Sunday, April 7th, 2013

[FarmChick]

Good morning! Today I’ll be going to town to see Mom again and my DD is coming over to bring her some rick-rack for the aprons Mom is making. DD was in Joplin Saturday for DGS’s soccer games and got to take a trip to JoAnn’s between games. (There is no rick-rack or bias tape within 75 miles of here—Joplin is closest!) Before I go to town, DH and I will go dig up some surprise lilies and daffodils for my DD to plant at her home. It’s definitely not the right time for planting this year, but they should be lovely next year.

I can’t wait to give DGD the two American Girl doll dresses and bolero that I made for her this week! MaryQ—they got to go to the AG store in Kansas City a couple of weeks ago. It’s not as big as the one at Mall of the Americas, but they had fun. My DD splurged and got DD and her doll matching dresses.

Yesterday I went to town to meet my friend and go to Mom’s—I helped her bathe and did her hair, and we had lunch together before she went to her afternoon nap. When I came home from the grocery store, I had several packets of flower seeds which I planted after weeding one of the flower beds. I’m hoping to have some California poppies later this year! They are an annual here, but for a brief season I hope to have golden glory!

Kathy’s sister sounds like she is going through much what my BIL went through a few years ago. It was so scary, took soooo long, and lots of therapy and recovery time. MaryZ—thank you for checking with Kathy and giving us the update!!! So glad she is with a friend and her DD!!!

MaryZ—I like how you keep your sweet DH busy—gardening, quilting, painting, rocking… does he cook? Oh, he does, doesn’t he… in the Dutch oven! He’s definitely a keeper!!! How are your furr/purrbabies doing? We seem to have two and a half dogs… Rennie, the BIG lab-mix puppy from across the road is friends with Odie and Tinker Bell and thinks she has free reign on using their doggie door and coming in to the buffet here. (She is an outdoor dog at Debbie’s and belongs to their DGS.) She spent the night with Tinker Bell on a sleep-over Thursday night. (Outside!)

Our weather seems to be changing to spring although we will be back in the 30s Wednesday and Thursday nights. I’m hoping for some rain showers to wash away the ash where DH and DS3 burned off some ground for better quail habitat. I told DH the area just looks “sad!” Hopefully some warm days and cool nights as well as a shower or two will bring up some morels… and, of course, the wildflowers! The 16 little calves are doing well and so cute! I can watch them for hours (when I should be sewing)!

Sharona—sure hope you don’t get the blizzard! My sister and BIL are to be driving from Las Vegas Monday and want to come through Denver—they may have to change their plans and traverse the southern route like they did on their way to LV.

Velda—what a lovely prayer! I usually end up working on many things at once since I get interrupted with “rush jobs”—covers for butcher racks, drapery alterations, the doll clothes (my interruption), and next a cover for DGD’s vanity stool. Oh, not to mention taking care of Mom, gardening, cooking…

I think I’ve mentioned the LA machine that my neighbor (and I) acquired from her late mother’s things. It hadn’t been used for over 10 years and is probably 25 to 30 years old. It’s an ancient Gammill—probably one of their first machines. Well, the sewing machine repair man couldn’t get it running beautifully, so if we can get an appointment, Debbie and I will be taking a road trip with the machine to the Gammill factory in West Plains, MO.

Teresa—you have so many projects!!! I was admiring your beautiful golden calla lily quilting on my autograph block quilt… I know why you have lots of projects!!!

I must get busy! My coffee tankard is empty, and my shower awaits!

Have a blessed Sunday!!!

Judi--Welcome HOME!!! So glad you made it safely!!!

[maryq]

Good Morning Girls

Yup it is cloudy and cold and rainy here today. Another good day to stay inside and sew! Got Baby Boy quilt pinned yesterday so that will be one of my projects for today! All the uglies are done, excepting for ironing work clothes!

Teresa.... I like your friend Karen's advice.... about finding a way to make things happen! I want to retire so badly, I'll just have to find a way to make it happen! LOL. I will join you in prayers for your Fibro to diminish so you can get all those quilts done on time. I would love to meet you at a quilt shop....anywhere!

