Merry Little Quilter

Finally back to quilty things

2011-12-27T13:20:00.003-05:00

This is what I have been working on for quite awhile. I got tired of it so I put it away and worked on other things. One of the things I completed was stockings for my daughter. She works in a senior living community and is the Health Promotions Coordinator. She runs the exercise facility in the community. She decided she wanted to give each of her clients a stocking stuffed with healthy recipes. Guess who got to make the stockings? That would be me. I didn't mind but she needed 60 of them. I managed to get them done with time to spare but I forgot to take a picture of all of them.

So now I'm back to my Lone Star. I only have 14 more points to make!

Scraps!!!!! HELP!

2011-12-04T15:20:00.003-05:00

I have a huge bin of scraps that I must get rid of. I'm running out of room and my daughter is threatening to clean out my fabric stash for me. I must not let her anywhere near my fabric. If she cleans that out like she did my cabinets, when she moved back in, I will never find anything. So I am willing to send them to a lovely new home. I actually have enough for 2 lovely new homes. I will pick 2 random people on Tuesday evening at 9:00 pm. If you want them just leave me a comment. (inside the US please, must have money left over for groceries)

Karen

Must Get Busy

2011-10-11T21:52:00.001-04:00

I have got to get busy on something. My daughter's boyfriend has many T-shirts from high school. He would love a quilt. I have never made a T-shirt quilt so I looking for advice. Any and all advice will be welcome. Thanks

Karen

WOW! Am I Way Behind!

2011-10-01T18:56:00.002-04:00

Boy have I been out of it. Here it is October and I have posted anything since the first of August. I have been sewing either. School has started again and that pretty much takes up most of my time. After teaching all day, running an after school program two nights a week and taking on the job of a Special Services Coordinator I'm too tired to care at the end of the day. But I have most everything caught up so I will be able to get back to sewing.
My daughter's boyfriend wants me to make him a T-shirt quilt. His mom was going to make it be she feels out of her element and ask me to do it. I have never made a T-shirt quilt so I am looking for ideas. So that will be my next project.
I'm off to do some research.

Karen

July--What happened to this month?

2011-07-24T11:36:00.002-04:00

I can't believe July is almost over. That means in just 3 short weeks I will have to start getting up again and going to work. YUCK!! Really wish I could afford to retire!! Maybe in a few years. I do like my job. I teach special services. My students are great most of the time. I have students grades K-6. I'm just TIRED!! Oh well, I will really try to enjoy the last few weeks!!

KAREN

Hoping for a phone call today

2011-06-27T10:34:00.004-04:00

My daughter just graduated in May from IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis) with honors I might add! I am very proud of her. Now if she would just find a job. She has a degree in Exercise Science. She completed her internship in Cardiac Rehab at IU Methodist in Indianapolis. She enjoys working with senior citizens so she has applied at every assisted care facility in a 3 county area. She had a great interview last Thursday and now we are just waiting on a call back. Hopefully today will be the day. It's like watching a pot and waiting for it to boil!! Say a prayer for her that she gets this job. She really doesn't want to wait tables anymore.

Karen

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SHE GOT THE JOB!!!!!

Nothing Going On!!

2011-06-26T21:11:00.000-04:00

Lack of inspiration going on around here!!

Karen

THANK YOU IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH

2011-05-30T20:24:00.003-04:00

Thank you to all those serving in the military, past and present, for the sacrifices you make for my family and me. Saying a mere Thank You will never be enough. You all will always be in our prayers.

Karen

ONE WEDDING DOWN AND ONE TO GO

2011-04-14T19:20:00.006-04:00

My son (in the guava vest) and his soon to be wife

Their wedding is this coming Saturday (April 23)

My newphew and his new wife.

Karen

Sad Day

2011-03-13T20:41:00.005-04:00

My family lost a dear old friend this week. I shouldn't say old because Danny was only 47. He was a man my brothers, sister, and I grew up with--literally. Our families spent most weekends and summer vacations together. Like all close family friends we kids lived for the summer evening we would spend at each other's houses. Usually at their house because it just seemed to be the gathering place. His house was in the country. They had a pond. I kept my horse in their lot with their onery pony. When my horse got out so did that stupid pony. Danny and his brothers would chase that pony, cussing it every step!! She was so mean. She especially liked to bite Danny. Don't know why but she really didn't like him.

We played hide and seek in the dark. (best game ever!!) There were no rules on hiding places, nothing was off limits--the trees, bushes, garage roof, nothing was off limits. We had the best time!

Of course as we grew older we drifted apart but still remained good family friends. Fortunately we all still live in the same community we grew up in but as always life got in the way. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

This got me to thinking that if I could go back and have a "do over", where in my life would I go? I think I might choose to go back about 40 years. I loved those times our families spent together. I would ride my bike to Danny's house to feed my horse, about 3 miles (alot of it uphill) most every day in the summer. We ice skated on their pond in the winter. We went on vacations together in the summer. Such an innocent time. I would love to go back and have some innocent fun again. Let somebody else worry about what is going on in the world today.
If you could go back, what time in your life would it be?

Danny, we will miss you terribly.

Karen

Lots and Lots of ICE!!

2011-02-01T11:39:00.005-05:00

Out of school today because of a major ice storm. We saw the first round come in last night. We have about 1/2" of ice at the moment. We are expecting another 1/2" to 1" more today. Then a possible 7" of snow on top of that depending where in the county you happen to live. I'm sure there will be no school again tomorrow. Can't say I am sad to be out of school today or possibly tomorrow but I don't really want to have to add days onto the end of the semester. Oh well, that's the price we will have to pay for the free days now.

I am working on my Lone Star (would have pics but my daughter has my camera) and realized I would not have enough fabric to finish the broken points. Rats!! Of course, I can't remember where I got the fabric. So I was scanning Fat Quarter Shop. Eureka!! I found it! Double Rats! wrong colored polka dots. Must continue to search. Finally found what I think is the fabric at Joan's. Maybe that is where I got it. Old brain, lousy memory. So I ordered it. I hope this is what I want. I also ran out of the fabric for the setting squares and triangles. I went to one of my local quilt shops but they didn't have it. I was trying to save myself a trip to my other local quilt shop that is not as local. So I bought a fabric that I think will blend. If not I will be making a trip to my not so local quilt shop. I don't mind really but I always spend way to much when I go there. I'm trying to be frugal!! It's not working. Oh well, back to cutting and piecing. I am piecing this by hand and I am really enjoying it.

Have a great day

Karen

Football and hand piecing

2011-01-23T19:39:00.004-05:00

Sitting here watching football and hand piecing. I haven't done any hand piecing for quite some time. I had forgotten how much I enjoy it. I am working on a star quilt (my favorite pattern). It is a broken star pattern. Should measure 102" square when finished.
While reading my usual blogs I am amazed and jealous of the quilters who can work on more than one project at a time. I have to finish a top (at least the piecing) before I can go on. I do have one top that needs borders but the only other things that aren't finished (short of quilting) is my redwork snowman top. I wish I could switch back and forth but I just can't do it. I will even purchase the fabric for something else but I just can't bring myself to start something.
Oh no! I just remembered, I do have a top cut and two blocks done. Maybe there is hope for me yet!

Karen

SNOW DAY!!

2011-01-11T12:00:00.001-05:00

I had originally taken the day off because it's my birthday but I was blessed with a snow day so I can use my personal day another time! YIPPPEE!! I better get sewing. Have a good day everyone

Karen

Another Fabulous Give-Away

2011-01-01T11:28:00.004-05:00

Hop on over to Linda's blog at Stray Stitches. She is hosting the most fabulous giveaway. She is including a gorgeous pattern AND the fabric to complete it in her giveaway! Isn't she the most generous hostess? I hope you all go check out her blog, read what she's been up to, and leave her a comment BUT remember I want to win the giveaway. IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, and I think it only seems fair that you all let me win.

Hop on over and see what Linda has been doing. She is amazing.

