Another Birthday!

Today is our middle son's birthday!!! I can't believe that he is now 40!!! Wow, he is almost MY age!!! I remember when he was born---he was suppose to be born on St. Valentine's Day but got really impatient! He remains that way to this day! He weighed 3 pounds 8 ounces and except for his weight, he was perfect. I believe he was born smiling---and still does to this day!!! He walked at 9 months---or rather ran at 9 months and was one busy little boy. He is in the middle of retraining for another profession as a result of the economy (he was in construction) and is doing a great job. It is clear, that as soon as he graduates he will be "out of the gate" just like he was as a little one!!! Happy Birthday Sean!!!!!

Now for what else is "happening". I went to my Guild's Christmas Party and it was great fun to get out. Even though I arrived with a headache, it was soon gone. A group of us have formed a informal-formal group called the "Yo-Yo's". We on the surface have little in common (although one Yo-Yo and I share the same name--Patricia), but when we get together we laugh and have a good time and find then that we are more alike than different. Anyway, one of the Yo-Yo's was my Secret Sister!!! I had suspected originally, but then discounted it. She treated me as a "favorite" sister all year!!! I sure hope my new "sis" treats me as well---and my Secret Sister even gave me a gift!!!! Such fun!!!

I have put the Carolina Christmas Badge on the blog with a link to the pattern in case anyone wants to join in. I have slowed down a bit since it is finals time at school and I have to work to get my grades completed and submitted before the end of the week. This quilt is not for the faint hearted, and you have to LOVE scrappy! I suppose you could however make it more controlled, but to me, the scrappier the better! I am glad though that I chose to have my background more controlled and use one yellow, because the design could easily be lost if you didn't think about your colors. At any rate, it fits my bill---big and scrappy!

Well, gotta go work on grades some more. I have to take a break every now and then---and my break is over!

Hugs~!

Under the Weather!

It seems almost like after my birthday I started to "fall apart". I have been sick every since that day---first I had some GI "Issues", then when those cleared up, I developed a bad cold! It isn't the flu but it sure makes me feel bad. I spent all of yesterday in bed and decided to work at home today. I give my final tomorrow, so I really need to be feeling better. I do feel better than yesterday--so the rest did me some good. My DH seems to think I am just "rest broken"---he could be right.

Now, although I haven't been feeling well, I have still be quilting (of course). I am really into family tradition....Every year we get "Christmas pj's" and this year I am giving each of the grandbabies a pillowcase. I found the cuties fabric at JoAnne's for 75% off. I should have gotten the entire bolt but for once I was frugal---the fabric says "family tradition; families"---perfect! The cases turned out really nice, don't you think.




I am still plugging along on the Bonnie Mystery!



I have downloaded all the clues thus far and think I am going to skip ahead and make some of the blocks with the "pieces" I have. I don't know about you, I get really discouraged sometimes just making pieces of blocks. Making a couple of blocks sorta encourages me and I can go back to making the pieces. I have almost 100 pieces of blocks to make yet. I also have a bunch of 2.5 squares to cut---like 500 or something! I am so glad I have a GO! cutter. It is saving me bunches of time.

My Guild is having their Christmas Party tonight---this is also when the identity of your "Secret Sister" is revealed. I am going to rest today because I really do want to go. I am all prepared!!! I hope my "Sis" isn't disappointed it is me :-)

Hugs!

Happy Birthday!

I have had a quiet birthday today! I taught my last class of the semester and then came home. The weather is awful---wet and cold! The perfect day to sit and sew on a binding---which I did. I've gotten lots of well wishes from friends, so all in all, I think it has been a good day.

I don't know what's up with Blogger. For some reason my "Followers" are not showing. I don't know how to fix it so I will just hope it will come back. If you are a "follower" and you notice you aren't listed, I didn't do it---just keep "following". It is so nice to see that people are interested enough to list their names, it is sorta "lonely" to not see those pictures up there :-)

Just wanted to check in. I am busy working on the Bonnie Quilt, but have just finished the 104 blocks of Step 2. I will start on Step 3---another over 100 blocks--whew!!!

A Mess!

I don't know about you, but I can't seem to "create" in a space that isn't a mess!!! This is what my quilting area looks like as I am creating a quilt based on Carolina Christmas---the Bonnie Mystery. I didn't get to really work on it much this week-end, but after I clean a bit today, I am going to get back to it. I am also going to participate in the Christmas Mystery with another web group, so yet another quilt will be started. When I look at the quilts I have finished however, I haven't done so bad. I am averaging over 1 quilt per month---pretty good huh!?! I am also only using fabric from my stash, so I am doing pretty good at "stashbusting". Although fabric is being added, the majority are FQ's that I have received from my "Secret Sis", or yardage I will use for backing---so all in all, this hasn't been a bad year for quilting.

