This Old Batt

Flying Geese

2012-01-22T20:06:00.000-08:00

I am overrun with leftover fabric, donated fabric, scaps, etc. I decided to do something about it. I was inspired by Karen of Anna Lena Land. She has a Facebook page called Quilt Block A Day. This year she is doing Flying Geese. She has a wonderful tutorial on her blog. I got busy and every morning before work I make eight flying geese. It takes about 10-15 minutes. I've been using up scraps and small pieces of fabric. At first I tried to color coordinate but then I just decided to go for it, pull fabric and start cutting. I usually have all the squares cut and those that need to be ironed done either the night before or I have even cut enough for a whole week. Then in the morning I can just sew. I've found her instructions and measurements very accurate and easy to follow.

Being organized is not one of my strengths but......

Scary......I know where everything is! I even keep the instructions and pictures of flying geese quilts that I like in the container.

I now have quite a few geese flying around my quilt room. I'm not sure what I will do with them yet but Karen has been posting some wonderful ideas.

Have a great week. If you live in the Pacific Northwest try to stay dry or out of the snow.

2012-01-15T19:47:00.000-08:00

I had this feeling for the last couple of months that I really should start blogging again. My friend, Jodi, from Pleasant Home came over yesterday. I've done some pattern testing and sewing for her and love every minute of helping. She asked me to test her Wonky Pinwheels pattern. I couldn't do just a couple and by the time I was done testing I had a quilt. Love this quilt.....yellow is my favorite color.

However, yesterday she said she had linked my blog in her post. I was in shock for a minute and then said, "I haven't blogged in almost a year!" She said, "I know. After I posted I went and checked your blog." Well, I must admit, I am embarrassed but for Jodi I will do just about anything. If you haven't been following her blog.....YOU NEED TO! She is extremely talented and very nice, too. : } We had a good visit (in my sewing room which is a mess.) She mentioned that maybe something should be done with it. I told her some of my ideas and she just smiled. Maybe she has some ideas up her sleeve.

Just to let you know a little of what I have been doing other than working at the school.......we went camping last summer and had the whole family with us.

This is a more typical picture. We have a lot of fun!

I've done some sewing for a couple of bazaars....at least I made my money back.

These are a couple of Shelby Mine bags. I made five. Love this pattern. Jodi asked me to make one for her blog because she was selling the pattern kit on her Etsy store. I gave her one of the ones I didn't sell for her give away. That's was started this whole embarrassing blog thing. I didn't think she would use my name. I should have known better.

I made wallets, coin purses, and pencil cases as well as sandwich wrappers. I had a lot of fun making these. My daughter helped me with the sandwich wrappers.

Just to end my post on a sunshiny note. Here is Chloe, the cat enjoying the winter sunshine. I will try to do better with my posting. Make sure you start following Jodi at Pleasant Home. Join in the Sew Scraps Along. It's fun!

2011-03-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm.....another snow day!!!!! I'm thinking maybe I should do some blog catch up. I have to admit that Jodi from Pleasant Home inspired me to do this. She is having a give away and I get another entry if I blog about it so....Here's to you, Jodi! She will soon become a grandma so she is giving away a ? You need to go check it out at Pleasant Home. In case you haven't visited her blog before I must say it is my favorite.

Last week book club came to my house.

We discussed Falling Leaves. It is a true story about an unwanted child in China. I just had to have fortune cookies as part of our dessert.

I finished an afghan that I have been working on for four to five years. I've had it for so long I can't really remember how long it has been.

We had the entire family home for Christmas...even the Texas part of our family.

#5 and Grandma got to wear our shirts at the same time and be together!

And I finished a baby quilt for a very special baby.

I'm going to my sewing room now. I think I have my quilting mojo back! Enjoy whatever crazy weather your neck of the woods is having. We still have snow but it is raining now. I see flooding in the future.

2010-12-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

Well, fall is gone and winter is here. Wait isn't that what I said on my last blog post? No...I think maybe it was summer is gone and fall is here....anyway. Christmas is over. I got almost all my projects done but I forgot to get pictures of all of them. I made Itty,Bitty Poochie Bags to hold the gifts for my granddaughters. I crocheted an afghan for my six-year-old grandson, and made a quick quilt for my five-year-old grandson. I didn't get the slippers done for one of my sons-in-law but they will be done soon. My daughter and her husband and kids flew up from Houston. It was wonderful to have everyone together. They fly back home tomorrow morning. I have a few days before I go back to work. Maybe I can get some quilting done. What a novel idea. Maybe Hummer will still work for me. I sure do love that machine. It has been raining all day and somewhat gloomy with fog every now and then....at times very beautiful....at times depressing but I really do enjoy rainy weather as long as the sun appears every few days. I'm ready for a new year.

2010-10-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Wow....summer is gone and fall is here. I haven't blogged in a long time. This has been a difficult few months for me but my daughter just yelled at me because I haven't blogged in so long. This blog is for Carrie. Did I make you happy? I did just finish a couple of things but I can't post the pictures yet because the receiver hasn't received them! I get to visit the knee doctor next week. Of course, the swelling is almost gone from my knee after almost four months and it isn't hurting quite so much. Hopefully he will tell me to get back to the gym. I'm working on several other projects but still haven't finished many UFO's. If you need a project to have fun with go over to Jodi's blog. She's doing a Sew Scraps Along. I really want to do this but there is so much to do and so little time.

Jodi is one of my most favorite peoples and blogger. If you don't know about her blog you are missing out.

2010-07-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

I know...I know...two posts in one day but I have to tell you about a new blog that Jodi from Pleasant Home has started. Go check out SEW PICTURE PERFECT. Jodi is one of the most talented people I have ever met. I guarantee this is a blog you won't want to miss and she's having a give away!

2010-07-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

After the P&P party was over it was "Hang in there until the school year is over!" I finally made it and actually worked an extra day to keep the library open for summer check out. It will be open several times during the summer and I will work for three hours on those days. So far we have had several families in checking out books. Keep Reading!!!! There were only a few more days until my sister flew in for the Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop. Deb was coming along with us or we were going with Deb...whichever way you looked at it. We were off! We managed to visit 39 shops in four days and had a blast. We didn't go out on the sound this year but did go over Deception Pass...twice. Deb managed to not look out of the car so she made it both ways. I'm proud of you, Deb!

This is at one of the many stops along the way. My sister was kind enough to bring good weather from San Diego. One of the lasts stops was at The Wild Rose Quilt Shop in Orting, Washington. This shop had to be one of best of the Shop Hop.

Here is Wild Rose! The shop is amazing and the staff was the best. I would recommend this shop to anyone visiting the area. I would even say take a special trip to see it.
The upstairs of the building is a retreat center with room for ten people to sleep and a small kitchen area. The center of the room is a huge classroom. (That's Deb taking a picture of Wild Rose.) I was sure I would win the grand prize from the shop hop.... a retreat for up to ten people but, alas, I didn't win. The retreat area has incredible views of the mountains and I was told that Orting was a well known biking, hiking area. Did I happen to mention that we had tons of fun? We came home exhausted but ready to go to more shops. After we came home I wrecked my knee and then have been fighting with bronchitis. I think I'm on the mend now but last two weeks have been a bust. I think I need to go do some quilting now!

2010-07-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

One of my friends gave a Pride and Prejudice party. She is in love with Mr. Darcy. Her Mr. Darcy took some pictures for us. Some came in the appropriate dresses. Others of us were just happy to be there. It was potluck and if possible we were asked to bring food from that era.

No Smiling!
There was even a test. It was hard. Some of us helped each other a little bit but the cheaters didn't win. I think we had the most fun!

This is my daughter who is taking five of my grandchildren and moving to Houston in two weeks just so she can be with her husband, and our hostess's daughter. For those of you who like Jane Austen I would suggest having a P&P Party.

The next day my hubby and I went to the cemetery, met my brother and his wife, and put flowers on Mom and Dad's graves. I find cemeteries to be fascinating. Each headstone has a story to tell. This particular cemetery has beautiful scenery and to the right of this photo an incredible view of Mt. Hood.

2010-07-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

In the middle of May I was able to go to the Aurora Colony in Aurora, Oregon to honor Emma Geisy. She is a distant cousin of mine. Jane Kirkpatrick, one of my favorite authors, has written a series of books about Emma and the Aurora Colony. She gave a lecture about her writing and then we visited the Aurora Cemetery and went to the Keil House for a dessert. Jane's lecture was very inspirational. Then we went to the cemetery and listened to stories about Emma and her family and other colony members.

Her oldest son became a very well known surgeon in Portland at OHSU.