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Went with my daughter on Thursday to get a massage. I love getting a massage. I wish I had my own personal masseuse. I haven't had one for a while. She found a knot above my left shoulder blade. She was determined to get it out. Oh Baby!! I'm still sore. But it felt so good when she was done. My birthday is in 2 weeks so I think I just might have to treat myself.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and productive 2011. Happy New Year!!

Karen

Fabulous Give-Away

2010-12-29T15:10:00.003-05:00

Jump on over to Dawn's Quilt Corner. She is hosting a fabulous give away--7 yes count them 7 yards of the most fabulous Dr. Seuss fabric. But remember I am going to win this give away!!!

Karen

Cold!!!

2010-12-12T18:30:00.002-05:00

It is so very cold in my neck of the woods today. The wind finally got here about 2:30 this afternoon. Wind chill for tomorrow morning is suppose to be close to -15. That's pretty darn cold. I was hoping for a snow day from school tomorrow but I will settle for a 2 hour delay. Low and behold! Got part of my wish. Just got the call for a 2 hour delay. Maybe the "closed" call will come in the morning.

Karen

Someone is having a GiveAway

2010-11-27T13:36:00.002-05:00

Stray Stitches is having a great give-away. Go check it out but remember I'm going to win!!

Karen

Time

2010-11-14T16:05:00.002-05:00

I'm just sitting here watching Sunday afternoon football and reading blogs. I'm amazed at all the quilty and non-quilty projects that these ladies get done. Do they have more hours in their day than I do? Maybe I don't use my time efficiently? Now that I think about it, that is probably the case. Maybe I should get off the couch and get busy on something. Naw--I think I will just sit here and be amazed at what everyone else gets done. That requires less effort!!

Karen

My Son and his Fiancee

2010-10-28T19:26:00.003-04:00

My son's great-great grandfather built this origonal covered bridge. The one in this photo is a new bridge that was built to take the place of the origonal after an arsonist burned it down.

I just love this one.

This is just a few of the pictures taken. I just don't know how I am going to choose. I love them all.

I think this is my favorite so far.

Me and My Seam Ripper

2010-10-24T17:12:00.003-04:00

This sounds like the title of a song. I have spent more time with my seam ripper this weekend than I care to discuss. I am working on a scrappy christmas quilt (pics soon). I had the first border on and one strip of the second. I decided I didn't like the first border so I decided to take it off and replace it. That was 5 seams I had to rip. Got that done yesterday and replaced the first border all the way around. Got ready to put the strip of the 2nd border back on--it wouldn't fit!! It was about 1/2 inch too short!! I couldn't believe it. So I had to rework that border but I decided to make another one instead. It fit. So I stitched it on. Now I was back to where I started when I began yesterday.
Then today I decided to get it finished. I had to do a little finigling but I got the other 3 sides done. Then I ironed on the trees to get ready to do the applique. Fortunately, I noticed that I had ironed the heat and bond to the wrong (right) side of the fabric for the tree trunks.
I was just about ready to roll the whole thing up in a ball and pitch it, but I finally have every thing in place. I hope! Now to do the applique. I think I will practice a little first or I will probably be spending a little more time with the seam ripper!!

Karen

Secret

2010-10-15T09:30:00.003-04:00

Kathleen recieved my "I Love Lucy" quilt Wednesday. This is the one in the last post. It is a surprise for my daughter. I can't wait for Kathleen to get it done. I have a really hard time keeping a secret!!!!
HURRY KATHLEEN!!

Karen

What I Did Today

2010-10-02T23:34:00.001-04:00

My daughter is a huge "I Love Lucy" fan. When she was younger she could repeat the dialogue in each episode word for word. I made this as a surprise for her. I can show it here because I know she doesn't read my blog. I think it turned out pretty well. Just don't look too closely where the seams don't match.

Missing my Mom

2010-09-27T21:24:00.002-04:00

Today is my mom's birthday. She passed away in February 2009. I miss her very much. She took care of me during the lowest point of my life. I wish she were still with me because I still need her to take care of me. She was the best. She never questioned anything I said or did but loved me even when she didn't agree with me. It is wonderful to have someone love you no matter what you say or do. I think that is the one thing that defines a mother. I only hope I am as good a mother to my kids as she was to me.

I love you Mom

MORE NOTHIN'

2010-09-08T22:14:00.002-04:00

Anybody got any creative juice to share? I seem to have run out!! Can't get enthused about sewing anything!! Just really stinks!

KAREN

Nothin' Doin' Here

2010-08-28T18:39:00.001-04:00

Can't seem to get interested in creating anything lately. Must have something to do with going back to work. Is it summer yet!!??

Finally--some pictures

2010-08-16T21:06:00.000-04:00

A QOV for my son's friend who was wounded in Afganistan a few months ago. It was quilted by Kathleen Brown. She did such a great job. She was so sweet to get it done for me in a hurry, too. I really appreciate how quickly she got it back to me.

Here is the bag I won from Robin at Soggy Bottom Baby Duds. Isn't it just so CUTE!!

Karen

My New Bag

2010-08-13T10:57:00.002-04:00

I received my new purse from Robin at Soggy Bottom Baby Duds this morning. I just love it. I will post some pictures of it as soon as I get my camera from my daughter. Go check out Robin's blog. She just posted some pics of her brand spanking new grand-daughter, Zoey. ADORABLE!!

KAREN

I WON I WON I WON

2010-08-08T22:53:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited!!! I won Soggy Bottom Baby Duds' GIVEAWAY!!!! She is going to make a purse for me and monogram it too. I can't wait!!

Karen

GIVEWAY!!!!! BUT I WANT TO WIN!!!!

2010-08-03T20:35:00.002-04:00

Hop on over to Soggy Bottoms Baby Duds and get in on the giveaway but I want to win it so remember that when you see the great bag she is giving away!!!

KAREN

My Design Wall (Floor) ;>)

2010-07-25T14:44:00.008-04:00

I don't have a space on a wall I could have a "Design Wall" so I just use the floor--all of the floor and other spaces. Here's what's on the Design Wall right now. I am using "Awesome Layer Cakes" for my first Schnibbles project. I am making Miss Rosie's "Nice Day". First time I have used precuts. I think I really like them. I hate cutting large pieces--really pieces period but these are great. Can almost skip step 1 and get on to step 2.

Put this one together wrong. CRAP!

Millie doesn't seem to mind.

Celebrate Imperfection--I'm All for That!!

2010-07-23T21:11:00.002-04:00

Stumbled across Robin's blog called Soggy Bottoms Baby Duds. Check it out. She is a quilter after my own heart--celebrating the many screw ups along the way to a finished product. I like this lady's thinking. I quilt because it makes me happy. I hope to do a good job but if I loose a point (or many which is likely) along the way, I'm not going to sweat it because those who receive these creations of mine aren't counting the number of points that get hacked off. So when you see pictures of my creations--please don't tell me how many points I've chopped off or how many seams don't match. I care but not enough to loose sleep over it. I create because it makes me happy.

Karen

New Goodies

2010-07-17T20:20:00.001-04:00

Got these goodies in the mail today. What to do ? What to do?

Another Finish, Finally!!

2010-07-13T21:48:00.004-04:00

I finally finished the QOV. I really enjoyed the rail fence part of the quilt, but I was having alot of trouble with the stars. I don't really know why, but I just couldn't get them worked out. It almost drove me crazy! I was going to use the star pattern that was part of the pattern but I decided to do something different. Maybe that was my mistake. I should never do something different. I found this pattern on quilterscache.com but for the life of me I can't remember the name of the block. Now I need to get it quilted and ready for the recipient. It will go to a friend of my son's who was injured in Afghanistan about a month and a half ago. He is now recovering at Walter Reed. Fortunately, his injuries though severe were not life threatening. So, it will go in the mail to the quilter as soon as I hear from her. Hope that's soon!

I almost forgot: I got these two books in the mail today. I was so excited.

I look at layer cakes and charm packs every time I go to my LQS but I didn't know what to do with them. NOW I DO!! So I went online and ordered some. I can't wait until they get here.

