A Little Bird Told Me

Ah! A taste of Fall

2011-09-05T20:51:00.000-05:00

I had these half-square triangles left from some tablerunners I've been working on. I started to sew some of them together with no plan, just because they were sitting next to the machine..then I sewed some more, rearranaged them and played around with them and abandoned them several times but, today I ended up with this. The tablerunners still aren't done.

After getting up at 5:30 in July and August before the heat index was triple digits to run, we woke up this morning to a wonderful, life-renewing 61 degrees. This hill still wasn't easy but a little more bearable...no love for the hill.

Summer Sampler Series 2011

2011-08-21T19:56:00.000-05:00

My quilt top is done. Since my blocks turned out to be different sizes ( I now know not to print from google doc.) I put sashing around all the blocks and then cut them all to 14.5. I think it will always remind me of summer 2011 and the zinnias I had growing in my backyard. I've been able to cut a new bouquet of zinnias every week since they started blooming in early june...and all for the price of a pack of seeds.

All caught up!

2011-07-31T16:02:00.000-05:00

Have all my blocks done for the Summer Sampler Series. Only 1 more week and 3 more blocks to go. Not sure how these will all look together but I'm having fun...so not going to worry about it.

Also got pillowcases done for my daughters to take to school. They requested these and they took way longer to do than they should have but I can mark them off my list...love doing that.

Summer Saturday

2011-07-16T13:54:00.000-05:00

A run on the river and then Historic Newburgh Farmers Market. The bread is Lemon Blueberry that my daughter, Lydia, picked out.

Summer Sampler Series Block #3. Hit the button to see all the other great blocks

Thrifty quilt top #1 is done. I'm making these for twin beds that I have. I think I'll tweek the second one just a little...maybe pull out the red and add in some purple. An excuse to hit the thrift shop again!

2011 Summer Sampler Series

2011-07-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

First 2 blocks done. Loving the bright colors.

backyard inspiration

2011-07-12T12:35:00.009-05:00

I grew zinnias as a kid but had since forgotten how much I like them. You don't see them very much anymore. I think they are sort of a old fashion flower that people used to grow in their gardens and now we do more potted flowers. I SO like the bright clean colors and these are the very colors I want to use in the Summer Sampler Series going on over at Swim Bike Quilt , Freshly Pieced and Fresh Lemons.

Thrifty

2011-07-07T17:22:00.004-05:00

Inspired by my oldest daughter, Emmy, who loves thrift shops. Mens dress shirts..most purchased at 1.00 but, yes I did pay 4.00 for a couple of them cause I really liked the colors.
Enough blocks for 2 twin quilts...to be revealed soon!

dog-leg left

2010-04-09T08:31:00.003-05:00

These days I seem to be restless. Usually, I look around my home at my family and its just so full I want to keep everybody just as they are but lately I crave some change or maybe some excitment. I want a dog-leg left ..you know put myself out there..try something different without knowing exactly where I'm going or how its going to turn out. It could be that its Spring..it could be that I just had a birthday that bothered me a little. Wed. I went to my very part-time job that I have enjoyed for the last 7 years and I quit. I think I like that change..I feel a little set free. More time to be with Emmy and Lydia this summer and more time to play on my longarm machine. Maybe I'll finally get my bedroom painted gray and put a quilt on the bed that I made. Maybe this summer sometime the whole house will be clean.

Spring

2010-03-09T09:33:00.002-06:00

Living in Southern Indiana is..

Waking up and hearing the birds and nothing else! I love not having neighbors
right next to us.

Playing golf in March...the guy at the clubhouse knew that Bill had bought a
season pass and it bothered Bill that our town is so small that he would
know that Bill had a pass but I really liked it.

Spring..I love having Spring back. They call it spring in Minn. and Mich.
and Chicago but only because the calendar says so. Its not spring without
redbud and dogwood. Its not spring without daffodils that bloom when there're suppose to..in
March, not May. Spring in southern Indiana feels like home to me.

I belong where the redbuds bloom

Life in 2010

2010-02-02T09:44:00.003-06:00

Life: trying to exercise and longarm quilt while making sure a new puppy doesn't chew the furniture. Trying to get up at 4:45 with Bill and still make it to 9:00 at night (without snapping) Most nights, wishing I didn't have to come up with a meat and potatos dinner. Counting Bill's work clothes and calculating when I need to do laundry next. Looking forward to evening when everyone is home but wishing they would go away on the weekend, so I can have Bill all to myself..yea baby! Looking forward to Spring and golf..golf..I miss you golf! Catalog shopping at new summer clothes, telling myself if I stay on track, I might like this..and oh this.and ahh thats really cute and then remembering we have kids to send to college and thats OK.
Wondering if I'm going to have to learn to run the riding lawnmower..I said I never would. But right now there is snow on the ground and Bean is sleeping so back to the longarm I go.

Forty Five Hours but whos counting.

