Quiltville's Giveaway

I was so surprised last week when Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville sent me an email saying I won the giveaway.  Thanks Bonnie.  The package arrived today and it was like opening a Christmas present.  I got a charm pack called Summer Breeze (Moda) and it is beautiful.  It brightened up my foggy drizzly day we are having. Included was the Jan/Feb 2013 Quilmakers magazine and Bonnie's Sewing Machine Seam Guide Ruler. I love it all. Thank you, thank you Bonnie.

Cruise Block

I am going on a Caribbean Cruise the end of January with 3 of my very wonderful friends..  It's a really grand way to start off 2013, don't you think.  It';s a McCall's School At Sea Quilt Cruise.   One of the things we are participating in is a quilt block theme projecting "Winter Break".  I finished mine last night so that I would not be rushing around at the last minute trying to make it.  I did tropical fish (at least that is what I call it) and the challenge fabric we had to use was the aqua blue surrounding the fish. I did not have instructions for it.  I used a picture of it and I really like how it turned out.

Easy Street Step 5

I just finished trimming up Step 5 of Easy Street.  It was pretty quiet here today as we got snow today.  A Christmas Day Gift. Actually we just got a small amount (a dusting) compared to others around Oklahoma. We celebrated a family Christmas yesterday because the weatherman said it would snowing today. So being that it was quiet, I decided to work on Step 5.  I also have cut my green squares. 

Christmas Day 2012

We have had a wonderful Christmas.  We celebrated with family yesterday because we were slated for a bad winter storm.  We have had beautiful weather, but this is our first snow and of all things for Christmas Day.  Needless to say, my family and friends are staying inside their houses.  It's a good day to stay at home and sew.  I am not even going outside.  I even took pictures from the inside the window,  That's how much I am not going outside.  LOL.

                                                                                                
                                                                                                         

Merry Christmas

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.  We are supposed to get a big snow storm through here after midnight.  The weatherman said to expect 8-10 inches starting with some sleet.  This afternoon we celebrated early due to  the weather at my son's wife's family.  There was so much food.  We really enjoyed ourselves being with family and it was so relaxing.  We surely won't be on the road tomorrow so it looks like it will be a day of sewing.  And that's not a bad thing.  Once again Merry Christmas to all.

                                                                       

Bonnie Hunter At Quiltville

I won Bonnie's drawing of the magazine, charm pack and seam ruler.  I was so surprised.  She sent me an email and I replied.  Many thanks to Bonnie for the drawing of my name.  I am so excited about it.  I enjoy watching her on quiltcam and for her many quilts.

superquilter

Fish

I added some fish to my sidebar.  They will follow your mouse around and if you click toward the top of the water or anywhere you will feed them.  It's just a fun thing.

Blog Visiting

I have been looking at many of the blogs I have found and some are very interesting.  There are so many creative and talented quilters out there in the world.  I have made new postings on my sidebar so I can visit those that have caught my interest and I hope others will check them out also.  I am currently working on a couple of last minute Christmas gifts (mug rugs).  I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

Playing With Scraps

I have become a fan of Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville and have decided that 2013 will be my scrappy quilt year.  She found a scrappy flying geese quilt in an antique store.  She has given everyone a gift of how to do the scrappy flying geese.  I got really excited when I remembered years ago I had cut strips for a braid quilt and lots of strips left over.  It did not matter to me that the strips were basically the same size.  I am going to use them anyway. I also don't care that all my strips are up and down I am going to use them up.  I also joined a UFO 2013 where you start a new project each month and post it at the end of the month.  You can see the button for it on my sidebar.  So I consider these scrappy flying geese my new UFO.  This site also says you do not have to finish your new UFO.  I already have a handle on that.  So here is my new UFO for Dec 2012.  I know, I know I have started early and it is not 2013 yet.  I am just in the mood for scrappy.  After all I paid for these scraps throughout the years, so why do something with them.


                                                                                        superquilter

Easy Street Step 4

Today I finally got a chance to finish Step 4 of Easy Street.  It has really been fun keeping up with each Step.  Looking at other blogs gives me a chance to see what others are doing and the color choices. Among other things I got done was sending off our Christmas cards  and going to the Post Office for the stamps. I went to Walmart to get a few groceries and my last stop was renewing my driver's license.  The nice thing about the driver's license is after age 65 (I am 69) there is no charge.  I think we deserve it. Anyway happy sewing to all and have a wonderful day.  It's beautiful here with the sun shining and it's 60 degrees.  Love it.