Karen

My Two Girls and Fat Cat

2010-07-07T16:02:00.008-04:00

Couldn't resist taking some pictures of the girls. Cari (the human) had a birthday this past Monday. She is 23. It's hard for me to believe that she is so grown-up. Millie (the non-human) had a birthday on Mother's Day. She is 1. Hard to believe she weighed only 1-1/2 pounds when we got her. She was small enough to sit in the palm of your hand.

Fat Cat

A Couple of Finishes

2010-06-27T22:27:00.007-04:00

I've managed to get a couple of things finished.

This is my Apple Pie Table Topper. My daughter, Cari, is the model. She was making funny faces at the time I took this picture. This is the one I happened to capture. She doesn't normally look so goofy!

This is one I made for myself. Actually it is the first quilt I have made just for me. I really like this pattern. I'm not really happy with the border. It was suppose to be the dark rust color but somewhere alone the way I either calculated wrong on the amount of fabric I needed or I cut something wrong. I'm leaning toward the latter. I don't think I have made a single quilt that I haven't screwed up somewhere.

Karen

2010-06-06T15:19:00.015-04:00

Want to join in on some fun, go on over to Momdot and check out here blog. She has invited us to join her in Saturday Small Talk. She has posted a list of topics that can be answered on your own blog. Just grab her button and post it on your blog so all your blogger friends can join in too. It's really interesting to see what others have to say. You can answer with a list of 6 words, 6 phrases, 6 pictures, 6 videos, or whatever strikes your fancy.

This week's topic is "Refreshing Summertime Beverages". My favorites are:

Strawberry Daiquiri

Diet Coke

Smirnoff Ice

Chocolate Milk Shake

Long Island Ice Tea

Chocolate Milk

SUMMER VACATION IS FINALLY HERE!!!

2010-06-04T13:58:00.002-04:00

Sooooooo, vacation is finally here. Had time to do some sewing. I've been working on a medallion quilt for myself. Finally something for me. It has about a thousand (or so it seems) flying geese sections. I've got about half of them done. I really don't think I like making them much! But I finally figured out how to make them and not lose the points!! I only had to make about 500 to figure that out. But now I'm bored with making them so I think I will take a break and work on some Quilts of Valor blocks to get in the mail. I feel the need to make some of these blocks because I have been personally touched by this "war on terror".

One of my son's high school buddies is in the Army. We live in a very small town so he (my son) and his high school buddies have remained very close. He is in Afghanistan for the second or third time (I can't remember). We got word on Wednesday night that he had stepped on an IED. We weren't sure of the injuries. Of course, by the time it got to us the news was not good--in surgery but critical. But, by the grace of God, even though his injuries were severe enough he is going to be OK. His mother has spoken to him and he will be back in the US by the end of the weekend. So, I need to make some blocks and get them in the mail to our soldiers. It is the least I can do.

If you all have any red, white, and blue scraps lying around and you don't know what to do with them, make some blocks, make one, or as many as you would like and get them off to a group who will put them together in a quilt and donate that quilt to a soldier. The ladies at Persimmion Quilts will take care of the quilt construction for you. Check out their site here. They are doing a great thing. Donate if you can. Our soldiers deserve our thoughts and prayers and this little token of our appreciation.

Karen

FINALLY!!

2010-05-22T10:59:00.002-04:00

Finally some sunshine here in Indiana. It has been so crappy these last few weeks. We had a wonderful warm spell in April and that spoiled us. Then May rolls around. I think the April Showers bring May Flowers got it backward. It has been so rainy here in May but finally some sunshine and warmer weather are here. Just in time for the end of school. FOUR MORE DAYS!!!!!

PROUD MAMA!!!!!

2010-05-08T09:24:00.000-04:00

Cari made the Dean's List again this semester!!

Proud Mama!!

MAUI

2010-05-01T17:02:00.000-04:00

MAUI WAS FABULOUS!!!!!!

2010-04-04T17:51:00.003-04:00

SPENT 5 DAYS IN MAUI. IT WAS FABULOUS. I COULD MOVE THERE AND WAIT TABLES AT ONE OF THE RESORTS AND BE HAPPY AS A CLAM!! WEATHER WAS BEAUTIFUL. NOW I NEED TO GET BACK TO QUILTING. HAVE A BABY QUILT THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE BY NEXT WEEKEND.

KAREN

SPRING BREAK HERE I COME

2010-03-11T21:38:00.001-05:00

JUST 8 MORE DAYS UNTIL SPRING BREAK. BUT 9 DAYS UNTIL HAWAII!!!!!!! I JUST HOPE I CAN MAKE IT.

KAREN

SUN SHINING SOMEWHERE

2010-02-21T22:40:00.003-05:00

I can't wait for spring break to get here. I have 4 more weeks. I don't know if I am going to make it. We haven't seen the sun shine here in Indiana for what seems like months. We've had snow on the ground since February 4th. Haven't had this much snow at one time for several years. I have enjoyed the snow days we've had and the many 2 hour delays but I am ready for some sunshine!!

Karen

SNOW-SNOW-AND MORE SNOW!!!

2010-02-10T18:33:00.002-05:00

Haven't had this much snow is several years. 2 snow days and 2 hour delay tomorrow. I need to go back to work so I can stop eating!!!!!

Karen

WE'RE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!

2010-01-24T21:18:00.001-05:00

SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE COLTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIRST FINISHES FOR 2010

2010-01-17T00:39:00.001-05:00

This is the 2nd Flip Flop quilt I have made. This one is for a wedding gift. It didn't go together as easily as the first one. I don't know why. I was just about to give up when I finally got the borders to fit. Now to get the back together and off to the quilter. I was going to hand quilt it but I think I would like to get it done in time for the wedding.

This quilt is for my niece. She is having her first baby in May--a little boy. She wanted something that was more or less neutral. This almost fits the bill. I think I wish I would have used something other than brown in the "brown rows". It hasn't quite grown on me yet. Maybe it will. Oh well, the little guy can just drag it around with him. If the Indianapolis Colts get to the Super Bowl ( I know they will) I think I will make him another quilt with a Colts theme. (His dad is a BIG Colts fan)

KAREN

GIVEAWAY!!!

2010-01-11T18:21:00.003-05:00

My friend Rhonda is giving away this great honeybun in honor of her sister's birthday. Isn't that sweet? How great a sister she is to have. Hop on over to her blog and leave her a comment.

Karen

JOIN IN ON THE FUN

2010-01-10T23:02:00.003-05:00

I was blog hopping this evening and stumbled on this great Sewing Retreat. Carol and Amanda have planned this great retreat for Saturday, March 13. Hop on over to either Carol's or Amanda's blogs and get the details. It sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun. There will be games and prizes too. Hope to see you there.

Hop on over to Bobbi's blog and join in her 99th post giveaway. She has a great prize. Of course I hope to win it but check out her blog anyway!!!

Karen

FLIP FLOP FINISHED!!!

2010-01-06T21:32:00.002-05:00

I got that dag gum flip flop quilt finished this evening. This is the second one I have done but this sucker didn't go together as easily as the first one. I had to take the dang thing apart once because I couldn't get the sashings to fit right. I really hate doing that. I finally got that problem fixed. Got the short borders on. They fit perfectly. The long borders of course didn't go on so easily. They were about 4 inches to short!!!!!!! The borders were small log cabin blocks. Of course these blocks were to big to add another one to make the border fit. So what to do???? I finally decided to take up some of the seams and hopefully that would be enough. Thank the Lord it was and now the dumb thing is done and ready to go to the quilter. On to other projects.

Karen

2 Quilts for Christmas--Finished!!!!!

2009-12-30T18:50:00.000-05:00

I finally finished these 2 quilts for my nieces for Christmas. I was going to hand quilt them but I quickly decided I would never get them done even if I had a million years. So I sent them to a long arm quilter in northern Indiana. She did a really nice job. This is really the way to go for large quilt tops. I have a smaller one (it is table topper) so maybe I will be able to get it done. We will see.

