Here are some pictures of the Quilts I want to finish and complete before April I hope. :) This isn't half of my pile of want/need to do.

 Jelly Belly Quilt, all snowball blocks.

 Americana Quilt Done in Kansas Troubles

 Indian Summer Flower Quilt

 Clyde's Deer Quilt #2

 Online Mystery Quilt

 Double Duty Quilt in Kansas Trouble Scraps

 Got this out of the Quilt Shop Magazine & was from Quilts Plus online Shop, can't think of the name of it.

 Buzz Saw Quilt

 Split Decision by the Teacher's Pet

 Raspberry Truffle Quilt was a kit from Quilts Plus and online swap with Ohioquilters

 Clyde's Deer Quilt #2

 1600 Quilt done in Batiks

 Frost Bite needs finished and bound

 Snowman Top

Spider Quilt done in Kansas Troubles fabric scraps.

 hand pieced 2" 1930's reproduction fabric quilt, on going

 BOM of Kansas Trouble Sampler

 Pinwheel quilt, have this for over 8 years, i know that is sad

 Bible Quilt done in sayings, not sure how I'm going to finish this.

Bits & Pieces taken out of magazine.

 

Gosh it has been 9 months since I last posted. Life has been so busy. Went to a Quilt retreat in Feburary, April, a week long one in July, and just got home from another one. It has been such a busy year, but so much fun~~~
At this last retreat a few of us were talking about our stashes. So my friend Bianca & I came up with a "plan" to reduce our stashes, get motivated at getting our tops done, and our UFO's done. Well here is what we've come up with.
 No buying Fabric Challenge~~~

  going to go on a No Buying Fabric Diet~~~ ( ok I just broke out in a sweat typing that)

here are the "rules":

No buying fabric unless it can justified as in a backing, background to finish out a partial done quilt etc.

If you purchase fabric you need to post it, how much & why you bought it.

You need to post pictures of unfinished quilt tops before and after they are finished if your wanting to get motivated to get those tops into quilts.

Work completely out of your stash to complete new projects if possible use 100% of your stash.

Dates are today September 15, 2013 to the Date of the April Retreat. Post pictures of the quilts made with your stash only.

 Anyone want to join us?? We've got a few joining us at the Ohioquilters FB Page, the private one. :)

I hope I can stick with it. 

New Years Quilt Retreat

I got to live a quilters dream, getting snowed in a quilt retreat!! How awesome is that?? Since I live in Ohio the weather is always, always changing they were calling for snow, no biggie, but we ended up getting around 7" of it. I couldn't leave, I know so sad I had to stay another night. Which was fine, I mean I had a fire if needed, fabric, sewing machine, a few projects, friends and some good food, so I was set. We had such a wonderful time, I didn't stay to ring in the New Year with my friends. I ventured home to celebrate with my husband. I did get a couple of tablerunner/toppers made including quilting them, just didn't get around the binding part. I know a big surprise to those who know me, not so much a surprise. I also got 3/4 a top completed all I need to do is add a couple of borders to it, then it will go to my "to be quilted" pile.

I love attending these retreats with a great group of ladies, we just have made so many wonderful friendships with almost no drama~~ I know I get asked what do you do at these retreats. Well we sew, laugh, share stories, sew some more, make/eat some wonderful food, and even throw in a puzzle or two to put together too. We also nap if we want, shop if we want, and basically relax. So if you can go to one, GO, I mean RUN!!!! 

Sewing Room Organization

Well it is that time of year already. Get your Sewing room in tip top shape, LOL  here are few tips to get you jump started. 