This is Emma's mother's headstone. She is my great-great-grandfather's sister. I feel a connection with Emma even though my ancestors went to Utah instead of Oregon. If you are ever near Aurora you really should visit the museum and then shop at all the incredible antique stores. The museum has many quilts and artifacts from colony life. These people contributed greatly to the establishment of Oregon. I have to mention the quilts, again. Every Tuesday morning the women get together at the museum and hand quilt. The quilts that are on display are incredible. There is even one made by Emma. Jane wrote a book about the Colony and it's quilts. It is entitled Aurora: an American Experience in Quilt, Community, and Craft. It is a fantastic look at history.

2010-07-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Summer is supposed to be here but I am freezing! The furnace has been on the last few days. I'm not sure it's even July. However, by Wednesday we will be complaining about the heat. I have many pictures to post but I am going to take the next few days to get all of them posted. Today I just want to tell all of you that I am so grateful to be an American. I'm grateful to ancestors who felt the need to come here for religious freedom. We are truly a blessed nation.

This is the traveling memorial for fallen soldiers. Right now it is in our town. The field is filled with flags. That is my husband's command car. I think this memorial has even more meaning for me because my oldest son served in Iraq for twelve months at the beginning of the war. We are very fortunate that he came home safely to his family. My heart goes out to all who have lost loved ones in any of our wars and conflicts. Because of them freedom still rings in our country.

My hubby has been busy going to several cruise-ins. He has become quite knowledgeable about WWII and loves to visit with veterans and hear their stories. My father-in-law was a WWI veteran. We have his journal that he kept during the war. He was in England and was an airplane mechanic.

The top picture is at the Suburban Auto Group Cruise-In in Sandy, Oregon and the picture just above here is at the Sherwood Cruise-In.

This picture is at Living History Day at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon. If you haven't been there before take the opportunity to go next year. It is an exciting adventure. This year they actually shot some blanks from a tank. It proved to be not quite what they expected. All eras are represented and you can talk to many veterans.

To top it all off.... hubby was asked to bring his car for a movie shoot! He can tell you all about it.

Have a great day and I will be back with more fun things I've been doing in the last couple of months.

2010-05-10T19:54:00.001-07:00

I've been busy, busy, busy but I have finished two projects.

I call this one crazy, wild quilt. I made it for the school's family fun night silent auction. The picture didn't turn out very good. I think it's because it is so colorful. Anyway, my principal keeps asking me how long it takes to make my quilts. I don't know. I just sew until they're done. So......I actually kept track of this one. It was quick and easy. It took about 18 hours start to finish...that doesn't include choosing the fabric. Fabric fondling is way too fun to count as work time!

I made this quilt for our school volunteer of the year. I love the colors! Again, the picture doesn't do it justice. The dark squares are brown or green and the border is a dark brown and black print. One of the volunteer's friends went to her house to get color ideas. We had a lot of fun figuring out just how to make it. I love the pattern. It is from Anka's Treasures. The book is somewhere in my mess of a quilt room so I can't get the title of the quilt. It was a very enjoyable pattern to make. I just might have to make one for myself.

Our volunteer of the year just celebrated her tenth year as a heart transplant survivor. We are all so blessed to know her and work with her. Her outlook on life is incredible and makes you appreciate each day you have to help others. We are all hoping for at least forty more years with her!

2010-05-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hey! Did you know EQ7 is being released soon? I am so excited. I don't get to use EQ as much as I would like to but it has saved me a number of times.

2010-05-02T21:13:00.001-07:00

I finally got the label put on Ian's quilt. He is six months old now but at least I finished it. One less UFO!

I'm trying to be more creative with my quilting. I actually did some OK hearts on his quilt.

I hope to start doing some longarm quilting for pay now. I'll start with basic and hope to get better the more I do. I've actually been working on a beautiful project. I wish I could keep it but it is a gift that I was asked to make for someone. Once that person receives the gift I will post some pictures. Each week I seem to be getting better from my sinus surgery. I will never sound the same but I'm not sick anymore and my energy is returning. I guess this means I should go back to the gym......or not.

2010-04-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

I thought I should get back to blogging. While I'm not fully recovered from sinus surgery I'm doing much better. I thought I would be doing really well two weeks after surgery...didn't happen. However, I'm glad I had the surgery and each day I'm getting better. Before I had surgery our quilt group got together and helped me with a charity quilt top.

I had a wonderful group of helpers.

Chikako just kept cutting more and more 2 1/2 inch strips.
I'm almost finished with the top but have enough fabric to do about four more tops.

My daughter graduated from phlebotomy school and just passed her exams last week. She's looking for a job but is helping her instructor as her assistant. She is an official "vampire" now!

Two days before my surgery I got my haircut. Beth wanted to prove to me that I could get my curly hair to go straight. Guess she showed me! Hmmm...is that grey I see there?

During Spring Break we went camping at Memaloose Park in the Columbia River Gorge. It was chilly but only rained one night. It was a very relaxing time.

This was the view I saw as I knitted or read. We Went to Hood River and visited WAAAM...the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum. It was well worth the visit. There are two huge buildings full of airplanes & cars. Everything there must run. They have a schedule so that everything runs at least once a year. On the way back to camp we just had to stop at the local quilt shop. Of course....I couldn't leave empty handed!

I finished a quilt for my granddaughter. Her older sister wanted to know if she was getting one. She told her, " No.. because grandma doesn't love you as much as she loves me." (or something like that) We had a good laugh over that comment. You have to understand....they are both teenagers and our family teases each other.....a lot. I love them both. They are truly a delight to be around.

This is a closeup of the squares.

I hope to get back to doing more quilting. I'm making a quilt for someone at school and I still have many, many UFO's to finish. I'm on the road to recovery. Look out world....here I come!

2010-03-07T21:10:00.000-08:00

May I just say that sinus surgery is not for wimps. When I am feeling better I will explain that a little more.

I Just Won 10 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

2010-02-26T18:46:00.000-08:00

I Just Won 10 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

2010-02-03T19:09:00.001-08:00

Thought I better share some good news. I finished my first UFO of the year. I'm not sure if this really counts for me because I think you have to have some of it cut out to qualify as a UFO. I've had the fabric for the table runner for awhile but didn't have any of it cut out. At this point....I'm just happy that I finished something.

This pattern is called "Simply a Pleasure." It is by Nicole Chambers. I quilted some cherries on the black squares.

It is quick and easy to make. Now on to bigger UFO's.

2010-01-28T19:08:00.000-08:00

January is a busy birthday month for our family....seven birthdays in one month! For my birthday I got to go to the doctor and then go get a CT scan of my sinuses. I've been sick for most of January and finally after two rounds of antibiotics my doctor said we needed to find out what the real problem is. He called this afternoon to let me know I have acute rhino something or other. In other words...my right sinus is totally full of junk and can't drain. Now I get to take seven more days of antibiotics and seven days of steroids. At least I should be feeling better soon. I got lots of happy birthday wishes. My granddaughter's class called from school to sing to me over the phone. Hubby brought me one of my favorite flowers....yellow roses.

Regena made a darling candle mat and sent some delicious cake.

This granddaughters's cake didn't have licorice on it. I just crossed out her name.

Hubby did a good job of blowing out all of his candles. It's a good thing we didn't have enough candles to actually put on the right amount!

We'll be getting together on Sunday for a family dinner and birthday party. It's always fun to have most of the family over to celebrate. I wish everyone could be there but one son and family live too far away to make it. Smile...it makes life a lot more fun.

2010-01-19T15:40:00.000-08:00

OK....I think I can do this. It is time to start blogging, again. Even though I am still sick my daughter is giving me such a bad time about not blogging that I better get busy. This last year has not been a good one healthwise...nothing serious just not feeling real good. This time I will overcome...no more sinus problems, colds, headaches, etc. No way...No more!!! There, I feel much better. I have actually been doing some quilting.

I've had these blocks done for several years. I did them in a class. I posted about one of the tops I finished but I was going to do two more quilts...not happening. Since my daughter is moving to Houston and taking three of my granddaughters with her I'm not making them matching quilts. They each have very individual tastes and will get their own bedroom. They share one right now so I thought three quilts about the same would be fun. That freed up a bunch of blocks so this is what I have come up with. I'm sewing the rows together now and will have it finished soon. Hopefully the longarm will quit skipping stitches so I can get it quilted. I did manage to get all the Christmas presents finished...nine pairs of slippers, two scarves and two bags.

Everyone seemed to be happy with their presents. I'll share some Christmas photos next. See you later. :)

2009-12-13T21:31:00.001-08:00

Hey! It's finally above freezing. I don't know if it will last through the night but at least it isn't in the teens anymore. Ryan at I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts is having a give away.

I need a quilt calendar for next year. Hope I win. Go visit his blog and enter, too!

2009-11-29T21:34:00.000-08:00

Oh, No! I think I missed my one year anniversary on my blog. Hmmmmm........maybe I need to think about a give way?

2009-11-29T19:38:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Back to work tomorrow! I have book fair and parent conferences coming in the next week and a half and then only another week and a half until Christmas (politically correct=winter) break.