This one is called "Aspen". I really like the colors. The back is a dark green leaf print. I sort of looks like camouflage. Heidi's boyfriend is a hunter so his favorite side is the green.

Here is a better view of the front.

This is Mikki's quilt. It is called "Big Block Beauty". It is a Pat Sloan pattern. I saw it on the cover of a magazine but I don't remember which one and truthfully at this moment I am too lazy to get up and find it. But it's here somewhere. The back of this one looks like tree bark. I ran out of time to get the binding done on this one before I wanted to give this to her so I gave it to her anyway and then had to finish it before she could take it home.

Well, now I have to get back to business. I am working on another "Flip Flop Quilt" for a wedding gift, but I have until July. I also have a baby quilt to make for the niece in the bottom picture. The baby BOY is due in May so I better get crackin'. I have the fabric but I can't decide what pattern to make. Too many decisions.
HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT NEW YEAR AND COMPLETES, STARTS, OR JUST THINKS ABOUT LOTS OF QUILTS TO MAKE.

KAREN

PROUD MAMA!!!!!

2009-12-13T21:08:00.002-05:00

My daughter ACED her math final last Friday. She worked so hard to get through this class. She never expected to get an A, she just wanted to do well enough to pass the class. But she did so much better than that. She got a B+. I am so very proud of her.

Karen

I HAVE BECOME A LOUSY BLOGGER!!!!!

2009-12-11T22:13:00.002-05:00

Well, I can't believe how long it has been since I posted. What a crappy blogger I've become! School has been sooooooo busy. If you remember, I teach special services students. Fortunately, I only teach math. I have so many students there would not be time for me to teach them anything else. I now have 31 students K-6. I kind of like the old woman who lived in the shoe who had so many children she didn't know what to do!! Thankfully, I have a partner in crime who teaches all of these students and a handful more Reading and Languge Arts.

Anyway, I have had a little time to sew. I finished 2 tops and got them off to the quilter. I've managed to bind one. The other one is ready to bind, I just need to get to it. I have also started another Flip Flop quilt as a wedding gift. Fortunately I have till July to get that one done. I also have a baby quilt to make but that one has till May for completion. I will get some pictures posted soon. I just need to change the batteries in my camera and get some help holding the quilts up!!!

My son just purchased his first home last month and got moved in. He was so excited to get out of an apartment. He has a really cute small 3 bedroom house. So I had to get him a huge TV to go with it. That's what he wanted for Christmas, so good ole Mom obliged!! So I have at least 1 Christmas gift taken care of. Now to get to the rest. I think that is what I am going to do tomorrow. I need to make a list.

Hope you all have a great Christmas

Karen

WOW!! BEEN A WHILE

2009-11-04T22:13:00.002-05:00

It has really been quite a while since I posted last. Not a lot has been going on. I did manage to finish one project. It is a table topper that looks a lot like an apple pie. I will post a picture soon. I haven't got it ready to quilt yet. I am working on that.

I did go to Seattle for a few days with some other teachers from school. We had to attend a workshop but decided to go a couple of days early and do some sight seeing. We really lucked out with the weather. It was beautiful the whole time we were there. It only rained the evening before we left to come home. Seattle is really a beautiful city. We enjoyed walking down to the Sound and visiting Pike Place Market. Even got to see them throw fish at the fish market.

In other news, my son just bought his first house. I am really excited for him. He signed the papers at 2:00 in the afternoon and started moving at 4:00 pm the same day. He had everything moved from his apartment by late afternoon the next day. Fortunately he didn't have a whole lot but he said he did have more "crap" than he thought. Some of it belongs to his girlfriend, so not all the "crap" was his.

Karen

MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER ALREADY!!???!!??

2009-09-15T17:26:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it is the middle of September already!! I have yet to do anything quilty. So far the first 4 weeks of school have been a blur. I don't feel like I have accomplished a single thing. I haven't even been able to get to the bottom of the pile on my desk since the day school started!!! It's unbelievable!!!! Maybe one of these days I will get to sew something but I am just too tired to care right now!!

Karen

SCHOOL HAS BEGUN------YUCK!!!!

2009-08-31T20:54:00.002-04:00

Haven't posted for awhile. Not too much quilty going on here lately. I did fix some T shirts for my son. But not much else because school has started. It got off to a bang up start. I have been so busy I haven't had time for anything else. Our principal is out for several more weeks. He had to have emergency surgery about 2 weeks before school started and will be out probably until the end of September.

I did decide to try to finish up a project I had begun a couple of months ago. I was just buzzing along doing great when my machine decided to have a mind of its own. I took my foot off the pedal but the machine didn't stop. It just kept on sewing!!!!! CRAP!!!!! This happened earlier this summer when I was sewing. I don't know what the heck is wrong with it. And I was in such a mood to sew. I got so mad---if a hammer would have been handy, I would have smashed the stupid thing!!!!! Now I have to take it in and get it fixed. I have only had this machine a couple of years.

KAREN

She was bored!!

2009-08-10T08:18:00.001-04:00

Cari decided she would trim the bushes for me the other day. As she was trimming I was cleaning up. I told her to trim them a little closer.

So she did. Opps!!!!!

Oh well, at least it's done!!!

SACK LUNCHES

2009-08-09T21:59:00.003-04:00

I recieved this in an email from Judy from one of my quilting groups. I just had to share it. We all need to remember the sacrifices made by our soldiers and their families every day of their lives.

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in myassigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read, Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me, I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.'

Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan.

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base '

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?

''Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minutel ater with a dinner plate from first class. This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. Iwant to be part of it. Here, take this...' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word.

Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. '

It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little.

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'

KIDS

2009-08-09T19:53:00.003-04:00

I have to say that I have the greatest kids. I don't really know what I would do without them. Today my son, Brian, resided one side of the shed in my backyard. He did a great job. Still has to put a few more boards on but it will be done next weekend. He is fabulous. My daughter, Cari, is also the best. She makes me laugh. I always feel much better when they are here. I hate to see them leave.

Karen

Fabulous Thursday!!

2009-07-31T11:14:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, my daughter and I decided we would get massages. She (and my mom) gave me a gift certificate for Christmas last year and I just hadn't used it yet. So we made the appointment for yesterday afternoon. Since the appointment wasn't until late afternoon, we decided to go shopping first. I ended up spending much more than I had intended (and not on me--like always), but Cari got a very warm jacket that she needed to wear around campus. She hates (just like me) to wear a heavy coat and then have to carry the stupid thing. So she was happy.

THEN ON TO THE SPA.

The spa that we go to in Avon, IN is very nice. It is so relaxing and everyone there is so friendly. We had appointments for full body massages. If you have never had one, you should give it a try. It is fabulous. They start with a scalp and facial massage. I could have just had that for an hour. Then on to the arms, hands, and fingers--marvelous. Then to the front of the legs and feet. Having a foot massage is like a little slice of heaven!!! Next, turn over and the back of the legs. These girls have some powerful thumbs. I think they could crack walnuts with those things!! Little too much pressure on the muscle going up the back of my calf--OUCH!! Then to the hips--amazing. And last but not least--the back and shoulders. I think I died and went to heaven until she found that knot right under my left shoulder blade. She didn't stop until she got it worked out. Oh my oh my! Today--still feel good but got a little sore spot. But--it is the best way to spend an hour!

We (my daughter and I) are thinking of giving each other a spa day for Christmas. I think that would be the best gift because by January--after being in school for a semester--I will need a whole day away from those little snot balls (I mean my lovely students)--(I really do have a great bunch of kids, most of the time).

Anyway, if you haven't tried it--I highly recommend it. A great way to pass an hour!!