 Sewing storage doesn't have to be boring! Dress up boring drawers with
pieces of punchy wallpaper. Stash buttons, ribbons, and other sewing
notions in candy dishes or small bowls for easy-to-rifle-through
storage.
Sort your precut fabrics in clear-plastic storage boxes so you can
always find the right size you need. These boxes stack easier so you can
hide them under a bed or in a closet. Label the boxes for true
efficiency.  Get those plastic drawers that you put your smaller squares in from say 2" and up. Cut those scraps into sizes you sew with the most.
Clear, resealable bags can hold a pattern, fabric, and supplies for a
project you're working on. If you need to stop the project before you're
done, just stick it in the bag and store it away for another day. Make your own kits so when you need a quick project or heading to a retreat makes packing a lot easier. You could even go as far as already have everything cut out.
Take old shoe boxes fix them up on the outside. Then cut a piece of fabric of a specific color
and gluing it to the outside. Put all your scraps of that color into the
shoebox for easy storage, and easy to find that great "red" to make your project Pop..
Plastic over the door shoe organizers are a great option for storing your patterns by say size of the quilt, all purses together etc plus Keep your ribbon and rickrack in line by winding them around
uniform-size cards. Store them in a pocketed, over-the-door hanger meant
to hold shoes or toiletries. This technique works great for keeping
leftoever embroidery floss untangled, too. Back of the door is such a space that doesn't get used quite as much.
You know those wooden divided shoe holders, you could store rolled up fusibles, all kinds of notions in those cubby holes. Fat quarters could be stacked in them. Pieces of leftover batting rolled up and labeled as in the size. 

Have fun with it
Carolyn ~~~

Stitchin 3" Finished Paper Pieced Blocks

 Well I'm stitchin on a lot of 3" Finished Mini Paper Pieced Blocks. I've been selling a lot of them on ebay ( id is antiques4me2) or on Etsy ( the Ole Country Quilt) and have tons of fun of them doing them. If you have never paper pieced give it a whirl it is quite fun. A friend of my the late Nancy Watson taught me years ago, and I started getting back to it. Below is a selection of some that I've been doing in Civil War Reproductions, Kansas Troubles, and 1930's reproductions fabrics. There make up into some really cute reproduction small quilts.

Been Baking & Sewing

Well I've been so busy with going on quilting retreats, my last one is next month for the week before New Years Eve. Then they start allover again come February!! Love going on retreats that is for sure.
HHmmmm lets see what else have been going on, a deer hit me and tore up the drivers side of my van, but we were ok, which is all that matters. It was a huge 8 point buck, he decided to try to come thru my windshield and lost. But my baby is back from the shop, so she is all shiny & new.

I've been baking today to get ready for our Church's bake sale. Today made up some loaves of Pumpkin bread, which it so moist and yummy~~~ probably because it is made up with butter instead of oil. This recipe after the bread cools, freezes so well. I wrap my breads up with plastic wrap, then put in a freezer bag. Good to go for 3 months, I pull them out and defrost usually the night before I need them. Don't they look beautiful!! I could have made two large loaves but I split up it up so have some smaller ones.

On a quilting note Here is a quilt I did up at the last retreat done up in civil war reproductions. I love it!! got it quilted out and now to put on the dreaded binding, but I will say with my new sewing machines (Janome 7700 ROCKS!!!) I enjoy doing it a little better. :-) This was so easy to make up. I love quilts like that. I used charms to make those four patches. Made up to a 63"x67" quilt, nice and snuggling under this winter. I love the old fashioned look.

Heading back into the sewing room and sewing up some 3" paper pieced blocks I'm selling on ebay. I sold all the ones I had on there, now to make up some new ones. My ebay id is antiques4me2.

Have a blessed day~~~

Small Quilt Finished

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. Been such a busy summer with just life in general. Lots of sewing going on, been on a couple of quilt retreats, working in the flower bed and the garden. I did make a really small quilt for a sample in the local quilt shop ( Creation Sew Clever). I had so much fun making this quilt. The pattern is called Martin's pennies, from the book civil war legacies. Right now I'm getting ready for a yard sale and parting with lots of fabric/book/patterns and more. got to make some room for new stuff plus I'm downsizing. It is a hard thing to do but praying they go to a good home.