Thanksgiving morning I did the Turkey Trot with family and friends. It started at the Oregon Zoo, went to the Japanese Garden and then back to the Zoo....four miles in all. Some people ran....some people walked....it really was fun. I have a number of pictures to post and you will notice rain in many of the pictures. I will admit that I am a true Western Oregonian because I love the rain. I definitely have webbed feet!
Here we are arriving at the zoo. The weather forecast was for a dry morning with rain in the afternoon. Hmmmmm.....something is showing up in this photo that looks a lot like rain!

Levi, Mike, Regena and I waiting for the start. My son, Russ, took the picture.

Mike and Russ ran while Levi, Regena and I walked. If I remember right Mike said he ran 9 1/2 minute miles.

Runners! On your mark!

Get Set!

Still getting set!

Go!

Still going!

Then it was the walkers' turn. Forest Park is beautiful.

Stunning....even in the rain!

Coming in to the zoo. We must be close to the finish!

Inside the zoo by the mountain goats....we are still walking, haven't come to the finish yet! Notice the women in the center of the picture. They had turkey hats on for the walk. It was at this point that my camera quit working because it was wet.

Coming in to the finish....extremely wet but happy! There was about a half mile walk inside the zoo to get to the end. They had oranges, bananas, and chocolate turkeys for us. Sure tasted good. I'm planning on doing it again next year. Come on and join us!

2009-11-21T20:45:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to post some pictures to show you what I have been doing. It occurred to me that if I did all my family would know what they are getting for Christmas so......pictures will be posted after the holidays.

Thanksgiving morning I will be doing the Turkey Trot at the Oregon Zoo. My son and our friend, Mike, will be running and I, along with Regena and Levi-Mike's wife and son, will be walking. It is a 5K from the Zoo to the Japanese Gardens and back. I think it will be a lot of fun and a good excuse to have everyone else fix dinner. I'm sure I'll be so tired I can't do any work!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-10-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

I've been relaxing a little tonight and searching blogs. I always check out Regena's blog since she is my other sister. (Sorry, Annette, you have another sister you didn't know about!) She is playing Pay It Forward. Since you have a year to complete it I joined the bandwagon. Here are the rules:

1. I will make a little something for the first three people who comment on this post. (Please send me an email with your mailing address so I can send the gift sometime within the next 365 days) It will be a surprise and it will arrive on your doorstep when you least expect it!

2. I will have 365 days to do it in.

What's the catch? to get the handmade gift from me, you have to play too.

3. You must have a blog.

4. BEFORE: you comment here, you must post your "Pay it Forward" on your blog to keep the fun going, and display the "Pay it Forward" button. (just copy the button and put it on your blog you can even copy the rules and paste them to your blog as well)

I think this is a fun way to make new friends. I look forward to hearing from you.

2009-10-18T19:20:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy two weeks. Sewing...Book Club at the Beach.....Aurora Colony Quilt Show....last, but not least, work.

I didn't like the fanny packs the school had for us for recess so I made a new one.

I used a Penny Sturges pattern but made the bag 8"x6" instead of 6"x6". I put some pockets inside so I can keep all the things I need in order. I am very pleased with the way it turned out. The kids like it, too.

Book Club at the Beach was fantastic. The weather was better than it is in the summer. We did lots of walking and talking.

We have so much fun together. What a great group of friends.

We watched Persuasion, which is the book we read, and had a good discussion. We had to replay the kiss scene several times. It needs an award for the worst kiss on film! I haven't laughed that much in a long time!

This is my dream beach house. It is actually a log house. I think it is one of the original houses at Cannon Beach. It took a big hit in the big winter storm two years ago but the owners have fixed it up. You can't really see but there is a hammock hanging between two of the pillars and one is hanging on the left side of the house.

Yesterday my hubbie and I went to the quilt show at the Aurora Colony. The Colony was a Utopian society that had everything in common. The historical society in Aurora has done a wonderful job of preserving the heritage in the area. I am related to some of the original members. There were some very old quilts and some very modern quilts.

I love this quilt! The colors aren't quite true in the photo but I think you see how incredible it is. It is called Friendship Star. It was finished in 1937. The signatures are from family and friends in Furnas County, Nebraska. It was made during the Depression.

I really like the colors!

This is another antique quilt that really caught my eye. The quilts were displayed in the Colony Museum and one other restored building. The original furniture and items that are on display are beautiful. If you want a relaxing and beautiful drive go to Aurora and then tour the Museum and visit the antique shops.

I think Chloe, the cat, has the right idea. She knows what quilts are for and it is getting close to my bedtime. Hope everyone has a good week and stays healthy.

2009-10-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

It's bloggin' time again! Now that I am over cellulitous and only have three more horse pills to take, I'm feeling much better. I actually did some cutting on my next quilt today. A couple of weeks ago I finished a quilt for baby Lawson. He did give his mom a great deal of trouble before arriving but they are both doing fine. Lawson is plumping up nicely!

This was a fun pattern from The Quilted Nursery by Leslie Beck. I love the blue and brown together. I was actually able to quilt some stars in the border.

I went to the quilt show at the Expo last weekend with Regena and my daughter, Carrie. Carrie asked for quilting lessons for her birthday. Yea!!!! We are going to have even more fun than we already do. There were many art wallhangings and quilts. I am drawn to the pieced quilts so most of the pictures that I will share are of the pieced variety.

Loved the colors in all three of these quilts.

Lately, I have been drawn to log cabin quilts. The many design possibilities have captured my interest. So many different looks from one block.

Loved this Christmas quilt. I like to do applique but my hands don't so I have to limit what I do. In the next life I am going to make sure that carpal tunnel does not exist!
Jodi wasn't able to come with us. She caught "the bug".....terrible cold. She's still trying to get better. The best part of the whole Expo experience was seeing Karen, Connie and Robin again. We actually were able to shop at Anna Lena's! If you haven't been to her online shop you are missing a treat!

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

2009-09-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful field trip with some friends on Saturday. Jodi picked me up at 8:10 but then we had to return to my house because I forgot the directions on how to get where we were going. We actually left about 8:30.
Regena came with us to help keep me in line and because she is a very special friend! We tend to find all kinds of extra things to do whenever we go on an adventure. We headed off and finally came close to our destination.

This is one of my most favorite areas in the whole, wide world. I will find any excuse I can to go there. The mouth of the beautiful Columbia River is stunning no matter what the weather. We had sunshine to cheer us on our way. We were headed to Long Beach, Washington to visit Karen. She is a designer for Timeless Treasures among her many, many talents. She invited some of her friends to be with us.

Regena and I had met Karen briefly in the midst of her closing sale at AnnaLena's Fabric Shop. I follow her blog and she had pictures from the Pomeroy House and their apron collection. I had a bag of old aprons that I had received from a friend's family when she passed away. While I loved them they just sat in the top of my closet in a bag. I knew that they really needed to be with Karen so we set up a day to visit. It was wonderful to meet people that I recognized as "kindred spirits" immediately. There are many incredible women in this world and I was lucky enough to meet three more of them.

Karen served us a "scrumpdillyiscious" lunch,

followed by strawberry whipped cream cake. Oh, my...she is a marvelous cook! We looked at the aprons and then visited her studio.

Her table and chair add such a whimsical touch and are a delight to look at.

The quilt from the Chicago World's Fair was stunning. It has a hot pink backing.
All in all it was just about a perfect day. I went to visit a few women that were strangers but left with three more wonderful friends. Karen, Connie and Robin...you are the best!

2009-09-03T15:44:00.001-07:00

Jodi at Pleasant Home is having a super first week of give aways on her new blog. Go check it out!

2009-09-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

You must go visit Jodi's new blog Pleasant Home. It is fabulous and she is having a give away every day! She is very talented and shares super ideas. Go enjoy!

2009-08-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

I made it through the first week back to work. Hopefully, all those computers will work right for all the teachers. I have been busy, busy, busy lately. About five or six years ago I bought fabric for new curtains for my living room and a slipcover for my sofa. I got the fabric at the outdoor sale at Fabric Depot for $3 a yard. I got the curtains made but just couldn't bring myself to attempt to cover the sofa. I bought patterns and books on how to do it but just didn't feel confident in trying it. For Christmas my daughter and daughter-in-law said for my present they would help slipcover my sofa. Being a type zzz personality I put it off for awhile but, finally, I just couldn't stand looking at my sofa any longer. I inherited this Ethan Allen sofa from my mom after she died. It was blue with pink flowers. My living room is yellow with barn red accents...didn't look too good in there so two weeks ago I bit the bullet and we scheduled the sofa makeover. I had a lot of support.

Cookie Support

Piano Music Support

Eating Support

Daughter Support or Sister Support for the Cookie Maker
(whichever way you want to look at it!)

Grandkid Support

Nothing is ever simple or done alone in our family but we sure have a lot of fun!

