October already~~ WOW

Hard to believe it is October already, the leaves are turning looking so beautiful. The air is nippy which is wonderful. Before we know the big holidays will be here. It has been so hard to get back into the mood to quilt, I wanna read, get the house ready for winter, actually clean, LOL. Just seems like one thing after another keeps pulling me away from what relaxes me the most. I might have to start not answering the phone, and designate certain days/hours to sew. I've got a ton of project to work on. Josh's skate shop is being put on hold until maybe around december which I think is a good thing, I still hope the empty shop space is still there, if not then God has a better spot for it, if it is meant to be.
I'm still working on the non profit idea I'm wanting to do Hopefully come February I will be filing the paper work to make it official. So with many prayers & faith this will get off the ground. I feel women need a place to go, relax, enjoy themselves without the outside work coming in. A women/mother needs a break every now and then to re energize herself, feel good about herself, basically just to get away. I'm hoping to have that place very soon. a place where a women can let her hair down be her true self without feeling judge by other, appreciated for whom she is and the person God created her to be. It has taken me years, lot of therapy/prayers to realize that I'm love by God no matter how many mistakes I make, I can be my "true" self without feeling like I'm being judged by others & also be accepted by others as well. So that is how the "healing Quilt" has came about. A women has so many "roles" to be in life, sometimes she just needs a break from life so she can be good for others around her.

Quote for the day
Money doesn't bring happiness and creativity. Your creativity and happiness brings money."

How true is that Quote~~~ I mean if you are doing what you love in life the rest will follow along with the money. Life is too short to be working in a job because of the money, do something you love and it will follow~~~

Blocks done and deer season begins

Here are some blocks I made yesterday, they turned out quite well, need to trim a few still :)

I started these at the quilt retreat this past weekend. I dug them out of my kit containers, looks like there are around 24 blocks total very easy to put together. I love the softness of the pinks and the white on white fabric is quite nice as well. Thinking about putting these on point maybe with some type of lattic strips inbetween them, not sure on the color. I wonder what this would look like with white on white between the blocks and using a multi colored thread for the quilting~~~~

I believe I'm going get a top on the frame tomorrow while the boys, ( including hubby) goes hunting. Deer season has came in, let the fun begin. I hope Clyde get some good footage for the video team he is a member of which is slunger hollow productions. Yep they have a website http://www.slungerhollow.com/ . Our youngest boy will be hunting for the first time this year, so I'll need to stay busy so my mind stays occupied, who knows I may end up going this year.

Well better get some more laundry finished up. Figured more stuff I can get done today more time to quilt tomorrow.

Well finally everything has been put back from the retreat, wow what a job that was. I had a great time at retreat, good food, lots of laughter, sewing without interuptions, no husband or kids needing or wanting something. Such heaven~~~

The picture is one of the tops I finished, Yea~~~ I also won a cool bag full of goodies as well, so I shared the wealth. This retreat was just what I needed before the holidays start rolling around. So now maybe I'll have some motivation to get stuff done finally, hhhhhmmmm maybe even get some quilted out. This one will go into the pile.

Dryer just went off so better get those clothes out so I don't have to iron them. write more later about the retreat.

oh here is a link to more pictures of the read, don't forget to read the captions too

http://community.webshots.com/user/ohioquilter2

KT Stitchers Swap Block & Taco Soup

well that is a picture of my swap block(s) i'm sending in. This is for a group called ktstitchers. It is a wonderful group of ladies that when we swap it is nothing but Kansas Troubles fabric. So you know your quilt will look awesome. these blocks will have the line called Snow Blooms in them and nothing but Star patterns. Can't wait to get them back at the end of September. It will probable end up a UFO for awhile because I'm trying my best to get some other stuff put together atleast, and then hopefully get quilted out, LOL. Well getting ready for the upcoming quilt retreat going thru my stash of stuff I want to get rid of to sell at the quilters yard sale tables, got some nickels put together, patterns, fat quarters and hard to tell what else I can find & price before I leave Friday A.M. I've got 3 ufo's to put together the rows, a couple of other quilt projects hopefully I can get them cut out before I leave so won't have to do that. Well heading back into the kitchen to make a pot of Taco Soup to eat on all day. Here is the recipe.

Taco Soup

a can of each corn, white navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes & large can of tomatoe juice either regular or V8

one package of ranch dressing dry mix & one taco seasoning.

