OMG!!!!

So, I drop by to post a bit about my latest finish and see that last week's post disappeared! Where did it go? It's not even saved as a draft. Sheesh! Don't know if I have the energy to regroup & repeat it all.
It was about the Sisters Quilt Show, which was fabulous


There's a great little antique/junque mall in Sisters. I found these lovelies! More frogs for my growing collection. Isn't this porcelain one the most beautiful? In the white one I plan to make a pincushion (I know this wasn't originally made to be a frog but it will become one now). I couldn't wait to put a few scissors in them. Woo hoo! Now I get to buy more scissors!!!
And we took a few relaxing local rides. This is Elk Lake, about a half hour West of here. We took the dogs swimming at East Lake, about an hour East of here. The bugs were awful. Didn't stay there for long!

So, back to this week's business... I've been working on a birth announcement based on With My Needle's "A Child's Prayer". I've changed the font to a back-stitched one rather than the cross-stitched one mostly to make it a bit smaller. I'm liking it! Perhaps a photo next week. Also I finished one of the LHN monthly ornaments "All Dolled Up". The bird is charted to be white but it just didn't look 'right' to me. I took it out & redid it in red. Much better, a cardinal!
So I can add this one to my stack of over two dozen ornaments needing to be finished. Yes, I've stitched them but have a finishing deficiency. Do you suppose Vonna would give me a bulk rate?

Quilting, Quilting, Quilting and a bit of Stitching!

This has been a very busy & glorious week for me!

First off, our little town has it's Frontier Days celebration the July 4th week. We have an excellent Quilt Show as part of the festivities. So many wonderful quilters in this area. Lots of inspiration!

The second week-end in July is always the Sisters Quilt Show. The week leading up to the Show is busy, busy, busy! Our little burg is right smack on the highway to Sisters. Our quilt shop, Homestead Quilts, is becoming very well known to quilters, especially those traveling up from California, Nevada, Utah and far beyond. Fortunately for me, with all the additional traffic (aka customers) in the shop, Cathy (the owner) needs more hands to work. I always volunteer whenever extra help is needed (and get paid with a very generous shop credit). It's like putting a kid in a candy store. I love being with all the fabrics and helping and meeting the people from all over. Yesterday I met a lovely lady that traveled from England for the Quilt Show. Too much fun!

This year I'm skipping out of work for two days. DH's cousin, Madeline, is flying in from Alaska & we will meet in Sisters. She has a room reserved (not an easy feat) for four of us. M & I always have great fun rooming together. Living so close I've gone to the Show before but never for more than a day. This will be a real treat to stay over and take my time seeing everything.

On Sunday I'll be back in our quilt shop. Loads of customers stop in on their way home. Many have pre-ordered items to be picked up. Like I said, I'm just a kid in a candy store. Then I'll also have to 'pay the piper' for all the goodies I've stashed under the counter. Yummy!

In the evenings I need to sit with an ice pack on my knee so it's perfect for some stitching time. I'm working on A Child's Prayer by With My Needle. Slightly modifying it to be a birth sampler for DH's niece's baby boy (no pics yet).

Happy 4th & a small finish!

Happy 4th of July! Please have a safe celebration!

Guess I'm not a very good holiday person. I enjoy the deeper meaning of the holidays rather than the celebrations. Christmas has gotten out of hand with all the commercialization etc. But back to the 4th.. the fireworks terrify my Kelly dog. Won't know how Matty will respond but I doubt it will be a problem as his hearing is so impaired. Besides that, I firmly believe that children and fireworks are a very bad combination. Even most adults shouldn't be playing with fire. Leave it to the professionals please! Now I'll step down from my soapbox.. .

I finished this small piece designed by Aury . She does such beautiful designs. I have last year's piece also in my finish drawer. Decided this would fit nicely as a quilt block in one of my Quilts Of Valor. Not sure I'm liking the fabric, I may change it to a solid color.


I've been quilting this week. No photo yet but I'm making a QOV with some signature squares. It felt like a good patriotic way to spend the week.

This week begins the Sisters Quilt Show activites. I'll be volunteering at our local quilt store as we get an amazing amout of traffic even though we are an hour away from Sisters. Friday night I'll be staying in Sisters with Madeline, my cousin-in-law from Alaska. Two days of wild fun with M at the quilt show! You'll be hearing more about that!!!