Pink & Brown Quilt Done

Well finally I got it done. I started it at the Ohio Quilter's Retreat this past April. I got the center done there and got the piano keys all cut out. So I got around to finishing it this weekend. I wasn't sure about using the light tan with those darker browns and beautiful pinks, but I do love it. This is a pattern by Sew Unique Creations called Mother & Daughter. I can't wait to see this all quilted out with a dark chocolate binding on it. It was fun to make and very easy to do. 

Now to get started on a another little quilt to hang in my sewing room. One of my favorite books is The Civil War Sewing Circle. I'm doing the 1" across hexagon Grandmother's flower garden pattern. Using some civil war reproduction fabrics in browns/blues. I love doing some handwork while "watching" tv with the husband, and this is perfect for just that.


 

Another Ohio Quilt Retreat

Here is the welcome table. Those goodie bags were filled and they were thrilled with everything inside. I had to donate a bottle of best press as a Thank You to them all for being the awesome ladies they are. And yes that is a quilt I made, I need to put on a border to frame it and quilt it out. Lots of scraps in pink, brown and blues oh creams as well.

 Sue F. winning on of the raffle items. She fell in love with this wallhanging. Kathie C told her she had the winning ticket and she did. !! Congratulations to you Sue, your an awesome woman.

I finally got home from another Wonderful retreat in Amish Country in Ohio. We had such a great time. There was great friends, yummy food, lots of eye candy being sewn together, tons of laughs and a lifetime of memories being made. I love, love putting on this retreat. There was a time when I thought about putting it to bed, when there was drama going on, now we are just about drama free get together. Nothing like a bunch of women sharing our passion of quilting developing into some great friendships & memories. Sue F. did a class on the Lollipop bag and was so much fun. The bag was made in less then an hour, and I think Sue has the patience of Job. She is an awesome teacher. Then you throw in Kathy N. hosting a new game and I laughed so much watching them gals lose their fat quarters, and two gals winning the whole pot. The last but no least all of these women that attended made the whole weekend a ton of fun. They donated pillowcases over 63 ( last count) to be given to a charity. They also raised $600.00 which will be divided between the Arthritis Association and Women's Heart Association. Lots of hand claps to them all. I can't wait till next year. I believe I got some of my sewing mojo back too. 

 Beverly H. won one of the raffle quilts. She loved it and I had fun making it to donate.

Above is Pat Chambers winning a quilt. She and lots of others was put in a drawing for the quilt for donating pillow cases. She looks pretty happy~~~

Back From Retreat

I'm back from another awesome retreat, well rested, jaw hurts from laughing so much, and probable gained a few pounds with all of that wonderful food. Everyone seemed to have way too much fun at this past weekend. We shopped some, sewed some, slept, and laughed a lot, which I think all was well needed for a few of us there. I finished up quilt top, made some thread catchers, plus a few other things. The picture is entering my sewing room, where my sweet son unloaded my items for me. I'm truely blessed because he loaded my van and unloaded if for me, of course i brought home a few treats for him as payment. Isn't it amazing how much you take with you on a weekend getaway. You just can't pack one thing, No that isn't possible, you have to take a few just in case what you get done early with your project ( now wouldn't that be a blessing) but mostly because you get bored with what you brought. :-)

I'll never forget my husband comment about what all I had on my list to pack for my first retreat. I mean I had on my list sewing machine, peddle, electrical cord/surge protector, sewing machine feet etc, pincushion, projects, rotary cutter, extra blades, cutting mats, rulers, iron, ironing board, snacks, drinks, design board, hand project, ott light, and the list goes on..... One of the gals at the retreat said she is getting everything she can on wheels to make it easier. I was thinking about her comment I may go out and get me a large suitcase on wheels to carry all of my projects in, then another one to wheel my sewing machine around, and another one to carry all of my accessories. I may have to look into this a little more.

I have another retreat come April, I can't wait. I counted a total of 5 more retreat to go this year with some awesome ladies.

