR-ed from the Hallmark and ABC Family channel.  It's my Birthday week and I am doing things a bit differently...
On my Wall per se is a lonely Block Lotto Block from last week. The Friendship Scrap Block.

In my plan for the week is the beginning of this quilt.  The Romance Continues...a Block of the Month by Marti Michell that we are making with the former Farmer's wife group out at Thread and Bolts.  

 I know I have said I wasn't planning on starting anything else new this year, but remember it's my Birthday week and I can do whatever pleases me--- and this quilt pleases me.  I have the fabrics all chosen and taped to the fabric key and the first Block is even made.  The Big reveal of that block will be at the class in the morning. (it's the block in the lower right of the picture).  Here are my fabrics in A-J order for the Blocks.  I took a little licence and used fabric from my STASH for the fabric I didn't have from the Wild Roses Line. The J fabric is a Pink one and it didn't show up in the picture. I have to throw that one in for fun!

The Farmer's Wife Group is making another BOM along with this one but I'm only making this one.  To see the other one click HERE.

I ordered this book for myself. written by Natalia Bonner. 

(her mother won the McCall's Quilt Design Star way back in 2010).  

And on Sunday I baked this...

My favorite Birthday cake- German Chocolate.  I used a Book pan that I have and just drew the numbers in the frosting.  It's my Birthday tomorrow and I am the baby of the family so I'm entitled to be SPOILED! (even if I have to do it myself.) My schedule Tuesday won't include Birthday Dinner so I made it on Sunday.


Click over to see the many Quilting Bloggers who were up early posting and linking up HERE.

For those Curious Followers of my Blog...

Before I post the Big Secret that I've been asked about several times, since posting that I had a new things on my agenda and had to keep them a secret...
I have to share this LINK.  If you didn't know about the 100 Blocks Magazine from Quiltmaker back when they started with Volume 1.  THEY'VE RE-PRINTED IT!  Click the link to have a chance to WIN a copy and/or one of the coveted MUGS from Volume 1.

Oh, and one more shameless plug- There is a Haiku contest over on the Quiltmaker.com site and I wrote a few for it.  The VOTING started today at 2pm MST and goes til January 13, 2013 at 11:59pm MST.  Go read them and think about placing a VOTE for me please.

So... without any further ado!
My news is that I'm now the SUPERINTENDENT for the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days Department 54- Open Needlecraft.  To say I'm a bit excited is an understatement. After all the issues I had with last years fair and the HURT I had when my chance to be the Super was taken away back in 2010.  Out of the blue I got the call a few weeks ago asking me to consider taking on the job.  I've been to a few meetings already and am excited to get the chance to Volunteer in the Community, at the Fair.  It will be a lot of work and it is just starting.  I get to find the people I want to Help me to receive the quilts and hang them.  I'll need a few to be there to make sure the area is well taken care of and to answer questions, if needed.  I would like to have a quilter doing a demo, or sitting there stitching.  My head is racing, and I can't stop thinking of how to change the display of the Needlecraft items.  This is going to be a very interesting time for me.  I hope I can make it FUN.  We have even been able to change some of the Classes and Divisions in the Fair Registration booklet.  The Tatting, Bobbin Lace and Lace making is now in Dept 54.  This is exciting since I joined the LACE GUILD a few months ago. The Walla Walla Lacy Lacers. I haven't even got started on my first Bobbin lace lesson.  I've just been re-learning to KNIT.  Making the Lace patterns that Ann has shared into Dishcloths for Christmas gifts was so fun.  I'm re-making them so I can enter some in the Fair.

ALSO I'm the NEW 'Block of the Month/ Block Lotto' person at Quilt guild!  Yet another Volunteer job that I've been wanting to do.  I've had fun finding BLOCKS from the Quilter's Cache.  Marcia Hohn has put the patterns on this site and they are FREE to use for our own Quilts.  I can link to the pages the Blocks are on.  There are some original patterns on there too,  most of the Public domain patterns are so easy to find in the Alphabetized lists in a LOT of different sizes.  There are "pins" to tell you if the block is for Beginners or Advanced quilters.  Go check it out if you need a block to add to your next project.  For this month I chose the Amish Diamond Block.