There was a lot of pinning and measuring.....fitting and refitting. Isn't the old color of the sofa lovely? In its defense the sofa is many years old but being of good quality has excellent "bones."

It was getting closer to being done. I couldn't believe what a difference it made in the look of the room. I used all my books and patterns because none of them had my exact sofa. I even found tutorials on the blog to help. After two weeks it is finally finished!

My daughter-in-law did the cushions with piping and zippers! They are great! The picture isn't the best...the colors are off a little but you get the idea. I figure it took the three of us a full three days, maybe four, to finish the entire project. I would never attempt to do something like this without at least one other person helping you.

The quilt hanging on the wall is "Home is Where the Heart Is." It is from Quilting Delights' 1997 $5 quilt club. The quilt on the left hand side of the picture is Chocolate Delights. You can't really see but it has a scalloped border and is hand quilted by another daughter-in-law. The quilt on the right hand side of the picture was made by the same daughter-in-law for us to use in our car. It was a Christmas present. It is also hand quilted and you can see that it does not reside in my car...ever.

Now for the next project....a cute "cricket" chair that my mom bought from "Ye Oldde Maple Shoppe" when I was just a kid. Mom had reupholstered it to match the blue and pink sofa. I think it really needs to be rebuilt (just like me) because it is truly an antique! Wonder how many years it will take me to get the chair done?

2009-08-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hey! Regena at Quilt N QuiltThings is having a giveaway. She wants to see if she can get entries from around the world. Go check it out!

Oh...almost forgot...the quilt is in the giveaway,too!!!!!

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine in the great Northwest. I received a call the other day telling me I need to go back to work a week early. There go all my projects for next week. At least I can finish making a slipcover for my sofa. Think of the money....think of the money...think of the money!

2009-08-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

OK...I need to catch everything up to date. On July 9 my husband chauffeured our friend, Michele Watts, in the Sandy Mountain Festival parade. Michele is Oregon's Mother of the year. It is a well deserved honor for her.

As soon as we got everything cleaned up from camping I started working on the quilt that Regena had asked me to help with. It has been a comedy of errors for me on this round but it turned out beautifully.

First of all I decided to do a flying geese block. I had forgotten how time consuming they are. Then...after I started sewing the first blocks together I realized that I had cut out too many squares of the dark material.....four times as much as I needed. After I got the squares done I realized that I needed more squares so I really didn't cut out four times too much only two times too much. After I got ready to sew the first strip onto the quilt I realized that I had my measurements wrong and needed 1 1/4" more length. Forgive me, Regena, I cut off the extra from her round. I did give her enough blocks that she won't need to do much for the last round except sew four patches....if that is what she wants to do. Check on her blog to see the finished project. She is trying to catch up on her BOMs so it won't be until next week unless her type AAA personality kicks in! This quilt will go to a family in need.

Now to camping pictures.

This is one small group of seagulls and pelicans we saw. There were thousands of birds at the beach the first week. We could see about four more large groups from where this pictures was taken.

Many, many pelicans. I guess there were problems with the food chain in California so they decided to come eat in Oregon.

Our teenage young men kept us well entertained!

They snitched the Nerf dart guns from the little kids!

My niece and her family live close by so they came to visit. They actually rode their bikes to the campground.

They have quite a bike train going!

Ft. Stevens is a beautiful park. Here they are riding off into the sunset!

Our youngest was trying to learn to ride her skateboard. Her older sister broke her foot doing the same thing at the same park twenty some odd years ago! That made for an entertaining camping trip that year!

Our son just put a new diesel in his Ram Charger. He informed us that it couldn't get stuck. Guess he was wrong. His three year old fell asleep in the truck while he was trying to get it unstuck. This is the same son that brought his welder camping. He needed to do some more work on the truck.

Stuck? No just bogged down and couldn't get out without shoveling sand for quite awhile and then using tow ropes.

I've saved the best for last. You can't have a camping trip without smores and more smores and more smores and.......you get the idea.

2009-08-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm back! We've had a wonderful vacation. I'm quilting again and trying to ignore any housework, yard work, or anything else that might come close to work. It only took 12 days into our vacation to see a sunset. I actually took pictures on our last night camping. We love to drive on the beach especially when our friends are out with us. We drove awhile and then parked so we could really enjoy the ocean sunset.
At this point we were looking at the ocean trying to see whales. We had seen some the night before but, alas, none were to be seen. Before this we had been laughing at the seagulls.
It seems that even seagulls have a "pecking" order. As we watched the birds land it became obvious that the young ones (dark colored) knew that they were not to land among the older birds.

This was taken as we were first driving by. The dark spots are the young birds.

Going

Going
(notice the birds in the upper right hand corner)

Going

Going
(more birds)

Almost gone

Gone
(Still more birds)

I could have added many more sunset pictures but you get the idea. The pictures take me back to the peacefulness of that evening. I love the ocean...actually the whole earth. We are truly blessed to be living here.

There will be more vacation pictures later. (Just a warning!) Eleven of us stayed for the whole two weeks with fifty seven that stayed part of the time and twelve that came for day visits. Of the fifty seven, twenty seven were kids! It was a great family time. There were four multi-generational families involved and two single generation.

2009-07-11T12:10:00.001-07:00

OK...so I was only going to blog about one giveaway but I found another one that I can't resist. Amy at Kati Cupcake is giving away a quilt kit.

I love this quilt! Hop on over to her blog and check it out. If you leave a comment let her know that I sent you over to visit.

2009-07-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

OK...I'm going to do a post about another giveaway. I really would like to win this pattern from Sew Take a Hike.

2009-07-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

So many giveaways are going on but I'm only posting about the one from imjustaguywhoquilts. Love his blog title and love all the fun things he has to give away.

This is just one of the items. Go check it out!

2009-07-06T19:58:00.000-07:00

My good friend, Regena, at Quilt n Quilt Things asked me to help her with a round robin. I said no...I had too much going on. She was very persistent. I told her if she asked again I really wasn't going to do it! She waited...not too patiently...and asked me about a month later. I relented since I was out of school. You need to understand that she is a type AAA personality. I must say I think she is now a type AA personality. I still love her like a sister no matter how much grief she gives me for being a ZZZ personality. Anyway....she brought the center of the top over and I had it ready to give back to her in about four days! Boy, was she surprised.

The colors aren't quite true in this photo. The red is really more of a rust color. This will end up being a king size when we are finished. It is a donation quilt for our church.

Another great Weekend! Our son and his family came to stay with us for a few days. They had a wedding on Friday. Saturday morning my daughter-in-law and I went over to longarm. She took pictures but I forgot to download them to my computer. When we arrived back home we discovered that the engineers had been busy. Our son brought a water slide over since it was going to be hot. It just didn't look long enough for my husband, the engineer, so this is what we found when we came back home:

They had added about 3o feet of black industrial plastic to the slide. The boys were already having fun. Now some of the adults were ready to try it.

Several different techniques were tried.

Some just kept flying over the edge.

Some were more successful than others.

When the boys got tired they played in the "pirate ship" for awhile and then went back for more fun on the water slide.

Later in the day our other son and family came. New techniques were introduced.

Some were very creative.

Some needed a little extra effort to make it to the end.

We had a delicious bbq and then headed up to Sandy to watch the fireworks. It was a great show. The adults in the above escapades are very sore to this day. I was smart enough to take pictures.

2009-06-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

We had a fun weekend. Saturday we invited our son and his family over for a bbq. Our daughter and her hubby had planned to go to friends for a bbq but instead we invited them over here. We had a good time visiting. The kids had fun playing on the hammock and playing Guitar Hero. Family and friends are the best!

I finished my quilt challenge quilt! It is definitely titled "WILD!"

I didn't have enough money to go buy backing so I used leftovers. I'm very pleased with the outcome.

After I finished longarming my friend's grandson saw the quilt. He decided he needed to have it. Sorry, Gabe.....you'll have to get grandma to make you another one! I had fun on the longarm and experimented with my quilting. I'm getting braver. One of these times I'll try some pantographs. Until then just call me free hand Sheri.

2009-06-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

Finally...a new post. I have overwhelmed myself again but I'm back on Project Probation and making headway! Summer is here and, at last, I'm finished with work. I had two days training on how to use the new web provider for school. We had an excellent trainer but now I have so much to do. I just put it out of my mind until the end of August.

Look what I won!

Sarah at House of Krom had a give away. I could choose between this placemat and a wonky house placemat. It was a tough choice but.....our first house had orange kitchen counters and apple green bathroom counters. I love those counters to this day so I had to choose this one. It is on top of my mother-in-law's treadle sewing machine that I keep in my living room. Thank you, Sarah!

I've been busy with the quilt challenge from Old Red Barn Co. I quilted the top on the Gammill yesterday.