1 small package of sasauge links ( any flavor but maple, spicy is nice if you like things spicy) cooked and cut up in chunks.

1 lb of hamburger cooked, drained.

Put everything in a pot and cook for 25-30 or so minutes on medium heat, stirring often so don't burn the bottom. Eat with cheese on top, some sour cream and good taco chips. I've also been known to throw in some cooked/shredded chicken in it too.

if you make it let me know what you think~~~~

The Name Game

the name game, this was kinda fun

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car), Rosey Minivan

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),moosetracks sugar

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),CCar

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),Pink Bunny

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),Sue Chillicothe

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),CarCa

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),The Blue Tea

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),Omer Earl

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy),Musk Hersey Bar

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),Kay Harvey

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),Lewis Lexington

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).Autumn Daisy

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)Strawberry T-Shirt

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),Raisin bran Maple

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),The Quilting Snow Tour.

So what is your "names"??leave a comment so I can read yours. :D

snowman blocks

Well I finally got my blocks done which was last week now I remembered to put them on here. they were so fun to do so I might just make some more. I couldn't find any patterns so kinda drew my own, flashback of being pattern designer comes back to me. talk about past catching back up with you. boy those were the times. lots of creative things kept flowing thru my head, too bad I didn't have enough time to do them all. Might just keep the ones in the swap and add to them over the next few months.

Confidence

Been catching up on some reading & finally getting some motivation to quilt some. This summer has flown by, school is back in session, & before we know it Christmas holidays will be here already.
As I was reading a book by Joyce Meyers called "A Leader in the Making" I came across a wonderful saying. "If nobody else in the world believes in you, God Does. With that confidence you can do whatever He wants you to do". Talk about a light bulb moment, ding,ding,ding~~~
I know with me in such a lack of confindence, self-esteem and always "dreaming" this was such a great thing to read & sink into my lil ole brain. Got me to really thinking you know God is the one who gives you the ideas, dreams, & wants, he knows what is in your heart like no one else does, since he does don't you think he'd be the one to really honestly truely believe in YOU!!! I know for me it has been on my heart to find some land, beable to purchase it, and built a retreat place for quilters, especially ones with cancer to come and have an enjoyable time, beable to leave all of your troubles behind for a little while, relax & not feel judge or pitied. But that ole me keeps coming up with excuses, no follow thru, and just plain ole "you can't do that". After reading that passage I'm beginning to wonder "hey girl you can cause someone believe in you and with him on yourside how can you go wrong". Lots to think about.~~~~

That retreat is a couple weeks away & so much to do, making some gifties, printing off stuff, getting my list(s) all together so I don't forget anything. I haven't been overly excited about it for some reason, but I know once I get there I'll be having a great time. Always have trouble with the leaving part, but once I'm there look out I'm all smiles & giggles.

Getting Ready for another Retreat

Well finally school is back in session, I get my life back, LOL. A routine is already starting gosh is feels so great. I'm getting ready for another quilt retreat, hopefully I can get some UFO's finished & ready to quilt. I'm starting to get my "pile" together to take with me. I'm so looking forward to some time away after the summer I had, no kids, no husband, no cooking, no cleaning, no wanting to change your name from "MOM". Pure Relaxing~~~. The one I'll be going to is in Jackson ohio at a 4-H camp. so nice and peaceful. Here is all of the information about it at www.ohioquilters.com/SeptemberRetreat.html. Want to join in the fun.

Got to finish up my quilt blocks for a swap i'm in call all my stars which is going to be done up in nothing but Kansas Troubles Snow Bloom line. So yummy~~~ can't wait to get these back and put them together.

I should make a list of UFO's and things so i can stay on track. I wouldn't know what to do without my "lists", I'm such a list maker, LOL.

The picture is of some flowers I planted this past summer in an old rustied out double wash tub. I love how the colors just go together. would make a beautiful quilt.

Off to Quilting we will go

Finally have some time for quilting, Yea~~ Hopefully this summer has slowed down for me some. I've got revival all this week going on but so far the day time is looking quite nicely.