Today my two grandsons, Alex (10) and Tyler (6) are arriving. There will be no stitching or quilting goin on! We call them the terrorists. It usually takes Pops and I a week to recover from them. I'm hoping they'll want to attend our local festivites and rodeo. I want to!

Have a safe and fun 4th celebration!

A Little Catching Up!

I'm a sucker for counted cross stitch. If you've been here before you will know this. It happens that our National Parks offer a cross stitch of each park in their gift shops. Crater Lake NP was no exception. I think this one is particularly lovely. Now, having these little kits and stitching them is a whole different story. I've not completed a one of them yet!!!
Here's my "almost completed" Weihenburg Contest Sampler. I'm so pleased with the way this is turning out. I love the colors! Can you see the bee and the hive I've put in to personalize it? I may rip the hive out as it looks a bit crowded. Maybe I can put it on the unfinished side. Hmmm!
Soooo, while I was out & about the other day I caught a sale at Michael's. I bought a few trims, a few beading do-dads, this lovely white frame and this unfinished box. I have just the piece for this frame!

Notice the two little yo-yos on the box? I happened upon a NEW quilt shop in town. I actually read about them in the paper & was heading their way. They just opened June 1 but his week-end was the "Grand Opening". Quilt Works (no web site yet). I'll be visiting them again soon! Of course a gal has to support the local economy and I wish them much success. Oh! The yo-yos, I made them during a demonstration. I have one of those yo-yo makers somewhere around here but have never tried it. Pretty neat!

Of course, when I get to town to run the usual errands I always stop by Joann's. They had patriotic fabrics on sale. Aren't these lovely? I needed some neutrals.

But then, I was wandering past the decorator fabrics and it struck me that I had recently disembled two throw pillows, saving the nice long zippers. I 'needed' to make new covers. Look at the lovelies I chose. Don't they go well with the sofa fabric?

So, today I was tidying up my sewing room and got inspired to frame a little piece I had stitched years ago. I think it was a Brooke's Books pattern. I like the white frame but maybe it should go in a darker frame. Wouldn't wash out the pretty pink fabric so much. I'll look at it a while longer.

It's March???

Where on earth did January & February go? Before we know it Christmas will be here again! OH NO! Don't even think that! Hush my mouth!

Besides running in and out of town for doctor's appointments our lives have been pretty dull lately. Perhaps it's just the let-down after my fabulous stitching week-end in Portland. Ah well, I've had plenty of time to stitch. If I could only tear myself away from this blasted computer.

Have any of you had experience with rechargable batteries? A few years ago DH bought me a lovely little pink camera. We purchased rechargable batteries and a charger. Lately the batts aren't holding the charge. Soooo... I'm using regular old 1.5 V batts. This camera is sucking the juice outta these babies like a kid with a juicebox. Any ideas? Do I need to buy new rechargables? Do I need a new charger? Do these things have a limited life span? I'm flumoxed!

Quilty Stuff:
Somebody cut some fabric a bit on the skinny side! (Who?) Then she thought she could fudge it and go on. (HA!) The squares weren't too bad. (double HA!) Once the body of the quilt top started to go together it looked wonky. (really bad!!) Frustration set in. Had to fold this puppy up and put it away for deconstruction at a later date or I was going to toss it in the dust bin. (now that would be a total waste of some beautiful fabric)

I'm praying my quilting mojo will come back soon as I really want to get on with the Postage Stamp Quilt.

Stitchy Stash: (didn't somebody say I was on a diet?)
e-Bay
Yes, I'm bad! Just coudn't pass up "Patchwork Puzzle Balls" by Jinny Beyer. These have intriguesd me and I HAVE to try them.
Also, I've won
S.P.Ink "Jesus Loves Me"
Stoney Creek "Home Repairs"
Waxing Moon Designs "My Needle And My Floss"

stitching GTG
Brightneedle Charted Designs "Key West Sampler"
Rosewood Manor a XS card chart without a name
Sweetbriar Needle Design "A Friend Knows"
Val's Stitchin' Stuff "here A Cat, There A Cat"
Waxing Moon Designs "Autumn Nap"

Acorns & Threads in Portland, OR
Little House Needleworks "Schoolgirl Lessons"
Simple Stitches "Don't Cross Me When I'm Stitchin'"
Simple Stitches "Just One More Stitch"
Sisters and Best Friends "Hollyhock Sampler - Strength"

Stitchy Stuff
It's repaired! We can open the door! I frogged a section of the door and placed the doorknob thingy on LHN's "The Library". Also the door arch is finished and I'm ready to stitch the birds.