Karen

NOT A THING DONE

2009-07-28T20:07:00.003-04:00

Didn't get a thing done yesterday. My son called on Sunday night and wanted me to bring a car over to him in Avon so he didn't have to come here and get it. He had been at the track all weekend (Brickyard) so he was too tired to come and get it. So I got up early Monday morning and took it over there, traded for his truck and brought his girlfriend back so she could drive his truck. (Long story-short--her brother totaled her car last week). I woke up with a bit of a headache so I took 2 Darviset (big mistake--got sleepy, sick to my stomach, and broke out in a cold sweat). Anyway, I made it over there and back and spent the next 17 hours in bed. I am out of my Imitrex (damn!!), I hate it when I run out. Anyway, it is finally gone this evening and I am feeling much better but I didn't get the "James and the Giant Peach" quilt done. I did get it tied and off the frame now I just need to get the binding and sleeve on it. Hope to get that done tomorrow after a trip to the eye doctor.

Karen

First One on the Frame!!!

2009-07-25T21:51:00.000-04:00

Queen of the couch!!! She has gained a whole pound. Now she weighs 2 1/2 pounds!!

Isn't that just the cutest face?

Well, I finally got the first one on the frame. This is the quilt our summer school kids made as we were reading "James and the Giant Peach" I am just going to tie this one but I need to get it done so I can get on to something more interesting to me.

Grace Frame

2009-07-19T20:08:00.001-04:00

Well, I got it put together today. It only took me 4 1/2 hours but I did it all by myself. I started taking the pieces out of the box and almost had a heart attack!!! It came in a zillion pieces. But, I am really proud of myself. Now, I just need to figure out how to put a quilt on it!!

I'm SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!

2009-07-17T18:11:00.002-04:00

I ordered a Grace quilt frame the other day. It is the Z44. I got the big one because I tend to make BIG quilts. I don't really know why but I like them big. So more often than not I will choose a pattern not only because I like it but also by how big it is. Silly reason I know but so far anyone I have had in mind for a quilt has a BIG bed, and I like to have them hang over the sides of the bed for a ways.
Anyway back to the frame. I have looked at this frame for several months but I never really had the money. My mom offered to buy it for me last fall but I wasn't going to let her spend the money. She had already spent so much on me when I had to move into this house (as anyone who has read my blog will recall--my life went south about 2 1/2 years ago). So I couldn't let her spend anymore. But (again as you all will recall) my mom passed away in February and she left each of us kids (4 of us) a little bit of money. So I decided she would be happy if I took a little of it and bought this frame. So I did.
Well, anyway, it came today!!!! Now all I have to do is get the sucker put together. I haven't opened the box yet because I am in the middle of cutting fabric for my next project and I wanted to get it done. So I will get it put together in the next couple of days. When I do, I will take some pictures and post them.
I think the first quilt I will do on my new frame is the "James and the Giant Peach" quilt for school. I am only going to tie it but it will be good practice on how to load everything on.
Ok, well back to cutting. I think I might go see the new "Harry Potter" movie after while.

Karen

Finished "Aspen"

2009-07-12T00:14:00.000-04:00

I finished this quilt this evening. This baby is huge! 105" X 119" This is a terrible picture but I don't have a wall tall enough to hang it on and I couldn't get far enough away from it to take a good picture. Maybe I will get a better picture tomorrow when I can get someone to help me.

2009-07-10T17:20:00.002-04:00

Head on over to Judi's blog Green Fairy Quilts and check out her great giveaway. She has reached that 100th or so post milestone. She has some great prizes for her giveaway. Judi and Clint are also collecting quilts for donations for those in need in Romania. They will be traveling to Romania in September to take these quilts to the needy. They are also collection monetary donations for those needy folks in Romania to purchase food. She is auctioning off a beautiful quilt for this purpose. Please hop on over to her blog and check it out. Sign up for her giveaways and bid (or donate) if you can on her quilt.

Finally Back to Work

2009-07-06T00:22:00.002-04:00

I am finally getting back to work. Here is the quilt I am working on right now. It is called "Aspen" and is designed by Marianne Elizabeth. It is on the cover of the 19th Anniversary Issue of Quilter Magazine--March 2008. I had a few rows put together when my mom got sick back in January and I put it aside. When I pulled it out the other day and started on it again, I realized I had 2 rows put on wrong. I really hate it when that happens. So I had to get out the trusty seam ripper and go to work. I took all the rows apart and started over.

I have the body of the quilt put together. I think I will work on getting the borders on tomorrow. I really love the colors. I decided to go with the colors the designer chose.

New Puppy

2009-07-06T00:05:00.001-04:00

Today is my daughter's 22 birthday. She has wanted me to get her a puppy that she can keep her. Only problem is I am the one who is going to have to housebreak her and clean up after her and listen to her whimper when she has to sleep in her crate. We are already battling over the puppy sleeping in Cari's bed!! We went to Martinsville today and picked her up.

But she is so cute, and so little. We debated names all the way back. Some of the choices were Lucy, Millie, Pebbles, Scooter, and Hazel. We finally settled on Millie.

So here we are--with this little one and the big one. I think they are both pretty cute. So I guess I will have to keep them both.

Summer School Quilt

2009-06-28T14:28:00.003-04:00

Here is a picture of the quilt our kids did for summer school. We read James and the Giant Peach so we deicided to use bugs as the theme for our quilt. I printed the bugs on printable fabric and put them on background fabric. I will have to get it finished before school starts. I think I am just going to tie it though instead of quilt it. We are going to hang it on the wall so I think that will be fine.

Day After Surgery

2009-06-20T18:43:00.003-04:00

This is the day after my daughter's knee surgery. Thank the good Lord that she didn't have to have the ACL replaced again! Just a torn meniscus. I know that is nothing to sneeze at but it is when you have already had the ACL replace on that same knee once before. I hated for her to have to go through that again. But God answered our prayer and made it a simple repair this time. I hope we do not have to go through this again!!

She came through the surgery great. The Dr. put a motion sickness patch behind her ear to help with post surgery nausea. It worked really well yesterday. She removed it this morning and almost immediately had an upset stomach. She did go to bed with a headache last night so I'm thinking she probably has a migraine. I want her to let me call the doctor and have him give her something but she doesn't feel like going any where. I know how that is.

I really need to get the James and the Giant Peach quilt put together but I don't want to bother Cari with the noise of my machine while she has a headache. Oh, well, I will work on it tomorrow.

Karen

Really Cool Site

2009-06-12T23:09:00.007-04:00

I was reading Amanda's blog "Busy Little Quilter" and she recommended this site. If you have seen it--check it out. It is called SEWN. It is really great. Lots of really neat stuff.

Karen

Daily Doin's

2009-06-10T19:21:00.003-04:00

Summer school has started. I am teaching mostly 1st grade but I do have some of my special services 2nd graders. This is the first time I have taught summer school in my 29 years of teaching (all at the same school--all in special ed). I am really enjoying my group. I was suppose to have 12 students but so far only 8 have showed up. During the school year I teach only math, but this summer I am teaching language arts as well. Good thing I have only 1st and 2nd graders. As a whole summer school group--there are 4 classes grades 1-5--we are reading James and the Giant Peach. So--as a group project we are going to make a quilt. We are printing bug outlines on printable fabric squares and the students are going to color these with fabric markers. Then, I am going to take these squares and stitch them onto larger background squares using a zigzag stitch. Then we are going to print, on a larger square for the center block, a picture of James and the Giant Peach. After we stitch the top together and sandwich the quilt, we are going to tie it. Since we are just going to hang it at school, I thought this would be the quickest, easiest, and most efficient way to put it together. I am looking forward to seeing this project put together. Wish us luck!

Karen

SPENT BIG MONEY TODAY!!!

2009-06-05T21:58:00.002-04:00

Today I went to Avon. My daughter and her roommate Jordan (a guy---nothing funny going on there) moved into a new apartment a few weeks ago. They were having roommate issues with the last apartment. Anyway, they didn't have a washer and dryer. I just hated that they were having to go to a laundry mat. Not so much going to the laundry mat but having to go late at night. Cari (my daughter) was at the laundry mat one night at midnight because she had to have work clothes for the next day but she didn't get off work that evening until 11 pm. She is a server in a restaurant. That was just too late for her to be at a laundry mat somewhere. So being the fab mom that I am--I went to Avon today to purchase a pair for them. Jordan's parents are going to pay half--which I appreciate a lot. But of course the store can't deliver tomorrow when Cari will be there all day---So now I have to make another trip to Avon on Sunday morning. What we mothers do for our children!!!!!!! Oh well, I would rather do that than have her doing laundry in a laundry mat at midnight.