Chickie. The AGD doll store at the Mall of America is 2 floors! And for $16. you can bring you doll in and have its hair done! GOOD GRIEF! I have to admit they are very pretty dolls. One of these days I'm going to try to sew some clothes for Evie's. Maybe when I retire!

Maryz... if Bill ever runs out of projects, send him over here! I have tons! My whiskey barrel in the front yard is sinking and I have some trees that need to by cut up and oh yes, some ceilings needing paint. I applaud you guys that can only work on one project at a time.. must be the ADD in me that I have several going at the same time. It's such a great feeling to finish something!

Sharona.... gosh I hope the blizzard misses you! The weatherman last night said we may get snow and/or rain tomorrow! Parts of northern MN got 10" the other day!

Lois... you went to the warehouse and didn't buy anything?? How is that possible? Didn't anything just jump in your cart?

Lori... I have a 1/2 hexi ruler.... another project on my TO DO list!

Suzette.. I love that saying on a quilt label... That's one thing I forget to do a lot, is put a label on the quilt. One of these days I'm going to do some more surfing around on Pinterst! You certainly are a busy girl.. Now aren't you glad you retired?

Judi.... glad you made it to MN safe and sound. Did Colleen sell their house in MI? Or will they be able to move right back in? I'm sure you will have much to do while you are here. Hope to chat with you when you have a few spare moments.

Velda.... as I was going to sleep last nite I had visions of my Cup Cake blocks.... oh how I would love to play with them... but I dare not just yet! I haven't even had a chance to play with my Feb. Lotto blocks yet either! Work sure cuts into my sewing time. Jen has my extra sewing machine in AK, so maybe I'll take a small project along and sew a little when baby sleeps! HA who am I kidding.... I'll be holding the baby!

Well, if I am going to finish baby boy quilt today I better get butt in gear.. Need to hop in the shower myself.

Have a wonderful day everybody

Mary
ps don't forget to sign up for NAME THE BABY under swaps!

[auntjana]

Good morning!

I have "popcorn popping on the apricot tree" here! The neighbor's trees are in blossom and they look so pretty! Popcorn popping is a song that the Primary children sing - the little ones love it with all the actions that go along with it.

Today is Church in jammies! I will make breakfast for us in a few minutes and settle down in my recliner to watch Conference. It was wonderful yesterday and we have two more sessions today.

I got my BOM pattern from QIAD and have all the fabrics laid out on my ironing board - ready to cut and sew - will do that today too, during Conference - I have a TV in my sewing room so I can still watch and hear as I sew. Humm...... maybe Church should be like this more often! LOL

Sarah was here yesterday and took a bunch of the food that was here for her house and then I spent the afternoon re-arranging my kitchen pantry the way I want it. She made an inventory list for me too - to keep track of what is needed.

Ethan loves to run out on my deck - Grandpa got the gate in place and we let Ethan out there for the first time yesterday - left the sliding glass door open for him and his favorite thing to do is go out the door - then in the door - did it so many times in a row that his little legs got so tired, that he could hardly lift it to come back in! Mister Furrypants, Perry, went out too - the weather was perfect - not cold nor hot - he is a very persnickity kitty cat!

Well better scoot - batter for the crepes need to be made -

Hugs and prayers and thanks for safe journeys

Jana

[Marilynsgrammy]

Good morning, another cloudy kind of day.. I love this weather, but need sunshine and heat for my tomatoes..... we are having a much smaller garden this year, I think water may be an issue... I just want tomatoes...

Maryq.. how exciting, thinking of retirement... Jerry took an early retirement, he is 56... we had to to take care of Marilyn.. he gets less $$ each month than he would had we waited till he was 62, but not enough less that it really matters... and acturally there are so many things we could cut and have extra money in our pockets...I think the important part is to have no credit card debt... we only had the house pmt and one car pmt...I hope it works for you.... it would be so nice not to have work stress and get to go see your new DGS with no worries...