While I was bummed about the frog's visit I pulled out a UFO and finished it! Here's Prairie Schooler's "Country Wise". This one I'm going to hang over my cutting board (check back at the quilty stuff).

Quilting Fun!

I have been trying to give myself more time to quilt. Seems with the Olympics and life in general, my quilting has been getting ignored. Sooooo, I've been getting up a wee bit earlier and going straight to my sewing room. There's a QOV (Quilt Of Valor) in the works. I'm not terribly happy with it but I will press on, BECAUSE, I want to make make a Postage Stamp Quilt. The fabrics are gathered. I just want to finish the QOV first and I'm almost there. If you're interested in making a Postage Stamp Quilt, I think I mentioned in an earlier blog entry, Heidi is posting a tutorial. You can also click on the button in my right column to get there. Now, another thing I discovered on Heidi's blog (is she an enabler or what?) is the Friday Night Sew-In. This week she is also having a give-away. Since I usually sew or stitch every evening, I'm joining in on the fun.

Postage Stamp Quilt SAL

I have just run into the most wonderful SAL at Hand Made By Heidi! I've just joined, so check it out. I have posted a button in the right column. Have always wanted to make a Postage Stam Quilt! I am soooo jazzed about this project!!!

Lots of Photos!

I've finally got some photos to show you. I'm not too slow for you, am I? My camera's not the greatest for close ups so some of these aren't terribly clear.

This is the piece I completed the other day. The coloring doesn't show true here. It was a mystery on the German Marquoir group. It's done on a miscellaneous piece of linen in DMC flosses.

Here is the baseball quilt I made for my 10 y.o. grandson, Alex. I chose the diamond pattern to represent a baseball diamond. I think it's a little on the busy side.

Now the back I love, love, love! Notice I had a specially made label for the corner.

This is The Button Tree by The Drawn Thread that I'd mentioned in my last post. Isn't it too darling? I may even do one with colored buttons too.

These are the other three charts I got from Sonda besides The Button Tree.

Now I want to show you some goodies I recently aquired. These are antique spools. Aren't they lovely. I spent a bit more than I had planned to but I just HAD to have them. I wanted to buy just a few (how could I decide!!) but they wouldn't split the lot.


Well, DH says it's way past bedtime. Think I'll take the hint. More photos tomorrow! Don't worry, it will be tomorrow cuz' the photos have already been taken. Nighty night!

Out Of Touch! We Have A Winner!

So sorry I've been out of touch for so long again. I've caught 'the crud'. You know, the headachy, runny nose, congested, sore throat kind. Yup, and this mornin' I added another symptom we won't discuss here.

I have however finished a cross stitch piece and a quilt. No photos yet but hopefully I can get some this afternoon. Check back for my next post if you're interested.

I have some unfinished business to take care of too. Back on November 28th I offered up a giveaway. In the rush and stumble of my life I failed to announce the winner. Since there were only six entries I've had DH sing out a number. ONE, yes number one! That's Andie in New Zealand! Congratulations Andie!

The mailman has brought me several goodies lately.
I bought some charts from Sonda's For Sale list. I've met Sonda at our bi-monthly stitching get-togethers. She's a kick!
1. CCN Holly & Ivy Sampler
2. HIH 2009 Collector's Heart
3. Drawn Thread The Button Tree
and she sent me the JBW Designs Blessings chart for free

My name was on the list for several charts by Martina Dey of Stickideen von der Weihenburg. When it came down to my pocketbook I could only afford one right now. So I chose Rose Quaker. The mailman brought Christmas Quaker Bellpull. It's lovely and I'll keep it, but, I was so very disappointed. These charts come from Germany so it just wouldn't be cost effective to return it. I'll buy Rose Quaker later when I can rub two nickles together again.

