Very Important Question

My hubby and I have had a wonderful weekend even though we are both fighting a cold that we got from the grandsons. Friday night we had dinner with my uncle and my cousin and his wife at the neatest restaurant about 30 miles from us. It is a very uptown place but in a small town. Great food and always a lot of fun. Saturday night we went to eat steamed oysters with my cousin and his wife. I love steamed oysters although I know that a lot of folks don't. It was a very rustic place. You sit at a bar and someone opens the oysters for you. You have a hot sauce and melted butter. You have to have saltine cracker and beer with them! It is great.


I did have a chance to work on this quilt for a young woman in my Bible study. I really enjoy that group because there are all ages. By the way those clips that look like hair clips are great when you are sewing down the binding. I used flannel on the back. I have never done that before but I really like it.


















I also made my version of chicken corn chowder this afternoon. I don't like cream based chowders and this was actually turkey. I used lots of brown rice, carrots, celery and onions. YUM



















Ok here is the question. My aunt and I are doing a workshop with Gwen Marston and Freddy Moran in March. You have to make some squares and take them. The directions say "Make at least 6 of the suggested blocks and make no less than 12." Does this mean make 12 of each block you choose? For example, make 12 liberated stars.

Has anyone ever done a The Parts Department workshop with Gwen and Freddy or do you know someone that has? We really need some clarification on what to do.

We are getting together in Chapel Hill this weekend so we can work together. I would really appreciate any input you might give us. Thanks.

Fun Weekend

What a fun weekend. I really wanted to make a quilt for one of my young Bible study friends. I had already fussy cut some nursery rhyme fabrics. This went together so easy and I love it. I want to put a small yellow border in addition to the blue. I made one similar to this last spring but used white as sashing.


















Guess what came in the mail Friday!!!!! Oh yes Liberated Quiltmaking II.





























Gwen has done it again. This new book does not take the place of her first Liberated Quiltmaking but it is very good. I absolutely adore reading Gwen. You can hear her talking when you read it. She does not take herself too seriously. One of my favorite quotes. "This isn't rocket science, all we are doing is sewing pieces of fabric together. " Isn't it the truth? Who cares of the points match? If it is too small add a strip, too large cut it off! You have to get this book!

This is one of Gwen's liberated star quilts.

















Gwen spends a good deal of time on her basket quilts. I have to say it doesn't really speak to me right at the moment. I have seen some great basket quilts and maybe it will soon be something I want to try.

We also had a very good service at church today.

I will need to remember my good weekend this week. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for Tuesday. YUK!!! I hear the procedure is no big deal but what you have to do before is pretty bad! Wish me luck.

Busy Boy

I haven't been sewing much and this is why. Our little one is so close to walking. He can crawl faster than you can walk and he is into everything!!! He is helping me sort the mail!


















How can you get upset with someone that is that cute?


















What is more fascinating than Nana's cabinets? He sure can make a mess!!



















I am still working with my blacks and whites. I made a quick trip to the quilt shop yesterday to find some more prints. I love these. Maybe I will have time this weekend to work a bit.


















We started a new Bible study last night. We are doing Beth Moore's study of 15 psalms. We are looking as Psalms 120-134, they are called the Psalms of Ascent. Beth went to Jerusalem to film some of the intros. I am very excited about looking at the psalms in detail. One thing I really enjoy is that there are women of all ages in our group. Some of us have been together for a year. One of the young women is having a baby so I thought I would make her one of my nursery rhyme quilts. I have the nursery rhyme fabrics already fussy cut so it is fairly easy to put together.

Happy Birthday to the KING

Today is Elvis's birthday. Lets all pause and remember! Listen to Hound Dog or Love Me Tender or Jailhouse Rock today.

This is my black and white quilt. I am so pleased with the way this is developing. Each square is a little composition. My husband even commented on it and he never says anything about what is on my design wall unless I ask him. He walked in the other day and said wow that looks great. I am trying to put a little color in each block. I would like to make two black and white quilts for the single beds in one of my bedrooms. It will be a long term project, each of these squares is 7 1/2 so I will need at least 88!


