It was a Challenge

You look at this quilt and think oh so simple, WRONG~~ it was a challenge for me. This is the first really really bright quilt I've done. I struggled with this and it was such a simple top. The pattern is called Mirror, Mirror by Cozy Quilt Designs. The pattern in itself was a joy to make very simple easy to put together, well the fabrics that were picked out for me to use was the hard part of putting it together. I've always worked with country/primitive colors, dk. muted colors or 30's reproductions even civil war reproductions because they make my soul sing & put a smile on my face. Well I figured out the problem, I had such a hard time to see contrast between the fabric colors since they are all so bright. It was good to get out of the box so to speak & work with other beautiful fabrics. I've love and appreciate those bright fabrics but never felt the need to make something with them until I volunteered to make a shop sample. So I learned watch what you volunteer for, LOL. I'm an glad I did since life is about learning, better yourself, and to grow as a person in all kinds of areas.

Thread Catcher & Retreats

Here is another one I made today, which is a pincushion thread catcher. I've got a few more cut out to take into the quilt shop to sell. I may make some modifications to the pattern. Basically going to tweak it some.

So I decided to start my list for the February Quilt Retreat to bring list. I'm so like my Mom who was the master list maker. She labeled & made lists for everything. She has taught me well. :-) I'm looking forward to see the gals since I didn't make it to the one on New Year's Eve retreat. We are doing a bullseye swap, so I'm hoping to get some to swap with the gals. I'm not sure what I'm taking yet, but I usually end up bring a few projects in case I get board. I'm going to some things of fabric to sell if they want to buy, with the monies going towards an embroidery machine or another retreat. We've added a few more gals to the group which has worked out wonderful. They are so drama free, laid back and lots of fun. I love spending time with gals that quilt, you would be surprised how much you have in common since you have a common bond. Most of the gals I've came across can cook amazingly, love to have fun & laugh, and are such givers. Now I have came across some sour pusses, which love to have everything about them ( so much drama), and so on but they come & go. But 98% of the quilters I've met are some awesome people, so glad I love quilting because it has brought some great people in my life.I"m so blessed for the wonderful quilting friends I have in my life, you gals know who you are!!!!

Another Sample Done

Here is one of the quilt shop samples I got done for the class I'll be having at the quilt shop. it is called 10 minute block quilt. This one is so cool to make up and quick. I'll be having a class on it in february.

The next one is pick up sticks made by me from Kathy Brown's book. I'll be having a class on this one as well. Should be a great way to use up those 2 1/2" strips. this is made using the 90 degree double strip ruler from creative grids.

Now I just need to get them quilted out to hang them on the wall at creations sew clever quilt shop.

New Sewing Room

I moved my sewing room from the finished little garage on our property to the house after my son moved out. Which let me tell you has been a chore in itself. The bad thing is the husband got to see all of my quilting and dollmaking stuff first hand. That was scary.... he didn't realize how much I had and to be honest I didn't either. So we brought in the cabinets, miz gracie, my cutting table, bought a new cabinet for just my KT fabric ( yes it needed it's own place) and most of my storage containers, some new some old. I'm still working on transfering items in the new space. So as I'm slowly sorting items I'm going to be selling A LOT of items, the money to go towards either an embroidery machine, larger throat machine for miz gracie or something else. I've got a lot of fabric, some notions, primitive dollmaking things, quilt tops, and so much more. Here are some pictures of the new space, still have more to do, like putting up my large shelf my Dad made to put up things that people have given me or make me smile, some things need to put on the walls.


Here is my sewing thread, mini quilt I made, this all sits by where I sew so if I want to watch TV.
My Bullinton board holds a lot of my favorite pictures, cards and things. The shelf holds container of quilt kits or blocks to be put together.

Here are my Cabinets filled with fabric, seperated by color or style. On top is baskets filled with patterns or small kits. The drawers have 1" - 5" squares cut out in them.