I just need to bind it tonight and I'll be finished. You'll have to come back to see the backing. I didn't have any money to buy backing fabic so I created my own. I'm please with the way it turned out. I think this quilt should entitled "WILD!"

2009-06-09T20:16:00.001-07:00

I did it! I finished my quilt challenge top.

It is very bright but I really like it. I think I will enjoy quilting it. I'm going to experiment and see if I can't be more creative with the longarm. Should be fun!

2009-06-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

Oh, my....It's been way too long since I blogged. In my defense, this happens to be the busiest time of year for me at school plus this year there has been the added stress of what my job will be next year. I finished the library inventory. Only 25 books are missing out of 13,500. I'd say that's pretty good. Most books that were still checked out to students were paid for. Friday, June 5, was the last day of school for students. I work this next week and then am done for the summer. Next year I will work four days a week at the school I'm at now and one day a week at one of our middle schools. I gained seven hours a week for next year. I'm grateful to have a job and will love working with the library tech up the mountain. She is a good friend. Our group of library techs has lots of fun when we get together.

I've also been busy with a quilt challenge. Jodi at Simply This, That and the Other strongly encouraged me to join in. It looked like a lot of fun so against my better judgment I did. May I just say it has been fun. It is sponsored by Old Red Barn Co. It's been going for three weeks now but if you want to join in you can still catch up.

You need to choose twelve half yard cuts of fabric. Of course, I chose thirteen. Then you cut them into 2.5" strips.

Next, sew them together using 1/4" seams and cut them into 12.5" squares. On the Old Barn site it says 11.5" squares but I think it should be 12.5". If not, I can still fix them.

I put these up on my design wall for a picture. Obviously, my quilt will be very bright. I love sewing quick quilts like this one. After next week I will be ablt to longarm more of my quilts and do a lot more sewing.

I've been wanting to do a give away. I wasn't ready to do one before Christmas so I gave Jodi one of my table runners and asked her to use it in a giveaway. I figured I be ready when I had 1,000 visitors to my site. That number came and went...maybe, 2,000? Oops, that came and went, too. I love the blogging community. I think I'm just about ready now so you might want to keep checking back...just in case. Happy Summer Vacation!!!!!!!

2009-05-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. All the family came for a granddaughter's baptism. We took a new family photo.

We truly appreciate our freedoms and thank all who have given their lives so that we might be free. Thanks to all who have served or are serving in the military. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

2009-05-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

It's been too long since I blogged. I've been reminded by several people. You might get tired of hearing about my family but that's OK. I'm going to share more. Yesterday after work my hubby and I drove to Rockaway Beach. The drive was beautiful. Unfortunately, we didn't stop to take any pictures. Just imagine every shade of green you can and put them together as trees, fields, plants...anything green you can think of, even the Wilson River. There were also large fields of crimson clover. I think spring is just about my favorite time of the year. All the incredible greens. Our son was having a band concert. He didn't know we were coming. We got to the high school, parked the car, and got out.

The first thing I heard was music to my ears.....the ocean waves crashing against the beach. We went inside and found the gym. Our daughter-in-law and grandsons were really surprised.

The band came in. The boys were trying to get their dad's attention. As any nervous band director does, he was blocking out all the noise that he didn't need to hear.

Finally I called his name.....that got his attention! He was definitely surprised.

Yes, he is very tall. His brother is taller. The concert was great. We heard both the choir and band. His school is small. There are seven students in the sixth grade band. Three were home sick. The seventh and eighth grade band has seventeen. That is the largest group he has had since he has been teaching there. The high school band has about twelve. The music was wonderful. It is impressive what small groups can do when they work hard. We left for home about 8:45.

Rockaway has become quite a nice place to live. Those are homes up on the hill overlooking the town and the beach.

This is at the parking lot in the middle of Rockaway.

Some new condominiums next to the parking lot.

This is looking south across Tillamook Bay towards Tillamook.

The beautiful sunset looking northwest across the bay.
It was well worth the two hour drive each way to see our son and his family and hear the concert. The northern Oregon coast is one of my most favorite places in the whole wide world! Seven and one half weeks until two weeks of camping on the coast. Vacation....here I come!

2009-05-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago some of my grandkids went to Cosplay in Seattle. They've been before but I think they feel they have to make better costumes each year.

The ones on the ends are mine. The one in the middle is a good friend. They helped their mom make their outfits.

Mom took them and brought little brother and sister. Little sister is the one in the blue. Evidently, she was a big hit.

Little brother was a big hit, too, but he wouldn't wear his costume. He only agreed to the hair cut because it was just like his dad's....except for the arrow. All reports said they had a lot of fun.

I made another bag for a grandchild. This bag was promised if she did her written piano work. This is another Penny Sturges pattern from Quilts Illustrated....Taylor's Trio.

I decided I needed a new spring bag so....Penny Sturges, again. This time the Mini Bow-Tucks Bag. I love her patterns. They are very easy to follow.

I am so happy to see sunshine!!

2009-05-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

I'm back again.....finally. I finished the auction quilt for school.

I"m not the best photographer. The colors aren't quite true.

This is a little bit better but is still pretty dark.

At least you get the idea. I loved the pattern. It went together quickly. It is from Quick Quilts. I think it is this month's issue. My friend is borrowing it right now.

Here I am basting the top on the longarm. Have I mentioned how much I love to longarm. I find it to be very relaxing. Of course, I don't do fancy patterns but eventually I will expand from loops and meanderings.

Stand up straight and smile. (That's what they told me to do.) A happy Hummer (that's what I call the longarm because that is what it does) makes for a happy quilter.

The other day some of the grandkids were here...just hangin' with Aunt Wendy.

A couple of days later they were here for piano lessons but the youngest was all tuckered out. It looks like things are pretty boring at my house but, trust me, they can get pretty wild.

2009-04-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry...I've been ignoring my blog but I have to update my profile. Forty-one years ago today My husband and I were married in Oakland, CA. Time flies when you are having fun! I thought I let you know what I've been up to this last week.

This is a quilt I'm making for our school's family fun night silent auction. The lower right hand corner has been sewn together. I'm pleased with how it is looking. I just hope someone else will like it too.

I've been enjoying our sunshine. All my flowers are blossoming. It's 9 o'clock at night and still 70 degrees. The mountain was beautiful as we drove home from our special dinner. Right now I would have to say that life is good.

2009-04-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long wait between postings. I had a terrible virus...on my computer(trojan horse root kit). It took me four days to get rid of it! More about that later (maybe).

I posted a picture awhile ago of the owl bag I made for one of my granddaughters. Her sisters have been waiting patiently for theirs.

This one loves horses but had to do all her written piano work before I would make it.

This one loves penguins and pandas. I finished it today. They all came over to hang for awhile. Their younger brother asked me if I would make a bag for his barbage (garbage) cans. He has a great love of garbage trucks, garbage men, and garbage cans. He loves to take it out to the curb. The recycling goes out even if it isn't a recycling day. How could I say no to such a special request.

Hubby and I went out to fast food for dinner and then went over to their house to deliver the bag.

I think I made his day!

This is what it looks like when they are at my house and I am sewing:

I love having them with me. Notice that fabric in grandson's hand. He wouldn't put it down and kept asking if I was ready to sew his bag.

Often times the other two granddaughters are up there, too. The oldest doesn't come up unless forced to. He is fourteen and too old for such things. Sometimes he visits with us just to see what is going on. The one on the cow stool has a wonderful imagination and I hear very interesting conversations she has with her make believe world . I told her she was an official sewer because she has poked herself with a pin several times. She is very anxious to start sewing. These grandkids live two miles away. I'm thinking I need to make bags for the others that are a half hour away. Any comment on that from Oregon City...maybe two hours away, Tillamook?

2009-03-30T17:24:00.000-07:00

So many wonderful bloggers out there. Millie is having a give away. Visit her great site and enjoy.

2009-03-27T20:37:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday our son, Russell, who lives in Tillamook, called and asked if they could come visit for a couple of days. You bet! I love seeing my kids and grandkids. They arrived Sunday afternoon and stayed until Tuesday morning.....not long enough for me but they needed to get back home. They came in their new van...new to them. It's color is black pearl so we call it the pirate ship.

This is actually a picture of them loading up to go home but it's the only one I got of the van.

Here are their four boys. Candace is definitely outnumbered but she is still in charge! Candace is a great mom. The boys won't really appreciate her until they are married and find out that most women can't cook as good as she does. They might not appreciate homemade bread now but they will when it is no longer available.

Being the mean grandma that I am I made them clean the toy closet before they went home.

Here they are. The youngest was just a few months old when Russ went to Iraq. It was a tough time for them but he came back safe and sound. #3 will be eight years old on April 12. We are going to Tillamook for church and then he will be baptized.

See you soon, guys! Miss ya!

2009-03-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

DONE.....FINISHED....FINI

I am through cleaning my sewing room! While it will never reach type A personality standards, it's good enough for me. Let's take a quick tour.

