NEW GRANDSON!

The new grandson is finally here!!!  He was born by C-section yesterday around 1:00 PM.  He weighed 7 lb. 14 oz. and is 21" long - with red hair (after his Daddy).  My DIL went in to be induced on Wednesday and it didn't work (again).  She had her water broken Wed. night.  That still didn't produce good enough contractions, so they did the C-section.  We are so happy for a healthy baby boy!  Both Mom and baby are doing fine.  We'll be going to help them for a week on Sunday - can't wait!

BTW, I ordered the Old Glory fabric from Hancock's of Paducah.  It's on back order, so I hope I get it!

Looking for more fabric

When it comes to buying fabric, I just am not very smart.  When I was at  the Common Threads Quilt Shop in Waxahachie, TX, looking for fabric for a quilt, I happened to see the fabric in the picture below just being opened up and I thought I would like to make something with it, so I purchased just enough to get the main picture so I could make a patriotic wall hanging possibly.  The portion I would use is about 20" by 18".  At the time I wasn't thinking about exactly what I would do with it.  I had other things on my mind, etc.  After considering my options, I decided that I would like to make several wall hangings to give as gifts.  So last Saturday I went back to the shop, and naturally, they didn't have any left.  So I started looking on line and haven't had any luck there either.  If anyone knows where I could get a few yards of this, please let me know.  

Windham Old Glory III Toile

The fabric in the lower right will be used. I'm thinking about making some log cabin blocks to surround the picture.  Anyone have suggestions?  All suggestions will be welcome.

HAND QUILTING & PAPER PIECING

Not too much going on here.  The baby hasn't come yet.  I'm working every day.  But, at night I am working on one project or another.  This one is a doll quilt that I am hand quilting for my grand-niece.  I love to make doll quilts!!

My guild is making a quilt which we will raffle off in October.  the paper piecing below is for this quilt.  It took me about a half hour to do the amount seen in the picture.  I hope I can get it finished by Saturday so I can drop it at the local quilt shop when I go grocery shopping.  The LQS is owned by the president of our guild.  They had two days of workshops there to get more of the quilt done and they passed out some parts to take home.  

Another small project is to get the label ready for the baby quilt, so that when we go down there I can put it on the one I already gave them.  I also need to get some portable projects ready to take with us to work on in the car and any spare minutes I might have between changing diapers!  

AIRPORT QUILT

I sewed the binding on the airport "play" quilt last night.  This will be the kind of quilt that can be put on the floor and as he gets a little bigger he can drive cars & land airplanes on.

My DIL went in to be induced on Tuesday and it didn't work...she stayed in the hospital and got more drugs and it still didn't work on Wednesday, so she went back home to wait.  The doc wanted to induce labor because she is older than the average new mother.  We are praying now that she will go into labor on her own soon.

Weeds (?) and other stuff

We have been taking a lot of pictures with our digital camera lately, including pictures of flowers.  I told my DH that I wanted him to take some pictures of Queen Ann's lace, but he didn't know what it was.  There is a field that I go by sometimes and last year about this time it was covered with QAL, so we took a little ride over there.  It wasn't covered this year, maybe it's too early (or late), but we did get some good pictures.  I also picked some and put it in a vase.  Isn't it pretty?  I love it and it is lasting really well in the vase.

Here's the second BOM that I did from Capricorn Quilts 

When I went to a quilt show a couple months ago I bought a panel of an airport scene for a child's quilt.  I was going to save it for our new grandson's first birthday, but decided to do it right away.  I just added a border and quilted it.  I practiced my free motion quilting some more.  As you can see in the picture, I was quilting the border of cobblestones.  It took a while to quilt around all the little cobblestones, but the good part is that the quilting didn't have to be perfect as it blended in really well.    The last picture is a close up of a small section of it.

Two BOMs

I finished a few BOMs.  This first one is from Lynette Anderson , a designer in Australia.  This is the second month - there will be 12 and it will be a completed Noah's Ark wall hanging at the end.  They are available for downloading from her blog.  I think this is going to be darling!

This is the first one that I did of another BOM, from Bea  in Germany at  Capricorn Quilts.
I have finished 2 of these and will post the second one next blog.  The picture didn't turn out, so I need to re-take it and the camera's batteries were getting charged up.  This is actually the second BOM from Capricorn and the patterns are only up for one month each.  There is a new one posted now, which is actually the 4th one.  I have two done and two more to do.  I plan to get them finished in the next couple weeks.  

Let me know if you are doing these also.

