GOD'S SERVANT

I made this quilt for a member of our church. He came to me about 3 years ago and asked if I could make a T-Shirt quilt. Told him I never had made one but I would try. It took a year for him to get the T-shirts to me and another year for me to get the nerve to try making it. Finally cut the shirts up then thought about it for another 6 months.

This man is truly God's Servant (which is monogrammed on the top). While I was making this, all I could think about is all he does for our church, youth and community. He also leads our mission team every year to some disadvantage country doing medical, building and agricultural support. I showed the quilt to our minister and leaders of the church and it was decided to present it to him from the congregation in appreciation of all his devotion to God and humanity.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Bonnie Hunter's pattern that was published in Quiltmaker in 2009 and quilted beautifully by Viki Kirby. This was such a fun quilt to make and I love the colors.

It feels so good to get these 2 quilts in the done column. I still have one more to get bound, one still being quilted by Viki and then I will be free to start something new.

THE DONE COLUMN

The Christmas Cardinals

On a trip to Florida about 3 years ago with my great quilt friends, I bought the fabric for this quilt. At the same time, I got, as a gift, a quilt cookbook which consisted of desert recipes and quilt patterns. I thought this pattern was perfect. After many distractions, I finally finished the top but decided to hand quilt it and that took me forever. Procrastination was what you call it. I'm glad it is done and will be ready to hang next Christmas.

NICU QUILT

Our guild lost a very dear friend and member last year. Roseanna's favorite project was making NICU quilts. It was decided that we would all keep her memory alive by continuing her project and placing labels on the quilts to tell the recipients they were made in her memory. This is my first one and have plans for a few more.

BEEN BUSY

I finally finished the Carolina Crossroads quilt designed by Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville.com

This turned out so romantic and I am sorry I didn't take a picture of the back before I gave it to grand-daughter. (pictured below) Viki Kirby did a fantastic job on the quilting. Long arm quilters still fascinate me. They are truly talented in their own right.

We recently made a rush trip to IN. due to the death of one of my sister's-in-law. Fortunately we got there and back before all the bad weather hit up in that area. While there I got to attend for a day the mini quilt retreat at Miss Mary's with all my close quilt friends. Had just enough time with them to put together this little doll quilt from some scraps that another quilt friend had turned over to our group.

I wanted to add one more border to make it large enough for a baby quilt but I was out voted by the group. So doll quilt it will remain.

To the left is a pic of grand-daughter who is a sophomore at the University of Texas in Austin, TX and the recipient of the Carolina Crossroads. She was excited to get the quilt which always makes Gramma happy. She is such a beautiful girl, smart and sweet.

Our other grand-daughter who is 14 auditioned for and was accepted to the 2011 London Troupe from our Civic Theatre. She will be going with a group of 15 young people to London & Paris for 10 days the summer of 2011 to perform at various venues. What an awesome experience for her.



One more picture of a recent finish. Sorry I couldn't get it turned around. This was a block of the month project done by my SIL many years ago for the guild. Glad to get it finished. Another fine quilting job by Viki. Love the colors!

I think I am caught up now with reasons I haven't been posting lately. Hope it won't be as long the next time.

Happy Quilting everyone.

IT HAS BEEN AWHILE

Can't believe it has been almost 3 months since I have posted. Been a busy, sorrow filled and painful time for me.

I belong to a group of quilt ladies that are absolutely my best friends. We were all at quilt camp together the first week in September and had a great time. A few weeks later we lost one of our group. She was one of the youngest of the group and we all thought of her as our "Mom" because she always looked after us and was the one to jump in and help without us even asking. She will be truly missed.

TABLE RUNNERS

Dawn at "Quilts & Pieces" taught us how to make these table runners. They are really addictive. Made from border print fabrics and are fast and easy. Thanks Dawn for giving us a great present to make for family and friends.

I have been suffering from some really bad pain in my right hip and leg now for a year. The day after I returned from camp I went in for a back injection and it worked for 4 weeks. It was wonderful to be without pain. Unfortunately it has returned and have been trying several things to relieve it. The only place I can sit and not be in really bad pain is my sewing chair. Lucky me!!! Trying to finish up some projects and starting new ones.

These are my 3 favorite ladies. My Mom (86) on back left, Aunt Dot (89) back right and Aunt Boo (84) in front.

A few weeks ago I took Mom and Aunt Dot to see Aunt Boo who is in a nursing home in Kerrville, TX. This was a 9 hour trip going and coming. It was a trip that needed to be made considering their ages and health. I am the only girl in this family and these ladies spoiled me rotten growing up. Wouldn't take anything for this picture.

Back to my sewing machine.

PICK A PECK

Our camp retreat in Indiana this year is titled "Patchwork Pantry". My DSIL sent me an email the other day asking me to bring the Pick a Peck potholders I had made. Returned an email telling her would be glad to and did that mean I needed to get them made? Well yeah!!! So made them up this weekend. Aren't they cute!!! The pumpkin is finished. So 1 down 4 to go. The eggplant looks more like a grape to me and I was informed by my 86 yr old Mother last night that tomatoes are round not square....Oh well, I like them.

If you are interested, the patterns are from Quiltmaker Sept/Oct '08.

Speaking of IN. retreat, my dining room table (which is very large) is now stacked with camp projects all in various stages of completion. Really need to pick and choose otherwise my shipping box will not hold all this. That is not even thinking about lifting it. Can't wait to get away.

NINE PATCHES

I have never made nine patches in my life and after making all of them for this quilt, I may never make any again. These have been the most time consuming things I have ever done. This is the start of Bonnie Hunter's Carolina Crossroads.

DD lost her position as Fine Arts teacher due to budget cuts. However, they offered her the position as Head Start Teacher for the next year. She is not the happiest camper about this but is determined to do a good job with 20 (3, 4 & 5 yr olds) kids. Found this I Spy panel in my stash to make her a wall hanging for the kids to learn alphabet, colors and objects.

Then found this alphabet fabric that I plan to cut and stuff each letter for them to be able to attach letter to picture.

Lots to do before school starts and I leave for quilt camp in Indiana.

GRANDSON, PUPPIES AND QUILT

What a wonderful weekend we had. We went to Kerrville, TX for our grandson's 8th B'Day. DD and family moved into their new home last weekend so along with B'day celebration we also did a lot of unpacking boxes.

The puppies are now 4 months old. They are so cute, loveable and fairly well behaved. Koda is on the left and Captain on the right. They are brothers and play like brothers. Koda was the runt of the litter and was plagued with illness when he came to live with DD but is now catching up with big brother and finally putting on weight. They are fun to watch.

DGS got his new quilt and we also gave him a free standing basketball goal (assembly required) That project took DH and DSIL all day on Saturday to assemble. But was worth it when GS immediately started throwing baskets. "Best Birthday ever" was the comment he made.

Check out the exotic (we think) goats. There are a lot of different animals on the land that is on the other side of the fence of DD's new back yard. Lots of deer, also. We enjoyed sitting on the patio in the mornings with our coffee and watching all the different animals crossing this clearing.

Fun weekend!!!!