Thanksgiving!

As the person in the family designated as the primary cook, I spent Thanksgiving cooking (as I am sure other "designated cooks" did). Every year I complain, but I want to continue the tradition of a homecooked meal. When I am cooking for a holiday, I make NOTHING from a mix, unless it is gravy---can't do gravy. This year though, I wanted us to eat early because my daughter, my DIL, a friend and her daughter and me were going to leave to do Thanksgiving shopping at 10 PM. I needed to get a little rest, so the plan was to eat early and then go to bed around 5PM. To accomplish this I needed to start cooking at 5AM, which I did. Everything turned out pretty good (I am a good cook, just don't really like to do it---would rather be quilting). We ate around 1 PM after our two oldest grandbabies got here.

Now for the shopping trip----it was cold and raining--yuk! As planned we met here and started out getting to our first stop Walmart, at 10:30. The store was already full! We had two electronic on our list---the $148 laptop (for my oldest granddaughter) and a DS (for my friend's granddaughter). My daughter got in line for the laptop and I in line for the DS. Now we were prepared for a long wait---since although you could purchase other things at 12 midnight, the electronics couldn't be purchased until 5 AM. I had my DS with me and a chair so I could sit. After we got there though the store had decided to give out wrist bands to those in line at 2 AM and then you could leave and come back at 5 AM to get the merchandise (a very good idea). All went well in the DS line--in fact they passed the bands out at 12 midnight (120 bands to the first 120 people in line) , but in the computer line, some guy named Q passed out too many bands for the number of computers (there were only 33 computers and he passed out twice the number). To stop the mounting anger of those in line with bands who clearly weren't going to get a computer, the company said they would honor their commitment and give rainchecks to people who didn't get one. Then some manager said that Walmart didn't give rainchecks and to stay in line---this went back and forth, but my daughter wasn't going anywhere. Anyway to make a long story short, we kept our place in line. My DIL stayed for the first hour while we left and did some shopping at another mall and then we all came back, taking turns standing in line while the other went about shopping for stuff on their list. We GOT the computer!

My birthday is coming up and I got myself a gift.......Sony Reader Pocket Edition. It was $98! compared to a higher price of $200 (I think). I am liking it. Now my husband is researching the Kindle (he always does that---get a better product---he doesn't know he will end up with a pink reader--LOL). I loaded some free books and purchased a Grisham novel. I love to read and love gadgets so this is perfect! I purchased the cover so it looks more like a book!

Now on the quilting front, my longarm is sick. The switch went out! You are suppose to be able to buy replacements at Radio Shack but we weren't able to find them so I had to order on line. Hopefully it will be here in week and I can get back to quilting.

Well, I think I am updated! Hope your holiday was a great one!

Fond Memories!

I was reading "That Man Quilt's" Blog---see my sidebar. He writes beautifully and I always enjoy reading his posts. He wrote about a favorite memory on Wednesday, and I started thinking about a pleasant memory I had of a "way back event". My thoughts came to my mother. She died when I was 14 but I have nothing but fond memories about her. She really was a woman "before her time"---very modern in thought and actions. She never worked, but would have made a wonderful executive. She always wanted us to have experiences that in our little town in Oklahoma, was unusual. She spent quality time with us before that concept became "in vogue" and I can never remember coming home from school and not finding her waiting for me with a hug, "tell me about your day", and a snack to eat as I watched the "Micky Mouse Show". She made me feel that I could attain anything, as long as I was willing to work hard.

Anyway---we use to go for hikes. On Saturday mornings (my father was at work), after she finished her morning chores, we would pack a lunch (pressed ham sandwiches; chips; an apple) and head out on a hike. Because we lived in a "sorta" rural community, you didn't have to go far to come to some "woods". We would start out going down Johnson Street (where we lived) and soon we were walking down a road without houses. She would tell my brother and I stories about her growing up and along the way, tell us about the different flowers and trees we passed along the way. Soon we would come to the "perfect" spot, where we would stop and eat our lunch, again listening her tell us about her childhood or some other important event. I thought she was the wisest woman in the world---no one had lived the life she had. Soon we would turn around and start back home so she could "put on dinner" in preparation for my Dad coming home from work. As an adult, I know now that we probably only walked about 7 blocks, but it seemed like miles! To this day, when I eat a bag of Lay's chips I think about my mother. How I wish I could take another "hike" with her and listen to her stories.

Update!