I AM SO JEALOUS

2009-05-30T21:22:00.005-04:00

I am so jealous! I sit here and read everyone's wonderful blogs and drool over all the great pictures and think that just maybe I will get back to my quilt. I look at it and I walk by it but I don't pick it up. I just can't seem to get interested in quilting right now.

Everyone has been so busy! and I just sit here looking at my work in progress or should I say lack of progress. Oh well, I am sure I will get back to it eventually. I'm just glad my niece is in not big hurry to get her quilt.

Karen

MEMORIAL DAY

2009-05-25T11:37:00.002-04:00

To find the true meaning of Memorial Day visit Becky at Sweet Cottage Dreams. She has a wonderful post about her son Jordan. Just viewing the pictures of the flags flying in the breeze gives me goose bumps. Please remember the men and women and the service who continue to guard our freedoms everyday. And remember all those who have come before them who fought and won those freedoms. As many lyrics in songs and poems remind us freedom doesn't come free.
From my family to all those who are serving, have served, and the families of our service men and women
THANK YOU

TO ALL MOTHERS-SOON TO BE MOTHERS

2009-05-09T12:03:00.001-04:00

Here is to all the mothers out there. Hope you all have a wonderful stress-free day.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

KAREN

Back to Stitching

2009-04-07T18:00:00.002-04:00

Well, I have been sitting on the couch for the most part since Friday. I had to have a minor procedure done on my right foot but it required me to stay off my feet as much as possible and when I am up to walk on crutches. Believe me it is much easier to just sit on my butt. Crutching is very hard work not to mention rough on the pits! I haven't been as faithful on the crutches as I should because my foot doesn't hurt. But I have to go back to work tomorrow and I just happen to work with my doctor's wife so I will have to stay on my crutches. Maybe I will lose a few pounds.
Anyway, I decided since I was sitting here doing nothing I would get back to stitching. I have really missed working on this quilt. I did decide part of the reason I couldn't get back to it was the design. I didn't like the design I was using. Fortunately I have only partial completed 1 block with that design so I decided just to "stitch in the ditch". I think I really like that better. I do need to decide what design to use on the sashing. But I can leave that to later.
But I still have trouble when it comes to keeping the back tight. I have a small ripple. Fortunately I am not trying to win any prizes. I wish I could find a really large space to lay out a quilt when it comes time to sandwich it. That is my biggest problem. Oh well, I am just doing this because I like to do it. Well, back to work. I will post some pics when I get farther along.

Karen

Went South/Came Back

2009-03-28T16:50:00.003-04:00

Well I made it to Florida. The evening I got there the weather was nice. I didn't get there in time to lay in the sun so I just walked along the beach for a while. That was nice. The next day it RAINED!!!!! That really stunk. I only had 2 days in the sun and the first one was ruined by the rain. So I jumped on the trolley and went shopping for a while. Got back to my hotel around 1 and had lunch. Then since it was still crappy, I went out by the pool and set at the SandBar for the rest of the afternoon and talked to a really nice lady from Canada and drank a bit. Then fortunately on the next day (which was the only day I had left to spend in the sun) the weather cooperated. I had to make the most of the day in the sun because I had to leave early the next morning. So I changed into my swim suit (didn't even take time to shower) and headed to the beach. I came in about noon to get a sandwich and back to the beach I went. I did have to come in once out of the sun. I was getting an upset stomach from being in the sun too long. Cooled down and back I went. I think I layed in the sun for a total of 7 hours. The only thing that was a little tender was my face.

I really would have loved to have had another day on the beach but finances dictated I leave the next day. I left beautiful sunny weather to fly back to Indiana to windy, cool, crappy weather. It doesn't look like the weather around here is going to improve anytime soon. Oh well, it will be sunny here soon, right?

I haven't quilted since I lost my mom but I think about getting back to it. I want to get back to quilting my niece's quilt. I think the reason I have put it aside is because I don't like the design I am using. Fortunately, I have only 1 block about finished so I think I will take that out and find a different design. I will have time here soon because I am having a minor surgery on my foot and I will be taking a few days off work. I have to learn to walk on crutches. This should be interesting.

Karen

Headed South

2009-03-01T20:27:00.004-05:00

I am headed south 3 weeks from today. I can't wait. I really need to get out of this county and go somewhere warm. I just want to lay in the sun where no one will call my name and I don't have to worry about anything. I am only going to be on the beach for 3 nights. It is all that I can afford right now so it will have to do.

My daughter called my this afternoon and wanted to know if I wanted a dog. A girl that she works with has a 2 year old dachshund that is already house broken. I would love to have a dog but I have 2 cats already. The only thing is the little guy will have to go to the human shelter if she can't find a home for him. I am tempted. If the owner will keep him until I come back from Florida I will probably take him. I hate to see him go to the shelter. Just what I need--another animal! Oh well, I don't have anything else to do. I don't really go anywhere so I might as well have a dog to go along with the cats.

I haven't got back to quilting yet but I am trying to keep up on quilty things. I have been reading lots of blogs and drooling over what everyone else has been doing. Hopefully after a few days on the beach (and ISTEP is over)(I hate ISTEP!!) I will get back to it. I still can't decide whether or not to get a large floor frame. I am still looking at it.

Karen

Thinking About Getting Back To It

2009-02-24T21:21:00.002-05:00

I still haven't done any quilting since my mom passed away the first of the month. I can't seem to get going. I have thought about it alot. I have looked longingly at my Big Block Beauty each time I walk by it, but I have yet to pick it up and do any quilting. I just can't seem to get motivated to do much of anything more that lay on the couch after work. I look at all the blogs and see all the wonderful projects everyone is working on. I am so envious. I am also envious of all of you who have gone on retreats lately. Right now I would love to go somewhere--ANYWHERE!! If my accountant can get me any kind of a tax refund I may head to Florida for my spring break. I just want to go somewhere where the sun is shining, I can stick my toes in the sand and no one is calling my name. The school year can't be over soon enough. They are beginning to get to me.
Well, maybe I will get to the quilting here soon.

Karen

New BOM

2009-02-14T18:52:00.003-05:00

Found this new BOM from Bunny Hill Designs. Check out the basket picture on my sidebar. It can be done either as an applique or redwork. I think it is the cutest thing. I am not really big on applique. I think it is because I am not very good at it. But I think I will do this one. It is sooooo cute. It is wall hanging size. I think it would look really cute in my daughter's apartment.
Still haven't done any quilting since my mom's passing. I started to the other night by I have a very sore thumb and it hurt too much to do any work. My fingers tend to split when it gets very cold. It seems to take forever for it to heal. It has been very, very cold here in Indiana this winter. I think I will do some work on my redwork snowmen quilt. I haven't worked on it much. I carried it back and forth with me to the hospital but I didn't do much work on it. I think I can work on it and my thumb won't hurt.

Can't Get Motivated

2009-02-07T12:49:00.002-05:00

I lost my mom last Sunday. She had been in the hospital for 3 weeks. My sister and I took her to the hospital on January 12th thinking she was dehydrated because she had been sick with bronchitis. In reality, she had had a heart attack at some point and didn't know it. I didn't know that the symptoms for a woman are very different than for a man. She just couldn't seem to get better and stay better. One day there would be improvement and the next day she would be worse. She finally just gave up and didn't want to try anymore. She was just too tired. I really miss her alot.
I didn't get a chance to make a quilt for her and I will always regret that. But now I just can't seem to get motivated to get back to quilting. I would rather just lay on the couch. I am hoping soon I will get back to business. I would really like to order that floor quilting frame but I don't know if I will do that. What I really want is to go sit on a beach somewhere for a week. I just want to be somewhere where it is warm. Mom loved the sun.