Twelve-Twelve-Twelve

Today I finished a scrappy quilt. So now I need to sandwich it, quilt it on my sewing machine and do the binding.

The Small quilt group I belong to called Renegade Quilters went to Saltgrass and had our Christmas dinner out today.  We had a really good time.

Superquilter

Guild Christmas Party 2012

Last night my local quilt guild had our Christmas party.  It was fun to see everyone dressed in their fancy Christmas clothes.  Dirty Santa had a few takers in the gifts, I believe we all walked away with very nice gifts.It is always fun to see who gets picked on the most. One member was having a jolly good time with wearing this gigantic bow on her head from one of the gifts.  She is really looking festive now.

Easy Step 3

I have finished Bonnie Hunter's Step 3 in her mystery she is currently posting called "Easy Step".  Having fun doing this and I look forward to each step.

Guild BOM

Today I finished the second Guild BOM for Dec.  They are the same block, just different fabrics.  Each month we do 2 blocks.  It really has been fun.  We have 2 more blocks that will make it 12 blocks and then instructions on how to put it together.  I must confess the fabric I am using was actually a kit, but I decided to use it for this BOM that we are doing.  I have had the kit forever and it was time to use the fabric.

All Day Sew

As I mentioned in my previous post our local Guild had an all day sew yesterday.  Besides getting my Easy Street rectangles cut, I also work on other projects.  Our Guild has been doing a block of the month. I got one block done and need to do the second one for December.  We will get two more next month and then be able to put it together.

At home I have been work with my scraps.  I hate to throw them out as it is good material, but I have been overcome by them.  So here is a start of my scrappy quilt.

Easy Street Rectangles

Yesterday I had an all day sew with my local Guild, so I took advantage of the time to cut the 64 black on white 2" x 3. 5" rectangles.

Easy Street Flying Geese

Still playing with my new camera and I find the software confusing as far as my pictures are concerned. So I have copied the Easy Street Flying Geese and pasted the picture on my desk top so I could find it easily and post it here.

Early Birthday Present

I have been without my camera for awhile now.  DH said it was birthday month and he took me out to get a new camera.  So today I am practicing with the new software.  It's a Nikon so it is different from my Kodak.   I am participating in Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt "Easy Street" so I took a picture of my 4 patches.  But as soon as I figure out what I am doing I will post more pictures.

Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street Step 2

I pressed  my four patches yesterday evening in time for step 2 this morning.  It's purple day and I am in the process of cutting out the flying geese blocks. I have had my Easy angle and companion ruler for years but I am ashamed to say I have never used them.  I watched Bonnie's video this morning.  Bonnie did a very good job in explaining these two rulers.  It just so happens I had the fabric colors in my stash except for the gray.  I know I could have substituted the gray for something else, but I have never used gray and wanted to try it. So off I go to finish cutting and sew the flying geese together.

superquilter

Get Ready--Go

Well Bonnie has started her mystery quilt on Quiltville.  I am still working on the 4 patches and tried the linky thing.  My only problem is my camera broke and I may have to borrow my son's for a while.  I know I will use his on my cruise the end of January.  I am excited about doing this mystery and it should be lots of fun. So stay tuned I may get some pictures done. 

superquilter

Once Again

Once again it has been quite a while since I last posted.  The last time was the end of July and August, September, October went somewhere.  Now Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Not sure where it all went.  I have been making quilts and trying to get projects done. I made my son and daughter-in-law a round Christmas topper for their round dining room table and a Christmas wall hanging. Went on a quilt retreat in August and a machine embroidery retreat in October.  I have decided that in 2013 will be my year for scrappy quilts and quilt my quilt tops already on my sewing machine. I have been following Bonnie Hunter from quiltville.com.  I am going to follow her mystery quilt she just started.  She is getting me inspired working with scraps.  Like most quilters I have a lot of projects going, so off I go to the sewing room.

      superquilter
      where quilting is my therapy

Venturing out

This morning I drove myself to church.  For me, it's 15 miles one-way.  I have been out of church since my knee went out on June 1st.  It felt so good to get out and especially going to church.  Now I feel I am on my way to recovery.  It was hard to sit and when I got up my knee was a little stiff.  But I loved being there even when I could not get up and down.  That will come in time.  So I thank God for my blessings and watching over me.

