Trevor's Mom

It was a sad day yesterday and still sad today. Jessica is my only daughter (20 yrs old) and Trevor is her boyfriend. They just celebrated their 2nd anniversary of dating. Trevor's mom passed away early yesterday morning. I had never met her myself but Jess loved her. She was a sick lady and although her passing is not a complete surprise it still rocked their world. Now Trevor and his dad are on their own. It deeply hurt Jessica to see Trevor so tore up. He was close to his mom and did a lot for her. My heart just breaks for this young fellow. I'm glad Jess and Trevor have each other to lean on. It's a good thing.
I am hopeful 2009 will be a much better year.

Finishes and Goals

I have a lot I want to accomplish in the new year. I am NOT calling it "new year's resolutions" because history shows that doesn't work for me. Blogging seems to work better for me. My plan for 2009 is to get at least one UFO FINISHED and one quilt top PIECED every month. I have at least 4 NEW quilts to make this year. I am hoping to get 10 UFO's completed as well. As I am still laid off I have time to get a lot done. I am hoping I will be back to work within a couple months. Otherwise, things will be changing drastically around here. I don't want to even think that will happen so I keep hoping and looking and networking and praying. In the mean time, I want to get lots done! This is the year I want to make most of my Christmas gifts. This is an aggressive list of goals for the first 6 months.

Before JAN 1, 2009

1. Finish binding and label Phyllis' quilt
2. Finish piecing 2007 LAC Mystery quilt, make backing and binding

GOALS FOR 2009

JAN 2009

1. New BQ quilt- Make top and binding (order backing)
2. Jessica's Log Cabin-make border, quilt, binding and label.
   
3. Bethany's graduation quilt-Make top and binding and label. (order or make backing)

FEB 2009

1. Lisa's DIC quilt-complete quilting and label
2. Sandy's quilt-complete border, quilting, binding and label
3. Au Sauble River quilt- complete piecing and make binding and get backing.

MARCH 2009

1. Mia's Graduation quilt-piece and quilt complete. Binding and label.
2. Bethany's Graduation quilt-quilted, binding and label.
3. Green and Yellow Cornerstone quilt-make border and quilt, binding and label.

APRIL 2009

1. Orange and Red Cornerstone quilt-make border and quilt, binding and label.
2. BQ quilt-quilted, binding and label.
3. Au Sable River quilt-quilted, binding and label.

MAY 2009

1. Christmas quilt #1-piece, quilt, bind and label.
2. 2007 LAC Mystery quilt-quilt, bind and label.

JUNE 2009

1. Christmas quilt#2-piece, quilt, bind and label.
   

Coasters and cookies

In order to save some money and still give a small gift to give to our family me and Mark decided to make a few things. Mark baked cookies for the first time. He baked for a couple days and had fun doing it. I made 13 sets of coasters. I gave one set away already and let Jess pick one out. The rest will go to the family. It is fun to have a little something to give.



We have a family party today and we are going to my sisters' house. My daughter has to work until 5:30 today. That sucks but that is retail for you! The part I don't like is she will be driving over to join us after she gets off work and our weather is horrid today. So not only will we be driving in treacherous conditions but we will have two vehicles over there to get home. It will be worth it to all be together though......I hope.
I have a quilt I made (quilted only, as I bought the top) for my sister and I am sewing down the binding on it now. This quilt is huge so it is taking a while. I may bring it with me. Although she will be surprised that I have it, it isn't a complete surprise and it isn't a Christmas gift.....what am I trying to say?
I don't know!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

My socks!

One of my favorite things at Christmas is the secret santa swap we do in my little sewing group. The gifts are all so much fun because they are all sewing/quilting related. We have the best time doing it. Our meeting and swap was last Tuesday but I just tried these on today.

I love my new socks! My secret santa gave them to me along with lots of other goodies. They are hand knitted. My first pair ever! Thank you Phyllis!

My great niece

Isn't she just a doll? I got to snuggle her this week. She was "cooing" and "talking" to me. I could just eat her up!

Her mommy and she came up from Florida to visit Grampa (my brother) and Gramma. Here is mamma and baby.

Her daddy is serving over in Iraq.
I think he will be home around May of 2009. I can't believe he is missing this little precious. Here he is with my brother and my father when he graduated from Boot camp. His name is Philip. He was named after my father which is a great source of pride for my dad. We are very proud of him.