Favorite Quilt

One blog I checked out (don't remember which one) said we should post our favorite quilt.  This cathedral window quilt is the first quilt I ever started - not the first one I finished.  I saw a friend making one back in the 70's.  I found a pattern for it sometime in the early 80's and started it.  I didn't get too far and put in on the shelf for, oh, about 12 years.  Once I joined my quilt guild, I started working on it from time to time, collecting little pieces of fabric from people & from stores that had little scrap bins.  Then one year (I think 2005) my guild had a contract challenge.  We had to pick a project to get finished by our December meeting, so I picked this quilt.  I finally got it finished and I love it!  It's twin size and is hanging on the quilt rack that my son & DIL made for me for Christmas several years ago.

Do you think something is missing from this picture?
I had some little triangles left over from the baby quilt I made.  I sewed them together for little HSTs and came up with this tiny quilt.
This is a lot better, isn't it?
I have spent most of this weekend working in the yard and I am so sore!  It sure looks a lot better, though.  I planted geraniums and impatiens, pulled weeds, trimmed, etc. etc.   I also finished a couple sewing projects and now I'm making a quilted play mat for the expected grandson - due May 5.  I had found a cute airport panel to make the play mat, and wasn't planning to do it right away, but couldn't wait!  So, we will give it to him as soon as he is born. 

Scrap system, etc.

I have been reading in many blogs and have also checked out Bonnie's Quiltville's Quips & Snips regarding the scrap system. So I decided I need to get organized with my scraps and I bought some baskets at JoAnn's for 50% off yesterday. I have some room under my sewing table and I plan to stick these under the table and maybe with velcro I can hang a couple on the side. I need to go through all my drawers, shelves & tubs where I have stashed the scraps in a haphazard way , then cut & sort. I did this once, but put them all in the same drawer, which isn't very helpful. I'm not sure when I will do this sorting. :-)This is another charity quilt made from BOMs from my quilt guild meeting. We all will make one or two or more blocks and then will draw to see who wins them. They don't necessarily "go" together for a quilt, but it's kind of cute, so as soon as I can get it sandwiched, I will quilt it and donate it. This is an easy block and it makes a star in the center as well as a star at the corner of each joined blocks. I don't know the name of it.
At our last meeting, which was Monday, we had a trash to treasure sale and I bought two books for $1 each! One is "Frayed-Edge Fun" by That Patchwork Place (I plan to make one some day), and the second is "The Quilter's Legacy" by Jennifer Chiaverini. I have read a few of her books and didn't realize she had written as many as she has. So I will have to read all the ones I haven't read yet.

The other book I ordered from Amazon.Com. It is "Flying High: The Airplane in Quilts." It is written by Ragi Marino, a member of my guild. Since two of my sons are pilots, I decided I need to think about making an airplane quilt some day. This book will help me decide what I want to do.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Message for Janet AND Unsewing

Janet,  thank you for your most generous offer!  I want to try to get the exact fabric that my DIL picked out, if possible.  I am posting it on  missingfabrics.com , so we'll see if anything develops there.  My DIL picked out that FQ because it contained the exact colors that they like best, plus she loved the pattern.  I was really touched that you would offer to send me what you have!  Quilters are wonderful!!  I wasn't able to link to your blog or email.  Please let me know if you have a blog.  You can email me from my "about" page.

Last night I spent the evening "unsewing" some blocks that had been put together wrong.  :-(

What a pain!  I even had them sewn together with other blocks for a charity quilt and was tempted to leave it as is, but my conscious wouldn't let me.  I hate to put the extra time into it, but it HAD to be done, right?

The inspiration I get from blogging is great, but it does add to my frustration at not being able to do as much quilting as I would like to do - because I still work full time.  Oh, I can't wait until December of 2009 - that's when I retire!

It's a beautiful weekend in Texas!  I hope you all enjoy your weekend and get some quilting done - or whatever else you enjoy!

New Tote Bag and Missing Fabric

Here is the "Sara Satchel" that I made for myself. I finished it today . I plan to use it to replace my purse and briefcase to take to work. I will be able to fit everything in it and the total will be lighter than both purse and briefcase. I will use the little clutch if I go out to lunch and can just put my money, lipstick, etc. in it. The one I made for my DIL is in my 3/26/08 post.

Here is a Moda fabric that I am looking for. My other DIL picked it out as the perfect example of the colors she likes and she would like me to use it for the border of the quilt I am planning for them. The sample we originally got was a fat quarter and when she went back to the store to get more, of course, they didn't have any. If anyone happens to see this at a quilt shop, please let me know so I can call the store and have them send me some. It is Moda's Aunt Luci's Cottage, Blackbird Designs. I will also post it on missingfabrics.com.
Hopefully, I will be able to get some - at least 2 yards, hopefully 4 yards.

