2013 finishes

Ignore the play button-I didn't add music-looking for away to make a collage without the arrow!

Free picture collage created with Smilebox Customize your own free digital collage It was fun to collect the pics of the finishes-sometimes it feels as if I am not getting anything done! HAPPY NEW YEAR may God's blessings hem you in throughout the entire year!

Clue #5 Anyone know what this block is called?

Greg and I had to make a trip to Poway to do some shopping.  When I came back I got some more of these blocks done-like them a lot-quite sure they have a name but I don't know it-do you?  Got 25 done-only plan to do 50, not 100.

Clue #5 BH Winter Solstice

To see what everyone else (and there are many) is doing go HERE.  Quilters are doing some wonderful things!  My precision is getting better and I am noticing that I am automatically adjusting with repition and blocks are getting more accurate-this last batch had to be trimmed very little.


We are having an Old Geezer Game Night on Tuesday and since I thought New Year's Eve was Wednesday for some reason, I have already lost a day so I won't be posting until New Years day.  I will take pictures of the Sweet and Sour Pork I am making and will add the recipe.  My mom was paid to make Chinese dinners for the President and Vice-presidents of the company she worked for-she was that good.  She used to hire my aunt and I to do all the chopping and peel walnuts-the skins not the shells for her walnut chicken.  She was pretty amazing.  It was the only food she ever really cooked.  I did most of the cooking from 12 on.

Exploring Color with Selvedge

I have been cutting off the selvedges of my fabric for awhile.  I have a couple of things I would like to make with them and this is the start of one of them.  The sample for the Exploring Color Class I will be teaching in February is a notebook with a Dresden plate flower on the front and the petals are the color wheel.  Sew, since this will be a quilting journal, I thought it would be fun to use the strips for it.  I then wrote sewing/quilting themed sayings on the sides of the manufacturing data.  Seriously-is that not cute? Ha!  I will have to make a solid cover as well so potential students won't be turned away because they didn't save 50 yards of B&W selvedges.

I also sewed 30 more block number 1 for the Bonnie hunter quilt.  I have decided to do half of the assignment which should give me enough for a nice fall table topper or wall hanging. 3"inch squares are killing me-there is no room for error and I have noticed that I will lose a few points on clue #1. 
I forgot to share what I got at the Back Country Quilters Christmas part White Elephant exchange-this baby was traded 2x before I got to take it home.  A very nice White Elephant I must say.

Day after Christmas Shopping

The stores have ruined Black Friday shopping for my friend, Chris and I.  We used to leave at 6:30 for stores opening at a reasonable hour-7am.  With our lists, coupons and cell phones in hand, we would hit the mall and conquer in about 2 hours.  We would then meet at Starbucks-see what bargains each other got and either go back for another round or go to our favorite breakfast place and split a German apple pancake with cinnamon syrup, go back home and take a nap-always home before noon and never any crowds until we hit the Pancake Haus.  So, I didn't do Black Friday this year and we went out yesterday instead.

I found 3 beautiful very large and heavy round, oblong and bell shaped ornaments for our son's outdoor decorating.  They were originally 20.00, 18.00 and 17.00 and I paid less than 10.00 for all 3.  Our kids will love them.  Found 2 pairs of Clarks shoes that I love for 25.00 each-regularly 65.00 a pair and a few stocking stuffers for next year.  We had breakfast and were home by 11am.  Expected crowds but there were none.

I sewed for a couple of hours yesterday and for about 3 today.  Slow going on BH-I think I have said that before.

Clue 3 and 4-3 is finished (25 pinwheels) 4 is 1/2 done with 60 4 patches finished and trimmed

Clue #1  Left is 1/2 done (a little over 100 and I need 190) and clue 5 is started with the 1/2 square triangles-all of these blocks will be trimmed tonight as I watch TV

I never used to trim my blocks-didn't know any better.  Now I really try to be pretty exact and even if I sew a perfect 1/4 in seam, I still need to trim.  It is making a huge difference in my finished product.

Celtic Solstice

 I am inching away on this mystery from Bonnie Hunter.   So far I have half of this weeks blocks done but from now on I am only going to cut and sew a few as i have to start and finish my niece's wedding quilt in the next month.

 You can see
    Everyone's progress     

Can't believe how everyone has the time to complete the assignments-it is a Mystery to me.   I will sign off until after Christmas-may yours be Merry and Bright!

It is almost Christmas

If it were 2,000 years ago, Mary would still be riding the donkey to the inn.  The rest of Bethlehem would be working on paying their taxes to Caesar which was why Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem.  They thought they were coming to pay their taxes but God had them there to fulfill the old testament prophecy that The Messiah would be born in a manger in Bethlehem.  A night that changed everything.  One of the effects of Jesus' birth was the birth of beautiful worship music like the piece here:

USAF Band

Can you think of the Calender year without Christmas? It is just not imaginable-some people shop all year round in anticipation:)

I got another 42 4patches done and a few 1/2 square triangles-not what I hoped but I am inching along.  Heading to church-have a blessed day.