Hope today will be a wonderful one for you. My grandson is home from school sick so I anticipate I will be pretty busy!

Tomorrow is my birthday!!! It will be celebrated quietly (as usual) which is usually how it is with us December birthdays. It is okay with me, I am just so thankful for celebrating another. Getting older use to be a bit of a challenge for me because each birthday meant that I had less time to do what I wanted. As I have gotten older however I don't feel that way anymore since I believe now that age has absolutely nothing to do with accomplishing goals. Plus, the alternative to getting old is dying young---me I want to be get to a stage of VERY old---like my MIL who is almost 94 and living along, having a wonderful time!!!

Hugs to all!

Another Start!!!

I know, I know---I have a list of quilts I need to complete on my sidebar---a couple now "years" old. A few only need a binding and then they will be done.....so why am I starting a new quilt. Cause I am "grown" and can make that decision :-)

I really love Bonnie Hunter Quilts. They are always BIG and are scrappy--both my favorite things. I have often said however that they also have LOTS of pieces, but isn't that what quilts should have (I guess). At any rate, I really haven't ever seen a quilt of hers I haven't liked---.

She is doing another mystery----(which I also love)--called Carolina Christmas. I started it and am already almost done with Step 2---which will result in 104 blocks!!!!!! I am using the same colors as her--green, red and yellow (one constant) with a scrappy background. My reds though range from red to pink and my greens from dark green to a pea green. I found I also have the same ruler as she is using---although I really don't remember buying it---I LOVE rulers and templates---just ask Diane. At any rate I am off to the races! I will post a picture of what my sewing room looks like. I cut way too many green 2.5 inch strips (I used my GO!) but I am sure I will find a use for them. I have decided however that I am going to need to replenish my green stash. It isn't my favorite color, or it once wasn't, but I am finding I am using it more.

Hope all is going well with you all. I was a bit "under the weather" and still don't feel real perky, but hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. Pictures to follow!!!!!

Hugs!

SHOPPING IS EXHAUSTING!!!!!

I got home from work on Thanksgiving day at around 8:00 PM and the family had already eaten as instructed. They remarked all the food was good so maybe I'll do the same thing at Christmas -- prepare the day before and pop it in the oven on Christmas Day.

My daughter, and a friend decided to go to the sales that began at midnight, so they and the friends daughter headed to the Mall. Now mind you, my daughter hadn't really laid down to nap at all. They came back for me at 3:00 AM and we went out to join the crowds at Wally-World for the kids toys. We were in-line to get my granddaughter a lap top, the store only had 51 and we were 53 in line! So no computer, not at the same price anyway.

At any rate, my daughter lasted until about 3:00 PM but I shopped until about 6:00. We did find some good deals though, so good, we went back out on Saturday! Today I am resting up, quilting some on my quilt and generally trying to get ready for tomorrow! All in all, it was fun. This shopping adventure is something of a tradition with my daughter and I. I think however next year my daughter says if she goes out at midnight, she will try to get in a nap!

Posted are pictures of the quilt I am quilting. I am using the Panto "Spin" from Willow Leaf. It is really turning out nice---hopefully you can see the design in the pictures. At this point my tension is great (Gutterman serger thread) on both the back and front!!! I am using a pale yellow---it is becoming my favorite "neutral". Next I am going to start on pillowcases for my grandchildren who will be coming for Christmas!






Hope your holiday was a joyous one!

BTW----Love you Diane!!! The kids send hugs and kisses to "Aunt Di".

Off to Work!

I only work at the hospital two days a month, but my contract says I must work one of the major holidays---Thanksgiving is my holiday this year---so I am up and getting ready to head to work.

Yesterday I put my holiday meal together--so the mac/cheese; and dressing are in the fridge ready to pop into the oven. My cranberry sauce is made and my greens are also ready, needing to only be put back on the crock pot and heated up. The dinner rolls are frozen this year, since I have to work and the pie was purchased. I have put directions for everything on the fridge door for my daughter and DH to follow and they have instructions to eat without me since I will not be getting home until around 8 PM (I work a 12-hour shift). Oh yea, and the turkey is cooking in the roaster and looks (and smells) pretty good!--it should be ready by noon.