Please come home safe Philip.

No tree this year

There is no Christmas tree here this year. Mark usually buys a beautiful tree and it is full and fragrant and festive! With me being laid off for such a long time we just can't do it this year. My dad loaned us his prelit tree that revolves and Mark put it up but the top lights didn't work (I suggested he just string another set up there, but NOOOOO!) And let's face it, it looked cheap and not at all like we are used to. I know lots of people have it worse and would be happy for even that tree so don't get me wrong. It's just not worth all the effort when it would just be a reminder of what he (we) really wants. So he just packed it back in the box and that is that. We will enjoy my sister's tree and decorations at her house on Christmas Eve and My MIL 'lil Charlie Brown tree on Christmas Day.
That is another sore point for us too. Me and Mark usually have the Christmas Eve party here and we love doing it. My sister was happy to do it this year and I'm glad. I was able to get presents for both Mark and Jess and the kids in the family so all is good. I am counting my blessings every day.
I just miss having a Christmas tree.

Snow and spinach pie

I was working in my sewing room all day, doing a little sewing and some quilting and just stuff I wanted to do. No housework today.


It is cold and windy and it has been snowing all day. I never set foot outside but my hubby was doing this today:
Hey Mark, how's the weather?
He came in and warmed up and he cooked one of my favorite things while I quilted



Wait. Let's take a closer look



IT IS Spinach Pie! I love that man!

I've got big plans!

Well, money is pretty tight here and with Christmas right around the corner I have to get creative. While we will still buy some gifts I am cutting back. I decided to make some pot holders and/or bags for the women in my family (I know that sounds sexist but OH WELL>>>DEAL WITH IT!) I bought two patterns to make bags. One is a reversible tote type tote bag, the other has pockets inside and a Velcro flap. They look like they won't take too long to make and they are really cute. I plan to make 5 or 6 bags and about 20 pot holders. I wanted to make a beret for my niece but I am looking to buy one instead.
(Anyone want to whip up a beret for me?)
Anyway, I really need to get busy on getting these things made and will start really working on them on Monday. I spent the better part of today working on a quilt top I started last year. It is the LAC Mystery quilt. I almost have the top done and I am so happy with it so far. I want to do some really nice quilting on it and have it for a sample. I need to get some small samples completed so I have some things to show customers. Didn't make much progress on the quilt for my sister. I will try to get most of it done tomorrow.
So many plans, so little time!

WIP Wednesday 11-26-08

Quick! While it is still Wednesday!
Whew, I have been busy all day cleaning and prepping a few food things for tomorrow. My husband's side of the family is coming for dinner tomorrow. My dad decided a couple weeks ago he was having Thanksgiving dinner so my side is going over there. We had already asked Mark's mom and sis over so.....DON'T ASK! I don't know why dad did this. We have Thanksgiving pretty much every year for the last 22 yrs. Whatever! So, anyway, I only have 8 people for dinner when I usually have 14. Should be easier, but it's not. I still have to do all the same stuff.
I actually did a little bit of sewing today. I trimmed a bunch of half square triangles.


This is for two different quilts, obviously. The pink and green is for a Quilt for an Hour quilt (that I am way behind on) and the Red and Green is for a 2007 LAC Mystery quilt. (I am also behind on that one) Seeing a pattern here?
Anyway, I pieced the 12 blocks for the mystery quilt and here they are. They won't be laid out that way. There is a pieced sashing that goes with them.

Ok, here is a picture of my goofy husband dancing with a turkey:


And yes, my laundry IS in my kitchen! This house is small and old. Maybe someday I will get a laundry room! (I'm not holding my breath!)

WIP Wednesday 11-19-08

Since last Wednesday I have two finishes and am loaded up to start quilting another in the morning. First there is this quilt that belongs to my G/F. It is a beauty. There were so many odd shapes that I couldn't think of a cohesive plan for quite a while. (mostly the light areas all around the outside). This was a big quilt and after I got started on it my dad got sick a couple different times and I didn't touch it (or anything else) for over a month. I finally finished it though and gave it to her last night. She seemed to like it.

Also this little cutie made by another sewing friend of mine. See all the seams on the outside edges? Piece O cake! It laid flat and behaved well! She seemed to like it fine.