This dresser is full of fat quarters and smaller pieces of fabric....don't look inside unless you really need to....that is another project. Notice the pink Almond Roca container...that is my stash of buttons. My grandkids play with them while I am sewing. Bring back any memories? The cow stool....well, we gave that to my in-laws. They ran a grade A dairy. My mother-in-law was embarrassed by the teats so she made a cover to go over it. My grandkids sit on the stool and watch me sew.

I have a small cutting table but it is all I have room for. My hubby put it up on pvc pipe extenders so I don't have to bend over to cut. It makes a huge difference. He also put a shelf between the legs for more storage. See that fabric bundle on the quilting table? I am rebelling and starting a new project. I bought the kit two years ago. I think it's about time to sew it.

My Janome is back from a checkup and ready to get busy. I have a nice view out my window of our back yard.....lots of birds and our cat trying to catch them. It's almost an impossibility. She can't keep her long, long tail still. I put a sheet over my fabric closet to keep the fabric from fading and you can see that I listen to music all the time....classical, pop whatever hits my fancy.

Let's go back to this view. Notice the wire shelving that goes over the window. My hubby put that on three walls. I put all my plastic containers up there. It is amazing how much I can store on those shelves. He didn't put it on the fourth wall because that is my design wall.

Now for the rest of the story.......this is what is on my bed right now. Three of the boxes contain donated fabric for humanitarian quilts. The plastic container is fat quarters. One of the boxes is full of projects I need to finish and one has my completed projects that are on Etsy or are for sale. The green and blue box is Pendleton wool that my mom bought while she worked there many years ago. I know I can figure out a special project using that wool. This will need to go back in my room but at least it is all organized and I know where everything is.

Maybe I can get back to being normal instead of so grumpy about things now........ or maybe not.

Have a good day!

2009-03-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on my sewing/quilting room. It is definitely looking better.

There is actually a little room left on some of the shelves. That won't last for long.

Is that floor I see?

Yes, but it didn't last for long. This picture was taken about an hour ago. The floor is covered again because I'm going through boxes and containers of fabric that have been given to me or I had stored somewhere. I'm actually getting rid of some fabric that is poly/cotton or I know I won't use. My room will never be "neat as a pin" but is getting more organized. I'm just not an "A" type personality.....more like "zzz" type personality. My sewing machine is in the shop getting serviced so this is really a good time for me to be doing this. I have found about ten or fifteen quilts that I want to sew but I put them all back on the shelf. I'll find them again....later.

2009-03-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

Another Give Away From Jodi

Jodi is having another give away! This is one you won't want to miss. Just visit her blog and follow the instructions. I think she is just trying to get all of us involved. Whether you enter or not, you will find amazing ideas on her blog and besides that..... she is really, really nice.

Please Help Jodi!

2009-03-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

Jodi needs your help. She is having a give away and is looking for fabric from all the states in the U.S. Foreign countries are good, too. So go over to her blog Simply, This, That and the Other and see if you can help her. In the process you just might win some very special gifts!

2009-03-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

I didn't have to be to school today until noon. It's parent/teacher conferences. I spent the morning getting started with a project that has been bothering me for awhile.....my sewing room.

The room is a mess. The fabric shelves have become difficult to navigate.

In fact...it's a downright mess!

Yes, those are my grandmother's quilt blocks on the floor. Shame on me!
I got busy. I looks worse now.

I started pulling fabric off the shelves and then began rearranging.

This is where I'm at now. I'll keep you posted.
I did have the beautiful sunshine and green yard to keep my spirits up!

2009-03-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

It's done! Finally! Now I can go on to something else. This is the Perky Patches pattern from McCall's Quilting, August 2004. Several people helped with the piecing. It is a king size charity quilt. I hope someone will really appreciate it.

Mitering the corners was a challenge because I don't have a very large workspace but the miter certainly added to the quilt.

Chloe's comment, "Leave me alone. I'm having hairball problems."

Let's discuss the weather we are having.

Sunday late afternoon. Beautiful sky but what is that white stuff?

Monday afternoon...more white stuff. You get the idea. Tuesday....more white stuff. Wednesday.....most of the white stuff is gone. It's just cold now.

Monday evening hubby agreed to work on Hummer.

Operation becomes more serious.

Operation a success. Hummer is now very happy and so are her owners!

2009-03-08T16:14:00.000-07:00

On Wednesdays, after school, I teach some of my grandkids piano. Four of them to be exact with the fifth thinking he is having a lesson. He can now find middle C almost every time. (He's only four...smartest four-year-old around!) I thought I would share some photos of them. I"m not a proud grandma or anything like that. I must say...things are never calm when they are here. When all thirteen are here...well... you get the idea.

#5 didn't want his picture taken. He thought a Barbie chair would do the trick.

"Aw, Grandma. Just give it up, would ya?"

"Bop it!" (He has a speech problem.)

This is the best he could do. What a doll!

#4 gives me a hug everyday at school. It is so much fun to be with her.

#3 is also at my school but she's one of the upstairs kids so I don't get to see her as much.

#2 just turned twelve. She is at the middle school now.

Celebrating a Birthday

"Uh, Mom. My caramel just exploded."

Now we get to #1. This is just to prove that we do have piano lessons...along with a lot of fun.

#1 is a teenager. Need I say more?

He is also an awesome piano player.....but still a teenager.

Thanks for looking at my pictures. I promise not to show more grandkid pictures until I take some more. I'm thinking my next post will have a quilt picture in it. I'm almost done with our charity quilt.

2009-03-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

Check out the give away at V and Co.

2009-03-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

One year ago

2009-03-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

I need to put a warning up at my front door: Caution...very stressed person inside. Think before you say anything.

I have definitely stressed myself out. Over what, you ask? I'm not sure. When I figure it out I'll let you know. In the meantime.....please enjoy some of my quilt pictures.

I think I need to piece another one of these. Love this pattern.

I made these three quilts for an orphanage in Russia.

This quilt was a gift to a friend who always invites our book club to her beach house for "Book Club at the Beach." Boy, do we have fun!!!!

When I get my attitude adjusted I'll be the first to know.

2009-02-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

Yep...I've been neglecting my blog....but I have a good reason. No, not Facebook, which I do like but I'm still not feeling very good. I came home from school early today and canceled piano lessons with my grandkids. I slept for three hours and feel a little better. The only consolation I have is that so many other people have the same thing. We can all empathize with each other.

I thought I might share just a little of one of my favorite things...books. There are books all over our house...literally. My husband built a bookcase down the middle of our attic and we still have books in boxes.

One of my favorite authors is Gene Stratton-Porter. I have been collecting her books for a long time. I wish I had enough money to buy first editions but I'm really happy just to have copies of her books.

Girl of the Limberlost is my most favorite. I have the dvd of the PBS show and another one about the Limberlost area.

When our daughter lived in Provo, Utah we would always go to the used book store. It was just a little, tiny storefront but once you got inside it just kept going back further and further and then to the sides behind the other stores. We found so many great books there. We were really disappointed when he closed. My best find at that store was Four Girls by Pansy.

I just liked the way the book looked. I read it several years later and enjoyed it so I started looking for more books by Pansy. I found one at Powell's in Portland. They only wanted $300 for it. Obviously I didn't get the book. That was when I learned that her books were very sought after.

This book, Evangeline, was a gift to my mother-in-law from her brother. It still has the box it came in.

Another favorite of mine is Hiawatha. I had to learn part of this by memory when I was in grade school. I have another copy with pictures by Susan Jeffers. She is one of my favorite illustrators.

Another find is Water Babies by Charles Kingsley. Appropriately this one has some water damage. Also my photograph quality is not very good.

Again, not a very good photo but I think you can see how lovely the artwork is.

I also collect old hymnals. I love to sit and play these hymns on the piano. I hunted for a long time before I found a hymnal with Softly and Tenderly. I first heard this hymn in The Road to Bountiful and fell in love with the melody and words.

This copy of The Book of Mormon was printed in 1891. It was a gift to my husband's grandfather. This is one of our treasures that is closest to our hearts.

This is my newest acquisition. I've mentioned Jane Kirkpatrick before. She writes historical fiction. I love her work. This book is about the Aurora Colony near Salem, Oregon. I have relatives that were involved with the founding of the Colony. Jane has done a wonderful job of helping people to understand what the colony stood for and what they did. I really got it because several of the quilts were made by my relative.

I must mention here that I belong to two book clubs and try to read all the new books that I order at school. It doesn't always happen but I try. I also read just for fun!

I could go on and on and on about books. (Just ask the kids at school.) Reading is such a vital part of my life. I'm very grateful that I live in a country where everyone has the opportunity to go to school. What one chooses to do with that opportunity is up to the individual.

Read On!!!!!!!