I posted a picture of part of my quilting room which is a converted small garage size is 16x24'. I machine quilt on a grace machine frame and with a Janome 1600 DBX. I'd love to have a bigger throated machine but I'm content with what I have. I'll admit I love having the space to work on projects, leave it and come back to it later when I want it. I keep most of my fabric in the cabinets sorted by colors. The drawers to the left in the picture has anything 1/2 yard smaller in there sorted by style, example: civil war, country, w.o.w fabric, 1930's, flannels and mixed. There are 3 scrap baskets under my cutting table once they are full I start cutting them in squares from sizes 6"-1" in size and place them in drawers maked by size.

So now I'm going to put one of my 9 tops on frame to get them quilted, I hope. I'm making a list of them so I can start marking them off as I get them completed.

What to do with These Strips

Well been swapping out some 1930's strips now I don't know what I'm going to make with them. any ideas would be greatly welcomed, so please post away. but please, please don't mention a log cabin quilt, those drive me insane while sewing, my lil mind can't take it, LOL.

I've got a lot of 1930's in my stash I'm willing to cut into more strips if needed, trying to reduce my stash so that isn't a problem.

I need some motivation in getting my butt in gear so help a quilter out here, LOL

Here is a picture of some of the strips. Aren't they gorgeous~~~

another Week gone by

Wow another week has gone by, still not sewing much, just can't get motivated except for some birthday blocks in the Ohioquilters group and Ross County guild blocks for our 2008 raffle quilt.

I'll blame my lack of motivation on the weather, yep summer is here. Our garden is coming along nicely, already eating cucumbers. Nothing like picking fresh cucumbers, peeling it, put alittle bit of catalina dressing and eat away. Tomatoes should be ripe enough in another week or so. I can't wait for them to get ripe, I love getting fresh tomatoes, wiping the dirt off, put alittle bit of salt & have at it. So yummy especially when still warm from the vine. Nothing like a store bought one, that is for sure. We planted pole beans this year & have them on a 4' tall fence in which they've already surpassed & now are growing back down. This is the first time we've planted them I hope they are good coooked up. Our zucchini is coming along nice too, already have a couple tiny ones. Hope this year to can some, haven't done any canning for a long time but am thinking about it this year. My flowers are blooming & the hummingbirds are zooming around. I put a picture of one of the hummingbirds I caught with the camera. So relaxing listening & watching them buzz around. Also a picture of one of my flowers i planted, which I'm considering making this into a wallhaning using fusible applique & maybe embellishing too. I thought it would be very pretty.

We are still looking for some land to buy here somewhere in ross county or close to ross county. Just haven't found what we are looking for at the right price. I'm sure it will come when it is suppose to, if not I'll be content with staying here on our little 1 acre place.

We finished up vacation bible school last week. That was lots of fun, the kids had a great time, & finally my oldest son has taken an interest in going to church which is such a blessing. So we are going back to church more often which is nice, now if I can talk my husband into going. Which will happen in his time. My oldest is doing driving which is going along nice, so far no close calls, so I'm happy with that.

So leaving you with a recipe that is wonderful to snack on or take to a get together.

This is so yummy~~~

Pineapple Pretzel Fluff

INGREDIENTS 1 cup coarsely crushed pretzels 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 1 cup sugar, divided 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

DIRECTIONS In a bowl, combine pretzels, butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 7 minutes. Cool. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until creamy. Fold in pineapple and whipped topping; chill until serving. Break pretzel mixture into small pieces; stir into pineapple mixture.

NQA Show What a Blast

Well went to the NQA show here in Columbus, Ohio and had a blast. Wish I would have felt better but my alergeries were given me a run for my money, they were awful. Wished I could have stayed longer to visit with more friends & enjoy it more but oh well.

I did get to walk around with my good friend Bonnie Graham from Parkersburg, WV. We had a good time drooling over the quilts, trying to find some great buys at the show too.

Met up with some other friends from the Ohioquilters Online group too, which is always so much fun.

Here is a picture of one of my favorites up top, plus the quilting on it. I'm loving the mixture of pinks and browns/ tans. One of my new favorite loves.

I did pick up only one quilt kit, a couple yards of fabric and a few fat quarters. Oh and some machine quilting thread I was wanting to try. Lord knows I need to get going on those tops I have 9 ready to put on my grace frame to get quilted.

My oldest son has gotten his drivers permit, so we've been busy with that with driving school, plus weight lifting for fall football, and normal things. My youngest is signed up for bookworm which he loves to do. Plus this week vacation bible school which is a lot of fun for all, I sit in on adult bible study which I love to do, so interesting & really makes you think about life.