2009-06-15T10:13:00.006-05:00

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Southern Indiana Shop Hop is June 20 thru the 27th. Just finished quilting the "shop hop" quilt for the Village Mercantile in Boonville IN. I was really overwelmed with the project and stretched myself (perhaps beyond my ability) and even though the excecution of the designs isn't as good as I would like, I think I was pleased with the results

1st Time at MQS

2009-05-20T18:52:00.005-05:00

I've had my APQS Millennium for 1 year now and I'm just now starting to know what I don't know and what questions I want to ask...have a good idea of what kind-of quilting I would like to explore more. It seemed like May and my classes at MQS would never get here. It was wonderful...there was a moment (EMBARRASSING but I kept it well hidden)when I actually teared up...all the answers to issues and questions I had been asking myself all winter were being flung out at me....bam ..bam..bam..and I couldn't soak it all up quick enough. I had wonderful teachers...Dawn Cavanaugh is such a good teacher and Sue Patton who really encouraged me to not always follow all the rules and be myself.....thank you Sue!

A pretty stereotypical picture of the "Quilting World" had been painted for my 16 yr. old daughter. Sue and her boots have single-handily renewed her interest...(keep trying to add to this but really don't think I need to)

The Sheraton and adjoining Conference center in Overland Park, Kansas were so nice. Love to be inspired in a beautiful setting. Now its time to put old fabric in my machine and practice...practice everything I learned.

What a difference a week makes!

2009-05-02T11:10:00.004-05:00

Before: This was taken on Tues. April 20. When I was looking back at this picture on the 28th I realized how much the leaves had come out so I took a "after" shot.

After: This was taken 8 days later on April 28th. Wowsy! I wish I knew how to put these 2 pictures next to each other...I'm not even sure thats possible.

Paducah Quilt Show

2009-04-28T07:51:00.001-05:00

It was an impulsive trip to Paducah. I only live 2 hours away but I told myself I really didn't need to go. I woke up several times Wed. night thinking about the show. By 7.00 am I had dropped my daughter off at school, picked up a large coffee at The Donut Bank and was on my way. I used to live in Metropolis IL...just across the river from Paducah. I love Paducah, it feels like home.

No. 95 The Francesca Skirt by Serendipity Studio

I had picked up this skirt pattern at the shop where I work, The Village Mercantile in Boonville IN. I wanted to make a couple of skirts for my daughter, Lydia. I knew the remnant tables in Hancocks would be a great place to look for some funky fabric that she would like. I have one made..really cute..I would recommend this pattern.

Heres a picture of the rest of my (I should be ashamed) haul. I went a little crazy...maybe I should get out a little more.

I 'd like to make another skirt out of these three fabrics.

I got these for my daughter, Emmy's high school graduation quilt. Gee, think I might want to get started on that? I work better with a deadline...it'll happen.

Surprise, surprise, a few more dots for my collection of dotted fabrics. Can't resist the dots.

I like to use the fabric from American Jane with the rulers on it for binding on a 1930's quilt...and there are a few more pieces for my collection of 30's fabrics.

Not Ready for Public Viewing!

2009-04-27T20:35:00.000-05:00

Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer and warmer. I've put aside those jeans and sweatshirt I had been hibernating in all winter...it was in the 80's all weekend..

but then WHAT!

Its the same dilemma each year. Theres that awkward week or so where its definitely warm enough for shorts but I'm not leaving the house in them yet! Not with these white (Casper the ghost) legs.
I really shouldn't care but....

OH MY! Help Where's my self-tanning lotion?

Hopes and Dreams in Southern Indiana

2009-04-24T19:48:00.004-05:00

I can enjoy Spring,

Redbuds and Dogwoods laced through the woods...

once my beds have been cleaned and preen and mulch applied. And there's the catch. We have older trees and therefore lots of leaves. Really, just imagine doing squats off and on for 5 or 6 hours. Bend over pick up leaves and put in the wheelbarrow..bend over pick up leaves
bend over pick up leaves
it seems never ending at times, but when its done the beds look really great and there's satisfaction in that. My thighs though...the fronts, the backs, ohh there is pain. And I had been spending time on the treadmill, even doing sprints up the hill beside the house

I wasn't prepared.

We also got our garden put in finally, after a wet cold April. There are tomato plants, basil, and rosemary. Also, we planted seeds for peas, yellow squash and zucinni. Its so easy to be optimistic in the spring. Its small and a little sad but there are high hopes. Silly Dreamer.

Fresh Apple Cake

2009-03-30T14:31:00.007-05:00

I had seen this recipe in the April issue of Midwest Living, submitted by Sharon Buckner of Rhineland Missouri. The recipe looked real easy and Sharon claimed,"it gets a sugary top and caramelized gooey bottom". Yum..I was curious to see if this was really true. Oh my, this is a recipe I will make again and again. So easy and so good. Its everything Sharon claimed it would be.
I had started the 1st of March trying to eat all the stuff your supposed to and none of the stuff you shouldn't. I hung tough...I surprised myself...I did really well. And, yes of course I wanted to lose some weight but what I really wanted more than anything was to eat better and I did. I did lose some weight and I feel alot better...more energy.
Sunday was my birthday...I could eat what I wanted..if only for one day and I put a lot of thought into this(like everyday when I was eating steamed vegatable)
I started out with Pioneer Womens Migas. Sort of a Mexican omelet with jalapeno pepper, cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro...oh yea! And then, Fresh Apple Cake...it was worth all the work.

Now, I need a new carrot in front of me to work towards...mmmmm...probably that new golf skort my husband gave me for my birthday...yeah yeah that will work!