2009-02-18T18:40:00.001-08:00

Last night we celebrated our sweet granddaughter's birthday. I can't believe she is already 12! She also loves owls.

Here she is modeling her new hat.

I started today at the gym...6:30 a.m. water aerobics and then headed off to school.

Here's my library. It is a very open floor plan. The yellow table is where I teach my flooding group. I have six students in the first grade group and seven in the second grade group. We work on reading skills.

This would be my desk and one of my computers. I share the other one with the rest of the school. It is hiding on the counter in front of the chair in the background.

These windows look out on a courtyard. One of our EA's and her husband fixed plant boxes last fall so we will have beautiful flowers soon.

This is a wallhanging I made a couple of years ago. It hangs off the second floor hallway, overlooking the library.

It was such a beautiful day I just had to go to my favorite place for lunch.

Back to school I go. I don't lead a very exciting life but I'm happy with what I am doing and accomplishing.

2009-02-15T18:49:00.000-08:00

Saturday was a fun day. Regena, Deb and I drove to Anna Lena's in Long Beach, Washington to buy fabric at her sale. We left about 8 a.m. and went over Highway 26. About 10 miles before the Cannon Beach/Seaside junction we were stopped by an accident. The highway had icy spots and had gotten very slippery. Someone lost control and....the rest is history....two cars involved. We sat for about 1/2 hour before we could go on. It did give us time to eat some cupcakes that a friend had sent with us. (Thanks, Jodi!) They were really good and hit the spot. We drove up to Astoria and crossed the Astoria Megler Bridge. I had mentioned to Deb that we had to cross it...twice. Her reply, "I don't go that way!!!" but since she was riding with me she did go that way. More on that later. The bridge is 4.1 miles long and is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. Fortunately for us the weather was good so we had a nice trip.We shopped at Anna Lena's for about an hour and a half. The sale started on Friday so things were kind of picked over but...I didn't have any problems finding some things I wanted. (Be sure to click on the links. There are some great pictures.)

I was sad to realize I never visited this shop before it closed. I could tell it would have been one of my favorites. Karen is very nice and even let us take her picture while she was running the cash register.

We were having so much fun on the way over that we forgot to take pictures so we made up for it on the return trip.

We visited the beach. You could actually drive out on the beach but we were headed to lunch.

After lunch we started back home. This is a picture of the Columbia River where it joins with the ocean. I have seen it from both sides of the river and it is impressive no matter where you view it.

Then....we returned across the Astoria bridge. Did I mention that Deb doesn't like to cross high bridges? Well, I'll let the next few pictures tell their own story.

She covered her eyes only when we got to the real high part of the bridge. She made it and didn't complain! Did I ever tell you the story about the Western Washington Shop Hop, Deception Pass, the floating bridge, the ferry to Port Townsend, and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge? That will have to wait for another time. Let me just say.....Deb was on that trip, too!

We had a great time. We stopped and got some freshed cooked crab. Regena said we could get some only if it didn't smell.

I have the best friends. When we are together there is constant laughter and lots of teasing....fun, fun, fun!!!

2009-02-12T20:50:00.000-08:00

OK...so I've been neglecting my blog. I didn't think I had anything to say. I'm right. I don't have anything to say but I will anyway.

I just came back from choir practice. I am accompanying this time instead of singing. We are doing some great hymns. They are so uplifting. Makes me appreciate all that I have been blessed with.

I drive past this view every day and each day it is beautiful whether you can see Mt. Hood or not.

I'm going to Long Beach on Saturday to buy some fabric at Anna Lena's sale. Deb, Regena and Cheryl are all coming, too. We will have so much fun! Too bad we aren't all independently wealthy so we can buy all the fabric we want. (Notice I said want...not need.)

Have a good weekend!

2009-02-02T16:46:00.000-08:00

Giveaway at http://midohioknitter.blogspot.com. She has wonderful things!

2009-02-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

If you haven't been to Jodi's today she shared another give away. It's at Sweet Cottage Dreams.

It's been a good Sunday. I've been doing some thinkin'. When my thoughts all come together I'll let you know. Once you hit 60 it takes longer for your mind to work!

2009-01-31T16:20:00.000-08:00

I made it through this last week! I was not looking forward to it. I was hitting the big 60 on Tuesday. This is the first time a birthday number has bothered me. Thanks to my friends....I made it!

Shirley called Monday night. She counseled with me and assured me that I would get over it. (She's already been there so her prior knowledge helped a great deal.) If I did end up having problems she said I could call her and she would walk me through it.

I was sure my friends at work would have my desk covered in black but, bless their hearts, I found balloons and a flag banner instead with lots of cards and gifts from special people. Tuesday is my big library class day and every class sang to me....loud and clear. You need to understand that our school has an open floor plan so all the classes heard every time Happy Birthday was sung.

That evening more people came. One of them was Jodi from Simply This That and the Other. She had some VERY exciting news and brought a beautiful gift. You'll need to keep checking her web site for her VERY exciting news.

I love my birthday present! Look at the detail and the wonderful label.

I wanted to put it on my coffee table but I didn't want Chloe to walk on it with her muddy feet.

"Who me? I wouldn't think of walking on it with my muddy feet. I would rather just sleep on it."

Chloe is also known as "Nasty Cat" for her uneven temperament. Getting older has helped her...some. She won't get the opportunity to even touch it because it is going on my mother-in-law's treadle sewing machine that is in my living room.

My husband bought a wonderful chocolate cake for me and Carrie and the grandkids came over. Mike and Levi were there, too, so I had a great party. Thanks, everyone for making it easier to be 60.

I was wandering around in blog land this morning and found a link to Green Fairy Quilts. She's having a giveaway! She has a great blog but make sure you visit her store, too. What great patterns. You need to go see them.

I think I just might survive being 60. Hopefully, I'll make it for another 60! Hmmm.....120..I don't think so!

2009-01-26T17:04:00.000-08:00

She just won't leave me alone! She wants more posts. Well....let's see what I can come up with....

Her dad's birthday? No..she was there. Her sister baked the cake. That's his command car that he restored. She's ridden in it several times.

My t-shirt? Hmmm...she's seen it many times. I got this at Rosie's Calico Cupboard in San Diego about seven or eight years ago. I got one for my friends, too. We get great reactions from people when we wear them to Fabric Depot.

I still think she wants to see or read something else. I'll have to ponder on this one.

If you haven't been there lately go visit Jodi at Simply This, That, and the Other. She has a fantastic blog with so many great ideas. She also turned me from No Blogger Sheri to someone who actually has a blog. That is a great accomplishment.....at least for me.

OK...have I meandered around enough to make her happy?

2009-01-19T20:07:00.000-08:00

OK...my daughter has been harassing me. One post a week is not enough for her. I've been thinking about my next post for the last few days...trying to figure out how to say what I really mean. I guess I'll just give it a try.

Do things ever happen in your life and when you look back on them you realize that someone said something or did something that you really needed to hear or have help with? As I've been thinking about the last few months it occurred to me that one person kept popping up just when I needed her. I don't think Jodi has any idea how much she has been there for me when I needed someone just to be there. For those of you who are familiar with her blog, you know how talented she is. She is also fun to be with, and always encouraging. I have to give a big thank you to Jodi for just being there and making life a lot of fun. I must admit that when she came "shopping" for fabric last Wednesday I was jealous that she was upstairs with my daughter choosing fabrics while I was downstairs teaching piano. However, I'm sure I'll be able to get her over here again.....especially if Carrie is here, too!

Thanks, Jodi, just for being you!

I finished my special order diaper bag today...no school, MLK Day.

I'm not sure I can sell it. I think it is just about the cutest one I've made.

I made one of the pockets big enough for diapers and added elastic bands to hold bottles. I think I got the elastic too low, though. Oh, well....that's what happens when you alter patterns for the first time. I also made two changing pad covers to go over the pad she already has. (Yes, those are more jeans in the bottom left corner. I still have two big boxes and two sacks of jeans to cut!)

Yesterday we went to the Mt. Hood Pops concert. One of our daughters plays the oboe in the orchestra. It was very enjoyable. However, the wind was howling. The concert was canceled earlier in the morning because of falling trees and branches but then they said it was OK so off we went. I really enjoy classical music! Enough rambling for now.

2009-01-11T20:01:00.001-08:00

It's been way too long since I did a post. I am feeling guilty. Life has taken over my life this last week. I'm back at work and had so much fun during Christmas Break that I wasn't ready to go back so this last week kind of just happened. I did do some things but I must get more organized or I will be in trouble.

As you remember (I hope), I long-armed a quilt last Saturday. Well, I finished it!

Thanks to those whose fingers are showing! I always try to quilt my initials on each quilt I do.

Sometimes it looks better than other times. This one isn't too bad. I love quilting with the bright variegated thread.

This quilt is a twin to the 30's quilt I already finished.