Here is my Machine Thread Holder my Dad made me, hhhmm looking kinda bare.This one of my shelves, it holds a picture of my Mom & me, the quilt is one I made her, she stitched on it and was one of her favorite things. I love this, my brother made the shelf for her so after her passing I got it. Such a treasure to me.

I'll post more later of the sewing room. :-) Have a blessed Day~~~

Welcome 2012~~

Hard to believe it is now 2012, which I hope it is better then 2011. It was a rough year last year with my son's accident, losing my mom & battling with my step family over my mom's things. So I'm hoping & lots of praying that this year will be so much better. I'm finally getting back into quilting, which is such wonderful therapy.

My son Josh has flown the coop he now has his own place & loves it. I'm dealing with it, but the best part we moved my sewing room into his old bedroom. So I think I got the best deal. He is missed but it is time. I love having the new room, but I can't fit everything in there so I've been getting boxes from the quilt shop & loading them up to have a huge Yard Sale!!! I'm putting the money made to go to my new quilting machine or embroidery machine fund. I've been copying patterns from books, filing them away in plastic sleeves in binders so I can save on space. Some of the books I've bought over the years only have one or two I love so I'm getting rid of the rest.

I've came across a bunch of "what the heck was I thinking" fabric let alone a few other crafty things. I asked myself was I on drugs or PMSing at the time?? I must have been so depressed I didn't care what I bought type fabric. So I've measured it out and put a price on it, out the door.

My husband finally got a glimpse into my "stash" needless to say he was amazed~~ That is putting it lightly, LOL. He brought in my fabric cabinets, which didn't include the other fabric places stashed on the shelves, in baskets and forgotten places. I'm so busted was my first thought, but he handled it quite well. He didn't pass out or anything, I was so proud of him. LOL. He just said wow honey you have lots of money out here, I replied yep that is my retirement so when I'm old I can still play with nice fabric. But on the serious side I didn't realize just how much I did have. My eye were opened~~

Thanks to Margaret for the challenge to get back to blogging, which I've neglected, so I'm back baby~~~ Yea!!!

What do you do??

So what do you all do with Fabric you don't no longer love? Do you give away? Do you sell it? I'm curious. As you all know I started revamping my sewing room once again. Today I pulled out a ton, I mean a ton of homespun fabric I used in dollmaking/quilting that is taking up much needed space. I've got plaids and solids as well. Then I started on another drawer of country colors filled up two huge paper bags of scraps, fat quarters & large pieces. Then I filled a leaf garbage bag filled with large pieces of batting. ( why I was keeping all of that I have no clue) Next I tackled one of my craft making drawers, another bag filled to the brim. I piled my extra sewing desk, plus the table that holds my copier high with stuff I really no longer want, which got me thinking what to do with it. Should I ebay it? Etsy it? give away to someone in need? yard sale it? Tomorrow I think I'll try to tackle my patterns/books. I look at some of this stuff and wonder why did I spend my money on that.. ggeesh I must have been out of my mind. Give me some idea's ladies... who know I may send something to someone if I love their idea...

Have a blessed day~~~~

Back To School

Caleb is back to school & I now have my afternoons to myself when I'm not at the quilt shop. Since I'm on a simplifing kick, I started back on the sewing room. I have a bunch of homespun fabrics, a ton of primitive dollmaking stuff from old vintage handkercheifs, lace, vintage pillowcases and a lot more, that is boxed up for either to give away or sell haven't decided yet. But it felt good to box it all up. I'm going to hit my shelf wall today and declutter it all. I'm so tired of looking at everything & thinking well you never know I may need it. I decided if I hadn't used it in the last year outta here with a few execptions of course like fabric, patterns and books that I still love & smile when I see it, the rest is gone~~~ So if anyone is interested in stuff like that above shoot me off an email, I'm in the mood to deal.. I'll take some pictures this afternoon and post. So be sure to let your quilting friends know. :-) We're Dealing baby~~~

Many Blessings to you & yours~~~

Where did summer go??