Fresh Apple Cake
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar(I used 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup white sugar)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs, lighty beaten
1 1/4 cups canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped (3 cups)
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts,
Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

1. Grease a 13x9x2 inch baking pan; set aside. In a very large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; make a well in center of dry mixture.
2. In bowl, combine eggs, oil and vanilla; stir in apples and nuts. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened (batter will be thick). Spread in prepared pan.
3. Bake 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a wood toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm with sweetened whipped cream

My Irish Sister!

2009-03-17T09:43:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday Elizabeth

My sister, Elizabeth has a birthday today, on St. Patrick Day. It has always been a great birthday. As kids, we ate green food and she opened her gifts which of course were green. Because of where her birthday falls, people often think she is Irish..... they just make that leap...pretty funny!

Gardening 101

2009-03-16T15:13:00.008-05:00

Future Garden

Gardening 101 for us...not for you. Don't be looking for any gardening tips here. We're just finding our way as we go here. We have had a couple of gardens before with limited success, but its spring and we have high hopes. Much later, when its 95 with 60% humidity and the weeds are popping up, I'll probably sit in the shade, laugh at myself, and wish I'd hadn't had such grand plans.
What I really want to do is can. Can tomatos, pasta sauce, salsa, and dilly beans. I will have to buy all my supplies and I will probably end up spending more than if I just purchased these items at the store, but its something I've always wanted to do. If I had a bucket list, canning would be on there somewhere.
I started some of my seeds today. Most of these are flowers, zinnas and cosmos but I also started some peppers for the vegtable garden.

I'm a Winner

2009-03-09T09:12:00.006-05:00

I won the door-prize at my March Quilt Guild meeting and look, it included 6-half yard pieces of Karen Hampton's snow-dyed fabrics. She is a very talented Fiber Artist that belongs to the Raintree Quilt Guild here in Evansville IN. Not only does she dye fabric, she prints, paints, silkscreens and does several other surface embellishments. Impressive! They sold raffle tickets to raise money for the quild, and when they called my number the whole room went black..all I saw was my number and when I came to my senses I was jumping up and down and I just don't do things like that...I'm not a real expressive. You always hear people say, "I never win anything" and I'm one of those. As I sit here and try to recall, I can't think of one contest I have won. I thought for sure that I would win Pioneer Woman's camera that she gave away on her blog a few months back...you see, my camera broke and I was not going to buy a new one (not in the budget) and I haven't. I borrow my daughters and that seems to work for now (shes very sweet about it). So, I really belived I would win that give-away and I say, you have to believe it you want it to happen. Yep, my name is Nancy Wheatley and I am a winner!

I Warned You!

2009-02-21T21:45:00.002-06:00

I think it is more than I promised you earlier! I really like it and more importantly, Lydia likes it however it is alot to take in all at once.

I got to use up fabric that I already had that was just sitting there in my closet and that always feels good. It has been a successful quiltathon day for me. Thanks Judy for the inspiration.

Judy L. Quiltathon Weekend

2009-02-21T09:11:00.002-06:00

Its Judy L. Quiltathon Weekend where Judy encourages you to sew all weekend and get lots done. Read all about it at Patchwork Times . A couple of years ago I took a class with Jane Sassasam(fun) and had alot of bright wild fabric leftover I didn't know what to do with. Fast forword 2 years...I'm putting them all together today for a new quilt for my daughter, Lydia. She's 16, she'll think its great. (It will give me something to practice on my longarm). Picture to follow later (you'll want to see this one...if only to say,"Oh my")!

Catch-up Monday

2009-02-16T21:26:00.002-06:00

Between 2 quilting retreats in January and working on my long-arm I did what I told myself I wouldn't do...I fell behind on Judy L.'s Star Bom. I did Block #10,#11, and #12 today and it is wonderful to be caught up. Only 1 more block and then the border. I'm looking forword to seeing what everyone else's will look like.

Deep dish pizza

2009-02-15T11:55:00.004-06:00

Before living here in southern Indiana,we lived in the Chicago area. There are many things I enjoy here that would not have been possible in Chicago but many things I think of and miss from my time spent in civilization, one being deep dish pizza. There isn't anywhere to get deep dish pizza here and I mean it just doesnt' exist here. I was in the grocery store last week picking up some frozen pizza for my son and I thought of that deep dish pizza and I couldn't believe it ....I still think this is weird but there in the frozen food was a frozen deep dish pizza from Leonardo's of Naperville. Thats where we use to get our pizza and that is just the pizza I had been dreaming of. The crust wasn't as good (they never are) but the rest was just as I remembered..wonderful...

Back on the grid!

2009-01-31T11:03:00.004-06:00

Before I went to bed on Tues. night I stood on the front porch listening to the rain, knowing it probably meant impending doom. It was only 26 degrees and the temp. was dropping...we were slowly being encased in ice but it was suppose to switch over to snow at midnight so maybe...just maybe we wouldn't lose power and I could wake up, make soup, and sew all day. The rain didn't stop coming down and it didn't switch over to snow till 5:00 am. All hopes of that cozy snow day spent sewing and cooking while looking out at the beautiful scenery....poof..gone. Without electricity, sleeping in to 7:00 suddenly feels like a extravagant waste of daylight. Thankfully a rotary cutter doesnt' require electricity and I got several things cut out (picking out the fabric to cut in a dark walk-in closet with a flashlight...not so easy as you might think!)but today, yes..I can make soup and sew. While it was nice to have TV back to find out what was happening around us, I was sad to hear many people have it worse than we do here in southern Indiana.