I have so much to be grateful for this year (as with every year). All 5 of our children are well and doing pretty good (even with the economy); our 6 grandbabies are absolutely wonderful and growing into wonderful individuals that I not only love but really like; my DH and I are also well and even though our budget can be a bit tight at times---like now (my honey is retired), I am still able to continue my very expensive hobby--quilting--without too much difficulty. The other members of our family are doing well too. I wish the world were a safer place and there weren't families who were stressed, worried and in some cases in crisis, but I feel that our country is headed in the right direction--and I know things will not be solved overnight, but at least it appears that our leaders are being thoughtful about the process. I am hopeful and prayerful and am just so thankful I am who I am, I live where I do, and I have family and friends!!!

Have a blessed day filled with good food, great friends and family and LOTS and LOTS of laughs! Think of me at work :-(

xoxo

Tis the Season

Our second son was born on December 15th. My birthday is December 8 and I know what it is like to not really have a birthday party because your birthday is in December. It never seemed fair to me, even as a little girl, since it wasn't my fault that I was born in December. Our son's birthday is even closer to Christmas but we always tried to make sure he had a "real" birthday celebration. Part of that celebration was putting up the Christmas tree.

My Grandson decided yesterday we needed to get into the Christmas spirit (it could have been related to the fact that he wants a special Christmas present and figured if we had the "spirit" we would be likely to tell Santa the importance of this gift). At any rate, he put on Christmas music and talked his Poppi into putting up the tree. Now normally I want to at least wait until Thanksgiving but with Grandchildren, we throw all tradition out the window.

We therefore, put up the tree, although I am holding out opening the binds and "officially" showing the tree until Thanksgiving night. I have to admit though that it has put me in more of a "mood". It was fun looking at the ornaments that my children had made when they were younger than my grandson (yes, I still have them---all except the one made out of macaroni). It is loaded with ornaments which for me makes it perfect!!! My son however, is a bit "put out"---he wants to know why we aren't following tradition and putting it up on his birthday! Since he will be 40, I am a bit bewildered, but hopefully he will forgive me, since we will still have a celebration, just not with a tree!

xoxo

Hi!

It seems like it has been forever since I have posted! It isn't that I haven't thought about it or checked for comments---it is just that my life has been rather dull! Nothing new to post about and when I had something I thought would be of interest, I didn't have a picture :-(

I have however been quilting away! I have actually finished quilting three quilts and am currently doing what I hate the most---sewing down binding.

I also went to a Guild Mystery Retreat and had the best time. I am posting the resulting quilt. I (of course) increased the size from 70 square inches to 86 square inches by adding another border. The quilt was designed by one of my Guild Sisters (Trish). We were told in preparation to cut 25 green 3.5 inch squares. When we got there she divided them up among everyone---so each quilt has a bit of each of us in it---hence the quilt name--"Tree of Friendship". She did a really good job! The picture really doesn't do the quilt justice. We sewed all day on last Saturday, had a yummy lunch of 4 different soups, got door prizes AND chocolate, and had a generally good time. I don't know about you, but quilting is such a solitary hobby, it is really nice to get together with others. Trish and Lindee were the organizers (this is actually the second year for it) but they say it is going to be the responsibility of someone to plan it next year. That person(s) will have a lot to live up to.

I am going to load my quilt up and quilt it in time (I hope) for the Guild Christmas Party the second Monday of next month. Hopefully I will have it done by then---probably not the binding, but at least in a state to Show-n'-Tell.

I am back on target now so hopefully will have something interesting to post about. Hope your week-end is going great!

xoxo

Socktoberfest!

I took Judy's challenge over at Patchwork Times and joined Soctoberfest. The challenge was to finish a knitting project during the month of October. I took the challenge and did finish a pair of socks. Unfortunately, one sock fit me and the other fit my 9 year old grandson. Don't ask me what happened!!! I "thought" I was knitting the same number of rows, etc. but something happened! I don't know whether I should count it or not? I did start another pair thinking I would finish at least one---no such luck! Oh well, I guess it was the attempt that counted.

Hope all is well with you. I am have ordered some new dying equipment and even though it is getting cooler, I am going to try them once they get here! I am excited! AND really spending out of my budget. That is the last thing I am going to buy for myself! The holidays are approaching and I have GOT to not be so selfish!

Gotta go and finish my block for the BOM meeting. If I finish it I get this months for free!

xoxo

Have a wonderful day----don't forget to set the clocks back!