Karen

NOT A QUILTY POST

2009-01-31T19:09:00.003-05:00

My mother is still in the hospital. She has been there almost 3 weeks and is very ill. She has given up and just wants it to be over. I have been spending most of my time there. Fortunately we have had several 2 hour delays and a snow day at school so I don't feel quite so guilty for not being at school much. I have a wonderful principal who has been very understanding and 2 great aides and a partner teacher who have helped me tremendously. I couldn't have spent this much time with my mom without them. I knew they would be able to take over and keep things running fairly smoothly. The end is near for my mom and I would appreciate everyone keeping her and my family in their prayers. She has been a fantastic mother and she has seen me through the last 2 nightmarish years of my life. Without her I wouldn't have survived. I will miss her more than I can say, but we are honoring her wishes by not prolonging her life. Thank you again for allowing me to pour out my heart.

Karen

AND THE WINNER IS!!!!??????!!!!!

2009-01-14T22:41:00.003-05:00

I know I drew my winner a little early but I am really tired and need to get to bed. My mom is in the hospital and I have to get up early and get back to the hospital. SO THE WINNER IS:

Julie from SimpleStitches

Check out her blog simplestitches.blogspot.com

Congratulations to Julie. I am just waiting for her to respond to my email so I can get her package in the mail.

Thank you all for visiting my blog. I had 245 hits!!! WOW!!!!! Keep them coming. I love reading all the posts.

Karen

GIVEAWAY IS ALMOST OVER

2009-01-10T18:56:00.003-05:00

If you haven't signed up for my giveaway, please hurry. It ends January 15th. I will be drawing the lucky winner on January 16th. I might even throw in some extra "stuff". Please sign up soon!!!

KAREN

Late Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-04T18:25:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted for several days. I also haven't gotten much sewing done. Had more fun just laying around. But yesterday and today I finished 2 rows of my next project. It is turning out very nice. I will post pics when I get the next row done. Then you will be able to see the pattern a little better.
Well, today marks the end of my vacation. I have to go back to school tomorrow. I am sort of looking forward to it because I have a new gadget to use in my classroom. I am all about gadgets. So I am looking forward to figuring out how it works. I also get to upgrade my phone tomorrow. I can't wait. There is nothing wrong with the phone I have but I want a new one. So I am going to get one. I want a Blackberry. Don't really have a need to have one but I want one.
I have also been looking at buying a floor frame. I want one large enough to hold a king sized quilt. I like to make quilts big enough for a bed. If I am going to do all that work I want it BIG!! Anyway, I found a Grace Z44 for $299. I think that is a pretty good price. On the Grace site the same frame was over $400. With the clip on light, extra long pole for quilts over 109", rollers, shipping it was going to cost about $450. Maybe I will just order the frame and get the extras later. Except the rollers. I think I might need those to be able to move the thing around. I can't decide. I wish someone would tell me what to do. I really don't have the room for it but I think I would be able to get a quilt done quicker if I didn't have to wrestle with it on my lap all the time. Maybe not. Who knows. I hate to spend the money and then find out I would rather use a lap frame.
If you haven't entered my giveaway--go to the post on December 31 and enter.

Karen

Whirl Into Winter Giveaway

2008-12-31T16:58:00.007-05:00

I am so excited to start the new year by participating in Debi's Whirl Into Winter Giveaway. There are a so many bloggers participating in this giveaway that I lost track when I was counting them.
After you comment on my blog be sure to visit all the other blogs and comment on theirs as well so you can be registered to win lots of prizes.
The rules are simple:

Leave a comment on my blog--be sure to answer this question: What was your favorite project of 2008 and who was it for?

Only comments that answer the question will be counted.

You may begin leaving your comments tonight at midnight and continue until midnight January 15.

You don't have to have a blog to participate but I must have an email address so I can contact the winner.

Be sure to visit all the other blogs and leave wonderful comments as well.

I will ship internationally.

Now on the the good stuff. What am I giving away?

a set of pillowcases (made by me--thank you very much!!)

a book called Mindful Meandering:132 Original Continuous Line Quilting Designs

a pattern called "Flannel Parfait" by PineTree Lodge Designs AND

11 flannel fat quarters to make it.

Don't forgot to visit all the other blogs in the giveaway!!!!

Karen

Are you a Type A Personality?

2008-12-30T20:27:00.001-05:00

You Have A Type A- Personality

You are one of the most balanced people around

Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want

You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you.

When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back

Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love!

You live life to the fullest - incorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

2008-12-28T21:52:00.002-05:00

I found this really cute fabric at WalMart a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to make a pillow case. I just got around to it today. It was so easy. I couldn't believe how easy is was. It turned out really cute but I need a bigger pillow.

Not Much Going On

2008-12-27T20:32:00.003-05:00

Not much has been going on here since Christmas. Haven't felt much like quilting. Spent more time just laying around on the couch. That was rather enjoyable!! Maybe next week I will get back to it. I am on vacation from school. The last week of school was really messed up because of the weather. On Monday we had a 2 hour delay, Tuesday we were there all day, Wednesday was a snow day--whoooooo hoooooo-Thursday was a 2 hour delay, and Friday was a snow day----whoooooo hoooooo again. It would be nice to have every week like that but the bad news is we have to make up days missed. Fortunatly we have some snow days built it. I can't remember the last time we had snow days this early. Oh well, don't look a gift horse in the mouth--right????

My daughter lives in Indianapolis which is 5o miles east of here. My son lives in Danville, IN which is about 35 miles east of here. My daughter---who constantly tells us she is the smart one---decided she was going to finish her Christmas shopping in Avon (between Indianapolis and Danville) on Tuesday. I called her around 10 am and told her if she was coming to get going because the weather was suppose to be very bad. She said--in all her wisdom-for after all she is 21--that she would be fine and would be home later in the day. I begged her to just finish her shopping and stay at her brother's apartment. Once again--she is 21-- and would be fine. She was in Avon finishing her shopping by noon and started home. By this time the ice had started. I went to lunch with a friend of mine here in town. Daughter calls me about 2:15--she is just west of Danville (in fact she has just stopped right outside the city limits of Danville) and traffic is at a stand-still. She left Avon at noon-that is 20 minutes at best from Danville. It took her almost 2 hours to get that far.

I begged her to turn around and go back to her brother's apartment which is just about 10 minutes (on a good day) from where she is sitting in traffic. But nooooooooo--after all she is 21 and she will be fine. On a good day she would have been home in that amount of time with time to spare. To make a very long story short--semis are having to wait for salt trucks to follow to be able to get up hills and most of the time they don't make it---many of them are either off the road or jack-knifed in the road. The police close the highway 3 times while she is trying to get home. I-70 is closed several times because of accidents and all traffic is moving over to Hwy 40 and 36. A 90 minute trip turned into 11 hours!!!!! I was so glad to see her when she got here but I couldn't have kicked her butt!!!!!! Why don't they ever listen to their mothers!!!!! We are not as dumb as we look. O well, I am just glad she made it finally, but just once I wish she would listen to me.

Karen

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-19T22:31:00.002-05:00

I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! MAY YOU FINISH ALL UFOs AND START MANY NEW ONES!!!

KAREN

My Other Secret Santa

2008-12-18T19:05:00.005-05:00

Ellen Hurd was my secret santa. She sent me some really great things. I love the colors she choose for me. I can't wait to make the quilt from the pattern she sent me.

I finally finished my Flip Flop Quilt. I am anxious to give it to my son's girlfriend for her birthday this weekend. She has watched me working on it for the last several weeks and has remarked several times that she really liked it. So I decided to give it to her for her birthday. I hope she will be surprised.

I also finished piecing a table runner. ( I promised my daughter that I wouldn't use this picture because she was being silly. I lied!!!) I was going to use if in our Dirty Santa game at our Christmas Party at school but I didn't get it done in time. Oh well, maybe next Christmas.

Secret Santa

2008-12-17T12:33:00.003-05:00

My secret santa from Chookyblue's blog-----Ralitza from Bulgaria--- sent me some wonderful gifts. She did such a wonderful job.