She rhymes

2009-01-05T13:14:00.003-06:00

OK...my sister, Betsy, who brought this santa to me from an antique shop in southern Illinois has now written a poem for the poor old guy! Its cute but she may have too much time on her hands. Hmmm!

My name was poor old Santa boys
I was left deserted and alone in Illinois
I spent many years locked away
Just waiting for someone to come by and say Hey!
Then one day it finally happened...
Someone took me to Newburgh, Indiana
I was taken in by a lady named Nancy
...who made me look nice and fancy
She gave me a new home
Where I never feel alone
And she gave me a new name
It is now...Santa Sugar Cane!!!!

Where have I been?

2009-01-02T18:00:00.007-06:00

Our camera was old...I couldn't get the detail I wanted in my pictures..things were fuzzy. So we talked about getting a new one and we researched and then my husband researched some more and we really wanted a new one. I was having so much fun posting pictures on my blog. However we finally decided now was not the time for us to spend the money. No sooner had we decided that than the old camera broke. But we had decided not to get a new one and we were sticking to that, besides we had bought a camera for my daughter for Christmas and I knew she would probably let me borrow it (if I ask nicely) SO...thats the looonnng story of why I've been away from blogland.(
My younger sister, Betsy, found this poor old santa in an antique shop and thought he had a sweet face and she thought, "I know, Nancy will fix this guy." That was probably 5 years ago. I would always find him when I was getting the Christmas decoration out but with all the stuff there is to do at Christmas I wouldn't have time to fix him. And then Christmas would be over and I would lose interest (besides I really didn't know how I was going to "fix" poor old Santa") However this year I did drag him out and here he is. I think I really wanted him to looked older..maybe a little faded, but I never really knew how to do that. I just "fixed" him with what I had around.

Judy's Quiltlthon and Star BOM #9

2008-12-06T15:49:00.007-06:00

All I really want to do is decorate and bake for Christmas but I was good and took the morning to participate in the quiltathon and do block #9 in Judy Laquidara Star BOM. How's that for killing two birds with one stone?...Is that cheating? I don't think so! My block looks a little dull to me but it's done. I also did some catching up with a BOM that my quilt guild is doing. Its going to be a calendar quilt as you can see. It started in July. I really want it to have a fun, qwirky look but haven't really been happy with them till I got to Nov. and Dec. I'd also like to use a striped sashing that brings all the colors together and that gives me something to shop for. I'll know its right when I see it...I think.

Fun Find in Gatlinburg

2008-12-06T15:13:00.002-06:00

In Gatlinburg at Thanksgiving, we try to avoid the "main drag" with all the shops and people..people..and more people. We took a back road away from town and found a trail that we hiked for a couple of hours. So pretty and peaceful. On the way back we stopped at a road-side mountain mini-mart. Sometimes these tucked away places will have something I don't often (if ever)see. Bingo...success...they had the boxes of Red Band candy sticks. I get the peppermint ones at Cracker Barrel because they remind me of my grandparents and I like the way they look in an old jar. Well, this store had them in sassafras, clove, and birch flavors and the stripes on them are all different but all red and white or red, green and white. I have never heard of birch flavor ...have you? I really like the way they all look in my jar.

2008-12-01T10:14:00.004-06:00

I wanted to make each of my 3 sisters a lap quilt. I needed practice on my longarm...I told myself (and I did need practice). I got to shop for fabric I thought would match their personalities and their homes and shopping for fabric is always fun. But none of that was as much fun as watching each of them unwrap their quilts. Although we live in different states we get together with our families at Thanksgiving each year. This year we rented a large cabin in Gatlinburg. The sister on the left is Elizabeth from Chicago and she likes big bold designs and any shade of color in the purple family. Next is Betsy from Memphis and she is always redoing her home (she loves to decorate and is really good at it) but right now she is interested in lime green and pink with a faded denim blue, robin egg blue, and touch of red. On the right is Susan from South Carolina. Her home has the feel of a country home in England and has several fireplaces and is full of books (she just needs a large dog sleeping in the corner but I don't think that is going to happen). My hope is that they will be able to curl up under these quilts this winter with a good book.

No mac-n-cheese here!

2008-11-16T11:21:00.006-06:00

Bill and I are just getting a taste of what it would mean to be empty nesters. Our children are teenagers and still around but come Sat. night...they're gone! As soon as the back door slams shut, Bill always turns to me and says, What do we do now?". Note: I really don't have a problem with this...its Judy Laquidara's Quiltathon weekend and I could sew, (Oh, why doesn't he hunt?) so we decide to cook. Bill found a recipe for turnips on, Pioneer Women, and pioneer women says its a must try and I wanted to saute some green onion, garlic, and water chestnuts in olive oil and balsamic vinegar to put on some steamed green beans. As I put a chicken in the oven to roast and set the other dishes into motion, I poured myself a glass of wine and realized I don't have to fix mac-n-cheese or listen to," Eww What is this?"...and.."Can we pop some corn after dinner? " And, yes,I do realize that someday I'm going to miss that..but just not tonight. Oh, and Pioneer woman is completely right, you do have to try the turnip gratin.