Our garden is coming along nicely we tried pole beans this year, hopefully the rabbit will stay out of them, have 12 tomatoe plants, cucumber which we also have growing on a trelis, zuchinni plants, plus some flowers in between the rows. I'm hoping this year to try my hand at some canning, maybe even go to the amish auction to buy some vegetables to can also but we will see.

Another top to add to the pile

Well I finished an online mystery last week, was pretty fun and turned out great too. We also sent out a package to a person in an exchange I got some wonderful needles, a pattern & everything to make it with also a scrapbag & pincushion. I'd been eyeing one of these for a long time but never made any, now there is now excuse but time!!! Plus she sent me some

5" charms from kT line of aunt purdy, love those charms, and she also makes her own soy candles, so she tucked some in there of them, they are out of this world~~~ wonderful, smelling and burns nicely too. check out her website tell her Carolyn from KT Camp sent ya. www.kskreations.com They are some great candles.

I also got some 1930's reproduction 3" strips from an online centralized swap at the ohioquilters group www.ohioquilters.com and they are great!! Don't know what I"m going to use mine for yet but will come up with something I'm sure. These are some great gals to exchange with. I must say I'll be signing up for the 3" strip swap again. I love the kitty ones, along with the scotty dogs and don't forget the chickens too. My favorites of the 1930's reproductions are the flowers especially daisy's. I love those.

Heading to another retreat

well I'm a week away from heading to another quilt retreat. I'm so excited~~ I'm packing away some UFO's, some other items I'm wanting to get completed ( I hope) and maybe start some new things.
This is my last one before fall hits them one more I'll be done for the year.
I'll be charging up the camera for some great picture taking I hope. don't know if I'll be doing much shopping since I'm trying my very very best to work out of my stash as much as possible.
Gosh that is going to be so hard being up there with other quilter on a buying frenzie and a bunch of awesome quilt shops with some great prices~~

Organization~~~~

Well here it is April and getting into the "spring" cleaning mood and simplify my sewing area. Well I have a 16x24' converted garage as my sewing area. I love it. Clyde my hubby insulated and put up strand board with lots of outlets and lighting. I've been adding cupboards as the extra cash comes available. I've got a L-shaped sewing table and another huge desk to sew or craft on. Clyde even bought me a dorm size refrigerator to put in there as well. Now only if I had a bathroom I'd probable never leave there. I keep my grace machine quilter in there. We were discussing organzation on the ohioquilters list, and I told them about the container I use to keep all of my "feet", accessories, thread etc when I go on a retreat. ( which I'm leaving come May for another quilt retreat, pure heaven) so I've enclosed a picture of what I use. I picked this up in the hardware section it is used actually to put assorted sizes of nail, nuts & bolts ect. Has a nice tight lid on it, plus I can carry pretty much all I need for a retreat. For example extra thread, prewound bobbins, stuff to clean my machine, extra feet, an electric adapter, cutters, sissors, glue stick ( paper piecing), and just about anything. This also fits nicely in my rolling tote that I put my machine in. I love new ideas on how to organize my stuff.

Quilt Retreats~~~ A piece of Heaven

Well went to another quilt retreat the weekend of March 2-4th, 2007 and Had a ball~~. I don't understand why more women don't do this. I had so much fun. Met up with 8 Ohioquilters members there, we laughed, teased one another, sewed, ate, laughed some more and made some lasting friendships. This was such a wonderful weekend. I believe more women should be going to these just to get away from everyday life. You can go there, and be goofy for the whole weekend, guess what no one cares your a little bit nuts, because they are being the same way. The best part is no phones to answer ( unless of course you leave your cell phone on),your not a taxi, your not making dinner, your not cleaning up after others, not being a referee and lots of other things I could list. The best part you can do what you want when you want to. When you are heading home you just feel so relaxed and can't wait to start sewing again on some quilts. I recommend going to one of these at least once a year. You do get to meet some wonderful women that enjoys the same hobby as you plus who knows what other hobbys you might have the same interest. If you get the chance to go to a quilt retreat do so, you'll never regret it. I can't wait until May for my next one then it will on to September for my last one of the year.