I made two in the same color way one in the reverse to show how different the block can look. These are 12" Blocks. They asked me to do a short 2-3 minute demo on each Block to show a tip or trick to help the Newbies that might need a little help.  How fun is that? I get to TEACH! My Dream Job and the part I miss almost more than the feeling of "Christmas" when I opened all the boxes of fabric at Hancock Fabrics until it closed. :(

I get to TEACH for the Guild Program at the last minute, I was asked on Monday afternoon-- could I do a DEMO on something.  The SWOON BLOCK jumped into my mind first. The 8th is Elvis Presley's Anniversary of his Birth in 1935. He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and died when he was only 42.  I will start out with his picture and ask them 'What did the girl's all do when he sang?'  Ooooohhhh SWOON... I spent most of the Day and Evening and even into the wee hours searching the internet for the Original Tutorial.  I know I saw it on the SEWBITTERSWEETDESIGNS Blog a LOT last year. I think it all started with Designer, Camille Roskelly. Her Website link to the 24" Block Quilt pattern is HERE. I wanted to give the ladies a few links to find the patterns for the Swoon Block.  I'm using the version shown on THIS BLOG.  It is a 16" Block that she adapted to use 5" charm squares and eliminated a few seams.

It took me a bit of extra time getting my presentation board ready. I cut out all the pieces and sewed just enough to DEMO at Guild. And give them tip and tricks...

I'm home from Guild and thinking of the next Block to make for the Block Lotto. and I get to show you the Door Prize that I WON.  It is fun to Win something just for going to our Guild Meetings.

I'll post the Guild 'Block Lotto' Block link each month on the Blog, so all of you Blog Followers can play too. Do any of you Wanna Play along? Just leave me a comment and we'll see how many are interested.

Design Wall Monday/Easy Street- January 7, 2013

Easy Street is still in the works around here. I put it on my UFO/Get 'er done list to continue to work on in January so it doesn't get put away in a tote or go into the UFO pile. Better for it to go straight to the "TO BE QUILTED" LIST.

I laid out the 9 blocks I have made with the corner and side Triangles that are done.  I could just make 4 of the second set of blocks and call the center done!  LOL  

These blocks are 15" finished so it would still make a nice sized quilt being set on-point.

 The final Layout if I don't make any more blocks or Triangles... That means I have a lot of left-over parts to play around with.   I think I'll call mine "BUSY STREETS"!
Some one else called the Mystery quilt "Lazy Street".  No way is this Mystery for the Lazy.

 And a picture of  two of my Favorite center A & B Blocks.  They look so different on-point.
I like the Purple stars that are a secondary pattern in the 2nd Picture.  But there is a lot more GREEN than I thought it would have. Kathy in Canada counted the pieces in the A blocks = 77.  Block B has 69.  OH, my!  Now to choose fabric for the Borders.  I seem to have a bunch of very Curious comment-ers from my last Post.  Still not ready to share, very soon.  This week is Quilt Guild, then I can share part of the NEWS.

Linking up to Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville HERE today.

And over HERE for the first Design Wall Monday Postings with Judy L.

New Year- New Plans

 Our Extended Crowther Family got together on New Years Day.  We've been gathering for years to celebrate.  It rotates between the siblings families and this year it was the Jorgenson Family who hosted.  We had yummy Pulled BBQ Pork sandwiches and the potluck of things everyone brought to share.  Crazy Grandma left her "jigglers" in the fridge at home in Walla Walla.  Sorry to the kids who would have enjoyed them much more than Grandpa and I.  Aunt Diana is ever faithful to get us in a Big Family Picture before we eat.  She has to set the timer and run to find a place in the picture.  This time she is seated by her Husband.  We missed having Grandma and Aunt Mary Withers there.  Yes, there are two Mary's in our family! By my count there were 3 more at the New Year's gathering than at the Thanksgiving Dinner.   Two showed up after the picture.

  

And a picture with the Crowther guys.

 My first day of Mail this year brought my copy of the Civil War Sampler book from Barbara Brackman.
I was excited to see all of the familiar names in it.  Fellow bloggers and friends that I have 'met' online.

My plan for the New year is to Blog only a couple times a week.  I need the time to organize my space and do those duties that keep my happy home ie: laundry and cooking... My next Blog will be my Design Wall Monday Posting and Link-up to Bonnie Hunter for the Easy Street Mystery.  I'm still working on my center blocks.  16 of one and 9 of the other.  My Army son took back his BIG Flat Screen TV that I had hooked up in the Quilting Zone so I have spent more time upstairs knitting and reading.  I'm on the countdown until the NEW Jennifer Chiaverini Book comes out on my Birthday and I have a new book coming by Earlene Fowler- "The Road to Cardinal Valley".   There are other things on the agenda that are changing my schedule- more on that a bit later...
I see I have a couple of new followers and I'm grateful for all who are looking and reading, a special THANKS for the few who comment regularly.

My #1000 post is coming up and I am planning a GIVEAWAY for that Post.  So be watching for that!