Judy's Star BOM #8

2008-11-15T14:18:00.003-06:00

I've been so busy sewing for Christmas and trying to get some things done (things I can't talk about YET because I'm not so sure they wouldn't read about it here and that wouldn't be a good thing) that I forgot it was the 15th and time for another block, so I was thrilled to find Judy's Star BOM #8 this morning. I decided to get it done right away. This block (#8) and the last block (#7) didn't go together as easily as the other but I think its just me. I need to slow down a little and focus.

We're starting to get quite a few stars aren't we? I'm not so sure I like the dark brown as the tips of my star(its not very soft looking) but I thought I needed another star with dark brown star points to go with the one other star block I have that has dark brown star points.

Judy's Star BOM #7

2008-11-09T14:56:00.008-06:00

Block #7 is done. This block didn't go together as smoothly as some have but it was just me...I had my mind on some Christmas projects that I'm excited about. I'm just really pleased that I have been able to keep up with the blocks and haven't fallen behind yet. Really don't like playing catch-up.
Looking at all my blocks together, I can see that so far all my star points are green except for one that is brown and also there are 3 dark brown small pinwheels and that sort-of jumps out at me. I'll have to think about this in the future when making my color selections and have some trust it will all go together in the end....we'll see! Hey, thats half the fun of it.
I've had my longarm for 5 months now and it is finally starting to seem a little easier. The flowers quilted on the 4-patches are flowers that Judy Laquidara taught me when she dropped by. Her encouragement really gave me confidence to push myself and not be afraid to try things. So, on this quilt I took off and did just that. I'm very excited about the results. Thanks Judy.

This is a bigger shot of the quilt but it still has a striped binding that goes on and I think that will really finish it off. I was just so excited about the quilting I couldn't wait to put the binding on to show it off. This was a pack of 5-inch squares from Moda. Sometimes if I really like a line of fabric, I can pick up a couple of these packs and I get a chance to play with fabrics I love without spending alot of money.

I can't blame my Daughters this time!

2008-11-08T10:39:00.004-06:00

On friday, when I was suppose to be getting that quilt done that is loaded on my longarm ( and I really did have plans to do just that) I snuck off to the Antique mall. It had nothing to do with my children or my husband this time...it was just me getting into trouble (not that much trouble!). This big jar on the right is one that I have had for 22 years. I found it in my grandfathers wood shop and it had various nuts and bolts in it. I immediately pictured cookies in it and thought it was a keeper. When I asked my grandmother if I might have it she said, "oh honey,you don't want that thing..its just an old mayonaise jar". I'll never forget her saying that. Back to the antique mall, I saw this same "mayonaise jar" and they were asking 32.99 for it. I wonder what my grandmother would say to that? It made me feel so shabby chic that I knew that 22 years ago. The smaller jar on the left is the "trouble" I got into on friday. I really love the green on the lid. I can see peppermint sticks in this at Christmas, can't you? Maybe that quilt will get done today!

Just trying to get some quilting done!

2008-11-03T07:56:00.002-06:00

I was excited...I had plans...Bill was playing in a golf scramble on Sat. and I would have 6 hours (more or less) of guilt-free sewing. Oh no, he will read this and read all kinds of sad things into that but I think most of you know what I mean and if bill thinks about it, he will too. You see, I really didn't think about my kids being around because they are usually coming and going with alot going on in their worlds. (Their teenage worlds that usually don't include me) Apparently not so this Saturday. Emmy was filling out Collage applications and wanted lots of help plus as you can see it gets her all worked up. Nervous and slap-happy! Sewing...not much got done, but I got to spend time with my daughters and really...whats more important.

Slow Day!

2008-10-27T13:58:00.002-05:00

Star BOM #6 and Quiltathon progress

2008-10-21T09:50:00.004-05:00

Star BOM #6 is done....I think. I'm not so sure of the golden brown that I put in here. The dark brown that looks black in most of my star bom pictures is really a very dark brown and the golden brown I have here in this block is the fabric I had picked out to do the border with. The dark brown and the golden brown were to be the "zig zag" in the border. But as I'm doing these blocks, more and more it looks like the golden brown doesn't go so I thought I would try some here and see . I still can't tell so we'll have to make some blocks (I just hope I don't end up with a mish mash of star blocks)

Quiltathon accomplishment! This tablerunner took me all day Sat. to make and I really mean thats all I did. I think I must be the slowest. The center "red" fabric was givin to me and anyone who was interested at my Oct. quilt guild meeting with instructions to make something out of it...anything we want to make. Then we bring our item we have made back to the Dec. meeting and we do a blind swap. My children said a tablerunner was an obvious choice and I should be more creative but I think I did OK...and the best part is, ITS DONE.

Muddy pigs and Ickie lickies

2008-10-10T19:27:00.006-05:00

The West side of Evansville Indiana is known for their brain sandwiches ...I'm not kidding. Have you ever heard of these? I have never had one.