I know there's more but my foggy mind just isn't working at full speed right now. I've been very generous with myself while I've been doing my Christmas shopping this year. Bought myself both Andrea Boclli's 'My Christmas' and Susan Boyle's 'I Dreamed A Dream' CDs. Also DVD's 'The Sisterhood ot the Traveling Pants' and 'Two Weeks Notice'. I'm really going to enjoy these while I stitch!

I belong to the PaperBackSwap . It's a really great group and I save lots of money on my books. I've recently received three of Monica Ferris' Needlecraft Mystery Series: 'A Stitch In Time', 'Framed In Lace', and 'Crewel World'. I also got Debbie macomber's 'Fairy Tale Weddings' and Clive Cussler's 'Arctic Drift'. The last two are new in paperback and I'm so excited!!!

Well, I'm going to go try to get those photos now. Plus all the other little things like laundry that need to get done whether I'm sick or not. Oh, BTW, it's been in the -20F degrees here and we were without water for several days. Hence the scurry to catch up on chores. At least we haven't lost power yet this season!

My New Creation Center!

I've updated the photos of my "Creation Center"! Welcome to my room! I moved across the hall. Painted the room. Rearranged a bit. Painted & hung some pegboard to clear up some space. Added more drawers. Lots of little things! The biggest thing: the quilt hanging over my sewing table! King sized scallop quilt. It's finished now but no-way will we ever be able to use it on our bed! Two big dog children! I don't even use white or anything near it on my bed. A local shop owner offered to buy it but I just couldn't bear to part with it. Not yet!

Running to the Post Office Again!

Well, I've been on the sewing machine again this week-end! This beauty is a QOV (Quilt Of Valor) signature quilt top. Each of the stars is signed, some add notes of encouragement and thanks. And it's going in the mail to the quilter tomorrow morning!


I came home from the QOF get-together at Bellingham in July with enough signature squares to make at least three of these quilts. Some of these squares had been "sitting around" for almost a year. It was time! But the rest will have to wait. I MUST get started on my grandson's Baseball Quilt NOW!!! His birthday is coming up way too fast!

Another Quilt Top Finished!

This is the Americana squares sewn together for another quilt for Cross Stitch For Charity. The second photo will be a pillow top when finished.

Stitching & Quilting finishes!

What a productive week-end so far! I got tired ot stitching BAPs and wanted something that would finish up quickly. Do you ever feel like that? Just feel the need to complete something? Well, I do and I did! This is a freebie from Donna Bayliss of By The Bay Needleart. I love her designs! When I finally get to start another piece (a self imposed limit) it will be one of hers.

Also, this week-end I have been stitching together all these beautiful cross stitched squares from the ladies at Cross Stitch For Charity, a Yahoo group I belong to. So many wonderful stitchers! And there was an extra square so I made a pillow to match. These will be in Monday's mail to the quilter, Jeanie, in Montana.

Karen is have a wonderful Thimbleberries giveaway on her blog. For all you quilters, check it out!

My latest finish!

This quilt was made from leftover pieces of shirting fabrics. (Sorry about the angle of the photos, my quilt holder was not available.) I even used leftovers of the leftovers to piece the back. I'm really quite proud of it. My quilter, Jan, even offered to buy this one from me. But, it's going to DH. I've never made one for him and he really likes this. Now to find the time to sew on the binding and it's completed. (I couldn't wait to show you.)

Quilts Of Valor Week-end Photos!

Some of the quilts we took to present
This is my first QOV which I gave to a Viet Nam Vet

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute

Hey Ho from Vancouver, B.C.!

Hi Y'all! Told ya I was running away! I'm here at my bestest bud, Pam's. We've known each other since before we started kindergarten. Having a great time catching up (which we do at least once a year). Today we ran out to Surrey to the most wonderful stitching shop I've ever been to, Loving Stitch. This shop has more fabric than I've ever seen in one place. And, of course, I took full advantage!