Jodie, it's a good group here.. they have put up with me during many rants... and I have never felt un-cared about.. keep coming back and you will be blessed.

Teresa, I had to look to see where Granite Bay was.. it's clear up by Roseville, that's quite a ways North from where you are at....I bet if you googled shop hops in a certain area you could find tons of shops along the way... what are your travel dates? hope you both feel great and make the trip easily.

Lois.. those wedge sneakers are cute....I have gone into LQS's and not found a thing either.. left with all my money..I am using paper hexi's as a template... I get them pre-cut from paperpieces.com... they have lots of shapes...Vicky was using a mylar template for hers... maybe it has a hole, check with her.

Lori, is it the table runner pattern you're looking at?.. boy that one requires some thinking, and preperation... imagine making something larger than a table runner like that, but it would be beautiful... I also like the traditional GFG with green hexi's in between the flowers instead of the diamonds.. so pretty...

Suzette, I think I need a nap after reading all you did yesterday..can't wait to see pictures...love the quilt lable...

Velda, hope you have a fun day planned.

Sharona, hope the blizzard passes you by.. be careful with that bee... can't wait to see the chalk board.. what fun.. does it come with colored chalk?

Maryz.. at the Verizon store you should have gotten a business card form the counter, dialed the phone number and when the clerk answered asked the question and left..lol, wouldn't that have been funny...happy sister visit.. hope you two have fun.

Judi, guess it was good DD was a little late in picking you up so you all could miss any accidents.. I love the way God works...what fun to play dollies.. hope you do it right... Marilyn always had a scripted plan of how we would play.. what a blessing to be you...

Chickie.. I bet DGD is thrilled to have a dress that matches her dolls... how cool is that...what fun to go to the Gammil factory.. hope you get it fixed there...

Jana, I love the Ethan stories.. I got my QIAD pattern too... Ihaven't opened it but it looks scarry... it even came with the template...one day I will make all the patterns but it ain't gonna be soon....

we had fun at the skating rink yesterday, I got a few hexi's sewn together while the kids skated and we went to black bear diner for dinner... they did see a cute boy at the skating rink.. and skated around him often...

today we aren't going to make church.. we are going to get things caught up around here so Marilyn can be ready for school to start back up Monday...

My plan is to sew my cabins for the swap... I found a new pattern that I am definatley going to use... I have gone through three or four already but told my self to quit messing around and make the cabins... good think I listen to myself..

with that I need to get dressed and get some breakfast going... I love a big breakfast...

hope you all have a super day,
Chriss

[auntjana]

Teresa -

I just thought of three of my favorite shops - but they aren't on 99 - they are over in the Concord area - about an hour or so west of 99 from Stockton.

The Cotton Patch is in Lafayette - lots of wonderful fabrics

Thimblecreek - in Concord - good but pricey - this one, Alex Anderson(Simply Quilts) teaches at - Laura Nownes too (co-authored Quilts, Quilts, Quilts with Diana McClun, many years ago - great teaching book) -

Queen B's in Anitoch - is the smallest

My very favorite one closed just before I moved here - the owner has MS and wanted more time with her family.

If I remember any more - will let you know - Roseville is up where my DS3 lives - the one you did the quilting for. By the way - he loves it!

You might want to drive through Old Sacramento - no quilt shops, but lots of other fun shops and trains - the California Train Museum is located there - right on the Sacramento River. Taffy - candy shops are wonderful - I love the caramel popcorn flavor! Oh yes, there is a baseball stadium, right across the bridge where the Rivercats play - they are the Triple A team for the Oakland A's.

You see I can play tour guide - went up to that area many times as DH's Grandparents lived there and we saw them about every other weekend for many years!

Jana

[FarmChick]

P.S. Chriss--I have the Quiltmaker magazine, too, and was stunned/inspired by the hexagons in it! I really like the reversible table runner using the fancy stitches on your machine. I can imagine how mine would turn out… not as shown in the magazine, I’m sure!!! I’m sure hoping the old Gammill is fixable—the new ones would be too tempting and too expensive!!!