I've lived in southern Indiana for 7 years and I finally made it to the famed West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. I hear about it every year but I had never been. It is suppose to be the 2nd largest street festival in the USA. I don't know...but that is what they say around here. I thought , since I finally made it here why waste carlories on your typical things...corn dogs and lemon shakes..go for what the festival is known for. The first thing my husband, Bill and I tryed was "Muddy pigs" which is bacon dipped in chocolate. Actually, it wasn't bad at all but, I don't know if it was something I would have to try again. Then, Bill had Alligator jerky...no thank you..I didn't try that but at the same booth I did buy suckers with crickets in the middle to send to my nieces in Memphis...the suckers are called, "ickies lickies". Yum! Next we tryed sweet potatos fries and they really didn't have much taste. I decided they needed cream cheese with cinnamon to dip them in...or something. Before leaving I had fried pickles and those were really good. I would have those again. I just may go back next year for the fried pickles. Oh yeah, and lots of good people watching too.

Judy L. Star BOM #5

2008-10-09T06:58:00.004-05:00

I've been so busy, I had to push myself to get this one done but once I started putting it together I wanted to make more. Now that there are 5 blocks it is really starting to get interesting to see everyone blocks together. Can't wait till the next one.

I always knew she was smart

2008-10-03T21:40:00.003-05:00

Tonight was homecoming at Castle High School and my youngest daughter, Lydia, who is a sophomore hasn't mentioned the game or the dance and at first I thought that was sort-of sad. I like to see my children involved and enjoying some typical high school experiences. But then one of her girlfriends comes over...AND..5 boys...yes, that's what I said...FIVE BOYS. They're playing cards and Wii and having a pretty good time. I guess, who would want to go to homecoming when you can stay at home in the company of 5 boys? I think this girl is going to be OK.

2008-10-03T09:18:00.004-05:00

As Judy Laquidara has mentioned on Patchworks Times she came through her old stomping grounds here in southern Indiana this week. Imagine my excitment when she said she would come by my home to help me with my APQS Millenium. Oh, if it weren't for gravity holding me down. Judy was so generous with her time and full of advice and tips for my Millenium. If you ever get an opportunity to take a class from Judy, whether it is for a quilt from one of her books or on longarm quilting, don't miss the chance. She's a bundle of fun and so informitive. You will laugh outloud and learn things you will use for the rest of your quilting experience.

If your lead them, they will follow

2008-09-27T19:13:00.004-05:00

My nephew, Wade is the drum major at Vanderbilt this year and we are just a little bit proud. My husband, Bill found these pictures on the Vanderbilt site. I also hear that the football team is 4 and 0. There are some more pictures but Bill downloaded these two. Wade looks to be shining in his role as leader of the pack. These will be good college memories. (Note to the other cousins.. watch yourselves...Uncle Bill just might find pictures of you too.)

Whip that kitchen into shape. Part 2

2008-09-27T12:02:00.002-05:00

Part 2 of getting my kitchen in shape was to add a inventory list of the freezer. It list everything that is in the freezer and the date of when it was added. I also have a pen hanging here so when I add something I can add it to the list and vice-versa...when I take an item out I can simply mark it off. This list is on the wall above the freezer where I can't misplace it and I have no excuse for not keeping track of what I have. Hopefully this will also help me better shop the sales in the meat department if I know at a glance what I have and how much. Not having to run into town because I don't have something I thought I had will also help with the gasoline budget and save me time (more time to sew)

Whip that kitchen into shape!

2008-09-24T18:05:00.005-05:00

I couldn't take it anymore ...its chaos. I used to be pretty good at making out a menu for the week , shopping and doing all the prep work so things ran smoothly but then my kids were younger and I knew when and where they needed to be and when meals should be served. Enter the teenage years....they come and go willy nilly...I don't even think they know where they are going or what time they're suppose to be there. There have been days when I had dinner on the table when they got home from school at 3:15....I'm not kidding. Sometimes you have to grab them when you can get them and it actually works pretty well as they ususally come home hungry...of course everyone is hungry again by 8:00 but by then I don't consider it my problem. But, I decided to try to bring order to my kitchen chaos once again. I made meatballs in sweet and sour sauce to be served over sticky rice and meatballs to put in the freezer for spagetti next week. From the hamburger and ground turkey mix I also made 3 meatloafs for the freezer. I have chicken in a sauce ready to go in the oven tommorrow and (I'm excited about this one) I have the Pioneer Woman's brisket in her marinade for friday. I think I will put barbeque sauce on some of it and some will be used to make sandwiches with horseradish sauce and provelone cheese. And, of course apple pie...it is fall after all ! I like it when a plan comes together.

Talented daughter

2008-09-23T21:07:00.004-05:00

My youngest daughter, Lydia ask if she could work on my blog design(make it more exciting). I was busy cooking and thought, yes..great..I'm pretty lost on the computer and wouldn't know how to start to change anything. I couldn't believe what she came up with and don't know where she found it but isn't it perfect? My mother used to say, "a little bird told me" and I thought it was a cute name for a blog but I didn't have art work to go with the title. Lydia says we need to work on it some more but I think what she has done so far is really neat and of course I like it because she did it. You know how Moms are!

Judy's Star BOM #4

2008-09-22T12:14:00.004-05:00

This is the 1st thing I got done this weekend. I added in the color orange which wasn't part of the plan. It seems to me that quilts always take on a life of their own despite the best laid plans. Maybe its just me. I do like the block though and I think (for now)I like how all the blocks look together.