I haven't had much time to sew this week. I got my boys back and we all had to get back into our routine. Do you notice my sewing machine calling to me?


















There is a great Quilting and Fiber Arts Marketplace in Sanford, NC on Saturday if anyone is in that area. My local quilt shop owner told me about it. They are bringing about 35+ small shops together in one place. Should be fun.

Good Bye 2009!

My cousin had this quote on Facebook:

There's an ancient Chinese curse/blessing that says "May you live in interesting times!" That's the way 2009 has been, and I for one am EAGER for the new year! May all your wishes come true, all your resolutions turn out well, and may you live a year of hope, joy and service!

I could not have said it better. I want to say I am glad 2009 is over but it sounds so much more positive to say I am looking forward to the new year.

Our holiday was great. We had family here and a crowd the day after Christmas. It was so much fun. We got together with my husband's mother's family last night. My aunt, her daughter in law and 3 grandchildren came today. They had a blast with my two grandsons. My aunt said we used to spend the week between Christmas and New Years visiting and we don't do that any more.

My kids went together and bought me a Kindle. They know how I love to read. Does anyone else have one and how do you like it? The funny thing is we gave our daughter one too! She is going to be traveling with her new job and she thought she would really use it.



























My daughter in laws mother sent me a huge bag of remnants. There is nothing a quilter loves better than free fabric. There are lots of very interesting fabrics, different from what I would buy and I like the diversity.


















I got some time to sew today. I have wanted to do something with black and white. At first I had thought I would do a snails trail with black and white but I think I am going to do something more graphic. What do you think? I trimmed the blocks to 7 1/2". I might use them for bedspreads on the twin beds in one of my extra rooms.


















Happy New Year to everyone!! I appreciate all my blogging friends, thank you so much for your support.

Happy Holiday

Our house renovations are complete. Including our porch being closed in! We moved the furniture in today. We are very excited.


















I have really enjoyed reading everyone's blog the last couple of weeks and reading about all the holiday plans. Barb is visiting her sons for the holidays. Victoria at Bumble Beans is enjoying the city and had a beautiful snow last weekend. Finn also has neat pictures of the snow, it really looks like Christmas where she is. Even Tonya had snow and a new car even though it is buried under the snow. Lots of you are planning to travel for the holidays and lots are expecting family to visit them. I hope everyone has a wonderful time and remembers the real meaning of the holiday.

I have four wreaths at different places in the house and this is my favorite. I didn't have a place to hang it to I put it on the inside of the front door.


















Don't you just love pre-lit trees!

































We have a local nursery that sells the most beautiful poinsettias. I remember when you only got them from the florist. Over 35 years ago I so wanted one. My husband came home on Christmas Eve with one. They had some at his work and they drew for them and he won! I will never forget how beautiful it was.



















We are having a bunch of family the day after Christmas. We are really looking forward to everyone being together.

Next week when things calm down I am sewing, taking time for myself.

Merry Christmas to all

Holiday Hiatus

Hiatus: 1. A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break

After Thanksgiving I had lots of ideas and even started what I thought might be a placemat.


















The more I thought about it the more I wondered if making Christmas placemats was a good use of my time. I have not bought a lot of gifts, we are trying to finish up our remodeling project, and I know this does not apply to anyone but me but my house needs cleaning.

We have decided to close in our screened porch. It won't be glassed in it is a new product with clear mylar panels that can be lowered and you have screen or raised and you are weather proof. We are hoping it will be finished by Christmas and I really want some furniture so we can use the room when everyone is home. We have been shopping for our new room. I am really excited.

And there are so many little things to be taken care of. Lights to put up, doors to be painted. Please let them be finished soon. I am tired of my space being invaded.

I did do a little sewing on my black and white snails trail. I am not sure how I like the one with the black on the right.

















We are taking our older grandson to Disney on Ice on Sunday for his birthday. His birthday is Christmas Day! It should be fun for all.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Remember all of those who aren't as fortunate. I will see you on the other side. I will continue to read all the wonderful blogs out there. I enjoy everyone's blog so much.