Charity quilt finished

Last night I finished sewing on the binding for the quilt that I will take to my quilters guild meeting on April 14 and will then be given to the Children's Hospital in Dallas for their critical care unit. It is all flannel and I used free motion quilting in circles (sort of). I wanted to put a lot of quilting on it so it would stand up better to wear and tear. I hope someone gets lots of joy out of it, plus cuddly comfort at a scary time in their life.
Here is a closer up picture. Don't look too closely, though! I have another quilt made from BOMs that I put together and will try to get finished by next week (don't know if I will make it, so maybe the next month). Plus, several other projects that I want to get finished soon. I'm going to go to work on them right now!

Charity quilt

Today I stayed home from work so I could make a quilt for children's hospital critical care unit. We are able to take off one day per year to do volunteer work, and my quilters guild makes quilts for the hospital. At my guild meetings we have a BOM and there is a drawing to see who will win them. The blocks I used were ones I won a couple months ago. It is flannel and all I had to do was sew them together , sandwich the quilt , etc. All I have left to do is put on the binding. I'll try to get that finished tomorrow and will post a picture of the completed quilt. I practiced my free motion quilting and don't claim that it is the best job in the world. Have a great weekend!

Meeting with another Blogger!!!

Yesterday I had a meeting with a blogging friend! When I came across Jewell's blog
I was wondering what kind of job she and her husband had. She said they were travelling around the country and she was in Texas. I commented on her blog and we corresponded. Then we decided to meet when she came back to Texas and was going to be near where I live. We arranged to meet after work. I drove to where they were parked in front of a Wal Mart with the race car that they take around . I wondered who would be interested in looking at it!?! On the way, I was feeling kind of nervous. But, I didn't need to. Jewell is as friendly as most quilters and her husband is a really nice man. They have been married over 50 years! Jewell and I went out to eat and shared about our lives and talked about sewing, quilting, families, etc. etc. It was a really good time! No need to worry. I was also amazed at how many people stopped to look at the car and take pictures of it! I don't suppose we should be surprised that others have favorite hobbies and interests - after all, we seem to be pretty obsessive about our own! We took pictures too - it was real windy, so don't look at our hair!
Jewell makes sample quilts for a quilt shop near her home and she works on them while on their trips around the country. Have a safe trip!

2 gifts and 2 things done

I finished a gift for my DIL, whose birthday was last Friday! I decided to make her a tote bag and picked out a pattern called "The Sara Satchel" by Serendipity Studio. The sample in the quilt shop looked really good. After I bought the pattern, my first clue that it might be difficult to make was when I read the list of notions and buckram was on it. I had never heard of buckram, but finally found it at Hobby Lobby. With perseverance, it is finished and I think it turned out pretty good. It has two large pockets inside and two pockets on the back, along with the two pockets you can see on the front, plus the little zippered bag as shown. I got some buttons to sew on the little bag and the front pocket. There is a store near here that has TONS of buttons and zippers at cheap prices. You have to search through lots of boxes for the buttons, but it is worth it. I have also started a tote bag like this for me, which will be made with red, white and blue fabrics.This little stitchery is from Lynette Anderson Designs
and she will have one each month for a cute little Noah's Ark wall hanging. This is the first one and it started this month, so another one will be coming out next week.
Yesterday at work, a friend of mine had her annual pre-retirement party. This year, she has 4 years until her retirement. She has been having these pre-retirement parties for several years now! She's really is looking forward to retirement! She's worked for the government for 34 years; she started right out of high school. Anyway, she had a bunch of door prizes , food, etc. I won this necklace!
Then, I got a gift in the mail today from Anna
She had a drawing for people who left her comments on her blog and I was one of the winners. She sent me this pin cushion made of really pretty fabric. Thanks, Anna! I love the colors!

That's all for me tonight.

Spring is here! In Texas, anyway.

The redbud is blooming!
So is the columbine! And we even saw some bluebonnets popping up when we went to the baby shower in Corpus Christi. Soon they will be blooming here in north Texas. It is a beautiful sight!
We went down to Corpus Christi last weekend to attend the "couples BBQ" baby shower for our DS & DIL. It was my husband's first baby shower! Men didn't used to get invited back in our day. They got many beautiful gifts and are getting things ready for the little one. Below is the cradle that our DS made for the baby. It is really beautiful!
Here's another picture of Robbie, our grand-cat. He is on his special section of the couch (with protective towel). The quilt on the couch is one I made for DS & DIL for their wedding gift. I was fairly new to quilting at that time & was afraid to tackle a bed quilt. I am now getting fabric together to make a bed quilt for them - a double nine patch.
Right now, I am working on a tote bag for another DIL's birthday. Her birthday was yesterday and I didn't get it finished in time, but hope to get it done this next week. I'm also making one for myself - they are more complicated than I thought they would be.

Thursday I am planning to go meet fellow blogger Jewell .
She travels around the country with her husband and I'm going to meet her at a Wal Mart in Arlington, TX. Check out her blog for more information. I will try to get a picture of us to post here. I think it will be fun. I am amazed at the friendliness of quilters on line!!!