Superquilter

Progress

My 5th week of physical therapy brought more progress with me driving my car for the 1st time since my knee surgery.  My PT, Caleb, was excited about it.  It gave me a feeling of being independent again. A couple of exercises were added to my exercise routine.  So I say to all this "onward"  to more progress.

Superquilter

Knee Surgery

It is now one month since my knee replacement.  It has not been easy, but progress is being made.  I will be starting my 5th week of physical therapy on Monday.  The therapists are very good and manage to get my knee moving (of course there is pain).  I have progressed from the walker to the cane.  I have slept more than I ever have and I find my focus is not there to work on my quilts.  However, I will be going on the Renegade Quilter's Retreat in a couple of weeks.  Maybe the retreat is what I need to get motivated again.  So I wish all happy quilting and enjoy your summer.

superquilter

It's Been Awhile

It's been a while since I last posted.  I am due to have a total knee replacement on Tuesday.  My hips and knees will then be totally replaced.  I look forward to getting it over with and on to physical therapy.  Then I can concentrate on making my quilts.  I also have places to go, such as a retreat in August and one in October.  The big thing is a cruise in January with 3 of my best friends.  So I have a lot of work to do to get ready for my future plans.  I have not stopped quilting, just slowed down a lot.  I have finished a fabric challenge due at the August Retreat.  I wanted to get it done, so I could concentrate on my physical therapy. Happy quilting everyone.

superquilter

Winter Quilt Wall Hanging

It was one year ago this past October, when my friends and I had an embroidery retreat. It was at the same place we hold our quilt retreats. We all love Camp Canyon and it is an easy hour's drive from home. We did the same project. I finally got my pieced together yesterday. At first I was going to make it into a banner, but decided I wanted to finish it, so it became a wall hanging. One of my friends helped me choose the sashing and border. That fabric adds to the color of the blocks. I really like and I hope others will enjoy looking at it.

Renegade's Retreat Weekend

The Renegade Quilters are leaving tomorrow for a weekend full of quilting,eating and very little sleeping. We have 8 gals going and each will bring a kit with them. Every one's kit is to be put in the same looking brown bag. And we will pick a bag and that is the kit you will be working on. We may swap bags after all kits are drawn. It's going to be such fun. I always look forward to our retreats. So I am getting some laundry done and loading up the car tonight. It is supposed to rain while we are there, but who cares. That's not going to stop us from having fun.

the Joys Of My Life

This free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

I have not posted in a while so I thought would use "Smilebox" to help me.  I made a collage of my "Joys In Life".  The collage should bring up each picture larger to view it easier.  The Joys In My Life also refers to my 2 year old boxer and her name is (guess what it is)--Joy.  The orchid came from my son a few years and it just blooms  bigger and better each time.  And last my gadget holder I made.  A friend taught it to us at our quilt guild..  I just love it.

Bobbin Lace And Orchid

It's a very windy day here in Oklahoma, in fact too much as far as I am concerned.  It did get in the high 60 degrees though and I like it.  I have finish my outside edge of my bobbin lace Easter egg.  It's pictured here:

Also pictured is my orchid blooming again.  My son, Clyle, gave it to me about 3 years ago.  I guess it likes my kitchen window that faces west.  And to be sure, I love it.  I have really enjoyed it.

Bobbin Lace

I have picked up another hobby (like I really needed another hobby) LOL.  Anyway, I  have become interested in working bobbin lace.  Mind you, I am very much a beginner and like my other hobbies, it takes practice, practice.  It started when four of us went to the Paducah Quilt Show last April.  One friend, Vickie, took us to a lace show while we were there.  Well, to make a long story short, the four of us bought the supplies we needed to start our new hobby.  But, when we got home we had to find someone locally to teach us.  We did and we have also used each other in our process of learning.  I am currently working on an Easter egg (shown here)  and I am not sure if I am doing it right.  My pattern stitches are consistent.  The main thing is I enjoy it.  It can be frustrating at times because most of the time we only have the pattern with no instructions on which stitch to do.  I am going to get there though and not give up.    I am not giving up my quilting (that is my first love), just trying to expand some new learning techniques.