A few at a time

So, Friday night I worked for an hour and a half and got 17, four patch units done for clue 4 and 8 more pinwheels for block 3.  Saturday I can sew for about 4 hours so am hoping to finish the 4 patches entirely and make 12 more pinwheel blocks.  If I can do that I will be done with clue 3 and 4 and can go back and finish block number 1 next week.  I also need to clean and cook a turkey and get ready for our friends who are coming to breakfast after church on Sunday.

Pinwheels and 4 patches

 I am learning some tips that I didn't know, so the process is good.  However, I am going to have to work fast and furious (without ammo) after Christmas on my niece's wedding quilt.  On to the turkey prep (we were not home for Thanksgiving and didn't have leftovers at my friends so, when rejected Thanksgiving turkeys were on sale last week I bought a small one).

I get More Done When I Work

I must be a time waster, thrower awayer, squanderer, tosser because when I work, I seem to get as much done as when I don't.  Yesterday I worked from 8-3 stopped by the store on my way home and took a nap off and on during Judge Judy.  Greg made a nice dinner from the leftover chicken I made the night before and after dinner I made 5 dozen deviled eggs (they were already boiled and peeled). After cleanup I sewed 15, 1/2 square triangle units, trimmed them, put 4 more pinwheel squares together, and then cut out all of the purple (198 pairs) for the first block of the Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt while watching TV with Greg. 

I have to say, the amount of pieces in the BH quilt are a little overwhelming to me.  The love of the colors will keep me going:)

Block 3

Block 1 of Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

Got these done tonight-like the white/purple better than orange/purple

It has been fun being at a school site the week before Christmas break. Little gifts being scurried about by little beings-well, since I am at a high school-maybe not so little but it is a lot of fun.  Greg took all the eggs and cookies to their designated recipients-not sure if I will get dog cookies done or not-maybe not?

As predicted, cookie making and doctor's appt. took up the day but I did get 29 1/2 square triangle units sewn, ironed and trimmed.  It was 84 degrees today-give me snow!!!

These amazing little cookies are so good-a oatmeal cookie crust, caramel and pecan filling and chocolate and pecan top.  Our niece made the recipe the way it was intended-click here .  I tweaked it because it was so good and rich that a whole slice was too much-these, however are just right-a small bite of gooey goodness.  They keep well and freeze well for giving.  I made 4 larger ones to take on Christmas day as I am responsible for desserts for the 8 of us.  I stick to 4 different cookies, make double batches and we combine them with a plate of deviled eggs and take to our doctors.  I make small gift plates of cookies and boxes of home made dog cookies for our neighbors.  I love this time of the season-this week will be busy but next week will be nice and calm-time to reflect on the reason for the season.

 

 

 

 

 

I

Turtle Tarts in process I ended up finishing most of them today-will show pics tomorrow.

A Grateful Day

A day of reflection today.  I am physically feeling pretty beat up with this ongoing saga of the sinus inflammation, constant cacophonous cough, lack of sleep, and too much go go go.  However, as I watched people leave church after first service I was filled with a flush of  deep, breath nabbing gratitude.  Gratitude for the two precious friends who are recovering after months of chemo and radiation-proud of their 1/2 inch of silky hair covering their former beautiful bald heads-smiles on their faces leaving the sanctuary.  Grateful for my loving slightly daffy friend, Julie, who has been struggling with a very similar sinus issue who is finally getting some relief-it is nice to share a hard road with a very cheerful companion who gives me a hug and tells me she loves me .  Grateful for my dear friend, Ginny, who invites me to the best venues-always fun, usually surprising, and always a blessing just being with her.  Today was no exception: The RB Coral singing Christmas songs.  A great show that filled us with the joy and wonder of the season.

But most of all grateful for Jesus, who in the very being of God, came to a sad little stable and took on human form to show me how much He loves me.  He knows my weak, prone to sin nature and loves me in spite of it.  What an amazing loving God I serve.  Merry Merry Merry Christmas.  I love Christmas.

I hope to sew tomorrow, but it doesn't look hopeful: Baking and doctors appt will suck the very life out of the day.

I started Lizzy's portrait on my flight to Seattle-a fun medium and easily transported

My First block for BH QAL-really the 3rd block in the series

The block is 3.5 finishing at 3 ".  That is why there are so many pieces.  I see a UFO in my future:)

You can join the Quilt Along by clicking on the Winter Solstice Mystery button with the cute green bear on my sidebar or at quiltville.com and click on the Winter Soltice tab.  I am loving the colors and looking forward to having a little more time after Christmas to work on it. I am collecting my pieces as i go so i can jump right in next week!