Finished Baby Quilt!!!

Hooray!! The baby quilt is finished and ready to take down to Corpus Christi for the baby shower on Sunday afternoon. I took it to my quilters guild meeting on Monday night for show & tell. We leave for CC tomorrow after a doctor's appointment. It's a 7 hour drive, so we should get there around supper time.
Here is a close up picture. I machine quilted it and hand quilted around each embroidered picture.
I have some fabric to make sheets for the cradle (see below). I started to make them on Tuesday night, but then I thought it might be better to sew them up when I get down there so I can be sure they will fit the mattress tight enough, but not too tight. I am going to make them like a pillow case with a velcro closure. I found the pattern on the internet and this should ensure it will fit good and not come undone.
I am getting packed for the trip, so better go. I have some stitchery projects to work on in the car, books to read, etc. My DH does all the driving, so that leaves me free to just enjoy the ride!

Recipe for Thai Salad

I got this recipe from a friend at work and it is always a hit whenever I take it somewhere. There are three parts:

Part 1: 1 head of bok choy chopped (I use baby bok choy and get about 8 of them)
5 or 6 green onions sliced

Part 2: 2 bags ramen noodles (any flavor because you throw away the sauce packet) - crushed
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 stick butter
2 T. sugar
Cook together in skillet until brown. Cool. It keeps well in a plastic container.

Part 3: Dressing
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 T. soy sauce

If you are serving a large group you can mix everything together to serve. If you won't be using it all at one meal, it is best to keep it separated so the noodles don't get soggy. Then you can dish up as much of the greens as you want, sprinkle on some of the dry stuff and add as much dressing as you want. I like to keep it on hand. Last night I ran out of the noodle stuff, so I made more of it.
I keep the bok choy/onion in a tupperware bowl in the frig and it keeps about a week. I'll have to get some more - my bowl is getting low.
The noodle/seed/nut mixture doesn't need to be refrigerated and neither does the dressing.

 

Go here to find more recipes.

Quilt Drawing at Old Red Barn Co

Please check out the quilt drawing at oldredbarnco.blogspot.com and leave a comment.  Dana is having the drawing for her 200th post.  If you refer someone and they put your name in their comment, you will get additional entries.  So, if you go there to leave a comment, please tell her I sent you.  

BTW,  I haven't figured out how to put in a picture or blog name that will link to the other location when you click on it.  I don't know where to get instructions for that.  Can anyone help me?  I'm still kind of new to this.

Doll Quilts, etc.

I have been home sick for a couple days and have been able to get some quilting done on the baby quilt. (I was too sick to go to work, but not too sick to quilt-luckily)! I want to finish it this week so I can show it at my quilters guild meeting on Monday. The baby shower is March 16 and I will give it to our son & DIL at the shower.

I haven't shown some of my favorite things yet on my blog - doll quilts. This first one is one my grandma made for my doll bed (pictured below) that my grandpa made me probably around 1950. I was so happy when I got the doll bed out of my mom's store room and brought it to our home.
This next picture is a tumbling block hand pieced/hand quilted doll quilt that I made this year. I don't know if I will give it away or not. Right now I like having it hang on the armoir in our bedroom. The little tea set on the table is the set that I had as a child. I have all the pieces and really want a little china cabinet to display them in. Maybe someday I'll get one. I love having vintage treasures on display!
This medallion doll quilt is out of of the book "American Doll Quilts" by Kathleen Tracy. I made three of these at the same time. One for a silent auction, one to give to a little girl in the family and one to keep. I love little quilts!

And here is my very favorite thing - the doll bed my grandpa made and in it is one of my mother's dolls from around 1920! The doll is actually a boy doll, but the only clothing I could find was this dress. The poor guy must be very embarrassed to be wearing a dress! Of course, back then, boys did wear dresses, didn't they? I do have a pattern for some overalls and pajamas, but haven't gotten around to making them yet. One of these days.....
Please check out Lynette Anderson Designs on my links. She has a Noah's Ark BOM and the first stitchery is available for download right now. It looks like fun!

Baby Quilt Top Finished!

Last night I finished piecing the quilt top for the new baby! I plan to get it finished by March 10 so I can take it to my quilt guild meeting for show & tell. Then I will give it as a baby shower gift - the shower is supposed to be about March 22. Today I bought two baby fabrics to make sheets for the cradle.
I decided to machine quilt it because time is short, but I haven't decided yet exactly what I will do. Deciding how to quilt something is one of the hardest parts for me. I guess by the time I get to the quilting part, I don't want to spend a lot more time. I definitely need to work on the quilting skills. I keep thinking that when I retire, I will be able to do things in a more leisurely manner.