But wait! I need to catch you up on this past week-end. Didn't have internet access so I couldn't catch you while I was all pumped up over this. (And, of course, my photo downloading cord is out in my car so no photos right now.) I was in Bellingham, Washington at a Quilts Of Valor retreat. Oh my! What a beautiful setting! What awesome ladies! Anyhoo... We had been asked to present some quilts at the Traveling Viet-Nam Memorial Wall that was co-incidentally going to be in B'ham. We were able to come up with over 40 quilts on short notice. Most of these were given to members of the Patriot Guard (most of whom are former GIs). Deliciously hot sunny day. An emotional catharsis for me. Many tears were shed by many. I am so pumped up to make more quilts. We got several names of fellows to get quilts to in the near future. We got many vets to sign signatue blocks for future quilts. I've got oodles of fabric and signature blocks to take home with me. Ooh, I can't wait to share som photos with you.

Well, I must be off to bed. The entire house has gone to bed already. Will try to post some photos when I can (hopefully before I get home). But I have more adventures in store for you so come back soon. Hugs...

Quilts Of Valor

This morning I had the honor of joining the local Winchester Bay QOV group. They meet every Monday morning at a local church. Such a wonderful bunch of women with a varied set of skills. This group works together on their quilts, with each woman doing an important part of the quilting process. They were able to send 5 quilts to the recent QOV Quilts Across America. This group also makes quilts for missions, a local pregnancy center and for significant occasions for the members of their congregation. I think I've found another wonderful group of friends via the internet.

Just another week!

Another week has past. I haven't made one cross stitch. My hands have hurt so badly by evening. I've been putting in a brick edging around the flower beds in our front yard. It's looking real nice. The back yard is awful! I can't wait to start! NOT!
.
I have been doing some quilting. Had a quilt top finished for Thursdays meeting with the Hero Quilters. I have the squares cut for another. Just a bit of squaring up, sewing on the sashing and borders. I hope to have it ready by next Thursday since I'll be missing quite a few meetings this month and next. I forgot to take photos before turning it in so here is a picture of one square. You'll have to use your imagination until I get it back

I'm getting antsy to get my QOV back from the longarmer. I'd like to take it with me to the coast. It will need the binding and label. Handwork is so easy when we're on the road. Maybe one of my Hero Quilts will be ready too!

Wowee! We bought a new car on Tuesday! A Ford Escape. It's so nice! Fully loaded! Jim's been tinkering with it all week. Syncing up our phones, setting Serius stations, downloading music onto USB sticks. Yes, it has a USB port and a MP3 port! It's so fun to be driving down the road and be able to make a call by voice command! The mileage is exceptional, especially compared to the Jeep! I've already noticed a difference. I got to do all the research and decide on which vehicle and what amenities I wanted on-line. All Jim had to do was test drive and sign papers. I'm so happy now. I hated that Jeep Commander. (bet you thought I'd put a photo here! I haven't taken one yet. Sorry!)


I don't think I mentioned my mining experience two week-ends ago. What a day! Burnt to a crisp! We were digging for Oregon Sunstones, our state's stone. Only found in two areas of the world, both about four hours from here. I found quite a pile even with my limited abilities. Notice the one on top with the red color to it? (photo doesn't show how much red there is) The more color, the more worth! I'm having that one cut and mounted. However, the day did have some bumps. Over sleeping, dead battery, two flat tires and a skid down a hill face first. Is that enough? I should'a stayed in bed!

Although we've been having terrible thunder storms and Kelly is constantly trying to hide, I did make it to Sisters to join the Hero Quilters again yesterday. I turned in the quilt I helped finish and we have seven ready to mail to Madigan Army Hospital. These outings still tire me so quickly. I came home and slept for nearly 4 hours, was up for about two and slept all night for another eight. Wonder when I'm going to get my stamina back?
Just to let you know, when Kelly hides I usually try to get her up on the bed with me under a blanket where I cuddle and croon to her until she calms down or the storm goes away. (Sometimes I think she plays me like a fiddle!)
Kathy from the bbinteractive yahoo group is having a Super Giveaway to commemerate her birthday and the three month birthday of her gorgeous new pup, Rory. What a beauty he is! Man did she get a haul of stitching goodies for her b'day! I'm so jealous! I can't wait to see if I win. Please, please, please let it be me!