Okay where did the summer go?? I missed it all I guess. This has been the most busiest summers ever I have had in such a long, long time. I did however got a long weekend getaway with the ole man and Caleb. We headed over to shipshewana Indiana for a nice relaxing long weekend. We stopped overnight in Auburn Indiana which was very nice. We ended up at the bass pro shop in Portage, Indiana, then road down a bunch of backroads to visit the Amish country Indiana and overnight in Shipshewana. I had a great time visiting some off the beaten paths of shops. Hit some antique places, quilt shops, variety shops and hunting shops as well. We ate that evening at the Blue Gate Inn, I highly recommend it!!! It was wonderful!! We ate family style it was oh so good~~ The place was packed but worth the 15 minute wait. We stayed the night in Shipshewana visited a lot of shops there, had planned on staying the night again there but decided we would go back over to Auburn to the hotel we stayed at the beginning of this trip. The hotel we stayed at was not the best, since they had paper thin walls & the neighbors were not the quietest I was out of there. But overall we had a great getaway~~

Now it is August & it almost 1/2 way gone. Caleb will be starting school on the 22nd & I can't wait. I think us parents are more excited then the kids are when the date approaches. I know I am~~ It seems I get more stuff done at home when they are away him and the ole man. I did start cleaning out closets, cupboards and packing stuff in boxes to either have a yard sale or goodwill. I just wonder where all of this stuff comes from at times. I mean I've got bowls without lids, way too many plastic items and clothes I no longer where or like. So my plan if I had used it or worn in last 6 months or year ago it is gone, no questions, gone out of here. It sure does feel good. wonder if I can apply that to my sewing room??? hhmmmm NOT!!!

well off to take some cookies out of the oven~~ Stay cool & enjoy the last part of the summer. Many blessing to you all~~

Carolyn

Heading to Another Retreat~~

It is time for another retreat~~ Oh I need this so bad, nothing like some sewing/quilting to get a much needed break in life. Still trying to deal with mom's passing some days better then others. Leaving tomorrow and won't be back until Sunday. A great bunch of gals, lots of good food, and my sewing machine with some fabric ( prefer Moda please) , I'll be a happy camper. Now I need to get some projects to get packed, hhmmm what to pull from my stash, what patterns to get started with or should I just grab some kits blind eye style. I did pick up a new book by Kathy Brown from the Teacher's Pet called Strip Smart Quilts, using a cool ruler from Creative Grids called 90 degree Double Strip ruler. I'm stepping way outside of the box with this baby, but oh it looks like a winner to making some awesome triangles especially with the patterns in the book. So I'm packing it for sure & giving it a whirl at retreat. I'll take some pictures at retreat to let you see how it goes, fingers crossed~~ Well off to make some potato salad, bake some type of dessert and find me some project to sew.

A Sad Day~~

Saturday May 21 2011 I lost one of the most important people in my life. My mom ( Juanita Kay McGuire) passed away so peacefully that afternoon. She went to be home where she was longing to go. She passed away so gracefully and at peace. She will be so missed, beyond words can describe. She had taught me so many things about the love of God, how to be kind to others, how to be a strong person, how to a good mom and so much more. I will miss hearing her voice most of all talking for hours on the phone and almost every day. No matter what she was there for me and others as well. She freely gave herself & didn't complain. Inspiration to us all & how someone should treat others plus ourselves. She always supported me in whatever I did, even when I made a mistake. She loved others so freely, unconditional and accepted others for who they were on the inside. She stood by her beliefs no matter what and for those who didn't accept her, she would say "oh well their loss". She said you will not be accepted by everyone, and that is okay. But if you agree with everyone, you will not be happy on the inside. Stand for something or else you will be walked on by everyone. Certain people come into your life for a reason, some stay & some go, but you can learn/appreciate something from them all. She taught me a lot. God received one of his best angels back into heaven. She was a wonderful loving person~~ Love you Mom~~~