We have a snow day today, so I must get busy. I need to finish my Flip Flop Quilt. Just a little more binding to sew down. It is for my son's girlfriend's birthday which is this weekend. So I need to get it finished and washed. I will post a picture of it as soon as I get it done.

Quilt of Holes

2008-12-14T12:02:00.002-05:00

I received this from one of my email lists and thought it was great, so I decided to pass it along here. I hope everyone has a wonderful, joy filled Christmas and a Happy prosperous New Year.

Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And! now, I had to face the truth.

My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you. May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go. When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.

Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you.

Amen.

Send this on to five other people, including the one who sent it to you. Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.

THANKS SO MUCH

2008-12-12T16:57:00.006-05:00

I was so fortunate to recieve this award from Grace. She is so sweet to present this award to me.

Now I get to pass this award on to 5 of my favorite blogs. Let's see that will be tough to decide which ones. There are so many to choose from. I think I will choose

Amanda at busylittlequilter.blogspot.com----I really enjoy reading her blog. She is always doing something fun. I also enjoyed meeting her when I went to her guild's quilt show.
The Bitchy Stitcher---thebitchystitcher.blogspot.com---This woman is such a hoot. I love reading her blog just to see what she is up to.
Chookyblue at chookyblue.blogspot.com---She is amazing. The Christmas swap she hosted was amazing.
Anyone Can Quilt at anyonecanquilt.typepad.com---She always has the most amazing pictures and she has a wonderful star pattern on her blog--with directions.
Quilting with Debi at debiquilts.blogspot.com---Debi always has some great projects going. I love the quilts she has on her sidebar.

The rules of the award are:

The winner may put the logo on her blog.
Put a link to the person you got the award from in your blog.
Nominate 5 blogs.
Put links to the blogs.
Leave a message for your nominees.

OK--back to business. I have got to get something done around here.

Karen

New Project

2008-12-07T19:03:00.003-05:00

I went to my LQS yesterday and bought fabric for my next project. I want to make a quilt for my other niece. The Big Block Beauty was for one niece and this one is for the other. Here is the pattern and the fabric I chose for it. I hope to get it cut out over Christmas Break. It shouldn't take too long. I am also hoping it won't take too long to put it together but it is also gigantic (105" X 119") The blocks are 10" blocks.

Right now I am trying to finish up a couple of table runners for Christmas. I am about half done. I will post pics when they are finished. I still haven't quite got my Flip Flop quilt finished. I have the binding about 1/3 done but I keep getting sidetracked with other things. I will get it done soon. It is for my son's girlfriend for her birthday 12/21. I also haven't got my Big Block Beauty sandwiched. A project for Christmas break.

More another time. Got to get back to the Christmas trees on the runners-and I hear chocolate cake calling my name!!!

Karen

Wacky Pac Quilters GiveAway

2008-11-30T22:06:00.003-05:00

I visited my friends the Wacky Pac and found this great giveaway they are doing. Go by and check it out. If I am lucky maybe I will win this really great table runner!!!!

New Table

2008-11-29T17:34:00.004-05:00

Addition to earlier post:

I was using my new table---LOVE IT--LOVE IT--LOVE IT. Now I just need a room to put it in. I am going to have to give that some thought. While I was stitching on the first side of the binding PooPoo Puppy was in his pen. I could hear him groaning. At first I thought he wanted out so I went to look and this is what I found.

He has had such a tough day. He is taking a much needed nap.

In my post yesterday I said I found the table I wanted. Well today I got it together. Now I have to make the cover for it. Maybe I will get that done tomorrow after I get back from taking my daughter her books. I was putting the table together this afternoon and looked under the bench---there was her book bag--dumb bunny forgot to take it with her. She thought I put it in her car. So now I have to take it to her tomorrow. I will have to pass by one of my quilt shops--terrible!!!!-----then of course I will have to have lunch out. Another bummer!! Oh well, the things we do for our children. I just remembered------the Colts play at 1----dilemma--what to do--what to do--Well, since my daughter works in a restaurant I will probably have to eat lunch there of course---and they do have a tv in the bar so I guess i will have to be sure to be there when the game starts. Wonder how long they will let me hang around in the bar????

Back to the original topic--here is the table I bought. It is 5 ft long and 3 ft wide--should be perfect for about everything I want to do.

I am waiting for my son to call--he just shot a doe--we are going to eat mexican food after while. Anything is better than cooking. I hate to cook--well, not so much cook as clean up the mess I make.

Karen in IN

Finished my Flip Flop

2008-11-28T21:08:00.002-05:00

Finished my flip flop quilt last night around midnight. Now I need to get the binding on. I will post a picture as soon as I get the binding on.

I was going to do that today but decided to go shopping instead. I went with the intention of just buying a new dishwasher and then doing some Christmas shopping. Well, got the dishwasher and did some more shopping but none of it was Christmas shopping. I spent quite a bit of money on ME!!!! Bought a couple of pairs of pants and a sweater. Found some sents from Bath and Body on sale for $5 each and Yankee candles opened a new store in our mall so had to go there. Then went to Walmart with the intention of getting a table. I saw a really great cutting table at JoAnn's a few weeks ago but it was so expensive--$170. So I got a table at WalMart for $39. Then went to JoAnn's and the table I wanted was on SALE for $79. I couldn't resist so I got it. I also want to be able to iron on it so I purchased ironing board fabric to make a cover for it. Now I have to take the other one back. I love this table---it is 5 feet long and 3 feet wide. Now all I need in my room is some lights. Kind of hard to sew without light. I am hoping to get my Big Block Beauty sandwiched this weekend.

Retirement/Will I make it???

2008-11-21T17:05:00.003-05:00

I went to this retirement meeting earlier this week. The presenter was a retired teacher. She made a comment that really hit home with me. If you walk into a classroom and feel like someone is going to get hurt and that feeling lasts more that 3 months it is time to retire. I think she should have said 3 hours!!!!!!! I teach Special Services Math (everyone says it takes so much patience and I should be commended----yada yada yada) It doesn't take anymore patience than regular ed--It just takes a person who thrives on chaos and who LOVES doing things multiple times. That would be me. I hate to have things in their place. Complete and utter CHAOS is so much better. That way if I screw up---nobody knows!!!!!!! My second grade class is driving me the rest of the way to crazy and believe me it is a short trip. If I don't get a vacation soon----HEADS ARE GOING TO ROLL!!! DOUBLE THANK GOD IT IS FRIDAY, and I even took Monday off because I just couldn't face those little buggers.
Maybe I will get some sewing done this weekend in between the time I am cleaning up puppy poop!!

Karen

Flip Flop Quilt

2008-11-19T21:58:00.004-05:00

I have been working pretty steadily on my Flip Flop Quilt (Fons and Porter) and about have it done. Two more borders to do and the bind. I should have it done by the weekend. I was going to try to finish the short border this evening but I forgot I had to go to a retirement workshop (meeting) in Greencastle. I am hoping to retire in 5 years. That is my goal. My financial lady said I could probably do it if the market doesn't tank anymore, I get a part time job (which I would anyway or I would sit around, eat, and get fatter than I am), and my ex dies before me. I still get all his retirement plus my house back. (Some days I hope he dies a horrible and painful death and others I just want to go home and put our lives back together) Oh well, another story.

So, back to the quilting, I didn't get anything done except marking one more border. I like to mark as I go. Part of the problem was cleaning up puppy poop and chasing 2 escaped cats!!!! Both cats got out and I couldn't catch them!!!! GGGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!! Well, they both decided to come back. GGGGGGRRRRRR again. That's not very nice I know but sometimes I could just kick myself for having 2 cats and a puppy. What the HE (double hockey sticks) was I thinking!!!!!!!

Anyway, here is what I have done on my quilt so far. Can't wait to get it finished. It was going to my daughter, but I just made a quilt for her last year and my son's girlfriend really likes this one. So I think she is going to win. I can make my daughter another one. I really enjoyed making this one. It was so easy and quick.

Karen