To School at last

2008-09-18T09:47:00.005-05:00

This quilt is for my niece who started school at Univ. of Ohio at Miami a month ago. And till now, I was doing so well at getting things done on time. I finished the top in March(well ahead of schedule) but then was hesitant to quilt it. I've only had my longarm since the end of May and I really wanted to do a good job on it so I gave myself a little locker room chat, took a deep breath and ...mission accomplished! I'm even pretty happy with the job I did and that feels great. This was a really fun and easy quilt. A great way to use that fun fabric you found but now what to do with it.That "fun fabric" is the wide stripe in the quilt, then there is a stripe on either side of the "fun fabric" and in between the stripe fabric is pieces of accent fabric. The accent fabric is pieces of batiks and tone-on-tones that I had in my "collection". I've made three of these quilts now.

Yikes, its Ike

2008-09-16T15:24:00.003-05:00

I don't know that I have ever experienced substained winds in the midwest before. Just a constant 30 mph wind that blew for 6 hours with wind gusts of 55 mph. When it ended, the wind just stopped and it seemed so quiet of a sudden. All that wind and not one drop of rain which we really need. Lots of trees down but all we lost was a few roof shingles. We were without power for about 6 hours and there was no school on Monday. Of course, we missed the Colts game. We called my sister in Memphis to find out how they did and she hadn't watched the game so I really don't think we can call her a Colts fan anymore.

A Day Out Away From Quilting

2008-09-12T19:42:00.011-05:00

Hard to believe that Quilting could ever be too much of a good thing but today I needed a break. There is a re-enactment going on of the 1828 flatboat trip that Abraham Lincoln took from Rockport IN to New Orleans. It was on this trip that the 19-year-old future president witnessed his 1st slave auction while in New Orleans which helped shape his anti-slavery opinions. The replica pioneer-era flatboat was close by on Wed. but I had to work but today it wasn't too far away in Mount Vernon IN so my husband and I went over.

Judy's BOM Block #3

2008-09-06T20:10:00.004-05:00

I know...I know, if I would just follow directions it would be so much easier. Judy told us to pick out 7 fabrics and she had them all numbered. It was such an organized plan, but then I have to go my own way and sat here all week trying to decide which fabrics to use where. Should I introduce this bright pink or not. I think I'm really glad I did. At least at the monent, I think I like it. I haven't liked the fabrics I used in #2 and wanted to redo it, but then my daughter tells me its her favorite block of the three and my husband agreed so its going to stay as it is for now. I hope everyone sticks with this and gets their blocks done. It will be wonderful to see how everyones quilts turn out. I know they will all be so different and nobody needs another UFO, do they?

Not another UFO!

2008-08-26T09:16:00.006-05:00

Scrap quilts are my favorite. I've amassed a large collection of scraps with dreams of making scrap quilts but never drug them all out and started pressing and cutting till this last week. It all started with the arrival of the Oct. issue of American Patchwork and Quilting and there it was...a beautiful scrap quilt designed by Katie Holland.
I didn't realize I had made so many quilts with batiks and tone on tones but thats what most of my scraps were After making a few blocks I thought this could be a beautiful quilt. I also thought , What have I done, I do not..I repeat, do not need a new project and then I quickly decided I would just keep going till I at least had the blocks done. THIS WILL NOT BE ANOTHER UFO! So far, its been 12 days and I have 71 of 113 blocks made and I still have some scraps left although I think I will soon have to cut some from my "collection" to fill in on some colors I'm running short on.

Fabric "stash" or "collection"?

2008-08-22T21:27:00.008-05:00

I love my fabric stash. I love adding to it. I love organizing it and I love to sit and look at it. I can't say that I care to "bust my stash". I know some quilters worry about using their stash and sometimes feel guilty about adding to their stash . But I've been thinking if I just called my "stash" a "collection" instead it could change everything. I have a sister that collects chalk figures and a sister that collects old glass christmas ornaments. Having a collection is all together different. People praise people with collections for how vast their collection is....how many different kinds of items are in their collection. Just think, someone could look at my fabric and say,"Look at all the different fabrics you've been able to find...you must have had to work hard at this...how long did it take you to "collect" all this? And if there is a few fabrics I just can't seem to cut into or have no idea what to do with but just had to buy , that's ok because I'll just say, Oh those are part of my "collection". I'm really liking the way this is sounding.

This is a "collection" of polka dot fabric I've been "collecting" for about a year now. I have tentative plans for a quilt...maybe one that is completely polka dots but till then it can just be my "collection of polka dot fabric".

Judy L. Star BOM # 2

2008-08-19T10:52:00.004-05:00

Somehow I managed to mess up my back this summer. (maybe moving rocks in the yard... I don't know) I was so miserable on fri. and sat. that I just couldn't concentrate on this block , but, I'm doing better and I got block # 2 together. I really like this block and enjoyed sewing it. I think I could make a whole quilt with this block . Thanks again Judy for sending these wonderful patterns out.

Morning Glories

2008-08-17T09:01:00.014-05:00

My grandmother, Cecil Thompson, lived on a farm in western Kentucky and had beautiful morning glories growing over the fence.

