Getting ready

Well our trip is getting closer, and you know, I just had to have a fun new tote to use. One that looked like warm weather and sunshine. It is snowing here today, it looks like a snow globe, big, soft, fat flakes. Anyway I just finished my new tote, it is a LazyGirl bag (Summer Tote) made with fabric from Sew Batik and Bold Over Batiks, and out of the scraps I made a little Wonder Wallet. The bag is great, lots of room and pockets inside and out with a zipper closure. I know I have work waiting but this is so much more fun.

New projects

Well my hubby didn't make it home this weekend so I'm doing some projects for me, not customers. Although I have plenty of work in the studio to do. But here are a couple things I just finished, not quilted yet, but ready for the machine. The one is a project out of a book called "Cabin Fever" from Whimsicals (Terri D). It is supposed to be done with felt, fused and then just framed. I chose to paint it with my Paintstiks and make a frame from fabric. It will be a late Christmas gift to Shelly. In the book the cat is brown, but Shelly's cat is white with orange markings. The "Snow Globe" is a pattern by Deb Madir of Birch Creek Quilts. It is a fusible, very quick and fun. It needs quilting and then all the glitter and glitz. Deb sells iron on crystals. I also decided to add a second globe under the first, only instead of a mailbox and bird I'm going to add a snowman. And then I'll border it together. I am also working on some clothes, yuk, but need somethings to wear when we go on our cruise in 3 weeks. Can't stand paying the prices in stores.

Well all the celebrating is over, I feel like all we did for 3 days was eat. But the food and company was wonderful. On Sunday we were with our children, grand children and the 2 little great grand children. Our family keeps growing, there are now 29 of us. Monday was quiet, spent with one son and his family, and Christmas Day we spent with Roger's family, 22 of 27 were present. Lots of laughter on all 3 days. The photo on the left is some of the table on Christmas Day. The one on the right is some of the family unwrapping presents on Sunday. It is such a wonderful time of year to have lots of family.

Back to Work

Well today it was back to work. My family laughs when I say that, I'm supposed to be retired, but there is not many quiet moments around this house. I am diligently working at my job as Faculty Co-chair for the Minnesota Quilter's Show and Conference. Next week is our "preview" meeting where we showcase the teachers and their classes that are being offered. Check our the web site - www.mnquilt.org then click on the 2008 show link. If there is anyway you can make it to MN in June it is well worth the trip. I'll attach a "little" bit of the raffle quilt, I just finished quilting it. The designer is Sandi Irish of Irish Chain Patterns, she used Timeless Treasures Batiks, and I used all Superior Threads. It really turned out stunning.

Almost Christmas

Well it is almost the "big" day, I am baking today, I was asked to bring desserts for our family get together on Sunday and what doesn't get finished on Sunday I will take to Roger's family celebration on Christmas Day. I want to first wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Then I want to share this photo with you from Tori's graduation. There were lots of happy tears, can you tell the family is very proud of her? Our family will be together on Sunday, there are 29 of us, minus 3. Our oldest grandson is in the Navy, he's in Japan and won't be home until shortly after the first of the year, one granddaughter is in college in Utah and will be home late Sunday evening as will Tony's Jenny, who works in DC. The house will be full, and so will our stomachs from what I hear about the food being served.

My Christmas Tree

This new photo is of a quilt I did from a pattern by Ricky Tims. I know this does not look like something Ricky would design but it is and I just fell in love with it. He made a gift of the pattern to me 2 years ago at the International Quilt Market in Houston. We were both there working, but we always manage to find time to visit others we know and do a little shopping. Anyway, this is the only "tree" we put up this year, we are spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with other members of our families so we only put up some of our decorations. This little photo is a close up of the quilting and the crystals I put on the quilt.

Merry Christmas

Hello and Merry Christmas. I have added a photo of my youngest granddaughter, all ready to attend church yesterday. She looks like such an angel, but believe me there is a little devil in her eye too. I am so lucky that most of my 13 grandchildren and my 2 great grandchildren live close by. At this time of year it is so fun to watch them learn about Christmas.

Graduation Gift

The quilt in the photo is a graduation gift for my daughter-in-law Tori who graduates Dec. 18 from nursing school with her RN. We are all so proud of her accomplishments, she is at the top of her class and is graduating with honors. Tori has worked very hard the last 4 years, and her family has too. She couldn't have done it without their support and cooperation. She is married to my son John and they have 3 very active children, Alison (14), Aaron (11) and Maggie (8). I choose this quilt, pattern and fabrics, because Tori likes the "country" look in her home. The pattern is from a collection of patterns offered by Marcie Patch at www.patchalotpatterns.com. Marcie is very special to me as she is the mother of one of my other daughters-in-law. Check out her web site and blog, you will see a photo of the cutest little girl, that is the youngest of my 13 grandchildren.