Finished all the decorating I am going to do today.  looks like Christmas!

Going to the theater tomorrow and a concert on Sunday

No more posts this weekend.  

Have a blessed one!

Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt Started

Yesterday i caught up on sleep, addressed Christmas cards to out of town family and ordered the last 2 presents online and had them sent. YAY!  Today I started cleaning, have the last 2 boxes of decorations ready to put up before bed, and worked on cutting pieces for the BH QAL.  A January start would have been better, however, my plan is to get everything cut and a few of each unit finished before Christmas then I can possibly get caught up after Christmas.  Am liking the colors in my very first totally scrap quilt.

Unit 1 large wedge pieces still need purple star points cut.  Unit 3 almost all cut-she said 200 triangles but it seems she means 200 triangle units which would be 400 triangles. Just going to work on this 1/2 hour a day.

My kids gave me a gift Certificate to Undercover Quilts in Pike's Market for my B'Day so Ava and I went to spend it.  Found some lovely Aboriginal fabric.

Jury is in!

The trip to Medford was wonderful but it was unplanned and cut into my Christmas gift making time by a week i couldn't afford to lose-so, I didn't get anything on my list completed.  I am going to finish them when I get home and they will get them before Christmas. This is the skirt:

A cheater panel but a really nice one bought at M&L fabrics in Long Beach for.  The backing fabric was bought at a yardsale.  It is red and white holly and a Hoffman piece.  I need to finish outline quilting the birds and bind it in red so it can be reversible as the stitching doesn't show on the back.

Backing

This morning I went to a wonderful 2 hour class taught by Tracy Potter who is a wonderful artist and taught us to use Inktense Watersoluble Ink Pencils.  What a great 2 hours.

Tracy Potter and all her teaching stuff

Tracy's work

I love this-i am going to make my own version with:

This photo-who couldn't love this face?

Teacher in action

My results after 3 hours:

The Jury is Out

Not sure I am going to get everything done before i leave for the kids early Saturday morning.  I gave myself a B'day present of spending the day with my grandgirls.  Greg is staying home and I am taking christmas presents up.  I have 2 mug rugs to finish, 1 tree skirt to finish, 2 pillowcases and 2 key fobs to make.  I finished Sloan's stocking this morning and have the skirt cut out.  The mug rugs are almost done.   Was planning to sew yesterday as well but ended up at the allergist and a pass through the CT machine.  Hopefully the new antibiotics and the steroid will calm my allergies.

It is on the calendar-my first quilting class will be on Saturday, Feb.15 at the Crazy 9 Patch in Ramona. The title is "Exploring Color" (thank-you Wanda Hansen) and I am pretty excited.  If this one goes well, it will be followed by a class on Composition and Creativity .  I have some things up my sleeve to ensure the ladies who sign up have a great time.   The project will be a journal cover with a flower that looks like a color wheel on the front.

Sloan's Stocking

Medford for Thanksgiving

We have a rental home in Medford and our current tenants were moving out, so we took the opportunity to drive up and do a walk through of the house.  Wow, what an experience.  We have rented it out for 8 yrs and have had decent tenants, some better than others but no one on a terrible list until now.  Until this week I have been totally enamored with the vintage home that sports hardwood floors and lovely windows.  The young man who showed me around the sty that used to be our dream home kept thanking us for letting him and his 2 roommates rent our home.  I was so shocked from the condition that I couldn't respond other than a nod and a stupid smile.

Beer cans strewn everywhere, carpet terribly soiled and maybe ruined, grease marks all over newly painted walls-oh, I could go on.  I didn't sleep well that night and went out to our friend's family room about 2am and got into my Bible and gave my broken heart to the Lord.  Over the next 2 days He brought me to the place of gratefulness. Seeing our house in that condition shattered the romantic notions I had about the house and allowed me to see it in a more realistic way.  It is a good rental and we will keep it as a rental and look for a home with a 3 car garage that will allow Greg some room to work on the projects he has.  We live in a small box home here and have been happy-we can do so in Medford and be happy.  Thank-you Jesus. " All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28.

Our wonderful friend, Karen who so graciously let us stay several days and fed and nurtured us-love her!

Greg had put Turkey in upside down in Roaster pan.  Bird was cooked entirely too long-when lid was lifted the bottom of the turkey had caved in-rather like the turkey in Chevy Chase;s Christmas Vacation (which I don't recommend unless you like stupid humor)

Karen loves to decorate and entertain and she has lovely dishes (I tend to use paper plates at Thanksgiving so this was a few steps up for us:)

Andrea, Linda and Karen's husband, Mert who just turned 80-can't believe it!

We found 2 very nice pet friendly hotels on our trip.  WE put a cover on the bed and Lizzy slept with us the whole trip-she likes a good bed!

We were blessed with beautiful color from our 4 Crape Myrtles on our return