There were some summers when my mother also planted morning glories.
Now that it is August, my morning glorys are blooming. I like to get my cup of coffee and go out to visit them first thing in the morning. I also often run across this little guy in the morning. He keeps showing up.

Hummingbird in the house!

2008-08-10T16:46:00.004-05:00

This morning Bill left early to play in a golf tournament. I got up an hour or so later and the back door must not have been closed completely because the two dogs were inside and the door was wide open. This has happened before so I wasn't too surprized but look what also came in with the dogs. This isn't a good picture and you have to click on it to enlarge and really see. I really had no idea how to encourage it to fly back out. I opened both doors and set Jars with water that had red food coloring in it at the doors but when it flew it just stayed up at the ceiling, so now I'm taping left over red scraps from my sewing project yesterday on to the ceiling in front of the doors. It all looked pretty silly and I was feeling stupid. The hummingbird is looking stressed and I really didn't know what to do. Bill comes home and after taking all this in (he didn''t laugh at all my attempts.....outloud anyway) he decides to tape a sheet between two poles and try to direct it out the door. It worked. We haven't seen it since and I hope it can recover from the stress. It was a busy morning.

Quiltathon Accomplishment

2008-08-09T21:43:00.004-05:00

Well, I think it was a successful day. I got this quilt top started and finished, however I can't decide if I like it. Either it's kind-of-neat or the wildest, ugliest thing I've ever seen. One or the other...no in-between here. I do know that I want to thank Judy L. for doing the Quiltathons. I never would have thought to give myself permission to sew all day but with Judy's encouragement I'm thinking...What a brillant idea!...and..Why hadn't I thought of this on my own? Whether or not my accomplishment was successful, it was a very enjoyable day that I took for myself...How wonderful!

Quiltathon here I come.

2008-08-08T18:52:00.003-05:00

What perfect timing for a Quiltathon. Knowing there was one this weekend kept me going all week. Two of my children start school on Monday...Yes! August 11..isn't that disgusting. We moved to Indiana 7 years ago and I have never gotten used to starting school that early. So, we cleaned up bedrooms that hadn't been cleaned very much all summer...too many other fun things to do in the summer and got haircuts and did a little shopping and of course went to a movie matinee. Can't go to a movie in the middle of the day once school starts. That took care of the kids. This morning I played golf with my husband so he shouldn't complain if I sew all day tommorrow although I do really like to play golf and I did shoot a 92 and that is for 18 holes, not 9...thats a record for me. I have only broken 100 once before. This afternoon I grocery shopped and did laundry so tonight I can get everything ready to sew tommorrow.

Star BOM Block 1

2008-08-02T20:35:00.004-05:00

We're on our way! This is the first block in Judy L.'s Star BOM. The 16th measurements weren't difficult and it went together well. Can't wait till the 15th and the next block.

2008-07-28T18:55:00.003-05:00

I often fall in love with a line of fabric but don't want to use just that line. Everything would match too much for me and I want a more unique look. In this quilt I used 1 layer cake (11x11) of Praire Paisley from Moda and 1 jelly roll (2 1/2 in.strips)of Kashmir II from Moda. I surrounded my layer cake square with the jelly roll strips combining the two different lines of fabric giving my quilt a scrappy unique look. If you like scrap quilts, this is a quick easy way to get lots of fabrics in one quilt...I'd say it was instant gratification!

The Blue Lazyboy

2008-07-22T15:30:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I showed you my wonderful new longarm. While impatiently anticipating the arrival of my longarm, I was busy creating a space of my own where my creative thoughts could wander freely. I had been wanting to paint a room screaming lime green for several years but there weren't very many options( my home is traditional...antiques and warm soft colors)...no place for screaming lime green...till now! I was thrilled, it was perfect. Add a black and cream toile valance and some black and red accents and I had a space just for me. And, then enters... the blue lazyboy. It was suppose to belong to my nephew, but when the movers packed and moved my fathers things, it was by mistake sent here to Indiana instead of staying in North Carolina where it was wanted. So, it was in my bedroom(where it didn't match any better than it does in my lime green sewing room), but then...yes! we sent it to my father-in-laws and I thought, that will work. But, he doesn't use it anymore and it came back and my sweet husband thought it would be great in the sewing room so he can sit and read while I sew....now, I do think that is sweet and I don't have to feel guilty about the all the time I spent up there if we're together, but boy, it bugs me that it clashes with my niffy lime green space I was creating. The things we do for love!

New Longarm 7-21-08

2008-07-21T11:04:00.000-05:00

Look, what I brought back from Paducah! Of course, as we all know, usually the danger is fabric...not this year! Very fun but now I'm somewhat overwhelmed learning a new skill. But I know others have done it and so can I. I've been busy reducing my stash by throwing all the fabric apparently I once thought was desirable but no longer want into some sort of a quilt top so I can practice. These will be donated to a local nursing home, and thats a good thing too.

7-14-08

2008-07-14T17:19:00.000-05:00

This is my inspiration fabric

I'm excited to start this. It's different from any quilt I've tried before. My quilts are usually very scrappy. I'm sure I'll learn alot from Judy. Here are my colors.( so far ) What do you think? I'm wondering if fabric #4 is too dark... stands out too much?