In an earlier post I think I might have mentioned my latest dyeing experiment. In a quilting magazine from France there was a quilt pictured that had dyed center squares with oriental fabric framing it (in a log cabin style). The sashing was a navy cotton that reminded me of the antique Japanese work clothing I've seen on exhibit. Anyway, the center was dyed by wrapping the material around corks. My husband is a wine drinker and for some reason started saving corks (he rightfully saves anything that he thinks might be of use to me in either quilting or dyeing). The directions said to wrap 6.5 inch squares around the cork and then dye them. I did that, using rubber bands rather than string. The results are neat--each one slightly different.

I really would have preferred using African prints, but those are difficult to come by in Middle TN, so I used the orients like the original quilt. I am now in the process of putting it together. I am making it bigger (of course) so need to make 64 blocks. One thing I have found I should have done is really make my square larger, since as I was ironing the blocks after dyeing, there was some fraying. I didn't find a cotton I liked so I am using a light denim. I am liking it----I think it will be a really modern, non-traditional quilt. The pictures above show a couple of finished blocks and then what they look like with the denim sashing. Doesn't give you a really good picture, but it is better than it looks!

This is an absolutely beautiful fall day here. The sun is shining so bright and the weather is perfect. I know that pretty soon, dark, grey days of winter will be here. Have a great day!

What's Up?!?!?

I haven't posted in a while---mainly because I have been really busy and once things settle a bit, I am too sleepy to sit at the computer. I have finished quite a lot of quilting---

• I finished the two quilts I was quilting for Diane. I was going to put them in the mail today, but life got in the way, so I will mail them next week.
• I put the three borders on the "Mystery Quilt". It is now ready for quilting along with "Red and Orange All Over"---AKA "Peaches and Berries".
• I finished quilting a baby quilt for a co-worker who is expecting.
• I finished one sock (pictured above).
• I finished the toes on another pair I am knitting on one needle (also pictured above with the book I am using). I gave up quilting from the top down, and started from the toe up which seems a little easier. I am making each sock a different color (as the book suggest), so following the directions for sock A and sock B will be easier. Unfortunately, I am going to take these beginnings out, since I have holes where I increased. I can't understand the directions so I am going to increase another way and maybe I will not have holes. I followed the advice I was given and ordered a set of circle needles from KnitPick. It is much easier, but unfortunately, they don't have much of a choice in sizes. I did find another company which I will order from.

Since I finished a UFO, I now get the start on a "new" quilt. I already have several already cut out, so I just need to look through them and choice. Actually, I think I will start on a quilt for my nephew. I plan to give the "Mystery Quilt" to his daughter, I have already given one to his wife, so I think he is due. Diane sent me some really nice homespun, so I think I will use those. I may have to buy a few more, but I think homespun make really nice "masculine" quilts.

Well, that's all for now. I will try to take a picture of "Mystery" tomorrow. Pleasant dreams!!!

Mystery Day!

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On Saturday, our Guild had it's annual mystery day. The quilt above is the result. The block is called "mystery block". I used shades of green and purple (my hand dyes) and a grey for the background. I am going to add 3 more borders---a grey one (to float the pattern); a 2 inch green, and a 8 inch purple. Since I am using hand dyes, the green and purple borders will be scrappy, but I think it will look nice. As soon as I get them on I will post another picture. They is a lot of spaces for fancy quilting, but since that isn't my strong suit, I am going to use a busy panto (in grey so it doesn't compete with the quilt pattern.

I also finished quilting Diane's first quilt she sent me and have the second one on the frame now. I am using a panto for the second one and am nervous, since I really want it to turn out nice. So far though, it is looking pretty good.

Just wanted to check in-----I will keep you posted on the progress of the quilts. Have a great evening!

Trying to Learn A New Skill!

I am a regular reader of Mary's blog and Judy's Blog (see the sidebar). For some reason, every time I read that they are trying something new (or for that matter anyone), I always want to try it to, particularly if it involves buying a new gadget. Well, as you might remember, I started knitting socks (again!). Since I am self-taught, it takes me longer to finish one, not to mention two. I also knit on four needles and have unfortunately, the "one sock curse"---you finish one sock, but lose interest in the second one. I think I lose interest since I always forget to keep track of the number of rows and so it is always such a chore to measure all the time to get the socks the same size. Given all this, I read about the two aformentioned ladies knitting on a circular needle allowing you to knit two socks at the same time. I purchased the books (one for toe down and top down) and went to Joanne's to get a needle. First I couldn't find the 40 inch needle the books recommended. The 48 inch was just too long, so I got the 29 inch. I have cast on the stitches about 5 times and can't seem to get past knitting the first row on the first half of the first sock. I am getting very "strung out" and a headache----so I am going to put this down for now and do some more investigating. Boy when I go to the nursing home, there are going to be LOTS of stuff for a really nice garage sale!

HUGS!

FINISHED!!!!!