A table Runner Completed

Here is a couple pictures of the table runner I completed for a swap in the Ohioquilters Yahoo group. I got my friend Ellen who owns Honey Fork Fabrics, which is a wonderful online & brick/mortar shop here in Logan, Ohio. She wanted an american theme. So I came across this pattern online which reminded me as the fireworks you see exploding in reds & blues. I hope she likes it as much as I liked making it for her.

The Red that looks like dots is actually stars, what looks like black is a dark navy and the paisley is on a white background.

Another UFO Bits the dust

Well yesterday I finished up another UFO called American Crossroads. i found this in the quilt sampler magzine last year, it was featuring one of my favorite quilt shops called Quilt Plus in Indiana. I dug thru all of my scraps done up in dark navys, blues, dark pinks, tans/browns and some shirtings. away i went. Well got distracted bag them up along with the magazine in a ziploc and put them in my pile of kits in the baskets. Well I decided this year I was going to get a lot of those kits etc done. Well another is done, BUT i may put a couple of boarders on it, maybe a pink small one about a 1" then a larger one in blue for the final with a tan binding.

So far I have about 9 quilt tops to get quilted this spring once the weather warms up. With the price of propane I don't want to run it too much out there in the sewing room. I machine quilt all of mine on my grace machine quilting frame using a Janome 1600 DBX which I love. Investing in that has saved me so much money on sending them out. Worth every dime. I send some still out for custom work atleast until I get better, LOL.

The snow has came & gone, but boy do we have some ice leftover. Which I would loved more snow then the ice. Talking more snow this weekend which is a possiblity. Well I'll just put on a pot of soup, warm up some bread & keep on quilting.

Now I'm working on my pedels for a quilt called Aunt purdy's palor. Need some hand work for the evenings so I'm applique them on each block.

Snows a Coming~~ I can Sew, Sew, Sew

Well Snow is suppose to be coming late tonight along with Yikes!! Ice. ( bad,bad word) Let it snow all it wants as long as the electric is on I'm fine. I've dug out two ufo's to work on, plus a tablerunner for a swap I'm in, along with 2 birthday blocks in the Ohioquilters online group. So I'm content with staying home and sewing. I'm hoping this year to complete most of my ufo's that I have in my sewing room. But the question is what am I going to do with all of these quilts when they are done. :0) I'm sure I can find something to do with them. One of the ufo's is called American Crossroads, I purchased the kit at a quilt shop called Quilt plus. I love the blues, pinks, tans and creams. I added to the selection of fabric they sent to me, most of them are vintage looking or civil war reproductions. The other ufo I dug out is called Aunt Purdy's parlor quilt. It was another block swap, need to make some more of the border and add all of the leaves. I believe I"m going to add them buy using fusible lightweight interfacing and machine applique them, but we will see. It will look nice once completed. Why is it we ( quilters) have UFO's?? I mean do we get that bored with the fabric? Don't like the pattern any longer? Are we all adults with A.D.D? Or is it something catches our eye and we hafta start it now!!! I know on a recent trip up to the Glass thimble in Columbus, Ohio with some girlfriends. I saw this quilt called Home Sweet Home done up in creams, dk. muted pinks, robin egg blue, sage green and gorgeous tans. Well I just stood their gazing at how beautiful it was. I knew then I had to make this quilt. So guess what I bought the book, now looking for that perfect background fabric and collecting the other fabric for the houses etc. so I can get started on it!! Yep, here is another one started before long, LOL hopefully not a UFO!!!
Stay Warm~~~ Pray for electric during the next couple days so I can sew, sew, sew~~~~

Another quilt top done, Yea!!!

Well I finished another top. It is called Chelsea's Boutique done up in my favorite lines of fabric called Kansas troubles. It turned out rather nicely and used up a bunch of scraps, which is always a plus. I did this in 3 days while being snowed in with the kids this week. Had to do something to keep my sanity.
Was a very easy pattern, plus i simplified it and instead of uning 4 7/8" square to make 1/2 square triangles I dug out my 5" charms I purchased for another quilt project. Use them instead, which was a major time savor, and trimmed them down to 4 1/2" after sewing them. Now I have to replace my charms to do the other quilt. Don't you love how the colors just go together? One more quilt that went into the "need" to be quilted pile. Now up to 8 boy I wish the weather would warm up so I can go out there & sew without turning on the heaters.