This Beauty (eh hem!) is for my sister. I didn't piece this one.

I bought it off of ebay years ago. I actually have LOTS of ebay tops that I need to quilt or get rid of. This moster is HUGE. I am using a fat back and it is WIDER than the fatback even. My plan is to just quilt it then trim it afterwards. It almost reaches the outer edge so it won't be a problem. This is just so she has an extra quilt on her bed. It gets mighty cold here at night. I will MAKE her a quilt some day but this one she can use in the mean time.

Hopeful

Well, it is Saturday which used to bring a smile to my face but since I have been layed off Saturday is no big deal. Well, except I'm not alone in my house all day. I had to file for an extension on my unemployment. 6 months already. I have hope that my job will come back. It is the hope of a new president and a hope for change. IF the auto companies get the monetary help they need to retool then it means there WILL be work in tool design and I will be able to go back to work again. I have finally decided I need to learn another trade though since I'm pretty sure I can't withstand another layoff, assuming I survive this one. I have put in some resumes but haven't heard anything.
On a happier note. Dad is home from the hospital. He went in again since I last wrote and was having trouble breathing and his heart was acting up. They ended up putting a pace maker in him last Monday. He can't drive for a couple weeks and can't work (YES! HE WORKS) for a month. I am going over today and clean his bathroom and kitchen and make him some food. Bringing him a few left overs from here and making a big batch of oatmeal cookies to bring him. He should be fine now that his heart is taken care of.
I am finishing up with a quilt I should have been done with over a month ago. I feel bad about it. It is my friend's quilt and I have apologized to her but I get the feeling she is mad about it. I am hoping to get my crap together now that dad is ok.
I need to do some sewing too. I haven't pieced anything in well over a month too.
Maybe that is why I'm cranky?

Don't forget to vote!

It's IMPORTANT!

Been kind of crazy lately.....Need to get busy

First and most importantly, my dad has been very sick. He went to the hospital and had his gall bladder removed ...almost too late! It was gangrenous and left infection in his belly and he was getting intravenous antibiotics for 5 days. During that time his heart rate doubled and he became a heart patient as well. I was there every day, of course. I was glad I had the time to spend with him. We talked a lot. He is home now and feeling much better. So now I can relax.

On the homefront...I haven't accomplished much. I need to remedy that today. I have plans to do some piecing in between around 4 or 5 hours of quilting. I may make a cake or some cookies later on but I just need to get started. I'll check back later.

Rose Quilt-This is for Linda

I actually finished this quilt a month or so ago but my friend Linda wanted better pictures of it so here goes.
Here is the best picture I could get of the whole quilt:
Here is a close up of one block:
How a few look together: This quilt turned out better than I expected.


My Famous Rose border:



And a shot of the back:
There ya go Linda. Just for you.

Quilts on the Grand-2008

I belong to a mini long arm group and we call ourselves the "minis" . A few of the gals couldn't go but me, Linda and Nancy went to the show together (Terri has been invited to join us in our meetings but it is very far to drive out our way). PS, we missed you Margaret!


We went to the quilt show out in Grand Rapids on Friday. Linda drove and she picked up Nancy and then they met me at a Meijers parking lot. It made it easier for me to find my way. I GET SOOOO LOST! Linda had the coolest GPS in her car. I couldn't stop watching it. I NEED one of those! My friends would agree, (I am always getting lost)
It was over a two hour drive but the time went quickly. We never run out of things to talk about!
(imagine that)
Terri Watson was working the show but took a break and spent lots of time with us giving us a personal tour. It was great having our own white glove lady with us. I have lots of pictures I took but not sure about posting them (not being my quilts). But we did take a group shot by Terri's quilt where we boldly TOUCHED it all over. It was a blast! (we were being so bad).
Here we are being bad: In order. Linda E, Terri W. (the tall ones) and then me and Nancy H.

Also Terri made this big banner for the show and here is Nancy showing it off a la VANNA WHITE!

Daddy update

He is resting well and in no pain at the moment. Will be in the hospital at least overnight. They think it may be his gall bladder but still not sure. I feel better after seeing him. We didn't stay too long. He is tired and he will want to watch the football game. Some things never change.....
....and for that I am grateful!