This isn't the best picture but you get the idea. I just noticed that it is being held upside down. The flower square isn't going in the right direction. Both quilts are for sale. Let me know if you are interested.

Saturday morning I went to book club. It was a potluck brunch. We have a wonderful group in our book club....lots of fun and laughter. We ate, talked about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, ate some more, chose our books for next year, and decided to start a blog for The Book Worm Bunch. We figured that was the easiest way to get the schedule out and post the recipes from our brunch.

My daughter and I went to Fabric Depot in the afternoon. I needed to pick up some fabric for a Bow Tuck Tote that someone ordered. She wants it for a diaper bag and it had to be pink and brown.

I love this fabric! I'll put covered elastic loops inside to hold bottles. She also wants a changing pad. She has a plastic one. I think I will make covers for it so she can just switch when one needs washing. See the cork floor behind the fabric. My dear hubby put that in for me. I love it!

Just so I won't be bored I started on the bow tie quilts. These are project probation quilts. I took this class four or five years ago and never finished them. Carrie showed me the setting she wanted and I started putting it together.

After I get the center put together I'll add borders. Hmmm..I wonder what color? I still have plenty more to make another quilt.

I might have to sew some more, though, if I want to make three quilts for Carrie's girls. Wouldn't that be sad? I have to sew some more!

OK...I've rambled enough. It has been fun to see the kids at school again. I've also had some good laughs because of their antics. I will try to run my life better instead of letting life run me.

2009-01-03T21:47:00.000-08:00

Hello! Our internet has not been working for the last two days. I am very grateful to a wonderful son-in-law who talked to somebody in India and got it working again! Thanks, Ron!

It has been an exciting two days. New Year's Eve we had an incredible downpour that lasted a long time and flooded just about everything around here. We had a river running through our yard and the back of the yard was totally flooded. My hubby's "dry" shed with used carpet on the ground is no longer dry. Our neighbor had eight inches of water in his basement. The main highway in town lost one complete lane of road to a mudslide. We seem to be recovering but wake up to more snow every morning. At least it melts during the day.

Since I couldn't play on the internet I sewed...another bag.

This one is for my granddaughter that will be turning twelve in February. I added another pocket on the inside so there are two. This is the Penny Sturges pattern from my last post but the larger size.

Friday I went to visit a friend with my youngest daughter. We had a good two hour drive there but it was worth it.

Maggie Jean is beautiful and very precious. It was wonderful to hold a newborn again.

Today I kept myself busy doing things I wanted to do. I worked on another Project Probation quilt. I quilted it this afternoon and just finished sewing on the binding. Now it just needs to be hand stitched to the back. I really love to longarm quilt. I find it very relaxing and a lot of fun. There are four of us that co-own the machine. I call her Hummer because she just keeps humming along.

Now I am ready to work on another Project Probation quilt....well three of them. I started them in 2004 or was it 2003 in a class. I'm just waiting for my daughter to come over and help with the setting for the blocks. I thought she might want to help since I plan on giving them to her daughters.

The design wall is waiting!

2009-01-01T10:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! We had fun at Carrie's house but....I'm getting old! As soon as we rang in the new year we headed home to bed. Our son and his family left for Tillamook this morning...3-7 inches of rain in the next couple of days and they already had 35 mph sustained winds. They tend to get flooded into their house so wanted to get home before they couldn't make it. Grandson #2 turns 13 tomorrow. How did we get so many teenagers!

Wednesday Deb called and asked if I wanted to go to the warehouse. What a silly question! I asked my hubby if I could spend some money there and his reply..."Boy, can you!" That comment gave me the best reason for going. I need to keep up the reputation! I picked up some batting and a couple of patterns. We didn't even walk down the fabric aisles. It was a fun surprise outing. Yesterday afternoon I just had to try one of the patterns and look what happened:

It is quick and easy. There are three different sizes in the pattern. This is the middle size. It didn't call for fusible fleece on the lining. I think if I do it again I will try it with the fleece. The bag is not very stiff right now. My daughter-in-law wanted to buy it but I think she deserves to just have it. It is another Penny Sturges pattern...Taylor's Trio.

I'm hoping to go over to Deb's this afternoon and use the longarm. I have three quilts ready to go.

Happy Day!

2008-12-26T14:07:00.000-08:00

The great thaw has begun! It's a whopping 36 degrees and raining lightly. Remember what my corner tree used to look like? Well, now it looks like this:

My street is now very slushy and messy. Still no mail or newspaper:

I've been happily sewing! I finished my Mini Bow Tuck Bag.

The pattern is by Penny Sturgess from Quilts Illustrated. Her patterns are awesome...excellent instructions.

I'm also making fuselage soup. That's what my dad called turkey soup. You put the fuselage (leftover bones) in a big pot...add onion, celery, carrots, etc. and boil forever. Then you strain it and use the leftover turkey and vegetables to make soup.

Now I have to decide which quilt I need to work on. Hmmmm......I just might have to go back on project probation.

2008-12-24T18:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas ! May we remember our Savior and follow His example in all that we do. I hope all may find joy in the journey.

2008-12-22T19:05:00.000-08:00

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore or maybe we are...more snow!!!! This is turning out to be a wonderful, snowy Christmas season. Since my holiday sewing is done I've been trying to figure out what to work on. My daughter has my walking foot so I can't make my bag. It's too icy to get to the Gammill at Deb's house. OK....I'm tired of kicking the pile of blue jeans I've been saving to make lawn quilts so maybe I'll start cutting out squares.

Now I only have three more piles plus three large boxes to go! I can only do a few at a time as my hands get real tired. OK...no rush...at least I started! Then I looked out my window.

Guess the birds won't be getting a bath for awhile. They'll just have to get supper from off my deck. They might have to share with the squirrel that seems to be hiding things under the mat.

Hubby and I went to the post office to mail packages to the grandkids that live at the coast. Since both highways to the coast are closed it is doubtful that they will get their package in time for Christmas. I was a fun ride....4-wheel drive truck with chains. After driving around for awhile I started wondering how people in Alaska drive through their snow. Do they use chains? Are the roads kept clear enough to drive on? Can you tell my mind has been busy today?

This is the view out the front door. Might not be going anywhere in the van for awhile even though it does have chains on the front tires.

How much snow is that? This picture was taken this morning before we had three more inches!

OK...enough rambling. I'm still working on my banner. The picture is a little dark. I just might have to try something else. Jodi has been very patient with me and all my emails. Thanks, Jodi! Don't you need some more fabric?

2008-12-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

Oh, what a beautiful morning! We've had snow all week and woke up this morning to freezing rain. While freezing rain can be extremely miserable (downed power lines) it is also one of the most incredible things to see. Unfortunately it isn't sunny this morning or we would be in a sparkly wonderland. I love this wonderful earth that we live on with all its seasons. Enjoy today. Every day is a blessing.

OK...I couldn't talk about it without sharing so I went outside and took some pictures.

Looking north up our street

Santa might have a problem with this roof!

Love my ginko trees!
(There are three along the front of our yard.)

My beautiful fir tree on the corner will never be the same.

Car window
Obviously we didn't have church this morning!

This blogging can be addictive! I'm having way too much fun!

2008-12-17T16:55:00.000-08:00

Since the weather here has been frightful(?) school has been closed or had a two hour delay all week. I've finished sewing thirteen pillow cases for the grandkids (don't read this, Grandkids!) Carrie has been here sewing today and she is going to help me put up the picture of my tree quilt.

OK...here it goes!!!!!

Success after three tries!

This is a king size quilt. I added the green log border and the larger black border to get it to size (110x108). It is a fun quilt to make but does take some time. You can find it for sale on Etsy and at Bear Creek Rustic Furnishings. I have fabrics that a friend and I picked up on the Western Washington Shop Hop 2006 to make my own tree quilt. We visited forty shops in four days and went from the Oregon border almost to the Canadian border and then out on the Olympic Peninsula. We had so much fun but haven't gone for the last two years.

After the Bazaar

2008-12-14T21:03:00.000-08:00

Hello to everyone! Thanks for visiting. I am going to work on the blog during the holidays. I work at a school so will have some time off. Actually...we don't have school tomorrow. YEA!!!! Sometimes icy roads are nice. I'm going to try to post a picture of my latest quilt. It is for sale on Etsy.com and is at Bear Creek Rustic Furnishings in Estacada, Oregon. It is perfect for Bill's incredible furniture.

OK...I tried to up load the picture. It didn't work and it's too late to call anyone. I'll try tomorrow.

The bazaar went well I sold some things but no one looked at my Egg Money Quilt. I do understand though. Most people don't realize how much fabric and work go into quilts.

I promise to get this blog looking a whole lot better in the near future.

2008-12-08T21:07:00.000-08:00

Why did I ever pay for a table at the bazaar this Saturday? I'm beginning to question my sanity!

2008-11-25T22:08:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Eventually I will get this blog going. Right now....I'm too busy!