MaryQ—I think my DGD saved up some of her Christmas gift money for her trip to the AG store. It’s definitely a once-a-year thing for them… this may be the first time they were there, actually. I can imagine that two floors of AG would be awesome and intimidating at the same time! I use the 30-minute doll clothes pattern from Nancy Zieman. The first one was definitely NOT 30 minutes for me, but the second dress was easier. I will probably try to make a few more items to justify my investment in the pattern! (I’m with you on the ADD!!! Shiny things or new tools and patterns pull me away from my task… consequently lots of UFOs!)

Jana—we have wild plum trees with popcorn on them! I can see one across the pasture. Church in jammies—what fun!!! I like your idea of sewing while watching—didn’t our ancestors quilt and pray at the same time…

Lois—the wedge sneakers sound cute! My DD would love them, I’m sure! So glad you were able to help your friend spend her quilt fabric budget!!!

Time to fix brunch…

[TeresaK]

Lori – MSQC has a great tutorial using half-hexies. I also like the 60* ruler. I can sew half of them all the way across the row and then add 2 rows together – WooHoo!!!

Lois – Thanks for asking the question on the hexies. I just order ones that are 1.75” but I didn’t see any plastic. Will be on the lookout for them. Can you get them at JoAnn’s? Wondering?

Suzette – Pals think I am busy? Whew!!!! You inspire me to keep going. I love to see pic of your quilts.

Mary – Granite Bay is right next to Lake Folsom. Very close to Sacremento. The computer is called QuiltPath and it connects to the APQS. I could get a Q-Bot but it would take some major readjustments and the cost is not to much lower than the one that is directly connected to it.

Chickie – It is my pals that take me out of my comfort zone. I thought you were crazy to use that pattern but it did turn out wonderful. I am thrilled you love it. That is the one I want to use when I get mine together. They are all waiting patiently for me.

Chriss – the only date that is set in stone is Friday and Saturday. The rest is up in the air. So anything goes – LOL

Jana - Thanks for the info on the stores. normally we go up the 5 but he thought to go up the 99 this time. Wonderful that your son loves the quilt. Any pictures? Did I miss them?

Oh I have run out of time. Rob is giving me the stare. Sorry to miss the rest of you but I am off to church. BLESSINGS to you all!!!

[karpet]

Good afternoon all,
We have had sun and temps above the 30's for the last few days - Yeah! We just have not had sun and warm all on the same day yet but it will come. I finished cleaning the carpet in the spare room, so now we have to put the room back together, move Elizabeth over into it, and then David will drywall the ceiling in her room. What a messy process, but the end result looks nice.

I finished blanket stitching around some iron-on appliques of silhouettes that I started last fall. I've never done iron-on appliques on a quilt before and hope they hold up well. Then I made some cases out of satin for Elizabeth to store her hair extensions in - she had asked me if I would make her some, and I needed to do it before she thought I'd forgotten about her. I was looking at my list of WIP's, and I only have 3 more that are under construction that need to be finished into tops and then I'll have a clean slate. 3, that's not so bad.

It was good to hear the update from Kathy on her daughter Kim. Who would have thought that crawling across the floor would be behind this infection? I pray she turns the corner soon.

Have a good Sunday afternoon everyone,
Karlene

[Marilynsgrammy]

http://quiltersmarchmadness.com/partici ... pating.htm

http://heartofthevalleyshophop.com/shop ... pinfo.html

there you go Teresa.. lots of shops up and down Cali...in this part of Cali 5 would be much smoother and so much less traffic but also fewer quilt stores...

in the links above Cloth and Quilts is my fav shop...

thanks for narrowing it down to Friday and Saturday, that's 52 choices...

you all have a great day, I need to get back to my room to play.

[TeresaK]

Chriss - Thanks for the terrific info You just got me in trouble - LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are leaving probably Thursday but not sure when we are coming back. Lots will depend on what the Dr says and what the work schedule is if he is cleared to go back. Will let you know