Ups and downs and my daddy

Went to a great quilt show out in Grand Rapids Michigan yesterday with two of my good friends and we had an awesome time. I will blog more on this later. Today is my wedding anniversary. 22 years. Mark and I went to breakfast this morning. We will be going to the hospital to see my dad today though. My brother called early to tell us he was on his way. Dad was ill and wouldn't call an ambulance. His doc saw him and he thinks it is his gall bladder. More tests are happening now. We will most likely spend the day with my brother and sister waiting for dad's outcome. Good thoughts are appreciated. I will check back tomorrow or later tonight and do a proper blog.

Heidi's Quilt...A new Finish

Here is the wedding gift I just finished for little miss Heidi and her new hubby. My daughter Jess and her have been best friends since they were around 12. The quilt was a chance to use my quilt EZ square spiral template...FINALLY.
I really like how it turned out. Here it is:

The back looks just as good as the front!


I even made a throw pillow (not stuffed yet) and two pillow cases to match!

Things I do with my time...

I love listening to THIS GUY!



Here he is again, only this was a few months ago when Hilary was still in the mix.



Ok, heard enough politics? Yeah, me too.This guy is just plain funny!

At least it's something

So, Judy L had a quiltathon last weekend and I intended to play along. I only got these blocks finished and laid out on my design wall. Notice the top row? Yeah, my short self couldn't reach high enough to pin them up so I just pin them in the middle of the next row. What's a shrimp to do?
This pattern, no doubt looks familiar to you if you've read my blog. I made the other one (still needs borders and quilting) for a friend of mine but this one is for me! This will be the third and final time (I think) that I make this particular quilt. I usually only make a quilt once. I really like this one. My style is very traditional. Nothing too fancy. I will be finishing a quilt today if all goes well and loading the next. The next one is my friend's quilt. Why am I so nervous?
Happy Tuesday!

Time's Up!

I haven't blogged in ages and I don't really have a good reason. I am busy but not accomplishing anything of importance. I did do a little piecing and some quilting today. I missed going to a sewing group meeting with my friend Cat this morning. BAH! I haven't been sleeping well at night. I went to babysit this morning as usual but when I got home I was so tired. Maybe I'll just lay on the couch for a few minutes.....3 hours later! Phooey!
Mark and Jess were both home all day today. Mark made us a gooey cheesy omelet for breakfast and is making homemade pizza for dinner YUM!
Those that were following my dress making saga with my daughter, I'm sorry I STILL don't have a picture of her in the dress. You would think she would at least get me that. I do have this picture though. This is a picture of Jess on the right and Heidi on the left. She was the bride.
That is the dress but you just don't see much of it.
Here is a picture of Jess, Heidi and Sandy. High school buddies. Aren't they beautiful?

And because I've never had a picture of my daughter and her boyfriend before I am adding it now. They are seriously in love. Ah, to be young again!

Who let the gremlins in?

I don't know what happened but over night my quilt went from looking like this:



To THIS:



and THIS!

Did I mention this quilt is made of all flannels and hard as HECK to frog? Sorry Kay, I really do listen to you but this one is coming OFF the frame today to frog. I will quilt Heidi's quilt and put this one back on! Not my fault I tell ya.....

Completion!

I'm glad that's done. Now I can concentrate on just my quilting....Oh, and finding a job!

Last day of Catia V5 class!

Yep, today is the last class. It has been great too. I was dreading taking this class but it has been nothing but fun and an exciting program to learn. The teacher is the best. He is what really made this class the fun that it is. Imagine Will Smith as your teacher....but better looking..........I'm just sayin....

I am on day 4 of a custom quilt job with Roses and feathers and Cross hatching. It is slow due to all the ruler work. The feathers are the fastest part and they look the best! Isn't that the way! Here is a peek.


Well I better get back to it. I have another quilt I NEED to have quilted and bound for Sunday. Will I make it? Don't know, but I'm gonna try!

Mission accomplished...but a little late

Here it is!

I said 7pm but didn't quite make that. I am always underestimating how long things take. I don't have the space to lay it out and photograph properly. I will take good pictures after I quilt it. It turned out better than I thought it would. I just LOVE this quilt. I showed my daughter and she loved it too and said Heidi will be crazy about it. This went together SOOOO fast!Tomorrow I will be quilting most of the day (that is the plan anyway)