Yep-----I FINALLY finished "Peaches and Berries"!! I am too happy! I am not going to put a border on it though---it is 84" wide which is a good size for my queen so adding a border would only delay my finish. I don't know why it took me so very long, but at this point it is done (I can't stopped saying that). Diane sent me a couple of quilts to quilt for her, so I am going to complete those, before I quilt it.

On to the next project!

Update!

What have I been up to? I am in the process of cutting all those shirts into strings (thank goodness for the GO!) I am cutting 1.5 and 2.5 strips. The top picture is the shirts I have yet to cut and the bottom is the strips (light and dark bin) after cutting. Then I will put those into Drunkard's Path blocks (again thanks to the GO!) After I finish this for a couple of more minutes, I will return to "Peaches and Berries". I now know why it takes me so long to finish a quilt----I work on several projects at the same time instead of just one. I just can't do it---I get distracted and then off I go. "Peaches" will get finished---just later than I thought.

I went to the Homecoming Game and guess who the Homecoming Queen was (as voted by the student body)? That's right---my Granddaughter!!!!!!! The dress was absolutely beautiful --- her mother did a great job. She looked so very beautiful! I did get a chance to go with her when she got her make-up done and although she was sure she didn't look "all that great"---clearly she did! It was such fun! I can't believe that she is 17 and getting ready to graduate from college--it seems like only yesterday I was holding her and teaching my daughter how to change her diaper :c)

Have a wonderful Sunday---it is Fall Break at school so I have Monday and Tuesday off! I still have lots to do around here but at least I don't have to go to work!

Hurt Feelings!

Okay---I know this blog is about quilting, but I also said that occasionally I would talk about life in general. Well, now is the time.

I normally don't talk much about my private life...one reason is it is rather dull, but also because I am a private person, but since I don't have a close friend here, I have to get it off my chest. My feelings are so hurt---

My granddaughter has been chosen for the Homecoming Court at her high school. She is a senior and so it is a big deal. I have always supported my children and grandchildren. When this one was little, she took dance and I came from Chicago and then Jacksonville for every single recital, even for the final rehearsal. I also flew in for any special occasion, just because that is the type of grandmother I am. Well, when my daughter told me about this, she also said she had to have a white formal. I found out where she could purchase one and asked if I could go along. I just wanted to be a part of this special day---anyway, my daughter said yes. Well, this morning she called and said that she and my granddaughter had already gone to get the dress. Now they went yesterday, I was home! Not once did anyone call and let me know they were going. She said they had to get the dress then because she had to take it to school today for the principal to see and determine if it was appropriate (sounds like a good idea). Anyway, I feel so hurt----all she needed to do was to have called me at the very least, but I think she didn't because I just might have been able to go.

Anyway, there is nothing that can be done---I will of course go to the game to see if she is voted in as queen---but my feelings are hurt! Thanks for listening! I am a big girl and I will put on my big girl panties and go on, but still---if any of you have mothers out there and something special is going on with their grandchildren, PLEASE allow them to share, especially if they asked and you said okay!

xoxo

Catching Up!

The weather has gotten colder and so the sweater's have had to come out, including Coal's sweater. Doesn't he look "handsome"? He is such a "honey-bunny"!!!!! In looking at this picture---I think I need a new floor! I hate the dark grout--makes the floor look dirty---but then I digress.

This is the shopping area in the hotel where we stayed in Las Vegas. Isn't it beautiful! The ceiling is like the sky and it changes colors like times of the day. This was either early morning or early evening. The shops were great----and there was a canal that ran through the shopping area. I don't particularly like small boats, so we didn't ride in one, but the gondolas were "driven" by men who say opera----

I have finally finished all the blocks for "Peaches and Berries" ( I may change to name to "orange and purple all over")and I am now putting it together. I added some beige's to give it a little variety and tried to make it scrappy with different oranges, and plums. All of the fabric, except for the beige and white was hand dyed. It is a real task to try to lay out these blocks so I don't have to match a lot of seams. I am not going to add a border but instead put a "faux" piping binding on instead. The challenge will be to find pieces of hand dyes that are large enough and of the same color to accomplish this. I may end up either dyeing more (before it gets too cool) or maybe I will just do a scrappy binding and forgo the piping. I like the piping though because I can put it all on by machine and it looks really nice.

I spent the day cleaning house---boy I am getting old because in 5 hours I only finished the kitchen, den, guest bathroom and our bedroom. In the "olden" days I would have finished the entire house. Oh well, hopefully, I will clean our bathroom tonight while I am watching TV and finish up on Saturday. Hopefully I can keep the areas I have cleaned, clean.

Well, I am going to relax a little---my knee hurts! xoxo